Chapter 13 - Kor

This morning has us riding on a high, Emmy kissed us. Properly not just kisses on the cheek but true kisses as chaste as they were. It's a start though and telling of our mate's innocence that she blushed so deeply with just a few kisses even more so when I gave her one in return. This high won't last long now that the Council meeting is about to start, it's back to the serious business of war.

"Messages have now been sent to the ruling Lords of all major cities warning them about the war and asking them to prepare their men and to start stock piling supplies." Halmed begins ready to get down to business, "The dwarf Lords have also been told to start evacuating the towns and villages near to the border to protect the citizens in the event of war. They'll take shelter in the mountain strongholds where they have a better chance at defending themselves."

"I've sent some of my retainers to inform the dragon clans personally of the danger, asking them to send representatives here. It may take some time to find them all but once they do the clans should be ready to aid us in whatever way we need." Kavarthon adds serious and for once looking to work with everyone rather than only caring about his own interests.

"Do we have any spies in Nerkise?" Lilas asks wanting as much information as he can get. With the information we could get from spies within Nerkise we'll be able to come up with a better defence plan than just hiding people that are near the border.

"All we know for sure at the moment is that our ambassador was killed when Rhistel overthrew the Nerkise's council. Since then we've had no word from any of our people still in Nerkise, they're either dead or focused on helping the temples save as many Stones as possible." Magor informs him as worried about the lack of information as Lilas.

"Once the dragon clans arrive we can send them to the border for reconnaissance to give us a better idea of what's going on. We'll have faster and more accurate reports then." I join in, politics has never been my interest, but war and fighting is something I've been trained for. In the last war I helped Lilas work out strategies, he has studied many but isn't a fighter himself, and had fought in the front lines of the war.

"If we send them to the border they might be able to help the Caretakers smuggle Stones out of Nerkise as well while doing reconnaissance." Borgan adds getting nods of agreement from the rest of the Council, it seems that plan will go ahead without a problem.

"What do we tell the people? If they know everything it might start a panic." Lord Hess speaks up, a valid point. Knowing that there are people out their destroying Stones has a massive potential to cause panic, especially in those who haven't found their Soulmate yet. They could end up demanding that we act before we're ready wanting Rhistel defeated and Nerkise back under the control of a Council.

"They'll notice the war preparations, so we'll have to tell them." Lilas adds holding up a hand for quiet when the Council goes to protest, "Only about the chance of war. We'll have to keep the knowledge of the Stones quiet for now. It'll get out eventually but hopefully by then we'll be prepared. If need be we'll retake Nerkise after all we can't really let Rhistel continue his crusade."

Nodding the Council agree to Lilas solution for dealing with the people. Having that sorted we start discussing strategies for if Nerkise invades but we only have theories at the moment. With no solid information on their army or plans we can only theorise what they might do. We'll have the basis for actual plans when they do finally make a move.

All morning is spent on plans and contingences for those plans before we take a break for lunch. The break doesn't last long though as we only eat quietly for a short time before continuing making plans even as we finish eating. It's been many years since we've had to make plans for a war and even then it wasn't on the scale of another kingdom attacking.

Nerkise is only slightly smaller than Rialria so their army is of a similar size to ours but at the moment our is scattered across the kingdom while theirs is being rebuilt in Rhistel's image to continue his crusade against the Gods. The war may come down to the soldiers will power, Nerkise's fighting for their cause, and we'll be fighting to defend our way of life.

It's late afternoon by the time we call the meeting to a close and head home having made all the plans we can for now. We'll still meet everyday to fine tune the plans and adjust them as we hopefully start receiving information from the border or from spies. Lilas, Bel and I walk home tired from the endless discussions that we've had today, Lilas is rubbing at his temples trying to stave off a headache. Bel is yawning every few steps and I want nothing more than to climb into bed with all my mates close by thinking of anything but war.

"Hey Emmy, go-od day?" Bel asks a yawn breaking up his words as he flops down on the settee setting his head in her lap. As soon as we'd got back Tehlmar had informed us she was in the library, so we'd come to join her, ready for a nice quiet night.

