All right, with some prodding, I am going to post my second novel, here. Thanks to Kaltia and Caelethis for asking, and to Attalus for liking it. [img]graemlins/kiss.gif[/img]
The same characters are in it as the first, woth the exception of one: The title character. BTW, please don't expect her to be like Viconia. She isn't.

Early one morning, a heavily cloaked figure slipped into the quiet side street where sat the House of the Dome, the moderate-sized dwelling of the magician Galadria and her husband Attalus. The figure seemed to study the address plaque, and apparrently satisfied, pulled the bell cord firmly. The bell rang in the quarters of Galadria's cook, Lania, and her husband, Rantis, who served as the porter. Shortly thereafter, Attalus and Galadria were awakened by an urgent knocking on their bedroom door. Answering it, sword in hand, the big knight was surprised to see Rantis, still in his night clothes.
"My Lord, there's someone at the door, asking to see you or my Lady.," quavered the man. He didn't at all like mysterious visitors in the dark to disturb his rest.
From the bed, they heard Galadria's voice: "What kind of visitor do we have?" As usual, the mage awoke instantly, but in no good mood.
Rantis turned to her. "I cannot tell, my Lady," he replied, apologetically, "she is hooded, and there is no moon. She did give me a name, though."
"Well, tell it," the mage said impatiently.
The man paused to recall its unfamiliar syllables, "Chorantis, my Lady, or something like it."
Attalus exchanged glances with his mate. It had to be Chorania, the drow. She had been one of the companions that had liberated Galadria's sister Noemi from the necromancer Smaractus' prison, but they had parted ways since then, and this was the first news they had of her. They rushed to the door, the knight prudently retaining his sword in case of ambush.
Upon opening the door, they saw in the darkened street a small figure, heavily cowled. Galadria ran to her immediately, caution be damned. "Chorania, is that you?" she asked eagerly.
The cowled being at first made no answer, instead pulling back her hood. The mage was shocked to see the elf's once beautiful face was marred by an oozing burn of the left cheek and neck. Her snow white hair was dirty and uneven, jagged and grey on the side of the burn. "Yes, it is I." she finally said. The proud mouth drooped, and her eyes, dark violet, though in the dark looking as black as Galadria's, were slightly downcast, as in defeat.
Galadria and Attalus were horrified. "Cho, what happened?" the mage cried, moving closer to examine her. "Good Tres, this must be treated. Come in at once. Attalus," she turned to her husband," go get Noemi. And Sefa," she added as an afterthought. She hustled the woman into the house and laid her down on a cushioned bench.
An extraordinary expression of relief came over the elf's dusky face as she sank down with a sigh. "Finally!" she said softly, "I have been trying to get here for eleven days, abbil." That was an untranslatible drow epithet that meant a combination of trusted comrade and leader. In Chorania's mouth, it was close to an endearment.
Lania, roused by Attalus, came rushing in with a basin of warm water, soap, and towels. Galadria stripped the robe from her friend to fully assess the damage, and grimly noted that the burn extended to her left breast down to the side of her belly.; the left shoulder and arm were involved, also. The mage plunged into the task of scrubbing grime and foul-smelling ooze from the surface of the burn with warm soapy water, discarding the towels when they grew dirty. She glanced at Chorania's face from time to time, but she showed no sign of pain. She never had, she reflected.
Noemi came rushing in, having hurriedly pulled on her black tunic. Her red hair was afly. Seeing the drow's ravaged body, she drew back and gasped. "Cho! What happened? Gal, what can I do?"

prodding? me? (A) [img]tongue.gif[/img] great start, erm, will you be posting some more? ;) I assume that it carries on from your last novel, (well you said it did) erm, what I really mean is what time span is it? (drat, Im not putting it correctly) how many years from the last novel? (there, at last ;) I shouldnt type to myself, or you'll have me locked up [img]tongue.gif[/img] lol, escape forumns. ignore that, whimsical humor [img]tongue.gif[/img] ) seriously tho, it sounds great! [img]tongue.gif[/img] is there a cleric in the house? ;)

LOL, the action takes place about six months after the close of The Pit Lord. Here is some more.

"More warm water and towels, Em. And bandages. See if you can find any of that salve that Odo left. It's in the lab." She continued to cleanse the stubborn exudate from the once dark skin. It was pink, now, from the burns. Noemi bustled off.
Galadria's apprentice Sefa, a slight girl of fourteen with curly brown hair, came wandering in, sleepily. Like the others, she was riveted by the sight of her Mistress busily tending the wounds of a dark, naked, elf. She did not fear as others might, making no connection between Galadria's patient and the dreaded drow that lurked at the edges of so many stories. Wide eyed, she came to the opposite side of the bench and asked, "How can I help, Mistress?"
For the first time since the mage had started work on her wounds, Chorania stirred. She turned her ruined face to the girl and muttered, "So, Galadria, who is this? Another stray you have picked up? Your house should be bigger, with perhaps slave pens in the back."
As Sefa flushed with anger, the dark mage ceased her ministering to give the drow an exasperated look. "Oh, hush, Cho. Your mouth is your worst enemy.," she said in stern tones. "This is Sefa, my apprentice. It looks like you will be with us for a time, so try to be gracious, will you?" She went back to scrubbing..
The drow surveyed her burns, what she could see of them. "I fear I have worse," she said tersely. Her lips compressed for a moment. Then, in an almost apologetic tone, she added. "But I am in your house, where I so wanted to be, and you, as usual, are rescuing me. So I will try."
"Well," Galadria scolded, "since it seems you're able to talk, tell me, what in the world happened to you? Why aren't these burns dressed? Why, in the goddess' name, didn't you send for me, if you were hurt? You know I would have been there as soon as I could. I didn't even know where you were. Why didn't you keep me posted?" She stopped as a new idea struck her. "Chorania, have you been a prisoner? Is this torture?"
The drow smiled a bit at all this, and at a gap in the questions, she got out. "Calm yourself, abbil; wherever I have been, I am here, now. This is the result of hatred, not torture, though I could find few tortures more exquisite than walking all the way from Beregost," a town in the south, " to Baldur's Gate, with no food, no money, and only this cloak that I stole. I had no shoes." She looked at her finely shaped feet, battered and blistered from the road.. Galadria noticed the look and told Noemi, rushing in with more supplies, to wash and bandage them..
"Well, Cho, " the dark mage returned with a wrinkled brow, "Who did this? And why? You must have made some enemies for them to do this."
"I think they hated my skin, so they burned it." Choriana answered after a pause, "No, I do not do them justice, they wanted to destroy me, and since they feared me, they set fire to my house in the night, while I slept. I awoke to flames, and when I stumbled out, on fire, they attacked me with clubs and knives. I was in no position to fight, so I fled, and hid in the forest to hear them celebrate their great victory over the drow. There was no pursuit. Fools! I will yet return to destroy them." She glared in fury at the memory.
"But, how did you manage to get here?" asked the mage with a frown. They had encountered this anti-drow prejudice before, but their party, with their bright swords and their magic, was hardly one that people disturbed with impunity. To Galadria and her friends, Chorania was not just a drow, but their ally, difficult and even cutting at times, but true, loyal, and even self-sacrificing.
"I am no stranger to pain, abbil," she said proudly. "I walked at night and killed small animals with snares I made with some wire I found. I rested in the bushes by day, and bathed my wounds in streams. I had no medicines, and no money to seek any, even if I had dared to go into a town."
"But how did you get into Baldur's Gate?" Galadria asked with curiosity." The watch would not let a solitary drow through the gate without some kind of escort."
"I sneaked through the sewers," Chorania answered somberly. "Which is why you would best have your lackey burn that robe. I would never see it again, even if it could be made clean again, for the memory of it is as foul as its smell."
Noemi chimed in at that. "Lackey?, Cho, you never change. Are you by any chance referring to me?"
The drow actually smiled at the little redhead so gently washing her feet. "No, m'zint to, I would never call you a lackey. You caused us far to much trouble to rescue for me to admit that I would spend so much effort on a servant. No, I meant this one," she indicated Sefa, "that your sister honors with the title of apprentice, though I'm sure 'house pet' is closer to the mark. Though maybe I mistake, an apprentice is a lackey, no?"
Noemi actually laughed as Sefa bristled, but the dark mage shook her head. "Cho, I thought I told you to watch your tongue." she said resignedly. "A lackey is a body servant. I am teaching Sefa magic, and she is making great progress indeed."
Sefa, greatly daring, made a face at the drow, who surprised her with a gentle chuckle. "Some spirit, I see," she remarked. "Perhaps you are right, something may be made of the brat. Though frequent whipping would doubtless speed the process along."
Galadria caught Sefa 's impudent look out of the corner of her eye, and looked at her sternly as she began to apply salve to the cleansed wounds. "Sefa," she said sternly, "this is my old and honored friend Chorania LeMeaux, and you are not to stick your tongue out at her. You should see that she has been badly hurt, and make allowances for her sharp tongue. Noemi," she turned to her sister who had finished dressing the drow's feet, "Go to your room and get her a soft robe, you're much of a size. Perhaps the old gray one." The redhead hopped to her feet and sprinted out Her dark sister, having applied the ointrment, began bandaging the wounds. This took awhile. Galadria glanced at drow's face from time to time and it seemed to her that a small 'v' between her friend's eyebrows gradually disappeared. Sefa and her Mistress then helped the bandaged elf down to a reclining position on the bench, supported with cushions. The dark mage sat down opposite, at her desk and faced her, but said to her apprentice. "Sefa, run to the kitchen and fetch some lemonade and some bread. She needs to eat. Is there anything else I can get you, Chorania?"
The drow woman smiled and shook her head. "No, that will be enough. I could not hold more down at this time, I fear," she said gratefully. "It is enough that I have reached a haven. I have longed for this day." Sefa scampered out to do her Mistress' bidding, nearly colliding with Noemi bringing in the robe. The little redhead proceeded to put it over the patient's head, and sat down at Chorania's feet, smiling at her in encouragement.
"Do not simper, girl," the drow began, but was cut off by Galadria.
"Oh, give it a rest, Cho, we're all friends, here, and Noemi is just happy that you're here and that we got you patched up. You don't have to needle her right now. You must rest after you eat."
Chorania felt herself relax. The intense burning that she had felt ever since her ordeal had begun was actually going away, though it had seemed worse while Galadria was actuallly cleaning them. She looked at her hostess whimsically. "Are you saying that after eleven days of little rest and intense jouneying, after being graciously welcomed and having my hurts dressed, and being in fear of my life and now being safe, that I might be a little sleepy? That I might be a leetle stubborn? Well, perhaps you are right, as usual. I may even admit that you know what you are about." She laughed her low, throaty laugh.

YEEEEEEEES!!!!!!!!!!! *dives around on floor* It's UP!!!!!!!!! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Thats great Lady G.. so when are you gonna post some more? *grin* hehe, funny drow insluting the girl like that. [img]tongue.gif[/img] hehe. erm was "pit lord" the last story you posted?

