novelxo Chapter Chapter Nineteen
Athinina left the meal with Tanis confused. She had never let her guard down with the handsome lord, but her head spun with the events. The meal was simple yet elegant and he was nothing but polite. He had spoken mostly of trivial matters and a little of his lost family. How one man could bear such tragedy was beyond her comprehension. After all, in her kingdom men were so much weaker.
He had excused himself after the meal was finished and retired early speaking of seeing her the following morning. He even begged her forgiveness again for the actions of his follower. “What kind of people were these that took insults to heart?” she wondered briefly. All she knew for certain was how strange these outsiders are.
Slowly she entered her rooms and found her attendants already waiting. Her dearest friend and confident was standing beside her bed waiting as always to dress her for bed and fix her hair for sleep. The woman was dearer to her than any other person she had ever met and she would be lost without her.
“Clairine, please excuse the others and come fix me for sleep. I am weary from our travels. See the others bunked with the other soldiers for the night. When you are through come back here for a time. Just hurry.” Said Athinina in her best command voice. She could still control her emotions like a true warrior at least.
The women jumped to obey her commands as they always did. They were well trained in that respect. They followed her orders to the letter. They could do no less.
Clairine came back into the room shortly after leaving with tears of rage in her eyes. “They insist on bedding down our women separate from the men, my lady.” Began the woman. “They would not even consider how it would degrade them to be placed such! How can we remain here with that kind of insult?”
“Clairine, it is for but a few short days. They mean no insult. They are just uninformed outlanders who coddle their women. Let it be. I will discuss it with Lord Thalin in the morning. But to other discussion. Please. These outlanders make my head hurt.” Said Athinina.
“A few days, my lady?” quipped Clairine. “Just this morning it was only overnight. Have you found something to entice you to remain? I will have to pull out some more of your lovely gowns for your meetings then shall I?” she was giggling as she finished speaking.
“Why would I dress in those foul things?” laughed Athinina. “Besides, if I choose a mate here, he will have to grow accustom to my mytan sooner or later.”
“A mate my Lady?” smiled Clairine knowingly. “Is there a man in mind or have you just decided to start looking here among outlanders instead of our own stock?” asked the serving woman.
“Well, no one strikes me as strong enough yet, but you never know. One of these men may have the manhood to satisfy a Tyris.” Giggled the warrior queen.
“That young lord looks attractive. Should I arrange for him to meet you in your bath? I firmly believe he may suit you. He is rather too handsome though. You would have to scar him some I believe.” Smiled the younger woman.
“My bath? Hmmm, that is a little forward of you but maybe while dressing. Enough to show interest, but not saying I am weak like these outland women.” Smiled Athinina.
“My lady, now who is being forward.”
“Just undress me and arrange for him to be here after my bath in the morning.” Smiled Athinina. In the back of her mind she started wondering why she had just arranged things the way she had. These people really must be getting to her.