Imryne, of House Melrae: The Mothers' Council

[aithne]

Imryne, of House Melrae
Book Three: Stone Sky

Chapter Seven: The Mothers' Council



Not a child? alack the year!
What should ail an undefiled
Heart, that he would fain appear
    Not a child?

Men, with years and memories piled
Each on other, far and near,
Fain again would so be styled:

Fain would cast off hope and fear,
Rest, forget, be reconciled:
Why would you so fain be, dear,
    Not a child?

--Swinburne, "Not A Child"




Imryne held Ulitree for what felt like a very long time, her stomach twisted and knotted with fear, the beginnings of a headache starting to press on her temples. Ulitree's sobs stuttered to a halt, at last. She raised her head, not moving from Imryne’s arms. "It's over. Mylyl put up a good defense without its guard, but the drider are reporting all in the house are dead. Drider casualties were high for them, nearly half, because of the confusion. Some drider just stood there, unable to attack."

"Can you let go of your control of them now?" Imryne asked. Ulitree nodded, and sagged against her. "How are you feeling, Ulitree?"

"Sick," she mumbled.

Ulitree was indeed looking ill, the whites of her eyes much darker than usual. "Tar, could you grab the wash basin and bring it over, please?"

Tar made the basin appear very quickly, just in time to have Ulitree vomit into it. Imryne held back the girl's hair, Tar rubbed her back gently, and Urlryn pressed herself against Imryne, comfortingly. Even after Ulitree had thrown up everything in her stomach, she still had dry heaves for what seemed like a very long time.

The nausea passed, and they got Ulitree cleaned up and into an old dress of Tar's, letting her curl up on the couch. Imryne stepped out for a moment to check on Ryld, who seemed fine enough. Go back to Ulitree, he told her. She needs you.

Jevan arrived an hour later. He was unhurt, the few splatters of blood on him belonging to other people. Tar dismissed the spell on him, and Imryne asked, "How did it go?"

"Like I expected," he said. "Xalyth was trying to capture the two Mylyl daughters. One killed herself using some sort of fireball. The other, I got to first."

She raked her fingers through her unbound hair. "Well, Mylyl is gone. And Xalyth is still up to their tricks. One more ally on the council. I wonder how Aleval Tallerene is going to feel about that."

"Xalyth is fighting for survival," he said. "I saw their strength. It was weak, and now weaker. I am not so sure we might not have done the same in their position. Mind you, I am still going to kill her. But this one I might understand. Greyanna is crazy, but Xalyth is well trained. They only lost a lot because of the fireball. Otherwise they were very ready."

"They weren't first house for years for nothing," she said, her voice dry. "That fight is going to be ugly when we get there."

Jevan nodded. "How's Ulitree?"

"Better, now." Imryne motioned to the girl, who was dozing now on the couch. "She was sick, afterwards. I hope she doesn't have to do that too often."

"I would bet not. Once is a fluke, twice is going to get an serious investigation. Wise not to go to that well too much."

"You saw how much it hurt her, too. The people from Argith should be here soon, I hope." She turned to Tar and Urlryn, who were bookending Ulitree on the couch. "Tar and Urlryn, do you mind staying with her for the moment? I don't want to send her back to her room while she's still not feeling well."

"We'll take her back when her color's recovered," Tar said. "Jevan, you'd better change and wash. I know you don't mind the blood, but..."

"No need to confirm that I'm a barbarian right away," he replied affably. He collected clean clothing, then went to wash. Soon enough, he and Imryne were walking towards the outer house. They detoured past the kitchens once Jevan realized that neither of them had eaten, and by the time they finished with a quick meal, a guard was there to tell them that there were visitors at the door.

House Argith's delegation was two male guards flanking a very small female. She had to be half a head shorter even than Tar. She looked to be a bit older than Triel had been, though she was still pretty, and there was a set to her jaw that spoke of vast reserves of stubbornness. They were searched quickly for magic and then shown into a reception room, where Imryne and Jevan met them. "Greetings. I am Melrae Imryne. Respect, to House Argith."

The matron mother's eyes flicked over Imryne and then over Jevan, and Imryne saw a moment of uncertainty as she took in the sight of an elf with the black-purple throat-band of a weaponsmaster. "Respect to House Melrae. I am Argith Chandara." She raised her left hand, and Imryne saw the Argith house crest on her index finger.

"This is my husband and weaponsmaster, Jevan." She motioned at a set of chairs. "Please, sit. Since I sent you that message, we have had independent confirmation that House Vandree wants your house dead."

Chandara seated herself, and made a face. "We had assumed that as well, from the last conversation I had with them. We were making preparations to be destroyed as a house, and saw the attack coming, but the drider unexpectedly shifted to House Mylyl."

"They received new orders," Imryne said.

"Very interesting, but I sure they will be back. We gained a respite of perhaps hours."

Imryne nodded, knowing it all too true. "Yes, which is why I wanted to talk to you about the possibility of relocating your house. What I have in mind is unlikely to be pleasant, but it might be better than death."

There was interest in Chandara's eyes, though she still held her mouth in that stubborn line. "Not easily. We thought of that ourselves but couldn't find a way to get through the drider guard with so many. What do you have in mind?"

"We may be able to transport you, and destroy the buildings of the house convincingly afterwards. My thought was that you could move to Abburth."

Now the matron mother looked as if she couldn't believe what she had just heard. "The buildings are rigged to blow now. Can you get us all out, or at least the core family?"

"At least the core family and probably a number of the rest. It'll take two to hold the portal open for any length of time. How long the portal can stay open will determine how many people can get through."

"You would do this?" Chandara's expression betrayed hope, and suspicion. "Why, exactly?"

Imryne shrugged. "You had the courage to walk out on Vandree Imrae."

"I had the courage to get ourselves killed rather than be puppet to a tyrant. That's more like suicide." Her voice was sour.

Now, there was a curiosity. "What was she asking of you, anyway?"

"Demanding two things, is a better way to put it. My second daughter, and her children and family. New daughters for House Vandree, since she seems to be out. The other was the location of the Lloth temples in the underdark, the abandoned and forgotten ones."

"Good to know that she's starting to try and adopt in. She'll succeed one of these ilit, likely, but for now she's been thwarted. Abburth is empty at the moment. If you go there, you can salvage what remains. There may be others who join you eventually. I am taking the long view and hoping that Vandree will fall, one day. It would be good to know the leadership of Abburth, what remains of it, is in good hands if that happens." And that those who live in Abburth owe Melrae their very existences.