[img]smile.gif[/img] Glad that you like it. This is the second novel. I am at work on the third, The Child Born of Women. Here is the third installment.of The Burned Drow:

At least, she has a sense of humor, thought Sefa as she brought in the drow's refreshments. She was still smarting under the insults. There was a little table next to the couch where the woman lay, and she deposited the tray there.
"No, Sefa," her Mistress murmured. "Sit it on her lap. Now, Cho, I don't know what you intend, but I want you to stay here for at least six weeks. Your revenge can wait. As you once told me, it is a dish best eaten cold."
The drow interrupted her delicate eating and drinking to look up with a smile. "You remember that? Of course, you remember everything. Even this poor drow debris that washes up at your feet at regular intervals. Don't worry, I shall obey your orders. It seems that every time I do not, I meet disaster. Yes, if you grant me a corner to sleep in, Chorania LeMeaux will obey you until her dying day. Or yours, anyway." She took a sip of lemonade, then it turned to several gulps. She found herself surprisingly thirsty. She emptied the glass, then handed it to Sefa. "If you will refill this, girl, I promise not to upset you for at least another day." The girl blushed, surprised that Chorania had noticed her indignation. She took the glass and left, hurriedly.
Noemi giggled. "Oh, Cho, who could forget you.? I'm glad Gal's making you stay with us. I've written down some of those drow things that you used to call me when we were on the road. You can translate them. Or, maybe I'll just buy a Drow dictionary."
"Do not translate them, brat," the drow growled. "They would fry your little freckled ears. I'll teach you some new ones, by Shar."
When she had finished her light meal and drunk several more glasses of fluid, the door opened and Attalus came in. "Glad to see you looking better, Cho," he said, sympathetically. "We'll get the bastards that did it. I'll send for Odo and Cyth, and then we can go exact some justice." He looked at his wife. "Who did it, Gal? And why?"
Galadria looked at her husband and smiled. "Dear heart, we don't know, yet. But we shall. That I vow." A steely glint came into her eye.
Noemi was talking to her drow friend. "Cho, why don't you just come and live here? We have plenty of room. You can have Morgul's old room." Morgul was Galadria's former apprentice who had been, briefly, Noemi's lover.
Secretly pleased, but not wanting to appear too eager, Chorania replied, "You are awfully free with your sister's property, m'zint to. Why would she want a useless hulk like myself around? Does she need a new apprentice? Is this one so inept?" She indicated Sefa.
The redhead laughed. "Didn't you just promise not to upset her for a day?" Sefa, who was catching on, pretended to bridle. She sat down at her Mistress' feet, arms around her legs possessively. Galadria smiled at her and started stroking her curly hair.
Chorania smiled. "That day is tomorrow. What do you say, abbil? Would not I make a better apprentice than this scrawny little girl?"
Galadria continued to run her fingers through Sefa's hair. "She's not scrawny, Cho," she reproved her. "She's just not as ...developed as you and Noemi. But then who is? Certainly not me. Anyway, why do you want to be an apprentice? You're as bad as Em."
Noemi was conjuring a purple cloud, a standard beginning spell. She sent it over to Chorania where it billowed around her. "Yeah, Cho," she crowed, "I'm her senior apprentice, and you're not up to taking me on."
In her turn, Chorania wrapped the redhead in shadow, so that momentarily she could not see. "Be careful, brat," she growled. "If you get my bandages wet I shall be forced to flay you alive. So, don't, because it is very hard work and, as you say, I am not up to it."
She turned to Attalus, who had been laughing at this exchange. "So, my protector and host, have you heard of your wife's invitation? I am to stay here six weeks. Is it too much to have my unlucky carcass thus thrust upon you? I shall leave at once if you say."
Attalus looked at the much-bandaged dark form and said gently, " I wouldn't let you go anywhere until you are well, Cho, you must know that. Do you not remember the conversation that I had with you right before you left?"
The drow looked guilty, and might have blushed. "Yes, Attalus, I do. You told me not to go, because the surface world is unfriendly to my race, and that I was safer here. All too true, I fear. Do not worry, as I told your wife, I will stay as long as she says." She stood, with a slight swaying. A mist seemed to appear before her eyes but rapidly cleared. When she focused again, Attalus was holding her by the elbow and Noemi had grabbed her around the waist. All were looking at her with alasrm.. She found she was sweating.
Smiling at their concern, she said, "I think I am outrunning my strength. Will you show me where I am to sleep?" They escorted her to the former apprentice's room. Galadria tucked her into bed, and she was asleep before the last one tiptoed out.

I *like* this drow [img]tongue.gif[/img] shes funny. [img]tongue.gif[/img] great story, drat I read too fast... [img]tongue.gif[/img]

I like this drow too...LIKE Viconia but less cruel/clingy to the ways of her race :D (Galadria, officate please [img]tongue.gif[/img] )

LOL, thanks, I made her like I wish Viconia would have been. Of couse I'll officiate, sweetie, didn't I agree to? Some more:

The next morning, Chorania awoke and, momentarily did not remember where she was. She started up and saw her bandaged form in the mirror. Then, she realised that she was safe at Galadria's house. Examining herself, cautiously, she was relieved to find that the pain from her burns continued to lessen. She sat on the edge of the bed and remembered how they had first met.
She had only been on the surface for a few days when she had run into a group of rowdies. Seeing a lone unarmed drow, they had at once set out after her, with many shouts and predictions of what they would do to her when they caught her. She had dashed into a forest, trying to elude them, but she was weak with hunger and they gained on her. Suddenly, she ran into three young people. The large man was heavily armed, and the redheaded woman had a bow in her hand. The third, a tall raven-haired woman in black mage robes looked at her curiously.
The shouts came closer. The blonde giant appoached her. "Who are you?" he asked. "Who is chasing you?"
For some reason, she did not fear these humans. "I am Chorania LeMeaux," she gasped. "There are men chasing me. I have done nothing. Please help me."
The men, no more than four, burst into the clearing. Seeing an armed man, they suddenly became cautious. They stopped their shouts and approached them.
Attalus, as it proved to be, drew his sword and the women faced her pursuers intently. Noemi put an arrow to her bow, and Galadria began to work a spell. The men stopped again, then one, their evident leader, approached them hand raised in parley.
"Who are you, stranger?" he began, "and why do you shelter a drow? Don't you know that there is a bounty on them? A thousand gold a head. Let's kill her and share the reward."
To Chorania's relief, Attalus had glared at the man. "You would kill this woman for mere gold, when she has done naught to you? Faugh, you disgust me." He spat at the man's feet. "To get her, you will have to come through me." Noemi drew her arrow back and Galadria went into a chant.
The ruffians paled. A lone, unarmed drow woman had seemed easy pickings. A little sport first, then cut off her head and collect the reward. But, they had no stomach for this kind of fight. They hastily ran off, pausing when they had reached the edge of the clearing to shout insults and obscenities. Galadria loosed her spell, and an electrical current went from her hand into the leader. He bellowed in pain before turning and running away, this time for good. They had gathered around her, then.
The dark magic wielder addressed her. "Hello, I am Galadria, and this is Attalus and Noemi, my sister. What are you doing on the surface, unarmed? Don't you know how your race is regarded, here?"
The redheaded archer added, "Yeah, what's your story? I 've read about the raids you people pull, over in the Elf country. But they all say that they are done by men. They don't want to risk their precious females." She turned to the blonde man with a twinkle in her eye. "They regard women as superior to men, you know."
The armored giant grimaced resignedly. "As well they should!" he sighed.
Chorania regarded them, feeling trapped. She had not heard that there was a bounty on drow, and she knew what a drow party under the circumstances would have done. She squared her shoulders and held her head high, but a tear, her first since childhood, crept down her cheek. She dashed it away angrily and said, "I know what you will do. Go ahead and kill me." She ripped open her robe. "I now know that it was a mistake to come here. I should have stayed in the Underdark. Go ahead, kill me and get your reward."
As she stood defiantly before them, expecting a blade to end her sorry existence, she was surprised to see shocked looks on her rescuers. Galadria had gently removed her hands and patted the fabric back into place. "Calm down, Chorania. We are not going to kill you. Why don't you just tell us why you are here, unarmed?"
Puzzled at their attitude, she had said, "I am a fugitive from the Underdark. Lolth hates me, now, and I have no House to protect me. Were I to return to my home, I would be killed, out of hand. I do not know what to do. I have no arms, or any money to buy any. I think my life will be short, despite your mercy, and my soul go to the spider queen at the last."
Galadria had smiled her wonderful smile at her, then, and, despite her plight, for the first time, she felt a little twinge of hope.
"You have no place to go, eh?" the dark mage had said. "Well, neither do we. Why don't you join us? We could use you. Tell me what weapons you can use, and we'll see about getting you some."
"Uh, Gal," Noemi said uneasily, "you know that some people are going to think less of us because she's with us." The drow's heart sank. Was her refuge to be denied? She looked anxiously at the dark-haired woman, who was obviously in charge.
Galadria had reassured her by putting her arm around her shoulder, saying, "Pooh, pooh, we have many enemies. What's a few more?"
The little redhead had smiled then. "Okay, I don't mind, then." She turned to her new comrade and said, "You can tell me all about the Underdark. I hear that it's beautiful but scary. Like Gal, here."
The dark mage rolled her eyes. "Come on," she addressed the group, "we must get back to a town so that our new friend, here, can arm herself. Chorania. That's a mouthful. I shall call you Cho, if that's all right."
"Anything," the drow answered eagerly. "Do you think that you can get me a mace and some armor?"
"I'm sure we can." Galadria replied. "Noemi, how much money do we have? The redhead pulled out a discouragingly small purse. She counted coins. "Eighty-three gold. I think that we can get her a mace, a helmet, and some armor."
"That would be wonderful," Chorania had said. And they had started out on the long road that had led here.

