A chapter which won't leave my head. I don't know when I will continue it, or what will be the rate of my writing. Anyway, if someone wants to continue it on their own, they're welcome.

The chapel of House DeVir.

"We have waited for too long" Said Matron Ginafae. "Now, we are under attack. You." She turned towards a cleric she summoned" You know what to do. This is our only hope."

The cleric left. In two minutes, she returned, carrying a bundle. But it was too late already. No sooner than she approached the circle of the eight clerics, than a horrible blast knock her down from her feet. She fell, unconscious.

Miraculously, the bundle remained unharmed.

Before anyone could recover, a gray blur came through the door.

Three minutes later, a single person walked out alive. With the bundle.

Do'Urden chapel.

"Well" Sneered Briza. "I would say we have performed admirably. Now we are the ninth house, and not one DeVir noble remains. Now…"

She was stopped by Matron Malice lifting her hand.

"Something is wrong." Said the matron, calling upon her power. "Somehow, I sense one DeVir right here. In this chapel. Perhaps…" She looked around. "Perhaps you, Zaknafein, would like to tell us what you are hiding on your bosom?"

Slowly, under her powerful gaze, Zak removed from inside his shirt a small bundle. A baby girl, no more than a couple of days old. Everything he knew told him he should have killed her. Yet somehow, when he saw her innocent, dark blue eyes, he could not bring himself to.

"So." Snarled Malice, approaching him with her snake whip in hand. "You have decided to bring into our house a DeVir? Ginafae's own daughter?"

Quickly, Zaknafein said the only thing he managed to think about:

"DeVir? All I see is your daughter."

For a few seconds, Malice's snarl remained. Then, it changed into a grin;

"Well, it is rare for drow to bear twins, but not unheard of. I shall consult with a handmaiden to be certain about further actions. Maybe, Zak, you will be spared yet."

For over an hour, the high priestesses remained alone. After that, the males were let back into the chapel.

"Lloth is pleased with our performance. She will allow us to keep her, in return for a sacrifice. However" Malice snarled. "she will not be content with a mere slave, nor a commoner. Seems like I will have to get along with but one son."

At those words, Drizzt, the newborn child, was put back on the table. The chant started again.

Zak was sorry now he saved this girl. However, there was little he could do.

"Too bad." He heard Vierna's whisper. "The boy could have been useful to all of us in the future."

She whispered quietly, yet Malice heard her.

"He may have been" She said, raising the sacrificial dagger. "But he is useless now."

Then, quicker than one could expect, she lunged fifteen feet, towards Rizzen. The patron barely managed to flinch, before the dagger pierced his chest.

"On the other hand," Mused the matron. "This one is useless, and will continue to be so. Let the girl be known as…" She paused. "Neerqualyn Do'Urden."

"Strong ally?" Smiled Maya "Well, let's hope she will be that to us."

"You will see to that personally, Maya. You shall rear her, while Vierna brings up your brother. Remember, she is no longer a DeVir. She is your sister. Mess up, and I shall hold you responsible."

"As for you, Zak." She turned towards the weapon master smiling. "You are temporarily reinstated as the house patron. Now, go about your business. All of you!"

Note: I took the name from a drow name generator on Angelfire..com