Shadowdancer 4

The ship moved fast upstream, the magic of the gems allowing the ship to travel without the rowing of oars. By dinner time the ship was halfway home. Rhylaun stood next to Nilrae explaining more of the ships workings, the port Skullport, and even why they only now used the gems. They were used only in emergencies and return trips that were up stream. Even now it was dangerous, the control of the ship while it was in used had to be precise and accurate or they could risk crashing. The priestess spent the entire time in such focus in guiding the ship she hadn't been seen since they departed. Even her younger sister hadn't been seen, forced to guard her as she controlled the ship. It was known by the males of the ruling houses how dangerous a place it would put her. So Matron Mae'Vir always assigned two daughters for such trips.
Seeing a scrapple begin, Rhylaun drew his katana and headed over to deal with it. Nilrae spent the rest of trip on the bowsprit knowing he'd be home later this day. He took out his knife and the small chuck of zurkhwood and began carving on it the rest of the journey. The tunnels became more familiar, the lights of the city further down coming on the horizon. Shouts grew in the background, commands to the crew to prepare, the deck's population growing in that instant. The ship moved to the side to allow a trader ship from a neighboring city to pass.
The ship docked back at House Mae'Vir, the slaves unloaded still in chains and gagged. Gulhrys divided up each among the houses. Those left over would be used for maintenance of the city and owned by the top three guilds. The assortment of trunks and chest were next unloaded as a assortment of guards from each of the houses were at dock waiting for their arrivals.
******
Sitting utterly bored in the corner in darkness for hours was not the adventure she was imagining. But there she was, still waiting for the shift change. The vial twirled in her hands, not even worried she could dropped it. Boredom seam to make her not think as clearly, to throw caution aside or become more careless. Bored now with twirling the vial between her fingers, she opened the small pouch to see what else she had snatched lately. Some coins, a few carved figurines from stones, other odds and ends from around the house. Nothing interesting. She pulled out the coin and began flipping it and catching it, then moved on to more elaborate catches.
It was nearly another hour before she heard hoofs hitting the stone floor drawing closer. Zarae hopped up, stretched and waited as two more minotaurs headed down the hall from the basement, a drow male fighter behind them. The vial was uncorked and the lavender colored liquid drank. To the normal eye, she now looked like one of the young women commanders clothed in mithril elven chain, a black thick piwafwi, and a longsword on her back. The most important part of the disguise, a small keystone similar to her own insignia that any of the house soldiers of House Kilanatlar. each one was magically scrutinized to be allowed entry into the house one disk attuned to only one person; a magical protection should it ever fall into an enemy hand.
The male motioned for the door guards to follow him back and the two replacements to take their place, the collars around their neck making them obey. Zarae stepped out, carrying her head high and as a superior female and walked to the door. The soldier was about to speak to her, but her well played scowl reminded him of his place and he only nodded and bowed his head in submission.
"Door," she commanded with authority.
The one on the left reached to open it, the one on the right motioning to show credentials. She opened the neckpurse the vial provided her in her disguise and showed it to the guards. The large re-enforced doors opened and the disguised girl was outside the house again. The doors closed behind her, magically silenced.
The 18 foot high fence and gate extended around the House itself. Above the gate was a great spider of oynx suspended and weaved into mithril wires giving it a spider in a web appearance. Its eyes and body glowed with purple and red faerie fire. Wisp Lichen clung to the House on the clutter of stalagmites and stalagmites that formed the compound itself. The plant was placed there to protect the House from overhead attacks including levitating and flying enemies, soldiers on subterranean lizards, and even teleportation inside the House, to add to the re-enforced mithril veins and magical wards, and acting like a spider's web. It secreted an adhesive from its dangling strands that could hold large creatures and paralyze them while slowly and painfully digesting them. This, along with,Shriekers and the Violet Mushrooms that were controlled by the House's wizard and weapon-master, the high priestesses, and by the Matron herself made the compound an impenetrable fortress. Most importantly, it was the favor of Lloth that allowed these defenses to work and protect the house from invasion.
With a grin at her perceived success, she turned to head to the lizard stable. Two bored males were standing at the house door, bowed in respect to the commander they didn't recognize.