I LOVE IT. Keep on, Galadria! *HUG*

] [img]smile.gif[/img] I'm glad you are taking to her. Cho is one of my favorites. More:

Her reverie was interrupted by a knock at the door. "Who is it?" she called cautiously.
A muffled voice answered, "It's Sefa. Are you awake?"
She answered by opening the door. The girl, rosy from her morning ablutions smiled to see her. "Good morning," she carolled, " Lady Galadria's compliments, and you are to come down to the basement with me."
The drow smiled back at her. "Good morning, yourself. Tell your Mistress that I will be down in an instant, after I finish my toilet."
Sefa shook her head so vigorously that her curly hair swirled around her face. "No, Lady Chorania. She told me that you are to come straight down. She will change your bandages, then you can dress." She set off, and the drow followed, feeling Galadria's will upon her again. It was not an entirely uncomfortable feeling.
They entered the basement lab. Chorania looked curiously about. There were several high and low benches, some of them stained with chemicals. Atop these were various bottles, flasks and beakers, all dwarfed by the great alembic in the corner. A bright fire was burning in the grate, with a kettle steaming over it. One of the low benches was in front of the fire, covered with a sheet. It was to this that Sefa led her. Galadria and Noemi stood at either end of the bench, aproned and with their sleeves rolled up.
"Good morning," said the dark mage. "Lay right there, Cho. We'll be through in a jiffy."
Instead, Chorania sat on the sheet. "Abbil, why don't I just sit? You can get to me more easily and I could see." She nodded at the alembic. "You might be doing some of your experiments on me."
Noemi winked at her sister. "Well," she commented whimsically, "so much for serving you till her dying day."
The drow was indignant. "I will serve," she stated warmly, "but I will not be silent if I see that something could be done better. And I would know why your Mistress, " she gave a little bow to Galadria, "does some things at all, like having two witless girls for her apprentices."
Galadria chuckled. "Well, Cho, the pain might... oh, no, I can see where this is leading. Sit if you wish, but if you faint, you'll never hear the end of it." She commenced changing the dressings.
After she had removed the stained ones of the night before, she looked approvingly at the drow's skin. The burns were healing rapidly, now. Some of the pink areas were even developing a bluish coloration, as if returning to normal color. She re-applied salve and bandages, noting that her friend was maintaining her stoic demeanor. She thought of her, alone and asleep, awakening to flames and pain. A bolt of clear anger shot through her. She said aloud, "This is doing well, Cho. Why don't you just rest a little, now, and come see me in my study after your're done, so that we can begin to avenge this outrage."
She snarled the last word through gritted teeth and stormed out. Noemi and Sefa helped Chorania to her feet. They had healed well enough to not be bandaged, it had been deemed. Noemi caught Sefa's eye and winked again. "Uh, oh," she said humorously.
"Noemi," the drow said with asperity, "if you have something to say, speak aloud. Do not grunt."
"Okay, Cho," replied the redhead without resentment, "I just think that the guys that did this to you are in for some trouble from our own little Galadria. You know how she is. Hurt one of her little chickens, and she's out after you with her hatchet. That's all."
"I am not anyone's little chicken," Chorania replied with dignity, as they headed toward the door.
Noemi laughed. "Isn't that what you came here for? Her - and our - help? Come on, you can admit it. This is me, remember? The one you all rescued from her little cage, picked up or put back whenever he felt like it? Screaming until my throat was raw? Everybody needs some help every once in a while."
The drow stopped and looked into her friend's eyes. "Noemi," she asked, concerned, "you are not still thinking about this?" At her stiff, little nod, she went on, "But you act like you are ashamed that b'jinn captured you and used you so foully. Have we not talked of this, so long ago? You should be proud that you endured. Not every surfacer could, I assure you. You came through, worse for wear, it is true, but alive and sane. Enjoy your youth and beauty. Remembering the bad means that from the grave, he is still tormenting you."
"Easy to say, Cho," Noemi replied, "but I still feel like damaged goods, not like I won something."
"You did win something," the drow replied. "Your life and freedom. I am sure that if the opportunity had presented itself, you would have escaped, as Galadria did, but he was cruel and careful. Your task was to keep up hope, and to wait for Galadria and ourselves to rescue you. I was glad when Attalus killed him, and you should know that I am proud to have helped, and to be your friend."
"Thanks, Cho," Noemi said, through sudden tears. She brightened, and managed gallantly to try to banter again. "Wow, you're my friend. I thought you said that I was a witless girl."
Chorania put her arm around her sholders as they walked off. "Of course you are, m'zint to. You are my witless girl friend." Suddenly, right before she went into her bedroom, she clumsily kissed the redheaded mage on the cheek. Then, she was through the door and shut it.

Thats great "mother" (hey you DID say I could call you that.. remember? ;) ) when can you post some more? pretty please? [img]tongue.gif[/img]

All right, I will, Son-in-law.

Her bed was already made, and she sat down on it. Though she had maintained a stoic demeanor, the events of the morning had taken a toll, and she felt rather light-headed. She lay down and nodded off.
She was awakened by Sefa again. A familiar looking robe was in her hands. "Lady Galadria says that she found this in her store room. She also says that it suits you better than that old gray one." It was one of her own old garments, discarded once but she was grateful enough to have it, now. After the girl left, she doffed Noemi's robe and put hers on. A glance in the mirror reassured her that she was returning to her old self. She left at once and went in search of her hostess.
Galadria was, as she said she would be, in her study. She waved to Chorania when she came in, indicating that she should sit, but the drow went to a corner to look at an object she had not noticed before. It was a large, metal cage, common in dungeons, where prisoners were kept between tortures. This would not be rare in many wizards' studies, but in Galadria's it was an anomaly.
"What is this, abbil?" she asked curiously.
The dark mage smiled wryly. "Why, that was my cage, Cho. I awoke in it in Smaractus' dungeon."
Chorania fingered the place on the door where the lock was supposed to be. It had been blown away by some powerful force. The metal was twisted and blackened. "A little unhappy when you came to your senses, were you, abbil?" she said with a chuckle. "I wish I had been there to see it. I'm sure that Smaractus, when he saw it, knew that he had made a grave mistake."
The smile disappeared from Galadria's face. "Well, it sure didn't stop the bastard from torturing poor Em for three more weeks. I wish that you had been there, too, Cho. You could have reminded me that Smaractus might have had more than one prisoner."
The drow sat carefully in a chair facing her friend. "You and Noemi and that Smaractus. Forget him, can't you? We will have other foes. He is dead. Live in the now."
The dark sorceress laughed at her. "Listen to Chorania, the philosopher, counseling us. I keep that cage there to remind me not to get conceited, and that one false move might land me in a similar one. Any way," she gestured at Chorania's bandages, "I know we have new foes. But I'm glad your burns are better. Have you tried using magic healing?"
"I am, and it is working, now. Why did it not, before, I wonder? We shall have to ask Odo. Didn't you tell me that he was coming, soon?" At Galadria's nod, she concluded, "He will know if anyone does."
"Well, just because you are better," the mage scolded her, "I don't want you running off. I said that I want you to stay at least six weeks. You agreed, and I'm going to hold you to it. For one thing, we need to get you some more clothes. And, your hair." she ran her hand through the now clean but mutilated white tresses. "You must get it cut. Something short, I think."
"Oh, Galadria," the drow grimaced, "you must not mind my hair. I need to get well so that I can fight again."
"Nonsense, Cho." her friend replied, "you always have been vain of your appearance." She held her hair one way and another, trying to come up with a suitable style. "Don't blame you. You're beautiful."
Chorania's eyes were downcast. "If you say so, abbil. I have no choice. I vowed that I would obey you."
Galadria stopped posing her hair to look sternly at her. "Now, Cho, there you go again, talking about swearing and serving me. Are you serious, or is this another of your jokes? Because you should know that if you are serious, I mean to take you up on it. But, remember, that once you are sworn to me, there are to be no more of these little trips off on your own. I want you to live here, in that room you are in. If you think of some place that you just have to go to, I will find you companions, or come myself. The next time, we might not be so lucky. I can't bear the thought of losing you."
"In truth, abbil, I thought of little else on the road here," Chorania replied slowly, raising her eyes to meet Galadria's black ones. "I left when you got married, even though everyone, like your dear Attalus, wanted me to stay. I thought having another woman around the house would make things difficult for you, and I also didn't want to be thought of as a weakling, hanging onto you. But now, I am glad that you have made me the honorable offer of officially entering your service. You shall be like my Matron, and I your daughter. In what capacity shall I serve? Apprentice? You seem well-supplied with these. Scullery maid? Stablehand? I would accept any of them."
Galadria laughed. "Scullery maid? And you a former High Priestss? No, we will have you as chaplain, so get your healing spells ready, because I am sure we are going to need them. All right, here is the oath." She produced a piece of paper which she had suspiciously ready.
Chorania gave her a humorous look. "As you well know, abbil I was never High Priestess, nor even considered for such a doubtful honor. The very thought would have given my mother an attack of rage, reminding me of how I disappointed her, and continued to do so." She read the oath, and signed it with the quill on Galadria's table. "So, now, abbil, I am sworn to you for life, and you are to provide for me as long as I serve you well. This, I shall willingly do. I no longer desire to live anywhere but here. Thank you from the bottom of my heart." She arose,went over to her new mistress, and hugged her, getting a hug in return. "And now," she said meditatively, "how soon can we go shopping and to the hairdresser?"

EDIT: To add more dialog to make clear Chorania's Drow status.

[ 10-15-2002, 02:18 PM: Message edited by: Galadria ]

aw, thats sweet. what was the oath? [img]tongue.gif[/img] hairdresser? not so sweet ;) great work dear "mother" ;) post more, please?

;) Thanks, "son-in-law." You'll be finding out about women and their hair. Some more:

A few days later, they were all sitting on the top story of the House of the Dome. From the outside, it looked merely like a medium sized dwelling with a dome made of the same grey stone as the rest of the house, but here, on the inside, the dome was as clear as pure air. It was, in reality, a magic force field that was stronger far than stone, but enabled the occupants to view the sky and city as from an open roof. But no rain or wind could discomfort, no thief steal from, and no enemy harm, the inhabitants, save from below. They all were lounging on benches and chairs, enjoying wine and cakes produced by Lania, the cook.
This was a welcoming party held for their friends, Odo and Cythera, who had recently arrived from their country estate, Rosetree. They all were dressed in their best. Odo and Attalus were resplendant in silk tunics embroidered with their arms, but were outshone by the women. Cythera, a petite blonde with a luscious complexion, wore a bright green dress that suited her reddish-gold hair, overhung in back with a gauzy cape of the same color. Jewels flashed on her bared neck and arms, especially on a blue stone on the ring finger of her left hand. Noemi was in a crimson and black velvet tunic, the red matching her hair perfectly, making her blue eyes flash the brighter. Even Sefa had a new blue linen outfit with a white belt, making her look even younger than she was. Only Galadria wore a magical robe - she wore little else - but it had dragons, stars and suns embroidered on the black satin. Her rings made little display, being magical rather than for ornament. Her dark hair was coiled upon her head, shining like the silk of her robe.
The center of attention, however, was Chorania. In a new sky blue robe of rouche touched here and there with silver, she was stunning. Her white hair had been cut and styled to emphasize her heart-shaped face. Gone was the pink of her burns, replaced with glossy ebon skin. Her regular features, glorious eyes, and sensuous figure made her the unquestioned star in a roomful of beauties. Her habitual scowl had been replaced as late with a slight smile, as if the drow in her secretly mocked the soft creature she had become.
She was the center of attention as she was telling everyone about her recent adventures. She had almost finished and was telling of the burns she had gotten and their peculiar nature. Odo, particularly, was listening intently, as he had long made a study of curses and magical injuries. Most people,on meeting him, were immediately taken with his massive form - Cythera said he was almost as wide as he was tall - and his self-deprecating humor and wrote him off as stupid. They couldn't have been more wrong. He was an intelligent man who saw no reason to let most people know how smart he actually was. They would have been surprised to see his study at Rosewood, as untidy as Galadria's was neat, crammed with books, scrolls, and magical objects.
Now, he was intrigued as the drow described her injuries. "Tell me, Cho," he asked curiously, "the next morning, when it was light, did you examine these burns?"
"Yes, Odo, I did," she replied."They appeared to be slight, except at the tip of my shoulder, where it was raw. The rest were just ordinary blisters."
He nodded."you cleaned them, of course."
"Yes."
"What did you feel when you did that? You used water, I assume?"
"I felt a severe burning," she answered slowly. "It seemed that they were being burned yet again. And then, all of them were raw. No more blisters."
"Did you try to magically heal them?"
"Yes I did,and it was just the same, they got worse. That's when I knew that I had to get here, to Baldur's Gate and my friends. I knew that I could not win this fight alone," she answered somberly.
"So, Odo," asked Galadria,"what do you think? They started to heal only when I put that ointment you left the last time you were here. Now she's fine. What was in that salve? Do you think that was what did it?"
The stocky man turned to her. "Gal, that was salve made with elven holy water. Do you have any of the towels that you used to cleanse her, when she arrived?"
Vexed, the dark mage was about to reply in the negative, when Sefa spoke up. "My Lady." she began. All eyes swung to her. She blushed. "My lady, there are some in the laboratory. I put them there to wash because it was so early when we finished the morning Lady Chorania arrived here. I had forgotten them until just now. Shall I fetch them?"
Galadria looked at Odo. He shook his head. "I will need to examine them in the laboratory. Leave them there, and do not touch them at all. I will handle this, Gal, if it is all right with you."
The dark mage nodded affirmatively. Odo then led them all down to the lab in all their finery, for, as Cythera whispered excitedly to Noemi, I can get a new outfit any day, but a mystery, that's a rare thing." The redhead smilingly agreed.

