WARNING: Contains seductions

C4 Forging Alliances

The next morning was gray, but at least the rain had stopped. Isabella woke Alice and Jasper early. Edward leaned against the wall nearby grinning.

"Both of thee agreed to train whilst we traveled, and so it begins," she said, handing them both crossbows. Then she handed them each a bolt. Edward gestured to the targets he and Isabella had placed on the wall. Isabella took her own crossbow. Holding it up she showed them how to load it, lifting her own crossbow she aimed it at one of the targets. Pulling the trigger a bolt shot directly into the center of the target. Alice grinned. Isabella gestured to the targets.

"Thy turn," she said. Alice copied Isabella, loading the bolt into the crossbow then aiming at the target. She released the trigger and her bolt shot into the center of target, right next to Isabella's. Edward's eyes widened.

"Luck," he said. Isabella handed Alice another bolt.

"Try again," she said. Alice took the bolt, loaded her crossbow and fired. Again it thudded into the center of the target. Isabella grinned.

"Alice, I believe we have just found thy calling," she said. Alice smiled back at her. "Jasper, thou turn," Isabella said. Jasper yawned, as he loaded the bolt into the crossbow. He took aim and fired. The bolt missed the target completely, bouncing off the stone and hitting the floor. Edward laughed, until Isabella's gaze silenced him.

"Try again," she said gently, handing him another bolt. He took it. Isabella stood beside him, quietly giving him instructions. "Relax. Load the bolt. Focus on the target, just the target. When thou feels ready, shoot," she said. Jasper took a deep breath, focusing on the target. He fired. His bolt clung, barely, to the bottom of the target.

"Better," Isabella said, ignoring Edward's smothered laughter. "I think swords are more thy weapon Jasper. We shall focus on that," she continued.

After they had packed up their camp and where preparing to set off, Jasper went to mount Heidi. Isabella stopped him.

"What?" he asked.

"Thou agreed to continue thy training," Isabella said. Jasper looked confused.

"I thought we had to ride on," he said.

She nodded. "We are, but thou are running," she said.

"What?" he exclaimed. "You're not serious?" but he could tell by the look in her eye that she was.

"Thou need to work on thy stamina Jasper. Thou ran on the beach at Haven," she said. Jasper sighed, knowing she was right.

"Oh alright," he said. Whilst the others mounted up and made their way onto the path, Jasper jogged along amongst them. Half an hour later, he was still keeping up, his body streaming with sweat. Isabella looked at him guiltily, she stopped her horse beside him.

