Thread: An Empire in 100 Nights (Rosewood x LeatrixSage)

His grin was almost playful in nature and utterly disarming for a man of his stature and presence. The God-King exuded a kind of quiet command that didnt require trumpeting or displays of masculine power, something men twice his age and experience in combat and leadership often suffered. One such man grabbed Solveigs arm as she moved to follow the Emperor to his tent. You will not go alone, Bjorn hissed at her. He was a good man, a stalwart friend, and he had a tactical mind that often surprised her, but he was given to emotional outbursts where she was concerned. I have less to fear from him than I do them, she whispered to him as she pulled her arm free. Like it or not, the throne of Ravenswrath was not hers by blood, and men with legitimate claims were already plotting her death now that she had fallen to the Southorn hordes. The reminder sobered the man, but he was still a close shadow as they followed in Morgundts wake. Of course, she acknowledges the mans wishes as he directed his men to wait outside, and then turned her head to look over her shoulder. Bjorn glowered at her but nodded his assent. His sons looked no less happy behind him, but beyond then was a grinning face that she tried to ignore. Theyll wait here. They could use a bite to eat if you have anything to spare. It was a small acknowledgement to his successful barricading of Ravenswrath. While she knew very little of this man that had conquered her home, she knew at least that he was a brilliant strategist that had out maneuvered her at every turn. That merited praise, even if it wounded her pride a touch to give it. Within the tent was a heat that took her breath. On did become used the cold climes, but she suspected these armies had used more lumber to warm themselves than to build siege engines. The hearth took center place, something that surprised her. It was fitting in war council or a mead hall, but it seemed unusual that she should find it thus in the tent of an enemy. Solveig frowned at the sigh as she unhooked the clasps of her fur cloak to rest the heavy garment over the back of one of the chairs. In the months that he had marched across the plains and forests of her valley, he had learned the common tongue of the Gods Valley and, it seemed, something of their culture. Just what manner of man is he, she wondered while he offered her wine, and food, and sought her comfort. The charity was, uncomfortable. She expected to be humiliated, shamed, belittled and degraded, all things that seemed fitting for a conqueror to do. Solveig had been prepared for all of that, ready to suffer at his hands, not this winsome charm and soft nature. Nor how utterly unnervingly intimidating his kindness was. The people beyond those walls are starving because of me, she spoke slowly, carefully, not for fear of him misunderstanding, but for her own need to have time to think and reorganize her mental defenses. I will not be enjoying wine and treats until they are, but thank you for the courtesy. Even in the long sheath dress of dark green wool, Solveig was far too warm by the fire. The cotton slip beneath it clung to her skin as a fine sheen of sweat made her glisten. Under any other circumstance, she would have simply gotten rid of the woolen top layer, but it seemed a little too intimate for the discussion of surrender. Instead, she took a seat on the edge of one of the chairs, the slender sword resting against her right hip just barely scraping the floor as she did. My future? she asked pointedly, despite the casualness with which he spoke. His ease made her tense, and she felt like a hare with its neck in a trap that was ready to be tripped. The future of my nation is what Im here to discuss, not my own. That isnt up to you, it will be up to those men standing outside. Not that she relished that fact, because her likelihood of survival wasnt particularly good. At best, shed be plied into a marriage and forced to use her influence with the people to gain support for the new King. Whether or not she lived long after that would depend on how many wee bobbies she could produce to be heirs. What I would like to discuss with you is our surrender in return for keeping your army out of the city, she held up her hand to stay him, a smirk playing about her lips. No matter your promises, we all know enlisted men are prone to rape and theft. I would spare my people that. If you would like a tour of Ravenswrath, and to see your new subjects and their small lives, I would be happy to escort you personally. But, your army stays outside the gates. She didnt include that the women of the city were just as likely to murder his men on sight whether they were well behaved or not, but she supposed he didnt need to know that part. Last edited Feb 9, 2019