Some special instruction... Damn

4th Venardae, the 29th day of the month of Semens (Sem), the 3672nd year of Salvation's Landing

Suited up and ready to start his day, Reglin was talking with Lim, Boll, and Halpern. The subject of course was: How much grief can one give another. The usual. It was a three-person battle of course, with Boll playing the judge of comments with his chuckles, snorts, or laughs.

Master Sergeant Grahm entered just like usual days, eyes glancing over his pass down parchment. Everyone quieted down and fell into formation, as per custom. Even though it was relatively quiet, the Sergeant-of-the-watch said his obligatory, “Settle down, you bunch of jackals…” continuing, Grahm gave out the usual assignments. “Remember, even if you have the day off, you will be here for drill day on Madidae…” That was Reglin’s first day off, of course. But since he was expected to be the Day watch’s champion of sorts, he had already resigned himself to the fact that he would b at the yard.

Madidae was the first day of the week and was also the first of two days where much of the populace did not work. Instead, it was a day of unwinding and releasing all the pent-up energy from the work week. With luck, Reglin would be able to find himself some fun following drill day.

Polivander City will be hosting the duchies in the coming week, so Reglin’s superior was expecting things to be a bit busier around the palace. Grahm had spoken of auxiliary guards coming in five days, showing up on Litordae.

After summing up what was coming, Grahm gave the watch their dismissal. With the men doing their usual meandering start, people getting their last thoughts to compatriots they wouldn’t see for a bit, Grahm approached Reglin, Lim, and Boll. “Gentlemen… Goldy, I have something that needs addressed apparently.”

More than just Reglin’s brows raised at that, “It has come to my attention that your status as palace plaything has been noticed. The steward would like to keep any scandalous notions from rising. So, to keep his britches from bunching, I’ve been told that you are not to be spending any significant time in any of the ladies of princesses’ rooms. Fuck if I know what that means truly, but I’d recommend not drawing eyes lad… the ladies will need to approach Govren if they want special assignments for you.”

Nodding, Reglin understood. He did feel bad for leaving the burden of work for his two teammates. This would eliminate that, but it would also lessen his possible influence. “I understand Master Sergeant…”

“I fully expect the steward’s office to be a busy place because of this though… I’m thinking that I will be asking for funding to increase staffing from the auxiliary…” He growled a bit but didn’t really seem upset about it too much. It was probably something he had been asking for anyways, Reglin thought. “That way, when special requests come in, I will be able to detach your team as a whole to try and keep the chronic moral-outragers from apoplexy.”

That did make a bit if sense though, the day shift was expected to be busiest given that most were up and around, doing things. They should have an escort team. When he said as much, Grahm nodded and responded with saying that those things had been pressed, but up until now, Govren had been incredibly reticent to approve the increase in budget.

Once all the special topics had been addressed, it was time for the trio of guards to start their day. With that, Reglin, Lim, and Boll departed the Watch room and head out.

During their roving the halls of the palace, the guardsmen came to rear offices of the steward. Reglin asked his partners if they wouldn’t mind making a stop and letting the younger guard address whatever concerns Govren might have. The two others agreed and Reglin walked up to the open door of the steward’s office.

Seeing the man had his head down and working, Reglin raised a hand and knocked on the door frame, “Master Govren? Can I bother you for a moment?”

The severe-looking man looked up and saw who was. He nodded quickly enough that Reglin didn’t think that he was in particularly low standing with the man at least, “I can spare a few moments, young Reglin. What is on your mind?” he sounded almost pleasant, a bit of a shock to Reglin.

Stepping into the small office, Reglin took off his leather gloves and tucked them into his leather belt. Reglin did not see that Lim had stepped in behind him quietly, standing at the side of the entrance in a stoic at-rest position. The young guard stepped in front of Govren’s desk, “I just wanted to stop by to allay some fears, or notions that may have been raised. I am a servant of the House Polivander and will do my duties to the utmost of my capacity.”

The long, lean man smirked at that with a snort of amusement, “I’m sure you will, young man. Especially if those duties happen to be the entertainment of highly esteemed and beautiful young women.” His brow and eyelids hood his eyes, “I cannot reject these young ladies from making requests, but I can curtail any sort of impromptu troubles that may bring about sordid rumors.”

Giving the steward a stolid nod, Reglin inquired, “Is this because it is just myself being pulled about? Would it be less conspicuous if there was to be another guard along?”

