Into the depths

The next day Shadowheart and Voss made their way to what the young Acolyte hoped was a shrine to Shar. The description checked out - the shrines she had encountered so far bore similar features, hidden doors and secret rooms, riddles to be solved or trials of faith to be overcome. Given the shrine was so close to the creche there was no need for guards or soldiers to accompany them, between Voss, an experienced Knight and Shadowheart with her magic and cunning they would be safe enough.

Shadowheart found the trip pleasant enough despite Voss' rather cold demeanour. She was beyond excited after all, having to refrain from breaking out into a run on several occasions. Soon enough they found themselves inside the cool, stone hewed passages of the shrine, working their way past previously solved riddles towards their goal. Shadowheart felt a flutter in her stomach as they approached the final chamber, stopping to take it all in as Voss lit a pair of wall-mounted torches which cast long, dancing shadows across the space.

The chamber was stone with two metal plaques mounted on the far wall, either side of a large, intricately carved door. The door bore numerous swirling patterns surrounding a larger, central spiral. Shadowheart examined the plaques, noting the unintelligible, ancient text that adorned them. Before each plaque a large, round plate was embedded into the floor, both bearing spirals similar to the door. Voss handed Shadowheart a scroll and nodded toward one of the metal plates while he produced a scroll of his own and moved towards the other. Shadowheart stood before the plate as she studied the scroll, her protest almost immediately silenced by the Gith Knight. "But..."

"It has been spelled out for you phonetically Lady Shadowheart," Voss interrupted, "Naturally our scholars translated the writings into Githyanki not your, common tongue."

Shadowheart began to mouth the unfamiliar sounds as she read, barely registering the fact that she would have to speak in the disgusting Githyanki tongue to reach her goal. Her anticipation clouded her senses as she practiced pronouncing the sounds in her head while Voss continued. "We believe the Disciple, you, are to declare your devotion to Shar before a witness, that being me. That's the gist of it at least... you will see a space there where you are to speak your name."

Shadowheart nodded, silently reading on.

"According to the scholars it is paramount that you speak your true name, Lady Shadowheart... only then will the seal open and the true shrine be revealed."

Shadowheart nodded absently, her eyes not leaving the scroll. Voss broke out into a devious grin before clearing his throat with a cough. "Step forward onto the plate and I shall begin...".

Waiting until Shadowheart had taken her place, Voss then read from the scroll, his low voice taking on an even more authoritative growl as it echoed around the chamber. Under other circumstances Shadowheart would have joked, if only to herself that it sounded like the Gith Knight was **** on his dinner, but she was far too focused on her part for such frivolities. Voss eventually fell silent and it was Shadowheart's turn.

The Acolyte felt her legs tremble beneath her as she began, forcing out the unfamiliar Githyanki syllables. Once she got going however, the 'words' came more easily, so much so that when it came time to speak her name, her true name, unspoken since she had taken the path of the Lady of Loss, it spilled out of her.

"Jenevelle Hallowleaf..." said Shadowheart in a clear, loud voice that echoed around the chamber. The sound of her name seemed to swirl around and around, rising in volume and intensity such that she had to tear her eyes from the scroll. Her gaze was immediately drawn to the door which was now spiralling wildly, the large, central swirl spinning madly as if trying to suck her in. She tore her eyes away, turning towards Voss but found that difficult. She managed to catch a glimpse as the chamber warped around him, a maniacal look of glee plastered across his alien face as he watched her intently. Turning back to the scroll, Shadowheart found that it was the only thing not spinning. In fact, the remaining words glowed at her as if demanding she read them. And she did.

"...revrykal...kith'rak...Voss...zhak vo'n'fynh duj..." Shadowheart all but screamed, hoping against hope it would make the spinning stop. And it did. As her world became quiet and still, Shadowheart breathed deeply, gradually becoming aware that she felt... different. Turning to face Voss once more she was hit with an incredible jolt of energy as if struck by lightning. Her eyes widened in terror as she gazed upon the Gith Knight who stared back at her silently. Then, although his lips were sealed, Shadowheart heard his voice echo loudly inside her mind.

"KNEEL!" came the command, Voss smirking as his new thrall flinched in response, then proceeded to lower herself to the floor. The look of pure terror on her face was priceless, the Gith Knight unable to suppress an ominous, gloating chuckle.

"Yes, foolish Elf... that's right. You are mine now," came the disembodied voice once more. "You have bonded yourself to me as my willing servant, from now until you die."

Shadowheart found that she could not speak though whether by some magic **** or her own fear there was no telling. Internally she screamed, 'No...no, it is not possible!' but to her horror, even this was rebutted, Voss' voice echoing through her mind once more. "Oh yes my pet. Watch... STRIP!"

Shadowheart found that she could not even try to resist, the command having a stronger hold over her than her own will. She whined pitifully as she undressed, tossing aside her robe before returning to her kneeling position, her supple body now exposed to the ancient alien Knight.

"Good girl." Voss echoed, the praise filling Shadowheart with a brief sense of pride that was just as concerning as her helplessness.

"Look..." came Voss' voice as he nodded towards the door which was now open. "Time to claim the prize."

Against her will, Shadowheart rose and began to slowly walk towards the darkened doorway, acutely aware that Voss was following close behind. In fact, Voss held a torch aloft, admiring the shapely curves of his new Elven thrall as she moved, thinking about just how much he was going to enjoy taking her when the time came. But first there was work to be done. While the ceremony was over, a roaring success he had to admit, there were a few finishing touches to be made before taking the journey home. As he watched the mind-warped Elf move he compelled her to put a little extra sway into her hips, not using his voice this time, just using some... suggestion. To his delight, Shadowheart all but sashayed towards the open door, swinging her hips wide as if inviting him to fuck her then and there. Oh, yes... he would have to reward Lae-zel handsomely for this gift. A defiantly unwilling, yet perfectly obedient ****. The very best kind.