Danger and Diplomacy (closed)

[Lordmikel]

Ark shook his head. Never did he think he would be a prisoner in the castle of his own domain. But here he was. He was shirtless, it seems they had decided to make sure he didn't have any weapons hidden on himself.

He saw a side passage and motioned for Morwena to duck down it with him. The other prisoners continued onward and they could finally hear some commotion as the guards realized what was happening.

He glanced around at where they were at. "I think the servant quarter's are this way, come on."

 

[haremfaery]

Morwena had no problem with Ark taking the lead. She expected he was more familiar with the layout of human castles than she was, plus being a ranger he had a good sense of direction. He had gotten her this far.

"Lead on." So far, so good. She sent a prayer up that they would make it safely to the king.

The ducked onto alcoves, hid in shadows and slowly worked their way up out of the dungeon.

 

[Lordmikel]

Finally off in the distance they could hear a lot of commotion. The prisoners escaping and the guards obviously. Ark was slowly checking doors and finally found one he liked. "Ok, hopefully we can find some clothes in here. We'll be dressing like servants, but it will beat what we are in now."

 

[haremfaery]

"Dressing as servants is brilliant. No one notices servants. We should be able to go anywhere we like as long as we act like we are meant to be there to clean something." Morwena followed him into the room. It was some sort of linen/clothes closet. Probably for the kitchen staff. She began looking through things trying to find the most generic outfits to enable them go about the castle at will.

 

[Lordmikel]

Ark found some clothes and soon enough he looked like just another member of staff. He had to slouch a little bit, else he would look to sure of himself and not at all like a lowly servant.

Once he checked that Morwena was finished, he began to make his way to the throne room, or at least where he thought it was. Up ahead they could hear voices. "It's the Vizier," whispers Ark.

 

[haremfaery]

"Son of snakes," Morwena cursed quietly. "Now what? Who else is with him?"

Things had been going to easily, of course there would be a hindrance. They needed to get to the king and soon. She was surprised a cry hadn't gone up that prisoners had escaped. But perhaps they didn't want to upset the nobles in the castle.

"The Vizier will recognize us, we can't go that way."

 

[Lordmikel]

There seemed to be no place to hide around here. A few furnishings, but nothing they could hide behind. Ark spotted a door and he grabbed Morwena's hand and ducked inside as the voices were getting closer to them. He had to hope for the best as they approached that they weren't coming in here.

 

[haremfaery]

There were in some antechamber but the room was dark and Morwena, even with her night vision couldn't see very much. "That may be a door on the far wall. If we are close to the throne room, this could be a room of of it for servants or even the king to come and go without making a fuss." Her father had his own private exit. He also had a room where he could watch the throne room and listen to what was going on.

This room was dark though, so it was probably used for something else.

"Come, let us see what else is in here and where the door leads."

 

[Lordmikel]

Ark let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. It seemed like they had escaped discovery again for the moment. He carefully opened the door, light began shining through, showing both how dark the room was they were in and how bright the other room was. He slowly glanced into the room to see where they were at now.

 

[haremfaery]

Morwena was momentarily blinded at the bright light. She saw very well in low lighting or even the dark, but going from one to the other, she couldn't see anything except the bright stab of light as Ark eased open the door.

When her eyes adjusted, she saw enough of the room to guess it might be the throne room, or if not, another sumptuous room for receiving guests. She still had trouble with discerning details. The windows on the far wall had their curtains pulled back to let in the sun.

"Can you see anyone in there? Should we take the chance and enter?" They were dressed as servants after all. She was sure servants were moving all through the castle at every time of the day. No one would be suspicious of them. Servants were practically invisible to their masters. She herself had been guilty of that.

 

[Lordmikel]

Ark nodded at Morwena as he took the first step into the room. The room was empty of anyone. Ark looked around, not seeing anyone and indicating for Morwena to enter. "The King isn't here." He whispers to her.

 

[haremfaery]

Morwena tried peeking around him. "Is there some place we can hide until the king comes in? We could act like we're cleaning the fireplace or something..." She had to see the king and everything would be put to right, but with the Vizier wandering around it made it difficult. She was sure the Vizier had no idea what she looked like, but would he remember Ark from their brief meeting before he slapped in the dungeon?

She let out a quiet blasphemy in Elvish. "We are so close. Where could the king be?"

