Saltwater Thief

Prized Bride (A New Beginning)

Wilhelm the Black Blade

Husband of Onyx (@Vesuvius00) and Amalia (@Belle)
Interacting with Amalia

Wilhelm ate in silence, occasionally stopping to observe his brides as they ate. They seemed to have some trouble with the food, but that was typical. The flora and fauna in Drakka were from very different from that of Gemmenia, after all, it was only natural that their taste and texture was different. And Gems, frail creatures that they were, almost universally had difficulty adjusting. Less experienced bride takers might punish Gems who showed this difficulty outwardly; Wilhelm did not. If they were destined to survive they would adapt as they needed to, so long as they attempted to aid it.

"Forgive me for questioning milord, but I am curious. How far away is your home?" Amalia asked. "What is it like? I was raised in a coastal area, so I have always wondered what snow is like. Does it ever snow in your land?"

"Castle Nachtstone is quite a distance from here," he replied, "With speed and fortune we will arrive shortly after sunrise tomorrow. Without, perhaps closer to midday. It lies at the base of a ring of mountains that forms a natural barricade. A particular ore ideal for crafting weapons can be mined there, and it is upon that which my family has prospered. Among other more valorous deeds, of course."

"It is a castle of blackened stone and iron," he continued nonchalantly, "And it sits in the midst of a small settlement where live the slave races as well as some lesser Drakken. They manage the mines and quarries. You will be dwelling in the castle. As for snow, that must be found further in among the peaks. At Nachtstone you will find only harsh ice, come winter."

"Dress warmly and watch your step when that arrives," he added wryly.

Summary

Wilhelm discusses some details of his home, and dashes Amalia's hopes for snow. Because I'm a terrible person.

Prized Bride (A New Beginning)

@Vesuvius00@Belle Wilhelm post will be coming on Saturday, I'm just tired because it's super late/early. Putting this here in case one or both of you doesn't see the discord. Apologies in advance.

Vesu, if you'd like to slip in before I reply to Belle, give me a shout and I'll hold.

Prized Bride (A New Beginning)

Zeldria Miphras

Bride to Ineraz (@SilverPaw), Sister Bride to Sera (@Pupperr)
Interacting with Ineraz

Time seemed to accelerate as Zel worked in the kitchen. The cooking was challenging, both due to her inexperience with the game and the incessant hissing behind her back as the servants made their disapproval known. The first few times she'd turned and asked if she'd done something wrong, but when her question was ignored repeatedly she determined that they simply didn't like her. Oh well, she thought, it was something she'd have to get used to around here. And so she continued working. She'd just about finished when one of the guards, different from the one who had brought her here, came up behind her and placed a hand on her shoulder. Initially his hand had closed like clasped irons and caused her to wince, but he quickly loosened his grip and simply held her.

"Lord Ineraz wishes to see you," he told her.

"Very well," she replied, "Your timing is fair, I just finished making these for him."

A short time later she was sat down next to him at the table while the guard explained things to him. After dismissing his man, Ineraz looked at her and scowled, his eyes clearly traveling up and down her body in the ill-fitting clothes. Zel breathed in sharply as she realized what he was displeased by, but she maintained her composure. She would stop wilting in fear, she told herself. She would have to.

“After we eat, we will go shopping. You definitely need better clothes. Sera as well," he said, confirming her suspicions. "How come you haven’t brought any with you? I though the Drakken gave you time enough to get some things from home,”

"That would have been the case," she replied hesitantly, "Had it been an ordinary Reaping."

She looked down at the table, not out of fear of him but from reliving that day. She shook her head quickly to clear it, and then looked up at Ineraz again. She looked him in the eye, as much as it terrified her, and told him what had happened.

