Ephraim VonVoss was a good man, successful, he knew what people liked and what sold…he was an instinctual entertainer and under it all, was a desire to make people's lives better, to make them happy. He lived for it, and had risen to great success running the Gladiator circuit and the owners association for the nobility so they could work together to arrange matches the masses would go crazy for.
Ivan walked in with Pragi, Palance and those that he had invited as well. Raimarc had not been invited because if he was honest…he'd spent a bit of time cackling in joy at the entire situation. Each of the Karadin brothers other than Uram had…issues. "Ephraim…thank you for agreeing. His Majesty is being his Majesty."
The man set the briefcase down and pulled out four folders, two blue, two green, "The blue ones are the marriage contract, we will need to discuss the time term, the green folders are pre-martial agreements for assets before, after and during the marriage." The man was all business at the moment, sitting down calmly, "I do hope that we can make sure all is fair and balanced in this transaction."
Ephraim was looking at Palance…who was close to his age, attractive, obviously successful and from a good family line, the first born son from that family too, he'd expected Raimarc would eventually arrange a marriage…he was too successful for Raimarc to overlook…he hoped he'd meet and marry someone before then, but he hadn't…this though, was a fine opportunity.
He picked up the first blue folder, starting to read through it. "I won't even pretend this didn't surprise me…I didn't think Raimarc would grab me so early"
"...it was my suggestion," Ivan admitted, "you are a good man."
"I'm flattered…I've had my share of…disagreements, with your brother Raimarc…I half expected him to marry me off to some troll." Ephraim admitted, smiling "Happy to see that's not the case."
Palance smiled then "This will help my family…Gives us some…power…that we need."
Ivan looked across the table at Ephriam, "..it was you or me….and I'm in a complicated situation."
"Uram would be an option…and I think few people don't see how…fond…you are of your bodyguard." Ephraim smiled knowingly
Ivan leveled a look at the other man, "no. Uram was never an option. My little brother will always get his choice. You getting something like this will make him swoon and be happy for a bit."
Ephraim chuckled and picked up the second blue folder. "These aren't hard asks…really, I don't have an issue with any of it so far." He read through the folders, and when he set down the second green one he re-opened the first blue one and started signing. He wasn't stupid…the Fairstar family was even better than he'd initially thought. Palance was young and attractive, would look damn good at his side and brought plenty to the table in assets and wealth, his family line was what about floored the young Count…documented back to before the Holy Wars? His own line was about 700 years old, and he took no small amount of pride in that but…Palance knew who he was descended from going back over 2000 years.
Ivan sat back, "term starts at two years. With a possible extension negotiation at that time."
"You good with that?" Ephraim asked Palance and the man smiled.
"I went over this with Ivan before we came here…if I wasn't ok with the terms they wouldn't be in there. I think…two years gives both of us plenty of time, not just to build some great things together, but…to see how compatible we are." Palance replied and Ephraim couldn't prevent his smile at the prospect…two years with the exotic and successful ships captain, it was an exciting prospect.
Ivan let out a low hum, "or if it will work out."
As he signed, he slid the papers to Palance, and the man leaned forward, picked up a pen, and started signing as well. Once the last one was signed…the papers filed, they would be legally married, could have a wedding…and Ephraim would definitely want a wedding, having a nice big event like that would be great for business. "I'd like an engagement party, even though we are legally married, the event would be good for me to introduce you to everyone I know, for us to start working on everything. I want a wedding too, a big event, maybe held in Romel or Damascas depending on what you'd like." He said and Palance chuckled, sitting back, an arm resting along the back of the seat he was in, making clothing stretch over muscle and Ephraim drew a breath. He was no light weight himself, he trained, he trained Gladiators, but Palace was a bit taller than him, had broader shoulders.
"I actually like Damascas honestly, as a city its one of the most beautiful anywhere." He admitted, it was odd to say that a city built around the buying and selling and conditioning of slaves was one of the most beautiful places in the world but…Damascas was gorgeous, with it's modern buildings lcaed with old architecture, canals filled with clean mineral rich water that made them look like they ran with liquid saphire and abundant fountains, statues, plantars kept full of seasonal plants and flowers, it was always clean secure and offered every type of shop restaurant and cafe you could ever hope for.
"Then I'll plan the events in Damascas, I hold the stadium there, I'll make our engagement and wedding events the talk of Pergrand for the next decade." Ephraim said confidently, meeting his now husbands eyes with a lot of hope for a bright future.
Ivan took the folders and put them all in the briefcase, "I would like to check on Uram's gladiators, while we're here…and it would be good for your new betrothed to see the grounds." he blinked, "there might be an interesting story for your family on their next destination." he'd asked Uram to bring his gladiators, saying that taking them to Damascus might be interesting.
Ephraim raised a brow but gave the men a knowing look and smiled, standing "I would love to give you a tour. The Damascas stadium isn't as grand as Skysreach on overall size? But it's more luxurious and has very modern holding cells for the Gladiators."
Ivan nodded as he motioned towards the door, "I believe we should roll out some of the amenities from here at Skysreach, I think it would benefit the stadium itself."
Ephraim smiled as they walked "I want to update Skysreach, and I own it outright…but I've been blocked several times, in particular from updating the pits where the gladiators are kept, the King feels it would ruin the atmosphere, he says he prefers the slaves to know they are slaves and doesn't like me adding amenities to their housing, especially not security cameras and failsafes to prevent owners from going into the holding areas where other owners have their stock…that's how your brother has managed to…well…get time alone with other peoples Gladiators for his amusement. I don't want to deny our King his pleasures, never…but…I feel like the owner of a slave should have some control over who has access to them."
Ivan looked thoughtful as they walked, "It may be something to put up for a vote, honestly…at this point it seems as if he is stopping you from doing what you want with your property." Ephraim smiled at Ivan, nodding in agreement as people hurried to open doors for them.
"That was my feeling on the matter…I've been mentioning it to some of the owners, building support, at the next senate session I plan to propose a formal plan for updating Skysreach, I'm going to present it…even though I own the place, as updating for the people of Romell, for the owners, for everyone who will benefit from it and put the upgrades to a vote…I think…if Raimarc sees overwhelming support for the changes, he'll stop cutting me off from doing it." Ephraim said, stealing glances at Palance, keenly interested in the man who was going to be his husband for the next two years…maybe more.
Ivan looked amused, "you could also frame it as…a gift for your new husband, which will also…of course garner support." Palance chuckled at that, a hand pushing through the black portion of his hair.
"As nice as a piece of jewelry right?"
Ephraim grinned "You know, I hadn't thought of that…that's a very good idea, I'll add that into it!"
"I'd be happy to help, I have some experience writing proposals to put before governments, I was set to become the Marquis of Fairstar, so…I learned all of that." Palance offered and Ephraim grinned at him, really he was growing more and more pleased with how all of this was panning out. It was a sound choice, from a monetary standing, to marry himself into the Fairstar family, but there were going to be more advantages obviously.
"Of course," Ivan looked thoughtful, "The updates would be perfect…to make the damn place good for things other than just gladiator events…you could use it to frame for…other events. Weddings, gradutiations…"
"I'd love to have concerts and open sky orchestra performances there too…Skysreach is rich in history, and it's massive, it could host a lot of things." Ephraim agreed
"The acoustics of the place are good for it," Ivan smiled faintly, "it could, but it needs those updates…and of course…as they will probably be ticketed events…a portion will be remitted to the treasury…"
Ephraim smiled, nodding "Oh of course, just like with the Gladiator events, and if I could use it for things other than the gladiator circuit, It wouldn't sit empty for 4 months every year with nobody really doing much there."
"If all of the coliseums have the same upgrades…" Ivan looked thoughtful, "That means they could be used for a lot more all year…which would add revenue."
