Chapter 1

New Beginnings

Atticus hate more than anything doing the dishes. If he was not practicing he innate drow abilities, Globe of darkness and levitation, he was doing stupid chores like a slave. Ten years have passed since his birth and he had greatly changed in appearance. His black hair was now shoulder length and his eyes were still silver just a little bit darker. He wore a apprentice robe that all children of Baenre wore. It was red with black lining. Around his forehead he wore a gold band magically enhanced to keep track of where he was in Menzoberranzan. He had grown into a fine handsome drow and have come a long way under the care of Triel.

Today he was tasked with cleaning the kitchen and he was on his last part of it, the worst part of it to him. After this he had to go report to Mistress Triel to practice performing his drow abilities. Triel was harsh on him and it seemed she wanted him to do everything perfect. Never has he ever received congratulations from her or even a smile. Sometimes he wondered if she really wanted to train him at all. Triel wasn't the only one he had to deal with though. His Mother was a lot worse and very unforgiving. If he ever looked her in the eyes she would quickly whip him with her five headed viper whip and that did not feel good at all. Atticus knew it was just to show his position in Menzoberranzan as a male. The young drow avoided Matron Mother Quenthel as much as possible.

Atticus finished up his last dish angrily and started toward Mistress Triel's office. He kept his head down making sure not to catch the eye of any female drows roaming about the Arach-Tinilith. Last thing he wanted was a bunch of Clerics telling Triel how disrespectful he was. He rounded up some stairs and came to his sister door. He knocked and waited for her to tell him to come in.

"Come in," came her voice.

Making sure he kept his eyes down he said," Good Morning sister, I finished cleaning the kitchen."

Mistress Triel looked up from her books," All of it already?"

"Yes sister."

She stood up and walked around to stand in front of him," I will check it later. Right now I want you to show me how you been doing on your drow abilities."

She put her hands on her hips and looked around and stopped looking up at the bookcase behind her desk," I want you to get me the book "Loth's lessons."

'Yes Ma'am," he said immediately walking around her desk to get to the shelf. When he figured he was close enough he closed his eyes and cleared his mind. Instantly he began to rise up to the book on the top shelf. Suddenly a thought of his mother punishing him if he failed crossed his mind and he dropped back to his feet. Instantly a whip cracked against his right shoulder and he winched in pain.

"That is unacceptable you thing, do it again," scolded Triel.

Not only was he mad, but very confused on where she got a whip at. She must have summoned with her divine magic because she didn't have it when he entered. The young drow closed his eyes again and again he began to levitate. When he felt like he was in control he opened his eyes and forced himself a little higher until he was eye level with the book. He reached up and pulled the dusty tome from the self. He then lowered himself back down and turned eyes down arm stretched out to give his sister the book.

"Keep it; I need you to read it to learn more about what Loth is about. Now let's focus on the globe of darkness. Drop one right down on this office."

Atticus focused his mind on the office and the office only and suddenly the whole room went dark. He smirked because this was the first time he had successfully done it the first time. The magical darkness made it impossible for anybody to see in it.

"Now do Frarie Fires."

This was the easiest one of them all and will very little effort he had harmless lilac purple flames dancing around Triel face. It was mainly used to mark the target that a drow wanted to see. He chuckled on the inside because his sister looked like a fool with the flames on her head. He stopped though when she quickly jumped over her desk and by the throat picked him up against the book self.

"Get out of my presence now, I have wasted enough time on you. I believe your brother Gromp is waiting for you. Don't let me find out he was waiting too long"

She tossed him over the desk and he crashed face first into the floor. He quickly gathered his things and dashed out of the room angry and quite hurt. He quickly left Arach-Tinilith and made to the Sorcere Academy, which was right across from Arach-Tinilith. He passed a few students on his way to his brother's office. He stopped at a nice elaborate door and like his with his sister knocked and waited. A few minutes passed by and still no answer. Just as he was about to knock again a voice came from behind him," No need to knock boy I am right here."

Atticus turned to face his uncle," Sorry sir I didn't know."

"Pick your eyes up boy you know you don't have to do that in front of me."

"Yes I am just so used to it by now," he retorted.

