The Burned Drow: a novel

[Galadria]

] [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.

[Calaethis Dragonsbane]

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]

[Galadria]

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 ]

[Calaethis Dragonsbane]

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

[Galadria]

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.

[Calaethis Dragonsbane]

Originally posted by Galadria: Thanks, "son-in-law." You'll be finding out about women and their hair.

Heaven forbid! still thanks for posting it gets better

[Galadria]

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.

[Calaethis Dragonsbane]

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

[Dreamer128]

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 ]

[Calaethis Dragonsbane]

If I read this correctly dreamer

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.

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.