Date thread started: Saturday, May 20, 2000 10:05 PM

Early morning light shines in through the window hitting Ariessus square in the face. "Oh ugh, someone turn that thing off already." She rolls over and hides her face in the pillow wondering for the millionth time why she
sleeps with the shutters open. <You think I'd have learned by now Beloved.> No answering response from K'harn, as the elven cat happens to enjoy sleeping in the morning sun.

Groaning Ari manages to slide out on the opposite side of her bed and stands surveying her room. Hands running through her disheveled hair Ari takes stock. "What shall I do today I wonder?" She murmurs to herself. "I
suppose a visit to Laila's is in order. I could use..." The sentence trails off as the drow spies the mithral Holy Symbol of Corellon laying on her nightstand. Reaching out a slim hand she reverently touches it. "Well, now I know how my day is going to go." Sitting back down on the bed, she picks the amulet up and studies it again. Not that she didn't study it in great detail the night before, not able to keep her eyes off of the beautiful object. But now, perhaps the full morning sunlight isn't such a bad thing after all. Laying on her stomach Ari gently places the Holy Symbol on the blanket so that it lays in full sunlight. She traces the detailing with her fingers, outlining the whole thing. 'It is beautiful.' she thinks to herself. 'Now if I can only unlock its secrets.'

Biting her lower lip Ariessus wonders how to go about doing just that. Meditation would be a good try. Perhaps if she prayed hard enough Corellon would gift her with the knowledge. Yes, that is exactly what she will try first. Bounding back up out of her bed she throws open her clothes chest and chooses a soft comfortable gown. A quick kiss on the still sleeping kitten's head and Ari and the Holy Symbol make their way downstairs. Wending her way through the quiet house Corellon's cleric finds the altar that the others had built for her. She has only used it once, dedicating it to Corellon in a small private ceremony. Now she will use it in hopes to be enlightened. Running a hand over its smooth surface, Ari smiles. 'Corellon' she thinks 'I hope this altar pleases you. If I had my way I
would have put it right in the center of my bath.' Her smile grows at the thought and a small chuckle escapes. Such foolish thoughts right now, for such an important task.

Spearing her fingers through her hair once again, Ari keeps it out of her way as she kneels before the altar. Placing the delicate symbol upon the altar Ari bows her head and begins to pray. She lets the meditations take her slowly, yet deeply into her trace. First comes her thanks to Him for helping to make her who she is today, by shaping her life by guiding her upon her proper path. Then comes her thanks for keeping safe watch over those she loves and she adds and extra special heartfelt thank you for keeping all of them alive during the fight with the dragon.

More prayers ensue, her usual devotions being given. When she would normally begin to let her concentration drift, let thoughts lead her where they will, she instead directs them to a specific goal.

<Corellon, Great One. I ask of you a favor. Tis a small one, but an important one nonetheless. During the course of my travels with the Seekers we have found an object that once belonged to one of your faithful. It has power, both the mage and I have felt it. I ask of you to look upon this Symbol and to grant me the knowledge of its power, its purpose. I would use it to fight the evil that spreads throughout the land, throughout my beloved underdark.> Ari stops, letting these words resound in her head over and over. She knows not what else to say, what to ask that would bring forth an answer.

<Ah.... mistress?>

K'harn's voice finally registers. Ari realizes she has called for her several times now.

<Not now, beloved! I'm praying.>

<Oh. OK. I won't bug you about the angel then.> The drow can almost hear K'harn's mental sniff.

<Ang....>

Ari opens her eyes and looks up. A gasp escapes her lips as her eyes widen in wonder. Standing across the altar from her is a tall elven male dressed in white and gold. Ariessus can feel as well as see the golden glow shining
from some inner light deep within the man. The angel seems unaware of Ariessus as he holds the pendant up to the light and studies it closely.

Ari kneels there in wonder for several minutes. While this is the second angel she has seen, the vision still fills her with an incredible sense of wonder and joy. Finally the angel looks down at her.

"You are drow" he says, a slight note of surprise in his voice.

Ari simply nods her head, still a little astonished that her prayer has been answered.

"Well, times have certainly changed, haven't they?" The angel chuckles as if at some private joke. "Oh what the Council would have said if they had know that I was making this for a drow."

Although awed, Ari still quickly picks up on the implications in the angel's words. "You made the pendant?"

The angel nods slowly. "My greatest work! I devoted years of my life to it."

"Do you want it back?" Ari asks, feeling a slight twinge inside of her at the thought of giving it up. But the angel laughs and shakes his head.

"Oh no, my dear, not at all. You see, I made it for you. Well, not for YOU, or rather not that I knew who I was making it for at the time. How could I have?"

Seeing the blank look on Ari's face the angel pauses. "I see I'll have to explain this. Please, make yourself comfortable. No, I mean get up off your knees. The Bright One knows how many times I griped about sore kneecaps! Come, where are you most comfortable?"

K'harn apparently isn't as "amazed" about the angel as Ari is. In a light-hearted tone she sends <The tub!>

Before Ari can whirl to glare at her bonded the trio are all suddenly up in Ari's hot tub. Of course, the water isn't very hot. And everybody is fully dressed. The angel looks down at the water and then up at Ari's soaking clothing. "You... think this is comfortable?"

Ari shakes her head. "Well, usually I don't wear my clothes into the water - and it's warmer, and bubbling..." Ari stops talking as she remembers what happened a moment ago when K'harn spoke her mind, but she's too late. She feels her clothes vanish and the water suddenly warm up and start bubbling. Although not shy about her body, Ari doesn't feel it very proper to stand naked in front of an angel. She quickly sits down. The angel's clothes vanish as well. His eyebrows go up as he settles himself deeper into the water. "Yes, yes. I can see why you would enjoy this. Ah, but one does forget about the physical pleasures after a millennia or two. Now where were we?"

Ari only shakes her head in disbelief. NOBODY is going to believe this.

"My name is Verradin AmDevan AmIstinray AmbQuillen." He pauses and glances at Ari, as if waiting for some kind of reaction. Since the names are completely strange to Ariessus she just smiles and nods for him to continue.
"I was the High Priest of Corelleon in Myth Drannor several thousand years ago, during the reign of King Nivrondastal."

This time Ari does recognize the name. Nikki has often associated the name "Nivrondastal" with some of the greatest artifacts of the ancient elven city.

"While it was a golden time for the elves, I must admit it was a rather boring time for us clerics. The people loved their King and the Gods. We worshiped them faithfully and they blessed us abundantly. Not many worries
for a cleric.

After a couple of decades of helping to resolve minor disputes between noble houses I decided that I needed to do SOMETHING of significance before I went woody. I prayed and communed with the Bright One for many days. In the end I was given a charge. I was to create something which would be needed by one of Corelleon's faithful many, many years in the future. I was also blessed with the knowledge of how to create this wondrous item.

