Here She Rules: The Chronicles of Erla: Book 1 (41 page)

They bowed and hurried to the bathing room as a knock sounded on the door. The female slave opened it to a warrior who carried in Cassie’s bags.

“Thank you, warrior,” Cassie said, bowing briefly.

“It is my pleasure, Lady Cassandra. I am Elayna, Lady Leandra’s Second. If there is anything I can do for you, please do not hesitate to tell me.” The woman bowed low.

“Thank you, Elayna. I look forward to training with you while I am here,” Cassie said. Elayna’s brow rose in surprise and pleasure.

“I, too, look forward to it, My Lady,” she replied, grinning.
 

Cassie moved forward and clasped forearms with her before the woman turned on her heel and left.

“My Lady, your bath awaits,” Liam’s smooth voice sounded behind her.

“These are my things, Liam. See that they are hung and freshened; the dirty laundry is in the white sack.”

“Yes, My Lady.” He bowed and picked up her bags, taking them into the bedroom.
 

Cassie followed him and took off her weapons, laying her sword and daggers on the dresser before going into the bathing room. Dylan and Karl stood waiting for her there and caught her clothes as she flung them off and moved into the hot water, groaning in pleasure as she lay back against the edge.
 

Dylan and Karl entered the bath and picked up soap and washcloths. Cassie reluctantly rose for them to wash her. The soap smelled like roses, and she felt the grime and grit of the road leave her body under their expert ministrations. They washed her hair twice and applied a creamy conditioner-type substance which smelled like the soap.
 

When they finished, they pulled the plug and let the grimy water swirl away before adding more hot water for her to relax in and enjoy. At her command, they left the water and went to see about her meal, leaving her in solitude and relaxation.

Liam came into the room a long while later and found her dozing in the still-warm water. He touched her shoulder gently as he spoke, “Lady, forgive me for disturbing you. I have taken care of your garments as you asked, and your meal is now ready.”
 

Cassie blinked and stood, allowing the water to trail off of her lithe body.
 

Liam toweled her off gently, admiring her strong muscles and long limbs and silently thanked his Queen for assigning him to the beautiful, powerful warrior. She went into the bedroom and saw that Liam had turned down the bed and she made straight for it.
 

Sliding into the bed, she sat back against the headboard, aware of their eyes lingering on her exposed breasts. It had taken Cassie quite a while to feel comfortable being naked in front of men, but now it was second nature, and she gave it little thought.
 

They brought forth a tray of delectable smelling foods, and she allowed them to feed her. After several bites, she held up a hand, dismissing them and settling herself down for a much-needed nap. Sinking into the lush bedding, she found herself missing her men back in Erla.

After she woke from her nap, Cassie rose reluctantly and dressed for the celebration that night, choosing the short scarlet toga-style dress uniform and its flowing cape. Liam curled her hair and pulled it back from her face, leaving it to flow down her back in glistening corkscrew curls. She used a sparing amount of cosmetics as her skin was tanned and fresh looking. She played up her eyes a bit, but she left the rest unused. She slid the armlets with Nera’s insignia onto her biceps, and turning from the mirror, she met the warm, approving looks coming from the slaves, and she smiled at them in return.
 

They had dressed in their formal wear, which left their chests bare, and they wore sandals that laced halfway up their calves. Karl moved ahead of her and held the door open with a bow, and Dylan leaned towards her to offer directions to the Banqueting Hall. She assumed it was customary for them to join her at dinner as they all fell in step behind her as she strode down the corridor.
 

She held her head high and pasted a pleasant smile upon her face as she saw that the eyes of the servants and slaves were glued to her as she passed them. It was exciting for them to be amongst the first to see the legendary warrior, and they would embellish the gossip which was already circulating regarding her beauty and physical prowess.
 

Two burly male slaves pulled opened the doors to the Banqueting Hall and bowed as she passed them, inclining her head politely.
 

Pausing just inside, she was painfully aware of the hush which fell over the crowd as she made her way towards their Queen, the courtiers bursting into chatter as soon as she passed. Smiling at Lee and Danai, she bowed to Saria and took the seat on her right, finding herself between Saria and Lee with Danai being seated a little farther down with her younger cousins.
 

