An age of war

[jillaby]

Setting

The country of Rohan has been under the rule of Hendric Quatorze for sixty years. He ascended the throne when he turned twelve and now he is in his death bed. His tyrannical rule has made the nation glad that he will die but what they ignore is that before him the nation was a loosely made country of four rebellious tribes that squabbled for the throne. Under his rule the nation was molded into a powerful empire but with no heir to the throne the nation is sure to fall apart.

Each and every tribe wants a different ruler and the bastard son of the king demands to be recognized as future king.
Civil war is sure to follow and as the nation pulls apart the neighboring empire plots to put their own puppet king on the throne.

It is up to the bastard prince to try to make his father's niece fall in love with him to have a good claim to the throne. However that niece wants to crown herself queen without a man to be in front of her.

Thus starts a pull and tug in court for favors while the nation is falling apart.

And an age of war starts.

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I want someone to play the bastard prince... He should only want to use my character...but there will be awesome sauce in that.

 

[jillaby]

Anara stood quietly in front of the knights. She was blood of the king but her claim was weak. She was a woman and her mother had been the king's half sister.But who else could claim the throne? The warring tribes in the east who could not get their act together?

The bastard son who wanted to rally the troops against her?

Nay she would hold this kingdom with an iron hand like her uncle had. She had the strength for it. She turned away from them "leave me" she had yet to be crowned but she knew it was but a matter of time before she was betrayed.

She had to be fast and claim the throne. Even now as the bells tolled for the death of the king- no one in the castle or the city was mourning. People were choosing sides and who knew who would come out the victor.

Outside of the courtroom there was a sound of fighting and arguing and soon enough the bastard prince as he was mockingly called came trough the doors. They stared at each other for a long time..until she gave in and looked away.

"what brings you here?" She asked and waited in the silence for an answer.

 

[thestoryteller217]

Alexander was fucked

He had been fucked the minute his idiot father the king had died. He was a man of little appeal and no one really liked him but he treated his one and only son well supplying him the coin to go whirring and giving him a high position in the kings army.

And now he was dead

Alexander didn’t care much for his dad and he actually hated the guy but with him gone it presented a unique position to Alexander. The position of king! The thought made Alexander giddy when he realized it and he had untangled him self from the mass of girls he way lying with and quickly bustled over to the castle. After all his father had no legitimate heirs and no one else was stupid enough to try and rule the squabbling tribes.

Or so he thought

He wasn’t prepared for his father’s niece to try and claim the damn throne! He could see the determination in her eyes and knew he was in for a long and difficult fight.

So he left and plotted

A week later he strode into the waiting room. He was wearing his military uniform and it was clean and polished the prince was any thing if nto handsome with strong rippling muscles and chiseled features his black hair was long and flowed down his rugged jaw but his eyes were always what captivated people the most they were electric green and sparkled with his emotions.

“Hello dear Anara I have come with you to speak about stopping the tension between us and coming to some form of mutual agreement” Alexander said smiling and bowing at her kissing her hand softly. The crowd around them murmured their approval and noticing the glares the knights were pointing at them began to disperse.

…………………………………………………..

The man kept his eyes down and watched the men gathering in the market to sell there wares. He moved back behind the high tower and pulled out the bow. He tested the tension on it and pleased went to work grabbing an arrow and his supplies and working while he waited for the time to attack.

 

[jillaby]

She smiled but inside she was loathing him. Now he wanted to smooth down tensions? She would think not.
"Have you gotten tired of your whores and other less savory past times?"

Someone gasped at her daring and others muttered words to each other. "You surprise me cousin I would think you would always chase skirts and waste money. How good of you to worry about our country now"

Her words seemed honest enough and her tone was sweet and friendly but they were sharps knives that many recognized and agreed with.
The bastard prince was nothing but a bastard- a scoundrel who wasted money and only worried about his own affairs...why would he change now?

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

The western tribe was called Varuk- it had once been a tribe of nomads but as time passed they settled down and built houses and became a well known city around those parts. Before Hendric Quatorze ascended the throne- his father had rarely put eyes on Varuk or any other tribe surrounding his land. Instead he focused on wenching and drinking and soon died in an accident. The then Queen Patricia crowned her son and helped him rule. Under Hendric the tribes were joined together but now that he was gone- many wanted to go back to the olden days.

One of those was Marcine Devent- chieftain of varuk who was banding his men at arms and his peasants in case the new queen or king wanted to keep them in a reign they did not want.

 

[thestoryteller217]

Alexander smiled at her insults and waited for her to finish before shaking his head.

