This is the longest chapter so far, which I feel kinda bad about, because poor Maenaz is STILL stuck in the Underdark instead of going out and finally clashing with the objects of his hate in the surface world.

This chapter contains quite a lot more Xardas action than usual. He is taking the role of the SoU hero, because, well, i need him away from his post for quite a bit of time.
Also, I plan to use at least one and hopefully two of Drogan's students as a bit more important characters in later chapters.
No serious Deekin action, though.

The word count is a record 21 700.

Happy New Year !

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Chapter VIII
Carnage in the Caves

The diabolical creature (man ?) surprisingly bowed his head slightly
-So I shall, great Valsharess. I greet you, mortal, on the demand of the one whom I serve.
-I’ve done the impossible. I’ve bound him to my service and made him little more than my slave. With the Seer out of the way, there seems to be just one more obstacle that stands between me… and complete domination over Underdark.
-How did you even bind such a powerful creature ? I’ve never even heard of this archdevil, let alone a method of taking control of one !
-It includes a few forgotten rituals… but the exact method is, and will stay, my little secret. I cannot share control of him with anyone, and neither do I want other people to get pet fiend lords themselves.
-It’s not like just anybody would be able to control an archfiend just because of knowing the way of completing the ritual either, young human. Even the great Valsharess wasn’t a…
-Enough, Samael. He doesn’t need to know anything more. I have other matters to discuss with you, Maenaz. There are lots of things concerning our future we need to talk about. Follow me into my chambers.
Valsharess left, and Maenaz did indeed move to go after her. However, he felt a strange touch in his mind. Telepathy ? He turned to face the fiend once more. While definitely imposing, Samael seemed… drained, in a way.
-Is there something you want of me, fiend ?
-I think it’s about time we stop calling each other “fiend” and “mortal”, but this isn’t what I wanted to say.
-What is it, then ?
-…You do know how the drow treat allies that outlive their usefulness, don’t you ? And I suppose you can guess quite well how drow females treat their consort, too. Have you ever considered those possibilities ?
-As long as my purpose is achieved, I don’t care what’s the ending to this story. I’m leaving now. Sinvyl must be getting impatient.
After saying that, the warlock left the devil’s chamber.

The archfiend smiled. So, whatever drives him currently must have gotten him pretty apathetic, if not suicidal.
That’s a pretty good foundation to begin.

In his first few days as a teacher, Xardas recognized why Drogan had asked for help. All of the students had a bit problematic personalities, and both Xanos and Dorna chose professions that were quite difficult for their races. Not really having a chance to work with Dorna yet, he however couldn’t say he was disillusioned with Xanos as from the beginning he had low expectations of him.
There, however, was a one positive surprise.

Unlike Xanos and Dorna, who were a bit averse to calling a person about their age “master” (and treating him as such), Mischa immediately accepted him as a teacher of a status about equal to Droganson and was quite willing to listen to what he had to say. He helped her make some progress as far as combat and spiritual matters were concerned ; she was a bit adverse to learning directly about how he was dealing with his powers, but did catch on quickly as far as her divine connection to Mystra went. Xardas was pretty sure it wouldn’t take a long time before she was able to use spells, if she continued to improve with such pace.
However, Xardas did feel like there was more awaiting him here than just teaching. This was partially (but, if he was to believe his feelings, not fully) confirmed by Drogan teaching him how to access the power of his bloodline, which he was slowly getting the hang of.
However, this place’s aura seemed like if it was silent just before a storm, and so, Xardas was determined to prepare himself and his students as best as he could.
During these months of traveling, he learned better than to ignore his instincts.
Apparently, however, Mischa was finished with the current part of the training and was watching him silently.
-What is it, Mischa ?
-I’m sorry, master. You seemed deeply in though and I didn’t mean to disturb you. Is something
wrong ?
-It’s fine. It’s just that this place seems odd. I’m not at all used to it. After the whole time I traveled, it seems silent… in all meanings.
-So, maybe despite everything, you still feel like having some adventurers, master. I know that to some it is not an easy drive to fulfill. You’re still very young for a half-elf, aren’t you ?
-I’m twenty four in human years. You could say I barely got out of my teenage years as far as half-elves are concerned.
-Then, why did you accept the role of a teacher ? You seem itching to do something more exciting.
-I’m not. I’m just a bit nervous of the reasons I came here myself, as well as whether I will be a good master or not. I pretty much want a break from adventuring and I want to do something a bit more stoic, and giving me time to do some soul-searching. Right now, I do not wish for another adventure, and this seemed like a pretty good opportunity.
-But you do seem a bit disturbed…
-This shouldn’t concern you, I’ll be fine. If you can, bring Master Droganson here. I have a matter to discuss with him.


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He searched through the rooms a short time before finally finding the right one. Seeing how big Valsharess’ chambers only where, he couldn’t help but wonder how did Valsharess built the whole fortress and how big it was.
When he entered, Valsharess was sitting with a bottle of wine in her hand.
-You got lost, which is understandable, but it took you an awful lot of time to even START following me.
-I’m sorry, I…
-I’m not stupid. The only thing that could stop you was having a chat with my pet. I suppose it’s natural that he would talk to you once I left you alone.
-Why is that ?
-Oh, you see, when we were enemies, he was one of my main sources of information about your progress… And I think he begun to see you as his only hope in a last-ditch effort to become free. He probably wanted to check if that is still possible, but…
She got up slowly and walked towards him, swaying her hips in a rather seductive motion. She got her face rather close, looking him deep in the eyes.
-But that’s rather improbable now, is it ?
-It’s true. As long as you help me accomplish a certain… objective of mine, you will find me quite devoted to your cause.
She walked away a bit and poured each of them a glass of wine. Handing it to him, she asked :
- And what would that objective be ??
- Me and a certain human of the surface world have a score to settle. This human rules a city which happens to owe me a great deal as well, but because of it’s ruler, it never will repay that debt. I want vengeance, on all of them.
-Who would have guessed you had such an Ilythiiri-like purpose in mind ? I suppose that can be arranged rather easily once my focus changes to the surface world… But you see, we need to remain in the Underdark for a time. My hold on it is still a bit slippery, and there’s a particularly strange problem I will need you to take care of personally.

Maenaz drank the wine. It had a fine taste, as expected from elves, but he wondered what they MADE wine from here in the Underdark.
Maybe he didn’t want to know.
-And what would that problem be ?
-I won’t be sending you immediately after you achieved one important victory for me. No, we have something else to do here.
-What do you mean ?
Sinvyl sat down and crossed both her arms and legs, looking him into the eyes, as if uttering a challenge.
-Back when we were discussing the rewards for you joining me… Other than the fact that I have the means to help you with your revenge, what were the deciding factors ?
-What do you mean ?
-Well, unless there’s something wrong with my memory, you became a lot better disposed towards my offer after I did a certain thing.
Maenaz felt a shiver down his spine. Well, it was obvious she could see it this way.
And it wasn’t entirely implausible…
-Well… it…
-Hmmm ??
-It seemed rational, and since you could take the geas away…

Valsharess lifted an eyebrow skeptically. She raised and walked to him. She said nothing, but it was obvious she was waiting for an explanation.
-Fine, that wasn’t the most believable of lies. I didn’t mean to insult you, but…
-But ?
-You were expecting me to confirm that you’re se… attractive as hell, right ?
-And why were you reluctant to say that ?
Maenaz wondered. Was it because of Aribeth… or is it just that it seemed improbable he could do *it* with Valsharess ?
-Different upbringings, I suppose. I wasn’t sure how you would react to that.
She chuckled.
-It is absolutely fine. I find you pretty alluring as well…To tell the truth : Nobody until now was good enough for me, since I became Valsharess… and even when I was a Matron Mother I found only a few worthy. The drow males don’t deserve me… But you, with your body, your mind, and your terrific power… We seem a pretty good match don’t we…
She put her arms on his shoulders, and kissed him, her tongue darting out like that of a snake, quickly gaining entrance into his mouth. She was a good, if aggressive, kisser, but that did not surprise Maenaz as much as that the drow shared kisses at all. It seemed too delicate and refined for their relationships.
-It would be more than just rewarding you, you know. It’s time for some reorganization within the chain of command here… and within my own family, or what remains of it. I think I have a place within both that might just suit you…
She pulled him close and onto the bed, quickly moving atop his body and starting to remove the bindings of his armor.
His mind suddenly returned to a certain red-headed woman. He knew he would feel guilty.
-But…
-You’re not that unclean, and don’t tell me you haven’t been looking forward to this… I don’t suppose human women were up to your standard, either, despite hundreds of them longing for your attention, huh ??
-I’ve never been with a woman…

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Valsharess looked rather stunned after hearing that.
But then, she giggled.
-How the hell did that happen ? It’s hard to believe. Unless there’s something wrong with YOUR sexuality, that is…
-You see, there were three problems… First of all, what surface women find attractive, and what drow women may find attractive, are two different things… Second of all, before I attained my powers, I was rather alienated… and last, once I attained it, I cut off such possibilities because of my revenge, and other matters. I wouldn’t step so low to satisfy myself with whores, either.
-So, even once you attained your power, you somehow didn’t get any opportunity ?
-You could put it that way.
-Umm… you know the basics, right ?
-I think almost everybody knows the basics.
-Then it’s fine. The rest can be taught. However, I didn’t get to do any virgins ever since my priesthood initiation ceremony…So what I have to offer can be a bit rough on you.
He kept dwelling on his past. He knew it would happen; he would try to cut off from forming any relationship or even having one-night stands…
But he was never presented with a temptation quite like this one, in a situation quite like this one, and part of him started wondering whether clinging to an image of woman dead and gone had any sense. His body certainly screamed “no”, but his… lower body parts shouldn’t be the most important factor.
Valsharess lowered so their lips almost met again, and started undoing her top, which from that position was a pretty interesting view.
Was it pure lust ? Or was love possible ? Looking at her, she could make many men “love” her based on looks only. She did posses a very charming side that could bring people to her ways of thinking, and he could feel a certain connection forming with this woman.
Could he love Valsharess ? Would it even be proper if he would ?
That would certainly be a different kind of love. A darker, more dangerous one.
But he could certainly lust after her. And he was a man who recently learned how to throw away thoughts about mercy, pity, sanctity of life, or “innocence” away.
He realized an interesting thing. This woman made him question his devotion towards Aribeth. Not towards avenging her, but towards remaining faithful.
Faithful ?
To a corpse that he never got married to ? Never even kissed ? To a woman he had no chance to meet again even in afterlife ?
He had an obligation to avenge her ruined life, but did he have any obligation to not enjoy his own
because of it ?
He was scared of the thought, but it was nevertheless there – he wanted it. He wanted to fall to temptation.
-The question is… are you up for the ride of your life, Maenaz ?
She probably knew she didn’t have to ask that.


She was lying on top of him, their clothing almost all gone, his eyes drinking the perfection of her body, taking in every detail. As expected of an elf, below her head she was entirely hairless, her skin extremely smooth and pleasant to touch. Her breasts jiggled in front of his eyes, very well-developed for an elf, and as she was undressing her bottom he became pretty sure she had about perfectly hourglass figure – which made her rare among the rare elves.
Her dark lips touched his nipples, and then started to go lower, as she uncovered his manhood, completely erect by now. She seemed impressed with the sheer size of the thing, but decided to abandon talking and get into action. Her face lowered to in-between his legs as she pushed them apart, taking a prolonged lick at his balls. She then held her new toy with her left hand, slowly moving it up and down. She took another lick at the head, and smiled devilishly.
-I think you’re gonna like it… just be sure to tell me if you’re going to have orgasm…

She finally took him in her mouth, the feeling similar to the one he got from Thesta, but different. Valsharess, while definitely not unfamiliar, seemed less experienced with oral sex, which was fitting for someone of her pride, as it seemed a bit demeaning to him. However, the sensation was in no way less pleasant, partially because this time he could actually enjoy himself, and partially because it was this woman right here, the proud and exquisitely beautiful Empress of the Drow doing this to him – this realization satisfied him on a level deeper than mere carnal pleasure.
She started bobbing her head up and down faster, her lips enveloping his dick, wetting it and then abandoning for just a moment, as he felt his heartbeat quicken along with his breathing.
When he noticed that Sinvyl was holding a hand down between her legs, slowly moving the palm, she stopped sucking and instead started teasing him with kittenish sweeps of her tongue. When she looked up at him from this position, Maenaz thought his heart was going to rip his chest open, his mind suddenly abandoning any possible thoughts of guilt or distress as she touched his head with her lips again. He was becoming a bit oversensitive, and it didn’t help when she held him in both hands and started sucking his head while jerking him off.

