Secrets
As they waited for the svirfneblin patrol to walk into their 'trap', Jayda mused over how they had wound up there in the first place. Phaere had not been short of tasks for her to accomplish, nor Solaufein, or anyone deemed worthy to order her around. For weeks, she had been tasked with one thing after another. Do this, do that, kill this, kill that—it was like working for Edwin all over again! Up until now, she had been required to harm no creature not considered evil by the surface world, duergar and beholders mostly, but her patience was wearing thin. In the Drow society, she was an honored female! She should be put in charge, lavished, praised, and ordering underlings around to do her bidding! Not that she wanted to, but a respite from the constant commands and quests would have been nice, and allowed her to gather intelligence on her mission.
She had not spoken with Jarlaxle since that night in her room. Every time she thought of him, however, her thoughts became cloudy and her cheeks felt flushed. He reminded her so much of Gaelan—his body built like a rogue's shadow, his confidence and smirk, his strangely attractive features… Even though he spoke well, unlike Gaelan, he had the same cleverness that her Shadow Thief had. It made her miss Gaelan more than ever.
"I get the feeling," Jayda began angrily, "that no matter where I go or who I am, I am destined to be someone's errand boy. Did I join the Faerunian Problem-Solver Society and no one told me?"
They only laughed at her ramblings and ignored her. She blew out a lungful of hot air and waited in the quiet of the cavern. Phaere had ordered them to slay a svirfneblin patrol, something Jayda had no intention of doing. She came close, however, to the task being forced upon her.
"The Matron Mothers have decided the deep gnomes have not shown enough fear of the Drow as of late," Phaere told her. "We must correct that. And glad am I that you have come. Solaufein's pathetic melancholy has nearly drained my patience, so I shall be brief and send you on your way." The woman turned to the male fighter and sneered. "You would you like that, Solaufein, yes?"
"Just spit it out, if you must," he mumbled.
Phaere gave them the details of the mission and told them where to wait. They were to return with proof of the deed, and Jayda hoped that heads would not be required.
"Ah, yes, I am sure the gnomes will be suitably impressed by our display of viciousness," Solaufein muttered. "No doubt they have no inkling what we are capable of."
"What is this?" Phaere all but sang. "Are you losing your stomach for blood, Solaufein? The Spider Queen would be displeased to hear such, I would think."
"I save my wrath for the Drow's true enemies," he told her. "Lloth knows this, as does the Matron Mother of my own House."
"It is not for you to decide, male!" she shrieked and Jayda was glad to see someone was successfully getting under her skin. "I shall have your bloody heart ripped from your chest on the altar if you continue to speak!"
Before it could get out of hand, Jayda stepped in. "I don't need Solaufein's help," she protested in agitation. "My sister and I can handle a few gnomes. Let the fighter keep his strength."
"Keep my strength—" he began angrily, but Phaere laughed, suddenly over her roiling rage.
"Solaufein, are you worried Veldrid may request your services again should you be fit enough for her play?"
Suddenly the male fighter smirked. "If she requires my services again, she need only ask me."
"What?" Phaere snapped.
"The deed was not entirely devoid of pleasure, Phaere, and I wouldn't balk at another opportunity to please such a noble female."
The fire in her eyes almost caused Jayda to laugh out loud. She managed to hold her tongue however, even when she caught the glimmer in the look Solaufein transferred to her. She smiled small and briefly, but enough that he would know she was amused.
"How dare you!" Phaere hissed at him and Jayda took that as her opportunity to leave.
"I'll let you two work this out. I have svirfneblin to hunt."
And so she had managed to bring her companions out there alone. They waited two hours for the patrol to show up. Jayda withdrew the flower from her hair and held it out in front of her. She had instructed Golander that if she was ever out in the Underdark and happened upon any of his men, they could recognize her by the flower she carried.
When the svirfneblin came into view, they stopped short in shock. She extended the flower some more, hoping they would recognize it.
"My name is Jayda," she said, pointing to the flower. "I'm friend to Golander Blackrock."
The svirfneblin exchanged glances and murmured in deep speech. Then one of them came forward and spoke in the Drow tongue.
"I know of you, I do," he said. "We be asking for your purpose this place for being. Golander says send you he did to the dark one's city time ago."