"Jasper," she said. "Well done," he stopped, gasping for breath. "We have a long ways to go and thou are no good to us too exhausted to ride," he nodded, trying to catch his breath. His legs ached and his chest was on fire. He mounted Heidi, Isabella handed him a skin of water. "Sip it slowly," she said

~~~~TN~~~~

Isabella looked up from the map Eric had given her. "We are in the Maléthor demesne," she said. "Over that hill, through those trees, we should be able to see the town of Chandry. Caius lives in a stronghold several miles past the town."

"How are we going to get into his castle to talk to him. The place must be full of soldiers," Jasper said.

"Isabella and I have our ways," Edward said. Isabella took a rope with a metal hook on one end, from its place on her saddle. Edward shook his head. "Not this time Bells," he said. She looked at him confused.

"Then how?" she asked. Edward pulled out a large package from his saddlebags. "What is that?" Edward pulled out a dusky gray gown. Isabella groaned.

"Eric," she surmised. Edward blushed.

"Aye, he mentioned thou might need these," he said. "I shall ride with thee as thy escort, and thou shall need a lady in waiting. Perhaps Nianva?"

"I'll do it," Alice said. Isabella shook her head.

"Nay Alice, too dangerous," she said.

"Please Bells, it'll be fine," Alice said. Edward looked from her to Isabella.

"Bells, Alice may be our best choice. Nianva dost not, really project the image of lady in waiting," he said.

Isabella grinned. "I suppose thou are right. Alice, stay close to me. If there be any trouble follow my lead," she said. Alice smiled at Isabella.

"I know Bells, it will be fine," she said. Edward handed them both a gown, and they went a short way into the bushes to dress.

Jasper definitely approved he saw Isabella emerge from the woods in her gown. The soft gray fabric clung to her curves then fell in soft waves to the forest floor. The neckline was low, and curved out to her shoulders. The sleeves were tight until the reached her elbows, where they flared out, trailing down to her knees, which were hidden by the flared skirt. He smiled at her, which she returned with a frown.

Edward whistled. "Well Bells, nice to see that there be a woman underneath thy tough exterior," he joked, enjoying seeing her annoyed.

"Edward, I was a woman every time I beat thee in a fight," she said back sweetly. Edward held up his hands laughing.

"You really do look great Bella," Jasper said. Isabella smiled.

"Perhaps, yet something is missing," she said, passing her hands in front of her face. She shimmered, her hair turning a honey-brown. Her skin paled until there was only the slightest hint of a tan, and her eyes were now a pale blue. "Much better," she said. "I cannot go in there looking like myself."

"I like you better the other way," Jasper said. It always unsettled him when she changed her appearance.

"The other way will likely get me killed," she said bluntly. Alice stepped out of the bushes then, in a dress similar to Isabella's, only in a pale blue material. She laughed when she looked at Isabella.

"Is that you Bells?" she asked. Isabella nodded.

"Aye, a necessary disguise," she said. Edward went through the pack Eric had given him, bringing out several pieces of jewelery. He handed them to Isabella, looking over them carefully, several rings, a delicate jeweled necklace and jeweled hair combs. Isabella sighed, preferring breeches and sword to this decadence. Edward grinned when he saw Isabella struggling with the hair combs so he went to help her. He pulled her soft, now honey blonde hair back from her face, secured it with the combs, leaving the rest to fall down her back, a style worn by most of the maidens of the kingdom. Isabella giggled.

"Edward, perhaps thou should be my lady in waiting," she said.

He laughed. "Nay the colour of the other dress does not match my eyes," he said back, laughing. "Remember, I do have several sisters," Isabella nodded. Edward pulled Alice's hair back in a bun, seeing as she was meant to be a lady in waiting. He then removed his jerkin, replacing it with a tunic displaying the symbol of a merchant clan, who acted as Isabella's alias at times.

"There, now I am thy escort," he said, bowing mockingly. Isabella curtseyed just as mockingly. She took the other tunic, exactly the same as the one Edward wore, out of the bag and walked over to Jasper.

"I do not like the idea of placing thee in danger, yet thy words back at Haven were true. As the one from the Prophecy thou are needed to help me raise an army. I do not want thee to be in any more danger than is necessary. Thou shall wear this tunic, act as my servant and journeyman, and remain close to Edward. Do thou understand?" she asked. Jasper removed his leather jerkin, slipping on the tunic.

"I understand," he said, strangely touched that she was so concerned for his welfare.

"We should go," she said. As she went to mount Seth, Edward stopped her.

"Thou cannot ride Seth into the stronghold, it is not proper for a lady of thy station to ride a stallion, especially not astride," he said. Isabella groaned again. "Side-saddle?" she asked, dreading the answer. Edward nodded.

"Thou shall have to ride Heidi," he said. He walked over to Heidi, removing the saddlebags and waving his hand over the saddle. Heidi started when the saddle on her back shimmered and changed into an ornate side saddle. Isabella calmed her quickly, whilst Edward changed the saddle on Alice's mare, Asayra. Alice looked over the saddle doubtfully.

"Isabella, I don't know how to ride side-saddle." She said. Isabella smiled. She showed Alice how to mount, and get secure on the tiny saddle. Then she mounted Heidi, arranging her skirts around her. Jasper borrowed Nianva's horse, a bay gelding with a much more high-spirited disposition than the horse he normally rode.

"We shall try to be back soon. From here thou can see the stronghold. Thou know what to do Emmett, should thou see the signal. We hope to see thee soon," Isabella said. Emmett nodded, making himself comfortable where he could watch the stronghold below. Ty whined once, wanting to go with her mistress, before slumping next to him. Isabella turned Heidi around and the foursome made their way towards the castle, their pace was slow in consideration to Alice.

~~~~TN~~~~

When they reached the Portcullis of Maléthor's castle, Isabella took the lead. Fully assuming her role as the daughter of a prominent merchant clan head, she held her head high. Her face was carefully blank. Respectfully, Edward, Jasper and Alice rode behind her. Alice gripped the reins tightly, trying to control her body trembling, she knew she had volunteered for this, but now, as they approached this huge work of stone she was scared. What if this Lord Maléthor was loyal to Victoria? Alice did not wish to end up in a dungeon, as if sensing her fear, Isabella turned suddenly and winked at Alice. She smiled, loosening her grip on the reins, she trusted Isabella, and Edward, they would protect her if they were threatened. They halted at the closed Portcullis, a man lent over the gatehouse and called out.

