At least I wasn't sick this morning. Perhaps that phase of the pregnancy has passed. I also didn't need to wake Cordelia, nor it seems the demons who I assume were the culprits for the shrill whistling.
Cordelia was dressed when she arrived for breakfast. The demon prince, who likes to be known as Fred, also joined us although he made no remarks about my appearance when he found me save to hope that I had recovered from my injuries. He did however comment that Cordelia looked better with her clothes on. A comment which don't understand. As far as I know he didn't spend last night with her unless he climbed down from her window this morning and then came in through the front doors, although I suppose he could have snuck across the gallery. From their exchanges it would appear that he quite likes her although whether it would last as a relationship it is too early to say.
We sat and talked for a while and then Fred excused himself saying he had duties to attend to. I retired to my room wanting to try some things in regard to shape shifting I had been discussing with a particular set of ladies whilst at the Courts.
My practice was however, interrupted by shouts and cheering coming from the courtyard. From the vantage of my window I could see Cordelia fighting with some of Fred's warriors who in turn were trying to pin her to the ground. She seemed to be coping admirably with two. Then a third joined in. Even with three of them it took them a several minutes to work out how to attack her without one of them, being thrown, kicked, or used as a pivot. As the practice died down I discovered what the shrill whistling was about and what sharp eyesight they have.
For the tricks I was trying I had removed my clothes to avoid ripping or tearing them - I didn't want the added complication of having to modify or absorb them at the same time. To get a better view I had edged out onto the window ledge as was still standing there in full view. I blushed and ducked inside to a round of applause and more whistling.
Of course having been caught unclothed Fred couldn't resist bringing it up when he arrived for dinner, although I noticed Cordelia playfully swashed him in response to his teasing and he feigned hurt abashment. I merely replied that one should not comment on such misfortunes. He merely laughed.
Dinner was quite a convivial affair and Cordelia was forced to conjure a second bottle of wine. Not wanting to disrupt the mood she conjured a third comfy chair and we all retired around the fire somehow all managing to be in a position to see the main doors. The result of this was that when Alfred tried to sneak into the hall unnoticed . Unfortunately he just looked ridiculous and we couldn't help ourselves but laugh at him. His blurted response about big black demons in the barracks did little to quell our levity although I did manage to say "You mean like Fred here. Yes we know about them". This seemed to be the spark and he launched into a sermon about how put upon he was.
I suppose guilt took over then and Cordelia asked him if he wanted something to eat, conjuring quite a cold spread and another bottle of wine. Out of politeness I stayed whilst he ate and then retired. I though I heard him do likewise but he didn't follow me to the apartments.
Obviously that phase of my pregnancy is not over. The wolf whistling woke me again this morning , which was all very well but the then sudden desire to empty my stomach contents wasn't. I didn't even make it half out of bed. When I'd recovered, I found my robe, which somehow I'd missed, pulled it on and walked to the window to see what all the continuing noise was about. Cordelia was standing on the window ledge doing some form of exercise wearing only her thin robe, which she hadn't bothered to fasten. The fact that she was currently standing on her hands with the robe draped about her head with her legs spread wide open couldn't have been anything but deliberate. I glared at her and told her I need some assistance in cleaning my room. She smiled at me and swung her body in an arc so she was supported on her hands her legs spread either side of them, then rolled backwards and disappeared into her room. The audience whistled and clapped enthusiastically.
She walked into my room as if nothing had happened. I didn't really know what to say. She cast her cleaning spells, conjured me a glass of stout and the said she was going to train. When I said she should put some clothes on first, she replied "Why? It'll be more fun like this". I asked what she meant. She said I'd see and somersaulted out the door.
I watched from the window. She had tied the robe at the waist by the time she reached the courtyard. She then proceeded to spar with each of the Fred's warrior in turn, except Fred himself. It was obvious that she was using moves that caused her robe to open and then use the distraction it caused to land blows and kicks. Even after fighting for nearly two hours it was having pretty much the same effect all the time, despite Fred now pointing out exactly what she was doing as she did it.
I made my way down into the hall and waited for her. How could she as a Princess of Amber debase us all by stooping to the level of a common street tramp. When she walked in I let fly with the full force of my feelings on her little exhibition, but she didn't even bat an eye lid. All she could say was "any weapon at your disposal should be used if it gets the desired results. As I've just demonstrated"
By mutual consent we spent most of the rest of the day avoiding one another. I spent several more hours performing shapeshifting exercises and managed to grow fire-resistant scales on my hands and armoured scales over most of the rest of my body. My pregnancy is causing changes to my body that makes shapeshifing certain areas really complicated.
Obviously Fred's men have got tired of Cordelia as none of them gave her more than a cursory glance this morning. The exception was Fred, who watched the whole routine and then applauded politely, at which point Cordelia blushed. Of course if I hadn't been standing on my window ledge I wouldn't have noticed this but then I wanted her to come and freshen my room up - at least I'd managed to use the basin this morning.
When she opened my door a few minutes later she had changed out of the thin robe she had been exercising in into a much thicker and heavier one. She also had a pair of trousers of the same material on. I supposed she was going training again. At least this robe covered her up and would offer some protection - she'd actually had numerous tears in the robe yesterday when she finished her exhibition and also a number of cuts, grazes, and bruises. She also had a pair of swords with her this morning, in addition to the one she virtually always wore or carried. Since we'd met it'd never been more than 6 feet from her - I wonder what she'd do at a formal ball; swords and ball gowns aren't complementary.
