Eranor was watching with concern out of the window of the town hall turned government capitol she was currently in. The actual capitol of Pal Miqo, her home, was a warzone. Currently being shelled by magical artillery from the elves. The royal family, herself included, had fled to this small town on the opposite border, as far away from the conflict as possible. Though it was becoming increasingly clear that they could not avoid the conflict forever, they were, for the moment, safe here. Though the tension of the conflict was heavy in the town.

Eranor’s blonde cat ears twitched and her blonde cat tail swished in anticipation as she watched the Delegation from Vas Naga approach. Eranor was a Miqo, and like all of the Miqo who occupied the three nations along the gold coast, was distinguished from other races by her cat like ears and tail. She was wearing one of her more informal one piece dresses. A simple silver colored outfit with a slightly frilly skirt hanging above her knees for a bit of a sporty look.

The delegation rode up to the bottom floor of the canton riding their scale beasts. Large, girthy, quadrupedal reptiles adorned with hardy scales and a tail with a club like end. The Naga riding them were similarly armored, both with armor and their own skin. For as the Miqo were known for their ears and tail the Naga were known for their patched scaly skin and the horns on the side of their head.

Some Naga grew more scales than others though the growth areas were all the same. Along the long parts of their arms and legs and along their belly, the parts of their body that didn’t move basically. It was tradition in Naga warrior culture to not have armor covering their natural plates. Eranor noticed this as several of the Naga now entering the canton were wearing sparse armor, at least compared to the Miqo soldiers she was used to seeing. The leader of the delegation was basically wearing an armored bikini with how much of his body was covered with natural scales.

Eranor stepped away and readied herself. Miqo cantons were multi story affairs. The lower floors were usually filled with shops, shipping centers, or other mercantile, and the middle filled with residential areas. The top most floor, called the garden, was reserved for the most important function of the canton. Usually it was a large estate for the family that owned the canton, or sometimes a public park, but in this case the garden was occupied by the town hall. The approaching delegation would have to ascend the stairs up the canton for a while before they reached the garden where she was waiting which would give her time to prepare. She wasn’t invited to this meeting, but it was still important for her to put up a good first impression of Pal Miqo’s royal family.

Finally the Naga delegation ascended to the top floor, and it was clear that the one she saw earlier wearing an astoundingly small amount of actual armor was their leader. She was shocked that among the Naga soldiers was another female Miqo, wearing more simple clothes to her armored counterparts. She was fairly inconspicuous looking, but Eranor could tell, both by the fact that she was a plain dressed Miqo among a crowd of Naga soldiers, and the slim black metal collar around her neck that she was a slave.

It wasn’t uncommon for the different beastkin nations to take slaves from their neighbors during the many small conflicts they have had over the course of their existence, or even to indenture their own to pay off debts. Eranor was familiar with them. Though she, like many in her generation, saw the practice as barbaric, she was a royal. Thus she grew up around her own slaves. So it was not shocking for her to see a slave, what was shocking was that the Naga had the gall to have a Miqo slave among their diplomatic entourage. Eranor’s political smile turned into a heavy frown as she was hit by the insult. The Miqo in question tugged the arm of the Naga in charge and whispered something into his ear, and the two both looked at her. Eranor didn’t bother to hide behind a fake smile any more, the insult was too great. The Miqo slave began approaching her with a smile.

“Princess Eranor I presume,” the Miqo said in a friendly tone. “I am Rosewood,” she said with a practiced curtsey.

“What are you doing here?” Eranor spat out in anger. “What is the meaning of this? Why have your masters brought a Miqo salve to this …”

“Miss,” the leading Naga had approached quietly, especially considering his large size and interrupted Eranor whose voice was growing involuntarily loud. “I would ask you politely not to disrespect the emissary.”

“General Aldyn,” the Miqo said with a calming hand gesture. “Allow me.” Eranor’s eyes jumped between the two of them in confusion. “I am Queen Tialla’s personal handmaiden, the closest among her court to her. Thus she has entrusted me with the honor of representing her at this meeting.”

“You’re the queen’s emissary?” Eranor said in disbelief. She didn’t believe this at all. It was unheard of for a slave to have any kind of title, much less emissary to the queen.

“I would again ask you to treat the queen emissary with her due respect,” general Aldyn said seriously. Rosewood couldn’t help the smirk and grinning look gave back to Eranor. It was probably the most satisfying way to prove her point.

“I’m sorry,” Eranor quickly apologized.

