CHAPTER III #12
“From what I hear,” he continues, “Gaumond is the same as those cities but to a greater extent. The people there are welcoming to all types of debauchery, and I’ve been told that His Highness holds his court with copious amounts of drink, smoke and sex.
The Warriors of the capitol are also extremely forward and unabashed in their physical affections. ”
“I can deal with forward,” I nod, “there’s been plenty of men at our Court who never take the hint.”
Cal grimaces at the comment and shakes his head. “The men and women of Warrior are nothing like what you’ve seen in Bardot. Their forward is different than ours. They pursue their desires out in the open.”
“Then they won’t be too different from Dardar,” I murmur, “much more sensual than I’m used to, but-”
“-When you think of Dardar, multiply it by ten. If the rumors are true, then that’s what we’ll be expecting when we reach Gaumond.”
“Can you explain more?” I turn and hold his gaze earnestly, “because the vision I have in my mind right now can’t be worse than anything you tell me.”
My friend remains silent and gives me a curious look.
“Don’t give me that look,” I roll my eyes, “I’ve seen you with the forward women of southern Warrior, so how much worse can Gaumond be?”
My big friend chuckles and shakes his head, running his hand over his mouth to keep his lips sealed.
“I need to know, Cal,” I push my shoulder into his with a huff, “because right now I’m half expecting to walk into court and be greeted with a night of orgies.”
Cal’s eyes widen in surprise before a deep, booming laugh fills our campsite. I blush and duck my head to my knees, ignoring the curious eyes that turn in our direction.
“Ancients, Alex. Where do you come up with this stuff?”
“Are you telling me it doesn’t happen?” I hiss.
“It does,” Cal nods, still laughing.
“And are we expected to engage?”
“Ancients, no,” he slaps his knee, clearly finding all of this amusing.
I sigh in frustration and shift on the ground, noticing the Prince watching to the two of us over the fire.
“Unless that’s something you want to engage in…” Cal adds, his voice turning softer.
“It’s not,” I shake my head, “I really just wanted to ask if it was expected of us, to watch or participate.”
He nods in understanding. “It may not be something you want, but even if you did, it wouldn’t be anything to be ashamed of.
Warriors value honesty in every aspect of life, most importantly, honesty with themselves.
Engaging in those activities… its somewhat of an honoring between the people involved.
A general understanding that you find them appealing and trust them in all things physical.
They’re not shy on how they touch one another, but that engagement always comes with mutual agreement first.”
I draw my legs tighter to my chest and remain quiet, still feeling the Prince’s gaze lingering on us.
“Though I truly don’t think it’s all like that,” Cal adds in thought, “Warriors are also known to be excellent drinkers and gamblers. Fighters, too. Obviously. I expect we’ll see a lot of that at court as well.”
“Do you think you’ll be sought out?” I ask quietly.
“Oh, most definitely,” he flexes his muscles with a smile, “and I’ll welcome it.”
“I think Mana is going to be approached for the same,” I reply, remembering Desmond’s comment about challenging our Discerni friend.
“The use of the kedge is an old weapon that dates back to the time of the Ancients,” Cal nods, “it’s used now as an honor to their names. Not many in the Old World still have the skill to wield it, so yes, I expect Mana will accept a few duels.”
“Orgies, gambling, fighting and drinking,” I sigh and stand up, brushing off my pants as I look down at my friend, “I’m not saying I’m a prude, Cal, but I expect to be the most modest person in Gaumond during our stay.”
Cal stands with me and places a hand on my shoulder.
“As is your right, Alex. No one will force you into anything. Their customs may be different than ours and more out in the open, but that doesn’t mean you have to participate.”
“And for the record,” he squeezes with a smile, “I love the sexy restraint of our people. Not everything has to be shared… or seen.”
I smile in agreement.
“Thanks, Cal.”
“Of course,” he pulls me in for a hug, “don’t stress too much on it. You’ll still have me, Holis and Mana with you when we’re there.”
I nod into his chest and pull away, walking back to my bedroll as a heavy tiredness grips every muscle in my body. The flames of the undying fire cackle as I lay down, the warmth comforting my body into sleep faster than ever…
I wake up sometime in the middle of the night with the fire still roaring and the moonslight trying to peek through the thick woods above.
My eyes roam to the rest of the camp in a groggy sleep, everyone fast asleep under their blankets with the exception of a small flickering light behind Prince Keane’s tent.
There’s shadows moving behind the fabric and what looks to be two figures walking around inside.
I lay my head down and nearly drift back to sleep when one of the figures steps out of the Prince’s tent.
The light behind the curtain extinguishes at the very same moment, though there’s no mistaking the luxurious brown robes that now stride in my direction.
I smile in my half sleep and watch as another figure steps out of the tent, feeling two sets of eyes land on me from afar just as I close my own.
I’m not sure if it’s part of my dream as I drift back to sleep, but I swear I feel the brush of the forest grass moving out from the earth under me.
The blades gently skim across my arm and move in a comforting but almost timid embrace, traveling up my shoulder before they find their own resting place against my cheek.
“You’ll be pleased to know that Golem and I had a chat last night,” Prince Keane brings his horse to a walk besides Millie.
Holis gives me a small smile before kicking his own horse into a trot, joining the rest of the group up front as he leaves the two of us alone in the back.
“I saw,” I nod in admittance.
