Chapter 2
"They had better not harm her, that's all!" Estaldo scowled at his tankard. He'd been in a foul mood all day. Dragging him out to the tavern hadn't improved it, but showed promise of ending it. A couple more drinks ought to do it. He took a long swig of the dark bitter ale and let the tankard fall to the table with a little more emphasis than strictly necessary.
Patrick and Trina traded glances across the table. "They won't hurt her, 'Taldo. They'll probably brow beat her quite a bit, but my guess is she's grown up with that, and now there's an end in sight. She'll hold up." Trina tried to encourage him. She knew that Patrick was amused at the Prince's sudden and very obviously sincere concern over his betrothed. They both thought it was a good thing for him. It wasn't likely to be true love or anything, but they would be married. It was good to see his honest concern for the girl. "I think your lady has strengths she doesn't have any idea she has."
Estaldo raised his head and looked at her, reading her eyes. She meant it. He sighed, sat back in his chair, and decided to make an effort to be part of the world for what was left of the night. The wedding was two weeks off, and he could drink himself through all of it. It was actually amazing how quickly his father had been able to arrange it. He suspected the staff had had the plans firmly in place for several years now. The Arbigahlans were insulted, of course, but still how insulted could you publicly be when your daughter was going to be Queen one day? No, they wouldn't dare harm her.
"Have your people noticed the changes in the waterfront?" Trina asked them. Ah, time for the serious stuff. Trina brought them all sorts of interesting news, from time to time. "The businesses have cleaned up. They're still dives and whorehouses, but not so dangerous, at least for the locals, as they used to be. New faces buying out the old owners. Nothing obvious, until you look at it coming back from a tour."
She took a pull from her drink. "A strange thing, too. The new owners, they all have people working for them, of course. They hire local, but they brought in outsiders, too. Almost all of them. And these outsiders, they act funny. They're, I don't know, subdued. They don't talk much. They do what they're told without the usual lip you get from tavern wenches. They seem afraid, although they seem to be treated well. I don't know what's going on, but something's up."
Estaldo looked at Patrick. "Damn."
Patrick's teeth gleamed as he smirked at him. "I'll gather up some of the lads for a tavern crawl. Orrin might even enjoy a trip to the docks. You can stay here nice and clean for the in-laws! Don't worry, we'll get along fine without you. You can just go pick flowers or whatever you do to court a foreign lady and her two daughters!"
Estaldo growled at him. The blond who came over and sat on his lap was a welcome distraction, and he buried his face in her breasts. "Ah, my dear, make me forget it all, if only for an hour!" It was hard to be dramatic smothered in firm cloth covered tit, but he tried anyway. She laughed, which did interesting things against his cheeks. He gathered her up and stood, face only then coming out of her cleavage enough to spot the stairs and head for them, only a little unsteadily.
Patrick watched Estaldo fondly. "Well, not in love. But at least he found somebody he cares about. The way the King's been pushing him, he could have had it a lot worse!" Trina's hand traveled up his thigh and suggested that it was time for them to head upstairs as well. He agreed.
Estaldo woke the next morning, early it felt like. His mind trolled over the conversation of the night before as he watched the blond next to him, sleeping. The sheet had slid down, barely covering her bottom where she lay half on her side, half on her stomach, facing away from him. Her curves were nice for eyes to slide along. He may not be able to go tavern crawling for information, but he could go records crawling. Not nearly as much fun.
He let his hand follow his eyes. It slid nicely along the curves, too. She turned a bit in her sleep, welcoming his touch. His hand slid around to cup her soft belly, just enough padding to feel plush and comfortable. That's how he always felt with this one. Comfortable. He let his mouth trail down her spine to the top of her ass. He bit her gently where her thigh met the smooth globe of her bottom. She gasped a bit, then slowly turned over, stretching a bit as she woke. He let his mouth trail over her hip as she turned, and into her fur.
She sighed and her hands wound through his hair. He shifted his position on the bed and began lapping at her, lazily enjoying the morning. He hoped Lobella would like this. The thought made him freeze for a second. Then he felt the girl's hand on his morning hard cock, and the thought went away. Her clit grew rapidly under his tongue and he laved it, encouraging the perky little thing. What was her name, he wondered. Oh yes, Berna. He had no idea how a tavern wench kept her hands so soft, but ah whatever she did he was grateful for! They traveled over him and he forgot everything but her taste and feel.
She was panting now, and rolled a little toward him. He felt the warmth of her mouth descend over him, wet and slippery as she eagerly went down on him. Her hips rocked in his arms and he knew she was close. He moved back and plunged his tongue into her, moving it around the walls of her canal, around and around. She groaned and began sucking hard on him, guiding him along the roof of her mouth and to the back of her throat, deliberately and steadily in and out. It was incredible how she never broke her suction. Her tongue wrapped around him randomly as she moved, it never failed to drive him crazy. It was all he could do not to drive his hips into her, but he knew she did a better job on her own. He moved his tongue back to her clit and began working it hard.
She got a few more strokes in on him before she began losing her rhythm. A few more seconds and she was moaning around him, her attention lost to her coming orgasm. Her moans grew into cries and she was bucking against him, hands clawing into his skin wherever they landed as she thrashed. Berna wasn't subtle, but she was enthusiastic! She screamed and went rigid under him. He kept at her until she relaxed a bit, then pulled away from her.
He turned around on the bed and climbed between her legs, lifting her knees to kneel before her. He didn't wait but pressed forward, her ankles coming up around his shoulders as he plunged into her heat. A groan came from deep inside of him and he began fucking her, long hard strokes. He closed his eyes and listened to her breathing with his rhythm, a breathless moan with each stroke. He leaned forward on his arms and pressed in deeper letting his body set the rhythm. Her inner walls clenched against him, the feeling stronger with each stroke. Her eager cries began escalating again, and he moved a bit faster, but only a bit. He kept it up, watching her slow climb towards her next eruption. He liked mornings, when he felt he could go on forever sometimes! Speaking of which, he wasn't ready to come yet, and this was getting close.
He stopped and rolled over, lifting her over him to sit on top. She didn't waste any time but grabbed his erection and returned it to her sheath. She rocked forward, lifting almost off of him and using the motion to bend down over him. Her blond hair draped over their faces as she gave him one deep and urgent kiss before rocking back down on him and beginning to ride him. She picked up close to the same rhythm and stroked him, her strong and well practiced inner muscles tightening and loosening as she moved.
He reached up to her generous breasts and lightly massaged them, thumbs and index fingers caressing the nipples. She ducked her head and turned to kiss his wrist, tongue tracing toward his palm. He squeezed her nipples harder and she cried out, rocking her head back on her neck and riding him hard. He rose on one elbow to reach one breast in his lips. The nipple and aureole filled his mouth and he suckled on it, hard like she liked it. She groaned and wrapped one arm around his head, holding it tight to her. She drove herself down hard on him and he sucked on her at each thrust, then changed breasts. She was getting noisier again and he laid back to grab her hips.
He began driving up into her from below, helping her own movement with his arms. Soon she was screaming again and her pussy clenched around him, and again, and again. He kept plunging into her, pushing her through another orgasm. Now he thought he was about ready for his turn.
He grabbed a couple big pillows and stacked them up. "On your knees, my dear. I want a clear shot at you!"
She smiled and shifted off of him to lean over the pillows. He rose behind her and she spread her knees. Her furry blond quim glistened with moisture, and her shapely soft bottom framed it invitingly. With one hand. he lifted his cock and directed it back into her heat. He grabbed her hips again and rocked forward then back, watching his wet pole sliding deep inside of her. He began a steady beat, his thumbs massaging her cheeks as he fucked her. It was good, oh sweet Saint of Sluts it was good!
Berna was moaning again, the woman was truly insatiable, for a whore! He slid his right hand across the swell of her buttocks and began massaging the little pink ring in the center. She gasped and pushed back encouraging him. He moved his thumb down between them and brought her moisture up, lubricating her between steady strokes. He worked his thumb in circles until he felt the ring relax, then slid it in to the first joint.
She jerked her head up, blond waves spilling across her back. "Yes, aah, yes, fuck me, 'Taldo, harder!" She shoved herself back against him, crying out with each stroke.
He obliged her, driving into her in fast hard strokes, thumb moving in her ass with each one. He felt her spasm, her sphincter locking and pussy clamping down on him and this time he let himself go with her. He pulled his thumb out of her ass to grab her hips in both hands and slammed into her, her body pulling him into his own explosion. He yelled with her, and felt his cum pulse out, filling her with even more warmth from deep inside him. Another stroke, another pulse and finally one more. Tthen he leaned forward to support himself on his arms, still deep inside her. He kept moving for a few more softer strokes, Then relaxed, half over her, half on the pillows.
After a few seconds, he slipped out of her and rolled to the side to collapse on his back. "That's a workout worthy of Orrin! Woman, you may be the death of me at a young age."
"Oh, and will you be back to see me when you're safely married, my lord?" She smiled winsomely at him, butt still in the air over the pillows, head flat on the mattress. "Or will you be faithful to your timid little bride?"
"Timid is it? Rumor flies fast in this town! She will suit me well as Queen, I think. It is an arranged marriage, however, and I think we already have an understanding." He rolled toward her and planted a smack on her lips and sat up to plant another one on her left cheek. The one still propped up in the air. Then he slapped it.
She shrieked and rolled off the far side of the bed to her feet. He chased her into the bathing room.
Estaldo sneezed. "A pox on these records!" He sneezed again and gathered his notes. A lot of beach front property had changed hands lately, but it seemed that each place went to somebody different. All the names seemed to be local, as far as he could tell. They'd all paid reasonable prices for the taverns, inns and stores along the river docks. Where was all the money coming from he wondered. No way to tell that from these piles of record books. Enough, he thought as he sneezed again. He nodded to the clerk and kicked the stool leg of his guard to rouse the man from his nap by the door.
