Captain Mugul sent word through Dink to Ladiana, warning her to not trust anyone. Par Aurelia had decreed that the capture of the Drow princess was of paramount importance so that Ladiana could answer for the deaths of innocents and the destruction of legitimate properties, businesses, and civilIan homes. No fewer than 11 civilians perished during her surge in power.
Captain Mugul was assaulted by the returning Captain Pol Benben and Sgt Flint. But Mugul, despite his drunkenness, managed to defend himself, inadvertently killing Flint and Benben. Captain Benben, it seemed, had a writ of reinstatement as the southwestern quarter's rightful head of militia, signed by Par Aurelia. In the process, Mugul recruited one of the would-be arresting officers, Corporal Korben, who now works as Mugul's trusted bodyguard and aide-de-camp.
Clarys and Guy were able to learn from the gutter rats that two humanoids had entered Guy's secret home (hole in the wall). No other information could be gleaned, but it was clear that only a powerful and knowledgeable person could have done this. Clarys and Guy decided to return to the village hamlet and tell Ladiana of the Par's decree and that Ladiana should go willingly, lest the full might of the paladins be unleashed. Ladiana agreed but none in the group seemed to trust her easy acquiescence to the “arrest.”
On the way to the duke's castle, Mugul attempted to slip Ladiana a vial of the blue crystal, but Clarys saw this and confiscated the vial. Mugul opted not to be near Arka Senn and decided to go visit with Kalem Thornburg, the blacksmith and heir to Dom Culleebrie's criminal empire. There, Mugul learned that the blue crystal's market value had shot up from 1 gold piece a vial–to 100 gold pieces! Mugul was also given a mission by Ladiana to go and bring back her three Drow warriors and to bring the Uruk Hai with them.
In the castle, Ladiana was defiant. Arka Senn wanted to interrogate her alone and, after much coaxing and deliberation, it was agreed that Guy would follow along as an observer. Four paladins guarded the chief advisor and Arka Senn could get nowhere with the Drow princess. He dismissed Guy and the paladin and began to torture Ladiana mentally.
Guy informed Clarys and Lord Soren about what was happening to Ladiana and they informed the skeptical Par Aurelia. The group discovered that Aurelia herself had been influenced because she mortally wounded Soren while they were headed to see Arka Senn. Clarys used astounding energy and will power, laying hands in Blessing and Healing to free Par Aurelia of her bondage. Aurelia immediately saw the error of her ways and began to heal Soren.
The group raced to get to Ladiana. Clarys destroyed the door and Guy frightened off the chief advisor. Through a dimension door, Arka Senn escaped, but Ladiana had been freed from her magical bonds. Mentally broken, Clarys once again restored all of her friend's strength and faculties. Ladiana once more felt the surge of the Gift, yet not with the crystal's influence.
Meanwhile, Mugul entered the city through subterfuge, bringing in 40 Uruk Hai and the Drow warriors. Gaining access to the palace grounds, they were met with Mystra's paladins and a battle ensued. The two forces fought to a near stalemate, such was the orc's new powers endowed upon them. It was not until Ephraim caused the ground to swell and shake and Ladiana and Clarys commanded the two forces to halt did the battle cease. Par Aurelia ordered the orcs and Drow to leave the city and Clarys was asked to return to the throne room.
Full of despair, fear, and resignation, Aurelia intimated to Clarys that she, the high priestess of Mystra and rightful proxy for the duke, was not fit to command the city. She would relegate herself to the battlefield with Lord Devlin Asher and relinquished all authority to Lady Clarys. The Par was tired and ashamed, for she had succumbed to the wizard's guiles and wanted him brought to justice. Fearing that her mind was susceptible to him, Aurelia asked Clarys to find and subdue the chief advisor–by any means necessary. Aurelia could also see in Clarys's eyes that she had the favor of the Goddess. Aurelia sensed a resurgence in the Gift and Clarys had been blessed by the Lady of Mysteries herself. “I am not fit to lead this city, Clarys. You must do it. You must be the one to carry on while the duke is away. I must trust you with the lives and safety of all who dwell herein. Henceforth, it is my will that you be given all rights and privileges afforded the royal name of this city. You shall bear the Thornblade name and your word shall be law.”
Outside of the city, Ladiana made preparations for her orcs to usurp power from the 10 clans of the hordes to the north. She would assume power now. Despite her friendship and loyalty to Clarys, Ladiana knew that it was far better to reign in the Underdark, than to serve in Allentia. First, she would have her army. And then, the High Elves and the archmage Arka Senn would soon answer to her…