“I understand the confusion,” Rosewood said quickly. “Which is why I thought to come over here and explain things to you. The good queen regrets that she can’t be here in person, and I apologize for any perceived insult my status may have caused you.” Eranor was in stunned silence a blush growing across her face.

“Miss,” General Aldyn said lightly. “We’re due for out meeting.”

“Of course,” Roeswood said brushing the skirt of her simple green dress. “Let us hope that the royals are not similarly confused.”

“They likely will be,” Aldyn said gruffly. “Not that they have much room for offenses at this point.”

“General Aldyn I would remind you to appreciate that ears of present company when you’re talking,” Rose wood gestured to Eranor. Now it was Aldyn’s turn to blush.

“Ah sorry princess,” Eranor though it was quite the sigh seeing the intimidating Naga don an embarrassed blush.

“Let us continue on,” Rosewood declared stately. “It was an honor meeting you princess Eranor.” The two rejoined the group of waiting soldiers and made their way inside the town hall.

“Why did you bother with that?” Aldyn said, making sure he was out of earshot of the princess this time. Rose wood shot him an aggravated look.

“A little compassion, general, can go a long way. I pity the girl and the situation she’s been placed in.”

“It just seems pointless considering,” Aldyn growled.

“Such a military mindset. I think you are about to soon find out that you catch more sizzle bugs with dire bee nectar,” Rosewood said knowingly, giving Aldyn a look that dared him to disagree. He did not. “Besides you need to be more concerned with explaining my presence to Trynamore and Tara, if they are as perceptive as their daughter is.”

“I’ll handle it,” Aldyn said confidently, as the group walked into a medium sized meeting room, probably the biggest this small town hall actually has, where Trynamore and Tara were already waiting. Whether they were angry because a Miqo slave was at the meeting, or because their country was actively under attack and they were pushed into a corner, neither Aldyn nor Rosewood could tell. The truth was that it was a bit of both. Aldyn snapped to attention to break the silence, and hopefully the tension.

“King and Queen of Pal Miqo, I am general Aldyn and this is the emissary to queen Tialla Rosewood.” Rosewood gave a polite bow. Trynamore and Tara briefly glanced at each other upon hearing the news but seemed to move past the obvious confusion.

“Let us skip the pleasantries,” Trynamore said seriously. “Time is of the essence.”

“Quite,” Rosewood agreed. The soldiers that had followed the two in left to wait outside.

“What is it you want from us?” Tara said quickly. “We know that your assistance does not come without cost.” Rosewood and Aldyn shared a look.

“Indeed,” Rosewood said with a bit of solemnness. “Well then. I shall get right to it. In exchange for assisting in the defense of Pal Miqo, Queen Tialla requests princess Eranor as a personal slave.” There was a momentary silence at Rosewood’s rather serious request.

“You can’t be serious,” Trynamore said in shock.

“That is the queen’s demand,” Rosewood said flatly.

“The audacity!” Trynamore said angrily standing up. “I cannot believe queen Tialla would stoop to this level.”

“As I’m sure you know the queen is very busy preparing Vas Naga’s own defenses,” Rosewood said defensively.

“That’s not what I mean and you know it!” Trynamore cut Rosewood off.

“Sir I would ask that you treat the emissary with respect,” Aldyn stepped in to stop the screaming king but to little avail.

“Respect?” Trynamore scoffed. “Respect this display? Respect this queen who sent a slave to come make a salve of my daughter. I’ll show you respect.”

“Dear,” Tara spoke calmly but loudly. Stopping her husband in the middle of screaming.

“You need to think about this seriously,” Aldyn added once the king had gone quiet. “The elves are gearing up for another attack. You do not have the resources to stop them a second time.”

“And I don’t think we need to tell you the reason they are attacking to begin with,” Rosewood added in. “They will make slaves of you all as they pillage through your country, and despite what you think of my master, we all know that the elves are not as kind to beastkin as we are.”

“Some fat load of crap this is,” Trynamore huffed. “You warning me about the elves coming through and taking slaves, while telling me I need to send my own daughter off to be a slave.”

“What exactly are you offering in exchange?” Tara cut through the tension. Rosewood looked to Aldyn to explain. He cleared his throat and began talking.

“We have two divisions making camp in the forbidden forest,” he explained strategically. “If you agree to our terms they will move in on the elven artillery, and help fortify the capitol once it is clear. I will have to go back, but I will return with another division of reinforcements to help hold the line.” The king sat back in his seat and Aldyn understood to continue. “Our intelligence believes that this is the beginning of a large scale invasion of the beastkin nations. The elves will not be able to move a significant number of troops through the forbidden forest, they need to go through Pal Miqo to reach the rest of the beastkin. They are trying to take your country to create a staging area for slaver raids. We want to help you, but we also cannot be seen as weak during these times.”

