Rhyldaer nodded to Laele to show that he had heard the order before continuing the negotiation, glancing occasionally toward the bound man on the tunnel floor. 

Haelerin, meanwhile, returned to where Althea had fallen and knelt next to the woman, quickly going through her pockets and then sliding a hand into the tops of her boots, checking for weapons. The archer stirred slightly at his touch and her eyes fluttered open, trying to focus. "Tsk, tsk," Haelerin said as he pulled a small dagger from her right boot. 

As Althea woke further and the situation she now found herself in started to sink in, panic almost gripped the girl. She struggled against the coarse rope binding her wrists. Haelerin watch her, amused. "I believe you'll find them sufficiently tight, rothe," he said as he grabbed the archer by the back of her leather jerkin, dragging her in the same direction Laele had taken the younger girl. 

Althea looked around desperately for her follow adventurers and she spotted Straw near the other drow. "Stra..." the name died on her lips as she saw the drow begin to count gold coins into the old man's hand. "You can't! Bastard!" she managed to yell through the tears that were threatening.