Without thinking, Ari interrupts. "Please, I have a question. You mentioned a Council and that you personally were given this charge. But what you haven't said is why you and this Council thought there might be a need for this item. What was it you were preparing someone in the future for? What is the danger?"

Verradin shrugs. "I know not what danger you face. Without revealing too much, I can tell you that this pendant was created to prepare you to face the danger, rather than as something to us against any particular opponent."

I spent the next seven years preparing the book, the pendant, and the guardian. Day and night I worked on them. Well, not that I was a slave to the task. I still danced and sang and did all the other things elves do. But when I was free of any other responsibilities I spent my time working on my masterpiece. Finally, on the High Holy Day of the Bright One at Midsummer I cast the final spells onto the three objects. My work was done!

I must admit, it was somewhat anti-climatic. The guardian just stood there. The book was nowhere to be seen. The pendant just laid there. No glow, no nothing."

Verradin lifts up the pendant once again and admires it in the light given off by his own body. "It looks exactly as it did that day so many centuries ago. So, you must tell me, where did you find it?"

The abrupt shift catches Ari off guard for a moment. "Where? Oh, in a dragon's lair. A shadow dragon. We defeated it. Kind of. With some help."

Verradin nods. "Fitting that it would be in a dragon's lair. I had hoped it would end up with one of the Ancient Ones rather than in the hands of those filthy humans. But then again" he continues, frowning, "the Guardian should have prevented it from being taken from Myth Drannor. Interesting. I wonder if the guardian was destroyed."

"Your pardon, Holy One, but what does it do?" Ari asks, unable to contain her curiosity any longer.

Verradin smiles and winks. "Ah, but that is for you to find out, no? We can't allow Corelleon's Blessing to go to just anybody now, can we?"

"Corelleon's Blessing?"

"Well, that's what we called it" Verradin continues. "Doubtless the name has changed over the years." He reaches across the pool and hands the pendant to Ariessus. "All I can tell you is this. You must spend a day in devotion for every year I spent working on the Blessing. Then you will find the Book, although it may be difficult for you to... well... there may be other obstacles to overcome. But once you overcome them and follow my guidance, then you shall receive Corelleon's Blessing."

Verradin leans back and spreads his arms out, resting them on the edge of the tub. Ari becomes aware once again that he has no more clothing on than she does - and his body glows under the water. She's glad her dark skin
hides her blush, although if that cat of hers doesn't stop snickering...

"Well, you now know the history of the Pendant. Use the gift wisely and I shall return twice more. Perhaps I can stay longer and we can discuss your world."

"Return twice more?" Ari asks. "What do you mean by..."

But the glow from Verradin is already fading away. When only the faintest of gold light remains in the room Ari once again hears his voice, very faint, as if from a great distance.

"A drow. Imagine that."

*****

From somewhere on the top level of the Truth Seekers Compound a shriek is heard. Then the sound of running feet. A door flies open and another excited screech is heard before the words, "Any Seekers in the house come up here now!" The door slams, again running feet. This time it sounds as if the stop mid-run. The door crashes open yet again. "The hot tub room! No, no make it my room!"

The voice belongs to Ariessus. She seems to be in quite a state. More running, although this time it sounds like it's going down the hall not back into the room housing the tub.

As Ari, her head all filled with all that's happened, finally makes it to her room she flings a robe about her wet shoulders and stuffs her arms into the sleeves. Belting the robe tightly she paces, waiting for whichever Seekers are still at home to heed her call.

She hopes they will at any rate.

"Oh, what now? Will I ever have so much as five solid minutes to continue my work? <sigh>", as Nikki transforms into a hummingbird and zooms off to go see what has Ari so upset.

"Whoops!" Amber exclaims as she slides off her cushion in surprise at the screech and call from above. Leaving her boots on the floor she gets up and runs for the hallway and the stairs. When those with longer feet can be heard behind her she moves to the side to let them pass.

"I'm coming!" she calls out.

<What in the heck can this be about? I sure hope we aren't under attack!> she thinks to herself as she manages to skid on the small carpet, keep her balance and arrive panting to wherever...

Sane looks up in surprise, then quickly uses his innate invisibility. He heads off to follow the sounds of running feet.

From atop the battlements where he is discussing the next years planting with his father, Matar hears Ari's shriek. Wondering what trouble Nikki has caused this time he leaps down the stairs and flies towards the house. He takes the stairs up four at a time does a diving roll through the door, triping over Mogo as he stands and lands flat on his face. Hopping quickly to his feet he looks around for the threat.

From on top of the main building, the hengeyokai cat was peacefully looking around the compound when she heard the first scream. She was thinking about how quiet the area is and what a nice place to live. Yet, the snow, that stuff can go. Just as the second scream reaches her ears, she realizes that to keep a captain of the guards here is going to take one of two things, magic being one of them. The words and correction come to her. She thinks, 'Ari must not be in trouble, just excited.'

Before Ari has a change to shriek again, the natural born Hunter figures it's time to quickly move to Ari's room. Moving through the window she came out of, she heads to the source of the noise, forgetting to close the window. Seeing the crowd, she takes advantage of her slippers and moves around the people to see the drow. With a grin and excitement in her voices, she quickly declares to Ariessus, "What is it? What is it? What is it?"

From down in the forge, busily repairing the party's weapons and armor, Thengal doesn't hear the commotion at first. finally one of the apprentices comes in and informs the old dwarf what is happening. Thengal stands, wipes the sweat off his face, then removes the leather apron he is wearing. "keep at it, til me gets back. Me must go find wat be happenin' up dere. He then sighs, looking at all the unfinished work, and quietly heads up to Ari's room.

As people begin filing into her room, they find the drow dancing around excitedly. "Oh you will never guess. Never ever ever!! Just *look* at this!" She holds up the Holy Symbol for all to see. Looking at it one might expect, from Ari's jubilance, that it would be glowing or has changed or well *something* interesting. But it isn't or hasn't. As a
matter of fact it looks exactly the same as it did when the group first found it in the dragon's horde.

"Do you know what this IS? This, this very symbol" it is swinging wildly in her hands now as she practically hops up and down, "was created by none other than the High Priest of Corelleon in Myth Drannor!" She continues
excitedly, "Of course that was several thousand years ago but can you just imagine!?" She shrieks again, "And I met him! He himself came here and spoke to me. Right here in this house!" Unable to contain herself Ari launches herself at Kat giving her a tremendous hug. She whispers loud enough for all to here, "Do you know how honored I feel right now?"

Even though, she is not quite sure why Ari is so happy, Kat will be happy, too. She shakes her head, "No, I'm not sure." Katrina laughs along with the cleric.

Amber’s eyes light up and she says sort of tongue in cheek, "Yes, I think I do." she recalls a certain lady and a fish pond... "Wow!" she also says.

