On Scales of Fate (closed for Jenn1982)

[HisPureLust]

In times forgotten there ruled a single noble lord. He was just and kind and the land was whole.

His name is lost to us but we know those of his children... of which he had two...

A daughter named Solace.

And a son named Solemn.

The two were inseparable and their father loved them dearly. Despite this there was something very different with these two children. It was as if they were born on opposite sides of the coin, opposite sides of the stars. They were twins but could not be more different...

Where one was strong, the other weak, where one was beautiful the other was ugly, where one was smart the other was... not.

Even the manner in which these traits seemed to be dispensed seemed to follow some kind of cosmic plan. Neither child held every benefit nor short coming... instead they each had both their demons to overcome and their strengths to cultivate.

In time the children grew to adulthood and their differences weighed more heavily on their relationship than it had in youth.

As things went on the beloved king died and their father's kingdom split into civil war over many issues left unresolved... the two children each, and unsurprisingly took up opposite sides of these struggles.

Soon the citizenry of one, splintered from that of the other and these rival factions relocated on opposite sides of the great divide, a large expanse of uninhabitable waste long abandoned by god and mankind.

The land to the north where the girl resided was named Orenia. The land to the south where the boy settled was called Dispencia.

This was when the wars began.

They rage till this very day.

Over everything and nothing. Over this and that. Over tooth and nail, bread and water, life and death.

Several decades later the two kingdoms where very well established and very very different. Even after its rulers had long passed away, both dying peacefully in their sleep...

Almost as if designed by the stars to be polar opposites, where one kingdom saw progress another saw deficiency. Where one enjoyed success the other knew failure. These disparities grew and grew until eventually it was true to say that if you were telling the tale of one kingdom you were unknowingly telling the tale of the other.

In time this star crossed fate came to be known as "The Scales", and all came to understand that if they tipped in one direction, so must they rise or lack in the other.

Much time has passed since the days of the ebb and flow... the waxing and waning... as the scales have seemed to settle on the favor of the kingdom of Orenia, over its sister land of Dispencia.

Orenia is now a shining beacon of hope and morality where law reigns and its citizens flourish. Their belly's full of its many surplus crops, yet their minds vacant of personal responsibility as easy times create weak men...

Dispencia is a dismal pit of suffering and depravity where the strong prey on the week and most struggle to survive let alone feed their families. The infrastructure ready to collapse, but its populace strong and militant being as how the weak have long since perished... since tough times... create strong men...

Several days ago the newest official of Orenia was recently appointed after a democratic election. He took office and moved his family into a lavish villa, claiming the title of King, his beautiful daughter now a Princess...

In Dispencia the current Prince's father, whom had won the title in trial by combat, lay ill in his bed chamber. Coughing what could very well be his final breaths into his son's sympathetic ear.

This is where our story begins... at the end of another...


******************************************************************************************


The carriage rode at a breakneck pace through the rain and mud as thunder crackled in the pitch black sky above, the health of the horses pulling it no longer a priority to the driver. They simply had to pass through the divide or their lives were forfeit.

Several dark armored death knights rode at their side as protection, shooting their bows behind the troupe into the blackness, unable to aim but hoping their bolts would strike true or give their pursuers cause to break off the chase.

"We aren't going to make it... we should stand our ground here!" The coach driver called to the knight captain.

"No. She must cross the border... the scales and our lord demand it. Press on or I'll drive that infernal wagon of yours myself and leave you for dea-"

His threat cut short as an arrow suddenly appeared inside his head, striking through his full plate helm and sending him spiraling to the muddy ground below, his horse riding off into the swirling blackness of the divide.

They pushed on despite reservation each one slowly picked off by enemy fire until only the coach driver and its inhabitants remained. He preyed to the gods he would see his family again, and just as he was about to resign to that never happening, the storm gave way to a more hospitable night sky, and familiar road.

The horses behind them turning to head back knowing they had run out of time, knowing they had failed.

The troupe had made it.

They were home.

Disperia.


*******************************************************************************************


His dark metal boots clomped loudly in the black marbled hall. Its blood red curtains billowing slightly from the wind blown in by the passing storm.

He paced like a brand new father expecting his first child.

Suddenly a pair of double doors on the other side of the great chamber burst open, his second in command, an older gentleman with a finely groomed and trimmed mustache and beard entering swiftly. His movements proud and full of duty. The subordinate strode up to him, his equally onyx armor glinting in the torch light adorning the hall, his greying shoulder length hair flowing behind him.

The older knight regarded the younger man with his single good eye and spoke in a deep and gravely voice...

"She has been secured M'lord. But our losses were heavy. Far heavier than I am personally content w-"

"That will be all Gravius."

He cut his advisor short with an annoyed tone, tossing his own long dark hair behind his head and narrowing his steely eyes. He crossed his arms and awaited the other man to leave. His pale skin almost glowing with silent anger.

It took some time. The two staring defiantly at one another but eventually Gravius nodded in supplication and began backing up with a low bow before turning on his heels and exiting the room. His mood not improved.

The young man, clenched a mailed fist, the sound of leather and plate echoing. He looked at his shaking fist and smiled, telling himself he was satisfied with his plan despite the cost and despite his own swirling doubt.

He walked out of the room and found the first guard he could, who was standing outside the large ornate doors.

"Take me to the prisoner... take me to the Princess."

