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[SaintZenn]

Chapter 40: Memories Of The Family

T'puuli Wylth as he was know, was the house assassin. She didn?t know his real name, only that he was a cousin that she had been raised with. Of course T'puuli Wylth was a hundred years older than her but it was almost the same as being raised together. She loved her home and her sisters, Nedylene and Zesstra, but it was P?puuli Wylth that was her favorite. She was the youngest noble in her house. Wylth spent most of his time with her when he wasn?t assassinating the bad drow that still plagued their house. He told her of how the city had come to be a free worship city for all drow.

?You see, my mother only had sons, my older brothers. When I was around, say a hundred, our grandmother, the Matron Mother wanted to sacrifice me to Lolth. Apparently in one of the bigger cities there had been a drow who destroyed an entire house. Something about the third born male being bad, good, whatever. Anyhow, Wodaonar came in during the sacrifice and had just returned from the surface. He saw what was happening and cast a spell called ?Imprison? that he had learned on the surface. And like that, Veldrin, our grandfather, became Matron Father.?

Was his explanation that he gave her when she ask about the history of the city. Of course there was more than just that, she found out. Wodaonar had been on his first outing and had been captured by elves. Moon elves to be exact. One brave woman decided to show him the beauty of the surface world. Not to kill him as most would have done. (Of course she didn?t understand at the time why they would kill him for being a drow.) Wodaonar reveled the mindless bloodshed in the Spider-bitch?s name. (But apparently, most of the commoners didn?t care for it.) He had brought much glory to the old Matron Mother. Meanwhile, Veldrin had been planning a revolt for ages but lacked the way to do it.

He stayed with the elf and her companions for decades, learning that he could be accepted and was the first to start a trade agreement between the two cities. He wanted to free his people, he knew that if one like him could be saved from the spider pits, all could be. He came back with his moon elf lover and freed the city from the evil Matron Mother?s clutches and Veldrin ruled in her place.

Inspired by the tale of Wodaonar?s actions, she started to learn wizardry. It came easily. Diaytha and Mithykyl were her constant companions. Diaytha was her foster mother as her mother had died when she was young. Mithykyl was an illithid and was a servant to the family. She was told that Mithykyl used to be her twin brother and he did not need to eat brains. (That was odd.) He did help Wylth to destroy the bad ones. They were loyal to Sendai and so was Wylth, because they alone knew her secret.

When the Matron Mother had been banished, all forms of religion had started. Sendai had grown up worshiping Eilistraee with Wylth, who took her to the surface on night when they were children and danced under the stars together. They danced, oh how they had danced. Life was good. It was a happy time to be a Drow.

Then one night when they reached the surface they found that their kin that had been living at the temple had been slaughtered. Sendai saw that even the children had been killed. When they, (they being her cousins, Diaytha, Mithykyl and some half elves that lived in the city), came out of the cave with their family and found that they were greeted by another sight, elves in green armor stood there with bows trained on them and demanded the release of their brethren. Standing in their mists was a woman with a gold crown and a cruel smile. She was the one that had ordered the destruction of Sendai?s people.

It didn?t make sense to her at the time. There were moon and sylvan elves visiting the city, goldies never came down. They were too tight assed about themselves, Wylth had explained to her.

?Where is Queen Uruviel? She knows that the Drow from our city have had a peace agreement with her for the past two hundred years!? Wylth demanded of the golden elves.

?You dare to question Queen Ellesime, creature? Just who do you think you are?? The man standing to this ?queen? asked. ?She is the daughter of Rillifane. She has claimed the city from traitor Uruviel!?

?That?s enough, Joneleth. These things have no need to know of our noble ways.? The ?Queen? spoke.

?Things!? We are elves too, lady! You killed peaceful followers of Eilistraee. Tell me, did you give them warning they were going to be slaughtered? What are you Shevarash worshipers, to attack innocent drow?? Diaytha screamed.

?You dare to dirty Shevarash?s name with your lips!?? A black haired goldie said in return. ?There is no such thing as innocent drow. Only dead drow.? Sendai had seen this scary goldie before but not in armor, in tight leather with the ssins d'aerth at the inn.

?Enough Bodhi. Joneleth the spell!? The ?Queen? commanded.

?Yes, Drow, this is a freedom spell. If you do not comply with our terms we will read it.? The mage said as he pulled out a scroll.

?Wodaonar, translation. Now.? Wylth ask his brother.

?Matron Mother Ard- Oh gods, this is not good Wylth! Lolth will return!? Sendai was worried as all the drow looked very pale in the moonlight. They must have been talking about the Matron Mother that had been imprisoned before she was born. She tried thinking of who Lolth was but no one had ever told her, only telling her that Wylth assassinated the ones that worshiped her. She knew that whoever this Lolth was, it was evil. She thought that maybe it was a god. ?We will have every elf out of the city before sunrise...and the half elves too. We will do what ever you want. Just don?t read that scroll.?

?We just want the pure elves out of the city. I care nothing for those who are not The People... Tell me out of curiosity what will happen if I read this scroll??

?Death in multitudes of our people.? Wodaonar answered.

?Idiot! Honest but still an idiot! Your people, the moon and sylvan visit us from the city, Suldanessellar, where they live, they are there. They would be killed too.? The ?queen? looked bored and yawned.

?We have no need of them. After all it is the golden,? Bodhi snickered, ?rule that shall come to pass.?

?Wait! There is a gold elf in the city, he wanted to see...our...private altar. Shit! We just let the real person in that?s going to cast the spell, didn?t we?? Wylth slapped his forehead. ?I?m surround by idiots! You know I?m really surprised at this point that our surname isn?t ruzzo'iso t'zarrethen.? He mumbled. There were sounds coming out of the cave that they had come from. A tall black hair woman came out with several others. It was the moon elf and her companions. They would be able to save the city! They all had swords or other weapons and were ready to fight.

?The Drow have come far to improve themselves and you would risk their place in the afterlife, for what? I will not be part of this! In fact I think I will oppose you. Drow, go back inside and save yourselves. Keep the old bitch from coming back.? She smiled as her and her companions ran forward. ?Woe, be careful.? She added sofly.

?You too, my moon goddess.?

?Wodaonar, head back in your pants. You go back and make sure the old hag doesn?t get out! Diaytha and I will get Sendai away from her. I will return when they are safe.?

?See to it brother.? He said as he and fellow drow ran back into the caverns to prevent the city from reverting to it?s old ways all too soon. Wylth, Diaytha, Mithykyl and herself ran away from the fighting and the caverns into the night. They ran until they saw the shore on the horizon. It was half way through the night already.

?We are far from Ust Natha, keep your hoods up, take this gold and head to Skullport. Speak only common. Don?t trust anyone, not even other Drow. Hid your holy symbols. Just get away. I must help my brothers. Don?t let anyone hurt Sendai.? He said as he removed his white gold necklaces and rings. ?I will come for you if I can.? He said to them. Mithykyl waved his tentacles around and changed his appearance to a human male. ?Good idea.?

?Wylth! Please be careful. Come back to me cousin.? Sendai called.

?I will try. Pray to your father little Sendai, he is after all the patron of assassins. Diaytha, it?s time she was told of her father. Her truth father.? And then he was gone.

---

?Praise be to the Dark Maiden you are alive!?

?Diaytha, keep your voice down. I?m not really safe at this moment.? The whispered response came through the crystal orb. Sendai picked over her foster-mother shoulder and frowned at the site that greeted her. It was T'puuli Wylth, or at least his head and his shoulders, the rest of his body covered with a dirty sheet. He didn?t look well, he looked thinner, almost broken. That really couldn?t be Wylth!

?What happened to you?? Sendai whispered.

?She was set free... Wodaonar changed into a drider... Everyone else given to the handmaidens... I was the longest... They drove Veldrin mad...?

?Are you still in the city??

?No... She forced me into my natural form... throwing me into the spider-pits... I escaped... Wodaonar saved me... Waited until I was bound almost completely in the cocoon... I changed back... they all think I?m still being held by the handmaidens... Only Sola and mother know my true form... The Matron forgot already...?

?Where are you now?? Diaytha asked gently.

?Ship... with humans... they think I?m a blessing...or something... I don?t know where I?m going...?

?Can you escape??

?All I do is lie here... The pain is on the inside... The handmaidens... I will never touch another female...? He shuddered at his personal nightmares.

?We?ll find you!? Sendai cried out.

?NO!? He yelled, then weakly lifted his head and looked around. ?You are special Sendai... Adalon... promised we would meet again... Promise me not to trust anyone... especially humans... they are evil more evil than I thought... Be good Sendai...Be... goo-? The crystal went black and they couldn?t make contact no more.

