The drow awoke from his sleep to find that he had been taken to a small hut and was laying on the hard ground. Looking around, he noted that there were only two visible guards watching him, but from experience, he knew now that he could not count on that. Suddenly, an elf maiden stormed into the hut and began to speak with the guards in the wood elven dialect. He concentrated to hear what they were saying.
�Untie him right this minute, that is an order directly from my father himself.� She directed the guard, who looked pained as he tried to determine what he should do.
�My lady, I would be happy to comply if this was any ordinary captive, but he is drow!� the guard told her, looking fearfully at Zaknafein. The drow captive pretended that he still slept. His senses, though, told him that the female elf was not happy and heard her voice again, protesting his state.
�You will either untie him, or I will untie him myself!� she demanded, walking further towards Zaknafein. The guard looked worried and placed a hand on her shoulder.
�No, my lady, I will relent and let him free. Only for you, however, will I do this, and only because your father is an honorable elf and has raised you well.� He told her, walking over to the prone drow. Zaknafein waited until the guard had untied his hands, and then he struck.
Faster than the surprised guard could react, Zaknafien had the spear out of his hands and in his own. Spear point to his chest, the stunned wood elf could only gasp and nod frantically to the other guard to assist him. Zaknafein looked towards the female elf. She was standing and looking at him calmly.
�I never would have guessed that one who has come so far from the Underdark without raping or pillaging would not start his bad reputation as one of your brethren now.� The elf maiden pointed out quietly, making no move to save her comrade. Zaknafein glared at her, his eyes glowing with a reddish tinge in the dim hut.
�I never would have guessed that peaceful surface elves would tie up a drow and take him prisoner either.� He pointed out, poking the guard with the spear point idly. �I thought you surface-dwellers never raised a hand against anyone.�
The elf maiden shrugged and raised her hand. A magical fire limned the spear and it disappeared into gray ashes that fluttered to the ground. The guard looked visibly relieved and exited the hut quickly as Ryllinn walked towards the drow. Zaknafein gave her a wary look, noticing for the first time that he had been stripped of everything but his armor.
�Now all we want to know is why you have come into our forest.� Ryllinn said, gazing at the drow calmly with her green eyes. �That is all. Once you have cleared your passing with my father, then you may go.� She explained. Zaknafien gave her an indifferent look.
�And what if I do not wish to speak with you, surface elf?� He told her back, noticing the spark of amusement that had ignited in her eyes.
�You cannot survive long without armor, and from what I know of the lore of the Underdark, that armor and cloak that you wear have already begun to decay and lose their powers.� She explained to him. �You will not survive leaving this village without speaking with my father.� She told him pointedly.
�You would do better to not threaten me.� he said in a softly menacing voice, noting how she did not back away as he did so. Ryllinn simply smiled.
�You do not have armor, weapons, or spells that can injure myself or the other elves that reside in these woods.� She told him, walking back towards the entrance. �Have a good rest. I will send someone with food later.� She said in parting, leaving Zaknafein alone in the hut.
Musing to himself, he crouched and pondered. She may be right, he did not have his armor, weapons or potions, but he did have the cunning of years living in the Underdark, which could be exploited to his advantage just as much as he disowned them.