A wild surge of excitement going through his body, he began to slowly and delicately respond to her movement by thrusting his hips slightly upwards. She gave him a prolonged suck, his meat leaving her mouth with a loud pop, to his dismay. She then raised from his groin and turned her back to him, but unlike what the human thought about, she placed her hips just before his face.
- Lick it.
His reaction was a bit timid and slow, but he did extend his tongue and started to move it about her slit. Soon, he got a bit more confident, and after a few soft moans she returned to nursing his groin. She was getting seriously wet and the taste was becoming more distinctive. Maenaz quietly wondered where the hell did men get the idea about women “tasting like honey”. Valsharess taste, while almost pleasant, was a bit odd, and if she, the pinnacle of drow-ness, an exotic and exceptional dark elf tasted that way, regular human women probably tasted like old fish or something.
But the act itself was not unpleasant, as he got to hold those beautiful, silky globes of her ass himself, and she was rewarding his efforts twice fold so far. Maenaz was getting extremely excited, something he hadn’t felt in a long time. Her wetness dripping onto his tongue, the soft feel of her bottom, and her soft, wet lips – he was more and more getting lost between those things, barely even hearing the slurping noise that filled the room. He felt like if his cock started melting into the drow’s mouth, and the warlock couldn’t help but groan loudly into her *other* lips. To his absolute terror, Valsharess removed her mouth from his penis immediately afterwards, and interrupted his own licking by something which by the time almost sounded like a death sentence.

-Ahhh, no. We’re playing by my rules here. You’re not cumming first, not today.
The drow turned around, and Maenaz was slightly frustrated, but immediately returned to working on her pussy, hoping to get his own release soon. He put his tongue inside her and started licking the walls of her moist cunt, and soon Valsharess begun to gently rock her hips against his face, strengthening her sensations as her soft moans grew in volume.
-Keep it up, rivvin… Just a little more…
Eager to finally be done with this and get to the main event, Maenaz continued lapping at her pussy almost like if he was starved for it. Valsharess gave out something of a shriek followed by a series of moans and ended by silence as she wasn’t able to draw breath the moment she came, her juices flooding out onto her lover’s lips and jaw, wetting his barely visible facial hair. She purred softly as her body started settling down, but didn’t abandon her position, her reproductive organ’s lips still right before the human’s face.
-Good boy… but I want more… before I let you enter me, you’re going to have to eat me out more…
He grimaced but complied, his mind cooling of from the initial overload of arousal. Valsharess continued queening him, and Maenaz kept the “servant work” with his tongue, though he was getting rather tired of it. The drow arched her back and let out a few moans into the air, as the frustrated male started becoming less delicate with his mouth. After some time, she reached back with her hand and slowly jerked him off, renewing his erection to an extreme level of rock-hardiness. Finally, after another prolonged scream, Valsharess raised from his face, taking a lick at her own juices covering it on the way down.
She had a devilish smile on her face, like if she was satisfied just by teasing the male until now. Taking a hold of his dick and guiding it, rubbing it on her entrance, Sinvyl tested the man’s patience further. She impaled herself onto his rod with dreadful slowness, and it was as much as he could take, his body instinctively thrusting deep inside. The woman pushed her damp cunt down on him and her hips limited his movements for a moment as she reached out and grabbed his wrists. She then lifted herself off his cock again, letting it rest against his abdomen, and slowly moved her butt down, touching it with her pussy in the middle of his shaft, rubbing herself on it, letting her pussy wet and envelop his dick but not allowing any penetration. Maenaz barely held out a growl and decided to just force the issue, but found that she held his arms in place with strength improbable for somebody of her build.
-A little bit of Bull’s Strength, dear… So, how does it feel to be denied entrance into a royal
palace ? You wish you could just plunge yourself into this dajjin'sl, yet you can’t…
He responded with a hiss and tried to enter her with his hips only, but wasn’t able to. Unfazed, she continued to tease him by rubbing her moist lips all over his dick, the delicate and warm sensation of her slit on his organ and the softness of her ass running from his thighs to his abdomen, started to make him feel like he was going mad.
-I’m driving you crazy, ain’t I ? Your hard throbbing dick practically begs for that pussy, and it cannot have it…
-What sort of sick fucking tease are you ?
She grinned and licked her lips, continuing with the rocking motion. Maenaz closed his eyes, attempting to regain control of himself, but he was getting over – sensitive and Valsharess begun slamming her pussy and hips ever-so-delicately against him. He was actually getting thoughts about eldritch-blasting her and raping her corpse afterwards, but her hands remained strong in their grip. He opened his eyes and gave her a killer-kind of look, which was however ruined by a silent moan that escaped his lips when she rubbed her clit on his head.
-So, how does it feel ? Tell me how much you want it…
She rubbed herself all the way from his balls to his shaft, her breasts sliding across his skin as she does so. He felt he’s VERY close to having an orgasm, which embarrassed him to no end as he hadn’t got more than a single thrust inside her.
-Sinvyl… seriously, this is too…
The drow silenced him with a kiss and repositioned herself again, this time squeezing his penis with her thighs all the while rubbing her pussy off on him. She started rocking up and down, her thighs providing far stronger stimulation than so far, and the warlock’s breath got heavy as he felt he was on the edge. The constant pressure of her strong legs and silky, wet pussy proved too much for him and he came hard, white liquid shooting out onto her thighs and his abdomen. However, before he even finished spewing out sperm, she quickly impaled herself upon his cock and started riding him.

This shocked him in all possible ways – that she didn’t care about conception, that she wanted to tease an orgasm out of him all the way, and the powerful sensation he felt as he slid between her hot tight walls that milked the rest of the seed out of his cock. The pleasant sensation then shifted to something slightly annoying, nearly painful, with his hormones and heartbeat going overdrive. Maenaz thought he was going to have a heart attack with this beautiful creature riding his barely-after-orgasm cock like her life depended on it, with the constricting ring of her inner muscles forcing him to remain hard, drawing him deeper inside herself and pushing him onto a slow, hard way to another orgasm. Valsharess let go of his wrists, but instead of doing something, he reached out to slow down her movement, to stop this mad “lovemaking” that already nearly drove him insane. She grabbed his hands and held them together like if they were some romantic lovers, continuing to ride him and squealing silently, clearly being close to another orgasm herself. Maenaz hesitated for a moment, indecisive
between unloading his accumulated frustration and lust into this passionate act or stopping the whole thing before it damaged his physical and mental health.

He went for the former, grabbing her shapely buttocks and starting to meet her thrust for thrust. She increased the pace, going into a series of moans before again being cut off by a lack of breath.
-Mae…naz…
Her pussy walls clamped down tightly on his cock, juices flooding down his shaft and onto his balls. Valsharess slightly lifted up and gently swayed her hips around as her orgasm settled down. She then leaned forward, pushing his body strongly into the bed with her own as she poised for a kiss, and then slowly moving down, her breasts resting on his body as she started licking his nipple. Maenaz’s mind was going into a haze, and he started frantically pumping in and out of her, forcing her to let a long moan into his chest.
The warlock was getting turned on like hell and continued ravaging the drow, the tight, hot and incredibly wet vagina finally drawing him close to another orgasm. She lifted off him, putting one hand on his chest and lifting the other to her mouth, biting her finger as she started swaying that divine butt of hers in circular motion as he continued rocking his hips deeper inside her. He put on of his hands on her abdomen and groped her left breast with the other, eyeing her up and down, the contrast of her dark grey-violet skin against his slight, subsuming tan and the drops of sweat on her curvaceous body looking startlingly erotic to him. His balls begin to charge up again, as they both let out a moan.
-Valsharess, I… I feel it again…
-It’s… It’s fi… - not able to finish, she broke into drow, speaking with a hungry, shaking voice - Ol zah ula ! Vith… ussa… F… Fuck me hard and pump me… full of your seed…
She continued to rock harder and harder against him, hoping to climb into her own orgasm before or while she received her fill from him. Maenaz was massaging her breasts, twisting her nipples slightly, and she started to moan as her cunt kept dampening. She shifted and supported herself with her feet as she started impaling her hips onto him, desperately searching for another release.
Maenaz entire world was now consisting of their flesh, his dick sliding in and out of her warmth, her pussy clamping down on him, all rhythm lost as they both chaotically thrust their hips into each other. He could hold on no longer, with her vagina coaxing the seed from his balls upwards, and with a feral groan he erupted inside her, filling her up with hot semen. This itself pushed Valsharess over her own edge, as they both screamed each other’s name. The former matron Barit’tar collapsed onto her lover, breathing heavily, but not nearly as heavily as her partner.
-I… fully enjoyed taking away your pesky virginity. You seem satisfied… Happy… yourself.
-Valsharess, if you ever tease me like this again I swear I’m not responsible for what happens…
-You’re complaining ?
-It was terrific.

Far above, in Hilltop…

-So, what you’re trying to say is that the town is in danger ?
-I’m not saying it is, I’m saying it’s possible. I can feel the tension.
-Any idea how long it may take ?
-Depends on how big this really is. This is either an upheaval before something smaller, or tension building before something bigger.
-Well, maybe we should think about making it harder on those kids then. Still, with you around, I don’t think there will be many problems.
-Thank you, Drogan, but there are enemies I am more or less suited to fight against. I’d rather have it covered on all fronts.
-Wise of you. How did Mischa’s training go, by the way ? I think I have a suitable assignment for her.
-She is learning rather quickly as long as it’s something concerning fighting… or Mystra. Everything else needs to be practically bashed into her skull. No philosophy lections successful so far, either.
-That’s a bit disappointing…
-So, is the assignment strength-related or… color-related ?
-Hahaha… Color-related, I’m afraid. There’s a goblin child in the mountains that needs saving. Apparently a small conflict between the goblin tribe and kobolds left it an orphan…
-Aren’t you worried ? I believe in her, but…
-We have the same sentiments. But if I test her only on things she will always succeed in, she won’t learn anything.
-Are all young adventurer wanna-bes in Hilltop like that ? I mean, we have a merciless paladin of a goddess of MAGIC, a dwarf rogue, and a half-orc sorcerer for crying out loud ! What are we supposed to do with this band !
-It might be better that they start off with specializations they like and want to be good in, and in a school that doesn’t force them to finish it within a deadline, instead of receiving an unwanted power that might get them isolated and being forced to develop it within a certain limit of time.
-Do you have anyone in particular in mind ?
-No, but quite a few would-be heroes, especially among those whose power can be attributed to their bloodline, went the wrong way because of that.
-But sometimes, being forced to develop quickly is a good thing. It didn’t turn out so bad for me.
-Ahhh, but you have yet to find yourself in some situations.
-Like ?
-Coping with a tragic loss… or fighting with a tragic villain. You fought against an obvious evil… But if you meet someone mortal, who turned to evil out of hurt and despair… You might find that you lack focus and determination to defeat him.
-Don’t worry. All I need to do is to remind myself of the consequences of my failure. Then, the motivation will appear.
-It would depend on these consequences.
-Probably. Now let’s give out tasks to these kids. We’ll player philosophers after work.


He dreamt. Two people were arguing. One was a black-haired green-eyed boy, seemingly sad, but radiating innocence. The other was a man entering old age; he was apparently blind, his eyes had no color at all, and his hair started turning grey. His face was stoic, and he exuded cynicism.
-Past is important, and love is the most important. We should keep the memories of those important to us. We shouldn’t just leave them in the mud. – the child exclaimed.
-You’re stupid. There’s no need to keep clinging to something long gone. We should be interested how to best benefit of what we’re given right now.
-We loved her. We still do.
-It’s meaningless.
Maenaz suddenly realized the two males resembled each other, and not only each other…
-It’s not !
-It is. No matter how fond you are of someone… those feelings just disappear. And if the person disappears before the feelings, we should actively try to get rid of them.
They resembled him. The kid was in fact his spitting image… But the old man seemed different, a bit off. Especially with the blindness thing.
-You’re just getting rid of everything that makes you valuable that way.
-You’re getting rid of pain.
-Pain is sometimes valuable.
-Foolish child. There’s nothing valuable in pain… unless you gain strength through enduring it.
-You’re just a sad, ruined old man.
-You’re just a stupid, naïve child.
-If that’s what’s valuable…
-You should dispose of it.
-Keep it.
-Dispose.
-Keep.
[What the hell was the meaning of this ?]
-Past is important, and love is the most important. We should keep the memories of those important to us. We shouldn’t just leave them in the mud.
-You’re stupid. There’s no need to keep clinging to something long gone. We should be interested how to best benefit of what we’re given right now.
-We loved her. We still do.
-It’s meaningless.
[Just…]
-It’s not !
-It is. No matter how fond you are of someone… those feelings just disappear. And if the person disappears before the feelings, we should actively try to get rid of them.
- You’re just getting…
-Just shut up, you fucking idiots ! I don’t care about it right now ! I’m myself ! I don’t have a fucking split personality ! I don’t need anybody to tell me what to do ! I already have a purpose !

