"You will not go alone," Kas says pushing herself to a stand.

"I have a bow and I am decent archer. I can at least back you up, though I do not think I can jump over the pit."

Kas will sheath her sword and leave the spear leaning against the tree. She will then follow Loriel to the pit and there set up with 3 arrows in her left haft with the bow and one arrow notched and ready.

Aelistae had dealt with much since forsaking the path of the Drow, or at least the path that was associated with Drow from the ignorant perspective of those less informed. There had been much anguish and sacrifice in coming to the surface, and there would undoubtedly be much more, for that was the role she was to play, forever etched into the fabric of her life, purely by the color of her skin, the place of her birth.

Aelistae had witnessed, and likely commited innumerable atrocities in her time beneath the surface before her life changing departure; and she had first hand knowledge of the cunning and cruelty her species was capable of, but that woman in the complex, had proved to be on par with such evils, such intelligence and malevolence, that it sent the priestess’ head spinning, rocking her to the very core of her reasoning for being on this venture if only for but a brief moment. For there, in her outpour of emotion to Ellistrae, she recalled the kindness some humans had displayed.

Linnix, and her concern for the dark skinned companion, Artanis’ unwavering resolve to protect those she really barely knew. Kasenarrion’s unwavering faith in doing what was right, even if it meant her own life, and Nash, that alluring stranger back in Darromar, who had come to her timely rescue from a band of miscreant townfolk.

“F'sarn taudl whol treem dos Jallil...whol treem mina.”

The words rolled from her lips, and she danced with renewed passion and vigor. In the moonlight she was rapture incarnate, for the glow of the moon shimmered and illuminated every supple curve and round, every dip and rise as though her naked flesh were but another landscape to cast its light upon. Truly she was a beautiful creature, as mysterious as the moon to which she prayed, for truly that if any was the kingdom upon which her deity resides.

“1-F'sarn zhaunus l'Jallil orn evagna dos whol dosst guu'lac, ol zhah folt nindel jouse dos 'zil dhyn, lu'Il natha Quar'valsharess.” Came a voice, soft and familiar from across the clearing, on the far side of where the others sat. There, standing in his regalia, ever the figure of charm and grace stands Nash, the one and same from her memories. His long tabard reaches the earth and covers well the thin links of chain veiled beneath, and is covered in the remnants of stil moist brackish Orcish blood. Upon his back is strapped a massive two-bladed sword, the one earthbound blade razor sharp and aglow, ending in a small hilted crossguard that bears a cross and shield, the other side, where a hilt and pommel might be on a greatsword of similar size, is another blade, pointing to the stars and it too shone with an aura of enchantment. That was where the foreign, but familiar accent of the man she had met in Darromar’s alleyways and rooftops had come from. This man spoke Drow, and fluently at that.

Nash stood there, his piercing blue eyes taking in the woman before him in all her splendor, and he did not hide his approval. “2-Natha tajo ulu ogglin l'drathir iltan.” Nash stepped forward into the clearing, aware that he had startled Aelistae in her time of private reverie. “Forgive my intrusion milady, but your movements are as fluid as the river you thought once crossed earlier. Yes, I have been following you, and would have words with you should you see fit to grant me my most selfish request.” Nash stood there and bowed his head, his sandy locks falling across his face.

(1- I'm sure the Lady will forgive you for your doubt, it is such that shows you as mortal, and She a Goddess.)
(2- A vision to rival the moon Herself.)

The world spun, and Aelistae spun with it. She twisted her body and sword in a graceful pirouette. Her right foot rested lightly upon her left knee, her back was arched and her voice called to the Moon in a soft whisper.

But then her communion was interrupted, and the dance suddenly ceased.

From the darkness a voice spoke to her in drow. “F'sarn zhaunus l'Jallil orn evagna dos whol dosst guu'lac, ol zhah folt nindel jouse dos 'zil dhyn, lu'Il natha Quar'valsharess.”
Aelistae’s muscles tensed, and in an instant her body fell from the dance of the divine to the dance of battle. Her bare feet spread themselves upon the cool earth, and her blade was raised until its hilt kissed her lips and its tip pointed towards the direction the words had been uttered.

“Jous dosstan!”* she hissed.

A human man stepped into the clearing from the shadows, and Aelistae’s sword slipped from her defensive posture as her eyes widened in recognition. He no longer wore the strange garb that passed for finery upon the surface, and the armour he wore had been bloodied from a battle with goblinkind. But the blues of his eyes still sparkled with the same intensity and he still displayed the same easy self-assurance that he had in Darromar.