---


Sendai opened her eyes. She had been dreaming of her cousin, her family. She had learned that Wylth was living under a different name now. In his natural form, still an assassin. Her sisters had been punished and had accepted the Spider-queen and now worked slave routes, something that had been put a stop to before her time. She knew that her family had been different, her city had been different. The males had aspired to something more than flesh to trade, they had changed the city. It took one spell and a pissed off Lolth to change all that.

She lived in Skullport now, studying under other faithful of Eilistraee. She was happy with her life... but she yearned to be more. She knew now what she was and there were whispers in her dreams promising her more. She could be more than the next drow. She wanted all drow to know there was a choice out there, that Lolth wasn?t the answer. Of course, the elves of Suldanessellar would have to pay... No, that was the taint talking. War was not the answer. Hatred only bred more hatred.

But when she remembered seeing the state that Wylth had been in, all those years ago, she hated her own kind. After her foster mother told her of the old ways of the drow, she knew that what happened to Ust Natha was unquie, something that would probably never happen again. She wanted it to happen again though. Maybe if there was someone stronger than Eilistraee...

She pushed her head under the pillow, wanting to sleep some more, but didn?t dare. The dreams reminded her of what she lost and what she could gain. The door to her room was flung open and she found Diaytha standing there.

?Good morning my child. I brought you some texts for you to study and there?s a full moon tonight, you know what that means.?

?A hunt and a dance.? Sendai smiled. ?Diaytha, do you miss the others?? The older woman looked shocked.

?Of course I do, they gave their lives for what they believed in.? She smiled gently and came over to her young foster daughter. ?They all knew what you are and want only the best for you.? She said as she brushed the girl?s silver hair.

?I?m thinking of using a spell to find out what the others would have wanted.? She said.

?Then do it. Find what is in their hearts and in your own, make the world tremble if that?s what you want.? Diaytha said with force. Sendai nodded and hopped out of bed and walked over to her desk. In a jar were some spiders, just little things, that everyday drow saw. She opened it and poured them into her hand gently.

?Find my family, find their desires, my creatures!? The spiders acknowledged what she said and all of them went away. After a few minutes she remember something. ?Crap, Wylth is afraid of spiders! Oops.?

[SaintZenn]

Chapter 41: A letter

Anni sat at her desk wearing her leather and fishnet clothing. Edwin had ruined the last robe of hers. So she had brought new robes, this time she got white with black outlining it. It was a change but she felt she needed something to distant herself from Edwin. Something that wouldn?t remind her of him every time she looked at her robes. She had been measured for them earlier this week, after she said good-bye to Edwin, and were waiting to be picked up.

She stared at the piece of parchment in front of her, she had been stalling for a whole week with this letter. She knew she needed to write something but all these emotions kept hitting her when she thought about who she was writing to. Who was she writing to? Why who else but Edwin?s beloved teacher. Okay, she could do this. It wasn?t like he would kill her.

She hoped.

She picked up her quill and started to write;

?Dear Master Dekaras,

I don?t know if you know me, but I am the leader of Edwin?s adventuring party. I am Anni. I write you this not to worry you or upset you but for you to please come get Edwin. I am sure by now you have hear of the ?Nether Scroll? incident where Edwin turned himself into a woman.? Anni sighed, if this Dekaras didn?t know someone might as well tell him, plus it would help to emphasis the reason why Edwin needed to go home and be taken care of. ?Do not worry, he is male again and as red blooded as his cloak as he would say. He recently lost parts of his memory, he was poisoned by the goddess Talona, with a drow poison that affects the part of the memory that stores loved ones. He had forgotten you and his mother, but not his father. Earilier this week, he tried another Nethese spell, which was to bind my heart to his. He wanted me for his own but was cursed instead to fall in love with me.?

Dekaras didn?t need to know that she had loved Edwin. It was better if that was left secret. ?Edwin now is obsessed with me. He is over protective, jealous and cannot function as a group member. I ask that you take him back to Thay and prevent further mishaps from happening to him. I was told the love spell will lessen with time and space. I have neither for him. I simply don?t want him around anymore.

Signed,
Anni of Candlekeep

P.S. Do not think of killing me. I carry Edwin?s son.?

There that was simple, non-offensive and straight to the point. She really hoped that- no she didn?t care. She decided. What her and Edwin had was over. She would never see him again after they went on that ship. Thinking about it made her sad. She didn?t want to go, she was sad to leave the city but would be happy to get her sister back. She stared at the letter and added:

?P.S.S. I really feel that this is all your fault. If it wasn?t for Edwin constant need to impress you somehow this would have never happened. I know you have never out right said, ?Boy, you need to do something impressive.? or anything like that. But do you realize how much pressure he feels to do something that will impress you and his mother? All of this could have been avoided if you would just tell him you love him once and a while. That is if you do. Which I think you do. I don?t think you?re the type to play with people?s hearts. Even if that is Edwin?s style.?

She looked it over and smiled. There! Let that be a lesson to Edwin?s teacher. She thought for a moment and added:

?P.S.S.S. I saw Malek, Edwin?s and my son, in a vision. I must say he has a very prominent nose. Like someone from dear Edwin?s drawings. You know how good of an artist he is."

---


Anni posted the letter at the nearby Jansen Fax. They claimed they could find anyone in Toril. Other realms cost more, so here?s hoping that Edwin?s teacher was on Toril. Well, if he wasn?t it would just take a little longer for the letter to get there. They did promise they went to any realm in three days or less... And personally insured that a Jansen family member would deliver it. For some reason that was the cheapest delivery.

After posting the letter, Minsc accompanied her to the temple district, she wanted to go to the temple of Lathander and see if anything could be done.

?Boo does not see what?s wrong with little Anni. See how Boo and Minsc proudly wear their scars? That is how you should be! Ooh, look at all the people. Wave to the hamster, people! WAVE!? He held Boo out in front of him when they neared a large gathering of people. Some turned to stare at him while children laughed.

?Oh, Minsc. In here I think.? She pulled him into the temple not caring about the gathering of people. She had enough trouble. Inside the temple it was beautiful, there was a statue of the Morning Lord, his arms raised up holding a sphere of light. The windows were high and clear, facing east, allowing the day?s light to shine through. Everything was done in hues of the morning. She felt odd being here. She had been in the city for months but had gone to lengths to avoid the temples. She didn?t know if she fitted as a Lathanderian anymore. Her past life she had worshiped Ilmater along with her mother and sisters. So what did that make her now?

She remembered now that Revan had given up Arvandor to be with her three daughters, Anni, Imoen and Jessie. Though really Anni was the only one related to Revan by birth. She didn?t understand how Revan could be so loyal to Bhaal when he had cheated on her so many times. Of course moon elves weren?t know for their fidelity. She would have to ask Bhaal sometime. Her attention was drawn by a rather attractive woman who walked up to her.

The woman was a young human a little older than Anni?s age, she smiled shyly at Anni, but she recognized the way that the woman was looking at her. She smiled friendly in return, the same heat in her eyes. A distraction would be nice to get her mind off of Edwin. Plus if Edwin found out she was with another person, maybe it would make him angry enough that he would forget about her for a while. After all, he had thought she was cheating on him at one point, his reaction had been...well... it had been physical. But he had forgiven her apparently as he had made a deal with Talona to bring her back.

?Boo? Why is that woman looking at our witch like that? And why is our witch all red now?? Minsc?s voice boomed out in the quiet temple. It was true. With Minsc?s innocent yet loud question, she was now quite red.

?Greetings, I am Dawnlord Jezebel Locke. May I help you?? The woman smiled.

?I have... scars that I want removed.? The woman frowned.

?Poor child, may I see them??

?I-ah- They are not fit for public viewing.?

?Why don?t we go somewhere more private?? Jezebel held out her hand and shyly Anni took it and let the woman draw her into one of the priestesses? chambers. Minsc took the hint and stood guard outside the door. ?Now isn?t this better? Just the two of us. No men.? She said seductively.

?Y-yes.? Anni was nervous. With that stupid mark of Edwin?s there was no telling of what the woman would think. ?It?s been a while for me.? She said with a shy smile.

?Ah, do not be nervous. Let Jezebel take care of you.? The priestess helped Anni out of her clinging clothes and just stared at her. ?Poor thing, was someone rough with you?? She tsked.

?No, I was-? Anni stopped and smiled slightly. She didn?t need another person pitying her. ?Don?t worry were they came from, okay? Is there a way to remove them??

