Dark Flower, Book II – Chapter 10.
In the back room of Grogsong’s tavern Sheyreiza leaned against the frame of a doorless doorway. Hignar took a seat at the long table that ran through the narrow room. Sheyreiza waited for him to get settled for a moment and reflected on her agreement to aid the dwarf and his allies. Her task was as simple as it was ludicrous; forge an alliance between rival drow cities and houses as well as the surfacers to stop the Shades. Hignar’s request had shocked her but she had agreed to it rather quickly. Why? Sheyreiza mulled over her reasons and found her motivation far more complex than her task. Hignar grunted and began massaging his knee again.
“Have a seat.” The dwarf said, gesturing to one of the chairs.
Sheyreiza remained standing. “So, tell me king of dwarves, what are your thoughts on how you would seek to employ drow armies, should they be available? And yes, I would sit with you, but we just walked through a tavern of people I do not know. Some could be gathering to come in here as we speak, so I stand for the moment.”
A frown crossed Hignar’s face. “Why do ye 'ddress me 'y my title 'stead o' ny name?”
“No offense to you at all.” Sheyreiza smiled. “It seems appropriate. If it displeases you, I can call you something else.” As Sheyreiza spoke to Hignar she let her eyes wander back through the doorway into the corridor beyond.
Hignar held up his hands. “I'm neither pleased or displeased. It's what I am, of sorts, not who I am.”
“What shall I call you then?”
“Hignar's fine. No matter what I am, it's who I am.” The dwarf shook his head slightly, still frowning. “Don't ye wish to be known by who ye are?”
Sheyreiza returned her gaze to Hignar with raised eyebrows. “Would I have so many names if I did?” Pacing in the door way she continued. “You have used the name Sheyreiza freely, but I have not used that name for myself in more than three years. When I returned to Skullport I took the name L'olath'anon, the Dark Flower. When I see Yathtallar Kesra of Qu’ellar Tanor'thal, I am Elvaylayl Tlabbar. When I speak with Qilue, I am L'olath'anon. With Jain'n I am Flower. With you, I am Sheyreiza.”
“Why?”
“It keeps my enemies from easily discovering they have a common foe. And, each name has its uses.”
With an exasperated sigh Hignar withdrew his writing quill and notebook. “What's the spell'n on Dark Flower. L'ol what?”
“Its a drow word, not one in the common tongue. You will have to do your best by sounding it out. It would be easier to just write Dark Flower.”
“Oh, happy day.” The dwarf glowered over his notebook as he tried to spell L’olath’anon in the common tongue. “So... what was yer question?”
Sheyreiza stopped pacing and leaned against the door frame again. “How do you see drow forces being used if they become available?”
“From what I recall, armies aren't a strength o'the Illythiiri. Mithral 'all and such.
“Yes.” Sheyreiza eyed the dwarf with a bit of spite. She was not about to let him lord that battle over her and her race. “The Menzoberranyr lost because they lost the favor of Lolth. In the space of a few moments, their demon and two of their three matrons were killed, along with several priestesses, all because Matron Baenre offended Lolth.”
“Ah, 'n Moradin 'ad noth'n to do with that? 'ssum'n any God did.” Hignar let it go with a shrug. “My point tis this, yer people 're best at small groups. Raid'n, us'n the darkness, us'n the Underdark. That kind thing.”
She knew the dwarf was right. “Yes, small groups maintain cohesion more often, and they are very good raiders.”
Hignar leaned back and gestured with his quill. “'ith an opponent who's supply lines stretch, from the Anarouch to the Marches, with nay just themselves but hordes o'monsters,'hats a vulnerability.”
“A vulnerabiliity easily exploited by an enemy who is already 'behind' their lines because they are below them.” Sheyreiza finally understood what Hignar had in mind and had to admit, it was a clever idea and well suited to the strengths and positions of the drow forces. Hignar’s tactical sense was something worth noting.
