“You know its rude to snore during court.” Cid said flicking Nita in the middle of the forehead. Then using his finger to push her head back up straight.

“I don’t snore.” She said brusquely; knocking his hand away, while blinking the sleep from her eyes.

“Well, you will be glad to know you slept through most of it.” Cid continued. “You can hobnob with your customer shortly.” He coughed, then said in a higher pitch voice. “Well don’t just stand there! I expect a proper curtsey. You don’t often wear a dress, like a proper lady, it’s unseemly!”

Nita laughed softly and shook her head. “She’s not that bad.”

“Thinks she’s queen, for all that she’s a merchant’s daughter married to a knight. I don’t know how Vinny puts up with her. She’s beautiful, but that personality.” Cid said with an exaggerated shudder.

“Well we don’t have to live with her. And beer money!” Nita said with mirth, hopping a little in her chair, eager to be done with the dull proceedings, and on to something more interesting. Even if it was only a boob job.

“You know you could just use your allowance or pay from guard duty for beer, right?” Cid pointed out.

Nita gave him a blank stare. “That money is spoken for.” She muttered.

“Hey, no need to go all evil eye. I know you want master Durgon to forge you a rune blade. Just saying, you could spread it out a little.” Cid said holding his hands up defensively.

“She needs all the money up front, and the waiting list to get on the waiting list can be as long as a month. worse in the summer.” Elena put in, squeezing Cid's hand.

“Back up. About lady Olane; we could always play a little prank on her. She’s always on about the superiority of Humans. How about I adjust her womb to produce eggs that are half badger-kin. Remember that rumor last year that went about, about her being unnaturally graceful for a human. I think it would be hilarious if her kids came out with the odd kin trait. Serve her right for being such a snob. I could also up her fertility so she would only have 3 or more children at a time.” Nita suggested with a Cheshire grin.

“That’s not a little prank. That’s diabolical!” Elena said, giving Nita a peculiar look. Like maybe she was a little scared of her.

“That will be all for today ladies and gentlemen.” The Count announced from the front and got up to leave through a small door behind his seat. Edward followed him out.

“Would be funny. I’d pay to see the look on her face when she popped out a furry kid.” Cid added with a grin. “Vinny probably wouldn’t care. He knows a lot of the kin are much stronger and faster than-.”

“I want a mithril gladius for my blade, can you imagine what the gauntlets would look like when in its defensive form! We even have a quarter of the mithril we need from the wagon, remember that bar we found?” Nita said with enthusiasm, cutting Cid off when she spotted the woman, they were plotting against, approaching through the crowd. Nita focused on her as she approached, and Cid turned to follow her gaze.

“Speak and she shall appear.” Elena whispered as she caught the byplay.

“Bran’s talking head help me. Let’s get out of here my dear, and leave them to their business.” Cid said, standing and gently pulling Elena to her feet.

“Seriously?” Nita groaned. “You’re going to leave me alone with the harpy?”

“Yup, I look forward to beer tonight!” Cid teased as they beat a smooth retreat.

“Harpy. Harpy, too bad I’ve never touched a harpy before, that would be perfect.” Nita contemplated to herself as she watched the beautiful snob approach. Lady Evelin Olane was a statuesque golden-haired beauty, she had been a little flat in the chest last time Nita had seen her, but now she sported two huge melon sized breasts that only made her even more enticing. Her pale blue eyes were always a little unsettling in that they never seem to convey her real emotion. There was always a disconnect between the emotion she was trying to portray and the look in her eyes. Nita idly wondered what exactly had gone wrong with the work she had received in the capital. Well, I guess I’ll soon see. She thought to herself as she watched the woman make her hip swaying way to her seat; which Nita had shuffled around to face the woman with a grinding screech.

“Hello love, I hear you finally decided to join us noble elite and got your brand.” Lady Olane said as she approached and grabbed a seat for herself across for Nita.

“Uh?” Nita said thrown off by the statement. She was expecting something about the work she wanted done.

“Now, now love. I hear you’ve already started on your collection! Did the Ink mage tell you how many you can have? I finally reached 40 slots this week and am in the market for a few new ones. Are you open to some trading? Rumor has it you have a mage; I have a few fighters and gladiators I might be willing to trade if you’re interested in giving it up?” Lady Olane asked quickly not letting Nita get a word in.

