Zakroti slowly folded his arms as Miry began to speak to him, talking of Gemmnites being cowardly and weak with no wish to fight, equating herself to them. He couldn't help but break a smile, for it was either extremely brave or extremely stupid of her to have taken him aside to presumably ask him to give some form of aide to what was now officially his foe, there were a few was she could have gone about this but apparently he decision was to speak to a warlord known for brutally slaughtering people... Amusing.

"For someone who says they can't fight for what they believe in, you're doing an awfully good job of it so far." He commented wryly before letting her continue

“B-but s-some of my people… th-they’re d-different. A-Asta is d-different. She… W-when we were l-little, a-all of our c-cousins got t-taken as p-prizes. E-every s-s-sing-gle o-one of them, a-as soon as they were o-old enough. A-and we s-saw how i-it b-broke th-their f-f-family. A-and A-Asta got m-mad, y-you know? A-and she m-made a p-pact with s-s-some o-of the boys i-in the town—She’d a-always b-been f-fri-iends with t-them, m-more than a-any other g-girl—T-that they w-would f-f-fight back a-against the L-Lords who c-came to take t-their s-sisters a-and c-cousins and f-friends.”

He deliberately wiped the smile from his face as he listened to her story about her cousins being taken, nodding in understanding at her story. But it all sounded irrelevant. Asta and these 'boys' were certainly not soldiers and none of them had the experience of the Drakken under their belt, especially not as many Drakken had lived several lifetimes of Gems spent in war and on the battle field.

”S-she was-sn’t the o-only one w-who, w-wanted to do s-s-somet-thing ab-bout it. B-but she was the m-most o-organized, a-and the m-most w-well-prep-pared. B-by the time she was f-fift-teen, she h-had a n-network of sp-pies and f-f-fight-ters, a-all through o-our kingd-dom. Y-you k-know the G-Gemminites d-don’t really h-have a milit-tary, a-at least, not more t-than our R-Royal G-Guard. B-but A-Asta made an u-undergound one, for j-just something like t-this.”

When Miry looked up towards him, she would see a face which was half in pity and half in amusement at the thought of an army of youth trying to fend off the berserking forces many of the other Drakken warlords had, and even if they managed to miraculously defeat the more disorganised there were always those who trained their soldiers professionally and had them fight in organised ranks to contend with.

“The o-only thing I a-ask is t-that you l-let me w-write l-letters. L-let me w-write t-three l-letters a-and e-ensure they a-are del-livered. Y-you d-don’t have t-to do a-anything, y-you can d-deny a-all a-attachment. J-just l-let me w-write t-three let-ters. O-one to R-Ridian Anar-rin, b-because h-he c-can get word to e-everyon-ne i-in the p-palace. One t-to Iral a-and Id-dasu Tyridur, b-because they w-were A-Asta’s c-closest f-friends. A-and one to P-Princess Annaveya, bec-cause she is m-more likely t-to bel-lieve me t-than her p-parents.”

The princess! The Princess was going to try and stop a Drakken invasion! He couldn't contain a chuckle as he approached her slowly, speaking to her in a slightly amused tone that clearly carried doubts about the possible effectiveness of this course of action

"First, I am in no way mad with you." He gave her a friendly smile as he said that that clearly indicated we was entirely unperturbed by the request, but it quickly faded and his face became steely "Miry, how many of these gems have fought in a war? The Drakken hordes are not some inexperienced invading force, these are hardened warriors each with decades if not centuries of warfare under their belt, each one is capable of taking on a dozen Astaelins single handedly. How are their leaders? How many of them have defended keeps, held mountain passes from hordes of monstrous creatures, destroyed their enemies on the battle field in an even fight or even when outnumbered? They have no power to stop the Drakken, they will merely get themselves slaughtered by the bucket load. How many have stood on a battlefield as crossbow bolts, arrows, fireballs and rocks fly towards them, ordered to stand in position to wait for the right moment even as their friends are cut down around them? Do they even have a figure to lead them, one who is not just skilled in commanding armies but inspires such loyalty and has such a presence that their underlings will not flee from the field mid combat? Have they established supply lines, bases, watchtowers; Have they forged armour and equipment and trained enough to have competent archers, pikemen, swordsmen, cavalry, crossbowmen and artillery all capable of fighting as an effective unit? If the answer to any of this is 'no' then you would not be giving them a fighting chance you would be sending them to their doom. Your Kingdom is not just assailed by the Drakken but by all manner of monstrosities which the Drakken had been holding back at the cost of their own blood. What makes you think this army of youth have any hope?"

Zakroti paused for a moment in consideration as he thought about his own plans and how this bride might be more of a boon to them than he had first expected after all. He smiled again and took a step in advance towards her, kneeling down so that he was level with her and speaking in a hushed tone to her. "I know what its like to be the weak, small one being assailed by strong and large foes- and I know how to beat them off. Tell me everything you know about these rebels and we'll see about sending these letters- and maybe more."



Kzaar stalked his way through the crowds, knocking several nobles aside with a growl as he did, eyeing everyone in the crowd up until he at last found the girl he was looking for, with her unkempt hair and flawed skin. He placed a big, armoured hand onto her shoulder and turned her to face him, noting that her eyes were staring at him with a burning dislike.

"Lord Unalim commands that you follow." Kzaar grunted as he returned her glare, moving his free hand down to his sword, ready to submit her if she resisted him. She did not act on her annoyed look, however, and he led her from the banquet hall and down the corridors and up the winding stone staircase into the chamber, nodding to the blackguard by the door to the balcony who opened it up to let the pair onto the balcony.

Zakroti turned his head to glance at them and gave a quick nod to the pair to acknowledge their arrival, which Kzaar returned.

---

Husband of Tirza, Nadia, and Araxie

---

Praeth had instantly questioned his words the moment he had stated them as to whether or not it was the best course of action. It was not that he felt what he said was wrong, but he had gone against his own attempt to avoid attention. He couldn't help it, he was not one to walk at the pace of others, but rather, direct it to his leisure. The first man to reply to Praeth was Krone. So much as that was expected, yet Praeth only bitterly smiled behind the shadow of his cloak when Krone ostracized him for his hypocrisy. Although Praeth desperately wanted to explain himself, he knew it for the best if Krone thought only that of him and nothing more. A greedy, hypocritical, and arrogant noble is much less threatening than one with no known motive, such an image allowed Praeth breathing room.

Things were beginning to work out as Praeth had hoped at the limit of his plotting capabilities, until he felt the air about him move, it was slow and almost impossible to notice if it weren't for Praeth being on guard. At first, he looked to Tirza again, but he quickly concluded it was not her doing, causing him to look back towards Krone, who had formed a small glint in his eyes. Praeth's eyes widened slowly and he clicked his tongue silently. A rapid fire of thoughts ran through his head as frustration welled in his chest.
What is it that he figured out?
My intentions?
No, he drew my scent...
Praeth grit his teeth, the only telltale signs being his jaw peeking ever so slightly from the shadows of his attire.
My identity?
From a 90 year old scent?
It's possible, he is definitely old enough and from what I remember, he has the aptitude, but... How?
Has my scent not changed since then?
What a folly that I had lingered among Drakken beyond my development stage, otherwise this would not be an issue.
Perhaps he sensed my motive as well then?
No. Impossible, even if he knew the identity of my past, he does not know my current state.
Did he intend to show me that he knows something?
He seems to have total control over his features...
I cannot know for sure, perhaps I should simply eliminate him as a threat.
That won't do either, what if I were to play into his hand by attempting to kill him?
I must admit defeat then, my aptitude to these games is far too weak, perhaps I need an adviser.
What could he possibly do to me even if he knew my motives and identity.

Praeth helplessly shrugged to himself. It was only at that point that Praeth attention once again turned towards his surroundings, many gazes were still on him, but he felt one in particular that vied for his attention. Looking that way, he had already thought about who would be staring at him. Torin was the first name to appear in his mind, but it almost caused Praeth to chuckle to himself and the thought passed as quickly as it came.

It came as a faint surprise to Praeth when his eyes met with Tyrai's. It was not that he was surprised at her boldness beside Torin, but rather, Praeth was already knowledgeable of the Hellsong Sibling's past. He understood that they only had eyes for the strongest and most affluent to become a proper suitor for Tyrai. To have interest in someone without even a discerning title to their name, Praeth could not help but betray his surprise, followed by amusement. Praeth's eyes were a pale blue, but despite the soft color, his gaze held a quality of clarity and a piercing stare that carried a sense of wolf-like viciousness that left most feeling wary and uneasy. Tyrai could practically see her reflection in his eyes as he appraised her like he did his own brides, although eventually his eyes locked onto hers once more.

A faint smile of confidence flickered across Praeth's features, as if to humor Tyrai's gaze, though it seemed almost playful. The moment quickly passed as Praeth heard Tirza speak. A flicker of frustration crossed Praeth's gazed before he broke eye-contact, looking towards Tirza with a nod. "Yes, if you all have eaten your share, we can return to the Chamber, and please, 'my Lord' sounds all too pretentious for someone like me." Praeth said. Without any further warning or action, he picked up the unconscious Nadia bridal style, and turned to leave, waiting for Tirza and Araxie before leaving without an announcement.

Kalani Solle

Krone, Sister-Bride to Kaelira

Much to her surprise, Krone had not forgotten about her after all. "I'm sorry for neglecting you, your sister bride is most..... difficult." Didn't she know it, though 'difficult' wasn't the word Kalani was going to use. Her hands were trembling in his as he kissed them. She looked into his eyes and saw a very different expression on his face. It was soft, almost comforting, it was as if he let his guard down just for a moment. She didn't know what to say and simply kept his gaze. Her face showed her confusion yet pleasure in being looked at with such gentleness. She was feeling too many emotions to make sense out of them.

It got even more confusing as he assured her that he would do his best to protect her family. She almost cried again, but this time it would have been tears of relief. Oh Krone! She wanted to thrust herself at him, kiss all of his features, even though they have hardened again because she knew that behind that cold exterior was a Drakken capable of kindness and mercy. For him, she will no longer just be an apathetic yet proper Gem bride, she will be the best bride he could ask for. She had forgotten about the war and all the other Gems who would probably lose their lives in the near bloodshed for at least her family will be okay. At least, there were some good in this situation.

She refrained herself from an overly-zealous display of affection and simply gave him a genuine smile. "Thank you, Master Krone. You do not realize... how grateful I am. Thank you. Thank you so much," she said, trying to maintain her composure yet at the same time show that she was truly thankful.

Once Kaelira has returned, Kalani noticed that she has changed drastically. Her movement was odd and Kalani did not understand why. She watched as Kaelira placed her hand on Krone's leg and Krone's lack of of a response as he simply removed her hand from his leg. Was she suddenly trying to regain his favor? Kalani turned her head, embarrassed and disgusted by her sister-bride's sudden lewd behavior. She kept her head up high, focusing on the wall behind the person sitting across from her. She hoped that Kaelira was not plotting to do something to Krone, not that she was likely to do much damage to him anyways.

Amaryllis Stone

_{Zakroti - Sister-bride to Miry}

She'd followed silently, staring at the floor as they walked. Her gaze shifted as they entered the banquet hall and she looked around the room, a bored expression on her face, her gaze stone cold. She followed Zakroti without much fuss and sat a few seats away from him at the table, shifting in her seat a bit.

She listened idly as Zakroti spoke to someone named Jorug and looked up at him when she heard the fits of coughing. That wasn't a normal cough, she could feel it in the vibrations from the floor. A smug look crossed her face as she watched him hobble out of the hall. Good riddance. One less asshole to worry about. She should have felt bad about her thoughts but she considered herself a dead woman walking and at this point, what did it matter what she did with her life? Her mother would never yell at her again. Never...

Her eyes shot up when she heard Miry's choked words, defending herself. She glared at the man speaking with her, the usual firey bullets. After all, everyone knew deep down the earth had a molten core. As did Ama. Her powers might be relatively cool compared to fire elementals but that wouldn't stop the fire in her soul from sparking from time to time. Ama was prepared to shoot up and take the glass herself to drink it but Miry beat her to the punch. Ama sighed and let herself relax back against her seat.

She watched with mild amusement as Zakroti disciplined his men. She had to admit, the strength of him sent shivers down her spine. But it wasn't really fear, so much as envy. If only she could have half of that strength, she wouldn't be in this situation.

