Heading to the Council Meeting

“Hnnngh...” A quiet, breathy moan escapes past Krvavy’s lips as she stretches, pushing her chest out and reaching her arms straight up. Her fingers brush against the ceiling.

Click.

The sound of a door being unlocked is the only warning that Krvavy gets before the Countess steps into the room.

“Oh, good. You are awake already.” Rina warmly smiles, her amethyst eyes looking the nude Drakling up and down. Her gaze lingers on both the barbarian’s abs and bare breasts. “Did you sleep well?”

“Yeah,” Krvavy rolls her shoulders, unbothered by the beautiful noblewoman’s appreciative gaze. She has long since gotten used to it. “The bed was a bit short, but... not by that much.”

“I apologize for not sharing my own bed last night.” The Countess sadly states, reaching out and gently grabbing Krvavy’s hand with both of her own. Her negligee, its lacy fabric just transparent enough to give a hint of what hides beneath, sways as she steps closer. “It would have been far more comfortable for you.”

The barbarian’s face grow warm and rosy. “Nah, it’s alright, really. All of that paperwork kept you up late, and I didn’t really help with that. Plus, you needed a good nights sleep to get ready for today.”

A delicate, pink-skinned finger slowly trails over the black scales that cover the Drakling’s hand. “Krvavy, dear, you were a welcome distraction. Yes, your presence meant that I took a bit longer to deal with all of those letters than I otherwise would have, but you also made that whole job far more enjoyable. If only I could have properly rewarded you for all of your hard work~. My, your jaw must have been so sore by the end of the night~.”

“I –”

“Shh~...” Rina silences her bodyguard before Krvavy can really say anything. “I know just how to reward you~...” She softly coos, pulling the barbarian’s arm ever closer. “And, I must say, I am quite looking forward to giving you that reward~...”

Krvavy’s brow shoots up as she realizes just where the Countess is guiding her hand. The faint blush colouring her cheeks grows even hotter and brighter, her pale skin nearly reaching the same shade of red as her hair.

Her palm cups the half-Elf’s alluring rear. She can’t help but give that wonderful ass a squeeze, fingers digging into yielding flesh as they slide into the narrow valley between those cushioned mounds.

Tink.

The Drakling freezes as one of her nails taps into something solid. Something crystalline, by the sound of it.

Rina’s painted lips curl upwards into a grin. “Have you found a hint of what your reward may be~...?” Her whispered voices is beyond sensual, each syllable sending a shiver down Krvavy’s spine. “You may be surprised by how flexible and elastic ones body can become with the proper potions and preparation~...”

Krvavy’s cock twitches and throbs, slowly swelling up.

“But,” the Countess abruptly steps back, pulling free from her bodyguard’s embrace. As if a switch has been flipped, her entire demeanour is once more completely professional, though a ghost of a smile remains on her face. “That will have to wait until tonight. Until after the bulk of the Council is dealt with. So do bear with me: the day will be boring, but the ending will be anything but~.”

The barbarian bites her bottom lip, taking a deep breath. “You... are far too much of a tease...” She grumbles out, trying not to sound too frustrated. Krvavy teases her own girls all the time, so it is only fair that she gets a taste of her own medicine every now and then.

“I know~.” A playfully smug gleam shines in the half Moon Elf woman’s eyes in the moment before she turns around. The hem of her lacy negligee lifts up from the movement, giving a glimpse of the amethyst gem capping the butt plug nestled firmly between her ass cheeks. “Now proceed with your morning routine and get dressed. We will have a quick breakfast before our long and boring day begins.”

The Drakling nods, unable to keep her eyes off of Rina’s swaying hips. Even though she only just woke up, Krvavy can hardly wait until it is time to head to bed.

Clip clop clip clop clip clop.

The sound of horses hooves clicking across paved stone fills the air.

Krvavy shuffles slightly in her seat. The stagecoach that she is sitting in is... quite small. Barely big enough for four people. Four humans. Which means that Krvavy, being as big as she is, has very little room in here. The fact that her tail takes up the other half of the cushioned bench that she is sitting on definitely doesn’t help either.

Vera glares at the Drakling with open annoyance. She clearly isn’t happy about her leg room being invaded like this.

Krvavy shifts her weight around again, unable to stay still. Her eyes glance over the angry albino maid, and lock onto the Countess.

