The next morning Finn brought everyone a large breakfast and went over the plan for returning to the capital.
“Since Charlotte should be able to keep up, we can make it to the capital in an hour or two depending on her speed.”
Charlotte's eyes widened at the prospect of covering a whole day's travel in under 2 hours.
“But how will I be able to keep up?” Anastasia chimed in.
“One of us will have to carry you.”
Anastasia blushed slightly as the thought of being carried for two hours by someone.
“Don’t worry Princess I will carry you.” Charlotte spoke up seeing the look on Anastasia’s face.
“No, you have never done this before. Better Liza do it.”
Liza stopped Finn before he continued “I will be scouting ahead I cannot do it.” Only Finn was able to pick up on her smirk.
Finn knew she did not need to scout ahead. The road from Rinne to the capital was one of the safest in the whole kingdom.
“Whatever I will carry her.” Finn said, throwing his hands up in surrender. Anastasia’s bluish became a little brighter.
“When we get there, we will meet up with Lilly and see what plan Tasha has been able to get us.”
Finn looks at those gathered to see if anyone has any questions.
“Great, get only was absolutely needed, we head out very soon.”
Sam starts to get out of bed, to get his things together. Finn comes over, forcing him back down.
“Not you kid. You are still too weak from blood loss. We will come check on you in a few days.”
“No fucking way! You are going to do something really dumb in the capital. I am not missing out on that.”
“I get it kid, but you will slow us down and either get yourself or someone else killed. It is my responsibility to look out for you.”
Sam looks defeated and lays back down on the bed.
“But cheer up Liza has a surprise for you. Liza, is she here yet?”
Finn called over to Liza as she was greeting a guest.
“She just arrived.” Liza led in a stunning woman. She had long jet-black hair that hung down her back. Her face had the slightest hint of makeup accenting her eyes, cheeks, and mouth. Her dress was loose fitting but still tight in all the right places. The fabric was not as nice as what a noble would wear, but still looked expensive. Sam could not help but notice the curves on the woman as her chest and hips seemed to be at the perfect ratio with her waist. The woman spoke and her sultry voice sent tingles all over Sam.
“Is this the boy?”
“Yes, it is.” Liza responded, smiling at Sam.
“Jaina, it is so good to see you.” Finn came rushing over his arms held out wide. Jaina held her long slender arm out catching Finn in the face to prevent him from getting any closer.
“You know the rules Finn.”
“But it has been so long. What is a hug between friends?”
“I am Liza's friend. You and I are business associates.”
“Be that way… I didn’t really want a hug anyway.” Finn moved to Anastasia and Charlotte and guided them out of the room.
Anastasia whispers “Who is that woman?”
“An old colleague of Liza’s.” Finn was trying to pull Anastasia out of the room to prevent more questions.
“Oh, what does she do?”
“That is not really important now. Come along.” Charlotte was struggling to contain her giggle, enjoying how naïve the princess still was at times.
After the three others left. Jania went over to Sam’s bed and sat on it making sure she was brushing up against him. She reached her hand over and caressed his cheek.
“You are correct he looks like he had it rough.” Jaina said her voice is still affecting Sam.
“Exactly, so can you keep an eye on him until we get back. He may try to do something dumb so make sure he stays in bed.”
“I am sure I can find a way to keep him in bed.” Tracing her fingers from his cheek down to his collarbone.
“It may be best to take him to your place. I have paid off the innkeeper about the mess but…”
“Say no more, but it will be costly to keep one of my beds occupied for several days.” Jania continued to run her hand down to Sam’s chest.
“Name your price.”
Jaina’s hand stopped, she looked back over to Liza. “The deluxe package you say.” turning back over to Sam “Lucky boy.”
Sam gulped, his face finally getting some color back. What little blood he had flushed to his face among other places.
“OK that is enough teasing the boy. Because he is exactly that, a boy.”
“Aww but it was so much fun. Look how good he looks. He is getting some color back. Are you completely sure?” Jaina brought her hand back to Sam’s face, rubbing his cheek.