"Yes, I had a nice time in the gardens. I even met Lady Hess again and she's asked me to help her with a ball she's holding for her husband, we've all been invited." She tells us running her hands through Bel's hair slowly as he closes his eyes resting comfortably but not sleeping just yet. We don't usually go to any balls or feasts, but she seems so excited about the idea of going that I know that for her sake we'll go. "And this afternoon I hired a lady's maid with Nuela's help. Her names Talindra and she'll start tomorrow."

"That's good." Lilas replies giving her a tired smile from where he's leaning against my side on the settee facing them. We're struggling to stay awake and will likely go straight to bed after dinner but for now listening to Kitten's day is helping us stay awake. She seems to be settling in well although she hasn't met many people yet. Lady Hess seems to be looking after her though, giving her something to do by helping with the ball and a safer way to meet other ladies.

I do still worry how some of the ladies will treat her though. Kitten's background might be held against her by many of the court, they're very judgmental against those poorer than themselves. Some of the more stuck-up members even consider merchants to still be peasants and those from very poor backgrounds, like Emmy's, they think of as lesser beings along the same lines as animals. I wish we'd had more time together at the castle before having to come here, who knows how they'll hold her lack of education against her.

Tehlmar enters the library after around an hour informing us that dinner is ready in the small dining room. I stand pulling Lilas up with me before pulling Bel up and out of Kitten's lap then guide my sleepy mates into the dining room. At this point even Emmy is half asleep, the day catching up with her after sitting and resting with us. We eat silently focusing on eating without dropping any food down ourselves.

"Bed." I say once we've all finished eating and there are no complaints from any of them as we walk upstairs with our only intention being to sleep. We're so tired that Bel, Lilas and I don't even comment when Emmy stays in the room while we change into our nightclothes. Being the most awake I help her undo the laces of her dress so she can change herself while the three of us fall into bed, I pull Lilas against me while Bel lies down on the other side of him with enough space left for Emmy once she's changed. She manages to remove her tiara by herself but doesn't bother doing anything else with her hair not even brushing it before joining us in bed climbing over Bel to lie between him and Lilas. To my surprise she gives each of us another kiss, brief like before and more like a kitten pressing its nose against you for attention before she settles against Bel's chest to go to sleep.

The long day finally draws to a close as I have all my sleeping mates close by. Without her hair braided back Emmy's hair is going everywhere but Bel doesn't seem to care just burrowing closer to her head in his sleep. Next to me Lilas is deeply asleep, but I can just about hear quiet muttering even in his sleep his mind is still on today's meeting. He won't sleep well like this and will probably wake up still feeling tired. Knowing there's nothing I can do to calm his mind I let myself relax and fall asleep, planning to make sure he stays home and rests tomorrow.

Bel and I are both awake an hour or two after dawn, between the two of us Lilas and Emmy are still asleep cuddling close to each other now. Lilas's face is half buried in her hair as he holds her closer while she nuzzles into his neck like the little kitten I keep comparing her to. She always pouts at the nickname but that just makes her cuter and more kitten like so it's not going away any time soon.

"They're so cute." Bel breathes out watching them sleep. I nod in agreement before indicating with my eyes we should get out of bed, not wanting to risk waking them by staying so close. Obeying Bel follows me out of bed to get ready for the day.

"Lilas is staying here today." I tell him as we get dressed and he looks at me in surprise, "Muttering in his sleep." He nods then in realisation knowing that Lilas talking in his sleep prevents him from getting a good night's sleep. He'll need extra sleep and a break from the Council otherwise the possible war will continue haunting his mind even when he's asleep. It follows Bel and I as well, but Lilas has always been gentler than us and despite his age war still scares him.

"He won't like that." Bel comments.

"No choice." I reply, for his own good Lilas will be staying here. He should be fine with it though; he'll get to spend the day with Emmy, which Bel and I would love to do but the Council won't like it if none of us showed off. We head downstairs and grab something to eat for a quick breakfast before having to meet with the Council, if we're lucky we might have some news from other cities so we can make further plans. If not though it could be a short meeting.

"My Lords." Tehlmar bows as we pass him on our way out of the palace, "Is Lord Lilas not joining you for the meeting today?"

