Shadowdancer: Ascent from Darkness

[Zarae Zyne Kilanatlar]

The rest of the time before Zebeycyrl's return was spent studying and memorizing. Zarae had yet to actually act on them, but she learned and memorized what she needed, if for no other reason than to please her mother just enough to stay out of trouble. Nilrae had figured out a great number of cantrips and spells. His own spellbook had now contained a good number of pages with arcane words he'd learned. His hand movements and gesture were basically perfect and the quickness the novice could pull off the spells amazed even the wizard. Nilrae's time with his older brother was rather enjoyable; instead of being reminded of how inferior he was or forced to clean, he was learning things he could use. He had even learned some of the secrets of the house, crafting quality poisons and potions.
Of course the wizard would not devolve the secret of Shadow Dye to the boy. That had kept Izzmurss as the house wizard for so long. Before him, it was one of his mother's consorts and the wizard's own sire, who had held the coveted position only because another more skilled wizard was not available. After he invented Shadow Dye during his training at Sorcere, he secretly and violently removed the house wizard. The matron silently applauded her ambitious second child and upon Izzmurss' graduation, promoted him as house wizard.
Nilrae had a few times tried to convince the wizard to share it, hoping eventually his brother would accidentally reveal it or possibly give in. Nilrae had made it a mission to find it. When Izzmurss left Nilrae alone to practice or study, Nilrae would spend a few hours off and on looking through the room for clues or anything of use. He wished he could get into Izzmurss' room to look, but everyone knew it was one of the most secure places in the house.
The liquid fizzed as he added the three drops changing the mixture to a pinkish hue. Turning the handle, he adjusted the heat allowing the flask to lower and heat the liquids. Next a silvery powder was added. Flaring in a poof of light it stung Nilrae's eyes then the room returned to the darkness of only a soft glow of the candle.
"Yes!" he laughed when the liquid settled and glowed with a magic aura. He looked around and of course no one was there to witness his success. Sighing, he shrugged and took the flask off the heat.
Later in the day, Nilrae palmed a vial of the potion he created when Izzmurss came to release him for the evening. Instead of heading to eat, he decided to see if Zarae was around, knocking on her door.
"Want to have some fun?"
"So you ditch me for almost two weeks, and now…"
"How about we go after Neeryrd?" holding up the vial.
Looking down the hall, she pulled him in and closed her door. "Say I am interested...?"
Hurrying down to the dinning hall, the twins were glad to be the only two in there. They slipped into the kitchen looking for the half orc who was preparing the drinks.
"Want to get back at one of us?" he asked her.
She gruffed at them, but listened as he explained what they had in mind. She snorted laughing but agreed taking the vial from Nilrae. The twins then went back out to sit at the table.
"So why did you not tell her the truth?"
"Because then she might keep it or not use it like we wanted."
"So who will be on the other end of this?"
"I dunno, who would be funniest?"
The half orc walked out carrying the tray just as Neeryrd and Izzmurss entered, followed by Myrurra. Zarae got up and sat over at the female's table and waited to be served her drink. Myrurra gave her the evil eye the entire time, silent threats that she would get the girl one day. When Myrurra looked away to accept her goblet of wine from the half orc, Zarae stuck her tongue out at her then took her own drink. The half orc returned to the back to get the next tray of drinks; uncorking the vial, she dumped it into the drink and set it slightly away from the others so she knew to serve that one to the correct drow. Walking out after the halfling who carried two plates, the half orc served the males their drinks. Nilrae watched and waited for Neeryrd to drink, Zarae periodically looking over at too see also, signing discreetly a few times asking when it would work.
The male's trays came out and the bowls set before each, a bowl a rothe and mushroom stew. Neeryrd spooned a mouth full of the steaming liquid then sipped his wine. The effects began working and when Neeryrd looked up, the first person he was the half orc heading into the back. He dropped the spoon to stare, his eyes becoming glossy, inflamed with passion, and a smile edging on his face. A contented sigh, the potion working, the effects overriding his thinking.
"What it wrong with you?" Rhylaun asked.
Neeryrd said nothing, charmed by the potion. He stood up and headed into the kitchen searching for the half orc he was magically enamored with. Nilrae and Zarae unable to hold it in, busted out laughing. Eyes all went to the two then to the door.
In the kitchen the half orc confused ran around the counter trying to escape the drow after her. When he showed up, she expected him to be cursing or complaining his food was poisoned; he was suppose to be feeling violently sick. Instead he was acting nuts! He had tried to kiss her. The rest of the kitchen staff watched laughing. The half orc finally took off through the kitchen door into the dining room into a full run followed by Neeryrd with a lecherous grin calling out to her to come to him.
"Do I even need to ask?" the weapon-master rolling his eyes.
"So this is what you been working on?" the wizards asked rhetorically, "such childish games."
With Myrurra watching the kitchen slave and her brother running around, Zarae, pulled out a hollow reed. Her prepared ammunition in hand, she leveled it at her mouth and blew. The small sticky pellet flew out and landed in Myrurra's hair. By the time the fat sister brushed her hair, the wad would be all tangled and hopefully her sister would have to mutilate her hair- the thing Myrurra took the most pride in. Zarae put it away before her sister turned back to her soup.
When both entered the other half of the dining room with the common soldiers of the house, they too watched laughing at the show. The half orc was tired and less physically fit, that eventually the thicker drow caught up with her. The love potion had at least an hour before it wore off and the half orc was stuck with Neeryrd until then.
Two hours later shouting and yelling came from Neeryrd's room. Zarae and Nilrae sat on the stairs waiting for that signal. the potion wore off both ran down the stairs to the kitchen, Zarae showing Nilrae the secret door and both dropping down.
"We stay here outta sight for a while."
"So how long before he finds out it was us?"
"I don't think anyone will tell," Zarae's expression grew somber, "Except maybe the half orc. She'll spill if she is lead to believe she'll be spared. Tho, Neeryrd has a bit of a temper and is short sighted and may just kill her before thinking to ask."
"We can only hope. So now what do we do?"
"We stay then head back up. Or we spend most of the night crawling to get to the basement stairs."
"Neither option sounds thrilling."
Eventually the twins made it safely to their rooms and then began plotting on what to do next to their brother before settling in to rest. Neeryrd had did as the twins had thought, he freaked out the half orc was in his bedroom. He didn't even remember what happened. The slave was curled up on the floor rocking back and forth, knowing that she was dead when he finally quieted down. She cursed those two drowlings as the red hot noble drew his greatsword and ran her through and shredded her to pieces.
So humiliated he was, he could not even call anyone to clean the gore in his room. In fury, he threw his sword across the room to clank loudly against the wall followed by a string of curses on the perpetrators. He vowed to Lloth he would pay them pack! Forced to clean the mess, he eventually disposed of the body with help of acid.
No one looked at the secondboy the same. The house soldiers whispered their mocking, the family members openly mocking him to his face. Even the matron looked at the adopted son with disgust. Only Myrurra took pity for her brother, albeit secretly. Nilrae and Zarae had a hard time not laughing everytime they saw him. And none were willing to tell the secondboy who had done it.
******
It was late, most of the house members in their beds enjoying their reverie. Alylin walked into the first floor slave quarters; on her belt was a painted crimson slender metal baton. The handle was wrapped in black leather. Sharp metal barbs covered the other end. Every slave and commoner of the house knew that rod. Those who experienced it rarely survived the torture. Every one quieted and fell on their faces, none daring to look up. A gloved hand went for the rod, causing the barbs to slip free of the head on thin adamantine chains. The scourge was twirled a bit for added effect and threat.
"Which one of you is my sister's toy?"
Still no movement, no one spoke up. Alylin swung the flaying rod above her head then brung the barbed scourge onto the first bunk, shredding the material and spilling out the straw. The weapon went back in the air as she stepped into the middle of the room. Most slaves had made bonds with each other, the best way to survive the hell of being nothing more than an expendable object. Everyone cringed as she struck another bed.
"Last chance and then I shall enjoy using this on all of yalls worthless hides."
Finally one of the slaves, pointed to Averl. Alylin answered with a frightening chuckle that turned the half elf's veins to ice. She knew she had been turned over and that drowess had cruel plans for her. The only hope was that she would die early and that it would be a quick death.
A clap brung in two female drow soldiers and gathered the slave Alylin pointed out. Averl did not fight her fate, her head hung low in defeat and resignation. Down into the basement she was taken. The ominous door was opened and Averl saw death. The room was rectangular and lit only with the glow of a manger of hot red coals. The smell of death was over whelming. On the wall adjacent the door, a rack of the cruelest, wickedest objects one would imagine and worse- blades, blunt objects, hooks, clubs, scourges, shears, expanding metal objects just to name a few. Soft squeaks were came from a covered cage, a cage of hungry cave rats. Not to mention the house held spiders everywhere, many willing to feast on flesh. Beside that was a set of shelves with hundreds of different colors of vials. And it was no secret the Kilanatlar house was known for its poisons. The stone floor was stained with dark brown spots that were once pools of lifeblood. A table was in the center of the room, shackles on the ends. An upright stretching rack covered in spikes stood behind the table. An iron cabinet, with a hinged front, door open stood over near a forge and kiln. It was sufficiently tall to enclose a person and held a small closeable opening. Dried blood covered the 3 inch spikes inside. Manacles were spaced all around the room, some attached on the walls and a number hanging from the ceiling freely. Two adamantine spike poles were opposite of the torture tools. The iron chair, the newest device acquired was the cleanest items. Hundreds of sharp spikes lined the back, seat, arm rests and leg rests with space to light a fire underneath. Tucked in the corner was a 4 foot wide, 3 foot tall caldron with blocks of lead and 2 foot tall jars of oils beside it.
"Where should we place her jabbress?"
"The table."
Alylin was not gunna kill her, just extract some information and enjoy some torture. The youngest daughter of the matron would slay the slave with her own hands. Averl was roughly shoved down, her arms chained above her and her feet spread and chained. Both finished and stepped back to watch the events.
"Leave us," Alylin replied, holding up a hand to any protest they would make, "close the door and lock it."
Alylin walked over to the devices on the wall rack trying to decide which tool she wanted. She settled for the tongs and a vial of poison. She also pulled a couple of minor healing potions. Just enough to keep the slave alive.
"I know you have information I want. And I will get it from you no matter what. Since I am bored, I will have a little fun. But you can make it easier if you give it up," the drowess replied circling the tied down half elf. Alylin then paused at her head and knelt down and whispered, "So what has my rebellious sister been up to then? And don't think 'I don't know' will work. You are her little pet, nothing more," the drowess began. "And I know she has a soft spot for you."
Averl closed her eyes. She should have known. Small tears were forming, her mind struggling to deal with the possibilities. Pragmatism would tell Averl that the girl still had use of her and thus would not turn her over like this. Not unless she had gotten into trouble. However, the girl was a drow through and through. What hope was there for her raised in such a life? Trying to keep the tears from rolling down her face was impossible and Alylin knew she had hit on something. The drowess did not expect her victim to have made a bond with her youngest sister. How much sweeter it would be. A knife was set on her chest, the half elf thinking and hoping it would be over. But it was not to be. The rags covering her were cut and shred leaving her exposed. Alylin took the tongs and walked over to the forge and grabbed a few coals.
Walking back, "What do you think your silence is going to accomplish? do you believe she cares for you? Do you think she wouldn't turn on you in a second?"
Standing over the prone prisoner, Alylin gave her a fake look of compassion before mocking her. The coals in the tongs were released onto Averl's stomach. The smell of sizzling burning flesh filled the room and was drowned out by screams of agony. Alylin then with the tongs picked them up off of the slave before they burnt into her abdomen cavity. Red-and-white open bloody blisters with charred skin was left behind.
"Still feel like keeping silent?"
The interrogation continued for many hours. When tired of one tortured, the technique changed to keep the drowess entertained; Alylin forcibly learned quite a few things, some she never suspected. When Averl was close to death a healing potion was shoved down her throat, healing the slave enough for Alylin to continue. She would not let her die, even when she pleaded and begged for the drowess to mercifully kill her. Alylin grew tired from her work, and decided she had done enough for the night. Alylin opened the door and the two commoners entered, unshackled the barely conscious female and took her to be shackled to the wall. The door closed leaving Averl hanging by her arms, toes just touching the floor. Alone in the dark musky room, she broke down sobbing, letting out every emotion in a flood of tears.
******
Zebeycyrl returned home, her mood lighter than normal. She stopped by the matron's room giving her report after she had reported to Matron Mae'Vir with the rest of the Red Sisters. The matron was rather pleased from what she heard, and a silent congratulation to the second daughter made Zebeycyrl even more giddy with self pride. Until she remembered the twins. There was some good news in it, Zarae had been moved to learning things that would require less of the assassin being present and the boy with the house wizard. Less she would have to deal with the irritating brats. When her mother was done with her, she headed to her room ignoring anyone around, ready to just rest in her own bed. Living in disguise as a lower class priestess had been a small torture when the noble had been use to such luxury and extravagant lifestyle.
The wards allowed her into her own room, wards that had been set up to keep out her sisters, and the assassin took a glance around. At first she didn't notice, the first scent to meet her nose was the rich incense that normally filled the room. But the longer she was in there, and closer to her bed she got a new overwhelming smell assaulting her. Her belongings slung to the bed, she began searching for the culprit. The bed reeked of pure stench. She could see under it clearly as it floated a foot off the floor. There was nothing there. Next she headed to another part of the room the smell not diminished in any way. Long strand of unintelligible cursing left her mouth. No evidence of whatever was stinking up the room. After 20 minutes of searching the room, added with the stuff that was flung around the room in anger, the assassin screamed for her handmaid.
Busy cleaning another room, the keystone warmed. Zebeycyrl was back. Putting away the supplies, she heeded the summons and then got to work cleaning up the mess just made. The assassin lit incense and filled her room with perfume to cover the smell, even tried to use her spells to try and remove it. Zebeycyrl spent the next several days trying to cover up the stench while forcing some of the common wizard's to use their magic to remove it. The tenuous relationship between Zebeycyrl and Myrurra growing dangerously worse, Myrurra unaware of the reason. Whenever the assassin passed people, comments would be whispered on her expense. Zarae would mock her sister behind her back, the twins laughing at her expense at how well the prank worked.

[Zarae Zyne Kilanatlar]

The day began as usual, a day of being locked up and sneaking out. A few more days would mark their twelfth birthday. If things remained on schedule, one year till freedom. Zarae was released at lunch, having returned from her outing just in time to not get caught by Zebeycyrl. Surprisingly, Zarae was told to take the tome and go to her own room after the meal. The drowling didn't hide her joy in not returning, a fact which annoyed the assassin.
Down in dining hall, Zarae enjoyed a plate of fried rothe strips, alone. Not even Myrurra was present to pick on. Bored, she carried her plate into the kitchen. The half orc had been replaced by a scrawny human male. This only caused her to wonder how in the demonweb pits he was able to see. The slave collars didn't have any special benefits she knew of, only that it would not allow a slave to attack one of the family members and forced slaves to obey. At first glance he seamed rather pathetic. But he had a magical aura about him. At one time this human had to have been some type of wizard or cleric. One who fell into drow hands at some point and became captive. She continued to study the surfacer with curiosity. The human was built like Neeryrd, only taller, broad shoulders, thick waist, and something she only saw on dwarves- facial hair. Zarae had seen humans in passing at the Bazaar Slave Trading booth, but he was one of the first to work in the house; humans were not ideal slaves because they could not naturally see in the darkness of the Underdark and drow cities. Which still begged the question, how did he see?
He looked at her expectantly while the others had grown use to her being in the kitchen. They just went about their business of preparing meals and cleaning. Zarae hopped up on the counter then and bit into another bite of her lunch.
"Little jabbress?" the new slave asked, eyes submissive and lowered.
"What?" she asked with a full mouth, crossing a leg over the other to watch him grow more uncomfortable and hopefully squirm. It was something to do anyway. She kinda missed the half orc now she thought of it. At least she didn't die totally in vain. Nilrae got their older brother, a prank as good as any of her own.
He stuttered to respond not sure what to say. Zarae then chuckled at him then shooed him away. The human went back to stirring the sauce, the girl pulled out her hollow reed, and placed another pellet inside. She motioned over the halfling, whispered into her ear and let her go back, only instead the halfling moved a large pot in the path. The pellet flew from her blowgun to hit the human in the face and land in his beard. He silently grumbled but knew better than to say or do anything.
"All new slaves get broke in," she laughed and finished the last piece of her lunch, "good thing I got stuff to do."
Hopping down from the counter she brushed crumbs off her hands and headed out, much to the relief of a few kitchen slaves. The dining hall was still empty, only a few common soldiers in the other side. Back upstairs in her room, she pulled out her pack and dug through it. She still didn't have her map, but she knew how to get there. Only she wasn't sure if she wanted to go alone. Nilrae was too busy with his own wizardly studies with Izzmurss to tag along. Maybe Averl would go. She hadn't seen the half elf in a while. Changing from the nicer shirt and leggings for her worn out ones, she got dressed for travel. Her equipment went into the bag, including some trail rations, some smoke bombs, sheets of parchment, everglow ink, and other things of use in the wilds. Boots slipped over her feet and she grabbed her cloak and headed to her door. She decided 'borrowing' the magical rock wouldn't bother Nilrae too much, he'd understand. Just as she was opening the door, Ladayiir stood there. Zarae rolled her eyes and tried to slip past. Ladayiir caught hold of her cloak and pulled her back.
"Nope. Not today. Get back in there," Ladayiir scolded pushing the girl back into the room.
"Who in the abyss do you think you are?" she questioned defiantly, fists on her hips.
"Get undressed and into the tub. We don't have a lot of time."
Her arms crossed, "I don't think so. I already have plans. So EXCUSE me," shoving Ladayiir out of her way.
The two argued for 20 minutes, Ladayiir not moving to allow the stubborn girl to leave. Eventually, she threatened to get the matron herself- a dangerous endeavor. Not only would Zarae's mother be angry, she would be on the receiving end of that. Especially if the matriarch had ordered this. Of course Ladayiir would also, more so. Zarae contemplated if it was worth it before throwing her pack on the bed. Ladayiir sighed in relief, until a boot flew at her head. Quick reflexes, she moved in time for both aimed at her.
Dropping her traveling clothes on the washroom floor, she activated the decanter that filled the tub and got in. Ladayiir followed suit, pulling out a few vials from the washroom cabinet. Dumping the scented oils into the water, the floral smell filled the small room, a new scent from the surface lands. Zarae knew something important was going on. Ladayiir took shampoo and poured some into her hands to lather up the girl's long hair. Still pouting, Zarae said nothing as her head was moved around by the half drow. Shampoo rinsed out, Ladayiir held another vial, this one filled with a white gel. The dye was placed in the girl's hair, covering very piece of red that she had naturally.
Some of it dripped down her face. "Wait," Zarae jerked away, "why are you coloring my hair?"
"To hide this… defect. No weaknesses," the handmaid replied, grabbing Zarae's shoulder to push her back in place and finish.
Zarae knew her hair was different, even odd. But she had never considered it an issue before. But the reality was it a defect. When physical beauty meant everything in the drow world, could mean the difference between life and death, her hair made her, as her sister put it, 'a freak'. Dye rinsed out and completely clean, Ladayiir helped Zarae out of the tub and tossed her the towel to dry off. She then headed to the wardrobe to see it basically empty. The clothing was strewn everywhere, clean and dirty. Only things left were the only two formal ceremonial suits.
"How do you find anything in this mess?"
"What do you care?" came from the washroom, "I can find what I want when I need it. Beside, Lloth is the Lady of Chaos, so I'm just reflecting that."
"Find your smallclothes and take a seat," she called to Zarae pulling her desk chair to sit it in the middle of the room.
Zarae stared into the looking glass with mixed thoughts at her hair. She attempted to run a hand thru the wet tangled mess, just shaking her head in disbelief. It was strange to look so… normal! The dragging of the chair on the stone floor signaled Zarae to walk back into her room, towel in hand drying her now dyed hair. Zarae knew exactly where things were and tossed her towel at Ladayiir then slipped her smallclothes on before sitting down, arms crossed as she slumped. Ladayiir grabbed a tortoise shell comb from the dresser and tapped it to her lips deciding how to start.
"Why must you be so difficult?"
"So sorry to inconvenience you," came the sarcastic reply.
Ladayiir started at the bottom in the middle of her back to start working out tangles and knots. Zarae winced a lot, pulling away several times to have Ladayiir push her back. After nearly an hour, her hair was completely tangle free, soft and silky and rivaling any vain woman's hair. Next, the girl's hair was fixed up, strands from both sides around her face were pulled back, braided and pinned with an ivory clip. Zarae spent the entire time bored and struggling to stay put while enduring the torture. The half drow place a hand on her shoulder to tell her to stay put as she grabbed the ceremonial dress.
"Why cant I just wear my regular clothes?" the girl whined.
"Because have to look like a female for once, and her daughter. Matron's orders."
"Whatever" she replied rolling her eyes and standing up.
The leggings, made of a white spidersilk were tossed for Zarae to slip on first. Then the main dress was dropped over her head; Ladayiir worked on the laces on the back, tying them as tight as she could manage. An embroidered obi like sash was wrapped around her tiny waist gathering the loose material and showing just how small and lean her frame really was. The shoulder piece was tied in place finishing the suit.
"There, that should pass inspection of even a matron," the handmaid replied with pride, "and not too soon. We're already late enough."
"Good, now you can feel all warm and fuzzy inside," Zarae bit in sarcasm again.
"Yes, now we can go, and maybe by then you will loose that smart mouth."
She led Zarae to the house chapel, periodically looking back to make sure she hadn't taken off. That would be a nightmare, show up and lose her charge. Ladayiir stopped at the double doors of the chapel, bowing slightly and motioning for the girl to enter. Before Zarae opened the door, an ominous sick feeling came over her. Meeting in the chapel was the first hint something was up. Near the door, the sickly sweet incense could be smelt, mingling with the lingering smells of old blood, coals, and some scents that just pure stunk. Zarae hesitated, as her hand reach out to take hold of the onyx handles.
Inside only the glow of one of the eight brazier and eight candles on the altar showed in the darkness. The chapel's curving walls were covered with statues, and figures of spiders. In the benches around the chapel was the entire house compound, apart from slaves and a few drow soldier guards. One side sat the males, on the other the females. For the most part it was quiet, a few hush whispers of a couple brave females. Zarae's family was down twords the center of the room. On the raised platform stood Xullafay. In front of the aisle between the two sides of seats stood Zebeycyrl. Alylin, Myrurra sat next to the aisle in the front row. Across from them was the weapon-master, the current house patron with his consort cloak, Neeryrd and Nilrae. Everyone was dressed in their formal ceremonial clothing. Preparing to slide in to sit beside Myrurra, Xullafay called the girl to come up on stage. Zarae's blood began to run cold. She thought that she had gotten into some major trouble and was finally being sacrificed to Lloth like her sisters threatened. It wouldn't be unheard of, even if it was rare for a matron's daughter to be sacrificed. Fear nearly overwhelmed her and she contemplated running. It was understood that loyalty is owed only to Lloth, but self-preservation was the first law of drow society.
As if Xullafay read her mind, the elest daughter gave the girl a wicked smile, not easing the girl's fears. Zebeycyrl urned to face the rest of the people, waved her hands and the house began chanting a song to the Spider Queen. The room grew darker as the brazier fire went dull, the appearance like only hot coals left and billowing a thin smoke onto the platform. The image of her dream came to the forefront of Zarae's mind. A foggy haze grew as the song of the crowd rose and fell in intensity; the effects made the girl feel lightheaded and dizzy. Refusing to grab ahold of anything to not appear weak, she stood still in the middle of the aisle and closed her eyes to fight the overwhealming sensations and feelings.
Then as the song neared its first pause, the matriarch stepped out from the curtain. Zarae opened her eyes to see her mother dressed in her most elaborate ceremonial priestess robes. Blood-red spidersilk with purple and black shimmering effects and a top only covering her chest minimally. Shoulders were covered with polished adamantine shoulder guards and a belt with a web design set with eight magical gems. The cape ran to mid-thigh and was equally marvelous as the dress and equally enchanted. Mithril bracers adorned her wrist and eight rings on her fingers. The sapphire amulet sat in the most alluring place almost as if daring someone to leer there. Her head piece was made of adamantine and mithril, set with black sapphires, black diamonds, and back spinels, all shaped like spiders, and four 'arms' on each side coming off to resemble the eight legs of a spider. Her hair was pulled up into an extravagant hairstyle and completely free of the usual dyes.
"Step up here, my dalhari," Matron Shyntyl called to Zarae in an eerie motherly way.
Zarae stood dumbfounded a moment; her mother had not claimed her yet so personally. It was something to be earned. But the hesitation was only a second or two and she did as she was told. Xullafay raised a hand and the chapel became a silent as death, even the crackle in the fire seamed to heed the high priestess. A snap of fingers echoed in the chamber and two female priestesses stepped out. Between them was a pale skinned bound prisoner with a burlap sack covering the head. Dressed in tattered rags, one could see it was a female; and her body structure gave away as elven or elven ancestry. At first thought, Zarae thought it might have been one of their surface cousins for a special occasion. It was not uncommon to have special offerings the Spider Queen or begin high holy days with the shedding of the blood of the drow's most hated enemy. Only, it wasn't a holy day. Every drowling learned those early on. She didn't think they were going to war and asking for aid, no house wars had occurred in over four centuries; not to mention only one house remained above them in rank. In fact, House Kilanatlar was the last house to attack another in such a meaningful way. She didn't believe they had lost favor. Such a ceremony would not have been so public.
Matron Shyntyl uncharacteristically took the girl's hand and walked her close to the altar. Xullafay held the sacrificial dagger, the same one from her dream, and handed it over to the matron. Zarae took a sweeping glance over the audience, noting that Alylin held a strange grin and Myrurra sat with her usual sour look.
The two priestess roughly forced the prisoner to her knees. The matron circled her, the sacrificial kris tugging at the burlap on the prisioner's head. Stopping behind the bound female, the matron's hand grabbed the sack and yanked it off. Once again, the girl was dumbfounded. Her brows knitted in confusion and she started to back-peddle. Xullafay stood directly behind Zarae, cutting off her chance to run. There bound and gagged was Averl in the worse condition she had ever seen the slave. Zarae's heart dropped and her eyes grew bluish in hue.
The haze and effects from the incense and mix of emotions were like mind numbing agents, leaving her stunned and clouding her mind. Thoughts were blurred and she could not think straight. Zarae unintentionally tuned out most of what was said to her. However, the word betrayal rang through her mind as the high priestess spun the tale. Bile rose in her throat- trust invariably brought betrayal. Averl had betrayed her.
Averl listened as the matron's influence washed over the drowling, watched the girl's eyes change as the emotions played out, her own filled with sadness. Averl knew what they were doing to her. Weaning out what they thought was weakness in the youngest daughter. Turning her into that cold blooded emotionless killer, to remove compassion and mercy, joy and laughter, and fill it with hate, greed, and lust.
Matron Shyntyl held the sacred blade out on her palms, "Show us," was whispered supernaturally in her ear, "Do what you desire."
A moment passed, what felt like a century to the girl; Zebeycyrl then directed everyone watching to begin the chanting again. Dark supernatural powers fell like an oppressive invisible blanket trying to smother her, trying to choke her soul. Zarae could not get out of this, even if she desired. Her mother, the powerful matron stood before her, and no doubt Lloth was watching. If that was not bad enough, the entire house was watching her in expectation that this half faerie elf would die. If she did not do this, loss of favor of her house would only be the beginning of new kind pain.
Compelled by so many external influence and her own feelings of anger at betrayal, Zarae took the blade into her palms. She just held it, hands trembling as the song of the chapel began and grew twords a climax. Turning to Averl, she closed her eyes once again, this time removing any compassion she had for the friend. Opening them again, her face was cold, dark, and lifeless as any other drowess. Zarae stepped up to the slave she viewed as a trusted associate. The blade in hand, the matron pulled the slave's hair, yanking her head back to expose her chest for the blade to plunge in.
Matron Shyntyl's laugh crackled thru the dome shaped chamber, her youngest daughter surprised even her by what happened next.