"Good work…males."
One looked questionably at a disguised Zarae, the other male shrugging. The door guards watched her in interest trying hard to not laugh aloud. Zarae pulled and pulled on the door but it absolutely refused to open. There was no side entrance, and until she was inside, no way of knowing if there was a back entrance. Looking for a key hole or locking mechanism was also futile as there was none.
"How in the Demonweb pits does one get in?"
Barely audible footsteps in the courtyard were coming her way, soldiers who patrolled the courtyard. She leaned back against the door thinking she was busted and she would have to bluff carefully her way out. She really did wish Nilrae was here, he usually did a better job at it.
One of the soldiers began to figure out what was going on rather quickly, nudged his companion and leaned over to whisper. A grin on his face forming with thought how to use the knowledge. But any ideas were stopped as an older drowess warrior came into view. Her hair pinned into a bun and her armor blazingly showing her rank, she was another commander, only this time, a real one.
"Report!"
For some reason, one of door guards discreetly sighed to Zarae to use her insignia before the true commander stepped in front of him. He then directed the commander's eyes to the stable door just as the girl stepped inside.
The smell was much better than the basement, but one could definitely tell that creatures lived here. Before her was a long hall with 4 stalls on each side. Spiraling stairs in the back lead to the stable's other two levels. Sounds of light rustling of padded feet on soft material came from inside the stalls. At the far end was a regular door which she guessed as storage of equipment or lizard feed. The girl took a deep breath then walked over to the first stall. Inside she didn't see anything, not even a heat signature, but she heard the heavy breathing. Looking up, attached to the ceiling of the stall he looked down at her. The lizard crawled to the floor from the ceiling still watching the person peering back at him.
It was horse-sized chameleon like lizard with wide-splayed legs and a body that was built low to the ground. The darkness didn't show the thick pale lime colored scales that covered his body nor the dark stripes that ran along his back. On the floor, he stood mostly on his back legs, the front ones slightly smaller. The lizards could be ridden bipedal or quadpedel. His own rosy eyes were looking her direction, but it was his sense of smell that was so keen and acute. A long sticky tongue then reached out to a bowl bring in some meal Zarae couldn't make out. Curious she walked over to another stall; the lizard in it was curled up on a raised mound eyes closed. She wasn't sure, but it seamed like that lizard may have had a nest with eggs. The next stall was a smaller lizard and the one making the most noise. It circled around the stall, including climbing the walls and ceiling. She guessed him to be a younger lizard and probably a new acquirement. One of the stall doors at the end was magically guarded. She guessed this was the weaponmaster's own mount, so she wasn't going get too close. Drawing closer she spotted short mushrooms around that door, ones similar to those around the compound and especially the gate. Shriekers- noisy fungi often trained to be guards. Their name came from the sounds they made, a loud ear piercing shriek and available in numerous tunes to the preference of the keepers.
Inside the stall, the largest lizard she'd ever seen, even bigger than the ones used by the mounted patrols of the city! His temperament was different, anger and ready to stampede anybody like an untrained stallion from the surface. His eyes were a blazing crimson. He kicked at the door a few times before going back to the corner snorting. Walking back to the front, she stood at the curious lizard's stall again. He had gone back to feeding while she explored, looking back her direction when he smelt her draw close again.
"Will you let me pet you?" she asked the subterranean lizard as he continued chewing.
She unhatched the lock, upon figuring it out, and slid the door ajar. Her moves were cautious and slow. He could easily trample her with little effort. The lizard remained as he was making no moves. Zarae soon was standing in front, her hand reaching out to his head to rub the smooth scales. Her fingers bumped leather that she knew was a halter. The lizard ignored her rubbing his head as he slurped up the last of his food. Bored, his nostrils sniffed her hand, nosing it then crawled over to the back of the stall and lay down. Sounds from the juvenile lizard echoed in the stable then quieted agan.
Feeling much braver, she stepped closer to the lizard sided, her hands laying on him to judge his reaction. He knelt lower to the ground Zarae naively believing he was going to just let her ride. Beside him, she activated her levitation spell to rise up into the air, pushing off the wall to be directly above him. Then lowering herself slowly, she held her breath to mount his back.