She was pulled from this, however, as another Drakken entered the hall, proclaiming something about seeing a goat do a backflip. She raised a brow at the comical scene before her. A snort escaped her lips as the first smile since she'd come to this place graced her face.

It disappeared as soon as it had come however as she heard another Drakken speak to the entire room. As he spoke the words, the world around her began to spin, slowly so... irritatingly slowly. She swallowed and blinked a few times trying to force the feeling to go away but it wouldn't. She could feel her face getting hot and her stomach churning.

Then... revelation. Her mouth sat agape as the idea crossed her mind. If... they no longer had the protection of the Drakken, they had no reason to be peaceful. A small smirk grew on Ama's lips as her eyes narrowed at the Drakken who finished making the announcement. She could feel the life returning to her soul, her will to live returned. She'd make it through this. She was the weed that grew on rocks and sand, no matter the earth below her, she would survive.

New of the war probably saved her life. Or sentenced her to death. Either way, she now had no intentions of taking it laying down. Calmly, Ama picked up a piece of fruit from the table and placed in between her lips, biting into the grape with her teeth.

Her attention returned to the two beside her as she turned her head, a grape held between her lips as she lazily sucked it into her mouth. She watched Miry race towards another Gemm who from the looks of it might have been her sister. She couldn't make out what the girl Miry called Asta had said but from what she'd heard, Asta wasn't well liked. A smirk grew on her face. Maybe sometime tonight she should find a way to talk to that girl.

She turned back from watching Asta to looking at Zakroti who was busy writing... letters? She raised a brow honestly confused at the suddenness of the act. Why now of all times? She shrugged. Either way.

She began to raise herself from her seat when she heard Zakroti give the command for his guard to find her. Her eye twitched in irritation. That was literally the worst timing and... she was right there the entire time. Talk about a wallflower.

No, I'm not too pleased to get away from this. I want to talk to that Gemm, Asta.

She sighed and walked over towards the guard who walked in the opposite direction. Her face protrayed her disbelief at how blind this man truly was. She was literally two or three seats away. She rolled her eyes and silently followed him around the room. Soon enough, he did a 360 and she nearly walked into him.

"Ah, Kzaar! I've been following you for the past few minutes. I'm not that short, am I?" She asked raising a brow at the man. Obviously, from the last event, he wasn't willing to deal with her and simply grunted and grabbed her arm to pull her along towards the room. She sighed and rolled her eyes. She was almost prepared for this. "I'll follow you myself, Kzaar. No need to pull me along." She told him, the sound of her voice slightly... sour as her eye stared daggers into the back of the Drakken guard pulling her along.

When he didn't respond, she decided to take matters into her own hands and stomped her foot into the ground, using her powers to use the earth to power her stomp. The force of this 'stop' gave her enough power to pull her hand from the man's grip, pulling her thumb out of it's socket in the process. The only visible hint to her pain was the slightly twitch in her eye as she calmly walked on.

"I told you, I would follow you, fool. Don't grab me so freely." She commanded him, glaring at him. She could see the anger in his eyes and she had to commend his strength of will as he seemed to be trying very hard to keep his hands from slapping the shit out of her. However, maybe she'd given him too much credit. It was almost as if slow motion as his hand raised up towards her face. It sucked... her mind could see it coming and kept trying to tell her feet to kick up a rock to knock his hand from its current path but by the time she'd even raised her foot to kick, it made contact. She saw the world go black for a few seconds. She could sense she was falling and even sense her head hitting the ground, but she couldn't feel any of the pain. When she did actually come to fully, she was draped over the shoulder of Kzaar with a splitting headache.

She let out a small sigh, frustrated and sat on the Drakken's shoulders. At least she'd gotten a piggy back ride out of this. And a dislocated thumb... and a swollen cheek. If she could shrug without him knowing she was awake, she would have. At least he wasn't hurting her anymore. The fun part of all of this would be showing these fools just how hardy she could be. She'd dealt with worse than this at home, surprisingly. She'd walked home in the woods by herself with a broken arm and three broken ribs. If she hadn't she have never made it home. She'd laughed as their father nursed her back to health and their mother beat the living tar out of her brothers for leaving her alone in the woods. How old was she back then? 14? 15? She repressed a chuckle, not wanting Kzaar to know she was awake, like a child trying her best to get the most out of the piggy back ride she was getting.

Torin Hellsong

Raya T'mivus Kasari Liesma

He could all but feel the morale of his two brides falling dangerously below what could be considered healthy. As Torin ate he considered what he might do to mend it, if only slightly, and wondered what this might mean for him on a personal level. The whole point of this trade--as it were--women in exchange for peace, was to prevent a war like this from happening. Well, that and protect Gemminia from other hostile nations. Kasari and Raya's entire purpose for sitting beside him now had just been torn away, there was no reason they should listen to him at all or be complacent--other than perhaps they still wished for a good life. He had intended to give them just that so long as they caused him no trouble, but now…

He felt warm all of a sudden, the air to his left seemed to be rising in temperature. It was Kasari. He drew a sharp breath, preparing for an outburst, but instead got an apology. Raya was similarly humble. Good, they valued their lives, miserable as they were at this point. Placing the fork on his mostly-empty plate, Torin wiped his mouth on a cloth napkin and then tossed that on the table too. He stood.

"We're leaving."

"Torin! I've hardly eaten." Tyrai protested, making no move to follow him. Torin hesitated, debating whether or not it was wise to leave her by herself, especially after the incident earlier. Granted it had been partially staged but still, with all the excitement…

Finally, he motioned to one of his men, a Drakken who stood well over seven feet tall with an especially cruel look in his eye. "Stay close to her. If there's trouble you know what to do."

"Yes, my lord." As Torin ushered Kasari and Raya from the banquet hall, the guard took his place at the table beside Tyrai. If his armor hadn't been emblazoned with the Hellsong crest he could have easily passed for a warlord of some status. In addition to his height, he held himself with an air of nobility. His beard was trimmed and long raven hair fell in braids down his back, gold ornaments adorned his horns. He helped himself to the food on the table.

Apparently this arrangement wasn't new to Tyrai, and she seemed very familiar with her guardian. Almost too familiar, placing her hand on his cheek and turning his head so that he would look directly at her. "Oh Soric, are you stuck babysitting me again?" she laughed as he plucked her comparatively delicate hand from his face. He offered little more than a grunt in response. "Hm, boring as always," she said, unfazed as he continued to pile a mountain of food on the plate.

Torin Hellsong had chosen a total of twelve personal guards to accompany him to Shadow Worth, and half of these left with him as he took his brides up to the chambers that had been designated for his visit, a servant showed them the way. They were luxurious accommodations; the door from the corridor led into what appeared to be a furnished common space, which then led into a large bedroom and several smaller rooms for servants and guards, etc. All of the Hellsong party's belongings had already been brought up, and the lamps were lit for them, but the fireplace which was meant to warm the space was not, though it was piled with plenty of dry timber. Torin took exactly five steps into the room and stopped just inches from running into a chair. He put out his hands, fingers spread, and stood in silence for half a moment as he felt the air in the room. The impressions he received of each object through the air currents left imprints in his mind's eye, and before a minute had elapsed he knew exactly where everything was. With a wave of his hand the logs in the hearth flared with brilliant light and then settled down to burn steadily, adding what little warmth it could to the drafty room.

As the events of the past few hours caught up with him he suddenly felt tired, and leaned on the back of the chair taking a deep breath. "Please, have a seat," he said to the two women, indicating the furniture. For the first time he spoke plainly to them: "Raya, Kasari. I feel sorry for you. It must have been an uncertain journey for you here, and now you've safely arrived only to discover that your purpose for doing so has been taken away. Unfortunately there is nothing I can do about that, however, if you wish you may write letters to your families and they will be dispatched tomorrow morning. If you can write, that is, otherwise you may dictate whatever it is you wish to be written and it will be. Beyond this I cannot promise anything, not even that you'll receive a reply, and it will be unlikely you will be able to send future correspondence. I will not give you false hope, it is entirely probable that you will never see your families again. But at least you have the chance to say goodbye, and let them know you're safe."

Torin nodded in the direction of his guards and one of them went to the luggage and retrieved pens, ink, wax, and several sheets of crisp white paper. These were placed on a small table near the center of the room. When this was done, Torin himself took a seat and held his hand out palm-up. Without a word he was handed a small package wrapped in oil cloth which when pulled away was shown to be an ornately crafted case. He opened it, and inside lay a long-stemmed ivory pipe carved in the shape of a snarling wolf's head along with a small pouch of tobacco. His fingers deftly pinched the leaves to fill the chamber and when he raised it to his lips to take a long draw embers flared in the bowl. He sighed again, this time with relaxation, and puffed a few more times with less urgency. The air around him filled with surprisingly sweet-smelling smoke that drifted lazily up toward the ceiling.

He seemed to have everything he needed at the moment, and so dismissed the guards, now alone with just Raya and Kasari. "We are also leaving tomorrow. I assume you have no belongings other than those you are wearing? I suppose they'll have to make due. Not to worry, in another day you'll be able to have a hot bath and as many new clothes as you like."

Kasari shook her head slowly as she picked at a couple of fruits still left on her plate. "Unfortunately they're in a much worse position than that. I used to live in the plains that run along the southern border." With this announcement, it was inevitable that the troops stationed along that border would be retreating home earnestly leaving her friends and family wide open to attack from any country willing to risk competition with the Drakken for Gemminia. The thoughts made her blood run cold, a feeling she had never known in her life yet could not find her way out of in that moment. It seemed her sister wife had lost her appetite as well, not surprising considering the circumstances, but the real surprise came from Torin. The man stood from his place at the table and announced his departure, Kasari's confusion mixing with her relief as she stood as well.

She waited patiently as Torin briefly conversed with his sister and a guard, watching with interest as the guard sat beside Tyrai at the table... Their customs would never cease to surprise her. She easily kept pace with Torin as they made their way to the chambers designated for the distinguished guests, most of whom were still left down in the dining hall enjoying themselves. As the group arrived at their new room, Kasari almost reached out reflexively to keep Torin from running into the chair, but it seemed as if he'd sensed it before coming to a stop. She couldn't figure out how, but it felt like his gaze was everywhere at once, taking in the room without actual sight. Then the thought struck her, Drakken were blessed with control over two elements not just one like the Gemminites. A fire wielder as well as an air. That is a dangerous combination. She thought to herself, taking a seat close to the flames for comfort. After everything she had learned about the Drakken from her parents and village elders, kindness or anything of the like had never once been mentioned. Perhaps Torin's actions were out of pity for the two girls so far from home, but that did not matter. It was more than most other Drakken would think to allow that Kasari could not read it any other way but kindness. Wiping away the stray tear falling from her face, she stood and approached the paper. Fire Gems weren't known for their literacy but her father had taught her enough to be able to write a simple letter, a skill she had never appreciated until now. As the smoke filled the room, Kasari wrote to her family with every prayer in her mind that it would reach them. Her letter detailed a safe journey, a strong yet kind husband and a sweet earth Gem to share her sorrows with. Before signing it she warned them of the immanent dangers despite the fact that it might not reach them at all, let alone in time for them to evacuate to safer grounds.

"Being able to write to them at all is enough, thank you." It was in that moment Kasari found enough strength to smile, even just a little bit not matter if it could not be seen. Kasari wished that they could have stayed in the mountainous border for a few days longer, soaking in what would be the last they would ever see of home. But her husband's wishes were law to a Gem, especially the first of many conquered rather than diplomatically married. Kasari had much confusion to sort through, but she would act in a way that gave her as much time as possible to sort through it, after all she wasn't suicidal... at least not currently.

Kaelira Isrilen

Sister-wife of Kalani Solle, Bride of Krone the Scream Taker

Kai refused to flinch under the cold gaze of Krone. She shuddered internally, but forced herself to gaze at him openly, her head tilted in a most attractive manner and blue eyes sparkling. She felt the air current shift around her and figured it was to keep her scent away. But there was his arm around her, stroking her side. She’d had at least a small victory.

She took a sip from her goblet of water and put it down beside her elbow, in a perfect knock-over spot. She tried to eat some food, figuring she’d need her strength for the night, and as she did she managed to knock her goblet to the floor.

Blushing and cursing her clumsiness (though that’s exactly what she wanted to do) she bent to pick up the cup, making sure all the water was spilled on the floor. As she settled herself back into her seat, she focused on charming the water. If Krone had been paying attention he might have felt a trickle of cool water running up his pantleg. Certainly he would notice as it swirled around his more… sensitive parts, without soaking into the cloth.

