Welcome to Gaia! ::

"Faithless drow still have a magnitude for pragmatism." The mischievous one said softly to the three dark elves before him. "Then again, with this-" He held up a rod, "Your mothers would bark at my command." His grin widened.

"Set fire to the store houses, the docks, and any religious institutions. If you are caught, admit your guilt and my role as your master. Maybe they will let you live, as they can not act in Llothian manner." Meaning, its a very Lloth like act to torture and kill prisoners (generally, the former leading to the later). "Do not worry, over time, more brethren will join our cause. Its not likely any can resist my lure. Should all go very well, we could find that one day, those loyal to me will outnumber those who are free."

Releasing his smile, he cocked his head, and looked out the window at Vesandor streets. "Just remember, there's no need to get yourselves killed."

The three ex-patriot drow left the building, and returned to their normal rutines. None would notice this incident, for it has happened many a time over a long period of time. It would appear that this house is just a famous little snack bar where guards, mages, wizards, scholars, engineers, workmen, footmen, body guards, and chiefs like to go when they have a spare minute or two.

No one would realize that many of these were under the grave influence of the one who held the rod, nor would anyone suspect anything. Secret police have infiltrated this locale, and come out harbour no suspicions in the least.

The fires that sprang up several hours later, would be considered the work of outside forces, such as the ones that hunted any drow who dare step beyond the gates of the city.

Being drow, and a city full of them, this type of warfare was as futile as it was pathetic. The mages could conjure better tasting food than the stores ever could produce. Religious buildings were never important to any who were not zealots to begin with. The docks may have hurt a little bit because wood in Vesandor had become scarce (since the nearby forest was eliminated).

The three arsonists were captured and interrogated. They confessed to their alliance with the mischievous one, who was immediately sought by those capable of doing such things. They returned from the snack bar barring no news of him, nor feeling particularly opposed to returning to that place. The food within seemed to have seduced their sensibilities.

Magical investigation into the matter revealed nothing new to the city. Having a large number of magic users gathered so closely together prevented precise observation on any particular spells, meaning it would take a very long time to identify any specific spells or enchantments which may be influencing the community.


"So the rod works on drow." A voice whispered into the ear of the mischievous one. The voice sounded very mature, and very much interested in the rod.

"Of course it works on drow. It works on dragons and gods too." He replied, boasting about his device. "It will work on you too." He said calmly, confident in his victory over any mind.

"Aye, I would have to agree with you on that one... Except, its limitations are known to me." The whispering voice replied. "I just wanted to see how well the device worked on people resilient to magical effects, which is why I let you keep it this long."

"Well... I'm not finished with it yet." He replied. "Its my item of power, no one can use it but me."

"I heard of a Shooting Star who believed that same truth, but you killed him and took that for yourself."

The mischievous one turned to look at the other voice, and saw nothing but air. "Show yourself."

Like an obedient servant, the body appeared before the mischievous one. "As you wish."

"Who are you? I have not seen you in the city before."

"Oh, I am no one of any great consequence." He lifted his eyes to stare at the mischievous one directly.

"You have the look of a demon about your eyes."

"Only because I have seen and killed many." The bowing body smiled softly, "I like to test my strength against the strongest."

"I see... And are you content with my prowess?"

"What ever do you mean, your power comes from an item that is greater than you. It is sad to see someone like you possess so great an influence over people."

"But you cannot do anything about it."

"On the contrary." The mischievous one could have sworn the other was still bowing, but the sight of the weapon piercing his chest through his back surprised him, almost as much as the other's ability to make such actions under the influence of the rod.

"How--" Blood poured out of his mouth, his lungs had become too full to contain it any longer.

