Adult-FanFiction.org : Games

Treason	By : Dagian Category: +G through L > Lineage 2 Views: 832 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I own nothing, NCSoft regrettably does, I make no profit off of this story that is based on Lineage2.

Chapter List
- 54
- 55
- 56
Caellia stared at her reflection in a mirror, trying desperately to ignore the busy little dwarf as she darted from one side to the other making adjustments to the garment. The gown was beautiful. Though she’d initially had doubts about the gown being strapless, it snuggly clung to her figure without danger of falling down. The swirling designs on the bodice were exquisitely sewn using an iridescent silver material. As the dwarf ran around and fluffed the dress, Caellia’s eyes were drawn to the white silk as it gleamed in the light, pooling around her feet.

            The dwarf muttered to herself as she mentally made note of the adjustments. Even for an elf Caellia was slender. Her eyes traveled upward to Caellia’s chest with a considering look. Grasping the back edges of the gown she experimentally pulled it even tighter and pinned it in place, watching the way the material tightened, creating the illusion of a more ample bust. Upon hearing Caellia’s surprised exhale she groused through her teeth around a mouthful of straight pins. “Take smaller breaths. You’ll thank me later.”

            Standing still, Caellia fumed in silence. The dress was now uncomfortably tight. Her eyes went back to examining the bodice in the mirror and her mouth fell open in shock. “What have you done?!”

            “Nothing, the dress was too loose. I adjusted it. Now hold still before I poke you with a needle!” The dwarven female rolled her eyes. Kattath had told her that Caellia was overly modest, but that did not quite prepare her for just how modest Caellia was. She teetered on her stacked boxes as Caellia turned swiftly to face her. “Watch it! You’re going to make me fall!” Cursed elves!

            Ignoring the dwarf, Caellia frantically hissed. “Change it back! I don’t want it this tight!”

            The dwarf smiled cutely at Caellia. “I’m afraid I can’t do that. If I loosen it back up, the dress might slip off.” There was no way the dress would fall if she did loosen it back, but she told Caellia that anyway. She knew that Caellia knew it as well, but she hoped the Queen would let the matter drop if she thought for even a moment that the dress might slip.

            “The dress is fine as it is Caellia.” Kattath stepped into the room. “There is no reason for it to be re-adjusted.” She turned her head to face the dwarf. “Mark the changes and finish the dress immediately.”

            “But Kattath it is far too tight in the bodice!” Caellia protested shrilly.

            Kattath snickered behind her hand. “With you yelling and breathing like that yes it is.” A sly look crossed her face. “But I trust you will not be doing that at the wedding tomorrow.”

            The color drained from Caellia’s face. “Tomorrow?” She asked as her mouth suddenly felt dry. “That soon?”

            “Yes.” Kattath grinned widely. “When did you think it would be?”

            “I…I don’t know. But I didn’t think it would be so soon.” Caellia stated quietly.

            Kattath opened her gift so that she could read Caellia’s aura. Relieved, she didn’t see any sign of sadness. Nervous anxiety was the predominant emotion Caellia was feeling. Not unusual for one about to be wed. Deciding to distract her, Kattath suggested a hot bath. It took a few minutes to convince her, but she succeeded, mentioning that Caellia was bound to be stiff from the hours she’d been required to stand still for the final fitting of the gown and that the hot bath would help loosen the tense muscles.

*****

            Nathavin paced slowly toward the cell holding the intruder Kattath had told him about, the one they had apprehended on the southern border that separated Aden and Goddard territories, stopping a few feet in front of it. “Andraos, Kattath informs me that you have information to give me.”

            Andraos stood slowly, gazing at Nathavin from between the rusted iron bars of his dungeon cell. “I do. But I also have a request, if you would be so generous as to grant it.”

            Nathavin stalked forward closer to the cell, stopping just shy of actually touching the bars. “I want the information before I hear your request. If the information is good and credible then I will consider your request.” Nathavin’s curiosity was piqued. Kattath had told him that she had sensed no ill intent from this human towards them. His aura had consistently shown honesty, even though he’d refused to answer her questions.

