Ialaenel, Meet Ms. Shadow

personal> An imp appears in a poof of foul-smelling smoke, drops a scroll into your hands, then disappears with a laugh.

Note sent.
/* The note read: "Come to Yithoul, to the gallery of public torture, if you wish to be Spoken To.
   He came immediately. Good boy. */

Ialaenel> O: (pmote) Ialaenel narrows his eyes slightly.

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[  0 ] The Siren     Now.                                     07/15/03 06:07 

Ialaenel has arrived.
Ialaenel looks at you.

A shadowy figure turns its head, its shadowy gaze directed at Ialaenel. She states 'Well, you were quick.'

Ialaenel> The shuddeni torturer applies a noxious paste to the slave's open wounds.
The shuddeni torturer applies a noxious paste to the slave's open wounds.
Ialaenel> The chained slave screams in agony!
The chained slave screams in agony!

Ialaenel says 'Punctuality is but one of my virtues.'

A shadowy figure rises slowly from her seat.
A shadowy figure says, contentment clear in her tone 'Marvelous.'
A shadowy figure looks once to the torturer and slave, then states 'Let us go.. elsewhere.'
Ialaenel> A shadowy figure reaches toward you, then curls her finger in a beckoning motion.

Ialaenel now follows you.
Ialaenel nods.


A Rich Shuddeni Dwelling

[Exits: south]
(Red Aura) A shuddeni elder reclines in his luxurious dwelling.
A chaja bodyguard growls menacingly at any intruders.
A chaja bodyguard growls menacingly at any intruders.
Ialaenel has arrived.

A shadowy figure pauses, saying 'Here should do.'
A shadowy figure looks for a moment at the elder, then leans toward him.

Ialaenel says 'Yes.  At least we won't have to try to talk over the screaming.'

Ialaenel> You see a flash of a feminine yet eyeless face on the figure's visage as she gives the elder a kiss.

The shuddeni elder smiles, then begins to choke, a black ichor oozing from his nose.
You hear the shuddeni elder's death cry.

Ialaenel raises an eyebrow.

A shadowy figure gives a satisfied smile, then waves dismissively at the chaja guards.

The chaja bodyguard leaves south.
The chaja bodyguard leaves south.

Ialaenel> Heaving the body from its chair, the shadowy figure sits, then turns its faceless gaze to Ialaenel.
A shadowy figure beckons 'So, then. Speak.'

Ialaenel says 'I assume this beckoning of yours is in regard to the note I sent?'

A shadowy figure gives a faint nod. She laces her fingers together before her, which appear to blend seamlessly into one another.

Ialaenel says 'Well, then, my intentions in the note are clear.  I will swear unshaking alliance and loyalty to the Power of the Collective, and in return, see my family name rise from the woeful obscurity that has dragged it down so far.'

A shadowy figure inquires 'And who was it that is responsible for this.. fall of your family name?'

Ialaenel narrows his eyes, and almost spits 'That would be my fools of parents.'
Ialaenel says 'Weak of Will, they allowed their status to fritter away, finally being forced from Ilodaiya to the squalor that is Var Bandor.'

A shadowy figure leans back in her chair, saying 'Through weaknesses of what? The flesh? Gold?'

Ialaenel says 'I can only speak of them now that they are gone.  Both, spirit...both.'

A shadowy figure turns to Ialaenel, asking 'Spirit, hm? And whom killed them?'

Ialaenel says 'I'm afraid I was driven to remove them from my life.  They had gone beyond mere inconvenience to the realm of obvious embarrassment.'

A shadowy figure offers 'Do elabourate on your method.'

Ialaenel adds 'I took control from them at an early age.  They were too stupid and used to their squalor to even notice how low they had sunk.  I turned that right around.'
Ialaenel continues in a pleasant conversational tone 'I managed the funds and so on, and when one of the was disobedient, I found an hour with the whip to be most educational.'

A shadowy figure rubs her hands together soundlessly, then nods again.

Ialaenel nods, and then says 'With my father's meager earnings, I was able to attend fine schools in Earendam, and then be tutored by the company of the Serpent, though that was more expensive, and I had to restrict my parent's food budget to afford it.'
Ialaenel says 'Well, during my tutoring, my father decided to show up at the Company headquarters and demand to know what I was doing.'
Ialaenel says 'That scruffy, dirty, poor little excuse for an Aelin, showing a relationship to me?!'
Ialaenel says 'It could not be beared.'

A shadowy figure gives a quiet chuckle, stating 'It sounds.. quite embarrassing, indeed.'

