 |
|||
|
|
Déjà vu for a Drow
Chapter 1
So far everything had gone to plan for Liavondra. Despite being unwilling to leave her free and unplanned life, she had agreed to her friend Alcala’s request for help. As a Drow she was not trusted by many, as her kin were notorious for their treacherous, violent ways. Lia was different though, and had striven to be different from all other Drow for centuries. Thus, when an infiltrator was needed for the Drow, she was the first and only choice.
The mission had been simple enough; return to her home plane and infiltrate a Drow gathering of the various clans. The message to one of the more far-flung groups had been intercepted, and Lia would be the messenger. For an additional bit of stage management she would be sufficiently dirtied and roughed up to suggest that she was the lone survivor of an ambush.
And so far, it had been a stunning success. Although different in personality and morals, Lia had been born and bred as a true Drow princess. She looked the part, even after walking in alone and bloodied she had shown arrogance and disdain to her class inferiors, and subtle submission to her superiors.
After the first night’s feast – where Lia had reluctantly made a slave test her food first – Lia was back in her room. Her costume was a sublime pieces of work, for it covered far less than it should, and enticed far more than mere nudity would have done. Such was the rather slutty gown that Lia had been at first surprised by it. Later though she had seen that it was the common fashion almost the high caste noblewomen, and had moved with confidence and poise.
Her assumed role had also passed with little question. The Lady she was supposed to represent was a minor player, but still one who could not be ignored. Critically, Lia’s superior was a distant and hard to contact noble which ensured a free hand for the impostor.
And so, in the levels beneath a long abandoned High Elf fortress, the Drow had assembled. Lia had been assigned a small but well furnished room, complete with a large bed, bath and fire.
As Lia was reading a scroll in her room, there was a respectful knock at the door. Lia draw a sharp curved dagger from the sheaf at her waist and advanced towards the door. With Drow she knew she could not rely on anyone not to try and kill her. She was theoretically at a disadvantage, since she was sworn off killing, but she had been trained as an excellent fencer and knew how to strike to wound.
As she opened the door, however, she quickly stowed her weapon. It was one of the priestesses, Zarra, and she looked at Lia with a raised eyebrow.
“Expecting assassins, Lady Lia?” she asked.
“One cannot be too careful, Priestess,” Lia replied.
“Too true. It is a shame that you lost your guards, though if they died fighting mere orcs then they were clearly not worth the trouble. It is about that reason that I have come,” she said.
“Oh?” Lia asked. Her heart beat faster as she let the Priestess in with her two male guards.
“The Lady Haelra sends her compliments to you. Since you lost your possessions on the way, she is desirous that you be accommodated as suits your status.”
This meant, to Lia’s mind, that Haelra, an important – though not dominant – Lady, was giving her gifts in exchange for her implied support. Since this suited Lia well, she was only too happy to agree.
“My thanks to the Lady. What did she have in mind so that I might thank her appropriately?” Lia replied. The old ways were coming back – to the Drow there really was no such thing as a free lunch.
“She says that a Lady of your standing should have a retinue and some...entertainment,” Zarra said with a smirk.
A retinue was certainly a generous gift, and depending on how it was made up would determine the intent. It might be a method of introducing spies into her presence, or it might be a bribe, or it might even be a pre-emptive gift to stop her being lured by another Lady.
“Thank her for her gift, Priestess. Bring this retinue to me and I will examine them.”
“You will not be disappointed, Lady,” Zarra promised.
Lia waited, moving between curiosity and anxiety. She wasn’t sure just what she’d do if they did turn out to be spies or other sycophants.
There was a knock on the door, and she opened it carefully.
Zarra stood there again with the two guards behind her. This time though they were leading a beautiful pale elf. She was definitely a High Elf, as her luscious black hair and shining blue eyes were the opposite of everything that a Drow was. Those eyes were downcast obediently, and she was naked except for a light poncho like item that went over her head and covered everything above her knees. It was a sham though, for it did not hide the slave’s nubile body at all. The elf slave’s wrists were pulled behind her back and manacled, as were her ankles, so she clinked slightly as she walked.
“Lady Lia, Lady Haelra sends you this gift – this slave is to do with as you please. She belongs to you now. Also, these two guards are at your command, and will obey you fully.”
“Lady Haelra is extremely generous,” Lia said, looking over her new possession. “Please pass on my thanks, and ask if I might meet her tomorrow to discuss her gift.” This was, of course, code for Lia wishing to see what Haelra wanted so much from Lia that she would send such a gift. Lia had expected the guards, and even a slave, but not one so beautiful.
“I will see it done. I believe that the Lady Haelra thinks highly of you.”
“After this gift, my own opinion of her is increased as well, though it is clear that she was a great and noble Lady before this.”
The Priestess, still smirking, left.
Lia was left with the guards and the slave. In all honesty she had no idea what to do. The guards were almost certainly there to report on where she went, and also to terminate her if the Lady Haelra wished it. The slave though...she was beautiful, though not as lovely as some she’d seen, the slave awakened an urge in the Drow that centuries of pacifism had not tamed.
“Chain her to the bed and strip her, then retire outside the door,” Lia ordered. Her voice betrayed nothing of her mixed lust and anxiety.
The guards obeyed without a word, their armoured forms pulling the elf into the room. The slave was obedient, and Lia could see the faded scars on her back that showed how she had learned.
The slave was first divested of her poncho, then pushed onto the bed. Her leash was secured to a ring set into the wall, and then her wrists and ankles were secured to the four corners of the bed. The slave struggled briefly, but one of the guards whispered to her, and she instantly went limp and passive.
“Gag her,” Lia ordered. When this was done swiftly and expertly, the naked slave was left exposed and helpless. The gag even forced her mouth open so that she could be made to pleasure her owner with no chance of biting. “Now go, I will call for you if I need you” Lia ordered haughtily.
The two guards left, the door closed. Lia crossed the room and slid the locking bar into place. Now the door couldn’t be opened from outside except by breaking it down.
Now Lia was alone with her new possession. Taking her dagger she placed it by the bed, ready to hand if needed. Then, she stripped off her cumbersome and revealing clothes so that she too was naked. The fire in the hearth shone off her exquisite grey skin and brilliant white hair. Crossing to the bed she climbed on, and slid one leg across the stomach of the slave. As she had probably been taught to do, the slave moaned.
Lia trembled slightly. She wanted this girl, and the old thrill of power, of Drow heritage returned. She might play with Chesna at home, but here she had absolute power over this slave. She could break her and no one would care – though Haelra would likely be insulted at the lack of decorum.
Then Lia looked down at the captive and felt ashamed and sick. Her carefully averted eyes – for a slave should never look at her owner – showed fear. The slave expected to be raped and beaten at the least, and probably had been in the past. Though her body was smooth and scented, the slave was a possession and had no rights. Her only protection from the cruel whims of her owner was absolute obedience. Lia felt horrified at her impulse and her lust.
“I’m sorry,” she said quietly so that only her captive could hear her.
The slave frowned slightly, but did not look at her or speak. If anything she looked more worried, and shifted against the tight ropes.
“For some reason I now seem to own you. I...I don’t know...I can’t....” Lia trailed off. “Look, I’m going to take the gag off. Don’t speak or say anything unless I tell you to, okay?” She received a vigorous nod, so unbuckled the cruel device and laid it aside. “Look, what’s your name?” Lia asked awkwardly. She was still laying across the bound woman, and was uncomfortably aware of how aroused she was at the feeling.
The slave looked uncertain, but obediently answered. “Aelina, Mistress,” she replied quietly.
“Good, Aelina.” Lia removed her leg from on top of her slave’s stomach and laid beside Aelina. “Look, I am sorry. I...I didn’t mean to end up owning you.”
