Tiff - Chapter 3 - Part 5

Chapter 3 - Part 5

Lyanna had her minor wounds treated as she was taken back to the Do'Vinn compound. They were quick to take her magic bikini away and hide the evidence. She had dressed in her simple grey slave clothes again. Before long, she was back in her small cell in the dungeons.

Soon her male drow master was standing in front of her cell again. She didn't see him at the pits, and wondered if he had seen the fight. She stood up to face him. He stared into her with his calm red eyes and then spoke, "You did well, Slave. The matron is pleased."

"I only won because of that bikini."

His expression turned sour, he looked angry. Lyanna could tell that it was not his idea, and he did not approve of his house cheating. "You will say no more about that, do you understand?"

She could detect the seriousness in his tone, "Yes."

He looked into her blue eyes for a moment, and then continued, "You knew the Black Knight."

"That's not a question, is it?"

"How did you know him?"

"He was travelling with my party. We never intended to enter the Underdark. We were only looking for a way out."

"Was he your consort?"

"No way. I didn't even like him, I'm glad he's dead." She wasn't going to tell him that she suspected that he was still alive.

"So how did you and your party come to enter the Underdark?"

"We were travelling through dwarven tunnels to make it past the Black Mountains when a flash flood washed us away. One of my party died," she said sadly. "We became hopelessly lost in the dark tunnels."

"And why where you travelling past the Black Mountains?"

"People from my... house have been imprisoned by our enemies. We were on a quest to free them."

"Instead, you became prisoners yourself. Fate can certainly be a cruel mistress. But as I said, our Matron is pleased with you. Is there anything you would ask for?"

Lyanna was quiet for a moment, "Freedom."

He just nodded sternly, "Relinquish that desire now, or it will ruin you. Believe me, I know better than most."

"And just what is your place in-" He swiftly raised his hand to silence her as he turned his head. Lyanna peered out into the dark corridor. Was someone else there. She hoped that his vile sister hadn't come back. Then she heard the faint sound of scraping metal.

The male drow quickly drew the sword from his sheath and held it out in front of him. "Inbal, colbauth alu gaer?"

Lyanna tensed up as she watched on. What was happening?

"Die, Do'Vrinn Prick!" growled a rough voice, as a large figure came charging out of the darkness with his blade raised. The drow held his ground and swiftly sidestepped and parried as the attacker came at him. He slashed his blade in two fast skillful strikes and the orc screamed and dropped to the ground.

More attackers came out of the darkness. The drow fighter got into a graceful dance, dodging, parrying and striking with speed and precision. Lyanna could only watch from her cell. There were three of them, two looked like drow, and there was another broad stunted figure, a dwarf, or duergar.

One of the drow attackers wheeled around while he was fighting the other two. He came close to Lyannas' cell with his back to her. She quickly came forward and kicked out between the bars, striking the back of his leg. He yelled out as he dropped down to his knees. The drow fighter then swiftly stabbed his blade his neck. He let out a gargling noise as he dropped to the ground.

The other intruders were all sprawled out on the ground around him, not moving. He raised his blade as he breathed deeply and surveyed the area around him. Lyanna just stood at the bars watching. "Noqut'Tar!" he said, bitterly. "They are making their move. I must get to the Matron." He turned and looked Lyanna in the eyes, "Good luck, Slave." He then darted off, disappearing into the darkness.

Lyanna was just stood there, staring blankly for a moment. There were more of them? A full scale attack? Why did he wish me luck? She looked down at the four bleeding corpses he had left behind. Then she spotted a small shiny item on the ground next to the dead drow-a key. The key to her cell? Could it be?

She immediately got down onto her knees and reached out between the bars. It was right at the limits of her reach. She strained as she squeezed between the bars and stretched her arm out as far as she could. Her fingertips only just brushed the small metal object. She brushed it again and again, trying to draw it closer. Finally, she was able to press a finger down on it and drag it toward her. She felt a small pang of triumph as she picked it up and brought her arm back inside the cell.

Lyanna wasted no time moving around to the door and reaching around to the lock. She was being very careful not to drop the key. She slid it into the keyhole and turned it, there was a clicking sound as the door was unlocked. Her heart was thudding as she slowly opened the door. She was finally free of her cell.

Now she knew why her drow master had wished her luck. For some reason, he had deliberately dropped the key for her. Now she did need a hell of a lot of luck to get out of there. She knelt down and grabbed a sword from one of the dead intruders. She peered down the gloomy corridor, considering if she could go the way they had come. They had to have breached the compound somewhere.

Then she heard the faint sounds of scuffling and clattering up ahead. There were more of them coming from that way. She didn't want to stay around to greet them. She turned and headed in the direction her drow master went, further into the Do'Vrinn compound.

Lyanna did not encounter any guards as she made her way through the dungeon area. She remembered the way out from when she was taken to the pits recently. She cautiously ascended the stairs with her blade in hand, aware that there were enemies approaching from behind.

She heard the sound of horns, placing everyone on alert. Lyanna quickly stepped back and hugged the wall as a unit of drow guards ran past the stairwell and down the wide corridor. She could hear clanging blades and shouting in the distance, the unmistakable sounds of battle. It was a full scale attack.

Her mind was racing. The battle could be a perfect distraction to allow her to escape. On the other hand, it was an extremely dangerous place to be. If she was sighted, either side would likely try to kill her. She decided to use her highly developed stealth skills, and try to stay away from the fighting.

Lyanna had no idea where to go, but knew she had to keep moving. She crept up the corridor in the direction the guards had come. She maintained a sharp awareness of her surroundings as she went. The fighting seemed to be steadily intensifying, and getting closer. She hid from several guards as they rushed past. Then there was the sound of battle right behind her. The clashing of weapons, yelling, the reciting of incantations, the eerie crackling and booming of magic and pained screams that followed.

It was too close for Lyannas' liking. She scurried ahead and came to more stairs leading up. The stairway was clear and she quickly dashed up there. She knew that she was being driven deeper into the compound by the intense battle that was unfolding. She wondered if the Do'Vrinns would be able to hold the attackers off, and what it would mean for her if they couldn't.

She reached the upper floor and could see that it was still clear. A wide gloomy hallway stretched out before her. Two large statues of drow women stood close to the stairway on both sides of the hall. She could see that this was much more regal and opulent than the other levels. The sounds of battle still echoed up the stairway behind her.

Then she heard heavy footsteps up ahead. She quickly darted to a door to her side and was glad to find that it was unlocked. She slipped into the dark room. The footsteps got louder until they were just outside the door. Loud shouts rang out, and then there were the sounds of battle right there outside the room.

Lyanna clutched her sword tightly as she waited there in the darkness. She looked down and saw the dim light peeking through the small keyhole. She squatted down and peered through the gap. There was lot of commotion on the other side as the drow fought on, clashing blades and casting spells.

Then her blood ran cold as she saw her. She was standing to the rear of the group, casting spells. The drow woman who had her raped by the orcs - The Black Bitch. She could only see small bits and pieces of the fight through the small keyhole. Soon the sounds of the fighting had stopped, and she could hear an exchange of drowish outside.

Lyanna recognized the female voice, and then she could see the twisted noble again. The Do'Vrinns had fought off the small group of attackers, but there were still many more closing in. She could see the look of fear on the drow womans' face as another spoke to her, she was clearly aware of that too. She spoke insistently, pointing ahead of her. There was the sound of footsteps as the others headed away, but the black bitch stayed behind. She stood there a moment, with a fearful look on her face, then she suddenly turned and moved toward the door, straight toward Lyanna.

Continued in Chapter 3 - Part 6

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