When Ryllinn returned, she was not at all surprised to find the drow elf sitting there silently in the middle of the hut. She knew from his demeanor that he would not try to escape. He was curious about what her village wanted from him and would not leave quite yet. Smiling, she sat down in front of him and held out a small amulet. He did not look surprised.
�You removed that from my piwafwi.� he said, matter-of-factly, reaching out to take the spider-shaped icon.
�Yes, it was done so.� She said, nodding in acquiescence to the fact. �I believe you probably knew that soon after we left you, but I did have a question to ask the sage of this village. She is very knowledgeable in lore of our �dark-skinned cousins�.� She told him, rising and walking to the door of the hut. Zaknafein sat silently and watched her, turning the icon over in his hand idly. The female was very intelligent, and he did not know that other societies besides the drow were matriarchial. Considering this, he appeared to relax, but silently tensed to spring at any moment.
�What do you hope to gain from holding me? To incite other bands of drow to be peaceful upon your village?� He asked her, noting the amused look that she held. �They do not care for me, if they saw me they would wish me dead. I am a renegade from my house.� This appeared to have no effect on the elf, as she only nodded.
�I should perhaps introduce you to a friend of mine. She has traveled far to speak with you, renegade drow.� She said, her expression suggesting smugness. Zaknafien tensed his muscles, sensing a trap. What had she callen to destroy him, his own matron? Suddenly, he was surprised when a tall, stunningly beautiful drow stepped into the doorway.
Quile Veladorn stood in the doorway scrutinizing the drow renegade that Ryllinn had suggested that she see. She had said that he had given a hint of going towards her direction anyway, so Quile had gladly came down to the small village.
�So, a run away from D�aermon N�achezbaernon, Ninth House of Menzoberranzan.� She said, her musical voice with the sound of many tinkling bells carried across the space to his ears. Zaknafien, for one of the few times in his life, was unable to say anything. This was humbling to him, as he had witnessed the power of Lloth, but it did not compare, in his mind, to the power that was being emitted from this drow priestess via Eilistraee.
�I know all about you. I have met one of your kind before, the same House. Perhaps you know of him.� She said, her eyes sparkling with an inner amusement.
�Yes, Drizzt Do�Urden.� he told her, answering her own question before she could give him the answer. Quile did not even look surprised at all at his answer and only smiled.
�So I hear that you have came here to speak with myself. Or maybe that is just what Ryllinn told me.� The beautiful drow said, looking to the sylvan elf. Ryllinn bowed her head and appeared to shimmer for a moment, her features changing to that of an ebony-skinned surface elf. Still keeping the green eyes and chestnut hair, she smiled at Zaknafein.
�What kind of magic is this?� he asked, startled at the change in the fair-skinned surface elf. Quile smiled and gestured to Ryllinn.
�She was born a half-drow, as you see before you. Her father was very ashamed of this, because, as you see, he was not in reality her father, but her step-father. He came to me for guidance, because he could not bear to see her that way. Eilistraee granted me the power to cause her to appear as a normal sylvan elf, but she had to become a worshiper of the Dark Lady.� Quile explained, �Part of Ryllinn�s duties involve finding new blood for the church of Eilistraee.�
�So, you expect me to become part of Eilistraee�s worship?� he asked, guardedly. Quile nodded and shrugged.
�Why else would a successful drow such as yourself leave the Underdark?� She asked. �Most assuredly you already do not follow Lloth�s creed.� she smiled and her white robes seemed to shimmer with a blue light.
�I must go now, back to the Promenade. Others have need of me.� she said, as she faded away into a bright wall of blue light. �Remember what I have said and choose wisely.�
After Quile had gone, Zaknafien watched as Ryllinn regained her sylvan elf coloring. She smiled.
�I can only become what I was in the presence of the worship of Eilistraee.� she explained. �Do you understand why my father wishes to know your purpose in these woods?� Zaknafien realized that the elf spoke out of fear for her own tribe, and that of other elves and nodded slightly.
�You will release me now. As she said, I have come to seek the guidance of Eilistraee.� Zaknafien said, rising. Ryllinn nodded.
�Do you wish to go alone? Your armor and enchantments will not hold up under the light of the surface. I can surely request the protection of one of our elite hunting parties for you.� she suggested. Zaknafien shook his head negatively.
�I travel alone.� he said shortly, moving to leave. Ryllinn did not stop him as he walked out of the village. After a moments� pause, she walked back towards her fathers� hut, to speak with him about the meeting with the drow.