Lugft was about to burst at the seams with unbridled rage. Not only had Wilhelm strode in like some conquering hero and sweep the Hem princess off her feet, now she was insulting him? If he were Wilhelm Lugft would have hit her so hard she'd forget who the hell she was.
In the end Lugft knew he couldn't do anything, he'd foolishly come unarmed in his rush and as far as he could tell Wilhelm was far more prepared. But Lugft would be damned if he didn't show his superiority to a fucking Gem, no matter how royal her blood was.

"You know princess, for all this blustering about how weak or timid we, unworthy Drakken are it seems more than a little hypocritical" as he said this Lugft began walking down the line towards the princess, deliberately examining each bride as if they were cattle. "After all, how many generations have you Gems been our loyal lap dogs hm? Ten? 20? 30, 100? And when do you think it will stop?" Now he stood right in front of her, a terrible rage filled smile plastered on his face. "I'll tell you when, when all the Gems are dead. If you haven't noticed we are about to go to war, well war may be giving the Gems to much credit eh? Don't you boys agree?" Looking to the assembled lords to nods and loud agreements, "more of a brutal beating really, like a dog who's got a bit out of line. And you call us weak for not squabbling over you like hens?" He drew dangerously close to her with that, right in front of her, practically breathing down on her. "How important do you really think you are? You can talk of your royal blood and high bearing all you like, but you know what you are? Your a tax, a bit of currency who is in the end no greater than any of these other brides, and your new husband," gesturing to Wilhelm, "Can be rid of you whenever he may wish. YOUR nothing Gem, nothing more than another daughter, payed to keep our country, from crushing yours." with tha Lugft stepped back, gave a hearty laugh, and returned to his brides, not even letting the pup respond.

---

It took a moment for the Gem to really take in Zaerna's presence. The look of confusion on the girl's face amused her and caused a low chortle to fall from her plump red lips. Her dainty almond eyes blinked rapidly, their pupils large and reflective. "I..." She hesitated, and the Drakken nodded slowly, as you would to a child, for her to continue. "Walk without some guard dragging me along behind him. I wasn't previously aware that it was considered a crime." The female Drakken responded with what started as a slight moan and evolved into lackadaisical laughter. Her hand, which had not left the girl's face, patted the mark twice just a bit too roughly.

"Oh, darling, for your sake I hope you soon learn the difference between disrespect and crime, ere you experience real punishment." She dropped her hand to the girls jaw, taking it firmly and turning it side to side. "Yes... Very nice. What is your name, young one? And what can you offer me?" She stepped back, intending to give her a moment to think her response through. She looked up and down the line again, ignoring the way the bare-chested barbarian tried to intimated the Princess Gem. She had been paying little attention, for she had no interest in that pet, and because Wilhelm the Black was one man she actually respected among this group. The woman in shackles was left to her own devices a few feet away, and Zaerna leaned back to see her entire body.

"You, in chains." She said directly. "Why are you shackled?" She was surprised that she actually had a few of the brides at her choice - there were few Drakken in this particular group, at least few had arrived, and Zaerna was offered more of a selection than she had anticipated. She could hold her own in duels with a good majority of these men, she was no doubt a better channeler than the them, but she was glad it wasn't turning out that way. She had wanted the one with blue hair, but she didn't want her enough to start a fight. Her boots clicked as she backed away from her first choice and closer to the woman in chains. They were not far apart, and not far from the bubbling altercation. She stood in-between her choices and the barbarian, as he did not seem far from violence despite claiming to not contest Wilhelm's choice of bride. The last thing she needed was to be stuck with damaged merchandise. She didn't heed his words to the gem; she didn't even know why he bothered spouting such hot air. He was only encouraging the pet to speak by responding. Facing the chained Gem, Zaerna caressed her cheek as she did to the last.

@WeepingLiberty
@MarsAdept

Atallia Faeron

Well that was... unexpected. The last thing she wanted was some snide bastard who took advantage of women - she knew that even in Drakken society, that was deplorable. She wanted a great warrior so that she could teach him a lesson or two about taking slaves from her homeland! Like that warrior that had apparently claimed the Princess; he looked imposing and she could just tell that he must have been strong considering how the others somehow lost their appetite when it came to the Princess.

More pressing, however, was the sick hunger in the eyes of the man that had claimed her. It was clear that he was pissed off and he would probably take great pleasure in making sure that her rebellious side was dampened. Talli was just about to bite back at him when the Princess launched into her speech about how they should hold their peace. Protectors? Did they hit you with a rock when you were a child you fool of a girl? The Drakken were not protectors. They were the lesser of two evils. If she thought that Talli was going to even think about bowing down to these pigs then she was wrong.

Clearing her throat a little, she looked towards the man who had claimed her. "We're not yours. We're not objects for your viewing pleasure. And for your information, there'll be plenty of others who will try and get me." She didn't even know if she wanted someone else to claim her though - the only reason they would do that was because of Talli's mannerisms so they would certainly not contest for the feeble looking girl next to her. She couldn't leave her to this sicko - he'd hurt her in the worst sort of way after losing two girls. No, she had to remain there and help her Sister.

Leaning in, she shook her head a little and offered the girl a proud smile. "Don't worry about it. I can handle some Drakken idiot who thinks he has a smidge of power. Don't do anything stupid, ok?"

Rynek Darion

The large doors to the ballroom swung open, the guards manning them looking a tad bit nervous as they stood to attention. Outriders had only arrived five minutes previous to inform the garrison that the Prince was on his way, wishing to join the celebrations. Their nervousness was understandable, the Prince was known to be brutal enough but rumours had spread that he had fallen into a state of madness whist he was warring. All rumours, of course - all he did was burn down a village or two when they wouldn't give him the information he required.