They strolled down the long corridor of the State Hall of Records and out into the afternoon sun. The plaza was busy, the market on the far side boisterous with barkers crying their wares and everybody else trying to get a word over them. He wandered that way, turning up the street of silversmiths before entering the market proper.
Watching the window displays as he walked, looking for a jeweler whose work he liked right. Finally he turned into the shop of a man whose work showed a skill in filigree with flower patterns worked into it. The Prince spoke to the man about a full set of matching pieces suitable for a princess. The silver would show nicely against her dark skin and hair, and the blue of the finest sapphires to rival her eyes. The man promised the work before the wedding, putting aside all current projects to created the Prince's wedding gift to his bride. Estaldo purchased a smaller token, the broach that had caught his eye to begin with, and slipped the small velvet pouch into his own belt pouch.
Back to the palace he wandered then, to find a summons waiting for him. He sighed and headed for the King's office, leaving the guard to his own devices once they entered the grounds. The palace had an air of excitement to it, the royal wedding permeating the very air. 'Taldo was ready for it to be over already. He entered the office after a knock on the door and found his father as always bent over a pile of paper. He looked up and set down the current sheet down with relief.
"'Taldo. Today I sympathize with your dread of royal duty, truly. Come, let's walk a bit. I need to move these old joints a bit."
Estaldo laughed. His father was far from an old man. The Prince had had welts enough from him on rare exchanges with practice swords.
"You need a girlfriend, father!"
The King aimed a mock blow at him and Estaldo ducked on his way through the door out to one of the palace gardens. This one was planted in formal beds, kept trimmed low. It allowed conversation with no chance of being overheard. They strolled down the gravel paths and Estaldo related to his father what Trina had told them, and what he himself had found with his afternoon in the dusty record books.
The King looked at him with mock amazement. "You did what? Where's my son, and what have you done with him, you impostor!" His father laughed, a sound he realized he heard entirely too rarely. "I'll have Renaldo see what he can dig up on any new money flowing into the city. It must be coming up river from Verrainda. I'll send a message to Endorin. See if he's noticed anything in his city. In the meantime, we have a spy in the palace."
"No. Really father? I never would have thought!" The King scowled at him, and he straightened his face. "What have you found, father?"
"A man was caught leaving the palace with a group of tourists. The guard saw him join the group at the last minute and pulled him aside for questioning. He was carrying notes on the intimate doings of yourself and Patrick. I'm afraid it wasn't very flattering. I was tempted to let him go, just to encourage the recipient to underestimate you." It was the King's turn to grin at his son, for a moment. "The man was unaware of who his contact is, or of where the information would go. He was told only to come to the palace on certain days, check a certain urn in a side hall for a message, and deliver it to another drop. We'll try to track it, but it's unlikely we'll get far."
The King stopped and aced his son. "Be careful, 'Taldo. We both know that you can't be caged in the palace, and this kind of thing is a fact of our position, but be careful!"
Estaldo saw the honest concern on his father's face and nodded. "The spy must be somebody close to me. But who? My personal staff has been with me for years! The palace guard are born and bred here. Who would spy on me and Patrick? And what for? I mean, do they have something specific in mind, or is this random information gathering?" The King nodded to each point. "I'll talk to Patrick when he's sober again tomorrow. He and Trina are going out for a good time tonight!" Estaldo didn't elaborate, knowing his father would probably forbid the plans if he knew what they intended. "They'll take along a few guards, I'll make sure of it." They would, and they would use care, too. He realized this bothered him quite a bit. Who could it be?
"Well, back to the desk for me. What are you up to now?" King Ramone turned them back toward the door, reluctantly.
"I have a small gift for Lobella. I'm a bit worried about her. They won't let her out of the Embassy Suite before the wedding. Seneea is keeping an eye on her, but it must be hard for her. The maid says they lecture her all day. I hope these small gifts keep her spirits up a bit, knowing that she will be leaving them soon. I wonder if we could plan a series of events that they would be required to attend, just to get her out of those rooms occasionally?"
"A generous thought, son. I'm pleased you managed to find somebody you can care for. I know I've pushed you hard, as King I have no choice. But I did sympathize underneath. I'm happy for you. Plan what you wish, I'll approve it. The Merchant's Annual Dinner is in two days. Perhaps an invitation to that, approached as an introduction to our leading citizens would be a start. The people must get to know their new Princess."
"I have a few ideas. I'll talk to Joanne, too. Perhaps the women can do something. They get farther easier with these Arbigahlans. I'll invite her to dine tonight and run it by her. Now I'm off for a work out. I have to clear all this thought from my head! It simply isn't accustomed to it!"
Estaldo pulled at his collar again. The problem with planning a series of affairs formal enough to force the Arbigahlans' attendance, was that he had to dress up and attend as well. He caught Lobella's eye behind her mother and winked. Lady Ophelia didn't see him, talking to Baroness Whithurst. But Tessia did and scowled. She turned in front of Lobella and seemed to be talking rapidly to her. He caught Lady Whithurst's sidelong glance at him as the Ambassador paused to check on her daughters, and suddenly he'd had enough.
He strolled through the dancers to the group. "Ambassador Ophelia, may I have the honor of a dance with your lovely daughter, my intended?" He bowed before her, all courtesy. Lady Whithurst dropped a dignified curtsey at his approach.
The proud Ambassador looked down at him before nodding her head to him stiffly. "My apologies Prince Estaldo, but it is not proper for a man to dance with his bride before the wedding." She began to turn away, but he was having none of it, not this time.
"Lady Whithurst. Would you excuse us for a moment, please? I find I need a word with our lovely Ambassador." She curtsied deeply to him, and he thought he saw a glint of amusement in her eyes as she and her silver hair drifted away. The matronly woman had been active in politics since long before he was born, and had seen more than one Arbigahlan Ambassador come and go in the male ruled Kahlzistan.
"Lady Ophelia. You have been welcomed to our court as Ambassador, and as such I am sure you have been adequately briefed as to our relative stations." He waited, staring down at her without the slightest tilt to his chin. He would not give her even the hint of a bow again. Not for a long time.
She met his eyes for a long moment, then her gaze swept the room. She seemed to weigh her options, then reluctantly bent her knees into an unaccustomed curtsey. He let his eyes move to Tessia, who watched with a startled look on her face. Her expression hardened, then her mother looked up at her, and she too attempted a curtsey, her face a frozen mask.
Lobella, exposed to his view once more, dropped a much more graceful dip and he stepped around her sister to offer her his hand.
He guided her around them once more before speaking. "You may rise. In this land, where you have chosen to come, it is not improper for a man to dance with his affianced. It is expected. Lady Lobella will be Queen here. She must be respected by her people. I expect her to be loved by them as well. Therefore, she must be seen to be worthy of respect and affection, from the beginning. You will no longer closet her in your rooms. She will begin learning the Palace and how her new home functions. If you have not taught her what she must know from you already, then you are simply too late. A servant will call for her in the morning. She will be ready to begin learning her new place at that time."
He walked her away from the group and turned her into his arms to begin the next dance. "Whew! Do you think I impressed them at all?" He smiled down at her, and heard a nervous giggle escape her lips. "Do you remember our last dance Lady? I told you it was customary to look at one's dance partner, did I not?" He spoke gently to her and gave her a soft smile when she looked up at him.
"I feel as if I've been rescued from the jaws of death, your Highness. I hope I will be worthy of your trust in the duties you assign me." She looked truly concerned, and he hastened to reassure her.
"You won't be asked to do anything terrible! The palace pretty much runs itself. I will come up with things to get you out of those rooms, though. You must learn your way around the palace, and begin arranging your rooms to your satisfaction. We shall have a large suite in the royal wing, and you shall do as you wish with the garden outside, and raise babies to your heart's content. You will be Princess, and then one day Queen, Lobella, and may do as you wish! You need fear nobody, and obey only my father the King once we are wed. Only another week, my Lady, and you will be my Lady in truth! Does that please you?"
"Truly it does, my Lord. It is more than I ever dreamed." She ducked her head, shy again. "Do I truly please you, my Lord? It is so strange to think of pleasing a man. It is simply never a consideration in my land. Have patience with Mother. She means only the best for us and Arbigahl. You have no idea how strange it is, coming here."
"You do please me, Lobella. I too, am getting more than I thought possible in you. I expected my father to wear me down and arrange a wedding with some harridan with a title that I would have to bed somehow for long enough to get an heir. You are no harridan, my Lady."
She didn't answer him, but the dance was over. He walked her to the open windows of the small ballroom they were in. The Brutons had kindly thrown this ball, another in the suddenly crowded season. Joanne winked at him as Patrick swung her around in the first steps of the next more spirited number.
"I fear you will be disappointed in my bed, Your Highness." Strangely, she showed no embarrassment at this subject. "I had no interest in the bed slaves that should have taught me of such things, and my sister despairs of me. She tries to tell me what to expect and what to do, but it just sounds so, so, coarse! I'm afraid I'm still virgin, my Lord. I thought that you should know, and I will not protest if you wish to change your mind about wedding me."
He stared at her, stunned. "Lobella. I, we, I mean..." He cleared his throat and wished the rush of heat to his face would go away. He must be red as a beet. "First, I'm Estaldo. We are to be wed, and you should begin to relax around me! Second, such a thing in this land is regarded as a gift, something to be treasured. You offer me your virginity on our wedding night, and you honor me beyond words. You need not fear, I will not be changing my mind."
She smiled up at him, meeting his eyes squarely for the first time since he proposed. He found himself lost in their blue depths as she let herself trust him once more. "Estaldo," she whispered, then stepped away from him to return to her mother. His heart stopped for an infinite second.
The Ambassador sent one more glare his direction, then she and her entourage headed for the door, stopping to pay their respects to Joanne and her father on the way out. The volume suddenly rose as people began discussing the evening. His actions would surely be all over the city by morning. He thought that might actually be a good thing. It was time he began asserting himself a bit.
