Sacrifice-closed for dudeinahat

[Perplexia]

Queen Clara paced in front of the large hearth as she read the latest reports. There was a rebellion in the south that was threatening to move on the villages in her providence. Her armies had suffered a giant blow with the epidemic of small pox that claimed so many of the young recruits.

She needed help, and this meant that she needed an alliance with the country of Caliberia. Despite their different beliefs her belated husband and the King had been on friendly terms. She had met him a couple of times. He was a bit younger then her and her husband were. Yet he seemed wise beyond his years.

The didn't have the gold to purchase the armies that were necessary. If the King wouldn't lend them to her, he would be looking for a payment in the form of a wife. With only one daughter, it wasn't a guess to be what he'd ask for. But she had to ask and hope that he wouldn't. If he did she was in a position not to deny him.

Composing a letter requesting aid was difficult. She used all of the diplomatic arguments and reasoning she could determine outlining her plan on how they would reimburse for the expense plus interest. With her hopes that he would except and not counter offer she sent the letter on its way.

Summoning her daughter before her she stared at the fire gathering her words.
Kaitlynn just now 19 looked at her mother worryingly as she twirled her golden locks. Her sea blue eyes watched her scanning her trying to make reason for the look of somber across her face.

"Sometimes" her mother started. "As rulers we must make sacrifices for our country and our people. We are not just their leaders but the servant of the people."

"yes mother" Kaitlynn replied having heard this speech in the past.
"You are aware that with the empidemic of small pox, it left our ranks short. In order to squash the rebellion we need more armies. That requires money, money that we don't have set aside for it. Our kingdom is only half the size of Calberia. Yet they are the closest we have to allies. So I have written the King to ask for assistance. I am hoping he accepts my payment plan that I have set before him. But he is a wise King without a wife. He knows that for his kingdom to remain strong he needs an heir, and for that he needs a wife.

I wanted you to be aware of the strong possibility that he will ask for your hand in order to aid us, and I will agree."

Kaitlynn sat silent for a moment as she processed everything her mother said. "But they treat women like cattle" she finally sputtered.
"I know their ways are different then ours. But remember about what I said about sacrifice. You will be doing this to serve your country and for the survival of your people. Your father had great things to say about the man, I think you need to be open to accepting the customs of what could be your new home very soon."

Kaitlynn had been brought up well in a loving environment. She had a kind hard from her mother and a curiosity of life from her father. His death had been hard on them. In order for his legacy to remain in tact she had no choice if it came down to it.

A few days passed before a response to the letter was met with an invitation for the Queen to meet and discuss her request.

 

[Dudeinahat]

The meeting was set to take place in a town just over the border in Calberia, it suggested you bring the royal guard as an escort, and of course the royal family should accompany you. Reading it the Queen knew what terms I would be expecting.
As the royal caravan arrived at the hamlet for the conclave two full divisions of soldiers stood on guard with supplies and ready to march

 

[Dudeinahat]

King Dakar waited for his guests to arrive. He was a man in his mid 40's and quite tall at almost 6'3", he had been a slender and athletic warrior in his youth and while still in good shape for a man of his age he pushed the scales to just over 200. His short black hair had some gray mixed in with it now as did his robust goatee, but without a doubt his most striking feature was his eyes. Ocean blue with, it seemed, an ability to pierce through anyone and look right into their soul. A powerful ruler that most knew better then look directly at yet his eyes called out like a Siren and couldn't be resisted.
"Ahh" he announced to the room" It sounds like the guests have arrived!" His voice boomed

 

[Perplexia]

Kaitlynn rode in the royal carriage staring out the window as she contemplated her fate. Her mother had ensure she had a dress made of the finest silks to with colors to compliment her sea blue eyes, golden locks, and fair complexion.

The Carriage slowed and they opened the door, her mother exited first, and then she followed. She had never been out this far before. They were met by the Kings guard, and the King himself, following the traditional curtsy they were ushered into a tent to begin negotiations.

She wasn't sure what to make of this King, his eyes looked her up and down measuring her value. At least that was her opinion. She had been lucky so far to escape arranged marriages. At the moment she was feeling less like a princess and more like a pawn.

If he thought she was just going to roll over and be a good little girl she wouldn't. He wasn't an ugly man. For that she was relieved of. But he didn't seem to smile much either. Deciding it was best to hold off judgement until they actually had an opportunity to talk, for all he knew she could have a hyena laugh.

Her mother sat down at the table with him and she stood back and listened.