 

[Jenn1982]

Aurora had grown up living a privileged life in a place where even those who would be considered the bottom of the class system lived a life of comfort and plenty. As a child she was surrounded by people telling her what a beautiful child she was and she grew up certain of her beauty. Her loveliness was not exaggerated though and she truly was a stunning young woman. She had pale skin that only seemed to be highlighted by hair that was such a light blonde it was almost white in certain lights and green eyes that were reminiscent of emeralds. In her 19 years she had never been denied a request, all of her heart’s desires had been happily fulfilled. She was an only child and her parent’s cherished her. Her father had been in politics for as long as she could remember and though he was away from home often, he doted on her whenever they had time together. She’d gone to the best schools Orenia had to offer. She had not excelled at school but like anyone of her station she had not been expected to. Her life would be easy, she would marry, have children, and if she chose to work it would be in some ostensible position. The circle of friends she had now would likely be the same ones she’d have the rest of her life. Her boyfriend of two years would probably become her husband in a few more years. Despite her untroubled and indulgent upbringing Aurora was a kindhearted person. Yes she was entitled and had a high opinion of herself but her parents had taught her the importance of being charitable and gracious. While she may have never known a life of want she knew that others had; it was just a nebulous concept that she could never really grasp. All of this had left her wholly unprepared for the predicament she currently found herself in.

Her family had only just moved into the new villa a few days ago and so when she’d woken up in the middle of the night with a feeling of unease she’d dismissed it. As she began to drift off to sleep again a metal-clad hand had closed around her throat. Her eyes flew open as the tight grip stopped any cry for help. Her room was dark enough that she could only make out the shape of the person standing next to her bed. The sound of his gruff voice made her fear grow even as she wrinkled her nose in disgust as his fetid breath hit her nostrils.

“Keep your mouth shut or I’ll cut out your tongue.”

His hand released its grip and instinctively she opened her mouth to scream. Before any real sound could escape her lips the man’s hand shot towards her face and she felt a flash of pain before darkness closed in.

The sound of urgent hoofbeats was the first thing she noticed as consciousness began to return. After a few seconds she opened her eyes, blinking a few times as they adjusted to the light. She could see she was in a carriage but the curtains were drawn. She could only make out faint silhouettes of men on horseback on either side of the carriage. It took her a few moments to figure out one of the sounds she was hearing was the twang of arrows being shot. With that worrying realization her focus turned inward and she realized her hands were bound. Across from her sat a burly man and she assumed it was the man who had broken into her room. The left side of her face was throbbing and she realized she’d lost consciousness because the man had hit her. Considering she’d never been touched in anything but a loving way her mind struggled with this unimaginable knowledge.

“Please let me go.”

The look he gave her in response made it clear that staying silent was in her best interest. She turned her focus towards the chaos going on outside of the carriage. The men outside didn’t seem to be speaking much other than the occasional grunt or expletive. The few she could see outlined behind the curtains slowly dwindled as they were, she assumed, fatally hit by arrows. After what seemed like an eternity the carriage slowed slightly and she could feel the tenseness dissipate slightly.

Eventually they arrived at their destination and the man grabbed the rope binding her hands. He led her out of the carriage and pulled her into a stone entryway that led to a set of stairs. In the few seconds between the carriage and the building she could see they were outside a large castle. Despite her brief glimpse she knew immediately that she was now in Dispencia. Everyone grew up learning the history of Orenia and in turn the history of Dispencia as the two kingdoms were inescapably intertwined. Knowing the history and facts of Dispencia did not change the fact that it would always be a fathomless idea for the people of Orenia. It also did not make Aurora any more prepared to be here than if she’d known nothing of the place.

She had clearly been taken to the King’s castle but to what end she didn’t know. It would be nothing good though and she tried not to think of all the different possibilities. They reached the bottom of the stairs and the man led her down a long hallway and through a heavy door. He proceeded to take her down more hallways and through more doors until finally they went through a door that opened up into a windowless room. The only thing in the room was what she recognized as, in the most charitable of definitions, a bed.

The man roughly untied her hands before walking out of the room, slamming the door behind him. She heard a lock click and then the fading sound of his footsteps. She began looking around the room for anything she could use as a weapon or any possible means of escape but it only took her a few minutes to search the small, nearly barren room and come up empty handed. With one last forlorn look around the room she sat down on the bed to await her fate.

 

[HisPureLust]

Loud, fast and consistent footsteps could be hear growing nearer and nearer to the chamber door. Their sound echoing in the great hall outside the door that kept Aurora prisoner.

After a long and silent pause the dark mailed young man eyed the knight that had just taken position besides it before turning his attention to another who had already been standing there.

"What is the condition of the prisoner?"

"She is well M'lord, no worse for wear... Lord Gravius merely incapacitated her... that is all I know. It is possible she is in need of..."

He waved away the next suggestion, the words never being uttered, dispelled before falling from the knight's lips.

"She will eat once we have spoken... and possibly not even then. Open the door. I am eager to see exactly what we have here."

"Yes M'lord" The large hulking man fumbled for a key on a large silver keyring, his armor clanking a bit, before placing the singled out key within the keyhole, unceremoniously then unlocking it and holding it open for his superior with a nod and a near militant reformation of his stance.

The dark figure entered. His long black hair framing his face, which currently held a near scowl and narrow eyes as he scanned the interior of the room to find a lovely and petite girl sitting on the ornate bed she had been left with.

He walked further and the door shut, locking behind him almost instantly.

A much longer silence than before followed. He stared at her... his pale skin and black armor contrasting further in the light of the room.

The first thing the young man noticed was her beauty. It was not exaggerated...

