Seki and the skull.

You limp back into the castle, making for that part of the structure given over to the Oro Elide. Seki, Prince Khaliq, the two lionesses, and the mercenary army's more senior lieutenants. You ask a scimitar-bearing, golden-cloaked warrior to point you to the regent's location, and before long, you find yourself being welcomed into her chambers.

You take in the regent once again. She's a striking woman, older than most of your human partners, closer to fifty than forty but it would seem that neither time nor the harsh desert suns of her homeland have been enough to dim her exotic beauty.

“Ah, your majesty.” Seki beams, as she invites you inside. “To what do I owe the... pleasure of your company?”

You begin with a little small talk, the would-be mercenary queen inviting you to sit in one of the plush seats afforded her, offering you a drink, though you decline for once, wanting to remain sharp.

“You've been spending a lot of time with our dear patron, your majesty. Is it true you once intended to marry her?” Seki asks.

“Please, call me Edward when we're in private.” you tell her. “As for Madeleine... well, it's a complex situation.”

“As they so often are with the princess.” Seki smirks. “Though from what I hear, your affection to the Beathan Kara won out. Would you say that's accurate.”

“I-Indeed.” you admit. The older woman regards you with a certain satisfied smile. The look makes you cognisant of the fact that her step-daughters are far from the only Lionesses in the Pride.

“Don't tell me you're a romantic.” Seki teases. “Far too many kingdoms have been rocked by crowned heads governed by their hearts. Or... other body parts.”

“I have... inclinations, same as any man. But I try to temper them with a little pragmatism.” you slur.

Seki downs her cup of wine, and leans closer.

“You strike me as a man in thrall to his passions, Edward.” Seki says, her tone level, serious. “Not like my late lord, Jabir.”

“That's... not true.” you protest, but the sell-sword's having none of it.

“He was a real man. My Lion. If he were in your shoes, if he thought the threat to him and his Pride was too great, he would not have gone to war. He would've let Beatha fall, his wife-to-be fall. And he would've been right to do it.” Seki boasts.

“That's not... relevant right now.” you say, not quite used to being talked to like that by one not of noble blood.

“Ah, but he was a terror. All on the continent feared him and his Golden Pride.” Seki mentions. “He felled cities, killed kings. I'm not too sure he would've been impressed by you, Edward.” Seki says, spitting out your name in her beautiful accented speech.

“I'm no warrior, I'd be the first to admit that, but-” you begin, but Seki reaches forward, putting a finger over your lips.

“It's more than that. You've never had to strive for anything. Jabir started out a poor lion, ended his life as the premier mercenary for a thousand miles. Because he was a fighter. He recreated the world around him.”

“If I could just, change the subject.” you begin, extricating yourself from her fingertips. “I wished to ask a favour of you.”

“Tell me.” the lioness bids you.

“We... need the skull you took from Hjordis' camp back. She won't tell us anything she knows, not without a guarantee her father's remains will be-”

“That's not going to happen, Edward.” Seki says resolutely. “Besides, what information of use could that overgrown barbarian possibly have to disclose? Anything she knew, wasn't enough to prevent her ending up in chains.”

“She's well connected. We have reason to believe she's quite knowledgeable concerning events going on with Dean, in Einar's camp.”

“I'm sure a couple of weeks without food would do wonders to loosen her tongue.” the mercenary suggests. You're less convinced. Hjordis was a powerful woman, in stature and will. “If it's any consolation for her, I intend to treat the giant's skull with the utmost care. It's not every day you come into a prize like that!”

“I'd be happy to give you the equivalent of whatever you think it's worth in gold...” you begin.

“Pah.” says Seki. “Gold can be taken from any contract, any battlefield. This is a prize beyond gold! Where my army hails from, no one's ever set eyes on a giant.”

“Be that as it may...” you begin, only to be cut off by the mercenary queen.

“You've a lot to learn, my young king.” Seki smiles. “If my Jabir had desired the skull, he would not have asked. He would have taken it.”

“T-that hardly seems conducive to good relations with allies.” you muse.

“My man didn't care. He knew his role, his elevated position amongst the others around him. As a lion, and as a king. He knew it was his right to take what he willed.” Seki says with a playful smile.

“You might be surprised to know I'm no stranger to that.” you tell her, moving a little closer.

“Oh?” the slender warrior woman says, raising an eyebrow.

“I've learned to be bold, when it's required. I've had to.” you admit, feeling the warmth of her body.

“Though some prey might always evade you. A gazelle could never hope to bring down a lion. Or a lioness.” Seki informs you, withdrawing momentarily.

“Now, my king, unless you'd like another drink, perhaps we should call it an evening?” the sell-sword remarks.