1 CHAPTER ONE
The room was alike to a cave in every aspect of its structure; even filled with roosting bats hanging from the ceilings and wicked limestone pillars. Some of the pillars were joined to form large columns traversing the length of the room from roof to floor. The only visible and invisible features of the room that made it different from natural caves, were the presence of a large rectangular table, occupying the middle of the room, and the lack of a foul stench, which was masked by the floral scents wafting from the flowered creepers growing around and within the cavern.
The Queen sat on the high chair, looking down the length of the table at the other councilors. Beside her sat her concubine; Adam of Baercroft, much to the councilors' chagrin.
The Queen's lithe, curvaceous figure was wrapped up in pitch black silk that shimmered in the meagre light with the faintest movements. Her gold, jewel rimmed crown sat atop her head, emphasizing her silky, black locks which tumbled down her bare shoulders, highlighting the flawlessness of her pale skin. Adam was dressed less exotically in simple, long-sleeved jerkin , which he left open down to the centre of his torso, displaying hairy, muscled chest. The shirt was left loose, falling below his waist and half the length of his black, leather trousers. The shirt was encircled around his waist by a belt also holding his long sword. His devilishly handsome face was set in a scowl, while around his head , a thin, golden circlet stated his position as a Lord – the only one in Eros.
On the right side of the table sat the Princess Lilith closer to her mother, dressed in closer to Adam's. Continuing from her right, sat General Sira, then lieutenant Moira and captain Agrat. The other end of the table was occupied by Eishet and Naamah, who were both Lilith's lovers with Agrat. Their presence was pointless, but not denied either. Taking up the other side of the table were the councilors; Elaida, Ruth, Morigan and Moigaze, who were in charge of the Education, Food, Building and Alchemy sectors respectively.
Before them on the table was a physical terrain map of the entire continent of Helleny. Far East of the continent, Eros was represented, nestling atop the Devil's plain, bordered on the North-West by the Devil's horns mountains and in the South-West by the river Eros, making it a hard country to be besieged. Yet, down the length of the Devil's valley, the enemy camp ran, flying the red flag of the Northern countries, and laying siege on Lyraie; Eros' border city.
The siege has lasted for years, with surprisingly less casualties and losses, but as is the manner of all siege, hindered transport and trade, and led to food depletion. Lyraie had managed to survive so long because of its topographical advantage and use of mages. The bad news is that other countries have taken an interest in the siege also. The bravery of the Northerners have led the armies of Raohim, from the far south and Baercroft and Raoling from the South-East to begin their march for Eros also.
"Baercroft and Raoling are a few months from joining the siege, my Queen," general Sira informed the hall, pointing out a long column stretching for hundreds of kilometres, emerging from the South-East and flying the green and yellow banner of Baercroft and Raoling respectively.
"So, they finally found reason for an alliance," Queen Evelyn said half-heartedly, fingering the diamond necklace around her neck.
A look passed between the general and her lieutenant, before she cleared her throat and rose from her chair, thumbs tucked into her belt as she skirted the table to stand closer to the Queen.
"My Queen, Lyraie cannot hold very long anymore against the Northerners. If Baercroft and Raoling are to join the siege, we'll lose Lyraie in days."
"That is true, my Queen. The mages are getting weaker keeping up that shield. If you were to allow…" councilor Elaida was saying, before the Queen silenced her.
"Eros survived a 30 years long siege from the Northerners once, did it not? If you're telling me that we'll lose Lyraie in Just 3 years of siege, then you're telling me that we've grown weak!"
Lieutenant Moira grumbled and shifted uneasily. The Queen's cold eyes fell on her.
"What is that you said, Lieutenant?" asked the Queen.
"Nothing, my Queen."
"I'll strip your hide from you but by bit if you ever lie to me again," replied the Queen. The slight change in the air was the only indication that the Queen had opened herself up to the supernatural plane. Lilith looked and saw Adam smile.
"I won't attempt it again, my Queen. I was only saying that we survived the siege for 30 years because we fought back," Moira answered, bowing slightly in reverence. Queen Evelyn studied her for a moment, before speaking.