Patrick stepped up beside him. They had learned little on their drunken night on the river docks. The name Teldrine came up frequently in stories, and everything Trina had told them was true, but the pattern wouldn't seem to come together. Patrick thought perhaps the servants were former slaves, and Trina agreed, but they learned nothing definite.
Word had come from Marapal, though. The Crown Prince Byock was missing, possible taken by this same pirate named Teldrine. Problems in the mines continued, too. The price of maresium continued to climb, making marsteel a valuable commodity indeed. He wondered who had invested heavily in the metal recently. The magic rod weighed on his mind, too. He began to understand why his father looked so tired recently. Things were slipping all over. He wondered what was going on in Ozmaroc, just to complete the picture.
Patrick brought his thoughts back to the ballroom, now empty of any desire of his to be there. "Well, well. The Prince cometh. 'Bout time. I thought you were going to burst with the being nice to the mother-in-law bit."
He made a face at Patrick and the two headed for their hosts to make their departure.
"Feeling your crown tonight, Your Most Gracious Highness and Mightiness?" Joanne dropped a deep and extravagant curtsey to him.
Patrick snickered.
"Joanne!" Reid Bruton stared at his daughter, aghast. "Your Highness, I'm sorry, I don't know why she would act so! Joanne, stand up immediately!"
"It's all right, Ser Bruton. Joanne has a way of keeping my head from swelling, except occasionally in pain." He swept her an equally dramatic bow. "Lady, if I may stretch the term. Your public display is shadowed only by my own, and is approximately as useful. Good night!"
He winked at her father and strode out, picking up his augmented guards at the door.
Patrick asked, "Just how useful do you think that was?
"I have no idea. But I feel better." He grinned and mounted Alsvider for the ride back to the palace. Only one week to go, and he had gotten her out of the rooms for part of each day. He hoped.
The expected summons was waiting for him when he got back to the palace, and he went straight to his father's office. He found the King and Renaldo, along with the Admiral of the Kahlzistani fleet and General Antillin. They were poring over maps of the Archipelago. The Pirate Isles. "My Lord, Admiral, General, Renaldo. Good evening to you. You wished to see me, Sir?"
"Marapal has requested assistance in sweeping the Pirate Isle to recover Byock." Marapal was landlocked. They had no way to do anything about the situation. Kahlzistan and Arbigahl were the only countries with any sizable fleet, mostly because of each other, and the pirates. They would have to ask Kahlzistan for help. They had no choice. But in truth, even Estaldo recognized that there was little to be done.
"We cannot search all the islands. There be hundreds of them out there, all along the southern coast. If we could rid ourselves of the pirates, it be done long ago."
"I know, Admiral Nerilon. But we must do what we can. Plan a sweep. I'll have the Ambassador send a courier to Arbigahl. Perhaps we can actually cooperate on something. I understand the Empress has personal issues with these pirates, too. Perhaps it is time for a major sweep, for several reasons. Gentlemen, put your heads together and give me a report tomorrow afternoon." The King nodded them out the door and turned to Estaldo.
"Your trip to Ysalor becomes even more urgent, and makes this pirate issue imperative. If this magic from Khalnowai portends what I fear it does, we must resolve these other issues, and quickly. However, this does present an opportunity. Estaldo, what else should be done?"
Damn, another test. OK, think. "We are sending invitations to Arbigahl to join us in a campaign against piracy. For that we will need ships, both to augment the existing Navy and to replace inevitable casualties. You fear something coming out of Khalnowai. Again, for that we would need ships, but normally a push for ship building would upset both Arbigahl and possibly provide an excuse for complaint from Ozmaroc. Since we dare not tell them the real reasons, things could get very shaky. The pirates provide an answer for their questions, especially if we encourage them to build their forces as well." Estaldo sighed. "We'll have to send such a message to Ozmaroc as well. I wonder what they're up to?"
"I wonder too. It's been much too quiet up there lately. Well done regarding the ships, boy, but what else?"
"We need to man them and supply them, of course. We need to expand the general military, as well, although the reasoning for that my be difficult to convey to our neighbors without offending them. The bandits on the northern borders may provide some excuse, although we all know who they actually work for."
"Father, nobody can know of my trip to Ysalor." Estaldo looked at the King. He had circles under his eyes, and seemed to have lost weight. "I'm sure Lobella will not object to going into seclusion after our wedding for a while. That should cover me for a bit, but not for long. Perhaps the two of us should be seen to travel to Tallagate. I believe she would like it there, and it would cover our absence from court nicely." Estaldo rose from his chair and brought his father some mulled wine staying warm near the small fire. "You should go to bed, sir. You are looking tired, and you must appear at your best to the people soon. Give some of the review work to your staff. They can handle it."
The King sighed. "How I wish I could. But when you start delegating too much, soon you don't know who's stealing from whom anymore. But you're right. It's time to slow the paper river down a bit. I'll go to doing random spot checks until things get back to normal, if they ever do. You go on to bed, 'Taldo. I'll go soon. I just need to stare at a fire for a bit." He set the wine aside. "Pour me a brandy before you go, will you son?"
Estaldo left his father sitting before the grate, the amber brandy throwing mellow lights across his hand. He suddenly hoped he would be seeing the old man there for a long time to come. And feared he wouldn't. With a shiver, he headed for his own bed.
The cursed music was too loud. It was always too loud at these state affairs. He couldn't hear himself think. And his feet were killing him. He imagined Lobella's were even worse, as unaccustomed to this as she was. Now it seemed every priest of every known power in existence was waiting to bless their union. An open invitation must be sent to them for such a momentous event, and of course they all accepted. The representatives of Arbigahl's goddess had pride of place in front, of course. They had fought tooth and nail for some sort of special recognition for their religion, and this was what they were allowed, as well of course as the private blessing given to Lobella earlier.
She stood beside him so swathed in fine fabrics he couldn't see a glimpse of her. It had better be Lobella under there! Ah, yes, there was Tessia, standing by her mother. That was a relief. It was always a relief to know where that minx was. Finally, he thought they were winding down. Now the procession back to the palace. At least they could sit in the carriage for that. He offered a supportive arm to his new bride as they were shepherded out the doors of the Grand Cathedral. It was truly an impressive place. He liked to come here when it was quiet. It was built long ago after the freedom of religion treaty. Almost a thousand years. He could still not believe they got all of the beliefs to come together long enough to build such a wondrous thing.
They reached the verandah at the top of the stairs. The crowd had a good view from there, even with the carriages waiting at the bottom. King Ramone Kahl'Terres awaited them there. He stepped forward to greet them and ceremonially removed the veils from his new daughter. She was beautiful with her hair up, ringlets around her sweet face.
The King smiled at her and whispered, "Welcome child. You are most welcome with us." Then he turned to the people, waiting outside the cathedral for a glimpse of their Queen to be. "People of Kahlzistan, before you stands the bride of your Prince. Do you accept her as your Princess, to be Queen to his King one day?"
The crowd roared, and he felt Lobella's hand tremble a bit on his arm. Then she took a deep breath, stepped forward with him and smiled, head held high for once. The crowd went wild and she waved to them. He followed her lead, amused. She would do. Oh, yes, she would do. He caught sight of her mother, off to the side. Could that be a glimmer of pride in her stern face? The woman wasn't actually an ogre, just an Arbigahlan noblewoman. A fine distinction, granted, but he would do his best to treat her as well as possible, he vowed to himself.
Finally they were ushered to the waiting carriages. They were in the lead carriage, even the King following them for this one occasion. They sat up on the parade bench so the people could see them. He heard Lobella sigh as she finally was allowed to sit, and shared a small smile with her. "Kick off your shoes, if you wish, my dear. This will thankfully be a long slow ride to display us to everybody. May as well be as comfortable as we can manage. Would you like a drink?" He offered her a flask of well watered wine from a small chest of ice he had arranged to have placed in the carriage for them.
He smiled and waved at the crowd all the while, long practiced at being on display in a carriage. He kicked off his own shoes and rubbed his feet together. No boots for these affairs, he had determined long ago.
"Oh, my poor feet! And we are expected to dance soon! You people do like to torture yourselves! Who was it that designed all this pomp, back in the shades of time? She must have been one of those strange people that enjoy pain. Like my sister."
Estaldo started a bit at that revelation, spoken as nonchalantly as a comment on the weather. And she had actually spoken several sentences in a row, one suspiciously resembling a complaint! He smiled at her, abandoning the crowd for a moment. He let his feet drift over to hers, and captured one of the dainty things between his, rubbing it.
"I begin to believe this is happening, Estaldo. I didn't really before. But nothing this painful could be a dream!" She actually laughed, and then looked a bit startled.
He couldn't resist any more, and bent down quickly to steal a kiss from her. A brief taste of her lips, and the crowd went wild. It was a bit of an overwhelming response to such a quick peck, and she grabbed his arm, eyes wide. Then she smiled, and actual, open smile that shown from her eyes, and they went back to waving. At that moment, the population of Kahlzistan fell in love with her, their Princess. And so did he.
The rest of the evening passed in a blur. They did all of the appropriate things, made all the appropriate noises, and remembered none of it. They couldn't be parted and the room was full of amusement around them.
It was rare for state marriages to involve any kind of feeling, and if there was, it was rarely anything like this sudden fascination between their Prince and Princess. Everyone likes a fairy tale, and now they had their very own. Complete with wicked stepmother, although she didn't look all that wicked, now that a daughter of hers was safely married to the Prince. The wicked stepsister, now, that was a different story. She looked to have plans of her own for the night as well, although which man they would involve was as yet unclear. Estaldo and Lobella wouldn't have cared even if they'd noticed.
King Kahl'Terres, though, didn't want his in-laws to be frowned on the very night of his son's wedding. He sent a page to Ophelia.
She approached him with a smile and dropped a passable curtsey. It was obviously something new for her.
"My Lady. I'm afraid I must ask you a delicate favor. As you have been learning, things are done a bit differently here than in your far home. I do not consider it, at this time, to be any of my concern whom you or your daughter choose to take to your beds. But I must insist on a modicum of decorum at my son's wedding reception. Kahlzistani decorum." He nodded toward Tessia, a young nobleman in her arms looking red but game as she pressed herself against him. Two other young men looked on angrily.