The door of the stable opened suddenly, startling her and causing her to lose her concentration and fall hard onto the lizard. This in turn startled him and he began to rear up, climbing up the wall to remove the sudden dropped load on his back. Zarae had nothing to hold onto, and was easily tossed like a ragdoll, the back of her head slamming into the floor. Hot liquid flowed out, her hair growing damper by the moment. Pain and light exploded behind her eyes before blackness overtook her.
******
Velnarin managed to slip away in the midst of the chaos surrounding the unloading of the slaves and cargo meanwhile being extremely cautious to not be followed. The document was hidden well, he doubt any would find it without reading his past memories. Crossing the bridge without getting caught was the hardest task, the guards eyed him hands on crossbows, but nonetheless let the Mae'Vir soldier go.
In the marketplace, he found an empty alley, the lizard mount patrol having just passed nodding in respect. Finding a dark corner hidden from any faerie fires of shops, Velnarin changed out of the disguise and dressed in his normal clothing; then to double his efforts of keeping his mission secret, the male went to work on a quick disguise. Within minutes the fighter looked like an elder male; snowy shoulder length hair had graying roots and skin looking ashen. The hood low over his face Velnarin made his way tword House Helvighym. In the midst of the busy maarrketplace, he had the sense of being followed. There was no one seen, but he could not get past the sense that someone was there. No drow would shake it off. To let down one's guard is to wait for death. Taking no chances, Velnarin turned to head into Darkwalk.
The place was busy, the tables crowded and plenty of waitresses moving around. It reminded one of a disturbed ant nest. Slipping thru the throng of people Velnarin walked to the back door that consisted of a magical beaded curtain and another male standing in front of it guarding the door. The man was very clean, to the point that he looked like polished black marble. Long white hair was pulled back and held in place by three metal clasps of remarkable craftmenship. His clothes were exquisite, made with silk and velvet. They were brightly colored, light blue robes trimmed in silver silk. He looked like a wizard rather than a merchant or bouncer. The wizard looked up to Velnarin eying him with icy glances and seeming to try to read Velnarin. A hand was held up as the fighter tried to enter; Velnarin did not know what to do. He'd never been to place like this. Recalling the conversation in Skullport and the documents, he knew who and what ran this place. His demeanor changed quickly, pulling out a large square yellow agate and tear drop shaped ruby colored garnet stone. It was the majority of his money, but he had no choice. The guard looked at the male, looking him up and down then stepping aside to allow Velnarin to pass.
Just as it had been said in Skullport, the males were in the city. They split up taking different directions yet knowing exactly where to go. Three had entered Darkwalk at the same time as Velnarin. The fighter who had entered before them was rather suspicious to the guy. The leader, a darkmsk, signing to another to keep eyes on him. Inside the tavern, however, they lost sight of him. A lanky half drow waitress tripped in front of the three by an angry wealthy noble female. The tray of wine goblets flew from her onto the two front males. The darkmask was trying hard to not bust out laughing at his companions. Half the patrons went quiet in that moment. Those laughing made it obvious who was powerful. The waitress tried to apologize to the males. The female noble priestess, her dress and hair style indicating she was of a lower noble house, stood up. Her red orbs were bright with cruelty looking over the pitiful waitress who begin to clean up the spilt drinks with her shirt. The three males moved on thru the crowd to blend in. The noble was not pleased pointed to the three males walking away. Crowds parted, most heads slightly bowed. The darkmask refused to acknowledge her, his back the one the priestess saw. Born on the surface where males were not inferior, he would not give her that curtsey. His companions, wise to the ways of the drow cities tried to get him to stop but he signed he knew what he was doing. They could not afford to get caught, thus stepped away leaving the darkmask on his own. The female kicked the half drow woman, pushing her out of the way. Her face was red with rage at his blatant disrespect and to add salt to the wound, he was male.
"Stop, you insolent male," she spat as if it was a spell command.
He continued to ignore her, no one getting involved. But then he turned partially to face her with an amused sparkle in his purple eyes, the corner of his mouth curved upwards ever so slightly. With cat like grace, he hopped on the table, winking to his companion with a hint that this was a distraction and for them to go.