Rina is wearing almost exactly the same outfit as she was yesterday, when they arrived in this city. Her dress is a little fancier, with purple patterns woven between the frilly and lacy layers. More silver chains, strings of pearls, and onyx beads decorate her body. But most noticeable of all is the tiara that sits atop her head, silver metal covered almost completely with small diamonds and the occasional aesthetically placed amethyst.

And from that tiara hangs a black silken veil. Also a different one from yesterday. One which only really covers the Countess’ face and which sags in the center, revealing the polished purple gemstone that always rests in the center of her forehead.

“Mh...!” Krvavy twitches slightly.

“Oh, did that hurt?” Concern fills the Countess’ tone as her delicate fingers stop their movements, holding the tip of the Drakling’s tail between them. “I am sorry.”

“No, that didn’t hurt. It just...” A bit of colour fills Krvavy’s cheeks, visible even behind her mask-like helmet. The hostile maid’s glare intensifies. “The tip can be a bit... sensitive at times.”

Rina tilts her head slightly, bringing attention to the beauty mark that rests below and to the side of her black painted lips. “Do you like tails, Krvavy~?” While her tone is a little teasing, there is also some genuine curiosity in it. “On your girls, I mean~.”

“I, well...” The barbarian idly gnaws on the inside of her cheek, face gradually growing more flushed. The more she thinks about it, the more obvious the answer is. “Yeah...”

“Do you prefer them thick, like your own, or thin, like that of a Halfling?”

That... is actually a good question. None of Krvavy’s girls have a thick, meaty tail like hers. Though if any of them did... It would definitely be fun to hug while taking them from behind... But it’d also make cuddling a bit more complicated... She wouldn’t be able to hold her girls from behind quite as easily... And it would be even more difficult to slip between their thighs while cuddling like that... Plus, big and meaty tails would obscure her view of their asses... So...

“Thin...” Krvavy nods her head, quickly growing more confident in her answer. “Yeah, thin.”

The Countess idly caresses her Draconic bodyguard’s tail. A subtle smile plays at her painted lips. “My, it looks like you gave that question quite the consideration~. Would you mind elucidating your thoughts to me~?”

“Thicker tails are nice, but... they’re a lot more inconvenient.” The barbarian pointedly looks at her own tail, which is forcing her to sit slightly crooked and is taking up an entire seat on its own. “Plus, the thinner ones are... kind of cute. They’re fun to touch and stroke, and don’t get in the way when cuddling.”

“Interesting~. I –”

Do do doo!

The Countess is cut off by the sound of a trumpet blaring, which is quickly followed by the stagecoach coming to a stop.

“Ahh...” Rina faintly grimaces. “We have arrived. I hope you enjoyed that conversation, as nearly every minute from here on out will be far more boring.”

Without a word, the albino maid rises to her feet, pushing against Krvavy’s armoured legs as she opens the door. Her cold pink gaze expectantly and impatiently turns towards the Drakling, stepping back to give the bodyguard enough room to exit the coach.

Which is exactly what Krvavy does, hopping down to the ground before turning around to help the resentful maid down as well. Unlike the mobile home of a carriage that they spent the last week travelling in, this much smaller stagecoach doesn’t have a staircase it can deploy. Just a couple steps hanging from its underbelly. Which really aren’t the best suited for a woman in a long dress.

A somber expression fills the Countess’ face as she clutches at her long and layered skirts, lifting them up enough to scandalously reveal her ankles. She gives Krvavy an appreciative nod as the barbaric bodyguard gently grabs her elbow and guides her down to the ground.

Krvavy grabs her axe from the floor of that small stagecoach and finally turns to look at what lays up ahead.

Further along the beautifully cobbled road stands a castle. A proper and actual casual. Though... not the most impressive one. It is bulky and short, topped with crenellated battlements. The whole thing is painted with plaster in various different shades of grey and white, clearly meant to emulate the stone bricks laying beneath it. But that just makes the building look a bit... plasticky.

For the first genuine castle that Krvavy has seen in this world... It is a disappointment. It looks boringly realistic. Practical. And early medieval. It isn’t particularly fancy or ornate. There are no tall fantasy spires, no –

“Stand up straight.” Vera’s cold and whispered voice stabs into the barbarian’s ear like a sharp knife. The maid glares through her glasses as she takes her place at the Countess’ left side, standing a step and a half behind the noblewoman.

Krvavy stifles a sigh and does as the antagonistic maid demands while taking her place at Rina’s right. As much as she may be loathe to admit it, the bratty albino has a point. Krvavy does have a habit of slouching, on account of having a thick tail that shifts her center of balance backwards simply by existing.

