House Torani and House Zauep were built in record time by the Dark Elves on either side of Auvryund. Both Ilharess’ looked on with pride of accomplishment on what had been built for them. Word spread quickly throughout the caverns that the two Nobles Houses had been created. The rest of Arachnea’s children returned to Auvryund. During the time of creation, the rest of the children had gone to garner the skills needed to survive or capture those that could teach them. They returned triumphant to the caverns and they split evenly into the two houses. As the years passed, each house took on its own personality.
House Torani followed in Arachnea’s footsteps, literally. They were a house that moved silent and swift, like the black widow spider. They preferred those who studied magic and learned the ancient ways of the priestess. House Zauep took on those that had learned the arts of the warrior. The sounds of battle cries and steel against steel echoed throughout the caverns both day and night creating powerful warriors.
All was peaceful between the two Noble Houses during this time and it seemed it would remain so throughout the years to come. Nathjss’Thara had left the temple early to explore the grounds outside of the caverns. She had disguised herself quite well and hid her dark striking features and silver hair from view. There upon the surface she met a male Drow. She did not know where he had come from, nor did she care. All she knew was that he was a perfect specimen. The two did not exchange names however they continued to meet each night. They sought each other out and walked along the shores of the river or throughout the woods. As mysteriously as he appeared to her he disappeared, never to be seen again. Nathjss’Thara returned to their spot in the woods and walked along the river, but to no avail. The Drow male that had been her companion was lost to her.
Watching from the shadows a pair of pale lavender eyes watched Nathjss’Thara as she waited for her lover to appear. The lone male Drow slipped back through the woods and returned to speak to the Ilharess. As he passed the torture grounds, he could hear the slap of a whip against flesh. He followed the sounds knowing what he would find below. There stood Ilharess Torani, a whip in hand. A male figure lay prone upon the ground. It was the very same male who had met with the Ilharess of Zauep. The senseless beating went on for a several minutes before they returned to the Matron’s home to celebrate the capture of the future Ilharn of Zauep.
It wasn’t long before what Nathjss’Thara had suspected was confirmed by the priestess of the temple. She was with child. What a joyous thing to be the first daughter, the very beginning, of a new generation of children for the lands of Auvryund! She took extreme care of herself during this time of confinement. The words of the priestess echoed in her mind each day upon rising and she followed the instructions to the letter. As time drew near for the birth she wished for her sister to attend her as well as the priestess.
Each day was spent in eager readiness for the first born daughter of the Drow. While she knew that her people would look down upon her for wanting to raise her child herself, she had hopes that they would overlook such a mundane task. This child would be the future High Priestess.
Rauvini’Lird plotted with her advisors preparing the death of Nathjss’Thara child. Rauvini’Lird knew that the blessed event would change it all and perhaps knock her from her position of power. They plotted long into the night until they were interrupted. It was time, her sister labored in childbirth. Rauvini’Lird stood to the side, watching as her sister writhed in pain. Both sisters remained silent throughout the ordeal. As dawn came to the surface world, the first cries were heard throughout the caverns. The Drow rejoiced and drinks flowed heavily in celebration. The priestess held up the female child for those present to see. She bundled her swiftly and passed her to Rauvini’Lird while she tended to Nathjss’Thara. She handed Nathjss’Thara a restorative to drink. As Nathjss’Thara drank the potion, Rauvini’Lird slipped from the chamber with the child still held within her arms.
Rauvini’Lird went straight to the dungeon and released the prisoner. She pushed the bundle into his arms and pressed a hidden panel in the dungeon wall. She shoved him and his newborn child out into the night and spoke quietly to him. “Dos will leave these lands and take dos dalharil. If Dos should return or dost child, Usstan shall make sure neither of dos survives.” Rauvini’Lird watched as he stumbled down the pathway. She smiled and brought her hand to softly rub the small roundness of her own swelling body. “It shall be Usstan’s child that will become the High Priestess of the temple. Usstan’s house shall always remain in power.” She then returned upstairs to the chamber were her sister rested and waited for her to awaken. She would then tell her that her child had died shortly after birth.
A few hours later, her breasts tender and full of milk, she reached for her child to only find her sister there and an empty cradle. “Where is Usstan’s Dalharil?” Rauvini’Lird simply shook her head with her eyes shadowed and downcast. “Dos dalharil has perished. She did naut survive the birthing.” Nathjss’Thara stared at her sister with unbelieving eyes. “Usstan heard her cry, just before the priestess gave Usstan a drink…” Her eyes narrowed but wisely said nothing. All the while her mind reviewed all that had transpired. “Please leave Usstan alone to grieve the passing.” Rauvini’Lird nodded and left the chamber with a smile upon her face.
It was a month long mourning for Nathjss’Thara, not only had she lost her daughter but her lover in the process. Rauvini’Lird did not realize that her sister thought the loss of the baby girl was her doing. Nathjss'Thara she did not believe for an instant that her child had died but she had no proof. No one, not even the priestess, would go against the word of the First Ilharess Nathjss’Thara stood in her chamber silently day by day watching out of her window. She had heard the gossip of the servants as they brought her bathing water, meals, fresh linens, and clothing. Rauvini’Lird was with child. Nathjss’Thara knew that this child would guarantee her sister’s position of power.
Nathjss’Thara was angered and drew her warriors to her side. She spent days with them instructing them carefully. Never again would a member of House Torani be allowed near the House of Zauep. She also sent for her priestesses. She confined them to their own much smaller temples. They would never go to the temple Auvryund when a member of Torani was within sight. Nathjss’Thara dispatched her finest warriors and guardians out into the lands searching for a male and a female child. On her daily watches from the window she had seen a male holding a small bundle and then as time went on holding a child by the hand.
This caused strain between the sisters and between the Noble Houses. Rauvini’Lird kept her secret and soon gave birth to a female child who would be educated to take her place as High Priestess of the temple. Nathjss’Thara in turn had her own secrets. Her warriors had discovered what had been done to her lover and child and even discovered their whereabouts. That information was kept only amongst them. She received reports on her child and smiled. One day, it would come. Her daughter would be of age to take her rightful place within the temple of Auvryund. Only then would Rauvini’Lird Torani be stripped of her power and Nathjss’Thara Zauep rise in her place.
