News Travels

Dressed in a sleeveless jerkin of navy blue silk and dark leggings, Kalena was performing a series of calisthenics exercises. Her long chestnut hair was held back from her face in a ponytail that flew about her shoulders as she gracefully pivoted and leapt, her soft-soled boots dancing lightly across the marble floor — making no noise at all. It was almost like watching someone levitate, but there was no magic involved, just years of rigorous training. She backspringed once, twice, kicked out with her legs and chopped with her hands at imaginary foes, then drew her sword -- a finely crafted sabre with a blacked blade -- and swung it through the air in various, complex, precise, blur-like movements.

In mid-motion, she saw in a mirror's relection her majordomo, Perun, cautiously entering the room behind her, and she reversed a thrust backward, twirling to follow the sword, and it slashed horizontally in a wisp of wind, then another spin in a terrific downward arc, her hand slipping along the weapon to increase strength to the strike. But instantly she halted the blade inches from the man's throat.

“You were told not to come in here when I was training,” Kalena said reproachfully.

“I'm sorry, mistress,” Perun said, wincing at the prospect of his jugular being sliced open. “I thought you'd want to hear the news rightaway.”

“What news?” She pulled her sword back and sheathed it in a smooth, quick motion.

“The latest shipment of slaves never arrived,” Perun reported.

“What— damn,” Kalena said in a voice filled with dismay. It had now been over a fortnight already and she still hadn't found a new handmaiden yet to replace the last one she'd been inclined to... get rid of. “Is there any explanation for the delay?”

“Word is the shipment was intercepted in transit.”

“Intercepted? By whom?”

“Some suspect Verden mercenaries up to mischief, but there are other rumours going around that it was the work of one man.”

“One man? Well, I hope the Queen isn't going to ask me to seek out the crusading fool. If any of her people come around, be sure to tell them that I'm out of the mercenary business. Out of that business for good.”

“Aye, mistress,” Perun said, bowing his head slightly.

Kalena released her hair from the ponytail and let it fan over her shoulders. “If this fellow persists in being a nuisance, Thalia might go after him personally. If that is the case I wouldn't mind at all accompanying the Queen on the hunt.”