Thread: What the Desert Lord Wants (w/ Chaos)

Well, he was a very straightforward one. Eliana blinked at him, somewhat in shock. The lord said what he wanted and laid out his conditions in no uncertain terms. There was no banter, no false flattery. This was certainly not the first time a man had expressed a desire for her, but it was certainly the first time anyone had been so blunt about his motivations. Dozens of princes and lordlings had tried to win her favor, hiding behind gifts, flowers, extravagant compliments, and professions of undying love. The princess had never believed any of their lies, of course. Everyone knew what they wanted - access to her kingdom's hidden treasures. The desert lord seemed to have no desire to keep up any pretenses. Eliana couldn't decide if he was incredibly bold or horribly vulgar. Probably a little bit of both. S-So you openly admit to wishing to exploit me and my kingdom? she stammered, still aghast. H-how dare you! As he spoke of freedom and pleasures, for a moment Eliana contemplated a life here. She had not wanted to return home when they had left the city of Theussa. The idea of going back to her dreary life in the castle once she'd had a taste of the outside world had been disheartening. But how would this place be any different in the end? At least at home she might look forward to an escape through marriage, but here that option was taken from her. The Lord could make many very fine promises, but she suspected that this place would serve as only a different sort of prison. Its all very good for you to speak of freedom now, when you won't even let me leave. The princess turned to his two concubines as one of them spoke. She stared at them incredulously as they tried to persuade her to their point of view. As they explained what her role would be, the princess's eyes grew wider and wider. A crimson blush rose to her cheeks at the mention of sex and she swallowed nervously. Instead of reassuring her the princess instead grew more nervous. The idea of not only bedding the man, but sharing him with many, many women was such a scandalous thought, that Eliana could barely speak for a moment. Nearby, she heard the elf's cries of ecstasy and she felt a strange thrill of her own. Curiosity, perhaps? It wasn't until the other woman called her spoiled that she was provoked to speak again. Reason? Spoiled?! she said, her voice shrill and enraged. I'M not the one holding people against their will! There wasn't anything she could do, really. She was smart enough to know that much. What was she but a lone defenseless girl? Her guards were imprisoned, she had no clue how to find her way home, and no one really even knew she was missing yet. Perhaps she could act shrewdly. It would be wisest to agree to his terms and play along. Meanwhile, she could be earning his trust, plotting and planning in relative comfort, waiting for the perfect opportunity to escape. Yes, that would be the wisest move. You're a fool, she blurted out. Or she could just insult him and ruin that whole plan. Deception and intrigue had never been strong suits of hers, anyway. I couldn't possibly agree to such an arrangement, she continued. No one in my kingdom will stand for it either. Keeping me here is an act of war. They will find me. Eventually. And gods help you when they do. She crossed her arms and stuck her nose in the air, hoping that last bit of bravado was convincing enough for him to reconsider.