literature

Shadowdancer 7

Deviation Actions

ZaraeZyne's avatar
By
Published:
1.6K Views

Literature Text

"Your voice must roll that syllable. Try again," Izzmurss replied stoically. "Kyirilan ela oycc eo irecala illw irecwla kyilanam."
The practiced wizard repeated the phrase of the simple cantrip. He did not move his hands so as to actually cast the spell. Each word made the air crackle with power, but it did nothing and fizzled out as intended. It was about learning how to chant the arcane words of spells, how to get the right pitch, the correct tones, the proper phonetic combination. The wand tapped Nilrae's jaw. So he adjusted his head to better pronounce the words. The wizard nodded as his fourth attempt at the phrase was correct.
"Let's try a harder phrase," Izzmurss began.
"Ela anirel, ela fecw,
ela laestgo, ela stecw.
Anira ailmanir kya latyill,
ane tymaa ytyel liill."
The energy was stronger, but again it did not have the required parts and thus only fizzled out after the words were finished. The two continued most of the day, only breaking for a short lunch before returning to practicing. Nilrae found that he thoroughly enjoyed the lesson. He had been interested in magic for a while and had a sharp mind for spells. The words, once he got them correct, came quicker and easier, and by the end of the day he was able to spit out the words to five different cantrips perfectly and a number of higher level spells. Eventually Izzmurss released Nilrae for the day, and for once the bot didn't hurry to get away.
Nilrae grabbed a dinner to go, eager to get back to his room and practice. So enthralled with magic, he didn't even think to go see his twin sister. Sitting at his desk reading and biting into the Sullage, he realized how tired he was. After fighting to stay awake, he climbed into his bed to rest for the night. After all, a wizard had to rest for spells to work properly and regain them.
******
The blade began to quiver in her hand, hesitation. It lowered as if she was going to refuse to give in. Zarae even stood their shaking her head, then she raised it again as Zebercyrl's mocking voice echoed in the drowling's mind. Crowds appeared in the chapel; the entire house had been gathered. Matron Shyntyl looked on behind the altar nodding her approval.
The room went dark as the fires of the braziers were supernaturally blown out. An unnatural light appeared around the statue of the Spider Queen. The statues ruby gems glowed with an iridescent red as if in use of darkvision.
"yessss my child. This is your desire," Zarae heard the voice of her mother, "power comes only to she who is strong enough, cunning enough to snatch it from the failing hands of those who no longer deserve it. Claim your right as my daughter."
The blade came down to plunge into the sacrifice…
BAM
One of Zarae's own books was dropped onto the desk. Zarae jerked awake so hard that she lost her balance and fell off the stool. Looking up to angry amber eyes standing over her, Alylin tapped her foot in annoyance while Zarae picked herself up off the floor- again.
"I am beginning to see why Zeb has such problems with you," her hand rubbing her forehead.
"What are you gunna do? Threaten to turn me into a drider? Zeb has used that so often, I want to laugh. If mother wanted me one, I would be already."
Alyling stood up straight now holding the girls backback, "oh?" then set it on the desk. Picking up the journal her other hand held a globe of controlled fire. Zarae's held her breath; the threat of burning her books stopped her in her tracks. She remained on the floor, her eyes turning crimson and narrowing at her sister threateningly. Alylin dismissed the fire, tossing the books to the side. Standing before the girl, she reached down and grabbed her by the shirt and hoisted her to her feet and onto the stool.
"True," Alylin replied rather calmly, "You may become drider bait yet still." Another one of Zarae's books was picked up and Alylin absent-mindedly flipped through the pages. "Unlike our dear older sister, I have nothing to lose in your refusal to learn. Thus I have no qualms about resorting to more…extreme methods. I understand what motivates you."
That book too was tossed, the map of the cavern falling out. Zarae remained silent, trying to keep her eyes from looking at it to draw attention. But Alylin's keen ears heard it. The older sister picked up the rolled paper and held it. Zarae watched to see what would happen, hoping that Alylin might just toss the paper without looking.
"Get get out of my sight."
Zarae didn't hesitate, scrambling to get her books, get out and head to her room. Closing her door behind her, she leaned on it. Her map and information from last night was all gone. Proof of leaving the compound now in someone's hands. She tossed her backpack to the pile of clothing on the floor and slump onto her bed. Her stuff toy spider Shade tight in her arms, her head hit the soft pillow. Shortly after, she fell again into a real sleep.
******
Vastyrr stood off to the side watching, her eyes concentrating on Lady Erelrae. More gathered around the food as the night went on. By now half the guest had discarded their sweaty robes. Vastyrr knew that Erelrae would be protected by magical protection even if she had no physical weapons. She also knew Erelrae would be at her must vulnerable after such festivity. Now the masked traitor waited for the most opportune time.