“I come in offering some sort of parlay and chance to bring about a better longer lasting peace for our kingdom yet you sit and attack me how can you maneuver through the tension out there if you cant even be nice to a political asset” alexander asked raising an eye brow.

Behind her the noble families began to murmur and nod to themselves particularly the ones she had no control of.

“I remind you that you have not been crowned queen yet and I have every right to be here as a possible contender” Alexander said crossing his arms “so while you may not want to smooth down tensions you cannot bare me form contending for the throne” he reminded her.

One of the noble families the one not under your control stepped up “I would think as a good future queen you would be willing to accept any form of help regardless of personal feelings” he said tightly


…………………………………….

The man finished with the arrow and sighed breathing n deeply. He got up and drew the handmade arrow onto the bow. He gently breathed out and sighted on his target. He settled on the meeting house and let loose the arrow. It sailed through the air and hit the wooden roof covering the market place from rain. It exploded creating a burst of flames the quickly caught on the straw roof. The fire began to spread and people panicked.

The man disappeared

 

[jillaby]

"a contender for the throne" She said lightly "you?" She looked at him up and down and shared a small smile with her ladies who hid their sarcastic smiles behind their fan. A bastard claiming the crown? How very mad of him.

Another one stepped out of the circle of nobles and replied tersely "It is known that she is the only legitimate claim to the throne" And another one added "I have heard that she might take a great lord to husband before she is crowned queen. You sir have nothing to claim"

She turned to them nodding wisely " My mother was the king's half blood sister and that its known. But can your mother verify your blood?"
She tapped her fingers on her arm "I do not shun your help my dear cousin- just remember your place as the bastard born of the king. That he was complacent to you that it is true but that he never recognized you as future king that is true too. Perhaps he did not wish to leave you the kingdom. " She was going to add something more but a guard burst trough the wide oaken doors.

"My lady! My lady! there is a fire! " It was the dry season and fire was an extreme hazard and in a matter of hours the entire city could burn. This was the time to show leadership- not to cower in your castle and whimper.

"Make the bells toll! send for every able body in the guard and in the streets and set them to carry water. Children, women, men..form a large chain from the river to where the fire is at.." And as she commanded him she walked with him- her skirts held high with her rapid pace. She had forgotten her cousin and the intrigues of court. This was her moment to shine.

When the people saw her out there bringing buckets of water and helping the injured they would see her with shining hopeful eyes. The princess who would save their country.

 

[thestoryteller217]

Alexander worked with her making quick work of the fire with the other people. They all praised the both of them for putting such a quick end to the fire. Alexander quickly ordered for the men to find the highest point and search.

They came back with the bow it had the tribal varuk symbol and a note saying they would not care for a woman to be there king. The men could find no trace of the man who was up there.

“Well done” Alexander said smiling at her “you would make a fine princess and queen these people would be honored to have you lets hear it for the princess” Alex said and his men all clapped and every one cheered her on except for certain men who grumbled and groaned. Every one began to break up now that the action was over. Alexander watched her for a minute before going back to the castle ignoring her. He climbed onto his horse and set off going back to the castle. He went in and walked down the steps grabbing a piece of paper from a guard walking by he went to his fathers office and opened it reading it for a second before tearing it up and tossing it into the fire where it burned. He went over to his father desk and starred at it stroking the wooden paneling softly.

 

[jillaby]

They made short work of the fire and many women and children surrounded her lamenting that some of their homes had burn to the ground. She gave them hope by ordering the guards to start rebuilding the homes.

When she heard the cause of the fire her lips thinned and some thought they heard a chilling curse word. The tribe of varuk would see punishment for this. When her cousin praised her she smiled at everyone but from the corner of her eye she looked at him. what was he plotting in that devious mind of his. He had not shunned the brunt of the work and she had been surprised- before he would have sat like a little lordling and allowed the rest to do it for him.

He had the same idea as her she wagered. To look good in front of the people. He turned on his heel and left not giving her one word but she did not need him to speak to her.

Back at the castle she went to her chambers and dismissed her ladies. She was so tired of the intrigues and the fire had wearied her down. There was soot and the smell of smoke in her clothes. She pulled her robes off remaining in a light chemise and she crawled into bed.

Alexander would not get the best of her and win. She had to stay on her feet.

 

[thestoryteller217]

Alexander smiled and looked at the desk before going into his own room. He smiled “good bye father” he said softly before moving out of the room and going into the spare bed room. He laid in bed and stared up wondering about his cousin and sighing softly. She was a nice girl and a fair ruler a better choice then him for sure.

