Vaid Empire: Conquest
Chapter 9
41st of Fixuin, 4 BVE.
Kingdom of Vaidrin, Domani.
“Uuuu iiii oouu”
The orb hummed through the dark space of the pod, vibrating in its otherworldly method of communicating data. Placed on the pedestal in the center of the chamber, its ethereal depths called to Dominax as he held his hand steadily over it. As if his mind had wrestled with the orb’s internal will for days, he held off the creeping exhaustion. He was close, needing only to push just a bit further.
“Ooouuu uuuu iiii”
At last, success. The vibrational language inside his mind shifted, granting him a flood of images. A vision of Ayphieal’s slow formation, the creation of the man-sized orb that would serve as the sun, each moon’s careful placement in their circular orbits. He was witnessing the creation of his world itself, ripping a groan from his throat.
The visions slowed, shifting now to the interior of The Chimira as it orbited the newly formed lifeless planet. Dorian stood outside of a set of ten biological tanks, each containing a comatose human floating in a clear liquid. Five males and five females in total, as if paired. He watched the steady stream of mutations, each carefully implemented over the course of what felt to be several months until the human subjects slowly became recognizable as pairs of Arkos, Lanthians, Dril, Lish, and Taziks. He could feel Dorian’s satisfaction, as if reliving a memory. A memory that ceased abruptly, leaving Dominax to stumble back as he was returned to reality.
***
“Step forward.”
The powerful voice of the new king echoed through the temporary throne room, a chamber filled with numerous people either seeking an audience with their ruler or simply to observe. Chief Kixanil obeyed, parting himself from the crowd as instructed and kneeling before the throne.
Xenia merely smirked at her mate’s display of power, noting how quickly he had adapted to his lofty new position. She had chosen well, certain that the silver-eyed baby cradled in her arms would thrive.
Standing near the entrance to the left wing of the Royal Stronghold, she remained both a part of and separate from the gathered audience. She would have of course preferred to take her usual position at Dominax’s side, a place that Briza currently stood proud, yet delicate business could wait no longer.
“You’re late,” Xenia chastised as Pria and Pilsi emerged through the open doorway, coming to a stop just beside her. Her tone was no more than a whisper, just loud enough for them both to hear over the quietly murmuring crowd.
“…for your loyal service, I, King Dominax of House Vaid, grant you command over The High-Chiefdom of Redin…” Dominax’s voice continued to boom through the large chamber, unsheathing his sword.
“We are here now mistress, let us begin. Unburden yourself,” Pria whispered back, her hands clasped behind her back as she casually studied the crowd. Identically dressed, both she and her twin wore nothing more than a simple slave loincloth that left their exquisite dancer bodies on near full display, for no master would wish to hide the alluring beauty of his property.
Dominax held the sword close to his vassal’s lips, allowing the man to kiss it in acceptance of his new role. “…your descendants shall rule Redin in my name until such a time as they prove themselves to be unworthy. Serve the people of Vaidrin well, High-Chief Kixanil.”
“I’ve received my reports. The other-” Xenia began, before pausing as cheers erupted through the chamber when Kixanil arose, graciously taking his leave to allow the next man to step up. When the noise had subsided to a manageable pitch, she cleared her throat and resumed. “The other healers have confirmed that you’ve both fallen pregnant with the king’s seed. It appears you two are secure in your positions as breeding slaves, and thus, my end of the bargain is done.”
Xenia kept her gaze pointed towards the throne, gently rocking Vixin as she recognized the next man to approach their ruler. The High-Chief of Histia, he had arrived the previous day with no desire to conceal his intentions in bowing before their conqueror. Kneeling, he repeated the same spiritually infused speech he had delivered the moment he had set eyes on the divine King, yet now acting before an audience. “…to swear loyalty to a being with such powers, there remains only one possible course of action. Allow me to serve you, my lord, to…”
“We are both utterly in your debt, mistress,” Pilsi replied, placing her hand on her still flat stomach and recounting how her new master had bred her the night after granting her twin his seed. They carried the children of a King in their wombs, an honor they could not deny. “We understand your intention in gifting us to The Lord Dominax, though you have yet to name our target.”