Chandara nodded, and the hope was stronger now. "I hope so, too. If the time comes and you need us to help the fight against Vandree, please come find us."

"We will. Are you ready for your house to leave, or do you need time?"

"Time is what we don't have. We were ready to die. We can be ready to leave anytime."

Jevan cleared his throat. "I know this is forward, Imryne and I apologize and to you, Matron Mother Chandara. But could I ask what Vandree wanted those temples for?"

Chandara raised an eyebrow. "Your husband, you say?"

"Yes, he is. And it's an excellent question." Imryne returned Chandara's gaze calmly.

She glanced between Imryne and Jevan. "If I may be so bold, Imryne? Did you pick him up in the slave market, or in ritual on the surface?"

"Officially, House Melrae traded a daughter to House Shobalar for him. Unofficially, I met him on the surface a number of cycles ago." She was giving Chandara an evaluative look. If I end up having to kill you, Chandara, I am going to be very angry. "Why do you ask?"

Chandara exhaled, a quiet breath outward. "We had more in common than I thought. Too bad it's at the end that we found that out. The elves make excellent mates and lovers. I have been with mine for three hundred surface years."

It was Imryne's turn to raise an eyebrow. "Did you meet yours in ritual?"

"Him and her both. She still lives, he died two centuries ago." She dropped her gaze, as if the memory tormented her still. "Tortured in the market for being an elf. It's the other reason I turned Vandree down. I think it was them."

"Ah, I see." Imryne relaxed a bit, sinking back into her chair. "It might well have been. Well, then, eventually we may ask if you want to come back to Fanaedar, if we all survive."

"Not assured, by any means. But to answer your husband's question--do you have an stone sounding map?"

"A partial one, at least."

Beside her, Jevan chuckled. "I'll get it. Back momentarily." He was as good as his word, returning within breaths with one of the large maps from the main library, and pen and ink. He laid out the map on the floor, and Chandara concentrated on it. Stone soundings took years of training to understand completely, and Imryne only had the basics. The markings required to translate the three-dimensional space of stone into a flat map were obscure to the untrained eye. Chandara looked like she had grasp of far more than the basics, as she placed three marks on the map. One was close to Abburth, one was south and deep from Fanaedar, and a third was almost off the map, past Abburth and very deep indeed.

"These are the temples?" Imryne asked, and Chandara nodded. "So do you know why Imrae wanted to know about them?"

"She is convinced that somewhere in the three old temples of Lloth she will find the key to her immortality," the other matron mother said.

Goddess, that is a terrible thought. "She really is planning on living forever."

Chandara drew in a long breath. "Long ago, in a city that stood longer than any in history, there was a rumor of a matron mother so in tune with Lloth that she lived eight lives before being killed when the city died. Young and powerful for twelve grand cycles. Imrae is looking for a ghost, any whisper of a chance to live longer. She is old, and her time is coming. Jhaless died and she was but a decade older, and Imrae has no heir. I know that it might not have been worth dying for, but an immortal Imrae was more than I could stomach."

"More than I would have been able to stomach, as well. I can see why you walked out on her. I might well have done the same thing."

"Thought we were all going to die, but I thought it was worth the statement that somebody can say no, if nothing else. Futile gesture, maybe." Chandara shook her head. "Well, we should be going. All the guards included we are just under three hundred. The main family consists of about seventy-five. If we can't get them all out, the guards are loyal and we can leave them with you."

"I think we can transport about a hundred, all together," Imryne told her.

Chandara quirked her mouth. "I will take the family and the best we have for guards. Vanishing totally may put Vandree off a bit. We will leave a few behind to blow the buildings. Take as many guards as you need, turn the rest loose, hopefully they can get out someday. How quickly can you be ready?"

"Within the hour."

"We will be ready. Thank you, House Melrae." Chandara rose from her chair, and so did Jevan and Imryne.

"You're welcome." Imryne smiled. "I will see you soon."

"Matron Mother Chandara?" Jevan asked. Chandara had turned away to leave, and now turned back towards Jevan. "If you would take these and scatter them around the compound before you go." He handed her a dozen Xalyth emblems.

Chandara considered the metal in her hand, then raised an eyebrow at Imryne. "Certainly."

Imryne smiled once more. "Xalyth expects to be blamed for something tonight. Might as well fulfill their expectations. Good idea, Jevan."

"And put Vandree off as to what happened."

"Anything to keep Imrae confused," Imryne said mildly. "All respect, House Argith. Make your preparations."

Chandara said her farewell and departed swiftly, her guards in tow. Imryne went to rouse the best of the house mages and Ellistraee priests. The transport spells that she had mentioned were built and kept in reserve in case Melrae needed to make an escape; they could use one of them to transport Argith away. Within an hour, a full hundred of Argith's people were transported to a place between Fanaedar and Abburth beyond the reach of the current drider patrols. Imryne took fifty of the best guards into Melrae with her, and the rest scattered, hopefully to make it to Abburth on their own.

A few warriors remained behind to trigger the explosives on the house, and to scatter around Xalyth symbols. Imryne was back in Melrae, ensconced in the matron's apartments, when a shock through the house and a bright light announced the death of House Argith.

Imryne went to the balcony. There was an excellent view of the burning house from here, though the air was becoming even fouler with the addition of smoke and stone dust. She watched it burn, reminded inexorably of House Nurbonnis, lifetimes ago. Fifteen cycles had passed. Only that long. But the woman she had been then would never recognize who she was now.

She was crying as the light from the fire shut her eyes. Mother, I miss you. I miss you so much. In that moment, bathed in the light of a burning house, all she wanted was her mother's hand on her brow and her perfume competing with the smells of sewage and smoke. That Triel's body was laid in the Melrae vault seemed a horrid injustice.

There were hands on her, now. Shoulders, waist, arms, gently gripping, pulling her back into the house. Her lovers gently brought her inside, into the bedroom, laying her down and undressing her with gentle fingers. For a little while, they just held her, until her sobs had quieted.

She felt light fingers on her skin, sliding upwards on her leg under the fabric of her dress. She breathed out, shifting, and the hand slid up higher. Urlryn, she thought, though she did not open her eyes to confirm.