But he wanted that damn throne

He sighed and tossed and turned at night trying to get some sleep morning came quickly for the kingdom and every one bustled around going about there various duties.

Oblivious to what was going on

Alexander went down to breakfast interacting and being as nice as possible and social alexander was always a kid who kept to himself and he loathed going out of his way to be some thing he wasn’t

But such was the way of politics

He reached breakfast and turned going torwards the servants they all gasped seeing him come and get his food and sit with them he chatted with them happily

 

[jillaby]

Anara's ladies brushed her blonde hair into a top knot though she disliked intensely people doing things for her. When her mother had married Lord Larcey they had retired to a country home where Anara had freedom to do very much as she pleased. Her uncle had still been strong and his queen young with good hips.

Anara had not been thought as the heir yet and thus she grew independent with only one servant girl who was more of her confidant than her servant.

They helped her into her fine robes that fit snugly around her slim waist. Though some claim that she was a beautiful woman it was not very true. She was handsome that was known with long sloping eyebrows and deep green eyes and a wide mouth that a poet had once said had been made for kissing. However many women knew how to use their assets to make themselves more beautiful than they actually were. Anara was not one of them. She lacked those skills that women were taught.

She walked from her chambers to the breakfast room where knights and ladies supped. She was not given her uncle's seat but she was seated at his right- until she was queen would she have the right to sit there.

"Where is my cousin" She asked the lady sitting at her right. Sometimes it was prudent to know where your enemy was at every moment of their days.

 

[thestoryteller217]

“He is by the other servants my lady eating with them” The servant said looking over at him and blushing. Alex saw her come in and smiled moving over to let more servants kid come to the table he ruffled there heads and continued to eat with them saying some thing that caused the girls to blush and paying her no attention. Some nobles came and talked to him and he conversed smiling and playing the part easily.

“My lady my lady” the royal accountant came up in charge of the gold “ the gold is missing the gold is missing” he whispered to her making sure not to draw any attention.

Alex saw them speaking and frowned he excused himself and came over to the table “Is there some thing wrong my lady” Alex asked looking at her and frowning

 

[jillaby]

She stood up and said lightly "Nothing is wrong cousin. except you truly should learn your place. Sitting with the servants is highly frowned upon in this court. Come Devan we shall talk of this matter in private" there was no need to cause a ruckus in the dining hall.

She moved before anyone could stop her with more questions at the last moment she turned towards Alexander and beckoned with one finger as if saying come. She did not wait to see how he would react and instead went towards her rooms where she was sure no one would be listening.

"Now devan tell me everything you know..do not skip a detail..what do you mean the gold is gone?"

 

[thestoryteller217]

“I mean all the gold is gone my lady I don’t know how only you and I have the key” He said stuttering and pacing he was worried that much she could tell I was at home last night and my key was hanging where it always was” he explained “and I know you didn’t steal the gold” he looked nervous “right?” he asked making sure not to over step his bounds.

Alexander listened “Of course she didn’t” he said getting up and placing a calming hand on his shoulders “and we know you didn’t either why don’t you go take a emergency count of all the gold we have left?” he asked helpfully the man nodded and he ran out leaving them alone for the first time.

“This is not good with out gold we cant keep the greedier families in line there going to say were hording the gold for our selves” Alex said turning to her.

“We need to find the gold now my lady” he said surprising her by remaining nice and polite towards her

 

[jillaby]

"There is something odd here" She said her mind turning and turning. Someone had stolen the gold. Though by all means there were supposed to be guards in front of the treasure room. Her key was with her at all times. Hidden in the valley between her breasts. She never went anywhere. To steal the gold when she was about to be crowned queen was simply mad.

Though there was someone who would benefit from this. Her eyes glanced at him sharp and full of suspicion. Though she said nothing. There was no need to accuse people early in the game. Someone was responsible for this and she would get to the bottom of it.

"cousin. Do you suspect of anyone?" Her voice was soft and scared as if the whole problem was too much for her. She turned away hiding her cunning face and whispered brokenly " I don...I don't ..I don't know what to do...they will blame me surely...I...please" When she had composed her face into the expression she wanted to use she turned to him, getting rather close
"please help me cousin" even a few tears welled in her eyes as she sought comfort leaning into him.

When her face was hidden her lips pursed into a thoughtful sly look.

If alexander had anything to do with the missing gold. She was going to make sure he died a painful death- but for now it was best to keep her enemies close.

