The following day was filled with a flurry of activity, and it began in the House of Prince Rasgen Mazin. Nua awoke before the dawn as she usually did, her body unexpectedly warm, and feeling somewhat strange, she turned her head to the left and saw her husband sleeping beside her. At first her ears flicked up, briefly shocked as her sleep hazed memory didn't immediately bring the previous day's events to mind.
Her brief sense of shock was accompanied by a racing heartbeat in those swiftly passing moments before everything came back to her, and the tension melted away. Guilt, however? Guilt lingered. 'Raymond, I…' Nua had no idea what she wanted to say to the memory of the man, and so she went from her thoughts, to nothing.
And then from nothing, to stroking the arm that lay over her breasts, 'He sleeps all 'flopped out', is that just a normal thing for human men, because it seems strangely common.' Nua mused, and her distress faded a little when she looked at the peaceful, bearded face. 'He is a good one, as far as good ever goes anyway.' That was a comforting thought, and her eyes turned away from him to gaze up at the stone ceiling.
'Please, partner… give me a good wash. I feel a bit dirty.' Yersin implored in her mind, and Nua barely restrained both a deep red flush to her face and an equally deeply felt urge to laugh.
'I warned you that you really should 'sleep' during those times.' Nua reminded the gem.
'You think that was possible?!' He exclaimed, 'You two were loud!'
'Sorry, partner. I promise I'll have you thoroughly washed this morning, but on a serious note, I know we haven't gotten to speak much lately, but can you tell me how much negative energy you've got?' Nua asked with hopeful interest.
'Not as much as you'd like, I'm sure. But the last two battles did give me a great deal. I can't create skeletal dragons… but I can summon many skeletons or zombies.' She could almost see him shrug, 'You should join me for tea again, I've greatly expanded my landscape and I would love to give you a tour.'
'I'd like that, but for now, the day awaits.' Nua replied, and cut off her thoughts as the door opened and Kaiji entered.
"Mistress… I knew you'd be awake." Kaiji said with a tiny knowing smile on her dark lips. The deep purple skin barely showed the shadow of the candle she held, but it stood out somewhat over the black and white maid outfit that she chose to wear for the day.
"Did you sleep at all?" Nua asked as she slipped out from beneath the arm of her husband and set her feet on the floor.
Kaiji blushed enough that her face turned a light shade of gray.
"You were eavesdropping, weren't you?" Nua asked with a blank face and a dry voice.
The blush deepened.
"Great, a city of perverts and a pervert Majordomo and a pervert husband…" Nua muttered, bemused as she approached.
"I shouldn't have… but the others said it was…" Kaiji blushed again.
"Great, so his slaves are perverts too." Nua rolled her eyes and held her arms out while Kaiji put the red robe on her mistress. The cloth was smooth and comfortable, and her servant quickly bound the robe.
"Should I attend you or…?" Kaiji asked and glanced toward the window.
"No, you and Priceless make ready to leave. Have the orcish slaves made ready, and see that Tharang is brought to the front of the column, I want him to get a chance to know me. He's an orc from a tribe of raiders, so it will take more than words to convince him to obey beyond one full belly." Nua replied as an afterthought, and Kaiji froze.
"Is something wrong, Kaiji?" Nua asked and put her right hand over the still hands of her most treasured servant.
"Mistress… may I speak freely?" Kaiji whispered and slowly went to her knees.
Nua gave a sharp and silent nod.
"My lady, it is my duty to know your mind, and I know it well enough now to know you're planning to beat the chief half to death in order to cow the others, and I am… I advise against it." Kaiji's soft words were curious to the wood elf, who took them in with patience and a moment of reflection.
"Why? They're a tribe of raiders, they respect the strong, the easiest and quickest way is to simply crush the strongest and get it over with." Nua replied reflexively, but Kaiji shook her head.
"It is the quickest, and the easiest, but it is not the best. If you do this, they will follow you, but the precedent you set for them will be the same as the laws of their own tribe. Instead, you must bring them into line with your laws and your ways… show them your right to rule comes from more than your ability to break those in your way. You are no mere mercenary commander… you are…" Kaiji lowered herself further, and deferentially kissed the top of her mistress's foot. "You are my goddess, my empress, and you are more than a brute. Show them that. Show them what Komestrans see… show them you are their savior."
When she spoke her piece, Kaiji rose slowly, and returned to her feet. "You bought me as your advisor, so… that is my advice."
"How would I carry out this advice of yours, slave?" Nua asked and crossed her arms in front of her chest, she looked at Kaiji with skepticism, but the demon-elf was quick with an answer.
"You began it already. They ate from your will, they will have land from your will. You have more contracts in the offing, requests for your soldiers to go north, take them with you. Be first in the fray, be first to rip the arrows from their wounds and use the strategies of Onimeus to show that there is no more glorious place in the world to be, than in your service. They are orcish raiders, symbols are very powerful to tribals, but even more so, are actions. Take the right ones, and they won't be waiting to knock you off your throne, they will be scrambling to be the first to kneel at it."
