Resurrected as a Drow 3 Chapter 2

“Uhhh,” I said as I looked around at the others. “Is that, um, normal?”

“What the fuck? No.” Helera’s hand had instinctively reached for her sword, and she rested her palm on the hilt while she studied the bloody scene before us.

“Eeeeeek!” Elvy screeched as she backed away from the body and furiously wiped at the blood that had spattered across her pink hooped skirt.

“Oh, dear, do shut up,” Sevahtra said sweetly, but Elvy didn’t hear her over her own shrieks.

The sight of the exploding head must have been visible to the rest of the crowd as well, because I heard the fanfare behind us fall silent as a hushed murmur rippled through the crowd.

“Ohh,” I said as I peered around at the crowd. There were huddles of heads pressed together as they whispered and pointed, and some looked curious, but most looked scared. “So, this really isn’t normal, huh?”

“Fuck, no,” Tryss said with her eyes fixated on the body. “I’ve never seen anything like that, especially under an anti-magic spell.”

“Uh, yeah, what was with that, by the way?” I asked as I rubbed my gut. I could feel the spell had been lifted, and when I reached out for my ether, it greeted me like a warm embrace.

“No idea,” Tryss said as her hand found her own stomach and rubbed slow circles over it. “Hate that feeling so much.”

“Same,” I mumbled, and then I reached my hand out to my lover, who curled her fingers around mine and squeezed.

“No identifying insignias or anything,” Dagwyn remarked as she knelt down next to the headless body to study the black cloak.

“Thanks, we hadn’t noticed,” Tryss said wryly, and Dagwyn shot her a dark look.

“We couldn’t see anything obvious,” I added quickly.

I knew Tryss was tired, and she’d been worried about me during the race, so she was feeling a bit on edge, but I didn’t want her to fight with her sister right now. Especially when the younger twin was itching for some action after missing out on the surprise assassin attack.

“Mother must get to safety, methinks.” Fespius suddenly started wringing his hands and hopping on his feet as he looked around nervously.

“The hobgoblin has a point,” Dagwyn said as she stood and wiped a bit of blood off her hand. “Since we don’t know where these are coming from, we should get the important figures to safety and figure it out from there.”

“You mean we’re still in danger?” Elvy hissed, and she shot her own nervous glance around us.

“No, I’m sure whoever sent these assassins is completely fine with their failure, no need to follow up at all,” Tryss deadpanned, and I tugged at her hand while Mother Sevahtra looked down her nose at the youngest daughter.

“My, my, someone gets tetchy without access to their ether,” Mother Sevahtra said coolly.

“More like ‘turns into a raging bitch,’” Dagwyn muttered under her breath, and Helera covered her mouth to hide her grin while Tryss rounded on her sisters.

“Enough,” Mother Sevahtra said as she lifted a hand, and I felt the familiar rush of air that she sent out to temporarily silence her mouthy daughters. Then she turned to Elvy with another one of those dangerously sweet smiles. “Though Fespius does bring up a good point, it’s probably best we seek safety, in case they do come back to finish the job. Can the Twenty-Eighth House offer us shelter while we celebrate our victory?”

“Of course,” Elvy sniffled as she straightened her dress and pursed her lips, and the fear in her eyes slipped away at the thought of taking on the hostess role.

I looked up to the spectator stands to see a lot of others also had the same idea. Matron Mothers were being huddled and escorted to the nearest exits, while their offspring glared at anyone who crossed their paths, like they were daring someone to try something. Then I took a moment to observe the surroundings, since I’d been dumped unceremoniously into the middle of the maze while I was unconscious.

Thanks again, Drogu.

The Maze appeared to be set in a valley between the spired mountains and just to the south of the citadel, with the VIP guests sitting in the raised stands that circled the maze, where Mother Sevahtra and the others had been sitting to watch the competition. On the ground level were the lower-level spectators, and while many had fled when the fighting started, there were still a fair few spectators hanging around hoping to catch another bit of action, or a good look at one of the several bloodied bodies scattered around the ground.

Rubberneckers.

“Let’s move,” I said as I eyed a particularly excited duergar male, who was salivating at the mouth at the sight of the dead bodies.

I wanted to put as much space between that creep and my House.

“Come on, the Citadel is this way,” Helera said as she led us through the throng of people.