 

[thestoryteller217]

Alexander took her into her arms “there there cousin we will figure it out it’s a mountain of gold it couldn’t have gotten to far” Alex said kissing the top of her head.

She was cunning no doubt

“we will find it I trust my elite knights they will search discreetly and ask questions” Alex said to her moving and cupping her face so she was looking at her. His electric green eyes handsome and loving his sexiest grin on.

“Wherever you keep the key you should check it see if it is still there if it isn’t we have problems” Alex said smiling softly and calmingly at her. His face seemed genuine but if he had planned it he would have known what was about to happen.

“Why don’t you check and I will close my eyes” Alex said getting up and closing his eyes. His eye balls peeking through slits to watch her.

 

[jillaby]

She kept that lost scared expression on her face. You never knew when someone would cheat and look trough closed eyes. They were both playing a game of pretend and they both knew it. But it never hurt to show a bit of bosom to a man. She had heard it did wonders.

She spread the robes from her neck revealing a shiny golden key nestled between her breasts. It had been there night and day and she knew it. But it was high time her cousin thought her as a woman instead of a political pawn and thus commit an error.

"Its still her cousin..like I knew it would" Though any other idiot would have simply say that she carried it everywhere instead of showing a good amount of cleavage with a hint of a rosy nipple hiding underneath her bright red robes.

 

[thestoryteller217]

Alexander licked his lips slowly watching her nipple and clearing his throat. He opened his eyes ”I see you carry it around every where” he said smiling softly “then some one must have picked the lock which would have required a expert lock picker and theif” Alex said turning away from her rosy nipple and moving the bulge in his pants.

He walked over to the window looking out at the kingdom “only few people in the kingdom would be able to perform that we must find them. He said sighing and leaning against the arch way “I will get the men on it im sure you have pressing concerns allow me to handle this for you my lady” I say turning to you and smiling “I heard you have an upcoming courtship after all” alex said sending her a charming smile

 

[jillaby]

Her face seemed innocent enough but she smirked when he turned away having seen how his adam's apple had moved when she had opened her robes. She pulled the robes back into place but she did it carelessly leaving it almost open.

She was genuinely flustered when he mentioned her courtship. Though she had a fine mind to deny the man, most would frown upon it. She had to find a better match before the month was over or she would be stuck with a pretentious man who though women were only good to bear strong boys.

"what say you cousin about this courtship" She had not asked him his opinion before but she was trying to make conversation and thus grow closer to him. It would not be a bad idea to make alex into an alley.

 

[thestoryteller217]

“I believe it is a strong idea you would become a lot more sympathetic to every one who is arguing a man would be better” Alexander said leaning and trying not to look into her dress “The problem is that most men will be well what you think I am an ass” Alexander said laughing “you can drop the pretense” Alex said sighing and acting forlone as he glanced out the window.

“They will want control and you to stay home popping out children” he said lying but only half most of them would be like that but he had no idea what the man she wanted would be like.

“You need a man who will play the part while you continually be the queen some one who doesn’t mind the position and can let you be your self” Alex said sighing and shaking his head mockely “where you find such a man I don’t know” he said smiling softly “but I wish you luck my lady you deserve to find some one who will let you be the great queen I know you will be” alex said lying smoothly

 

[jillaby]

She smiled at him her eyes sharp for a moment "the moment pyrite stops trying to be oh so shiny" meaning alex was also pretending to be gold when they were both black inside.

He added something else that made her frown almost dropping the pretense of worried scared princess. "I think not. I shall die in the birthing table and no one will even remember my name. Men are all the same..except you cousin. I believe you are different."
You are a worse scoundrel that them. That it is known but she would not say it to his face and risk his scorn in public. Though she had been treating him like trash before- but before the gold had been in its place and the people would not have blamed her.

Now she could fall anytime and no one would pick her up. She needed to find the culprit and soon.

He was trying not to look at her open robe and she knew he was highly interested what lay inside. She ran a hand carelessly down her neck almost as if she truly did not realize what she was doing.
Her robe opened at bit more- revealing her high firm breasts, the shiny key and the soft pink hint that lay underneath.

Truly he was like a dog after a bone. All men were the same.

Perhaps alex would be a better pawn than she had imagined. Men thought with their cocks after all.

 

[thestoryteller217]

Alex realized she was using sex against him and smiled to him self softly “I am no different my lady” he said humbly licking his lips in an exaggerated manor.

Play the fool

“I can not stop looking at your breast imaging them in my hands after all” Alex said smiling at her and leaning in “I would bring you to bed know and you are my own cousin” Alex said smiling as if the revelation should shock him. Though it wasn’t that big of a deal.

