Part Fifteen

A few more hours passed, and just before dawn, I heard Vielyn’s excited voice over my implant. “They’re marching! Look at 'em all!” he said, clearly impressed.

I looked down at Vasiira, who was once again using my chest as a pillow. “It’s time…” I said as I gave her a gentle nudge. We both got out of bed, and I led us to the balcony that overlooked our courtyard. From up here, in the intricately carved stalactite cluster that made up my house, we could see the entire city of Felynafay. Matron Vasiira pointed towards her house, where Malice, glowing with a fierce pink electrical energy, was leading two thousand House Fret’tar soldiers.

Malice led the procession of soldiers through the streets of Felynafay, and Vasiira and I watched as they passed right by our house. “Look at her! Her sisters are nowhere to be found… but Malice? She’s always ready to take on the next task, regardless of what it is. Look at the raw power she’s going to unleash,” Vasiira said as she pointed to her daughter.

“Yes, Matron Vasiira, she looks very powerful,” I replied as I leaned on the railing of the balcony and watched the young Drow lead her troops.

As the procession came to a stop a short while later in front of House Alesek, I could hear Matron Celia screaming through the halls of House De’Endar. “Where is she?” I heard her shout angrily as she neared my door.

Suddenly, I heard a pained scream and a thud against the door to my room. “Stay here…” I said to Matron Vasiira as I stepped back into the room from the balcony and summoned Deathsbite to my hand. Vasiira was on my heels as I moved through my room, never one to take orders from a man. I heard another woman’s voice, Mother’s voice, though I couldn’t make out what she was saying. I crossed the room and pulled the door open, confused and angry by what I saw.

Outside the door, Matron Celia had Zeera up against the wall by her throat, while Mother had a hold of the back of Celia’s head in one hand and her House De’Endar blade in her other. “You harm my girl, and I can assure you your death will be long, drawn out, and painful,” I heard Mother threaten angrily as she gave Celia a light poke in the neck with the tip of her dagger, drawing a small drop of blood and reminding the woman where she was. “Release her!” Mother demanded fiercely, showing more anger than I’d ever personally seen from her in my life.

“Masdrin!” Zeera barely managed to choke out as Celia tightened her grip.

Suddenly, Celia’s eyes went wide, and blood began to pour freely from her mouth. She looked down to see the young dark elf she was holding by the neck holding what appeared to be a House De’Endar dagger by the hilt. The blade wasn’t visible, though, as it was buried deep in her chest. It had all happened so fast I didn’t have time to react.

As Celia collapsed on the floor, Zeera took a step towards me, holding the bloody dagger in her hand. “I’m sorry, Mother…” Zeera gasped as she caught her breath. Mother looked down at Celia, who was lying on the floor bleeding out and slowly dying, and smiled but didn’t reply. Instead, she sheathed her own blade as I tossed Deathsbite up in the air and watched as it vanished in a puff of wispy black smoke.

I took a step forward to stand next to Zeera. “Are you okay?” I asked.

She was still holding the bloody dagger when she looked up at me, clearly not sure how she should feel. “I killed a Matron Mother!” She gasped as she started trembling. Suddenly, the Drow around her, her adopted family, seemed far more intimidating.

Mother noticed immediately; she knew Zeera was about to shut down and just accept whatever punishment she thought was coming. “Come, Zeera,” she said as she grabbed her by the arm and led her past me and into my room.

“Exquisite…” I heard Vasiira say excitedly as she followed behind me.

I followed Mother and Zeera to the balcony and smiled as Mother gently reached up and grabbed Zeera by the chin. She turned Zeera’s head to face House Alesek, which was currently under siege. “Watch, my beautiful girl, THIS is what you did for our family. Do not fear retribution for killing Matron Celia; there will be no one who can claim it. Certainly, none that would be able to handle that one!” She said as she pointed her chin in my direction.

From behind her, I wrapped my arms around Zeera’s waist and held her close against my chest. “I missed you last night…” I whispered quietly in her ear. She stopped trembling, and the tension flew from her body as she leaned back against me and relaxed in my arms. Zeera didn’t say anything; instead, she just tilted her head back and kissed my cheek before looking back to watch the ensuing battle.

