"I don't think this is a good idea, Your Highness. We shouldn't be returning to this place." Elenorei looked apprehensively at the entrance to Fairy Lights.
"Elenorei is correct, Your Highness. This is no fit place for a Princess." Goriel added as he scanned the passing crowd, alert for any potential threats to the princess. Lyriena had insisted on coming with only the captain to protect them, as she didn't want to draw any undue attention to them.
Lyriena tried not to blush as she remembered what happened here just two nights ago. "Be that as it may, it is an ideal spot for this meeting. The owner knows the contact, Elenorei's cousin can provide cover, and no one would think to look for us here. It is perfect! I just hope this Sylvia has information that can be of genuine use."
The three were met by Marietta, who hastened them through the downstairs of the inn. Fortunately, it was quiet during the day and only a few guests were eating lunch, so they did not attract much notice. Lyriena averted her eyes from Elenorei's cousin, wishing that she was wearing one of the older style veils that completely covered her face. How could she look Marietta in the eye after seeing what she'd done?
Lyriena winced as they climbed up the inn's rickety stairs to a large suite on the third floor. Her back and bottom were incredibly sore from being whipped the night before, and ached terribly with each step she climbed. Brahm was already waiting for them, as was a pretty human woman in a modest, elegant dress. It reassured her to see that some women in this Kingdom had a sense of propriety.
"Your Highness, welcome. May I present Sylvia Morrow, niece of the previous Duke of Swetford." Brahm introduced the human woman, who smiled and curtsied gracefully.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Your Highness. I've been looking forward to this; I think we have much to discuss."
"The pleasure is mine, Sylvia. May I introduce Goriel, the Captain of my personal guard, and Elenorei, my handmaiden."
Elenorei and Goriel nodded respectfully to Sylvia after Lyriena introduced them, but remained mostly silent. The captain moved to guard the door and make sure no one listened in on the conversation, while Elenorei stood beside Marietta and whispered quietly.
"I do not know how much Brahm has told you of my situation, Your Highness. My uncle, Thomas, was the previous Duke of Swetford, and led the rebellion against the Queen that led to the Second Hesten War."
"I am familiar with the conflict, Sylvia. It is a shame that Queen Jeanette's irresponsible leadership was not inhibited back then." Lyriena left out that her father had given token support to the Queen rather than the rebels, though she probably didn't need to mention it to Sylvia, who seemed sharp.
"What you may not know is what happened after. The Duchy of Swetford was disbanded, and the lands seized by the crown. The Duke's family was imprisoned, and I myself taken as a hostage." Sylvia's voice tensed with emotion. "Though that is a generous term for it. The Queen 'fostered' me with a brothel, and I was trained to become a high class courtesan."
That explains how Brahm knows her, at least. She glanced at the man and blushed beneath her veil. For the moment, he seemed happy just to make introductions and facilitate the meeting, though she suspected his true price would be revealed later. Lyriena looked back to Sylvia and felt a stab of pity for the woman. A week ago she probably would have felt revulsion at being in the same room as a harlot, even a high class one. Now though, she realized she had no room to judge. "I am sorry for the treatment you have suffered under the Queen's rule. It is no surprise you seek to act against her."
"Fortunately, it has laid the seed for the Queen's own downfall. I've made myself a successful companion, Your Highness, successful enough to attract the attention of Prince Trogar." Sylvia was pleased to see the look of excitement cross Lyriena's face. She had been worried that a scrupulous princess who wasn't 'satisfying' Trogar would be hesitant to work with a courtesan, but that didn't seem like it was going to be a problem. "And the Prince has been forthcoming about his, shall we say, negotiating positions."
Would the Prince really be foolish enough to reveal sensitive negotiating information to his companion? She wondered. Of course he would; he's a brute fueled only by his baser instincts. "I, and all the Elfish Isles of Deznessuian, would appreciate any help you can provide us in resolving this dispute and would be quite grateful to any who give us aid."
"I'm glad to hear that, Your Highness, for I need something from you in return. Don't worry, it's nothing hard or costly. Just, well, perhaps a little inconvenient. You see, contrary to what you might think, the Prince needs these negotiations to conclude as quickly as possible. I need you to drag them out."
"What do you mean? He has repeatedly threatened to cut off negotiations entirely!"
"He's bluffing, Your Highness. The pressure that the Council of Guilds is exerting has been more effective than they or you have realized. The King and Queen cannot let this go on forever or they will face riots in the streets. You have the leverage here, Your Highness, not the Prince."
Despite the wondrous news, Lyriena's heart sank. All she had been through, it was for nothing? Shame flooded through her, followed by anger. That cur! How dare he trick me! Lyriena's teeth grinded together as her mind race. "I am going to kill him."
