Slipping Out / Romance emerging

Lethila, shrouded in a dark hooded cloak, hurried through the halls of the palace as quickly and quietly as she could. Night had begun to fall and this particular wing of the palace saw less use than most of the others. She had learned at a young age that one of the rooms near the end of the hall was perfect for escaping unseen as long as you were a decent climber. Close behind and being less cautious was Valhren as he tried to talk her out of what she was planning. He knew that there was no way she would listen to him after the news she had received, but he had to at least try. Finally she whirled on him and gave him a gentle push back. She looked into his eyes for a moment and held his gaze.

"You're not going any further. I'll never make it out without being noticed if you keep following me."

"Please Princess, you have to know that this behavior is dangerous. Taking lovers is fine, but sneaking out at this hour just to... You know it could never work!" He immediately regretted those words as she recoiled as if slapped. It wasn't a lie and she already knew, but she didn't want to hear it.

"You think I don't know that? That he's married? That in a few days he'll be on the road again? Or is it the age gap? I mean he is about twenty five years older than me. Although I suppose if he was an Elf that wouldn't matter, right? Rienlest is twice my mother's age and the nobility is clamoring to hear that she accepts his proposal."

"I know that none of that matters to you, but yes, his race is the biggest issue. Humans are lucky to live a century, with most dying in their eighties. He's seventy five now, my lady. That he is still active as a merchant is a miracle. I don't want you to be hurt."

"I'm already hurt Val. This... It may be my last time seeing him. Just please.... Don't stop me."

With that, she turned and fled down the dark corridor. Valhren reached for her, but she was gone within moments. He didn't dare follow, even knowing she would be depressed for the days following the man's departure. As much as she liked to claim that she didn't hold feelings for anyone special, this man was Valhren's biggest obstacle. He was her first, and that place he had taken up on her heart would probably never be held by another.

"Well that was painful to watch."

Valhren spun and pulled free his sword, shocked that even in this darkness that someone had managed to catch him off guard. Sparks flew as his blade met another and he was pushed back by strength unlike any he had met before. He knew only a few things in that moment. One was that the person who had come up behind him was female and an expert at stealth. Second, that she was far stronger than any woman he had ever met. He saw the figure charge him but it was a feint, his sword passed through air as she circled around him while closing the distance. A large hand took hold of his throat and **** him back against the wall and knocking the air from his lungs.

"Enough of that. I'm not your enemy. In fact... I think helping you out could be a little fun. Now, are you willing to put down that sword and listen to what I have to say?"

Hesitantly, Valhren lowered his sword.

========================================================================================================================

Mitri was going to get a lecture in the morning, she just knew it. The chef had backed an apple pie and was letting it cool when she had crept into the kitchen to search for sweets. It had smelled so good and was just sitting there fresh from the oven. She had reasoned that her coming to the kitchen as the chef was heading to bed was some sort of divine blessing and that she was meant to have the pie. The fact that she had memorized his normal schedule after getting caught sneaking in for sweets a few times in her youth certainly couldn't have been a factor in her timing. And of course she couldn't just return the pie after stealing it. No, her only course of action had to be eating it and hiding the evidence.

With the sun setting, no one would be at the training grounds, but a few of the torches would still be lit. She knew that it would be the perfect place to eat her pie in peace. She slipped out a side door that was normally used by soldiers as a short cut instead of leaving through the guarded front door and going around the long way. Granted this meant she was very close to the rooms where the guards slept, but most of the off duty soldiers would be in town drinking or gambling. As she breezed through the door, she was focused on the pie and how delicious it would be. At least, until she saw him.

She thought at first that he was dancing, but then noticed the short swords in his hands. He was large and imposing, even out of his normal combat leathers. He now wore a loose shirt and pants that wouldn't restrict his movements as he moved across the training grounds, swinging his blades in well practiced forms. She saw how his muscles in his large arms bulged as he moved, the grace in the way that his large legs carried him, his chest straining at the fabric of that shirt... She was drowning in his body and didn't understand why. A heat was building inside her that had never before warmed her. At one point he spun and launched both blades through the air. Mitri gave a shocked gasp as they sunk almost to the hilt in a practice dummy and was finally pulled from her admiring of his body. Broden at that moment stopped his training and looked her way. There was no surprise in his dark eyes. He gave her a small smile and nod before walking over to a bench that held a towel that he used to wipe away the sweat he had been working up.

"Bringing me sustenance to aid my training," he asked with a friendly chuckle. She tried to back up, but found that the door had closed behind her and cut off her quick escape.

"...." She shook her head and tried to look away from him.

"Ooooh. A pie thief then? Ha, reminds me of my youth. Mis'Ra, Gaine, and myself were quite the pie thieves ourselves back then. We were counted as bandits to the village cooks." He chuckled and sat on the bench before giving it a pat. "Room enough for two, and I'm willing to bet you can't finish that pie alone."

He wasn't exactly wrong. She could probably finish most of it herself, but alone would be difficult. Hesitantly, she came closer, watching to see if he would try something. He made no effort to move and she eventually found herself sitting a few feet away from him. He produced a small knife from a sheath on his hip and offered it to her. She cut a generous slice and handed it to him. When his hand grazed hers, she felt that heat rush through her again and looked away in embarrassment. She wasn't as worldly as her sister, but even so she suspected that she knew what this heat was.

"Thank you my lady."

"... Welcome."

"Hmm?" he asked, not having heard her.

"....You're welcome" He smiled and bit into his slice as she cut her own. This was the first moment they would ever share together, and the first words she would speak to someone she hadn't already been comfortable with. Once the pie was gone, Broden hid the plate under an abandoned helmet and wished her goodnight, leaving Mitri alone with her thoughts that seeing him training again would be a better treat than the pie.

========================================================================================================================

Same old weathered cart that she had come to love, being one of the few with a door and roof. Horace Bradford was a seasoned merchant. He ran a trading company and personally led the caravan that traveled the continent. Although he was a native of the Empire, he had always had friendly relations with the countries outside of its borders. When Lethila had first met him, she had once again left the palace in secret to shop in the bazaar before the stalls closed for the night. He had been in his early fifties then, and had chatted to her about his wares amicably. They had struck up a friendship and he invited to come to the tavern for a meal with him and his wife. After a little wine and a fine meal and conversation, Lethila had found herself seduced by the man. She couldn't quite recall how she ended up in bed with him and his wife, but her innocence was gladly surrendered.

After that, she revealed her identity and remained good friends with the pair. As a parting gift a few days later, she had presented him with a writ of friendship, showing that he had the approval of the royal family to freely enter the country as he pleased. Since then, every year that he and his wife had returned, she had spent at least one night in their bed before sneaking back home in the early hours. A few years ago, his wife had grown unable to make the journey anymore, and had remained home in the empire to manage the company in their home city. Horace though loved to travel, and even though he could have turned the duty over to his son, had remained in charge of the caravan. Although he usually rented a room at the tavern, he and Lethila had shared many a joyful moment alone in his personal cart.

She knocked on the door, and smiled when the old man opened it. He had grown a bit portly in his old age, and his hair was had turned grey, but he was still fairly spry. He returned her smile and stepped out of the cart and took her into a loving hug.

"My dear, it has been too long. I had hoped you would come... Please, come with me to dinner. I... I have things I wish to discuss with you."