Maul for one and one for Maul.

Maul faced off with the group as they attempted to parlay their way through the situation.  Outside this very chamber an army waited, well armed and ready to attack at a moments notice. 
     "How might you be able to help me?"  asked the Maul.  His eyes were difficult to read, he did not seem to have any evil motives however they must be in there somewhere.
     "It depends on what you are trying to do here?" replied Fox.
     "And how is it that I know you are not here for other purposes," Maul said with a smirk, "how can I gaurantee that you are not working for someone in Stret?"
     "We are actually wanted in Stret." blurted Auren, he realized immediately that this may not have been the best card to play.  As the stone giant perked up he quickly changed the subject.  "I notice that your men are well armed, what kind of Weapons Master do you have?"
     The group shifted as a figure emerged from the shadows behind Maul. 
     "I must introduce you to Cest." he detailed as a dark elf emerged from the shadows.  Her menacing face showed no sign of excitement to the newcomers. 
     "I see we have a surface elf in our midst," her eyes burned a hole through fox.
     Fox instantly connected the dots.  Spider on tabard means Lolth the maniac god.  'Of course I should have seen this coming, we may not make it out of here' he thought to himself.  Looking over at Auren he noticed a smile break across his face.
     "I prefer dark meat myself." Auren winked at the drow.
     The elf's eyes widened and she began to boil. 
     Fox took a deep breath and calmly looked around at all of the exits preparing a departure.
     Cest unfurls a whip and does not take her eyes off of Auren as it slides snake-like across the stone.  She rears back twirling the braid over her head.
     "STOP!" roared Maul and the party shuddered.  A group of pidgeons squeaked as the fleed the hayloft.  In the hushed silence that prevailed his booming voice came back twice from the mouth of the cave that rested just outside the chamber.
     The Drow turned her fury to the stone giant.
     "You may be bigger," her eyes were filled with hate, "but we outnumber you."
     "I just might get to kill you before this is over." he said with an endearing smile.
     After a prolonged and intense silence Fox decides to get back to business.
     "So what needs to be done?"
     "There is an artifact in that cave," Cest replied, her temper decreased mildly, "but a group of gnomes have been nothing short of a thorn in my side."
     "Sverf Neblim I presume." Fox new immediately that this was bad news.
     "Sverf indeed." smiled the Drow.
     Fox knew that this was not a task that they would likely survive for many reasons.  He had heard stories of Sverf in the days of his sewer youth and knew that this was not a foe they were ready to take on, especially in his home turf.  It is also common knowledge that almost all partnerships with Drow end up in death.  New priority, getting out of the keep alive.
     "May I talk with you in private?" his question was directed at Maul which made the dark elf furious.


NEXT UP:  A little alone time for Fox and Maul