A hiss escaped Laesra's lips as she was thrown to the ground at the foot of the throne. After squeezing her eyes shut to try to block out the pain, her gaze slowly moved up the pitch-black steps of the Matron Mother's seat.
"Laesra Myrret," came the voice of the drow monarch, Tathlyn Khalazza. As she sat on the royal chair carved from obsidian, her face was devoid of emotion, she said, "You stand accused of plotting to assassinate me. Multiple witnesses have come forward attesting to your guilt. What do you have to say in your defense?"
After struggling into a kneeling position, Laesra gritted her teeth as she chose her next words carefully. Her vision darted around the room as she looked at the faces of the other drow women who had gathered to watch her ordeal. Most had the decency to avoid Laesra's gaze as she stared daggers at the so-called witnesses. Every person in this room knew that Laesra was innocent, yet they said nothing. She knew that this "trial" was merely a formality, but if there was any chance that she could get out of this situation, Laesra had to take it.
"Matron Mother," she began, "As a member of House Myrret, I have served as a guard to the members of House Khalazza for decades. I have performed my duties loyally for many years, and I ask that you accept my plea of innocence. I have no knowledge or part in any plot on your life. I am your faithful servant."
"You were my faithful servant," Talthyn replied flatly, "And it appears you have used your station to gather a slew of male underlings -- likely through the use of your whore body."
Laesra's mouth fell open in shock. She knew that the drow queen would fabricate some excuse to pin the guilt on Laesra, but she never imagined that the monarch would have chosen a reason that was so insulting. With a simple gesture, Tathlyn ordered two male guards to carry in a small wooden platform that held the severed heads of Laesra's five "co-conspirators."
"As you can see, their punishment has been dealt with. But now... what to do with you?" The Matron Mother put her finger on her chin as if in thought, "A simple execution is the obvious answer, but I think I have a better fate in mind for you," Tathlyn said as the corner of her lips twisted into a smile, "If you like using your feminine charms to manipulate the weak minds of men, let us see if you can put those skills to use elsewhere. I think that the orcs will pay a hefty price for a drow noble as a sex slave."
Fear immediately flooded Laesra's face, "No! Please, Matron Tathlyn, I beg you! I have done nothing wrong! You can still dismiss these charges, and we can pretend as if this never happened!"
Biting her lip, Tathlyn's fingers descended between her legs as her face became filled with arousal, "Mmm, it is so delicious hearing a once-proud drow grovel so pathetically. It's tempting for me to 'debate' my decision for a while longer just to hear you beg. But no, I will not 'pretend as if this has never happened.' I will find a new, more competent and loyal member of your house to take your place, and you will never return to the Underdark again."
As if on cue, two guards took Laesra's arms and started hauling her from the throne room. "No! Matron Mother, please! No!" Her screams echoed off the halls of the palace as she was dragged away relentlessly.
Hours later, Tathlyn closed her eyes and sighed contentedly as she relaxed in her bath and allowed the expensive soaps and oils to soak into her naked black skin. With the position of the Matron Mother's bodyguard currently vacated, Tathlyn's daughter, Nathala, was temporarily filling that position. She was dressed in elaborate armor carved with designs of serpents, spiders, and other creatures of the dark in addition to being studded with many small gemstones. The outfit was one that Nathala usually only wore during ceremonies, but when she had to serve as a guard, the plate would still serve its primary purpose of protecting its wearer. On her left hip was a recurved shortsword, and on the other was a dagger of a style that matched the larger blade.
Due to the slow aging of elves, both mother and daughter closely resembled one another. The main difference between the pair was the slight anger that never left Tathlyn's expression no matter how happy she seemed to be. After several minutes of silence, Nathala finally spoke, "I'm surprised Laesra had it in her. As envious as many of the lesser houses are of their betters, few have the audacity to actually do something about their station."
At this, Tathlyn couldn't contain her laughter, and ripples travelled outward from her nude body as she snickered, "Oh, my sweet daughter. You have much to learn. Laesra wasn't guilty, at least not of any crime I'm aware of."
Nathala's mouth hung open for a moment as she struggled to form a response, "Then why did you convict her? I don't understand."
The queen took a long breath through her nose before replying, "If you are to lead this house one day, you must gain more experience in the ways of the Underdark. Laesra was my bodyguard for many years, and the direct shield for a Matron Mother is a position with great influence," Nathala's expression darkened with understanding as her mother continued, "Loyal or not, at the end of the night, we are still drow, and I have never met a competent drow who would not eventually take advantage of a powerful station like that to overthrow her mistress."