"My village... well, village is a strong word, we were more a small community in the countryside. So small, in fact, that the Reaping wouldn't come upon us for many years. But they came anyway. They said the village to the north which they were supposed to reap had somehow evaded them, though they never said how. So, they came to us instead, lest they return to Drakka empty-handed. The leaders of my settlement protested, of course, and were met with threats to burn everything we'd built to the ground. I was the only girl of a reaping age there at the time, and when they were shouting I was corralling the younger children. And when I looked down at them, as soon as they heard that we might lose everything..."

She paused for a moment as the memory swam in her mind. She saw the children looking up at her, their eyes wet with tears as even at a young age they understood what was about to happen. "Zel," one of them had asked, her little voice trembling, "Are we all going to die?"

"No," she'd said, a somber smile on her face, "None of you will."

"I made a choice," she continued, a small amount of determination now coming into her speech, "And after I'd made it I was seized before I had time to reconsider. Nothing save the clothes on my back, and I can't say I know what became of them."

The two of them ate for a little while before Ineraz addressed her again. “I don’t mind if you like cooking, the servants here just have some pride, you know. Doing well what they do is what keeps them alive and healthy after all,” he explained nonchalantly. “If you want to try again, just say so, and I’ll arrange the servants to leave you to it. They could even tutor you a bit if you wish, though I doubt they’ll be kind about it.”

"I apologize. In my settlement, it's customary for the wi- the bride," she corrected herself hastily. That had been one of Shadow Worth's lessons; they were NOT wives. "to prepare breakfast for their husband in the mornings. I'm not accustomed to the presence of servants and so I did not consider it. But I may do so, if you'll allow it. I know almost nothing of an actual hunt, but I helped dress and carve the game in Gemmenia, as well as cook. If that is how I can be of use to the estate, it would help me feel at home."

Summary

Zel recounts her Reaping in vivid detail, gains a little resolve, and responds to Ineraz's offer. Didn't respond to Sera's guard because I didn't want to jumble things; I'll let Silver bring him into the scene.

Prized Bride (A New Beginning)

Wilhelm the Black Blade

Husband of Onyx (@Vesuvius00) and Amalia (@Belle)
Interacting with Onyx (@Vesuvius00) & Amalia (@Belle)

As his two brides climbed into the bed next to him, Wilhelm raised his hand and wish a brief swoosh conjured a pair of small breezes to extinguish the torches on the wall, plunging the room into darkness. He felt little need to assert himself upon either of the Gems, not that night. There would be a time and place for all things, and while the time was yet to be truly determined the place would certainly be in his castle where he held his dominion. So he simply laid there, observing the two of them as they drifted off. They both shifted their positions for some time seeking comfort, but at long last they both stopped moving and took on sleeping breaths. Only then, was he was certain they were both soundly dreaming, did Wilhelm close his own eyes for the night.

Many hours later he opened them again as the sunrise's fingertips crept in through the window. Both brides were still in the bed, as he knew they would be, and as he roused himself he moved very carefully so as to not brush either of them out of the bed by accident. He made his way out to the living area of the house, where his servant was already at work preparing the table for breakfast. With naught but a nod of his head Wilhelm moved past him and out to the front. Stationed there was a large enclosed carriage, black in color with the crest of his house on the sides, pulled by a pair of powerful horses. Alongside them was another horse, this one a massive destrier as black as night that dwarfed the horses assigned to the carriage, fully saddled- Wilhelm's personal steed. Another servant greeted him, and for several minutes they discussed the travel plans for the day.

"There's been reports of a landslide blocking Bloodrock Pass," the servant said, "If that's true we'll have to find another way."

"Then we shall take an alternate route through the marsh," Wilhelm responded.

"Would continuing along the highroad not be faster, my lord?"

"It would, but there are always spineless cowards who seek to steal brides away rather than earn them. That a landslide has conveniently blocked a primary point of passage to the south at this time suggests to me that it was no accident," Wilhelm asserted, "And if I'm right the intent will be to drive travelers to the highroad. Open spaces, sparse visitors, plenty of places to stage an ambush. And I am not in the mood to deal with such things. We will travel across the marsh, and that will be that."