Thinking about that for a few moments, the steward tossed his head back and forth slightly, looking as though he might be comparing ideas in his mind, “I think that would help somewhat, yes. I would still prefer that those that need a guard escort come to me with their request. These things can be tracked then, and I can inform the crown of what is being expected of its guards.”

“And with these increased expectations, you may be able to warrant an increase for another tandem. Perhaps two guards that we can bring on full time from the auxiliary guards coming to the palace next week?”

Looking thoughtful once more, the stark man gave a slow and **** nod, “That may be a possibility going forward… I will have to think some more and talk to some people regarding this though. Now, if you will excuse me, I do have a good amount of work to get to. For the time being thought, make sure that all requests are routed through this office…”

“Of course…” Reglin nodded once more, “And thank you for giving me a bit of your time, Master Govren. I know you are pressed for it most often.” Giving a more salutary nod, Reglin turned to withdraw from the office and saw Lim standing there at the side of the door. The broad man gave a nod to Reglin and then to Govren as Reglin stepped outside, Lim following behind. To Reglin it felt like Lim was acting like a bodyguard or something of the sort. It felt… Odd.

As the guardsmen made their rounds, giving breaks to the other tandems of guards throughout the day, Reglin was given an opportunity to patrol by himself. Lim and Boll were relieving Gamil and Magnurs at the palace entrance, which required Reglin’s teammates to go into the Watch room and suit into their ceremonial plate and mail that is worn by the door guards. So Reglin went about a perimeter patrol. Giving nods and small waves to some that he knew around the palace while on his way to the wall-line, he eventually came to the eastern wall and followed it northward.

In a few minutes he crossed a small footbridge that went over the stream of water that snaked through the palace estates. Fed by the River Polivander, the water was crisp and cold, coming from runoff of the Barrier Mountains. The stream provided the estates all the water it could need. Enormous cisterns below ground were filled with water just in case the stream did ever run low, but Reglin had never heard of it.

Further to the north, the young guardsman eventually came to the small stone building used for duties that required the stream water, but did not want to sully it before leaving the property. Approaching it casually, it was not long before Reglin heard the conversation of women from within those stone walls. He did not want to eavesdrop on the laundress, so he just listened to them in passing, hearing their laughs and whatnot. When he got close enough, he raised a call, “You ladies happen to have a drink for a poor, thirsty soldier in there?”

The sounds inside went silent for some moments before full belly laughs were coming from both. It seemed that Reglin must have missed out on some joke between Asha and Lina. Lina came to the entrance with a smirk on her face while drying her hands off on her apron. It seemed the normal introduction for the two of them, “What? Just you this time? Where’s that anvil-faced cohort of yours?” The handsome laundress said.

“He’s off trying to look pretty in his shiny armor right now.” Reglin said, arriving at the doorway in. He heard the grunt of a laugh from inside before he saw his lover as she came out to him.

“That’s going to take more polishing than is possible, I’m afraid… that man must’ve lost a monumental bet in his past life that he never paid up on.” Reglin’s lovely little button-nosed lover said with her usual bite.

Giving a shrug, Lina spoke, “Perhaps… But I do like the way he looks at me…” Reglin looked at the middle-age laundress then. Apparently, Lim and Lina were moving forward in some fashion. That made his heart happy for the two. Lim was a good man from just the bit of time that Reglin had spent with the robust man. He seemed incredibly generous. And who knows what he would be like with a woman alone?

With both Asha and Reglin smiling at her, Lina realized that she may have given away a bit too much and actually blushed a bit, “Well, your little Apple here already knows, so I suppose it was only a matter of time before you found out, eh Goldy?” She spoke as if she were trying to regain her ground, putting forward some bravado.

Reglin gave Asha a look then, raising a brow interrogatively, “My Apple knows, does she? And apparently you know about ‘my apple’ then…”

Asha’s blush was adorable as she hurried toward him, “I couldn’t keep that to myself. Lina’s like a big sister to me! And I adore it… I had to tell her!” She put a hand on Reglin’s forearm as it hung at his side.

Reglin was smiling faintly as Lina expanded on Asha’s words, “Indeed… It’s not the name she was swooning over. It was how you explained your train of thought to her, Goldy…” Lina paused for a thought… “Huh! Golden Apple. Gonna give your little thing a name for you.”

