Chapter 8 The rebellious drow
The young female drow Shireen almost went crazy and escaped from the secret room that filled her heart with fear and frustration.
As a drow, the extreme darkness in the Underdark would only make her uncomfortable, but the eternal silence, combined with a pair of breathtaking eyes, made her tremble with fear.
In the ancient city of Orens, the noise of the city merged into a continuous whisper of magical chants, occasionally interspersed with one or two blood-curdling screams.
And in the secret room of the battle mage from the Kingdom of Cormyr.
Even the quietest sound of turning a book would be accompanied by a hollow echo, like a stone falling into a deep well, impacting her heart and ears.
The surroundings were deathly silent. As a wizard, she had the spiritual power to be calm at all times, and her heart was still beating wildly under control.
Especially his eyes as cold as a pool of cold water. Whenever she was looked at, she felt the fear of a poisonous snake curling up in her heart.
Fear was like a sharp sword, stabbing into her heart.
The more Xierlin recalled that scene, the more the blood vessels in her brain seemed to burst. Almost every part of her body was trembling, and her hands and feet became as cold as ice.
She didn't dare to meet Brian's eyes, and she felt shuddering as soon as she stood in front of him.
Thankfully, the long month finally ended today. The haze in her eyes was swept away, and she felt that she had never been as relaxed as she was today.
She couldn't wait to get back to her room and sat there with unusual patience.
There is a party tonight, in a mansion specially used for parties. She does not have to be responsible for any details, she just needs to attend and enjoy it.
As she sat down, the deft halfling servants braided her hair into dozens of fine braids, then looped them into an elaborate hairstyle.
Shireen usually lets her long hair hang loose, but tonight she needs to style it to withstand the carnival of the party.
Evening dresses must also be durable and able to withstand strenuous exercise.
Wearing a pure white dress, coupled with bold tailoring, and then opening a few slits in the skirt, she can unleash her passion for dancing unscrupulously.
Tonight’s banquet is a ‘Dance of Demonic Fire’, a wild dance skill competition exclusive to drow.
The boring and boring magic courses made her fall in love with the feeling of freedom and flying to the rhythm.
Especially during this month that almost made her collapse, so she had to indulge herself.
After all, desire is a familiar and safe area for her, and it is also one of the few emotional outlets for their drow clan.
If this is gone, what else is there?
She had no idea of any other means of release.
Xirin arrived at the mansion where the banquet was held. Her 'friends' had already gathered here. Customs required guests to arrive early so that they could talk and plan with each other, and also drink fine wine.
Accompanied by bursts of slow drumbeats, Xierlin, who was fortunate enough to be the lead dancer, stepped into the center of the dance floor, and the 'Dance of Demonic Fire' began.
She enjoys this feeling very much.
Because at this moment, all eyes were on her, watching her dance steps to the rhythm of the drums and the intricate curves drawn by her arms.
Soon, one after another, other drums joined in, not to be outdone, and there were even strange percussion instruments known only to the drow.
The deep flute plays a strange and impressive tune.
Elves sang this song in the sunlit lands many centuries ago.
Now, the long-dead elves may no longer recognize the familiarity in it.
Because the charming magic in the music is just an external manifestation of the performer's indulgent life.
Although the melody is still beautiful and retains the mystery of the elves, it has no joy at all.
Although the drow of the underworld have forgotten such things, they know how to enjoy themselves and pursue them feverishly, in a vain attempt to fill the unknown emptiness deep in the souls of the elves.
The tempo of the music gradually increased, overpowering the noisy syncopated drums, and the flute played a mysterious and weird tune.
Sirlyn pirouettes and leaps with abandon, just in time with the rhythm of the music, her body light and swaying, inviting the drow who are impatiently waiting.
A magical flame flashed, and the appearance of the black dancer was outlined by the pure white demonic fire.
This is the signal that everyone is looking forward to, and the drows flock to the dance floor.
Even in the ball, the drow still compete with each other.
Some people summon their talents and float in the air to complete intricate leaps, while others put aside complicated movements and use their delicate and gorgeous movements to attract as many eager eyes as possible.
However, regardless of the dance style, all drow must listen carefully while dancing, looking for clues hidden in the subsequent music from the intricate dance music.
Because the playing rhythm is uneven, it is always accompanied by strong drum sounds that come out suddenly and almost randomly.
