Spoils of War (Morcleon x Lady Arachnia)

[Morcleon]

Outside House Dyrath Grounds

Telarys Rilyn'und, Matriarch of House Rilyn'und, was a cheerful drow, as much as anyone in the Underdark was ever cheerful. Known as the Grand Shadowcrafter to her house, Hellborn Tel (though never to her face) to the city, and oh-god-it's-her-run to her enemies, she decided that she had every right to be overly happy today. After all, today was the day she had formally defeated House Dyrath in their bloody civil war. And now, she eagerly anticipated her spoils of war.

For the entirety of the war, Telarys had had her eyes on the Matriarch of House Dyrath. A worthy rival, she would make for a fine prize. As she strode through the city streets, she gave her appearance one last checkup before arriving on House Dyrath's lands. Her magical blue cuirass and cape gleamed in the faint lights of the Underdark and her hair was carefully groomed into her normal ponytail and secured with an artful silver clasp. Though carrying nothing, she was still as dangerous as if she was fully armed. Finally arriving on the grounds of House Dyrath, she grinned and walked in as if she owned the place.

 

[Lady Arachnia]

Matron mother Nyalice Dyrath was a coy and cunning beast, something that came with her position. She wasn't young though compared to most other Matron mothers she most certainly was. She and her house had risen quickly after her mother's... accident. Her older siblings had met an equally unfortunate and tragic end some days later leaving only a grieving priestess left with a house all to her own. They had needed to go, they'd displeased Lolth and only Nyalice knew the way back in to her graces. Truly Nyalice was blessed by the great mother and mistress of spiders. No one could deny her position now and nobody could stop her ascent... at least that what she'd thought.

Despite everything it looked as though she'd been too blind to see things as they were, how she slipped out of Lolth's favour as the spider queen favoured another house. As such here she was standing in the ruins of her large complex, her sons and daughters dead or captured, her mate slain and her warriors either bleeding on the ground or turning their cloaks to side with her despised rival. She was on her knees now with blood coming out of the corner of her mouth and dripping down on to her stained purple robes. Her eyes were filled with a hatred that burned within. Her hair was white and shaved on one side while the other hung down to her shoulders. Her scourge had been stripped from her and she remained with only her elaborate robes garbed in the style of the spider queen, beaten and exhausted. She'd fought hard and killed many but she'd not been able to call upon the powers of her patron, that was when she knew she was in trouble.

 

[Morcleon]

House Dyrath Grounds

Sweeping her gaze across the decimated complex of House Dyrath (complete with spattered blood and broken bodies), Telarys shivered in anticipation, brushing her hands across her starlit robe to dry them of the sweat that had gathered there. It had been so long since the start of the war that she had lost hope of ever winning at times. Even so, she kept persevering and plotting, and the Dark Seldarine had seen fit to grant her victory. She gestured to the gates, pushing them open with a cantrip. It would not do to dirty her appearance when wrapping things up, after all. With one last deep breath, she walked inside.

Making her way toward the ruined complex, she closed her eyes briefly, remembering the battles fought here and the brave and cunning children of her house who had died here to make this moment possible. "A noble sacrifice. And not in vain either," she murmured to herself as she approached. "Now then, let's find that Nyalice, shall we?"

Telarys strode purposefully into the ruins, heading directly toward the other drow matron's position. She stopped several feet away, standing tall and proud and arrogant in the full regalia of her house. Her silver eyes flashed eagerly as she tilted her head forward and laughed mockingly. "Ah, dear Nyalice... you look so delectable, broken and bloodied like that. This is what happens when you stand against me. You did do a fine job of destroying this place though, so I suppose I will have to try a bit harder to salvage what I can. However, all of your belongings pale in comparison to the true prize. You."