Surfacing Ch. 37

Vian glanced in bemusement at Mourn. *I should back up, shouldn't I?*

Mourn gave her a clear, slow nod. *He's never seen it before, Vian.*

*Seen what?* Jael asked, though she had a better idea than the healer.

Vian nodded acknowledgement. "For centuries, those in my main squad have been those rare Drow who can share in group couplings, even if some have been brought in as a close pair. I built it that way because I wanted it enough. Anyone else would have told me it was suicide to be fucking my entire squad all at once, and in most cases they would be correct except that mine required a commitment to share.*

Jael smirked. *'Commitment to share'? That sounds like a contradiction.*

*It is,* Vian agreed, *if someone doesn't value themselves as an individual or have confidence in managing their own decisions and responsibilities. And most don't, or it takes longer to learn than they will likely be alive. It took me a long time to find those as easy with the possibility as I was. Eallo was the first and my most loyal. His example made it easier to convey to others what we were 'looking' for, but even then we had to keep it secret until...* She paused, looking up at Mourn. *Well, until you destroyed House Dar'Prohn, honestly.*

The hybrid nodded, having accepted that as he had the time to think it over the last month. He had destroyed that bloodline. At least the Name, and the Noble family, if not the commoners and the army now in Vian's keeping who still carried on.

*Then,* his old Sergeant continued, bearing no grudge on her former House's collapse, *when we left and took those with us who didn't want to be slaves of the other Houses, my squad and I could live what we were more openly, moving about the Underdark as the Rin'oveaus as we were. We were free, and we could talk openly. Not all my teams can or want to live this, but in order to stay out—not beholden to any Matron, House, or City—they must tolerate a greater variety of thought than was openly discussed before. And they do. Males are more empowered among females, but with it comes a responsibility to choose for one's self.*

Auslan was paying close attention but still sorting out where he fit in the picture. *You do not propose that I join your group...? I cannot...*

*He's already committed,* Jael added, and Vian nodded patiently but slowly held up her gloved hand to the younger female.

*Let Auslan explain it to me, Jael. I would like to understand his thoughts on this, given Eallo was too bold and it unnerved him.*

His Daratrix frowned again but backed off with her arms crossed; Mourn gently coiled the lower end of his tail around her knee, smiling at her, reassuring her privately—just between them—that all was well and no insult was intended.

Jael would have to change a few intolerant habits herself, after all, and she was more than resilient enough.

Auslan was uneasy with the two females' exchange but did his best to explain himself. *I am... 'committed' to Shyntre and Sirana. I would do nothing to hurt them. I think I would prefer to only ever couple with them. I have...been 'shared' far too much to feel its value as you do. I feel the opposite.*

Vian nodded. *Understandable. Although I would distinguish between the two: sharing, and being shared. The first is one's own choice, the second...not necessarily. Correct?*

*Well...yes, Commander. I see that.*

*And I would also ask you, do you feel attraction to Eallo as well?*

*Conditioned response,* Auslan signed with uncertainty and embarrassment.

*Forgive me, but are touches to your arms and an embrace part of your training in serving females?* Vian replied, frank and curious.

Auslan shook his head.

*Were you trained for and shared with males as well?*

He swallowed. *I was not trained, no. And no male was ever included with a Consort. It would cast immediate doubt on who the true sire of any children by a Noble female.*

*I see. Interesting. And just now, you chose not to look Eallo for long in the eyes, because...?*

*It wasn't appropriate,* the healer responded.

*Also reasonable. I note it wasn't because you resented your 'conditioned' response.*

He flushed hot, now caught in a lie of denial which didn't suit him anyway. *Perhaps...I have none.*

Vian smiled warmly. *Thank you for admitting that possibility. Now tell me this. If Sirana and Shyntre were included and both willing, or if they gave their blessing to you to accept simple pleasure from someone in my squad, no other commitment required, would you consider? The understanding between both groups being that you will return to your committed pair, and Eallo will return to me and mine. No tricks, no lies.*

Auslan's mouth was open a bit; Mourn could see the answer before he had the courage to sign half of it.