Time passed, and many of the guest had left from exhaustion or to continue partying in more seclude and personal ways. Erelrae made her way over twords Vastyrr, and stood beside her.
"You seam still troubled. Maryne tells me you are still dealing with things," Lady Erelrae began after sipping her wine. "Any thoughts after tonight?"
Vastyrr noted the glow on the matron had gone now and she looked as before, and worn out. The glass was scooted over, her hands in front of her on the table picking at her finger nails. To any, it would appear she was trying to gather her thoughts. The woman looked to Erelrae, and then began chewing on her nails.
"I have never seen Maryne so…. Anyway…I am confused, more than anything."
"Wish to discuss?" despite being exhausted, Erelrae was still willing to talk.
"Privately?"
"As you wish."
Erelrae walked quietly from the wedding festivities down the dark hall, leading a rather quiet Vastyrr to a classroom. The further from the Cavern of Song they got, the more somber Erelrae became. Sadness was hidden in her eyes and praying it would not come true. Entering first, Erelrae walked over twords a desk. Vastyrr looked back behind her down the corridor; seeing no others, she pulled the hair pin out and shook her hair loose. Her back still to Erelrae, Vastyrr secretly flipped the blade in hand, the corner of her mouth curved upwards ever so slightly. To any unaware, it would look as if the 'former priestess' was gathering her thoughts. Lady Erelrae cautiously stepped closer, a hand moving to the sword pendent and a silent prayer on her lips. She was alert and vigilant despite her exhaustion; unlike Vastyrr believed, her guard was not down.
Spinning with lightning reflexes, the blade lunged for the high priestess' heart. Just before the poisoned blade could taste flesh, Erelrae with equally lightning reflexes spun and turned away. The edge of the blade did however scratch a bare arm. Her free arm instantly went to the gash. Her eyes locking with Vastyrr with pity and anger at betrayal. Vastyrr laughed waiting for the effects to begin. After a few moments passed and nothing, her face turned to a hideous scowl.
"I'll carve you like a piece of meat, spoon out your insides and force feed you your bowls!" Vastyrr screamed.
A dark shadow appeared taking the form of a half-mask of blackest velvet and flew from her to attack the rival priestess. Erelrae finished her spell, brilliant divine radiance surrounded her. The shadow mask was stopped dissipating back into nothingness. Vastyrr flinched as the blinding holy light stung her eyes. A black flame void of light gathered in the masked traitors hand and flew to meet moonfire between the two exploding into a black and white miniature explosion.
"Is this what you truly want? Redemption is not beyond you. You know the message…"
"Trade in one tyranny for her daughter? She is no different than Lloth! With the Spider Queen's son we are all equal! You and everyone here is pathetic, dancing fools!" Vastyrr knowing the high priestess was magically more powerful, moved like a blur, the blade aimed for a vital region.
Erelrae answered with another spell. Vastyrr was stopped in place, blinded and deafened as the holy word spewed from the high priestess of Eilistraee. By now, Eva and a few other priestesses had opened the door and stood stunned at what they saw. Erelrae had tears in her eyes as she looked to the other women, especially her older daughter. Vastyrr had learned too much to be allowed to just leave. Lillintha hurried to her mother noticing the blood.
"Are you alright?" blue light glowing around the daughter's hand as she touched the gash.
"I will be fine physically," turning to place her hands on the desk leaning on it after the spell had sealed up her arm.
"We know what must be done," Eva spoke up motioning the others to take ahold of a temporarily paralyzed Vastyrr.
Erelrae waved a hand to dismiss the others, then stood up to face them, "Not here in the complex. Blind and gag her soon as well as secure her hands then take her to the portal."
Eva gave her a confused look then understood.
******
The next several days the twins were given off with no scheduled study lessons. However, Nilrae requested time with the wizard to learn more. Izzmurss almost denied the drowling, busy with his other plans, but instead decided to continue. Maybe he could mold the boy to his advantage.
While Nilrae spent the remaining days with Izzmurss, Zarae found herself restless and bored. She had attempted to search for her map to no avail. Alylin either destroyed it or kept it hidden. Zarae decided to spend her time with Averl learning more tricks and practice her skills. The free time was short lived; being woken up to Ladayiir again singled the end of that freedom. Back in the room, the tome was placed before her. Zarae waited patiently for Alylin to leave so she could sneak out. Her mind was made up to visit the market again, especially Bruhaonar's shop.
When she was sure enough time for her sister to be away, she hopped up from her stool and headed to the door. As her hand made contact with the handle, electricity shot thru her dropping her to knees. Trying to catch her breath and keep from slipping into the blackness overcoming her, she remained on the floor; sounds around her became muffled. Some time passed when she moved from her spot, her muscles aching. Zebeycyrl had never given the girl enough credit, assuming better locks would keep her in. Alylin had added traps to the door, traps Zarae couldn't disarm.
