“You dare to even think my God’s name!” he hissed, while around him the others looked like they might leap upon the bars again. Oh great, I thought… religious fanatics. I sighed heavily and turned my back on them, crossing to the other side of the cell and lowering myself to the floor while Morai watched me silently. Apparently they had only come to stare. Since that was the case, I had nothing more to say to them. Closing my eyes I dropped my head back against the wall and let my mind empty. A task that wasn’t too difficult, since there wasn’t all that much I seemed to have access to at the moment anyway.
It wasn’t working. I was trying for a meditative trance, but could feel eyes staring at me. It was like that feeling you get when you’re sleeping, and someone is standing over you, their gaze boring down at you. I sighed and cracked open my own eyes, not surprised to find he of the silver hair staring back at me from the other side of the bars. With him was one of the other Drows who had managed to restrain himself earlier. He had dark gray skin, white hair, and pale pink eyes. An interesting combination that I was certain I’d never seen before. I carefully moved my legs to the side. I’d realized two things earlier. One, they could hear my thoughts and two, something was strapped to my leg underneath my dress. I wasn’t all that interested in letting them know about the second and managed to keep myself from thinking it out loud in my mind. I wasn’t entirely sure how that worked; I just know I slid the thought away before it actually became fully formed.
Morai had reseated herself just down the wall from me, and she too was watching me. I wasn’t sure if there was something I was supposed to be doing… like maybe screaming for mercy or crying hysterically? Maybe they all just enjoyed watching me breathe. “They are working up their nerve to have you,” Morai informed me.
Have me what? I thought and frowned. I turned my head toward her and watched as she shook her head at me.
“They mean to have you beneath them, child. But they have been forbidden to harm you and are therefore unsure how to go about it.”
“Sex?” I demanded, feeling my anger surge while inside me something tightened. Two of the Drow jerked as if struck, and he of the silver hair wrapped his long black fingers around the silver bars and stared at me intently. “I don’t think so,” I muttered and moved my eyes back to them, my gaze locking with the silver one’s. Whoever I was, I was quite certain that I did not allow strangers to touch my person. Did a man want me, he must first prove himself worthy else I would not have him, I thought, then blinked and rolled that thought around in my mind. It seemed somehow right, as was the notion that I did not belong to any one man. I felt that they, in the plural, belonged to me. I eyed the men at the bars again, tilting my head to the side and considering them in a new light.
Chapter 2
The gray skinned Drow shifted under my gaze and my tongue came out to lick my lips. What manner of beings were these? And was this the best they had to offer me? I wondered, while my eyes roamed their bodies taking in the tattoo of a blade and a drop of dripping blood on the gray’s chest. I could not tell if the black one had a tattoo as his skin was much too dark and I could not see through his silver hair. Did they have names? Would they think to share them before setting upon me like a pair of rabid dogs? And what was it they hoped to gain by having me?
“Domination,” Morai informed me. “They seek to dominate all those they feel are weaker. Should you wish to survive you must be strong.”
“It would be much easier if I knew what I was working with,” I replied in disgust.
“Then I suggest you start doing something about it,” she told me firmly. “Unless you prefer to be raped by these two? And be trapped here forever.”
“I thought they were forbidden to hurt me?” I replied and watched as both men’s eyes widened, then narrowed. The silver haired one glanced around the room as if searching for whoever had provided me with that information.
“Yes that is true. But there are other ways to make you participate,” she informed me and my eyes narrowed while my breath caught in my throat.
“Do they know me?” I asked. I was wondering if I had simply arrived here, or if they were somehow responsible for my being in this place.
“No. They had no knowledge of you until they found you, wandering where you should not have been. Kaela Mensha only rouses himself to other worlds when his vassals call forth his armies. In your case, he is as aware of you as any God would be. And his men have found you of particular interest.”
“And how is that?” I asked, wondering how a God could hold himself apart from his people and yet know about their comings and goings. But then I sensed I knew very little about Gods. Morai sighed again and shook her head.
“I cannot hold you at fault for your lack of knowledge, but it is sorely trying,” she informed me. I thought about her comment and couldn’t help grinning. Irritating and trying. Hmmm… it seemed to be a theme for me. “When he brought you here he touched his vassal and absorbed your life through his servants. You are strong and have denied them access to yourself, and it intrigues them.”
Most of what she said meant little to me yet one thing was clear. “Absorbed my life. He killed me? I’m dead? Is this Hell then?” I asked, my voice going hollow with a touch of horror laced through it. I glanced around me again, staring at the walls, which seemed just a little too straight to be Hell. Hmmm… that thought was not comforting, nor was I certain where it came from. Had I been to Hell? It seemed to me that I might recognize it and that this place did not feel like that vague memory.
“Were you not paying attention, child? I told you you are immortal. And no, this is not Hell, as you well know.”
“But he… this God absorbed my life, all because I challenged his Blade?” Did that mean his Blade was his vassal; I thought, then lifted my hands and rubbed at the area between my eyes? My chain rattled softy when I lowered my hands back to my lap. And if the vassal was the Blade, then who was standing at my cell bars? Were they vassals too, or merely guards? And if they were guards, what exactly was it they guarded? If there were no women here, that meant no families, no children. What was there to guard against? Surely not their God, for what manner of God was it that couldn’t protect himself. She had said servants; were they merely servants of this God? They did not look like servants, but then what might a servant of a God of death and blood look like? And even worse, how might they serve him?
