Welcome back, folks!
Picking up immediately where we left off, we reach the first of the three days of the Hunter's Moon.
We get some different perspectives this time around. And things take a buck wild turn, even wilder than last time.
Let me know your thoughts in the comments below, and if there's any feedback or suggestions feel free to send them my way!
Astrid and Milius watched the break of day together.
Standing guard on a walkway outside of Queen Kierra's chambers, they gazed as the mountain pass surrounding Azral's keep grew slightly less dim than before. It wasn't enough to be called daylight, more a pale ghost of the real thing.
"You think she's awake by now?" Astrid muttered.
Milius shrugged. "It's difficult to say. She has a great deal on her shoulders, and the Overlord's apparent fondness for tricks couldn't have helped."
The human raised his head, sneering down at the multitude of houses and forts surrounding the Lake of Fire.
"If I'm being completely honest, I think we should have left by now. To hell with this 'harvest' and 'fertility' nonsense."
Astrid sighed, having guessed as much. "What would you have Her Majesty do, sir? If our treaty with the orcs dictates she honor their holidays, festivals, anything of the sort, then she is bound by duty to do just that."
Pointing inside she asked, "Would you not expect the same of the Overlord and his retinue? If Queen Kierra was to invite Azral to the capital, Sylvan's End..."
A derisive snort cut her off.
"If Queen Kierra was to invite
him
," Astrid repeated as she grit her teeth, "would you not expect him to abide by our customs?"
Milius's silence told her all she needed to know.
"Right," she pronounced in as chipper a tone as she could.
"So the banquet should be started in little less than an hour. I'm sure Her Majesty will be on her way soon. She tends to be the punctual sort."
Despite Milius's perpetual malcontent, Astrid found herself smiling at the thought of entering the feasting hall and sitting beside the orcish lords. It was the first time she would accompany her captain, and the queen, to such a momentous event.
She wondered who else would sit with them. Perhaps one of the Firespeakers, a clergy who harnessed the power of the volcanic landscape in service to the primordial Kossuth.
Or, Astrid thought as her smile widened, that intriguing Captain Torin of the Swords of Azral would join them. Astrid had yet to get a good look as his face yesterday, and if she was to spend three whole days here that was going to change.
But as she and her captain started for the stairwell which would lead them to the banquet, she saw Milius stop short.
"What?"
Milius's gaze hardened further. Dead ahead were two young orcs, both armed and armored, were making their rounds. They reached the top of the stairs and stood directly opposite their Arcadian guests. They'd looked to be deep in conversation but the moment they laid eyes on the human and drow they fell dead quiet.
Astrid grimaced at the sight of Milius eying the taller orc. He stood upright, a hand on the hilt of his sword. It looked like the orc was doing the same, and after a moment Astrid saw they were even puffing their chests.
"Oh, for the love of..."
Astrid suppressed a loud grown and strolled on ahead. She planted her feet before the pair of orcs and bowed her head briefly, even clasping her hands behind her back.
"Gentlemen," she stated, "my captain and I are Queen Kierra's sworn guard. We're expected at the feasting hall soon. As your Overlord has treated us to his sacred hospitality, I humbly ask that you let us pass."
The shorter orc, a clean-shaven youth with pronounced lower canine teeth, gave her an curious look. His bulkier, bearded compatriot turned to him said something Astrid couldn't quite make out. Whatever it was, it drew a snicker from them both.
Before she could find out, they parted.
Astrid turned over her shoulder, looking back at her superior officer who was watching with his arms crossed and one eyebrow raised.
"Well, come on."
Astrid smiled appreciatively at the two soldiers. "Thank you."
Both smiled back in a manner that caused a tingle to crawl up the back of Astrid's neck.
Of course, she thought. Of all the reasons for them to step aside, it had to be that.
Though, as Astrid regarded each man's angular features and powerful bodies, she couldn't say she wasn't just a little flattered.
She moved along, treating them with a slight sway in her hips while she walked away. All the while, she repeated to herself the words her mother used to great every morning.
'A new day, child.
See that you make it a good one.'
Astrid clutched the hilt of her longsword.
"I'm trying, Mother."
---
On most days, Kierra would have happily greeted the sunrise.
But not today.
Even as her chambers brightened, and the music of the city rose outside, the queen remained slumped in her bed. She stared out into nothing, dark circles showing under her eyes. Sleep had proved most elusive, and when it came at last Kierra's dreams did little to ease her conflicted feelings.
Kierra washed and dressed in silence. She'd packed clothes befitting her station, elegant but not too gaudy or provocative. Today it was a sable gown with glittering golden trim, flowing bell sleeves and an elegant high neckline.
She tied her hair into a neat bun and regarded her appearance in the mirror.
This was better, wasn't it?
Proper. Modest.
How a queen should appear.
