The next few days would pass very,<em>very</em>pleasantly indeed! Queen Ileosa's moans - and the orc's groans and grunts - would echo from the walls of her suite, as they *fucked* over and over again...The dark-haired monarch's heady cries coaxed from deep, deep within! Oh, her handmaidens had to work overtime to ensure that not a breath of the scandalous tryst was spread around - But then, what was the<em>point</em>of being Queen if she couldn't indulge herself on occasion~?<br/><br/>Of course, the War Chief would return to his people very, very satisfied indeed...And possibly more than a little exhausted! Time would resume its oddly-accelerated flow, the passage of days and weeks marked by the rising numbers on Queen Luxora's bracelet - To mixed results!<br/><br/>While they<em>had</em>amassed a certain quantity of artifacts, figuring out their use was far more difficult. She'd done her best to recruit the best savants in the kingdom, but that was hit-and-miss at the best of times; they simply didn't have the breadth of knowledge required to unlock the secrets of the relics, grimores and stranger things they'd found! Which meant that Ileosa was left with a growing storehouse of trinkets with no immediate value...Hardly optimal, in her opinion. It looked liked she'd have to take a personal hand in things...<br/><br/>-At least the alliance with the orcs was going well. Supplies and coin flowed both ways, and there were plenty of<em>interactions</em>between the menfolk and orcish women alike...Not to mention her own occasional visits from the Warchief! Things, however, would soon change...<br/><br/>---<br/><br/>As Marcus stood before her throne, she graced his news with a nod - Even as the options swirled before her eyes, the thoughts forming in her mind as if they were her own!<br/><br/><strong>D.) Train them hard into a truly professional fighting force and establish a code of military conduct.</strong><br/><br/>"General Pellus, your victories - and your unyielding devotion - has pleased Us. We entrust you with the grand task of forging our valiant warriors into a<em>true</em>army...One worthy of Korsova. We trust your judgement in such matters above all others...You will have whatever you require, to craft a military like nothing the world has ever seen."<br/><br/>Queen Ileosa hadn't played<em>that</em>many strategy games. But she knew that trained professionals always beat enthusiastic amateurs...And this would pay dividends in the future. Better to organize<em>now</em>, while her rivals were still on the back foot - And still struggling!<br/><br/>As he knelt at her feet, Ileosa would rise from her throne - Her silken gown caressing her shapely legs, her slim fingers caressing his cheek.<br/><br/>"Oh, Marcus - I know what your heart desires most," she husked. "-After all you have done for us...How could We possibly deny you?"<br/><br/>It occurred to her that it'd be a nice change from the Warchief, too...After all, now that the alliance had been established, perhaps it'd be good to put some distance between them. If only to spare her handmaidens the work, of course...<br/><br/>Her hand came to rest on his chest, as she leaned in close - "We would enjoy your company tonight...There's much we have to speak of - In private, of course."<br/><br/>She'd favor him with a warm smile, as she waved for him to withdraw...Ileosa would be seeing him very soon, however!<br/><br/>---<br/><br/>It was Rika, however, who brought the<em>real</em>surprise. Ileosa's slim eyebrows rose, at her words...Worship of the Queen, and women in general, was catching on<em>very</em>quickly. If there was some way she could harness that faith and devotion...<br/><br/>A soft chuckle purred from Queen Ileosa's lips.<br/><br/>"The Sun Goddess, of course," she husked, her full lips shaping each slow syllable. "The life-giving, preserving, glorious Sun - Worship of which will be the holiest thing next to My self. Let the people know that - with the coming of each dawn - that I, Ileosa, the Holy Queen, will bless them with My benevolence."<br/><br/>She canted her head to the side, just so...Now *that* was surprising. Minister Al'sad had thought of<em>that</em>~?<br/><br/><strong>Wonder: The Great Harem Temples of Korsova</strong><br/><br/><em>This *is* an interesting idea~</em>Ileosa thought, a little flush to her cheeks...Her expression oh-so-thoughtful!<br/><br/>"Very well...You have my blessing to begin," she said. "But...Let there be trials - mental and physical - to ensure that only the finest companions enter the harem. It should be a mark of honor, for<em>both</em>men and women; Let them compete, in order for only the best to enter My service. Such an opportunity should be open to all who seek to better themselves...And to serve."<br/><br/>Once she'd signed with a flourish, her attention would turn to Ibn Al'sad...Her expression oh-so-thoughtful.<br/><br/><strong>C.) The hiring of the services of a beautiful wild witch to be a new handmaiden and offer magical tutoring (Expensive in gold or influence)</strong><br/><br/>"Ensure you secure this sorceress's services," Queen Ileosa said. "-That will be foremost of your tasks."<br/><br/>After all, what was the point of a Holy Queen if she couldn't<em>deliver</em>? And - the lovely monarch knew something the rest of her advisors didn't...That she (and by extension, her people!) had a natural affinity for magic! It was time to capitalize on that, while she could...Even though the initial costs made her wince.<br/><br/><em>It'd be worth it in the end,</em>she told herself.<em>Once I've learned what I need from her, of course...</em>