Vierna

I gaze up at the yellow orb and say nothing.

How long can I hide this? It is getting worse. *curses* It is now affecting how I function. *sighs deeply* This is not like me at all. For the first time in my life I am having doubts?.I am making mistakes. Why am I being dragged down? Am I no longer in Lloth?s favour? Has she deserted me? If so why?

As is their will, Lloth and my mothers, I have established a power base. I can now open a trade route between the Underdark and the surface. Property has been legitimately secured for these purposes. I have smashed the aberration that is Von?Sah. And I have found and re-opened the Temple to Lloth. These achievements please my mother, they please the divine Spider Queen?.and yet?..

I sense a change in me. Why am I accepting some human values? Have I been on the surface too long or is this also part of the illness which affects me? I say illness but that is not what it is. Something deep down in the Abyss wants me. Something powerful and hideous is trying to pull me down. It is only my strength of will that is stopping it?..so far. But how long can I keep this up. Is the Dark Mother aware of this? Or does she no longer care?

Sleep. Ah the tiredness, this is not right. The dream?.the blackness. A blackness no Drow can know, even total darkness is unknown to me. Why can I not see? And the voice?..calling from the deep?calling me to endless sleep??Vierna?.Vierna, come to me?.you will be mine now?.nothing can save you?..

I have drawn SD and LL closer to me. Closer than a Drow should. So close that I have made myself vulnerable if they chose to strike. Is it just loyalty that holds them back? Or do they still see me too strong even in times of weakness? And Faeryl? I have pushed her from me. I have pushed away the one who needs me the most because I forbade her to try to save me. Are these errors of judgement? I must fight this with all my strength and guile. I must push the doubts away and become the Vierna Hun?ett I know I am. I must no longer be seen as soft!

Lloth I pray to you?do not let weakness be my epitaph. But I fear tomorrow, I fear I am dying. You once, when I stood before you, returned me to my quest. You said there was still much to do?..Dark Mother give me the strength to carry on??..

I watch, I assess, I report.

Vel'drav l' sil'in qu'ellar d'Hun?ett zotrethen??Jal zhal sha-rasa!!!

Lloth tlu laoles, dosst handmaiden orn naut hojh dos!!!!

__________________

Vierna

I look up, but the yellow orb is not to be seen.

Vierna?..you are losing it. This blackness that is disturbing me is affecting me more and more. I must fight it?I must prevail. SD is right. Faeryl is priestess. It is her duty to do what I have forbidden. And if it all goes wrong then no one is to blame?..it will be Lloth?s will.

That I almost committed my followers to an alliance that made no sense is indicative of the state of my mind. I am allowing myself to be influenced in ways that should not be happening. Oh dear Lloth?.where have I failed you? Who is it from the Abyss that torments me? Dark Mother why have you fallen silent?

And as I sleep, the blackness surrounds me. Even after an evening of unequalled joy, I still cannot rest in peaceful slumber?..the voice comes back?..Vierna?.Vierna?..come to me?..you will be mine??.forever?..forever Vierna.

I have never feared any living thing. I do not fear pain?..I do not even fear death its self. Yet this unknown torment I do fear. For the first time in my life I fear something?I fear the unknown. If this gets out, I am doomed. My mother will not tolerate weakness and yes this is a weakness. I know this now. If I let Faeryl do what she must, is that also a weakness? Why can I not make the right decision? Why is self doubt creeping into aspects of my life? I have never doubted my myself, I know I am strong. I know I am someone to be feared by all those around me. I must fight this torment, this doubt, this weakness! Both SD and LL have told me to become strong again, they cannot help me in this, I must do it by myself. I must become the feared Vierna Hun?ett once more!

And yet this blackness, this calling to me, this vulnerability??.

I watch, I assess, I report.

Vel'drav l' sil'in qu'ellar d'Hun?ett zotrethen??Jal zhal sha-rasa!!!

Lloth tlu laoles, dosst handmaiden orn naut hojh dos!!!!

__________________

Vierna

*Does not bother to look up at the sky*

*sighs* I have not been active enough. This condition is wearing me down from the inside, but I must fight it. I had a long conversation with LL, it helped strengthen my resolve. In her way, she too counselled that I should allow Faeryl to raise a demon. As she said?.it is only a question of time. She will do it with or without my blessing. But on the other hand if I now give her permission, that shows weakness on my part. I made my decision?to change it shows an element of doubt. And that would send out the wrong signals. No. I will not change my decision, but then nor will I actively stop Faeryl in what she is attempting to do. *chuckles* To everyones eyes Faeryl, you have defied me!

