Tullarix came out of an adjoining bath chamber. He saw Tilfahr just about done with preparing his clothing and gear; her gossamer-like silk gown shimmered under the faint, golden faerie-fire globes that he had put up in place of the candle. He crossed the distance from the archway of the bath chamber to his bed where Tilfahr had neatly laid out some of his clothing. She finally noticed him and gracefully knelt down to await his next command. Tull just glanced down briefly and smiled slightly as he remembered another certain slave who he had trained as well as this one. Sighing softly, the young drow noble gave his command.

"Dry me," he raised his still glistening arms up as Tilfahr acquiesced and quickly took up a thick, warm cotton towel and began patting away the water from his figure. As she toweled him dry, Tull asked her many questions about what had happened during his deep slumber.

"The Ilharess has given an announcement that the city be cleaned up and rebuilt as quick as possible. She has also seen to, personally, the transfer of all recovered treasures to her own private vault in the house." She paused for a moment to reach up and continued her drying and report. "She's pleased at the amount recovered so far."

"I am sure that she is," Tull added sarcastically, "Continue."

"Xas jabbuk^*1. I am saddened to report that many slaves were lost during the battle," taking a noticeable deep breath, "Genevra was amongst those who perished during the assault. The Ilharess had her body put into stasis to let you see for yourself once you had awakened." she felt Tull stiffen slightly.

"I see," he caught himself before Tilfahr noticed anything else. *Desinari first, now Genevra.* 

"It would seem that the Quarval'sharess is testing my loyalty with all these setbacks to my position," Tull smirked, "Is there anything else that I should know about?"

"Xas jabbuk. The Ilharess instructed me to inform her at once when you are recovered fully from your ordeal," she folded the damp towel and stood up to retrieve his linen under-breeches from the bed. "Shall I inform the Ilharess that you are well enough to attend to her?"

As Tull allowed Tilfahr to put the breeches on him, he thought over her words. As trained by him and his mother, Tilfahr just continued to dress Tull in silence as she waited for his answer. He wrestled with the thought, but he finally decided on a course of action. "No, do not tell her just yet. Remember, I just awoke recently. I think I will need a few more days to recover my strength," he mused over his decision, "Xas, I still need a few more days to get up to speed." He looked down at her kneeling form as she buckled his belt, making sure that everything was tightly secured. "Can you relay that to her exactly as I have said, Tilfahr?"

She knew perfectly well that he was quite fit and recovered from his wounds, but her feelings for him quickly pushed that that brief thought to the back of her mind. "Xas jabbuk. I shall relay to the Ilharess that you are still recovering and that a few more days are needed."

"Good. Just like that my dear Tilfahr," he cupped her face and lifted her up to her feet. Gazing deeply into her eyes until she realized that she was gazing back and dropped her eyes lower, Tull turned from her and headed towards a connecting chamber to his find his gear. "You may go and report to my mother then. I shall send for you when I require your services again." he dismissed her with a slight wave of his hand as he gathered what gear he would need for his upcoming task.

"A'dos quarth jabbuk," she replied quietly and softly walked out of his chambers to report to Mavralyn.

"I wonder how long you would last before my mother sees you as a detriment to my loyalty to her, Tilfahr," he looked over the assembled weapons and gear stacked against the wall racks, "Maybe then you may not want to feel so close to me." Sighing he stopped talking to no one and started picking up the gear he deemed necessary. It took him a few minutes to properly gear himself, but once done he started out of his chambers and headed off to the main tower to recover a part of his past...

It seemed that his mother's orders were taken seriously by all involved (of course). Those slaves who had survived the assault were all over the cavern rebuilding whatever structure was fit to be rebuilt. He could see several drow overseeing the rebuilding process, making sure none of the slaves -- humans, goblins, orcs, ogres, and more -- got out of line and decided that it was the right time to revolt and gain their freedom. He chuckled heartily at the thought, seeing how foolish it was.

Where he was noticed and recognized by his fellow drow he received a polite greeting and nothing more. Not in the mood to reciprocate, eager to finish his task, he just nodded and continued on towards the massive tower that was now being turned into the Tier Breche complex, if his memory of past talks with his mother was correct. He could already see several groups of students being taught by their respective instructors.

Tull always wondered why his mother never made him attend Tier Breche and become a student as required of all drow who came of age. Tull didn't mind it much though. He always saw himself as a self-learner. He could never bring himself to the level of subservience that some of these students had to show to their instructors. What he'd learned so far was due to his observations and dealings with those more skilled than he. Plus, his travels outside Rilauven and soon, Velkyn Tirith, always kept him from attending Tier Breche. He made a promise to himself, that he would continue his explorations no matter what. Tier Breche was just not for him.