"State thy business," Isabella gestured to Edward.

"This lady be Shalandra of the merchant clan La'Delrai. She have traveled from Talreesian with the hopes of a profitable contract between her clan and thy master," he said. The man on the wall disappeared. There was a deep creaking groan as the Portcullis was slowly raised, allowing them to enter the stronghold. Once in the inner bailey, several men came over to take the horses. Isabella and the others dismounted and the man from the wall led them into the castle, and up into Caius Maléthor 's hall. Isabella could see several other people standing around waiting to speak with their lord. At the other end of the chamber a door opened and Caius and several of his retainers entered, sitting on the dais at the end of the hall. One by one the people gathered came forward and spoke to Caius, mostly their complaints were commonplace.

One man's complaint about a broken fence and lost cattle was quickly solved, whilst they waited Isabella took the chance to study Caius Maléthor, he was of middle years, his blonde hair silvering around his temples. His blue eyes appeared extremely sharp as he assessed the man before him. He was tall, and his age had done little to soften his warrior physique.

Several hours later, when Lord Caius had finished dealing with the problems of his people he turned to Isabella, and motioned her forward.

"Who are thou, and why have thou come here?" he asked, his face blank. Isabella could see though, in his eyes, that it had been a long day and he was tired. She stood forward and smiled, curtseying gracefully.

"Good evening my dear Lord Maléthor. I am Shalandra La'Delrai. I hail from Talreesian on behalf of my clan. My father has sent me to outline his plan for improved trade between thy Province and Talreesian. I can assure thee, such a treaty would prove most rewarding to both thee, and my clan. Not to mention my constant visits to thy delightful home," she winked at him. Isabella looked at the advisers, standing wearily behind him.

"However my Lord, my father's plan is rather complicated. I feel I shall be several hours outlining it to thee. It has been a long day my Lord, and thy advisers are weary, as I am sure thou are. Perhaps thou could dismiss them, and thee and I could speak privately?" she asked. Caius frowned, as did his retinue, even though secretly they longed to go and rest.

"Thy request is highly unorthodox Lady La'Delrai," he said. Isabella smiled at the older man, flirting just the slightest bit.

"I do realise that my Lord, but I am afraid I do not have the fortitude of a man of thy stature. My travels, and the waiting to speak with thee, have quite worn me out," she fluttered her eyelashes, before stepping closer, as though allowing Caius into a secret. "Sire, should any other merchants find out about my father's plan, it could spell grave trouble for my family. Surely thou must agree, that a private meeting could be quite, rewarding," she smiled again. Caius smiled back at her, quite taken with her fair face and shapely form.

"Very well," he said, waving his hand to release his retinue. "Will thou do me the honor of taking supper with me my Lady? Thy retinue may eat in the kitchen with my staff. Then thou may outline thy father's proposal at thy leisure," Isabella smiled.

"I would be honored," she said. Caius dismissed his advisers and held out his hand to Isabella.

"Shall we, Lady," he said. Isabella took it, gracefully ascending the stairs. With a casual flick of the wrist, she dismissed Alice, Jasper and Edward, who had been standing behind her wearily.

"Go, I shall send for thee later," she said, not even turning to address them. With a coy smile directed at the aging lord, Isabella, or rather Shalandra, allowed herself to be led from the chamber. Turning to follow Caius' servants to the kitchen's Alice following Edward, Jasper shaking his head in disbelief.

"I cannot believe what I just saw," he whispered. Edward shook his head, urging him to be quiet.

"Not now," he said. They continued on in silence.

Up in Lord Caius' private chambers, as soon as he closed the door Caius turned to Isabella, smiling wickedly at her.

"Well, my beautiful young lady, thou have thy wish, we are completely alone. What do thou wish for now? I must say, thou have seen but a little of my fortitude, fair lady," he said, winking at her. Isabella quashed the urge to giggle. Instead she sauntered up to Caius, bringing her body close.

