I own nothing but Elhana and Madam.

…..

" Goddamn fools!" Durnan shouted. " Rushing off into the Undermountain like that."

Elhana dropped to the ground next to a fallen adventurer and lifted her hands to his wound. A golden glow enveloped him until he finally opened his eyes. The man nodded his thanks and she nodded companionably before making her way to a fuming Durnan.

" I'll go after them." she stated and the man stopped his rage-filled pacing.

" You?" he scoffed. " I've read that kobold's book but a healers a healer and I don't have any fighters to spare you."

" I will take Deekin." She said un-phased in his glaring accusation about her ability to defend herself.

Now he was incredulous. " The kobold? He'll be little more than target practice for the damnable drow down there."

" Hey!" Deekin squealed suddenly at her side.

Elhana held out a staying hand to the kobold never breaking her gaze with the angry human. " Who else will be willing to venture blind into the Undermountain? If there is another, I would still gladly go."

Durnan's face turned an angry shade of red. About now he would be picking apart her tone, her words but she knew he would find only innocent statements.

" Fine." He conceded eventually. " Most of them have probably gotten themselves killed by now so I'd talk to White Thesta over there about that. Now if you don't mind, I'm going to get myself raving drunk."

Elhana watched him leave then scanned the room until her eyes landed on a woman about twice her age attempting to look years younger than she and obviously a cleric. White Thesta.

" Well hello there." the woman purred, stroking a lock of blonde hair as she spoke. Now, Elhana was sure she knew that the innkeeper's wife meant when she said 'heathen goddess'.

She nodded amicably. " Durnan said I should speak with you."

White Thesta gave a theatrical pout. " Straight to business then? Very well." This was the healer that Durnan had preferred? The woman slowly reached into a pocket by her hip and brought out a long metal rod. " This object's function is, unfortunately, far less interesting than it appears. It is a resurrection rod; if you come across any of those poor souls please raise them."

Elhana gingerly took the rod and placed it carefully in her pack. " Thank you, my lady."

The woman chuckled. " So formal."

" Of coarse, my lady."

Thesta seemed disappointed so she simply gave a curt goodbye and returned to Deekin who was beaming.

" Deekin comes with Boss?"

" Yes, Deekin. If you wish."

The kobold nodded vehemently already reaching for paper and quill. " Yes Boss!"

" Madam will be coming." She warned.

Deekin looked unsure for a moment. " Boss not lets evil creature hurts Deekin?"

Elhana shook her head. " My lovely will not harm you."

" Ok." He said. " But if evil creature bites Deekin, Deekin bites back."

" Um, Boss? I think that be pretty drow lady."

Elhana looked to where the kobold pointed and sure enough the shadows moved.

" Rivvil, I came to warn you." The drow female stepped out of the darkness hands outstretched in an attempt to make herself appear harmless.

Not that Elhana believed or accepted the false mask of trust the drow presented. The female was an assassin; how far or close her hands were to those blades at her hip was irrelevant.

However, Deekin was correct; she was absolutely beautiful. In the way a panther might be beautiful…sleek, graceful and very deadly. But she was polite and seemed to truly want to help her though would not say why.

" The mage Halaster is imprisoned up ahead but you should know there are many drow guarding him. About two-dozen, marksmen and clerics among them." then the drow's eyes sparkled. " I would come with you to fight them." It was not a request.

Elhana nodded. " That is a gracious offer…"

" Nathyrra." The drow supplied with a little hesitation.

" Nathyrra, I thank you and I will certainly not turn away help." She countered. " But I wonder why you are so willing."

Nathyrra's face was artfully blank. " For now please be sated in knowing our goals are the same. Halaster is the surface world's last defense against the Valsharess's forces. His freedom is important to both of us."

" What a Valsha…" Deekin hesitated. " Valshare….that word pretty drow lady say?"

" The closest word in your tongue would be 'Queen' though that is by far an understatement." Nathyrra supplied. " She seeks to rule all of the Underdark but do not think she will stop there."

" Those who actively seek power are never truly sated." Elhana repeated the words of her late mentor.

