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[Vaskiira]

---

One prison for another, the Sheriff followed through in spite of his threats. She paced, trying to figure out how she would escape this new cell. She knew the area well, Nizzre would eventually know she was here as her home was nearby. It seemed the Priestess formed an agreement with an unlikely Kingdom which now had the drow here.

The sting of her slap still warm upon her face. Few surface elves would dare such, Ishtar would invoke Lloth's wrath. So would all those who got her here, the Paladin deserved another visit soon too. Her trial, if she had one would be soon and swift. The look in Ishtar's eyes simmered with disdain, a look that even made the drow bite her tongue a moment. Her red eyes wouldn't flinch, but she felt the hatred of those in the room with her at the time.

The Sheriff, especially, it dripped from him. He'd kill her if he had the chance, his look said it all. For a human, he would be dangerous to trifle with too much. His time would come, so would his companions. As for the Priestess and her husband, their family still had a debt to pay. Lloth was not forgiving, not merciful, it would be taken in blood if need be.

Her eyes glowed in the dark, her vision was clearer at night. She started to check her holdings carefully. If there was a weakness, she would find it. One way or another she would be free, and vengeance would be her next mission...

[Thrax]

---

Having enjoyed another fine dinner in the company of his lovely wife, Baron Thrax excused himself and went outside. He strolled to the prison where the drow renegade, Vaskiira, was incarcerated.

Soon he was standing at the barred door of her tiny cell. She glared at him with contempt but was silent.

"Unless you desire stale bread and brackish water as your only fare, I suggest you keep that tart drow mouth of yours shut. I will not listen to the tripe you bored Sheriff Malic to death with. On the other hand, if you are reasonable, I shall be generous enough to make sure that delicacies your kind enjoy are brought to you often," he told her flatly.

"What know you of drow "delicacies?"

"I have drow acquaintances. A family of them lives across the way here in Thraxstadt. They've even built a temple in honor of that spiteful cow you call a goddess," he stated.

Vaskiira hissed.

Thrax continued. "You may even know some of them---Dharzhal T'Ar? Streea? Nizzre Velve?" He watched her closely hoping to see any light of recognition light in her eyes. He saw none.

Vaskiira stared at him...

[Vaskiira]

---

Her red eyes simmered as she returned Thrax's stare. Unflinching, she dared not give anything away. His dark glare told her much, he was aware of far more then he let on. Both him and his wife would pay for their treachery to her goddess.

She cursed at him in drow before speaking in common, "You know not the depth of what you have done."

"Be careful, your life hangs by a thread. The laws in Papua are harsh. You have done enough to it's Archon and my wife. The assault charges of Lady Temptation, are another matter as she serves the Archon and her family. Be grateful we did not leave you in Sanctus as the Sheriff would have executed you without hesitation.", he answered her coldly.

She just sneered. Getting captured in Sanctus was part of the plan. She was far away when his daughter was to be taken. She had an alibi, a cover. Foolish humans, they were so weak minded. This one even with his mix of elven blood was no different. She watched him regard her cold expression until he left. Now she must wait for Nizzre's next move. She would soon know she was here.

[Thrax]

---

"There is a female drow being held in the prison. Her name is Vaskiira. I have heard you speak of her," Dharzhal told his daughter as they sat together in the darkness of their home.

"What is your point, father?" Nizzre replied, trying to appear as apathetic as possible.

"Why don't you go visit her? If she is all that you've said she is to you, she might like to see a friendly face."

"I may do that."

Within the hour, Nizzre was standing outside the prison door. Seknakht, the keeper of the prison and the adjacent temple of Ra, stood barring her entrance. "You are not permitted inside without permission," he stated. His entire demeanor was amiable.

But her first impulse was to draw her blade and leave him for dead.

Her expression confirmed his impression of her reaction. "I am sure you could easily kill me, but the arcane wards would stop you---or even kill you. You should be grateful that I stopped you."

She ignored the benignity. "How do I obtain permission?"

"From me," came the voice of the Baron from within. He appeared in the doorway and stood beside the guardian priest. He smiled at her. "But first you must be polite and ask nicely," he said, folding his arms.

Nizzre's eyes narrowed. Impertinent male! She took a deep breath to control her temper. "I wish to visit the prisoner," she said as kindly as she knew how.

Thrax shook his head. "No. You may not."

"Why?!"

"Because, girl, you forgot to say, 'Your Lordship, may I please see the prisoner!'"

By the goddess how she despised him! "Your Lordship, may I please see the prisoner."

Thrax nodded to Seknakht; his cue to search her for weapons. He started forward.

"If you touch me with one finger, I will cut off your arm!" she warned him.

Thrax let his arms fall to his side. "Then leave your weapons at the door, all of them. Or you'll set off a ward that will push you back."

Nizzre complied, leaving her assassin spike and belt on the ground and stepped inside.
Thrax led her to Vaskiira's cell. "You have ten minutes, not a second more. Take longer or give us a moment's trouble and you may find yourself in there with her or worse. Understood?"

It was all she could do not to flog him. She nodded and he left. Using sign language she spoke to her mentor, who replied in kind.

*Roethe dung suffer will*

Vaskiira nodded. *Girl, where?*

Nizzre shook her head slightly.

Vaskiira's anger surged. *Happen?*

*Guard fail. Girl taken. Who? Not know*

*Guard, kill!*

Nizzre drew her index finger across her gorget nodding. *Finish!*

*Find*

*Know*

*Where?*

*Here. Home. Parents have*

Vaskiira nodded slowly. *Escape must*

*Tell what do. I obey*

[Vaskiira]

---

Vaskiira knew time would be short and kept her orders to the point and discreet. She knew of a group of other drow that was also devout to Lloth, though tracking them down would be difficult. She would need their aid to escape, Nizzre's orders would be simple and clear, to find them and to arrange or her freedom.

She signed to Nizzre, *Find other surface drow, their help to free me.*

Nizzre nodded in acknowledgement and made her way to exit the prison, she knew better than to raise suspicion with the Baron's focus on her. Vaskiira's guidance would bring her closer to Lloth, she would need to act hastily to get her free.

* * * * * * * * * *

The drow sat in her cell upon the floor, it was obvious the Baron allowed Nizzre to her in order to gauge a response. The news of the Priestess' daughter returned invoked her ire. Incompetent, males" she hissed aloud. She knew Nizzre would not let her down, the girl showed so much promise and would be well rewarded by herself and Lloth for her devotion.

Once free, she would begin planning anew. An evil smile appeared on her face and her eyes glowed wickedly. Once free, a certain Sheriff would learn not to trifle with those loyal to Lloth one way or another. The Baron and his family would pay dearly as well, she was not finished with them yet, nor was her goddess. Taking in a breath she moved to a kneeling position and offered prayers to Lloth for guidance to achieve her goal. Her faith would see her through this...

[Thrax]

---

"I must learn that accursed language!" Thrax muttered to himself as he closed the concealable slit that had allowed him to witness the exchange between the two female drow. He then went to escort Nizzre out. She left without incident and with no further comment.

Nizzre knew what must be done. She knew of several secret drow societies existing on the surface of Sosaria that might be willing to help free a devoted priestess of Lloth. She would find them and seek an alliance.