 

[Lordmikel]

That question was answered immediately as the King himself walked in. "That's the King," whispered Ark. The king hadn't noticed them as of yet.

 

[haremfaery]

The King was followed by a few well-dressed men, advisers or highborns getting a private audience. But one looked like he might be a general. "The vizier will join us shortly. As you know, the elves never sent their ambassador and yet are accusing us of attacking and killing them. They are amassing troops on the border."

Morwena gave a horrified look at Ark. It was worse than she thought. "I have to speak to the king now before the vizier gets here." She moved swiftly. "My lord, King Arnold." She was already unwinding the cloth she had around her head to hide her ears.

The old soldier was the first to put himself between the king and Morwena. "What is the meaning of this?"

"I am Ambassador Morwena Ingata, daughter of King Dayan. My entourage was attacked en route to sign the treaty." She did not bow or curtsy. There was no need, she was an equal. She gestured for Ark to join her. "This man was traveling with us and without him, I would not have survived."

The men looked at her in disbelief, although the even ears were unmistakable.

"Is this some sort of jest?"

"No, my lord. This is of the utmost importance. I believe--no, I know you vizier is behind all of this. I believe your life is in danger. The vizier wants more than to disrupt trade between our peoples. He wants war. And he wants your throne."

 

[Lordmikel]

Ark moved towards the king, bowing. "She speaks the truth, I have been training in the Elven Kingdom and was returning when we ambushed. I saved the Ambassador." Ark was still processing that she was the princess. He had made love to a princess. It was both terrifying and exhilarating at the same time. "I came here yesterday and spoke to the Vizier and when we returned we were put to sleep and locked in the dungeon. Just now escaping."

 

[haremfaery]

The advisors spoke at once, their voices tumbling over one another. A few moved to put themselves between the king and the two.
--How can this be?
--The Vizier?
--What nonsense is this?
--Your Majesty, call the guards!

The guards at the far door move swiftly to see what the commotion was.

"Your Majesty," Morwena spoke up again. "We do not know who else is part of this plot. But we do know that at least some of your guards are involved." They had no weapons and Morwena's magic was not martial in any way. She looked warily at the advisors and the guards, although these guards wore different uniforms--the king's personal guards, she assumed. She just hoped that none of the guards here were in on the plot or all would be lost.

The king gave order that all of his elite guards be summoned at once to the throne room. He sent his Sargent-At-Arms to collect a few of them and to find and detain the Vizier with all haste.

In the hubbub, Morwena surreptitiously cast a spell to detect lies. She imagined it would come in handy and soon.


((Feel free to manipulate the NPCs to further is along.))

 

[Lordmikel]

Some of the King's guards arrived as well as the Grand Vizier. He gave a nasty look to the Elf and ranger. This alone might have made him out as guilty. When the king demanded to know what was happening, the Vizier began to spin a great story of Elven betrayal.

But the King was not buying any of the lies. He then asked for who else was involved. Again the Vizier lied and the King seemed unsure how to proceed without interrogating all of his men.

 

[haremfaery]

Morwena glared at the Vizier as if he were vermin. "Your majesty, I can cast a spell--with your permission, that will allow me to detect lies. I can also make a potion that will impel whoever drinks it to tell the truth." She looked pointedly at Vizier.

"I want to cast the spell and questions your guards starting with your personal retinue. We cannot afford to have anything happen to you. Once your security is assured, we can weed out the rest of the conspirators."

"Yes, of course. Do it." The king insisted.

With Ark keeping an eye on everyone in the room, Morwena cast her spell. She decided the Vizier would simply continue to lie until she could make the potion and have him drink it. She needed to find out who was loyal as quickly as possible.

She questioned everyone in the room and found that all but two of the guards (the ones who had been with the Vizier when he enters) were loyal to the king. One of the kings advisors seemed to be an opportunist and while he hadn't actually helped the Vizier in his schemes, it was clear he would have no problem siding with the man.

More guards were brought in for Morwena to question. A few more Vizier supporters were discovered. Morwena had to cast spell after spell until all of the guards had been interviewed. The Vizier and his supporters were locked in the dungeon.

The king ordered a light dinner for them while all this was going on.

Morwena needed to rest after casting so many spells. She would make the potion in the morning. The king gave her a suite of rooms for her use. She insisted that Ark remain with her, since while the immediate threat had been quelled, the entire palace staff and nobles had not been questioned yet. It would allow her and Ark to stay together without raised eyebrows. Who would think anything of the elven princess insisting she have the man who kept her safe all this time at her side?

