m: Another huge thanks to the movie, 'Elektra'

shadow0015: Poisoned Seel? I can see why you'd think that but, nope. Remember, dreams are very symbolical. :P

Chapter Twelve

Two years had passed since the death of Alak. Ilivarra sat in her room. Her brow creased in concentration as she pondered her thoughts. The subject of her thoughts was Nathyrra. Lately, Nathyrra had become increasingly brutal and cold, slowing being consumed by the darkness inside her. The truth was; Ilivarra didn't want that. She didn't want Nathyrra to become wholly evil, an object of ruthlessness with mercy for none. Ilivarra could no longer deny it; she had maternal instincts for Nathyrra and wanted better things for her.

I must find some way to dissuade her from the path of darkness…but what? Ilivarra suddenly grinned. A test.

XXXXX

Nathyrra answered the wisp.

"Your next assignment will be in Xukuth's Thalack."

Nathyrra arched an eyebrow. "And that is…"

"A secluded island outside the Valsheress's influence. It is part of a chain of islands, most of them populated by outcasts from drow society, duerger society, the surface, etc. The victims fled there, thinking it a safe location. You are to travel to the island. We have obtained a house for you to stay at. From there, you shall await your orders for the second part of your mission. Complete this mission, and Nackor's location shall be yours."

XXXXX

Nathyrra stood on the deck of a boat. The water made her uneasy. The murky liquid looked more like shadows rather than water. She distracted herself by concentrating ahead.

XXXXX

The house was moderately large, well furnished and well decorated. Nathyrra scowled at all the windows. They made her feel open, exposed. It's worth it, the drow promised herself as she placed her bags in her room.

XXXXX

Nathyrra's eyes snapped open. Cold sweat drenched her body as she sat up on the bed. The dream had come again. Seelamin, the knife, the poison, the song, all of it haunted her once more. "Damn it." Nathyrra muttered and pulled the covers over her shoulders in a useless attempt to fall asleep.

Around six hours past midnight, Nathyrra finally gave up. After brushing her teeth, combing her hair, and completing the rest of her morning routine, Nathyrra thought about her course of action. Well, I'm stuck here for several days; I may as well make the best of it.

XXXXX

Outside the house, Nathyrra walked onto the beach. She gazed at the water. It's only water, she assured herself as she stripped down to her undergarments. An icy feeling engulfed her skin as she dove into the water. Nathyrra began her swim around the mile-long island. A memory of one of her first swimming lessons drifted into her mind.

A seven-year-old Nathyrra gazed suspiciously at the pool of water. It was six feet deep, two feet taller than the child's current height. She put a toe in the water then immediately pulled it out. "I'm not going in there."

Zarra narrowed her eyes. "You WILL go in there. I'm in charge of you for three more years, during which you SHALL learn how to be a decent swimmer. I won't have my youngest sister splashing about like a mongrel when placed in something liquid."

"What's wrong with dogpaddling?"

"You're going to learn to swim."

"What do you care? I thought you wanted me to be dead so that you could take Mom's place."

Zarra laughed. "You pose no threat to my dreams of matronhood, little sister. But quit avoiding the subject and get in the water."

"Make me." Nathyrra spat.

Zarra walked over to the child, towering over her. "Listen, you little ibilth, I gave you an order. Now obey it!"

Nathyrra snorted. "You can't tell me what to do! I'm not a male!"

"But I am your superior, and you shall do as I say."

"You won't be my superior for much longer."

"Is that what you think? Keep dreaming, little one."

Nathyrra crossed her arms over her chest and gave Zarra a determined blue stare.

Zarra raised an eyebrow at her youngest sister.

Nathyrra also raised her eyebrow, an expression she had picked up from her older sister at a young age. Zarra's constant use of the expression had influenced Nathyrra and it had soon become both of their trademark expressions.

Zarra rolled her eyes. "I have better things to do." She started to leave. Before Nathyrra could react, Zarra spun around and pushed her sister into the water.

Nathyrra let out a yelp of surprise as she hit the water. The child surfaced, shivering from cold. "Y-you ch-ch-cheated!" Nathyrra cried indignantly.

Zarra bent down towards Nathyrra. "T-t-too bad." She said mockingly.

Nathyrra suddenly smiled. Zarra quirked an eyebrow. "What-" she was cut off by Nathyrra grabbing her wrist and pulling her into the water.

"YOU LITTLE RUNT!" Zarra screamed. Her violet eyes were smoldering with anger, underneath her wet white hair.

Nathyrra laughed and swam away from her angry older sister.

