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Checking The Shadows
by Drathsin d'Elythanar

Walking through the halls of house Elythanar he listened in on the many conversations rushing through the house. Drath's ears keenly picked up the hushed whispers as he moved quietly through the many passages. Upon hearing of several invitations to the other House Matrons, he traveled throughout the house checking each and every room and passageway.

Slipping silently into the kitchen, hardly observed by any, he calmly looked over the servants. Drath memorized every face to be sure who should be there. His voice cut the air as he grabbed the arm of the cook, "I shall test all food and drink when it comes time for the preparations. Do not let anyone you do not know into this kitchen until after the Ilharessen have left... or you shall answer to me."

Striding out of the kitchen, Drath moved to the outside balcony. Surveying the compound he saw Alycrusus directing the House Guard in preparation and checking of the outside area. Smiling he stepped off the balcony and floated to the ground, thinking one can never be too careful, and swiftly went to checking the grounds himself.

The moon high in the sky was full and cast a bright light over the entire city, creating shadows around the houses and buildings. It was in one of these shadows that the drowess crouched, breathing heavily, trying to catch her breath as she again eluded her pursuers. Covered in blood, a mixture of her own and that of the fools that got to close to her blade, she thought of her options and the next course of action.

Heavy footsteps echoing in the alley behind her brought the drowess out of her inner thoughts and focused all attention to the problem at hand. A master assassin and several guards were still closing in on her and she was running out of options. All doors in the city were locked and the few inns that were open would refuse her entrance because of what she was and her disheveled appearance.

A sudden intake of breath and a flash of light alerted her to the soldier bringing his weapon down for the killing blow. Slashing upwards as she turned, and raising her shield, prevented the sword from hitting her body and knocked the soldier back against the wall. Time enough to read the scroll clutched in her hand and cast the spell that would hold him here until her escape.

To step out into the open was a fool thing to do but choices were now limited and time was running out. Running across the street the sound of arrows whistling by confirmed the fact they were still tracking her movements. Turning the corner and stepping on a grate brought the drowess to a halt. "Of course," she thought, the underground sewer system would provide cover and would be an excellent place to hide. Lifting the grate was no problem thanks to the gauntlets given to her as a present--years ago. As she entered the sewer she brought the grate back to rest in its original position.

The light filtering through the grate was minimal, but accustomed to darkness, her eyes adjusted quickly to the infrared, so this posed no problem.  In fact, her vision had now improved without the glare of the lights from above.  Stopping to rest she caught her breath as she heard the falling footsteps of her pursuers above knowing the assassin would be noiseless and more thorough in his search.

While silently making her way down to the sewer floor, Ilinditha mentally appraised her situation and tried to formulate a plan that would insure her survival in this foreign environment she must certainly call her home. Looking around in the darkness she saw the brick walls covered in a fine layer of moss and heard the dripping of water all around. "Well," she said to no one in particular, "Let's see what we have here".

With her senses on full alert, Ili walked slowly and quietly through the maze of underground tunnels, never sure if she was walking in circles or actually making progress. Caught up in her thoughts she did not hear the giant rats and cloud giants that descended upon her.

One quick fireball killed all the rats, but only seemed to enrage the cloud giants and they quickly surrounded her, swinging their massive clubs in what would be a killing blow if they connected. Ili dodged and attacked, lashing out at whatever was in her reach, occasionally hitting one of the giants, but inflicting little damage. She hit the floor and rolled away, giving herself time to cast yet another fireball. This caused more damage to the giants, but did not stop their merciless attack.

Out of the corner of her eye, Ili saw a motionless figure standing in the shadows, momentarily lit by the fireball and was sure it was the assassin, now ready to complete his task. A lightning bolt flew out of the darkness and Ilin prepared herself for what she thought would be a painful death, but was surprised to see the bolt take out four cloud giants. Not stopping to think about her good fortune, Ili cast another fireball that destroyed the remaining cloud giants and glanced over to where she last saw the lone figure, only to see the wet, mossy brick walls.

As Shado left the Yathtallar's presence, plans and ideas immediately started to form in his head. First he must gather some Duergar^*1 slaves, and he chuckled to himself about how easy that would be.

After drawing the plans he had the slaves hollow the spire. Then Shado mused on who he would have to smooth the walls and floors of his tower. The pale skinned surface cousins of the drow had indeed shown some artistic ability in such things. Unfortunately they were lacking when working with the shades of gray and black that Shado loved so much.

The Duergar and their removed relatives that lived higher up where too crude in their abilities for such jobs, and humans were just to unpredictable to be trusted with such an important task. Shado laughed realizing he had once again gotten ahead of himself and sat back to think on who he should approach on the task of master architect.

This problem was soon resolved when a drow male Shado had never seen before appeared at the entrance of the d'Elythanar compound. "Vendui' Wanre Faern, Yathtallar Mavralyn has contacted me to help you with your tower". The stranger then handed Shado a parchment to verify his words signed by the Yathtallar. Shado nodded in understanding not really interested in the male’s identity, just his knowledge.