They continued to talk, Palance relaxing, enjoying the whole thing more as they went. Ephraim was handsome, charming, friendly and open, he had an honesty to him and a sincerity, genuinely liked people and he was a shrewd and diplomatic businessman. Worldgate Stadium was as he'd described it, not as massive as Skysreach but far more modern and luxurious. The private boxes had modern amenities and the owners club, that had several members of the nobility relaxing enjoying drinks and talking with each other, was comfortable and inviting.
When they went down into the "Pits" where the gladiators were kept the halls were clean and well lit, sight angles were open, grates in the bottom parts of the cell walls and doors allowed guards walking the hall to see into the cells and to the floors below and cells below, everything was clean, polished, modern.
Gladiators had toilet areas here and even sinks.
"Showers of course are still something people pay to watch…so…I couldn't include those but I do have baths here so that if a gladiator needs a medicinal soak for whatever reason, that can happen, this facility also has a very well stocked and attended medical wing since Gladiator evaluations are done here before slaves are sold."
"Speaking of," Ivan let out a thoughtful sound "I may look into getting a few."
"Gladiators?" Ephraim looked at Ivan, mildly surprised, he glanced at Pragi "No offense…but you have one that could probably unseat the Dark Eagle on top of the A-ranks."
Palance looked over at Pragi then back at Ephraim…he wasn't aware of Pragi being a slave…
"Are there free man Gladiators?" He asked
"There are, and technically…Mr. Fairstar, I'm still a slave, I have something like…50…60? Brands on me. They were testing them on me for a while after the church made them for the syndicates." Pragi supplied mildly.
"You are mine," Ivan said firmly, "hardly a slave." his eyes narrowed "and I'm going to get those removed, even if I have to skin the High Priest of Apollo myself."
Pragi smiled "I am very proud and happy to be yours my Master. It does not matter to me how others see me."
Ephraim didn't say anything…Pragi was ageless, Ivan was not…with those brands…Pragi would always be property in Pergrand, when the day came Ivan wasn't there…Pragi would likely end up on the auction block.
Ivan smiled faintly "it does not matter, but…I want them off…i dislike them on you. I Follow Anubis. It's annoying."
"As you wish my master." Pragi bowed "If there is a way to remove them, I'll have them removed."
"Im all for skinning an Apollonite priest until they do it," Ivan said, far too cheerfully.
"I didn't hear that." Ephraim chuckled as they walked along the row of cells. "This is the A-Rank section, security is better here…because the gladiators are worth more." He told them.
"The Steel Wolf, Gladiator of Duke Rayven is currently ranked number 2 in the national league." Ephraim pushed a button by the door and it went from opaque to see through, inside the cell a massive shape shifter lay in a comfortable looking bed, tall white ears swiveling in their direction but the calm orange eyes stayed on the ceiling.
Palance looked, curious, tilting his head "Is he Sevenese?" He asked
"No..pureblooded caught out of the wild in the far north by chance, the syndicate that got him happened across him, he was near dead, severely injured at the edge of the great forrest, it's believed he's from the Black Pack of Fenrir himself, Duke Rayven of course won't confirm or deny that. The syndicate that caught him was wiped out, completely obliterated 7 months after he was sold to Duke Rayven…they went north to try to catch another shifter…and were not seen or heard from again." Ephraim smiled, he loved giving tours, seeing people take interest in the sport he ran.
He led them further down, stopping again and turning a wall clear, inside a large man lay on a bed, long dark hair, purple eyes snapping their direction. "This is the number one A-Rank in the nation, The Dark Eagle, he's been number one for two years now, this new season he starts on top again as the one to beat. A-ranks are rarely fought against other A-ranks, they're too valuable, but for a B-Rank to reach A, they have to at least finish a fight with an A-rank having landed 5 blows…which sounds easy unless you watch these A-rank Gladiators…landing one hit on them can be too much to ask. Even if they lose, a B-Rank can advance as long as they survive and manage those five blows, to any part of the body, hitting a weapon parrying them…doesn't count." Ephraim smiled
Ivan let out a low hum, watching the man for a moment, "he's done very well…but I always wonder about that tattoo, he's had it since he was a child."
"It's a Boscan clan tattoo I believe, we've had other Boscans come through, none who fought like this one though, I don't think any have reached A-rank before." Ephraim said.
"He's an Evening Star…they're built to endure…to fight." Pragi said, his eyes seeming to meet the Gladiators even though the man in the cell couldn't see them, the wall was only see through from their side.
"He has done that," Ivan shook his head, "More than any could believe." he took a deep breath, shaking his head.
"King Raimarc is a little obsessed with him." Ephraim explained at Palance's curious look. "Every chance he gets…he tries to…well…rape him. Legal with a slave."
"Rape…is legal…" Palance frowned
"In a limited way…yes…the assumption is…strong men won't put themselves in positions where it can happen…but in recent months there's been talk of making it fully illegal…and…slaves have no rights…they can't say no." Ephraim frowned
Palance shook his head "That…is horrible." he said
"Yes, it is one of the…things that keep any application to the United Nations from going through," Ivan shook his head.
"It should change." Palance said plainly and Ephraim nodded "It should…Pergrand isn't a barbarian nation, we have culture, intelligence, humanity, there's no need for things like that to be part of the challenges of daily life. Our King though…likes those laws."
Palance looked at the gladiator, watching how the big man moved, how his eyes followed them though they shouldn't be able to see them. Reassured that the man he was now legally married to at least agreed that rape shouldn't be legal. Not that he was unwilling, two years would be way to long to go celebate and Ephraim wasn't unattractive, but he was realizing just how bad things could have gone for him…again…not that he was unwilling, it didn't matter, he hadn't been joking when he'd told Ivan he'd put on a collar and brand his own hip to save his family. As they were walking…Toby was finishing the repairs on the Starluna…the Starluna would be able to flank the Reaper and both Toby and Austeel could get their ships to Bosco.
Safety…his family would be safe, and there was no price he wouldn't pay for that.
Ivan said calmly, "Please send a photograph of our top gladiator to your brothers." Ivan never did anything without a reason, this was just the same. He'd fought, time and time again, over the brands…over this single slave.
Palance looked at him…then lifted his com and got pictures of the Gladiator, sending them to his family with no explanation beyond "The top gladiator in Pergrand."
Ivan gave a small..almost secretive smile, "Thank you. I'm sure they'll…figure out what can be done there." he stood there for a long moment "we have much to progress, much to preserve, but it's all..a song and dance."
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Kaleb stood on the rooftop terrace above the Guildmasters manor, staring in amazement at the ships coming out of phase…each one completely unique, their engines didn't make sounds, didn't displace the air as they moved even coming out of phase…
"They're not just small trade ships…" Kaleb observed, glancing to where the children were playing…Lorence had stopped running and waslooking up at the sky, a small smile on his face, excitement building in his eyes.
"Your family is here…" Kaleb said and Lorence nodded, walking to where Kaleb was standing, smiling as the ships kept appearing, until 9 of them were there, then the tenth…and when it came out of phase it blocked the sun and cast a shadow over most of the city.
"Gods…"
Jareth came out, staring, "...that is so cool…" his eyes danced, "like…really cool…you were right…they're HUGE."
"The Foundation is my moms ship…it's built to be able to be the port for the rest…every generation, the new mother of the family…gets a Foundation…always the wife of the patriarch…but my Mom and Dad aren't very old…there's still room to dock more ships to the Foundation, Mom says she'd like more." Lorence smiled up at the ships, it was the first time he'd seen them all in one place…well…
"My oldest brothers ship isn't here…" he frowned "It's almost as big as Dads ship…the Regulus…that one" He pointed at a smaller dark ship that looked like a bird of prey.
"That one is the Starluna…it belongs to my brother Austeel…he's who broke me out…so I could come here."
