Thread: A Conquered Empire (DaveTheHuman & XochitlDreaming)

Zosime had assumed that she would have been whisked away to the Rajib's tent to await his further pleasure. But instead she found herself escorted to her own chambers, with Akakios, her most trusted servant. He had been her slave since she was a child, watched her grow up, come with her to the palace of the Emperor when she had been married. There was no one more capable, nor anyone she trusted more who now lived. She walked with stiff and grim dignity, suppressing the urge to scream, trying to ignore the feeling of a full womb. She felt cold, ill and numb. She wanted to burn something. She wanted to throw up. But all of these things were beyond her now, and she allowed herself into the warm bath with water diverted from the Imperial hot springs into her personal bath. It felt strange and horrible to be back in her own room, with all her things, after what had transpired. Yet she knew that she was not a different woman, merely one who had to adapt and quickly for the sake of her people. I trust they did not injure you, she asked Akakios as she scrubbed at her skin, the urge to scrub hard enough to make herself bleed strong but she fought it down. After Akakios answer she lifted her head. In the morning, the Rajib will either kill me, or keep me. she paused. Things would be easier, less painful if he simply had her killed. Her dead husband might have even preferred it--he was probably looking down from the afterlife in disgust at his defiled Empress, perhaps even expecting her to take her own life to purify what had happened to her. And yet. If he keeps me, I must endure for our people. her voice cracked some. He may keep me as a plaything, even a wife, but I must do what I can to speak in a way that my voice might reach him so that our people suffer less under the Erobs. You must... her mask started to crack, and a few more tears fell into the water. Do not let me give into despair, Akakios. It would be easy, but I must not. Once she had bathed, she allowed Akakios to help her into a sheer nightdress, something she would have worn on an evening the Emperor would call for her. She knew it would be lost on the Rajib but she refused to submit to nakedness entirely. If he wanted her naked, he'd have to remove this article as well. She did not bother with small clothes. When the fires started to burn down in the week hours of the morning and drunken Erobs returned either to their tents or simply slept on the Imperial tiles. Hezkia did not sleep, though he was starting to feel the effects of pitched battle, several rounds of sex, drinks and a full belly. He had work to do. While his Rajib was busy he sent missives to the heads of the nine tribes to convene tomorrow as the Rajib had asked--to see what would be done with the Imperial household, and of course the defiant Empress herself. Most women break after Suquora, but this one had not and the idea of it irked him unduly, but it was not his place to deal with her. Rajib, he finally said, approaching Malcos. The heads of the tribe have been summoned and will convene her in the hour of the horse at this palace. They tell me the servants have readied the Imperial chambers for you should you wish to take up residence.