The Ambition of the Dreadlord Raveres

Part V: The Hanil Khar

Episode Thirty-Four

When Raveres re-entered the great hall, she'd regained most of her stamina.

Instead of pain shocking her body, she now vibrated with adrenaline and excitement. Her eyes blinked quickly and she stood straighter, with her head high and her spirits higher.

The whole walk down the stairs had fuelled her mood; each envious gaze of her fellow Druchii stoked her ego, until the sour taste of Lord Vayle's disapproving glance and all other minor rebukes were utterly dispelled.

Raveres' joy came out across her features in a satisfied smirk as her lilac eyes scrutinised the scene ahead of her.

Her mercenaries stiffened at her return, moving from where they had remained at the side of the chambre at Salis' order. They each gave her a quiet nod of their heads, deeper than usual, in acknowledgement and appreciation of her new rank. This made her smirk intensify as she lightly raised her right hand and wordlessly beckoned them to her side.

Salis then grunted an order and the mercenaries returned to the formation they had been in when Raveres first entered the tower.

Though she still wanted to return home, bathe, drink, eat, and then retire into the warmth of her bedding, Raveres' chest hungered now that she saw the crowd of Druchii around her. Many tilted their heads, some ignored her, and others looked at her like they did everyone who returned from the Drachau's audience chambre; with bemused fascination.

Looking over the Druchii present Raveres began slowly walking in and around the groups, the columns, and the guardsmen. Eventually she stopped, rubbing her chin as she considered her options for the moment.

If she truly forced herself, she could probably make a show of 'milling about' and perhaps even speak with some prospective allies. But as she thought more on it all, the façades, the courtly graces, the amount of effort required…

Finally, Raveres felt she had decided, her thoughts relaxing as she smirked and nodded to herself,

'Perhaps not. I can leave those pleasures for another day.'

As if on cue Salis cleared his throat and took a half step closer to her side, "My lady? Aren't we leaving?"

Raveres nodded, "Yes. I was merely thinking on something."

Salis nodded and kept his eyes on his mistress while the other men of her bodyguard narrowed theirs and looked at anyone close to them with brutish reservation.

Raveres took a breath and turned towards the entrance. Her stride was confident and she fought the urge to snigger every time her men pushed some lower Druchii or servant from her path. The whole time she walked, Raveres scanned her eyes from side to side, but never making so much effort as to move her whole head.

When she neared the exit Raveres saw something which caught her eye. To the right of the great doors of the tower, between two columns and against a recess in the chambers' wall was a group of three younger Druchii nobles.

What struck her was their casual attitude, and their secluded, purposeful, isolation from the rest of those present. The sparsely arranged bodyguards of the nobles were formed in a ring around their masters while tray bearing servants freely moved between them.

Yet there was something about their composition and the way that they each held themselves; it gave off a somewhat magnetic aura.

Stopping again and stepping off the carpet path, Raveres looked around the room, comparing those three nobles to the other larger groups of loud, brutish, or haughty Druchii. Confirming her initial impression, she was correct…

There was something different about them.

Salis raised a brow at the change in his mistress' path but continued at her side wordlessly, making only a quiet noise of discomfort. Raveres did her best to look over at the group surreptitiously, but she couldn't help but make the occasional expression of curiosity as she examined the three nobles.

The first of their number, and the one which Raveres saw first, was an elegantly tall Druchii woman in freshly oiled armour. Her black hair was cut short, in a jagged somewhat boyish style, and had been swept behind her piercing dappled ears. She had bright grey eyes, high cheekbones, and doubtless had a statuesque physique hidden within her plate.

Despite her hairstyle Raveres admired the woman, not only as a fellow Dreadlord, but as one of the few women in armour who were present.

Beside the she-elf was a man in lighter arms; he had only a cuirass and vambraces over his leather kheitan, and with the two rapiers at his side Raveres suspected he must have been a duellist. His long brown hair had been pulled up into a tight top knot, with not a strand to fall across his icy-blue eyes. The man's angular face was pockmarked but he appeared to have just made a jest and he smiled broadly, making him at once a handsome rogue.

The third of their number was the shortest, and had light black hair, slicked over one ear, with the rest as a sweeping fringe covering his right eye. He looked almost as if he were a Khainite, but he bore no temple crest on his clothing. He wore a kheitan of black, with knee-high dark leather riding boots, and a simple rough-spun riding cape. Raveres saw no sword at his hip, but the handle of a dagger stuck out from his left boot, surely one of many on his person.

Raveres' observance of the group did not go unnoticed, and as she looked the strange assortment over, she met the eyes of the tall she-elf. Stopping mid-sentence, the woman blinked and then tilted her head in acknowledgement of Raveres. Then she turned to her companions and spoke behind a gauntlet covered hand.

Salis raised a brow, "My lady?"

Raveres nodded and turned to face her bodyguard before speaking quietly, "Hang on Salis… I think I may have just piqued some attention. We may be here yet a while longer."

Salis blinked and nodded quickly, "As you wish."

Looking back towards the group Raveres saw that the tall she-elf had finished speaking to her companions. Then all three of them turned and looked at Raveres.

'Gods, I wonder what they're thinking?' she thought nervously. 'I mustn't look so desperate! Come on, calm… calm and still…'

Averting her eyes disinterestedly Raveres turned to Salis again,

"Don't look to them, but I'm currently being weighed by that group over in the alcove."

Salis narrowed his brow and stiffened, his voice concerned, "Is it a problem?"

Raveres shook her head casually as she turned.

"Shouldn't be."

Salis nodded and swallowed tensely, his eyes obeyed Raveres' order, but his hand at his sword tightened. Pursing her lips and forcing herself to relax Raveres folded her arms,

"Call over a servant."

Salis moved curtly, stepping away from his mistress and quickly summoning the closest tower-servant. The Druchii eagerly stepped towards Raveres and made offer of his tray of hors d'oeuvre. While the servant did so, the pockmarked man moved out of his group and towards Raveres.

