For all you shatter is our seeming, And in breaking we are free

I wasn't going to do it, until I saw people just going with the first fic of that letter.

Rules: How many letters of the alphabet have you used for starting a fic title? One fic per line, ‘A’ and 'The’ do not count for 'a’ and ’t’. Post your score out of 26 at the end, along with your total fic count.

A - Abandoned to be Annealed - a what if of Mara Jade as Rey's mother for The Force Awakens and Star Wars Expanded Universe (Legends).
B - Bachelor Threatened - Vorkosigan Drabble for Ivan
C - Caesar's Dalliance - Ancient RPF, Julius Caesar/Cleopatra VII fic
D - D:BH Drabbles - 6 drabbles for the Detroit: Become Human game
E - Ear For It - A Radar O'Reilly ficlet toying with his ESP concept from M*A*S*H

F - Face Off - DCUA ficlet with Dinah and Slade at odds
G - Galactic Rim - A PacRim fusion for SW:TCW with Rex & Ahsoka
H - Had it Easy - Heinlein's Future History, a drabble of Sharpie
I - I Could See Him - Pitch Black drabble that proves I am a sadist at times (Carolyn's POV of her final moments)
J - Jack on Dying - huh, a second Pitch Black, this one Jack's POV on death (not theirs)

K - K-7 Surprise - ST:TOS Fluff (and recent!)
L - Ladies Bingo: Column Five - multi-fandom ladies' ficlets
M - Ma'at's Blessings - Prince of Egypt Ramses/Moses fic
N - Name Day Celebration - Star Wars PT/TCW fluff for Kit/Aayla/Bly
O - Objective - SG-1 drabble of Vala

P - Pacific Rim Meme Responses - Multi-fandom PacRim fusions
Q - The Quantum Case - Quantum Leap noir ficlet
R - Rabbit Holes - SG-1/Sanctuary drabble crossover
S - Saber and Robe - SW:PT crack ficlet
T - T'hy'la - ST:TOS drabble (could it be anything but?)

U - Uncharted Seas - Harper Hall triple drabble for Alemi/Elgion
V - Vacation Among Family - Talents Series set during the Pegasus books.
W - Wager - DCU, Cassie/Rose drabble
X - X's and O's - ST:TOS, Spock/Bones double drabble
Y - Yer a Wizard, Drizzt - Legend of Drizzt AU where he was made to become a wizard.
Z - Zaknafein - Legend of Drizzt AU that was set up more like a fairy tale.

26 of 26, and I could have listed one for numerals, though none for symbols.

Thoughts? My tendency to writing small snippets of fic is on display. Most of the longer fics in this list were written for Exchanges. I am shocked Transformers didn't pop up. Pretty wide spread of my fandoms, though.

Their Holidays or read at SquidgeWorld (100 words) by Merfilly
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Leverage (US TV 2008)
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Alec Hardison/Parker/Eliot Spencer
Characters: Eliot Spencer (Leverage), Parker (Leverage), Alec Hardison
Additional Tags: Drabble
Summary:

They each have their own.

---

Eliot paid attention to the veteran holidays. He didn't much care for the complex behind it now, having seen all the ways it was abused, but most of those vets had died believing in an impossible dream worth protecting.

Parker, of course, was all about Santa and Christmas. She got to make up for the shitty holidays she'd seen as a kid.

But Hardison? Hardison went all out for Halloween. Decorations, costumes, and enough candy to kill a dentist was his philosophy. No one who showed up left empty handed, not even the parents. He needed them to be happy.

[Podfic of] Stake-Out? (38 words) by kbirb pods
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The X-Files
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Characters: Faith Lehane, Dana Scully, Fox Mulder
Additional Tags: Drabble, Podfic, Podfic Length: 0-10 Minutes, Audio Format: MP3, Audio Format: Streaming, Audio Format: Download
Series: Part 55 of graveyard smash, Part 72 of vending machine of podfic snacks [under 5 min pods, 2025 edition]
Summary:

Length: 1 minute
Summary:

She knows better than to follow him on the weird cases.

Podfic of Stake-Out? by Merfilly.

Squeaky or read at SquidgeWorld (100 words) by Merfilly
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Doctor Who & Related Fandoms
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Characters: Jack Harkness
Additional Tags: Drabble
Summary:

After the Zygons, Jack has a conundrum

---

Escaping the latest Zygon impersonation had been hard enough, Jack decided, but now he had a conundrum.

It looked at him with its tail sticking up like the antenna of a bumper car and meowed at him with the most pitiful squeak ever.

"I saved you this time. What if you're a Zygon in disguise? Hmm? Or just if you wander into my life all the time, you're going to get hurt, or worse!" Jack admonished.

Another squeaky meow, and Jack tucked the kitten in his coat pocket again, adding a stop at the local shop to his must do.

So I went and grabbed my 'most written' fandoms, and have a list of 30. I plan to write at least a drabble for each of these thirty fandoms.

I will take requests on a first come, first serve basis for prompts to these fandoms. (Extra prompts might get used later.)

The List

*DCU
1. Comics
2. TimmVerse
3. Birds Of Prey (TV, Movie)
4. ReeveVerse Superman
5. Keaton et al Batman
*Star Wars
6. OT & Related
7. PT
8. TCW & Rebels
9. Legends
10. Forgotten Realms
*Transformers
11. G1 (Original comics and cartoons)
12. Bay Movies & Bumblebee
13. Shattered Glass-esque
*Anne McCaffrey
14. Pern
15. Talent
16. Freedom
17. Crystal
*Star Trek
18. TOS
19. TNG
20. Novels
21. DS9
22. Marvel (spotty across franchises)
23. Fast & Furious
24. Forever Knight (TV 1992)
25. Stargate SG-1
26. Highlander: The Series
27. Doctor Who (spotty across franchises)
28. Elfquest
29. Labyrinth (1986)
30. MASH (TV)

Leave a comment with the fandom, character(s), and simple prompts if you want to claim one.

So today's "first" is Sontarans and Sarah Jane Smith.

They really went for competent, feisty, and full of gumption off the bat with Sarah, didn't they?

Linx was an interesting introduction to the Sontarans, actually.

Irongron is a pill of a brute of a villain, but I really liked Eleanor of the other castle.

This is the best line: "Is this Doctor a long shank rascal with a mighty nose?" and sums up the Third Doctor well.

