Del'Sonne

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Bloody Fingers: Book of Prologues- Chapter Twelve

The Dragonborn woman used her staff to part the curtains of her palanquin, peeking out at the city she had last seen as a child. Carried high on the shoulders of six Minotaur slaves and escorted by a group of the Queen’s Guard, her vision was obscured only by how little she opened the protective fabric. Her platform was covered by a dark silk over a metal-ringed netting. The city was still as Del’Sonne remembered. Few things changed in Shardendrian, the greatest city in the desert of Yuk-Rein. Encased by a great pyramid, the multi-leveled city was in reality a fortified gateway into the Eternal Night, which is a vast underground world where many of the oldest races remained. Constructed of great stones, brick, and heavy plaster- and designed in a manner that each section could be sealed and isolated- there was very little that could harm Shardendrian. The city survived desert storms, great fires, invading armies and even slave rebellions. The only remnants of those disasters were the stories enshrined in reliefs, sculptures, and on tapestries that adorned the city itself. 

The massive town was named after its ruling family, the Shardendrian, a matriarchal nobility. For generations, the crown had been passed from mother to eldest living daughter. Once in its history, when all the eligible daughters had been assassinated- the crown had instead passed to the only living sister of the dead queen. That new queen, the mother of Del'Sonne, had ruled the city since that night with absolute authority. Her unbreakable grip on the crown was unquestioned. All her rivals were dead. 

Del’Sonne was the fourth daughter in line to the crown. As such, she received the education and training of a potential queen but was spared much of the expectation or attention. Not considered a threat, Del’Sonne escaped most of the animosity and competition between her elder sisters, and for the most part went unnoticed by her mother. Thus, her only real emotional connection to her family was with her brothers.

As a young girl, she spent most of her free time with her two male siblings, Kai and Hedaar. Like all princes in Shardendrian, the boys were Martial Consorts. As such, they received training in the art of warfare from gladiators but also were instructed by courtesans in the etiquettes of formal entertainment and romantic performance. Martial Consorts were prized possessions in the city. Once the boys came of age, they would each be matched to a wealthy and powerful woman. Their sole duty would be to provide a lifetime of support and entertainment for her. The dual nature of the boys’ education created many opportunities for leisure, as their educators rarely had any interaction. The boys were highly intelligent and found it easy to take advantage of this lack of communication to ensure they had ample time for themselves. And in this particular instance, ample time to spend with their little sister. 

The fourth daughter had a handmaiden slave with her at all times. She also had a personal protector if she left the palace grounds. She was not considered important enough to always require an additional escort of the Queen’s Guard, especially when she was being accompanied by two Martial Consorts. The handmaiden was a red Tiefling. The bodyguard for Del’Sonne was an elderly Duegar woman who had an extensive history of service with the Queen’s Enforcers, the group charged with investigating and punishing crimes in the city. The Dwarf had been assigned to the girl due to a severe knee injury, and she had come to an agreement with Del’Sonne early on that the girl was to stay near her brothers and remain in sightline but otherwise was allowed her privacy. This gave the three kids an extraordinary amount of freedom throughout their childhoods.

Del’Sonne loved the Hidden Gardens of Shardendrian. The uppermost levels of the city were the only part of the pyramid that allowed sunlight and true warmth, and this unique region had been designed with multiple open levels and terraces, water features, and devices that released mists of water to grow this hidden oasis. The gardens were one of the most restricted areas of the city, and only a handful of the most prominent citizens were even aware of their existence. The gardens were originally intended to provide a food source for the aristocracy in the event of a long-term siege of the city by an outside army, but instead, had evolved into a source of luxury foods and intimate privacy for the uber-wealthy. Other than a small group of Gnomish caretakers and harvesters, the three royal children were usually alone in their haven. Her bodyguard repeatedly warned Del’Sonne that it was improper for a princess of Shardendrian to relish the tropical garden and the natural light, but the old Dwarf never reprimanded the children very strongly as this was in fact the safest area in the vast city. 

Del’Sonne pulled herself back from her reveries as her team of bearers was switched out with fresh slaves, one Minotaur at a time. The transition was slow but smooth. The platform did not tilt, and the only real indication of the switch was that her progress had stopped. Another group of the Queen’s Guard was waiting as well. Del’Sonne was returning from the Eternal Night, so she was being carried for twenty-three levels to the Palace grounds. Having a single group of bearers and guards walk her the full climb would exhaust them and thus risk her safety, so this switch had been planned at level 19 where the spiraling center ramp ended and the corner stairs began. Another switch was planned at level thirteen.

