Miladys Wiles Chapters 5-8 free porn video

"Milady's Wiles" by Brandy Dewinter with the invaluable assistance of P.J. Wright Chapter 5 Closer Than Sisters The second day following saw the return of Lyonidas to our castle. He arrived with an entourage of faceless guards, but his attitude showed he didn't fear any of us enough to need them. He wasn't particularly arrogant like his father, just comfortable in the presence of his enemies. It appeared that the High Canyonites didn't care much for formal protocol. He had arrived without announcement, demanding entrance past our gate guards in his own voice. Unlike the previous visit he had arrived on horseback, as had his guards. In one smooth motion he dismounted and tossed the reins of his long-legged black gelding to one of his companions. Before Hugh of Sandars had even reached the courtyard Lyonidas was once again striding toward the throne room. Our Chamberlain moved to intercept him, "Prince Lyonidas, can I be of assistance?" "Probably," Lyonidas answered lightly. "For now, please let the Queen and Princess Cherysse know that I have arrived." He had continued toward the throne room as he spoke, and saw that Mother and I were there even before he finished speaking. "Ah, don't bother," Lyonidas continued, "I see they already know." There was a crowd in the throne room as Lyonidas entered. It was the day of petition to the crown for justice, a long-scheduled opportunity for noble and commoner alike. The Queen had decided to continue with the tradition in a show of control over our own internal affairs. At the time of his entrance two shepherds were arguing a case before Queen Selay. Lyonidas pushed past them and climbed the dais. He looked around briefly, saw that the only available seat was the King's throne unless he ejected Queen Selay from her high seat, then plopped down in the throne. Queen Selay stood instantly. The hiss of withdrawn breath in the room covered any hesitation she had in speaking. Her words came with careful import, "Prince Lyonidas, are you your father's regent, or by claiming the throne are you claiming the kingdom for yourself?" He stood immediately, an instant of blush covered in bluster, "Oh, that's right. You people place lots of significance in furniture and things. Well, we don't, but we don't need to confuse anyone, either. I am content to be regent for my father, the King." Then he tried to change the subject, "What's going on, anyway?" Queen Selay sat in her high seat again, pointedly the only one seated. "This is the day of petition. These men have come forward to ask for justice. In the absence of the King, I was going to act as judge. Perhaps you will do this instead?" "Surely," he grinned, "what's the situation?' The Queen nodded at the first man who we had earlier learned was named Samuel. He launched into a list of grievances against his neighbor, Harris. It seemed Harris had dammed up a small stream and made other improvements in his property that had caused him to prosper more than Samuel. In return for the temporary loss of water to his land while Harris' small lake filled, Samuel had stolen a prize ram and used it to impregnate several of his ewes without permission. In the course of his use, the ram hadn't been treated properly and had died. It took almost 30 minutes to get the story out of the men. Every time Harris would try to explain his side of things, Samuel would interrupt with another accusation of unfairness. Lyonidas listened intently at first but as time went on his attention began to wander, returning all too frequently to look at me. I made a point of looking away each time his eyes found mine. Of course, I had to look at him when he wasn't looking at me, or perhaps from the corner of my eye even when he was looking at me, in order to study him that I might understand our adversary better. Julia was standing beside me. She would do something with her hair or flutter her hand, or something each time Lyonidas looked our way to ensure that she had his attention. It was distracting to me standing beside her, and clearly interesting to Lyonidas. "What, huh?" he said, recognizing too late that Queen Selay had spoken. "What is your decision, Prince Lyonidas?" she repeated. "Oh, decision, yes," he stammered. "This one, Samuel, has stolen the other's ram. Samuel is a thief. Kill him." Samuel collapsed on the spot, blubbering incoherently for mercy. Harris looked almost as stricken. He hadn't wanted vengeance, only the price of his ram. Most of the rest of us were horrified as well. Only Queen Selay remained calm. She waited for Samuel's wails to die down then addressed Lyonidas. "Very well, Regent. Shall we execute Samuel's wife and children as well? Without him, there is no way they will survive the winter. Or would you prefer that they starve?" "No, of course not. Let someone else take care of her," Lyonidas replied. Now, we all knew that Samuel's wife was part of a large family and would not really starve. But, Lyonidas did not. "Who do you recommend?" the Queen asked. Lyonidas was getting a bit flustered, "I don't know, doesn't she have any family?" "Does it appear to you that Samuel is prosperous, part of a wealthy family?" the Queen's interrogation continued, though it was the regent who was now on trial. Lyonidas studied the men before him. Neither were dressed in the clothes of the nobility but even between them it was clear that Samuel's clothes were of lesser quality than those Harris wore. I could see Lyonidas trying to find another option. Mother's question had two thrusts in it. If Samuel's family couldn't support his wife, then surely Samuel couldn't pay restitution for the ram, either. A moment of vulnerability showed in Lyonidas dark eyes, before he hardened his expression. "If you have a better idea, tell it to me." Now the challenge was back on the Queen, but her tight smile showed it was expected. She had not actually answered any of Lyonidas questions, replying instead with questions of her own. She paid no more apparent attention to his order. Looking at Harris while pointing at Samuel, she asked, "Do you desire this man's death?" "No, Your Majesty. The ram was not worth a man's life." "What do you think would be fair?" she asked. At this, Lyonidas twitched as though bitten by a flea. Such an obvious question and he didn't think to ask it. Harris was a little surprised as well. He looked at the man trembling at his feet for a moment, then answered, "Perhaps if Samuel gave me the lambs which issue from the ewes fertilized by my ram." "I'm afraid that's not good enough," Queen Selay declared. "He will indeed give you the lambs. In addition, he will labor for you on further improvements to your farm. His sentence will continue until he uses the skills he will learn in working for you to make similar improvements in his own farm. If he fails to apply himself, you will report back to Us." Now her voice took on a harder tone, "Do you understand and accept this judgment, Samuel?" For one who had a moment ago faced execution, the sentence seemed light indeed. Samuel got to his feet with nodding acceptance, looking sideways at the neighbor who now had control of his life. Before they could turn away, Queen Selay's voice froze them as she addressed Lyonidas. "If, that is, this judgment is acceptable to the Regent?" Lyonidas could only nod at the obvious justice. He looked up as the next couple of peasants approached the dais and sighed at the thought of another interminable trial. "Queen Selay, as I have just arrived, I would like to get settled into my accommodations. I'll leave you to hear the remaining petitions." She