Mistaken Identity or read at SquidgeWorld Archive (100 words) by Merfilly
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (TV 2018), Doctor Who (2005)
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Characters: Missy (Doctor Who)
Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Fusion, Drabble
Summary:

Missy thinks she can make this work to her advantage

---

Humans and their superstitions were so easy to manipulate, Missy decided. She was alluring, seductive, beautiful even, so of course this simpleton of a man thought she had to be a witch able to grant his fantasies into reality.

Only… sometimes superstitions had a grain of truth. This Zelda and Hilda seemed to have her confused for someone with significant power, and Missy could take advantage of that while studying their occult energies.

After all, it might prove to be the way to get her decrepit TARDIS back to functionality, preferably before the Doctor stumbled over her in this time.

Complimentary or here at Ad Astra (100 words) by Merfilly
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Star Trek: The Next Generation
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Characters: Deanna Troi, Jean-Luc Picard
Additional Tags: Drabble
Summary:

A small mission wraps up in a compliment

---

"If I were to choose to be confined to one form, it would be someone like you. Filled with grace and compassion and a true need to soothe the pain around you."

Deanna lowered her eyes from the being of energy, having found a communion with the 'spirit' haunting this station that defied words.

"Captain, keep this one safe." The being expanded its corona, becoming more diffuse, until there was no visible trace.

"Well, counselor, you have one more admirer in the cosmos," Picard said, amused.

"The station should not have disruptions now," Deanna said, rather than address her emotions.

Feathers and Family (9122 words) or Here on SquidgeWorld Archive by Merfilly
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Forgotten Realms (Roleplaying Game), The Legend of Drizzt Series - R. A. Salvatore
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Characters: Drizzt Do'Urden, Inthylyn Aerasumé, Dove Falconhand, Vierna Do'Urden
Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Wingfic, Background Relationships
Summary:

Drizzt, adopted by a pegasus herd when his wings came in, is guided to the one piece of family he can still have.

Feathers and Family

The pegasi herd had debated the pain-filled cries in the upper hills. There were nests to tend, but such pain, and seeing so many of the clever small ring-tail bandits moving at higher altitudes eventually made one mare go hunting. Species memory said the black skin and white hair was that of an evil enemy.

The white wings, still downy and molting bit by bit spoke of other things, more divine touches. The two-legged not-enemy was mostly sprawling on its front, giving the wings space to develop. The ring-tail bandits had been stockpiling food near the not-enemy it seemed. That made the mare circle and go back to the herd, sharing what had been seen. One of the elder mares who had no egg this season was listened to, and she returned to the not-enemy with one of her own sons, a sturdy colt that had his full height and wing span but not the full mass of muscle.

They landed a little behind the not-enemy while he was drinking water, causing the two-leg to spin and fight not to wince at his ungainly motion caused by the half-fledged wings. The mare ignored scolding noises from the squirrels in the tree above the stream, flicked an ear at the warning hiss from a ring-tailed bandit, and just looked at the not-enemy in the eyes.

She waited, and slowly the not-enemy came toward her, until he could actually rest a hand on her. A long commune, enhanced by what he was meant to be, saw him onto her back, and the pair took off for the herd-claimed lands, to help their new feathered friend adapt to his wings, to keep him warm, and to teach him to find his own food. They knew what two legs ate well enough, and no colt should be molting while half-starved.

---

The pegasi found their odd nestling to be a fantastic fighter, once he had all his feathers and control of the new limbs. This was tested severely by planar invaders, but in the end, the barghests and their allies were no match for a full herd with their drow. Only, Drizzt lost one of his blades, snapped on a parry, during the fighting, and woodsmen came across the carnage before nature had fully reclaimed the dead.

The broken pieces of a weapon of no surface manufacture alongside so many dead caused a small panic, and a ranger was asked to look into it.

Dove Falconhand studied the sword pieces, twitching a little when Fret agreed that the metal was one used mostly for ornamentation — on the surface.

~Qilué, isn't adamantium a commonly used material for weapons of the Underdark?~

~It is, and that is very faded and brittle… how did such a thing come into your possession?~ Qilué then picked up another sending. ~If you have a drow incursion, reach out to Thyl. He has allies.~

Dove filed that away, didn't ask how Thyl had allies for drow hunting, and replied. ~Thank you, and I will fill you in once I know more.~

She let it go at that, and then told the mayor she would inspect the battlefield, planning to see if she could find any traces even though it had to have been some time since the fight itself.

---

Drizzt was enjoying the feeling of the wind on his face as he flew alongside his friend, the colt of the mare that had spoken for him to be taken into the herd. The day was cool, but not yet the killing cold that would come. Like the pegasi, he tended to fly over the area rarely inhabited by other two-legged people, having been assured it was dangerous, for now.

Some day! Some day he would brave the civilized lands, and seek the words that would let him speak to more than the animals of the woods and his herd-mates.

Perhaps it was because of his thoughts turning that way, or maybe it was just wariness from the fight earlier that year, but seeing a pair of two-legs climbing past the lair of the evil ones that caught his attention. The sun made it hard to grasp details, but they appeared to be very tall, carrying swords, though one was in armor and the other had robes.

Drizzt's friend gave a strident challenge even as they both were diving to see better. If these had been in league with the evil ones, they would not survive the day!

---

Dove and Thyl were trying to find any trace of other movement, away from the battle scene. They had managed to find impressions in the dirt of a giant cat paw, and even what looked to be a hoof print that had not filled back in.

The strident call of a pegasus, something Thyl knew very well, might explain that, even as he and his aunt looked up.

The pegasus, Thyl saw instantly, was not alone -- wide-spread white-feathered wings on a two-legged being meant either 'celestial' or 'feather-kissed', at least, and alongside a white pegasus they certainly didn't mean 'danger'. He squinted against the bright sun, trying to make out more details, even as he whistled the same greeting he would use to their allied herd.

Dove shaded her eyes to look, making out the same details — the idea of a feather-kissed emerging now only added to the gut feeling that trials lay ahead for the realms — and wondering why no one in the region had seen the being yet!

Drizzt noted his friend was startled, but the body language went to 'curious' instead of aggressive. He pulled up from his dive, catching a thermal to circle lazily even as his friend checked his own dive into a more leisurely landing. The pegasus went to sniff at the one who had used a proper greeting call.

The pegasus was a stallion, probably just filled out this year, and he appraised both Thyl and Dove with keen intelligence before nickering a call up. When the feather-kissed did not come down immediately, he added a hoof stomp and firmer call, which set the feather-kissed to spiraling down.