Heaven forbid! still thanks for posting ;) it gets better :D

Thank you, Caelethis. Read on.

It was dark in the laboratory when they got there, but Galadria's arrival triggered spells that lighted the place. Sefa showed Odo the nook where the towels had been stuck. He got a pair of tongs and picked through the cloths, choosing the worst stained. He carried it, not to a bench, but to the summoning circle in the corner. The drow watched uneasily, her newly healed skin crawling with a sensation she had never felt before.
Odo placed the foul thing in the center of the circle and stepped out. He looked significantly at Galadria, who hurriedly freshened the wards, trapping any evil being in the bounds of the circle.. The stocky man reached into a drawer that had been granted him to store his apparatus in when he was in Baldur's Gate - Cythera had one just above - and drew out a small phial. He walked back to the circle and poured a few drops of the contents of the phial onto the palm of his hand, and flicked it accurately onto the rag. A smouldering fire at once sprang up and a small spider ran out to the edge of the circle, looking frantically for a way out. Chorania screamed. She ran to Attalus and Galadria and clung to them. "Keep it away from me," she sobbed, "Don't let her get at me!".
Odo shook his head. "This cannot be," he said. "This is of enormous consequence. I am bound, by oath, to do a thing now." He turned to them. "You may leave now, if you fear Holiness, but this extrordinary occurance demands it. Chorania," he went over to where she clung to Attalus' breast, weeping in fear. "Cho, I strongly advise you to stay. You have been the victim of a forbidden attack, and you may benefit from the discovery of the Black Bitch's insolence." She nodded agreement, feeling her courage come back to her. She stood and faced the spider, small in size, but huge in menace. All her old instincts had recognized an creature of the Spider Queen, Lolth, involuntarily prompting her breakdown. She was in control of herself again.
No one left. They all wanted to see this brought to an end. Odo faced the spider and chanted a prayer to his god. A moment passed, and a Figure appeared before him, glowing with holiness; they all felt it like a shock. All went to their knees, and the spider's movements became more frantic. Noemi felt herself go all over gooseflesh.
"Odo, why have you summoned Me?" the Figure enquired, mildly..
"Lord Helm," said the stocky man,"You see before You an incursion by the evil goddess of the Underdark, into Your realm, which is forbidden. You have required me by my oath to tell You of this." He was sweating, but his voice was steady.
The Figure disappeared but reappeared in the circle. "What is this? Lolth, do you dare send one of your minions to My realm? Punishment will be done." A bolt of lightning vaporized the spider, and a long keening was heard. The Figure turned back to Odo. Now, His expression was grim. "Tell me, against which of my children here was this atrocity performed?"
Odo opened his mouth to answer, but was forestalled by Chorania. "It was me, Lord Helm," she wailed, her face in her hands. "No child of Yours am I, but none of hers, either. I have no such protector to stand between me and the Spider God. I have forsworn her, and she hates me." Tears seeped between her fingers..
The Figure regarded her with compassion. With inhuman senses, the deity saw her naked soul cowering and He marveled at such purity in a drow elf. He saw her old sins, and they were many, but He recognized that she was now arrayed against them. She was, He sensed, sincerely repentant. The great voice came again: "A drow? Here? With some of my Chosen? As a friend? I can see that Lolth's wrath would run deeply at such an occurance. But fear not, Chorania, for, all unwitting, you became eligible for My protection the moment you renounced the evil ways of much of your race and turned toward the good. Say this now, and forever be under my aegis. Say, I renounce evil."
Chorania folded her hands in prayer and raised her streaming face toward the Holy One. "I renounce evil," she said in a choked voice.
"Say, I renounce the life I led, and the evil that I did," the unearthly voice went on.
"I renounce the life I led and the evil that I did," more firmly.
"And finally, say, I renounce the rule of the Spider God, and do gladly put my soul in the keeping of Helm the Watcher."
"I renounce the rule of the Spider God, and do gladly put my soul in the keeping of Helm the Watcher," she blazed triumphantly.
"It is done," the unearthly voice cried in satisfaction. "You are mine in life, Chorania, and, if you do not lapse, in death I will protect you from Lloth. You will not go to that hell of hers, but rest in Me. So be it." The Figure disappeared, and the keening stopped.
After a stunned silence., everyone got to their feet and gathered around the drow, hugging and congratulating her. In her hand shone a mithril pendant that had appeared in front of her. It bore the token of the Seeing Eye.

great stuff Lady G ;) or should I say "mother"? ;) erm, even if I dont reply (coz I dont wanna spam too much) dont assume I havent read it ;) chances are I have [img]tongue.gif[/img] still thanks for posting, I look forward to reading the next installment :D

Al xunor d'anthe abbil
I really should visit the books forum more often.
My only comment is that Chorania lacks the pride and arrogance of a former high Priestess of Lloth. A lifetime of indoctrination is not easily left behind. Besides that, great story. [img]smile.gif[/img]
I think you should post this at http://www.bratgirlcentral.com/cgi-b.../ikonboard.cgi as well.
Keep up the good work Gal.!

[ 10-15-2002, 10:35 AM: Message edited by: Dreamer128 ]

If I read this correctly dreamer and I do believe I did ;) [img]tongue.gif[/img] it does say not to expect her to be like viccy... so please dont say you weren't warned [img]tongue.gif[/img] Am I being cheeky? probably yes [img]tongue.gif[/img] ;) dont mind me, just in an odd humor (again...) ;) Keep posting Lady G.

Actually, Calaethis, Velkyn brings up a good point, which is one of the reasons that I wrote this. Are all Drow alike? Surely not, for we know that there are those like Drizzt, his father Zaknafacien (sp?), Soluferein, and, yes, even Viconia and her brother, who didn't fit the mold. Actually Galadria (the mage) was joking with Chorania when she named her a former High Priestess, and I shall add a line of dialog to make that clear. She was never more than a minor priestess, due to her frequent evasions of ceremonies involving sacrifices. As will be clear later in the text, she would rather have become a warrior, and it showed. Also, she is young for a Drow (not much older than sixty) and has spent the last five years with Galadria and her friends, which allowed her to open up. However, as also will be demonstrated, she retains some Drow traits. Keep reading. Thank you, Velkyn, for reading it and liking it. And, even more, for saying so. ;)

*Raises one eyebrown at Calaethis.
I did 'not' expect her to be like Viccy. In fact, I didn't expect her to be like any char at all. I just expected her to be Drow. Hmm.. this sounds rather negative. (Thanks alot Caleathis)
But don't let this fool you, I really do like this novel.

[ 10-15-2002, 02:12 PM: Message edited by: Dreamer128 ]

okok... [img]tongue.gif[/img] I wasnt REALLY being that serious ya know ;) erm Lady G post some more, pleeeeeeeeease? [img]tongue.gif[/img]

LOL, see my reply above. Velkyn. CD, I appreciate you. Some more:

After a stunned silence., everyone got to their feet and gathered around the drow, hugging and congratulating her. In her hand shone a mithril pendant that had appeared in front of her. It bore the token of the Seeing Eye.
They regathered beneath the Dome, Chorania now with the pendant worn proudly on her neck. She fairly glowed with happiness. A deep hole that had been, unbeknownst to her, in her soul, had been filled. She felt ready to do...anything. She overflowed with love for her friends that had brought her to this and to Helm for accepting her. Galadria was speaking, and she concentrated on listening to her.
"So, Odo," the dark mage was saying, "tell us what happened. I know that spider wasn't in my towels and I didn't see it on Cho.."
The stocky man was lolled back, Cythera next to him. He answered."That was no mere spider. Thar was the extension of Lloth's will, a curse that had been eating Cho, slowly."
"You mean it would have slowly eaten her alive?"cried Cythera, "How horrible." She turned to the drow. "Cho, I'm so sorry. Did I upset you?"
Her friend chuckled in reponse. "M'zint to, I have just seen an avatar of Helm destroy a piece of the Spider Queen meant to kill me, and you think I could be upset by drawing room conversation?" They all laughed, ruefully. She could tell that they were still concerned about her. "No," she went on, "I was pondering the same thing. Odo, what was in that phial, that you threw onto the towel? Was that elven holy water, too?"
Odo smiled in appreciation of her penetration. "No," he said, "elven holy water could stop the poison from operating, but their gods are less powerful against Lloth. Those were the Tears of Helm, granted me by He, Himself. They were strong enough to gather the will of the Black Bitch into physical form."
"I thought something like that," she went on hopefully," so that means that this" she clutched the pendant in front of her," is enough to keep me from her, correct.?
Odo frowned. "Do not put too much faith in the amulet, Cho, and keep it out of sight, after this. Yes, it is a holy thing, but it will not protect you from physical attacks. It will keep the Bitch from knowing where you are at all times., as I am thinking that she has. For, why did she know that you were alone and where you were?. There was some psychic link, I guess. But, now that you are Helm's, that, at least,should cease. Just try not to go back to the Underdark. Helm's power is less, there, and you might, in some manner, be revealed to her. For, some parts of your soul are scarred by your years of service to her, and those, she would recognize.
Chorania laughed in satisfaction, "There, I shall not go, unless my Mistress bid me.
I will acknowledge that I miss it, sometimes, the beauty of it, but not the terror. I would be afraid that the memory of some of the things that I was forced to do would haunt me too much."
Cythera shuddered. "I should think so," she said. " The memory of some of the things we had to do to escape that awful place still give me nightmares. But, Cho, whom do you mean by 'your Mistress?' Have you gone into service, somewhere? I would have thought that you were too independant for that."
The drow laughed her low laugh again, "No independance for Chorania Lemeaux any more, m'zint to," she said proudly, " I am pledged for life to our Lady Galadria. She has been pleased to appoint me her chaplain here in the House of the Dome." She turned to the dark mage."Is that not true, my Lady?"
"Yes, it is, Cho," Galadria said with a pleased smile, "It seems we are going to have to set up a shrine to Helm, here, and you can be its priestess. I hope you do not charge as highly for your services as they have in some places that we've been." Odo chuckled at that, since they had a large altar to Helm and one to Tempus at Rosewood, and he was usually at odds with one or the other priest.about something.
"My first order to you," Galadria went on,"is to stop calling me 'my Lady.' That's for Sefa.. You must go on calling me 'abbil,' just as you always have."
Chorania knotted her white eyebrows."Your first order my L...I mean , abbil?" She sighed in mock puzzlement. "I thought you had been giving me orders since I first arrived on the surface." Everyone laughed, including her Mistress.
"Yes," Galadria came back,"but you didn't always obey them, unless it suited you. Now, if you disobey, you will be punished. Perhaps even tortured. You had better beware, because you're going to be my torturer."
Noemi crowed, "Hey, that's a good one, Cho. What would you do to yourself?"
The drow pretended to think. "Well," she replied judiciously,"the first thing that comes to mind is to read myself some of what you call your poetry."

