История Королевы Эльфов / The story of the Elf Queen: Интерлюдия вторая

Interlude two

Camrad_RIP 30.04.24 в 10:45

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Camrad_RIP 30.04.24 в 10:45

"Master?"

Camrad_RIP 01.05.24 в 08:33

The voice of the maid standing in the doorway brought Gion out of his deep thoughts. He turned to look at the young and pretty girl, with a nice figure and thick blond hair down to her shoulder blades, and stared at her for a few seconds, remembering why he had called her. The dear trading partners were doing their best to make it up to him, his father, and his grandfather for not keeping their dear guest safe. They had given him the best quarters they had left, which had not been damaged during the raid. They also provided him with some well-trained young maids for his use. Very pretty maids. Gion had chosen one to his liking, and politely declined the others, much to their annoyance.

Camrad_RIP 13.05.24 в 14:49

And it was a good choice. Hannah turned out to be a nearly perfect maid. She understood all his orders with half a word, immediately rushing to fulfill them, stayed out of his way when she didn't have to, and was more than good in bed. Sewn by a skillful tailor from expensive fabrics black and white house dress perfectly emphasized large high breasts and slender waist of the girl. Since the first day, however, it had been hanging neatly in a corner of the bedchamber most of the time, and Hannah wore only a white nightgown that barely reached the middle of her thighs. It was a blatant disgrace and lewdness, but Gion didn't care about it. First, the outfit allowed him to fully appreciate the girl's slender and long legs, which would have been hidden by the skirt of the dress. Secondly, it was much easier and quicker to bend the maid in such an outfit any time he felt the urge to release the tension he had accumulated over the past weeks. And Gion had a lot of it. He glanced at the girl, who was humbly standing on the doorstep, and remembered why he had summoned her and gave her a short order:

Camrad_RIP 13.05.24 в 14:52

"Prepare the bath."

Camrad_RIP 13.05.24 в 18:14

"Just a moment, sir."

Camrad_RIP 14.05.24 в 16:37

Hannah bowed gracefully and left, swaying her hips barely covered by her thin nightgown seductively. When the office door closed behind her, Gion smiled faintly. Good girl. He should think about taking her for himself since he'd have to reassemble his retinue anyway. At the memory of the servants who had died during the raid of the bloody islanders, the mood immediately soured again. The young man turned to the desk, on which were neatly laid out numerous sheets of paper, several scrolls certified by magical seals, a binding amulet, and a single crystal with images imprinted in it, glowing dimly. Very unpleasant images.

Camrad_RIP 13.05.24 в 18:17

The journey of the dwarves' amazing ship through the Deep Sea ended quite safely. The bearded sailors took them to some coastal fortress of their own. It was even better fortified than the ones First had led them past. By the way, he was not on the ship at that moment, which was a bit disappointing. He would like to say goodbye to him in person and thank him if possible. Gion did not like to be in debt to anyone. There were a few more elves from the emissaries of the Forest waiting for them in the bearded men's fortress. As well as a portal leading to one of the settlements of the firstborn. Everything had been prepared for the arrival of the rescued captives, and Gion was able to sleep and rest for the first time since the kidnapping. He had also washed himself thoroughly once more, eradicating the last traces of the odor suppressor.

Camrad_RIP 13.05.24 в 18:20

The next morning, as soon as he was dressed in the immaculate black and white suit with the embroidered insignia of the House of Faral, one of the local human elf servants came to ask him politely to follow him. Gion was taken to a sumptuously furnished office, as luxurious as his grandfather's workplace. There the young man was met by an elf dressed as an emissary of the Forest. After a polite greeting, he invited Gion to sit at the table:

Camrad_RIP 13.05.24 в 18:22

"Greetings, honorable Gion. Please, have a seat. My name is Zaandal, I'm the High Emissary's special assistant. Would you like something to drink or eat?"

Camrad_RIP 13.05.24 в 18:22

"Thank you, honorable Zaandal, I just had breakfast and I'm not hungry."

Camrad_RIP 13.05.24 в 18:22

"As you wish. Well, let's get right to the point. I have a few things I need to discuss with you."

Camrad_RIP 13.05.24 в 18:23

Seated in the chair opposite Forest's diplomat, the young man subtly bowed his head:

Camrad_RIP 13.05.24 в 18:23

"I see. Do you wish to discuss the fee for my rescue?"

Camrad_RIP 13.05.24 в 18:24

A barely noticeable smile touched the elf’s lips:

Camrad_RIP 01.05.24 в 08:34

"Not only and not so much. For the most part, this matter has been negotiated and settled with your father. I'd like to discuss another matter first. The fact is that in the course of your rescue from the Islands, you were an unwitting witness to something you should not see or know."

Camrad_RIP 13.05.24 в 18:24

"You mean First?"

Camrad_RIP 13.05.24 в 18:24

"Including him, the honorable Gion. But first and foremost, it's about our agents on the Islands. We have very few of them, and each one is worth his weight in gold. As you understand, the Forest cannot allow even the slightest risk of discrediting them."

Camrad_RIP 13.05.24 в 18:26

"I see... Are you asking me to take an oath on the altar of Damokar?"