Salis grunted and whispered, doing his best to relay the information clandestinely,

"One of them is coming this way my lady."

Raveres swallowed a small treat and waved the servant off. Turning back around she watched as the duellist came closer. Once he was at an acceptable distance he stopped and bowed half-heartedly at the neck.

His smile from earlier was still across his scarred features, and his voice was casual, bordering on playful as he spoke,

"We watched you enter and exit the Hydra's gate. Since you've returned alive, I suppose you're a newly made Dreadlord then, eh?"

Surprised at his candour Raveres let out a chuckle and nodded her head, "I am, yes."

The man laughed, "Several of our company are as well."

He tilted his head and indicated his two companions before continuing, "Perhaps you might join us?" he took a step closer as his voice lowered, "We're placing bets and choosing champions."

Raveres furrowed her brow, "For what?"

The man smiled, "There's going to be some fighting later, some have already broken out. Idiots. But it's rather good sport to break up this dull affair."

He stepped backwards and continued to grin, "Come on, the more involved the larger the pot."

Raveres raised a brow and looked past him, the tall she-elf, and the smaller waif watched on eagerly.

Nodding Raveres smirked, "I've not seen a good fight in a while. Sounds like fun."

The man smiled widely now as he laughed, then he turned around and nodded to his fellows, before looking back to her,

"Excellent! I'm Bel-Kanon, first sword to the young Lord Curufor."

Following beside the pockmarked man Raveres introduced herself, "Well met. I am Dreadlord Raveres, of the Naguii."

Smirking he looked at her knowingly.

"I bet you've been waiting a long time to say that, nay?"

Raveres blinked bashfully and pursed her lips before laughing and smiling proudly, "Perhaps."

Bel-Kanon chuckled as he led her towards his group while Salis maintained a wary eye on the proceedings. When they approached the other bodyguards parted as Bel-Kanon brought Raveres into their midst.

The taller female Druchii had her brow raised and was reservedly looking Raveres up, eventually smiling in approval. The shorter male with his hair obscuring half his face looked at Raveres with a muted gaze, his visible eye was one of the strangest she'd ever seen. His iris was sickly grey, dappled with large speckles of gold.

Before his stare unnerved her, Bel-Kanon spoke and introduced his companions,

"Lady Raveres of the Naguii, I'd like you to meet Lady Valilash of house Darkhope, and Lord Curufor of house Cassian."

The two Druchii nodded their heads to Raveres and she responded with a tilting bow of her own. Then, betraying his eagerness, Curufor's voice came out, and in keeping with his general appearance it struck Raveres oddly; it was lilting, high-pitched, and added to his deceptive visage.

"Well met, Lady Raveres. Though I wasn't there to see it, one of my men tells me you sought the Drachau's embrace? How, b-bold, ha-ha!"

He added a hyena-like laugh at the end of his sentence and Lady Valilash smacked him across the shoulder. The thin frame of Curufor shook at the strike and he jittered while shooting Valilash a cold glare. The female Druchii ignored him and stepped forwards, her voice coming out calmly,

"Well met Lady Raveres. Pay Curufor no heed, he's but a perverse little creature. I wish more of our number were here, but they have little patience for the façades of the court."

Raveres fought the urge to laugh, and then out of curiosity she raised her voice,

"Indeed. Yet, Lady Valilash, forgive my impertinence, is Thàlin not your brother?"

Valilash's body language changed, and she sighed before nodding reluctantly. Her elegant form extended to her voice, and she casually answered,

"He is, thanks be to evil spirits."

Folding her arms across her breastplate Valilash pursed her lips a moment as she scrutinised Raveres. Then, dejectedly she asked, "Did you watch his Hanil Khar?"

Curufor and Bel-Kanon waited with interest as Raveres nodded, "I did."

Valilash tensed, her eyes and facial expression betraying her while she tried to speak neutrally, "And?"

There was clearly animosity between the siblings, and instantly Raveres sympathised. Feeling more attachment and familiarity with the fellow woman in front of her she knew exactly how to respond. Smirking and tilting her head to the side Raveres shook her head,

"I didn't find his performance all that impressive. Why, to me he seemed to have liked the pain. Gods, I practically heard a moan while he struggled."

Valilash laughed and her features lightened in relief, Bel-Kanon chuckled, and even the mysterious Curufor smirked.

Before Raveres could follow up her quip Curufor waved his hand interrupting the revelry, "Yes, yes, enough on Thàlin. Now, did Bel-Kanon tell you of our game Naguii?"

Valilash rolled her eyes at her companion but relaxed her arms back to her sides, while Raveres cocked an eyebrow at Curufor's impatience.

"He did, and after the dour proceedings so far a little blood-sport would be utterly welcome. And besides, who doesn't like winning a little extra coin?"

Bel-Kanon nodded in agreement and Valilash nodded happily, "I told you I knew a sister by sight, didn't I?"

Curufor was unsatisfied and pursed his lips petulantly, "We shall see. Tell us Naguii, of those swordsmen over there which do you think will win a bout in the arena?"

Smirking, Raveres looked over her shoulder where Curufor was indicating. Across the hall, nearer some columns stood several prospective blade masters, masterless swordsmen, and jumped up younger Druchii who were growling, yelling, and verbally accosting one another; absolutely chomping at the bit to draw steel and fight.

Scrutinising them Raveres looked from man to man, not seeing any who were particularly more attractive a prospect than the next. Reluctantly Raveres realised it might have been a fixed game.

'I suppose losing a minor bet to win favour with these few is… acceptable. Even if it makes me appear lesser for the moment. Gods, I'm practically bleeding coin at this point.'

Then she saw one of the swordsmen, his hair shortly cropped and his face stone-like. A cold aura permeated around him; as if he'd stalked a dozen battlefields before. Then Raveres felt her confidence return. She'd found her winning horse.

'No, no. I shan't lose.'