nodded gravely, "As you wish. Perhaps you would like an escort. Princess Cherysse, please accompany him." I stepped forward in reflex to her order, but in confusion as well. I thought we were not going to encourage Lyonidas in his pursuit of me. He held out his arm in easy courtesy and my hand took its place on his. We swept from the throne room with an overlarge escort of all the tan-garbed men, my own guards, and Julia. "I don't believe I have met your companion," Lyonidas stated once our circus had gotten underway. "This is my late brother Tamor's betrothed, Julia," I replied. Lyonidas bowed to Julia. There was no apology in his voice, but he spoke with honest respect, "Your betrothed was a valiant warrior, of great courage and skill." "It is history," she replied. Her eyes wandered up and down Lyonidas' lanky frame and implied it might as well have been ancient history. A few strands of hair, no longer contained by combs and pins, had drifted in front of my face so I tossed my head to get it back behind my shoulder. It didn't all go where I wanted so I gathered it in the hand not held by Lyonidas and pulled it back. In the course of this, my bosom had pressed against his arm. Of course since it wasn't really me, I didn't realize it immediately and we walked along with my new curves rubbing softly against his much harder forearm. When my hair was out of the way, I looked up at him to find his own gaze focused rather intently on the interaction. Once I realized what had happened I moved clear, but not before the smile on his face ignited a fire in my cheeks as bright as Julia's hair. Julia sniffed, then seemed to have trouble with her breathing, suddenly feeling the need to take several overlarge breaths. Her gown, unlike mine, displayed at least a part of attributes I only simulated and the deep breathing captured my attention. I almost stumbled on an uneven place in the pavement, clutching at Lyonidas' hand for stability. For some reason he had missed the same step. With that distraction, or perhaps release from distraction, I oriented on where we had gotten in our walk. The section ahead was normally reserved for nobility and a very few select companions, not the whole circus behind us. All but one of my guards drew up to their accustomed waiting area, but the swirl around Lyonidas continued. "I'm sorry, Prince Lyonidas, but your guards are not permitted beyond this point." "Is that so?" he replied, suspicion in his eyes. Julia interrupted with a toss of her own hair, "Surely, Prince Lyonidas, you don't fear women and servants, do you?" A grin lit his face at her comment and his response was laden with undercurrents of humor, "My dear mother has taught me that the female of the species is much deadlier than the male." "That you can rely on," Julia laughed. I was about to make a comment of my own when Lyonidas waved at his guards to take a position at the door, all but one that was indistinguishable from the rest, at least to me. Lyonidas bowed me past the portal and held his genteel pose even as Julia entered behind me. Somehow, she managed to make her somber gown flippant and light as she passed. I had moved my own, of course, merely to stay clear of the doorway. It had been decided that Lyonidas would stay in Tamor's rooms. Queen Selay intended to retain the royal apartments unless forcibly removed. I steered Lyonidas to the correct wing with gentle pressures and we arrived at our destination without letting it seem like there were any choices. Tamor's rooms were entirely befitting a crown prince and Lyonidas was clearly pleased. "And where are your rooms?" he asked me, a grin back in his eyes that made me feel most strange. "Down the hall," I admitted, pointing vaguely. He asked Julia the same question. It was a good thing that Mother had moved her to rooms adjacent to the royal suite, or Julia might have had a late night visitor. Then I remembered that she had the same disincentive to dalliance that crushed my waist. Still, I didn't want her to be too available to Lyonidas. Julia and I left Lyonidas to get settled in his rooms. As we left he was going around examining Tamor's martial momentos. It looked like he'd be quite satisfied with the decor. As soon as we were out of earshot, I turned to Julia. But her own words cut mine off before they were voiced, "Cherysse, you're not supposed to be encouraging him!" "Me? I'm not the one throwing myself at him!" I shot back. "You're not? Then what were you doing rubbing you bosom on his arm the whole way down the hall?" "That was an accident. I didn't even notice while I was fixing my hair," I claimed. "That's another thing, flipping all the blonde hair around. Like his eyes weren't glued to you already!" "Well, at least I wasn't hyperventilating for effect!" This brought a blush to her cheeks and enough pause in our ranting for another voice to intrude. "Ladies, attend me please." Queen Selay's quiet voice left no room for other comment. She had apparently finished with the petitions and was returning to her room. We followed her with lowered heads, glaring at each other through the bright-colored tresses that framed our faces. We followed Mother into her rooms in silence though. Once we were inside Queen Selay moved quietly to her usual seat, motioning Julia and me to nearby stools. "Girls, you're going to have to work together on this," she began. I interrupted her, "But Mother, Julia was being shameless. I thought she was just supposed to keep Lyonidas off balance so he didn't become to adamant about me too soon." Julia got her next comment in before Mother could reply, "And that's all I was doing, trying to keep his interest from being totally focused on Cherysse. But the way she was acting, that took some doing!" That infernal maiden's lover kept me from gathering the breath I needed for the reply I wanted to make and once again the slight pause gave Mother room to speak. "Quiet, both of you," she ordered. The glare Julia gave me was a sight to behold. Her green eyes had a fire in them that threatened to bring down the castle, fed by the blaze always shown in her tumbling hair now that she was forbidden to pin it up with maidenly modesty. Since we weren't allowed to speak, I tried to let her know with my own gaze that she wouldn't get between Lyonidas and me. Mother sighed as she looked at us. After a moment, she spoke first to that redheaded tart, "Julia, Cherysse is, um, struggling with her, um, reactions to this situation. Instead of berating her you should help her find more appropriate responses. It is important that Lyonidas be attracted to her, just not exclusively focused on her." I found myself sticking my tongue out at Julia at Mother's comments though I couldn't remember the last time I had done that. Mother saw it, of course, and then it was my turn. "Cherysse, you are above all a Princess of Achaiea. You will behave like a lady. However, the reason you wear your maiden's lover is because I understand how difficult it is to maintain decorum. Nonetheless, you shall behave." "But Mother," I whined, "you asked me to escort him, and rubbing against him was an accident." Mother ignored Julia's snort and went on, "I asked you to escort him because we need to maintain his interest without letting it become overwhelming. It will be a delicate balance and will require great care. We cannot afford further accidents." She looked at us both, demanding obedience with her eyes. I looked at Julia, who looked at me, the challenge still in her eyes. Queen Selay cleared her throat in a manner that I had learned the hard way meant this was non- negotiable, so I looked back at my