Thyl bowed to the pegasus and said in easy Sylvan, "Greetings to a new friend. My friend Steelheart isn't with me; I traveled here by teleport, but I am always glad to meet another of the herds," then looked up at the feather-kissed and this time saw... hair white as his wings, and skin black as jet. A drow, a feather-kissed? No, his eyes had to be fooling him... didn't they?

But there was the adamantine weapon... what in all of Grandmother's names?!

He knew just when Dove made out the details, hearing the muttered 'Azuth's Balls' of her shock, before the feather-kissed drow landed and studied them. The pegasus had flicked ears forward to Thyl's greeting, but now wheeled and went to his herd-mate, coming to stand beside him as the drow's wings furled around himself, looking like a feathery cloak.

"Do you speak Common?" Dove asked, and the drow's attention settled on her with something like resolution, as if he should have known it would be the woman who took charge.

"I do not understand you," the drow said in the quiet, sibilant language of the Underdark.

"Greetings," Thyl said in the careful, mostly-memorized Undercommon he'd learned from Vierna, "I speak very little of this. You speak Goblin? We speak Goblin."

The drow's nose crinkled, a wry look on his face, but he nodded.

"Speak Goblin. Must, below. Helpful here, to be sure wrong things, much bad," he replied. "Name Drizzt. Friend is," and he mimicked an equine whickering sound, "but I call him Drobal." He was looking at both of them, curiosity evident.

Dove was frankly amazed at the equine sound, wondering if she were dreaming this whole encounter, and feeling the edge of a familiar divinity in the air. Not her own, obviously but she did keep it at the edge of her awareness for later.

"You killed these?" she asked.

"Herd. We did."

"Name Thyl, this my mother-sister, name Dove," Thyl said, as he looked more closely at the feather-kissed drow, Drizzt, and... other than the incredibly startling purple eyes, and the more masculine features -- and, of course, the wings! -- this could have been his own beloved standing in front of him. "We came to find out who killed evil things. Was well done. Why you stay with Drobal and clan, not go to other moon-drow?"

Drizzt looked at Drobal, who looked back at him, and Dove could have sworn they were communicating, as each one flicked wings in confusion.

"Not know who mean. What word before drow?" Drizzt said.

"Smaller light, one in dark times," Dove supplied. "Drow not like below, like you, free, good."

That got an even more skeptical look from Drizzt.

"How you think faerie," Thyl used the drow word there, mostly for his own amusement and to make the point, "learn Below-Language? From spider-drow?"

Drizzt considered that, then shrugged. "Faerie many tricks," he rebutted. "No drow like me." Drobal made an amused nicker, and that made Drizzt laugh and flutter his wings. "Very not like me!"

Dove joined that laughter; it was too infectious not to. "No, you are only like that. But moon-drow real. Have met."

Thyl half-closed his eyes and reached for his lady. ~Vierna? Love? Did your Lady bless a feather-kissed and guide them to any of the bands? Also, remind me of your formal House name?~

There was a very startled sense at the end of his sending but she replied swiftly. ~No, Thyl, I have heard of no such. The House is properly Daermon N'a'shezbaernon.~ As she did not immediately follow up, there was a strong chance she had not prayed for that spell this day.

Drizzt tipped his head to one side. "Strange, me. Always. Never like others. Sire different, but not like me." There was a tinge of sadness to that last statement, but it did not linger.

"Spider-drow not know sires," Dove said, hating the language for lack of nuance.

Drizzt smiled, a bright radiant expression. "Two hands, always. Faster than all. Very like him."

That was... another bit of confirmation, because Vierna had long thought that the Weapon-Master of her House had been her sire, as well. "You are child of," he dropped fully out of goblin and made himself sound as much like Vierna as he possibly could, "Daermon N'a'shezbaernon? Of Zaknafein?"

The face looking back at him was confused, then wary, before some realization hit, and Drizzt nodded. "Zaknafein, best fighter, all time. How know old name? Rituals, not every day," he answered.

Dove looked at her nephew just as startled, but Drobal had leaned into the drow, prompting him to spread his wing on that side over the stallion, showing neither hand was anywhere near the hilts of the mis-matched swords.

"Know one who ran away from Do'Urden," Thyl replied, "to be moon-drow, not spider-drow. Many many years ago. Twice ten tens of years ago. You look much like her. Like dam?"

Drizzt's jaw dropped and he actually moved closer to Thyl, making Dove a little nervous. Then again, she had not spent near as much time with good drow as it seemed her nephew had.

"Look like dam, yes. Say name of stolen one?" Drizzt entreated, while Drobal shifted warily for his herd brother moving closer to the strangers.

"Not stolen. Ran away. But her name is Vierna. Vierna daughter of Malice daughter of Vartha," Thyl answered, watching those odd purple eyes in the face so very similar to his lady's.

"Learned stolen, told never say to dam or old sister." Drizzt nodded, then gave a small laugh. "Sire made us strange!" he declared, as the tendency to be different was not from Malice!

"I thought Vierna was a wood elf," Dove said in Common, as she pieced the name to Alustriel's retaking of Silverymoon. "This family and secrets, oh my nephew!"

Thyl sighed and shrugged, "We do keep a lot of them," he agreed in Common, "but if it makes you feel better, most of my brothers don't know either. Just Lin... and Mena."

Then he looked at Drizzt and his mouth quirked in an agreeing laugh. "I think must be so. She faster than me, even two-hands with blades."

A deep hunger kindled in those eyes, one that Thyl had seen in very skilled professionals through his lifetime.

"Like Zaknafein," Drizzt breathed. He then closed his eyes a long moment. "Where moon-drow live? Where Vierna? Want… know ones like me. Want sister."

"West, in mountains," Thyl answered, pointing. "I go with you, show you way. Mother-sister go some way with us, back to mother's city. Your friend Drobal come? Young to leave herd."

Drizzt looked to his friend, then walked back to him, getting a poll to the chest. Soft sounds told the other pair the drow and pegasus were talking. When Drizzt turned back to them, Drobal gave Thyl and Dove the meanest, ugliest threatening look of 'protect him' before wheeling and running off into the air.

"Dam's last. Stay with her. Say come see later," Drizzt answered that.

Dove took in the way Drizzt was dressed, pants that had been salvaged, boots likely the same, but the shirt only covered his front and arms, being laced at neck and waist to stay on. "Go city, find ways make good clothes for you. Give to Thyl," she decided. Armor, too, but that would be tricky.

"Good son, then," Thyl said, of what Drobal had chosen, and then nodded at his aunt's words. "Long walk," he sighed, "but better you know way back to your friend. We teach Above-Language as we go?"

