Chapter 555 – The Ortesian Delegation

Early the next morning, Kanae came to consciousness to two different knocks on the door. One from the bedroom door, and the other from Thume thrusting into her. Face buried in the pillow, she pinched the sheets as he fucked her sore pussy.

"Kanae? Are you in there?" Runald's voice called.

What was Runald doing here? It didn't matter. If he had come this early, then it must be something important.

"Thume… Have you been going at it all night… while I was asleep? I have to get up… mmh! Ahhh!" Although Kanae possessed the magical means to stop him, she felt herself drawing closer to climax.

"Almost… cumming!" Thume grabbed a handful of her hair, threatening to rip the long black locks from their scalp.

"Me, too! Aaaaahhhhh!" She bit down on the pillowcase.

Pain pushed Kanae over the edge. Thume's pounding delivered her to a powerful climax. He pulled out, letting his cock shoot cum all over her ass and back. Finally, the ogre collapsed into the bed beside his draph mother, Lua, both fast asleep.

"Oh, uh… Do you have company? Is now a bad time?" Runald gulped.

"I'm coming…" Kanae stumbled out of bed, barely able to feel her legs and hips. They were numb and shakey. Dripping cum left a trail of white goop on the floor. When she opened the door, her high elven fiance recoiled.

"Ugh. You reek of sex! Is that… Thume behind you? Of course, you have sex with someone else the first night I leave!" He groaned.

Kanae glared. She yanked Runald inside and pinned him against the wall with her cum-drenched body, breasts slightly bruised from being grabbed so much, and nipples encircled with bite marks.

"No, stop! You're getting it on me!" Runald gagged.

"This is what you signed up for when you asked for a succubus' hand in marriage," Kanae said as she reached into his pants to pull out a stiff cock. "There's no backing out now."

"Maybe I— mmph?!"

Kanae kissed Runald, shoving her tongue down his throat. She guided his cock into her pussy still pulsing in pleasure and pounded away. Two hands hopelessly tried to push her away until they gave up and squeezed her ass instead.

"Tell me you love me~" Kanae said while swirling her tongue with his.

"After I find you in bed with… other people? No!" Runald managed to squeak out.

They grinded against each other and orgasmed at the same time, then spent the next few minutes exchanging smooches. Kanae scooped Runald into her arms and carried him to the bathroom, where she ran a hot bath for the both of them. She sat with her back to his chest, enjoying the pampering he was giving her. He washed her hair, scrubbed her arms and back, and massaged her shoulders.

"So, couldn't stand being away from me?" Kanae teased, flicking her tail in his face.

"I didn't visit you for sex, if that's what you're implying. I'm supposed to deliver a message from Archbishop Patrice. She wants you to meet with the Ortesian delegation to hash out the prisoner exchange," Runald explained.

"Why me? This whole thing was her idea to begin with."

He shrugged. "Well, mainly because you and Amethyst Hall were the ones who captured Arnault Pyrelle, Errenard and Vernon DeSalle, and Darren von Cleisseldor. The archbishop brought this up to Knight-Commander Estaline. She suggested you two also bring Arenade and Petyr."

Bring two of the most prominent high elves not beholden to the Ortesian Empire? A power move if Kanae had ever seen one.

Word was out that the semi-finals had been delayed though. They needed to repair parts of the stadium after what happened during the quarter-finals, as well as make sure the enchantments were stronger going into the next matches. Kanae had little plans other than to visit friends today, but those could wait. It would be good to try and get something out of this arrangement. She and Runald finished up their bath and got dressed.

They descended downstairs, making their way to Petyr's room. Kanae knocked on the door and hoped the high elf wasn't busy.

"It's open," Petyr said from within.

Kanae turned the knob and pushed the door open to find Petyr inside, performing push-ups. Vesh was absent. The high elf was alone in her room. Sweat dripped from the tip of her nose as she worked out. For an added extra bit of weight, the warhammer rested on her back with the heaviest part on her upper back.

It came to Kanae's attention that this was the first time she had entered Petyr's bedroom. The place was very tidy. Silken curtains draped down from the bed's canopy. She had a vanity desk and mirror with an assortment of personal effects like perfume bottles, jewelry stands, and nail polish. A large exotic rug furnished the floor she was working out on. The window was wide open to let in the morning breeze.

"What is it?" Petyr asked without missing a beat on her repetitions.

"We're going to meet with the Ortesian delegation to discuss the prisoner exchange. I'd like you to come with me. I'm sure you also have some choice words to get off your chest," Kanae said.

"If I'm not mistaken, members of the House Aespir are among them." She shot a quick glance at Runald, who shrunk under her gaze. "Very well. Wait outside while I get changed."

