The meeting was the longest two hours of the girls' lives and possibly the most boring. Kristi was seated next to Pharaun and Alex was seated next to Jarlaxle. When the meeting finally broke the two girls and Pharaun almost cheered for joy.

Kristi thought to herself, 'that was almost as bad as a math class.'

Pharaun thought, 'that was worse than ancient symbols study at the academy.'

Alex thought, 'and I thought Spanish was boring. . .'

"The other drow didn't look too comfortable dressed up and if they were bored they sure did a good job not showing," Kristi whispered to Alex.

Alex nodded and let out a small giggle.

Jarlaxle looked to Alex with a grin, "Come my dear, we need to begin your studies." Jarlaxle then looked to Pharaun. "You should also train your assistant my dear wizard."

"His what?!" Kristi eyed Pharaun questioningly.

Alex blinked, confused.

"It is quite obvious that he want you as an assistant," Jarlaxle said casually.

"Oh yes," Pharaun said as if it was the most natural thing in Faerûn, "you are to assist me in the dealings of magic."

"What's the catch?" Kristi glared at Jarlaxle as she posed the question to Pharaun.

"No catch, just assist me in spells, some ceremonies, and learn about the drows' ways of magic."

"Kristi?"

"Yes Alex?"

Whispering so only Kristi could hear, "This is getting quite odd."

Whispering back, "tell me about it, they're hiding things again."

"And they are doing a damn well good job at it."

"There's more to us getting to the surface then they let on. And I'm determined to find out what."

Their attention was diverted when Jarlaxle exclaimed. "I have found my second and now Pharaun has found his. . .oh how grand!"

Kristi turned to Pharaun. "If he says grand one more time I'm going to have to hurt him."

Pharaun rolled his eyes at her statement and said, "now what have I gotten myself into?" He looked to Jarlaxle and then to Kristi. "Come." He motioned for her to follow.

She sighed. "Fine." Looking to Alex, "have fun with your studies!"

Kristi followed Pharaun into a room filled with books. Even though part of her was in awe, another part of her dreaded what was to come. "Damn," she mumbled, "shame Alex will miss all the fun."

"First," Pharaun said ushering her to a chair, "I need you to read this book of minor spells."

Kristi mumbled, "good thing I'm a speed reader." Noting the thickness of the book, "minor spells indeed."

Pharaun placed another book down. "After that there is this one on minor magical items. Once you have read these two books we will test your skills with them."

"And I thought my communications exam was going to be hard," Kristi absently commented, looking at the books piled in front of her.

Alex turned to Jarlaxle, unaware of Kristi's literary journey. "So, what is my training?"

Jarlaxle handed her a book "Well, first you need to have further training with weaponry. You will try each weapon, name them, and tell me its history." Handing her another book, "then you will learn the history of all the houses of Menzoberranzan, such as tactical moves of the houses and the magic they contain therein."

"What the-?!" Alex stared at the books in horror. "I am supposed to remember all this?!"

Moving her to his study, "of course."

"How? There is so much!"

"By reading of course."

Alex glared in reply.

"It is not really that much," Jarlaxle said. He handed her a crystal before he left the study. "This will help keep the information in your memory. Happy reading!"

Kristi had finished the books Pharaun gave her when he sauntered back into his study. "How goes the studying?"

"Um. . ."

Pharaun blinked. "Are you finished already?!"

"Well, I like to read and I can read fairly quickly. . .also, I found a spell in one of the books to help."

"To help what?

"Oh just memory retention and reading skills."

Being the skeptical drow that he was, "okay then, conjure up a lesser demon from the nine hells."

Kristi blinked in shock. "Are you sure that's wise?"

"My dear I am a master at Sorcere, if you cannot control the demon I can."

Swallowing a nervous lump in her throat, she scribed down several runes very carefully and chanted a spell she read about.

To her surprise a glowing light appeared on the paper in which she scribed the runes. The paper expanded, causing Kristi to back away towards Pharaun. A lesser demon slowly appeared and looked to the human very confused and then to the drow.

"Very good, now send it back."

Kristi thought of the spell and then waved her hands for its motions. The demon just blinked at her effort. Pointing to Pharaun when the spell didn't work, "he did it!"

The demon tried to advance toward Pharaun.

"Petty demon. Be gone," Pharaun said waving his hand dismissively. The demon appeared in a puff of smoke and the paper disappeared beneath it. He turned to glare at Kristi.

She smiled innocently in reply. "What? You didn't give me the book on how to send it back yet."