Del’Sonne found her old Dwarven protector waiting with this new group of Queen’s Guard. The woman’s face was flushed, the color barely visible on her cheeks where there was no beard. A ladder had been set up here, and the Dwarf slowly climbed it once the rotation of bearers was completed. The pain from her knee was obvious as she moved. Del’Sonne slid the curtains open and carefully shifted her body position to make room for the warrior, who awkwardly settled onto the thick cushions. 

“I am sorry, princess.” The white-haired woman whispered as they started moving again. “I was to meet you at the gate- but I couldn’t walk the ramp. I had to stop when the stairs ended.”

Del’Sonne started to extend her hand but stopped herself when she noticed the woman’s lips tighten at the movement. Del’Sonne rotated her hand slowly, focusing her gaze on her claw tips, as if that was her intention. She noticed the Dwarf’s lips twitched upwards towards a smile for just a breath before being composed into a straight line once again. But the old woman’s eyes remained softened, the tension lines easing. 

“You should not refer to me as a princess any longer, Bonnthiel.” The Dragonborn stated. “That role does not fall to a Daughter of Tiamat.” The Dragonborn’s voice was smooth but precise. She spoke the common tongue very cleanly, with just the slightest lengthening of her ‘s’ and ‘n’ pronunciations. 

“But you have returned… Daughter.” The word fell from her mouth too easily, and made her lips pull upward into another smile. “With your studies completed, won’t you retake your place in the family again?”

“No.” Del’Sonne answered softly. “I have been designated an Adult Daughter, and as such I have been charged with advancing the influence of Tiamat.” 

“How?” The Dwarf’s face showed her concern. 

“My mother came to an agreement with the Great Daughter.” The voice of Del’Sonne did not waver, but it did quiet just a little more.

Bonnthiel’s eyes widened. It was not unusual for a Queen with many daughters to send some away for training and education. But it was very unusual for a Queen to not ask for her daughter to be returned. 

“I am to be sent across the sea to show that the Daughters of Tiamat do not just lurk in the Eternal Night. I am to explore and experience the world above and then return to advise the Great Daughter.” Del’Sonne held her hands palms up in front of her and dipped her head forward. “I am honored by her faith.” The Dwarf dipped her head forward respectfully, but her eyes remained on the Dragonborn.

“The Great Daughter sent me home to arrange for a patron who will fund this exploration.” The Dragonborn continued. “I assume mother is aware as you can see.” Del’Sonne waved her hand to indicate the luxury platform and bearers who had been waiting for her at the Gate. 

“Your mother wants a Great Daughter for a jewel in her crown.” Bonnthiel still spoke openly with her charge. 

“And the Great Daughter wants Tiamat’s influence to rule openly in Shardendrian, and thus, deliver the proper tithings.” Del’Sonne finished softly. “And both women believe I am the pathway for these things.”

“And yet both pathways require the murder of others to prepare for the death of a queen.” Bonnthiel whispered. “Both women will play this like a game of dragonchess.”

“And I am just a piece on that board.” Del’Sonne did not whisper. 

“I’m sorry… Daughter.” The old Dwarf reached out one dark and wrinkled hand, grasping Del’Sonne’s still extended one in a tight squeeze. 

“I am not.” The girl looked directly into her protector’s eyes. “This game has given me my freedom.” She squeezed back. “I shall see and feel the light and heat of the Above. My secret garden has now grown into an entire world.”

“I cannot protect you there.” The old woman’s voice was tight. 

“I have three consorts to choose from…” A mischievous smile was on the girl’s face. It transformed her for a few heartbeats back into that excited little girl, playing with her brothers in their secret garden. “Have you forgotten, Bonnthiel?”.

A look of confusion came over the Dwarf’s face. “Three?”. Then her eyes widened and she gasped. “The Tiefling slave? Del’Sonne… She became feral after you left.” The Dwarf tried to explain. “Your mother gave her to the Arena.”

“I know.” The smile got bigger. “Soo wanted the Arena. She worried that if she was sold to another family she might just kill them all. I thought she was crazed, and I begged my mother to keep her safe. Mother, of course, needed to punish me for caring about a slave, so I could not stop it from happening. Soo saw it all clearly and used my feelings to get her way. Have you seen her fight, Bonnthiel?”.

“No.” The Dwarf answered. “After that night…” She looked down at her knee. “…I have never returned to the Arena.” She looked back up at her charge.  “The monster has never been found.”

