Touring the menagerie.

At Madeleine's urging, you, and Sigrun set off, the princess in the middle, an arm linked with each of yours.

“Sigrun, that's not a... common name in Sinnabarrow, is it?” you ask the exotic animal keeper, unable to resist.

“About as usual around here as this countenance.” Sigrun laughs, gesturing to her face, her skin. “My mother sailed from the far eastern lands as a trader, my father is from Dean, originally.”

“A-and yet you work in a palace, not on a longship.” you observe.

“My father was a raider, but after my mother died, he gave it up to travel the continent as a sell-sword. Ended up being one of the first big mercenary captains to come to the realm's aid after the tragic loss of Prince Gerard and his armies.”

“For which he has our eternal gratitude.” Madeleine notes, her tone uncharacteristically genuine. “My father saw fit to provide Sigrun's family with land, a title.”

“And the finest upbringing and education a raider girl ever had.” Sigrun concedes.

The three of you walk on a bit further, until you alight on one of the first animal enclosures. Sigrun beckons you forward, encouraging you to peer through iron bars at the creatures contained within.

“I do hope you're don't suffer from arachnophobia, Edward.” Madeleine titters. “We... really should have asked.”

Staring in, you perceive a group of spiders, each as big as your torso, scuttling around their web-strewn enclosure.

“Giant spiders from the Great Northern Forest. You can only imagine the difficulty we had, transporting them back to Copieux. The webs they spin can immobilise a man full grown, and their venom can put him in his grave just as swiftly.” Sigrun relays to you.

“Have no fear though, there's a magical ward in place. We're perfectly safe.” she continues, as Madeleine moves closer, inspecting the oversized arachnids with great interest.

“You know, Benjy's told me tales of half-spider beastfolk.” Madeleine remarks, transfixed by the magical beasts. “I'd love to... meet one someday. They sound positively fascinating.”

As you listen to the crown princess, your mind drifts back to your own Spider. By now, Corinne, Arvha and their small retinue of thralls were most likely far from the Devil's Throne, holed up somewhere awaiting the cover of night to continue their journey home.

“S-So, Sigrun, your father was a Deanian sea-raider, and your mother sailed on a merchant's ship.” you begin, as the three of you move on. “Did they... meet the way I'm imagining?”

“They did indeed!” Sigrun chuckles. “Father's crew had boarded and nearly subdued the outlanders, when my mother released the wild beasts they'd been transporting. My father's men slew them, but not before my mother's ingenuity had cost many Deanian sailors their lives. Eventually, the two parties parlayed, brokered a peace, and well, one thing led to another between my parents.”

Next, Sigrun showed you a great bear. The hulking, brown-furred creature was asleep in the centre of a vast cage, so large it almost seemed more like a small hill than a beast of the forest.

“A shame he's sleeping.” Madeleine remarks. “Sigrun, could you poke him with a stick, or throw some stones at him? Something to wake the beast up? I fear King Edward isn't getting the most out of your collection.”

The brown-skinned young woman hesitates. Madeleine may be as sheltered as it was possible for someone to be, but you knew when someone was biting their tongue, trying to avoid saying something they'd regret.

“That's quite alright.” you interject. “He's quite a sight, regardless of his condition. I-I'm most impressed.”

“Good.” Madeleine smiles back at you. “The menagerie usually has that effect on people.”

The three of you continue on, looking at various specimens.

“Your mother unleashed beasts on your father's men.” you ask, picking up the conversation from before. “What kind?”

The three of you alight before another enclosure, this one containing tigers, large, dangerous-looking felines found far from the continental mainland, their fur striped in orange and black.

“You're looking at them, Your Majesty!” Sigrun smiles, gesturing to the fearsome tigers. “Or ancestors of these proud beasts, perhaps.”

“The tigers are probably the animal I'm most fond of, in your entire collection, dear Sigrun.” Madeleine notes. “That we, however indirectly, have them to thank for your coming into the world, only increases their appeal.”

Madeleine moves closer to Sigrun, reaching out and pulling the animal keeper close, caressing her.

“Fuck, just look at them.” Madeleine whispers, hugging Sigrun from behind, taking in one of the big cats striding the length of it's enclosure. “Powerful, regal, intelligent...”

“Mmm, they remind me of someone, Your Excellency.” Sigrun whispers, rubbing her body back against the princess.

“Such a flirt, this one!” Madeleine says, giving you a playful smile.

“I-I think it's rather charming.” you respond, drawing closer to the two women.