"...damn," Jareth breathed. "So damn cool…"
Lorence smiled "It's my family…my whole family…they all came.." he hiccuped, tears falling now he couldn't help, his father had said they were coming, that they would be there…but he hadn't promised and Lorence had known that meant he would do all he could…but it was possible…it wouldn't happen. But the ships were here…10 of the 11 ships of his siblings, and the Patriarch and the Foundation, 12 out of 13 ships…Lorence…should have one, he was more than old enough, moving toward the age when tradition said he should become a captain…but he knew there wasn't one, and didn't really care, as long as he was free.
Hestor was walking out, holding out a news article to Kaleb while putting a hand on Lorence's shoulder. "They came. And we've gotten clearance to join a clan if they agree."
"The fleet…just missing my brother Palance." Lorence said, he knew every ship from the Starluna to the Wanderlust to the Wildwonder…the beautiful, unique ships that reflected the members of his family.
"well…I would ask before you assume anything," Hestor smiled a bit, "but…let's go meet them. The guildmaster is required….and Farron should probably come as well.."
"Farron might get there before us if I don't get Thane…" Kaleb started but Thane was already stepping into view and bowing.
"Master Kaleb…I can take all of you to the airdocks." Thane offered
Hestor smiled warmly but Jareth grinned, "woot!" Hestor eyed the boy for a long moment, "...I do suppose you and your brothers are welcome to come along…Lorence is your friend."
"Of course." Kaleb smiled at the boys as Kuzu came over, eager to get closer to the ships.
Once they were together Thane swept a hand and they teleported, appearing on the deck of dock 2 just as the Starluna was locking in, the ship's ramp extending.
Lorence bit his lip, standing beside Hestor and waiting, looking up…the Patriarch and Foundation were too big to dock, but the rest were…he saw the Reaper on the dock beside them, smiling seeing Toby running down the ramp, already looking their way.
The doors opened and Austeel was running from his ship right to Lorence, dropping, skidding to a stop on his knees and grabbing his little brother against him, not bothering to stop his own tears as he held the boy tightly.
"You're ok…I'm so sorry I left you…I didn't want to…I'm so sorry…" he said against Lorence's hair. Kaleb stepped aside, a gentle hand bringing Tomo against his side as the doors opened to the dock platform and another man ran out with a young woman, both of them rushing to Lorence and soon…there was a crowd around the boy until a big man with a peacock on his shoulder started pushing them apart and picked Lorence up, hugging him while the peacock hissed and moved to the man's head.
Tomo stood and watched, tilting his head and smiling, "it's okay…we kept him company." He leaned into Kaleb's leg. He was looking at the peacock though and had a bit of a carefully scared look on his face.
"Thank you." A woman was standing by them, she held her hand out toward Kaleb a large black parrot on her shoulder "I'm Amelia Fairstar…Lorence's mother…the mother of all of these brats." she smiled
"Momma…" The woman turned immediately after shaking Kaleb's hand reaching and Solomon was putting Lorence into her arms to hug.
"Thank you…for helping him…for helping us…giving us somewhere to go…" Solomon smiled at then, eyes a bit red but his voice was steady.
"It's what White Sea is about." Kaleb replied "Lorence has been wonderful…he's a very sweet boy."
Hestor blinked slowly "...that is what Eventide bay is about. Something something…taking in strays that need a home."
Jareth grinned, "Dad's just cranky."
"We've talked some about your offer…a clan…Boscan citizenship…there are some very powerful people in the MCC who want to see us…destroyed, I'm not sure we should expose your clan to that." Solomon said, not happy, the offer was…just what they needed, but he wouldn't jump in without the people involved understanding the risks.
"We have Anubis and an Eldritch octopus on our defense," Hestor shook his head, "we can weather the MCC." He was maybe overstepping…or had…a little by issuing the invitations and all, but he'd told his mother and father, who had spoken to the clan elders…and the truth was, the Fairstar family would bring an Armada to Eventide Bay and the Dolfeini clan again…restore a piece of it that they as a community and clan had been missing since the Armada had been attacked and destroyed many years ago.
"Charles," Jareth nodded knowingly, "he likes dad."
"We…don't have a home anymore…it would be good to have a base…a place where we could…dock." Solomon glanced up to where his ship was hovering several thousand feet above them.
"White Sea City can't accommodate ships over 500 feet long." Farron said as he came onto the dock "Welcome to Bosco…I'm Farron Pradesh."
"The Ambassador…and you're Hestor…the one I talked to on the com…Kaleb…the Guildmaster of White Sea…and…these must be the boys who have been helping Lorence." Solomon smiled
"No, but the bay has a cliff it can anchor to," Hestor blinked slowly and looked at Jareth who was staring starry eyed. "Jareth, Tomo and Kuzu have been showing Lorence around and keeping him company." he shrugged, "besides…Dolfeini takes in those that need a port to call home, it is our way….and me helping people makes those I am close to smile."
Lorence was on his own feet again, leaning against his brother Toby, holding his mothers hand "Where's Palance?" he asked "I don't see the Regulus."
Solomon drew a breath and smiled "Palance…made a deal in Pergrand, to make sure our family had at least one powerful ally that would provide a safe harbor for us…he's got things he has to do for that, but he got the parts for Austeels ship…and got Austeel and Toby the clearance they needed to phase jump here. He's safe Lorence…and will visit when he can."
Lorence frowned "What deal?" he pushed, he'd come to mistrust "deals" because they often meant people were sacrificing things they shouldn't.
"From what the international news shows…a political marriage," Hestor said gently, "the MCC is having a moment over it."
"Palance got married?!" Lorence's eyes widened and Solomon and Amelia exchanged a look Amelia reached out, tipping Lorence's chin up to look at her.
"He made the choices…made a deal. It's not a bad one. The marriage gives our family political strength that the MCC can't touch…he married a Count." Amelia said and Solomon pulled out his com, scrolling through pictures, there was Palance standing with three men Lorence had never seen, smiling…he searched his brother's face and couldn't find anything that made him worry…his brother looked hopeful, was holding his head high.
"Wait…where is that?" Kaleb leaned closer as Solomon was going through pictures.
"Oh…Palance married Count VonVoss, he runs the Gladiator circuit in Pergrand, owns all of the stadiums. He's got deep political and business ties throughout Pergrand. Seems like a very good young man…he was giving them a tour of the stadium in Damascas…this is the top Gladiator in Pergrand right now." Solomon said.
Hestor looked over and his brow furrowed. He opened and closed his mouth a bit and let out a sound that was of a person about to feel some sort of wrath. It was a small, high pitched sound and Jareth and Tomo both looked at their father in a way that was completely and utterly curious with a little bit of fright.
Farron leaned closer with Kaleb and his eyes widened. The man in the picture…could have been their father, the same nose, same jawline, the same intensity in his eyes, they were amethyst instead of jade and his hair wasn't quite black though it was close…there was no mistaking though…the Boscan runes in the mans skin, the Black Eagle clan marking across his side…
"Zen…" Farron breathed.
Hestor pursed his lips, "we're going to be aggressive over this. Aren't we?"
"He's got a slave collar on…he's in a fucking cell…" Farron grit out
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The crowds were loud, which for the Damascas stadium wasn't as normal as it was in Skysreach, there were fewer "open" seating sections, more luxurious boxes at this stadium because it had been built for Damascas and the needs of the "city of slaves". It was where slaves went through evaluations to see if they might have talent enough to become a gladiator. No slave that had gone through the standard process slaves were put through after being caught and brought to Damascas would do less than try for all they were worth to get that designation on themself "Gladiator Prospect".
Currently it was the only way to possibly escape slavery once you had been branded in Pergrand, rise to A-Rank, hold your title and owners were known to retire the top fighter, to take them somewhere to train up new Gladiators for them.
