Arillia by Illuminati Architect

Chapter Ten, The Lancer

On the afternoon of Thursday, 29th Meceder, we five women in our hooded cloaks paid (with the Suskan coins found on the bodies of bandits foolish enough to attack us) for passage on the ferry across the Ioa River to the Ioa city of Ladythigh for ourselves and the mule. Neither the tiny Suskan village residents nor the ferryman seemed to notice Polly’s deep blue hair under her cloak, or if they did, they did not remark on this.

I noted how no checks were made on our entry to my kingdom and resolved to correct this. We found that Captain Fadden was waiting with her patrol ship to take us back to the capital.

Carnel seemed to grow more confident and regular with our Telepathy link, so when we pulled into the Kristophoro docks on Sunday afternoon, 1st Jinua, 23rd year of Peter III, my family was waiting there. I saw that Carnel was standing next to Sage Reltuc. She would point to various features on the boats passing by, ask him questions, and then listen attentively to his replies. At that point, she noticed my group (or at least Elizabeth) on the patrol boat and waved energetically at us, drawing our parents’ attention.

As we had arranged beforehand, I stepped off the boat with Rebecka, the hoods of the cloaks shadowing our faces. As always, when I wore (or carried) Lord Sparot, Polly followed two paces behind me instead of clinging to my arm.

Father ran up shouting, “Arillia!” and moved to grab Rebecka but then stopped short. He looked back and forth between us two false twins and then seemed to notice either my eyebrows or eye color as he picked me up in a hug and spun us around. I responded by hugging him back with Lord Sparot’s strength.

He winched and then put me back down on my feet. “By the gods, girl, how did you get so strong so quickly?”

“I’ll explain at dinner. Is all well?”

“All is fine at the castle. Elsewhere,” His expression darkened, “These are difficult times.”

Alice held the reins of her mule Eugene in one hand as she hugged her father.

Elizabeth stepped up to me with Carnel lying in her nestled arms, then placed my sister back on her feet.

Carnel ran up and hugged me. “You did it, Arillia! You brought everybody back like you promised. What’s my next spell?”

“Let’s review your progress this week. Did you get along with Sage Reltuc?”

“He’s okay. I hired him. He’ll be working part-time in the castle from now on.”

“That’s good to hear.”

Sage Reltuc stepped up and bowed to me at the mention of his name. “Thanks to Your Highness for bringing my daughter back safely.”

“You should thank Eugene as well.”

“The mule?”

“Though I fear that if Alice told you the full story of our adventures, you’d never let her out of the castle again.”

I reached over, grabbed Polly’s hand, and pulled her to me.

She flinched momentarily, then complied and stood still as I pulled the hood back to reveal her elegant features, purple eyes, and deep blue hair.

“King Peter III, Queen Augusta, Princess Carnel, may I introduce our new priestess, Polly Posgort.”

“Priestess?” Polly asked.

“In training. For you have been chosen to spread the word of the power beyond.”

She bowed her head and said softly, “As Your Highness wishes.”

“By the gods, is this a Blessed Girl?”

Polly released my hand and stepped back as Father approached, then loomed over her.

“Don’t let the King frighten you, Dear.” Mother stepped between them and held Polly’s hands. “Whatever dangers you faced in Suskan, you’re safe with us. Please go this way to my carriage while Princess Arillia rides home with the King so they can have a nice long chat.”

“Lady Rebecka,” I turned to her, “You’re with me. Leave Alice to catch up with her father.”

I waited for Father to sit next to me and Rebecka across from me, and the carriage doors closed before beginning. “Your Majesty, Lady Rebecka should be considered my assistant in matters of politics.”

“Your Highness surely knows that I know little of these matters.”

“If you do not learn, then I shall leave Lermont in your father’s hands or even in Simon’s grabby fingers. Consider this your chance for training in the things you must know once you are the duchess. Once you understand the job you aspire for, I will send you to investigate and recruit local allies for your cause. But I will not send you in alone. My special ability has informed me that there are a pair of earrings that let the two people wearing them communicate over any distance, much like my Telepathy spell. This, combined with suitable wigs and disguises, will let us have two of Princess Arillia or two of Lady Rebecka when and where we need each other to be. Also, inform Alice that if she doesn’t have your reading and writing skills up to the level of a noblewoman of your age by the end of the month, then I will assign the two of you to bunks in common rooms on opposite ends of the castle.”

“Your Highness is cruel.”

“The world is cruel. I give warnings and set expectations.”

