Chapter 6: Mantol-Derith

"How did you find us? And why?" I feel a headache coming on. This is all very suspicious.

"It took time," Meriele admits, "But this is my home, and I've lived here for many decades. I know my way around." If she is not interrupted, her arms lower somewhat, until her elbows are at her sides and they are not so heavy to hold in the air. "Ilvara," she says with a hint of venom, "Wronged me. Gravely." Meriele's scarred cheek twitches at the thought. "It would have been impossible for me to kill her myself, but it turned out that I did not have to." She takes in a slow breath, her eye roaming to each of those speaking with her, "You unknowingly did me a great favor."

She takes a moment to look at the gazes she is receiving. "I don't blame you," she says, reading their suspicion. "I know it is hard to trust me," Meriele speaks slowly and carefully, "But I have adopted the ways of Lady Silverhair." Her lips tighten a moment, and she lets out a breath, "This is... new to me, as well, but I am trying the only thing I can. I seek purpose, and as I see it, I owe you a debt."

Haloed in Sinag's light, Mai'ngor warns, "This is trickery. Remember Silverymoon."

Hunter smiles at Mai'ngor's warning, as the tikbalang states plainly what she herself only alludes. She lowers the veil from her face. "A test, perhaps?" she offers. "I cast a spell upon you. If you come back to us, you are not of the Abyss, and I would be willing to extend the same trust I have with these strangers." Hunter gestures to the Zhentarim and Poe, followed by an open hand, palm up, to Meriele.

While the drow considers, Hunter tries to recall information about Lady Silverhair.

Raising a brow at Mai'ngor, she seems to have little idea of what's being discussed. "I see no other choice," Meriele says, giving Hunter an affirmative nod.

Hunter looks at Meriele, observing the scarred drow. "Works for me," she says, and turns to the others. "The enemy would have balked at the prospect. Let's keep going." She wraps her veil across her face and tries to get the lizard to move forward.

"Introduce yourself, then. And this Lady you serve," says Hunter.

Meriele doesn't seem to fully understand, looking around to the others to see if they accept this test as well. She slowly lowers her arms.

As she observes, she speaks, "As I said, my name is Meriele. Lady Silverhair, or Eilistraee, is a goddess to the Drow. Specifically, she is for those of us seeking some measure of redemption, and a different way of life." Should Hunter manage to get her mount moving, Meriele will keep pace on foot.

Mai'ngor seems unconvinced by the test, and eyes both Meriele and Melpomene with suspicion as the group starts moving.

He struggles with his mount. The tikbalang's equine lower limbs are not meant for riding.

Hunter looks over to one of the escorts, her palms up and indicating her stubborn lizard, wordlessly asking for a little assistance. "Ah, Eilistraee," she repeats to mask her frustration. "I apologize for not recognizing the reference. And what are you... (erg, blasted beast, I would make you into a handbag if I could)... wanting to redeem yourself of?"

What kind of test was that? Elfog grumbles under his breath after it appears that Hunter has let the Drow off the hook a bit easy.

"'spose we'll have to trust Hunter on this one" he whispers to Mai'ngor as the Tikbalang struggles with his mount.

Meriele eyes Hunter's lizard, not wanting to interfere with her attempts. She takes a moment to reply, though perhaps only because she's distracted by the lizard, "If you know much of anything about my kind, then you already know the answer to that question." She extends a hand to the side of the base of the beast's neck, and speaks firmly, "Phindar, usstan quarth dos z'har."

Hunter nods her thanks. "Perhaps," she says in reference to Meriele's words, "but what have you done?"

"It is not your fault," Meriele says about the lizard, "It is particularly stubborn. Try z'har."

Then she frowns and goes quiet a moment. It is plain to see that she does not want to answer. She resolves herself to go against this instinct, and though her mouth is still turned down, she replies. "I have caused immense pain," Meriele admits, the guilt making her appear unemotional about it, "To those that did not deserve it. I have killed for the sake of pleasure and status." Her voice seems tight toward the end of her statement, and she quiets down to take a slow breath. "This was long ago," She clarifies. She adds, to Hunter, "I will confess to you whatever you wish, Veldrin, but perhaps there is a better place for it than here."

Meriele ponders the male drow, looking somewhat surprised to have his approval. She'd expected him to resist more than anyone else. She glances toward him, but is uncertain how to express her gratitude, or if she even should.