Having decided on her champion, Raveres chuckled coyly,

"In my experience judging a swordsman by sight alone isn't enough. But I think I've picked one."

Curufor's expression deepened as he tilted his head back and looked down his nose with his one visible eye. Valilash continued to view Raveres keenly, and Bel-Kanon teased, "That's why it's called gambling Naguii! Ha!"

With an edge to her voice Raveres corrected him, "My name is Raveres."

Bel-Kanon blinked in surprise and opened his mouth, while Valilash laughed and stepped closer nodding in approval.

"A sister indeed! You'll definitely fit in among our company. Now, Raveres, who's your choice and what's your wager?"

…

After a short while the Drachau's tower emptied, everyone proceeding towards the city's amphitheatre. In conjunction with the courtly goings-on of the Hanil Khar the Drachau, as well as exceptionally wealthy Druchii, hosted a variety of games, hunts, executions, and trials of combat.

Caught up in the excitement of new faces, and the chance at entertainment, Raveres' fatigue and desire to go home had fled. And on their way to the arena, Valilash, Curufor, and Bel-Kanon introduced Raveres to the rest of their group.

As a whole they filed into the grand amphitheatre and occupied a private box to watch the fighting.

It turned out that Valilash, Curufor, and Bel-Kanon's company were all friends, relations, or business partners of some sort, and Raveres further noticed that they were almost all of her generation, each of them eager, hungry, and a glory-hound.

Barring a few, like Curufor, her new 'companions' were each delightful and dangerous in equal measure.

So, with her guards in tow, Raveres enjoyed the sport of the arena and the conversation of the flatterers and prospective partners she found herself amongst. Watered down wine wet her palate casually and she ate while cheering the clangs of steel.

Occasionally, when there was a rest or break in the fighting, she'd turn to the conversation of her company, or glance towards Salis who stood along with the battalion of bodyguards at the back of the large box.

Salis, Haeloc, and the rest of her detail, remained observant of their mistress, but like the other retainers and guards they reluctantly relaxed in time with their masters. Despite the ever-present threat of violence among her fellow Druchii, it seemed the air of the group she'd found was more than reasonable, it was friendly, even.

The sounds, the newly met relations, the success of her Hanil Khar; Raveres was relishing it all.

At the beginning of their interaction Raveres had earned the attention of much of her male company, but their flirtation was reserved and sparing. Her bodyguards, armour, and the sword at her side were all effective deterrents; ensuring polite conduct.

Yet there was one amongst them whose interest and conversation towards Raveres flowed rather liberally…

Trumpets sounded the beginning of the next round of entertainment, and with a gleeful level of interest Raveres moved away from the conversing Druchii and returned to her seat. Finishing her drink of sweet wine, a servant quickly appeared to take the empty goblet while Lady Valilash casually sat beside Raveres.

The echoing voice of the arena's herald announced that for the amusement of the crowd, thirty convicts would attempt to win their freedom against a single Sister of Slaughter.

"Have you ever seen one in action?"

Raveres shook her head as Valilash laughed,

"Gods, they're beautiful. Muscle, sinew, Druchii excellence all as one. When they fight it's pure instinct!"

Valilash's voice betrayed her proximity to Raveres, and looking out the corner of her eye she saw that Valilash was less than two feet from her. At first Raveres' instincts told her to be defensive, but then her thoughts cooled.

'That's exceptionally bold of her, but in keeping with the way she's been acting, I see nothing to worry on…' Raveres pursed her lips in quiet entertainment, 'I'm more curious to see just how bold she is…'

Valilash's movements were abrupt, and lacked feminine grace as she continued,

"She'll show just what a Druchii woman is capable of. Afterall we're all daughters of Morathi! Ha-ha! And that ought to give every Asur, and every man among us pause."

Valilash continued to steal glances at Raveres, waiting for a reply. Nodding, with a reserved smile, Raveres crossed her legs casually and spoke,

"I couldn't agree more. But if you weren't a Dreadlord Valilash, I would have guessed you to have been well on your way to becoming a Death Hag."

Complimented and embarrassed Valilash shook her head as she laughed,

"Psh! Ha, I could never wear so little protection."

Slowly Raveres turned her head to look towards the taller woman. Valilash was looking down into the arena purposefully, a strange smile across her lips.

After a few moments of watching the fighting Valilash spoke,

"So, I heard you mention earlier that your Hakseer saw you to Araby?"

Raveres nodded, "It did."

Valilash blinked, "Mine took me to Lustria, ha. I suppose the heat is somewhat comparable. How did you find it?"

Raveres pursed her lips a moment before replying.

"The sand was oppressive and the heat unyielding. I burned quite a lot of my skin actually, but I think the scars and plunder I reaped were worth it."

Valilash smirked, "Lustria nearly made me mad, I couldn't wait till I was back home to the chill and snows."

Down below in the arena the whip-wielding Sister of Slaughter was dancing and slashing, her pale skin now dotted and splattered with fresh blood; she'd already dispatched five of the convicts in splendid leaps and turns.

Pointing towards the Sister, Valilash chuckled,

"While I never shaved it as they do, I did actually cut all my hair off whilst I was in those jungles."

Raveres let out a sharp laugh in surprise, "Gods! That's why it's so short?"

Valilash nodded and chuckled, her expression bordering on bashful, then she looked at Raveres, "And, I would have continued keeping it shorter, but I could never shake my affection for longer hair."

Raveres raised a brow, "Well, thankfully that's one thing I didn't consider whilst in Araby. Ha."

Valilash smiled, "It's good that you didn't. Yours is a beautiful colour Lady Raveres. And an impressive length, if you don't mind being told so."

Valilash's lingering eyes were far too base to be ignored and Raveres blinked and straightened at the complement, as a new excitement began to build.

Her silver locks were in a tight and tall ponytail, carefully combed and tied. Reaching behind her Raveres brought the end of her tail over her pauldron covered shoulder and scrutinised it.