Zhuer who fails to correctly understand the rhythm of music will be in danger of stepping on the wrong beat.
Any drow who makes a wrong step in the dance will be surrounded by the dance floor. A certain wizard who carefully observes the pirouettes, jumps and steps of the drow will act like a referee and surround him with bright demonic fire.
These eye-catching hapless dancers could only leave the dance floor in disgrace amid a burst of ridicule.
But their entertainment did not end there. All the onlookers would make bets on who would be the next unlucky person to leave the dance floor first.
The music continues to flow, and few skilled drow would miss the intricate dance steps.
With heat shining on ebony faces, some of the dancers began to throw off their coats.
Because the frenetic ‘Dance of Demonic Fire’ will continue until most of the dancers end due to exhaustion.
A hired wizard floated above the dancers, his long fingers flying, weaving spells.
In an instant, the music began to speed up, and the fast pace was almost impossible to keep up with.
But magic is also cast on the dancers, whose steps still follow the intense music.
They turned faster and faster, and colorful demonic fires flashed on the graceful and graceful bodies of each drow, bringing the 'dance of demonic fire' into the dancing magic storm.
The drums rumble and the flutes whimper.
Suddenly, the whole house fell into darkness and silence.
Such a spectacular spell aroused roaring applause from all the drows.
As per custom.
After the 'Dance of Demonic Fire' ended, the dancers began to take off their gorgeous outer clothing.
Everyone attending the banquet was led into another room openly and naked.
The hall here is huge, with low ceilings and ventilation holes everywhere.
Fragrant steam pours into the house, cleansing the dancers' bodies and soothing their tired limbs.
The direction and intensity of the airflow constantly changes, either in short beating bursts or in a gentle and passionate breeze.
The steam allows the drow bathing in it to enjoy a series of pleasurable sensations. They wander around, flirting with each other from time to time, or setting traps for social opponents.
As the last trace of steam disappeared, the drow elves flashed into the surrounding small doors in small groups.
In the privacy of a room.
They brought new playmates, relaxed on the couch, spread rumors, commented on witty conversations, weaved conspiracies, and explored the mystery of the birth of life
However, at this time, hope Erlin, however, clearly felt that there was something missing from tonight's banquet.
It was so smooth that she could not believe it.
Because under normal circumstances, it will
Thinking of this, she stood up suddenly and finally realized the problem.
Santila Pumol did not attend today's banquet.
Wanting to understand the cause of the problem, she smiled slightly and lay comfortably on the couch again.
Because every time a banquet is held, whenever Santila participates, there will be many teeth-gnashing pranks.
According to the tradition of the drow clan.
The rite of passage for drow women is to devote themselves to the 'Kiss of the Spider'.
So, Santila was not eligible to enjoy the entertainment after the dance.
However, she will wander through many rooms, looking for her own fun.
Normally.
With her arrival, screams and bursts of gnashing of teeth and curses would suddenly erupt in the corridor of the room.
Santila love to cast harmless prank spells on their companions.
For example, the hands being gently massaged suddenly become cold, the fragrant essential oil suddenly turns into a pungent and spicy smell, the original object of pleasure suddenly turns into an ugly orc, or even some kind of local enlargement or The shrinking spell.
Recalling some unpleasant memories, Xierlin suddenly felt that tonight's banquet was probably the most satisfying one she had ever had. Even the shadow that Brian left on her was completely dispelled.
After all, tomorrow, these two people will disappear from her sight forever.
After a long, long time
The satisfied drow put on bright party dresses, gathered in another banquet hall filled with delicious food, and began to enjoy the delicious food.
The conversation gradually became noisy.
There are drow everywhere moving to other tables, communicating with each other, or becoming new social companions.
When Xierlin heard that the last dish was magic pomfret, her inner expectations became even higher.
Because such a banquet usually ends with wild fun, and the magic pomfret almost ensures that the banquet reaches a dazzling level.
While she was waiting eagerly, the door of the banquet hit the wall with a bang.
Xirin's face changed slightly, she did not turn around, she was too lazy to even move.
In her impression, there was only one person who would knock on the door in such an energetic way, and she was even used to this lively friend. The noisy people gradually quieted down, and most people focused on a drow girl who opened her arms and spun into the banquet hall.
Her wild, thick white hair flew in the air as she danced ecstatically.