Shado and the stranger sat up for 2 weeks going over every detail of what Shado wished for and needed in his tower. At the end of their discussion Shado stood and looked to the other drow male, "I shall leave immediately to gather your work crew" Shado said flatly. "I trust you will be ready with the final draft of the plans when I return. This is what I expect of you!"

Shado grinned wickedly and added, "You do know that to fail me in this task is to fail the Yathtallar as well!"  Shado chuckled quietly as the male drow blanched visibly at this last statement and rose shakily and nodded in reply, "Xas Wanre Faern Shadosin, it shall be done as you command". Shado smiled at the reply and left the shaken male to his task.

Shado returned to his quarters in Elythanar and immediately went to the mirror of scrying Zacnefear gave him to spy with. This time however Shado wished not to watch the humans as before. Instead, his attention focused on the Duergar working outside a walled fortress deep within the underdark. For six days Shado scanned forgotten tunnels, looking for the craftsmen he so desired.

Finally he found what he was seeking. A large group of about 50 Duergar worked foolishly at digging out tunnels close to the drow city. Shado sat back and thought carefully how to approach this group. Duergar, not known usually for being very intelligent, were less then accommodating with their actions and attitudes when given an inch. Deciding a course of action Shado then mused on whom to take with him on this slave hunt.

Drathsin was a necessity. The House assassin would play a crucial role in making the Duergar succumb to Shado with small losses to the Duergar numbers. Shado needed this large of a group. Keeping this trip a secret from the Yathrin Zelghinna would prove the hardest feat, Shado decided.

If the new priestess accompanied him on this trip, Shado was sure he would be lucky to return with ten of the dark dwarves after the yathrin satisfied her lust for blood. Ten would just not be sufficient to finish the work in the time frame Shado had planned.

After much thought on this, Shado decided the only way he could insure the yathrin was unable to attend was to petition the Yathtallar for help in this matter. Shado shuddered slightly thinking one false step in this request and he would not need the slaves anymore.

The following day Shado approached Drathsin, nodding to him as he walked up to the velg'larn. "Vendui' abbil^*2, I have need of your assistance," he spoke bluntly. Drath looked up and smiled, "Vendui' abbil, what is it you require?"

After going over the plans Shado laid out, and modifying them, Drath nodded, "Xas abbil, it is a good plan and I would be honored to accompany you in this venture."

Shado smiled knowing the easy part of his day had just been completed. Nodding once again to Drath, Shado spoke, "well Aluve' for now abbil, we shall leave tonight if all goes well, for swift action is required."

Drath nodded back in understanding, "Xas, Aluve' abbil I shall be waiting."

Shado walked slowly towards the Matron's office, and considered what he was about to ask, going over his request silently within his mind. If he was not careful this request could be his last, so he wished to be prepared for this audience with the Yathtallar.

Shado strolled up to the Yathtallar and went to one knee in an exaggerated movement showing full respect to his Matron, "Vendui' malla Yathtallar."

Mavralyn smiled and replied, "Vendui' Shado, you may rise. What is it you require today?" She chuckled, having noted the exaggerated show of respect.

Shado cleared his throat and then spoke, "Malla Yathtallar, I have need to ask you of a favor..." He quickly added, "Though I mean no disrespect to the Yathrin Zelghinna for what I am about to ask."

Mavralyn raised an eyebrow as her expression grew stern. "And what is this favor you require?" she asked in a cold tone.

Shado shifted nervously sensing the mood change in the Yathtallar. "I require slaves to hollow out the spire you so generously gave me Ilharess. I leave tonight to accomplish this task, but I have need to ask you if you could keep the Yathrin Zelghinna busy until after I have left. I fear if she was to accompany me, I would not return with many slaves at all," he rushed through his request then cringed with in himself as the last words left his mouth. A long silence filled the air as Mavralyn looked at Shado before she replied.

"You definitely have started to take the attitude of a faeruk with this request Shadosin," Mav finally replied. With a sigh she continued, "You are correct in your evaluation of the yathrin's lust for vlos^*3. I do understand your need for the slaves, so this request I shall grant you," Mav stated flatly. Then a warning note entered her tone,  "But, WANRE faern Shadosin, remember you are not faeruk yet, and you walk ever so close to stepping out of your bounds."

Shado understanding the unspoken words of what the Yathtallar had just said to him bowed low to her, "Bel'la dos Malla Ilharess," staying in a bow as he spoke.

"Since you are going on this hunt, I wish you to also bring back some steeder^*4 breeding stock these Duergar are so fond of using. Now leave at once Shadosin and remember what has been said here today. Aluve' Shadosin," she spoke with finality.

"Aluve' Malla Ilharess," Shado said while moving backwards to the door. Once outside Shado breathed a sigh of relief and hurried on his way to meet Drathsin. The sooner they left the less chance the Yathtallar had time to reconsider her decision.

*1.  Duergar are evil dwarves that dwell deep below the surface in the Underdark.
*2.  Comrade or friend.
*3.  Blood.
*4.  Steeders are an extremely huge spider very similar to a mutant tarantula.  The Duergar use them as mounts and pack beasts.