"You go ahead and take your time with the rest of your exercise. I'm going to look for Arenade. We'll meet you back here with the Ortesians," she explained.

Petyr paused her push-up and nodded before continuing.

"While you look for Arenade, I'll inform my Knight-Commander. We'll escort the Ortesian delegation to your hall," Runald said.

Kanae flew out from the window of Petyr's room, much to the high elf's dismay. She veered off towards Brighton, recalling that Arenade and her vassals were recruiting for Bright Cloister there.

Because the tournament had been postponed, there were more people in the streets today rather than crowded up in Aidenhall. Festivities continued throughout the city in smaller communities. One of the busier intersections, which saw a lot of carriage traffic on normal days, had been cordoned off as Brighton residents danced in the streets. Incensed riders yelled obscenities since they needed to take a detour.

Kanae finally found Arenade on the steps of a public library, joined by Wendy, Andora, the goblins, and someone she hadn't expected to see— Gretchen Redbaron. Ever since arriving in Radevic, the former archbishop had made herself scarce. Hopefully, Arenade hadn't converted her into a Bright Cloister adherent…

"Arenade!" Kanae touched down to greet her high elven wife.

"Perfect timing, Kanae. Take these flyers and hand them out to passersby over there." Arenade shoved a heavy stack into her hands.

"No, I'm not here to help you recruit for Bright Cloister! I need you to come back with me to Amethyst Hall. We're meeting with the Ortesian delegation," she explained.

"Geh!" The high elf grimaced. "Ortesians aren't particularly fans of me, especially after I married a succubus."

Kanae leaned in close and whispered, "Think about it. They can be your way of getting word of Bright Cloister to Ortesia. If by some miracle you get a convert, maybe the empire will one day have an entire cult dedicated to you."

Arenade's eyes lit up.

"Well, why didn't you open with that? Of course, I'll go meet them with you! The rest of you, stay here and continue handing out flyers. We need to attract more of the wealthy folks to fund Bright Cloister. I'm counting on you all," Arenade said.

Andora and Wendy groaned in despair.

"Gretchen, how on earth did you find yourself helping them?" Kanae asked.

"I was visiting old friends in Brighton when I ran into Her Majesty, Arenade. I guarantee you, I'm not doing this of my own volition…" Gretchen sighed.

"I'll remind you that you're working in service to your monarch." Arenade folded her arms.

"Yes, of course, Your Majesty." She rolled her eyes.

If Kanae remembered correctly, the Ortesians wanted Errenard DeSalle, too.

"Gretche, you should come with us. This involves you, too. Tangentially speaking," Kanae said.

"Involves me, how?" Gretchen arched one brow.

"The Ortesian Empire wants Errenard as part of the prisoner exchange. I imagine you have something to say about that," she explained.

A corner of Gretchen's lips twitched. She agreed to join them. Arenade granted herself wings with Holy Armament, and they flew back to Aidenhall together. While ascending up to Amethyst Hall, Kanae spotted a group of high elves waiting on the walkway. Runald and Esta were with them.

When the three landed in front of Amethyst Hall, the Ortesian delegates stepped back in fright. Kanae recognized many of them as the very same ones who had accosted Runald before. His father was there, too, hand on the hilt of his sword.

"I welcome you to Amethyst Hall. I am the Knight of Amethyst, Kanae Toyomi. To my side are Inquisitor Gretchen Redbaron and Queen Arenade Brightwind. We had previously met under more tense circumstances. I hope we can leave that in the past." Kanae bowed deeply.

They recomposed themselves.

"Donald Aespir. This is Lanel Rind and Anton Welltaker," Runald's father introduced two more dignified-looking high elves, both in their 30s and just as anxious as the rest.

"Right this way." Kanae smiled and gestured for them to follow.

They hesitated. It wasn't until Runald and Esta walked first that they followed soon after. Quartermaster Meidina and Petyr were waiting in the main chamber. The tables had been pushed together to form one large rectangle with only seats on the longer sides. Every Ortesian froze for a brief moment when they saw Petyr, whose steely glare left them shaking. Meidina kindly escorted them down one side of the table. When she pulled a chair out from the table for Anton, he thanked her with a glower and silence.

Kanae and her companions took their seats on the side across from the Ortesians. She specifically chose her seat directly across from Donald Aespir. Before sitting down, however, she extended a hand to Petyr.

"Joining us is someone you seem to already know. Petyr Stormcloud, now a member of Amethyst Hall." Kanae smirked.

"Yes, we know her very well. The traitor. The succubus thrall," Donald taunted.