Thanks, that means a lot.. so *grin* am I being a good "son in law"? ;)

Quote:

The drow pretended to think. "Well," she replied judiciously,"the first thing that comes to mind is to read myself some of what you call your poetry."

Sounds like torture to me too [img]tongue.gif[/img]

LOL, yes, Caelethis, you are being a good son-in-law. Therefore, I shall post some more.

Later, after she thought that everyone else had gone to bed, Chorania went back up to the roof. Too much had happened, too quickly. She felt she needed to think, rather than sleep. A few lamps glowed softly, but the main source of illumination was the stars. She lay down on a couch and contemplated them. At first, when she came to the surface, she had felt that the sky would swalllow her. Now, at night, it comforted her. She could imagine herself beneath the great domed ceiling of the cavern of her home city. There had been a temple, there, where she had often gone when few were about, just to be alone and try to figure out why she was not like her sisters.
She had been, she knew, a great disappointment to her mother. Where her sisters were single-minded in advancing their House at the expense of everything else, she had wondered what good the whole struggle was. A few innocent questions when she had been a girl had resulted in severe whippings and she had learned to keep her feelings to herself. But she had refused to take part in several rituals that involved sacrifice, earning her the scorn of all of her female relatives. .
That was what she wanted to ponder, now. She had been enough on the surface to see how widespread the fear and hatred of her race went. Why had she met up with these people, seemingly the only ones who would accept her, within a couple of days? The odds seemed immense. She thought of Attalus' rage at the thugs that had wanted the bounty on her. Later, she had asked him why he had gotten so angry at a threat to someone he had just met.
He had replied, seriously, "Chorania, I am accustomed to judge anyone I meet, immediately. I can tell, somehow, not everything about them, but just whether they mean well or not. It's something I have been able to do since I was a child, and I have learned to trust it. When I first saw you, running frantically and in fear, I just knew that, drow though you were, that your soul was a beautiful thing, as fair as your face. When that man spoke of killing you, I saw, plain as day, your head, bloody and grimed, being thrust into a sack by those fools. That was what enraged me." He then had flushed, unaccustomed to telling women that they were beautiful.
She smiled at that memory. But, why then and there? She knew that her friends had been wandering the length and breadth of the land. What had brought them there, just when she had needed them?
She knew that other drow had been exiled for not following the Way of Lloth. That was why there was a term for them, Outsiders. She knew that the Matron Mothers used the fear of Exile to keep other, more squeamish drow in line, and that sacifice was a useful means to weed out drow who were nonconformists. What happened to the others who escaped domination? Did Lolth hunt them down to kill them, as she had tried to do to her? She felt a chill go over her body. That was what Odo had been talking about. He was afraid that she might venture back to the Underdark to find others like her. Odo knew her too well. She now recalled a conversation long ago, when she had ventured out of the group and met hostilty from surfacers.
She had been complaining that none of them would give her a chance, that a starving bear or lion would have more chance of mercy than a drow, no matter how unthreatening. Odo had shaken his head in sympathy, but said, "Cho, we know you and love you. All you are to us is an elf that happens to be dark-skinned. Don't forget, though, that you are no longer the unarmed waif that Attalus and the girls took pity on that day. You are armored and armed to the teeth. For all they know, you are a forerunner of a drow raiding party. When they see you with us, you are just a part of our group, and the man or woman that Attalus or Gal can't charm probably had bad intentions in the first place.
"But, it's a shame that more people can't know you like we do. I'm sure that you're not the only drow who ever wanted to be good. If we hear a rumor of a lone drow, we should go and try to rescue them. The more drow on the surface, doing good, that there are, then maybe everyone could see them as individuals, and see the drow below as unfortunate slaves of Lolth."
She felt a sudden strong desire to immediately return to the Underdark. There was her brother Calith. She had not allowed herself to think of him in many years, but she knew him to be as doubtful as she. She remembered, with shame, how she had blithely disregarded Galadria's guilt at going off without Noemi. She realized that she was feeling the same thing! Calith was still at the mercy of their horrible mother, if he was alive at all. It was all she could do to keep from jumping up, grabbing some arms, and stealing out of the House of the Dome to go get him.
A voice broke into her reverie. "What's the matter, Cho?" a warm voice said, "Regretting my service already?" She whirled to face Galadria. A wave of shame overcame her. Her first day in service and she was already considering desertion. For the second time that day, she broke into tears.
Galadria sank down beside her and put her arm around her. She wept for a while, trying to sort out all these new, powerful feelings. Instead of steely resolve, loyalty, and rage, she was feeling hurt, love, and anxiety, all of them new to her. Finally regaining control of herself, she faced her Mistress and her comforter,
"Abbil, you who are so wise, tell me what is happening to me! It seems that for years, my soul was a fist clenched with rage, and now it opens into a beseeching beggar's palm. Is this a new part of the curse? Am I going to die? I no longer feel like a drow, but I don't know what I am.. Help me, I implore."
"Cho," the dark mage said soothingly, "Odo spoke to me privately before he went to bed. He thought something like this might happen. Once Lolth's grip was finally loosened from your soul, and you accepted Helm, all those feelings that Lolth deliberately repressed came back. You never knew, and neither did I, that all this time, she was watching you, hating you, and awaiting her chance, which you foolishly gave her by going off by yourself. Do not make the same mistake, again! Odo says it was nip and tuck that we saved you, otherwise you would have been eaten alive, no matter how many times I cleansed your hurts. Strange chance, that that ointment was left where it was."
Chorania felt something click into place. "I have been thinking of chance all evening, abbil, and I am beginning to wonder about all these chances. Something is at work, here, and it is definitely not Lolth. Even Helm seemed surprised. Some other god, perhaps? Something that doesn't hate the drow, but pities the poor fugitives from Lolth's power? What could it be?"
It was Galadria's turn to think, hard. Finally, she said, "A god? A god that is interested in the drow? Which one? Surely, not one of the Elven Pantheon? The drow desecrate their temples whenever they can. Ooh!" She had a sudden thought. "You are a magic user, and a woman! How about Tres?" Tres was the Goddesss of Female Magic. "She is with Cyth, Em, and I strongly. On this very floor is a shrine to Tres, and the whole House is devoted to Her." She grew excited. "Cho, this is going somewhere. I can feel it. The drow women are almost all magic users, are they not?"
Wonderingly, Chorania replied, "Of course, abbil, or else I would not have become a priestess at all, but rather a warrior. My mother forced me. She said it would disgrace our House if one of the females did not study magic. But I never heard of Tres, not until I met with you."
"So," the dark mage went on,"you have a whole race of powerful female magic users who know Her not. It would not be a wonder if she did aid one of you who seemed likely to forsake Lolth and, eventually, turn to Her."
Timidly, Choriana fingered the amulet beneath her robe. "Would it not seem disloyal to Helm, Who saved me and accepted me? I would not offend Him."
Galdria hugged her and kissed her cheek . "Silly," she said affectionately, "Helm won't be offended if you pay service to another God, just as long as they are good. Helm is not jealous, but righteous. He, certainly, would welcome the means that led you away from Lolth and to salvation." Seeing the drow look doubtful, she laughed. "Don't worry, we'll ask Odo. He'd know."
"He certainly would," Chorania spoke warmly, "being one of Helm's Chosen, whatever that may be, exactly. Abbil, have I ever told you about my brother?"
"No, Cho," the dark mage said sympathetically, "except that until you met us, you thought he was the only one who cared for you."
"Well, " the drow said intently, "that is true. He is the one that overheard my mother's plot to sacrifice me to the spider god. He and I had been close since we were little. We would cry together after we were beaten. I was robing myself for the ceremony when he came in to me, urgently. Many times I have reproached myself for the way I spat insults to see him, for I was later than I wanted to be. But he said, 'Shut up, sister dear. Your little brother is about to save your life.' Then he told me that, at the height of the ceremony, the Matron Mother would have turned from the beast that she was pretending to sacrifice and plunge her dagger into my heart! He had heard my mother talking with my sisters. They were looking forward to it!
"Then I heard footsteps in the hall. They were coming to get me! Calith turned and walked casually away, but I stepped through the door into another room and ran like the wind. I do not remember most of that trip, but I remember coming to the portal that gave out to the surface. I stepped out...and the rest you know."
Galadria hugged her again. "Indeed, I do, dear heart. So, it is your brother you have fretting about?"
"I am," Chorania said, miserably, "He is probably dead, certainly so if my mother or sisters discovered his warning of me, but what if not? What if he is like me, an Outsider, but wandering the Underdark alone instead of being warm and safe and being hugged by a Mistress who is far too easy on her unworthy servants." She looked at Galadria with remorse. "Abbil, I...I was thinking of deserting you, to go and find him. How can you forgive me? If I were your Mistress, and I thought you were deserting, if I had done for you all you have done for me, I would have stripped you naked, tied you up, and whipped you until you could no longer scream."
Galadria grabbed her by the shoulders and looked at her sternly. "Cho, you know very well you wouldn't do anything of the sort. Why do you say such things? I've known you for years, and I've never even seen you with a whip, much less use it on one of your friends. Is that what you think I should do to you?"
The drow was downcast. "Yes, I do," she muttered. "I deserve no better."
The dark mage shook her, a little. "Cho, don't be so hard on yourself. I was standing right there. It probably just crossed your mind. It's not like I caught you sneaking out in full armor, packed for an expedition. You had a tremendous lot happen today, and you're all confused." She hugged her again. "Now tell me," she demanded, "why you insist on talking about whipping all of the time. You know it offends some people."
Choriania looked embarrassed. "It is a bad habit, abbil, that I picked up in the Underdark. You have been there, you know that the other drow talk like that all of the time. I had to appear as fierce as the others, to survive. I think that I still speak in those terms, when I am moved strongly. Or, when I joke with Noemi. I don't think she minds. It makes what she endured at Smaractus' hands a little easier to take, I think and hope.
"You remember how she was, when we first rescued her? She would not leave your side, started at the least sound, couldn't sleep?" Galadria nodded in grim agreement. "Well, at first we all tiptoed around her. But then, one day, I came across her sitting by herself, weeping. My heart went out to her, but I felt she needed more than that. She had gotten sympathy from us all, and still she was of no use to herself or anyone. I went over and sat down next to her.
""So, Noemi," I said, in my rough way, "That b'jinn tormented you, did he?" She just nodded, she was too choked up to speak. I put my arm around her shoulders, which startled her, I know. Then I said, 'Let me tell you what they did to me in the Underdark.' I told her of punishments that I endured at the hands and whips of my mother and sisters. I told her of my initiation into adult sexuality, when they tie you to a bed and any male with a gold piece can have you.. I told her of...other things.
"And at the end, when she was white-faced with shock, I said. 'And these were my family that did this to me. Be glad that your sister and your friends love you enough to rescue you. Mine never would."
Galadria smiled. "What did she say?" she asked.
"She just put her head on my shoulder and said, 'So you know.' But from then on, if she had a question about her feelings, she would come to me and ask it."
Galadria nodded. She remembered well the sight, across the campfire, of the drow and her sister conversing in whispers. She had not pried, then. She had only been happy that Noemi was talking to someone besides herself.
"So," Chorania went on," we would talk of being tortured, of how it made you feel. How you feel abandoned, and how worthless you are that others could do this to you, and laugh. We talked of the hopeless hate toward your torturers, and how you had to hide it, or it would be worse. The humiliations of it. The confusions, when one of your tormentors said or did something that smacked of kindness, how you would sieze on it and treasure it, until you realise how that is the worst of all, trying to please them. So, she began to come to terms with it, and I saw, to my joy, the gradual reemergence of the Noemi I knew, before..
"But, she started to banter with me, then. Teasing me, trying to get me to insult her. I went along for her sake, but perhaps others did not see it that way. I apologise, if I offended you, my deliverer. It was just that I so revolted myself that I felt that worthlessness, again. So, I said that."
Galadria kissed her on the cheek, tasting the rarest liquor in Faerun, a drow's tears. "No, you're not worthless, just because you want to go help your brother. Anyway, you're my torturer, like I said, so, tie yourself up and start whipping yourself. I'll run and get Noemi. She'll want to watch."
The drow almost smiled. "No, abbil, anything but that! Having Noemi watch me being tortured would exceed the tentacle rods of the Handmaidens. She would be calling out hints that she learned from Smaractus."
Her Mistress kissed her one last time and released her. "That's the spirit. Anyway, Cho, use sense. If your brother is still alive, in the city or in the Underdark, he's strong and claver enough to last until we get there."
Chorania looked her incredulity. "We?" she said with dawning hope.
Galadria regarded her fondly. "Yes, indeed. If you must go, we'll be going, too. Now that I have you back, I'm ceratainly not going to lose you to that awful spider. But, not tonight. First, we have to test my hypothesis. We must first consult Odo, and then, the Ceremony of Tres."

