It finally happened. He always knew the day would come when she would be taken from his service.  Everyday he dreaded the announcement straight from his mother that Desinari would be sold into service to someone else. Maybe he took it too much to heart --- even one grown cold and calculating as he. He may have found Desi, but it was his mother, Mavralyn, that gifted the beautiful slave to him.  Desinari was his first... as he first started learning about the art of slave training from his mother.

And there he stood staring at the star-filled night sky, his light sensitive eyes blazing with pain that was not all physical. The young warrior-mage was unaccustomed to these emotions he was going through lately.

"She just left without telling me," Tullarix whispered into a gathering breeze, to no one in particular.

If it was his mother's wish to take Desi away from him, then he would abide with her decision. Her word was law to him and all those who followed her. Tull was one who was utterly loyal to Mavralyn. Even when he disagreed with some of her decisions, he still accepted them and tried his utmost to achieve whatever goal was needed to be reached. He didn't know if his mother instructed Desi to leave without seeing him first, and if she did then it was just another test of his loyalty and devotion to her.

That he could deal with. That was something he was accustomed to since he was old enough to experience in full life with his people.  Plus, with his mother's personality, he had grown quite capable in dealing with such tests.  What gnawed through his insides and emotions was the thought that Desi did not want to be seen with him anymore. That she was glad and relieved to be sent elsewhere to serve, never to be summoned by him again.

“I must know”, Tull thought. One way or another, Tull was always one to find out why. Meanwhile his hand absently caressed the hilt of one of his many daggers. This dagger had a name that he subconsciously thought of while his hand stroked that hilt, yet kept from his conscious self. 

**Tull, return to the gathering area. We will depart for the cavern soon,** the imperious, but always sultry voice of his Ilhar sounded loudly in his mind as her mind-speak interrupted his train of thought.

He got a handle on his emotions and thoughts quickly before sending out a mind-speak reply, but his left hand tightened and pulled out the dagger he had been caressing instead of releasing it.  He paid this action no mind, dismissing it as just a cautionary reflex. **Xas, malla Ilharess. I am on my way now.**

His mother's reply was unexpected, but hardly surprising. **See that you are, dalharuk**, her mind-speak suddenly went from commanding to knowing, **Also, we must talk of why you really went off on your own just now, and spare me your explanation that you went to conduct a scouting jaunt. I know you too well, my son.  I know you better than you know yourself.**

**Xas, Ilhar. As always you know what I am thinking way ahead of me. I shall be teleporting close to where you are standing. Do warn anyone nearby that they should clear a space around you. I don't feel like slicing a limb or torso at just this moment. Maybe later.** He replied back coldly, his right forearm suddenly sporting several bleeding slashes that he never even felt. A new slash halfway done as he finally took notice of what he was doing. Tull never even felt it during his ESP conversation with Mavralyn. Maybe he finally knew how to keep his temper and emotion in check when he spoke to his mother of things that were not too pleasant. He just hoped that it was enough.

Now, even as the breeze flowed through his cloak and hair, Tull chanted and performed the necessary ritual that would open the portal he would use to teleport to the gathering area. Where his mother's gathered forces waited for the right time to launch the assault on Velkyn-Tirith. 

“Maybe this battle will end one old suffering, so I can concentrate on solving a new one.” With that final grim thought, Tullarix Elythanar stepped through the shimmering vertical disk to face whatever Lloth and the gods threw his way...

The blast came again, tingling through Shado's mind as it ran its course then faded. Shado frowned at the repetitive attacks of the Mind Flayers, wondering how these creatures ever became as feared as their reputation stated.

"You are starting to bore me ", Shado growled, "You have become as predictable as a captured rothe, and I have grown tired of this game". As the last words escaped Shado's lips, a blinding flash encased the dark chamber. The frenzied clicks and bangs of the now blind Mind Flayers rose to an audible level; the unprepared creatures flailed blindly from the unexpected spell.