Sitting on the fur rug Zarae felt defeated, "Ssussun." She wasn't getting out today. The girl grudgingly headed back to the desk, pulling the tome closer to her. Staring at it for a long time before she opened it, the opened book gave her chills. The script was inside was familiar, the same vocabulary for the most part, but had a much more elaborate grammar and complex structure and archaic words that did not exist in the normal dialect.
The first thing her eyes noticed was an old proverb, ulu z'hin maglust dal qu'ellar lueth valsharess zhah ulu z'hin wund lil phalar. "To walk apart from House and Queen is to walk into the grave."
A sigh of boredom she read over the first couple pages, not expecting much. It began with words of exaltation to the Spider Queen, a list of so called promises and gifts she would bestow- the same thing that was drilled into her for most of her life. The next pages were simple drow proverbs and sayings, nothing special or phrases she hadn't heard before. Zarae flipped thru a few more pages until she caught sight of an ink drawing. It was like many of the murals in the house, a battle scene of dark elven warriors against light elven warriors. The background was different. The land barren and featureless and new drawings of demons involved. Remembering her history, it was a battle from the elven wars. The next several page confirmed it, the story written in even older language than high drowic. Another ink drawing, only it was scene the girl didn't recognize. Turning to read the story, she learned quickly; it was the supposed story of how the beautiful Araushnee become Lloth. She was a member of the elven pantheon and consort to the creator of elves, Corellon. In his love, he made her the patron of artisans, elven destiny, and-later by Corellon's decree, the keeper of those elves who shared her darkly beautiful features.
Zarae continued to read- the two children were born to the Spider Queen. Of course everything she read made Lloth appear as the victim and everyone else doing the wrong on the Spider Queen. The next pages detailed how Araushnee turned against her lover and betrayed him, this depicted as his tyrannical rule over his lover and how she broke free. Araushnee aided Gruumsh One-Eye in his battle with Corellon and then she set Malar on his tail after he was weakened. When this failed, Araushnee raised a host of hostile powers to assault Arvandor. The assault failed, and everything was revealed leading to the banishment of Araushnee and her children to the abyss. It was then that the name Lloth was assumed and she conquered a considerable portion of that plane.
Zarae had never been told of these things, and to her it sounded a bit jaded. But she couldn't stop reading. The rest of the history was what she already knew, the drow conquered the Underdark. The tome then held a blank page separating the two halves. The next section contained prayers to the Spider Queen; just reading over them, she could feel the power in the air. The room filled with a sense of electricity dancing on the edges of the conscious as a rush of adrenaline flooded the mind and coldness chilled the skin.
The unlocking mechanism of the door startled Zarae, Alylin opening the door with a sneer on her face.
"How long before you tried the door?" asking as she walked over twords the desk and surprised to see the girl reading the tome.
Not answering Zarae closed it and gave her sister an angry glare; Alylin dismissed Zarae with a laugh on her expense. The girl wasn't hungry, her mind thinking over the information from the day. So she walked over to the balcony door, waved her house insignia in front and stepped out. Leaning on the rail, the top floor balcony above her, she could see across the Brozen. The cavern wall that formed the small lake blocked any views of the main part of the city. In one of the small noble houses neighboring the Kilanatlar compound, she watched a couple of people fighting surrounded by a group of onlookers. The larger male carried a sword similar to Neeryrd's own. A smaller male, one who could easily get knocked over kept the larger opponent at bay. He would nimbly step aside the chops that would have surely cleaved him in half. Then he would vanish from sight to appear behind his enemy. The larger guy, no novice and rather quick for his size, would move at the last moment to block any strikes at his back. The fight had thoroughly caught her attention distracting her from her thoughts. She found herself betting on the smaller opponent, his style and his skill something she appreciated. A style that most of her house were versed in very well. The greatsword slashed at the other's stomach, the tip catching the edge of the armor and throwing him into the wall. It looked as if the fight was done for, and if she had bet any coin, it would be lost. But at the last second the smaller male rolled to the side clutching his own bleeding side. Darkness hid both from sight, someone dropping a unpenetrable globe. Zarae sighed with frustration as her view was obscured; had she been in a seat, she would be on its edge waiting with anticipation of the next move. The smaller male rolled out and was back on his feet, the smaller swords parrying a blow of the great sword that came out of the darkness and stumbling from the power of greatsword. The distance she was, she couldn't hear but she saw his laugh as a poof of smoke appeared and a group of tentacles appeared and grappled the larger male. Another item, this time it looked like some bottle, but she wasn't totally sure, came out. The lean male circled the tangled guy, the darkness dismissed, taunting him. Then the item was thrown at the feet of the bigger guy, flames appearing and burning the tangled male alive. She could the agony on his face as the others watching the fight laughed at his misery. The lean male then slid his sword into the back of his opponent before walking off with the others.
