Follow Piotr

Piotr had to admit he was looking forward to this. He stood some distance from Casimir's keep, the headquarters of his supporters for Sarmata's throne. Rather than his preferred attire, Piotr dressed in the clothes of the nobility from the neighboring Duchy of Vichi. Five of his elite, highly trained bodyguards accompanied him, disguised as soldiers of the neighboring dukedom.

Vichi was a small, but economically powerful nation ruled by the Grand Duchessa Agnese Turrisi. A formidable woman who had ruled the small dukedom after the death of her husband for over four decades, nearly singlehandedly transforming the insignificant country into an mercantile empire. She would marry twice more since then, but behind closed doors said husbands were kept on a tight leash and had little in the way of political power. Aside from being known for her cunning, shrewdness, and iron will, the Grand Duchessa was known for being remarkably well preserved for a woman in her 60's. The only hints of her true age being her silver-white hair. Only a select few knew the truth. Agnese was a longtime friend and ally of Catherine's, having trained under the same mistress in the arts of magic. In fact, Agnese was Piotr's godmother. A fact which gave the two no end of erotic pleasure in bringing up during their frequent trysts. When he wasn't doing his mother's work or indulging himself in Zalessia, Piotr spent a great deal of time with his godmother. So much time in fact that the two created an elaborate backstory of him being her grandson by her first husband so that people wouldn't talk. While everyone knew, feared, and speculated on his mother's youthful appearance and powers, Agnese preferred a more subtle approach to her rule. Her alliance with Catherine was an under-the-table one where Agnese would use her country's economic power to benefit Zalessia, while Catherine would use her great military power in ways that subtly benefited Vichi.

The important thing however, was that nobody knew of this secret relationship. That, along with Catherine keeping the existence of her children so vague that their existence was spoken of more as rumor, made Piotr's cover as Earl Hadrian Turrisi an easy one to use. It also just so happened that Casimir had sent a letter requesting diplomatic talks to the Grand Duchessa in his quest to secure Sarmata's throne. Piotr's arrival as Hadrian would make perfect sense. Piotr spoke a brief spell, turning his black hair brown and his eyes a more plain green color.

"All right gentlemen, let's go," he said to his men as he climbed on top of his horse.

They gave a brief sound of acknowledgement and salute before falling into place behind him with consummate professionalism. It was not long before the group made their way to the castle's gates. The Sarmatian guards halted them.

"Pardon sir, but I will need to know your name and business here," the guard captain insisted.

"Not a problem my good man," Piotr assured, flawlessly adopting a Vichian accent. "I am Earl Hadrian Turrisi, here on behalf of my grandmother, the Grand Duchessa Agnese of Vichi, to speak with Prince Casimir in regards to his request to negotiate an alliance."

Princess Velmira had been walking the ramparts, as she loved to admire the view of the land it gave her. As she did so she caught sight of the scene below. Velmira's breath suddenly hitched in her throat when she caught sight of the incredibly handsome man speaking with the guards.

"My God..." She attempted to compose herself. Her husband, Casimir, was one of the finest figures of a man she had ever known. She considered herself the most fortunate woman in the world to have such a kind, considerate, noble man as her husband. However, something about the look of this man stirred something inside her. Something more..primal.

"Forgive me, Earl," the guard captain hastily apologized. "The Prince was indeed expecting you, but not today. he has gone personally to Zalessia to speak with Queen Catherine."

"I see. Is there anyone I can speak to in his stead?"

"I will speak with him, Captain," Velmira called from above. "Show him in."

"As you wish, Princess. Welcome to Sarmata, Earl."

"Thank you, Captain." Piotr hadn't gotten a good look at Velmira, but from what he had seen, this was going to be an even more pleasant task that he had thought it would be.