The two talked strategy for a couple more hours, eventually moving their discussion back to Nikies house where Inthara was cooking. The planning continued as they ate and Inthara added what she could. as they talked Sheyreiza realized that Hignar had conceived of this plan some time ago and had put much thought into it. Again, she was impressed.
Sheyreiza ran a hand through her hair. Suddenly the planning felt as tiring as fighting the actual war would be. She looked up at Hignar who had changed out of his armor and was sitting on the mats beside the central table. “Someday this war will be over,” she said, “and your people and mine will likely go back to being enemies, even if you and I are not.”
“In both cases, that's up to the other side.” Hignar answered flatly, eyeing Sheyreiza with a stern look.
“Is it? Will the dwarven people simply forget their millenia of hatred towards my race with the death of the last Shade?” Sheyreiza leaned back from the table. “As for me, I do not plan to count you among my enemies after the war. You were fair to me in Battlehammer and I've no quarrel with you.
Hignar answered with a nod. “Dwarves respect their treaties. If yer people want peace in an area, likely we'd accept that. Oathbreaking is nay a common trait 'mongst my people.” He leaned forward, looking at her intently. “I'm nay a fool though.”
“And I will not take you for one.” Sheyreiza said with a tired smile. No, Hignar was no fool and she would do well to remember that.
“What of the humans and fairie elves?” Inthara asked. The conversation turned to a discussion of all the various factions that might get involved in the fighting and how best to keep them allied instead of fighting. The more they talked, the more Sheyreiza’s respect for the dwarf priest increased. He was nothing if not pragmatic and energetic. For one who constantly complained about fatigue and a sore knee, the dwarf king’s travels in furtherance of this alliance were simply unreal. As they spoke, Sheyreiza realized she had some traveling to do as well before any alliance could be forged.
“When can we travel to the front?” Sheyreiza asked. “I would like to see some evidence of this war. Then I can return to the Underdark with some confidence.”
“I can scry an' show ye the battlefield from'ere.” Hignar offered.
Sheyreiza was not so easily satisfied as she knew the matrons would not be. “A scry could just as easily be an illusion spell. I have to be able to say I have seen it with my own eyes.”
“And a scry is easily blocked.” Inthara added.
The stout dwarf cocked his head. “Do I look like 'n illusionist?”
“No,” Sheyreiza smiled, “but then no good illusionist does, that is the art of illusion.” She laughed. Reluctantly Hignar relented and agreed to take the two drow to the front.
“Hignar, what side is Everska on this war?” Inthara asked as she sat upon a pillow and languidly brushed out her floor length hair.
“Neutral, so far. The bastards.” The dwarf grumbled.
“Do not rely upon the kindness of the Faerie Elves.” Sheyreiza cautioned.
“Right now, i'd 'gree with that. Their neck won't be in the noose 'nytime soon ‘n they 'hink they're invincible.” Hignar was obviously upset. “Nay get me started.” He grumbled, his voice like footfalls in gravel.
Inthara asked about Evermeet, but the answer was the same.
“They're both neutral.” The dwarf admitted. Hignar shook his head and looked up at the two women. “Imagine the day when the Ilythiiri come to war while the Elves hide?”
***
The trio ate and spoke of many things. Sheyreiza told the tale of her leaving Lonelywood, of the Vyshaan and of the Crown Wars. Inthara told of her encounters with Xurshin while with the elves of Lonelywood.
Nikie returned with supplies but also with a gift for Inthara; a beautiful gown Nikie had made herself. Inthara eagerly modeled it for Nikie and Sheyreiza. Inthara loved the gown but noted it was less than practical; here on the surface she needed something that covered her skin better. Nikie offered to change and the women retired to their respective bedrooms to exchange outfits.
A bemused grin crossed Hignar’s face as he watched. “Women.”
Sheyreiza raised an eyebrow and looked to the amused dwarf. “You prefer men? Boys perhaps?”
Hignar chuckled, “No. I'm a priest, remember?”
“So? Does Moradin not allow his clergy to have sex?” Sheyreiza thought that was an odd bit of dogma if true.
“Yes, Moradin does. ‘tis age that doesn't.” Hignar replied amusedly.