Rynek had specifically requested not to be introduced, he wanted to see if his loyal brothers would recognise him after five long years. He had changed since then - there was a new fire in his eyes that probably contributed to the madness rumours but he had also gained a memorabilia which was currently clasped to his sword belt. Despite being a little weathered, the firm, golden crown of the King of the Southern kingdoms had been removed from its previous owner (whose head was back with his men). He liked the old thing - it betrayed his true identity from the grey riding leathers.

It seemed that the guest of honour drew a lot more attention than the stranger at the door as most focused on her as she challenged the other lords to fight Wilheim. Smiling softly, Rynek idly rambled to the edge of the balcony and leaned onto the banister, casting his eyes down over the crowds before scanning over the little group of Gems. There wasn't an awful lot of them but it was a good harvest - there was already two or three he wouldn't mind having a go on.

"It seems that the Princess knows the game but not the pieces." His tone was light as he descended the staircase but the entire room silenced anyhow, their heads turning to the stranger who had decided to interrupt. He wasn't clothed in finery and his hood hid most of his features so he forgave them for not recognising him yet. "You know, when you become vassals of peace, don't try and have an understanding of war, little one. That man there is Wilheim the Black - the finest killer in all the land and I assure you, everyone who stands in his way will die. Maybe except for one or two but you get the gist of it." He had been slowly walking towards the Princess who had already turned to him.

Taking a small detour, Rynek moved along the line of Gems and somehow kept his hands off the mostly frightened looking girls. "You're beautiful, Princess, but sometimes men's heads are bigger than their balls. These sorry buggers know that crossing old Willy will only result in death and they fear death. You fear death. This little bunch of Gems also fear death. Willy don't fear death though and neither do I. In answer to your question, we protect your homeland so we can have fun little encounters like this! I'm pretty sure most of these gentlemen couldn't pay whores to do what they have planned for you lot." With that, he stopped speaking and turned to inspect the remaining Gems, still not exactly disclosing who he was. Wilheim would know though - there was only one idiot who had the guts to call him Willy and that was Rynek Darion.

@Feisty-Pants
@agentmanatee
@RomanAria
@Saltwater Thief
[@Basically Everyone :P ]

Xrin raised an eyebrow at her at the young Gem. She was actually much more confident than he himself expected, which was unusually refreshing. He glanced at the rest of the the brides, he couldn't help but smile, they were in a dilemma, much worse than what the his bride was in. There was Lught, who was a savage with his brides. Why he came back for more when he did not make his last, made him look greedy. Xrin wondered if he was just greedy, as if he was simply hungry for a woman to kill, they killed whole city's within a few hours, he was greedy indeed.

"Aye, no need for all that, why must I waste my time flattering you when you have no choice but to come with me." He said chuckling. The mockery, Xrin assumed was just her testing her boundaries. He would rather have a competent, self reliant woman that a broken, extra dependent woman. As long as she did not push it to much or to far, she would live up until she hit her prime, and then he would get another bride.

Xrin eyes suddenly turned to Lught, it was if he could smell his anger. He then began to rant, most of his argument was just rage fueled banter. Most of what he said were simple threats that he would have most likely gone through with. Xrin could not help but raise his eyebrow when he heard of what he planed to do to the princess. He wondered why she did not just give up, stop arguing, standing up uselessly when she was in the land of her enemies was futile. He couldn't help but pity her, but he couldn't help but fell excited also, Lught and Wilhelm would have most likely fought over her.

Xrin glanced at the Drakken, he new the man as Rynek. His speech do not matter or apply to Xrin much. But out of respect Xrin still placed his hand on his chest and bowed. The man was the price of all of the Drakken nation, he deserved the respect.

Lugft smiled at the new comer, largely ignoring the Fiery Gem past a quick glare. He had a sinking feeling he could guess who it was, with his arrival time and calling Wilhelm "Willy". Very few people could get close to Wilhelm, but he did know the one person who had done exactly that. For, although Lugft was indeed a brute with simple tastes, at least compared to the complex luxuries others enjoyed, he wasn't dumb. If anything he was no doubt the most intelligent of the Huron family sons, as he had learned quickly that dumb muscle was either dead muscle or subservient muscle. And he was pretty sure he could guess who it was, and he wanted to be the one to let everyone know.

"You should listen to him princess, after all he is royalty just like you. The second greatest duelist within the Kingdom of Drakka, and just returned from a war I wasn't invited to. Meet the noble Prince Rynek Darion." Lugft gave a rather sarcastic bow before again drawing up to his full height, "And like he said, dueling Wilhelm is suicide for most, and certain death if your not armed, and seeing as I am not fighting him would be like fighting a dragon with all your arms and legs broken"

Kasari grimaced through the tinge of pain that ran through her cheek as the Drakken woman patted the slightly bruising skin. She kept her breathing even to keep herself calm, knowing a temper would do nothing for her situation. Instead of answering the woman's statement about learning, Kasari merely nodded silently, mindful of the consequences of an incorrect answer.

"Yes... Very nice. What is your name, young one? And what can you offer me?" That was another thing she hadn't expected. Of course she knew that the Drakken would inspect each of the Gem bride candidates in full to be certain of their decisions, but she didn't think they'd outright ask what they thought they could offer. The woman stepped back, giving her a moment to think through her answer, an opportunity she gladly took advantage of.

"Kasari Liesma. I can offer a warm dwelling, quick learning and some entertainment of the elemental kind." She decided to leave out the portions that she wasn't particularly skilled at. If she was useless, she'd be discarded or given to a Drakken who'd only use her for mating purposes. Kasari awaited patiently, if not a bit anxiously, for the woman's reaction, hands clasping and unclasping behind her back.

