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ivious to her。
Aliisza almost unconsciously began to saunter provocatively as she closed the distance between them； and yet she found that she was admiring his form as much as she hoped he was appreciating hers。 His graying hair was roguishly disheveled and； bined with his swept…back ears； gave him the appearance of a maturing； if somewhat devil…may…care； half…elf。 Aliisza crooked her mouth in a sly smile； thinking of him engaging in the many subterfuges he was so fond of； passing himself off on the surface world as a member of that fair race。
Kaanyr finally heard his consort's footsteps and looked up at her； his features brightening； though whether it was simply for the sight of her or the news she bore； she was not sure。 She reached the first steps of the dais and climbed to where he sat； allowing just a hint of a pout to creep into her visage。
〃Ah； my delectable one； you've e； and with news； I hope？〃 Kaanyr asked； straightening himself and patting his thigh。
Aliisza stuck out her tongue at him and sashayed the remaining distance to plop herself down atop his lap。
〃You never just ravish me anymore； Kaanyr；〃 she pretended to plain； wriggling her backside as she settled。 〃You only love me for the work I do for you。〃
〃Oh； that's not fair； little one；〃 Vhok replied； running his hand lovingly down one of her black； shiny leather wings。 〃Nor is it particularly true。〃
With that； he reached up with his other hand； and placing it behind her lustrous black curls； crushed her to him； engaging her mouth with his own in a deep； spine…tingling kiss。 For the briefest of moments she considered resisting him； playing one of the infinite variations of the games the two of them seemed to love so much； but the thought was short…lived。 His hand strayed down her throat to the hollow of her neck； and it continued lower still。 She practically buzzed at his touch； and she knew that with the news she brought him； such flirtations would only break the spell。
As It was； Kaanyr still pulled away after a moment's heated embrace and said； 〃Enough。 Tell me what you found out。〃
This time； Aliisza really did pout。 His caresses on her wings and elsewhere left her panting slightly； and important news or not； she was not ready to be cast aside so quickly。 She considered withholding the information for a time； sending a subtle message that she was not to be trifled with。 He might rule this place； but she was not his servant。 She was consort； she was advisor； and she was free to find another lover； should he cease to satisfy her。 Satisfying an alu…the daughter of a succubus and a human mate…was a challenge few were up to。 Kaanyr was one of those few。 She decided to tell him her news。
〃They haven't veered from their course； though it's apparent they know we're closing in。 Their scouts have spotted our skirmishers and have continued to avoid contact。 We will have them pinned against the Araumycos； soon。〃
You're certain they're not here to spy or to wage war？ No quick strikes before vanishing into the wilds？〃
Kaanyr was absently stroking one of her wings as he asked this； and the alu…fiend shivered in delight。 He seemed not to notice her reaction。
〃Fairly certain。 They are apparently headed southeast； toward Ched Nasad。 Each time we cut off their route； they seek out another。 They seem intent on keeping to that path。〃
〃Yet； they are not a caravan；〃 he said。 〃They don't have goods or pack animals。 In fact； they travel unreasonably lightly armed for drow。 They are definitely up to something。 The question is； what？〃
Aliisza shivered again； though this time it was as much from the anticipation of the next bit of news as from Kaanyr's absentminded petting。
〃Oh； definitely not a caravan；〃 she told him。 〃It's the strangest drow entourage I think I've seen wandering around the wilds。 They have a draegloth with them。〃
Kaanyr straightened； staring straight into Aliisza's eyes； and asked； 〃A draegloth？ Are you sure？〃
When the alu nodded； he pursed his lips。
〃Interesting。 This just gets more and more intriguing。 First； we haven't seen a drow caravan of any sort in the last few tendays。 Finally； when a party of drow do venture out； they e straight through here； something they would normally avoid like the stink on a dretch； and lastly； they have a draegloth acpanying them； which means drow noble Houses are somehow personally involved。 What in the Nine Hells are they up to？〃
Vhok resumed staring off into the dark distance； again absently caressing his consort； this time letting his fingers trail gently down her ribs； which were exposed through the lacing of her shiny black leather corset。 She sighed in delight but forced herself to stay focused。
〃There's more。 I listened in on a conversation when they stopped to rest。 One of them； definitely a mage of some sort； was taunting another； who looked like a priestess。〃
〃One of the males giving lip to a female？ That can't last long。〃
〃Not just any female。 He referred to her as 'the Mistress of the Academy。'
Kaanyr sat upright； his stare deeply penetrating her own。
〃Oh； really；〃 he said in a tone so intrigued； he never noticed that his move nearly made Aliisza fall to the floor at his feet。
She managed to maintain her balance； but she was forced to stand to avoid looking silly。 She glared at the cambion。
He went on； oblivious； 〃Oh； this is just too good。 One of the highest drow priestesses in all of Menzoberranzan is trying to sneak incognito through my tiny little domain。 And she's letting a wizard run his mouth at her。 No caravans for more than a month； and now this。 This is too much fun！〃
Kaanyr turned to face Aliisza once more； and upon seeing her glare； he cocked his head in confusion。
〃What？ What's wrong？〃
The alu fumed； 〃You have no idea； do you？〃
Kaanyr spread his hands helplessly and shook his head。
〃Well； then I'm not going to tell you！〃 she snapped； and turned away from him。
〃Aliisza。〃 Vhok's voice was deep and manding； and it sent shivers down her spine。 He was angry； just as she'd hoped。 〃Aliisza；