Ravaged Seas (Closed for ScifiFangirl)

There was an old tale that was popular with the north men.

It was about a little boy that had seen a golden frog with shining emeralds for eyes that sat on a rock in a forest. Now most people were told that the story was about trying to capture the frog and that the moral was to be a cunning hunter. The two endings usually resulted in the boy either capturing the frog and thus earning a fortune, or being too hasty and startling the creature to jump away and leave the boy with nothing. Prince Taldar had heard a slightly different ending from a tutor once.

The boy never captured the lone frog but instead waited behind the forest tree's and stalked it for hours, never getting close. The frog begin to move ever so slowly, but the little boy kept his patience and begun to curiously follow the mythical creature. Eventually the frog led the boy to its home in a cave, filled with hundreds more of the gold priceless amphibians. A cave of treasures.

A wicked smile cracked open Prince Taldar's thin faced features as he found himself in a parallel situation. He held a telescope to his eye, fixating his gaze on the moving object over the horizon. The telescopic object had been infused with magic many years ago and had been handed down to the prince as a family heirloom, but as a practical instrument rather than a ceremonious one. With the telescope Taldar's vision was able to pierce through the thick fog and clouds that drifted over the eastern seas whilst the ship he stalked remained blissfully ignorant of their presence.

“It is of Elven design.” he said with the predatory smile that never left his lips, passing the telescope to the admiral next to him who took a while to survey the ship.

Standing on the deck of his own sleek galleon that ploughed through the slate-grey waves, Prince Taldar was a cruel looking man in his twenties. Tall and thin with skin tanned from many months spent at sea, his jet black hair was tied back into a short ponytail by silver bands. His dark coal like eyes stared into the thick fog as if they could pierce through the bad weathering itself. Like most of his officers he was dressed in a crimson red tunic with a dark iron breastplate that was engraved with leering mythological beasts.

“Yes Blooded One, it is Elven. No weapons are sighted.” The admiral said, “If we are to attack my Lord, then I suggest we do so soon. It won't be long before nightfall.”

Taldar simply shook his head, the story of the golden frog still in his mind as he took back his telescope. “No, we follow them back to their port. Stay on an East bearing and when night does fall I demand low lighting. Do not let them spot us, otherwise I will hold you personally responsible for the failure.”

The admiral looked as if he was about to speak but a sharp glare from Prince Taldar soon cut him off. “Just do it.” he hissed.

It had taken the crew almost three months to sail this far to the East, a triumph for the people of the North. It was far from home but unlike his brothers, Prince Taldar did not care for raiding the villages of his own people or the other empires that were more closer to his own kingdom. What glory was there in easy pickings, especially when he was in direct competition for the throne? Taldar lashed his tongue across thin lips as he thought of the prospects of raiding an elven coastal town. The Elven people were an exotic race indeed and Taldar had to admit that he was at first tempted to just seize the ship and its people for they were worth a fortune. But why do that when he could get a towns worth of bounty?

Besides that, Taldar knew moral on the ship was starting to lower. They had been at sea for far to long without action and he was beginning to worry that one of his crew might eventually slit his throat whilst he slept, or possibly poison his wine goblet. Things would change of course when his crews thirst for slaughter would be fulfilled along with the idea of having Elven slaves for company, male or female some of his sea-dogs weren’t too picky.

The Prince was soon distracted from his thoughts as he felt a slight change of temperature in the air, before looking up and realising that the sky had already begun to darken.

It had been two years since Gerrill'lae Do'Berron had take young moon elf under his wing. He had trained her to dance for his tavern, and provided her with food and shelter. Sure, it was a business decision. But the girl deserved it. And it was nice to do something that benefited his conscience and his bottom line. She had come from even further east, on the central continental plain. Her face was dirt streaked, her clothes torn, and those eyes, begging him for a job. The dark elves had nearly hunted her people to extinction. Poor thing. Despite the obvious hardship of her journey, her beauty shown through like a beacon, and now, as the owner of the Tavern watched her dance for the customers, she was absolutely radiant. Her hips swayed with unearthly grace, violet eyes teased beneath long lashes, legs that seemed to go on forever, and dark, silken tresses with lazy curls that seemed to beg for a hand to be run through them. The customers were as taken with her as Gerrill himself, though he should have been watching the bar. He grumbled to himself, and went back to cleaning the countertop.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Luna Maya'Fae finished her routine with a balanced twirl, looking over her shoulder, the epitome of feminine grace. The music ended with a melodic flourish, and applause rang from the patrons. She smiled graciously at them, heading over to the bar to get drinks. Now it was time to tend to her waiting duties. Artfully dodging a few bottom-pinching guests, she retrieved their ale, and set about getting them good and drunk.