"What I want from thee, my lord," she said slightly mockingly. "Is for thee to pledge thy soldiers to my army," Caius looked at her confused. Isabella smiled, before stepping away and passing her hand before her face. Caius' eyes widened, and his face paled as the Glamor fell revealing Isabella.

"By the Goddess, what trickery is this?" he asked, moving towards the door. Isabella smiled.

"My dear Lord Caius, do thou not recognize the seal I wear around my neck?" she asked, holding the clasp holding her cloak up for him to see. If it were possible it seemed as though Caius' face paled further.

"By the Goddess, My Lady, Princess Isabella," he stuttered, before falling to his knees before her. "Please, forgive My Lady for my lustful advances. I knew not it was thee," he said. Isabella grinned, pulling the Lord to his feet.

"Thou do not need my forgiveness. I did lead thee on. How else was I too get an audience alone with thee. Please sit, My Lord Caius, for I fear there is much for us to speak about," she gestured to two comfortable chairs near a large window.

"Why are thou here Princess?" Caius asked. "Surely by coming here thou risk much. Should the Empress catch wind of this visit, my life, and the life of my family, is forfeit," he said. Isabella nodded.

"I understand thy fears my Lord, hence my disguise. Should anyone within thy castle be a spy for Victoria, as I am sure there are, the only visitor thou have is Shalandra La'Delrai from Talreesian. I can assure thee, that should she be asked, the real Shalandra will confirm that. Her clan are steadfast allies. However my Lord Caius, the reason I am here is quite simple. I am here to tell thee that the Promised One has come, and we are gathering an army. I am going to take back my throne," she said. Caius stared at her, digesting what she had said. Before he had a chance to answer there was a knock at the door. Isabella ran her hand before her face quickly and arranged herself on Caius' lap.

"I need thee to act lecherous again, my dear Caius," she said grinning. He flushed hotly.

"Enter," he called, before placing his hands nervously around Isabella's waist. The servant, baring a tray of food entered, grinned as he saw Isabella wind her arms around Caius' neck, and press herself against him. He placed the tray down and quickly left the room, no doubt to share what he had seen with the other servants. As soon as the door closed Isabella returned to her own seat, and her own appearance.

"My apologies, but it be necessary that no one questions what we are doing behind closed doors," Caius nodded, embarrassed. "My Lord, since thou have not exposed me as the Princess, and had me placed in chains, I assume thou are not loyal to Victoria. So I ask thee, will thou pledge thy allegiance to me, and gather thy soldiers to fight in my army?" she said, forthright as always. This time it was Caius' turn to smile.

"Thou are right, My Lady, I am not loyal to Victoria. And I do pledge my allegiance to thee. My men will fight to restore thee to thy throne. However, I believe I can do more for thee," he said.

"How so?" she asked.

"The seal thou wear on thy cloak. It be still used to this day. I am not alone in my disloyalty to Victoria. Those of the old families who retained their lands and stations never truly turned their allegiance from thy mother to Victoria.

"Secretly we have maintained contact, and have even managed to contact those nobles who were relieved of their lands but not killed. Several of those who were given demesnes in return for their loyalty, have become saddened and horrified by Victoria's actions, and have joined us. We use that seal to identify those still loyal to thee," Caius explained. Isabella lent forward excitedly.

"Are thou telling me, that thou knows who amongst the human clans is loyal to me?" she asked. Caius nodded. Isabella gave a laugh, realizing why Eric had sent them to Maléthor first.