To The Dark Eagle…it was just a fairy tale, he didn't believe it. He'd grown up in the pits, been in them since he was 8 years old, first as a weapon runner for the fighters…and then…when his body had reached a point where he was swinging swords himself…a Gladiator. It was the only life he'd had since he was 4…but he remembered his life before…his mothers soft voice…his brother's smile, his fathers warm jade colored eyes. He knew who he was…Zen Pradesh, second born son of the Archduke of Infinesse, Arman Pradesh, his father was a powerful noble and political Ambassador for Bosco…
It didn't matter though…his father believed he was dead like his mother. The guards loved tormenting him with it…how his father had "moved on" adopted several children, replaced Zen many times over. How his siblings were all successful, living happy lives, certain he didn't exist anymore.
He couldn't hold it against them, they believed he was dead, Gustan, the former King, had made sure of that. At 4 Zen had been sent to the Pergrandian Magical research facility in Romell, his wings had protected him from a blast that had vaporized people, including his mother, and King Gustan wanted to know how. He had discovered they had a Fallen Archangel Mage already, had held him for decades, driven the man insane with what they did to him…and the scientists wanted to find out not just the differences between a Fallen Archangel mage and one that still had their connection to Kingdom Plane, they also wanted to see if there was a way to replicate the wings, which were the manifestation of the magic.
There were basic problems with all they did though…and as a grown man looking back Zen could see them, though as a child all he'd known was how terrified he was and how angry he'd get about the ways they abused him. Pragi, the Fallen, had pale wings and hair, he was a different variety of Archangel Mage, not a small man, but still lithe in build, during his insane rants he'd scream at the scientists as they had tortured him that they wouldn't find anything, that "The boy is a fucking Evening Star you assholes! We're too different to compare!!"
The scientists had ignored him…but they had learned some things. One…even as a child…Zen's wings worked differently than Pragi's, when they emerged they gleamed, glossy black feathers that radiated health and vitality instead of the faded ashey color and dull look that Pragi's had. Pragi's wings didn't defend him, he had to actively use them, if the scientists knocked him out or had Pragi in a drugged stupor, which they often did, his wings would just hang there no matter what they did to him.
Zen's though…were active, even if Zen was unconscious the wings would act, they would kill people that tried to harm the child, cleaving grown men in half, slamming through their bodies lifting them off the ground and using them as a blunt object to bludgeon the others…more than once…entire teams of scientists would die while trying to run experiments on Zen. They couldn't figure out how to contain his wings, if they managed to harpoon them, nail them to the floor…even ripped them out of his shoulders once…they would vanish and emerge again intact and would lethally go after whoever had harmed Zen. There was no certainty…no containment where Zen was concerned…and when he was 8 one of the doctors started touching him…not trying to hurt him…well…hurt had a lot of meanings, the man molested the boy, and when he raped him…drugging him to make him pliant…nailing the wings down when they emerged continuing to take his sadistic pleasure…Zen had gone on a rampage, he'd destroyed the whole lab where he'd been that day, killed 46 scientists including the one that raped him.
Gustan had then given Zen to his youngest son Uram…and Zen had gone into training to become a gladiator, where his lethal abilities would bring in revenue. It was…better, in some ways than where he had been…and he had heard Pragi had ended up being given to Gustans second son Ivan, that the entire project had been terminated after that, Gustan seeing no use in it since it wasn't producing anything but dead scientists.
He learned fast to never trust the guards or the Gladiators…he was naturally tan skinned, had a refined handsome face and vivid amethyst colored eyes, long dark hair and elegant tattoos down the right side of his body. To everyone in the pits…he was a plaything, something to be used to relieve tension and escape their troubles. Technically he was supposed to run weapons, the guards didn't handle them, if a guard handed a weapon for combat to a Gladiator they were as likely to have that Gladiator turn it against them as not, so…children were used to run weapons to the Gladiators once they were out in the arena or in the training area.
Uram Karadin was actually a good man, he didn't abuse his fighters, didn't sell time with them, yes he let people pay to watch them being cleaned up after fights but they weren't forced into chambers where they were chained to blocks to be raped by high paying fans like a lot of Gladiators were. He was a Prince of Pergrand, had power, influence…and few people defied his orders.
Guards though…tended to be corruptible, and in some stadiums…especially Skysreach which was the largest of them all and the one where the biggest fights and events happened because it was in the capital, it was also the oldest…its halls were dark, dirty, there weren't cameras, the sections where owners had their fighters weren't well separated. It wasn't hard to pay people to get access to other owner's fighters and while Uram had loyal guards…there were shift changes…the guards themselves sometimes got drugged, beaten unconscious…and then anyone could get to the Gladiators.
Zen wasn't supposed to be harmed, Uram had strict orders on that and his guards DID try to defend the boy, but Pergrand was a nation of oligarchs, morality, goodness…honesty and honor were meaningless in the belly of Skysreach. It wasn't until he was 16 that Zen really started being able to defend himself, he grew tall, put on heavy muscle…his wings grew too, large, heavy…and while magic cancelling devices were kept on him because his wings emerging had cost millions in dead Gladiators and guards by then…everyone learned…no matter how many magic cancellers were on him…and by 16 he was wearing one on each wrist and one around his neck, those black wings would still come out unexpectedly…messing with Zen was a risk…a big risk. To some it was worth it, he didn't have peace, he couldn't ever let his guard down, if he did…he ended up beaten or raped.
For years the guards, not Urams…but those of other owners, loved to taunt him, brought magazines, newspapers, showed him how his family had moved on, enjoyed jerking off to pictures of his father, his older brother…a young man named Cristoff who had become a model, was one of his fathers adopted children…he was successful, gorgeous…the guards hung his pictures around and mocked him "Your Dad found prettier kids to replace you."
"Look at that, he's a fucking doctor! (Groan) Gods he's amazing…what I wouldn't give…" then
"He can read and write…puts him a hell of a lot ahead of some pathetic piece of meat who can't even write his own name."
"Your father wouldn't even know what to do with you…he's a Duke! You'd bring all sorts of shame on his name…a filthy slave whose good for nothing but fighting and fucking."
"If you gave in more on the fucking part…we could teach you to read. Come on…you've got that incredible body…might as well use it to get the things you want right?"
Zen hadn't given in, hadn't made any deals, didn't let himself get talked into anything, he'd learned when he was younger and smaller and easier to force that the deals were never kept…once the men got off, they laughed and walked away until they wanted more. Then it was more promises, more deals…just to keep him from cutting their heads off.
He'd killed every man who had ever raped him…was pretty proud of that fact, they were always stupid enough to come around him again if they survived the first encounter, and Zen knew how to play their games…lure them in…then break their necks, rip an arm off and watch them bleed out or just bring his wings and cleave their head off.
By 19 he stood 6'3" and was winning his fights…moving up the ranks fast. That was when Raimarc Karadin had noticed him. Not yet the Heir at that point…but Sergei, the first born son of King Gustan had recently refused to go through the rites to become the King and Ivan was in line for the throne. Raimarc was still just the spoiled third prince that didn't believe he needed to learn or be responsible for anything, bent of partying and enjoying his wealth and status Raimarc had seen Zen win a difficult match with an A-rank…had seen the fight that had given Zen A-rank status himself and he'd gone to the pits, demanding to have Zen brought for "fun" with him and his friends even though he didn't own Zen.
Uram…still in school at the time, hadn't been there, and Raimarc had managed to get access to his little brother's prized Gladiator that had just won him an extra two votes in senate sessions. Owners of A-ranked Gladiators got more than money and accolades…the Pergrandian government valued Gladiator games so much, if member of the nobility with a senate seat had a Gladiator that made A-rank, they got two extra votes on everything for as long as that Gladiator held their rank. So…Gladiators were very serious, their value was immense, and while Uram's private guards had tried…they hadn't been able to prevent Raimarc and his friends from getting to Zen.