The mood of the group shifted, and Imryne was soon in the center of a gentle but insistent circle of lovers, her dress removed by Jevan, Tar sinking down to kiss her shoulders and the sensitive skin just under her breasts, Urlryn's hands continuing to wander up and between her legs. By the ruddy, flickering light of House Argith, they made love. Tonight, it was a gentle meditation between them, a small ritual. Imryne tired quickly, and dozed on one side of the bed. Urlryn came to curl into her arms, and the two of them watched with heavy-lidded eyes as Tar and Jevan continued their lovemaking. Tar was on top of Jevan, her hands on his shoulders, and the two of them moved slowly together, looking into each other's eyes for long moments between shudders and gasps.

"Beautiful," Imryne heard Urlryn whisper to herself. "Beautiful."

At least there is this, she thought as sleep began to pull her under. At least this.

She woke with Tar snuggled into her, Urlryn pressed against her back, Jevan behind Urlryn with his arm draped over them. She opened her eyes, glanced at the timepiece, and groaned. Bending her head a bit, she kissed Tar's head, the stubble on her scalp tickling her lips. "Love, I need to get up. Meeting this morning."

Tar muttered, "Let Imrae wait."

"I wish I could." She stretched, then began to gingerly climb over Tar. Urlryn muttered and wrapped an arm around Imryne. Laughing, she collapsed back to the bed. "Loves, I need to wash and change, and it's already fourth hour."

"Too early in the morning," Urlryn muttered. At her back, Jevan stirred and lifted his head.

"You don't have to get up, dear," she pointed out. She tried to climb over Tar again, this time meeting with more success. Tar immediately rolled over into the warm spot that Imryne had left and pulled the blanket up to her chin. "Jevan, I hate to tell you this..."

He yawned hugely. "I know, I know, time to go scowl at some matron mothers. Just what I wanted to do with my morning."

Imryne snorted. "Just get up. We need to go soon."

They were washed and ready to go in good time, though they were one of the last to arrive before Imrae. The chamber was crowded with guards, matron mothers showing their strength. Jevan moved to take his usual place near the wall, but Imryne shook her head sharply. "Stay with me," she murmured.

"Nothing I'd like better. Never did see such a nest of spiders as this."

She shot him an annoyed look over her shoulder, though she agreed with him. She had brought only Jevan as a guard; if it came down to a fight, all bringing more guards would accomplish would to spill more Melrae blood than need be. The other matron mothers had brought ten or twenty guards each, and each was flanked on three sides with what were probably their best warriors. She began to move from group to group, greeting first Naerth Xune and T'sarran Gaussra, then Aleval Tallerene. Tallerene was heavily pregnant, and her resemblance to Triel was still startling. She was far calmer than Imryne had been on her first visit to the council house.

Noquar Miz'ri stuck her not-inconsiderable nose in the air when Imryne walked by, but Imryne smiled at her anyway. Claddeth Cazna stood next to Jenn'Yxir Qilue; neither matron mother was someone Imryne had met before, but the Claddeth was wearing her house's symbol on what seemed like every available piece of fabric that could be stitched and engraved into most of her jewelry besides, and Qilue was unmistakable as a Jenn despite her complete lack of regalia. She wasn't even wearing a dress, instead a set of elaborately tooled heavy leathers. Practical and easy to move in, and though Qilue was old and heavy-bodied, Imryne had no doubt that she was a formidable fighter even now.

Xalyth Greyanna stood alone, dressed in mourning garb that managed to be at once very plain and far more flattering than her usual elaborate, high-collared dresses. Her eyes darted around the throng, resting often on her own guard escort as if for comfort. Imryne noted one in particular that her gaze rested on more often than most. Sleeping with that one, Imryne thought, noting that the male had a Kilsek cast to his features. DeVir Sadreza and Despana Briza were engaged in animated though low-pitched conversation, looking for all the world like school friends reunited after centuries of absence. For all Imryne knew, that might be the case.

Before this day, Imryne had never been in a room with so many old, powerful females. The currents of mood in the room, the looks passed back and forth between them, were astonishingly deep. Almost all of these women had had centuries to nurse wrongs and grudges, and it showed.

As she walked around the room, all eyes at least flicked to Imryne, evaluating how she moved, the fact that she had only Jevan with her. It was either a show of great foolishness or great strength that she had come into this meeting with only herself and the scandalous Melrae weaponsmaster. Imryne was careful not to smile, letting the looks pass over her and away. The doors of the council house opened, and Imrae, clad in finery so heavy that Imryne wondered that she was able to move at all, swept in.

They all seated themselves hastily. Imryne came to the top of the curved table, but she did not sit. A cold chill slid down Imryne's spine as she realized that the Vandree had brought with her no guards at all. There had been drider visible behind her when the doors had opened, but she had brought no drow guards inside.

Imrae's voice was abrupt, and sharp without a trace of shrillness. "Much happened last night. I was going to use this meeting to tell you that Argith was going to be destroyed, but time wasn't with me. Argith and Mylyl, from my intelligence, were going to attack our first house Xalyth--and Mylyl made their move early. Xalyth had no trouble routing them, though some losses did occur. I diverted the drider to Mylyl to destroy the house for its presumption. Argith must have seen the writing on the wall for their allies and chose to destroy themselves with a series of explosions that left them all dead." She nodded towards the foot of the table. "We welcome Aleval Tallerene to the table. This is the first of these meetings. I am disbanding the representatives' council. It was a long time ago that our people chose to meet as equals, matron mother to matron mother. We abandoned that when fighting became the norm and we sent our daughters to do our work. No more. This council sits the mothers, or none at all."

A murmur ran around the table, tightly controlled, angry and afraid. Greyanna's face flushed, and Imryne wondered if she had been looking forward to sending her daughter Haelra to council in her place. Imrae smiled tightly and continued, "Unlike the last council, which was dominated by one house and one leader that liked to talk, this council should feel free to discuss anything. I encourage questions, and new ideas. Do we have any?"

There was a moment of silence as the assembled mothers took a moment to absorb what had been said. Then Imryne shoved her chair back, the sound of wood scraping against stone floor louder than an explosion. Imryne stood, looking steadily at Imrae. "I do."

Imrae raised an eyebrow. "Melrae Imryne, please."

"Fanaedar's buildings and infrastructure are beginning to crumble. We've been neglecting it for cycles, now. I'd like to come up with a plan to start restoring what can be restored, or at least stopping the process of decay."

An expression flickered across Imrae's face, too quickly to recognize. "We do have a problem with that, as well as destroyed buildings. We keep our houses under repair, but the markets are slums and a good part of the housing is, as well. Well, suggestions, Melrae? A tax on something?"

