A Royal Gamble

[Gar]

"Then how can I be sure that I can trust you? What do you suggest?" replied Gar lowly, dropping her hands to her sides, "If it was just my life, I'd gladly stake it on this partnership. But we will be involving my friends."

[Bay]

"Usually I'd offer to place one of my kin under your care as a token of trust. But that would only raise questions from your comrades. There may be another option however..." The king focused intently into Gar's eyes, "I can make you one of my concubines. Doing so will give you a rank in my court. Should the situation become dire, you can make yourself known to my soldiers, and force them to obey you."

[Gar]

Gar reflexively stepped back and grimaced, her upper lip curling. She gritted her teeth and clenched her fists as she quickly recovered from this shocking suggestion to grumble, "I'd only be a...concubine...in title, correct...?" a muscle in her jaw twitched as she glared back at the king, "I wouldn't be required to..." she growled lowly as she painfully completely the sentence with all its implications, "play the part?"

[Bay]

"Only in title if you so wish," Nirdrang smirked, "But more if you find yourself with a changed mind."

The king walked to a small silver box sitting on a nearby table, "I shall grant you a medallion, one which will identify you as belonging to my house. But know that if you call upon it to command my men, I will be forced to rescind your title and label you a traitor afterwards."

He walked back with a silver medallion in his hand, a roaring dragon etched on to it's face, "Lead your rebellion to the East, and have them fight in Drugziz. I shall provide you with details of the town's guards and weak points. Your rebellion should be able to capture the town easily with this information. Take supplies for at least two weeks and follow the river to the Gulf of White Spires. Flee as soon as the battle is won as I will be forced to muster the army as soon as I officially receive word of the slave rebellion. Once you make it to the coast, I shall have ships waiting for you there to take your rebellion to the Elf Kingdoms."

The king then sternly looked at Gar, "The fighting must be real half-orc. Your slaves will have to fight. Some will die. Do not make yourself known as my concubine unless absolutely necessary. Destroy that mine!"

[Gar]

"It's Gar," corrected the half-orc firmly as she took the medallion with renewed resolve, "If this will help cease the production of the black armor in your kingdom, then our interests are aligned. I'm not shy of making sacrifices for the greater good. However..." she sighed heavily, "I should warn you...I cannot promise that my team will listen to me. They've been manipulated into following a different member of the party, so there is a possibility that she will urge my friends to turn and meet you in battle if she catches wind that you've left the castle."

[Bay]

Nirdrang grinned, "You mean the winged elf Elironda?" The hobgoblin lightly touched his crown, "Oh yes, I am as much aware of her scheming as you are. Do not trouble yourself on my account. I shall make every effort to ensure your success. But now you must go. Time is your enemy."

Nirdrang summoned a guard into the room as he quickly wrote on a sheet of parchment. He handed the sheet to Gar and turned to the guard, "Escort her to the East gate. Make sure you are not followed and that your faces are not seen."

"Now my dear Gar, this audience is concluded. Have you any last words before we part?"

[Gar]

Without hesitation, Gar looked to Sahltie, then back at King Nirdrang. "Despite his numerous personality flaws, this soldier of yours put up a good fight. If he had better men to command, perhaps he would have beaten us," she stated bluntly, raising her brows, "He has a sound, tactical mind. And, technically, he did complete the trial. What will be his fate?"

[Bay]

Nirdrang sighed, "I had hoped you would not ask, as I do not wish to lie to a new ally. His fate will be one of banishment or death. There can be no other option if we are to protect our plan."

[Gar]

"He seems loyal enough to you," countered Gar, "Although rude and prejudiced, I've come to respect him as a warrior of surprising integrity toward his code of honor. Doesn't your crown show you his true intentions?"

[Bay]

"His loyalty is not in question," the king sighed, "But torture and manipulation."

For the first time in their meeting, the powerful hobgoblin's stature seemed to deflate, "Leave half-orc, your sense of honor is noted."

The guard stepped in between the king and Gar and began directing her to the exit.