"That young man on the left, the one with the thatch of blond hair, is the eldest son of Lord Theronold. His father is hoping that I'll appoint him to the land apportions committee. It controls public grazing rights for much of the livestock of Kahlzistan. A very profitable position. The dark boy in the flashy jacket? His father is heavily invested in cattle. He had an arrangement with the previous occupant of the office in question. Lord Theronold is not inclined to continue that arrangement." He paused to take a drink of his wine, looking at her over the rim of his fine crystal goblet. Yes, she saw it. Good. "The redhead dancing with her is heir to a real estate empire, and his family would like to see the privatization of much of that land. They have a great deal of influence among the other nobility."
Lady Ophelia was even paler than usual. "I will speak with her immediately, your Highness. My apologies. It is very difficult for her at this age to understand the differences in our cultures. It is difficult for me, even at my age. We will learn, your Highness. I will see to it." She stepped away with another curtsey and sent one of her women for her daughter.
The two stepped into one of the small side rooms. They soon emerged, both looking angry. Tessia returned to her dancing, but was much more restrained and showed no favoritism to any of the young men. He saw a few smirks among the noblewomen, and unfortunately so did the young woman. Her face was a mask.
Estaldo and Lobella danced only as much as was required of them. They sat in ornate chairs on the royal dais to one side of the throne and accepted best wishes and gifts from the multitudes of people that packed the palace ballroom. Soon after the ball started, Patrick had approached Estaldo formally with a large flat case in his arms. The orchestra had paused at the end of that piece and the Prince presented his bride with his bride gift. The wonderfully delicate silver and sapphire creations dripped from her ears and down her throat to her breast. Tiny silver bells chimed from her wrists. Her eyes shone to match the splendor of the gems Estaldo draped her with. Even now she occasionally turned her wrist a bit to watch the sparkle.
Finally, it was time. Prince Estaldo led Princess Lobella to the floor for the final dance. They stepped through the traditional piece carefully, having practiced with their coaches several times in the last week. The dance was used for nothing else, and so was a traditional point of trouble at many weddings as the bride and groom tripped each other up. They made it through without misstep, and were escorted to their rooms, a long trek down palace hallways from the ballroom.
At last Estaldo pushed the last well-wisher out the door and bolted it to the sound of laughter from the other side.
Lobella was already collapsed in a chair, though as he watched she slid out of it onto the floor, making no effort to catch herself, the slippery layers of fabric surrounding her acting like a sled. She looked up at him, hand in her lap, feet straight out before her, head laid back in the seat of the chair. "I'm truly not sure if I can move again, my Lord."
"My Lady, you are utterly beautiful." He stood there staring at her for a while longer before his own aching feet made themselves heard. "A bath, and some food, I believe, are the first things for us. Let me see what we have."
He kicked off his shoes and loosened the stiff collar of his formal jacket, making his way through the suite toward the bathing chamber. He passed a tray of fruits and cheeses, cold meats and small slices of bread under a glass dome and took it with him. The bath was drawn, steaming hot, as he'd requested. He placed the tray on a side table within reach of the huge marble pool, and saw the iced drinks already there. He dropped his jacket on a chair as he returned to the front room and his bride.
He heard muffled laughter as he approached, and peered through the doorway. The pile of fabric on the floor moved in puzzling directions and giggling came from inside. "Do you require assistance, Lobella? Or is it even you in there somewhere? It appears that a great satin beast has gobbled you up!"
"In truth, it has, Estaldo! Do please rescue me?" More giggles from inside the heap of delicate and voluminous fabric. He waded in, and after much laughter managed to uncover her head once again. "I tried to stand, and couldn't get my feet on bare floor! These horrible gowns you force your women into! I tried to take the top one off over my head, and got lost! So many layers! How will I ever get free of them?"
"I believe I might assist you, my love." Estaldo stepped carefully clear of the fabric and lifted her to her feet, letting the loose layers of colored fabric drift down to their accustomed order, then he began unbuttoning. He unlaced, unbuttoned, and at one point resorted to tearing a seam, and finally the last heavy robe fell away to reveal a simple silk shift under all. He stepped back to look at her, and she smiled and spun in place, letting him look his fill. He still found her complete lack of shyness regarding sex and the body a fascinating contrast to her normal reticence.
"I feel fifty stone lighter! Ow, but my feet still hurt." She stopped, and looked at him watching her, suddenly worried again. "I do hope I don't disappoint you Estaldo. I do want to please you, and I wish now I had learned the things they wished me to. That's why my mother tried to sequester me as she did. She feared you would find my lack of skill and discard me, as she would a slave that couldn't perform to her standards. They expected you to treat us as we do our men. I think your way is so much better. I haven't seen you treat anybody as less than equal. Except my mother that day. That was terrible, seeing her bent that way, and wonderful too. You are wonderful, my Lord." She stopped suddenly, and he realized she was chattering to cover nervousness.
He shook his head, realizing he had been standing there like a dolt just staring at her. No wonder the poor girl was nervous. Girl she was, he could see now. He hadn't realized how very young she was, until then. Her figure was just matured, not completely filled out yet. She was soft, all curves and shadows, her rich brown southern skin glowed with mystery against the thin white silk. Small nipples poked against the fabric, erect. Willowy, that was the word. He'd heard it used but not really thought of anybody as being so until now.
He was still standing there like a dolt, and her head began to drop to its old position. "You're beautiful," he blurted and was rewarded with a hopeful glance up.
She searched his face, and he smiled at her and stepped forward. The step reminded him of his feet and he lifter her off of hers, gathering her to him. She melted against his chest and looked up into his eyes. He was standing like a dolt again and made himself look up and move, carrying her through the suite to the bath. He set her carefully on the edge of the marble pool and slowly reached to lift the shift over her head, watching for any sign of protest.
There was none as she raised her arms for him. She turned and slipped her legs into the water and eased herself into the warmth with a sigh. He sighed too as her lovely breasts slid out of sight. They looked just the right size to lift in his hands, and he longed to be sure.
She turned to look at him over the edge of the tub. "Are you joining me, Estaldo?"
Dolt. What was wrong with him tonight? Was it something about being married, or just being married to this surprising woman of his? "Yes, my love, I most assuredly am. Would you pour us some fruit juice, please? My mouth is suddenly dry."
He unbuttoned his own shirt, quickly stripping it off as she poured two glasses for them. She turned back to him as he began removing his trousers, and he suddenly found himself shy. Now this is ridiculous, he thought. The poor shy, withdrawn virginal bride strips without a qualm, and the worldly and experienced Prince turns bashful. He forced himself to keep going under her gaze, without rushing too much, and joined her in the tub.
He gulped the glass of juice down and poured another before seating himself on one of the benches and letting the heat sink in for a moment. She was seated across from him, their feet and ankles crossed on the bottom of the tub. She laid her head back and relaxed, her breasts floating gently just below the surface. The rest of her was a distorted vision of fractured curves through the surface of the water. He caressed her calf with his foot, as he'd been doing in the carriage. She smiled, but didn't move.
After another few minutes of soaking, he drifted over toward her, aiming for the food tray. She turned to face him beside her now, eyes soft and a little wary. "We should eat a bit. I do plan to burn a bit more energy yet tonight." He smiled at her and dried his hands on a towel. He offered her some cheese on a bit of bread. She moved forward and ate it from his fingers, kissing them lightly, shy again as she glanced at him from under her long lashes.
Suddenly he was hard under the water. He made himself feed her some more, and himself. Meat, cheese, bread, then fruit, he counted items to keep from just taking her. Finally, he offered her a slice of lightly tart fruit, and made her reach for it. He lured her towards himself, finally letting her bite it and meeting her lips with his own as he took the other half. He slipped his arm around her and moved to face her, swallowing bite of fruit. He met her eyes a moment, then kissed her.
His lips met hers softly, just brushing them gently. Hers moved under them and he met them more firmly, gathering the lower one into his own, teasing it with the tip of his tongue. Her mouth opened slightly and he licked her lips softly, exploring. Her arms came around his neck and he deepened the kiss. She met him slowly, pressing herself to him carefully, not sure what to expect. He ran a hand slowly down her back making currents in the warm water. He moved it around her thigh and encouraged her to open her legs. She did so slowly, and he felt her kiss turn hesitant again.
He moved between them, floating slightly in the water and lifted her off the bench to float with him, legs loosely around his waist, his arms around hers. She relaxed again when he didn't immediately try anything strange. He drifted back until his shoulders were braced on the far side and let his hands wander over her, finally bringing one around to cup her breast, as he'd been wanting to do since his first sight of them. Perfect. She was watching him, her hands still on his shoulders as she sat straddling his thighs. He brushed his thumb over her nipple gently, and she caught her breath.
His other hand traveled slowly over her back and side, smoothing her skin and learning her feel. She licked her lips and bent forward to kiss him again. He could feel her breath coming a little faster, and this time she met his tongue with her own, hesitant caresses that slowly became bolder as he welcomed them. Her hand began to move, her light touch traveling down his side until suddenly he was giggling and twitching away from her hand.
"I'm sorry, Bel, that tickles!" He smiled at her and captured her hand in his, bringing it up and pressing it firmly against his chest.
She smiled into his eyes. "Bel. I like that, Estaldo." She leaned back a little, and looked down between them.
She began moving her hand under his, a firm touch this time, deliberately exploring his chest and arms. He relaxed, his hands on her thighs, and let her explore. Her hands wandered slowly lower. He watched her as her lips parted and the tip of her delicate tongue touched her lips. Her hands reached his hips and she moved back on his thighs, giving her full access to him with her hands and eyes. She just looked down for a moment, and he waited to see what she would do.
