------------- New World – Opal

The youngster swung her wooden sword, swatting the practice dummy again and again. She seemed intent on its absolute destruction. For a second, the General could see her skin take on a metallic sheen. Her obsession was such that she completely ignored his approach. When she drew back for another lunge, and he casually snatched the sword from her grasp, she almost turned on him in panic and rage. Then she saw his disappointed expression and dropped her head.

“Vhat have I told you?”

“Sorry, Uncle K.”

His raised eyebrow and frown said everything.

“I mean, General Honglathor.”

His straight face was easy enough for her to read. She didn’t understand why others couldn’t. She knew he was biting back a broad grin.

“Who vere you fighting?”

“Nobody, just practicing.”

His scowl said he didn’t buy it.

“Dad told me some stories about Drow, not like you, the mean ones.”

“Dah. Zhere are still zome ov zoze.”

“In the Splinter Kingdom.”

“Dah.”

“And near here, in Old Calladon?”

“No. Zoze ‘ave been eliminated. De Drovikallum now controlz Skullport az a forward baze.”

“They worship the Spider Queen?”

“Dah. Zey are ruled by ze Matron Mother, Shanzilla Belabra. Ve fought her forcez durink ze last var, vhen ze Lolth vorshippers regained power vith Lolth’s resurrection. Iv you vish to focus your practice on a target, may I suggest her eldest daughter, ze First Varmaster of the Sorcere, Opalina Belabra.”

“She’s tough?”

“She iz ze vone who gave me zhis scar. Do not undereztimate ze veilder of Lolnivelve. She iz Lolth’s chosen varrior. She haz no remorse, no mercy, no love in her black heart. But, fortunately, she haz no loyalty to anythink or anyone except her own ambitionz. Iv you vish to fight ze forces of chaos, you must learn to use zhere own limitations against zhem. To fight ze Drow, let zhem fight each ozher and zheir own natures. However, it does not hurt to feed zhere paranoia from time to time.”

The girl’s eyes lit up, “The werepanther I saw last night.”

The Drovik General raised an eyebrow and ventured a slight smile, “Ve vill make a soldier out of you yet, Zeranda Valcone.”

------------- Credits

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