He begin to attack them both with Eldritch Blast, until all remained were bloody masses on the ground.
-I define myself ! I already have a purpose !
The remains of the two moved, and joined together. They started glowing, a pale green light, and morphing into something new.
Maenaz then met his own gaze again.
There was something off with the way that other “him” looked like, but he couldn’t remember it after waking up.

He woke up. He opened his eyes to the sight of Valsharess apparently doing the same. The room was dimly brightened with faerie fire, so he could see most details.
She raised an eyebrow.
-You suddenly got agitated in your sleep. Something wrong ?
-No, it’s fine. Did I wake you up ?
-Yes, but do not worry. We rarely ever sleep the way you do. Most of us exchange it for a certain kind of racial meditation. It saves time and allows more consciousness than sleep, so it’s preferable.
-But you were sleeping.
She rose from the bedding, uncovering her body again. She seemed otherworldly in this dim light.
-It’s… it’s stupid.
-What is stupid ?
-Well, you were having a dream that caused you to wake up, which is kinda strange, since it’s contrary to the whole purpose of dreaming, and you woke me up by waking up. But we should begin with the fact that I shouldn’t be sleeping at all, and done so on a whim because of a stupid reason.
-Calling everything stupid doesn’t changes anything. What was the reason anyway ?
She blushed faintly and turned a bit away from him.
-It just seemed right. After having sex, sleeping together felt so… cozy.
It was finally his turn to chuckle.
-What’s so funny, dumbass ?
-It’s surprising you’d share surface females’ sentiments. They expect some romantic talking, hugging and so on after sex. And sleeping together is almost always a must. Even prostitutes often do so.
-Well, drow do not share such sentiments.
-But you just…
-I felt nervous and stressed after last few months of working and conquering ! I wouldn’t normally…
-It “felt cozy”. You said it. That alone means you don’t have to be so defensive about doing it.
-This talk makes us sound weak.
If he was cynical at times, Valsharess would apparently be the very anathema to all optimistic and cheerful people of the surface world.
-Well, since neither of us will be going to sleep anytime soon, we…
-What are you talking about ? I’ll meditate for some time, but don’t you need sleep ?
-My powers are rather quick to regenerate. Some don’t need to regenerate at all, unlike most spellcasters.
-And the biological need ?
-My biology is already screwed up for some time. In last few months I missed quite much sleeping time, got myself a bit drunk a couple of times and lost weight. One more night doesn’t matter.

She giggled.
-So, you’re a wreck right now. Don’t worry, I’ll help you recover. I think we’ve found quite a way to put you back together this night.
-This part of conversation makes ME look weak.
-So you share my sentiments as well. But as I said, I’m in charge of bringing you back to top condition.
-That seems… Well, not drow-like of you. At least from what I heard…
-I will benefit from you being satisfied, and as I said, you’re pretty much the main candidate for becoming my… consort… right now. You seem capable enough in all fields… But before that happens I need to confirm something, and also, you must be informed of something.
-You don’t seem to mind talking about this at all.
-What you need to know is that I hate sharing. So, don’t even think about playing with anyone else, understand ?
-Fine, fine… Just stop pressuring me already…
-You wanted to talk.
-Yes. You told me you had some unusual problem for me to take care of. What is it ?
-Well, one of those you already took care of.
Valsharess gave him a bright smile. It somehow didn’t suit her, but it did look pretty.
-The other one is…I need you to slaughter a race.
Maenaz raised his brow skeptically as Valsharess’ bright innocent smile was slowly morphing into a devilish grin.


Even though he was unsure if she’ll put her heart to it, or if she succeeds even if she tries to, Xardas saw Mischa off before her mission. He decided that if she ever actually learned about mercy and that being a holy warrior doesn’t mean slaughtering everything with a different view of things and sticking to an imperfect set of rules called a “holy code”, she would definitely become someone he would like to befriend.
But he wasn’t sure if that was going to happen.
He nodded to her and she responded with a smile.
- So, Master Carolinger… any advice ?
- Only one. When doing this… remember who you are. And think for yourself.
He smiled as well as she bowed politely and went on her mission.

In the Underdark…

- What… do you mean ?
- You see, there are many races within Underdark… Too many, to my tastes. It would be difficult to try and control them all. And as far that goes, you could already say I’ve accomplished the impossible. Most Illithid conclaves are allied with me already, I have quite many Beholders under my command, the Duergar go with the highest bidder, and almost every drow in the Underdark would currently join me… but there are races that simply won’t. Orogs may be forced into servitude, I’m quite sure of that. But Kuo-Toans… Or Sahuagin… They won’t. I can keep them in the water with my forces, so they won’t threaten my control of the Underdark. There is however, one last race.
- The svirfneblin. Deep gnomes.
- Correct. They never posed much of a threat. They’re rather weak, and bashful in nature…
- But something is happening among them.
Valsharess nodded, and got to the point.
- Seeing my success in conquering the Underdark, a great portion of the Svirfneblin race – so many that you might as well say it’s almost the whole race – felt a need to join forces in order to defend themselves. The one responsible for this uprising is, according to my knowledge, a chosen of their petty god, one of two living svirfneblin that possess might beyond whatever their race has seen for about two millennia.
- That’s would probably make him sound more that respectable, if…
- If he wasn’t a freaking gnome that is barely over half of your height. So, yes, guess you could say he is powerful, awesome and terrifying… Among the members of his own pathetic race. Still, according to what Samael has to say… Chosen are not to be taken lightly, and he believes this gnome, called Baravar Duskgleam, is above the level of most Matron Mothers. That’s why I decided to employ a force as strong as possible.
- You’re sending me to murder the leader of a race that started to accumulate in one single place and during this I should attempt to destroy as many members of his race as possible in order to stop them from becoming a threat.
- Yes. Any questions ?
- Yes. What about this other “svirfneblin with might unseen for millennia” ?
- Nothing known about him other that the fact that he doesn’t worship Callarduran Smoothhands and isn’t currently involved in the gathering of his race.
- The other question is… how strong is exactly “as strong as possible” ?
- It means I’m sending Ilivarra with you and using the powers of Samael’s fiendish allies directly.
- If you’re doing that much… who’s in charge of this mission ?
- You are. Ilivarra won’t like it, but she’ll only whine about it before she gets something to kill. Also, like I said, I need to confirm a certain thing.
- Better tell me now, instead of remaining mysterious.
- There is a certain chain of command here. I’m the head of our forces, regardless of how I treat you. And below me is the Red Triumvirate. With one vacant spot in it.
- I killed Sabal. It would seem fitting…
- If you were placed within the Red Triumvirate. But your place will be decided depending on this mission’s measure of success. Also, this will shut up most of Red Sister’s elite who would yearn for the vacant spot. Because they’re used to females being above males.
- And you’re not ?
Valsharess giggled, then moved closer to him.
- Maenaz, I believe we already discussed the equality thing… You know all the details. Besides... – she leaned closer and whispered into his ear – technically, I already was on top…
She was really unrestricted as far as sexual innuendo and talking about their (single !) night together went, which was a bit embarrassing for the warlock. Was she planning on using his attraction to her to keep him under control ? It wouldn’t surprise Maenaz – in fact, it seemed fitting for an ex-matron mother who managed to bind an archfiend to her service.
His only worry was whether he wasn’t going straight into that trap.
Noticing him being in deep though, she moved away.
- Any other questions ?
- Yes. Since Samael is no longer one of the ruling nine of Baator, I guess doesn’t exactly live there either. Meaning he has fewer devils in his service. What sort of “fiends” does
he employ ?
- You will be informed of that in time. To be honest, I don’t like most of those he called upon on my orders. And I believe he keeps the most powerful ones where they are. But, at some point, I will grow powerful enough to force him to bring stronger beings to my side.
- Your control over him grows with time ?
- Yes, and not only that. But as I said, I’d rather keep the details to myself.
- If you insist…
But it wasn’t fine. The mere thought that her being able to force more powerful beings than cornugons to become nothing more than cannon fodder for her army was a bit scary, and he would rather know the details of her bond with the fiend. That would have to wait, however.

Two days later, in Hilltop

Xardas went downstairs, rubbing his eyelids to shake off his sleepiness. The sight downstairs was what he was used to seeing everyday.
A trio of wanna-be adventurers arguing among themselves.
He knew why that happened today. He didn’t exactly expect her to succeed, but he had hope nevertheless.
However, he knew that she would meet with more sarcastic comments from Xanos as soon as he learned of her failure.
It wouldn’t be a bad idea at all to step in and help her learn something from the experience, instead of just leaving her frustrated at her friend’s comments, or what would perhaps be worse, letting the wrong words sink into her mind.
It was Xanos’ words that he heard. Unlike some of what he said, those actually sound plausible.
- And of course you believe the child cannot be raised otherwise ? That it MUST remain evil for it’s entire life ?
- That has nothing to do with you, Xanos… Not to mention that there’s also human blood in your veins, which protects you from your orcish heritage.
Xardas decided to make his presence known.
- The savagery of orcs and goblins has less to do with their blood and more to do with their culture, Mischa. Among the mortals, there are only a few truly evil races… and often, even those races have specimens with morality that should embarrass those of our kind.
- Master Xardas…
- The lesson was to remind you that paladins are not only just, but merciful as well… especially for the innocent. And that goblin child never done anything that made it not innocent.
- I’m… sorry, Master Xardas. I have learned my lesson.
- It had only confirmed mine and Droganson’s thoughts about your final tests. Not a single one of you is ready.
- If I may ask, what exactly makes us unready ? I came here to learn how to be an adventurer, but where are those adventures ?! I am already itching to get out of here !
- Well, if you have to know… It’s exactly your lack of patience and your arrogance. If you were “adventuring” by yourself, you’d be dead already, unless you would be lucky enough to get a resurrection… Dorna could benefit from quicker thinking and more determined attitude, and Mischa, as we saw, is at times lacking in her role as a paladin, as well as in perceptiveness.
- Can I have a different question ? – Dorna asked.
- Go ahead.
- Master, if you were to pick up one of us who would have his final test right now, which one would you choose ?
Xardas paused for a moment. Should he actually answer that question ? Why was it asked ?
He decided to answer nevertheless.
- I’d pick Mischa. She has shown to have a considerable amount of potential, and during my time here she improved the most of you three. She has to learn more, but overall shows the most promise.
The young paladin blushed slightly. Xanos and Dorna just looked at each other.
- What is it.
- That was predictable.
- What do you mean ?
- Well, “Master” – the half-orc spoke out – we do not think you’re being completely objective.
- What ?
- It’s obvious, Xardas. You’re spending most of the time with Mischa, and so I figured you would pick her. – Dorna retorted. – I just wonder how deep this lack of objectivity lies…
- What are you talking about ? Do you have no shame at all !? Even Drogan would…
- At least this old dwarf doesn’t play favorites !
- Xanos, Dorna, stop it ! It’s unfair to Master Xardas, and me !
- Shut up ! All of you ! This sound…
They did actually shut up, and all heard what sound he was talking about.
Spellcasting.
A battle was going on downstairs.
All immediately drew they weapons and rushed there.