“Perhaps they just enjoy battle,” Morai offered and I shook my head and tipped it back against the wall behind me.
“Then who do they fight? If this is the Everlasting and it is everywhere and nowhere then do they fight everyone and no one? That doesn’t even make sense,” I told her. “Unless…” I replied thoughtfully and lifted my head from the wall, opening my eyes to glance at the two men who seemed to be paying very close attention to me, though they both looked annoyed. “Unless they merely represent battle, in which case they don’t exist except as a concept. Which means this is all in my head. I am not here, and soon I will wake and find I’m back wherever it is I belong,” I continued and watched as both men appeared shocked by my words. The gray one looked like he might argue but clamped his lips together tightly, while the black held the bars tightly and glared at me.
Morai looked at me and raised an eyebrow. “Interesting,” she replied with a sly smile. “And if they do exist?”
“Then the question would be… what is it they guard or how is it they serve?” And I glanced at them again and raised an eyebrow. “Gentlemen, what is it you guard?” I asked, my voice a challenge.
The silver haired man frowned and stared at me as if I was a bug on his windshield. Hmmm… and what is a windshield, I thought, and my internal dialog seemed to distract both of them. Never mind! I yelled in my head and watched as he with the silver hair jerked and shook his head slightly. What is it you guard, what is it you guard, what is it you guard? I chanted silently and watched, as both of them seemed to grind their teeth. You only get one set of those, guys; be
tter not wear them down, I thought, and then felt a flash of memory. It was as if I’d had that thought before. I didn’t even bother wondering if they were servants.
Sheesh… the two of them were so unhelpful, I groused to myself and tipped my head back against the wall again, closing my eyes and ignoring them. Obviously they weren’t going to assist me and were therefore of no use whatsoever. I needed a man that would speak to me. The idea that I needed a host of male faces flashed across my mind, too fast to grasp any of the images. Long pale hair and black hair and eyes the color of violets. Obviously I needed someone, I just couldn’t see them. And it seemed that there were many that would help me, if I could but remember them.
“Tell me what a Drow is?” I asked Morai. I didn’t bother to open my eyes as I didn’t particularly care to see either man’s reaction.
Morai’s voice was low and steady and I relaxed back against the wall to listen. “They are like you, child, in that they are Elfin. However you are of the Ljosalfar while they appear Svartalfar.” Hmmm… I was a Light Elf and they were Dark. That made sense, especially given the differences in our skin color. Mine was a golden tone while there’s…was not. Morai hesitated a moment then proceeded. “Many a long millennia ago they did not appear as they do now. They have always been darker than the Liosalfar, their hair and skin closer to the shades found in the darker aspects of nature. In fact there are Svartalfar in other places that remain as they have ever been, with skin that glows with pure light. But they are the true Svartalfar, while these before you are not. In your world there are a few true Svartalfar, but mostly they are Drow who intermingled with others until their true nature is once again hidden. The vassal you challenged… Kaela Mensha’s Blade is one, however diluted his blood has become by his Daoine heritage.
Once all Elves lived harmoniously. But the Ilythir, descendants of Ssri-tel-quessir became dissatisfied. These Svartalfar began to covet their neighbor’s land and eventually rose up, attacking any who held items of value which they envied. This civil unrest went on until finally they were defeated. But their defeat only served to anger them that much more and they became embittered. Then, one was born into their society named Lolth. And as she grew, she brought terrible strife amongst the Ilythir, such that they began to turn upon themselves in anger and envy once again. Lolth was wicked and called forth a dark God and the strife soon turned to more bloodshed and wars. Until the rest of the Gods of Annwn, angered at her actions, finally rose up and cast out this woman. But by then she had already managed to steal many of the dark God’s powers through deceit and manipulation.
Lolth’s followers were many, and the Gods of Annwn named them ‘dhaeraow’ or Drow, which means traitors. And the Gods marked her and her followers so that all might know them for their treachery and evil ways. Darkness was the mark the Gods placed upon them, along with sensitivity to light, for they were banished from all that is good and bright for their foul crimes. Then the Gods of Annwn drove them underground forcing Lolth and all her followers off the surface and into the Underdark where they scattered, living for centuries as scavengers and feral beasts. Eventually Lolth brought them together and they became more civilized, building great underground cities and elaborate tunnel systems. But she could not control the very nature she had foisted above ground. And these Svartalfar turned upon each other once again, eventually tearing apart their newly created world. Many became dissatisfied with Lolth and her evil ways and fled the Underdark through the gateway to the Oiotellad.
Within the Oiotellad some lost their way and were disbursed. Many were left to wander alone or in small groups. Some remain, while others went on to different worlds and began breeding with other peoples. Usually the fairest they might find, as they seek to erase the blemish upon their souls. Some turned to other Gods. These before you came to the Oiotellad and for whatever reason, they are here as part of the Host, Hunters who worship Kaela Mensha, the God of the Hunt.”