More dancing around, until she finally gets herself under control. "You will never believe the whole story. I should tell it from the beginning right? Right. Ok, everyone find a place to sit." The cleric hops on her bed and sits tailor-fashion in the middle of it, her unbound hair falling in tangled waves around her. Taking a deep breath she starts. "From what Nikki told me after she had looked the pendant over, it was magical but of a nature that she could not tap into. I decided to see what I could do about finding out exactly what powers the Holy Symbol held. My first thought was to meditate and ask Corellon to reveal to me what it does. I figured that this really wouldn't work, this pendant being very old and I thought somewhat powerful. I had a few other ideas on how to go about finding out
what it did, but I digress."

"Very early this morning, I made my way down to the temple room where the altar to Corellon sits. I placed the pendant upon the altar and began to pray for guidance. I asked my questions of him and to my surprise the High
Priest appeared! What oh yes Beloved, yes I know that." Ari looks toward the kitten and smiles. "Yes ok, I'll tell them. K'harn was the first to notice him for I was deep into my mediations."

"Anyhow.. he took up the pendant and explained to me who he was and that he had crafted not only this pendant, but a Book and a Guardian as well. He said that he was given the task, no wait, he called it a 'charge', to create
these items that a follower of Corellon would need sometime in the future. He didn't know who the follower would be or why they would need it. He just knew they would. He also said that on the day he finished the three items,
cast his last spell on them, he was a little let down about what happened. The pendant and the guardian just did nothing and the book was nowhere to be found."

Ariessus pushes the hair back from her face, her eyes still glowing with excitement. "He said that to find the book I might have to overcome obstacles but he could not or would not tell me what these are. And then he told me that after I found the book I would receive Corellon's Blessing. Wait.. is that right. Let me think a moment."

Ari closes her eyes and recalls the conversation. It takes a moment or two for her to realizes K'harn has her claws stuck into her thigh trying to gain the drow's attention. <Yes?>

<You didn't tell them.>

<Tell them what?>

<You know what Mistress.> The elven cat's mindvoice has become sly.



<Embarrassed?> she chuckles.

<No!>

<Do it. I dare you.>

<Fine. I will.>

Ari rolls her eyes, then keeps them ceilingward as she speaks. She starts speaking a bit faster than normal. "When we in the hot tub I asked him what exactly the Holy Symbol did and he said that they couldn't let Corellon's Blessing go to just anyone. When I inquired further he said that I must spend a day in devotion for every year that he worked on the Blessing, that would be seven days, and then I would find the Book. After I found the Book, that is when he also mentioned the obstacles, and followed his guidance then I would receive the Blessing."

Amber thinks, <what is it with beings of magic and water?> and her thoughts return to Ari's tale.

The drow cleric once again looks at her friends, her eyes wide and happy. She hasn't felt this happy in a long long time and had almost forgotten what it felt like. "And then he pretty much disappeared."

"So, what do you think?"

Hengeyokai cat listens to the story. A quiet puzzled Katrina, states, "It must be a good thing." Looking up at Ari, Kat smiles and replies, "Amazing. Any ideas about what obstacles you are going to face? Is this something you are going to do on your own, or can I help?"

"I have no clue Katrina. He didn't say what the obstacles are or could be. If I find that I can not face whatever it is alone, I will most certainly ask for your help. Thank you." Ari hugs her again.

sends Sane, <But like Katrina, some of us know little of gods.> <When you discover more, Ariessus, tell us. Or perhaps we should be there when you proceed...just in case.>

"You are truly blessed Ari." Amber smiles at the drow. "I am glad for you." Amber recalls her warm, happy feelings and listens to what everyone else has to say.

Ari takes in Sane's words. And Kat's. Then she looks around the room at the others who have said nothing, not even congratulated her on her findings. Some of her elation starts to fade, her face losing the joy that it so recently glowed with. The drow cleric turns to face Sane and very politely replies, "I will tell everyone what I discover, if I discover
anything at all. As for being there during my week of devotions I think you will find it boring in the extreme. There is no need to put yourself out to that extent. I can assure you that I will be perfectly safe."

Taking a deep breath as if to fortify herself Ari forces her lips to form a smile. "Now if everyone will excuse me I need to contemplate exactly how to go about these devotions of mine. How formal I shall need to make them."
She turns her back on the party, her mind already working on the problem. "Close the door as you leave please." She remarks as she sits before the fire and starts to comb out her tangled locks.

Seeing that Ari needs help with her tangled hair, Katrina stays and moves behind the cleric. "Ari, if you don't mind, I can help you with the tangles."

"Oh, thank you Katrina. That would be such a help." Ari gladly gives the comb to her best friend. "Do you think I should go more formal in my prayers or just what I usually do?" Ari is really talking more to herself than to Kat, but doesn't realize it.

As if she was far away Nikki slowly replies, "Hmmmm, uh, ah yes! I _do_ have something for just such a need!" Nikki snaps her fingers and says something that sounds like, "ZOT!" and all the tangles fall away. (cantrip:
untangle). heh.

This pulls Ari back to her awareness of others still in the room. A hand to her hair, "Thank you Nikki. I didn't realize you could do that."

"I believe I can help you scratch your other itch as well", Nikki grins.

Ari laughs. "I bet you could."

Lady, me t'inks ye ken count on help from all o' us in dis quest o' yers. Me axe be at yer service.

Again, politely but sincerely for she still remembers Thengal's words to her when they talked about the Vale "Thank you. I appreciate it."

*****

It is a long week for Ariessus. In the past her worship had been a very individual thing, mostly improvised and spur-of-the-moment. Her faith was her religion. She didn't need many formal ceremonies or strict, formatted prayers. She liked to think that she was always close to Corellon, and that more than anything else was her worship, her way of honoring Him. But now she was faced with not only making her worship more "formal", but with carrying it on for a full week!

Still, what was a week? A few days. Nothing more. Surely nothing compared to the seven years that Verradin spent working on this mysterious pendant.

K'harn is helpful, and most of the party is quite supportive as well. The staff bends over backwards to accommodate her, and for the first time Ari realizes how nice it is to have a little maidservant. Deena, a cute halfling girl of thirteen, is Ari's constant shadow for the week. She never intrudes into the drow's chapel, knowing how Ari cherishes her privacy, but she is never far from the door either. On more than one occasion Ari steps out of the chapel in the early morning after hours in prayer and study, only to find Deena curled up on a bench next to the doorway, a plate of food and mug of cool water on the ground beside her.

The seventh day passes the slowest of them all. A sense of anticipation builds within Ariessus as the day wears on. What could the Blessing be? What could Verradin have spent seven years creating?