~Aunt, I'm figuring you can look at him and figure out why Eilistraee hasn't told anyone anything while he and I sleep? I don't want to frighten him when we can barely communicate.~

~I will look, but I might have to lean into Mother. Not so potent on the wizardly front, after all,~ Dove sent back.

"Can walk," Drizzt said, but a little dubious about it. He'd embraced having the freedom of the skies as soon as he worked out his balance. "Rest more," he added, shifting enough to show that he had to keep the wings lifted slightly so the last feathers didn't trail the ground.

"Walk today. Magic… like Drobal, no wings tomorrow," Dove offered.

"You fly, we walk?" Thyl offered, "cannot use magic beast until tomorrow, but you see us, follow?"

Drizzt considered. "Words and walk now. Fly when need. Yes?"

"Yes," Dove said, giving him an encouraging smile. "Answer question? Big foot shape at fight, cat, too big?"

That brought out another smile. "Guen. Best friend. Not today. Resting."

~Do you have any idea what he could mean, aunt?~ Thyl asked, looking over at her.

~Not a single clue,~ Dove answered, before they set out, with Thyl leading, and started teaching the words of things they passed in Common.

---

Vierna reached out first thing the next morning, while Dove was explaining 'fire' to Drizzt. She looked tired still, to Thyl, who knew the signs of his Grandmother's presence. Drizzt had picked up on it as well and was drawing out lessons here in camp, Thyl decided. The drow — celestial champion! — had slept some, but Thyl had awakened to watch him breaking open nuts he had scavenged… sharing bits with the opportunistic squirrels that had gathered.

~Three sendings. Tell me why you needed that information, as my Lady is baffled with us now!~

~Look through me,~ Thyl replied, relaxing into the touch of his lady's mind and showing her the feather-kissed drow sitting with his aunt and sharing bits with squirrels, ~and you'll have your first answer. I took three myself. If not Eilistraee, who?~

Vierna was absolutely stunned by the sight. ~That, I cannot know, for my Lady is completely unaware of any new drow that belongs to Her.~ She gathered herself back together, and really processed the look of that face, full of curiosity and study alike. ~He favors me strongly, and you asked for the ancient name. My kin?~

~Your mother's son by Zaknafein. He knew your name, as a 'stolen child' that he was told not to mention. Dove channeled Grandmother last night; I don't know what happened.~ Thyl answered, before using one of his own sendings. ~We're going to come your way by phantom steed and his wings, he's been living with a pegasus herd.~

~Hmm, he must have awakened soon after, or they didn't figure it out, as my communion was during your night as well,~ she responded. It had to have been Zaknafein that mentioned her, and that made her heart thrill, as well as confirm further who her sire had to be. She had a little brother, full one likely, that was as good as she was!

Drizzt's laughter floated over as he managed to start his own fire, before the excited rustle of his wings threatened to put it out. Dove laughed with him, seeming at peace with whatever had been found out about the feather-kissed drow.

~Likely,~ Thyl agreed, ~or Grandmother did something. I don't think he's had an easy time of things. One of his swords broke in a fight with a pair of barghests whelps; it's why Aunt called me.~

~To be that good, Thyl, I cannot see him having had anything but a terrible time of life before now,~ Vierna sent in a sober tone. She then took up her third one. ~It's going to be colder here; how does one make shirts for those wings?~

~No doubt. The back connects only at the bottom, with long laces up the sides and long ties to lace through the front of the shoulder,~ Thyl replied. Then he took up his last, ~I'll send Lin with a couple for you to take the pattern from. I love you.~

~I love you as well, though I have a lot more feelings about this entire event,~ she answered him, and then it was silent between them. She had things to prepare for, including the likelihood that their community would be at risk if the events needing a Celestial Champion chased her brother to them.

~Lin, twin? Need you to turn up summer and winter shirts for aasimar and take them to Vierna; her baby brother is a Celestial Champion.~

~WHAT?!~ was all that came out in the reply to his sending, and there were several moments where Thyl could all but see Lin juggling whatever he'd had in hand before Lin came back. ~Alright, I will find what I can and get them to her. Tell me how long the wing attachments are on the back?~

~Long, a little past the lowest false ribs,~ Thyl replied, ~he's about her same height, so at least you'll have an easy measure? He'd gotten himself adopted by pegasi -- oh and his name is Drizzt; I didn't get to tell her.~

Lin was making notes on a hastily retrieved scrap from a pocket, getting everything down while trying to figure out which city was most likely to be able to help with the idea. At least saying it was for an aasimar would keep panic down.

~Alright, I'll get this taken care of, and probably see you there in a few days?~ Lin finally sent back to his brother.

~Yeah, we're going to travel by phantom steed and his wings, teach him Common along the way -- I hate goblin so much, but I can't speak pegasi!~ Thyl agreed, ~and we're outside Maldobar right now.~

~What do you mean, you can't speak pegasi? Are you saying he does?!~ Lin asked as this went from strange and potentially realm-threatening to bizarre in that little sentence.

~He was certainly having a conversation with the young stallion he was flying with when they spotted aunt and I near their kills -- barghest whelps -- before he agreed to come with us, yeah.~ Thyl replied.

That was definitely one of the strangest things this decade. ~I will get things to Vierna, and … meet this person for myself, because so odd.~ Lin went to get his belongings together because this small hamlet was not going to have what was needed. ~Mother, do we have tailors that cater to aasimar, maybe winged tieflings?~ he asked once that was done. If she said 'no', he would try Aunt Laeral.

~In Silverymoon? Not that I know of, though Calistrevastha would certainly be capable of it,~ Alustriel replied, naming one of the women who made some of her gowns. ~Why, dear one?~

~Thyl gave me a mission, and I figured I'd rather give business at home. I'll check Aunt Laeral, as all I want are patterns.~ Lin wasn't going to burden his mother, yet, with word of a Celestial Champion being in the Realms.

Alustriel couldn't reply until her anklet recharged, and she had nothing of particular weight to add to the conversation, but oh, she was curious now.

Lin whistled for Snowmane after making the outer edge of the hamlet, straps ready to get moving. ~Aunt Laeral, do you know tailors in Waterdeep or elsewhere that would have patterns for aasimar tunics? Trying to find one.~

~Hmm, I am fairly certain I know a few that would have them. I'll check and reach back out.~

Lin grinned; that was his aunt, choosing to go be social, and he did love that for her. He'd head that way; if she struck out, he'd figure out if Baldur's Gate or Neverwinter was his next move.