Mother, Zeera, Vasiira, and I all stood on my balcony, watching the ensuing battle between the overwhelming force that was Malice and House Fret’tar and the significantly weaker House Alesek. Soldiers battled throughout the courtyard and all over House Alesek while Malice Fret’tar unleashed hell from the tips of her fingers. She was sending magical missiles and fireballs across the battlefield as she hovered high above it all. A loud crack resounded through the cavern that housed Felynafay as Malice cast one of her most powerful spells, a chain lightning spell that sent bolts of pink electricity from her eyes, mouth, and fingertips. Small arcs shot in all directions as Malice focused her spell on the largest groups of enemy soldiers.

From our vantage point on my balcony of House De’Endar, we could see a dark form drop down behind Malice. “What is that?” Zeera asked.

I shrugged. “I hope she’s okay…” I muttered while both Mother and Matron Vasiira scoffed at the notion of Malice being struck down so easily. With anticipation, Zeera and I watched as the glint of a blade gleamed just behind Malice, something we’d have never noticed if it weren’t for all the light projecting from Malice’s hands and face.

“Watch…” Vasiira said as we watched the battle.

The glint behind Malice began to rise, and just as we thought she was done for, she spun one hundred and eighty degrees in the air to face the attacker. She stared the assailant down, not flinching as the attacker raised their weapon to strike.

The blow fell, and still Malice didn’t flinch as the weapon exploded in a shower of sparks, removing the attacker’s hand with it. She had cast some sort of magic to protect herself that I had never seen before. We could hear the man scream over the sound of the battle, then watched as Malice silenced him with a bright lightning bolt that entered the attacker’s face and exited his feet before arcing to the ground and spreading out to target a few House Alesek soldiers. The attacker fell to the ground in a heap, and Malice turned back to face the house.

House Alesek was tucked into the back of the cavern and, like a tick, was embedded deep in the cavern wall. Malice focused on the entrance of the house and began casting another powerful spell. I noticed Matron Vasiira looking a little too excited as she tugged on Mother’s arm and pointed to her daughter proudly.

Malice’s hands swung around, her arms moving in a fluid motion as she went through the intricate, precise motions required of the spell. Though we couldn’t hear it from where we were, Malice was chanting loudly. As she finished her chanting, she brought her hands together in front of her, lacing her fingers and letting out a loud shriek that echoed through the cavern that held our metropolis city.

A massive bolt of blue-green energy shot from her hands, killing friend and foe alike as it tore across the battlefield. When the beam hit the massive stone door, Malice let out another loud shriek that caused a huge explosion at the front of House Alesek. When the dust settled enough for anyone to see anything, we could all see the massive hole in the front of House Alesek, and a moment later, House Fret’tar soldiers began to charge into the house.

“They didn’t stand a chance!” I said as I watched the battle and Malice’s performance.

“Of course not!” Vasiira said proudly.

We watched as Malice seemed to drift slowly towards the hole she had blown in the cavern wall before disappearing into House Alesek. There was a handful of nobles in the house, and Malice had to personally make sure they all died so that nobody could claim retribution against House Fret’tar. The part of the battle that was visible to us had ended, so we made our way back inside. I went and sat on the edge of my bed, and Zeera was quick to sit next to me while Mother led Vasiira back to the dining hall to celebrate their victory against House Alesek.

“Did you enjoy yourself last night?” she asked me once we were alone.

I shrugged my shoulders; I hadn’t given much thought as to whether I enjoyed it or not. I thought for a moment and then shook my head.

“No?” she asked.

“No,” I reaffirmed.

“Why not?” she asked curiously.

“Because it felt like work. Even when I had eaten the passion seeds… it wasn’t the same,” I said as I lay back in my bed and stared up at my ceiling.

Zeera turned and leaned on her arm so she could see me. “What do you mean?” she asked.

“Well…” I said as I thought carefully about my response, “I had to pretend that I wanted to be there with her. I had to pretend that I was happy to be there with her. In reality, I did want to be there, but with you. Not her.” As the words left my mouth, I looked at Zeera and smiled. “Vasiira and I don’t share the same kind of… connection… that we have,” I added as I lifted my head and smiled at her.

“I thought you would have had a good time,” she said quietly.