Her skin was of a brighter alabaster than his own, which was marred by scars and burns, cuts and damage from his younger years toiling in the mines and his more recently years battling in the academy. Her skin almost glowed with a perfection that he may have thought magical if he didn't know any better. Her long blonde hair cascaded down in almost perfectly symmetrical and ornate waves, as if she had been painted on a canvas rather than born. Her face was of course stoic... sad and full of anguish. No doubt unsure of what her fate was. He had to fight a smile... enjoying the irony of an Oresian, understanding now what all Disperian's felt on a daily. Her figure was equally as enticing and appealing. He licked his lips, only barely as he beheld her large bosom and wide child bearing hips. The long white dress of her royalty hiding any certain details but unable to hide the very obvious elegance and voluptuousness of her form beneath.

He hated every inch of her.

"I am Lord Tyrn, but for the duration of your stay here you will simply address me as M'Lord or Master." He walked about the room meticulously and cautiously as if expecting traps to spring in a castle chamber of his faction's own design. He touched and glided his fingers along the walls here and there almost checking for dust or something else before speaking again... "My name is not to be uttered by Orenian scum such as yourself. Do I make myself clear?"

His eyes fell upon her again. He had ripped them away earlier when realizing a fantasy had managed to enter his mind briefly.

It was then that he noticed her deep green eyes... and he turned away again.

"Speak if you understand your situation... or do they not educate their leaders well enough, in Orenia?"

The anger and bitterness in his voice was palpable. It hung in the air like a measure of threat.

He smiled again inwardly.

He had no idea he would enjoy this so much.

 

[Jenn1982]

Aurora didn’t have to wait long before she heard footsteps outside her room. They were followed by muffled voices and she steeled herself as she heard a key turn in the lock. A few seconds later a man in heavy, black armor walked in. His hair was long and black but it was somehow even darker than his armor. Most of his skin was hidden by the armor but his face was visible and she could see it was peppered with scars. Even without the scars and armor he looked intimidating, his face had some cruelness to it she couldn’t quite put her finger on. She instinctively recoiled from him. Even her parent’s fiercest guards had treated her with reverence and kindness, making her feel protected instead of scared. As he stared at her it felt like his gaze pierced the deepest parts of her and the intensity made her look away. Finally he broke the silence and his deep voice washed over her as her eyes rose to meet his.

"I am Lord Tyrn, but for the duration of your stay here you will simply address me as M'Lord or Master. My name is not to be uttered by Orenian scum such as yourself. Do I make myself clear?"

She knew immediately who he was. His father was the current ruler of Dispencia. She attempted to answer but all of the moisture had seemingly left her mouth leaving it too dry to actually speak.

"Speak if you understand your situation... or do they not educate their leaders well enough, in Orenia?"

She swallowed a few times and was finally able to reply.

“I understand.”

She’d planned on saying more…asking why he had taken her, demanding to be let go, begging for mercy but in the end she knew all of it would be pointless. The people of Orenia were kind and altruistic which meant that the people of Dispencia were cruel and selfish…the scales would tolerate nothing else.

 

[HisPureLust]

“I understand.”

Tyrn was a bit surprised though not enough for the emotion to show through the many layers of authority his feelings usually stayed wrapped up in. She didn't argue... didn't question... she hadn't even resisted any of what he had said.

He had expected her to at least be indignant or pompous. It was entirely possible that the trauma of the ordeal had kept the majority of her nature at bay for now. Replaced with either a crippling fear or the floundering feeling of being away from the only world she had ever known...

Still. He didn't think Orenian's could feel or care about anything other than their own privilege and desires.

"Good. Very good."

There was nowhere to sit except for beside her on the bed, so instead he drew closer and stood above her, his large body seeming much larger within the confines of his bulky and ornate full plate armor. The glossy black metal reflecting the girl's face in its breast plate. He wanted to reach out a hand and touch her dress... it seemed of a fabric that one would read about in a fairy tale. Surely nothing so elegant or decadent existed in Disperia... at least... not something so innocent.... decadent yes.... but innocent, and expensive, surely not.

"You no doubt are wondering why I have taken you from your home... if it is not obvious, then let me tell you plainly..."

He turned his back to her, placing the hand which had slowly risen as he looked at her to his side.

"I intend to ransom you at the least... win the war at the very most. What happens depends on how much value you have to your own family and the kingdom of Orenia. If all goes well you will be returned there soon."

Walking to the door slowly before turning around again, Tyrn tossed some of the raven dark tresses that had fallen over his shoulder to his back once more before continuing...

"I would pray for your people to agree with my terms. If they do not... your stay here may be more... permanent. And if THAT happens..."

He smiled.

"I will be forced to... do things that may ENCOURAGE them, to see it my way."

He licked his lips.

"None of these things will be pleasant for you."

 

[Jenn1982]

The man was silent and staring at her with a strange look on his face. Aurora worried for a moment that he was upset she hadn’t addressed him “properly” as he’d told her to but she hadn’t seen the need for it since she hadn’t addressed him by his name either. It galled her to have someone tell her that she had to address them by a title and not their name. It’s not as if titles didn’t exist in Orenia nor had she refrained from using them in the proper settings. It was that someone, who in her opinion, was undeserving of ordering her to do anything would tell her that she was unworthy to address them in any way except what he deemed suitable.

As this thought flowed through her mind she realized she was feeling something she had never experienced before…conceit. Her life thus far had never put her in a situation where she’d felt arrogant because she was surrounded by equals for the most part. Even her father’s guards or the house staff were not really looked down on. They performed tasks that were necessary and made her and her family’s lives easier or better so she had always viewed them with gratitude. Even with the people of Dispencia…they were viewed as a faraway and immaterial idea, not real enough to give weight to. Aurora heard him begin to speak and she tried to focus on that instead of her emotions.