"I haven't had it cut since I was last home. Ha, my house slave Elianna is the only one I trust to groom me such. The two maid-slaves I purchased in Araby still have a way to go in honing their skill…"

Flicking the tail back behind her made Valilash smirk and chuckle.

"I wager it's grown near three inches since last trimmed." Raveres shook her head, "Let me tell you, my one slave wants to be a bodyguard, while the other is so far only good at sitting there and looking pretty."

Valilash laughed and nodded, "Indeed."

Below the Sister of Slaughter was toying with one of the convicts, she'd used her bladed whip to rend the tendons of his legs and she was leaping and dancing just at the edges of his futile strikes.

Valilash swallowed and averted her eyes from the nearly-nude woman fighting below back to Raveres. Her voice lowered and followed up Raveres' comment,

"Pretty looking slaves are nice decoration though, I find."

Raveres nodded. Then her thoughts dared to tease Valilash.

"Better still is when they wear little and live to please you."

At this Valilash blinked and drew a breath. Looking down to the Sister of Slaughter for a moment she suppressed a noise before turning back to Raveres.

"I wonder, Lady Raveres, would you…"

Valilash pursed her lips and became silent. Raveres furrowed her brow and looked towards her fellow Druchii. Valilash's cheeks had more colour than before, a light blush growing across her features.

Clearing her throat and keeping her eyes off of Raveres Valilash stiffened, her voice deepening and becoming forcefully casual,

"Would you mind were I to call on you? I feel that you and I are of like mind and temperament. And besides, the company has gotten a little… Cockish, as of late."

Raveres pursed her lips did her best to keep from sniggering or blushing, 'Gods below… this was never mere teasing was it?'

Feeling her chest tighten and her heart beat harder Raveres blinked as it sunk in. Attempting to inject some levity Raveres joked,

"Well, you know what they say about too much of a good thing."

Surreptitiously Raveres moved her eyes towards Valilash's face.

She was older than Raveres by a few years and through their earlier conversation Raveres learned that she'd finished her Hakseer the season before. This, coupled with her size and armour, made Valilash exude far more brutal martial prowess than Raveres.

Where Raveres would be expected to be lithe and graceful in battle, one look at Valilash would tell you she was a Druchii who could drink like a fiend and wield a two-handed longsword like it was a battering ram.

By sight Valilash was undoubtably female, but like the Sister of Slaughter below she'd no mind or room in her life for feminine finery. She wore no makeup and even forewent black smudge on her eyelids. Her jaw had small scars and old cuts in it, tell-tale signs of fist fighting, and this close to her Raveres noticed that the piercings in Valilash's ears were plain, black painted, steel studs.

Looking her new acquaintance over Raveres' thoughts spoke in a strange and self-surprised honesty,

'She's… she is pretty. In a harder sort of sense. Not quite the… the type I enjoy but…'

Raveres swallowed and her eyes darted down towards Valilash's neck. Her supple throat looked soft and warm, and as Raveres quickly traced her eyes along Valilash's pale skin, she stopped at the curve and dark edge of her armoured gorget. Unfortunately, the rest of Valilash was hidden within her armour.

The contours, edges, and shape of which made her body's definition, for now, remained a secret. Swallowing and feeling her blood race Raveres thought about the softness of the flesh within, and then the strength of her muscles.

Something about the eroticism of Valilash's size in comparison to her own awoken something in her, and a vivid fantasy played in Raveres' mind. In an uncontrollable flash she imagined herself being easily wrestled, and pinned down by Valilash.

The thought was so sudden Raveres nearly choked on her breath.

Valilash's face was cool as she waited for Raveres' response. Noiselessly clearing her throat Raveres turned away and waved to a servant. Then she finally spoke,

"I've, I've uh, not been to Karond Kar before. Is there anywhere worth seeing?"

Valilash let out a breath as she took the shift in conversation and the 'non-answer' in stride,

"Yes, I suppose."

She nodded half-heartedly, then smirked,

"The temple here is, well I mean there's the temple pits which are good fun to watch… There's, I mean, there's ah, ha, there's probably more places that you might like though. Like the Drachau's conservatory, there's a gala and music nearly every week. The city square of course, the markets…"

Seeing an opportunity Raveres spoke teasingly, "The temple fighting pits? As in, to watch the Death Hags train?"

Valilash laughed and looked away,

"Well, I mean they show off some great techniques! Like the Sisters of Slaughter. They also don't mind a Dreadlord hanging around, they even offer battle favours and blessings and such."

Raveres hid her perverse entertainment as the servant made their way towards them. Valilash eagerly grabbed a full goblet from the servant's tray and sighed happily before she began drinking. Raveres took another glass herself and as added contrast between the two women, she drank gingerly while Valilash sipped loudly.

With a little more wine in her Valilash's voice came out more candidly,

"I'll admit, I'm not one for parties, or things that… that are probably more to a noble woman's tastes." Looking over at Raveres she smirked brashly, "The only time I do is when I'm after something. Or, I have to make an appearance."

Raveres smiled widely and ran her tongue over her teeth, pausing before replying. Then, with a smirk, she let out a small chuckle,

"And what are you usually after?"

Valilash finished her drink and absentmindedly put the goblet onto the bench beside her. Sighing and clearing her throat before committing fully,

"Surely you can guess, Lady Raveres?"

Raveres took another sip while looking back at the fighting, her chest thumped with titillation.

'So… s-so what does she want? A mere lay? A… a companion? I've never, b-been with a fellow Druchii before… Oh gods this, this is a surprise!'

Raveres swallowed and looked at Valilash out of the corner of her eye, doing her best to hide her excitement and anticipation. Taking a breath, the initiative, and a chance, Valilash finally asked,

"Might I lean closer? I wish to whisper to you."

Raveres' looked away before turning her head and glancing at the others in the box, none of them were looking at either her or Valilash. Instead, they were cheering and applauding the Sister fighting.

Straightening her back and clearing her throat Raveres swallowed the rest of her drink and quickly nodded,

"You may."