Imryne nodded. She was aware that she was on thin stone, but she had begun this path, and she meant to continue. "What is there to tax, other than the high houses? Even those able-bodied do not work. The drider patrol the streets, but they do not care about the fact that there are mercenaries running the markets, now. Everyone is afraid of the drider. I say we clean out the markets, get rid of the worst of those who are styling themselves leaders down there. And possibly pull the drider patrols back from the market, or at least make them more infrequent. Repair the sewers and the fans. The glow-slime has taken over, but taking care of sewers and restoring air circulation will beat it back quickly enough."

"We can divert some drider to that cause, but they are not the most intelligent of creatures." Imrae frowned. "One of the high houses will need to do it. As for a tax, what about a ten percent tax on each slave bought, that House Melrae can collect and then use for projects as this council sees fit? That would require more leniency in the movements of the upper houses, something I believe we can arrange."

Imrae was being altogether too reasonable. Yet there was nothing to argue with, since Imryne was getting exactly what she wanted. "That would allow us to repair some of the infrastructure that is beginning to crumble, finish the demolishing of destroyed houses, and start in restoring some of the housing that's fallen into slums."

"So let it be done, then. All in favor of a ten percent tax on slave sales?" Imryne's voice was the first raised in an aye, but the agreement was unanimous around the table, beginning with her allies and then traveling around. Greyanna and Amalica were the last to raise their voices. "Looks like it passed. So House Melrae, start charging the tax with the next sale. Let's get the money coming, and we can then identify the projects that need it the most. House Tlabbar, will you take on searching the slums and markets for the worst elements and report back to here? I will send drider to eliminate the problem."

Amalica nodded once, but the look on her face betrayed dismay. Imryne sat down, partially amazed, partially suspicious. Imrae asked after any more suggestions, but there were none forthcoming. The meeting concluded there, and Imrae left the same way she had come, with a slow sweep of her dress. At the door of the council house, she paused. One of the drider bent down to pick her up as easily as he might have a child, and set her gently on the back of the spider body of the drider next to him. Imrae rode the drider away.

The rest of the matron mothers left quickly. Jevan scooped Imryne up in his arms and flew out, rising up into the foul air of Fanaedar. "That was bit odd," he said as he shifted his grip on her, holding her more securely.

"That she gave in that easily?" Imryne asked.

"Yes, honestly." He shook his head. "She doesn't give unless she gains something in return."

"If she's planning to live forever, she has as much interest as the rest of us in making sure the city doesn't collapse around her. Still...you're right. She was far too reasonable. I expected her to resist more."

"Scared, maybe. We did just take away her drider control."

She almost snorted. "That wasn't fear. She actually seemed pleased that I brought it up. Which means it plays into her plans somehow."

"Makes me nervous. And she made Amalica do the searching in the slums. Her people will get killed down there, not a lot but some."

"Even a few people dying can weaken a house, if they're the right few people. I think Imrae suspects Amalica of passing her information on. She's probably working on getting rid of her." She took a long breath; they were almost to Melrae. "We'll have to wait and see if Imrae shows her hand. But in the meantime, maybe we can help stop the city's slide into decay, and bolster our allies. I need to talk to the mothers of Naerth and T'sarran."

"And Aleval, now," he pointed out.

"I don't have a lot of feeling yet for what Aleval will need. I know I can get T'sarran and Naerth to give each other what they're going to need, though."

"We can figure that out tomorrow. Doing anything right now?"

He glanced at her once; it was enough to read the hunger in him. "Making love with you?" she suggested after a thoughtful moment.

"You read my mind," he said. He rose upward, away from Melrae, towards the ledge where they often had time alone with each other. Spreading out the blankets was a moment's work, and then they were pulling at each other's clothing, coat and dress and underthings coming off as Imryne felt the urgency between them, thick and hot. Sometimes, they lingered and reveled in sensuality. That was for other days.

Right now, what was between them was a brutal, gasping hunger, tearing at them. Imryne was almost dry at first, though her body quickly caught up with her soul and she was slick and wet as an underground river. She did not care about the hard stone beneath her, pressure on her shoulders and buttocks and occasionally elbows. All she cared about was Jevan within her, his flesh against hers, skin smooth between the scars and heavy muscle beneath.

She was swallowed up in pleasure, and she felt Jevan stiffen and then shudder, wrapping one arm around her to bring her close. They lay there for a moment, still joined, harsh breathing echoing off the walls of the little ledge. Then Jevan lifted himself up from her and brought a hand between her legs. She was wet and tight, and it took only a few moments before she was shuddering with her own orgasm.

They lay together for a little while after that, then without a word passing between them they got up, folded the blankets, and started towards House Melrae.

Jevan kissed Imryne at the door of the inner house and went to take care of some of his weaponsmaster duties. Imryne stopped to wash, then went to find Urlryn. She had an idea, one that had an enormous amount of risk to it, but one she thought Urlryn might find interesting.

She located Urlryn in the matron's apartments, playing a game with Angaste. Angaste, at nine cycles old, was a pretty girl with Urlryn's tilted eyes and charm that went far beyond simple attractiveness. Being in her presence left one feeling peaceful, loved, and willing to do just about anything to make sure Angaste was happy and well taken care of. She had a cadre of both children and adults who were more affected by her presence than most, an entourage that she was surrounded with almost everywhere she went.

It was lucky, so far, that Angaste was also genuinely sweet-natured. She had gotten Jevan's straightforward nature; whether she liked or disliked something, she was always forthright about it. Right now, she was frowning down at the qithak board; it was a simple one-board setup, a beginner's game. She and Urlryn both looked up as she entered.

Imryne came to kiss Urlryn, and then their daughter. "Urlryn, I've had one of those ideas again, something I need to talk to you about."

Urlryn raised an eyebrow. "Angaste, see if you can find Maya or someone. Mother and I need to talk."

Angaste jumped up. "Mother, Mommie, bye." She threw her arms around Imryne’s neck and kissed her soundly on the cheek, then skipped out of the room. Imryne smiled at her, a little bemused, as she went.

Then she sat down next to Urlryn, resting a hand on her knee. "I was just thinking that it would be good if we could find the other Ellistraee houses. And thinking of that, I thought of you. It's very dangerous, though, and I'm not completely committed to the idea."

"I am your spymaster, love." Urlryn smiled. "It would be worth it to find them for sure. I can make it less dangerous to me."

"How?"

"By using Maya, and taking a walk through all the houses' inner sanctums. It's less dangerous than what I would have to do alone. More dangerous to Maya, though, and if we got caught we would both die, not just me."

