Silent Vigil
by Drathsin d'Elythanar

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Drath wished to see this birth to go well. He had vowed already to guard the birthing, and that he would do so with his life, but he had a special interest also. He hoped that he would be bestowed the honor of guarding the First Daughter. He hoped his wish would be answered as he sat quietly watching and listening. So silently his vigil continued as he waited for the birth.

As he waited, he remembered...

It had been a year since he had last seen his home and life in the dark city of Eryndlyn.  He had set out with others on a patrol to the surface to gather information on a town.

As they entered the first light of the surface world, they were set upon by hired mercenaries.  Sorely out numbered, the drow where destroyed except save one.  Drathsin had fallen in battle, suffering great injuries, and then left for dead. Conciousness returning briefly, Drath hid and nursed himself back to health.

Ashamed for living, he would not return to Eryndlyn.  Over the year since he left the massacre, he hunted down the mercenaries one by one, until only five were left...

He strode into the camp as five men exchanged stories by the fire. The first of the men looked up and gestured the others to look.  They turned to face the stranger.  The shadows of  night hid his features as he pulled his hood down and spoke, "You five are the last of my shame. It is now time to finish what was started a year ago."

The leader of the band pulled his sword and bellowed for his men to attack. The first man saw the stranger move his cloak to the side but did not have time to register what was held. A crossbow bolt sprouted from his eye as he tumbled back. The next man took a second bolt to the groin and crumbled to the ground in a heap.

The stranger gently tossed the crossbow away as he unfastened the thong to his cloak and jumped back drawing two black knives. His grin was wicked as he watched the men's uncertainty.  The two looked to their leader for instruction, as the leader bellowed for them to attack a knife appeared in the stomach of both.

The stranger slowly straightened and smiled to the leader.  The man turned and ran. He had just about made it to the trees when he went down, struck from behind. He slowly tried to rise from the ground, wondering if the stranger had thrown a rock, as he fell twitching to the ground.

The stranger walked over to his cloak and picked it up patting off the dirt it had collected, before refastening its thongs.  He walked to the bodies and collected his three knives and cleaned them.  He walked to the wounded one and looked down, asking the injured man for information about their newest assignment.  Then as the last mercenary begged for mercy, Drath slit the man's throat with a smile. He wiped his last knife on the now dead man's cloak and smiled again.

Yes, he had done well for himself for he had heard of the city called Rilauven, a city of drow.  It had been a long time since he had been with his people and now he had found them again.

The evening swam over the countryside, cold and forboding. The Drow city of Erelhei-Cinlu, however, was not daunted by the night, darkness being the only friend to the Dark Elves. Secret plans were forming, assassinations were agreed upon, and temporary alliances were forged as the moon rose high above the mountains of Orlyt'lavin.

The small city prospered, having beaten down the surrounding towns and villages into submission.  Although tenuous at best, the fear that held them at bay was strong, and the Drow feared no action from them and enjoyed free reign in the area.

For Maya, a young female shebali^*1, it was a night she had looked forward to for many weeks.  She had had her eye on the dashing Qu'el'velguk, or House Assassin, of the favored house in the city.  Being a rogue, she held no rank and realized she had no power to order him to do as she wished.  He was somewhat arrogant, and if he had ever bothered to notice her, would not have given her even the basic respect that a female deserved, rogue or not.

She knew his every move, however.  Watching him walk the streets, talk with comrades, and carry out the assassinations commanded by his Matron... she was always there, just out of sight.  It would almost be a credit to her that she was able to do this, given the fact that he was the most cunning assassin the House had ever had the luck to have.  She watched, biding her time.  She knew she wanted him, and hated the power he had over her without even knowing it, but she had resolved to turn the tables on him.  Tonight...

She knew of his plans this night, as he did every third night after the full moon.  He would go to his favorite tavern, and drink the night away with one or two comrades.  Always he was last to leave.  She left early, going to this inn and retiring to a dark, secluded corner to watch... and wait.  As expected, he arrived with a Yathrin^*2, the Second Daughter of the same house.  They spent the night in merriment, laughing quietly and flirting shamelessly, drinking the tavern out of their best wine.