Ah, I do love that Drow woman. Better than Viconia, even. Carry on, Gal. [img]graemlins/awesomework.gif[/img]

As they say, zhennu emp'poss Gal. [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img]

oh goody goody ;) this story gets better. ;) *grin* so are you gonna post some more? Hmm, I wonder if Kat's seen it recently ;) I'll have to ask her... at some point.

[img]smile.gif[/img] Thank you, everybody. Here we go:

With that, the dark mage left and went back downstairs, to bed. Chorania, suddenly feeling sleepy, arose, also, when she heard a small voice from the shadows. "Cho," it said urgently. She looked around sharply and saw Noemi standing there.
"Noemi," she said with surprise, "how long have you been here?"
The redhead came into the light. She smiled. "Long enough to hear that you have to torture yourself. Goodie! I wanna watch." She ran up to the drow and buried her face on her shoulder. She added in a whisper. "I heard you tell Gal about those talks we used to have. I thought you told me that they were gonna be a secret between us."
Chorania ran her hand through Noemi's short locks. "M'zint to," she said gently, "when I promised you that, I was not your sister's to serve all my life. I cannot keep a thing from her, if she wishes to know it. You should know this. What was there in all those talks that you would not wish Galadria to know?"
"Cho," the redheaded mage turned her face to her, seemingly changing the subject, "I just told Gal a few months ago that Sma...that bastard raped me."
"So?" the drow asked in a puzzled tone, "this has been known between us two for a long time. I will not ask why you didn't tell her, for that is your business. Why is it bothering you tonight?"
"Well," Noemi said slowly, "I came in while Gal was holding you and kissing you. I got incredibly jealous. I thought, 'Why her and not me?' So I got close and eavesdropped. And found that it was just Gal, soothing another lost soul, as usual. So, I wanted to talk to you about that. When Gal was holding you, did you feel...anything? You told me then that after your 'initiation,' you never wanted to have sex again."
This was totally unexpected. Chorania found herself torn from thoughts of an expedition to the Underdark to Noemi's psyche again. She answered, honestly, "I am not sure what you are asking, m'zint to . Towards your sister, my Mistress, I felt affection and gratitude, in more measure than usual. And, as I told you long ago, I have no desire to lie with a man. I do not wish a child to carry on my sorry line, and any thought of pleasure in the sex act vanished on that bed in the Underdark. Why are you jealous of me?"
"Well," Noemi answered, "you know all of my darkest secrets, so why not this one? I'm in love with Galadria."
The drow's puzzlement grew. "But so are we all. Even Odo and Cythera find room in their romance to love her. Why are you ashamed of loving your sister? I wish I could have loved mine."
"No!" the redhead cried in exasperation, "not love as in friendship, or even sisterhood. I love her like Attalus loves her. Truly, deeply, but for me, all in vain. So, I was jealous that you were getting hugs and kisses that I wanted. And I wanted to know if you felt about her like I do. Get it?"
Enlightenment came to Chorania.. "Such love," she said, "is not unheard of by me. The drow have studied the erotic arts for eons. But I have no desire to lie with anyone, male or female. Your sister is my Mistress, whether she will take the full powers or no. It would not be unheard of for some Mistresses to order her servant to lie with her. If she told me, I would be naked in her bed in an instant, ready for orders. But it would not be a thing I would enjoy. Is that clear enough, m'zint to?"
Noemi nodded reluctantly, "Oh, yes. I guess that I just figured that since Gal saved both of us, you might have the same feelings that I do." She sighed.
The drow smiled. "And now, little would-be lover of her sister, tell me in your turn. Your head is lying on my breast, which some have been kind enough to compliment. Even those oafs in the Underdark, may Lolth take their souls at the last. What do you feel? You say you will have no more to do with men, how do you feel about Chorania? Are you filled with lust for her?"
Noemi jerked her head away from her bosom in alarm. "What are you talking about, Cho? Of course I'm not lusting after you."
"All I am saying, m'zint to," she said in quiet amusement, "is that you're no lesbian. I know that you have had some very bad experiences with sex with men, and that you are fortunate, or unfortunate, enough to have a very powerful and charismatic sister who dotes on you. Of course you love her, she saved you, she has never let you down. You trust her. But, take it from Chorania, if you really found yourself in bed with her, you wouldn't enjoy it. It wouldn't be like your romantic visions of it."
"But, Cho," the redhead protested, "I have slept with her, and I enjoyed it."
The drow raised her eyebrows. "Slept, as in spent the night in the same bed?" she asked with skepticism,"or as in had sex with?"
Noemi blushed. "As in slept in the same bed. She told me right out that she wouldn't be my lover, just my sister and friend. But I want to have sex with her. I've dreamed of it. When I was being raped, I thought of her doing it to me."
Chorania looked at her face closely. "You told her of this when you told her that you had beeen raped? What does she say?"
"She says that I just have a crush on her, and that I'll get over it. But I won't. And I don't want to," the redhead answered miserably.
The drow smiled."See! she agrees with me. Now you have the opinions of the two wisest women you know. Trust us, m'zint to . This will work itself out. In the meantime, don't be jealous of your poor drow fellow servant."
"All right, Cho," Noemi muttered. "But when you find me in my room, dead of love, you'll know that you and Gal were wrong , for once."
Chorania spun her around and spatted her, hard, on the bottom. The redhead squealed, "Ow!" She rubbed her posterior. "What was that for?"
"That," the drow said with asperity, "is for wasting my time with a schoolgirl crush with melodramatic threats of premature, tragic death. No doubt, you will be found clutching your sister's picture or with a piece of bread with the imprints of her beloved teeth upon it crushed to your bosom. You should know that this will never happen. You just like to dream about what everybody would say, how sorry that we would be. You and I have seen many corpses, and none of them died of love. Just swords and magic. As you no doubt heard as you eavesdropped like an ill-mannered brat, your Mistress and mine contemplates a trip to the Underdark. When you are patrolling ahead, as is your wont, and run into a Hook Horror or a Kuo-tai mage, tell them of your love as they tear you to pieces. Then, you can truly die of love."
Noemi pouted and started to go back downstairs. The drow stopped her by grasping her around her shoulders with one arm and hugging her tight. "Seriously, Noemi, you will have to be alert. I don't want to see the look on your sister's face when we find your poor, torn body. Understand?"
The littlr redhead wouldn't meet her eyes. "I guess," she said.
"And, Noemi," Chorania went on firmly, "you don't have to fantasize about how sorry everyone would be. I tell you now, that if you caused your own death, your sister, my Mistress, would be heartbroken. As would I, great Helm knows. You would deal us, your friends, a wound that none of our enemies ever has. So, don't. If you love your sister so, live for her. She doesn't want you to die. And neither do I."
Noemi chuckled, a reassuring sound. "Don't worry, Cho. I wouldn't ever do that. Life's too good, especially with you and Gal and the rest in it. So, you just keep your spanks off of my bottom, if you don't want me dead. You hit so hard, you're the one who would beat me to death." She stuck her tongue out at her, dodged another spat, and ran off down the stair. Chorania followed at a more sedate pace, shaking her head.

lol, thats great Lady G. The last part had me laughin mentally ;) I'm at college, so I cant laugh out loud. [img]tongue.gif[/img] Immy, imho needs a smack or two [img]tongue.gif[/img] hehe. anyway, keep posting. ;)

Yes, Em gets a little self-absorbed, which irritates Cho no end, though she is very fond of her, obviously. Some more:

