Improvise

“I suspect my brother will be of little assistance to us at this point,” says Adella, trying not to imagine what is going on behind the doors of the little hut. “I believe we can pick up our planned route if we veer off in this direction for a while.”

The ladies adjust their direction and set off together. It is a pleasant day, and soon their spirits lift as their adventure finally begins to look up.

“These are fine horses you arranged for us,” observes Adella.

“They should be, considering the price.”

“The price? You paid for horses from the royal stable?”

“Well, not with money,” says Courtney, cryptically.

In answer to Adella’s raised eyebrows, she says, “It took a bit of persuasion to get the stable boy Horace to release the animals without a lot of questions.”

“What did you tell him?”

“Not a lot, M’lady. My mother taught me that it is not good manners to speak when one has one’s mouth full. And believe me, with Horace my mouth was very full!”

As realization sets in, Adella blushes, gasps, and then bursts out giggling. “You didn’t!”

“Anything for King and country, Your Highness,” Courtney responded with a laugh. “Of course, that was just a deposit. I have to pay the balance when we return the horses in good condition.”

“And what is the balance?”

“Let’s just say I had to negotiate that part, because if I paid it up front I would be in no condition to sit on this saddle for long.”

The ladies dissolve into laughter. Courtney says, “Poor Horace... Such a nice young man, but don’t ever let your father entrust him with secrets of state. One little flash of a breast is all it would take, and he would spill his secrets faster than he would spill his seed.”

Adella looks thoughtful and after a few moments asks, “Courtney, may I ask you something rather personal?”

“Of course, Princess. Anything.”

“What is it like? A man’s — touch, that is.” Her face reddens.

“Oh, Your Highness! Forgive me! Here I am prattling on like some scullery maid; I keep forgetting how it must be for you. I did not mean to upset—“

“You do not upset me, my friend. I ask you because I cannot ask anyone else. In truth I have fantasized much about what it is like for you — for any woman who is not expected to remain a virgin until marriage. And,” she adds, with reddening cheeks, “I know the feeling of self pleasuring, but I can only imagine what it must be like with a man.”

“Your Highness, I wish I could describe it for you, but even more, I wish you could know yourself the sensation! Perhaps on this journey we could —“

“No! I should not have even mentioned it. You know the expectation that my father should present me as a spotless bride to whomever he chooses for me. Should my husband discover on our wedding night that I am not a virgin, the scandal would be made known far and wide, and it could have serious ramifications for the very throne of Mirantia itself.”

“It is so unfair, though, if I may say so, Your Highness. Your brothers have had countless women, as did your father and his father before him. Why are they free to pursue physical pleasure? And in this day and age, who truthfully expects that a man or woman will be a virgin at the time of marriage? Only in royal families is this archaic notion observed and even there, only as it applies to daughters.”

“You say nothing I have not considered myself many times. When I was younger I told myself that it was worth it, for surely I would marry some strong, handsome, romantic prince who would love me and show me a lifetime of happiness. Alas, I despair that those dreams will be unfulfilled.”

“Have you spoken with your mother about this?”

“Yes, to a degree. She comes from a different time, though, where there was less sexual freedom around her. I don’t think she sees the sacrifice I am making. Besides, she married my father; for all his faults, he is a good husband and a handsome man. I have heard whispers of his ways before he met her — how he was nearly as promiscuous as my brothers — but if that was true, it changed when he found Mother. Perhaps it will be the same for Stewart and Duncan, too.”

“It is truly hard to imagine your brothers as such, Your Highness.”

“The weight of the crown sobers a man, I am told. That is why their adolescent oat sowing is indulged, out of the theory that whichever one ends up wearing the crown will live a life of such profound responsibility that there will be no time remaining for frivolity.”

“And what about you, M’lady? The crown could indeed be yours, as well. God forbid, but if something were to happen to the princes, you would become the monarch. But even if that did not happen, is your life of responsibility and duty any less deserving of pleasure now in your youth?”

Adella smiles sadly. “Perhaps our children or grandchildren’s generation will see the wisdom of what you say, but for now, we must take things as they are. And speaking of taking things as they are, we must decide which of these roads we should take.”

The ladies stop at a crossroads. In the distance they can see the looming beginnings of the Obsidian Forest. Two roads lead toward the forest — one directly there, and the other veers off at an angle, but points toward the northeastern part of the forest. A third road leads off directly to the east.

“I wish these roads were marked somehow,” says Adella. “The route I had planned would have taken us to Barromay where we could have gotten a room in an inn for the night. Now I am all turned around, and I don’t know if we have bypassed the town altogether or if it is along one of these paths. I’d hate to venture into the forest near sunset.” She gives a worried look at the sun, which is sinking low in the sky.

“It has been a long time since I visited Uncle Sapiens,” says Courtney. “This area is unfamiliar to me. I do remember seeing a few cottages on the outskirts of the forest when I was last here; the inhabitants of these parts are known for their hospitality. Perhaps we could find someone who would take us in for the night.”

“Perhaps,” says the princess, thoughtfully. “And we could always make camp, as well. The weather is good enough, and we will have the light of a full moon. Still, we may have enough of that once we actually get into the forest, and I would not turn down a hot meal and a bath — from a hospitable host or from an inn.”

She looks again at each of the three options.