The commanders were all summoned into a creepy hall, “decorated” by corpses as well as still living bodies of duergars, drows, and in lesser amounts, other Underdark races.
About half of the commanders were completely unmoved by the sight, almost like if they got used to it.
Then, their apparent host showed himself. The being was very tall, but hunched, with an emaciated, skeletal frame, dry skin tightly stretched over it’s grossly thin body, and a long, scorpion-like tail coming out from it’s back.
He recognized the creature as an osyluth devil, but this one was somewhat different than others of his kind. It’s eyes were more pronounced, with unusual (both in color as well as in the fact they were visible) teal irises in strong contrast with the black sclera. They held a malicious intelligence far above any lesser devil he saw in his life. Seemingly, his current status as Samael’s servant was far above what his rank as a devil would suggest.
- Welcome, leaders of the forces of great Valsharess. As some of you already now, I am Elamash, and I shall provide you with additional supplies for your current mission of taking down the main fortress of Baravar Duskgleam. All of the commanders will be given a set of performance-enhancing elixirs, but the main tool of the citadel’s destruction is something else.
- Get to the point, Elamash ! What sort of weapon did you invent now ?
- Oh, I do not take credit for these tools. I had merely given form to a tool that is able to summon Lord Samael’s servants.
- If they can be summoned with a tool that is so easily made, they’re not servants, they’re cannon fodder – Maenaz decided to express his opinion.
- Correct, human. But gnomes won’t be able to hold on against this sort of… cannon fodder for long. And you didn’t let me finish.
- Go ahead then.
- These “tools” are fifteen staves. When you put the end of the staff into the ground and say “Lar”, the staff summons it’s bound minions.
Ilivarra spoke out.
- So, we basically say “Summon”… and what exactly will it summon ?
- Twelve of the fifteen staves summon a bunch of lemures who will immediately attack beings pointed out by the staff’s user. Those will be given among regular commanders. Three last staves summon something special. One of them – he looked at Ilivarra – is meant for the raid’s leader and meant to be used either as a weapon against Baravar’s elite guards, or as a tool of destruction for the main, non-combatant population of the fortress.
- The rivvin – she responded. – The rivvin will be the leader on this mission.
There was a short upheaval among the drow, especially the females.
- Jallil Valsharess decided to make him a leader of the mission as a test for his skills. No complaining. His status will be higher than most of the Red Sisters regardless of anything. If any of you DOES have complains about this, say it to the Empress herself.
- Fine, then. Maenaz Carn’renor. The staff you will be given is a special case. It summons three creatures exceptional among their kind, but still possessing a bestial mentality. You will have to use your force of will to make them act according to the plan. As I said, they are to be used…
- I understood the first time, osyluth. What about the other two ?
- They summon more typical members of their rank, beings more powerful than Lemures. I suppose those should be given to Ilivarra, if you are the leader, Maenaz Carn’renor.
- Why is she the only one who gets two staves ?
- Because we can be assured of her competence. You’re to use the beasts, but there must also be someone else to decide when to use something stronger than lemures, and, where the second staff comes into play… when to summon something to cover your escapes.
- Why do you think we would try to escape ?
- I don’t think you would. It’s a fail-safe.
- Maenaz… Don’t you think there’s been enough talking ? Let’s get those fuckin staves and get outta here.
- Fine by me.


This whole day was a disaster. Getting accused by his own students after one of them failed an important test… and now… this.
Ayala Windspear, Drogan’s peer from the organization of Harpers, concluded that Drogan’s poisoning cannot be cured with “normal” means and that the stolen artifacts must be found reacquired.
A mummified hand, a dragon’s tooth, a statue of a tower, and a mask.
And of course, the only person currently capable of finding them FOR SURE was him.
Even though the initial opponents were kobolds. It was a waste to even use the Sword of Gith on them.
He, however, had to do SOMETHING. It was up to him to decide how to deal with this problem.
- I guess there is no helping it… I’m going to take you guys with me to help me recollect the artifacts. All three of you. Think of it as proving that you’re worth to get the final test… Though Drogan may decide that you will pass the school right away if we manage to succeed. Expect to get most of work… I will however step in if I think you’re in too much trouble.
- So, you’re just trying to use us in order to get back the artifacts… - Xanos responded
- It’s you three who are trying to finish this school, not me. And as I said. Think of this as proving that you’re worthy of the final test. This way there will be no… lack of objectivity. Success will be yours, visible, and rewarded.
- Are you sure you want to take all of them ? They might not be ready, individually or as a whole, and someone could be used to protect this house…
- I am sure, Ayala. I’ve observed what they can do. And since you’re staying here, there’s no need for additional protection.
- So be it, then. Go and do your best.

The old gnome was painfully aware of the situation.
He knew from the moment he started gathering his brethren that the cursed drow queen would notice and take measures. He knew she would be cruel and her anger would be great.
But he also believed that if his race united, they could overcome this treat.
There was little doubt in his mind. He saw most of what Matron Mothers were capable of doing. Even if she was the strongest of them all, she couldn’t defeat their entire race alone.
Baravar’s faith only got stronger every time he looked at this boy… his son. Already taller than him, he had grown up quickly in both mind and body, and his abilities developed quickly as well, thanks to his tutoring and opportunities provided. Despite how different he was from them, this kid brought smiles to the faces of his people, normally grim and focused.
Despite the way he raised him and taught him, the boy turned out to have way different personality from him, but had far less in common with his mother.
His unfortunate mother.
But now, the boy was obviously worried about this whole situation.
- Father, we don’t go out to mine gems anymore, and you seem very concerned lately. The drow will attack any moment now, right ? I’ve heard different things about this Valsharess. What is true about her ?
- We don’t need to know much. But she is far more ambitious, power-hungry, and cruel than any of her race I have met in my long life.
- But she is said to be beautiful among the drow… I remember you telling me that among surface dwellers, elves are said to be almost universally regarded as beautiful.
- A matter of taste really. And it doesn’t matter.
- It does. Why do gods let evil beings be beautiful ? Why are we being fooled by outer appearances ?
- You’re asking me philosophical questions now… That’s a bit unlike you as well.
- Philosophical ? Not really, dad. Just curious. If evil hides under beauty, how do we recognize it ?
- If you’ll ever go to surface, ask a paladin how does he recognize evil.
- What’s a paladin ?
- Oh… a curious thing I met during my life, in the time when I visited the surface. “Holy warriors”. Claim they fight for justice, recognize and smite evil that cannot be defeated. The problem is, their race is apparently just as often evil as it is good.
- So, if I go to surface, the first thing I want to see are surface elves… and then I should meet a paladin. Fine.
The young man smiled. As expected. His son was also sure they would be getting through this.


The fortress already in his field of vision, the man marching upon the city had quite a different view of things. He believed the fortress will fall.
He felt no connection whatsoever to the svirfneblin. Murdering an entire race might have sounded like a terrible evil in the past, but if that was required to gain Valsharess’ favor, he would do it.
He mentally berated himself for thinking about Valsharess first and about his real purpose second.

Maenaz wondered what sort of things will the staves summon, because except for those twelve with lemures, he received no information.
Well, he would find out soon enough. Because not only did the svirfneblin have a large advantage when it came to numbers, they were also said to be quite a bit more powerful than their surface counterparts. That mean Valsharess did not overdo things by sending him here, hopefully.

They were getting closer to the fortress, and it was obvious the gnomes were preparing to defend it, having already recognized their presence.
- I honestly wish Valsharess would think of something more interesting and less crowded than a mass crusade against freakin’ gnomes as a final test of your abilities.
- We are merely doing what needs to be done. And if Sinvyl says the svirfneblin must be destroyed, we will do this.
- Sinvyl ? YOU are calling Valsharess by her given name ?? Fufufufu…
- What’s so funny ?
- Nobody does that except for Jalil Phaere. Sure, soon you will have a status equal to the rest of Red Triumvirate, but that’s pretty daring of you.
- I’m not Valsharess’ servant. I will do as I please.
She gave him a sideway glance, staring intensely.
- That’s unlike anything you would hear from a male drow. Well, at least they would never tell this to us.
- I am not a drow.
- And you think that’s a good thing ? That the females of our race will let you get away with more ?
- As I said, I do as I please.
- Ohhhhhhhh, thaaaat’s right. Because you’re not a servant, right ?
- Get to the point if you have to say something.
- You see, you are being given a special status one way or another. I suppose that Valsharess also rewards you. Or perhaps she has promised you something. Or both. Or she just lets you do something you enjoy. But... – she whispered in his ear – that’s not different from me or Phaere. In the end, you cannot be equal to a woman with an archdevil that acts on her every whim.
He took a step away from her. This woman at times gave him shivers. She was demonic in the sense of obeying her strongest whims as she saw fit. Where was she hoping to get with this conversation ? Why was she acting that way ?
From what he knew, she enjoyed fighting, to an extreme extent, and he could tell when they first met that she strongly desired to battle him back then. So, why was she now trying to convince him that he was wrong, and showing such insight ? Why was she toying with him, telling him things that would actually discourage him from following Valsharess ?
Noticing his withdrawal, she smiled. It was a very strange kind of smile, all at once ironic, curious, skeptical, and… sultry ?
- Why I am telling you this, you might wonder ? Well, perhaps I’m just giving you a piece of advice as someone who is holding his position longer than you even know my… our… Mistress. Or perhaps I’ve taken a liking to you and I try to figure you out.
- You’re annoying.
- You owe me one. You could have killed me back then, when we fought against Seer.
- You drow usually take revenge for such things, not wait for apology and regrets.
- Who said I won’t take what you owe me forcefully ? Who said that you’re safe around me ?
- Are you trying to scare me ?
- I’m just warning you that perhaps you should watch your back. However, I wouldn’t do this if I were you.
- You’re not making any sense at all.
- I am. Nindyn vel'uss kyorl nind ratha thalra elghinn dal lil alust.
He truly needed to learn Drow quicker. She said something about watching your back. He’d ask someone about that later.

Dorna was whining as he finished casting the healing spell on her. Thankfully, while quite tough for a beginner, the dwarf did not possess inhuman vitality like Khelgar did, so healing her was a piece of cake.
- This crypt is a pain in the ass ! I’ve got enough of giant spiders and kobolds already !
- I respectfully disagree. In fact, I befriended a spider thrice the size of the ones we met here. Kistrel actually lives in my basement.
- …
It was obvious the three were stunned speechless.
- As for the kobolds, it’s actually refreshing to fight them, after months of cutting through tons of…
- We DON’T want to know the details. – Xanos was quick to interrupt him.
- I’m telling you this because you’re complaining. You didn’t see half of it yet. If you’ve got enough of certain opponents in the beginning of your adventuring life, you should give up already. I had to battle spellcasting goblins after taking down my first troll. They just reappear, sometimes the same, sometimes with new power. Hell, I wouldn’t be half surprised if the whole thing was initiated by a half-fiend kobold barbarian. Of course, that’s rather unlikely.
- You have a strange imagination, Master. – Mischa voiced her opinion.
- Ohhh, come on. That’s a pretty normal combination considering we have a half-orc sorcerer here. And the one thing that you will learn in this universe – practically everything can be freakin’ crossbred, especially if it’s with fiends.
- Fine, fine, I get it already – Dorna said in a miserable voice – No more complains ! Just drop this topic and let’s go finish these kobolds off !

He chuckled. Well, it was obvious, the younglings, especially rogues and paladins, never wanted to learn anything, and Xanos , being a half-breed himself, was obviously uninterested in the topic.
Not that he was some sort of specialist. But he did learn some interesting things…
Made him wonder about which member of the family, how long ago, and why, got attracted to a dragon.


They entered the room, with kobolds being practically everywhere.
Too many for his three students to handle.
He quickly begun with Entangle to increase their chances. Then, he rushed forward. He really thought it a waste to use the Gith’s blade to even cut his opponents, not to mention using it’s special powers. But it was no place for sentimentalism, and soon he was slaughtering the kobolds like they were nothing. His students quickly joined up, apparently feeling at home when finally fighting those creatures, even though they were considered unworthy opponents for most adventurers. But the students wanted revenge for Drognan and this pushed them to action.
Good for them, bad for the kobolds.
Hey, of COURSE he could just send all the small creatures to the Lower Planes where they belonged, but his students were supposed to harden themselves in combat, and he wanted to improve his sword skills as well as train himself further as a sorcerer. He decided to refrain from using his main powers as much as possible, with the exception of healing his pupils.
In no time, the kobolds were cleared from the room, and he was relieved to find the mummified hand among the remains.
One acquired, three more to go.


The siege had begun, but Maenaz was rather tired of this ineffective siege equipment.
Well, you could say, during the months of ineffective waiting for a chance of revenge, he permanently exhausted his patience.
Well, he’s done it once, from the inside, he can do it again from the outside.
He used his Eldritch Doom on the gates once, and they held. Twice, and they suddenly seemed incredibly fragile. The third time blown the gates away, and the troops released a bloodthirsty scream as they assaulted the fortress.
He walked, painfully slowly, into the gate he jus crashed, ready to begin the slaughter. He had mentally prepared himself to kill any svirfneblin, no matter the age or gender…
His staff was on his back. This part of the fortress was only filled with fighters, ready to attempt to stop the massacre before it truly begun. He shielded some of his troops with a wall of flames, and proceeded to bathe his opponents in acid. Apparently, Svirfneblin did not fall behind Drow in terms of spell resistance and so he preferred to quickly kill most of them before testing out his less assuredly-working powers.
The drow wizards then bombarded the poor creatures with spells, the scent of burning flesh in the air, blood flowing onto the floor, forming rivers from one set of splashed insides to another.
The outermost ring fell quickly, but it was just the beginning of their struggle.


