The Gem Of Troth Pt 03

Welcome Readers!

This is part 3 in a series, wherein Jon travels across the sea to get his lover's trust back.

Chapter 3 -- Sha'qat

Jon stood easy at the helm, one hand holding an apple, with his breeches rolled up and his tunic loosened to take in the breeze. It was a beautiful day for sailing, and Sophie's consignment led the

Naglfar

and crew far to the south into seas full of warm breezes and clear skies. The kingdom of Sha'qat was a major port at the edge of a desert expanse. It was known far and wide as a place where anything was up for sale, including life and death. The

Naglfar

would deliver a cargo of whale bone and gems, and they hoped to pick up silks or even rare medicine for the next port. Jon's share would go into information and supplies for an inland trek on his own.

In spite of the fair wind and following seas, there was much to be done. The deck hands passed to-and-fro scrubbing and shining, repairing ropes and sails, or fashioning and deploying fishing nets. One such deckhand was diligently scrubbing a spot on a rowing bench, which was probably an eye in the log, and would not be coming out.

"Gods' ass, Lubber! Get to work on something useful," called Ndiki, Jon's first-mate. The deckhand had signed on board the day before they left port and wasted no time getting on the mate's bad side.

Jon said, "Go easy on him, Ndiki," loudly enough for Lubber to hear, but not enough for it to seem that he was supposed to hear, "Lubber's only been at sea for six days."

"Six days or six years, if he drops another bucket in the drink, he's going in after it." She clearly wasn't happy with Lubber's performance, but the seasoned deckhands could also tell she was exaggerating her frustration.

The first day at sea, Lubber had gotten sick, and he hadn't made it out of the cabin to wretch, instead spilling his breakfast on the floor next to Ndiki's rack. Then, when he tried to fill a bucket with water to clean the floor, he had dropped it in the sea. After that episode Ndiki had dubbed him "Lubber," and the name stuck.

It didn't help that Ndiki was already on edge from an eventful night the day before. After the captain's tryst with Carina, with the cargo stored and the ship ready for sea, Ndiki set a skeleton watch and took one last night on the town with the rest of the crew.

Ndiki was legendary amongst the crew for her ability to attract companions in port. That night she had drank several rounds with the crew before retiring to a room at the inn with at least three men and one woman. Early the next morning she was rousing the crew from their racks, and hungover or not, did a fine job putting the

Naglfar

to sea. Then Lubber came along and spilled his sick right next to her rack. Jon found the whole situation just a little absurd, and he hid a smirk by biting his apple.

Playful hazing aside, the crew spent easy days with sheets deployed, training the new crew and cleaning the ship. Jon was in his element feeling the sway of the sea beneath him and feeling the breeze of the salt air. But his thoughts kept turning to Carina and their last encounter. The tight quarters of the ship didn't allow Jon the privacy to do anything with his thoughts, so he reviewed his plan.

On the night that the princess had banished her trust, a brilliant light had streaked across the sky in many lands, lancing off into the east. Jon had already learned that the astronomers of Sha'qat had triangulated the streak's path, and also that it would be the most likely starting place for his journey. It was pure luck that Sha'qat was also one of the most likely ports of call following Torin. He had confided his full plan to Ndiki alone, the rest of the crew only knew the plan as far as their next destination. After making their deals in Sha'qat, Jon would take his share of the profit and strike out into the desert. He would remain owner of the

Nalgfar

on paper, but Ndiki would take over as captain, and continue their trade. With any luck, they would one day be reunited.

Jon had some sense that beyond the desert to the east would be a barely explored woodland, and beyond that, the stuff of legends. His thoughts drifted to Carina--their time together, her strength, her longing to escape the confines of her duties. His hands tightened on the helm as he wondered if she was alright.

--

Without Jon's visits to look forward to, Carina's life had become a dull monotony of courts, councils, and petty politics. Just today, she had heard a grievance from a group of farmers whose water access had been dammed by an officer of the crown. He argued that the crown needed the water, and they were late in paying their taxes. The farmers argued they wouldn't be able to pay taxes at all without access to water. When Carina asked what "the crown" intended to do with the water, and found out it was for a water feature in the castle grounds, she snapped.

"Milo," she had called, "See to it that the dam is removed."