@Orior

It was kind of surprising that she could nearly shock or surprise two Drakken's in one day. Let's see how far I can get. She thought as she smiled at the male that had claimed her, before he went on about how he didn't need to flatter her since she had no choice but to comply. Which was true but that didn't stop her pouting at the Drakken. "Oh thats a shame, as I was looking forward to be wined and dined." She said as she slowly smiled, her tone was a polite one as she didn't want to push too hard. Though she knew that she was pushing, though obviously not as hard as the princess. For being royalty you would think she would push a little more lightly, considering she could get more than a Drakken killed. If anyone of these brutes decided to blow up they would not care about who happened to get in the way.

Her attention was suddenly taken away from the princess, female Drakken, the big bear chest Drakken, her claimer and the creepy dude that claimed the princess, to a rather intimidating Drakken who had an air of arrogance about him. She listened as he basically put the princess in her "place", though she had a feeling that wasn't going to stop the princess from voice her opinion again. Why Wilhelm was being so passive with her was beyond her, anyother Drakken would of slapped her silly by now. Drakken's were simple, yet complicated creatures.

That was when the large naked chest Drakken basically introduced the newcomer as the prince of Drakka, now this was a surprise. When the prince looked in her direction she winked at him. She could see that he might make a go for the princess. This caused Tirza to suddenly laugh, not too loudly but loud enough for people to know that one of the Gem brides were laughing.

"Oh this is precious!" She suddenly blurted out as she watched, if no one saw this coming they were blind or dumb. "He would make a go at her, he would go for royalty." She said with a slight giggle, oh she knew she was pushing it now but she couldn't help herself.
@LokiLeo789

---

I'm not going to be picked! I'm not getting picked! I can go home! Kithra thought as she watched as the other girls were claimed and being shown more interest than her. The hope that she was feeling was nearly overwhelming, as she would be able to go home to her sisters and parents and live in peace once again. She wouldn't have to worry about upsetting a Drakken lord and she wouldn't have to worry about her body being taken back home and her family seeing the horror she had to endure. She actually had great hope of seeing her homeland again.

She suddenly envisioned the green hills, the trees, meadows filled with wild flowers and her being able to marry a gentle and handsome Gem man. She could see it all and it brought a smile to her face, she would finally be happy. But that was dashed when she heard the voice of a late comer, she was the last to be claimed. Goddess no! Please no! She thought as she opened her eyes slowly to see a rather large Drakken make his way towards them. But he was talking to the princess about the Drakken that had claimed her and how no one in their right minds would challenge him. Though Kithra could hear that there might be a "but" in there.

That was when she heard one of the Gem girls further down the line laugh and call out what was going to happen. Goddess she is insane. She thought as she looked at the Prince and back down the line. When the Prince went to look at those left she knew she was pretty much the only one. She lifted her chin slightly to show that even though she was scared she would stay strong. That was true courage. Something she was sure that none of the Drakken people could possibly understand. She used her element to draw a little strength as she felt like she needed it.

She felt the warmth of the earth and the smell of cut grass work its way around her. She felt her fear fade slightly but not leave completely.

"I am strong." she whispered to herself lowly.

@NarcissisticPotato (for both)

Sophia Ravencaller

Sophia was amused by the actions of the princess. That girl knew what she was doing. Her words stroked the prides of the Drakken and almost brought them to blows. If nothing else, it stirred a flame in the hearts that made them think about taking her. She might no longer have status but she wielded herself like a weapon. Sophia would have to remember this as a weapon to be used later.

Sophia's thoughts were derailed when a drakken approached her. The drakken was a female much to her surprise. Sophia mood immediately turned from admiration of her princess to hatred of the female Drakken. This horned woman could not be seriously considering her for a bride. At least, with a man Sophia could find some pleasure, but a woman was another story. Why would a woman want with her? Sophia knew she would be a trophy wife but with a woman she would be nothing more than a glorified pet.

"You, in chains." The female drakken said directly to Sophia. "Why are you shackled?" Sophia was unsure how to respond especially after the female touched her face so affectionately. Disgust rose in Sophia and anger sharpened her wits. Sophia smiled darkly to the female before her. Almost laughing, Sophia responded, "Do you know what a well-placed fire-laced steel arrow will do to your kind, My lady? Your people bleed as beautifully as my own. I am in chains because your people were arrogant enough to think themselves gods. I merely committed a blasphemy by proving them otherwise." Sophia pause for dramatic effect, "I would gladly spill my blood for a chance to see the beauty of yours, Madam." Sophia did not want to be claimed by this drakken female but she could not predict what effect her words would have on her.

@Orior

Aery sighed. “I doubt my sense of self-preservation will let me be stupid,” she told the Fire girl. “But you? You’re the one who should be careful. We can’t win. We just can’t. Maybe it’s better to go without fighting, at least without being visibly defiant.” A tear dripped down her cheek and she angrily scrubbed it away. She forced a trembling smile onto her face, looking up at the slightly taller girl. “I hope you get someone who respects your courage, and not this… brute.” She felt good for saying it, though she knew she’d probably pay for the remark later. And just thinking about that retribution made all the blood drain from her face and what felt to be a Gordian knot tangling itself in her stomach.

And as far as what I want for myself? Well, I don’t even know that much. I just want to live, but I don’t suppose I even deserve to do that. I’m just a coward and a weakling and I can’t even try to stand up to these monsters like my sisters. I don’t deserve to live, not when my people are fighting back and all I can do is cower and tremble. Her knees buckled and she stumbled, catching herself before she could fall. Tears were pouring down her face again and she couldn’t cease the flow; she tucked her face to her chest, letting her long dark blonde hair fall forward and hide her shameful emotions from her sisters. Her thin shoulders trembled but she did not make a sound; that much, at least, she could choke back to not shame her sisters further.
@agentmanatee and @NarcissisticPotato

---

The female Drakken waited, eerily patiently, for the Gem in front of her face to finish. Her hand never left her face, and when she was done, it gently slid down her cheek. Her gauntlet-covered fingers traced the other's delicate jawline, her thumb grazing the other's smiling lips. Her finger made it to her chin and down her throat, where she promptly took a firm hold of the girl's slender neck in her much larger hand. At the same time, Zaerna flushed the air from around her head, taking away vital oxygen. The Drakken flexed her fist around the girl's throat to stop any resistance. Utilizing her superior strength, she forced the young Gem down to her knees before her. Still, she smiled easily, keeping her head slightly cocked and her face incredibly unperturbed. With a graceful motion, she raised her other hand and whipped it backhandedly across the girl's face. There was no yelling, no grandiose showing. This was no display, merely discipline.

