Both were back on their feet when Rhylaun stepped out again, "alright. Warm up again with some stretches."
Groaning, they did so for half an hour before Rhylaun directed then to show what they could do on the floor to decide what to work on for each. Zarae, who had practiced more with cartwheels and handsprings had a slight advantage.
She was directed to a bar suspended five foot off the floor between two poles. "You will use this and practice aerial flips," the weapon-master replied.
"Easy enough."
"Calculate the trajectory angle, force, body position, landing,"
"The catch," she sighed, "Zeb stunk at teaching math…."
"Its true," Nilrae piped in, "whoever taught her didn't do a good job."
"That would be the ilharess' sister."
"Our aunt? I've never heard about them. Or mother's mother," Zarae commented.
"Because her mother is dead, as are most of her sisters."
"really?"
"Later. Get to it."
Zarae rubbed her hands in anticipation before the bar. She glanced back to the other two then took a deep breath. Hands reached out and went onto the cold iron. Jumping a few times she tried to propel herself over, but could not get the momentum yet. She stepped back to try another approach. Trying a short burst of speed then reaching out to flip over, she nearly had it in the first try. And then she fell short and landed hard onto the mat with an 'oof, just missing the bar with her chin.' Not one to let it win, she tried again until it was right. Nilrae was situated on the floor mat to practice some of the basic moves, Rhylaun adjusting his posture and moving him until he had it down perfect. The rest of the day flew fast with practice until soreness and weariness won and it was time to call it an end.
The weapon-master carried two metallic pails, inside, the magical heat showing strong in their darkvision. "heat will help. Put these in the tub; you have an hour before the magic is run out. Report back same time tomarrow," handing them each a pail, "dismissed.
"So where do you think she is?" Zarae asked as they headed down the hall to their rooms, "mother's sister? The one who maybe alive."
He looked around, just in case, "you know her, would she let her stay?"
"Good point. Hiding out in the city then."
"Or another city."
They shrugged as they parted to their own rooms. Magical stones were dropped into the stone depression that was their tubs, then filled with water. It didn't take long before the water was nice and hot, even steaming up the washroom. And hot water was just what was needed.
After a nice bath, Nilrae got an idea; finding one of the half elven slaves, he ordered a nice relaxing massage in his room to finish out the rest of the kinks left. Soft hands kneaded muscles, rubbing the oil into his skin. Nilrae was so relaxed he nearly fell into reverie. After an amazing massage Nilrae spent time studying his tomes, Vyk'zlade slithering around a larger cage chasing a cave rat for supper.
Zarae finished her hot bath and dressed for stealth, using her new piwafwi and magical boots to aid her. Back inside the study, the door closed behind her as she did a quick search over the room. Zebeycyrl was gone for at least a tenday. The stool was dragged over to the shelves. The small chest was still there just as she left it. Snatching the keyring and put them in a pouch and returned everything as it was. just before she turned to leave, the door opened, leaving Zarae having to think fast. Pulling the red fabric tight around herself she jumped back into a corner and waited. To her dismay it was Myrurra. The priestess glanced around the room then headed to the desk. So far she hadn't notice the girl hidden in the corner. The priestess opened a drawer, took out an object and place several small items inside; satisfied with that, Myrurra glanced around the room again, this time plans in mind. Then in a fit of rage, began trashing the room. Everything shoved off the desk onto the floor. Books one the shelves tossed. Inside the storage closet the priestess threw a simple spell around, coating everything in a sticky messy web. The trunk was thrown upside-down and several containers tipped over. Myrurra then took some writing utensils and wrote on the walls. When she was finished she left. Zarae waited, just to be sure before hurrying over to see. In the drawer was fake evidence.
"I had yet to actually do that," Zarae said to herself understanding what the priestess had been up to, "but I will take it." Myrurra was trying to frame Zarae just as the girl had done many times over the past years. But Zarae had a better idea, turn her attempt back on her. Quickly she set about, rearranging things to fit more Myrurra's way of thinking and style, and planting evidence pointing to her. The girl had done this before so she knew just how to. half the reason why Zebeycyrl hated Myrurra. In fact, only one other had like the adopted daughter was her own brother. Zarae would make sure any of Myrurra's plans for a fake alliance between the priestess and Zebeycyrl failed.
The counter-attack underway, and what she needed from the room Zarae left. Stoella had came up the stairs just in time for Zarae to finish her part. The girl explained, but Zebeycyrl's handmaid would not help her anymore until Zarae fulfilled her part of the previous deal. Searching through the pouches on the belt she pulled forth the object the handmaid wanted. Stoella's eyes grew large as reached out to take it; Zarae yanked her hand away, her eyes turning violet.
Shaking her head and tapping her chin with the free hand, "By the fact that Zeb let you live after the last incident means you managed to convince her well enough. So," Zarae pacing as she played with the object Stoella was willing to risk her life for, "I have use of you. You want this, we do it my way this time. Rat me out, well, go ahead. It's you and a disgraced Myrurra against me now. Not a good rate of success. If all else, could just get rid of you," staring into the taller woman's eyes, "and no one else would think anything of it. only reason your still around after trying to blackmail me was because I have some use of you still."
the slave sighed, "Myrurra promised me…" indicating the small black metal ring in Zarae's hand, "in exchange for helping her. I just want the ring. Your feuds between you sisters matter nothing to me," Stoella replied with complete honesty.