When the girl came to Sireen, she suddenly stopped dancing, pounced on her, and said excitedly, "Shirlyn, Aunt Jonara said, I can finally accept the blood sacrifice, and I can participate tomorrow. It’s a coming-of-age ceremony.”
“It’s the mistress! Please correct your wording,”
Xirin emphasized, then stood up from the chair, calmly. He broke away from the girl's warm embrace.
Santilla wears travel boots, fashionable tight leather pants, a silk top, and a delicate chainmail vest.
Among this group of wealthy nobles and drow commoners who pursue pleasure with typical drow enthusiasm and are good at using intrigue and intrigue, Santila is undoubtedly the most popular woman.
She's younger than most drow, her thirtieth birthday isn't until tomorrow, and she's in that long, crazy period of adolescence and rebellion that drow have.
And her face is as fresh and beautiful as a human girl of seventeen or eighteen years old. She also enjoys wealth and the status of the heir to the chief mage.
Many young drow in the dark city have wealth, status and beauty, but Santila, a little wanderer, is extremely different in the ancient Orens city because of her laughing nature and passion for pursuing life.
With the indulgence of the Archmage, she also prefers the pursuit of adventure and magical knowledge to the intrigues of society.
Santilla loves to laugh and likes others to laugh with her. Since few drow can share her unique sense of humor, she begins to play pranks again and enjoys making fun of other friends.
Because of this, few can resist her unique charm, and many young drow compete for the chance to adventure with her.
Because the social status of the survivors can naturally be improved to a higher level, and wonderful stories can also be told at the evening party.
Shirlin never found this interesting.
For drow, life is a cold and serious matter, and magic is an art that requires mastery, not a child's plaything.
However, this particular 'drow girl' mastered magic more powerful than hers, which deeply stung her self-esteem.
That wasn't the only thing that made her hateful.
Mother Jonara, Sireen's own mother, always showed special care for the Chief Archmage's girls - almost to the point of doting.
This is something she can never forget and forgive.
Even her blood sacrifice ritual was so attentive that she even went to Manto Dris and spent a lot of money to buy a battle mage from the Kingdom of Cormyr.
Although Matron Jonara's goal is clear, she is still jealous and hateful.
Because whenever the blood ritual was mentioned, it would touch her pain.
Her prey turned out to be a kobold, and she took care of it with only a small dagger.
Her blood sacrifice was more of a routine than the grand adventure of Santila's fantasy.
What she hates the most is that as long as Santila is near her, her male partner seems to be distracted.
The two of them have been training together since they were young. Not long after adopting Santila, the Chief Archmage became obviously impatient with this precocious and naughty daughter, and sent her to her once and for all. The Tux family whose mother died was raised and trained by the family's Matron Jonara.
A childlike rivalry soon developed between her and Santila, which lasted for many years until she gave up in frustration.
Whether it was family status, wealth, or magical talent and charm, she was completely defeated.
"In my opinion, this should have been done long ago."
A male drow stared at Santila intently, "You will be thirty years old soon, and you have already entered In adolescence, even I wonder why you waited so long."
Xirin glared at him coldly, and the latter quickly shut up.
This is her new spouse, the son of a wealthy businessman.
He is a nasty upstart, covered in expensive jewelry. He is rich, energetic but easy to tame, which makes him very popular among aristocratic women in the circle.
"I think so too, and I specifically asked Aunt Jonara."
Santilla said depressedly, "She explained to me, and she said she didn't find it. There will be no ceremony before the right prey, I thought, it must be a true test of my magic. Think of a grand and heroic hunt - an adventure in the tunnels of the dark territory!"
“Mother Jolana.”
Shireen once again coldly corrected the unruly drow girl.
"I know, it's Mistress Giolana." Santila repeated impatiently, sat on the chair again, supported her pretty face with her hands, and said whimsically:
" I'm really curious about what I'll be hunting tomorrow. I've heard that there are many wonderful and terrible beasts in the Land of Light. I've also seen them in books, big wild cats with gold and black stripes, like swamp bears on all fours. A big brown bear that looks like a human might be a fire-breathing dragon. ”
The great adventure, the fire-breathing dragon, is so unimaginably naive.
Xirin looked at the girl sitting in front of her, pondering whether her words were pure words from her heart.
"Dear Santila, don't you know? People will die here. Many young drow died in blood sacrifices." A well-dressed male drow reminded kindly.
