As Ardulace listens to Satya speak, she grows from being merely angry to outright fury. Her eyes ablaze, she seethes for a moment, then by an act of will, draws three deep breaths and masters her emotions. Along with the others she will walk away from the house, but speaks as the group travels.

"All this time? All this time?" she scoffs. "'All this time' has been but a few hours. I met these people this morning. They are not life-long companions that I have deceived, they are not trusted comrades or it seems, even friends. We are comrades by happenstance only. I came here by invitation. Invited by the Governor who sought my help in this matter. Sought by him, because of my reputation, because of the life I have lived which bared the truth of who I am, as thou sayeth."

Pausing a moment, she unclenches her fists. "Ever since I arrived in Leaphaven this morning I have indeed schemed. I confess it. Oh yes. I have schemed and connived with one all-consuming purpose... to save that child." She thrusts a hand out, pointing at the boy. "I have sought to do nothing, but place myself between the evil and the innocent, that the innocent might live. And it seems that my companions have sought only to hinder me. Whenever I urged haste, the others urged caution. When I said let us go forth, they said let us bide a while, when I said said advance, they said retreat. When I went with apparent reckless abandon through the portal beyond the door in that house, I did so with the hope that my actions might force the others to follow me. That my actions might prove more convincing to them than my words had been. But I was wrong. I went forth, and I went forth alone."

"The others, thou amongst them... remained to ponder the writings in a book and decipher a map. And thou did this, knowing full well a child's life might hang in the balance. Take a close look at that boy. He lives. He breathes. I hope he lives in peace for many years to come, to play and to sing and dance beneath the stars and fall in love and father many children and grow old and wise and perhaps if he is lucky, to pass away having known great joy. But If he does so, then it will be because I did not remain to ponder a book and decipher a map. It will be because by an act of what you condemn as foolish and reckless, I went forth and found him. And I stood before a dragon, that was intent upon devouring him, and I convinced it not to."

"Could you have done the same? Would you have done the same? The life you live bares the truth of who you are. It bears repeating. What does the life thou hast lived bare about each of thee? When the time came for each of thee to decide whether to go forth or to remain behind, each of thee in turn..... remained behind. Each of thee remained to bide a while, while I went forth alone. No doubt I was cursed and called foolish and blind for it."

"Since I have joined this group I have sought to do nothing, nothing except try to save that child's life. I have done so with complete disregard for my own safety. I could have dallied a bit longer before returning to you, long enough to resume this false visage, before bringing that child to safety, but I returned to you in my true form, because to delay might have placed the boy in greater jeopardy, and because I thought, mistakenly it seems, that I had earned some place amongst thee, that I had earned ... if not thy trust, than at least enough of thy respect that I would not be condemned and attacked on sight."

"Chiron Po showed me the error of my ways there." She shakes her head. "What a fool I was. I am what I am and I make no apology for it. Who amongst you joined this fellowship only after confessing to the others thy deepest secrets? Anyone? No? No. No one. Not one of thee. I do not hide my identity, only the color of my skin. I hide nothing about what I have done, only how I look. And if I hide that, I do so only because to walk openly amongst people like this.." she sweeps one hand towards Chiron, "would mean my death. I know this because I have tried. In return, I was hunted like an animal. Do none of thee hide secrets? What of thee Chiron Po? Dost thou not hide secrets? Xavier? What of thee? Seluumiel, hast thou no secrets? Or you Satya, is there no shadow that haunts thy past?"

"And now? Now that I have saved this child, and I have warned thee of the dangers that lurk within that house, even now, I am treated like a criminal. I am called a liar. Ask the child if thou will not believe me. Before thou draw thy sword and sweep my head from my shoulders ask the child. And when thou hast recieved his answer, then I ask thee, what is my crime? What have I done that is so foul?"

The boy stands on his own and says to Seluumiel, "My name is Johnathon Miles Karris. You can call me John."
John then takes notice of the exchange between Lacey and Chiron. "Doesn't the man like the other pretty woman. Why are they arguing?"

Seluumiel smiles at John's human name and turns to Satya and asked her to keep an eye on John for a moment.

During the lengthy discussion between Chiron, Ardulace, and Seluumiel, Satya began to talk to the boy to distract him from the discussion. But everytime the word "Dragon" was mentioned the boy flenched and became visibly disturbed. Seeing this and incredulous of the seemingly continuous fighting amongst themselves and Xavier just sitting back and taking it all in, Satya decides to step up and voice her objections.