 

[Dudeinahat]

As he sat back and prepared to speak it was only just then Dakar had made up his mind. Oh from the time he got the letter he knew he would help out, the king had been his friend but also a rebellion just over his border would not be good for his kingdom either. The question had been what to ask for in return. Money? In the midst of a war they didn't have much. Land? His kingdom was twice their size. Resources? Ahh they did have some mines he could use, but it was Kaitlynn that was in his mind. It had been several years since he had seen her last and wondered what she looked like now, how had she grown? As King he had could have any woman in his own kingdom yet the fair skin and golden hair of his neighbors attracted him and excited him. It was only seeing her stunning beauty when she entered that he decided he MUST have her, of course he would ask for more as well.
"Queen your husband was a good man and friend and I have 2 full battalions of soldiers ready to march back with you and put a quick end to your rebellion. One will come home after peace is restored the other will stay a full year after to ensure things stay quiet for you. My help is not free though I wish for half of the copper and gems from the mines in the Western Zone" here he took a long break and drank from his goblet "and I need an hire to my throne and your daughter as my queen can give me that and assure our alliance for generations"
He smiled as he sat back and awaited her reply knowing her options were limited

 

[Perplexia]

The Queen listened intently. She had forseen that he would want Kaitlynn, and under normal circumstance she would have never offered such a sacrifice. But Kaitlynn would have to marry anyway, so why not make it be for a reason.

"Half of the copper and gems for a year, and you must agree to court her according to the traditions of our people for at minimum a month. The wedding will need to be at our castle, or in this location so both of our people can attend. You are to not be alone unchaperoned while courting, and she is to remain chaste until the wedding night. Is that acceptable?"

Kaitlynn stayed quiet and listened intently. So that was it she was to be sold like a cow.

 

[Dudeinahat]

Dakar thought for a moment, he looked at Kaitlynn and gave her a quick smile, then he turned to the queen, Kaitlynn watched as his eyes bored into her seeming to read her thoughts and feelings. The queen herself could not look away from his gaze. Finally he spoke.
" I will agree to your time of courtship and the wedding may be at your castle for all to attend BUT if she is to be my queen and the mother of the future king I want to know her by myself. I will give you my royal word her virginity will be in tact on the wedding night but I will have private time with her as I choose during courtship....or I can have the armies accompany me back to the capital"
He stared at the queen awaiting her answer.

 

[Perplexia]

The Queen cringed her face slightly. Then spoke. "Out of the respect for the friendship you had with my husband I will honor this. Taking your word of honor that she will not be violated and remain intact until your wedding night. We will have our Scribes create the contracts and get them signed. You may begin courting as soon as you wish."

Her mother rose and they both curtsied. Kaitlynn had seen his smile and thought it was rather nice. But she was still apprehensive. From what she heard their lifestyles were different and more uncouth then what she had grown up with.

Could she love her husband? Did they take more then one wife?, oh how she hoped not. She hated the idea of having to compete for a mans affections. Would he care about her thoughts and feelings were?. Her parents had been lucky. They loved each other with a furious passion.

 

[Dudeinahat]

The contracts were drawn up quickly, the wedding would be held on the full moon of the following month, this was also the date the mining contracts would begin, with the exception that one prize gem would be fashioned into a ring for Kaitlynn for thief wedding. Dakar then called the natal lion commanders to the table.
In front of his ally and newly betrothed he gave them the orders. The first natal lion was to leave before nightfall and march to the southern battlefields, the second battalion would accompany the queen back to her home castle and then follow suit and join the battle.
Then lifting his goblet " If the rebellion is crushed and peace is restored before my wedding day all soldiers will receive double salary!"
This was met with loud cheers and applause, Dakar looked over and smiled at Kaitlynn, this smile was warmer as negations had ended and he did not need to hide his feelings. He smiled and gave her a wink"a wedding present"

 

[Perplexia]

Kaitlynn watched and listened as he offered the men a bonus to crush the rebellion before their wedding day. Then he gave her a warm genuine story with a wink and implied that their bonus was a wedding present to her.

She wanted to say that she hoped her mother enjoyed her wedding present after pawning her daughter off for it. But she didn't. She merely nodded her appreciation, gave a slight curtsy and walked out of the tent.

This wasn't what she wanted. She could have begged her mother to find another solution. But in truth there wasn't one and she knew it. Now she had to live with what could be potential a disastrous union.

He wasn't bad to look at, his smile, his voice, and his eyes were all sexy. He seemed to be generous in a fashion. It was a genuine gift to ensure the safety of her kingdom before she was forced to leave it to begin her life in a strange place with strange customs.