After breakfast the next day, Galadria gathered everyone beneath the great dome on the roof. As they all looked expectantly at her, she singled out Odo.
"Odo," she told him,"our Chorania has some more questions for you." She sat down, and the dark, stocky man looked quizzically at his drow friend.
"My Baron," she addressed him fondly, "enlighten me as to the ways of your god, and now mine. Must I pray only to Him, as all the drow of the Underdark must do to Lolth? Or may I address some other deity without risking his wrath? You must tell me, for I am a new member of His flock."
Odo smiled at her. "Cho, Helm doesn't mind your prayers to other gods as long as you continue yours to him, and as long as they are prayers for good things. Not wishing harm on your enemies, for instance."
"This will be hard," Chorania complained, "for I find I have many enemies, and I will need help against them."
"You can pray for victory and aid," Odo stated, "just not for their harm. Helm is then free to arrange it that you can win, but He might have other purposes. It's for your soul's sake, Cho. You may fight, but you should not hate."
"Well," she grumbled, "I will try. But I certainly bear no love for that monster that tried to eat me alive."
"No one said you have to love anyone or anything, Cho." the big man answered reasonably, "You may even have to hurt or kill them. I did not say it would be easy. In fact, the struggle with your old self will bear the greatest fruits. Why do you think that Helm was so kindly toward you? He could see your daily struggle, just as He sees all His devotees. It was your victories over the evils that you were called to do that made you into the person you are. You have told me of the things you refused to do in the Underdark, and all the trouble they caused you. Including this recent attempt on your life. Think not that they are unnoted."
Gratified, the drow smiled at her instructor. "Odo," she said warmly, "I sometimes think you should have been a priest. Except that you explain things better than they. Certainly better than I, who am my Mistress' chaplain. Please continue your instruction of me in my duties, and correct me if I do wrong."
Odo reached his arm around his wife, sitting, as usual, close to him. He hugged her close, bellowing a laugh. "A priest? Never." he said boisterously, "it might turn out to be a celibate sect, and Cythera would not like that at all."
The blonde mage blushed scarlet.as they all laughed. "Odo," she cried sternly,"you behave." She tried to wiggle out of his grip, but was unsuccessful. He kissed her loudly on her reddened cheek, and she punched him ineffectually on his massive chest with her little fist. "Just for that, you sleep alone, tonight"
The big man rolled his eyes. He then winked at the grinning Attalus. "You know, old man, its surprising how often I get banished to the hall, and then how often I am not permitted to sleep there. Somebody," he looked at Cythera, " doesn't like to sleep alone."
The little blonde's flushed deepened. She tried to punch her husband again. "I do not..I mean I do..oh, hell, why deny it.? Our room gets cold, so I forgive the ass."
Odo cut in smoothly, "so I come back in and heat it up." He waggled his eyebrows suggestively. The room dissolved in hilarity at the aristocratic mage's discomfiture.
When they had all calmed down, Galadria walked over to her blonde friend. "Never mind, Cyth." she said, smiling, "we're all just jealous. Forgive me, but I'm going to need you, tonight. I'm going to do a Ceremony over Cho, here. We both feel that someone or something has been looking after her, otherwise, why hasn't the spider god gotten her, yet? She was just one little frightened drow, and she's survived all these catastrophes." She lowered her voice. "We are beginning to suspect that Tres, Herself, might be involved."
The smile died from Cythera's face and she immediately grew serious. "Do you think so?" She studied it in her mind. "You may be right. She does protect female magic, and Cho is as magical as they come. Can't hurt to ask. I've never heard of her intervening on behalf of a drow before, but then Cho is a most unusual drow. This evening? Very well."

lol, wheres the girl Lady? Sefa her name was? (A) [img]tongue.gif[/img] hehe. I think shes funny. btw, I still think it gets better ;) post more :D

OK, here ya go: Sefa's around, don't worry.

So, that very evening, which luckily was appropriate and clear, the women gathered on the roof. As usual, they all stripped naked, ritually cleansed themselves, and donned special white robes. Galadria, Cythera, and Noemi, all devotees of the goddess, seated themselves on the three odd wooden stools in the very center of the room around the Altar of Tres, with Her holy symbol let into the tile on the floor as well as embroidered on the altar cloth. Chorania and Sefa hovered around, then knelt as the three mages began an intricate chant.
The goddess Tres, mistress of Female Magic, was at once aware of them. She noted her three devotees, and saw with approval the dark form kneeling on their perimeter. She sent an avatar to them.
The women immediately saw a shining form on the altar. This quickly shaped itself into a noble woman, beautiful without looking the least young. She surveyed them with newly physical eyes.
"So, Galadria," the lovely voice pealed forth,"you have finally solved the riddle I set for you so many years ago. Greetings, Chorania. I have heard that you have finally renounced Lolth and given your soul to Helm. That is wonderful news. I may tell you that Lolth was beside herself with rage. My spies in the Underdark tell me that she plots some revenge against your family. Does this displease you?"
Chorania was dazzled by this second encounter with a heavenly being, but she felt that the goddess was asking her more than it appeared. She remembered what Odo had told her, and searched her soul, for she dare not lie. "Holy one," she said slowly, "they are my family, and I can no more disclaim them than they, me. That they have tried, I doubt not, but I am sure that Lolth blames them for producing me, a traitor, as she would see it. True, I have felt their whips, and know that they would have murdered me to further their standing with their goddess, but I have felt the wrath of the spider god, which nearly ate me alive. I would not have anyone, least of all my blood, subjected to it. And, as I am sure it is known to You, one among my family whose welfare is most dear to me, for I owe my life to him."
The goddess' inhuman lips seemed to smile a little. "Truly, an unusual drow. Yes, I do know that one of whom you speak. Like yourself, he is an object of Lolth's wrath, but he can hide himself from her more easily than you, for he was never her priestess or even a devotee. I am glad that Helm has sealed your soul from her and that you can walk outside her vision."
She turned her heavenly gaze back to the dark mage. "Galadria, you have done well. You have deduced that, in My sight, Lolth's domain is an abomination. A whole race of magical women, never honoring Me and wasting their energies that could go to making the welfare of all races better on pointless internecine strife. Know that Chorania, rare though she is, is not unique. There are many among the drow that would turn to good if there were an alternative."
Gakadria frowned. "Mistress," she asked reverently, "how can there be an alternative? I have been to the Underdark, and know that Lolth would not tolerate open defiance of herself. She would make all the drow make war on a rival stronghold, would she not?" She blushed at her temerity, arguing with her tutelary deity.
"Galadria," the beautiful figure answered,"I have not asked you to set up a temple to Me in the Underdark. Well I know that Lolth would not allow it. But you must make contact with the Outsiders of the dark realm, to let them know that there is a place for them to go, and a fellow drow to teach them the ways of the surface." The avatar turned her divine eyes back to the drow. "Chorania, I know that you have wondered about your brother. Know, that Calith is alive but very much on the run from Lolth. He has collected a loose group of fellow Outsiders and harasses the drow war patrols. You must find him. That is your task."
Chorania bowed to the figure on the altar. "Thank you, Goddess, for your information. I shall go with Galadria. May I ask, was that the attack that Lolth intends, on Calith?"
Tres replied, "My sources are few and sketchy. Truly, I would tell you if I knew. But all that they say is that Lolth is enraged at your blood. That is all. Good fortune smile on you all." The figure disappeared.

post more, post more [img]tongue.gif[/img] lol, its a great story, it jsut keeps getting better:P

Okay ;)

The women all rose and exchanged glances. "Well," said the dark mage, "that just confirms what I planned to do. Cyth, I know that you hated the Underdark. You and Odo need not go with us."
The little blonde looked at her with exasperation. "Gal, you know very well that Odo and I would go with you if you were going to the lowest pit. I know I have said that I hate the place, but I have no intention of letting you and Cho go off into danger while Odo and I loll at Rosewood in safety. For one thing, Odo would never forgive me. When do we start?"
Noemi cocked her head to the side, whimsically. "I notice you're not giving Sefa and I the chance to back out. Sefa, she is taking us for granted." She pretended to cry.
Her sister smiled at the display. "Noemi, have you forgotten that you and Sefa are my apprentices? You are bound to do as I say." She winked at the drow. "Cho, I think we will leave them behind, what do you say?. Wouldn't they just get in our way?"
Chorania smiled in return. "Indeed, abbil, I would hate to trip over one of the brats when we are fighting a war patrol. They might capture us, and I would not wish that such mere jaluks to have the victory over me, all because Noemi was mooning around."
Noemi stopped her pretence. She put her hands down and frowned fiercely at her sister.. "Gal, you had better not even talk about going somewhere without me. Sefa and I would sneak out and follow you, and the first time you made camp, I'd put a lizard in your bedroll, so there. Right, Sefa?"
"I don't think I would dare, Lady Noemi," Sefa answered honestly. "But if Lady Galadria didn't let me come, I know I would be very sad. If I were there, though," she added, "I wouldn't let you put anything in her bedroll. She needs her rest."
They all chuckled at that.. Galadria rumpled the girl's curly brown hair. "See, Em," she said triumphantly, "that's what an apprentice is supposed to sound like." Sefa glowed with satisfaction.
Noemi was unappeased. "Just try and stop me, Sefa," she glared at her fellow apprentice, "I'll just paralyse you, and then, it's wake up time for Lady Gal. See if I don't." She crossed her arms and looked smug.
"Oh, all right, Em," her sister said in mock resignation, "You both can come. Come on, all. Let's break the news to Odo and Attalus."

LOL. obviously VIc, erm Cho didnt smack Em hard enough [img]tongue.gif[/img] paralyisng a girl. lololol. anyway, post more pleeeeeeeeeease? ;)

Yes, Em is rather ... irrepressible. ;)