When we arrived at the castle, I found Polly waiting for me, and she followed along behind me. Mary was also waiting for me, and I had her bring measuring tape and a notepad to my room. There, I ordered Polly to strip naked and stand while Mary took her measurements. I put my backpack next to my table, took off my swordbelt and jacket, and hung these on hooks on the wall.

I sat on my bed, took my boots off, and then sent Mary off to fetch suitable noblewoman clothes in Polly’s size. Polly pounced as soon as the door shut, forcing me back onto the bed as she undid the laces on my shirt.

“That terribly crowded ship with all those men, and you were always in his embrace,” She glared at the sword on the wall, then smiled as she looked down at me, “But now you are all mine, my precious princess.”

I raised my arms above my head to allow her to pull the shirt off of me, then lifted my hips and feet so she could pull off my pants, socks, and panties. Finally, I unhooked my bra and handed it to her, and she tossed this also on the pile.

Then she snuggled up against me. “Arillia, my Arillia.”

“You stink.”

“Your Highness?”

“And I demand the privilege of washing this stink off you.” I kissed her, then led her by the hand to the bathroom. From there, I could hear Alice being undressed, presumably by the much quieter Rebecka. I knocked on the connecting door and said. “We’ll be using the bathroom first. Take your time after ours, but I don’t intend to be quick about it.”

I lathered Polly up and then had my way with her.

Polly blushed red as my hair when she heard her cry of “Arillia!” echoed almost simultaneously by Alice’s.

Polly pulled back, shocked, and then asked, “Your friend, Alice?”

“Is just confused. She’s known me for years and Rebecka for mere months.”

“And with her, you have?”

“With Alice? Never. With you, first, last, and always.”

Polly responded to this not with words but with a kiss as she pressed her naked, suds-covered body against mine as our hands roamed over each other’s bodies.

After what I figured must have been my longest shower ever, but divided between two, we returned to my room while Rebecka and Alice took over the bathroom.

I let Polly dress me like a doll, with only a few pointers on outfit coordination. She had just finished weaving a green ribbon through my ponytail when Mary returned with clothing in Polly’s size, and then it was my turn to dress Polly.

We met the other two at their hallway door, and when Rebecka saw me holding Polly’s hand, she responded by grabbing Alice’s, but they soon went their own way to have dinner with Sage Reltuc. With Carnel excusing herself to have dinner in her own room with Elizabeth, Polly and I attended dinner with my parents. Mother noticed that we were holding hands and cast me a questioning gaze.

Over dinner, I had Polly tell my parents about her life, which she directed exclusively at Mother, trying to ignore Father’s presence as best she could.

When she excused herself for yawning, I told her to return to my room, undress, lie under the covers in my bed, and dream about me in her sleep.

“Always, Your Highness.” She kissed my cheek, curtsied to my parents, excused herself, and left.

As soon as we three (four if Greg counted for anything) were alone, Mother turned to me. “Arillia.”

“Mother, just accept Polly as part of what I am and what I am planning. Now I have something to ask of you. Here is what I have been told is a ‘spin’ to place on what I have and will do.”

“Very well, continue, Dear.”

“I want you to send through your network of noblewomen the following. After getting my heart broken by Simon’s boorishness, I was sent to a foreign court that you can’t mention for diplomatic reasons, and finding none suitable for my hand there I have returned to mope around the castle. Even the fake healer blue-haired girl you hired from Suskan has done nothing but fill my head with stories of some perfect gentleman who will sweep me off into his arms. You’ve made me promise to attend my sister’s birthday party, but other than that, my schedule is uncertain, I alternate between reading romance novels in my room and going out riding to find this perfect, unattainable love. You fear for the kingdom’s future with Carnel in her usual temper, but if they could send their sons to the party, it can’t hurt.”

“And what is the purpose of this fairy tale?”

“It’s a wide net to see what fish are pulled up. I’ll let you know when I seek to harpoon a specific target.”

“And what is the real purpose of this drama?” Father asked.

“To buy time with but a spot of pretense. What power would invade in the spring when their prince is in our castle, and who would forgo the chance to win our kingdom over by sending that prince?”

“Yes, invasion. There have been troubles all along our borders and dark rumors within. But nothing solid I could sally a force against. Your silly party tricks might be just what we need to shake the mice out of the carpet.”

“My various powers have told me we must investigate Duke Glister and Uncle Gustav.”

“Gustav? But he is like a brother to me.”