Her attending slaves immediately set about getting some Mull and a plate of food as Saria stood and held her hand up for silence.

“We welcome the Warrior, Lady Cassandra: Commander of Erla’s Army, vanquisher of the Trevians, and conqueror of the Ambrian savages!” The crowd erupted in applause and cheers, heating Cassie’s cheeks.
 

“Lady Cassandra will be extended every courtesy, and we will all work to see her every wish fulfilled. I intend to spoil her so extensively that she will wish to remain in Tayliss!” The crowd laughed and cheered again. Over a hundred smiling faces turned towards Cassie, and she smiled widely in response.
 

At Saria’s urging, she stood to address the assembly.

“My Sisters, I thank you for your welcome, and I am deeply honored by your hospitality. It is with great pleasure that I offer my sword in Tayliss’ service as long as I remain in your beautiful country,” Cassie said before bowing deeply in respect.
 

She quickly won their hearts with her words, and they were being repeated by the door guards and carried to the warriors in their barracks, winning them with her humility and grace. The diners heaped praise upon the tall, beautiful, foreign woman. Cassie bowed again briefly before sitting back down and meeting Saria’s smiling face.

“Lady Cassandra, are your slaves to your liking?” the Queen asked pleasantly. “You may have the pick of any man in the Queendom, you know.” Cassie smiled.

“Thank you, Your Highness. I will keep that in mind. If I am dissatisfied, I will let you know immediately.” Cassie’s smile turned into a grin, and the other women at the Queen’s table smiled in return.

“Lady Cassandra, our warriors request the honor of your presence for training tomorrow if you would care to join us,” Leandra said.

“Leandra, let us give our guest a day of rest before we drag her onto the training field!” Saria admonished with a smile. “I declare a day off from training to ensure her rest tomorrow.”
 

All the warriors in the room gave a cheer in response to their Queen’s words, and Saria grinned at their thankful exclamations.

“I am overruled then,” Lee responded with a laugh. “If we are to be idle, then I say we drink up and celebrate!” This statement was met with more cheers, and slaves rushed to fill glasses.

Cassie ran her hand across Liam’s firm backside as he leaned over to refill her goblet, and he flashed a lusty look at her before resuming his position behind her with the others.

“How is my friend Nera faring since your ordeal? She has written that all is well, but I know she would not wish to distress me with her troubles,” Saria asked Cassie.

“She is truly well, My Lady. I believe her greatest fear was for the safety of Princess Danai, and that was alleviated by the word of her presence here in your Queendom.” Relief showed in Saria’s eyes. “I have never taken greater pleasure in killing than when we rid this world of those despicable men.” A snarl raised Cassie’s lip. “I thank you most sincerely for caring for Danai; she is very dear to me.”

“No thanks are necessary, Cassandra. It is a kinship bond, and she has been a great deal of fun to have with us,” Saria said, grinning. “Your reputation had grown to mythic proportions prior to your arrival, and we were all sure your fame was a child’s imagination until the reports of the battle were made known here. Adding that to the accounts of my warriors, you are now firmly installed as the greatest heroine and warrior who has ever lived.”
 

Cassie choked on her Mull and sputtered, “Your Highness, please! I am just a servant of my Queen and country. There is nothing extraordinary about me! Like all of my warriors, I fight hard for my country. I am honored to lead very fine women, and it is to them I owe my success,” Cassie said earnestly.
 

Saria smiled. The woman was honestly humble, and it spoke well for her character that she attributed her success to her troops.

“I fully intend to do all I can to persuade you to stay here in Tayliss. Nera will be livid, but it is my mission to steal her Commander for myself!” Saria grinned, but Cassie caught the truth in her words.

“I am very flattered, My Lady.” Cassie flushed, giving herself the freedom to consider the proposal. Her love and loyalty lay with Nera and Erla, but it was good to know she had other options open to her.
 

Cassie finished her meal, and a slave rushed to remove her empty plate. Dylan moved forward with a silver tray loaded with sweets, and Cassie’s eyes widened at something that looked suspiciously like a brownie.
 

She hadn’t had chocolate since she had come to this world, and lifting the confection, she took a bite and nearly cried in happiness.
 

