The Vale of Shadow (Part 4)

[Zekafae]

( pfft if you need to train to gain stamina thats no good. I got natural strength and stamina. So I luck out )

Nodding some he smiled slightly" I've seen a fair number of alot of the races. At times I swear, I've been all but chased out by all of them too at some point. " At his question he shook his head looking to aurora and tried not to laugh again. No communication needed the ideas were amusing enough.

[veraka]

Veraka nodded his agreement to Zek; "but you still let your actions speak for themselves, so that 'all but' effect is probably not true all the time; sometimes I wonder if my mother left me with my father, before he was killed, to let me learn on my own about the worlds prejudices and how superficial they are; thought some are well-earned, does that mean I have to apply it to everyone I meet as predisposed judgment? I say 'NAY'. So what if drow have a tendency to be evil; I'm traveling with one who almost embodies my own idea of justice and mercy, along with the code of my deity. Not every day that that happens. Perhaps that is why I'm gifted with my celestial vision," he paused letting out a sigh; "if only those few who spoke out of ignorance could be granted my ability, I'd gladly share it with them, if only to make them think twice about their predisposed stereotypes."

Looking at Zek lightened his mood, as he had no doubt what was going through Aurora's head.

[Zekafae]

Nodding some." All I know about the Dark Maiden, is that she is the Beacon of hope for those of us who wish to live on the surface in peace. A return to former glory without the evil and insane teachings of the spider queen. I agree with some of her ideas. We cannot be idle and be defenseless, however the paranoia has become a weakness." Shrugging slightly." People could use the ability and still lie and use prejudices against others." He'd keep on walking with him keeping on their easterly course through the city, he looked back briefly to see the fire was starting to spread." Oh good.. perhaps nature will take its course and rip through here. If I had a bit of divinity, I'd have the good, and the innocent be forewarned to leave or rather somehow forced to leave mysteriously and the rest well. Go with the city." Idly scratching a cheek his thoughts going elsewhere.

[veraka]

Looking back at the blazing inferno, Veraka cocked a brow at the ranger, an expression of slight disbelief on his face. Then as quickly as he got his disbelieving face, Veraka gained a genuine smile; "or perhaps they can be saved, with a bit of divine, well, partial divine help. That thought of yours brought up an old memory that I'd thought I'd forgotten when I forsook the path of a Tyrian paladin; I just need to find some people to brawl, and your wish might yet be attainable." As he said this, a slight glimmer over took his eyes.

[Zekafae]

Looking at him" I'm not saying it because I'm going paladin. I don't need the blood of an innocent on my hands.... Do you know how hard it is to wash blood off of leather and skin?" As they walked he chuckled motioning ahead" Wish Granted good Paladin sir." he mused." I'll be honest, I don't really care about the people here. Just about what was taken out of here." he kept it mildly vague and looked to both the cat and aurora" Both of you, not a word." Eili looked at him blinking and shook her head saying something just to Aurora [i:3h03da5m] oooo he loves her soo much.. oh so romantic... I can see them sitting on the ruins of the burning city together like two love birds. [/i:3h03da5m] She mused knowing it'd probably have the wolf in hysterics laughing

[veraka]

Aurora looked a to the ranger a blank expression on her face, then grinned; [i:30rz06yd]That would be quite an amusing sight; but,[/i:30rz06yd] she shook her head, [i:30rz06yd]unless our baelnorn employer gives the fey'ri a [b:30rz06yd]very[/b:30rz06yd] good reason to keep on living [b:30rz06yd]and[/b:30rz06yd] can make her see the error of her mistakes, I doubt that your little idea of an aasimar-fey'ri date very much; but, never doubt the impossible,[/i:30rz06yd] she was repeating an ancient, but oh-so ever true, saying.


Veraka looked the ranger as his expression went from grinning to all-out dead-serious; "even the children, as young as infants; they're to die as well, even though they are probably the most innocent of all?" The question was a very pointed one at that, and Zek's answer would [b:30rz06yd]really[/b:30rz06yd] determine the aasimar's next move.

[Zekafae]

Eili motioned towards zek [i:qd9mebse] I meant him, although it could be possible.. I'm sure they're fey'ri whom have turned around for the better.[/i:qd9mebse]

Zek nodded slowly thinking for a moment before speaking." That is your decision, can you look at every single one and decide their fate if pure or not? Sure they're blank slates now, but depending on how they are raised, will determine their hearts and souls paths. Although Some I am sure are born evil."