*Picks up a recent edition of the Poste, reads and laughs uproariously*

Oh dear Lloth Moiraine, you have excelled yourself this time. *laughs again* The death penalty! Branding! Oh this is wonderful stuff. That Pretty Polly has actually obtained a scoop worth printing. *shakes head* I never knew you had it in you. So Moiraine, fragrant Baroness of the City of Honour. Again your lies, your deceit and your hypocrisy has been exposed. "I don?t believe in torture, we never torture anyone"?..that is your war cry Moiraine! Tell me half breed, what is branding if it is not torture? *laughs some more* Ah keep trying Moiraine?.keep trying to act the drow?.but it will not work. You are not a drow, never will be. You are not human, never will be. You are a nothing!

*Puts down the Poste, wiping tears of mirth from my cheeks*

I watch, I assess, I report.

Vel'drav l' sil'in qu'ellar d'Hun?ett zotrethen??Jal zhal sha-rasa!!!

Lloth tlu laoles, dosst handmaiden orn naut hojh dos!!!!

__________________

Vierna

*Ignores the yellow orb which sits high in the sky*

What tangled web you again spin Divine Mother. Here I have more growing strength in my organisation with the arrival of a Selvetarm champion, two sisters on the run from a disastrous house war and another from my own House. And yet I am feeling a lessening of my personal resolve. The momentary black-outs and the tormenting sleep are taking its toll. I now feel physically drained at times and it takes all my will to keep going. I have done well to hide the momentary lapses, but how can I hide the more obvious physical strains? I have to rise above it!!

It is still calling me from the deep??..louder and more persistent now.
It is still summoning me to endless sleep?..I can sense its touch, its essence.
It is still trying to drag me down??how much longer can I fight it?
If you are going to defy me Faeryl and it is Lloth?s will??.do it Faeryl?.do it soon?.

*Stares ahead, deep into the distance?..snaps out of it*
New and important information has come my way. Mother wants to know who built Lloth?s Temple on this land. Who was here before us. Certainly it was not the despicable Von?Sah, so it was another House. I had heard mention of another house which is no longer around. LL talked of such one night. Her life and memories on this surface stretch way way back. That sparked off a long discussion. Her memories are cloudy but she did tell me of one who would know more. One who also has a long history on this land. LL arranged a meet and I came face to face with one who could help me enormously???*smiles for the first time in a long while*


I watch, I assess, I report.

Vel'drav l' sil'in qu'ellar d'Hun?ett zotrethen??Jal zhal sha-rasa!!!

Lloth tlu laoles, dosst handmaiden orn naut hojh dos!!!!

__________________

Vierna

*looks up at the descending yellow orb and smirks*

Some things progress and some things stay the same.

Sabrae came to see me. Seems the half breed went fishing to try and find out what I was up to. *laughs* Poor Moiraine. Did you think Sabrae would fall for your lies and deceit again? No Sabrae knows better than that. She told you some of her future plans and if you cared to listen properly, then you will know why she is with me now. Sabrae knows I can deliver what you cannot. She knows she has a House to go back to?.she knows she has a true family?.she knows she has a name?.and it is not Von?Sah! She also knows something else neither Moiraine nor Kalannar can do, and that is to return freely to the Underdark. Yes Sabrae wants to go home, and she will. Because I can make it so!

I had my second meeting with the mysterious Lady. As yes. This one needs to be treated carefully. Knowing her background, related by LL, and from what she told me herself, I can fully appreciate why she fears me. I had hoped she could help me trace the Drow who built Lloth?s Temple on this surface land. But the House she gave me, from what they did to her, clearly it was not them. The Jhaeldrin are not the answer I seek?just another bunch of outcasts, renegades and thugs it would seem. A House that claimed the Drow gods had no power on the surface. *laughs* How wrong they were. Where are they now? Gone?.they cease to exist. Why? Who knows the real reason but my assessment would be that they died on the rack of inertia. Aimless and ambitionless that is why they are gone. That would seem to be the truth of it. The Lady did give me a name. I passed it on to my mother. If this one is still alive, he will pay dearly for his crimes. I owe the Lady that much if she helps me.

So I outlined how she could help me and asked her if she would. She said she would consider it once she has seen the documents I possess. That is fair. This I will do and leave it for her to make the decision. I cannot and will not force my will on this Lady. There are two reasons for this. Firstly, she has to do it freely otherwise the impact is diluted. Secondly, I sense the bond between her and LL is extremely strong. To repay LL?s loyalty, this Lady will not be harmed by me or any of my followers. I sense she can aid me in other areas in anycase. One word from LL or the Lady and I will bring her under my protection.

We parted on good terms and although she appeared to have come to this meeting alone, I sensed she was being watched. She hinted at that during our conversation. Your are a smart Lady?I am not offended...I compliment you on your caution. I said we would meet again soon and as she left, she gave me a name of someone else who might help me trace the past. This one I have met once or twice before.

*rubs temple absently* Ah the darkness descends on me. *rubs fingers across my eyes* I need rest. *sighs* Here I go again. The battle of wills with my tormentor begins anew. If I do not rest, it cannot touch me, but I need my rest???

I watch, I assess, I report.

Vel'drav l' sil'in qu'ellar d'Hun?ett zotrethen??Jal zhal sha-rasa!!!

