Chapter 3: The Mother Spider
Velkyn was infuriated with Cryptic, and couldn't stop thinking of how much of a dolt he was. If he is leader of the thieves' guild then his followers must be really bad. As she walked down the streets, the female leader of the Female's Headquarters came masquerading down the road with a small army of priests and well-built fighters right behind her. Everyone showed respect to her, to which they called the Mother Spider, the name did not sound intimidating, and in fact it was kind of comforting. But there was nothing, absolutely nothing that was considered comforting when it came to the Mother Spider. This woman was strongly connected with the Spider Queen, to make her angry or show the littlest of disloyalty was certain death or extensive torture. Every drow was cold in his or her own way, but the Mother Spider cruelly powerful, was vicious, dark, horrific and in every drow's nightmares. She was beyond cold. Everyone feared her, but everyone admired her for her strength and will power, her ambition. She came easily through the crowd, everyone making way, bowing on one knee, even the females bowed before the Mother Spider. Cries of anguish were heard as the Mother Spider's soldiers convulsively whip lashed out on innocent bystanders with their whips. Those who cried out, were beaten some more until their cries were stifled, condemned to death. Those who remained silent and strong were picked up and thrown in the army along with the others. As if they were drafted for war on some short notice. But to be in the army, that army, it was by far an honorable charge. Velkyn lowered herself down to one knee, head bowed, fists clenched for the expected blow. She pulled her hood back, revealing her dark heritage and allegiance, her loyalty. She was lucky, for the blows did not come to her for that moment. A drow, a male drow in spectacular full plate armor made his way to her, dragging his burdened feet along the crowd, because he was wearing such heavy metal boots.
"Stand up!" He ordered. Velkyn stood up, she was slightly worried, she was the only one that wasn't hit one way or another, and the only one to be asked to stand before the others. The solider circulated around her like a vulture, searching her, eyeing her, inspecting her. His eyes were so keen; she thought that she would burn under his stare. But she couldn't think like that, or she'd crumble. The Mother Spider walked straight up to Velkyn's face, the soldier moving aside obediently. Velkyn was slightly shocked; she never came so close to the Mother Spider. She was beautifully haunting and cold. Her hair was a pale, pale yellow, eyes a general red fire, skin as black as everyone else. She wore a rather revealing garment to expose her physical beauty, her eyes shined with remarkable intelligence and cruelty. Her lips turned into a snare as she looked at Velkyn.
"Come with me, Velkyn OlathChath. There are some things that you and I have to discuss." Her voice was crisp and elegant.
"Yes Mother." Velkyn replied, bowing her head, doing a perfect imitation of her own slave, Liam. When the entire crew got to the Female's Headquarters, Velkyn was immediately ordered to meet the Mother Spider at a certain room. Soldiers followed Velkyn all the way there for security reasons. She had absolutely no clue on what to expect. When she walked in, the doors shut behind her, she was in a rather small yet tidy room. There was a table with two chairs apart from one another. One of them was filled, Velkyn found herself very much alone in a room with the Mother Spider herself.
"Have a seat Daughter." She said casually. Velkyn bowed her head at the command, and sat down.
"Now, according to your friend Cryptic Stalker, there is some...mischief going around. He says that he wishes you to kill an arrogant dwarf by the name of Halim and to retrieve a small trinket that is said to contain some kind of power, am I correct?" The Mother Spider asked tastelessly.
"Yes Mother, that is exactly what my orders were." Velkyn told her truthfully.
"And yet you are not part of his guild?"
"No, that I am not." Velkyn answered her.
"Then why is he asking you?"
"He says that I would do better for this job...than his fellow members..." Velkyn paused and felt her brain racking with wild thoughts, where was this leading to, why was this so important?
"I want you to give this amulet to me." The Mother Spider said bluntly, "Fail, and I will kill you personally."
"Why? Why do you want to retrieve such a trinket?" Velkyn asked cautiously.
"Because I want it you disgusting creature, and I do not want it a week later, I want it now!" The Mother Spider shouted, eyes going wildly insane with greed.
"Very well, consider it done." Velkyn said with a little smile. Taking in the sweet pleasure of the fact that she would have to break her many promises with Cryptic Stalker. Velkyn then asked just one more question. "Mother? How did you know all this?" Velkyn asked.
The Mother Spider looked up at her sharply, "I have my own thieves and spies, but they are to good to waste on a puny mission like this." Velkyn just smiled, she knew that she was lying, but she wasn't going to say another word or she'd definitely get compressed for it. She bowed her head a little and left the room, prepared to start and finish her task.