Cave of the Dhaeraow

[Venorik Elggur]

A large opening amongst a series of sharp, protruding boulders, tunneled within the earth on the dark side of a hill; opposite of that of the sun, and its potentially blinding rays. The unstable cave led deep into the rocky mound, each step taken a possible risk, for the rock was loose, and one could easily slip, and plummet to their demise. The atmosphere was cool, dim, and secluded; perfect for the being that resided there. The very bottom of the cove was littered with small vermin bones, and occasionally the fragile vertebrae of a buzzard or two, and sharp irritating rocks directed their points up, and would pierce the flesh of anyone not accustom of living in such a place.

At the very back, where the air was coolest, and the light overwhelmed by darkness, sat the owner of this particular cave. Picking at his teeth idley with a broken bone from a recently killed rabbit, he sat there in all his loathsomeness, content, and satisfied; appathetically casting his strange, citrine gaze along the flooring to the 'entrance' of his cave. A thin stream of light filtered through the dusty cold air, and settled upon the jagged ground; enclosed by shadows. He snorted, and pressed his spine smoothly to a the flat stone behind him, whilst digging at his scalp with dirty fingernails through platinum hair.

[Alcorad]

Strange reports had come of sounds coming from a cave in the wild lands of Rhun. Doren decided that he himself would investigate his matter and so he journeyed to this cave accompanied by ten Easterling guards. It seemed that every time he travelled to Arnor or Rhun something always needed to be done immediately.

The cave was filled with chilling sounds that seem to be made into terrefying creatures of immense proportions by the vivid imaginations of the company entering the cave. Never had this cave been seen before until recently. Oddly enough few animals lingered near the cave. It was quiet. No birds chirped, no bugs flew in and out of range of youre hand. Nothing. It was eerily quiet.

As they made their way further into the cave a distinct sound was eminating from the darkness. Different than any they had heard thus far. It was not a stelagtite dripping water onto the cave floor or the sound of an illy placed stone that had fallen from it's perch within the cavernous walls. This was a sound that like that of an animal that was feasting on bones. The very sound of the scratching teech against the animal remains sent chills down the company's back.

[Venorik Elggur]

Small stones toppled over, and tumbled down the slope of the entrance, creating sharp noises that echoed throughout the narrow cave. The being was content, having known of the intruder's approach from the wave of rubble scattering, bouncing, collapsing onto the cavern floor. Plumes of dust swirled about the silhouettes of each of the clumsy invaders, whom haden't the nerve to enter a bit more quietly; the entrance to the small cave enlarged due to the miniature avalanche of rock.

The drow gripped the leg bone he held tightly, and gnashed his teeth upon the surface; splitting it in two, with a sharp snap. He was veiled in the pitch black at the rear of the cave, and only the bright glow of two orange eyes pearing at the group behind a cloud of throat-irritating dust was apparent-- unless either of these, men, could see in the dark. Reaching down beside him, he curled his fingers about the hilt of his scimitar, just incase any of them meant to harm him.. then spoke, "Al, lu' vel'bol xun nesstren inbal chaon ghil?" the drow sputtered, grinding his teeth together, eyeing each of them one by one. As he pressed his back flat to the stone wall, and stood up, a trickle of light cascaded over his form, barely making him visable.

[Alcorad]

The Easterlings froze when they caught sight of two shining orbs in the darkness. They began to turn away as a cold voice echoed through the cave but Doren pressed on. One of the Easterlings stopped him with curiosity in his eyes.

"Do you know what he said?"

"It is some form of Elvish. I can't quite understand it though."

Doren decided that the best way to try and speek with this creature was to use a language somewhat similar to his own. "Pedich Edhellen?"

[Venorik Elggur]

Quirking his head to the side, the drow blinked once at this foriegn tongue, which was dismayingly familiar. He snorted; a wisp of dust whirled infront of his dark visage, and he moved his arm back which remained consealed within shadow, and hid the seratted blade behind him, then jerked his head to the right sharply; a loud 'pop' emitting from the joints. After a brief sigh of aggitation passed over his lips, he spoke aloud, "What purpose do you men have here?" the drow growled. Their presence in such a small area of space, and he cornered to a wall made him quite inflamed inside, and if it were only two of them he would've attacked by now..

[Alcorad]

Doren stepped forward and placed his hand on the sheath of his sword. "Word has spread of a fell presence in this cave. I am guessing that you are the origin of these rumors. May I ask what you are. You speak a language similar to elvish but you also possess the tongue of westerness."