mother and nodded in submission. Julia followed suit, and I thought the incident was closed. No such luck. "Cherysse," the Queen ordered, "you will spend the balance of the day in your chambers. You are obviously overwrought by the stresses of our recent problems. Julia will be escorted by Lyonidas this evening." My protest died on my lips at her stern look. This time it was Julia who stuck her tongue out at me. The unfairness of it was somewhat relieved by Mother's next command, "Julia, you will remember that your goal is to keep his interest, not win his love. That is for Cherysse, but only when the time is right. I want you to be a model of propriety tonight." I could see Julia winding up for either protest or denial or something, but Mother's stern look forestalled her as well. She nodded once again. A thoughtful look appeared on the Queen's face as she looked at us. "Actually," she said, "this is probably for the best. A bit of jealousy between you will inflate Lyonidas' already substantial ego and keep him from looking too closely at the things that will be happening. However, the two of you will remember your duty and keep yourselves under control. Do you understand?" "Yes, Mother," I replied, simultaneously with Julia's "Yes, my Queen." Still, Julia was the one to go to the arrival dinner that evening. I spent it in my rooms with my music and my books, and my one true friend, Wraith. Chapter 6 A Picnic The next morning I was summoned to Mother's chambers quite early. I wrapped a dressing gown around my always-present steel companion and went to her rooms without delay. I still wanted to find out why she had allowed Julia unrestricted access to my, that is, to Lyonidas. I found Julia already in the room, also in a dressing gown. Mother was wearing much the same. She ushered us in to her private bathing chamber which was dominated by a quite large tub, already filled with steaming water and sprinkled with fresh rose petals. "All right, girls, this will be our normal practice from now on. You will bathe in my presence since it will require removal of your maiden's lovers. After that, I will replace them and you can get dressed for the day." I was so excited at the thought of getting out of my constricting tormentor that I didn't realize for a moment that Julia was part of the same plan. Instead I whirled to present my back to Mother, dropping my dressing gown to allow her unrestricted access to the lock and flexible steel rod. I was not to be released immediately, though, since first Mother had to reattach the conventional lacing panels to relieve the pressure on the closures. It became even tighter, a feat I would have sworn was impossible, but then I hard the faint click of the lock being released and the slither of the rod withdrawing from the interlocking loops. Still I had to stand there until she released the lacing panels as well, but with each inch of the flexible rod's withdrawal, my most intimate discomfort was relieved. I had become used to the sensations sufficiently to ignore it, but it had never been comfortable. Even the continuing constrictions at my waist paled to insignificance in comparison with the almost obscene pleasure of releasing the lower binding. Finally even my waist was free, the silken undergarment also removed, and Mother was shooing me into the bath. I entered it gratefully, letting the heat soothe the many pinched points of my flesh, and most of all soothe the aching compression of those parts of me incongruous with my general appearance. I let my eyes close with pleasure and sank down until only my nose was clear of the perfumed water. A surge in the water roused me as I felt another body enter the tub. I looked up to see Julia, naked as a nymph and twice as lovely slide with her own gratitude into the embracing warmth. In a single heartbeat the dull ache I had been gently assuaging climbed to sharp need, causing me to gasp. "What's wrong?" Mother asked. "Um, nothing, uh, nothing really," I lied. Mother's eyes got shrewdly sharp for a moment, but she nodded acceptance of my words, if not their content. She handed me a bar of scented soap and while I worked on the parts below the water line she began to work other soap into my blonde tresses. Once Julia's eyes opened from their own initial bliss, soap was handed to her as well and she began her cleansing ritual. Her hair was as long as mine and perhaps even fuller, acting as a thick sponge to draw a mass of water from the bath. When the time came for Mother to wash Julia's hair, she raised herself up to rest her elbows on the edge of the tub. Unfortunately, or fortunately, or whatever, this exposed assets that captured my attention a thousand times more thoroughly than her enhanced breathing exercises had done the day before. They were so, lovely, so, shapely with smooth flowing curves that changed in complex yet always compatible ways. The . . . um . . . accents, were spectacular, dark and mysterious and much larger than I expected. The ache hidden under the hot water became much more intense, much more demanding. If I had to put that infernal outfit on at this time, well, the kingdom would never see an heir from my bloodline. Still, I couldn't tear my eyes away. Or, at least I didn't think I could. Though I stayed soaking in the bath after Mother finished with my hair, when Julia was finished she was told to stand up and get dressed. That revealed a distraction that made even her other treasures seem, well, never uninteresting, perhaps challenged for attention. Julia seemed unaware of this and slipped on a thin robe while she began to run towels through the heavy mass of her fiery hair. I still stared. I knew I was doing so but I couldn't tear my eyes away from the slim goddess sitting in the morning sunlight, her damp robe caressing her so intimately. "Cherysse!" Mother said sharply, and I realized it was not the first time she had called. "Um, yes, uh, what?" I babbled. "Stand up, you now need to dry yourself," she ordered. "I, um, well, um, not now," I muttered quietly, trying not to let Julia hear. "Yes, now!" she said even more sharply. In the face of a direct order I really had no option. I stood up, revealing a surprisingly slender waist of my own, and a bit of shape above due to the forced redistribution of what little excess flesh I owned. Still the water was deep enough that the most strident disclaimer of my femininity was concealed. "All the way," Mother demanded, but gently. She was trying to get us both through this issue. I didn't think she knew, though, just how much of an issue had 'arisen.' I would have been better off to have obeyed immediately as my extended reluctance had captured Julia's attention. When I finally stepped fully from the water her eyes widened in surprise then narrowed in concentration. I was too embarrassed to study her reaction more closely, turning and reaching for my own robe. "You'll both have to get used to this," Mother explained. "It is normal for noble companions protected by a maiden's lover to help each other in their needs. That is all that you are doing. Remember that." Julia's eyes now twitched in a grin she tried to keep off her lips. "It appears that will be easier for me than for, um, Cherysse." "Actually not," Mother cautioned. "Cherysse will not find it difficult to think of you as female. You will have to be careful not to let anything slip." "Cherysse was so perfect that I had quite forgotten," Julia said, and I tried to decide if that was good news or bad. "As I hope all others in the castle will do without a constant reminder," replied the Queen. By this time both of us had toweled