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[Thrax]

---

"You honor me by the visit, Baron. What is the occasion?" Dharzhal inquired, ushering his erstwhile landlord into his dimly-lit home.

"We need to talk---about your daughter. Is she here?"

"No. She doesn't live here anymore and seldom visits. What is it you want with her?"

Thrax seated himself without being asked. "I will get to the point. She has been consorting and conspiring with a known felon, and is likely in her service."

"Vaskiira."

"Yes. And when she is caught---I do not say "if"---she will be jailed or exiled or worse, depending on who catches them. Do you want that for her?"

"She is master of her own fate. She no longer listens to me or her mother. She will have to learn the hard way that all choices have consequences."

Thrax nodded. "Well said, and I agree, but I know she is headed for disaster, and I can help avert it, if you can get her to listen to my proposal."

__________

Nizzre answered her father's summons reluctantly, even though she had the time since she no longer played a major role in Temptation's confinement and indoctrination. He was ever chiding her and nosing into her business, and it annoyed her intensely that he was not, by his own admission, a true devotee of the Spider Queen. "What is it this time?" she asked him icily when they met.

He sighed. "Your relationship with your mentor has clearly sullied your decent manners. If you cannot speak to me as an equal, at least give me the courtesy of addressing me as your procreator," he rebuked. "If you please," he added.

While she would never apologize for anything, she did nod once slightly, accepting yet another chastisement. "Why did you send for me?" Her tone was much more congenial.

"Since you wish to get to the point, so shall I. Everything you are presently doing is common knowledge to the authorities. You shall soon be arrested and charged with kidnapping, conspiracy to commit it, assault and assorted other criminalities. I cannot protect you from this by my clout with the Baron any longer."

Nizzre glanced around the room as if she thought soldiers would appear out of thin air to sieze her. She calmed quickly. "Well, thank you for the warning, father."

"There is an alternative."

"I will *not* return to the Underdark!"

"I am not talking about that."

"What then?"

Dharzhal then explained what he discussed with Baron Thrax: that refocusing her and her mentor's efforts on a larger, deadlier, enemy, was more in their interests, as the damage that enemy could do could be substantial in the long term.

"They have not moved against us," she countered. "I doubt they ever will."

"You are mistaken. A member of their alliance had your mentor jailed already. They will eradicate the worship of the Spider Queen when they assume control of Sosaria which is their ultimate goal. Do not believe for one moment that those who claim to be the fountainhead of the Virtues will flow calmly past any religion or group that practices human sacrifice. Try it in their lands and see what happens. Do you think they would permit a temple dedicated to Lloth in their midst?" He continued, telling her that amnesty could be found if they diverted their attention to the another, greater, enemy, an enemy, she learned, of the Baron's as well.

Nizzre thought for a moment. Before leaving, she told him, "I am no puppet, nor is my Mistress. But I will speak to her of it. You will have our answer soon."

[Vaskiira]

---

She sat and listened as Nizzre explained the proposal set before them. It was an interesting one, it would also exonerate her from any involvement with the recent kidnapping. She smiled to herself, yes this has much possibility. Anything to create chaos in the name of her goddess is always a good thing. She focused her gaze on Nizzre, "and what of our guest that our new friends are holding for us?"

Nizzre, looked back at her mistress, "Let them keep her as a play thing, or for whatever use they may have for her."

Vaskiira smirked, "Well, that would wash our hands of her. Let them know then. We have much planning to do with our new task at hand."

Her disciple smiled and then stood, leaving the room seemingly pleased. She penned a quick note to the drow holding Lady Temptation informing them of the change and found a courier. Paying him well, she threatened him with death should he not make the delivery and they should cross paths again.
Both drow women, now would be free from any wrong doing, to carry out these wishes set forth by the Baron.

[Thrax]

---

"We demand the absolution in writing," Nizzre told Thrax, supposedly relaying Vaskiira's wishes to him. Vaskiira had made no such stipulation, but Nizzre thought of it and wanted the document "just in case." Drow society was rife with double-dealing and backroom agreements, so she was used to looking ahead for ways to keep their options open.

Thrax frowned, glaring at her. "My word is enough! I don't want to leave a "paper trail" like that."

Nizzre was adamant. "If you want our aid, you will give us not only this request for clemency but also a written contract for our target. We are not fools." She folded her arms.

"Nor am I! You drow are more untrustworthy than orcs. You could just as easily take that paper and expose my plans to the Regency or the Protectorate, as you could carry its dictates out. I will not write anything out. We are at an impasse, and you may now leave."

She smiled. "I suggest a compromise. I will have the document drawn up, inscribed in my language, and all you must do is sign it. That way if we ever did try to use it against you, you could at least claim your signature is a forgery or that you were coerced into signing it."

"Won't that defeat its purpose?"

"Not really. We have better ways of dealing with deceivers than betraying them to their enemies. It would only be useful to us as barter if we are captured. Call it, insurance."

Thrax thought for a moment. The stakes were high, but he couldn't blame them for wanting something to help their case since they were taking all the personal risks. "All right," he conceded. "Draw up the document and bring it back to me. I will sign it."

She nodded. "Now, just who exactly is to be our... mark... as humans call it?"

"The Governor-Regent of the Protectorate, Adrien Garnier."

[Vaskiira]

---

She listened as Nizzre went over the compromised agreement and smiled. Nizzre was learning quickly and she was impressed with her quick thinking on this matter. "This will do nicely.", she said to Nizzre.

"It serves our purpose. We are protected.", she answered.

"Was their any mention of our former guest?", the mistress inquired.

"Not yet, though when I bring this document back I will imagine there may be?", she looked at Vaskiira as she replied.

"Very well. We will see, bring this to the Baron and when we have his signature then we will carry out his wishes. Also, get information about this Garnier.", she said curtly and then dismissed her.

Things were falling into place well. Emotions always weakened surface dwellers and the Baron was no exception. She cared not for his motives, but his wishes served her purpose as well as Nizzre's. Thought she still thought it would have been a good idea to use their captive against them, perhaps it was better she washed her hands of the elf.