Rauthara's Weakness “If you can’t do one simple task,” Rauthara cracked her whip, “you might need to spend the night sleeping with the hobgoblins.” The room was silent, and though there were at least 10 of her fellow Drow standing there, no one dared look her in the eyes. Krondaera of house Torep, kept his eyes on black stones of the floor. This was his failure, and Rauthara would make sure everyone knew that failure came with punishment. “Understood,” Krondaera said. Rauthara smiled wide enough for the small crowd to see her teeth, “Understood, what?” Krondaera squeezed his fists. He was a worm, lower than that, a grub. If there was even a chance that he could challenge her, she would at least show him the decency of respect. “I understand that I failed you, Priestess Rauthara, it will never happen again.” Her heels clicked in the silence as she crossed over to him, putting her face inches from his. She let her nose turn up as she spoke. “Don’t think I don’t know who you’ve been talking with,” She whispered, “If you aren’t careful, Lolth will be looking for your head as well.” Krondaera looked up at her, and for a moment she could see the hate in his eyes. It was sad. “Now get out,” She said, “All of you, get out.” The other drow piled out of her house, with the only remaining one being Xunvala. She was the one woman Rauthara had intertwined her plans with enough that she could trust that Xunvala wouldn’t immediately betray her. They walked back toward Rauthara’s bedchambers. “That wasn’t necessary,” Xunvala said, “At this point, he is likely to do something even more idiotic.” Rauthara climbed the stairs, “He was already an idiot, I would rather he be eaten by a spider than have to talk to him again.” “He saved you from that Shapeshifter not long ago,” Xunvala said, “We need his blade, and his keen eye.” She reached her door, and turned back on her fellow priestess. She wanted to trust her judgement, but she knew that if given the chance, Xunvala would stab her in the back like anyone else. It was Xunvala’s best chance to take her position. “We don’t need weaklings, they will get us all killed.” Rauthara opened her door, passed inside, and closed it behind her. She leaned against the door, and took a long breath. It didn’t matter how many days passed, it never got easier. Every day she had people prepared to cut her eyes out, feed her to her enemies both political and physical. She knew it was the road to strength, but that didn’t mean it wasn’t stressful. “Tough day?” Said a male voice. Her eyes shot to the sound, with her hand at her hip ready to pull her whip free. A figure, cloaked in brown, was standing next to her bed. She raised her weapon, but he quickly moved to reveal his face. Soft features, the pale pinkish shade of a land-dweller, with the brown facial hair of a few day’s travel. Her arm stuck in the air, “Garrett!” The human took a formal bow, with a smile on his face. Rauthara looked around the room, unsure what to think. An attack? Changelings? “How did you get past the glyphs?” She asked, thinking of the warding on her home, “How are you here?” Garrett walked to the bed with a slight swagger in his steps, “Never question what can be accomplished with plenty of ale and map stolen from a gnome. You haven’t said hello by the way, Raurau.” Her nostrils flared, “Don’t you dare call me that,” she said as she took steps toward him, “You know not to call me that.” His eyes were peering over her, it was a disgusting surface dweller habit. He was a nobody, a shitstain even in his own world and even less down here. Still, he let his eyes wander over her as if she were some lewd painting in a gallery. She absolutely hated it. “You dress even better here at home,” Garrett said while smiling at her. She looked down, unsure of what he meant. She was wearing her usual priestess garb, sure her cleavage was showing, but the clothing allowed for wide movement, and ensured respect for the goddess. Rauthara cracked her whip in the air, “Out Garrett,” she said, “However you got in, out you go before I feed you to bugbear.” He put his hands up in surrender, “Okay, you’re right, I’m sorry. Sneaking in was stupid, bad habit. I just wanted to visit an old friend.” “We’re not friends,” She snapped. “I know you Drow live a long time,” Garrett said, “But we spent 2 years on the road. You saved my life in that pit of kobolds, we fought off a blink drake, I trust you with my life, Raurau.” She opened her mouth, but nothing came out. There was nothing to be said to humans, they always seemed so lost. Didn’t he understand that she only did those things to further their goals? She was on a quest in the name of Lolth and her queen, she would have even saved a surface elf if that is what it took. It didn’t mean she liked him, she needed him. “Is something wrong?” Garrett asked. Her eyes went to his, and she was prepared to berate him for such a stupid question. Then she realized he wasn’t asking if there was something wrong with him, he was asking if there was something wrong with her. “No,” She stammered, “Besides there being a free human wandering my home.” Garrett sat up straight, “That’s not it, if there is something going on down here, you know you can trust me right?” Rauthara opened her mouth to respond, but the air caught in her throat. Trust him, like before. “Come,” He said, “Sit down.” He put a hand on the bed beside him. She stepped over and sat down, unsure what to do. Her whole body felt heavy, her muscles tensed at all times. This was the life she had to live. “It is the life of the Drow,” She said, “It isn’t your concern.” “You said that when we first joined up,” Garrett said, “I told you it was bullshit then, same now.” “I have responsibility here,” She replied, “My people need me, my goddess needs me. I can’t drop my guard, not even for you.” Garrett looked at her, and she could see something in his eyes. It was an unknown expression, one without contempt, hate, derision, suspicion. She hadn’t seen it for years. He reached behind his back, and pulled out a small stringed lute, adjusting one of the strings. “Do you remember when we went to the Red-bottomed Dwarf in that village outside the mountain pass?” He asked. Rauthara swallowed, but nodded. He plucked at the lute, and a lame but practiced note echoed out. He adjusted it again, then strummed a chord. She missed his music. The only musicians she had heard since were slave entertainers, people afraid for their life made terrible artists. “You didn’t want to drink with us,” Garrett said, “Do