Ialaenel says 'That night, in the basement of their stye, I flogged them both, my mother as well for allowing him to perpetrate his deed.  By the next morning, I would never have to worry about those two embarrasments again.'

A shadowy figure inquires 'And how, then, did you continue to pay for membership within the Company of the Serpent?'

Ialaenel says 'By that time, the funds I had saved up were sufficient to complete my tutelage.  I am no member of that company, however.  I did not see a good reason to attach myself to them for the balance of my existence.'
Ialaenel says 'I do see a very good reason to attach myself to your organization, however.'

A shadowy figure asks 'And that is?'

A shadowy figure cautions 'Know that Ours is not one to be used for personal gain.'

Ialaenel says 'Because I want control, and because if I am included, I will have taken the first steps to re-elevating my family name.'

A shadowy figure tilts her head, asking 'Control?'

Ialaenel nods.

A shadowy figure offers 'And how do you believe that We can offer that?'

Ialaenel says 'I yearn and remember with small fondness the days when my word was law, even if my domain was two scruffy aelin and a shanty.  And I want more then that...'
Ialaenel says 'Yours is a shadow alliance that exerts influence in all quarters of the land.  If that is not a form of control, the I would have to ask what is.'

A shadowy figure leans back in her chair, musing 'Marvelous. And how would you serve Us, then?'

Ialaenel says 'I would be a pair of ears and eyes for this alliance, watching calmly from the shadows and finding the chinks in the mental armoring of those around me.'

A shadowy figure tilts her head slightly, asking 'In -all- those around you?'

Ialaenel affirms 'All.'

A shadowy figure leans forward, saying 'Good, good. Though I must inquire as to what drew you to the Company of the Serpent.'

|alaenel says 'To most, I merely say that they provided the most attractive offer to educate me.  Those more priviledged then most would also know that it was the most expensive.  But while all those things were indeed factors, the heart of the matter is...'

Ialaenel says 'The magics of the void and the study thereof suit me, and I do so enjoy using a whip, even though I've yet to find one.  However, I felt I could not totally ignore the martial talent within me.'
Ialaenel says 'A slight correction, I meant to say find a whip of worth.'

A shadowy figure nods once, saying 'Indeed.'
A shadowy figure muses 'So that does it, then.'
A shadowy figure asks 'Have you any questions for me?'

Ialaenel ponders the question.

A shadowy figure crosses her legs, causing their shadows to mix and blend into one oddly-shaped appendage.

Ialaenel says 'Among the whispers I have heard include rumors of alliances to areas within the void, is that true?'

A shadowy figure chuckles, her laugh smooth as silk. 'Yes.'

Ialaenel nods, and smiles before saying 'Marvelous.'
Ialaenel> You think 'I will not pry into the exact regions of such an alliance, that is too sensitive for me to know at this point.'

Ialaenel says 'I have also heard that this alliance is divided into two sects.'

A shadowy figure nods once, saying 'Yes. The Pentagram and the Vanguard.'
A shadowy figure muses 'I'd had yourself pegged as a Vanguardsman, though you seem a bit less than interested in such martial pursuits.'
A shadowy figure lifts her right hand to her chin, as if silently awaiting you to say something.

|3338:3338 421:421 100 [common] A Rich Shuddeni Dwelling 13:00 S| 
Your victim has left the game.
Ialaenel's eyes glaze over.
06:50:14> Ialaenel groks the fullness of his link.
Ialaenel shakes his head slightly.

A shadowy figure states 'Well, I suppose I shall have to repeat myself.'
A shadowy figure nods once, saying 'Yes. The Pentagram and the Vanguard.'
A shadowy figure muses 'I'd had yourself pegged as a Vanguardsman, though you seem a bit less than interested in such martial pursuits.'

Ialaenel nods, adding 'I would prefer the pentagram.'

A shadowy figure sighs quietly, saying 'So too does everyone these days, so it seems. No matter.'
A shadowy figure inquires 'Anything.. else?'

Ialaenel says 'No, I believe my curiousity is sated for the moment.'

A shadowy figure nods once, saying 'Indeed. I shall go consult with the Archmage. You shall hear from us with a time.'

Ialaenel nods, offering a bow.
Ialaenel says 'I look forward to future discourse.'

A shadowy figure cautions 'Remember, however, that you are always Watched, and that Our patience is infinite.'

Ialaenel nods.

A shadowy figure smirks 'You shall be tested before next we speak. I shan't tell you what this test shall be, only that you shall know it when you see it.'
A shadowy figure flaps her wings, rising. She adds 'Go, then, Ialaenel. And.. do try not to die.'

Ialaenel says 'I shall be watchful, then.'
Ialaenel nods.
Ialaenel leaves south.

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