[Zarae Zyne Kilanatlar]

Lady Erelrae had for the next few days hidden away from everyone, including her daughters and best friends. Most of time was spent in meditation and prayer, including mournful songs and dances that displayed her inner turmoil. She knew well how dangerous it was becoming. Their rivals and enemies would not stop until they were destroyed. The ceremony showed just how close the Vhaeraunites had gotten to winning the upper hand. Yet they still dared not strike so boldly. For Erelrae knew their secrets too.
Maryne despite the joy of the love binding between her and Velnarin, she felt pained and disappointment over Vastyrr. Mostly, she wondered how she had missed such clues. Had she, spared from the horrors of the usual drow life, become so naïve to the truth? Maryne lay in Velnarin's arms, his hand rubbing along her arm for comfort.
Sitting up she looked to Velnarin, "how did you handle it?"
"Hmmm?" sitting up himself, "handle what?" Looking into her face answered it enough for her, and all he could do was wrap an arm around her shoulder.
"I mean, I know this is how our people are. Yet I have been spared, until now, these ugly truths. I get growing up here in this house, it is different," a few tears traced her cheek as she tried to hold them back. Then she laughed at herself. "Here I am, a drow, crying over betrayal. How foolish I am."
He chuckled at the thought, and then cleared his throat as she gave him a look. No words came to him in response. How could he explain? Their lives were different as light and dark. He had been slow to trust, to understand. Had been slow to shed his old ways and habits. Yet he had never removed them all. Something she at times found difficult to understand.
"I almost got all of us killed, destroyed. Found out. I am a liability to all. I..dont belong here."
"What are you saying?"
"Maybe I…" looking to Velnarin whose eyes showed hurt, "…we should travel to the Light Above. Leave this behind."
He sat up straighter, the blanket falling off him as he thought over her words. He had been able to secure vital information from the Vhaeraunites by going undercover. He was one of the few truly capable of such a task. In fact, he had been in discussion before the ceremony about attempting again of getting into the main base. that had been put on hold for now.
"Maryne…" his voice soft and gentle as he could muster, "We cant. Not now, or not yet."
She looked away twords the floor, arms around her bear torso. She understood what he wasn't saying.
"When?"
"In a moon cycle. This time, it maybe longer," his voice more solem yet determined, "but considering what we gathered last time, this will be just as important."
"Why you? There are others just as qualified."
"Yes, but I have already gotten further than the others. And as far as I know, my cover has not been compromised," he replied, legs sliding off to dangle over the bed, "you of all should understand this importance."
Maryne tried not to let the bit of anger gathering beneath her eyes show. Anger at him, anger at Lady Erelrae, even a twang of anger directed at Eilistraee. She breathed out a heavy sigh asking for guidance.
"What's the mission?"
******
Eva passed by the female rooms again, all the younger drowlings at rest. a few whispers she caught once in a while, their conversations reminding her of the simple days. With a grin, she continued her patrol, sounds of metal clanging with metal coming from the gym. Eva stood at the door, Maryne's blade connecting with the dummy in the most letal ways, if it had been alive. Maryne realized she was being watched and turned. Her body was dripping with sweat, hair stuck to her head and neck. Even the simple tunic and leggings were soaked.
"I don't think he's getting the message," Eva jested.
"Yeah well. He will feel my wrath!" the sword spun and moved to strike would have been the upper arm. The force, surely would have severed one.
Eva rarely saw the young ranger so riled up. She stood at the doorway watching, Maryne talking out her frustrations on the equipment. Finally, the priestess was understanding.
"Do you think us unfair?" Eva asked as the sword again hit what would have been a vital area. A few grunts to yank the blade away, but otherwise didn't answer. "You must know how important this is. We cant have another…situation like before."
That only made the ranger's attacks more ferocious on the training dummy. Soon exhaustion crept in, and her attacks slowed considerably. It wasn't long when her arms felt like jelly and she could no longer raise her sword into even a simple hold. Maryne let it clang onto the floor, as she stood panting. Eva remained in her place.
"Sometimes, we must do what we must. I know this pains you in more ways than one. But the times are getting dangerous, more dangerous than ever before. Lady Erelrae has seen it."
Maryne looked up at that, expecting Eva to continue. But when she didn't she started to ask, only to be stopped by a simple hand.
"I cannot say. Not yet."
Maryne's face dropped, tired, frustrated, and secrets grated on her. But she put it behind her when Eva walked over and took her weary arms and the two danced a few minutes. Eva then parted and continued on her patrol again.
Lillintha too was making a patrol, tho her purpose was seeking to see how much damage had been done since Vastyrr. Eva quickly gave her an update as the two talked over the night's discoveries. Thankful to the Lady, nothing major. But Lillintha suspected more.
"There were several parchments, and magical ink. I fear she may have gotten letters or messages to them."
Eva bit her lip in thought, "that is why he must get in. we cant take anymore chances, not now."
"Yes. Tho how do we stop any retaliations till then? Would you not strike back?"
"Yes I would. But we must remember that they operate in discrete ways as the Masked Lord does. Rarely openly and not with the Spider Queen's church also hunting them," Eva paused. Both were thinking the same thing.
They would have to meet with some of the matrons of the city again.
"Send..." trying to think of her name, "Maryne? To Bruhaonar," Lillintha said at last before leaving Eva.
******
Izzmurss walked the halls of Sorcere, vials in hand. At last, slower than his progress was intended, he had it complete. The perfect concoction, and next to impossible to detect. Except maybe the deities. But his target was not a cleric. Inside the alchemy lab of the 12 years students, Gulhrys sat. One of his lower wizard students grading simple assignments off to the side. The 10th year student looked up to the entrance of the teacher then back to his task. Gulhrys, closed his spell book and tucked it away into a secret comportment inside his many pocketed robe. He gave the second house wizard a condescending grin but otherwise ignored Izzmurss' entrance. Izzmurss too likewise ignore his rival, heading to the cabinet and placing each glass container inside. The labels were placed around each and secured in the back. Other vials of potions were then put away before Izzmurss secured the storage and quietly turned to exit the chamber.
"Hold," Gulhrys's grating voice came.
The archwizard leaned back in the cushioned chair and waited for the fellow wizard to come, 'like an obedient dog.' He knew this second house wizard was deadly, dangerous, and coveted his spot. But the arrogant first house wizard and head master of Sorcere was too confident to believe that the lower ranking wizard could not touch him. His person held so many wards, so much magic, and such power, few could rival him. Most importantly, he was still in Matron Mae'Vir's favor. And he knew what his matron had been planning.
Izzmurss held in all his thought and feeling for the archwizard well as he turned to face Gulhrys. Tilting his head he waited for the elder wizard to speak. Gulhrys knew, or assumed he knew. His dark dexterous fingers interlace as he leaned forward.
"Your time is well past up. I had been rather generous in giving you the extra year. I know how your matron had you busy with her youngest," his smirk at the knowledge of the going-ons of the second house was not hidden. It clearly put Izzmurss off enough for his to shuffle his stance slightly. But neither broke or betrayed their thoughts even as Gulhrys continued, "You owe me and I am calling it in now."
Izzmurss gulped inconspicuously, yet Gulhrys caught it, his smug look growing larger. Izzmurss had discovered how to make Shadow Dye, but it was only with smallest bit of help of the first wizard. Lloth had willed that the Kilanatlar house move up in rank. And that this invention would give them the chance to strike, tip the scales their way, and move then from 6th to 2nd. Mae'Vir was an unknown factor, albeit a tiny one. Just enough for Gulhrys to use for his advantage. Since then he had 'owned' the second wizard. All his research and discoveries belonged to Gulhrys. Gulhrys, cared not for most of them. He rather enjoyed more the power over his inferior.
Izzmurss spoke the few words and shimmering magic gathered in the air. An extra dimensional pocket opened allowing the second wizard, and only him, to grab the black vial. Reluctantly, he pulled it forth, the opening closing and the pocket gone. He looked to the bottle then to the older wizard. "May it serve you well," he grumbled out, translated, in his mind- 'may you choke on it.' "Our deal is done."
Gulhrys laughed, clearly mocking him, "My my. You have no grounds in which to state the terms. Need I remind you?" laughing again. "You amuse me. Elsewise I might would have removed your pompous butt long ago."
Every one higher up in station had to work to remain there. Removing any threats as soon as possible. And those below pulled down and killed off those above for their place. That was the drow way.
Izzmurss remained stoic and silent; his eyes, if they could burn holes, would have right then and there. Gulhrys finished with asserting his status and position, dismissed the second wizard. Izzmurss turned on his heels and exited the room quickly and quietly.
That's when the smirk creased his beautiful elven features.
******
In a blink of an eye, a thin read line appeared on the slave's throat followed by a gush of blood pouring and spraying the girl. Gasp of final breaths the body was allowed to drop to the floor. Blood spilling out in a gush forming swirling red paths on the black floor flowing twords the depression. Cheers of victory rang out among the gathered house and praises to Lloth along with shouts for the death to all their surface cousins.
She looked down, her hands and arms cover in warm red liquid. When Zarae registered what she had done, she tried to drop the bloody blade, but her hands refused to let go. The matriarch's laugh and following words were not even heard by Zarae who had watched the red sparkle of heat leave Averl's eyes. Nausea and sickness threatened to overwhelm her, adding to the already strange effects from the room.
Xullafay took the blade from her younger sister and raised it high in the air. All the house members stood up, the shouting intensifying and deafening. Matron Shyntyl placed a proud hand on her youngest daughter in the closest to a congratulatory manor before stepping away and disappearing from sight, followed by Xullafay. Nilrae, Rhylaun and Zebeycyrl exited next. Then suddenly chapel became a place of fleshly lust and physical delights of pure hedonism.
Nilrae stood dumbfounded and under the effects of the chapel, a mixture of horror and delight filling his own mind as he watched his sister and best friend slaughter the half elf. He had been caught up in the moment until realization struck him. Rhylaun had periodically looked to watch the drowling male's reaction. And knew the youngest boy was almost ready. Escaping the 'party' Nilrae walked solemnly up the stairs to the second floor. He stood at his twin's door, hand debating whether to check in on her. He had seen how she fled the chapel, how far spaced the blood splatter had been- all indicating her quick pace. His hand pulled away, kindness, care, and compassion were weak. Instead the boy entered his own room and plopped onto his cushioned bed.
Zarae, still covered in blood, ran out of the chapel, nearly knocking over anyone was in her way and rushed to her room. The door slammed as she fell back against it, sliding down to the floor. Wet liquid, not her own, stained the fabric she sat upon and dripped onto the floor. Tears threatened to well up in her eyes as sickness continued to assault her. Females didn't cry; they were the superior gender! Unable to hold it in, she hurried to her washroom and vomited into the chamberpot. It all came out, gushing lumps of green, yellow and orange. Her stomach emptied of its contents, Zarae climbed and sank into her wash tub full of cold water. Her face was pale and expression emotionless and empty as she felt. The water dyed red from Averl's blood. The drowling kept her nose just above the waterline and remained there.
Time lost meaning, her extremities growing numb. Even her shivering had begun to lessen. All she wanted to do was numb the feeling inside. Zarae closed her eyes and let herself sink lower. When her lungs screamed for air she lifted her head enough and breathed deeply. The events playing in her mind over and over. The look of Averl's face. The smile of evil escatsy lingered in the drowlings mind as Zarae saw the glee of her mother's approval. Again that same dark oppressive power fell over her. Hate and anger filled the girl's her mind as the pulling and tugging on her soul continued. Her eyes again turned amber. She was close to giving in, with words like betrayal pounding in her head. Caught up into this swarming darkness, she again slipped further under the blanket of water.
Underwater, Zarae didn't hear the bedroom door open. Didn't hear the soft footsteps of another. Eyes closed, she didn't see the dark face peer over the tub's edge. A hand reached down and grabbed the dress front and pull her forth from the water. Coughing Zarae was slow to open her eyes, seeing only a blur of who was yanking on her. Instead of fighting she just hung limp, not caring at the moment. The fire squelched.
Ladayiir pulled her out completely, not because of compassion or any care, but because if she was to allow anything to happen to the matron's daughter, the slave would forfeit her own life. It was a matter of preservation. Ladayiir wrapped the large fuzzy towel around the girl and set her on the marble floor. Grumbling to herself she pulled the vial she had stolen from the alchemy lab and yanked the cork out with her teeth. She had not intended to use it on this brat, but she had no choice now. Zarae didn't fight the blue liquid poured down her throat. A few sputters and coughs and the effects were immediate, healing any physical problems. Ladayiir stood up hovering over Zarae who was distant.
"You know the drill by now," the slave said annoyed, "I suggest you get moving. And change out of those wet clothes."
Ladayiir half expected the usual fight, was even surprised when the girl didn't smart off. Zarae sat up, resignation in her heart. Her hand pulled on the strings, loosening them enough to slip off everything wet. Wet clothes piled on the floor, she moved to the pile of long shirts randomly pulling one on top to slip over her head, followed by a pair of leggings. The slave piled the wet clothes into a basket and headed down to the clothing washroom. Zarae aimlessly headed twords the study for the inevitable day.
Zebeycyrl was getting her hair finished, the last loose strand pulled up into the elaborate braid. Holding the mirror up to check her handmaids work, she nodded approvingly. The door opened to the youngest sister, wet hair dripping and tangled, dressed in wrinkled clothing, partially soaked now. Zebeycyrl dismissed the handmaid and turned in her chair.
"Early? That is a first," looking suspiciously over the girl.
Yet even Zebeycyrl had noticed a change in the drowlings demeanor. Zarae still said nothing, keeping her eyes, which were their normal color, downcast, almost submissively. Zebeycyrl stood up, dusting herself off and headed over to the desk, dropping the unholy tome. Two purple candles were lit followed by incense. Zarae shivered that same chill as last time ran down her spine. Only this time the calling was stronger and more forceful. The loss of her blood-innocence had weakened any resolve or resistance she had before. All she had from stopping her from giving in was apathy at the moment. Zebeycyrl watched, curious, also expecting some sarcasm or smart-mouthing; and again, none was forthcoming. Zarae hesitantly opened the tome and stared at the words. Zebeycyrl nodded her approval and left the girl alone, locking the door behind her. To a casual observer, it appeared as if she was actually reading the text. But all she did was stare at the script, her mind still miles away. She continued to see last night's events play out in her head. How her hand held the sacrificial blade. Her hand made the strike, willingly.
And then she remembered how it felt in that moment or at least thought she did. The youngest daughter only wanted approval of her mother, what daughter wouldn't. How crushed and disillusioned she had become to hear Averl's so called betrayel. Zarae closed her eyes, feeling blood on her hands again. The rush of adrenaline pounding through her veins from such a clean and effective fatal blow. The thrill of ending an enemy. How easy it had been. Happiness, power, control over life and death. All those promises of the Spider Queen just at her fingertips, and all she had to do was reach out for it. The smell of the incense and candles stopped bothering her nose and became pleasant.
The room again filled with magic. Zarae opened her eyes, orbs that were dark amber. About to read the first lines, the script becoming clear as she focused, the drowling saw something else in the room catch her attention. Her eyes returned to their normal maroon, the room again stinking of the inscence. The lost of focus, the page's script returned to indecipherable words. Getting up off the stool, yet no bounce in her still apathetic step, the drowling walked over to the bookshelf. A small chest the size of a jewelry box, made of silver, had caught the light of the candle and reflected into her eyes. It was partially covered with velvet cloth, and only by luck or divine intervention had allowed her to notice. Grabbing her stool to climb upon, Zarae stood atop it to reach the top shelf. She maintained her balance leaning and reaching up for it. In hand she hopped down and sat studying the small box. About to toss it aside not caring, a small fire reawoke in her, and curiosity took over. Hesitant fingers reached for the lever to open.
The stench was horrible, a partially preserved finger sat on top. Beneath, was a bundle of soft fabric. Inside this was a mithril chain. Moving everything aside and pulling out the necklace, the end held a small sword pendent. The metal was adamantine and mithril, a beautifully crafted piece of dark and light colored metals. Pulling it closer she was able to see even more of the details that went into this pendent; tiny drow script, yet unable to be read considering its size. Other shapes and designs covered the other side. Shapes vaguely familiar. Surrounding the necklace was magical energy, yet this was different from anything in the house. Zarae unable to resist temptation pocketed the piece before continuing to search the box. A key chain was situated at the bottom. Picking it up, it seamed like nothing special. No magic, no power. Just simple steel keys. Reason dictated it was important if it had been stored with the necklace. The drowling quickly pulled one key off and pocketed it with the rest of her cache of goods. Then she closed the box and returned it to its proper place, including covering it up then hurried over to the desk again. Zarae look back at the tome, but again apathy overtook her and she just sat their staring into space. She opened it, flipping mindlessly through the pages, yet seeing none of it.
The rest of her time was spent dwelling on last night again; so distracted and caught up in the emptiness and pain, she didn't hear the door unlock nor the hated sister enter. Zebeycyrl looked at Zarae who maintained a lost in thought empty daze that she'd never seen on the girl before. She cleared her throat, Zarae not even jumping at the startle. The drowling looked at her then back down to the desk. Zebeycyrl just rolled her eyes and told the girl to get lost, slamming the tome closed. Zarae got up slowly and exited the room, her head downcast and closed the door quietly behind her. Down to her room and onto her bed.
A few hours later, a soft knock sounded, the coded knock of her twin. However, Zarae only rolled over as Nilrae continued. Then the soft scrap of the door scooting clothing followed by a whisper calling her. Nilrae spotted his sister, closing the door behind him and rushing over to her bedside.
"You sick?"
"No."
"Dying?"
"No. please leave me be."
"What is wrong with you?"
Zarae just covered her head with the blanket, Nilrae staring at her in disbelief.
"Well, you know what," pulling on the covers, "either you give in, become like Zeb, or you suck it up and move on," he stated matter-of-factly. "But this is not my sister here right now. She wouldn't be so…." Not sure of the word to use. "So what! You killed her. She was a slave, a faerie elf. Big deal. You didn't care about the others the same way. You let the half orc get killed, the goblin. Who knows who else you cause to be punished. Your problem was you got attached. And someone saw that. So what we do, is this…"
Zarae was only half listening. Something Nilrae said had triggered a line of thought. Someone used this against her. Turned her own ally on her, or so she was beginning to believe. Drows were to never allow it to happen. In fact as the superior race, they were the ones who cut ties when a beneficial 'partnership' was no longer useful. Someone made Averl betray her. Maybe she was right to kill the elf? But now she had to find who else was at the root of this and get her revenge. Revenge- it burned in her mind. This was not the revenge she was known for. No, it would not be mean pranks, or cruel jokes. She would make them suffer. Anger, just like last night began to boil inside her. The same tug again began pulling on her soul, the same call she had been feeling for nearly two days. That feminine voice whispering in her ear. Only this time it couldn't have been her mother.
Nilrae stopped, beginning to realize she wasn't listening. He stopped tugging on the covers, and jumped up onto the bed. Then pushed to roll her twords the wall her bed was next to. The cover came off, Zarae sat up, her crimson orbs boring into Nilrae. He jumped down and back off, realizing quickly that color. Only he didn't believe it was directed at him. Or he hoped it wasn't.
"I will kill her... I will make her suffer," her voice cold and emotionless, determined.
"That's the spirit! Tho I get to help," he replied causally, hopping up onto the bed again, dangling his feet and kicking them into the side of the frame. "Besides, you look weird with normal hair."
Both sat quietly for a long time before Nilrae too restless to sit around got up and left. But not before stopping at the door to look back at his sister. The sister he was beginning to not recognize anymore. With a sad sigh he closed the door and entered his room. He always knew their bond would not last forever. For he was a male, and she would be a priestess if the Matron Mother had it her way; or she would be sacrificed for her disgrace. Sooner or later he would his sister to their merciless deity.

[Zarae Zyne Kilanatlar]

12 years. Today had marked that they had survived 12 years. So many changes had happened to the twins, changes for good or ill. Today would also mark a new stepping stone in this dark world. Matron Shyntyl sat in her chair. A slave stood just to one side, separating the matron's long, silvery strands into sections with a spider-bone comb. Purple dye had streaked the ends adding color to otherwise perfect hair. Zebeycyrl strode into her mother's chamber confidently. Her deep blue robe neatly pressed against her lithe form, a two headed snake scourge in her belt.
"Twelve," she said bluntly.
The handmaid said nothing as she continued braiding the matriarch's hair into long, thin threads before pinning them behind an elegant ear and moving to the next section. The matron mother smirked, knowing exactly what this was about. Just a couple days ago, they had watched as the youngest Kilanatlar slay her favorite slave. It was reminiscent of what matrons often were called to do with their favorite consorts. Loyalty only to Lloth. Sometimes that loyalty meant slaying a favorite.
But the boy was still untested and it was his turn. Instead of speaking, she let the second daughter ramble on her complaints. With the eldest and second daughter in competition for her place, it was nice to see all aspects of the daughters. These competitions and struggles would determine who best to take her place, when that time came. Finally Zebeycyrl stopped speaking. Matron Shyntyl still had not acknowledged anything she said. The slave finished with her hair and gracefully bowed out of the room.
"Do you think you know better?" the matron spoke finally and smugly, "we will see. Today marks the 12th year. And if I am pleased with your work, I will grant your request." The silent 'but' read clearly. "My son has not been put to any testing. I think we work on that. Let him perform… a sorta blooding if you will. A test of his willingness and hardness."
"Is he not a bit young for that? The boy has not leaned to even hold a sword, much less fight. Beside, most of ours occurred after the Academy."
"He has acquired some arcane skills. Izzmurss has trained him well and the boy has grasped far more than I had expected of a male his age."
"So, as I said before you want to kill him?" not upset at the idea but confused by the matron's actions.
The matron had believed she'd broken most the youngest daughter from her weakness. It was time to mold the boy into the perfect male killing machine. Her house did not stay so strong and in favor from weakness. And it was time to wean that out of him.
"If he is deemed worthy of training, he will manage with what I have in mind. Beside, this concern for his well being, it does not suit you."
The male hating assassin gave her mother a look to that comment.
Zarae awoke from her elven reverie, but not to the usual badgering of the handmaid. It was refreshing, albeit strange. The last several days since that terrible ceremony she had just wanted to be left alone. Zarae was still trying to deal with it, directing her anger for everything all on Zebeycyrl. Still not eating as much as usual, the girl wasn't hungry. But to occupy her mind, she thought a game of Spider Hunt might be what she needed. They hadn't played the hide-n-seek game in so long. A game encouraged to all drowlings- it helped to train in hunting, stealth, and other skills young drow would need. But for her, it brung back memories of simpler days. Zarae dressed in her usual loose baggy shirt, leggings and boots then headed to Nilrae's room.
After a few minutes, Nilrae opened, he also having been allowed to sleep in also.
"What's going on?" he asked rubbing his multicolored eyes and allowing her entrance.
"I'm not sure. But its probably gunna be a big deal."
"Yeah, for who though?"
"I don't wanna think about it. Not right now. How about Spider Hunt?"
"Really? Odd choice..."
"Yeah, well we're running and hiding. So it will be harder to get us for whatever doom we will experience today," Zarae replied bleakly.
Her less than enthusatic spitfire manner still unnerved him. "Alright, tho a stop for a bite would be nice," he called from his washroom, pulling his shirt over his head.
"Whatever."
A quick breakfast and both were running through the halls. Nilrae had taken off to find a place to hide, Zarae waiting the count to 64 before she would search. Of course she listened and peeked. Watching the direction he went and looking for the heatshadow his steps left. She'd use her other skills to find and spot the target. It was harder to cheat with the house remaining a constant 72 degrees and magical lights and wards effecting heat seeking vision.
"64," she called softly, having lost account a while back and deciding he had been given long enough.
Nilrae knew his sisters tactics by now. Retracing his steps and climbing the statue inside the dining hall was his strategy. Secured footing, and an empty hall, he dropped a globe of darkness about himself. He made sure that it didn't stand out with the faerie fire lights so as to be obvious.
Zarae started down the hall from the stairs, watching the vanishing heatshadow prints. She knew she could rule out the chapel. He would not dare enter such an important place without reason. And she doubted he would try the antechamber this time of the day. So it left the servent quarters, barracks, storage, dining hall, and kitchen. The tracks lead to the barracks and stopped. She didn't believe he'd entered, but it did have a back door to cut around twords the kitchen and dining hall. Activating her natural levitation she lifted herself up twords the ceiling and took a look around. Seeing nothing, she made sure with conjured up green faerie fire. The ceiling lit up showing only the décor of the structure and the stone itself. 'he's too smart for that,' she thought to herself.
Back on the floor, silent feet took off for the storage rooms. Put together, these were the size of the twin's rooms. Inside was spare equipment, general cleaning supplies, and other needs of house soldiers, exluding weapons. Zarae snuck in silently, just as she had been trained. Sadness, then anger came to the forefront of her mind as she opened the door Averl's old work room; she had to force it back and focus on her task. She closed the door, harder this time and moved on. Cheating, tho only cheating if caught, she threw more globes of faerie fire around as she searched through boxes, barrels and piles in the other rooms. She even searched the ceiling and coves inside each room.
Still no Nilrae.
He was getting better! Closing the door silently, she moved on to each storage room before heading back to the barracks. Entering the room, a few of the drows gazed to see the girl, then return to their activities. None spoke, only moved out of her way as she looked under beds, threw lights around and even searched the washroom. By now everyone had figured out it was a game of Spider Hunt. Zarae headed out the back door twords the dining room. First she searched the kitchen, even looking in the larders and ovens. None of the kitchen slaves saw the boy enter. At least none admitted it. If he managed to bribe any, she didn't have a better offer.
It had been nearly an hour. Nilrae had to renew his globe of darkness. He was growing antsy, waiting. The door opened. Based on how softly, he reasoned she was closing in. Her footsteps were near impossible to hear, but new commotion from slaves followed by quiet and scraping of stone and silence again, no doubt she would be searching the dining hall soon. As he sat, he felt a tingling on the back of his neck. Swatting at it revealed nothing. None of the spiders of the house were around. And few other living beings moved so freely. Yet the creeping tingling remained a good 5 minutes before it was gone.
The door opened again, this time no worry of keeping silent. Tho no sounds was heard from the shoes, the door closed behind hard and echoed in the relatively empty room. Unable to pinpoint the sounds, he couldn't tell where they went.
Zarae opened the kitchen door, she too heard the entrance of another. Zebeycyrl stood staring into the blackness of the room at the statue, ignore the girl for the moment. Zebeycyrl walked over to the statue, a simple dispel of the darkness revealing a small bundle atop the carved figure. Nilrae knew his spot had been compromised, yet he remained as he was. Zarae, not thinking, ran over and levitated to Nilrae's level and tagged him, the motion with an imaginary dagger to his arm.
"Ha!"
Uncurling from his postion, "doesn't count!"
Before his twin could retort, Zebeycyrl called him down. Her tone threatening as much as the hand reaching for the scourge. Nilrae wasted no time and was on the floor in seconds. Picking himself up after falling the last few feet, he stood before her, eyes at the floor. Zebeycyrl didn't even explain, before the first snake head reared back to taste flesh. Zarae turned her head away as fangs sunk into his flesh. Nilrae dared not squeal, yet he could not stop his body from curling up as it fell.
"That is for making me find your worthless hide," another strike, "always keep your insignia on," another lash, "that is for being on the furniture," the last strike, "and that's for good measure, jalak!"
Zebeycyrl hadn't even gotten started, the snake heads antsy to continue tasting flesh, the assassin eager to keep flogging. But she couldn't, not now anyway with her own freedom so close. Two snake heads calmed in disappointment as the adamantine handle returned to belt. Rose orbs simmering flashed an angry glare at Zarae then turned to the boy.
"In the gym," was all she said to Nilrae, then turned on her heels and left the two. But not before giving Zarae a threat if she dared to help the male drowling.
Zarae, ever the rebel at heart, didn't care and hurried over to her brother. Zebeycyrl's actions would only make the girl hate her more. Only make Zarae more determine to one day get revenge. She helped Nilrae to stand on his shakey legs, pain still raking his body. Once he was able to stand on his own, he softly pushed Zarae away. Fearful for himself and her. She only gave him a look and then left her brother on his own.
Nilrae took a few steps twords the door, careful to not fall. His mind fearful with thoughts of what the summons could mean. He had never been called to the gym so formally. To clean a few times, but never like this. Out the door and his footing more secure, he rushed out and made his way up to the second floor and to the gym door. He was in no hurry, but if Zebeycyrl didn't like that he was too slow, she might use the scourge on him again.
The room, dimly lit with red faerie fire was as before. Half the large room full of training equipment, the other empty space. Inside, his heart raced. His mother stood watching. She was dressed in a blood red corset bodice, skirt slitted up to her upper thigh and hair in its usual elaborate form; no ceremonial garb he noted to his relief. Beside her stood Zebeycyrl. Xullafay would have been had she not been at the Academy. As Nilrae stood at the entrance, Rhylaun and Izzmurss entered; Rhylaun bowing with a greeting, "Ilharess." Then stood to her right.
"Enter," the matron called out.
Nilrae did, as did two female soldiers, one leading a goblin on a chain leash. The goblin was led to the side opposite the door and stopped. Matron Shyntyl waited for Nilrae to appear before him, but otherwise ignored the boy. Nilrae bowed in respect, his eyes trained to stare at the floor and waited. The matron nodded to the soldiers, one casting a temporary paralyzing spell on the goblin. The other soldier took out a tiny key and unlocked the slave collar from around his neck, the collar and chain clanking to the floor. Then the soldier pulled forth a rusted dagger and tossed in into the center of the room.
Nilrae was still confused, his eyes peeking to watch his peripheral. The matron nodded again, a dispel releasing the parlalzation on the goblin. The goblin remained still, fearful for his life, knowing full well it was likely to be ended. With a mischevious grin, "Kill him," the matron called. Yet to who was up for interpretation.
The goblin hesitated only for a minute before he headed to grab up the dagger. Nilrae waited as if for directions, watching the slave come at him with the crude blade. At the last moment, Nilrae rolled away at the weak stab, moving with ease out of range. Again he looked back to his audience as they only watched. Nilrae dodged another clumsy stab. He was beginning to understand. The goblin sensed a pause and took the opportunity to rush the drowling. Nilrae, in front of the wall, stealed himself then at the last second, drove onto the floor. The goblin overbalanced tripped over the boy and smacked into the stone wall.
The audience watched amazed by the ingenuity and quick thinking drowling. "He can improvise well," the weapon-master said, "and reflexes on par of any true Kilanatlar."
"Intelligent mind, less…steady in the face of death with his spells," Izzmurss added, "yet cable of completing the spell with precision."
Zebeycyrl scoffed a few times. All she cared was he survived enough to be taken off her hands. Tho she had to admit, he was doing well for having just been flogged and untrained. Matron Shyntyl seamed deep in thought as she watched her youngest son with interest.
Nilrae didn't waste his time, the words formed on is lips and his hands moved the correct pattern. Purple rays of magical force energy shot from his fingers to slam into the goblin. It knocked him down, seriously injuring the goblin, yet it was not dead. Nilrae then ran to the other side of the room, slidding twords the soldiers to scoop up the chain and collar. The soldiers moved to the side still eager to watch the small fight. Nilrae spun the chain as a lasso, yet it took longer than he intended to get going, again allowing the goblin an opportunity. Dagger leading, the goblin moved in, just as the chain's end with the metal collar came at him. The goblin ducked to the side thinking the boy missed. It was not aimed for his head. Metal hit stone then scraped as the tug pulled it back. The quick yank enough to jerk it into the goblins backside, and send him sprawling forward. Nilrae then pulled the tiny knife he kept in his boot. Using another spell, he propelled the blade into the goblin's arm. The boy cheered as it sank. However the goblin still wasn't dead; struggling to get up, blood poured from the wound.
"Finish him," came from the matron, who in reference still up for interpretation.
Nilrae mentally nodded rushing in to slide in the blood puddle and propel himself to knock over the slave. Nilrae elbowed and punched from his spot on the floor, causing the rusted dagger to clank onto the floor. A lousy kick to the stomach, he picked up the blade and spun to stick it into the goblin's abdomen. He held it there, more blood leaking from the hole to add to the mess he was already laying in. Then for good measure, Nilrae jabbed it in further, twisted it and then slid it out. The goblin fell to the floor to bleed out.
Rhylaun applauded the blood soaked boy before turning to the matron, "As I said. A fine warrior."
Izzmurss and Zebeycyrl held their tongue waiting for their mother to speak. Nilrae got up, his breath heavy from the exertion, and knelt before his mother. She held the decision of his future.
"The blood on your hand heralds you in the presence of your kin," she said calmly, "a battle mage seams most suited to you. Thus you will train with the weapon master and the house wizard until your time for the academy."
Rhylaun look at Izzmurss with an almost unspoken challenge. Of course the wizard could care less, another wizard or another warrior. Nilrae remained in his submissive position, not sure how to think that moment. Careful to not show his excitement of getting away from Zebeycyrl. As soon as he was dismissed he'd have to tell Zarae the wonderful news.
"Begin at the first waking hour," the matron spoke to the weapon master with an underlining threat, "train him in everything. But he is to continued lessons with you Izzmurss. How you two males decide to work that out, I care not. But I expect him to be casting spells as well as a first year student by the next 4 years." With those last instructions, Matron Shyntyl walked out.
Zebeycyrl turned to the soldiers, "Clean this mess and remove that iblith; have this room spotless as before." The second daughter followed her mother, slightly relieved that half her chore was gone. One, left. And that one would be the real test.