"Yes. I, ah… I need you to give me your helmet, actually."
"My helmet part of uniform, is. Giving it up, I simply cannot be. Why needing you helmet?"
"I need it to prove to the Drow that I have killed your patrol," she explained and a gasp of alarm shuddered through their ranks. "I have no intention of actually doing it."
"Most alarming this is!" the leader exclaimed. "Why would the dark ones be killing us?"
"It seems you don't fear them enough, and they want to send a message."
"We be fearing dark ones plenty!" he exclaimed in his broken Drow speech. "Always could they be all killing us, if they be wishing to!" He pulled his helmet off and handed it to her. She replaced the flower in her hair and tucked the helmet under her arm. "Grateful, we are, for your mercy!"
"I wouldn't have harmed you," she reiterated.
"Grateful, we are," he said again. "We will be going now and telling deep lords and Blackrock that much bowing and scraping to dark ones is to be done." And with that he began herding his fellows off. "May the Deep Brother be smiling you kindly, always," he said over his shoulder.
Jayda sighed. "Let's get back," she mumbled. "I'm sure they're itching to get us back to work."
/
Imoen roamed the markets while Jayda was off dealing with Phaere and Solaufein. She preferred to avoid Phaere as much as possible. The way she looked at her gave her the creeps. So she took to the markets. Even though she appalled slavery, she enjoyed seeing creatures that she had only read about in stories.
As she drew near a strange fish tank longer than she was tall, she pressed her nose to the glass and tried to get a better look in the murky water.
Hear me… a wraith-like voice hissed in her mind. Hear my thoughts… I have a service I demand of you… one that you will perform discreetly and with haste.
Imoen blinked, wondering if she was hearing things, and then saw a great fish eye staring at her. She made a face.
"Eugh… Is that you?" she whispered.
Yes… the fish murmured. Hear your thoughts, I can.
"Erm… not sure I approve of your presence in my mind."
Your approval is irrelevant! the fish exclaimed. Your thoughts are transparent, surfacer!
Imoen gasped and the eye squinted at her.
Yes, I see what you are. I see what you hide from the others… You will do the task I set before you, or your identity will appear in the mind of every Drow in this city! Are my thoughts clear? it asked and she nodded. Good. Now I command of you a deed of violence! I call for a death that I might learn more of this place. It is simple, brutal, and well-suited to your kind. Qilue, a priestess… I would learn of her faith and the power it grants… Her mind is the prize, and I would have you bring it!
"Are you mad?" Imoen whispered, and then remembered she could communicate with her mind, so she said the words in her head. There is no way for me to drag a Drow Priestess to you. Everyone will see!
I do not require her as a whole. As I said, it is her mind that I require. Kill her. Slay her in her home and temple! Retrieve her brain and bring her to me! That is the task. That is the command I give. You will obey or I will reveal you, and you will die.
"So…" Imoen began. You plan to hold me in service against my will to perform this evil task?
That is what I have just directed, yes, the fish replied.
"Yes, hmm, let me think for a minute. Uhm, no. No, I don't think that is how this is going to work, fish."
Fish? Perhaps I have not made my thoughts clear.
"Oh no, I understand completely," she whispered. "I simply refuse. What's more, I'm telling you to shut up."
The fist hissed at her through the glass. I have outlined the threat I intend. I do not bluff. Fear me!
"You are in no position to act on your threats," she reminded him. "I will tell you what to do."
I have warned you!
"And now I warn you!" she exclaimed and then glanced around to make sure no one was staring at her for her outburst. When the coast was clear, she jabbed a finger at the glass and whispered, "I will reveal your treachery if you breathe a word of this!"
What?
"You can't harm me or I'll expose you, too. I die, you die. Simple. So shut up!"
You are a strange individual. I release you to avoid trouble for us both. Leave me, volatile one.
"You'd better believe it," she said with a smug smile. "See ya!"
You are dismissed! Go! the voice hissed after her.
Imoen rubbed her hands together for a job well done and lost herself in the crowds. The nerve of that fish thinking he could solicit her to do his dirty work. Well, she sure told him where to go. She wondered if that was how Jayda felt all the time. Perhaps she would have to teach her friend how to tell these jerks off.