Baravar had hoped the drow would prove to be less powerful than he anticipated, but it didn’t look like that. They managed to quickly destroy the gates and take control of the outermost ring of the fortress. They were stopped for quite some time, but then, they resorted to using summoned lemures as cannon fodder. The brave warriors pushed them back, but the drow then presented the whole array of their assassination squad, both slaughtering the defenders of the next circle and beginning an attack on another one.
If the drow resorted to summoning, they had no choice but to follow.

Ilivarra was completely surrounded by the enemies, her skill keeping her from receiving too many wounds, the female clearly enjoying the feeling of her blade cutting through their flesh.
But it was a plan. All of this was just a façade.
Well, except for her enjoyment of battle, that is.
A mass of shadowy energy came down on her enemies, and while she was in the range, it didn’t even budge her this time around, the attempt to “set” the blast to the caliber capable of destroying the svirfneblin but incapable of hurting her apparently successful. The few surviving gnomes were blinded in the attack, and subsequently their throats were slit, or their limbs chopped off as she executed the few survivors.
- As expected. Average Svirfneblin don’t even pose a threat to us.
She paused for a moment, taking a deeper breath.
- Surely it might seem like that so far. But first, there are masses of them in here. Second, the probably most powerful specimen of the race lives within these walls. And lastly, the Svirfneblin as a race posses a certain rare ability. Some of them can summon Earth Elementals. I’m pretty certain those summoned by Baravar will be rather powerful ones, so be prepared for it when we face him.
- I have fought earth elementals before. I can deal with whatever he throws at us.
- I guess you’ll have a chance to prove that statement right away.

Indeed, a bunch of Svirfneblin did attack accompanied by Earth Elementals.
Ilivarra moved first, as always, her mind set on the thing which gave her most fun. She begin by taking down two of the attacking svirfneblin, while Maenaz blasted one of the three Earth Elementals with his acid. She then finished the damaged earth elemental, but got struck by another who suddenly charged her from the side. She regained her balance mid-flight, rebounding herself off a rock and jumping onto another svirfneblin, killing him immediately. Maenaz bathed the earth elemental and the closes svirfneblin in acid, which left only one elemental and four gnomes to kill.
She could tell the gnomes were about to run away, but Maenaz cut the way off with his wall of flames. Two of the svirfneblin tried to escape through it nevertheless, one saved by his magic resistance, the other falling onto the ground, his clothes burning as he was. She decided to use her cleric abilities, something she rarely did unless it was to increase her combat ability, and finished him off with Searing Light. Maenaz befell one of the svirfneblin with his Beshadowed Blast and blinded the other, quickly cutting him down with Enserric.
They turned their attention to the earth elemental, but it was struck down by a ball of magical lighting.
Finally others caught up with them.
- You took an awfully long time, folks. Not that we couldn’t go further without you.
- I’m sorry, Jalil Ilivarra, but we were ambushed by earth elementals as well.
- Get used to it. I believe…
- I believe we just have another big problem to deal with.

Up ahead, just a bit above them, a mass of svirfneblin forces aided by an entire pack of earth elementals was marching upon them.
- I guess you’re gonna have some fun, Right Hand.
- True, rivvin. Summon the lemures ! We need some cannon fodder.
- I believe I can thin them out somewhat.

Maenaz’s eyes were already surrounded by a pale green mist as he started the clash by attacking the largest of the earth elementals.
He proceeded to start blasting the charging svirfneblin, who were again struck hard by a barrage of spells from their wizards.
The spell resistance did not prove useless, however, and the brave gnomes were soon upon them. Maenaz fired a Beshadowed Cone just as Ilivarra cast her favorite and most powerful spell for such a situation.
A dreadful aura reeking of bloodlust surrounded her, reaching out to the drow’s enemies. The gnomes withdrew a bit, which was all the Valsharess’ championess needed to begin the carnage. With reckless abandon she started her deadly dance, full of jumps and pirouettes, among the svirfneblin, too quick to follow for the less experienced fighters on the battlefield.
Chopped of limbs and heads flied around as the Right Hand started humming. Her enjoyment seemed so great that she appeared to enter a state of natural high, her lack of cautiousness for her own safety both amazing and pissing him off.
- She’s insane. Destroy the earth elementals before they enter melee !
Curiously, the same moment, the “insane” drow made a tremendous leap onto one of the closes earth elementals, hacking at it until the giant body fell to the ground. Then, the wizard unleashed a barrage of spells upon other elementals, cutting the attacking potential of the force drastically. And finally, Maenaz’s Eldritch Blasts and the wizard’s series of Lighting and Fireballs started the slaughter among the svirfneblin themselves.
Through the masses, they kept pushing forward, until Maenaz realized something was off.
There shouldn’t be a wall here. It no scouts informed him of any such things.
Of course, possessing no infravision, he might have missed it, after all, his eyesight was human, but…
No. Definitely. They were dealing with an illusion.
He reached out towards it, and the wall started to ripple, waves appearing on it’s surface like they would on water when someone tossed a stone in it. Then, masses of gray dust started to rip off from the wall and move towards him as he started to devour the powerful illusion.
It uncovered a bunch of wizards, surrounded by something which might have worried him more than the earth elementals.
Golems.
- Ilivarra !
The effects of Battletide wearing out, she recognized what he asked of her. She placed one of her staves in the ground, shouting “lar” as the very fabric of the plane distorted around her.
Dim, silver and green rays of light started appearing as four incredibly bizarre creatures shown themselves on the battlefield.
He had never seen something like that. He concluded the allies Samael drew to himself after abandoning (losing ?) his place as a lord of Baator didn’t come from Hell. A devil would never relocate to Abyss, and as far as he knew Mechanus and Avernus housed no such creatures.
Meaning they were another type of fiend he was less knowledgeable about.
And he was glad about it.
The creatures were about as tall as an osyluth, but far different in build. Their bodies, almost oval, were supported by three stumpy legs and crowned with an insect head. Five quite long arms jutted out of the body, some of them armed, but all ending in visible, strong claws.
What a fucked up anatomy.

The fiends immediately lashed out against the golems, but while holding their own, it was clear the constructs held the upper hand. Maenaz started blasting the golems down as the drow wizards engaged the svirfneblin ones, ending with a bad defeat for the gnomes. After destroying the golems, the two remaining fiends started sowing destruction among the deep gnomes.
The siege continued, though both sides were getting weary of it.

Few days after leaving Hilltop, a cave in the mountains…

Hacking through the caves full of kobolds. Perfect. The dream of every damn adventurer who ever lived. Probably in their free time Elminster and Drizzt gathered a team and went into caves to kill kobolds and goblins.
But there was something which might actually present a fun challenge waiting for him at the end of these caves.
A white dragon.
White dragons were feral and often lacked intelligence that the other dragons possessed, but nevertheless, fighting one would be refreshing.
After a whole mass of fucking kobolds.
- Stop.
- What is it, master Xardas ?
- We are nearing an entrance to another cave, and I believe the dragon will be somewhere here. You are to go no further beyond this point.
- But Master, if there is indeed a dragon here, you may need help, and…
He cut Mischa’s protest immediately.
- And what ? You think you would be of help ? Let me tell you. All groups who attacked a dragon themselves believing they are ready to face it died. It doesn’t work that way. People who can beat a dragon usually do not desire fighting it anyway. True, it is dangerous, but if you go with me, it won’t help. You may even be making this harder for me, as I will worry for your safety.
- Xanos believes we can fight a dragon. We’ve grown more powerful since we left Hilltop. Xanos says he is ready.
Xardas only smirked.
- The way you talk would surely make one of my companions hate you. Xanos… What did I just tell you ?
- …
- Exactly. Stay here. Don’t move anywhere. Defend yourself from any kobold attack, but don’t think about pushing forward yourselves.


Walking into the next cave it was still filled with kobold, sitting next to bonfires to warm themselves up.
He rushed forward, attacking the nearest kobold with the Sword of Gith, chopping him in half.
He really needed to start using some sort of alternative weapon.
He kicked another kobold attacking him into the ground and finished him off with his Ray of Frost cantrip.
Damn, they sucked !
But then, he heard the breathing.
A dragon. A real goddamn dragon.
He was so psyched up that he literally charged through the kobolds, murdering them at an alarming rate.

In another cave, his students were discussing.
- He seems to be doing well out there.
- Of course he is ! – Mischa exclaimed. – He is on a whole different level than both us and them !
- On a whole different level… Of what ?
- Xanos’ sentiments exactly. What is Xardas Carolinger ? Drogan called him because of something exceptional he did, but what was it ? And where exactly do his powers come from ?
- Well, we know he is a sorcerer like you. But his main power seems to be something else.
- Isn’t he just a ranger ? I mean, quite an accomplished one of course… But he just uses low or middle-low nature spells and always fights with this sword. He’s pretty good with it, but not a real master.
- I thought so too initially, but the way he speaks about divine magic and how he views and feels about it, and how he spoke about using it’s power made me think Master Xardas is more of a divine spellcaster. A mighty cleric or druid, maybe ? I think he is far more powerful than he is letting on and just doesn’t want to make it easy for us.
- Xanos thinks the missy is overestimating her lovey-dovey half-elf.
- Ohhh, shut up, Xanos ! He doesn’t treat me any better than he does you two !
- True. I still remember the look on your face when he told you to heal yourself instead of using his spells. Priceless.
Mischa was too agitated, and embarrassed to retort to that and just went silent, crossed her arms and made an angry if flushed face.

Baravar was preparing to take part in the battle himself. The drow forces in these few days of siege made tremendous progress and neared the area where the veterans, the wounded, and many of the civilians resided. He’d have to stop them as soon as possible. Also, he had enough of sending his men to battle. The drow proved even more powerful than he was afraid they’ll be, and apparently Valsharess wasn’t even on the battlefield.
But that shouldn’t stop him from entering the fight.
And he was afraid that it wouldn’t stop his son from doing so as well.
He would find out in a moment, because his child approached him.
- Father, you know quite well that nothing will stop me from participating in this fight. Especially if you will have trouble.
- I know quite well, Rheg. But I will do just fine. I think you also will, but… don’t just rush to fight an enemy if he seems too powerful for our friends. Think tactically. There are definitely some powerful servants of Valsharess here, and I’m afraid for your safety if you try to take them on yourself.
- As always, father, you underestimate me.
- I guess it evens out you underestimating both me and our enemies. May Callarduran bless you.
- Yeah, right. You too, father.


At last, he stood before Tymofarrar, the kobold servitors observing, afraid to come closer as their lord interacted with the intruder.
- Well, well, what do we have here… An intruder… Elf ? Noooo, you seem too human… you’re one of those crossbreeds, right ? Rare. Elves and humans usually mixed when already in my stomach… So, what are you doing here, little man ? And who are you exactly ?
- Xardas Carolinger. I came here for the artifact.
- That useless mask ? But why would you need that ? And, well, I’m a dragon, you see. I don’t give such things out for free…
- You can keep your life in return for it. I have no time to waste. Cooperate, or I’ll finally have the pleasure of fighting a dragon.
- I guess you cannot be reasoned with, human.

Xardas initiated the fight with Endurance, just in case this wasn’t child’s play like he expected. True, he was against a dragon, but it was a young one.
The next move was something he’d rather not let his students see, especially if Dorna’s desire to steal things suddenly awakened.
The Gith’s Sword suddenly erupted with an unearthly, silver light, as it accumulated strength. The next moment it started severing itself into shards, which, traveling together, immediately started gaining speed and murdering the kobolds that charged at him.
Blade Storm.
The dragon immediately recognized the threat, and used it’s breathing weapon, so he had to dodge. Then, his blade moved against Tymofarrar, the beast clearly shocked at the sudden pain. A moment after, the sword reformed in his hand, and he could proceed with his plan now that he literally sliced the kobolds into pieces.
He enchanted his powerful sword with a spell to acquire fire damage against a white dragon.
Then he moved forward, hacking and slashing the beast, fighting it head to head, toe to toe. Both received significant damage, but unlike the dragon, Xardas could use healing spells. He recovered himself with use of positive energy, and waited for the dragon’s breath weapon to strike. The Silver Sword, still fire-enchanted, was immediately in pieces, surrounding Carolinger with a barrier of fire and silver, as he charger upon the dragon, preparing yet another spell. Lighting fell down on the poor white dragon immediately, as the flaming shield of shards burned and sliced the dragon into near-death. One last spell to finish the out-of-balance dragon off, Xardas decided it was time to look cool and do something he always wanted to do. He charged his hands up with electricity by the means of Shocking Grasp spell and literally killed the dragon with a punch.
Talk about how to finish a fight in an epic manner.
Taking the mask and laughing uncontrollably, he returned to his students.