Or rather, that was the original intention. She had fully planned on just making him so wound up that he couldn’t keep himself under control. But she wasn’t sure, now. After all, the idiot had pretty much ruined her life. If she hadn’t been chosen by him, after all, she’d have been sent back home, to Ridian. They’d be married.

No, this man deserved to suffer for what he’d taken away from her.

As she played with the water, she contrived to let it soak through his pants, making it look like he’d had an unfortunate accident.

She feigned surprise as she looked at him, and spoke loudly enough that most of the table could have heard her. “Oh, no! I’d have thought a Drakken of your standing would be better able to… hold his beer. Oh well. Would you like a hand at cleaning up, my lord?” She fluttered her eyelashes at the man, well knowing there would be hell to pay for this stunt but not even caring.

---

Astaelin Cassiel

Sister-wife of Atallia Faeron, Bride of Edokaluriconus Nordiere

Asta had taken full advantage of “enjoying the party”. She loved Drakken liquor; it was so much stronger than anything the Gems ever made. Granted, the taste was a little strange, but after a while it didn’t bother her.

Some of the other Drakkens had been following her around, looking for an easy, drunk wench. To discourage them, she simply carried a steak knife. After sending one poor fellow diving for cover, the others left her alone.

The only down-side to all of this liquor was that it made her have to pee. So naturally she hurried away, intending to find the bathroom.

As she walked back through dark corridors with much less urgency, she was entirely alone, the perfect time for a man, or a man’s servant, to intercede and approach her with an offer.

---

Aymiria Cassiel

Sister-wife of Amaryllis Stone; Bride of Zakroti Unalim

She risked a tiny smile at Zakroti’s comment about her courage, which was the only thing that made her want to continue. But then, he knelt down so that they were at the same height, and it was so unexpected that she, on impulse entirely, hugged the man. Then she blushed and jumped back and before he could shout at her or hit her, started babbling about anything she knew about the rebellion to distract him.

“I d-don’t know h-how well t-trained the o-other people a-are, b-but… A-Asta made sure that I c-could d-defend-d mys-self, a-and s-said she’d-d d-do the s-same f-for e-everyone... I c-could show you, i-if you d-don’t believe m-me.”
“A-as far as d-discipline, W-we have n-nothing. H-how c-could we?” Her eyes filled with tears, thinking it might have been an entirely hopeless endeavor, but she forced herself to brighten at the thought of the other things she’d done.
“B-but, we h-have some t-things that the d-drakken a-armies haven’t s-seen… I w-was the one t-to d-design some o-of them. I-incendiar-ry arrows, comp-pressing all f-four e-elements into a h-hollow c-clay ball o-on the a-arrowhead, m-makes them e-exp-plode when they h-hit s-something and c-cause a lot o-of d-dama-age... A-air shields, s-so that we c-can see and h-have b-b-etter m-mobi-ility, b-but can st-till st-top a-arrows and s-sling st-tones. A-armor t-that has l-layers o-of a-air and w-water to st-top p-penet-trative f-forces. I w-was the f-first one t-to s-suggest u-using our e-elements, b-but they w-worked ag-gainst all our t-test s-sett-tings…” Miry’s voice was still barely more than a whisper, but her eyes were alight as she talked about her designs.
”I ad-dapted the e-explos-sive a-arrow f-for s-something that goes u-underg-ground, just t-three or f-four inches u-underground b-but a-all ac-cross a r-road, m-maybe, a-and when s-someone st-teps o-on it, t-the w-whole t-thing e-explodes a-and s-sends s-superh-hot f-fire and st-team s-shooting o-out…” Her eyes filled with tears then as she realized what she must sound like. ”I k-know I m-must b-be a, a m-monst-ter, o-or w-worse, b-bec-cause I actually… I act-tually e-enjoy-yed b-buidling t-the thing-gs… I d-don’t w-want to k-kill p-people b-but I-I’ll k-kill a h-hundred-d D-Drak-kens i-if it m-means m-my f-fr-riend-ds a-and f-f-fam-mily w-w-will b-b-be s-saf-fe… I d-don’t k-know what A-Asta w-w-wants f-from m-me b-but-t I o-owe it t-to h-her, she p-prot-tected m-me w-when n-no one e-else w-would a-and I n-need-d to h-help her h-how-wever I c-c-ca-an, b-but I d-d-don’t w-want to k-kill a-anyone b-but I’ll d-d-o i-it i-if she a-ask-ks, I j-just d-d-don’t w-want my p-people to d-die…” Auram save her, she wasn’t making any sense, she was just babbling and crying.

Rather than try to form coherency in her speech, she clapped both hands over her mouth and sank to her knees, shaking her head.

---

Brides Kalani and Kaelira

The way Kaelira moved and tried to hide her displeasure was near laughable, it was clear that she was planning something. Though it was becoming apparent that she was thinking stuff up as she went. Krone had to admire her determination to be as stubborn as a female Drakken. Though he was sure she would take that an insult, but he cared little for what she cared about.

When knocked her goblet over he lifted an eyebrow, what did she possibly have planned with that? But when she sat back in her seat he felt the water fun up his leg. Was she so dense that she didn't pick up the he too had the power over the same element as her? Apparently so, but then he was unsurprised. His little bride was very self absorbed, she didn't care for anyone but herself not even her sister bride. That was rather disappointing.

Once the water reached his groin he nearly rolled his eyes. But nothing changed and he remained expressionless as ever and nothing grew below. He was almost impressed with her ability to keep the water from soaking his clothes, but then she released her hold of the water.

"I’d have thought a Drakken of your standing would be better able to… hold his beer. Oh well. Would you like a hand at cleaning up, my lord?”

Krone made no movement but the air around him grew very cold, to the point you could see your breath. He slowly looked at Kaelira, his eyes full of cold malice it was as if he took on the eyes of Krenta. "You tell me." He said knowing when she looked that she would see no water stain.

Just then his captain stepped forward as if given an unknown signal. He leaned over so Krone could speak silently into his ear. The captain suddenly straightened and gave a look of surprise at Krone. "Are you serious my Lord?"

"I am always serious. Now do as I ask." Krone said in a slow calm voice. He watched as his captain nodded and bowed before turning and going over to the men. Krone looked at Kaelira again, his eyes still cold but there was something else as well but it was impossible to tell what.

"You have been most....... difficult. And I have given you many chances to save not only yourself from pain but also the male Gem. But you insist on burning them. So I have little choice," He said as his captain came back and grabbed Kaelira and pulled her out of the chair and handed her over to four of Krone's loyal guards. "I should of been the one to deflower you, but I do not trust you. So my men will have you." He explained as he stood and motioned Kalani to stand as well, though he kept her close as he allowed Kaelira's scent to drift to those chosen to perform the command. "A shame, but you left me little choice." He said as he looked at her. He then looked up at his men his eyes still cold. "Don't kill her and I expect her to delivered to me chamber once you are done, I do not care if she is clothed or not. Just so long as she is back."

And with that his men took her away, it was a rude awakening but nothing he did was getting through to her. He had given her chance after chance to win his favour but she squandered it. But she still had a chance even then, if she begged to be taken back to Krone and apologized, he may consider giving her mercy. He looked down at Kalani for a moment before gently taking her hand and leading her away from the banquet hall and back up to his chamber.

Once in the large sitting room of his chamber, he took off his shirt as he tired of the fabric. He then turned to his captain and guardsmen, who had followed and dismissed them. He then looked at Kalani, his eyes suddenly not as cold as they were before and his expression softer. "I have a few letters to write, but I want you to know that I do not wish to do such things to Kaelira. You have seen how many times I have given her a chance to redeem herself, only to have her throw it in my face." He said sounding slightly sad as he sat in a comfy chair. There was a pause as he looked into the fire that was blazing in the fireplace. It cast many shadows across the room which was oddly calming.

"I do wish to ask you my dear. Do you wish to share a bed with me tonight? I will not make you do anything, just simply share a bed, lay by my side..... Please." He asked softly as he raised his hand. One would get the sense that he was offering himself to her, as there was no demand in his voice or body language. He was letting her choose.

He always gave choices even to his enemies and victims.

---

Torin Hellsong, sister bride to Kasari Liesma

Raya bit her lip when she heard Kasari say that her family were from the Southern plains of Gemminia. She knew that once the southern races figured out that the Drakkens left, they would swoop over the mountains and into their land killing everyone. At least with Drakken's they liked to take prisoners, but not those to the south. She truly felt sorry for her sister bride, and wished that there was something that she could do for her. But nothing was coming to mind, she couldn't even find any comforting words to speak. She suddenly felt useless, as she wanted to encourage but the situation was too grave.

She was pulled out of her thinking when Torin stood and said that they were leaving. She stood slowly and barely noticed the conversation that her husband and guard were having. She was still in shock but it was fading or at least she hoped so. She followed Torin wordlessly through the many halls and corridors as she was still lost in thought. That was until she realised that she was standing in her husband's chamber.

She wondered how he was able to "see" everything in the room and know where it was. But she guessed he had some way of knowing. He then told them to sit, then explained that he was giving them a chance to write home. Raya's heart nearly burst as a few tears threatened to spill from her eyes. She watched as paper, ink and pens were laid out for them. But then she realised that she didn't know how to write. Her parents had tried to teach her but she was the hardest one to teach as she was always in the forest. She had a stronger connection with her element and would spend hours just listening to the earth. But now she wished she had learned to write.

"I don't know how." She said in a low voice, though the Drakken that Brought in the writing material heard her and so took a pen and paper before looking at her. She bit her lip before dictating what she wished to be written in the letter.

Once the letter was written she smiled slightly at the Drakken before looking up at her husband. He looked rather distinguished, which she couldn't help but find odd. She was always told that Drakkens were mindless brutes that had no sense of order or kindness. But so far they were wrong, well kind of. She knew that her husband was fully capable of killing and being a brute, but at this moment he was being kind.

Raya moved and sat in front of him while reaching out and gently touching his knee. "Thank you my Lord..... I know that you can take whatever you want from us..... but if there is anything.... you want from me tonight.... I willfully give it." She said, though her voice held no fear or sadness. She was not afraid to give herself to him as she knew it would happen eventually. She just hoped he was okay with her offer.

---

Praeth, sister bride to Nadia and Araxie

Tirza realized as soon as the words left her mouth that she had pissed off Praeth. She wasn't sure how she managed to piss him off, but she did. But that was no big surprise, she could piss off a snail or so she was told.

"Yes, if you all have eaten your share, we can return to the Chamber, and please, 'my Lord' sounds all too pretentious for someone like me."

She raised and eyebrow at his comment.Someone like me? What the hell is that supposed to mean? He was a Lord or some sort of noble wasn't he? Or why else would he be here? "As you wish hunky bunny." She said in a flirtatious tone as she followed him. She knew she was pushing her luck, but she always did. It was her nature, to push, to test boundaries and then regret it later. She knew her cycles, but she couldn't stop them. Oh how her gods must of laughed at her, or at least she thought they did as they did help her at all.

"Do you like that name? Hunky Bunny? Or would you prefer something else?" She asked as she skipped behind her husband and flirted with the few Drakken guards that they passed. Some of the guards would wink back or get a look of bewilderment or lust. Again she was pushing it.

Zakroti was taken aback with surprise when Miry threw her arms around him, nearly falling backwards with shock as she hugged up. Once the surprise subsided, he fought back a small smile from spreading across his face as he felt her press up against him and when she withdrew he fought to keep a disappointed look from crossing his face. He managed to regain his composure and listened intently to Miry as she spoke, a small and cruel smile spreading across his face, a greedy look seeping into his eyes as he heard her talk of all manner of weapons of warfare that would rival those of his own artisans. Now he had another use for her, one far more valuable than first anticipated; The more he learnt about this girl, the more everything just seemed to fall into place before him.

"…b-but I d-d-don’t w-want to k-kill a-anyone b-but I’ll d-d-o i-it i-if she a-ask-ks, I j-just d-d-don’t w-want my p-people to d-die…” Miry stammered out before clamping her hands over her mouth as if to silence herself and falling to her knees before him, shaking her head. Zakroti's smile faded as he examined her for a moment, unsure what to make of her behaviour for it was so alien to him. He rose slightly and took a step in advance towards her, taking her right hand from around her mouth gently and pulling her up to her feet, a friendly smile spread across his face as he looked into her eyes.

