Chapter 2

Tristan Steward sat brooding at his desk. There had to be something that he could do about this. There had to be an open door somewhere in this mess.

News had come to him almost as soon as the Lord had died and since then he did nothing but ponder how this could move him into a better position for power. That, and how he might be able to circumvent his marriage and somehow win over Rhapsody now that her husband was gone. But as much as this was one of his deepest desires, he knew that that would never happen; the Lady loathed him, and he knew it.

So really what he needed to do was figure how he could possibly get the people to elect him as the new Lord instead of her son. It was obvious that Meridion was the best choice and the most likely candidate, but there had to be some possible way to discredit him just enough to move Tristan into the running.

Just then a knock sounded at the door. "Enter," He called.

"Sir, there is someone here to see you. She says that you will want to hear what she has to say."

Thinking that this mysterious "she" might be Rhapsody he replied, "Show her in."

A few moments later a woman entered the room. She had on a long hooded cloak that mostly concealed her face except for the slight hint of blond hair poking out the edges.

Tristan, glancing at her felt the need to hide behind his desk once again as he said, "My Lady, please come in and have a seat."

As the door closed behind the woman, she lowered her hood. Tristan was taken aback for a moment, for this was defiantly not Rhapsody. This woman was quite beautiful, but she could not hold a candle to the goddess-like beauty of Rhapsody. Though there was something of familiar traits to the Lirin singer in this woman. It was something in the blood; this woman most likely had Lirin somewhere in her history, though probably not as much as Rhapsody. She also had the blazing green eyes that Tristan had admired in the Lady Cymrian. But this woman did not have the shy, naïve expression to her that Rhapsody generally wore, unless, or course, she was angered. This woman had a hard set to her as if she had been wise to the world and had become callus and hardened by it. There was something in the set of her jaw that said, "Don't mess with me or I'll rip you to shreds." There was no doubt in Tristan's mind that this woman was not to be trifled with.

"Well, you are not who I had expected. Who are you, exactly?"

"Exactly? I am no one of great importance, but I come representing someone who has taken an interest in you," the woman answered as she gracefully, almost seductively, lowered herself into the chair opposite Tristan.

"Well, that is interesting, but it might help if I could at least have your name."

"Very well. Leah."

"Nice to meet you Leah. Now who is it that you have come to represent, and in what way have they become interested in me?"

"My employer has sent me to tell you that he could help you get everything you ever wanted."

Tristan simply looked down on the girl as if she were a child. These are words he had heard before in many different ways and always it turned out to be fraud or hoax. This girl would probably be no different. "Hmm, is that so. And what is it that I desire?"

"Simply to control the Cymrian counsel as Lord and possibly, if you play your cards right, a marriage to the Lady Rhapsody."

Now Tristan was completely taken aback. Of course this was what he desired beyond all other things but he had never expected this strange woman to know this, let alone seemingly be offering it to him. "And how does your employer think something like this could be brought about?" He tried to ask with complete detachment as well as a bit of sarcasm, but he didn't think he was completely successful in covering up his true interest.

"The man that I represent has a way for you to completely discredit the Lirin singer and her son at the moot with one very easy motion."

"And what would that be?"

"This I can't tell you until you agree to my employer's terms."

"Of course you can't. And what does he wish in return for this information? My soul, I would suppose."

A cruel smile played across Leah's face that disturbed Tristan more than he would like to admit before she answered, "Of course not. It is not nearly so dramatic this time."

Something about the way she said "this time" brought a shiver down Tristan's spine. Memories of a night long ago came back to him when he had considered giving up his soul to achieve his desires.

"No, my employer merely wishes you to sign a treaty with him and to help him in like favor to accomplish his goals once you become Lord Cymrian."

"And how can I agree to these terms if I do not even know who your employer is?"

"That will be revealed in time, but these are the terms as stands. You can take it or leave it. But as an added bonus, until the time of your arise to power, I to present myself as a gift to you as good faith. You'll find that I am extremely good at what I do and you won't be disappointed." As she said this last part she had risen up from her chair and began lowering her cloak revealing nothing more than some very tight and scanty lingerie. She began lowering her body closer to him as he looked her over. She was most assuredly very attractive and he began to consider how he might have some use for her.

"The offer seems to have its merits, but what guarantee do I have that your employer will do his part?"

"You have me, and I have everything that you shall need. If you chose to keep me I shall supply you with everything that you need." At this she slipped her hand between his legs and gently began massaging his now hard muscle there.

"You certainly are good. I believe that I shall take you up on your offer. Now how do we seal our deal?"

"Like this." And with that she pulled him out of his chair and began to shed all of her clothing while pulling Tristan's off of him.

This was a sealing that Tristan could get used to.