our hair dry enough to stop active dripping, which was all that we needed before we dressed. Once we were again in our diabolical devices the palace servants for hair dressing and cosmetics would attend us. Before Mother brought our lovers back though, she handed each of us a sharp blade. She ordered us, "Remove all the body hair from each other. It is important to be as smooth as possible under the garments." Julia looked at me, a spark of humor in the green jewels of her eyes, then dropped her robe without comment. I should have done it first, for the sight of her once again nude and glowing resurrected my interest, and its undeniable sign. "Oh, you poor . . dear," Julia giggled. "It's not funny," I snapped. "Actually, it is," she disagreed, "but it's no more ladylike of me to recognize it, than it is of you to . . show your interest." Her humor still shown forth with bright glory from her eyes, and it just would not be denied. Even Mother was struggling to contain a grin. I finally gave in and laughed with them. But I decided I could have a little fun of my own. "So, Julia, Mother says we need to help each other, closer than sisters," I began. She nodded, still laughing, before she really absorbed what I had said. "Then perhaps you could give me a little help with my, um, need before we are again imprisoned," I grinned. Her eyes flashed with instant anger at the thought that I would suggest she would do such a thing. But before she used the blade she held to solve the problem permanently, she realized I was teasing and calmed down. Somewhat. "I suppose I deserved that," she grumped. Mother nodded on my behalf, since I was treading lightly right at that moment. "This will require you both to be tolerant and helpful, not make fun of each other. Now finish your duties." Julia had very little body hair and the fine down that was all I had ever possessed grew slowly. As a result, it was only a few minutes with the blades and soothing oil before we were each as smooth as porcelain. If I had thought things through more carefully, I would have taken longer so that I might delay the next step. The only other thing that needed to be done before we went out to the waiting servants was to be locked again into our enforcers of maidenly virtue. The process was much the same as before. Actually, the days of constant embrace had narrowed my waist and the corset portion fit more easily. In the presence of Julia, though, the nether region was even more uncomfortable than before. At least when she saw the real distress the device caused me Julia's eyes showed correspondingly real sympathy. I didn't think she'd make jokes about that problem again. Though we had been at our morning bath for over an hour, it was still only the first part of our daily preparations. The palace servants brought forth gowns of more durable cloth for us that day, though they were of course still black, still relatively simple in adornment. In another hour we were ready to go to breakfast. Lyonidas was just finishing up as we made our entrance. He stood in welcome and I was gratified to see that his eyes went first to me. "Are you feeling better this morning?" he asked me politely. "In some ways," I reported. "But not in all ways?" he asked. Queen Selay interceded, "She has rested well, but I think she needs to get some fresh air. It looks to be a beautiful day, today, and it has been some time since the fields south of the castle have been inspected." Lyonidas looked surprised. Well, so was I. "She conducts inspections for you?" he asked. "It is a royal duty, and she is all the royal family there is left besides myself," Queen Selay reminded the Regent with a voice too flat to carry the emotion that showed in her eyes. To his credit, Lyonidas looked embarrassed. To his further credit he did not apologize for the war he thought they had won. "Then I shall accompany her," he declared. "It is appropriate for me to understand this land as well." The look of satisfaction in Mother's eyes was almost too subtle to see, but in the next instant her eyes found mine and I knew I had not imagined it. Hugh of Sandars was summoned to prepare the royal outing. Since I was going, Julia would go. Our proper escort also required at least one member of the palace guard. Hugh went off to arrange for horses and provisions. Lyonidas summoned his anonymous tan-garbed shadow and motioned that he should drop his hood. "This is Strane," he introduced the man. Strane was dark with more than hair coloring. He brooded under heavy brows, not happy at being revealed. "Strane, go find Olrin. The two of you will escort me. It is in my mind that you need to know about this new land as much as I do." Strane nodded without comment and left, followed shortly by the rest of us as we completed our simple breakfast. Hugh had arranged things with his usual efficiency and it was only when I saw the Achaiean guard who would accompany us that I saw a potential problem. It was Drayson, the one who had insulted me when it was unclear who would be executed as part of Kragdle's consolidation of power. Though he was under sentence of death along with the rest of us if my secret came out, still he had the greatest reason of all to hate me. The situation had to be resolved, and immediately. I expected some sort of confrontation as I walked directly to him where he waited. However, before I could speak and though it was a breach of protocol, he blurted out, "Princess Cherysse, may I introduce my fiancee, Yvina? I would do anything to keep her safe. And of course, my life is already committed to your safety." Well, that pretty well cleared up that issue. I had always disliked Drayson because he was exactly what Father would have wanted in place of me: big, blunt-spoken, strong as an ox and about as intelligent. His betrothed, though, looked quite a bit smarter and I suspected his little speech was the result of her understanding of the situation more than his. She was a pretty girl, though not in Julia's class in more ways than noble rank. Her brown hair was unbound per our new orders, but surprisingly short. I converted my intended confrontation into a greeting to his lady and we mounted our horses. This was much worse than I expected. Riding side-saddle at a gentle walk was no real problem. Riding while wearing that accursed maiden's lover was problem enough, though. No position I could take relieved the discomfort, compounded in my case in ways the designers of the device had never considered. It was some time before I could overcome the distraction. Lyonidas noted my distress, though he misinterpreted the cause. The lands we rode through were close enough to the castle to have been plundered by the High Canyon horde and this was more than adequate explanation for concern. Lyonidas tried to open a conversation with an offer to participate in the rehabilitation of the land, "We'll have to bring in some seed and a few sheep for these people." "It will take more than that," I observed. "This village has no blacksmith, now, nor a potter." "How can you tell?" he asked in surprise. Even Julia's eyes showed she hadn't picked up on the telltale signs. "The hearth in the forge is cold, though there is coal nearby. No active blacksmith would allow that. The same is true of the potter's kiln, though of course he uses wood, not coal. They have had enough time to return to their homes if they were able. Without them, this village will die. There is no mill here to give the site inherent value, nor millpond or stream. Without local craftsmen there is no market for a farmer's products and so they will be taken elsewhere." It had