Celene 


Sutekh was hanging from the bars that were the roof of his cell, 
brachiating back and forth across the sizable cage for exercise.  He 
was using his familiar's sight, as a cloth strip was tied over his own 
eyes to protect them from the light.  The weasel had its own cage and 
was not taking well to the confinement.  It frequently hissed at the 
ever-present guard and bit at the wires of its cage.  
	The door opened, drawing the weasel's attention.  As two elves 
stepped through the doorway, bows in hand and arrows nocked, Sutekh 
stopped swinging.  
	"Down," one of the newcomers ordered.  "Sit on the floor."  
	Sutekh complied.  
	"Lady Yolande," the elf called.  The guard stood and bowed as 
the Queen of Celene entered the room.  Even through the black and 
white vision of a weasel, Lady Yolande's beauty was without question 
and her movements were perfect.  Sutekh bowed his head to her.  She 
studied him for a moment, then seated herself on the guard's stool in 
a manner that made Sutekh think it a throne.  
	"Well, Sutekh," her voice matching her beauty, "I trust you 
are not uncomfortable."  
	"I have been in worse dungeons, Lady, though they were
usually pleasantly dark," Sutekh replied quietly in his best manner.
"What of Adaz?" 
	"She is well," Yolande answered.  "Her cell offers more 
privacy than yours, but she too has a guard outside her door.  
Considering where you were caught, the added precaution seemed wise.  
Duke Llwen advises that you be executed immediately.  He was furious 
at your gaining entry to the palace while he warded it."  
	"I take it that I am not to be?" Sutekh inquired with a smile.  
	"You are not unknown to us, drow.  There are a few in this 
land that were victims of the Slave Lords.  They say that you were one 
of those that led them to safety."  When no comment was forthcoming 
>from Sutekh, she continued, "I have talked at great length with Adaz 
over the past few days.  She makes you out to be quite the hero; 
however, I do not believe she has any real understanding as to why you 
are here."  
	"She means well," Sutekh explained.  "She has spent most of 
her life in cities, dealing with city life and city politics.  She has 
difficulty grasping an overall, world view."  
	"And you have no such problem."  
	"Lady Yolande, I am a spy for the Free Lords," Sutekh answered 
plainly.  "I have spent much of the last decade in the Pomarj and 
surrounding areas.  I understand the current war better than most."  
	Yolande smiled.  "Then you admit to being a spy."  
	"Lady, I did not come here to spy, but to ask a question."  
	"Very well, what is your question?" 
	"Why are you not helping us in the war?" 
	"What makes you think the war is any of our business?" the 
queen replied.  
	"Lady Yolande," Sutekh started, somewhat taken back, "With all 
due respect, if you think you will not be eventually targeted by the 
war you are a fool."  The bows bent slightly.  "It is fairly obvious 
that some sort of alliance has been struck between Ecthalion's regime 
and that of the Aerdian Empire.  The Iron League has its hands full, 
as does the Nyrondal state.  To the north, Iuz seems to have taken 
advantage of our little war by banding together with the Horned 
Molagites and some of the Bandit Kingdoms, so Furyondy and the Knights 
of the Shield are occupied.  Lady, the world is at war.  You will not 
be left out, but if you wait too long to join, you will be fighting on 
your own."  
	"You left out that the Western Baklunish states are massing in 
Ket to move against Veluna and neighboring states in a holy war," 
Yolande said flatly.  
	"I was not aware of that," Sutekh admitted.
	"You see," she said patiently, "We are not unaware of what is 
happening around us.  However," she added as she stood, "We have 
problems of our own and I must attend to them.  We will talk again on 
the morrow.  In the meantime, is there anything that will make your 
stay more comfortable?" 
	"Please, Lady, my eyes.  Even with them covered I am very 
uncomfortable.  In one of my books there is a spell that protects me 
>from light.  If you would be so kind as to allow me a quarter hour 
with that book each morning I would not have to wear this blindfold."  
	Sutekh could feel her gaze even though he could not see into 
her eyes.  
	"It shall be done."  she said after a moment, then she was 
gone.  