"As you wish."

With that dealt with, and another matter to keep his mind occupied, Wilhelm turned and re-entered the abode. The scent of cooking meat filled the air, and based on that he concluded breakfast was not long in coming. Moving swiftly, he opened the bedroom door once more.

"Rouse yourselves," he ordered, his voice growing louder but unchanging in pitch or intent, to his brides, "Breakfast will be ready shortly, and then we will depart."

When Onyx and Amalia came to the living area they would find a square wooden table, laid with three sets of plates and utensils. Wilhelm sat behind one, already slicing into his meal- a side of meat lightly crisped with a chunk of bread off to the side that was mirrored on the remaining two plates.

"Come, sit," Wilhelm said between bites, "While it remains hot."

Summary

Wilhelm sleeps then wakes up. He talks with a coachman about a possible route change for the trip home, then goes and wakes the girls for breakfast.

Prized Bride (A New Beginning)

Zel post is up.

@Belle @Vesuvius00 Apologies for the delay, but I realized there was something I needed to check in with the GMs about before I made the Wilhelm post and didn't remember that until late tonight. As soon as I have an answer, you'll have a post to work with.

Prized Bride (A New Beginning)

Zeldria Miphras

Bride to Ineraz (@SilverPaw), Sister Bride to Sera (@Pupperr)
Interacting with Ineraz & The Household

It wasn't long before Ineraz was also rising from slumber along with her in the room. Evidently he was a light sleeper, which made sense. Most hunters were, usually for when they were out on an expedition where an animal may wander into their camp at night. Zel turned at the sound of him rising from the bed, and was treated to quite an eye full in turn. At first she wanted to turn her head away, and she even started to do so. But, she reminded herself, that was entirely pointless; he was her husband, she would most certainly have to handle such things sooner or later, and no amount of modesty would change that. Of course, that didn't mean she had to gaze at it intently. So instead she chose to look at his face. But, if he noticed her hesitation, he made no show of it as he got dressed.

"Good morning," she said in return. When he addressed her again regarding her garments, she took a moment to consider the question. "Some day wear would do I think, my lord. I'd like to keep the dress as clean as possible so I can save it for special occasions. And thank you for the opportunity to explore my new home." It was best, she figured, to be diplomatic.

He left the room with all his weapons in tow, and a bit later one of the guards entered and handed her a stack of clothes. She spent a bit examining them, and then began to slip them on. She had known they wouldn't fit well, being meant for another person entirely of the opposite gender. The shirt proved to be very baggy, which she remedied by pulling the fabric into a bundle at the small of her back and tying it in a knot, and she needed to roll the pant legs up several times to not step on the hem. Then there was the matter of the waist. Zel was by no means an hourglass shaped woman, but she was still thinner than the boy these clothes had been meant for. There was a belt provided, but she doubted it would have a hole that would work. And with her husband having taken anything that could be used to make a new hole, she would have to tie a knot in the belt as well to make sure her pants stayed up.

When she was reasonably sure she could walk around without having a wardrobe malfunction, she smoothed out the wrinkles she could and hoped her appearance wouldn't be too awful looking. Her alterations to make sure it fit had the effect of conforming the outfit to fit her curves a little better, but with no mirror she could only guess at how it looked. Regardless, she took a breath and stepped outside. One of the guards looked at her expectantly. "I'd like to see the kitchen, please," she asked, and with a nod he began to move down the hall. She stepped lightly to keep up, and through some turns and doorways found herself standing in a large cooking chamber. Along one wall were several places for chopping, roasting, stewing, and frying. Along another wall seemed to be the stores of food not freshly caught, alongside some spices most of whose name she didn't recognize, assuming they were labeled at all. And in the back there stood what could only be a carving station, designated for the prepping of fresh kills.