Rolling his eyes he tossed Kristi an extra large book, "read."

She rolled her eyes in reply to him and settled herself to read that book.

In the meanwhile Alex had managed to finish her first book and was halfway though the second when she fell asleep. And that was how Jarlaxle found her. . .asleep

Shaking her awake, "my dear, you have not yet finished."

"But I'm tired, I can't read anymore."

"Well, I'm certainly not going to read to you."

"Can't I go to bed? It's late anyway."

"Fine, you can finish it tomorrow."

She whispered, "thank you." Pausing, "umm where do I sleep?"

"In your original chamber, the one you reside in now near me."

Alex nodded and tried to stand up, but was so tired she fell back down to the chair. Jarlaxle sighed and assisted Alex to her chamber. She fell asleep as soon as he set her down onto the soft mattress. He tucked Alex in and smiled as he did so, kissing her hand softly. "Good night my dear." He paused for a moment before exiting the room.

A few hours after Kristi received the large book from Pharaun, she yawned and closed it, just finishing its contents.

"Tired my dear?" Pharaun looked up from a scroll he was reading.

"Actually yes," she said suppressing a yawn. "I finished the book, may I go to sleep now?" Her head was close to falling onto the book.

Pharaun nodded. "Your new room is right outside the door to your left."

"Thank you," she responded. Pausing, "wait a sec, a new room? What about Alex?"

"Yes. Since you are my assistant now you will be staying in Sorcere with me. Alex has a room that is near Jarlaxle's."

"Oh. . . I will see her again, right?"

"In due time, but until your studies are finished I would not count on it."

"Let me guess, my room is right next to yours?"

"You have surmised correctly."

Kristi mumbled, "figures." She walked into her new room. Making her way over the window she stared in awe at the magnificent view of Menzoberranzan.

Pharaun followed her into the room. "Do you enjoy the view?"

Kristi was too taken by the view to realize he was in the room and mumbled a line from one of her poems, "darkness envelops the shadowed facade of reality."

He repeated his question softly, walking up behind her. "Do you enjoy the view?"

Kristi blinked, startled at his closeness. She didn't realize he had followed her. "Yes, I do enjoy the view."

He attempted to take her hands into his. "I am glad."

Kristi pulled away. "Yes it is a nice view. A view of beauty hiding its darkness."

Pharaun sighed. "This is a city of great beauty there is none like it. Be it on the surface or in the Underdark."

"True," Kristi said. She turned to see Pharaun looking out the window forlornly.

Walking back toward the door Pharaun said, "you should sleep."

"I should," she said still looking out the window, "but I do not wish to face the nightmares."

Alex sat up suddenly in the bed. A nightmare had interrupted her slumber. Turning her head she saw Jarlaxle sitting in a chair next to the bed.

"What are you doing here?"

"Merely watching you sleep," Jarlaxle said smoothly. "You do it so serenely, yet something troubles you."

"Why do you say that?"

"You look as if you had a nightmare. What is it that troubles you?"

Alex looked away. "It was nothing. I just long to see the surface again," sighing, "and my home."

"Ah yes, one's home is important."

"Then why do you keep us here?"

"Because you cannot get to your home without us. Your home is a place of light; you cannot reach it in the darkness."

"My home. . ." Tears welled in Alex's eyes.

Jarlaxle took her hand. "There, there my dear. I'm sure you will see it once again."

"My home. . ." She looked away and started to cry. "I miss my home and my family."

Jarlaxle stifled a smile and cradled Alex in his arms. "Do not fret my dear, in time you will see it."

"I know Kristi is here, she is one of my closest friends and I love her like a sister, but I need my family." Continuing to cry, "my mother, my father."

Patting her back comfortably, "there there, they are indeed strong bonds. But at least you are not alone."

Looking up with tear filled eyes, "alone?"

"You are not alone my dear."

Alex sniffled. "Are you alone? Is that why you kept me here?"

Jarlaxle paused for a moment. "I've always been alone."

Alex regarded Jarlaxle sadly. "Yours has been a hard life?"

"Yes," he answered wistfully. "I cannot remember my younger years, they've faded and I have no family, except Bregan D'aerthe."

"Bregan D'aerthe, they are no family," Alex whispered.

"They're the only 'family' I have."

"H. . .how have you managed to live in such a hostile place?"

"Ingenuity. There once were days of happiness, but in order to preserve their memory I had to leave them."

Alex looked away in sadness. "I am sorry."

"There is no need to be sorry. Those days are in the past."

Shaking her head, "that is not the way for one to grow up."