I shrugged my shoulders. “Well, I didn’t hate it… but like I said… I didn’t enjoy it neither,” I said. “Perhaps I’ll learn to enjoy it, but I doubt she’ll ever be the one who I desire,” I added quietly.

Zeera watched me for a long moment, trying to figure out if I was telling the truth or trying to comfort her. “Do you remember what I told you the first night we spent together? The night me and Nine handled Chey. Do you remember what I told you when we went to my room, and you thought I might force myself on you?” I asked.

Zeera nodded her head. “You only wanted to hold me and sleep, if it was okay with me,” she said quietly.

“That’s right, and for almost two years we did exactly that, right?” I asked.

Zeera nodded her head.

“And did I go chasing other girls, or did I try to guilt or coerce you into having sex with me?” I asked.

She shook her head. “No… and I know our first time together was your first time ever,” she said quietly.

I sat up and put my arm around her. “That’s right, I didn’t… and you’re absolutely right, it was,” I said as she leaned against me. “You are my woman. You chose me before you even knew you chose me. I just wish I would have picked up on it sooner. I could have saved you from him sooner,” I said sadly.

Zeera squeezed me tight. “You did what you could, and you did save me. That’s what matters,” she reassured me.

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“I do not wish to return to the party…” I said quietly as Zeera and I lay back in our bed.

“Your job here is done. You’ve eliminated the threat against your house. Perhaps we can return to the compound,” she suggested hopefully.

I shook my head. “No, the job will not be done until House Dhalmaerth is destroyed,” I replied.

Zeera looked up at me curiously. “What does House Dhalmaerth have to do with anything?” she asked.

“Promises were made to ensure the safety of my house. House De’Endar and the Barra D’aron are to accompany House Fret’tar and back them up during the battle,” I answered as I turned my head to stare into her green eyes.

“Will you have to fight too?” she asked.

I nodded my head. “Of course. After all, my house and my soldiers will be fighting, and…”

Zeera rolled her eyes and cut me off. “And a real leader leads his soldiers into battle,” she said sarcastically. She had heard both Durdrin and I say it numerous times before.

“Yes, precisely. I will be fighting alongside Vielyn and our Shadow Teams. We will bring hell down on Matron Thraeyanna, the likes of which she couldn’t imagine,” I said with a wide smile.

“I bet you’re hoping to fight beside Malice, aren’t you?” Zeera asked, a hint of jealousy in her voice.

“Yes, absolutely. I hope Malice is there. She’d be quite an asset; you saw the damage she did just there,” I said as I pointed to the balcony.

“Is that the only reason?” she asked.

I nodded my head. “Yeah, I’d like to fight alongside that one. She’s powerful, and it’s better to have her on our side than against us,” I said with a shrug.

“So, you don’t want to bed her then?” Zeera asked.

A confused look found its way onto my face. “What? No,” I replied. I had never even thought of trying to sleep with Malice. I didn’t even want to sleep with her mother, really.

Zeera looked at me with an angry look on her face. “Well, a certain little soldier said otherwise!” she said, though she sounded hurt more than angry.

“What soldier told you I wanted to fuck Malice?” I asked incredulously. I couldn’t believe what I was being accused of.

“The one in your pants! Stood at full attention for the entire battle!” she said angrily.

“You’re upset because you told Matron Vasiira to give me that damn fruit and I got turned on when I finally got to hold you?” I asked, now even more confused.

“Me?” she asked.

“What do you mean, you? Of course, you! Malice was in this very room while Vasiira gave her the orders to take out House Alesek, and ‘the little soldier’ wasn’t ‘standing at attention.’ I don’t want Malice. I don’t want Vasiira. You know who I want? The only one I’ve ever wanted?” I asked, now annoyed. She was partly responsible for me even being in that position.

“Me…” she said sheepishly.

“That’s right. So excuse me for being excited to get to hold you after I had to spend a night pleasuring someone I did not want to pleasure,” I said, my tone of voice showing my displeasure. “I’m sorry for being happy to see you,” I said sarcastically before sitting up and getting out of bed. I quickly threw my clothes on and then pulled my boots on before turning for the door.

“Where are you going?” Zeera asked.

I shrugged my shoulders, not knowing the answer.