Most folk were heading in that direction anyway, so we fell into the flow of the foot traffic easily enough. The three sisters were on high-alert, and they kept their heads on a swivel to watch out for any other surprise attacks as they flanked their mother. I fell back to the rear with the intent to keep an eye out for attackers as well, but I also didn’t want the others to see how exhausted I truly was.

Because, by the gods, I could barely keep my eyes open.

I gave myself a little slap on the face and jumped up and down a few times to jolt my senses awake, but the adrenaline from the second round of fighting was fading fast, and I didn’t want the others to worry, or worse, pity me.

“You look tired,” a voice suddenly said from behind me, and I jumped a little when I saw the wizard Nodrin standing next to me.

It was like he’d appeared out of nowhere, but he was a wizard, after all. His glamour spell was slipping, and I could finally start to see his usual features. I was struck again by how much he looked like his brother, Norrin, which I only knew because I’d come face to face with his brother in a deadly showdown, which ended in his brother, well, dead.

The elder wizard must’ve read the look on my face because he chuckled lightly and reached out to pat my shoulder.

“Fear not, young one. Sevahtra has filled me in on the goings-on since I’ve been enslaved, and I want you to know I harbor no ill will toward you. You did what had to be done to save your House, and for that I am eternally grateful. As is Mother Sevahtra. She has quite a lot to say about you, actually.”

“Oh, umm, thank you,” I said awkwardly. “All good things, I hope.”

“All great things,” Nodrin confirmed with a nod. Then the old wizard reached a hand out to grab my wrist, but he stopped just short of it and looked me in the eyes. “Do you mind?”

“I…”

“It’s just a quick Rejuvenating spell,” the wizard explained as he held out his long fingers, and I dutifully placed my wrist in his outstretched hand as the elder shot me a wink. “Like I said, you look tired.”

“I am,” I conceded, and I watched as the wizard placed one long finger on my wrist and uttered a series of words I couldn’t understand. As he spoke, I felt my fatigue slip away and be replaced with a renewed sense of energy.

I wasn’t ready to fight a full battle, but it made the walk back to the Citadel a lot easier.

“There you go,” Nodrin said with a satisfied grin as he gently released my hand. “Now you can enjoy the feast of celebration.”

“Thank you,” I said gratefully, and I rubbed the warm spot where the wizard’s finger had just been as I felt my senses become more alert with the effect of the Rejuvenating Spell.

The Citadel began to appear in front of us, and as I watched the crowd from the Maze start to disappear into the crowd of the city, I could feel the air growing thick with excitement. Between the new Maze champion, the celebratory feast, the attempted assassination after the race, and being in the middle of the week-long festival anyway, the Citadel and its inhabitants were buzzing. It made me even more grateful for Nodrin’s spell. It would have been a long night without it, and I didn’t want to miss anything during my first Kels’Rin-Kai.

I suddenly felt the wizened wizard’s eyes on me again, so I turned back to find him studying my face.

“I wonder if I could request your aid,” the wizard said.

“Oh, I, um, of course,” I stuttered. It wasn’t like I could really say no to the wizard, could I? Especially after his helpful little spell.

Also, how did our ranks compare? I was the First Son of House Claden’du, but Nodrin was Sevahtra’s consort, which meant… something, I was sure.

“Nothing terribly dangerous or taxing, don’t worry, Fynn,” the wizard said with a grin, and he drew me out of my musings as he shot a pointed look at my eyepatch. “Fynn. What an apt name.”

“Yeah, that’s what Mother Sevahtra said.” I returned his grin. “Speaking of, you said she said great things about me?”

“Yes, the first great thing she mentioned about you was your humility,” the wizard quipped.

“One of my most valuable traits,” I chuckled.

“She also expressed your aptitude for adapting and scheming,” the wizard went on as he gave me an appreciative look. “Very valuable traits in our world.”

“Mine, too,” I said reflexively, and the wizard tilted his head.

“What do you mean by that?”

“Oh, uh, I’m not exactly sure, but I get these random flashes of memories from another life, not this one,” I admitted, and I gestured around. “It’s a life I don’t recognize.”

“Yes, Mother Sevahtra mentioned something about that as well,” the wizard said as he stroked his beard sagely. “There was also talk that you could be a mage.”

“Yeah, but there hasn’t been one with my powers in a long time,” I said automatically as I remembered Drindessa’s words.