[Venorik Elggur]

The drow shifted along the rear stone wall; his black armor cladding together whilst he moved. Either brow contorted, knitting together at this man's words, "Locked in a cage, used as a sideshow at dusk in a town crawling with men.. One would pick up a language rather quickly over a year, with curses and other banter thrown at him constantly over the night, hn?" the corners of his lips curved to form a grin; his fingers squeezing the scimitar's hilt tightly, "And comparing my native tongue to those surface dwelling womanish elves will be taken as an insult, ..Uss tangi ussta lodias orn elrie l' phrengen d' nesstren lu' darthien, uss a uss." He sneered, closing the lids back over the pair of brightly glowing orbs, then disappeared; blending into the darkness, though remaining infront of them. "Now, what do you really want.."

[Alcorad]

Doren's brow began to furrow and he moved his hand up further to the hilt. "So you are not an elf? I see. Well would you do me the honor of coming out of the shadows so that I may see the one I am speaking with."

[Venorik Elggur]

A low chuckle echoed throughout the cavern, the drow's eyes snapped back open to illuminate the front contour of his frame, with an orange outline from the glow given off by his iris.
"Heh.. heh..Sorry, friend..."
He brought the blade-wielding hand out of the shadows, and before the group of men. His ashy wrist twisted some to the right, and the seratted scimitar stood upright, with its dented, curving blade, stained with old blood. The strange glow radiating from his eyes seemed to singe the blade; the citrine light cascading over its edges, producing a brighter glow.
"..I'll come when the night is young, just tell me where you shall have me, and I'll be there." grinning, he extended his arm, and tipped the blade forward; pointing at the one who spoke, "..However, this time, you come alone.."

[Alcorad]

Doren raised his brow. An odd request this creature gave him. Such a creature as this was a threat to him. His mind was obviously scarred by past events and he was liable to strike at any given second. It seemed to Doren that he had no friends. No companions that shared company with him and therefore need of aid wasn't required. If this creature truly did have an intent to destroy him, he would use the skills that he had honed as a ranger of the North to thwart the creature.

"I shall meet you at the entrance of this cave at dusk. I shall bring none with me and you should do the same, though I doubt you share companions within the confines of the wretched hole."

[Venorik Elggur]

"..Indeed." Replied the drow, appathetically. With a flick of the wrist, the dull side of the scimitar collided into the right pouldron mounted upon his shoulder. He shut his lids; the limited features portrayed diminishing with the darkness, as the drow waved a dismisive hand to the group. He would wait until the sun set, and the early coolness of night fell upon the rocky terrain. He then, fell asleep-- or atleast, feigned sleep.

[Alcorad]

Doren left the cave and returned the Rhun Hills where they aquired supplies to make an encampment outside of the cave. After the two hour ride from the crags of The Rhun Hills, they had finally arrived at the cave. He and the Easterlings set up camp in the evening sun. The bare trees swayed in the breeze and a fell odor was carried from the cave. Sometimes one of the Easterlings would glance nervously towards it. It wasn't unusual. Fear was something encouraged in Eastern and Southern lands. It made it easier for the lords of many peoples to control them.

As the evening sun faded in the distance they felt a sudden shadow creep over them. A fear. Doren ordered the Easterlings to depart wich they did with pleasure. He finished the last chores that needed tending to. The camp was ready and so was Doren for the creature to emerge.

[Venorik Elggur]

Heat still lingered amongst the sun-baked rocks, yet a cool air swept over the terrain, and into the drow's den. Sensing night fall, the being opened his eyes and released a lengthy yawn; scratching at his side. He moved into a crouch, and crawled from his resting place near the entrance above. The disgusting smell of a human nearby filled his nostrils, and he couldn't help but sneeze.
Grunting, he made his ascent up the rocky slope, and peered out of the dark cove, only to find that same man settled just outside his home. And, seeing as how he was alone, no fear swelled up in him, instead a sly smirk appeared on his features.
"You were wise not to bring allies," he called, hoisting his body out of the hole leading into his chamber, and stood up; extending his arms in a stretch, with painful grunts,"..Bwael auflaque, heh heh.." he snickered, after muttering a few words in his native tongue.

[Alcorad]

"I do not know if that would be called wisdom but I held to my honor. I am curious. How long have you been living there?"