On the Shores of Despair

[Adian Novar]

"Then you are in good company, Cinder, for I was raised in a temple to her," Adian said. "If you will forgive my pride, allow me to say that it is one of the holiest places to her in the world. If you have any questions, I will be happy to answer them."

To Zarae: "I concur. For the sake of our new companions, we should start moving during the lit hours. I can endure it with sufficient protection...though I will confess I will be of limited use during the daytime hours."

To Zazzt: "Though I am reluctant to show off, perhaps some practice would be in order." He drew his sword and held it easily despite its relative size to him.

[NathreeDe'Shezbron]

Zazzt looked at Pwdn with surprise, and a little of apprehension. He had never even heard of a being like her, and Zazzt was well versed in magical creatures. But back to the business at hand, "Tis true, we do have amission to attend to, but you needn't fear, there is always time for a short rest with newly made friends Zarae." Zazzt didn't draw any weapons, he simply placed his pack on the ground, and looked at Adian's gleaming sword and smiled, yes this ought to be good, he thought. Without warning Adian, Zazzt exploded into motion, crossing the 20 ft. between the two in the blink of an astonished eye, and punched out with his palm, aimed right at Adian's stomach.

[CinderSuru]

Cinderanna finished her cake and sat next to Zarae, a sevant offered her a choise of various meats on a plater she carried on her sturdy arm, Cinderanna choose the wild partridge and a piece of crisp leduce that was arranged artfully. "You may call me Cinder she said to Zarae
" Your mount is quite stunning Zarae what do you call her? " she asked.

[CinderSuru]

"Adian It seems I have found that what I seek then, and I asure you I have many questions" ? She raised her mug in his direction.

(( I should have wrote this before my previouse reply and not after asking Zarea a question, hmm I was not paying as close attention as I should ))

[Adian Novar]

"Then I shall be happy to answer them," Adian said, even as he arched out of the way of Zazzt's blow. Adian was remarkably agile, whirling his weapon back at Zazzt's legs to drive him back. "Though I am not a member of the clergy, obviously. Nevertheless..." The bastard sword was almost weightless in his hands, darting out and coming dangerously close to Zazzt's vitals. "Ask anytime."

He had to confess to himself that his acceptance of the sparring session was at least in part the instinctive effort males have to impress females...but he had been serving as a guard for a merchant for the past month. Not a lot of chances to really get in proper practice.

[Zarae Zyne Kilanatlar]

Sipping her water, Zarae finished her salmon as she watched them 'play'. it was better than playing pranks on each other, she reckoned, like she and her twin brother was use to doing for fun to her wean mother.
They spent alot of time in trouble and breaking out of 'prison' that first decade Being forced to listen hours of ranting, rambling diatribe, being subjected to endless eulogies to the Spider Queen, tales and prophecies of her power and of the rewards she bestowed upon loyal servants, it got boring! then memorizing proper social protocol, conduct, and etiquette. that could drive anyone nuts.
'It coulda been worse, I might have actually ended up in Arach-Tinilith. one benefit from having your house destroyed before then?'
She considered joining the two, but showing off wasnt her style. It hadnt been long since her last practice session. House Kilanatlar's weaponmaster and ex patron taught her well. Plus she didnt want to give away the the secret of her longswords just yet.
"care to make it interesting? should we take bets?" she called to the two sparring.
Cinder sat next to her introducing herself and asking about Moonlight.
"Vendui Cinder, I'm Zarae Zyne Kilanatlar, of second ..." she about went into the well ingrained response, but stopped herself. Titles of Houses didnt matter to her any more than it mattered on the surface.
"You can call me Zarae. oh, the black coated, silver mane stallion? He's Moonlight. He's not mine, well not yet anyway. But I am goin to ask, assuming Moonlights ok with it, to take him instead of the money. Back at the village Bitterleaf, us four were sent to discover a problem. So the priest allowed us to use his horses- Argo, Phenix, Raven and Moonlight. Moonlight wouldnt let them saddle him up so they almost gave me another. But somehow, he told me he want me to take him, almost like he asked me to free him from the stable. So I am the first to be on him. I know it's weird to say we can communicate and understand each other, but I really believe he did. He's more than just a horse. and it's like we're kindred spirits i guess, if that makes since?"

The horses cautiously approached the caribou. They knew he wasnt an enemy so they allowed him to join in; all enjoying a nice meal in the warmth. After a bit of time, Argo and Phenix laid down waiting to get moving again. Raven neighed and trotted around that part of the room, anxious. Moonlight, a bit bored walked over tword the closest couch, whom Zarae and Cinder sat on. The white crescent pot on his forehead looked whiter, almost glowing in the rooms light.
"You must know when someone's talking about you, huh?" she spoke to him as his nose nuzzled her.