“I am.” Liza said firmly.
“What the hell!” Sam said in protest.
A swift but soft slap was applied to his cheek. “She is right kid. I was just teasing you, for my own amusement.” Jaina’s voice lost most of her sultry tone as she sounded like any other woman now.
Jaina leans deeply over her dress threatening to reveal more than she intends. Sam eyes lock on to Jaina’s ample display. Jaina whispers into Sam’s ear. “But I will be waiting for you when you become an adult.” She bites his ear slightly and Sam shudders.
Liza slaps Jaina backside. “Gods woman, that is enough the boy is hurt.”
Jaina leans back up and winks at Sam before helping him out of bed and they head to her establishment.
Jaina and Sam pass by Anastasia and the others as they leave the Inn.
“Where is she taking Sam?”
Finn shifts in place a little searching for the correct answer. “Um… to…her…’infirmary’. Ya let's go with infirmary.”
“Oh…So Liza used to be a healer. That makes sense. She is good with healing magic.”
“You know you are right… that does make sense.” Finn regained some of his normal confident tone.
Liza spoke up from behind the trio as they watched Jaina saunter away.
“Everyone ready to go?”
“Yes, I am. Liza, I am so glad you were able to arrange for a healer to take care of Sam.”
“Princess, why would you think Jaina is a healer?” Liza was already looking at Finn who was trying to pretend he had no idea what was going on.
“Finn told me she was an old colleague of yours and she was taking Sam to an infirmary.”
“Why would you lie to her, Finn.” Liza's eyes narrowed, and her lips tensed as she repressed the urge to punch him.
“It was not completely a lie ‘Healing’ does go on there.” Finn weakly tried to defend his actions. raising his hands in the air as if asking for forgiveness
“Idiot!” Liza walked over to Anastasia and placed her hand on her shoulder. “Princess Jaina is a prostitute.”
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“oh…but Finn said that you…OH!” Anastasia could not help but blush at the implication of what Liza had told her. Anastasia could not look at Liza so looked to Charlotte to get her reaction. Charlotte was trying and failing to contain her snickering.
“CHARLOTTE! You knew and you let Finn lie to me.” Charlotte could no longer keep it in and began outright laughing.
“You have been a bad influence on her.” Liza said as she pushed past Finn making sure to bump into him roughly.
“I was trying to be diplomatic… Why am I in trouble?” Finn followed Liza trying to plead his case as she headed for the north exit.
Anastasia followed behind in a huff as Charlotte attempted to get her laughing fit under control so she could follow.
The party traveled about a mile away from town to insure they would not be seen before using their speed.
“Charlotte, we will let you set the pace. You do not need to push yourself too hard. You will still need to be able to fight the second we arrive.”
Charlotte looked worried. “Liza, are you expecting trouble that soon?”
Liza shook her head “No but we should plan for the worst, so we are not surprised.”
Finn approached Anastasia. “I can make Liza carry you if you would prefer.”
“No, you will be just fine.”
“Well as long as I am just fine” Finn said in a mocking tone as he hung his head.
“Finn, I didn't mean it like that I would love for you to carry me.” Anastasia slapped her hand over her mouth at what she had said.
“If you insist.” Finn scooped up Anastasia into his arms as she clung to his neck from surprise. “Ready when you are ladies”
Charlotte nodded, closing her eyes to focus, a second later she took off running. Her speed at first was about twice the speed of an average person. As she got used to the speed, she was able to go about four times as fast. She started to have trouble looking ahead as the wind would burn her eyes. Charlotte squinted but it only helped a little.
Anastasia was gripping onto Finn tightly. The speed they were going just felt so unnatural to her. She had her hood pulled as far as it could go over her head and had her face buried in Finn’s chest. This continued for about an hour and half before Liza called for them to slow down and walk the rest of the way. Anastasia did not let go of Fin.
“Anna, we have stopped, you can get down now.”