This did not have the desired effect, as Aelina shook slightly. “Are you angry with me, Mistress?” she asked.
“No! No...not at all,” Lia said hastily. “It’s so hard to explain, but I disagree with slavery.”
Aelina almost looked at her in surprise before remembering herself. She said nothing, though it was clear that she thought her new owner was either playing a cruel joke, or was crazy.
“I just don’t make a very good Drow I guess!” Lia said, laughing.
Aelina again said nothing, but looked worried instead. She clearly didn’t know where she stood with this strange new owner.
“I have to say, you are very beautiful,” Lia said. Her hand caressed Aelina’s body, stroking one of her nipples.
Arching her back slightly, Aelina sighed, just as she had likely been taught.
“Look, Aelina, I need to make you understand. I...well I don’t know how to explain.”
“I am listening, Mistress,” Aelina said obediently.
Lia felt embarrassed by her nudity as she lay next to her slave, but she had nothing she could wear that would be comfortable. “Aelina...you have to understand that I am going to tell you something I probably shouldn’t. However, you should know that if you betray me the other Drow will not thank you. None of them want a blabbing slave. It’s in your interest to stay with me because I’m the only Mistress in this whole place who won’t use you like a possession.”
“I...yes, Mistress,” Aelina said, clearly disconcerted.
“I was originally a Drow of noble family, but I was sickened by the...the...evil of my kin. The slavery, the murder, the corruption. I barely escaped. But I am back in their circle now because I need to find things out, and I still hate the cruelty and malice of my people. Do you understand now, Aelina?”
The other woman finally looked at Lia, though only briefly, before turning aside. “You’re a spy, Mistress?” she asked.
“I suppose so. Whatever I am, it’s fortunate for you. Although I have to maintain the illusion of treating you like a piece of meat...I’ll try not to when we’re alone. But you will always call me ‘Mistress’, and you will always be bound.”
“Mistress...you are taking a risk telling me this. I am your slave – you can do anything to me, or nothing.”
“I’m going to keep you as my slave, Aelina...until such time as I leave here. If I can, I’ll get you out.”
Aelina seemed unsure whether to believe Lia’s tale, but nodded obediently. “Yes, Mistress.”
Lia seemed to sense the disbelief, for she suddenly sat up on one elbow. “Has anyone made love to you, Aelina?”
She blushed a little. “My Mistress...my last Mistress made me-“ she began.
“I meant, has anyone made love to you? Made you orgasm? Have you ever felt that joy?”
“No, Mistress. My owners...they only want me to pleasure them. When the guards once took me, I did not enjoy it, for they were rough and hurt me.”
“Then I will show you, Aelina. Now Drow would ever normally pleasure someone else, especially not a slave. But I’m going to gag you – I can’t have you making too much of a noise!”
Aelina obediently opened her mouth to accept the gag.
When Lia was sure that the gag was secure, she again touched Aelina, rubbing one hand on her nipples in turn until the slave was breathing deeply and arching her back. Then slowly, she let her hand slide over the pale skin of the stomach, and down to between Aelina’s legs. With long practice in making elves of all kinds aroused, she carefully stroked this delicate area until Aelina started thrusting herself against her bonds to reach the pleasure.
Lia leaned forward and applied her tongue to the most sensitive area around the clitoris, and moved her hand into Aelina’s pussy. That got a muffled moan of pleasure as Lia started to thrust in and out while still licking. She could feel that Aelina was close, and finally she shuddered and pulled vainly at her bonds as she finally relaxed after the orgasm had run its course.
With a grin, Lia slithered up her slave’s body and unbuckled the gag once more. It had been a fortunate addition, as Aelina had made quite a noise during her first cunnilingus experience. Lia wiped her slightly messy hand on the bed and looked down at Aelina.
“Fun?” The Drow’s nipples were just touching Aelina’s own.
“Mistress...that was incredible!” Aelina said.
“I’ve had a lot of experience making love to elves of all sort. I know how to make a woman moan,” she said immodestly.
“Mistress, thank you. No one has ever done that to me before.” She seemed much more on Lia’s side now, as the act of giving her pleasure had never been contemplated by her owners before.
Lia felt more comfortable touching her slave now, and cuddled up to her. “No thanks is necessary, Aelina. I can’t imagine what you’ve been through here. How long has it been?”
“I don’t know, Mistress. Years, I guess, but I never know when the days pass, and I never see the sun or the moon.”
“Have they hurt you much?”
“When I was first caught they would beat me if I made a mistake. My first owner made me learn how to pleasure her, and hit me when I couldn’t do it.” Aelina sighed. “I learned how to be obedient, and they stopped hurting me all the time.”
“Was your last owner angry with you?”
“No more so than normal, Mistress. I didn’t know I was being sold until she came in with the Priestess and took me away.”
“Does she have other slaves?” Lia asked.
“Yes, Mistress. There were four others like me who she kept to pleasure her, or to serve her around the house.”
“I wish I could free all of them, or even just you! You have to understand though that I might not be able to. I will do everything I can for you though.”
“Thank you, Mistress. I’m sure you’ll do your best,” Aelina said, rather downcast.
Lia leaned forward and kissed her. “It’s alright, dear. As long as you’re with me, you’re safe. Would you like some water?”
“Please, Mistress.” When Lia returned, Aelina awkwardly drunk from the glass, trying not to choke. Finally it was done, and she smiled. “Thank you, Mistress.”
“Are you used to laying like this? Does it hurt?”
“After a while, Mistress, but I am used to ignoring the pain. If I complained, Mistress got angry and threatened to hurt me more.”
Lia took a decision. “I’m going to tie you up in a better way. But for appearance and for my own sake I have to keep you so you can’t try and escape. That means securing you to the foot of the bed, or to this ring on the wall.”
“You don’t trust me, Mistress?” Aelina asked.
“No offence. I can’t rely on you not to try and escape, and that leads back to me. I lose face in that eventuality, and I need to stay in with as many as I can. Selfish, sure, but without me you’re going nowhere except back to your old owner.:
Aelina nodded acceptance. “As you say, Mistress.”
“Will you be good, or do I need to call the guards?”
“I’ll be good, Mistress.”
“You better be. If you try anything then the deal is off, and you can go back to your old Mistress.”
Lia felt wretched threatening a helpless slave, but she had to do it. Though now Aelina looked anxious and a little resentful, she offered no resistance to her owner.
First Lia undid the ropes holding her to the bed, but she also connected the leash to the wall ring as well. When this was done she let Aelina relax for a moment or two before turning her on her front. Gathering up the chains Aelina wore at the start, Lia shackled her wrists and ankles, and then connected the chain between them. Aelina could walk slowly like this, but was otherwise quite helpless and very noticeable. With this done Lia undid her leash and led her to the foot of the bed where another ring set into the floor secured Aelina.
“Are you alright?” Lia asked. She stroked her slave’s breast.
“I’m fine, Mistress,” Aelina said, now a little sullen.
“Look, this is for your own good. We’re in this together.”
“Yes, Mistress. Is there anything more?”
Lia looked down at her slave...her property...and knew there was something she wanted. Yet what she wanted was morally wrong. It’d be so easy to make Aelina willingly pleasure her. A more unscrupulous version of Lia might have demanded this as a condition of helping her. Lia conquered the impulse, and shook her head. “Go to sleep, Aelina.”
After both having some food, which Lia guiltily waited for her slave to eat first, they made use of the chamber pot, and then Aelina lay awkwardly on the stone floor.
Lia wanted to give the girl a blanket, or at least a pillow, and so she gave her both, though made a mental note to remove them before the morning.
When the warm blanket and soft pillow were given to her, Aelina looked startled, but accepted them gratefully. “Mistress...why are you keeping me chained hand and foot? Won’t the leash me enough to keep me here?”
