Passing a different route, Kai and his butler navigated the winding path that skirted through the forest's edge, where a large cliff loomed before them like a titan. The jagged stone silhouettes rose into the sky, their worn, ancient faces seeming to tear into the heavens like fangs.
Mist swirled around the rocky outcroppings, as if the land itself was exhaling a perpetual sigh of despair. Below, the waves crashed against the unforgiving shore, their rhythmic pounding echoing through the air like the furious applause of a thousand restless spirits.
Perched atop this foreboding edge stood Ravenspire Keep, its obsidian walls seeming to absorb the faint light, radiating an aura of dark, brooding intensity. Every window appeared like a vacant, haunted socket, screaming tales of forgotten tragedies and sword fights that had long since faded into the annals of history.
"We're here, sire." Cuddlebottom announced.
Kai's gaze rose, his eyes wide with a mix of awe and trepidation. "Damn," he breathed, his voice barely audible over the waves.
"Even the birds look angry." A three-eyed raven perched on a nearby ledge let out a harsh caw, as if in agreement with Kai's assessment.
Sir Cuddlebottom adjusted his monocle, a glint of amusement dancing in his eye. "Welcome to the domain of Duchess Delilah, Warden of the Western Blade, Slayer of Fifty-Six and a half bandit lords."
Kai's brow furrowed in confusion. "Wait, what's the half?"
Sir Cuddlebottom's expression turned solemn, his voice taking on a conspiratorial tone. "The last one was attacked by an angry chicken mom mid-duel and had accidentally tripped on himself. Delilah let him live by shaving his beard, his hair and yes, his most secretive area."
Kai's eyes widened in surprise, and he leaned in, his voice barely above a whisper. "That's very cold."
Sir Cuddlebottom nodded gravely. "So was the chicken. Though, it was roasted by the man afterward, and now the chicks are left with no mother." The absurdity of the situation hung in the air, leaving Kai unsure whether to laugh or shudder at the peculiar brand of justice.
As they approached the keep, silhouettes of sword-wielding women could be seen sparring and training with each other. One could be seen by the cliff, with a sword placed to her neck by another, but they had immediately withdrawn their swords as they embraced each other in a deeply affectionate kiss.
And even though the sound of the wave was great, Kai could still hear the moaning sounds of both women kissing each other. Or perhaps, he was imagining it in his head.
At that moment, a steward had emerged before them, clad in crimson armor that gleamed like polished rubies in the dim light. Kai didn't know there was a male present, he thought everyone here was a lady. What Kai didn't know was that this dude was the only male present in the keep.
He bowed low, his head dipping toward the ground as he greeted Kai. "Welcome, Prince Kai. The Duchess awaits your presence. She requests that you proceed to the backyard."
With a nod, Kai followed the steward towards the back. But they had to pass the very edge of the cliff before they could get there. The gusts of wind howled around them, threatening to dislodge any who weren't securely fastened.
Kai's cape fluttered behind him, its edges whipping about in the wind. As they climbed higher, the wind grew stronger, buffeting them with icy blasts that cut through their clothes.
Finally, they reached the backyard, which was a more widely, open space compared to the front yard. It is paved with polished obsidian tiles that seemed to absorb the light around them. Jagged railings could also be seen surrounding the arena, their sharp points reaching toward the sky like skeletal fingers.
Wind-swept banners bearing the sigil of a blood-drenched sword kissing a rose snapped and fluttered in the breeze, adding a touch of macabre elegance to the scene.
And there, standing at the center of the arena, was Duchess Delilah. Her presence seemed to fill the space, her eyes gleaming with a fierce intensity as she awaited Prince Kai's arrival.
Cuddlebottom had informed her of their coming since the previous night, so she has been expecting their arrival until they arrived early this morning.
The wind screamed across the wildly open yard, its fierce gusts carrying the scent of dust and steel, with an undertone of soft danger that seemed to linger in the air. Duchess Delilah stood tall, her figure backlit by the slightly dark sky, her silhouette framed in a way that seemed almost... artistic.
The fading light danced around her, casting shadows that accentuated the curves of her leather-clad figure, a sight that would have been illegal in three kingdoms.
Her rapier, still warm from recent sparring, gleamed in the dim light, its presence a testament to her skill and prowess. Her expression was a challenge, a dare to say something worthy, or suffer the consequences.
Kai approached her slowly, his steps reverent, his eyes fixed on the Duchess with a mix of admiration and wariness. A bead of sweat trickled down his temple, and his armpits grew damp with nervousness, a stark contrast to his confident stride.
Despite the passing of time, Duchess Delilah remained unchanged – the same silver-streaked braid swung behind her, a rhythmic motion that seemed almost hypnotic.
Her confident, coiled grace spoke of a warrior woman who wielded swords with deadly precision, and made them blush with her mere presence.
And then, there were her eyes – twin blades that seemed to flash between invitation and challenge, leaving Kai wondering whether she wanted to kiss him or cut him.
Moreover, as Kai approached her, Delilah could then be seen sheathing her rapier in one smooth, theatrical motion, the blade sliding home with a whispering hiss. The metal gleamed even as it vanished, like a secret kept for too long.
"Well, well. Prince Prettypants," she drawled, her voice smoky and amused, like it had been soaked in dark liquor and lit with a grin. "You've grown to be a handsome, fine man."
Kai tried to stand tall, tossing his hair with more flair than finesse, his tunic catching the breeze just enough to exaggerate his presence. "As have you, Aunt Delilah. More beautiful. More… swordy."
Her eyes narrowed slightly, and one perfectly sculpted brow arched in icy critique. "Swordy?"
"Yeah, in a good way." He said, nervously forcing a smile as he took a tiny step back, "I mean, the way you wield your sword is like no other, so you're swordy."
Delilah then stepped forward, her boots clicking softly on the stone floor. Her hand could be seen trailing the hilt of her blade as if it might leap out on its own. "Flatter me again," she said, her smile thin as a razor's edge, "and I'll cut something important."
Kai swallowed so loudly that it echoed. In his head, a frantic checklist ran through all his essential body parts.
"That was a compliment," he said quickly, trying to strike a heroic pose that was meant to look dashing, but had failed as he tensed the wrong muscles. His chest puffed, his leg wobbled, and he looked a bit like a startled deer - like little Bambi in the famous Bambi movie.
"I just meant," Kai said, voice cracking slightly, "you wield a sword with such… seductive brutality."
Delilah tilted her head, amused. "Careful, nephew. Seduction is a blade too."
She then halted a few paces from him, arms folded beneath the curve of her heavy laden chest, her gaze cool and calculating. Her lips twitched at the corners, betraying the tiniest smile which was half indulged, half exasperated.
Her expression didn't give much away, unless you counted the spark in her eyes that hinted at being thoroughly entertained… and just a little intrigued.
"So, you're here on royal business? Or why have you come to see me?" she asked, her tone silk over steel.
Kai straightened, pulling a scroll from inside his coat with theatrical flair. He gave it a flick, and the parchment unfurled with a flourish worthy of a royal decree or a street magician.
Bold, glittering script scrawled across the top: Mission: Aunties Conquest, complete with a sparkling heart dotting the 'i' in aunties.
Delilah blinked, not once but thrice.
"…Is this your battle plan, or a cursed love letter from a lunatic bard?"
Kai grinned like a man deeply committed to both chaos and charm. "A bit of both," he said with pride, the scroll still dangling like a banner of poor decisions.