Lady Vessa

You open the viewing slot to find Lady Vessa on the other side, waiting for you. Normally, you see your court mage in decent robes, covering as much of herself as she can, to make herself most presentable in the royal court. However, you find Vessa wearing something a little different. You can see the barely-visible arcane runes and sigils on the fabrics--one that she painstakingly crafted, but the relative lack of the said fabrics used gives her a more stunning appearance. It excites you a little because you have never seen any parts of her body other than her face, neck, hands, and sandal-covered feet, and she hardly hinted at the curvy, busty body shape she normally hides. A slit in the bottom half of her robes allows you to see one of her somewhat thick, shapely legs, showing a dagger that is being held by a leather strap on her thigh, and soft leather shoes. Although the robes are long-sleeved, showing only her hands that hold a few parchments of paper, the front of the robes are cut low, so that you can see the deep cleavage given by her big, soft breasts. Her auburn hair, normally tied into a bun or in braids, is undone, and goes all the way down to the middle of her back.

"Vessa?" You ask her. "Can I be of assistance?"

"Yes, your highness." Vessa tells you in that low, husky voice. "May I come in?"

"Of course, Vessa." You tell her, opening the door so that she can come in. "What's on your mind?"

"Many things, Bryce." She tells you, now that she is in a private setting with you. "I spent some time after dinner preparing the spells we may need against the Amazons, if war cannot be avoided. I also sent some of my astral eyes out, to scout the Amazon encampment."

"What did you find?" You ask her.

"A few interesting things." She tells you, handing the papers over to you.

You take a good look at the papers, starting with the layout of the encampment. From what Vessa observed, they have set up their defensive positions to make the most out of their 300. Out of that 300, Vessa wrote about the soldiers doing support work, and properly disposing of the slain Phebian peasantry. Vessa had also noted that they appear to have quite a good number of magicians--most likely shamans or druids from her rough sketch of one of them in their robes and tattoo's. On the last piece of paper, she did a more thorough sketch of what she believed to be Queen Cielina. From the sketch, she appears to be a blonde, wearing a particular crown on her head. The sketch also seems to suggest that while she is a well toned & very fit woman, she is also stunningly beautiful, even in her cultural armor, with a flamberge by her side.

"So this is what you observed?" You ask Vessa. "Did Akina confirm your findings?"

"Aye, she has." Vessa tells you. "She and her spies are continuing to observe her & their defensive emplacements. So far, a good number of spikes on all paths going into the coastal village, protected by longbow archers. Their ships appear to be positioned to provide support, with the small catapults & ballistae that they have."

"Small in number, but with the firepower of thousands." You tell her. "This Queen Cielina is not bluffing at all."

"Perhaps you can consider striking a deal that can get them to leave?" Vessa tells you.

"Amazon women don't have much use for riches, Vessa." You tell her. "Men is their most precious resource. Various tribes have fought one another over the sole possession of men for many things, not just for mating. They may not leave until they've captured enough able men to bring back to their islands."

"Some tough decisions to make, Bryce." Vessa tells you. "Being king will never be easy, so consider your next move against the Amazon women to be your first trial. There will always be risks & rewards, and you cannot please everyone. You just have to make the right decisions that pleases the majority of our people, and silence the ones who will criticize your decision. That is what my mother taught me, when she served your father. When you're ready to make your decision, do it in a timely manner, and stick with it."

"I will remember that, Vessa." You tell her. "Is there anything else I should know?"

"Given your lack of sword play," she tells you, "I would try to avoid combat personally, until you've gotten enough training. This....Queen Cielina must be a very skilled fighter, if she is leading them. She could overpower you easily."

"I will also keep that in mind." You tell her.

"There is....one other thing." Vessa tells you, her brown eyes gazing into yours. "Forgive me for saying, for I know I have worked with you & Gilbert for years, and yet I have only served you for only mere days. If they lay you low, we both know what will happen to our kingdom, and you have yet to fully experience adulthood. May I...may I sleep with you?"