Nathyrra arched a silver brow with a hint of a smile. " In that, Rivvil, we agree. Now, how do you intend to free Halaster? Do you even have a weapon?"

Elhana was taken aback. " As a last resort." She said. " I am no swordsman."

The drow nodded hesitantly, taking the silent meaning of her words. It not uncommon for others to associate her strength as a healer for a weakness but Elhana was no cleric. Clerics obtained their power through devoted prayer to a deity who could rescind it whenever the mood struck them; this had never been the case with her. Of course she prayed to her chosen god but it was more a matter of true faith than a need for more power. Too many clerics waxed poetic simply to be allowed to cast another day; Elhana refused to be one of those people.

Elhana couldn't remember a time she didn't have the abilities she had now. Yes, they had gotten stronger with time but it unlike clerics, she seemed to have been born into it. As a courtesy to her Talos, she had decided to explore the elemental side of her…energy that wasn't already dedicated to healing. And considering the past two years she was ever thankful she had otherwise she would be just another healer following behind everyone else and completely dependent on others to keep her safe. That was not acceptable.

The first thing Elhana noticed when they entered the cavernous room was Halaster kneeling on the ground entrapped in a circle of near blinding light. Second she noticed the drow and only because they slunk from the shadows seemingly all around her. On instinct her fingertips began to tingle and the stagnate air thickened.

Out of the corner of her eye, Elhana saw Nathyrra blend into the darkness and a moment later one of the drow in front of her slumped down with a blade protruding from his chest.

" Deekin, arrows." She shouted. " Keep them off me."

" Right Boss."

Elhana felt the pull of energy before she saw the caster, hands raised to the cavern top and muttering senselessly. A switch flipped inside her as she felt the elemental energies begin to flow to the surface.

The harshness of lightning and unforgiving winds that carried ever-changing water on it's gales.

A gust of wind blew the caster to the ground before the drow could finish her spell and Madam was on the elf in the next instant, ripping her throat to ribbons with powerful jaws.

Elhana allowed the winds to surround her, encase her body in a swirling torrent that was all but impenetrable. Arrows fell short of their target and were swept away by the cyclone.

A heart aching yelp by her side felled her shield and concentration all at once. Madam lay prostrate on the ground, an arrow lodged in the dog's ribs.

" Hush, lovely." She soothed, dropping to her companion's side and gently gripping the arrow.

" Boss!"

Elhana turned just in time to see the obsidian metal of a drow sword coming towards her with dizzying speed. She attempted a roll but the sword grazed her shoulder taking a good chunk of skin with it.

She cried out in pain clutching her shoulder.

The elemental flared. Lighting erupted from the ground itself, winding like ivy up the drow's armored legs. The elf froze in anguish and fear unable to move; smoke escaped from the creases in his armor. The stench of burning flesh overtook her nose and she turned away. Nathyrra handled herself well; already three drow archers had fallen to her blades and was coming up on another.

By arrow or by dagger the drow forces began to thin. Elhana caught a drow sneaking up behind Deekin in a gust of wind that blew him backwards impaling him on a jagged spike jutting from the cavern wall. When the battle ended, Elhana dropped down beside Madam praying it was not too late. The dog's breathing was sporadic, her heartbeat faint.

" Hold on." She whispered and positioned her fingers over the wound. Warmth crawled up her hands, her forearms and settled deep in her chest. Despite the carnage surround her, Elhana felt at peace and she pushed that feeling into Madam. A golden sheen settled over the dog focusing heavily on her injured ribs.

After several minutes, the wound had finally closed and Elhana reached out to gingerly graze the now smooth fur with her fingertips. Madam immediately rolled onto all fours and licked her hand.

" Good girl." She cooed, petting the dog's ears.

Freeing Halaster was suspiciously easy, keeping up with his words not as much and before she knew what was happening it felt as if a vise had clamped down on her head and chest all at once. Murmured words like 'Underdark' and 'Seer' and 'Geas' drifted to her ears and then she was falling. Falling into an darkened abyss all alone…

….

Elhana landed hard on her left side and cried out as her wrist twisted at an unnatural angle.

" Protect the Seer!"