"Believe me, I've seen many monsters and you do not fit amongst them." He told her with a reassuring yet stern tone in his voice, taking a small cloth from his pocket once more and reaching up to dry the tears from her eyes. He opened his mouth to speak against but was interrupted by a grunt from Kzaar beside him and Zakroti paused , looked back over to Kzaar again before furrowing his brow as he noticed Amaryllis state. His eyes suddenly flashed into a look of pure fury and... Perhaps betrayal. He released Miry's hand and advanced towards Kzaar, his body becoming animated as he switched back to using the same cold, harsh tongue he had used in the banquet hall.

"Kzaar, gais jusla wre ro!" He growled as he approached, looking down to the injures on Amaryllis body with a mix of annoyance and anger in his eyes "Kzaar kree! Yui roze sep Amaryllis v Miry, sancre kala o." Kzaar paused for a moment before slowly lowering Amaryllis to the floor and glancing down to his feet, grunting out in a fearful voice again

"Kas, Zakroti." He murmured, his voice little more than a whisper "She assaulted me, I had to use force to..."

"Your excessive zeal may cost us dearly Kzaar!" Zakroti admonished as he glared at the hulking mountain of flesh before him, who slowly withdrew.

"But, these were your orders my lord..." Kzar offered pitifully in his defence onto to fall silent when his lord scoffed

"You were supposed to bring the girl, I told you all specifically not to harm them, and yet Kzaar you have managed to cause suffering to the pair of them; Tell me are you truly this incompetent or do you simply enjoy doing the exact opposite of what I told you?" Zakroti snarled, his face suddenly taking on a look of pure anger as he glared towards his minion, before it faded. With a shake of his head he let out a long and exasperated sigh "Its... Just lie her down there before you do any more damager. Gaikus, tend to the her wounds..." Zakroti shook his head slowly and turned back towards Miry, only to quickly pivot his body back towards the blackguard "And if anyone asks, I ordered you to strike her if she resisted. The girl already hates me, for a time I may as well play the role I have been so vicariously cast in."

Gaikus approached Amaryllis as Kzaar placed her down onto the floor, grunting and withdrawing slightly, raising his visor to reveal his obviously infuriated face. While he would never betray his master, he certainly wasn't above being considerably pissed off at him when the circumstances were like this. Gaikus took Amaryllis' finger and checked it, using the knowledge he had gained from his time in the surgical tents to click of back into its socket without causing any nerve damage, though it was almost certainly extremely painful for her.

"I didn't hit her hard, Zakroti, I swear it." Kzaar interjected sincerely, looking at Zakroti with a slightly more humble look on his face than he had a minute before. Zakroti gave a slow nod towards him but didn't reply, merely turning his attention back to Gaikus as he spoke up

"I can rub some ointment in for the swelling, but she may have a concussion. It would be wise for me to check as soon as she awakes." He said as he lifted his visit, revealing a pair of yellow, snake like eyes as he looked towards Zakroti for a moment before turning his attention back to Amaryllis. He reached down and opened the pouch that hung loosely from the garter of his armour, drawing out a small jaw and twisting the lid off if it, dipping a finger inside and drawing a smidge of the thick gloop from inside it before placing his finger to the swelling and slowly rubbing it into the Gems cheek.

Zakroti turned his attention back towards Miry "Well, what you have invented for the rebels will almost certainly help them but I do believe that the only way the rebels stand a chance is if they wont break and run the moment they see the Drakken. To do this, they need a strong leader, one who not only inspires the confidence to fight within them but one who they already know and trust... Astaelin Cassiel would be a prime choice for this role, though she appears to be in Edorics possession... What a pity, it would be a shame if she went missing from the feast now wouldn't it?"

Zakroti paused for a moment, a sly grin spreading across his face as he let out a knowing chuckle "A terrible shame indeed. Of course, I have my price for assisting her, we'll see whether she agrees to it." There was a somewhat ominous edge to his voice, making it quite clearly that whatever his 'price' was it would be considerable. In his mind, he didn't see that the girl really had a choice. The rebels needed their leader after all and whatever price he chose would surely be small in exchange for giving the Gems a fighting chance against the Drakken hordes



Vain watched as Edoric set his two brides loose into the hall and gave a wry grin as he tracked Astaelin across the room, casting a cautious grin back over to Edoric for all of a moment. He moved through the crowds quietly, following her through the crowds as a creature might stalk its prey through the woods, ever vigilant of who might be watching and always cautious to keep his distance and act as though he wasn't tracing her at all. Vain did a good show of it too, he had been doing this for a very long time now and had long since learnt how to read people and how to hide in plain sight.

He watched Astaelin with a strange fascination as she drank more than he would have expected for one of her stature, before heading from the hall and into the corridors, clearly tipsy. Vain let out a weak chuckle to himself as he realised what she was going to do, knowing full well that if he got his way she would not be doing so any time soon. He slipped out after her with surprising grace for one who was clad in heavy armour and stalked her from a distance, watching as she fended off a Drakken who had some less... friendly intentions with a steak knife she had taken from the feast.

Once he was certain they were both out of the sight and earshot of any of the other Drakken and were a considerable distance from the hall, he doubled his pace and caught up to her, accosting her in the middle of the hall. He spoke in a somewhat hushed tone as if afraid that the walls had ears, reaching up and raising his visor to display his face to her, a stern look on his face and a determination in his eyes.

"The Usurper, the new husband of your sister, requests your presence. He says that if you wish to save Gemminia , you should come with me." He urged quietly, attempting to keep his voice as quiet as possible while ensuring the girl was able to hear it over the distant sounds of the feast. "There is no time to explain here, however, it shall all be explained shortly." He beckoned her with his hand, heading towards the nearby wooden door and unlatching it, pushing it open and motioning for her to follow with a weak smile on his face. He knew where Zakroti had taken the girls, they had agreed earlier that should they need a private audience it was to the balcony that they would fall back. A straight drop on either side off the mountain edge and no alcoves near the entrance or sides to hide on, any voices would be lost on the mountain winds before they came to the ears of any down below. It was a suitable place for audiences that had to be made in private, far safer than the hallways of the Wroth where noise echoed and bounced off the walls.

Vain was completely willing to submit Astaelin should she refuse to follow, but he had a feeling that his lord would not approve of such a course of action unless it was absolutely necessary. If possible, he would try to convince her to follow on foot rather than have to be carried there. Worse if she had to be carried screaming, likely attracting the attention of just about every lord within the Wroth and getting him brutally murdered when it was assumed he was kidnapping her.

Torin Hellsong

Raya T'mivus Kasari Liesma

Torin felt the tension in the room fade with every scratch of pen on paper, and when Raya came forward placing her hand on his knee he smiled. He may as well enjoy himself while he was here, there was no reason to hold back. He reached out and touched her face, letting his fingertips roam across her features, her ears and cheeks, nose and chin, lingering on her lips. It probably seemed like a gesture of affection but it was really just Torin's way of seeing her, as it were. Whereas a man with sight can simply gaze upon a woman and take in her beauty without ever touching her, Torin relied on his hands and other senses for such purposes. A difference in method he wasn't at all opposed to, and while there was always the impression her body left on the air, it could not compare to feeling the texture with real physical contact. As he pushed her hair back from her face his fingers slid down the back of her neck and then came to rest on the soft flesh of her throat. He could feel her pulse and the blood rushing through each artery and vein and capillary, filling her with warmth and life. How vulnerable she was, and how easy it would be for him to close his grip and put a stop to that lustrous flow. Strangulation wasn't his preferred mode of killing but there were always exceptions. The point was that she was completely at his mercy, and instead of feeling powerful Torin was a little surprised to realize that he only felt sorry for her. The women he'd grown up with, his mother and Tyrai, they were strong, they would never have allowed themselves to be brought as low as these Gems. Was he… disappointed? Torin couldn't be sure.

He took another long draw on the pipe and smoke trickled from his nose and mouth as he spoke. "You've done well, Raya. The gods will surely reward your modesty and humble nature. And please," he raised his head so as to make it clear he was speaking to both of them, "When you are alone with me, you may simply call me Torin. You are my wives after all." So-saying, the hand resting on Raya's throat moved to her back, slipping under the fabric of her dress to caress the smooth skin hidden beneath. He bent his head and said plainly, "This is going to hurt." No sooner had the words escaped his lips a hot burning sensation flared up on Raya's upper back stretching from one shoulder blade to the other. It took no more than a few seconds and the heat faded as soon as it had come. As she recovered he rose from his seat, upturning his pipe to empty the ashes into the fireplace and returning the instrument to its case, which he placed on the table. While he was there he took the liberty of sealing the letters, pressing his signet ring into the soft scarlet wax. Now the only thing left to do was deliver them.

After this he momentarily turned his attention to Kasari, hooking an arm around her waist and drawing her close to him. As he had with Raya, he touched Kasari's face tenderly, memorizing the curve of her jaw and the dimples on her cheek, her delicate little nose. "I apologize if it seems like I have been neglecting you, Kasari. Unfortunately I don't have the energy for both of you tonight, so once we are home you will be the first to experience the full luxury of my own bed, where the nights are mild and not nearly as cold as they are here." He kissed her forehead, then tilted her head up and kissed her lips as his hands slid around to her back. Like before, an intense burning heat flared up across Kasari's back, etching an intricate pattern in fire across her skin. As quickly as before the heat faded, and her clothes were not even singed. Across both women's backs were white heat-scars patterned to appear like fiery rays extending from the sun. It was the base design for Torin's personal crest, without his name and the maxim:

He held Kasari a moment, making sure the brief intense pain would not cause her to faint, though she seemed fairly hardy to him. "Accommodations have been provided for you in the room beside mine. It is nearer the hearth and should be warm enough, there are plenty of blankets and a down quilt. If there is anything else you need, do not hesitate to come to me, but I think you will be all right for one night. Whatever you do, do not leave this apartment. My men will stop you if you try, but it's for your own safety." He released her with a parting kiss, loathe to pull away from her now that she was in his arms but knowing her time would come. Then he took Raya into the bedchamber, and left her alone.

The room was smaller and lit by only two lamps: one near the door, and the other beside the bed. The stone floor was covered in bear and deer skins, a furry carpet to insulate against winter's ever-present chill in Shadow Worth. Still, without the fire it was much colder. Torin used a little more of his energy to warm the air to a more tolerable temperature. It wouldn't last long, but at least for the moment they wouldn't be shivering. He removed his boots and tunic, approached the wash basin in the corner and removed his mask, then splashed water across his face and neck. When he turned to her, shirtless and barefaced, Raya was offered a look at his true appearance. Most noticeable was a terribly deep scar that ran in a jagged line from his left temple, across both eyes leaving a gouge in the bridge of his nose, and ending in a thin line that crossed the edge of his right eyebrow. His left eye was the worst, little more than a white orb shot with inflamed blood vessels half-concealed by a tattered drooping eyelid and a lot of scarring around the socket. His right eye at first glance looked almost normal in comparison, until you noticed how clouded and grey it was, sightless and unmoving. He knew she would stare, people always did, thus his reason for wearing the mask. Battle scars are one thing, but drawing attention to an obvious weakness--and as well-adjusted as Torin was, his blindness was a weakness--was just foolish.

Other than the dreadful scar on his face though, Torin appeared to have no other scars. His skin was taut and smooth without a blemish to speak of. That was, until he stepped forward and took Raya's hands in his own. His forearms glistened in the lamplight, and the backs of them from wrist to elbow were covered in neat, horizontal lines. The length of each and distance between the others was so unsettlingly precise they couldn't be anything but intentionally inflicted, either by a torturer or--more frighteningly--perhaps Torin himself. They were old though, having healed years ago, so whatever it was that happened to him must have long been in the past, longer than even his blindness. Maybe even in his childhood. He kissed her hands, then reached around behind her and began unlacing the ties of her dress.

"Are you more comfortable undressing in front of a man who cannot see you?" he wondered in amusement, tilting his head until the tip of his nose brushed against her neck, followed by his lips. "Truthfully, I've not had a woman in my arms for some time, and you've been such a tease." He bit her, suddenly. Not the small nip of a lover but the full extension of his jaws around her throat, though as before his hold on her was gentle and controlled, not intended to harm her in the slightest, in spite of the animalistic growl that resonated from within him. Teeth scraped lightly over her skin and in a moment the incident had passed and he was kissing her neck once again, the curve of one of his horns pressed coolly against her cheek as his hands roamed across her body, painting a picture of her in his mind. She was beautiful.