“I would also like to add,” Rosewood cut in. “That perhaps you had not considered the safety of your daughter. If she were to come with us she would be safe in Vas Naga, and well cared for.”

“She would be a slave!” Trynamore spat back.

“Yes just like me,” Rosewood countered. “And here I am as queen emissary.” Rosewood let the two draw their own conclusions from these two statements.

“Dear,” Tara cut in calmly. “I don’t think we have much of a choice.”

“Firefeck!” the king swore tossing his chair aside as he angrily stood up. He looked out of the window to the conference room in anger. “Just. just,” the king breathed deeply in thought. “Promise to take care of her.”

“You have my word,” Rosewood said seriously. “The princess will be a valuable asset to the royal court, and she will be well cared for. As the queen’s handmaiden her daily care will be my responsibility, and I promise I will treat her fairly.”

“Fairly and well are not the same,” the king spat.

“I think perhaps you should leave us for a moment,” Tara stood up herself.

“We will be returning with the princess to Vas Naga as soon as we are done here,” General Aldyn said calmly. “I will direct you to Colonel Trist. She is in charge of the advance forces until I return. I take it we have permission to take Eranor into our ownership.” Tara gave a half glance to Trynamore who was still seething by the window.

“You do,” Tara said plainly. Aldyn and Rosewood got up to leave the room.

“Would you like to say goodbye?” Rosewood offered as they opened the door. Trynamore and Tara both turned away. “I see,” Rosewood noted. Somewhat surreptitiously as the Naga group was preparing to leave Eranor was coming up.

“Excuse me,” she said politely trying to pass through the group but she was blocked by the soldiers. Rosewood stood silent and solemn as the soldiers surrounded Eranor.

“Princess Eranor you are coming with us,” Aldyn said sternly grabbing Erarnor’s shoulders.

“What?” Eranor struggled to little avail against the giant Naga. “No! Let me go! Mom! Dad!” she shouted out down the hall, but got no response even though she knew they were in there.

“Don’t resist princess you’ll only make it worse,” Aldyn forced Aranor’s hands behind her back while another soldier helped secure her into metal shackles binding her hands together behind her back. As this was happening several Miqo soldier sprang into action to save their princess but they were stopped before they could intervene.

“Let them pass,” Trynamore said stepping out of the room. The soldiers wavered slightly but obeyed the king’s command.

“What?” Eranor managed to turn around to face her father. “What do you mean? What’s happening?”

“I’m sorry Eranor,” was the only thing Trynamore said.

“Sorry?” Eranor’s mood started to shift as things started to come together. They had gone into that room to discuss the terms for the Naga’s aide, and now that that discussion was done, her father was letting her be captured by the Naga. “Sorry!” the question turned into a biting accusation. “How could you? You. You.”

“Quiet!” Aldyn commanded, forcing Eranor down to her knees while another soldier approached with a thick black metal collar. They fastened the inch thick piece of metal to Eranor’s neck. Eranor, being held down by Aldyn, and with her arms bound behind her, could do nothing as the collar was locked shut onto her neck with a complicated screw like lock. Eranor glared daggers at her father who refused to look at her. Aldyn quickly attached a chain leash to a d-ring on the front of Eranor’s new collar. He started to move out of the room but Eranor was fighting back against the tug of her leash.

“No!” she shouted as she tried to resist the tugging. “No! Go back! Father! Mother! Look at me before you ship me off dammit! Look at what you’re doing!”

“Princess!” Rosewood cut over Eranor’s shouting with her own stoic and serious voice. “We are leaving.” Eranor glared at Rosewood and was about to say something but Rosewood spoke first. “There is nothing for you to gain here,” Rosewood said looking Eranor in the eye and sending a subtle message through her gaze. Eranor’s anger was quickly turning into sadness and she started sobbing. “Aldyn,” Rosewood said urgently.

“Right,” Aldyn confirmed. “Come princess,” Aldyn commanded in a neutral tone. This time as he tugged on Eranor’s leash Eranor didn’t fight back and let herself be led out of the town hall.

AUTHORS NOTE: All right here's the first real chapter. We're hitting the ground running and getting right to things. Still suffice to say that this is all set up, and we're going to be getting into things soon. If you want to get into things sooner you can always subscribe over on my patreon at https://www.patreon.com/bigred0603. Stay tuned for more and as always I hope you all enjoy.