"It is the way here. A drow's family is very different from a human family Alex." Jarlaxle noticed that her crying had subsided for a little while.

Alex sighed and thought to herself, 'I know that already, but I can't let him know that I do.'

"How is that so?"

"A family here will stab each other in the back, to better themselves for the good of the unit. A human family genuinely cares for one another."

Alex stared in mock shock.

"You seem surprised my dear."

"The families will actually kill one another?

"Oh yes, if one wants to be the elder boy, yes some will kill."

"That's. . .that's so sad. Why is this done?"

"It just is, it's always been like that. But enough about my family, tell me. . .what is yours like?"

Alex looked away sadly. "My family. . .well, I live with my mother and she cares deeply for me." She sniffled.

"Go on. . ."

"And my father, he does not live with us, but I still see him regularly. Both of my parents care for each other and for me."

"It is nice that they care for you so."

"I miss them, I miss then dearly." A few tears trickled from her eyes.

Jarlaxle pulled a handkerchief from his sleeve and dabbed her cheeks lightly to wipe away the tears. "Do not be troubled. You still have a vivid memory of them correct?"

Alex whispered, "thank you" and nodded 'yes' to his question. She suddenly looked to Jarlaxle. "Kristi? When will I see Kristi again?"

"You'll not see her for several days, she is in training in Sorcere. I am sorry, but we need to do this."

Alex sighed, "May I ask why? Why do we need to be separated?"

"If one of you should perish on accident," Jarlaxle paused, "you'll need to be able to survive without one another."

"Perish?!"

"The Underdark is an unpredictable place my dear. No one is ever truly safe

"I know that," Alex said pushing him away, "but she is the only one who understands how I truly feel."

"Really?" Jarlaxle mused silently to himself. "Perhaps now she is, but maybe others will penetrate the veil of your feelings."

"What are you implying?"

"Nothing, nothing at all," Jarlaxle said standing. "I will retire to my chamber, unless you wish me to stay for your safety."

Alex looked around. "It is your choice."

Jarlaxle was faintly surprised. "I will stay," a cot appeared on one side of the room, "to ensure your safety." He walked over to the cot.

Alex nodded and turned on her side. "Goodnight then."

"Good night," Jarlaxle said. He smiled to himself and mumbled, "Pleasant dreams. . .for me."

The bond between Alex and Kristi did more than connect their thoughts to each other, it connected their feelings as well. Kristi stared off absently, tuned into Alex's emotions as she struggled to battle her own. She could sense Alex's sadness and felt when she had cried. She turned away from Pharaun as a single tear escaped her eye.

Pharaun turned around as if he had heard the tear fall. "Are you all right my dear?"

"Yeah, I'm fine." Her voice threatened to break, but she swallowed the lump in her throat.

"You do not seem all right."

Kristi wiped away the tear in annoyance, but its brethren joined it. "I'm fine," she said stubbornly. She leaned against the wall for support, making sure Pharaun didn't see her tears as she struggled to hold them back.

Pharaun walked over to Kristi and placed a hand on her shoulder. "No, you are not fine."

She blinked rapidly to try and suppress the tears, but a sadness overtook her. Breaking away from Pharaun she leaned against the wall and slid down, putting her head to her knees, quietly crying.

"You feel great sadness. What is wrong?" He knelt down in front of Kristi, intrigued by this turn of events.

Looking up at him, "It's hard being the strong one. . ."

Pharaun took Kristi into his arms. "Then stop being the strong one, even if only for a little while."

Kristi looked to him for a moment before sobbing silently. The emotions she held back for days came out in a flood, taking even Pharaun by surprise.

"Hush my dear," Pharaun said rubbing her back soothingly. He watched as she gained partial control of her tears, but noticed that they still came. "Tell me, what is it that truly troubles you?"

"I can't. . ."

"Yes you can, stop being the strong one for a while."

"No, I can't speak them." She closed her eyes and imparted some of her good and bad memories to Pharaun's mind. "The good ones can never happen again and the bad ones only escalate. I carry them alone," with mockery in her voice, "and yet I am the strong one still." She fell silent.

Looking down to Kristi after he let some time pass, "are you all right my child?"

"I'm all right," she ignored the tears on her cheeks.

"Are you sure my child?" He brushed a few stray strands of hair off of her cheek.

Looking to Pharaun with tears brimming her eyes. "What do you think?"

With a sigh, "I did not think so. But it is best for you to voice your feelings."

"I do voice my feelings, I just don't speak them." She thought of her writing and poetry.

