Lady Stille sputtered as vitality flowed through her and her lungs filled with air once again. She gasped for air as she floundered on the small row boat.
" Did we win? Is…Is Jimmy safe? ", she hacked as that was the last thing she remembered before losing consciousness.
"I sent Greenpaw to keep an eye on that werefox and those kids you rescued. As for Jimmy, take a look for yourself. ", said a deep reassuring voice.
Stille glanced side to side in confusion before spotting the large barge anchored in the water. She could see what could only be the preening and strutting Martinez standing victoriously on the vessel, encouraging applause and cheers from several longships of guards that were even now grappling and boarding the vessel. She wasn't sure how he got there, but was glad he was, since next to him was young Jim. Small, scared, and thankfully safe.
The baroness breathed a sigh of relief, and then remembered where she was and more importantly who she was.
"I'm…I'm sorry. ", she stuttered, as a deep shame filled her. "I'm sorry for deceiving you about what I am. I'm sorry for tonight, for flirting and toying with your emotions. This has all been a mistake."
A finger was placed to her lips. Stille stopped talking and looked into her rescuer's scanning eyes. She expected to see disdain, anger, or even pity, but strangely all she saw was a sense of relief.
"Thank Nirrodin you're all right. I wasn't sure if my divine power would be able to revive you. ", Sir Jose said as he took off his tabard and placed it over her.
Stille suddenly realized her disheveled and ragged appearance and snatched the garment to hide herself behind. She knew it was over now. It was all out in the open. What she really was and the deception she had pulled on everyone. She could feel the paladin's gaze penetrate through her. Any doubts he had before of her were sure to be dispelled by her horns, fangs, teeth, tail…..wings… All her fiendish traits were plain to see. She wasn't sure what to say at the moment, she was too exhausted from her near ordeal to argue her circumstances. She simply waited silently for his accusations of betrayal.
The paired sat awkwardly in the row boat, for what seemed like minutes.
"It's my eyes. I can see that look in your face, you don't trust my eyes. ", apologized Sir Jose at last.
Stille was a bit puzzled. She had expected an angrier response. "You know my darkest secret now. What will you do now? ", she asked.
Jose shook his head in disappointment. "It pains me that you still don't trust me. You still expect the worst from me. I know we haven't been the closest of adventure companions, but I hoped you expect more of me. I would never turn over a companion, especially not after we fought together tonight…especially not one that …."
Stille was taken back and instinctively drew the tabard closer to her. She wanted to take this opportunity to take flight once again, but instead found herself drawing closer to Jose.
"Thank you. Thank you for not revealing me. ", she said slowly considering her words. "You won't have to keep this secret forever. I understand. I'll use this opportunity to flee from the city. " She could attempt to hide or deny her true heritage, but she had kept her secret for too long. She would miss her life, her friends and hoped only that her children would be free of her curse. She still felt weak, but still had strength to spread her wings.
Jose grabbed Stille and held her in place. He then reached out to Stille's and brushed a wet errant strand of hair from her face. With her face unobstructed he directed his burning vision towards her. "You say it as if it was some great burden. We both have pasts that we are not proud of. Your blood, my low born family. You think I am being complacent to some great evil , that I am helping to mask an abomination by letting it escape. Nothing could be further than the truth. I saw your actions tonight. I saw how you risked your life, risked your secret to attempt to save Jimmy and those other children. You and I aren't as different as you think. "
Stille was speechless. She stared into his burning eyes and did not see the harsh judgements she had expected to find there. Before she could respond, Jose drew her in and kissed her deeply. The baroness was taken by surprise and resisted, but his strong grip proved too great. She was a grandmother, they hardly knew each other , she was a half demon while he was a paladin. She considered these excuses briefly but then let them go and returned the paladin's embrace.
"Oh this is ridiculous. I'm tired of these lame excuses. Where is everyone?", complained Martinez as he anxiously awaited his reward in Admral Edmund's foyer . He had no idea where most of his other companions, Stille, Jose, or even his faithful sidekick was at that moment.