            Andraos nodded slowly, it was about as much a concession as he’d make in a similar situation if the roles were reversed. “Lord Nathavin,” he began respectfully, “I was one of King Asadar’s top military commanders for many years. I have helped him plan and execute many victorious battles in his quest for power. Over the years I have seen him change. He has lost his respect for the people in his city and for his troops. Alliances mean nothing to him and he breaks them routinely. Goryn’s death was just one of many. There were many more before him, though his was the only one that gained notice. He makes unreasonable demands and expects them to be carried out even though these demands will put many of his most faithful followers at risk of near certain death.”

            Stopping to catch his breath, Andraos studied Nathavin closely, watching for any hint of emotion. But there was nothing. Nathavin’s face showed nothing of what he was thinking or feeling. He almost seemed bored. “I’m sure you are aware that he intends on destroying the elven races, deeming that together, they are too powerful and a threat to his rule.” Andraos drew himself to his full height. “In order to do that, Asadar intends on laying siege to this castle.” Andraos continued even as he heard Nathavin’s angry indrawn hiss. “He plans on destroying this castle and is in the process of garnering support from the other castles to do it.”

            Nathavin’s hand shot through the bars faster than a serpent and grasped the front of Andraos’ tunic, hauling him forward so that they were mere inches apart with only the rusted dungeon bars separating them. “When is he planning on this?! Tell me!”

            “Soon.” Andraos said as calmly as he could. He had not expected Nathavin to actually reach through the bars. “I don’t know just how soon though. I do know that it will take him some time to gain the necessary forces and equipment. But it won’t take too long, perhaps a month, two at most.”

            Nathavin swore to himself. That meant he and Caellia had less than a month to complete the final stages of her training. His musing was interrupted again by Andraos.

            “I know how Asadar thinks Lord Nathavin. I can help you plan to defend the castle if you’ll permit it.” Carefully, he extricated himself out of Nathavin’s viselike grip and knelt down formally. “I ask that you accept my humble request of allegiance. If you do not wish to accept my pledge of allegiance, then all I ask is that you end my life swiftly.”

            A few tense moments passed before Nathavin spoke harshly. “Get up.” Catching Andraos’ eyes, he growled out a warning. “If you betray me, you will wish you’d never set foot in this castle.” He called out to the nearest guard. “Give him back his armor and weapons and release him. He is to be escorted at all times by no less than six guards until he sufficiently proves his loyalty. He is not allowed near Caellia.” His voice lowered to a deadly level. “If you are caught anywhere near her, I will not hesitate to kill you.”

            Andraos nodded his understanding. He did not for one minute doubt the sincerity of Nathavin’s words.

            Nathavin turned and stalked out, not bothering to stay to watch the release. As he stalked through the corridors of the castle, he paused by the command center. Grabbing a scroll containing a listing of names of highly skilled guards, he selected a blade dancer and sent a dispatch for that guard to find him immediately. He then sent another dispatch to Kattath with the same order. The blade dancer found him first.

            Zarvynaar glanced at Lord Nathavin curiously. Why had he been summoned here? He listened intently as Nathavin explained what had happened in the dungeon and what Andraos had said.

            Nathavin looked over the blade dancer a final time. “You have excelled in all your trainings. You are the most qualified to help Kattath guard Caellia when I cannot be around.”

            Zarvynaar nodded, but before he could respond, Kattath strode in the room.

            “You wished to see me Nathavin?” She asked, slightly winded. “I apologize for not arriving sooner. There was a minor incident in the kitchens, but that has been seen to.”

            Nathavin shook his head, “No matter. I know you would have gotten here sooner if you could.” He then repeated once again the conversation he’d had with Andraos. As he began to explain why Zarvynaar had been brought in to hear the conversation and the fact that the blade dancer had been assigned to help Kattath safeguard Caellia, he was oblivious to the mounting tension building in the room.

