Vows of Protection

The hour was growing late, but Broden hadn't fallen asleep yet. Just two nights prior, he had fucked both of the princesses, and then last night he and Mitri had snuck into the maze again for another round of pleasure. He didn't know how he had won her heart, but he was certainly happy for it. But his mind still drifted. Mis'Ra had been by his side since his youth. If he was to take a second or third bride, she would be among them. Their feelings for one another had strained after the loss of their child, but he knew that she still loved him. Then there was Ethimilee... Mitri had been preparing him to win her heart at the festival, but he wasn't certain that their plan would work. Tomorrow morning, he would be expected to dance and show the Elven queen his skills, and to hopefully ask her to dance the Regalium. But should he?

Broden was torn from his thoughts by a soft knock on his door. He thought that Mitri may have been sneaking in for one more tryst before the festival, but was shocked when he opened the door. Standing before him was Lethila, nearly naked and her eyes red from crying. Draped about her shoulders was the coat of the man standing behind her, knight commander Valhren. The princess was shaking and trying to dry her eyes as she gently pushed him back so that she could enter his room.

"Sorry for the late visit," Lethila said softly.

"Princess, is this really the best idea," asked Valhren as he gave a slight nod to Broden before following.

"What's going on your highness? Has something happned?"

"Broden... I believe we're both well past the use of titles. I know it's late, but I didn't know where else would be safe."

"Safe?"

"Yes. Please excuse my lack of clothing. I seem to have left my night gown with that bastard. Mis'Ra and Mitri will be here soon. I asked them to get me some cloths."

"Please sit princess," said Valhren as he pulled Broden's chair from his desk.

Broden for his part had poured her some wine and brought the cup over. He noticed the way she stiffened when she sat, and the sharp intake of breath. She looked so frail right now, nothing like the confident woman who had helped her sister in training him for the dance.

"Lethila, please tell me what happened. I can't help if I'm left in the dark."

"I suppose it's time to tell you everything. But just a moment longer." She took a sip from the wine and gave a satisfied sigh. "You have good taste. Though I suppose I already knew that. I have a story to tell, but I want to wait for the others. And I need some questions answered."

There was another quick knock on the door, then Mis'Ra and Mitri entered and quickly shut the door behind them. Mitri brought a night gown for her sister, while Mis'Ra hung a dress in Broden's closet. Lethila hugged her sister and then let Mitri help her dress.

"Much better. Now to start, who are you Broden? Really."

"What do you mean?"

"You aren't a mercenary. You and your men carry yourselves in a way that doesn't seem normal for mercenaries. You aren't just their boss. You're something more. Plus, Mitri has been rather secretive about how her meeting with you went. I know you snuck her out of the castle, but she wouldn't tell me anything."

"I wondered how much you knew of that night. Mitri... Thank you for not saying anything. I know it had to be difficult."

"I trust Lethila, but what happened needed to come from you," Mitri said, looking at the floor and feeling guilty.

"You're right... Lethila, I am the last remaining son of Horgrog the Destroyer, War Chief of the wastes. I fled here with those loyal to me after my father became too paranoid and unstable."

"Yes, I recall that you had at least fifty warriors. I'm assuming that isn't the entire truth."

"No. I did have fifty on hand when I saved your mother, but I also had another two hundred and fifty, as well as their families. Women and children, so altogether we had around five hundred."

"I see..." Lethila was quiet for a moment before her eyes lit with understanding. "Wait... You had around five hundred? How many do you have now?"

"I don't know the exact amount, but well over two thousand warriors and their families."

"And how is Mitri tied into this?"

"I went to him that night to offer myself to him, but Mis'Ra interrupted up," Mitri said with a chuckle.

"Blame auntie Vil," laughed Mis'ra.

"Aunti Vil? What happened?"

"Allow me to clarify," Broden said, shaking his head. "Vil'Ra and three other chieftains followed my trail. Horgrog broke his Oaths by becoming a kinslayer and murdering his children. Those four chieftains brought their people to join me. They transfered their Oaths to me, making me their new War Chief."

"And they were ok with Mitri witnessing it?"

"Only because Broden declared me his bride."

Lethila smirked as she sized up Broden. "So I was fucking the equivalent of an Orc King the other night?"