The crowd once again cheered as The High-Chief kissed the blade, ensuring that Histia would become yet another domain under Vaidrin’s rule. Xenia was unable to deduce if the man had sworn his allegiance under genuine belief in Dominax’s God hood, or if he had simply surmised that his time as an independent realm was limited, yet it mattered little. Vaidrin continued to expand by the day.
She nodded her head towards the throne, nearly glaring. “The woman to his right. You recognize her, correct?”
The twins fell silent for a moment before Pria nodded gravely. “Lady Briza, of course.”
“Good. Her blood is the price for the life I’ve granted you both,” Xenia explained as the Chief of Eldrin stepped forwards, intent on making a similar vow of submission. “You’ll live comfortably here, perhaps even pump out a few of our Lord’s babies before he grows tired of you. Of course you’ll be taken care of even then, though never delude yourself into believing that you are beyond my grasp. Should even one word slip regarding our bargain, you shall not witness the following sunrise. Is that clear?”
“Of course, mistress,” the twins replied in obedient unison, studying their target.
Xenia smirked in satisfaction, pushing aside the black strap of her top to allow Vixin to suckle at her firm young breast. “Wonderful. Now, you will refrain from attacking until we’ve managed to select a time and place that suits our needs.”
As the short ceremony that would bring Eldrin under Dominax’s rule ended, the Chief of Inrin took the man’s place to conduct his own pledge.
“Death is no stranger to us, mistress. We’d never strike without your command,” Pilsi remarked, allowing a smile to tug at her lips at the display of motherly affection.
“You had better hold yourself to that, for your own sake,” Xenia said, her eyes remained locked on her female rival. “I trust that your skills with knives will be required, as she has already become weary of me. I suspect she thinks I may even poison her, as her every meal is tested. She is right of course, as I possess the ingredients to force a death that screams of agony could never match, or a night of writhing in such torturous pleasure that a mind couldn’t possibly recover from.”
“A blade to the back, then?” Pria asked, watching the latest Chief to join The Kingdom of Vaidrin rise to his feet and make his way toward the exit. The approved and planned meetings were completed, allowing the common citizens to approach their King Dominax with whatever problems they wished to address.
“That may be our only option, yes,” Xenia confirmed grimly, before her whispers adopted a spiteful tone. “Yet when the moment to strike arrives, I wish for her to know that her death comes by my will. My command. Allow her last thoughts to be the knowledge that she has been bested by Dominax’s superior mate.”
“It will be done, mistress,” Pria responded without hesitation, while Pilsi merely peered at Vixin.
Satisfied, Xenia remained wrapped in her thoughts as a man dressed in a simple reddish tunic and black cape stepped towards the throne accompanied by a younger woman. While he appeared much older than his female companion with short greying hair and frail limbs, the girl had dark brown hair pulled into a messy braid that reached halfway down her back. Dressed in a dark top that left her toned midriff exposed, both her navel and nose held tiny metal piercings. Her athletic legs were concealed behind a skirt that ended halfway down her soft thighs, as if inviting onlookers to crave a closer glance.
“Approach,” Briza commanded, eyeing the woman with suspicion. The stranger was clearly a warrior of some sort, though her lithe muscles leaned heavily towards a feminine appearance.
They both bowed at the foot of the throne, before the older man cleared his throat to speak. “It is an honor to stand in your presence, your majesty. I come with a single request, one that I hope you shall find appealing.”
“Oh?” Dominax questioned, not bothering to hide his gaze as he peered at the attractive warrior. Rather than displaying intimidation at his seeking look, she seemed to be emboldened by his interest as she subtly shifted to press her modest chest out further.
The old man carried on after a quick breath. “I’ve come accompanied by my daughter, Sirith. I have trained her myself, and as I’m sure you can imagine, she is very precious to me. If I may be so bold, it is my hope that you will grant an old man the honor that all fathers strive for…as I desire only the best mate for my daughter. Your majesty…we would both be humbled if you added your seed to our bloodline.”
The proposal forced an amused grin to spread across Dominax’s face. “Quite a bold request for a father to make, is it not?”