[CinderSuru]

"I am certain that she would have communicated with you if you heard her Zarea" Cinder suggested. "perhaps she recognized you and it is just as you say you are kindred spirits and she is impatient to resume your friendship. There is so much more to many animals then what most think." she offered. " Meldrinus and I are very aware of what each other feel we were taught to understand each other, we are linked as it maybe so with you and your Moonlight. You need only listen carefully and you will soon know the different between what you imagine and what is so." Adain knew at once what he heard was my voice because his mind is open, and he reverse truth so therefore he easily recognise it and can distinguish real from not real. It is a filtering system of sort. " Cinder nibbled as she continued.

"As metioned I was raised by my grandmother who's clan wonders with the Caribou they are in the same family as raindeer, you maybe more fairmilar with.

I am from the Island of Evermeet and live among the mountains in the winter and take our herds to graze in farmedow in the summer."
So now yo know who i am and were I come from. Are you from the underdark Zarea? She asked curiously.

Cinderanna can be quite talkative given a chance and hoped she was not to long winded as it has been weeks since she had had an oppertunity for conversation. She thought watched the two males sparing, she giggled under her breath.

[Zarae Zyne Kilanatlar]

Zarae listened to Cinder.
"How does a drow come to be raised on Evermeet? I didnt think our surface cousins would allow drow on the Island?
I'm from a smaller less known Underdark city, Lith My'athlar, 5th daughter of the Second House, Kilanaltar. Of course it was destroyed, before I was sent to the Academy thankfully, as houses who fall out of Lloth's favor. I managed to escape. Some how a priestess of the rebel base my sister was hunting who were followers of Eilstraee, found me escaping. I thought her someone who was gunna slay me as I should have been. surviving nobles are completely removed or claimed by the defeating house. But I was too young to be any use to the first house, not even a priestess yet. but she instead hid me and took me in to her base. I was there about, i think they call it a year. I never truly followed the Spider Queen, but during that time I chose to forsake the Lloth. A short time later a war with a neighboring city caused the rebel base to bring all us young drows to a surface refuge. that was about 6 sun and moon cycles, days i think, ago. I decided I wanted to adventure and travel the surface realms. I think Eilistraee led me here."
the pain of the memories, particularly loss of her twin brother, were still some what fresh, even if it had been a year. her eyes shifted more indigo from her normal maroon.
"so thats prudy much it. nothing fancy or inspiring," she quipped, moving her mind away from such thoughts.

[CinderSuru]

" I am truly sorry Zarae to hear of your hardship " Cinder said taking her hand. " But the good thing is that you have found Eilistraee were comfort and friendship is to be found. It sounds to me like you escaping the grip of the Spider Queen came at a high cost, but is your destiny to be with Eilistraee you will find comfort in discovering it's potential perhaps." Cinder patted her hand then turned to her beautiful horse. " what a beautiful creature I hope you are able to keep her." she changed the subject.

"Evermeet is not a place you would normally find a Drow but I am also part Elf and I spent most of my time in my grandmothers manor in the mountains with my teachers and Meldrinus, once a year in summer I would cross the great meadow with Meldrinus to the ocean and travel to distant ports on the merchant ships wile he grazed away the summers ." She explained.

[Zarae Zyne Kilanatlar]

Zarae naturally reacted with a slight jerk when her hand touched but stopped herself; she wasnt in the Underdark anymore and her fellow party members had to be different, even from some of those from the rebel house.
at least until they found out?
shrugging, "not much more than most drow, i reckon."
She didnt wanna bring up what all was included when she turned from Lloth. With this mission and now two surfacers with their party, mentioning that she was hunted might not be a good idea. Besides, Lloth might not be able to find her this far.
But what dangers was she putting her new allies, possible friends in? Her real friend ended up dead, just like the prophecy foretold. She tried to tell herself it wasnt her fault, but the guilt, a strange new feeling to her, wouldnt let her. Even if it really wasnt her fault.
She [i:vycvxjmv]had [/i:vycvxjmv]found the Dark Maiden. and she had lead her here to these people for some reason, whatever it might be.
Pushing the thoughts aside, she responded, "If I dont convince him, maybe Moonlight himself might. So what's Evermeet like? I read tomes on some of the surface realms, But I dont recall much about that Island. and asking about the surface is a sure way to get whipped."

[CinderSuru]

"Well Zarae" Cinder replied "I spent most of my time in the mountains, I had house hold duties mostly pertaining to hunting and gathering food and medicines. I did spend some time on my grandmother merchant ship traveling from port to port were I also had duties caring for those who would fall sick."
Cinderanna did not like to talk about her life on the Island for various reasons most of which her grand mother lived in a well hidden valley and would like to keep it that way.
"After my parents died my grandmother promised the ruling council of the island that she would rise me to enter the serves of the Dark Maiden and so after traveling with my teacher for a wile I was sent to find my way into her serves, and so here I am. She finished her meal and hand her bowl to a sevant thanking her. "I am interested in your misson do you realy think it is a dragon that is doing this killing? I heard a few stories passing through the area."

