Jinnaari stormed through the stone hallway, his anger barely in check. I should be there, with them! Not here! The thought ran through his mind.

One minute, they’d been clearing out a room. The next, he was standing in the middle of the practice yard. Someone’d summoned him, taken him away from his task. The very task his Commander had said a few weeks ago was the most important thing in the world.

Torches flickered wildly in their sconces as he strode past. Strange. The chapterhouse shouldn’t be deserted. Yet he hadn’t seen another Paladin in the time since he’d returned.

The Commander’s door, situated at the end of the corridor, stood slightly ajar. Another warning sign. Drakkus never left it that way. Either it was open, or it was shut. Jinnaari slowed down, one hand easing his sword from its scabbard. He steadied his breathing and stopped, listening before moving forward. His tail swished from side to side in small, deliberate movements.

“Althir. Come in. We’ve been waiting for you.” A voice, commanding in a way that couldn’t be disobeyed, came from the room.

Jinnaari put away his weapon, but kept a hand on the hilt. The voice was familiar, but he couldn’t place it. It belonged to a dragon, or dragonborn, that much was certain. There was a tone that only one of his kind could create. A depth to the timbre that could make a soul cringe in terror, or know that help had arrived.

It wasn’t the Commander. He knew that much.

Stopping in the doorway, his gaze was drawn to the fireplace to the left. Logs burned with an unnatural yellow hue. Three chairs sat in front of it. The center one was unoccupied. Two cloaked figures sat in the other two.

“Sit,” the figure on the right commanded, pointing to the empty chair. “We have much to discuss.”

“I mean no disrespect, but I have a task that needs completing. I need to know why I’ve been summoned, and by who, before I’ll enter. Or you can just send me back where I was.”

The figure on the right rose, hands moving the hood off his head as he turned. “I summoned you because it is my right, Althir.”

Jinnaari’s eyes flew wide and he dropped to a knee. “My Lord Bahamut. I am yours to command.”

“Then get your ass in this chair as I told you to do.” The God commanded; irritation evident in his voice.

Without hesitation, Jinnaari moved into the room and sat down. He kept his focus on the fire in front of him and not those on either side of him. If one God was present, he was fairly certain the other was as well.

“We have a problem, Althir. My brother has a cleric. One that you’ve met.” Bahamut began.

“Thia?”

“Don’t interrupt.” Bahamut snapped. “But, yes. Thia herself is not the problem. Rather, it’s her parentage.”

“My daughter has come to the attention of Lolth.” Kelemvor’s deep voice was tinged with sadness. “Lolth would use her skills to the detriment of all, have her create armies to do Lolth’s bidding. Scores of undead driders that could walk the surface of this world.”

Jinnaari couldn’t help the low whistle that escaped his lips. “I know Thia. She detests that part of her heritage. You have nothing to fear, My Lord. She would not willingly do this.”

“The problem isn’t that she’d do so willingly, but that Lolth and Her minions would manipulate her into doing so to save others. Thia has a good heart. Too good, I fear.”

Bahamut spoke up. “Lolth’s commanded Thia’s mother to find her, bring her into the Underdark to be converted to the Spider Queen’s service. One attempt has already been made, though Thia and her companions were able to thwart it.”

“If this is the case, then send me back!” Jinnaari insisted. “I cannot protect her from here! And what of the death curse? Why bring me here to talk when I should be there, fulfilling my vows?”

“The group is well suited for the task at hand. I have seen their future, and in this quest they will succeed.” Bahamut sighed. “But I need you to learn additional skills. To defeat Lolth in Her lair will not be easy. I will not let you fail, Althir. Stay in this realm for now. Training will be provided. When you are ready, and they need you, I will send you back.”

“How long will I be here?”

“Time flows differently here. That’s impossible to answer in a way you’ll understand.”

Jinnaari shook his head. “I do not like this. I should be there.”

“I don’t care if you like it or not, Althir. Your choice is simple. Stay and take the training I require of you, or leave my service.” Bahamut’s voice cut through any resistance Jinnaari still held onto.

Lowering his head, he replied, “Then let’s get on with this.”