The man nodded in understanding. “Yes, my lord, though that is our desire. Both Sirith and I have witnessed your powers in person, and whether you are truly a God or not, the prospect of a grandchild with your divine blood is one that would truly honor my line. Merely grant me this request, this privilege of a single breeding, and the loyalty of my family to your crown shall be undying.”
Dominax chuckled, milling the thought in his head. “You make a very tempting offer…as I’m inclined to agree. However, you understand that the child resulting from such a breeding shall not be legitimized as a member of House Vaid, do you not?”
“A fate that I am content with. Even a mere bastard of your blood shall truly be an important asset to my family. One cannot entirely describe the true honor and privilege of an opportunity to raise the child of a God,” the man answered with what bordered on religious fervor.
“A God,” Dominax thought, tasting the word that he had grown accustomed to over the last year. “I shall have to settle that matter soon enough.”
Briza studied the woman on offer, displaying no hint of jealousy at her attractive features. She knew that her mate would truly enjoy such a woman, a thought that brought her a small amount of comfort. She only desired him to be happy.
“Very well, you shall have your desire. Return at nightfall,” Dominax commanded with satisfaction.
Both father and daughter bowed graciously with visible excitement. “Thank you, my lord!”
***
“Run Hess! It’s upon us!” the voice of a child rang out through the forest as screams continued to echo. Hesin didn’t flinch at his dying brother’s words, his mind already numb from the sight of the creature’s vicious slaughter. Instead, his eyes blankly stared through a parting in the trees, locked on the sight of a young boy standing over a struggling woman.
The world shifted, and he found himself running alongside the boy moments after the pained screams of his brother had ceased. The child had grabbed his hand, tugging hard until he followed. Hesin realized that he was only a boy himself, as his short legs struggled through the forest growth.
As the world melted away once more, he peered through his watery eyes at the group of elderly men, each seated in tall chairs. He recognized the room, recalling how the boy had led him to Nitri’s Main Hold.
“Such a high claim for an outsider to make towards one of our own. Tell me boy, do you possess proof?” one of the old men had questioned, his tone grave.
The blond-haired boy merely stood silently beside Hesin, making no move to either confess or deny his involvement in what had occurred. Hesin screamed at the men, pleaded with them as he explained all that he had seen. He had witnessed the boy lure the creature alongside a young woman, seemingly conscious of the blood it would spill. Once all had been divulged, he felt as though a massive weight had left his chest.
“What you describe certainly aligns with the aftermath that our hunters discovered, yet there is nothing connecting young Clin here to the cause of the tragedy,” another elder had explained, seemingly apologetic yet firm in their collective decision. “Even the presence of his mother’s corpse can easily be explained away by simply hunting in the wrong area at the inopportune moment. Is that not correct, boy?”
The question had been aimed towards the blond child, and Hesin looked to him all while clinging to the last of his faith. If the boy could simply confess to his part in the slaughter, would simply admit to what he had caused, Hesin knew he’d have justice.
His hopes were slashed away as the boy nodded, looking to Hesin with clear shame as he confirmed the falsehood.
“See child? One cannot punish a member of their own settlement without sufficient proof, and thus, this unfortunate tragedy must be considered an accident until further evidence surfaces,” another of the elders stated, before leaning forward in his lofty chair. “Yet fear not child, despite your accusations against him, young Clin has requested to offer you a place amongst our people. Seeing as your family is now gone, we’d be happy to oblige.”
Hesin could only stare at the light stone bricks of the floor as a sickening sensation eased into his being. A flurry of emotions surged through him, anger, sadness, the feeling of utter loss before a dull numbness crept over his mind.
His eyes slowly opened as the memory-filled dream subsided, bringing him back to reality once more. Staring at a ceiling that didn’t exist when the memories had occurred, the same numbness ensnared his thoughts even a decade later.
Rubbing his eyes, he let out a deep sigh. Sleep would not return to him this night, as it never did on the rare occasions when his mind decided to drudge up the past. He wondered what Clin would think were he to ever find out that he still dreamed of those events. Would he pity him?
“Fuck your pity,” he thought to himself, sitting up and swinging his legs over the side of the bed. A brief flush of fatigue overcame him before falling away to allow him to stand. On nights such as these he found no better refuge than the peaceful presence of the river, and he made for the door to his stone hut to make his way to the nearest shore.
