Bloodline of the Fallen

Once they held the river crossings and the mountain roads.
Their strength was never doubted, all agreed they could not be taken in open war.
So no war was declared. Allies dined at their tables, drank their wine,
and struck when trust had dulled the edge.
The house died in a single night, without tombs and without heirs.
History calls it strategy, but they stand as proof that
sometimes survival favors the coward.

Preserved Cattleya orchid, with layers of freshwater pearls, keshi and Tahitian pearls