Lyriena flushed in pleasure as Eastern Wind galloped between her thighs. Didn't the humans realize how sexual riding a horse was? Of course they did, they are practically sex demons themselves, she thought. Her daily riding lessons were the best part of her journey to Ruar, though to be truthful they weren't really lessons anymore. Lyriena leaned forward and pressed herself against the Stallion's strong neck as she neared the top of the hill.
Things were finally starting to look up. Preparations had begun to send the first trade ship to the Deznessuian, and she had conveyed export orders to the mines and silk farms, which had languished from the lack of trade. It might only be temporary, but putting people back to work would lift the spirits of her people.
She was so optimistic that she wasn't even disappointed when Amelie told her that she had to leave the city.
"My father has called me back home." Amelie had said. "He said there is tension on the border between Heste and the Catabrian Tribes, and he wants the Falcon Guard there as a deterrent. But really, I don't think he was pleased with my suggestion of mediating the dispute. He doesn't want Thesta to be involved. I'm terribly sorry."
"It is alright, Amelie," she had told the Princess Knight, "I have managed to gain the upper hand in the negotiations. Things are proceeding very favorably now. I appreciate everything you've done and hope that I have not caused too many difficulties with your father."
"Not at all. I'm departing in two days, so I hope to have the chance to speak with you again before I take my leave. Maybe we could have dinner?"
"That sounds lovely. I am busy tonight, but I would love to meet with you tomorrow." She said. They had agreed to meet the following night. She would have been willing to do it tonight, but she was due to meet with Sylvia again and that had to take precedence. Apparently the courtesan had moved her own plot forward and had important information to share. Lyriena was supposed to meet with her two hours after sundown at Faerie Lights.
When Elenorei and her guards caught up with her, she began to descend down the other side of the hill, which overlooked the Boronian forest. Deep orange rays from the setting sun behind her cast down the tree tops, making them seem to glow with a fiery heat. Looking at the effect made her wish she had a mirror; she must paint quite the picture with the blazing ball of fire forming a halo around her golden head and reflecting off the jewels of her tiara.
"Have you had any luck persuading Marietta to find more respectable work?" She asked her handmaiden.
"No; I don't understand it, but she seems to enjoy working at that place. She says she is happy, and she certainly looks it, but how can that be? How can she be so satisfied performing lewd acts with orcs on a stage every night?" Elenorei's cheeks flushed slightly as she answered. They both knew the answer to that question.
Lyriena had certainly learned about the seductive pleasures that such naughty things could bring. "What will you tell your aunt and uncle when we return to Yemora?"
"I don't know. I can't very well tell them that their daughter is an erotic performer for humans and orcs, can I?"
"Perhaps you can say she found a family here. It would be true, in a way." Lyriena bit her lip softly as Elenorei said nothing.
It was almost time to return to the city and go to Faerie Lights. She wanted to get there early, so she could enjoy its entertainments. Not the special booths again; that was quite fun, but her jaw was still a little sore. It had been a fascinating experience, but next time she wanted to practice in a more intimate setting. Someplace she could focus on quality over quantity.
Lyriena leaned forward and pressed herself to her horse's neck. "Before I came here I promised myself not to succumb to the decadence of the city" she whispered to the stallion. "I have not done a very good job of that, have I? But that was the foolish promise of a virgin. I never would have imagined it would be so enjoyable." She raised her hand, bringing Datoran's engagement ring to her lips. "But I cannot let myself go too far. Some things should be kept for my husband."
Lyriena pulled back on the rains as someone stepped out from the forest. It was a bearded man, burly and common looking with deep black hair. "Greetings, Your Highness! May I have a moment of your time?"
Her guards moved forward to stand between her and the stranger. "What can I do for you, sir?"
"I've come with a message of apology, Your Highness."
"From whom? Prince Trogar?"
"No Your Highness, from King Henry Ousten of Heste."
She tightened her grip on the reins and got ready to flee while her guards tensed up and stepped closer to the man.
"Wait, please Your Highness, hear me out. King Henry regrets what happened on the high seas. It is vitally important that you don't reach an agreement with the orcs, and he didn't think you would listen to him."
The man sounded remorseful, but she couldn't really be sure. "He regrets it? Three of my guards died. Another will be crippled for the rest of his life. This wasn't a simple mistake, it was an act of war!"
He flinched at the princess' anger. "There are bigger things at stake than the lives of the men who died in that battle. We lost people as well, men with wives and children to provide for. The time to stand against the orcs is now. They've impoverished your people, thrown them into hardship and deprivation because they want to bring your Kingdom into heel. You can't want that."
"I want my people to be safe, happy, and prosperous. Restoring trade relations between us and Zentara will do that." Her reply wasn't convincing even to herself; it was clear that what Trogar really wanted was to be the King of Deznessuian. Still, with Sylvia's help she would prevent that and get the trade she needed.
"Queen Jeanette will not be satisfied until her children sit on every throne in the Western Kingdoms, including your own." He smiled knowingly at Lyriena's look of discomfort. "You know that I'm right. This dispute isn't about trade, it's about forcing you into a marriage with the Prince, and that will mean the slavery of your people. Just look at what happened to my people and you'll see the future."
"Many of your own lords still rule their lands, even if your King is now an orc."
"Maybe, for now. But how long will that last? In Zentara, you can already see the lords being replaced by orcs, either from having their lands confiscated or through marriage. It will happen in Heste, and it will happen in the Elfish Isles unless you join us." The man seemed much more sure about his words now.
"So what do you propose then?"
"Marry my King, the true King. If you ally with him, then we'll be able to reclaim his throne and turn the tide against the orcs."
"My people cannot put your lord on the throne. We do not have the men or ships needed to defeat the combined might of Zentara and Heste."
The man shook his head. "Not now, but in time. The northern lords of Heste will join us, and in time, we can bring Thesta and Sandora around as well. With King Henry's ships, we can open a northern trade route to Thesta that will tie them to us, and pull them away from the orcs."
Was it possible? Cutting out Ruar from the trade could only benefit her people. "Maybe, but the King of Thesta will never go to war. He is too old. Princess Knight Amelie might, but who knows when she will take the throne? My people need relief now."
"Relieving your people today and dooming them tomorrow is no mercy, Your Highness. There will not be a trade deal with the orcs, Prince Trogar will string you along until he has you trapped."
"Thank you for the advice, sir, but I know things you do not. I have a plan, and it is already working; and I cannot overlook the violence of your Master. He tried brute force and it failed. Perhaps this is just a new way of getting what he wants?" She shook her head. "No. I will go my own way. Good day, sir!" She turned her horse and quickly galloped away in case the man tried to stop her.
It was already nearing sundown, and she needed to get to Faerie Lights so she could enjoy the club a little before Sylvia arrived. Hopefully her encouraging news would settle any doubt the Hesten man instilled.
Faeirie Lights was especially busy tonight. The club was bursting with people, and there was even a line at the door! She wanted to send Lorien and Elemere back to the castle with her horse, but she wasn't sure it was a good idea to wait around outside without protection. Fortunately the Hostess was looking for her, and signaled for her to jump in line.
"Bring Eastern Wind back to the stable and then return. I will likely still be meeting with my contact, so wait for me downstairs."
"Gladly Your Highness!" Lorien and Elemere seemed all too happy to wait for her.
