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rebellion and she could have
her life back. The people she was working with didn't know all that though, and
wouldn't have trusted her if they did.
    Then, even if
that part worked, the King wasn't exactly the sort to just jump into bed for
every set of sweet red lips that were moist and ready to part for him. He could have been, if he wanted, being both the King and not too hard on the
eyes, but most of his time went into actually ruling , and when he
bothered to dally with anyone, it was almost always either his own wife, the
Queen, or with his lover.
    His male lover. Baron Coltress.
    Maria's father.
    Sending in some
chipper little doxy to offer a bit of unusual bed play probably wouldn't work
for him, given all of that. So if they wanted to set anything up like that, it
would need to be a lot more clever than anyone in the rebellion seemed to be
ready for.
    She wanted to
roll her eyes, but simply read the letter several times, then put her clothing
on. It was a different outfit this time, since the evening meal would be coming
soon, and in Ward they ate outside in the warm months. She opted for a soft,
almost see through gown of white, which was traditional for the area. She made
a small inner pocket on the left hand side, which was different than normal for
her, and took a bit of focus to get the magic in place properly. The paper was
refolded and placed in it. The thing was damning enough that she wasn't going
to keep it anywhere that a maid, or one of the footmen, might find it. They
might feel honor bound to try and stop her, to protect the King. Even if sworn
to the Count, some of them would probably turn on them to protect a beloved
ruler.
    That meant it
was staying on her until it could be memorized and destroyed.
    To her surprise
Riven was standing at the door, waiting for her, so they walked out together,
the large man limping a lot, still holding the plug in his behind. It would be
mildly uncomfortable, but not so much that it would truly damage him. It did
serve to make it seem like the man wouldn't be sitting well for a long time.
Almost as if she had nearly ruined him that way.
    It had to be a
bit embarrassing for him to be taken out to his carriage, led by her like she
was doing. She held his hand the whole time, and saw her husband looking on,
from near the high table at the front. No one was outside for the meal yet,
being a bit early, but he was taking time to speak to one of the local women.
She was short, being of merchant stock, and rather pretty.
    Debbie Smalls.
    It was very
clear that Marvin was more than a bit smitten with the woman, and that they'd
been lovers for years. Maria didn't mind, given the hardships that the
successful lady had been through over time. Marvin was paying most of his
attention to first Baron Klepter, and then, as the man rode away in his shining
wooden coach, to her.
    She moved over
easily enough, and hugged Debbie closely. The woman had never been her lover, or suggested it, so Maria hadn't pushed the point, but it would be fun
to try that sometime, if they got the chance. They were friends regardless.
    The Count let
his eyes follow the Baron, as he left.
    "I take it
that he won't be making such mistakes again anytime soon?"
    Maria sighed,
but had to shake her head.
    "I don't
know. I tried to be harsh with him, but I fear I'm too kind for such things
really. Still for a time he should have the right message."
    That got her
smiled at, from her giant husband.
    "Well,
that's all we ever really get, isn't it? A few moments of peace before the next
storm rolls in." Then he rested his hand on her shoulder, and gave it a
small squeeze.
    She nodded,
knowing that was just true. The best you ever really got was a momentary
improvement. You couldn't punish people into permanent change. They had to want
it for themselves.
    Riven, when it
came down to it, just didn't.
    He was happy
with the power he had and didn’t think of the responsibility he should have,
for his people.

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