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"Thank you but I can take care of myself. I am a priestess after all." Seth replied. She had taken care to train in secret and to never reveal the true nature of her power. The few drow in Au'Shinduago who could challenge her had little or no reason to kill her. Seth relaxed, leaning against the stone wall of the cafe. She had heard of a band of mercenaries lead by a demon but she had no idea where to find them. The young drow sighed. Patience is key when seeking revenge. She reminded herself.

Seth felt like she was choking. The smell and feeling ash suddenly filled her lungs. Her vision deteriorated into darkness. A grinning skull materialized before her eyes. Seth recognized this sensation. It was Kiaransalee's presence. The Vengeful Banshee's mad peals of laughter shook her to her core. The Revenancer was reaching into Seth's soul and touching something cold within her. It grew rapidly, freezing her from the inside. As quickly as it came, Kiaransalee's presence vanished. Seth slumped against the cafe wall gasping for air. New strength coursed through her like ice water. The goddess was pleased with Seth's undeath. A combination or pride and rattled nerves showed plainly on her face. Qu'ellar Derahel would have nothing to fear. Seth gingerly picked herself up off the ground.

"Yes, yes, everything is fine... Let's get going." Seth said, raking her fingers through her hair. With all the changes that had taken place, she hardly felt like herself anymore. In life Seth's strength had burned in her heart like a candle. Flickering but bright. Valthier had extinguished that flame and Kiaransalee replaced it with a glacier of power. It was so strong and foreign. Valthier had been right. It did feel good to be a vampire. The scent of blood teased Seth from every direction. The whole world seemed to have changed along with her. She put the feeling of shock aside. Walking alongside Shadow she moved effortlessly through the city.
As they traveled Seth's mind wandered back to the high priest. A familiar tingling crept up her spine. It was the closest Seth ever came to blushing. She could not forget Valthier's emaciated form. On any other male she would have considered it a flaw. Seeing Valthier that way only made her want to embrace him. Stop that! Seth reprimanded herself. Focus on your duties! Do you want to lose the favor you sacrificed your life for? She tried to think sobering thoughts of Reivan, spider-kissers and treacherous mercenaries.
The city transformed gradually as they moved north. There was a wider variety of creatures in this part of Au Shinduago. Illithids and hybrid monsters were a much more common element. Seth tried to look as menacing as possible. It was very difficult when one looked so young and innocent.

The throng of commoners parted nervously around Seth. No one wanted to run the risk of offending a noble drowess. Heavily armed creatures of every breed stalked along the edges of the crowd. Seth watched them suspiciously. "What are we looking for exactly? I mean, how will we know when we have found it?" Everything looked similarly squalid. Seth was beginning to resent her heightened senses. Some smells were easily identified but most were best left a mystery. She longed for the sickly sweet scent of death that permeated Kiaransalee's temple. "I want to go home." Seth groaned. Pouting was probably not the most becoming reaction for a high priestess but Seth was more concerned with her own tortured nose than what ordinary scum thought of her.

Seth growled in frustration. "Oh, why can't you just be clear?" All her life Seth had been subjected to impossible riddles and metaphors. It was wearing on her nerves. "You're being no help at all! The whole point of sending your shadows as scouts was to avoid wandering aimlessly in through the city. I've had enough. This is the last time I go anywhere with you!" Seth seethed. The surrounding crowd gave her a wider berth. A battle scarred male drow watched her warily near by. Seth lunged at him. She grabbed him harshly by his neck. "Are you a mercenary?" Seth demanded. The male braced himself for a blow. "I asked you a question!" She barked. Her captive did his best to compose himself. "Yes, my lady. I am with a company of three hundred." Seth released him immediately. She pulled a small sack of coins form her belt and shoved it into the mercenary's hands. "Report to Qu'ellar Derahel tomorrow. You will be paid well so bring your entire force..." Seth leaned toward him. "You had better be there. I'll remember the smell of your blood." She whispered. The male nodded grimly before rejoining the sea of creatures. Some of them had stopped what they were doing to watch. Seth hissed at them and bore her new fangs. The spectators quickly returned to their business. Seth turned briefly in Shadow's direction. "Come on. We're going home."

((Next post at Derahel.))

a black crow with three red eyes swoops into the center of the city proper, and perches on the best available vantage point. it makes periodic shifts, to get different angles. it is clearly examining the city. the watchbird makes no other movements, even if threatened.