"Why do you insist on tormenting each other with these games!......This can wait."

"Would you like to go home and see your mother? I am sure that she is missing you very much."

So after addressing the the group on the issue and reminding them of the need to get the child home, she begins to take the child in the direction of the town of Leaphaven.

Chiron waited for the dark elf's rant to play itself out as they begin the march back to Leaphaven. He had wanted to question the drow right away back at the house, but Satya was wisely leading the child back to his mother and everyone followed the boy to ensure his safe return. But now as she went on extolling her own accomplishments and bravery, he was content to let her dig her own resting place as she continued to make his point for him. At last she finished, demanding to know what she had done wrong that the paladin found so offensive. She asked. He'll tell.

Before beginning his own tirade, Chiron moved close enough to Ardulace to ensure the child would not have to hear his words. Taking his cue from the drow, he started in a cool tone that broke, almost immediately, into melodrama. "What have you done? Why you've opened my eyes as I have opened yours. I see now. You are uniquely good amongst your notoriously evil race. You have cast off the treacherous and dark teachings of your jealous Spider Queen and fled to the surface, not to murder and desecrate as so, so many of your kind before you have done, but to spread peace and harmony where ever you may go. Thanks to you I know that no individual should ever be judged by their race. If ever I encounter a lich, or a red dragon, or some demon from the abyss, I shall first set aside my blade and discourse with them to learn if they, too, have a story to tell of how they've thrown off the taint of their beginnings.

"I understand, now, that your crusade for justice is why, when given the chance to aid the hopeless town of Leaphaven, you've banded together with other heroes and sent derisive insults their way from the moment we all met. I only wish that I had the kind of relationship with Ilmater that you have with your god, that I was capable of your level of blind, unquestioning, fool-hardy faith that would lead me to jump into an unknown danger and leave my appointed companions to who knows what fate or cause them to follow me into what may very well be the depths of hell. It is true that you pulled the child free from whatever danger he was in, and that is the one positive mark you have in your favor right now, but my training has taught me that you should not place your head inside the mouth of a lion until you know something about the fearsome beast."

The fake smile Chiron possessed until now fell away, and he continued deadpan, "And you... I know nothing about. Nothing that says you should not be put down right now. You are drow, and as indicated by your race, you have been sowing dissension and chaos for as long as I have known you. I know that your race is gifted with magical abilities, and I warn you that if you try to turn your arcane prowess against any of us, I will render you incapable of utilizing your considerable magical talents. You have saved the child and that has stayed my blade long enough to discover the truth of you. I hope that, in a rare moment of forethought, you make the trip back to town an uneventful one. And believe it or not, I do hope that at least some small part of your self-presentation is true, but do not test me until I have found how much of you is deceit and how much is truth. I will not hesitate. I will not mourn you."

His ire spent, Chiron slowed his steps, falling a few paces behind the dark elf-turned-half elf. "Hey Little John, how would you like to ride back to town?" he asked of the boy. He let out a shrill whistle and waited for Prajna to come trotting to his side, all the while his gaze bored holes into the back of Ardulace's head.

The boy stands on his own and says to Seluumiel, "My name is Johnathon Miles Karris. You can call me John." John then takes notice of the exchange between Lacey and Chiron. "Doesn't the man like the other pretty woman. Why are they arguing?"

The moon elf smiled at the boy, "It is complicated John, do not worry yourself with it."

Seluumiel looked back watching the altercation between human and drow. Her own reactions to the revelation of the drowess had been near violent, more so than any of the others she knew the cruelty and evil the dark elves were capable of. Yet a moment of thought had stayed her hand, and Ardulace had proved herself to not be one of Lolth's. The moon elf closed her eyes a moment recalling her brief discussion with Ardulace.

"You speak soundly," the moon elf paused a moment and smirked, "Do you kill spiders?"

"At every opportunity", Ardulace all but whispered in reply.
At every opportunity. The words had been barely audible, but she had heard them and they proved her to be truly out of the Spider Queen's webs. Killing spider's, even speaking of killing them was blasphemy to Lolth. On hearing her words even the most mild devotee would have erupted in blind fury, Ardulace had not. At every opportunity. Seluumiel opened her eyes to watch the scene between the three escalate further. This was not the time. The moon elf stood as Satya left Chiron and Ardulace to their argument.

