Raina had spent three days in the good graces of King Duren, talking of vehicles, booze, and all things that sporting people talk about before her wanderlust began eating at her. With Duren's blessing and a swift kiss on his soft lips, she hopped on Blanche and went about her way to his sister's lands. It took a few days to get to the edge of Elusia but Blanche behaved like a true traveling lady.

She arrived at the Misty Lock Inn and smiled. A good drink, some food in her stomach, and a soft bed at her disposal would make Raina a very happy woman before entering Queen Luria's royal court. She parked the bike nearest to the stables and walked with confidence into the Inn.
A wide array of people were there, among them, the guard from Duren's private guard, Braden.

She giggled and sat herself on a barstool. "I'd really like a glass of rum. If you don't have that, a stiff cider will work.", she said to the barmaid. "Nae, We haven't any of the rum...tis made the Pirates right bastards it has.", the barmaid moaned. "Then, cider it is.", Raina said, warming the barmaid's heart with a smile. "As soon as I can get it to ye...Sukie hasn't arrived for work today. Tis afraid I am for Sukie. I fear she may have given birth.", the barmaid said.

"No need to fear that! If she is giving birth, it's truly a time of celebration! And I'd be willing to work for you until this Sukie returns. It's not like I have anything ebtter to do. That and it gives me an opportunity in which to meet everyone before I go to see Queen Luria.", Raina offered. "Ah...that would do me proud, it would. I be Blanche...the Mistress of Misty Lock.", the barmaid introduced herself.

Raina looked at the barmaid and instantly, she knew it to be true. Take the doo-rag off the barmaid's head and put a pair of prescription sunglasses on her and sure enough, she was a clone of her friend from Earth. "And it would be an absolute honor to help you during this time, Lady Blanche. I am Raina Simons from Earth.", she said.

"Well, enough talking for now, little one. I have guests in need of their daily drinks. Mind serving them gentlemen in the far corner?", Blanche asked. Raina merely nodded and took the tray of drinks from Blanche. "Welcome to the Misty Lock Inn. I'm Raina, your server for today. May I interest any of you gentlemen in a bowl of soup?", she asked, her serving training from the diner coming right back to her.

"You must be the human from Earth that Duren was talking about.", said one of the men at the table. "I didn't think Duren would let such a fine piece of ass like yourself get away so quickly.", he commented. Raina blushed and from the corner of her eye, she saw Braden stand up. She used her free hand to give him the signal to sit back down.

"Now, who said he just let me go? For all you know, you might be talking to his consort. I might like to gallivant with the commoners for all you know. And for all you know, I might be such a devoted little piece of ass that I tell my man every single detail about my day...
including the part about some nasty little farmer with dirt under his fingernails and rotten teeth trying to make me feel like a common whore instead of the King's lady. So, here's the deal...we're gonna start over. And you are going to keep any disparaging comments that you might have about me, Duren, or anything else to yourself. If you simply can't do that, I'll show you the reason I garnered such good favor with the King.", she said in a low tone.

With those words spoken, Raina had left it to the imagination of those present that she was the new royal consort to King Duren and the only reason she was working at the inn was that it amused her. All those listening, including Braden, King Duren's private guard...the one he assigned to seeing to Raina's safety...suddenly found a new level of respect for the woman.

Another man at the table smiled. "I'll take that bowl of soup. Would you please bring a small loaf of bread with it?", he asked. "Certainly. Any other requests?", she asked. Not one man said anything. "I'll be right back with your soup. Drink and eat hearty, gentlemen.", she said as she sashayed away from the table.