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[Thrax]

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"He did what?!!" Thrax's voice boomed, rising rage palpable on his narrow face. "At the Royal Court no less?!"

Lady Alicia took little notice of it, remaining relaxed in the elven chair in the main room of the Citadel of Blood. She was used to his temper; his sometimes violent outbursts. She was not afraid of it, or him, nor had she any reason to be. She nodded, elaborating on what she had just reported to him. "He gave them a book and rambled on about how to undo the poisoning. I could not see what it was; they did not let me see it, but I think it was the antidote formula. He kept talking about atoning for his sins but openly charged us for the poisoning of the water supply in Papua."

Thrax gritted his teeth. "What else? What did you tell them?"

"I denied it, of course. Tried to shift the blame to him. He made it easier by freely admitting his complicity."

"He confessed to being one who poisoned the water supply?"

Alicia nodded.

"And what was their response?"

She shrugged. "They swallowed his whole pitiful tale." Then, in mocking tone, imitating Dharzhal's voice: "They made me do it! I was blackmailed! I have sinned!"

"Bah!" He slammed his fist down on the arm of his throne. He leaned back and looked up at the ceiling for a moment, then back at Alicia. "It is clear to me now that they will never accept our rule of Papua. No matter. We have powerful allies now. However, advance our case against the drow with them."

"I have. I am preparing formal charges against him and a document of extradition."

"He asked for sanctuary among them?"

She nodded.

"Well done. You mind those matters. Do what you must to get them to extradite him to us. If they refuse, we shall have to use other methods to convince them of the urgency of our demand."

"Our "request," milord," she corrected. "Shall I offer a bribe... I mean, a reward, to them for turning him over to us?"

"Aye. Do whatever you must. I will seek other means to obtain him. Then we shall rid ourselves of him forever."

Alicia nodded, but she was not in full agreement. She felt a twinge of regret should they capture him. At one time, Dharzhal had been someone she looked up to; a mentor of sorts. If he fell into Thrax's hands, she knew he would use the Banishing Ritual to send his shade into the torments of Oggaroth, where there would be no end to his suffering and no possible means of escape and return. A part of her rebelled at the thought and she began to think of how it could all be avoided.

Thrax noted the downcast expression of her face. "What is wrong?" he asked.

She had been staring into space but shook her head as if only daydreaming. "Nothing my lord. It will be as you say. I shall go now and fulfill my tasks."

Thrax bid her leave and she did. He watched her walk out the door.