"Do you know, insolent brat, what I can do to your body and mind using my bare hands?" She raised her hand and struck her again, this time letting go of her neck just before the impact so the blow would knock her on the floor. As she tried to recover, the Drakken stepped slowly to her torso and kicked her sharply, as many times as she needed, until the Gem was prone enough for the Drakken to press on her neck with her boot. "And where does that leave you, hmm?" She cooed, seemingly sympathetically, to the girl on the ground. "Under my boot." She twisted her foot, "You will see much blood with my, child, do not fret." With a final press against the girl's throat, Zaerna backed away. "This one is mine." She said in a resolute voice to no one in particular.

Leaving the girl to get up on her own, Zaerna clasped her hands in front of her and stepped toward her first choice. Her face was still congenial and welcoming, to a degree, but before she could respond, a familiar figure walked through the door. Having such a wide array of family marriages, which was not that common in Drakken culture, Zaerna knew many well-known figures and nobles to a some-what personal degree. She recognised the Prince as soon as he came within 100 paces of her, and when he finally was close enough, the female turned away from the Gem. She placed a fist over her heart and bowed as deeply as she needed. She knew that one husband of some distant aunt of hers was actually close to the crown, though she could not recall the relation. She made sure to show him proper respect before she went back to her first choice, who had introduced herself as Kasari.

"Kasari... My, what a nice flow that has. I like you, much more than that useless waif." She said softly, nodding to her. She took the Gem's hand softly, giving her a slight, although irrefutably mocking, bow. "I believe I'll take the both of you." She said, reaching forward and brushing a lock of hair from the Gem's face. Zaerna pulled back, satisfied that she had made her decision. Her two were different in many ways, and she was looking forward to breaking them into what she wanted. The woman looked around, letting her cape fall off her shoulder, revealing her mace in an unapparent way. None of the others showed interest in her choices, although she was still prepared to defend them. "I have decided."

Kasari listened with horror as the only shackled Gem ran her mouth at the female Drakken, whose name she was unsure of. The Gemminite people were considered intelligent, but were overall peaceful in nature. To hear such violent remarks from one of her kind, element aside, came as quite a shock. Based off of what she heard from the girl, Kasari assumed that she was connected with the element Fire, a fact that made her even more nervous. If they chained up one fire Gem, they might take precautions and chain the rest, and that certainly would not end well for her. Tolerant of many things, Kasari had a few of immobility, and having her arms and legs shackled would more than certainly give rise to uncontrollable panic.

For the first time since she had arrived, Kasari witnessed the true aggression of the Drakken against one of her fellow sisters. Brutal to say the least, Kasari's eyes widened with concern, glued to the girl who had been struck to the floor. Several times she wanted to cry out, to pull the attention away from the Gem, no matter how reckless she had been with her words. Ashamed of her cowardice, Kasari turned her gaze away and stared at the floor by her feet. The display didn't quite scare Kasari, her fear had all but evaporated by that point, instead she was left with a determination. A fire burned within her willing her to continue on, to survive where so many others had fallen. She would not allow her emotions to get the better of her, she would do her duty to her family, as the Princess had said to them before.

Kasari snapped her attention to the Drakken who had returned to the space before her. She nodded to show her respect for the Drakken's power, exhaling slowly as the woman stepped back and announced her claim. Slowly, Kasari let her eyes wander to the girl who had been beaten just moments before. "Are you okay?" It was a stupid question, of course she wasn't going to be okay, but she didn't know what else to ask in the situation.

@Orior@MarsAdept

Sophia Ravencaller

Sophia did not move while the Drakken moved her hand down her cheek. When the drakken gripped her neck, panic ran though her. She made no attempt to resist because she was trying hard to show her panic. Sophia did not fail to notice that it was not the drakken hand choking her but the drakken's ability to manipulate air. Sophia did not resist the female drakken intent, She fell to her knees. The smack from the female Drakken broke Sophia's concentration and thoughts. The second strike made Sophia land on the floor. She wanted to remain on the ground, but pride made her try to stand again. That plan was until the Drakken pinned her and kicked her. Sophia lost any will to resist. She did not want to be with this female. Why did the men not protest? The species produced far to many men. Why would they allow a female to take potential brides when she could not mate with them?

When the female Draken finally let up of Sophia and formally declared ownership, Sophia just wanted to die. To lay on the floor until this waking dream ended. It never would and every action made it worse. Lies, honesty, strength, and silence all made the situation worse. She was going to be a bride to a female. She was nothing more than a toy for the drakken to use and break. Sophia felt useless, worthless, and powerless.

Sophia finally mustered the strength to stand. She corrected herself and stood as straight and proudly as she could. The other bride that the female Drakken had claimed spoke to her. Sophia believe she overheard the bride call herself Kasari. Sophia really did not want to grace the stupidity of Kasari's question with an answer. She remained silent and scanned the crowd of Drakken nobles once more. Really? No male wanted her. They were content with letting a female take not one but two brides from them. She guessed that Drakken did not suffer from the cardinal instinct as she had come to observe. It was not that Sophia was trying to get laid in bed, but really?