“I think Du’ror is the reason Soo wanted the Arena.” Del’Sonne eyes were unfocused for a few breaths, remembering. “She thought he was the most beautiful thing she’d ever seen.”

“Feral lunatics.” The Dwarf’s voice hardened with a tinge of anger. “Both of them.”

“Perhaps. But, she has survived, Bonnthiel.” Del’Sonne refocused on the older woman. “The devil has thrived in the Arena.” 

“You have eyes and ears in the city, child.” It was a statement. Such a network was expected of any Shardendrian princess. 

“Not really.” The smooth white skin under Del’Sonne’s eyes flushed a little. “I never thought I had to worry about things like that. As long as I was fourth, I was not a threat to my mother or my sisters.  And I never had any desire to be more than I was. You know I was a happy child, and thus a disappointment.” Her words were quiet with shame.

“Then, how do you know these things?” The old woman spoke very softly, filled with the same shame. She was as much at fault as Del’Sonne. A protector was more than a bodyguard in Shardendrian. A protector was responsible for guiding her charge and influencing the decisions a royal daughter made. Bonnthiel had been soft and satisfied with the laughter and joy of her princess, and she had allowed her princess to stay soft and joyful. She should have done more to prepare her for the world. 

Del’Sonne reached into a leather pouch on her belt and withdrew a small smooth stone of what appeared to be polished white granite. “Soo gave this to me as a gift when we were both very small. She has the matching sending stone.” 

Bonnthiel’s lips tightened and her eyes hardened once more. “A slave girl gave you an expensive magical item as a gift.” It was a sentence in which the tone of voice said more than the words themselves. 

“She didn’t steal them- not at first anyway.” Del’Sonne mumbled the second part. That answer didn’t seem to satisfy the Dwarf, who raised one of her bushy eyebrows while one hand tugged hard at her braided beard. 

“I wanted a gift, and I may have dropped a few gems when I told Soo.” The skeptical eyebrow dropped back down as the Dragonborn continued with the explanation. “She traded for the stones at Mesmer’s shop, but he tried to cheat her since she was a slave. Kai had escorted her to the shop and said he heard the screams from outside. Turns out old Mesmer was so grateful to Kai for saving his life that he gave the real stones to Soo without any more fuss.”

The Dragonborn princess paused for a breath, before finishing her story with laughter in her voice. “And Kai told me our devil girl was so lucky, she just happened to find some more gems on the floor of that shop while on her way out. He thinks she made a solid profit on the exchange.” 

Bonnthiel kept a straight face for three breaths, at which point the laughter burst through her lips. When she was a Queen’s Enforcer, she had dealt with a number of complaints about Mesmer cheating his customers. He always seemed to wiggle free of any real punishment, so this story gifted her just a little overdue satisfaction. Del’Sonne joined the laughter, the pressure releasing into the darkness. The mental image of the beautiful little Tiefling nearly beating the gnarled old gnome to death should have been shocking, but at the moment it just seemed fitting.

“Feral lunatic.” Bonnthiel repeated. But this time the smile made the phrase much lighter and closer to a compliment.  “Can you convince your mother to get you the girl?” Bonnthiel was serious again. 

“I have already purchased her from the Arena Masters, and at a steep discount no less.” The mischievous smile was still plastered on her face as Del’Sonne shared this revelation. While that one skeptical eyebrow crawled higher on the Dwarf’s wrinkled face to dance above her eye again.

“Soo has stopped eating, and she’s had a debilitating twinge in her back which has kept her from standing for more than a few moments. Neither the masters’ beatings, nor a cleric’s holy prayers have seemed to help.” The Dragonborn dropped into a deeper tone to convey the seriousness of the injury, but the smile was still in place. “When I called to purchase her for my guardian, the Arena Masters agreed to a very reasonable price- as they did not want to be accused of cheating the Fourth Daughter of Shardendrian.”

“And you expect a full recovery…” It was a statement and not a question.

“I believe the joy of our reunion may spark a complete recovery.” Del’Sonne was peeking out of the curtains again. “We are almost there! I see her!”

Bonnthiel had not been inside a palanquin for a long time, and the ability of the bearers to carry it so smoothly up the stairs was astounding. She was surprised to learn they had already made it so far. She leaned forward to peek out herself and could see six muscular Minotaurs standing next to a squad of eight Queen’s Guard. One of the Minotaurs was cradling a red-skinned Tiefling woman in his arms, who appeared to be licking his massive chest. The Dwarven protector let out a long sigh and her shoulders drooped. 

