|
Paz'kole looked up in irritation as a light tapping on the door of her room distracted her from the maps she was studying.
"Alu tarthe. Usstan tlun bein!" she called, irritably.
Despite her instruction the knock was repeated, albeit more timidly.
Muttering a curse she rose and threw the door open.
"I said I'm busy!" she yelled at the cringing temple acolyte who stood, head lowered.
"Perhaps a visit with our sisters in the Shrine of Screams will improve your hearing!" Paz'kole threatened.
*Forgive me, Jabress," the acolyte replied, "You have a visitor. I was sent to inform you of her arrival."
*I have no time now for visitors," Paz'kole snapped. "Have her wait in the common room. I will see whoever it is when it pleases me."
"Siyo, Jabress," the acolyte replied, "'zil dos quarth. But... she bade me give you this."
The acolyte held out a jewelled spider clasp identical to the one Paz'kole wore at her shoulder.
Paz'kole's eyes widened. "Bring her to me at once!" she commanded.
"Siyo, Jabress!" the acolyte turned and left as quickly as temple decorum permitted.
Minutes later a light footstep announced the arrival of her visitor. Paz'kole smiled broadly as the newcomer appeared.
"PARIS!" she exclaimed, "By Lolth's Web! Vel'bol silara dos ghil?"
"What brings me here?" the younger drow kept her eyes lowered, "Grave news and important house business... my Ilharess!"
"Ilha.... then the Matron has departed this life? What happened? Tell me all!"
"Siyo, Ilharess, Benis'katha fell prey to a mysterious ailment. No cure could be found. She died in terrible pain although she held on for many weeks."
"I will commit her dark soul to Lolth's service," Paz'kole said gravely. "She will be missed."
"Who by?" the younger drow asked. Her shoulders shook with suppressed laughter and as she looked up she could contain it no longer.
"We made sure she knew before the end. She died cursing your name," the younger drow giggled.
Paz'kole's laughter joined hers.
"Ah! Paris'tha! It gladdens my heart to see you again," Paz'kole grinned. "Always you were the most loyal of my sisters. Come. Sit. Tell me all. How did you do it?"
"Not me, Ilharess. Sister Sin'tala was the one. We noticed that Benis'katha used any of a number of food-tasters. Rarely the same one twice in a week. Sin started adding a little extra to her meals. Not enough to affect the tasters... but over a few weeks the poison built up... and you know Sin and her poisons... By the time Benis'katha started feeling ill it was already too late for her."
"I hope you covered your tracks well," Paz'kole said.
"There were no traces left, Ilharess," Paris'tha replied, "The kitchen staff, and all of Benis'katha's personal servants were put to the sword the same day. The way is clear now for you to return and lead us."
Paz'kole shook her head, "Ched Nasad is no longer my home. Benis-katha may have been content to lead a middle-ranking house but I am not. Udos Dro'xun is a new city and a strong house will rise far here. Send messengers and begin to familiarise yourself with the city. This will be the new home of house Reriethra'viel. Summon the house. We rebuild here."
"A dosst quarth, Ilharess," Paris'tha bowed low. "Ol zhal tlu xunor. A few have accompanied me. I will summon the others."
"It will be good to have my sisters near me again," Paz'kole said, "It'll be so much easier to defend myself when I know where you all are."
Paris'tha smiled, "I would never dream..."
"Of course you would!" the new Matron interrupted, "I'd be disappointed if any of my sisters lacked ambition."
"Even so... I live only to serve you now, Ilharess."
Paz'kole nodded. "We shall see."
"I brought you a gift," Paris'tha said.
"A good start," Paz'kole smiled, "What is it?"
"Rothe! Dos xal sultha," Paris'tha called.
A male surface elf dressed in house-slave robes entered the chamber bearing a flat box. Bowing low he offered the box to Paz'kole.
"Ah! Candied Slaad eyes! My favourites!" Paz'kole exclaimed. "Pick one slave..."
Paz'kole and Paris'tha watched with interest as the slave bit into the candied eyeball and dropped to his knees clutching his throat.
"Fast acting..." Paz'kole observed as the elf collapsed.
"And painful looking..." Paris'tha agreed.
The elf kicked a few times. Green froth spilled from his mouth.
"Aha! Sin'tala made them I see," Paz'kole chuckled as the elf shuddered and gasped his last breath.
"Lich-dust frosting," Paris'tha nodded. "Very nasty."
"I must find a suitably painful thank-you for her," Paz'kole said, "And promote her to a suitable position."
Paris'tha nodded agreement. "Few have her skill with poisons."
"We have much to do, Paris. Go now and send our messengers. I want the house members here as soon as possible."
"Siyo, Ilharess." Paris'tha bowed deeply before leaving to carry out her orders.
"Ilharess... Now nothing can stop me," Paz'kole thought, "No more subservience to stronger houses... for there will be no stronger houses here... the day of house Reriethra'viel has come... Here we will rise... and here we... no... here 'I' will rule!"
_________________
Never knock on Death's door.
Ring the bell and run away!
Death really hates that!
|
FAQ
Search
Login