?Oh yes, I?ve done so before. Now just stay still while Auntie Jezebel takes care of this.? The woman turned her around and started with her back. ?Oh, Bodhi it?s your handiwork?? She muttered.

?What did you say?? Anni started to turn around but she was stopped by the hands on her back.

?I said, ?Oh lordy whose handiwork???

?Oh, okay.? Jezebel put her hands on the half elf?s back and they felt warm yet cool. They smoothed her skin like it was clay. Her scars disappeared under the cleric?s administrations. Turning around the woman worked on the scars on the front of Anni?s body and soon she was left feeling warm and fuzzy inside. When she was done, Jezebel smiled and put her arms around her.

?Now my payment.? She said before she kissed Anni. She pushed Anni down on the bed and disrobed before joining her. She noticed that Jezebel had marks on her neck and wrists but was quickly distracted. The two women kissed, their hands finding each other?s sensitive spots on their bodies. Anni fought for control and won, her long hair her covering her partner as she kissed and licked.

She always found it a thing of beauty for two women to be together. She always found herself taking control and pleasuring the woman. It felt more natural than being with... with anyone. Bodhi ruined that for her and she couldn?t give herself over to the act anymore, not completely. She felt different this time. Edwin was in her thoughts and she couldn?t get him out of there. It made everything feel wrong. And not the good wrong but the worst kind. It didn?t help every time she looked down at her own chest she could see that mark and it appeared like he was frowning, instead of smiling.

She rose from what she was doing and sat back on her heels. ?I can?t do this. I?m sorry.? She finally said to her gasping partner.

?What? Why?? The woman?s hands roamed Anni?s body, trying to pull her back down.

?I just can?t. I?m sorry.? She got up and started to get dressed. She couldn?t help noticing that there were little brown hairs on her pants. Looking around she saw Boo by the door, watching her. -Great. A peeping hamster. What?s next?- She was going to have to speak to Minsc about Boo.

?Well this is disappointing. Mistress Bodhi told me that you were good, but she always had to have Jon cast dominate on you first.? Anni?s heart forget to beat while the words sunk in. ?Oh well, I?ll just take you to her now.? Suddenly the world was spinning and the floor rushed at her, she lost the breath in her lungs and could see a little hamster crawling under the door, a tan hand picking it up. -Nevermind about telling Boo he was bad.- Was her last thought as the door slammed open and unfortunately into her head.


---

?My child, why is it, you always invite trouble?? Bhaal asked her as she appeared in the darkness. Light started to filter in and she saw a humble home. Her father was sitting at the dining table with a little boy sitting across from him, coloring. She recognized the boy as her son Malek, who stopped coloring to run over to her.

?Hi Mommy!? He hugged her. ?Everything will be fine, Uncle Minsc is taking care of you.? He said smiling as he pulled her over to the table. He sat back down and showed her his drawing. For a ten year old it was remarkably good. She could recognize Edwin, Malek and herself, oh and Sarevok but she didn?t know the others. There was a little girl with black hair, an older woman in red robes who looked like she was having an argument with a woman in red and violet, a man all in black who was having a staring contest with a man all in white, who she finally realized was Bhaal. Standing next to Sarevok was a man, no, a boy that looked just like him, except with hair.

?Who?s the little girl??

?That?s my sister Talia, Mommy. She isn?t ready yet.?

?Malek about that, I don?t know if you?ll have any siblings for a while. Me and Daddy...? How could she explain this?

?Don?t worry Mommy, everything will work out fine. See even Grandma Revan will be there.? He pointed to the woman in red and violet.

?Don?t tell her how Malek. It?s a secret.? Bhaal said as he smiled. She looked at her father and raised an eyebrow.

?Do tell.?

?I?ve been sworn to silence by the lord of lords.? Bhaal?s smile widened. Seeing that her father had no intention of telling her anything she turned back to her son.

?Tell me who all the others are.?

?That?s Dekkie,? He pointed to the man in all black, ?He?s having a staring contest with Grandpa,? He then whispered to her, ?Grandpa always loses,? He pointed to the woman in the red robes, ?That?s Grandma Elvie, she?s talking to Grandma Revan, who?s trying to calm her down because she?s always getting mad at Daddy and Dekkie. Oh and I can?t tell you yet who?s standing next to Uncle Sarrey.? She smiled and kissed the top of his head.

?You?re so good Malek. I?m going to be real proud of you.?

?I know Mommy. Daddy?s got a surprise for you.?

?Oh really??

?Yeah! It?s the kind that Grandpa and me can?t watch. Don?t worry about it.? He smiled and pushed her out the door, much to her protests. When she went through the door she was back in the void.

Next: Edwin's surprise!

[SaintZenn]

Chapter 42: A nice dream?


Anni wasn?t floating in the void anymore. In fact she was being held gently. She opened her eyes to find a very naked Edwin holding her. It felt too good, she didn?t want to move. She stared at Edwin, admiring his beauty. She had known men that were more handsome than him, nicer, smarter, stronger, but none of them had been better than him.

?Am I still dreaming?? She asked softly. He smiled brilliantly at her.

?Quite. Tell me why I am in your dreams??

?If you don?t know, you never will.? She smiled and raise a hand up to touch his face. She gently tugged on his chain to his earing and pulled him down to her. She kissed him, her brush with Bodhi?s servant making her wish this was real. She wanted this dream. She wanted to be loved even if it was only a dream. As he kissed her, she was laid down on the bed so he could climb atop of her. She moaned as she felt his body press against hers. She gasped as she felt his hands move down her body, causing him to raise up and stare at her body.

?Where are the scars? (Not even a glimmer spell is that powerful.)? He sounded confused.

?I had them removed. I didn?t want anyone else throwing them in my face so to speak.?

?Anni, you were beautiful with them, I?m sorry for what I said to you, about being pitied.?

?They were part of a past I have to move forward with. You were only being honest.?

?No. I wasn?t.? He said quietly. He licked his suddenly dry lips. ?I didn?t want the feeling I had for you when I woke up, I want to push you away.? He sighed and sat back on his heels. ?I didn?t like my feelings, a Red Wizard shouldn?t have such weak feelings. I wanted you gone, but I realized that I had dug a hole for myself.

"I couldn?t return to Thay, so I decided that I could take advantage of you. I saw everything I said about my homeland anger you and I decided that the spell would place you under my thrall, then you wouldn?t try leaving me as you seemed to be the only one that... that cared.? He finished with a sigh. ?We both know how that worked out. (Much to my disappointment.)? Anni sighed, if only the real Edwin would make this kind of confession. She knew this was just a dream, was this what she really wanted? She thought for a moment and remembered something.

?Edwin, you said to me that our subconsciousness were merged, so does that mean this is really you or am I just having you say what I want??

?There is only one Edwin Odesseiron. (Unless of course you use certain spells.) Here I can say what I want. (And suffer minimal punishment.)?

?And why are we both naked?? She raised an eyebrow.

?To better show our vulnerable sides. I must say you have a very beautiful vulnerable side.? He smiled wickedly as he leaned down to kiss her. He kept his body from touching hers as he gently claimed her mouth. Anni found herself wanting more, she just couldn?t fight her attraction to him. -Gods! He?s turned me into his personal whore!- She pushed him away and glared at him, on the verge of tears.

?Get away from me Edwin. Unless you want to find out if you can die in my dreams.? She hissed at him.

?I have *not* turned you into my personal whore. I admit I tried to do that but as you recall I reversed the spell.?

?Oh, great. You can hear me think. Get out of my dream!? She shouted. -I hate you. I hate you.- She sobbed in her mind.

?I will not. I can keep you here indefinitely. I want this resolved between us.?

?There is nothing to resolve. You are going home and I am getting Imoen back.?

?Yes, your beloved Imoen. Tell me do you just wish her back as a friend or a lover??

?She?s my sister!? She hissed. She hated Bhaal for never telling her, she hated more that she had enjoyed such things with her blood sister. She remembered that they had an uneasy truce between them when they first met each other. Anni had thought Gorion want to replace her with a pure human and Imoen had just wanted someone to play with. She had slowly accepted Imoen as her friend, more so when they became teens. Simon helped. He came to them as teens, introduced them to the music of the worlds, the food, (Thank the gods that she couldn?t get fat...), the different religions of Faerun.

Both Anni and Imoen had fell in with a Sharess cult at one pain, a strictly female sect. Simon had tried to discourage what happened between the two of them but they didn?t listen. Gorion had taken them away from Simon at that point and the girls hid their affair from him. Then one day Anni started to hear Bhaal, not as she used to like a dull noise in the background, but as if he was just behind her. Two things chased away Bhaal, sex and music. Imoen was more than ready to ?help? Anni chase away Bhaal. She would always top the half-elf. Imoen became an expert in many things and had basically set the ways of Anni?s sexual appetites.