They were envious of him. Wilhelm could sense it, could smell it in the air and feel it on his back as a multitude of Drakken glared at him. They were angry. Enraged, some of them. The younger ones, he knew, would direct their hatred at him. They would blame him for taking their prize, curse his name and form and line for slighting them in such a manner, place all responsibility as far removed from themselves as was conceivable. A foolish error of youth. Perhaps some who had reached their age would also harbor such fallacies. But the wise and the knowledgeable... they would be angry for a different reason. A superior reason. They would direct their wrath toward themselves, bring plagues upon their own houses for their hesitation, their cowardice, both for not seizing the opportunity to claim the Gem Princess for themselves and for failing to rise up and challenge him. But this came as little surprise.

What did arrest Wilhelm's attention, however, was the string of words that the Princess declared to the room. She had detected the wrath that had risen toward him, and within mere moments had sought to turn it to her advantage. She was a shrewd one, to say the least. And shrewdness was something Wilhelm the Black found admirable. For her gesture, Annayeva IV only earned a sharper, more wicked grin from her newly appointed lord husband. His eyes, colored a red so deep it could be mistaken for black, seemed to be partially illuminated with amusement and a sadistic delight. His instincts had never failed him, and here the fruits of their labor was shown. The girl would make for a splendid wife.

For the moment, however, it seemed one Drakken seemed to want to rise to the occasion of her words. While Lugft was making every attempt to show himself as stately and under control, and by and large succeeding, his words still rang with barbaric hostility. Wilhelm's smile vanished at his remarks, slung toward the Princess as though she had deeply wounded him. To be so easily riled was a shame on the House of Huron, made only moreso by the man's great strength and prowess in combat. Strength of body and weakness of mind made for a disastrous combination, the elder Drakken thought to himself.

Almost on cue there came the sound of another Drakken entering the verbal fray. A white-haired boy who was not half Wilhelm's own age was descending the stairs. The Lord of the Ebon Cliffs did not need to hear the nickname to know who he was. The swagger with which he walked, as though trying to reflect the candlelight in the hilt of his sword from every possible angle, was evidence enough. Wilhelm knew that arrogance intimately; it had been far worse before he had beaten some of it out of Rynek. And much like Lugft Huron, the Prince took up berating and belittling the Princess and her ploy.

It was a farce, every line of it. And Wilhelm the Black was as far from laughing as could be.

"Silence." His word came over the air like a whisper, yet it echoed from the stones as though shouted in a canyon.

"If either of you wishes to challenge me to combat for my bride," he continued as his hand came to rest on the hilt of his blade, "Then stake your contest. If not, then step away."

Once more, hesitation and cowardice reigned in the hall as rage turned to apprehension and fear of what might come. Lugft would fold easily enough, he presumed; had he sought to challenge him, he would have done so rather than rail against the Princess. And Raynik... Raynik knew better than to face Wilhelm and his mastery of air and flame in an enclosed space and still recovering from the sting of war. This was why Wilhelm the Black was considered the strongest Drakken. It was not because of some superior physical ability or abnormal power, but because of his conviction; he did not doubt, he did not hesitate, he did not fear. The sharpness of his physical sword paled in comparison to the bladed edge of his sheer presence and force of will, both of which could bisect a man far faster than any metal. Almost all of his duels had been won with these weapons, his opponents felled before they even drew steel.

As other gems drew the attention of the Drakken, Wilhelm turned his head about the hall again. He had chosen his bride, that much was certain, but his instincts called to him for something else. Off to one side, alone after the choosing, stood a single Gem who seemed to be drawing small amounts of power and sturdiness from the ground. Though she lacked the Princess' grace and regal bearing, she still stood with her own form of resoluteness. Intrigued, Wilhelm beckoned to her.

"You there. Gem of the Earth. Come to me. Let me see you in finer detail."

When he had examined her, Wilhelm smiled again.

"Very good. I shall claim you as well. But not as a Bride. No... I would have you as an attendant to my wives. A servant to them, to care for them as I dictate. But you shall hear more of this as we journey to my estate. For now, I would know your names."

@Feisty-Pants@agentmanatee@NarcissisticPotato@my Lalia

Lugft had reached a new, extreme level of rage, as his knuckles turned white and his eyes filled with crimson. Wilhelm was challenging him...or rather challenging Lugft to challenge him. But he couldn't, he had no weapons no armor no...
Suddenly, through the pool of rage and fear an idea bubbled to the surface of hid mind, and stewed amongst the anger in his mind. There would be a challenge, oh yes, Lugft would put forward a challenge.

Slowly, Lugft walked towards Wilhelm, as if his rage was weighing down his limbs. His eyes still blood red with rage he came to stand before Wilhelm, looking not unlike a bull preparing to charge,."Wilhelm the Black, I do challenge you, but not for her, not for some royal tart, you can have her, and I do not challenge you here or now. Pick a date and a place Wilhelm, perhaps a few days hence, for here I am unarmed amd in poor preparation. Pick a spot anywhere, I don't care, make the stakes whatever you want. Give me a few days to settle my brides and prepare my blade. I will be the second man to wound you, and the first man to beat you." With the last words said with a kind of primal certainty, he began walking back to his brides, "Name the time and place now before I leave or later Wilhelm, for I am prepared to take my brides and return to my manor, assuming no one else wishes to challenge my claim to either of them?" He looked around, his fury was far past a stage of shouting, he simply spoke his words with power and conviction, as if daring someone to be foolish enough to challenge his claim.

@Saltwater Thief

Ama felt the hands of the guard on her wrists, pushing her along. She could feel her stomach churning uncomfortably, the thought of the unknown she was meant to face here. She was late to arrive, that much she knew. She'd wasted as much time as she could talking to the driver before the guards finally got tired of it and grabbed her rather forcefully. Maybe... Maybe no one would want her. She tried desperately to suppress her glow as much as she could bare, as it sort of hurt to force it away like this.

