Lilith’s mind was spinning. Narrowly escaping death at the hands of a drow raiding party, stalactite collapse, buried alive, and now she was in the hollow of a giant tree located in the middle of a swamp. This was Nazmyr’s home. Tamdrasil he called it. Her brothers thought it best that she stay with him in Hosuth for the time being while they investigated the assault. Nazmyr gave her but the briefest of tours before returning to Rilauven. He also mentioned he may be making a stop at a city called Ev. Ossuru had shown her to a guest room and saw to her immediate needs before taking her leave. The guest room was decorated with bright and elaborate tapestries woven of fine silk. Ornate precious metal incense burners and candelabras scented the musty swamp air with aromatic odors foreign to her. As she admired the décor, a pungent odor caught her attention. Nazmyr’s home was immaculate and the scent seem out of place. To her embarrassment she suddenly realized it was her.  She was still covered in entrails, dust and debris from the assault on stalactite and its collapse. She looked to a fresh, clean, crimson bedlah resting on the bed that Ossuru had set out for her. She held up the garment and noted that it was a bit large for her small frame but decided she could make it work.

Retracing her steps from her earlier tour, she found the bathing area. A massive over-sized claw foot bathtub crafted of bronze occupied the center of the room. She noted that the scroll-work was such that it appeared to be more of a work of art than an item of function. She disrobed and eased herself into the steamy water. Once she was comfortable, she allowed herself to sink to the bottom of the tub and let her stress ebb away.

After her bath she returned to the lounge where she found a fresh pot of tea waiting for her. Instinctively she examined the tea service of traces of poison before pouring a cup. She sat on the couch and leaned back in to the soft cushions. The comforts of a warm bath, new cloths and the fresh tea caused her to fall into reverie. Long moments of time passed as her thoughts drifted.

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Dahlia stood on a balcony overlooking Armun Kelisk. It is a city where towering stone structures hover effortlessly in midair and swarms of airships carrying trade goods and travelers dock at silvery platforms that glitter in the sun. There was always a constant gentle breeze that blew through the city that Dahlia found comforting. While gazing at the horizon, she reached into her pocket and produced a ring of gold with three links of golden chain attached to it. At the end of the chain is a small emerald, with an ancient rune expertly carved into its largest facet.

“I hope to see you soon.” Dahlia mentally repeated Nazmyr’s last words to her as she played with the dangling emerald affixed to the ring to which she was bound.

Dahlia hadn’t seen Nazmyr for weeks since her argument with her brother Fatoush in Calimport and she has been fighting with Fatoush ever since.

“I choose him!” she recalled saying in her arguments.

“But why?” she questioned herself.

“He rescued you from a truly cruel master, has asked only for your company and conversations, and in the end set you free.” Was her answer.

“Naadiyah says he loves me.” She continued.

She wanted to hate him. She did hate him. Until she got to know him. She was attracted to Nazmyr for the raw power that emanated from him and found him to be exciting and dangerous. And as much as she did not want to admit it, his charisma was intoxicating.

A smile crept across her lips “I love him.” She whispered to herself. “I love him!” she shouted to the winds in excitement.

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The calm air in the room was suddenly disturbed by rush of wind. The abrupt change jolted Lilith out of her reverie. Her eyes flung open so wide each iris appeared as a perfect blood red orb.

As the breeze subsided, a beautiful raven haired woman with olive skin dressed in a pastel blue bedlah appeared. Dahlia barely took a step before she locked eyes with Lilith. Upon seeing the beautiful drow lying on the couch she immediately felt embarrassed and foolish for returning.

Lilith went into a panic at the sight of the intruder, willing every sense to claw her way to standing.

“Oh! I’m…I’m sorry! I didn’t know…” Dahlia stammered.

“Who are you?!”  Lilith demanded.

“Apologies. I shouldn’t have come unannounced. I didn’t…”

“She’s a friend of Nazmyr’s.” Said Shelsa who was sitting on a nearby ottoman.

“No! I mean… yes! I mean…I should go.”

“No. You should stay.” Said Shelsa.

“Shelsa! Hi! This was a mistake. This was a terrible mistake. I’ve made a big mistake. I’ll leave you two alone.”

“Are you sure? Wouldn’t you like to get to know Nazmyr’s sister a little better?”

“Sister?! This is his sister?! I didn’t know he had a sister? When did he get a sister? How come he never told me about his sister?” Dahlia said, her tone changing from relief to inquisitive to accusatory.

“It’s difficult to explain…drow have a very…complex family dynamic.” Said Shelsa.

“They thought I was dead.” Said Lilith

“Oh?” Dahlia and Shelsa said in unison.

“Yes just like Nazmyr and the others fled Menzoberranzan, I did the same. Death is very common in our homeland and the Matron Mothers do nothing to quell rumors that only further their sinister reputations. My brothers were fortunate to make it to Rilauven. I fled to the Mushroom Forest in the wilds of the Underdark. I was there for years until Alaketh rescued me. And now I am staying with Nazmyr for the time being.”

“By the way, where is Nazmyr?” Said Dahlia.

“Oh he…” Shelsa began.

“Is right here.” Said Nazmyr finishing Shelsa’s sentence.

Dahlia’s face lit up and she rushed over to him and hugged him tightly. “I’m sorry we haven’t spoken for so long. I really missed you.”

Nazmyr returned the embrace. “And I you.” He whispered.

“I showed Fatoush that you had given me the ring and set me free!” Dahlia’s words were full of excitement. “After much arguing he relented somewhat. He demanded that you meet him face to face; to see if you measure up to his expectations. He said only then would I receive his approval.”

“I accept his challenge.” Nazmyr said defiantly.

“It’s not a challenge…” Dahlia quickly picked up the scent of tuberose, iris and violet and pushed away from him before finishing her sentence.

“Why do you smell so perfumed?” she said in an accusatory tone.

Lilith answered for Nazmyr.

“Oh that’s my fault!” “I was overly perfumed when I hugged Nazmyr earlier. Alaketh’s place smells like death and I had to mask the stench. That’s why I took a bath. I didn’t want to spend the rest of the day smelling like a whore.”

Dahlia was obviously relieved by Lilith’s answer. She embraced Nazmyr again and kissed him deeply.

Shelsa looked to Lilith and decided she liked her.