Gerrill's tavern was right on the docks, and a favorite of sailors and men who wanted to escape their wives alike. They had garnered a nasty reputation among the womenfolk of the small town, but they were nothing like what they claimed they were. Although Luna had heard some things about Cass and a certain blacksmith... It's none of my business I suppose... She had had her fair share of thoughts about certain patrons. Every girl liked to be looked at. And there was one... She subtly swept the room, searching for him. She thought of him often. He was kind to her, and his eyes felt like a warm blanket whenever he was present. Sometimes her thought strayed further into depravity about him. Dark fantasies... bound and helpless as he took her... Her cries of pleasure ringing out into the night. Shaking her head, she went back to the bar for another round of pitchers.

Grabbing two of them, she turned, and saw him staring at her. She smiled, feeling butterflies in her stomach. She walked over and placed the pitcher on his table, the heels of her boots tapping lightly. His pitcher was still half full, but that was hardly the point. He sat with two other members of the local militia. "If you come here anymore often, Jace, I should think you've been kicked out of the guard!"

He smiled charmingly, eyes roaming over her petite 5'3 frame. (Although she was 5'7 in her heels.) Feminine fingers smoothed the skirt of her dress over her thigh, the tops of her stockings just barely peeking out from the hem. "I can think of no better reason to be discharged, love."

"Nonsense, you don't need to be discharged to see me." It had been like this for weeks. Luna wondered if it was sad that the best part of her day was this idle flirtation. Jace was her age, a young elf. And handsome.

"Ahh, but if you were mine, they might question where my loyalties truly lie. Luna or country. It is a difficult choice."

Her cheeks colored at the thought. Oh light, if I were yours... She wondered if he would dare try the things her fantasies had entailed. She imagined his hand tangled in her long midnight locks, her back arched as he plunged deep inside of her, his other hand pressed to the small of her back, her arms tied behind her at the wrist and elbow...

Luna had only taken one lover. In her home village, two years ago. He had been the traitor that brought them to their destruction. Now her people were scattered and rare. A dying race. She wondered, if it came to her being with Jace, if she could trust any man to that extent. She had turned down many lovers, in her time here. But if anyone could break past her defenses, it was Jace. She let her hand rest on his shoulder, squeezing slightly, and letting it linger perhaps a little longer than was necessary. "Well, if you gentlemen need anything, just let me know, and I'll be right over."

Appearance: http://reallycuteasians.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/1231563483_virzil.jpg

*attachments are Luna's outfit.*

Unknown to the inhabitants of the small coastal town, blood had already been spilled before the true raid had even begun. Prince Taldar's galleon had raised its sails, drifting silent and slow towards the distant town whilst the sailors on board prepared their armour and loaded their crossbows. Taldar's ship itself had zero lighting and remained near impossible to spot in the night sky, leaving just a faint silhouette above the calm sea in contrast to the town's flickering lights. It was under this cover of darkness that smaller vessels left the galleon, rowing to strategic blind spots where the nearby militia towers could not get a clear line of sight.

The infiltrators were dressed in robes with dark powder covering their skin, hiding them in the shadows as they went from cover to cover with stealthy movements. In perfect unison the assassins climbed the few watch towers that existed and slit the throats of the bored and weary watchmen. It wasn’t only the militia that suffered the first casualties, for the night fishermen that sat on the piers edge were a great risk in relation to the surprise attack. So they were slain with skilled cruelty. When the pier was eventually cleared the infiltrators retreated into the tree line that surrounded the town for they would surround the towns perimeter and stop anyone from escaping.