“Natha tajo ulu ogglin l’drathir iltan,” the man added, his eyes roving over the soft contours of her nakedness. “Forgive my intrusion Milady, but your movements are as fluid as the river you thought you once crossed earlier. Yes, I have been following you, and would have words with you should you see fit to grant me my most selfish request.”

“Nash Lambert,” Aelistae replied simply with a shake of her head. “There are Sisters of mine who do not take kindly to any interruption of the Dance, especially by a male.”

“But,” Aelistae stated as she plunged the tip of her sword into the soft earth, and walked over the human, “I am not they.”

The drow woman placed her hands upon Nash’s chest, stood upon her tip-toes and caressed his lips with hers.

“Now tell me, why are you here,” she asked as she playfully bit his bottom lip, “and why have you been following us?”

OOC: *”Show yourself!”

Nash Lambert,” Aelistae replied simply with a shake of her head. “There are Sisters of mine who do not take kindly to any interruption of the Dance, especially by a male.”

“But,” Aelistae stated as she plunged the tip of her sword into the soft earth, and walked over the human, “I am not they.”

The drow woman placed her hands upon Nash’s chest, stood upon her tip-toes and caressed his lips with hers.

“Now tell me, why are you here,” she asked as she playfully bit his bottom lip, “and why have you been following us?”

Nash’s mind was abuzz; it truly had been so long since there stood a woman of confidence and strength before him that he had not seen fit to put to the sword, but not she. As her teeth of white flashed in the dark of night and nibbled upon his bottom lip, he whispered’ her name between pursed lips in response, letting his arms fall around her soft skin, his gloved fingers yearning to touch the supple flesh through the thin barrier of material. He suddenly enwrapped her in his arms, a hold incredibly strong—for a human—Aelistae noted, and he held her there his eyes gazing down into her violet hues.

“You have stained my memories like that glass in the great cathedral woman, and I cannot seem to forget you. Since Darromar, there have been forces at work that would see you and your traveling companions slowed, or slain, and yet you tackled each obstacle with vigor and faith in your capabilities. Capabilities on the battlefield I might add that are quite impressive. Your companions look up to you for support and guidance at times. Do not fail them, for the alternative.. his eyes wander a bit before returning to focus upon Aelistae’s; is a path of solitude and repentance.“

He was certain Aelistae was going to speak, but he interrupted her with a kiss, fiery and filled with a passion the Drow could only relate to the intensity of which she danced for her patron Goddess. His lips mashed hers in a strength, but without trying to eat her face, his teeth aught her lip in soft nibbles, and his tongue traced the contours of her mouth as though exploring some sacred cave entrance. After a moment, that was far too short—for Nash at least—he parted their kiss, and let Aelistae fall to arms length once more. “I.. I needed to know…” Was all he said, a curl of his lips forming into a slight smile, as he let the sentence trail off.

Aelistae was no stranger to affairs of the heart. All drow, whether they worshipped the Spider Queen or the Lady of the Dance, took pride in their beauty and in demonstrating their physical perfection to others. But the drow males that Aelistae had bedded had acted in the submissive manner that had been engrained in them from birth. Every wish of hers would be adhered to without question, for they had no desires of their own.

Nash was different. Aelistae felt his hunger for her as he kissed her. She could taste his desire, and it was one that matched or out-did her own. That one fact thrilled her.

“I…” she stuttered uncharacteristically after Nash’s lips left hers and he released her from his embrace. “You are a strange male, Nash Lambert.” Aelistae laughed softly. “…I think that’s why I like you.”

Aelistae cocked her head, and smiled feline-like at the admission. “I will not fail my companions, for their cause is my own,” she added with a little more solemnity. “I would ask how you know these things about the dangers we face, and how you were able to follow us, but…well, somehow I doubt you’ll give me a straight answer.”

The drow woman raised her head to peer into the blues of Nash’s eyes. “Answer me this one thing, though: will I ever see you again?”

Nash stood there, and with a free hand that mourned releasing Aelistae brushed the fallen hair away from his face before replacing his hand upon her cheek, and chin cupping her face in softness and gentle strength. “I track you because the hunt is what I know, what I live and breathe, though certainly you are not my typical prey.” With that he let out a low chuckle. “And will you see me again? Well. That depends on the evils of this world, and those that require swift judgement. But so long as I am able, I will not be far, and I will watch over you, come to you like whispers in the night, for you and I are one and the same in here I think.” With that, he took one of Aelistae’s hands and placed it to his heart, and then to her own, his eyes sparkling in the moonlight which now illuminated both of them, as though a sign from the heavens had acknowledged this pairing, or at least taken some interest in these vestige happenstance. With a few uttered words and a soft touch, Aelistae could feel the healing energies flow from Nash into her own wounded body.
(Aelistae 30/30 HP)

Elesia, given her first item to identify, settles down and in a mortar and pestle, begins to crush what once was beautiful water pearl. Sprinkling the compound over the bracers before her, she begins the slow process of identifying them with her magical spell. The air around her hums and she concentrates intently on the task at hand.