“True, but that doesn’t mean there can’t be one again,” the wizard said.

“Do you think--” My question was cut off when the elder raised his hand.

“It is not for me to judge. Yet. Though someone wishes I would.” The wizard shot me a wink as he gestured to Mother Sevahtra ahead of us.

I took a moment to admire the fierce woman’s wide hips that had bore her many beautiful children, three of whom surrounded her now. Instinctively, my gaze slid to Tryss’ backside, and I was mesmerized by the way it swung. I thought about my seed filling her until her own hips expanded and bore my children, and I had to look away as my thoughts turned carnal. Then I realized the wizard had been watching me again, with a twinkle in his eyes, and a rush of heat flooded my face.

“Umm, I…”

“Sevvy has also informed me of those plans, and I must say, from what I’ve seen and heard about you so far, I commend their choice,” Nodrin said with a wide grin.

“Th-thank you, that means a tremendous amount coming from you,” I said as I felt my ears flatten in bashful pride. Then I saw the wizard’s eyes flick back to the group of women, and I followed his gaze to see him looking at Dagwyn with a curious expression before he turned back to me.

“I also heard of your little foray in the vault,” the wizard said in a serious tone.

“Ahh, yeah, I didn’t realize that…” I stammered, and I was certain I was about to get a tongue-lashing for desecrating something I wasn’t aware I was desecrating while I was doing the desecration.

“I’m not concerned with that.” Nodrin waved a hand in my direction. “I am interested in what you saw inside the vault.”

Before I could answer, we were interrupted by Tryss as she slid in next to me with a light nudge to my elbow.

“We’re heading straight to the Twenty-Eighth with Elvy, unless you need anything?” Tryss purred as she leaned in close and rubbed her cheek against my shoulder.

Like one of those house cats.

“Actually, Fynn is going to grace me with his presence while I run some errands in the Citadel Center,” Nodrin interjected with a stroke of his beard and a sly smirk directed at me.

“Oh? What sort of errands?” Tryss asked innocently.

“You are your mother’s daughter,” Nodrin chuckled as he wagged a finger at the youngest sister.

“Shh, don’t let her hear you say that,” Tryss teased, but Nodrin’s happy expression darkened, and he turned serious eyes on the young priestess.

“You should be lucky to be compared to a woman as powerful and fierce as your mother,” the wizard said in a warning tone.

“Oh, no, I only meant, um,” Tryss stammered as she clutched me for support.

I laid a hand on top of hers as her fingernails dug into my skin, but I could tell by Nodrin’s pointed look that I was not to interfere.

“Yes, go on,” the wizard said, and he crossed his arms to show he was willing to wait for his answer.

“I only meant that she might be embarrassed to be compared to me,” Tryss said quietly.

At these words, the wizard changed his tune again as a fatherly demeanor took over his wizened face.

“Oh, dear child, she should be equally proud to be compared to you, the talented sorceress that you are.”

Tryss blushed a deep purple at the wizard’s compliment, and her ears pinned themselves against her head, but I caught the tips of them fluttering in joy.

“Oh, um, wow, I, uh, thank you,” Tryss stuttered, and I squeezed her hand as she clutched my arm harder in excitement.

“Well-earned, dear child, well-earned. As I was saying, I hope you don’t mind me borrowing your male here to help me run a few mundane errands. He will carry my shopping, negotiate with the vendors, that sort of thing.”

“Of-Of course.” Tryss nodded before she straightened her posture and released her grip on my arm. “Will I tell Mother you’ll be joining us at the Twenty-Eighth after?”

“Indeed,” Nodrin said with a dismissive nod, and Tryss took her cue to leave, but not before she reached up to kiss me goodbye and give my hand a last squeeze.

I returned the gesture and mouthed that I would see her soon, and then I enjoyed the sight of her supple ass as she rushed forward to rejoin the rest of the group.

The wizard slowed his pace, so I dropped back to walk beside him, and we watched as the others drifted farther away from us and disappeared into the crowd. When our comrades were completely out of sight, the older man continued our conversation from earlier.

“So,” Nodrin prompted. “Do you remember what you saw in the vault?”

“Oh, you mean the glowy thing?” I asked as I recalled the image of the floor with the lamp-like staff that stood alone in the vault and emanated a weak, pulsing white light.