***

Barely four minutes after the infiltration, Prince Taldar’s galleon appeared from the darkness, parting the shallow waters gracefully as it found a suitable spot at the dock to stop. The gang ramp fell from the ship deck to hit the pier with a loud bang. Warriors wearing tunics and armour marched down the ramp in a double column, wielding crossbows and sabres before spreading out over the pier to watch for anyone stepping out of the nearby buildings. Luckily their noise was drowned out by what Prince Taldar could only assume to be a pub, the building emanating a fair amount of noise.

The prince looked at the soldiers around him which almost numbered sixty, not including the infiltrators that by now had surrounded the small town. Everyone knew what the plan was for they had done this a many times before, although not in such an exotic land. His plan of attack was always simple. To cause panic, confusion and fear. The warriors would enter the buildings one by one, slaughtering those that were not worthy as slaves and forcing the rest out into the town. If anyone tried to escape, then the infiltrators surrounded the tree’s would herd them back like animals. Satisfied that his warriors were armed and ready, the Prince spoke the words that would put a township to its doom.

“Bring this place to ruin. Spare only the young.” He said without whispering. “By your command Blooded One!” the chorus went up. That was when the true attack had begun.

With the element of stealth no longer needed a warrior blew into his war horn, carved from the bone of some mountain beast that let out a terrifying primordial roar. It was loud enough to silence the nearby pub and the call was answered by battle cries as the warriors split of into groups, kicking in doors and raiding the houses. Within seconds the air filled with a chorus of screams as the raiders went about their bloody work. Prince Taldar himself stalked into the town centre with a group of warriors, watching the elven people try to flee their homes or business establishments. They were cut down by advancing raiders or herded back into the town centre by the infiltrators, where Taldar and his group would form a circle around them with their crossbows. A male and female elf attempted to escape on a nearby wagon but a volley of crossbow bolts soon put an end to their panic-stricken attempt. Another male elf attempted to fight back against his attackers with a knife, but was bisected by a slashing sabre. Within only a few minutes of the slaughter it was quite clear that the surprise attack had overwhelmed the poor defences of the coastal town.

Prince Taldar circled around his warriors and the slaves they had captured so far, forced into a cowering group that were huddling together. He studied their physical features and even through the tear streaked faces he knew that they would fetch a great bounty back home. He raised his face to the skies and howled with bloodlust, his soldiers returning their own cheers and laughs as they continued to fight and herd the dwindling survivors, especially the ones that were pouring out of the pub. Many were in the local militia uniform and Taldar couldn’t help but realise that the warriors that had entered the pub, had failed to walk back out of it.

A trio of Elven warriors were back to back and quite successfully fighting off their attackers, shouting commands at each other over the sound of battle. Did he just hear the middle ones comrade name him Jace?

“Mop these ones up!” Prince Taldar commanded with the tip of his sabre pointing at the trio. They obviously heard him as they averted their attention to the prince. With the ornate breastplate that Taldar wore, it was pretty obvious that he was the one in charge and they seemed to realise it. The one named Jace pointed his weapon at the prince and stepped away from his two comrades. The pathway between them had suddenly cleared as everyone’s eyes was drawn to them.

“Coward! You slaughter us and think yourself a warrior?” the young elf spat through gritted teeth. “Duel with me.” he finished with determination on his face. The surrounding battle seemed quiet as the two warriors stared each other down, until eventually Taldar broke into a smile and lashed his tongue over his teeth.

“Brave. Very brave good sir..” Taldar said, “But utterly futile.” he finished before raising the crossbow that he held in his other hand and shooting Jace in the throat.

The foggy night dragged on, the Tavern only increasing in patronage. All the girls were on duty now, as it was particularly busy. Raucous laughter and random bouts of drunken song filled the place, Luna wading through the wispy trails of pipe smoke. She served them again and again, the ale casks running freely, working her tips with a wink and a smile. Finding a break in the bustle, she headed over to Jace, her small feminine hands squeezing his shoulders, massaging him sensuously from behind. "Need anything, Prince Charming?"

He sighed, leaning back in his chair and looking up at her. "I'm afraid, if thats how you see me, that you will be disappointed, my love." He stood, turning to her. Luna took a step back, hitting the wall. He took another step forward, her heart fluttering at his proximity, looking up at him through long lashes. "You don't treat all the customers this way, do you?" His eyes were misty with drink.

She blushed, despite the nature of her job. It really was ridiculous to be blushing, in this place. "No, I don't..."