I was angry, so I decided to go to the hot springs that fed our pool. I stripped out of my clothes and walked into the hot pool of water and sat down, trying to relax. A short while later, I could hear Vielyn calling for me over our comm implant. Zeera must have gone to find him when I took off. I didn’t respond; I didn’t feel like talking to anyone.

A short while later, I’d hear Rylzt, Caelnel, and Brudaer all try to get a response from me, and I ignored each of them. Not long after that, I heard Vielyn order the house guards to search the house for me. “You hear that, baby brother? They’ll find you,” he said. “And I’ll hurt them when they do,” I barked angrily in response. “I wish to be left alone, so leave me alone,” I demanded.

My brother had recognized the echo and the sounds of trickling water; he knew exactly where I was. A few minutes later, Vielyn pushed the door open and walked over to the edge of the hot spring I sat in.

“What’s the matter?” he asked. I glared at him and didn’t respond, still wishing to be left alone. “Do I need to hold you under again?” he asked.

“That would not be wise,” I threatened quietly.

Vielyn sighed and nodded his head as he sat down, placing his feet in the water. “So, what’s the matter, then?” he asked again.

“I want to go home,” I answered.

“This is your home,” Vielyn replied.

“No, this is my house. The compound is my home,” I snapped back. “This hasn’t been home for eight years, since Mother shipped me off with Durdrin. I do not like it here,” I said angrily.

“You’re acting like a child, Masdrin,” Vielyn replied.

“I am a child, Vielyn, only eighteen just a few days ago, but you all seem to forget that when you’re using me for your own purposes,” I sneered at him. “Mother and Zeera prostituted me out to Matron Vasiira!” I reminded him. Vielyn looked down and frowned, but I wasn’t finished. “I had to promise my men and put my own life on the line for Vasiira fucking Fret’tar, and no doubt join her in her bed chambers when I finish,” I said angrily. “And to top it off, Zeera is mad at me because I held up my end of the deal that she made. And for some reason that’s totally beyond me, she’s jealous of Malice? She knows I had sex with Vasiira, but she’s jealous of Malice… That doesn’t even make sense to me. I don’t even like Malice,” I said as I continued my rant.

Vielyn looked at me, and I could see the sympathy in his face. “I’m sorry, brother. I cannot protect you from this,” he said sadly.

“I can protect myself; I have been since I was ten,” I reminded him.

Vielyn nodded his head. “You’re right…” he said quietly.

“I want to go home, where I get the respect I earned. The respect I deserve,” I sneered.

Vielyn nodded his head. “And Zeera?” he asked.

“I want her home with me, but the choice is hers to make,” I replied.

Vielyn nodded his head. “You two are going back to the compound. Tonight,” he said firmly.

“I’m glad you agree,” I said quietly. I had already intended on leaving, with or without Zeera.

“You should go back to your room, get you and Zeera ready to return to the compound,” he said quietly.

“I’m not ready to talk to her. That is why I was here, alone,” I replied.

Vielyn nodded his head again. “Everything will be okay, baby brother. Zeera, like yourself, is still young and, as you know, she’s not Drow. She’s not used to things around here like we are,” he said, trying to get me to see things from Zeera’s point of view.

“I am not used to being used and disrespected by my own woman,” I replied.

“She’s scared, Masdrin. She’s surrounded by powerful women who are demanding things from her. She is just venting, I’m sure. Mother told me Zeera was the one who killed Celia, so I’m sure she’s worked up about that too. She’s not a killer like us, Masdrin,” Vielyn said softly. “Right now, I bet she’s terrified. She’s sitting alone, in your room, in a house that will go from being friendly to incredibly hostile all based on what you say, and she just made you angry,” he said, trying to make me sympathize with Zeera’s case.

“Oh, so I get force-fed drugs, twice, in order to ‘make me perform,’ nearly drowned by my brother, knocked unconscious by my brother, disrespected by Viezere, and treated like a prostitute by the two women most important to me, and accused of wanting a woman I wouldn’t touch with a ten-foot pole. Oh, but continue to tell me how I should feel bad because Zeera’s feelings are hurt,” I replied angrily. “Go away, Vielyn,” I snapped at him.