It is only an hour before midnight on the seventh day when Ari notices something. She is so tired it takes her several minutes to realize that something is different. The pendant is glowing softly. No... not glowing. It almost looks like moonlight is reflecting off of it. But the shutters on the windows are all closed. How could this be?

Ari walks over to one of the shutters and throws them open. Beyond the walls of the compound she sees the moon just beginning to rise above the horizon. Of course!

Grabbing the pendant Ari runs out of her chapel towards the stairs, K'harn close on her heels.

"Lady? Lady! Is something wrong?"

"No Deena" Ari replies as she takes the stairs two at a time. "I think everything is just fine!"

Bursting through the outer doors on the third level Ari skids to a stop. Diana thoughtfully had a small deck area built on top of the roof. Kat in particular enjoys spending time up here, but this late at night it is empty. Ariessus slowly walks forward to the balustrade around the small deck. Ignoring the biting cold of the snow she kneels down, holding the pendant in her cupped hands. She then slowly raises the pendant above her head. She gazes up at the moon and begins to pray.

"Great Corellon, while these past few days have been difficult, I have learned much. I have learned patience, above all. But now I pray that my devotion be recognized, and that this, Your Holy Symbol, reveal its mysteries to me."

No sooner does Ari ask but that her prayer is answered. She hears a soft <click> noise from the pendant. Breathlessly she lowers her arms, bringing the pendant down to eye level. The pendant itself is a circle of mithril,
with Corellon's crescent-moon symbol engraved along one side. It has sprung open along the left hand side. There, laying in the bottom half, is a tiny book, no more than an inch across.

Ariessus carefully lifts the book out. It is so small she can barely read the title. "The Wisdom and Teachings of Corellon Larethian" Even without casting a spell Ari can feel that this book is a magical one. She can only
guess at the treasures it holds inside.

Using a slightly shaking fingernail she lifts up the cover. Squinting in the low light she tries to make out the incredibly tiny writing on the first page of the book, but it is impossible. With a sinking feeling Ari realizes
that even with bright light she would never be able to read this. Obviously something else is needed. But what?

Ari bites the inside of her cheek as she ponders the Book. What can she do? She wonders if it has a word of power, like their cottage, that would make the book grow larger. She intently studies the outside of the book as well the inside of both covers. She inspects the spine, looking for writing there as well.

That done, she then places the small book inside her pouch, carefully making certain it is kept safe. She turns her attention back to the pendant to the place where the tome was hidden. Again she searches for words, anything that may help her find a way past this obstacle. Suddenly she smiles. If this was the only obstacle she has to bear than thank goodness! She had all sorts of visions of having to fight who knows what in order to reach the Book. Ari laughs at herself, a image from one nights ponderings clear in her brain. In it the Book sits atop a pedestal surrounded by ferocious beats and she, longsword glowing and dripping carnage, swathing a path through to it.

"You can be such an idiot Ariessus."

She sits back, for once in her life unmindful of the snow, and contemplates other options for the book. Perhaps she can ask Nikki to enlarge the book. Or to shrink her. That might be better, as she doesn't want to chance the book being destroyed.

Or just maybe Nikki has another idea that might work wandering around in that mage brain of hers. She will think on it more, but for now she will work on this alone. Somehow she thinks that it just might be best if she overcame this problem on her own.

So, turning the pendant around and around in her hand she searches to see if the pendant itself can help enlarge the words in anyway.

**OOC: Saif and I talked about the pendant in chat.

<Saif> No command words on the book - or if there are they are too small for you to see anyway.

<Ari> and the pendant itself has nothing more? Can’t somehow use it as a magnifying glass?

<Saif> No, no glasses in the pendant

<Saif> If you can talk Nikki into it, she could cast a Reduction spell on you every 45 minutes or so (average). That would mean talking her into casting 11 spells on you per day for however long it takes to read the book.

<Saif> So Ari, assuming that you talk Nikki into shrinking you, you plan on studying the book every day?

<Ari> yes. studying until my eyes cross and my body makes me sleep

***back to email

Ari rubs her eyes, eyes that have begun to burn with lack of sleep. She sighs, somewhat frustrated that she can't find anything that may help her with the book. The pendant was no help on that score, no words written anywhere on it. As for the book itself, that was a total bust as well. If there are words of any kind that will make the book the proper size for her to read, well, she can't see them. It is just too tiny.

Standing, Ari finds her legs have gone a bit numb both from the way she was sitting and from the cold. Making her somewhat creaking way back to her room she contemplates having a nice hot bath before bed. <I'd probably fall asleep in the bath and drown eh little one?" Ari chuckles, and in spite of the very real possibility of her words coming true, makes her way to the bathing room. She runs the bath and sits on the edge of the tub as she waits for it to fill. The amulet is still in her hand, the small compartment still open. 

The elven cat jumps onto the side of the tub and watches the water. One paw darts into the stream of liquid, splashing her drow. Her mind filled with chuckles K'harn suddenly leaps into the tub. <Me first! You get to
wait while I swim.>

<Well if that isn't just the thing. Here I am half frozen and you with all the warm fur take the first go.>

<Only because you love me so much you'll let me do it.>

<So true.>

K'harn splashes around for a few minutes before jumping back out of the tub and crossing the room to lay by the fire. <Do not worry about falling asleep Mistress. I will not let you drown.>

<Thank you Beloved.>

Ari tosses her clothing, letting them lay where ever they land. The pouch holding the book, though is laid carefully on a chair, along with Corellon's mithral Holy Symbol. Stretching out in the tub Ari turns her mind to other ways for reading the book. Perhaps there is a pray that may help.

Before she knows it she is being gently awakened by her bond. <Been two hours. You are all wrinkly.> Her mind-voice is colored with distaste. <You always look funny like that.>

<Well thank you. I feel so loved.> Ari's mind-voice is filled with sleepy amusement.

The two gather up their things, that is Ari does the gathering, K'harn makes certain the cleric doesn't forget anything, and off to bed they go. Once there they snuggle down in the blankets, get all warm and cozy and fall into sleep. Reverie.

The next morning, "Ugh! Those blaster shutters are open again. I'm going to nail them shut I swear it." The drow throws the covers over her head and grumbles a bit more about morning sunlight and how its going to kill her
someday.

<You could just reposition the bed so the light doesn't hit you mistress.>

<Humph.>

<I've often wondered why you haven't done so.>

<I've not thought of it. I would have. Eventually.>

<Now you don't have to. I've done it for you. I enjoy thinking of these things for you.>

<What you enjoy is pointing out that I'm not as smart as you are.>

<That too.> With that the kitten laughs in delight and jumps from the bed. Breakfast awaits!

Knowing her beloved companion has left for now Ari throws back the covers, crosses the room and bangs the shutters closed. "I will too nail you shut." She says to them. "See if I don't!"