Lloth tlu laoles, dosst handmaiden orn naut hojh dos!!!!

__________________

Vierna

*I look up at the yellow orb and laugh*

And still they come.

Despite my battle against this unseen foe, despite the lack of rest I desperately seek, my following continues to grow. The Drow on the surface know who is the strongest now and so they come to me. They come to me because I can deliver what no others can. I can bring them home!

This is something Von?Sah could never do. Why? Because they cannot go home safely themselves. Talk to a Von?Sah ask it why it prefers the surface to their true home and the reply is always the same. The surface is my home now, it is a better place than the Underdark. *laughs* What pathetic rubbish! No. I need no longer act directly against them. They are fading in the same way as the Jhaeldrin before them. Inertia. That is what finished them. Inertia. The same thing that effects the Kaldorians. An invading army now content to be on vacation.

Now conspicuous in their absence, Von?Sah hide behind the skirts of Trinsic. No longer able to even issue meaningless threats, they get a puppet Duke to do their bidding and harass my followers. This is nothing new. They tried the same tactic against the Jhaeldrin?..running to the city?..help! Proctect me! Nasty Drow are chasing me! *laughs loudly* But Trinsic was stronger then, it had strong and dependable allies then. Does the fabled "Trinsic Alliance" still hold true? *chuckles* Time will tell.

*sighs* I spend much time at the temple. It is the only place where I can find a semblance of rest. When I sleep there, the torment is just about bearable. Why do you delay Faeryl? Has your ambition now increased that you feel strong enough to overthrow me? No Faeryl, you still need me. You need me because Maya is still in our way. So Faeryl, defy me and raise your demon. Help me end this torment and I will rid you of Maya.

And LL. Despite her own doubts. Despite her own torments, she has been my rock. How can I repay you? With your help and that of L and my soulmate SD, I will survive. This thing will never drag me down!!!

I watch, I assess, I report.

Vel'drav l' sil'in qu'ellar d'Hun?ett zotrethen??Jal zhal sha-rasa!!!

Lloth tlu laoles, dosst handmaiden orn naut hojh dos!!!!

__________________

Vierna

*grunts up at the yellow orb, high in the sky*

Interesting. Will I ever fully understand the workings of the human mind? Seems this fabled "Trinsic Alliance" sort of exists after all. But knowing that it does poses more questions than answers..

Firstly, there had been the strange occurrence of various elemental monsters pouring from a crater in the centre of the city. This attracted all sorts of mercenaries and glory seekers to the cities defence. Poor fools. Most never stood a chance. Still it was amusing to watch humans die in a futile cause. This is where I and my race had the advantage. Elementals are not unknown below ground, in fact that is where they come from. But they cannot exist too long. Unless they can feed from the bodies of those which they destroy, they eventually crumble and die. So they are best avoided, that way you defeat them. It took the humans a while to realise this. Now the city is clear.

It is the second occurrence that bemused me more. The zealots of Yew decided to mount an attack on Trinsic. It made me smile to hear their leader call the town the City of Dishonour. This is something I have been calling it ever since I came to the surface. I have watched various factions from the sidelines, accessing strengths and weaknesses. The ongoing Rebel versus Loyalist war has given me ample opportunities to do this. By far the Yewians are the strongest single group. At first I thought that this was an escalation of the Loyalist/Rebel war, since it is now common knowledge that the Duke has been financing the Rebels for some time. He has also been supporting the Rebels in other ways. Funny that, him being a Duke, you would think he was on the side of the absentee king. But no. He supports the Rebels whilst appearing neutral.

There is no doubt Trinsic is weak. It can barely raise enough strength from within its own walls to defend its self, so it relies on help from other areas. It is this support that totally bemuses me.

Always first is Kaldor. The army of an alien power which claims to be the rightful rulers of the land it has invaded. But what does it do? It sits on its hands in complete inertia until Trinsic cries help. Now any real leader with ambition would seize the opportunity and grab the town for itself. But what does Kaldor do? Sheds blood for a people it has sworn to take over! *shakes head*

Next the archer army. In the ongoing Rebel/Loyalist war they were staunch allies of the people of Yew and sworn enemies of Kaldor whom they see as a rebel force. They were also suspicious of Trinsic?s motives and the fact that Trinsic and Kaldor are allied. Yet as soon as Yew made a move against the Duke, what does the archermen do? *shakes head in complete bemusement* Their leader, Devante changes sides! Suddenly Kaldor and the archers are friends, suddenly the Duke and the archers are friends, suddenly Devante and Klion are enemies! It is totally illogical.

Then there are all the brigand and riff raff gangs. The ones the Duke reckons he does not want around. Suddenly all is forgiven and they rally to defend his city. And the brigands? Oh yes dear Duke, despite all the grief you have caused us in the past putting paid to our criminality, we will come to your aid! *laughs* What utter stupidity. What utter senselessness. There they all go shedding blood for a city that despises them. *laughs* And the rulers of the city? The Duke and the fragrant Baroness? No where to be seen. What fools you all are!