[[Don't hold your breathe for this tiny post. >.>]]



Ara had long since stopped paying attention to the world around her, preferring to daydream about running and prancing around in a beautiful imaginary field of flowers, Praeth and her parents with her, Tirza and Nadia too. She was snapped back into reality when she heard Praeth suddenly say something about leaving. She looked down at her empty plate, not a spec of food on it as she hadn't even eaten. With a small shrug, she stood and rose to walk with Praeth who had Nadia in his arms.

"M-my love, what happened to Nadia? I... I'm sorry I wasn't paying much attention to much of anything back there." She asked him, feeling a little silly at what she called him. Would he be upset? She wasn't really addressing him with a title, so it should flatter him, right? He... He wouldn't make her stop, would he? She stared down at the floor, fearing he would ask her to stop with 'My love' as well.

Zakroti, Aymiria, Astaelin;
NPCs Kzaar, Vain, Gaikus.

---

Asta didn't know what it was that made her trust the man. Maybe it was his rather short height and slender build, even smaller than Master Unalim. But no, mostly it was his eyes. The intense green eyes and refined handsomeness of his features just screamed something about Gemminite, rather than Drakken, heritage. And of course, it WAS Miry's husband who requested her presence, and something about saving Gemminia too. She probably should have been suspicious, or at the least worried about what Edoric might do, but she would happily go see what this man and his warlord master wanted with her. She had her steak knives and knew how to use them; if they tried anything they could both be dead within seconds.

So she followed him.

Vain led her through the thick doors and up the winding stone stairwells of the Wroth and through its grandiose corridors which were, in the dying throes of the feast, alive with voices and the sound of music carrying from distant rooms. Finally, they reached a single metal door with a cracked skull engraved on it, which opened up into a small study. On the opposite side of the room to the door was the entrance onto the balcony, blocked by two large blackguard who moved to the side to give the pair access as Vain approached, leading Astaelin out into the cold and standing off to the side, motioning for her to approach Zakroti as Kzaar kept a watchful gaze on her.

"Ah, here she is at last." Zakroti declared with a thin smile spreading across his face as he pivoted away from Miry to face Astaelin "No doubt you are wondering why I have called you out here?" He paused for a moment to let her respond, running his eyes up and down her slowly, inspecting every fibre of her being.

Astaelin held perfectly still under Zakroti's scrutiny, light-lavender eyes hard and focused and maintaining eye contact. Part of her tipsiness had been an act; she wasn't *quite* as drunk as she'd led people to believe. Just enough to be less inhibited than usual and... fully willing to do something stupid.

She dipped a slight curtsy to the Drakken lord, then resumed her full height. "I must say, a summons like this is quite dangerous, for if my husband finds me missing we will have a grand problem; surely the stakes must be so high that the benefit outweighs the risk?" She had a good idea what this was about; she'd heard the declaration of war just as clearly as anyone. But had... Had MIRY, of all people, actually SPOKEN to her husband for long enough to explain things?

Zakroti would not suppress a smirk at the curtsy, stepping toward her with a light shrug of his shoulders, as if entirely uncaring about the risk involved with this little rendezvous. In truth he admitted he was rather concerned about the possible risks involved as he would rather everything not collapse just short of a victory but even if it was uncovered it would not be the end, at least not immediately.

"The benefit to me is adequate but in truth it is the benefit to you which is great in value." He said with slight tilt of his head and, despite his innocuous body language, a dangerous fire in his eyes. He motioned to Miry as he continued. "Miry has confirmed what I suspected of your resistance, even if it was somewhat greater than I first thought. She told me everything she knew and after weighing up the options I have decided it would be best for me to... Assist this resistance. There is an old proverb 'I do not fear a pack of wolves led by a sheep, but I would flee from a group of sheep led by a wolf.' Very applicable in this scenario I feel; This rebel rabble may well buckle in the first few minutes of battle; They need a leader who is strong enough to inspire loyalty and courage, and smart enough to command." He paused for a moment, folding his arms slowly and shifting his weight onto his right leg with an inquisitive look in his eyes as he tried to determine her worth "That leader, I think, would be you. How unfortunate it is then that you are here at the Wroth and not in Gemminia... And how fortunate if you managed to 'escape.'"

Asta could not escape her own excitement entirely. A dangerous gleam came into her eyes at the mention of "fortunate" escapes. But she retained her calm, if somewhat condescendingly respectful speech. "My lord, I dare not lecture you on military proverb, for it would be as though a child taught her grandmother to churn butter, but nonetheless, a quote from a favorite tactician comes to mind: "He who is prudent, and lies in wait for an enemy who is not, will be victorious." It is rather what you are trying to do, is it not, for one would not attempt to reassemble the command of the Gemminite rebellion unless it seemed their time to arise was... imminent. And certainly a lord such as yourself would not trouble yourself with the likes of me, nor my people, unless I was, or my people were, a key pawn in your game of political chess."

"I must say, however, that it would indeed be a... fortunate... turn of fate. But something tells me that I must ask: What would you desire, in return for dicing with fate on my behalf?" The girl's eyes gleamed with the challenge of this conversation, of convincing this man that she was in control enough to lead her own army. Perhaps she was laying on the respect a bit thick, but then, flattery never hurt anyone.

Zakroti wasn't sure he entirely trusted her tone; She was playing a dangerous game with him in the hopes of ascertaining what? A reduced price, maybe? Or perhaps she simply wanted to appear superior to him. Not hard, for many did that without much effort.

"What I want from you is rather simple, actually. When the fight is done, I will demand two things from the Gemminite Nation, you will be a hero to them with one of the only worthwhile fighting forces the Gems will have, thus they will be entirely unable to stop you from giving me my prize. Whatever my price is, you will turn it over without question. A fair trade for stopping the complete destruction of your nation, I think." Zakroti replied with that same thin smile as his countenance, veiling any true emotion that he felt at this moment. He wasn't interested in engaging in any petty contest with her over this conversation (Though he knew full well that all conversations contained a struggle for power), merely in getting the confirmation that she would give him what he wanted. He shot a glance over to Miry for a moment, formulating a contingency in his head.

Miry looked down, rather than meet Zakroti's eyes, and shifted nervously. She sent a tiny trickle of air to Asta's ears and whispered, "You can trust him, I think. He's very reasonable, he wouldn't take more than he needed, and... He wouldn't help you if he didn't think you had a chance."

Asta silently sighed, but kept her face blank. "I am sure that whatever your conditions are will be reasonable. I'd rather know what these conditions were before I agreed to them, but it is as you say: Our people will, to the best of our ability, fulfill these conditions." She felt a thrill of guilt; why was she making a treaty, when she was not of noble blood? But she pushed her insecurities away, convincing herself that this was for the good of her people.

Zakroti turned away from Miry when she looked down, running his eyes over Astaelin slowly and tilting his head slightly, unsure about her
"That is good. In that case all that remains is to get you back to your people. Vain will accompany you home, he is a good fighter and knows military strategy, he will serve as an advisor- And will make sure you do not double cross me." Zakroti said, approaching the wall and glancing down to the floor below as Vain stepped forwards "There is a horse in the stable below. The guards will be- Dealt with."

Zakroti spun and approached the ballista, taking a bolt from it and tossing it to Kzaar, who caught it with a grunt and raised his hand into the air, pulling it back and then thrusting it forwards, releasing it and sending the bolt streaking through the air and into snow in the distance. Zakroti gave a cruel smile as he watched the guards head off to investigate, knowing that they were not going to be returning this night...

Astaelin froze. Zakroti's request was entirely reasonable; after all, she was an entirely unknown quantity. Nonetheless she was indignant that he was sending the Gemminite-looking man with her. But she forced it down.

She sighed and forced a smile and a graceful incline of her head to Vain, though her eyes never left Zakroti. "You are too kind, Lord Zakroti. I will not betray your trust."

Zakroti chuckled lightly and shook his head slowly in response to her "Flattery isn't going to work on me, Astaelin. We both know I am not kind and that you would betray my trust should it work out better for the Gems." Zakroti said, wondering what game she was playing here with her flattery. It surely couldn't have been any genuine gratitude from her, all he had heard about her precluded that possibility. Perhaps she was worried that if she offended him her sister might be harmed? He wondered how Astaelin felt about the pairing, a warlord who had sailed to power on a sea of blood and a young girl who, while intelligent and brave in some aspects, was all together timid and easily frightened into submission.

In truth, he was surprised that Astaelin hadn't already demanded that Miry return to Gemminia with her. It would hardly have been unexpected had she demanded such and while it would have been awkward to try and work his way around that, she appeared to have saved him from that annoying line of conversation. He couldn't help but wonder why? Was there something important he didn't know about the two?
Instantly, his paranoia set in; What if the pair were plotting to kill him, and Miry's timidity had been but an act all along? It would make sense, who would expect the poor stuttering little girl of being an assassin? He shook his head quickly as if to dispel the intruding thoughts, returning to the task at hand.

"We had best be quick about it, we don't want to be caught by Edoric." Vain urged, beckoning her forwards with his hand and taking several steps towards the doors

"Perhaps one day we'll meet under better terms." Zakroti commented, feigning a smug smile on his face as he leant back against the wall and folded his arms.

Asta followed Vain closely, down the stairs and across the fields, to the stable. She wasn't sure what to think, her heart in turmoil over this sudden unforseen change in her fate.

A tiny breath of wind brushed her cheek. "My sister, I love you. I will see you again some day, and perhaps we will be happy." Miry's voice, for once in her life not stuttering, only catching on the last syllable. And it was rather Astaelin who couldn't breathe, who couldn't think, as she realized she'd left Miry behind and would probably never see her again.

For leaders almost never survive the aftermath.

She angrily wiped her inexplicably swollen, wet eyes, and turned her attention to saddling the horse as quickly and efficiently as she could.

Miry looked up at Zakroti and at the prone, semi-conscious Ama, trembling and wiping at her tear-filled eyes. She knew in her heart that she'd never see Asta again, although she refused to let go of the childish, frail hope she held.

"I k-know it's f-for the g-good of o-our p-people that you s-sent her b-back, a-and not m-me. I m-mean, sh-she's th-their l-leader, a-and I'm j-just the s-scientist. I c-can't f-fight. B-but... I f-feel like I n-need to h-help, s-somehow..." she looked up at Zakroti, her eyes still streaming but full of a steely determination. "T-tell me h-how I can h-help you. I-I'll d-design war-machines, I'll b-build b-bombs and arm-mor and a-anything-g you need, j-just l-let me h-help A-Asta n-not get our p-people--n-no, who a-am I kidding-g... n-not g-get hers-self k-killed."
Zakroti looked down over the edge of the tower as he watched Vain and Astaelin file out below, grunting lightly. The Blackguard paused and Zakroti imagined that he was looking up towards the tower and gave a weak nod, knowing full well that the warrior could not see his lord from this distance.

Zakroti had raised the boy; Despite him being a Gem, Gemminia would be foreign land to him and its people alien. He couldn't help but wonder how the young warrior would get on in his time there. His musing were interrupted by Miry's voice and he turned his head slowly towards her with an amused smile "Well, I hardly kept you here for fun, as much as I enjoy your company. My artisans will be displeased at being superseded but I care not. My force must be equipped to the best of it's ability for the coming war." He left out that said force could just as easily be used to slaughter Astaelin should the situation call for it, unfolding his arms and taking the cloth from his pocket, handing it to her "I am going to allow you to keep it this time, you really do need it."
There was some commotion from outside the door and it opened up, Gaikus heading over and speaking in a hushed voice to one of the Blackguard before turning and speaking to Zakroti.

"Zakroti, Kilio jusla kor numad mishaxi; Hilyat Odadew" He said, causing Zakroti to nod slowly in response before turning his attention back towards Miry

"Thank you for your offer, I accept it. With your assistance I am quite certain we can win this... And when this is all over, I shall let you return home with Astaelin." Zakroti said; He wasn't entirely sure if it was a lie, it could well have been.

Miry took the handkerchief and wiped at her eyes, flashing a teary smile at Zakroti. When he said she might be able to go home, she thought her stomach might drop out of her with fear and hope, but slowly shook her head no.
"S-sir... I'd r-rather st-tay here, I t-think. I'm sc-cared of... s-some of A-Asta's f-friends. They... w-weren't n-nice to me. I n-never t-told A-Asta, w-what they d-did, bec-cause she, she t-totally trust-ted them. Most of my l-life I've b-been sc-cared to d-death, o-of Asta, w-when she w-went into h-her blind r-rages, and, m-mostly, sc-cared of h-her f-friends, b-because they... d-didn't r-respect me." She sniffled and hid her face behind the handkerchief. "I-if i w-went b-back there, I-d j-just be sc-cared a-all the t-time, ag-gain. I d-don't want to be sc-cared. S-so, e-even if the w-war-- e-even if w-we w-win... I'd r-rather st-tay h-here, w-with you."

