Chapter 60: Royalty

“Should I change?” Ann asked for the fifth time. Bren had come to the door dressed better than she’d ever seen. He was in a crisp clean shirt embroidered with his family crest, in clean black pants and wearing a pair of shiny black dress shoes. His hair was combed and styled, and he was just overall very clean.

“Annita,” he replied, a hint of exasperation tinging his voice, “I said that you would be fine. I meant it. You have one, singular, formal dress, and Rosalyn has none. They will not judge you for your dress. Not with the other matters we must discuss.”

“I know, but still, you’re all fancy and shit,” Ann grumbled.

“And you expect Katlyn to be as well?”

“I… no,” Ann said, stumbling over the thought of Kat in a formal dress. It wasn’t a bad image. Those muscles would look amazing under some sleek silk.

A door opened, shattering her mental tangent. The room was small, cozily decorated, and warmly lit. A couple of couches faced off next to a hearth that held a blazing fire. Furs lined the walls and floors, almost more like a hunting lodge.

The first thing she focused on was Kat, the second was the woman who looked like an older version of her girlfriend. In no way was that a bad thing, either. The woman was tall, regal, and looked like she could kick her ass if she wanted to. Just like her daughter.

Ann made a hasty, clumsy bow, lowering her head as far as she could, seeing Rosalyn doing the same next to her.

“Oh my gods, you too?” Kat groaned, standing up. “C’mon, it’s not been that long,” she teased, straightening Ann back up and brushing some hair out of her face. “Ann, Rosalyn, meet me Ma’ and Da’. Orlana Farragher and Kremdol Farragher. Rulers o’ the Kingdom of Korvas.”

The older male Alfhindur turned to them, regarding the newcomers with a calm gaze. Ann was hard pressed to find anything that he and his daughter shared, but finally found it in his eyes. They shared the same icy blue eyes that seemed to pierce through her with their gaze.

“A pleasure, Annita,” the Alfhindur man said, his voice smooth and measured. He looked her up and down from his seat by the fire, having to crane his neck slightly to do so. “We have not had much time to speak, but Katlyn does speak kindly of you two. A warrior, if I’m not mistaken, by the looks of your arms and how you carry yourself. Rosalyn, you would be a caster of sorts. Hmm,” he cocked his head, ears wiggling slightly, “not an arcane one. No. You don’t have the bearing of a scholar, or any wizards. Nature based magic?”

“That’s right, um, your majesty,” Rosalyn stuttered under the focus of the king’s icy blue eyes. “I’m a Druid. I have a few spells that deal with lightning, thorns and that kind of thing. Self taught, all of it.”

“Wonderful!” Kremdol clapped his hands. “Apologies. It’s a game I like to play, guessing at someone’s path. Keeps the mind agile, and observation trained.”

“Well, you’re one and a half right,” Ann chimed in, a smirk crossing her face. “More of a rogue through my skills, though the path is partly called Warrior.”

“Yes, well, yours was already revealed ahead of time, but the game is what it is,” Kremdol chuckled. “Orlana, not going to greet our daughter’s new friends?”

“Just waitin’ fer ye tae have yer fun,” Orlana said, pushing away from the fireplace where she’d been standing, watching the interaction. “Welcome, Annita an’ Rosalyn, tae the royal palace. We’ve got a lot tae discuss, I’m sure, but tha’s no excuse tae be unfriendly. Have ye all eaten since this mornin’?”

Ann watched the queen talk. She was more refined in her speech than Kat, but they shared the same heavy Scottish accent. As she spoke and raised her eyebrows, Ann could see the lines of age tracing her brow and cheeks. She didn’t wear a crown, and was dressed in a plain, but expensive looking dress. Orlana’s arms were protected by a pair of shimmering bracers that Ann had no doubts were fully functional and enchanted. She was muscular, much in the way her daughter was, and had a figure that spoke to being a mother of five.

“No, we had breakfast on the train, but that was a while ago. Not that it wasn’t a good meal. I’ve had much worse. Much less, too. Everything was incredible, and delicious, but yeah, it was a while ago and I’m getting a bit hungry but not enough for a full meal, maybe a snack or something I’m going to shut up now.” Rosalyn clutched onto Ann’s kilt for security as she stopped her own nervous rambling.

Ann patted her head and gently rested a hand on one of her horns.