I watch, I assess, I report.

Vel'drav l' sil'in qu'ellar d'Hun?ett zotrethen??Jal zhal sha-rasa!!!

Lloth tlu laoles, dosst handmaiden orn naut hojh dos!!!!

__________________

Vierna

*Gazes at the lowering yellow orb and makes an obscene gesture*

This new war is stupid and pointless, Lloth only knows what purpose it serves.

Still it allowed me to participate in a piece of mischief. *grins* I have Klion?s lands under surveillance almost constantly, it pays to know what the strongest faction is up to. Faeryl reported to me that the Yewians had a Trinsic paladin as prisoner. So I had him watched. Over the course he was moved several times, the Yewians obviously felt that some sort of rescue would be attempted. And so it proved. And they all failed. I pondered over the consequences of freeing him myself??yes why not. *chuckles* I therefore authorised Faeryl to do it, but only if she was certain of not been seen.

As it turned out, just before Faeryl made her attempt, some rag tag brigand outfit made a botched attempt. Why they wanted the paladin, who knows. Most likely for coin. Anyway, the ensuing skirmish and confusion gave Faeryl the ideal opportunity which she seized with complete success! *laughs* Having watched various groups try and fail, here one small and slender female triumphs !!!

Faeryl brought the paladin to me and after I and LL patched him up and had a talk with him, we escorted him back to Trinsic. Sure I considered selling him but what use is coin to me, this suited my interests better. The expressions on the Duchy guards faces was a picture. *laughs* That alone made it all worthwhile. Maybe now that weak Duke will realise, it is not him or his guards I am after.

My search for the Drow who built the temple continues. I had a meeting with the female leader of the Kaldorians. Kaldor it seems once had a pact with some Drow groups. She did give me some names which may prove useful, but she admitted her memory is no longer what it was. So on the face of it, although it would seem I am no further forward, I do have some clues to work on.

*sighs* And still through all this, the relentless torment continues.

I met the Lady again. With her connection with LL, I took a severe risk. I confided my problem to her. Knowing that something similar happened to her in the past, I hope she can help me. She said she knew someone who may help and she resolved to find and consult her. *sighs very deeply* This may be the beginning of the end. One slight indiscretion from the Lady?.and I am finished! But I must find an alternative to my sisters method?that way spells doom too!

I watch, I assess, I report.

Vel'drav l' sil'in qu'ellar d'Hun?ett zotrethen??Jal zhal sha-rasa!!!

Lloth tlu laoles, dosst handmaiden orn naut hojh dos!!!!

__________________

Vierna

*Gazes upwards and sees nothing but blackness*

I could not wait any longer.

The Lady has not got back to me and Faeryl is now too close. I have sat here at the entrance to the Abyss and now I can delay no longer. It is over tendays now. No doubt my absence has been registered. No doubt my enemies feel a sense of relief. *laughs bitterly*

No. I have sat here, planning, praying and summoning the courage to do what I must do. I can take this torment no more. I am tired. I need to rest. But I never will until I confront my torment face to face. This is what I must do. *sighs heavily, resigned*

This will be my third time in the Abyss. By far the most dangerous. Twice before I have been there, but that was my astral body. And as long as my physical body was safe, then there was always a chance of survival. This time I enter physically. This time my chances are virtually non existent. But it must be done. And if I survive, if I win, how much stronger will I be? Or will I be but a shell of myself? I give myself to Lloth?s will.

Will the group be in safe hands while I am away? *laughs* LL, SD and L. They will protect my interests. That I am sure. Faeryl and Malafae? *sneers* I see a power struggle between them, but they will not get the support of my three most trusted allies. If the others, especially Sabrae, are wise, they will stay out of it. Let Faeryl and Malafae kill themselves. *laughs humourlessly*

*cries out in agony* Foolish Vierna! Why did I do it! Why did I have to seek her out!

Just when I gained all the courage I needed, I cracked! Me, Vierna, the uncaring self centred bitch! *lets out almost a sob* I cracked to an emotion I barely understand, an emotion I refuse to accept exists. I went back to find SD. To tell her Aluve?. I needed one last embrace before I left. Oh stupid weak Vierna!

And SD refused to leave me. She insisted that we go together. I should have embraced her, then killed her. That way she would be spared the dangers and agonies that must be faced. But I could not. I am weak. Emotion has destroyed cold hard thought.

It is time. Hand in hand, SD and I stepped into the void????

I watch, I assess, I report.

Vel'drav l' sil'in qu'ellar d'Hun?ett zotrethen??Jal zhal sha-rasa!!!

Lloth tlu laoles, dosst handmaiden orn naut hojh dos!!!!

__________________

Vierna

*I gaze upwards and see nothing but an empty void*

And so we entered the Abyss. A mass of contradictions. Cold but at the same time hot. Arid but at the same time wet. It is not how I remember it.