"Cast off the tyranny of Lloth! Reclaim your birthright and rightful place in the Night Above. Destroy the existing matriarchies of the twisted Spider Queen!" his voice rang loudly to be finished with the sealing of his fate, "Damnation to your Spider Witch!" at the priestess
Her rage was barely contained in that moment, her face contorted "Heretic!" she screamed the pronouncement.
******
Velnarin passed thru the barrier seconds before the incident above began. The hall was wide enough for 3 men abreast to walk thru. The doors were evenly spaced at ten foot intervals. Unlike most of the buildings in the city, no faerie fire lined the halls below. A second hint that only drows, unless a collared slave worker, were allowed down here. The hall at the end went left and right with more rooms. Steam seeped out from the left, the bathhouse.
The noise was different, soft moans and groans as masseuses worked on sore achy muscles. Of course other more 'involved' activities were heard further down the right hall. Eerie haunting melodies played softly in the background. Smells of oils, incense, mixed with a moist warm air were the second most notable things down there. Velnarin breathed in the scents that flooded his nose before deciding where to go. Another look back to see if any followed, and then he headed into the double door.
******
The noble female pulled out a wand, chanted the words, and pointed it at him. Crowds watched the spectacle with glee at the blood that would for sure flow. Secretly the majority of the males were cheering the heretic a well as considering his words. Webbing shot out of the ceramic wand at the heretic who nimbly flipped off the table and vanished from sight. The web managed to nab a bystander gluing him to the wall. Her longsword drawn she anticipated his move, an adamantine shield clanking with metal and she spun in place to block the invisible blade. Pivoting in a blur of motion, the darkmask had another blade fly from his hand aimed for a vital area. At the last moment, the female blocked again then came in a furious whirl; sword dipping and diving, slicing at every angle, the male working hard to keep up with her expertise. Again he came on, a sweeping strike for her neck. She ducked, her shield taking the blow. The hit struck hard, the vibrations sending the woman staggering slightly, but she stayed on her feet solidly. Neither were a novice. He backed flipped out of a slash at his less protected chest. The priestess closed the distance between herself and the darkmask, striking his inner thigh at the last second. He growled in pain spinning away as she attempted a shield bash into his nose.
A shadowy glow suddenly surrounded him as he lifted his hands up and called on his god. The cut knitted itself together, the bloodflow stopped. She knew it, calling on Lloth in that moment also. The fickle Spider Queen answered and a purplish glow of energy surrounded her. It was deity verses deity.
******
The two males hurried thru the marketplace. Their leader had still not returned, but neither had the priestess. The lizard mount patrol passed them by paying no notice, followed by a litter carried by four orcs. The crowds stopped and cleared the way allowing the group to pass. Both males did likewise, taking a knee. Street cleaner, mostly kobolds, fell onto their belly. One kobold, his position in a terrible spot, was unable to move fast enough as a lizard's foot fell with a sickening crunch onto the skull. The trampling did not stop as the slaves walked over his lifeless body.
The procession far enough, the people went back to their business.
"We must hurry," one signed to his companion.
******
Inside the double doors there was a female drow with a magical collar, a battle captive from rival city, to welcome visitors. Two doors were on the left, a locker room and a steam room. Before him another door that lead into the bath itself. Velnarin entered the locker room and placed his pack into an empty cubby. The document however was secure. Then his clothing went into the cubby leaving him fully unclad. Drow had few inhibition and were not exactly squeamish or shy.
Before exiting, he walked over to the collared drowess, placing a tiger eye quartz in her hand and whispered a question. Her eyes light up as she tucked it into her top and whispered to him. She handed him a towel that he wrapped around his waist. Smiling sweetly, she opened the doors allowing him to enter the room.
The bathhouse was long, the floor back marble with statues of female drow that served as pillars. A single chandelier of orange faerie fire bathed the room in an amber glow. The contained water was in the center of the room, steam rolling off the top of the waters. Stone benches were along the edge of the pool. The pool itself was divided into two parts. the front bath was about four feet deep often used for just sitting and relaxing. This was where most spent their time. The second bath was deep enough to dive into. In the back a raised platform that had hot water spilling into the pools from the heat source deep in the cavern. To stop overflow a small arm size tunnel carried water way to be cleaned and reused.