As the guard responded in the affirmative, she had called out in her mind, and a spout of water leapt out of the floor of the court. While Carina stormed out, the water hoarder was drenched, along with all those near him. She left a cacophony behind her, as half the court was in uproar and the other half found it hilarious.

Carina had heard Sophie tittering as she ran to catch up with the princess. Sophie knew that the spell was only a glamour, and soon there would be no water at all. Once they were abreast, Sophie caught her breath. In a serious tone, she said, "That probably could have been handled better."

"Oh, I know," Carina had said, stopping and turning to Sophie. "I'm just so tired of these lords. Why do you think he's pursuing his little project?"

"Probably to gain your attention."

"Exactly. He thinks if he starves the people to build something pretty in the castle, it will gain him some sort of favor. Well, he has my attention now."

"Just be careful, princess. You can't rule without the help of the nobles."

"I know. I just need some time alone. I'll be in the library for a while."

"As you wish."

Carina spent the following hours in the library. She knew plenty about influencing minds with illusions, but she couldn't get her mind off of Jon, and she longed for a way to see him again. Now back in her chambers, she had a stack of books on divination, and was poring through them, looking for a spell to view someone a world away. She had already dismissed most of the stack when Sophie arrived to tell her dinner was ready.

"Thanks Sophie, I'll come soon."

The princess looked over the remaining books. Two, she now knew enough to dismiss out of hand. One she already knew was useless; she had only taken it on impulse. And the last was a text about an ancient form of magic from a forgotten empire. Intriguing, but not promising.

Why were diviners so tunnel-visioned on the future and the afterlife?

Carina thought. None of these books were concerned with remote sensing, only fortune telling! She threw herself on the bed in frustration and then rolled to her feet and went down to dinner.

Tonight Carina had no guests, so her only company was the dining staff and Sophie briefing her on the happenings of the day since she had retired. She had a good chuckle when Sophie described the water-hoarding lord complaining to her about his treatment. Apparently, halfway through grousing about his ruined silk, the glamour had worn off, and he found himself wringing out a bone-dry jacket. Sophie had handled the situation diplomatically, and gently encouraged him to impress the princess by how he treated the people rather than through gifts for the crown.

Returning to her chamber after her meal, Carina stared at the last unread book. She didn't have high hopes for the text, but she knew that it was her last option. The book was written in a dead language, so Carina had to use a glamour that would convince her mind that the symbols were actually something she could read. This was an application of her power that she had discovered on her own one day. She still didn't know how the glamour could actually perform the translation, but she had stopped questioning it.

On Mastering the Energy of the Awakening

The title simultaneously intrigued Carina and told her nothing of what to expect. She knew nothing of the writers beyond that they had existed. As she began reading, she was shocked to learn that the power of the ancient sorcerers came from a completely different source than did her own power. The Awakening, she learned, was another way of saying, "sexual arousal." As the realization dawned on Carina, her thoughts turned to Jon again, and she could feel heat building in her belly. As she tried to focus on the writing, the heat traveled down to her crotch, and she found herself squirming and rolling on the bed with her legs squeezed together.

Carina read various suggestions for generating the energy of the Awakening, including solo experiences, partners, and group projects. One hand wandered down to her folds and gently probed, while she continued to explore the ancient tome. Now, it was discussing various inanimate aids to generating energy, and she wondered if it held magic at all, or was just about getting one's rocks off.

The princess was reading the book and laying belly-down on her bed, pinning her arm in place, as her finger found her clit and started to rub in earnest. She skipped ahead some chapters until she could find something to do with the Awakening she was currently experiencing. When she found what she was looking for, Carina's breath caught in her throat. Was it from the excitement of finding the spell or the excitement building in her womanhood, she couldn't tell.

Soul Sharing: a spell for experiencing the world through the senses of another. She needed intimate knowledge of the subject. Preferably "corpus to corpus." Only one person she could think of fit that description. She was breathing heavily as she shifted so that her finger could reach inside her vagina.

As the energy in Carina's core grew, she frantically read through how to weave the spell. Her orgasm mounted as she was nearly done reading, and she had to squeeze her legs tight and breathe deep to hold it back. The princess' mind wandered to the memory of Jon's hands touching her body and squeezing her thighs. She shook the thoughts out of her head and refocused on the book.