/
Jayda grumbled as she made her way down the walkway back toward the tavern. Would they never run out of things for her to do? She pushed open the tavern door and surveyed the commons. Neither Imoen nor Haer'dalis were about so she retreated to her room. The moment she closed the door and turned around, she found Jarlaxle lying on her bed, legs crossed and arms behind his head.
"I was wondering when you'd show up," he declared. She quirked her brow and idly sauntered into the room, slowly removing her armor and stacking it on a nearby chair.
"I was wondering the same of you. I've been the acting slave for your kind for weeks now. I didn't agree to your plan so that I could indoctrinate myself into the Drow world."
"Don't be so bitter, Jayda," he said. "Your efforts are exactly why I'm here. It seems you have finally caught the attentions of the Matron Mother Ardulace and she will summon you to her side very soon."
"She will?" Jayda asked and paused in the removal of her leather breastplate. "How do you know?"
He grinned, hopped up, and crossed over to her, jingling as usual. "A business like mine thrives on information. What kind of rogue would I be if I revealed my sources?"
Jayda blushed, recalling Gaelan's similar words to her when she was looking for information on the identity of those that swore to aid her in finding Imoen. It seemed like such a lifetime ago, since that day and since she had seen Gaelan. She wondered if she would ever get out of Ust Natha and the Underdark, if she would ever see him again.
Jarlaxle reached out and finished removing her chest piece. Embarrassed, Jayda swatted him away from her body and took off the rest of her armor across the room.
"You've come for a reason, then? You think now might be the time to act?" she asked and hoped her voice didn't tremble with nervousness.
"Soon, but not yet. The Matron will require a service of you, but I intend for you to surprise her before she can vocalize her request." He produced a vial of dark liquid. "The blood of a kuo-toan prince," he explained. "Present it to her as a gift when you meet her. She will most certainly be pleased. Then, if things go as planned, we will be well on our way to concluding this complex business."
Jayda reached out and took the vial, making sure not to get too close to him. She examined it closely and then nodded. "All right."
"If you do this, when the Matron lies dead, I will give you Sekolah's Tooth and the silver dragon eggs."
"You will?"
"I promise." He gently touched his hand to his breast. He wore a colorful vest but no tunic underneath, exposing his finely honed body. She swallowed the lump in her throat and looked away.
"Then I will do it," she mumbled, tucking the vial away somewhere safe. Jarlaxle, however, did not depart. He stood there for a long time and she could feel his eyes on her, boring holes straight through to her missing soul.
"Will you?" he finally asked. "And how might you accomplish it? As a Nasadran? A half-elf? A rogue? A beast?" He smiled when she whirled to face him. "I know you're secret, Jayda."
"Then if you know… you know how important getting out of here is to me. I don't approve of your culture, Drow, but I do not wish to end this in a blood bath. I will shed no tears, however, if I am betrayed and forced to tear this city apart. I am a Bhaalspawn. Murder is in my blood. I won't cry for any of your kind that comes at me with swords and spells. Try and stop the Slayer, if you can. I'd welcome it!"
Jarlaxle did not skip a beat. He was not surprised, not afraid, not pleased, or even concerned. He simply made an "ah" sound and nodded, putting his hands in his pockets and jingling across the floor in a slow and thoughtful pace.
"A Bhaalspawn in Ust Natha. Now that is something."
"Wait, you didn't—"
"I knew there was something different about you, but the 'what' of that thing eluded me." He flashed a charming smile. "The mage, Irenicus, stole something from you, didn't he? Some part of your power."
"How did you know that?"
"I saw it," he confessed, "in a special mirror the mage kept before he departed Ust Natha. The mirror showed his power, his soul, and I could sense him in it. But I saw something else there, too. It was you."
"He stole my divine soul. I have to get it back."
"You want it back." It was a statement, not a question, but the way his eyes bore into hers, she could sense that he knew her feelings were to the contrary.
"I don't," she admitted, "but better I bear the burden than he. He'll destroy thousands with that power. I only want to disappear… to be a thief in the night. Besides, without my soul, the Instinct remains unchecked. I… I turn into a terrible thing. And it is fearsome, and I despise it." Her eyes flashed in a glare. "But I would not hesitate to use it if you betray me."