Both baths were occupied with a number of guys chatting and gossiping. A few drowess slaves were carrying trays of wine goblets and decanters to the various groups. An unspoken rule existed here, any assassinations and thefts or basic problems were to be taken outside the leisure level of Darkwalk; this was relatively well kept among the guest. Thus being one of the few places a drow could genuinely relax for a few moments in their life and stave off fear of inevitable death; to be a few hours free of scheming backstabbers eager to increase their own stations by pulling down those ahead of them and crushing their inferiors underfoot in a life of were one had to remain always guarded, prepared and expecting the blade to finish them.
Another slaved walked over to hand him a goblet filled with a black liquid. The smell was earthy and strong. He knew exactly what it was. A strong intoxicant acting more like a drug than an alcoholic beverage, it was one of the most sought after beverages in the world. Aphyon karliik, Death Head, a powerful wine, it was made by the drow from a poisonous mushroom found only in the deepest parts of the Underdark. He had to be careful with such a drink.

The two clerics were currently at a standstill, both equally powerful. The inside of the tavern however was a mess with a large number of the patrons having escaped the fury of the spell fight. Finally, the darkmask activated his onyx ring and charged. The priestess prepared a counterspell when suddenly they were being pulled away, the tug of planer travel. Both had done it before and were accustom to what to expect. But it did not ease up on the sensations that most would scream in terror and pain. Then it stopped.
Around them was similar terrain and landmarks, but dark and bleak, lacking in color and light like a moonless night. At first glance it might appear they were at the river in the city. The air was normal. However, the river was thick and ichorous. Surrounding them was a shadowy reflection, a dark mirage, and a mirror image of Lith My'Athar. They were on the Plane of Shadows. Around them lurked shadow creature, ready to strike out at the trespassers, but remained just out of sight and range. The powerful clerics, dangerous and fully protected, stood circling each other, the sick feeling that followed the magical travel fading quickly.
"Where is your Spider Queen now? You kill me; you still have to find a way back. And I surely will not let you live," the darkmask mocked in utter contempt.
As he spoke the area around them began to quake beneath their feet, the priestess not familiar with this plane stumbled as the male was now levitating above and preparing his next spell. His hands shot out at her, a flame, void of light, sprang forth to hit the priestess. The flames licked at her protection wards but did not burn her. She fell unceremoniously on a knee to the now still ground. An unnerving smile curved her lips, the chanted words reaching its crescendo. A green ray shot forth from her outstretched hands covering the darkmask with a shimmering emerald field. His smug smile was gone, replaced with pure unadulterated hatred for the priestess. Now she would pay!
Instantly from his hand hundreds of tiny bladed spinning disk appeared and flew at her. Before they had even reached her, a command word was spoken. A shadow shaped like a mask flew from him at her attacking her face and releasing the spell stored within. The ice spell burned her skin, freezing it so bad that soon she had lost feeling in her face. The disk cut thru her protection wards, but only left hundreds of superficial scratches. Each began bleeding as Lloth's magic did not regenerate the wounds. She struggled to pull the shadow mask off as it destroyed her face. The darkmask laughed but did not waste his chance. A sword in hand, glowing with pure negative energy, was thrust at the priestess into her side, cutting thru the adamantine chain, sliding between ribs and sinking deep into her lungs. Her scream was ear piercing, or woulda been had it been more than a muffle. His booted heel went to her chest and roughly pushed her off his blade. She fell hard to the ground, life blood pouring and pumping out with each heartbeat. Believing her finished, he turned his back to her and began walking off. She however had one last trick up her sleeve; death might claim her, but she would not go down alone. Shadow creatures lurking just out of sight drew closer to the fallen prey. Sounds of unearthly communication passed between them. Shaky blood covered hands pulled out a bloodstone amulet, raised high in the hair and smashed into the floor.
The darkmask turned to the shattering of the stone, confused at first, until the spell effects began, his body began to impode within, collapsing itself. It was his voice screaming in agony and then he was nothing but an empty husk of his former self. Believing she would see her goddess soon, the priestess rolled over to her back closing her eyes to slip into unconsciousness before they jumped her.