The rest of the morning was quiet and uneventful. Two young attendants, a boy and a girl, saw to her laundry and to the tidying of her chambers. A brief inspection of her guards and their respective housing confirmed all was well.
But throughout it all, Overlord Azral was conspicuously absent. His own knights and servants were all accounted for, but the man himself wasn't anywhere to be seen.
It lasted until the morning banquet, when Kierra sat at a long ebony table before the fortress's vast feasting hall. Close to a hundred grey orcs from across the mountains had shown up to dine with their ruler. Clan leaders, their guards, noted monster hunters, and mages. All wore tunics or long robes dyed in various deep hues, and donned decorated pauldrons much like Azral's. Their muscled arms were left bare, as was custom during their holy days.
Also present were other select citizens of Azral's domain. Goblins, hobgoblins, and even a rare drow elf unaffiliated with those of the Underdark or surface world.
Kierra sat by the head of the table, right beside Azral's empty chair. If not for the night before, such an arrangement might not have caused her concern.
Kierra scanned both ends of the table. Her guard would be allowed to join them on her side, and vice versa. More than enough company to distract herself and avoid giving anything away.
Astrid and Milius joined her, while on the other side the senior orcish knight Torin arrived. Save for the company of a goblin cupbearer, he was alone. Free of his helmet, the Arcadians got their first decent look at the man. Tall and sinewy, his eyes the color of the sky at sunset, with dark grey hair and a beard both streaked with white.
Kierra looked behind him for any sign of Azral.
"Captain Torin," she asked after a minute's waiting, "where is your master?"
Torin leaned on one elbow against the table. "Overlord Azral apologizes for his lateness. He had some pressing business. Another guest has graced us with her presence and will be joining us soon."
Kierra shared a befuddled look with Milius.
"And... who is this guest?"
Torin smiled. "Lady Selaras, court mage to King Nievar and Queen Danye of Val-Varon."
Kierra couldn't believe her ears. Val-Varon, land of the eladrin. Or 'high elves' to outsiders. From their coastal city Ithas, they had ruled the known world northwest of the Dragon's Teeth for many hundreds of years.
She knew they offered an alliance to its inhabitants some years ago. But as far as Kierra knew, little had come of it save for the occasional summit.
Elves, long-lived as they were, could afford to take their time in such matters.
"I..." she chose her words carefully. "I had no idea the Overlord was making such strides with the eladrin. This is pleasing news."
She wasn't lying. It was a surprise, but a pleasant one. Something to take her mind off of what happened between her and Azral.
Milius and Astrid appeared to share the sentiment. But under his breath, Kierra heard Milius grumble, "Of course they are. Anything to get a leg up on us."
Kierra pretended not to hear him.
Torin perked up, his gaze fixing on the far end of the hall.
"There he is. Finally."
The door swung open, and a scattering of cheers and greeted the Overlord.
Azral's hair was tied back today. He wore a charcoal-colored robe which, to Kierra's delight and shame, bared part of his broad chest. He wore the same armor as he had the day before, and matching bracers decorated with a similar script.
The orc greeted his many guests with a wave, grinning from ear to ear. Though he carried the same arrogance as before, Kierra noted how many of the visiting kin he acknowledged by name, or with a shake of the hand.
A real man of the people
, she thought with a wry smirk.
Her face turned blank, however, the moment she saw who was trailing behind Azral.
On one side was the woman Shevra. Gone was the skimpy chemise and collar. She was clad in formal attire matching that of Torin's and many other guests. Shevra wore her hair in decorative braids, which were streaked with a bloody red hue. Said color was also painted on her pauldrons, and across her forearms.
How...?
Then it struck Kierra. Shevra wasn't some courtesan. She was a Sword of Azral. Her night with Azral was no contract being fulfilled. Simply a loyal soldier enjoying the privileges of her position, whether it be with her own kind or with visitors from another realm.
A pit grew in Kierra's stomach as she recalled the elf.
"No."
The word had barely escaped her lips when Kierra saw her. The elven lady was dressed in a fine form-fitting strapless cobalt gown, her hair falling long and loose across her bare shoulders. Her tattoos gleamed like stars in the night sky.
Azral's goblin attendant, whom Kierra recognized from the day before, cleared his throat.
"Rise, to acknowledge our monarch Azral Dragonbane, Patriarch of the Grey Ones and Keeper of the Black Altar.
And to welcome Lady Selaras of House Tur, Speaker for the Ithasi Court."
Selaras, or 'Gilda', as Kierra had heard her called, smiled and waved at all present. Her beauty was matched by a gracious and even regal bearing. A stunning contrast to the chained, subservient maiden who would spend the night in a warlord's bed.
Kierra sat in stony silence as they took their seats. Shevra and Selaras on Azral's side, while the Overlord stood at the head of the table. He picked up a goblet, already filled by his servants, and raised a toast to all present.
"My people. Friends and neighbors."
