Ironworks Gaming Forum - Dragon Revived, Chapter 1- Surprises from the Past

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Arlyth didn't know where Alae's rooms were, but a maid was more than happy to give him directions. He found the room easily, and the door was open. When he poked his head in, he noticed a large mist hovering in front of Alae. The mist dissipated and left a woman. A drow, most definatley, with ebony black skin and silver eyes that held none of the warmth he had seen in his cousins'. She was dressed in black leather, and a rather nasty looking 6 headed flail was strapped to her back, while two long swords were sheathed at her sides. Her smooth face seemed ageless, though he couldn't figure out why, she was twice the age of his father, after all.
This could be none other than Alliene. And at the moment, she looked very angry.

Arlyth knocked polietly on the door, requesting an audience with his cousin, saying "Princess Alae, might I request a few moments of your time, I..." he stopped, dead in midsentance. Just like that. He'd seen Alliene, and closed his mouth. "Pardon my intrusion, I was unaware you were occupied.." he began, and shut up again. He wasn't sure what to do. There was no way that Alliene wouldn't recognise his linage...

Alliene, who had been ready to hail words down on her niece, shot an acid look at the intruder breifly-then did a double take. Without thinking, a hand shot to Nizzre,
"Usta!" She snarled, half drawing her deadly blade before Alae caught her arm.
"No Matron Mother! This is not Calaethis!" Alae had figured this would happen.
Alliene paused, her cold eyes on Arlyth, freezing him in fear, "Not Calaethis? Well, I see that you're right." She released Nizzre's hilt and the blade slid back into place. Her eyes left the elf boy, and the wrathful gaze turned to Alae, who gulped, "You failed to mention the son of the golden one," The way she said 'golden one' was obviously not a praise, "In your haste to convince me to come early. Why is he here."
Alae bit her lip, "Matron, we had no way of knowing. He showed up at dawn without warning and bearing news about these demons." She shot an appologetic look at Arylth.
"I see. Where is your brother? We need to have a discussion."
Alae sighed, "Can it wait till after dinner, aunty? He is very upset...and needs time to cool off before you would speak with him."
The look on Alliene's face said that wasn't the answer she wanted to hear, but she agreed anyway, "I have some things to finish in the underdark. The news that that some members of the defeated house still live will be greatly disturbing to my priestesses. This must be stopped before they tell the High Council they live, or I and all of my House is dead before our time." She shot one more glare at Arlyth before the mist enveloped her, then condensed and floated into the large mirror.

Alae breathed out in relief and sat back on her bed. She loved her aunt dearly, but her mood was totally unpredictable, and it was best to be quiet and not argue when she was angry. She smiled at the elf boy in the door,
"You may come in now child, the Matron is gone."

Arlyth swallowed, and bowed deeply, far deeper then was required; deeper then a servant would bow. He seemed to be doing that a lot around his cousins, Alae noticed, and around his aunt. She also realised how afraid of them he must be... "My thanks, my lady. I.. I owe you my life..." the young elf entered the room, his eyes slightly wild. "What...what did she mean?" he was obviously refering to Alliene and to 'golden one'; and Alae realised in an instant that he did not know of the bad blood between her and his father... "What did I do?" he asked at once, both confused and miserable. Alae suspected that he would not have questioned her like this, had he not been so shaken. He was terrified.

Alae sighed and shook her head,
"I cannot tell you for sure, little cousin. Your father and the Matron used to be very close, from what mother said. I think maybe Calaethis upset her severley over something, and it was hard for her to forgive him. Well anyway, when Calaethis first found out about his dragon form, he threatened to kill my father, which angered Alliene, for she and him were...are still actually, very close. Then Calaethis threatned to kill her, and she disowned him. I only know these bits and pieces. Matron Alliene refuses to speak of him, and my father...is reluctant to say the least." Alae pushed her silver hair behind her shoulder and dropped her chin onto her hand, apparently thinking, then she smiled at him, and waved him into the room "You didn't do anything, but obviously one so similar in looks to a person she hates would upset her."

[ 09-10-2003, 07:01 PM: Message edited by: Lady Blue03 ]

Arlyth swallowed again "Father did what?!" his eyes were wide, and full of shock. "I... I had no idea. Why would he do such a thing? Mother... she mentioned a disagreement between Aunt Alliene and Father, but would not talk of it; saying only that Father was a child at the time, and he was... changing; part dragon she said. She wouldn't tell me anymore, and Father would never speak of it to me. He said that I did not need to know, and it was best I did not..." the boy swallowed, "If... if my presence causes her discomfort, perhaps I should leave...?" Arlyth drew back slightly, involentarily taking a backstep towards the door. "I... forgive me for disturbing you, my lady." he swallowed again, still trembling slightly. Alliene had obviously shaken him deeply; and he seemed afraid to call Alae 'cousin'.

"Do not despair, little cousin. Alliene will not harm you. The only advice I could offer is to stay out of her way, and don't give her a reason to be mad at you, as I foolishly did." She smiled, "And you are not disturbing me. It is good to talk to one of my kin. I don't get many chances to do that, you know. Only Alaerth and your aunt are close."

[ 09-10-2003, 07:16 PM: Message edited by: Lady Blue03 ]

The boy shrugged uncomfortably "I... I don't know. Perhaps I should leave; then I would be out of Aunt Alliene's way..." he shivered, and looked at the floor. "My presence here was untactful... I should go." he didn't say that it was because of him that Alae had gotten into trouble with their aunt; he didn't have to. He obviously blamed himself though. "By your leave, my lady?" he asked, bowing low again, waiting for her permission to go.

Alae stood, crossing her arms,
"You may not leave." She crossed the room and picked him up under his arms (a good deal better than Alaerth's way) and sat him on the bed, then took a seat in a chair next to him, "Now you listen, little cousin, and mark my words well. It is not your fault that Alliene hates you. It is her own fault for not forgiving Calaethis as she should have. But that is in the past. She will see that you are not Calaethis and treat you better, I am sure."

Arlyth's eyes widened, and almost instinctively, he threw her arms around her neck, and whispered "Yes cousin; I'm sorry. I'll listen." he trembled, "Its just... I'm so scared. She would have killed me... and your brother..." the young elf's frame shook, "...he scares me too." he blushed. "I know I didn't send word... and I didn't expect to be welcomed with open arms... but... I didn't expect such a cool reception... the only person who seemed truly happy to see me was Aunty Sylquis..." the boy sighed, and held tightly to his cousin.