---

Drizzt, after realizing he could not talk as well in the air, suggested they continue to walk, on their magic creatures, including one for himself. It was not as fast as flying, but faster and easier on his wings than walking. Dove was amazed by the amount of words Drizzt was picking up on their journey, while Drizzt was just overjoyed to have more than his herd to converse with.

A few nights into their journey and Drizzt finally cleared up the mystery of the cat. Thyl and Dove saw him pull a carved figure of a cat, say an old elven name, and … the figure remained even as a black mist coalesced into a panther the size of the largest tiger they could imagine.

The panther first nuzzled Drizzt, then turned and evaluated both of the silver-haired ones. Thyl got a light appraisal, but the panther was fixated on Dove a longer time. Having contented herself that neither was a threat to her drow, she turned back to him and bumped him enough to make him stagger. That made him laugh, before the pair engaged in a light play of tag around their campsite.

"They're... adorable," Thyl said quietly to his aunt in Sylvan, watching the deliberate play -- when 'play' was so hard for so many of those who fled the Underdark to understand at all.

"They're amazing," she replied in the same language. "That is no ordinary figure of wondrous power, and he defies everything I have learned about his kind, minus the wings.

"The wings make it an entirely different playing field, and I am very concerned to have a feather-kissed emerge now."

"...yeah, I've had that thought, too," Thyl had to agree. "You're not at all wrong, about him being different."

Dove sighed. "Florin is not certain, as Mielikki is not being very vocal at him, but he thinks it might be his Lady that did this. I'll ask further when I visit the Sacred Glade."

"Uncle's all right, though?" Thyl asked, smiling at the mention of her husband.

Dove chuckled. "He is very glad not to be the one dealing with this if it is Her doing — for a change."

Thyl joined in the amused laughter, grinning. "He does have a point!"

Dove looked up as Drizzt came back, the panther — Guen — trailing him. He had a bundle of berries for them to share, as food could still distract him from play… and Guen approved.

"Thank you," Dove said, as she fished out the hard cheese and sausage she carried for them to share.

Thyl pulled a loaf of bread out of his haversack, handed it to his aunt to divide, and hauled out the bag of dried vegetables -- carrots, summer squash, pumpkin, and beet -- and shook some into a bowl to sit out between them.

"Learn save food," Drizzt said, after sniffing the dried vegetables. "Cold time was… bad." Guen voiced a noise of agreement to that. The herd, and herself, had struggled to find enough for their young one. It had been closer to spring down lower in the hills, at least, but the safest place to keep Drizzt at first had still been like winter.

Dove looked at the panther and got the sense of that struggle in the way Guen's body language radiated misery at the memory. The cat had memory and personality and intelligence that was astounding!

Thyl nodded. "Will teach, when get to other moon-drow -- takes many fingers of sun-moving, and fire. Better teach when safe. 'Cold time' is 'winter' in Common," he provided the word as well, that hadn't exactly come up.

"Winter." Drizzt then considered, and asked. "Why?"

"Wait for more words, then ask again," Dove advised. "Goblin bad."

"My aunt is right," Thyl said, "is very hard to explain. Goblin not enough words, not right words."

Drizzt nodded to that, then pointed at Thyl's sword. "Magic. Sword? Strange." He felt safer to ask the man, even now.

"Do both," Thyl agreed, "to honor mother and father. Mother is a mage, father was a fighter. And past-stories keeper, but, fighter. I didn't want to choose between."

"Good mother?" Drizzt asked, uncertain of that idea.

"My sister, his mother, is a very good woman," Dove averred. "Try lead people to be more good."

"Very good mother," Thyl said, smiling at the thought of her as he almost always did.

Drizzt considered, then ate a few bites before speaking again. "Mother, save me from old and young sister. Make teach me more. Make stop bleeding when hurt. Let father have way, teach me swords instead of magic. Not know until too late.

"Use me, make me hers. Want me take father's place." He tipped his head up. "Father killed. I left. Lived with Guen only, long time."

"That... that very bad," Thyl said, wishing for so many better words, for easier communication, to be able to really share his horrified grief. "I... wish that not happen. Terrible. Long time... where? Not here, with herd..."

Drizzt shook his head. "Below. Wilds." He shrugged as if it were nothing. "Hard, but safer. Back much pain, always? Now know why." He smiled as he eyed his wings.

Dove's jaw dropped a little. This drow thought the wilds of the Underdark were safer than a city below? Didn't that just say terrible things about Lolthite drow.

~That is horrifying, aunt!~ Thyl sent, his own eyes wide as well. "Wilds very hard to live in, from tales I have heard. And... yes. Wings would make for pain."

"Wings not when below?" Dove asked just to clarify.

"Pain start, first time above." Drizzt's face was shadowed. "Go below, pain never stop. Ten years. Learn live with pain." He then shrugged, making the wings rustle. "Much pain when grow, after above, but now, no more. Feels right."

Ten years. Ten years with the pain of unreleased wings, alone in the Underdark. What was this man, his beloved's little brother, and why in all the Names of all the bright gods had he been so tested this early in his life? "Good that it not still hurt," Thyl said, cursing the goblin tongue in his head.

~Above once before, I do not like that. Qilué has said raids tend to be younger fighters,~ Dove sent worryingly.

"Use wings, use fighting skill, make things better," Drizzt said firmly. "Need… learn better spear. Shield, maybe. Other techniques. But swords. Good, if find right ones."

~Yeah, aunt, I know,~ Thyl agreed unhappily, before he focused on Drizzt's words. "Swords like broken one? Curved? You like those most?"

Drizzt grinned a little. "Zaknafein, father, used two that long. Picked the curved ones, made slow by a small breath," he explained, that grin having an impish quality to it. "He teach, any advantage, take!"

Thyl laughed at that, nodding. "Sharp wit, sharp wit! Good choice!"

Dove laughed too, even as she tried to figure out just how this drow was as bright and friendly as he was. It didn't seem possible, and how badly was his past going to bite him and any allies he took? Well, her family was duty bound to stand by him.

"Game fight?" Drizzt wrinkled his nose, not happy with that translation. "Fight, not real, teaching?" he tried. "Like fight, not real, long time no have."

"Spar," Thyl told him in Common, "is word for teaching-fight. You want? We can do." He got up to lose his outer layer of robe and evaluate the clearing around them. There was enough room, so, why not?

Drizzt bounced up, decided to just use the longer of the two swords he'd scavenged. The mate to the broken one had made the herd nervous, so it had been buried once Drizzt found two blades he could work with among the goblins' hoard.