The first born son of Marquis Everlee, sons of 4 other nobles on top of him…all died that day. Zen had tried to just avoid them…but unable to leave the shower area where he was being washed after that fight, he'd been trapped, his wings had come out, he'd ripped a chain from the ceiling and even with one arm still chained over his head he'd killed 5 nobles and 7 guards and Raimarc had barely escaped with his life.
King Gustan had been displeased…disapointed in Raimarc because he saw Zen as nothing more than an asset, Raimarc had been punished, ordered to stay away from Uram's fighters…but Raimarc had become..obsessed…he'd seen dominating Zen as something he had to do…the Gladiator had to submit to him…and other incidents had happened, each time, while King Gustan lived Raimarc was punished for them, but it had only made him more clever…more devious…and more determined.
Uram, thankfully, refused every demand Raimarc made of him to sell him the Dark Eagle, the name Zen carried as a Gladiator. But Raimarc still didn't give up.
After Gustan died and Raimarc took the throne…the attempts got far worse and Zen had learned…the spring meant Skysreach…and Raimarc making regular bids to rape him. Like every Gladiator…once he started winning, the law said he had to be bred…some nobles, that was their pride and joy, their Gladiator breeding programs, owners would haggle between each other over which ones to use, the law said they could only be bred to living breathing women, and if a female became pregnant by a high valued Gladiator? Suddenly she had value, almost as if the King himself had gotten her pregnant.
So females were always brought to the stadiums, few Gladiators were actually native Pergrandian, and those from other nations often didn't like sex with men so…women were used as rewards, incentives…and the guards had learned…Zen, while absolutely viciously opposed to men touching him…was patient…tolerant of women. Some claimed it was because he still missed his mother, others asserted he was just a Boscan deviant who had a thing for women.
The truth was more complicated. Zen could see the women were suffering, treated like less than livestock, the ones that manned the shower stalls often were killed by Gladiators or guards or a combination of both, getting caught in the middle of struggles when Nobles paid extra to be able to molest a chained up Gladiator in the shower. Sometimes Gladiators raped the women in the showers, nobody would stop them, the guards would just laugh or roll their eyes and make comments about how gross it was the Gladiator wanted to waste himself on a woman.
Zen felt bad for the women…his mother had been noble, dignified, kind and loving, and yes he damn well did miss her, he mourned her. Had a ruby in his right ear that had been hers that Uram had let him keep. His patience with them had in fact translated into him letting himself enjoy sex…though he was careful, if he got one pregnant…Raimarc wanted him put down if he fathered a son…had told Uram right outside Zen's cell after a nasty encounter that had cost Raimarc 4 Knights.
"I will take any boy he fathers…hear me? You won't keep them, you refuse to sell that brute to me…fine…but you WILL give me any son he produces."
So…Zen was careful, well capable of some self control and no woman was so amazing he couldn't push her away from him. He did not…father ANY children and attempts to collect semen from him…had not gone well… Uram wasn't exactly dedicated to the idea anyway, he let what happened happen only when he had to.
When he felt Pragi come near…and he always knew when the Fallen was near…the dark aura he had was unmistakable, he'd tensed. He was in Damascas, in the modern comfort of that stadium and hadn't been concerned about Raimarc…there were cameras everywhere, security was tight, he'd had very few bad experiences at this facility.
He'd watched the people come…tracking them with his eyes though he couldn't see through the wall until they activated it…his magic denied "lies" and it was a "lie" that the wall was solid, not clear, so when they activated it so they could see him, he…could see them just as clearly. He'd never told anyone that, wasn't going to either, it was one of many things his magic did no matter how many dampeners and cancellers they put on him…it still worked, always worked…his aura that forced people to tell the truth in his presence or suffer for their lies, his ability to see through deceptions…all of it, he didn't mention them, held those secrets close and used them to keep himself as safe as he could.
He wasn't sure why they took pictures of him…he knew who Ephraim was…and also knew if Ephraim was in town there would be no issues at the stadium…Ephraim was very hard on guards that broke rules…Zen had seen the young Count gut guards right in the hallways when he'd caught them taking money and letting people get to fighters that were not in their care. Ephraim was smiles and friendliness, social and politically brilliant, but he was also a man of real honor and honesty and he loathed the dark side of Pergrand enough he was willing to destroy it when he came across it.
Zen had seen Ephraim stand toe to toe with Nobles that outranked him on paper, and the man had the wealth and power to get away with it. Now…it seemed he'd married the man with black and white hair…a man who clearly didn't like what he was seeing and was brave or maybe naive enough to say so. Ivan was Raimarc's older brother…shrewd and Pragi's owner too…the Fallen had become loyal to Ivan…which made Zen wary, but he'd never seen Ivan harm anyone who didn't clearly deserve it…not that he saw him much…a few times here and there through the years. Ivan's comment about making sure to show his family pictures of Zen had the man curious and wary…he didn't know the name Fairstar…not that he knew too many names…just those of the nobles he encountered most..
Baron Quincey…who had a breeding program and came to his cell whenever he was in Skysreach…too cowardly to ever get near the Dark Eagle…but he'd come, watch the man, make comments about getting stock off of him one day…Zen never spoke to him.
"You have a match tonight Eagle." One of Uram's guards had come to his cell door, Captain Miller, he was a good man, dedicated to Prince Uram and when he was on shift, even in Skysreach, Zen didn't tend to have problems so he moved, sitting up on the bed and swinging his legs over, feet hitting the cool floor before he stood.
"I need to get your hair brushed out…you ok with that?" The man asked holding up a brush in the window on the door and Zen sighed
"It's fine." he replied, he appreciated that Miller always asked before he did things, too many guards just tried to manhandle the Gladiators…but Miller didn't and Zen liked that.
"Aparently there's somebodies birthday…son of a noble who is a fan of yours, Prince Uram wants you looking your best." Miller said as he came into the cell. Zen moved to sit back down and Miller went to work on his hair, it tended to get tangled and pretty messy, the women in the wash stalls would get it clean and brushed through after his fights but otherwise…it wasn't like he had a way to take care of it himself.
It hung to his waist in dark shiny waves and Miller worked through the tangles, Zen sitting still and silent. Miller never tried to touch him…though he was sitting there naked, guards often couldn't seem to help trying to touch him, but Miller didn't, just focused on his hair. Once it was brushed out the man stepped back and smiled, shaking his head.
"You're stunning…I know you hear it alot but you are." He said, eyes moving over him and Zen grew still, his eyes narrowing dangerously.
Miller raised his hands and took a step back "No no…I won't touch you…I ask first and I always will…but I'm not blind you know…anyhow, you'll be in that single shoulder armor set for the fight…they brought in a good sized wyvern for you to take on, the kid apparently likes those sorts of fights most, has all these pictures of the one last year when you took down that black wyvern from Lugregio. I'm supposed to tell you…Prince Uram is hoping the boy can have his picture taken with you…he's a nice kid, big fan of yours…" Miller rambled nervously..he was the only guard who would walk into Zen's cell alone, the only one Zen would allow in his cell alone.
"I don't hurt children." Zen said firmly
Miller smiled in relief "Yeah…I know, you're always good with the weapon runners…Prince Uram just wanted you to know in advance what was going on, so you wouldn't worry when they bring the armor…it's a little flashy, all polished and shit and you're getting a shield and short sword for the fight. I know…usually when something out of the ordinary happens it's reason to be concerned…so…you know…just telling you."
"It's fine…I won't hurt a child…if any adults try to touch me though…I'll rip their arms off." Zen smiled.
Miller paled a bit…he'd seen Zen do it…it wasn't an idle threat…
"I'll make sure everyone knows…" He said and turned, leaving Zen and there was a chuckle in the next cell over, Zen scowled in that direction.