Imryne thought about Maya, how silent she had become in the days after Triel had died, as if she wanted nothing more than to fade into the stone that surrounded them. "It would also take less time, yes?"

"Quite a bit less time," Urlryn answered. "Taking my time and planning like I should, one per strand, more if you need me to rush. But much quicker than the time it would normally take. It would take me three strands to just get started the slow way."

"There's no rush right now, and I would vastly prefer that you take your time to plan." Imryne considered it, then nodded. "Taking Maya seems to be the best way, but if you're caught...we need to come up with some contingency plans."

"Ryld maybe to watch Maya from a distance, so you know we are in trouble." Urlryn's quick mind was working. "I think timing is the key here, really. We do this when all of you are home. If we get in trouble, Ryld tells Jevan and then he brings you and Tar disguised. That kind of quick response and firepower will probably get us out the fastest and the safest." She grinned then, a hungry, bright expression. "But I don't intend to screw up."

Imryne smiled back at her. "Good. I think that will work. We can come get you, as long as we know where you are and that you're in trouble."

"With Ryld watching, we can get in and out, just in case Maya doesn't see them all." She chewed on her lower lip briefly, and Imryne could see the expression on her face that meant that she was making plans. "Where do you want me to start? The houses next in line, or the current twelve?"

"We have a number of council families that we don't need to check. Xalyth we know, Vandree we know, the Jenn we know. I'd like to check Devir and Despana in particular, and then the houses next in line. It might be worth getting in to Noquar and Claddeth, but with their alliances with Vandree I think it's pretty safe to assume they're Lloth houses. We should probably check, but getting in and out might be difficult."

"Tlabbar?"

Imryne tilted her head. "Last I checked, Tlabbar was an Ellistraee house. Think that might have changed?"

Urlryn made a face. "You stand that long on the line between one side and the other... You never know. So I think I will skip Xalyth, Vandree, Noquar, Claddeth and the Jenn. I will look at Devir, Despana and Tlabbar. And then down from there."

"I sincerely hope Tlabbar hasn't turned, but I suppose they might have."

"Best to check on the spies," Urlryn said, shrugging. "In Abburth, I saw some of our allies go bad, and some for reasons I can't blame them for. Kidnapped children, wives, husbands. Amalica has a number of people she cares for in her house, and she may be unwilling to sacrifice them. So let me look."

Imryne touched her lips with her fingertips, a gesture of acquiescence. "When do you want to get started?"

"Today, well, tonight after the banding ceremony. I will get Maya and we can start. Might try a small house first just to see how Maya does."

Imryne still had an unsettled feeling when she thought about Maya, an uneasy, wordless worry, but she nodded. "Probably a good idea. This can be a part of the training that she needs."

"That it, beautiful?" Urlryn asked, tilting her head.

Imryne grinned. "Well, if you have a little time before you start that you'd like to spend with me..."

Urlryn's hands went to the laces of Imryne's dress. "Well then, where do you want me to start after I get you naked?"

"Naked first, and then we can discuss it," Imryne said, laughing. Her own hands were busy, though Urlryn's dress was far less complicated to untie and remove. Then she and Urlryn were kissing each other, and Imryne was running her hands along Urlryn's body. They occupied each other for a good pair of hours, eventually moving into the bedroom and leaving their crumpled dresses on the floor of the main room.

After mid-meal, eaten naked with Urlryn in the bedroom, Imryne sent a message to the matron mothers of T'sarran and Naerth while Urlryn went to find Maya and tell her of her new assignment. Imryne dressed once more, smoothing out the wrinkles in her plain gown, and walked to the cathedral of Ellistraee that was one of the twin hearts of House Melrae.

It was odd to be walking alone, to see the expressions in the eyes of the guards as they bowed and got out of her way. She turned the corner and came under the arch that led into the vaulted nave of the cathedral, coldfire burning in thousands of tiny points in the ceiling in imitation of a starry night on the surface. At this hour, the cathedral was nearly empty, though hands had been busy here earlier. The altar was set for a banding ceremony, with an empty bowl and full pitcher of wine beside it, the shallow box that held the band, the formal draping of the altar relaxed just a bit for what was always supposed to be a joyous occasion.

Imryne reached the altar and looked down at the gathered implements. She wondered if her mother had felt this way when she had given her brothers their throat-bands, in full knowledge that all of the eldest were warriors at heart, and would be sent out to bleed and possibly die in the service of the House.

She opened the band-box to see just one band, the light purple of the novice warrior. Her hands shook slightly as she closed the box, resting her hand lightly on the plain lid.

There was the slightest noise off to her right, in a shadowed alcove. As Imryne turned, her body gone taut, she saw Faeryl emerge from the shadows. She was wearing the filmy robe that was the regalia of a full Ellistraee priestess, and the jewel-starred diadem of the duty priestess.

"Faeryl," Imryne said. "Did you set this up?"

Faeryl nodded, looking so much like her mother in that moment. "It was the least I could do," she said. "Mother...I haven't gotten the chance to tell you how sorry I am, about Grandmother. I know I wouldn't be able to function for a long time, if you or Mama died."

"We all do what we have to," Imryne said. "Did you decide to make your home with Challay for the moment?"

She shook her head. "No. Mama...well, Mama told me I should take residence in the cloister. She said it was time."

Imryne took a sharp breath. Faeryl had always taken after her mother so strongly; the reason that the high priestess's rooms had been vacant for eighteen cycles was that Tar had assumed most of the offices of the high priestess but had not moved into the rooms in the cloister set aside for her. It sounded as if Tar thought that her daughter would follow in her footsteps, and possibly take up the full diadem one day.

You are all growing up so fast, Imryne thought. Had it been only yesterday that Lesrak had still had the baby smell clinging to his wispy hair, that Challay had constantly skinned knees from running full-tilt through the House, that Faeryl had burbled happily as she gummed Imryne's house symbol? She let out a breath. "She's right," Imryne said. "You're already a fine priestess, Faeryl."

Faeryl simply smiled. "Everyone will be here in a few minutes. Do you want to wait? I have a few things yet to settle."

"I will, yes." She went and seated herself on one of the stone benches in an alcove, and watched as Faeryl walked the perimeter of the cathedral, refreshing coldlights and wards as she went. The light played strangely on her hair and the half-diadem that was braided into her hair. There was always a duty priestess attending a cathedral of Ellistraee, always someone awake at any hour to provide words of comfort and consolation. It was still strange to see one of the children in that role.