Lia turned away. The real reason is that she found her slave was beautiful, and even more so when she lay helpless there. “I might not have enough time to do it if they come tomorrow,” she improvised. It was true enough, but it wasn’t the reason in her heart!
And so, with her slave dealt with, Lia pulled her remaining blanket over herself, put her dagger by her side, and waited for the new day.
Chapter 2
Lia’s eyes shot open at the sound of a knock on the door. Her hand found her knife, and she looked into the darkness. The bar was still in place sealing the door shut, and she relaxed slightly. Standing, she pulled on some of her costume, reminding herself that she needed some more formal clothes. Going to the end of the bed she snatched the blanket and pillow from her slave and threw it onto her bed.
Aelina jerked awake, and was pulled up by her leash. “Mistress?”
“Quiet, slave!” Lia said loudly while glaring at Aelina.
The elf got the message, and settled back down as much has her chains would let her.
Lia pulled open the door. Another Drow, this one a young merchant-caste girl, was standing there.
“My Lady Liavondra, Lady Haelra respectfully asks for your presence in one quarter hour.”
Lia noted that it might be a respectful invitation, but it had all the character of an order. “Thank your Lady for her invite and tell Lady Haelra that I will be with her in half an hour,” Lia replied coldly. The girl bowed and departed.
The guards were still there, though they might be different guards considering they wore masks and full helmets. “My Lady, is there anything I can get for you?” one asked, though didn’t sound happy about it.
“Yes there is. I want food for when I get back. I want more clothes – garments suitable to wear in the presence of Lady Haelra. I cannot wear this to such an event without causing embarrassment to myself and to her. See to it. Then, you may escort me to her presence.”
Lia slammed the door before they could argue, bolted it, and went to look for some water. Unfortunately, it was all gone, and she knew she’d need to either use Aelina as a maid, or get another slave. Although Lia would have done it herself, the business of heating water, setting the fire and cleaning the room was not something one of her station was supposed to do.
She went over and pulled Aelina up to her knees and knelt down so they were on the same level. “Now, I want you to listen to me very carefully,” Lia said distinctly. “I am going to have to slap you, and make a few bruises. The guards might already be suspicious by the lack of noise last night, so I need to make it seem like I used you like a piece of meat.”
“Yes...Mistress,” Aelina said, looking worried. Her chains clinked as she clasped her hands together behind her back.
“Look, I don’t like the idea of hitting you either, but I know how to do it to make a mark. Now, open your mouth and close your eyes. Relax.”
Aelina did so, and so didn’t see Lia’s hand slash out and catch her hard on the jaw. She cried aloud in pain and looked up at her Mistress, then down at the ground.
“That wasn’t too bad, now was it? Now, on your pale skin, that’ll mark.” Lia leaned forward and kissed Aelina on the forehead. “You’ll have to stay here during the day. I’ll try and make sure no one comes in here, and make sure you stay here. How long can you stay like that on the floor?”
“I’ve had to put up with it for days, Mistress. I’ll be fine.”
“Good, I’ll come and check on you later.”
“Thank you, Mistress,” Aelina said. “Thank you for everything so far.”
“Don’t thank me yet, slave...thank me if I get you out of this castle alive.”
With that, Lia turned back to her own needs and left Aelina on the cold stone floor. Of course, the problem was that her slave was quite helpless there, and she could only hope that no one tried to take advantage of her while Lia was absent!
The guard returned soon after, and Lia took the ornate robes from him and dressed with the door locked. Then, strapping her dagger at her side, she stepped out of the room with the guards in front of her. This was the traditional position for the ever-paranoid Drow to go, as it meant the expendable guards would be the first to be attacked.
The underground fortress was huge, and many other rooms branched off from the main passages. Everywhere there were male guards, young female messengers and servants, and slaves of all types. Natural selection in the grim underground world ensured that only the best looking, most obedient and most useful slaves survived.
This ensured that as Lia walked, it looked something like a beauty pageant formed from various races, as humans, elves and even dwarves all went about their thankless tasks. It stuck in Lia’s craw that this was happening, but there was nothing she could do about it, and so she raised her head high, ignored the slaves and pressed on.
Eventually she came to a large and ornate door a level below her room. To Drow, the lower down you were, the more important, in an inversion of their High Elf cousins’ beliefs.
Formidable looking guards in black armour stood to attention and opened the doors. Inside was a long corridor which had once been a barracks in the High Elf days, but was now a sort of conference room for Lady Haelra and her followers.
The Lady herself, dressed in ornate black and red silk robes, sat on a throne of sorts with several beautiful slaves of both genders secured to her throne with chains. It was a display of power and wealth as much as the well equipped guards and her expensive jewellery.
“Welcome, Lady Liavondra. I trust my gift was to your liking?” Haelra asked as politely as a Drow could.
“Exceptionally so, Lady Haelra. She is at one time obedient, yet capable of her job. I barely had to beat her at all.”
“I am sure you will remedy this soon,” Haelra replied complacently. Just as casually she drew a long, thin black rod from beside her chair and casually slashed it down on one of her slaves, this one a tanned girl. “I told you to remain on your knees, slave. Disobey me again and I will give you to one of my pets.”
The slave trembled and resumed her kneeling, though it clearly pained her. Lia wondered how long the human had been forced to kneel in that position, chained and naked at the whim of a woman who could casually torture her to death without a flicker of compassion.
“Lady Haelra, I must thank you for your gifts, as well as these robes. You have done be a service – what would you ask of me in return?” After all, Drow never did anything from the kindness of their hearts.
“Direct to the point. I like that, Lady Liavondra,” she replied magnanimously. “Walk with me, Lady,” she ordered.
Lia obeyed, following the Drow Matriarch through a back door and into a private room where once the Captain of the Guard had lodged centuries before.
“Now we are alone, I have a proposition for you, Lady Liavondra,” Haelra said. “As you are aware, my family is one of the most important and notable of all the High Clans.”
“Yes, you do your family honour by your strength and wisdom,” Lia replied carefully. It was important to flatter, but not grovel. Drow despised weakness, and if she showed any, Haelra would drop her like a hot stone. Lia wished to avoid this for two reasons; for her mission she wished to become close to powerful families, and for Aelina’s sake she couldn’t let her be taken away again.
“Indeed,” Haelra purred. Her eyes glinted as she looked at Lia. “The time has come to elect a new Queen after Her Majesty died last year. Though I would not dream of putting myself forward, our input will be of vital importance to selecting the next Queen.”
To Lia this sounded sensible from her people’s point of view. No smart Drow wanted to be Queen – the powers of the monarch were limited by her over mighty subjects and priestesses. Far better to elect a puppet and then use them to gain ascendancy.
“You believe my voice would carry the weight those of the other Houses do?” Lia asked.
“Of course, but not as much as mine or others. However, every little helps, Lady Liavondra. You help me...and I’ll help you.” Drow were not good at a friendly smile, and when Haelra tried to give one it came out as a smirk.
“Did you have a contender in mind, Lady Haelra?” Lia asked casually.
“Why yes, I did actually. That Priestess you met yesterday...Zarra. A little young perhaps, but with some careful ‘guidance’, I think she could make an admirable Queen.”
An admirable puppet, Lia thought, but this was all to her advantage. Alcala and her friends wanted her to observe the Drow, discover their plans, and if she could help put a naïve priestess on the throne, all the better.
“She is clearly blessed by the Goddess,” Lia said seriously. “With the Goddess’ favour and careful...guidance...I quite agree with you.”
Haelra grinned in what she thought was a pleasant way. “This wisdom will not be forgotten, Lady Liavondra. Your arrival here was quite fortuitous I believe.”
“Thank you, Lady. Might I ask something of you in return?”
Haelra’s eyes narrowed slightly. “You may ask,” she said sternly.