The thoughts twisted Anni?s stomach, she remembered everything vividly. How had she been such a fool? Her thoughts were interrupted by a snapping of fingers in front of her face. She looked at Edwin, not knowing and fearing that he had heard her thoughts.

?Anni you were an orphan, all you knew was that Gorion was not your father. Imoen was just another child he brought home, there is no way you could have known that she was one of the Children of Bhaal. Think about it, you have very different dispositions, she?s very cheerful and flighty while you are more...naive and you take things more to heart and allow them to scar you, if not physically than mentally.? He received a glare for that. ?Also Imoen doesn?t appear affected by her Bhaal taint, you get.. moody.?

?Moody!?? She shrieked.

?Yes, quite. And also your voice takes on a shrillness.? She growled at him. ?Look at your physical traits, she has pink hair every where, you can only grow black hair on your head, a lot at that. Look at it, it?s longer than you are. (Not that I?m complaining.) She has blue eyes, while yours are the deepest black. (One can get lost in them.) Her skin has a slight pink undertone, while you have beautiful grey skin. She has small round ears, while you have long pointed ears.? He stroked one of the ears in question. ?Very sensitive ears I might add.? He said as she shivered. ?There is nothing alike between you that would have told you were sisters.? He finished.

Edwin wiped away her tears and put his arms around her, kissing her ear. She stayed with her arms limp and just sat there while he held her. She couldn?t think of anything to say, where there really any words? She finally put her arms around him and rested her head on his shoulder. He stroked her back, turning his head to kiss her shoulder.

He laid her down gently on the bed and started to kiss her slowly at first but with increasing desire. She closed her eyes and let him for the first time in over a week. She had a thought from him. He never really kissed a person unless he cared, otherwise he kept them from kissing him. In his whole life he had only kissed three people, Hermione, the head of the Sharess cult, a boy named Ron at wizarding school and herself. He was on his elbows and slipping something around her neck.

?Lift your head.? He said and she obeyed without looking. ?There that?s better.? She opened her eyes and noticed that something was wrong with his appearance. Oh, he looked okay, but he was missing something. She felt around her neck and realized his amulet was on her.

?Edwin?? She asked as he back off her and smiled.

?Marry me Anni.?

[SaintZenn]

Chapter 43:

Anni could still taste Edwin, she had her eyes closed and could feel him leaning over her she wrapped her arms around him and kissed him on the lips. Something was odd... His hair wasn?t this long or braided and he didn?t have long pointed ears. ?Mppphhh!? The apparently not Edwin said against her lips. Anni let go and sat up and collided with a very hard head.

?Ow! This is so not a nice way to wake up.?

?Just what were you dreaming of child??

?Oh hello Jaheira. How are you?? She rubbed her head and laid back down.

?I was just checking on you. That was a nasty head blow you received. You slept most of the night away and I?m glad that you are looking better. I could have gone without the kiss.?

?Yeah, sorry about that. I thought you where Edwin.?

?About Edwin, he left during the night. No one knows when or they aren?t talking.?

?He left? But...? Anni broke into tears and pulled the covers over her head. The druid sighed, she would blame this on the pregnancy but the girl had always been temperamental.

?Child, He left a magically sealed package for you. I believe it will explain things.? She placed a package on the side of the bed. ?I?m going to have Minsc bring up some food. You need rest and to relax. Try not to worry about Edwin.? The druid left after patting Anni on the sheet covered head. After hearing the door close Anni peeked out and saw no one was there and finally came from under the covers. She looked at the wrapped book and card attached to it and opened the card slowly, scared of what she would find.

?To my moon goddess,

I have left to fix the little problem with your letter. I cannot doubt that this Dekaras will be pleased. I will return. I left you something more fitting for you to wear on my return. I expect your answer when I do.

Your Red Wizard?

Anni warily opened the box and looked inside. It was a nightgown, a pure white one. She pushed back the covers and saw she was still in her leather and fishnet clothing. She removed the clothes and tried on the nightgown, lacing the front up. It was almost sheer, she thanked the gods that she didn?t grow hair anywhere else but on her head as she looked in the mirror. The white brought out the greyness in her skin, somehow making it darker against all the white purity. Her lips which were a darker shade of grey stood out and speaking of standing out she could clearly see her nipples. The neck line was low enough that she could see Edwin?s mark clearly. The material was smooth and she could begin to think of what it was made of.

She smiled, he didn?t have to buy her this. Then she noticed something that was hanging around her neck. Edwin?s amulet! She reached up to take it off but she couldn?t get it off, in fact every time she tried she received a little shock to her hands. She guessed that only Edwin could take it off. She heard a knock at the door and ran back into bed and pulled the covers up.

?Come in!? She said.

In came Minsc who was all too happy to bring his witch a platter of Shepard?s pie and some fresh fruit with a salad on the side. He stood by her bed his head hanging and him staring at the floor while Boo sat on his shoulder chirping away.

?Minsc is there something wrong?? Anni finally asked.

?Minsc is sad.? Boo made some more noises. ?Boo told him to be careful of the door and didn?t listen and hurt his witch! Minsc is ashamed!? He wailed.

?None of that Minsc, you saved me. Who knows where I would be now? Back in Bodhi?s clutches? No thank you.? She suppressed a shudder.

?So Minsc wasn?t bad? I did hurt my witch after all.?

?It?s okay, you were trying to protect me. There?s no way you could have known that you would hit my head. After all I hit you one time.?

?I am used to being hit by my witches. I did not always listen properly before Boo came along.?

?Witches hit you? Minsc come here.? She patted the bed besides her. He looked wary and finally sat down, sitting Boo down on the bed beside him. ?I?ve wanted to know for a long time and I think you need to tell me; Why did you look relieved when Dynaheir died?? The berserker looked shocked

?Boo?s full name is Boden, do you like?? Minsc said off topic.

?It?s pretty. But what does that have to do with what I asked??

?Boden was my father, see I named Boo after my father.?

?That sounds like a Thayvian name. Minsc was your father from Thay??

?Eltabbar. He was a wizard. Good wizards are hard to find. Dynaheir, she found out what my father was and told the Othlor about him.? Boo made some chirping noises and Minsc cuddled the little hamster.

?What happened?? She gently prodded.

?All wizards are evil, that is what they told me. I believed them.? Boo chirped louder and the big man let out a sob. She put the tray of food on the night stand and then hugged the big berserker. Minsc didn?t do anything small, that included his sob. She had never seen him cry and always thought of Minsc as the rock in the group, well the rock that wouldn?t harp on you. ?Boden was good to me but witches have always looked down on Minsc and Boo. I am starting to wonder if the Evil Wizards aren?t really evil.?

?You can?t base a whole on one person. Some wizards are evil, and some witches are evil too. It all comes from a person?s outlook. For example, some people think the hedonistic ways of Sharess are evil and foul, but I found them wonderful. I enjoyed worshiping Sharess, I only stopped because the call of the Morning Lord was strong in me.

The same way people think that Lathenderians are only a richer verison of Ilmater?s. I?ll tell you a little secret. I worship both of them.? Minsc drew back as she took off her holy symbol of Lathender?s and revealed the hidden symbol of Ilmater between the two flat smooth disks of pink quartz. ?You see. I?ve always kept it a secret because for some reason I was mad at Ilmater.?

?Boo doesn?t think it?s good to be mad at the gods.?

?Well that?s what Imoen tried to tell me after Gorion died. I swore I would never worship the gods again. I blamed them all for not helping, for letting me be a Child of Bhaal with a crazed brother. Then one morning I woke up and found this.? She held out the symbol for him to touch. ?My point is I couldn?t blame the gods for letting Bhaal do what he did. Each person is only responsible for themselves. And you can?t base a whole of a people or gods based on what one does.?

?I understand now. Like you and Imoen, she is bright and cheerful while you are more... what?s the word Boo?? The hamster chirped. ?Ah yes, saturnine though that is Boo?s word.?

?How did you know Imoen was a Child of Bhaal?? Anni asked shocked.

?Boo can see things.? The hamster nodded. She stared at the hamster and saw just for a second a glimpse of intelligence. Boo seemed to smile at her. ?Boo wants to know if he can have some of that salad now.?

?Umm, sure!? Anni said as she retrieved the food and held out a chickpea for Boo.