“Indeed,” the wizard chuckled as he cast a sidelong, curious glance at me, and I noticed his gaze lingered on my patch, so I gave it a wiggle for effect. “Do you know what it is?”

“Norrin’s wizard staff?” I posited as I recalled the conversation outside of the vault after my, ah, foray with Dagwyn. I couldn’t help but picture the muscular woman naked and screaming as I brought her to ecstasy, but I shook the thought out of my head and focused on the wizard again.

“That’s right.” Nodrin nodded. “And do you know why Daria Ozin-Na kept his staff?”

“No,” I admitted. “I know there was talk of trying to channel her own magick through it, but that sounded like it didn’t make sense in terms of the laws of magick, so I don’t really know why she kept it.”

“You’re not far off,” the wizard said with another nod. “While it’s unusual for a priestess to use a tool for her magick, it’s not impossible. Daria was attempting to create a powerful, but illegal, specter with the staff she stole from Norrin. I always wondered why my brother remained so faithful to Daria, despite not being one of her consorts. I had no idea she was holding his Wizard Lyte captive, now it makes sense why he never left her House.”

“Err, sorry, his what? Wizard Lyte? Is that what the staff is called?”

“Not the staff, but the… glowy thing,” Nodrin chuckled.

“Oh, right, the… glowy… Lyte thing,” I said with a grimace. The others were used to my gaps in knowledge, but I felt more conscious of it in the presence of the powerful wizard, but the old bearded man merely chuckled.

“Wizard Lyte,” the older man said. “Do you know how it’s made?”

“I do not,” I conceded.

“Starlight,” Nodrin deadpanned, and I studied his face to figure out if he was lying. When he didn’t falter, I raised my eyebrows, and he continued. “Or rather, the essence of trapped starlight. You see, a wizard’s ultimate test to become a full-fledged wizard in path, not just in title, is to capture a falling star.”

“R-Really?” I asked as I heard a tune jingle in the far depths of my mind.

Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket…

Just then, Nodrin reached up to his collar, pulled out a chain, and tugged on the chain until it revealed a star-shaped pendant that glowed white.

…never let it fade away.

“Whoaa,” I said as I reached for the glowing pendant, but Nodrin pulled it away and tucked it back into his collar before he patted it through the fabric.

“How does one… catch a falling star?” I asked as I continued to admire the shape of the pendant through the wizard’s tunic. I pictured myself climbing to the tallest mountain around, maybe Greenie could give me a ride up, and then hanging precariously from the tip of it while I held out a vial and captured the bright, dying star. I pictured the look of pride and awe on Mother’s, Tryss’, and the twins’ faces as I showed them my bottled gold that would launch me into full wizard status. Then I pictured the women advancing toward me to celebrate my success, and I had to give my head a shake before I got too deep in that mental fantasy.

“Catching one is the most sacred thing a wizard could do, there’s no use for me to explain it to you. The knowledge of how to do it is only revealed to you when you’re ready for the task.”

“Ahh, I see,” I said, but I tried to hide my disappointment.

We pushed into the center of the Citadel, and I took in the sight of the city in the midst of a festival. The food carts that lined the streets were decorated lavishly as their patrons lined up while decorated in their own face paint, masks, and costumes. Everything looked amazing, but after the glimpse of starlight that I now knew Nodrin kept hanging around his neck, everything seemed a little duller in comparison. Maybe it was my light powers that had me so drawn to the light, but I sensed something I didn’t recognize in my gut, and I felt like the starlight was the answer to the gnawing question I couldn’t put into words.

Nodrin must’ve seen my sullen look, and he gave me a little nudge.

“You’re really enamored with the idea of catching a falling star, young Fynn, aren’t you?” The twinkle had returned to his eyes.

“I do enjoy the thought,” I admitted with a grin, and I felt a jolt of excitement as Nodrin reached for his collar again and began pulling the chain out until it was all the way out, and the pendant hung halfway down the wizard’s chest. Then he took the star-shaped pendant in his palm and held it out so I could examine it closer.

I could see the stone inside had been split into two and mended back together, much like the one Sevahtra had shown us outside the vault. I leaned in closer for a better look, but before I could see anything else, the ground before us cracked in two, and a huge beanstalk started to grow out of the ground.

I watched in wonder as the stalk grew rapidly and stretched into the cavern while it sprouted long, trailing branches and huge, deep green leaves.

“What the fuck…”