Both Reglin and Asha rolled their eyes at the triteness of the older woman’s nickname for the two of them, but Asha was giving his arm a slow caress. “Enough of that, please…” Lina gave a harrumph at the decidedly negative reaction to her creative naming of the couple. Asha looked up Reglin, “So, I will be going to the library tonight after dinner for my first lesson with the Magistricia. That should be interesting. Are you and the boys going out to the yard again to batter one another again?”

Giving a noncommittal shrug, Reglin smirked a little, “We didn’t discuss it this morning. It seems that they’ve decided that I will represent our watch on drill day in a few days…” He reached out his other hand to give a subtle brush on Asha’s shapely hip.

“Don’t get all handsy in front of me, you two…” Asha sounded indignant, “Wait until the two of you are alone…” She turned into the building then and got back to work, taking some of the laundry to a scrub board.

Looking from the older laundress down to the button-nosed brunette in front of him, Reglin smiled wryly, “But anyways, maybe I will come hang out in the library. There’s always texts for me to study up on.” He looked up and out toward the northern fenced gate and saw Halpern and Nimit looking his way, “I think I should be getting going though, my apple…” the guardsman spoke quietly.

Following his eyes, Asha saw what he was looking at and nodded, “Alright… I understand. Perhaps I will see you this evening in the palace then?”

His smile widening, Reglin leaned in and gave the lovely laundress a peck of a kiss on her cheek, “Indeed, love… I believe you will. Until later then…” he waved and made his way to the northern gate.

Halpern gave an abbreviated and subdued salute of greeting. The salute was more respect than Reglin was used to receiving from the veteran, but he did the polite thing and returned it. The senior guardsman’s long features took on a smile, “Hey youngblood. See you are fraternizing with the palace help?” his smile became more of a grin.

“Fraternizing with the help? I am part of the help, aren’t I” He joked with the older man and gave the younger of the two, Nimit a nod, “You guys are a bit away from the guardhouse on the wall, aren’t you?”

This time it was Nimit that gave a nod, “We are allowed to, you know? We just can’t be away from the post too long. At least one of us will get back there. No big deal.” Nimit was always a bit intense, making it a bit difficult for Reglin to get to know him. Hal was easy to talk to though, so at least there was that.

Taking a deep breath, Reglin settled himself, “I know, Nim. Just giving you guys hell. Not a big deal.” He looked back the way of the northern guardhouse. “You guys just that bored, huh?”

Hal shrugged, “The youngest princess is out putting her horse through its paces. Thought we would observe for a few minutes…”

Reglin stood in front of Halpern, giving the older guard a deadpan look, face empty of emotion.

“What? I’m old enough to be her da!” The indignation could not hide the small smile on his face. Reglin just kept staring at the tall guard. “Okay, okay… I find her handling of beasts quite masterful…” More staring from the artifact owner. “Fine. Think what you will… My conscience is clean.”

That bit of interaction actually drew some snickers from the usually hard to break Nimit. “Hah! Make him sweat… The old pervert. Now if you or I were to… appreciate… the young princess, that would only be natural.”

Giving a grunt of a laugh, Reglin lifted his head is acknowledgement. “We are at least within a decade of the princess, yes. Not nearly so… degenerate.”

Giving a grunt of his own that was less amused, Hal responded to the ribbing, “Fuck off, the both of you.” That drew more laughs from the two younger guards.

“You should know better than to let us know we got you, Hal…” Reglin began to continue his patrol of the perimeter. “Perhaps I will go and see just how masterful the princess is… We will be by in a while for your relief. See you guys.”

“Yeah, yeah…” Hal gave a disgruntled wave, while Nimit gave a much more cordial wave, “See you, Goldy.”

Approaching the equestrian yard, the area fenced in with five-foot-tall split-rail horizontal boards, Reglin rested an arm on the top of it. He took in Princess Cirsha’s amazing handling of her graceful steed. From jumping, to these quick left to right darting movements that Reglin had no idea what they were called. Both of those movements handled nearly effortlessly. It was impressive indeed.

The princess must have seen him, for she had her horse prancing in his direction, a small smile on her gorgeous dark face. Dressage Reglin thought it was called. He stepped away from the fence at the royal daughter’s approach, giving her a proper salute, “Your Highness. Please do not think anything of my momentary break. I just wanted to see your expertise up close for a few moments.”