Dove watched as the drow lifted his wings up higher and swept them further back than even his walking height. Drizzt tested Thyl — very obviously in control of this from the beginning — and started working her nephew through his skills, all the while smiling. Dove noted that he had already adapted for his wings, seeing some of his footwork as non-standard to make up for the weight and drag of the secondary limbs.

Thyl was delighted, thoroughly enjoying himself, completely aware that it was only the fact Drizzt was only using one sword that let him keep up as well as he did. If he were using two, he'd have as little chance of lasting as he did against Vierna. "You are very good!" he said, words gasped between moves, and kept at it. "Wings not slow you!"

"Be as good as father, some day. Hard but good, learning with wings," Drizzt agreed, letting this go until he decided Thyl was hitting muscle fatigue. At that point, he made two quick moves… and caught Thyl's sword by the pommel, while backing off with a grin for the disarm that had sent it flying. "Good fighter," he told his friend.

"Had thought so!" Thyl said, but he was laughing as he said it, smiling in amusement. "You much better, like sister."

"Much want meet. One that make father have feelings is important," Drizzt said, handing back the sword and then putting his away.

Thyl sheathed his own blade and nodded his agreement with that. "She wants meet you, too. There soon as can be."

Drizzt nodded, eager for it, but glad to be learning as they made their way there. Dove noted it, and half-wondered if he was afraid goodly drow would not keep teaching him Common, or if Drizzt was using the fact there were only two of them to get more accustomed to other people. Either way, she did not mind. Eilistraee didn't seem to have intruded in his dreams yet, or if She had, he had managed to keep it to himself.

With the Shroud of Lolth removed… it could be that the goodly goddess of the drow was being as cautious in approaching this as She could be in many things that touched Her Mother's webs.

Dove would pester her sister at some point to learn more.

---

The choice to use phantom steeds and fly alongside Drizzt came when he spotted other travelers, and decided that he could not, yet, deal with other people.

"No many words, not want bad meeting," he said. "Better no scare."

"It is a point, and first impressions can only be made once," Dove had reasoned in Common. "I'll stay with you until we near Silverymoon, and turn off there," she told Thyl.

Now, in the air, both of them could see that Drizzt had probably had the best teachers in his pegasus friends. He was a master of his wings and placement, finding thermals to glide on as easily as the raptors they startled in passing.

When Dove veered off, Drizzt made note of the city in the distance, marking it against landmarks. When they camped, Thyl offering a secure shelter, Drizzt asked a question about that city.

"Place Dove go, feels… feels like herd all together, good. Why?"

"Powerful guard-magic," Thyl said, "keeps out all evil creatures... except humans. Humans too all-mixed-up, bad and good, for spell to work."

"Human, below. Magic, cruel. Friend killed." Drizzt sighed. "Trapped friend always as hook horror. Dove show me, not all humans cruel."

"No, not all. Some, yes, terrible as any spider-drow. Some, not at all. Like aunt Dove, or my mother. Each can become either, without pressure from the kind they are."

Drizzt nodded, but his eyes were stormy. Drow wouldn't be like that, if they weren't shaped like that from childhood, he thought. Which meant… changing everything about drow lifestyle to ever have a chance of freeing them.

"Someday, see city."

"Yes!" Thyl agreed, nodding. "Is good place, will welcome. And mother will want to meet you."

"Good know mothers that are good," Drizzt said, settling something like a cat on the bunk with his wings as a blanket over him. "Thought mother liked me. Was special.

"All drow, want something. Her worst."

Thyl leaned over to carefully and gently take his hand, squeezing a little. "Hard thing to learn. Evil thing for her to do. I am sorry."

Drizzt shrugged, making the wings rustle, but he squeezed back. "Free. Mother maybe dead. Evil magic no kill me. Failure is punished."

"Mmm," Thyl hummed, thoughtful, and squeezed one more time before he let go. "That is truth, for them. Less danger for you from them is good."

"Yes." Drizzt closed his eyes, letting himself settle towards sleep. He'd gotten used to sleeping at night with the herd; doing it with his new friend wasn't so hard. Soon he would meet good family, and learn how to be a brother that wasn't ridiculed or feared — he hoped.

---

These mountains were much higher than the hills of the herd. Snow remained on some, the ones in the distance, but even without snow, Drizzt could see the seasons changing up the slopes, from still verdant green to showing fiery colors, among those trees that changed. That there were more of the ones that didn't here was a thing he would learn about, in time. He kept sweeping his eyes over the region, trying to figure out why they had gone so high for moon-drow when more caves tended to have openings lower, he thought.

Still, when Thyl banked to go land, Drizzt followed suit, enjoying the challenge of landing in a new place, to dodge the trees and take note of the ground all at once.

Thyl reached out with one of the sendings he'd taken, ~Vierna? Love? We're in the last clearing on the route up.~

~I'll be right there,~ Vierna answered, excitement pouring through her veins, and she finished the current step of what she was doing, picked up and belted on her swords, and took off for the edge of the wards at a fast walk that turned into a run the moment her entire community wouldn't be distressed to see it. She sped down the trail, silent as a ghost in her own woods, and only slowed for the last few strides out into the open.

Drizzt turned her way, and yes, it was no wonder Thyl had seen the similarity. Her face was much like Mother's, and where it differed, he'd seen those marks in his own face reflecting back at him. She was wearing swords, and her robes were decorated with moons and blades. She wore her braids in a fashion he didn't quite recognize, but near enough to what he'd known to be familiar. She probably had about an inch on him, much as Zaknafein had, and her eyes were more properly drow than his own or Mother's were.

Thyl let his phantom steed go, doing his best to see both reactions on first sight. Drizzt had not wrapped his wings around himself like a a cloak, so that was promising, and Vierna looked genuinely curious and happy.

"Oh," Vierna said in soft, quiet understanding, "you truly could not be anyone but my brother. Hello Drizzt, I'm Vierna. Your wings are so beautiful...."

"Hello, sister. Most likely of mother and father alike," he responded, "given the emotion Zaknafein showed when he told me of you, and I know I am his son."

Thyl was glad that Drizzt had shared that, given he'd known Vierna thought the only good memory of her city had been the Weapon Master.

Drizzt walked the few steps needed, and opened both of his hands to her, giving full trust because of how good she felt to his senses.