On reaching Seluumiel and John the exotic human leaned down to the boy "Would you like to go home and see your mother? I am sure that she is missing you very much." Satya looked at the others then said, "This can wait."

Seluumiel nodded as the human woman began to lead the boy back to Leaphaven. She then turned her attentions fully to the dark elf and the paladin, this was going to stop now. Moving quickly to the two she lays a hand on Chiron's armored shoulder. Their rages seemed to have quelled themselves, but likely they would erupt again.

"Calm yourself Chiron Po," Seluumiel moved to face him as she spoke. "She is not of the Spider Queen. Let elves deal with elves. Go to Satya and John."

She had been careful not to condescend but her tone brooked no argument. With an unreadable serenity the moon elf looked up to the man before turning to face the drowess.

Taking a step closer to Ardulace she once again addressed her in elvish. "Lava sen, ron na'a nessa ar'hoorea. Lye anta tess i'seere ie'ilya estelar, amin gorga tanya lye caele ere'ele'e i'yesta en tanya fea opele."

Seluumiel waits for a moment before following the others, she looks back for the other woman to follow. Her suspicions of something greater at large were proving true, and they would likely need the talents of all.

Taking a step closer to Ardulace Seluumiel once again addressed her in elvish. "Lava sen, ron na'a nessa ar'hoorea. Lye anta tess i'seere ie'ilya estelar, amin gorga tanya lye caele ere'ele'e i'yesta en tanya fea opele."
An expression of great relief washes over her half-elven features, then Ardulace replies, also in elvish. "Lava amin, amin sinta ner," she says somewhat sheepishly. "Tel' nim'ohtar irm ndengin ri' glak amin. Ikotane amin n'uma aut e'a iris, ri amin n'uma kel. Lle kwentr aran en' i opele. Tel' mor'loki quen en he tura. I gorgorath hosti, sai-hosti."

She pauses a moment to let this sink in, then says softly and quite solemnly, "Amin ant usin rato."

Seluumiel stopped dead as Ardulace spoke and the full gravity of what was washed over her. She raised out her hands before reaching out to touch the other woman's shoulder.

She responded to Ardulace in the drow tongue, a gesture of good faith.

"T'yin jal zhah 'zil Usstan treemmou. L'voiry udos muth zhah natha faerl voiry, ol della d'natha zhennu verin. Nau seig'tarn vel'bol l'retiah iklnig xal tlu nindolUsstan zhaun; l'voiry, l'maelthra, lu'l'jabbuk ph'jal nat'raeth."

"Udos orn ssrig'luin dosst dortho, dos maglust zhahen wun l'llanath d'nindol maelthra. Ul'naus udos shlu'ta trelao l'iklnig. Doer xuil udossa. Usstan orn fre'sla whol dos lu'ka ssrig'luin tlu Usstan orn t'zaraw xuil l'd'nilok."

As the six of them walked back towards the town Lacy continued on the way to chastise them. Satya is baffled as to how she managed to get pulled into the obviously deep wound that Lacy was nursing but finally something is said that touches a cord in Satya's heart.

Or you Satya, is there no shadow that haunts thy past?"
Once there is even the briefest pause in Lacy's tirade Satya says plainly "When I was young I killed one of my peers for calling me an outsider, my mother a whore and my neck better off snapped as an infant. I did not realize how much rage flowed in my blood then. Now I live with that mistake every day, and fear the uncontrollable beast that sleeps dormant in my heart. I was not asked to seek this boy I merely sought redemption for my past. I was not aware that you have all been traveling together for only a matter of hours. I am sorry for acting on misinformation. I was led to believe that they were your friends and comrades. What you say of your actions rings true and you need not fear to be yourself in my presence."

Satya did not expect the woman to truly care what she thought or even choose to acknowledge what she had said. She had been treated from the start with indifference at the very least by the half-elf, and she truly did not care what Lacy thought of her at this moment. The very thing that helped Satya contain the beast inside was to speak her mind and keep her feelings open to all that traveled with her. Communication was the key for their safety as well as her own. She did not have a connection with these people other then the life of the boy, which Lacy did play a key role in bringing home, and from the sounds of it Satya would be better off on her own once again after the boy was returned home safely. As they all continued to speak with each other Satya will slowly pick up her pace and walk out in front as a scout keeping an eye out for any potential trouble. She continues to listen to the conversations behind her until they turn into a language she doesn't understand.