Shado grinned wickedly as he swiftly moved from opponent to opponent, running a finely crafted blade across the soft flesh of their necks. The last creature fell in a puddle of blood as Shado continued his grisly task. Quickly and efficiently he removed the tentacles that now lay motionless from the deceased creatures. He wrapped them carefully to ensure their handling.

Next, he cast a simple spell and grinned as the remaining bodies shriveled and decayed due to magical flames, until only 10 small piles of ash remained. Scooping up the ashes, Shado sighed to himself about what he must go through to collect needed components for his spell book. A moment later, a black mist swirled around him as he faded from view, arriving back at the small compound he had created for himself.

Moving to his spell-casting chamber, he placed components into their proper containers and then put the new inventory away. Scanning the room quickly he realized that he had more components than he would ever need. Truth be told, Shado missed those he had left behind when he left Rilauven.

Much time had passed since then and Shado had learned and studied more. His knowledge of human magic was on par with some of the more powerful mages of the surface realms. His achievement in drow magic was fine tuned finally to a level he was comfortable with. Recently he had taken to necromancy and demonology after watching with intrigue those mortal mages of the surface.

Shado laughed whenever he thought of the similarities between Rilauven and the power hungry mages of Thay. Both, more often than not, let their own ambitions rule over them, rather then the ambitions or wishes of their chosen deity. This, Shado noted, was the weakness of both societies. Neither possessed the proper aptitude to achieve long-term success with out the proper guidance of their deity. Both failed to follow the desires of their deities, choosing rather to put a show of piety on for the masses instead of following the simplest of commands set forth.

Shado knew he was a walking example of their blindness. Anyone who had left Rilauven the way he had, and committed the supposed crimes laid forth in the name of Lloth by those who claimed to follow the goddess, should have been hunted down and sacrificed. If truly a crime had been committed. The realization that none had came after him to enact the punishment so conveniently made in the name of his goddess always made Shado laugh.

"No", Shado reinforced in his mind. He would not return to Rilauven, he could not return to a city that falsely claimed to follow the Spider goddess. But, interaction was something he desperately needed for the solitude was starting to overcome him.

Shado summoned forth his scrying mirror to view the few he still called friend  or felt loyal to. As he moved from person to person, a scene took shape and acted itself out. The Ilharess Mavralyn was leaving Rilauven with a few loyal followers. Shado watched closely as Mavralyn left the once glorious drow city behind her. Anxiety came over Shado as he fought emotions to once again go to her side if she would have him.

Shado moved to a shrine he had set up in the honor of Lloth and prayed to the goddess for a sign on what her wishes were. When Shado rose the next day having finished his silent prayer, a glow caught his eye. An amulet he had all but forgotten about, glowed slightly as the image of Mavralyn appeared.

"Shado, you are needed", was the short message Mavralyn sent. Shado stood quietly for a moment then grinned and whispered, "Bel'la dos Malla Quarval’sharess^*1".

The black mist swirled down again and encased the drow wizard, then he was gone.

Somewhere near a large cavern deep below Longsaddle...
 

"Vendui' Malla Ilhar^*2," down onto his left knee, Tull greeted his mother with a voice not full of adoration as usual, but one which matched the intense cold light that burned behind his purple eyes. And yet, he couldn't help himself from still addressing her as mother instead of the more impersonal term of Ilharess.

Sitting upon a magical replica of her favorite velvet-
cushioned, high-backed chair with the regal dignity afforded her station in life, Mavralyn's full lips smirked at the sudden change in her son's attitude towards her. She watched him with an amused expression, yet her eyes did show some concern. Mavralyn wondered if it was time for a new elder boy in her house. And she was not the only one who sensed the tension in Tull.

All the yathrinen loyal to Mavralyn, and who had followed her, gradually slipped off their snake-headed whips from their belts, letting them hang downward to hiss softly with menace. Yet all were fully prepared to land the first blow on the insolent elder boy if and when their Ilharess signaled for it. Those warriors who were present looked on and went about their business with stoic expressions. Having already seen many times the consequences of a male rising above what his station in life was supposed to be. To them, Tull might soon become just another name added to a long list of names.