            Kattath’s gaze slid surreptitiously over to the blade dancer. Something about him set her on edge. He made her uneasy and she immediately closed her gift off to him. “Lord Nathavin,” she began cautiously, “I understand your wish to ensure that Caellia is safe. But I believe that I can handle her protection quite well without the need for any added help.” She spoke carefully, choosing her words with caution. “With the castle under the threat of imminent attack, I believe that Zarvynaar’s abilities would be better used if he were to stay here and help plan the castles defense.”

            Zarvynaar raised his eyebrow at the carefully worded protest. “My services are best used wherever Lord Nathavin wishes them to be used.” He ignored the sharp sidelong glance Kattath shot him. “Queen Caellia is an archer correct?” At Nathavin’s affirmation he continued. “Then I will be able to provide her with as much protection, and strength, as Lord Nathavin himself.”

            At hearing the smooth voice coming from beside her, Kattath’s legs nearly gave way. It was by sheer will power that she remained standing. With effort, she pulled herself together enough to continue her protest. “I am more than capable of providing Caellia with protection on my own.”

            “Oh?” Zarvynaar queried amusedly. “You seem to consider me a threat, but you have yet to actually even look in my direction properly. Tell me, how do you believe you can provide her with adequate protection from an enemy if you can’t even face me?” He edged closer to her, watching her tense up. “Or do you not consider me a threat to her, but to you?”

            Their spat was interrupted by Nathavin. “Kattath, this is in no way a slight to you or your abilities. I just want to ensure that Caellia is well protected and safe.” Nathavin repeated in a tone that clearly meant the discussion was over. “Zarvynaar will guard and protect her alongside you. Caellia’s safety is the highest priority, above all else.” He pinned Kattath with a hard gaze. “I expect you to work together with Zarvynaar.” Nathavin didn’t miss the tightening of Kattath’s features, nor did he miss her immediate change back into more formal speech in her anger.

            “As you wish, my Lord.” Kattath barely kept the sentence from being a hiss. Turning on her heel to leave quickly, she pulled up short to keep from colliding with Zarvynaar, who was still standing far too close for comfort. She glared at him frostily, becoming irritated when he continued to simply stare back at her. “Let me pass.”

            Zarvynaar briefly considered not allowing her to pass, but decided against it seeing as they were still in Lord Nathavin’s presence. While she had been close to Lord Nathavin for a while and could likely get away with acting discourteous to others within the Lord’s presence, he could not. Stepping aside only enough to let her by, he smirked lightly when he heard her huff as her shoulder brushed against his chest plate. Nathavin’s voice startled him.

            “Do not let her boss you. You report to me only.” Nathavin had been concerned that Kattath would take Zarvynaar’s assignment to Caellia as a slight to her abilities and it seemed he was correct. However, Caellia had to be protected at all costs.

            Zarvynaar nodded once before heading off to catch Kattath. He was surprised by how far ahead of him she’d managed to get. Once caught up to her, he watched her closely. He was surprised when she began to speak.

            “I do not need your assistance to keep Caellia safe.” Kattath hissed.

            “I do not need your permission.” He fired back.

            “You are entirely too young, no matter what Nathavin’s reports tell him about your skills. You will not last one minute in a battle. You lack combat experience.” Kattath screeched in surprise when she found her back pressed firmly against a nearby wall.

            “I may be young Kattath, but do not let that fool you.”

            In anger, Kattath went to cast a quick spell at him, just a small one to cause him to let her go. Sharp pressure on the wrist of the hand that held her staff caused her to blink in pain, when had he grabbed her wrist?

            “There will be no casting spells at me.” He smirked down at her, “Who lacks combat experience now?” Satisfied that his point had been made, he released her quickly and moved back, giving her room to come away from the wall. His voice became serious. “Lord Nathavin made it clear to me, I report to him alone.”

            Kattath gritted her teeth. She had no control over this upstart if he was to report to Nathavin only. Without dignifying his announcement with an answer, she turned and stalked the rest of the way to Caellia’s quarters in angry silence.
- 54
- 55
- 56
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

Treason