[SaintZenn]

Chapter 44: The Family Corthala: Part 1

Dahlia Corthala (It was tradition to keep the family name) started to sob after she cast her little boy?s fortune. As it had been done with her, Valygar was test to see if HE would return during the baby?s lifetime. Indeed, HE would return. Lavok. He was the bane of Corthala family everywhere. The Corthala line had once been proud and powerful magic users, but since Lavok they tried to bred out the magic in hopes it would finally stop him. Dahlia had even married a woodsman, the rule of the family was only one child to a parent until Lavok was stopped. That was how Dahlia and Valygar were the last of the line. She had to find a way to turn him away from magic and a way to keep him from being defeated by Lavok. But how? She would have her husband, Harry, take Valy away from the city in the woods to learn about nature. She would have to be the parent that he would grow to hate and through her magic.

---

Harry taught Valygar everything he knew about being a ranger. He taught him the ways of the wild, how to walk in shadows of the forest and not to be seen by even the animals. There were plenty of animals here in the hills where he kept his cabin. He missed Dahlia, he truly did. Damn the curse of Lavok! His son would know all to well what it was like to have magic turned foul in his life. Harry was dying slowly, a sickness of the blood. There was nothing that could be done. He didn?t tell his son as he didn?t need to know. Soon it would be time for the end of them. It pained him, but Valy had to be on his own for this. Misery was the only thing that Dahlia could leave the son she loved so much.

---

Valygar didn?t allow himself to cry. He felt cold, dead inside. He had seen many things in his life. He had seen good, honest people turned to greed and hate by magic. His father turned into an undead while his mother had changed herself into a lich. He had used the katana that his father had given him, handed down for generations. His mother hadn?t put up a fight when he went to end her unnatural life. She had only said, she did the best by him. He didn?t understand it. It was hours later, his parents buried now and would not rise again. He wouldn?t go into the room his mother had often locked herself way in. He closed the door and locked it. He refused to have anything to do with magic again.

---

His years with the scouts were over. It was a shame really, he had only serve three years before it all happened. Maybe he should say before she happened. Suna. She was ten years his senior, beautiful, as all with fey blood were, and commanding. She had conquered him, maybe looking back he wanted it. He wanted to forget his terrible fate for one night... Okay maybe a fortnight. He didn?t think of the drawback as he had used natural methods of protection, keeping away from the use of magics. He let himself be seduced by the older more experienced woman, only to find out she wanted to be ?Lady Corthala?. He refused to marry and left the scouts the next morning.

He went back to his father?s cabin, he needed to be strong. He needed to be ready to end the curse. Once he was free of the curse, he would end his own life. It was the only way to stop the corruption in his blood. He had no way of knowing nine months later that he would be given a reason to live. A reason to not let it defeat him as it had until that day.

It was a pleasant morning, that fateful day. The sun was shining and there was dew covering the forest floor. The honeysuckle that had been growing next to his cabin was a delight to wake up smelling. There was someone knocking at his door, which was unusual, as the people of Imnesvale left him alone. It could be the ranger-protector of the village, Kathleen, who was getting ready to hand the duty over to her oldest daughter.

He opened the door and found the ready smile he had for the ranger wiped off his face. Standing there in her armor was Suna. What did she want now? She held a bundle out for him to take and without thinking he did, finding it heavier than he expected. Looking down he found himself staring into the grey eyes of a baby.

?She?s yours. I told you that magic is the best protection but you wouldn?t listen.?

?So you have found a way to force me into marriage.?

?As if. I found a richer lord. I don?t want that thing anymore.? Suna snarled and started to walk away.

?What am I suppose to do?? The baby started to cry as her mother left.

?I don?t care what you do with her. Leave her in the woods for all I care. All I know is it loathes you to have something of your blood alive. Murderer.? She called over her shoulder, leaving Valygar dumbfounded and angry. The baby was still whimpering but was staring at him as if asking him what he would do. He stared into the little baby?s eyes.

?Goohf!? The baby said.

?I guess... I?m a father.... Jessica Isabeu.? He turned inside and shut the door. He didn?t have a clue of how to raise a baby, it was probably just a little harder than raising a baby bear, right?

---

Valygar was busy cooking mac and cheese with broccoli, Jessie?s favorite when he heard her shriek. He forgot about the pots on the stove and ran outside to find her. She was only suppose to be playing out front of the house, how much trouble could she have gotten into? As he got outside he realized that it had been one of those shrieks she gave when she was happy, like when the new Wurbby came out, the gnomish toy that would move and say things to you like a parrot, whatever that was. Jessie was holding a ferret, a dark black with little coloring of white with a black mask. It was full grown about a foot and eight or nine inches. The ferret didn?t seem to mind that the child holding him, he could sense peace coming from the animal.

He walked over to his daughter and knelt down. ?Who is this Jessie??

?His name is Boaz Carba-something. He?s saying that I?m saying his name wrong, so we can call him Boba. Boba Ferret.?

?Carba-something? Don?t tell me you ?liberated? another animal from the Carbamazepine sisters?? His daughter had the grace to look wounded.

?Daddy they treat their pets bad and Boba said he wouldn?t be welcomed back even if we took him back. He gave Mina the meanie the scar on her nose.? Valygar smiled at his young daughter and fluffed her hair. Little did she know that at one time Mina had a brother named Boaz, maybe the animal had known the boy who disappeared. Some say that the Cowled wizards took the boy away for magical misuse, Valy suspected it was true. He mused on this while is daughter chatted with the ferret. She was an only child, so it made sense that she would make friends with animals and pretend that they would talk back.

Suddenly Jessie was yanked away by her collar and she dropped the ferret that started hissing. Dimension doors opened all around them as Cowled Wizards appeared in their gray cloaks.

?Misuse of magic by a minor is not allowed. You will be confined.? The one holding his daughter said.

?Hold. What madness is this? My daughter finds an animal to play with and you call it magic??

?The child cast ?Find Familiar?. That, Lord Corthala, is a familiar.?

?No! Daddy, I didn?t do any bad magic I wasn?t bad!? Jessie started to cry. ?I was just trying to water the garden.? She wrapped her arms around her father?s leg.

?She seems to be clumsy also.? One of the Cowled Ones remarked. He knelt down and held his daughter, who was crying.

?Jessie, I won?t be mad if you tell me the truth. Did you use magic??

?I?m sorry Daddy, I?m sorry. It just happened!?

?And so you see a deviant.? Valygar slowly disentangled his daughter from him and walked over to the wizard and back handed him.

?My daughter is not a deviant. I would measure your words if I was you. Come Jessie, let?s go back inside the house. After dinner we will talk.? He picked up his daughter and her familiar and turned his back to the wizards, who had no choice but to let them go. After all the Corthala family had a family license that had been in affect for generations.

---

Valy carefully opened the door that hadn?t been opened in almost a decade. The door opened without a sound and stale air rushed at his face. Jessie shrieked next to him as a large spider crawled across the floor and Boba ate it. There was something in the stale air that raised the hair on his skin. It felt vaguely like magic, yet wild.

?What is this Daddy? You said no one was to ever to go in it. I?m scared. Am I being punished??

?It?s okay Jessie. You?re not being punished. There just some things in here that I need. Don?t touch anything.? Her and her familiar (her familiar!), followed him inside the cool and quiet room. Strangely nothing had gone bad since he had closeted away this room. It still looked the same and it still smelled the same way. It had the foul smell of magic. If the Cowled Ones were right, soon Jessica would inherit all this. They had to be wrong.

He gathered up the book, ?Magic for Beginners? and a crystal orb. When he went to get Jessie he saw the child staring up at the ceiling, looking terrified. ?Jessie what is it?? She pointed at the ceiling, her whole arm shaking. On the ceiling was a portal, that held a watching man. As Valygar watched the man reached out and caressed his daughter?s cheek with long nailed hands.

?Soon my pretty, you will be mine.? The old man said. She let out an ear-piercing scream, the nails had cut her face. Before Valygar could react he saw a blond and black haired teen boy pull her out of the room. He slammed his Katana on the portal, shattering it. He then ran after his daughter. Who was that boy?

He didn?t find her in the hallway but her bedroom door was open. Inside he found Jessie lying down on her bed. Her eyes closed and her sleeping deeply. The boy was no where in sight. Boba in the meantime was there at Jessie?s side, looking very peaceful.

---

The next day Jessie was shaken. She kept looking around and above her expecting someone to be there. Her only comfort was her daddy and Boba stretched out across her shoulders. She fed him nuts and some fruits every so often while listening to him chatter to her. It wasn?t like the other animals where she listened deeply for what they were saying. She could understand what Boba was saying. He chatted with her about silly things, like how he wished he was human so he could be friends with her. She wanted that too. It would be nice to have a friend that was humanoid. Most of the kids in the city didn?t like her family name for some reason and parents as soon as they found out that her surname was Corthala would stop their kids from playing with her. It made her sad. She had Boba and Daddy though. They wouldn?t leave her.

