<font size=1><font color=silver><font color=violet>"Thank you mother"</font> the girl smiled, then climbed into bed, just the satin robe covering her <font color=violet>"Mother.. will you... tuck me in?"</font> Zyaevl asked shyly, her tone soft. She was having trouble with the cover, unused to moving such things. She'd have enough trouble slipping the robe over her head. She looked up at Alliene with love in her eyes, quite obviously seeing her as a mother in every sense of the word. <font color=violet>"Mother..."</font> she whispered, <font color=violet>"I... I can't speak to you with my mind..."</font>

<center>~~~A few moments later... at the entrance to Alliene's chambers...~~~</center>

Loanna returned with Sui'aerl in tow. The priestess blinked in surprise to see a golden haired, amber eyed elf lying in Alliene's bed. Curious, she looked almost familiar, but the priestess couldn't quite place it. Genuflecting with the respect that her matron was due, she raised her eyebrows curiously at the elf, but knew better then to ask. She did notice how beautiful the girl was though. Amber eyes were not common in elves, especially not ones with ivory skin, common in wood elves, perhaps... she blinked and waited for her matron to speak.</font>

[ 10-26-2003, 08:25 PM: Message edited by: Calaethis Dragonsbane ]

Alliene made a rather disgusted face but smoothed her features and pulled the covers over the elf before Sui'aerl entered,
<font color=lightblue>"Don't worry about the elf, Sui'aerl, just inform the others not to harm her if she is by herself."</font> She set a hand on her hip and assumed her cool voice of authority, <font color=lightblue>"Now, tell me. How goes the scrying of the warriors. Have you found any who have betrayed me but did not speak?"</font>

<font size=1><font color=silver><font color=violet>"Thank you mother"</font> Zyaevl replied, her tone soft. The girl smiled, and closed her eyes, content in the knowledge Alliene wouldn't let anything happen to her, and she was perfectly safe.

Sui'aerl bowed, <font color=orange>"Of course Mistress... yes, we did Mistress. Two of them. That female that said she had the gaes also requested to speak with you. The others, await your word for execution... Mistress, if I may, if you personally execute them, it would serve as a better example, I feel."</font> she paused, <font color=orange>"Mistress, if you truly wished to make them serve as an example, trap their souls or transform them into banshees, or other undead slaves."</font> she paused, <font color=orange>"Might I ask who the child is? She is quite beautiful..."</font>

Alliene's face went hard, <font color=lightblue>"Kill them myself, I will, but I will not be turning any into banshees or undead. I will not sink to our enemies level and do what they did to my mother."</font> Loanna's eyes went wide, then she dropped them to the floor and bit her lip. Alliene took a few steadying breaths, <font color=lightblue>"The elf is...Tagnik, the sword. When I channeled the taint out of the boy, it changed the sword. It can change into a humanoid form now...and her name is Zyaevl."</font> Alliene picked up her sword belt and slung it, and took her mother's flail from Loanna, who had been holding it for her, <font color=lightblue>"Take me to the traitors. You come too, Loanna, it will be a good lesson."</font> Loanna smirked and nodded.

<font size=1><font color=silver> Zyaevl looked up and whispered, <font color=violet>"You're going to leave me here by myself, mother?"</font> she asked, looking somewhat afraid.

Sui'aerl blinked her eyes widening slightly, <font color=orange>"Is that even possible...?"</font> she asked in wonder, though, more to the sky then anyone else. <font color=orange>"Of course Mistress, this way."</font> she paused, <font color=orange>"What of the female warrior? The one with the gaes?</font>

<font color=lightblue>"My room is warded. No one who tries to come in will survive. You need not worry."</font> She followed Sui'aerl out, <font color=lightblue>"I will speak to the female after we take care of the others."</font>

<font size=1><font color=silver> Zyaevl nodded and closed her eyes, whispering, <font color=violet>"Yes mother. Goodnight"</font> and went to sleep, her breathing becoming regular and deep. She was asleep before Alliene left the room.

Sui'aerl murmered, <font color=orange>"The child seems to peaceful."</font> She lead her mistress to the room where the four tratiors were being held. The two that wouldn't speak were strapped against a wall. The female who had the gaes was a little apart from the others, on her knees, her head bowed, looking thoroughly miserable. The four who confessed and were awaiting execution were also on their knees. At the sight of their mistress, one prostrated, and one spat at her with contempt in his eyes.

What shocked Alliene most, and Loanna the most was the fact that Zennenn was also on his knees, being held by three priestesses. One of them spoke, <font color=lightgreen>"Mistress, this one is a former First House noble! But... he is not hostile to you. Our magics could pick up no treachery about him, and according to the magic he is utterly loyal to you...</font></font>

Alliene stood and considered Zennenn, while Loanna crossed her arms and scowled,
<font color=lightblue>"If he is of no threat and is loyal to the house, then release him."</font> Alliene said sharply. Loanna bit her lip again but sighed in relief. Alliene gave her daughter a cursory glance over the obvious affection she was giving the male. Such a sign of weakness. That would be dealt with later though. Alliene drew Nizzre and approched one of the males who spat at her,
<font color=lightblue>"So, you thought to decieve us, did you?"</font> She paced in front of him for a moment, twiling Nizzre in her hand, <font color=lightblue>"Odd indeed that you think the former first house could come back and defeat House Streea. What were you promised, I wonder? I couldn't imagine what, you are after all, only a worthless male."</font> She whipped Nizzre about and drove the blade through on of his kidnyes, letting the electricity slowly course through him, <font color=lightblue>"Any last words?"</fotn>

<font size=1><font color=silver>Zennenn rose to his feet and bowed before his Matron <font color=white>"My thanks, Mistress. I serve only those who are strong and the weak are ruled by the strong, and you are anything but weak. It is an honour to serve you."</font> He stood with his head bowed waiting for his Mistress to address him. The drow with Nizzre through his kidneys snarled, <font color=lightblee>"At least I die as a warrior.."</font> he hissed in pain, <font color=lightblee>"I was... offered... the... chance to... have your daught-"</font> he cut off, in too much agony. The one who lay prostrate whispered, <font color=light red>"Mistress, show mercy, I beg of you... I had no choice, I told them nothing of value, I swear. I have always served you!"</font> he begged, in terror. One of the other condeemed snarled, <font color=pure>"You sniverling wretch, have some backbone! You betrayed the mistress and lost. Die as a drow and not as a slave."</font>

Sui'aerl looked on amused. <font color=orange>"You tratiors are all dead anyway. Why should it matter? Your hides shall be hung as a warning to others and you are disgraced. You're lower the slaves."</font>

Alliene's eyes narrowed, <font color=lightblue>"Mercy? Perhaps if you had spoken up the first time fool, you would die much quicker than you are about to."</font> She pulled Nizzre from the male and pulled Loanna forward, <font color=lightblue>"You were promised my daughter? Well, here she is."</font>
Loanna smiled wickedly. She had a rather powerful mace as her weapon, and enjoyed smashing people's bones with it.
Alliene shook the blood of Nizzre and sheathed it. Pulling her mother's flail from her back, she idly swung the 6 heads around while she considered the male who had spoken against the other one, <font color=lightblue>"And you. Were you promised my daughter as well? Or something else? One of my priestesses? Maybe even me?"</font> She shook her head and raised the flail, bringing the vicious heads down on his spine.