05. Lucky Day by Vonagh

vonagh

The next day started off wonderfully. Bright eyed and full of energy, Vonagh awoke early to resume labor on the courtyard. This time, shaping the stone with both his hands and magic.

The old court flooring was ripped out and replaced with a thin layer of violet died basalt that had been discovered in the eastern tunnels. A pit was excavated where the old fountain was, and a warm sunken fungi garden was constructed instead. At the head of the garden, an obelisk timepiece was fashioned out of obsidian, with violet faerie fire circles that magically descended each hour to designate the time.

Throughout the construction, a small underground stream was discovered. It was redirected and used as a long waterfall that emptied into a black pool. The cavern under the water could be explored later when there was more time.

While the wizards and servants produced the new garden, Von created art the courtyard. With a fevered passion, he sculpted a relief on the inner walls. He worked alone, not wanting another soul to lay a finger on his creation. The artist’s mismatched eyes held such an intense glare; it was like the rest of the world ceased to exist. There was just the stone and the vision.

Drow priestesses and warriors converged upon a tunnel of light, and the beautifully simple arches of spider legs held them aloft. Unlike a typical battle scene, this relief venerated the beauty of the drow body and the soft terror of the Spider Queen. The focus was not the drow annihilating members of another race, but rather the mighty splendor of the drow of House Tagnik’zur Xal in their element and with the arms of their goddess lifting them high. If one looked closely enough at the details, one might recognize a face. It was purely coincidental, for Vonagh was too enwrapped in the creation process to stop and pause over the details of each face at this early stage.

Unfortunately, such a lack of observation can be dangerous to a young drow’s health. And one particular priestess decided Vonagh had not shown her the proper respect as she approached the images. Of course, he had not even registered she was in there. Some level of his mind heard the female voice, and then it came at him again only it was tainted with anger. Still it did not pull the artist out of his creative trance.

The barbed whip slashing across his back did. Agonizing pain shot through his body along with a neurotoxin that numbed his muscle response. Paralyzed and burning, he fell to the ground. The whip cracked against his skin again.

“Bow Male!” she cursed, “I should cut your throat out as an example to the others!”

The whip cracked a third time, this time lashing across the artist’s shoulder and neck. It drew a scream of suffering from Vonagh’s lips.

The priestess snarled and nabbed Vonagh by the throat, ripping his shirt down the middle. With a frustrated sigh, she yanked his pants down and then searched his hands. The brutal searching revealed that there was no tattoo or brand anywhere on his body, and he was not wearing any jewelry, “You have no marks of ownership, boy. You cannot be as dumb as you are and not be protected by someone.” Vonagh curled up on his side after being flung down to the cobblestones.

“SPEAK!” She cursed and whipped him again; this time the barbs gashed the artist’s back open.

Vonagh’s muscles writhed in pain, his jaw clinched shut because of the poisons. He managed to whisper through his teeth, “I belong to no one. But I am the lover of the Elderboy Rylyrr Tagnik’zur Xal, Paladin of Lolth.”

The priestess hesitated.

Von continued, “I might not have the power to stop you, but my death or disappearance would upset my lover, who could go to the Mother Matron herself. But that is your choice if you can live with the consequences.”

Frustration darkened the priestess’ eyes. Wrapping the barbed whip back around her belt she spat, “For now, you are not worth it. Learn some manners, boy, and consider this your lucky day.” Sharp heels smacking against the new cobblestones signified the priestess’ retreat.

Beaten, bloody but alive, Vonagh did indeed consider himself lucky.

Wed, Nov 6th – 10:45PM