Going undercover at the next big tourney.

‘Listen up,’ Giana started, ‘I was thinking: How to best kill the king and make it look like a tragic accident?’

‘Push him down the stairs?’ Khala interjected.

‘What? No, he’s not clumsy enough for anyone to buy that one,’ Giana shook her head, ‘Frederick is a gifted warrior, he wouldn’t just stumble down some stairs and break his neck. But… he’s holding regular tournaments because he loves to joust and perform all of the knightly feats. And soon, there’s going to be a big tournament held by Frederick again. All the nobles worthy of notice in the land and even some foreigners will be attending.’

‘Oh, you mean with jousts and melees and archery?’ Khala smiled, never having been to a noble’s tourney, ‘Yes… I can see how an “accident” there might look convincing enough.’

Giana nodded and smirked at her lover’s enthusiasm, ‘Yes, that was my thinking. You sound intrigued, I didn’t think you’d like events like that.’

‘Hey, just because I’m a rogue doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy nobleman’s entertainment,’ Khala pouted, ‘Besides… you think I could join the archery competition?’

‘You want to? Uhm, I don’t know… I didn’t even tell you my plan yet,’ Giana frowned.

‘Okay, okay, tell me what you have planned,’ Khala nodded.

‘Good… let’s see,’ Giana said, ‘I’ll need your and your friends’ help to infiltrate the tournament.’

‘Infiltrate?’ Khala raised an eyebrow.

‘Yes, like Mira could be a squire for my fiancée and snoop around that way,’ Giana nodded, ‘I’ll have to discuss the details with her.’

Khala huffed, ‘I don’t like that guy, do you really have to marry him?’

Giana sighed, ‘Being a noble isn’t all fun and games, dear. Sometimes you have to make sacrifices for the family and my father wants me to marry to better our standing.’

Khala stood up and paced around the room, ‘But that’s so unfair… you don’t even love him!’

The brunette grabbed her lover’s hand and coaxed her back on the bed, ‘I know, I know, but let’s focus on things we can influence positively for now, okay?’

The redhead frowned, ‘What if it’s your fiancée plotting to kill the king?’

‘Then we’d both be lucky if we can stop him, but no… I don’t think it’s him,’ Giana shook her head.

‘So, Mira would be going in as a squire. What did you have in mind for the others?’ Khala wondered.

‘I had thought that you and Lex could be my handmaiden and errand boy,’ Giana explained, ‘I’ll be attending the tournament officially, and most people know me, so I won’t have much freedom to investigate myself.’

‘Your handmaiden?’ Khala smiled, ‘That doesn’t sound bad.’

‘Be careful, though,’ Giana giggled, ‘Loads of nobles might want to ask for your hand if they think you are a young noblewoman waiting for a good match.’

‘Oh, I can handle that,’ Khala nodded and laughed, ‘They’d be pretty disappointed once they find out that I’m a harbourmaster’s daughter from a tiny clan.’

‘Good, don’t give them any false pretences,’ Giana nodde, ‘Well, unless you can get crucial information that way.’

‘Soo… can I join the archery contest?’ Khala smirked.

Giana rolled her eyes, ‘Fine, you’ll have my recommendation’ She raised a finger at Khala, ‘But don’t forget we are not there to have fun but to save the king? Okay?’

‘I swear it won’t take my mind from the task, love,’ Khala nodded and put her hand on her heart.’

‘Alright, I trust you in this. Now, for Ariane...’ Giana tapped her chin.

‘What did you plan for her?’ Khala wondered.

‘Uhm, not really sure to be honest. You said she was an elven noble?’ Giana asked.

‘So she says, but her bedside manners are anything but noble. I think you can remember,’ Khala laughed heartily.

The brunette blushed, ‘Yes, I do remember her… “manners”.’

‘Well, she can just attend the tournament as an elven noble then,’ Khala nodded, ‘Or rather as an elven courtesan. I’d bet my favourite bow that’s how she’d approach gathering information.’

Giana giggled, ‘That might not be the worst idea, if she’s alright with that. They do say that men tend to reveal more than they’d like while being intimate with a woman.’

‘Oh, I can guarantee she won’t have a problem with that,’ Khala smiled, ‘In fact, I think that might be a very welcome task for her.’

‘It’s settled then,’ Giana nodded, ‘Should we go ask them?’

‘Hmm, they might be still a bit “busy”,’ Khala said and then leaned closer, smirking, ‘Want to test your new sneaking skills and have a look?’