Jimmy nodded in agreement. "I just want to get my reward and get outta here. I want to know if Lally and Sammy are ok."
"I personally escorted the exalted Lalit and Sampada to safety. Once again they are under the protection of the House of Nashput. ", replied a mousy looking young red haired girl next to the massive form of Sir Jose's mount Greenpaw. Martinez thought she looked familiar but couldn't quite place where he had encountered her before.
"Who the hell are you? ", asked Martinez suspiciously.
"Do not take that tone with me. I am under the protection of the noble Sir Jose. To insult me is to incur his wrath. ", she said proudly while daring a response from the duelist.
"WOOF", agreed Greenpaw.
Martinez shrugged, it didn't surprise him that his half drunk companion recruited some gutter tramp to take care of his stuff. His agave juice swilling compatriot was probably jealous of the deal he had with Jimmy, and had hired someone to carry his stuff as well.
"Is Lally and Sammy in trouble? Why are they holding them?" asked Jimmy once again.
Before anyone could answer the main Foyer doors opened. Admiral Edmund in full Grommish uniform entered with a small honor guard. Martinez bowed to his host, and signalled Jimmy to do the same. After the formalities were exchanged, Sardar Milan appeared. The Nashput noble was radiant in his dress, adorned with gems , jewels and rare cloths. Martinez would have assumed he was the Emperor of all of Vinnraj if he didn't already know he was but a minor aristocrat in that incredibly wealthy land.
Instead of allowing Martinez to bow towards him, the Sardar instead bowed humbly towards the duelist. "All of Nashput owes you a debt of gratitude. I do not know how, but you and your minions have saved Prince Lalit, ridded us of an ancient enemy, and brought back my dear beloved Sampada back to us. "
"Wait…Sampada is Sammy right?", asked Jimmy. Martinez cuffed the boy on the back of the head to silence him.
"A simple demon hunter like myself is pleased to have rendered service to your noble house. ", flattered Martinez. The duelist knew that these noble snobs like praise and the whole humble act, and he was practiced enough to play their little games, at least till he got paid.
The Sardar smiled but then looked puzzled. "Your massive companions has shrunk I see. ", jested the Vinnraj noble.
Martinez laughed ." No, this is my apprentice young Jim. I do not know where my man at arms is. "
Admiral Edmund rubbed his chin. "My old friend the Ivory Lady is apparently in town. She did mention that she was being shown the sights by a half giant demon hunter. I doubt there could be too many half giant demon hunters in town. "
Martinez's brow furrowed but then he smirked. He thought Raoul mentioned there was too great of an age difference between himself and Ivy, the duelist guessed the half giant must have reconsidered. Whatever those two were doing, he hoped that Ivy would at least be available so he could introduce Lady Stille to her. He wanted her here so she could see him rubbing shoulders with such famous and powerful people. He was sure that he could score some points with the minor baroness and appeased her sense to pretend to be important, and was a bit perplexed to find her not here.
"I am disappointed that the lovely Lady Stille and her guardian could not grace us with their presence. I've been told that they defeated many foes on the harbor and battled the Rakshasa around town. ", noted the Sardar, as he seemed to echo Martinez's thoughts.
"Woof! ", barked Greenpaw.
The red haired urchin next to the dog perked an ear and nodded . " Sir Jose and Lady Stille are both busy, meditating from the trials they faced. "
Martinez gave her a suspicious look. Who the hell was she again? Stille and Jose both were both stalwart companions, but they didn't seem to connect with each other. For the last year, they seemed friendly enough to each other, but the duelist definitely noticed the fact that they seemed to tolerate each other rather than share the camaraderie the rest of them had. Martinez would rather the Lady Stille be here at this presentation, but relented that at least the baroness and his countryman were at least bonding .
"A shame that she could not make it, Princess Sampada could have benifited from meeting with such a fair and refined lady. ", sighed Sardar Milan.
