I was forced to rot in the cabin of the emperer's son, Marius. I thought for sure that I was going to lose my virginity to that monster, that he would beat me until all of me was as red as my hair, until the freckles were lost among endless bruises... But he did not. In fact, I barely saw him the whole way here. He was like a ghost. He would come in, look at me, perhaps he's get something of his, and then left without a word.1210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5GMKvN1JeW
It was strange, to say the least. Emperor Nautilus was known for his cruelty. Why did his family not share his trait? Most of his countrymen surely did.1210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSl0KAzn0hY
When he was gone, though, and it was just me in the cabin, I perched myself on the ledge where I could look out the small window, and I cried, watching the waves ripple over the surface of the ocean. Everything was gone.1210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjA80lVpWDD
We sailed all the way south, across the bay of storms, until we reached the mouth of the Septus river, where the city of Alderas lay in a cradle of rocky slopes and grass greener than anything found in the North. Marius led me off the ship with a tight grip on my arm. He glanced back at me, the scar running across his straight nose more prominent in the bright light. He gave me a look that practically said, "if you fight, it will be worse." 1210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8o7U9T70C0
I choked back tears as he led the parade through the city with me in tow, and all the spoils of war being dragged along by other soldiers behind us. The buildings in Alderas were too tall, with so many windows, each with a face poking out to grin in delight at the return of their heroes. The sides of the streets were crowded, people in strange and bright clothing cheered. It was all a blur.1210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVA1Btzs2S
Eventually, we arrived at the Emperor's doorstep. A gargantuan white stone palace stood before us, with pillars so impossibly tall, only creatures with wings and warm bodies should ever be that high up. Grandiose statues of men holding up the roof stood on either side of ornate palace doors, which slowly cracked open. From them, stepped a balding man in a long pristine white robe with purple and gold accents. Upon his brow sat an elegant crown. Men in bronze armor and gleaming masks under their plumed helmets came up on either side of what I could only assume was Emperer Nautilus himself.1210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwhVj9MrwM
"Comrades! I welcome you home," he spoke, his voice booming over the courtyard in which only a portion of the army could fit with their spoils. "I've heard of your valor in the Northerlands, and for that I commend you all! You've brought honor to us all by crushing those heathens." He raised his hands, and clapped. Then, he ascended the stairs, his beady eyes zeroing in on Marius and I.1210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1JWiZObUC
"Ah, Marius. I see you've picked yourself a pretty little slave." He laughed, lips peeling back over slightly yellowed teeth. My blood ran cold as I stared back at Nautilus. 1210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4B4a5RaymD
His meaty hand came up and gave my breast a firm squeeze, which I shoved off my instinct. A decision I came to swiftly regret as gasps rose up around me.1210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61RLyhbDBc
"You dare touch your emperor?" His hand came flying back, smacking me across the face. My head snapped to the side, my eyes watering up. I could feel his rings slicing into my cheek from the sheer force of the blow.1210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsbwAfpoZH
The only reason I did not fall is because Marius still had a hold of my arm.1210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6wrKVpeSB
"She is my prize, father. Do refrain from hurting her too badly." His voice was deep, and cold. "On a better note, we have a gift for you." He glanced back, and motioned someone to come forward. A solider in ornate armor, similar to Marius' came forward, and presented a bloody white fur cloak.1210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Pwn01W6E5
My father's cloak. 1210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYGYzZWhWU
Rage boiled in my veins as I saw Nautilus take up the cloak, eyeing it with a wide smile. "King Thorvard's famous cloak. A true prize. I thank you for thinking of me." Nautilus eyed Marius, and then me, before his gaze returned to his son. He lowed his voice some. "Keep your little princess in control, Marius. Or she will be defaced and strung up on a spike like any other slave."1210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcunMoKpL81
Then he turned, and ascended the stairs to hold up the cloak by the hood.1210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkA8Z2KJnGX
"The North is ours, and the fiends from the west are driven back!" 1210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6AP0kjhnyR
Cheering broke out amongst the crowd. No cheering came from my immediate right though. Marius stood in grim silence, his grip on my arm getting painfully tighter. It hurt awfully, but I dare not speak a word. 1210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3sq3j5GThP
Eventually, the crowd dispersed, and I was dragged away into the palace. As the ornate doors were slammed shut, I couldn't help but to feel as though the stone over my tomb was just rolled into place.1210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezJCbpMECl
We entered a side hallway. On that was open to the world on one side, with elegant marble pillars rising up to meet the ceiling. From here, I could see most of Alderas. It was huge. Far larger than any city in the Northerlands.1210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdwTQn88uJ
My gaze returned to Marius when we turned down a hallway, deeper into the palace. A streak of bravery commanded my next words.1210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsm3jJ0DYkJ
"You and your people will only hold the Northerlands 'til winter comes. Then the ice will choke out whatever does not belong."1210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJGTgt3UjhL
Marius's nostrils flared and he halted, looking back at me. "We are not stupid. If Winter did not kill our people stationed there, then surely the dragons would. At least here, we stand a chance, in case they come to avenge Thorvard."1210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqV7bbMuAHR
I frowned, knowing such a hopeful day would not come. No dragon has been seen since I was a little girl. They've retreated deep into the lands beyond the Weygate mountains. 1210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TPJpRbbwy
He continued to lead me through a maze of hallways. Every turn we took was another wave of dread in my stomach. Where was he taking me? 1210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOiNfe2dp4c
We came to a door, with a guard in bronze armor and a purple plume upon his helmet standing outside. 1210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0psWi2P72o
"No one but I is allowed in here. Do you understand me?"1210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gs33Bkfib
"Yes sir." He opened the door and held it for Marius and I. 1210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsjjbZHFe9
The room was grand, definitely fit for the son of an emperor. He finally released my arm, and stepped away. I could practically feel my arm crying out in relief. I subtly reached over, ghosting my fingers over what was sure to be the first of countless bruises to come. My stomach coiled as Marius began unlatching his breast plate.1210Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYsDqILgkp
I must have audibly gasped because he paused and glanced back. "I forget that you northerners are modest. Go on and turn around. I do not intend on hurting you." So I turned around, and awkwardly stared down the door as I heard thebiccasional clank of him changing out of his armor.
A minute later, he approached, stopping next to me. He touched my exposed arm faintly, where bruises shaped like his fingers were forming.
"I apologize," he stated solemnly. Then he moved towards the door, now dressed in a vibrant purple garment. It was a strange, long tunic, belted at the waist. He wore no paints.
"Wait," I spoke up. He paused, his hand against the door. "Why?" I couldn't understand why he was being so kind. Wasn't I supposed to be a prisoner of war? Or was this all some sort of trick?
"Honor does not only exist in the north." Then he left.
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