As she was pushed along, her thoughts returned to the faces of her family, her mother crying, her brothers' blank stares, the absence of her father. Knowing him, he was out in the field. Anyone else would have called him cruel and emotionless but being the Gemminite man that he was, he didn't want to fight anyone. And she was sure that if he'd watched her leave, something within him would have risen up to fight the men taking her. She understood his reasons for not seeing her off. She'd had her moment with him anyway, at the lake. Without saying goodbye, they'd said their goodbye's. Her father was never one for showing his emotions. She smiled at the thought of his awkward gestures that day, the way he tried so hard to avoid the topic, to pretend as if nothing were going to happen to her.

As so she looked as she entered the room, a small smile held on her pale lips, soft brown hair framing her sharp blue eyes. However, the smile soon faded as she felt the tension in the room. The light in her eyes flickered for just a moment as her heart jumped and her knees began to shake once again. She felt the guard cut her binds and then push her into the room, falling to her knees rather harshly.

It took her a moment, but she gathered her strength and took a shaking step to stand up straight. It took her a moment with her nerves rattling her so to stand up fully, but she did so. And once she was up, she steeled herself, putting on her mask. Her pale lips sat, unmoving, on her pale face. The only lively part of her now was the glow in her eyes, the one part of herself she could never control. IF she could, she would make herself disappear but for now, she simply took strength from where she could, from the ground, from the dust in the air, and from the memories held within her heart.

Swallowing, she put the image of her favorite flower in her mind. It was a weed, but then so was she. A weed that grew in any soil or no soil at all, a sturdy flower that could survive any storm. She was that flower now, standing atop a boulder, planting herself firmly, steeling herself for what would come. Maybe... Maybe no one would want her. Surely. The words of her mother suddenly returned to her, as she scanned the room.

"You aren't very pretty, maybe they will not want you and send you back..."

She'd always hated her looks but for once... Ama prayed it so. Ama prayed so hard that she feared she might break from the effort.

Annaveya Elizabeth Ranizov IV - The Price of Royalty

Theme~

Still held close to the menacing looking Drakken, the Princess continued to slowly sway as if caught by a summer breeze. A light, playing smile curved across her lips as she sensed the storm from her taunting words brewing, infesting the minds of those that surrounded her and striking the core of their savage minds. All the while, her slender fingertips slowly rose to caress the tensed strength of the neck the one who held her. For this moment, this vicious looking man seemed to own her.

It did not take long for others to lash out at her. She knew all too well that such cruel words were going to arrive swiftly and rashly. First came in a vengeful noble who simply sought to try and whip her with words, and though her fingertips slipped away from Wilhelm, she did not react to his words. Such a satisfaction he would not possess as she remained calm in the eye of his storm.

As swiftly as he had come he retreated, and the hint of a coy smirk alighted her lips. Obviously, the barrel-chested one was attuned for bloody battles, not a battle of wits; less he wouldn't have fled so quickly from the center of the floor.

However, a surprise came in the form of a princely form finally arriving to the tension filled scene. Nervous guards parted as she stood rigidly. However, what she saw was the raw arrogance that she expected those of Drakken Royal blood. He came to stand before her, and her fingertips dipped into the silken fabric of her Gemminite dress as she respectfully bowed. One royal to another, a shrewd princess to an arrogant prince.

Much like how he had walked, casual arrogance came forward from his words. Taunting her first, only to then explain who Wilhelm was; as if she didn't already know. Slowly, surely, her work behind all that she had said was beginning to settle and worm into the minds of others. She could sense it, as even now there was little more than hateful gaze from many Nobles towards the fearfully strong Wilhelm.

He had taken their prize, their Princess.

Taunting even her homeland, the Princess did not falter nor fade from the regality she so nobly held. Perhaps she stood even straighter, she was no fool, nor was her Father or Mother. If the Drakkens did truly attack, there would be more than what met the eye to them. Even the barbaric fool had spat at her about how it would be like taking candy from a child, if he only knew what would tribulations would lay ahead of him in this instance.

Gemminites were physically weaker, as well as weaker in elements. This was known, however cunning was their strength. That would allow them a way to a more clever war, a plan she had talked with her Father about in the instance hell decided to descend upon them all.

A war of attrition would be fought. It would be long, bloody, and costly on both sides. However, Gemminites and their populace outnumbered those of the Drakken by almost eight to one. In a grim thought, her people had far more resources to cast upon the altar of sacrifice. Far more than that of their overlords.

With this strategy, even against the greater enemies of the world, the Gemminite Kingdom could very well become the graveyard of Empires.

Oh how little they knew. An underestimation of their enemy could very well be a fatal one. Gemminites had known fear and hopelessness for thousands of years, but even then there was a subtle strength growing in the land. She had sensed it, but for now, she would not wield it.

Finally however, the tranquil Wilhelm spoke and the Princess slowly turned to face the man who apparently was her future husband to be. He silenced the fools who had tried in all their belligerence to try and make the enigmatic Princess falter, and they failed. Even still, she had not uttered a single word, she didn't need to. Their pandering attempts to justify themselves and their arrogance bore enough embarrassment to her.

Before everyone, a Prince and a Noble had attempted to belittle her, and their words crashed in vain against the beautifully enigmatic poise that she possessed.

Just like the words she had spoken before, Annaveya would not bend nor break to their sadistic and cruel whims. A mewling quim she was not, she was one of Gemminite Royal Blood, and she embodied the very symbolism of it her family's rightful throne.

She watched the mulling crowds as they mulled the choice of attacking Wilhelm for her hand, before her as she watched them all they all faltered. Every single one failed to even attempt to find the strength and courage required to stand before the infamous Noble. It was weakness she sensed, a lack of resolve created by thousands of years of complacency and decadence as conquering heroes; and like a fine knife, the Princess would find a way to cut into it. However now was not the time, as finally one stepped forward.