This is my third time in the Abyss. Twice before I have been here. But on those occasions it was my astral body that travelled here. I had a specific destination, pulled there once by Lloth herself and once by the thing I seek now. Lloth sent me back safely. I never got to see the thing that torments me. By good fortune and Lloth?s benevolence, Faeryl pulled my astral body from the brink just in time. This time I am here physically and nor am I alone.

Now that we are here, I realise the shear folly of entering. How we are to return is the least of our worries, since where we entered no longer exists. What surrounds us, at first looked like a vast plane of emptiness, but as our eyes adjusted to the extreme darkness, details began to emerge. Had I not been holding SD?s hand, I would have sworn I was alone. But gradually, as my eyes adjusted, the beautiful and brave drow that is my soulmate slowly, which I can only describe as solidified, appeared at my side. I looked into her eyes and for the first time I saw fear in them. If she sought reassurance in mine, then I had failed her for I felt the same fear.

We drew our piwafwi tightly around us as we tried to take in our surroundings. Tried to make sense of it all. I looked around. In every direction, the plane on which we stood stretched out infinitely, flat and completely featureless. Then other details emerged. Scattered intermittently in every direction stood portals. Not the blue or red portals seen frequently on the surface, but vast black doors. We stood looking around for how long I could not measure. Time just seems not to exist here. I looked once again into SD?s eyes and for the first time ever in my life, I said sorry.

More time passed. Was it seconds or was it days, I have no idea. Then we noticed vast numbers of ethereal bodies floating all around us, passing through us as if we did not exist. Only the firm fearful grip I had of SD?s hand assured me that we did. These spirits seemed drawn to the black doors. Many seemed to float around aimlessly searching for a particular door. Then it dawned on me what was happening. These ethereal bodies were in fact the souls of the dead. They floated around searching for the correct door, the one that took them to their deity. There they would appear before it to be either doomed for all eternity or glorified as one of the chosen.

Where we go from here I have no idea. I came to confront what torments me, but the calling voice has gone. Whatever it is, lies beyond one of these countless portals. Oh the folly of what I have done! I look once again at SD, I feel a wetness in my eyes. A sensation I cannot comprehend. "Forgive me" I whisper, but she does not hear me, she is looking beyond me with wide fearful eyes???..

I watch, I assess, I report.

Vel'drav l' sil'in qu'ellar d'Hun?ett zotrethen??Jal zhal sha-rasa!!!

Lloth tlu laoles, dosst handmaiden orn naut hojh dos!!!!

__________________

Vierna

*Overhead I see nothing but an empty void*

?????I turned to see what made SD so fearful. There not far in front of us was some hideous humanoid being. Tall, with grey seemingly transparent skin, it had no limbs to speak of. Just a body and a very large head of inproportionate size. This monster floated a few feet off the surface of the plane and as ethereal bodies past, it sucked them in! It sucked them in effortlessly through a large and gaping hole that passed for a mouth. As I looked closer at this spectacle, I could see ethereal faces inside the bodies of this monstrous being. Their faces profoundly contorted in extreme agony. The monster was a soulseeker!

Whether this thing would have had any interest in us, the living, I have no idea. Without a word we quickly moved away putting as much distance between us and it as possible. Our progress seemed both sluggish as if we where walking on thick cloying mud, yet at the same time felt as if we were travelling at tremendous speed. This plane was beyond comprehension, a paradox, where opposites occurred at the same time. Why oh why did I come here?

Once we felt we had put enough distance between us and the soulseeker, my thoughts once again turned to the doors. How could we possibly know which one to enter. The voice that called and tormented me in my sleep was no longer audible. It lay on the other side of one of these black doors. But which one?

I tentatively listened at the threshold of a few. But could hear nothing. I sensed nothing attempting to pull me through. After a while of fruitless search, I turned to SD with a helpless look on my face. The souls continued to float around us also searching till they found the right door to pass through. Now I began to comprehend the purpose of the doors. Each one represented a portal to a specific god or goddess and these souls of the dead sought out the door which would take them to whichever deity they worshipped. I turned to SD and explained my thoughts and she concurred. Yet this realisation posed yet another problem. Would a portal which drow souls entered take me any closer to my tormentor? Furthermore which door is for drow souls?

Then SD had an idea. In the end what she suggested was our only feasible option. We go through the portal that leads us to Lloth and accept the consequences of our actions. To find the right portal all we had to do was follow a drow soul.

We searched around looking more closer at the form of these ethereal beings. Soon we recognised one as drow and began to follow it. We followed this soul for what seemed like an eternity. It tested some doors but ignored others. It seemed odd that all the souls did not know exactly where to go. Perhaps this was some test. Perhaps many souls were destined never to meet their deity, that they were destined to remain in a place of limbo.

