Louise HATED mornings. She really did. She much preferred to laze in bed until the afternoon. Especially now that she had others to laze around with. However she had a mission to do. A mission with a time limit. Prince Wales wouldn't last forever, so the sooner she got there, the better things would be. Besides this was also a good chance to lay down seeds in La Rochelle. A port town full of airships? Yes please.

The plan going forward was simple. She would travel by horseback to La Rochelle. While there she would lay down a portal in a discrete location. The next day she would travel by airship to Albion. After she left, Matilda would arrive there via portal, and begin to inflict subtle chaos to the town before leaving in her own airship to go see her sister. The both of them would set up portals at their final destinations so they could quickly return to the tower with their missions complete.

A simple plan. The best kind of plan. Unfortunately since La Rochelle was over two days travel by horse, she had to leave early. Which is why she was heading towards the stables as the sun rose. Bleh. So it's with these thoughts in mind that it might be deemed reasonable that she didn't notice the dark shadow passing over her.

It could also be forgiven that, in her tired state of mind, she didn't pay attention to what was in front of her until she walked face first into a large mass of fur, feathers, and muscles. Totally understandable. If more than a little embarrassing.

However, before she could fall from the collision, strong arms grabbed her in a gentle grip. " I didn't think the day you would fall into my arms would be so soon my dear Louise."

She blinked in surprise as she looked up at her Fiance's face. An amused smile on his handsome features. "Viscount Wardes, what are you doing here? And so early?"

"Come now my dear. You of all people can call me by my first name. As for why I am here, the princess thought you could use a proper escort. As your fiance, it is my honor to protect you, and my pleasure to be by your side." The petite overlord had to admit the words were certainly flattering. Especially when said with such a roguish grin.

"Those words are so honeyed, you could spread them on toast. Disgusting." Luckily Gnarl's telepathic message put her thoughts back into focus. She had little doubt that her friend would spring a surprise like this on her. Especially after what she had pulled on her. However, something didn't fit. Her new outlook on the world told her something was off.

Luckily she had a way to verify things. "Gnarl, send one of the younger browns to get the princess." She mentally told her smartest minion, even as she indulged her fiance with a smile.

"Of course your evilness. She shall be fetched right away."

"Very well Jean, I look forward to being in your care." She replied easily with a hint of shyness to her voice. Her fiance's smile widened. However, his eyes held a far more calculating look.

Interesting.

Several minutes later found the betrothed pair on the road to La Rochelle, upon the back of Jean's gryphon. Beside them Gundel fur rode upon a large wolf. The creature looked mangy and near feral. So it was an obvious fit with its rider, and her strongest brown seemed to be quite experienced in riding it.

It was at this time that she finally got the response she had been waiting for.

"Sorry I took so long Louise, Agnes got a little protective. What did you… Is that Viscount Wardes? What is he doing there?"

"He is apparently here under your orders as a surprise escort."

"What? I never asked him to do that? I don't think I even mentioned my plans for Albion to him at all."

"Ah, a spy for a third party then. How insidious. He is obviously there to sabotage your mission, Master."

"So it would appear. I will deal with it then. Sorry to wake you up so early for this Henrietta."

"It's alright Louise. Just be careful."

"Of course I will. Who do you take me for?"

She kept her conflicted emotions in her heart as she smiled up at her betrothed as he mentioned something to her. Honestly, she HAD been looking forward to spending time with her fiance. He was an eloquent, intelligent, and quite handsome man. As she leaned further into her embrace she could feel just how fit he kept himself as well, and had been looking forward to maybe seeing it without the clothes. The fact that she didn't have a spare shard put a small damper on things, but she thought she could still get around that.

However, if he really was a traitor, and an unrepentant one, then she would have to use more extreme methods. That would limit her options aftwards, but that still left some rather enjoyable options.

She would just have to wait to see what steps she would have to take. Her bed could always use another lover. Though she would take an eternally loyal toy over a treacherous husband any day.

That night, as they camped on the side of the road, she made her move. As they prepared to lay in their bedrolls, she turned towards the Viscount. "Jean, you said the princess sent you, right?"

He seemed surprised by the sudden question, but it quickly turned into a charming smile. "Yes my dear."

"Jean, I know that's not true." That made him frown, but she pushed further. "This mission was too important. It needed to be kept secret. So how did you hear about it?"

The smile she received was still handsomely roguish, but FAR less friendly. "I see, I thought you might be a bit more perceptive than before. We have our ways my dear Louise." The pet name no longer sounded sweet. It sounded almost mocking. She felt her eyes narrow. His smile widened. "I'm sure that same perceptiveness has shown you the same thing I have seen. That the princess is weak. That royalty, ALL royalty, has become corrupt and weak, and needs to be replaced. Why don't you join us? Take your rightful place by my side as we stand above these so-called royals?"

Louise closed her eyes, and took a deep slow breath. "You are right about a few things. Those ruling ARE weak. Someone new DOES need to take over. You are even right about me taking my rightful place." She opened her eyes and stared coldly at her ex-fiance. "You are wrong about that place being by your side. You and your band of rebels will be crushed under my heel like all the rest."

He laughed at her. Actually laughed at her. "Oh? And what can you do to me? Let alone my 'band of rebels'. I am the captain of the Gryphon knights. What can you possibly d- AAAAAAAAHHHHH!"

Anger stirred within her heart. She let it fill her as she pulled upon the evil that lay within her. Brought forth the power that lay within her very soul, and unleashed it as lightning from her hands. The traitor screamed out in pain, as his body, mind, and soul was seared by her power. The unneeded parts of him being burnt away to never return. She saw the very moment that he gave him. Saw his body bend the knee to her.

She need only keep going for a few more seconds, and the traitorous dog would lay dead at her feet.

She cut the flow of power, and the soulless husk looked up at her. His eyes glowed with the unholy flames of her power. He was hers now. Until the day he perished.

"Now then, I have questions for you Jean. Let's start with who Reconquista is exactly."