He finally reached the courtyard where his last memory of the battle had taken place. Tull could still see the crater of scorched earth where he last saw S'rotavele and the two drow it had been struggling with. He wondered then what had caused the impressive crater and if it was the same flash he remembered before everything went black. He would have to ask his mother what occurred during those last few moments of the battle. 

"Finally. Might as well finish what I started," the young drow noble walked silently across the courtyard and through the slightly opened massive tower gates. Once passed the gates, he spoke arcane words he knew he never ever learned before and the gates slowly closed themselves tightly. He never gave it a thought how he knew the command words, he just continued on to his goal. He strode into the tower itself with a posture that said that anyone or anything in his way would regret they ever got in his way. Fortunately, there weren't many in the massive structure, and those who did see him, paid him no mind.

Tull's feet seemed to know exactly where to take him even though he had only seen it once, and even then he wasn't exactly memorizing the way. If he had a way to make a simulacrum of himself to watch over him, he would see that he walked to his destination as if in a trance. He would've seen himself walk hurriedly up the main stairs and then off several corridors until anyone who might've followed him would've been lost trying to find their way back out of the tower.

*Just a few more. Just a few more...* He heard his thoughts so far away and so different than he usually sounded.

Tull, after taking so many back corridors and secret stairways and secret doors, finally arrived at his destination. It was a non-descript looking chamber that would never have been found without expert knowledge of the tower's layout. As he neared the closed archway, his steps faltered. Something deep inside his mind told him to continue, to keep going and enter, but his past memories tried to convince him otherwise.

It was the young drow's habit of always being curious about mysterious things that disregarded his mental warnings. He walked up to the door and murmured another series of arcane words he shouldn't have known. At his words, the door opened up slowly, air rushing in to fill the void. Tull thought he heard a familiar laugh as he entered the darkened chamber, but as he tried to place the laugh, what he saw inside the room made him forget everything else.

In the center of the chamber and surrounded by many glyphs and wards, were several artifacts he knew at first glance to be very powerful. He could practically see magical energies slowly seeping out. It was two such artifacts which caught his eyes: a beautifully made tiara of mithril and gold, all covered in precious stones, and a detailed scepter of mithril, platinum, and adamantium topped with an intricate carving of his Goddess in her spider-form.

His eyes took in the rest of the artifacts in the room, but it was the two he first saw which still awed him. Now, what to do with them...

Tullarix made several trips between the Tower and his chambers before he felt he was finished. The alhoon's collection of rare magical items and grimoires was more extensive than he had imagined. There were enough wands, scrolls and spell-books of such antiquity to get the oldest and most learned drow mage drooling. It would probably take several lifetimes to just catalogue and research the uses for these new items, if he ever decided to share it with anyone.

Once back in his room, he started looking over the few choice items he had decided to keep for himself, just in case he decided to be generous with the rest. He had also found several bound books that seemed to have been the alhoon's research notes.  Subjects ranging from animal physiology to the strange, yet powerful ability of psionics.

*This will come in handy*, Tull thought as he made out what some of the shifting rune scripts were saying.

All in all, the hoard he found should raise his stature and importance within the city's power structure. Not that he intended to supplant his mother and the other yathrinen, but he did see it, as a goal of his to displace the city's other males. No one had ever accused him of not having the kind of ambitious drive his mother possessed. Tull could honestly say that only his mother's ambitions were greater than his.  *Maybe it is time to show everyone just how ambitious you are*, the thought crossed his mind as he pulled out and examined the enchanted tiara.

A movement just in the corner of his vision broke his train of thought.  Out of habit, he quickly set down the tiara, covered it up with a small coverlet, and reached for one of his daggers. Before he could even get the blade from its sheath, the curvaceous figure of one of his mother's newest yathrinen stepped into view. Following on the heels of Farenth was the silent form of Tilfahr.

"You would dare to bare steel in my presence, male?" Tull could see a touch of amusement in Farenth's eyes as she cocked an eyebrow at his reaction.

"No, yathrin. I was just testing to see if my reflexes have returned to their top form," at least he could still lie with a straight face, "But where are my manners."

Bowing deeply, Tull formally greeted the young priestess even as his sweeping gaze noticed a slight petulant slant to Tilfahr's obedient appearance. He was about to command Tilfahr to get some refreshment for the visiting female when Farenth interrupted him.

