Shado sat staring at the old tome. So many questions ran through his mind but one stood out above all. "How had Zacnefear summoned an elemental so easily?” Shado had succeeded that day in calling the elemental forth, but it had been at great cost to his energy.

The Qu’el'faeruk del Dur'Eben, on the other hand, had summoned and bound it to his will with seemingly no effort. Looking once more at the spell, Shado decided the difference had to be in the casting, not the spell. Shado was positive he had learned the spell properly.

Summoning forth a glass of wine, Shado sat and thought of the lesson. What was it Zac had said to him? "You must want and embrace the power of magic or you will not gain control of it."  Shado took a sip of the wine then suddenly realized what Zac meant!  A smile crossed his lips as he realized how easily he had summoned the wine to appear.

"Why should it be any different for an elemental,” Shado mused. Putting down the glass he rose and moved quickly to his spell chamber. A smile danced across his face as he prepared to once again summon the elemental.

This time, Shado waited to feel the magic in him, allowing it to enter him. When the power came forth Shado felt warm and in a rhythmic fashion he slowly started the spell. This time he did not try to form it or force it.

As the last word left Shado's mouth the wall on which he had tossed the dirt started to take shape and move. From within the wall lumbered forth a smaller but nonetheless impressive earth elemental.

It moved slowly towards Shado then came to an abrupt halt and waited. A large grin danced across Shado's face as he realized fully what he had done! Shado quickly dismissed the elemental and returned to his study. Picking up the glass of wine again he smiled before returning to his studies.

Zelghinna approached the Yathtallar with the nobility and dignity of one due her station. A slight smile broke the angular planes of her beautiful face, and a glint of mischief danced in her eyes. Gracefully she curtsied and greeted the Yathtallar in a sultry voice that resounded throughout the great stalagmite.

"Vendui' Malla Yathtallar" Zelghinna said in her resounding voice.

The cool eyes of the new Matron swept from a kneeling warrior to the new mistress, appraising her.

"Vendui' Zelghinna" the Yathtallar replied in a voice that stripped Zel of her self-confidence with its raw power.

Zelghinna, proud and willful though, stood her ground refusing to allow herself to appear weak. She would not allow her feelings to rule her, or betray her. Her pride alone would accept nothing less. Mavralyn picked up on this inner turmoil the child had, and her eyes flashed with both amusement and pride. She knew the child was ambitious, it was a game Zelghinna was playing, but Mav also respected that Zel was defiant and put up resistance. The Yathtallar decided she best break her before this got out of hand.

That day was a long one for the Yathtallar, spent watching the new mistress as a predator would watch prey. She let Zelghinna play her, feeling her out, knowing that all the time she was in control. By the end of the day though, the Yathtallar felt a certain respect for the child. She was new and had to be taught, but the Yathtallar liked what she saw. The only thing the Yathtallar didn't like was Zel’s fierce pride and willfulness. She was concerned about Zel's loyalty, and whether it would change like the seasons, or remain true to Elythanar. That was not the only thing the ever-observant Yathtallar noticed about Zelghinna either...

As Zelghinna walked the great halls of d'Elythanar many of the males paid attention to her. Zel was beautiful and all the males saw it, even the Yathtallar was stirred to an extent by Zelghinna's beauty, but Zel was... Different. She never once looked at any of the males, not even a passing glance. They were non-existent to her; she had eyes for only one.

Night soon grew late and the house started finding different entertainments. The night for Zelghinna found her wandering the halls of the great stalagmite, a small diagram in hand. Which she found amusing also. The steward, Danarth, had slipped this to her when he was showing her to her rooms. Zel was startled at first, but when she read the note anticipation filled her. It seems the Yathtallar had requested her presence to... "talk."

Slipping out of her rooms and into the silent halls Zelghinna observed there were no guards about. She followed the diagram as best she could, the soft shuffling of her robes the only noise breaking the silence. Eventually, she made her way to the great gilded doors of the Yathtallar's private apartments. Raising her hand to knock, the doors swung open, well-oiled hinges preventing a sound, a chill flowing through her, she slowly stepped into the Yathtallar's room.

The room beyond was dimly lit, a seductive voice from the shadowy darkness beckoned Zel to enter. Slowly Zelghinna entered, trepidation and excitement flowing through her. She walked across the grand room to the voice that hid in shadows. A movement from this darkness caught Zel's eye and Zel turned and stopped before the Yathtallar, not saying a word, she stood there frozen. The Yathtallar slowly circled her, a slight smile playing on her face.

Zel had realized then where exactly she found herself. She was on a raised platform between two pillars that rose to chest high. Dark stains flowed down the pillars. She noticed in her fear that the pillars were just far enough apart to secure the arms of a prisoner.

"Do you not greet your Matron Mother... Zelghinna?" The Yathtallar asked voice hard and cold, eyes flashing in the darkness.

"My apologies Malla Yath...” Her voice broke as she hung her head down and saw the dark stains of blood also covering the floor. "I..." She tried to compose herself but the Yathtallar cut her off.

"You need to learn Zelghinna... and learning can be a hard a lesson," Mav stated, her voice like the stone of the stalactite.