It was the barrel-chested one. The very same one who had berated her only moments ago. She watched him carefully, noting his savage hunger for conflict. This one was going to be the easiest to manipulate and twist, and she would twist him accordingly as he finished his challenge as Wilhelm had begun to inspect, and claim another Gem. This time as a servant or warden.

The Princess would seize this opportunity to poke a needle into the Huron's inflated sense of self.

"Why not challenge my Husband-to-be now, brave Lord Huron? Or are you unable to proficiently act without your sword in your hands? I weep for your claimed then, a shame, perhaps even a joy to be taken by one so useless to a woman. Why not challenge him to unarmed combat? Or are you so unskilled as to fall on the field of battle unless you possess a weapon?" Her words would sting so venomously, and she knew it even as she put them so coolly, calmly akin to a clear wintry morning. Even better, angered discontent rippled through the masses as she even declared that Wilhelm was subtly hers in a way; just as much as he now owned her. A scandalous, hedonistic thought that was, the thought that a Gem actually considered herself an equal.

How easy it was to create a divide between the Nobles about something that should have seemed to trivial to them. If this was how Drakken society was, how easy would it be for her to create divides and conflict during matters which were grave?

@agentmanatee
@Saltwater Thief

Five years of bloody war had the power to change a man and Rynek had not earned a scrap of mercy. He was no longer just a warrior that guarded the honour of his brother. He was a general, a leader, a man that should never be crossed. The Princess did just that though and for that, he lusted for the bitch, primarily because he wanted to see just how she would twist her words when he took her for the first time. If war had taught him anything, though, it was that if you followed your desires and lusts, you would only get yourself killed. Lusting after some Gem beauty wasn't included in his instincts - that was only reserved for killing.

Wilhelm chose a poor time to issue a silence, however, as it was mainly just directed at Lugft as Rynek had already falling silent. He was busy inspected the Gems that were lined before him and just as one caught his attention, she was dragged away by Wilhelm. Now he was just being greedy. For the most part, he ignored the introduction that Lugft so graciously provided but dragged his hood away to allow the nobles to see that he was precisely who he was said to be. The white hair of the Darion's was an easily-identifiable feature of theirs. When the Princess bowed, he returned the gesture with a firm fist to his chest and a bow of his head - she knew how to play the game so he respected her for that much.

He allowed Lugft to speak and he even allowed the Gem Princess to retort. Ryken drew his blade, dragging it along the fine marble of the floor to create an ear-piercing yowl. Once all were silenced, he sheathed his blade. These men were bred to kill so they probably didn't even see her plot - she was creating discord between the Drakken nobility. The reasoning was lost to him but he had no intention of allowing her to continue. But how does one beat an enemy that hides behind her eloquence like it's a wall, thick and high?

His mind navigated back to one of the first offensives in the war he was only returning from. The enemy had walled themselves within a castle with enough provisions to last them two years. His army would be broken on those walls if he tried to siege it and waiting two years was not an option. So he split his army into four and scattered them through the country with a single instruction - scar the land so deep that when they come crawling from their hole, they would find only ruin. And so they did: every farm was torched along with whole villages. Their women were raped and slaughtered, their children were left to burn and their men were crucified so as to ward off any others. They burnt whole forests and poisoned lakes. And when his enemy finally left their castle, they found their kingdom in ashes with nothing to rule over. This was how he made war.

How would he beat her in this little game of theirs? He would render her irrelevant and he would remind her of her helplessness. Her assumptions had carried her further than he would have guessed but she made her final mistake in crossing the Bloody Prince.

"Aye, I'll fight you Wilhelm. Not for your bride though, you can take her home and fuck her to your heart's content; the Gods know that no other man deserves such a prize as a tight little princess. No, dear friend, I want the Earth Gem." His hand clasped the hilt of his sheathed blade as he looked over to the girl in question and lit up a soft smirk. His eyes told swathes of his plans for her and none of them were overly gentle. He didn't lust for this girl - he had targeted her because he knew the Princess' type. Selfless, a lady of the people. If the Earth Gem became his, the Princess would have been viewed as getting off relatively easy. Plus, now that the Princess was out of the picture, her relevance would fade away. No longer were the people angry at Wilhelm - that was forgotten. They wanted to see just how much the Prince would be trounced.

The fight itself didn't look balanced in his favour whatsoever - his armour consisted of some measly riding leathers and compared to Wilhelm, the Prince looked to be tired after such a long time away from home. If they hadn't thought him insane previously, they were sure now.

@Feisty-Pants
@Saltwater Thief
@my Lalia

As much as Lugft hated the princess and her snide remark, he hated Wilhelm far more. It would be quite interesting to see Wilhelm duel his own royal protégé, but Lugft still needed a way to vent his anger. Then, as if the gods wished to answer his every prayer, Xrin Kiajer was eying the younger of his two brides

"If you Wang her Xrin you have to go through me, so do you challenge me?" At first it seemed foolish for Lugft to egg Xrin into a challenge, seeing as Lugft had no weapons or armor and Xrin had both. But, Xrin was not as prepared to fight as Lugft new, and that would be Lugft's advantage. As Xrin nodded, before he could even draw Lugft cracked him square in the face, loudly breaking the smaller Drakken's nose. As he stumbled back, Lugft pounced at him like an enraged bear, smashing him again in the face, a blow sending him sprawling to the floor. Then, before he could get up, Lugft fell upon him and began driving his fists into Xrin's face. Savagely, Lugft just kept hitting, harder and faster, letting out all his rage with each time his fist drove Xrin's head into the floor. It didn't take long for Xrin to stop moving, but Lugft just kept punching, until all his rage had left him. By the end of it, Xrin was virtually unrecognizable, his face turned into a bloody mess. Before Lugft got up, he checked Xrin for a pulse, and began laughing maniacally as he stood up, with Xrin's helmet in his hand.

