Though it was not common to send mages with raiding parties to the surface, Relphrin had been fortunate enough to be allowed to accompany the fighters, along with one priestess. Of course, House Xorlarrin had plenty of mages, so it was no trouble to send one or two to the surface from time to time. That night's raid had gone particularly well, and as soon as the raiding party had entered Menzobarranzan's city limits once again, they began discussing how to divide up the spoils. Rel had his eye on a particular prize, a captured male surface elf. He was a pretty thing, to be sure, even though he was a surface elf. Rel felt that it was only his right that he receive the elf as a battle captive, since it was his magic that had caught the elf in the first place.

Dizzying clarity settled over Isolin. He felt completely ill with a pounding head and vertigo. Such things happened when you were ensnared by dark magic. His vision was finally returning to him and he looked about. Dark elves. That's what his eyes were met with. Oh no.. this will not end well.. it may not end at all.. he thought to himself, fearfully watching as they were all involved with one another. He didn't see Relphrin watching him and attempted to make his escape, biting at his ropes that bound his hands, frowning that they were much magically enforced. He felt them burn his skin and he hastened to keep quiet. He was almost whimpering in pain as he tried to worm his way away from the group, trying his best to keep quiet.

In only the vague light of the city, the dark elves clearly had the advantage over their surface elf captive, and Rel saw him trying to work his way to freedom. He smirked to himself and unsheathed a shining kukri - his favorite dagger - from its place at his hip, under his robes. Silently, he slipped up behind the captive and held the curved blade to his pale throat. In what little of the Elven tongue he knew, Rel whispered, "Going somewhere?" He was so close to the elf, a proximity he wasn't used to. He could smell the odd smells of the surface on him. He smelled like plants and trees and the sun, but also of the sweat and fear of battle and capture, and a little like soil and blood.

"Ah, uh.. no..." Isolin answered in defeat, frowning at the danger and fear he felt as the other was so very close to him. He swallowed thickly, feeling that sharp edge almost cut him. "Please, release me, I wont try to leave again." He said, knowing that dark elves were particularly ruthless. "Please..."

Rel's smirk widened to a devious smile. "Oh, I know you won't. But know that if you do try that again, you will be dead. Rare commodity or not, disobedience will be rewarded swiftly and fatally." He sheathed the dagger beneath his robes again, and tucked his hands inside his sleeves. For the remainder of the trip back to House Xorlarrin, Rel stayed next to the elf, watching him carefully. Now, he only had to think of a legitimate reason for this elf not to be sacrificed to Lolth, that cursed Spider Bitch.

Isolin felt absolutely dreadful. What was he going to do? What were the customs of these elves in particular. He knew they were a race far different from his own kind, his own were passionate caring things and these were monsterous, viscious creatures who would kill him without a care if they had a reason to.. or no reason at all. Obviously he was either a present or a sacrifice for something or another and he really hoped it wasn't the latter. He could escape if it was the first.

As soon as they entered the Xorlarrin compound, they turned down a corridor and headed toward an audience chamber, to meet with the Matron Mother of the house. She would decide who kept what out of the prizes the surface raiders had acquired. "If you want to survive, you will stay prostrated on the ground, and you will not speak. Do you understand me?" Rel whispered to the elf. The door to the audience chamber opened, and the small party strode in, and immediately all of them bowed to the Matron Mother, with the exception of the priestess that had been accompanying them. She stood at the forefront and spoke to her mother. "Matron Mother, we have been victorious this night on the surface. You see before you a surface elf, this foul creature of the light." She paused for dramatic effect. "What do you desire that we do with him, Matron Mother?" At this moment, Rel's head snapped up, and he spoke. "Matron Mother, if I may be allowed to make a suggestion?" She nodded slowly, her eyes narrowed. "I would ask that he be made my battle captive. He has useful magical knowledge, as well as knowledge of the location of a powerful magic item."

Fear gripped Isolin. Was this vile creature attempting to help him? He didn't look up, merely kept his eyes focused on the ground, wanting to look up at his capturer to understand his plan. He certainly had no knowledge of any magical item and very little did he actually understand about what was going on. He did lightly grasp the dark elf's ankle to hold to him in his fear, thinking it a strong thing at the moment.

Rel could have cursed aloud when he felt the elf grab his ankle, and resisted the urge to kick him. He didn't have any true desire to brutalize him...at least not in front of the Matron Mother. In any case, any visible slight would be enough of a reason to have the elf sacrificed, rather than made into his battle captive. After a few long, tense moments of deliberation, Relphrin finally had his answer. "Very well, Relphrin. I suppose I can allow you to keep this...thing...as your battle captive." Rel bowed graciously and sincerely. "Thank you, Matron Mother." For show, he grabbed the elf by his hair and snarled, "Get up." If he had not been in the presence of the Matron Mother, he would not have done such a thing necessarily. But he was agitated, and he wanted out the audience chamber as soon as possible. He dragged the elf with him, though not by his hair, out of the chamber and away to his private rooms.

Isolin had been afraid by the acute change in demeanor from the other and he followed out after the other. "Look, I understand I'm your captive, or whatever it is that you've titled me, but is rough treatment of me so very necessary!?" He asked outraged that his long black hair had been pulled. He wanted to be clean. So badly did he want to be cleaned of this filthy place with all of its darkness. He had to get out of there, but how?

Rel rounded on him, slapping his perfect, pale face, though the surface elf had a good two or so inches on him. His voice was harsh, but not loud, when he spoke. "Do not speak so foolishly. Have you any idea where you are? This is Menzobarranzan, Lolth's Chosen City. You, my captive, are a surface elf. You're quite lucky I captured you in the first place, rather than just letting the rough and mindless fighters slice you to ribbons. In time, you will learn your place. You are my slave now, and you answer to me." He paused for a moment and took a deep breath. "And don't be ridiculous. Treating you roughly was for show. I have no real malice for you, but the Matron Mother must think that I think nothing of you or your kind." After another pause, he furrowed his white brows and looked at the elf for a long moment. "What's your name, anyway?"

Isolin's hand rubbed the spot where he'd been slapped. "Isolin...Isolin Miroledi." He said softly, eyes defeated as he followed after the other. "What will be required of me? I thank you for taking the liberty of keeping me as safe as you have." He said, honest in his thanks for that much. "I will do as you ask of me."

The dark elf sighed and sat at a desk in his chambers, toying with a strand of his white hair. "Isolin, I see. I like the sound of it. Though it is not necessary that you know, my name is Relphrin. In public, address me as Master. It is simply a good idea, and will keep both of us out of trouble. In private, such as now, you do not have to address me as such." He made a gesture to indicate that Isolin could sit on the bed if he wished. "This is House Xorlarrin. Not very much will be required of you, to be perfectly honest. Though..." He eyed the pale elf openly in the dim light of his room. "Perhaps I might find a use for you physically. Other than that, only the appearance that you are a subservient wretch is required. For the females. They do so enjoy subjugation." He tapped his fingers on the surface of his desk for a moment, then leafed through the pages of a spell book that was lying near him. "Is there anything that you need? Within reasonable means, of course."

"Well, explain to me what you mean by physically?" Isolin asked timidly, afraid to ask anything of this man. "And a bath would be much appreciated if I could have one, please. I am smelling of the battlefield and wish to be clean." He begged the other, wondering if he would say yes or if he would be harsh with him. He hoped not the latter and sat carefully on the bed, not wanting to get comfortable, afraid that he might not be allowed such things as comfort.

Rel sighed and could have rolled his eyes, but he resisted the urge. "I mean physically. Pleasurably. Sexually." He steepled his fingers in front of his face, raised an eyebrow, and smirked. Though it was not well known throughout House Xorlarrin, or anywhere else for that matter, Rel was not interested in the female gender in the least. It may have been known among his peers when he attended the Sorcere, but it never got out of hand. "As for that bath, I am sure I could get you one. Even though you're my captive, there's no reason for you to be filthy. Follow me." He rose from his desk, and this time beckoned Isolin to follow him, rather than grabbing him by his hair.

Isolin followed, lured by the thought of having a bath. "Thank you." He said quietly, not liking the dark halls he was lead down. He stayed close to the other as he could, nearly grabbing his hand in effort to stay his fear, for this kind-ish elf was the only creature making him not absolutely quake with fear. The prospect of being used by his capturer for sexual pleasure didn't bother him so much either. He knew much about sex, light elves were well versed in the subject. But what he didn't know was whether he could act on that skill when forced.

Halfway down the hall, Rel covered his own eyes in frustration. "I don't have anything for you to wear when you finish your bath, Isolin. You'll have to wear my cloak on the way back to my chamber." He was happy that they encountered no one in the halls leading to the bath, and hoped it would remain that way on the trip back as well. Shortly, they reached a set of heavy double doors with symbols carved on them that indicated this was the house bath. Of course, the Matron Mother had her own private bath off of her chambers, but everyone else had to use the large - though sometimes not large enough - house bath. As he pushed the doors inward, Rel sighed in relief that it was empty. He also noted that it was very hot and quite steamy. "I do hope you don't mind prying eyes. I'm afraid I can't let you stay here by yourself. Not only would it be dangerous for you, I can't allow you the opportunity to escape. Though...I highly doubt you would get very far naked and unarmed." The dark elf smirked darkly.

"More than likely not." Isolin said, sighing and giving into the other's demands with a shrug. He stripped and couldn't wait to get into the water which he did. "There are so many differences between here and my own lands." He said, remembering that if an elf wanted their bath alone they could have it. However, he could tell by the largeness of this bath that it was housed for many. He frowned at that idea, what a strange race this other breed of elf was. He sighed content though as the warm water grabbed him and he began to wash himself vigorously with just water at first. "Where are soaps I could use?"

Rel sat himself against the wall, his legs crossed in front of him, and rested his chin in his palm. "Oh, so you notice differences, do you? I think you'll also find the sun never rises here. Our measure of time is Narbondel. It is a pillar of heat and light, lighted every cycle by the Archmage." He waved his hand to cut off his own rambling story, and finally answered Isolin's question. "You shouldn't need any soaps or shampoos. The water is enchanted, of course. You'll find that it gives off a faint smell like perfume. It's best not to stay in here too long. Sometimes the steam and the thick air...can have an effect on people." He smirked again, rather enigmatically this time.

"An effect?" Isolin asked, more than curious what the other spoke of. He let the water sheen off of him, noting it did smell rather nice and then he let his hair be wettened by it, feeling so very clean suddenly, enjoying it. "I don't see what effect it might have, it's only water...isn't it?" He paused as he felt very warm, more warm than the water around him that's not right, if anything I should be cold, he thought to himself. He frowned as he realized quite suddenly he wasn't all that flaccid in the bath. He was rather... hard. "Your people.. often take baths like this?" He asked, curiously, trying not to lose his head, he seemed to be resisting enough and wasn't completely embarrassed just yet.. he was hard, but he was sure that the other male had been so before in his life. He frowned as his thoughts seemed to get hazier by the second and his breathing seemed to increase a bit. He bit his lower lip. "Perhaps a towel is needed, may I have one?" He asked, shielding his length as well as he could while sitting on the edge of the bath, only his feet in the water.