Before she could register who had spoken or what they'd said the breath was knocked out of her as what felt like a mountain barreling into from behind slammed her body to the ground. Unkind fingers fisted her hair and roughly tugged her head up then she winced when her assailant's blade coaxed a drop of blood from her throat. Angry breaths puffed hotly across her neck and it was far from pleasant.

Elhana tried to struggle underneath her assailant's massive weight but couldn't budge. Static began to gather at her fingertips in defense.

" Valen!" Nathyrra yelled. " The girl is with me."

A dangerously low growl by her ear sent shivers down her spine and the blade threatening her throat didn't move.

" Valen…" This was not Nathyrra; the voice was softer, kinder and full of warning.

Elhana listened carefully to the erratic breaths the man that held her aching scalp in his fist, felt his fingers loosen ever so slightly then finally let her go without another sound. As her forehead connected with stone a familiar pressure on her shoulder warmed her body form the inside, easing the pain in her wrist and her budding, throbbing headache.

" You're a healer…" Elhana rolled to her hands and knees and hesitated a moment before taking the drow's offered hand.

" Yes," she said. " As are you."

The drow woman was smaller than even Nathyrra in both height and frame and her eyes were filled with an understanding Elhana had not seen in any other drow.

" Who are you?" She asked, trying to ignore the malicious glare of the giant, hulk of a male standing no…glowering beside the female. And that was not any easy task.

The man had the most penetrative stare Elhana had ever seen; deep azure irises that reminded her of the ocean further highlighted tresses of bright crimson framing his harshly set face. If not for the…smooth, curled horns atop his head…the man might not be so frightening.

" You may call me the Seer." The woman smiled. " I apologize for Valen; his intentions were only to protect me." Valen sneered. " Might I ask your name, Rivvil?"

" Elhana…"

The Seer nodded and motioned to Nathyrra. " Nathyrra you have met." Then she laid a gentle hand on Valen's armored forearm. " Elhana, this is General Valen Shadowbreath my self-appointed bodyguard." She said with a slight chuckle. " We stand within the temple of Lythe'Mythar and I am truly glad you are here; there is much you need to know."

Nathyrra stepped up. " Mother Seer, you should know that Elhana is not here of her own desire. Halaster, he…placed a Geas on her."

At the mere mention of the word, Elhana's heart beat faster. " There was no need." She said.

" I am sorry he violated your free will in such a way." The Seer shook her head sadly. " This is not how I wished you to come to us."

" Thank you, Seer." Elhana said. " Though I suppose it doesn't matter now."

The Seer nodded. " Too true and you must have many questions."

As the Seer finished speaking Elhana began to take in the bleakness of the temple she stood inside. Obsidian marble like a stoic sea of blackness stretched from wall to wall; massive, twisting columns lined the circular room almost like bars on a cage and tapered into spindly vines of stone that covered the ceiling in the shape of a web.

" You worship Lolth…" Elhana stated, her voice betraying her unease. It shouldn't be a surprise; most drow worshiped the spider goddess Lolth, she had simply never been in such close…proximity to them before…

The Seer chuckled lightheartedly. " Be at ease, the drow here are children of Elistree as I am her priestess and she is the one who has blessed me with visions of your arrival, Elhana." Then she frowned which did nothing to mar her beauty. " The Valsharess's numbers are great and she had many allies but Elistree has chosen you to be our champion and we must put our faith in the goddess which means putting our faith in you."

" Is that wise, Seer?" It took Elhana a moment to discern who was speaking. The man that had attacked her, the man with the horns and a stoic frown stared holes into her; his voice was like frozen velvet as if he were talking of an enemy rather than a potential ally. " We know nothing of this…human." he spat the word with venom.

" Have I done something to personally offend you, Valen?" she asked with a disarming smile.

The man was unaffected. " Not yet." He said dismissively. " I simply am not willing to place my safety and the safety of those under my command with a woman who may or may not be capable."

May or may not be capable? How exactly did he believe she made it this far without being capable?

" Then I hope to live up to your expectations." Elhana said with painstaking calm.