Valilash slid along the bench beside Raveres and casually tilted over to her ear. It was somewhat awkward given their near two-foot difference in height, but Valilash's confidence made it seem easy to her.

Raveres remained stiff with her eyes forwards, giving no indication to any onlooker anything unseemly was occurring, yet the sound of Valilash's deep breath against Raveres' ear was almost too much. With an edge of perverse entertainment and honesty Valilash quietly whispered,

"I've never slept with a woman whom I could also spar with."

Raveres' eyes failed at maintaining secrecy and widened as Valilash leant back, a smug smile on her lips. At the same time Valilash's right hand lowered onto Raveres' armour covered thigh.

"Perhaps you might show me how you fight?"

Raveres blinked and looked away, laughing nervously, "P-perhaps."

Valilash looked back down to the arena while she teased the tips of her gauntlet fingers along the edge of Raveres' left cuisse. Her voice taunted playfully,

"Unless your sword and armour are just for show of course."

Raveres was breathing heavily, keeping quiet as Valilash's hand continued to touch her. Licking her lips and clearing her throat Raveres made a quiet noise affirming the touch. Looking over her shoulder Valilash leaned to Raveres' ear again.

"So? What would you say to my offer?"

Raveres swallowed and in her hesitation Valilash leant forwards to blow the slightest breath across the skin of Raveres' exposed neck. At the sensation goosebumps arose along her skin and she physically shivered.

Valilash leant backwards and looked back down towards the fighting, a perverse little smile across her lips.

Grunting and clearing her throat Raveres nodded,

"It's a tempting one."

Valilash's eyebrow rose slightly, knowingly. Her hubris made her think she'd won. Noticing this Raveres giggled once, coyly,

"Ha, very tempting. But I can't very well allow myself to be so easily seduced. Can I?"

Valilash's expression changed and her mouth opened but she stopped, considering Raveres' words. Smirking and laying her hand on top of Valilash's, Raveres raised a brow and looked back down to the fight.

Changing her tone and speaking with a lilting accent Raveres joked,

"I mean, I was just made a Dreadlord. Surely you can understand what a blow to my reputation it'd be if it got out that I was so easily seduced?"

With a predatory grin Raveres moved Valilash's hand from her thigh and stood. The whole while her heart was pounding in her ears. Then her voice lowered and she spoke honestly, almost reluctantly,

"This has been a wonderful afternoon Valilash. I've had a pleasurable time."

"What? No, you're not leaving, are you?" Valilash's eyes widened and she was about to stand but Raveres waved her off.

"No, no, sit. But yes, I must go. I ought to pace myself for one day, ha. Please extend my respects to Curufor and Bel-Kanon."

Turning towards the aisle to leave Raveres did her best to make herself appear as if an actress in a play; slightly cocking her head to the side and angling her jaw she made an elegant line with her body as she furrowed her brow disinterestedly, then she leant towards Valilash's ear,

"And to answer your question… I look forwards to seeing you again, call on me as soon as you may."

Valilash's lips were pursed, and her cheeks reddened as she fought the urge to smile.

Standing back up Raveres cleared her throat and saw that none of the others looked at her with any suspicion. Then raising her voice and speaking casually Raveres nodded,

"Good fortunes to you Valilash."

"And to you, Raveres."

Then parting she made sure to wave or nod her head to as many others present as she was introduced to before waving her men to follow her out.

Leaving the arena surrounded by her bodyguards Raveres fought the urge to giggle and laugh at herself. Until sobering at Salis' stoic expression.

"What?"

Her voice snapped with a degree of impatient irritation. The mercenary blinked and his scarred features showed no indication of his thoughts, his voice was even and controlled,

"Nothing my lady."

Furrowing her brow Raveres was about to berate the sell sword before she stopped herself and let it go. With a sigh she focused ahead as she and her retinue made their way down the main streets leading to the arena and back towards the noble's quarter.

The fighting and the bet she'd made was far from her mind as her thoughts focused more on her new acquaintances and of the tall Valilash… The more she thought about it the more Raveres was gladdened to have left her so teased.

With a satisfied breath Raveres shook her head and allowed herself to relax.

'Gods… she was practically panting down my neck!'

Raveres laughed again and shook her head before turning to Salis and baring her teeth as her voice rose, "I'm going to get so fucking drunk tonight."

A few men sniggered and Raveres laughed in encouragement,

"And all of you! Ale, songs, and women, all 'round!"

Each of the bodyguards turned when they could to look at their mistress with equal parts disbelief and adoration. Eventually they cheered and laughed loudly as Raveres nodded.

"Salis, send one of your men to a good bawdyhouse and get some courtesans, and another to get procure refreshment for you all."

This elicited more cheers, chuckles, and comments from the men, until, narrowing his eyes, Salis barked at them, "Keep your eyes peeled you dogs! She's not safe at home yet!"

The revelry quieted as the men returned to their duty. Then Salis turned to Raveres without missing a beat,

"Very well milady. Haeloc?"

The boar-like man grunted and turned from the other side of Raveres, "Aye sir?"

"See about those arrangements."

He raised a brow but Salis continued,

"We're nearly back to the house, I have it in hand. Go on."

Haeloc nodded and gave Raveres a bow before he left the group. Raveres smirked in approval and the rest of the walk remained quiet and uneventful.

…

Back at the town-house, Yurin swallowed uneasily and paced back and forth in front of the salon's windows. While Rhea and Maya stood quietly to the side of the room, and a single guard minded the door.

"You best calm yourself there, seneschal lest you have a heart attack."

The guard chuckled and folded his arms. Yurin narrowed his eyes and rested a hand at his belt.

"If my mis- no if our mistress fails to return that's all of us out of a place and a job! I would expect a degree of uncertainty and apprehension in every servant of the household."

The guard shrugged, a wry smile across his lips, "I have a company to return to after this mayfly. You're the one who ought to be most concerned."