The fight done, it was back to normal. The streets of the Brozen were the least busy of the city, mostly occupied with a patrol, house soldier or processions head to or from the rest of the city.
Eventually Zarae headed back into the house and down to the second floor to see what Nilrae was doing. A few knocks on his door with no answer, she cracked it to see he wasn't in there. It would be another evening of nothing, until an idea popped in her head. She closed the door and headed down to the slave rooms. Looking to see who was in there and most expendable, a halfling entered behind the girl to head to her bunk. 'Perfect' Zarae thought with a sly smile on her face.
"At the first hour, I will meet you at the house door."
Leaving the smelly room, Zarae went on a hunt for Zebeycyrl's handmaid, Stoella. It took some convincing, and promising of a vial of antitoxin, one of the best bargaining tools with the house servants, to get her involved. When the hour drew close the halfling hurried over to join up with the other two. Tucked securely was a leather bag under Zarae's shirt.
Zarae looked over to Stoella, "Alright, get us out the door."
The handmaid walked over twords the minotaur guards. Holding up her keystone, similar to a house insigna but for high level servants, the guard moved to open the door. She strolled out motioning the halfling and a disguised Zarae were with her. Outside, the house soldier, the same ones last time Zarae snuck out, nodded to his companion and hid a chuckle after whispering something she didn't hear. The other guard shook his head and motioned with his hand three. The girl just ignored them, all three heading into the stables.
Handing the halfling the bag, "fill'er up!" Zarae replied walking over to one of the lizard's stall while he shoveled manure into the bag. This time she was a bit more timid as she entered the lizard's stall, walking carefully and cautiously to it. The lizard nosed her hand and she gently rubbed his scales. Above on the second floor of the stable, she heard one of the stable keepers moving around, heading to the stairs in the back. Seeing a halfling scooping lizard waste they watched a while then headed back to her office.
The bag full, Zarae made the halfling male carry it; a guard nudged the other, holding out a hand while his companion handed over a few coins when the three exited the stable. Knowing the drill, Zarae showed her insignia and the handmaid her keystone.
Hurrying up the stairs, none of the slaves or house patrol said anything, more interested in betting what the girl was up to. In front of Zebeycyrl's door, Zarae gave a quick look around to make sure no one else was about.
"Get me in," Zarae replied impatiently.
"First, since I will be the one blamed for it happening, I suggest you raise the ante."
"Excuse me?"
"I want compensation."
"How about you do as you're told slave?"
"I fear your sister more than you, drowling." Stoella was rather unphased by the girl, and clearly not intimidated by her. Zarae was a bit irritated, but she should have known that this would have happened.
"Is not the fact that we are getting back at my sister with humiliation enough?"
Stoella shook her head.
"What then?" she growled, her eyes turning reddish now.
"A favor. My mistress has something of mine. And eventually, you will get it back for me. And if you think of reneging, I just sell you out."
Believing it a bluff Zarae even rolled her eyes in purposeful disrespect; she was not intimidated by a mere slave. "Fine," she lied with a smirk. "Now, get in there!" Zarae motioning for the halfling to follow, "closet, under the bed, wardrobe, and bathroom. And place this in there," handing Stoella a small piece of ripped cloth. "Put it somewhere inconspicuous."
For half an hour, the girl paced the hall before then stepping out onto the balcony. When the slaves were finished, she handed the halfling a vial, who gladly accepted it and hurried back to his room. Stoella gave Zarae a look, a reminder of the deal.
"Whatever," the girl replied and closed the door behind herself. If she could, she would kill Stoella just for that; the nerve to think she could blackmail Zarae- a noble and daughter of the matron mother. That did not sit well with her at all. Zarae interlocked her fingers and stretched her arms glaring as the handmaid of Zebeycyrl walked away. If the slave didn't watch her place, she could get Zeb to take care of her. Zeb was always going through handmaids anyway. It wouldn't be hard. That's assuming that Zeb let Stoella live after this, Zarae thought with a half grin. In a few days the lizard manure was to be removed so that only the stench remained and no evidence of any prank.

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.
language notes:
Sullage- think of a casserole type dish.

Ssussun- literally 'light'. but to call light for a drow is like a curse. or in this city anyway.

jabbress- mistress

Previous: [link]
Next: [link]
© 2011 - 2024 ZaraeZyne
Comments0
Join the community to add your comment. Already a deviant? Log In