Sensing the tension his behavior caused, Tull decided to grace the yathrinen with a little more emotion and warmth when he greeted them.

"Vendui', malla yathrinen," his eyes falling upon the hissing snake-whips.

"Vendui', ussta dalharuk^*3," Mavralyn motioned for her son to rise and to take his place at her side to report. "And what have you found out during your solitary jaunt?"

"I have found out much, mother," this got a sudden surprised look from her, but was soon replaced by one of her colder expressions. He actually did scout ahead when he went off alone.  "According to what the familiars reported, in addition to my own personal notes and experiences, nothing much has changed at Velkyn Tirith.

"The opposing force arrayed against us has not gone into a higher state of alert, and their numbers have actually lessened slightly. Although, this may just mean that they are being kept hidden in reserve."

"What do you think of our chances then, with just the forces we have been able to gather here?" Mavralyn languidly motioned to the small but elite force of clerics, mages, and warriors gathered together with the numerous slaves that were to be used as battle fodder.

Tull did not hesitate one bit in giving his answer," We will be victorious, though it will be at a high cost to the entire force."

"That shouldn't be much of a loss as you think, Tull. All the slaves, even the females, will be the ones to take the brunt of S'rotavele's defenses and traps he must surely have set up," face turning deliciously mischievous, Mavralyn leaned forward and whispered close into Tull's ear and his alone, "Are you now glad that I sent Desinari away as I did, to serve as Tebbryn's slave instead of becoming a member of this fodder force." she motioned to the gathered ill-equipped and drugged slaves.

"Wouldn't you rather have her remain alive, my son, even in servitude to another master, than have her fall during the upcoming fight? This way, there will still be a chance you may get her back. A small one, but a chance in any case."

Tull's body tensed noticeably with every mention of Desi’s name and with every sentence Mavralyn whispered softly into his ear. As much as he hated being manipulated so easily and having his emotions played on so masterfully, Tull knew that his mother's words rang true. He wondered then and there if anyone else also read him like a book when it came to his passions. His mother seemed to do it with impunity.

Mavralyn knew that she had him back where she wanted him, and she kept it up to make sure he stayed there. "Plus, I've seen how Tilfahr has taken to you, almost the same way Desi did when I first gifted her to you. And remember that I did say I would take her away from you when it started to affect how you performed for me. Also, I think that Farenth, once she arrives from her training, will be needing a personal guard to escort her when she needs it.

"I am sure that Tilfahr will do nicely as a replacement for Desi," Tull responded quietly while thinking, “Why does mother have to keep repeating her name,” and winced.

Leaning ever closer, Mavralyn gave her final say, "And Tull..." her teeth suddenly bit into his earlobe with enough pressure to puncture and draw blood, "Don't you ever act that way to me in front of everybody. The next time, it will be more than your ear that's going to be clipped. Do you understand?" her voice still low, soft, husky.

"Xas, Ilhar. I understand perfectly," Tull forced himself to relax, "I will make sure to contain myself in public, mother."

"Good." Mavralyn slowly healed the wounded earlobe with a slow, deliberate, and lingering suckle from her lips. Tull could feel the healing energies flow from her lips and into the wound. With a final flick with the tip of her tongue, Mavralyn leaned back to sit up in her chair and motioned Tull away.

"Now that's taken care of, take to your place and prepare your warriors. We will delay this assault no further. Our city awaits us."

 "A'dos quarth," bowing with less tension than before, Tull left the gathering to prepare his own small band of sargtlinen for their tasks once the battle began.

As for his own personal battles, one had ended for the time being while another waited for him. If he could only learn how to stay alive without going the lich-path, maybe he need not have to fight certain battles. But he knew now that friend or foe, he would not let himself be manipulated without repaying a hundred-fold in kind. "After all," he thought to himself... "I am my mother's son..."

*1.  "Thank you honored Goddess."
*2.  "I greet you honored mother."
*3.  "I greet you, my son."