I'm not counting my chickens after last time but I wasn't sick this morning. The feeling was there but it wasn't as strong and I was able to control myself until Cordelia finished this morning's exhibition . Fred was again the only one who watched the entire show. She was again dressed in her heavy robe, something she calls a Gi, when she came to check on me. In addition to her swords she had several other strange weapons with her. Since I was feeling better this morning I chose to accompany her and watch the first part of the training session. It appears that all of the weapons she uses are just an extension of her hand to hand combat and are obviously designed with that in mind. Even her use of her sword, when given the opportunity seems to reflect this.
I returned to my apartment and exercises after this. Usually when shifting into a combat form the trick is to shift vulnerable or exposed body parts or organs into more protected areas or deeper into the body. The side effect of my pregnancy seems to be that certain organs can't be shifted and armouring areas, such as my genitals, makes them more pronounced, similar to the way in which some female monkeys display themselves when ready to mate.
Dinner turned into a bit of a party, which was still going when I left. Even then I'd probably drunk more than I should have as will probably regret it either later tonight or in the early hours of the morning. I'm starting to find I need to urinate more often due to the pressure that is beginning to build on my bladder - there is only so much I can shift about and retain a human form.
This morning was one of surprises. The first was that Cordelia was not making an exhibition of herself on her window ledge. The second was that there were troops everywhere. I dashed into Cordelia's room to find her collapsed in a heap on the floor. She was breathing and moaned when I tried to rouse her but was otherwise completely unresponsive.
Taking a leaf out of her book I returned to my room collected my sword and then went down stairs. The hall was pretty much as it had been when I'd left except there were a further half dozen wine bottles, all empty, on the table. Cautiously I made my way outside. There were soldiers hurrying backwards and forwards, and several vehicles parked close to the barracks. Two of Fred's warriors were standing on the path to my mother's tower watching proceedings. I made my way across to them.
The troops had been brought in by Allagahn last night. Charity was apparently brining in a load more but an advance guard of the enemy were trying to cut her off. Everyone was down at the city gate making plans to assist her. There wasn't much I could do to assist so I started to make my way back to the hall. About half way I changed my mind and headed for the stables instead. I was just about to enter when a soldier stepped in my way. "Sorry Ma'am" civilians are not allowed in there". A burst of laughter eminated from within. "Since you obviously have no idea who I am I'll ignore your last remarks as you're probably only obeying some orders you've been given. Now for your benefit I'm Sorcha, Duchess of the Ice-Edge, Queen of Phemomeny , Daughter of Dierdre, and Princess of Amber. This means I can go where I please.". Unconsciously I shifted my eyes causing them to flash menacingly before returning them to normal. He stammered an apology and hurried away. I walked into the stable.
He started to project images in my mind again, trying to intimidate me, but this time I found myself strangely disinterested. I feigned interest and loosened the ties on my robe, letting it fall open, and started towards him. He turned his head and sniffed the air, the rest of him responding to my presence. I had his undivided attention and he hadn't noticed the sword. I was close enough now. I whipped the sword round and slammed it into his half extended organ. I felt him real in pain, then grabbed his head. "I told you next time you did that I'd cut it off. Next time the sword won't be in its scabbard." . I pulled the blade from the scabbard and gently ran the blade along his underside. Now we're going to have a little talk and you're going to behave and answer my questions without any snide remarks or , and I pushed the tip so it pricked the skin at the tip of his sheath, I'm going to perform a castration and turn you into a gelding.
When I left the stables an hour later I needed a bath. Despite my efforts at self control and despite being pregnant I had responded physically to the situation, something I'm not sure I understand. I know he sensed it in me for he responded similarly several times only to feel the point of the sword. It did serve to concentrate his mind on the subject of my pregnancy, the Prophecy of Imleshe, and restoring both Rodian to his cell and the Pattern . Both he and I believe my child is probably destined to do the latter although we will keep this to ourselves for the time being.
Nothing had changed when I reached the hall and I was beginning to wonder about lunch. I bathed and dressed, and returned to the hall. Still no change and no sign of anyone. I made my way across to the barrack block Fred and his men were using as their quarters. It was now almost completely occupied. I made my way to the second floor where I knew their quarters were.
I was about to walk into Fred's room when one of his lieutenants stopped me. "He's sleeping. Still hasn't recovered from getting drunk last night, and his early morning call this morning didn't help. Neither did "that arrogant arse Allagahn" - his words not mine. Is there anything I can do." He took me down stairs to what he called the "Prat's Eating Hall" - it had "Officer's Mess" written on the door, and introduced me to the catering crew. It wasn't up to what Cordelia had been producing but it was food. There was even a barrel of stout.
I was forced to eat there again for dinner when none of the others showed up. It wasn't until Fred tracked me down that I found out they'd decided to try and get into the Keep of the Four Winds with a view to summoning the Phoenix. It's not them doing it so much as not bothering to tell me that irks me so much. I know my pregnancy imposes limitations but they could at least have the common decency to keep me informed of what was happening.
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