Stepping more into the room the Druchii used his height to impose over Yurin, despite the distance between them.

"A slim little creature like you?" then he indicated Rhea and Maya, "And those two sweet-meats there?"

He chuckled again, "Karond Kar is the perfect place for you all to disappear."

Yurin blinked and his mouth dried. Maya's lip rose and she looked upwards while Rhea maintained her gaze on the floor. Before Yurin could retort the southlander bellowed a growl and spoke in her harshly accented Druhir,

"You should show great respect to Lord Yurin! You are naught but a desert worm; you merely follow the camp and deal with the thieves!"

Rhea's face widened and she grabbed onto her fellow slave's arm whispering desperately, "By the gods Maya! Quiet!"

Maya pulled her arm away and fearlessly stiffened, staring the Druchii man down. The guard snarled and stepped towards the slaves threateningly.

"Fucking mayflies, all of you. Cheap and replaceable." his voice lowered, "But push me and I swear I'll make you regret it."

Yurin blinked, a dash of confidence, or perhaps desperation, filled him as he found his voice,

"If our lady doesn't return, I know full well that my service, and all her property, will go to her family. By the King's laws it's written!"

The mercenary furrowed his brow and turned towards the erudite Human. Uncertainty and an ingrained fear of Druchii retribution made him pause. Feeling more confident, and gripping his belt nearer his swords Yurin continued,

"You even think of touching those slaves and you will have Lord Vayle, or either of Lady Raveres' parents to answer to. Let alone a city magistrate. And don't think they won't know!"

Yurin cleared his throat and yelled two names. In short order the door to the salon opened and a guard and one of the newly hired peasant staff entered. The two spoke in unison,

"Yes, Lord Yurin?"

Yurin nodded and slowly looked towards the belligerent guardsman. The mercenary opened his mouth but stopped, pursing his lips and grumbling quietly as he stepped out of the room and past the additional witnesses.

Yurin let out a breath of relief, before addressing the peasant servant,

"I think I could do with some tea."

The peasant bowed his head deeply and departed for the kitchens. While the other guardsman stood stiffly, eyebrow cocked and awaiting his order. But before Yurin could think of something a voice loudly came from the second floor, over the railing and into the foyer,

"She's back! Lady Raveres' has returned!"

At the same time the front door opened and one of the two guards at the stoop yelled in to confirm, "Lady Raveres is nearly to the gate."

Rhea let out a high-pitched nervous laugh and Maya cooled, eventually smiling and showing her own relief. Despite their reservations, they'd take their mistress over any of the brutish Druchii mercenaries guarding her.

Yurin's chest fell as his whole body finally relaxed. The anxious weight of uncertainty was finally dispelled. In Arabyan he whispered a prayer of thanks under his breath and then grunted and waved the slaves to follow him out of the room.

Then in Druhir he raised his voice and announced in the middle of the entrance hall,

"Everyone, assemble in the foyer to greet our mistress' success!"

He repeated it again and the house erupted with sound as the guards and new servants moved to comply. With the door open they could hear her voice and that of Salis as she and her guard approached and entered the small courtyard outside.

Then Raveres saw them through the open door and her face lightened as she smiled.

Slowly making her way up the steps the household greeted her in unison;

"Welcome home Mistress Raveres!"

The she-elf entered to the applause and attention of her men, her slaves and servants. She looked around the room, and above to those along the railing overlooking the stair and foyer. Then she laughed and made a little bow of her head, before raising her right hand and loudly declaring,

"Yes… I have returned alive!"

She chuckled again, "I completed the Hanil Khar, and in keeping with my new station, all those who serve me shall enjoy boons!"

The house cheered again, and Raveres smirked, "Yuri, make ready the house for guests. Men! Be merry, for ale and flesh are on their way!"

At this the mercenaries cheered loudest and Raveres waved Yurin closer to speak in his ear, "Have a bath drawn for me and do ensure everyone has a good time, nay?"

Yurin nodded with a suppressed laugh of his own, "Yes, of course my lady."

Waving a servant over and moving towards Rhea and Maya, Yuri made the necessary arrangements while Raveres enjoyed the cheers and gazes of her men.

Salis looked uncomfortable at first, his martial and 'proper' training made him dislike such revelry, but once he met Raveres' eye his features warmed and he eventually gave her a smile and nod.

…

Yet not too far from Raveres' house in the noble quarter, a different scene was playing out…

Lord Luran Vayle grit his teeth and breathed heavily. Sitting on a settee and listening to the pacing footsteps of his wife made him grumble and run his fingers through his long hair in frustration.

Scratching his scalp, he finally snapped,

"Gods spare me woman!"

His wife, Lady Alia Vayle, was like the rest of her family, tall, lithe, and beautiful. The younger sister to Lady Naguii, she shared a close resemblance to Raveres' mother with long, black hair, and statuesque cheekbones. But unlike her sister, and more like her niece, Alia had sharply coloured purple eyes.

Adding to her strong gaze, she had her eyebrows plucked until they were a thin, narrow band and when she looked at someone or something it was typically made more intense by her makeup.

Luran scoffed under the malicious gaze of his wife and threw his hands up,

"I already told you she gave an adequate performance! She lived, and your sister will be more than pleased. Nothing else happened!"

Alia shook her head, "But what of, of apparitions? During the embrace! Were there any in attendance keener than most? Any foul omens as she entered, any mistakes?"

Luran furrowed his brow and scoffed again, "No, I told you. None, not a soul! No bewitchments, no assassins with daggers. Nothing. Your sister's worry is fed solely by those damnable Death Hags."

Alia pursed her lips, as an exceedingly superstitious woman she took the news of her sister's visit and visions in the temple of Khaine quite to heart. And she worried of any kind of misfortune spilling over onto her, her husband, or family by simple association to her niece Raveres.

Luran nodded as he lowered his voice, hoping to soothe his religious wife,

"My men tell me she's even made herself known amongst the young Dreadlords. Ingratiating herself without error."

