Chapter 14: The Plan

“I see you are expecting.” Sharadreza said, trying her best to keep a neutral tone in her voice. Which wasn’t easy. Her sister had shown up out of nowhere, as usual, with a belly that indicated her pregnancy. Behind her Breghen had followed, her own son, Elderboy of House Duscrain. A House he rarely attended. Nazira had said she was here to do business, but Sharadreza knew that was only half the truth. The other half was to parade with her round stomach, her proof that she was still able to give birth. 

“You know what’s it’s gonna be?” The Duscrain Matron asked, slightly curious.

“A girl.” Nazira said with confidence, forming a smile on her lips. 

Sharadreza had to hold her demeanor to not give a sign of disgust. Of course it would be a female. A Matron’s reign could stand or fall depending on their children. Daughters were the base of a House. Many daughters meant several possible heirs. If one would fall, another would take her place. Nazira was known to already have two strong daughters. A third one would only strengthen her claim as Matron. True, Sharadreza also had two daughters, but after the birth of Breghen, she had not been able to conceive again. She had tried medicines, several rituals, had prayed to Lolth to at least give her one other child, but her prayers had been left unanswered. According to the Yochlol, Lolth’s handmaiden she had fulfilled her purpose and no longer needed any other offspring. And for the Spider Queen, the discussion was closed. But it seemed Nazira was still in Lolth’s favor on that matter …

“Lolth has promised me the foresight of becoming the fifth house of Che’El’Dheorden. I am here to remind you of your promise. The promise you made to assist my House in times of war.”

Sharadreza huffed at those words. Promised? She had promised nothing. She was forced to agree, if she now wanted it or not. Nonetheless, her alliance with House Doh’Arn had given her some extra power in the city of Dro’Naqar. No House was foolish to attack her or even insult her, all fearing the power of Doh’Arn. While the rest of the Houses were fighting for power, her House had been safe and free from any trouble.

“I remember my promise.” Sharadreza said before giving a knip with her fingers. From the with veil covered doors, several servants entered, holding plates with food and jars of fine wines. In silence, the slaves placed the plates on the obsidian table, decorated with silver spiders and a web like design, like most of the Drow interior. Keeping their heads bowed to the ground, they shifted backwards to leave the room.

“Wait!” Nazira said, raising her hand. She called one of the slaves back without even looking at the young Drow girl. 

“What’s your name?” Nazira asked, the tone of her voice as poisonous as ever. 

“Talice, Revered Mother.” The girl replied as obedient as she could.

Nazira hummed slightly when she looked over the food that was spread over the table. A different array of mushrooms, fish and different prepared plates of Rothé flesh.

“Taste for me.” And the Drowess pushed her glass of wine to the side of the table towards the slavegirl.

“You dare to imply I put poison in your glass?!” Sharadreza said in anger, standing up from her chair. It was not unusual that food would be poisoned to get rid of a rising rival. But food that was coming from a Matron herself was supposed to be sacred. No Matron would poison another Matron in public, for it would only sign her own death. The Drow Underdark was a world of betrayal, deceit and chaos. It only had one rule: don’t get caught.

If you were able to assassinate your rival without any witnesses, in the eyes of the Drow it would be like it never happened, even if everyone had the knowledge who had done it. They would even applaud you for your achievement. Yet if you left a witness alive or were so stupid to kill in front of the city guard, you were guilty even before any trial. You would not be punished for your crime, but for your foolishness to start a fight you couldn’t win and get caught on top of it.

“Of course not, but I have to be careful.” A devious grin adorned Nazira’s lips, while her hand caressed her pregnant belly.

“I am carrying a female child in me, a daughter of Lolth and a daughter of Doh’Arn. Even if the food would come from Matron Auna herself, I would have it tested.”

Sharadreza clenched her fist, sitting down on her chair again. She knew it was just a sly trick of her sister to make her agitated, to show what power she held above her and that she was in full control.

The slave girl picked up the cup and took a sip but as expected, nothing happened.

“Well, I think it’s safe to drink.” Nazira teased before she took a piece of Rothé cheese on her plate, not even bothering to let the rest of food be tested for poison. With a quick nod of Sharadreza, the slave hurried out of the room. 

The room fell silent, only the noise of the plates being filled could be heard, before a large knock on the door filled the room. 

“What is it?” Sharadreza asked annoyed when a male messenger entered the room. The male bowed quickly, keeping his eyes to the ground.

“A message for Matron Nazira. May I present? ” Sharadreza huffed, but nodded her head in silent approval. The male turned his attention to Nazira, bowing again.

“The Lady commander confirmed that the prisoner has escaped.”

“WHAT!?” Sharadreza barked, already grabbing to her whip, but Nazira lifted her hand before she could even act. 

“Good.” She replied in a relaxed tone, like it was nothing new she heard while she silently ordered the messenger to leave. Sharadreza looked at her incomprehensible.

“First you come here to claim my prisoner and now your men let him escape!?” Sharadreza was furious, no, she was insulted by this lack of security from her sister’s soldiers.

“Sit down, Sharadreza!” Nazira commanded, taking a few seasoned mushrooms.

“It all belongs to my plan.”

“Your plan?” Sharadreza repeated, sitting down again.

“Your son has been able to extract the information that it was a surface female that had drawn him to betray his kin. Breghen gladly made a promise to find this female and kill her, as sacrifice and payment for his betrayal. The perfect motivation to go protect what belongs to you, no?”

Nazira took a bite of one of the mushrooms, juice seeping out of the fungi.

“You let him escape …” Sharadreza whispered while the plan seemed to form in her mind. “You let him escape so that you can follow him.”

A chuckle left Nazira’s mouth now that her sister had caught on to the plan.

“Do you really think I would let such a prize just walk out of your House? Don’t take me for a fool, sister. You should know better then to make such accusations.”

“My apologies.” The Duscrain Matron pulled in her words, releasing her held breath slowly, knowing that she had been outsmarted on this matter. She would be a fool to doubt her sister’s strategies.

“Breghen will lead the patrol. Your eldest daughter will join as their Cleric. But you should remind her …” Nazira started, before she stood up from her chair, piercing her eyes into those of her sisters, expressing a clear warning.

“... that this is Doh’Arns victory. Be glad that you are allowed to be a part of it.”

And without wasting another word, Nazira turned away from the table and left. Sharadreza could only bow in respect, knowing she was far outranked at the moment. Doh’Arn had shown again that they were far more superior than House Duscrain.