Paz'kole looked at the remains that had been brought to her. Her face was very still. Emotionless. Her sisters and the house males waited with bated breath as they watched all the familiar signs of her blood coming to boiling-point. It was the stillness that was so unsettling.
Lavender eyes raised and fixed on Ran' and LiNeer'.
"Do we know who did this?" she asked.
"Their bodies were found in the Crags, Ilharess. We know no more."
"Then we must ask them," Paz'kole nodded.
A dread chill settled on the room. Chanting words meant for no mortal ear, Paz'kole incanted. One by one the three corpses before her stirred.
Paris'tha was the first to come to realisation of what had occured. Prostrating herself on the floor she gasped weakly.
"Forgive me Ilharess, I have failed you."
Venorik remained silent, clutching his wounds. Saer of the Vandree looked around with worried eyes at the Reriethra'viel uniforms surrounding him.
"Speak Sister," Paz'kole commanded. "I would know what happened to you."
"We were on a joint patrol with this Vandree male as ordered, Ilharess. We had been seeking rifts within the troll-caves but had found nothing. When we left the caves we were blinded for a moment."
Paz'kole nodded her understanding. "Continue."
"When I could see, we found a pair of Kivvil watching us," the younger sister said, "An unpleasant pair. We traded words."
"Heated words?" Paz'kole asked.
"No more than the usual insults, Mistress. The Kivvil were insulting. I answered in kind."
"And they attacked you?" Paz'kole asked, "If you tell me that two Kivvil felled two of my house and one of our allies I'll skin you myself...."
"No, Mistress," Paris'tha denied, "No more than words were exchanged. Then suddenly six more Kivvil appeared around us."
Paz'kole looked toward Venorik who nodded in agreement.
"Your orders are for no conflict with the Kivvil while we are threatened by these rifts," Paris'tha continued, "so despite the taunts we tried to withdraw. I had opened a portal. Thats when the druid struck down Saer of Vandree. I tried to reach the portal but her scimitar cut me from behind and I fell."
"A druid?" Paz'kole enquired.
Paris'tha nodded. "I recognised the spells she cast. She called lightning from the skies on us."
"Did you know any of those involved?" Paz'kole asked.
"No Ilharess," Paris'tha answered. Though I'll know them should I meet any..."
"Miyra? Moyra?" Venorik interrupted. "I heard one call the druid by a name like that."
Paz'kole looked at the male whose wounds were being dressed. "Which?" she demanded, "Miyra or Moyra?"
"Miyra... I think..." the wounded male answered. "Forgive me Ilharess. Her blade cut me down just as I heard the name."
Paz'kole's lavender eyes blazed. "Then we must find a suitable reply for this Miyra. Blood for Blood. I want any three rangers or druids brought to me. One for each of our slain. I will have them on Lolth's altar."
"Is that wise Ilharess?" the voice of Bar'thain her advisor interceded. "The search for the rifts..."
The stock of her whip crashed into his mouth felling him instantly.
"There must be repayment," she snarled. "Blood for Blood. It is our way."
The advisor clutched his bleeding mouth, "Siyo, Ilharess...."
Paz'kole looked at him. "But? You WERE going to say BUT weren't you? You always do."
Bar'thain cringed. "If it please you Ilharess... a suggestion only..."
"Perhaps..." Paz'kole answered. "You survive in my house because of the agility of your mind. Speak then."
"I thought of the news we heard three days past," Bar'thain looked at the floor.
Paz'kole thought for a few moments and a slow cold smile spread across her face.
"Of course! That should do nicely." she said. Her hand made a pass in front of the advisor's face and his wound healed instantly.
Paz'kole looked around. "Saer of Vandree. I must speak with your Mistress. Tell her of what happened. Tell her I have an idea on how to answer what was done to you."
"Siyo, Jabress," The Vandree bowed low and gratefully backed out of the room.
Paz'kole thought deeply. The problem of the rifts was occupying much of her time but an attack on her house could not go unpunished for long unless it was seen as a sign of weakness.
"There must be blood for blood," she said. "But one will do. Hunters away! Bring me a druid. Any druid. Or a ranger. Better a druid. But the first you find. Go!" Six black-clad drow snapped salutes and hurried out.
"Assassins away!" Paz'kole commanded. "Tis well that our house is still unknown in this land.Soon they will know why our kin call us the Walkers of the Shadows. Find this Miyra creature. Observe only. I want to know friends, family... where she shits in the woods! Go!"
A full dozen men seemed to fade from sight.
"Yathrin to me. We need seekers."
Five drow priestesses began incantations.
Soon the first appeared, then another and another. Tiny spiders seemed to erupt from every corner of the room.
Paz'kole knelt and whispered softly, "To the woods little ones. The druids have a new grove. A new sacred tree. I would know where this tree is. Find it and return."
The spiders scuttled off, disappearing as quickly as they had arrived.
"So... A druid dares attack my house. Backstabs my sister... Well there shall be an accounting. I'll show them 'Balance'," Paz'kole said grimly.
"Won't that be likely to call down the wrath of the druids on us?" Ran'ratha asked. "If we desecrate their sacred tree...."
Paz'kole smiled grimly, "Yeees. But Matron Raele has many spare men. I'm sure I can persuade her to use them to seek this tree. Her son was one of those killed after all. Her house colours are distinctive... If the tree is despoiled and suspicion falls on Udos Dro'xun then it will be her men who have been seen in he area."
Ran'ratha grinned, "I like it. We have our revenge and Vandree take the consequences. And without breaking our truce with them. Thats very..."
"Drowish?" Paz'kole laughed loudly. "Soon you will learn, Sister. You pull the strings and the puppets dance. I must see dear Raele and set things in motion."

"Aluve Ilharess." Her household bowed in deep respect as Paz'kole left to spread a little more mayhem amongst her enemies.

_________________
Never knock on Death's door.
Ring the bell and run away!
Death really hates that!