Chapter 10

The Queen's Gambit

Kaisa walked into the palace and out of the crushing Hammerfell heat with a sigh of relief. She honestly didn't know how the Redguards lived their whole lives in this heat. Pushing that though out of her head she quickly found Prince Lhotun who was still lounging in the reception area of the palace. Kaisa made her way to the seated prince and only had to dodge a few servants running chores in the palace. The prince eventually noticed her approach and after spending a moment devouring her form in a lustful gaze, he looked at her with both hope and expectation for news on his brother.

"You're back, did you find anything on my brother?"

"Yes my prince. I found his journal, it explains everything," Kaisa said handing the tome over.

The prince quickly read through the journal and Kaisa watched as the prince's face became more and more crestfallen as he read. Coming to the final pages the prince closed the journal and hung his head with a heavy sigh as tears slipped down his face. Kaisa's heart ached for the young prince. She couldn't imagine losing her brother, especially to her own parents. She loved Ayden dearly and losing him would destroy her.

"As I suspected…but suspecting it and knowing it for a fact…damn you father…mother," Lhotun said with a pained whisper that ended in hateful scorn.

"I'm so sorry," Kaisa said laying a hand on his shoulder in a vain attempt to comfort him.

"Thank you, I won't forget this."

For several moment there was silence as Kaisa let the prince grieve and his guards stood silently. After a moment the prince cleared his throat and wiped his face clear of his tears.

"Know, I promised you information and I am a man of my word," the prince said in a slightly wavering voice.

Kaisa smiled at him and nodded for him to continue.

"Lysandus was having an affair with his court sorceress Madora Dirennie, and rumor was they were both very much in love with each other. Eventually the Queen found out and so she banished Madora from the court while the King was away. My sister Aubk-I was made queen in a treaty between Daggerfall and Sentinel to insure peace. Minasera still lives in Daggerfall castle as the Douwger Queen while Madora was exiled to the castle on the Isle of Belfirra and a curse was placed on the castle preventing her from leaving. That is all I know, I hope it helps you," he said sincerely.

"Thank you, my prince, this will help me a great deal."

"Oh, my…mother, would like an audience with you. She found out I had hired you for a mission and with my recommendation she has a job for you as well if you would accept of course."

"Oh, thank you my prince."

"She knows nothing of the mission you completed for me and I would like to keep it that way. If they knew that I know they murdered my brother…well I'm not sure what they would do."

"Of course," Kaisa said giving a slight curtsy.

The prince waved his personal servant over who bowed to her respectfully which Kaisa nodded in return.

"If you follow me my Lady, I will take you to the Queen."

"Lead the way," Kaisa said gesturing to the doors that led deeper into the palace.

The servant took her through a central courtyard filled with trees and flowers that was remarkably pleasant in this endless desert. The servant took her through a door on the far right of the garden. After walking though a few gilded halls and staircases Kaisa found herself in the throne room. Climbing the stairs, she stopped in front of Queen Akorithi and went to a knee and waited for the queen to acknowledge her.

"You must be the mercenary my son hired for his little quest?"

"I am your majesty."

"I hear that you have succeeded in whatever mission my son gave you. Although I am curious as to what that mission was."

"Forgive me your majesty but I do not divulge information on my clients. If I can't be trusted than I don't get jobs."

"You make a fair point; I need that level of…discretion for a mission of my own."

"I am at your service your majesty," Kaisa said bowing her head.

"I need you to infiltrate Castle Wayrest and retrieve an heirloom of the late King Lysandus for me. The reward is one thousand Septims should you accept."

"One thousand Septims, I accept."

"Excellent! No one must know of this mission, do you understand?"

"Yes your majesty."

"The heirloom is a painting of Lysandus hidden somewhere in the castle. I require this painting; the reason is not your concern. Bring me this painting and you will have your bounty."

"It will be done your majesty," Kaisa said standing and making her exit from the palace.

Kaisa left the palace into the late afternoon heat of the Hammerfell desert and made her way to the inn. She would continue her mission in the morning, right now food, drink, and Sariah's company sounded a lot better. Upon entering she was greeted by Sariah's beautiful smile which Kaisa happily returned. Taking a stool at the bar she waited patiently while Sariah dealt with her modestly busy inn. Eventually Sariah's pretty face filled her vision and she smiled as her tan hands were taken by Sariah's dark brown.

"You're back," Sariah said smiling.

"For now," Kaisa said kissing her hands.

"Off in the morning I take it," Sariah said with a hint of sadness.

"Unfortunately."

"Well, you must be hungry?"

It was at that moment that Kaisa's stomach roared its displeasure at being empty causing her to blush adorably.

I'll get you something," Sariah laughed as she walked away.

Kaisa looked down at her armored stomach and glared at it.

"Why must you always do that at the worst times?"

In response her stomach rumbled again.

"Don't you talk back to me!" Kaisa hissed back.

Kaisa suddenly realized that there were several people looking at her strangely. Granted she was just arguing with her stomach so she couldn't exactly blame them. Blushing even more now, Kaisa did her best to vanish into the woodwork. Fortunately, Sariah came to her rescue with a plate of food and some sort of local brew. Even better was the fact that Sariah stayed after putting the tray and cup down and smiled warmly at her.

