Travel to the Feast

The trip to the capital of the Phebisian Kingdom is a little under two weeks away. With King Claudius' feast being in two weeks time. There is little time to waste in getting prepared to go. Lady Victoria helps you pack your clothes and other things you may need while Sir Garret organizes your entourage. However, you were surprised when you turn around from loading your bag to see the slight, feline frame of your beastfolk spymaster, Akina with her own bag.

You eye her questioningly ,"Akina, where are you off to?"

She gives you a critical look as she loads her bag into the cart. Her reply sounded mildly irritated and a little condescending, "My job is to protect you. You're heading out of the country and to a foreign castle. Of course I'm going to come along."

You grimace a little, "Sir Garret is also coming along. Surely that will be enough."

Akina sighs, pushes her short, muddy colored hair out of her face, and pulls a coin out of her pocket, "That's a coin I took off of Sir Garret's nightstand last night. I suspected you might have your own reservations and decided to take it as proof that Sir Garret might not be the best choice when dealing with assassins."

It's hard to tell if she's lying or not. "Fine. You can come along"

"I didn't really think it was up for debate" she shrugs and wanders off, her tail swishing irritatedly.

Finally after two days you were prepared to leave. You step in to get a few extra things when Victoria captures you in a passionate kiss, "Be safe."

You happily kiss back, making sure nobody is around to see, "I will."

With that, you head back to the caravan and head for your first trip outside of Itheria. The trip is slow for such a large entourage and a week passes before you reach the city of Rublia. Rublia is just days from the border and is the largest city before you cross over into Phebis. Most of the wealth that travels along the King's Road travels through it and where wealth grows, people will settle. While only the third largest city in Itheria, it is one of the wealthiest. After a long trip on the road you decide to take your party into the city to get some rest in more comfortable lodgings than the tents that were packed with you, or small inns that dot the road to The Capital.

After a little asking about, you manage to find the fanciest tavern in town 'The Elegant Flask' and your group travels to it. There's a bit of fanfare as you arrive and the owner, a portly man who also works as the bartender gives you preferential treatment. You head in and sit down with Sir Garret and a couple of his men. The tavern smells of **** and smoke and near the front of the room a halfling bard plays her lute and sings. Despite her petite frame, her voice carries throughout the room and over the noise of the rest of the customers.

It isn't long before a pretty barmaid walks over to your table. Her hair is a light shade of brown and while her dress is simple, her hips sway elegantly and she certainly knows her way around the tavern. She curtsies politely and looks at you with her green eyes, "Good Evening, Sire. What will you be having tonight?"

You smile warmly at her, "We'll have some of your best drink for me and my men. "

The men with you grunt their approval at your generosity and she nods, "Coming right up."

You turn to Sir Garret, "So, Sir Garret. How is the family?"

He shrugs, "Well, Your Majesty. It's kind of a mixed bag. My son has managed to become a squire in the service of one of my knights. I expect he'll be good with a sword eventually. Maybe even as good as his old man." he chuckles a little, "On the other hand...My daughter has just come of age and she has become quite the indiscreet lady."

You have never met Sir Garret's daughter Elise, but you have heard that she sleeps around a lot. She has been caught several times sneaking out of the rooms of various nobles. "I'm sure she'll grow out of it." you shrug, " Hopefully it's just the antics of a rebellious teenage girl."

Sir Garret grunts, "I hope so, your majesty. Sometimes I feel as if I could have done more to dissuade her antics."

As Sir Garret continues to talk about his family, your mind drifts towards more sexual thoughts. It's been a week since you have left the castle. It may be nice to enjoy falling to sleep in the embrace of a woman. Your eyes migrate through the rest of the tavern. Of course there's the pretty barmaid and the bard. there's also Akina. She certainly seemed interested in your body when she creeped in on you in the bath. She also may be in the same boat as you are. She has been in the caravan for a week with no pleasure that you know of. There may be other girls as well, if you look. Rublia is a very large and diverse city.