The Drow and the Dragon

Saphira Mistwalker wings over the Shadow Lands, looking for the cavern entrance. Aran Jaekob asked her to scout for a particular Drowess. Saphira did not tell him her elders warned her that high Drow, being of shadow themselves, would probably detect her even if she covers herself with shadow. Being young and brash like she is, and convinced of her own abilities after the battle with Windy's spiders, Saphira has become overconfident.

Saphira Enters the Underdark

Ilmryn Xyltyn passes through the narrow corridor leading down to the bowels of the Underdark. His hand nervously fingers at his dagger. He had just left Arianna and she had been vile and insolent to him, accusing him of cowardly actions and failure.

Saphira Mistwalker wraps herself with shadow and slips past the spiders and guards outside the cavern entrance and slipping through gaps in the gate, enters the Underdark. Vast columns and crystalline flows impress her with their dark beauty. Were her mission not so urgent and the possibilities so dire, she would take time to appreciate the play of dim light and shadow here. She proceeds cautiously afoot through twisting tunnels and great chambers, seeking drow dwellings. She passes unseen past more giant spiders, a smile on her hidden face when she sees she is undetected.

Saphira Mistwalker finds a Drow in her path.

Dragon and Drow Meet

Saphira Mistwalker drops her shadows and nods formally. "Vendui' Jabbuk. I seek Lady Arianna Shadowdew. Do you know where I might find her?"

Ilmryn Xyltyn: As the Drow  turns the last corner of the corridor that leads further downward his senses sharpen and she appears before him. "Dos zhal'la naut inbal doer ghil Jabress [ You should not be here Jabress," he says with a snarl, licking his tongue over his teeth.

Saphira Mistwalker hisses back and replies, "I have urgent business with her alone. I ask you again, where may I find her?"

Ilmryn Xyltyn: "Urgent? How Urgent?" he asks closing the distance moving around her in a circular motion. As he rounds near her back, he leans in, his lips near her ear, his breath hot and his voice gutteral as the sounds come out low and deep. He whispers low as if to still his words from being overheard, "Usstan tlun zhaunus l'Ilythiirei uriu nau ssinssrin ulu telanth xuil dos, Jabress." [I am sure the Drowess has no desire to speak with you, Jabress]. Then he leans out from her and continues to circle her, his face impassive save a slight smirk of the lips.

The Drow Threatens the Dragon

Saphira Mistwalker frowns, quickly losing her patience. She takes a deep breath, for she is about to reveal more than she has told anyone in the River Lands. But, she must establish her status. "I am called Saphira Mistwalker, Princess of the Shadow Dragon Clan and chosen envoy from my people to the River Lands."

Saphira Mistwalker knows drow value directness, continues, "I am here by request of Aran Jaekob Faolan. We know Jabress Arianna has an item of his in her possession, and I am here seeking terms for its return."

Ilmryn Xyltyn moves toward her, his fingers itching to grasp his dagger. He closes the distance until he is but a couple of feet from her and growls, "You can tell your weak King that we have nothing of his. Tell him to prepare.......and in an instant his dagger is out and the sharp tip is trailing down her cheek. "Do YOU understand?"

Saphira Mistwalker glares with draconic anger and hisses, drawing her daggers and brandishing them before her.

Saphira Mistwalker: "Do not think to touch me Jabbuk."

Ilmryn Xyltyn smirks as her daggers are pulled and pushes the tip of his dagger into her cheek, drawing a bit of blood, "Do NOT test me, Jabress? I am in the mood for blood today and a Dragon will do quite well."

Saphira Mistwalker growls deep in her throat, and knocks the dagger aside with hers. She feels a fiery itch from the slight wound.

Ilmryn Xyltyn growls, low and gutteral as in a quick movement he tries to retrieve his own dagger.

Saphira Mistwalker tries to back up, out of range, but stumbles slightly on the uneven footing.

Ilmryn Xyltyn reaches for his dagger and moves toward her quickly, as she is unbalanced. A hand digs into her hair jerking her back against him, exposing her throat and pressing his dagger hard against her skin, "Shall I kill you now Jabress," he growls. "Is it a good day to die?"

Saphira Mistwalker panics and pulls back from the dagger, trying to slash at the drow with her own. She succeeds in getting a deep and painful slash across her arm, almost making her drop the dagger.

Ilmryn Xyltyn's nostrils flare at the smell of blood as he presses the dagger harder against her flesh. "I think it is time, Jabress. But, you will not die this day. You will take a message to the weakling King and tell him we .... are.... coming... for him."

Saphira Mistwalker she spins rapidly, pulling away from the drow. Her head whirls with the movement. There must be poison on his daggers. Because of her dragon blood, she may not die from the poison, but with her weakening condition she may be slain outright.

Saphira Mistwalker backs away from the attack, her eyes darting here and there, looking for an escape. She does not trust the drow not to slay her where she stands.

Ilmryn Xyltyn growls as she maneuvers away from him and reaching for her with a jerk of his free hand, he pulls her close. The hand holding the dagger moves slowly down and behind him. In a heartbeat, his dagger pushes through the air and takes its mark, blood flowing from the deep wounds in her stomach.

Saphira Mistwalker hisses with pain and using all her strength, she takes flight, rising over the cavern floor and gliding for the exit tunnel. Her body weakens with each wing beat, causing her to careen off walls and spin wildly.

Saphira Mistwalker descends back to the cavern entrance and reaches outside air, sailing to the edge of the Shadow Lands where she finally tumbles to the ground.

Ilmryn Xyltyn watches her go, her blood dripping from his dagger. He slowly raises it to his lips and runs his tongue along the blade. He turns to move back up the corridor to report to the Drowess.

Saphira Mistwalker gasps, her every breath agony because of her exertion and the deep wound in her side. Her magic is too weak to assume her full dragon form. She tries to take flight again, but the first sweep of her wings causes searing pain. "I can not," she hisses out. She stumbles towards the bridge, her side burning and her hands and arms knotted with pain from numerous cuts. When she reaches the River Lands she looks up to see the sign she posted days before on the bridge and hisses with more frustration, "How can I protect anyone here, when I can not even stand against one drow?"

Saphira Mistwalker finally reaches her cave, after a long and wearying walk. Her self control failing, she fades in and out of shadow. She can barely muster enough of her magic to lower her cave door. "Ohhhh," she moans and stumbles forward, unable to even raise her door again. She unclenches her hands and her daggers drop with a loud ringing. She curls up in agony on her hoard, hissing with pain and licking her wounded arms.