Chapter 51. The Underdark

[The Underdark?]

"Yes." I responded to Tarakona.

She'd just come back from her flight just as the land had tried to retrieve her only to be ambushed by Zeldi, who demanded we all prepare for our trip now. It had taken all of one sentence to get my mare excited about a trip down under.

[You want me. A Dragon that flies free in the air to join you in a cave so deep underground that no sunlight touches it?]

"Come on Tarakona. You can use your Draconess form and travel around like Master. If I can walk around there perfectly I'm sure you can as well." Zeldi wined at my Dragon, the Centaur really wanting to go this instant.

Also when had Zeldi been to the Underdark?

[I don't think I would enjoy it quite as much as you would sister Zeldi.]

"Unfortunately we don't have a choice there." I responded hoping to cut this short. "Either all of my livestock go with me or only I go."

Tarakona huffed still in her full Dragon form, the resulting breath of frost passed by the two of us on the ground. Zeldi however wasn't bothered by it and instead gave Tarakona the biggest puppy dog eyes she could.

Tilty was somewhere on the property doing something but since she wasn't considered a livestock none of us were bothered. Zeldi might have been mad but the thought of the Underdark seemed to have taken all of her focus.

[You are lucky I am not claustrophobic sister Zeldi. Fine I will go but I refuse to use my alternative form without clothing. You and Master may see me but anyone else, I refuse to be so vulnerable around them.]

Fair. Interesting to know Tarakona considers herself vulnerable but then again she is a walking weapon with frost powers so taking that away does leave one open to all sorts.

"Deal. Can we go now Master?" Zeldi said without pause having gotten my Dragons permission.

I'd prepared a little bit by emptying all of my inventory into Zeldi's room just so I could pick up as much as possible. We'd also moved absolutely everything into her room in case the freed Tilty decided to throw it all past the boundary while we were gone. It would have been stupid of her to try but neither of us wanted to take the chance.

I'd thought about wearing the armor from the Dragon Hunter but without any skill in how to use it all it would have done is slow me down. Plus I trusted Zeldi and Tarakona to bring me back if something happens.

"Sure. You ready Tarakona?"

[I suppose so.]

There was a mental sigh at the end of her sentence. I gave her a smile that I hoped said thank you before accepting the reward to go to the Underdark.

Just like all the other teleportation I'd experienced it was instant. The moment I accepted the reward we were all transported to a new location before I could even dismiss the menu.

The Underdark or at least what I hoped was the Underdark we'd found ourselves in was a giant cave filled with glowing yellow mushrooms that acted as a light source while towering pillars of natural stone held the large ceiling in place. I was surprised there was enough room for Tarakona even if she wanted to fly.

However I didn't get much time to admire the scenery before a group of figures clad in dark purple outfits that reminded me of burkers surrounded us with spears.

Reflexively I raised my hands in surrender while Zeldi tried her best to hide behind me. Tarakona on the other hand just growled sending a small wave of frost out of her mouth that now I wasn't within the bounds of my land felt extremely cold.

The group flinched as the frost hit them but didn't back down. They also didn't approach so that was good.

"Yeah we're with her." I said intellectually pointing towards my Dragon.

No one in their group moved. The stalemate lasting a little longer than I felt comfortable before one of them spoke. "Zeldi, is that you?"

Zeldi's ears immediately perked up at the voice and she poked her head out from behind me. "Ventress?"

One of the robed figures stepped forward with her weapon aimed at the ground and removed her face wrap. The mushrooms close to us had enough light that I could make out the long ears of a familiar species from games and anime I'd watched.

"An elf."

"Drow." She said back placing a hand on her hip. "We are nothing like our topside brethren. Zeldi why is your breeding servant allowed to talk without permission?"

Breeding servant?

"He's not... Well I guess he is. I haven't completed his training just yet." Zeldi stumbled over her words but caught herself as she made her way in front of me.

I raised an eyebrow at her but she purposely didn't look in my direction.

"See that you do quickly. He has a nice body so many might try to find an excuse to force him away from you." The Drow woman reached into a satchel behind her and pulled out a collar. "Put this on him for now. That way it's obvious he's already owned."

Ventress then stepped up to Zeldi but kept her eyes on Tarakona, my Dragon was watching them all just as closely.