She saw Lesrak and Challay arrive, walking side by side, silent. Lesrak looked nervous, she thought. But there was something about the way he walked, like a prisoner unsure that freedom was nigh, that made a stab of pain twist Imryne's insides. Challay was holding her head high, the protective look in her eyes for once entirely unshielded.

They stopped to talk to Faeryl, and then took a seat on a stone bench. Jevan, Tar, and Urlryn arrived with Angaste and Ulitree in tow, Maya and Sabal trailing after them. "Ready?" Urlryn asked Lesrak.

Lesrak rubbed his forehead. "I don't know if anyone ever is," he said. "As ready as I’ll ever be. I wonder where Mother is?"

Imryne rose and moved to the entrance of the alcove, into the light shed by the coldfire stars. "I'm here," she said softly.

All faces turned towards her. Challay put her hand on Lesrak's elbow, comfortingly. "Shall we?" Imryne asked.

Challay let go of Lesrak and stepped back. Imryne walked up to the altar, and Tar took up position beside the altar. "Lesrak, would you come to the altar?" Tar called.

Slowly, Lesrak approached them. Tar took up the pitcher of wine in her hands. "There's a whole song and dance that goes along with this ceremony," she commented, offhandedly. "But I don't think that's needed here. Lesrak, I was present when you were born, and I've watched you grow up. It's time you took your place in this house. You came here today as a child. You will leave an adult." She stepped around the altar, facing Lesrak. "Hold your hands over the bowl."

He did, and his hands did not tremble despite the tension in his jaw. Tar tipped the pitcher, pouring a trickle of wine over Lesrak's hands and into the bowl. "Each one of us here today has loved you, sheltered you, tried to guide you as we could. You have incurred a debt to us. The wine washes that obligation away, Lesrak. Your obligation is now not to your parents, but to your House, and to your matron mother. You will act only in the best interest of House Melrae, as we have taught you, and you will trust in the wisdom of your matron mother and of those she entrusts to lead."

Tar lifted the pitcher, stopping the flow, and set it down. She lifted a cloth and wrapped it around Lesrak's hands, wine staining it like blood. "You were born in blood, as we all are. This is your second birth, Melrae Lesrak. You are free of the sins of childhood. Now you begin to be what you will be, in the gaze of the Goddess an adult."

She took the cloth away and nodded towards Imryne. Imryne picked up the band-box. She had seen her mother do this so many times, but she had never thought she would be performing this ceremony for Lesrak. Be matron mother, she told herself. For the moment, you are not Lesrak's mother, but his leader.

The thought was almost comforting, as she faced her son. "Lesrak, of the noble line of Melrae." His dark eyes fastened on her, consuming the lines of her face, then dropped to the box that contained his destiny in the House. "You have come to claim your place among us, as all males born to us do. Do you accept the judgment of your matron mother, and the place I will give you?"

He raised his eyes again, and she saw the shadow of Ilfryn in him. "I accept," he said. He wove his fingers together, palms downward, and bowed his head briefly.

"Then kneel, Melrae Lesrak." It was the first time she had ever given him his family name.

Lesrak sank to his knees. She opened the box, then turned it so he could see. "The place you will have is warrior, to serve and defend Melrae with your bones, your blood, and your life should it be required." His eyes widened, but he did not speak. She stepped behind Lesrak, pulling his loose hair up and off the back of his neck with a gentle hand. She remembered doing this so many times for Ilfryn. The throat-band went around his neck, and she adjusted it so it lay flat and then fastened it.

Imryne let her son's hair down, and stepped back. "You will join Melrae Challay's household, and train to lead the personal guard of the heir of Melrae. Do well, and you will be rewarded. Rise, Melrae Lesrak, as an adult."

He got to his feet, a look of wonder on his face as he glanced over his shoulder at Imryne. She smiled at him, and then Challay was there, hugging her brother tightly, Faeryl latching on to the two of them, Angaste giving a wordless cry of delight. Once Challay and Faeryl had let go, it was Lesrak's parents' turn to hug him. Challay flashed her mother a grin. "I've arranged a little something in my quarters."

Imryne smiled at her. "And I'm sure you'll all drink far too much and sleep late. Go, then, have fun." The party after the banding ceremony was one that parents were never invited to; by custom, it belonged to the banded and his friends and siblings and cousins. Challay grabbed Lesrak's hand and hauled him out, Faeryl calling to them that she'd join them as soon as her shift was over. Angaste ran after her brother and sister, and Maya and Sabal walked more slowly after.

Imryne caught Tar's hand in her and pulled her close, and Urlryn and Jevan came to press their bodies against them. "Thank you," Imryne said. "All of you."

"It was time," Tar said. "And you're welcome."

Urlryn ducked under Imryne's arm and came up in the middle of their embrace. "And I hate to say this, Imryne, but there's a pretty guard over there who's looking like she's going to have to interrupt us."

Imryne glanced over her shoulder, and saw the guard standing in the middle of the nave. She kissed all three of her spouses and let them go. "What is it?" she asked the guard.

The female coughed to clear her throat. "Matron mother, there are guests from Naerth and T'sarran. They both apologize for not sending a message beforehand."

Imryne stiffened. She had expected to have some more warning. "Tell them I will be there momentarily." She glanced over her shoulder. "Jevan, you're with me."

"Always," he said, and kissed Urlryn and Tar and came to stand beside her.

"Faeryl, I’ll take the rest of your shift," Imryne heard Tar say. "Go have fun, sweetling."

Imryne stretched out her legs and was off, Jevan beside her. She smoothed down her hair with a hand, and gave a sigh. "More work."

"What is it you're going to tell them?"

"They both have weaknesses," she said. "But their strengths are complementary. I intend to help them realize that they're better off together than apart. I'm not going to tell them that right off, though."

He raised an eyebrow. "You're trying to combine them?"

"Naerth has military strength, but they've come up on Melrae's coattails. They lack initiative. T'sarran is playing their own games and has no lack of either brains or initiative, but they're critically low on males they can trade out. Both are fair meat if they become too visible. Get them together, and you have one house very few would contemplate trying to take."

"And it moves one more house into the upper rankings."

"Also a thought," she said with a smile. "Though for the moment, I’m content with the rankings as they are. This will take many cycles to accomplish, if we do." They were nearly to the outer house, now. "Today's work is only the first step."

"Then I'll let you work," he said, and smiled at her. She squeezed his hand, took a breath, and strode through the carved doors to the outer house.

The corridor outside the meeting room was lined with a contingent of warriors each from Naerth and T'sarran. Imryne ignored them, walking into the room as if they were invisible. Within the reception room, Xune and Gaussra sat, talking with each other with their weaponsmasters at their shoulders. Both straightened and turned as Imryne walked in.