When she finally finished reading, Carina was far past ready to use the energy of the Awakening, and she rolled on her side, working her g-spot with one hand and pinching her clit with the other. As her orgasm came over her, she suddenly felt as if she was thrust into the sky, her eyes sensing nothing, sight replaced with the all-consuming pleasure. As she came back down to Earth, she had the sense of standing, in the cold, on a surface that was swaying this way and that. Was it the deck of a ship? She tried to open her eyes, but was suddenly sucked back into her own consciousness.

She lay on her back, in her own bed, in her own chambers. Her body was tired and satisfied, but the Awakening had subsided. She stared at the ceiling in shock and wonder. She had succeeded. What she felt must have been Jon's experience from the deck of his ship. But she failed to sustain the spell for some reason. She was disappointed, but encouraged to learn more.

On the

Naglfar

, Jon suddenly stumbled and nearly hit the deck, catching himself awkwardly on the gunnel. The bosun, currently at the helm, called out, with a chuckle, " Whass wrong capm? Lost yer sea legs?"

"Don't know what happened, Bosun," Just forgot where I was for a moment.

The bosun wore an idiotic grin for at least an hour after seeing his captain falling in light weather like a landlubber.

--

"Captain," called Ndiki, "

Naglfar

is docked, in-port watch is set, and the crew is dismissed for shore leave."

"Excellent. I've already paid the docking fee."

"Huh, you mean the harbormaster's bribe?"

"Bribe or fee, money is money, and when in Sha'qat we follow Sha'qat's rules. Here's an extra share for your formal wear," Jon said, handing Ndiki a purse of coins.

"Formal wear?" she grunted, "What'll I need that for?"

"The captain of the

Naglfar

is joining the emir for dinner tomorrow. By the end of that meeting, the captain will be you."

Ndiki looked like someone had pissed on her headstone, "Fuuuu..."

"Yep, being captain comes with fancy parties and fancier people. Don't worry, I don't think you'll be too out of your element at a Sha'qat society party. It'll be good practice for your next port. Just get something nice from the bazaar. Meet me at the palace gate at noon tomorrow."

Jon stayed on the wharf to farewell each of the crew as they left for shore leave, then he said goodbye to the remaining men on deck watch, including Lubber. He still had a ways to go, but Ndiki only cursed at him a few times in the past few days. Jon gave him some encouragement and a handshake, then he left the ship to visit the town.

As he left the scent of salt and fish behind, Jon was engulfed by a medley of spices and diverse languages. Intrigued by the vibrant market square, he explored stalls brimming with Eastern textiles, intricate metalwork, and aromatic herbs. He admired the dyes, picturing their potential as merchant attire or flags. Seasoned traders around him negotiated, sometimes skillfully and sometimes angrily.

Venturing beyond the market, Jon discovered Sha'qat's less affluent quarters, where life's harsh realities were palpable. The streets here bore the odors of tanned leather and cheap tobacco, a stark contrast to the market's opulence. Jon visited a dimly lit cafe, absorbing local gossip over bitter coffee as the evening crowd buzzed with tales of regional power shifts and mythical desert oases.

As night fell, Sha'qat lit up with lanterns and music. Jon was captivated by a storyteller recounting legends of desert heroes, intertwining the city's mystical past with its dynamic present. When the story ended, he decided it was time to find lodging. He found an inn very close to the cafe, and purchased a room for a very reasonable rate.

--

The next day, Jon bathed and groomed for the coming party. His customary furs would be too hot for the climate, so he wore a simple, bright red tunic with a pair of white silk breeches in the Sha'qatan style. As the sun mounted the sky, Jon left for the emir's palace.

Ndiki arrived right on time. Jon only ever saw her in utilitarian sailor's garb, so he didn't know what to expect, but he was left speechless. Her bodice and skirt were lovingly embroidered with silver and beaded with pearl. The white and tan color contrasted perfectly with her dark skin. The skirt reached down half her thighs and hung loose without flaring much, giving the impression of fancy deck shorts. Her arms were bare save for a long, translucent shrug made of fine silk.

"I know," Ndiki said, "I'm throwing it in the drink as soon as this is over."