"Good. Very good."

He moved closer to her but stopped short of sitting down on the bed, instead stopping to stand just in front of her. He continued to stare at her and she returned his gaze, hoping she didn’t look as terrified as she felt. She noticed he started to lift one of his arms and a lump formed in her throat as she wondered if he was going to reach out and touch her.

"You no doubt are wondering why I have taken you from your home... if it is not obvious, then let me tell you plainly..." he said as he lowered his arm before he actually touched her.

"I intend to ransom you at the least... win the war at the very most. What happens depends on how much value you have to your own family and the kingdom of Orenia. If all goes well you will be returned there soon."

Her heart leapt at his words, she knew her father would happily pay any ransom he asked for to get her back. Her family was well-off, even by Orenia standards, and she couldn’t imagine that even a royal from Dispencia would ask for a sum that would be considered substantial by her family’s standards. He turned and walked back towards the door before turning back to her.

"I would pray for your people to agree with my terms. If they do not... your stay here may be more... permanent. And if THAT happens...I will be forced to... do things that may ENCOURAGE them, to see it my way. None of these things will be pleasant for you."

She barely even registered what he said, her thoughts filled with joy at the thought of being able to go back home soon.

“They’ll pay whatever you ask, I promise. Please reach out to them right away and I know you’ll have what you ask for within a day or two…maybe even sooner.”

 

[HisPureLust]

“They’ll pay whatever you ask, I promise. Please reach out to them right away and I know you’ll have what you ask for within a day or two…maybe even sooner.”

Tyrn nodded as if he was pleased and/or accepted what she had said. All the while he was finding it rather difficult to avert his eyes from her. He initially had dismissed it as mild curiosity but he was no fool, he knew that having such a young, privileged Orenian beauty here under his roof... had created an opportunity that might never come again. Even more than that she was royalty. The temptation was nearly irresistible. It would however not be prudent to avail himself of that opportunity... but it was there nonetheless... wasn't it?

"Excellent... that, I think," He began as he again inched ever closer to her "would be in everyone's best interest."

As nonchalantly as the two had both spoken, and as casually as a close friend would do, he appeared to offer his hand, reaching out...

Then smacking her hard across the face.

Sending her down towards the head of the bed, the power behind the attack caused her face to be buried into the nearby pillow which was soft by Disperian standards but a near sand paper quality if compared to those of Orenia.

"I know you are not used to rules, or respecting others... but here in Disperia, there are consequences to disobeying your superiors. It would be in your best interest if you at least TRY to understand that. If you speak to me, I will have you address me properly. You said you understood this."

His voice was a deep baritone and very matter of fact, but inside he thoroughly enjoyed that and had longed to touch her. It was exactly the way he had wished it would happen and this pleased him.

"As far as the payment... the ransom... it is more than simple riches... my people have suffered much so that yours may thrive. That will either end... or your life will. So this is not as simple as you see... my young Princess."

With that the stoic black armored young Lord, turned on his heal and headed for the door. Waiting briefly before leaving.

 

[Jenn1982]

Aurora watched as the man nodded, seeming pleased at her words and her hope continued to grow. This ordeal had been upsetting but soon it would be over and it would become just a small hiccup in an otherwise idyllic life.

"Excellent... that, I think would be in everyone's best interest,” he said as he moved slightly closer to her.

She really didn’t want him this close to her but she still smiled agreeably hoping he’d leave now that he’d gotten the answer he wanted. His hand moved towards her and her smile turned to a grimace for a fraction of a second before she was able to master her expressions again. He obviously just wanted a handshake, probably like a sign of good faith, she could manage that. Before her hand could move more than a fraction of an inch his hand flew at her face, connecting with more force than she would’ve expected even if she had known what was about to happen. The next thing she knew she was lying on the bed, her face pressed against the rough material covering the pillows.

To say Aurora was shocked was an enormous understatement. The idea of someone physically hurting her on purpose was such an unimaginable possibility that she had never thought about it. Her brain couldn’t seem to reconcile what had just happened and instead began taking stock of her pain. Her whole face seemed to be throbbing and she could feel the warm wetness of blood on one of her cheeks. She guessed that his armored glove had broken the skin causing the bleeding. She could feel the tears running down her face, stinging her skin.

"I know you are not used to rules, or respecting others... but here in Disperia, there are consequences to disobeying your superiors. It would be in your best interest if you at least TRY to understand that. If you speak to me, I will have you address me properly. You said you understood this."

She was aware of him speaking but her senses were already busy focusing on the aftermath of him hitting her. A part of her brain heard and registered what he was saying, filing it away so that she could process them later.

"As far as the payment... the ransom... it is more than simple riches... my people have suffered much so that yours may thrive. That will either end... or your life will. So this is not as simple as you see... my young Princess."

Though she was still crying she had stayed silent but she could feel the hysteria slowly filling her. She had, of course, never been truly hysterical in her charmed life. The few times she’d had something make her sad or upset had seemed like tragedies at the time but now she knew just how trite they truly were. Her breathing had quickened but she still felt like she couldn’t breathe. She’d heard him walk to the door but he didn’t open it right away and she desperately prayed for him to leave hoping she’d maybe be able to calm down once he did. Finally she heard him leave and she waited for the relief to wash over her. Except it didn’t. The panic that had been filling her didn’t lessen and certainly didn’t go away…which made her panic more. As the tears flowed she wondered how she would get through this, or if she would even be able to.