"Greetings, both of you, and all respect to our allied houses." Imryne seated herself in a chair across from the two of them, a low table separating her from them. "I had a proposal for both of you to consider, something that I think might enrich both of your houses."

Naerth Xune said cautiously, "Always willing to hear a proposal."

How to put this? "T'sarran is lacking in sons. Naerth has no mage blood. I was considering the prospect of your houses intermarrying heavily, to the benefit of both. We have a strong position currently, but it needs to be stronger if we're going to survive."

Xune nodded. "I have no problem with that. I have many sons that could be good husbands to Gaussra's daughters."

"I need the new blood anyway, with my sons all in Oblodra," Gaussra said.

Or dead for the mistake of marrying into Melrae, Imryne could not help thinking. She stifled the thought. "Even moving some of your younger daughters and granddaughters into T'sarran might be something to consider, Xune. It would strengthen the ties between your households."

Xune looked thoughtful. "Might be best to just toss them all together and see who pairs off with who, to begin with."

"That's a good idea. If I may, I have a few children in the household who might like to attend that as well," Imryne said. "Let me know when you want to hold this--it might need to become a regular occasion for them."

"Sometime this month, if convenient to us all," Xune said. "Any that Melrae would like to add would strengthen our ties."

It was a good first step, Imryne thought. "While I have you here, is there anything else either of you wanted to talk about?"

Gaussra straightened. "We are allies, Imryne, and though we follow your lead in traveling this mess of Lloth worshippers, we can help more. I know Melrae has paid a heavy toll in life recently. If you are feeling overburdened, please don't hesitate to have us help. We can do more than just vote."

It was a good point, and well taken. "Thank you. I will certainly let you know if there is more you can do. Right now, I am trying to avoid making Vandree look our way too much."

The T'sarran sat back a little. "If we could interfere in her control of the drider, it would make them much weaker."

"We're working on that. Successfully, once, though repeating our success would bring Vandree down on our heads." She saw Gaussra raise an eyebrow, and shook her head slightly to answer the unspoken question. Too dangerous to let you know how it was done, and you couldn't duplicate it anyway. "Oblodra is looking at other ways to interfere with the drider. One thing we've learned, though, is that if they cannot walk, they die."

"Useful to know, break the legs and they die of...?"

"Suffocation, it appears. They have to be on their feet to keep breathing. It's a slow and horrible death, but it's sure."

Xune said, "Let that information leak to the streets I think, Imryne. Soon driders with broken legs will be common."

An image of Quave snarling flashed across Imryne's mind, and she controlled her flinch. "The other thing to remember about the drider is that they're not the mindless beasts they appear. They are ruthlessly controlled, but under that, their minds are drow."

"Even still, in this instance a dead drider, regardless of the mind under that control, is probably better for us," Xune said. "And if the slums know that piece of information, two things will happen. Drider will die, and so will some of the elements of the slum itself. Something that Tlabbar would probably appreciate."

Imryne nodded slightly. "Yes, I think so. I'm not sure why Imrae assigned Tlabbar to that task, but it wasn't because she likes them."

"They have become close. This might be a test of loyalty, or a punishment because Imrae suspects something other than truth in their relationship."

I would bet on the latter, Imryne thought, though she did not say it aloud. "It could be either one, or both. Mylyl wasn't supposed to die last night."

Gaussra tilted her head, looking satisfied. "I thought she lied. That was you?"

"It was. We diverted the driders from their original course. Of course, Argith blew itself up a few hours later," she said dryly. "Well, I hope that's what Imrae thinks. The truth is that the family escaped."

"I assume Ellistraee followers?" The T'sarran's eyes narrowed slightly. "Or did you let a bunch of Lloth worshipers escape?"

"They were. Though, to be honest, that was a gamble I took and won."

Gaussra folded her hands. "I hope you don't gamble often."

"I think we're not going to end up killing all of the Lloth worshipers in Fanaedar," Imryne said, her voice sharpening more than she meant. "In the end, we may have to end up resettling them elsewhere."

Xune said, "How about to the surface right in the middle of a group of ogres and giants, or maybe right next to a dwarven citadel?"

"They might deserve each other, at that," she said with a smile. "I just don't think it's possible to extinguish another faith. The Lloth worshipers tried it and failed. We can't blindly follow their path."

"I agree. Separated as far as we can get apart is best." Xune shook her head. "Wars of extermination never work."

"We'll be looking for places to send them. Stone is a big place. Just ask House Arabani."

Gaussra nodded. "And that, I think, is the best thing to happen."

Imryne breathed out. "Good. Otherwise we will spend the rest of our lives, of our children's and many-great grandchildren's lives, fighting a war that by its nature we can never fully win. And I don't know about you, but I love this city and will fight to my last breath for it."

"As will we," Gaussra said.

Xune straightened. "We will contact you when we have arranged a place for the children to meet. And remember we can help you more. Melrae doesn't have to shoulder the whole burden."

"Thank you, I will remember."

Both matron mothers rose then, and Imryne did the same. They bade each other farewell, and then Gaussra and Xune took their leave, leaving Imryne and Jevan alone in the reception together. Jevan said, "Arabani."

Imryne turned to him, raising an eyebrow. "What about them?"

"You mentioned a Lloth worshipper you might be able to trust. Arabani Kiaran."

She frowned. "Only Drada was an Ellistraee worshiper. They decided to leave because Greyanna had put them in an untenable position, and Kiaran no longer has any stake in the politics here. We even know where they went."

He came over to her, and pulled her into his arms. "I think it's a possibility, if you are thinking we could use one. If Lloth temples are like Ellistraee ones, they reveal more to the worshippers than to non-worshippers." He traced the tip of her ear absently, sending a delicious tingle down the back of Imryne's neck.

"I think we could. I can contact Arabani Kiaran in the next few days." She leaned into Jevan, feeling the solidity of him. "That feels delightful, by the way."

He kissed her hair. "Good, I just like to touch you."

"I think we're done here. Want to come into the inner house with me, or do you have duties out here? I'd like to check on Angaste."

"They can do without me for the rest of tonight," he said. He took her hand, and they went out of the reception room and into the hall.

In a low voice, she told Jevan about Urlryn and Maya going into other houses to spy, apprising him of the conversation she'd had with Urlryn earlier. A guard let Imryne know that Ryld had gone to Lesrak's adulthood celebration, as had Ulitree. They stopped by the big nursery where Angaste was being spoiled by two childminders and surrounded by many other children. She waved at Imryne and Jevan but was having too good of a time to come over.