*Well...perhaps,* he granted. *But not if agreeing to it also means anyone in his squad could join in at any time.*

Vian grinned wider and nodded. *Understood. Consenting to one of us does not mean you consent to all of us. We practice this rule as well, Auslan. Awareness and consent was always the one rule not to be broken if one wanted to remain part of my squad. No tricks, no potions, no intimidation, no force."

She paused, evaluating him and seeing some skepticism, to which she shrugged and added, *I have killed a few whom I confirmed broke the rule without remorse, Auslan. Often they told me themselves they felt justified doing so, that the other 'asked' for it, or there was some other reason besides their own will to do it.*

Jael gave Mourn a sharp, very direct look. *So that's where you learned it.*

He smiled and nodded, his tail shifting and coiling affectionately along her leg as a tiny, ticklish snicker escaped between her lips.

Vian continued on for the younger male's greater understanding. *Anyone in my company can always tell me if they've been raped, and I'll listen and look into it. Male or female, doesn't matter. Telling also doesn't for certain end up with execution or severe punishment to the accused. Sometimes it was a misunderstanding or a poor decision, and if we could bring both stories out for discussion and each could understand what went wrong, it was an opportunity to teach empathy and forgiveness. We're small enough as a group to do that, and I've always been in charge and rarely challenged.*

Auslan shook his head. *I cannot imagine this anywhere in the Underdark...*

She smirked. *It's real, Auslan, and frankly what Elder Rausery would work toward for as long as she lives now that she's being given the chance, even if it might look different outside of a closed military force with its own authority. But truthfully it didn't take *that* long to change a few bad habits in my merc group when we stopped protecting the violent and entitled ones, and executed the repeat rapists.* Vian shrugged. *Truthfully, I haven't needed to kill anyone for rape in a long time. They know it's a consequence and that others won't keep their 'secret' for them. It's been enough.*

Jael's eyebrows climbed high on her forehead as she looked at the much older female. *You mean you succeeded? It doesn't keep cropping up?*

Vian nodded soberly. *Not among Rin'oveaus, and not on my watch. We don't act it out on our enemies, either, that only blurs the line. The Rin'oveaus guard, fight, and kill for hire outside of Vuthra'tern, but we don't practice or condone rape or other torture. We're the only group of Drow who can say that and mean it, and those among us who would not accept it have been culled for the health of the whole.* She looked up at her former charge. *All of it has been in your honor and memory, Mourn.*

If he had not seen this for himself in the weeks leading up to this moment, Mourn would have looked as stunned as the Consort right now. As it was, he could only bow his head formally to Vian in Yungian style. She gave him a look saying, "You're gonna tell me more about that," but silently bowed her head in return for now.

*Where did this come from?* Auslan asked hesitantly, and the elder was more than willing to tell him.

*A lot of consistent advice and wisdom from Mourn's Grandmaster, Y'shir Matalai'ko, while I was growing up. Y'shir helped me think of different ways of doing things when I dared opened up to him about what I really wanted. I found my 'perfect' squad, for certain, but later...it got harder to maintain. If the Abyss-damned Matron hadn't been fighting so hard for Mourn, we might've been able to do more for him, maybe even for the whole House.*

*I have learned peace with this, Vian,* he signed. *I do not blame you or my Grandmaster anymore for what Miz'ri did.*

Her mature face softened with gratitude and affection; she reached for Mourn's hand, squeezing it. He squeezed back, drawing in her familiar scent through his teeth. When they returned their attention to Auslan, he was speechless but had both his hands clutched just beneath his heart, as if he felt something too strongly to be able to convey it.

"I-I think I understand," the healer whispered. "Then...uh...I th-thank Eallo for the offer. I will consider but cannot say now."

"Of course not," Vian said, stepping forward to ask for a second embrace with the beautiful Drow who had saved her Right Hand. "Speak with Shyntre and Sirana first. See if it's the right time. If it's not, Eallo won't hold a grudge, I know him too well. We'll still both be grateful for what you did for us, that you never gave up on him."

The Life Priest nodded, quivering a little as he was released from her arms. He was in a bit of a daze at first, but came out of it a he looked behind them. "I should return to the infirmary. There are still a few more on whom I should check."

"By all means," Mourn said, "do not let us keep you from any patients."

Auslan smiled up at him—a bit shyly—and nodded his head to both Vian and Jael before taking his leave. Vian then motioned for him and Jael to take a walk with her. They went out far enough that it was better to murmur in quiet voices over trying to read hands out in the open.