The platform was held steady as the single Minotaur carefully extended his arms towards the break in the curtain, the languid body of the devilish woman draped limply across his massive hands. The old Dwarf pulled the curtains aside, still keeping the princess protected in the far corner. She reached out towards the Tiefling with her free hand and then pulled it back. 

The red-skinned woman had nimbly shifted her body, placing her hands into the Minotaur’s and entwining their fingers. The horned man’s round eyes widened in surprise and confusion, but his massive strength kept his arms steady as the woman slowly and gracefully twisted into a handstand- her dress falling down and exposing lithe and muscular legs. Evidently, she had already tied or buttoned her dress in some way that it remained in place at her hips and between her legs- somewhat protecting her modesty. She lowered herself by bending her arms, dropping her center of gravity, and then she slowly arched forward. Her shapely legs stretched languidly toward the palanquin curtain and held for a breath, before her feet parted the heavy curtain and slowly inched their way inside. Del’sonne grasped one of the red woman’s calves and nodded to the old Dwarf- causing her to grab and hold the other leg with both her strong hands. Once secured, the infernal Tiefling straightened her arms and then slowly disengaged with the Minotaur, her body completing the arch and gracefully folding itself into a kneeling position between the two other women. The curtain closed again, and the platform rocked slightly as the Minotaurs switched their positions. The girls sat quietly as the royal palanquin started its journey upward again.

“Controlled handstand forward roll with a slow descent.” Soo finally stated calmly, just before her face erupted into a huge grim and she squealed- leaning in to hug the Dragonborn. Del’sonne wrapped the woman in her arms, closing her eyes as she squeezed back. They held each other tightly, until the green Dragonborn pulled back- placing one hand on each side of Soo’s face. She then leaned forward until their foreheads touched. Both of their eyes closed again.

“I can feel the scars on your back.” Del’Sonne whispered.

“I heal better than most.” Soo responded. “And I think a few scars are sexy.”

Del’Sonne pulled away again, and their eyes met. Their hands clasped now. “Thank you for what you have endured for me.” The red-skinned woman did not look away. She simply nodded, acknowledging the statement. And then she turned her attention to the older Dwarf, a smile once again falling into place. 

“You can stop fondling me now, unless you need a little more time to finish.” The red woman’s voice was husky, and her eyes moved slowly down to her leg where the Dwarf’s hands were still gripping.

Bonnthiel jerked her hands back, and then quickly recovered- reaching up to shove at the Tiefling’s shoulder. “You’re insufferable.” She grumbled. 

Soo grinned, a flash of sharp white teeth against her crimson skin. “Only to those who deserve it, old woman.” She winked at the Dwarf, who grimaced. Del’Sonne chuckled softly.

“Play nice, sister.” The Dragonborn placed a calming hand on Bonnthiel’s forearm while focusing her attention on the Tiefling. “I can count on one hand’s claws those who truly love me in this city. Those few must not fight amongst themselves, or I will certainly be lost.”

The Tiefling respectfully dropped her gaze, briefly playing the role of the dutiful servant. “The Arena trainers taught me many things. Perhaps first among those is aggression.” Both the Dragonborn and the Dwarf burst into laughter at these words. The Tiefling lifted her gaze, angry eyes bouncing between the other two women- but her face almost immediately softened as she also joined the laughter. 

Del’Sonne regained her breath as she looked fondly on her friend. “I think you first learned aggression in the devil’s womb. I remember when I first saw you in the market, Soo. You were so very small, and yet the slave traders had you caged in a runed gibbet to try and control your magic. You frightened them even then!”  The Tiefling peeked through the curtain, seemingly ignoring her friend’s story. Del’Sonne pursed her lips at the slight and then refocused on the Dwarf to continue her tale.

“There were many interested bidders in the little devil girl.” Del’Sonne explained. “Most were from the brothels, but the Arena’s buyer was also there- as were representatives of some of the city’s most wealthy families. And then there was this fat little Halfling, who Soo San seemed to take an extra special interest in.”

“Suwannee stinks” the Tiefling hissed softly while still peering outside. Bonnthiel raised an eyebrow questioningly, but the Dragonborn just shook her head slightly and continued speaking.

“The brothels were the first bidders, but that Halfling would raise the price on them each time. And when that little man would bid, the tiny fiend in her cage would scream out the most horrible insults. It was strange and funny at first, almost as if she wanted to be purchased by the pimps. Everyone within earshot came to watch, roaring with laughter at each new curse she spit forth. When the brothels dropped out of the bidding, all that venom and filth she was shouting had attracted the Arena’s man. After all, she had just proven to him she could entice a crowd.”