The boy looks up to Chiron and says, "Not little John, just John, thanks, and I would love to ride your beautiful horse. My dad taught me how to ride before he died in the war to the north and he willed his horse, Carosel, to me. I can't wait to get home to see her!" The boy was all smiles on the back of Prajna on the trip back home.

The trip back to town was an uneventful one with the exception of luke-warm confrontation over differences of adventuring practices and the recent revelation of Lacey's true self.
As they approach town, the familiar gates of Leaphaven loom ahead and a frazzled looking woman paces between the gates. Young though she is, worry has aged her looks.
Once the boy sights the woman he dismounts Prajna expressly and almost expertly and hits the ground running, and fast, for the woman at the gate yelling, "MOM! MOM! I'M HOME!"
The woman looks up, tears in her eyes go from tears of worry to tears of sheer joy at the sight of her little boy.
"My boy, oh my big boy is home. Oh thank the gods you are alright." She looks up at the group following up behind and says, "Anything, anything I have is yours brave travelers for bringing my son home. Thank you, thank you, thank you!" She rushes up and hugs each one of you in turn.

Once there is even the briefest pause in Lacy's tirade Satya says plainly "When I was young I killed one of my peers for calling me an outsider, my mother a whore and my neck better off snapped as an infant. I did not realize how much rage flowed in my blood then. Now I live with that mistake every day, and fear the uncontrollable beast that sleeps dormant in my heart. I was not asked to seek this boy I merely sought redemption for my past. I was not aware that you have all been traveling together for only a matter of hours. I am sorry for acting on misinformation. I was led to believe that they were your friends and comrades. What you say of your actions rings true and you need not fear to be yourself in my presence."
Ardulace listens silently to the woman's story, then replies "I am sorry for thy troubles. Would that I could ease thy burdens. I apologize if I seem churlish, but this day has wearied me like no other has in many a year. I am normally a joyful person, but Chiron Po brings out all the worst in me. Still, I am grateful that thou dost not seek to murder me."

She briefly smiles and watches as the woman moves on, not certain that what she said had come out entirely right. Despite diligent use, she still was not entirely comfortable with the common tongue.

She walked on, each step bringing her closer to town and possibly her doom. She was confident that Seluumiel would speak on her behalf, and that the woman Satya bore her no ill will. Xavier had seemed unconcerned with her change in appearance when she had returned from the dragon's den, though he had been unusually sullen and silent since then. The boy was too thin and pale by far, perhaps all he needed was a hearty meal to set him to rights.

Which left only Chiron. Or more correctly, Chiron and who ever he could poison against her. Therein lay the challenge. It was difficult enough for her alone to overcome the centuries of hatred and mistrust her people had earned, but were her true race to be revealed, and one of her own companions speak out against her... there was little hope for her in such a case.

Still she continued toward the town. Despite placing great trust in Seluumiel and the others, she kept in mind the many tried and true methods she had used to successfully escape similar situations in the past.

"MOM! MOM! I'M HOME!", the child's joyful cries brought Ardulace out of her reverie. She swallows a lump in her throat as mother and child are reunited. Even as she revels in the woman's joy, the shadows of what await her linger at the edges of her mind.

"Anything, anything I have is yours brave travelers for bringing my son home. Thank you, thank you, thank you!" says the boy's mother as she rushes forward to hug each member of the group in turn. Unused to such close contact with strangers, Ardulace steps back, but the boy's mother wraps her arms around her and hugs her fiercely all the same. The acid burns on her back send a fierce surge of pain through her entire body, and Ardulace gasps in pain, wavering a moment before regaining her balance, as she replies to the woman's thanks with a barely audible "Peace and joy be with you."

Ardulace listens silently to the woman's story, then replies "I am sorry for thy troubles. Would that I could ease thy burdens. I apologize if I seem churlish, but this day has wearied me like no other has in many a year. I am normally a joyful person, but Chiron Po brings out all the worst in me. Still, I am grateful that thou dost not seek to murder me."
Satya was surprised at first at Lacy's kind words but as she spoke she began to understand the woman's strain and frustration. Satya knew to some degree what it was like to be on the receiving end of racism. As she walked in silence the conversation continued behind her. She was lost in thought, when finally the words turned foreign to her ears. She glanced back at the paladin and the boy as an idea crossed her mind.