--------- ---------------- ------------------

Rheg looked upon the battlefield from the highest point of the fortress. Indeed, the drow were dangerously close, masses of their summoned little fiends running through the fortress, fighting with their fighters. He saw his father leave the fortress and move towards his officers, the legendary svirfneblin doing quite well in an armor for his age.
And then, he saw them.
The leaders of the charge. Among the hacking and battering between drow and their strange summoned creatures, and the brave svirfneblin, the two walked, practically untouchable. He never saw people quite like this duo in Underdark.
The female was very tall for any dark elf he ever saw, her dark skin covered with tattoos of differing color, either dark green, or completely black. She carried herself like a warrior, despite the general tendency for females to be clerics, and, since Valsharess took over, assassins. She was definitely strong and athletic, her body looked like it was carved, similarly to svirfneblin, but apparently anybody who carved HER had a better sense of aesthetics. She was attractive, if scary, and that build… She possessed the height of almost two svirfneblin and considering her muscles as well as feminine curves, the weight of three.
The men on her left, while also curiously looking and attractive, was nothing like Rheg ever saw in the Underdark. Black, long, flowing hair on his head were so far away from the ground that he wondered if the men even saw the gnomes when he looked straight ahead. He was even taller than the female, and was very lean, almost gaunt in Rheg’s eyes, which gave an impression that is height was even greater. The man had a skin that mixed very bright colors – white, yellow and pink. So unlike most other Underdark creatures.
The males steps carried a feeling of inevitability, and Rheg subconsciously new that he had some scary trait that he should both already know and be afraid of, but wasn’t able to pinpoint it exactly.
The man and the female walked towards almost the same spot as his father, even if they still had a platoon of gnomes separating them. Rheg considered diving in for help, but saw that he was needed elsewhere.
A bizarre, giant creature with five arms and three legs was sowing terror among his brethren, and he knew the svirfneblin there would not be able to defeat it, seeing as another such creature was dying on the ground – they looked too tired. He decided he had to help, the desire overriding his overwhelming curiosity about the strange pair and pushing himself towards the creature. He never saw something like this, but from what he learned from books and from his father, it was a fiend, and one of perhaps the direst kind of all – a yugoloth.
He walked down the stairs to a lower place, searched for the creature once again, found it, and jumped off the wall.


After he used his spells, the svirfneblin were able to start pushing the first drow attacking force away. Baravar personally struck down one of the drow commanders with Hammer of the Gods and proceeded to use Recitation to further the advantage Svirfneblin just gained.
But then, he saw that cursed power.

The gnomes were first illuminated with a pillar of green light, and then bathed in a mass of acid that ate through their armor, worming into their flash. Some continued to fight, but many dropped their weapons, clutching at their bodies as to stop the pain or hold the insides that started leaking out.
It was unmistakably a variant of an Eldritch Blast. And the one using it was no drow. A surface dweller, pure human no less, the look on his face grim, but deeply conflicted. He immediately noticed there was little otherworldly touch to the creature : neither was he of tainted blood nor did he gain the power from a pact, but it seemed he might be an atheist as well, a rarity in Faerun.
Nevertheless, while no drow, the creature murdered his brethren and was unmistakably irredeemably under Valsharess’ command. He recited words of faith and all the drow took quite severe damage, which didn’t avoid the human as well. Now he was sure – the man was as thoroughly corrupted as those he was with. What worried him was that the woman next to him took no damage at all and immediately finished his work, murdering the weakened svirfneblin with dreadful proficiency and a gleam of satisfaction in her eyes.
The man spoke out first, the damage that seemed severe to the drow having far less profound effect on him.
- Baravar Duskgleam, I suppose. I thought you would be a cleric of sorts, after all, you rely on this stupid god of yours to give you all the power. I wonder how would you do without him…
- At least I do not serve a race that treats me as a slave nor do I make pacts with fiends, human.
- The moral type. I thought Svirfneblin didn’t care so much. Anyway… Give up. I can see it within you. You stepped outside your rooms and took the fight here, because you were afraid to fight there. Anyway, I now know where your wife and children reside. If you give up, they’ll be spared.
- And my race will be turned into slaves ?
- Not that I like the thought. But since all other races in the Underdark can serve Sinvyl… Valsharess, why you cannot ?
- Don’t try to compare us to others. We accept our lot in life; it doesn’t mean we want it to get worse.
- Think about your family. Your mate and offspring.
- Fool. You’re too quick to assume I do have a mate and offspring.
- You don’t ? Ahh, well. Guess I misjudged you. Guess it’s your fanatical devotion to your god that pushes you towards this meaningless defense. In that case, I think I will kill you after all.
Ilivarra engaged his guardians as Baravar quickly covered himself with a Spell Mantle to protect against Maenaz’s blast.


The warlock looked at his enemy again. He was sure that this man was no regular fanatic. He had something important to protect in here.
Was his love spend on his entire race ? Or did he lie and he had a family ?
It didn’t really matter to Maenaz as he put the gnome on fire, his power rather quickly burning off the protective mantle of energy.
Then this gnome did the unthinkable.
He had ignored him, healed his guardians, and apparently prepared to cast a spell on Ilivarra.
What an idiot.
In a moment, the poor gnome leader was sent to the Underworld, flowing down into it with a mass of liquid acid.

- What’s so funny, master ?
- Oh, nothing, it’s just… I did something I dreamt of when I was a little boy dreaming of being an adventurer. It was incredibly fun. Anyway, I have the artifact, the dragon is dead, and we can now go seek the others.
They were stunned by how much their teachers mood improved by just fighting a single dragon, and what was equally stunning.
He was practically unharmed.

This was just wrong.
How tough this gnome was ?
He blasted him with the Beshadowed Blast, but the smaller creature evaded with unpredicted grace.
What the fuck ?
He recognized the spell. Harm. But, he was too far away from anyone. How the hell did he hope to…
Then, Baravar pointed at Ilivarra. Negative energy flew from his hand, and did the unthinkable.
Ilivarra clutched her chest and abdomen, groaning in pain and in sudden, chilly feeling that moved through her.
The svirfneblin guards recognized the moment of advantage and broke through her defenses. Not enough to take her down, but the whole situation was improbable.
He then started praying, and the very ground under them begun to shake.
Maenaz had to jump back a few times as the largest earth elemental so far appeared right where he stood before. Soon, two smaller ones, but still among the largest he was today, followed, and Maenaz found that without Ilivarra who had her own problems with the svirfneblin, he was heavily outnumbered.
He pulled his staff of his back and thrust it into the ground.
- Lar !

The feeling was sickening. Maenaz noticed a bestial instinct appearing into his mind, and then increasing tricefold as a bunch of primal urges struck him. Out of a dark mist, three great creatures appeared. They vaguely resembled dogs, but were blind, far more muscle-bound and possessed unnatural jaws and long tongues. Apparently they were fiends as well, just of quite a different sort. Larger than a man in height and definitely more in the scale of ogres in weight, they looked rather threatening.
Maenaz quickly focused on gaining control over them. He overrid the wave of primal instincts that struck him, and forced the beasts to his will. He jumped onto one of them, destroying one of the elementals with Eldritch Doom, and turned his dog to the greatest one. The beast charged upon the elemental as they clashed in a battle of strength, the earthly creature dominating the summoned fiend until he blasted it’s head. The dog then overpowered the elemental for a moment, but it started to hit the fiend with it’s fists. Maenaz decided to make a risky decision and a pillar of green light surrounded the elemental, with Maenaz jumping away just in time to avoid the bulk of the damage, most of the rest wasted on his acidic resistance.
He smiled triumphantly as his prediction turned out to be true. The summoned fiends were immune to acid. However, Baravar finished one of his summons with Flame Strike, and his Earth Elemental charged upon the other one.

He decided he had enough and bathed Baravar in acid again, only this time it had no effect.
Energy immunity.
Baravar quickly healed himself, but was tackled from the side by a drow female.
- What took you so long ?
- What’s taking YOU so long ? I thought you would have finished him off by now.
- This guys seems to know what he’s doing.

Baravar immediately attacked Ilivarra with Flame Strike and proceeded to target one of his summoned dogs with Harm, but was interrupted when he used Eldritch Doom to break his concentration.
Maenaz noticed Baravar avoided buffing himself, despite being able to.
Did he know ?

He was immediately struck with Flame Strike, but shrugged it off and attacked Baravar more directly. The gnome backed off, and Maenaz finished his last Earth Elemental, leaving the gnome outnumbered four to one.
But the chosen of Callarduran wasn’t going down so easily.

The ground stated shaking violently, one of the towers of the innermost ring of the fortress even falling down from the quakes. The ground cracked in chaotic patterns and the falling parts of the tower damaged them, the area, and particularly one of the dogs. Then, the gnome pulled out another surprise, summoning another earth elemental, which grabbed the summoned fiend and threw it into the fortress’ wall, crashing it in the process.
Maenaz got annoyed and blasted the gnome, but he stood his ground and answered by Flame Striking Ilivarra again. Maenaz was treated to a long-distance variant of the Harm spell (how did he do that ?) and then he was attacked by the Earth Elemental. He repeatedly blasted the creature as Ilivarra healed herself. She then proceeded to cast Divine Power and engage the Earth Elemental, taking it’s attention off Maenaz who charged against the gnome. He grabbed the lesser creature and threw it into a newly created wall of flames, proceeding to blast him again. Hammer of Gods came down on him and Maenaz realized this one actually TESTED what he was resistant to.
Meaning he may have fought a warlock before.

The gnome put a wall of blades between them and healed himself. He was rather a tough opponent, just as Valsharess warned he will be, but an interesting one.
Maenaz whispered the incantation and opened his eyes, a ring of blackness surrounding the irises.
- So, that’s the power of a Chosen, huh ? Guess I did not miss anything. You’re going down, old gnome.
Maenaz dodged another wave of negative energy as he responded with a blast, hitting it’s mark perfectly. He quickly put a wall of fire to where the gnome wanted to relocate as he charged him, slashing him strongly as the gnome barely managed to block with his warhammer. He then put a hand to his body and blasted him into the wall, accumulating more energy and preparing to Eldritch Doom him into oblivion.
But he was stunned to find the gnome was still standing even after that.
His wounds were rapidly regenerating, meaning he attempted to buff himself. Maenaz quickly wanted to devour the spell, but found that the gnome had enough power to keep him from doing so for the moment – a rare occurrence lately. Baravar immediately raised a smaller earth elemental – did he ever run out of them ? – to give him more time as he continued to buff himself. Maenaz took down the creature quickly, but when he turned around he noticed that Baravar just activated a Battletide aura, was now his size, and as muscle-bound as an orc.
Thanks to Battletide, he moved with dreadful speed, only his foresight allowing him to dodge the blow. His position was heavily defensive for the moment, as Battletide gave the gnome a serious advantage, but another blast into the abdoment managed to switch the tide for a while. A series of slashes proved to have little effect, as the gnome kept regenerating himself.
Then he took heavy damage as Baravar activated a Blade Barrier around himself and repeatedly struck him with his hammer. Maenaz blasted the gnome away again, and activated his regeneration just as Baravar started casting a strange spell.
His foresight went into overdrive, but to his surprise, the gnome made a tremendous leap, pushing them both back and onto the ground. To his surprise, Baravar then shrink back to normal size, and Maenaz noticed that they both lost their regeneration.
Wall of Dispel Magic.
This damn gnome planned everything.
Maenaz held him by the head and started ramming it into the floor, finishing the devastating move with an Eldritch Blast. Baravar was obviously heavily stunned and injured, but responded with Divine Hammer and tried to back off.
- You shitty svirfneblin ! How did you know ?
- I knew both about this as well as your ability to devour magic, so I devised a plan where I sacrifice my strengthening spells to dispose you of your regeneration. Curiously, the rings around your irises disappeared, meaning I was right and it was some sort of an enhancement.
- So, you did not see THAT before…
The gnome smirked.
Maenaz heard a familiar sound as magical missiles started to hit his back. He turned around, but saw nothing. He instead heard another sound as an Ice Storm came down on him, and he was struck into the back by another distant Harm.
He looked upwards to see a strange being. It was a bit taller than the svirfneblin, with pale, luminescent skin, and floating on dark, furry wings. The being looked a bit androgynous, but seemed to be a young adult male of it’s species.
- So, allow me to introduce to you, warlock : My son, Rheg Duskgleam.
- Son ?!
- An adopted one, of course. Ironically… the warlock that I fought and learned most about your powers from was his real mother.
- You adopted the son of a being you have killed ? What in the Abyss is he, even ?
- A Gloaming. Planetouched race connected by blood to the Plane of Shadow. His mother was a cultist of the Demon Lord Graz’zt, and attempted to spread it’s cult among the Underdark races. When we threw her out of the city, she grew aggressive. I managed to take her down, though I was weaker back then and it was really problematic. She did care about her son, though, and her dying wish was for us to take care of him. I raised him into a good, if brash and undisciplined young man. And now we’re going to take you down together. Do you have any offspring I should know about ?
Dark ring surrounded Maenaz’s eyes again, as anger became visible on his face.
- Yo, old gnome… Don’t compare me to a pathetic demonic cultist from your sonny’s shitty race… And don’t you dare underestimate me !
Ground cracked under him as his eyes shone. He fired a blast towards both the son and the father, and while Rheg dodged, Baravar was hit. He dodged a Flame Strike and an Orb of Cold from the two, and quickly concluded the young one was a sorcerer. He leaped onto his father, kicking him in the face and using him as a rebound, and then stroke him with Eldritch Doom, hoping it would be too much for the old gnome. As he faced to attack the son… he was gone.
Maenaz was repeatedly struck by a rapier into areas that might have been dangerous for his health had his foresight not warned him in the last moment.
He was more than just a sorcerer AND a rogue, he had a power that partially dulled his Dark Foresight.

