To Walk a Dragon's Path, Chapter 2-Wills of a Demi-Goddess

[Calaethis Dragonsbane]

Calaethis nodded, "I'll be brief then, if you are tired, sister of my cousin" suddenly he stopped and looked startled "Child? What child?" he looked confused, and Sylquis covered her mouth with a hand and giggled slightly, but silently. She rolled her eyes, and mouthed "Males." She placed a hand on his arm, "Lord Calaethis, please, hush, you were explaining to Lady Verloren...?" Calaethis nodded, and continued, "Sister of my cousin, I have been thinking - my two charges, I cannot allow them to go uneducated, and I... have to stop being so formal, you are family, sort of... anyway, Sylquis here, would like to learn religion, and heal people." he shook his head, "I cannot allow her to study in a temple - I feel she should be kept close by for the moment, besides, shes a little young to enter an order anyway... I know she has to pick a diety, but... could you, would you..?" his eyes were pleading, and Verloren could see it had cost him to ask.

[Lady Blue03]

Verloren smiled at Calaethis's confusion but decided now was not the time to elaborate. She focused on Slyquis,
"You wish to study the healing arts, child?" she cocked her head inquisitvley, "Well, as long as you know that it takes a lot of dedication and hard work, and are willing to stick with it no matter how trivilous it can be, I will be happy to teach you to the best of my ability. As for other things," she included Calaethis in her glance too, "My sister has vast amounts of knowledge about what elven nobles and their children need to be educated in," she grinned wolfishly.

Alliene emerged from the dark woid of the temple and nearly stumbled when she felt the soft grass underfoot. The sun was almost fully below the horizon. Had she spent that much time wandering in that place? Sighing, she looked again at her smooth black skin to assure herself it was no illusion. Now people would have no doubt whether she was drow.... Shaking her head, she whistled and waited a moment as it rang through the forest. Rustling was heard, and soon Wind Shadow emerged from the trees. He trotted up and nuzzled her, twisting an ear to the side in question. Alliene shrugged,
"Alas, Windy, it was not my choice,"
The stallion shrugged with her and tossed his head. Alliene hopped easily onto his broad soft back and placed her hands on his neck, "I think it's past time that we were out of here,"

[Calaethis Dragonsbane]

Calaethis gave Verloren a wry look "Oh yes, Alliene does know, and she has her hand and her whip, to make you that you don't lose motivation..." Sylquis was looking earnestly at Verloren, "Please Lady Verloren, I won't give up... it would be wonderful to heal people..." she stopped and dropped her eyes, "Besides, I'm not a noble your lady. I'm just a.." she shot a look at Caleathis, "A freed slave. An elven child." he said firmly. Sylquis nodded, "what Lord Calaethis said ma'am. Please instruct me, I promise I'll keep at it.. if.. if I could heal, I could save lives... please?" her eyes were sincere. And Calaethis spread his hands helplessly. "Shes set on it Lady Verloren. I can't talk her out of it. She really wants to do this."

[Lady Blue03]

Verloren stood and folded her hands at her waist,
"I am aware that she is a freed slave, Calaethis, however, you are an elven noble, and she is in your care, so see that you both get the propper education," she addressed Slyquis, "As long as you are aware that being a cleric is more than simply healing people for a living, I will take you as my apprentice and teach you the skills you need. However, you must chose a deity before I take you under my wing. I will not aid you in this decision, or sway your thoughts by naming my own. You must think long and hard to decide which one will help you progress the farthest. If you have any doubts, we are not far from the Temple district, and my Captain would be glad to escort you there," she supplied a small bow, "Now, if you don't mind, theres a certain dragon who needs my attention before he throws himself out my window. When you have chosen your deity, see me, and we will begin your training," Verloren nodded to Calaethis and whisked quickly out the door, heading up to third floor withut delay.

[Calaethis Dragonsbane]

Calaethis made a face. "You must be joking - just because I'm a noble, she gets the same education! This is madness!" Calaethis rose to his feet and stalked around the room, whilst Sylquis sat with her head in her hands. She whispered "Thank you Lady Verloren" as she left the room. After a while, Calaethis said, "Its getting late, for you at least. You should get an early night. I'll escort you back to our rooms. Come along now." Sylquis pulled a face, "Calaethis, why must you be so parental?" He turned around and gave her a long, hard look. "Because I care about you child." she sighed and rolled her eyes. "Calaethis please, I know you care about me, but you don't have to be so parental all the time..." she gave him an impish look, "Or I may just start calling you 'daddy'" Calaethis shrugged, "Enough Sylquis, anyway, lets move out." she gave an exasperated sigh and stamped her foot, "Calaethis! I'm not a soldier! We're not in the military! Stop using terms like 'Move out' and 'deploy'!" Calaethis's open handed slap across the mouth surprised her. He hadn't hit her hard, but the shock of him hitting her stunned her. She burst into tears, and was about to run off, but Calaethis caught her arm, and embraced her. "Hush child. Enough. Don't throw tantrums, all right?" he kissed her hair, and she rubbed her eyes. Her head only reached his chest, and Calaethis was exceptionally tall for an elf. Taking her arm, he lead her back to their rooms...