Anastasia slowly opened her eyes and looked around relieved to see the world was no longer zipping past her. Finn slowly let her down to her feet and helped her straighten up.
“Thank you, Fin.”
“It was an honor.” Finn says with barely any hint of sarcasm.
“As we are approaching the city you both keep your hoods on tight. We still don’t expect the gate guards to be doing inspections. However, if needed we will use our gold status as adventures to get in. We can act like we are on a job escorting VIPs to try and keep them from probing too much.”
“Won't that make them want to inspect us more since we are VIPs.” Charlotte pointed out what she felt was a flaw in Finn’s logic.
“No, guards are not knights, so no chance any of them are nobles. If a gold rank adventure is escorting someone that person is in every sense of the word a VIP. So, the guards will for sure want to stay out of such high-ranking noble business.”
Charlotte lowered her eyes. She was still thinking like a noble. It did not even cross her mind to be scared to probe into nobles’ business.
“I see your point, thank you.”
The party headed toward the gate and again found it oddly quiet. Just the normal amount of people coming and going. No one seems on edge, the guards at least seem to be paying attention, unlike at Rinne, but they still let everyone pass.
Once inside the gate Finn started making his way toward the tavern that Lilly had taken him to. He was stopped within five minutes of entering the city by a familiar voice.
“You were much closer than you lead on.” Lilly emerged from an alleyway to the side. Charlotte tensed up at the sudden intruder, but Liza and Finn took her arrival in stride.
“Really the dark alleyway. I fucking hate spies.”
Lilly completely ignored Finn’s whining and bowed her head to Liza.
“Liza, it is a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance. I have been a fan of your work for many years now.”
“Oh that is bullshit. How come she gets ‘a fan of your work’ and I got slapped.”
“That is because Liza is very skilled, and you are a dickhead.”
“Finn, I like her.” Liza said, cracking a rare smile.
“Oh you would. Can we get off the street please? You are like the worst spy ever.”
Lilly rolled her eyes. “Follow me, I have a safe house we can use.”
Lilly led the way through the streets making her way to a modest home in the residential section of the merchant quarter.
Once everyone was safely inside and all the shutters drawn Anastasia and Charlotte removed their hoods. Lilly immediately bowed to Anastasia
“Your highness I am relieved you are safe. You as well Lady Charlotte.”
Finn and Liza looked to Charlotte.
“It is just Charlotte from now on. I will explain later.”
Lilly, the dutiful attendant did not hesitate her response. “As you wish Charlotte.”
“Lilly, it is good to see you again. I appreciate you escorting us here. Please tell me how my sister and Nydia are?”
Lilly smiled that Anastasia was concerned for her mistress as well.
“They are as safe as possible under the circumstances. I am here to provide you this letter from Tashanna and then update you on the most recent turn of events.”
Lilly hands Anastasia a sealed envelope. Lilly then straightens up and looks over everyone before setting her gaze on Anastasia again.
“We believe Victor is making his move. He is forcing the queen to make him prime minister.”
Anastasia and Charlotte could not contain their surprise while Liza and Finn retained their current stoic expressions.
“That does not make sense, the nobles would never allow that. Only the king can hold that title.”
“While traditionally you are correct the King normally takes on the title of prime minister so he can act using the queen’s authority. However, they are still two separate titles normally held by one person.” Lilly explained
“I was not even aware of that. How did Victor even know he could take on the title.” Anastasia's face was knitted in confusion.
“It had been so long since a King had died young, like your father. That no one knew of the rule. It had just not been needed. Victor brought some old records from the archives to the queen yesterday. He has demanded that he be made prime minister, or he will kill his captives starting with Tashanna.”
Anger could be seen boiling up behind Anastasia's eyes. A mix of the betrayal by Victor and the threat on her sister’s life.
“We cannot let that happen. What is the queen’s current plan?”
“She first requested time to confirm the legal basis for his request. He said he would give her a week if she wanted, but only if she selected a victim to be killed to buy that week. The queen understandably declined his offer.”