"There's no need for threats, dear Jayda," he said. "We're partners, after all." He slowly walked over to her without making a sound. "You make an amusing Drow, but you are a good rogue and an excellent fighter. If your wish is to be a thief in the night, I would gladly welcome a woman of your skills to my merry band should you find yourself without anything to do after you've reclaimed your soul and killed this mage, Irenicus."
Jayda grinned. "I appreciate the offer, mercenary, but I think living underground would suit me ill. Sometimes it's… hard to breathe under all this rock. And Ust Natha could never be my home."
"Nor mine, beautiful lady," he replied with a theatrical shrug. He reached out and ran his fingers through her hair, slowly circling her while he toyed with the red strands. Whenever he touched her, the illusion seemed to subside as long as they were in contact. She could see her red hair between his fingers, her ivory skin beneath his fingertips. She longed to be herself again.
She closed her eyes and saw Gaelan, felt him touching her, just like in the cavern by the pool. It had felt so real then, but this time it was real. He was really there. She could almost believe it. Her heart ached in longing.
Jarlaxle chuckled softly and released her. She turned around to demand to know what was so amusing, but he was gone. Just like a rogue, she thought and wrapped her arms around herself. Her heart was beating wildly in her chest.
/
As Jarlaxle had promised, Jayda was summoned to meet with the Matron Mother the very next day. She dressed in her finest set of armor—the one Phaere had gifted her. It didn't fit as well as her old armor, but it was in better condition and decorated with the Spider Queen's symbols. She cleaned her weapons and donned every single one before heading out to meet with the Matron.
The Temple of Lloth was the largest structure Jayda had seen in the city. It towered toward the ceiling and the giant carving of a spider enveloped it as though the large dome were its belly and the eight, thin columns that surrounded the structure were its legs. The head came down just over the door where sinister mandibles stretched to the floor, creating the portal with which to enter.
Jayda stepped through the jaws and into the bowels of the creature. Her skin crawled as though she had really been consumed by the spider, and the deeper she went the closer she felt to Lloth. It was a sickeningly terrifying feeling.
"Ah, here you are," Phaere exclaimed when she saw her. "Matron… this is the female that I spoke to you of. Veldrid."
The woman who turned to look at her was surprisingly young and beautiful. She wore a high collar with curving spikes that framed her face and long, elegant drapes of a woman blessed by Lloth. She smiled sickly sweet.
"I can see her well enough, fool girl," the Matron replied in a calm voice, but the insults bit with venom. "You think I am blind?" She scrutinized Jayda with a harsh eye. "I see nothing special about her. What fascinates you so?"
"Matron, she is an excellent fighter and has rid House Despana of so many of its problems," Phaere replied combatively.
"This is that one? Illithids, eye tyrants, gnomes—are you sure?" the Matron narrowed her gaze on Jayda. "To me she looks scrawny, and there is… something… odd…" She trailed off and stared in a long moment of silence. Then, she pointed at her. "You, girl! Veldrid, is it? You have proven yourself competent. This is good. House Despana needs competence, a rare commodity when one is surrounded by fools." She threw a glare at Phaere. "House Despana is about to embark on the path to greatness, Veldrid. You can tie yourself tightly to us, or wallow with the weak that fill this place needlessly. Mother Lloth approves of the successful and gravely punishes the failures. Which will you be?"
Jayda kneeled on one knee, ready to bounce up should things take a sharp turn for the worst. "I stand with House Despana, of course," she said and extended the vial of blood Jarlaxle had given her. "And I bring you this gift: the blood of a kuo-toan prince I slew, to honor a new age when House Despana rules and even the princes become slaves."
Just as Jayda was wondering if she laid it on too thick, Ardulace whispered, "You… you have it? You have brought me that which I would ask you to retrieve before the words even left my tongue!" There was a crack of pleasant laughter. "My dear child, you are a rare and wondrous creature indeed. I see Phaere's wits have not entirely left her. Ah, the Spider Queen smiles upon us. Our gamble does not go wasted, daughter. Your champion has brought us the blood that we need." Ardulace took the vial from Jayda's hands and she got to her feet in time to see the Matron spin around and hold the vial high, as though an offering to the holy spider above them. "Praise Lloth! The ritual may finally begin. Despana will rule Ust Natha without question as the pre-eminent House!"