[Zarae Zyne Kilanatlar]

Zarae had wrestled with going back to her quarters and staying out of trouble….not likely, or following. Curiosity won over apathy and she too found herself on the second floor at the gym door. The only entrance to watch and not get caught was the war-stragey room. They had been banned from the room after one of their games caused a major mess in there. Half the maps were permanently ruined. Neeryrd had gotten the worst punishment as it was his responsibility at the time. Something Nilrae appreciated. Though the twins had not escaped the lashings of their sister.
The girl slipped down the hall, past the open gym door and to the large locked room. Pulling out her lockpicks, a set acquired with the help of one of the house soldiers, she set about working on the lock. The lock was difficult and uncooperative. Worse, she was missing the action. Her mother's words echoed enough for her to hear from her position. Followed by soft thumps. Zarae was torn between continuing or watching from the door. By the time she got in it might be over. Sighing in defeat she pocketed her tools and headed back to the large double door of the gym. Inside the weapon master applauded and her mother's instructions began with her blood soaked brother kneeling. A goblin laid dying in the center of the room.
Zarae grumbled, she'd miss the entire…whatever it was. By the time she realized it, the matron was standing at the door staring down at her youngest daughter, that same amused smirk. 'Uh oh,' and 'busted', blurted across Zarae's mind.
"Since you have saved me the trouble of summoning you," her mother began, placing an arm on the daughter and guiding her twords the stairs, "let us meet in the chapel."
Zarae obeyed, not daring to question the supposed affection from the matron mother. Zebeycyrl quietly followed, her eyes seething. She also wisely held her thoughts knowing her mother could read them if she so chose. The second daughter wondered if the girl knew how to get back at her sister in the cruelest way. if Zarae was to pretend to fail… Zebeycyrl shook her bone white hair. The girl feared their mother more than anyone, except perhaps the Spider Queen. Failure meant death. She hoped that fear was more than any animosity twords the assassin. Matron Shyntyl turned to look back at her second daughter with that knowing look before directing all three into the chapel.
The dome chamber light up as the eight braziers came to life with a dull orange glow. The same lingering smells filled the room to a lesser degree. Zarae's steps slowed, as the awful memory of a few days ago fell back into the forefront of her mind. The matron had a purpose in bringing the girl here. The girl breathed in deeply and held her head up boldly and strode forth to the raised platform with bravado. She looked back at Zebeycyrl, crimson eyes boring into her sisters rose orbs followed by an unusual evil grin. Matron Shyntyl, reading the girl's mind, chuckled. She would let her youngest play it out, and then got down to business.
"Begin," she called to her assassin daughter as she stepped up to stand beside the red stained altar.
Zebeycyrl was ready to strangle the girl. Forty-five minutes and she had gotten nowhere with Zarael. Only enough to make the matron not lash out at either daughter. Matron Shyntyl spent the time amused more than anything, listening in on Zarae's thoughts. The girl was audacious to tempt such a volatile assassin. And with such dark thoughts running through the girl, it held hope for Lloth's plans to be accomplished. The girl's weaknesses were being weaned out. Zarae had her own chaotic way that was different than any of her daughters. Shyntyl had to appreciate that. But sooner or later these games would displease the Spider Queen. Lloth would grow bored. And if the girl was not a proper priestess by that day, the youngest daughter would be given in sacrifice.
"What are The Five Tenants?" Zebeycyrl tried again, returning to previous topics.
"Hands. Throat. Pain. Death. You," Zarae spit out in a threatening manor as she could.
Zebeycyrl fed up, back-handed the girl knocking her to the floor. The snake headed whip found its way into her hand, reared back to make its first blow. The snakes hissing their excitement.
"Enough!" the matron called to both, "time of games is over."
Zebeycyrl gave a 'ha' look to the girl but obeyed the matron. Zarae picked herself up off the floor and swallowed hard. Thinking deep she tried to recall what she had been required to memorize. Closing her eyes she began,
"Death is strong;
But Lolth is stronger.
Time rules long;
But She rules longer.
She solaced our woe
and soothed our sighing;
And what shall we do
Without her guidence?"**
The Matron nodded her approval then bade her youngest daughter to continue.
"She sends us pain,
and we bow before her;
She smiled again
and bade us adore her;
She solaced our woe
and soothed our sighing;
And what shall we do
Without her guidence?"**
Zarae hesitated trying to remember the rest. Each word still so strange to the girl who was still only really giving lip service to the Spider Queen. Yet as she spoke the words they became easier. Then her eyes opened and the last of the song prayer sprewed forth,
"She is hungry and eats our children; - how shall we feed her?
She takes our young males and our maidens; - ours to obey her!
We are loathed and feared and reviled of all Elvenkind; that is our pride.
She feeds us, protects us, loves us, and kills us; no longer shall we hide
She is Evil and huge and beautiful! She is our mother!
She is lustful and lewd! - Spider Queen; we have none other!
In the day she was hidden from us, but we found her moaning in the shade.
We shudder and give her our will in the darkness; we are afraid.
"Test me, Quarval-sharess."**
"What are The Five Tenants?" the matron asked.
Zarae cleared her throat again to begin, pausing to try to recall them correctly,
"Chaos- A formless thing, ever changing. Chaos is the essence of creation and change. Chaos is what we are.
Spiders- The children of Lloth. There is no creature more sacred.
Darkness- It is a gift from Lloth. In darkness, we will rise.
Power- to be sought. to be embraced. It encourages ambition and opens the path to strength. It eliminates weakness. Only the strongest, most devious, and most cruel live or deserve to survive.
Death- The path to ascension. A holy art form within itself. Death to Lloth's enemies. Death to the darthiir!"
The last bit had the extra emphasis for good measure more than any real reason to wish for her surface couisn's death; she remembered the reactions it elicited and hope it would work in favor for her. Zarae breathed a sigh of relief, surprising herself that she managed to recall of all of it like she did. Now she had to hope no spell casting was required of her. that was one area she would fail.
"My dalhari has changed so much since we last met like this," the matron started, "how far you have come. But simply spitting out of rhetoric and rhyme will not save a worthless hide."
Zebeycyrl and Zarae both held their breath waiting for the next few words.
******
Nilrae jumped up and down a few times in what could be considered a jig as soon as his mother and sister left. Free! He was free! Or well, free from Zebeycyrl. He would now be allowed to learn the art of swordcraft and become a trained wizard. The house wizard, after debating with the weapon-master for a few minutes turned to Nilrae.
"Today you will begin a lesson with me. Weapon master Rhylaun, depending on other circumstances, will begin his regiment for the next month. Then you will spend days with me and so forth. Understood? Wipe that smirk off, boy!"
Nilrae nodded, his face still alight with the joy of having escaped his older sister. He tried to look dower, but was unable, Rhylaun only laughing at both.
"Early on the hour, Ilharess' orders!"
Nilrae followed his brother to the lab. Sitting at his desk, he pulled out his spell book and set it before himself, closing his eyes as the candle was lit. Books were placed on the desk followed by a vial of the expensive glowing ink. The next few hours were spent in silence, Nilrae researching and studying for new spells, Izzmurss working through his calculations and plans for the Master of Sorcere.
"It is time you got a familiar," the wizard said. Three hours had passed, and Nilrae had not even noticed, "A trip to House Vharzyym's stall will be worth while." The wizard had changed into travel gear, a deep blue robe with few fabric details, his crimson house piwafwi, and worn boots. His house insignia was pushed into hs neckpurse as he grabbed his staff. The adamantine staff was tall as the wizard, the four prongs at the end holding a fist size ruby that glowed with a dull reddish throb.
"Familiar?" Nilrae asked making a quick note of the wizard's sudden dress.
"A creature or being magically link to you, in your service." As he spoke, a dog like creature with black velvet-smooth skin, upright pointed ears, and leaflike projection nose similar appeared. Sensitive whiskers were sprouted over his maw. To add to the strangeness, it has small eyes and a slender build. It sat at its master's heels, giving a few sniffs then looking on at the boy.
"Is that a…"
"A cavvekan, yes."
"They are so rare. Can I pet it?" his hand reaching out to touch the nearly furless being.
"No!" Izzmurss scolded. Then turned to the cavvekan, "stay."
Nilrae drew his hand back quickly, following after the wizard who was heading out the door. "Are we walking? I haven't been taught to ride the lizards yet. Can I also get one of those? Or maybe a cave bat. Snakes are good too."
"I am beginning to see Zebeycyrl's problem," he mumbled, still loud enough for Nilrae to hear.
A retort was about to come forth, butIzzmurss had pulled forth his spell book, thumbing to the right page. His trained voice spoke the words, his free hands forming the right gestures. The page glowed with the building magical energy. The air shimmered and a space opened up; a portal gate stood their in the hall. Nilrae stood dumbfounded by the powerful magic.
"Enter," Izzmurss ordered.
Nilrae hesitated, unsure to trust his brother after the last comment. The wizard grabbed Nilrae's tunic and push him forward into the gate before himself gracefully stepping through. Both found themselves in the city market. The hustle and bustle of the business hours had long calmed. Only a few were about wondering the streets and alleys freely. Izzmurss oriented himself then lead the way to the shop.
Their building's outside was plain compared to most of the cities buildings, simple stone walls mostly untouched. Of course it was covered in different hues of faerie fire. What carvings were seen included creatures of all sorts, many non-native to the world of the drow. The front was carved with spiders and arachnid creatures. Nilrae made out aranea, chitine, and choldrith among the spiders. Atop the door hung a sign of zurkhwood, the underdark mushroom that was often used like trees on the surface. Carved into the sign was Vharzyym's glyph: A mushroom with four blades. In the mushroom was a script of the first letter of the house name. Nilrae had heard little of the fifth house. Only what most knew- house that specialized in exotic creatures from across Toril. It was suspected that most the noble house was skilled in some druidic magics, rare among the underdark races; rarer among the drow.
Inside the shop, everything changed.
Cages lined the back wall, in rows and filled almost every space. Small to gigantic, cages were filled with creatures Nilrae had never seen before; from birds to felines to canines to reptiles. A half wall separated the shop into two unequal parts. On the other side was equipment, supplies and basic care needs for many of the creatures. Small plaques hung on each cage with the creatures name and a simple description of basic care. Near the door a two foot counter with a short linky male stood. He was dressed unusual- green tunic, green being a rare color in the underdark, and brown leggings. Shoulder guards were leather and covered with thick black fur. His tan leather belt held an adamantine sickle. His cloak, which was hung on a hook beside the counter and a quarterstaff, was made of grey fur. A leather and mithril helmet covered half his head and his cropped stark white hair.
"Welcome to my humble shop," his head nodded in acknowledgment of the higher station male who entered. The druids's accent was heavy and raspier, influenced by another city or locale. "I am Bhaern Vharzyym. Eldest son of Matron Alulove Vharzyym."
Izzmurss walked over to the counter while Nilrae began wandering around to all the creature's cages. He stopped first in front of large feline creature, tanish orange with thick black stripes. Nilrae read the first line of the plaque, "tiger; juvenile, female." The feline yawned, its amber eyes watching the boy before returning to it nap. He then walked over to another row of cages. He knelt down to see a furry white rodent with long ears and reddish eyes. "Rabbit; adult, male." He continued on reading every one that interested him. Many had suggestions for care in housing the creature, some preferring places near the surface. Reptiles were stored on the furthest wall, their cages heated with magical stones. A great number of lizards and snakes were curled upon these stones. Another cage was half water with shell covered reptiles. "Turtles," the boy had learned.
"Does the deal work?" Izzmurss asked the druid. "My matron is willing to compensate well for such alliance."
"Why does she speak through her elder boy?" not sure he believed the wizard.
"Who would suspect? No matron in their right mind would make such important alliances through a male."
"What does she know that MaeVir doesnt?" the obvious objection.
"Matron Alulove knows more than you do. I can assure you. All I am to seek is an answer." He handed the sealed parchment to Bhaern.
"What benefit do I get from passing this on to her to begin with?"
Izzmurss smiled, rare for the usually few word stoic wizard. He then unfurled a second parchment, the term and rewards of the alliance. Another document was pulled forth, this one a map with script on the right side.
"This is fake."
"I kid not," the wizard's smile gone.
"How has this remained unknown or unoccupied?"
"The location's path is treacherous in small numbers. Yet to keep it underwraps no more than one small fishing boat can go."
"Very well. I will handle the parchment. And return your notice when you pick up your next order," the druid replied tucking it into his green tunic's secret pouch.
"Have you made up your mind yet?" Izzmurss' voice called to Nilrae, "keep in mind the task of binding it to yourself and your lack of skill."
"How about the quaggoth looking creature," he replied running back over to read the name, "bear, black; cub, male."
Bhaern spoke first, "I doubt you can handle such a creature. Those get to be over 200lbs and stand as tall as a quaggoth. Plus they make bad familiars in our cities, territorial and aggressive with extremely large appetites."
Izzmurss gave a look at the druid for his interruption, "No," to the boy.
"Tiger?" Nilrae called back.
"No."
"Wolf?"
"No"
"Monkey?"
"No "
"Cockatrice?"
Izzmurss growled his no, Bhaern trying hard not to laugh. Nilrae then headed to the snakes, trying to decide which among the dozen he wanted. Finally he settled on a black snake with an arrow-head shape. He pointed out the mlarraun to Bhaern who got a cage ready to hold it. Secure and unable to escape, Izzmurss pulled out the gold to hand over, exchanging it for the caged serpent.
"When will you have dragazars?" the wizard asked handing the small caged snake to Nilrae.
"Possibly a tenday," Bhaern replied, "maybe longer. The patrol out has not seen signs of any nesting grounds."
"Wait, can I get one of those?" having seen one of the batlike creatures onboard the Siasta. They were often called night hunter, a full grown adult with a seven foot wing span. They were known to have better sight than even the drow and made aggressive pets.
"Your purchase is done."
"Grouch," Nilrae whispered under his breath, "all right…" thinking of a name, "Vyk'zlade! Lets get you home."
Back out in the marketplace, a small group had gathered, sounds of combat and spellcasting in the middle of the crowd. Nilrae ran twards the crowd, Vyk'zlade slithering around the cage due to the sudden movements. In the midst two drow male were fighting. Both were covered in deep red gashes, charred leather armor and panting heavily from the fight. Sweat covered their faces, ran in their eyes and matted their hair to their head. The smaller male chanted out another spell to strike his opponent. The older wizard-warrior dove to avoid the magical missiles that slammed into his back.
Nilrae tugged an onlooker's grungy shirt, "whats the hub-bub?"
"Get lost drowling!" he replied shoving Nilrae back.
This made Nilrae more determined. He slipped through most the crowd, then knelt to watch between legs and feet that refused him front row view. He learned through small talk it was some kind of rite. The winner proves their worth and gains additional magic or position. The loser, assuming they survived, was often demoted, maimed, or transformed into a drider.
Another barrage of missiles shot forth from the smaller male. He took a deep breath then began another spell. Nilrae noticed a few differences. This male was casting spells much like he was learning, yet he didn't not appear trained in the same manor. Even managed to repeatively cast the same ones over and over with no spell components. A dagger flashed as the older male was back on his feet, the blade soaring from his hand into the shoulder of his enemy.
"What are you," Nilrae asked himself fascinated by the male's magical abilities and cheering him on secretly.
Another set of spells, flaming arrows, shot forth to lick the wizard-warrior, followed by acid arrows and more purple force missiles. The wizard fell forward, slow to get up. The smaller male was atop him in seconds brandishing a wicked curving blade. Half the crowd cheered as the others called out insults. Nilrae saw as the male knelt down and whispered before sliding the sharp edge into the back of the facedown male.
Soon the crowd dissipated and Nilrae returned to an annoyed older brother.
"Sorcerers are pathic lazy magic manipulators who never learn the fullness or true power of the Arcane. Sharp tongues and short fuses. They rely on instinct and emotion, calling it natural talent. No control or restraint. Resentment for discipline. No respect for the Art."
"It looked like he was doing prudy good to me."
Nilrae shut up quickly after the death glare directed at him. Izzmurss hadn't told the boy his suspect of such possible power Nilrae might could wield. Even after having witnessed the drowling whip out a spell without having prepared. The wizard had little respect for sorcerers.
[hr:mfodpt86]
** not original with me. found online when searching for prayers to Lloth

[Zarae Zyne Kilanatlar]

Zarae peeked up to her expressionless mother's face, praying that it was satisfactory. Her sister she had never seen such a nervous wreck of her. Yet Zarae managed to get a glimpse of concern. The girl mentally scoffed. Zeb had no feelings; she was the embodiment of Zarae's problems. All her hate. The girl's eyes shifted between crimson and blue in those moments.
"G'eldriina," the matron's voice broke through.
'How long had the guard been there?' Zarae wondered. She didn't remember her having entered or seeing her in before. the drowess returned in a few agonizing minutes followed by two collared half-orcs carrying a chest. They set down by the door then left to bring back another chest. Then were quickly forced out and back to whatever these two did. Zarae lookd back to her mother perplexed then again to her older sister. Zebeyrcryl smiled with relief and through some unspoken communication left the chamber. Before departing Zarae managed to give the assassin the coldest silent threat she could manage. A silent promise she would get her back, one day. Matron Shyntyl stepped down to level floor with the girl, arm on her shoulder and directing her to the back with the chest.
The matron spun the girl to face her, "for now, I am pleased. I will send you to train with Rhylaun. As you know he is one of the best of our city," a hand held up before Zarae could react, "but…" that word to her a curse, "you will continue your studies. I do not have dalharis who are not priestess….understood? If you fail me in anyway…" leaving the words hanging and unspoken. Then the matron spun her back to the chest. "Pick your equipment here and now. Choose wisely."
As she spoke, G'eldriina spoke the words to open the magical locks. Inside the first was different sets of clothing. The second held other items of clothing such as boots, bracers, belts, simple armor, and the like. Everything inside radiated with magical energies. Zarae looked back for assurance then headed to the clothing chest. She pulled out a few shirts, or she assumed they were shirts. The material seam to lack any covering over the abdomen and most of the chest. it was closer to underwear in her opinion. Zarae apparently hadn't been built like her sisters when they were this age. Many of the articles were clearly not made for someone so tiny and small. These didn't interest the girl anyway, pushing them to the side to keep digging. On the bottem was more boyish style clothing and the thing that caught her attention. A deep blue fabric that she knew well, spidersilk. Thick like a heavy shirt and able to protect from all but the most lethal of strikes. She pulled it out to examine it better.
Shyntyl raised her snowy brow in surprise as the girl's choice, trying not to laugh aloud at how comical it was, "that is a boyish shirt I believe," or nothing most noble females would willingly wear.
Zarae didn't care, she decided this was what she wanted. Pulled over her still dyed hair, it hung around her small frame down to her knees and looked as if three of her could fit inside. The neckhole hung loose over one shoulder, the sleeves past her hands and very billowy. Zarae's hands went to her hips in determination that this was what she wanted as she turned to her mother. The matron rolled her eyes but said nothing. Then to test her limits the girl went back to into the chest to grab more items; not from a desire for stuff, more a compulsion to take things. A tank top type top went inside the loose spidersilk shirt, then a couple smaller shirts that fit. The larger shirt would aid in her thieving quite well she thought to herself.
The drowling scooted carefully over to the other chest, trying to not allow the balled up fabrics fall. Zarae spent 20 minutes rifling through all the stuff, hard to decide what she actually wanted. A belt went around her waist and fastened, all to secure anything she decided to hide in her clothes. A set of boots, a pair of leather buckled bracers, and a pair of gloves were set on the floor.
"G'eldriina," the matron called, the signal to Zarae she was finished.
The guard walked in, spoke the command and the chest were locked again. The slaves took the chest away leaving only the drowling and the matron inside the chamber. Zarae carefully turned to face her mother, her shirt stuffed with items. The matron let it go, instead brandishing a deep crimson piwafwi. The spidersilk of this coveted cloak was stronger, the magic more powerful than her own. the girl's own piwafwi was similar, yet this was more beautiful. The rich color deepened twords the bottem, a faint celtic pattern along the hem. Inside was embroderied the house glyph, a spider atop the sword.
"This is our house piwafwi. This along with you insignia shows who we are. Wear it with pride, and do not disappoint."
Zarae reached up to take it from her mother, careful to not allow it to touch the floor. While she admired the material the matron continued to speak, Zarae missing most of what was said before she looked up to catch the last.
"…report at business cycle to the gym." A hand waved to dismiss the drowling.
Zarae waddled to her room, trying hard not to drop the items she thought she pilfiered along the way. Once inside and her door 'secure', she unbuckled the belt and dropped everything on the floor then pulled the oversize shirt off. Her door closed behind her again as she walked over to Nilrae's door and knocked her pattern. When he didn't answer she headed upstairs to the lab.
******
The wizard opened a portal again, only this time to the compound gate. The magic of the house did not allow teleportation inside, plus the heavy radiation of faerzress made it very dangerous to do so. Holding up his insignia the guards let him through with the drowling. Nilrae slowed to glance around the courtyard, a few guards over twords the stable door tossing dice. others patrolling, and two practicing. He looked back to the large spider above the gate before catching back up with Izzmurss.
"So what happens now?" the boy asked entering inside the house.
The wizard ignored the boy, just headed up to the lab, Nilrae in tow. Once inside, a bowl of chalky like material was set out on the desk with a thin parchment. Nilrae set Vyk'zlade on the desk, still in the cage, and leaned over to check the bowl. He watched as the wizard then pulled out another parchment, studying the words carefully then setting it before the boy.
"Read this carefully. Then follow it if you wish to bind your creature. This requires a full day. So I suggest you prepare in advance. I also suggest you use your free time wisely, until we meet again." Izzmurss departed leaving Nilrae alone with his serpent. Nilrae pulled the parchment over to himself preparing to read when a shadow in the door caught in the corner of his eye.
"how about we cele….new pet?" Zarae skipped into the room heading over to the desk with the mlarraun before Nilrae could even answer. She was about to open the cage when Nilrae grabbed her hand and pulled it away. "hey! What gives?" she asked accusative.
"he is to be my familiar. You cant bond with it."
"oookay. So, how about we do something tonight? You know celebrate freedom."
Nilrae looked to Vyk'zlade then to his twin torn between the two. Zarae thought she sensed some hesitation and didn't want to go out alone into the city.
"whatever you plan to do with him could wait another day…right? Beside, we haven't gotten out since the cave. Ok, I haven't," looking over at the serpent, then grinning with an idea.
Nilrae saw his sister's eyes shift twords violet knowing she already had some idea. He stood up from the stool and leaned on the desk crossing his arms. "make it worth my while," he said wih fake cockiness.
Zarae looked around then knelt over to his ear and whispered her plans. Nilrae then nodded, grabbing Vyk'zlade's cage along with the parchments and bowl of white chalky powder and headed to his room, Zarae following.
"its not a family meal this supper, right?" Nilrae asked setting Vyk'zlade on his nightstand and digging in the wardrobe for his pack.
"naw, I don't think so," an unspoken…'I hope not.' "besides we already been caught sneaking out once, and survived. We've learned from that time," Zarae replied with a shrug.
"rrright," he said unsure now, shaking his head wondering why he let his sister talk him into these things.
"I'll go get my stuff then we'll go out the secret passage."
Zarae rushed into her room, nearly tripping over the new pile of stuff she had acquired. Her pack flung onto her bed, she dug through the mess of her room for what she wanted. Nilrae entered, piwafwi, boots, and pack ready to go.
"You know, you need to work on this…impulse problem of yours and shiney objects," picking up silver fork then sending it into her desk to stick hard.
"Problem? I don't have a problem."
"And I'm a priestess" he replied sarcastically rolling his eyes and walking over to the trunk at the end of her bed, "whats this? Or this," picking up random objects to prove his point.
Zarae laughed hung over the edge of another trunk digging through it, "you'd make such a pretty priestess."
"You're missing my point."
"I do not have a problem. I just like to…collect stuff…other people's stuff."
"Whatever."
"you've never complained before."
"I didn't think it this bad."
"yeah? My so called 'kleptomania' as you think has gotten us some nice stuff as I recall. Besides Lloth encourages it right?" another laugh from the trunk.
You ready?" he sighed not arguing with her further.
"Yep," standing up from the trunk to toss the objects into her pack. Then she slid the new bracers over her forearm, the new boots on her feet and grabbing her piwafwi.
"How did you get…" he asked noticing the new items, especially the piwafwi.
Zarae shrugged, "Mother. You can borrow that," pointing to the blue spidersilk shirt on her bed.
"That's a dress!"
"No. I don't wear dresses. It's just…big right now. Plus it's got some magical properties."
Nilrae raised a brow then rolled his eyes to exit the bedroom behind his sister. She lead the way to the antechamber, avoiding any patrolling guards. The way clear, they booked it for the door and slowly opened. To both their relief no one was inside. Zarae had already met in here earlier, so she didn't believe anyone would have been inside. The door closed softly behind them, making sure no one was watching as they did, they headed for the secret door, and was soon running down the tunnel. Outside the compound again, Zarae did a celebatory cartwheel. Freedom from the house was refreshing after the last few days.
"You getting more careless you know."
"Well, you worry eough for the both of us," she relplied landing back on her feet, "alright, to the bridge and into the market."
"Do you have an idea of where it is?"
"Near the slave trading, that all I over heard without getting caught," Zarae quickly hid the sadness-anger mix she felt with a good head shake and pulling her piwafwi tighter around herself.
Eventually both were over the bridge and heading to the Bazaar, careful to avoid any run-ins like last time. Neither knew the Blacken Fist ran the fights, only that the guards made it sound like fun to watch.
"theres a crowd heading that way, and the sounds coming forth, that is probably our destination," Nilrae replied stepping ahead to take lead.
"we'll have to try and stop by the shop," Zarae whispered, "I didn't get to go last time I tried."
Nilrae's guess had been correct. The building held an amphitheater, its roof dome shaped and covered with green faerie fire lining it like a spider web. Beside the building was the 10 feet long, 5 foot wide platform used to hold slave auctions. Empty cages stood to the side at this hour. The twins followed a few cloaked males' twords the entrance's double doors. Doors which were fully opened and showing the crowds and allowing people to hear the cheering and combat inside. Unknownst to them was the smaller cloaked figure following them specifically. Inside was what they expected and more. Down in center was an arena, the ground caked in red, and covered in trash from the audience. Two orcs, both collared with their affliated house collars tossing each other around. Cheers were loud, and more than once someone had to duck from flying food. By the doors a small vender was settled, the drow running it selling simple beverages and foods, and making a hefty profit.
Nilrae pointed to a set of empty seats far from the action. He turned to speak, only yo see Zarae not following nor in sight. Zarae had spotted a gleam refracting from the ceiling's faerie fire off a pouch with a metal clip. The girl tried to will herself from such a dangerous endeavor, but was unable to. The object caught her attention, and she could not help herself. Slipping stealthily among the benches using the distraction from below, she got into position. Her hand reached to take hold as the patron jumped up from his spot and cheered, nearly knocking the girl down and giving herself away. Shaking her head she tried again to will herself from letting it go, failing miserable.
Nilrae groaned to himself, walking over to the empty seats hoping Zarae didn't get into trouble she couldn't get out. As he sat the small cloaked figure sat 4 foot away and watched the battle below. Nilrae found himself engrossed in the action, forgetting to pay attention to his surroundings. The figure periodically looked his way to study him then back to the fight.
Zarae moved into a better position, the target's standing making it much easier. Fingers itching to take it, she reached out and began untying the lace that held it to his belt. She looked up from her hood then back to her work. Nearly finished, the patron chose that moment to sit back down, the bag into a position harder to get at. He looked down, as the coins inside clanked the stone bench, around for anyone suspicious then back to the fight. Zarae held her breath then breathed out slowly when he didn't spot her. She had been close to getting caught. And that would have meant at least losing a hand, possible worse. Waiting a moment for her nerves to steady again, determined to steal that object, she went back to work, dealing with the male's movements. Finally persistence paid off, the lace loose and the bag ready to be taken. Her hand grasped around it to carefully pull it away and not let the coins clank. Once inside her bag, she scuttled away searching for Nilrae.
The crowds cheered again, most standing up as one orc finished his rival. Nilrae spotted Zarae a whistled to get her attention. Zarae sat down beside, and tossed her hood off her head. "I miss anything good?"
As he explained, the cloaked figure threw her own hood back, and shook her loose snowy hair free. She noted the two close to her age, their near identical appearance, but mostly, the girl's rich colored and magical piwafwi.
"What brings nobles out to this area, so close to the slums?" the girl interrupted. She was dressed in a black wizardly styled tunic and leggings decorated with archaic symbols, knee-high boots and a grayish piwafwi. On her thick cloth belt was a small pouch and sheath holding a silverite dagger.
Nilrae studied her a moment, takng into account threats and intent. Zarae spoke before Nilrae could reply, "what makes you so sure?" a bit of sarcasm in her tone, realizing the wizardess' interest in Nilrae. Nilrae glanced at Zarae then back to the girl, "you will have to excuse my sister, she's…" leaving the rest for the girl to figure out. Zarae smirked then shook her head at that.
"Your dress clearly marks you. I am surprised you are not more of a target at the moment, flaunting your station here." The girl stood up and moved to sit next to Nilrae, Zarae still overly suspicious of her. "I am Nathyrra Kant'lar of House Kant'tar.
"21st house?" Nilrae asked as the crowds grew louder from the beginning of the next fight.
Nathyrra nodded confirmation before answering his next question, "Not all daughters become priestess among the non-nobles," she explained, "My skills for the wizardly arts was stronger, the Ilharess agreed to allow me to become one because of the need. I head to the Academy in a year."
Nilrae and Nathyrra spent much of the time chatting, Zarae trying to ease drop and watch the fight. The wizardess even offered some of her purchased meal to the boy. After several rounds, Zarae got up and slipped away down twords the lower levels. The corridors and stairs were lined with more faerie fire than the rest of the stadium, and was bare of any décor. She walked confidently, ignoring comments and dirty looks thrown her way. Another hall broke off, down it rows of cells containing the fighters. Purchased slaves of all races. The opposite side a shorter hall and two cages with 4 drows. Inside battle captives. At the end of a corridor was a booth next to a double door bared with locks and magic; sitting on a stool a male writing down on parchment and counting coins. the symbol on carved into the desk marking him as part of the Blackened Fist. He glanced up to the drowling then back to his work, keeping her in his peripheral.
Standing before him as he continued his job, she finally cleared her throat for his attention, "I want to purchase a slave, for the arena."
He looked her over, knowing full well she was a high station drowling. But she was a drowling, and thus would not answer to her. Ignoring her still, he put the coins in a bag, pulling out another parchment and more ink.
"I said…" more forceful and louder, irritation on the edge of her tone, "I want to…"
"I heard ye the first time," his accent heavily influnenced with a very forign dialect, "and I aint gotta do nothin' about it. Scamper home li'l drowling if ye know whats good for ya," his face blank, yet his red eyes conveying much.
Zarae wasn't gunna take that, not from him. Her eyes went crimson, her hand reaching for an object in her pouch.
He read her intent or sensed her plans; for as she reached, he ducked in that moment as the spider shaped shuriken whizzed past his ear. The male drow's countenance glowed an angry red, his eyes boring into her with the intent of pain.
"ye signed ya own death now drowlin'!" a hand crossbow appearing and aiming for the girl.
Zarae realized her mistake, sorta, and dove into a roll just as the click was heard. The quarrel just barely missed, clipping her piwafwi and hanging onto the fabric. The male wasted no time, loading a second quarrel and aiming again, this time where he thought she might move into.