Scraping the hair out of her eyes, she rubs a hand across her face, wiping the sleep from her eyes. "Well Ariessus, last night you came up with nothing that may help read the book. Looks like it's time to see Nikki." Dressing she picks up the pendant and the book and wanders down to the mage's lab. Knocking tentatively, Ari waits to hear some sort of sound to indicate she can enter. After a moment or two she cautiously opens the door and sticks her head in. "Nikki, do you have a minute? I have a problem that I would like your help with."

Ariessus makes her slow, cautious way, to where Nikki stands. "It's about the Holy Symbol we found. I have done my seven days of devotions and look.." She holds the pendant out, the round disk has a carving of Corellon's crescent moon symbol. In the side of the holy symbol a small compartment has jutted out. "See, this is where I found the Book. It is of Corellon's teachings. Only it is too small for me to read it. I looked at both the Book and the Symbol last night hoping to find some sort of command word that will enlarge the book but no such luck. Nor do I have any prayer spells that will enable to me enlarge it. Can you help me out? I was thinking that perhaps you could shrink me down to the size of the book. I hesitate to ask you to enlarge the book for I have no clue what protections
may be placed upon it. I do not wish to take the risk of somehow ruining it. Or far worse, destroying it."

Ari looks anxiously at the mage, unconsciously shifting from foot to foot as she waits to see what Nikki will say.

*****

Ariessus grumbled about Nikki’s “terms” as she returned to her chapel. While the drow realized the multiple castings of Reduce would take a considerable portion of Nikki’s spells for the day - and of her time - she still felt Nikki was taking advantage of the situation. But, nothing to do about that now.

When she returned to the chapel Ari suddenly found herself with something she hadn’t had in well over a week - spare time. Nikki would start casting her Reduce spells first thing tomorrow, leaving Ari free for the rest of the day.

<You need to have some fun> K’harn offered. <Let’s go play in the snow!>

<Well then here. I want to show you something I’ve figured out how to do.> K’harn concentrates for a moment and then sends <Hit me!>

“What?” Ari was so surprised by her bond’s demand that she spoke out loud. <What do you mean, “hit me”.>

<What, did you somehow talk Nikki into casting a stoneskin on you?>

K’harn sniffed, as if talking to Nikki would be below her. <No. Something better. I’ve figured out how to do it myself!>

Ari’s eyebrows shot up at the news. Obviously K’harn hadn’t wasted the past week. <When did you learn that?>

Shaking her head, Ari realized her “kitten” was growing up fast. Why, last time she enlarged and walked across the courtyard of the Retreat she just about caused a minor crisis. Fortunately Thengal had been out there and was able to convince the guards that the six-foot long “lion” was K’harn before anybody got hurt.

<Come, my bond. I have neglected you this past week. What do you want to do?>

K’harn grins - a sight that would not necessarily reassure anybody.

While it turned out to be an exhausting afternoon playing tag, hide-and-seek, and K’harn’s favorite - stalk and pounce - it felt good to just DO something again. Later, that night, Ari felt tired but satisfied as she prepared for bed, wondering what the next day would bring, wondering what words awaited her behind the covers of Verradin’s book.

*********************

Early the next morning Ari walked down to Nikki’s lab. She wasn’t pleased that she had to read the book there, but Nikki insisted that she wasn’t about to go marching back and forth between her lab and Ari’s chapel every hour. When the drow arrived there she was surprised to see a small spot cleared away on one of Nikki’s tables and tiny doll furniture set up.

“Did you...?” Ari asks Nikki.

The blue witch just snorts and shakes her head. “Of course not. A waste of time. Mogo had one of the servants bring it down and set it up. It probably won’t fit you, and if it does it probably won’t fit you the second time I cast the spell.”

Over the next few hours Ari learned the truth behind Nikki’s words. The wild mage’s surges in power were taking even more extreme swings. After one casting Ari ended up only two inches tall and was able to stay that way for almost a full hour. Right after that she was almost a foot tall and was only able to maintain her size for about half an hour. Still, the spell, (along with a magnifying glass for those times she ended up larger than a few inches tall) worked. She was finally able to read!

Between the covers of Verradin’s book Ariessus found a treasure that she hadn’t even dreamed existed. She had never received any formal training into the religion of Corellon, not that she thought she needed it. Nekal had taught her everything she need to know. At least, that is what she believed before she began reading in the book.

As she read Ari discovered gaps in her knowledge about Corellon, religion, the elven pantheon, elven history, and her own powers that she hadn’t even known existed. Every page contained some new revelation about herself, her faith, or her deity. She found the section on elven history particularly interesting. She had, of course, heard the drow version of the Great War. Nekal had been the first to tell her the surface elves’ version. Even Castinar had added to her knowledge. But Verradin’s version was the most complete, by far. Ari had to smile, wondering if Verradin remembered the biting terms he used to describe the drow when he discovered that his reader was drow herself.

Verradin’s writing was as challenging as it was enlightening. Several times Ari had to carefully read a section three or four times before she finally grasped the complex principle the high priest was trying to describe. Other times a passage would strike her so deeply that she would spend several hours just sitting there, contemplating what it meant, what it meant for her.

It was always with a great sense of disappointment when a day’s study would end with Nikki announcing that she didn’t have any more Reduce spells memorized. Still, the time away from the book gave her a chance to try and distill the lessons Verradin was teaching. One evening she was so deep in thought that she walked into Diana’s room and started to undress. It took K’harn enlarging and licking Ari’s face with that huge, rough tongue of hers to snap the drow out of her deep thoughts and make her realize her mistake.

Ari’s reading continued day after day. About four days into the process she realized she was about half done. Nikki was rather relieved to learn this. The wild mage had feared that she’d be stuck reducing Ari for a month or more.

Finally, after almost eight full days of reading, pondering, and praying about the book Ari turned to the last page, a pang of disappointment passing through her. The past week had been one of the most spiritually fulfilling of her life. While she realized life was calling, it was with great reluctance that she contemplated returning to the daily grind.

The last page of the book was different from the others. While every page had been beautifully illuminated and written in a fine, flowing script, this page was even more elaborate. After reading a few lines Ari realized that it was a prayer. Starting over at the top she read the prayer silently to herself. It was a prayer written by Verradin. The first half was a prayer of gratitude, thanking Corellon for the chance to complete his work. The second half seemed as much spell as prayer. Ari’s breathing quickened as she read this section. It asked Corellon to reward the reader of the book with his “blessing” for the reader’s faithfulness and diligence in studying the precepts of the book. The Blessing of Corellon! Ari’s mouth went dry as she realized that reading this prayer aloud should trigger the Blessing.