"Xas Malla Yathtallar," Zel answered in a flat tone, thinking of the stains of blood around her. "Malla Yathtallar..." Zel began, "what is this place?" The young drows tried to regain her composure.

"This dear is where I bring my slaves. I find this room to my liking for it is..."

Mav grinned wickedly, "...sound proof."

Zelghinna remembered a time when she was enslaved in a rogue camp and was filled with a certain longing. Growing up in that camp had changed Zelghinna, the slavery to males had driven her away from them, had made her unique. She looked to the Yathtallar with desire in her eyes, "Please collar me," tears flowed from her eyes.

"What do you know of the collar Zel?" Her voice filled with contempt. "You would be collared like a slave? Abused?  Do you have no dignity? I think maybe I made a mista..."

"I have plenty of dignity," Zel's voice interrupted, cutting through the darkness, "You don't understand..."

"What don't I understand Zel?" A note of sarcasm hung in the air. "I understand that here is a mistress who is begging to be collared like a dog, begging to be my slave. Do you know how I treat slaves Zel? Are you so willing to be that?"  Turning around, Mavralyn dug in her pack and pulled out a silver gem encrusted torc. She tossed it to Zelghinna, saying, "Put it on slave."

Catching the torc neatly, the younger female fastened it around her neck. Then the Yathtallar stepped forward and activated the collar with a simple touch and a single word. A small amount of feedback entered Zel's mind, causing a small headache. Zel smiled as the familiar feeling of being powerless filled her.

"Remove your clothing,” the Yathtallar commanded.

"Nau."  Zel answered in a defiant voice.

Pain punched into Zel's mind, as Mavralyn sent her will through the telepathic link, driving Zel to her knees. With tears flowing from her eyes, Zel swiftly stripped until she was naked.

"Put your hands on the pillars," Mav commanded again with a sly smile curving her lips.

Zel obediently placed her hands on the pillars, in a kneeling position. Leather cords flowed from the stone and encircled her wrists, binding them to the blood soaked pillars.

The Yathtallar moved closer staring into Zel's eyes. Unable to resist her self Zelghinna leaned towards Mav and kissed her deeply. Zel felt the hand of the Yathtallar moving up her leg, touching her softly...

That night was a night of passion, of desire. The two found a new respect for one another. As dawn drew near and Zel lay in Mavralyn's arms exhausted, she looked at the Yathtallar with fondness and caring. Whispering softly in the darkness... "What you didn't understand Yathtallar is... I care for you, and would do or be anything to be with you."

In the darkness the Yathtallar smiled, smoothing the hair from Zel's brow...

"I know Zelghinna," she answered in a husky voice, "I care for you also."

Slowly drifting off to sleep, it was a night to remember...

Shado walked slowly towards the designated meeting place. The Ilharess Mavralyn had summoned him for reasons he did not know. Approaching the door Shado hesitated and tried to recollect recent events; had he done something to displease her?  "Nau," he said softly to himself, he could think of none.

Quietly he knocked and waited for entry. The door opened and he could see Mavralyn sitting there waiting for him. Dropping to one knee Shado greeted her, "Vendui' Malla Ilharess." He waited quietly for her reply.

She looked towards Shado with her seductive eyes and smiled, "Vendui' Shadosin... do rise."  Shado rose slowly but still did not speak, waiting for some hint as to why she summoned him. Mavralyn watched Shado, then after a few moments of silence she spoke again, "How are your studies coming along Shado?"

Shado smiled at the mention of his studies with Zacnefear. "I am told I am doing quite well Yathtallar."  Mavralyn nodded slowly, "And do you treat that old wizard with proper respect Shado?"  Shado's face blanched suddenly. Quickly he ran events through his mind, thinking to himself, "Have I insulted Zacnefear somehow?"  Shado could not think of any situations where he had, so looked back towards the Yathtallar, "Xas I do believe I have Yathtallar," and waited for the reply he was sure to come.

Mavralyn smiled as she watched Shado struggle with the question and then answered him, "Xas Shado, Zac has said you do quite well also."  Shado relaxed with visible relief at her words. "Shado I have summoned you here to find out if you need more room for your studies," she stated.

Shado somewhat surprised by the question hesitated and then replied, "Nau Yathtallar, you have been most generous with what you have given me thus far."  Mavralyn smiled at his answer and replied, "Well Shado if you do not wish more room, then I will find a different use for this spire," pointing to a large colored-in area on her map of the Elythanar compound. With a slight hint of amusement she continued, "But I did think it would work well for you, as you would have more privacy to study and practice."

Shado's features changed as he thought about what she offered and then smiled widely, "Xas Yathtallar, you are correct as always. I would enjoy the privacy to study but did not wish to impose on you."  Mavralyn's face grew stern suddenly, "You do know you will have to shape and hollow it yourself. Also you will want your own wards for protection."  Knowing her true meaning behind the words, Shado nodded, "Xas malla Yathtallar, of course."

Mavralyn relaxed her tone a little, "Well then you may have this area Shado, but I wish you to work quickly on it so you may advance your studies more."  Shado smiled at her one more time, "Bel'la dos Malla Yathtallar, you are most generous indeed."