Things look up for HouseNemalzhi. At first.
Zhaunil holds an exhibition which attracts quite alot of guests, including two of the daughters of HouseKelzz. Since the younger of the two is a BreedingMistress in training she and Zhaunil get talking and it is discovered that their Matron is looking for a Patron. Since Nirl is present at the exhibition (as a sort of bodyguard/eyepiece) Zhaunil hints at him being available.
Soon enough MatronAkorayne comes to visit MatronNemalzhi and talks begin. Nirl is to be Patron until MatronAkorayne has given birth to eight daughters. This is a slightly longer time than planned for but the business advantages gained from the deal compensate for this since HouseNemalzhi now has the right to use some of the major trade routes of HouseKelzz as well as establishing a relation of favoured trading partners.
As always when things seem to go nicely something pops up to spoil the mood.
Ahriman sits in his lab, minding his own business when he hears MatronNemalzhi throw a magnificent tantrum apparently aimed first at Xora and then at Velve. he walks down to wait outside his Matron's quarters and is rewarded with the experience of MatronNemalzhi commanding GhulDril to throw Xora and Velve out. Out of the House even!
MatronNemalzhi then summons her children and informs them that Xora has made herself impossible by admitting to having a child! And Velve had the gall to try and speak up for her. A MatronMother can only take so much and so they were swiftly expelled from the House.
Some initial protests from the children are silenced. Zhaunil is charged with taking over some of Xora's former tasks as a priestess and is supposed to be aided by her oldest junior siblings in this. Some worry is sensed in the family when MatronNemalzhi announces that she will handle the economy of the household personally from now on.
Zhe'raen lingers behind when they are dismissed and wishes to know what really goes on, since he suspects something more complicated is behind this situation. MatronNemalzhi tells him not to mess with politics and further commands him to get his little brother (formerly a commoner) so that MatronNemalzhi may take over the job as his WeanMother (and real mother) right now. Zhe'raen obeys like the good son he is.
The household is instructed by MatronNemalzhi that they are to ignore Velve and Xora, should they encounter them.
It is revealed that Xora suddenly is MatronMother of her own House. It is almost as if she'd been planning this all along... Zhaunil is upset with this turn of events but is unable to do much about it. GhulDril just "happens" to run into Velve and attempts to question him but the clever (former) Thrid Son refers to the wisdom of Lolth and her appointed Priestesses. Of course this is virtually impossible to refute and GhulDril has to walk away more convinced than ever that things are not what they seem.
Eventually gossip spreads about what has transpired and after a while even the gossip dies down and is replaced by the usual espionage that everyone expects and knows how to handle.
Zhe'raen notices the absence of WeaponsmasterIoria from some military excercises and goes to visit. He finds her locked into her room and actually has to force himelf past her soldiers. It turns out that the sensitive Weaponsmaster is very upset over the fact that Lolth does not hear her prayers and the fact that she is denied her right to be a Priestess. Zhe'raen tries to comfort her with reassurances that Lolth surely has a meaning with this, something Ioria apparently has heard before from members of Housenemalzhi. In the end she bitterly states that she will show up at worship when Lolth decides to answer her prayers. To steer her away from gloomy thoughts both Zhe'raen and Zhaunil decide it is a good idea to take Ioria out to a finer brothel and have some sexy fun.
Just before going out WeaponsmasterIoria and Zhaunil engage in a duel (over some minor point of squabbling) and although she loses in the end, Zhaunil does quite well, earning a certain amount of respect from her oldest brother. In return a social contest is also demanded by Zhaunil and it is to take place in the brothel where the refined ladies who visit such places engage in sophisticated conversation. Ioria fails and Zhaunil is deemed the winner of the second part of the duel.
In the brothel they encounter a masked lady (all are wearing masks of course) who might possibly be MatronMalafrena. Or someone completely different judging from the reactions of all who are present.
Zhe'raen is intrigued by the enigmatic woman and is left behind to enjoy her company (and vice versa) as Zhaunil and Ioria head home after a long day and night of contest, theology and sex.
Ahriman is given a new apprentice: A young she-Devil who needs some experience of the world of mortals.