Maenaz grabbed the lesser being’s wing and shoved his sword into his side, hoping to completely tear the flying organ off. Before he managed to do so, he had to jump back as Baravar put up a wall of blades. The gnome used the moment when he was regaining his balance and struck him with his warhammer.
Maenaz repeatedly leashed out at the gnome, but his attacks were parried.

Then, the gnome suffered a vicious wound from a double-bladed sword.
Ilivarra finally took care of both the earth elemental and the approaching gnomes.
Maenaz fired another blast into the gnomes head and turned attention to Rheg, who immediately leashed out at them with Isaac’s Missile Storm.
Baravar healed himself, and when Rheg was about to take flight Ilivarra grabbed his hurt wing, pumping a sickly green light into the wound.
Poison.
She threw the gloaming, unable to fly, into the wall, and Maenaz struck him down with Eldritch Doom. Baravar leashed out in fury, bringing down Fire Storm onto the area. Both Maenaz and Ilivarra took damage as they tried to escape it. Maenaz noticed the last one of his fiend-dogs was alive.
- Ilivarra, I can take down this old coot. Take the dog and go slaughter the civilians. Since he penetrated your magic resistance somehow…
- I know this spell. It works only for him, but I doubt his sonny is alive…
- True. Go and do your job. I want this kill for myself. He made me use all of my powers, which I haven’t probably done since I fought Vix’thra. I want him to pay.
- If that is your wish. I want to cut him up really hard once more, too, though.
- You’ve got it.

Maenaz let out a whistle and his dog attacked Baravar, who had to dodge to the side since a wall of flames was placed behind him. There, Ilivarra leashed out at him with a flurry of blows, at pace too great for the old gnome. Then, the fiend struck him to the ground as a pillar of green light surrounded them. The same moment, the drow jumped onto his back and rode to the civilian area, getting out of the area of effect just in time.

The gnome lay there, alive but powerless, and Maenaz decided to savor the moment he defeated a being “whose power was unseen among his race for over two millennia”.
- Did you see ? That’s right. Your poor civilian families are going to be slaughtered, and you can do nothing about it. I was worried for a moment there, but it turned out you can’t do a shit. Guess what ? You gnomes are the second race I take part in whipping off Toril. And it’s getting better. Looking at the last one, I wanted to vomit, looking at you, I just want to laugh.
- You bastard… I’ll never forgive you… You’re worse than the drow…
- You have no idea about my motives, you old coot. You see, women…

Maenaz felt something slick and rubbery touch his leg. Then, suddenly, a mass of twitching, sinuous tentacles came out of the ground around him.
Evard’s Black Tentacles.
Meaning…
Maenaz was struck and tied by the mass, and as he turned his head around, he saw the young gloaming thrusting his rapier into him, and grabbing him with a sickly glowing hand.
Vampiric Touch ?
- Im… impossible… You couldn’t… You’re a fucking midget…You’d have to be… more powerful than…
- Never underestimate the Duskgleam, idiot !

He fired an Orb of Ice straight into his body to finish him off, while Baravar healed himself.
Maenaz noticed that there was something wrong with his eyesight, and he felt terribly cold…
The tentacles let go of him, and he fell onto the ground. Something fell off him and hit the ground next to his head. Baravar was approaching him, apparently planning to finish him off with a touch filled with negative energy.
He looked to the side. A small ring on a chain.
Why wasn’t he wearing it on his neck ?
Wait, it was That Ring.
Yeah…
What would he say ?
“Sorry Aribeth ? I just couldn’t do it ? I was too busy working for Waterdeep, and then the good drow, and then this super-hot chick that took my virginity, and then I got killed because I thought I can kill everyone myself ?”

Or “You know, Nasher was ALMOST right, I think I overreacted, he didn’t have to suffer…”
Damn. He would disappoint himself, Aribeth, and Valsharess in one go.
He pushed himself up, the tentacles wrapping around his ankles and wrists.
- Baravar… tell me something…
- Ahhh, so, warlocks have a tradition of having last wishes. Quickly.
- You fight so hard… out of love for your son and your people… right ?
- Yes, though I doubt you fully understand that.
- So, if I slaughtered your race… and done other things… in name of love, does this lessen my crimes ? Does it give me a hope for a more decent afterlife ? Does this, in any way, make me right, gives me the right to win ?
- Difficult and strange questions. I doubt you’re doing this out of love, but considering the unlikely circumstances you are… The answers are as following : Yes, no, I don’t know.
- That’s all I needed to hear.


Baravar finished his spell and was prepared to deal the finishing blow, but when he looked at this young human, something was wrong. Blood flown out from both of his eyes and onto his cheeks, but it’s color was unnatural, darkened. The black ring around his irises went to consume the entire sclera and “crawled” onto the irises until part of it connected with the pupil, leaving him with the impression that the human’s eyes were gone and replaced with a black mass with a strange green seal in the middle. Then, a strange mark of light appeared on the humans forehead for just a moment, and the man screamed in an inhuman voice.


Maenaz never before let this darkness inside him consume him so completely, he never felt his need for revenge so utterly. He finally realized all the “goodness” in him was gone, and his only purpose was in these dark voices that whispered Aribeth’s name every time he reminded himself of his revenge.
He didn’t need to hold this darkness back from consuming him any longer. All that would remain would be a scarred, cold, aloof spirit and the desire for revenge, and that should define his very being.

Maenaz reached out to strike Baravar with Beshadowed Eldritch Doom, but the power got out of control as he let this evil power augment him and his blast utterly. He felt a touch of his dark desires when he used the Beshadowed Blast for the first time, but this time, it went deeper. He was completely embroiled in the darkness, consumed by it, and it defined that horrifying power he was about to use, one consisting of the complete and utter darkness that was born in his soul on that fateful day his horror begin.

Ilivarra just started slaughtering the civilians when a strange gnome stopped the yugoloth dog in it’s tracks.
It did not have any hands, just a pick-axe and a hammer built into his hands. Ilivarra charged him, commanding the dog to kill the idiot on place, but he struck the beast’s jaw with his hammer as it sundered him, blocking it from biting and destroying on of it’s teeth. It then pushed the pickaxe forcefully deep inside it’s jaw and started hammering at it’s insides, a terrible sound coming from the beast’s skull as it’s “brain” was hacked into pieces.
The dog died in place, and Ilivarra came down from it. She looked at the gnome intensely. She let him get his hand out of the beast and stand up, and even after, she just positioned herself to strike, and did not attack him yet.
- This is rare, to take down such an overgrown fiendish beast in one hit… I am Ilivarra, Right Hand of lady Phaere Barit’tar, the chosen of Jalil Valsharess and a member of the Red Triumvirate. What is your name, svirfneblin Sargtlin ?
- I am Belwar Dissengulp, and I am supposed to guard this place from attempts such as yours now.
- I guess some of my troops already got here. Some perhaps are already killing the civilians. But it seems you’re doing a good job. This place still exists… and you stopped my hound.
- I can stop you as well.
- I doubt it. But this can prove to be enjoyable after those stupid spellcasters.


The two stood against each other, eyeing themselves up. Ilivarra struck first, but Belwar did a good job of dodging her first flurry of blows and striking with his pickaxe. She attempted to kick him away, but he struck her knee with his hammer and immediately pushed her over, attempting to pierce her skull with his pickaxe. She dodged by moving her head in the perfect moment, and pouted her lips, satisfied that she had to be serious against this one. She forced him away a bit and then put her leg in-between them, violently pushing him away with her leg. She couldn’t help grinning after countering her next strike, her blade finally cutting through his flesh.
They clashed again, blow for blow, Ilivarra’s speed turning the advantage to her, but incredibly slowly, being well countered by Belwar’s sharp instincts and two-weapon style. She licked her lips and cast Lesser Vigor upon herself to regain some of the lost strength, as she did not want to give the gnome too much of a handicap. He quickly attacked her during and right after the spellcasting, breaking through her weakened defense and repeatedly smashing and ripping at her body with his weapons. Ilivarra hissed, and kicked him in the head with her knee, then tackling him onto the ground and preparing to strike her sword through his skull. He blocked with his pick-axe and struck her lower body, then quickly flipped over changing their positions. Ilivarra grabbed his hammer-hand, blocking his pick axe with her blade. She licked her lips again.
- You’re good at this. Rare among your race. Was your mother a slave among the drow and one of them decided to unload his sexual frustrations at her ?
- You’re sick.
- It was kind of a compliment, almost.
- Maybe, but a disgusting one. And you’re enjoying this way too much.

He headbutted her and slashed her abdomen with his pickaxe, but she thrown him away, breathing heavily, and grabbed her side. Turning over in a manner that would be more appropriate for playing in bed rather than fighting, she retorted.
- Yes, I enjoy a good fight like hell. I kept fighting all fucking days long, finished with some earth elemental slaying, chosen of God battling and this sort of stuff, and this is truly getting too much for me. If this day will get any better I swear I’m going to get off on fighting alone.
- You really are sick.
- Shut up. Hit me. Hack and batter at me as hard as you fucking can !

She leaped at him, striking him in a graceful but deadly dance, regularly getting through his defenses now. He was in shock and her mind was in a haze, but neither gave up on offense, caution slowly thrown to the wind, especially on Ilivarra’s side.
Belwar used the situation to the best of his abilities, managing to trip her and then quickly hurt her hand and her leg with his weapons. Ilivarra punched him and then attempted to chop him in half, but he ducked under her strike and hit her stomach with his hammer. Then he again went for the skull with his pickaxe, but she dodged perfectly and kicked him onto the ground, then she almost impaled him onto her sword, but he moved enough that she just slashed his side.
- More ! Give me more ! You know you want to rip me to shreds ! Your fucking leader is dying in there ! If you get through me, you may become his last hope !
- Baravar would never fall to the likes of you !
- And you would ? Show me you fucking mean it !

Belwar was almost scared of this woman. Unlike most drow, she allowed him to have a honorable fight, but unlike a certain drow he once met, she had no redeemable qualities. The way she acted shown that the only thing she truly enjoyed was fighting, and it was to an extreme level. She got ecstatic and Belwar was starting to believe she could make true of her “threat” of orgasming from a fight.
She slashed his cheek and made a pirouette that cut both his leg and stomach, but he caught her off balance and leaped at her, pinning her to the ground. She blocked his hammer, but he went for her throat with his pickaxe. Instinctively, she made as sudden move as she could in this situation and instead the pickaxe hit her near the clavicle. She grabbed his hand as she gurgled on blood. Spitting in his face, she tried to pull it out, but he was pressing down on her, the pickaxe ripping at her flesh.
Then she made him realize just how sick she was.
She moaned. It wasn’t a dramatic, full-of-despair-and-pain sort of moan. It was borderline on the one that women made in particularly… pleasant intimate situations.
His eyes widened, and she blushed a bit.
- Sorry, couldn’t hold back. Uhhmmm, could we return to that, please ? I want to finish the fight badly, and you seem out of focus.
- I’m going to kill you, you sick bitch. That’s just too much.

It was her turn to headbutt him, and then she struck him with her palm into his neck. He struggled to breathe, and then was kicked away. She cast Aid on herself and rushed forward, again exchanging blow for blow. She finally thrust her blade into his body, powerfully, and while he tried to dodge back and into the side, the end of the edge thrust through his muscles. She quickly shifted and slashed him with the other end, but he ducked and lodged his pickaxe into her ribs. This time she properly shout in pain, grabbing the connection between his weapon and his arm. She swung her blade down like a guillotine, cutting his pickaxe off just below the place it was connected to.
- Oops, I broke you.