Zarra gritted her teeth and pulled herself out of the water. "When I come back, you better be doing laps!" She shouted as she stormed out of the room.

XXXXX

Nathyrra walked back towards the house. She scowled when she saw that the door was unlocked. Hmmm… Nathyrra quietly stepped inside. She walked into another room, silently picking up a dagger. A form suddenly shot across the room. Nathyrra aimed and threw the knife.

The girl stopped and looked at the knife, which now pinned her sweater to the wall. At first, her face was as pale as her silver hair, but it slowly colored to a naturally pale complexion. Her skin reddened and her blue eyes narrowed. "Gods! Lady! What the hell is wrong with you? You could have killed me!"

Nathyrra ignored the barbs of the fourteen-year-old and walked over to her. The teen frowned. "Great. Now there's a hole in my friggin' jacket. Thanks."

"What did you steal?"

"I didn't take anything! The door was unlocked."

"So now you're a trespasser?"

"No! The owners know me; they let me in all the time. I didn't know they were renting out this dump."

"I see." Quick as a flash, Nathyrra grabbed the girl's arm and pried her fist open. Seelamin's ring was nestled in the middle of the teen's palm. Nathyrra took it back.

The girl sighed and looked at the floor. "Please don't tell my Dad. He'll kill me."

"In some parts of Toril they hang you without a second thought for such an act." Nathyrra stated.

The teen's eyes bulged and she turned around in an attempt to run away. Nathyrra was quicker, and stepped in front of her just as she finished turning.

"Whoa…how did you do that?" she asked, amazed. "That was kick-ass!"

"Get out." Nathyrra hissed.

The half-elf left, an awestruck smile glued to her face.

XXXXX

Nathyrra saw on a large rock, staring out at the dark water surrounding the island. Her magic sensed an approaching presence. It didn't appear hostile, but Nathyrra cast an invisibility spell none-the-less. She snuck up behind him. The man blinked at the place where she had been sitting and cocked his head in confusion.

Deciding it was safe; Nathyrra dropped her spell and tapped him on the shoulder. "Are you looking for me?"

The human man turned around, revealing a pale complexion, short red hair, a chin covered in stubble—chances were he was either growing a beard or hadn't shaved in several days—and surprised grey eyes. He grinned, revealing perfect, white teeth. "Hi. Yes, I was. Have you seen a young girl? About five feet tall, fourteen years old, half-elven, silver hair, pale complexion, blue eyes? She's my daughter, her name's Tialla."

"Yes I have."

"Really? Where?"

"She broke into my house several hours ago."

The man winced. "She didn't take anything, did she?"

"…No."

He breathed a sigh of relief. "Good. I'm willing to pay if she broke anything."

"She didn't."

He extended his hand. "I'm Seelomar. Seelomar Silvapanthoron."

Nathyrra did not shake his hand, she merely folded her arms over her chest and stared at him.

Seelomar blinked and dropped his hand. "Well, I live in the cabin just down the road, so if you ever need anything…yeah. Goodbye." He turned around and left.

XXXXX

Nathyrra brooded on the same rock. Tialla. Tianna. Silvapanthoron. Silver Panther. Seelomar. Seelamin. Strange coincidence…

"Hey." greeted a familiar voice.

Nathyrra turned around. Tialla stood several meters behind her, her hands hooked in her jean pockets and her low, silver ponytail draped over one shoulder.

"How long have you been standing there?" Nathyrra asked.

"About a minute." Tialla walked over to Nathyrra and glared at her. "I can't believe you told my dad about earlier today. Now he's all pissed at me. I thought you were cool!"

"I'm not."

"Yeah, no kidding."

"What are you doing here?"

"It's a freaking island. Can't I walk around if I want to?"

Nathyrra chose not to answer that.

Tialla continued, "Anyway, my dad's bitching about what happened and he made me come here to invite you to Midwinter dinner to make up for it."

"Midwinter?"

"Yeah. It's the middle of winter. You know, decorate the tree, give presents, sing crappy songs written by old farts…."

"No thanks."

"Aww come on! It's just me and my Dad every night and I'm bored out of my brain. If you don't come he'll make me play board games. The really crappy ones with missing pieces. Pleeease?" She looked at her with the saddest, most pathetic face she could manage.

"That's not going to work on me."

Tialla continued staring relentlessly. It looked as though she would burst into tears at any minute.

Nathyrra sighed. "Alright. I'll come." she said grudgingly.

"Great! Let's go." the child started walking in the direction of her cabin. "I'm Tialla, by the way."

"Nathyrra."

"Can I call you Nat?"

"No."

"Okay, Nat."

Nathyrra scowled.