Lady Alia pursed her lips and nervously bit her fingernails while Luran raised his legs onto a cushioned footstool a shook his head,

"She finished the cruise, she's proven herself in battle, and she's been recognised by the Drachau. She's making allies, Khaine and the gods are obviously blessing her, in abundance."

Alia sighed and nodded, but Luran grumbled,

"How she's not yet a bankrupt is beyond me… 'Lion's share of my Hakseer' my arse. Pah! She's a wiggling little snake, just like her mother. I should have gotten more coin out of her."

Alia turned and raised her right hand with a growl, before deflating with a huff and a shudder, "Oh, oh! Damn you Luran, you know I hate hearing you say that."

Alia's handmaid moved to her lady's side to help steady her as Luran doubled down,

"I care not, it's true! The whole lot of them, all those Naguii are snakes! Thankfully we don't have to put that Raveres up here too."

Alia rubbed her forehead while her maid touched and lightly ran her hands up and down her arm, "Luran, please tell me you didn't make that offer."

He sniggered and nodded, "Of course not! Your sister and brother-in-law staying is bad enough. No, the little Raveres bought herself a place amongst those, those what do you call them, newly-wealthy? Ah it matters not…"

Lord Vayle and his wife lived in luxury as courtiers to the Drachau, and their accommodations were made up of spacious and elegantly furnished apartments in one of the larger towers in the city's citadel. They had enough rooms to house over a dozen slaves, as well as their firstborn son; an officer in the city guard, and making allowance for Lord and Lady Naguii for a day or two would be simple enough.

But recently their apartments became fuller with the addition of a new-born. Nearly a year old, Alia had given birth to their second child, and unlike other Druchii women, she nursed and tended to the baby almost entirely herself.

And their discussion, too heated for the child's ears, had finally roused it from its sleep. Recognising the sound Luran let out a low growl, of course the child had to rise when he was speaking.

'Couldn't have been when she was bitching earlier like a bloody banshee about auguries and omens and the damn Death Hags!' Luran mentally complained.

With a sigh Alia looked at her husband angrily, her voice coming in a hush,

"Look now what you've done…"

Clucking her tongue and gliding out of the room Alia, followed by her handmaid, moved to tend to her child while Luran grumbled,

"Tell the babe his cousin will have paid for his education and first set of armour! Maybe that'll quiet his crying…"

Luran laughed to himself as he recalled Raveres' face when he told her his price, and he again complained, "I should have squeezed more out of that silver-haired brat."

In a few moments Alia returned with the baby. Holding him to her breast and feeding the infant.

Luran threw his head back and narrowed his brow, "Here? Now?"

Alia squinted at him, but her voice remained soothing for the child in her arms, "Yes here, yes now. I think it's important. And I don't trust any cow-uddered wetnurse to feed him. Do you want your second born to be a simpleton?"

Luran ignored her and Alia nodded in victory before continuing their earlier discussion,

"Now, my sister writes she nearly died during the ordeal in the temple, and that in the subsequent days she could see, see, moments of her daughter's Hakseer. That some spirit had taken a vigil over her and that as soon as she returned to Naggaroth that vigil would end, and she, and all her blood would no longer be protected."

Luran sighed as his wife sat down opposite him and she cooed and caressed their child's head. His voice quieted and softened at the sight of his son.

"I understand my love. But only the gods know what those Hags put in their concoctions. And she speaks of visions? I mean, come now. Who knows if what she saw was even accurate? Hmm, not even Morathi and all her Hag Sorceresses read the future correctly all the time."

Alia pursed her lips and shot daggers at her husband, "Don't be blasphemous Luran! I know my sister, and I know she speaks true."

He sighed, "I'm not, but all I'm saying is that those women, in the temple, getting high on the blood lust of sacrifice and whatever else they imbibe or smoke… Look, it's like…" he groaned.

"Do you remember Hal-Karin? Tall, bald? No? Well anyway, he was a Druchii more religious than the priestesses and priests of any god's cult I've ever seen."

Alia pursed her lips.

"He could quote you any of the writings, recite sermons and invocations as good in the thick of action as he could anywhere. He never missed or reneged Death Night, and he observed every holy day of the calendar. Even ones the priestesses forget!"

Alia now narrowed her eyes at him.

"The point is he ended up being stabbed in the back the during a night patrol. And yet one of the men in his barracks, a convict conscript, branded on the face for thievery and murder, a swearing, whoring, blaspheming, denier of the gods, won almost ten talents on a horserace with ill-gotten coin."

Alia sighed and shook her head.

"What I mean by this is that the gods do what they will! Chance, spirits, daemons, it's all random, and auguries and omens are just as random as the rewards for piety and impiety are."

Alia looked down to her son, and played with his wispy hair for several moments until she spoke again,

"What happened to him? The conscript?"

Luran shrugged, "It was years ago, but the last I heard he deserted and jumped aboard a ship bound for the south. Probably living well in Arnheim, Khaine damn him."

Alia huffed.

"What, Khaine ought to. He deserted his post."

Standing and shaking his head Luran mumbled, "You and your sister… Nothing worse than Druchii women their gods, and their magicks."

Alia smirked, "Careful now husband. If you think I'm unbearable?"

Luran nodded, "I know, I know, I remember the last time we hosted them. 'Have you dispelled the Raksha? Did you burn your offerings wholly?'"

Then he shook his head, "Gods below, I don't know how Titos puts up with it."

Turning towards the windows to their balcony Luran looked over the city and towards the port and its incoming ships. Soon, one of them would be bearing Lord and Lady Naguii, and he didn't relish their coming company.

…

With a warm wet cloth over her eyes and her hair let loose from her braiding, Raveres leant backwards in a wooden bathtub with her legs resting out of the water on its curved edges. Letting out a long, deep moan she sighed before blindly reaching for her wine glass.