The dark elf couldn't help but let a knowing chuckle escape him as he stood from his place on the floor, and disappeared into the steam that obscured approximately half of the room. He allowed himself another chuckle, which echoed through the stone chamber. "Yes, yes, we often take baths like this, which is why it doesn't have as much of an effect on us...as it seems to have on you..." He reached the opposite end of the room and found a towel for Isolin, then grabbed a second one as an afterthought. A bath wouldn't be so bad, really. Before leaving the privacy of the obscuring mist, he stripped off his cloak and his tunic, and kicked off his boots. His bare feet made no sounds against the stone as he padded back to the other end of the bath. He dropped the towel next to Isolin, and grinned. "I thought I might have a bath myself. Would you mind terribly?" He quickly slid out of his leather breeches and laid them with his other articles of clothing, his towel to the side. He shivered slightly at the temperature change, standing next to Isolin and looking down at his sitting form. "You're not doing a very good job of covering that." He smirked once more and entered the bath, sighing contentedly at the heat of the water.

"Well I uhh.. it's hard when it's well.. hard.." He said, blushing at the other, he hastily pulled his feet up from the warm liquid and watched the other, wondering if it was the water or the mist that intoxicated him. "I'm sure that soon you won't be able to deal with it either you know.. tolerant or no..." He said with mirth in his eyes, he did very much admire the way the other looked and almost thought about getting back into the water with him and serve him as a rightful little servant that he was. "Well, I think it's time to um get out."

"What, so soon?" Relphrin leaned over the side of the bath, his arms on the cold stone. "I'm sure you don't really want to get out. I think you really want to get back in..." The dark elf's red eyes stayed trained on Isolin, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. Truthfully, though his tolerance for the enchanted water was much higher than the poor surface elf's, he too was growing hard. He was simply better at hiding his arousal - his voice did not shake, he wasn't blushing, and he was covered by the water and steam from his chest down. "Please? Don't make me force you as my captive..." His tone was teasing, but he would make him if he had to.

Isolin most certainly didn't want to be forced into this coupling. He was also far gone enough to want the pleasure the other was offering him. He shivered and found himself moving closer to the water's edge. He frowned and found he didn't know exactly how to initiate with his new owner. He decided he could at least start by lowering himself in the water and he nervously placed his hands on the other's chest, liking the feel of him, that feeling was strong and firm against the palms of his hands.

Rel laughed, more than just the chuckles he had let escape earlier. This was a real laugh, and its tone was that of satisfaction. "See? I knew you wanted to come back in. Either that or I scared you." He grinned, and suddenly his thin, black fingers wrapped around Isolin's wrists and held his hands away from his chest. "But this is not how we do things. I'll show you." He turned Isolin away from him, easily enough in the water, and forced him against the side of the bath. His hands left the elf's wrists and found the front of his body, embracing him tightly. His fingers began to dance along his pale skin, caressing and teasing him. Rel found Isolin's nipples and teased them generously, feeling them harden under his fingertips. "You see, it's more suspenseful, more exciting this way, when you can't see me..." he whispered over the elf's shoulder, letting his hands trail downward to Isolin's hips and lower, stroking his length only once. He ground his own hardness against him and growled, letting his teeth graze the elf's shoulder.

Isolin had a very sarcastic remark. "Oh, so I can make this good by fantasizing about people who aren't you?" He didn't know where the sudden cheekiness came from and he blushed as he realized it probably wouldn't help his situation much. He gripped the slippery edge of the tub and moaned a little at the other's hardened length pressed against his backside and at the feeling of that silky hand gliding down his flesh.

Rel's actions immediately stopped and he moved away from Isolin suddenly, moving silently even in water. He climbed out of the bath and stood directly in front of the elf, glaring down his nose at him, and somehow managing a look of haughty indignity even while he was naked. He put his foot under Isolin's chin and forced him to look upward at him. "Get out of the bath. Now." He commanded solidly, a steel edge to his voice. He wasn't actually angry, but it was just as well that his captive believed him to be so. What he had in mind would surely stop any further outbursts of insolence from his elf. "I'm going to make damn sure that you never think of anyone but me. Now get out, dry off, and follow me." He tossed his cloak to the side so that Isolin could cover himself with it, since he hadn't had the foresight to find him any clothes. He quickly dried himself and slid back into his clothes, satisfied that his erection was not so visible when he was dressed.

Isolin frowned and followed after his owner. He felt he knew better than to say anything. He felt dreadful having said what he had, but in the same respects he felt the other deserved it to some aspect considering he was tormenting him nonstop. He wanted to reach out, to touch him and to hug him and to kiss him. And then he snorted. Kiss? Hahaha. What a silly thought. Why would he be sweet to his evil man? He sighed and followed after to his doom.

The dark elf did not bother to keep a pace so that Isolin could keep up. He walked briskly down the halls, twisting and turning this direction and that, until finally they reached his room once again. He grabbed the elf's wrist, dragged him inside the room, and kicked the door shut with one booted foot. Roughly, he removed the cloak from about Isolin's shoulders and pushed his back against the door. "Are you scared? Do you think I'm going to hurt you?" He asked in a dark whisper, smirking devilishly. He had both of Isolin's wrists in his hands now, and they were pressed uselessly against the door as well. He slid his leg between the elf's, forcing them apart, and rubbing his hip against Isolin's most sensitive parts. Before allowing the elf to answer, he captured his soft, pink lips in a searing kiss, nearly knocking his head back against the door as he did so. He didn't so much care that he was being rough, that was his intent after all, but he didn't really intend to do anything worse than that. Of course, he was going to make good on his promise, but not in a painful way.

Isolin blushed darkly and his answer was a mere whimper of what it should have been. He shivered and arched into the other's touch, wanting to get away and yet wanting to move so very close to him. He still couldn't manage words as the other rough-housed him, only slight whimpers and a little bit of struggle. He pushed against him but at the same time pulled him closer, he honestly didn't know what he wanted from him or what he wanted to do with him.

"Answer me, Isolin." Rel broke the kiss and bit and licked at the elf's neck and collar bone. "Are you scared? Or is it just that you're terribly aroused...and if you answer me, your voice will give you away?" He let go of Isolin's wrists, and let his hands explore the elf's exposed skin. They slid down his sides and caressed his thighs, then unexpectedly scratched him with one of his hands. His hands continued to roam and tease, dancing around anywhere Isolin might have actually wanted him to touch. "Do you want to participate? Shall I let you away from the wall?"

"It's both reasons.. I can not speak. Aye, yes, let me participate?" Isolin was furious with himself. He was reduced to a begging, writhing mass under the other's swift and calculated movements. He shivered and moaned and clung desperately to the wall and yet he pressed back against the other at the same time, somehow. He wondered how he'd managed that, but couldn't seem to think of the answer as his senses were very much overtaken with lust.

With a laugh, Rel released Isolin and stepped back from him for a moment. He stripped off all of his remaining clothes, then stood with his hands on his hips. "I'll allow you to participate, if you wish. But if you dare speak anyone's name but mine, I'll immobilize you, and you'll be helpless against anything that I do." He smirked. "However, if you perform admirably, you'll be free to participate whenever you wish." It wasn't a real ultimatum. He was really giving him the choices of volunteering to be a slave, or being taken forcibly as one.

Isolin frowned as he couldn't think of anyone else's name anyhow in his lust and fear. He decided to relieve this situation, to get it over with quickly. He leant and kissed the other then, passionately locking their lips together. He pulled him tight against his chest and grabbed his buttocks. "Please, Relphrin."

His captive's forwardness surprised Rel, but he didn't reprimand his slave. Instead, he broke their kiss and grabbed Isolin's wrist once more. This time, though, it was to lead him to his bed. "If you want, later you can blame this on the enchanted water, unless of course you really do want this." He grinned and climbed onto the edge of his bed, which was surprisingly plush and soft for the stony surroundings.

Isolin decided that the water was the perfect thing to blame this one. He followed after him and straddled his lap as Rel sat on the edge of his bed and began to kiss his neck, wishing and wanting for this whole experience to end, hoping it would get the other to leave him alone sexually for he had fear these sort of meetings between them would happen often. He was afraid to speak, and kept his mouth shut but opened only against the other's skin.

In a small and uncommonly acknowledged portion of Rel's mind, he wondered if maybe he shouldn't force Isolin to do this. He could still stop, if he wanted to, but mercy and compassion and guilt were things that went completely against his nature as a dark elf. He slowly ground his hips upward against Isolin, his hands on the elf's slim hips. Though he was sure Isolin didn't actually want this, he was doing a fairly convincing job of making it seem like he did. He supposed he could at least do him the courtesy of finishing this quickly. "Lay down," he ordered simply.

Isolin followed his orders as he was told to, true and obediently, looking up curiously at the other. He still couldn't seem to find his voice and his length curiously strained in anticipation. He'd never been this way with one of their kind before, a dark elf. He'd never thought about the race more than a hindrance to natural progress but he was beginning to see they were sensual creatures in their own right. Rel was anyhow, perhaps being a slave wasn't so bad.

Rel leaned over the elf, his common mischievous smirk curiously missing from his expression at the moment. Isolin was a beautiful creature, and he had the perfect opportunity to look fully upon him. "Isolin...did you know, even in this dark place, you're still so beautiful..." A small and almost sad smile appeared on his face this time, and he added, "You were more beautiful in the moonlight of the surface, though..." Abruptly, his expression seemed to change, and his hand traveled from Isolin's chest to his stomach, and then to his hardened length. His slim, dexterous fingers wrapped around it, and he began to stroke him.

At this comment, Isolin found the courage to speak and said a simply "Thank you..." He whispered the comment, his voice moaning after the whisper wore away, the warm hand on his length turning him melted for the other. "You're very beautiful too...I'd like to see you on the surface.." He mumbled, returning the compliment truthfully. He bet the other looked graceful in the golden glow of the evening sun. He pulled him down for a kiss, wondering just what was becoming of them.

Again breaking their kiss, Rel frowned and spoke once more. "I don't normally ask, but I feel that you deserve to be asked permission. Isolin, may I have you?" He continued to stroke him as he spoke, tightening his grip gradually. His mind was on many things at once, as it usually was, but never had he been so confused as he was at that very moment. He wasn't sure what it was about Isolin that was altering his behavior so completely. Perhaps this was truly why the dark elves disliked the surface elves so much.

Isolin nodded and kissed him again. "Yes, you may, Rel." He said softly, the tightened grip on his length intoxicating. He tentatively reached down and touched the other, just as he was being touched. Wrapping his fingers around his length and stroking slowly, tight in his grip as his hand moved up and down him. He looked into those crimson eyes and blushed a little. "Please.." He said as an afterthought, finding he really did want the other to have him, and almost desperately as the seconds passed.

Rel suppressed a gasp and gently grasped Isolin's wrist to stop his touching. It wasn't that he didn't want him to do so, but he very much wanted to take his pale elf. He stopped stroking Isolin as well, and lifted his captive's hips. "Relax, or I'll hurt you," he warned, and began to push inside him, dry and without preparation. He knew doing it that way was going to hurt anyway, but he thought it better to warn him at least. "...tell me if you want me to stop."

Isolin hissed with pain, aching with the dry push of this other elf. He almost whimpered at the new feeling but he stilled his voice to merely moan, unwavering in the notes it exuded. He pulled the other for another kiss, wanting to take his mind off of the pain. "Rel.." He said quietly, finding that the pain was very very slowly going away. He said the name in devotion and understanding that there would be tenderness and pleasure after the pain finally would ebb and he said it to give the other the satisfaction of knowing his thoughts focused only on him.

