Phaelirra Arabani hurried down the dark and narrow halls of the temple. She hadn?t expected the streets to be so crowded, and she had realized, belatedly, that she was indeed late?and it did not do to keep Ansanansa El?baerryn waiting. Though the High Priestess of the House of the Dark Dancing Lady was known for her patience and sweet temper, it bothered Phae when she made one of her oldest friends wait. Thus, she nearly ran into the strange male who was taking his leave from the High Priestess? office.

He was surprisingly tall for a male drow, but both his eyes and his skin tone spoke of an impure lineage. She silently chided herself for her rude thoughts, and gave him a nod. He flashed her a rather charming grin in turn, and stepped aside with a little bow, allowing her to duck into the little room that served Ansa as an all around meeting room to conduct business with the temple?s denizens.

The older drowess smiled at the handmaiden as she entered, gesturing to a seat. ?So, lotha uss, you have been busy already, I see? What brings you to me, then? Certainly naut to play confidant again? Might I get you anything?? At the last question, Phaelirra shook her head.

?You did naut ask, but I have contacted the doctor,? At her elder?s expression, Phae hurried onward. ?I figured at least one other needed a warning?? Ansanansa's amber eyes narrowed, silver-white brows arching.

?Besides my Consort? Perhaps this was so. But why the doctor? Because we send him food, and you hope this will have him react favorably towards the temple??

Phaelirra shook her own white-maned head at that. ?He is a doctor, lady, in the emergency room of that Clinic. If there are any clues to be had, he might be one to see them?if he only knew.?

Ansanansa El?baerryn frowned at her young prot?g?, and rose to her feet with a shake of her head. ?It is dangerous business, this. The Consort?he knows what he is getting into here, Phaelirra. Does this male??

?He is one of our people! How could he not?? Phaelirra began, but the priestess raised a dark-skinned hand, and the younger female quieted and frowned, looking down at her clasped hands.

?At least at the Clinic he will be safe. I know of this place and those who work there,? Ansa began, until the look on Phaelirra?s face stopped her. ?No??

The younger drowess shook her head. ?He is taking a long needed rest. He did say he might visit, as he has been intending to speak to you??

Amber eyes glittered. "Bwael. Then perhaps I can take his measure. You may go, Phaelirra. Thank you for telling me this."

Phaelirra Arabani swallowed past the lump in her throat, nodded, and rose to take her leave.

Talabarra deposited the male before Ansanansa?s office door, raising a fist to rap sharply upon it. From within, a husky female voice called ?Enter!? The initiate opened the oaken door, letting it swing open, and without much ceremony, shoved the hapless doctor within the room.

The room itself was well-lit, filled candle sconces shone from the walls, and another sat in a hurricane lamp on the High Priestess? desk. She sat behind it, diminutive form nearly hidden, until she rose to her full height, and beckoned. First to the male, then to the pair of seats scattered before the desk itself, intimating he should be seated. She didn?t wait for him to sit down before speaking, though.

?Phaelirra tells me that you are a doctor.? Flatly spoken, sulfur yellow eyes fixing on the male, giving the impression of a human schoolmarm that found a little boy dipping a girl?s braid in an inkwell. ?I hear she has had the priestesses visiting your emergency room to feed you and yours.? A wave of her hand, and the priestess paced halfway around her desk, before turning and pacing back.

?I had hoped that you would eventually find your way here, Spider Savaris. So, tell me then, what is it you hope to find, hm??

She narrowed her eyes at him, folded her arms across her chest, and waited.

The high priestess looked at the male for a long time in silence. Perhaps it was uncomfortable, that sulfurous gaze. Eventually she gave a single nod, though her eyes narrowed.

?I am aware of what a doctor is, and does. What I do naut know is who you are. Xas, it is truth that Phaelirra speaks nothing of good in connection with your name and what this Clinic you work at does. There are others who also speak well of it.? But she made no comment as to who, there.

?I will give you goodwill, then, because of this.? The priestess gave a heavy sigh, shoulders slumping for a moment. ?That, and because there are those amongst even my warriors that speak well of this clinic. In any case, my Dark Lady is naut truly a goddess of war. She favors the blade lifted in defense, or raised to give succor to others. Her Charge is to call those who hate the Spider Queen and the Underdark to the surface, to return to what was once theirs. Peace. Living in harmony with all. Things that our brethren below never knew, or forgot when our forefathers were cast down so long ago.? It was not the entire creed, but it was a start.

She turned to the male again, brows drawing down. ?So I ask you again, what is it you hope to find here? I know very little of you?and one thing you will find, that I do have in common with my sisters below, is that I am naut given to trust without good reason. I hope you have a tale that gives me that reason.? Unfortunate for Spider perhaps that he had come at such a time, but he hardly could know of the dire signs that the High Priestess had seen.

One could simply not be too careful, when the Demon Queen of Spiders was involved.

The High Priestess' lips twitched in slight amusement. "Oh, Phaelirra has probably erred on the side of caution, if I know her. She at least makes an attempt to be discreet." As she should, the female's tone implied.

She went silent to listen to the male's story, brief though it was. Brief. That did not please her, but likely it was quick to please her. So many female drow were inclined to be murderous when displeased. Little could Spider know that Ansa had broken free of those thought patterns long ago. In the end, she nodded. If she really wanted to know more, she could always ask Phaelirra, who seemed to know him well, or she could inquire of the male further.

"I see, Spider. Xas. I think I understand." She tapped a well-manicured nail against her lower lip before resting her hands on her hips and smiling.

"Be welcome at the House of the Dark Lady of the Dance, Spider Savaris. We have rooms here if you need, though I dare say you are likely more comfortable closer to your Clinic. If there is anything else you think you might need, you may see myself, Phaelirra, or one of the other handmaidens, and we will do what we can for you."