***
“He’s waiting for you,” Briza said to Sirith and her father as they came to a stop outside the royal bed chambers. She looked over the young woman for a final time, seeking any hint of danger. When she found none, she simply nodded and turned to depart.
Pushing open the door, the pair stepped inside with caution. The chamber was illuminated by the flickering light of dozens of red-burning candles, granting them a clear vision of Dominax’s nude body lying on the bed. At the sound of their entrance, he peered towards them before moving to stand.
“I expected only Sirith, as was our agreement,” Dominax stated with a hint of annoyance, making no move to cover himself as his heavy manhood hung on display.
“Apologies my lord…I do not wish to intrude,” the man began to say, keeping his eyes level while his daughter took enjoyment in the view. “I shall wait outside if that is your command. However, if you’d be so kind as to allow me one additional favor…I would request to remain.”
With his eyes narrowing in judgment, Dominax could not deny the instant flush of appeal that such a suggestion brought to his loins. Much as the twin’s sibling affection had intrigued him greatly, such a taboo act nearly called to him. “Is such really your desire?”
“It is, your majesty. I shall not interfere. I…merely wish to observe such a beautiful act,” he replied, placing his hand on Sirith’s back with clear fatherly love.
“So be it. Sit, and we shall begin,” he ordered, gesturing to a nearby chair that sat at a desk pressed against the wall. The old man obeyed, turning the seat around to aim directly at the large bed.
“Will you force me to wait any longer? I’m eager to start…” Sirith stated, biting her lip in lust as she touched his bare chest.
Taking hold of her top, Dominax carefully pulled it off of her after untying the back strings, discarding it as he looked upon her young breasts. Placing his hands onto them, he met her gaze with intensity. “I shall not wait a second longer.”
Releasing a teasing moan, she chuckled. “Are they worthy of feeding your child, my lord?”
“They’re utter perfection,” he responded, lightly tweaking both firm nipples. His loins ravenous to breed, he then wrapped his arms around her feminine torso and hoisted her off her feet, inciting a flurry of giggles as he threw her onto the bed.
On her back, she slightly spread her legs, drawing his eyes to peer up her short skirt. “Then come, grant me the seed of a king…”
Mounting the bed with a fluid motion, he held himself above her waiting body with one arm, using the other to roughly tear away the thin fabric of her skirt. Her smooth pussy waited for him just beneath, now exposed to the warm air of the bedchamber.
The old man watched as his daughter parted her legs further, granting her mate access to her precious folds. He heard a gasp as Dominax’s tip began to press into her, her pitch increasing into a groan as his cock entered her.
Clearly not a virgin, her vagina accepted his length eagerly, hungry for his sperm. “F…father…he’s so…large…“
Grunting, Dominax began to pump in and out, his balls tensing at her words. The thought of breeding a man’s daughter while he watched flared his craving to mate, to dominate her body with his seed.
Watching his king pump his hips back and forth with his manhood buried inside his beloved daughter, the man felt his own cock hardening beneath his tunic. She would bear the child of a God.
“Oooooohhh yes…fuck me…my lord….” she moaned, laying her arms above her head in submission. She glanced over to her father lovingly, her pussy aching to conceive.
“Take my fertile girl…my lord…” the man said in evident enjoyment, unable to hide the protruding erection through his tunic. “She is yours…”
The utter strangeness of the situation only fueled Dominax, rocking his cock in and out with increasing pleasure. Looking down at her body beneath him, he couldn’t help but appreciate the beauty of her perky mounds, her attractively feminine face, and the way her long braid now hung between her breasts. He could feel her lithe muscles moving beneath him in rhythm to his movements, knowing that she’d produce a healthy baby.
“My womb is yours…oooohhhh…” Sirith’s voice echoed off the stone walls, the red candlelight dancing over their skin as their loins remained enraptured in pleasure.
“Breed her…my lord…” the man requested in pure lust as he gripped the arms of the chair. To see his daughter writhe in bliss proved to be more arousing than anything he had ever experienced, forcing the manhood that had sired her to throb.