Orlana, for her part, laughed. “Well, I can see why Kat likes ye, tha’s fer sure. Never been one tae mince words,” she said as she tweaked Kat’s ear. “Someone who speaks ‘er mind would get along wit’ ye. Rosalyn, be at ease. Ye’ve got nothin’ tae fear ‘ere. We’ll ‘ave some refreshments brought up fer us. Hells, servants probably ‘eard ye an’ are already on their way. We’ll save the more serious topics fer after we can send ‘em away. Fer now, sit, sit. Make yerselves comfortable.”

Ann and Rosalyn took a seat on a couch, close together, before Kat pressed herself between them. Bren pulled up a chair, setting it next to the couch the three women were on. A warm, muscular arm wrapped around Ann’s shoulder, and she looked over at Kat, raising an eyebrow. The woman nodded back.

“So, ma, da, got a bit o’ an announcement tae make,” Kat mumbled, not entirely audible, but with most of the room having enhanced hearing, it didn’t matter. “I’m, er, well. Feck, I dinnae ‘ow tae say it other than, meet me girlfriends.”

Both parents raised their eyebrows, glancing at each other, then back at Kat. “Both of them?” Kremdol asked, keeping his tone calm.

“Aye?” Kat said, voice small.

Ann felt herself tense. She’d never seen Kat so nervous, and it set her on edge.

“Well, then,” the king murmured, thinking this over. “We knew you were attracted to women. That was hardly a secret over the years. I must say, I always thought you would be more selfish than this.”

Kat turned bright red at the implication. She fidgeted with her hair, curling slightly.

“It was, um, more of my idea,” Ann spoke up, trying to take some of the pressure off Kat’s shoulders. “You know, it just kinda happened. After we met Rosalyn, both of us started to get feelings for her, and it went from there.”

“Ah, so Candy was right, was she?” Orlana grinned. “She said the two o’ ye were probably gettin’ involved.”“She said what?” Kat gasped.

“Kat, we weren’t really subtle at that point,” Ann reminded her.

“I mean, I was feckin’ pinin’ o’er ye, but that meetin’ was all business. ‘Ow in the hells?”

The royal couple laughed. Kremdol’s was a light, tittering laugh, while Orlana laughed with her chest.

“Kat, sweetheart, when have ye ever been subtle?” Orlana asked, wiping a tear from her eye. “Candy’s known ye fer decades. Woman wouldn’t be ‘alf ‘er worth as a General if she couldn’t read a girl she’d been around fer so long.”

“Gods, I still remember you trying to hide your first girlfriend at twenty,” Kremdol sighed. “Only going out at night, thinking you were sneaking away from us when half the guard was talking about it. Not to mention helping you.”

“They were what?” Kat gasped. “Sylvie was a secret! No one ever said anythin’ about ‘er!”

“On our orders,” Orlana chuckled. “We thought it best tae let yer first love be ‘ow ye wanted it tae be. On yer terms.”

“Well, if that’s all, then I guess tha’s fine,” Kat grumbled, the blush that Ann worried might become permanent heating up.

She remembered their conversation from last night about how her girlfriend’s kinks were developed. At least they were keeping the topic light.

“So, tell us, Katlyn,” Kremdol said, leaning forward and fixing them all with his gaze. “No scandals that we need to know about?”

Ah, there it was. Ann felt herself tense and knew Rosalyn was probably shaking.

“Nae,” Kat shook her head vigorously. “Nothin’ tae talk about. Just been fightin’ warped an’ fallin’ in love. Tha’s all.”

A moment passed as he watched Kat’s face, but Kremdol nodded, relaxing as he sat back next to his wife. “Good. Despite your affiliation, Annita, I would prefer that the image of the family remain in good standing. We have worked so very hard to maintain it over the decades.”

“Um, ok? I’ll try not to cause problems?” Ann answered, trying to sound convincing as she could.

Orlana smirked.

Shit, guess that wasn’t convincing, Ann thought. At least she’s not angry.

“So, Rosalyn, tell us about where ye’re from. Ye weren’t with the group when Candy left fer ‘er report.”

“Um, well, it’s not much of a place,” Rosalyn said. She launched into an explanation of how she’d grown up further east, but had moved out to River’s Crest with her family, and her life since then.

As she spoke, servants entered, bringing an array of cheeses, fruits, crackers, and drinks for the group.