Outside her chamber door the noise of the revelling troops rose in a crescendo as they cheered and yelled in agreement. Raveres smirked and chuckled as she brought the drink to her lips and as she sipped, she heard the men below break into song. Furrowing her brow, she realised she knew the tune.

Rhea poured re-heated water into the bath from a pot at the bedroom's fireplace and Raveres cooed before humming and quietly singing along,

"I sailed up to the Ulthuan' coast, to fuck a queen unlike the most…"

She sipped again and removed the cloth from her eyes, dropping it into the water as she chuckled and continued,

"She was blonde and pink an' 'er cunt didn't stink and she said my husband knows…"

Rhea let out a wordless shudder and Raveres looked towards her with a perverse smile,

"What? You dislike Druchii sailing songs?"

Rhea blinked and averted her gaze in apology, "I… it's just so vulgar."

The men outside sang harder as they got to the middle and chorus, laughing and cheering as the feminine voices of the prostitutes joined in.

Raveres nodded as she looked away from her slave,

"It is quite vulgar. But when you're out on the seas, with nothing to do for days on end men's creativity becomes," she chuckled, "Limitless and strangely varied."

Rhea cringed but hid it as she moved away from Raveres' bathtub. Then Raveres' expression changed and she raised an eyebrow. Blinking and taking her time, she eventually spoke,

"Who's outside minding the door right now?"

Rhea looked down and pursed her lips, then her voice came out meekly,

"I, I'm not sure my lady."

Raveres nodded, and swallowed her dry mouth. Blinking and then shaking her head she looked away from Rhea, instead to focus on scrubbing her fingers. Then she continued,

"Could you tell them to send for Salis? Better yet, send for him yourself."

Then she smirked and looked towards her slave, her voice lilting sarcastically,

"As much as I typically enjoy you; you're poor conversation this evening."

Rhea nodded her head and gave Raveres a quick curtsey,

"Right away my lady."

Then the slave left the pot by the fireplace before moving to the door and exiting the warm bedchamber. Once she was alone, Raveres let out her breath. Feeling her chest tighten and her heartbeat throb stronger, the Druchii's thoughts began to wrestle over one another.

'What are you doing?' she cried, before immediately replying, 'No, no. I'm merely going to talk and tease him! He knows I'm the one paying him… He's not stupid. No, he… he certainly isn't. But he's also not the boldest.'

As she continued, there were thoughts too which went unspoken, and instead were more emotional, more impulsive, more maddened. The kind which made her imagine quite keenly her earlier proximity with the mysterious Valilash… The promises of action, the thrill of the court; the razor's edge of the Drachau's embrace.

Despite the desire to relax, Raveres vibrated. She wanted something else… Then she could relax.

The slaves, as fun as they were, were as of yet predictable and amateur, and more than that Raveres wasn't of the mind to properly train them at the moment. And what's more, as slaves the whole dynamic was different!

She nodded self-assuredly. Then her expression shifted again,

'But…'

She brought a handful of water to her face, splashing herself before she furrowed her brow,

'But?'

Raveres rubbed her cheeks and held her breath as she poured several warm handfuls of water down her brow, her nose, and her mouth. Rubbing and wiping herself again she eventually let out a loud breath before reaching for her wine once more.

'But…'

She narrowed her eyes and swallowed the rest of her glass.

'I'm a Dreadlord now… And, what I choose to do… with whom, is mine alone.'

Smirking, but also feeling a shiver of complete uncertainty, Raveres slowly looked towards the door. Anxious, and excited for it to open, she blinked and breathed deeply, thinking, watching, and waiting.

Then, on the other side, through the cheers and yelling; the revelry of her men and their rowdy applauses, she keenly heard footfalls. Then the wrap of knuckles to the wood, and a masculine voice, alone.

"You sent for me?"

Raveres opened her mouth, her tongue dried, and her heartbeat hammered. She blinked in hesitation. Then, like putting spurs to flank, mounting the Drachau's steps, or screaming Sa'an'ishar, she went for it.

Her voice exited her mouth, as if not her own. A confidence and a command to it she was surprised she could muster at the moment.

"Enter."

The door parted a sliver and she saw the shadow profile of a face, then it opened more and Salis' nose, his chin, mouth, brow followed. His eyes were averted down, and he paused, realising she was still in the bath. Then his voice came out nervously,

"What was it you needed Lady Raveres?"

She pursed her lips to keep from smiling at his expense, and then she repeated herself,

"Enter. Come now, the room's warm and you're letting the heat escape."

Salis blinked and looked behind him at the guard posted to the door. Then he exhaled, his nervousness far clearer across his features.

"A-are you sure my lady? I can wait."

Raveres shook her head and waved him on casually,

"No, no. Come in now."

He took a shallow breath and complied. Continuing to avert his eyes awkwardly he entered and closed the door behind him. Raveres watched and after two steps from the door Salis stopped at attention, his eyes firmly downcast.

His breath was almost audible and Raveres began to smirk as she watched the shadows cast by the candle-light dance across his face.

His amaranth irises glittered all the more brilliantly. Yet his facial scar deepened. As if aware of that fact, Salis turned his head to the left to hide it. And now under Raveres' scrutiny he moved side to side uncomfortably.

Clearing her throat Raveres spoke again, this time a little more uncertainly,

"Look at me when I speak to you."

Salis stiffened, his eyes blinked and his chest skipped a scheduled breath. Then with palpable trepidation he turned his head and eyes towards her.

Once he did Raveres let out a nervous breath of her own.

Salis' voice lowered, and he coughed, catching his tongue dryly as he repeated his earlier question,

"W-what was it you needed, my lady…"

Raveres swallowed and exhaled again. Then she nodded.

"Rhea was, well, she was acting, q-quite the bore… ha! I… I…"

Salis blinked and drew an audible breath. Then Raveres stopped and the two stared at one another for several awkward seconds. The fireplace popped with a dry crackle and the men downstairs issued a muffled cheer.

Then, without additional emphasis or inflection to her voice, Raveres spoke,

"Take off your clothes…"

…