fandomania | The Adventure continues...

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While the situation in the compound improved as the weeks went by, the situation outside in the city of Daihor and in the countryside of Alfaria was deteriorating.

For me, the family slowly began to accept me again. As the family watched Tru and I together, they collectively began to realize that we were in love and that, even if our marriage was somewhat hasty, we were good together. They certainly had noticed how much happier and younger that Tru was looking. Although I accepted their acceptance of me, I still held back somewhat. I didn't ever want to be so hurt again. I wasn't going to put myself in that position ever again. But with me going into my eighth month, I was happy that when my due date finally arrived, my child would be welcomed into the family and not shunned.

In Daihor, there were signesof growing dissatisfaction with the king. Several of his statues were knocked down or defaced during the night. The progress of the new palace was slowed to glacial speed with materials being stolen and with the building itself being ransacked, or sabotaged or vandalized. This continued to happen over and over again, no matter how many guards the king ordered to watch the building. Nothing directly was aimed at the king and his family. But the incidents were always on the periphery and always were planned so that the perpetrators were able to do their damage and still not get caught.

Although there was heightened watchfulness, Count Torfen continued to remain at large.

Captain Bayard and the Merry Nell returned from its monthly visit to the Archipelagos. Bayard broke from his usual routine this time. Instead of waiting until the cargo was completely unloaded into the company's warehouses, he left the ship immediately upon docking and came to the compound. He also sent a messenger to Haral, asking him to attend an important meeting.

Bayard, upon arriving, called for a general meeting. This suprised Tru because Bayard usually gave him whatever news he had first and then Tru called for meetings. But, since Tru trusted Bayard, he overlooked this and waited with the rest of us for Haral to arrive and the meeting to start. Fortunately, Haral arrived shortly after receiving the message.

“I know that you all are wondering why I called this meeting and not Master Piatrus. The news that I have is of such importance that I felt it couldn't wait. Now that everyone is here, I will begin.

“Last week, a day after we left Equiseta in the Archipelagos, we ran into a huge armada of Rajfaharan troop ships, warships and supply ships. There were so many ships that we had to delay our progress for two days. We keep way out of their way and ran up our flags to tell them that we were Alfarian merchants. Once we did that, they ignored us. By my estimate, from what ships we could see, there were at least two thousand ships in the armada. There could have been more. They may have been carrying at least 200,000 troops, sailors and their support equipment.

“From the course they seemed to be heading on, they were going to either Freedonia or Pradat-Vashnah. There is a possibility they were going to Xianpetê, but that would have been too round about and add too many extra miles. But you never know what Rajfaharans are thinking. My feeling is that they were going to Freedonia.”

Both Tru and Haral looked thoughtful upon hearing this news. I was astounded. Neither keeping up with the politics of the world nor wanting to was important to me. So this news was very surprising. I also began to wonder at the motives of Armand.

Haral spoke first. “I have been hearing from agents in Rajfahar that the Emperor was becoming increasingly concerned with the bellicose posturings of the Georgists. I knew of the troops sent to the border. That would make a lot of sense to keep is empire from being invaded. I had heard of the fleet being formed, but everything seemed to be focused on Georga and not elsewhere.

“I agree with your feelings, Bayard. Freedonia would make sense. Knock out or delay any possibility of relief troops.”

“Thank you, Bayard,” replied Tru. “This is as important as you thought it was. I will be sending messages to our agents to make sure none of our ships go anywhere near the war zones. While there can be enormous profits made from supplying a warring country, there are enormous risks also. I have seen many fortunes made by risk takers to supply one side or the other of the warring factions in Rosta. I have also seen great tragedies happen to the employees and the families of those risk takers. I have always made it a company policy that we do not deal in arms. I have made our fortune solely on supplying food and other necessities. But I will not risk lives and ships getting in the way of armies and navies. If we have to add miles to our journey, then so be it.

“I know that you wish to get back to your ship, Bayard. Unless there is more to add, you are free to go. When your duties are finished, however, please return back here and I will have different orders for you.”

Captain Bayard bowed to his employer, who was also his grandfather-in-law, and left.

Tru turned to his brother, “I suppose you need to get back to his Majesty to inform him of this?”

Haral smiled ruefully. “No. King Torval is not paying attention to anything right now but his own hedonistic needs. To tell him of this would be a waste of time and breath. He has advisors who are supposed to apprise him of such matters. I will let them do their jobs. However, I do wish to return to the Temple and send out messages to my collegues in various countries to inform them. Thank you for keeping me in the loop, brother.

“And in a similar spirit, I should tell you all, that if Count Torfen doesn't get caught soon, I have the worst feeling that there will be a major uprising of the people against the king. You need to be aware of this, Tru, and make sure the rest of the family does also. We need to keep ourselves and the family safe and out of the way when this happens. Just as we did when the Georgists tried to invade, we need to have escape plans and ways of communicating set up before this all happens. We don't need to be caught flat-footed and unprepared.”

“Thank you, Haral. As the old axiom goes, 'forewarned is forearmed.'”

Haral took his leave, making sure that he hugged and kissed me before he went.

Tru remained silent and thoughtful for a moment. He then turned to his son, Ferrell, and said, “How has the restocking of the caves been coming?”

Ferrill replied, “The last of the replacement supplies was delivered four weeks ago and everything is in place, if it is needed.”

“And how are things doing in the hidden valley?” Tru asked.

“All the buildings were finished last year. There are dormitories with room enough for about 250 people. We have caretakers living there to make sure no one else tries to take over the valley. They have dug wells and planted crops. If needed, we could move there at a moment's notice.”

“Thank you, son. It is good to know that we have everything in place.

“Well, everyone, we certainly are living in interesting times. We still need to go about our regular business. I wish to have a business meeting in my office in an hour. If Ferrill, Quinton and all the managers meet me there, I would appreciate it.”

It didn't surprise me that after the meeting, while people were going back about their busineeses, Tru took me by the hand and led me to the bedroom. There, he quickly undressed me and started to make love to me. When he had me moaning in pleasure, he laid me on the edge of the bed, spreading my legs. He adjusted his clothing to free himself, lifted me up to meet him, and then entered me. Within minutes we reached our pinnacles together and achieved ecstasy together.

When he was finished, Tru lay down next to me. He looked lovingly at my naked body. “I don't know what it is about you, my dearest girl, but making love with you always energizes me. It makes me feel strong and full of life. I always think so much clearer after a session with you. You are becoming an addiction to me.

“I have been trying not to use you too often, with you being so pregnant. I don't want to tire you out or hurt the baby, but there are times, like just now, that I need you both spiritually and physically. I have never met a woman like you before. You are always willing and always giving. You can tell me 'no' and I will understand. I don't want you to feel obliged to give in to me or feel that you have to.”

“I know that, my dear. It is just that I want you as much as you want me. Let me assure you that I can say 'no' and I have never felt obliged. It is just that you have never yet asked me at a time that I have been unwilling.

“Don't you have a meeting to be at?” I inquired.

“Yes, my dearest, I do, but looking at your lush, ripe body is hard to stop doing.” He placed his hand on my belly and my baby obligingly began to kick and move. “You are getting to be so big. The baby should be coming soon?”

“In about four weeks or thereabouts. It is difficult to tell a baby when he should be born.”

Tru sighed and got up. He helped me up and then helped me to re-dress. He kissed me once more, then went to his office and into the meeting.