The smirk of a smile that the innocent youngest Polivander sister wore said that even she was not so naïve. “Truly Guardsman Reglin? Is that all?” Reglin heard the rapid hooffall of another horse and saw Cirsha’s maid, Iridia pull her horse up just behind the princess. She stared at Reglin with cold eyes.

Bowing his head, “I swear it, you Highness. When you offered some instruction, I thought it was too good an offer to pass up. The fact that you offered your tutelage to a boorish man like me speaks of your trusting and endearing nature, Princess…”

Cheeks coloring a bit, Cirsha turned her head to look around at nothing in particular for a few moments. But then her brows raised at some curiosity, it seemed. Reglin’s head turned to see what it was that had caught the princess’s eye. Coming in his direction, following the perimeter of the horse enclosure, was Yelena’s handmaid, Oliyah.

Now that was certainly a curiosity. He had to wonder what would drive the rather antisocial woman away from the princess. Watching the woman approach, Reglin noticed that Oliyah was not looking where she was going, her eyes focused on the ground in front of her.

Reglin and Cirsha both seemed content to let the awkward handmaiden make her way to them, neither speaking. When the woman that had always appeared as average as was possible, got close enough, she glanced upward at Princess Cirsha, “Gods… another one…” She murmured under her breath. At least, that’s what Reglin thought he had heard.

It fell on him as the person with the lowest social standing to initiate the interaction, “Good day, Mistress Oliyah… I hope that it finds you healthy and well?” He gave her a cordial bow.

The woman raised her head slightly to see him, her eyes squinted as she did so. She continued to murmur words that didn’t really sound as if they were for anyone else, “Would be a lot healthier if I didn’t have to be out here talking to this peacock of a man…”

The princess must have heard that one, for she gave a rather undignified snort of a laugh. That in turn, earned a squinting glare from Oliyah. It was apparent to Reglin now that no one escaped this woman’s ire. Cirsha cleared her throat, “Mistress Oliyah, from the sounds of it my sister has a reason to so inconvenience you… What would that be?”

“Oh, she has her reasons… Silly and childish as they may be. Seems to be the way of things around here as of late.” Reglin looked to see what Iridia’s reaction to this situation was and found the powerful-looking woman’s face a mask of undeniable amusement. Reglin admitted that he too was quite amused by this woman. Oliyah finally let out an exasperated sigh, “Her Highness, Princess Yelena asked me to come and find the guardsman Reglin. Once found, I am to ask the buffoon of a man if he would be so obliged as to meet the princess in the library this evening for some training. The guardsman and the princess have had previous discussions on such things…” Another sigh at the end of her ‘request’.

Reglin thought about the odd summons that Oliyah had just provided and chuckled softly. That too earned a squinted glare. She certainly was something. “Well, there is nothing for me to do but attend the princess. If you would be so kind as to inform Princess Yelena that I would be honored to. I will be there at the first smallbell, if not earlier.”

“Lovely…” The expressionless word was all that Oliyah had provided before turning and heading back in the same direction that she had come from.

The three remaining all stared after the strange woman, to a person they wore some sort of entertained visage. Finally, Cirsha spoke, “I love that woman, truly…” A giggle came after.

“She does provide something so… aberrant… to the norm that it is refreshing in some way.” The words from Iridia were strong, but sincere. Reglin was still not used to hearing the short-haired woman speak and looked at her to try and reconcile voice to face.

Another short grunt of a laugh, “That is a great word choice for the bits of interactions I’ve had with her…” He made eye contact with the maiden and bowed his head, a sort of ceding a point to her vocabulary. “I think I would have struggle to find the right word. If you do not mind, I will borrow yours.”

The muscular woman looked pleased at the words, though she still eyed Reglin somewhat warily. She nodded though, “Be my guest…”

“So you seem to have some plans this evening…” Cirsha said with what Reglin thought might have been a slight bit of disappointment. She looked down and patted the neck of her mare then, the movement seeming to be hiding the tone in her voice.

But Reglin had not missed it, “Your Highness, the library is like a second home to me. If you were ever to come and spend some time there with me, I am sure I could find certain tomes that would entertain you.”

Looking up at him with a quizzical expression, “I will admit that I have spent less time in those walls than my parents would have liked. But I have always liked the Magistricia…”

Reglin smiled widely at that, “What’s not to like? She’s always been incredibly friendly. She’s the reason I am where I am today.”