you remember that? Posie was heartbroken as only a halfling can be, and I talked you into it.” She started to laugh, then covered her mouth, “You tried to force it down my throat in a kiss, if I remember.” “Yes,” He said, “A brilliant plan.” “You are lucky I am a capable healer.” “And then you drank,” Garrett added, “And do you remember the terrible thing that happened next?” She thought back. They drank, she remembered laughing, games, the awkward face of a drunken halfling, and nearly getting kicked out by the staff. “No,” She said. “Exactly,” Garrett said, “No one betrayed you. No one was plotting, no one was scheming, we enjoyed ourselves.” She shook her head, but he looked her in the eyes. “For a second,” He continued, “I got to see the real you.” This whole situation was making her feel strange. It wasn’t an unwelcome experience, but it wasn’t where this was supposed to go. There was work to do tomorrow, people to punish, servants to manage, and here she was listening to a bard’s lute. “I wish it could be like that again,” She said, “Even if just for a moment.” “It could.” She looked and saw him leaning forward, lips nearing hers. Her whole body froze. She thought of their travels, his smile, his jokes, his music, his caring words when she was hurt. She couldn’t move. Their lips touched, and she released her breath through her nose. Her eyes closed as he moved closer, the kiss going deeper, her lips parting to invite his tongue. His arms curled around her, holding her close, the warmth of their bodies mixing with each other. He didn’t move hungrily, his lips almost caressed hers, adjusting to her movements, enjoying the moment. When they parted, her breathing was deep, and she was still in his arms. “You can trust me,” He whispered, “Even if just for the night.” The words meant more than she was sure he knew. She felt her eyes begin to water, and a heat built up in her chest. “Oh,” She said, “Please Garrett.” Their lips met again, and this time his hands explored her, sliding up her back and finding where her ‘robe’ was fastened. He unhooked it and slid it off her shoulders, her breasts heaving as they were freed. His hand held one, massaging it slightly, teasing the sensitive flesh. She grabbed his wrist, sure now how far this was going to go. She moved to push him back onto the bed. “No,” Garrett said as she tried to force him, “I’ll handle this.” She was confused, until he lowered her onto her back, and climbed up on top of her. To be laid down like this, just the mental image of it made her cheeks hot with embarrassment. He pulled the bottom of her robe aside, revealing her undergarments. He loosened them, then pulled them until her legs were forced into the air to slide them off, then tossed them aside. She was exposed there, her whole body in front of him to be taken advantage of. Her breasts sliding up and down with her labored breath, her deepest flesh open as her knees invited him. Garrett undressed, and lay against her, “You were always beautiful, I hope they tell you that down here.” Rauthara pulled him close for a kiss, and she could feel his size against her. Just the contact made her moan in anticipation. He held her close, and pushed his head in, her breath pouring into him with excited pants as his length drove in deeper. Their bodies met again, bare this time, and as Garrett thrusted deep into her, she hugged close to him. Never had she felt this before, a partner above her, a partner leading while she enjoyed their heat and presence. Garrett placed kissed along her neck, up her cheeks, and over her lips. Every peck bringing a prickling sensation over her skin, joining the building excitement in her loins. “Do you want to leave with me?” Garrett asked her as he thrusted slowly, “Would you want to live and laugh with me?” He was filling her, and it was almost impossible for her to respond. She could only nod, her body tied up in passion. “We can start a family you know,” he whispered close to her ear, “I will fill you with my seed, and I can take care of you forever. I would love you.” The suggestion made her muscles tense with a mix of fear and excitement. There was no way she could force him off now, not in her current state. He would climax, and she would give birth to his child. Then she imagined herself in a surface home, waiting for Garrett to come home, hugging him close when he made it there safe each evening. They would kiss, eat dinner together, teach their daughter. Rauthara’s body was nearing the edge, her thoughts going fuzzy, her mouth hanging open as moans of pleasure slipped out. She could feel Garrett grow larger inside her, and as she felt the first burst from his manhood, her toes curled, her thighs squeezed him close. All she could do was scream out his name. He drove himself in as deep as she could as his body continued to fill her. Then he leaned in close to her and embraced her in a hug. She couldn’t move, not because she physically couldn’t, she just didn’t want the moment to end. When she did, she would have to go back to that life. “I’m glad I came,” Garrett said with a rogueish wink. “You idiot,” She whispered, “But thank you.” There was a heavy knock at her door, then the sound of a voice like gravel. “Mistress,” Said a Hobgoblin, “We heard screaming, are you okay?” Garrett leaped up, and started to stuff on his pants. She stood as well, but she couldn’t manage to adjust the top to her outfit, leaving her breast exposed as she went for the door. “It is me,” added Xunvala, “They said something was wrong.” Rauthara looked back into her room, and saw Garrett at the window, ready to leap out. He gave her a bow, and a smile, then leaped. She opened the door, and the two guards gasped at her in surprise. “Mistress,” They said in surprise. Xunvala didn’t bother looking shocked, “Are you safe?” “I’m just fine,” Rauthara said, “No thanks to you sniveling idiots. A thief made it into my room as I went to change.” Xunvala looked at her with suspicion, then looked over her shoulder. “They got past the glyphs and guards?” Xunvala asked, “Then you fought them off?” Rauthara could feel something, a tickle at her lower lips. It was Garrett’s seed, making a slow drip from her body. “Just barely,” Rauthara responded, “Make sure they have a new one applied, and let me get my sleep, or I’ll have you slaughtered and replaced.” “Can do,” Xunvala said before ushering off the hobgoblins. Rauthara closed the door and looked down at the floor between her legs. A tiny puddle of white was forming. She smiled at it.