A tortured scream echoed through the House Arkenrahel compound, and faded away as quickly as it had come. The fortress was situated back into a shelf in the rock face, overlooking the vast expanse of the dark elf city. Any place which could have provided an entrance was well-guarded by the enchanted adamantine fence which wrapped around the giant stalagmites hanging from the ceiling. Further into the compound lay the main quarters, the most prominent being the domed chapel of Lloth, the Spider Queen. Not far away lay the main quarters. Having over four floors, this was by far one of the most imposing buildings ever built in the Drow city of Che'el d'Oloth.
The servants of the Great House had taken up residence in the first floor. They were not nobility or soldiers, so their innate powers of levitation were incredibly weak. Those skilled in their magics were allowed to go between the floors in order to accomplish duties others could not. The second floor housed the warriors. More skilled with their inborn powers, the warriors were capable of navigating around the compound. On the third floor, the lesser nobility of the house resided. This included the High Priestesses, the two Princes, and the current Patriarch, the Weaponsmaster, and the Head Mage. The fourth and final floor was the home of the House's Matron Mother, and housed the Priestess' chapel which was used in rituals that did not involve the whole house.
The last building and smallest of the buildings was hardly noticable. It appeared to be little more than a hut, though once inside there lay a winding staircase, leading even deeper into the depths of the earth. After descending past uncountable landings and corridors, the staircase finally ended in a dank room, which reeked of blood. A single dark elf lay shackled to the wall, his head hanging limply to the side.
Back in the main building, a drow male dressed in exquisite silver armor looked out over the vast drow city. He closed his eyes and listened to the vibrant hum of the magic flowing through the city. Ilven smiled wickedly as the cry passed through the stronghold. He brushed a strand of his silver-white hair away from his face and sighed contentedly. A woman appeared in the darkness behind the man and smiled, a smile even more twisted and sadistic than his.
"Ilven, you know Matron Erellin has been looking for you, don't you?" Her smile turned into a frown, almost seeming slightly concerned. "You wouldn't want to disappoint the Matron Mother..."
"They've begun the tests... I cannot idly sit by anymore. I have to be there when they succeed!" Ilven was almost ranting by this point, a crazed fire burned in his eyes. However, he quickly caught himself and nodded. One does not disappoint the Matron. He turned and slunk off into the darkness, heading toward the Matron's throne.
The shield maidens pushed aside the door which lead to the throne room. Ilven stopped to allow his eyes to adjust to the darkness, but didn't switch to the infrared spectrum. He took his place beside his brother and bowed to the Matron. "You called, Matron Mother?"
The withered drow female studied her son for a second before nodding in approval. "Prepare the troops... Tonight House Gelnath falls."
Ilven's eyes shot open, and he stood up, his mouth moving, as if trying to find words to express his astonishment. "With all respect, Matron, we do not have the forces! We lost nearly a hundred in the battle with House Leon'Xukuth, and the soldiers we have are still recovering!"
Everyone in the room moved away from the foolish Prince, leaving him to cringe from the Matron's gaze. "Ilven is correct... But they will be finished tonight."