[Zarae Zyne Kilanatlar]

Nilrae turned to ask Zarae a question, then facepalmed seeing her absent. He hopped up to the bench to see if she perhaps moved closer to the action. The boy didn't even know how long his sister had been gone, so into the conversation he missed her leaving.
"I think she headed that way," Nathyrra pointing twords the set of stairs not far from their location, "you better prayer to Lloth she hasn't gotten into trouble."
Nilrae groaned, "by the Spider Queen's eight legs," knowing full well Zarae couldn't stay out of trouble. If it wasn't her compulsion to steal, it was her boredom or curiosity that got the best of her. Jumping down from the bench, he rushed for curtained entrance, only to be yanked back. Turning to the problem, balled fist spinning for the target, Nathyrra ducked.
"You cant just blindly run down there, mal'ai!" disbelieving the males actions. Then Nathyrra began casting a spell, the magic washing over Nilrae. He suddenly felt more powerful and combat ready, abilities he hadn't trained for temporarily given. "Now, follow my lead; if I see it a worthless cause, then your on your own," she stated matter-of-factually. Not really willing to risk her life for either but rather intrigued by Nilrae.
Nathyrra took the rear as the moved stealthily twords the stairs and pass the so called guards at the entrance, dropping globes of darkness to cover their backsides. Nilrae moved silently, listening for any indication of his sister's wear-abouts. The clanking noises, then shuffling of heavy objects on stones carried up to their ears. He picked up his pace as much as he could without giving away his position. Down the hall he saw the flash of metal and heard the click of an unmistakable weapon.
Zarae almost rolled into the shot, almost. Instead she sensed the lack of space wouldn't work, and in that crucial second jumped backwards, right into a box as tall as her. The male cursed for missing again, quickly reloading and preparing to shoot again. Zarae scrambled to get behind the crate, just as a quarrel stuck into the piwafwi, just missing by an inch. "ssussun plynn dos!" she cursed upon him releasing her small dagger for his throat.
Then two more bodies showed up. A set of hands in movement for the spell as they chanted the words. Icicle missiles shot from Nathyrra's hands to hit the assailant. Nilrae hurrying over to Zarae, diving for cover as a quarrel stuck into the wood. Zarae's blade managed to strike, but only a grazing wound in his arm after he made the shot. Ice pelted the male, he backed up behind his desk.
"Are you nuts?" Nilrae asked in the silent hand code and now kneeling beside her. "does the fact, 'we cant fight yet' mean anything to you?" his hands flashing quickly his frustration at her.
"You have your fun. I have mine," she signed, her back against the crate and readying another weapon. She bit her lip in anticipation, waiting to see if the poison of her blade was working. "Where was he?"
Nathyrra flipped back, moving around the corner. She took out a small piece of copper wire and focused on it, chanting the words and performing the correct hand gestures. She pointed at Nilrae, partially visible from her location. "Head out, I'll cover," she mouthed.
Nilrae got the magical message as well as Zarae, signing for her to prepare to run. Zarae however, ignored the message, signing back to Nilrae, "sure she will," her hand movements indicating the sarcasm well enough. she pulled the quarrels from her piwafwi and shoved them into her pouch.
The male behind the desk felt the tingling sensation burning through his veins, knowing full well the poison that had coated that blade. From behind his workstation, he knelt, pulling forth a tiny magical whistle. No sound was heard but the beings it summoned knew its master's call.
Zarae's hand reached around an egg shaped item as Nilrae signed the answer. Counting to 8, she shot up from her position, reared back her arm and tossed the small grenade. It sailed through the air, crashing and breaking at the male's feet. Blinding dust spewed forth, causing the male to stumble backwards and fall hard onto the stone floor. Zarae then reached for her dagger, moving over twords the male. Nilrae tried to grab her piwafwi, but she slipped around him before he could get a hold. Nathyrra sat and watched, utterly bewildered by the noble's stupidity and audacity. At least it would be a good show. The male unable to see couldn't move in time before the drowling had her blade at his neck.
"Zar," Nilrae whispered trying to get her attention.
She waved him off, determined, eyes turning violet in that moment. With the blade at his throat she reached down to his pouch and yanked from his belt, "It looks like your own death at the moment," she whispered getting closer to his ear and placing the pilfered objects into her own pouch. His own instincts kicked in and he swiped at her with the hand crossbow, catching her in the side and forcing her to the left. He then kicked out to connect with her leg and knock her down. Then the male slumped into sleep as the poison took effect. Her dagger dropped to the floor with her as she reached out to catch herself.
Zarae hopped up, remembering to grab her blade and used that to head twords the Nilrae and the hall for Nathyrra's position, slightly limping from the force of his kick with her lower leg. Nathyrra pulled forth a tiny ball of butter and coated behind them the floor with slick greese. The three running for the stairs. Just as they reached, a shaggy white haired bear-like beast stood blocking their path. The slave swiped at Nilrae first, the closest. Nathyrra responded with a coruscating ray from her hands, striking the quaggoth and sapping his strength. Nilrae flung his own hands forth, a ray of freezing air and ice shot hitting it in the chest. The quaggoth back peddles from the attack onto the stairs. purple missiles launching from the boys hands following the ice rays to hit the beast. Nathyrra was breathing heavily, the use of more powerful magic taking a toll on her, Nilrae likewise becoming weary. The wizardess silently cursed her curiosity to stay behind instead of running when she should have. One last spell she had in her. A small replica of an archery target came out and then she spoke the words over Zarae, "strike!" she commanded.
Zarae didn't hesitate as she normally would, releasing the dagger for the creatures neck.
Metal sunk deep into its throat, bubbling hot blood pouring out to stain its white fur. It clawed at the intrusion before he fell backwards onto the stairs, life leaving his eyes as his blood pooled. Nathyrra then without waiting, rushed up the stairs, Nilrae and Zarae in toe, but not before snatching her bloody blade.
"Mal'ai!" Nathyrra yelled, directed technically at Zarae, yet could have been at anything. The crowd was in a roar and could barely be heard over the sounds.
Zarae understood enough, her eyes once again going crimson, a threat bubbling in her against the wizardess. Nilrae sensed it, grabbing her arm and positioning himself partially in front, "let us return," he spoke to his twin and hoping to defuse the situation.
Nathyrra straightened out her tunic then shook her snowy hair in frustration, "next time, I wont bail you out," maintaining her dignity.
"I didn't need you to bail me out," Zarae spat. Then almost as if another personality came over her, "I got what I needed, a little danger, an adventure, and coinage to make it all up."
Nathyrra laughed mirthlessly, then a genuine half smile creased her fair face, "until next time then?" and with that departed the twins.
"I totally missed that last part," Nilrae spoke up as they exited the amphitheater, Zarae limping beside him.
"I guess it's a girl thing," chuckling and pointing twords Bruhaonar's shop.
"Your still crazy by all accounts."
Zarae didn't know how to explain it, and let it go at that. She couldnt explain a lot of the sudden changes that seam to happen since that night in the chapel.
By all indications, the shop was open, even the tiny apartment above seamed empty, a good indications he wasn't up there. Inside, a dark grey cloaked drowess stood at the counter, leaning over to speak with the shop keeper. Her clothing marked her as a middle class drow, spidersilk and light chainmail beneath. The rest of his place was empty, as usual. On the far left wall was two crates of a recent shipment, all ready to be shelved and sold, when the blind drow got the chance. He was rarely in a hurry anyway.
His face went somber as he paused his thought, then tilted his head twords the door, "Two I believe, young. And quite stealthy," he indicated with a nod.
Maryne glance over to the door when the door walked up and chuckled, always surprised by his abilities. "Remind me to never sneak up on you," she jested, studying the two…drowlings?
"Ah, it's been what, a couple years?" Bruhaonar replied as the twins stepped in, "never forget a face."
Zarae looked to Nilrae not sure how to take the joke, especially considering he was blind. Not to mention he remembered who they were.
Maryne tuck loose strands out of her face to study them as they headed over to different shelves, "which house?" she leaned over to whisper, "and why are drowlings out this time of the cycle?"
Bruhaonar signed his answer. Maryne watched a bit longer then turned to the shop keeper, handed him a sealed parchment, pulled the hood over her white locks and exited. She flipped the sign indicating the store closed and locked it behind her.
Zarae limped over to the counter with the blind bard, tapping her fingers trying to decide what she wanted. None of the books left on the shelves were of interest to her, and many of the surface gadgets didn't strike her fancy. She sat a small kit on the counter, a camoflauge kit, rope, pitons, spikes, and a few other bits of climbing gear.
"I'm looking for something…else. Possibly something special."
Bruhaonar rubbed his chin then motioned she follow. Over by the far side was a cabinet. Speaking the words, it unlocked and the shop keeper opened it. Everything inside throbbed with magical energy. Of course he stood between it and her. He knew better.
"That is much better," Zarae replied looking at all the objects. There were so many things she would have loved to get her hands. so many things calling out for her to take.
Nilrae walked over beside her, amazed at what he saw, "this would have been helpful last time."
Finally, Zarae spotted something a thief could always use. The black leather belt the an inch and a half wide, mithril studs dotting half an inch apart all around the top and bottom. But what attracted the girl was the 64 miniature bags of holding in the belt. She pointed it out, Bruhaonar nodding his understanding as he explained what it did. Nilrae selected more grenades, and a small silver headband set with a blue sapphire.
"1100 platinum," he told the girl, "30 platinum" to the boy.
"what?" he asked incredulously, "for that?"
"Do you know what that is? Crafted by House Ischarri, that is coveted by spell casters of all types. Helps keep them alive in the worst of situation, stand up to physical punishment and even help with their health," the bard replied.
Zarae rifled through her bag, including the two she stolen. Counting the coins and gems, plus her own coinage, she was short by a couple hundred platinum.
"1000?" she tried to barter, "which includes some trade ins."
"Depends on the trade."
Zarae pulled out her last vial of Shadow Dye, and two vials of expensive poison, Belbol d'Elghinn and Haszak. Her hand brushed against a small metallic object, pulling it out, "maybe this worthless metal?"
Bruhaonar maintained his countenance after taking and inspecting the object. He wanted to ask how she got it, but that would reveal more than he wanted. Instead he opted for another angle, "what it is?" he asked curious.
"I dunno. Something my sister had. Got more of them.
he pretended to think it over, then did an expressive 'aha!' even an idiot couldnt miss, "Bring me the lot of them for payment and I'll take your deal."
"Why should I believe you? Whats special about them? And why would you trust me to fulfill my end?"
"First I know who you yall are, children of the second matron. Her youngest..."
"Are you threatening me?" Zarae's tone becoming threatening. Nilrae stood beside her, waggling his fingers to throw out a spell just in case, yet praying this wouldnt lead to a fight.
The bard laughed, not easing the tension in either Kilanatlar. "What I mean is I have information. These ol' ears pick up more than you realize. Plus I sell this ol junk that you buy, including tomes of the surface."
"And you have managed to survive how?" Nilrae asked, "So you want that metal stuff in exchange for this? That still doesn't explain the key thing."
"I am a sentimental ol' fool I guess," a good bluff, "they are worthless in terms of coinage or usage. But they come from our history. I am a collector of useless things as you have no doubt seen and bought."
Zarae tried to read between the lines, tried to sense what motive he was after, but the blind bard was to hard to read, "why don't I sell it then for myself?"
"Who wold buy useless metal in the shape of a key?" the bard continued, then he got serious, "that is the deal. Bring me the rest of these things and I will sell you the belt and headband for a total of…" he paused calculating in his head, "500 plainum. Cant beat a deal like that."
Zarae hesitated, knowing there was more to it than that, yet she couldn't argue against it. He even threw in Nilrae's items. She looked to her brother to get get his take, signing back and forth between the two before both agreed.
"Alright," Nilrae spoke up, handing over the correct amount complied of both their money and not needing to sell the poisons, "we'll bring them next time we come," not really believing they would hand over the useless trinkets.
"I already can guess you think you might get away, just remember, I also barter in information," less of a threat than it sounded, but he needed it. If those keys were discovered what they were, then House Helvighym would be in serious trouble.
Bruhaonar took the purchased products, and dispelled any lingering anti-theft wards and handed them over. Then he secured the cabinet. With his back turned, Zarae quickly pocketed the camouflage kit into her pack and followed Nilrae out the door.
******
"You can step out now," Bruhaonar called to the dark corner near the stairs to his upper room.
"You let them steal that?" a soft feminine voice from the dark corner called back as she appeared. "How long did you know I was there?"
"Maryne," he chuckled, "first, I knew when you exited that you went in the back door through my quarters. And second, those kits are 10 gold average. Not a lot considering the value of those seeker keys."
"Yes, and now they have information on you. Nobles do not play the same way. You just put a target on yourself."
"Normally, I would agree. however, there's something different with them. Cant quite place it yet. Ah well. It's as the Lady wills."
Grabbing his callused hand, "By the Dark Maiden's grace. May she guide and protect us," Maryne replied in a soft whisper before turning on her heels and leaving the establishment.
******
The twins hurried back as fast as they could manage, Zarae still slightly limping. The belt around her waist fit perfectly, and now could contain nearly all of her pilfered items. Nilrae's own purchase was now on his head, secured under his shoulder length hair, the sapphire in the middle of his forehead. The magic he felt running through his body. Overall it had been an awesome day- no more Zeb, and now something of his own. Nilrae waved his insignia in front of the node, the secret door opening for them to pass through. The stopped at the end of the tunnel, Both ears on the door listening.
"I don't hear anyone. You?" he signed.
"nope."
The door opened and to their relief the antechamber was empty. Nilrae tuck away his new headband and hurried up to his room.
Zarae handed him her pack and piwafwi, "set these in my room."
"Why? Where you going?"
Her stomach answered for her, deaparting for the dining hall. The room was cleaned up, only a few house soldier inside, a couple playing sava. One looked up, ignoring her otherwise. The kitchen was by now mostly empty, last few dish washers drying the last of the pans. Zarae opened the large larder and headed for the meat. pulling out a filet of cave fish. She handed the fish to the nearest slave who quickly grilled it and placed it on a plate for her. Taking her meal she head upstairs.
******
"You let a bunch of drowlings kick your sorry…?" the drowess replied utterly astonished by the tale. Or rather the truth she got after a quick spell over him, "and made a mockery of the Blackened Fist."
"It’s not like that..." he tried to plead.
"SILENCE!" Alakara voice echoed, "I tire of your excuses and worthless hide. Pharn!"
the wizard stepped from the heatshadow of the room, his hands interlocked and stretched, a sadistic grin on his face. a few arcane words and the male drow found himself paralyzed in his position. "How should we do this hm?" he asked, looking back to Alakara, equally eager for blood and torture.

[Zarae Zyne Kilanatlar]

He sat cross legged in the center of his room, a globe of darkness covering his form along with a large black cloth of velvet. A single small black candle's glow filled the room. In silent prayers he continued; with that meditative stance he looked serene. It was a high holy day on the surface. Yet the darkmask was down in one of the cities. He could not observe the day as another of the Masked Lord's would, but he would at least spend much of the sleep hours in meditation. Then a soft hushed whisper sent him a warning.
The hall were empty, in fact all but a few slaves and soldiers were in rest. Her footfalls made no sound as she walked even in her fast pace. The matron was dressed in a whitish spidersilk dress, slitted up to her thighs to reveal her knee high magical boots. Despite the lock and wards on the weapon-master's room, she opened them as if it had been opened all along. Dressed in only a pair of short breeches, Rhylaun stood up as the Matron Shyntyl entered his chambers, his head bowed in respect of her. Walking with no fear, she stood before Rhylaun. then with strength almost supernatural, shoved the male down into the seat he stood in front of. Before the weapon-master could do anything, the matron was leaning down over him, hands on each arm of the chair, her deep red eyes boring into his reddish-orange.
"Who of my house dares make a fool of me?" her voice carrying a serious threat.
Rhylaun was about to speak, when the matron's hand roughly grabbed his chin, her vice like grip pressing deep into his jaw. Almost daring him to speak so she could punish him.
"The Blackened fist is stirring up trouble, and has involved Mae'Vir. That pathic dobluth ran pathetic excuse I care not about. They are no threat to us; you could squish them like the insects they are. But Mae'Vir involved makes things…difficult."
"What does Ilharess wish of me?" he asked through his clinched jaw in her hand still.
"I think you know very well what I wish," her posture relaxing with a suggestive smile. She then pulled his head to hers and planted a deep kiss on him.
Rhylaun confused responded appropriately, returning the kiss but keeping his hands where they were. the matron released him and stood back up, crossing her arms to stare at him almost in thought. She softly scoffed before back-handing him. Then she turned and left, but not before, "deal with it!"
When the matron as gone, he rubbed his sore face, the red mark still stinging. Tiny disguised bruises appeared where her delicate fingers gripped his face.
******
Darkness everywhere. Almost as if that's all there was. No sense of floor, walls, and yet no sense of floating or traveling. Just there. Zarae stood still trying to decipher her situation, yet the darkness seam to smother her like wet blanket. Fear rose in her like bile and froze her. Had someone killed her in her reverie? Or worse was this oblivion? The girl didn't know which was worse, oblivion or falling into the hands of an unpleased Spider Queen. And being so young, who had time to think about the afterlife? Dreams of adventure had been her future plans, little thought to religion beyond the simplest.
Then the smell of sulfur attacked her senses, sounds of low droning and a rhythmic pulse filled her ears. Still nothing could be seen. Zarae squatted, her hands carefully reaching to touch what she stood on. Strands like a web were sticky and felt like ichor. She jerked her hand away to wipe it on her night shirt to find it gone. There she was, no armor, no weapon, no protection, just her exposed to whatever this was.
Then the darkness began to fade to a fiendish reddish darkness. The entire place was an inverted cone of webbing. She knelt precariously on the edge. from no where stood the most beautiful woman every seen, even more beautiful than her mother. Her skin like black sapphires, eyes pools of rubies. The purest white locks slithered against shoulder, chest and back. Hidden by hair, lengthy perfect angular ears. Her dress was unexpected of the drowes before her. not one bit of symmetry was found in it, as if pure chaos had crafted the red and purple fabric that barely covered her curvy form. the strands of fabric were writhing living spiders. A slender tongue slipped from betwixt thick ruby red lips before gracing into a seductive smile. The drowess walked closer to Zarae, her pace more graceful than even a drow dancer.
"Do you know who I am dalhar?" she asked, her speech melodious like music in a wind chime.
Realization hit the girl, and if possible, more fear rose in her. That voice from before. One she hadn't forgotten. Zarae could barely choke out the words, "Lloth."
The woman laughed, the same smile gracing her lips as she stood before a now prostrate Zarae. "You should have nothing to fear my dalhar. I promised you great things, did I not?" behind the drowess in the distance a huge iron fortress on spider-like legs moved twords them.
The girl however dared not glance up and peek; no matter how much curiosity wanted her too, fear and reverence won over. "Says the spider to the fly," she whispered to herself before she could shut her mouth and mentally kicking herself for speaking, then tied to cover it up with, "Quarval-sharess tlu laoles."
Yet the drowess seamed more amused than anything and bored with flattery. She tilted her head, a hand moving to rest upon the girl's cheek affectionately. Yet there was no warmth in her touch, just coldness that sent a chill down her spine.
"You have not lost that desire, have you?" moving her hand away from the girl's cheek, "I still sense that burning desire within. That desire to kill her. Yet you have not taken any steps in accomplishing your goal."
Zarae then felt her mind being scrutinized and interrogated. After a moment, a force set her on her knees, head looking up into the deep ruby eyes, "there it is," the drowess replied softly, "yessss," even lower than before as if suddenly feeding from the bare raw emotions coming off the girl. "So close."
Power surged inside Zarae, power like nothing she felt before, exhilarating and electrifying. Black and mauve radiance surrounded her. More than the rush of adrenaline had brung. She held up her hands and pointed into the distance, darkfire covered her hand. It emitted no light but produce the heat just like fire. Zarae stood captivated by the flames in her palm. Just willing it, she sent it off twords a boulder. Odd she didn't remember a boulder here. The rock exploded into a shower of shrapnel, Zarae watching the fire lick the stone then laughed. She could get use to this. 'Where is Zeb now?' she thought to herself.
"yesssss," the voice came again as it seam to fade with the darkness swarming back in.
******
A knock on the door stirred the resting Nilrae who sat up promptly as Ladayiir entered the tidy room. It was earlier than normal, or it sure seamed so. His room had no view of the city's time keeper as it had no window. But he was sure he had not been in reverie as long as usual. He grumbled and thought to pull his cover over his head when he remembered what today was. Suddenly the blanket and pillows, which were partially in the way flew from his path. He jumped up with a new vigor and hurried to his washroom. Ladayiir didn't complain, picking up the pillow and blanket and setting them onto the bed. Closing the door behind her, she walked up to the next door, her own groan escaping her. She could not wait for this drowlng to go to the Academy; that day could not come soon enough.
Ladayiir didn't waste time knocking, shoulder shoving the door and the pile of stuff on the other side enough for her to squeeze in. this time Zarae had gotten the cup with marbles in it so, when it it was bumped the glass rattled inside the silver.
Zarae didn't stir, not even to pull her blankets up over her head like usual. The girl hadn't even stirred from the intrusion. Ladayiir walked over and roughly shook the drowling. Zarae so startled jerked up, yet her eyes hadn't adjusted to the change, looked far into the distance. The handmaid shook her again, Zarae coming to.
"wha..?" she replied confused, "wait how did…where…?"
"time to get ready."
So focused on the events that just happened she didn't fuss with the handmaid, just got up to bathe. "I really gotta stop dreaming," she said to herself tipping the decanter back up and placing the stopper back in. her hand went to her cheek, the spot the drowess had touched. It was still cool to the touch. Had that really been the Spider Queen? As Zarae scrubbed in the tub, she thought over the dream or vision, or whatever it was. the girl hadn't learned to use magic apart from what was granted due her race and highborn status, but she could still feel an exhilaration from that spell.
"Hey! Where you heading?" Nilrae asked as Zarae began to head upstairs.
"I gotta get something. I'll meet you at the door. Not hungry anyway."
"Um, sure? Should I ask?"
"Just unfinished business," hurrying on up to the third floor. She moved quietly past Myrurra and Alylin's rooms, and stood looking down the hall to the room she needed. Zarae knew their was more to those keys, and before she traded them, she'd find out. Somehow. Still she was floored he trusted her to keep her end. That or he was confident she find in need of something from him and have no choice. She shook those thoughts to focus on her task. Xullafay she wasn't worried about, even if she wasn't teaching at Arach-Tilinith. And Zarae was sure Zebeycyrl was on mission. If she did get caught, she could always say she was studying. It was believable enough.
What Zarae didn't realize was the warm body sneaking up on her at that moment. A hand went over the girl's mouth and cold metal under on her throat. The sharp blade nicking her skin enough to draw a drop of blood. No poison was burning in her veins, a small relief.
She forced the girl closer to her and whispered, "I told you I'd kill you princess," the voice unmistakable as was the thicker hands that held her mouth. Zarae narrowed her crimson eyes, yet remained complacent at the moment. The blade was precariously to close. The priestess, however made a mistake, thought she could control the drowling with fear.
"I am gunna enjoy cutting into that beautiful skin and marring it. But I wont stop there, no. you will be begging me for mercy before I am done," Myrurra laughed softly, "oh, whats this? You own blade? Irony aint it?"
Then she lifted the blade slightly for Zarae to see. The girl didn't hesitate when she saw her chance. Fist connected with nose, taking the adopted priestess by surprise.
"So cows can bleed," Zarae spat as warm liquid fell from Myrurra's nose. She held her hands up daring the priestess to come at her. Common sense argued for her to run, yet anger and youthful ignorance didn't let her, "I wonder, how did fatso sneak up on me?" still goading her sister.
This time Myrurra didn't take the bait, exactly. She finished the spell in time, a vertical column of divine fire rained down on Zarae. Myrurra laughed victoriously as Zarae crumbled to the floor in pain and near death. The sister was still in favor with the Spider Queen. Now the girl had to figure how to beat the odds and take that favor away. She could call on Lloth then, or figure it out on her own.
how close she was to calling on the Spider Queen in that moment. But only the cleverest deserved to live.
Zarae's blade still in Myrurra's hand, the priestess stalked closer, wicked glee and fury all over her face, "I'll carve you like a piece of meat and then spoon out your insides and force feed you your bowls," she replied to Zarae rather calmly, raising the blade up over the girl as if this was to be a sacrifice.
******
Zhayemd stepped off the ship onto the dock of House Dlaen Del'Amatar and breathed in the city's air. The slight smell of mushroom groves, moss beds, and rothe herds hit his nose first. Across the river the open fields were alight with small tiny whitish shimmering lights- the rothe and breeding season. The soft sounds of the water laping on the deck and side of the ship drowned out the lowing of the herds.
Down the gang-plank Zhayemd strode confidently, more confidently that most males would have. The ship's crew had avoided the dangerous aura of the male and he remained undetected. His men had been at work for a while in the city. Behind him, a tightly cloaked female followed. The male adjusted his steel wolf head bracers and fixed the swords on his back. Pack secure, the hood of his piwafwi went over his face and he headed westward.
******
Larghaun Maeval paced the large luxuriously furnished room. He knew he would have company this cycle, it was just a matter of when. His eyes and ears in the city already told him about the issues stirring with the Blackened Fist. The pathetic guild of shebali and dobluth had been causing enough problems. Of course they only survived because of House Mae'Vir's support; despite that no guild was to openly side with one house against another house. What ruling house played by the rules anyway? He couldn't complain too much, Mae'Vir was using his treea dal Har'oloth and it kept him aware of events he wouldn't have otherwise had information to. Thus far, they had stayed under the radar with her. The assassin's guild even used this to get more of their members into more of the wealthy houses.
He smirked recalling their last meeting with the old matron. Using him to conspire with Nyssa to hunt down this foreign enemy spy.
"Lizard's ready," the second lieutenant replied opening the door."
"Excellent," Larghaun replied, grabbing his guild piwafwi and exiting the office.
The assassin headed to the door, the riding lizard saddled and ready. Once mounted, he gave the correct command and the lizard sprinted for the amphitheater. Crowds moved from their path, knowing the assassins were up to something big. At the back entrance of the arena, two guards opened the gate to an underground stable. He was met by one of Pharn's men as he unmounted and tied up the lizard.
"Which box?" Larghaun asked already heading down the hall to the special seating. Closer to the arena the more he heard sounds of practice.
"The second."
"What for tonight's show?"
"Lizard mounts and two battle captives."
"Oh? That doesn't happen often," the assassin replied turning down another dark hall. "I got it from here," dismissing the male.
Larghaun opened the door to the room, a room that was opened in the back with the best view of the amphitheater and action that occurred. Inside Pharn sat watching some of the men practice. Larghaun slipped in silently, his chocolate brown guild piwafwi adding to his stealth with a measure of invisibility. Pharn, stiffened as he felt the blade under his throat, smelt the heavy poison covering it. The wizard didn't move, waiting for the other to either ask their questions or kill him.
"How much I wish to pull it across. But business has saved your life for now," a hoarse whisper went into the wizard's ear.
"Then what do you want?" trying to talk and not let his throat move to much, and keep his hands in a inconspicuous manner to cast a spell.
"A guest is showing up tonight. She will be disguised as nothing but a wealthy matron and has already no doubt purchased her seats to keep her cover. Where will she be?"
"Can you outbid her?"
Larghaun smirked and lowered the dagger from Pharn's throat. Then he unfurled the parchment and showed it to the wizard. On it was orders of the death, a description and details of what and who she was, and most importantly, House Mae'Vir's signature.
"Why you and not a Red Sister? Are they not the ones involved with Charrvhel'raugaust?"
"Does it matter? Coin is coin; and even sweeter when it comes through death."
"Again, what's it worth?"
The assassin's face went blank beneath the half mask, as he moved around in front to face the wizard, "I can gut you faster than you can spit out that spell you thinking right now. Your life and guild mean nothing to me."
******
Larghaun sat in the chair in his chamber again, parchment and ink before him as he wrote. Zhayemd didn't need to knock, and entered without invitation. The assassin looked up annoyed, until he realized who was before him.
"Your defenses are lacking. You are too confident or complacent," the older male replied with a foreign accent as the shadowy aura continued to swirl around him. He then took a seat in front of Larghaun's desk, his boots up on the edge of the stone.
"Very little could pose a hinderance to you," the assassin remarked leaning back in his own chair, "you came because of recent developments, yes?"
"Perceptive," Zhayemd replied sarcastically, "yes. I am here on several issues. First, Vastyrr."
"No word on her whereabouts yet. Tho I suspect her alive in some fashion. Her last message was cryptic. But as we always suspect, one of the dancing fools is again among our ranks."
"I don't suppose she made it easy?"
Larghaun shook his head, "but she got further than any other spy of ours. She mentioned heading into another portion of the house previous off limits."
"She failed," Zhayemd replied bluntly.
The assassin had to agree. And that was the most probable reason for her absence and disappearance. Zhayemd then shifted in his seat deciding on what he wanted to discuss next. Larghaun continued with updates on their progress, including the two noble houses now infiltrated successfully and plans for the upcoming city festival.
"I have a gift," Zhayemd spoke up after all the discussions had finished. The door behind them opened, the same cloaked follower entered. When the door closed behind her, she threw back her hood. Out fell platnuim curly hair around her perfectly angled face. Large ruby tinted eyes, and thick painted lips only added to her physical attractiveness. The part in her piwafwi showed a fully figured, albeit short woman, dressed in black and red that only amplified her physical attributes and gave a look that was sleek and supple. Her attitude matched, that she took care of herself well and knew that she was all that. There was one big difference between her and other drow women. Instead of dark skin, hers was whiter than milk, like alabastor.
Larghaun laughed thinking Zhayemd insane for bringing him an unbound surface cousin. He walked over to her picking up a strand of perfectly groomed hair that smelt of sweet flowers. "what I am to use a darthiir for? A Ssins d'Aerth or just a pleasure slave?" then he chuckled at the idea. It wasn't a bad thought. Standing before her he opened his mouth to command her.
Only then the woman's eyes, which was a mix of lust and fury, narrowed as a partial grin edged her face. "Tsk, tsk," she spoke, "that is why you males remain under the valsharess' thumbs. Always thinking with your something other than your brain." Her hand went up around his throat and squeezed, the force and seer power in her more than should have been possible. Her other hand brandished a three headed snake whip. Their heads slithering around to taste his flesh as she struggles to leave her grasp.
"Vhaeliira," Zhayemd cooed, "we talked about this," a fake scolding of the bipolar drowess. "Vhaeliira is szarkai and comes from one of our houses from the Night Above," he explained.
The albino drowess dropped Larghaun allowing him to crumble at her feet as he gasped for the precious air, "I am not slave, tho I may have some…physical use for you."
"A legendary ghost spider?" Larghaun barely got out as he rubbed his neck from the marked her gloved fingers left, "how does one blessed by Lloth end up here?" he spit out, a vengeful eye directed to Zhayemd.
"She is a replacement to Vastyrr. Only this time, she is working to get into Mae'Vir's good graces and into her gates," Zhayemd replied.
"yes, now I am bored and you will have to do," Vhaeliira replied seductively standing over the assassin with a twinkle in her eyes he saw many times during the graduation ceremonies, "let us continued in a more comfortable room shall we?"