"So how do you feel, Jael?" Vian asked.

"Huh?" his young mate asked, blinking.

"About me, about what I've told you and Auslan of the Rin'oveaus, of where we come from."

"Oh...uh..." Jael gave him a mock-pleading look, since he was in between them.

"It would be polite to answer the question," he said. "I was polite to *your* Mother."

Jael looked at Vian, seeming to be pulling her unwieldy thoughts and emotions around into something she could mostly recognize. "Well. I like that you're so certain what you want and will work for it."

The elder female smiled. "And I see you want to as well, you're only still figuring out what you want. Give yourself time, Jael."

"Can I ask a private question?" the younger tested without an honorific, and Vian didn't call her on it.

"Go ahead, Jael."

"Did Morix...Mourn...ah, ever 'join' your group?"

Vian's answer was steady and frank as she walked with them, and Mourn did not interrupt her. Whatever she would say, Jael should know.

"When he was first given to me, this was the expectation. My squad and I were to 'teach' him how to mate as well as fight with a squad. This was the direct and explicit command from our Matron.

"For a long time he only watched the rest of us have sex, and we didn't force anything as we tried to learn how he thought. We were also given time to train him in other things, so for several decades, things were fair for him and for us, if really tense for me during the progress reports. We got even more time when we discovered the Illithids close by and the fact that Mourn had instinctual knowledge and resistance to them, which I convinced Miz'ri was more valuable in his training and development than breeding. For a time, she agreed."

She narrowed her eyes, her face changing, growing somber, as she remembered something dark and very far back in her memory. "Except. When it got hardest for him, and for us...when delaying the Matron any more didn't work. There was only one the time, but it never felt right and never went far enough, not to any completion, before we..."

Vian blinked and looked straight at Jael, back in the present, willing her to know and understand. "We all stopped at the same time, even as Mourn apologized for not pleasing me and begged with us to 'continue.' None of us could, and frankly I ended up vomiting in the latrine hearing him plead like that. Only Miz'ri would have convinced him he needed to beg with me or any in my squad."

"Correct," Mourn murmured. "I believed it was best. To protect you from Miz'ri. I was afraid for you."

Vian frowned. "She did a good job overturning what you'd learned from us, what me and Y'shir had taught you."

"I had the opportunity later to recall it, Vian."

"I'm very grateful for that." His foster Mother exhaled slowly against the old, lingering pain, returning her attention to Jael. "Then Y'shir passed away, and...that was the trigger. It wasn't too much later that Mourn slaughtered Miz'ri and her grown children in his escape, and in doing so both collapsed the House and set me and my squad on our current path." She looked up at him with a slow-spreading, proud smile. "For which, in the strangest way, I thank you, Mourn. For creating that gap in their prison wall through which so many of us could escape."

He swallowed, remembering all of this and more, and nodded. At first he only looked at Jael, awaiting her response to Vian's full, truthful, in-depth answer to her question. Probably much more than she had wanted to know.

"Daratrix?" he asked when Jael stopped walking and looked between them, her face quite unhappy as they waited with her.

"A simple 'yes' or 'no' would have sufficed!" she told them. "Now I...now I just wish this fucking 'Miz'ri' was still alive and standing here just so I could cut her down myself!"

Vian chuckled and stepped closer, tentatively opening her arms to offer Jael an embrace as Eallo had offered Auslan, though without the sexual attraction. This was more matronly and Jael warily accepted, glancing up at him. He smiled at her, grateful for her hugging the older female who had raised him. His mate blinked away a moment later and she inhaled as she stared at nothing. He knew Jael was feeling more of Vian's own magical aura and this was still a relatively new experience for her.

"I've watched Gaelan these past weeks," Vian murmured, still holding Jael. "And I've watched you as I could. I'm so glad Mourn did not forget by the time he found you what he knew back then, and that somehow you all were right for him."

She leaned back, squeezing the upper arms of a squirming and self-conscious apprentice-companion. "And I look forward to being able to thank Sirana as well. When do you think we might see her? Is she recovered? I know Elder Rausery doesn't want her to leave without talking first."

Jael shifted her weight on her feet again and shrugged. "I'm not sure. Maybe soon. She seems better after I caused her to almost slip back into a psionic trance again."