"No. She may leave us now," Farenth's gaze settled on him even as she dismissed Tilfahr with a slight gesture. Tilfahr hesitated a moment then bowed out as she saw a nod come from Tull. Satisfied that they were alone, Farenth glided over to one of the well-padded chairs in the room and sat down. She looked Tull over for a few seconds, sizing him up as if at a market, and then she spoke. "That slave needs to learn to obey quickly when commanded; though, I noticed that she did so at your signal."

"I guess she has gotten quite used to taking orders from only the Ilharess and I. She just recently finished her training and has still to experience taking orders from any other," a slight smile appeared on Tull's lips as he explained the situation to Farenth.

"If it is your wish, I can send her to serve you, and you may test her skills and remind her yourself what her place in life is. I am sure the Ilharess won't mind."

She observed him as he explained, and once he had finished, she made herself comfortable and replied, "That is an interesting offer you have given me, Tull. And as much as I would like to make use of it, I did not make this visit to inquire about Tilfahr. My visit concerns you and your future status within the city, Tull." She paused to let the last statement sink in.

"My future status?" Tull's curiosity was starting to become active, "What about my status?"

Farenth knew that she had his undivided attention. Clearing her throat, she glanced around as if regretting something, "I am starting to regret sending your slave away, Tull. I am somewhat thirsty now, and no one to serve the wine."

"Red wine as usual?" at the nod from her, Tull wove one of the spells he usually reserved for assisting him during the training sessions with the female slaves.

Farenth nodded and made herself more comfortable. It wasn't long before a spectral form entered the room bearing a silver tray with a bottle of red wine and two empty crystal goblets. Silence filled the room, except for the sounds of wine being served. Tull reached out to pick up one of the filled goblets and took a small sip. Once he swallowed, he waited a few seconds. He then stood, walked to Farenth, and offered her the goblet.

"Your wine, yathrin," she watched him intently as she accepted the goblet with a smile and nod of her head. Tull returned to his chair holding the other goblet.

"You were saying something about my future, yathrin," Tull wanted to get back to the business at hand.

Farenth looked at him with one of those secret smiles women were fond of showing to men when they knew something the men didn't. She stirred some sort of powdery substance into her wine, then turned her attention to Tull. She was truly enjoying the situation now. Farenth broke her silence and replied, "That is a good spell to have around, Tull." Farenth motioned towards the magical servant.

"Xas. It comes in handy when I am in need of a few pair of hands to assist me," he tried to keep an impatient tone from creeping into his reply, but Farenth noticed the difference anyway and arched an eyebrow in his direction.

"So, Tull, I heard that you wish to transport your mother's surface cottage from Neverwinter Woods to rest down here in the cavern. Is it to be used primarily for business or pleasure?" she decided to see how long she could continue to dangle him.

Biting back a remark that would certainly have earned him a whipping, Tull took a deep breath and answered, "Both. I intend to use it for business and pleasure. Why do you ask?"

"Oh, nothing really," she grinned slyly, "It must be nice to have a place of your own. Nothing and no one to bother and interrupt you as you do your deeds." her smile and the sudden sultry glint to her eyes made the last statement an innuendo. "Isn't that cottage the place where you and your mother trained all the slaves?"

"Xas, some of its rooms were built to be used specifically for training the slaves," Tull smiled invitingly, "Maybe you would want a tour of the rooms once I have it all transported, yathrin."

Sensing that Tull was going to join in her game, Farenth decided to stop stalling and announce her reason for visiting. "Well, be that as it may, I came here to discuss your future."

"Why, of course," Tull hid a smile and took a sip from his goblet.

"Now that I've finished tying up some loose ends back in Rilauven, I shall be able to serve your mother as one of her yathrinen.  I will be requiring a personal bodyguard once I become a member of her new House, Xol’Niaren," she paused for a moment as she thought over what to say next.

"I have been observing you since I first saw you back in Elythanar," clearing her throat, "and I believe that you would be a perfect choice as my khel-kyorl^*2."

Mavralyn's eldest son couldn't help but stare back in surprise at the news. He'd always been fond of the female persuasion, but this was the first time one of them had asked him to become a potential bodyguard. This indeed concerned his future in the scheme of things. *But why me?* Tull thought, still not believing Farenth's announcement.

"Careful, Tull. Better close your mouth before something decides it would make a perfect site to lay its eggs and live in," the young yathrin-faern^*3 teased as she enjoyed Tull's unexpected reaction to her news.