Maya smiled to herself, knowing that her plans would see themselves through.  Sure enough, when the moon was several hours past her zenith, the drowess excused herself and retired to her dwelling, leaving the young assassin alone with his wine and his blurry thoughts.  It was now that Maya acted.  She stood and slowly walked to his table.  Standing before him, she gazed into his unfocused eyes, gathering her resolve.

Even in his drunken state, she knew he could be a formidable enemy.  He raised his head slowly, his head lolling on his neck, and smiled a broken smile.  "Vendui' dos shebali elg'caress,"^*3 he drawled.

She smiled at his insult, her courage restored.  Although she was young and untrained, she did know a few simple spells, ones that suited her task. He was obviously in no shape to resist her either, cunning or not.  Whispering a spell to induce friendship and submission, ending with a silent 'Lloth tlu malla' she smiled at him, and said only "Come with me, Qu'el'velguk."

His eyes flared red around the edges, but he stood with a smile.  She turned and walked out confidently, as he followed behind her like a small puppy.  Deep inside, beyond the magic and the wine, his mind resisted, but the combination of alcohol and her spell was too strong.  She led him back to her cottage, where she used him mercilessly, venting all her love, as only the Drow know it, upon him.

When she finished, she led him back to the tavern and sat him down at his table.  By now the alcohol was wearing off, and his returning senses struggled at the spell, slowly winning.  Maya saw this, and turned to leave.  Before she did, she whispered in his ear as the last of her now-feeble spell wore off, "You have given me what I wanted, Qu'el'velguk.  You have given me a piece of your life."

She placed a gentle hand on her belly, and walked out proudly, even as his mumbled curses became more and more coherent...

The assassin jumped to his feet furious; with only Maya's death upon his mind.  He strode out of the tavern, intent upon catching her and doing all sorts of horrible things to her for what he saw as a vicious insult to his station.  Peering in either direction, he searched in vain for a sign of her whereabouts.

"Ssussun, dos elg'caress,"^*4 he swore.  "You have had your way with the wrong male."  A plan began to form in his mind, and he began to smile.  As the early sun rose, he hurried back to the house to speak with his Ilharess.

As he entered the formidable building, he rehearsed the words he would say to her.  He entered the main temple, but found it empty except for the Fourth Daughter, whose task it was to watch over the Temple.  Walking slowly up to her, his gait casual and unassuming, he bowed low.

"Rise, Qu'el'velguk," she said with a smile.  He rose slowly, and returning her smile, said "Where is the Malla Ilharess, your mother, young Yathrin?" "I do not know... I believe she may still be asleep in her chamber with the Ilharn^*5," she shrugged. Nodding, he walked away to his chambers, deciding that sleep would probably do him some good as well.

He awoke several hours later, not being one to waste his days away in slumber.  Quickly dressing, he made his way back to the Temple.  The Malla Ilharess Rossyn was discussing some house business with several other Yathrin of her house.  When she saw the House Assassin enter, she smiled with a slight look of relief, day-to-day business being something she did not exactly enjoy.  He fell quickly to one knee, bowing his head, and said "Vendui' Malla Ilharess..." She nodded.  "Rise, velguk^*6, and tell me what is obviously troubling you."  Glancing at the others, he gave her a look that meant that he wished to discuss this in private.  With a slight wink in his direction, she sent the others away.  One by one they left without question, displaying the complete control she maintained in her household.

"Come... tell me now what you have to say," she said, motioning him to move closer.

"I have a request to ask of you Ilharess.  I have been wronged greatly last night, and I wish for revenge.  At first, I intended to end this one's life, but now I feel death is too easy... I wish it to be something that will torture them for the rest of their life."

"What is it that has been done to you?"  Rossyn asked, her eyes flashing fire.  "Tell me what they have done, and what you wish to be their punishment, and it shall be done. you have served me very well and without question - you deserve to be granted this request."