"I take it your inquiry into the late prince was a success?"

"Of course," Kaisa said with a cocky smile.

"I've been hearing some interesting gossip lately," Sariah said leaning towards Kaisa.

"Oh?" Kaisa said with a coy smile.

"Rumor is, someone posing as a prostitute snuck in to that prison on that island, seduced the warden, nocked him out, and then made off with the late prince's journal."

"Really!"

"You wouldn't have anything to do with that would you?" Sariah said with narrowed eyes.

"My dear, sweat, beautiful Sariah, I'm sure I have no idea what you are talking about," Kaisa said in an overly innocent voice while batting her eyelashes at Sariah.

"Sure you don't." Sariah said laughing.

"But news sure travels fast."

"That's the Oculatus for you," Sariah said with a shrug.

Kaisa merely smiled sweetly at her causing Sariah to smile with affection at the beautiful woman.

"But tell me one thing, did you actually sleep with him?"

"Gods no! I'll do damn near anything for our empire but there are some lines I will never cross. Whoring myself out is one of those lines," Kaisa whispered.

"I know, just checking," Sariah said laughing.

"Well could you also check on a room for me?"

"Done," Sariah said placing a key on the bar in front of Kaisa.

"You're the best," Kaisa said pocketing the key.

Before Kaisa knew it hours had passed in Sariah's compony which she greatly enjoyed. One of the downsides to being a field agent for the Penitul Oculatus was it was very lonely. Because of that Kaisa cherished the moments she could spend with others she trusted. All to soon however she had to make her way to her room and continue her mission. Reluctantly Kaisa got up and paid Sariah what she owed her for the food and room and turned towards the stairs that would lead to her room.

"Wait," Sariah said coming out from behind the bar.

"Yes?" Kaisa said turning towards the Redguard woman.

Instead of an answer Sariah grabbed the front of Kaisa's armor and pulled her into a kiss. At first Kaisa was frozen in surprise but quickly responded in kind and melted into Sariah with a deeply content sigh. Sariah's hands came to rest on Kaisa's armored chest while she deepened the kiss. One of Kaisa's hand cradled Sariah's face with the lightest touch while the other snaked around Sariah's slender waist and pulled Sariah into her causing a needy moan to ripple out of the Redguard. Kaisa used her hand to guide Sariah's face into a new angle allowing Kaisa to deepen the kiss even further and both of them moaned at the welcome intrusion in both their mouths. All to soon the need for air forced them to reluctantly pull away from each other. Resting their heads against each other, deep blue looked into dark brown and both saw the desire for so much more reflected in their eyes.

"For luck," Sariah whispered.

"I'll need it,"

"Good night Kaisa," Sariah whispered with a final lingering kiss before stepping back behind the bar.

Kaisa stood motionless for a moment as she savored the warmth of Sariah's body and lips against hers. With a resigned sigh she turned once again to the stairs, although she didn't miss the envious looks from a number of the inn patrons. Sariah was a beautiful woman after all and Kaisa was sure there were a number of people in this inn who harbored dreams of being in Sariah's arms. Climbing the stairs, she quickly bathed and fell into her bed, she would need the rest to trek across the desert to pay the King of Worms a visit and find out what the hell he wanted.

Kaisa wiped the sweat from her eyes as she finally made it to the King of Worms lair. She had been traveling across the sands of Sentinel for the past week and she was damn tired. She looked over at her horse and patted him sympathetically.

"We're almost there boy, just hang on a little longer," Kaisa said soothingly and got a snort in reply.

Finally reaching the carved door in the side of the cliff, she led Sky over to the shade and set down a small bucket and emptied one of her water skins in it so Sky could have some water. Thankfully in the last two days sand had gradually turned to grass and the temperature began to drop to a cooler climate. Entering the crypt Kaisa quickly made her way through the tunnels and corridors until she was standing in front of the King of Worms. She wanted to get this over with as fast as possible. This place creeped her out and she didn't like the way some of the Kings servants, who were obviously vampires, were looking at her.

"I…received your…message…"

"I need you to retrieve something for me in Castle Sentinel, succeed in this and I have information for you in regards to your investigation into the late King Lysandus."

"Okay…what am I retrieving then?" Kaisa asked while keeping a hand close to her sword.

"I need you to bring me the soul of the late Prince Cadolis, the grandfather of the late King Cameron of Sentinel. Cadolis was a sorcerer of great skill and his body has turned into lich that haunts the castles deepest cells. If this is not dealt with soon the lich will break out and many innocents will die. I will be blamed and the order of the day will be my death. The king and queen of Sentinel do not realize the danger that stirs beneath their feet."

"And how am I supposed to trap his soul?" Kaisa asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Take this, when you destroy his physical body, his soul will be trapped in this," He said holding out what looked like a crystal scarab.

"How long do I have before he gains his full power?" Kaisa asked while taking the scarab.

"About a month. Do not leave immediately for this. It is likely they will not believe you and bar you entry into the royal crypts."

"Done, I have some other things I need to take care of anyway," Kaisa said turning around and opening some distance between the King and herself.

Casting the recall spell, she found herself back at the entrance to the crypt where Sky was happily munching on some grass.

"Come on boy, we are bound for cooler climates."