Despite the ebon hue of his skin, Rel flushed with exhilaration, and pleasure that Isolin had actually said his name. It seemed to take an eternity to push all the way into his pale captive, and once he was sheathed completely, he had to pause and hold his breath so he wouldn't lose it. A shiver traveled the full length of his body, and he closed his eyes for a moment. When he opened them again, he looked at Isolin. He wanted to make sure he hadn't hurt him, but he couldn't bring himself to say the words. Instead, he bit his lip and closed his eyes once more as he slid out, and then thrust back in.

Isolin held tight to the other, trying his best to relax and accept him inside. He found it was soon easier than he had ever expected. He began to groan and moan as he slowly began to meet the thrusts the other made. He tightened a little by accident and yet kept tight as he found it made him feel his lover even more. He didn't feel like a slave, he felt as though they'd known each other for such a long time.

Rel's breath caught in his chest and he groaned as he felt the other tighten around him. It was almost painful, but he enjoyed even that. It was delicious friction and heat, and surprisingly slick. It quickly became easy to slide in and out of the elf, and he set a steady rhythm. The dim light of his room complimented Isolin's pale body exceptionally, he was breathtaking, and Rel began to lose himself in the pleasure of sensation and the image before him.

"Rel.." Isolin found himself saying the other's name in an exceptional way. He loved the way it felt on his lips and tongue and loved the way it was easy for him to say. He'd never experienced this before. He was no virgin, he was rather known to acts of sexual quality, but this was something he'd never known. This was raw passion, maybe even anxious longing somewhere embedded, this was something that made him completely surrender. He was not in control in the least bit and that excited him to no end. He began to meet the other's thrusts faster, tighter, harder, began to actively stroke himself as their bodies melded together and the moans he let out as consequence were lustful and enjoying things.

Somehow, there was a change in Isolin that Rel had noticed. Where he had seemed to be acting in the beginning, he was most definitely being genuine now. It was the most beautiful display of lust and passion, and he had no idea surface elves were capable of such things. He knew as much about his pale elf as Isolin knew about him. "By the Lord of Shadows, you're beautiful, Isolin..." He fairly moaned the sentence, and struggled to keep his voice low at the same time, since he had made reference to his deity. Isolin was making it so difficult for him to hold on. He thought perhaps he was tightening on purpose. His pace increased as well, and his voice was gaining in volume.

"Oh Rel.. you're beautiful too.." Isolin said reverently, kissing the other, pulling him hard down against him to kiss him deeply, passionately, impatiently. He felt so unable to hang on. He knew that he at least wouldn't last very much longer. He moaned loud in their kiss, moving faster with the other, his breathing increased more as he found it was absolutely true, he was very close to ending. "Oh Rel.. may I?" He asked, wanting the other's permission to give in.

"Please do." Rel managed a smirk even through the haze of his lust. He was quite close as well, and he was only waiting for Isolin's completion to spur his own. Though he had been mostly consumed in their love-making, he had decided on something that he wanted to discuss with Isolin when they were finished. It was of great importance, but not greater than this current moment.

Isolin was so happy to hear the other's giving in of his request and he only met with him once, and then another time before he finished. "Rel!" He shouted hotly, spilling along his hand that he stroked himself with and his chest. He hoped his clenching around Rel sent him over also, finding his release to be blinding and absolutely beautiful.

It was impossible to withstand, and Rel gave in to climax. More light and colors exploded behind his closed eyes than he had ever seen in his life, and it was probably good they were projected by his own mind or they would have blinded him. It was wonderful ecstasy, and he whispered Isolin's name as well. For a few moments, he simply laid on top of the paler elf, but then he slid out of him and laid next to him. "Isolin, I want to speak to you about something..."

Isolin cuddled in close to his captor. "What did you want to speak about, Rel?" He asked, the smooth skin delighting him as he rest his head on his shoulder, enjoying that he wasn't being treated like a slave right now, he was definitely a captive, but he was being treated as a loved one, not a slave.

"There are things - secrets - that I want to tell you, but I fear the consequences in telling you. There are secrets about me that would certainly earn me instant death, were the wrong people to find out about them. But that is only one of the things I wanted to tell you. I wanted to ask you a question, also. Isolin, do you want to return to the surface?" Rel already knew the answer to that question, but he felt it was necessary to ask.

"Of course I do, Rel, this isn't a place for me. I mean.. with you here I'm safe, but may your gods forbid you leave, I'd too be dead." He frowned. "What do you plague your mind with, my Rel?" He found that being this kind of intimate with the other was a delightful thing and he enjoyed actually caring about another. He didn't want to loose this lovely thing they now shared.

Rel smiled wryly. "Oh, my god would never forbid my leaving. He encourages it, in fact. But others...would oppose my leaving. It could be done, of course, but it would have to be done very carefully. Magic makes it easier, though..." He shook his head as he realized he was probably rambling a bit. "My point is that you want to return to the surface, and I could take you there. I would never be able to return here, though." He frowned. He had little love for Menzobarranzan or it's horrid Spider Queen, but it was still his home. "So, Isolin, would you like to go home?"

"Of course. I would love to go home, Rel, perhaps .. would it be possible to fake our deaths?" He asked, wondering how they would be able to get out of this nasty city and back to the surface. He figured at the least they could go on a raid and be 'killed' on the surface. That would get them out, they'd have to wait until everyone else left for a day or two, 'dead' on the ground or something, but he didn't see why they couldn't pull it off.

The dark elf was unable to contain his grin. "While I like the way you think, it does not even need to be that complicated. I have magic that can simply open a gate to the surface from here. It's quite easy. We would be far gone before anyone even noticed that we had left." Excited, Rel jumped out of bed and began throwing items around his room. "You still need clothes. Here." He threw a series of black and white objects at Isolin where he lay on the bed. A pair of leather breeches like his own, and a white tunic embroidered with black, and a few other items including a weapon belt and boots. "I hope these things actually fit you." He threw on his own clothes quickly. "What would you say to leaving before the heat rises in Narbondel? That would be before the night is over."

Isolin smiled and dressed quickly. "I would agree to it." He said, hoping that they weren't drastically rushing into something that would get them killed. He knew they'd probably be searched for. "Rel, would we not be hunted down?" He asked, worried about maybe having to run for the rest of their lives. He dressed himself and the clothing was only slightly large, but it fit him nicely all the same. "Thank you for the clothing."

"You're welcome. We can't very well escape to the surface with you naked." Rel sighed and sat on the edge of the bed. "Yes, we will probably be searched for, at least for a while, but they will not waste their precious time on a male of no real value. You see, if I was female, they would hunt for me endlessly. As a male, they will probably assume I am dead after a few weeks, or even days, and they will cease their hunting. They most likely will not even give you a second thought." He smiled at Isolin as if to say that it was a good thing, and then stood and began gathering things up. "I'll give you weapons for this journey. Though no sane master would give their battle captive weapons, I am going to give them to you. Remember this moment, you have the trust of a dark elf."

"And you have my trust, Rel." Isolin said as he watched the other, finding himself blushing a little. How strange his life had suddenly become. One second hes messanger between kingdom and a soldier and the next he's kidnapped by a dark elf, only to be returned and lover to the same that kidnapped him. He smiled and decided he wouldn't think about it too much, it was nice really, this adventure. He embraced the other from behind. "Thank you, Rel." He said, kissing his clothed back. "However, not to dissapoint, but in my world of light, our baths are not aphrodisiacs.." He whispered as a joke as if to ask if he was sure about their quest.

Rel chuckled and answered, "That is fine with me. Those magical baths sometimes lead to not-so-magical encounters, and I think I would be better off without them." He gently removed himself from Isolin's embrace and retrieved his cloak from by the door. He fastened it at his throat, and checked the pockets for all of the spell components he had stored there. Everything was in its proper place. On his desk was his spell book, which he slid into a leather carrying case and fastened to his belt, as well as a short sword and his favorite kukri. To Isolin, he gave a dagger and another short sword. "These are for you. You will need them. Are you ready to leave?"

"I am ready." Isolin said, wondering briefly why he would be needing the weapons he was given. He frowned but put them in his belt properly and waited patiently for the other to be ready for them to go. He wondered what city the other wanted to travel to. He knew of only one or two dark-elf tolerant cities and he didn't know if that meant they would be searched for more there.

"Stay where you are." Rel opened a slim, leather-bound book, and laid it on his desk. He read the spell on the page as he made the motions to cast it. In a few moments' time, a shimmering gate appeared right in his room, and he nodded to Isolin. "Take my hand, if you wish. That gate will close behind us, and we will appear on the surface once we step through." He smiled and held out his hand to the elf.

Isolin did this bravely, excited that this was actually really happening. He grasped the other's hand tightly, looking at the silvery gate like place and wondering what it would be like to be back in his own world, he assumed it would be more than nice to him, and was sure that their life together would be much more interesting and involving from then on.

Rel held Isolin's hand tightly, and slipped the thin leather book into a pocket of his cloak, then nodded once to himself. He stepped through the gate, hoping greatly that he had not miscalculated the hour of the day. If it was not still dark when they reached the surface, the sun would blind him to incapacitation, and they would be unable to complete their escape. It was even highly possible that his eyes would be permanently damaged by the surface world's awful burning sun. As he felt his body shift and change, as it always did with gate travel, he still held Isolin's hand, and quickly shut his eyes as he knew the other side was coming soon.

Isolin clung to the other as they were swept through this disturbing feeling of gate traveling. He was more than glad when they finally reached the other side even if it was much night time when they did. He glanced around wildly. "Rel.. may we never gate travel again.. I feel ill.." And ill he was as he vomited over in a near by bush. "Never ever again.." He said, resting a hand on his uneasy stomach.

Rel stumbled a bit, but was otherwise fine. He had traveled by gate many times, and the feeling of nausea had only happened to him the first time. He didn't remember vomiting, either, but didn't hold it against Isolin. He breathed a heavy sigh of relief as he realized it was still nighttime on the surface. The silvery light of the moon was enough to make him squint, though, as his underground home was much darker than even the moonless night on the surface. Tentatively, he glanced at their surroundings. "Isolin, I have a confession to make...I have no idea where this gate has taken us..."

Isolin looked at the other with a frown. "Oh..." He looked about their surroundings and realized he really didn't know where they were either. He looked in all directions trying to see some sign of definition that explained where exactly they were. "Did you by chance maybe leave your spell book? Because I was thinking maybe it had some pointing spell for the right direction.. I haven't a clue where we are... none of this looks even remotely familiar."

Rel cursed under his breath. "No, I have my spell book, but it will take me a while to find the spell for pointing us in the right direction. And I probably should have told you that I'm rather limited to nighttime travel. The sun will blind me once it rises..." He rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Have you ever used any magic, Isolin?" It would be extremely helpful if he had. Rel was considering blindfolding himself for the daylight hours and letting Isolin lead him around, but that wouldn't work unless it was possible for the elf to cast the spell in his stead.

Isolin frowned. "I know a few simple things here and there." He said, wanting to be close to the other in their strange surroundings. He timidly took the other's hand. "Well.. there are mountains over there, maybe there will be a cave that we may sleep in for the night.. one not connected to your world. And then tomorrow we can start anew in our traveling?" He asked, really wanting to be out of the open, he feared an attack of some kind.