"Of course, come on in and take a seat," the Arch Mage replied opening the door. His uncle office was massive There was book selves on the back and left wall, and a huge window on the right wall. In the corner was a Mage's table that had tomes and scrolls all over it. Gromph Desk was very fancy looking and looked to be made of dark wood. On his desk he had like a crystal ball on top of a red mat. There was also a quill for writing and some parchment.

"Today I want you to focus on you lightning spells," he said as he pulled a small box out of his pocket." This box is made of lead and this is what you will be hitting with your spell."

The Arch Mage then set the box in the middle of the room and then grabbed a spell tome off the book self. He turned to the middle of the book and handed it to his nephew. Inside was a paragraph stating how to cast the spell lightning. The word for lightning in drow language was Nizzre, add this with ogglir and casting lightning should be easy enough. The young drow didn't know too much about magically energy than what his uncle has taught him. Using a spell uses some of your energy, so the more magic he cast the less he can cast. He knew that a Mage has to prepare his spells ahead of time making sure he doesn't go over his magical energy limit. If he does go over he will be extremely fatigue, casting while fatigue is deadly and not recommended. Gromp has been studying magic for a very long time and so he has increased his energy to be almost unlimited, but Atticus is still just learning and cannot really cast that many spells at all. Since it was one spell it did not take long for Atticus to prepare it mentally and was ready to cast pretty quick.

Reaching out his hand and focusing on the box he said," Nizzre ogglir."

Lightning shot from his finger tips and jabbed at the small box like needles. It dances around the box like some kind of ritual. It crackled and popped with dangerous ferocity. Atticus watched with amazement, but soon found himself tired and he had to place his hands on his knees.

"Nice boy, but it seems you need to study a lot more to increase your knowledge on magic and how to increase you spell capacity," he said as he reached in his desk and pulled out a small phial. It was blue in color and had a little bit of a glow to it. He handed it to Atticus and bade him to take it.

Atticus knew what it was and welcomed the little potion. He popped the top off it and took a sip because that all it took to give him his energy back. The young drow straighten back up and smirked. He closed the top and put it in the pocket of his robe. Again he reached out is hand and repeated the words needed to cast the spell. This continued for the next few hours. Gromph would come in and out of his office to see how his apprentice was doing. After awhile Atticus was able to cast the spell twice instead of once. The young drow loved it and wanted more than anything to cast it on his aunt.

Atticus excited the Sorcere hours later with his two books and a better handle on magic. He wasn't ready to call it a day though. The young drow had something he really liked to do and headed to go see his other uncle And'zrel. The weapon master was usually in his training dojo in the Baenre compound, training guards. He made his way across the courtyard and entered a building not too far away from the chapel. When he entered his uncle looked up and smiled, not because he was excited to see him though. No, he was excited that he had another person to beat up on.

Atticus did not enjoy these beatings, but he did enjoy practicing melee combat. He loved it just as much as he loved casting magic. Since he was too young to wield a real weapon so he was give a wooden weapon that represented the weapon he most loved to use. Atticus had actually enjoyed using the wooden double-bladed sword. It was like a staff, but with two long blades on each end. The weapon was also able break down into two blades making the blade even more deadly.

"Your late nephew, what took so long?" queried And'zrel.

"Sorry uncle, but you know that I am being trained to go to Sorcere Academy. That takes precedence over my melee training."

"Yea you get to be a pathetic Mage. Hey! Everybody leave I have to talk to my nephew."

There was some groans and signs as the dojo cleaned out," Take up your weapon kid be my pleasure to beat up a future mage."

Atticus walked over to the weapon rack in the corner full of wooden weapons. The Weapon Master did the same and they both met each other in the middle of the room. Atticus took his stance, his left leg in front and right his leg about two feet behind it. He held his left hand up and his right hand held the fake two-bladed weapon to his side. This was the stance that was taught to himself from melee books, since his brother knew very little about the weapon.