“I uh, yes and not right now. I though you wanted to talk to me about some work you needed done?” Nita asked, finally getting her bearings.

“Of course, love. We will talk about that later. What did you get as a mark? Can I see it? Lianne said one of the guards said it was a flower of some sort. We really need to get you to fill out your collection. You must come to the auction later! It’s going to be big; the army sacked Karthsbrough and the navy ships have been bringing them in by the hundreds the last few weeks. It’s not mostly trolls, like when they win a battle, this time.” Evelin said with a small satisfied sigh. “It’s why there are so many people at court today.”

“Yes, it’s flowers, and it covers my full back.” Nita answered seeing no harm in telling the woman. Apparently, the word was out and there was no way of getting that cat back in the bag. As for the auction; maybe, it wouldn’t hurt to check it out, she didn’t have to buy anything. She had been curious about the bigger than usual crowd today. “I need to get to brunch with the Count in a couple hours and I have to see the armorer after that. Do you want to meet up this afternoon before the auction?” Nita found herself asking to her horror. Since when, does she put herself in a position to be seen seeking the lady’s company.

“That would be wonderful love. We can talk about the work I need done at the auction. Father has a booth reserved for tonight. I’m afraid I have prior engagements before that, however. So why don’t we meet at the auction at 8 bells. I’ll send someone with the booth number when I get home.” Evelin said getting up and giving Nita a quick nod before making her elegant way back through the crowd. No doubt looking for her next victim.

“Wow. What the hell was that.” Nita muttered to herself. Not even one insult and she was…friendly? Nita found herself more unsettled, the more she thought about the exchange. She just sat there quietly for a few minutes before a voice brought her out of her thoughts.

“Milady?” A Weasel-kin maid with the Galloway three stars up her left arm, stood in front of her and asked.

“Yes, Dianne?” Nita asked recognizing one of the counts personal slaves.

“The Lord would like to speak to you. At your earliest convenience.” She said.

“Alright, lead on.” Nita said getting up and following Dianne out of the hall and into the residential quarters of the keep and up a few flights of stairs. Eventually leading to a den where the count was alone, pouring himself what looked like a stiff drink form a decanter on a side table.

“Thank you, Dianne.” Carson said in a clear dismissal. “Want one?” He asked holding up his glass, as the maid left quietly closing the door behind her.

“Please.” Nita said with a smile.

“So, I wanted to talk to you before brunch, so there were no misunderstandings.” Carson said taking a seat in a big wingback chair. Handing her a drink and gesturing for her to take the one opposite.

“That, sounds ominous.” Nita said carefully.

“I suppose it is.” He said thoughtfully.

“Not helpful sir.” Nita said. “Maybe just come out and say it?” She suggested.

He looked at her thoughtfully a while longer.

“I received a letter from the capital, I want you to read it and give me your thoughts.” He eventually said.

“A letter? Sure, if you think I can help.” Nita said.

“Here.” He said passing her a piece of parchment, his face solemn.

Dear Count Carson Lee Galloway.

I, as always, hope this finds you in good health. There have been some troubling developments on the southern front. The enemy has started deploying explosive weaponry that does not require the use of fire mages such as yourself. These so called ‘musket’s’ can be fired by ordinary slaves and our losses have been mounting. The reason I am bringing this to your attention, other than as a warning to be on the lookout for such devices in your county, and to seize any you come upon, is that my whisperers have told me that the devices were created by an outworlder. I am told that you have a retainer that is one such outworlder. I would very much like to talk to her about this development. I hope to see her at court at the earliest convenience.”

P.S. Attached is a detailed drawing of one of the captured devices.

P.P.S. I am counting on your discretion in this matter, any information you can gather on the subject will be appreciated.

Your King.

Ahsan Luke Terminus IV.

“Shit, Fuck, those goblin infected vaginal discharges!! Couldn’t they just keep it to their skunk fucking selves.” Nita yelled, standing quickly and slamming her fists into the wood of the door.

“So, I take it you know something?” Count Carson Galloway asked with a raised eyebrow after she calmed down and slammed back her drink.

“Yeah, but I won’t be any real help, and the king won’t believe that.” She muttered sourly.