The Caliph Lords and Ladies

(Co-writen by Mitzi. *Read Mitzi's fics at Anything Goes RPG)

"Yes, we�ll keep him. I simply can�t hurt him if there�s no due reason." Ran�s eyesight was blurry as he looked out into the distance. He noticed that he seemed to pass out a lot� But this time there was a terrible pain in the back of his head. His body also ached, and he guessed he was lying on cold, hard dirt.

The silhouette he could see was of a tall and apparently elegant man standing near a man of equal stature, looking much like a clone in the haze that was Ran�s vision. They stood between him and the source of light� Was he in a cave? He must�ve been. It made sense; these two stood at the mouth of the cave.

Then, as his vision grew better, he could see the man walking towards him. "I think he�s awake," the elegant one said smoothly as he strolled near him. "Hey down there, get up. We have questions for you."

Ran angrily struggled to his feet, irked that anyone should speak to him that way. He snarled and swung a fist, but he was seeing double and missed completely. "Vidon, please," the man said as he put a hand on his forehead, sighing. His accomplice, apparently named �Vidon�, nodded to him and placed his hands on Ran�s shoulders, pushing him gently into a sitting position.

"We don�t want to hurt you. Just give us a minute." Vidon�s pale hair glimmered in the sunlight from outside. Along with his trellises, Ran noticed the man had ears like the Alder Elves, only much longer. The superior with him also had these features.

"Who� are you? And� Sulhin� my clothes�" Ran managed to mutter, his voice and thoughts a mess from the pain in his head. He couldn�t focus on anything�visually or mentally.

The elegant man made a sweeping bow, smiling handsomely. "My name is Polo; I am the Lord of the Caliph Drows, a small division of Kana Drows. You see, we�re in this division because of our height. Caliph Drows are shorter than other Kana Drows."

The redhead was weary and now his mind was exhausted, too. He was trying to process the information. "Where�re my things�? Why� am I� here?"

Vidon pointed down into the cave. "We put them in a spare room and gave that creature of yours proper housing, but we don�t know what to feed it. I don�t think it�s notorious here in the mountains."

Polo also stepped into the explanation. "You were knocked out because you entered our territory at a late hour. At night my guards in the forest are to attack anyone who trespasses. I�m sorry if there is a mistake; you don�t look that dangerous to me."

The tired figure slumped in a half-laying position onto the ground. There was too much going on here�

Polo was on his way to a room that he�d been invited to down a stone corridor. He�d made sure before this that his new guest had gotten a room so he would be able to speak with the clan the next day. Right now, Polo had other things on his mind.

Outside a particularly large mahogany door stood Vidon, and he gestured Polo inside. As his leader bent to him to inquire, Vidon speedily told him: "The Court of Caliph is throwing a party for the capture. They want you here."

The room was grand and beautiful for being made of stone. The walls and ceiling was one giant mural--a painting of beautiful Zephyr Nymphs dancing in a forest. This was the Court�s personal reception hall, a place quite familiar to Polo.

"Lord Polo! We�re glad to see you here!" a female Drow called, hurriedly approaching him with three other women. When she got to him, she began talking. Polo was a little awkward because he still stood in the doorway. "I was on guard earlier when that Human was caught; Kaia here was the one to knock him out!"

A muscular Drow dressed in a blue outfit bowed to him graciously, but didn�t speak. The other two women seemed quite pleased to be in his presence.

Polo smiled warmly at the one who had addressed him. "I see you�re doing well, Gwaelyn."

She smiled with a blush and nodded, trying to remain collected in her excitement. Something then seemed to strike her. "Oh!" she said with a jump, turning to a pretty Drow who had her hair done up in tresses. "This is Alara. She�s new around here. It�s like�what happened to you, Lord."

There was a sparkle in Polo�s eyes as he studied her, but a very serious look on his face. "I see. Perhaps we shall talk again another time." With Vidon behind him, Polo coldly turned and strode off without another word.

Vidon, however, glanced over his shoulder briefly at the beautiful newcomer as he followed Polo out of the room. He caught a glimpse of inquisitive deep sea blue eyes before he turned away.