Tialla’s vision was filled with that of King Joshua’s. She was literally looking through his eyes. Thankfully he was standing in front of a mirror so she could actuallysee his body. He was doing the same. King Joshua’s vision would be filled with Tialla’s and she had her own mirror, situated just above the magical crystal that was allowing this scrying to happen. It was customary for scrying session like this to take place in front of a mirror so each party could see the other, and for an official call like this, the tradition was certianly upheld.

“Obviously I’m disappointed in the outcome King Joshua,” Tialla spoke but she could only hear her own voice coming out of the magical crystal in King Joshua’s room.

“Believe it or not I am also disappointed in the outcome,” King Joshua’s crossed his arms in thought. “But I didn’t have a lot of choice. We’re just outclassed by the elve’s technology. I hope that your own advances will match up to theirs when the time comes.”

“I only hope that there will be enough time,” Tialla replied.

“Though obviously this may all change should you discover the presence or the worm.”

“Right,” Tialla replied unsure. King Joshua’s expression changed as he noted the hesitancy in her voice. Tialla was thinking that even if the worm were here, and it secured her alliance, king Joshua’s comments were still true. Their chances of winning didn’t go up, just their obligations. Neither possibility was particularly compelling.

“You should find out soon,” Joshua said ignoring Tialla’s reservations. “General Castor has just left, and he’s making his way to you to get your answer, and I think your answer should be already decided.”

“Indeed,” Tialla said disappointed. “Though I express again that I am not happy. You have forced my hand though. We need to stick together if either of our nations is to get through this.”

“Agreed,” Joshua said with a strange version of happiness.

“You will have to excuse me now Joshua,” Tialla said with a diplomatic bow. “I do have to prepare for the general’s arrival.”

“Indeed,” Joshua commented. “I hope you will let me know the results of this meeting soon,” Joshua said referencing the twig ring and the potential connection to the worm.

Tialla’s vision was dark for a moment as the connection of the scrying was terminated, and she blinked a few times as her regular vision returned to her.

“Well, that went about as well as expected,” Eranor said speaking up from her corner of the room.

“It’s exactly what we expected,” Tialla shrugged. “It’s all up to the twig ring now, if it can save the alliance.”

“You seem unsure,” Eranor approached thoughtfully.

“Well, even if they are being influenced by the worm, what Joshua said was right. They have such an advantage in technology. Us joining together to stop the worm won’t change that. We’d just be marching off to die.”

“You’re not wrong,” Eranor agreed. “Though I think you’ll get to that point eventually, it’s just a matter of time.”

“None of it matters until we know if Castor is under the influence of the worm or not,” Tialla shook the doubts out of her head. “So, let’s cross that bridge first.”

“What is the plan to cross that bridge?” Eranor asked. “Planning to have Rose and I go all slave girl again so he won’t notice us wearing the ring.”

“No,” Tialla answered quickly. “Because you’re not that, and you never should have been. Besides there’s no reason to pretend any more. The lines have been drawn and I’ve no reason to try and impress him.”

“But,” Eranor said knowingly.

“But,” Tialla sighed annoyed. “You are right about my plan. Even not dressed as a slave you are … cute.” Eranor giggled and curtseyed, though her outfit today wasn’t especially cute, a plain looking white dress, she was happy to play into her role. “He shouldn’t be expecting us to have the twig ring at all and even less that the cute kitten in the room would have it on. So you’ll wear it, and then let me know what you see.”

“It’s a great plan, I’m glad I thought of it,” Eranor giggled. “I’ll have to pick out something especially cute.”

“You seem to be enjoying the idea.”

“I have grown an appreciation for being the cute kitten in the room.”

“Me too,” Tialla agreed. “And it seems like you’ll get your chance pretty soon. He seems to be on his way, we should get ready for him.”

*****

The preparations for general Castor’s return were rushed, both because their notice was short and because now Tialla and her country were not in a diplomatic mood. Even still, some customary diplomacy was still observed. Tialla was dressed in an appropriately fancy dress. A dark blue almost purple dress with a long and volumous skirt.

Eranor was with her, also dressed well. Her dress was a bright pink with white ruffles, and a short skirt that went into the bodice at the front and back in a v shape, showing off the pink and white diaper cover with ruffles on the butt. Though the diaper was covered there was no doubt that’s what she was wearing under that diaper cover. A white harness with a white leash, and a white pacifier on a white ribbon clip completed the look. All of this loud outfit of course was serving the goal of hiding the real centerpiece of her look, the twig ring resting on the index finger of her left hand.

Tialla looked over at Eranor and quickly turned away with a blush.

“I saw that Nana,” Eranor giggled.

“I can’t help it you look so …”

“Adorable? Cute? Sweet?”

“Distracting,” Tialla sighed.

“Well, that’s the plan isn’t it,” Eranor shrugged.

“That is the plan,” Tialla said with another blush. “I just… I wouldn't have picked something quite so showy. You’re supposed to not be my baby slave anymore.”