Aelistae shivered as her land lingered under Nash’s, and passed from over his heart to her own. It was half in response to the chill in the night air and half in response to the daunting feelings that were welling up inside her.

“To say those words under the Moon, binds us until…” Aelistae paused, for as she continued to peer into Nash’s eyes, she knew that he understood all that she was going to say.

“I will look for your return then, Nash Lambert,” she continued, “but do you have to go so soon?”

Nash felt her shiver, and almost reflexively moved to drape his cloak about her, but her words resulted in a different response.

With a shrug, his cloak fell in a pool of velvety fabric upon the earth, and he stared long (and longingly) into her eyes. "I have until the call guides me away, or your friends seek to wonder where you've run off to. I wil stay here, under the moon with you now, and even when it shirks from the sun and daylight surrounds me, I find myself thinking I will still be here, under the moon with you."

Aelistae slipped her hand from Nash’s grasp, and pulled his mouth to settle once more upon her own.

“Next time, wear something that’s a little easier to get off,” she whispered, a smile tugging at her lips as she slowly worked to unfasten the straps of his armour.

And so it was, that guards had been lowered, and the rest of the world had been forgotten, at least for a short while. The moon shimmered across their naked forms, a culmination of different racial upbringings and experiences adding to a melting pot of romantic bliss. Aelistae ran her hands along Nash's now bare torso and back, and couldn't help but feel the many ripples in his flesh from past scars that never fully healed. By the feel and number of them, it could only be surmised that this man was put through a lengthy and agonizing bout of torture some years prior.

Nash however, does not shy away from her touch, instead melting into the embrace only a heated body of a partner could provide. So enamoured was he that the chill of the night seemed not pervade their own little dance, one Aelistae was sure Ellistrae would approve.

(Fade to black~ will post later when timeframe moves on)

Loriel and Kas were not sure enough that the woman and child were not within the complex to satiate there consciences, and so, despite their wounds and warnings from the others headed back down the cavern entrance and into the complex. Kasenarrion decided to cover the pi with bow and arrow, while Lorie and Moonshadow took a running leap to cross the expanse. Moonsahdow easily cleared the expanse, and Loriel too showed her fitness and cleared it with ease. Finding them now in the middle corridor, the candle orbs illuminated the way as they did down the right corridor.

Moving cautiously along the passageway, Loriel and Moonshadow come to the first door on their left, some 30’ along; their vision showing another door on the right about 20ft up the corridor, and the passageway ending in a t-section.
Placing her ear to the door, she can hear the sounds of footsteps on the other side, muffled voices and the jingling of keys, or chains, the definitive sound of metal on metal.

(You make out what seems like 3 different though muffled voices, their speech is incomprehensible.)

Linnix sees the stranger intrude upon Aelistae's wonderful dance, and nearly draws her crossbow to fend off the intruder, but it appeared Aelistae knew them, so she let them be. After a moment, whereby they exchange kisses and words, Linnix smiles and wonders, are they lovers? She almost felt a bit ashamed, since now it was as though she were the one intruding upon them. Still smiling, she looks towards the horizon.

Linnix's eyes grow distant as she watches the far off dusk, and her smile fades. She thinks to the events of this day. She still couldn't quite believe that she had agreed to go on this quest in the first place. *sigh* What was I thinking? She thinks solemnly, The others are here to help our patron, I too, but for a price. It would be silly not to expect a price, even if it isn't shown right away, and yet, the others don't seem to care about that.
Linnix brings her knees to her chest, and rests her arms upon them. I don't belong here... so why am I here? She wonders. Her head slowly falls forward to rest on her arms, and her eyes slowly close, as she drifts into slumber. Very little crosses her mind as she slips away, but the mare of the night slowly stirred to follow.

Loriel was not ready to open the door until she had more information if it was possible to gather form ut her . Cupping her hand over they door she puts her ear up close trying tohear what was said and how it was said. Common, orc goblin or some other language. Telepathically she asks Moonshadow to tell her what she can smell at the door.

If there is a key hole she will look through it also.

(as said on Msn, there's no keyhole and you've seen and your listen chec won't change.)


Moonshadow however starts to salivate, and Loriel too can catch the unmistakable scent of meats, some fresh, some smoking, some spoiled. There is definately meats cooking in the other room... 'What' meat however, cannot be placed.