“Monster! So how much time do we have.” Anastasia was shaking. Her fists clenched white.
“The ceremony will take place tomorrow.” Lilly lowered her eyes, shame written on her face.
“What are we going to be able to do in a day?” Anastasia’s frustration clearly comes through in her voice.
“The queen’s current plan is to grant the title. This buys more time for Tashanna to find a better way to remove or at least deactivate the collars.”
Finn interjects “What are Nydia's thoughts on this.”
“She wishes to kill him and call his bluff.”
“Well at least she is willing to live with the outcome.” Finn said his tone had none of his normal playfulness.
A throwing knife buried itself into the wall next to Fin. “My Mistress is doing what she thinks is best. You will not mock her.”
Finn did not move from his spot “I was not mocking, exactly the opposite. She is betting her own life to deal with a threat. That is not something I would ever mock.”
“Lilly, I understand you are stressed but Finn is here to help, please calm down.” Anastasia came over to Lilly and took her outstretched hand that had thrown the Dagger. “What does my sister think of all of this?”
Lilly huffed and eased her expression before looking at Anastasia. “Tashanna’s thoughts are in the letter.”
“Thank you, can you give me a minute? I need time to read it.” Anastasia moved to a table on the far side of the house and sat down to read the letter from Tashanna.
My dearest Anastasia, I always thought our mother was a fool. She has always taken such risks in the past. If she looked at her problems with a critical and logical mind, she would have seen the clear choice she should make. Mother for some reason always took the worst path, the one most likely for failure. It was like she wanted to lose and that infuriated me.
Every time I saw our mother make a foolish call I cursed her weakness, her cowardice. She did not have the metal of the warrior queen I was raised to think she was. She seemed a weak timid lamb begging for the slaughter. I was afraid for our kingdom’s future. I saw her raising you to be just as weak as her. I countless times wished I was the older sister. I knew I would be able to lead this kingdom the way it needed to be led.
Recent info has come to light that puts into context why our mother has been on her foolish path my whole life. I cannot do those events justice in this letter. I will simply tell you to ask the man that brought you home.
Armed with this knowledge and seeing her these last few days. I have had a change of heart. What I see in our mother is not foolishness but hope. What I see in her is not weakness but strength. She chooses to walk a path I would have been too weak or stupid to even see as an option.
She wants to save everyone.
She may still be a fool, but only a fool can have hope after all our mother has seen. So, I have joined her, and we will be fools together. I hope you will join us too. Together we can see her ideals through. I have outlined my plan and included the only way to counteract Victor’s collars. It all hinges on you. I now give my life over to you, please keep it safe.
The next part of the letter was the technical workings of Victor's collars and the spell Tashanna believed would disable them. It seems like such a simple spell. Anastasia was not sure it would work, but there was none smarter with magic than Tashanna. Her notes implied it was simply a matter of overcoming the mana of all the collars at once. Normally no one would be able to do that. But Tashanna knows that Anastasia seemed to have a limitless mana supply.
Anastasia had learned from recent events that she did in fact have a limit. She was now afraid that her sister was overestimating her ability to pull this off.
The last bit outlined Tashanna's plan, it seemed too reckless. She wrote that the queen had refused this plan in favor of more research time. Tashanna insisted that nothing else would come from more research. It seems the queen and Tashanna were at an impasse and so it fell to Anastasia to make the call.
Anastasia went back to the others. Lilly had a worried look on her face.
“I take it you know what was in this letter. What her plan is?” Anastasia questioned, holding the letter in her hand.
“Yes, I do not know what she wrote exactly, but I know the basics of her plan.” Lilly shook her head solemnly.
“So, you understand that mother opposes it.”
“Yes.”
“Next time we meet…” Anastasia could not finish her statement
“Yes, we will be adversaries.” Lilly completed Anastasia statement for her.
This last bit caught everyone in the room off Guard even Liza face shifted some at the comment.
“Then I have one request for you before you return to my sister.”