Things get out of hand

You follow Daryll through his palatial estate, walking a few steps behind him always. Eyeing the finery on the walls and ornamentations, lavish does not begin to describe the environment. Your own royal home back in Sangine feels like a pauper's dwelling in comparison. Uncustomarily, you start to think about what it would have had to take to support this kind of excess, what kind of taxation or outright corruption would have to fall on the commoners to make this happen. Far from an egalitarian revolutionary, you don't fault him or other nobles for living above them, it's what they are entitled to from birth and reward for the heavy burden of governance, but this has to be teetering the balance and reeking of malcontent in the streets. You are pulled away from your idle wondering from the banter of the place's owner.

"So tell me Michael, what business is terribly that it pulled you away from a fencing tournament?"

"Oh, you know, family business, same as always" You try to keep it as nonspecific as possible, thinking he wasn't actually that interested. He is more perceptive than you thought, if only slightly.

"This far to the east? That's rather strange. Your lands are to the south, aren't they?"

You'll have to try something a bit more specific, but instantly forgettable "They are, but there's talk of some opportunities near the borderlands. If we can develop the far territories, we can become more useful to the Emperor when he decides to restart his noble campaign, raise our station and our wealth in one fell swoop."

"As well as bring you back from your exile and return to ancestral lands, yes? The Emporer forbade such things, did he not?"

You feel caught, but don't panic. If there's one thing Daryll and his family understands, it's ambition. "Very true, but it doesn't do harm to look at our options. My family has proved our loyalty to the Empire these past many generations, we believe he will understand where our loyalties lay." Your words come out confidently, and Daryll is none the wiser to your plots of treachery.

"I understand completely. You're a good man, Sir Mastbreaker. Your heart has always longed for the Emperor's affection. We should all reach for such lofty goals. Some of us are resigned to far lower desires..." His hand reaches down and grasps the ass of his female companion's ass, leading to a sudden gasp and groan. "How about it Michael? Surely your pursuit for wealth, glory, and fame has at least some undercurrents of desire for the fairer sex?" You see the woman move her head just slightly to try and catch your sight in her peripheral vision. You wince at your own words as you utter them, with the benefit of Darryl being unable to see them "Stronger undercurrents than you may think, Darryll. But, just like a river, those currents are most apparent after it's been properly fed. May I trouble you for a meal first?"

"Oh if you must" Darryl seams oddly eager to see you engorge in some carnal decadence with him "but let us make it quick. I've got something special to show you. A little secret that I'll share with you, for being old friends." Your stomach starts to turn knots, fearing what you may have stumbled into. Daryll leads you into the dining hall, currently empty. He dismisses his companion away, not before grabbing at her breast, and sits with you. A small but decadent plate of sweetmeats is brought to you, along with a small beverage

"Maiden Tea" he boasted as he took a drink as well "straight from the Linthalian Kingdom. Have you ever been there?"

"No, but I've heard of it. Blessed by nature of its position, but little else."

"That and beauty." Daryll adds, finishing his drink in one gulp

"So you've been there?" He shakes his head "Afraid not. If I made my way there I don't imagine I could bring myself back. I'd seduce the Maiden Queen in my charms and live the life of a God" He boasted, glorifying in the magnificence of his outsized ego.

"Best of luck in your adventures than" You say as you give a toast, clinking cup against his empty one. No sooner as you finish your drink, does he start to pull you away. "Okay okay, your river's been properly fed Michael. Now come on, you really must see this. You appreciate beauty after all..." Drudgingly, you leave your seat and follow him again, heading to his bedroom. Upon entering, you find your fears confirmed, and yourself in an immediate quandry. There is a woman, chained to Darryl's bed, naked, the drippings of a previous intercourse seeping out of her. Tear stains run down her face, and the look of utter terror is on her again. Your blood runs cold at the sight, especially on seeing her eyes. Through the redness of pain, sorrow, and whatever horror she's been subjected to, you see they glimmer in a distinct golden color. It was said that the royal family, your royal family, was so virtuous that gold ran through their veins, visible in their very eyes.

This is the princess you've been looking for, and true to the Bishop's premonition, she's in a very real version of hell. You have to reign yourself in, and it takes all of your energy to do so.

"Well, what do you think?" Darryll asks, his teeth gleaming with perverse pride. Your throat shut and dry, your mind roaring in rage, you struggle to get anything out, simply nodding in stoic silence, preferring to ask a question "How'd you get her?"

"Commoners are all the same. Someone owed debt to another someone and used her to pay it off. They have an eye for the finer things, as do I, and let me take her away from the cruel, harsh trappings of the streets. After a minor finders fee, of course."

"How long have you had here, like this?"

"Only about two weeks or so. She's got spirit, I'll give her that. Never stops begging to be spared and trying to appeal to moral dignity, but I'll break her yet. How about it? You think you can finally make her shut up?"

"Ya, I think I know how to stop her from begging for mercy..." You reply "But why don't you go first, so that I don't show you up..."

You touched Daryll's arrogance in just the right spot, not suspecting a thing "Oh, that's how you want to play it? Fine. Prepare to be completely humiliated. I don't need to hide in armor and wave a sword around to prove my manhood." He quickly took off his hastily assembled outfit, and turned to his prisoner, practically leaping on his bed. Her crying and begging started immediately, in what will certainly haunt your memories for years. You're one saving grace; his impotence. Struggling to get himself erect again, you take a moment to quickly unsheathe a dagger from your side. With great ****, you pull him away by his shoulder and take a sharp stabbing motion to his gut. You revel in his surprised look of fear and pain. Succumbed to utter shock, he is inable to mount to any real defense against you.

You stab him again, this time raising your blade in the air and taking a downward swing directly into his chest. Darryll falls immediately, grasping for a last few gasps of breaths before parting from this world. You turn to your princess, who is even more horrified at you, trying desperately to squirm away. Sheathing your bloody weapon, you try to calm her down.

"Wait wait wait! I don't want to hurt you. I'm here to rescue you..." she stops trying to move away, but the stare of fear is still upon her face "R-r-rescue me? H-h-h-how? Wh-wh-why? Nnnnnnobody knows I'm here"

"It's a long story, but we have to get you out of here first. Just stay calm. Nobody's going to hurt you again, I swear my life on that" You rip the dressers apart finding a key, forgoing discretion. You find it, and a convenient large cloak. Unshackling the princess, you wrap her up and escort her out, trying to avoid any suspicion. The guards that you met when you entered pause at you leaving with a guest

"Hey, you didn't come in with her!" He shouts, trying to stop you. You turn back, while still walking

"Made a fair trade. Don't worry, I'll keep her safe" You reply with a smile, the first you've had in a while. Beyond their gaze, you make a dash back to the tavern.