Devona - Magus's gift.

When you retreat to your private study after dinner, you see one of the squires for the Frost Knights waiting for you at the door. She is still in her early teens, with short blonde hair, and a fine, young body, which suggests that she will grow into the full stature that is most consistent with the Frost Knights. The squire directs you to the armory, where you find Devona waiting for you. She is in a deep blue noblewoman's dress, cut low at the front, so that you can see her ample cleavage, given by her ample breasts, that are proportionate to her tall, muscular frame, that would put her even with the Amazon Queen--at least on paper. Her dark brown hair is tied into a rather loose bun, save for a few bangs that partially frames her face, and light brown eyes. A silver necklace can be seen, with a pendant that holds the symbol of the Frost Knights, which hangs right above her cleavage. Next to Devona, is a chest, with the crest of the Duchy of the Frostpeaks branded into the front.

"Good eve, m'lord." Devona tells you, doing a gentle curtsey. "I hope you had a good dinner with your advisors, for I had a wonderful dinner with my staff."

"Aye, I did." You tell her. "I see that there is a chest next to you. Is that why you wanted me to meet you here?"

"Aye, m'lord." Devona responds. "Uthic had planned to present what he had the blacksmith made for you, on the day of your coronation. As we both know, however, the goblins attacked again, and he was killed in battle. Duke Magus wanted to give it to you, as soon as he was firmly in control, but then more goblins attacked, and you went off to protect Phebis. After things settled down, he felt that Uthic's gift to you would not suffice. So he had the materials salvaged, and reforged into something more suitable to you."

"I have heard about it," you tell her, "but why would he wait so long to give it to me now?"

"Because you were busy courting me, and the other Frost Knights that campaigned for the queen's throne." Devona replies. "Since I am on the final list of potential suitors, Magus believed now was the time to present it to you, on behalf of his bloodlines."

You watch as Devona reaches down into her cleavage, and pulls a key out, smiling along the way. She turns around, and stoops down, inserting the key into the lock, and twists it into the unlocked position. She then opens it, stands up straight, and steps aside to let you see what is inside. Aside from the gems and precious metals that have been harvested from mines in the Frostpeaks, tanned skins of predatory animals in the marshes and bogs that were either a threat to the citizens, or to control their populations, and bags of wool from the sheep pastures of the rolling hills, you see a new longsword waiting for you. The hilt of the longsword is essentially all that remains of what was supposed to be a sceptre, but it was reworked into the handle, with a suitable guard above it. The blade is of the finest metals available, forged together into a Damascus Ingot, and then made into the blade. Strips of the finest leather has been used to provide comfort and grip, and ruby gems have been inlaid into the hilt. Magic sigils have been carefully engraved into the blunted part of the blade, right where it meets the guard.

"M'lord," Devona tells you, "Duke Magus of the Frostpeaks presents you materials to craft into items for your personal use, as well as a new, enchanted longsword. The runes on the sword were carefully made by Lady Adrianna, which will emit flames on the blade, when activated."

"Interesting." You tell her, walking forward to pick up the longsword. "How do I activate and deactivate it?"

"To activate the enchantment," Devona replies, "you say the Magi words for 'fire it up'. To deactivate it--which you should do, before sheathing it, of course--you say the Magi words for 'fire out'."

You move to a spot in the armory, a safe distance away from Devona, and try out a few swings. You can feel the weight on the sword, as it was carefully crafted to be strong yet light enough for your sword arm. You say the Magi words to activate the flames, watching the flames erupt right out of the blade, as the sigils glow red. You try out a few more swings, and then say the Magi words to deactivate the flames. You run a pinky finger on the flat, non-sharp edge of the blade, seeing that it's still cool to the touch. After that, you put the sword back in the chest.

"A wonderful sword, Devona." You tell her. "I am certain Duke Magus will be pleased with my satisfaction and approval."

"It is the least that his people can do, to honor your quest for the most suitable queen and bride in your court." Devona tells you. "I remembered when my father fought by your father's side, when he was your age. He still likes to spin war tales with me, and the other Frost Knights, on cold nights in the White Spire."

"I am sure he enjoys it." You tell her. "Lord Gilbert would also spend nights with me, when I was a young boy, telling tales of my father's achievements."

"Now you have the chance to really make your own mark in Itheria, m'lord." Devona tells you, as she walks up to her, and plants a light kiss to your lips. "You do not need the hand of our guests from beyond our borders to take the throne. If you are looking for a queen to fight by your sides, in times of war, then look no further than the Frost Knights to find one, like me. Although I do commend your decision to commission an all-women's regimen, I do nae believe an Amazon Queen like Cielina would be a suitable leader for them. They will need someone like me, to help keep them in their places. I can understand the Gaelic people's will to find peace with Itheria, after all the raids they did on The Goldfields, but Fiona alone is not enough. If I am queen, I will make sure they pay their fair share of reparations for all the lives they took, and the destruction they've wrought on our lands for centuries, before we allow them to engage in the great trade route. As for Arin and Khalisah, they should work more with our people as ambassadors, instead of being queen. That is my honest opinion, as a woman with the most knowledge of what Itheria needs."

"I will keep your words in mind, Devona." You tell her.

"Wonderful, m'lord." Devona tells you with a smile, and kisses your lips a little harder. "Shall we retreat to your bed chamber, before any of Cielina's spies, or other spies overhear us?"