A handful of knights flank the Countess and her two companions as they walk the final distance along this road. The drawbridge has already been lowered, inviting them in.

While the castle may look stern and practical on the outside, the inside is anything but. Curated gardens fills the courtyard, interspersed with fountains, statues, and ornate lampposts. It may just be Krvavy’s bias, but this whole place feels... gaudy. Something purely meant to look good but going a bit too far and lacking substance.

“Ah! My Lady! Punctual, as always!” An older man with a big and wiry white moustache steps forwards, grinning widely as he excitedly greets the Countess. “May I have a word before those more important than I take up your time?”

“Of course, Mirek.” The faintest bit of warmth fills Rina’s words, making it quite clear that, unlike the Duke of Vratsa, she doesn’t detest this man. “Come, let us step off the thoroughfare.”

The older man nods in agreement, leading the noblewoman down an offshoot path deeper into the courtyard. “Do we have privacy?” He asks, the slightest bit of concern filling his thin and weathered face. “From prying eyes and ears?”

Wisps of darkness dance across the paved pathway, rustling through the bushes and flowers. Everything beyond the Countess’ immediate surroundings shimmer like a mirage.

“Yes.” Rina replies in a far more casual tone. “I take it you have news of the excavation?”

“Indeed, indeed!” The older man, Mirek, can hardly contain his excitement now that he doesn’t need to worry about others listening in. He pats down his worn beige tunic, searching for something specific in one of his pockets. “We have uncovered an intact section of the ruins! Aha! Here!”

Rina tilts her head slightly to the side as she accepts the folded piece of paper thrust into her hands. It crinkles slightly as she opens and straightens it out, revealing a rather detailed picture of a door set into a wall.

“My granddaughter drew that, wonderful artist, she is.” The old man lightly shakes his head. “Ahem. See the engravings on and around the door? It is warded! We are already making great progress on understanding those wards, so it is only a matter of time until we can safely reveal whatever secrets and knowledge may be hiding within! Imagine, the mysteries of Nordmak finally being unravelled!”

Krvavy finds herself leaning forwards, curiously looking down at that inked image. It is... familiar.

“Have you any thoughts, Krvavy?”

The Drakling jumps slightly as she is addressed directly by the Countess. “Oh, uh, yeah. I’ve seen ruins like that before. A bit cruder and more run down, but the stonework looked the same.”

“Is that so!?” The man’s bushy moustache twitches as he abruptly frown. “Pardon me, where are my manners? I am Sir Mirek Norbert, Historian & Archaeologist! And minor noble who’s property lies near the border of Raseyne and Vratsa, though unfortunately on the wrong side. Now... Where did you see similar ruins to this?!”

“On the other side of Raseyne, in the hills much further to the east. It was pretty deep underground, beneath another ruin and a cave.” The barbarian simply states, before adding one last thing. “And it is completely infested with slimes.”

“A subterranean ruin?! One which is accessible?!” The archaeologist grows more and more excited with every word. “How sprawling is its complex?!”

“Well, the place is big but... I wouldn’t exactly call it sprawling. The whole place is very vertical: it goes down thirteen floors from the top. Each floor is a big circular ring around a pit, which has a tower in its very center.” Krvavy briefly glances towards the Countess. “Beryl called it a panopticon, which is probably right. There isn’t much down there beyond rusted cells.”

“How interesting! Have you explored that ruin in its entirety?” Mirek eagerly asks, scribbling something down into a small notebook.

Krvavy wobbles her left hand around in a ‘so-so’ gesture. “Kind of? I wasn’t too thorough, and some parts of it are pretty collapsed, but... I did make it all the way to the bottom and climbed all the way back up on the central tower.”

“Did you find anything of note? Engravings? Inscriptions? Relics, even?”

The barbarian lightly bites the inside of her cheek. “Not... exactly. The place is pretty barren. And grim. A lot of the cells contain large chunks of quartz that might have once been corpses that have crystallized, and... At the very bottom there was a crystal golem, of some sort. It was very dangerous, very violent, and very destructive. So do be careful that your ruin isn’t hiding something like that.”

“Noted...” The archaeologist quite literally notes that down, before glancing up at the Drakling. Or more specifically, at the Drakling’s Soulbound weapon. “Would I be correct in assuming you found that crystal in this ruin? Perhaps as remains of the golem?”

Krvavy nods. “Yeah, I found it down there.” She states, not telling the entire truth but not lying either. “It wasn’t shaped exactly like this though. Nowhere near as sharp, and more of a prism.”

