Role

Chapter 10

Mustering her courage, Baendra picked up the torch, and the key that fell to
the ground as she did so, slipping the key into the ceremonial robes she was
dressed in. After a quick circuit of the shrine, which intrigued her even in
her distress, she left into the tunnel that led from it. As tunnels went,
it was a poor effort, and progressed no more than a few paces before becoming
little more than a crack in the basalt rocks which widened and narrowed as
she walked softly along. Turning a corner, it seemed her attempt at stealth
was wasted. An armed man that she knew for one of her drow brethren drew his
weapons and whistled a shrill call that she recognised for the secret
language of her House. She froze a moment in confusion, for the male had
"said" something about "their sister trying to escape the goddess". A brief
look at his race as he ran lightly towards her told her all she needed to
know. This "brother" was no ally, and if she stood where she was, she would
be cut down. In eerie calm, she spun and sprinted back to the shrine, knowing
that she had only one chance for survival.

Standing above the trapdoor once more, she drew the key from her robes as the
male entered the room behind her, eyes flickering between her footprints and
herself. As her advanced towards her she jammed the key into the latch set
into the flagstone, and could have laughed out loud at the rage and surprise
on the face of the male as the stone suddenly swung beneath her, dumping her
unceremoniously down a flight of steps before rising back into place with a
sepulchral grinding. She listened to see if he pursued, but only silence
met her questing ears. Deciding that egress by means of the trapdoor was
inadvisable, given the reception she'd just received, Baendra turned and
followed the steps into the ground.