******
Velnarin took his glass and headed over to a bench and set it down beside the towel he pulled from his waist. Dipping a toe in the water was hot, almost too hot and thus just right. He slipped in to the tub carefully allowing himself to adjust before leaning against the wall to sit on the underwater bench. The other males around eyed the new comer but continued their conversation. And for that Velnarin was glad.
He kept eyes on the door as the time passed. As far as he knew no one had entered after him. And the drowess hadn't spoken. He could only hope that whoever hadn't paid her more. Some of the other guys left leaving him with only two others. One, an elder male, indicated by the graying of his white hair, and strong magical energy surrounding him motioned for Velnarin to come over. Taking a deep breath and sending a prayer to the Lady, Velnarin grabbed his glass and slipped over twords them.
Thankfully they did just want to chat, Velnarin listening as they spoke while keeping up his act. So well that he learned the older male was one of the leaders of a guild on his list. Without being too obvious, he tried to ask some questions as he continued the angle of being a seeker in hopes the males would reveal more information and more of their plans; but most importantly what they intended with House Helvighym.
Nearly an hour later, and a lot of useful information, he was alone in the bath. He spent that time in silent songs and meditation. there still no sight of whoever had been following him, Velnarin got out of the hot water, his towel handed to him and walked back to the locker room. Looking around to see no one was there, the hair clip was pulled out, the shrunken document checked. It was still there. Pulling up wet white locks, he reclipped it securely and dressed. Turning to leave, he almost missed it, a rolled parchment tucked away in the corner of the cubby. Still nobody around he sat on the bench to read it, breathing out a sigh of relief before laughing aloud in the room. An invitation to meet again.
The dangerous and illegal document tucked away, Velnarin walked out of the doors, a friendly smile and nod to the drowess before walking the long hall.
Upstairs chairs were strewn around, the tables overturned and scorched. Plates of wasted foods and beverages were being cleaned by a number of slaves. Most importantly, the barkeep was highly agitated and steaming in their darkvision. Velnarin was surprised by everything, motioned for a nearby waitress to come over.
"what happened?" he whispered into her ear. To which she explained everything. He nodded to the female, tossing her a copper, the last of his money, and exited the tavern.
Velnarin managed to get thru the marketplace unhindered and no one following him. Back at the gate of House Helvighym, he showed the metallic disk, what the house used for insignias to the guard. This adamantine oval had glyphs that almost looked like a quarter moon, and a figure with a sword. To the unknowing, the picture could pass off as a strange weapon with normal arcane spelling. The guard nodded activating the locking mechanism to open.
"She has been waiting for you," the guard replied, closing the gate behind Velnarin.
Once inside he was able to relax and his mood increased tenfold. "well, I better hurry to see Lady Helvighym."
The courtyard had a number of younger student aged drowlings running thru a number of drills. Standing to watch, he noted the teacher. He could always pick her out of a crowd, his stomach filling with small bats and heart skipping a few beats. He had trouble understanding those unfamiliar emotions, thoughts.
Consorts and relationships are always for practical reasons, not romantic ones, nor about caring about another beyond what they could do. Among the cruel and self-centered dark elves, love is practically unheard of. Most often, in the rare cases where drow develop some affection for each other, it is usually when the male is an excellent physical specimen, has provided excellent service, and has never caused embarrassment to the female. Those bonds are more like that of a spoiled or insensitive human matron and her pampered lapdog; the male a cherished pet that will still be put down if it misbehaves too much.
Yet here he was staring longingly at Maryne. She finally turned around after dismissing the students, he hadn't even noticed his surrounding, an older student calling out his name.
"Velnarin," he finally heard, turning to face who summoned him. The student chuckled, clasping a hand to his back. "You better watch out."
Velnarin cleared his throat turning to Neera, then shaking his head. Neera left allowing Maryne to run over to him and wrap her arms around the male. He returned the hug embracing her hard as he dared, the two spinning like love-struck teenagers. Maryne then unexpectantly laid her lips on his own.
Eva, bad timing, stepped out to the two hating to disturb them, but there were important things to be dealt with. "Lady Erelrae needs to see you as soon as possible."