The bed squeaked with each movement, rocking along with their passion. Hitting deeply each time, the slapping of their bodies thrusting against each other filled the room.
Sirith reached up to wrap her hands around her lover, nearly able to smell their mutual arousal and desperation to breed. They had waited until her peak ovulation to make their request, ensuring that her body wished for nothing more than a baby. She could practically feel his sperm waiting to drain into her, his divine potency eager to seek out her eggs. She craved his passion, NEEDED his seed…
Ramming into her pussy with fury, Dominax felt her legs wrap around his waist as she prepared for his climax. His manhood ached, readying to cum.
The man’s back slightly arched in pleasure, deriving the entirety of his stimulation only from the sight of their lovemaking. “Yes, my lord…oohhh yes…breed Sirith! Claim her womb!”
Grunting hard, the words proved to be too much as they pushed Dominax to climax. He pushed his hips hard against her, as if wishing to bury his cock as deeply as possible.
Sirith moaned in ecstasy, the pleasure of accepting her king’s seed nearly intense enough to taste. Her father watched as her fertile vagina was filled, clenching the chair hard as his hard erection began to ejaculate without his touch. He cried out in ragged gasps, spilling his own seed.
Pressing his face into the nape of her neck, Dominax felt the softness of her skin as he calmed himself. Her body was eternally his, draped in red candlelight.
She would birth his child.
45th of Fixuin, 4 BVE.
Kingdom of Vaidrin, Domani.
“Ah, very good. I was hoping to start immediately,” Dominax grinned as he entered the dining chamber of The Royal Stronghold. Seated at the overly large table sat only Salduin, Lalian, and Xenia. Dominax took his place at the head of the table, removing his crown and placing it lovingly on the dark wooden surface.
“May I question your intention with this impromptu meeting, my lord?” Lalian asked, having intentionally chosen a seat nearest the King’s.
“And why us three in particular?” Salduin added, placing his heavily muscled arm gently onto the table. “We are of course honored, though the selection is peculiar.”
Dominax gazed at them in his typical studying intensity, as if wishing to peer into their souls through his silver eyes. “I wish to settle a religious matter here and now. You three are my most spiritually inclined servants, and thus, I trust only you with what I shall speak of in this moment. That is not to say that I distrust my other advisors, mind you, as I only wish for my words to be understood correctly.”
“A religious matter, my lord?” Lalian asked with observable interest.
Dominax nodded. “I have experienced a number of revelations these past days, and I see now that the time has come to form a unified structure for the beliefs of my citizens. For too long I’ve left them to the torment of speculation. Each household under my domain possesses a variation of the beliefs that I’ve attempted to coax. They witness my power, they hear my words, yet they fail to grasp their meaning. There shall be no further variation.”
Xenia folded her arms, placing her fingers alluringly close to her breast. “You’ve explained quite openly that your powers originate from the creator. Have you discovered more in that orb of yours?”
Dominax chuckled insidiously. “You make light of the orb, yet indeed I have. My Xenia…I have witnessed creation itself. Not only that of the land we stand on, but of the people, the sun, the moons, ALL.“
Salduin leaned in closer, his entire attention focused on their ruler. “Creation? Surely that cannot be true…”
“Ah, but it is,” Dominax replied, savoring the man’s anticipation. “I made a promise to you that I would share all I knew regarding spiritual matters, our origin, our purpose. I intend to keep that promise, Salduin. Tell me, would you not serve an Emperor who was himself a god?”
Without hesitation the large man nodded firmly. “Of course. You know this, my lord. Was it not the very reason I first pledged myself to you?”
Dominax gestured to the muscled warrior in response. “And thus, the three of you may see my aim. I shall share the secrets of this world, and in return, our people must be made to believe that I am myself a God. Not merely the son of the creator, but a deity in my own right. If this vision of an eternal empire of peace is to succeed, I can see no other alternative.”
Xenia’s eyes seemed to light up with desire at his explanation, her soft lips curling into a smile.
“Our workers already perceive you as a God, my lord. Why else would they labor every day on the construction of The Grand Pyramid? Not to mention the sheer number that they consist of!” Lalian remarked with more than a hint of pride in his tone.