Suddenly without warning, the soul we were tracking entered a door it was approaching. Without a sound it disappeared. This was it! I turned to SD and raised my eyebrows. Without any expression on her face at all she just nodded in acquiescence. I offered her my hand and she took it. We walked towards the door and entered?????.

I watch, I assess, I report.

Vel'drav l' sil'in qu'ellar d'Hun?ett zotrethen??Jal zhal sha-rasa!!!

Lloth tlu laoles, dosst handmaiden orn naut hojh dos!!!!

__________________

Vierna

*Above me there is nothing but an empty void*

????..We approached the portal with some trepidation and made to enter. But something prevented us, we could not go in! Why was this? Another Drow soul floated above us and entered smoothly, why could we not? Was it because we were still living or was it because this portal did not lead to Lloth? SD and I pondered over this problem and resolved to track another Drow soul, one that would lead us to another door.

For what seemed like a lifetime and yet seemed like the blink of an eye we stood in front of another black portal through which Drow souls entered. Again we were rejected! On and on we searched and tracked. Two further portals rejected us. I began to feel despair. Were we now destined to spend the rest of our lives trapped on this plane, never to go anywhere? Eventually we came across another portal. This one accepted us. We passed over the threshold and stepped into??.nothing!

I lost contact with SD. All around was an empty blackness. Yet the sensation I felt was like falling down a great hole, tumbling over head over heels and spinning around at the same time. I felt I was travelling at a tremendous speed but at the same time incredibly slowly. Nor could I work out whether I moved upwards or down. I cried out for SD, but I could not hear the sound of my voice. If she heard me I did not hear any reply. I searched frantically with my eyes as I spun and tumbled but could see nothing, nothing but empty blackness!

Suddenly, without warning, I was being attacked by a horde of hideous beings. These things were not particularly large, but were multi-limbed, each with claws tipped with vicious talons. What looked like a head, appeared eyeless with a mouth filled with countless sharp pointed teeth. The whole body was covered in stinking matted fur. I reached for my sword and lashed out as best I could as I continued to free fall. Many vicious claws swung at me, slashing and piercing at every inch of my body. I should have been ripped to shreds, covered in mortal lacerations. But just as my sword was passing ineffectually through these monstrous beings, so too were their claws. The monsters had no substance, they were spectral! Then my mind exploded in a burning white light as excruciating pain pierced through my body. The claws may have been passing through me but I was feeling the touch of every hit. Mentally I was being slashed to death! I passed out??

???.I came to. I felt I was lying on cold damp flagstones. I could not move. My whole body was experiencing a pain so extreme, it is impossible to describe. With the pain so bad, I could not even scream. I tried to concentrate my mind, to focus my thoughts on my Melee-Magthere training in an attempt to blot out the pain, but it was no use. For a brief second, I opened my eyes. I saw just a short distance away, the great doors of the Divine Mothers temple. I had made it. But at what cost? Then through the agonies of my pain I felt something touch me, the very faintest of touches, but a touch just the same. My mind screamed in further agonies. Once more I passed out??..

I watch, I assess, I report.

Vel'drav l' sil'in qu'ellar d'Hun?ett zotrethen??Jal zhal sha-rasa!!!

Lloth tlu laoles, dosst handmaiden orn naut hojh dos!!!!

__________________

Vierna

*All around I see nothing but blackness*

I came round.

How long I had been out I have no idea. My last thoughts were the pain, the Melee-Magthere training and the touch?.that touch??.

I must have passed out again. I awoke once more. I kept my eyes closed, trying to focus my mind, trying to make sense of this nightmare, planning my next move. The pain had gone. I felt revived. My training had kicked in and my sub-consciousness worked its inner healing process??. Unless this had all been some hideous nightmare, some horrible bombardment to my mind. Ah yes. Let me feel the soft and warm comfort of my bed, my beautiful partner cradled in my arms. But no. Once again I felt under me the cold hard feel of flagstones. Then something else??..the touch??

My right arm was fully outstretched above my head. In that hand I should have held my sword, but the palm lay flat on the surface. And the fingertips touched something?.something warm! I slowly moved my head in the direction of my arm and opened my eyes. I saw what touched my fingertips?.it was the fingertips of my beloved SD!

I stirred immediately. Waves of relief were replaced by those of concern. I sat down beside her, cradling her head in my lap. Like me she showed no signs of physical harm. Had she suffered the same mental torture? I gently stroked her cheek and whispered her name. After a long pause she opened her eyes. She gave me the faintest of smiles. I became overwhelmed by a barrage of emotions that I could not comprehend, leaving me confused. I whispered to her. "We?re here". What an absolutely stupid thing to say! We then both stood up, checking that we were both physically sound and take in our immediate surroundings. We also retrieved our weapons and belongings, scattered all around us. We then looked ahead, to the great forbidding doors, the entrance to Lloth?s abode. Just as we began to take the short walk towards the doors, out of nowhere came this maniacal laughing roar??.

"Vierna Hun?ett! You have come to me at last!"