His hand fell on a stocking-clad thigh, and he took another step forward, pinning her to the wall. Her breath caught in her throat as his lips hovered over hers. "Then what are we waiting for." He kissed her fiercely, Luna's eyes slowly closing as she reveled in his lips caress.

"Mm..."

A horn rang out into the night, and the Tavern grew silent. Jace jerked away, his eye's losing their intoxicated quality and staring at the door, towards the ocean. A dazed Luna looked at him. "What's going on?" Clanking iron and battlecries pierced the silence, and thats when Jace flew into action, just as panic overtook the patrons.

"Men! Gather yourselves! There's a battle to fight!" They lurched to their feet as he turned to Luna. "Go out the back way, go to the woods! The Militia will come for you."

"Jace, I..." Fear spiked in her, slowly coming to realize what was happening. This had happened to her once before. No! No... Not again, not to me!

"Just go!" He screamed at her, and she nodded, some of the panic in the common room spreading to her. He took off with his men, and still paralyzed by fear, she watched him through the window, fighting valiantly. When his throat spouted rish, red blood from the crossbow bolt, it was almost too much for her. "No... Why does this keep happening to me?" She sobbed as she hurried from the window. The town was putting up little resistance. She exited the tavern in a dark alley, running the best she could in her four inch heels. She could hardly take the time to unlace her boots... Tears streamed down her face as she ran for the woods, just like Jace had told her. She tried not to think of him, dying in the street. He had been so brave.

She screamed as she felt a hand close around her throat, slamming her into a wooden wall and knocking the wind from her lungs. The hand squeezed cutting off her air as her small hands clutched at a muscular wrist. She could only cough helplessly as her dark assailant materialized from the shadows. He moved in close, whispering with astonishment. "... A moon elf slut? His highness will be pleased..."

She managed a half-gurgle, half whimper as he released her throat, turning her and shoving her roughly against the wall face-first, binding her wrists and ankles. Terror washed over her, she could only imagine what was in store for her. Perhaps it would have been better for them to just kill her now. "Please..." She whispered hoarsely. "Please don't..." He silenced her, stuffing a rag in her mouth and tying it behind her head with another strip of cloth. She struggled futilely against her bonds as he tossed her over his shoulder, her sobs muffled by the makeshift gag. Light help me... Please...

Prince Taldar looked on with a gratified smile whilst his troops marched the slaves up the gang ramp and onto the galleon. The young elves sobbed as the men herded them like cattle with their weapons, sending them up in single file. One of the young teen elves tried to beg him for mercy, but an open handed slap soon put her back into place. “You are all my property now. I won't hesitate to throw any of you to the sea serpents if I find you more trouble than you're worth.” he said with a cold certainty to the staggering crowd. Behind Taldar, the coastal town was a ghost of its former self. Nothing remained but empty buildings and strewn out bodies that had been slain during the fighting.

There was a slight commotion as one of the guards struggled to march a drunken male youth towards the gang plank. By the way his head rolled and his legs kept giving way, Prince Taldar could only assume this one had come from the pub. He watch with amusement as the soldiers tried to march him up the gang plank, which failed several times due to his drunken footing. Eventually Taldar lost his patience.

“Sake of the gods...” the Prince muttered as he stepped forward and drawing his sabre from its scabbard. “This one is too much hassle, leave him.” he finished before running the thin blade through the elves heart. He allowed enough time for the other slaves to see his actions before kicking the corpse off the pier and hitting the water below with a splash. Examples had to be made.

Eventually the slaves were all loaded onto the Galleon, their escorting soldiers forcing them into the decks below which would be their home for however long. Prince Taldar hadn’t really considered his next plan of action, whether he would return home with this bounty of slaves or perhaps continue raiding across the eastern seas. His thoughts were soon interrupted as he spotted his infiltrators walking towards him, one of them with an elf slumped over his shoulder like some captured animal. Perhaps he would reward these men later and allow them to be the first ones to break the women. Each Infiltrator saluted their Prince before stepping up the gang plank, except for the one with the elf.

“Your Highness.” the man saluted with his free hand. “You might want to take a look at this one.” he continued before lifting her from his shoulder and holding the young elf in front of the Prince, hold her arms behind her back. Prince Taldar looked at the girl with a keen eye, her sobs muffled by the makeshift gag.

