Thread: Betrothed to the Dark King (google and Dreamscape)

The sun was bright over head, not a single cloud in sight and its reflection gleamed off the bright blue waters of the bay, some of the men who stood guard on the docks were forced to shield their eyes against the glare as they stared out over the water... watching a galleon draw in closer to the docks. One man wasn't shielding his eyes though, he stood with hands resting on the leather bound hilts of the two short swords that hung from his belt, totally at ease and in control of the situation but in the way that a large cat is at ease, relaxed but entirely ready to lash out at anyone who dared challenge his dominance. Even with his guards around him, standing by and ready to defend their ruler against any threat he was still ready for anyone who thought they could take his throne in the traditional way of the Cthonian people, by killing him and then claiming what was his. Plenty had tried in the past decade but Emperor Konrad Vect'an had seen them all off, his body carrying the signs of the battles he had fought not just to gain his throne but to hold it. Tall and powerfully built Konrad stood six foot four, as tall as even the largest of his guards and his tanned body was covered in corded muscle. He wasn't as thickly built as some of his guards but he carried himself with confidence, wearing only a pair of leather britches to better display his powerful body. Of course the display was about more then just strength, it was an open challenge to any who thought they might be stronger then him, his chest and arms covered in about a dozen small scars, each of them surrounded by a band of ink, small cruciform letters in the Cthonian written language, a short detail of how he had received the wound. Slowly he ran his hand up over his head, scratching at the few days of growth on his face and the short hair on his head, never growing enough for someone to use as potential leverage in a fight, his eyes green so bright that they almost seemed to glow when in darkness focused on the ship as it drew ever closer, carrying his bride to be to him. It had been four months ago when he had first seen her, as the twenty eight year old ruler of an expanding Empire that already ruled much of the continent where it had been founded, he had traveled across the ocean to a nearby kingdom.... invited there to discuss a trade relationship. Of course some of his people looked down on diplomacy, they were more accustomed to a direct form of conquest, but the foundations for the Empire he was now building had been laid by his grandfather quite a long time ago and Konrad knew that he had to use the subtle methods if he was going to achieve what his grandfather and father had both envisioned even when his people had been loose knit tribes and clans, working as mercenaries for other nations with great need and greater amounts of money. The meeting had been going rather well, though Konrad was able to speak the softer and flowing tongue of his hosts in a conversational capacity he instead only used the harsh Cthonian language, speaking through a translator. Let the others think that he was unable to understand them, let them underestimate the Barbarian King they thought sat before them. The talks carried on for several days, most of the time Konrad just playing the part they expected as he played with a small knife or grinned lecherously at the pretty maids who brought in refreshments. The people he were meeting with, a few assembled nobles, ambassadors, and of course the kind of the land had seen him as little more then a petty little barbarian lord who they would deal with while it was convenient, offering him pleasing terms because perhaps they expected him to die before too long and render any agreement moot. It was when the talks were nearing a close that it had happened, favorable terms had been established, peace was practically assured, and Konrad was rather pleased that he wouldn't need to worry about threats from across the sea... but then she had entered, the only daughter of the king of this land. Right away he had seen a path to greater power, of course his own carnal desires a powerful force that threatened to cloud his thoughts... trade agreements might assure some peace and prosperity. There was more that could be done though, if he were to marry a member of this blood line, produce an heir, then he would not only have something of a valuable hostage but he would also be able to make a claim for this nations throne when the inevitable death of the King came. There was more then that of course, his green eyes that almost seemed to glow, as clear a sign of his gods favor as the powerful build of his body, and of course the more subtle blessings that were not so easily seen... those same eyes saw the clear favor of her own gods upon her... those blessed by the gods could recognize each other, even if the blessing came from another deity. One of his advisers, a powerful old sorcerer who attended his court had told him this would happen, a beauty that stood out from all others that he had seen would be at the meeting, she would be his mate and their union would produce a line of heirs unlike any other seen by his people. The world would bow to their offspring and Konrad would be rewarded for doing the will of his gods, it was the will of the gods that he take her one way or another... And so his demand had been swift, the princess was to become his bride, any betrothal she already had would be called off... should this not be done then he would send raiders out across the sea and harry the coast until he got exactly what he desired anyway, the princess would be brought to him in chains if that was what needed be done. The reaction of his host had been less then favorable, guards in the room had reached for their blades as if they would strike Konrad down where he sat, the kind had turned red in rage, and the princess quickly escorted away from the uncouth barbarian that had dared to make such demands... but his host had seen sense after too long. The trade agreement had been changed a little bit, but it was agreed that the princess would be sent to Kornad four months after he departed, along with several other young women of noble birth for his favored generals... to further the cause of peace and understanding between his people. He had risked a war for her, a war that would heavily detract the other expansions of his land and weaken his holdings... but the gods had wanted it and his willingness to obey their desired was going to pay off. Now it was time for the princess to arrive, just ahead of the schedule that had been set for her... In truth Konrad was very much looking forward to her arrival, he had carefully avoided siring a child for years, knowing that while the child of a wife might have higher status it was also possible for first born children to make a challenge on a claim of inheritance. Hell he had even dismissed the majority of his large harem earlier that day, knowing that most of them would end up working in brothels or be taken in by those who found and claimed them, the few that he kept were his favorites. His position as the leader of a growing empire meant that women were often sent to him from newly conquered territories, exotic beauties that existed only to please him. Of course he would still be keeping his favorites around, it was his right as a warrior king to have whatever he desired and his new bride would likely not be up to the task of slaking his immense lusts... at least not right away. It wouldn't be long now, the ship was slowly entering the bay and he knew that this would be her first real chance to see the city that she had been brought too, though from the bay there would be little to see except for the walls of dark granite that had been erected to protect the inhabitants of the city from an outside invasion and looming behind those walls was the palace he lived in, built from darker and stronger stone then the wall, designed to impose and impress any who viewed it... to assault it was to commit suicide. A strong contrast to the city of her home, Konrad reflected silently as her ship started to maneuver into the docks, knowing she would be before him within minutes. The palace she had lived in had been mostly made from marble, warmer and inviting in appearance... a difference in culture perhaps. Dock workers were working quickly to lash her ship safely to the docks, a gang plank lowered before a score of men in the ceremonial garb that could only be worn by a 'civilized' nations royal guard assembled... it seemed the princess had not traveled alone. None of that mattered though, if it turned out that the guards were there to cause trouble then they would be dealt with... but already Konrad could see his bride to be emerging from inside the ship and starting her descent towards him. He didn't know what she had expected but soon things would be made clear to her... he didn't expect to wait until their wedding night to enjoy her.