 

[HisPureLust]

Lord Tyrn left the personal chambers that currently served as the Princesses prison cell.

Outside one of the two guards nodded, straightening up almost immediately as he did so. The other took stride just behind and to the left of the young Lord. Following closely but saying nothing until spoken to.

"See to it that she is fed."

"Yes, of course M'Lord, I will see to it at once. What should we..."

"Give her meals from my own share of military rations... take no more than half. After that..."

The guard listened intently unsure what Lord Tyrn would say next. The kingdom had been on an austerity budget since he could remember, entire fields of crops wasted away in the most recent drought and subsequently leaving the amount of livestock that could be raised and fed, diminished. You'd be surprised what you can live through... but man and women both needed sustenance...

"... after that feed her pig slop. And make sure she knows it."

"Sire?"

Lord Tyrn stopped. And so did his escort.

For about half a second there was silence before the guard nodded his understanding.

"Forgive me Lord Tyrn... but your father wishes to speak with you... he is not well."

A third voice broke through the quiet hallway chamber. It was gruff and gravelly and unmistakably that of Gravius. Tyrn rolled his eyes, wondering to what end the older knight captain had complained to his father and stirred up trouble this time.

The two armored Lords nodded to the simple guard who scurried away to follow orders and they themselves took off down an adjacent hallway to meet with the King.

"You realize of course Gravius that you will not have the luxury of circumventing my orders once father passes on."

"I do M'Lord... and that is why I will attempt to avail myself of this option while i still can." The grey haired, one eyed gentleman had the feintest of smiles as he answered.

There was a moment of silence then, the only sound that of their heavy boots hastily walking down the marble hall.

"How is she? I was a bit... short with her during the apprehensio-" Gravius began before cut off by Tyrn.

"She is fine... much better than she will be, by this time tomorrow..."

 

[Jenn1982]

Aurora barely registered the muffled voices outside her door or the sound of fading footsteps. Almost all of her attention was focused on the panic that was overwhelming her. Having never had to deal with adversity meant she didn’t know how to deal with it or the emotions that came with it. Eventually her breathing began to return to normal and then the numbness followed. Somewhere in the back of her mind she was able to recognize that while it was a coping mechanism it wasn’t a particularly healthy one. Still, for the time being it would do, she was able to at least think.

She was clearly out of her depth and had no one to help her. She didn’t know what the man had meant about the ransom being more than just riches but whatever it was he made it sound like her father wouldn’t be able to readily give it. That meant she would probably be here longer than she’d thought when she first heard he was going to ransom her. She had no doubts that he would hurt her since he already had but even worse he’d said she’d die if he didn’t get what he wanted and she didn’t think it was a stretch that he would kill her with no compunction or hesitation.

She knew her father would do whatever he needed to in order to get her back but depending on what he had to give it might take him time…and she knew that there were indeed some things even her father wouldn’t be able to do. She just had to hope that whatever the man was asking for was at least attainable by her father and that he’d be given a reasonable amount of time to get it. She would have thought that as long as the man was getting what he wanted he wouldn’t hurt her but evidently that was not the case but hopefully as long as she addressed him the way he wanted and didn’t antagonize him he would leave her be.

Aurora wasn’t sure how long she’d spent in the throes of panic or how long she’d been sitting here thinking so when her door opened she didn’t know if it was a short time later or hours. A man walked in and based on his armor she assumed he was a guard. He walked up to her and handed her the bowl he was carrying before walking back out the door without a word. He locked the door behind him and Aurora looked down at what he’d brought her.

It looked like a stew of some kind though all she recognized was what she thought were potatoes and some kind of meat. She hadn’t realized she was hungry until now and she dubiously brought a spoonful to her mouth. It was definitely not anything like she was used to but she hadn’t expected it would though. Orenia had a myriad of spices that were grown in its lands and it definitely wasn’t lacking when it came to fresh ingredients of all kinds. This didn’t seem to have any seasoning and the flavor of the other ingredients varied between bland and unpleasant. She still ate all of it, trying not to think of what kind of meat it was since it definitely didn’t taste like any of the meat they had back home. She set the bowl on the floor near the door and went back to the bed.

The windowless, empty room left her with nothing to distract herself with so she was left to her own thoughts. She could feel her previous numbness beginning to wear off and she knew that would happen faster if she thought too much about her situation. She forced herself to lay down on the shabby bed and try to sleep. Fortunately it didn’t take too long before she was able to drift into troubled sleep.

 

[HisPureLust]

Tyrn's muscular body perspired as he threw a flurry of punches followed by a single feint.

The fist nearly grazing his nose before he ducked slightly and moved forward again, continuing to apply pressure only this time into his assailants ribcage.

The sweat ran down his deeply scared and hardened chest, following a trail along his defined abdominal muscles, holding on despite the violent motions of its host body until finally being absorbed by a fabric lining leather breeches. The Lord's hair was tied up, which still left a single and thick, long, smooth tail of straight black tresses to grab onto if his opponet so desired but this at least kept it out of his face as he settled this...

Another strike nearly grazed his cheek, they were getting closer now as his foe began to calculate his reach and range of motion. He would need to end this soon.

As the two danced around one another, their hands and fists raised in front of them, guarding their midsections and faces, Tyrn took a chance to fake a right hand. His enemy seeing the reflex of his right shoulder and assuming the assault was incoming from that direction, responding almost instinctively.