"Princess? ", asked Jimmy while scratching his head.
"Ahh, yes. Here she comes now. I admit I was a bit shocked to see her once again, and was a bit disappointed to find she had grown up in such a crude manner, but all my reservations were dispelled when the royal beauticians cleaned her up so to speak. Prince Lalit is still recovering from his trials, but the Princess has requested to meet with her rescuers personally.", smiled Milan broadly with a small tear in his eye.
The Admiral and the Sardar both parted ways, as a tall young girl with olive skin and a long gem studded white dress entered. She had long braided dark hair, smooth perfect skin, and walked with a regal poise. A perfect prim and proper young princess thought Martinez approvingly as he judged her with his seasoned eye. From his initial impression of her, he guessed she would grow up to be quite the beauty someday.
The Princess Sampada bowed to Martinez, but then suddenly lost all her composure. Her face broke out into a large grin and she ran towards the duelist. Martinez was use to such behavior from young women but did not expect it from a princess. He awaited her embrace, but was surprised when she ran past him and hugged Jimmy instead.
"JIMMY! You made it! I wasn't sure what happened after Kit and the big dog lead us to safety! ", she giggled as she hugged the shocked boy once again and planted a big kiss on his cheek.
Jimmy seemed stunned but quickly recovered. To Martinez's surprise, the red faced young boy pushed the princess away." WAIT! ALL THIS TIME, YOU'RE A GIRL?! "
Martinez shook his head then pulled his foolish apprentice towards him. Princess Sampada giggled and winked at Jimmy who still seemed confused by the whole affair. "Jimmy ole boy, it looks like we have to work on your observation and perception skills. "
Young Prince Lalit smiled as he petted the mongoose Chit. The small furry creature made comforting clicking noises as it curled in his lap. Mongooses were used to ward against snakes and evil spirits, and this little guy did his job well he thought.
So much had happened recently, that Lalit had to take a rest from his studies and diplomatic functions. The attack on his person by the Rakshasa, his rescue by the hero Jimmez , and most importantly his reunion with his long lost sister Sampada . Lalit was overjoyed to find that the young guard that spoke his language turned out to be his sister . He chastised himself for not seeing it earlier. The fact that they both had similar wards placed on them by the Swami's of Vinnraj should have tipped him off earlier, but he admitted that he other things on his mind. Danger seemed to dog their every turn , and he was sure he would have had his heart eaten by the Rakshasa lord if it weren't for the courage and bravery of Jimmez.
After his harrowing escapes and his experiences on the streets of Grom City , Lalit knew that it was a miracle he was alive. His close contact with the commoners of the city had changed his view on those he considered a lower caste than himself. He regretted mistreating his major domo so callously and made note to mention to his uncle the man's bravery. He also garnered an appreciation of life outside his gilded cage. It was so chaotic, so frightening, yet exciting nonetheless. If security permitted, he would like more escorted excursions into the world outside his studies.
Lalit knew that with Sampada recovered to their Royal House, she would claim the throne before he would, but it mattered little to him. He considered himself more a scholar than a ruler, and after his recent escapades he proudly considered himself an adventurer as well. He envisioned himself in the near future as a scholar that travelled to lost ruins and ancient tombs to discover ancient lore, not a bookworm in some old stuffy library. If he was crowned Maharajah of Nashput his dream would be impossible of course, so he was quite content that his quite capable sister would inherit the throne. He could well imagine that she would make a worthy ruler , while he would someday be a famous explorer. It wouldn't be easy , but perhaps he could recruit Jimmez to assist him in the future. The lad was only a few years older than him, but he was already quite skilled, worldly , and was already larger than life. He hoped to emulate that young hero one day.
Prince Lalit sighed, uncle would take them back to Nashput soon, now that the danger was over. He would miss this city he thought, but their presence was needed back in Nashput. He could well imagine the political maneuverings, and diplomatic dangers that awaited them. Lalit smiled, after his recent experiences he was ready for any challenge that loomed ahead.