Taking Isolin's hand, Rel nodded. "I think that's probably for the best. Hopefully, those mountains aren't too treacherous, but it is highly likely that we'll find many entrances to the Underdark. We'll have to be careful." If the mountains proved too difficult to climb, he knew he had a few spells that could help them to levitate or even outright fly. "Let's go, Isolin. We should try to be far away from this place before daylight. I wish I wasn't blind during that time. That would be the most effective time for travel..."

"I know, Rel." He said, remembering hearing about the issue of dark elves being able to see during the day. He sighed as he thought this was all rather romantic, running away together, going on an adventure together, nothing more pleased him at the moment. "Rel.. there's a cave not too far away.. maybe a mile... but we'll have to go through those woods.. they look troublesome." He subconsciously moved closer to Rel. "Oh Rel.. I do hope we get wherever we're going.."

Rel smiled a bit. "Listen to yourself, an elf fretting about trees." He chuckled to show he was joking. "Don't worry, I armed you, remember? We also have my magic. Hopefully we don't encounter anything that can't be taken care of by those means." He nodded once. "Right, so let's go to that cave, woods or no." He started walking in the direction of the distant mountains, Isolin's hand still in his. As they walked, he decided to tell his companion what he had wanted to tell him when they were still in Menzobarranzan. "Isolin, do you know of the Masked Lord, Vhaeraun?"

"No, I can't say that I do. What of him?" He asked curiously, wondering what the other spoke of. He looked about the woods as they entered slowly and decided that they weren't terribly bad. The other's chastising remark about the woods made him smile though. He had forgotten all about the light weapons on his side and realized he wasn't that afraid. He relaxed his stance but continued staying close to his Rel.

Rel's smile widened and he chuckled at the way Isolin spoke of Vhaeraun. If he didn't have such feelings for this elf, he might have threatened him for it. "The Masked Lord is my god, Isolin. He wishes for dark elves like me to return to the surface. We did dwell here once, and we looked just like you, not with this dark skin and white hair. We were pale surface elves once, though most dark elves do not believe that is true." He sighed.

Isolin was saddened by his loves words and held him close for a moment. "I think you're absolutely stunning either way. I wish your brand of our realm wasn't so violent, we could all get along nicely. Your god sounds like he has his lines in check though, I wish we could all live in harmony up here as well. It's so dark and dangerous in your world.. here you at least have a fighting chance as well as individuality.

Rel grimaced and sighed. "Well, there are things that I left out, but that is essentially what I would like as well. Seeing as I'm not a priest of the Masked Lord, I don't think I'll be entertaining his presence, though an honor that would be. I don't think he would truly be pleased that I spend my time with you, though." He frowned. "You see, we dark elves are taught from our first thoughts to believe that we are superior to all other races, even surface elves, who we share so many similarities with." He looked at Isolin and smiled. "I appreciate your observation about the surface, but really, I am at a serious disadvantage up here. My race has been bred for the darkness for centuries, perhaps millenia. I may need your protection more often than not, unless we can get to the forest of Cormanthor."

"Why would we need to go there? Wouldn't more of your kind be there?" He asked, wondering about this wood's significance to his lover. "I mean sure, some woods are dark, but if they're dark then dark thinks lurk in them. I don't want to have to fight every night of my life just to get an ounce of sleep." He said, worrying over the other and himself. He didn't like how fragile his lover was, but he knew it was only where they were. He was just as fragile in the Underdark if the tables were turned.

"Well, yes. Cormanthor is the dwelling place of House Jaelre, a dark elf house that long ago left the Underdark and came to the surface to do the bidding of Vhaeraun. If we go there, we will not be mistreated." Rel paused a moment or two. "...well, I won't be mistreated, but you may have to be my captive for a while longer, until I can convince them to receive you. But it would be much easier than living in the Chosen City of the Spider Bitch." He smiled at Isolin. "Do you think I could ever convince you to be a Vhaeraunite? They would most definitely accept you if you were, no matter what sort of elf you are."

"I don't know, Rel." Isolin thought about the others words. "It may be possible, but I don't know that... well.. we'll see. What does your god believe in hmn?" He asked, curious. He didn't bother explaining to the other he didn't mind playing captive for he was fairly certain the other was aware of that. He would have run away a long time ago if that were the case, he even thought he was still captive and the thought made him smile. "Am I not still your captive?"

Rel smiled. "Of course not. Since we came to the surface, you've really had every moment to get away from me. There is no spell or anything binding you to me, and I'm much weaker here. I could only stop you from leaving as long as it was not daylight, but I am thankful that you haven't left yet." It was his own way of asking Isolin to stay without actually saying the words. "So...you want to know about the Masked Lord? It is his mission to rid this world of those who worship Lolth, and to end the matriarchal society of the dark elves. While he believes that the dark elves are superior to all other races, he still encourages relations between the races, and he wants to reclaim the surface so that the drow may take take their rightful place among their brethren." Rel heaved a sigh. "That is the long and short of it. A priest may be better at explaining it than I. But what do you think?"

"It's all right, but I don't think anyone is superior than the other." Isolin replied with a frown at that thought. "I like the rest of it though." He said, thinking that perhaps a powercrazed drow might have made up the superiority part of the religion. "I'm getting tired, Rel." He said, yawning as they walked. I've not slept since you raided my home last outing." He said, also holding his stomach as it growled. "And I'm hungry.."

Rel frowned and looked down toward his own stomach, realizing he was hungry as well. In his haste to leave, he hadn't thought to grab anything for food, so they would have to rely on the wild landscape to provide something. "Hmm...we don't have any food with us, and not much as far as hunting equipment. Do you think there is anything around here that we could eat?" There were lots of bushes and trees, and several of the bushes had small berries growing on them, but he wasn't sure if any of them were fit to eat. As far as sleep was concerned, the cave that Isolin mentioned should have been nearer by now, since they had been walking a while.

Isolin thought a moment as he looked at the berried and nodded. "They wont help much, but they'll take off the edge until we can get to the cave." He said, finding a large leaf on the ground which he used to begin collecting berries as they walked. "They're really good actually, we make our wine out of these, they're so much sweeter before they're turned into it though. I wish they stayed that way." He said, nibbling one to prove his point. He looked up in the trees and grinned. "And those!" He shouted pointing to large ripe looking red fruit. "Those will keep us fed for a good day or two." He said, immediately climbing up the tree, which as an elf, he was more than adapt at and soon had about seven of the fruits in his arms as he jumped down. "Try one, I dare you, you'll love them."

Rel eyed the fruit warily for a moment, then took one in his hands to study it. It was a pretty color, and it smelled sweet. Most of the food in the Underdark consisted of fungus and mushrooms, and the meat and cheese of giant rothe. Fruit was a rarity, and didn't often survive the trip to the Underdark in the first place to be sold. Timidly, he took a small bite, looking at Isolin as he did. His eyes widened in surprise as the taste hit his tongue. "Isolin, this is really good!" He took another bite and then another before he realized how odd a face he was making, a very childish and comical face, and felt silly.

Isolin smiled. "It's all right, you can look as strange as you want. Eat, eat, they will keep us well fed for a while." He said, kissing the other on the cheek and putting them in a sack on Rel's back. "They don't crush easy, so they should be fine in there. Come, let's continue now as we eat." He ate his own fruit and groaned with delight as he ate it. "You know, these only grow near the silver city...whatever it's translated as. It's an elvish city but it's got a human word on it, even they haven't named themselves." He said, frowning. "They're not very friendly though I've heard to both my brand and yours." He shivered at the thought of the silvery skinned creatures and looked about in fear of being stalked. "Let's get to that cave."

Eating more slowly now, Rel looked around nervously for a moment, unfamiliar with the creatures that Isolin spoke of, and wanted the shelter of the cave equally. "I suppose that means you have an idea of where we are now, right?" Rel sounded hopeful, but his voice wavered a little as he whispered, now fearful that his voice might carry and give them away. Finally, through the darkness and the trees, he could see rock and dirt rising sheer for who knew how far, and he suspected that was where the cave might be. "I think we're getting closer to the cave..."

"Yes, I do." Isolin said, "Maybe." He added as an afterthought, there might have been other regions where the red fruit grew. He peered up and nodded the other's statement in confirmation. "Yes, the cave's not too much farther at all." He pointed up on the side of the mountain. "But, how will we get up there?"

Rel's eyes followed up the side of the mountain, and he could have laughed. "That's fairly simple." He pointed to the brooch holding the front of his cloak together. "This is my house brooch, which I will eventually have to abandon in the event that it may become a useful tracking device for House Xorlarrin, but for now it will serve perfectly well to get us up there." The brooch allowed him to levitate without actually using any of his spells, and he thought it should support himself and Isolin. He moved to face Isolin directly, and instructed him to put his arms securely around his waist. "I would hold you myself, but I have to touch the brooch to activate it."

Isolin nodded and wrapped his arms tight about his waist. "Just be careful." He said, closing his eyes as he was tired and this was the perfect time to rest his head on his love's chest. He sighed content, and was glad he wasn't afraid of heights or he wouldn't have been able to enjoy the other in this manner. He couldn't wait to get in the cave and bed down for the night, he just hoped the said cave didn't reach into the under-dwelling of drow inhabitants.

The dark elf tapped the brooch lightly with one slender finger, and soon they were rising into the air. It moved a little more slowly with the extra weight, but it held both of them, thankfully. Rel also noted happily that so far his magic hadn't gone horribly awry, as many drow had reported on their excursions to the surface. Perhaps it was only during the day...? He returned his concentration to directing the magic of the brooch. By force of his will, they stopped levitating and alighted at the very mouth of the cave. "Finally, we're here."

Isolin looked nervously about. "It looks safe enough.. it's so dark.." He said with a frown. He looked about the floor as far as he could. "It is okay to enter all of the way?"He asked Rel, really wanting to lay down on the floor, not caring if it was annoying stone or not. "We should have collected leaves to lay on.. it's not going to be very nice for sleeping."

Rel frowned as he looked down the length of the cave. He could see very well and very far, despite the darkness of the cave, and he was suspicious of its apparent depth. He turned back to Isolin and gave him a small smile. "I would suggest making my cloak into a pillow, but there are so many spell components I'm afraid to break." He looked down the length of the cave again. "You stay here and try to rest, even if you can't sleep. I'm going to make sure this cave doesn't lead anywhere..."

"Rel.. please be careful. Come back safe." He said, knowing he wouldn't do any good to his lover in the dark. He slid down the wall and sat with his knees hugged to his chest, wanting his Rel with him at his side. "For me? I wouldn't like it if you got hurt or lost." He said, looking up at him, missing him already. It wasn't as though the other was going far away, but he worried that they might be hurt.

Rel turned to look at Isolin from where he was already slowly melting into the darkness, and gave him a wink that he was sure the elf could see. After all, his red eyes were glowing faintly as they went to their purpose of helping him see in the total darkness. What he was really seeing was contours and heat signatures. He turned back to the extending cave, seeing no immediate end to the tunnel of rock, and sighing silently to himself. Instinctively, he pulled his kukri from its sheath, and held it concealed just beneath his cloak. So far, nothing seemed to be amiss. The air in the cave was chill and unmoving, so he was fairly certain it didn't lead to the Underdark. The air that came from the Underdark was hot and thick, due to the natural heat of the planet, and the confined space. Reassuringly, the rock walls of the cave were cold, and gave no indication that anything living had been in it for quite a long time. He didn't want to leave Isolin alone for too long, so he turned his back to the continuing cave, and returned to the mouth of it.