Nua's arms relaxed, and she took the servant by the horns that grew from the side of her head, then bent the stunned Kaiji's head forward, and kissed her forehead. "I could never have asked for a better servant than you. Now go, I'll let the half elf twin take care of me, I assume Priceless went to see to the bath, but I have a task for her first."
"My lady… may I actually suggest that we leave either Priceless or Tir behind to manage the estate, at least until things have settled down with the murder investigation, and the issue with the former Lur'gin executives?" Kaiji said and bit her lower lip, it was obvious she didn't want her lover to be left behind, but was suggesting it in spite of her wishes.
"Damn… if Freyjin had lived, I would leave her…" Nua pondered her options, and made a snap decision, "Tir. We will leave Tir, she'll have the position of Steward and we'll award her the purple. The control she will exert over our spies is best applied here." Nua stated, while she privately thought, 'And of course, I broke her. She'll do anything for me now.'
"As you say, my Lady." Kaiji answered, and that was that.
Hours passed swiftly as the final tasks were tended to, the slaves who had been given their tickets of leave had returned, some with families in tow who had vacated the homes they'd been assigned, having returned them to the ownership of their mistress.
Tir knelt in her mistress's office with Kaiji and Priceless close at hand, her initial fears were dispelled as soon as she saw the ornate cherry wood box. Her heart was already racing, but now it raced with excitement. 'It can only be one thing!' She thought when her lady turned around to take it up from her desk. 'I didn't even fall a season ago, and yet… I'm given this chance?!' The thought was thrilling… but also terrifying.
The memory of her mistress's arms around her, promising her protection and acceptance, promising not to betray her, promising to avenge her, it was enough to make her weep all over again, and now one honor was being heaped upon that longed for acceptance that she hadn't expected. Her ruby lips parted to let her breathe harder, as if she could not contain her own excitement.
Nua turned around a moment later, holding the tag aloft.
"I leave you in this city to care for my estate and my interests in my absence. You will see to keeping back any rumors, you will speak with the bank of Pas'en when needed, you will be my eyes and ears within the walls that protect the people. You will be my voice, and act as my steward until I summon you to my feet again. I give you my trust, but it is a gift I only give once, do you understand me, Tir?" Nua asked, holding her metallic left hand at the upturned chin of her servant.
"Yes… my lady, I give my all to your service… your house will be kept safe." Tir promised with tears wet in her eyes despite her attempt to hide them.
"You will serve me, and me alone, until death, or release… but as long as you are loyal, I will never give you up." Nua commanded, her bright blue eyes might as well have been the everlasting sky in Tir's eyes.
"The noble woman who fell, she is dead. I am Tir, and I exist only for the House of Aiwenor which alone in all the world, has protected me, and sheltered me from those who would hurt me. I love my house, in which my divine savior lives, and will die to protect it." Tir recited, and when the metallic hand that pulsed with magic power came away, she lowered her lips, and kissed the foot of her mistress. 'To everyone else who knew, I am… damaged… but she saw me as I am… and gives me purpose, faith… and holds me without revulsion… I will give her everything… I swear it.' The private oath was made and done before her lips could leave the boot, and she raised herself up again, and felt the purple tag 'snick' into place and be secured.
A pang of guilt still rang within Nua's heart, but it was squashed in a fist of will. "I believe you. And when the time comes, you will be there to watch your last dream come true."
'It's better this way, as long as they serve 'me' I can be sure of everything.' Nua reasoned, and caressed the long flowing hair of one of Sobella's dearest friends.
"Thank you… mistress." Tir replied, "Is… Ras… no… is your husband, is the Prince here, My Lady?" She reflexively began to fiddle with the purple tag and glanced nervously at the door behind her, looking several times as if she were afraid he might walk in at any moment.
"Yes, but he's on the grounds, I have my soldiers doing a parade demonstration under some of our officers directions." Nua explained, and Tir's eyes fell while she exhaled in relief.
Nua glanced over to Priceless, "Are the orcs ready?"
It was refreshing in Nua's eyes when a smile formed on the face of her devoted servant, 'She smiles so readily now, so easily, it's hard to believe she's the same person…' Without thinking, Nua reached down to caress the young woman's radiant face, but the little apple faced woman, whose blush was as red as the fruit itself, didn't slow herself in answering.
"My lady, they are, they have been well fed, the cooks worked a great deal and depleted two days of a company supply to feed them all, but they are fed, and I had them all collared for you as well, from the oldest elder, to the youngest infant, they. Belong. To. You." She emphasized every word with reverential devotion, her brown eyes shone like they had caught the sun when she looked up at the woman who had become her goddess, and Nua took it in stride.
"Good. Is the rest of the estate assembled and packed? Raw materials for working, tools, clothing, food supplies, my… 'special' cargo?" Nua asked, her right hand gently pressed against the cheek of her servant.
Priceless shuddered as she recalled the undead. 'Stupid, I should have realized that death worship would think nothing of using the undead.' Priceless cursed her naivete, but nodded. "Mistress, I had the ah… horses, prepared quietly and swore to secrecy the two I had handle them. They will not be seen, and I chose two of your twenty-five. They'll die before turning on you."