“It is nothing major, and you must think me merely greedy, but I lost a slave during the ambush that I had just broken in. A darker skinned girl that I used as a maid. That one in the throne room who displeased you...might I have her for a suitable price?”
For a moment Lady Haelra just looked at Lia as though surprised. She had clearly expected a request for patronage, even money – things the Drow Lady valued. But a slave....
“No payment is necessary. She is yours. You now have two of my slaves, and you may keep them. Consider this human as a gift for your...agreement with me on the topic we mentioned.”
Lia nodded. “Thank you, Lady. If you will excuse me....”
“One question, Lady Liavondra,” Haelra asked. “Why did you ask me for so little? A human slave is worth little compared to what you have agreed with me to do. I hope that your agreement is an oath to which you will comply,” the Drow said suspiciously.
Lia knew the real reason would mean nothing to the Drow – that caring about the human’s life was something utterly alien to her kin.
“My word is my promise, Lady. As I said, you must think me vapid, but would not ask anything more from you, due to your gifts to me so far. I trust only in your continuing patronage, that is all.”
“Ah...now I see. Thank you, Lady Liavondra. If you will excuse me, I have others to see. You may take the slave with you. She is good at her job, but requires frequent beatings to remind her of her duty.”
“I will keep that in mind,” Lia replied gravely.
Out in the main throne room, her two guards were waiting attentively. Haelra entered behind Lia and nodded to her guards. “All is well,” she said.
Her guards relaxed slightly, and Lia knew that if she had refused the Lady’s offer she might have had an ‘accident’.
“Give the brown slave to the Lady Liavondra. It is my gift to her. Thank you again, Lady,” she said to Lia.
“And to you, Lady Haelra.”
Haelra said her final farewells, and soon Lia was leaving the chamber with her two guards and her new slave in tow. Passing back through the corridors it felt a shorter journey back to her room. Perhaps she was less expectant and anxious of what she would find, but whatever the case, in what seemed like only a moment she was back inside.
“Chain her to the floor, and then you may go,” Lia ordered the guards. “Oh, and fetch some chains for my new slave...like the other one has.”
The slave did not resist much, and could not in any case, as her wrists were tightly bound with rope. The human soon had her leash locked to a second ring on the floor just across from Aelina. The High Elf looked surprised, even nervous, but was wise enough not to say anything.
Soon the guards were gone, and Lia was left alone with her two pets. The contrast between the two was extraordinary. The High Elf was of average height, with pale skin, blue eyes and a meek disposition. In contrast, the human had a pleasing olive skin, dark brown eyes and a much more defiant cast of manner.
“What is your name?” Lia asked the human.
At first it seemed as though her new slave would not answer, but finally she spoke. “Imelda.”
“Good. You will call me Mistress, and this is the best day of your life.”
“Is that so, Mistress?” Imelda asked, with a hint of defiance.
“It is. Because you now belong to the only Drow in this place who has a speck of morality.” Lia sensed that this girl was not like Aelina at all – she was stubborn, and probably not as trustworthy.
“As you say...Mistress,” Imelda said.
Lia knelt down in front of the naked human. “Listen to me very carefully. I am not like the other Drow, but if you cross me, then I will make you wish you were back with the other sort. I don’t want much from you; just say the right things when I tell you too, and I’ll protect you.”
Imelda looked a little puzzled. “Yes, Mistress. I am yours to command,” she said woodenly.
Lia felt a sudden stab of anger looking down at the girl, but controlled it. “Your job is to clean this room and to fetch me things as needed. Don’t do anything out there that makes me have to deal with you in public.”
“Yes, Mistress,” Imelda said.
There was a knock at the door, and Lia opened it, and let her guards chain Imelda in the same way as Aelina. They did it efficiently and the human did not struggle or resist much. When she was done she turned over and wrestled with her bondage futilely for a moment before resting her head back against the bed.
Lia stared at her two slaves, both chained and bound helplessly. Again the urge to force them rose in her, and she only controlled the urge by stamping across the stone floor and looking down at the two girls.
“Human, I am going to unlock you from the floor, and you’re going to clean this room.”
“How, Mistress?” Imelda asked, jingling her chains pointedly. With her arms behind her back there was exactly zero chance of her cleaning anything unless she held a duster in her mouth.
“Then give me your wrists, but if you try anything....”
“Mistress, I can help-“ Aelina started.
“Quiet!” Lia snapped. Then she sighed. “No, Aelina...thank you,” she said. “I’m sorry for that...this place is getting to me.”
Lia unlocked Imelda’s wrists and then re-cuffed them in front of her so that the human could use them to some degree. She also disconnected the chain linking her wrists to her ankles and put that aside, so that Imelda could actually move her hands above her waist.
“Now, clean this place up, then go get me some food and water,” Lia ordered.
Imelda sullenly obeyed, and started her task. She was still naked, and her chains clinked as she worked.
Lia felt a little guilty at the sight, and was also sure that in the privacy of her room that she need not do this. Making the slaves do work was surely against everything she believed in, since in a small way it meant that she agreed with it. It was certainly an unhappy thought.
As she stood in thought, Lia was aware of Aelina looking up at her. When the Drow matched her gaze the High Elf looked away sheepishly and lay back on the ground.
“What is it, Aelina?” Lia asked.
“Nothing, Mistress. I’m sorry I looked at you,” she said.
“It’s nothing,” Lia replied. Reaching down she caressed one of Aelina’s pointed ears. “You know...you remind me of someone.”
“Mistress?”
“Oh, it’s nothing. Long time ago.”
Before Lia could reminisce any more, there was a knock at the door. Cursing about these continual interruptions, she went to the door, weapon at the ready.
Standing there was an even more imposing figure then Lady Haelra. This Drow wore even less than Lia or the other Drow Matriarch, and yet seemed all the more threatening. Over her entire body she wore only a transparent robe, a black belt holding a sword, and three spots over her nipples and pussy. She was also carrying a staff, and her general bearing indicated that this was a powerful Priestess.
“Lady Liavondra,” she said in a regal tone.
Lia noticed for the first time that she had an escort of four other Drow dressed in similar style to her and carrying staffs.
“Yes?” Lia asked cautiously, though without a tremor.
“I would like to discuss certain matters with you. You will walk with me,” she stated. It wasn’t even an order – it was stated like a fact.
Lia quickly fought to find this woman’s name. She was powerful, and getting the name wrong would be a very bad move.
“I would be honoured, Priestess Valriya,” Lia said, making her reply not a question only with considerable willpower. “However, I must see that my slave is properly restrained.”
“Very well.” Valriya’s attitude clearly spoke of her unwillingness to wait.
Lia hurried inside and pulled Imelda bodily over to the foot of the bed pushed her to the floor.
“Don’t struggle, and stay quiet,” Lia hissed in her ear.
Imelda seemed to understand, and relaxed so that Lia could do her job. With that done, the Drow turned and walked back to the doorway where Valriya was waiting.
“We go now,” the Priestess stated.
And so Lia followed her out and shut the door behind her, leaving her two slaves alone.
Chapter 3
If Lia was apprehensive of being led away by a powerful priestess and her group, she did not show it. Hiding emotions was the first thing a Drow learned, especially ones such as fear, pain or compassion.
Perhaps showing their respective strengths, Lia was led down two flights of stairs to the level below where she had met Haelra. There, a makeshift temple and alter had been set up to the Drow Goddess. There were also other priestesses, some male mages and warriors, and of course, slaves.
“It is not normal to invite mere nobles down to this hallowed area, but I have made an exception.”
Lia said nothing, merely looking around at the scene. This temple seemed oddly to be doubling as a Drow equivalent of a tavern. Drow sat at tables while semi and fully naked slaves brought them drinks.