Vierna reached out and took his hands, letting the sheer goodness of what he was stroke over her nerves, as she swallowed against the ache in her throat, old grief and surprised pleasure running through her. "He spoke of me? Really? Well, no, he had to have, Thyl told me they said I was stolen -- hah! I stole myself, maybe! I am so happy to meet you. I would say you can't guess how happy, but... I think you can, actually."

He squeezed, nodding. "Family. Good family." He looked at Thyl, smiling. "Thyl has been teaching me, and putting up with Goblin for talking. He is a good person to know, I think, and might be a good swordsman in time," he teased. "Could learn be good fighter," he added in Goblin so Thyl understood him.

Thyl had to laugh, knowing he'd picked up a few new tricks in their evening spars. "I can't wait to see him with matched swords sparring you," he told Vierna in Common.

Vierna laughed, too, her eyes dancing. "He works hard for it," she said in Goblin, before switching back to drow to talk to her brother. "He is a very good person to know, and I care for him deeply. He is far better than many fighters I have known, but... he does not compare to our father, or, I think, to you. You had the advantage of Zaknafein's teaching for some time?"

"I was his sole student for four years, and that was all he did was train me," Drizzt said. "I did not understand enough of what drow were, to know what was happening once he persuaded that I should be a fighter, not a wizard.

"But those years, until just before I went to school, were my happiest years in Menzoberranzan."

"They would have been," Vierna said, aware that a look of profound longing crossed her face. "I had only half-days, for a few months. But they were my happiest time in the house, as well. Come, let me add you to the wards, and we can go in and be comfortable! I want to hear everything, know everything, and I know you much have so very many questions!"

Drizzt laughed, bright and cheerful, his smile matching it as he went with her, followed by Thyl. "I will look forward to sharing tales of the lessons, and technique? because it was something I did, that mirrored what you had done, that made him speak of you to me."

He did, his wings lifting and fluttering a bit with his appreciation of the hidden sanctuary. He scanned all around, taking in drow and other races living in harmony. A group project was going on, possibly something to do with food preservation and there were smiles among the mixed group.

"This? Feels good, like Blingdenstone felt," he told his sister. He then remembered she'd asked a question, and described the technique, as well as his counter. "I was a bit dazed from his counter to mine."

"Oh, I remember that," Vierna said, but he was no-doubt more... forceful... about showing you he was better than he was with me. And... You've been to Blingdenstone? Really?!"

"When I realized just how mad I was going in the wilds, yes." Drizzt shrugged. "I'd had an encounter, where I tried to give mercy. The svirfneblin recognized it for what it had been, and spoke for me. So I lived there, until I was too much a risk for them, because of the family hunting me.

"And when I left, Belwar went with me, so I was no longer alone between Guen's visits."

"I am glad they could see that you had been trying to be merciful, to help," Vierna said softly, "and... who is Guen?"

"Big damn cat," Thyl said, having caught the name and tone. Drizzt grinned, having picked up that phrase.

"Guen is an astral panther, and my friend. But her time is limited."

"This must be quite a story, and I look forward to meeting your friend," Vierna said, reaching for his hand again. "Let me show you around? We have wonderful baths, but -- can you still use one? I can't imagine your wings would like being wet... Maybe with something you could lean your chest against, instead of leaning back?"

"I have a wide range of motion with them, and have thought of supports for them so I can still soak," Drizzt said. "I want to see your home, to meet people, and … keep learning."

---

Thyl curled around his lady, now that they had sated themselves. He nuzzled her neck a little, then sighed. "So, I am going to ask Elin and Andy, but you might have heard as well. We know your brother came above once, before this time. Which means raid, Dove says. I haven't asked him directly, and it would seem a longshot, giving where he was living now.

"But have you heard of any attacks in the last ten to twelve years? I'd like to know more, you see, and maybe find a way to help him face that past, given it shadowed him greatly when it was mentioned."

"No," Vierna said, sighing, "but... if it happened fast enough, even our Lady wouldn't know until those that were primarily Hers came to Her."

"Alright. My brothers get the mission. Dol, too, given how much he travels." He kissed her shoulder then, and closed his eyes. "Your brother is amazingly bright, both in attitude and intelligence."

"I am already getting that impression," she agreed, "just from listening to him try to use Common at dinner."

"Apparently he is fluent in Drow and Undercommon, has some Duergar, Abyssal, and Svirfneblin. And well, there is Goblin." He chuckled at that last. "Says he reads and writes both drow scripts? Can recognize the writing of a couple of other species, too.

"And he's not much past forty if I put it all together right. That's damned impressive, even if I hate it is a cultural thing."

"Well, he was intended to be a wizard, from what he said about our father," Vierna said, "so he would have to be literate. I thought he looked terribly young, but he's spent too long on not nearly enough food, it's taken a lot of the youth off him. I'm so glad your aunt found him, and brought you in, love."

"I'm glad Aunt Qilué suggested me instead of sending one of her own," Thyl agreed. "I know there's a lot of worry because… well, what he is means dire events ahead, but he's elf-kin. It might not be for decades or more. So we teach him, we help him, and make sure he has all he needs.

"I mean it would be great if we knew which deity. Aunt Dove is pretty sure it's Mielikki, or maybe Silvanus? Which, okay why a human deity, but given his affinity for the wilds, he's obviously wild-called."

"Tell me more?" Vierna asked, focusing on him again, raising a brow.

"He can communicate with the pegasi better than any of my brothers or I, probably better than Dad could. He was being kept fed by the raccoons and squirrels before the herd adopted him. And the whole trip, if we were on the ground, at least one animal had to come talk to him.

"He… well, he says he's just observing them, and he understands based on behavior, but Dove says it's more like a ranger ability, or even druid, but the swords mean the former, most likely. He knows how to test foods for safety, he can tree-walk better than a lot of elves I've met… just everything screams that he was made for wild places." Thyl then shuddered. "Ten years in the Underdark might have honed his observation and necessity for food testing, but it looks very ranger to me."

"Oh that's fascinating," Vierna said, "It's been... probably since we were cursed Below, that the drow have had a ranger, as far as I know! Well, there are those twisted spider-rangers, but they certainly don't count."

"Not like this, no." He smiled a little. "We get to help him explore it all. If… that is… you don't mind me sticking around more? Lin's supposed to be on his way, and I bet Steelheart follows them."

"When have I ever, in our lives, objected to your company for as long as I can have it, Inthylyn?"

He laughed, kissed her again, and settled for sleep. Let Dove and others worry; he was going to meet the challenge head first.

---

"So," Vierna asked, as the sun finished setting, they finished their meal, and Drizzt was nearby, "how do you feel about a spar?"