"What do you know about warfare, child? A few battles and skirmishes is not war! You'll be given a chance to prove your worth, and should you fail, you'll be hanged –" looks passed among the councilors. Moira's face hardened. Adam suppressed a chuckle. " –We survived that war because we were resilient and led by competent leaders! Not fool-hardy children with dreams of glory!" she stood up on the last word suddenly, startling the councilors. "The mages held for years without complaint, because they knew their duty! General Tharn led our army to victory because she learned to trust her Queen's judgement! Is it too much to ask of you, general Sira?"
"No, my Queen," the general grumbled.
"Good. Let's not bring it up again. I have my reasons for inaction." Her breathing was even and her face; a mask of serenity, but Lilith was not fooled and neither was anybody else.
Adam took his time to sit up after clearing his throat and drawing attention to himself. "I'm from Baercroft and I wager that there's a 85 percent chance that this alliance with Raoling will not last. My country men are not known for their trustworthiness, I'm afraid." He spoke as though to children.
"What'll you wager?" Lilith muttered. Her face was quickly schooled into unreproacheable innocence as her mother's fiery gaze fell on her.
"Of course, the alliance will end. The question should be when? Before or after the coming war?" General Sira asked, rounding the table again to stand behind her chair.
"Hopefully, before. They still have months to rid themselves of the alliance," captain Agrat said, then seemed shocked that she'd spoken at all. Her eyes found Lilith's, who gave her a tight-lipped smile.
"How are the stores holding, lady Ruth?" the Queen asked, settling back down gently on her chair.
"With the rationing I imposed, it'll last for many winters still. And the farms are still productive, thanks to the creator. My Queen."
"That's good. And your students, lady Elaida?"
"Most of the graduates are down in Lyraie. The young ones are learning under twice as much pressure, but there's improvement, my Queen," answered Elaida as she adjusted her cufflinks.
"And you, lady Moigaze?"
The councilor for the alchemy sector shifted uneasily before answering. "More discoveries are being made, my Queen. They'll be displayed when they're ready and safe."
Lilith harrumphed and got another glare from her mother. She smiled beautifully.
The Queen nodded. "Lady Elaida, I want the current defence substituted with battle mages if necessary. That shield must not fail –" Elaida nodded. " –lady Ruth, I want more people in the farms. I expect a full store by next winter –" lady Ruth nodded. " –general, keep your women in line and wait on my command. You're all dismissed. Come with me, Adam."
With those words, the Queen stood, followed closely by Adam and the rest of the councilors. Lilith noticed the murderous glare lieutenant Moira was directing at Adam. Moira wasn't the only one though and their reason was known plainly to Lilith, despite how wrong it was. Most – if not all – of the councilors seemed to think that Adam must have done something to the Queen to make her hard and stubborn. They all considered her inaction concerning the siege as foolish and unnatural. The sentiment extended past the councilors.
"You keep pushing your luck with her," Eishet whispered behind Lilith before her arms encircled her waist.
Lilith turned her head to plant a kiss on her cheek. "Maybe." Agrat and Naamah came around to join them. They fell in line behind Lilith as she left the room too.
In the hallway outside, they observed the general and her lieutenant arguing in heated, but hushed tones.
"Are you still going to do it?" Naamah asked in a whisper.
"She seems angry enough already," Agrat added in a whisper, nodding to the two women.
"I'll do it. Besides, the angrier she is, the greater chance of success," Lilith answered them before starting towards the duo. General Sira shook her head irritably at Moira and stomped away.
As Lilith drew close, the lieutenant turned to her sharply, defiance radiating from her eyes. Dropping to her left knee, she bowed slightly. "Princess," She said tightly.
"Please get up, lieutenant. There's nobody here to report lack of etiquette. My Lilins certainly wouldn't," Lilith said in a light voice.
"Service should never be neglected, despite familiarity, my Princess," Moira said as she stood up. Her eyes fell on Agrat, who blushed and leaned away from Lilith slightly.
"Yes, lieutenant. But your service is to my mother, is it not?"
Moira studied her and the Lilins for some time before speaking, "I serve my people and the throne, Princess."
"And what wonderful service you've rendered, lieutenant! It's a shame you can't do more, though, isn't it?"
"I don't understand your meaning, Princess. If it were in my power to do more, I would do it."