"Don't do that, it's perfect on you." Jon couldn't believe she didn't see it.

"Let's just get this over with."

The emir's party unfolded under the clear, azure sky of Sha'qat, the palace gardens blooming with vibrant, exotic flowers that perfumed the air. Guests, adorned in a kaleidoscope of silks and jewels, mingled along marble pathways lined with glistening fountains and intricate mosaics. The air was alive with the melodious tunes of lutes and flutes, complemented by the rhythmic beat of drums that invited spirited dances among the attendees.

Servants in richly embroidered vests glided through the crowd, offering trays of delicacies--spiced meats, sweet pastries, and fruits that burst with freshness. In one corner, a group of performers captivated the audience with a dramatic falconry display, the birds soaring against the backdrop of the palace's golden domes. Nearby, an artist painted swift, colorful portraits, capturing the day's joy and the guests' elegance on canvas. Jon and Ndiki, slightly out of their element but marveling at the spectacle, wandered through the festivities, their senses overwhelmed by the grandeur and the intricate beauty of Sha'qat's high society.

As the sun set, the emir's guests were ushered inside for the dinner party. Jon and Ndiki followed a footman to a large square room with pillows and short tables arranged all around and close to the walls. They took their seats, as Jon pointed out the emir to Ndiki. The emir was a young man seated in the center of the far wall. He was clean shaven except for a mustache which was impressively long and waxed to stick out past his ears. He wore a large turban, and shoulderpads that would be impressive if he held them square, but currently his shoulders slumped and he had a sour look on his face. The emir stared at his wine glass while toying with it absently. No attention was paid to his guests. Once everyone was seated, a light murmur of conversation began, but the emir still seemed uninterested in the affair.

When the dinner service began, Jon spoke to Ndiki with concern in his voice. "Something is off. Normally the host would offer some entertainment during dinner and engage with his guests."

"Our host seems to have something else on his mind."

Jon flagged down a footman, telling him, "We have business to discuss tonight, might we have an audience with the emir?"

"I'll inquire on your behalf, my lord."

The portly orderly deftly maneuvered between the serving staff and the guests, then spoke with a man standing behind the emir. Jon saw the footman point in his direction, and shortly thereafter the man he was talking to shook his head. The footman returned and explained, "I'm sorry, my lord. The emir only discusses business after the night's enterta-inment, and his favorite concubine, who was intended to perform, has disappeared. The emir is too distraught, and will be keeping his own council tonight."

Jon silently cursed as storm clouds filled his mind. This was quite the setback.

"Please ask if I may approach the emir," said Ndiki, "To speak on the topic of tonight's entertainment."

As the footman left once more, Jon turned to Ndiki, his eyebrow raised. "What are you thinking?"

"If he needs entertainment, maybe I can provide some."

"He doesn't want to see fancy knots, Ndiki. The entertainment is generally provided by slaves and whores."

"I figured. Last night, I had dinner in the fun part of town."

Jon's jaw went slack as he processed what she was intending.

"You're not on my crew anymore, right? I don't get to take my ship away from here until we get you squared away. So if this is what it takes," she popped a grape in her mouth and chewed. After swallowing she said matter-of-factly, "I'm up for it."

When the orderly returned, Jon noticed the emir and his entourage were all looking in his direction. "You may approach the emir," he said, moving his arms to direct her around the edge of the room.

Ndiki stood up and stepped over the low table, at which point, Jon happened to glance up her skirt, to see that she had no underwear on. The footman tried to protest, but it came out as a cough, as Ndiki positively

sashayed

across the room between the tables. Jon watched in wonder, the whole crew knew Ndiki was promiscuous, but this was a side he had never seen.

Ndiki walked up to the emir and sat daintily on the table in front of him. Jon heard the conversations around the room grow louder, as the guests took notice of this new turn of events. After a short conversation, Ndiki motioned to two of the guards behind the emir. They wore ceremonial brass breastplates and skirts of red leather. With a word from the emir, they put down their spears, and followed Ndiki, as she moved to the center of the room. She casually tossed the shrug she was wearing, then began to stretch, putting her hands on the ground and moving her body forward until her legs were flat on the ground and her torso held upright by her arms.