“You saw?”
I instinctively reach to the strap across my chest and let my hand fall to the bag at my hip.
“I saw Golem leave your tent last night.”
The Prince’s eyes flick to the back of the blonde head riding in front of us.
“I thought you were asleep.”
“All is well then?” I ignore the comment, also looking towards Alanna.
“All is well,” he turns to me with a nod, “there remains no animosity between Golem and I.”
The jar vibrates under my hand in affirmation, prompting me to give the Prince a genuine smile. “Thank you.”
The Prince nods again, his brown eyes thoughtful as they hold mine.
“You and the big man seemed to have a lively conversation last night.”
I feel my cheeks heat and look away.
“You make him laugh,” he continues casually.
“He thinks I say funny things,” I shake my head.
“Funny things…” he leans forward in amused curiosity, “like what?”
I look around at the thick forest surrounding the road, to the sun barely shining through the heavy canopy above us as it begins its descent. We should be in Gaumond soon now, and the thought of being in his court by the end of the night has me wondering what more I can learn.
“Like how I fully expected to be greeted at court tonight with multiple orgies and sexual proclivities.”
The Prince raises a brow in open surprise before a small smirk starts to play at his lips.
“Would that scare you away, if so?” he grins.
“I think Cal was wondering the same thing,” I laugh.
“And?” he presses.
“And… I told him he’d have to join me on the fun if he wanted to find out. I guess that goes for you as well, Your Highness.”
The roaring laugh that falls from the Prince’s lips is the most sincere thing I’ve heard in a while. He runs a hand through his brown hair and shakes his in disbelief, his small smirk only growing wider as he stares at me in wonder.
“Ancients, Lady Alexis. Just when I think I have you all figured out.”
“You’ve only known me for two days, Your Highness,” I laugh.
“True.”
“But at this point,” I continue with a smile, “after everything I’ve heard of your court, I would be quite disappointed if there wasn’t an open sexual affair.”
“For some reason I don’t doubt that,” he chuckles, “but no, there will be no welcoming committee waiting to frisk you away to an orgy with multiple people-”
“-Darn.”
“-But you let me know when you’re ready for something like that,” he sends me a wicked smile, “I would be more than happy to join.”
Ancients.
Does he know the effect his words have?
I shift in my saddle and try not to break his gaze, feeling my cheeks flush once again.
Any respectable lady from Knowledge would chastise him for the comment, and if he said the same to a girl from Woodlands, she would no doubt lean over her saddle and slap him across the face.
But all I can focus on is the strikingly handsome plains of said face, not to mention the playful brown eyes and full red lips that are now spreading into a grin.
“Interesting…” he murmurs.
I break the Prince’s gaze and look at the road ahead. “What’s interesting?”
“That the idea of such a situation would truly not scare you away.”
“The women from Knowledge are not prudes,” I reply defensively.
“No,” he laughs, “just those from Woodlands. Thank the Ancients you’re not from there.”
I roll my eyes and watch as his gaze move purposely down my body.
What is he playing at?
“While your advance and compliments are appreciated, Your Highness,” I shake my head, willing my heated body to stop responding to that look, “I’m afraid you’re just not my type.”
Another lie, as I’ve never met a more devastatingly handsome man before in my life.
“You consider this conversation an advance?” the Prince asks, brown eyes turning curious.
I catch his gaze and nod quietly, watching as he gives me a genuine smile in return.
“Oh, Alexis, this is nothing. I promise you. When the day comes that I actually make advances on you, you’ll beg me to make good on my words, not push them away so casually as you do now.”
Dear Elder Father and Mother.
I take a deep breath and will my beating heart to steady.
“But I am curious as to what your type is,” he continues with an amused grin, “not many turn down compliments from a Prince.”
“I tend to let myself fall for the quiet and gentle types,” I lie quickly through my teeth, “for the men who have soft hands and even softer hearts.”
His lips quirk up even higher.
“Is that so?”
“Yes.”
“Liar.”
The Prince says the word so deliberately, as if he can see right through my words. He catches my gaze and tries to hold back his laughter, his brown eyes dancing across my face in even more amusement until I find myself grinning with him.
“What do you have against the nice ones?” I laugh, giving up on the charade.
“Nothing,” he grins, “I just don’t think their soft hands could ever satisfy a woman like you.”
“Too true,” I smile.
Keane’s eyes narrow for a small moment as he looks at me in thought.
“What’s the truth, then?”
I find myself biting my lip, not knowing how much I want to share.
“The truth is that I most often enjoy the modest ones,” I consider honestly, “there is a certain sexual appeal in those that don’t flaunt every aspect of themselves or their lives. The humility is refreshing.”
The Prince watches me quietly for a moment before nodding his head.
“You have no idea how right you are about that, Lady Alexis…”
“And you?” I ask after a small pause, “what’s your type?”
Keane’s eyes flick to the blonde riding ahead of us again, or rather, to the opening in the forest that allows a full view of the sunset descending into the horizon. I follow his gaze and gasp out loud at the sight of the sky on fire…
No.
I shake my head and peer closer at the deep oranges and reds of the fading sunset.
The waning rays are splashing against an ominous black city ahead of us, giving the impression of a horizon on fire.
Keane eyes me closely in our ride, a small smile curving on his lips as he nods proudly to the city beyond.
“Welcome to Gaumond, Lady Alexis.”