Conflict

Over the next few weeks, the four of them fall into a comfortable routine. Ria spends more and more time at Kael’s house, rarely returning to her own. When he asks her about it, she simply laughs and says, “Why would I go to an empty house when I have all this waiting here? Use your brain, big guy!” Kael can’t fault her logic there.

Evie, meanwhile, has never been happier. The petite elf has completely shed her early shyness now, though she still tends to be soft spoken, in contrast with the other two women. Although she has great affection for Ria and Gabby, it’s clear that Kael is number one in her heart. There are times that Kael will spot her simply standing and watching him with a smile on her face, only to blush furiously when she realizes that he noticed.

As for Gabby, the holstaur’s feelings grow by the day. What started as a bit of an infatuation, and physical attraction, has become so much more. Interestingly, she also gravitates towards Ria much of the time. With Evie monopolizing Kael as often as she can, the muscular warrior woman and the big, curvy holstaur find themselves spending the night together quite often. Neither of them seem disappointed with this, oftentimes coming to breakfast late, half-dressed, and disheveled, but with big grins on their faces. Never one to hold back, Gabby spends a lot of time at home either topless or naked, not seeming to mind their eyes on her.

Outside of Kael’s personal life, things are less rosy. Despite the overwhelming support of Lord Greyheart’s proclamation among the masses, many of the wealthy and powerful are resisting. Always diplomatic, Lord Greyheart searches for a way to placate those who disagree with his freeing of the nonhumans, but there are several who refuse to budge. The refusal to heed his command comes from those who would likely be just as happy treating their slaves as animals, and no soft words of compassion will speak louder than the glitter of gold to them.

More and more often, Kael is called to stand guard in the throne room, as tensions rise over the disagreement. Kael has never liked the political intrigue and subterfuge of rulership, much preferring the surety of steel on the battlefield. At least there, he can look his opponent in the eye. But Lord Greyheart has insisted that Kael be present as often as possible, claiming that it would be a ‘good learning experience’ for him.

Eventually, though, even Lord Greyheart’s seemingly inexhaustible patience wore thin. After many days of arguments and offers with no sign of budging from the recalcitrant nobles, Lord Greyheart slammed his palm down on the arm of his throne. With a thunderous look on his face, he rose and pointed an accusatory finger at the leader of the resistant faction, Rastus Malen, a rotund, wealthy man whose manner Kael would liken to a serpent.

“ENOUGH! I have been more than fair, generous even. You ask for more and more, giving nothing in return. I will negotiate no more. Rastus, my last offer was just that, the last offer. Now, I give you one week. You will free your slaves within one week, or you will find yourself in violation of the new law.”

Rastus takes a step forward, his beady eyes narrowed in anger. “You cannot do that!”

Lord Greyheart glares at him. “I can, and I have. You have one week. Now go.”

Rastus glares for a moment longer, before straightening. After a moment, a smile spreads across his face, an expression somehow so full of malice that it makes Kael put a hand on the hilt of his sword. Seeing the movement, Rastus glances at Kael, and Kael tenses at the venom in the corpulent man’s gaze. Looking back to Lord Greyheart, Rastus bows, somehow making the movement sarcastic.

“Very well, my lord. We shall see what happens.”

Without another word, he turns and walks out, followed by the other dissenters. Lord Greyheart sinks to his throne with a sigh, shaking his head.

“There will be trouble with that one.”