Tirulia

Cassandra helped Rose clean up when we got to the campsite. Apparently finding out she was a werewolf only caused her to be more interested in the dark-haired woman. This worked for me, I'd rather she not be freaked out by the more supernatural elements of my team. Considering that in a few days she'd be among them.

It would be interesting to see how her powers progressed since she wouldn't need to draw them from outside sources, according to what I remembered. Even without the moonstone she'd become a source of entropy and a projecting empath matching the potential of her registered powers. The luminescent blueish white hair would help her stand apart from her mother as well, once Gothel looked twenty-five again.

While the others set up camp I decided to talk with Hilde for a bit, as nobles we wouldn't be expected to help, and I wasn't much inclined anyways.

"Nice trick with the staff, is that it's only enchantment?"

She smiled and twirled the black wood staff, showing off. "I can project **** with it as well, though that's a crude waste of its power. Mostly I use it to lift things too heavy or far away to deal with by hand. I can also use it to crush something as if in the grip of a giant hand." Her smile turned to an evil grin, then faded to a neutral expression. "It's not unlimited in power of course, and eventually I'll have to recharge it. Still it makes for a nice surprise."

"You have a lot of toys like that?"

"Sadly no. Finding the ingredients needed for the truly grand enchantments is no easy task, and that's with my mirror's assistance. Finding the right tree alone for the wood took the better part of a decade. More limited enchantments are far easier, though they don't last. The net is brand new, have no fear it will fail."

I nodded, the net was a big part of the plan, though I supposed she could probably snatch Ariel with the staff alone if need be. Even if that resulted in some injuries returning to Rapunzel would take care of that. "What about keeping us hidden?"

Hilde shook her head. "No worries there, I've used the potion before."

"Well our tent is ready, time to spend another night as husband and wife. You've gotten very good at pleasing me."

She smiled and lowered her eyes, trying to play the blushing maiden she very much was not. "It's been a long time since I've been with my late husband, and truth to tell he wasn't very good in bed. You light a fire in me that I cannot quench." I wasn't really sure how much she was acting, but she certainly seemed to be enjoying all the sex. I know I was.

Our camp bed was just a bundle of furs, but it was surprisingly comfortable. After putting the Queen through her paces, lying back with her curled against me, I slept very well indeed.

.

It wasn't Prince Eric's birthday yet but the capital was already in full swing celebrating. Either he was well-loved, or the people just really loved a celebration. Given that he was a Disney Prince it was probably the former but could be both.

No staying at an inn this time. The Captain at the city gates, finding out that we were visiting nobility, insisted we make our way to the palace. With a runner sent ahead to announce us. In fact, the Prince was waiting for us at the palace gates, along with a familiar face.

"Henry! What are you doing here?"

The big man in question had leaped forward, grabbing my hand and slapping me on the shoulder. "The same thing you are I dare say Guy. It is wonderful to see you again! How went your quest in darkest Germonia?" He slapped his forehead. "I am forgetting my manners, Guy let me introduce you to the man of the hour Prince Eric." He reached back and pulled the other man forward.

Eric looked much like Henry, though on a smaller scale being about my size. "Please, just call me Eric. Henry has been full of stories about his visitor."

I laughed. "Greatly exaggerated in the telling, I'm sure."

Eric laughed with me, and Henry joined in. I noticed a palace flunky had led off all the girls but Hilde, who hovered at my side looking interested at the two men.

"Now that we've been introduced I must confess I too am interested in your quest." Eric said.

"Gentlemen, allow me to introduce you to my wife, the Princess Hilde of Germonia." I held out my hand and Hilde took it graciously while she curtsied to the pair who bowed deeply back before Henry pounded me on the shoulder again.

"I had heard the Princess was a legendary beauty, but the tales don't do you justice my lady."

Eric shook his head jovially. "Already married Guy? You didn't waste any time there."

I grinned. "The Queen insisted, and she is not one to be trifled with, let me tell you." Hilde pinched me, and I glanced at her, grinning.

That sobered Henry up. "Yes, I've heard that as well. Still she must have liked you, and your retinue is growing." He turned to Eric. "Guy didn't even have his own servant when he showed up to my kingdom, but he managed to pluck quite a diamond out of the dust to my chagrin."

"The Queen's own maid joined to take care of the Princess and I hired another guide. Tell me, did Fogbert make it back hale?"

Henry laughed again. "He did indeed, with tales of werewolves no less. Said you faced one down alone and charmed it with jewelry of all things."

It was my turn to clasp him on the shoulder. "And that's how exaggerated tales begin. There was a wolf, and quite a big one at that, but we chased it off. I also hired on a guard at Corona and she was invaluable on the way here."

"Bandits?" Eric interjected.

I nodded my head. "Aye, they blocked the road and tried to extort a fee. Well, that group won't be bothering any travelers again."

Eric beamed at me. "A better birthday present I couldn't ask for! They've been plaguing trade between here and Corona for quite a while now. We send out patrols but they are slipperier than wet sand and just melt away into the trees."

"These took us as easy victims and learned otherwise to their regret."

Eric laughed and clasped my hand. "Thank you again, but let us not stand out here in the open when you've just finished a trip. Come and I'll show you your suite so you can get refreshed, and I'll introduce the two of you to my father the King. Big dinner tonight, and tomorrow we're taking the party out on the ocean itself!"

"I heard about that. I'm really looking forward to it." For a very different reason.

"I love the sea, I'd spend all my time out there if I could."

Henry gripped both our shoulders from between us, steering us towards the castle. "Tomorrow, tonight the party is here! And glad I am it is not at my kingdom or my father would really hound me about finding a wife now that Guy is wed. Truth be told though, if I could find a woman half as beautiful I might not mind." He roared in laughter at his own joke.

Tonight should be a lot of fun, and tomorrow we hunted.