She then finally impaled him onto her blade, and then pushed him off it, pulling the pickaxe out of her wound and tossing it onto him.
- Now that was sooooo good…I doubt you’ll survive, but I won’t finish you off unless that is your wish. I enjoyed myself. That’s a rare act on my side, mind you.
- Do as you wish.
- Don’t say such lines…

She turned around and moved out of this place, leaving the massacre of civilians to the other drow that arrived.
[“That’s just bad… Too much fighting… I’m sooooo fucking wet I was considering raping that stupid handless gnome right after I beat him… so below me…”]
She licked her lips.
[“Ahhh, but there is someone here who would do just fine, if we both weren’t so fucking cut up…”]


A mass of black mist filled with and hued into their color by something which looked like crimson stars came down onto Baravar and freed Maenaz of the tentacles. He rapidly turned away and dropped his sword, charging another blast and firing it into the gloaming. He quickly grabbed Enserric again and started slashing at Rheg, slowly regaining his life energy while at the same time reducing the young gloaming’s body to a mass of cuts and ripped out flesh. He finished the combination with another blast, the winged being falling onto the floor meters further, most assuredly lifeless.
Baravar got up and stroke with Flame Strike again, and as Maenaz was lying on the floor trying to get up, rushed to his son.
Maenaz knew he resurrected the young boy. Something snapped inside of him.
- That’s fucking cheating ! I never had a chance to do that ! Never ! Fuck ! All because of some stupid rules ! Stupid regulations ! All because she had to be killed ! I’ll murder you and send that fucking kid back into the land of the dead !
- I don’t understand what you’re talking about, but if you know what such a loss means, please spare my son if you win !
- Shut up ! Die !

His palm swiftly darted out towards Duskgleam and fired another blast filled with darkness. Maenaz wished for everything around him to die at this moment, and Baravar decided to put everything he had into finishing him off, casting another Firestorm. Maenaz charged onto the svirfneblin mindlessly, kicking him onto the ground and pinning him down, first running him through with Enserric, then blasting his throat with an acidic blast.
Baravar Duskgleam, the chosen of Callarduran and perhaps the greatest one of his race in millennia, drew his last breath as his killer endured the agony brought by his last spell. Maenaz turned his bloodshot eyes to the young man’s body on the floor, crawling towards it. He turned his palm towards the boys head, and then realized something.
What did he just do ?
And just what was he about to do ?
Was this attack in the name of Valsharess really justified by his need of revenge ?
Even if he was developing feelings for Sinvyl as well, was it really okay ?
And most of all, would Aribeth want him to do something like this ? In her name as well ?
He knew this situation all too well.
But if he didn’t finish the boy off, he would spawn another abomination of an avenger, only this time, he would be the object of revenge.
Wouldn’t it be better for the boy if he died ?
Maenaz rolled onto his back, breathing heavily, thinking things through. He realized he was afraid of the dark power he just summoned, that it wasn’t entirely true, what he thought back then.
He heard footsteps. Irregular ones.
He opened his eyes and looked. Ilivarra. He raised on his elbows to signalize that he was victorious and *relatively* fine. She walked to him as he tried to rise.
- You’re hurt, Ilivarra. Guess there was something left to fight ?
- Ye…ah, like… hell.

Her voice was somewhat strange, and she quickened her pace, despite being clearly in pain.
- Is something wrong ?
- Yes… we have a very big problem…

He realized that for some reason she really wanted to come closer. He took a step back instinctively. Something was out of norm here. Her voice was completely different.
- What is it ?
- I’m all fucking wet…

She literally threw herself at him, grabbing his tightly, locking their lips in a kiss. Despite the act, the kiss was strange, almost as if she was shy and embarassed of what she was doing. He broke the contact, and she embraced him strongly, pushing him back. They fell on the floor loudly, and his knee was between her legs.
She definitely wasn’t lying. She was drenched down there. She started rubbing against his knee as she kissed him again. Why was she acting like that ?
- What the hell are you doing ?
- Please ! This is just too much for me ! I need it… now…

She continued rubbing herself off his leg, undoing the metal vest of her armor and throwing it away, her chest now only covered by a slightly ripped leather. He was starting to become erect, as her desperation and aggressiveness would definitely seem hot in any other situation except for one where he was half dead and was about to decide the life of a young boy.
- Ilivarra, this isn’t like you, snap out of it ! Do you know what Valsharess will do ?
- I don’t want to…
She rocked her hips wildly and started rubbing herself off his rapidly hardening member
- To… care about…
Then, she paused for a longer moment, throwing her head back, drawing a deep breath, the tip of her tongue sticking out, and let out a moan that didn’t sound like her at all.
More juices flew out of her, and her body was shaking subtly, her breath tired, hurt, but wanting.
It was startlingly erotic considering the woman on top of him was a psychotic tattooed dark warrior that reached this state after a fight, while bleeding heavily.
Maenaz tried to push her off while his resolve was strong.
- Is that enough ? Stop right…

She pinned him into the ground, grimacing, the look in her eyes mixing anger and pure want. He knew she was strong, but now it turned out she’d have to be at least as strong as he was, and adding the fact that she was a bit less hurt than him and on top, she gained an advantage.
- More… give me your dick… I want it…
- Ilivarra, the consequences !
- I’ll fuck you through the goddamn floor !

He got angry. Ilivarra acted like she was out of her mind and obviously wasn’t thinking clearly. The mood was rather bad right now, they were covered in blood, their life still in danger, Valsharess might find out about this and what she was doing ? Coming from rubbing herself off him and wanting more, in a situation like this ?
Maenaz almost considered it, and would probably have accepter out of excitement with her behavior, if the situation only was a bit different.
So, he did something which would distract her for a moment.
He bit her nipple through the leather and flipped her over.
She moaned, but realized he was going no further than that.

- Ilivarra, I don’t know what happened, but you’re not thinking straight ! I’m already set to be Valsharess’ consort and she would probably kill you and put me at unspeakable consequences if she found out ! You’d probably regret it even if she didn’t ! Snap out of it !

She breathed heavily, and her cheeks started to blush a deep red.
She calmed down. It seemed unbelievable, but she was ashamed, and that was…
Well, cute.
- I… am sorry. You know how excited I get in a fight. I’ve been fighting nonstop for days, some of those fights were pretty good, and today was so exciting, my body went overdrive and.. I actually… I got…
- Aroused ?
- Yes… And I kept fighting like that, but I couldn’t take it anymore… Ever since I saw what you could do, I wanted to fight you really badly, but it wasn’t the only feeling I felt…
What the hell was that ? She wasn’t even behaving like a drow, not to mention like herself.
- What do you mean ?
- I suppose… I find you intriguing, and…- she stopped, searching for a good word - I like you. A lot. And when I was so aroused and you were so close by, I…got confused. I… will not ask you to leave Valsharess for me… But, let’s make a good team from now on. After all, you’ll be a part of Red Triumvirate. And spar with me sometimes.
- I see nothing wrong with that. You’ve got it.
She smiled.
- You really are intriguing. I… I suppose you think I’m really fierce, right ? I extremely enjoy fighting, and I’m… rarely like that... Like now. Sorry. It won’t happen again. And…
[“Wait, wait, wait, Ilivarra, what the hell are you doing ?” – she thought “What the hell are you talking about ! This is Valsharess’ mate, probably your new superior, and you’re showing your weaknesses to him just like that ?? Why do… I want him so badly ?”] She closed her eyes, drawing a deep breath. [“No, I cannot, I will not, why am I like that ? This man almost killed me once…That’s not the way to talk to a male… I hate it !”]
- What is it ?
Ilivarra suddenly hit him on the head.
- “What is it” Why the hell’re ya still pinning me to the ground ? Get off me !
- Hey, it’s you who started talking like a…
- Shut up ! I’m not some sissy ! Forget what I said, we have work to do !

Then, the boy on the floor moved.
Ilivarra knew nothing of his predicament before she showed up, and apparently acted reflexively, piercing his chest with her sword.
He didn’t want to show mercy as he knew Ilivarra was a drow after all, but that darker part of him felt relief that now he did not have to make the choice himself.
He knew he should have been sad.
- They just won’t stay dead. Let’s go back, we need to report back to…
She chuckled.
- …To Sinvyl.
- You’re still going on about that ?
- How sweet of you to call her like that. I think I’m going to puke.
- Oh, shut up. By the way, what you told me in the beginning, about watching my back, what does it mean ?
- Oh, it’s a drow proverb. “Those who watch their backs meet death from the front”.
- Optimistic.
- Isn’t it ?

So, Valsharess’ lover boy was taking part in almost total destruction of a relatively innocent race of underground gnomes.
Nothing better than genocide, Samael though.
At one point during the fight, he even felt a small pulse of absolute darkness that came when Maenaz used his new power, and was very satisfied.
It turned out he was growing just the right way.
Samael just had to make sure he will not forget about what brought him here, which was apparently revenge.
A very good motive to be evil. Revenge could fill people with his honey, malice, and his ambrosia, spite, the delicious feelings mixing until the avenger was no longer looking for true justice – he wanted the object of vengeance to suffer, often beyond reason and far beyond the weight of his crime.
All that was needed to cause this was a push in the right direction. The push he hoped the human’s confusion about Valsharess would help him provide.

Valsharess greeted them happily when they returned, quickly pulling Maenaz physically close to herself as she spoke about the meeting she would held about the reconstruction of the Red Triumvirate.
Ilivarra looked at all that, a bit hurt and angry inside.
She naked herself emotionally like never before, shown himself her very weakest part, a part she was utterly ashamed off and always tried to drown in tons of blood and the excitement fighting brought her…
And she was turned down for this smooth seductress whose whole power came from some archdevil.
Dissapointing.
She promised herself she would grow stronger and eventually get over him completely. And perhaps try to kill either him or her.
And she suddenly felt like a drow again.


Valsharess, the Red Triumvirate (in the “full” squad of two people), a few Elite Red Sisters, Maenaz, and Elamash were gathered in a large chamber. Valsharess stepped forward and spoke out.
- We gathered here to speak of a certain change in our chain of command. I decided to introduce our newest ally, Maenaz Carn’renor, into the Red Triumvirate on the basis of his power and devotion to our cause.
- But Jalil Valsharess, the Red Triumvirate always consisted of drow females only !
- Isn’t it up to me, really ? None of you can match Maenaz in a fight. So silence your dumb ambition and accept my will.
The drow females went silent.
- Are you sure he can be trusted, Empress ?
- We’re drow. Trust shouldn’t be an issue to us as long as he is doing his job.
- And what will his position be ?
Valsharess smirked.
- The latest mission was a test for him, and he passed it, in a way that lived up to my expectations of him.
- Meaning ?
- Meaning he officially became my consort and the Chosen of the Empress, making him the Head of the Triumvirate. From today on, Phaere is the Right Hand, and Ilivarra is the Left Hand.

A woman similar to Valsharess, but not to the point of them being sisters, identified as Phaere, got up.
- I refuse, cousin ! A male doesn’t deserve a position that was held by your closest relative !
- Isn’t it left for me to decide who deserves what, Phaere Barit’tar ?
- As I said, granting the second position in the chain of command…
- I promised Maenaz we’ll be pretty much equal in our alliance.
- That’s unthinkable ! Blasphemy !
Maenaz stood there, a satisfied smirk on his face. Things were going well after all, despite him being initially worried with the testing thing.
- Think this through again, cousin ! Did I ever do something to displease you, to fail you ? And now you want to replace me, the only family you’ve got, your most devoted servant, with a rivvin male ?
- He’s my consort. He surpasses drow males and females alike. He is close to me, shares my plans and ambitions, and my bed. He even spills his seed into me. Tell me, Phaere, who in this situation should I treat more like a family ?
- Damn you, Rivvin !

Phaere turned her hand to him, his eyes widening as he dropped his crossed arms and quickly darted his left hand forward. She fired an Eldritch Blast, to which he responded with one of his own. Her energy was quickly pushed back and the blast reached her, forcing her into her sit and breaking it with the force of impact.
Valsharess was not at all displeased with this demonstration.
- Cousin, all I did so far led us to this point, and I never made a mistake. Believe in me, for I am the answer to Lloth’s departure. Are you going to throw away your loyalty just because of a change
in title ? Just because someone so powerful as him appeared doesn’t mean you should abandon me because I want to reward him in the way he deserves.
- I am respectfully sorry, cousin. It won’t happen again.
Despite these words, she still stared at him with a mix of fear, anger and hatred in her eyes.
But his eyes responded with the equal amount of contempt.