Camrad_RIP 13.05.24 в 18:26

The elven diplomat shook his head faintly:

Camrad_RIP 13.05.24 в 18:26

"We would prefer a voluntary sacrifice of some of the memories. It is much more reliable because, with a lot of desire, backed by the appropriate power, the will of the Oath Keeper can still be overcome. It is much more difficult to return a memory that has been given voluntarily."

Camrad_RIP 13.05.24 в 18:27

There was silence in the office. Gion, trying to give his face as indifferent an expression as possible, began to think feverishly. He did not want to let anyone into his mind. Especially such skillful masters as elven spellcasters were. Despite any guarantees and oaths. But he also realized that the elves really couldn't just leave him the memory of the events in Kuordemar. With all possible firmness and calmness in his voice, the young man said slowly:

Camrad_RIP 13.05.24 в 18:28

"Honorable Zaandal, is your suggested method the only option?"

Camrad_RIP 13.05.24 в 18:28

The elf diplomat's lips touched again with a barely perceptible smile:

Camrad_RIP 13.05.24 в 18:28

"Of course not, honorable Gion. It is only the most preferable and convenient option, with minimal hassle for both parties."

Camrad_RIP 13.05.24 в 18:29

"And what are the other options, honorable Zaandal?"

Camrad_RIP 13.05.24 в 18:29

"There are several. Including the one you mentioned, taking the appropriate oath on the altar of Damokar, reinforced by magical seals."

Camrad_RIP 13.05.24 в 18:30

"And what is required for this option?"

Camrad_RIP 13.05.24 в 18:30

The smile on the elven diplomat’s face became a little wider:

Camrad_RIP 13.05.24 в 18:31

"Your House doesn't have a presence in Morgrave, does it?"

Camrad_RIP 13.05.24 в 18:31

Gion shook his head negatively:

Camrad_RIP 13.05.24 в 18:31

"No, we have trading partners there I was visiting when the islanders raided."

Camrad_RIP 13.05.24 в 18:31

"Now Morgrave has suffered greatly, part of the city has been plundered and part destroyed. This is a great tragedy for its inhabitants and the honorable Duke Augustus. But such tragedies are not only grief and suffering for the survivors. They are also always great opportunities for those who can take advantage of them."

Camrad_RIP 13.05.24 в 18:32

"Are you suggesting I ask my father to open a branch of the House of Faral in Morgrave?"

Camrad_RIP 13.05.24 в 18:33

"Not exactly. I propose that you open a trade representative office of House Faral in Morgrave and head it as an authorized representative."

Camrad_RIP 13.05.24 в 18:34

Upon hearing this, Gion raised his eyebrows in surprise and shook his head:

Camrad_RIP 13.05.24 в 18:34

"I have no such right, honorable Zaandal...."

Camrad_RIP 13.05.24 в 18:34

"Your father has it. And if you fully describe to him all the benefits and prospects, he will surely give his consent. And your honorable grandfather will support it."

Camrad_RIP 13.05.24 в 18:35

Right. For a few seconds, Gion considered what he had heard. Then he spoke in an extremely polite voice, choosing his words carefully:

Camrad_RIP 13.05.24 в 18:35

"This is a very interesting and unexpected proposal. Tell me, honorable Zaandal, are you talking about any specific benefits?"

Camrad_RIP 13.05.24 в 18:36

An opportunity to occupy vacated spaces, to gain direct access to goods coming down the Dantra from the East, as well as access to goods from the Forest. Morgrave is our western sea gate. Quite an obvious benefit.

Camrad_RIP 13.05.24 в 18:36

"I will not deny it, honorable Zaandal, it is a very interesting proposal, and I am almost certain that my father will give his consent. But let me ask you, what is your profit?"

Camrad_RIP 13.05.24 в 18:38

There is no benefit to me, honorable Gion. But the benefit to the Forest is also quite obvious. Your House has extensive ties and influence on the western shores of the Middle Sea, as well as in lands further north. Just the places where the Forest's influence is minimal, following the loss of our colony during the war with the Island Empire. And in that regard, it would do us good to have a Forest-friendly man at the head of House Faral.

Camrad_RIP 13.05.24 в 18:39

This was where Gion allowed himself a faint smile:

Camrad_RIP 13.05.24 в 18:39

"I'm a long way from that, honorable Zaandal."

Camrad_RIP 13.05.24 в 18:40

"From your point of view, quite possibly. But elves have a different attitude to the passage of time, honorable Gion. Sometimes it seems as if you have just closed your eyes, just for a moment, and the world beyond the borders of the Forest has changed beyond recognition. That's why we try to prepare for such changes in advance. As much as possible."

Camrad_RIP 13.05.24 в 18:40

"Hm..."

Camrad_RIP 13.05.24 в 18:40

Having carefully looked the elf in the eyes, Gion leaned forward and said extremely politely:

Camrad_RIP 01.05.24 в 08:35

"You have described the benefit to the Forest and my House very well, honorable Zaandahl. But how does it benefit me personally? So far, I see only new troubles and problems. I doubt that our Morgrave trading partners will be happy to learn that House Faral is opening a representative office in their city. They'll be turned from partners into competitors. It is much safer and more profitable for me to go back home to my father and help him in his business."

Camrad_RIP 14.05.24 в 16:38