Zakroti tilted his head slightly, a look of concern spreading across his face. What in the name of the gods could have been bad enough that she would be willing to stay here of all places? It was hardly as though she was any safer here, indeed all things considered surely she was more likely to be brutalised and mistreated here than in Gemminia?

"You don't have to call me sir, Miry. You can call me whatever you like so long as it isn't insulting." Zakroti said, a sad smile on his face as he listened to her "Did they ever harm you?"

Miry folded her hands and looked down, not meeting Zakroti's gaze. She nodded almost imperceptibly in response to his question. "S-some would s-say that they d-did, h-hurt m-me, t-that i-is. T-they p-probably t-thought they w-were d-doing m-me a f-favor." she flushed and would not meet his eyes, instead picking at the glittering stones on the bodice of her dress. "I t-think I t-trust you, m-more t-than I trust-ted t-them... I m-mean, they w-were g-good k-kids, t-they j-just... l-let p-passion r-rule, r-rather than s-sensib-bility, w-when they w-were i-idle. T-they d-desired A-Asta... I m-mean, w-who wouldn't? T-tall, b-brave, c-charismatic, b-beautiful. B-but she w-wouldn't t-take any o-of them to h-her bed, b-because a r-relationsh-ship would b-be a l-liability, i-in war, a-and so... they s-settled for m-me. I d-didn’t w-want i-it, b-but they i-insisted." She covered her face with the handkerchief, ashamed of herself for admitting it.

Zakroti inhaled slowly and nodded his head as he listened to her, exhaling again afterwards with a somewhat stunned look on his face, standing completely still for a few seconds in thought, dwelling on what she had said in his mind and unsure of what to say to her. What exactly could he say to that? He had hardly been expecting it after all. It was an unexpected line of conversation and not one he had prepared for and so by its very nature it made him uncomfortable; That was without even considering what the topic actually was.

"I'm sorry." He spoke at last in a cautious tone, rather unsure whether speaking was even wise at this point. He certainly didn't want to upset her by saying something callous which he admitted he rather had a habit of doing. "If that is the case... then by all means, if you wish to remain… it will be nice to have you here.”

Miry smiled rather shakily, and on impulse put her arms around Zakroti again. Her actions really weren't making sense, not even to herself. "T-thank y-you... f-for u-underst-tanding, I m-mean, a-and for... f-for l-letting m-me stay."

Zakroti paused for a moment in shock as she hugged him, before placing his own arms around her gently but also tentatively, for he couldn't help but feel someone was playing him for a fool here. He kept expecting to find a dagger slipped in between the blades of his spine whenever she hugged him; It would have been an easy way to move in and strike after all. Yet he didn't want to push her off him and force her to keep her distance, she had shown no indication that she would harm him and good relations with her would factor in towards some stages of his plan for certain. There was also a small part of him that didn't want to push her off him anyway.

"It's perfectly fine, though I doubt your sister will be too enthralled by the idea." He said in a joking tone to her as he looked down to her, tilting his head ever so slightly to the right.

"She p-probably w-won't mind. I'm j-just a h-hind-drance to her, i m-mean, I'm j-just small and w-weak and not st-trong enough t-to def-fend mys-self in c-combat. I'm a c-cow-ward. I'd f-fall to pieces o-on front l-lines. I can't d-do anything b-but slow h-her down." Miry spoke quietly, still hugging Zakroti gently. She felt... safe, in his arms. Safer than she'd felt for years. Zakroti wouldn't let anything happen to her.

Zakroti shrugged his shoulders lightly in response "True, but she does not trust me and rightly so. I'm half sure that she expects me to brutally murder you." Zakroti said with a chuckle, relaxing slightly as she spoke as if reassured by her words that he wasn't about to be murdered. Besides, why should he worry? He was surrounded by guardsmen, even if she did want to kill him she certainly wouldn't do it here. "And you are certainly not a coward, having dared to ask a Drakken Warlord to let you send letters to rebels. Some would say you're one of the bravest gems here, I am certain that more than a few of them are too busy crying to even think about doing something proactive."

Miry cracked a tiny shaky smile at Zakroti. "Y-you're t-too kind, m-my lord. B-but r-really, I-I'm j-just doing w-what I'm s-supposed to." She giggled weakly. "Asta w-would flay m-me, if she t-thought I had a c-chance to a-ask and d-didn't."

"It is a good thing you asked then." Zakroti chuckled, feigning a look of shock in jest before shaking his head quickly. He opened his mouth to speak again, but was cut short.

"Tak?" Gaikus interrupted, approaching Zakroti cautiously. Zakroti released his arms from around Miry and turned towards his Blackguard.

"Kor." Zakroti replied simply, and Gaikus nodded before continuing.

"Doon kala kros, zu hilyat Mu'Jupostat yui odadew" Gaikus said, glancing back towards the Wroth for a moment with an evident look of concern on his face. "They're finishing up inside."

"Let us go, then." Zakroti replied, turning swiftly on his heel and motioning for the others to blackguard to follow him. Kzaar lifted Amaryllis off the floor again and lay her across his shoulders in a firemans carry. Zakroti turned back to Miry for a moment to offer her his arm with a soft smile on his face "Will you walk with me?"

Miry looked at the offered arm for a moment, trying to decide why Zak was willing to show such affection. Then she gave up on considering it, happy to be allowed to be close to him. She took his arm and smiled, albeit a little nervously, at him. "I w-would l-love to. W-where are we g-going?"

Zakroti returned her smile as she took his arm and led her from the roof and out of the cold before answering her.

"Mu'Jopostat; My largest holding. It used to belong to my father, I was born there when it was still Mu'Balmoras. I renamed it when I..." Zakroti stopped talking for a few moments as they descending a step of stairs, glancing towards her with a small degree of worry, unsure how she would react if he told her the truth of the matter "When I took it from him."

"Y-you took it f-from your f-father...?" Miry asked, somewhat alarmed but then not at all surprised. After all, it was in his name. She'd heard guards whispering about "The Usurper" and it didn't take a genius to figure out that it was in fact Zakroti. "I-I'd l-like it if y-you would t-tell me the st-tory, o-one day... H-how y-you, y-you know, c-came to p-power." But not now. It didn't matter now; all that mattered to Miry was that she was safe with him, and that Asta would be home by daybreak and reorganizing her army and ready to fight by the time the Drakken army was ready to attack. The details of who Zakroti was could wait, until after the war, maybe until after their children were born. But now, the thing that was important was making sure that Edoric did not discover Asta’s disappearance. And then it would be designing and building weapons and armor, and playacting as a scared little girl to fool the other Drakken lords, lest they suspect her to be more than just a pretty face and tiny body, lest they be concerned about Zakroti’s true motive for involvement in the war. She would help Zakroti spring his plans, help save her people. Help him rise to the throne of Drakka, if that’s what he desired. And maybe then he could tell her the stories of his childhood and his early life, before he became famous for his hunger for power.

But that all could wait for another few hours.
The slight girl looked at their linked arms and smiled.

For now, she’d just enjoy the moment.

Torin Hellsong, sister bride to Kasari Liesma.

What in the name of the gods did she just agree to? Had she just offered herself to the Drakken? Even though he was now her husband, it still felt odd. She had never been in a relationship with a male before much less a physical one. She was a wild Gem, the trees and animals were her companions. Her family had tried to tame her and teach her of the world, but she would run into the forests and not be seen for days. How she was acting so civilized at the moment was nothing short of a miracle. Her parents would be proud.

She was still as Torin touched her face, she didn't pull away simply waited for him to stop. She knew that he was doing it more out of necessity than affection, though his hand lingering on her neck was something different. She could feel how his fingers lightly squeezed, she knew he could kill her easily and he would be in the right to do so. But she remained silent and calm, as she knew that she had already peeked his interest with her offer and the kiss she gave earlier.

Just then he praised her and a part of her liked it, while the other part wished to show him that she wasn't always humble and modest. But she wasn't exactly in her element, if she was she would be different.

She was pulled from her thoughts when Torin's hand went down the back of her dress between her shoulder blades. She barely heard what he said, when heat and pain bloomed where his hand was. She gasped and fell forward slightly so that she was leaning on his knee. The heat quickly disappeared but the nerves in her back were still firing, which were in pain still. Panting she moved out of Torin's way as he stood, she was still in some pain but she would endure it.

Raya wasn't paying much attention to Torin or Kasari as she slowly got to her feet and straightening herself. She would not look weak even though she was still in some pain. Before she could fully register what was happening Torin lead her to his bed chamber. She cast a weary look over her shoulder at Kasari before he shut the door.

The room was colder than the other and was decorated in furs, it was rather rustic in feeling. She simply stood in the middle of the room and watched as her husband took off his shirt and boots before going over to the wash basin and removing his mask. He looked strong and his skin looked like it was hugging the muscles beneath. It was rather attractive, other than the horns which told her of the reality she was in. When he turned he stood there as if giving her a moment to look at his face. She didn't know how to react, it was disturbing but she had seen animals in the forests with similar injuries so it wasn't too horrible to look at. When he grabbed her hands she felt a little disappointed as she wished to run her hands across his scars. But again she was shocked into reality when Torin reached around and undid the ties of her dress, he was quite skilled as her dress dropped in a heap at her feet in a matter of seconds.

"Are you more comfortable undressing in front of a man who cannot see you?"

"No, in truth it's more nerve-racking." She said in a cool but sweet tone. Why she felt more nervous about undressing infront of him was because a seeing male could easily make a decision if he thought her beautiful without touching her. While Torin would have to touch in order to make the same conclusion, he would know her more intimately than most and that scared her.

When he bit her, she hissed and arched her back slightly. But again she didn't pull away simply endured. Once he was kissing her neck again, his hands began to wonder. She took the opportunity to wrap her arms around him and semi-lightly dig her nails into his back and bite his shoulder. It was her way of letting him know that she more than a meek and humble bride.

She had a wild side.

Kalani Solle

Krone, sister-bride to Kaelira

The next chain of events regarding Kaelira was not too surprising for Kalani. Once again Kaelira had tried to do something to bother Master Krone but this time she was finally getting punished for it. Despite her distaste for her sister-bride, Kalani still felt bad for the little water Gem. Four Drakken guards at a time? She could not even imagine what would happen to the girl. She may even come back as an entirely new, but broken, person.

As Kaelira was being taken away, Kalani stood besides Krone and then allowed him to lead her back to his chamber. While he sat down, she remained standing, awkwardly. He turned to speak to her, revealing his kinder expression once more, the one that Kalani was very fond of. "Yes, Master Krone. You have been most generous with her. It is unfortunate that it had to be this way." she replied, her words were as stiff as usual but her voice was tender. Her eyes followed his to the fireplace. The warm, flickering flames seemed to set a nice, peaceful mood. She took a seat on one of the empty chairs. She still did not know her husband enough to know what the boundaries are yet she felt comfortable enough in his presence. When he had asked her to simply sleep beside him for the night, she did not see any reason to refuse but she was touched that he was giving her the choice.

She tugged at her tight dress to demonstrate its restriction on her and asked in a soothing voice, "I would love to be by your side tonight, Master Krone. But do you happen to know where I can get a change of clothes? This dress is rather uncomfortable and not suitable for sleeping."

Kalani awaited his answer hopefully, gazing into his eyes. Now that the Reaping and the Banquet were over with, she had only just realized how horrible the dress felt against her. It did its job well; which was to flaunt her beauty, but at the same time, it was itchy and tight in all the most uncomfortable places. She yearned for something soft and light to wear, like a loose cotton dress. Actually, almost anything would probably be more comfortable than this darn beautiful dress.

Kaelira Isrilen

Sister-wife of Kalani Solle, Bride of Krone the Scream Taker

It took a second for the girl to come to her senses.

She was in a warm room. On a hard marble floor, sure, but, the fire was crackling, and in the flickering light she could make out the enormous bed she was next to.

Weakly she tried to move, though she cried with the pain that shot through her. A rattle of chains and she realized she could move only a few inches in any direction.