"Are there some eggs and some meat for bacon or sausages available?" she asked the guard who still traced her every move, "I'd like to make some breakfast for my husband. I'm sure his sparring will work up an appetite."

The man helped her find the things she needed, and she set about preparing the meal. This kitchen was unlike anything she'd ever experienced, but there was only so much that could be changed about a kitchen. And, in spite of having to acclimate to tools and utilities she'd never seen, something about stoking, monitoring, and adjusting a fire beneath a pan seemed to put her at ease. The meat proved more gamey than she was used to, and she vaguely wondered what sort of animal it could have come from, but with time she managed to cut it into the right portions and roll it into sausages. Into the pan they went, one for her, two for Ineraz, and as an afterthought one for Sera as well, and soon the scent of cooking meat filled the space. It was a much more pungent smell than she'd anticipated, however, and soon she was picking through the spices on the wall. Finding one that smelled alright to her, she applied it to the meat and watched it carefully as it began to brown.

Perhaps, she dared to think, things might not be so bad...

Summary

Zel has asked for the Drakken child's daywear and gone to the kitchen to cook some breakfast for the three of them. She's making sausage and eggs, but she hasn't started on the eggs yet.

Prized Bride (A New Beginning)

I'll be posting tomorrow evening so long as nothing bad happens.

Through the Doors of our hearts - Finished

@Siaya Dragalorn Oh he DEFINITELY would intervene, that knife's his most valued possession.

Prized Bride (A New Beginning)

Zeldria Miphras

Bride to Ineraz (@SilverPaw), Sister Bride to Sera (@Pupperr)
Interacting with herself

It was deep in the dark of night when Zel found her eyes snapping open. She couldn't say what had called her to aking so soon; she had not been through a nightmare, or at least she had not dreamt one, by the darkness of the room she couldn't slept enough for a complete rest, and the room's quiet meant it had not been a noise.

Her eyes widened at that thought. It was quiet- far too quiet. Absent were the sounds of any other creature in the room. She turned her gaze toward the corner where Sera had been sleeping, only to find an empty space. With a start she realized Inarez was also not there, and sat bolt upright in the bed. Where could they have gone, at this hour? Surely he hadn't decided to punish her for refusing him totally now, in dead of night. Had she tried to escape and been caught, then? Somehow that didn't seem right either. The rest of the estate was silent. There were no shouts of guards, nor was there baying of hounds that would surely have been employed to catch a wayward bride. Perhaps, then, one or the other had woken up and stepped out, with the other accompanying them.

Zel took several deep breaths to calm herself. How long was she going to panic at every impetus? Fear had dogged her ever since she'd arrived at the capital, and she had no doubt the Drakken could all but smell it on her. She would have to find a way to steady herself. If she didn't, she would not survive. It was that simple.

As her mind wandered, she held her hands together in front of her. With a push of willpower a small, flickering flame appeared between them that sent shadows dancing about the room. Small though it was, and little help against the cold grasp of the evening, it was still familiar and comforting. It was part of her, in a way, and if that part was still able to dance and shine like so, then perhaps not all hope was lost.

"I do not flinch before the rain and storm," she whispered softly to herself, "I will not flinch here."

The sound of footsteps approaching from down the hall set her to snuffing her flame out and reassuming her place under the covers. Lying down with her eyes closed, she was vaguely aware of two shapes entering the room. One circled for a time before climbing into the bed, the other headed straight to the corner. No doubt it was Sera and Inarez. As they both went back to bed, Zel willed herself to breathe slowly and she soon returned to rest.

She would wake again much later, this time with the glow of the sunrise entering the room. With a stretch and a yawn she roused herself from the bed, as early a riser as she had ever been, and looked around the room to see which, if either of her... she was unsure if she should call them her family, were awake with her.

Summary

Zel has some time to herself and uses it to try and calm down. It's morning now, and she rises pretty early.