"That wasn't your fault, Jael," Mourn said in response to the self-reproach, finally putting an arm around her. She swiftly moved into a much tighter embrace with him than she had with Vian just now. "You asked an innocent question, and you helped make it right again. Let it be."

Jael nodded, taking a breath and standing straight in front of Vian again, trying to steady herself. "So. Out a gap in the prison wall, huh? I take it Vuthra'tern hasn't changed much since?"

Vian shook her head. "From what we've heard and seen, not really. Not while the Priestesses of Lolth are still in charge."

"That won't be much longer," Mourn said. "The Valsharess was the key to the Spider Queen's presence here, and those who might have inherited it to carry on for her rejected the burden with my Sire as witness. He knows Lolth is no longer welcome here. Vuthra'tern will change."

Vian nodded soberly. "Finally. Whether it is for the better or not..." She shrugged. "Just like this City, I would guess it depends on who is left. We're lucky to have Elder Rausery here. Vuthra'tern won't have me, though, I've long found other things I care to be doing instead. And you, Mourn?"

He shook his head firmly. "I do not want to go back, and my companions and I must leave for the Surface again soon. I have much business waiting for me above."

Vian smiled, encouraging them to continue walking with her. "Yes, your own 'Guild' you said. That is amazing, Mourn. You've truly grown well beyond what any of us tried to predict, in all ways we even had a glimpse to see. Y'shir would be even more proud than I am, and that is the best compliment I can think to give."

The Dragonchild couldn't have kept his tail still had he tried; it curved far and smooth in a wave of contentment, and he bowed to her. "My greatest thanks, Vian. I am glad to make you and the Grandmaster's memory proud."

"We may never see you again, however," said the Rin'oveaus Commander, genuine sadness touching her mouth. "Unless you were to return to the City and Elder Rausery could send a message so we could come meet you?"

"That is possible," he said, considering. "Elders Rausery and D'Shea want to remain contacts, and the blood family of my own companions shall remain down here. Although, I was also thinking of another possibility."

Jael made it clear to Vian in her expression that even she didn't know what it was. His foster Mother waited patiently.

Part of the reason why he hadn't spoken much overall the last month remained inside his mouth, but only now did he stretch his jaw and broad neck in an odd way, extending and curving up his tongue from the bottom of his mouth. Both Drow females glanced at each other in baffled concern as he seemed to gag, then made strange clicking noises as nearly every muscle attached to his jaw flexed and contracted. Some drool dripped from between his teeth as he worked the large, irregular pearl out of the duct within his mouth and he allowed it to roll off his tongue and into his palm.

Both Drow females had their mouths sagging open.

"What the fuck, Morix?" Jael asked, stepping forward to look at what was in his hand. "Oh my fucking Goddess...it's a com-pearl, like the others?"

"Almost."

He took a moment to wipe the slobber off the pearl—iridescent green and shaped somewhat like a raindrop—and to clear out his mouth of the taste, worrying the sore spot a bit before holding it out to Vian. She looked at it closely, still not speaking.

"It is a 'greater pearl,'" he said. "Its range is even farther than those we've been using in battle, and where its maker is concerned, its reach is limitless in reverie. Accept this gift and you can send me word if you have need, Vian. I trust you not to abuse it."

Vian's eyes were wide as she looked at the pearl then up at him.

"Jeez...I know you implied that you 'made' those other pearls," Jael said with equal astonishment, "but I honestly thought you meant you had imbued an existing pearl with magic. You know, like a 'normal' mage."

Mourn chuckled, and before Vian could accept or refuse his offer Jael jumped with another question.

"How long did it take for you to spit that out just now?" she asked, narrowing her eyes.

"I've been working on it since the defeat of Auranka," he told her. "At first it would only be a regular 'com-pearl' for the Illithid battle, which I could make in three days with enough concentration."

"Oh? Who was it for?"

"Honestly, for Shyntre. Then I discovered Vian among the army and I changed my mind."

"It took you more than a fucking month rolling that around in your jaw?"

"Yes. Needless to say, my friends who hold these are very few."

"Krithannia and Talov," she stated bluntly.

"Correct."

"Not the...uh." Jael glanced at Vian and back. "The others?"