“I suspect that he may be cheating on your sister.”

“He had best be treating your aunt Ulyana well.”

“That’s what we need to investigate carefully. Hence, invite my cousin Zoltan to the party also.”

“You have another cousin now.”

“Yes, Mother?”

“Ulyana gave birth to Lady Delphine on the 25th of last month. I told you she was expecting and hence couldn’t attend your birthday party.”

“Well, I’ll have to drop by and pay my respects sometime.”

I returned to my room to find Polly asleep and wearing nothing but a smile under the blanket. I stripped away my clothing and joined her. I lay and watched her sleep and soon joined her in that, also.

She awoke me Monday 2nd Jinua with a bang, her tongue deep in my lower lips. I returned the favor and then some.

At breakfast, it was me, my family, and Polly.

Carnel asked Polly if it was true that she did magic without casting spells.

Polly looked at me.

“Go ahead.”

Polly pointed at Carnel’s jacket. “There is something magical in that pocket.”

Carnel pulled out her wand. “How did you spot this? Did you cast Magescan?”

“It’s not Magescan. She always has it on her, but she can’t see mundane objects in the dark nor see the exact type and extent of enchantments. She can also extend her own strength to do healings and such.”

“Her own strength? Why doesn’t she use a wand?”

“Because she isn’t a wizard. As a Blessed Girl, she’s a different sort of person, just as we two and the Queen differ from non-wizards. You can try Magescan on her next time you have the book on you. And also my sword. I’ve been told it will blow your mind when you Magescan that.”

“Is that painful?”

“No, just insight granting.”

Having reminded myself of my change of swords, I knew who it was I must report that to. After breakfast, I dropped Polly off in the library to learn basic literacy from Alice.

I found Sir Hoofblack in the courtyard doing the morning review of the guard. When he finished this, he turned to me and instantly spotted my bad tidings. “That isn’t the hilt of my son’s sword.”

“Indeed it is not.” I drew it out and placed it on the review table. “You may examine, but not touch, Lord David Argyle Sparot.”

“You mean this is his sword?”

“This is both the spirit and the blade. Hence the danger I warn you of.”

“And my son’s sword?”

“Lost down a cliff in Suskan.”

“Because of?”

“An arrow through my arm.”

“That is almost an acceptable excuse, but Your Highness should be more careful.”

“Point noted. Would you care for a rematch?”

“Against Your Highness or Lord Sparot?”

“Why not both?”

“In that case I have a request of Your Highness if you don’t mind. Please relax and give control to Lord Sparot during the duel.”

“I’ll try that.” I held up the sword. “Lord Sparot, may Sir Hoofblack have the honor of dueling you?”

It’s been centuries since my last duel, but I’ll do my best, Lass.

I relaxed and let the wraith control my motions. Sir Hoofblack was forced to give up several steps against my supernaturally boosted strength and speed, and Lord Sparot’s aggressive style. But with his back against the wall, Sir Hoofblack kicked away my forward foot, sent my sword flying with a swing of his own, and held the point of his sword inches above my throat as I lay on my back.

“Lord Sparot is as strong and fast as the stories say, and that was the purest form of his style I’ve ever seen.”

“What happened?” I asked as Sir Hoofblack helped me to my feet.

“Your Highness, the Sparot style is famous; hence, there have been centuries of study on defeating it. In a duel against a master of the blade, you are better off with your own amateur style that they’ll probably guess how to defeat rather than his expertly polished style that they’ll know all too well. Against beasts or monsters, Lord Sparot will serve you well, for he was a notable monster hunter. And using his strength with your style may throw off those who think they are only fighting a young woman with ordinary strength.”

As I retrieved and resheved the blade in question, I spotted my two warrior women in the courtyard talking to the guardsmen and shouted out to them. “Elizabeth, Rebecka, a moment please!”

They nodded to their trainees and then walked over.

“Our next adventure will be in the fields, not the mountains. Polly can ride behind me.” For a moment, I considered Polly pressed tightly against my back as we galloped along, and then I continued. “But do either of you have any experience riding a horse?”

Rebecka responded. “Only that one time with Your Highness.”

Elizabeth shook her head. “There are few horses on Nordisle, and I have never had a chance to ride any in your kingdom.”

For horse encounters, I’d take Miss Amadev. Her lance attacks are devastating.

“Sir Hoofblack, when I was a child, your lieutenant Sir Amadev’s daughter Amelia trained me in the equestrian arts. May I assign her to train these two?”