There before us, stood this monstrous demon. Four times as tall as me, its ape like head crowned by many horns. Its long arms hung down to below its knees with gigantic claws for hands. Saliva dripped from its canine maw and its eyes burned red. "Vierna Hun?ett" it said. "Now you are mine"! It started to lope towards us??..

For all its undoubted strength, a demon is still essential a spellcaster and as such needs time, however briefly, to concentrate and intone. With this knowledge we had to act fast, match our agility against its lumbering movements. SD ran straight towards it, dived and rolled under its great legs as I attacked from the side. As I swung my sword towards it clawed hand, SD quickly stood up and slashed her sword at the tendons behind its knee. With this blow the demon let out a mighty roar of pain and went down on its injured leg. Now its ability to move was further restricted, but its long reaching arms were dangerous tools. We slashed at the arms, trying to remain out of reach, trying to prevent it from unleashing a deadly spell. Apart from that first tremendous blow administered by SD, our strikes were having little effect. I made an attempt to replicate what SD had achieved, but just as I was about to roll under its legs, a vicious talon caught me on my right shoulder, passing through my armour and searing into my flesh. Flashes of bright colour blinded me for a split second as the excruciating pain of the blow overcame me. My sword went spinning from me as I lost all sensation in my arm. From the corner of my eye, I saw SD take a tremendous backhand which sent her flying backwards across the courtyard. As I lay on my back, gripping my right shoulder with my left hand, the demon looked down at me with red glowing eyes and began to cast???.

Suddenly there was a sound of great doors flying open, a flash of bright light and the sound of a scream of agonising pain. I looked. The demon was no longer above me but was a short distance beyond me. A smouldering mass of burning flesh! I got onto my knees, still gripping my right shoulder and turned. There before me, framed in the great doors stood a gigantic spider. Where its head should have been was the naked body and head of the most beautiful Drow ever created. I knelt before Lloth?..my goddess!

She spoke.

"Vierna Hun?ett. Once again you come before me. Once again you have come, when I have not called"

Oh dear Lloth! Was she angry? Despite being saved was I now going to be destroyed. By now, SD had crawled her way towards me. She too knelt before Lloth, trembling uncontrollably. I tried to speak, I tried to explain to the Divine Mother why I was here, why I came, but all that was forthcoming was wordless splutters.

"Don?t try to speak, your worthless words are of no interest to me. I can read your thoughts. I know why you are here. You! Arrogant bitch! What made you think you could take on all that the Abyss would throw at you and survive!"

Again I tried to speak. Tried to explain, tried plead forgiveness, tried to beg for mercy?..not just for me but especially for SD whom I allowed to accompany me in a moment of weakness. Lloth looked at me, not with a face of pity or forgiveness, but with a look of sheer contempt. I knew then, both of us were doomed. Then her faced softened. It no longer showed hatred or contempt, but a look of benevolence, even the hint of a smile.

"Despite your arrogance?.or may be because of it, you have proved worthy. You have achieved much of what I asked you to do. You found my temple on that accursed surface. You have subdued those heretic worshipping Drow. And you have established my presence there also. For that I praise you. Since therefore you have proved most capable in the tasks I set you. You remain in my favour"

I tried not to show my relief in case my goddess had a change of heart. Did this mean I will live on, or was she just pulling a cruel joke. Before I could think any further, she spoke again.

"On that surface, the first Drow of my following built a stronghold. When they left, they left behind a number of my minions. I had forgotten about it until recently, when I began to feel strange vibrations. My minions in that stronghold have rebelled against me. Now I have many more important things to occupy me, which is why I have done nothing about it so far. You, Vierna Hun?ett, are therefore tasked to find that stronghold, subdue its rebel occupants and restore it to what it once was. Begone Vierna Hun?ett and take your mate with you. Do not fail me or lose my favour?.or your mate will be first to suffer!"

Then with a motion at the still smouldering demon she said "Oh, as for Eertu, it will not bother you again". With that she went into her abode, the doors closing softly behind her. I turned to SD, I embraced her. "We have work to do" I said. "But how do we get back" she replied. Suddenly all went black and once again I felt myself spinning and tumbling in an empty void. After how long or how short a time, I could not measure. Then I landed with a soft bump, looked around and saw I was in familiar surroundings??.

I watch, I assess, I report.

Vel'drav l' sil'in qu'ellar d'Hun?ett zotrethen??Jal zhal sha-rasa!!!

Lloth tlu laoles, dosst handmaiden orn naut hojh dos!!!!

__________________

Vierna

*I look up at the pale yellow orb and smirk*

Since emerging from the Abyss, I spent a little time resting and catching up on affairs. I also spent time reflecting on what Lloth had said to me. The continued dominance of the surface Drow, that was always going to be an ongoing task. By its nature, there could well be no end to it. But I am beginning to realise that there is also a secondary task??Lloth wants no more half breeds created!