[Inriiaynrae Jaelre]

((ah the they're in their cabins for the night and i have a little time.
and all these bedroom comment and Inrii aint around to smart off? lol))

"dispatch him quickly," the male still sitting on the dias spoke after Alya was out of hearing distance.
he needed no chances. they must not ruin it. the husky male bowed slightly, performed the sign and left.
a portal opened in the market district of Daggerfalls, but only shadows appeared and was on the move within a split second. and few were deadlier than a drow on the hunt ...(other than a spurnned drow)

soon all that was left in the large adorned room was him. his finger combed thru his coppery hair, a sign of agitation. he wondered a second about the young female brung in and was in the labyrinth. he had only heard a slight bit, but his curosity was spiked now. with an amused smirk, he hopped up and made his way twords the cave. the sun was low and dusk was approaching.

the cave itself was miles of winding and twisting tunnels. thus only previous knowledge or powerful magic could one find their way. but he knew where he wanted to go.
the door was guarded by two young students of approximately 5 decades. their dress was not the normal dreary dark garb, but of fine adamantine drow chain. obviosuly they were Alya's men, and most likely from the house she kept up her Lolthite image. they moved to attention as the Darkmask appeared.
"halt! what business do you have?" the shorter one asked gruffy. his voice was horse, and an ugly scar ran across his throat and to his left ear. obviously he had been someone's playtoy before.
the other male, one brazen enough to portray his house emblem on his violet cloak, eyed the Darkmask wearily. he knew the copper haired male, or at least his position.
"I need no permission to see the prisoner," he spoke with authority. his hand held a wicked looking dagger of black metal and a dull reddish glow.
they without further hesitation let him in.

Inrii was crumbled on the floor in an attempted fetal position. her hair attempting to serve as a cover for her unclad body. she heard the door, but who showed up, she did not expect.
--
In Daggerfalls, many were set to work on the random fires springing up. among the riff raff word was spreading of the Raven's Claw. and already were group fighting for the vanent spot now. word also spread of the disappearnce of the white elven maiden that was so popular and loved. some thoughts of anger were thrown around and whispers of the drow in the city were behind it.
part of the town tho was too afraid to do anything, let-alone listen to idle gosip. they were hold up in their homes or drininking sorrows away.
a thin wisp of a man exit the Red Rock. his cloak billowing behind him a cool breeze and a light dusting of snow began. ahead he saw two travelors and another creature walking causually.

[Zekafae]

(she's definitely missed.)

As they walked he rubbed his fingers against his thumb silently. Something was agitating him. Drawing his daggers quickly he shifted them in his hands so the blades lay flat against the forearms as they walked. As a drow, the paranoia served him well and he knew to heed these senses. Humans he learned could pick up on things when something didn't feel right. Usually until it was too late, but some were skilled enough to pick up on it. Their walk out of the city was too damned quiet, and he knew that was a problem" Get ready for trouble, it's been too quiet." he muttered to Veraka." I swear.. I have gotten more action with you guys than I would if I was alone." Eili chimed in [i:3l7wb2o3] That is because you enjoy walking in the shadows too much. [/i:3l7wb2o3]

[veraka]

Aurora glanced at Eli; [i:1ivdjel0]of that, I'm sure. But Veraka takes it seriously when someone, especially a child, is in danger, either from themselves or something else, and brings it upon himself to help that person out until they are truly gone or he's forced to kill them, most of the time it's the latter, and not by choice.[/i:1ivdjel0] The winter wolf knew that more often than not, it was the berserker that made that latter choice for the aasimar.


Veraka sighed at the ranger's response; though he respected Zek, he knew from first-hand knowledge that no child was born inherently evil, with their sole purpose and being was to destroy, kill or otherwise.
"Zek, until a child can understand what their decisions are and how those decisions affect both themselves and those around them, I cannot call them black and sinister of heart, and I [b:1ivdjel0]will[/b:1ivdjel0] go out of my way to ensure that those children survive. Perhaps that's why I'm so understanding of drow and NOT willing to chase them off with my sword drawn, unless they sway me otherwise. Because I understand that that is how drow younglings are raised; they're raised to kill each other, they're raised to scheme, to back-stab, to desire power and grasp at it when the time is right. They're taught how to use others to their own gain, and when those person's have expended their usefulness." "It tears me up inside whenever I see this, which is more often than you'd think. If I had it in me, and a few backing me up, I'd march down through the Underdark and wage a never-ending war to bring those younglings out of that nest of deceit and treachery. Hells, I'd even take it upon myself to raise a few if necessary. I ask you this Zek, would you do the same, were it in your power, or if I did start, would you join? Think about that for what it's worth. I've seen those born of fiend blood take a complete opposite turn-around to their inherent desire of their bloodline." He paused.