Finally her hand wrapped deliberately around him and lifted slightly, weighing him in her palm. Her fingers moved, exploring his shaft, tracing the veins and the head. He stifled a moan, not wanting to interrupt her. Hesitantly, her small hand closed around him and moved a little up and down. She glanced up at his face and he smiled. He moved his hand to cover hers and guided it, stroking his cock with smooth long motions, base to end. He captured her other hand and added it, encouraging her to grip slightly tighter. He returned his hands to her hips, steadying her in the water.
This time he let the moan out. She began twisting her hands a bit, the added sensation wringing another groan from him. She smiled, pleased at his reaction. He reached up and pulled her down for another kiss, interrupting her work. She responded eagerly, her tongue joining his caress of her mouth.
He sat up and lifted her to the edge of the pool, wrapping her in a towel from the pile nearby. The bath was no place to do the things he wanted to do to her for the first time. He quickly dried himself and helped her to the sound of giggles and gasps, then swept her up again to take her to the huge bed in the next room.
He tossed her shrieking onto the satin cover and dove after her, landing with his mouth on her soft belly and softly biting her. She shrieked again, curling her body around his head and he playfully pushed her back and down, trailing kissed up her chest and neck until he kissed her soundly. He let it go on until all trace of laughter was gone from their minds again. He slowly broke the kiss, lightly brushing her lips and leaving them reluctantly to trail down her throat. He found her breast and wrapped his lips around her small aureole.
She gasped, arching her back to press up against him. "Estaldo! Oh, that feels so good!" Her breath was coming faster, and her fingers wound through his hair.
He trailed one hand down her side, following the curve of her hip and thigh. Then he drew his hand back up along the top of her leg, just allowing the tips of his fingers to brush her fine hair. He stroked her soft stomach and moved his lips to the other breast.
She moaned as he moved his mouth to follow his hand back down the center of her body, tickling her belly button with tongue and then a hot breath as he moved slowly over her. He bent his head down and gently breathed warm air over her cleft, making her shiver. He sat up, and stroked her thighs with his hands, encouraging her to open them. She watched him from the pillow as she spread her legs and he moved to kneel between them.
"You'll like this, my love. I'll do nothing to hurt you."
"I like it already. It was never so interesting before. Does it all feel this good?" She watched him carefully, but he saw no fear in her eyes, just a kind of wary curiosity. "What about you, Estaldo? How can I make it feel good for you, too?"
Estaldo looked down at his rock hard penis. Her eyes followed his and he heard a small gasp. Her eyes widened a little. "My beautiful bride, I am enjoying this very much, and it will only get better for both of us. For tonight, just let me worry about what to do. You'll learn quickly, I have no doubt." He gave her a leer and got a small smile in return.
His hands traveled over her legs softly, and he lifted her knees, running his hands down the backs of her thighs and around her hips as he bent down to her soft mound. She laid her head back and waited, shivering slightly.
He blew lightly on her, then ran just the tip of his tongue down her fold, barely touching her. She twitched a little, and he licked her again, just a little more firmly, parting her lips slightly. Her breath caught and her hands moved over the sheets beside her. Another stroke with his tongue, this time parting her and tasting her moisture, but still not touching her center. He repeated this few times, and she breathed with him, not moving except her hands. Then he allowed his tongue to move deeper at the bottom, circling the opening to her tight canal. He felt her quiver a little, tightening her thighs against his shoulders, just a bit. He kept it up, firm enough for her to feel and become accustomed to and deep enough to taste her sweet fluids.
She was soaked, beginning to move her hips with him, just a little suggestion of rocking. He moved his tongue a little deeper and longer this time, the drew up to lick her clit. She gasped out loud this time, hands finally clenching in the sheet. "Estaldo, I, I...aah!" as his tongue stroked her again.
He began long slow strokes from low to high, gently working her towards her first orgasm. Her moans grew louder. She tried to talk a couple times, but couldn't keep the words coherent. Her hips were bucking now, out of control, and he held her tight. His tongue moved in circles on her swollen little knob, driving her higher and higher toward her peak. She actually began trying to pull away, new to the strong sensations he was giving her. "Estaldo, enough, no, oh goddess, Estaldo..." her voice wound up to a scream as she finally went over the edge, bucking against his face, thighs clamping around his head until he almost smothered.
He licked at her gently until she relaxed again, then wiped his face on the sheet and crawled up beside her. Her eyes were closed, her breathing still rapid, and he gently loosened her fists from the sheets. She blinked, and slowly her eyes focused on his and she smiled. "Oh my." She slowly curled into his chest, burying her face against his shoulder. "Oh, my. Um, we haven't even done it yet, have we?"
He laughed, a rumbling in his chest, and kissed the top of her head. "Soon, Bel. Very soon, I hope." He jumped when her hands suddenly closed on his erection. He kept forgetting she wasn't at all shy about this, of all things. Just inexperienced.
She reminded him, exploring him with her touch. "I want to look at you." She pushed him over on his back, taking a minute to kiss him first.
He rolled all the way on over, bringing a laugh of protest from her, but he managed to grab a wine glass before she pulled him back. He took a drink and offered it to her. She smiled her thanks and took a quick drink before handing it back. A second later he almost spilled the remainder as she continued her explorations, playing with his testicles.
"Easy there, Bel! They're attached inside!"
She smiled mischievously at him, and kissed them in apology. Then she licked his shaft like a lollipop.
"Oh, yeah, do some more of that! Use your hands, like this." He reached down and demonstrated for her. After a few seconds he realized she wasn't joining him and looked over to find that she was fascinated by the sight. He grinned and stroked himself a few more times for her, then reached for her hand and wrapped it under his.
She licked her lips and brought her other hand to join in. "It's hot and soft, and hard inside."
"Yeah, that's it. You're wonderful, Bel. That's good." He let go and she kept going.
Her soft hands moved all over him as she adjusted, figuring out how to grip him comfortably. She found a rhythm for a few strokes, then she moved around on the bed a bit and tried again. This time, after a few strokes he felt her lips at the tip of his erection. She licked at the opening, tasting a drop of sweet precum.
"Mmm, yes. I like it when you do that." He stroked her back, softly encouraging her.
She licked him again, circling the hood, then underneath the tip. She pulled back and stopped to look at it again, the dark head glistening with her saliva. Then she continued, and this time she licked at the notch under his helmet, making sure to stimulate him there with fingers and tongue with each stroke. She had learned something from whatever they had tried to teach her! Now she had the head of his cock in her warm mouth. Her lips were closed around the base of his head. She began working at it, sucking and licking, keeping one hand massaging the shaft below her mouth.
She was gaining skill and bringing him up rapidly. "Bella, lovely wife, if you keep that up, I'm going to cum." He was breathing quickly. Gods but the woman learned fast! "Some women don't like to have it in their mouths, although some women truly like it." She showed no sign of stopping, and he felt his balls draw up and his shaft bulged. She found a slightly different angle and the suction grew, and he felt it drawing up from deep inside. "Now, love, nowwwww," he groaned as he shot into her mouth.
She pulled back, leaving only her lips closed over his tip, but refused to relinquish her grip until the second pulse. She leaned back with her mouth full, and felt his shaft throb a third time. She watched a pearly glob bloom from the tip and dribble over her hand. She swallowed and giggled at his spurting rod, her hand still pumping until he reached to stop her.
She grinned up at him, a drip of white on her chin. "Men are fun! Strange, but fun!"
He lost it and suddenly they were both laughing. He found some warm damp towels in a clay warming chest near the bed, and cleaned them both off, trading drinks of fruit juice with her this time. He finished with a fresh towel, using the warm wet cloth to wipe her thighs, and then smoothed the wet hair back to silk over her pussy.
She moaned. "Oh yes, 'Taldo, I want more. Show me more!" She reached down and took the towel and glass from him, setting them aside and looking at him expectantly.
"My turn again!" He grabbed her knees and lifted suddenly, flipping her back onto her back, legs in the air. He pulled them over his shoulders and dove tongue first back into her.
She shrieked, laughed, and moaned in one breath, wiggling under him. She settled down a bit after he got a few licks in, but kept rocking her hips, working with him this time. He brought his right arm back under him and began wetting his finger, pulling on her lips and playing with them lightly until his hand was wet with her juices.
She was panting now, and he slowed down, beginning to press his finger into her tight hole. She slowed with him, then mostly stilled, waiting to see what this was going to do. He gently worked the tip of his finger around her opening, working gently on her clit the whole time. She moaned, and again. He worked his finger inside her until he felt her hymen, then stayed there, massaging the walls, getting her accustomed to the feel. She grew even wetter, and he picked up pace a little again. Soon she was rocking her hips, pressing herself on his finger and tongue.
He stopped, and she moaned, "No, 'Taldo, please don't stop, no," until he rose over her and he saw her eyes track his face again. "Ah, now I get to have you?" she asked.
"Yes, now I get to have you." He smiled down at her, leaning on his arms.
She reached for him and he lowered himself to one elbow, reaching down to rub his cock in her juices, up and down her cleft over her clit. She gasped and her eyes closed again. He eased the head between her lips and pressed forward just a little. He brought his hand back up beside her and gripped her hip, steadying her as he pressed forward a little more and began rocking oh so slightly shifting the pressure back and forth inside her without really moving.
She shifted herself a little, playing with the feeling. He felt her relax a little and pressed a little harder, moving just a bit in and out. He kissed her, pulling some of her attention to her lips and tongue. He moved a bit more, distracting her with his tongue, penetrating her mouth as he was her pussy. He pressed further and felt himself slip a little inside her, resting against her barrier. His hips kept rocking in the same slow, small movements and she moaned in his mouth. Her hips moved just a little with his.
He pulled back from her soft swollen lips and looked at her. "Lobella. Bel." He waited until she looked up at him, still moving that little bit. "It's time, my love. This will hurt you just a little, but only for a moment, and then it will be better than before."
She smiled at him, bruised lips reaching for his again. "Do it," she whispered to his mouth. He rocked a few more times, then didn't stop the next motion, going right through her before she had a chance to tense. He slid half into her, so tight, so hot.