This was the moment he wanted.

Instead Tyrn pivoted and switching to use his left arm he came straight up with a small inside uppercut that connected with the intended target.

Gravius' jaw.

The large tan-skinned older man, fell to the ground, positioning quickly onto one hand and springing away to land on one knee at a safe distance. He spat towards the ground. There was no blood.

As Tyrn's advisor and trainer rose, he wiped his mouth, nearly unfazed by the attack.

"Not bad. But i let that through."

Lord Tyrn rolled his eyes with a smile "The hell you did old man."

Gravius laughed. It was a wonderful sound neither of them heard very often. The large wise knight was in a better mood than usual for some reason.

"Belief as you wish, M'Lord... the fact remains you need to work on your strength. I suspect it has something to do with your body weight. You are not eating." Gravius walked closer to him, the both of them dripping with sweat inside the large sparring chamber filled with weight training devices and armaments. He placed his hand atop Tyrn's naked shoulder. His own topless body heaving and nearly twice the size of his Master's. "...you do none of us a favor by dying when we need you most."

The knight captain... the commander of his armies... the older Disperian was right. But for each meal Tyrn skipped, another Disperian child did not have to.

He brushed off the large calloused hand and stood up straight gaining his breath still.

"Don't worry about it. I'm fine." He looked into Gravius' eyes sternly "We begin today... have her placed in the breaking chamber. Their first response was as expected."

The veteran soldier nodded and turned on his heel respectfully, walking towards a corner of the room where he began to wipe himself off and gather the rest of his clothing. Soon he left Tyrn alone.

The Disperian Heir turned to face the large and wide window that encompassed one side of the stale room. He stared out into the setting sun, as the orange glow filled the room... The haze of color washing over his chiseled body as he put both hands behind his back and proudly raised his chin to look at the descending orb as it fell...

He focused on the beauty of his homeland trying desperately to ignore...

That he was so very hungry.

 

[Jenn1982]

Aurora awoke to the sound of the door being unlocked and opened. She wasn’t sure what time it was or how long she’d been asleep though she did know her sleep had been dreadful. She knew it had been plagued by nightmares but what the specifics seemed to float just out of reach of her consciousness. She didn’t have time to try to remember what they had been and she was sure they were about her present situation anyway.

She concentrated her attention on the door and the man walking through it. It was the same man who had taken her from her home and she instinctively shrank in on herself as if she could will herself to disappear. His gaze stayed on her but it was like he was looking at an object rather than a person. She didn’t bother trying to beg or question him, knowing it would fall on deaf ears.

“Stand up,” he said in his deep, surly tone.

She did as he asked and once she was standing he turned her around and pulled her arms roughly behind her back. She flinched as she felt cold metal enclose her wrists. She assumed he was finished now and she was about to turn around when a hood was placed over her head. The material was scratchy and thick, blocking out most of the light. Her unease turned to panic as she tried to figure out what was going on.

The man grabbed her by the arm and began pulling her out of the room. He was a good foot or more taller than she was so his strides were impossible for her to match and she had to constantly fight to keep from stumbling as he dragged her along. She had no idea where he was taking her but she knew it was not going to be anywhere good. She doubted that in the time she’d slept her father had been able to gather whatever had been asked and make arrangements to trade it for her. And if that wasn’t what was happening she couldn’t think of any good reason to take her from her room. She wondered if the price Tyrn had put on her freedom had already proven to be unattainable and she was being led to her death. The room they had kept her in was a far cry from what constituted “nice” but she was sure for Despencia standards it was acceptable, bordering on exceptional accommodations. Which meant they probably wouldn’t want to make a mess by killing her in there. She didn’t know why else they would be taking her out of her room unless it was maybe to move her to a different room, some kind of dungeon room. She didn’t really think that was it but she needed some hope, however slim it might be. Finally they stopped and she heard him open another door. They walked into the room and then she was pushed down, landing in what she assumed was a chair.

“Stay there,” the man ordered before walking out of the room.

He had said it in a way that brooked no argument and any thought of not doing what he’d told her to do was ignored. Honestly there wasn’t really much thought of not doing what she was told. Her whole life had been charmed and so she had never had a need to rebel. Sure she’d gone through the rebellious teen phase but it had been fairly mild. Mostly she had just complained to her friends about her parent’s rules and being more argumentative with her parents than usual.

Now she was in a situation where she might need to be more belligerent or at least not just blindly do as she was told. The memory of Tyrn slapping her pushed its way to the front of her mind reminding her that being defiant would come with consequences much worse than she would have ever had to worry about at home. Her musings on obedience were interrupted by the sound of the door opening and footsteps approaching her.

 

[HisPureLust]

Tyrn hated her so very very much.

It was in his blood, as sure as he knew his heart pumped it throughout his body, he knew that he was bred to despise the spoiled, privileged peacock of a girl in the next room.

Perhaps not directly. His father was not as... "passionate" as his son was, and did not believe in hate, despite the fact that Tyrn knew even the old man occasionally felt it. No it was much more organic... much more incremental and indirect.

He had seen her picture once when he was young... her alabaster skin, her perfectly fashioned light blonde hair and the petite though plump and well-fed body of a small girl.

He wasn't sure what he weighed at the time but he knew damn sure he wasn't swollen and jovial as she was in that fucken picture. As the eyes within the sunken hollows on his face glared at her, his small skinny fists balled up almost instinctively. She was everything wrong with the world. Everything he didn't have and would never have... and not for lack of trying, but a mere cosmic joke. Station. Luck. Fate.