Daddy was setting up a crystal that he had taken from the horrible room with the really horrible old man. She had cuts on her face from that horrible man. Daddy had used his power to heal them but he wasn?t strong enough to heal it all the way. Daddy had very little divine abilities and no arcane. It was weird, people talked about the horrible magic that Corthalas had, but Daddy had none. If he did, he didn?t show it. What about her? The Cowlies had showed up saying she was a deviant, did that mean she had that horrible power? What if she was going to turn into a baddie?

?Daddy, am I bad?? She asked him as he was finishing up with the crystal.

?What brings this on, Jessie??

?Deviants are bad people. You always said that magic is bad and Boba told me that he?s a familiar. Am I bad?? Her father looked at her for what seemed an eternity and finally knelt down next to her.

?I told you always to be honest right?? She nodded. ?I?ve seen people with magic become bad. You have the ability it seems. I just want to see how much you have.? He smiled at her as he directed her over to the table where the crystal was. She didn?t realize that he never answered her question if she was bad. ?Now, it says here, ?The bright of color the crystal glows with will show the type of magic and how much of it you have.? Just relax and concentrate on the crystal.?

?Okay.? Boba scurried off of her shoulders and hid under the table as she stared at the crystal. It was clear at first, then it changed to purple, then green, blue, orange, pink, white. The glow became brighter and brighter, the colors changing rapidly until they were a rainbow. Then the crystal exploded. Jessie started crying at the sight of the ruined globe. She was a bad person.

---

Valygar didn?t know what to do. Jessie had always been a smart child, she had always picked up on his conversations about magic and how foul it was. Now his own words were coming back to haunt him. Jessie was not something foul. She would never be, she was his little girl. She could destroy all of the Cowled Ones and he wouldn?t care. He?d probably be happy for her in fact. She knew right from wrong. She would be better than most mages because she had a good father. One that could teach her a life without magic. Now if he could just get her to open her door.

?Jessie? Come on out. You?re not bad. It?s not your fault.? He couldn?t believe that he was pleading with his seven year old daughter to come out of her room. He pressed his ear to the door and heard her sobbing quietly. He wasn?t going to kick down the door so how was he going to get in there? An idea popped in his head and he walked over to the next room and climbed out the window. Once outside he balanced himself on the small out cropping roof and walked over to her window. Opening it he found the room empty, except there was a chirping of a ferret coming from under the bed. Lying on the floor he peeked under the bed to find Jessie hidden there. ?Jess you can out. I?m not mad at you.?

?I don?t want to be the bad man. He said he?s going to over take me.?

?It?s okay, I won?t let him hurt you.?

?He showed me, Daddy. He?s coming for me and you won?t be able to stop him.?

?He won?t Jessie-bear.?

?He said I could run but fools would bring you to him and someday me. He?s going to kill you! I don?t want to lose you Daddy!? She cried.

?Do you trust me, Jessie??

?The bad man-?

?Jessica Isabeu. I asked you a question.?

?Yes, Daddy. I trust you.?

?Then come out from under there and I?ll protect you. I?m your father after all.?

?Okay, Daddy.?

Attached Files

•  Boba.bmp   314K   154 downloads

[SaintZenn]

Chapter 45: Goes together like a horse and carriage....

A/N: I have to apologize to everyone who has stuck with me so far. A really bad review and some words of mine made me realize that I?m never going to be the best writer in the world. I got my first ?Story-Book? when I was twelve and now that I think about it my spelling and my grammar is no better than what it was then. Strangely, I passed my French and Spanish classes with an A+ and English is my first language. (Of course the only thing I remember is the curses. I get to use them too often.)



Most brides usually wore white but she was pregnant, so wasn?t she suppose to wear something else then? She was carrying her beloved?s child, something that she was glad that happened. Truthfully if it wasn?t for her baby she would have never given thought to marrying him.

She?s seizing! Hold her down!

Today was a happy day. She smiled lazily as she thought of the way they met, his smile, his cute accent. Not to mention his cute butt. They completed each other, they had been made for each other. Damn the others if they didn?t approve of their union. It was their life, they would live it how they wanted. She could see it now.

My lady!

Yes, everything would be perfect. She wasn?t going to listen to that silly druid. There was a knock at the door and she went over to open it. Outside the room was her bridegroom.

?My dear are you ready?? His smile was warm and shy on this day.

?No. Must certainly not. I?m not even dressed yet. I can?t decide which to wear.?

Damn druid! Move aside!

?-The green or the red? I know you like keeping red for the bedroom.?

Please don?t leave us. Your children will need you!

Above her beloved?s head, another head appeared, this one with shockingly white hair that had once been blonde. Something in his young life had scared the man until his hair turned white. He had survived but he still wasn?t as brave as her-

I?m losing her!

?My dear are you listening to me?? Her friend said with a smile. ?I do say getting married has left her speechless. You must do this more often.? She shot him a scowl. ?I kid my dear. Now the two of us will be up at the altar.?

They?re both dead! You can?t join them! Not yet!

?I will join you shortly.? The men smiled at her and walked out. She was having...problems. She was so stressed out she was hearing things. Her stressed! She was a nervous person. She had nerves of oak. Just like her old friend. She wanted to be like her friend, a tough as oak druid. Only relenting to her friends and well she didn?t have a family not yet. Her family was dead. Her sisters... all gone.

There is nothing that we can do. Except let her go in peace.

Peace. She like peace and didn?t know when she was going to get it. First her family, watching her home burn and her father struck down like some street dog. It had shown her the whole was not fair. She could see him in her mind?s eye. She missed him dearly.

Listen to me. You will fight this.

She felt evil all around her. It was terribly cold now. She pulled on her green tunic with looked worn now that she looked at it carefully. Was that a blood stain? It was. How did that get there? She was puzzled and started out the door to where her beloved was waiting with their friend.

Look at them. They are dead. Look at them!

She covered her mouth, holding in a scream. Her beloved was torn apart, her friend was skewered on a sword. ?No, this is not happening this is a bad dream!?

This isn?t a dream. They are dead. You are dying unless you fight.

?My dear, are you alright?? Her beloved?s voice came out of the corpse.

?What is it? Is my robe not straight?? The corpse of her friend joked.

?Join us.?

?N-no. I will not.? She said.

That?s it. Fight!

She ran away from them and out of the church. She knew there was a reason why the clerk would let her marry him! She didn?t know where to go, every time she ran into a person they turned into a corpse. They were the victims of her family, extended and intimate. ?NO! This isn?t real!? She screamed with horror. She ran and ran past the corpses. Where was she running to?

Come to me. It is the only way.

Then she saw him. Darkness surrounded him but he was clearly there in his red robes. ?Edwin!? She cried out. Corpses danced around her. The dead beckoned her to join them. But it was not her time! Not hers!

That?s it. Come take my hand...

The wizard held out a hand to her and without another thought she took. Life pour through her body and she was laying down, Edwin sitting next to her.

?Edwin I could kiss you.? She laughed.

?Let?s not as say you did. Just not to Anni. (I would hate it for the girl to think I was cheating on her.)

?You cheat on her for me. Even she would have a hard time believing it.?

?Yes I?m sure she would.?

?Thank you Edwin. It was a powerful curse. Where is she??

?Out finding Ployer and she?ll only find a corpse. Why Jaheira you look slightly green at the mention of corpses.?

?All I saw was the dead.?

?It?s a joining curse. Makes one want to join the dead.?

?How do you know??

?I?m a powerful archmage I know things that would make your small brain implode.?

?Of course Edwin. I saw Khalid. And Gorion. It was my wedding.? Jaheira said her face full of tears.

?It makes you long for your most precious memories... Of your loved ones. (At least she can remember.)?

?I thank you Edwin. I will never forget this.? She smiled at him and thought how Anni really was a lucky woman.

?I did this for Anni. (I do not want her to lose another friend.)?

?She loves you, you know. She always has. You try to be mean and nasty but she sees the real you. The rest of us just laugh at your antics.?

?Yes, I am very aware of that. It?s part of being in love I guess.? He smiled ruefully ?It is not part of the spell either.?

?Are you going to met with Anni? Or are you simply going to disappear again??

?I have a meeting with a certain assassin. (The trouble that girl causes. I am sure she cause some in the past. Probably her fault too.)?

?Of course Edwin. Of course.? Jaheira laughed.

Edited by SaintZenn, 23 December 2007 - 07:01 AM.