“You hit my dilemma directly, Lanthian,” Dominax replied, steepling his fingers and he placed his elbows on the table. “Each man and woman believe themselves to be in the service of a God. Yet, to what extent? What beliefs have drawn them to this conclusion? That is precisely the question that can no longer be tolerated.” He took a deep breath, allowing a short silence to permeate the dining chamber. “It has become clear to me that faiths, cultures, and traditions separate us all. It is not merely enough to control a world’s population, but rather, one must control the very structure of their citizens’ lives if ultimate peace is to persist permanently. We must facilitate the creation of ONE religion. ONE culture. ONE unified Empire of like-minded individuals.”
The room remained silent for a long moment after the explanation had ceased, though it fell to Lalian to be the first to speak. The Lanthian eunuch casually placed his delicate fingers to conceal a smile of pure joy. “My lord…I have been waiting for such a command,” he said, thinking to the pyramid that was slowly rising around The Stronghold day by day, week by week. The appointed architect of a God, from a being who had once been a slave. The Lanthians’ cruel traditions would be stamped out, their religion condemned as heresy. “Merely state my part in your plan, and it shall be done.”
“I am pleased to hear you say such things, as your efforts will be required first.” Dominax stated, smirking to his green inventor. “I shall relinquish all of the knowledge that I have learned to you, and you shall record each word. The task shall then fall to you two,” he said, switching his attention to Xenia and Salduin. “You shall oversee the formation of a holy order within Vaidrin. Allow its priests and priestesses to enforce my words, my rule. Specific instructions regarding this task will come later, though know that in this way we shall begin the construction of a lasting peace of ideals and minds.”
Both Xenia and Salduin eagerly accept their tasks.
“Very good, then you are dismissed. We shall speak on this more another time,” Dominax commanded. All three stood and bowed before making their way towards the door, though he quickly gestured to Lalian before The Lanthian could exit. “Hold a moment, I wish to have a word with you.”
Confused, Lalian obeyed and remained still until the other two had left the room. Then after a gesture to approach, he dutifully stepped closer. “Yes, my lord?”
In a low tone, Dominax leaned in close to the green man. “Lalian, I only have one simple request for you to fulfill while you inscribe my teachings.”
“Anything, merely name it.”
Though clearly hesitant, Dominax slowly opened his mouth to speak. “I wish for you to teach me to write.”
The statement was simple enough, though Lalian looked at his king in surprise. “You…cannot write, my lord?” he asked, though regretted his question a moment later as realization quickly pieced together. He had never seen Dominax read or write a single letter, always relinquishing the responsibility to select individuals.
“Almost none of us can,” Dominax replied without humor. “It is a skill only the Northern Kingdoms have spread widely. I can assure you that hunting and farming requires very little in the way of reading.”
“I see…” Lalian replied, considering the request. “Well, my lord, you may find no greater teacher suited for such a task.”
“Ah, very good. Though tell me…would it not be possible for me to learn your people’s language as well?”
The Lanthian’s green eyes seemed to beam with interest. “Of course, my lord! Who do you believe taught Chief Manith your language?”
Dominax clasped the man’s cloaked shoulder in appreciation. “I would like to begin immediately, if such a thing were possible.”
“Of course it is!” Lalian exclaimed in excitement. “Though I should warn you. I’ve been told I have a peculiar gift when it comes to absorbing information. Should you encounter an individual willing to teach me a new language, I may be able to teach it back to you with efficiency. Either that, or act as your translator at the very least.”
Dominax’s unsettling grin widened in satisfaction. “Excellent, Lalian. You prove your worth to me every day,” he said before a sudden hint of sadness trickled through him at the thought of Lalian’s castration. Certainly, he would have been overjoyed to breed the green man with a number of his slaves to ensure that his vast intelligence passed down through the generations, yet that would now be impossible.
“Such a waste…“
***
Dominax stroked his pointed beard as he leaned back in his throne, having just dismissed the latest in a long line of visitors seeking his audience. In the wake of his coronation, he had made it a point to show himself to the public whenever possible, allowing any citizen to present their issues directly to The King.