She walked over to a black stallion that was separate from the other horses. He had a fire in him that she admired. Cuing him softly she approached him with care and stroked his face. He nuzzled as he responded to her soft whispers and light touch.

 

[Dudeinahat]

Dakar sat back in his large chair, the thoughts of the day raced through his mind, mostly Kaitlynn. What was it about her? He kept asking himself, after all he was the king of one of the largest and wealthiest nations and he had his choice of women in his kingdom but none excited him the way she did. Was it her fair skin? Her golden hair? Things not found in his kingdom, no it was more then that it was something about the way she carried herself, a kindness she possessed that.. His thoughts broken by the commotion outside he kept to his feet and ran from the tent
-----------------__
As Kaitlynn nuzzled the Stallion a voice cried out
HALT yelled the guard
"Who dares approach the Kings mount, why you shall be punished severely for this wench, get on your knees!" The guard ordered

 

[Perplexia]

Kaitlynn looked at the guard as if he had a third head. "I can assure you that the Kings Mount is perfectly content to have me here." as she said that the horse nuzzled her. "I can also assure you that you may want to know whom your talking to, before you threaten them with violence and demeaning names."

She saw the tent open and the King come out. She gave a slight courtesy. "My King, your guard seems to feel that I should be punished for being nuzzled by your mount. Evidently I am also a wench, perhaps you should reconsider your wish to marry me."

She turned back to the horse and whispered to it which resulted in more nuzzling. By the horse being separated from the others. It was obvious it had high spirits. It was probably also not good with other people other then the King himself.

 

[Dudeinahat]

Dakar was stunned at the sight. First that his mount had let someone touch him, most often he would bite someone if they got close enough and yet here he was nuzzling this girl this woman this amazing beauty, who had just told a sword wielding to go screw himself and that was before he had arrived. Holding back the laugh he wanted to let out at the way she had handled him, he turned his fierce gaze upon the guard, this battle tested soldier fell to his knees.
"Please take pity your High was I had no way to know Sire" he stammered"forgive me I only wished to protect your horse sire" he begged
"I am not insulted so it it is not I who you should be asking but her" then looking at you "So I will allow you to make your first ruling over your new subjects, what shall his punishment be?"

 

[Perplexia]

Kaitlynn turned and gave another curtsy and looked to the guard that was on his knees. "Your power of observation is lacking severely, in less you are stating that this gown i wear looks like that of thief or tavern wench.

Also it is clear to anyone that looks that his Majesty's mount is still tied firmly to its post, nor am I anywhere near its side to mount upon it. Lastly this wonderful creature is nuzzling me as I am petting it's head. If you somehow consider that causing harm, or distress to the animal then you are in serious need of reeducation.

Your punishment for even uttering the words you did to me would generally fall under treason as you threatened harm upon a not only a princess, but your Kings intended. What do you think would have happened if you struck me?" She let what she was saying sink into his skull for a moment before she continued.

"As this is a monumental occasion between kingdoms, I am apt to be lienant and not ask for your head for the slander you uttered upon me. Instead, since you have trouble telling the difference between a lady and a wench. I shall assign you to work in the brothel as a protector of these women you seem to think lesser then you. Until we leave. With my Kings permission of course"

 

[Dudeinahat]

Kaitlynn turned and gave another curtsy and looked to the guard that was on his knees. "Your power of observation is lacking severely, in less you are stating that this gown i wear looks like that of thief or tavern wench.

Also it is clear to anyone that looks that his Majesty's mount is still tied firmly to its post, nor am I anywhere near its side to mount upon it. Lastly this wonderful creature is nuzzling me as I am petting it's head. If you somehow consider that causing harm, or distress to the animal then you are in serious need of reeducation.

Your punishment for even uttering the words you did to me would generally fall under treason as you threatened harm upon a not only a princess, but your Kings intended. What do you think would have happened if you struck me?" She let what she was saying sink into his skull for a moment before she continued.