“As Your Highness wishes.”

We found Amelia riding Emberstep near the stables.

“Why are you riding my horse?” I asked her.

“Because Your Highness has neglected her for so long.” Amelia hadn’t changed much in the months since I’d last seen her. She still had the wavy orange hair, sharp blue eyes, and freckles. She dismounted and handed me the reins.

“I want you to train these two on horsemanship.”

“On four conditions.”

“I have a subject who sets conditions on the exercise of my family’s royal powers?”

“My father is your subject. I am a free woman, for the next month at least.”

“I will at least hear you out.”

“I will train these two on the ways of the horse if Elizabeth trains me on the sword and Rebecka trains me on the bow.”

“Don’t expect to match their skills.”

“And I don’t expect them to match mine with the horse.”

“Agreed, and your other two conditions?”

“Your Highness is to take me on your adventures, and I get to pick the horse I will ride.”

“I keep Emberstep.”

“Not the horse I have my eye on.”

“And what would your father, Sir Amadev, say?”

“He sets conditions on me that I must now marry a sniveling fool, but he will not set conditions on Your Highness.”

“Agreed on all points. Welcome to my team.” I shook her hand. “I look forward to seeing how you use a lance.”

“I’ve never wielded a lance, Your Highness.”

“You will need to train on that if you are to serve in my party. Even with a horse’s strength behind the point of your spear, you’ll still lag behind the three of us.”

“Your Highness has never been able to match my strength.”

“I can now.” I knelt down, grabbed her under the buttocks, and lifted her with just my left arm using Sparot’s strength. Then I put her back on her feet, pulled out my wand, and cast Heal on my left shoulder. “Sorry, that was foolish of me.”

“How does Your Highness do that?”

“Perhaps I can show you. Lord Sparot, may Amelia hold you for a moment?”

I admit to some interest and pledge to do the lass no harm.

“Here.” I drew the sword, grabbed it by the blade, and held out the handle. “Amelia, are you brave enough to wield my sword?”

“Arillia, it would be an honor.”

I felt Sparot’s strength leave my body the instant she griped the handle, so I let go of the blade.

“What?” She looked around, confused, then at the sword. “Who are you? Really? Arillia, Lord Sparot says he wants to show me some basic sword techniques. May I?”

“If it is agreeable to the two of you, then I have no complaint.”

Amelia stepped a few paces away from us and then put the saber through the basic guard positions. She then tried Sparot’s attack style of rapid attacks against the air. She then extended the hilt back to me. “The nature of his strength. It feels like I could do that all day long. Should I not just train under Sparot?”

I resheathed the blade. “You must not copy him exactly, for his style is dated, and countermeasures are well-trained. But with that warning, I have no objections if Lord Sparot has none.”

Lass, recall your pledge to have me in the room when you engage in your sapphic arts. Otherwise, I hath no objection.

“I’ll lend him to you tomorrow, but I must have him back in my custody by nightfall. It’s an undead thing.”

“Don’t worry, Your Highness. I’ll treat him as gently as if I were holding you in my arms.”

On the way back to my room, I whispered to the sword. “Was that your doing?”

Lass, the oath we took together also binds anyone who wields this blade, but on my word, she’s only had eyes for you for years. The effect of thine oath was but to loosen her tongue. Thou hath sworn only to surrender to thine own natural inclination.

That afternoon, I had Carnel cast Magescan from the book I had lent her to examine Polly and Sparot (both the sword on the table and then after I picked it up). With her wand spent, I then demonstrated the web of water technique I had used to save Alice, but at a much smaller scale, just a pattern of crossing lines like yarn passing back and forth between the tips of the fingers of both my hands, then sent Carnel back to her room to read the incantation of the Water spell from that same book, put Sparot back on the wall, and spent an afternoon of delights with Polly.

As dinner was ending that evening, Carnel asked about a phrase in the Water incantation. Mother responded by performing the incantation herself. Slowly and carefully speaking each syllable, she took twice as long as her usual, a full ten seconds. The result was a small cloud that appeared between her hands. Polly looked intently at this, then shifted her attention to Carnel, who had pulled out her wand and silently cast the Wind spell. Polly watched as Carnel used her wind to move the small cloud around the dining room.

Finally Carnel moved the cloud above herself and used her wind to compress it, and it condensed into droplets that rained down on herself.

Polly laughed at this.

Carnel stared at Polly briefly under her damp bangs and then laughed herself. “That was great! Thanks, Mom. I think I understand it now.”