“This way,” Valriya ordered, leading Lia through the throng and into a back room. The chamber beyond was dark and as large as the preceding room, except that it was almost entirely deserted. A throne sat at the far end, and hanging from a ring on the wall by her wrists was another elf. This one, to Lia’s surprise, was actually a Drow, which was very unusual indeed. The other thing Lia could tell, was that the Drow was in agony; her feet were not touching the ground, and her wrists were bloody and chafed. Red marks crossed her body from a whip of some sort.
“Do you think she is sorry enough yet?” Valriya asked callously.
“Priestess, I could not say.” A male Drow, naked to the waist and carrying a whip stepped from the shadows.
“Well, Daeyr?” Valriya asked the captive. “Are you sorry yet?”
“Yes, mother! Please forgive me!” Daeyr cried out.
“Your weakness sickens me, daughter.” The priestess turned to the male Drow. “Beat her until she grows a spine.”
Lia just stared at the scene in horror. Every reason for her abandoning her cursed and evil kin was now brought into sharp focus. The casual cruelty, the lack of any compassion or morality, the self-promoting arrogance. She forced her gaze away – Lia had to stay focussed or she could end up in a far worse position than the hapless Daeyr.
Valriya had perhaps noticed her gaze. “My daughter needs to learn her lesson. And that lesson is to grow some backbone, accept her punishment, and move on. She killed one of my slaves, a valuable one. She will not do it again, I’m sure.”
There was a scream as the whip slashed home again and the sound of the captive sobbing.
“I’ve heard humans with more stomach. Again, Garsh,” she ordered the male. As the whip bit into her daughter’s helpless body again, Valriya turned unconcernedly back to Lia. “Lady Liavondra, I believe you met with Lady Haelra before.”
“I did, Priestess,” Lia replied. She knew what was coming, and she needed tact and cunning of her own to wriggle free of the Byzantine politics of the Drow.
“Might I know the nature of your discussions? Lady Haelra has been lacking in proper devotion to the Goddess recently. I would not like to think that you shared her views.”
“My devotion to my Goddess is absolute,” Lia said fervently. It wasn’t the Drow Goddess – but Valriya didn’t need to know that! “She called me to her to discuss the selection of a new queen,” Lia said. It was very hard to think with the sobbing Drow hanging in her chains not ten feet away.
Valriya noted her sideways looks and sighed. “Garsh, take my daughter to her room and bind her injuries. Then stand guard and make sure she does not leave. I will deal with her later.” She turned back to Lia. “Very good, Lady Liavondra. You didn’t lie.”
“A Priestess of your ability surely knows what is going on everywhere in this fortress,” Lia replied.
“You flatter me – do not think I do not see that. However, you are correct. And so, what did you decide on with Lady Haelra?”
Lia did some quick calculations of relative powerbases. Her powerbase consisted of her, and even had she not been an impostor, her view would have carried little weight in any case. That made her a perfect trifle for various Drow ladies to claim, use and discard if needed.
“She wishes to appoint the Priestess Zarra to be Queen,” Lia said.
Valriya stared into Lia’s eyes for a moment, and then leaned back on her throne. “I see. Zarra...the young one. A foolish choice. And you promised to support Haelra?”
“I did. Though if you know a better candidate....”
“You do not feel obliged to remain true to your commitment?” Valriya asked idly.
“Priestess, you command great respect and wisdom. I am a simple newcomer to these proceedings. I would like to have all the options.”
“A wise policy,” Valriya said. “I nominate my daughter Daeyr for the position.”
Lia had a vision of the pleading Drow girl hanging from the wall.
“You do not think she is appropriate?” Valriya asked coldly, noting the glance to the now empty manacles.
Lia had excellent peripheral vision, and she could see the four priestesses, as well as several guards move forward slightly.
“I think that with firm guidance and leadership she would make a good choice,” Lia said.
“I’m glad you agree. Traditionally the vote is open to all Ladies and Matriarchs. As a Priestess I have foresworn my right to vote. I hope I can trust you to do it for me?” The threat was not very disguised.
“I believe it will be a close vote,” Lia said, though she wasn’t sure.
“Very close, Lady Liavondra. Of course, for your wisdom I will ensure you are rewarded. What do you desire?”
Lia was taken aback by the question. She had nothing that she wanted, per se, and couldn’t think of anything her imaginary patron wanted either.
“Well?” Valriya demanded. “I notice you already have two slaves. Would you like another?” The Priestess leered at Lia in a conspiratorial way. “I have some new acquisitions from the surface you might appreciate.”
“Very well, Priestess.” Lia wasn’t sure she wanted a third slave, as it was morally distressing enough to be saddled with two – no matter her intentions. “Also, my guards were provided by Lady Haelra, yet I am not sure she will be pleased once she hears of my change of heart.”
“Then you must not tell her. Tell them and Haelra that you rejected my terms. My courtiers and priestesses are loyal to me and will not betray you.”
“And me bringing back another slave?”
“Explain it how you wish,” Valriya snapped and turned away. The meeting was over.
Lia was not especially reassured, but had no choice but to obey.
The trip down to the old dungeons of the High Elf fortress was one of the most distressing events Lia could remember. An almost palpable aura of misery came from the cellar as Lia entered it with one of the priestesses.
“You may choose from any of the slaves the Priestess owns, save for the one at the end.”
Lia walked along the row of cages, each holding a bound captive. The cages stank, and the slaves looked down at the ground rather than see the Drow walking past. Male and female, elf, human, halfling and other more exotic races were represented.
Near the end, Lia turned around, but she saw the last slave, the one she was not allowed to choose, and she could see why. It was a beautiful, golden skinned female surrounded by an inscribed magical circle, and bound with rune encrusted chains. Oddly, she was the only slave who was wearing proper clothes. When she looked up at Lia there was no fear in her golden eyes, just acceptance. However, as she stared at Lia her eyes widened slightly, and she looked confused for a second before turning away.
“A celestial?” Lia asked.
“Yes, Lady. The priestess is saving it for a special occasion.”
Lia shuddered at that thought, but then walked back down along the line. Guiltily she found herself examining each of the women. Finally, she stopped in front of a cell. There was another High Elf, one with black hair and blue eyes, very similar to Aelina. In fact, she looked exactly like Aelina.
“Her. I want this one,” Lia said calmly.
“Very well. Guards,” the Priestess ordered.
The elf was dragged from her cage and made to stand before Lia. Feeling sick at herself, Lia inspected the elf’s beautiful body, and then nodded. “Chain her,” she ordered. When this was done, and the elf was ready, Lia pulled her by the leash out of the cellar.
Meeting up with her guards, Lia gave them the new elf to take along, and she led them briskly back to her room.
The problem that had been nagging Lia suddenly reached fever pitch. She realised that the new elf and Aelina looked exactly the same. They could only be related, and it would be a traumatic sight at the best of times. Thinking quickly, Lia stopped the guards and took the leash from them. “I want food, and something for my slaves too,” she ordered.
With them reluctantly out of the way, Lia turned back to the door. Her new captive shifted slightly, and Lia felt her stomach twist. It felt wrong...but she had to do something, surely!
After standing for a full minute by the door, and aware of the odd look her new slave was giving her back, she pushed open the door, closed, locked and bolted it too.
The reaction was all that she had feared. The two elves saw each other at the same time, and a mutual gasp filled the room. Suddenly, the new slave rushed forward heedlessly and fell to her knees by Aelina.
“Ailis!” Aelina exclaimed. “What...how?” she asked, trying to sit up.
Ailis turned angrily on Lia and forced herself up to her feet. She was trembling with anger, despite being both naked, and chained hand and foot. “You! How could you enslave my sister you monster!”
Lia was taken aback by the words. “Me? I didn’t, I’m just helping her-“ she begun.