“Oh God, it’s wonderful,” she moaned in sheer happiness.

“Sonda is made from a bean which flourishes only in our country. It is delightful, isn’t it?” Saria grinned at Cassie’s ecstatic expression.

“It’s called chocolate on my world, and I have missed it so much!” Cassie said between bites.

Finishing the brownie, she accepted a chocolate candy from Dylan and moaned again as it melted warmly on her tongue. Dylan knelt beside her chair and fed her choice pieces of chocolate and other sweets. He was rewarded with her adoring gaze at each offering.
 

She had to stop him as he seemed to want to see her gorge herself. “Dylan, please. I will get sick if I eat anything more.” She rubbed her stomach and leaned back in her seat, smiling. Dylan smiled and bowed, returning to the others, and Saria laughed heartily at Cassie’s happy discomfort.

“Yet another reason you should stay here with us. We were going to begin trading Sonda with our sisters in Erla, but if it will get you to remain here . . .” Saria trailed off, still grinning.

“Oh, that is so unfair! Perhaps you shouldn’t trade it anyway, though. I shall grow so fat that I won’t be able to sit my horse, let alone fight,” Cassie groaned.
 

The surrounding women laughed at Cassie’s comment.
 

“If I could move right now, I would take a long walk to work some of this off.” She grinned widely and rubbed her stomach again.

“Lady Cassandra,” an older woman, covered in rich jewels and a beautiful turquoise caftan spoke, “I am Lady Bethia, and I would be willing to give you your choice of half of my pleasure slaves if you would stay here in Tayliss,” the woman smiled cunningly.
 

A collective gasp went up; the other women in the room knew Bethia had some of the most beautiful and sexually talented men in the realm. The offer was incredibly generous.
 

Cassie sat up respectfully.

“I thank you, My Lady, but it is terribly unfair of you all to tempt me so. I am very loyal to my sovereign, and I love her dearly.” Cassie bowed her head to the Lady and Bethia smiled.

“Having heard of you, I did not think you would accept. Your honor, courage, and loyalty are renowned, and I see that it is no exaggeration.” The woman smiled approvingly, and the other women sighed as one.

“I thank you for the honor you do me, Lady Bethia and My Lady, Queen Saria. If I had stumbled into Tayliss first, I know I would have been as proud to serve here as I am to serve Queen Nera in Erla.” A wave of applause followed her words and Cassie flushed becomingly.
 

Musicians entered and bowed to Saria before setting up their instruments and playing. A trio of beautifully underdressed male slaves began a sensuous dance before the Queen’s table as the light dimmed a bit and the Jul was brought forth. Cassie’s eyes fixed on the graceful movements of the dancers, and she felt warmth pool in her belly at their movements. Dylan moved forward again and knelt at her side, looking up at her with hot eyes.

“May I please you in any way, My Lady?” he asked hopefully.

“Your slaves are bold here in Tayliss, Your Highness,” Cassie grinned at Saria.
 

The Queen frowned slightly as she looked at Dylan.

“If they are behaving unacceptably, I will have them punished and replaced. I would not have you offended, Lady Cassandra.” Saria frowned heavily at Dylan, and he blanched and looked down.

“No, My Lady. They are a just a bit freer in showing their desire for me than the Erlan slaves. I am not offended I assure you. I meant it only as an observation.” Cassie stroked Dylan’s silky hair, and Saria’s expression softened. She smiled slightly. She had been prepared to have them punished for their behavior.
 

Cassie continued to run her hands through Dylan’s hair, enjoying the texture. A man appeared at her side, holding a goblet of Jul out to her. As she looked up, she gasped in surprise.
 

The man standing there was a dead-ringer for her late husband, Michael.
 

The slave smiled gently and lowered his eyes respectfully as he placed the Jul next to her left hand.
 

Saria looked at Cassie curiously as she gaped at the slave.

“Is something the matter, Lady Cassandra?” Saria asked.
 

Cassie closed her mouth, but she couldn’t tear her eyes from the man at her side. He stood six feet tall with soft, wavy brown hair and hazel eyes; the main difference between the two was that the slave’s hair fell past his shoulders as was usual in this world. Other than that, he was identical to Michael—right down to his athletic build.