"Is this possible? Simple. I know what the item does, and how it does it. I took the time to think of a counter measure, and found out it worked by testing it in this manner. Now, you are dead, and the rod is mine. Thank you for showing me the potential of this weapon. Though, I did intend to find out what your motivation was in trying to destroy these distant cousins of mine, but I grew tired of your voice and demeanour. Any drow who grew amongst drow knows that the only good fellow elf, is a dead fellow elf. I figured out from your mischievous actions that you are trying to make the powers suffer, mostly for personal reasons. That I do not approve of, as it is a waste of good energy. It would have angered me if you accidentally got any of the delicious elves killed with your actions. I need these drow strong and healthy if I am to enjoy life."

The mischievous one had long lost the power to speak, and remained conscious right up until the last word of the other's speech. It was as though the other knew how long he would be conscious for. His laboured and choked breathes ceased, and his frame fell to the floor.

The drow of Vesandor would not suffer from these minor inconveniences anymore. Carrion worms consumed the corpse.

The other left the city the way he entered with the rod in hand. He was very pleased.

She sniffled once more and then turned her gaze up to meet his. She felt so strange at times like this...almost like it was truly okay to lean on him at any time for any reason and not worry. That was what trust was all about and she didn't even hate the fact that he was willing to fight her battles for her. It had become painfully clear that she was not okay by herself and she did need help, especially in this area. "I still feel awful..." And she hated it. She swiped at her own cheeks then rested her head against his. "Tell him you want a meeting."

"Spoiling you in the non overprotective but I may upset you becuase I did something you might not approve of way. I had a bit of a...meeting, with Zahara about her little situation with Khavier."

though a shrug.

"It's not Yinn or Nym..they'll want to beat on it. so my money is it's Rawr or some other non living thing."

"No wallowing and no stress, got it." Though it was a hell of a lot easier said than done. She sat up slightly and pulled her clip out then fixed her bangs and shoved it back into place, swiping at her cheeks once again. "You're right. What's done is done and there's nothing I can do to change any of it. You can have your meeting with Malik and I'll just...do something else." Tilting her head she dropped a light kiss on half of his lips and nuzzled her nose against his. "I do have to say that Malik did change his tune slightly once I refused to respond like I normally do."

He watched her back to her slightly normal self, at least taking measures to make herself presentable once more. "I'm sure whatever it is you find to do, it's somehow going to trace back to me. Be it health, food, or a story I may find amusing." That's how it had been lately after all. She was overprotective of him right now. Raise of an eyebrow though, "Well, who wouldn't? After knowing you for a while, one expects and can predict your reactions. Anything out of the ordinary, would be worth a second glance. Feeling better?" He knew Zahara...she wouldn't take long to make herself at least seem alright, and then she'd be shoving him off to do confrontational things.

"A'mael, you don't have to ask that question every five hours. Though your care is wonderful, I'm not made of glass...I promise you I'm not going to break. And I'm sure the jumpiness will fade in a few weeks." Giving him one of those smiles of hers that were more or less only for him. And of course walking over and snagging cinnamon fun from the plate he'd brought up. Why not indulge. "You're the one who's going to fall apart is you worry yourself anymore than you need to, love."

"I try not to. but I can't help it."

A slight grin at her taking to the cinnamon anyway.

"I have to make sure your perfectly okay. and I'm been in many a situation were someone said they're fine and I come back two hours later and they're dead. So there."

A slight chuckle.

"And I know your not made of glass...though maybe lead glass would work. and that's tough material for glass. Did you enjoy your fletching, as I assume that's a possible reason your changing the sheets even with the blanket I sent up."

"I think Yinn's the traitor and Nym's trying to tell us so Yinn is trying to silence him." He watched Nym paw back at the draithix then scamper over to curl up on the pillow. His gaze turned back to his friend and he shook his head. "He couldn't have gone home, he wanted to talk to my Daddy real bad. Besides he wouldn't leave without telling me goodbye." Zykariel gave his friend a happy smile and then lowered his voice even more. "I got a secret to tell you, Khai. That drow..." He glanced around just to make sure. "He's my grandfather."