“I apologise that your life has been so rough, young one,” Kremdol offered. “I would also like to offer my thanks for assisting our Katlyn in her adventures.” He turned to Bren. “So, I know it is a bit forward to ask, but what are your opinions on their relationship?”

Bren cast a sidelong glance at the three women on the couch. “I support them fully. I have no caveats in this statement.”

“Good, good,” he nodded. “Will you please give us some privacy? We will not need further assistance,” he said to the servants as they left.

After a few minutes, Orlana sat.

“So, Annita. We’ve got some shite tae talk o’er. Got a lot o’ questions I’m sure ye’ve answered tae Kat, but bear wit’ us,” she sighed, massaging the bridge of her nose. “Champion o’ Orenous, right?”

“Warrior, technically,” Ann corrected. “Though Champion is my title. Still not sure exactly the total extent of that. As far as I can tell, it just gives me an extra skill, though that’s pretty strong already.”

“Aye. Ye’ll get tae tha’,” Orlana said. “So, just fer some context, cause Bren an’ Kat probably don’t ‘ave the full history. A path in accordance wit’ some deity aint unheard of. It’s yer title, tha’s the unique thing ‘ere. Kinda ‘ard tae ‘ave priests an’ paladins o’ the Gods without it.”

“Ah,” Ann nodded, following along attentively.

“So, if ye’re gonna be livin’ wit’ that, ye’re gonna need tae understand the full meanin’ o’ it. Bren, I trust ye gave ‘er the basics, aye?”

“Yes. I explained that it is normally something provided for a feat or great action that impacted the world in some way,” he said.

“Now, the thing I can see o’ import is that ye’ve met Orenous. Face to face. Tha’s a unique thing. Can ye tell us anythin’ about ‘er?”

“She’s got a great arse,” Kat piped up.

Her parents looked over at her, shocked expressions plastered over their features. “Excuse me?” Kremdol gasped.

“What? She does,” Kat grumbled.

“Kat,” Bren sighed. “Remember that we met her after we reported to General Polaris?”

“Oooooh, right, yeah? Sorry, forgot tae mention tha’,” Kat chuckled.

“I mean, and she’s right. Every single time I’ve met her she’s been the most beautiful woman I’ve met. Like, phat ass, massive boobs, lips that you could get lost in.”

“ANYWAY!” Kremdol interrupted her loudly. “So all of you have met her?”

“I haven’t!” Rosalyn piped up, raising her hand. “Though from how they talk about it, it’s probably just a matter of time. So, I guess I’m in the audience waiting queue, so to say.”

“Of course. I… dinnae what tae say,” Orlana groaned, massaging her apparently growing headache. “We’re just gonna move on. So, yer mission is tae figure out the Warped an’ deal wit’ whatever’s been messin’ with the Seeds, aye?”

“That’s right,” Ann confirmed simply.

“And how’s that been goin?”

“Honestly, not really sure. We’ve done it to two seeds so far. Both times the weird black gunk on the Core seemed to try to get into me to varying success, and I get knocked back like I got hit by lightning. Each time I’ve done it, that Warped part of my sheet keeps going up by a level. On the other hand, each time I do it, a God can get into their seed for a quick moment. We’ve been given gifts for doing it each time, so I’ve gotta assume that it’s doing something good for them.”

“Plus, Orenous asked us to keep doing it, so that really is our largest source of guidance,” Bren added.

“Well, far be it from me tae argue wit’ the wishes of a Goddess,” Orlana said. She really did act a lot like Kat when she was frustrated. “So, before we get tae talkin’ about the churches, is tha’ the whole story? Please be honest, ‘cause we can’t really ‘elp ye if we don’t know everythin’.”

Ann looked at the rest of her party, getting nods from all of them. Even Rosalyn, though she guessed that was more for support than anything.

“Yeah, one last thing. We didn’t tell Polaris this, either. It’s just about the biggest secret I have. Let me explain, and I’ll answer questions at the end of this. It’s a lot, trust me,” Ann said, leaning forward. She went through her story, recounting her life before she got put into a coma. Her friends, her family, everything up until that fateful day. She described the eternity of nothingness she’d wandered through, and her initial meeting with the Goddess. Her discussion was edited somewhat for the Queen and King’s comfort, especially the parts about her body, but she left everything important.

“That’s about it,” she sighed. Leaning back against Kat, resting her head on the other woman’s head. She felt exhausted just from going through the memories.