After several deep breaths to calm herself Ari began to read the prayer out loud. Even after the first few words she could feel the power building. By the time she reached the half way point a part of her faintly heard Nikki calling out to K’harn, asking what she was doing, Nikki’s voice a low rumble to Ari’s tiny ears. She blocked out Nikki’s words as she felt the power flowing through her. As she neared the final lines of the prayer the book began to glow. Brighter and brighter it shined, until Ari wondered how she was able to see the words any more. But she could see them. With a growing sense of anticipation she read the final line. “Now, Great Corellon, Father of All Elves, I, your humble servant and High Priest, beseech You to grant to the reader of my work the blessing promised, yeah, even Your Blessing!”

As Ari read the last words of the prayer the book flared as bright as the sun. Ari was vaguely aware of shouting in the lab, and the sound of glass breaking. But she didn’t care. She was filled with a light that made her feel as free as the sky, as powerful as the sun.

It was with a great sense of reluctance that Ari felt the light begin to fade away. Opening her eyes she looked around. She found herself full sized standing on top of Nikki’s table, most of the doll furniture crushed beneath her feet. Across the room Nikki was carefully helping Fredal to his feet. He had apparently fallen and knocked over a stand filled with those strange flasks and beakers he used. To her other side Ari saw K’harn, enlarged, standing and looking at Ari with her hackles up.

“Well done, Ariessus”

Ari turns around with a smile, recognizing Verradin’s voice. The high priest is standing there, glowing slightly, returning Ari’s smile. “I expected that reading my book would take at least several weeks. Quite an interesting method of reading it too. I had placed a set of crystal lenses in the case with the book. They would have allowed you to easily read the text. I wonder how they were removed? Well, another mystery I’ll probably never figure out.”

As Verradin speaks Nikki and Fredal slowly walk towards him. Nikki looks at him closely and nods. “Priest of Corellon at the High Temple in Myth Drannor during the Era of Red Trees. A high ranking priest, possibly the High Priest himself?”

Verradin nods and points to a knotted cord that looks as if it was spun of gold. Nikki smiles. “So, the Double Clover Knot does signify the High Priest. The book I read wasn’t clear on that.”

Verradin introduces himself to the blue witch. Realizing who she has standing in her lab Nikki becomes somewhat excited. She begins to ask him questions about Myth Drannor and the time he lived in, but Verradin shakes his head and holds up a hand to stop her.

“I apologize, but I do not have time right now to answer your questions. I am here for Ariessus. Come, Ariessus” Verradin continues, reaching up to help her down from the table, “we have an appointment to keep.”

With the high priest’s help Ari steps down from the table. “An appointment? Where? With who?”

“Come, I will show you.”

Still holding Ari’s hand, Verradin closes his eyes. The glow around him begins to brighten. Just as it gets to the point where Ari can no longer see she feels K’harn brush up against her leg.

As the glow fades but before she can see clearly Ari realizes she is no longer in Nikki’s lab. The air against her skin feels cooler. She gets the sensation of a larger area, but also one more “secure” somehow. It feels... like the Underdark.

Opening her eyes Ari discovers that she was right about a large area, but wrong about being in the Underdark. She, Verradin, and K’harn now stand in what appears to be the ruins of a very large room. Verradin looks around, frowning.

“I realized the city had fallen, but I hadn’t realized it was this bad.”

As Ari looks around the room it suddenly comes to her where she is. The scrollwork, the defaced engravings along the walls, the alter behind her. She is in a temple, one of Corellon’s temple. Pairing this insight with Verradin’s words Ari has a pretty good idea where they are.

“Verradin, are we in Myth Drannor?”

Somewhat to Ari’s surprise Verradin shakes his head. “No, this is not Myth Drannor. Myth Drannor was a city of beauty, of knowledge, and of light. These may be the Ruins of Myth Drannor, but this is not Myth Drannor.”

A deep voice rumbles out of the darkness. “Make no mistake, elf. This is Myth Drannor. But it is our Myth Drannor now, not yours.”

The glow around Verradin flares, encompassing Ari and K’harn in its protective glow. The priest gestures with his hand and a ball of light appears deeper in the cavernous room. Ari can’t help but step back when she sees the huge figure illuminated by the light. It stands over twice Ari’s height, a huge red figure with enormous bat-like wings behind it. Remembering one of the chapters in Verradin’s book Ari realizes she is looking at a pit fiend, one of the most powerful of all the minions of Hell. As unsettling as that revelation is, Ari is also disturbed by the movement beyond the pit fiend, where other devilish shapes move from shadow to shadow.

The pit fiend looks from Verradin to Ariessus curiously and then back to Verradin. “A drow and a ghost suddenly appear in the old temple, together. I’m sure this has an interesting story behind it. Why don’t you tell us why you are here... before we feast on your spirits.”

Verradin shakes his head as the glow around him once again intensifies. “I’m afraid not. We have other tasks to attend to. Come, Ariessus, let us be gone.”

Verradin turns his back on the pit fiend as if to walk away. Ari is torn between wanting to follow Verradin and NOT wanting to turn her back on a pack of devils.

“Interesting. The Guardian is still here.”

The mysterious Guardian is enough to pull Ari’s eyes away from the slowly approaching forces of Hell. Following Verradin’s gaze she sees that he is looking at a tall stone statue of an elf standing behind the altar. She opens her mouth to ask about the statute when the light around Verradin flares once more.

Again Ari feels the difference in the air before she can see. She has the same sense of being in a large area, but this time the air smells clean and fresh. She catches the slight hint of a flower, perhaps a rose or dragon’s eye.

As the light around them fades way Ari still finds herself looking at the stone statue. But this time, instead of it being in a dark chamber with vines and moss growing on it, it stands in a brightly lit room and it is clean. The lines of the statue also seem sharper somehow, newer perhaps. Ari also notes that in the first temple the statue had its hands at its side. Now its hands are clasped together over his chest, as if holding something precious there.

Once again Verradin gets the first word in. “Want to give yourself a headache tonight? Think about this.” He points to the pendant around Ari’s neck. “That is also in there.” He then points up to the clasped hands of the statue. “I’ve always wondered what would happen if the same thing touched itself while time traveling.”

“Time traveling!” Ari exclaims, half choking at the very concept.

Verradin continues as if he didn’t hear her. “Something else interesting would be to see if that pendant can control the guardian even though it still holds the same pendant in its hands.”

Ari’s mouth opens and closes several times as a dozen questions flash through her head. The guardian. The statue. Time Travel. The pendant. Controlling the guardian. But before she can put them in any order another voice interrupts.

“Ah, excuse me, but can I help you?”

In sharp contrast to the pit fiend this voice is smooth and melodious. Ari and Verradin turn around to address the speaker, who turns out to be an elf dressed much like Verradin is. The elf is initially looking at Ariessus with narrow eyes and a hand on the sword at his side. But when he sees the angel his eyes widen and his jaw drops.

“High Priest Verradin!”

