While all these things were happening in the Grand Duchy of Saladon, in Volkaron, Lady Commander Ionna was serving as messenger for Elanor, communicating with the lords who still supported her. Even after King Vermilion's death, there were still a few lords who believed in Elanor and distrusted the regent queen, Alexandria. Elanor had been confined to her room for too long, giving her mother every opportunity to scheme and increasingly corrupt more lords in her favor.
Isolated and imprisoned, Elanor felt more and more cornered by her mother's machinations. Her only contacts with the outside world were through Ionna, who risked her own life to carry her messages to the few remaining allies. The situation was becoming increasingly difficult, but Elanor had not lost hope.
As the future King of Volkaron, Prince Flamarion frequently visited Elanor's room. He loved his sister very much and could not stand to see her in that situation. Flamarion was a young man of noble spirit who believed in justice and truth, and could not accept his mother's actions.
During one of these visits, Flamarion found Elanor sitting by the window, looking at the horizon. Her eyes were full of sadness, but when she saw her brother, a small smile appeared on her lips. "How is my dear sister today?" asked Flamarion, trying to keep his voice light.
"Surviving," Elanor replied with a sigh. "But it has been difficult, Flamarion. Every day I feel the noose tightening more and more."
Flamarion held Elanor's hand and gently squeezed it, innocently saying, "I promise I will find a way to become king soon and get you out of here."
Then being summoned by his mother, Flamarion quickly left his sister's room. Ionna, who was waiting outside the room when Flamarion left, knew time was running out. She had received information that the soldiers of the Saladon Duchy would soon march to Volkaron before going to war against the shattered country of Nannu.
"What is the next step, Princess?" said Ionna in a low, urgent tone. "The remaining allies are willing to help, but we need a plan."
Elanor then rose determinedly: "Then we will act. I will not allow my mother to continue these atrocities. We must gather our allies and plan a way to restore justice in Volkaron."
Elanor began drawing up a detailed plan for their next step. They would need to be quick and precise, as at any moment Alexandria could discover their intentions. But with Ionna's loyalty and that of the lords still resisting, there was hope that they could turn the situation around in Volkaron. Elanor knew that Alexandria's unrestrained hatred for Nannu could splinter Volkaron into many pieces, after all she cared about nothing beyond her thirst for vengeance.
Elanor's next step would be to send a messenger to Nannu to warn them of the imminent attack. However, under Alexandria's orders, soldiers monitored all exits and entrances to Emarlal. Therefore, if anyone was caught carrying any message from the princess, they would be summarily beheaded. Elanor knew she could not simply send a messenger to Nannu. Ionna, as now commander of Volkaron's army, also could not play that role, as it would sound suspicious to the Regent Queen. After all, aside from Flamarion, she was the only one who regularly visited the princess.
Ionna, always cunning, had met a courtesan who greatly resembled Elanor. She came in a caravan with other courtesans from Vallarum, the second largest city in Volkaron. Vallarum was the capital of the former Kingdom of Obastar and was known as the home of beautiful courtesans and the largest pleasure district on the whole continent.
Ionna's idea was to substitute this courtesan for Elanor, taking advantage of the two women's resemblance. The caravan had royal permission from King Vermilion himself, while he was alive, to enter and leave the capital, as this was a luxury enjoyed by the nobles of Emarlal, Volkaron's capital city.
Elanor was apprehensive but determined. "It's our best chance, Ionna. If we succeed, we may be able to change the course of this senseless war."
Ionna agreed, carefully adjusting her plan. "The courtesan's name is Lyra. She is trustworthy and understands the importance of this mission. We will need a distraction to ensure the switch occurs without problems."
With a meticulous plan in mind, Ionna approached Elanor to discuss the details. "Princess, the caravan with the courtesans will be in Emarlal in two days. We must prepare ourselves, for I myself will distract the guards so we can make the switch."
Elanor, determined and confident, looked at Ionna seriously. "What are you going to do to bring this Lyra here?"
Ionna, always quick with her responses, said: "Princess, you are twenty years old and have always rejected the suitors your father has brought you. The people talk about many things, and if suddenly I bring a beautiful woman here, I think they will think you only want some relief!"