"Thou have saved me months, my dear lord Caius, and much danger," whilst they ate, Caius made Isabella a list of those who were loyal to her, those who were devoted to Victoria, and those imprisoned nobles that they had been able to contact.

~~~~TN~~~~

It was late in the evening when Caius and Isabella had finished discussing the coming war.

"So thou really have the Promised One?" he asked. Isabella nodded.

"At this moment he waits for me in thy very kitchen," she said.

"I would dearly love to meet him," he said. Isabella smiled.

"Very well. Send one of thy servants to summon him here. Tell them to bring one the saddlebags, with the merchandise we are, discussing. That should allay Victoria's spy's suspicions," Caius nodded and did just that. The servant quickly made his way down to the kitchen. Alice, Jasper and Edward sat beside the huge fireplace in the kitchens of the Maléthor castle. Alice dozed against Jasper's broad shoulder when one of Caius' servants came over.

"Thy Lady asked that one of thee take the examples of her wares up to My Lords' private chambers," he said. Edward looked pointedly at Jasper.

"Thou have thy orders," he said. Jasper nodded, carefully shifting Alice. He took one of the saddlebags and followed the servant up to Maléthor's chamber. As he walked he found himself hoping fervently that Isabella wasn't really planning on seducing the aging lord. They reached a closed oaken door and the servant knocked quietly. When he opened the door Isabella, or rather Shalandra withdrew from Caius Maléthor's lap, smoothing her skirts as she sat in her own chair. She gestured a rather annoyed looking Jasper into the room. Caius dismissed his servant and Isabella retained her true appearance.

"Come Jasper, it be alright. Lord Caius, I wish to introduce thee to the Promised One," she said, understanding the reason for Jasper's annoyance but ignoring it for now. Caius grinned, holding out a hand to Jasper.

"My Lord, it be an honor to meet thee," he said. Jasper gripped his forearm.

"Please, I am no lord," he said. Caius gestured for them to sit. They spoke quietly for around an hour, Isabella finding herself quietly impressed by Jasper. Eventually she stood up.

"My Lord, my apologies, yet my companions and I must leave. We have have far to travel, and time grows short," she said. Caius stood also.

"My lady, thou are most welcome to rest the night here," he offered. She smiled but shook her head.

"I cannot. Thank thee Caius, for all thy help," she embraced him warmly. "I shall see thee again, in a few months at Haven."

"Til then, Thy Majesty," he said, bowing before her. For the first time in years, Caius felt hope for his lands and his people. He turned to Jasper and bowed again.

"It truly has been an honor to have met thee my boy. I look forward to meeting thee again in a few months at Haven," he said. Jasper smiled, bowing in return.

Caius' servant returned to the kitchen.

"Hey, thy Lady wishes to leave, despite the lateness of the hour. Her other journeyman awaits thee by the stables. Thou should saddle thy horses," he said. Edward nodded, and gently shook Alice awake.

"Go and tend to our mistress," he said formally, as several servants sat near them. Alice blinked several times, before remembering where she was and standing up. She found Isabella and Caius standing in the inner bailey.

"My Lady," she said curtseying. Isabella winked at her. As Edward and Jasper appeared with the horses Isabella turned to bid farewell to Lord Caius. Behind him, in the doorway, she saw the servant who had served them earlier watching them curiously. 'There be Victoria's spy,' she thought. She turned to Caius.

"Forgive me," she whispered. "Victoria's spy be watching," then, before he could answer Isabella wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed the aging lord passionately. "Farewell my Lord, until I return this way. I shall speak to my father on thy behalf," she said, stepping away. Caius just nodded, embarrassed. Edward looked at Isabella stunned, before helping her to mount. He helped Alice onto her horse, before mounting himself. They made their way slowly out of the castle walls and back into the forest.

"By the Goddess Isabella, what was that?" Edward asked. Isabella shrugged her shoulders.

"Thou saw the servant watching us as we left?" she asked. Edward nodded slowly as the truth dawned on him.

"I see, thou just thought thou would give him a good show," he said, grinning. Alice gasped

"Bells, so you did not sleep with that old man?" she asked. Isabella laughed.

"All of thee have filthy minds," she said. "No wonder we are friends," Isabella grinned.

"Thou should have seen the look on thy face Jasper when thou saw me on Lord Caius' lap," Jasper flushed as the others laughed.

"Thou are not planning on seducing all of our allies are thou?" Edward asked. Isabella rolled her eyes.

"Are thou jealous Edward?" she joked, but both stopped laughing as their gazes caught. Confused by the feelings between them, Isabella broke into a gallop, heading back to camp. The others did the same.

~~~~TN~~~~

"Welcome back," Emmett said as they rode into camp, , relieved. Isabella nodded smiling. They dismounted and Isabella immediately went a short way into the darkened woods to change, Alice followed her. Isabella came back, the gray dress draped over her arm, she handed it and the jewelery to Edward, who packed it with Alice's gown and his and Jasper's costumes into the pack. Isabella gestured to her hair and sat so Edward could remove the jeweled combs. He did so, unable to stop himself from running a hand through her long midnight hair. They sat by the fire and let Emmett know what had happened before turning in for the night.

Hope you like this chapter, it was kinda hard to piece together.

Let me know what you thought of the chapter and if you think it is going too slow and you want some more action or if its right the way it is.

xx Isobel