That made more sense to Sheyreiza. “Ah, so in your youth, you liked women?”
The dwarf chuckled again. “The woman I married, I'd like to kill. 'fter that, rather just 'ork on 'ein a cleric.. or garden.”
His answer caught Sheyreiza’s interest. The drow did not have marriage, or even the elven custom of bonding. Drow women of sufficient station merely took the men that they pleased. Occasionally, they might court a male but in either case, the relationship was not formalized in the way human marriages and elven bondings were. “I have never understood 'married' or marriage or any of that. But, just the one woman? No one since? No sex at all? How can that be healthy?”
The dwarf frowned. “Do I look healthy?” He growled.
Actually, he did not look healthy and Sheyreiza was not surprised. Going long periods of time without sex was not healthy for anyone. “You should find a dwarf woman then.” Hignar glared across the table at her but said nothing as Inthara and Nikie returned from changing.
The foursome began to discuss what they could offer the Matrons of Menzoberranzan and Ched Nasad to entice them into the alliance. The mere promise of survival and defeat of the Shades would not be enough, but Hignar and Nikie did not know enough about the drow to know what the dark elves might want, other than blood. Sheyreiza and Inthara described Ched Nasad and its culture for them.
Nikie listened intently. “Sounds like a grand place for all these new enemies to wind up.” Nikie said, almost gleefully.
Sheyreiza stopped and stared at the human woman for a moment. “Nikie, you are a genius.” The drowess began to laugh. Slaves, Shadovar slaves, were the perfect enticement.
As they worked out the details Nikie turned to Hignar. “Any reason, Higs, that this enemy we face should not be enslaved in the Underdark?
Hignar thought about it for a moment. “Well, I wanna kill'em all. Them work'n nay bother me.” The dwarf grinned slyly. “Most 'eople wouldn't wish slavery from the Drow 'pon there worse enemies. Me? I'm 'n an ambivalent mood.”
They discussed the slaves and potential trade in further detail. It seemed Nikie was well situated to take advantage of the opportunity and Sheyreiza knew many drow would be enticed by the profit of trade.
Hignar spoke up with a suggestion. “In goin' to Menzoberranzan or Ched Nasad, arriving with some things to trade or gift should help diplomatically. A couple o'good ‘hello’ gifts is a rather broadly held custom.”
“Well, yes,” Sheyreiza admitted. “I was going to wait until later, but...I will need gifts for the matrons. For Ched, I will need thirteen gifts, two greater than the rest. For Menzoberranzan, I will need 9 gifts, two greater than the rest. For Skullport, only three gifts, one less than the other two.”
“One fer each great House?” Hignar asked shrewdly.
“One for each Matron on the ruling council. One greater gift for the highest ranking Matron of the Council to acknowledge her status. And one greater gift to be given on the sly to my host Matron, so she does not feel slighted. In Skullport, I will openly give the lesser gift to Kesra, then a greater gift to her Matron. Later, privately, I will give Kesra a greater gift.”
Hignar winced. “That's alot o'gifts. Diplomacy is an expensive art.”
Inthara and Nikie began making their own suggestions. Eventually, they decided that the lesser gifts would be bolts of the finest silk the surface world could produce in the respective colors of the various Qu’ellaren, the noble houses. The greater gifts would be actual gowns made from the silks. Accompanying the gowns and silk would be rare perfumes, ambers and other beautiful rarities from the surface.
Hignar cradled his head in his hands. “A great alliance formed by high fashion. Oh, I can 'ear the historians now."
Inthara chuckled. “Some will applaud, others will damn our souls.”
Nikie found it an excellent solution. “A common female theme, I think it is a great idea.”
Sheyreiza laughed and nodded. “Well, fashion is a better thing to base the alliance on then the blood of sacrifices.”
Hignar looked up from his hands at Sheyreiza. “Diplomatically speak'n... am I emasculat'n myself giving them dresses?”
“No.” Sheyreiza answered. “You emasculated yourself when you stopped having sex.”