“Oh, yes!” Soo San was still pretending to look outside, but her words gave her away. “The Arena crowds love the murderous Succubus!”

“The Arena has very deep pockets, but still that stubborn little Halfling would raise the price over and over again. The bidding went on for a long time, and the devil child finally quieted down- just staring at that fat little man in spectacles as he wandered slowly around the crowd. I saw him whisper in the ear of more than one family representative.” Del’Sonne paused. Soo San had abandoned her attempt at indifference and had turned to face the Dragonborn, fully engrossed in her story now. 

“The Arena representative got angry and wanted to stop the sale. He called for Enforcers, claiming the Halfling was bidding without proper funding. And then another bizarre turn of events happened. That little Tiefling began screaming at the Arena’s man. Promising him a painful death if he insulted her Suwannee.”

“That man burned in a fire at my Arena.” Soo San said softly through a small smile. Her calm tone made the statement seem more frightening than if she’d shouted the words. Del’Sonne paused again briefly, letting the Tiefling’s claim sink in. And then she continued with her story.

“The caged girl’s threats distracted everyone, focusing the crowd’s attention back to her. I was sure that Halfling would take the opportunity to disappear into the markets, but he did not. He made his way over to stand in front of the Queen’s Guard that had escorted me and my brothers. That little man had no fear. He ignored the Guard’s commands to move away and just stood his ground looking at me.” The Dragonborn’s voice had softened, sounding more like the young princess from her memory than a cleric from the Cult of the Dragon Queen.  

“I heard his voice inside my head.” She continued. “It was my first experience with a wizard’s messaging, so I still remember his words clearly. ‘She is worth it’, he said. ‘That girl in the cage is truly remarkable.’” 

Bonnthiel brought a hand up to rub at her suddenly running nose, almost forgotten in the interchange between the other two women. She saw a clear membrane slide horizontally across the Dragonborn’s eyes as the green-skinned woman blinked away her tears. The older woman also saw several bloody tears fall from the corners of the Tiefling’s glowing eyes, leaving almost imperceptible trails against her crimson skin. 

Soo San took a deep breath to steady herself. “I thought you were trying to save me from all of the men.” she explained. 

“I knew the Halfling was protecting you even before his words.” Del’Sonne answered. “But his risk is what drew my attention to you. I’ve always been grateful for that. And, of course, once a royal princess makes her bid the sale ends. Nobody in this city wants to make an enemy of my mother.” 

“The princess bought herself a fiend!”. The Tiefling exclaimed, showing her teeth and tongue in a theatrical display of fierceness.

“A friend.” The green-skinned woman replied, reaching forward to clasp hands again. “A remarkable friend. “

The three women were carried up the stairs in a royal palanquin. The older woman quiet in her own thoughts. The two others whispering and giggling and crying from the simple joy of their reunion. Time must have passed very quickly as the trip seemed to end sooner than it should have- the ladies inside bumping a bit forward as the palanquin stopped. 

“We have arrived, Daughter of Tiamat.” one of the Minotaurs announced.

Del’Sonne took a deep breath, smoothing her clothing. She channeled a little magic into a ring on her finger to clear away a few spots of blood from her friend’s tears. She exchanged a look with Soo and nodded to Bonnthiel once she was prepared. “Let us not keep my mother waiting.”

Bonnthiel opened the heavy curtains fully to show a granite staircase descending from a platform where the palanquin had been placed. Del’Sonne moved down the steps slowly, followed by Soo and then Bonnthiel. They were in a grand courtyard before the doors to the Royal Palace of Shardendrian. A retinue of guards were waiting for them, lining both sides of the walkway to the doors. In front of those doors stood a Royal Herald, and the Queen’s Advocate- an official of the crown who could speak on the Queen’s behalf as needed.

“Daughter of Tiamat,” the Herald proclaimed, “you have been received by your Queen.”

Del’Sonne nodded while looking directly ahead, not making direct eye contact with either one of the officials. The doors remained closed. “I have returned from my studies.”

“And you have proven yourself worthy?” the Queen’s Advocate asked, her gaze piercing.

“I have,” Del’Sonne replied. “I have learned much, and I am ready to serve Tiamat and Shardendrian.”

“The reports have been… satisfactory,” the Advocate conceded. “But words are only wind. What tangible proof do you offer of your capabilities?”

Del’Sonne finally looked at the woman’s face. “I propose a pilgrimage. Across the sea. I will explore. I will learn, and I will bring back knowledge and influence that will benefit our city.”