He had kept that picture.

He wasn't sure why. At firsts perhaps it was simply fascination. He had never felt that way before... been that angry... and curious, at the same time. But through the years his memento of how the other half lives, turned into a fantasy... and then a plan... It was ironic. As he stared at the faded photo he realized nothing had change... It was just as it was then...

Angry... and curious.

Or maybe it was more honest to say Enraged and eager.

A few moments later Tyrn opened the breaking room door. The princess was sitting rigidly on a small chair at its center, well... it was small for him but it seemed to suit her lithe frame fine within the large chamber adorned with cabinets, tables and devices which were specifically tailored for changing... someone's opinion... or coaxing out a confession.

He shut the door and slowly walked up to her, the dark burlap sack that was placed over Aurora's head forming a depression where it sank a bit into her mouth as she breathed beneath it and sucked some of the fabric in. Her luxurious hair was less so after her time with them... and the hood was not doing it anymore favors either.

A slight sheen of sweat was covering her arms, neck and what he could see of the tops of her breasts as she inhaled and exhaled quickly, more than likely in panic.... Tyrn was pleased she was apprehensive... scared... it made what was about to happen all the more satisfying and exciting to him.

"I'd ask you how you slept..." He abruptly removed the sack and tossed it onto the floor beside them. Nearby a large table adorned with shackles and chains stood ominously. "But I couldn't care less." The Disperian Lord disappeared behind her and undid the binds behind the princesses back.

The room was dimly lit and the air a bit more stale than her previous accommodations. It was longer than it was wide and along its walls were various mechanisms, furniture and devices... each threatening, intimidating and terror inducing in their own right.

Tyrn had worn a tight pair of leather pants and a cream colored blouse, the latter which he was currently removing. His muscles and scars now on full display as he watched intently for any reaction from the poor captured girl, he reached over to a cabinet and opened it agonizingly slow.

"Take your nightgown off."

He ordered flatly as he removed a long black object from inside.

 

[Jenn1982]

"I'd ask you how you slept...but I couldn’t care less."

Tyrn pulled the hood off of her head as he spoke and she blinked a few times as the light assailed her vision even though the room was not a lot brighter than it had been under the hood. As her eyes adjusted she saw him move behind her and a few seconds later her hands were freed. She instantly pulled them in front of her and tucked them in her lap, as if that would prevent him from restraining them again if he so chose.

She didn’t bother saying anything to him, she knew he wasn’t wanting or expecting a response. Instead she looked around the room but it hardly took any time at all for her to wish she hadn’t. It seemed as if almost everything in the room had been designed for nefarious uses. Her history classes had briefly gone over the antiquated tools that had been used to torture people but it had been a brief overview and she’d given it very little thought outside of what she had to remember for tests. She knew she shouldn’t be surprised that these things not only still existed in Dispencia but were actually used. She supposed the silver lining here was that she was pretty sure she wasn’t going to be killed, at least not right now. She was about to go through some things that were more atrocious than anything she had ever contemplated.

Aurora finally pulled her attention from her thoughts and focused on the man in front of her. He looked relaxed and nonchalant despite the things around him…including her. He pulled his shirt off and Aurora gaped at the scars peppering his skin. A small part of her, deep in the recesses of her mind, noticed how muscular his body was even though he was clearly undernourished. She had no idea how he’d gotten so many scars. She and a few of her friends had occasionally tried to sneak a peek at the soldiers when they were training, giggling at the sight of the fit, shirtless men. Most of them had had at least a scar or two, some more than a few but even then it was nothing compared to how many Tyrn had. He seemed to ignore her blatant gawking and walked over to a cabinet. He pulled something out but most of it was blocked by his body and she tried to stretch her neck so she could get a better look.

"Take your nightgown off."

Her attempts to see what he had pulled from the cabinet ceased. Even if she didn’t consciously realize it she was at a critical juncture. She could refuse and draw her line in the proverbial sand signifying the boundary she wouldn’t cross. Or she could acquiesce and do what he told her to do. She knew that she was going to be tortured very soon regardless of what she did or didn’t do. There were different degrees of torture though and her choices could have some sway over how much pain was inflicted on her. The tradeoff being that she would be nearly naked in front of the man who clearly wanted to hurt her and probably wanted to kill her as well. In a normal situation she would also worry that if she didn’t establish some set boundaries now he would assume there weren’t any and that he could do what he wanted. This was not a normal situation though and she knew he would laugh in her face at any attempt on her part to present him with rules he would have to follow. She knew she would come to a point where she would have to take a stand despite how absurd it would be but she also knew this wasn’t that time. She stood up and unceremoniously pulled the nightgown over her head, letting it drop to the floor next to the chair as she sat back down.

 

[HisPureLust]

"To an Orenian this room must seem... barbaric, impractical even."

He took the long, thin, black stick and swatted a nearby table, displaying that it was actually a riding crop. It was more apparent now as it bent when swung and slapped on contact. The taught leather grip of it aching is his hand as his grip tightened and he let the object within his grip fall to his side casually while he approached her.

"In Dispencia we used to find this chamber quite useful, you see... here...." He struck a cabinet this time as if practicing his technique or simply attempting to intimidate her. He paid as much attention to her now as one would a corpse once it was placed in the ground despite his words. His focus on the instrument inside his palm.