"The fall from Amethyst Hall is quite the drop. It would be very unfortunate if you happened to slip, Aespir." Petyr's glare humbled him in an instant.

Their uneasiness was an absolute delight to Kanae. Watching them squirm in their seats turned out to be better than sex. Archbishop Patrice might have had the right idea about including Petyr after all. This should give Kanae the edge in negotiations.

"Lord Aespir, would you state for the record which of our prisoners you've come for," Kanae said.

"Certainly." Donald Aespir rose and cleared his throat. "Their names are as follows: Errenard DeSalle, Darren von Cleisseldor, Vernon DeSalle, Arnault Pyrelle, and 100 Ortesian prisoners of our choosing in Radevic captivity. As previously discussed with Archbishop Patrice, we will release in exchange approximately 465 prisoners of war, whose nationalities span the Commonwealth and city-states."

"The terms are acceptable— is what I would have liked to say, but one among owns a named prisoner. Far be it from me to be a tyrant and take what's hers," she explained.

The Ortesian delegation erupted into chatter, with only a few looking outraged at the insinuation that one of their own had been enslaved.

"Who?" Donald asked.

"Errenard DeSalle. Inquisitor Gretchen was betrothed to him. I leave the decision to her," Kanae said.

"Ortesia may have Errenard back, but he is a broken and hollow shell of his former self." Gretchen flashed a grin.

Kanae turned to Gretchen in surprise. She didn't expect her to give Errenard up so readily. Even Archbishop Patrice seemed sure that she was resistant to the idea of it.

The inquisitor continued, "However, I want something in return. A DeSalle galleon."

"Preposterous!" Lanel exclaimed. "The empire will sooner chew off its own foot before handing you one of our ships."

"Lanel Rind, of House Rind. They wear the sigil of a mallet on a sail. Your house are shipwrights, sworn in service to House DeSalle," Petyr chimed in.

"Oh, Rind! Now that's a nostalgic name. They used to build little fishing dinghies ages ago. DeSalles used to raid them constantly. I figured the Rinds would have died out by now, but I guess they squeezed out a living," Arenade recalled as she fell down a trip to memory lane.

Lanel's nervous gaze swapped between Petyr and Arenade, her fists balled up after hearing the way they spoke about her house.

"How very learned of you, Your Majesty…" Lanel complimented through clenched teeth.

"Lanel, you should know that when a captain has been captured alive, it is customary to trade a ship in good faith for their safe return. I expected a shipwright like yourself to know that. Or will you dishonor tradition for your pride?" Petyr glared.

"You… will have your ship." She relented.

Gretchen leaned back in her seat with a big smile.

"Anything else?" Donald asked.

"An apology," Kanae said.

"Excuse me?"

"For my betrothed, Runald. Your son. You confronted him in the streets, remember? Lord Apesir, I want you to swallow your pride, apologize to Runald, and offer him your blessing in his marriage to me," she explained.

"Kanae, you really don't have to! This isn't about me." Runald panicked.

"Runald." His father's stern voice drew their attention to him. "I do not approve of your marriage partner. Your decision has already been a source of shame in the family. Ortesians regard our house as fools and even thralls. However… it does not change that your… wife-to-be is of royal standing and a knight of merit. I am nevertheless proud of you." He lowered his head, but not too low." I apologize for the way I acted when I saw you."

Runald was stunned speechless. Kanae reached underneath the table to hold his hand.

"Thank you, Father." Runald bowed.

"We have reaffirmed our positions to continue with the prisoner exchange. I believe that concludes our meeting. I invite the Ortesian delegation to stay for brunch. Amethyst Hall boasts a very eccentric cook with the talents of making mana foods. Reen!" Kanae shouted.

"Yes, Ka— Knight-Commander!" Reen raced down the hall to present herself.

"Show these Ortesian your idea of fine dining," she said.

"Yes, ma'am!" The dark elf saluted.

The Ortesians did not look like they wanted to stay another minute. However, they were forced to play politics anyway. As Gretchen excused herself and rose to leave, Kanae caught up with her in the corridor leading to the Viviren portal room.

"Looks like you earned yourself a ship," Kanae congratulated.

"My ship? No. Your ship. I have no need for it living inland. For the Commonwealth, my new home, it will be its first naval vessel. That is my gift to you." Gretchen smiled.

"I… don't know what to say."

"Nothing. You gave me a chance to atone. You've also given me a family. I found in the Commonwealth what I'd hoped Ortesia would provide me one day for my service. This is the least I can do. Now, if you will excuse me, I have to go fetch my pathetic pet. I can't wait to see the Ortesians' faces when they see Errenard," she said.