Vielyn sighed and stood up, walking towards the door. He paused before walking through it, though, and turned back to face me. “You know she cares about you, right? More than anything in this world. Zeera is your woman, she’s just confused and scared. She tries to be strong, but she’s weak. She’s weaker without you by her side, and that was when Mother struck. Do not blame Zeera for your circumstances. She does not wish for you to be in Matron Vasiira’s bed, she was too afraid to defy two Matron Mothers,” he said.

I thought about what he said for a moment and then shrugged my shoulders. “I do not claim to know what goes on in other people’s minds,” I said quietly.

Vielyn sighed and nodded his head again. “Just get dressed. I’ll handle the rest,” he said as he walked through the door and headed down the hallway.

I sat there in the warm water for a few more minutes before getting up and drying myself off. I got dressed and made my way back to my quarters, where I found Durdrin sitting at my table while Zeera was seated on the bed. I could see tears streaking Zeera’s cheek, and I turned to face my father. He simply pointed at me, indicating that I was the source of the tears.

I walked over and knelt down in front of Zeera and looked up at her. “Are you okay?” I asked.

She shrugged her shoulders and wiped her eyes with her sleeve. “Where did you go?” she asked me.

“I went to sit in the hot springs, near the pool,” I answered honestly. “Vielyn found me, and he talked to me for a bit,” I said. “He reminded me of a few things,” I added.

She stared at me for a moment. “You still want me?” she asked as she broke down crying again.

The question hit me as hard as when Vielyn punched me in the head. This was why she was so upset. This was our first real fight or argument, and she was worried I’d no longer want her.

Of course, there was still nothing I wanted more than my Zeera.

“Zeera, I want only you. Since I was fifteen years old, I’ve wanted nothing more than I want you. You are my woman. I am your man. The only way to kill my desire for you is to end my life,” I said softly.

Zeera looked at me for a moment and then leapt into my arms and wrapped her own arms around me in a big hug. “I’m sorry!” she said as she buried her face in my chest.

“Don’t be, we’ve both been used and manipulated. It is me who should be sorry; I should not have been angry with you,” I said as I squeezed her tight.

From behind me, I heard Durdrin speak up. “You two are going back to the compound,” he said firmly.

I let go of Zeera and turned to face him. “And Mother?” I asked.

“Your mother will be fine. You can hold up your end of the deal with Vasiira, to help her crush the third house, from the compound. You don’t need to be here,” he said as he drummed his fingers on the table.

I nodded my head eagerly and looked to Zeera with a smile. “How does that sound?” I asked.

“I don’t care where we are, as long as you’re with me,” she said quietly as she held on to me.

I couldn’t help but feel better as I knelt there holding Zeera, and I hoped she was feeling better too.

“Suit up and get Nine to assemble,” Durdrin said quietly.

I stood up and turned to face him with a raised eyebrow. “We’re leaving here. If we’re attacked on the street, then I want to be prepared,” he explained.

I turned back towards Zeera and smiled. “Imagine anyone being brave enough to attack Masdrin De’Endar and his elderly father!” I said jokingly, finally causing Zeera to crack a smile.

“Hey!” Durdrin said. “I’m only a few centuries older than you!” he shot back, always lying about his age.

“Old man,” I whispered loudly to Zeera as I moved past her. She giggled, and I smiled as I reached under my bed for the case that contained my armor.

With Zeera’s help, I had my armor on in no time. As I was donning my hat and cloak, there came a knock at my door. “Masdrin, you in there?” Vielyn asked through the door.

“Come in,” I said as I looked in my mirror and straightened out my cloak. Vielyn opened the door, and I turned to face him, surprised to find him standing proudly in his armor with Shadow Thirteen behind him. “Hello, Vielyn,” I said as he stepped through the door.

He closed the door behind him. “Are you two okay?” he asked as he looked at me and Zeera.

“I am now,” I said while Zeera nodded her head.

“Well, you should go say goodbye to Mother. Let her know that I will lead your soldiers, not counting Nine, of course,” he suggested, and I nodded my head.

I held my hand out for Zeera, who clasped my hand in hers as she stood next to me. I smiled at her before walking towards the door with her. We went through the door with Vielyn and Durdrin behind us. My twenty-man Shadow Team formed up behind me while Vielyn’s Shadow Thirteen formed up behind him and Shadow One got into position behind Durdrin. Our group made it all the way to the doors of the dining hall before we were stopped by the same guards who stopped us outside Mother’s throne room the day we got here. “Stand aside,” Vielyn ordered, and the Drow guards nodded their heads and pulled the doors open wide for us. Durdrin, Vielyn, and I all walked into the dining hall with our entourage close behind us.