"You let them get to you too much, little Boscan." The Steel Wolf said. The big man was often held near where Zen was, since they were ranked so closely and were the most valuable Gladiators in the country right now.
"You let them get away with too much…like you enjoy being raped." Zen snapped and was gratified by the growl that reached him.
"I just let some things happen to make my life easier…guards scramble to make sure my food is fresh, that I get good beer to drink and have a clean cell…" The wolf snapped
"And you have to suck dicks and let them fuck you for that…no thanks." Zen snapped back
"Only a few of them…if you pick and choose wisely…you could have an easier time of things Eagle…your pride is stupid, you're a slave just like me…we get little control over things, we might as well use what we can."
Zen sneered, "Some guard asking you to help them get into my pants? What do you get, a piece of cake? A pretty girl?"
"A pretty girl removed from the pool of rewards…a girl I don't want suffering anymore." The wolf replied flatly and that made Zen pause but he soon sneered again.
"Fuck off." He snarled and the wolf growled at him. He didn't care…he wasn't going to bend over and let some guard have their way with him over a sob story that…could be a lie. The wolf wouldn't know…as slaves they weren't in positions to know when they were being manipulated.
"That's it right? Some guard wants you to convince me…promised you he'd get the girl out if you did?" Zen pushed, his aura would prove this out…he knew it would, even if the wolf didn't know it was a lie…if he said it…he'd be punished for it. "Tell me who…what the plan is."
"You've seen captain Garret, from house Crowley…Crowley is in charge of the rewards here in Damascas this year, that means Garret controls which ones come in." The wolf said, it was a position that the nobles fought over, the one who supplied the rewards could walk away with females impregnated by Gladiators, it wasn't a small thing, especially since those women could end up in the cells with the Wolf and the Eagle.
"The plan is…you, let Captain Garret get his hands on you in the shower stall…just touching, no fucking, he wants to feel your skin, been going on about it…let him wash you…all of you…and Miri, the little red haired girl from Bellum? She gets loaded onto a trade ship that will dump her and a few others off just inside Bellums border with Stella while that ships on their way to Minstrel…Miri gets free." The Wolf said and Zen waited, waited for his magic to flare, for the Wolf to groan in pain because he'd spoken a lie…because Garret had no intention of helping a slave girl escape Pergrand.
It didn't happen.
Surprised he looked toward the wall he shared with the Wolf. It was the first time one of these little plots wasn't a lie…a manipulation…a Guard had a plan and honestly intended to see it through…
"And you just have to get me to let Garret bathe me after my fight…you heard Miller…some kid wants pictures with me." Zen pointed out.
"It doesn't have to be today…it's Friday, we have fights all weekend." The wolf countered.
Zen made a face "I'll think about it…" he finally said
"Thanks." The wolf said.
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"I don't see why war isn't on the table." Arman said, the tall man walking along the head of the table…King Altiene Endivosh was staring at him as if seeing him for the first time and Farron was staring at the table. They had assembled some of the top people in Bosco, well…Arman had, calling a special meeting with the King and the King…having not gotten such a call from Arman since Armans wife and second born son had been killed, hadn't hesitated to agree to it.
Now, Princess Kurino sat beside her father, as Crown Princess she was responsible to carrying out military actions if her father called for them.
"Pergrand has held a Boscan noble in slavery after reporting him dead for almost two decades," Hestor pointed out, "they have enslaved a noble after killing the archduchess and reported them both as dead…I see no reason why retaliation is not in order."
"Can we win a war with Pergrand?" Altienne asked looking at his daughter. Kurino was watching Farron closely but turned her head to her father at his question.
"With help from allies, yes, likely we could since they're embroiled in a war with Seven right now that hasn't been going well for them…with their forces spread like they are? We could reach out to allies and have the upper hand." Kurino said with confidence
"Also the stalemate at the Bellan border," Hestor said, "they requested healers from Stella six months ago, so I've gotten reports on that." he'd seen the picture of Zen and then had nearly jumped out of his skin has the Mother Seer had contacted him within moments. "...the healers were for the Pergrandian prisoners of war."
"White Sea has 5000 mages I can mobilize within a day." Kaleb said, leaning a little to his right, Kurino sat on his left and his relationship with the crown princess had never been good. Had been particularly strained the last year.
"One mage holds the power of a hundred soldiers in a war." Kurino said
Hestor sipped from a cup of tea, "Two are Sevenese Shifters, adjust numbers accordingly."
"Pergrand has been handling Sevenese shifters…they helped create them, my numbers are fine." Kurino snapped, she didn't like Hestor, never had.
"These are Encan Dire shifters," Hestor shot back, his voice calm, collected, hiding the utter hate he had for the woman. If he could get away with it? He'd slit the woman's throat, cackle and dance on her grave…but he wasn't allowed currently.
"Don't you think they would use him? Your son? I'm not refusing this Arman, don't look at me like that, what I'm worried about is when they know we're coming…what's going to stop them from using your son as leverage…" King Altienne asked grimly
"...what if they don't know until everything is in the borders?" Hestor asked, looking at Kaleb, "...we know…that the new ship can get in, be undetected…and if it stays cloaked…they won't know how."
Altienne frowned "What new ship?"
"...the new Armada of Eventide bay," Hestor said calmly, "if done right, they won't know what the ships are, where they are…and given that as long as Pergrand doesn't find out they were involved? Rather good covert ship."
"What new armada? Eventide bay has been nothing but a little beachside village for decades, they lost their ships years ago." Kurino frowned, glaring at Hestor.
Hestor pulled out a folder and slid it across the table, "This one. Newly adopted. Members of the new Armada are the reason we know he is alive and found out about the deception."
Kurino lunged across the table to snatch the file and opened it with a doubtful glare at Hestor, her eyes scanned the contents and she paled a little.
"These are…custom ships, they aren't…some of them don't even look like they would be legal in the UN…" She said, eyeing the Reaper's pictures
"They would be perfect…and they don't have Boscan transponders yet." Arman smiled
"This ship…the Foundation…is as big as the Aisipal…a village that sells clams can NOT own a vessel like this…" Kurino snapped
Hestor smiled, a sharp smile, "so…no matter what? We're getting the man back. I owe the archduke and his family a great deal…clan Dolfeini will assist if the crown does not."
"There are no laws against a clan owning large airships Princess." Farron said firmly as she started to open her mouth again.
"It was just Yesterday the ships arrived in Bosco, they're in Eventide Bay right now…the family that built and owns them are members of clan Dolfeini, legally, fully part of that clan and the fleet including the Foundation officially belongs to clan Dolfeini, if you look…it's all been done, legally, filed, processed…I did it myself." Arman said his cool jade eyes stern on the Princess who looked away.
"So you want to go to Pergrand..and rescue your son. I fully agree with a rescue operation Arman…but getting a declaration of war would take a full session of the Steel Council and some of them aren't in the country right now." King Altienne said firmly "We can call them in…" He added at Arman's narrowed eyes. If there was one person in Bosco who could make the King…and the Steel Council…move, it was the Archduke…and Arman wasn't going to sit idle now that he knew his son was alive.
Hestor smiling, far too cheerfully, "oh, we have a mage that can retrieve them all in a few hours."
Kurino scowled at him, grabbing Kalebs knee under the table and digging her nails in hoping he would shut his damn mage up. Kaleb flinched, but other than that, didn't react.
Hestor watched her and then smiled, putting a small box on the table, "also…I'd like witnesses for this…" he looked innocent, "Kaleb. Will you marry me?" but Kaleb could hear Hestor's mental cackling at this point. Kurino wanted to stall? He'd derail things for a few moments.
There was a collective mental record scratch in the room…a heated debate over declaring war on a large well armed and hostile neighboring Kingdom had just…abruptly changed direction.