Isolin was happy to hear Rel's footsteps come back towards him. "Everything's fine?" He asked tiredly, having lain out on the cave floor, resting his head on his arm. "Obviously your back now so I am assuming. Come and sit with me?" He asked, glad to have the other back also so that he didn't have to worry about what was in the dark any longer. He wanted to curl up beside his counterpart and sleep the little bit of night they had left away. He didn't want to get up any time soon either, but he knew it would be best if they woke early-ish to blindfold Rel and perform necessary actions with spells to keep the blindfold in place. He didn't want Rel to be permanently injured at all.

Rel nodded solemnly and sat on the cave floor next to Isolin. He didn't need to sleep, necessarily, as his kind mostly took Reverie, a sort of meditation. "I didn't find the end of the cave, but it's all cold, and there doesn't seem to be any sign of life." He sighed and leaned his head gently against the rock wall. "If you want, you can use my lap as a pillow. I know the ground must be uncomfortable." He offered a small smile again, and pulled the hood of his cloak up around his face. It was partly to make himself more comfortable, and partly because he knew being so close to the mouth of the cave in the morning would not end well without at least a little protection. "Isolin, I'm going to look for the spell that we'll need in the morning while you sleep, and I'll mark it with something so that you can find it easily." Of course, he hoped his surface elf companion would be able to read his spell book.

Isolin nodded and lay his head in Rel's lap. "All right.. we can move farther back in if it would help?" He asked, pressing a kiss to the other's leg as he resumed his moving about and getting comfortable.He sighed content, much more comfortable now that he wasn't laying on the hard floor. "Rel.. I hope one day we can live freely somewhere with nice comfortable beds and exceptional comforters. And, tables full of food. Our house would be a clean house and bright and dark respectively for you and we'd be happy together.. doesn't that sound nice?"

Nodding, Rel answered, "That does sound quite nice. It would be a drastic change from the kind of life I am used to. And eventually, we won't need to have a dark house. It will take some time, but after a little exposure, I'll be able to see and be useful in the day." He smiled. "We'll stay here, by the mouth of the cave. It's much safer here. I'll just have to be careful when the sun rises." He opened his thick spell book and laid it over one of his thighs, flipping through pages for the right spell.

Isolin's eyes closed as the other flipped through the pages. "Goodnight Rel." He whispered as his breathing evened out and then finally he was asleep. He sighed and finally was sleeping, ready to start their day tomorrow, hoping they would get through it safely and with some sense of soundness. He hoped that adjusting his lover to the light wouldn't be such a hard task to complete, he couldn't seem to fathom not being able to see the beautiful light of day.

As soon as Rel had found the spell, he had ripped off a small piece of his cloak and used it to mark the page. He closed the book and leaned back against the wall of the cave, closing his eyes tightly and pulling his hood farther over his head, afraid of the coming light of morning.

~*~

In the end, or rather in the morning, it seemed that it might have been a better idea to move back into the cave, away from its gaping mouth that let in so much radiant light. As the first notes of dawn had played over Rel's eyelids, he had awoken. Fascinated by the rays of colors in the clouds, he had not closed his eyes as he had originally intended to, and had taken a blast of sunlight to his sensitive eyes as the burning orb had peeked over the tops of the trees on the horizon. He screamed in agony and threw his hands up over his eyes, which were watering profusely. He bared his teeth as he curled into a small ball on the cave floor, knowing he had awoken his lover with his noise and movement.

Isolin woke startled at his lover's cry and sudden toppling. He didn't see an attack and then realized it was very much daylight. He rushed to help the other further back into the cave where the light couldn't reach and went for the book again. "Rel.. are you okay?" He asked, kneeling beside the other, smoothing back his hair to peer to his eyes, hoping to not see any damage, wiping away some few tears that slid out. He frowned as he caressed his cheeks. "Rel?"

Rel tried to open his mouth to speak, but his jaw was clenched so tightly in his pain that he could only manage to open them a little way. He would have been annoyed that his teeth chattered a little when he did so, but instead he only moans and wiped at his eyes with his palms. "I-Isolin...I...saw the dawn...and I couldn't look away in time..." He didn't know yet if his eyes were permanently damaged, but for the moment, he didn't want to open them. He moaned quietly in pain and took his hands away from his eyes. Tears flowed freely down his cheeks. It was very undignified. "Please, find something to blindfold me with...I can't open my eyes until you do..."

Isolin took a small bit of his own clothing and tore it from his tunic. He wrapped it around his lover's eyes. "There, Rel. I've moved us farther in the cave. Try to see now." He said, continuing to wipe at the tears. "I'm sorry I didn't wake in time to stop you. The day can be beautiful." He whispered, feeling horrible and as though it was somehow his fault that Rel had been injured.

Rel managed a small smile and put his hand around Isolin's wrist. "Thank you, you don't have to keep wiping my tears." He was still working on quieting his breathing, but his voice was steady. He opened his eyes beneath the fabric that covered them, his eyelashes brushing against the roughness of it. "Well, I can't really tell you if I can see, Isolin..." He smiled a little more, and turned so that he could feel the heat from the sun on his back. Tentatively, he lifted the blindfold from one of his eyes and peered around. He breathed a sigh of relief as he realized he could indeed see. "Good news, no permanent damage has been done..."

Isolin grinned. "Good! Now! Tell me that spell to perform to keep this this way." He said, removing the blindfold to adjust it on the other better so that his hair wasn't such a mess, flipping to the page that had been marked the night before. "Will this at least keep the blindfold on?" He asked, trying to pronounce the spell. It was in drow, not surface elf by any means and Isolin was quite lost. "You need to teach me your language." He said, sounding the words out for a second try.

Quickly, Rel tore the blindfold off of his face and clamped a hand over Isolin's mouth. "Don't do that! You could hurt or even kill yourself reading a spell that way." His mouth was a hard line, but he softened it and took his hand away from Isolin's face. "We don't have time for me to teach you my language, so I guess we'll just have to do this the hard way." He took something from the pocket of his cloak and held it tightly in his hand as he spoke the words of the spell fluidly. As he spoke the last syllable, he crushed what was in his hand and let the breeze take it from him. "That was the spell to tell us the direction we need to go. I'll just have to attempt to see through the fabric, or function without the blindfold. But I'll try to see through it first." He replaced it around his eyes and brought his hood up over his head again.

Isolin felt silly at his reprimand "I'm sorry, I didn't know that about your magic." He said, tentatively pressing a kiss to the other's cheek in apology. "Okay, let's be off, I hope your spell works. I'll carry your book for you." He said, wondering why the other would have left a spell for him to incantate when he wasn't supposed to even try at all for the dangers. He shook his thoughts from his head and grabbed the other's hand, leading him out of the cave.

"I'm sorry, Isolin, I should have told you first. It didn't really occur to me that you wouldn't be able to read the spell." Rel sighed. "You don't have to carry the book. There's a case for it here, at my side." He indicated the leather carry bag for his book, patting it affectionately. "But you can carry it if you wish. Perhaps while we are walking I could teach you some words of my language." As they left the cave, he deftly cast a spell on the both of them that would allow them to float to the forest floor below. He also found that he could see fairly well through the weave of the fabric before his eyes, and that was comforting.

Isolin smiled and put the book in it's case, deciding it wasn't fun to try and hold it and if they needed to fight he wouldn't be able to do so with it in his hands, "I still want to learn your language though." He said, finding he wanted to learn a lot about his exotic lover. He looked the other over and wished he could see those lovely red eyes during the daylight. He found quite suddenly he was more than attracted to him and he blushed at the thought and came upon the realization that as once a captive he'd done little more than fall in love with his captor.

Rel smiled, and turned to look at Isolin for a moment. He could just see his silhouette. "Alright, I can try to teach you my language, but first we'll start with some simple words. This cloak that I wear is called a piwafwi." He paused to allow Isolin the chance to repeat the word that he had said. It was a little difficult to come up with words to teach Isolin when most of the things that he was familiar with only existed in the Underdark. There weren't words in the drow language for most of the things on the surface.

"Piwafi?" He asked, trying not to giggle. "Wait, say it again? I think I missed a syllable in there some where." He said, finding this to be a fun thing with them, snorting at his horrible attempt. There was an accent he couldn't quite replicate as well that must have made him sound nearly human at best. "You speak so different than I!"

Laughing at Isolin's horrible mispronunciation, Rel shook his head. "That is because most of my language comes from Undercommon. It's the general language of the creatures of people of the Underdark, like Common is the general language of the people of the surface. The true language of my people is our sign language, which is much different from the spoken language." He paused. "Since magic helps me know your language, I wonder if I could cast the same spell on you? Hmmm..." It wouldn't really help him to actually learn it, but he would be able to read the spell book.

"Well, you could always try it and see." Isolin said, his eyes in pure bliss suddenly as he saw a river. "Ah! Come! A river! We can drink and bathe and such!" He said, hoping the other wouldn't be against that. He all but ran to the no doubtedly cool body of running water and looked at it carefully. "Rel, love can we go for a swim or at least get a bath?" He asked, realizing they hadn't bathed since they had made love.

"Of course. That sounds wonderful." Rel answered and smiled. He was accustomed to bathing every day, and he hadn't realized the scarcity of such a luxury before he had come to the surface. Without hesitation, he began to strip himself of his cloak and clothing and weapons, laying them in a heap on the bank of the river. The water was cool, but not cold, and he left his blindfold on as he waded into the running water. "It's not too bad." He shivered a little.

Isolin grinned and stripped as well before he followed him in "No, it's not at all. It's a little more chill than the baths in your place, but this.. it's common for my race to enjoy a nice chilled river bath like this." He said, letting himself admire Rel's form. "We also don't have aphrodisiacs in ours though.." He added, grinning at the memory as he began to let the water sooth his skin, letting out a long, sensuous moan "Ohhhhhhh it feels nice, this water."

Rel shivered again, unaccustomed to such cold bodies of water. Most of the sources of water in Menzobarranzan, with the exception of Donigarten Lake, were heated by thermal vents from yet deeper in the earth. Hot water was not in short supply in that city. He gave Isolin a long look when he let out such a noise, and smirked. "Make noises like that and I might be tempted to enchant this body of water in such a way as well. I do know the spells." He began running his hands over his body nonchalantly, letting cool water flow over his skin.

Isolin blushed and continued his bathing but shot a look at the other. "I don't think you need spells for me to be ready for you." He mumbled, knowing the other heard him, but he kept bathing in the same attitude as his lover, nonchalant as well and also with his gaze turned to the water shyly. He was still technically the other's captive and still he was not. He was treated as an equal, yes, but in all ways he wanted to be captive to him.

Smiling at the back of Isolin's form, Rel moved quietly through the water to stand behind him, sliding his arms around his waist. "Was that some sort of confession...?" he whispered against the shell of Isolin's ear, gently nipping at its pointed tip. He pressed his cooled body flush against the paler elf's. "You liked what I did to you, hm?" He chuckled sensually, nipping this time at Isolin's shoulder.

Isolin was at a loss with those darker arms encircling him. He let just the faintest moan escape as the other's lips met his ear. "Yes. It's a confession, Rel. I like being your captive and I like being touched by you." He said, leaning back against him, hoping the other wasn't being particularly mean to him and going to taunt him.

