Nastya sank to her knees. Everyone bowed their heads deeply, staring at the dirt beneath them.
No one dared make a sound.
Sweat soaked Nastya's body. She struggled to breathe, dizzy and faint.
Beside her, Vanessa and Kafka also lowered their heads in reverence. However resolute, proud, or tenacious these two Drow of Eilistraee had been before, the instant Lolth appeared, their fate was sealed.
Nastya realized that her subconscious had already begun to pray. Without noticing, she had started reciting Lolth's holy name. No matter how many times Dark Elf Sister had considered defying Lolth and choosing Aaron, all those thoughts vanished the instant Lolth appeared. All she could do was pray in a trembling voice at Lolth's arrival.
She was fortunate, wasn't she?
As a Drow of House Baenre in Menzoberranzan, Nastya might have met Lolth's avatar more often than anyone else. Drow Matron Mothers dreamed of communicating with Lolth, even for a single instant. Yet even at the grandest, most extravagant sacrificial ceremonies, a satisfied Lolth usually sent a Yochlol to communicate with her people.
Even Quenthel, House Baenre's matron mother, had spoken with Lolth only once. This was already Nastya's fourth encounter with her avatar.
Whenever Nastya remembered how Quenthel's jealousy twisted her into a frenzy, all she could muster was a bitter smile.
Would you like this blessing, then?
Vanessa and Kafka were doing the same thing. All three held their respective holy symbols in one hand, each a different shape. Faced with Lolth, the two Drow of Eilistraee could do nothing but pray to the Dark Maiden.
Lolth's gaze first settled on Nastya. The incomparably beautiful face atop the enormous black spider wore a malicious smile. Even the most remote planes of the Multiverse had heard of the beauty of Araushnee, the former elven