“Helping?! Keeping her chained to your bed is helping? I know just what sort of help your kind consider.”
“Ailis, please,” Aelina said.
“No!” Ailis struggled briefly with her chains, and it seemed to slowly dawn on her that she had not only broken every rule in the book, but that she was quite helpless. “Do what you want to me, monster, but leave my sister alone!” she said bravely.
“Look, are you going to let me speak for a moment?” Lia snapped irritably. “I only chose you because I saw you were very similar to Aelina and-“ she started.
“You are sick! I see what you want to do!” Ailis said. She seemed to believe that she might as well go all out now that her bridges were burnt.
Lia stepped forward and shook Ailis. “Will you listen to me?” she shouted in exasperation. When the High Elf had subsided, Lia took a deep breath. “Look, I don’t want to gag you, but I will if you keep shouting. Now listen! Your sister was given to me as a gift, bribe, whatever. I detest slavery, and I detest my kind’s beliefs. I am not doing this for some sort of horrible reason. I am doing this because I am the only Drow in this place who will not cut out your tongue for that tirade. In case you haven’t noticed, you are my slave – but fortunately for you, I don’t want a slave – but you’re stuck with me for now.”
Lia sighed and stepped back, and Ailis looked down at her sister.
“It’s true, Ailis. This Drow is not like the others. She has been kind to me, and has not forced me to do anything.”
“I...see. I’m sorry,” Ailis said, blushing.
“I forgive you. But you will call me Mistress, and you will do as you are told. It’s for your own good.” Lia looked at Imelda. “What are you sniggering about?”
“Nothing, Mistress,” Imelda said innocently.
“Look, I have three of you now. I’ll put Aelina and Ailis at the foot of the bed, and you can be chained to the wall, human,” she told Imelda.
“Why do we need to be chained up at all if you don’t want us to be slaves?” Imelda asked sulkily.
Lia sighed. “Because I don’t trust any of you not to try something stupid. But mainly, it’s for appearance. I am not here to rescue random slaves after all,” she said pompously. Then, seeing the look Aelina was giving her, Lia subsided. “But I will do my best for you three anyway.”
“For nothing in return?” Imelda asked snidely.
Lia slapped the human hard across the cheek. “You call me ‘Mistress’, and you treat me properly. I might not want slaves, and I might not be willing to beat you, but I am not getting myself betrayed because you want to get smart with me.”
“Yes...Mistress,” Imelda said sulkily.
Lia knelt down and undid Imelda’s leash from the ring on the floor. “Now get out there and find those guards of mine and bring back to food.“
With her hands bound in front of her, and her legs chained, Imelda left the room.
When she was gone, Lia took the end of Ailis’ leash and pulled her across the floor.
“Mistress...can’t you get us some clothes even?” Ailis asked. “Even just for my sister!”
“I can give you a blanket each night, but nothing more.” Lia locked Ailis’ leash to the floor ring where Imelda had been. Now the two sisters were close enough that they could touch if they pulled at their collars.
“Thank you for finding my sister, Mistress,” Aelina said with a warm smile.
“Yes. I’m sorry I yelled at you. It was silly...I didn’t even know my sister had been captured, and to see her here....” Ailis trailed off.
“At least someone is thankful,” she snapped. Then Lia sighed and massaged her temples. “It’s alright, I forgive you both. I’m not like the other Drow, really!” She only wished that her mind didn’t keep suggesting images of what she could do with two beautiful female High Elves. It would be easy to make them do whatever she liked under pretext of protecting them, but Lia wouldn’t let herself do that.
Lia sat on the bed between the two of them and looked moodily at the ground. With another sigh she reached down and ran a hand through both the twin’s hair.
“Come on. I’m going to give you two a bath. Can I trust you not to try and run away? Trust me, there is no escape that way. Only through me do you have a chance of seeing the sun again as free women.”
“We promise, Mistress,” Ailis replied.
Lia looked into the elf’s eyes, and then nodded. They seemed to understand, and that made Lia kneel down and unlock their chains. The collars were sealed with some method that Lia could not fathom – they were entirely smooth with only the ring at the front for the leash, and there was nowhere to enter a key.
While Lia got the twins to boil water on the fire, she went to the tin bath and rummaged around. There were some oils and some soap there, and that would do to start with.
“Water’s ready, Mistress,” Aelina called.
“Bring it over.” Lia ladled the boiling water into the tin bath, then added cold water to create a warm, but not scalding mix. Then the Drow got into the bath. She was the Mistress after all, and she deserved to use the water while it was the warmest.
“Do you want us to...wash you, Mistress?” Aelina asked.
Lia considered. Was it exploitation to do that? Most likely, but it had been volunteered, and besides, Lia thought she was owed some reward for her forbearance so far. “Yes, please. But don’t touch anywhere you don’t want to,” she added as a concession to good karma.
Lia stripped off her robe, and after admiring herself in the polished brass mirror, she climbed into the bath, and let her slaves do their work.
It seemed that Aelina had done this before, perhaps for Haelra, or another owner. Either way, she seemed to know how to arose by rubbing the oil and using the soft cloth to wash her Mistress’ dark skin. Ailis seemed entirely less happy with the arrangement, and rubbed Lia like she was a horse after a stiff ride. However, the Drow appreciated this because it distracted her from the arousal she felt from Aelina’s treatment.
Finally, with her body excepting her nether regions washed, she rose and let her slaves dry her off. As Aelina knelt down to dry Lia’s legs, the Drow felt a tingling in her, and the urge to force herself on this elf. But, with an effort, she resisted.
The two elves bathed alone, and by Aelina’s turn the water was almost cold. Still, with a little help from Lia, they were quickly washed. Lia guiltily admitted to herself to a little more caressing of the High Elves’ ears and breasts than was strictly necessary.
By the time, half an hour later, when Imelda returned with a platter of food, Ailis and Aelina was back in their positions on the floor.
“What took you so long?” Lia demanded. She’d only put on a light robe over her body, and her damp skin made her nipples peek through the material.
“Priestess Variya was there first,” Imedla said sulkily.
“Fine. Put it on the table.” Lia did not trust Imelda at all, unlike the two sisters. The twins had no reason to betray her, since she had told them the most of her plans, and they would not risk their sibling now. Imelda though looked the kind who thought she could take advantage of Lia’s unexpected morality.
Going over to the table, Lia looked down at it. A large, silver dish had been prepared for her, with quality foods assembled. In three wooden bowls some harsh dark bread, gristle and mushrooms had been prepared for her slaves.
Lia, while certain that she was a much better person than any of the Drow in the fortress, was not that noble. While an angelic person would take the slave’s food and alleviate their suffering by giving them hers, her stomach was turned by the sight of the slave’s food. So, she compromised, but giving each of the three of them some of hers, and keeping the rest for herself.
However, first of all she grabbed Imelda and dragged her over. “You’re going to eat it first though,” she stated.
“You think I poisoned it...Mistress?” she asked belligerently.
“I don’t know. Did you? Someone else might have. I am still a Drow, and we have a suspicious streak a mile wide. Now eat it!”
Lia carefully watched the human, but Imelda showed no concern as she ate something from everything and didn’t keel over from poison.
“Good. Now get back to your corner,” Lia ordered, pushing her back, and securing her to a ring on the wall. A resentful look was all she got in return. “Do you want to go back to Lady Haelra for a whipping?”
Imelda gave her a look which suggested that she didn’t think the Drow had the guts. “Of course not, Mistress, I am your obedient slave.”
Lia snorted at that, but then divided the food out. She gave Imelda the least amount of the good meal, and got another even more resentful look.
Finally, the four women were finished, and Lia piled the dishes up by the door, checked that the bolts were secured, and then went over to her bed. Pulling off one of her blankets, she gave it to the twins, and they were able to share some of it, provided they stayed near full stretch.