"Maybe sometimes you should."

Kristi looked away and said quietly, "I do, except it's when I'm alone."

Brushing some hair behind her ear, "I see. Would you like to be alone then?"

"No, it's okay," she said as a few stray tears escaped her eyes. "It's up to you."

"No my dear, it is your choice. I can leave you alone to voice your feelings or I can stay and offer what comfort I can."

She wiped away the tears and stood, walking over to the bed. "I care not for myself. I'm fine. . .really, you can go." Tears threatened to come again, but she set her jaw, determined to suppress them.

Pharaun nodded as he stood. "I understand." He walked toward the door.

Sitting on the bed Kristi mumbled, "No sleep will come to me tonight, guess I'll have my tears to keep me company." She didn't even realize she said what her mind was thinking.

Pharaun turned around in the doorway. "What was that my child?"

"What?" It didn't occur to her that she spoke her thoughts.

"You said something just a moment ago."

"I did?" Fatigue was starting to take over, but sleep refused to come.

"Rest, you look tired."

"I am tired, I just can't sleep."

Pharaun walked over and gently pushed her onto the bed. He covered her with a blanket and walked back to the door. Kristi closed her eyes and almost immediately was assailed with a nightmare, she turned onto her side and stared at the wall.

With a sigh Pharaun walked over to her and chanted a spell to soothe her dream and send her to sleep. He sat himself next to her for the night, making sure she would have no further nightmares.

Morning commenced in the Underdark and Jarlaxle laid awake watching Alex sleep. He had been watching her for quite some time. Alex turned onto her back and stretched awake as he watched from the nearby cot.

"Good morning my dear, did you sleep well?"

Alex nodded. "Well it's just sort of hard finding a peaceful rest here."

"True, yet some do find comfort in the darkness."

Alex mumbled, "like the drow."

Overhearing her mumble, "yes that is true."

"You were not supposed to hear that," Alex said with a sigh.

"Then you should not speak your feelings out loud. Remember my dear that the ears of a drow are highly sensitive."

"I'll remember," Alex said with a nod. "Are we training today?"

"In a matter of speaking yes, you still have your book to finish." Jarlaxle tossed her the book. "You can finish it in here if you like. I have other matters to attend to at the moment."

"Oh joy," Alex said rolling her eyes. She sat back on the bed and opened the book. "And when I'm done?"

Smirked as he headed to leave the room, "you'll find out when I return."

Alex grunted and started to read, while Jarlaxle made his way over to Sorcere to attend to his other matters.

Kristi slowly awoke to find Pharaun staring at her.

"Hello my dear. How did you sleep?"

Kristi blinked blurrily at Pharaun. "Surprisingly, I had quite a relaxing sleep."

"That is good," Pharaun replied with a smile.

"So, I take it that we're training today?"

Pharaun nodded. "It is a must."

"I figured that," she said. She blinked and noticed that there were two scimitars placed against the wall. They radiated an eerie glow. "What are those for?"

Looking to the scimitars, "those are for part of your training. You must learn how to use many different types of weapons."

Kristi nodded knowingly. "Can I practice with those now?"

"Yes, practice going through different motions."

Kristi tossed on a robe, which was folded at the edge of her bed, and picked up the scimitars. They fit into her hands perfectly as she swung them around making lightsaber noises in her head.

"I shall return in an hour's time."

"Okay, see you then," Kristi said, continuing to battle an imaginary foe.

Jarlaxle walked over to Pharaun in Sorcere. "Does everything go well?"

"Yes, yes it does. What about yourself and the light-haired one?"

"All goes well. If you don't mind. . . I'd like to speak with your assistant about the light haired one."

"Really?" Pharaun asked with a raised eyebrow. "What about?"

"Oh nothing really, I'm simply curious about the light haired human. Who better to go to then her friend?"

"I see," Pharaun said thoughtfully. "Yes you may speak with her."

"Excellent," Jarlaxle said with a smile. "Is there anything you require at the moment?"

Thinking for a moment, "actually I require a word with your assistant as well. Her 'friend' seems to be much of a puzzle to me."

"You can have a word, but nothing else." Jarlaxle brushed past Pharaun to where Kristi was practicing.

Kristi sensed a presence behind her. "Now I know it hasn't been an hour yet." She turned around to see Jarlaxle. "What are you doing here? Where's Alex?" She still held the scimitars in her hands.

"Alex is in her chambers studying. I came to have a word with you."

"With me?" She looked incredulously at Jarlaxle, absentmindedly twirling the scimitars in her hands.

