Chapter 18

Waking up the next morning, the first thing I noticed was that both my arms were numb. I smiled as I looked at the reasons why. I recalled falling asleep with Shalyndria between Petra and myself, but someone had other ideas later, it seems. I kissed each woman on the cheek as I extricated myself from their grip. After getting dressed for my workout, I looked to the bed and let out a small laugh. Petra had closed the distance and was hugging the Princess’s head to her chest like she was a child, and Shalyndria’s hands rested on a fur-covered ass.

I returned to my room an hour later to find an irritated Petra, “Why did you leave without waking us? Shalyndria was upset when she saw you were gone. You are lucky I was able to explain about your morning routine.”

I hugged her and tried to mollify the gorgeous otter, “You’re right, and I’m sorry. I will apologize to her on the carriage ride to the meeting later.” After eating breakfast together, we started to don our uniform armor. Watching Petra slide the chest plate on, I noticed a change. A winged heart over crossed kukris now rested over her heart. When she turned to get our weapons out of the wardrobe, I saw the angel wings now covering her back. My gasp made her turn around, “Someone changed your armor. Your wings are also on the back of your chest piece now, and you no longer have the royal emblem over your heart.”

I pulled my armor on as she examined the changes to hers. I stopped and checked my breastplate before putting it on. Wings and the same emblem had appeared on my armor as well. The only difference being, mine had the Arbiter symbol on the left side of my chest as well. As I picked up the metal, “Welp, we need to find and thank our artist. This emblem is beautiful, and the wings are exact copies of the ones on our backs.” Petra nodded, and we finished getting ready for the day.

We found Nadine in her natural form, waiting at the bottom of the stairs, “Good morning to you both. Tessa let me into your room last night so that I could make the changes with magic. The winged heart and kukris are the original symbol of our Goddess, Cicerene. Before you ask, I don’t know why you two have been blessed with the wings.” Shalyndria walked down the stairs as we thanked the naga.

I turned when I heard the footsteps and took in her beauty. She looked both professional and stunning in the floor-length charcoal skirt, red shirt, and charcoal blazer. When my brain started to work again, I was able to apologize, “Morning, gorgeous. I’m sorry I left before saying anything this morning. I wrongly assumed you knew about my morning workouts and decided to let you sleep.” Her small smile and happiness were all I needed to see. I continued, “Nadine, since you’re here, are you coming with us now or later with Terrance and the guards?”

“I will come later, my Lord. Sir Terrance is arranging a wagon so that I may stay in this form,” Nadine replied. I winced at Lord but moved on. Petra, Shalyndria, and I said our goodbyes to the mysterious woman and left for City Council.

We arrived at the keep, and Bob helped the ladies from the carriage. As we entered the council chambers, I took note of the only other doors I could see behind Baron Lichvus. Twelve men sat in ornate chairs spaced around the edge of a pit filling the center of a large room. Bleacher-like seating ringed the recess for several rows above the council. A feline beast-folk sat at a table in front of the Baron. While Bob and Petra walked behind Shalyndria to an empty thirteenth chair, I stood next to the large entry doors as the Princess recommended on the way here. The morning passed uneventfully, talk of taxes, and new laws almost lulling me to sleep.

At the midday bell, people started to fill in the seats above the council. Several council members began to whisper among themselves as more people filled the seats, and City Guards began entering among them. Terrance was the last to enter with Hank and Nadine. As Hank closed the large entry doors, I noticed Petra move to block the only other door in the room.

When Hank threw the deadbolt, sealing the room, the Baron stood and shouted, “What is the meaning of this? Why have you locked the room, Sir Terrance?”

Shalyndria stood and motioned for me to step forward. She answered as we walked to the center of the hall, “I will answer that, Baron Lichvus. Yesterday, my maid Milla Nekonova and Lt. Petarina Lontra were kidnapped on the way to the market. Guardsmen loaned to me from the City Guard learned they had been seen taken by several men in sinister back armor.” She paused to look each council member in the eye. She turned to me and called out, “In our time of need, the Goddess sent us hope. As I knighted Shaun Kaughman so he could assist in the search, a new oath was spoken. Cicerene has not abandoned us! She saw fit to send us a blinding ray of hope. I, Princess Shayndria McDonaugh, present an Outlander and the new Arbiter.”