"I suppose that's one way to put it. Valhren, do I need to worry about you drawing that sword?"

"I'm frustrated, but somewhat used to Lethila's antics by now. Although the realization that two thousand Orcs are using our forests as a home while we're too busy warring with the empire does give me some worry."

"My people are no threat to you."

"I'm going to hold you to that."

"Val, please remember that I trust him, and he's apparently married to my sister now."

"And you didn't seem to mind Orcs so much these past few months when I was riding you," teased Mis'Ra.

"I get it already," Valhren sighed in defeat.

"So... Val and the others already know this Broden, but you need to know as well. Earlier tonight, I was assaulted. Rienlest has been blackmailing me into his bed for quite a while, but I've been looking for a weakness to exploit to drive him from my home. Unfortunately, you have been a sort of catalyst for him. Mother lusts for you, but fears reprisal. It drove her into his arms. After learning that I fucked you, he decided to be extremely cruel and had my mother blindfolded to aid in **** me. He thought to break my spirit."

"Your own mother... Had I know what he was doing to you, I would have already ripped his head from his shoulders!"

"Calm yourself. Everyone in this room wants a chance to cut his throat. Tomorrow at the festival, I'm going to have to face mother. She needs to know the truth, not just of tonight, but of all the nights he has **** himself on me. If she can't break free of him... I'm going to call for a coup. I know I'm asking a lot but... I can't do this without you."

Lethila's head hung, and Broden could hear her voice crack as she spoke. Tonight's **** had almost broke her resolve, but she had managed to steel her heart and forge ahead. He saw that there was little left for her. Either Ethimilee side with her daughter, or Lethila would have to fight to free both herself and the kingdom of both Rienlest and it's fallen queen. He looked to Mitri, who nodded gravely, then to Mis'Ra. Mis'Ra walked over to stand behind Lethila, making her thoughts on the matter clear.

"I've been preparing for this possibility for the last few days," Valhren said, the anger in his voice clear. "Lethila came to me the night that you began your dance lessons and told me everything that had been happening. Several soldiers are firmly hoping for Rienlest to become king, but I've been able to convince a large portion of his crimes. We'll stand with the princesses."

"As will I," said Broden as he stepped forward and put a hand on Lethila's shoulder.

"Thank you Broden. If the worse comes to pass, I swear your people will have a home here. The northern reach is largely uninhabited. More than enough room for you to build cities and grow."

"We can worry about that after tomorrow."

"Thank you. I have one more request... Can I stay here tonight? I'm entrusting Mitri to Mis'Ra tonight, but I don't want to go to my own room. I'm worried that Rienlest will come for me once he finishes with mother."

"Of course. I will keep you safe."

"I have a few men watching her room in case Rienlest sends men. We'll capture them and use their testimony for evidence against him," supplied Valhren.

"It seems our secret is growing," Mitri said as she took Broden's hand and leaned against him.

"It is. Mis, can you get word to Vil and the others? I want a few of our men on standby to help as guards tomorrow, but the rest need to be ready to storm the city if Lethila needs us."

"Will do. Mitri, shall we go?"

Mitri gave Broden a loving kiss, then followed the Orc from the room. Valhren started to leave as well, but Lethila stopped him.

"I can't promise that I'll change... But I've come to realize how important you are to me."

"Lethila... I love you. You know that. I'm not asking you to change, and I'm here as your knight if you need me. But... If we're going to be more than lady and knight, I need to know its going to be real."

"I swear it. I... I love you Val. I may be a bit of a whore, but I do love you."

"Then may I ask you to dance the Regalium?"

"Of course, you big dummy. Now be safe ok?"

"I swear it."

Valhren left, leaving Broden and Lethila alone. The princess drained the last of her wine and then lay her head against Broden's chest.

"Am I doing the right thing? I don't want to fight mother, but I can't do this anymore."

"I understand. I chose to leave instead of killing my father, but after all that has happened, I feel that killing him would have been a correct choice as well. I support you Lethila."

"Once this is over, I'm going to spend the next week showing Valhren how much I appreciate him. After that, you're next."

"I think that's a very good plan," he said with a chuckle.

"Mitri's lucky to have you."

Broden swept the princess up into his arms and carried her to bed. They would need their rest for tomorrow."