been obvious to me though I had never been in the hamlet before. Only after I explained did I remember that I had learned of this interaction in one of the books I had ordered. I expected that our Chamberlain already knew of this problem, but not many others in our kingdom would recognize the signs. "That is very, um, insightful," Lyonidas mused. For once even Julia seemed to be impressed. At least, she made no immediate move to regain Lyonidas' attention. "Do all the women of Achaiea possess such insight?" he asked. "Perhaps not," I answered. "While my brothers were learning swordplay, I was studying other things." For once, I actually answered a question with absolute honesty. I'd have to remember this occasion. "Until you came," I explained further though the explanation returned to the problems High Canyon had caused us, "we had no need for people to gather together for defense. As you can see, this hamlet had no barrier wall. Our villages arise from economic causes. The farmers are efficient at providing food, allowing specialized craftsmen to thrive as well. It is our way." By this time we were leaving the village. Since the High Canyon horde had approached from the north the land on this side of the castle returned to prosperity in a few miles. The villages showed the truth of the signs I had recognized, with the forge and kiln if present at all, always heated. One town we passed also had a mill near a bridge over a stream. "Drayson," I summoned the palace guard, "what is this place?" "Not surprisingly, it is called Miller's Crossing. We have several villages with that name. Your Father, the King, referred to this one as the one with the wide wheel." I saw that the millwheel was indeed strangely proportioned. The land did not support a very high millpond and to make up the required force the wheel had been made unusually wide. "I see evidence of two blacksmiths here, though only one forge. See if there is someone who could move to the other village we passed." While he went off to obtain the information I requested, Lyonidas looked carefully at the blacksmith's shop for the clues I had recognized, then shook his head. "I confess, my Princess, that I cannot see how you determined that." I looked at Julia with a small smile of invitation, but she shook her head as well. She might have the flirtation thing down better than I, but it could be that I would keep Lyonidas interested after all. "There are two anvils, of course, set up and ready for use. A single blacksmith would only need one. If he had a spare, he would keep it out of the way in that small shop." While we waited for Drayson I rode over to his fiancee. When I reached her side of our group I saw that she was not alone. Another tan cloak was perched atop a horse quite near hers. "Your Highness," Yvina said quickly as I approached. The tan cloak moved back a bit. "Who is your conversationalist?" I asked. "This is one of the men from High Canyon," she offered. "Really?" I grinned. "I never would have guessed." "Good day, Olrin," I said to the man, making a guess despite my words. He started at my naming him, then pulled back the hood of his cloak. "Princess," he said. Only intense study under Kragdle could have put that much sneer into so little inflection. It angered me. We might have to submit to Kragdle, but even Lyonidas treated me, that is, us, respectfully. This hitherto faceless minion of High Canyon was not of our nobility and I would not submit to him until he demonstrated the same power as his king. I felt the white-cold mind boil up within me and let my eyes lock onto his. "In the future, I will thank you to remember that these were our lands for generations before you came. The wealth and peace you covet are the result of my family's management. Do you think you can remember that?" His eyes stared unmoving until I finally let my own gaze relax. This caused another small start in his taut body, followed by much more genteel words, "Yes, Your Highness, I will remember." "I'm not going to ask how you knew it was Olrin. I know the explanation will be obvious as soon as you say it," Lyonidas said with a smile. He had ridden up as I was speaking. Though he hadn't really seen the depth of intensity in my will, he had felt the tension between us and was trying to defuse it. I nodded my head in acceptance of his decision, a grin of my own feeling strange after so much controlled fury. Then I caught Julia's eyes with a challenging grin for her as well and took as deep a breath as my tormenting guardian would allow. Her eyes widened in shock first, then in humor of her own. Lyonidas didn't notice her expression of course. His eyes were riveted to the swell that graced the front of my dress. Julia's gown was no more revealing than mine, this day, and Mother had apparently had a bit better figure when her maiden's lover was tailored than Julia did. Of course, that made my own life even more difficult, but it did give me an advantage at the moment. Julia's responding grin was wide enough to show her real pleasure in the challenge. She moved her hand to flip at her hair, but I beat her to that gesture as well, flicking my blonde tresses to capture the morning sun. My motion caught Lyonidas' eye and redirected his focus, though still not toward Julia. Behind his back she gave me a jaunty salute, then a grin that promised further battle. Now, though, we were on the same side and we both knew it. Drayson returned before anything else could happen, confirming my suspicion on the number of blacksmiths. Better yet, one was a senior apprentice essentially ready to move out on his own. It solved a couple of problems at once to help him relocate to the village nearer the castle. We rode on. Now and then a peasant would approach us with a problem, but more often one would approach us with flowers. This area was nicely fertile and the people had time for luxuries like flowerbeds. Lyonidas noticed. He didn't say anything but I knew it was no accident that Mother had sent us through a devastated area to the closest fertile area untouched by the recent war. As it came near to noon a peasant woman came out with some hot, fresh bread. It was excellent and while she refused payment, I made sure that Drayson left her small child with some coins. We nibbled on the bread as we rode but all it did was whet our appetites and Lyonidas soon called a halt. We had reached a small lake surrounded on three sides by trees and on the fourth by a pasture let go to wildflowers. The farmers often did this; rotating fallow fields to allow them to renew whatever made the soil most fertile. The wildflowers were very inviting but I could tell the crystal pure lake interested Lyonidas even more. He directed his men to spread a blanket out near the water, then made some excuse for Julia to look to her horse so that he and I could go there by ourselves. "You are a most wise young lady," he began as we sat. Of course, I had to sit with a most prim posture due to my hidden "aid". "Thank you, Milord Regent," I replied formally, but I smiled to let him know I was not ungrateful for his comment. That was it, really, just a smile of thanks for a compliment. It wasn't that there was meant to be any other message in my smile. His own smile was quite open. It softened his features from the too-spare leanness that reminded me too much of his father. He really didn't look much like his father at all, once you got past that leanness. The gentle breeze kept blowing my loose hair, and I kept gathering it up. Trying to prop myself on one hand, while frequently using the other for my hair, kept me from enjoying much of the