The ranger maneuvered around next to the tall armored man. "I realize that you must have started off on the wrong foot, but consider this, the goddess Eilistraee could not exist if she did not have followers. She is a testimony that not all of her race can be bad. Do not be blinded, seek the truth, and it will be revealed to you."

Chiron marched deliberately toward Leaphaven, keeping one eye on Ardulace the entire journey back. The boy seemed comfortable in the saddle and was able to guide Prajna expertly, despite the horse's size making him look like a child's doll. The paladin flinched when John launched himself out of the saddle, sure the boy would land wrong and survive the kidnapping only to break an ankle upon returning home, but he dropped the five feet and landed without injury, scrambling off to see his mother.

"My boy, oh my big boy is home. Oh thank the gods you are alright." The mother says through freely flowing tears. Then to the returning rescuers she exclaims, "Anything, anything I have is yours brave travelers for bringing my son home. Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

"No thanks are necessary, we were only doing our job. I'm glad we were able to reunite you with your son." Chiron pulled himself up into Prajna's saddle as he spoke to the overjoyed mother, then twisted around to address the others, "Do not let Ardulace out of your sight. Satya, your advice is sound. I need to go procure an item that will lay to rest any remaining questions about her intentions here. I'll find you all again shortly."

Chiron kicked Prajna into motion and the two bolted off into Leaphaven proper. Single-minded focus led the paladin straight to the governor's mansion where he vaulted from the saddle and to the front door. He rapped the large knocker twice, then opened the door and made his way inside.

Simon caught the rushed man in the entry-hall. "Is there something I can do for you, sir?"

"Yes, yes there is. I would like to access the petty cash account Governor Bailash granted us when entered his employ. I need to purchase an elixir of truth. Where in this town can I find such a draught? I am in no small hurry, please answer quickly."

-----

Simon seemed suprised to see the knight so soon, had the job been finishished already?
"Sir, you need only go to the Apothecary in town. You should speak to the man privately and tell him you are in the employ of the governor and you wish to put an item on Governor Castor's bill. Present your name and he will record it and the bill will be taken care of at the end of the month."

Xavier quietly walked back to the town of Leaphaven, lost in thought.

Camille... are you okay? I don't believe that you could be hurt, but still... the governor's words make me fearful. Camille... if you're out there... please, be out there. If you die out there, I'm going to hunt you down in the afterlife. You aren't dying before me.
Before he knew it, Xavier was inside of the town walls, noticing that child being returned to his mother. Xavier's stomach grumbled. Dammit... I need blood. I'm getting really bad. But he couldn't think about that now.

Xavier turned to his companions. "I believe you won't mind if I excuse myself. I have some... business to attend to. I will meet you tonight, ready to undergo any other events which we may or may not be assigned. With your kind graces." Xavier bowed, and lost balance, catching himself before he falls. Shakily standing up, and giving a weak smile, he turns and walks off toward the governor's building.

Coming up to the governor's building, Xavier storms in, marching up to the governor's room. He better have kept his promise... Or I'll fill both of my satisfactions at once.

Ardulace watches, somewhat bemused as Chiron orders the others to keep a close watch on her, then speeds off on his horse. Moments later, Xavier staggers and leaves himself.

Ardulace smiles at Satya and Seluumiel, "Unescorted in a strange town, hmph. Gallantry, it seems, is at a premium in Leaphaven."

Looking around as the small crowd attracted by the return of the boy John to the town dispersed, the priestess feels more than a bit awkward standing pointlessly in the street.

"I know not what Chiron is about, but I warn thee both, if he returns with the town watch or guards of some sort, with the intention of imprisoning me, I shall have to create a disturbance. No innocents shall be injured though some may be frightened. If I am not available afterwards, I hope that thou will convey to them my apologies. For the nonce, I feel no need to loiter purposely in the street. Shall we report to His Lordship, the Governor, or perhaps take our ease in a tavern?"

"I am not sure exactly what else you are expected to do here in town, but I have another mission that I believe to be of some importance now that we are here. Perhaps one of you may assist me as you wait."

Satya reached for her pack and produced a wax sealed letter. It is identical to the ones that both of the elven lady's received when first summoned to the town of Leaphaven. "I found a courier dead in the woods on my wanderings and this on his person, in tact. I know that these things when sealed like this can carry important tidings and I wished to return it to the sender so that he or she was aware that someone did not receive their message." She holds the seal out to them questioningly. "Do you know to whom this symbol belongs?"