“A moon elf?” he said in wonder, his surprise clearly displayed on his cruel features. The sailor pushed the young elf towards the Prince who caught her by the chin, his hand like a vice around her. He looked down upon the much shorter moon elf and gazed into alluring exotic eyes, taking note of the clothes she wore and raising a curious eyebrow. “A pleasure girl perhaps?” he said, more to himself than anyone else.

“Dancer Blooded One, she came from the pub.” the sailor corrected him.

Prince Taldar's smile grew wide enough to show glinting teeth. “I might keep this one for myself.”.

***

The Galleon sailed off into the night with the coastal town still visible from the distance. The ship rocked with the gentle waves whilst only a few watchmen remained on the deck peering out over the horizon, the remaining soldiers busy celebrating in the mess hall with alcohol strong enough to knock out mountain beasts. The slaves were locked in the lower decks, still sobbing. Things would get a lot worst for them throughout the journey, especially the females.

Prince Taldar had remained on the rear deck with his new prize. The moon elf was still gagged, her front body pressed against the banisters whilst Taldar stood behind her, mockingly stroking her dark hair with one hand whilst his other held her wrists together behind her back. He leaned forward, taking in her scent and breathing onto the back of her neck as he forced her to stare into the distance of her former home which drifted further and further into the distance. “Such a quaint little place.” he said in a whisper, almost as if the situation was romantic to him. He ran his fingers through her hair as if it was a fine silk, before trailing the tips of his fingers downwards and finally releasing her gag. The material disappeared into the water below.

“What is your name Moon elf?” he breathed into her pointed ear.

Luna struggled uselessly against his grip, her protests barely heard. Her tears soaked the cloth holding the gag in place. She quivered with fear, the images of the dead townsfolk still fresh in her mind. His hand running through her dark tresses was strangely gentle, belying the true nature she knew him to possess. She felt him hovering over the creamy flesh of her neck, his breath hot in the chill evening mist. Slowly, the place she had only just begun to call home drifted away, in ruins. Oh, Jace... His death hurt the most of all. But now... she could only worry about herself. She had to find away to escape him. Curse these clothes! She could feel his eyes on her.

"Such a quaint little place..." She shivered as his hand trailed through ehr hair once more, before untying the gag. Her jaw ached, and she sucked in a stuttering breath, as if she had been holding it all this time. "What is your name, moon elf?"

She sniffed, trying to compose herself. "Luna." Her voice sounded steadier than she felt. "What are you going to do with me?" It was far to cold to be wearing what she was. Her legs felt frozen solid. Only the proximity to his torso kept the rest of her warm, as her captor towered above her. "What are you going to do with all of us?" She couldn't bring herself to beg, not yet. Maybe there was some way to free herself, something she could do for him. "Please... May I have some clothes?"

“So many questions, little Luna.” the Prince said, her name sweet on his tongue like honey. Most of the women from the north kingdom had harshly pronounced names, so to address her foreign name was quite divine.

Feeling her body tremble from both fear and cold, Taldar knew it was time to go inside. He wanted to take that one spiteful moment to show her home slipping away into the distance and now that it was gone over the horizon he no longer saw a reason to stay on deck. He ignored her initial questions instead manoeuvring himself beside her and linking his arm around hers mockingly whilst leading her across the rear deck and down a set of stairs. Prince Taldar opened the door that was set under the staircase, stepping inside with Luna on his arm.

“There will be plenty of time to ask questions Luna. For we are in no rush.” The Prince spoke as they walked through candle lit corridors across creaking oak floorboards. The ship was quite spacious and rocked gently with the waves as they sailed into the night. There was no crew walking the ship corridors and the reason why seemed more apparent as they walked deeper into the bowels of the ship. They passed bunk rooms with the cries of elven females muffled behind closed doors. My men deserve the treat he thought coldly.

“Your people are to be taken to the north as slaves.” he eventually said, tightening his arm around Luna's just in case she decided to struggle after this revelation. “I'm not too sure about your fate yet. But be glad that I am answering your plea for clothes rather than throwing you to my men.” he finished as they came to a red leather bound door. With his arm still clamped around Luna's, Taldar reached for a key looped to the belt of his tunic and slotted it into the lock of the door. It opened with a click of tumblers and they both entered, the door closed and locking behind them.