[Zarae Zyne Kilanatlar]

The sounds had not gone unnoticed by others; few female house soldiers gathered to watch the scene. Unfortunately this wouldnt be a good fight, to unevenly balanced, even more with Lloth answering the priestess. Shyntyl stood hidden to the side watching with interest. She had to see how well her daughter would do, how she would manage to get out of this.
Chances are she would loose somebody here.
Zarae managed to reach into a pouch and pull forth a leather wrapped object. She was glad she hadn't returned it yet. Her eyes already closed, the cover came off the stone and was pulled forth from the pouch. Blinding light caught Myrurra off guard and she screamed in agony at its intrusion. All the on lookers flinched and pulled their piwafwis over their faces to block out the light. Zarae pulling forth from deep within, kicked out at her sister's knee, a soft crack sending her down to other one. The knife dropped to the floor. The girl didn't hesitate, snatching it up and covering the stone back again. The blade went to Myrurra's throat, Zarae fighting herself to not kill her then and there, her hand shaking slightly with an overwhelming urge to do so. Instead she pulled the blade in shallow cuts on her neck and up to her face. Then another punch to the face, breaking Myrurra's nose. Her hand was about to reach for a poison in her pouch. Then, flashes of Averl appeared in her mind causing her to hesitate.
"No, I'm not gunna kill you cow. Not yet. First, I'm gunna let you live. Live with your failure and disgrace before everyone here. That will be so much sweeter than anything I could do," Zarae got out with a heavy breath, "and next time you try, you better make sure I'm dead or I will kill you."
Myrurra, still stunned and blind had no choice but to remain as she was. The blade was gone from her neck and the presence of people left, leaving only a kneeling disgraced priestess in the hall.
The house guards then dispersed, Zarae struggling to head for the steps, the pain returning as the adrenaline was wearing off. She stumbled, catching herself barely.
"I could say not killing her could be failure also," the matron's voice came, but from where Zarae couldn't tell, "leave her alive to regain her favor and come after you again?"
"She is not one of us no matter how much she pretends," Zarae tried to reason, "I think I will try a slower more painful and devious way of dealing with her. Hurt her pride, her favor. I cant hurt her looks in this case. Besides she will have no ally of a true Kilanatlar. And no soldier in their right mind would stick with her."
"We will see," Matron Shyntyl replied, waving her hand before her. Zarae felt the healing energies come over her repairing the damage of Myrurra's spell. "You are late," the matron said lastly before she was no longer around.
******
Nilrae paced infront of the door to the gym, slightly agitated yet still waiting. When he saw his sister coming he sighed, then crossed his arms and stood blocking the door waiting for her to explain.
"What?" she asked trying to move him to get to the door, "we're gunna be late."
"Ya think? I could get in more trouble than you and for some stupid reason I actually waited. So I think you owe me a…do you smell burnt?"
"Fight with Myrurra. Didn't even get to the study."
"You got into a fight, again?"
"Yes. Can we go in now? Before we both lose our hands."
Rhylaun was standing in the center of the gym, the curtain that could divide it tied up and pinned. The red globes were brighter than usual. He looked up as the door opened, his hands going behind his back and becoming more professional. "enter," he replied. He watched as his biological children entered, wondering if the matron understood what she had really done with sending them to him. Both the twins by now knew their sire, how could they not. To them, he was just another male in the house, albeit one with power and skills. There was no bond, no familiar connections that would have been among other races. Such bonds would have been weeded out long ago had their been any. So the twins entering was just another set of students to train. Just like he'd done at Melee Magthere when he taught there before becoming Shyntyl's consort and weapon-master.
Both did as told, spotting a weapon rack on a far wall and heading twords it.
"HALT!" the weapon-master's voice echoed as if a spell, "before me. Now!"
The twins skidded to a stop, heads hung low as they turned around and stood before Rhylaun. He then took Nilrae by the shoulders and moved him in front of Zarae, spacing them 4 feet apart. Then he smacked each on the back of the head.
"You will not touch a weapon for at least a year," pausing to glance at the two who didn't take the news well, "fighting is more than yielding a weapon. It is more than whacking at an opponent. Fighting is as much mental as physical. I will teach you more than just hitting someone with a blade. Body position, movements, placement of feet, and other tricks that will give you the advantage over an opponent."
The two didn't seam to grasp this idea so a show was in order; Sornhrae was summoned and told what to do. The fighter drew his sword, and Rhylaun his own. Sornhrae twirled his blade and circled the superior fighter; he went on the offensive with low and hard with a single precise thrust for the thigh. Rhylaun defended the attack with a great sweeping maneuver, metal hitting metal. Sornhrae raised his sword high for a smashing downward blow. Rhylaun twirled to the side, blade behind his back to connect and parry. The fighter continued pressing the simple moves most every drow learned, Rhylaun blocking each one with ease. His focus was they watch his feet, watch his placement, and importantly learn to read an anticipate the opponent.
"Step it up," Rhylaun commanded Sornhrae.
He did likewise, a thrust aimed for a vital area. Sornhrae's moves became more advanced, sweeping strikes and more dangerous counter-moves. A few deft twists and turns of his sword, Rhylaun was left to take the blow or find another way of getting out of range. The weapon-master waited, then launched a flip backwards, feet hitting the wall to flip back forward and land on the other side of Sornhrae. The fighter's sword went up just in time to block a sword chop. Then went low for the knee. The weapon-master, spun to the side and launched a blinding uppercut slice, after a high jump over the sweeping blade.
The session continued for a half hour, Rhylaun executing stunning swordmen moves, flips, and escapes the twins would have never guessed possible. Then he reversed his body's momentum, dropped to one knee, and parried before throwing himself into a roll. Coming back up on the other side, he went to a hand stand, feet wrapping around Sornhrae's neck and pulling himself up, the pommel hitting the fighter in the head and carrying both to the floor, Rhylaun releasing and flipping back off with amazing dexterous moves.
"we're done," he said at last, his breath a bit heavier than usual and head moist, but otherwise unphased. Sornhrae got up slowly, pain reeling him backwards. When he got his balance back he nodded his head and departed.
"That was not for entertainment," straightening that fact out first, "That was the first lesson. Sornhrae uses the simplest style with a light weight sword and finesse, Sargh'elgg. My demenstartion was Orb Alur and Bautha Z'hin. Understand?" he sheathed his sword, his arm wiping off his forehead and unbuckling the light leather armor shirt and tossing it to the side. "Today will begin with core strengthening, flexibility, and acrobatic moves. First thing, baggy loose clothing has to go. Extra fabric will get in the way."
Both removed their outer shirts, Nilrae left only in a pair of trousers and Zarae in a sports bra type top and leggings. Rhylaun stood behind Zarae as the twins moved back into facing each other as before, "arms out, legs spread," he commanded.
The twins did so. Rhylaun squeezed her arms, checking her muscle mass, and then moved to her upper legs, squeezing and feeling how much work would be needed. Then he squeezed her side, the girl flinched from the ticklish movement, "not as much as a weakling I would have guessed. We will have to put some meat on them bones however." He followed this process with Nilrae then motioned they turn to face him directly. "Alright, into front leaning rest postion."
The first half the day was spent in warm ups before Rhylaun moved to stretches. That wouldn't require as much work as previously thought; both were every flexible and naturally agile. Building up physical strength, flexibility, agility, coordination, and balance would mold them into the versatile fighter he was. He needed to get them to stretch many of their muscles into positions neither had been in.
Both were easing into a front split, forcing themselves further down. Nilrae was becoming a bit disillusioned as they day rolled on. He understood the purpose behind all the workouts and painful activities, he just was hoping to get his hands on a blade sooner and learn to defend himself before next year. But he have to wait. Not long in any way for a drow, but youthful impatience didn't help.
The weapon-master walked over to Zarae first, then with a good push down on her shoulder got her all the way down into the split. The sudden burnig pain made her gasp as she was not prepared for him to do that, before she managed to get up again. Nilrae however had a warning seeing his sister and was better prepared to take it; though it mattered little when Rhylaun did it to him also.
"Alright. Take an hour and meet back here. We will begin on the mat, beam, poles, and pommel stand."
Both groaned from pain in muscles they didn't know existed, managing to get to their feet and slowly down to the dining room for a meal.
"I don't think I'll walk normal again," Nilrae replied opening the gym door to leave walking funny.
"I think he went easier on you."
"And their just some things that we guys should not be able to do."
The hour gave them time to relax and not rush like usual; time to enjoy a lunch. Until Neeryrd also joined them in the dining hall. He walked in smugly, keeping a casual hand on his sword's pommel, "first day in the gym?" he asked with fake concern sitting down in his chair and waited for his drink.
The halfling enter with a steaming kettle of Bazi tea. She poured it into the cups and set it before each drow at the round table. The kettle then was set twords the center of the table before disappearing back into the kitchen to return with two bowls of suquet and a plate of vlees. The seafood stew went to the drowlings and the meat dish before the secondboy. The chatter on the other side of the room grew louder, many of the house soldiers on lunch break and catching up on gossip.
"It gets better. Much better," sipping the ceramic cup still containing that smug face.
Zarae was about to bring up the prank on him not all that long ago, but Nilrae read her intent and place an arm on hers to remind her not to speak without thinking. So she sat next to Nilrae trying to be patient and calm waiting for lunch. Neeryrd set the cup down slowly watching the twins.
"Shouldn't you be out with the patrol on the passage to Zorvak'Mur? Nilrae replied with a snide attitude before digging into his lunch and repressing an urge to fling it at the secondboy.
"With the festival coming soon, the patrols are local," also digging into his own lunch. Then decided to continue as before, "You will enjoy these next tendays. That pain, stiffness, weariness. Unfortunately it does leave one open to…dangers," shoving another bite into his mouth.
"Yes, well at least it wont take as long to get it. You know, smarter, better stock," Zarae smarted off to his subtle threat.
The smugness dropped with a silent threat conveyed through his expression, Zarae returning her own smug glee at that. But she wouldn't leave it there as that would have been the wise thing. "you know, I would have thought Qu'el'saruk Rhylaun would have gotten you into shape. Guess he cant be the best at everything."
Before Neeryrd or even Nilrae elbow her in the ribs, her hand was hitting the spoon in her bowl and flinging the broth left in the bowl at him. Nilrae only could facepalm and shake his head, moving to get out of the way of what would surely follow. Neeryrd's eyes flashed with anger on his feet quicker than usual, and drawing forth the greatsword.
"do you have a death with little girl?"
Zarae shoved a chair in his path but otherwise remained as she was, only crossing her arms at her waist. This hid her intent, fingers reaching for an object in a pouch. "Wow, striking out at a drowling. That must make you feel so powerful inside," acidic sarcasm lacing every word, "a big sword for such a big jaluk. How low you and Myrurra sink. Tell me why my mother picked such no-name Vendee?"
Nilrae signed to her, "what are you doing?" his hands fast indicating urgency and her stupidity.
Neeryrd was too close, and Zarae wouldn't been able to answer in time anyway. The sword went up, intent to cleave her into two halves. Zarae's hand came free from the pouch and was preparing to throw it at the secondboy. Nilrae pulled out a pinch of red powder and released it as his free hand moved the correct gestures and he chanted the words of the spell. A vivid cone of clashing colors sprang forth from his fingers. Neeryrd stumbled back stunned and nearly blind.
"I know I know. 'I am dead,'" she replied sarcastically getting up from the chair having heard it a few times. Then moving as quick as she could to get behind as he still back-peddled as if to get away from the blinding colors. Another chair was shoved Neeryrd's direction and into his path to knock him off balance. "Your sister said the same thing. You know what I did to her?" Zarae called back. The girl however got too cocky with her luck and underestimated the secondboy's reflexes when he was angry. He whirled on her, sword pommel connecting with her side. The power of his swings more than she could take, and it tossed her into another chair like dirty laundry. Blackness threatened to shallow her into unconsciousness. The halfling standing behind the chair as this happened stood and watched, the slave collar not allowing her to do anything to protect the girl even if she wanted. befoe she could call forth on the power of the Spider Queen, Nilrae jumped in front of Zarae, hands about to cast another spell when the weapon-master entered in time to see the chaos.
Shaking his head in disbelief, "stay your hand!" he called to the secondboy who ignored him, "I said stay your hand before I remove it!" His sword appearing in his own.
Neeryrd obeyed, still partially stunned by the boy's spell and tyring to control himself.
"Are you utterly mad! Is their something loose in your head?" Nilrae scolded his sister, "you cant possible think you could take him. Last night, this morning, and now?"
"I would had if you had have let me," not so quick to get up from her spot, "I was baiting him for a reason."
"Yeah, I can see that stupid dalhar," Rhyalun spoke before Nilrae could, "next time I let him kill you. Get up and get back to the gym." Neeryrd moved to exit as well was stopped by the weapon-master, "if you touch them, without my permission, I will not be so lenient and I will not give you a warning. The ilharess will not spare you either, former Vandee. Now get out of my sight and get back your job," his voice enough of a threat. Then Rhylaun turned on his heels and exited the dining hall.
"One day you fall will come, and I will be there to take it," Neeryrd promised under his breath; a glance twords the twins, "your sire wont be around all the time," before he too left. The male knew he would be involved in their early days of learning the sword. And he would make their life hell then- if they lived until then.
Back in the gym, Rhylaun paced angrily. He had half a mind to allow the girl to die. But he needed her for his own agenda. When the twins were back in, he discretely spoke a few magical words and let healing magic fall over the girl. When he was done, he then back-handed her upside the back of her just healed head.
"you are too careless and reckless. I know you are smarter than that. Subtlety is your strongest suit, yet you try taking on opponents that can surely crush you in a blink of an eye," then turning to the boy, "and your stupid for jumping in defending her stupidity."
"I can take him," snapped back, rubbing her head from the sting, "I have tricks up my sleeves he didn't expect. I got behind him to shove the chair into him," her hands on her hips then.
"you aint wearing sleeves," Nilrae replied under his breath to her.
"Leaving two enemies, both blood siblings to come after you. I should hand you over and get it over with."
"Then why did you help?" she shot back quickly.
Rhylaun hesitated, before steeling his composure, and cutting the conversation short by walking back to his room.
"Why are you doing this?" Nilrae asked finally, "I cant keep this up. I wont keep this up."
Zarae sighed, easing down onto the gym mat. Despite the healing, sore muscles were purposely left, "I had a dream. I controlled power not from myself. I only seam to understand it when I'm…in the midst of such situations."
"That’s…stupid," he replied, "what was your plan?"
She pulled out a small grenade to show him, "drop this and darkness to get behind. He has power when he's angry, but he also is sloppy. So I was gunna knock him out and tie him up, then have one of the slaves take him to the stable and drop him in the lizard fertilizer."
Nilrae rolled his eyes, "could have informed me before hand."
"Yeah... it was a spur of the moment. And the deal with Myrurra wasn't my fault. She started it. Decided to take revenge."
"Why you let her live? I mean your still alive and got the upper hand…how did you?"
Zarae didn't want to admit she didn't have a taste for killing just to kill. Or that she almost did until she saw Averl's face in that moment. Tho then it was a matter of survival she would do what necessary to live if it came down to it. "I want her to suffer. What more than to live with the fact a drowling got the upper hand on her?"
"That's sloppy. And stupid."

[Zarae Zyne Kilanatlar]

Both were back on their feet when Rhylaun stepped out again, "alright. Warm up again with some stretches."
Groaning, they did so for half an hour before Rhylaun directed then to show what they could do on the floor to decide what to work on for each. Zarae, who had practiced more with cartwheels and handsprings had a slight advantage.
She was directed to a bar suspended five foot off the floor between two poles. "You will use this and practice aerial flips," the weapon-master replied.
"Easy enough."
"Calculate the trajectory angle, force, body position, landing,"
"The catch," she sighed, "Zeb stunk at teaching math…."
"Its true," Nilrae piped in, "whoever taught her didn't do a good job."
"That would be the ilharess' sister."
"Our aunt? I've never heard about them. Or mother's mother," Zarae commented.
"Because her mother is dead, as are most of her sisters."
"really?"
"Later. Get to it."
Zarae rubbed her hands in anticipation before the bar. She glanced back to the other two then took a deep breath. Hands reached out and went onto the cold iron. Jumping a few times she tried to propel herself over, but could not get the momentum yet. She stepped back to try another approach. Trying a short burst of speed then reaching out to flip over, she nearly had it in the first try. And then she fell short and landed hard onto the mat with an 'oof, just missing the bar with her chin.' Not one to let it win, she tried again until it was right. Nilrae was situated on the floor mat to practice some of the basic moves, Rhylaun adjusting his posture and moving him until he had it down perfect. The rest of the day flew fast with practice until soreness and weariness won and it was time to call it an end.
The weapon-master carried two metallic pails, inside, the magical heat showing strong in their darkvision. "heat will help. Put these in the tub; you have an hour before the magic is run out. Report back same time tomarrow," handing them each a pail, "dismissed.
"So where do you think she is?" Zarae asked as they headed down the hall to their rooms, "mother's sister? The one who maybe alive."
He looked around, just in case, "you know her, would she let her stay?"
"Good point. Hiding out in the city then."
"Or another city."
They shrugged as they parted to their own rooms. Magical stones were dropped into the stone depression that was their tubs, then filled with water. It didn't take long before the water was nice and hot, even steaming up the washroom. And hot water was just what was needed.
After a nice bath, Nilrae got an idea; finding one of the half elven slaves, he ordered a nice relaxing massage in his room to finish out the rest of the kinks left. Soft hands kneaded muscles, rubbing the oil into his skin. Nilrae was so relaxed he nearly fell into reverie. After an amazing massage Nilrae spent time studying his tomes, Vyk'zlade slithering around a larger cage chasing a cave rat for supper.
Zarae finished her hot bath and dressed for stealth, using her new piwafwi and magical boots to aid her. Back inside the study, the door closed behind her as she did a quick search over the room. Zebeycyrl was gone for at least a tenday. The stool was dragged over to the shelves. The small chest was still there just as she left it. Snatching the keyring and put them in a pouch and returned everything as it was. just before she turned to leave, the door opened, leaving Zarae having to think fast. Pulling the red fabric tight around herself she jumped back into a corner and waited. To her dismay it was Myrurra. The priestess glanced around the room then headed to the desk. So far she hadn't notice the girl hidden in the corner. The priestess opened a drawer, took out an object and place several small items inside; satisfied with that, Myrurra glanced around the room again, this time plans in mind. Then in a fit of rage, began trashing the room. Everything shoved off the desk onto the floor. Books one the shelves tossed. Inside the storage closet the priestess threw a simple spell around, coating everything in a sticky messy web. The trunk was thrown upside-down and several containers tipped over. Myrurra then took some writing utensils and wrote on the walls. When she was finished she left. Zarae waited, just to be sure before hurrying over to see. In the drawer was fake evidence.
"I had yet to actually do that," Zarae said to herself understanding what the priestess had been up to, "but I will take it." Myrurra was trying to frame Zarae just as the girl had done many times over the past years. But Zarae had a better idea, turn her attempt back on her. Quickly she set about, rearranging things to fit more Myrurra's way of thinking and style, and planting evidence pointing to her. The girl had done this before so she knew just how to. half the reason why Zebeycyrl hated Myrurra. In fact, only one other had like the adopted daughter was her own brother. Zarae would make sure any of Myrurra's plans for a fake alliance between the priestess and Zebeycyrl failed.
The counter-attack underway, and what she needed from the room Zarae left. Stoella had came up the stairs just in time for Zarae to finish her part. The girl explained, but Zebeycyrl's handmaid would not help her anymore until Zarae fulfilled her part of the previous deal. Searching through the pouches on the belt she pulled forth the object the handmaid wanted. Stoella's eyes grew large as reached out to take it; Zarae yanked her hand away, her eyes turning violet.
Shaking her head and tapping her chin with the free hand, "By the fact that Zeb let you live after the last incident means you managed to convince her well enough. So," Zarae pacing as she played with the object Stoella was willing to risk her life for, "I have use of you. You want this, we do it my way this time. Rat me out, well, go ahead. It's you and a disgraced Myrurra against me now. Not a good rate of success. If all else, could just get rid of you," staring into the taller woman's eyes, "and no one else would think anything of it. only reason your still around after trying to blackmail me was because I have some use of you still."
the slave sighed, "Myrurra promised me…" indicating the small black metal ring in Zarae's hand, "in exchange for helping her. I just want the ring. Your feuds between you sisters matter nothing to me," Stoella replied with complete honesty.
Zarae studied it, no magic aura or energies were in it. Leaving a sentimental value to it. the girl smiled as words of many lessons echoed in her mind. Sentimental was for the weak, it lets others hold the advantage over you. Just as the girl did now. "What's so special about it?"
Stoella knew no matter what she was going to be messed over. It just was a matter of who would do it the least, and who to take her chances with. Right now, the drowling was looking the better choice over Myrurra. The handmaid shook her head, almost pleading. The girl had to laugh at the pitifulness, only remembering that last time. Zarae kept flipping it into the air and catching it.
"It was my husband's," she finally blurted out, tears threatening to well up in her eyes.
Holding it up to the faerie fire in the room to inspect it, "such things have made you weak will. No wonder Zeb took it," placing it back into her pouch, "now, heres' what we're gunna do," Zarae motioning over the servant to her level, arm around her shoulder and giving her a rundown of her plans. Stoella with no options listened.
******
The next months were the same, warm ups, strength exercises, and stretches in the first half of the day and practice on the equipment. When Zarae had everything down she was moved to begin practices without the air of the bar, aerial somersaults from a running position, then clumsy ones from standing postion. Nilrae got many of the floor exercises quickly and moved to the bar. His training was different, instructions during this time included angles for releasing missile spells and even practice pulling out spell components in the course of the actions. At the end of each day the twins would head to a hot bath to relax sore muscles, both thankful that the soreness each time was less and less as their bodies adapted. It was beginning to be noticed that they had put on some muscle weight, both less boney than before with toned arms, legs and abdomens.
Zebeycyrl had remained out of the compound the entire time on her missions, leaving both Myrurra and Stoella nervous. Yet Zarae remained cool and collected. Extra measure taken to ensure credit went strictly to her older sister. Keeping the ring kept the handmaid in line enough to do pretty much whatever Zarae needed for everything to work. Even with Xullafay at Arach-Tilinith and Izzmurss taking more on more classes for Gulhrys' due to unknown causes, Zarae had things falling into place for her.
******
The Kre'jil Itami festival for the City of Dark Waters was only days away now. The biggest celebration in honor of the city's founding nearly some 67,000 yaers ago. Eight days of chaotic fun, beginning with a processional parade of the noble house's matrons, a ceremonial sacrifice by the first matron inside the city's temple, and the rest of the time with grand parties, feast, and over all chaos. The market place often ran out of rentable spaces for the parties. Shows, performances, and plays doubled as did customers to the taverns and leisure houses. Music filled each day until the end. Many homes were additionally decorated with more color than normally seen. Many merchants gave small discounts while business flourished during the eight days. Graduations from the Academy occurred in the midst of the eight days. A ship at the end of the business hours each of the eight days was selected for a pyrotechnic show. special fireworks that brung everyone to watch. the closest the city ever had to some simblince of unity.
Most importantly, it was understood no houses could be destroyed during this time.
The twins were finally old enough to be allowed to join in on some of the festivities, under supervision of course. Before, all they did was get to watch from the third floor balcony. The Kilanatlar compound was one of the worst places in the Brozen to watch the pyrotechnic show. They would get to be apart of the processional parade, see the grand sacrifice in the city temple, go down to the waterfront for the first fireworks show, and if they conniving enough, go to one of the late parties. Maybe sneak in on the graduation ceremony. After what was heard about Neeryrd's own Zarae had been rather curious.
So many plans and things to do! Zarae couldn't wait.
Matron My'rune Mae'Vir sat at the throne like seat at the half circle marble table, her orange house piwafwi snug around her shoulders. The room was simple and large enough to hold over 100 people. Yet it rarely held more than 8. Purple and red cloth covered the back wall. The council chamber was decorated with carvings of spiders as well of living crawling spiders. The ceiling looked like a writhing living thing. The double doors were carved of onyx stone. The semi-circle table sat in the center, 7 cushioned chairs around the bottem curve, and 1 chair on the straight side. Beside each chair a stand for a small banner. Each member of the council would place their standard there beside them. Mae'Vir's orange banner with her house symbol- a black widow on a shield was always there.
She waited as the rest made their way to the summons.
First to enter the chamber was Ril'auven of Valsharen ilythiiri Vel'Xundussa Magthere dressed in his ceremonial mithirl chain and purple guild piwafwi. This group maintained the security of the city. The VIVM standard, also purple, contained on it a spider atop a sword and mace. The highest leaders of the guild were followers of Selvetarm.
Larghaun Maeval of treea dal Har'oloth in his brown piwafwi was right behind carrying his standard, brown background with a half mask and downward pointing curving dagger. Below was written, "Zhaunil dal ulnen" or "Knowledge from deceit." He too was dressed his best, studded leather armor that appeared to blur if one looked at it too long. He nodded to the matron, and to the only other male of the council, Ril'auven.
Shalee'filf of Orlyate in a shimmering color-changing piwafwi sat down far from Larghaun, her standard set into its place- a simple tricolor cloth with celtic designs that could pass as strange music notes. Orlyate was a bard type guild who practiced the ancient bae'qeshel telphraezzar, her people trained in the magic of song tapping directing into the Weave.
With the three top guild leaders all that was let was the other four matrons.
Matron Shyntyl dressed in her second best robes, not too unlike her ceremonial ones, only these expose slightly less skin and she did not wear the spider diadem. Her crimson house piwawi and matriachal crown were put into place before she was heading down into the city upon her float disk, 4 house guards leading the way with her. In her arms were the crimson standard with the house glyph, spider atop a sword. Along the way she spotted Matron Maelra Ischarri, dressed in ceremonial robes of dark blue matching her house piwafwi of the same color. Her house glyph on her standard, a mask helment with four 'legs'. Matron Moriana Haelra followed suit, teal house piwawi and standard containing a circular disk with eight hooks- symbolizing a burst of magical rays. Last to leave and 4 minutes behind the others was the strange Matron Alulove of Vharzyym, green house piwafwi and mushroom glyph standard.
After all the matrons had entered and taken their seats, Mae'Vir stood up to take the floor, "As we all know, the Kre'jil Itami festival is approaching," My'rune began, "most everything will run as it always has. I will begin the festival with the high sacrifice," pride in her tone as she said it. a privilege only the first house and unofficial valsharess had. Despite the oldest house of the city being the 15th house.
The older matron continued with explaining the basics things of the eight days, even how Orlyate would join the parade with their powerful songs. Eventually the topic became very serious. "Charrvhel'raugaust is planning to strike on the first day. Our Red Sisters have found at least 10 of their leading spies. We have removed half already," a sly glance to Larghaun, "we have markers on 4 more. Leaving one out of sights and still unknown."
"How do you know this?" Matron Maelra asked, leaning on one elbow causually, "they have not tried anything so bold since their last big blow."
As if seeming to coalesce out of the very shadows themselves, five drowesses, dressed in the brightest red armor appeared behind Matron My'rune, the Red Sisters.
Nyssa, My'rune's second daughter, stepped forward tossing her hood back from her face to explain, "Charrvhel'raugaust has suffered a great defeat. And due to uprising among their low class and pressure from Zorvak'Mur they are trying to weaken us and strengthen their own with our supplies and weapons."
"Why haven't we taken advantage of this?" Matron Moriana asked, "why not rid of them now when there are weak?"
"Zorvak'Mur is our ally as long as we stay out of it at the moment. But we are taking advantage of it," Nyssa smirked, "my sister's have been very busy. In fact a shipment should arrive in the course of the next day as proof."
Matron Moriana not quite convinced, "since when do we care about being so secretive? I say we take them now while their vulnerable."
Matron Maelra, Matron Alulove, and surprisingly, Ril'auven agreed. Rarely did the males speak at a council meeting. They were not equals, even if their guild put them on the council. Shyntyl remained quiet thinking over the senerios, Larghaun knowing already what was planned by the first matron quiet. Shalee'filf, secretly one of the Eilistraeen rebels always remained quiet. Though she did notice Larghaun often throwing a snide or cocky grin her way.
"Despite their current weaknesses, they are just as much of a stronghold as is our own city. with only one entrance and no wat to teleport in, it leaves all our forces in the one tunnel and vulnerable to being wiped out."
"Then what good is your little band there?" Matron Moriana spat out slightly irritated.
Nyssa smirked again as she explained. After settling the Charrvhel'raugaust issue, Matron My'rune returned the meeting back to the Kre'jil Itami festival and the spies plans.
"Stoneburn acid?" Shyntyl asked, curious, "they do nothing more than create small divots."
Nyssa, the most learned of the new alchemical item spoke for her mother, "Normally. They have managed to make what they call stonefire bombs, amplified stoneburn acid."
"Why not steal it and use it against them? That seams simple enough," Matron Moriana again spoke up.
The first matron was slowly becoming irritated with the fourth house matron, but manage to keep her calm very well, "do you not think we haven't tried?" the annoyance still edging her voice, "we cannot seam to get it to work. My own son has been studying it for the last few years and has yet to get it."
Matron Shyntyl wanted to blurt her thought, but was wise to contain them; best to keep this meeting non-volitile. She would speak with her second daughter about getting her hands on it for her own wizard to study. The other matrons and had similar thought as each was quietly thnking.
Nearly three hours the council went finishing the details needed to be covered before everyone was released, except Larghuan and the Red Sisters. The Mae'Vir matron gathered the assassins for private talk after all had exited the chamber.
[hr:28g3mmap]
In case its confusing with the names, in order of rank:
Matron My'rune Mae'Vir
Matron Shyntyl Kilanatlar
Matron Maelra Ischarri
Matron MorianaHaelra
Matron Alulove Vharzyym

the three guilds:
Valsharen ilythiiri Vel'Xundussa Magthere
treea dal Har'oloth
Orlyate