[SaintZenn]

Chapter 46: Corwin and Edwin

Anni couldn?t believe how long the day had been. Morning had seen her with Minsc training with her new swords. Minsc was an easy-going fellow, but boy he was thorough. Her arms hurt from all the training. She would have to learn how to fight. She couldn?t use magic anymore unless it was in dire need. She would not take the chance that she hurt her baby in any form. She knew the exercise would help her be strong for what was coming.

-The light will fail you in the deepest dark. But do not despair. You will find your way.- She remembered the Morning Lord?s words to her. She remembered that he had paused and two words came to her, -I hope-. He had wanted to assure her but even her god did not know what the future held.

She wondered about the plan that he told her about. None of it seemed possible but... -Everyone would be spared. We?ll have a chance at life.- It would affect the world, but it would stop so much tragedy. She still had to think about it. If only she could talk to someone about it. She couldn?t tell anyone that was traveling with her and Edwin... They would all oppose it. The god had warned her about talking to anyone about this, oh she could talk about it. Just in a room with silence wards.

She couldn?t even tell Bhaal. It wasn?t that she didn?t want to. It was that she couldn?t. Every time she thought about the plan, it would force Bhaal far away. She was not meant to tell him. To take away everything he had gained and leave him with just the memory of it all, it didn?t seem fair. It had to be this way. Things had to be set right. She was the only one who could do it. She couldn?t tell another Bhaal child, what if they didn?t like the plan and tried to kill her for it?

She shook her head and pushed it out of her mind. The rest of the day had been spent at a musical. ?Interview with the Assassin? A musical by Haer̀Dalis. His playhouse was still running and he had willed the place to his best friend. His hound and hamster. Minsc. (And Boo!) Minsc loved it. They had gone together after practice to watch his newest play. There had been a lot of morose, dressed in black and lots of dye black hair teens and mid-adults there. It was amusing.

What had kept her awake during though was she could hear two people speaking in Thayvian. Edwin and his teacher auguring. She didn?t know what to think. She really couldn?t understand Edwin, as he talked so fast (She couldn?t understand him when he talked Common that fast), but she had never heard him so angry. The other, was calm the whole time, talking in carefully measured tones, as if talking to a stubborn angry child. It had been dark in the theater by time the lights came on they were both gone.

Edwin was upset. He was affected by talking with his teacher. She knew from his memories that it had been one of their worst fights. She didn?t know where Edwin was at. All that she knew was that he had saved Jaheira yesterday. Ployer was dead, flame broiled. Edwin?s work. Why was he staying away? She wanted him back. She still didn?t know what to think of his proposal. He was sending mixed messages. Was she supposed to seek him out? If he wasn?t back at her side by the end of the month, she would be forced to leave him behind. They were finally going to get Imoen back! It would be easy. She hoped.

She looked down at her plate and realized that she had finished two helpings without knowing it. It was late, but she didn?t want to go to sleep. Everyone else was in bed with the exception of Ly. The Drow sat at the table looking thoughtful.

?Ly??

?Hmm?? The woman stared off into space.

?Are you okay??

?I rather not talk about it.?

?Oh.?

?I mean I would but I don?t want it getting back to Ano.?

?I wouldn?t tell him. I?m good at keeping secrets.?

?I know. All right, here?s the deal. I?m worried about Moira, that?s Ano?s little sis. I haven?t seen her around lately and today Yusef came asking about her.?

?Who?s that??

?Her lover. I?m worried that either her father found out or his father found out. That would be some really bad shit. She meets with him almost every night after Cor drinks himself farther into the grave. She didn?t show up tonight and I told the boy to find me or send word if she was in trouble. It could be nothing but then again it could be something.?

?Why don?t you go to her house? See if she?s okay??

?Yeah, I think I will. I?ll go with Ano. He needs to see his sister and hopefully his father will still be passed out.? The Drow looked happier. ?Well time for some sweet sweet love. See you later.? Anni watched the woman go. At least someone was getting some tonight. Gods! Where was Edwin!? She rose from the table and left it for the staff to clean up. She put her hand on Edwin?s amulet and idly played with it. It made her feel better. The stone was warm from her skin but it felt almost alive. She could almost feel her Edwin when she held it. Yes she wanted this happiness for everyone. They would all be given second chances. Every wrong Bhaal made would be righted.

She opened the door to her room. Jaheira let her keep this room as it did mean something special. This is where it all started, even if he couldn?t remember it, she did. She stepped over the threshold and stopped. There was someone in her room. She took out her matches and struck one, lighting the candle on her dresser. There was someone there but she couldn?t see them... She just knew.

When you have a best friend/little sister that wants to be the world?s greatest assassin and just loves to play hide and seek. It?s a feeling that you get. She closed the door behind her and took out some enchanted wood. It was part of the security system that Jaheira had installed by some lovely gnomes called the Jansens. She placed them on the door which gave a spark when they were set in the right order. She set the candle down on her dresser and walked to her bed, listening, waiting.

-This is useless. There?s no one there.- She sighed to herself, after a few minutes of standing there, listening. Thinking of the plan was driving her to distraction. She walked over to the bed and night stand. She took on of the yellow apples on it and started to eat it. Holding the apple with her teeth she reached back and released her hair from its braid. She shook her hair out and again thinking of Edwin, wishing he was here to comb her hair. -He was always so gentle.- She was getting angry now.

?Problems?? Her familiar?s voice came to her. She looked around and didn?t see him. She had gotten the truth of him this week. It turned out that he hadn?t grown and just used a glamour to appear that big. He had wanted to scare off any potential masters as he had been doing for years.

?I?m upset Taltos. Where are you? I don?t see you.? She said taking the apple out of her mouth.

?I?m... it?s better if I not say. I do not wish to upset you farther. But I can speak. Is it the Red Wizard that is bothering you??

?Yes and no. I want him here and yet I don?t. I can?t seem to remember what it was like being single. I was always with someone. I guess in a way I still am but I?m unsure of how to feel about him right now.?

?You have never been without a companion, have you??

?No, I guess not. In my first life, ?Win was always there for me. I don?t remember a day that passed that he wasn?t there. If he wasn?t around, I had my sisters. Or his brother Yu. Gods, him and ?Win fought all the time.?

?Yes, that?s very true. Can you remember ?Win?s parents??

?Dekaras and Elvira... but those are Edwin?s parents... That doesn?t make sense.?

?Think about it. What was ?Win?s full name??

??Win?s full name, that?s easy, it was Corwin.?

?Maybe a different approach... What did Corwin look like??

?He was so... Wait a minute... I?m so stupid. Corwin and Edwin are the same person. Exactly the same. Right down to those piercings. But how??

?Again, think about it.?

?Bhaal must of taken his whole family... Taken them and then put them here. But Corwin?s father was Vadrak. But now that I think about it... Daddy always called him Dekkie. They were friends but they were more than that. Daddy only had two friends in his life. Dekkie and a halfling called ?Poppy?. But it doesn?t make sense. In the past life...gods that sounds corny... Dekkie married Elvie.?

?Who?s missing??

?Revan! Mom?s missing. Of course I remember now, that evil nasty wizard tried tricking Elvie into signing a contract that had parts hidden and Revan stopped her. She was very paranoid about wizards, especially Red Wizards of home...Of Thay. I grew up in Thay?? She was shocked. ?Yes, I remember now. The three best assassins in the world where Poppy, Dekkie and Daddy. At least we thought so. After all what does the rest of the world matter when Thay is the pinnacle of it all. I know why Edwin is so damn arrogant, I remember about the Red Wizards, Hells we couldn?t stand to be away for so long because everywhere else was so damn inferior. Oh gods, now I?m going to revert!?

?Now, now Annalesca. Arrogance like ours is earned, but we can?t let it go to our heads. No, that?s the deathly fault. One your mother taught you better.?

?Yes, that is true. Edwin is acting like a typical Red. Maybe that?s why he can?t make up his mind. He?s too busy being paranoid. I hate it when he?s paranoid. He?s much better when he thinks with his heart. He was always getting into trouble with the Zulkirs. He always got out of it though.? She chuckled.

?Yes, that is true. Are you feeling any better??

?Yes, much better. Thank you, Taltos.?

?Why don?t you get some sleep? It?s the best for you and the baby.?

?Okay.? She smiled and finished her apple, she smiled as she remembered her old childhood. Corwin, Yu, Imoen and herself use to be so close. Of course, Jessie was always there but she was younger than them. They never excluded her but she was always too busy with her imagination and her familiar to play with them. So it had been the four of them. They had lessons together with Dekkie, during which they had to call him ?Teacher Dekaras?, he was very strict about that. No trying to needle your way out of doing some thing just because he cares about you. The boys were always trying to get the girls in trouble and the same for the girls. The only time the boys got along was when they were teamed up against her and Immy.