“And I’m not,” Eranor spat back. “I picked this outfit out all by myself. Good thing to. If it’s got you distracted it should be good enough to get Castor distracted. At least keep him from looking at my ring. Don’t be shy. Take my leash like you own me.”

“I don’t officially.”

“It’s a good thing that officially is not the way that matters,” Eranor held out her white leash. Tialla couldn’t help a smirk as she took it in her hand.

“Tia, he’s here,” Rosewood said entering the room, dressed in typical clothes especially compared to Eranor. A white tunic with green pants. Tialla took in a breath and nodded, following Rosewood, and Aldyn who was waiting just outside to the hangar.

General Castor did not make the effort to show off like he did on his last visit. His airship simply and without fanfare drifted slowly down onto the landing area, the setting sun glinting across its hull causing Tialla to wince a bit as it hit her eyes. With much less ceremony the ramp to castor’s airship opened. A small guard of elven knights followed the general as he exited with his two pet slaves. He was dressed in his military uniform, a simple grey shirt, and pants. Even he knew that the pageantry of this visit wasn’t needed, though he seemed to spare no expense in having his slaves dressed in their revealing and uncomfortable restrictive gear.

“Ah Queen Tialla,” Castor said with a smug air. “It’s so good to see you again. It seems you have one less slave this time.”

“Eranor actually isn’t a slave any longer,” Tialla said curtly. Castor looked over Eranor’s ridiculous outfit, completely ignoring her ring, and giggled a little.

“Could have fooled me.” Eranor gave an overexaggerated curtsey in response.

“I picked the outfit out myself, I’m glad you appreciate it.” Eranor said with backhanded politeness.

“I do appreciate Miqo dressed a certain way that’s for sure,” Castor gestured to the two Miqo behind him, crawling around on their elbows and knees with their bare breasts and privates exposed thanks to their slave outfits. Eranor couldn’t hide the look of disgust at that comment, though Tialla managed by closing her eyes.

“With greetings done,” Tialla said loudly, signaling that little side conversation to be done, “We should move on to talks. I’m sure you are eager to return home to Hyur after all.”

“You’re right of course, though we will have to stay here for the night since it is already so late if that is acceptable to you queen.”

“I will not deny a diplomatic envoy, no matter how distasteful I find it. You may stay.” Tialla started walking, Eranor and Castor followed. Castor motioned for his guard to remain by the airship as he followed Tialla and Eranor. His own slaves were struggling to keep up with the brisk pace.

Eranor glanced back to Castor as they walked, subtly moving the ring on her finger. If she understood it right, she would just be able to tell by looking at him whether the Aeon Worm had spoken to him or not, but he looked normal. Pompus, arrogant, and bigoted, but that was all normal for general Castor. Eranor’s skippy, innocent, step did well at hiding her uncertainty. Not that the alternative was much better, but seeing that Castor was apparently not under the influence of the worm, that his conquest and destruction of Miqo culture was just garden variety nationalism, was disappointing. Disappointing that such evil could not be so easily explained away. Was it preferable that this was just all too real manifest destiny over some impossible evil Eranor could barely comprehend? She didn’t know the answer to that, and to some extent it didn’t matter.

“You will wait for us out here won’t you sweetheart?” Tialla interrupted Eranor’s thoughts, the group had arrived at the small meeting room. Eranor looked behind her, at Castor’s expectant face, and the panting tired faces of the slave Miqo behind him. Struggling to even take full breathes with their uncomfortable gags forcing their mouths open.

“You don’t mind watching over my pets, do you?” Castor asked smugly.

“Really general?” Tialla protested.

“What?” Castor raised his arms in defense. “If she isn’t a slave, as you say, then she should have no problem watching over my pets.”

“That’s not exactly the issue general,” Tialla said indignantly. “I’m surprised you would even leave them behind like that.”

“They can be somewhat distracting,” Castor sighed. “As can your own...” Castor paused not sure what to call Eranor.

“It’s fine Tialla,” Eranor cut in quickly. “I don’t mind.” Eranor expertly hid her emotions behind a cute smile.

“See no problem,” Castor smiled. “Maybe she wants to catch up with her old officials.”

“I don’t think they’re much for conversation at the moment,” Tialla responded curtly.

“It’s fine Tialla,” Eranor said more sternly. “I’ve got it under control.” Tialla turned to Castor with a frown, but he was smiling.

“Let’s just get this over with,” Tialla said quickly and quietly. “We won’t be long anyway.”

“Quite right,” Castor added. “I should hope not. I am eager to get a good rest on my ship.” Tialla didn’t respond, but opened the door to the room for Castor to enter into first. Leaving Eranor alone with Castor’s two slave Miqo.

AUTHORS NOTE: All right we're back to our regular posting, a new prisoner of progress chapter. Looks like general castor is back and Eranor and Tialla's plan already hasn't gone exactly to plan. This trip is moving fast though, and we're going to get more into it in the next chapter. So stay tuned for that, and be sure to subscribe to me on my Ream page or my subscribe star page, now official and with all of the early posts coming in. You can find all of my links over on my link tree be sure to check them all out. https://linktr.ee/bigred0603 Thank you and hope you all enjoy.