“And what makes you think the Queen should grant such a… frivolous desire?” the woman asked, her voice laced with disrespect.

A searing fire bolt exploded into the woman’s chest, blasting her back into the heavy doors. With almost a single motion, the soldiers stepped forward into a defensive position. Their left arm raised a shield before them, while their right arm lowered a spear into position- resting it against a curve cut into the metal shield and extending the spear’s blade towards their target. At the moment, their target was three women who had just stepped down from a royal palanquin. The red-skinned one had one hand outstretched, smoke and steam rising up from her palm. The Herald was cowering near the floor. The Advocate was gasping from shock and pain. She had been knocked to her ass and was unsure what to do at this point.

“Hold!” Del’Sonne shouted the command in Draconian. The guards did not respond, but neither did they move forward. 

“It is not frivolous, Mother,” Del’Sonne continued, speaking directly to the doors. “I offer myself as your emissary.”

One of the doors opened, easily pushing the injured Advocate off to the side. A woman emerged. She was breathtaking! The Dragonborn queen was a powerhouse. She was tall and very muscular. Her features were more Draconian than human, but her incredible beauty transcended species. Like her daughter, the only human-like skin was along her jawline and around her voluptuous lips. The rest of her body was covered by heavy, ebony scales. She had thick silver hair that fell loose down her shoulders and back. She was wearing a tight halter-type wrap around her upper body that just managed to cover her chest and extended into an elaborate platinum and jeweled choker. She did not wear a crown or circlet. It simply wasn’t necessary. Just her presence exuded absolute authority. 

She stepped out of the doorway and the guards all took another step forward. The Queen raised one hand, and the armored soldiers immediately returned to their original places- again standing at attention along the sides of the walkway. The regal woman’s eyes focused on the Tiefling. 

“Sorry, ma’am.” The red-skinned woman lowered her smoking hand and stepped back behind Del’Sonne. “She needed to learn respect.”

The Queen considered Soo for a long moment, her eyes narrowed. Finally, she turned her attention to her daughter and spoke. “Welcome home, Del’Sonne. I grant your request. But know this: you represent Shardendrian. And then you represent Tiamat. Failure will not be tolerated.”

“I understand, Mother,” Del’Sonne said, bowing her head. “I will not fail you.”

The Queen gestured to the Tiefling without moving her gaze from the princess. “Are you sure about your choice, Daughter?”

“I am.” She raised her head to meet the Queen’s gaze. “She would die for me without hesitation.”

“Oh, I do believe that.” She eyes flashed to the Tiefling once more. “I just wonder if you will also have to die for her lack of hesitation.”

The Queen glanced over her shoulder to where the Advocate had finally climbed to her feet. “Are you able to fulfill your duties?” She asked in that direction. 

“Yes, my Queen.” The shaken woman answered.

“Provide the Daughter of Tiamat with the necessary resources for her pilgrimage,” she commanded. “And ensure that she has suitable a weapon for her escort.” Her attention finally moved to the old Dwarf.

“Step forward, Bonnthiel.” The Queen’s voice was hard. The Dwarf took a step towards the Queen and stood at attention, still placing herself to the rear of her princess as a show of respect. Her positioning was noticed. “You have been replaced as the Protector of my daughter, and yet you have made it clear to me that your loyalty still rests at her feet. As such, you cannot remain in my service.”

The old Dwarf lowered her head respectfully, and without complaint. 

“Advocate.” The Queen continued. “You will terminate the employment of Bonnthiel Vengehelm, and you will strike her name from the register of the Queen’s Enforcers….” There was a long pause as the woman considered her next words. “Let it be known that she has served the Crown well and given most of her lifetime to the safety of Shardendrian and my royal line. As such, she shall be paid treble the severance rate for her total years of employment.”

“Del’Sonne.” The Queen stepped forward and placed her hands on her daughter’s shoulders. “I expect a written report every moon’s cycle. Serve me well, Princess of Shardendrian.” The Queen turned on her heel and went back into the palace. The Herald and the Advocate following behind her as the doors closed once again. 

Del’Sonne smiled, a genuine smile this time. She turned to Soo and Bonnthiel. “Come,” she said, “we have much to prepare.”

Soo leaned towards Del’Sonne. “So,” she whispered, “when do we set sail?”

Del’Sonne laughed. “Soon enough, my fiend. Soon enough.” She looked back at the palace, a sense of anticipation filling her. The outside world awaited. 

She was ready to embrace it!