“We men try and control our urges but it is hard” Alex said moving behind her and gently running his hands up and down her shoulder blades “though I would allow you to be queen if you wanted to get married” Alex said leaning down to lick her ear slowly “is that the bargain then dear cousin you give me the position of king as long as I let you play the real person” Alex asked leaning in to gently nip on her neck.

“It would look good on you to let the kings blood have a say in the kingdom ever you would hail you as a kind malevolent ruler” Alex said going over and pouring two glasses of red wine his back to her so she could admire his rippling back muscles

 

[jillaby]

Though his words were mocking she felt an odd thrill at his hands running down her shoulders. His tongue made her bite her lip and repress a moan. After a nip on the neck that caused a hot throbbing between her legs he moved away from her- making her realize he was only making fun of her.

She bit her lip furiously pulling her robes around her to cover her bosom. He was insulting her and she knew it. Treating her like an idiot, The bumbling princess who cannot do anything on her own. Defeated rather quickly by a man.

She took the wine and smiled politely but inside she was seething. Though he was a fine specimen of a man and she had to admit that his mouth and his hands felt glorious she could not allow him into her bed or into marriage. He would be like every other man, She had known it. He was nothing but a rascal with nothing else on his mind except the flow of coin after their marriage was realized.

He was a worthless libertine...though he could play the game of lordling and spend his time with his sluts- she could be queen. Her mouth opened in a small O. He seemed more appealing by the moment.

She regretted having closed her robes so quickly. She took a sip of her wine mulling on her answers and then she looked up her lips curving into a smile.

"you do not need to control your urges with me cousin..after all we are closer than most people" She murmured biting her lip provocatively. Her steps bringing her closer to him. He was a dog but she was a tigress. She was oh so close to him- her face tilting up to watch him trough her deep green eyes.

"what would you says cousin...if I said in bed is where I want you" a dangerous game she played. He could use her and then drop her...but she was sure he needed her more than she needed him.

 

[thestoryteller217]

“You think I was mocking you” Alex said raising an eye brow and cupping her face his fingers slowly stroking her chest “I was in no means mocking you” Alex lied smoothly his other hand nails lightly moving down her back.

“It is your choice I am giving you a option” Alex said moving away from her and going over to her bed he took a deep breath and put on his best acting role

“I am saying that I love you dear cousin always have loved you and admired you form afar” alex said sighing and sitting down looking at her forlonely “I am trying to tell you that I admire you your strong and you would lead this country far better than me” he lied “I am asking for the pleasure of your company and to be our king maybe even help you rule but never lording over you” Alex said getting up and pacing “most men here would make you submit I am asking for an equal partnership” Alex said looking back at her.

“We marry you ascend the throne with me as a very clear partnership we lead this land together and we share the burden with each other” Alex said speaking camly and holding out his hands “we find the missing gold and then we peace the country back together” He stated camly

 

[jillaby]

And unicorns exist. Of course.

How very sly of him to declare his love. Did he think her an idiot. She brought a hand to her mouth hiding the very sarcastic smile she did not want him to see. Instead she allowed a few tears to slip down her cheeks. Oh how very sweet.

Lets play pretend.

"You are so kind cousin. " After I kill you, you can sure live out your dream "I could never imagine that you loved me. I always thought you disliked me" And I was right you bastard. An idiot can believe promises of love, but anara was another story altogether.

Her respect for him would have been greater if he had stated bluntly that he wanted to fuck her no question asked. She supposed it would not be very good manners if he did. Say that to a well reared lady? Never.

"You would do that for me cousin?" She asked innocently enough "sitting on the bed next to him. Her small body resting against him.

"that would make all of my dreams come true" she whispered rolling her eyes.

She turned towards him pressing her breasts against his arm "I always did love you" see cousin how easy those words are spoken. You are not fooling anyone "but you were always with other women..I never thought you would have eyes for me" A lie easily slipped from her mouth.

Unicorns exist...yeah right!

 

[thestoryteller217]

Alex knew she would have her suspicions and didn’t think for a minute she could love him he hated her but he was all she had at the moment.

“I was I know I have been an ass but I would like to give you some redemption” Alex said sighing at her and taking her hands and kissing her knuckles “I would like to help you if you wish the deal is yours to take we rule together” Alex said sighing and shaking his head “and I hope one day you can love me like I love you” Alex said looking her in the eyes making her bs claim known to both of them.

“would you like to take this deal?” Alex said “or should I leave you” he asked sounding dissapointed