"As this is a monumental occasion between kingdoms, I am apt to be lienant and not ask for your head for the slander you uttered upon me. Instead, since you have trouble telling the difference between a lady and a wench. I shall assign you to work in the brothel as a protector of these women you seem to think lesser then you. Until we leave. With my Kings permission of course"

This time Dakar could not hold back his laugh " A truly appropriate punishment, one that you will begin serving as soon as your relief arrives, though I don't know the kingdom wouldn't be safer if I didn't just send you now"
Then walking over closer to Kaitlynn he looked at her, he stared deeply into her eyes, not with the fiery gaze that causes others to shiver, but a kind look. He thought of how beautiful she looked in the moonlight. How avian she amazed him her punishment was stern yet kind. After all she COULD have asked for his head, or sent him to the dungeon, yet she chose to teach him without pardoning his crime. He said nothing and stepped closer to her standing right next to her, he could hear the fabric of her dress rustle in the night breeze, the smell of her perfume filled his nostrils, yet his gaze never wavered from her eyes

 

[Perplexia]

Her eyes stayed with his and what she hoped was his approving glance. He had a firm stance and towered over her. She wasn't threatened by him, and his supporting her decision, not mention giving her the option to give the punishment to one of her men said a lot about his character.

It could have turned out differently. "Thank you" she said softly taking in his wonderful scent. "Whats his name?" she then questioned referring to the horse. She hoped that as they got to know each other that he would speak more.

 

[Dudeinahat]

"Tovalt" he told her " and he has taken to you like I have seen him do with no one else, I wonder if it's your beauty or your kindness that allows you to be this close to him" he paused "or like me he doesn't know himself which it is just that he likes having you near him"

 

[Perplexia]

Kaitlynn smiled up to him, blushing slightly at his compliment. Moving her hand she brushed the hair from her face and looked at Tovalt and then back to him.

"He's got a fire within him that sets him apart from the others. Like his King, my guess is he's a natural leader that responds to honesty, loyalty, and kindness. For each bit you give to yourself to him, he will reciprocate."

She stroked the horse's head again and then added. "People unfortunately are less dependable then animals. They can also hold a cruel streak." Turning back to him she added "I appreciate you supporting my punishment. I was worried that you were the type of ruler that wouldn't appreciate an opinion from a woman."

 

[Dudeinahat]

I supported you punishment because it was just, and I liked that it was a touch creative, I appreciated it because it had value, be it from a woman a man or a horse. What kind of ruler would I be to dismiss things of value just because of thief origin? I do not know what rumors you have heard of my land, and while we may not be as cultured in some ways as where you are from I am no fool. Am I to be believe that every man in your land treats women well? Yet you wish to believe us to all be self righteous. When you are my queen will you be invited to sit in council meetings with me? Of course not, but shall we talk and plan out things important to the kingdom together? I would be a fool to do otherwise. The key to listening to a woman's opinion is to listen to the right woman

 

[Perplexia]

"I apologize, I didn't mean to imply that I thought you were self righteous. In all honesty I had no idea what to expect. Like most we tend to misunderstand what we do not know or don't understand. I have to admit that I have been a bit terrified of what this potential union could mean for me. But I can tell you that I will attempt to be a good wife, and I will always be honest about how I feel."

 

[Dudeinahat]

Dakar our his arms around his betrothed and pulled her close to him in the moonlight, the feel of the fabric excited him he ran his fingers through her golden hair, he leaned into her he could feel her breath on his skin, he paused holding her there with him

 

[Perplexia]

"Sir i'm a bit uncomfortable being embraced as such with such little rapporteur between us. I am sure that as our acquaintance grows to allow us to be more familiar. Perhaps we can take daily walks and such to speak of things that matter to us. Thus far we have found we both have a liking for spirited horses and value in punishments."

It wasn't that she didn't like being this close to him, she just felt it was a bit too soon to have him him displaying such affection so soon. It was obvious to her that one of his main reasons in choosing her was her looks. It made her feel a bit like a trinket instead of a person.

 

[Dudeinahat]

He looked at her and smiled
"I am not a man accustomed to waiting but for someone as special as you I will make an exception"
Dakar released her and stepped back
"Tomorrow before breakfast I shall have horses waiting for us, we will ride and look over My...uhumm..soon to be OUR kingdom, if you find That acceptable!" He spoke

 

[Perplexia]

"Thank you" she said softly immediately finding an absence of being out of his arms. "I would love to go for a ride with you to view our Kingdom." she said lightly. Kat was a bit off her game by his charm. He had totally smashed any ideas she thought of her future husband. Perhaps this wasn't going to be as bad as she imagined.

Giving him a curtsy she made her way to her tent and ate some dinner. Tomorrow she would go for a ride with him, and then they would eat and head back to the castle. She found herself looking forward to spending some more time with him away from the prim and proper.

 

[Dudeinahat]

The morning came and Dakar waited with two mounts, the black one from the night before abd a beautiful chestnut, no guards, no fanfare, he was not in royal robes but a rather common looking riding outfit as he waited for to emerge from her tent