She gasped and jerked and he stopped, kissing her face, stroking her hair back. He nibbled her lips for a few seconds and she relaxed under him. "It's all over, love. The rest is pleasure! All right?" She murmured something and captured his lips with hers. There was nothing hesitant in her kiss, and he responded in relief.
She began moving her hips against his, and he moved within her, slowly, gently. He pushed in further, her tightness slowly giving before him. She met him, pressing up against him until finally he felt his groin meet hers. He pushed one more time, seating himself firmly against her, pressing on her clit.
"Aah, oh great Goddess, thank you!" Her breath came fast and her arms wrapped tight around Estaldo's ribs, gripping the tops of his shoulders and pulling herself tight to him.
He kissed her hard and began moving in earnest, strokes lengthening as her moisture spread and her walls stretched to accommodate him. She moaned with each breath now, crying his name and clinging to him. He kept up his long smooth strokes, but moved faster, his own breath coming in eager gasps now.
She began crying out, nails digging into his back. He felt her knees drawing up beside him and he went even deeper. He felt the pressure on the head of his drum tight cock and knew he'd filled her. She cried out, then with his next deep stroke she screamed and her virgin pussy clamped down on him. He lifted up and caught her knees, supporting them and bending them up further. He drove into her now, seeking his own release as she bucked, rhythmic waves of pressure greeting his strokes as she climaxed, and he was cumming too. He let go her knees and she reached for him, dragging him down to her as he spent himself inside her.
He had to remember to support his weight as she gasped under him, refusing to let him go even an inch. He waited to recover his breath, feeling her aftershocks roll through her, waking answering twitches in him. Finally she relaxed, loosed her hold on him and he rolled to the side, slipping out of her. She put her head on his chest, still gasping.
When her breath slowed enough for talk, she said, "I think we need another bath."
It was awhile yet before either of them moved much, but finally she dragged him by the hand back to the bathing room where they quickly rinsed each other amid much giggling. When they went back to the bedroom, she poured some more wine while he stripped off the top layer of sheet on the great down mattress. The maids had layered the bed, thoughtful creatures that they were, and put an extra pad under the top layer, so that they might sleep in a dry bed without much effort.
She joined him back on the bed, snuggling under the comforter, warm against his side. He sat against the headboard, arm around her. The wine was nice, fine white, not too sharp. He savored it, and her in his arms. A month ago he would never have believed this possible, and here he was not only wed, but happy! He kissed the top of her head, snuggled against his chest.
She rested her wine glass on his stomach. "Estaldo, what will be expected of me now? Are there duties I should know of?"
"Of course! You must wake me every morning with fresh brewed tea, and bring my slippers for my feet. You will cook me breakfast, then run down to the stables and brush and feed my horse and clean out his stall. Then you will clean my rooms and have lunch ready by noon. After lunch you will do the laundry, trim the garden, feed the dogs, and study advanced mathematics. I expect sex promptly after dinner, which is to be served exactly at the sixth hour."
She looked at him for a moment, then kicked him under the covers.
"Ow! You don't like that idea? I suppose I could do without the sex...Ow! Okay, okay!" He captured her foot between his ankles and held her tight. "My love, you are a princess. You're duties will include public appearances, and the ladies of the palace will attend you every day. You must listen to them, and learn the mood of the country from them, and perhaps direct it a little. Young noble women will come to be your ladies in waiting, and you will act as guardian for some of them, monitoring their schooling and entrance to society." She had begun to look worried. "You'll have help, of course," he said gently. "You must find a few close friends to help support you. Joanne would be a good start. She knows everybody!"
That won a small smile.
"Other responsibilities will come to you only if you look for them. You may take an interest in anything you like, and be as active or inactive as you like. The garden outside these rooms is our personal garden, and is waiting for your touch. Just ask and gardeners will be sent to work under your direction. These rooms are yours to do with as you will. If you wish to become involved in politics, I will begin teaching you and you will sit at my side. If you do not, you can raise babies in the garden. It is entirely up to you, my love."
"But don't worry about that yet. I have a surprise for you!"
"Another one?" she looked up at him coyly, and her hand began tickling his still soft cock. He felt it stir.
"Mmm, many more. But that isn't what I was talking about. I thought we should get some time to ourselves, to get to know each other a bit. Father has given us Tallagate. It is an estate to the north, where we often went when I was a child. It is a wonderful place to avoid the city and the nobility. I do believe you'll love it, my dear. We can leave in a couple of days."
"It sounds wonderful. Is it very big?" Her big eyes stared up at him, and her hand was distracting him mightily from any thoughts of houses.
"It's a great rambling house, with gardens, and stables, and mews..." He turned toward her and kissed her, cupping her breast in his hand and forgetting all about traveling anywhere but inside her.
She turned into his arms, but murmured in his ear. "Tell me about Tallagate. Is there a stream?"
His mouth trailed down her neck, hand running along her side. He murmured to her, "Clear running water, to wash over you..."
King Ramone Kahl'Terres handed the sealed package to his son, Prince Estaldo Kahl'Terres. "The realm entrusts this errand to you under highest security. You will proceed to Ysalor at safe speed without betraying your destination. You will obtain what information is available, and you will return that information here as soon as possible. You may use any means necessary to accomplish this goal." It was a formal assignment, and the King performed it very solemnly. He had always made the division between family and duty very clear for Estaldo, and the young prince answered as formally.
"I accept this charge of the Realm of Kahlzistan, and will discharge it faithfully." He accepted the package from his fathers hands, and bowed formally.
The King nodded stiffly. Then he smiled tiredly. "Not what I would have wished for a honeymoon for you, son. At least you seem happy in your marriage. I am truly grateful for that."
"Actually, father, the trip has already contributed significantly to our honeymoon." Estaldo plopped himself down in a chair across form his father's favorite seat. "The last week she's done nothing but talk about it. You have no idea how excited the prospect makes my lovely, excitable little wife!" His eyes went a little distracted.
"Ahem, some wine, son?" the King offered him a glass, an amused glint in his eye. "Are they almost ready?"
"They final trunks are being loaded, and Lobella is saying good bye to her family. I suspect she's enjoying it thoroughly, as she's doing it in the public gardens where they can't be rude to her. She's not the meek little thing we thought her to be. It's just that, beside them, she never had the interest in trying to be strong. She didn't want the things it would lead her to. Suddenly she finds herself in a wonderful new world, and for some strange and lucky reason, she decided to make me the center of it. Is that how it was for you and Mother?" His eyes, suddenly intent, met his fathers.
"No, not at first. Our relationship grew slowly, over the course of years. We started out as more like business partners, working for the good of the realm. We found we respected each other's opinions and complemented each other's strengths and weaknesses, after a few rather stormy clashes. I do miss fighting with your Mother. That woman could get riled over the damnedest things, usually just when I really needed to blow off steam over some political boarcrap. Or she did. We were good partners. The love grew over time." He looked past Estaldo at the fire in the grate, drifting in memories. Estaldo sat quietly with him, considering things himself. He felt suddenly adult, as if the last two seeks had drawn some kind of line in his life. He didn't think it was supposed to be quite that sudden. Didn't feel all that bad, though. Just petrifying.
The door opened and the guard announced Patrick. He stepped in, his blond hair and brown traveling leathers framed in the polished wood of the doorway.
"Patrick, you rogue, you're more handsome every day. I'll have to get you married, next!" the King threatened. "Else every wench in the Kingdom will be ruined!"
Patrick ducked, "No, please, I beg of your majesty! Don't rescue me from my fate, if it be my destiny to die by my," he glanced downward quickly, "sword, well, what a destiny it is!" He grinned at the laughing King and continued, "If it please my Lords, the wagons are ready and the riders assembled. A page has gone for the ladies."
"Well then, it is time." Estaldo drained his wine and set aside the glass. Gathering the precious package, boxed to disguise the shape, he rose and bowed to his father. "I will return as soon as may be. Take care of him, Renaldo. I know you always do."
The King waved him away. "Just go already. It's all been said. You'll be back soon."
Estaldo smiled and left, walking through the palace halls to the side courtyard where the wagons and guards had assembled. The household of the Prince and Princess of Kahlzistan did not move lightly. Six carriages and ten wagons, with drivers, outriders, and guards made a considerable caravan. He met the women at the door, Princess Lobella, her new personal maid, Seneea, and several ladies in waiting from among the daughters of the nobility from the area around Tallagate. Joanne had assisted in choosing those to invite, ensuring a sensible group for the Princess so new to their ways. Of course, they each had maids, as well. And there were Patrick and his own Mansel and Cerix. Extra household staff to man the estate came as well. A small staff was on hand year around, but not enough to support so sudden a population of nobility.
The guard was a hundred men. They would be garrisoned at the estate while the royalty were in residence, and they brought supplies as well. The trip they used to make in three days on horseback was going to take seven or eight, instead. There were inns along the way, for the most part, but one wagon was a pavilion and furnishings, and another tents for the troops. Estaldo sure hoped the women Joanne had set up really were sensible.
Lobella was glowing. Her hair was pulled back in an attractive twist, and her face was lit with excitement. All her dreams were literally coming true. A place of her very own in the country, with gardens and lots of room for babies.
He grinned down at her. "Come on, my Lady. Float on into the carriage, so we can get this menagerie on the road!"
She stuck her tongue out at him and climbed into the carriage. It was a monstrous affair, with huge springs and seating for eight, if they were close friends. Fold down tables allowed some activity during the ride, games and such. The windows had screens that could be raised or lowered for air and weather. Still, he was glad he could ride! He climbed on Alsvider, and the head of the caravan started out the gate.
They collected an escort of townsfolk as they wound through the city, an ever changing crowd looking for a glimpse of the new Princess. She sat in the window and eagerly looked back at them, waving and stealing their hearts. She pointed at things and asked questions, eager as a child to see her new home. Without her families' influence, and assured of Estaldo and the other women's approval, she blossomed. Alsvider pranced along side, feeling the crowds mood and playing to it like the ham he was.