Verradin smiles. “So, you recognize me, but my appearance here is a surprise to you. That’s good. I arrived when I wanted us to be. Tell me... Havan, isn’t it? ... how long ago did I leave?”

“It’s Harvan, High One” the elf somehow manages to stammer, looking back and forth between Ari and Verradin in confusion. “You Continued your Journey twenty-three years ago.”

The elf finally recovers from the shock of seeing somebody he thought gone from this earth over two decades ago. Once again his attention focuses on Ariessus and his grip on his sword tightens. “Declare your intentions. Why have you come here, and who are you really?”

Verradin nods and smiles slightly. “It is good for you to be suspicious. The Darkness takes many forms. But in this case your fears are unfounded. How many creatures of darkness do you think there are that can teleport into the Chapel of Green Light? Well, I guess there are some, but if we were one of those you would be dead already.”

Harvan doesn’t seem convinced. He keeps his hand on his sword, but relaxes slightly. “Perhaps High Priest Yasta should decide what to do with you. Follow me, please.”

Verradin frowns and then crosses his arms over his chest. “As interesting as walk down Memory Lane would be I don’t feel like the grand tour right now. If you feel the need to get Yasta and bring him here then do so. I’ve got a ceremony to prepare for.” The angel then turns his back on the mortal cleric and begins to arrange things on the altar.

Behind Verradin’s back Harvan frowns. He pulls on his sword slightly, breaking the seal with the scabbard, allowing him to draw quickly if need be. Ari realizes she isn’t wearing any armor, nor does she have any weapons. As she wonders what she is going to do if the cleric attacks K’harn steps in front of her and expands to full size. The lion-sized cat growls deep in her throat, letting the cleric know she won’t put up with any foolishness.

“Are you still there?” Verradin asks, now standing on the other side of the altar. “And worse, you are worrying our honored guest. Yes, you heard me right, our honored guest. She is to be elevated to the calling of Priestess today, here, now.”

Ari stares in amazement at Verradin. Priestess? She was getting close, she knew that, but to be Named? She wasn’t ready for that yet!

Ignoring Ari’s looks Harvan shakes his head. “You will come with me, now, or I shall call the...”

“Oh, go away!” Verradin says, waving his hand in Harvan’s direction. And Harvan does just that, vanishing.

The distraction gone Ari turns her full attention on Verradin. “Priestess? But I’m not ready for that yet! I still have so much to learn! I don’t have the faith or the power to be a Priestess yet.”

“Did you learn nothing from my book?” Verradin asks. “Do you think anything is beyond Corellon? Do you think advancing you to the level of Priestess here, now is beyond His power?”

“Well, no, of course not” Ari replies, shaking her head in confusion.

Verradin walks around the altar once more and reaches out, putting his arms on Ari’s shoulders. “What did you think the Blessing of Corellon was, my child?”

Ari looks up, her eyes wide. “I wondered, but I didn’t know! This... this is it?”

Verradin nods slowly. “When I started this project I was given to understand that the individual my work was being prepared for would need to “grow up quickly”, to rapidly expand their knowledge and understanding of the Power of Corellon that they wielded. I didn’t realize that the increase in light and knowledge would happen to coincide with you being raised to the level of Priestess, but it does have a certain poetic correctness about it, doesn’t it?”

Ari nods, although her mind is half elsewhere. She had heard Diana talking about magical books, books which could grant the reader increased skills and abilities, both physical and mental. She had dismissed the notion at the time. After all, how could a simple book make her smarter, or wiser, or more powerful? But, that is just what Verradin’s book had done for her, wasn’t it? She did understand more, feel closer to her deity, her faith strengthened. Could she, in fact, be ready to become a Priestess?

The sound of running feet interrupts Ari’s contemplation. Raising her head she sees over a dozen heavily armed elves run into the chapel, taking positions around the edge of the benches filling most of the space in the large room. Behind them comes an elf dressed almost exactly the way Verradin was, and at his side a wild-eyed Harvan. The cleric in the robes of the High Priest speaks.

“In the name of Corellon, identify yourselves!”

Verradin apparently takes the other high priest a little more seriously than he did Harvan. He steps forward, the glow around him brightening as he does so. “In the name of Corellon I greet you, brother. I am Verradin AmDevan AmIstinray AmbQuillen, once your superior, and still your friend.”

The High Priest, who Ari assumes must be Yasta, looks at Verradin closely, as if trying to see something. He then smiles and relaxes, dismissing Harvan and the guards with a gesture. Once they have filed out he walks forward and embraces Verradin.

“It is good to see you again, my old friend!” Yasta exclaimes. He then looks over to Ariessus curiously. Seeing the pendant hanging on her chest his eyebrows shoot up. “Is that...” he asks Verradin.

The angel nods, a wide smile on his face.

“A drow” Yasta continues, shaking his head and smiling as well. “The Paths through the Forest are many and twisted, are they not?” Yasta then turns fully to Ariessus and bows deeply. “My Lady, it is an honor to meet you. Verradin and I spent many a late night wondering who you would be, what you would be like. I must admit, a drow never came up, and certainly not one as pretty as you are.”

Verradin chuckles. “Oh, Yasta, I had forgotten that about you. Always the flirt. You were so much more serious when you finally passed beyond mortality.”

Yasta’s handsome smile suddenly vanishes as he looks quickly over at Verradin. “But enough of the past” Verradin says, quickly moving on, “we came here to perform the ceremony.”

“Ceremony?” Yasta asks. “I thought the reading of the book was all that was required?”

“Yes” Verradin nods, “but as Fate would have it Ariessus’ growth spurt coincides with her reaching the level of Priestess. I received permission from the Bright One himself to conduct the ceremony here. I made the mistake of taking her first to this temple in her time. It, ah, stood in ruins - but fear not, that is several generations away. So I brought her here, or, perhaps more accurately, now.”

“A Ceremony of Naming then, the Raising” Yasta replies, bowing once again to Ariessus. He then turns his attention back to Verradin. “I shall have the chapel prepared immediately. I’m sure many will wish to see this. The story of your work is still told here, my friend.”

Verradin smiles somewhat ruefully. “It will be forgotten soon enough. I do appreciate your offer to get everything in order, but I’m afraid mortals will not be allowed in here during the ceremony. I’m sure I can make an exception for you, but the rules are clear on this.”

Yasta bows his head slightly in understanding. “I appreciate your consideration.” Looking back up at Ariessus his gaze takes her clothing in. “A lovely shade of lavender, to be sure, but wouldn’t the dress of an Initiate be more appropriate?”

As if noticing Ari’s dress himself for the first time Verradin agrees. “Yes, of course. You will see to it?”

Yasta takes Ari’s arm motioning for him to follow her to one of the exits. As they walk off with K’harn trailing behind them Verradin calls out to them. “One thing before you go. Ariessus, please, speak not of the future. It would be... inappropriate.”