Rel was a little surprised, but not completely so. He had suspected that the elf liked him more than a little, and he found it odd that he also felt something for someone that was supposed to be his captive. He let his arms fall from Isolin's waist, and sloshed through the water to stand in front of him. It was awkward, still wearing the blindfold, but he could still see Isolin's silhouette, and the outlines of his features. He sought his lips, and pressed a kiss to them.

Isolin kissed the other back, wondering what the elves in his grand city would say at this sight! A dark elf kissing a light elf! Preposterous! And here he was, very much returning, and enjoying a very delightful kiss with one who'd literally stolen him away. He groaned a little and wrapped his arms about his neck and moved closer to him, enjoying that they kissed like this, on the surface, in a river no doubt.

In Rel's own city, he probably would have been destroyed by a matron mother, or some other mistress, for the sacrilege he was committing against their goddess. He didn't particularly care, and wrapped his arms around Isolin's waist once more, pressing their bodies together. The water was not high enough or fast enough to disrupt their balance while they stood this way, which Rel was thankful for. He wasn't an experienced swimmer, and he was blindfolded, which he wished sorely not to be at the moment. He loved to see his beautiful elf, and only wished he could see him in the brilliant light of his world's sun.

Isolin deepened their kiss a little, pulling the other tight against his body. He sighed, thinking they should most definitely find some place a little less open to make love, though elves in his realm fell to such passions at times in the open, it was still considered slightly rude. "We should move behind some trees, no?" He asked, kissing along his love's neck as he broke the kiss to speak. He wanted to have his love, or at least be had by him would have been more correct.

"Yes," Rel answered simply, but was still reluctant to let go of Isolin so that they could both reach the shore. Finally, he released him from his embrace and kissed him once more, then moved to the grassy bank of the river. It was a little awkward trying to climb out, and he shivered in the seemingly cooler air above the water.

Isolin followed after his lover and as soon as he too was on the bank of the river he began to kiss him passionately. "Oh Rel.. I've grown to be so passionate with you." He said, kissing the other's neck again as he straddled his waist. He groaned as their naked bodies slid together as they were still quite wet from the water, glad they lay in leaves and not in soil. He bit gently on his love's neck and then lightly began to stroke him.

Rel was pleasantly surprised by Isolin's forwardness, leaning into his touches and groaning quietly. "It almost seems as though the captive has become the master..." he commented and smirked, just before his expression dissolved into one of pleasure once more. "How about that, Isolin? Would you like to be my master this time?" The simple fact that he was willing to allow his captive this meant that he was no longer really his captive at all.

"You would allow this?" Isolin asked, more than willing to take control for the other, to be inside would be a different feeling for both of them. "I wouldn't mind." He admitted, hoping it would help aid the other in making the choice that yes, he would for certain let him lead this time.

"I wouldn't have asked if I didn't want it..." Rel thrust his hips against Isolin's hand, desiring more of his touch, enjoying the angle that he had beneath him. He was thankful for the trees around them, though. Without them, he would be looking straight up into the sun-blasted sky. "And you don't have to be gentle with me. In fact, if you'd like to pay me back for the way I treated you before...well, I wouldn't really mind it so much." He gave Isolin a rather feral grin.

Isolin smiled at the other's grin, knowing it was okay to take force if he wanted. He kissed him hard and slipped between his legs and decided that he would be gentle while also being rough. He began to press his fingers to his entrance, pushing in one and then another, not really waiting as he slid them in, but pushing them in all the same and moving them slowly. "Perhaps I will grant your desire.. or perhaps I'll be terribly sweet with you."

Rel groaned as Isolin's fingers entered him. He was a lust-filled creature by nature, and already wanted more. "That would be terrible indeed..." In his world, no one was really sweet about anything that they did, especially in the art of making love, though it would not even be referred to as such in the world of the dark elves. That would imply that they loved each other, which they most certainly did not. "Your sweetness would be torment to me..." He sighed, which dissolved into another groan.

Isolin shivered by his lover's whispered words and removed his fingers, placing himself inside of him instead, thrusting once, sheathing in completely to give the other roughness but also tender love as he held still before moving again. And when he began to move again he did so slowly, groaning and kissing the other passionately, tangling his hands in that beautiful white hair as his thrusts began to get stronger. "Rel!"

Rel forced himself to breathe deeply and relax as Isolin entered him, feeling keenly the fullness and pressure. "Isolin!" He whispered reverently. His beautiful surface elf just continued to surprise him. Never had anyone made love to him in such a slow and passionate way. It was delicious, and fulfilling, and he began to meet Isolin's thrusts with his hips.

Isolin was more than entranced by the way his lover called out to him. He began to kiss him again, moaning rather wantonly as his love's walls clenched about him, as he thrust harder and kept his slow pace, slipping one of his hands from his love's hair to his length to stroke him in time, to show him how much pleasure is had from such an act.

"Mmmnnn...yes..." Rel moaned, working to find a rhythm between Isolin's hips and his hand. He was being attacked by wonderful ecstasy, enjoying the act of real love-making far more than he ever anticipated. He was more than happy that he had agreed to let Isolin have the dominant position, as he was much more skilled than Rel had ever hoped to know.

Isolin began to move faster for his lover, hoping the change of pace would excite him and influence him to want more and more. He shivered and cried out in delight as he began to thrust harder with his faster movement. "Oh Rel!" He said aloud, deciding that he should suckle and bite his neck to silence himself.

Rel had been excited in the first place, but the change in pace was not unwelcome. He tried to meet Isolin's thrusts with his hips once more, but he was finding it difficult to keep rhythm. As Isolin's teeth found the sensitive flesh of his neck, he moaned breathlessly, wrapping his arms around his lover's shoulders.

Isolin thrust harder and harder, beginning to feel his end surface. "Rel, I can't last too much longer." He said in a seductive whisper as he thrust harder into him, nibbling the tip of his ear while stroking him tighter, and faster, hoping to help the other along so they could both finish.

Rel only moaned in answer, needing little assistance in reaching his climax. He was nearing his end as well, and Isolin was driving him ever closer. A shiver passed through him as Isolin nibbled his ear, a sensitive place for any elf. He wanted to finish at the same moment his lover did, which was a desire Rel was not used to having.

Isolin gave in and came hard within the depths of his beloved. He could no longer take that tight heat wrapped about his length and he could only kiss the other, and love the other all the more as he gave a short cry of ecstacy. "Love!" He called out, his last thrusts erratic but well enough aimed to keep a little of his pace, stroking the other harder to help him along.

As soon as Isolin reached his climax, Rel reached his, spilling on his stomach and his lover's hand, and clenched tightly around him. "Isolin...!" he sighed, truly happy with their love-making. As he came down from the waves of his climax, he realized that the forest floor was digging into his back, and he probably had numerous leaves and dirt stuck to him. "I think I need a wash again..." He smiled up at his lover.

Isolin laughed as he lay aside him. "I think we both do my love. My knees and elbows are rich with imprints of leaves." He sighed content and kissed him on the lips. "I love you, Rel." He said quietly, snuggling against his side. "Before we bathe again, let's lay here a moment first."

Rel needed no convincing, and he nodded in agreement. He laid a hand on Isolin's shoulder. "I love you too, Isolin." He was thankful for the fact that they were speaking in the language of the surface, for the dark elf tongue had no word for love. "I wish I didn't need to wear this blindfold. I wish I could see you in the full sunlight..."

"What if I move you into the trees more and then like lay atop of you to block the light, you could see me a little?" He asked, wanting to have seen his lover in their love making as well, but wasn't allowed with the sunlight isssue. "Or is it too risky?"

Smiling, Rel shook his head. "It's still too risky, considering that I allowed myself to be blinded this morning." He sighed, and kissed his lover's lips. "Perhaps when I am more accustomed to the sunlight, we will be able to see each other more clearly. It may only take a few weeks before I can see without this blindfold."

Isolin smiled and placed a kiss on his love's lips. "Well, let's get cleaned up and continue on our journey." He said, nibbling his chin. He sat up and stretched then he took the other's hand and lead him to the water, washing off the dirt and leaves from him, he began to laugh a little. "You're covered!"

"I was the one laying on the ground, so it does make sense..." Rel grinned and allowed himself to be washed, trying to be more accomodating by holding out his arms or moving when necessary. "So...I will probably have to cast that spell again, since my concentration was broken, but then we can be on our way. I only wish I could know how far we are from Cormanthor. And I do hope the other dark elves there will let me keep you..."

"They have no choice." Isolin said, smiling and kissing his love. He wasn't about to let them take his love away. He hugged him tight."You and I shouls live together for ever and ever." He said happily, he was in such a good mood suddenly. "But yes, create your spell again so we may get to your city."

Rel nodded and retrieved his spell book, sitting with his legs crossed on the floor of the forest. "Just a moment, and we'll be ready to go." He quickly found the spell and read it aloud in the comfortable and familiar tongue of his people. He knew the spell was active when he felt a new awareness, little more than intuition, for the direction they should be traveling. "Alright, let's go."

Isolin began to fllow the direction of the spell and smiled at his love. "How long do you think it wil take? Before today I have never heard of your lovely city." He said, wondering what it was like. "So you have never been there?"

"I wish it was as simple as finding a city. Cormanthor is a forest, to be more precise, and we are looking for a structure that formerly belonged to your people, but now belongs to mine, under the name of House Jaelre. They have done well in the service of Vhaeraun, their - and my - god." Rel smiled. "But to answer your question, no, I have never been there. I only have the vaguest idea of what it looks like, and I do hope we don't meet our immediate end as soon as we come upon the compound."

"Oh.. Isolin said as he thought about what he could possibly be doing. He wondered if these dark elves even existed for a moment. "How do you know they really even exist though?" He asked, hoping his question wouldn't make his lover angry. He was only curious how, if something wasn't very widely known, if it was true at all.

Rel looked at him oddly for a moment, then laughed. "Just because someone keeps their existence mostly secret doesn't mean they're not real. And I have had correspondence with House Jaelre before, but I have never visited in the flesh, you see? I know a great many of the men who live at House Jaelre, and I have helped several escape there in the past. If it wasn't for the danger of attempting to visit the surface in the first place, I would have done this long ago. But I didn't, and then I met you, and..." He trailed off. "Thank you, Isolin. I was just about ready to spend the rest of my days rotting in Menzobarranzan, but you inspired me to leave." He kissed him on the cheek.

"I am glad I inspired you." Isolin replied, feeling more than accomplished as he had been able to make someone happy. "I hope we don't have to travel much longer.." He said, sighing as he grabbed a fruit from their bag and began to eat it. "I want a nice warm bath, a delicious feast.. fresh bread..." He was practically salivating at the thoughts of all of the wonderful food.

"You know what? The night of the new moon is coming up soon, if I remember anything of my teachings, which means there will be a special midnight stag hunt in honor of Vhaeraun. Then there will most definitely be feasting, so you may yet get your wish." Rel smirked and looked toward Isolin. "But you know, I don't think House Jaelre enchants their bath water..." he teased. "Toss me one of those delicious fruits, please? And I forgot to ask, what are they called?"

"I don't really know what they're called." Isolin said, handing his love one of the fruits. "I just know they taste incredible. I would still be very happy with some meat. I am no hunter though, I can't kill living animals." He said, slurping up some juice form the fruit as he dripped down his hand. "And why do they only hunt then?"