I pulled my head from the wall abruptly and glanced at her. Something she said tugged at a memory… and then it slipped away and I frowned. “And what is it they Hunt?” I asked in a low voice that nearly vibrated.
Morai looked at me and smiled her crooked smile. “Why… women, of course,” she replied with a chuckle. “For they have none. Yet it is also that many have not forgotten or forgiven the fact that it was their love and trust in a woman that caused them to be here.”
“And do they hunt often?” I asked and she smiled again and shook her head no. So aside from everything else, I felt it was fairly safe to believe that they hated women. It was starting to make sense.
“No not often, and I would not say they hate women. In fact, it is just the opposite.”
“Really, then what would you say?”
“That they seek one that is worthy of them, and do not suffer lightly those that do not measure up. Understand, child, the Drow turned their back on everything for their love of a woman, and their punishment was severe. It wasn’t that they stopped loving Lolth. They simply became disillusioned with her, but only after many long millennia. Elves have ever sought to worship one stronger, more beautiful, or more talented than they themselves. Perhaps it is that they live so very long, and the thought of having nothing to look forward to, to emulate or ascribe to, would be worse than death.
“And do they love her still? If she appeared to them today would they turn their backs upon their new God and follow her once again?” I didn’t know why, but that thought did not sit well with me. I was not sure if it was because she had fooled them cruelly and I lacked all respect for a twice fool. Or it was the thought of them believing they might have me, yet turn to another once we were done, that set my teeth on edge. Apparently I wasn’t only irritating and trying, I thought with a grimace. A strong streak of jealousy seemed to be inherent within me also.
“Only they can answer,” Morai said calmly.
“Yes but apparently the cat has their tongues,” I replied with a touch of disgust. “Or perhaps it is that the only one capable of speech already ran away in fear,” I taunted. “Do you think they might coax him back? Perhaps if I stand in the far corner and promise not to come any closer.”
The gray skinned Drow actually flashed a smile at my words, though it was quickly removed from his face. He was standing just to the left and a step behind the silver haired Elf who did not look amused at all.
“Taunting them is not a good idea,” Morai remarked. “Eventually you will want to release your hold upon the lock and they will come in.”
I turned to her slowly, my ears trying to adjust to the words she spoke. “I am holding the lock?”
“Yes, since first you came to be here. It is all that has kept them from you thus far. As I mentioned earlier.”
The idea was… shocking, and I must have missed that bit. “But what about their God?” I demanded, my eyes narrowing upon her suspiciously. “Can he not open the door?”
“Hmmm,” she replied. “It seems to do so would be to cause you harm and as he is loath to harm you, he has turned you over to these two, who I believe are here to coax you out.”
I laughed sharply, I simply couldn’t help myself. They were here to coax me? I thought, and laughed so hard tears filled my eyes. When one, then several ran down my cheeks and fell to the floor making small plinking sounds, I stilled abruptly. My gaze shifted slowly to the floor next to me. There, gleaming upon the gray marble, were several golden teardrops. My tears had turned to gold! I reached for one and lifted it, placing it upon my palm and staring at it in wonder. Of one thing I felt certain; Elves did not cry golden tears. I gathered the rest of them up from the floor and held them in my open palm.
I was Elf and something more. I had clothed myself at my will and wore a circlet upon my brow. I was irritating and trying and had a jealous nature. It seemed I was used to having men about me that I thought of as mine. At some point I had been to Hell and back, and had challenged the Blade of the God of the Hunt. My name was Lexi, but I had no memor
y of who or what I was. Yet I had somehow managed to lock myself within a cell and was keeping those that would abuse my person out. What then was I?
“What would you be child?” Morai’s voice brushed over me.
Queen! My mind shouted at me, and I groaned and reached to grasp my head tenderly. I bent forward to do so, and dropped several of my tears in the process. They fell back upon the floor with more plinking noises, like so many coins. When the pain had subsided slightly, I lowered my hands and glanced at Morai. “It seems I would be Queen. But of who or what I have no sense.”
“It will come to you,” she replied calmly as she settled herself more firmly upon the floor, closing her pale eyes, a sweet smile upon her face.
I sat there for several minutes not really thinking anything momentous, simply waiting for the last of the pain in my head to subside. When it had, I rose to my feet and crossed back to the bars, taking care to stop just out of arm’s reach. I took my time and allowed my eyes to roam the silver haired Drow closely. There wasn’t an inch of his front that I did not study or caress with my eyes. And when I was done with him I turned to the gray, stepping to the left so I might see him better. His body turned slightly to face me and I started at his boot clad feet and made my way upwards. I hesitated at his waist, realizing something was missing. I worried at it a moment, my eyes focused on the area near his belt but finally shrugged and let it go as I continued my upward perusal. When I reached his eyes, I found they appeared… amused. Turn around I whispered in my mind, and he raised a white eyebrow and stared back at me while his arms dropped to his sides and he took a step toward the bars. Turn around so I might see all of you. I whispered again, and his eyes narrowed yet he obliged me while he of the silver hair made a low noise in his throat.
Dragon Greed Page 2