“Of course I know.” Santila smiled nonchalantly:
“Surprise attacks on the surface often go awry. Humans or goblins sometimes know about the attack in advance and prepare in advance. Or they were more skilled than expected, or outnumbered, and even had their own ribs pierced with daggers from other drows."
She said matter-of-factly, "In those rituals that take place underground, newcomers are sometimes present. Lost in the wilds of the Underdark, or encountering monsters beyond their magic and weapon skills."
"Sometimes they are killed by their own prey," another male drow added.
Santila looked startled, then grinned, and said confidently, "No matter what kind of monster, I will give them a fatal blow. I will choose weapons and spells that are naturally compatible with them. Daggers against beasts, bows and arrows against Birds. No, I have fireball, lightning beam and transformation. "
"To celebrate my upcoming festival, I brought you the long-awaited food."
Santila stood up from the chair, reached out and patted the small bag on her waist. A fish basket appeared on the dining table out of thin air, filled with lively silver fish.
She stretched out her hand and saw a fish as big as the palm of her hand floating in the air, twisting and jumping.
The streamlined oval body, silver scales and delicate fins, as well as the mandible as wide as the body, which is full of sharp steel teeth, all show that this is a magic pomfret.
Gasps and exclamations kept coming from the seats.
Xirin took a deep look at Santila and quickly put away the contempt in her eyes.
The devil pomfret is a small, cruel fish that can devour an adult lizard until only the bones are left.
These fish are extremely vicious and can even jump out of the water to attack animals drinking water by the river.
Their teeth are sharp and their jaws bite so hard that the first bite often causes the prey to feel no pain and pay no attention.
However, the next pain came quickly.
Because blood dripping in the water will soon attract countless greedy companions, hunting this fish is a dangerous act, and accidents are by no means rare.
You also have to walk through an inaccessible and almost unpatrolled tunnel to reach the river.
The river itself is also dangerous. Under the calm surface, whirlpools will suddenly appear, and there are strong undercurrents that appear and disappear. The magic pomfret is even more deadly.
Their meat is delicate and delicious, but it is horribly poisonous. As long as it is cooked carefully, the taste is more intoxicating than wine. As long as there is magic pomfret at the party, it will immediately become a feast.
Just then.
The magic pomfret fish that was bound by magic suddenly broke free in mid-air, twisted and opened its big mouth, and fell straight down.
Xirin’s new spouse looked frightened. She was so frightened that she quickly covered her lower body and shrank back.
But this is not necessary.
The magic pomfret was fingered by Santila. Under the restraint of magic power, it made another snap and fell into the fish basket again.
"If you miss," the drow complained with lingering fear.
"I never make mistakes." Santila showed a playful smile and teased: "If I make a mistake, with just one bite, you will be of no use at all, and Siren will be unhappy. ”
Everyone burst into laughter, and the atmosphere of the entire banquet was brought to a new climax with the arrival of Santila.
Seeing that everyone’s eyes were on Santila, Shireen once again felt the shame of being ignored by everyone.
She began to hate Santila Pumore with a purity and intensity that far exceeded anything she had ever experienced.
She hated Santila's origin, hated her beauty, hated her intelligence, hated her high reputation among everyone.
No matter where the little slut was, Shireen never understood her pranks, and what was worse, she always felt like she was the butt of the joke.
She also hated Santila's magical talent, being able to easily learn magic that she had spent a whole year trying to understand, but what she hated most was that since the day she was born, Santila has always been Enjoying unfettered freedom.
With the deliberate connivance of the Chief Archmage, she didn't even have to go to Spider Academy or Warlock Academy.
However, when she thought about the consequences that Santila would face in tomorrow's blood sacrifice ceremony, she felt inexplicably happy.
This reminded her again of the battle mage from the Kingdom of Cormyr.
A trembling fear flashed through her heart instantly.
Since these two were the people she hated so much, why didn't she think of a way to let them meet in advance.
Shirlin suddenly felt that her idea was too wise.
Because of Santila's strong curiosity, as long as she mentioned it a little, she would definitely have a strong interest in the half-elf captives and develop a strong desire to tame them.
With the personalities of these two people, they will definitely fight and stage a spell showdown in advance.
The final result, no matter who loses or wins, is what she wants to see most.
Xirin raised her head and looked at Santila's smiling face, with an imperceptible sneer at the corner of her mouth.
(End of this chapter)