...I have attempted to put to words the experiences that I undertook during the time that I served as slave to the Drow Priestess Mavralyn. Much of that time is now murky in my mind; perhaps Tyr, in his mercy, has done this to spare me from the pain of full recollection.

It started when my brethren began, for reasons best unknown to me, to wager with a certain Priestess of Lloth, instead of putting her to the sword. As a minion of evil is oft wont to do, she preyed upon the young in the Order, tempting them with the sins of Lust and of the pleasures of the flesh. Thus their minds were unclear and they did fall to her in battle.

Word soon reached me that two of my older fellow Knights, SirCamarus and Sir Kingswill had lost a skirmish with her and were now enslaved and paraded about with ornate collars about their necks. I knew little of Kingswill, albeit that he was the current Warlord. Of Camarus, also little was known; he was wed to the Lady Evangelist, another KEF Knight.

Sending word to the temptress, I was able to parlay with her for their freedom. The price, TYR protect me, was me. I was to willingly serve as her slave in exchange for their freedom. At that time, I held the rank of AGM in the Order, second only to SirHuma Dragonsbane. Thus, I felt twas my duty and responsibility to obtain their freedom at whatever cost. In reflection, I now acknowledge that I held very little concern for my own life, for it had become very barren and lonely.

My bride of just two months, the lovely Belle Tane of Gwenneth, had departed on another Crusade, and I had no word from her. I had lived those prior 40 years without the stirrings of Cupid in my life, but I had become consumed by passion when Belle entered my life. Upon her abrupt leaving, I found I had no taste for battle, or any of my other duties. As surely as she had revived me upon her declaration of love for me and our subsequent marriage, her departure had broken my spirit and left me a shell of my former self.

I was of this mind when I turned myself over to Mavralyn. I cared not for what she did to me, if it brought a bit of happiness to Kingswill and Camarus and Evan.

The jeweled collar was placed about my neck, and I was debased in ways that destroyed what little personal dignity I had of my person and my spirit. The followers of Lloth wield their tools very effectively, and many were the personal humiliations that were placed upon my body and my soul.

I was stripped literally of my rank and finery, and forced to move about in a mere loincloth. At first, I was embarrassed, but later I stopped caring about the laughs and comments made by Mavralyn’s' guests, male and female. They delighted in bringing forth my personal demons and flaunting my human frailties in front of their assemblies.

Although I was never physically abused, theirs' were much more subtle and sublime forms of torture. Prior to my enslavement, never had I had my dark side brought forth before me. Many were the passions and acts that I partook of, and great was the laughing of Mavralyn's guests at the humiliation of the great KEF Knight, now reduced to a mere slave.

This humiliation ate at my very soul, and I began to pray for either rescue or death. Word then reached me that I was to be given to Mavralyn's matron, the drowess known as Jasra Dark, for she wished the company of a KEF Knight for one night of her dark passions. I was then to be given to another of her daughters, to be disposed of as she wished.

Each night when I was released from my duties and allowed to return to my cell, I prayed to TYR for salvation. My body had failed me, and all I had remaining was my faith. It was no surprise then, when Mavralyn summoned me before her one afternoon.

I fully expected to be delivered into Jasra's hands, to suffer the tender mercies that their kind loved to inflict upon our Order. Imagine my surprise when, after a brief conversation, Mavralyn released me from bondage. I glimpsed perhaps a small part of humanity that remained in her, as she showed me mercy.

My finery and armor was given to me, and after a perhaps bittersweet farewell, I rode forth on my Warhorse from Mavralyn's cottage in the Woods and returned with all haste to the KEF Keep.

Upon reflection, I now realize that I had perhaps begun to have feelings for the drowess Mavralyn. It is this shame, the betrayal of my vows to Belle that I will have to live with for my remaining years. Of my feelings, no one in the Order have I told, for they would surely cast me out of the Order for consorting with evil, and they would be right to do so.

Shortly thereafter I tendered my resignation as AGM, and have gone into seclusion in a little used portion of the Keep. Still no word reaches me of Belle, whether she lives or has perished upon the field of battle. I now ponder perhaps packing up my few remaining personal belongings, and setting forth on one final quest to find her. From such a quest, I would either return with her, or not return at all.

As of the date of this entry, I have not reached that decision yet. Most of the Knights I served with are gone, but a few of them still ask of my advice, so I remain to give them what little help I can. I find myself not wanting company though, and remain in my chambers most of the time. As to my future, only TYR... our beloved patron god of Justice knows...

By mine own hand this day January 28th, mundane year 1996

Sir Bardolf deBocage
Knight of the Eternal Flame

Matron Mother Jasra Dark, sat at her desk and gazed over at the slumbering, snoring form of her current Patron. She let out a sigh, talking barely above a whisper to herself, "These males. I have found only one use for them. They seem to please me for a time. A very short time it does seem. I do so wish Lloth could send me one that is as dark hearted as I so that I would at least have more fun with him. Instead I found a male with too much servitude. Eldraylve has always shown proper respect but something is missing."

Eldraylve lay on the couch wrapped in a thin blanket, but he only feigned sleep. He blasted out another mock snore and held back a smile - also keeping his thoughts empty since Jasra was very adept at reading minds.