Kaleb even blinked, staring at Hestor then the box "I…Hestor…yes…of course yes…" the man managed, completely blindsided, the mental cackling…he'd half been preparing to prevent Hestor from flying across the table to strangle the Princess…a ring and a marriage proposal had NOT been something he'd expected.
"...hands off, Princess," Hestor pointedly looked at her arm. "Mine. I don't share." he smiled sweetly.
Kurino grit her teeth, dragging her hand from Kalebs knee. "And if I said I had him listed as a consort?" Kaleb paled, head snapping around at that…Consorting a man was…technically…legal for the Princess if she was struggling to find a good marriage…she could, according to old laws, take up to 6 consorts until she married. No mention of that though had ever been spoken, not even when she'd come to Kaleb, demanding he entertain her, used his body for her sadistic pleasures and begged him to tell his older brother, because she wanted Farron, wanted him so much she was willing to torment his brothers knowing if he found out he'd step in, take their places to protect them…and then she'd have him.
King Altienne bolted to his feet and Arman snarled out a "WHAT?!"
"I would say he is my One," Hestor shot back, "and Stella will fight tooth and nail…also we have three children together."
"Kurino…what the hell are you trying to do?!" The King demanded, glaring at his daughter, this was a private meeting, thank the Gods…but Arman, Kaleb, Farron, Hestor, Mirinda Fasion of the Boscan Airfleet, Councilman Fiest and Councilwoman Olrose were all there, staring. Consorts were serious…practically a spouse, and not something any Crown Princess would keep secret…there were formalities…official channels that were supposed to be respected…sitting in front of the people in the chamber right now and declaring someone a Consort was…outrageous.
"Being herself. Like she always does," Hestor snapped, standing and slamming his hands down, "you cannot do that without formality!!! We have children together, we're planning a life, you selfish undead bitch." he only called her undead when he was angry.
"Farron is also registered…as is Cristoff." Kurino held her head high "I plan to marry Farron…keep his brothers as consorts…Father…I've told you about my plans."
Hestor stared and then he was launching himself across the table with an almost demonic scream of fury. There was a red flash to his eyes, something having snapped at what she was saying.
Kurino jumped back and Kaleb stood, catching Hestor and hugging the man against his chest, a hand at his lower back, the other on the back of his neck, keeping him snug against Kalebs body where he couldn't reach the Princess as Arman and Farron both stood and glared at Kurino.
"You can not claim my sons…you do NOT outrank me enough to steal my children Princess!" Arman snarled and Altienne was moving, grabbing Kurinos arm and yanking the woman to look at him.
"How dare you…." Altienne hissed at his daughter. She had always been brazen, he'd spoiled her, his first born child, he'd loved her so much he'd been foolish, when her mother had died his grief had made his doting worse because Kurino looked just like his dead wife..reminded him of how much he'd loved her, and he'd covered up a lot of transgressions over the last few years, many of them centered around her relentless pursuit of Farron Pradesh, who she was determined to marry and he'd told her No, Arman had told her no…Farron had told her No…but she hadn't given up, had even mentioned it again just a few days ago at dinner, that she had enjoyed a night with Arman's son Cristoff, had summoned him to her palace and planned to add him to her list…she'd smiled and told him right over that meal that she had taken Kaleb and Crostoff as Consorts and would marry Farron as soon as they got him to agree. He'd told her to stop…that she was pushing too much, that Kaleb was Master of White Sea, Cristoff was a famed model that was well known and well liked, and Farron was the heir of the Archduke of Infinesse, she didn't get to just declare these things…proper channels had to be followed, permission…acceptance…not force had to be in place. Bosco was a nation all about choice and peoples rights to be themselves and to be free.
They had argued for hours and he'd finally ordered her to drop it and never speak of it again…yet…here they were, and in front of Arman and members of the Steel Council!
"I have to dare…if I don't Farron will marry someone else…father…this is for the best, I registered it like I was supposed to…with the shamans for the clans." Kurino smiled darkly and Altiennes eyes widened
"You used your position…to force shamans to register a consort and marriage arrangement?!"
"I'll fucking kill her," Hestor said, eyes dark, "she doesn't get to steal relationships from people like this. Judge her like she should have been judged years ago." he was struggling in Kaleb's arms, trying to get at the woman.
The doors to the chamber opened…Arman hadn't just called in who was there…he knew Altienne would be reluctant…knew they would need allies invested in what he had to do…so…he had called Stella and Bellum…because those nations shared border areas…would be affected if war did happen…so, he'd called them, told them to come…
"This is not the battle we came here to discuss…" This from a silver haired priest walking just ahead of the Mother Seer, opening the doors for her and her entourage…the Bellans right there as well.
"Well the High Priest of Anubis does always have his moments," The Mother seer said as she walked. The small stellan woman rarely gave anyone any consideration, but it seemed Arman Pradesh was a soft spot for the ruler and she'd tend to come when he asked nicely.
The Bellans blinked slowly. The large man looked amused and the smaller redhaired woman looked excited, "ooh, trial by combat? What's the stakes?"
Altienne stared, there was no salvaging this…his daughter…had just done this and been LOUD about her assertions, obviously even the visiting dignitaries had heard…
"That…would be up to the accuser…" Councilwoman Olrose said, looking between Kurino and Hestor now.
"Hestor Kedanza has valid claim on Kaleb Pradesh…Kaleb accepted his marriage proposal before us all…the Princess's claim…was underhanded but if it's registered…it will have to be annulled."
"Consorting someone without even talking to them? Sounds rather…Joyan or like old school Xillian," The Large Bellan man said. "I mean filing paperwork like that sounds sleezy as hell, like…grab you and fuck you like a Pergrandian does on the frontlines…"
"Gross," The redhaired woman scowled, "..well maybe, is it the duke? He's kind of cute.."
The man looked up and let out a deep sigh, "why."
"I am the Crown Princess of this country…I have the right to claim consorts and a husband!" Kurino snapped, not letting the Bellans conversation derail her.
The redhead looked towards Kurino, "fuck you. Bosco's supposed to be a free country…if this is what we're allied with? I'm fucking out. So is Bellum….and I'll make a complaint to the UN…" that would create massive issues for Bosco and the redhead knew it. She was Princess Lily, and held the title "Arbiter" for a reason, she worked between her father and her Uncle, the two Kings of Bellum to rule the "Fire Nation". Lily was known for her political talent and for her sharp tongue and decisive action at political events. If she turned on Bosco…their centuries long peace with that country would end.
"This is NOT how things work!" Arman snapped, his deep voice booming through the hall as he levelled usually soft pale jade eyes on Kurino, open anger and hostility in them now.
"Princess…you have far overstepped your authority, I am the Archduke of this nation…I could overthrow your damned father and take the crown if I wanted to! You have been spoiled…and this will not stand. You can not, will not…enslave my sons!" Arman shouted, his magic making the words roll like thunder through the hall.
The mother seer blinked, "I'd retire and become your consort if you did, Archduke." perhaps it was meant in levity, but it was a statement that had Hestor stopping his struggle and staring like the woman had grown five heads.
Arman looked at Hishoko in surprise but Farron stood, glaring at Kurino.
"I'll annul the entire thing…it can be done in minutes…we have the King, two members of the council and witnesses of high standing present…" Farron moved then, walking around the long table to the side Kurino was on still held by her father and walked directly up to her.
"I will never…ever…marry you. I've never loved you, never had feelings for you..and this? What you've just done? This is why. You're cruel,…arrogant. I would never be with anyone who didn't have a kind and giving heart. I don't know what you've done to my brothers…but it ends here, right now…permanently." Farron said in a low, deadly serious voice. Kurino's eyes widened as Farron spoke and it was watching someone break in real time, she had always told herself Farron loved her, wanted to be with her, but somehow his family stood in the way, his obligations kept him from acting, that she just had to help him, free him, so he could embrace how he felt and let himself love her. Instead…he'd just crushed every bit of that, his expression was cold, harsh…angry, there wasn't the tearful gratitude she'd expected, the relief and joy she had imagined…
"You have disgraced yourself…" Altienne added, pushing her away from him as she stared horrified at what Farron had just said.
