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.
xxxxxx
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.
xxxxxx
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.