Thread: Winning a Kingdom (Xavierrol and Emmie)

Xavier's dark eyes looked at the sprawling map laid out on the table and listened to the counsel of his Captains. Purdah City was in a hopeless position, surrounded by his clansmen who were the vanguard of his massive army of mercenaries. As he listened, he noted how the prospect of such a wealthy prize as Purdah limited their vision. They wanted to crack the ancient city open like an egg and devour it's contents in an orgy of violence, lust, and vengeance. The men around him could only see the next battle, Purdah's gold was like a strong drink, and these men would become drunk with it until every last coin was spent. Xavier's vision sought a further horizon, one where the wealth of empire flowed continually to him and his progeny. The land was the true wealth of Purdah, that and the people who occupied it, grew and mined the wealth that created such a grand city. Xavier was a strategist, he could read a map like some finer men read poetry or mathematics. He could lead an army through the fire of hell and the men would follow him though he wondered if those same men would continue to follow when they were in paradise? He knew little of palace intrigues and how such wealth as Purdah City held could corrupt men, even the men he once trusted with his life. We have given them enough time, let us bring down their gates, they will never give you what you want, we must take it. Xavier's young cousin Judas advised for what seemed like the twelfth time since the siege began. Xavier could see the impatience in his eyes and the prospect of wealth. He was spared having to explain once more as a sentry burst into the tent and told them the gates were opening. Each man looked to the other for a moment, considering the possibilities, before they left the tent to witness the spectacle of Purdah's offering. The princess was an expected and welcome sight, but the fact that she led naked and blindfolded captives in chains brought an angry murmur from the watching barbarians. She dares to parade our men like animals back to their own? Xavier hissed, he would indeed come to her but not quite in the manner she might expect. Bring water, physicians, and smiths I shall put a stop to this spectacle. He told his Captain's as he took the sentry's mount and led a dozen others out to meet the princess. He rode hard only slowing as he came within a few lengths of the Princess. You dare humiliate my men like this? He said angrily as he came along side the beautiful white horse that carried such precious cargo. Without waiting for an answer, he reached out, a black hand with a grip like iron taking her arm just below the shoulder. In one quick and easy motion he unhorsed her, pulling her across his own mount, face up. He couldn't help but admire her fine body through the colorful silks. He had half expected her to be a fat cow of a brood mare but she had fine athletic lines that were quite pleasing. He noted the fine details, the golden bands, the painted nails, he felt a lust that nearly overpowered him but still he had a footing of his own to be set. He tore the chain from her hand and looked to either side. Remove their blindfolds, let them see what we have taken from Purdah this day. As his order was carried out more men poured from the camp and his gaze returned to the girl he held across his horse. You have much to learn, your lesson begins now. His dark eyes bored into hers through the thin veil as his free hand reached to the neck of her fine silk garments. He tore them from her neck to her pelvis, exposing her fine flesh and the rise of her young breasts. Still balancing her precariously across the back of his horse, he stripped her body naked in front of the former captives, still squinting in the bright sunshine. The others from the camp began to free the captives, bringing them water and helping the worst off back to the relative comfort of the encampment. The stream of former captives formed two columns as they headed towards the camp. Bring me a length of that golden chain. Xavier called out as he bound both of the girl's wrists with a rough cord. He then passed a length of the chain around the chord binding her hands together in front of her. He unceremoniously dropped her to the ground then keeping his end of her chain paraded her naked between the columns of her former captives. Behold the prize of Purdah City, the fertile Princess Thearia deNalren Each man turned to get a good look at her though none dared touch her. Xavier for his part ignored her during the procession, showing more concern for the returned prisoners than for the fertile beauty trailing behind him. However his mind was very much focused on the beautiful young princess.