Orlana and Kremdol took a minute. They’d sat back as she recounted her tale, leaning on each other in a surprisingly domestic fashion.

“That certainly explains a lot,” Orlana said slowly, golden eyes shutting as she let out the millionth sigh. “Ye’ve ‘ad a rough time o’ this, child. Ye ‘ave our condolences. We understand if ye need some time tae rest after all tha’. The talk about the churches can wait.”

“It’s… fine. Third time I’ve had to explain it all. Fourth time I’ve had to really reflect on it,” Ann shivered as energy drained from her. “It ok if I lay down? Just need a sec. Shit’s just exhausting.”

“Please,” Kremdol said gently, gesturing to an empty couch.

Instead, Ann just flopped her head on Kat’s lap, hanging half of her lanky form off the couch. She saw the looks of surprise, but was past caring at this point. Kat stroked her hair gently, and she closed her eyes.

“So. You love our Katlyn?” Kremdol asked, gently, turning to easier topics.

“Yeah, sure do. She’s got a great head on her shoulders, even when it’s a fucking stubborn one,” Ann replied, smiling up at her girlfriend. “Not to mention the heart, and smile, and well, everything else.”

“I’m damn proud o’ ‘er too,” Orlana said. “Even if she brings trouble every time she comes back home.”

“Not me fault. Stuff just ‘appens. Really ‘appy about the most recent one,” Kat chuckled, digging her fingers into Ann’s scalp, drawing a groan as the wolf woman melted against her, tail thumping against the couch. “Or this one,” she added, raising her other arm to wrap around Rosalyn’s shoulders.

“Polaris said you were out on an expedition, last she heard. How did that go?” Kremdol asked.

“Well, the first was the one where we picked up Rosalyn,” Kat explained. “Some massive warped tha’ looked like a snail an’ a human wit’ four arms, pure white, got smashed together. It shot this black shite out its shell it used tae pin down Rosalyn an’ Bren. Ann an’ I had tae keep its attention. After Ann was able tae disable the shell, it ripped itself outta the thing, an got so much faster.”

Ann closed her eyes again, allowing herself to drift while Kat excitedly detailed their battles, both picking up Rosalyn and in the seed following. Rosalyn came out of her shell a bit, animatedly explaining the physiology of the Warped they’d killed. Bren took the time to fill in any relevant details of injuries sustained or reckless behaviour he had to cover for.

“I’m sorry about yer sword,” Orlana said, rousing Ann slightly. “We’ll see about replacin’ it.”

“Yeah, about that. I’ve got a skill that focuses on unarmed things. Might not be going back to a sword. Not like I really had any training with it, either,” she sighed.

“Oi, ye were gettin’ better,” Kat said, gently flicking her forehead.

Ann laughed. “Yeah, I was. Could at least keep up with you a bit. Never won.”

“Trust me, keepin’ up wit’ ‘er, fer how little ye’ve been fightin’, is a feat in an’ of itself,” Orlana consoled her. “She’s ‘ad trainin’ an’ experience fer far longer than ye. Somethin’ I also see the need tae ‘elp wit’. Figure out what ye want tae focus on, an’ we’ll talk then.”

“For now, I believe it is past time we ended this little conference,” Kremdol said. “My wife and I have much to discuss, and you all have had a long day, even if it was not physically strenuous. Feel free to retire to your rooms, and welcome to our home.”

“Carry me to bed?” Ann asked Kat reflexively, forgetting her company.

“I should have guessed,” Kremdol sighed. “We will talk more tomorrow, Katlyn. Go, rest with your girlfriends.”

“Aye. Think I will,” Kat said, laughing as she picked up Ann, the height difference making the motion a bit awkward, but loving all the same.

Bren and Rosalyn filed out behind them.

“That went well,” Ann mumbled.

“About as well as I could have expected,” Bren said. “I think they had prepared for a fair amount of possibilities this discussion could have produced.”

“They’re nicer than I thought they’d be,” Ann continued, nuzzling into Kat’s neck.

“Aye, well, guess I mighta overstated some o’ it, them bein’ family an’ all,” Kat admitted.

“Mmm, be nice to your parents. I’mma sleep now,” Ann yawned, sharp teeth sparkling as her lips were drawn wide.

“Aye, ye do tha’. We’ve got time,” Kat whispered.