After leaving the cathedral-like cluster of spires at the center of the fortress, Renato followed Tristana down a corridor.
The Nightwind Family was the eighth-ranked great family in Samoriel City, and the fortress courtyards were full of half-drow laborers hauling goods and servants scurrying about.
These servants did not even dare look at Tristana. With their heads lowered, they hurried away, as though terrified that the female drow might call them over.
Seeing that no one was nearby, Renato quietly voiced his confusion:
"Tristana, these commoners seem very afraid of you. Why is that?"
"Commoners? These short-lived mongrels don't deserve that title." The young cleric turned her head, sighed, and lowered her voice. "You have to at least be a drow to count as a commoner. These half-elves are only fit to be slaves... You're my guard now. Don't act so ignorant."
Renato raised an eyebrow and corrected her:
"Actually, as a wanderer who has spent a long time away from society, it makes perfect sense for me to know nothing about society in Sammoril."
"Stop contradicting me all the time..." Tristana bit her lip and turned to continue walking. "Never mind. Just follow me."
They passed through several corridors before arriving outside a two-story stone building.
The building's outer walls were built from blue-gray stone, with spider patterns carved into the corners. The two drow warriors outside the entrance hastily bowed their heads and immediately let them inside.
Priestesses held extremely high status in drow society, and Tristana was also the Matron Mother's daughter. None of these family guards dared inspect her before letting her through.
An excessive disparity in status could create vulnerabilities within an organization. Renato rubbed his chin in thought. If something unexpected happened in the future, perhaps he could consider using Gorogoroth's Form-Twisting to disguise