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Wilhelm the Black Blade

Husband of Onyx (@Vesuvius00) and Amalia (@Belle)
Interacting with Onyx (@Vesuvius00) & Amalia (@Belle)

Wilhelm waited quietly in the bedroom while his brides bathed themselves, occasionally discussing tomorrow's plans with the servant of the house. The messenger he'd sent ahead rode the fastest horse Wilhelm owned, and would no doubt reach Nachtstone before midnight if all went well. He and the brides would be slower, however, and more cautious. The roads of Drakka could be treacherous, in more ways than one, and he had every intention of seeing his possessions transported home unharmed. There would be much to attend to, both on the road and once they reached their destination, and he would suffer no fool to ruin it.

The servant knocked on the bedroom door to alert Wilhelm of his brides arriving. He turned, his hands folded behind his back as they both entered. "I see you've finished washing," he said as they approached, "And you seem to have done a thorough job. Very good. Now then, I will be retiring shortly. I suggest you each do the same, as tomorrow will be a long day. And I will not tolerate delays because of something so petty as lack of rest."

With that said, he removed his upper garment, showing his powerful, well muscled physique as well as a variety of long healed battle scars, carefully placed his sword atop the headboard of the large bed- which would hold all 3 of them but would force some degree of proximity- and laid himself down in the center of it. He carried with him two letters, which he opened and began to read by the light of the lantern hanging on the wall, before noting that neither girl had moved much since they entered. "Well?" he intoned expectantly, "Does something trouble you two? Is the idea of sharing a bed with your husband so abstract that you cannot fathom it? And yes, I do expect you both to lay next to me, before either of you asks."

Summary

Wilhelm gets in bed and wonders why he isn't being accompanied. His next post will pass the day along, but this is one more chance for the brides to interact with him before that time.

Prized Bride (A New Beginning)

Zeldria Miphras

Bride to Ineraz (@SilverPaw), Sister Bride to Sera (@Pupperr)
Interacting with Sera (@Pupperr) & Ineraz (@SilverPaw)

Zel carefully laid her dress on the bedside table as indicated and made her way to the side of the bed. She peeled back a few of the furs laid over it and slid underneath them, laying on her side and facing the wall. Her husband- she was still having trouble considering him in that way- soon slid over to lay very close to her. She felt his breath on the back of her neck, and it sent a silent shiver down her spine, though not for the reason he might hope. The cold, rough skin of his hand on her shoulder and arm only added to her discomfort, and it took a great deal of effort to not visibly squirm where she lay.

“Mind if I hold you while we sleep?” he asked, nearly whispering in her ear. She breathed in sharply, not sure what to say in response. And then, he took things further.

“And no need to worry about this either,” he said as Zel felt a sudden pressure on her rear end “I will take care of it on my own. I promise, as much as I want to ravish you, there is something very tantalizing about a consenting lover.”

Zel winced at the word "tantalizing." Of course, she knew that such a purpose was the entire point of her position, but that he would be so quick to act on it, and so forward as well was not something she could have anticipated. Furthermore, Zel knew very well the sort of things he likely had in mind for where to place his hands should she say yes... but she'd already effectively denied him once tonight. Did she dare do it again? Would he punish her for it?

At that point, her eyes fell on Sera, huddled in her chosen corner just across the room. From where she lay on the bed, Zel could see her quite clearly as she lay there, trying to make herself warm for the night. No, Zel thought, He would punish her instead. And while it was true that Sera had rejected the idea of them relying on each other for support, and despite the fact that letting Inarez's wrath fall there would leave her untouched in multiple senses, Zel couldn't bring herself to let something so foul befall the poor girl. Not when she had the capacity to prevent it.

"If that pleases you, then by all means," she answered, and prepared herself for the worst to fall...

Summary

Zel doesn't like it, but she's afraid if she says no Inarez will hurt Sera, and she doesn't want that. So she says yes, he can hold her touch her etc.