Rel shrugged and bit into the fruit, pausing a moment as the delicious and still foreign taste washed over him. "Mmmm..." He swallowed the first bite. "I'm not really sure why they hunt stags only. I've never been involved in the ritual. But they offer the antlers and heart to Vhaeraun as a sacrifice, and the rest is eaten. It's very exhilirating. But..." A grin crossed his face. "I'm pretty sure they ride lizards, and not horses. I don't imagine you've ever ridden a lizard?" He was referring to the overly large reptiles that inhabited the Underdark, and were used for the same purposes as horses. They were roughly the same size as horses, but much faster, and harder to control.

Isolin blinked. "A lizard? Why.. no, I haven't. They ride them? How do you ride a lizard?" He asked, so many very odd thoughts trying to make themselves clear. Riding a lizard? Lizards were very very small creatures as far as he was concerned. "Are your housmates just very tiny?" He asked, looking on ahead, the question dying as he saw what he thought was the tail of such a thing. "I just saw something..."

Rel laughed again, but immediately stopped the sound at the mention of having seen a tail of one. "Did you really? That could be both very good and very bad. Either way, it means we're getting closer. And the pull of the spell has been getting much stronger lately." They must have been lucky to come up through a portal that dropped them close to Cormanthor in the first place. Otherwise, a trip like this could have lasted several weeks. He continued in a whisper, looking around and listening as he did so. "You ride a lizard like you ride a horse. You'll see." He saw a scaly tail slide through the underbrush as well. He hoped they weren't running wild. They could be very dangerous if they were.

Isolin frowned and subconsciously put his hand on his daggar. "How mean can they be?" He asked, knoing that small lizards were terribly tame at times. He'd never heard of one being the size of a horse though and began to worry. "Rel..I'm worried." He said, looking about wildly. "Do you know if they have weaknesses?" He asked, wanting to be ahead in knowledge should they have to fight them.

"If they're wild, and not armored as combat mounts...go for any places that are normally vulnerable. The neck, the stomach, underneath the legs..." Rel held up a hand for silence as he began to hear speaking farther off in the trees. He listened hard, and found that he could understand a few of the words. These lizards were not running wild after all, there were dark elves riding them. "Keep your weapons away, Isolin. There are dark elves...more or less surrounding us..." He waited for a few more moments before calling out in his own tongue, "You who ride circles around us, do you follow the path of the Shadow?" He was answered with distant cries of, "All hail the Masked Lord!" Rel called yet again with, "Hail the Lord of Masks and Shadows!" He turned to Isolin suddenly. "Stand closer to me. I don't know what will happen, but these may certainly be the exact drow we were looking for.

Isolin didn't go for his weapon and instead stood closer to his love. "Why are they out this time of day?" He asked, wanting to litteraly cling to his beloved. "Oh Rel. I am very frightened." He said, clutching his hand. "What if they harm me? Or think I'm harming you?" he asked, alert as can be. He could hear the voices too but knew not a thing that was being said.

"You're a new one." A soft voice spoke from atop one of the mounted lizards. "And you're travelling with an elf from the light..and you're blindfolded. Not the usual story for those who find us, now is it? State your purpose." He said, red eyes fierce, calculating both of them.

"Shh, Isolin, it will be fine. Just stay close to me." Rel let his hand brush one of Isolin's to reassure him. He turned his head toward the lizard rider that had spoken to him. "Indeed it is unusual. My purpose is to seek out House Jaelre. I serve only the Masked Lord. I am blindfolded because the light yet burns my eyes, as this is the first day I have seen the full might of the sun. This," he indicated Isolin, "Is my companion, Isolin. I have brought him with me from the Underdark, where he was my battle captive. Now he is merely my companion, and he has been more than helpful. Please bear him no ill will, as he bears none toward you." Rel finished his explanation with a bow, and added, "I am Relphrin, formerly of House Xorlarrin of Menzobarranzan."

"Xorlarrin? I remember hearing about that. You escaped into thin air they thought. Well, I am second leader of House Jaelre so you've made your journey. We've been hunting and have caught the stag, come and have a meal and then we'll see about rooming." The male on the lizard replied, bringing two guard-like elves to walk alongside them. "Forgive the guards, but your purpose, though stated, has yet to be proven true."

Isolin frowned. He'd never seen so many dark elves, but these were much more friendly than the ones in Menzoberranzan and he tried to take comfort in that. He knew this whole situation could be more than dangerous for them.

Rel managed another small bow. "Thank you for your generosity. It is much appreciated. I hope there will be opportunities later for me to explain myself in more detail." He didn't mind the guards, and really, he had expected something like that. While they were on the surface, and away from the more chaotic, bloodthirsty world of the Lolthites in Menzobarranzan, they were still dark elves, and it was still in their nature to be suspicious and cautious of strangers. Through his robes, he found Isolin's hand and held it, giving it a reassuring squeeze. He was not yet sure how the dark elves of House Jaelre would react to his relationship with Isolin, so he thought it best to keep it quiet for the moment.

Isolin gladly took his love's hand and held it tight, feeling more than vulnerable. "They don't like me here, Rel." He whispered quietly in his ear. He was more than worried, he saw some very non-appreciative looks being sent his way and his grip on his love's hand tightened even more. He wanted to be aside his lover in sleep.. somewhere safe. Their leading person had lead them slowly back to a deeper, dark part of the forest and Isolin took matter to remove his lover's veil as it was basically night in this place. "There love, it's not light here." He said, tucking the blindfold in his robes for safe keeping.

Their leader listened to the exchange curiously and turned on his mount. "You two are more than just companions, aren't you?"

"Thank you," Rel whispered, but cringed inwardly as he heard the leader's words. He tried not to let any amount of panic show on his face, but he had been hoping something like this wouldn't happen so quickly. He cleared his throat and exhaled. "Well, I suppose there isn't much point in keeping it from you if it's that obvious in the first place. Yes, we are far more than just companions. We are lovers. So, you see, I was hoping that he could be received in House Jaelre as well..." It was a long shot, but it was truly what he wished. He hoped this dark elf would be understanding, in the very least. He looked quite capable of ridding the world of both Rel and Isolin, if he wanted to.

"We don't take kindly to surface elves.. but, we'll see your intentions soon enough. Don't fret just yet, we'll recieve you until we find reason to cast you out."

Isolin froned sadly at this, but at the same time he was happy he wasn't going to be killed on the spot. "Thank you."

"Don't thank me yet, you may curse me before the night is out." He lead them into a large home-area then, bigger in the forest than any elven city that Isolin could think of and he was humbled by the beauty. He saw so very many dark elves and even a few of his own kind here and there. Why would they be allowed to be safe and not him?

Rel whispered in his ear the answer to his unspoken question. "They are most likely welcomed here because they are Vhaeraunites, servants of the Lord of Masks and Shadows. It may very well be that they won't allow you to stay here without your conversion to the Masked Lord, as well." He frowned. He hated forcing religion upon others. It was a terrible practice. But he understood that House Jaelre had its priorities to keep in mind. They operated largely in secret, and very rarely allowed outsiders into the vicinity of their home. It was their usual practice to blindfold guests so that they would not know the insides of the great city, as well. "I'm sorry, Isolin. I hope this is all settled soon."

"I feel so weak, Rel." Isolin whispered, wanting to be kissed and held by his lover, not lead by these frightening elves. "I mean... what if I'm not worthy for them hmn?"

Finally they reached a tall and intimidating structure. "You will be received now, should you be welcomed I am Szyril. I wish you both luck." And with that the one who they found left and they were left only in the hands of the guards who lead them in slowly.

In a sort of antechamber just inside the gates, the little troup halted immediately, and the guards dropped to the floor in a bow, weapons at their sides. Rel looked for the source and saw a dark elf in a black cloak and a white mask. He too bowed, but not so deeply as the guards. "We are honored to be welcomed to House Jaelre so graciously, Patron Father." Though he did not know his name, this elf was wearing the customary garb of a priest of Vhaeraun.

"Do not be so presumptuous. You are received, but not yet welcomed. You have with you an elf of this world of light, and we have already heard from Master Szyril that you two are far more than traveling companions. This must be discussed. Come, you must be received before the council."

The masked dark elf led them through a series of hallways, many of which looked like they couldn't possibly fit inside the exterior structure of the building. Rel was excited to be in House Jaelre, but he was more worried about Isolin.

"Guards, please remain outside the doors. Strangers, leave your weapons with the guards. That includes your spellbook, wizard."

Rel cursed inside his head and removed all of his weapons and his spellbook, laying them in a pile on the ground. He hadn't mentioned anything about removing his cloak, though, so he kept that on. He gave Isolin a look that he hoped didn't give away too much of his worry, and swallowed his fear.

If Isolin had felt vulnerable at first, now he felt positively naked without his weapon at least. He didn't know how to speak. It seemed his throat had seized up and he eyed the male who spoke to him with distaste when he spoke such disreguard for his kind. He walked unnecessarily close to Rel, looking about nervously at all options for escape should they need run.

Once they were significantly stripped of all threat, the masked elf opened a set of double doors, and seemed to disappear, only to appear in his place on top of a high dais. A dark elf in less than splendorous robes beckoned them inside the room, and Rel began to walk forward into the chamber. This was the moment of truth. They were standing before the legendary Jezz the Lame, founder of House Jaelre and its current leader, though he had been for a long time. He wore an ugly brace on one of his legs, obviously the one which had been injured in the past, but it was said that this injury had not impeded him in the least. He was still quite the formiddable opponent. Rel bowed low before him, and hoped Isolin would follow suit.

"Relphrin Xorlarrin, at last we meet in the flesh. Your correspondence in the Underdark has been a most helpful contribution to the ambitions of the Lord of Masks and Shadows. He is quite pleased with you." Jezz wore a mask like all of the other priests seated around him, but his expression beneath it seemed more amused than stern. "I see you have a pale companion. Speak, pale elf. Tell me why you have come with Relphrin to House Jaelre? Are you a servant of the Masked Lord?"

Isolin froze at being directed and rose from his bow as his lover did. "I.. well no, not yet." He faltered. "I helped Relphrin come to the surface so that he may live as he pleases under your religion.. I am merely his lover and what he does, I do, because I love him, so yes, I think I am then a servant of the masked lord." He frowned and wondered if his words were good or bad, he couldn't honestly say he was wanting their religion when he knew nothing of it and he was an honest elf.

Jezz nearly laughed, but instead limited it to a snort. "That was a good answer, and very sweet, nonetheless. You are his lover?" He put his hand to his chin while he thought for a moment, looking from Isolin to Rel. "I see no problem with this. Your devotion to him is very admirable, pale elf. I don't know your name, though, and I should like to." He then turned to Rel again. "Have you tried to convince him to follow Vhaeraun in a more direct way, Master Relphrin?"

Rel wanted to smile, but he knew better than to do so just yet. "Yes, Patron Father. However, I thought that it might be best for the priests of House Jaelre to give him the information he so desires. They are much more capable of spreading the word of the Masked Lord than I. I am only a wizard, after all."

"Hm...perhaps you should put some thought into becoming a part of the clergy? Only a suggestion. But you, pale elf, have a decision to make. Dependent upon this decision is whether or not I can allow you to stay here. Will you allow my priests to teach you the way of Vhaeraun, the Masked Lord? In this way, and only in this way, can you stay here with Relphrin and his brothers." Jezz had only said he had to learn the way, not that he had to follow it, necessarily, or that he actually had to convert.