Sylvia smiled softly. "Nothing so dramatic as that is needed. Now Your Highness, I know you're tempted to use this information against him as quickly as possible, but I would ask for some patience. Start demanding concessions, but keep the negotiations going for now."
"Why? What is it you are getting out of this, Sylvia?"
"I want to regain my position in society, Your Highness. The Queen miscalculated in my 'punishment'. She put me in a position that exposed me to many of the rich and powerful in the Kingdom. Not everyone is happy with the orcs' ascendance, and many now wish they had supported my uncle more overtly in the rebellion. Being a whore herself, the Queen should have realized how influential a position she put me in. Now that she has alienated the Council of Guilds as well, the time is right to form a coalition against her."
"What kind of coalition? You're not planning another rebellion, are you?" As much as she wanted to see the humans punished, the last thing Lyriena wanted was another war which would disrupt trade with them even more.
"No, nothing violent. That would be counterproductive. But if I can get the remaining human Duchies on my side, as well as the Council of Guilds, I believe I can force the abdication of our King and Queen for a much more suitable candidate."
I hope she doesn't mean herself. "Not yourself, I trust?"
Sylvia laughed. "No of course not. I would be content with having my Duchy returned to me. We cannot remove the orcs without war, so the next King will have to be an orc. I'm going to push for it to be Trogar; he is next in line after all. But as King he'll need a bride, and as a Duchess I'll be suitable. With myself as Queen and the support of the Duchies and the Guild, Trogar will fall in line. For all his bluster, he is quite reasonable, for an orc."
Lyriena doubted that, But if she wants to marry him, better her than me. "I wish you the best of luck with that. I'm sure you'd make a far more dignified and able Queen than our present one. How long do you need me to continue negotiations for?"
"Give me a fortnight, Your Highness." Sylvia gave the princess a crafty smile. "Just look on the bright side; think of how much fun you'll have lording it over Trogar for a change."
****
Lyriena kicked her foot and cantered up a grassy hill towards the setting sun. Western Wind, her black stallion palfrey carried her to the crest of the hill. The princess looked out over Ruar, admiring the view. Though the city wasn't built as beautifully as Yemora, it had a vibrancy to it which her own home lacked.
She gently stroked Western Wind's neck as she rested on the horse. Learning to ride was one of the best things resulting from arriving in the city. At first she had been tentative and nervous, but she took to it naturally. She was already cantering on only her second day, and was comfortable enough to ride off from the instructor.
A blush spread across her cheeks as she shifted atop the saddle. Since she started her lessons she finally learned the reason why people referred to mating as 'riding' sometimes. It still embarrassed her how the beast's powerful muscles between her thighs and against her privates made her feel. Still, she supposed, it was better to get those feelings from her horse than the Prince. At least Western Wind was a gentlemen.
Lyriena looked down the hill at the long shadows caused by the setting sun, a sense of satisfaction growing in her. She could see the Prince riding out to find her. She was supposed to meet with Trogar two hours ago, and he would no doubt be furious with her. Well, it was time to put this orc barbarian back in his place. Riding a horse was killing her back and bottom, but it was worth it for the chance to see the look on his face when she snubbed him.
She had worn her most conservative dress to contrast the skimpy outfit he had made her wear, and adorned herself with the finest jewelry, including the Moon of Deznessuian, so that she looked every inch a princess. When Trogar finally reached the summit, she called out to him. "Hail, Prince Trogar. It is a nice day for a ride, is it not? The sunset is truly beautiful, from up here. Perhaps it is not as pretty as from the summit of our western isles, but beautiful nonetheless." Lyriena suppressed a smirk at the look of rage on the orc's face.
"Lyriena! What are you doing? We were supposed to meet hours ago!"
"Supposed to, yes. But really, it is not necessary anymore, Your Highness. I have decided to suspend negotiations and return home. It is clear that you are not serious about this dispute, so I must find an alternative means of saving my people." Lyriena again had to suppress her smug smirk again as she delighted in the flicker of uncertainty melting away Trogar's anger.
"Giving up so soon, Your Highness? You're going to let your people starve to save your pride? I don't think so." Trogar snarled out at the elf.
"I do not expect that they will starve. My people survived for thousands of years before contact with the humans. It might be expensive, and it will certainly be painful, but we will manage. Indeed, I think it might actually be for the best; the corruption and decadence that has befallen the humans threatens to spread to Deznessuian. Better to seal ourselves off and retain our identity."
Trogar clenched his jaw. "So that's it? When will you be leaving?"
"Our ship departs tomorrow." This time Lyriena couldn't help but grin as the Prince's eyes widened in surprise. "There is no sense wasting time. I just wanted to ride out and get one last view of the city. It is going to be some time before I see it again."
