Orbb Solen watched Chathal crawl across the desk in front of her. She could feel the spider’s restlessness; a restlessness that she shared. Both of them were ready to be gone on their journey. Orbb’s eyes glowed a brighter red in anticipation of the quest. She paused a moment in her writing to recall the vision that had come to her the other night. The vision was a summons that Orbb had to answer in order to be able to rediscover her past, and the memories that had been mysteriously lost.

Seen through the eyes of Chathal, it had been a mental map leading to a distant drow city. Then, as the vision had begun to fade, she had heard a whispered voice say, “Fifth Daughter of House Freth.” She knew that she would need to know about her past before she could attain her goals. She would have no mysteries, or unknown secrets that an enemy could use against her.

Chathal crawled across the desk and up Orbb’s arm, bringing her back to her unfinished task. Orbb finished inscribing the last scroll, the special ink forming letters that glowed purple in the infrared spectrum. At the bottom of the page, Orbb pressed her seal into the page. She had spent a month making the magic seal. With a muttered word, the place on the page where she had pressed the seal flared briefly and then settled to glow a deep red. Satisfied, Orbb rolled the scroll and secured the edge with a bit of wax.

The slave Orbb had summoned entered the room just as she was rising from the desk. Orbb watched with pleasure as it scurried towards her and knelt at her feet. She had helped to train this one herself and was very pleased with the result. Human slaves were hard to train, but this one had done well. It had taken very few whippings to get the slave to accept its life and become obedient. Only a small scar marred its cheek as a reminder of one of her lessons. That lesson had been well learned, she saw, as the slave remained prone at her feet, its forehead against the cold stone.

“Stand, slave.” Orbb commanded, and the slave rose speedily to its feet, keeping its eyes downcast.

“Bwael,” Orbb said, bestowing a rare compliment on the human.

Orbb felt she could risk giving the compliment, as she would be leaving it behind her when she left. It would no longer be her’s to command or punish. Pushing aside a slight disappointment at that thought, Orbb took two scrolls, including the one she had just finished, and handed them to the slave.

“Take these scrolls, one for the Ulathtallar and one for the Ul’Saruk. Then, you are done with your service to me.”

Orbb waved it away, and it scurried back out the door. Certain now, that the letters would reach their intended recipients, Orbb turned to survey the room one more time. It was empty except for the desk and bed, and a small cabinet that adorned the far wall. That cabinet was empty now, as was the desk. The bed was stripped. Everything was packed away into a pack that leaned against the wall beside the door, except the few writing supplies that Orbb had needed.

Carefully, she stored the supplies away, wrapping the seal in a small piece of silk. All went into the pack. Orbb recited the short incantation she had learned, and the room became devoid of any telling heat signatures. There would be nothing to tell anyone that she had ever been here. Then, as Chathal nested in her hair, Orbb swung her piwafwi about her shoulders. Another small bit of magic made the pack virtually weightless, and she slung it onto her back. She hated being the least bit burdened, but she had no wish to leave anything behind, so, settling it as comfortably as possible, Orbb headed for the door.

The last bit of light was fading from Narbondel as she exited the building that held Arach-Tinilith d’Rilauven. Very few would be about at this hour, except perhaps the Ul’Saruk, preparing to renew the fire in Narbondel. Orbb kept her eyes open, but nothing disturbed her passage as she headed for the gates of Tier-Breche, leading out of the city. She feared for only a moment as she came closer to the Jade Spiders that guarded the gates. Then, she felt an increased heat coming from where Chathal nested, and caught a glimpse of the spider’s eyes glowing intensely. Then, Orbb strode through the gates and out into the uncertainty of the Underdark caverns.