Whilst most of the ship lacked any decorative furnishing, Taldars Cabin was opposite. The spacious room was decorated with crimson carpets and curtains, with trophies lining the walls from bleached skulls to ornamental swords taken from champions that Prince Taldar had slain in battle. Oil lamps lit the room with a soft light, casting shadows over the large desk that dominated the centre of the room and the cushioned sofa backed into the corner with an expensive water pipe beside it.

Taldar released Luna from his grip at last, unclasping the buckles of his breast plate as he propped it on a wooden mannequin that held other various pieces of armour. He pointed to a wall lined with built in cupboards which housed various expensive clothing that had been taken from royal and wealthy victims. “You might find something to your liking in there.” he said, sitting casually on his desk and showing no intention of giving her any privacy.

The cries of her fellow townsfolk as they walked through the corridor had only confirmed her suspicions. Stories of such raiders were common, although this was the first time she was aware of that they had come this far east. She didn't bother struggling against him. He looked strong, even for a human. As they entered that ominous red door, her eyes widened in surprise. The interior was furnished with that of a wealthy, educated gentlemen. The door shut with a thud of some finality, and he took off his breastplate, gesturing to some cabinets. “You might find something to your liking in there.”

"Yes... Thank you." She walked over to the cabinets, still feeling his eyes burning into her. She had to be careful, around this man. He was obviously quite dangerous. She rifled through the garments, looking for something that would cover her... and finding nothing. While luxurious, everything in the cabinets was designed to put her body on display. She looked back at him, watching her... Not daring to voice the frustration on her expression. It didn't seem as if he was going to offer her any privacy...


Hesitantly, she knelt on the floor, unlacing her boots, and sliding the stockings from her toned dancers legs. She unwrapped the dress from her torso, baring her firm, round breasts. She covered up the best she could, but he watched, not concerned in the slightest by her modesty. Her heart raced with fear, and she quickly donned her chosen attire. Standing, she walked over to where he was seated, her fists clenched. She was still afraid, but that didn't mean she did not have a measure of anger at him. The fact that he did not even turn around... It seemed silly when she knew what was happening to the other women. She knew something similar was about to happen to her. But, she didn't have to make it easy on him. "What will you do next, my Lord" The title she attached to his name was dripping with sarcasm.

Prince Taldar had watched Luna with great interest as she undressed herself, his eyes roving over her exotic body like a noble eyeing a quality slave at an auction. Her obvious annoyance amused him and her glares of frustration only made his grin grow wider whilst she changed into her new clothes. He found himself nodding with satisfaction at her choice of clothing whilst his imagination ran wild with unspeakable acts involving the young moon-elf. But he kept himself in check, his body exerting self control and calm.

“What will you do next, my Lord”

A genuine chuckle escaped from Taldars lips as she addressed him with evident sarcasm. He could have taken her there and then, violating her every opening before throwing her to his men. But he kept himself under control, for what good was a toy if it was broken? Besides, a rare species such as Luna was too delicate to be abused just the once. Oh Luna you precious thing, I am going to enjoy our time together, he thought to himself whilst standing up from his desk.

“What a question to ask, dear Luna. It almost sounds as if you are propositioning me” he said, pausing long enough in his speech to annoy her whilst walking around to the other side of his desk and opening a drawer. He rummaged through its contents of knuckle bones and other grisly talismans before making a satisfied grunt as he found what he was looking for. He withdrew a fist sized bottle containing a purple fluid which he swirled with his hand, causing the drink to lap against the inside of the glass. Pressing at the cork with his thumb, it came off with a satisfying pop as a strange mist escaped from the bottle.

“A rare beverage that costs a Count's ransom.” He eventually continued, stepping towards Luna and holding the drink up in a toasting fashion. “I think I deserve it.”.

He took a small sip from the drink, the sweet and potent fluid running down his throat and sending warmth throughout his body. “I think a celebration is in order, Luna of the moon-elves. So why don't you join me?” he smiled whilst taking her hand gently and placing the bottle in it.

“Your profession is dancing is it not? So why not share in the celebration and dance for me.” he laughed whilst retreating to the heavily cushioned sofa that lay in the corner of the room.