I love the way you paint the drow in a new light. I agree with you 100% that drow shoudln't be either completly evil, or a drizzt. I also hope the hiatus goes away soon as I am eager to continue reading this story. I like how you've abolished the ideas that drow can't have friends, drow can't love each other, and so on.

*shivers in fright* Yasmur'ss as matron would be as scary as playing eye spy with death tyrant. G'eldzar/Triss was one of my favorite scenes in the story so far.

Inshalee's description of Pell was wonderful and just about how I picture her but she (Inshalee) kind of worries me a little. She has shown no true loyalties to anyone.

The inner thoughts of Sabafae about nearly dying and its after effects was very illuminating. I'm glad that she didn't have a near death experience and completely change ('that's it... I'm moving to surface and making the world a better place'). But she needed to change somehow and this was a far more realistic change. I personally would think that a drow or any other fatalistic being that would go through something like that would be more focused on returning on their own terms. Gonna stop babbling and get on to the next chapter.

Sorry about the the delay on the the review... life's been nuts. I absolutely love the concept you are trying to convey in the opening paragraphs. I agree with you that you might want to rewrite it later though. Not a bad chapter overall... I little more conversation (something I'm terribly guilty of) than maybe needed. A little details on the surrounding wouldn't hurt this chapter... making unfathomable landscapes is one of the freedoms fantasy writers have and we should take advantage of.

Poor Sabafae... not only to die but at the hands of someone you trusted. Zilvala has to be crazy to have seen into the Far Plane and be... enamored by it. But what she says about drow is true... power is what drives them. But it is what truly drives all sentient races... why does one wish for wealth.. to have power. Even freedom is a form of power of ones situation. Of course only someone a few strings short of a full web would see the solution to this problem is completely obliterating it.

You don't need to answer any of my questions from the last chapter by the way. It would be glib (and puny) to say that if anyone ever found out about the treasure in the lake that they'd be 'dying' to get their hands on it. The only thing I can 'complain' about is the lack of description of the cavern. The temperature, humidity, how open was it, did the water flow in from overhead or beneath. Outside of that, good chapter.

After reading that chapter I'm left with nothing but questions... how many people now a lot more about what is going on than they are revealing... and more importantly like with lying. Why? What are they gaining from keeping the knowledge to themselves? Is this ordeal so trying and dangerous that no one in half their right mind would willing go along the path? Or are those with the knowledge just playing on Pell's natural curiosity and forcing her to find the way?

So snakes die from biting Sabafae... but not abberations. Good things to know, I'll know what to summon if she comes after me. I'm surprised no one is concerned about who might be be controlled now... wither mentally enslaved by aboleth or mind flayers or robbed of themselves by the flesh wearers.

It almost got a little to syrupy for me... thankfully Pell threatened to beat Inshalee up.

What an odd snippet... and of course since these are drow speaking cordially to one another I have the glaring thought in my mind of What is Zilvala getting out of this outside of returning a favor? I might be getting ahead of myself but I can't wait to see if Shothotugg has a thrall involved in all of this. Thralls of Demons are okay... but Thralls to beings from beyond the far planes are utterly insane.

Shothotugg is one of my all time favorite evil beings... right behind Zuggtmoy, Demoness of Fungi and Dendar,the Night Serpent. If some mind flayers have figured out how to control or are being controlled by it... *shivers* Lolth save us all!

Mind flayers, blood fueds and a first day at school. I would guess that this isn't one of Pell's most cherished days. I like how you showed Pell reaction to seeing the city for the first time but you might have included more subtle senses since drow typically are not sight oriented. I did like how she noticed all the creatures though, Pell is most certainly a people person.

“What in the Goddess's name could give Sabafae nightmares? She's other people's nightmares.” I couldn't help not snickering at that line. I'm surprised T'riss still has a nose after snorting at ther Matron. And you can forget the comment on the last chapter about Gods and changing people since this one pretty much is exactly what I was thinking. What a wonderfully compelling chapter.

The only thing I feel that was left out was the fact that devotion or closeness to a god or goddess (Lloth in this instance) can be the primary force to completely change a person. I couldn't help but feel pity for Sabafae also.