"What of the others?" Phaere asked. "What of the silver?"
Ardulace spun back around, arms to her sides. "Yes. We must be cautious. Nothing can be allowed to disturb the ritual before it is completed."
"You are going to seal the city, Matron?"
"Yes," she replied gravely and Jayda felt herself begin to panic. "We cannot be disturbed from the outside should the silver one grow desperate. I shall go now and begin the proper preparations. Veldrid," she snapped and Jayda almost jumped. "You have done House Despana the greatest of services. You will be a female without equal. Riches and slaves shall be yours, so long as you continue to serve me."
"Veldrid is my servant, matron—"
"Without equal, Phaere," Ardulace hissed, "you included. Veldrid belongs to me now. Tame that fool tongue of yours before I cut it out." To Jayda, she smiled and said, "Rest, now, strong one… there is nothing more for you to prove to me."
And then the Matron Mother was gliding away, her robes trailing on the floor. They watched her go in silence. When Jayda glanced at Phaere, she was fuming and her ebon-gray skin was purple with rage. Was this the relationship of all families in Drow society?
"Mother…" Phaere spat. "Not for long. Veldrid!" she hissed and took two strides to stand almost pressed up against her. "You are mine. Your loyalty is not called in to question. You stand with me, yes?"
"Of course," Jayda replied, wishing she would step back even just an inch.
"Good. I have a plan… a plan that will place me as the head of House Despana even as we take our place as the rightful ruling House of Ust Natha. Do as I say and your rewards will be unimaginable. Refuse and… well, why would you refuse? You have everything to gain, Veldrid. Everything." Phaere walked out of the temple and Jayda kept close at her side. Once they were well away from the temple, she continued. "In order for this plan to be successful, you must betray the Matron Mother. Are you willing to do this? Think carefully on your answer."
"You have been the one I've served, Phaere, not your mother. I do not know that woman and I do not wish to."
"Good. You heard Matron speak of the ritual? She will use the blood to summon a demon of terrible power to aid our attack upon the surface elves. To secure that aid, we will offer the eggs of a silver dragon that has guarded our passage to the surface for centuries. No longer a problem, I assure you," she murmured with a sly glance in Jayda's direction. "With the demon on our side and the revenge set on our cousins made possible by our labors, we shall become pre-eminent. But there is no rule that states Ardulace must still be the Matron Mother of such a powerful House."
Phaere led Jayda to her private quarters. Once they were locked inside, she pulled a key on a chain from around her neck and handed it to her. With a smile, she motioned Jayda followed her and she led her into a small room where three gleaming silver eggs were perched on a cushion. They were as big as babies and no doubt three times as heavy, but they were utterly beautiful.
"Go to the treasury, Veldrid," Phaere said. "I will make sure the path remains clear and the vault unguarded. Steal the eggs and replace them with these fakes I have constructed. Bring the authentic ones to me during the ritual and, after Matron is killed for her hollow offering, I will offer the real ones and complete the ritual. Is that clear?"
Jayda nodded, apprehension in her gut. Was her escape of this place finally at hand? "Yes," she replied, dropping the key around her neck. Jayda gathered the eggs in a dark velvet back that Phaere provided for her and was appalled by the weight of them. She would have to see Jarlaxle about that. Lugging around dragon eggs would not be something easily gone unnoticed.
"There is one more thing I require of you," Phaere said before Jayda could leave. The ambitious woman withdrew a jeweled dagger from the belt on her hip and handed it to her. "Kill Solaufein."
When Jayda took the dagger, Phaere plucked Gaelan's flower from her hair. She started to reach for it but her hands were full. The woman laughed, sniffed the petals, and then gently tucked it into her hair. She laughed and walked away.
A/N: When I did that fish quest thing... I laughed so hard. I had completely forgotten about it, so I decided to include it for laughs. Maybe it's an ounce out of character, but it gave me an opportunity to write Imoen, and to capture how different she is from Jayda. Plus... it amused me. :)