And'zrel came on first with a low swipe of his sword. Atticus brought his back blade around and cut it off and instantly brought his forward blade down. And'zrel turned his grip and blocked it with his blade and thrust out his foot to stun his nephew. He caught Atticus on the shoulder and threw him off balance. The young drow quickly used his momentum and rolled forward. He spun around just in time to parry his uncle's thrust. And'zrel staggered forward, but quickly gained his balance and turned around. His nephew was back in his stance ready to engage. The Weapon Master switched his grip on his sword and provoked his inexperienced nephew forward. Atticus Thrust forward, big mistake. And'zrel brought his sword across his chest to parry the weak thrust, turned his body so their backs were against each other. He reached over Atticus head and down around his throat. He then forced his arm into his nephew's neck and tossing the poor drow over his leg. Atticus flipped falling on his face and losing his grip on his weapon. He had no time to regain his footing because his uncle was on him in seconds wooden sword in his back.

"I know I told you not to use the thrust. If missed leaves you wide open for attack."

"Sorry uncle," he replied.

"Never say sorry either!" And'zrel yelled slapping him across the face with the wooden sword.

Atticus face filled with unbearable pain. A red mark was starting to form on his dark skin. He got to one knee rubbing his face. Not even thinking he rushed his uncle, the Weapon Master quickly spun out of the way. He made a quick jab with his sword striking his nephew across the face again. Atticus fell to his side his pride and face very hurt.

"You're pathetic Atticus. You let your anger get the best of you, which is not uncommon for someone as young as you. I think I might ask my sister to be a little bit stricter with you."

Before he could reply Triel bust into the room," Get up you, Matron Mother wants to speak with you."

Fear filled Atticus's body as he stood up. His mother was the last person he wanted to see and if she wanted to see him that means it was not a good thing. Triel grabbed him by the arm and starting pulling him out the door. He followed her all the way to the council room where Quenthel spent most of her time planning on her next move for House Baenre. It was a big room with maroon tiles and a throne in the middle. In the chair sat Quenthel and Arch Mage Gromph.

Atticus hastily made his way up to her and kneeled down keeping his eye down. She looked at him sternly," Get up, we are here to discuss your progress."

He stood up still eyes to the ground," yes Mother."

"Look at me."

He looked up at her expecting to get whipped," I have been talking with Gromph and I hear you have become pretty good with magic, also Triel has told me that you have gotten pretty good hang with you discipline and drow abilities.

Atticus was taken aback and couldn't hold back a little smile. The smile was too big for the Matron Mother. She flew off her throne and struck Atticus across the face with her whip. He fell to his side one hand holding him up the other his face. The young drow could feel blood between his fingers

"Never will you smile in my presence; a male does not smile while I am around."

Atticus stood back up his eyes back down to the ground blood dripping off his face. He had to keep himself from just attacking her. Atticus knew it would be the death of him, so all he could do was stare at the ground angrily.

Triel then came up to him not appearing to happy at all," I know I have taught you better than that you idiot."

"Triel back off I am talking with him," Quenthel said putting her whip back on her hip.

"I also understand that you have been training with And'zrel in melee combat. Why is that?"

"I… I been thinking that maybe when I am older I can go to both Magthere Sorcere Academy."

"Interesting, that's a very intriguing Idea. In fact that sounds like a good idea. Having someone as versatile as that in our house might be to have," she replied sitting back in her throne.

Again Atticus was shocked that she agreed, but this time did not show any emotion at all." From now on you will train with both Gromph and And'zrel while still being under the care of Triel. Once ready you will go to Sorcere School first. Once finished there, then you will start your training at Magthere. So al l together you will be training for fifty five years. I hope you prove yourself worthy to be in this family."

After that meeting, every day of Atticus life was strenuous. He trained with his uncle focusing on the mind and learning more magic spells. The young drow pushed his mind to the limits. Not all spells that he learned were safe and some he did would back fire on him injuring him. Still Gromph pushed and pushed him. When he made mistakes he would punish him with torture magic and then he would tell Triel who would punish him too.

His training with And'zrel was not any better. The Weapon Master would push his young nephew to physical exhaustion. Bruises and scars began to show up on Atticus and no one even cared. He stopped caring after a while. He wanted to prove himself to his whole house that he was not useless despite him being a male.

He became very proficient in both magic and melee as the year pass by. He got to the point where he was able to use magic to enhance his melee. Fusing his weapon with magic to them burn, shock and freeze his target. Gromph became very impressed with his progress and And'zrel began to fear him. Scared how powerful the young drow was becoming. Atticus hasn't been to either academy and he was already winning the respect of the drows in the Baenre compound. The young drow did not want respect though, no he wanted them to fear him.