“Krvavy here has a close relationship with a Dwarven Runesmith.” Rina helpfully explains, her painted lips curling into an affectionate smile. “My adventurous bodyguard has quite the eclectic collection of companions. Including a Wood Elf. The ‘Beryl’ that she mentioned. Quite the lovely woman. Very free and adventurous herself.”

“My Lady, you have quite the habit of finding the most unique amongst us.” The old and weathered historian politely smiles, looking amused as he subtly and briefly glances towards Vera. With a gentle shake of his head, he soon turns back to the barbarian, countless questions gleaming in his eyes. “Is that ruin in any danger of being discovered or pilfered by others?”

“I don’t think so. It’s pretty remote and very well hidden. And the slimes will keep any animals out as well.”

“Good, good... I would like to send an expedition there, if that is alright?” A wide smile, partially hidden by his bushy moustache, spreads across the archaeologist’s face. “Splendid! Though with autumn on the horizon, and winter following soon after, such an expedition may need to wait until next year... We will see how the planning goes. And for that, I would almost certainly need more support from you, my Lady.”

“Of course, our agreement stands. Your findings thus far have kept me quite intrigued. The secrets of the past will not hide long while you are in pursuit, Sir Mirek.” The Countess’ professional tone drops into a sigh as the shadows around her flicker. She slowly folds the detailed drawing back up, before holding it out. “Now, as much as I may wish to hear more, our time is coming to an end. I would not want the more spiteful of my peers to turn their attention onto you for ‘hogging’ my time.”

“My thanks, Lady Alexandrina.” The wizened historian nods, taking the paper back and slipping it into his pocket. “I will undoubtedly have more to show when next we meet, and I will take your companion’s caution to heart. Have as good a day as possible while within this city of vultures.”

The magical mirage effect wavering in the air fade away as Mirek gives one last bow, before he turns and heads off. The wispy shadows linger for a few seconds longer before they too fade.

“I take it that pretty much no one else is going to be as friendly as he was?” Krvavy idly asks, smiling a little wryly.

“Almost certainly not.” Rina sighs back. “Most of those who will be attending this Council are... far more focused on their positions and the power they are afforded than good Sir Norbert is.” The gothic half-Elf’s painted lips curl down into a frown as her pointed ears suddenly twitch, jingling her moon-like pear earrings. “Which you will soon see.”

The sound of heels clicking across stone can be heard just a few seconds later, growing louder with each passing moment.

“Alexandrina! Dear! There you are!” A matronly woman who appears to be in her mid to late forties barrels along the garden path, followed by some unremarkable but fairly well-dressed servants. “I had heard that you arrived, but could not find you inside!”

“I felt like taking a look at Veselin’s gardens.” Rina warmly replies, her tone friendly and playful. “They are as gaudy as ever~.”

Vera’s expression darkens, pale pink eyes narrowing behind her glasses. Hate and contempt fill the albino maid’s face as she glares openly at the noblewoman, who completely and utterly ignores her presence.

“Oh, of course~!” The rather voluptuous noble laughs, brushing her curly brunette locks over her bare shoulder. The dress she is wearing is far more eye-catching and lavish than what Rina is wearing. And does nothing to even hide her absolutely massive tits. “The old cad hardly has the same elevated tastes as you or I! He only has the biggest, brightest, and most expensive of flowers grown! No subtlety.”

Krvavy’s brow furrows slightly. There is just something about Vera’s glare that doesn’t seem right... The albino maid isn’t looking at this older woman in the same way that she looks at Krvavy, at her competition for the Countess’ attention. Vera’s face is filled with far more... disgust. Eyes gleaming with pure and utter loathing.

“Speaking of a lack of subtlety...” Rina smiles and tilts her head towards Krvavy. “Have you seen my bodyguard for this trip~?”

The matronly noblewoman spares Krvavy only a brief glance. “My... quite the mighty woman you have employed~.” A condescending tinge underlines her otherwise friendly tone, faint and almost unnoticeable. “Making a statement about your trade with those barbarians beyond your lands?”

“Her presence is more to lean into my ‘exotic’ nature than that.” Rina rather flippantly responds, dismissively waving her hand.

If Krvavy hadn’t spent nearly the entirety of the last week hanging around the Countess, then she might think that both of these noblewomen were friends. Or at least on fairly friendly terms. But there just seems something fake about how they’re speaking to each other. As if they’re both just putting up an act.

“Come now, let us head inside. Those bores are surely waiting on us.”