Sitting down as the stone desk, Erelrae sat, Lillintha standing on the other side, arms leaning, both were pondering over a pile of parchments. Lillintha slid the one on top to the side pointing to a one below. A soft knock on the door followed by Eva opening it to enter followed by Velnarin.
"Velnarin! I am glad to see you," Lady Erelrae standing up to greet him.
The fighter pulled the hair clip out and handed it over, "Ithlyn and I decided that it was wiser to take another security measure. Just dispel it."
Lillintha took the clip, casting the correct spell, and holding the precious papers. She hurried over to the desk where the faerie fire was brighter and read over the document. Erelrae, Eva, and Velnarin joined her at the desk.
"so its true," Eva hoarsely spoke.
"yes it seams so."
"I always suspected them. But never these," Lillintha replied.
"I also have other information. Received just today," Velnarin said handing over the newer document from the tavern.
******
Orange tinted eyes opened, a swirling sensation flooded her. A dull pain in the back of her head caused a groan to escape as she tried to move, the pain in her head only growing in intensity with each movement. Then she noticed material wrapped around her head tightly. The room was spinning and she could not remember what happened.
"Easy," a soft melodious voice spoke.
Her stomach felt queasy. Then darkness overcame her again, she sat her head falling back onto the feather pillow. Another hour later she opened her eyes again, attempted to sit up a hand holding her back. The nurse then adjusted the bandages after bringing a wet rag to her forehead.
"What…happened," Zarae asked vision cleared enough to see Erinsi at her bed.
"You were found in the stable unresponsive and bleeding from the head on the floor. Have I have taken care of the wound but you still need to be careful."
Zarae tried sitting up, moving too quickly and regretting it right away. Erinsi eased her back to the pillow. A cup in hand she helped Zarae take a sip then set it on her nightstand.
"Thankfully for you, you were found before being trampled. Leave the bandage on. I will be back later."
"Why cant I just get a healing potion?"
"Because you are to learn your lesson from this. Zebeycyrl's orders." Erinsi, remaining unemotional, stood up and headed to the door. Standing beside it leaning against the wall, stood her twin brother. The woman motioned the okay for him to enter as she walked off down the hall. Nilrae waited another minute then closed the door behind him.
"You know," he started, "you not suppose to get into trouble I cant get you out of."
She opened her eyes not expecting her brother to be there. The surprise was replaced with a genuine smile. "I didn't expect to see you back," protesting with a crossing of her arms and a fake, 'hmph'.
"You had been out for three days."
"Three days!" her stomach growled just then to remind her. She looked around the room to see if any food had been left. And to her disappointment, none was found.
"Don't worry. I spent the trip doing basically what I do here."
Zarae wanted to ask many questions, but food was on her mind so she would grill him later about it. Pushing the covers off her took a lot of effort, but they were moved far enough for her to get out. She paused often from the exertion that sapped her strength. Nilrae wasn't sure if he should make her stay, which of course could lead to a fight with her, or help her since she was determined no matter what. Seeing her in only her smallclothes, he grabbed a long shirt, grey spiderweb faintly running thru the black material, and tossed it at her.
"Hey!" unballing it and sliding it carefully over her head, trying to be careful and not tug on the bandage.
Nilrae stood at the door cracking it enough to peek out into the hall. Behind him the sound of a soft thud as Zarae fell to the floor crumpling to the rug at her bed. Her brother rolling his eyes hurried over to help her stand up, Zarae being stubborn and pushing him away to do it herself.
"Be that way. I don't care," crossing his arms as he stared as his sister struggling to get up.
The two eventually made it to an empty dining hall. By that late hour only the cleaners were left in the kitchen, and two gnomes cleaning the tables. Zarae sat fully exhausted and worn out into a seat.
"Get me some bread?" she asked, her head in her hands, her elbows on the table so everything would stop spinning.
"Oh? now you want my help?"
"Don't make me pull the gender card," she obviously joked lifting her head up to look at his less than amused look. He remained standing next to her as if waiting, arms crossed and tapping his foot, playfully also. He knew she didn't use the fact she was female with them but rarely. And it almost always was in jokes. But since she started it, he'd make her ask for it.
Sighing, "Fine…I need your help," she mumbled under her breath.