"No. Give him this when he wakes up, under no circumstances is he to join the meeting today. And the only reading he should be doing is novels with Emilia." I inform Tehlmar giving him a note I'd written for Lilas. It should hopefully get him to stay home without any complaints or at least minimal ones. Preventing him from reading more strategy books or researching Nerkise may be a push but hopefully he'll stick to reading to or with Emilia, he seems to enjoying teaching her to read.

"Yes my Lord." He replies nodding his head in acceptance of my orders. After so many years both he and Nuela know that I'm regarded as the head of household so Bel and Lilas tend to obey my orders, even if only begrudgingly at times.

Arriving at the meeting hall we find that the rest of the Council are already present and seated going over one of yesterdays plans. Seeing us enter they begin to stand but I wave them off, we have more important things to do than follow court etiquette at the moment.

"Is Lord Lilas joining us later?" Raziel asks peering around us as though Lilas will appear behind us any second. I shake my head as we take our seats.

"Li isn't very well today. He'll be staying home and resting but he'll be here tomorrow." Bel informs them before getting down to business, "Now has there been any news since yesterday?"

"Not much. It'll be a few more days before our messengers reach the border cities." Halmed replies looking over some papers in front of him, "The closer cities have replied that they'll begin storing food, making some shipments to the border cities that'll be harder hit, and are calling in their men who'll be sent here for further training."

"That's good news. At least preparations are starting." Lord Hess comments, "Where would you like the training camps set up, Lord Ruikor?" Yesterday it was decided that I would oversee the training of the soldiers sent here in preparation. Borgan and Helmed will be helping with that also being trained warriors, Bel has said he'll help as well but his fighting style is more improvised and he's reckless while fighting. Not something we really want to pass onto soldiers, they'll need to be able to work together.

"We'll set up in the North fields. It'll be closer to the border if we do need to march there if war breaks out." I get nods of agreement with my plan and by the end of the week the field will be converted into a suitable training space.

We move on to planning where all of these soldiers will sleep. The generals that are being sent will be sharing one the empty palaces, Lord Hess forfeits his for them to use, having been newly appointed he hasn't moved into the palace reserved for the human councillor yet and prefers his own manor anyway. Other soldiers will be spread out across the city, a notice will be sent out to inns that they will be paid by the city rather than the soldiers themselves. Luckily the treasury is capable of bearing the burden of paying for it but eventually there will be more soldiers than places to sleep so they'll have to start camping near the training field.

It will take at least a week for the first soldiers to start arriving so we have time to prepare for training provided that we don't receive news from Nerkise. The lack of news is bothering all of us, we have no idea what Rhistel is planning and if he does attack we might not get word soon enough to counter. I don't like being left in the dark so the sooner we get some information we can use the better, until then I'll just have to content myself with training our soldiers into the ground.

The meeting draws to a close not long after lunch, unable to make further plans with what we know at the moment. We also deemed it unnecessary to meet again tomorrow unless we receive important news, other than that all of the Council want to take the chance to spend some time with their families while we can. Once soldiers start arriving at the capital we'll be meeting with the accompanying generals to plan the defence of the north as well as fine tuning offensive tactics in case of full out war.

Returning home I'm not surprised when Tehlmar directs us to the library when Bel asks after Lilas and Emilia. They're huddled close together at one of the desks working on reading a novel, Emmy is slowly reading it aloud with Lilas occasionally correcting her on a word or providing it if she doesn't know it. Making Lilas stay home today has really helped with her reading as she's able to read several paragraphs then a full page on her own.

Once she's finished the page, clearly the target for the lesson as Lilas praises her progress, Bel and I step fully into the room gaining their attention. Lilas gives me an annoyed look not happy about being left out of the meeting while Kitten looks thrilled at our return as she runs over first giving Bel a hug then me.

"You're back. Are you done for the day?" She asks sweetly as she pulls back slightly away from my chest to give me a smile trying to tempt me to stay. Luckily with the meeting finished I can give her a nod confirming that we're not going to have to go back. She smiles wider in return hugging me tightly again. I let her hug me for a while longer before gently pulling her away and, determined to do something I've been thinking of all day, lean down to kiss her.