"Farron…please…" Kurino breathed, shaking her head "You…you love me…"
Farron shook his head "No, I don't, I never have, I've been civil toward you because you are the Princess and it is my duty to my station to be respectful toward the crown, to dance with you at balls and parties and not to be rude when you aproached me…but that's all it's ever been…duty. I've watched you be cruel, watched you insult people, hurt people, even your own father, my King and all I've ever thought of you…was that I was grateful I didn't have to spend more time around you…that I needed to keep a safe distance from you, so you wouldn't hurt my family or me." he spoke clearly, emphatic, he had to convey just how much the truth here mattered and every word had her shaking her head, wanting to deny it, wanting to believe it was lies.
"It can't be true…if you just gave me a chance…" Kurino said softly.
"No…this matter is over, Altienne…I insist you send her away, we don't need her dramatic actions right now…I have a son that is currently being held in Pergrand that I thought was dead! This…petty…assinine display isn't just inappropriate…it's an insult Altienne!" Arman said firmly and Altienne winced, nodding in agreement, he didn't have to move, Knights of the Citadel were already moving…the King had ultimate command but Arman didn't rank much beneath him and it was obvious the Princess had committed a crime.
"No!" Kurino tried to jerk away as the Knights grabbed her.
"Your majesty…your entire future is in the balance at this moment…your actions have been deplorable…if Mr. Kedanza wanted? He has every right to demand right of confrontation for you forcibly trying to steal his One…the One magic is sacred…honored…and you speak as if you would ignore it." Councilwoman Olrose snapped
Hishoko arched a brow, "oh, that's what's got him…" she pursed her lips. There was a long moment where she didn't say anything "should you allow her defiance and attempt at Stealing a One without punishment, Stella will demand the Anubian order Judge her." she nodded towards Hestor "and the High Priest is right there, looking ready to kill."
Altienne blanched "She will be punished." He said firmly
"I vote no confidence in Kurino and her judgement…I want her title stripped…she should not be Crown Princess, she shouldn't be in line for the throne." Farron said
Kurino gasped "No!" she stared at Farron in disbelief, the man she loved, had loved since she was a young girl…she'd spent countless hours daydreaming about him, about them being husband and wife and she had worked so hard to accumulate power and influence, to push past obstacles. Every woman Farron showed interest in had been driven away, every time a marriage request was submitted through the proper channels she had made sure it was either never followed up on or that the family submitting it fell. The only woman she'd never been able to keep away from Farron was Princess Lily of Bellum and she'd been working on that, on finding a way to push that woman aside too, just in case the crazy redhead decided she wanted more than just the dalliances Kurino knew had happened…she resented it so much too, that Farron gave himself to other women but never to her. She was beautiful, powerful, could offer him anything, yet he went to some Bellan womans bed instead of hers.
"You absolutely do not get an opinion." Arman snapped at her, jarring her from her reverie and she shook her head, looking pleadingly at Farron, shooting a nasty look at Princess Lily who blinked and folded her arms under her breasts. Lily and Farron got along really well, she liked Farron, he was clever, shrewd in his work and he was just…fun. He played a mean game of chess, held his liquor well and played any game she could come up with in bed with enthusiasm. She'd have lost her mind at the last UN conference if the evenings hadn't involved naked chess and rough wild sex with the tall blonde. Farron was a friend, more than that, and she really didn't like that this woman had manuevered things so deceitfully to try to trap him and his brothers.
"Bellum will not continue to be Allied if she is not stripped of her title and held in a cell until judgement," The Bellan man next to Demnos said, watching Altienne, "you? You've shown to be a good man, but her? No. she's…evil."
Altienne kept his composure but the words were a blow, he nodded to the Knights, who dragged his daughter away,
"I will discuss this with the Council…only the punishment beyond stripping her of her titles…because I will do that…effective immediately…Kurino Endivosh is no longer Crown Princess of Bosco…my son…Charlemagne will take on the position as heir to the throne…and…Kurino will face…punishment to be approved by the Archduke..since his sons are who she committed crimes against." King Altienne said, his voice strong even though his shoulders had gone down a bit.
The redhead slid up to stand next to Farron, murmuring, "...gotta say…you looked hot with that fiery look." she grinned as she stepped away, the woman was a Princess of Bellum and was flirty with fierce men, but that was…Bellans in general.
Hestor hissed from where he was being held, but had pretty much been 'reset' moodwise by what he assumed was a joke by the Mother Seer.
"Can we…return to the matter at hand? My son…Zen, is being held as a slave in Pergrand and I want him back." Arman said, pushing a hand through his thick hair and looking curiously at Hishoko…what she'd said had shocked him but he didn't have time to address it right now…he had to get Zen out of Pergrand.
"Stella is willing to offer twenty members of the Apep order and one hundred lacrima to the Holy City to assist in the endeavor," Hishoko said, hands folded in front of her. The order of Apep was a set of assassins and covert ops that tended to make threats to Stella simply…disappear as if they had never existed.
"I suggest we mobilize the Bloodhunters…war is not off the table Archduke Pradesh, what Pergrand has done is a direct slap in the face to Bosco, they are holding a son of one of our highest ranked nobles, they've lied about his death and kept him for entertainment…that can not be left alone, but getting him out so he is not used as leverage, would be, I feel…the wisest course of action, and then? Politically…we take this to the UN, and demand a right of confrontation against Pergrand…that…is my suggestion." Councilwoman Olrose said
Arman nodded, and looked gratefully at Hishoko "Thank you, I think that a strike force could free my son…he is currently in Damascas, which is close to the border with Icerend…getting him out of there would be far easier than trying to get him out of another coliseum…he…he is a Gladiator right now…" he said, pressing his lips together, grief, shame…pain made his chest ache, this was his child…it had been years…Zen's life…his boy had spent most of his life alone…a slave in one of the worst countries in the world to be a slave in…a gladiator, forced to fight for the entertainment of others.
He couldn't even imagine what his son had been through, what he'd endured…but he wanted to get him out of there as soon as possible and while all out war and razing Pergrand to the ground sounded best to the heart of a father…getting Zen safe and home and then making Pergrand pay for what they had done without Zen in their hands to be used as leverage was…the smartest approach.
The woman bowed her head, "you have watched over the high priest, Stella will assist in the return of your son, whatever you need, now or in the future."
Arman nodded and Kaleb, arms still around Hestor looked to the Bellans. "As this escalates, it may cause issues for you, I feel like we can get into Damascas, with the ships and mages we're talking about…but once we get my brother out…things could get very intense very quickly."
The man gave a dark grin "…what the king doesn't know about that border won't hurt him….we've been lowering hostility a little bit each year…the grand duke started….returning Bellans."
The red haired woman smiled, "…we've been trying to lessen the border issue..something happened about six months ago…but we don't know what."
Arman nodded "Interesting…but good news regardless of where it came from…ok, please, everyone, let's be seated, I've got some fine tea and we need to make plans…"
Both delegations sat down, Hestor eyeing the Stellans warily.
"I honestly think that if you can't get out through icerend? Go for Ellison and into Bellum," The dark haired man said.
"Ideally, it will be a strike, grab and return to ship…jump and gone," Hestor shook his head "…the less complex…the easier it is to adapt if something goes sideways.."
Arman narrowed his eyes, listening as more ideas were discussed, putting things together in his head, what they knew, where his son was…what was happening in Damascas at this time of year and he held up a hand, everyone quieting looking at him.
"I have an idea…"