[Zarae Zyne Kilanatlar]

"Who has to escort us?" Zarae asked fully stretched and folded in half, fingers well beyond the end of her toes, "we are allowed to join in the festival at the first hour," reminding the weapon-master again.
Nilrae was on his hands and head, body bent backwards. Rhylaun above him maneuvering the boy into a harder position. He didn't answer the girl, his way of telling her to focus on the task at hand. Then he released Nilrae to return back upright, using his hands to push himself upward.
"We only need accompaniment to the fireworks show considering that the parade will have the family in it," Nilrae offered after the weapon-master dismissed them for lunch. Both were considerably hungry, growling stomachs affirming it. He knew already that his sister planned to sneak away, and bring him along.
"Wait," Nilrae shoved Zarae back before she could open the door, "let's make sure Neeryrd's not there. Its been awhile so I know he's probably up to something."
"I am more concerned about Myrurra currently."
"That's all on you. You let her live."
Zarae couldn't argue against it. If she had killed her sister when she had the chance, she wouldn't need to be so cautious and watching her back and every step. 'enemies don't always stay dead, but they do stay enemies,' she mumbled to herself. Wishing again she hadn't seen Averl's face that moment. All her problems with the sister would have been done and taken care of. 'ugh, I'm an idiot.'
Nilrae checked quickly, motioning that it was 'safe'. A quick lunch and small errands, both were back inside the gym. Nilrae moved to the bar and Zarae was directed to the 6 inch wide beam that stood 4 feet off the floor. After falling off the first several tries and new instruction from the weapon-master, Zarae was able to keep her balance and perform the some movements.
"Alright, same time tommarow!" Rhylaun ended the session.
"But the parade and the ceremony and…" Zarae started only to be interrupted by Rhylaun's upheld hand.
"I suggest you use your time wiser and perhaps not wonder around so late."
Zarae wisely shut up after a nudge from her brother. Dismissed they headed to the dining hall for another quick meal before another soak in hot water. An hour later Nilrae knocked on Zarae's door to her barely skimming over the tomes she was suppose to be studying. She quickly closed it after he entered, the magic in the air fizzing out.
"I got something for you…" he sang, hand behind his back.
When she hopped up to get behind him he turned keeping her from looking. Finally she stopped and crossed her arms, her foot tapping with impatience. From behind his back he pulled forth a small glass vial with a whitish cream like gel within.
"Dye? You want me to dye my stupid hair?" irritated that he of all people would remind her of this flaw, "next you gunna tell me to change my eyes?" unable to hide the deep hurt as her eyes changed colors slightly.
He rolled his eyes and opened the lid. The stuff smelt of chemicals and herbs, nothing like dye. Nilrae closed it back and handed to her, watching as her eyes slowly changed back, a knowing grin forming.
"I thought you might like to really mess with Myrurra," Nilrae began.
"How? Choke her death with its stentch? Actually, not too bad an idea..."
"yeah, I'm not that good at crafting yet. No it a reversal of hair growth. Place it in her shampoo and it should cause her hair to fall out by eating it away."
"Then we got to do this now if its to work before the parade," pulling the door closed. Zarae then hurried over to grab her piwafwi and new boots, along with anythings she had to aid in her stealth. "Here, put this on," handing him a jar of Shadow Dye as she dug through her chest for something.
"You gunna try to elicit my help in this? I rather keep my head, thank you very much."
"I'm gunna need a look out," she replied standing up to speak, then return back to hunting, "and you know you want to be apart of this."
"How do you even intend to get in?" Nilrae asked finally giving in, opening the jar and rubbing it over any exposed skin.
"I tried to bribe Myrurra's slave, but that didn't work last time I tried something. So I sorta made a deal with Izzmurss, and well…" closing the trunk and shoving a few items into her pouch and one inside her pocket. Then she slid her bracers on and worked the buckles on them and her boots.
Nilrae rubbed his forehead and shook his head at Zarae, "you know that is not going to end well for you. What did he want in return?"
Zarae sighed, slowed in her dressing looking down at her feet trying to avoid eye-contact; then after a long moment looked at Nilrae, "I'd rather not speak of it," changing the subject quickly, "we're losing time anyway."
Nilrae studied her face a moment then gave in again, following after her as she bounded down the hall twords the stairs. Up on the third floor she tip-toed twords Myrurra's room. The two timed it very well with Myrurra at supper. She kept her routine rather constant, and the twins could almost guarantee that's where she was. Signing for him to keep an eye out, she pulled out the small object. Unfolding it, she set it on the wall. A few seconds later a passage into the sister's room was available. Zarae slipped in and into the priestess' washroom. A room considerably larger than Zarae's own. Steam rolled off the water and filled the room. After supper the priestess had a hot bath. Which worked perfect for the girl. The cabinet was locked, but with her lockpicks it was open in a matter of seconds. The right vials found, she dumped some in each shampoo and closed the lids, shaking them up before putting it back. Pulling forth another two vial, she opened the body soap and poured it into the tub. Adding some magical oil first, Zarae snickered as she added the pale amber gel- sovereign glue. The objects were replaced to their homes and the cabinet was locked. Last thing she intended was to mess with Myrurra's relaxing bath salts. A bag, one she stole from the lab of course, came from her pouch. She poured the salt like powder into the salt box. "there. That should bring her misery for the rest of the day," she said to herself before running across the carpeted room and back out the the magical hole. Zarae folded up portable hole and placed it in a pocket.
"Alright. It's done. We better go now," she whispered.
Neither needed another reminder as they headed back down the stairs cloaked in stealth. Myrurra just entered the stairwell as they bounded down the hall to their rooms, both entering Nilrae's and closing the door.
Inside the bedroom, the twins looked at each other then busted out laughing. When they managed to slow enough to talk, Nilrae asked, "you took longer," taking a breath and calming down, "what else did you do?"
Zarae likewise took a breath her laughing fit done, "added glue to her body soap and freeze powder to her salts."
Nilrae mouths a 'wow' before a congratulatory smack on the back. He turned his attention to Vyk'zlade, checking his water before hopping up onto his bed.
"about how long you think we got till Ladayiir comes in?" Nilrae pulling a tome over onto his lap.
Zarae hopped up on his desk, scooting papers and two vials of ink over. She lifted the second one, to check it out, "goblin ink?" she asked before returning it to the desk, "anyway, not long enough to do any more damage but long enough to be boring."
"What I figured," opening his tome to study.
******
Maryna held Velnarin tightly for as long as she could. He would be gone for a long time. Too long in her mind, but she understood it, even if she didn't like it. Velnarin hooked the piwafwi as he returned her embrace. The two stood for a long moment before he broke her grip.
"Here," handing her his lute, "apart from our Binding necklace, it's the most important thing I own. If...I…" trying to speak the words neither wanted to hear.
As she took ahold of it with one hand, Maryna finger went to his lips to not speak the next sentence he was thinking, "none of that. You will return, and you will play me that song you are learning. Got it?"
He smiled as he took her hand and kissed it softly. Setting the lute on the bed she pulled his arm and again embraced him as if it would be the last time she saw him. Tears started to well in her eyes to be blinked away just as quickly. Finally she released him, both walking hand in hand into the house chapel.
Seyll greeted Velnarin as he stepped inside, a hand going to his shoulder for encouragement. She then laid a hand on Maryna's, "things will work to the Lady's will. You will see." The drowess pulled out the last things Velnarin needed for his disguise, including the original document from the bathhouse. "You still have that ring. And those necklaces, they connect you in more than one way. If one of you are serious injured, she can feel it. It will also allow short messages once a day, tho use that sparingly."
Maryna held up the necklace, interlocking it with Velnarins as Seyll said a blessing for Velnarin. Ready to go, he headed out the gates wrapped tightly in his piwafwi and in the direction of Darkwalk. Periodically he paused to look back, making sure none followed, then turned down a few alleys, a long way to the inn. Reaching the busy place, he slipped unnoticed inside and waited.
******
Myrurra strode confidently into her washroom, her slave behind her to take off the robes of her mistress. The priestess then carefully and slowly eased down into the hot water, contentment on her face. The slave, knowing what she was suppose to do, walked over to the cabinet and pulled out the body soap and shampoo. Setting them on the side, the slave eased down to sit on the edge of the bath's side legs in the water. the salt were set by the tub to be poured in after the scrubbing. Myrurra moved to sit before the slave, as the woman opened the first vial and poured into her hands. It sudded up like normal, the mixture scrubbed all through the priestess' hair, then molded up to sit atop her head as the slave next opened up the body soap and poured it onto the priestess.
That's when things went totally wrong, for both women.
As the viscous amber liquid touched her skin, Myrurra knew something was wrong. She ducked underwater to get it off her skin before it was permanent, hands viciously scrubbing. Underwater she noticed hair floating around her, more gathering as she moved. Up from the water to take a breath, more hair fell in. The slave stood dumbfounded as her mistress' hair fell out in chunks before her now fearful eyes. A deafening shrill scream filled the room as Myrurra realized what was happening. Hands went around the slaves throat as she pulled her down into the water, not caring how bad she got scraped up on the stone. All she thought of in that moment was death. The slave struggled, her hands pulling at Myrurra's but unable to break the grasp.
"ge…solv'nt" barely able to speak as the death grp around her throat tightened. Myrurra, now with large patched of her hair gone and covered in magical glue released, her burning eyes telling her slave just what to do. The slave took in deep breaths, but didn't hesitate long before she was running out to find what she needed. knocking the salt into the water. around her the water froze Myrurra let out another shrill scream and threats of painful death.
"She will die!"
******
Lady Erelrae slid the awful purple robes on over her lean form. The robes from when she herself was just a priestess in the Academy. How much she hated these type of days. As she dressed she tried to focus on why she must do this asking for strength to get through- all for the sake of the house. For the Kre'jil Itami festival she had to appear as Matron Erelrae, show up at the parade and the sacrificial ceremony. All matron mothers and guild leaders were required inside the temple for that. To not do so would invite suspicion.
Lillintha entered also dressed in her disguise, "mother…or, um, Ilharess," she corrected for practice, "are you ready?"
A very beautiful and unique necklace of platinum, pendent a circle with interlocking triple spirals, the center set with a diamond was placed around her neck, as Erelrae sighed turning to face her daughter; Lady Erelrae was saddened as she looked at her daughter in those robes then to herself. She grabbed Lillintha hand and squeezed softly before heading out to the drift disk waiting in the courtyard of the house.
Eva waited, cloaked in a dark piwafwi, stood by the float disk next to a few of the house guards. When Lady Erelrae, now dressed as Matron Erelrae approached, Eva took her hands and whispered a short prayer before letting the drowess head off down twords the city temple.
"May the Dark Maiden watch over you," she whispered before turning back inside.
The light blue float disk traveled down the streets, people moving from its path as her daughter marched beside. Up in the Brozen, Lady Erelrae saw the procession of the nobles heading down across the bridge and into the marketplace. The first in line Mae'Vir's house with Matron My'rune in front on her grandiose float disk; her most elaborate and formal robes in the house color were shining brilliantly with powerful magic auras. Around her was her her many children, Nyssa in her Red Sister uniform, her first daughter in her Ulathtallar robes, her archwizard son likewise in his Ulfaerz'un'arr robes. each house in order of rank followed suit, matron in front surrounded by her children and consorts at the end. After the top five families was the other noble houses, matron's only in the parade; there children already down at the temple. Orlyate members walked around the processional, their magical songs filing the air with powerful energy and light displays. Shalee'filf lead the bae'qeshel songs and sustained the powerful magic.
Lady Erelrae lead the floating disk up to the city temple were other non-noble matrons had gathered. Stepping off gracefully, she dismissed the spell and adjusted her disguise. Breathing in a deep breath she steadied herself as she looked up to the large looming carved spider above the door. Its red sapphire eight eyes alight from the reflection of faerie fire that filled the city. It peered down almost as to read one's soul with foreboding doom on any heretic daring to step into the unholy place. All that stood between her and a torturous death was the Dark Maiden's power to protect her high priestesses.
The crowds parted as the procession grew closer to the temple. The city remained nearly empty now with most everyone gathered. The VIVM kept patrols going to protect against those who dared interfere with the city's celebration. The parade stopped as Matron Mae'Vir's float disk reached the front of the temple. Lady Erelae breathed in deeply as she moved to the side with the others allowing the unofficial valsharess to enter. Behind her, Jhaeldril- eldest daughter, carrying the most holy relic of the city. following Mae'Vir and her daughters, all males left outside, was Matron Kilanatlar and her daughters in order of birth rank, including adopted daughter Myrurra and a new set of hair with an utterly miserable scowl. Each house entered by rank as the last of the nobles entered. Lady Erelrae sat beside the youngest daughter of Matron Dlaen' Del'Amatar.
When all the matrons of the recognized houses and their daughters entered, the males, sons and patrons, gathered outside the opened doors to watch. Matron My'rune Mae'Vir and Jhaeldril walked up to the front raised platform and stood. Nyssa and the other four Red Sister stepped forth; bound and gagged were two drowessess dressed in robes of Lith My'athar's rival city.
"The Dark Mother has looked on us with favor and handed over to us those who would dare cross or defy her. She has given into our hands our enemies," Mae'Vir began, holding up the unholy relic before the crowd of females.
Stepping up onto the platform, the Red Sisters hauled the sacrifices up onto the stage, chaining down the leader onto the onyx and marble spider shaped altar. Eight silver braziers sprung to life, filling every drow eye with a moment of pain from the bright intrusion. The chapel filled with billowing purple smoke and musky incense. The tension, anticipation, and dark oppressive power filled what smoke did not. The air sizzled with energy. Mae'Vir was surrounded with a maroon aura that surged with every step closer to the altar.
"Death is strong;
But Lloth is stronger.
Time rules long;
But She rules longer.
She solaced our woe
and soothed our sighing;
And what shall we do
Without her guidance?"
The chant from Mae'Vir echoed as it rolled of her tongue,
"She sends us pain,
and we bow before her;
She smiled again
and bade us adore her;
She solaced our woe
and soothed our sighing;
And what shall we do
Without her guidance?"*
The the crowds began in union, repeating the know phrases after Matron My'rune spoke each word,
"Pride"
"What are we if not Proud? A weak willed, broken race hiding in holes? We are Proud for we are children of Quarval-sharess, above all other races. Our Pride allows us to disparage those fools who cling to the surface, our Pride lets us stand and scream our defiance against those who oppose Quarval-sharess."
"Covetousness"
"What are we if we do not Desire? A race that is underserving of its destiny? We desire, and what we desire we take: We are strong because we take from the weak, for what right does one have if one cannot defend their claims? We have the right granted us by Quarval-sharess to take what is ours and slake our greed."
"Lust"
"What are we if we do not Lust? An idle race, to sit and hope? We lust: for prestige, power, pleasure. Our lust for Prestige forces us to try and rise high in the eyes of Quarval-sharess, our Lust for Power keeps our race fit to survive, our Lust for Pleasure encourages us to take what is needed to gain it."
"Envy"
"What are we if we do not Envy? A race of fools that let others have what they will with no competition? Envy allows us to look at what others have and hate them for it, to desire it for ourselves. Envy drives us to rise above our superiors or through them, to take what we deserve and they do not. It allows us to look at them and see the sum of their possessions, their source of power and want ... and eventually to destroy them and all others that stand in our way for it."
"Gluttony"
"What are we if we do not Hunger? A race without goals, a feeble, disparate peoples with no motivation? Gluttony is for us to chew and eat our fill - this asserts our dominance over the pathetic creatures that must farm for their food ... they produce, we eat. The position granted us by Quarval-sharess lies above all other mortal races, so why should we disparage Her reward for our service?"
"Anger"
"What are we if we do not Anger? A race of calm, emotional talkers, no better than surfacers to sit when those that oppose Quarval-sharess stand before us? Anger, for us to deliver the wrath of Quarval-sharess. An emotion to direct at Her enemies, to feel as we kill in Her name, the backing of Her power that we wield against the Heretics and Traitors that try to lead us from the Path of Quarval-sharess."
"Accidie"
"What are we without Sloth? A race that works hard to be exploited for the benefits of others? We make other work hard so that we may worship Quarval-sharess, the lesser races standing beneath us so that we can idol Her, and they sacrifice to her through their exhaustion, every day forcing the heretics of other races to contribute to her Glory."
"Betrayal"
"What are we if we have not Betrayal? Who deserves loyalty if they cannot see what is going around them? Why should one who cannot defend herself from her lessers bath in the glory of Quarval-sharess? Betrayal is our right to see that our society does not stagnate, to see that the pinnacle of success is maintained by the powerful, to only be replaced when the more powerful arrive. Betrayal is whittling the dead wood, removing those traits of weakness that the sufacers so prize, keeping our race strong and deserving."**
Jhaeldril finished, "let none doubt Quarval-sharess or Her divine will. Lloth tlu malla!"
The crowd repeated, "Lloth tlu malla!"
Mae'Vir raised the dagger above the bound spy, the sound of only the braziers heard, then plunged it deep into the spy's chest, just missing the heart- intentionally. Deafening shouts of victory echoed through the temple and even the crowds outside cheered. the sounds drowned out the screams of agony of the sacrifice. The dagger yanked upwards, Mae'Vir cut into her chest, blood pouring out to spill onto the altar and floor. The sternum was haphazardly cut away exposing a beating heart. The cruel matron place a comforting hand on the spy's face, a mocking reminder to her of failure. When the matron finished, the still beating heart was cut out and place onto a gem-studded mithril platter. Raising it high she dumped both into a brazier's fire. Unholy fire was called down onto the limp body and soon nothing but ash dust was left. The next Charrvhel'raugaust spy was chained down. This time, the show was less elaborate. The dagger only plunged deep before she to was turned to ash.
Lady Erelrae and Lillintha's hearts sunk as they watched the gruesome display of power. Both were careful to hide their actions from view. The shouts of the crowd and the frenzy the bloody death kept any eyes from them. The first matron exited meaning the eight day celebration was now in full swing. The crowds dispersed, most to their parties and festivals, others to work. Erelrae allowed the crowds to be leave, except a few lingering around up to foul business that did not intend to leave, before stepping up to a drift disk.
"Lady," she heard behind her, a masculine voice.
Erelrae turned to Zhayemd nodding his head. She straightened her posture, acting as one befitting a priestess, waiting for him to begin.
He's face lightened into a gentle grin, what little could be seen. He took her hand boldly and drew it to his lips before releasing it, "you know what I am, and I know what you are," he continued teasingly, "both our people at an illithid standstill and neither to gain the advantage."
Lady Erelrae kept quiet, her bluish eyes narrowing at male. Before anything else could happen, Lillintha stepped back outside to the cloaked male and her mother chatting. The daughter drew her adamantine mace and moved closer.
Zhayemd smiled to Lillintha, "I just wanted to meet the…ilharess of Helvighym," his tone conveying what his hidden face did not, "enjoy the festival," before parting the drowess and heading into the crowd.

[Zarae Zyne Kilanatlar]

Much of the crowds headed twords the naval yard, twords House Dlaen' Del'Amatar for the pyrotechnic show. Many of the nobles gathered on the Brozen side of Ryrrl, refusing to mingle among the non-nobles, while the rest of the watchers were on the shore of the Niar'haanin d' Renor Vlos. Chath'Xar'zith'Su'aco'Niar'Har'dro figrate/fisher ship had been selected for the fist day. Nathree, the ship's captain, had all the explosives on deck. His top wizard stood beside preparing himself to begin.
Lady Erelrae and Lillintha watched as the male disappeared into the crowd then from vision, Lillintha losing sight of him as she tried to follow. She returned to her mother's side, a shake of her snowy locks conveying enough. "Who was that?" she asked as they headed back twords their compound.
"He is not of the city, but I will bet he is in league with treea dal Har'oloth. He knows far too much," her tone showing the seriousness.
"Maybe Velnarin will be able to get more intel about what they are planning," the daughter added hopefully.
******
Zhayemd cloaked in invisibility and gone from all sight, glance back once, just for good measure, then continued on his course twords the tavern. It was basically empty, most citizens on the shores of the city's river watching the wizard's display. The barkeep nodded to the first customer for the day, then continued back to his task. Two slaves were mopping the floor, one wiping down tables, another sweeping the stage. Sounds of cooking combined with the delicious smells of many dishes from the back. Zhayemd walked over twords the bar and sat on a stool.
"shouldn't you be about watching?" the barkeep asked studying the cloaked patron with a weary eye. Yet there was something familiar about him. Something he sensed with other than the normal senses.
"And miss out on your company?" Zhayemd replied sliding over a platinum twords the auburn haired drow.
The barkeep scoffed, a free hand scratching the torn pointed ear, before reaching out to take the coin and nodding for the cloaked male to speak.
Velnarin sat in the dark corner, his own piwafwi hiding his heat-shadow from darkvision and the lack of faerie fire hiding him from normal sight. He wasnt sure when to expect, much less who might would show up eventually for him. For all he knew it could months. That wasn't counting the time to truly develop a trust level to get into the other rebel base. His hand fidgeted with his Binding necklace as he pondered what they might be up to. Lady Erelrae believed they were making moves in the metaphorical sava board to get ahead. Other than identity of a few groups or places that were allies of the rival rebels, House Helvighym had little to go on. Erelrae knew they were planning something big, something to put them ahead. Helvighym needed a counter-move. Hince Velnarin's assignment.
He watched the new comer, remaining still as he studied the male art the counter's movements and peculiarities. That one had an obvious air of foreignness about him, from his mannerisms to his accent. Something then triggered a memory from Skullport. A cloaked figure of the same presence following. After he and Ithlyn has slipped into the building Velnarin lost sight of him.
Zhayemd leaned forward to whisper, the barkeep nodding his acknowledgment. Then he took his free hand, flipped it palm up, fingers curled. Velnarin barely saw it the brief glance before it was gone. He realized quickly what it was, had seen it once or twice. He'd use that for later. Then the cloaked male grinned before exiting the tavern for the baths below.
******
The crowds watched the wizard's dispay from Chath'Xar'zith'Su'aco'Niar'Har'dro, the magic filling the air with a sizzle of energy and lights, sounds of small explosions and ethereal figures danced around the ships deck. These images were elven shaped and were set into a mock battle against another army of other races, specifically the deep dwarves that once called the cavern home. Zarae and Nilrae stood near the bridge, their two escorts behind them. The display turned gory as the battle continued; cheers for the winning army, those who represented members of Lith My'athar in the major battle that won the founders this cavern, rang out.
The show continued for nearly an hour before crowds would dissipated into their parties.
Vhaeliira walked unhindered among the gathered watchers. How odd to see one of the faerie elves sporting the scourge of fangs. It took most a second realize what she was. Then they would bow before the 'ghost spider' priestess. She only now allowed herself to be seen. Just moments before, she deposited a small token inside an unsuspecting female's pocket. Vhaeliira kept an eye for when to make her next move. Not much longer.
When her target turned to leave, Vhaeliira stood boldly and pointed at the woman, "Seize the heratic!"
Several obeyed the szarkai high priestess, rushing to subdue the drowess. Chained and dragged before Vhaeliira, the drowess was forced to her knees. The szarkai, stood before the prisoner, the snakes of her whip hissing with agitation and anticipation.
"What is the meaning of this!" the drowess called, her face red with fury. Even willing to disrespect a superior at such an accusation.
By now a crowd had circled around the two, including the Kilanatlar twins. Both watched with curiosity at what was to happen.
"Search her," Vhaeliira demanded to a low class priestess standing to the side of her.
The priestess did, the accused unable to do anything. Pulled from her pouch was a silver chain with a sword pendent. The magic within was subtle but enough to convince the crowds the truth of Vhaeliira's words. The drowess began to argue against the evidence, demanding to know who planted it and pleading to the szarkai to believe her.
"SILANCE!" Vhaeliira finally roared hiding her smirk well, "you have been found guilty of the unforgivable heresy as a ssindossa dancer, caught worshiping the false Dark Maiden. You must be eliminated and your heretic ways eradicated!"
Cheers all around for the death of the falsely accused drowess rose among the watchers, all eager for the shedding of blood. In the crowd, disguised was the person Vhaeliira needed to see this. They were studying the szarkai more than the heratic. Vhaeliira acknowledged them with a wink, then began chanting a spell. The accused was overcome the spell paralyzing her in place. The szarkai picked up a stone, plenty to be found on considering the cliff edge that dropped 5 foot to the river.
"In light of the festival, have fun," she called out levitating into the air, the crowd then stoning the accused with delight.
It wasn't long before some of the most fervent priestesses were moving in to attack with their weapons. And it wasn't long before the crowds were a chaotic mess seeking to have their piece of the fun. Vhaeliira, back on ground level and now behind the crowd, leaned and whispered words to a male before walking away.
After a while, there was nothing left of the accused but a pile of innards, crushed bones and blood.
******
Zarae and Nilrae levitated above the crowd when the turn of events began, both eager to watch the scene with the pale skinned drow. For she had to be a drow, those scourges only worked for the Spider Queen's clergy. The body guards, having been warned to anticipate anything with the two, watched fervently the twins.
"We should split up," Nilrae signed discretely as he continued to pretend to watch the crowds attack the chained drowess, "be harder for them to keep up."
"Where meet?" she asked back, trying to keep her finger's words short to the point.
"My'afin's party?"
"And that is…?"
He sighed, then replied, "shop?"
Zarae had to think about it, then nodded. She knew which one. But as long as they didn't need anything, she didn't have to honor her part of the deal she made. "left," signing the direction she was going. Then levitated down before the crowd was too dispersed to slip in. Nilrae did like wise, his feet touching stone as he dropped a globe of darkness around himself. Soft shouts from a few at the sudden blindness alerted the guards the twins were doing just as predicted. Nilrae, cloaked with his piwafwi disappeared into the crowd and headed twords the shop. Zarae waited in the darkness she created, hoping their guards were chasing after Nilrae. Stepping out cloaked also in invisibility, she dropped green faerie fire on a nearby male then took off through the crowds via the back alleys.
Nilrae was first to arrive, even with going around in a maze like fashion to throw off his trail. He waited by the steps, leaving a small piece of cloth on the top on to indicate to his sister he was there. Within 5 minutes, Zarae had shown up, tho neither saw the other. She moved to hide by the steps, bumping into a figure already there.
"Watch it!" she called before realizing it was Nilrae.
"I should say the same to you," he replied standing up, "lose them?"
"I think so. Took two alleys before climbing up onto a low roof."
"Hadn't seen them either. Should be good then. Ready to go to a party?"
"Well duh!"
The twins made way to a crowd standing around the largest building in the market place. One the My'afin nobles rented for their famous parties. These parties were always about enjoying the pleasures of life. Individuals invited to such parties are expected to leave their prejudices at the door. Music could be heard when the door opened to allow a guest in. A tall well built female of middle class stood with a list in hand. A male, clothed in decadent wear, his arms covered in white tattoos that resembled a spider web, handed over a folded parchment. The female looked through the list crossed off his name and allowed him entrance.
They both jumped in line, Zarae in front of her brother. When their turn at the door came, neither knowing protocol began to head in, only to be stopped by the drowess stepping in front, "name and invitation?"
The siblings looked at each other, Zarae boldly proclaiming her surname, Kilanatlar, sec…"
The drowess interrupted, "I know what house that is," looking at the list, "no Kilanatlar is registered. Move along."
Zarae, indignant how the drowess dared to treat a noble, walked closer, "how dare you speak…" but was cut off by another guard grabbing them by the arms and dragging them off, Nilrae following with no problems. The male's grip was strong, and he was unphased by Zarae's struggling to break free. Then he released her with a good shove and turned to leave. The girl stood up, preparing to react to the treatment, stopped by Nilrae grabbing her arms and their body guards showing up. Both the drowlings turned surprised to see them, Zarae forgetting the treatment she just suffered.
"Busted," slightly defeated, "so, how'd you find us?" the girl asked with a bit of a sarcastic attitude while they were being escorted back twords the Brozen.
"Knew where you were the whole time, figured out what yall were doing, and decided to watch the little show," not letting them in on the the secret that the matron had given them a token to track the twins escapes through their house insiginas.
The twins grudgingly headed back to their rooms upon being released by the guards. Neither realized how tired they were until falling onto the soft warm beds. Neither awoke until Ladayiir entered to get them up. After the usual morning routine, both were in the gym.
******
The next several days were the same, Zarae trying hard to avoid Myrurra and sneak out of the house. Everytime she thought she would, the body guards would show up to foil her plans. There was little the girl could do and soon she gave up trying to sneak out, this week.
The week of festivities ended and the city returned to normal course of life. Or so it seamed. Zhayemd's plans however had worked just as he wanted. Mae'Vir couldn't pass up an opportunity to take in the szarkai into their ranks, especially one as powerful as Vhaeliira. Both Mae'Vir and the rebels gained an advantage with this move. Of course small uprisings occurred among non-drow in the Exarz and marketplace, nothing the patrols couldn't put down.
Velnarin waited nearly two weeks before anything happened. Then suddenly unexpectedly, a mysterious cloaked figure showed up looking for him. It was another week before a test to prove himself was given and Velnarin was accepted into the ranks of the rival rebels.

