Thread: To be conquered (Methos and PreciousPetra)

For Conrad victory was sweet. He was that much closer to being able to successfully assert his right to the throne. Two of the largest landholdings in the kingdom were now his domain, leaving the other contenders at a distinct disadvantage. He sent riders to the four corners of the duchy, demanding the allegiance of every one of the lesser noble families. Many were dead although others would have escaped in the route. His terms were simple, hed grant amnesty to any who had fought against him if they now swore their loyalty to him and supported him in his quest to gain the throne. The young duke had no doubt that the Duchess of Denvorn would be heartbroken that it was he who with a substantial force of men road to the manor where she dwelt. Yet his victory made his appearance inevitable, one did not pass by the seat of power when one conquered a foreign land. It would be half the day before he appeared with a party of horsemen riding ahead of his main force, and approached the gate. The defenders challenged him. He raised his hand to them and removed his helm. Im Conrad Martel, Duke of Adlen, and now Duke of Denvorn for I have slain your lord, vanquished his army and my men are but a few miles behind me. This castle will be surrounded, and if you resist me you will die. Im sure you served your old lord well, and now that he is dead there is no dishonour in considering your own lot. He is no more, his sons are dead, and I control the countryside. I am lord here now. He paused briefly to let them consider the matter Thus you can die out of loyalty to your dead liege or I offer you these options, surrender your arms and go back home to your families, I will give you safe passage. Or you may join me and I shall expect the same loyalty to me and mine as you displayed to your lord before. You may consider your honour gentlemen, but I tell you this honour never got you home to your wives, sweethearts or children did it? You have ten minutes. All things considered it was a rather generous offer. No more than five minutes past before the gates swung open. A number of guards laid their swords and shields down upon the ground in the courtyard and simply walked away. Others knelt and swore themselves into his service. He nodded his head and simply looked on, Further into the courtyard he dismounted. He came to his feet and then approached the entrance to the castle. He stalked to its doors and pushed them open. Unwelcome invader that he might be, unfortunately for the Duchess, to turn him away was easier said than done. A number of his companions would trail after him He immediately interrogated a servant to determine where the Duchess was and thereafter, he ascended the staircase that led towards her chambers. She had been sequestered alone at her own choosing, but hed force the door open and his tall form would stand inside the doorway. Blood splattered and armoured as he was, he proved something of a sight. He strode into the room with a rather commanding presence to him, he paused only to shut the door behind him. His eyes fixed upon the fair haired woman as he remarked And you would be the Duchess of Denvorn hmm? Well you are as pretty as they claim I suppose I shall enjoy this all the more then. He paused and regarded her as he noted If you hadnt heard, youre husband and children have been killed. I was victorious and now claim these lands as my own.