Jevan was looking at Angaste. "We should probably make more of those."

"We're working on it," she said with a smile. "The only way to rush a cycle is using the Star Dance potion, and I keep hoping that mine will kick in soon again. Doesn't mean we can't practice, though."

"Been over ten cycles, it should. So should Urlryn." His hand tightened on hers. "Tar, well, she is still depressed."

"And not nearly ready to try again."

Jevan put his arms around her, and breathed in. "I thought I smelled Urlryn on you. Want me to give you a bath? Or just lick it off of you?" He grinned, and there was a light in his eyes that told her that she was likely about to be whisked off to bed.

She captured his mouth in a kiss. Once she broke it, she said, "I like the idea of the licking."

He swung her up into his arms and carried her back to the matron's apartments, where he did exactly that, and much more besides. Imryne was wondering about her cycle. Since her mother had died, she had wanted sex all the time, and she was starting to think that it wasn't just wanting the comfort of her loves to keep the grief away.

For the moment, she occupied herself with Jevan and sent speculation about whether she was becoming fertile once again into the darkness at the back of her mind.



(Maya, in House Melrae)

"Put me down, Sabal," Maya said irritably. "I'm going to spill my drink."

"You're no fun," he brother said, but set her down lightly anyway. "What good is it having a tiny sister if I can't pick her up sometimes?"

"Everyone is tiny to you," she said, then smiled. "Your cup is empty, little brother. Challay's got a new bottle open." Challay's rooms were crowded with people, all laughing and drinking and in a few cases kissing each other in the corners. Lesrak was sitting in the middle, letting Challay ply him with altogether too much wine. Occasions that wine was brought out for were few and far between, and Maya had accepted only a little bit, watering it down well. She shooed Sabal off and made her way through the crowd, to where Ryld was watching the party from one of the long couches.

She dropped down beside him and brushed her hand against his shoulder, renewing their minds' contact. "How are you doing?"

Ryld raised his head. He had a lot better control of his muscles after a dose of the Star Dance potion, but it wasn't nearly enough to make him anything approaching normal. Still, he looked around with calm eyes, and he felt more comfortable in the places where his mind rested against Maya's. I think this is the first party I've ever been to, he said silently. Thank you for bringing me.

"It wasn't a problem," she said. No, big brother, really. How are you doing? She gave her silent speech an insistent twist. Ryld had never been able to hide anything from her.

His gaze softened. Envious. I'll never have a banding party of my own. Nothing against Lesrak, I'm glad Mother finally saw sense, but...

I'm sure Mother would give you a throat-band if you wanted.

His breath came out of him in a soft snort. And what color would she give me? A warrior who can't walk, a mage who can't cast a spell, artisan who can't write, much less make anything with his hands. There was a thread of virulent self-hatred behind those words, a darkness he only rarely showed to Maya and never to anyone else. I'm almost fifty cycles old. I will never be counted as an adult. Born defective.

"Ryld..." There was a lump in her throat, and she swallowed past it. Your body will get better. You have Mama, and the Star Dance potion. Who's to say you won't have a band of your own some day? Two cycles from now, we could be having one of these parties for you.

I don't think so, little sister. There was an odd feeling along the places where their minds touched, a frission of something hardly there and swiftly gone. Ryld paused, then his touch on her mind steadied. Mother will never let me out of her sight again.

"Isn't that the truth," she said, and sighed. She put her head against her brother's, and raised her cup of watered wine to her mouth. You should have some of this.

He chuckled, and the hairs raised on the back of her neck. She had never heard him laugh before, or anything close to it. It was a strange sound, almost half-hearted, sounding lost in his thin chest. I think wine and I shouldn't mix. Something about not wanting to broadcast my thoughts to half of Fanaedar.

Maya smiled. Especially not those thoughts you've been sharing with me when you're asleep.

There was a flush of embarrassment on his words. Sorry. I have less control when I'm asleep. Things slip out.

"I don't mind," she said. "It's educational. Just strange knowing those sorts of things about your brother, is all."

There was a soft noise next to Maya, and she lifted her head. Ulitree stood next to them, her shoulders stiff, her hands held awkwardly. "Um, is there room for me? There's a lot of people in here."

"Oh, of course! Here, Ryld, sit up a little so Ulitree can squeeze in on your other side." They rearranged, Ulitree with her body curled in one corner of the couch, Ryld in the center, Maya on his other side.

Ulitree gave a sigh after a moment, her body relaxing unselfconsciously against Ryld. She shut her eyes, turning so one arm was draped around Ryld's waist. Poor thing, Maya thought to herself. Ulitree tried so hard to be part of the family. She was almost entirely made of longing to belong, the scars of what had happened to her when she was a child running deeper than almost anyone suspected. The mage whose hands she'd fallen into and who had saved her life had changed her inside. Ulitree knew what it was like to stare into the face of Lloth and be rejected as unfit to be her vessel.

Their parents loved her, all of them; but though Ulitree's body was fixed, her mind might never might be entirely. House Kilsek had fallen before Maya was old enough to have any real memories of it standing, but the damage it had done continued.

Ryld shifted, and Maya held her breath without knowing why. Slowly, carefully, Ryld lifted his arm and draped it around Ulitree's shoulders. She only murmured, and cuddled in closer.

Maya lifted her cup to her lips to hide her smile.

Comments

[miryai.livejournal.com]

I like it. :)

You know you're in imminent shit when the villain suddenly starts acting reasonably... *grin*

[silenceleigh.livejournal.com]

Imrae terrified me, in large part because she was so. damned. reasonable.

Imryne would get to talking to her and start going, "Well, that makes sense...wait, what am I saying?" And if I knew only one thing about her, it was that everything she did benefited her somehow, every bit of ground she gave was either not hers, or was somehow an illusion.

[miryai.livejournal.com]

So Imryne found herself getting into something without knowing where the danger is. You know there's got to be a catch to it somewhere... you just don't know *where*, and that makes it difficult to avoid.

Also, on a more random note, I have to say that not only does Swinburne write poetry that sounds pretty, it also *looks* pretty too. :)

[silenceleigh.livejournal.com]

It does. I really hated Swinburne when I first encountered him (I had some unkind words to say about him back when I was an English major for all of a semester in college) but he's grown on me. And he writes perfect poetry for drow. :)

[ivy]

Hooray, more Imryne!