Time passed as regular for the twins, in the gym training, then evenings forced to study, or in Zarae's case, practice her 'breaking out of prison' skills. After nearly a year the twins were on par in their acrobatic abilities with many of those the weapon-master had trained in the house, and better than many outside. Little basic work in stealth was needed, both rather practiced, and the weapon-master was able to teach them more tricks of the art to increase their proficiency to the max.
"today, we shall begin something different," Rhylaun called to the 14 year-olds as he entered the gym; Nilrae and Zarae just walked in and set a bag down on a bench. "today I shall begin instructing you in the basics of swordmenship."
As the weapon-master spoke those words, Neeryrd stood up from leaning on the wall, a cruel grin on his face. He exaggerated it with a rubbing of his hands in anticipation of payback. what no one else knew, he was also was in cahoots with his biological sister to study the twins, particularly the girl for weaknesses and strengths. Myrurra had been a spider in exacting her revenge, waiting for the perfect moment. And had Zebeycryl been home since finishing with the twins nearly two years ago, she might would have joined with Myrurra in killing the girl before killing Myrurra also.
"Neeryrd will assist me in teaching you," the weapon-master continued to explain.
"With pleasure," the second boy replied crossing his arms and standing patiently beside Rhylaun as he explained the course of the next couple years.
Rhylaun walked over to the wall and pulled the cord that drew back the velvet curtain that hid the weapon racks. Nearly every kind imaginable was there and some less so- polearms, edged weapons, blunt weapons, slicing/piercing and a few ranged weapons in a range of sizes, styles and shapes. There were even some that were less practical and more for show it seamed. He then waved a hand to the rack for them to decide what might fit them best, what they would like to learn. Nilrae was slow to decide; being prepared to be a battle-mage of sorts, he wanted something light and one-handed, a slashing edged weapon, for his primary choice. He was torn between the katana and the siangham. Finally he chose the medium length, three foot katana. His secondary choice was easy, a set of sais that were 2 feet in total length. When he finalized his choice he joined Neeryrd in the center of the that half the gym. Rhylaun presented a mace and whip to Zarae, assuming the future priestess would naturally pick such weapons. The girl looked at Rhylaun with a 'are you kidding me?', hands even on her hips to accentuate the expression, then turn to the rack again to decide her weapon. The male had to suppress a chuckle at the drowling, returning the weapons to the rack.
"Wait, I like that one," taking the whip from him. Then she reached for a mundane shortsword.
"pick up your blades, move them into a few swings as such," Rhylaun demonstrating a figure eight twirl with his own sword, "get a feel for it, see how it moves, how you can balance it and make it apart of you."
Neeryrd's greatsword was now out its sheath, point in the stone, and the secondboy leaning on it watching the twins adjust to the weapons, clumsily for now. Nilrae, with his hands more skilled in strange movement found the movements easy, picking up how to get it to do what he wanted rather quickly. He had the medium length katana going in a blur around him before he began executing a few other twirls and spins. Each time he got the simple moves down, he "haHA!" in success.
"Showoff," his sister whisper grumbled to him, sticking out her tongue when neither teacher was looking.
Zarae found it hard to adjust from a dagger or knife to the larger heavier swortsword at first, nearly dropping it on her toe a few times. But her natural grace helped her to keep it in her hands and eventually get the motion down correctly.
Neeryd moved to stand in front showing how to hold their blades properly, "mimic my actions," he instructed. Then began simple moves and cuts in the air- vertical, horizontal, and diagonal. Then return to the starting point, making the drowlings hold it there before repeating the process. Rhylaun walked around the twins, maneuvering their arms, legs, or feet as their hands followed the actions of their older brother. When either got something wrong, a small rod smacked the mistake for the drowling to correct.
"Learn to hold it properly. It does you no use if your enemy can drop it from your hands or knock it away from you."
"that's what the thrown dagger is for," the girl smarted, earning her a sting on the back of her head.
"fix that sloppy posture; you are not a rivvil!"
They spent the day learning to use their hands, arms and shoulders to be able to do basic cuts and slashes. At the end, they were so beyond wore out and as sore as the first day they started that the end of the session was a tiny relief. Nilrae was convinced that their older brother was enjoying the torture he was putting them through, particularly holding the weapons in unnatural positions for longer than necessary. Relaxing hot baths before a fine meal finished the day's lessons.
Each day grew increasingly strenuous, more added to their routines each time they entered the gym.
"today," Rhylaun spoke, the start of the next month "we are going to put these to practical test and move out of the theoretical possibilities in attacking the air."
Neeryrd stepped forth, his greatsword before him, motioning for someone to come forth. Zarae nudged Nilrae to go first, who likewise nudge his sister. Then Zarae pushed Nilrae out, the boy giving his sister a dirty look for 'throwing him into the fire'; Zarae grinned then shrugged innocently, mouthing, "I'm female," intentionally and playfully to rub it in.
"Attack me," Neeryrd commanded, the weapon-master beside the pair. Nilrae's katana connected with the greatsword, vibrations sent down his arm, until he got use to the feel of the sword striking another weapon. The two exchanged basic blows, Nilrae for the most part defensive in his moves as his brother's became harder and more powerful. Zarae studied the pair, mostly watching the secondboy for how he fought. Again mistakes were fixed, adjustments to posture and form often. Only once did the greatsword touch skin in a small scratch on the boy's forearm.
The second half the day, it was Zarae's turn to spar. This too took longer for her to adjust to, the heavy pounding, uncomfortably sending shocks into her arms that stung for long periods of time. Becoming frustrated, the smart elic girl then decided to take matter into her own hands. when Neeryrd came in for a horizon slash, the girl jumped and flipped up landing on the other side, throwing a leg sweep out for his shin. Foot struck silver leg bracers, doing little injury to her opponent other than surprise him.
The weapon-master laughed at the girl's cunning, before scolding her, "until you get these down, such moves are pointless. Now back as you were."
Silently groaning, her sword was before her again and she wwas back into the defensive slashing swings and thrust, metal stricking metal and ringing in the large room. By the days end, the girl had a few more scratches on her upper arms, and one slightly deep cut- an attempt to try a move she thought she remembered from watching others fight but had not actually learned to execute it properly.

[Zarae Zyne Kilanatlar]

Relentless assaults followed as the secondboy pressed harder that day, his intent to put every bit of hurting possible on her. Zarae switched hands, again the shortsword back in her left hand this round. The girl had the hardest time deciding what hand to use, almost to the weapon-master's annoyance. It was as she needed her free hand to be busy also. A few times he just wanted to shout for her to decide and stick with it. But let it go for now. Perhaps he would try to teach her a more complex style, if nothing else, keep her hands busy.
Nilrae, as instructed, studied and watched, to know, to see what to do, what not to do, and how to correct. Each day the twins took turns who went first; the weeks passing by quickly as they increased in skill. Once a week, the drowlings were switched to a secondary weapons and forced through the same routines until proficient with it as well.
Zarae parried the blow coming for her neck, then as if she couldn't help it, added flair with her acrobatic skills by some weird move that made little sense. And again, Rhylaun wondered if he made the right choices in her training process. Why couldn't the girl just do as instructed? She'd have a lot less cuts on her arms and legs. Neeryrd came in low and hard with a single thrust. Randomly or just because, Zarae decided to spin inward twords the warrior, come inside his range, then secretly pull out a knife and move to stick it into her target. The blade struck Neeryrd's mithril breastplate with a clank, just as she intended. As she did, she brought up a knee to connect with his unprotected groin. The warrior, unprepared for the low blow, felt that white pain lance through him as Zarae hand-sprung backwards out of the doubled over brother, her foot kicking at his swordhand. The trained warrior was able to keep ahold of the sword even as he tried to catch his breath. The other two males empathized in his pain for a moment. When the secondboy recovered enough, his eyes flashed a dangerous look of fury at his younger sister, a 'your gunna get it now.'
The weapon-master considered letting her learn her lessons, but knew she would probably get killed, and he preferred she not be slaughtered on his time; the matron would no doubt blame him. "alright, take a break for lunch and when yall get back we will continue with Nilrae."
Grabbing her towel on the bench to wipe her sweat away, she sat down a moment watching her adopted brother as he no doubt promised revenge. But the warrior exited the gym heading for the dining hall. Followed shortly by a hungry Nilrae, his stomach's call making him forget to wait for Zarae.
"You know," the weapon-master called out from his doorway across the room, "if you keep up this showing off, goofing around, and arrogant non-sense, I may just let him have at you."
"Does my way not work?" she replied a bit on the sarcastic side, "I got the advantage. And I could have struck the lethal blow, if i wanted. His own fault he wasn't prepared."
"If only your common sense was as sharp as that wit or tongue," leaving her alone in the large empty space.
The girl looked around when she realized she was by herself now. "Just great. My luck, one of them is gunna show up." Contemplating on whether to sneak down to the kitchen or to her stash in her room, Zarae went looking for the rothe jerky she kept in her closet's chest. After chowing down on dried smoked meat strips, the girl wandered around the second floor, her hands eager and itchy to steal something. Which unsurprisingly, she found herself inside the secondboy's less secure room. He either never expected anyone to break in or didn't care. Even the small trip wire looked amateur after picking the lock and disarming the small trap. The room wasn't much different than Nilrae's. Not much bigger either. Purple faerie fire lit the room with a soft glow. The bookshelf held fewer books than hers; not surprising. No tapastries or art covered the walls. Same basic style of furniture, arranged differently filled most of the room; a larger wardrobe, currently opened, revealed a set of armor and a few weapons. Eyes turned purple with mischievous thoughts. First, she headed to the desk, rifling through the stuff. A few coins from his secret cubby went into her pouch, along with nice looking armband of mithril. About to head to the wardrobe, her eyes caught a half hidden page of script tucked into a notebook. The handwriting was nearly as illegible as her own, and little made sense. 'code?' she wondered. Pulling out a sheet of her own paper she copied the text carefully. Flipping through and skimming over. Some of it made her laugh, the journal writing out many of Neeryrd's thoughts. Even some discussions and plans with his biological sister. Anything else of importance was copied. Then, upon closing and returning everything as it was, a bottle of ink was set beside it, a little too close. Just the right amount of motion transferred would send the ink all over the journal. Stopping by the wardrobe, the sovereign glue came out. Before leaving, the traps reset and door locked back, the sheaths were glued securely to the swords.
The gym right there, Zarae checked to make sure the others were not back yet. She knew their wasn't a lot of time left, and her stomach growled then telling her she was still hungry. The girl snuck down to the kitchen, avoiding everyone along the way. She had been right, Myrurra had been in the dining hall. Intentionally to keep Zarae on edge enough to stay away. a small torture to the girl as Myrurra waited for her revenge. "eat it up cow," she whispered just before getting thru the door unseen and unheard.
Again the human slave was in there at work chopping away at some root vegetables, kes, when he rolled his eyes at the drowling's entrance. Zarae did her usual routine, find something from the chilled storage, and then hop up on the counter to eat it.
With a partially full mouth, "so…rivvil," she began, swallowing the bite of the purple fruit in her mouth.
"Little jabbress?" he ased, as he did every time she came in.
"so how do you speak our tongue so fluently rivvil?" again prodding the human for questions, this time more personal than before. It wasn't that she cared either way about the slave, it was that he was the only human in their compound, and she was curious about his background. It couldn't hurt to learn about the short lived weird race. That, and she was bored.
The slave wasn't sure how much he wanted to divulge; it was bad enough to have failed and lost, but to be a slave to dark elves... His face grew dark in brooding, yet he kept his eyes averted to the floor.
"I am not some simple-minded pathetic idiot," he mumbled in his own language, thinking how to respond without receiving punishment. Even if most of the slaves by now knew the girl wasn't as sadistic as the other females of the house, she still held a lot of power over them.
"Not smart enough to not gotten caught," she threw back with a smirk, having understood enough to know what he said.
The once proud wizard's face went blank, but beneath, his eyes were simmering in anger, wishing to lash out. The slave collar would not allow it. The girl picked up on that desire, her grin only growing as she took another bite.
"You have yet to answer me, slave. I asked a question and I demand an answer. How do you know our language so fluently? Few of your kind can grasp the basics, much less speak it as well. Tho, your accent is defiantly off. I would say one of the northern cities?"
The collar propelled the human to respond unable to fight against it, "I have learned many languages across this continent," he replied in the Underdark language of trade, just to prove a point. Then forced to continue, "yes, Edonil," in drowic again.
Zarae had heard of that city, a sorta ally far north. Another bite, she then asked, "how did you get your butt kicked?" specifically, how did he get caught and defeated, apart from being inferior; that was a given. But a good battle story made for a good lunch break.
This time sadness filled his eyes in his pause, his mind recalling that dreadful day. It was not his capture so much as everything else. No tears fell, but forced to obey his masters, his mouth opened and closed a few times before words came out.
"A drow raid. Powerful magic. More than anything I had ever seen. They were quick and efficient. No one saw anything, until they were on us. The black demons swarmed us. They took out our defenses first. Our warriors fell like flies. Our mages held out longer, but the drow mages were too much. Too prepared for every trick we learned…"
"You should not be surprised," Zarae replied offhandedly, "should see what we do the the darthiir."
Whether he heard her or not, their was no reaction. He returned to chopping again as her hands beckoned him continue the painful story, made him relive it again. Remind him of his failure to his family, his village, to everything he held so dear.
"I saw," his chopping more vigorous putting all his emotions into cutting, "the elves got it the worse," slipping words from his language as his mind was less concerned with language choice, "no man, woman or child was safe. All of them slaughtered like… pigs. No mercy. And I, I was…too late. Their foul dark magic poison coursing through my veins. Their mage…my spellbook…My wife lay before my bound feet, blood pooling around her ripped torso, crying in agony as they watched her die with laughter... My son… They forced me to watch. I was bound and helpless to save them." He turned away his face to steel himself. He had not intended to tell her this much. "They prepared to have my eyes gouged so the last I thing I saw was…but their commander, she stopped them. Decided I was a good specimen to sell," the last bit he spat out.
Zarae seam to contemplate the story, mull over it then, "what is a..'pig'?" she said at last. Nothing had surprised her from his tale. In fact she acted as if it was any other thing, the norm for her people. Who hadn't heard the stories of raids? Before anything else could happen or be said, another slave entered with trays of empty plates and glasses. The que for her to get going. Hopping down she bounded out the kitchen and sneaked her way back to the gym. Her timing was just right, her brothers having just entered a minute before. Nilrae began stretching, meanwhile looking around for his sister. Spotting her on the bench.
"did you stay here the whole time?" he asked walking her direction.
"nope. Ate in the kitchen after," finger motioning him closer, "finding some interesting stuff. Show you later." She replied just as Rhylaun entered calling the boy.
******
More time passed, the twins picking up more complicated and complex moves- offensive and defensive. The weapon-master even suggested the girl practice draa velve, a rare form that required great natural ability, balance of control between the two hands, and often a good teacher. Zarae decided she liked this style, allowing both hands to keep busy. Plus, all her attempts with a shield were pitiful and clumsy. The girl found herself many times throwing it aside in frustration anyway.
Nilrae's sharp mind allowed him to figure out how to perform the moves perfectly in sinc with everything else he learned. Soon he was adding his magical and acrobatic abilities to his fighting and holding his own against the weapon-master himself, mostly just keeping himself from being cut down but increasingly improving.
Each day left them, more specifically Zarae, with lot of scratches and bruises, sprangs, pulled muscles, or other minor injuries. Not to mention sore and in pain more than ever before. Neeryrd had only been getting her back in the tiniest bit. He planned much more, along with Myrurra, to get the brat. Eventually, Neeryrd was no longer needed to help with training the drowlings and returned to his regular duties. Zarae spent every day in some paranoia, looking over her shoulder and avoiding 3 siblings. Family suppers were Zarae's safest days. No one would dare try anything during that time. Her biggest concern was when Zebeycyrl was home; thankfully not often. Zarae again reserved most of her hate and anger twords Zebeycyrl, and barely living through every attempt at her own secret revenge. Nilrae helped, for the most part, but was wise to remain cautious and distance when his twin's plans were becoming rather insane and suicidal. He was their to pull her out or get her out of a problem she couldn't.
The relationship between the best friends was becoming strained slowly bit by bit as they grew and matured, tho never broken; Zarae believed only death could break their friendship, Nilrae less optimistic and realistic about the truth. Once in a while lessons from one of the oldest sister were conducted to grow the girl into the drow woman she was suppose to be. Usually Alylin had given private instruction in how to control men, to use them, and other 'needed' skills. These lessons were suppose to be practice; for in later years, young female drow were suppose to"hunt" males for sport. Battle-captives would be brung in for her, then she and the male left alone for hours. Of course instead of doing her 'lessons' she would sneak out or see what else she could get into. A few times she challenge the battle-captive to spar, just to make it look like she was being obedient and accomplishing her task. Confusion always followed those days, frustration at not 'getting it' like she knew she was suppose to, and secrecy to hide all these failures just added to the girl's conflicted soul. Zarae wanted to please her mother, keep her family in favor, and not anger the Spider Queen, all the while, just be herself and enjoy life..
Time passage, however, was not so fast for Velnarin, nor the rebel house. In fact, House Helvighym's opponents had been quiet for the most part. Things more sinister going on in the shadows. A few of Helvighym's allies, more specifically Barra an'aren, a secret guild of special spies known as shadowsdancers, had heard little the last couple years. But it was reported that the influx of foreigners was on the rise. By most appearances they seamed like refuges or merchants, a few sailors and so called ambassadors from friendly cities. Victacaryn, leader of Barra an'aren, suspected otherwise.
And she was not wrong.
Larghaun and Zhayemd had things running smoother than either believed. Their people fanning out and infiltrating many of the businesses and a good number of houses continued. Charrvhel'raugaust was patient; the city leaders willing to take this slow route if it gained them the victory over the stalemate. Vhaeliira made herself welcome in Mae'Vir, enjoyed her postion as an adopted daughter. So secure the szarkai Masked Traitor was, that she was often let in on plans from Mae'Vir daughters. Her comforts were tripled, her position became as if a physical daughter to the matron. But the szarkai was careful and wise as a serpent. Using everything to her advantage, she still kept her priorties straight. Any news worthy of Zhayemd was securely sent. And actions of the Vhaeraunites kept from Mae'Vir. For Vhaeliira had managed to become the liason among the VIVM, the Red Sisters, and treea dal Har'oloth. Revealing what was needed, and keeping hidden what Mae'Vir didn't need to know. And so, for the most part, no one of the Spider Queen's clergy had any clue.
Lady Erelrae remained in a state of uncertainty as lack of advancement from their opponests continued those years. Word from Velnarin grew increasingly scarce. But the house continued to remain strong. Missions were conducted into Skullport, and groups of freed slaves taken into the house until able and safe passage for those wishing to return to the surface was available.
Once such endeavor brung into Helvighym a young half elven boy. He was barely alive, and so messed up, few believed he would survive. Born to an elven mother and human father among the peaceful Dalelands, the quaint family settled down near a small village in the Cormanthor Forest. One night, when he was only 5 years old, a group of raiders descended upon the village killing many and enslaving the females. The boy's mother attempted to flee with the infant but was cut down before she got too far. The commander saw the babe, and uncharacteristically felt a twang of pity for the baby, rationalized that he could be raised as a slave. The half elven child was taken, sold and raised as a slave; abusive masters left scars so deep that if he did recover, the 16 year old would never be mentally or psychological well. Lillintha doing everything possible to get him well and Maryna taking him under her care.
******
A week before their sixteenth birthday, the weapon-master walked into the gym along with the matron mother. Zarae had been taken for part of the day to the study leaving Nilrae by himself in the gym. No one but her and Rhylaun knew she had been watching the twins. And she was pleased, very pleased, how well things were progressing. Behind the matron's entrance were two half-orcs carrying a chest. They set it down then exited the gym.
Matron Shyntyl, hands clasped before waved Nilrae over, "Watching your progress have brung me joy, my son," she began, never having claimed him as such before. She opened the chest and presented him a new House Kilanatlar piwafwi, crimson fabric full of the same magic as the rest of the family. Next he was presented with an adamantine chain shirt, a black spidersilk shirt, a new pair of boots and belt. He didn't have to hear her warning, it was always understood- do not fall from her favor. The matron left soon after, the chest picked up by the slaves, and again left Nilrae alone with Rhylaun. Nilrae didn't hesitate after his astonishment over the gifts wore off, tossing aside his old garments for the new. Now the young elf was looking like a noble son.
Later Zarae joined back in the gym, quick to notice her twin's new gear, giving him a thumbs up upon checking it out. One of the commanders of the house soldiers entered the gym just as Zarae was warming up. The drowess was dressed in her adamantine chainmail, mace on hip, and black Kilanatlar piwafwi, red stiching of the house glyph embordiered in the fabric. All non-nobles of the house owned a black House cloak, the secondary house color; only nobles could wear the primary house color- crimson red. A cloak brooch signified her rank and position.
"Pasyl will be teaching you this second half of the day. I suggest you get dressed quickly," Rhylaun instructed.
"Doing what?" Zarae spoke for both twins.
"All Matron Shyntyl's children are trained to ride," her helmet still in her arms at her side, then she slide it one before turning to walk out. "5 minutes," she called back.
"The lizards?" Nilrae spoke eagerly, "for real?" Everyone knew Pasyl was one of the house's cavalry commanders, leading any Kilanatlar armies on the mounts.
Zarae hurriedly dressed, piwafwi, boots and weapons, and was out the door in less than 2 minutes with her brother. Bother were standing at the door to the stable as Pasyl led the first riding lizard out. She handed the reigns to Zarae then went back in for a second one. Handing him over to Nilrae she then lead her own out the stable and into the courtyard. The drowlings followed leading the mounts to a hitching post. A few servants stood around to wait for instruction, but remained out of the way.
"Tie them secure. We don't want another incident as we had once before," that directed at the girl. "First the bridle," showing the twins how to equip the mount with it, "make sure it is in the mouth correct," not needing to explain. Lizards made gound mounts, but one had to know how to handle them else they could be lethal. A riding crop slapped fingers to correct both drowlings, until they got it right. Next they moved to the saddles; these were like the saddles of the surface beast of burdens kept in Vhurn Bhaelyndryn's Bestiary, yet they had added bonuses- straps to secure a rider should they ride across the ceiling of caverns or tunnels. Corrections were quickly made after being pointed out and the lizards were ready to go. Pasyl lead them by example how to mount, how to dismount, how to sit in the saddles, how to hold the reigns, and told them the commands and actions to get them to obey.
Zarae was cautious, for once, as she walked around her mount, remembering her fiasco with the lizards before. She even rubbed the back of her head as if it hurt. Nilrae had already climbed up and began buckling in. One of the servants securing his straps and double checking everything. Not to be outdone by her brother, and a male, she tentatively placed a foot in the stirrup, the lizard sensing her anxiety and moving around. "Easy," rubbing a hand on his scaled back after getting him still. Pushing herself up and swinging her leg over she got herself on, releasing a breath she didn't know she was holding. Waiting a few seconds, she then worked on the leg straps. Then she instinctively secured her stuff, the pockets of her belt all buckled, her boot daggers shoved further down.
"Secure your belonging, anything loose must be tied down or tightened," Pasyl called, her mount unhooked from the hitching post and moving closer to Nilrae. "To give yourself away because an object fell is to deserve being caught."
He obeyed, his sword secured and unable to flop around. His piwafwi tucked into the straps around his waist.
"Ready?" she asked, but didn't not wait for an answer, "Keep up!" and got her lizard into motion, heading for the house gate. the servants untied the twins' mounts and handed the reigns over.

[Zarae Zyne Kilanatlar]

((couple of these hadnt posted. and with stuff from real life, might try to get back to typing/writing again to keep the self distracted. these later part might not be so great a quality, gotta work to fix that. and in case, the time might jump a bit, showing some events during a year then jump forward again to get the story going.))

The sudden darting of the lizard was not expected, and both drowlings were slightly unprepared. But both being strapped in kept them from flying out. After nearly an hour of awkwardness within the saddle, they began to move with the flow. They found the lizards were a rather smooth ride. Folks in streets cleared out of the way, both due to station as well as it was clear these were beginner riders. A patrol by the first bridge did a quick check over the three, the captain letting them pass. They made their way along Ryrrl's lower bank and headed for the main bridge twords Eastmyr. The rothe of the fields were noisy and glowing lights lit the farming fields like the city during festivals. Lizards turned to the right, a more empty part of Eastmyr. Out in the open fields, they practiced riding all around, running, jumping, sharp turns, and even chasing each other. The next day, after lunch, Pasyl led them into scaling the cavern walls. That was a new and exciting experience! Hanging from a lizard's back, only the saddle's features holding one in as they ran across the ceiling, avoiding stalagtites and crumbling loose stone; sticky and soft three toed feet keeping hold of the stone that was now below their feet, the pads of the feet creating no sounds. Pasyl warned and cautioned them about an enemy coming and slashing the saddles to drop someone to certain doom. So the following month, she lead them into defensive and offensive routines while on lizard-back, even practicing with their weapons. This was the hardest part, gravity pulling down on the heavy metal, forcing the drowlings to build up their strength and understand the severity of possible situtations. After the first time dropping a sword, Zarae had major incentive to used leather bindings around her wrist and the sword to keep her hold of it. Nilrae, wisely, used his lighter sias during these exercises.

