Secrets worth killing for. (Ele and Lace)

[Elehina]

House X'nryra was an old house, venerable even when compared to the age of it's current Matron, Ilharess Zi'sa. And like all old houses, it had many enemies. Despite these challenges, the House persevered, stretched across seven vast stalactites that clung barnacle-like to the ceiling of the vast cavern housing the city of Aunre. It was a point of pride that no part of the house actually touched the floor of the cavern - the house members looked down upon the rest of the city, quite literally.

Phystra was the first daughter of the House, ready to be Matron herself, as soon as she found a way to rid herself of the wretched woman currently occupying what, she felt, was rightfully hers. But then, she mused as she walked through the passages of the House, when had mother ever simply stepped aside in anything?.

She paid just enough attention to the servants and slaves she passed to make sure none of them were acting suspiciously, but she was supposed to be in a council meeting, and it wouldn't do to be late. First daughter or not, her mother would explode with rage if she missed the start of the meeting. She swept into the room, dressed in the nearly transparent robes of her place as high priestess of the House, the direct servant of the Goddess Lloth, and, aside from her mother, the most powerful creature that lived inside it.

She paused as she entered and mentally amended her last statement. Her mother was showing off again; the tame draegloth that served as her personal bodyguard was standing behind her chair - a vast black behemoth that had thus far been the only thing that kept Phystra's machinations against her mother in check. The creature's angry red eyes met Phystra's as she entered, and she held it's gaze, refusing to look away or be cowed until it moved on to survey other entrants.

She swept up the tables, barely paying attention to the guards that stood their posts around the table. She took her place among her three sisters, the other daughters of the house all, though her mother (hopefully) didn't know it, secretly loyal to Phystra. If she could find a way to kill the damned half demon, she could put herself on the throne in a day.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Zi'sa watched her eldest daughter enter the room, and felt the dhraegloth behind her tense. She was unconcerned. She knew Phystra had designs on her position; just as she had when she was first daughter and her own mother sat in this chair. Still, it was good to remind her from time to time that this was not yet her throne to occupy, and her pet was usually a good enough reminder of that.

She surveyed her other daughters, one at a time, wondering which of them was in on Phystra's scheme, and which would support her when the time came. No matter, they had other things to discuss today. The ruthlessness of her children could wait. She gestured absently at the guards to close the door and fixed her eyes on her council, waiting until the room was sealed, both physically and magically, before she spoke.

"The time has come. House Gul'therad has made a mistake and tipped their hand. One of our spies has discovered they are massing mercenary troops in a cavern not far from here. We will destroy these mercenaries and then fall on Gul'therad." No one moved, or spoke. She knew what they were all thinking; that she was moving too rapidly. But she had her reasons, which would become clear later.

 

[xWickedBlackLace]

She'd traveled far for this atrocity of a mission she'd assigned for herself. In a normal circumstance she'd have brought a guard of sorts to accompany here. However, she hadn't even told the head of the Royale Guard that she was coming this time. That could result in sort of a dangerous rescue mission if she didn't return promptly and the war between the two Kingdomes would become that much more vicious. Already she missed it and the other sidhe of the subterranean mounds. This was her battle to fight. There wasn't any way she would endanger the rest of her people and she was most certainly not afraid to get her hands dirty. Chuckling softly she ventured forth. Perhaps she should have been the head of the Royale Guard rather than the future Queen.

It is interesting to note that many of the Irish refer to the sidhe as simply "the gentry", on account of their tall, noble appearance and silvery sweet speech. They have their own palaces where they feast and play music, but also have regular battles with neighbouring tribes.

The physical appearance of the Seelie Court mirrors nature, to which the fey are intrinsically linked. White ash trees, strong and stately, with their branches intertwining to create a living ceiling, line the throne hall like marble columns. Gossamer streamers of iridescent blues, pinks and purples wind their way through the boughs. Phosphorescent flowers gleam like lanterns amidst the treetops. Semi-precious jewels of amethysts, tiger's eyes and topaz decorate flowers that float down the waterways lining the path to the throne. Statues carved of gold and adorned with gems further attest to the wealth and beauty of the current ruler, as each queen must display more splendor than the previous one or risk the gossip and scorn of her subjects. The throne itself, a and queen who sits on it, are the focal points of the room. The throne of the Seelie Court is shaped like a large ice dragon, as brilliantly cold and glittery as the fey nobility.

Ankou, a fallen god of his times, wouldn't be pleased to know this was what she was doing. Entering the world of the Drow....was not a task she should have taken on by herself. He'd previously been a member of the Unseellie court and his skin was as dark and black as it took to blend in. It was the complete opposite of her own court. For now, she blended in. Though her skin glowed nearly white from the play of light above her, she covered it with a cloak. A dark black cloak that overshadowed her face and wrapped tightly around her body couldn't possibly cover her Sidhe energy. But she'd suppressed it with her own illusionary magicks for now, with a bit of help from one of the guards, the only one that knew she was missing. Crom. A gentle, understanding soul that would always honor her wishes.

Without making herself too noticable, Nighe slipped into the Council Chamber just before the doors were closed and draped an illusionary energy to make herself a bit less conspicuous.

 

[Elehina]

Phystra was barely paying attention to her mother; as usual she was trying to picture how differently things would be once she sat in her mother’s chair. But still, she paid enough attention to make preparations for her part in the upcoming battle.

Something kept distracting her though, as if she were seeing something out of the corner of her eyes, something she couldn’t quite see when she focused her attention on it. Murmuring a quiet spell, she glanced at the spot again and froze in her seat. There was a fae, standing there, bold as brass listening to their conversation, their most secret councils. Her first instinct was to call for the guards, and her mother, but she suddenly quelled it, glancing at the massive half-demon hulking behind her mother. It hadn’t seen it, had no idea there was something amiss.
She had, at long last, found the weapon she needed. Now she just needed to capture it. Under the table, she found her sister’s hand to her left. Rhyna was the warrior among the girls, and she was also Phystra’s strongest supporter. She didn’t care who occupied the throne, as long as the house was kept safe. She had disagreed with many of their mother’s tactical decisions recently, and those arguments had brought her round to Phystra’s way of thinking.

Do not react, she signaled, using the silent language of their people brushing her fingers over her sister’s hand. When the meeting is over, make sure I am the last one left in the room and then seal it.

Why? The question came after a moment.

I have my reasons, sister dear. Just do it.

As you wish.

When the meeting finally broke up, each member of the council moving to carry out his or her orders, and her mother and the tame demon had exited, Phystra finally stood up, and nodded at Rhyna, who was standing by the door. The warrior closed the door to the room again, and barred it, and Phystra addressed the spot where she knew the fae was standing.

“You may as well show yourself. I already know you’re there. If I wanted to kill you, it would have been done already.”