The mental map guided Orbb through the twisting tunnels towards her destination. As she traveled, she had time to think on the few things she did know about herself. Her first memory had been waking in a building on the surface. How she had gotten there she did not know. She had had no conception of who or what she was, but she had soon learned. Traveling the surface, she soon learned that the sun was her enemy, and those few others she had met on the roads that connected the surface dwellers’ settlements either ran in fear from her or tried to kill her. Only cunning and some, then unknown, instinct had saved her from death in those first few months. Later, she had learned to travel by night, and avoid certain areas. A year later, she saw her first drow since waking.

Memories had come from that glimpse, but only a few. She recalled bits and pieces of a language and of the realm beneath the surface known as Underdark. Following the memories had brought her to Rilauven. There, a handsome male drow had found her. His appearance had stirred other memories, of darkness and desire. He had shown her the way around Rilauven, and presented her to his Ilharess, Mavralyn. After that Orbb’s life had centered around Rilauven and the House d’Elythanar. Her name showed her devotion to Lloth, the only thing that provided any pleasure and satisfaction in her life. These thoughts and others helped to speed Orbb’s journey.

Only a few encounters with the various denizens that attempted to survive the Underdark slowed her progress. Orbb Solen entered the city of Eryndlyn with only minor bruises and scrapes. She noticed something lacking in the city before she even had entered. There were fewer fairie lights here, than in Rilauven. Even Narbondel’s light seemed a paler shade. Orbb’s eyes narrowed as she looked upon it. This city was dying, and it became more and more apparent as she went further in.

Orbb found one of the few inns in the merchant sector of the city. Its condition did not improve Orbb’s opinion in the least, but she paid the innkeeper and took the room the ill-looking drowess showed her. She took a few moments to settle her belongings, warding them to prevent tampering, then descended and went out into the city.

Orbb passed two more days in the city before she found what it was she was looking for. Late in the second day, Orbb found a very old drowess who was happy to have Orbb buy her wine and listen to her stories about the greater days of Eryndlyn. One of those stories concerned House Freth, and it’s quick ascension to 10th house of Eryndlyn. Hearing the story, Orbb recalled her vision and the whispered words. Orbb felt her memory returning with the telling of the story. Names caused images to flash across her mind with amazing clarity. By the end of the tale, Orbb knew who she was and what had happened to her.

She had been Zesstra, fifth daughter of House Freth, twelfth house of Eryndlyn. She had been about to graduate from the temple and assume the title of Yathtallar, when her younger sister, Waerva, had decided to take Orbb’s place as fifth daughter. They had been on a surface raid together when the sixth daughter’s opportunity had come. They had been battling a wizard together, and had just defeated him. Orbb’s back had been turned to her sister, who took the opportunity to strike. The first blast had sent Orbb into a far wall. The second had knocked her unconscious just as the betrayal had registered fully in Orbb’s mind. Apparent now was the fact that Orbb’s sister had not checked to make sure she was dead. That would be Waerva’s downfall.

The old drowess finished her story telling and stumbled off upstairs, leaving Orbb to her memories and her rage. Chathal crawled down her arm and across the table, stealing a bit of meat off of a plate, and turning to watch Orbb as it ate its meal.

“Xas, Chathal,” Orbb said to the watching spider. “I have much to think about.”

Orbb sat back and sipped her wine, watching the main room with one eye, and contemplated her situation. She was dead to her house, and had been for far too long to be able to implement traditional drow justice. Orbb would have to find another way to punish and destroy her sister.

Long shapely fingernails tapped thoughtfully on the smooth surface of the mahogany desk as the beginnings of a headache ran fingers of pain from temple to neck. Finished finally with the pile of reports, rumors, and current business dealings that accumulated each day, Mavralyn leaned back with a tired shrug of the slender shoulders. Something nagged at the back of her mind, yet she could not summon the energy to puzzle out the pieces. 

Mavralyn rose wearily from her chair and moved quietly through the dark passageways towards her room. Dismissing the servants and slaves abruptly, she did not bother with the normal sleep time rituals. Instead she lay down upon the silken bed sheets and allowed herself to slip into a trance like state of awareness. The pounding headache dimmed as the lines of strain smoothed away from the delicate features and the Matron dreamed........ 