The lizard plodded along a stretch of the ceiling, then rounded the corner of a stalactite, then darted to the left with legs squeezing around the lizard, more pressure on the left side. Nilrae had been able to get the lizard to obey without using the reigns and using his legs. His sai connected with a sword and pushed it away from him. The lizard then darted a hard right, Nilrae drawing from his innate magical abilities and threw his left hand out. A small orb of green acid flew from his fingertips to hit the commander. Her defenses up, it did no damage. Knowing full well the other lizard rider was close, her longsword came up above her head to block a strike from Zarae. Pasyl twisted, the lizard turned three-quarters, the longsword moving in for the saddle again, Zarae parrying while Nilrae flanked the open side. About to release another spell, Pasyl called for a halt, stopping both in their tracks. She pulled left, the lizard hopping over a ledge in the ceiling as meeting another lizard who suddenly appeared in sight. The other rider was dressed in adamantine chain and olive green piwafwi. On the fabric covering his chest was a picture of a crude rothe shaped figure in profile view, gold colored. No one could mistake the 18th, House Tirin.
"What do you think that is about?" Zarae asked riding up beside Nilrae and sheathing her sword.
"The Kre'jil Itami festival? Its next month. Maybe something sinister?" Nilrae suggested, "few would suspect anything if you planned to do something."
"Maybe. High probability actually. This year's High Holy day is during that week also…" she replied with a slight exaggerated shudder. There was no telling what they might make her do. "But why meet here, so secretly?"
Nilrae signed to his twin to sneak over that way. Of course Zarae was already thinking that, her lizard mount slinking that way silently.
The Tirin soldier departed before anything could be heard, leaving a knowing smirk on Pasyl's face to the disappointed drowling. She rounded up the twins to head back to the Kilanatlar compound.
The traning session finished with an hour in the gym. At supper, the twins alone again, they sat at the table overlooking her map from their tunnel excursion and discussing her next one. Nilrae didn't ask how she managed to get it back, nor did Zarae offer.
"If we get few of the goblins," she began laying out her plan.
"how about half goblins, half kobolds? Less suspicious and less likely to be missed."
She seam to think about it, then nodded, "We'll use the boat again. But, This time we'll bring the decanter."
"how you intend to... whose do you intend to steal should I ask?"
"Zeb's of course. You have to ask?"
"of course," sarcastically, "you got workers, and tools obviously planned out. What day do you even intend on doing this. This will take a few days at least!"
"yes I thought of that, for the most part," motioning Nilrae closer, "I overheard that Rhylaun has business in Skullport again. Leaving some days for us."
"Ah, but last few times, with some of those so-called easy days didn't turn out," the boy replied.
"Planning for the festival and High Holy day will keep most busy. 'Drowlings are never involved in there,'" quoting her sister from long ago when the girl had some interest in the religious aspects of life.
"And if they want you involved?" he hesitated to ask.
"Maybe Lloth will see this as something furthering her agenda and grant me this," less hope now tainting her voice. Her eyes even glanced over to a beljuril spider statue.
"How about some back up ideas if things go sour."
"Its not like they keep track of the slaves per-say…but yes."
******
Just as she had said, the weapon-master called the twins before him to explain he's departure for the next week, Neeryrd joining him this time. No specific assignments were given, almost as if he knew what the sixteen year olds were up to something, and was not denying them a chance; 'not saying no' kinda deal. He did warn them that they had better use this time wisely. And underhandedly, without coming out and saying it, spoke to watch their backs for siblings. Nilrae wondered just what the weapon-master truly knew.
So the twins spent the rest of the day in the gym, and that evening planning their excursion in all the minute details. The slaves were going to scout out, clear away rubble, carry supplies, and even a few working on carving a structure for them. One of the dwarves would be used for that. Nilrae had been trying to study some of the house defense glyphs and runes, hoping to set up some to further claim the place as theirs. Meanwhile, Zarae was gathering the tools needed, food and water, securing a lizard and watercraft, and working to keep all this a secret. Most of which came at a bit of a personal cost. But if it all worked out, it would be worth it.
The day before, all the items that could be were stuffed into extra-dimensional bags and hidden. Zarae worked hard to time everything just right so the fewest of the house soldier or workers were in the knowing, and few would accidentally find out. Even Ladayiir had been bought off, steeply, to keep quiet. She more grateful for the time away from the brats than anything.
Late into the sleeping hours, the twins, dressed in their travel gear and fully equipped, especially weapons, were in the slave quarters rounding up the chosen ones: 3 kobolds, 3 goblins, 1 dwarf, 1 halfling, and 1 older bugbear. Slave collars were triple checked, and even scanned for dweomers by any who might try to sabotage their trip. Satisfied things were good, and all going well, the slaves were out on the dock. One of the larger fishing boats, but small enough to fit into the cavern entrance and still hold them all 11.
Zarae handed over the decanter stolen from Zebeycyrl's washroom, "I'll take the lizard."
"I am the better rider. Besides you will have better control over them," he signed, not wanting the slaves to hear the temporary debate.
She might would have agreed, if he hadn't said he was the better rider. That made her determined to prove herself now, and show up her brother. She waved him off, a clear 'I'm the female', and headed twords the lizard being walked over by a low class soldier. Nilrae rolled his eyes, but got the slaves into the watercraft and was heading down into the tunnel. Zarae, saddled and strapped in, kicked her lizard into motion and was climbing along the ceiling of the tunnel. Remembering the small drop and when to steer for the bank, the watercraft was pulled ashore and was tied off. Nine slaves, obediently obeying heading into the tunnel following the lizard rider, Nilrae taking up the back.
The familiar bluish light of the cave plants and radiation glowed in the right tunnel as they approached the fork. Sounds of the trickling water reached their keen ears. None of her marks from those years ago remained, not surprisingly. Nilrae threw protective magical over himself as they neared the end of that tunnel. Zarae pulled on the reigns to slow the lizard down, and a hand up to halt their workers. She dismounted, handing the reigns to a goblin to hold. The lizard looked back, almost hungrily, as if to warn the wretched creature.
A quick message, via the silent hand code, she would check it out first. Her hood went over her head and she moved in complete stealth. About 10 minutes later she reappeared.
"I think the chocker is gone. But the cursed drider I believe is still here. And not alone. I think more of them have settled in," she signed, but remained set in her plans.
"what you thinking?" he asked back in the hand sign also, watching her face then.
"the bugbear is for threats," a pause, "but we can use the kobolds as fodder. Maybe we put the driders on our grounds…"
"set up a trap. Bait them to come and pick them off one at a time?"
"yeah, this tunnel too," she glanced around taking mental measures and hoping they wouldn't fit well. Then she noticed a familiar glyph, a mushroom with 4 swords. Both knew some of the priestesses of House Vharzyym were drider transformation specialists. But how had they come to find the twin's cave? The girl's eyes flashed twords a crimson hue.
"your lucky their glyph didn't attack us," Nilrae signed as he looked over it to study, a simple spell spoken to help him 'read' it; the rune appeared to ripple, "and I think I know why."
Zarae walked over beside, after ordering the slaves to sit tight.
"it's a magic reflection spell. It diverts all spells and attacks back on thosenot of their house," he signed bluntly.
Zarae threw her hands up in frustration, "we bring them out here, take as many out as we can," she whispered determined.
"them?" he asked with his hands.
"take the dwarf and halfling back for sure. Used the goblins as bait. Kobolds if necessary. Bugbear can fight, but hopefully we'll pull him out before he's dead."
Nilrae wasn't so sure, his face showing the doubt of following his sister's idea. but he wasn't happy about their cave having been taken over either. And even though Kilanatlar was allied with House Vharzyym, they wouldn't know the twins were behind this…hopefully. They'd have to make sure nothing pointed to them would be or could be found.
Like slave collars of the dead...
"I am going to scout the cave, grab a few things. Send in the first two goblins after a count to 64. Make sure their noisy too."
"no spells," he warned and reminded her.
Still thinking this foolish, he however followed her lead. Zarae vanished again into the cavern cloaked in her shielding piwafwi. After the 64 count, Nilrae pointed to the first two and instructed them just what to do. To give them incentive, he pulled out a crude club from the extra dimensional bag.
The goblins took them and headed into the cave. Zarae appeared back in the tunnel with the others. The bugbear was ordered to his feet, club was given to him, both twins holding their breath that things wouldn't turn worse.
As predicted a barely audible clanking of spider legs drawing close was heard. Zarae drew one sword and levitated up, just inside the cavern and above the tunnel entrance; Nilrae drew his katana climbed up on the lizard and vanished from both sights, his piwafwi cloaking him as well. The goblin had turned to run, not expecting the half spider half drow. He made it to the entrance but purple magical missiles struck true and the goblin fell over dead. Of course the glyph took effect and the drider took the same damage to his torso. A few more driders prepared to ambush. The last two goblins sent in, along with the kobolds.
The drider intending to snatch the goblin, didn't see the drowlings. But he sensed them, his pace slowed. Not in time. A click was heard just as the quarrel struck the aberration in the neck. The Haszak poison taking effect. He backed up and levitating away, his mind suddenly struck feeble. Another drider rushed forth twords the shooter as 3 others spread out to flank.
Zarae aimed the repeating hand-crossbow, this time a quarrel coated in Rathrae Dos, struck another closing in on her. The last three bolts she knew where coated in the famous sleeping poison. Nilrae kicked the lizard into motion, his katana suddenly appearing and swinging to strike the nearest. The drider turned, a leg coming up to block. It cut into the exoskeleton, nearly severing the leg. It shrieked in outrage, coming onto the lizard rider with fury. The drowling blocked a clumsy blow, but took a magical bolt of energy straight on. He grunted it off, coming in again with the blade in an uppercut.
The Rathrae Dos took effect within a minute basically paralyzing the drider. With a sardonic grin, she levitated down to the fallen beast.
"This is for taking my cave," her sword piercing the throat viciously, "and this is for your wretched state," yanking it to the side forcefully and brutally to cut out anything in the bath of the blade. Her boot kicked him away from her sword, just in time to get her crossbow up again and shoot another ambusher. It managed a swing of an ax, before the poison took effect. Zarae tumbled into a roll under the blade, but into the path of another waiting drider. Her sword blocked, barely, the spear-tip drawing a thin line along her neck. A goblin ran for it, his makeshift club up and bouncing off its shell of a body. The drider turned to the nusience, enough for Zarae to roll out and drive a sword tip into its underbelly.
Their fodder was laying dead on the cavern floor as more driders joined, and Nilrae knew they were severely outnumbered. He pulled the lizard to run back for the tunnel.
"now!" Nilrae called to the bugbear who charged in ready to fight as ordered. He lasted slightly longer than the others but too subcomed to his wounds. "Lets go now!" just as an enemy quarrel hit him in the shoulder. His chain shirt and spidersilk stopped the worst of the damage, and he felt no poison burning through his veins. But the pain was almost unbearable and hot liquid was running down from the puntures. Another two quarrels struck before he got into the tunnel far enough away. The halfling and dwarf ordered twords to the boat.
Zarae was surrounded as she rolled away from the sword. Looking around for a way out, she turned and sprinted twords the stalagmite. Running up it, she flipped over the drider and landed outside their circle. She nearly stumbled as crossbow bolts slammed into her back, but got far enough down the tunnel. And she was correct, they had trouble fitting into the tunnel, most not even trying. A smaller one, bloated torso showing her as female, entered behind. Zarae half spun, firing the last two bolts of that cartridge, first missing, second only leaving a scratch. The drider keep coming, the poison, if it was working taking a rather long time. The fork that lead to another tunnel came up, and Zarae swung herself into it, allowing the drider to pass right past her. It sensed it, slowing her pursuit and turning around. Sword flashed to hit uncovered arm.
"Send the halfling back!" she called to Nilrae, then did another rolling tumble as the drider swung its own sword.
No glyphs were here, and the drider took advantage, lopping orbs of acid at the drowling. One orb caught her on the leg, throwing her off the flip she was in the midst of and causing her to land hard. Instinctively, a globe of darkness fell around her just as the drider found herself covered in red faerie fire. Of course it knew that, she hda been a drow once. So it waited for the one in the darkness to come out.
A halfling then sprinted under its thorax momentarily distracting the drider and allowing Nilrae on the lizard to release his own magical bolts of purple energy. Scrambling to her feet, the girl hurried rolling under the drider and coming out the other side. Hand reached up to grab Nilrae's extended and swing up onto the lizard.
The dwarf was gone! Nilrae was quick to notice. Not even scraps of his body. Zarae wondered if he fell in and went over the waterfall into the abyss. Sliding off the lizard, after sitting uncomfortably, she looked around the water's edge for signs of heat shadows from his steps. Barely but one pointed twords boulders. She signed to her brother what she thought then silently followed. The dwarf had gone that way, but was circling around, not seeing the girl moving behind him. In fact, he was heading twords Nilrae in a sudden charge. The boy turned, just as the club was raised to hit home. Then the dwarf stopped, his face a look of shock, then slumped forward. Falling to the ground, Nilrae saw the dagger in the slave's back. Zarae saw the bewildered look in her brother.
how had the dwarf been able to attack?
The girl jumped down from her spot, retrieved her blade, then flipped the dying slave over, "so which one gave you a key?" she demanded, the blade at his throat, "because that is the only way you could have gotten out," throwing the slave collar at his head.
"Why attack now?" he whispered.
Gurgling and spitting of blood was all that came out.
"Myrurra?" she demanded again, "nod an answer and I'll make your death more…merciful."
He barely was able to nod a yes still choking on his own blood filling his lungs. Then he raised a hand up.
"Two people?"
He nodded again.
"Neeryrd?"
A shake of no.
Confused, but not caring now, "thank you," sheathing the dagger and stepping over him. "throw him into the river," she demanded to her brother, crimson eyes showing the simmering rage. The stupid cow could never come up with such an well thought out plan and actually execute it herself. Nilrae looked down, then began rolling the dwarf to the water's edge, the slave collar into his bag, "if this is merciful, I'd hate to think what unmerciful would have been with our time constraint."
"letting the driders eat him..."
"True…I'll give you that."
Both hear it from above. Secret passage! The driders were closing in again.
"Time to go!"
******
Myrurra threw the book across the room. She had been so close. She thought for sure that brat, and the boy as collateral damage, would have been drider food. The adopted priestess had knew the cave had belonged to House Vharzyym now. She even had allowed Zarae to find the map. And should they even survive, the slaves should have been able to ruin their return, relaese the boat and cut the saddle. Stupid dwarf had to go and sait his own revenge. And worse, the boy had defended the brat just before she was a goner.
This was it. No more playing nice she decided. She would get her hands bloody herself.

[Zarae Zyne Kilanatlar]

The twins were not awoken and left to rest in peace. The lizard was back in its stall, the boat back as it was and everything appearing normal. When Zarae moved, now nearly lunch time, pain rushed through her sore body. The wounds still fresh and throbbing. She contemplated staying there all day on her stomach curled up with Shade, but after a few minutes realized how bored she'd be. Moving at an agonizing pace, she headed to her washroom, a stop by the mirror to see just how bad the puncture holes were. The potion had did quite a bit of healing, leaving only minor wounds. The scratch on her neck looked worse than it was, still caked with dried blood. Filling the tub she eased into the cold water to scrub herself clean.
Nilrae likewise wanted to stay in bed, but Vyk'zlade was hungry. He too slowly climbed out of bed to begin his day. When he made it to the dining hall, nearly all the family was down there. Zarae looked as hazard as he was and was sitting quietly not looking around. Head lowered he made his way to the empty table, both Rhylaun and Neeryrd gone, and sat furthest away from the female's table. The matron eyed him, amusement seamed to be what was conveyed more than anything. And all he could think was being caught and punished. Yet he made it through the entire meal with no word.
Neither twin received punishment, nor reprimands, just glances while conversation occurred among the matron and her older daughters. Zebeycyrl and Myrurra would lock fierce glances then one or the other would glare at Zarae for a second. Matron Shyntyl held only smirks as she spoke mostly with Alylin and Xullafay . Twords dessert, Zarae had grown more uneasy, yet was unable to hide the rage in her eyes. Her fingers flexed several times around the knife on the table, but wisely did nothing.

After another brutal year of training and riding, the twins were beyond exhaustion at the end of each day; so much so, their mischief had lessened considerably. Neither had energy to engage in the usual pranks or havoc on their older siblings. Rhylaun had stepped up the lessons more vigorously each passing week, as requested by the matron mother. And their specialized training were no less intensified. In less than 2 years Matron Shyntyl's youngest two would head to the Academy. Nilrae was becoming a competent fighter and spellcaster and would be sent to both the warrior and wizard school. Zarae, on the otherhand, while competent in some things continued to hide the truth that she was not becoming the priestess nor noble daughter she was expected to be. It wasn't long before she turned to Nilrae to teach her some basic magic to cover the truth from her sisters and mother. The drowling even convinced herself that such deception was one of the ways of Lloth. Zarae learned just enough to pass off as a novice priestess if no further scrutiny was applied. She could only hope that her mother was pleased enough to require no further testing.
Myrurra halted any more attacks; instead she let the girl think she gave up to build some complacency instead. The adopted daughter decided she would plan something big and elaborate for the little brat.

The pudgy drowess finished the last bits, or rather the slave finished the last bits of adjustment. Now Myrurra had to decide how she wanted to go about torturing the drowling, how long and mostly how to enjoy the girl's suffering. Her breathing increased as her excitement grew just thinking of all the things she wanted to do. The priestess released a slow breath to calm herself down, then made a lousy kick at the slave who was working too slow for her. To ease her building frustration she walked back over to the desk and flipped over the parchment. A few more scribbles and notes were added after scratching through older useless information. Calculating the best day to accomplish this was the last thing on the list. Timing was everything. The matron would not care of the results, unless the adopted daughter let the girl escape to live again; this was her last chance she knew. Myrurra knew that being adopted meant she was at a slight disadvantage over the matron's biological children in terms of favor unless she could prove herself worth more.
A clank of a tool hitting the stone floor took the priestess from her thoughts; she turned to throw the first object nearby at the pathetic human now cowering. She missed but didn't care, too much on her mind at the moment. The Ilyhiiri Zhennu Xonathull or Drow Grand Battle was coming up. An event that occurred every 8 years. Something the drowling was to looking forward to participating in this year. To crush that dream and kill the girl would be sweet to the priestess. And their was the High Holy Day. As Myrurra thought about it, she decided that would actually be the best. Warring clans and houses or in this case warring siblings, usually triple efforts this day, offering up the most chaos and personal gain over all others to cull Lloth's favor. after much mental debate, Myrurra leaned back in her cushioned chair allowing the evil grin to grow on her face, her mind made up.

Zarae paced the room, her nervous energy needing an outlet; she had already lost track of time since being released from her studies. Her brother was the lucky one today. And only these days did she partially envy Nilrae being male. The drowling knew her required attendance to the holy day activities. Her age and nearing her departure for the Academy meant participating with blood. She would have to pass some test by a sacrifice of something dear to her. Zarae hadn't forgotten the last such sacrifice, slaying of a friend. What might be required of her this time? She was 89 percent sure it wouldn't be her twin brother. As far as she knew, he was in high favor with their mother. The girl paused, hoping it would be Myrurra or better- Zeb. Though such an option would not be given to the youngest daughter, much less a drowling. Turning to face Shade, she was about to speak when the door opened. Ladayiir entered holding a few large vials and a small box. The half drow did not have to say anything, both knew. Zarae rolled her eyes, plopping down onto the bed and exaggerated a pout with crossed arms and shaking her head. Then the girl grudgingly got off her bad, not without letting Ladayiir know her irritation, and hopped into her tub to scrub squeaky clean.
Zarae took her times washing, despite Ladayiir's rushing the drowling. A new ceremonial dress was laid out on the bed. Rich red fabric tingled with magical energy. Zarae stared at it a moment before it was tossed at her head.

"It works better on," the handmaid called pulling out some of the 'tools' from the small box and setting them on the dresser.
Ladayiir pulled the strings tight in the bodice while her foot was on Zarae's back trying to keep the girl from moving in the process.
"This would go quicker if you would just stand still when I pull!"
"I don't see why I must even dress up, it is only going to get messy…and bloody."
"We have been thru this a million times. Because the ilharess says so!"
"Yet I am always the one getting tortured."
"If you'd just suck it up and take it…"
The last of the lace went in and a final tug nearly pulling Zarae back onto the slave. Ladayiir sighed again in frustration and she adjusted the next piece.
"We …have a problem," Zarae replied, her hand on the clothing pushing the extremely loose fabric over her chest in. unlike the rest of the daughters of Shyntyl, Zarae was not 'built'. The nearly 18 yr drowling still had the shapes of a 10 year old girl, tall lean and rectangular like a board. It was not noticeable in her usual loose baggy shirts that swallowed her.
"I thought noble women were voluptuous," Ladayiir replied walking in front of Zarae to see the problem, "why must you be a toothpick?" Ladayiir tapped her cheek thinking how to fix the problem. She turned to look for something.
"Oh because that is totally my problem? Guess those genes missed me" she smarted off, then in a whisper, "and instead I got stuck with this ugly mop," her hand pulling strands of the tangled wet red streaks.
"If you hate it so much, dye it."
"Yeah and admit I am a freak."
"The ilharess always dyes her hair, with strange colors," Ladayiir called back, anything to get the girl to cooperate.
"Mother is also very beautiful."
Seeing what the slave was up to, Zarae crossed her arms and shook her head with an emphatic no.
"Well I am out of options and we are short on time. I still haven't gotten to your mess of hair."

Walking down the hall, ceremonial garb and decked out more than usual, Zarae kept pausing trying to 'fix' her robes, only to be urged to move along quicker.
After the fifth nudge, the girl stopped in place, spun on her heels and bore reddish eyes into the half drow, "I am this close to strangling you with the lacing," hands used for emphasis also. Then the girl spun again and turned to head to the stairs.
She was early, unusal for her. The 8 braziers of the chapel were a soft glow of orange light. No one else was inside the large chamber. Zarae turned to ask Ladayiir, the slave already gone. An unease began to well up in the drowling; something was seriously off. She thought back over the day and hours when realization hit her. But it was too late. Blackness took over as hot seering pain exploded in the back of her head. She crumpled and hit the floor, a hazy glance of a dark figure over her before unconsciousness took her.
A stench wafted past her nose, yet it was only blackness she saw when she came to. The crackle of a low fire, distant sounds of soft padded feet, and heavy breathing filled her ears. Cold iron shackles pinned her arms behind her as Zarae realized her now bare form was laying on a cold slab of metal. Heat, sweat, blood, and whatever else alerted her to the room she was in. Unmistakable steps neared, yet the person remained silent. Zarae tried to make her mind focus on a plan, but her head reeled with pain and dizziness, none of her limbs willing to obey.
"you have no idea how long I've waited," came from behind the bound drowling, the voice more husky and deeper than usual, "how patient I have been for this day," the cloth sack removed from over Zarae's head.
The rope connected to the shackles yanked the girl's arms upward behind her, more pain lancing through her as muscles and joined were moved beyond their normal range. Zarae was unable to hold in a cry of pain of the unnatural placing of her limbs. To keep her arms from snapping, she forced herself to hold her weight and enact her natural levitation. A chore becoming harder to concentrate on as the pain raced up and down her arms like lava.
Myrurra tied off the rope and stepped close, "how strong is your willpower? How long can you hold on?" she mocked with the utmost contempt.
The priestess then spoke a few magical words and the newly adjusted chair was beneath the drowling. The metal spikes had been shaven down enough that it wouldn't pierce the skin immediately, but slowly bore in as the occupier sat their chained down. Myrurra then worked the rope roughly to drop Zarae into the chair, the girl's already throbbing head smacking into metal and digging shallow bloody grooves. A ceremonial dagger was selected and placed onto her belt; it's ragged curving edge was coated with mingled blood of numerous victims. Up its center was a small hollow tube that led to a tiny chamber inside the hilt. There often it contained potent poisons. Myrurra began chanting another incantation, the magic washing over the girl. Zarae was on the edge of consciousness, barely able to comprehend what was happening. Next thing she knew was hundreds of tiny metal rounded spikes prickling into her bare skin. Each arm was chained down the chair's arms, as well as her feet strapped to the legs. The adopted daughter circled the chair, ranting on her hatred for the youngest daughter of the matron.
Zarae lifted up her heavy head to look Myrurra in the eyes, "do you intend to torture me with your yapping," adding faked pain expressions, "Stop I beg you. Kill me now. I cant take this," she mocked with sarcasm.
Myrurra did not find it so humorous, becoming more enraged. A few stinging slaps across the face, then grabbing a handful of blood caked hair, Myrurra yanked the drowling's head back to see the furnace, pointing out an object being heated up.
"I doubt you will find the Iron Spider so humorous," then releasing her head to flop back to her chest, "when I flay you alive, I doubt you will find it funny. You will scream and beg for mercy. Lloth will not hear your cries."
Myrurra's rant continued as she took out the torture instrument; her back to the shackled drowling kept her from seeing the girl working a foot out of the strap.
Magic protected the priestess from the white hot metal that she held in her hands, the Iron Spider bright in the drow's darkvision.
A sneer was slapped across her face as she drew closer to her revenge, "Lloth please accept this sacrifice that we might be considered worthy…" she began to chant.
About to attach the metal to the correct body part, Zarae blurted out, "Lloth favors she who make her own way," a foot connecting directly with the metal in Myrurra's hand, skin sizzling, both Zarae's and Myruura's as the priestess was unprepared for the move, the torture device making contact with face and chest. Myrurra stumbled backwards, her protective spells keeping most of the damage to a minimum. It was the surprise that gave the drowling an advantage. Zarae cried out in pain, but the move allowed her other foot to also come loose and make for the rounded blade on Myrurra's belt. The metal cut into her toes, but the girl managed to grasp it and flip it to her hand in a quick movement. The adopted daughter recovered quickly, wounds already healing as she canted the healing spell and was preparing another spell. Zarae worked the dagger as fast as she could in cutting through the thick leather, nicking her own skin in the rush. The left hand came loose to release the blade just as the magical bolt struck the girl in the chest knocking the wind from her by sheer force. At the same time the 4 inch blade struck fast into Myrurra's shoulder with enough force to cause the drowess to trip over the dropped white hot metal. It gave Zarae the few precious seconds to release her other arm and head. Every movement sent her vision into a blur of light and dark, stumbling forward from the chair and falling to her knees onto the floor. She knew she had only seconds to get up, as Myrurra was already standing. The priestess, stood standing over the crawling girl, and with no reaction or even a grimice of pain, pulled the round blade from her shoulder; blood poured from the wound, yet Myrurra seamed not to notice her pink hued robes becoming saturated with the staining liquid. Chanting again, the spell went into effect; it was as if a thousand needles began attacking the defenseless girl now writhing on the floor. The spell ended leaving Zarae barely hanging onto life.
"Did you think you could really beat me?" Myrurra's cold voice echoing in as Zarae curled up into a ball. Myrurra knelt down to and in a harsh whisper "House Vendee may no longer stand, but I am stronger."
In that same instant Zarae's hand found a stray hairpin Myrurra missed, its end sharp and just what she needed, she hoped. Silently speaking the words her other hand secretly moving in a precise manner, the hair piece grew hot as the spell took effect. Reacting on pure instinct, Zarae struck, the burning metal sticking into an unprotected eye. Myrurra screeched and clawed at her face. New energy from an unknown source overtook the drowling and she found her legs underneath her and rose quickly on her feet.
Myrurra was the slower one this time. The toothpick of a girl springing on her like a displacer beast on its 5th espresso, shoving the hairpin deeper into the priestess socket. Zarae didn't stop there. Something more primal overcame her. Bloody hands found the ceremonial knife, its razor sharp edge meeting Myrurra's face repeatedly. The priestess larger and stronger managed to toss the lightweight off her, the nimble girl landing gracefully. In a blur, she moved, faster than Myrurra and out of range of a clumsy strike going for a vital. Spinning and ducking under, Zarae got behind and drove the magically crafted blade between shoulder blades and into the spine. The poison had no effect itself, but the precise angle of the blade stopped the priestess from returning any effective strikes. Yanking the blade free, Zarae jumped out of range and flipped over to the front of the priestess and ended the battle with a clean blow. Myrurra stumbled back, gurgling cries to the Spider Queen as her blood filled her throat and spilled down over her front. Life drained from horrified her eyes then was snuffed out. The girl did not even realized she had worked so much; all that was heard was the soft crackle of fire and heavy breath. Attempting to wipe away the liquid in her eyes smudged it more as she realized how covered she was- her own and Myrurra's. Her breath grew shakier as whatever power or energy she had began to wear off. Limbs grew heavier while pain and dizziness threatened to overpower her. Zarae managed to limp to the cabinet to get ahold of one of the potions and chug the blue liquid. The healing did its work, enough to keep her rightside up and conscious. She did a quick search of Myurra's body, taking from her finger a thin greenish metallic ring, her house insignia, couple of gaudy pieces of jewelry, and a few hidden blades. Zarae rolled the larger drowess over recovering the hairpin and the ceremonial blade, wiping both on the deep pink colored fabric Noticing her head still throbbing and fighting to overwhelm her again, she called in a few slaves to clean up the body after striping it of any left belongings.
Still covered in gore, the drowling dragged herself up to her room, leaving behind red stains and droplets. Any passing slave or house soldier simply moved out of her way or avoided the girl; this type of thing not too unusual. Once in her room she tossed all objects to the floor to join the rest of the mess and made way to her washroom.
Cleaned, and healed thanks to the last couple of potions she confiscated, the girl had redressed and ready for the actual ceremony she thought she had been prepared for. This time with less than the best. Myrurra had either destroyed the other set or hid them well. Something Zarae would find out after the day's events. As much as she hated to admit it, Myrurra had out-smarted her, but not without help. Her now dead adopted sister had clearly used the handmaid. And that was only possible by one of Zarae's other sisters or mother. Either way now, if it had been a test, the girl had passed and defeated her foe, proven stronger and thus gained favor and position within the family ranks. Next that was left was to deal with the handmaid. And the girl knew exactly how she would. Speaking with just the right people ensured it would go accordingly. The matron rather proud at her youngest daughter that moment upon discover of the events.
Zarae entered the chapel for the second time, this time it had the participants gathered, the braziers brightly aglow, the family females, minus 1 gathered around the altar. The rest of the house females were seated; Ladayiir for the first time was included among the gathered; only she was bound and gaged with the other 4 soon to be sacrifices. The youngest daughter was motioned forward to quickly join before she earned her mother ire.
When all that was left to slay was Ladayiir, the dagger was given to Zarae. The girl pulled from her pocket some of the gems for part of her sacrifice this day and laid them in the main brazier. The slave meanwhile was quickly tied down on the altar by two house priestesses. Fear filled the half drow even though she knew exactly why this was happening. and knew her death was upon her.
"Despite our problems, I kinda liked you… sometimes," Zarae whispered into her ear, "you chose poorly and thus your consequences," no emotion, and no hesitation this time.
Then she completed it with a simple strike between the ribs into the slave's heart. After the rest of the holy day activities, the girl was released and able to return to her 'sanctuary'. Zarae laid on her bed for bit now examining each item she pilfered from her sister; the ring held her attention the most as she studied it. She would have Nilrae or one of the house wizards examine it, but she was rather sure it was what kept the poison from effecting Myrurra. And if it was, then this ring had great value and had been a great gain. Exhaustion was fighting to take over and soon winning, putting the girl into a hard sleep.