"Xrin Kiager is dead by my hand, killed in a challenge for one if my brides. In the old ways I am now entitled to his claimed bride," gesturing to the blue haired and rebellious one. Walking over to his three brides he smiled, and looked to all 3 of his brides, still sprayed with the blood of Xrin, "I'm so sorry, I've been terribly rude, what are your names?"

@NarcissisticPotato
@RomanAria
@my Lalia

This whole thing was ready to blow and that much Kithra knew, she finished drawing strength from the earth and she took comfort in it, when she suddenly heard the the female Drakken talk to the girls that were a little down the line. She turned to see what was going on and she suddenly wished that she didn't. Her mouth dropped as she watched as the female Drakken began to beat one of her sisters with cool air about her. She was suddenly reminded of the ease of how a Drakken can move into a mode of violence. She looked away as she didn't wish to watch, and she cursed herself for being weak and not having a back bone to stop the female Drakken. Don't be crazy she would do far worse to you! She thought though it didn't help her from feeling guilty.

She shut her eyes and wished that she was invisible and just when she wished that she heard the voice of Wilhelm the Black call her. She felt her insides tighten and her body suddenly go into a panic, though she made sure that she didn't show it. She raised her head before taking a few steps forward and standing infront of the Drakken that called her. He made a movement with his finger for her to spin around so he could get a better look at her. She did as he commanded, all the time she felt like she might break down and cry but she kept those feeling deep inside. She would not let those emotions out, not infront of these brutes anyway.

Kithra nodded slowly when Wilhelm said that he would claim her, but not as a wife. Though she didn't like the smile he gave her, a small relief came over her as she would be serving only his brides/wives, so she would be serving the princess. That wasn't so bad, maybe she would get attention or maybe he would forget about her and she could escape and make her way back home. She knew she could trust the earth to lead her home, it was always reliable not like people. "My name is.... is Kithra, but most call be Kitty, my Lord." She said politely as she bowed a little to Wilhelm. But Kithra should of known she wouldn't get it so easy, as the prince spoke up.

Goddess WHAT! She thought as she looked at the prince with slight horror as she could see in his eyes that she would go through hell if he claimed her. She knew that Wilhelm wouldn't fight overly hard for her as she was an after thought to him. He simply chose her because he wanted a toy, something that he could break while he played a little bit more nicely with the princess.

She looked at Anna, her jaw clenched and her breathing shallow. She had to piss everyone off! I might of been left alone! She thought as she had seen two other Gem girls walk in. She might of just been a maid to Anna and nothing else, but no now she was going to be a toy that was going to be fought over and she didn't need the extra attention. "Your words hurt more than the Drakkens, dear Anna!" She said in a moment of high emotion of anger and fear. She knew that if the prince won her she would undoubtedly be angry at the princess, as she would of ruined what little peace she might of had.

She knew that her anger at the princess and calling her by her name instead of her title would please the Drakken's. As it showed slight disrespect, though there was little that the princess could do about it as they weren't in the Gem court. But she couldn't help it, as just a moment ago she was just a maid and a moment before that she had great hopes of going home.

@NarcissisticPotato
@Feisty-Pants
@Saltwater Thief

---

So many surprises! This is so not boring! Tirza thought as she listened to what was happening over by the princess. And things were getting tense, if that caused tension she noticed one of the fire Gems getting beaten. She didn't hear what she said but she had a feeling that she was being too forward. From what she could gather some of the girls here were too lively, she was one of them. But she knew how to flatter and mock at the same time. She knew how to push others but in a way that they almost didn't realize that they were being pushed.

But it didn't matter what she could do, it was the other girls being too forward that were getting into trouble. She didn't look at the girl that just got her ass whipped as she wouldn't want anyone looking at her if she was in her position.

The creaking of the large door signaled that more were going to join them, she looked over to her right and saw two knew Gem girls. They looked nervous, which was understandable as being faced with monsters was a scary experience. She looked back at her claimer and noticed of him looking at the naked chested Drakkens brides. She went to grabbed his arm as she could tell that the other male was so close to blowing up in rage. But before she could the other Drakken took notice.

"If you Want her Xrin you have to go through me, so do you challenge me?"

And like a fool she watched as her claimer Xrin nodded, he was going to fight an already pissed off Drakken for a bride that he didn't need. She quickly stepped away not wanting to get in the way of the brutes. She watched as the naked chest Drakken over took Xrin so easily, and how the other male was sent into a blood frenzy. He wasn't fighting to first blood, he was fighting to the death. It was such a shock that she actually covered her mouth with both hands, as being a Gem you NEVER such violence, let alone death. To make it worse the large male didn't stop once Xrin stopped moving. Gods, he is dead! Why doesn't he stop?! She thought in horror.

Once the "fight" was over she was once again surprised when the brute who won said that she was now his. She looked up at him while she slowly lowering her hands from her mouth, "Well.... Shit." She said before swallowing and slowly smiling. She was shocked yes, but she wasn't bound to the last guy so she was sort of okay.

"Politeness now my lord?" She asked as she looked at the dead body that was now getting cleaned up by the guards. "I'm Tirza or Tears or what ever you wish to all me..... my lord." She added as she looked up at the large Drakken and smirking before winking again.

She suddenly realized that she would be a bride sister to the fire Gem that she wanted to be sister bride to. So it wasn't too bad, plus she was going to be a sister bride with another air Gem. So this should be okay, or it could be hell as the Drakken now had enough Brides to impregnate or kill.

@NarcissisticPotato
@RomanAria
@agentmanatee