The Palace

After considering her options Ciara decided that it would be best if she went to see the king right away. Taking care of the trolls would certainly earn her some favor with the local merchants, which would in turn affect the prices she would be offered. Being accompanied by her prize - one of the king’s children - would also make a difference.

It didn’t take long for the carriage to reach the palace. Once there, Ciara got out and was pleased with the looks she received from the palace guards. She was wearing a short crimson dress that reached to the middle of her thighs. The dress both uplifted and emphasized her full round breasts, the upper half of which was visible. Just a few millimeters more and her nipples would’ve been shown as well. Her shoulders were naked, covered only by her long brown hair. Her legs were also naked and presented for all to see. Her high-heel shoes were the same color as her dress. Because of her small wings the upper half of her back was naked as well.

Most of the men were trying to disguise their staring, although the newly appeared (and growing) bulges in their pants were obvious enough. One young man however was openly staring at the ample cleavage she so generously displayed for all to see. Ciara licked her full red lips and decided to tease him a little. When she passed by where he was standing she slowed down, looked at him and asked in a whisper: “Do you like what you see?” The young man turned tomato red and without a word averted his gaze. Ciara giggled, pleased with the result, and continued walking to the inside of the palace, all the while feeling the young man’s eyes on her bare back. Before she could enter through the palace doors however a pretty woman wearing a green dress blocked her path. The fairy was very pleased when the woman couldn’t resist and briefly stared at her chest.

“May I ask what is your business here, milady?” The woman asked politely.

“I am here to see the king, and to offer my help with the troll problems.”

“Wonderful. Follow me, please. I’m sure the king would like to speak with you as soon as possible.” Without waiting for Ciara’s response the woman turned and started walking, leaving the fairy **** but to follow, which she did.

Inside the palace all was quiet. So quiet, in fact, that the clicks made by Ciara’s high heels echoed in the empty corridors. Apart from a few servants going on about their tasks the two females did not see or hear any living soul until they reached the Throne Room.

The Throne Room had a lot more decoration than the rest of the palace, though nothing of interest for Ciara. Judging by the room’s size Ciara decided that it must be the biggest room in the whole building. In the far end two thrones could be seen. On one of them was sitting a man, the other was empty. This reminded the fairy that she didn’t know if Asteral had a Queen, or if the King was the sole ruler of the kingdom. Not that she cared in the slightest. In the room there were a number of other people, men and women alike, most of them humans though there were a few exceptions such as an elf and two half-elfs. They were all probably waiting to speak with the king.

The woman that had shown Ciara the way gave her a sign to approach the throne before leaving together with one of the other women. The fairy noticed that many of the people present were staring at her body, mostly at her chest. Pretending not to notice she made her way forward to the king.

“Welcome to our humble kingdom, milady. I am King Theodore. And who might you be?” The king sounded energetic and in good health.

“I am lady Ciara. I heard about your kingdom’s recent… troubles… and thought I might be of assistance.”

“You don’t have the appearance of a warrior, lady Ciara. I assume you are a spellcaster?”

“Indeed I am. You can ask the group of trolls that were probably thinking of attacking my carriage before it reaches the capital. Oh, wait. You can’t ask them - they are dead. Never mind then.”

“It is good to know that you have experience with magic. Because the trolls that trouble us also use magic.”

Ciara blinked a few times, unsure if she had heard correctly. “Trolls that use magic? That’s the first time I hear of such a thing!” She exclaimed, and then added in her mind: ‘Perhaps this isn’t going to be as boring as I thought.’

“I know it sounds unbelievable. The first time I heard it I didn’t believe it either. But it is true none the less.”

“Could the spellcasters among the trolls be creatures that are only pretending to be trolls?”

“It is possible, but so far there is no reason to think that is so.”

“I see. Trolls that use magic. No wonder they cause you so much trouble, and that you are offering such a generous reward for getting rid of them.”

“The reward isn’t as generous as I would’ve liked, but alas it is all we can offer. I hoped that the chance to marry my son prince Sevilen or my daughter princess Avelina would be enough for most people.”

“It is enough for me. Actually, it is the main reason why I came here.”

“I’m glad to hear that. So, do you think you can save us from the trolls?” The king asked.