Royal Palace
Lordinax
Lothian League
Marian Hegemony
The Periphery
26 February, 3150
Freyja had been to various seats of power before, as a child, but they had all been far less opulent and grand than this, usually the head of a continent or perhaps a planet, but never an interstellar realm, albeit one as small as the periphery Lothian League. The throne room was decorated lavishly with rich woods, furs, and the horns of various animals, all in very dark and cold colors highlighted by ice-like crystals, a very Lothian style indeed.
Freyja made her way, led by the court functionary who had finally fetched her in the late evening. She was obviously the last of the group to be granted an audience, but she hadn't minded, and she certainly didn't mind as she took in the beauty of the palace. Freyja had opted towards a more military look in her choice of attire for the formal audience with the Grand Mistress of the Lothian League. She wore knee length dark boots, dark brown leather trousers, and an ivory colored corseted bodice that left her shoulders bare, but for the dark brown cloak she wore, highlighted with golden Lummatiian fur, and her golden hair which hung over her one shoulder in a powerful braid.
Freyja approached the throne. Grand Mistress Claire Logan was a strikingly beautiful woman, possessed of a beauty that was classic for nobility. Her features somehow managed to look soft and delicate while at the same time radiating power. She wore a dress of soft white that looked as if it were draped over her by a million tiny angels, constantly adjusting it so that it sat and flowed flawlessly. Her chocolate hair held not a hint of grey, in spite of her nearly fifty years, and was highlighted only with the same ice-like crystals that seemed to dominate the throne room. Her deep brown eyes radiated warmth and power simultaneously.
Freyja stopped and knelt short of the throne on which Mistress Claire sat, at a signal from the functionary escorting her. The man bowed his head and spoke. "I give you Grand Mistress of the Lothian League and Duchess of Lordinax, Claire Logan. Mistress, may I present to you, Freyja McCarron, of Lummatii" Freyja tried not to be overwhelmed with the vast differences in their two titles, but she still felt a nervous energy flowing through her body.
Mistress Logan rose and walked over to Freyja, took her hand and gently lifted her from her kneeling position, then proceeded to brush her lips across each of Freyja's cheeks in a delicate kiss of greeting that sent shivers through Freyja's body. "I am so pleased that you accepted my invitation, dear." She spoke perfect standard Terran English with only the slightest hint of Scandanavian tones.
Freyja cast her glance downward almost bashfully, "The invitation of a noble head of state is not one to dismiss lightly, Mistress."
Claire raised her brow lightly. "Oh my, your accent really is delightful. Wherever were you raised to speak like that?"
Freyja was slightly taken aback. "My parents were both nobles, at least of a sort. I had good tutors. But I suppose mostly I picked it up from my Aunt Catherine. She's a Trueborn Clanner who talks like something out of Dickens or Austen. I never really paid it much mind."
Claire smiled charmingly, "That's a tragedy. If I ever have need of someone to narrate my life, I'll know where to turn. Walk with me for a moment, my dear."
Freyja walked the perimeter of the throne room with the Grand Mistress, noting the pieces of art that lined the myriad of alcoves. "I suppose I should apologize to you for the poor welcome you received to my realm. I know a little of your story. Dreadful what happened to you. I tried to totally abolish slavery within my realm some years ago, but it almost brought us to war with the Marians. In the end I had to settle for outlawing slavery only of League citizens. I'm afraid that didn't help your cause any."
Freyja shrugged softly. "You can't be held responsible for what happened to me, Mistress. That was entirely a product of bad luck and my own naivete.
Mistress Logan swept a strand of hair from her face. "Perhaps. But look how quickly you rebounded, my dear. You went from a helpless slave to traveling here with a Count on your arm." She paused and gave Freyja a playful smile. "And a rather delicious one at that, if I dare say."
Freyja smiled and blushed slightly. "Count Logan and I have been fortunate to have hit it off rather well, I suppose.
"Indeed. And not only have you caught yourself a nice piece of noble candy, you have also amassed a not insignificant military force that owes it's loyalties to you. Quite the turnaround, young lady."
Freyja paused and looked at the Grand Mistress. "That force is no threat to you, if that is what you're worried about, Mistress. I raised them only to defend the people from extortion."
The older woman held a hand to her chest. "I'm sorry, dear, that sounded dreadfully adversarial, didn't it. I didn't stop to think that with how you've been treated out here, you might take it that way. It was a compliment, I assure you."
"Think nothing of it Mistress," Freyja hoped she hadn't offended her host.
"As I said, I have a proposal to discuss with you, but it's getting late. There are a few things I must attend to before the day slips away entirely, the burdens of leadership, you understand. Perhaps it would be better if we discussed my ideas in a more private and informal setting than this place." she waved a hand at all the surrounding opulence. "The palace here is built over some amazing geothermal pockets. I have a dazzling array of pools and spas down there, I would love it deeply if you would join me for a soak. We can relax and discuss my ideas without all the hustle and bustle."
Freyja shrugged gently. "I'm afraid I didn't pack for a vacation, Mistress"
Claire waived her objections away delicately with her hand. "Nonsense dear, you're my guest here, we will take care of you. I promise it will be very worth your while," she said with an almost seductive smile.
Freyja hesitated for a moment, before nodding in affirmation.
"Splendid. Let's say in an hour. I'll have one of my ladies show fetch you when I'm ready."
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