"Thank you. I will make sure he is properly trained." Zeldi said accepting the collar before turning and making her way over to me.

She held the collar out as she got close and made a apologetic face that almost made me laugh. Instead I got down on my knees so she could easily put it around my neck.

"I'm going to need an explanation Zeldi." I whispered as she brought her hands to my shoulders.

Zeldi nodded before whispering back. "The Drow are a matriarchal species. Males are often slaves to their female counterparts. Most of the species in the Underdark are."

"And you didn't mention this before we came why?" I asked.

Zeldis ears flopped forward in embarrassment. "I forgot."

The collar was secured and my little mare took a step back.

"Good. Now your male is safe." Ventress said with a nod.

Tarakona cocked her head to the side as she watched.

[Should I kill them Master?]

I shook my head subtly hoping she would notice before addressing the Drow with a bow. "My apologies for speaking out of turn. My Mistress is correct I lack the correct training to be of service to her at the moment but I hope my blunder does not affect her negativity in any way."

As I reached the bottom of my bow I shot Zeldi a look that spoke of what I was going to do to her later. My Centaur had her hand over her mouth in an attempt to stop laughing. At least this was funny to her. I didn't mind playing the part.

"At least he has potential. If you are fine with sharing him around my girls could make use of him when we make camp." Ventress turned to Zeldi. "He is a fine specimen of a male training aside."

"Oh he definitely is." Zeldi remarked. "But we wouldn't want to intrude in whatever your task is right now."

Ventress looked up at Tarakona and let out a sigh of appreciation. "You are my task unfortunately Zeldi. The seers of my family have spoken of a powerful person appearing right here at this exact time. I have been tasked with gaining their favor and if possible escorting them to my families hideaway so an alliance can be formed."

Zeldi and I shared a glance.

We weren't blind to the fact the powerful person was myself and that this Ventress had mistakenly thought it was Zeldi. Though the fact these seer's hadn't predicted that felt like a blunder on their part.

"Oh." Zeldi let out unsure of what else to say.

"Yeah I wasn't expecting it to be you but when you just appeared and not only that you came with a tamed Dragon there's not much room for mistake."

So much room for mistake, I thought but held my tongue.

"Right. Tamed a Dragon." Zeldi blushed.

[Zeldi if you really believe your mouth is good enough to tame me then I must inform you otherwise.]

"Of course I know that!" Zeldi cried out only for all the still hooded figures to look at her strangely.

Tarakona had only spoken into Zeldi and my own minds.

Blushing again Zeldi tried to regain her footing. "You mentioned gaining the favor of this powerful person?"

"Yes." Ventress answered. "If you will allow it I can escort you to my families hideaway. I can promise you many benefits to choosing an alliance with us over any of the other Drow families."

Zeldi gave a nod but turned to me questioningly.

"If I may Mistress." I said stepping forward and looking at the timer I had in the corner of my vision for how long we would be here. "Our time here is temporary, I estimate around forty seven more hours before we are returned to our farm. But if Ventress here is trustworthy with our secrets and has the ability to travel to your farm she could become a valuable trader for us."

Ventress snapped to look at me as I said our farm so I had to 'correct' myself on the second part.

"A good idea Mas... Breeding servant." Zeldi almost let out before she too corrected herself. "Is your families hideaway close enough for us to make it on time?"

"If you don't mind moving a little quickly we will have plenty of time for talks with my mother." Ventress answered before bringing her hand quickly to her chest. "Alright girls protection detail. No harm is to come to the Centaur under our watch. If anything is to happen to her it will be given back to you doubled."

The hooded figures all returned the salute before moving to surround Zeldi in a protective formation. I was pushed out but instead of fighting I moved closer to Tarakona. Zeldi seemed to know Ventress and from the way they talked I was gathering they were friends from when Zeldi was the caretaker of the farm.

[Are you going to correct them at all Master?]

"No." I whispered so the Drow wouldn't hear. "Let her have her fun."

Tarakona huffed oft a breath of frost aimed away from the group.

[As you wish. But I will not tolerate them if they try to ride me or disrespect either of you.]

I patted her front leg. Dam it felt a little good to have a Dragon on my side.