Elanor made a disappointed expression, putting her hand to her head. "Alright, fine. What the people think about my sexual preferences is the least of my problems! Let's get on with this!" She was visibly impatient, ready to act.
Ionna nodded, satisfied with Elanor's resolution. "I'll return in two days with Lyra and some makeup so you can transform into a courtesan until leaving the capital."
Elanor sighed, feeling the growing tension of the mission. "We have no margin for error, Ionna. The future of Volkaron and Nannu depends on this."
Ionna placed a hand on Elanor's shoulder, looking into her eyes firmly. "Trust me, Princess. We'll make this work."
Leaving the Princess' room, Ionna let her prejudice and hatred for foreigners show through. Wiping the shoulder Elanor had touched, she thought: "Save Nannu? What a joke, I'm doing this for the future of my own country. Volkaron will not remain in foreign hands." Her expression was a mix of determination and disdain as she walked away, carefully planning her next steps.
The next day, Elanor was very anxious to put the plan into action. She looked at the clock repeatedly, waiting for the right time. However, she realized that that morning her brother Flamarion had not come to her room as usual. Worried, she called one of the servants. "Please go call my brother Flamarion."
None of the servants attended to the request, increasing her anxiety even more. She felt a chill run down her spine, a sensation that something was terribly wrong. At that exact moment, the door opened and Alexandria herself entered Elanor's room.
"How have you been, daughter?" asked Alexandria, her voice mellifluous and laden with false concern.
Elanor, her face contorted with anger, replied more sharply: "How do you think I've been? You locked me in here, limited my power. Do you really think I would be well?"
Alexandria, however, smiled condescendingly. "Don't worry, all this will soon be over. I received a message from my messenger in the Duchy of Saladon. It seems the men Felix promised are better than I thought!"
Elanor felt a wave of nausea hearing her mother's nonsense. "Where is Flamarion? Don't tell me you've locked him away somewhere!" Her eyes were full of fury and concern.
Alexandria, keeping her malicious smile, responded in a soft, treacherous tone: "Don't be foolish, my daughter. Flamarion will soon be King of Volkaron, and as Regent Queen, it is my duty to teach him the right way!"
Elanor realized how deeply Alexandria controlled the situation. Anger and fear mixed in her heart as she struggled to maintain composure. She knew she had to follow through with Ionna's plan, but her concern for her younger brother added an extra layer of urgency.
Elanor, containing her fury, looked directly into Alexandria's eyes and said firmly: "You may try to control everything, Mother, but your reign will not last forever."
Alexandria laughed, a cold, cutting sound, and approached Elanor, caressing her face with false tenderness. "Of course it won't last, my dear. My reign won't last in this dried-up land, but it will be in my rightful place."
With that, Alexandria turned and left the room, leaving Elanor alone with her tumultuous thoughts and determination to carry out the plan at all costs.
Even worried for her younger brother, Elanor mentally prepared herself for the mission. She reviewed the plan's details repeatedly, knowing any slip could be fatal. The night before the caravan's arrival, she could hardly sleep, her emotions oscillating between anxiety and resolve.
Finally, the day came. The caravan from Vallarum entered Emarlal, and Ionna was ready to execute her plan. She found Lyra and explained the situation, leaving the courtesan intrigued and a little nervous but willing to help.
Ionna discreetly escorted Lyra to Elanor's chambers, and they passed easily by the guards, for as commander, Ionna said this was for Elanor's personal pleasure and so they did not object to the courtesan's entrance, assuming it was just for fun. "Here we are, Princess," said Ionna, handing Lyra some clothes and makeup to begin her transformation.
Elanor looked at Lyra, noticing the notable resemblance between them - like Elanor, Lyra had long golden hair and cyan blue eyes. "Let's make this quick. We don't have much time." Lyra nodded, beginning to apply the makeup and change clothes with Elanor.
The transformation was quick and efficient. Elanor, now disguised as a courtesan, took one last look at Ionna and Lyra. "I'll find a way to send a message when I'm safe."
Ionna nodded, and with a smile, wished the princess good luck. "Good luck, Princess." They stayed in the room for several hours until Elanor left disguised with Ionna accompanying her, leaving Lyra in the castle.