"I do not know what to say, yathrin," Tull knew that his life just took an unforeseen turn on the road of fate...

Orbb heard Waerva start for the door. Once again, in response to those lessons, Orbb flung a new spell at her sister. The spell didn’t succeed, but it did cause Waerva to pause for a moment. That moment was all that Orbb had needed. Heedless of her pain, Orbb leapt to her feet and after the drowess.

Waerva had made it out of the bedroom and into the main chamber. As Orbb followed she saw her sister head for the alter.

“Foolish sister,” Orbb laughed cruelly, “Do you think that Lloth will help you now? You have her favor no more!”

Waerva whirled at her words and Orbb watched as her jaw dropped upon finally seeing who her enemy was. Orbb took the opportunity given and cast the last of her holding spells. Waerva twisted, trying to fight the spell, but in the end, she stood motionless before the alter facing Orbb.

As Orbb walked towards her sister, she took the sacrificial dagger from her belt. Her eyes went to the deepest red, and she licked her lips as she placed the dagger over her sister’s heart. Then, without hesitation, she plunged the eight-legged dagger into her sister’s chest, and drew out her heart. 

“Lloth tlu malla!” Orbb cried as she placed the heart on the alter.

The blood of the heart sank into the marble of the alter, making it glow with the heat of her sister’s slowly ebbing life. The spider dagger writhed, and came to life. In the distance, Orbb could hear yochlol singing. Orbb’s eyes glistened with satisfaction and hate. Behind her, her sister’s body slumped to the floor as the last life left it and the holding spell faded. 

Orbb watched as Chathal came from the other room and crossed the floor with astounding speed to crawl up onto the alter again. Blood dripped from the small spider’s legs, and made telling heat foot prints that faded slowly on the floor. Orbb knew the guard was dead, and she smiled in approval. Her companion was worth the spider queen’s increased notice. 

As the heat of the alter dissipated, the dagger returned to normal and the yochlol’s singing faded. Orbb became aware of other sounds. The house was waking. Why it had not detected her activities sooner, Orbb did not know. She could only guess that it was not only her sister who had fell out of Lloth’s favor. She had no time to consider the guess however. Pounding footsteps were sounding closer.

Chathal crawled quickly onto Orbb’s outstretched hand, and went to her perch on Orbb’s shoulder. Orbb turned from the alter. Facing the door that lead to the bedroom, Orbb drew out the small artifact that she had found in the deep bat cave ten years ago. A ruby globe set in silver, it had been hard to get, but was well worth the effort. 

Holding it toward the doorway, Orbb poured the last of her energy into the stone.

“There, Rilauven!”

At Orbb’s cry, tendrils of energy stretched out from the ruby to the door. They clutched at the frame of the doorway, making it glow, and then reached out from the frame towards the center of the opening. The energy swirled at the center and made the door opaque with energy for an instant of time. Then, the tendrils ceased to come from the ruby and the view through the bedroom door changed.

Orbb could see the gates of Rilauven through the doorway. In truth, Orbb had not meant to return to the city, but at the moment, she could think of no other place to go. She spared one more brief glance towards where her sister lay. The body was cold to her eyes, dead for certain. Then, Orbb strode through the portal, just as the first blasts of magic hit the door to the chamber.

Without warning, Orbb felt the magic of the portal warp and bend. She had been through the portal before, but it had never felt the way it felt at the moment. Her stomach wrenched, and then, with a last jolt, Orbb stumbled out the other side.

Orbb stumbled on the stone floor of the chamber that she had emerged into and fell to her knees with bruising force. Her stomach settled a little, but a slight dizziness confused her sight for a moment. She had no energy to spare to see about Chathal, other than to feel that she still sat on her shoulder. 

“Where am I?!”

The shout of an angry illharess, Mavralyn, made Orbb painfully and suddenly aware of a developing headache. Slowly, she raised her eyes and took in the room before her. It was clearly the throne room, and not only the ilharess was present, but it was not Elythanar’s throne room. A name crossed her thoughts. Xol’Niaran. She had heard it whispered somewhere, but could not remember exactly where. Could this be the new city? Orbb tried to think, and then gave up, facing the angry ilharess instead.

Orbb did not get up from kneeling only because she doubted she could at that moment.

“Vendui’, malla Ilharess,” Orbb spoke in a voice that cracked with fatigue and strain. “Forgive me. It did not go where I thought it would go...”

*1.  "Yes master."
*2.  Bodyguard.
*3.  Priestess-mage.