“I’ve only got one spare pillow,” Lia said.
“Give it to Aelina. I don’t mind,” Ailis said.
“Thank you. I love you, sis.” They kissed briefly before settling back.
Imelda got nothing to make her night more comfortable, and visibly brooded in the corner.
Chapter 4
Determining time a hundred feet below the ground was never easy. However, Drow were capable at telling time, and captured artisans from other races had been persuaded to give up their secrets in creating clocks. While by no means popular among the conservative, clocks had definite uses when compared to hourglasses, candles or water clocks.
So it was that when Lia awoke she knew that she had slept for nearly seven hours. After stretching, she stood and walked to the foot of the bed. The twins were obviously accustomed to sleeping for long periods in their chains, for they looked relatively comfortable. Lia interrupted this by pulling off the blanket and stealing the pillow.
“Right, up,” she said, prodding them both with her foot.
“Mistress?” Aelina asked blearily.
“Me. You too, human!” she called to Imelda.
Grouchily, the human too woke up, her chains jingling as she sat naked on the floor. As if to taunt or annoy her owner, she spread her legs invitingly.
Lia turned away in annoyance. She really wanted to give the human a thrashing, and then put that mouth to better use. Alas, it seemed morality was a double edged sword.
No interruptions filled the morning, and Lia did not stir beyond her room, being content lie on her bed and brood. Imelda went out with the dishes, and did not return even after half an hour. Lia couldn’t care less. Her motives for taking the human in had been to protect her, but if the slave wanted to wander off on her own, that was her problem.
The twins though...they were different. It was difficult to tell them apart by appearance alone, though Ailis was slightly taller, and had a scar under one arm that her sister did not.
Lia found herself looking down at the two High Elves, and staring into their eyes. There was definitely something familiar there.
“I’ve got it!” she exclaimed.
Aelina jumped slightly, almost falling as her leash pulled taut. “Mistress?”
“You remind me of my first slave. Well, not that I wanted one. See, when I was growing up, I was always a bit weird. My mother, you see, was a Matriarch, and she expected all her daughters to be as venal, evil and callous as she was. The other Drow saw it too, and tried to bully me. Well, that is until I broke the arm of a girl who was annoying me. See, I was not a coward, and I wasn’t weak. I just had the novel idea of not beating slaves for my sick pleasure.”
“I’m glad you still have that idea, Mistress,” Aelina said with feeling.
Lia didn’t seem to be listening. “So my mother bought me an elf. Some parents in less psychotic races buy their children puppies and kittens. I got given a slave who it was my job to train and do what I wanted to with her. I don’t think it ever occurred to my mother that this might encourage my errant behaviour. She figured that owning a pretty girl would make me a proper Drow. Well, I was young at the time, and I thought it might be fun to play with my new toy. Not hurt her much...just have some fun with. But then I met her, and I looked into her eyes. I couldn’t do it, girls. Actually, it reminds me of what happened here, because like with Aelina I had her at my mercy, and I think it surprised her more even then me that I talked to her.”
Lia sighed at the recollection. “She was actually my first lover too. Well, my first consensual one, at least. We worked out a code so that I could treat her like dirt in public, and reassure her at the same time. Sort of like I’ve done with you two. Of course, it all got found out eventually, and she was taken away from me. My mother was most angry...or was it confused? Well, she thought the slave was corrupting me...ha! So she ordered her put to death for no reason. I couldn’t let that happen, so I rescued her, and blamed it on an enemy of my mother’s. For such a cunning woman, I don’t think it ever entered her mind that her daughter would betray her, rescue a slave, and set her loose. All I could give Taenia was a set of clothes, some food and a knife. I never did find out if she survived.”
Lia stared reflectively at the ground, but then looked at her current two High Elf slaves. They were staring at her.
“What? Is that so unlikely a story? I guess it is.”
“Taenia?” Aelina asked in amazement. “She survived and became the High Priestess of Ashira! But...that means that you...” she trailed off.
“That means you’re the Liavondra!” Ailis said with a whispered awe.
“The? It’s not that uncommon a name, is it?” Lia replied, puzzled.
“You are the ‘Light in the Darkness’. You are Princess Liavondra, the Drow with the pure heart!”
Lia thought guiltily of her bath-time with her slaves that morning. “Well, I do my best,” she muttered, embarrassed.
“But surely, that was centuries ago! Vaenia was our great grandmother!” Aelina exclaimed.
They were both looking at Lia, and she coughed. “Yes, well the centuries do seem to slip by. Stop looking at me like that! And any jokes about walking canes will be dealt with severely!” she joked.
“I’m sorry, Mistress. I’m just surprised!”
“Does your family make a habit of being enslaved? Good grief, I knew there was something familiar about you two! You really do look like her. And I,” she said with absolute certainty, “look exactly the same as I did then.”
“How, Mistress? That must have been five hundred years ago!”
Lia sighed. The truth was too complex and too incomprehensible for these two. She tried to find a way to explain the complex circumstances involving time travel, parallel universes and a hefty dose of divine intervention. She failed and gave up. “Magic,” she finally said, knowing it was broadly true, at least from these two elves’ perspectives.
Lia sat and stared at the opposite wall for a moment before she felt something touching her leg. She looked down to see Aelina kissing it.
“What was that for?” Lia asked in surprise.
“Because of you we’re alive...because of what you did all those years ago. And, well...I want to thank you.”
“You’re welcome. I only hope I can save you two like I did her!”
“I want to thank you, in another way too,” Aelina said, looking up.
“You do? How-,” Lia begun, and then shook her head. “No, that’d feel wrong. It’d be like forcing you. That is wrong,” she protested, though her body was not quite on the same righteous wavelength.
“I want to...Mistress,” Aelina whispered.
“’Lina,” Ailis started.
“No. It’s not wrong!” Aelina shot back at her sister. “Not if I want to.”
Ailis clearly considered her options, and then nodded. “I’ll do it too, though you can’t make me touch my sister in that way!” she said sternly.
“I’m not forcing either of you to do anything!” Lia protested. “But if you want to...well let me undo these.” She reached down and unlocked their leashes from the floor. When Ailis offered her wrists, Lia grinned and shook her head. “You’re both too adorable to untie. Also, it’d take to long to chain you up again if I had to answer the door.”
Ailis didn’t look convinced, but didn’t really have much choice. So the twins would have to do their best with their wrists and ankles chained behind their backs!
Lia stripped off her clothes and dropped them carelessly on the floor. Then she lay back on the bed and opened her legs.
Aelina, who seemed much more comfortable with the arrangement, crawled forward until her head rested between her Mistress’ legs. Her pale body rubbed against Lia’s leg as she started to lick her Mistress.
Ailis meanwhile had awkwardly clambered onto the bed, and lay partially on top of her owner, gently licking Lia’s nipples with exquisite care.
Though parts of Lia’s mind still fought against this exploitation, she simply overruled those impulses as pleasure flowed through her. She let out a little moan as Aelina’s tongue touched an especially sensitive area of her body, and Ailis started sucking on one of her ears.
With her hips jerking forward slightly, Lia started to caress one of her own breasts, and rub her body against Ailis
Aelina was exceptionally good at her job, and even with her hands shackled uselessly behind her back, she extremely capable. Lia, or at least the small part of Lia’s brain which was thinking about something else other than sex, realised that Aelina’s expertise likely came through painful training.
But then, even this part of Lia forgot all about it as she bucked and cried aloud as Aelina started to lick her clit directly. Rubbing her body against Ailis she finally came with a final moan of pleasure, and relaxed as a warm glow filled her.
After a moment Aelina slithered up to join her, and the twins lay, still chained, on either side of her, the three naked elves pressed against each other.