Since she'd first kissed us yesterday morning and then again last night the thought of kissing her again has filled my thoughts. Now that I'm free to spend the afternoon with all my mates I'm able to truly kiss her again. A slightly deeper and longer kiss than the ones she's been brave enough to give herself. I'm just aware enough of what's happening around me to be aware of Bel sitting down next to Lilas and watching us kiss, probably waiting for his own turn. Getting to spend the morning with her, she may have given Lilas more kisses.

"That was nice." She whispers shyly, her face red, when I pull back releasing her from the kiss. It's pleasing to my instincts that she's enjoyed my kiss. Knowing that she's getting more comfortable with us is a good thing, we've waited a thousand years to be able to include her in our relationship and this is a sign we're on the right track. It seems to be Bel's new pastime to wind us up with the thought of Emmy joining us in bed in the future, he's always spoken about the idea of our fourth but is doing it more now that we know Emmy.

"You and Kor put on a good show." Bel calls over managing to make her blush harder while she buries her face into my chest trying to hide after realising they'd been watching. I wrap my arms around her to comfort her as I fix Bel with a stern look for teasing her when she's so shy and new to this. He raises his hands in mock surrender but even from across the room I can see the desire in his eyes as he turns to Lilas whispering something in his ear before pulling him into a passionate deep kiss.

"Don't mind Bel, Kitten, he likes to tease. Why don't we go for a walk while Bel catches Lilas up on today's meeting?" I offer her, thinking of a way to give Bel and Lilas some alone time. From the kiss and the look in both of their eyes they need some privacy to calm each other down. As much as I'd like to stay and watch there is no way Kitten is ready for that so we'll go somewhere else and they can join us later.

"Okay, could we go to one of the public ones? I can't wait to see them all." She asks as we walk out the room. Nodding I cast one last over my shoulder at Bel and Lilas as we leave. Knowing that we're leaving to give them some privacy Bel already has Lilas pinned against the desk kissing and biting at his neck.

I take Kitten out to one of the quieter public gardens, it's not as popular as others due to its wilder design. The court tends to prefer the more ordered gardens with perfect layouts but this one is one of my favourites reminding me more of clearing in a forest. Most of the flowers here are wildflowers native to the area and the whole area is surrounded by trees giving it a secluded feeling which I prefer.

We stroll around the garden as she tells me about her day with Lilas, mainly spent working on her reading. It's also the first day she's spent with her lady's maid Talindra although she hasn't been needed for the most part while Kitten's been inside with Lilas for company. Eventually we sit down against a tree near the edge of the garden, I sit with my back against the tree while she sits between my legs leaning her back against my chest.

"Kor…" She begins sounding nervous as she tilts her head to look up at me, "Why did we leave really leave Bel and Lilas at the palace?" I'd really hoped that she wouldn't realise that they weren't really going to discuss the meeting. After we'd learned how she was treated by her village I'd worried how much she really knows about sex and have been putting off asking about her.

"They… needed some time alone. In private." I tell her hoping that will be the end of it but judging by the curious expression on her face there will be more questions. Strangely she turns slightly red as she seems to go to speak several times before seeming to find the words, looking nervously down at her hands in her lap.

"For sex?" She whispers quietly, I'm barely able to hear her. I let out a sigh thankful that she seems to have an idea of sex, while we have no problem with teaching her explaining I'm glad we it appears we can skip the basics.

"Yes."

"Oh." She squeaks, I can't see her face at the moment while she's looking down but I can see the tips of her ears turning red. "I didn't know it was possible, between two men."

"It is." I confirm for her managing to catch the slight change in her scent as the idea seems to intrigue my little mate. It's probably a good thing Bel isn't here; he'd be able to smell it too and would no doubt bring it up with her which I don't think she's ready for.

"That day when Madame Joanna visited, she and Nuela realised I hadn't been taught about sex." She admits to me, something that she'd left out clearly to shy to mention when we'd asked about her day upon our return. "They sent everyone else out the room and told me the basics. But they never mentioned that it was possible between men as well."

"Don't worry Kitten. We'll teach you everything eventually when you're ready." I drop a kiss to the top of her head as we go quiet after her admission while we wait for Bel and Lilas to join us. They should be able to find us easily, Bel will be able to track my scent and this is my favourite garden other than our private one. I just don't know how long it'll be before they're ready to join us though, they might take the opportunity for more than on round.