Patrick grinned on an equally prancing Nonnus. "Nothing like starting the day with a parade your honor, huh, princeling? We'll be sleeping in the mud soon enough, I've no doubt!"
"Oh, you're a font of cheer! Might as well grin and enjoy it while it's here, right! Take a lesson from your horse!" Estaldo straightened a bit in the saddle and waved to the crowd, setting off a wave of cheers.
Patrick shook his head in mock disgust, stopping to smile at a pretty girl on a balcony. She tossed him something and he snatched it from the air and blew her a kiss before tucking it away.
"Somebody you know?" Estaldo asked, one eyebrow raised at Patrick.
He got a grin in reply. "Oh, yeah!" and that's all he would say.
They finally cleared the city gates and left behind the straggling followers, mostly young boys with too much energy. The guard arranged itself around the nobility and supply wagons, outriders scouting ahead. The land was well fenced in this area, and cultivated. They moved along at what was probably the best pace they would make, a smooth walk. The day was fine, the roads good, and everybody enjoyed the ride.
Two days later, Lobella was staring at him, pleading in her eyes. "Please, 'Taldo, get me a horse! I can't sit still in there another hour! I've ridden all my life, and this thing with women being cooped up in carriages is silly! I can use a sword, as well! In Arbigahl, it is required of women as it is of men here! I am far from the best, but I won't cut off my own toes! You have given me so much, but don't make me give up the things from my past that were good!"
She sent a murderous glance toward the carriage. "And if those lovely ladies don't slow down with the 'lady-like behavior' stuff, I may use a sword on them!"
Estaldo was a bit stunned at her sudden vehemence. This wife of his kept on surprising him, at a surprising rate. "Of course, Bel. Our culture isn't really as oppressive to women as all that! The nobility get a little stiff minded and old fashioned, but Joanne would never stand for it, and I can't believe her friends would be that closed minded. I'll bet that their families lectured them to within an inch of their lives about guiding you to proper behavior, and they're terrified of screwing up royally, so to speak."
"Oh, I hadn't thought of that. You're probably right. I should have caught it, it's not as if I know nothing on the subject of parental coercion." She thought for a moment. "Well, if it's royal anger they fear, then royal leadership in the subject should dispel it. If not, they'll just have to get over it, because I'm not spending the rest of my life in these uncomfortable skirts and trapped in a carriage!" She looked reflective for a moment. "I was always glad, in Arbigahl, that I was not royalty, because they were trapped in carriages and protective walls for security." A giggle escaped her lovely lips. "Now I am royalty, and I have more freedom than ever! You are my savior, my Lord! Now, please get me a horse! I shall go change into riding clothes. The Ladies can make what they will of it!"
A moment later she disappeared into the inn they had stopped to lunch at, a page with a large trunk accompanying her, and two young women fluttering after her.
Estaldo's amused glance followed her. How she had bloomed since she didn't have to compete with that sister of hers! "Patrick! Where are you, you ugly son of a misbegotten whore?"
Patrick stepped around the corner of the building, adjusting his belt. "I'll have you know my mother was an extremely high priced whore, who wouldn't have given a mush-faced cad like yourself a glance! What do you want now, Oh Great and Mighty Future Ruler of all this," he swept a gesture around the inn yard, all that was visible of Kahlzistan at the moment. "All this grandeur and glory! It is my greatest pleasure to serve you!"
Estaldo stared at him in disgust. "Well, if you're the best I can do, you are allowed to find my Lady a horse. She chooses to ride. I wouldn't make the mistake of assuming she's new to the activity, either." He turned as more women and maids flounced into the inn. "I think we may be short of remounts soon!"
"For the Princess Lobella's sake, I shall overlook your boorish speech and not roll you in the dust a few times." Patrick scuffed it with a booted toe, a mournful expression on his face. "This should make for a much more interesting ride!" He strolled off whistling, headed for the corrals and the guard.
Cerix offered him a drink while they waited. The dry dust of the yard floated in the air, stirred up by the boots and hooves of more men than the inn expected to handle. Mansel held Alsvider and Nonnus, as well as his and Cerix's mounts.
Eventually a page came out of the ramshackle structure with a note for Estaldo.
You were right, Joanne chose well!
We will need eight horses, three of them gentle beasts for girls that are willing but new to riding.
Thank you, my Prince!
He smiled and passed the number on to Patrick. Soon they came out, a flock of bright birds in split skirts and riding habits. Most of the maids and a few of the young ladies returned to the carriages, but Lobella and four of the young women of her new court as well as Seneea and two other maids were dressed for riding.
He led the liver colored gelding up to her. The beast had a bit of spirit and was among the best of the available remounts. "Lobella, this is Paté, for obvious reasons. Some soldier's idea of a joke. When we reach Tallagate, you may have your pick of the stables, as they are yours as well as mine!"
She smiled at him and stroked Paté's soft nose. He tossed his head and looked at her warily as her silks whispered in the breeze. "We shall get along fine, Paté and I. And I do look forward to exploring the stables with you!" She surprised him, reaching to kiss him quickly on the lips.
A scattering of amused laughs ran around the yard as grooms and squires assisted the women into their saddles. Estaldo caught a glimpse of Patrick lifting Seneea by the hips although the way she sat when she landed, he doubted she needed the help. Lobella certainly didn't, swinging into the saddle with practiced ease. The sword she wore on her hip was expertly controlled, and it took him a second to realize what he'd failed to notice when she walked out of the inn. She wore it so naturally!
He turned to find Alsvider and noticed a few of the men glancing askance at it, but nobody said anything. He found that one a difficult thing to adjust his thinking to, as well. He had no idea how good she actually was with it, but she was obviously no stranger to wearing it. He hadn't given it to her, and he had not heard of her asking for such a thing, so it must be her own. He mounted up, deciding to keep silent until he could test her skills and talk with her about it.
"Are we ready, my Lady?"
The gelding stood solidly under her, an experienced army mount, not using excess energy any more than the soldier who normally rode him. "Oh, yes! After the past two days, I am more than ready for a ride! Let's go, my love!" She looked bright and happy, no longer ducking her head and hiding in her hair. She turned to him as they waited for the outriders to clear the gates and move ahead. "I thought it would be hard to talk to those women, but you were right! They were already complaining about being kept in the carriages. All I had to do was ask them why, and tell them about riding at home. It didn't take long for them to come around. They were a bit shocked at the sword, though. I don't understand why it should be wrong for a woman to defend herself!"
"It could be taken by some as meaning that the woman doesn't trust the men of her family to defend her." Estaldo carefully did not meet her eyes, waiting for her reaction. He was still a bit unsure how he felt. In principle, he had nothing against women who wanted to learning to use a sword, or even being soldiers. Somehow it was different for his wife, though. He was honest enough to know he couldn't defend that position, but it still felt strange.
"Oh! Oh, my dear. But I do trust you! And that's so silly! Even the best guards can fail or be killed! I don't wish to dishonor you, my Prince. Do you wish me to remove my blade?" She asked formally, eyes downcast, waiting meekly for his decision.
He hated it, that meekness back in her, and he wouldn't be the cause of it. To the pit with what people think!
"Of course not, my love. I would be a fool indeed to not make use of all of your talents, and knowing you can take care of yourself is a very good thing." He turned to her, meeting her eyes at last. They shone with pride and something inside him gave. "Please, though, my love. Be careful! You are my Princess and not a soldier or guard. Fight only in last necessity, please!"
She smiled. "Of course. I am not a fool either. I told you before, I am not as good as all that. I won't stab myself, but my sister would have me bleeding in seconds." Her face was serious and her eyes far away, suddenly.
"Your sister makes a lot of people bleed, if only with her tongue! Come, it's time to ride."
He was rewarded with another smile, and they rode out the gate into the sunny afternoon. The road was much more cheerful with the women riding among them. The three new riders seemed to take things with good cheer, at least to begin with. Two of them seemed to be in love with their horses. What was it about horses that young women seemed to be so attracted to? Estaldo had seen it before, many times. It seemed that these two had simply never been allowed to be around them. The third, one of the maids, held on in stoic silence. It seemed she was riding out of determination to stay with her charge, the young Lady Melisard, rather than any actual enjoyment of the experience.
They stopped early that evening, much to the guard captain's disgust. It was to be a night in the open, so they needed time to erect the huge pavilion, and several of the women were looking at the carriages with a much more fond expression than previously. One of the maids had given up some time ago and returned to her cushioned if stuffy place inside.
Lobella sat with him while the camp went up around them. The cooks were making something smell better than army rations in the mess area. The pavilion rose in silken splendor. Estaldo thought traveling with a Princess might not be that bad a way to go, if excruciatingly slow. Patrick returned from inspecting the horse lines and joined them. The ladies lounged nearby on folding stools unpacked first from the wagons. The efficient servants had already distributed wine and wet warm clothes for wiping away the sweat and dust of the day's journey. Mansel attended to him, Cerix nowhere to be seen. He must be attending to things in the pavilion. Definitely better than traveling with just the guard!
The next morning they were short another maid and one of the ladies for the riding club, but the others mounted up with only a little assistance once the elaborate camp was finally broken down and stowed in the wagons. They moved off onto the road as the sun cleared the trees in the east. They had traveled no more than half an hour when a shout came from the left.
One of the scouts rode hard for the column, his mount throwing foam and hurling himself over a low rock fence. The man was shouting, then jerked in the saddle and fell, an arrow sprouted form his back! Suddenly the air was full of shouts, the guards turning to protect them, the ladies screaming in fear and horses thundering toward them seemingly from nowhere! Arrows arched toward them, centered on the nobility in the center of the column. Most fell harmlessly, but one struck the horse of a young lady, and it threw her against the side of the carriage near her. She slid down and didn't move.