Zarae studied it, no magic aura or energies were in it. Leaving a sentimental value to it. the girl smiled as words of many lessons echoed in her mind. Sentimental was for the weak, it lets others hold the advantage over you. Just as the girl did now. "What's so special about it?"
Stoella knew no matter what she was going to be messed over. It just was a matter of who would do it the least, and who to take her chances with. Right now, the drowling was looking the better choice over Myrurra. The handmaid shook her head, almost pleading. The girl had to laugh at the pitifulness, only remembering that last time. Zarae kept flipping it into the air and catching it.
"It was my husband's," she finally blurted out, tears threatening to well up in her eyes.
Holding it up to the faerie fire in the room to inspect it, "such things have made you weak will. No wonder Zeb took it," placing it back into her pouch, "now, heres' what we're gunna do," Zarae motioning over the servant to her level, arm around her shoulder and giving her a rundown of her plans. Stoella with no options listened.
xxxxxx
The next months were the same, warm ups, strength exercises, and stretches in the first half of the day and practice on the equipment. When Zarae had everything down she was moved to begin practices without the air of the bar, aerial somersaults from a running position, then clumsy ones from standing postion. Nilrae got many of the floor exercises quickly and moved to the bar. His training was different, instructions during this time included angles for releasing missile spells and even practice pulling out spell components in the course of the actions. At the end of each day the twins would head to a hot bath to relax sore muscles, both thankful that the soreness each time was less and less as their bodies adapted. It was beginning to be noticed that they had put on some muscle weight, both less boney than before with toned arms, legs and abdomens.
Zebeycyrl had remained out of the compound the entire time on her missions, leaving both Myrurra and Stoella nervous. Yet Zarae remained cool and collected. Extra measure taken to ensure credit went strictly to her older sister. Keeping the ring kept the handmaid in line enough to do pretty much whatever Zarae needed for everything to work. Even with Xullafay at Arach-Tilinith and Izzmurss taking more on more classes for Gulhrys' due to unknown causes, Zarae had things falling into place for her.
xxxxxx
The Kre'jil Itami festival for the City of Dark Waters was only days away now. The biggest celebration in honor of the city's founding nearly some 67,000 yaers ago. Eight days of chaotic fun, beginning with a processional parade of the noble house's matrons, a ceremonial sacrifice by the first matron inside the city's temple, and the rest of the time with grand parties, feast, and over all chaos. The market place often ran out of rentable spaces for the parties. Shows, performances, and plays doubled as did customers to the taverns and leisure houses. Music filled each day until the end. Many homes were additionally decorated with more color than normally seen. Many merchants gave small discounts while business flourished during the eight days. Graduations from the Academy occurred in the midst of the eight days. A ship at the end of the business hours each of the eight days was selected for a pyrotechnic show. special fireworks that brung everyone to watch. the closest the city ever had to some simblince of unity.
Most importantly, it was understood no houses could be destroyed during this time.
The twins were finally old enough to be allowed to join in on some of the festivities, under supervision of course. Before, all they did was get to watch from the third floor balcony. The Kilanatlar compound was one of the worst places in the Brozen to watch the pyrotechnic show. They would get to be apart of the processional parade, see the grand sacrifice in the city temple, go down to the waterfront for the first fireworks show, and if they conniving enough, go to one of the late parties. Maybe sneak in on the graduation ceremony. After what was heard about Neeryrd's own Zarae had been rather curious.
So many plans and things to do! Zarae couldn't wait.
Matron My'rune Mae'Vir sat at the throne like seat at the half circle marble table, her orange house piwafwi snug around her shoulders. The room was simple and large enough to hold over 100 people. Yet it rarely held more than 8. Purple and red cloth covered the back wall. The council chamber was decorated with carvings of spiders as well of living crawling spiders. The ceiling looked like a writhing living thing. The double doors were carved of onyx stone. The semi-circle table sat in the center, 7 cushioned chairs around the bottem curve, and 1 chair on the straight side. Beside each chair a stand for a small banner. Each member of the council would place their standard there beside them. Mae'Vir's orange banner with her house symbol- a black widow on a shield was always there.
She waited as the rest made their way to the summons.
First to enter the chamber was Ril'auven of Valsharen ilythiiri Vel'Xundussa Magthere dressed in his ceremonial mithirl chain and purple guild piwafwi. This group maintained the security of the city. The VIVM standard, also purple, contained on it a spider atop a sword and mace. The highest leaders of the guild were followers of Selvetarm.
Larghaun Maeval of treea dal Har'oloth in his brown piwafwi was right behind carrying his standard, brown background with a half mask and downward pointing curving dagger. Below was written, "Zhaunil dal ulnen" or "Knowledge from deceit." He too was dressed his best, studded leather armor that appeared to blur if one looked at it too long. He nodded to the matron, and to the only other male of the council, Ril'auven.
