Chapter Fifty-Two

  “He had a Godkin’s stamina, that’s for sure.” The courtesan said as she let loose a bawdy laugh and rebound her hair back into the braid she’d had before leading the spearman away.

  “Yeah, yeah, but even a Godkin is no match for Anarian White. At least if they have enough of it.” Her blonde colleague as they looked at the passed out pair. “That one, I didn’t think he had a relaxed bone in his body.”

  The bawdy laughter became somewhat louder from the group as the courtesans hefted the pair up by arms and legs and carried them off to the guest quarters for the night. Between the six of them, it proved an easy if awkward task. Their halted steps drew no curiosity from those in the castle who heard the echoed shuffling, it wasn’t the first time the Queen’s courtesans had bought time with a less than friendly visitor, and it would not be the last.

  “So, Sandir, do you think we’ll have to do it again tomorrow?” The blonde of the pair asked as she dropped the Cardinal of Wind into the bed and tossed the covers over him.

  “Like I’d know.” Sandir answered, she brushed back her raven hair and put her hands on her hips to look down at the drunken head of state. “If we do, we do, we’ve got enough wine for a hundred days like today if we need to, so I’m not too worried about it.” It was a thoroughly practical answer, and one any of the six could appreciate.

  Courtesans, skilled, beautiful, classically trained in arts, music, theology, and even hunting skills, were one of the Queen’s most dangerous weapons in keeping order at court. When nobles seemed to be growing too close, a courtesan would foment jealousy between them. When an adventurer was needed for a quest who was somewhat reluctant, the requestor would be one that would be hard to refuse.

  As the younger daughters of noble houses, in the distant past they might have had far more prospects, but after so much land was lost to the beastman and noble houses which depended on that land either died out or became impoverished, their options were reduced. Most managed to settle into lives as bureaucrats for the state or servants for the families of former peers… but a handful, those blessed with beauty, charm, and brains, were plucked from their misfortune and placed into the direct service of the Queen, who used them as spies and manipulators, and answered to no one but her. Other than Vermillion himself, nobody but they and the Queen knew their true purpose.

  If anyone ever figured it out, those kept that information to themselves, but Draudillon doubted that anyone ever had.

  When all was said and done, as the day wound to a close and word that ‘exhaustion’ forced the envoys to an early rest, there was a collective sigh of relief within the royal court. ‘Nobody wants to deal with them, and I can’t blame them. While I’m sure if I asked my betrothed, he’d make sure any war was short, this might be stepping on the toes of the Sorcerer King, and it would have far reaching consequences for dealing with the elves…’ There was an ugly thought too, ‘his’ reputation was widespread and unpleasant.

  The Queen held out her empty cup and it was taken from her without a word, when she rose to her feet the rest of the court bowed deeply at the waist and made their way out of the room.

  She waited until the last guard departed, and Vermillion finally rose from his bowed position and said, “Goodnight, Your Majesty.” and then departed himself.

  Only then did she leave. As she was the first to enter, she was the last to leave, that was what it meant to her, to be the Queen of a nation that depended upon her.

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  The steps had the same lonely echo that they always did, and each step upward in the isolated passage was a little of her burdens falling away, until she finally reached her room.

  Stepping inside, she locked the door and did not even bother to summon maids to assist in undressing. Nor did she have a chance to do so, before she saw the demon land just inside the window.

  Ulbert’s demon form was starting to grow on her, the goat head was almost whimsical, his monocle, tophat, and clothes all were befitting a figure of wealth and status, and every step smacked the stone with a commanding strike.

  Before she could speak, he said simply, “It’s done. I left my son to complete the details, but it is over with. The Draconic Empire is now secure.”

  One might expect that she would have experienced great relief about learning that the war was over.

  And yes, Queen Draudillon did feel that wave of relief begin to rise to its crest.

  One might expect that she would have experienced wonder and awe that her nightmare was at its end.

  And yes, Queen Draudillon did feel that overwhelming happiness at the unexpected salvation theirs.

  Many things could be expected in that moment, but her mind latched on to one thing.

  “Son?” She asked.

  “Oh, right… I never mentioned that, did I?” Ulbert asked and rubbed the back of his head, “I suppose I should have mentioned that before sleeping with you.”

  “I would have appreciated it but… It would have changed nothing.” She said and approached him. Her hand went up to the fine formal shirt and pressed gently against it, “What mattered, what matters, is the security of my Kingdom. Our Kingdom. No, our Empire.” She corrected herself twice, but before she had done more than tug on the ruffle that would begin to unbind his clothing she sought clarification of one thing.

  “The heir of this Empire will spring from me alone. Do you swear it? And that your son… nor any child of your house or companions, will ever bring harm to mine?” She asked. Her luminous eyes held fast to his, and the inexperienced Ulbert, for the first time in his life, truly saw the vulnerability of another person in a less than abstract manner. It was personal, it was intimate…

  ‘That was even the plot of an Yggdrasil questline, a jealous son slew the children of his father’s other wife and seized the throne, save for one survivor, and we had to pick whose side to take. We had a lot of arguments in the guild about that before I got my way…’ He stilled that trip down memory lane when he realized she was still looking up at him, pressed close to his chest, seeking an answer in his sun-like eyes that he had yet to give.

  “I swear. If anyone does anything like that, it will be against my will. In fact, I already addressed this somewhat with my son, he will always protect the House of Odle, and all its heirs.” Ulbert promised, and when his ‘human suit’ such as it was, was restored, she felt her heart start beating again.

  “Good. Then… help me undress, and we can create the heir to the throne to celebrate. I have a great deal to tell you, but first, now? I want, no, I need to celebrate and find relief…” She didn’t let him answer with any words of his own, not wanting him to ruin the moment with questions.

  The ‘moment’ stretched out for hours, before she could explain anything at all.

  When she finally explained the last of it, Ulbert’s face was dark with anger. “This ‘Dominic’... he tried to kill my friend?”

  “I’m afraid so. He failed, but he would have been successful if it were not for Torald’s talent.” The Queen explained and nestled up closer to him, rustling the sheets and breathing in his scent.

  “Dominic will answer for that.” Ulbert retorted.

  Queen Draudillon rolled on top of him, kissed his forehead, and as the corners of her lips rose up she thought, ‘It feels good to smile again.’