Those bastards! They’d left her here, in what she could presume was Krone’s personal chamber, naked and shackled by wrists and ankles and throat, and utterly helpless. It was certainly more comfortable than where they’d had her before, but nonetheless.

The girl shifted, trying to get comfortable (or at least less uncomfortable), though every motion sent a bolt of pain through her body. She’d tried to fight the guards off, having kicked one in a not-so-nice place and then, once she’d had a moment to think, nearly drowning one in his own blood. Oh, the joys of being a Water Gem.

But they were stronger than her, and had quickly overwhelmed her, sucking the air from her lungs. And then when she’d been woken, she was shackled and spread helpless, and the men had their way with her. And she hadn't even had the satisfaction of hurting one of them, for they searched her and took the fork.

At least she hadn’t screamed. At least she hadn’t begged for mercy. But she’d wanted to. Gods, she wanted to die, rather than be their toy. Forced to the limits of her body’s endurance and denied her own release, degraded and humiliated and utterly shamed.

And now lying here, filthy and covered in the-gods-knew-what, she couldn’t even muster the energy to go through with it. Because in that moment, she would have. Drowned herself the same way she nearly did to the Drakken male, by pulling the water out of her own blood and into her lungs.

But she couldn’t. She was far too exhausted, her magic stores depleted. And anyway… That little voice in the back of her head, that said she’d see Ridian someday, that said everything could still be alright… It wouldn’t shut up. It was quite annoying, really. But nonetheless, she supposed it was doing it's job, keeping her alive.

And that was her last coherent thought before she collapsed into unconsciousness.

When Lienna returned, she found her husband in a rather lewd conversation with his hired hands, but paid no mind. He said nothing at first, simply looked over her with an intoxicating concoction of lust and longing swirling in his eyes. He lifted the dagger from her hands, and lifted her chin to better see her face. She felt as if he were appraising her, like a prized sculpture up for auction - and oddly, she didn’t mind the feeling.

His next actions confirmed her feelings: Her husband swept her into a kiss, literally stealing the breath from her lungs. Her head spun, and her eyes fluttered closed. Distantly, she could feel him part her legs, but paid little heed, having surrendered herself to the starts flashing behind her eyes. The moment ended too soon, however, and she drew a long breath. Her heart pounded, a fresh wave of adrenaline sweeping through her, burning in her veins. She turned sultry eyes to her husband as he addressed her.

"Fate has shined brightly on you, my dearest love. You have embraced death; made it your lover. You understand now, yes? You understand why it is the duty of the lion to slaughter the lamb?”

Lienna simply smiled, a small and cunning thing. “My love,” she purred, “I have clubbed enough seals in my life, slaughtered enough elk: I know very well the place of death in life.”[/i] And the power it lends you, as the victor.

Suddenly, and much to Lienna’s chagrin, their semblance of a moment was interrupted. An outlandish fool had barged in with his wives and begun calling her husband by the name of Rynek. Lienna cocked an eyebrow, and swivelled to look at her husband. He looked as if he could have torn the head off the other Drakken’s shoulders, but accepted the circumstances and shed his hood, revealing a head of tastefully unkept, snow white hair. Lienna’s interest was piqued, to say the least.

"It is true, I've been deceiving so let me introduce myself. Prince Rynek Darion the first. Noble protector of the Royal Bloodline, Slayer of kings and rapist of queens, princesses and generally anything that looks pretty and has a cunt.”

With the second part of his speech, Rynek took a bow and turned to look decidedly at Lienna, half a smirk ghosting over his lips. Maybe her judgement was clouded by her predicament, or maybe she was slowly going mad, but even though his statement sent a shiver down her spine, her gut still quivered with what could be nothing but excitement. She’d never had so many eyes on her in her life, nor this particular type of attention, and she was beginning to think that she liked it.

But oh, her husband, a prince? The very Prince of Drakka? She couldn’t help but consider it an honour. He was the single most powerful man in a room full of nobles, and she was the jewel on his arm. If she played her cards right, she could not only have a highborn life with this exciting new man- she could have political influence beyond what any Gem would ever consider.

Something about him seemed off, though. She sensed some hostility, and while it wasn’t exactly rare in the room, it put her on edge. She didn’t think it was aimed toward her, and her Prince husband seemed to be having a bit of an interior meltdown. She couldn’t help but find it amusing, and a ghost of a smirk dashed over her lips.

Soon, a Drakken she didn’t recognize stood and announced that Drakka would officially wage war on Gemmenia. Sienna’s blood finally ran cold; the Drakken seemed to place the blame on the brides, and she felt heat return. Only, this time the heat that boiled her blood was a slow, and growing anger.

She’d done nothing! She’d been on her very best behaviour, she was even getting along well with her new husband! And a few Gem children who couldn’t take their lumps and make a sacrifice for the greater good had put her homeland in jeopardy? She could feel the ire swell inside her, like a tide leaving in preparation for a tsunami. She eyed the other brides, especially the fool who decided to make a scene, ensuring that if she met her gaze she’d feel the fury that swirled like a gale inside her.

Rynek made complaints: He seemed no happier than she that his father had waged war. But… Could there be a hope? Out of any Gem in the room, Lienna had the heaviest influence on the royal family of Drakka, and even if it wasn’t even enough to turn the king’s head her way, it was better than nothing. Perhaps… Perhaps, if she played her cards right, she may be able to tilt the odds a hair in her favour?

Looking back to her husband, she offered a hand, patting his forearm in some kind of comfort. But when her eyes meant to meet his, they found him staring uninhibited at the Drakken female across the way. Lienna followed his gaze, taking in the way she shamelessly flaunted herself, egging him on.

Lienna was having none of it. She was not about to give up her only shot at a noble life and the slim chance of turning Drakka’s weapons away from Gemmenia on account of some Drakken whore. Her eyes narrowed, and she shifted closer to her husband.

Oh, it was so on.

@Raxacoricofallapatorius @NarcissisticPotato

---

Husband of Tirza, Nadia, and Araxie

---

"As you wish hunky bunny. Do you like that name? Hunky Bunny? Or would you prefer something else?"

Praeth could only shrug his broad shoulders helplessly with a thin smile, "If that is what you wish to call me for now." He muttered with a hint of resignation. Disciplinary action would cause difficulties for Praeth that could be further avoided by simply waiting until the proper timing, preferably once the group had reached the chamber. Praeth's irritation towards Tirza was slowly increasing, but he suppressed his emotions. With an inward nod, Praeth determined to take action once they had returned to the safety of their chamber. Or perhaps not quite so safe for Tirza. Praeth put off his pondering temporarily when Araxie finally spoke up.

"M-my love, what happened to Nadia? I... I'm sorry I wasn't paying much attention to much of anything back there."

Praeth glanced towards Araxie with a piercing gaze, as if looking directly through her
'My Love"? Of the three, she has been the most submissive, and now this, so quickly. Perhaps there is something she wants? That should be fine as long as I can afford to give what she wants. It's not like I intended to withhold favorable treatment to my captives anyway. Looking back towards the end of the corridor, Praeth spoke in a soothing voice, "We can discuss what has occurred and its implications when we return to the chamber, until then, I have no intention to voice my thoughts in a place where the walls have ears." His stern expression did not change but his tone was fairly calm and warm, almost tender.

The short silence was punctuated by Praeths heavy footsteps as he approached his room with an expression of relief. It was only when he was steps from his door did his face tighten into a stern frown and he carefully set Nadia down. His aura had been that of a warm caretaker, but it suddenly took on a ruthless, vicious intent, and without so much as a pause, Praeth became a massive blur, the floors cracked under the force of his lunge and the door was blown clean off its hinges with a deafening noise. The open passageway gave view to two Drakken bodies sprawled across the floor and the third held in the arms of Averus, slowling choking out. The sounds of the scuffle dying down. Amidst the confusion, Averus was apologizing profusely to his victim as he choked him out. The butler finally stood and bowed to Praeth as the last of the Drakken lost consciousness.
"They crept in from the balcony, I heard the howling of the winds from outside and came to investigate" Averus explained while maintaining his bow.
"At ease Averus. Assassins huh? I will dispose of them, would you be so kind as to escort my brides and make them at home?"
Praeth signaled behind him as he looked over the assassins, his visciousness ebbed away and he laughed good-naturedly as if this were some joke.
"Of course My Lord." Averus stood and walked through the doorway with a warm smile, in contrast to Praeth, he seemed more genuine and socially capable. Less abrasive.
"Would the three of you kindly enter Lord Praeth's quarters? He will return shortly." he said with a slight nod of his head.

Praeth held an orb of water in his hand and conducted three thin stands of water to stem out of the orb and circle the neck of the three assassins in a noose-like shape. As he walked to the door to the balcony, the bodies were dragged along with him by the thin strands. Opening the door and dragging the bodies out, a brisk breeze passed through the room before the door could be closed. On the balcony Praeth held the bodies off the edge of the balcony by the noose and constricted, the thin strands sliding deeper into the necks like a knife and butter, the bodies dropping before the heads did. The bodies beginning to spin as blood spilled from where their heads used to be and creating spiral shapes upon the cliffside far below. Cleaning off the balcony with a hand motion to get rid of any excess blood, Praeth returned inside feeling indifferent.

Praeth cautiously heightened his senses on guard to check for any further 'surprises' before looking back to his brides apologetically. Praeth moved to replace the door how it was, half out of embarrassment. He made a satisfied nod as the door managed to maintain its position after being swung closed. Turning to his servant, he addressed him with a relatively respectful tone for a normal subordinate, "Averus, could you retrieve additional supper and drinks?"

Averus bowed and left without a word, Praeth turned to his brides with an apologetic expression, "Now. Things have finally begun to calm down, I would like to discuss what exactly happened at the dining room as well as the opinions from the three of you. Then I will announce my intentions. To begin with, for the sake of clarity, Lord Krone has announced that Drakkens will be waging war on the Geminnite country. His words are reliable and it is safe to assume there will be a prompt invasion, either from the South, or from the West upon Gemminite lands. I would like to know your opinions and the actions you wish to take, as well as any other notes." First looking towards Tirza, he nodded for her to begin, as he was most worried about her condition following what had happened.

@RomanAria@HylianRose

Zakroti was struggling to keep his eyes open, truth be told; He had not slept in the past few days and he did not trust Amaryllis enough to sleep in the carriage. The sun had risen a few hours ago and he guessed it was probably around half past ten. Zakroti listened with disinterest to the exchange of voices outside. After about half a minute and after the password had been given correctly, there was a loud screech as the large gates opened and the carriage passed through the walls.

He turned his head to the window and peered out onto the grounds as they passed. The wall they just passed through was his own addition to the estate of his father. It acted as an outer wall some 70 meters from the inner wall, which was significantly taller. From its position on the tallest hill, Mu'Jupostat had excellent sightlines over the surrounding lands. Down below in the valleys lay the farms and villages that produced the majority of the tax income for this county. At the base of this hill lay the county town of Laloriayl, which was a moderately large town whose mayorship was currently held by Norlal, a veteran warrior who had used his spoils of war to invest in an array of businesses in the town and was now the towns richest (de facto) resident. This county composed part of the Duchy of Bloodstone (Muth a Varlasmorlas) , which in turn was part of the Grand Duchy of the West Marchlands (Muthseran a Osh Edehame)

Zakroti's alterations to his fathers estate did not halt at the addition of the outer wall; he had made a number of upgrades to the estate after he had exposed its weaknesses in seizing it and this outer wall. Some were simple and others were somewhat complex; He had adopted many ideas and recruited some of the greatest architects in the land to build his keep. That was, perhaps, a notable problem; while he did his best to feed the architects only what they individually needed to know, they inevitably has considerable knowledge about his upgrades. Ever a pragmatic man, Zakroti offered them a permanent contract at the end of the construction... And hung those who refused it.

That aside, it was certainly one of his proudest accomplishments. Even if an attacker breached or seized the outer wall, they still had to climb the steep hill in order to reach the inner wall; As the two were not connected, it basically sent the attacker back to square one. What's more, the gate was not large enough to allow for the passing of siege towers meaning that an attacker would have to knock out an entire section of the wall or reassemble these dreaded machines on the other side; A great boon for the defenders. Zakroti had used siege towers to great affect in storming the sturdy walls previously and correctly identified them to be one of the best counters to his fathers holdings; Unbelievably, the Keep had been constructed in such a way that it was connected to the wall by two walls meaning that after seizing the wall the attacker could quite literally walk to roof of the Keep and storm it from there. The first thing Zakroti did when altering the estate was sever this connection and had it replaced by two shot Garden walls with iron gates instead.