Shalee'filf of Orlyate in a shimmering color-changing piwafwi sat down far from Larghaun, her standard set into its place- a simple tricolor cloth with celtic designs that could pass as strange music notes. Orlyate was a bard type guild who practiced the ancient bae'qeshel telphraezzar, her people trained in the magic of song tapping directing into the Weave.
With the three top guild leaders all that was let was the other four matrons.
Matron Shyntyl dressed in her second best robes, not too unlike her ceremonial ones, only these expose slightly less skin and she did not wear the spider diadem. Her crimson house piwawi and matriachal crown were put into place before she was heading down into the city upon her float disk, 4 house guards leading the way with her. In her arms were the crimson standard with the house glyph, spider atop a sword. Along the way she spotted Matron Maelra Ischarri, dressed in ceremonial robes of dark blue matching her house piwafwi of the same color. Her house glyph on her standard, a mask helment with four 'legs'. Matron Moriana Haelra followed suit, teal house piwawi and standard containing a circular disk with eight hooks- symbolizing a burst of magical rays. Last to leave and 4 minutes behind the others was the strange Matron Alulove of Vharzyym, green house piwafwi and mushroom glyph standard.
After all the matrons had entered and taken their seats, Mae'Vir stood up to take the floor, "As we all know, the Kre'jil Itami festival is approaching," My'rune began, "most everything will run as it always has. I will begin the festival with the high sacrifice," pride in her tone as she said it. a privilege only the first house and unofficial valsharess had. Despite the oldest house of the city being the 15th house.
The older matron continued with explaining the basics things of the eight days, even how Orlyate would join the parade with their powerful songs. Eventually the topic became very serious. "Charrvhel'raugaust is planning to strike on the first day. Our Red Sisters have found at least 10 of their leading spies. We have removed half already," a sly glance to Larghaun, "we have markers on 4 more. Leaving one out of sights and still unknown."
"How do you know this?" Matron Maelra asked, leaning on one elbow causually, "they have not tried anything so bold since their last big blow."
As if seeming to coalesce out of the very shadows themselves, five drowesses, dressed in the brightest red armor appeared behind Matron My'rune, the Red Sisters.
Nyssa, My'rune's second daughter, stepped forward tossing her hood back from her face to explain, "Charrvhel'raugaust has suffered a great defeat. And due to uprising among their low class and pressure from Zorvak'Mur they are trying to weaken us and strengthen their own with our supplies and weapons."
"Why haven't we taken advantage of this?" Matron Moriana asked, "why not rid of them now when there are weak?"
"Zorvak'Mur is our ally as long as we stay out of it at the moment. But we are taking advantage of it," Nyssa smirked, "my sister's have been very busy. In fact a shipment should arrive in the course of the next day as proof."
Matron Moriana not quite convinced, "since when do we care about being so secretive? I say we take them now while their vulnerable."
Matron Maelra, Matron Alulove, and surprisingly, Ril'auven agreed. Rarely did the males speak at a council meeting. They were not equals, even if their guild put them on the council. Shyntyl remained quiet thinking over the senerios, Larghaun knowing already what was planned by the first matron quiet. Shalee'filf, secretly one of the Eilistraeen rebels always remained quiet. Though she did notice Larghaun often throwing a snide or cocky grin her way.
"Despite their current weaknesses, they are just as much of a stronghold as is our own city. with only one entrance and no wat to teleport in, it leaves all our forces in the one tunnel and vulnerable to being wiped out."
"Then what good is your little band there?" Matron Moriana spat out slightly irritated.
Nyssa smirked again as she explained. After settling the Charrvhel'raugaust issue, Matron My'rune returned the meeting back to the Kre'jil Itami festival and the spies plans.
"Stoneburn acid?" Shyntyl asked, curious, "they do nothing more than create small divots."
Nyssa, the most learned of the new alchemical item spoke for her mother, "Normally. They have managed to make what they call stonefire bombs, amplified stoneburn acid."
"Why not steal it and use it against them? That seams simple enough," Matron Moriana again spoke up.
The first matron was slowly becoming irritated with the fourth house matron, but manage to keep her calm very well, "do you not think we haven't tried?" the annoyance still edging her voice, "we cannot seam to get it to work. My own son has been studying it for the last few years and has yet to get it."
Matron Shyntyl wanted to blurt her thought, but was wise to contain them; best to keep this meeting non-volitile. She would speak with her second daughter about getting her hands on it for her own wizard to study. The other matrons and had similar thought as each was quietly thnking.
Nearly three hours the council went finishing the details needed to be covered before everyone was released, except Larghuan and the Red Sisters. The Mae'Vir matron gathered the assassins for private talk after all had exited the chamber.
Arach-Tilinith- priestess school
Valsharen ilythiiri Vel'Xundussa Magthere- Royal Drow Security Institute
Valsharess- queen
Zorvak'Mur- a near by settlement of illithids
Charrvhel'raugaust- rival city
In case its confusing with the names, in order of rank:
Matron My'rune Mae'Vir
Matron Shyntyl Kilanatlar
Matron Maelra Ischarri
Matron MorianaHaelra
Matron Alulove Vharzyym