Elanor had some trouble leaving the castle. Fear was great as she slipped through the shadows, avoiding guards and using the lesser trafficked corridors. She moved carefully, her heart racing, each step carefully calculated. Once outside the castle walls, she had to wait until dawn for the caravan to leave the capital.
Hidden in the shadows and trying not to draw attention, Elanor watched the corrupt soldiers and nobles circling the streets at night. Some courtesans, already tired and marked by the night's abuses, began gathering around the caravan. The head courtesan, a severe and authoritative-looking woman, approached Elanor suspiciously of her identity. Elanor was almost forced to serve as a courtesan, the threat of discovery weighing on her mind.
However, some courtesans realized she was not Lyra. Discreetly, they approached and whispered words of support. "Don't worry, we'll help you," one said, looking around to make sure they were not being observed. They helped Elanor hide, protecting her from the head courtesan and soldiers and nobles seeking services that night.
Elanor, with tears of gratitude in her eyes, asked them not to tell anyone about her true identity. Though unaware they were helping the princess, the courtesans promised to keep her secret. "We know you're not Lyra," one said, "but we believe you have an important reason for being here. We will help you."
During the long, degrading night, Elanor witnessed the courtesans' suffering. She saw one brutally assaulted by a violent noble, breaking two ribs. Another was forced to perform acts beyond what had been contracted, while a third had her genitals wounded by a dagger. The degradation and humiliation the courtesans faced was unbearable for Elanor.
Disgusted and outraged by what she saw, Elanor knew she had to remain quiet so as not to risk discovery. The courtesans who helped her continued hiding her, protecting her from the watchful eyes of guards and the head courtesan. With each moment, Elanor's determination grew, the injustice she bore witness to fueling her will to fight Alexandria's tyranny.
When dawn finally came, Elanor was exhausted but relieved. The courtesans helped prepare her to leave with the caravan, carefully disguising her so she could pass unnoticed. "We'll leave this city but never forget what happened here," one courtesan said, with a look of hope and defiance.
Grateful for their help, Elanor promised herself she would fight not only for Volkaron but also for the women who helped her and those who would continue suffering under Alexandria's corrupt regime.
As the caravan left the capital, guards inspected it. Elanor, her face hidden by silk, waited nervously. She resembled Lyra, and the guards, suspecting nothing, allowed the caravan to pass. It departed for Nannu, carrying the disguised Elanor accompanied by the courtesans.
On the way, Elanor, still perplexed by the reality of the courtesans, decided to ask: "Why do you subject yourselves to doing these things? It's too degrading." One of the girls who had helped her replied sadly: "Most of us have been trained since childhood to do this. We don't have any other choice in life but to live like this." These words weighed heavily on Elanor's heart, strengthening her desire to be close to her brother to teach him about the importance of caring for the oppressed people of Volkaron.
After a few hours on the road, the caravan stopped so the horses could drink water. The adventurers escorting the caravan stood guard while the courtesans bathed in a small river. Fearing to reveal her disguise, Elanor did not go down to the river, remaining silently in the caravan.
Sitting in one of the carriages, Elanor remained silent until she heard a commotion outside. Peering through a small opening in the window, she saw some bandits approaching and believed the caravan was under attack. Elanor slowly exited and ran toward the river, where the girls were bathing.
When she arrived at the river, she found it empty. Confused and worried, Elanor ran back to the caravan but was surprised by men who grabbed her. The bandit leader approached and said, "It's this one!"
In a heroic act, Elanor shouted: "Where are the other girls? Return them!" The bandit only laughed, tearing the silk covering Elanor's face and caressing her cheek. "Captain Venum will love this one..." he said. Elanor struggled to break free, but then heard a voice behind her say, "This one has royal blood!"
Realizing she had been discovered, she turned and saw the head courtesan and the girls who had supposedly helped her the night before. "She'll make a good slave!" said the head courtesan. Elanor, horrified, realized this had all been set up by Ionna to sell her into slavery.
Princess Elanor was now in the hands of mercenaries, her fate uncertain and her hope of saving Volkaron and Nannu in danger.