[Nanobyte]

"Xun dos erl'elee rath'argh, og'elend?" said a voice, "Xor zhal usstan jous dos l'seke menvis d'lil ilythiiri?" Several feet ahead on the burdened pathway stood a young drow, veiled by the trickling specks of sunshine fading beyond the hillside. "Usstan xun naut treemma dos whol vel'bol dos phuul," he hesitated, "Jhal whol vel'bol dos zhal doera." At this, he unsheathed his weapon, and began his charge towards Shar's chosen.

Translation: "Do you embrace cowardice, heretic?" ... "Or shall I show you the true path of the drow?"

"I do not fear you for what you are," ... "But for what you shall become."

OOC: Here is the facts about my character:
Nunuai, 5th son to the House d'Jalbyr
Male
Drow
Fighter
Neutral evil
Level 4
15 STR 11 INT
16 DEX 12 WIS
13 CON 8 CHA

123 years of age
5'4" tall
124 lbs.
His skin has a radiant ebony hue to it
His hair is a pale white, reaching about neck length
He can speak Undercommmon, Elven, and Abyssal
He worships Lolth

He wields a +3 vorpal longsword, called Deliverance
Its special abilities include:
1d20 chance for the wielder to become enraged
Good-aligned beings wielding the sword must make a Will save DC 25+ or become corrupted (this is continuous as long as the being possesses the sword)
Unholy Aura: +4 AC, +4 resistance, 25 SR against good spells (constant)
-2 CON, +1 DEX enchantment bonuses

He also bears a House item, received in his earlier years as an apprentice
The Cloak of Arachnida's abilities include:
Spider climb ability
Immunity to entrapment by web spells
+2 luck bonus to all Fort. saves vs. poison from spiders

And his armor includes a scale mail shirt (+3 AC)

His history is unknown; I will reveal pieces of his past as the story unfolds.

[Lady Blue03]

Alliene stared increduously at the young drow as he charged her. He looked to be no older than Calaethis...Speaking quick elvish to Wind Shadow, she jumped off his back and the horse dashed into the trees. The drow's blade missed her by a hair as she rolled to the ground. She continued the roll and rose smoothly to her feet with her back facing him, long swords sliding out of their sheaths. She jerked Isan behind her back to stop his own sword from slicing her back and twisted around. He was obviously no where near her skill, so it would be unfair to kill him. Growling, she pushed forward and backed him into a tree, Isan pinning his blade against his chest, Isak's sizzling edge laying along his cheek. She thrust her face close to his,
"Lueth vel'uss phuul dos ulu telanth izil folt, wiu?" she snarled at him, "Usstan xun naut plynn valyrine ulu orbb serisen thrityh ussa. Ele xuat dos tesso ussa vel'bol dos phuul xunin wun folt natha k'lar lueth xal dorn ori'gato dosst jaluk tluin dro," She ran Isak down his cheek ever so slowly, causing a bloody track to follow the swords path.

Translatins
Lueth vel'uss phuul dos ulu telanth izil folt, wiu? Usstan xun naut plynn valyrine ulu orbb serisen thrityh ussa. Ele xuat dos tesso ussa vel'bol dos phuul xunin wun folt natha k'lar lueth xal dorn ori'gato dosst jaluk tluin dro=
And who are you to tell me as such, boy? I do not take kindly to spider worshippers attacking me. Why don't you tell me why you defile this land, and perhaps I'll leave your male filth hide unharmed

[ 02-12-2003, 08:24 PM: Message edited by: Lady Blue03 ]

[Nanobyte]

The pinned dark elf lets out a low laugh, "Usstan xun naut treemma streea, usstan lor pholor olt fotus'doerin." His breaths are cut short while his heart rate accelerates. He manages to spit out, "Natha elggarin ussa ghil, dos orn tlu xunin ussa natha elamshinae."

Translation: "I do not fear death, I look upon its forthcoming." ... "By slaying me here, you will be doing me a favor."

[Calaethis Dragonsbane]

Upon reaching their rooms, Calaethis opened the door, and silently they stepped inside. Closing the door gently, he locked it. Sylquis took a few steps towards her room, but stopped - "Just where do you think your going? Did I give you permission? No! I'm not finished with you yet, child." Calaethis's voice was soft, but his tone was granite. Sylquis turned around to face his swirling green eyes, which were frosty. Turning to meet the green-ice, she dropped her eyes, and whispered "You hit me!" "You deserved it; and it didn't even hurt child. It was barely more then a pat on the cheek." came the grim reply."B-but you still hit me!" she wailed, "Enough!" Calaethis snarled. Then he embraced Sylquis, "Hush child, I'm sorry for slapping you, but you deserved it, now lets forget about it, all right?" the girl nodded, remembering everything he'd done for her, and replied "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have behaved like that..."

