Back At It

Calanthia had learned "much from the monastery. She understood how the distractions of the world can distract one from peace. She learned Grace, how to commune withe her agility, movement economy, how to use an attackers energy against them.
 
Talaran came to wake her for the morning meal. He quietly knocked on the door. Calanthia opened the door. Talaran found Calanthia assembling her belongings.
 
Talaran bowed his head and spoke softly. I see you are leaving.
 
It is time, said Calanthia. I must return to my party, we have work to do.
 
Talaran knodded, but then smiled. I wish to thank you for your gifts.
 
Calanthia turned with a puzzled look, "Gifts"?
 
Yes little one. Your gift of trust and friendship". The smile was ear to ear.
 
Calanthia fought back the tears. She walked passed Talaran without a word. She stopped in the hallway. A great sigh was heard. She turned and ran to Talaran hugging him. This just wasn't a hug for Talaran, but all the emotion of loss poured from her eyes in tears. The hug was for Talaran, her father, her mother and her homeland. Talaran embraced her back. "And my child, the greatest gift you have given me, the gift of familial love".
 
Calanthia stepped back, wiped the tears, smiled and headed out. As she walked through the gate, she glanced back. Talaran was there, leaning against his staff, smiling. He called out. "This is your home away from home now".
 
Calanthia walked into town to meet up with the party. She had something that she had been missing for some time. She had family
 
Upon arrival, the party was assembled. Weston suggested we complete our task for the guild. We were down a party member who had moved on. This is not uncommon. We enter the administrative building. Weston did all the talking. As we entered, Calanthia spotted a Drow sitting in a chair waiting, Her hair stood straight up. Her eyes narrowed. This was a test. The Gods put this miserable creature here to test her training from the monastery.
 
Many times Calanthia would have not hesitated to strike. But she contained herself. The Drow saw her, and gave no reaction. None. Either she was deft at hiding her emotions, or she just didn't care.
 
Our number was called and we entered. Weston conversed with a portly fellow long on ego, short on social pleasantries. After receiving what we needed to get compensated, the portly man offered us a job. Apparently ruffians were giving this area a hard time. The compensation seemed generous. But there was a catch, there is always a catch. We had to accept another person on the job. We all looked at each other puzzled. The portly gentlemen motioned to his guard to bring us the other person.
 
Now I know why the over compensation. In walked the Drow. I immediately removed the peace bond on my hand crossbow and backed up. The Drow saw me and again, took no reaction.
 
Aster noticed my reaction. Inquisitively Aster asked why I was responding so defensively. I explained the history of the underdark to Aster and the relationship of Drow and Svirfneblin. I explained that the Drow are an evil race bent on enslaving my people. Aster apparently was raised by a Drow family, above ground. Aster found them loving and caring, nothing like what I described.
 
On numerous occasions over the last days the phrase, Don't Judge a Book, by its Cover, had been said numerous times. I was beginning to hate that phrase.
 
I described that the Drow had an agreement with the leadership of Entemoch Boon, my hometown. They would give them a few Svirfneblin children in return, they leave the rest of the city alone. This periodic lottery is what I discovered. What I didnt know was how high in the leadership the corruption went. When I revealed the treachery to the council, those involved had my father killed.
 
The Drow made me who I am today.
 
Aster was confused. He only received love from his parents and could not fathom such a nature from his parents.
 
Lluthe was the name of the Drow. She was a caster. No surprise there. In the Drow community, females are usually a caster of some type, and males are warriors.
 
Aelar wasn't at all accepting of Lluthe either. Being a High Elf, he had a keen understanding of the Drow community.
 
We accept the job offered. The gold was just too much to pass up. Aelar approached Lluthe and apologized for his initial reaction. He agreed to let her prove herself to the party.
 
I on the other hand will not be so easy. I will keep a weathered eye on this one. ANY!!!!! hint of betrayal, will be met with swift and final consequences.
 
Weston obtains us lodging for the night. I retire to my room. Calanthia gets about 6 hours of sleep. Normally, Calanthia would sleep at the monastery, but tonight, she had an appointment with a Drow........