                                ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"...........iaren," the soft whisper of sound brought her awake. The throbbing pain that assailed her had left without trace as Mavralyn stretched drowsily, feeling refreshed and alert.  Recalling vividly the visions and dreams, she swiftly rose from the warmth of the bed and prepared for a new day. A firm resolve filled the slim form as she dressed and summoned her First Daughter to join her in the private chapel. 

When Katishya arrived, the unnatural darkness of the small chamber let her know that her mother had used the innate ability of all drow. Not understanding the reason behind the summons, nor why her birth mother would wish complete absence of sight, she entered cautiously and found her way to the tiny altar. As something brushed past her face, a small painful prick from a sharp instrument drew a bead of blood from her slender white throat. Stiffening at the unexpected attack, the husky voice of her birth mother whispered quietly into her ear, "Do not move daughter or you are dead." 

"It is not always our enemies that bring death my first born. Sometimes it is one that you are closest to," the sharp object disappeared from Kati's neck as the darkness spell faded and allowed her to see once more. "Another lesson honored Mother?" Kati inquired nonchalantly, though the flush of heat in her face and rapid beat of her pulse took time to return to normal. 

"Yes Kati, another lesson. One you should remember always." With a sudden change of expression that took the beautiful albino's breath away, Mavralyn turned and knelt before the altar. As the Matron Mother bowed her head and prayed silently to the dark goddess, the younger drowess slowly knelt beside her. Confusion churned within her mind yet her features remained impassive, waiting for Mavralyn to tell her what this private meeting was about. 

Finally rising, Mav turned towards Kati as she too started to rise, "Remain kneeling daughter. I have something to give you." Slowly the Matron began to remove the ornate ring crafted for her as the Matron of House Elythanar. Reaching for the alabaster hand of her daughter, she slipped the heavy band upon Kati's finger. 

"The ruling council meets this eve. After business is concluded, I shall request that you are named Ilharess d'Elythanar my daughter. you may rise now and know that we are equal. It will be a formality only that the mantle is placed upon your shoulders tonight." The firm conviction of Mavralyn's voice finally penetrated the fog that surrounded Kati at her mother's words.

---

Summoned to the Chapel, Part 1
by Katishya Elythanar

~Moving around ‘my’ apartments, continuing with the redecoration, adding stuff here, taking stuff from there. Watching both Islanna and Desinari to make sure they are doing exactly what I told them to do.~

"It seems to be coming together nicely Rothe."

~I smile, watching them press the gold leafing on the upper walls.~

~A tap on the doors pulls me from the job at hand.~ 

"Xas?"

~The doors open slightly and one of the servants steps in looking bewildered~

"Malla Yathrin," ~the servant bows~ "The Ilharess wishes to see you within the chapel at this time."

~I sigh, looking at all the work still left to be done, then I dismiss the servant with a message that I am on my way. I turn, looking into one of the old mirrors making sure everything is in it's place, then I head towards the doors.-

"Islanna and Desinari, continue with the chores that I have given you, I will return to check on you soon."

~Wondering as I walk~   “Hmm... what does mother wish of me at this hour? Is there something wrong? Something must be wrong if she wishes to see me in the Chapel at this time.” ~sigh~ “Perhaps she heard...” ~softly growls~

I know he didn't tell, he fears what would happen to him if he does.  Guess I will just have to wait and find out.”

~I arrive at the chapel and quietly open the doors. Upon entering, a dark foreboding feeling comes over me... it is too dark within.~

~Ilhar has used her abilities of darkness. But why?  What has happened? Why would she call me to the darkness of the Chapel?~

~Suddenly I feel something brush against my face, but before I can move there is a sharp object against my throat. I can feel a trickle of blood spill down my neck. I go stiff realizing that if I move too fast with the wrong decision I could quickly be laying in Lloth's arms within the hour. A voice is heard... it is mother's voice.~

"Do not move daughter or you are dead."