“That...was incredible,” Lia said, kissing them both. She put an arm around each of the twins and held their beautiful bodies close. “I’ll have to thank you two for that later. But for now, we should clean up. And where the hell has that human got to?”
It was a rhetorical question, and Lia carefully sponged down her two slaves, and let them clean her as well.
“I’m going to change your positions. You could probably do with a rest,” Lia said. She fetched her keys and resecured her slaves so they had their hands bound in front of them, and left their legs free.
“Thank you, Mistress!” Aelina said, stretching her arms and legs out.
Ailis nodded her thanks too. Her hands idly played with her collar and leash, but there was nothing she could do.
“Now don’t try anything silly, dears,” Lia warned, slowly pulling on her clothes. She felt much better now, satisfied sexually and philosophically. It wasn’t wrong to make love to her slaves as long as it was consensual, and since she’d promised to free them when she could, it wasn’t exploitation either.
Thus satisfied in her own moral rightness, Lia stood and headed for the door. “I’m going to find that human, and beat some responsibility into her if I have to.”
The corridors were as gloomy as ever, and the usual collection of Drow and slaves were around. Lia’s guards fell in behind her as she proceeded. It was as Lia was walking along that she saw Imelda coming towards her. With her was Priestess Zarra. They both looked surprised to see Lia, but Imelda bowed respectfully nonetheless.
“Mistress, Lady Haelra wishes to see you,” Imelda said.
“Yes, I was just asking your slave to take the message to you,” Zarra said.
Lia was instantly on her guard. Coincidence was all very well, but Imelda’s long absence, along with Zarra’s very personal interest in being Queen. Would Imelda be so stupid as to betray Lia? Considering her personal view of humans, Lia considered it possible.
“Oh, and why is that?” she asked casually. Her hand slipped down to her waist where her knife was concealed.
“Just a few minor matters, Lady Liavondra. I’m sure she would welcome your personal...attention.”
“I bet she would. Perhaps she wants a bracing game of poker?” Lia said sarcastically, dropping out of her carefully practiced tone for a moment.
Zarra’s eyes narrowed. “Are you going to come or not?”
“I don’t think I will, Priestess,” Lia stated.
“Pity.” Zarra made a signal.
Movement behind her made her draw her knife and turn, but it was too late. Her guards, plus two others concealed in alcoves nearby were heading towards her. Her lunging stab was caught on a guard’s shield, while another guard came at her from the side.
It was as she was drawing back to defend herself again that she felt a prick between her shoulders. Turning back she saw Zarra lowering a blowpipe. Lia pulled the dart from her back, and reeled backwards slightly. Other Drow in the passage were watching, but none of them were about to intervene – if one of their kind was foolish enough to be caught alone then that was their problem!
The world was starting to become blurred, and despite Lia’s best efforts she was soon slumping to the ground.
“Take her. Lady Haelra would like to ‘discuss’ matters with her. You two, go to her room and fetch those High Elves. The Lady Haelra would like them as well.”
As Lia drifted off she realised that the only way Haelra or Zarra could know she had two elf slaves was if Imelda had told them. Then blackness took her as the knockout poison did its work.
After a dark and disturbed stupor, Lia was awakened by a bucket of foul smelling water to the face. She instantly knew she was in trouble. She was standing, naked and stretched out, with her wrists and ankles manacles to four separate rings. She could feel her limbs straining against the pressure of the stretching.
“Welcome back, Lady Liavondra,” Haelra said, stepping forward, daintily avoiding a puddle of water. She was dressed in dark robes, and most noticeably was carrying a coiled whip. “I think it’s time we had a little discussion about promises, and loyalty.”
Lia said nothing. She looked over, and saw Aelina and Ailis chained tor the far wall, but Imelda was nowhere to be seen.
“You have betrayed me. Pledged your support to me, but then turned around and gave that cow Valriya your support. Well, I know how to deal with betrayal...and how to reward those who are faithful.”
Imelda stepped into view, naked and chained still, but looking adoringly at Haelra. “Mistress,” she said, kneeling down at her real owner’s feet.
Haelra looked down on her with something approaching a smile, but there was no affection there. “I saw the way you treated that High Elf slut of mine. Barely a mark on her, or the other one. You’re soft, and if this human had answered me back I’d have cut out her tongue. So I gave you this worthless piece junk to see if you kept your promise. You did not – you received a slave from Valriya. The rest is easy to work out.”
“I don’t know what reward you’re expecting, Imelda, but you won’t get anything from her,” Lia said.
“She will get what she wants...to be my slave, to serve me, and to be disciplined severely if she errs,” Haelra said. She looked disdainfully at the adoring human, then slapped her hard across the face. “Did I tell you to look at me?” she demanded.
“I’m sorry, Mistress!” Imelda said.
“You will be later. Unless you satisfy my every desire tonight I will whip you like I will whip this betrayer.” Haelra looked at Lia. “You really are stupid. Too soft, too trusting. Well, I am going to give you a lesson in manners, and then I’m not sure what to do with you. I might give you to Zarra as a sacrifice, or I might just torture you a bit myself. Guard, bring the brazier.”
Lia struggled against the chains, but it was useless. “I’m sure we can work something out,” Lia said.
“You have nothing I want and are irrelevant to my plans. I’ve never had the opportunity to torture a Lady before. Do you scream as loud as the slaves? Guard! Brazier now!”
The brazier of hot coals was brought forward by two guards with long iron tongs. In it were a number of metal objects. Ailis and Aelina struggled, but were stuck fast.
Haelra kicked Imelda aside and approached, uncoiling the whip as she did. Drawing back her arm, she slashed it with brutal precision, across Lia’s right breast.
The pain was so sharp and agonising that Lia cried aloud and struggled even harder. She barely bit back a scream as the whip lashed her left breast. Dark red blood oozed from the cuts.
“You mentioned to Zarra about playing a game of ‘poker’. I do not know what this means, but I do have...these.” Haelra went to the brazier and extracted a red hot length of metal.
“Why are you doing this?” Lia asked.
“Because I want to,” Haelra answered simply. “Now, this is going to hurt a lot. Maybe if you beg me pitifully enough I’ll stop...or maybe I won’t.”
Lia wrenched and pulled at her restraints, but nothing would let her escape the burning metal. Even worse, it was heading directly for her pussy. Closing her eyes, she waited for the unimaginable pain to hit her.
However, that pain never came. Instead there was a strange whooshing sound, and a cry. Then, several more, and shouts.
Lia opened her eyes, hoping to see friends rescuing her against all hope. Instead, other Drow were firing crossbows from the doorway, and Haelra’s guards were being cut down. A brief battle ensued, with crossbows twanging, and swords clashing, but the Lady’s soldiers were outnumbered and outfought.
However, Imelda had gotten to her feet, and despite having her hands chained behind her, she had found a discarded dagger. Holding it behind her, she walked towards Lia, who was still helplessly bound.
“Why are you doing this?” Lia asked.
“I love my Mistress, and you were going to spoil everything!” the human claimed, her eyes wild.
“What has she done to you? She’s done nothing but treated you like dirt!”
“I am not good enough for her, but I will learn. And you...’Mistress’...will die!” She turned her back on Lia so that the knife she held behind her could be used.
Lia was as unable to escape as she had been before – and could only watched as the shackled slave prepared to drive the knife into her stomach.
At that moment there was a twang, and Imelda staggered, and fell to the floor, a crossbow bolt in her throat.
Lia looked around to see Garsh lowering a crossbow. He gave Lia a feral grin before drawing his sword and joining in the remainder of the battle.
Soon, it was all over. Lady Haelra was wounded and lay on the ground, with Zarra beside her.
Only when the fighting was done did Valraiya and her daughter Daeyr enter. The Priestess walked over to where Lia was secured and grinned.
“Lady Liavondra, I presume?”
|
|
|