Return to Kara, Khaliq visits.

"You were gone a while." Kara remarks. The warrior woman's lying on the sheets in your tent, evidently having been dozing before your return. Madeleine's book on the Morlandian Blood Pox lays splayed out, spine up, beside her.

"H-had to mediate a dispute between some of our sell-swords and Sir Wayne's men." you lie, crossing over to where a servant's laid out a carafe of wine for you and pouring yourself a cup. "Bloody kingly responsibilities, eating into my leisure time..."

That elicits something of a smirk from the Beathan. Hopefully that made it a little more believable. Given what she'd just asked of Madeleine, you imagined Kara wouldn't be too happy to know where you'd truly been, even given the amorous remit which she'd offered you.

“Doing a little reading before bed?” you ask, nodding to the journal.

“I do have interests besides fightin' an' fuckin'.” Kara smiles. “Besides, Maddie piqued my interest.”

“On sanguinal plagues.” you take a refreshing draught of your wine. “You know there are books on more pleasant topics. Some of them even have... salacious illustrations.”

“Trust your mind tae go there, Edward.” Kara titters. “It's a serious topic, though. Did you know more than half the peasant population of Morland has some strain or another of this thing?”

“I'd heard something to that effect.” Luckily, given it's method of transmittance, it was less common amongst the noble classes. You had little to worry about from your trysts with Corinne or Ambassador Amelie.

“Maddie says that when she takes her father's throne, she's gonnae make a concerted effort to come up with a cure.” Kara elaborates, sitting up.

“Something that would win her much favour in Morland, of course.”

“Whatever the political reasons may be, just think of the practical good such a thing could accomplish. More than I could do wi' my axe in ten lifetimes.”

“You're fighting to protect your home. Madeleine's cure may never pan out. I'm sure plenty of physicians and natural scientists in Morland have attempted one already.”

“Aye.” Kara says, though you can tell from her tone she remains unconvinced. ><

Your conversation is interrupted, as someone announces their presence from the entrance of the tent. Hobbling over, you invite them.

It's Khaliq. The young Lion steps in anxiously. You inhale as he draws past you. It's faint, but you detect a note of the perfume he'd worn that night in the castle, when he'd come to visit you. Perhaps left over from a more recent session dressed up in his finery?

“To what do my lady and I owe the pleasure, Khaliq?” you smile.

“It's- it's our scouts, Your Majesty. Your Grace.” He nods to Kara. It might be wishful thinking, but you're sure the younger man is mildly disappointed by the princess' presence. “We had them conduct a survey of the town and report back.”

“You coulda sent a messenger, lad.” Kara smiles, rising up from the bed.

“I thought it would be more... proper to relay the news in person.” Khaliq says respectfully.

“I'm sure you did.” Kara says wryly, prompting an awkward sputter from the foreign lad. “What news, their numbers, their defences?”

“Looks to be no more than five-hundred men, Your Grace. Though that's without being able to see into the sea-fortress itself. The town walls are barred, securely defended.”

“I don't suppose there's any hope they'd throw them open, come out to meet us on the field this time?”

Kara shakes her head.

“Siggi was impetuous, had somethin' to prove.” Kara reflects. “Without any leadership to rally them otherwise, these raiders'll sit in the town, make us come to them, like as not.”

“I also have word from your brother, milady. The king. The... other king.” Khaliq says, folding his hands behind his back. “He asked that you might meet with him at first light, to discuss the plan of attack.”

“I'll be there. Thank you for coming to tell us this, Khaliq.” Kara says, touching him on the shoulder, in a gesture of warrior-like respect.

The mercenary prince makes his exit. You notice him glance back, just for an instant, at you as he disappears out into the late evening frost. You smile. You had a feeling he'd become smitten with you, after your earlier dalliance.

“No' bad.” Kara says, smirking just a little.

“What was that?” you ask, feigning ignorance.

“Not sure I'd talked to Khaliq, properly at least, before now.” Kara says. “I like the lad.”

“Hmm. Yes, he's pleasant.” You say, avoiding Kara's gaze, trying not to seem overly interested.

“Pleasant, is he?” Kara beams. “I just said I liked him. Far be it from me to say how pleasant he is or he is nae...”

“I'm not sure what you're insinuating.” you respond.

“Oh come on Edward, it's obvious you fucked him. Chances are, if I wasnae here, you'd be fucking him again right now.” Kara says a playful glint in her blue eyes.

“Godsdamnit...” you mutter.

“Peace, Edward.” Kara laughs. “I'd have no' guessed from your reaction, but Khaliq... let's just say I'm familiar with the look he had on his face. Growin' up, it's the same one every tavern wench, fat-titted farm girl and shrine maiden had when they saw Donald.”

You can only imagine.

“In my defence, you should see the lad in a silk gown.” you confess><.

“A silk gown?” Kara mouths. “You've really got my attention now. And don't think your actions require defendin' to me. Any of them. Not now that we're joined.”

The Beathan moves forward, taking you in a tight embrace. Kara's words melt your heart, even as in your mind you note she's far from aware of everything you've done.

“In fact, invite him back, if you want.” Kara says, pouring herself a cup of wine, now.

“Are you sure?” you ask.

“I'm goin' into battle tomorrow. Khaliq is too.” Kara says plainly, taking a slug of wine. “Now how could I possibly return to the Spirits' side in good conscience, knowin' I'd denied my lord the pleasure of his favourite sissy?”

Kara quaffs from her cup once again, the vessel more or less half-drained now.

“You know, you're supposed to savour that stuff.” you say, teasingly avoiding Kara's proposition, at least for now. “It's Lady Alanna's finest vintage. It's supposed to be enjoyed.”

Kara ostentatiously finishes the remainder of her drink in one gulp.

“Hogcock, I enjoyed it plenty.” she responds.