The Seer held out a hand. "Elistree has spoken and Elhana will be the one to lead us to victory. She will kill the Valsharess."

Elhana's chest tightened and she wasn't sure if it was nerves or the Geas taking hold. " I don't understand," she started. " Who is the Valsharess?"

" She was once a Matron Mother," Nathyrra supplied. " But has long since gained power and ambition; now she calls herself 'Valsharess'. She is a drow but powerful and cunning. Lythe'Mythar is the last of remaining rebel cities."

The Seer nodded. " Sadly, this is true."

" Then what am I to do?" And how? She added silently. Peril was not uncommon for her but she'd always had people she could trust by her said. Madam. Deekin.

She missed them already. Deekin's doom song, while horrible for moral was surprisingly effective and she personally found it endearing. And Madam, the way she wagged her tail like a puppy when she thought no one was watching…

" Start by striking at her allies." The Seer said. " The Valsharess commands an army of Beholders and Illithid even the undead follow her into battle. Loosing their support would deal a great blow to the Valsharess's power but we also require allies of our own. Nathyrra," she motioned to the female drow then to the brooding Valen. " And Valen, I am sure, will offer their aid to you should you require it."

Nathyrra gave an accenting nod but Valen did not look pleased.

" Thank you, Seer." She said ignoring the heated stares in her direction. " But I have a…request, if it is within your power to grant."

" I shall try."

" When Halaster sent me here he left two of my companions behind-"

The Seer smiled gently. " Say no more. I can attempt to summon them though I cannot guarantee they will come. What are their names?"

" Deekin Scalesinger." She said. " And Madam."

The drow quirked a sliver brow but nodded raising her staff to the ceiling. A hum of blue light streamed from the top of the staff and after moment of prayer began to swirl into a foot and paw then legs and torsos.

Madam tackled her to the ground, licking her face. Out of the corner of her eye, Elhana saw Valen's hand twitch on his weapon but the Seer laid a hand on his arm.

That was encouraging at least. Even though Madam was not the mauling beast Valen appeared to think she was, his haste to defend her spoke something of his loyalty to the Seer.

" That's enough, lovely." Elhana pushed at the dog's powerful shoulders and she abated enough that she could stand.

" Boss leaves Deekin." The kobold accused weakly.

" I'm very sorry." She said with a smile.

" You tell Deekin all about what happened while Deekin was gone, yes?" He asked.

Elhana nodded. " Yes, I will."

When she took in the bemused expression of the Seer and the pained look on Nathyrra's face, Elhana pressed her lips together so she wouldn't giggle.

" These trusted companions are a kobold and a dog?" Valen asked incredulously.

Elhana shook her head. " No, they are a renowned bard and a canine bred for war." A shadow fell across the man's stoic face but was gone in the blink of an eye. " Madam is very good to me as I am to her."

" Nathyrra." The Seer called. " Please see that Elhana and her friend have a place to clean up and rest."

For the first time, Elhana realized the state she was in. Dirt smudged her arms and hands; her ebony hair had fallen from it's braid and was now hung wildly in her face. But mostly she noticed what a mess her dress was and that there were significant tears in the fabric from being caught on sharp rocks.

Suddenly she was bashful about how much skin she was actually showing. Elhana wrapped her arms demurely around her stomach where the tears were the worst.

" Thank you." She whispered giving a polite curtsy to the Seer and a weak smile to Valen who did not react then followed Nathyrra up the temple steps to her quarters.

…..

Valen Shadowbreath, General of the forces of Lythe'Mythar was not a happy man. The unconditional faith the Seer was placing in the human was a mistake.

Savior. Valen scoffed. The girl looked more the part of an urchin having crawled up from the gutter. And she was supposed to save them all? This girl who was so easily overpowered by him would not last in a true battle against the Valsharess.

After Nathyrra had led their ' Savior' away, Valen had elected to remain by the Seer's side in case any other surprises felt like falling from the sky.

" Valen?" the Seer's calm voice tore him from his thoughts. " What do you think of her?"

Valen frowned.. " Is it not obvious?"

The Seer gave him a slow, understanding smile. " Even diamonds start as coal, Valen. Time changes everything."