Author's Note:
The next two chapters are plot resolution and set up. There is no sex, though there is set up for sex that will follow in Chapter Seven. I didn't tag them 'no sex' because someone who might be looking under that tag will not appreciate maybe backtracking the story and finding sex aplenty.
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General Neral Jaye stood proudly at the mirror as she smoothed the front of her dress uniform. The double-breasted uniform coat was so black it seemed to swallow the light around it, making the small gold buttons that fastened it stand out even more prominently. Gold braiding ran across the thick fabric over the shoulders, around the stiff collar, and down the arms so that, in profile the braid met the thin lampasses on the pants, creating the illusion of a single line.
On the chest of the coat, on the right side, in exactingly perfect lines, were pins in gold and silver that denoted battles fought in, battles won, and battles won where it was she who commanded the forces involved. That there were many marks of battles won and victorious battles commanded was a testament to her skill, and, she would always admit aloud, some bit of luck.
On the left were pins denoting her awards for behavior on the battlefield, from making her times wounded to instances of exceptional valor. They were smaller versions of the seals that affixed the formal ribbons, as the larger versions were only meant to be displayed at home, and to wear them in public was considered gaudy. Matching black gloves were optional and something Neral generally skipped. Boots, stiff and polished to a high sheen, completed the look.
Tessa, House Mistress for the House of Jaye, busied herself behind the General, combing out her long brown hair so it could be properly tailed and tamed with a gold barrette that matched the uniform braiding. The young redhead did so much to keep everything running smoothly in Neral's life that the woman was, in some ways, an extra pair of arms and legs for her.
Usually several extra,
she amended. As such, there were times, like now, that she felt guilty that Tessa's time was being spent on Neral rather than herself, especially tonight with the Spring Festival hours away. All of Court would attend, and all of Erette would celebrate winter loosening its grip on the land and the promise of growth and renewal that was spring.
"I really can tend to this myself, Tessa. Take time to spend with your mother. Take time to get yourself ready."
Tessa dismissed it, her copper hair moving with the shake of her head, "Nonsense, Mistress. It's early yet. You are nearly dressed. Twenty minutes to make sure that your makeup is proper gives me plenty of time to prepare myself. Mother and I spend our time talking about our respective Mistresses, amongst other points of gossip, so it also qualifies as my own fun time that is just for me."
The corner of her mouth turned up and her brown eyes twinkled, "And just what secrets of my mother's do you posses?"
Tessa was supremely focused on the placement of the barrette, so there was humor in her reply if not her expression, "None to which you are not already privy, Mistress. Your mother's secrets belong to mine as yours belong to me." She looked at Neral in the mirror and, satisfied with things, she continued, "The House of Jovis cherishes its ties to yours, we would not endanger them." Her voice turned almost loving, "Those ties are based on not a fear of lost status as in some other Houses, but in genuine affection. You have long not only treated us honorably, but as friends."
Neral indeed felt many levels of affection for the young lady. She turned and was struck once again by the other's simple beauty, from those freckles that gave the woman a look of perpetual innocence to those naturally plump lips that asked for kissing just by being.
Thank you, Deres. Without the gift you offered, I would have been forever blind to it. Thank you, Husband.
"Does she know that we have grown together a bit?"
"That pleases her." Such closeness was not uncommon with Houses working so closely to and in service with other Houses over generations. Within the privacy between the two it was an expression of trust and as much it was affection and could serve many mutually beneficial ends, from furthering both lines to being willing and safe outlets for wandering spouses.
"It does me as well," Neral touched that cheek and felt her lean into it. In some ways, her House was responsible for theirs. If Jaye fell, Jovis would be dragged with it, though Neral knew that Tessa, her mother and, likely her entire line would jump after. It was a responsibility she was proud to bear.
Besides, it won't be either of our Houses that falls tonight.
Tessa took Neral's hand firmly, "While it's still very early, there really isn't time for that sort of distraction."
Neral prodded her, "Then put those enormous breasts away. How will I endure a night at Court with those distractions feet away and at my beck and call?"
The redhead sighed, "You have distractions enough with a husband and your guild mage love."
Neral shrugged and immediately smoothed the wrinkles the movement created. "You are quite right, what's one more in the grand scheme?" She sat in preparation for her makeup. She had little personal use for it as archers didn't wait until your lips had the sheen you were looking for before loosing arrows, but tradition demanded it. She admitted to a bit of concern for her husband at this time, but only for the potential humor to be had, "My husband is still preparing himself, I take it?"
Tessa leaned in, placing the makeup palate on the vanity, deliberately lingering for a moment to provide an extra distraction, "He is. Refused any of the handmaidens fussing over him. He refused me as well, so I sent Bryana in and she's helping him now, though he attempted to dismiss her as well."
Neral already knew how that ended. "She would have none of his childish protests and he relented."
"She behaved as you would have, Mistress."
She did.
The woman hired to use her forbidden magics to kill her queen and destroy her home so that her House would fall and a rival could rise now so much a part of her life that it was nearly impossible to see it without her there. The twists and turns of life could be extraordinary.
Deres as a mage the likes of which none of the kingdoms had ever known or suspected was possible didn't hurt either.
No matter the cause, it was the three of them as one and it was a joy to look upon and be a part that interplay every day.
"I hope she was merciful. This is his first true participation at Court."
"'The sooner you are properly ready, the sooner it will all be over' was what I heard before the door closed."
"I live by that myself."
"Indeed, Mistress," Tessa prepared a darker tone for Neral's slightly more olive complexion, "now give me your lips."
Oh, I would much rather do that all night than this.
Preparations complete save her dress cape that wouldn't go on until she left, Neral went downstairs, relishing this time. She loved the weight of her full dress and the look of it and the way her heels clacked hard on the floor. She felt the weight of her responsibility and in little moments such as these, she felt such pride in it. The people trusted her. Her queen trusted her. Only two other women in the history of Erette held her position and, by any measure, she held it well.
As she reached the bottom of the stairs Bryana had come into view. Long blonde hair, curled and tended in such a way that it never looked like she bothered with it much. When she looked up and that twinkle in her bright blue eyes appeared Neral warmed from a place deep in her chest. Bryana in a flowing dress that almost matched her eyes reminded Neral of a wave on the sea.
"Good evening, General."
