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[Thrax]

---

It took Nizzre more time than she wanted to locate the drow she had been seeking to help her effect Vaskiira's escape. The surface drow community, being rather small, was closely knit despite the perpetual rivalries and consequent murders among its members. But being such a hated and perverse minority by the majority, it could unify suddenly if some new act of treachery or malignity was planned against other, and more hated, groups, especially elves.

"There will be a price for our services," the male drow told her upon hearing her request.

"We expect no less, but be careful for what you ask. The old ways are still very dear to us and males who overstep their bounds are made to eternally regret it. What is it you want?"

Uncowed but respectful, the drow replied. "It is nothing more than a returned favor when the need arises."

Nizzre nodded. "You have my word on it."

The drow male stifled a chuckle. The word of a priestess of Lloth?? But he knew she would make good on it. This one was thoroughly mean; her eyes told it all. Murder and mayhem ran at floodtide in her dark blood. "Tell me what it is you want us to do."

"First I must show you where she is being kept. Then I must learn what they intend to do with her. You must stand ready to strike at a moment's notice and risk everything. Do you have the nerve for this or should I seek other, more devoted, followers of our goddess?"

The implied insult angered the man, but he reined in his temper. "You will find none as "sincere" as us. In time we will prove it to you."

Nizzre nodded. "We shall see. Now let us be off."

[Vaskiira]

---

Waiting, oh how she despised it. Time was short, the gathering was tonight, she must be free or Nizzre would need to take her place. She paced the small cell that held her and knew soon, it would be time for her breakfast. The sniveling human, Poppy would be sent up to bring her something to eat, and the wards would be weakened slightly. In moments the timing was like clockwork, stupid humans always so predictable. Poppy slid a tray with food and water beneath her cell door and pushed it through with a long stick.

Vaskiira so wanted to pull the stick hard and slam Poppy against the door, but if she was gone too long they would notice and look for her. Oh but it would make her feel so much better. She watched Poppy carefully and grabbed the stick and pulled hard. The small woman collapsed against the sandstone floor in a heap. When her body hit, the ward on the door broke. Vaskiira smiled, this may be better than she hoped.

She heard footsteps and some calamity in the early morning hours. Perhaps, Nizzre came through. A few flashes from around the corner and Vaskiira knew she had. Drow were excellent in planning an attack of this nature. She saw Nizzre push Poppy out of the way and begin working on the cell doors. In moments, with a "click" it popped open. Vaskirra was on her feet in a deft motion and was quick to make her way outside of the prison, with Nizzre's help.

Once outside and some distance away, a few drow came forward and she saw Nizzre send them on their way in the sign language they used. She watched as Nizzre walked back up to her after dismissing them. "We must get away and make ready for the gathering.", Nizzre said quietly.

She nodded and followed to young woman to a secure location. Preparations needed to be made and time was of the essence. Distancing herself from here was also important, when Poppy awoke and the Baron found out what had occurred, he would be his charming self. No doubt, there would be a search for her...

[Thrax]

---

"Escaped??!! How?!" the Baron exclaimed, fuming over hearing the news that the second captive in his supposedly escape-proof prison had, indeed, escaped from it.

Seknakht lowered his head and answered sheepishly. "It is my fault. I had to make a quick decision."

"Explain!"

"A group of drow..."

"Females?"

The priest shook his head. "No, males, m'lord."

"Continue."

"They grabbed some of the refugees that were working in the forest chopping wood and threw several of them into the wards at the door of the prison, setting them off. Of course I came to see what it was. They held another group at sword point and demanded I come out and barter with them. When I refused, they began killing the refugees one by one and most cruelly. I could not stand it, so I went outside to talk to them and did not reset the wards as time was of the essence. Poppy had just gone inside to bring food to the prisoner, so I did not fear for her safety at the moment. Evidently someone slipped past me and into the prison and released the Valsharess from her cell. She came downstairs and hit me from behind with something and knocked me out. Poppy revived me but she, herself, was injured as well."

"How many deaths?"

"Five sire."

Thrax sighed, shaking his head. From his desk he looked up at the shamefaced priest. "Do not blame yourself. I take the blame for not having a contingency plan in place for such tactics. Take some money out of the temple treasury to help those who lost loved ones. I will go later and offer my condolences to their families."

Seknakht nodded. "Thank you sire, and... I am sorry."

"So am I."

The priest bowed low and departed.

"Ishtar will have a fit," the Baron muttered as he went to inform her about the incident.

[Ishtar]

---

Ishtar looked up from her paperwork to see a very solemn Thrax. She knew by the look upon his face, what he was going to say would not be good news. "What is it, love?", she asked him.

He paused and then let out a deep "sigh" before answering. "It seems our guest managed to escape, and in the process kill five people."

Her face twisted into an expression of anger, "She did what?! How?"

Thrax explained the raid by drow males and how they used innocent people to break the wards on the prison. The priest and Poppy were both injured, though they survived better than some of the refugees that now called Thraxstadt home. She stood up and began to pace back and forth. Thrax watched her, "My dear, we will catch her again."

She stopped and turned to look at him. "We will, but I fear for the people. She is dangerous. I will issue warrants and send them to our allies."

She knew her husband was keeping his anger in check, though she did not hide it so well. Now she had to worry if this vile woman would make another attempt on her daughter or harm people close to her as well as create issues with new found friends...
_________________
"Knowledge is not information, it's transformation."
-Osho-
Atlantic Shard News Reporter