A pallet had been made up for Ark in the chamber outside of Morwena's bedroom. Fresh clothes were available to both of them and a steaming bath was ready for her. She dismissed the servants saying she could tend herself and would ring should she need anything.

Morwena sighed when they were finally alone. "What a day. Would you like a bath? I think the two of us can fit in there." It was a free-standing brass tub next to the large fireplace that servants had filled with hot water. Soaps, oils, washcloths and towels were all within reach. A small table was set cold meats and cheeses, nuts and fruit should she--they, get hungry.

 

[Lordmikel]

Ark was quite impressed with the way that Morwena handled herself with the Vizier, the King and the guards. She was most certainly a princess and not one to be trifled with.

He stayed quiet as she instructed the servants and watched as they set up a bed for him. He was fairly certain he wouldn't be using it, but would have to make sure it looked slept in every morning.

As he looked at the bath, he smiled as it did look so very inviting. He nodded, "Oh yes, after that dungeon, the bath is exactly what I would love." He took off his clothes and slowly climbed into the bath. He had gotten in first so he could watch Morwena undress, as that was always a sight.

 

[haremfaery]

Morwena laid out bedclothes and then began to undress. When she realized that Ark was watching her every move, she smiled.

She always moved gracefully, but knowing he was watching her with lust in his eyes and in his heart, she made her movements more seductive, almost a sensual dance as she revealed more and more of herself. Finally, she stood naked before him. Then she stepped into the tub and sat down. She sighed with pleasure.

"It seems weeks since that stay at the Inn." She truly relaxed for the first time since the attack on the entourage. "I cannot thank you enough. I will see that you are amply rewarded for all your help. I would not be alive without you."

She ran her foot along his leg then reached for one of the scented oils and sniffed it, She wrinkled her nose. It was a strong cloying floral scent. She sniffed the others one by one and finally chose two. Lemon and an herbal one with a strong rosemary scent. She poured some of each into the bath. " There, now you won't smell like a maiden's garden." She chuckled.

 

[Lordmikel]

Ark smiled as he smelled the aroma. "Yes, smelling too much like a garden would be frowned upon." He hand stroked her leg as she was rubbing it against his own leg. At the mention of amply awarded, he had a sudden flash to the last time they were in the tub together. He winked at her, "Oh I am sure that you will be quite accommodating with an award."

The warm water felt good on his muscles. The chains they were in had been quite binding and not for comfort. "I am simply glad there should be no more threats upon your life."

 

[haremfaery]

He winked at her, "Oh I am sure that you will be quite accommodating with an award."

"Do not get above your station, Ranger. I am still a princess." She smirked back at him. "I could have you punished as easily as rewarded." Morwena picked up a cloth and began cleaning her body.

"I am simply glad there should be no more threats upon your life."

"I am as well. I had looked forward to this journey as an adventure. To see things I had never seen before. To meet new people--humans. I never thought anything so horrible could happen. I am only glad we were able to prevent an all out war. But there still must be people who do not want peace between humans and elves." She sighed. "Enough of this. We are safe. And comfortable. Turn around, I will scrub your back."

 

[Lordmikel]

Ark leaned in and kisses Morwena whispering, "Yes seeing new and interesting things." He then rotated in the tub, his back now to Morwena, the water jostling around them both. He had no interest in not giving Morwena whatever she wanted. His body still felt damp and dirty from the dungeon. That was a feeling he did not wish to try ever again. He let himself relax in Morwena's safe hands.

 

[haremfaery]

Morwena scrubbed Ark's broad back and arms. She reached around to wash his shoulders and chest pressing her breasts to his back. She rested her cheek on his shoulder.

"Mmm. It feels wonderful to finally be clean. And safe. There are still some of the Vizier's followers to root out and the treaty to sign. Swift messengers have been sent to my father assuring him of my safety, including a letter from me telling him that I wish to stay and travel more in the human lands. Then we can stay together longer. I am not needed at home just now."

 

[Lordmikel]

Ark felt Morwena's hands as they rubbed against his body. He could feel the tension leaving him and the dirt and the grime moving away. He turns his head to look back at her, "and luckily, I don't actually have to go anywhere either. I can be with you as long as you will have me." For now though he closed his eyes and relaxed and let Morwena clean his back. He knew soon he would be doing the same to her.