"And finally we get to the problem. Wouldn't you agree with me, captain, that there's a shift in the air?" Lilith asked as she freed her interlocked fingers and casually brushed stray fringes from her face, tucking them behind her ear. The Lilins smiled and snuggled closer.
"Princess?" Moira said uncertainly, taking a step back and subconsciously reaching for her sword. A blush appeared on her cheeks.
"Yes, lieutenant? Don't you feel it?" Lilith asked innocently.
"I'm sorry, Princess, but lust doesn't work on me," Moira said, her blush glowing darker, despite her stony countenance.
"It doesn't?" Lilith chuckled. "You'll agree with me though, that it can be a very powerful tool. As enjoyable as it is disastrous. Especially, let's say; when a ruler is the one under its influence." Lilith paused and Moira's eyes narrowed slightly. "I'll detain you no longer, lieutenant. Surely you have pressing matters to attend to." Lilith said and nodded to her Lilins who followed her down the hall, leaving the lieutenant where she still stood.
The four of them poured into Lilith's room and Naamah closed the door, before speaking, "Do you think she understood?"
"The plan is to set her upon the path, without anything pointing back to us. I hope she doesn't understand all of it," Lilith answered as she undid her shirt buttons and took it off. She reached for her boots. "How did I do, Eishet?"
"You're getting better at it, hot stuff. You have a few more practice in your immediate future, yet," Eishet cooed before throwing herself face down onto the bed. Agrat and Naamah sat on either side of her.
"She still resisted," Lilith grumbled, standing before the large mirror in only her underwear and frowning at her calloused hands.
"She's Moira, Lilith. The only thing the woman understands is battle. I was surprised to see her blush." Agrat spoke as she played with a small dagger – spinning it through her fingers.
"I did say you needed more practice, didn't I?" Eishet spoke into the pillow.
"Embarrassment. She was embarrassed! That's what the blush was," Lilith turned and glared at her lovers.
"Come sit, darling. You've done your part, now let's wait to see it's outcome," Naamah said lightly, patting the space beside her on the bed. She was tuning her lute with her other hand.
Lilith nodded and came to sit beside her.
"What will you play?" Eishet's muffled voice asked.
"Something to set the mood," Naamah answered as she struck the first note, drawing a smile from Lilith.
#
Moira was livid that night as she paced the length of her room, unable to sleep. First, the Queen questioned her competence then that brat, Lilith tried to seduce her!? She remembered when she used to clean her nose! And Adam! She couldn't understand what the Queen saw in him. Ever since his arrival in Eros, Queen Evelyn have been acting strangely – first declaring that he should be treated with as much respect as due to a king, then declaring that no action should be taken against the Northerners. Something was wrong and nobody was doing anything about it! She slammed her fist into the wall in frustration.
The sound of shuffling boots drew her attention into sharp focus. Drawing her sword from the table where she left it, she dashed for the door and flung it open to peer around at an empty hallway. Her eyes detected light coming from the bend in the hallway. Closing the door behind her, she followed the departing light through the bend and down the hallway of the forbidden section. Her sense of foreboding increased with each step down the hallway.
She saw the light stop before a door, held aloft by a shadowed figure. The sound of an opened lock faltered her step. Drawing her sword, she proceeded at a faster pace.
She stepped into the room to see Adam searching the shelves where the forbidden artifacts were kept. He seemed unaware of the company, dressed in his night robes, with his sword dangling from his belt.
Moira's eyes widened as the grip on the hilt of her sword tightened. "What are you doing here, my lord?" she asked, announcing herself, and was satisfied when Adam jumped, nearly dropping his oil lamp. Her satisfaction vanished when she noticed the sword in his hand. When did he draw it?
"What are you doing here, lieutenant Moira?" Adam growled, as he set down the oil lamp on one of the counters.
"I'm the one doing the questioning, Adam. This is a restricted area. Even to the Queen's concubines."
Moira's voice was just as hard as Adam's. Her eyes never left the man nor his sword. "It's a shame you didn't train under me, Adam. I could have taught you not to draw a blade if you don't mean to use it."
"Are you threatening your lord, Moira?" Adam growled.