Leaning forward, he told her what had transpired the night before, and outlined the punishment he would like to see carried out.  At first shocked, then angered, the Ilharess smiled at his cruel idea.

"Xas^*7... I like it very much.  Very well, then," she said coldly, and called for some of her personal guards.  "I wish dos to scour the city and find a shebali by the name of Maya," she instructed.  "Bring her directly to me as soon as she is found, and do not delay!!"  Going to one knee, the guard-master said "A'dos quarth, Malla Ilharess^*8," and rising, quickly left to carry out her demand.

Several hours later, the guards returned, triumphantly escorting Maya between them.  Walking up to the Ilharess, they forced her to her knees, bowed, and backed away.  Rossyn smiled and said, "So, Maya, you have decided to exact your wishes upon my Qu'el'velguk without my permission?"  Maya remained kneeling, her head down.  She was still very young, and was afraid of the Ilharess.  This was not what she had expected to happen; in fact, the guards had discovered her packing for travel.  She had intended to leave the city and head for another city, one where no one knew her, to raise her child.

"Nau^*9Malla Ilharess...I did naut^*10 intend to offend you..." she shivered.

"Well... you have. And it is much, much too late to be sorry.  You have acted, and now you must bear the consequences of your actions."  Rossyn smiled, then glanced up at the assassin, who stood beside her also smiling... in satisfaction.  "Bring Tylkuth in," she said.  The assassin turned and entered a side room in the Temple, returning a moment later with a large, scowling Drow.

The Matron turned back to face Maya.  "This is Tylkuth. You and he shall be bound together immediately.  Now, do not think that I am taking pity on you," she smiled.

"Tylkuth is somewhat insane.  One of the symptoms of his insanity is that he hates females.  However, he knows that this is an aberration, and in order to attempt to make up for it, he has sworn his undying loyalty to me, that he will follow my every command.  He has proven this, more than any other male could."  She glanced at the other males who were listening, giving them something to think about.

"Tylkuth," she said as she glared down at Maya, "This shebali has angered me greatly, more than any has ever done before.  I therefore give dos permission to hate her, to give your insanity total release upon her. You both shall swear blood vows to each other, that you can never break. Then you both must leave the city at once, never to return."

Turning to smile at Tylkuth, she spoke again.  "You may deal with her as you wish."  With that she stood, motioned Tylkuth to follow her, and walked over to stand before Maya. "Rise, foolish one," she said.

Maya hesitantly stood, tears streaming down her face.  Chuckling, the Ilharess spoke.  "Malla Quarval’sharess Lloth, sarn'elgg nindol olplyn vel'uss rath'arghus udossta Qu'ellar.  Il zhah tlu phlithus, lueth il orn tlu dobluth.^*11"

The Matron took Tylkuth's hand, and forced Maya to take his hand and kneel before him.  With a slight wave of her hand, a collar and leash appeared, which she placed upon Maya's neck.

Handing the leash to Tylkuth, she nodded to him, turned and walked out of the Temple, stopping to whisper to the assassin.  "Escort them out of the city," she said, "and give Tylkuth provisions and one horse.  Ensure that they leave, then post notice in the city of my wishes.  She is nau longer welcome here, and shall be killed on sight."  Thinking for a moment, she continued.  "Tylkuth as well.  I am tired of his insanity blemishing my House."

She turned on her heel and walked out.  Smiling to himself, the Qu'el'velguk moved to carry out her wishes.

*1.  A term used for a  houseless drow, drow rogue.
*2.  Priestess
*3.  "I greet you,  you rogue bitch."
*4.  "Damn you, you rogue bitch!" (Literal translation for ssussun is light).
*5.  Term used for the Patron of a house, the mate of the Matron.
*6.  Short word for Master Assassin.
*7.  "Yes."
*8.  "As you command, Honored Matron."
*9.  "No."
*10. "Not."
*11. "Honored Goddess Lloth, punish this thief who dishonors our House. She is to be despised and she will be outcast."