A gift for Liesel

"Lady Katyana is to be well-treated and extended every courtesy, save freedom," you say to the guards at Katyana's door. "At some point, she will be returned to Lord Velimir, and I do not wish him to have any legitimate grievance against Elyssia. Guardsman Marcus, you have been provided with a list of those permitted to enter?"

"I have, Sire."

"There are to be no exceptions. If another servant attempts entry, place him or her under arrest and see to it that Captain Navarre is informed. And under no circumstances is anyone to enter the room alone, or approach Katyana while holding anything which may be used as a weapon. Be wary of any tricks on her part; she has a reputation for cunning. She is a slender young woman, but she has been trained in fighting by the Warlord himself, who doubtless taught her ways to escape from situations exactly like this. All of you, keep your wits about you, and be especially watchful if one of you needs to approach her closely."

"I understand, Sire."

"She may attempt to engage you in conversation, try to gain your trust and get you to relax your guard. If she does, respond courteously and respectfully, and answer her questions according to your own judgement. I want her to lower her guard, and perhaps she will let something slip which can be used to our advantage. I have ears on this room; whatever is said within will be noted. One more thing: if she attacks anyone or attempts escape, put her in chains. She is aware that this will be her fate if she makes the wrong move, and I hope that will serve as deterrent, but she may decide to put that to the test. Once again, take care not to harm her if it can possibly be avoided. All understood?"

"Yes, Sire," the men respond.

"Good. And, I thank you men for your service to the crown during this time of celebration. Once this business is concluded, you may all look forward to special compensations. Attend to your duties!"

The men bow to you, and take up their posts at the door to the tower cell.

As you descend the steps, you think upon Lady Katyana, and how she looked as you left her alone in the room. Her eyes glared daggers at you, of course, but as you turned away they seemed to soften, and a quick glance back confirmed that her true feelings leant more toward anxiety than anger. Of course, she had essentially failed in her mission, perhaps her very first command given her by her father, and that was certainly reason to feel a degree of trepidation - even the Warlord's daughter could not be completely exempt from the price he demanded for failure. However, she did not seem fearful so much as conflicted, and it occurs to you that perhaps she is less like her father than he might imagine her to be. You have met the Warlord in person but once, and from the first moment in his presence you knew that you were dealing with a ruthless killer, a man without conscience or mercy. Katyana, while clearly a dangerous woman, simply did not exude that same essence of evil.

There is no time for further musing, however. The die has been irrevocably cast; Lord Velimir must be aware by now that Katyana's camp has been raided, and his contingency plans for such an event are surely well underway. You must move swiftly to stay ahead of him, and hope that word has not reached his ears that you also know of the encampment at the top of the canyon - that is, if your prisoner's word can even be trusted upon that matter. You will know of that soon, if fortune favors the runners sent to confirm the report. By Ferdinand's estimate, they should return within the hour... and in that time, there is someone with whom you must speak, and who must be convinced to risk much more than her life on behalf of two kingdoms whose fate hangs in the balance.

The tears flow freely down Liesel's cheeks as she gazes upon the portrait which now hangs in your parlor, the painting of a woman who looks so strikingly similar to herself. "I used to imagine when I was a child that my mother was somehow still alive," she says softly, "that any morning I might awaken to see her smiling at me, telling me that it had all been a terrible nightmare. In time, I gave up such foolish hopes, and accepted that I would never see her again. And now... now you have brought her back to me, if only in some small part."

"There is much we need to talk about," you tell her, "but first, I wanted you to see this. You have been **** to deny who you are for far too long, Liesel. You are not a thief in the woods, nor are you even a princess. In truth, you are a Queen, as was your mother before you. The crown of Bavaria is your birthright. This is not just a portrait of your mother; it is you, as you were always meant to be."

"I do not know if I can," she says. "I have been the Vixen for so long... I know nothing of ruling a kingdom."

"If a blacksmith can become a King, then I see no reason why a thief cannot learn to be a Queen," you tell her with a smile. "It really is not as difficult as they make it seem."

"I am not sure that I even want to be Queen of Bavaria," she whispers.

"It will be your decision, of course," you tell her. "But whether you wish to rule Bavaria or not, Bavaria does need saving from the man who stole it from you. Lord Velimir cannot be allowed to continue his rule through your cousin Stefan; as long as he controls Bavaria, he grows stronger, and soon he will be too strong for Elyssia to resist him. We may be able to stop him now, but I will need your help to do it, Liesel."

She looks back to her mother's portrait, takes a deep breath, and then turns to you. "What can I do?"

"When we were in the woods together," you say, gently stroking her cheek, "you reminded me that you are still the Vixen. It is the Vixen who I must call upon now. It will be very dangerous; we are heading straight into the bear's den, and before we are done we may come face-to-face with the Warlord himself. But if we win the day, we may be able to end his evil for ever. Are you ready to challenge the man who took your life from you, Liesel?"

"No," she says.

"Liesel -"

"But I will be," she says, and pulls you down to kiss her.

She holds you to her for a long moment, letting her tongue slip into your mouth, sliding her hands up under the back of your tunic to caress your bare skin, moaning softly with mounting passion. Your manhood begins to swell in response, and you know that she can feel it pressed up against her.

"Your love will give me the courage I need, Xavier," she whispers as she lets her lips slide back to your ear. "Do not tell me that we have little time, I know this already... we will not need more than a moment! I already grow wet for you, and I feel you becoming hard and strong!"