The other task, perhaps more important initially, is to find the stronghold. That now becomes my priority. I have discussed possible locations with SD and she had a few ideas. I must seek out LL and get her input on this too. Perhaps even the Lady could help. Hmm. I need to talk to her anyway even if it is just to acknowledge the aid she has given me.

*I pause and touch my right shoulder* What purpose is this demon claw mark on my shoulder? Standing white against the ebony tone of my skin. Is it there to serve as reminder of my folly or good fortune? Or is there some other hidden meaning I have yet to figure out? It causes me no pain, but the area feels warm and sometimes the heat increases momentarily. But the strangest thing is when I put my fingers on the mark, I cannot feel anything. I cannot feel the touch. And when, as an experiment, SD pushed a dagger into it at my request, I felt no pain, no sensation of touch?..nothing! May be Faeryl will know what it means.

Ah Faeryl. Dear sister of mine. I am not altogether pleased with the way you have handled affairs in my absence. How many times have I told you our war is not with the humans? Still you seem to have rectified some of the damage. And you did get me a present. *laughs* May be I will forgive you, after all it is a nice present! *laughs again*

Faeryl took me to a hidden cave, one with no visible entrances. And there she lay on a mat, cocooned in spider silk??Iym?iara Von?Sah! *laughs loudly* Oh how I have longed to have that one, now I have a lever in which to finally destroy that accursed family. One thing is clear?..she will never leave that cave. I have her forever now!

Our first little chat went well. She put on a show of bravado, but that will pass as I begin to step up the pain. In anycase, I have not even started yet. I discussed a few things with her, watching her reactions, looking for the weaknesses. Jaraxle, she holds in contempt. Kalannar and Moiraine she is loyal to but the mention of Korith gave me much insight. *grins* Oh how she maintained I would get nothing from her, that I should just kill her and be done with it. No foolish Iym?iara, you will not die. I left her to ponder over my farewell words??"Lloth doesn?t favour death, you see?.in death there is no more pain." *laughs wickedly*

*I stop to look at the box on the table* What does this box mean? What purpose does it hold for humans and are there anymore? Time to seek out LL???..

I watch, I assess, I report.

Vel'drav l' sil'in qu'ellar d'Hun?ett zotrethen??Jal zhal sha-rasa!!!

Lloth tlu laoles, dosst handmaiden orn naut hojh dos!!!!

__________________

Vierna

*I glance at the yellow orb above me and smile*

Another session with the Von?Sah. There was not much pain for her this time, well not physically anyway. *laughs* I showed her a pair of severed ears. She stared at them, I let it sink in. Yes little one?.they were Korith?s I told her. Any defiance she thought she could muster against me just melted away then. Then I told her that her family had abandoned her, nobody cares. Not Kalannar, not Moiraine, not Jaraxle or T?ristre. Not even Korith. Poor Iym?iara left forgotten by those she thought cared. *laughs again* She visibly deflated before my eyes. This hurt her badly.

We talked then, about her past. She revealed some interesting things. It made me think. This wretch stuck to a cave wall and cocooned in spider silk, she was no Von?Sah at all! This is Sabrae and the twins all over again. Another child stolen from their true mother. Hmm. This needs further investigation. Oh I know the depths of depravity House Von?Sah had sunk to?..but child stealing? *chuckles* That is low! This puts a different perspective on why I hold her. This explains why the Von?Sah?s have made no attempt to find her. I left her to think over what we had discussed, may be something will come back to her. I will find her mother, her true mother. And if, like the others before her she is of Lloth, yet another nail in the coffin Von?Sah *laughs long and loud*

LL worries me. She drifts from reality to fantasy. I cannot get through to her. Whatever Faeryl did to her mind is proving difficult to rectify. I sought out the Lady again. Hmm. She too thought I was dead. But unlike LL she did not see me as a ghost, but an impostor. Once I proved to her who I was, I asked for her help to bring me back my LL. She agreed. For she too wants the real LL back.

Plans are now being made to locate and secure the stronghold which Lloth wishes me to restore. Once we assess what we are up against, we can decide how best to proceed. I have put SD in charge of that assessment. She will not fail me. The temple and the stronghold, together an indication on how far the strands of Lloth?s web can reach. The next phase will soon begin.

*I look in my bag and see the strange box*

Hmm. More of these exist. Of that I am sure and in one of her lucid moments LL, confirmed it. She also knows who has them. It is clear that they have greater significance to the humans than they do for me, but that alone suffices. I have something want! Knowing that, I want the others and I will get them. Then the humans can kneel before me and beg. *laughs* While she was still lucid, I told LL to get them for me. May be by focusing on such a task it will bring her round. I dearly want her back.

I arrive home after a tiresome day. A note, written in Drow is by the door. *sighs* What now???

I watch, I assess, I report.

Vel'drav l' sil'in qu'ellar d'Hun?ett zotrethen??Jal zhal sha-rasa!!!

Lloth tlu laoles, dosst handmaiden orn naut hojh dos!!!!

__________________