Isolin nodded. "Yes, I'll do what is necessary." he said softly, wnating so very much to be away from these intimidating creatures and in his own room with his own lover. "I will learn your ways." He picked up on the hidden consent that he wouldn't necessarily have to convert or follow, but at least learn and respect, and that was more than all right with him. He smiled a little at the thought of staying with his love in this place where they wouldn't be prosecuted for being with one another.

Jezz smiled beneath his mask and rose from his seat on the dais. The other priests around him rose as well. "Good. Then Master Szyril will show you to your room. I trust you only need one, hm?" He chuckled quietly at his own little joke, and gestured for them to be dismissed.

Rel bowed once more. "Thank you, Patron Father. You have been most kind. And I will consider your suggestion to enter the clergy." In truth, he had no intention of doing so, and he knew Jezz was aware of that as well. He took Isolin's hand as they left the room, the large wooden doors closing behind them. He turned to Isolin and smiled.

Isolin blushed at the comment made by their leader, it was not lost on him the meaning and he was glad he wasn't cast out for being of light variety. "Oh Rel.." He sighed. "We get to share our room.." He grinned brightly at the fact and as Syzril came into view his smile remained.

"Congradulations to the both of you." He said, eyeing Isolin a bit curiously. "I am wondering though how you came to be kidnapped and yet still lover to Relphrin, perhaps you both will indulge me the tale while I lead you to your rooms?"

Isolin nodded. "Well.. it's as he said, I was a prisoner, captured in a raid. Rel somehow convinced the elves of Menzoberranzan to let him have me as his slave...the baths. they were enchanted but not much enchantment was needed. Rel wasn't overly harsh to me and he's a beautiful elf..and when he wished to return above.. well I fell for him I think.."

Rel smiled at Isolin and then turned to Szyril to fill in the holes in his lover's story. "When he came to be my slave, he wanted a bath. The baths of House Xorlarrin are enchanted so that the water is an aphrodisiac. When you bathe in it nearly every day, it's not really a big deal, but it's quite potent to those who have never experienced it." He chuckled. "I knew that Isolin wanted to return to the surface, and I wanted to find House Jaelre, so it became a perfect arrangement, and along the way, I also fell in love with him..." It was an odd thing for Rel to say. That phrase had never passed his lips before, but he liked the way the words felt.

Isolin was a bright thing to hear his lover confirm their love. He wanted to kiss him so very badly. "And here we are!"

"A charming tale, the both of you." Szyril said with a smile. "Well, dinner will be ready in a couple of hours, you've had the fruit from the nearby forestso you'll be fine until then, your chambers have baths in them and if you two need anything let someone know." He said, opening the door for them. "Robes and fresh tunics have been laid out for you both." And then he left the two to their business.

Isolin looked around the room as he entered it and blinked a little. "Oh.. it's a very nice room actually.." He said, very much enjoying the way it was decorated and as soon as he spotted the large, very comfortabl bed he ran to it and jumped gracefully, landing in the middle. "Oh, my love, this bed is so perfect!"

Rel smiled at Isolin, and how cute he was jumping onto the bed. He wanted to join him, but he desperately wanted a hot bath as well. "Though bathing in the river was nice, I do enjoy hot water. I'm going to have a bath. You're more than welcome to join me, if you wish." He grinned at Isolin and gave him a wink, and quickly shed all of his clothes but his pants. He draped everything over a chair and disappeared into the small side room that held the bathtub.

Isolin grinned at his lover's obvious suggestive want of him and he gratefully left the bed to follow after him. He stripped in the same manner and followed him. "Yes a warm bath is nice." He looked at the large warm basin of water and shivered, wanting to desperately be in the water-fall-like structure of it. He eased himself in and groaned delightfully. "So nice." He said with a breathless sigh.

Rel entered the bathtub as well, and sighed contentedly, dipping his head into the water momentarily so that his hair could be wet. "It's very nice. I wonder if they heat their water conventionally, or with magic." He shrugged, not really caring at the moment. "Well, we have a couple of hours before dinner...how would you like to spend that time...?" He moved through the water so that he could lean into Isolin's face. He placed a kiss against his lips and then smirked suggestively.

"I am sure you and I can think of a few things." Isolin said softly against the other's lips, his lover's smirk setting fire within him. "Water seems to be quite a good medium for us to make love in." He commented, slipping his hands up into his love's hair. He was glad for the way their bath was made, he was sure the crash of the running water would hide his moans as they were surely to get loud as his lover took him.

Rel chuckled. "Maybe it's just the ambiance of the water that makes it such a good setting..." He let his lips trail away from his lover's, and he began nipping and biting at the smooth, damp skin of Isolin's neck. He had a sweet taste, something he thought must be unique to surface elves, and he ran his tongue along his collarbone. "I love how you taste, Isolin. I could eat you..." Rel playfully bit his shoulder.

"I bet you could!" Isolin stated breathlessly. He shivered and clutched to his lover, moaning quietly. "Oh love! Please, will you take me as I took you earlier? I want you.. and finally we may do this.. without the open, prying eyes of nature.. I want to be loud my love, please, have me." Isolin's own wanton-ness surprised him.

"Well, since you said please..." Rel teased a bit more, then let his fingers trail beneath the water. One hand found Isolin's pleasantly rigid length, and began to stroke it, though there was considerably less friction than normal because of the water. His other hand slid down his lover's back, lower and lower, until he found his entrance. At first, he teased him just a little, then he let two of his fingers slip inside.

Isolin was more than involved with these delightful feelings. He called out but quietly so. "Ohhhhh Rel.." He couldn't get enough of the friction on his length and tried to thrust into his hand to help get more of it, at the same time he desperately tried to push back to feel those fingers deeper inside him.

Rel tightened his grip on Isolin's cock, but didn't really try to push his fingers deeper to accommodate him. After all, they would be replaced with something much better soon. "This is what you wanted, isn't it...?" Rel whispered against the skin of Isolin's neck before nipping and kissing at it. "Tell me when you can't take any more of this, and then I'll give you what you really want..."

"Oh love, now, Rel. I can't take it anymore, the wait is too much." Isolin said wantonly, arching into his lover. "Please my lovely Rel, have me." He practically begged, unable to stand the tormenting pleasure.

"As you wish, beautiful Isolin." Rel removed his fingers and moved Isolin's legs apart. In one fluid motion, he pushed into his lover, aided by the frictionless water. He waited, holding his breath, to allow his lover time to adjust. There was a considerable difference between two of his fingers and the size of his length. "Oh...you feel wonderful, love..."

Isolin winced a little at first with the sudden intrusion. He was wanting it, yes, but didn't expect it so soon for a reason or another and shivered at the feeling. "Oh my! Sweet Rel! You feel so good in me." He whimpered out, wrapping his legs about his waist.

Rel only shivered in response, finding that with Isolin's legs around his waist it was impossible for him to hold back any longer. He pulled almost all the way back out, and then thrust back in forcefully, setting a hard but rather slow rhythm. It seemed like the hot water of the bath only made Isolin feel that much hotter. "Oh, my love..." He sighed.

"Rel!" Isolin shouted out passionately, meeting his love's thrusting as well as he could, finding the position awkward enough, but it wasn't horrible. He wrapped his hands in his love's hair, tugging as he fought to cling to him, kissing him and giving him nips where he could reach.

Spurred on by the passion in Isolin's touch, Rel increased his pace. The constant movement was causing some of the water to slosh out of the bathtub and onto the floor. He didn't stop, though. He leaned forward and placed his lips on Isolin's neck, sucking and biting the skin until he left a mark. "Mmm...so much easier to make marks like that on pale skin...beautiful..."

Isolin was blushing at the words the other said. "I think I can mark you fairly easy as well." and he sucked rather hard on his lover's skin, moaning against it, creating such a small bruise that was visible, but very hard to see on his love, pleased with his work, however he nibbled where he marked him. "It looks lovely.."

Rel moaned as Isolin marked him, used to hard, possessive loving, and other dark elves who worked so hard to make very noticeable marks on their lovers. He would be proud to show this little mark that Isolin had made, though. He shivered again. He began to increase his pace once more. If he hadn't been trying to keep his balance and his rhythm in the water, he might have stroked his lover to bring him closer to completion. But he was afraid he would fall over if he did.

Isolin loved how close they were pressed together, his length was effectively trapped between their bodies and he moved faster with him, moaning and tightening around him. "Love! Oh love! Rel!" He called out, shivering and tightening more. "So close darling."

"I am too, love," Rel answered, kissing the mark he had made on Isolin's throat. He felt the friction of his lover's length between them, and groaned. He felt a heat more intense than that of the bath water pooling in his stomach, tightening and coiling as Isolin continued to tense around him. Slowly, slowly, he coaxed him toward his climax. "Ahh, Isolin, I'm--!"

Isolin was way ahead of his lover, as his love's words reached his ears he was already finishing hard across his chest and into the water, shivering and moaning loudly, hoping that his estimate that the water was loud enough that they wouldn't be heard was true. "Rel!"

As his lover finished and clamped down upon him, he uttered a high-pitched whimper of a moan, and threw his head back, finishing as well inside Isolin. Rel, too, hoped that the water was loud enough to muffle them. They would find out later, of course, if they ran into Szyril. He seemed like the type of person to tease them about that sort of thing. Sighing contentedly, he laid his head on Isolin's shoulder. "We should probably get out of here before we pass out and drown..." he commented, smiling. He made no effort to move, even as he said that.

Isolin nodded in agreement. "Yes. We should, and then we should nap in that nice bed before supper... and then eat until we can eat no more.. then rest.. then make love again and then sleep." At least that was the schedule he had in mind.

"I think that sounds like a lovely plan, provided we don't get called away for something. After all, you'll have studying with the priests to do eventually, and I'll probably be doing some of the same." Rel kissed Isolin's cheek, then stood and stepped out of the tub, shivering in the cold air. "Let's get to that bed as soon as possible. It's cold out here."

Isolin smiled brightly and followed after the other. "Do I actually have to study? What do I need to do that for?" He asked, grabbing a nice warm towel and wrapping it around his trim figure. He walked slowly to the bed and put on his clothing that had been laid out for them and pulled back the blanket. "Oh my, love, this bed will be absolutely delightful."

Rel simply dried himself with a towel and climbed into the bed with Isolin. He didn't feel the need to sleep in clothes. He would dress before dinner. "It certainly is a soft bed. If sleep was necessary for me, this would be a godsend." He grinned. "But I may sleep like a human just so this bed will be useful."

"I certainly will sleep a lot, so you should sleep as I do." Isolin replied, leaning up a bit to kiss his lover on the cheek. "I love to sleep, sleep makes me so happy I always have such vivid dreams." He said, snuggling against the other, more than happy with the way his life had turned out.

Rel nodded in agreement, though he could not remember a time, at least not since he was very young, that he had had a dream, much less a vivid one. The closest he got was extraplanar travel. But he hoped that sleeping with Isolin would give him the happy, vivid dreams that his lover was talking about. He snuggled under the blankets, content to lay beside his lover, happy with the extreme changes his life had undergone so recently.

It didn't take long for Isolin to fall asleep. He was so very tired from all of their travelling and all of their ordeal they'd been on in the last few days. He was very tired, and more than willing to sleep and spend his life with his love.

Rel watched Isolin's eyes close, then let his slide shut as well. He welcomed the darkness behind his eyelids, but thought maybe tomorrow he would try to see in the sunlight, something he never would have wanted to do without Isolin. It was a strange feeling for him, but he felt as though he too wanted to spend his life with his lover.