A Roll of the Die - 1. Inception
Copyright© 2026 by Michael Loucks
Chapter 43: Day 61
"I turned them down," Tristan said when he finished relating what Captain Andreas of the Wave Runner had offered. "Despite them plying me with ale, tales, and women!"
Matthias laughed. "Like any good sailors! I'm glad you chose to decline. Hopefully, the King will have a mission for the Company when we arrive in Haven, or perhaps we'll be offered a contract based on the notices you posted. I would hate to lose you!"
The pair was riding just behind Lucas, who was driving the carriage, and he was following Lisette and Tyra, who were following Milos. Behind them was Gregor, whom Milos had pressed into escort duty, as he had been unsure if Tristan would accompany them on the journey to Haven.
"And, in the end, despite a tempting offer, it wasn't enough to entice me," Tristan said. "It was a close thing, though."
"While we're in Haven, just enjoy yourself. You have no duties, as Gregor is here to protect me, and Milos will be Lilia's guard on the ride home. Stay an extra day or two, if it suits you. There is plenty of trouble you can get up to in Haven without getting into any real trouble!"
Tristan laughed. "I'll give my maximum effort to finding out exactly where that line is!"
🎲🎲🎲
"Lord husband!" Lilia squealed when Matthias was shown into her chambers.
She jumped up and hurried to him, hugged him, and gave him a kiss.
"Come to bed," she requested. "We have enough time before we need to dress for the ceremony!"
"I believe I'm dismissed," Bella said mirthfully.
She let herself out as Lilia dragged Matthias by the arm into the bedchamber.
🎲🎲🎲
"Are you ready?" Karla asked Milos when he arrived.
"I am," he replied. "How has your guard duty been?"
"If I see one more bolt of cloth, one more work of art, or one more piece of jewelry, I will scream!"
Milos laughed hard. "What did you expect from a Princess and a Countess, neither of whom has attained seventeen years?"
"I don't know, but non-stop shopping, tea, and meals certainly were not it! Thankfully, that's done. Your new armor is polished, and it comes with a new belt and scabbard. Everything is laid out in my quarters. The only thing missing is a token, which I'm positive has to be from Princess Miri."
"That obvious?" Milos asked.
"The only woman in the world you love more than you love me."
"You knew?"
"From the day the thunderbolt struck, but she was with Matthias, and your honor would never have allowed you to express your love to her. Does she know?"
Milos did not need to answer that to himself; he had carried the truth through every ambush, every ride, and every oath he had kept since Matthias became Count.
"I revealed my feelings for her before I returned to Newtown."
"It's fitting," Karla observed. "Neither of you can have your true love."
"Does that bother you?" Milos asked.
"No. You chose me; you pledged yourself to me; you married me. I have no reason to be upset, unhappy, or jealous."
Milos smiled. "I hope you know I love you."
"I do," Karla replied. "I love you, too. Back to matters at hand — as you have no page, I'll help you dress."
"I'm going to ask Stefan; well, I'll ask my Uncle Sean first, but then Stefan. I believe I can convince my uncle, and Stefan made it clear he wants to be my page, and eventually my squire."
Karla helped Milos don his new ceremonial armor, then dressed in the gown she'd reluctantly bought, as she had to dress appropriately to become 'Lady Karla', even if she would wear leather armor nearly all of the time.
"You're beautiful!" Milos declared when she finished dressing. "You should dress that way more often!"
"I feel like a dress-up doll little girls play with! I played with bows and wooden swords, not dolls!"
"There will be formal occasions requiring you to dress this way."
"Oh, I know," Karla sighed. "I'm wearing it, aren't I?"
"You are. Shall we go?"
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"I missed you, Lord husband!" Lilia declared as they washed after an energetic coupling. "And one time does not make up for it!"
"I promise to plough you as many times as you want for as long as you want, and I have three of Lisette's potions to ensure I am able to do so!"
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