"Even lords get a thrashing when they step out of line. And if you call me by my first name again, I'll be forced to demonstrate to you just how much thrashing I meant."
Adam turned red in anger.
"I'll ask once again, why are you here, Adam?"
"But you already suspect the answer to that, don't you?" Adam said, with a snicker.
"I'll hear you say it, traitor!"
"Traitor!? I was never loyal in the first place! And no, I'm not working for Baercroft nor the North. I have a more personal drive, I'm afraid." With each sentence, the flame leaped high in punctuation. Moira noticed it and her face twisted in rage.
"What did you do to my Queen!?"
"Nothing. Yet."
"Liar!" Moira roared as she struck. The blow was too fast that Adam had barely raised his guard before it sent him crashing into the shelves.
Moira stumbled back when a wall of flame erupted right in front of her, cutting her off from Adam momentarily. She'd barely found her footing when the flame vanished and Adam flew out at her with sword flashing. She was saved by a backflip. She landed and quickly parried another strike on the edge of her blade and had a moment to appreciate Adam's power, before something slammed into her and sent her crashing into the far wall of the hallway.
"For raising your sword against me, I'll destroy you." Adam proclaimed calmly as he stood by the door with his sword held out at his side. Somehow he still looked impressive in his robe.
Moira rose to her feet uneasily and wiped a line of blood running from her mouth. "It'll take more than magic to destroy me," she said.
"We'll see."
#
The unmistakable sound of sword fight and running boots woke Queen Evelyn with a start. She turned and found Adam gone, as well as his sword. Drawing her gown tightly around her shoulders, she crossed the length of the room to the door and threw it open. The hallway was packed with people, who barely paid any mind to her or even noticed her. Frustrated, she reached out and grabbed a servant by the hair. The servant began to protest before recognizing her and dropping quickly to her knees.
"What the devils is happening?" barked the Queen.
"Fighting, my Queen. Lord Adam and lieutenant Moira," the servant replied, staring fixedly at the floor.
Queen Evelyn muttered a curse and flew down the hallway, following the crowd and the sound of fighting.
#
Lilith dashed into the room and slammed the door shut behind her. "She did it!" she cried happily. When nobody replied, she frowned at the bed where the Lilins were still snuggled up beneath the covers. "Wake up, you lumps!" she barked, startling them.
As though they'd planned it, the Lilins all groaned in unison.
"Come on. Put some clothes on, you sleepyheads. We need to be there when it happens!"
"Do we have to?" Naamah groaned, stepping into her gown.
"Yes, we have to!" Lilith answered.
#
"Leave him to me!" Moira growled at the people who were stepping in to interfere as she pressed Adam to the wall, bloodied and weary. His parries were getting weaker and slower.
"Traitor!" cried Moira as she struck down on Adam and found herself in a power struggle which she was winning. Drawing her fist back, she slammed it into his Adam's temple, sending him reeling and spurting blood from his nose and mouth.
Adam dropped to his knee before falling flat on his face. Moira kicked his sword away and raised hers to finish the fight, unaware of the Queen's arrival.
"Adam!" Queen Evelyn cried out and rushed to the man's unconscious body.
The lieutenant faltered but didn't lower her sword.
Queen Evelyn turned her glare to her, full of hate and rage. "What is this madness!?"
"He's a traitor, my Queen," Moira answered, punctuating each sentence with a barely suppressed pant.
The spectators had grown quiet and still.
"The only traitor I see is you, Moira!" The Queen declared, drawing gasps from the crowd. Moira's arm dropped limply to her side and her sword fell with a resounding clang. "You were already under assessment, as it were, and instead of keeping a cool head, you go ahead and attack my concubine? Your Lord!?"
"My Queen…"
"Silence. I gave you a chance and you've squandered it. Come tomorrow, you'll be hanged in public for treason, Moira Eliaz Perez; dishonoured lieutenant of the Queen's guard and a criminal. Take her away!"
The silence that had reigned throughout the entire pronouncements was broken as guards came and took hold of Moira. Whispers rose from the crowd, with everyone looking at the Queen sideways.
"What are you looking at!? Take Adam to the healers! Now!" the Queen barked, before forcing her way through the crowd and heading back to her room. Lilith stared after her, wearing a smile.
* * *