Drizzt's eyes lit up, and then he looked at her blades, compared to his salvaged ones. "Can I borrow proper swords from someone? These work well enough, but to give you a challenge, I should have better."

"Of course!" Vierna said, putting out her hand for him and heading towards a door, "come on. Our armory isn't much, but we have better than those."

"Eventually I will need to talk to a smith for trading to get my style back; Thyl says they are more common in Calimshan." He took her hand, something that amazed others, so fresh to the surface but absolutely unafraid of touch. "For now, I just need to look for better length and balance."

Vierna laughed, and turned her free hand back towards the tables, "Dhaeln will enjoy the challenge, I think, though we don't keep a lot of extra iron stock on hand. I'll have Thyl ask his brother to pick some up for us, you can hunt to balance out the cost -- the meat for our larders and the pelts to trade will do so quickly enough."

Drizzt looked at her with something like hunger. "Are there people to teach me how to use the hides and furs? I know how to shape and dry both mushroom leather and reptile hides, but… I never had reason to learn the rothe tricks, just how to twine their longer fur into useful things. Well, and the sinew, or all the mushroom leather would have done me no good for replacing boots and belts."

"Of course," Vierna said, nodding, "we have a couple of very good tanners; they'll be happy to have a student and the help."

"Oh that is good!" Drizzt wanted to know how to use everything he touched, including the animals he killed for meat, now that he had fire.

Micken looked up as the pair came in, as the armory abutted the general stores for the village, and he managed both. His eyes went a little wide to see the feather-kissed so close, but Drizzt was already removing his sword belt.

"Goblin?" Drizzt asked in that language, hopeful, because he did mean to speak for himself, a small rebellion against the 'natural' order of letting the woman speak instead.

"Aye, I speak Goblin," Micken said, though his accent was heavy on it. "What I do for you? What need?"

"Swords, like sister's?" Drizzt answered hopefully. "Close?" He put the salvaged swords on the table for Micken. "Cleaned, fixed, sharp, but not right long size or weight."

Micken nodded and moved to pull away the heavy canvas tarpaulin that protected their small store of spare blades and bring out the longswords for Drizzt to evaluate.

Drizzt looked them over, not touching at first. When he did, it was to barely lift the ones he thought might suit, before finally settling on a pair that only had about an inch difference in full length. He stepped clear of the other two, did a few hand exercises, and put one back, choosing a different blade that was shorter by two inches. Again he tested, and decided that they worked.

"Use now. Use for all. Later, trade for my swords?" he said before he moved to get the scabbards.

"Aye," Micken replied, nodding, and Vierna said, "Of course, Drizzt. You're welcome to them until Dhaeln works out making scimitars for you."

Drizzt blinked, then smiled. "Thyl say sword kind?" he asked, as he had not actually discussed his wishes with any of the dwarves. He acquired the scabbards, then threaded them to his sword belt, rocking the hilt a little to see how much clearance they had.

"He did," Vierna agreed, "or, well, described them well enough that I could guess. As did your mention of Calimshan. I'm glad you found something that suits you, little brother."

"We go, spar. See how good I am with another of his students," Drizzt said with a grin. He then looked at Micken and switched to Common. "Thank you."

"Yer welcome, lad," Micken said, wondering how he was the way he was. Newcomers were often slow to learn manners and smiles, after all.

Drizzt took his sister's hand, and let her lead to where the sparring would not interfere with the drow who were working on projects, flexing the wings to get them ready for extended lift. For this, he would stay on the ground, and keep them back, away from things. Adapting to their drag had been so important for ground fighting, and he had mostly recovered his full speed.

In the air, he thought he was as fast as he'd been at graduation.

Vierna let go, backed to a polite distance to begin a spar, and dropped her hands to draw and launch with the best of her speed.

Drizzt met the first attack with a perfect parry and spin, before making a lazy attack she could easily meet… and he laughed with joy when she also deflected the real attack. She was fast, and her skill was definitely close to his own, possibly better as he was still adjusting to two other limbs while not using them in this fight.

Vierna gave a sibilant cry of delight and attacked in return, parrying his, and fully joined into the blade-dance that was worship of her goddess, exercise of her body, and affirmation of her relationship with this man, her brother, all in one.

He found the joy of his father's teaching, of meeting his father in true dance finally, here with this woman that shared both of his parents. A sister he could truly love and cherish, who would never hurt him on purpose, who danced with the same love of the blade he had held so long — every moment of pain since coming above was washed away in his joy. Strike, counter, move… all of it as perfect as if practiced and yet so fresh as each had techniques developed away from their base training.

This was perfection.

The sound of blades striking each other at that speed echoed through the caverns and slowly drew every drow in the community and many of the others to stand or kneel in a wide circle around them, watching the worship that was pure artistry. None of them could truly notice the time passing, or would have dared to intervene. It was Thyl, hours later, who finally fetched a bucket of water and slung its contents in a low arc between them into the deep sand.

Drizzt was laughing even as he back-pedaled away, swords shipping home in sheathes before he knelt there to gather his breath again. "Oh daughter of our father, you are very much his student and more!"

"And you are his son in all ways!" she laughed, suddenly feeling her exhaustion and folding down to sit in the sands before she fell, her blades unblooded and across her knees. Now she realized she was soaked through with sweat, her limbs starting to tremble, but oh it had been a joy...

He tipped his head as he became aware of the applause -- snaps and pleased hisses -- around them, then he focused more on her.

"I pushed too long, but thank you, my sister, for giving me a dance like that! It's been nearly half of my life since I could go so long for the pleasure of skill alone with our father," he told her.

"Oh, my brother, you are so welcome," Vierna told him, looking up at him with a brilliant smile, reaching up to push the hair that had come free of her braids out of her face, smoothing it back. "It was wonderful, thank you."

"I look forward to many more spars, while I learn the ways of the surface," Drizzt told her, getting back to his feet and crossing over to her, helping her up, so they could both go get clean.

---

There was language and skill to learn. The goddess of his new people had Sung to him in his sleep, reassuring him that She would listen for him. She was not the one who had Kissed him, but She approved of the choice to do so, and he would learn more as he went.

From the others, especially Thyl and Lin, who had access to ancient Lore, he learned more of what he was meant to be. He'd actually flown away from the village after that, to weigh it. His heart was already dedicated to protection of others; this way, he would find the strongest ways to do that, and came back full of new resolve to master every skill he might need.

In time, he would follow the pull of his patron deity. For now, he was just where he needed to be.