-Good old times. How could I not remember? Oh right my death wish.- She sighed. She couldn?t go to the past, so she had to live for the future. She frowned again. She didn?t know what kind of future she would have with the plan but she had to do it. -Things will be better tomorrow. There?s always tomorrow.-

[SaintZenn]

Chapter 47: The Not so Evil Drow

Ly laid on the bed watching Anomen. He was deep asleep and snoring. Drow did not snore, nor sleep that soundly. Humans were odd. She had been among them for many a year now and she still didn?t understand them. Of course her relationships with them had always been professional until now. She had seen that they had the capacity of being just as evil as Drow. She knew that she couldn?t love a human, especially one that worshiped that coño Helm. She couldn?t forget what the Helmites did to her. -Maztica. I can never forget.-

She had yet to find a reason to be any thing other than an assassin. She was taught that feelings had no place in the Drow world, yet she wasn?t there anymore. Anomen said that he loved her, but no one really loved. There was no such thing for elves, she knew this. Years had saw this lesson was taught. Love was not worth it. She had seen time and time again that if you allowed yourself such an illusion as love, then it would be destroyed. Hope was just foolish, something that they would use against you to kill you even more.

True, she had said to Ano that she loved him, but it was just a word. -Don?t get me wrong. I lust after him but that?s about it. There is no such thing as love.- She got up from the bed and paced to the other side of the room. There was something though. A little feeling in her stomach. She always felt like she had a knot in it and when she was with Yuri it lessened. Then when she was Ano, the knot disappeared. She didn?t know what to think about it. She didn?t really want to think about it either. Feelings were bad. She could get herself killed if she let them take over.

-Let?s just face it. You can?t teach an old spider new tricks. I?m too old to feel love. It?s a human emotion. All that my kind feels is hatred, lust, envy. The base emotions. I know it?s the same for other elves, especially the golds. I know what happened to those goldies that were with that bitch. And they say the Drow are cruel.- She let out a quiet laugh which turned into a sob. Not again! Damnit, she was going to cry. Ever since she had met Yuri and started taking care of the kid she was prone to crying attacks. It was unnatural!

She closed her eyes to keep from crying. She could see her brothers... And their fates. She snapped her eyes back open. She didn?t want to remember! She was never going back to the Underdark, nor to the elven city. She wasn?t going any where near there. She would go around the fucking forest if she had to. Ly wanted to... she didn?t know what she wanted to do. She didn?t drink and she had been out of yeyo for years. Problem with drugs and alcohol was that your problems came back after the high left, then you were left with a horrible fucking headache or worse. She sighed through the tears and shook her head.

?Ly? Are you crying?? Her skin almost jumped off her body as Ano spoke and she realized that he was right beside her.

?Go back to bed Anomen.? She said quietly, turning her head away from him.

?Ly, please, what?s wrong?? He knelt down next to her, stroking her white hair, but she wouldn?t look at him.

?I have to go soon. It?s just not working out.? She said finally.

?What?s not working out??

?Me traveling with the party. I should have just spied from afar.?

?Why would you say something like that, my love??

?First of all, I don?t love anyone. I can?t love Anomen. Drow do not love!? She said with force. Tears prickled her eyes just as forcefully.

?Then why are you sad at this?? He said as he knelt down next to her.

?I am not sad... I merely feel angry that I...? She stopped and glared at him.

?Lysandra, tell me the truth.?

?Drow do not love, that is the truth. I will always be a Drow. I?m turning two hundred in a year or so. I can?t change what I am, not this late in the game. Even if I wanted to change I cannot.?

?I would say that you have changed much since you left the Underdark, but then I don?t know much about it. Tell me about it.?

?I have never been asked that.? Ly said at a loss. ?What do you want to know??

?What do you feel like sharing??

?Ask and I shall tell you.?

?What was your family like??

?My family? My mother is the third daughter of the Matron Mother, she?s now the second since I left. The Matron only kept her around as an example to all Drow, plus the Matron is too old to have another daughter now. She was ?blessed? with all girls. She called them and us ?weak-willed? and would have kill the lot of us if she could.?

?Why are they and you weak-willed??

?I never tried killing the males. I cried instead.?

?Why would you kill the males? What did they do??

?Maybe I should back up. Anomen do you know that Drow are mostly ruled by females??

?No, I know nothing about them except from horror stories. There is also-?

?Just great.? She said, cutting him off. ?It?s probably all true, whatever you heard. We are not a good people. I only know of a few who are good and they have been commoners or males. Ones not worthy of notice. My mother was the only one who stayed hidden after the Matron was sealed away. She was always scared of her coming back. For good reason too. Ardulace came back. She was not please to say the least.? She shuddered.

?I see. What else are you willing to tell??

?Besides from the Spider Bitch, Matrons are in complete control of noble and common life, but she takes a more active role in the nobles.? She licked her suddenly dry lips. ?The Matron watches and decides everything. She decides what school you will go to. How you will be trained. When it?s time for you to ready yourself for children. Everything.?

?You talk of that last like you know.?

?I do.?

?Have you have a child before?? He asked tentatively and watched her put her head in her hands crying her heart out. ?I should not have asked, it is not my place.?

?It?s all right, Ano. I have tried not thinking of my daughter for a long time. She was beautiful, gray eyes and silver hair. Naturally silver, not dyed. I couldn?t keep her though. I had too many enemies. I still do.? Her voice was full of a feeling she could not name.

?If you don?t mind me asking, what happened to her??

?She gone now. Not dead as far as I know. She?s in Skullport, I sent her away with her foster mother when Ardulace came back. She doesn?t even know I?m her mother.?

?Do you miss her??

?I.. worry about her. Eilistraee told me in a dream, that my daughter was the hope for my city. She would free it from Lolth. That even when the plan starts she will free my home.?

?The plan??

?I dunno what it is. The gods I serve brought up a plan they had in mind. They never told me what it was though.?

?I see. Do you feel better? I see that you stopped crying.?

?I?ve never told anyone this. Any of it. I haven?t even told my brother about it. He?s a drider now, I don?t think he will be able to hear.? She sighed.

?Don?t you see? If you were incapable of love you would not feel this way. You would care about them as much as a pasting stranger. You are a Drow that is true, but you broke the mold so to speak. Humans can love and hate. I would know.? He said softly.

?I?m not too sure about it.? She said reluctantly.

?I know that the woman I love is not heartless nor does she have a black heart as you would believe.?

?So you love someone? Who??

?Ly, it is not a joke. I know that we were meant for each other. I myself have never been blessed with a vision as my uncles have but I know you?re part of my destiny.?

?Thank you Anomen. The knot is gone again. It?s always gone when you?re around.?

?A knot??

?Yeah, I feel it in my stomach. It always bothered me and when I started raising Yuri, it lessened and when I?m with you it disappears.?

?That?s because you?re comfortable around us. You feel safe.?

?I guess.?

?Are you still planning on leaving??

?Only if you want me to.

?No, not at all. There is one thing I should tell you. I heard of a Drow named Ardulace. She destroyed an unit of paladins when they went to trade one time.?

?Come again??

?About thirty years ago, my Uncle Cahan was squire in the Order. The Order had was responsible for protecting one of the trade routes. For almost a hundred years that route had been peaceful. Cahan told us the story of how one day the Drow just turned on them. Instead of being greeted by silver haired Drow and welcomed, they found that one day that there was white haired ones, they were fighting with elves at the time and the Order made the mistake of siding with the Drow. After the battle, they slaughtered the Order knights. A handful of knights lived to tell the tale.?

?I never knew. Cahan was the man that hired me too. Out of all of us, he hired me to watch Yuri. That doesn?t make sense if he knew about Drow first hand.? Ly mused, confused.

?Did my cousin ever tell you about his father?s talent? The gift from Tyr?? She shook her head. ?The knights in my family have always been gifted by the gods, Keldorn by Torm and Cahan by Tyr. They receive a blessing from them. ?Dorn can see with True Sight. Cahan could see the good of people without seeing them. Cahan would have never trusted you if he didn?t see clearly to your heart.?

?I want to believe but it seems too good.?

?Doesn?t Eilistraee promote peace among the Drow. To live a life they should have if Lolth had not interfered??

?How do you know that??

?Yuri and I studied Eilistraee under his father's command.?

?He knew then. Amazing. I did not think...? She stared at him as if she had never seen him before.

?Trust me. I would not lie to you.? Anomen smiled as she drew him over to her for a kiss.