[Zarae Zyne Kilanatlar]

((im assuming the boys are still practicing while people converse...))

"dragon?, no. Pyoro just said a dragon inhabited the area and preferred people stayed outta the skies. she was like a protection from aerial assaults or something like that. He preferred we didnt attack her. and truthfully, I would rather have a dragon ally then enemy. the way he described the lake scene was unique. Almost like beholder magic. which begs the question why a beholder would take residence in a lake and why the gemstone may allow entrance. but no one knows, hence our mission to discover it."
Zarae caught a good parry out of the corner of her eye, wondering if the session will stay friendly or get out of hand as many sessions did among drows. She saw Frad and Lyon a little bit more comfortable with Pwdn back. Zarae finished her water and set her cup on the table near her. Moonlight sniffed it so Zarae got a larger bowl, filled it with fresh water and let him drink. meanwhile snagging what he asked her to get for him from the table and discretely feeding it to him. "shhhh, dont tell the other tho. Zazzt might get upset at you," she joked.
turning back to Cinder, "so we're sorta walking into this blindly. the only clue is a cave north of the lake possibly holding a gem to discovering the secret of the lake. you know, that kinda thing..."

after a while, Zarae signed to Pwdn, [i:1sq8c3nn]are they planning to do the whole mission with us or leave along the way, and whose mount is willing to carry them? Phenix is built for weight, but who is experienced enough to have another rider? Adian?[/i:1sq8c3nn].
then speaking aloud to Pwdn, "did you find a private place to clean up? we left a bit in a hurry last night and I'm guessing we're gunna be here til morning, when we should get going again."

[Ra'Sona Races-The-Wind]

Pwdn looked back at Zarae as she signed, then to Lyon. "I get the feeling Lyon's an experienced rider?" Lyon looked shocked, then laughed nervously. "Wow. Um, how did you know? I didn't tell you did I?" Pwdn shook her head, and shrugged. "I guess I just figured it out somehow." She seemed pleased she's guessed right, and was smiling broadly as she gestured to another room when Zarae asked her about the bathing. "There's a rather lovely bathroom just down there, the door's just an archway but the bath itself has a curtain for privacy. It's really very opulent, I didn't recognise half of the things laid out there."

She watched as Zazzt employed a very impressive display of unarmed technique. She recognised most of it, bar the offensive techniques, but his execution of the movements was masterful. She noticed he did seem a little eager to shift his ground, but them from the looks of it he could handle himself well enough to do so. Swords she didn't understand, other than to defend against them; for instance the weakest point being just above the hilt where the metal is withered to a tang, and applying pressure there can sever the blade more easily.

"Lyon, may I ask you something?" Lyon nodded, and gave her his attention, where he had formerly been watching the sparring. "I usually deal with combat by keeping out of the way and healing others, but I've discovered that I can be far more effective if I have someone to. . . well, share." Lyon didn't quite understand, but Frad caught him before he could misinterpret. "She wants ya to carry her about. Keep ya healthy and get close without havin' ta worry about defendin' herself." Pwdn was somewhat surprised that Frad had seen what she meant, but his expression seemed to indicate that he'd already thought of it before she'd said anything. "Oh. Um, well if you don't mind, then I'd love to. I mean, I'd be glad to have you. Help you. In battle." Lyon had been caught off-guard by the request, and the deep red of his face was quite clear for all to see. "There's something else I'd like to ask, Lyon. It's more a personal request, if you could call it that." Lyon's mind, already on thoughts of having her body pressed against his, took a turn for the worst at this. "M-m-maybe later, when there aren't so many others around?" Pwdn missed the inference, however, and simply nodded. "As you wish." Frad grinned and snatched a chocolatey biscuit, pulling Leon over to get him a glass of water. "Ya gotta break this habit, its not good for ya."

[Adian Novar]

Adian and Zazzt continued to spar, hand against blade...with occassional kicks from either party thrown in for good measure. Adian was working up a very satisfactory sweat. Despite Zazzt's greater years of experience, the young drow had enough talent and training to let him hold his own.

He concentrated on attacks specifically designed to herd the older drow into a corner, limiting his manuverability.

[CinderSuru]

Cinderanna watching the two drow sparing admiring their skills with a sword, she had been trained with the bow and dargger extensively but her skills with a sword were quite basic. Adien was very swift and agile he seemed to dance to the almost musical sound that the swords made as they met and swung through the air. Zazze was very strong and sturdy his eyes intense and calculating. She watched with increasingly interest.



"I would love to be able to wield a sword with such skill " she sighed. " do you have such swordmanship as this? " she inquired to the others.