provisions that had been laid out for us. He noticed my difficulty and reached out with his own hand to gather my errant golden cape. There was something about the feel of his hands in my hair that affected me most . . . strangely. I felt my whole body tense, then relax as though a potent elixir were flowing through it. My eyes closed as though the world were receding and the only sensations I needed were flowing through the strands of hair that his hand caressed. I felt myself lean into his hand, pressing it with my cheek, squeezing my thick tresses between my skin and his. "Your Highness, Princess Cherysse," Julia's voice intruded into my mind. "Yes," I replied dreamily, not really caring. "Your Highness, could I help you with your preparations, before our return journey?" she offered. What preparations? I was doing just fine. Or at least I had been until she interrupted us. Then it came to me just what I had been doing. It was wrong for a woman to allow a man to fondle her hair, as wrong as having it down in the first place. Only a lover should be allowed to touch me as Lyonidas had been touching me and that forbidden caress had come near to making me lose control. I struggled to my feet in shame, not daring to look at Lyonidas, nor even Julia. She grabbed my arm and pulled me into the trees a bit further along the edge of the lake. "That's twice you've let him in your hair," she hissed as soon as we were private. "Oh, Julia, I don't know what came over me. One minute, I was trying to keep it out of my face, the next, he was, and after that . . ." "After that, you looked like you really needed your hidden guardian," she finished for me. "I never felt this way before. The only one who ever touched my hair was Mother and she just brushed it for me, as I did for her," I promised. "Well, you're behaving exactly right for a maiden of Achaiea, which is exactly wrong if you want him to remain at a distance," she declared. "You're right, of course," I admitted. "Thank you sister. I needed you. I'll probably need you again." "If he ever caresses my hair like that, you'll need to come to my rescue," she giggled. The image was so dreamy, both my memory of his touch and the idea of Julia's hair being caressed, though in my mind the hand doing the caressing of her hair was my own. I reached out to touch her flowing fire in response to my dream and felt the same sort of energy from the other side. Her own eyes drifted shut in languid surrender and I was reaching my hand to capture her cheek when her eyes snapped open. "Don't," she denied me. "We can't." I snatched my hand back as though her hair were as hot as it looked, my guilty shame renewed a thousandfold. "If that's what that feels like," she mused, "we'll need to help each other. A lot." Then she grinned with her normal humor. "It'll take both of us to protect ourselves from each other." I wasn't sure I quite understood that statement, but it sounded right somehow, so I smiled back. Before I could excuse myself once again, she became businesslike. "We both need to take care of things before the long ride back, and unlike the men, or the common women, we need to help each other." She was right, of course, and we did the necessary things. They were embarrassing not erotic, and I was glad when we were done. I could tell that Julia felt the same way, and in any event the moment between us was quite thoroughly past. Lyonidas had seen to it that the others were ready, and we were soon on our way. The ride back was by a slightly different route but the story was much the same. I could see that Lyonidas was impressed with the wealth declared by time for flowers, for carved decorations on houses, and for weavers who produced brightly-colored fabrics rather than uniform tan. Queen Selay had clearly understood this, but it was unclear to me how she had known that Lyonidas would accompany me when she had ordered me to go. On our way back we passed the smaller keep where Duke Kestrel, executed brother to King Andros, had resided. His widow, Duchess Amity, greeted us as we approached. She was another who had known my real gender but it was clear as soon as we got near enough for conversation that she had been informed of the masquerade. I suspected the Chamberlain's usual efficiency. "Princess Cherysse, I am so glad you have come," Amity called. "Can we be of assistance?" I asked. Amity explained, "I have been summoned by the Queen and hoped to accompany your party." "Of course," I replied. She was already prepared to travel. I didn't know why she hadn't made her own way. We were only a few hours ride from the castle and Amity had escorts of her own. Still, there was only one proper response to her request, and we waited while she was helped to mount. Though the remaining trip was relatively short, still it had been a long day. Instead of a formal dinner the outing party retired to their various chambers for a light supper and early sleep. I was almost ready to summon my servants when Amy, Mother's favored messenger, arrived with a summons to the Queen's chambers. "How did the day go?" Queen Selay asked when I arrived. I described it, beginning with the logistical matters we had addressed. She was particularly interested in Lyonidas' responses, which I reported as well as I could. I also discussed the use of the white-cold mind on Olrin. "Be careful," she advised, "that was another use of anger for power. It is a too-easy trap to take your strength from emotions. In time, they will be using your strength rather than being used." I was ready to declare my acceptance of her logic, but she smiled to show she already knew I was being careful and spoke again, "What about Duchess Amity?" I was about to describe that portion of the trip, when Mother interrupted, "Yes, I know what happened, tell me why." "Why did you summon Duchess Amity to the castle?" I asked to confirm the question. At her nod, I said nothing for a moment, trying to decide. Amity was another of the Achaiean nobility, native to our land rather than immigrated like Queen Selay herself. She was a bit older than me, closer in age to Queen Selay. Both could have been factors. "So that you would have someone your own age among the nobility," I guessed. She laughed, a small laugh, but better than the despair she sometimes showed and I was thankful for that at least. "Well," she said, "your instincts are good, now tell me why that is important." At my befuddled look she explained, "I am sure that Kragdle will soon be sending men of my age to woo available Achaiean noblewomen. I want Amity to be here at court where I can take advantage of her as a prize." "Is there no one who you won't use in your plan?" I complained. Then I wished I could have the words back as I saw the pain in her eyes. "I'm sorry, Mother," I continued. "That was unfair. All loyal Achaieans owe our nation their very lives. What you ask of her is no more than you ask of yourself." Her soft voice reached out to me, "Or of you, my child." Chapter 7 A Dangerous Sunset Lyonidas quickly demonstrated that his disdain for court functions was not a passing whim. At the next scheduled petition review he arrived on time, nodded politely to Queen Selay, and listened attentively to the first case. Or tried to. It was another longwinded review of some minor matter. That was actually surprising to me. Typically, the Chamberlain would have taken care of these less important issues, except for a token few peasant petitions at each session. In the past the peasant petitions had come near the end of the session, as they had been the day that Lyonidas had returned. However, for the first full session