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Scorched and mutilated, the drow corpse started to tum-ble from its high perch, but the grotesque
monster reached out a huge, clawed hand from the window and pulled it back in to devour it.
Drow justice Zak said coldly. He didn t offer Drizzt any consolation; he wanted the brutality of this
moment to stick in the young drow s mind for the rest of his life. The siege went on for more than an
hour, and when it was finished, when the denizens of the lower planes were dis-missed through the
braziers gates and the students and in-structors of the Academy started their march back to Tier Breche,
House Teken duis was no more than a glowing lump of lifeless, molten stone.
Drizzt watched it all, horrified, but too afraid of the con-sequences to run away. He did not notice the
artistry of Menzoberranzan on the return trip to House Do Urden.
Chapter 10
The Stain of Blood
Zaknafein is out of the house? Malice asked.
I sent him and Rizzen to the Academy to deliver a f!les-
sage to Vierna Briza explained. He shan t return for many
hours, not before the light of Narbondel begins its descent
That is good said Malice. You both understand your du-ties in this farce?
Briza and Maya nodded. I have never heard of such a de-ception Maya remarked. Is it necessary?
It was planned for another of the house Briza an-
swered, looking to Matron Malice for confirmation. Nearly
four centuries ago
Yes agreed Malice. The same was to be done to Zakna-
fein, but the unexpected death of Matron Vartha, my
mother, disrupted the plans
That was when you became the matron mother Maya said.
Yes replied Malice, though I had not passed my first
century of life and was still training in Arach. Tinilith. It was
not a pleasant time in the history of House Do Urden
But we survived said Briza. With the death of Matron
Vartha, Nalfein and I became nobles of the house
The test on Zaknafein was never attempted Maya rea-soned.
Too many other duties preceded it Malice answered.
We will try it on Drizzt, though said Maya.
The punishment of House Thken duis convinced me that this action had to be taken said Malice.
Yes Briza agreed. Did you notice Drizzt s expression throughout the execution?
I did answered Maya. He was revolted
Unfitting for a drow warrior said Malice, and so this
duty is upon us. Drizzt will leave for the Academy in a short
time, we must stain his hands with drow blood and steal his
innocence
It seems a lot of trouble for a male child Briza grumbled.
If Drizzt cannot adhere to our ways, then why do we not simply give him to Lloth?
I will bear no more children! Malice growled in re-sponse. Every member of this family is important if
we are to gain prominence in the city! Secretly Malice hoped for another gain in converting Drizzt to the
evil ways of the drow. She hated Zaknafein as much as she desired him, and turning Drizzt into a drow
warrior, a true heartless drow warrior, would distress the weapon master greatly.
On with it, then Malice proclaimed. She clapped her hands, and a large chest walked in, supported by
eight ani-mated spider legs. Behind it came a nervous goblin slave.
Come, Byuchyuch Malice said in a comforting tone. Anxious to please, the slave bounded up before
Malice s throne and held perfectly still as the matron mother went through the incantation of a long and
complicated spell.
Briza and Maya watched in admiration at their mother s skills; the little goblin s features bulged and
twisted, and its skin darkened. A few minutes later, the slave had assumed the appearance of a male
drow. Byuchyuch looked at its fea-tures happily, not understanding that the transformation was merely a
prelude to death.
You are a drow soldier now Maya said to it, and my champion. You must kill only a single, inferior
fighter to take your place as a free commoner of House Do Urden! After ten years as an indentured
servant to the wicked dark elves, the goblin was more than eager.
Malice rose and started out of the anteroom. Come she ordered, and her two daughters, the goblin,
and the ani-mated chest fell in line behind her.
They came upon Drizzt in the practice room, polishing the razor edge of his scimitars. He leaped straight
up to si-lent attention at the sight of the unexpected visitors.
Greetings, my son Malice said in a tone more motherly
than Drizzt had ever heard. We have a test for you this day,
a simple task necessary for your acceptance into Melee-
Magthere
Maya moved before her brother. I am the youngest, be-
side yourself she declared. Thus, I am granted the rights
of challenge, which I now execute
Drizzt stood confused. He had never heard of such a thing. Maya called the chest to her side and
reverently opened the cover.
You have your weapons and your piwafwi she ex-plained. Now it is time for you to don the complete
outfit of a noble of House Do Urden From the chest she pulled out a pair of high black boots and
handed them to Drizzt.
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