"What was that?"
"I cant do it. Will you help me out? There, happy now?"
"Slightly so."
A few minutes he walked back out if the kitchen with a small half loaf of mushroom flour bread and a chunk of roast rothe on one plate and a dark brown square of something Zarae hadn't seen before on another. Between juggling the two small saucers were two ceramic goblets of Marnosk milk. The food was just what she needed, only managing a few bites of the loaf and meat. Nilrae enjoyed his surface treat, chocolate he heard Rhylaun call it. It was rather bitter, but just sweet enough to be enjoyable. After Zarae had enough, Nilrae helped her back to her room before turning into his own bed.
The next couple days the girl was given to recover. But she had to return to her schedule by the third day no matter what. And she had to be caught up with everything. Not that Zarae cared. She was far behind what any daughter preparing to be a priestess should be at. As much as Zebeycyrl forced her to learn and study, Zarae could barely retain it. It was useless when she could be learning things she thought were important. that may have been the way to power for a drowess, but she didn't want it. Adventuring, traveling, a carefree life was the choice for her. But Zarae had no choice in it. She would be a priestess, or else. Zarae spent most her time with Shade in bed and with one of the tomes she bought. When she finished one, she moved on to another, an even more difficult one. One of the days during Nilrae's small bit of free time he and Zarae talked about his trip to Skullport, the events of the ship, even a game he learned. She in turn told him of her plans in getting Zeb back and how their older brother was in on it, somewhat. After her three free days, Zarae grudgingly returned to her studies with Zebeycyrl. Nilrae was now allowed to join to learn what he needed to know about the Spider Queen; males only learned what was deemed necessary for them, never allowed to become a priest. The assassin separated the two trouble makers on each side of the room, and kept a rather active eye on them. The twins most of the time were signing smart elic comments to each other during the week's lessons, Zarae of course the main root of it all.
The rest of the year dragged on for twins. Most of the lessons were repetitive of things that were meant to be learned years ago. "Fear is as strong as steel, while love and respect are soft, useless feelings that none can lean on. The weak must be weeded out. The weak must be eliminated. And all who impugn the faith must perish." Whenever the twins could, they spent their free time pulling small pranks on each sister, their oldest brother providing help or needed supplies. He managed to stay out of any suspicion, leaving the items in places they would find them and running messages thru Averl. The twins were not above small things that were just plain annoying- stained clothing, ruined shoes, and nasty foods replacing the original, to missing items of semi-importance.
The rift between Zebeycyrl and Myrurra grew with many heated debates and threats on each other's lives. Alylin teamed up with both against the other, smart to play both sisters against each other in hopes they would destroy each other and reveal the brains behind the mishaps. Xullafay received the fewest pranks but there were little things that put her on edge when she was home.
Nilrae and Zarae would watch from a distance as the sisters tore into each other. Family dinners were more interesting as the matron was growing very suspicious of the events occurring yet remained an amused spectator; it was dogma of the Spider Queen that only the strongest survived. Her replacement could only be the strongest, smartest, and best daughter. Most of the twin's animosity, however, was reserved for that sister they resented. Pranks on her grew darker and would have been lethal had she not been as observant and weary. Their attacks ranged from small spike traps, loose vicious creatures in her room, to oil slicks and ice. Izzmurss would pretend to help Zebeycyrl spy on Myrurra and Alylin never giving her anything of use. Zebeycyrl had spells in check, but had no choice to believe that the wizard was on her side. Every high priestess could read the thoughts of another and the wizard managed to pass detection despite helping his younger siblings to complete each coup. Neeryrd remained neutral as long as he could; eventually siding with Xullafay. Rhylaun and Sornhrae did stay neutral or better and wisely with Matron Shyntyl, and House soldiers loyal to whoever was in charge, loyalty to the paycheck.
Thru the rest of the previous year, the rebel house had come to an illithid standoff. Both knew the identities of the other, both had a representative on the city's council, and both were on the lookout for the next move from the other meanwhile trying to stay out of the spotlight of the Lloth church. Spies were continuous sent into the other's guild to watch the other on who would make the first move. The Vhaeraunites continued to be based in the slums and the Eilistraeens in House Helvighym.