Lyonidas attended as Regent, peasant petitions came first. The issue at hand dealt with a complaint that a farmer's hens had quit laying eggs when the defendant's dog had treed some sort of animal near their pen. Both the dog's barking and the creature's threat had frightened the stupid chickens. Lyonidas had learned at least part of his lesson. His first question for the plaintiff was to ask what the man would like to have done. Here was another surprise. The man had been stuttering and stammering and took forever to get anything out, until that question. In contrast, this answer was immediate. He wanted restitution, not revenge. Lyonidas nodded as though this were a wise request but then stood pensively. He looked at Queen Selay. She smiled back quite serenely. He looked at me. I struggled to match Mother's quiet smile. A bit of twitter started up among those in attendance and I could see a flush start to creep up Lyonidas' neck. I knew I shouldn't help him until Mother offered, but . . . well, I don't know why . . . I just couldn't let him stand there unsupported. "Milord Regent, if I may be so bold as to ask a question," I said quietly. His nod was so full of gratitude that I now felt worse for having let it go so long. I spoke to the plaintiff. "Do you know the defendant very well?" He answered shyly, but without the painful slowness of his earlier testimony, "Yes, Your Highness. We have been neighbors for years." "What skill does he possess that you most admire?" I continued. "Well, he's pretty good with animals. He spends a lot less time whackin' on his mule to get it to do what he wants than I do on mine." This caused a titter of laughter to go through the throne room, which in turn caused the man to shuffle uncertainly. His poor hat, which he had removed when he entered the chamber, had already been twisted as he testified. Now his white-knuckled grip threatened to destroy it entirely. I was about to offer a solution to the case but something made me stop. Instead, I just looked at Lyonidas, smiled another quiet smile, and stepped back to my place by Queen Selay's side. His eyes first widened when he saw me yield the floor to him, then softened in a way that was most . . . unsettling. Now it was my turn to blush and look at the floor, but when I raised my eyes to his, they were still looking at me with that strange expression. Lyonidas straightened up and looked directly at Queen Selay, whose expression seemed not to have changed a whit. Now, Lyonidas had a confident smile of his own to match her serenity. "You," he said, pointing at the defendant, "will trade mules with this man until you have trained the one he currently has as well as your own. In addition, keep that dog under control. If you're such a good animal trainer then that should be within your grasp." "Is this acceptable to you?" he asked the plaintiff, whose head jerked in a marionette nod. Then, in tones obviously matching those Mother had used previously he said to her, "If, that is, this judgment is acceptable to the Queen?" She nodded with grave acceptance, then glanced at the Chamberlain. Hugh called out for the next petition to come forward. When it was apparent that this would be another minor peasant squabble I was even more surprised. I had been attending these petition days since I could walk and I had never seen so much time spent on so little substance. The sigh Lyonidas released when the context of the case became apparent was almost as comical as the previous plaintiff's nervousness. He stood there quietly though, hearing the case through. After once again determining that this plaintiff wanted restitution as well, he asked the newest question in his judicial arsenal and determined that the defendant's wife made excellent bread. Lyonidas assigned a penalty of providing her hitherto secret recipe to the plaintiff's wife. The plaintiff's pleasure at this verdict was obvious to all, but I thought the defendant's horror was more interesting. I made a mental note to meet his wife some day. Yet a third pair of peasants came forward and this was just too much for Lyonidas. He glanced around as though looking for some sort of escape from overwhelming enemies, to once again find his gaze captured by the Queen's serene smile. Though I wasn't looking at her I could feel a tension in her shoulder where my hand lightly rested. Her voice, when she spoke, was quiet but I could hear the power within it. "Prince Lyonidas, I'm afraid these proceedings are taking up a lot of your time. Perhaps I could continue in your stead in order to allow you to take care of your other duties." There had been a slightly glazed look in his eyes while she spoke, but as she concluded his head nodded with the same marionette motion we had seen earlier on the first plaintiff. Then he jerked and nodded more naturally. "Your Majesty, if I could impose on you to carry on here, I must make preparations for the arrival of additional nobles from High Canyon. King Kragdle desires that more of our people should learn some of the skills for which Achaiea is famous." Then I heard a mutter that I don't think he really intended to reach either my ears, or Mother's, "Though courtly formality is certainly not one I intend to export back to High Canyon." "Of course, Milord Regent, as you wish," Queen Selay replied, then looked over at Julia. "Julia, please escort the Regent." Julia roused from wherever her mind had taken her and looked up with a bright smile at Lyonidas. His own smile answered hers and they swept from the room with more energy than combined in all those required to remain. It was only after they had left that I realized that there were no High Canyon nobles left in the room, only a couple of faceless guards interspersed with our own Achaiean soldiers in a joint detail. Queen Selay's next glance was to the Chamberlain and he nodded briefly. Instead of letting the peasants present their own case, Hugh summarized it and recommended a resolution. Mother nodded and the case was disposed of within minutes. The next case was much more substantial, dealing with the allocation of lands among the survivors of nobles killed in the recent war. Queen Selay decided that with dispatch but immediately after she had elevated a young lord to a newly defined barony, she paused. "Baron Spencer, will you swear fealty now?" she asked, but in a tone that made it an order. "Of course, Your Majesty," he answered, moving to kneel before her. "No" she interrupted him, "my position is temporary. You must swear fealty to the Princess." He was surprised but not unwilling. Actually, from the look of assessment he gave me I wondered if he actually preferred the gesture. His father had been one of the outlying nobles and we had never before met. To the best of my knowledge he knew nothing of our masquerade. Certainly his demeanor betrayed no hint that he thought I was anything other than what I appeared when he knelt and offered his hands to mine. As I stepped forward I felt a strange tension again, like what I had sensed when Mother had spoken to Lyonidas. It was as though the whitecold mind were gathering energy, but distant somehow. Before I had felt like a sword heated to blinding brilliance, hovering before an equally brilliant field of snow. Now I felt as though I watched that same sword from just far enough away to avoid the heat, yet still it moved under my command. I took Spencer's hands within my own, their dark strength contrasting sharply with my own pale fingers, and looked in to his eyes. As I repeated the standard words I realized another aspect of Mother's plan. This oath bound Spencer to me