"What do you know of our politics?" Yolande inquired.  
	"Very little," Sutekh shrugged.  "I have journeyed through 
Celene on several occasions, but was never invited to stay."  The 
queen returned his smile.  "However, knowing elves, your government is 
probably little more than an adornment, listened to only if it suits 
an individual to do so."  
	"Knowing dark elves, you should be put to the sword 
immediately," Yolande replied.  
	"You are right," Sutekh said, bowing his head.  "Please, 
forgive me and enlighten me as to your politics."  
	"You are forgiven.  As to our politics, our government is 
little more than an adornment, with individuals listening to us only 
when it suits them."  Yolande laughed at Sutekh's puzzled expression, 
a clear delicate laugh.  Sutekh was compelled to join in, but he did 
not wish to destroy the sound of her laughter with his own, so he held 
himself to a smile.  
	"Actually," the queen continued, "Our government has little 
power.  We rule by the love of our subjects, not by their loyalty to 
the state.  Celene is populated by wood elves, grey elves, and high 
elves, along with several settlements of gnomes.  Only when our court 
contains someone loved dearly by all is Celene truly one kingdom.  
Until recently, we had such an individual; Federick."  Yolande's eyes 
became distant, unfocused.  "Prince Federick.  He is a very special, 
very unique elf."  Yolande had begun speaking slowly, obviously 
reminiscing.  Then she brought herself back to the present.  "The high 
elves view it as our responsibility to join the war.  The grey elves 
say we should stay neutral, preserving our own borders only.  The wood 
elves are aloof.  They will fight when their valley is threatened or 
when they are given a truly hated foe.  The gnomes' voice carries 
little weight.  They will follow the majority."  
	She was silent for awhile, her sight again in the past.  "If 
Prince Federick were here he would unite Celene and we would fight 
your war."  
	"What happened to him?" Sutekh inquired carefully.  
	"He disappeared; captured.  He is beyond our reach, no longer 
being held on this plane."  Yolande looked deep into Sutekh's eyes.  
"I want you and Adaz to rescue him."  
	Sutekh repeated her words in his mind, making sure he had 
heard them correctly.  Slowly, he spoke, "I have infiltrated many 
prisons, and Adaz is more skilled in some areas than I.  If you return 
to us our possessions and can get us to Federick's plane, we will 
rescue him."  
	Yolande smiled.  "I thought you might."  
	"I forbid it!" 
	All looked to the doorway as an elf stepped through.  
	"Duke Llwen," Yolande said coolly, "Do you often eavesdrop on
my private conversations?" 
	"Lady Yolande," the duke's face was flushed with rage, "You go 
too far.  I will not allow you to free this... this creature."
	"Creature?" Sutekh repeated, mildly humored.  
	"Silence!" 
	"Duke Llwen, you have no say in the matter," the queen 
answered.  
	"He is dangerous.  He is a drow.  That race is incapable of 
producing anything but evil and treachery..."  
	"Do not raise your voice to me, Selegil.  Do you think I would 
have entered this room if he was dangerous?  Both his and the woman's 
minds were thoroughly probed before I ever talked to them.  Or do you 
doubt the skill of our wizards, as well?" 
	"So that's what that was," Sutekh muttered.  
	"He is a dark elf.  They have ways of combating such spells," 
the duke replied, his eyes full of hate as he stared at Sutekh.  
	"And the woman?" Yolande inquired.  "I suppose she has such 
tricks, too.  But the point is moot.  None of our spies have the 
resources of Sutekh.  I would send one along with him, but I know that 
he and Adaz work well together.  Sutekh has shown himself to be an 
ally against common enemies in the past, and Federick's disappearance 
is doubtless tied to Sutekh's war.  Returning Federick to us is the 
only way he will get us to fight, which is why he came here."  Yolande 
turned to Sutekh.  "Sutekh, you will be released upon my 
responsibility.  Do you give me your word that I will not regret 
this?" 
	Sutekh stood for the first time in the queen's presence.  
"Lady Yolande," he said with a bow, "You have my word that I will 
respect your trust."  
	Yolande turned to the duke.  "That is good enough for me.  I 
am responsible for their actions.  Now, set them free."  With that she 
left the room, followed by her guards.  
	The duke left, returning shortly with the key.  He unlocked 
the cage door and swung it open, drawing a dagger as he did so.  As 
Sutekh stepped out, Selegil grabbed the front of Sutekh's blouse, 
pulling him close.  
	"Actually," the duke hissed, "This is for the better.  Being 
what you are, I will soon have reason to put you to the sword.  Only, 
now, I will also be able to remove Lady Yolande and her dangerous 
ideas from power."  
	Sutekh said nothing.  He had met such hatred among elves many 
times, but this was the first time he found himself returning it.  


						Jeff Stehman