Attalus and Odo were, as usual for them, enthusiastic when they got back to the House of the Dome the next day. Life had been, in their opinion, entirely too peaceful lately, and a good expedition to the Underdark was just what they needed. As they sat on the roof drinking wine, Attalus turned to Chorania. "So, Cho," he said,"tell us about this brother of yours. You've mentioned him from time to time, but I was under the impression that you thought that he was dead or worse."
"I think that I just didn't want to wonder and worry about it," she answered frankly. "Calith is his name, and if Tres had not been so informative, I still wouldn't know for sure. I would have had to sneak into my home city of Hol'Korda and seek him out. I am very glad that I do not have to do this. To be honest, I never want to see my mother or my sisters again in my life."
"Yeah, you told me that they whipped you and stuff," Noemi responded dramatically. "I can sympathize. My sister tortures me, too."
The men laughed, but Chorania looked her astonishment. Galadria frowned at the mercurial redhead.. "Em, what are you talking about? I've never tortured anyone in my life, let alone you."
Noemi flushed. "Well how about last night? You said you were gonna go to the Underdark without me. That was mean. You do stuff like that all of the time."
Galdria frowned, but her sister looked at her so pleadingly that she relented. She walked over to the little redhead and gave her a hug. "There. Better now? Em, I was only teasing you. You know I would never go anywhere without you , especially somewhere dangerous. I need you to help me. I couldn't stand it when you were a prisoner. That was the longest we've ever been apart." Noemi glowed with happiness.
Galadria turned back to her drow friend, who had been pointedly ignoring this little byplay. "Cho," she said in a determined way, "tell us more about Calith." Chorania turned back to her with a half-smile on her lips that told the dark mage that her friend was in Noemi's confidence about her crush. She shook her head, a little, and sat down next to Attalus, who looked at her in a puzzled way. She ignored him.
Chorania told them of her brother, how they both had run afoul of drow mores, and how he had saved her. "And now I find," she concluded, "that Calith is alive and running from the other drow. Tres has set my Mistress and I the task of finding these Outsiders and at the least, letting them know that there is an alternative to their fugitive lurkng about the Underdark."
Odo stirred. "Cho, what would you do if they all said, 'Great, let's go'? What would you do with them? I'm sure Gal and Attalus would put them up for a while, but they can't be running a refuge for wayward drow. For one thing, you say that you are going to be here, permanantly. What would keep a monster like Lolth from sending a drow spy, pretending to be a fugitive but really out to murder you? I don't want to be a worrier, but I am your friend, not all those others'. I feel very proud of you and your conversion, and I'd hate to see the Bitch win after all, through your and Gal's generosity."
"I can answer for my brother," Chorania said firmly. "If he had wanted me dead, he wouldn't have warned me, those many years ago. He would still be living in Hol'Korda, a member of a prosperous and prominent House. As for any others, no, I would not be so presumptious to invite them to my Mistress' house. She and Attalus make those decisions, not myself. I, and Tres, it seems, just want them to know that the surface world is a viable alternative. They might find such friends and protectors as I have."
"If they are as strong and brave as you, Cho," Cythera cried loyally, "they should find a place." She turned to her husband. "Odo, weren't you just saying the other day that we could use some good men in our garrison?"
"True, my love," The stocky man said in reply,"but we would have to screen them carefully. Lolth has no love for us, either, recall."
"We always screen everybody, ass." replied the little blonde with spirit. "We aren't making any personel decisions, here. Stop being so obstructive. You're making Cho feel bad."
Chorania laughed. "It's all right, m'zint to, for your husband to be cautious. So would I be, if your safety was a concern. I have always wondered at my ready acceptance into your midst." She turned to Attalus. "In your place, I would have been highly suspicious of me. I have more than once thanked you, and will do so again, now. To go from hunted, friendless wanderer to trusted comrade in an instant like that was an experience I shall never forget."
Attalus blushed. "And I've told you before, Cho, that I knew that you were all right. I'm sure that I can judge your compatriots as well. Don't worry, Odo, we don't anticipate a flood of drow refugees. From what Cho tells me, they are generally suspicious of everyone, especially other drow. I'm sure that, aside from Cho's brother, they won't be anxious to come to the surface. After all, it's completely different than they're used to. We think of the Underdark as dark, mysterious and dangerous. To them, it's home."
"A dark and dangerous home," Chorania said with a wry smile. "Attalus, I am by no means sure that Calith will want to join me. I simply want to make sure that he is all right, and offer him whatever aid I can. And, I would like to assure him that I am well, that I have a home, now, and am well-looked after by my Mistress. I would like to think he has worried about me, through the years. After all, to him, I simply disappeared.".
"Well, then," Odo replied, "if these Outsiders, as you call them, are against the Bitch, I would not think that the other drow would leave them in peace. Does she get them to hunt Outsiders?"
"Oh, yes," the drow replied quickly, "they ... we are prized as suitable sacrifices to Lolth. I am ashamed to admit that I took part in a few of these ceremonies, though I never wielded the blade. My mother could sense my disgust, though, and that is what started my slide into unpopularity. The matron mothers are always sensitive to things that could lessen them in Lolth's opinion."
Attalus grimaced. "Then, I guess, the Outsiders would be doubly wary. How are we to make contact with them?"
"I have thought about this." Chorania admitted. "They must have contacts, either with shady drow or with the other races of the Underdark, for supplies that they cannot make or steal. The Sverbinefblim, the deep gnomes can be friendly to humans, as we found in the Underdark. Perhaps we can make contact through them or the duegar. They can trade with all races."
"All right, then," Galadria concluded. "Make your arrangements and pack your knapsacks. But, remember, this is to be a rescue and an embassy, not a battle. I want no such bloodshed as when last we went."
"But, Gal," Noemi protested,"that might not be up to us. What if they atttack us again?" Seeing her sister's brows come together, she quickly added. "I know, I know. We just don't provoke them, but if they come after us, pow."
Chorania smiled at her redheaded friend. "Pow, indeed, m'zint to," she said with a chuckle. She turned to her Mistress. "Abbil, you will notice that. if you threaten to get mad, your apprentice thinks much more clearly than is her wont. You should do this more often, perhaps"
Noemi winced. "Ouch, Cho, that hurt. I can see why she appointed you her torturer." Her jaw dropped, realising too late what she had said. She looked frantically at her sister, who was turning to her, and quickly said, "Just kidding, just kidding. Gal, don't you go getting mad at me, again."
Galadria frowned at her, but was really amused. "I know, I know," she mocked her, "you just can't stand it. Every time I get a little irritated with you, you think I am purposefully tormenting you. Well, consider this: you would avoid all this pain you say I cause you if you would think before you speak, every once in a while."
Relieved, Noemi sat up a little straigther and beamed at her dark sibling. She waved her hand at herself. "Me? Think before I speak? How do you do that? Anyway, at least when you're yelling at me, you show me that you heard what I said."
And are paying attention to you, Chorania thought to herself.

:D post more Lady G ;) hehe, Em is really starting to be annoying tho ;) lol, does cho and thingy stand for it? [img]tongue.gif[/img] lol, j/k. cant wait for the next bit. ;)

LOL, yes, Em is very jealous. Some more:

A few days later, as they were all involved with preparations for their journey, a knock came at the door of the House of the Dome. Attalus, who happened to be passing by, opened it. He did not stand on ceremony, and, anyway, Rantis the porter was busy preparing the packs for the horses. He was mildly startled to see a male drow standing there, but relaxed when he immediately recognized Drizzt Do'Urden, the most famous drow in Faerun. They had met, briefly, much earlier, but the man was not a one to forget. Like Chorania and all drow, he had white hair and coal black skin, but a wistful smile on his face immediately distinguished him.
"Hello, Drizzt," the big man said with a grin as he ushered him into the house,"what brings you to Baldur's Gate, just when we're packing for a trip to the Underdark? Let me guess. That wife of mine."
Drizzt smiled in reply. "Good guess," he answered. "Galadria contacted me with a magical Sending, and, as I was nearby, anyway, so I decided to just drop in. I hope it's at a convenient time."
"Heavens, man," the knight protested," didn't I just say we were going back to the Underdark? Your visit is a godsend." He led the drow into Galadria's study. Seeing her there, seated at her table, he indicated his companion and said, "Gal, honey, look who's here."
Chorania, who was seated across from Galadria, gasped at seeing another drow, and jumped up, preparing to defend herself. Drizzt, hearing her gasp, looked at her and was just as startled. His hands went to his scimitars but then relaxed, seeing that she was unarmed.
Attalus was appalled. "I'm sorry, Cho, I didn't know you were in here. This is a friend, Drizzt Do'Urden. Surely, you've heard of him. Drizzt, this is Chorania LeMeaux, our long-time friend and ally, who is now our chaplain."
Galadria looked pained. "Attalus, please think next time, there's a dear. You shouldn't just spring people on us like that, even if it is an honored guest. Drizzt, welcome. Now you've met Cho, I'm sure you can guess why I contacted you. We have some questions." She turned to Chorania. "Cho, I've been meaning to mention Drizzt to you, but I never have remembered. Please excuse Attalus and myself for startling you."
"Apologies between yourselves and me, abbil," she answered readily, not taking her eyes from her fellow drow, "are never necessary. But, I will allow that I was a leetle startled." She smiled. "So, this is the famous Drizzt. I guess we both thought that the spider goddess had come for us. For me, this was a recent occurence."
Still coming to grips with the idea of another drow on the surface, let alone a friendly one, Drizzt frowned suddenly. "My greetings to you, fair Chorania. I am very pleased to meet a seemingly like-minded member of my race. My pleasure is only marred by hearing that Lolth has made an attempt on you. May I know more?"
After Galadria had seated them all around her table, Chorania related her latest encounter with the evil spider. Drizzt marveled. "I have heard of this, before.," he stated grimly. "Lolth's agents start a fire with a poison that she gives them. The burns never heal and, gradually devour the victim. You are lucky that you were not burned too badly, and had such friends that could counteract the poison." He shook his head. "Lucky you are, too, that you are on the surface, where her power is less. And, as you say, great Helm now stands on the psychic link that would always let her know when you were vulnerable. I am surprised that you ventured off on your own. If I had made friends like this, in my first days on the surface, I don't think I would have ever left. Of course, I would have missed some marvelous things."
Chorania, pleased with his praise of her friends, looked at them fondly before going back to her fellow drow. "It was the marvelous things that I wanted to see, but now I know that, had I only waited, I would have seen them with my Mistress. I have learned that I have already missed an adventure while I was off mooning in the woods of Beregost, and while Lolth plotted my demise."
Attalus shook his head, "We needed you there, Cho," he averred. "Odo and I could't keep that thing busy long enough. We almost lost Galadria."
"Oh, pooh, pooh," said the dark mage as she patted the blonde giant's arm. "You're as bad as Noemi, blaming yourself. I got through all right, and all ended well Besides, you're boring our guest. He doesn't want to listen to old stories."
Drizzt protested that he would like to hear about it, but Galadria was firm. "We have to think of the now, as Cho says. What we would like to hear from you, Drizzt, is how you think we could contact a group of Outsider drow who are apparantly lurking around the city of Hol'Korda."
Drizzt thought a bit. He remembered his days as an Outsider in the Underdark. He had been alone then, until he had been driven by drow hostility to the Surface. "I would say, look for signs of recent habitation in caves and other likely places. Then, scout around until you can take one of them captive, or, better, rescue them from some danger. Treat a drow with kindness, and it really gets his attention. Of course, they probably won't believe that you are really meaning no harm, and might even try some treachery. But you could at least get a chance to parley. Why would you want to contact a group of fugitive drow?" He looked at Chorania, who was regarding him intently. Comprehension dawned. "Does this have something to do with you, my lady?"
"Yes, [i]jaluk[i], it does," she responded automatically, then felt herself flush. "I am sorry, Drizzt. Talking to another drow brings out bad old habits. You are not my inferior, nor Attalus or Odo. Only my Mistress is the superior of us all."
The others smiled. Galadria shook her head. "Only in your mind, Cho," she said, "But I'm glad to hear you say something positive, even if is untrue. Drizzt, don't believe her."
Drizzt laughed again. "Anyhow, Cho, if I may call you so, a true drow priestess would have said something more like, "Of course it does, stupid male, you are lucky I do not have you whipped."
Chorania repeated this in drow, then laughed a little. "You are correct, I can remember saying something exactly like that. Only, now, my Mistress does not permit such talk. Which is good, it reminds me that I am no longer Lolth's slave."
"Which brings us back to Drizzt's question. Cho, please tell him of your brother and his plight."
Chorania then told him of her brother's role in her escape from the Underdark, and the revelations of the Avatar of Tres. "So you see," she concluded, "I feel that my brother felt as I did, that Lolth's rule actually weakened our people, making us into a chaotic society, when we could be accomplishing something other than all the constant plotting and murder. And, I at least, have come to feel the moral wrongness. I have come to know the warmth of genuine friendship, and seen true family life, with love between husband and wife, and between sisters. This is something that I wish that I could have felt, growing up. Is it the same with you?"
"Indeed it is," Drizzt replied warmly, "and I am glad that I am not the only one of our people that feels the same. I was lucky in that my father was closer to me than most patrons. His death was a grief to me. It seems that your brother served the same role in your life, supporting you. No wonder that Lolth plots against you and myself, also. I am glad that you are going back, to aid your brother. Perhaps, if enough of us flee the Underdark, we can band together to protect ourselves and convince kindly Surfacers, like your friends, here." he waved his hand at Galadria and Attalus, "that we are not all evil."
"I wish I could go with you," he went on," but I have business that will not wait. Good luck, and when you get back, let me know. I would talk to you again." He got up and took his leave.