As small as Fairhome was, attacking it was an ambitious program for us, so much so that rumors were widespread that the whole thing was an elaborate plot in which we were intended to fail and those of us not killed in the fighting would be executed for incompetence. Still, the possibility of great riches and glory was enticing and if we succeeded, we would return to exalted positions [which would scare those who did not go and cause them to unite to backstab us... I did mention that drow are the chief cause of death to drow, didn't I?]
So there was considerable enthusiasm as we set out, our heads filled with visions of murder, pillage, and torture [which was what they had been filled with before we left], and my own head filled with the good news that I would be surrounded by less of of my murderous kin who would kill me as soon as I turned my back, and the bad news that I would be surrounded by the murderous surface dwellers who would try to kill me on sight. It did not make for restful sleep, but drow do not sleep anyway.
The standard plan was to start in the wilder sections of the kingdom and gradually work our way to the vital center. This did allow easy retreat if the target proved too tough, as it often did. But of course, it also allowed the defenders to get ready and thus required that retreat. This time, our plan was to be the reverse. We were to start our attack with the vital center, the royal castle. Once it was taken, our looting of the kingdom could proceed unhampered.
Of course, that meant that if we failed, we would be almost trapped, and our retreat would be a disaster. However, our commander was rumored to be in serious disfavor with the Great Matron, and had no chance of survival if he did not return with victory, and so was willing to risk disaster if it promised great success. [That the one who spread this rumor was executed for spreading lies meant it was widely believed.]
Sadly for me, this strategy required brave and daring scouts to go where nobody could hope to survive and find deeply hidden secrets. Which means they sent me, their least brave or daring. [Of course, being told that one's throat would be cut if one failed does wonders in producing courage.]
I wasn't told just what our exact strategy was, or rather I was told a great many strategies, many of which quite contradicted each other. In any case, I was to gather evidence to make all of them possible. I was told that this way I could not reveal the true plan if I was captured. I assumed it was because our leaders had no idea what plan to choose and were hoping I would find a way that could work, and that if I did not, well, I would make an easy fallguy...
They at least didn't give me a deadline. Since we live for a very long time [except when we are being murdered] we can be very patient. So I could afford to take my time and get things right [if I wanted to risk being executed for failing to produce...] And the first step was to start working my way into a city where every hand was against me.
The obvious idea was being a merchant. Trade with the drow was highly illegal, and thus highly profitable. And thus there were people eager to engage in it. Of course these people were also the types eager to sell your life for a copper, but with care...
Of course, there were other ways to get a "face". A really good disguise maybe and then...   indicates the next chapter needs to be written. |
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