“Let them spout their petty problems, as I will solve them all,” he thought to himself, watching as the next in line was brought into the throne room. A pair of men dressed in dull colored tunics, they were accompanied by a fairly attractive woman dressed in a skirt with her breasts exposed. She held one hand close to her chest, wrapped in thin orange fabric.
“You may approach,” Briza commanded, standing next to the throne. Salduin and Lalian had been commanded to remain in the chamber as well, choosing to quietly discuss the short spiritual passages that had been provided by the king that very morning. Remaining near the entrance, Dominax wished for Salduin to be near should the presence of danger arise, while Lalian was expected to observe his decisions and learn their human customs.
The trio approached and bowed, visibly intimidated by the four guards flanking the throne. Each man had been equipped in chimira steel armor in the style of their king, as their white cloaks hung lightly behind them.
“Speak,” Dominax beckoned, studying the strangers with his strange silver eyes. Dressed in his full armor, he held no doubt that he’d pose quite an intimidating figure.
One of the men straightened up, gathering his courage. Both men had brown hair, though this particular male had grown his out into long braids. “My lord, my brother and I have come to ask that you settle a matter between us. As you can see, it concerns our mate here,” he announced, gesturing to the woman.
“Our mate?” Dominax questioned as his eyes narrowed.
The short haired man found his strength, readying to clarify. “Yes, my lord, we have both decided to share her bed as equal lovers.”
“I see…” Dominax replied. “An odd arrangement between brothers, though get to the heart of the issue quickly.”
The longhaired man nodded obediently. “Of course, my lord. The matter revolves around the dilemma of breeding. You see, we each intend to produce children with her, yet we have yet to agree upon who shall sire the firstborn. Though it would be far simpler to continue and allow nature to decide, the knowledge of the paternity of the child is something we both value.”
“Ah, as you should value it indeed. Though tell me, if I am to decide who shall proceed first, would it not be far simpler to flip a Northern Kingdom coin? I can have one quickly brought in if the need arises,” Dominax asked, casually waving his hand in a dismissive gesture.
The long-haired man’s face grew more serious at the proposition. “We had considered such an idea, my lord, before the accident. Some weeks ago, we had fallen into an argument regarding a hunting matter. Weapons were raised, and when our mate attempted to get between us, she was unfortunately injured by my brother’s blade.”
The explanation clearly made both the brother and the woman uncomfortable, yet Dominax leaned forward. “What sort of injury?” he asked, eyeing the orange fabric.
With a gesture from the man the woman carefully unwrapped the fabric until she could pull it away from her hand. She looked away as the wound was revealed, consisting of several stumps where fingers had once been.
“As you can see…the damage was quite severe,” the longhaired man continued. “Now, due to what happened I feel that it would not be right for the man who caused such an injury to be the first to breed with her.”
Dominax frowned at the sight of the wounded hand, though he shifted his attention to the man. “I see your concerns, yet as you said yourself, it was an accident. Neither of us shall punish him when you were both at fault. Rather, I shall order your woman to make the final decision of who shall sire her first child.”
Both the longhaired man and the woman appeared pleased by the decision, yet the brother let out a disgruntled breath. “My lord…I beg you to reconsider! She still blames me for her injury, and thus, she cannot provide an impartial choice!”
Dominax gritted his teeth at the outburst, lowering his tone to a menacing pitch. “You will hold your tongue,” he said, pausing to allow a hint of fear to spread across the man’s features. “I have made my decision, and it shall be followed exactly as I have commanded. You will obey her choice as if it were from my own lips. Am I clear?”
The man reluctantly nodded, lowering his head.
“Very well. You will also keep in mind that the punishment for intentionally maiming an individual in the manner you have committed is through the use of Hand Decimation. Were I less understanding to the fact that this incident was a mere accident, that may very well have been your fate,” Dominax explained in his firm voice.
The man seemed to freeze at the mention, before nodding once more. “Yes, my lord, thank you.”
Allowing a moment to pass as he studied the trio, Dominax finally waved his hand in dismissal. “If that is all, you may leave. You shall be visited by my men in the coming weeks to ensure that you’ve obeyed my orders.”
As the trio bowed graciously, Lalian looked up from his inscriptions to turn to Salduin with a questioning expression. “Hand Decimation?”