"So whether or not you'll join me now, or in the Underdark, I'm going to start with this city. No child deserves death when they haven't so much as even lived yet; None at all." He finished that statement with such vigor that it seemed a law of universe itself.

[Zekafae]

Looking at him for a moment though his focus was on other things he walked ahead a little bit." If there's twins to be born, one usually would kill the other whether in the womb or not many years after birth. It's in our blood believe me. Myself and my sister have tried killing each other. My mother only stopped it because she needed more bodies to make the new house stronger. And we grew in power quickly. Destroyed her mother's house completely, and many other houses from lower ranks up to the higher ranks. Lolth has corrupted the drow to the point that we know how to betray and kill even while in the womb.. which is why Twins is a rarity. Triplets or more never happen as far as I know. One will die. it is how we work, always worked, since my ancestors went into the underdark." Shrugging." I'll help to a point Veraka. I only venture there to buy poisons and materials to make them. Every time I go down, I end up adding to the body count. Females wishing to enslave the rogue male. if it wasn't for the chance of death or enslavement, I might stay a night over down there again and have my own form of a conquest.." Clearing his throat he continued on and rolled his shoulders noticing something in the distance." You know when we return with inrii to the city and finish our job and everything here, we do not make another stop in another city until we reach this vale. I am done with cities for awhile... I really am."

[veraka]

Veraka nodded at the ranger's reply; an all too true fact of drow.
"I'll grant you that, blood always has sway over the being in question. But there are exceptions to every rule, even one created by that spider bitch queen." He chuckled slightly at his own remark, thinking about what he was about to say.

"You want an exception, look at me, or even yourself; we're both walking, living contradictions to our own bloodlines. I'm the son of an archangel, the most powerful and goodly of all creatures among the heavens, aside from the gods themselves; and yet, do you see me upholding the law of the realms, do you see me being the typical stodgy paladin, whom follows the strictest of codes and heeding those codes to his last dying breath. I think I've already proven to you that I'm by far, not in-sync with my bloodline, more so my consciousness; as you stated earlier, I'm not opposing the forces of nature, as most paladins seem to want to do, I accept what I am and that I cannot change it; but I also know that I can make an impact and act on it."

He breathed out slowly, "that is why I believe younglings no matter what race, are born inherently evil; external forces persuade them to act in such ways. Your example of the drow is spot on," he waved a hand out, "that is why I will do what I can for the children of this city; and should those external forces wish to interfere, then I believe that you will be able to sit back and watch the fun, or even perhaps jump in yourself."

"Well, I'm done and by your look, you wanna set another place a burning again, and I wish to see something of the like, so, shall we?"

[Zekafae]

Nodding slowly" Not so much wanting to burn something, but I know something is not right. I know there's trouble ahead, an ambush most likely. It's been too damned peaceful of a walk this far.. I'll tell you one thing. If I don't kill Ayla, it'll be a miracle. However I will make her suffer direly in some form or another before she is passed over to our good benefactor."

[veraka]

Instantely noting the ranger's change in demeanor, Veraka cooled his wits and looked around, looking for this unknown threat that Zek sensed.

"Ranger; if you don't kill the albino witch, it won't be a miracle, it'll be a bloody curse. . . for her," he gave a small grin. "Don't think that you're alone on that list, my friend."

[i:h3x8dsdn]That makes two of us,[/i:h3x8dsdn] Aurora growled in agreement.

[Zekafae]

Eili of course had to chime in [i:1edciykf] Everyone here can safely say that and I think Inrii wants to kill her by now as well.. Now look ahead.[/i:1edciykf]

Zek nodded and looked to him" She's going to a more painful situation than what I could devise, afterall, I'm not like him. Which is a good thing.. I like my non decaying look." He said flatly as he paused some putting both daggers in one hand and removed a throwing dagger and closed his eyes focusing for a moment before turning quickly and whipped it into the shadows behind them. There was a soft thud in the soil. Shaking his head he continued on." I wish I trained using claw weapons... It would be more satisfying to get my hands on them and just claw away.." The dagger went back in his other hand and continued walking with blades clearly drawn. He knew they'd be facing all sorts of fun.. Oh he was going to raise hell with these rogues." We can camp outside of their hide out when we find it, I'll rest a little bit and recharge then go in and show them why it is not wise to cross a Drow. Nevermind betray one.