The moat was not yet finished, but Zakroti believed it would be done before long; It was a large project and the cost had been considerable but the slaves were slowly yet surely getting it done. The drawbridge had already been installed, though as it was not yet connected to the moat it looked rather out of place.

One of the architects had devised a rather nasty surprise for an attacker who seized the outer wall and began to climb the bill towards the inner wall. Zakroti had been remarkably pleased with it and as a reward he had given the Barony of Mu'Nortam to the man.

They reached the second gateway and after another short exchange, it too creaked open to let them pass. To the left of here the Blacksmith, Fletcher and other workshops were visible, along with a couple of small houses built for the artisans families. To the right lay the drill grounds and the large barracks. Some 1000 warriors were currently having a formation hammered into them. Central before them lay the courtyard of the Manor, the keep of the stronghold. Around the courtyard lay a number of buildings; A granary, a dozen or so houses, an inn and a small market in the center, erected around the tall statue of Kastaki Unalim, the original founder of this holding. In one hand lay the sword and in the other a long scroll. The inscription, Zakroti remembered read "Mitta a fafana a doon dzi gua e lown jyl e lang Kastaki, wel a Naska, mittaze a Qaera, Muth a Varlasmoras e Seranze Aran a osh Edehame" which could be loosely translated as "Built in the spring of the Year three hundred and thirty two by Kastaki, son of Naska, bane of Qaera, Duke of Bloodstone and Petty King of the West Marchlands."

Beyond the courtyard lay the Keep, the crowning gem of the estate. It was very large and from the front appeared to be a rectangle, though Zakroti knew the back was not shaped as such. Tall towers on each corner crowned it, standing tall and proud; The towers of the outer and inner walls had Ballistae atop them, but these towers had no such engines. The roof was open and a handful of guardsmen were patrolling it in pair; In the center of the roof lay a dome structure, the tip of which was just visible from the carriage. Inside this keep lay the remaining facilities of the castle; Kitchens, servants quarters, dungeons. The Manor had not initially been built how it was now; Although impossible to tell from this distance if one walked along the wall and inspected it closely they could tell where the individual projects had ended and map out a basic timeline of the Manors evolution. Its thick stone bricks were neatly cut and several sections of it appeared almost monolithic. The main entrance to the Keep had two heavy oak wood doors that were braced with steel and the surrounding frame was decoratively carved.

Zakroti knew that behind this structure lay the gardens in which plants taken from all over the continent had been transplanted during various conflicts. He remembered how it was dotted with fountains and statues that had also been taken from the other nations during war; One of the few things he had shared with his father was a fondness for pillaging the works of other cultures and bringing them here and this extended to flora and indeed crops, as many a farmer below could attest.

"I trust my home does not disappoint you." Zakroti commented as he cast a glance towards Miry and Amaryllis. "I fear I must quickly lay the ground rules The second floor east wing is out of bounds, as are the dungeons and the barracks. My chambers too are out of bounds unless accompanied by myself or an officer of the guard. Do not attempt to pass the inner wall." Zakroti opened the carriage door and stepped down from it, motioning for the passengers to disembark before sending it on its way. "Breakfast is at 9, Dinner at 1, Tea at 5. I shall show you to your rooms once inside; As you will soon find it is quite a large building, but the 'servants' would be glad to point you in the right direction I am sure of it."

"Uncle!" A voice called as a young girl scurried over, her face red with rage. Black locks fell around the shoulders of her red dress, scandalously short cut to her knees! She was very young; Not to the Gems of course, she was almost 30 of their years after all, but when you considered that the Drakken lived for centuries- She was little more than an adolescent girl. A few more years and she would grow into a lady; He'd ensure that, at least. "Jubal just insulted me... Publically!" Zakroti cocked an eyebrow as he turned to regard her

"Silnor, Gais kor jusla tre ro?"

"Tre kor 'No one would marry you, you're an ugly cow'!" Silnor pointed her arm towards the market to signal out where Jubal was. Zakroti was hardly surprised at this, Jubal had made it quite clear he disliked his sister from the day the pair had first met. He sighed weakly before speaking

"Silnor, te odad wre jusla filok rof. Jubal..."

"Wre kor zu tre kor..." Silnor began, trailing off and looking at Zakroti with expectant eyes

"Vivpre; o jusla Gaikus kor kala tre. Kree Silnor, wre jusla filok rof." Zakroti sighed again, glancing towards Gaikus and nodding with his head toward the market. The blackguard grunted lightly and moved off swiftly. Zakroti turned his gaze back down to the young Drakken. "Silnor, where are the others?"

"Jubal is in the market as I just said. Ayltam was painting in the gallery when I left her, Roftaki is training with the Marshall, I don't know where Silte is; Probably with the blacksmiths boy again, she is so infatuated with him."

"She is too young."

"You are as astute as Father Rags when it comes to our age." Silnor mentioned her head towards the Manor as she said that. Father Rags was the name given to the Priest of the Chapel here by his nieces and nephews when they were still children. His real name and title was Bishop Krepre. Even then he was old, by now the man was ancient. He was well over 600 years old and always dressed in the same tattered old robe. Not to mention, Krepre had lost most of his teeth and his hair, with only a handful of wispy white clumps remaining on his wrinkled skin. Half blind, and quickly losing his grip on reality as age took him; He looked more like a tramp than a priest. Zakroti should probably have made him retire to a monastery years ago, but he had a feeling old Father Rags would put up a bigger fight than any of his previous foes ever had if Zakroti tried to remove him from his little chapel. Thankfully, his two laymen seemed content to guide and care for the old man, if only because each wanted to be named his successor. He'd give it a few years, surely Krepre couldn't cling to life much longer.

"Bishop Krepre." Zakroti corrected, causing Silnor to nod in resignation "Silnor, norze wre." The young woman nodded weakly once more and turned herself towards the two Gems, eying them indignantly.

"My name is Silnor of Unalim, pleasured to make your acquaintance." The words were civil enough but her tone certainly wasn't. Zakroti grimaced; Silnor hadn't the fondest experiences with Gem women in the past and he couldn't help but suspect that could cause him some trouble. On the other hand, it may lead them to avoid each other all together, which he wasn't at all opposed to; Drakken rarely left things alone, however. "And you two- Ladies, are...?" The girl trailed off, a somewhat disdainful tone slipping into her voice as she called them "ladies"

"Silnor, kas." Zakroti grunted, catching Silnor's glance and cutting in. The young girl rolled her eyes lightly, secure in the knowledge that her uncle could not see her face, before putting on the politest tone she could muster

"I did not mean to sound as such; I am sure you will both make wonderful ladies of the court and I apologise for any offence I might have caused." The look on her face, however implied that she truly wanted to beat everyone present half to death.

Brides Kalani and Kaelira

Krone had slept rather well with his young Gem bride at his side. He kept his promise and did not force himself on her, though he did play with her hair. It was a rather odd habit he had, as he did it with Milligan and any female that he took to his bed. He found that Kalani was rather attractive, even though the night gown she was given to wear was unflattering. It had not taken him long to fall asleep though for Kalani it might have been different. He was use to sharing his bed with another, while she was most likely not use to sharing a bed with a half naked male.

Regardless he found her sound asleep in the morning. He was careful not to wake her as he got out of bed. He moved silently across the bed chamber and out of the room, it was hard to believe that one as large as him could move so silently but then there was many things about him that was hard to believe.

As he entered the common room of his chamber, he took note of his captain standing by the hearth warming his hands. He didn't say anything but instead went to the room next to his. Sure enough Kaelira was there chained up and looking rather beaten. It showed that she put up a fight and that his men were rather rough on her, though expected as much. Kaelira had showed her unwillingness to listen and obey and so had to be made an example of. Krone took one of the blankets and gently laid it over her, even though the room was warm he didn't wish for her to catch cold. It was odd how even now he showed a small amount of mercy to one who didn't really deserve it.

Going back out into the common area he looked back at his captain. "Have food and drink sent to the carriage and a some blankets and pillows. It will be a long ride and I do not wish for them to be too uncomfortable." He said in a cool but tired tone. He was not looking forward to the ride home as they would have to move slower with the carriage now with them.
"Yes my Lord. What about Kaelira? Do you wish her to remain chained?" He asked which was perfectly reasonable given all the trouble she was. Krone thought for a moment before nodding his head, he was still tired and didn't wish to speak more than he had too. The captain placed his fist over his heart and bowed before turning and going.

............

It had taken them longer than normal to reach Krone's estate, but then he was use to moving with speed. Having the carriage was bothersome, but he didn't want his brides to be uncomfortable which also meant he didn't ride in with them. Instead he rode on his war mount with his men, he did not like being caged in a box and moving slower than what was necessary. Plus he rather converse with his men and be a leader that they looked to with respect instead of a leader with little respect. He knew what his men go through as he is often there with them.

The light was fading but one could see that his estate was large one. For one, he had a defensible wall built around his entire land which only ended at the dark forest of Shadowmere. The forest was considered evil even by Drakkens, as even the most war hardened war lord go mad just being on the edge of it. No one knew why this forest was always dark even in the blazing summer afternoon sun, nor did anyone know why people go mad when close to it as the air nor the earth showed anything significant. Though it was rather fitting that the forest was on Krone's land as it was filled with unspeakable and unfathomable horrors, and Krone was fully capable of doing unspeakable and unfathomable things.

Once pass the wall one enters into a fertile land though some areas were rocky, but then most of Drakka was. There was two large towns on his lands with a distance of twenty miles between them, then then another forty some miles between them and the nearest wall surrounding his lands. Dotted along the roads they took to get to his keep were farms. They were well maintained by those that were unwaveringly loyal to him, indeed all who lived on his lands were loyal. But then he was different than most Drakken Lords. Yes, he was fearsome and would punish those that deserved such, but he cared for his people. He worked along side them when most would just sent their servants or slaves to do the work. For this he was respected.

The light of the day was nearly gone when they finally reached his keep. It was almost like that of Shadow Worth, though instead of being carved into the lonely mountain it was built on the side of it. Also unlike Shadow Worth, it had large beautiful gardens (only after passing the first two walls) with every kind of flower and tree. Pass the gardens was another (but shorter) wall that had finely carved depictions of Drakken men and women.

After passing the shorter wall, they entered into a court yard where Krone dismounted along with his men. He smiled slightly as he looked at his home, he was glad to be back. He looked back at the carriage to see that some of his men were helping his brides out of it. "Papa! Papa!" yelled a small voice and the quick pitted patter of feet. Turning he saw his oldest son come running towards him with arms flung open. Krone kneeled and opened his arms as his son ran into him. He then lifted the young boy (who was no older than six years) up and hugged him, before pulling away slightly to look at him.

"You have a bruise. Who were you fighting?" He asked in a tone which Kaelira hadn't heard before then. It was a soft tone that betrayed his love for his son. "Fredrick Salven, he beat me though." his son said sounding a little disappointed that he didn't win. Krone chuckled softly as he gently poked the bruise on his sons cheek. "He is twice your age my boy, with you coming out with only a bruise is an achievement." He said as he put his son down again.

One of his servants then came a took his sons hand and lead him away. It was at this time that he saw his wife Milligan and his other bride Cia. Milligan looked regal as ever, her eyes were fierce but held a gentleness towards her husband. She came forward and wrapped her arms around him before kissing him sweetly. Krone smiled down at her and gently pushed back some of her hair so he could see her face better. He kiss her forehead before taking Cia's hand and kissing it. She smiled slightly but knew better than get in Milligan's way.

"Are these the Gemminites chosen for you?" Milligan asked, her tone was not unkind but it wasn't welcoming either.
"Oh, yes. Milligan, Cia, this is Kalani and Kaelira. Kalani, Kaelira, this is my wife Milligan and my bride Cia. The young boy you saw was my oldest son Krenten, I have another son Mora both are born from Milligan. I have another son which I have claimed as my own, he is named Jek." He said coolly though there was a hint of excitement in his voice.

He knew that Milligan was sizing each of the girls up, seeing which one's would be troublesome and which would get in her way. What was noticeable was Kaelira still in chains. He had no doubt that she would watch her closely, though she may feel threatened by Kalani as she may take some of Krone's time.

Regardless of the headache he would get later he was happy to be home. And at the moment he just wanted to enjoy all his brides.