The princess’s tone was somewhat dry in response, “I have heard as much. But sometimes a person does not like to be reminded of just how little they know. The Magistricia does not mean to do so, but the contrast is stark…”

A feeling of inadequacy is the problem, was it? Reglin shook his head ruefully, “Trust me in this, Princess… Try being in that boat at the wise old age of ten. I learned quickly that Magistricia Tabitha is an absolute font of knowledge. One that I would never match. So, I decided I would absorb as much as my primitive little mind would retain.”

Cirsha looked at him intently for a few moments before giving a slow and slight nod, “I suppose an altering of outlook could be of benefit with her.” A soft smile formed on her lovely lips, “Perhaps we will make a trip to your second home one of these evenings if that’s where you frequent. Maybe a look at the library through a different set of eyes will reopen mine.” She made a click noise with her mouth and her mare began to move in place, “Good day to you, Master Reglin. I have need to finish my exercises… Until later times.”

Being dismissed, Reglin gave the princess and her maid a salute and bow, “A good day to you, your Highness. Good day, Mistress Iridia. Enjoy your exertions.” He watched as the two women wheeled their horses around and resumed their practice. ‘That was a long enough break’, Reglin thought to himself, and resumed his responsibilities…

~This is knowledge for the Reader~

The Affection Multiplier

~Mana: 126 (+59) 185~

~Mana Channels: ~Labiae Passionii (Lips of Passion) free, ~ Corpu Vigorii (Vigorous Body) 100, ~ Uirtau Proelium (Martial Prowess) 100, ~Mensu Lucidae (Bright Mind) 100, ~ Tactu Beatae (Blissful Touch) 100, ~Plurem Amatrixae Normalii (The Normalcy of Many Loves) 500, ~Corpu Libidaem (Lustful Body) 100, ~Corpu Spectabilum (Intimidating Body) 100, ~Mentulae Potencii (Potent Cock) 150, ~Limbu Infinitum (Endless Loins) 100, ~Voluptae Gustatum (Delightful Flavor, Gratify the Appetite), ~Figurae Cultura (Shaping Culture), ~Vulgum Venerae (The Love of the Masses), ~Corpu Vigorii Magii (A More Vigorous Body) 400

~Lovers~ A: 200 E: 200 L: 200
~Tabitha~ Affectionae: 100 Erosii: 100 Libidae: 100 (Effective 63)
~Asha~ A: 100 E: 100 L: 100 (Effective 68)

~Royal Polivander House~ A: 49 (+10) 59 E: 10 L: 6 (+3) 9
~Princess Katya~ A: -52
~Princess Yelena~ A: 83 (+2) 85 E: 10 L: 6 (+3) 9
~Princess Cirsha~ A: 18 (+8) 26

~Nobles~ A: 80 E: 5 L: 28
~Lady Wilmyna~ A: 54 E: 5 L: 28
~Lady Falina~ A: 16
~Lady Vidala~ A: 10

~Royal and Noble maidens~ A: 131 (+7) 138 E: 3 L: 53
~Maiden Caterina~ A: 18 E: 1 L: 2
~Maiden Gwynfuir~ A: 15
~Maiden Erynna~ A: 5
~Maiden Oliyah~ A: 12 (+4) 16
~Maiden Iridia~ A: 4 (+3) 7
~Maiden Freighla~ A: 55 E: 2 L: 40
~Maiden Deela~ A: 12
~Maid Camilla~ A: 10 L: 11

~Day watch~ A: 238 (+27) E: 3 (+1)
~Grahm~ A: 40 (+4) 44
~Lim~ A: 62 (+5) 67 E: 3 (+1) 4
~Boll~ A: 40 (+4) 44
~Halpern~ A: 29 (+3) 32
~Nimit~ A: 22 (+4) 26
~Gamil~ A: 7 (+1)
~Magnurs~ A: 10 (+2)
~Canith~ A: 12
~Yohan~ A: 9
~Sebestin~ A: 3 (+2)
~Yorick~ A: 4 (+2)

~Evening watch~ A: 22
~Thedin~ A:10
~Vorn~ A: 12

~Night watch~ A: 6

~Palace Staff~ A: 50 (+9) 59 L: 6 (+2) 8
~Lina~ A: 48 (+4) 52 L: 6 (+2) 8
~Govren~ A: 2 (+5) 7