as his King, even if he didn't realize it at the time. "Spencer, Baron of North Vale, do you swear fealty to Achaiea and to her Monarch? Do you swear to lay your fortune at her feet and if need be, to sacrifice your life on the altar of her protection?" I felt the strange new aspect of the white-cold mind flow from my eyes to his as Spencer answered, "I swear." With whatever senses Mother had shared when she impressed her mannerisms upon me, I knew that Baron Spencer was now loyal with a force beyond words. His life now belonged to me, personally. Then he blinked and grinned and I knew he didn't find the prospect of belonging to me, personally, at all distasteful. Or, at least, he didn't think it would be. I smiled in reflex and saw his grin widen to something almost childlike in its pleasure, though there were undercurrents that offered promises decidedly not appropriate for children. And that awoke within me feelings that I definitely didn't want to examine right then. I let his hands drop and stood back to my place, feeling his eyes on me even as my own eyes looked at Mother. She nodded slightly to reassure me that this was acceptable to her then glanced at Hugh to call for the next petition. A dozen barons were confirmed that day, each swearing fealty to the realm, but through my hands and so to me as well. Each time I felt the power build within me as I took their oath, channeling through them into a much tighter binding than they might have thought they were going to be making. Yet all these acts took surprisingly little time, less actually than had been spent on just the two cases that Lyonidas had personally reviewed. This was more like the petition audiences that I remembered: focused, efficient, and purposeful. After a short but busy time, Queen Selay stood. "Cherysse, please accompany me," she ordered, which amounted to a dismissal of the others in attendance. I followed her to her chambers, where she sat in her accustomed chair and waved me to a nearby stool. Greyshadow was in her lap before she could speak but as soon as the cat was settled she challenged me. "What did you observe today?" "Lyonidas doesn't have a chance. Kragdle doesn't have a prayer," I answered bluntly, if obliquely. Queen Selay laughed, but nodded as well. It was good to hear her laugh. She'd done precious little of that since Father had died. Another nod urged me to continue. "Is that what you meant about using the white-cold mind without being consumed by it?" I asked, again with a comment that would have seemed irrelevant to most of those who had attended the audience. "Yes," she replied. "You don't need, in fact don't want the consuming anger if all you are doing is reinforcing a desire the target already possesses. Yet the reinforcement is strong. I don't think Lyonidas will be back to hear more petitions. And you need never doubt the loyalty of those who swore fealty to you today." I mused, "The next time you have a council meeting I assume Hugh will have trivial issues lined up until once again Lyonidas escapes." This made her smile again, pleased that I had noticed the irregular agenda, "Yes. We'll use the rest of the time to reinforce the oaths of fealty of the council members. We need to get that in before these new nobles that Lyonidas referred to arrive and become involved." "Mother, do you play me with the same skill you use on Lyonidas?" "What do you think?" she didn't answer. I recognized the technique, but didn't know exactly what to do about it so I answered her question instead. "I don't know. Everything I do seems perfectly reasonable," then I had to giggle, "well, except for wearing dresses. But sometimes I look above my head for the strings you're manipulating." A somber look appeared on her features. She nodded to me in confirmation of my perception and of respect for my insight. "Dear child, there are things that you need to do that I don't think you could do without my help. Things that I don't think I want you to be able to do on your own. Yet they are necessary if Achaiea is to survive, if you are to survive. When the time comes that you recognize all that I have done to you, please don't hate me." "Mother, I could never hate you!" I denied, but she only looked away in refusal to argue. When she looked up again, new resolution was in her eyes. And a new topic was on her lips. "Tonight we will have another formal dinner. This time, since Lyonidas has enjoyed Julia's company for the day we will focus his attention on you for the dinner. You must, of course, wear your mourning black, but I promise you that the black gown you wear will outshine any other gowns no matter how colorful." True to her words, the gown she chose for me was breathtaking. Or, at least it would be breathtaking. Since my infernal steel companion kept me constantly breathless I had none for the gown to take. Still, it was beautiful. Some subtle artistry of the designer had made it seem indecently revealing, while actually concealing everything. A part of that was the fit. The skirts didn't start to expand until much lower on my hips than usual and above that every curve was caressed with shimmer and shine. Accents of golden thread and decorative jewels ran along the limits of propriety for mourning, but with the Queen's acceptance no one else would presume to judge otherwise. In contrast to the theoretically somber gown, the Queen instructed the palace cosmetician to make my face vibrant and cheerful. Which didn't take much effort. The gown was so pretty and the thought of an evening of attention from Lyonidas was so . . . interesting, that I had plenty of pleasure on which to build. Still, it took a good deal of the afternoon for the servants to prepare me to Queen Selay's satisfaction. I was more than anxious to go when she finally declared me ready. Her faithful servant Amy was sent to inform Lyonidas that we were awaiting his pleasure to escort us to dinner. As Regent he was required to attend to the Queen. This left his apparent second in command, Strane, to escort me. Olrin attended Julia and one of the new High Canyon arrivals was escorting Duchess Amity when we met them. "I don't believe we've been introduced," Queen Selay observed when we came close to Amity's escort. He was a bit older, perhaps 45 to Amity's 40, yet still fit, spare with the look of campaign deprivations. Lyonidas made the introductions, "This is General Reynal. It was he that held High Canyon while my Father was, um, occupied elsewhere." Reynal's eyes observed my dress with a combination of appreciation and distaste. He was clearly not too old to enjoy the look of a pretty girl, but the form-revealing fit was a bit too much for a man steeped in traditions of flowing robes. While his eyes were making their insulting inspection of my body, I remembered that Mother wanted the relationships as confused as possible. So when his stare reached my face I let a little smolder into my eyes to tease him. Teasing this man would likely be a highly hazardous pastime. His eyes sent a message of ownership my way, declaring that I was his for the taking, anytime he felt like it. It was not sensual, it was consuming. He would use me for his pleasure whether it pleasured me or not. All that passed in the space between heartbeats, in the tiniest twitch of his thin lips and of his glittering dark eyes. But it still made me angry. I was a Princess! I was not a plaything for him or any other jumped-up High Canyon thug. Instead of cowering before his power, I felt the white-cold mind building within me. All that I let out though, was the heat of apparent passion barely under control. If he wanted m