The Return (II)

[Sesexe]

“Reinforce all guard posts! Search the entire grounds for any remnants of the mechanical attackers! Seize and escort to me any and all known visitors. If they refuse, kill them where they stand! All wounded, who cannot do so of their own, are to be taken to the chapel for healing immediately! I will not let any house see this moment as an opportunity to attack us!” ordered a tall priestess in a strong and angry voice. Amenha, a high priestess of Kiaransalee, and the second sister, was a stand-in matron for when the true matron did not wish to be disturbed. Which had become increasingly more frequent in recent days as the lich Llaaldara delved deeper and deeper into a particular strand of dark arcane magic.

Amenha stood in front of the throne as she barked the orders to the gathering of generals and lieutenants. She vastly preferred to stand, a greater position of power and action in her mind, over sitting in the unused throne, for the seat never felt comfortable to her. She drastically preferred one of the pews in the chapel. This being the precise reason she had been chosen for the temporary position. Also in attendance was the third sister, Telina, zealously engaged in dialogue with the house mages over matters of defensive fortification magic.

“As you command.” Each Lieutenant quickly signed in the intricate drow hand language as their specific orders were assigned. In a few short breathes of time Amenha had address them all, and with a nod from Telina, indicating the mages were prepared, dismissed them all to carry out their orders. The soldiers and mages spilled out of the chamber as quickly and quietly as a flood of shadows. All that remained after their passing was the two sisters, their elite bodyguards, and the demonic shaped adamantite golems that stood motionless about the chamber.

Telina turned to her slightly older sister and approached eagerly. With a nod from the older, she imparted her thoughts, “My contacts have informed me that the damage upon the other noble houses was equally intense, and that the city itself, notably the slave areas, were hit hardest.”

“It would not be wise for any house to attack another at this moment, for who is to say how many would each seize the opportunity in turn?” Amenha replied. “But not all eyes can foresee the plans or others, nor the limits of their stupidity.”

“A wise decision sister.” Telina conceded the point, and her sister’s plan of defensive action, with a respectful nod. “It would seem this day will not be the day one house rules over the city.”

“Perhaps” replied a dark and deadly voice that rumbled about the chamber like an echo from the grave, causing the guards, and golems alike, to kneel in perfect respectful unison. As she entered the chamber and proceeded toward the throne, the guard’s weapons moved like a wave of shining black metal to hold motionless overhead in respectful salute to the true matron. The chamber was pitch black, for like typical drow there was no need of light when your race is blessed with perfect dark vision, yet as the lich came further into the chamber, the area some how managed to darken slightly with her presence. A sudden chill sending shivers down your spine also accompanied the deepening gloom that encompassed the approaching matron like a cloak of chilling darkness. Llaaldara, sitting upon her dusty throne, her sisters turning to address her formally, creepily spoke “Now tell me what has transpired in my absence, and where is my niece?”