The next hour is a blur to Ariessus. Yasta turns her over to several of the temples female clerics. One of them, who introduces herself as Lotsia, is a Priestess herself. She patiently tells Ariessus what to expect during the ceremony, the “Raising” and “Naming”. All the while several other younger priestesses keep busy brushing Ari’s hair or fitting her with a beautiful silver dress or fussing over how they don’t have any cosmetics that match Ari’s deep skin tone. Before she knows it Yasta returns to take her back to the chapel. Seeing the look on Yasta’s face when he sees Ariessus Lotisa laughs at him. “Keep your fire in check, High Priest. This is one conquest you won’t be able to pursue.”

Ari blushes at the older Priestess’ word, but then catches a glimpse of herself in a mirror as Yasta escorts her down the long hallway leading towards the chapel. She stops and looks at herself in amazement. She had never done much with her hair, other than gathering it in a long braid. The attendants had brushed the hair out and then put thousands of tiny curls and waves in it. It almost looked like water running down her back. And the dress! In the sunlight Ari could tell that it wasn’t just silver - it glittered with every color of the rainbow. She looked... beautiful.

“Ah, my Lady, they await you.”

Not for the first time Ari is glad her dark skin prevents somebody from seeing her blush. “Of course, let’s go.”

As they approach the chapel Yasta warns Ariessus “Don’t be startled by who you see in there. From what Verradin told me, the story of his pendant and the drow cleric who found it spread through Arvandor fairly quickly.”

Ari stumbles slightly. A story with her in it was being told in the home of the Elven Gods?

Yasta continues on, not noticing Ari’s reaction. “There were many who wished to be there when the first drow in a millennia to be achieve Name level was Raised. Apparently seating in our chapel was by invitation only among the immortals.”

“Immortals” Ari replies, stretching the word out as if it is new to her. “You mean to tell me the chapel is full of angels?”

Yasta nods. “You and I... and your bonded here... will be the only mortals in the room.

Before Ari has time to digest that tidbit of information they arrive at the great double doors leading into the chapel. “We will enter in the rear. You must walk alone to the altar and then kneel before it. Verradin will be on the other side.”

Ari nods. “Priestess Lotsia told me what to expect.”

“Good, then at least that won’t be new to you. Come. They await.”

Yasta pulls open the great doors and Ari steps in. She just as quickly stops. The chapel is full, clear to the back row. All at once everybody in the chapel turns and looks at her. There are hundreds of them, dressed in every imaginable way possible. The only thing in common that Ari could see is that each of them bears the symbol of the crescent moon somewhere on them.

Nothing that Ariessus had ever done requires more courage than to step forward into the chapel right then. She feels something bump her hand. Looking down she sees her faithful K’harn beside her, full sized. K’harn looks up and sends a mental smile. <Think of them all dressed in nothing but their underwear.>

Several of the Priests and Priestesses nearby laugh softly, as if they too hear K’harn’s advice. That helps break the tension in Ariessus just a little, just enough to let her take a deep breath and move forward.

She is greeted by many different expressions as she walks forward. Most are friendly, with smiles and nods of encouragement. Some are simply formal. A few are curious and a handful even doubtful. Past them all she walks until she nears the front of the chapel. There she stops, looking in amazement at the first two rows of benches on the left hand side. Ever seat in that row is filled by a drow elf, like herself.

Ari’s head turns as she slowly walks past the drow, each of them wearing the symbol of Corellon, like herself. Turning back to face the front of the chapel Ari quickly draws up short, almost bumping in to Verradin, who has come around from behind the altar.

“Come, it is fitting that you meet them, even if the others have to wait a few minutes” he tells her, taking her arm and leading her back towards the drow.

“Before the Great War there were many among your people who followed Corellon” Verradin tells her as they approach the assembled drow, all of whom stand. “Some of those rose within the ranks to becomes Priests and Priestesses.” Verradin gestures to the drow and all but a few bow to Ariessus in greeting. Ari bows back, wondering why some of them didn’t bow. Verradin continues.

“But since the Great War there have only been a few drow who have followed Corellon. The feelings between those who follow the Spider Queen and those who follow the Father run deep and strong. It takes a particularly strong individual to break free of those feeling, of the conditioning they receive while young. In all the centuries since the Great War only four drow elves have ever been Named as Priests or Priestesses of Corellon.”

The few drow who didn’t bow before step forward. Three are females, one is male. One of the females looks ancient, her face wrinkled, but her eyes bright.

“Ariessus Jarsali, I present to you V’leer Nasvan, Wastriqan Darkbow, and Umris As’rebta.” The two younger females and male each bow in turn as they are introduced. Ariessus bows back. Even K’harn bows her head to each. After offering brief words of greeting and encouragement the three then step back slightly, leaving only the older drow woman. Turning to her Verradin, pauses, as if anticipating something. “And among all of the drow to follow Corellon since the Great War only one has ever been Elevated as a High Priestess. Ariessus, it is my honor to introduce you to Lady Essa.... Lady Essa Jarsali.”

As the old drow’s name registers Ari feels her knees go weak. Lady Essa steps forward and cups Ari’s cheeks in her gnarled hands. Finally managing to find her balance Ari looks into Lady Essa’s face and is surprised to find tears running down it, tears from eyes the same shade of lavender as her own.

“It took us a while to figure it out” Lady Essa says to Ari, “but we finally decided that I am your great-great-great-great-grandmother.” The old High Priestess pauses, her voice choked by emotion. “They told me that they had destroyed my family. I believed them, up until the season I heard your name whispered in the High Forest. My Granddaughter!”

Lady Essa gathers Ari into her arms as Ariessus burst into tears as well. A grandmother? How many greats? Did it matter? No, it didn’t. She had a grandmother! A grandmother who had chosen to follow Corellon as well. The implications of that flashed through Ari’s mind faster than she could follow them.

“I am so, so proud of you!” Lady Essa whispered into Ari’s ear. “Now go, receive Corellon’s Blessing. Be Raised. Make your Grandmother proud!”

Reluctantly the two release each other. Lady Essa uses the hem of her scarf to wipe the tears from Ari’s face. “We shall talk again, Granddaughter” the old drow says with a smile. “I have a few strings I can pull.”

When Ariessus moves to walk back up to the altar Verradin stops her. He turns and asks “Lady Essa, will you join me in the ceremony? In fact, I think it would be appropriate if you performed it. I only helped Ari skip a step or two in her progression. You have obviously given her much more.”

The light around Lady Essa brightens and she smiles. “You do me great honor, Verradin.”

The trio then walk back up to the altar. Verradin and Lady Essa make their way to the other side while Ariessus kneels, facing them across the altar. K’harn remains back with the other drow.

As important as Ari knows the ceremony is, she has a hard time concentrating on it.