The Ilharess had told him in no uncertain terms, the night before that he was not to come to her bed upon returning to Rilynt'tar. Having seen no reason to go back early, Eldraylve had stayed out until the burning light of Narbondel crested the mid-point. Somewhat exhausted he had chosen the first place that had afforded itself and did not wake until he heard her rummaging around the desk.

The couch had proven to be less than comfortable and the little sleep he gained left Eldraylve in a less than pleasant mood. The mock snores that pulled at the frown on Jasra's face were giving him some measure of satisfaction when a knock came at the door.

"Forgive me Malla Ilharess, but there is a messenger here. He is from the Valsharess,^*1" called a servant's voice from the other side.

Eldraylve cracked an eyelid as Jasra rose and walked to the door. He caught a glimpse of a kneeling male and a scroll passing hands. The servant departed as the Ilharess opened the scroll. Eldraylve could see neither the words on the scroll, nor the expression on Jasra's face. A moment later, she turned to rush out the door and nearly collided with her daughter,  Mavralyn.

"Forgive me Mother," Mavralyn stated.

"So do you then know of the news?" Asked Jasra.

"Xas, Ilhar.^*2"

"Then we shall celebrate before you leave." Glancing over her shoulder then, "Eldraylve, do wake and gather all of the house. We are to have a celebration." She stepped passed Mavralyn and disappeared into the hall as Eldraylve tossed off the cover and reached for his clothes.

He could feel Mavralyn's eyes as they roamed over him, appraising him. Eldraylve looked up when he finished dressing and his eyes glowed as they came to rest on her. A secretive smile touched her lips as she rested a hand on the slight bulge of her belly, and he shot her a questioning glance.

Her sudden flash of triumph caused him to grin. *Finally.* He thought, *One goal has been reached*. Brushing out his tunic, he strode gracefully to her and offered his arm. Together, they left the room and followed Jasra's path down the hallway.

Within the void I and my sisters wait to become. Fighting between ourselves for dominence. As I wait I feel my teeth become as sharp daggers. My sisters nudge me out of thier way to take thier place before the birth canal. I retaliate by sinking my new teeth into thier shoulders playfully but with a show of force... the goddess has given me a way to be free...

"Get thee behind me little sisters...I shall be first" I exclaim in a mind thought which we share as siblings...

Waiting...

Soon I shall be...

Beware...

Lloth had favored Mavralyn with 3 daughters - triplets.  And as she busies herself with the organization of her house, the signal of new life within her grows restless...

Inside the womb, one tiny drow-child focuses her blue-green eyes, examining her environment. As she surveys the tight surroundings that enclose her and her sisters, she watches as they argue, competing for space and wrestling for more room in the confined area.  Suddenly an elbow jabs little Erilysia on the shoulder... "Ouch!" she grumbles, and as she rearranges herself she hears a sister protest to the movement.  In a moment, she maliciously pounces upon the complainer and all at once the three girls are wrestling, pulling hair, slapping, giggling and laughing to gain dominance over one another.

With all this activity inside... Mav feels the consequences of their restlessness; the wave of pain in her body passes through her as she struggles to subdue her heartburn and measures her reaction towards her unborn. "Girls", she exclaims... "Save it for the Race!".

The three sisters upon hearing the familiar command, interrupt their actions obediently but only momentarily.  The same thought connects the unborn instinctively... their subconscious registers the implications... "The Race?". As they begin again their struggle for strength and dominance within the womb, an evil grin secretly spreads across Erilysia's face, as she slowly begins to plan...

Poisoned Senses
by Katishya d'Elythanar

Mother, busy with getting her new home in shape, ready for all her servants, friends, family, and her blessed triplets, drinks the blood of a gnome that her servant has brought her.  What was the gnome looking for?

Something important when captured by Mother's servant.  Unbeknownst to Mother, what the gnome searched for or that he did seek the shelves for something, she drinks of his blood.  Not tasting the blood of a gnome in such awhile she doesn't notice the slightly different taste within the blood itself.

----- She quenches her craving -----

The fluid flows into her body... I sense something not right... I move around to check out the strange liquid... POISON! Mild but still dangerous to us all.  I fight my sisters into a better position... 

Once in the position that I seek, I begin to consume all the poison, fighting my sisters to keep them away... 

Done... sick... oh so sick... what have I done? I have saved my family from death... but what of "me"?

Sick... oh so sick... wait... a purge? No... a heal... a heal of some sorts has been cast upon Mother.

Saved? I feel better... much better... maybe with time I will be ok.

I feel an elbow in my back... ah, one of my sisters wants this spot now.  Another poke with the elbow... I open my eyes to see who it is.  When I turn to her, a startled look lays upon her face.  I sense something wrong...  she laughs at me.  She says that I have funny eyes and my skin is different.

My other sister turns to look at me and also laughs... I can see them perfectly... their expressions... their laughter... white eye's... my eyes glow WHITE... my skin... it is lighter then my sisters skin... I don't think this is normal.

Hmmm... must have happened when I ingested the poison... A backlash?  Oh dear, what will Mother say about this?  Will she give my newborn life to the Goddess early? Or, will she try me to see how strong I really am?

Only time will tell...

*1.  Queen.
*2.  "Yes Mother."