Xiith

[Inaubryn]

He had not even noticed the boat had come to port. The murky water had captured his mind, rippling with the images of ghosts from the not so distant past. His house, his family, his life... gone. Everything he knew played before him like some disturbingly twisted play acted out just for him. And though these images were crystal clear in the inkiness, the only sound was the swashing of the water against the ship's hull. The screams, the cries, the wails, that should have accompanied the visions of those who were being slaughtered were muted. It was almost as if the darkened Sargauth River swallowed them into into its depths before they escaped those who gave them. There those anguished voices sank deeper into a black, watery grave never to surface again.

As if in a drunken stupor or spell-induced haze he stepped from the gangplank and sat foot on Skull Island. It had been a week since he had been on solid ground and were it not for his current mental state it would have taken him a moment to gain his legs or at least he would have noticed his inability to move in a straight line. He walked forward like a beast with blinders. He gave no notice to any of his surroundings, or to where he was going, he simply walked. He had no idea how many of the others still lived. He had made sure however to ensure that they were all safely out of the city before he himself left. However, he chose to disobey his patron and he did not leave when he should have. Instead, he watched the onslaught of his house begin. It was quick. A few fleeting shadows, then darkness. Next came the sounds of steel against steel, steel biting into flesh, spells being volleyed back and forth and the screams... the screams that had not left him since. He bit back the urge to race into the fray and lift his house to victory or die trying. But, he knew the others would need him. They would need his guidance and they would all need each other to survive. But, most of all, he would need them. Because at that moment, a plan began to formulate deep in his mind. He understood what it was he must do and it did not matter if it took the next one hundred years to do so. It was at that moment he turned, threw his hood over his head and walked sullenly out of the city, never to return again.

It had been five months and he had not seen or heard from the others in that time. It was here in Skullport that he told them to meet. He cautioned that they should all take different paths, at different times and tell no one who they were or where they were headed. He knew that once it was discovered that five of the nobles had escaped, assassins would be dispatched to find them and remedy that mistake. The thought of assassins caused him to come to. He looked around, taking in his surroundings for the first time. Then he saw a distant figure moving toward him. He tensed up and rubbed his fingers together near his spell component pouch, as he so often did in readiness to unleash a spell.

Then came a voice, "Tazzen!" He would know that voice anywhere. It was sweet and melodious, like many drow females. The very type of voice that would seduce one to their death. But, this voice was different than all the others. It did not bear even the slightest hint of malice or devious thought. As a matter of fact her voice gave the distinct impression of a naive innocence, something that was disarming and endearing to even the most wary of people. This is of course what made it far more deceptive than most. For make no mistake, the girl who possessed this, sultry sweet and almost child-like voice could be a cold hearted killer indeed.

"Laele," he responded, grinning at the sight of his youngest sister. She grabbed his hands, a wide smile imprinted on her face. "I am pleased that you made it," she stated in a thick Menzoberranzyr accent. "And I you," he replied. His grin disappeared and his brow furled slightly. "The others? Has anyone else made it?" Laele's smile faded and she shook her appearing somewhat disappointed. Tazzen nodded and sighed. They studied each other for a brief moment before she tightened her grasp on his hand and turned towards a large bridge. "Come, I wil take you to the room I have procured. There we can speak more about the future of the Xiith."

[Misty]

*sniff*

how it all began. I love it, Inaubryn.