Authority
Zau’afin compound was unusually silent. House which usually buzz with life and activity was calm like before the storm or like taking deep breath before jumping and diving into the depths. House guards were currently on rotation as one armored figure, coated into adamantium fullplates and carrying a heavy shield with a large engraved spider covering its entire surface in one hand and holding black drowcraft scimitar in the other.
Guard had reached his destination which was the honor guard post at the entrance into qu’ellar’s chapel where his colleague was waiting for rotation. Doors of the chapel were not fully closed. Both of them initiated silent, whispering conversation while peeking inside.
Priestess Zar’shalee was kneeling in submissive pose in front of the large statue of Lolth. Eyes of this masterfully made statue, two red rubies, which were normally glowing with the malicious crimson light, were darkened and dim. Altar in front of the mentioned statue was still bloodied, painted with drying, clustered blood and strings of red pouring down the black altar and the messy red road of splatters and streaks was leading towards the kneeling priestess.
Zar’shalee’s fingers slowly strokes the bloodied edge of her sacrificial dagger which was just a few moments earlier buried deep within human’s chest. “The third one and still nothing…” She thought in her mind. Her thoughts were then interrupted by a squelching and crunching sound of dead body lying in the corner of the room with chest ripped open and two large temple spiders, tearing the body apart, feasting and occasionally even squabbling over the tastier bits and pieces of sacrificed old rivvil. Zar’shalee firmly grasp her dagger with anger. She never experienced this, the Spider Queen always answered her. She always provided her with favor. But now her voice was suddenly no more, her whispers inside of Zar’shalee’s dreams were silent.
Priestess’ scourge, which was hanging by her hip suddenly came to life as one of the three snake heads, hissed maliciously and looked towards the chapel entrance where two house guards were talking, whispering and looking at her suspiciously. Zar’shalee quickly turns her head and attention towards the entrance. “How it happened that doors were not closed!” Both of the guards visibly jumped as suddenly her narrowed crimson stark eyes, like two shiny needles were staring at them, stabbing them both with the gaze of a thousand daggers. She knew that look in their eyes that expression, it said: doubt. Unacceptable! Normally she would put them both into submission with her magic, letting them know and feel the divine gift of Lolth. However she could not do that now. Her face twisted with anger, teeth clenched firm, her nearly demonic fangs exposed!
But she had a plan, within her right glove she managed to hide the wand of the wind gust. Zar’shalee hisses and quickly swings with her hand towards the opened door. Gust of wind rushed through the chapel, creating a shockwave that not only firmly shut the door closed, but also traveled through and knocked both gossiping guards on the ground!
Zar’shalee heard groaning and clanking sounds of metal as both of them were trying to get back on their feet. She smiles slightly before she stands up, giving one last look towards the two sacred spiders, which were still feasting upon the corpse before she looks at the statue of her goddess, Lolth. Who still showed no signs of any activity. She put her dagger back to it’s sheathe before taking a firm hold of her Scourge. All three snake heads were now fully alive, and with very distinctive sounds of her heels clapping against the stone floor, went towards the exit.
Doors firmly opened and Yathrin Zar’shalee, Eye of Lolth walked out of chapel to meet with two guards who stood in full attention. Both of them looking somewhat on the ground, not daring to meet Zar’shalee’s gaze. Priestess steps very close to one of them, breaching his “bubble” and all three snake heads of her scourge hissed threateningly as they mimicked emotions of their mistress. Her lips then slowly move as she speaks to one of the guards, her voice was deep, dark and menacing with that small rasp at the end: “Do not ever dare to doubt . Do not ever dare to question, otherwise…” She then looked briefly into the chapel where both spiders finally managed to tear the corpse in half which caused only more gore to spill across the temple floor as they were now dragging their fair portion of the meal around, hoping to find some safe corner to feast in silence and privacy.
Zar’shalee looks back at the both guards and they have lowered their heads, bowing deeply. She eyed them for a few more seconds which for both of them felt like whole days, before she finally turned around and walked into the nearby training room. Hopefully to get rid of some of that anger that build up within her. As she was walking dark long hallways she removed a magical wand from her glove. It worked this time, her authority remained unquestioned at least…for now. All serpent heads were now nervously scanning the area around and most importantly behind her as she walked through the corridors until she closed and locked herself within the training room.