"Good, then if that is everything here…" Nua reached into her pocket and took out a bronze key on a silver chain. "Tir, kneel and bow your head."
Tir went to her knees as she was ordered, then lowered her gaze toward the feet of the only woman in the world to care that she was innocent. Nua approached, then gently draped the key around the woman's neck. "I entrust my house to your care. It is your home, and some warriors will be left behind to protect you. Acquire a handful of servants, and educate the Starlings in the fine points of running a house. As someone who was once a free noblewoman, this should be easy. I will summon you to me again sooner than you think, but for now… I leave handling my affairs in this city, to you."
"I will work myself to the bone for you… I swear it… mistress." Tir said and clutched the key tightly in her right hand, tears blurred her vision, but the feel of the hand on her soft hair at the top of her head, was a much longed for affection.
"I know. I know." Nua stated softly and looked to the rest, "Get going, I'm going to check in on Sado, I owe him that much after what he did for me, and then we move."
Nua didn't need to look to know her orders were being carried out, and within minutes she was in a small room with a simple crude cot and no furniture. Sado lay naked on his belly while Solution sat at his side. "So, you're alive."
Sado grunted, "Alive enough to kneel if you like, mistress." He replied and gave her a fragile grin, "It barely even hurt."
"Sure it didn't." Nua replied and tousled his hair, then looked to her teacher.
"Teacher, is there a reason you're not healing him? I mean other than just pure sadism." She inquired, and Solution looked briefly affronted in an 'obviously' exaggerated way with an open mouth that she covered with one silky pale hand.
"I'm 'shocked' you would suggest something like that, my student." She gave a sadistic grin, and then laughed when Nua just held her stare down at her seated teacher. "Yes, there is, he's going to have some lovely scars soon, things that will teach him the true nature of the Starwatchers, and of the price of defeat. He'll make a fine 'Big Brother' to the Pain Children when he's lost the last of his illusions."
"That makes sense, someone has to run them day to day, and I know I can't keep you with me forever." Nua looked for a long moment at the teacher, and Solution returned the look in turn, her golden curls bounced as she nodded.
"Complete your task, and you'll no longer be my student, and I will go home again." Solution said and her lips closed shut.
Sado watched the strange moment unfold and felt the urge to ask questions rise within, but he wisely kept his mouth closed.
"Well…" Nua blinked her beautiful, shining blue eyes several times in rapid succession, "after it's done, which… which will be some years from now if all goes well, come see me and we'll 'hunt'. It's always a joy to see excellence at work, and you are the best."
"And you are insightful." Solution tilted her chin up haughtily and a smirk formed at the praise of her student, "I may have a use for an assistant at some point, and you know how to follow orders at least."
"Yes, Teacher." Nua gave a demure smile and turned her attention back to the wounded Sado with relief in her voice now that the moment had passed.
"So are you going to be ready to travel today, or not?" Her brusque voice was almost a relief, and he grunted when he tried to move a little.
"Not if I have to ride on a horse, my lady." He admitted and reached an arm behind him to touch his back gingerly, a wince came on that he could not completely hide.
"I see, well… you did a great service for me, however reckless it was." Nua said and then crouched down to be eye level with him. "I promise you, slave, I will make them pay for it. They think they've got me, I am sure of that." Her eyes loomed like the stars he once worshipped, inches from his own. "They think they're gathering me and my heresy all in one place, that they can crush me, that my husband will do nothing and my blood brother will do nothing… normally they might even be right…" Her voice was like the whispers of the divine to his ears, her hand caressed his cheek and behind him toward his back, though she stopped short of his bloody wounds, her thoughtfulness warming his heart.
"They plan a second destruction of Komestra… our bargain was about assassination… I think Arachna and Malefacorum will keep their word, because they want you all. Do you understand, fallen Prince?"
"My lady…?" Sado's eyes opened wider as her words sank in.
"Yes… there's no doubt that Queen Vexia was behind the fall of your city. She was far, far too outraged over that going wrong for it not to be the case. She and the Starwatchers want to return you all to the market. To return you all to your hopeless state before coming into my service. Everything will be undone… everyone will have died for nothing… I won't let that happen, do you understand me, slave?" Nua asked with ironclad determination.
"I will die next time, before that happens!" Sado spat and his entire body tensed.
"No need for that, not yet anyway… I've already laid everything in motion, some time ago. They will make their attempt, and all that will result from it, will be the completion of Komestra's renewal. As I told Kaiji, I will rule Mict'aratz from north to south, east to west, or I will rule my grave."
"Yes… mistress." Sado whispered like his acknowledgement was a prayer.
Nua rose to her feet and turned her eyes to her bodyguard, "Solution, have him laid down in a wagon, let him rest there, he can ride on horseback when he's ready, but he belongs to me, and I don't leave a wounded man behind. Especially not one wounded honoring me, let alone our god."
Solution restrained her laugh when she stood and curtseyed half mockingly, "At once, my lady." She said, and reached down to pick up Sado as if he were nothing more than baggage.