The wagons pulled up along side the carriages, forming protective walls of a sort, then the riders struck them and Estaldo had no time for more that brief glimpses between fighting for his life. Lobella sat Pate, restless with battle urge, but well trained to stand until ordered forward. He saw a glint of silver in her hand, and found he was glad she was armed as he swung at the man before him. A sword came from his left and was blocked as he ran through his adversary, the man's sword wide before a back swing. Another took his place as his horse carried its empty saddle toward quieter pastures.
The men seemed to be brigands, no uniforms, but they fought with discipline, in lines. He heard shouting increase behind him but had no chance to look as a spear thrust at him. Alsvider turned into it giving him the angle he needed to chop at the haft of the weapon. He turned his back stroke into a thrust at the spearman, off balance with his weapon slammed down. There was a scream from behind him and he nearly took a cut as he spun Alsvider unheeding of the men attacking him. The war horse's hooves flashed out behind them and a man's full throated roar of pain echoed the crack of bone as he connected.
Estaldo's eyes were all for Lobella, sword flashing as she maneuvered Paté to stay between the carriage and the man attacking her! A wagon driver trailed form his seat, dripping beside her, and another man lay under the stamping hooves of the horses. He could not get to her through the wagons. They must have broken through back down the caravan and rode up between the rows! Lobella's sword flashed as she parried, then another flash came from behind the attacker, and Seneea buried a knife in his back.
Alsvider spun under him and he lost sight of the women as another sword filled his vision. He blocked it with his dagger, in his off hand without his memory, then he killed the man and suddenly the attackers were fleeing. His eyes locked on a familiar form among them. A moment later his brain registered "Cerix! Cerix was the traitor!"
Slowly sounds filtered through the comparative silence that seemed to drop when the battle stopped. Moans and cries from the length of the column. Lobella!
Estaldo spun Alsvider again to see Paté's empty saddle on the far side of the wagon. He threw himself from Alsvider's back to the wagon, climbing over the dead wagoneer to find Lobella on the ground between the two vehicles. She was covered in blood and he snatched her up, only to almost drop her when she struggled in his arms.
"Put me down! I'm fine, but he will bleed out if I don't stop it! Put me down!" He obeyed, realizing dimly that the blood must not be hers. She fell to her knees beside a guard laying on the ground and tightened the tourniquet she had just gotten in place around his spurting arm. The bleeding slowed to a trickle and she moved efficiently to the next man.
Estaldo shook his head and left her to it, climbing back over to Alsvider. Patrick was nowhere in sight, so he rode for the head of the column. He spotted Mansel digging in a wagon.
"Place that man under guard!"
He watched as Mansel was grabbed and restrained, a stunned expression on his face as he looked at the Prince. "I hope I will apologize to you soon, Mansel, but for now I can't risk it. Treat him with care, but keep him guarded until I can deal with him."
He continued toward the front, finding Patrick already in conversation with the guard captain. "Your Highness, is the Princess harmed?" The men greeted him with salutes, bowing briefly from the saddle.
"She is fine, binding wounds. The attack was aimed for her, did you note that? It would have been successful, too, if they had figured on her Arbigahlan upbringing. Cerix was in on it." His anger turned his voice hard and cold.
"Yes your Highness, I noted that. The rest of the column was kept occupied while the main attack hit the center. I am not so sure they won't come again. My apologies, but I was unable to see, how was the Princess saved?"
"The Princess saved herself. She and her maid struck down her attacker, and at least one other. The bastards knew exactly how the caravan was arranged and what the defense plans were. They broke through the lines behind the Princess's location and traveled up between the wagons on the outside and the carriages on the inside. Such a plan would only have worked if they knew the Princess was mounted. Cerix!"
"We are still several days out of Tallagate at the rate we are traveling." The captain rubbed his stubbled chin, drying blood making it itch. "I don't like you and the Ladies exposed to another attack. My Lord, do you think the Princess could be taken ahead to the Estate? It would be a hard ride, but could be done by morning if we rode without stopping."
"Yes. I think my Lady can stand up to a surprising amount of trouble." A vision of her covered in blood, kneeling in the viscous mud created by bodily fluids flashed across his mind. "The danger should be off of the caravan if we leave it. There can be no conceivable goal other than a personal attack on us. Search the dead thoroughly. Send a pair of messengers back to the palace, and another pair ahead to Tallagate, now. We will ride with all speed as soon as we can be ready."
Estaldo didn't wait but left Patrick and the Captain to make the arrangements while he rode back to the women. He found Lobella working with the army medic, Seneea assisting her. Most of the injuries were surprisingly light. The brigands had been fighting to keep the soldiers occupied for the course of the raid, not to overwhelm them. Such an action would have failed. The raid almost hadn't. Most of the other women were cowering in the carriages, but he saw a few moving among the wounded, offering a drink or a soothing touch.
He dismounted, looping Alsvider's reins over a convenient wagon rail. "Lobella. You must get ready to ride again. We will ride hard ahead for the estate. If we don't stop more than a few minutes at a time, we can reach Tallagate by morning." He stopped himself from asking if she thought she could hold up.
She surprised him again. "We can't abandon all these people! They'll be massacred!" The soldier's eyes glowed, fixed on her face as she washed the gaping cut across his ribs.
"No, my Lady, you must go! Please, Lady, you must be safe!" The man forgot himself, speaking before his Prince, ordering his Princess.
Estaldo forgave him when he saw Lobella pause, looking into the sincere face.
"Lobella," he said gently. "The attack was aimed at you. If you and I are gone, these people will be safe. We will take a change of horses each and half of the guard and ride fast. If the bastards wish to try again, they will have to keep up!"
He saw realization dawn in her eyes, and she nodded once. "Find which women might be able to keep up with us. The others will be safe with the wagons and carriages, but if any can stand the trip, you should have them with you."
"I'll ride." Seneea had come up behind her mistress.
"As will I." Another of the women, the young Lady Sendinal, stepped up. Her father's estate neighbored Tallagate, and she had grown up riding. Her clothes, too were covered with filth, her hands bloody to the elbow as she tried to smear some of it off with a rag. "I suggest we put on men's clothing and boots. These costumes of ours will never hold up to such a ride, and make targets of us as well."
Lobella looked at the two gratefully. "I don't think the others are ready for such a thing, but you are right. You are both right." She stepped back as a medic took over the young soldier's wound. "We'll change in one of the carriages. I have my riding clothes from home in..." she peered at the top of the carriage, "that trunk. There should be some things to fit you, as well." She sent Seneea to arrange retrieving the trunk and turned to Estaldo's arms. He held her tight, finding he needed the comfort as much as she. "Who would do such a thing? Estaldo, who would wish me dead?"
"I don't know, though I have suspicions. Cerix is a traitor. He has been with me since boyhood, I can't believe... But I saw him myself. They must be trying to cause problems with Arbigahl. My first guess would be Ozmaroc, but there are many things happening these days, and I fear we don't even know all the players, yet." He held her away from him, to look in her eyes. "You will be safe at Tallagate. They cannot field a large enough force to attack the estate, not this deep into our territory, no matter who they are. This was a chance raid, an opportunity, they thought, to hurt Kahlzistan and Arbigahl in one strike. Thanks to you, they failed."
He let his pride in her shine, then turned her to the care of Seneea and Ardrel Sendinal. Another woman joined them, swearing she could keep up, and they retired to a carriage to clean up as best they could and change.
He grabbed a passing soldier and had Paté rubbed down and watered. The horses were still mostly fresh, if a bit wound up. They had barely gotten started this morning when the raid hit, and the battle had been brief. Alsvider was hardly sweated, but Estaldo made sure he was cared for as well. Patrick soon came riding up with a string of mounts. Each rider would lead his own remount. The soldiers split, the new contingent forming up on the far side of the road from the source of the attack.
The women slipped from the far door of the carriage, in trousers with their hair bound up under caps. The four of them swung up on horses without aid and sat their saddles determinedly. The men, warned, showed no special attention to them, although they took central places in the column.
The Prince's banners moved to the front, and they set off. It must be obvious that the royalty were with the riders, but not so apparent which ones they were. They began at a walk, until they cleared the head of the caravan, then began the pattern that would grind into their bones for the next twenty four hours. Walk, trot, canter, trot, walk, five minutes for water every two cycles, and on again. Change horses every four cycles. The day went on forever, and the night forever more.
The women made no complaint, although they needed help to gain their saddles by the middle of the night. Once there, they held on defiantly. The ride went on, and finally dawn began to lighten the eastern sky. There had been no sign of the raiders. The land began to look familiar to Estaldo's weary eyes. A shout came from the head of the column, and he urged Alsvider forward. A dust cloud moved up the road toward them. He peered at it blearily, realizing that an attack wouldn't be out in the open like that. They continued moving forward, and the dust resolved into men and horses, then clarified into the Tallagate brown and gold colors. The messengers had gotten through and sent greeting party to reach them.
They changed horses once more, and rode into Tallagate as the sun cleared the estate walls. Estaldo slid down from the horse he rode, grateful to the beast for not moving as he did. He wasn't sure he would keep his feet if it did. Then he gathered his reserves and found his way to Lobella. She still sat in the saddle, looking dazed. The other three women sat, eyes fixed on their saddles.
He looked around, spotted Emmet headed for them. "My Lord, welcome. Rooms and baths are prepared. Don't worry, my Lord, you'll be safe here. Oh, my gracious!" The man had caught sight of the women. "Ordilen, get somebody over here now to carry these poor girls inside! My Lady, you will be better soon, I swear!"
Estaldo gave the man as much of a nod as he could manage, then reached for Lobella's hand. She looked down at him, then tried to dismount and ended up sliding into his arms. He staggered and had to set her feet to the ground or drop her. To his surprise, she stood, if leaning on him heavily. He saw the others lifted down by strong arms and carried into the huge manor house, and he and his bride staggered forward after them.
An hour later his last thought was to be sure his saddle bags with their precious package were secure in their rooms before he joined a freshly if quickly bathed Lobella in the depths of slumber.
Continued in Chapter 3
World of Cypheria - Estaldo's Story - Chapter 2
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