"Those who do not follow orders put others at risk... those that do not stick to their conviction... fail their families." He stopped at the table adjacent to her. "These devices help us... refocus some of our less... resilient citizens and occasionally..." He turned to look at her "break through to the heart of a matter. That is why this room is called the breaking room. We rid ourselves of weakness here. We break through to the truth... but in your case... its an entirely different matter... isn't it, Princess?" Tyn said her title as if it were a slur... a curse... mocking its accuracy with his tone.

He placed the tip of the crop below her chin and raised her head to look into his eyes.

"For you this will be an entirely different proposition."

He turned around and again assaulted a nearby piece of furniture. It was almost intentionally for display at this point.

"We've had several other Orenian's come through here... you wouldn't of heard of that... I'm sure. Just as I'm sure a number of event's that have occurred between our kingdom's over the years are beyond you... beneath you..."

He faced her once more.

"I'm sure your parents thought they were protecting you... or perhaps it simply did not matter to them for their daughter to understand the suffering of others... atrocity. I can tell you... little one, your brethren... that passed through here, understood that very thing by the time we were... done."

Tyrn enjoyed her stares on his naked torso though he did not acknowledge them.

As her nightgown was lifted over her head and discarded beside her, he smiled. Many things would be stripped away in this room over the next few days, he mused as he tried to not make it apparent how much her naked body pleased him. Her ample naked breasts exposed to the damp air... her perfect dark pink nipples appeared to stiffened slightly more than likely due to their exposure. She had the hour glass full figure that came with consistent meals and personal training. Soft and voluptuous. Toned yet not sculpted. Her body was perfect. It looked untouched. Unblemished. Virginial. He wondered if she had ever taking an man inside her.

Her tits swayed, bouncing into each other as she sat back down, her round pale ass touching the hard unyielding chair. She sat there quietly and he was a bit disappointed at how quickly she was obeying him.

"Good. Very good."

He stood before her. Only a few inches of air and opportunity separating them.

"Tell me... are you a virgin?"

 

[Jenn1982]

"To an Orenian this room must seem... barbaric, impractical even."

Aurora was finally able to see what he had pulled from the cabinet as he used it to smack a table. The sound of it seemed even louder than it really was, partly because the room was quiet and partly because her mind gave the item more power than it probably had.

"In Dispencia we used to find this chamber quite useful, you see... here....those who do not follow orders put others at risk... those that do not stick to their conviction... fail their families."

He struck a cabinet as he spoke and she flinched. If he hadn’t been speaking to her she would’ve thought he was oblivious to her as he never looked at her. He stopped at the table next to her but even then he didn’t so much as glance in her direction, just continued his tirade.


"These devices help us... refocus some of our less... resilient citizens and occasionally...break through to the heart of a matter. That is why this room is called the breaking room. We rid ourselves of weakness here. We break through to the truth... but in your case... its an entirely different matter... isn't it, Princess?"

The way he said “princess” made it clear exactly how he felt about her. She had never had someone hate her as much as this stranger did.

"For you this will be an entirely different proposition,” he said as he placed the tip of the crop under her chin, using it to lift her head until her gaze met his. She was only able to hold it for a few seconds before she had to look away from the venom in his eyes.

He pulled the crop away and a second later the sound of him hitting something else filled the silence. She kept her gaze down, not wanting to watch the angry display he put on as he spoke.

"We've had several other Orenian's come through here... you wouldn't of heard of that... I'm sure. Just as I'm sure a number of event's that have occurred between our kingdom's over the years are beyond you... beneath you. I'm sure your parents thought they were protecting you... or perhaps it simply did not matter to them for their daughter to understand the suffering of others... atrocity. I can tell you... little one, your brethren... that passed through here, understood that very thing by the time we were... done."

Aurora’s head snapped up at his words and she looked at him with a horrified expression. The thought that other Orenians had been where she was, tortured and likely killed, was not only upsetting but something she had never heard before. She had never actually put a lot of effort into staying abreast of what was going on politically but that was mainly because she never heard anyone speaking of anything going on really other than a skirmish here or there with Dispencians but even that news was few and far between. She had assumed that if there had been battles or citizens taken and killed she would have heard her parents or someone discussing it.

A small part of her was offended that he thought her so shallow and self-absorbed that she didn’t care about the suffering of others. Yet she supposed it wasn’t entirely untrue. She had known that things for the people in Dispencia were awful and it made her sad when she thought of it but she didn’t think of it all that often. She doubted it actually mattered to him though. She didn’t think he had any way of knowing how much she had talked or cared about the plight of his people.

"Good. Very good."

His words pulled her from her reverie and she realized he was standing just a couple of feet in front of her. She resisted the urge to cover her breasts as he looked at her.

"Tell me... are you a virgin?"

She was speechless as her cheeks reddened in embarrassment. It didn’t take long for her embarrassment to be replaced with fear though. She had realized and come to a kind of acceptance to the fact that she was going to be hurt for however long she ended up being here but her mind had never considered that pain coming from anything other than beatings. She was now having to face the probable reality that some of that pain was likely going to come in the form of rape. She’d been with her boyfriend for a little over two years now but they’d only gone so far as make out sessions with some light petting involved.

The idea of being hit or beaten had been a foreign concept to her and the idea of being raped was even more so. It wasn’t as if it never happened in Orenia it was just that it was very rare and it happening to someone of her standing was even more rare. Fairness was one of the main tenets of Orenia and so regardless of one’s standing they faced the same harsh punishment if they raped someone so this dissuaded all but the most depraved.

“I…uh…no, I’m not a virgin,” she said in an ashamed tone. She was hoping that if he didn’t think she was a virgin he’d be slightly less interested in raping her.