The dour dwarf just glowered, red faced as the others laughed.
***
Later, as they ate, drank and worked out the details another concern crossed Hignar’s mind. He turned to Sheyreiza. “They nay wanna lynch you, 'ight?”
She nodded. “Yes, some would like to see me die as an apostate.”
“In Menzo, do ye know of a Taj'mirri Tlabbr?” The dwarf asked. “Was merciful to'em once. I dunno if that'd help or hinder but 'east he knows I'm honorable.”
“Taj'mirri? Yes, an adopted cousin of mine.” Sheyreiza said. Sheyreiza had never met him, she had only heard his name from the other Tlabbar in Skullport. Taj’mirri was a scout or a warrior who had spent time on the surface from what she could recall. Though he might have experience with the World Above, it was doubtful a male would have much influence. “Do you know any others?”
“One Tlabbar I knew, is dead. Kylara'anon. My adopted brother kilt her."
“Kylara'anon? The ‘Lethal Flower.’” The appellation sounded familiar to Sheyreiza but she knew few details. Kylara’anon was a nickname for drow females who were both pretty and prone to murder. Given that most drow women were pretty and almost all were prone to murder, it was not an uncommon nickname.
“I knew of a Vanda o'House Maldonar and Faeryl Tlabbar.” Hignar added.
“Faeryl?” That was a name Sheyreiza had heard when Vel’meth had explained the Faen Tlabbar family structure to her. “A high priestess she is. My aunt,‘Faeryl the Red.’”
Hignar crossed his arms. “I believe she was the one who raised me from the dead.”
Sheyreiza could not contain the look of surprise that crossed her face. First Hignar had stunned her with his offer of an alliance, now he stunned her again with his revelation. “Now that is something I did not know.” The priestess admitted, betraying her shock.
Nikie gave Hignar a warm smile. “A day of revelations Higs.”
The dwarf drummed his fingers on the table. “Well, I was with Tajmirri Tlabbar. Babras and I were 'ttempting diplomacy with the Maldonars. We got ambushed by some ogres and kilt. Tajmirri survived and hauled us both back to his aunt. She raised us from the dead and offered us death, or let everyone know it was the Cormanthor drow 'tempting to attack Daggerdale, not the Maldonars. If that failed, she said we'd be servants o'Lolth, which was a fabrication. So was the Cormanthors, but I sincerely believed the latter.”
“Well, not a bad ploy.” Sheyreiza said with some new found admiration for her adopted aunt Faeryl.
Hignar narrowed his eyes. “I'm glad ye approve.” He said sarcastically. “The last I seen of 'em was an attack on the Dales. Killed many o'the priests, many druids and kidnapped the daughter o' my niece Arien.” Sheyreiza had heard of the attack but knew no details. It had never concerned her.
They talked for a few more hours about how to approach the Matrons. Ultimately, it was decided that Sheyreiza, Inthara and Nikie would go while Hignar would stay behind. Bringing a dwarf king and high priest of Moradin within the reach of the Matrons would simply be too tempting for those spiteful women. Not a word of alliances or threats of Shades would make it past their thoughts of the favor they would curry with Lolth for putting Hignar’s heart upon the altar. Sheyreiza would not allow the alliance to be so easily defeated. Nikie would go in Hignar’s place as his representative and as an ambassador from the Silver Marches. They would give her a title grand enough to make her appearance seem important, but not so significant that the Matrons would want to sacrifice her.
As the foursome broke up for sleep and reverie Sheyreiza stared out a bedroom window. The planning had been long but the talk had been light hearted. As she watched the tropical rain come down from the night sky, she wondered if any of the others realized yet what the true cost of this alliance would be. A few gowns, some silk, even the Shadovar slaves were not the true price. She glanced back at Inthara as the sorceress made ready to reverie. No. None of them yet realized what this was going to cost. As she turned back to the window, tears welled up and ran down Sheyreiza’s cheeks like rain drops on the glass.
Dark Flower, Book II - Chapter 10
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Mikayla
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Dark Flower, Book II - Chapter 10
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