"Yes with you. It concerns Alex."

"What about Alex? Something better not be wrong. . ." she trailed off with a threat in her voice.

"No, nothing is wrong my dear," Jarlaxle said easily.

Looking to him suspiciously, "Then what do you want?"

"Your friend, she seems to suffer inwardly," Jarlaxle stated.

Kristi's eyes faltered slightly. "Yes. . .but what's your point?"

"I only wish to know about her," he replied.

"Know what about her? And why should I even tell you? You've given me no valid reason why."

"I will not harm her in any way; I just wish to know more. She puzzles me and I am rarely puzzled," Jarlaxle said.

"Of course she puzzles you. She is my friend after all," Kristi said with a slight smile.

"I only wish to know more about her, nothing more," Jarlaxle said impressing his words on her.

"Like what?" She was intrigued that Jarlaxle of all people would come to her.

"Why is she the way she is? Her emotions switch like the turn of a sword. One minute she can be angry and the next she is sad. It puzzles me," Jarlaxle said.

"Well for one thing humans are like that and Alex is an especially sensitive human. If you kill in front of her chances are she will look down on you." She suspected that Jarlaxle 'liked' Alex, but she couldn't fathom that idea in her mind at this time.

"Yes I noticed that a few days ago. Please continue," Jarlaxle said while musing silently.

"She is a kind soul. Contrary to your beliefs she is not weak and she has an undeniable strength."

Jarlaxle nodded. "Yes, she seems to be more strong willed than what I first thought."

"She does like reading, but not straightforward things like a history book or something similar that genre. She likes fantasy, romance, and angst. . .books with a sense of adventure and the unknown. She does write herself and can draw contrary to her own belief. You'd do well to encourage her creative faculties."

"Really? And how would I go about that?"

"You should witness her creativity firsthand. You're a bright drow, I can't tell you everything. He who is rarely puzzled should be able to figure it out," Kristi said with an overly pleasant smile.

Mumbled, "humans." Looking to her, "Yes, thank you. I bid you farewell." He bowed to her and exited the room.

As he left, "I heard that." Mumbled, "males." Continued battling an imaginary foe. "Jarlaxle coming to me for advice. . .a drow. . .now that's a first."

As Jarlaxle conversed with Kristi he made his way to Jarlaxle's hideout and knocked on Alex's door.

Alex looked up from a book. "Umm, come in." She was startled as Pharaun entered the chamber. "What are you doing here?"

"I wish to speak with you about your. . .friend," Pharaun said simply.

"Why? What's wrong?"

"Nothing is wrong. Your friend is much of an enigma to me and I'd like to know a little more about her."

Returned to reading her book. "And why should I tell you?"

"Why shouldn't you tell me?"

"Oh, I can think of many reasons."

"You fear that I'll use them against her? I only wish to understand your friend and what troubles her inside," Pharaun said trying to gauge her attention.

Looking up from the book, "yes I do fear that you will use the information against her."

"It appears the information that I do gain does not work anyway. But I assure you, I won't use your words against her. She is stubborn," Pharaun said bitterly.

"It is a good thing that she is."

"But why is she stubborn?"

Alex sighed. "You're not going to go away are you?"

Folded his arms, "No."

"I thought so, but what is it that you want?"

Pharaun walked over to her. "I wish to know what she is like, her interests and her desires. You are close friends. Why is she the way she is now?"

"I cannot tell you for certain why she is the way she is, but I can tell you her interests and such things."

"Go on."

"I know that she express her emotions in writing."

"In writing?" Pharaun asked genuinely interested.

"Yes in writing. She is quite good at poetry."

Pharaun blinked. "A human good at poetry?!"

"Yes, you seemed shocked by that. Do you think that only drow are ones who excel in the arts?"

"Well. . ." Pharaun thought, 'I will have to witness this poetry firsthand at a later time.'

Alex continued, "She is also a very good artist. She draws quite well, but she does not think so. Don't let her fool you."

"Yes, she seems to fool and to hide her thoughts."

Alex nodded. "Yes, she does hide much within."

"How would I go about unveiling what she hides in her tangled web of emotions?"

"That I cannot tell you for certain. You will have to figure it out on your own."

"Yes, I shall. I must be going now. Farewell," Pharaun said as he went to exit the room.

Alex went back to reading her book and mumbled; "now that was odd."

Author's Note: Finally got these 15 pages of editing done. Sorry it took so long folks. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Please drop a review. . .it's a part of your training. ::smirk:: In the next chapter there will be more training and the drow take the girls' advice.