We walked up to where Mother and my sisters were all gathered. Matron Vasiira had just left to return home and praise Malice for a job well done, so now it was just Mother, Jhule, Maya, T'rissdra, Cazna, and Baeda sitting at the table talking about everything that had transpired.

I looked at Mother with a grin as she stood up and looked back at us. “You wouldn’t dare…” she said quietly as her hand reached for her dagger. The threat caught me off guard, though Mother was clearly drunk now, something I had never seen before.

“Wouldn’t dare what?” I asked.

“You wouldn’t dare attack your mother, not with my mighty Vielyn standing next to you!” she sneered as she staggered over and leaned against my brother, who also raised an eyebrow in her direction.

“Of course not, Mother, I would never attack you. You are my fourth favorite of all my things!” I said, confusion splashed across my face.

“Only fourth?” she asked with a bit of a pout.

“Zeera, myself, Vielyn, Mother, Sisters,” I said. I didn’t tell her she was tied with Durdrin, who leaned forward and looked at me when he didn’t hear his own name mentioned. Mother’s face softened, and she pushed herself away from Vielyn, towards me. As she stumbled towards me, I released Zeera’s hand and reached out and caught her, wrapping my arm around her waist and steadying her with my free hand.

She looked up at me and smiled as her hand came up to caress my face. “My handsome boy…” she said softly. “Just like your father.”

I smiled at her. “I am going back to the compound. I have taken care of what I was sent here to take care of. Matron Celia and her house are no more,” I said slowly.

“But who will protect Mother?” she asked with another pout.

“Your son, your mighty Vielyn, will protect Mother… along with five hundred and fifty of the Barra D’aron’s best,” I said as I waved my hand towards Vielyn.

“Yes, my Vielyn, so strong. Mother is proud of you!” she slurred. Vielyn puffed his chest out and smiled wide as he walked over to us.

“Come, Mother, let the boys get back to work doing whatever it is you have them doing,” I heard Baeda say from behind me. She moved forward and gently grabbed hold of Mother’s elbow and waist, guiding her back towards her seat.

“The party’s over, back to work!” Mother said drunkenly, and I just smiled and shook my head. “Goodbye, Mother. Goodbye, sisters, I’ll see you all next time!” I said enthusiastically before turning to face Vielyn. “Brother, I shall see you soon, when you come to check up on me at the compound,” I said as I tossed him a wink. He smirked at me and gave me a nod.

Durdrin, mildly jealous that both I and Mother didn’t pay him any attention, stepped forward. “Matron Larynda, thank you for your hospitality,” he said as he bowed low, sweeping his hat out wide and exposing the top of his buzz cut.

Mother turned her head to regard him and smirked. “Oh no… no, no, no… you’re staying…” Mother said with a playful smirk. She tugged herself free of Baeda’s grasp and staggered over to Durdrin before falling into his arms. Durdrin grinned as he reached out and caught her.

“Vielyn, take care of your father,” Mother ordered.

“Masdrin already did that, Mother,” Vielyn replied with a shake of his head. He found drunk Mother amusing.

Durdrin chuckled and led Mother over to a chair where he sat down, and she sat in his lap. “I’ll see you… when I see you,” he said as he looked at me and grinned wide.

I waved my hand at him and then reached down for Zeera’s hand before leaning over and whispering in her ear. “Let’s go home.” She looked up at me and nodded, and together we left House De’Endar, escorted by Shadow Nine.

Shadow Nine made themselves blend into the streets, allowing Zeera and me to walk seemingly alone through the streets of Felynafay. The walk was uneventful, and soon Shadow Nine, Zeera, and I were back at the Barra D’aron inn, sitting in our booth.

Sitting in my favorite booth, surrounded by my friends and with Zeera on my lap, I was home. We joked and laughed and had a genuinely good time just being ourselves. Zeera and I spent a few days at the inn. I wanted to make up to her for all she had gone through at the house. I spent those days catering to her every wish and doing whatever she wanted me to do for her, though she mostly just wanted me to hold her, which was fine with me.