Keeping his voice quiet as the trio passed by to make their exit, Salduin held out his hand to explain. “It’s a harsh punishment that was used amongst the warriors of Nitri,” he said, placing his finger on the back of his raised hand. “Two hooks would be put through the center of the hand, all the way through until they emerged from the skin of the palm. Then, two men would each take hold of a hook, tugging in opposite directions until they were ripped free.”
The explanation sent a shudder through the Lanthian as a group of ten people shuffled into the chamber. “Barbaric…”
“Approach,” Briza ordered as she studied the group, searching for a sign of danger as she had done with all their visitors. All ten were dressed in grey cloaks that concealed much of their forms with hoods pulled over their heads. They stepped as closely to the throne as the four guards would allow, huddled closely.
“Remove your hoods in my presence,” Dominax commanded, eyeing the group with suspicion. They obeyed, revealing the faces of ordinary men and women. A single man’s appearance coaxed an ounce of recognition in Dominax, a man with short brown hair and a prominent mustache. “Now, you may speak.”
The mustached man took the lead, clearly holding a small amount of control over the others. “My lord, a troubling responsibility towards our fellow humans has forced us to seek your audience this day. A responsibility that we all utterly value.”
Briza glanced at Dominax with concern at their strange words, her hand on the hilt of her sword.
“You speak of responsibility, though in what regard?” Dominax asked, looking at each individual of the group as if they were children.
The man appeared calm as he continued, folding his arms beneath his cloak. “In regard to the death of tyrants.”
As if the word had been a signal, the group erupted into a flurry of movement as they each pulled long knives from beneath their cloaks, rushing forwards with murderous intent.
Dominax sprang up from his throne, instinctively hurling a blast of electricity through the group. The blast caught several men, sending them crashing backwards and parting the assaulting group into two.
They reached him within moments, hacking and stabbing at his armor as he raised his hands to protect himself. Briza and the guards surged forwards, rushing to protect their God King as their blades tore through the grey cloaks. The assassins were clearly untrained in combat, as their plan seemed to function purely through surprise.
Dominax’s hands erupted both flame and electricity as he fought to defend himself, deflecting their many blows with his armor. Their blades fought to slice at gaps in his defenses, only to be quickly pushed back by the counterattack of his guards.
From behind Salduin had rushed to join the fight, slamming his hammer down and splitting the head of a man like an egg. Assaulted from both sides, the group of ten quickly dwindled into a mass of cut and shattered bodies at the foot of the throne.
“You fools…” Dominax sneered with menacing anger, loosing a web of crackling lightning through the pile. Any assassin still clinging to life wailed in agony, their grey cloaks stained red.
“Dominax…are you hurt?” Briza asked in panic, coming up alongside him. Overlooking his form, she quickly spotted a large but manageable cut on his left bicep, one of the few areas of his upper body that remained unprotected.
He raised his hand to quiet her as his eyes fell onto the mustached man’s body. Though still alive and gasping in pain, a deep slash across his chest ensured that he wouldn’t survive for long. Dominax approached his laying form, standing over the dying man.
The assassin looked up in pure hatred, grimacing from his injuries.
“Tell me, what purpose does your death serve?” Dominax asked in disgust.
Though hardly able to speak, the assassin spit blood onto the king’s boot before responding. “I…am but one of many…that will ensure your death…”
“Such hatred…you’d slay the being that would grant you everlasting peace?”
A pained chuckle escaped the man’s bloody lips. “P..ea..ce? Is that…your excuse…for tyranny…?”
“Ah, tyranny. Would you rather I stand aside and allow you to slaughter yourselves as you’ve always done? I will not. What I offer is a future of order and stability, a future that you have nearly ended this day.”
“Nearly…yes. Though be warned tyrant…I am not the last…” the man said, gritting his teeth. “The conqueror’s death…shall come…at the hands of The Cult of Ortis…”
The mention of a name he had not encountered since the aftermath of Nitri’s destruction forced Dominax to momentarily pause in surprise. “Ortis? Let such a hideous name be the last you ever speak…”
The dying man’s eyes went wide as Dominax placed his boot on his neck, steadily pushing down. With a crunching pop, the last hint of life left the assassin’s eyes.
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