Seating himself, Calaethis pulled the young girl into his lap and cuddled her, Sylquis grateful that he was no longer angry, cuddled back happily. A light decended from the celling, white, bright and pure, with a brillance that temporarily blinded the two young elves, stunning them. Before them appeared a figure garbed in long, flowing white robes, a female; elven. Far taller then either of them, Calaethis reached her breast at best, Sylquis her waist. "I'm glad to see you two children have stopped bickering." Sylquis gasped, and averted her eyes. "My daughter, you should listen to your brother, and you, My son; I know you've tried your best with your two charges, but you should be more tolerent." "Yes Mother" Calaethis replied obediently. Sylquis squeaked "Mother? You call Her Mother?!" the goddess smiled, "Yes My daughter, you shall also address Me such. For you are Mine, child." the girls lip stuck up stubbonly, but she said nothing. The deity saw this, Her eye's glitering with annoyance. "My child, stop that. Your brother just slapped you for your tantrum, do you want to anger Me?" the girl's eyes filled with tears, and wordlessly, Calaethis handed her to the deity who sat beside him and embraced Sylquis, "My daughter, you wish to heal people, I can allow you to do that." the girl sobbed wordlessly against Her, and whispered, "I'm sorry... M-m-mother..." The goddess kissed her and whispered, "I'm sorry I had to come to you like this My child, but... it could not be helped. Now, do as your brother tells you." Calaethis raised an eyebrow, "Brother?" he repeated. "Yes Calaethis - both of you are My children, you are My son, and she is My daughter - that makes you sibblings though Me." "Yes Mother" Calaethis replied. "May I ask why You appeared in Your mortal form, Mother?" She smiled at him, "You may, my child. I appeared this way so that My daughter would realise that she'd been chosen by Me to be one of My priestess's... if her education is to start, she requires a diety. Since she is Mine, I will not allow her to choose another." Sylquis was awed by the diety's attention, continued to sob softly in her 'Mother's' arms. The goddess sighed, and murmered, "My poor daughter, so tired. Calaethis, make sure you sister gets an early night. A bath, I think, would calm her down somewhat." Calaethis nodded, and with a final kiss to Her daughter, the goddess handed Sylquis to Calaethis, and dissapeared, saying, "We'll speak later, you and I, Calaethis." he nodded.

At the same time, Tyra bade Skye farewell, and excused herself, heading back to her room. She felt tired, and sighed at the thought of climbing the staircases to her room.

Sylquis leant against Calaethis, and realising how tired she was, he sighed, and stroked her hair gently. He'd forgotten how draining and awing it could be when She appeared in mortal form. Sylquis buried her head against him, and whispered, "Will you put me to bed please?" her voice was timid, and her eyes vunerable. Calaethis shook his head, "No, your to have a bath." "But Calaethis, I'm so tired... please?" He kissed her forehead, and replied smiling, "Then a bath will do you good." "But I've already had one today!" Calaethis sighed, "Please don't argue, another one won't harm you." she nodded, and leant back against him. Calaethis gave her a long look and replied, "I suppose you'll want me to help undress you, judging from the look on your face." the girl nodded, and replied, "Please? ...brother" she added hesitantly, and was rewarded by a smile, and a tweak on her nose. "Very well ...little sister, but please do not refer to be as a sibbling until I can have you addopted into my house, or - until you are a priestess." the girl nodded, too tired to realise that Calaethis had offered her a place within his family, in essence, providing security and addopted family for her.

Carrying the girl to her bedroom, Calaethis set her down on the bed, and walked to the bathroom. Testing the water was still hot, he returned to the girl, sat down on the bed, gathered her into his lap, and started to undress her... soon she was clad in just her shift, her blue dress neatly folded, along with her loincloth and stockings. Carrying the child to the bathroom, Calaethis kissed her hair gently, and motioned she should raise her arms. She did so, and he removed her shift. Fully nude before him, she was unself-consious of her state, too tired to care. Calaethis helped her into the bath, and she sighed as she lay down, the hot water relaxing her instantly. Warm and content, Calaethis left her, and returned to his room...

Tyra appeared in her room, and spotted Calaethis leaving the bathroom, Sylquis's shift over one arm. She smiled at him, and asked, "Sylquis is bathing?" Calaethis nodded, and replied, "She is very tired - shes had a long day." Tyra nodded and replied she'd keep an eye on her sister. She kissed Calaethis's cheek and thanked him for taking care of Sylquis. He smiled and told her it wasn't a problem. He returned to his room, Tyra heading for the bathroom.

[ 02-13-2003, 08:01 PM: Message edited by: Calaethis Dragonsbane ]

[Kaltia]

Kaltia was having a much needed bath when Dar, who was currently staying in the forest just west of Athkatla but flew in everyday, informed her Alliene was being attacked. "She's got the attacker pinned, but it is one of Lolth's minions. The drow are after us again, aren't they?" With that, he sighed, leaning over the side of the bath tub and grinning wolfishly at kaltia, who was grateful for the liberal amounts of strawberry-smelling bubble bath she'd dumped in. "Get out of here! You KNOW only Calaethis is allowed to see me in the bath!" Even as she said this, she blushed to the tips of her gently pointed ears. "So...ummm...a drow of Lolth? Why?"