Spoils Of War (closed)

[Adara Willows]

Arlene swept the step of what was left of her families home. War had taken the land, their crop and finally her family, leaving her alone. The only blessing was that the war had been won... now the Dark knightsd would rule over what was left.
Arlene gripped her broom as a small troop of knights road towards her home. She pushed her blond hair from her face and stood tall. To show fear was only asking for trouble.

 

[Dragonslave]

Commander Darren Maddux rode upon his armored black steed like a champion. Everything he overlooked belonged to the knighthood, and thus belonged to him. It was his decision to move East, just past the Ironrock Mountains, through the Darkmass swamps, and over the Yeardly plains. He saw great value in the rich farm lands of Dolan and knew that his order could profit heavily from the conquest of its people.

The Dark knight was flanked by two of his finest Captains as he overlooked the infinitely long fertile land that would feed his army, his people. Light blue eyes that could pierce through the heart and rupture a women's spine stared out through a dark full-faced helm. His platemale was blackened to match and decorated with the medals of his long career. He wore a blood red cape that loosely hung across Nightmare's (his faithful steed) backside. A gauntleted hand casually caressed the hilt of his bastard sword as it hung at his side, begging for blood.

The three knights pressed forward and their attentions were taken by the dazzling beauty commanding a broom with great courage. She wore the expression of a defeated commoner, one who had witnessed the end of life as she had known it...but still she was so enticing to the eye. The captain's shared a look, one that Commander Maddux understood all too well. They were challenging eachother to see who would bed the girl for the night. Before either could make their claim the Commander ushered Nightmare to a quicker step, edging past his subordinates.

This girl is a prize worth only the bed of a master...she will be mine.

The dark knight rode to within 30' of the girl and turned his steed to flank her. With a practiced movement he removed his helm to reveal long black hair tied back and a finely chizzled face. Darren Maddux was a handsome man, still in his late 20's, he wore his youth well. His eyes were his finest aspect and he prepared those weapons for combat. He would woo this girl if he had to take her kicking and screaming.

"A fine morning is it not milady? Perhaps I can interest you in a finer evening..."

Before she could respond he added...

"There will be a celebration tonight in the honor of the Knighthood and the fine kingdom of Dolan. We celebrate a grand unity that will outlast our childrens, childrens, children. I would be honored if you would allow me to share the evening with you."

 

[Adara Willows]

Arlene inspected the men as they aprouched. They must be high ranking officers for their armor was well made and the horses they road we of good bloodlines.
The leader of the small troop road forward and spoke. This put Arlene at ease somewhat. She had heard stories of the brutes that some of the knights employ savagly raping young woman, without warning, leaving them for dead. Perhaps she would escape this fate.
She resumed her sweeping, "I am greatly honored Sir, but I am nothing more than a pesent. I'm affread you would get greatly displeased with me as an escort. I know nothing of edicat, or manners, an am afread I would do nothing but imbarrass you."

 

[Dragonslave]

"Nonsense girl..."

The captains arrived at the heels of their lord only to be waved off with a lazy gauntleted hand. Commander Maddux was lost in the beauty of this girl and didn't bother to turn to his subordinates.

"I will handle this. See that the barracks are being assembled to the liking of our Queen."

Light blue eyes hungrily traveled her frame, taking great care to trace her appetizing curves. She was stunning, even if a little ragged from the life of poverty she surely lived. Visions assaulted his mind of dressing her up as a true lady. Showering her in glittering jewels and silken cloths. Truly she would be like a godess when properly dressed and washed.

"If it pleases you I can assure you that the finest in these lands will see to it that you are well versed in simple ettiquette as they clean and dress you. You will feel as a princess this evening."

He dismounted from his steed and placed a gentle hand on the muzzle of Nightmare. After whispering a few soft words to the beast of war he strode closer to the maiden with his chin held high.

"Milady I have yet to hear the name of such a beauty."

 

[Adara Willows]

Arlene watched the man dismiss his subordinates. The pairs departure both put her at ease for they looked at her with lust in their eyes and with some fear aswell for now she was alone with him.
When we walked towards her with such confadence, she stepped back for a moment, showing a hint of fear, then relizing she had shown weakness, she went back to her sweeping.
"Milady I have yet to hear the name of such a beauty."
Arlene looked at him for a moment then brushed a lock of hair from her face. "I'm Arlene Rosewood." she said softly. She then noticed how very hansom he was and blushed. "I have bread that needs to be punched down." she said and walked into the small house, leaving the knight alone on the porch.

 

[Dragonslave]

Darren smirked at the hint of redness in her cheeks. She was even more beautiful then before with her stone-faced front set aside, if even for just a moment. He was playing with her name, letting it roll off his tongue for the first time when she turned and left him on the porch. A bit of shock replaced his smirk as he wasn't used to watching ladies treating him so.

As the Commander moved closer to the entrance of the small home he realised the state of it. Much of the once decent house was ruined, the back wall wholly seperated, and part of the roof no longer standing. Darren cleared his throat and entered with a light knock on the inside of the doorway.

"A charming home my dear Arlene. Please feel free to ask any time for assistance in fixing her up. I have a very able bodied crew who would be more then willing to assist in the reconstruction." he spoke as he further scoured the insides with his perceptive eyes.

 

[Adara Willows]

It was all Alrene could do not to brake down into tears. Her family had once been one of the more prosperious in the area, now she was all that was left of her family. Their last years crop had been taken to feed the troops of the army that had lossed the land. The cattle had been taken soon after.
"Thank you, but I will manage." she said softly, her voice cracked slightly but then she cleared her throught and resumed her work. Once done, she turned around to face him, wiping her hand s on her aparion. "Will you be staying in our area long?" she asked out of curiousity. She had heard that some knights liked to ransace their new tarritories then leave them in dessalute.

 

[Dragonslave]

Darren stepped further into the ruined home to stand a few feet from the precious face of Arlene. A smile played across his face as his crystaline eyes locked with hers. They attacked like blue swords, striking at hers with piercing skill, penetrating into her soul.

"Oh I think I will be staying here for a good while. The scenary is divine and I have already commissioned the construction of a palace in the honor of the knighthood. Dolan is a beautiful land that is more then enough to appease the eye."

His blue orbs broke their hold on her eyes long enough to take another drink of her lucious frame.

"There are such wonderful treasures here...I have become enamored with this place. Yes...I intend to remain here for a while."

 

[Adara Willows]

"I see." Alrene said then took a damp cloth and layed it across her bread, then sighed as the cloth dropped. Her bread was ruined.
And the same moment, a raven landed on a wall of her beadroom off the kitchen. It cowed three times then flew away. Just as it left, the wall fell over, crushing her bed, her dresser and the last mirror in the house.
Alrene felt utterly defeated. In a batter of seconds, everything she had left in this world was gone.
With as much dignaty as she had left, she removed her aprion and tossed it into the rubble. Alrene walked out onto the porch, sat down, put her head in her hands and cryed.

 

[Dragonslave]

Darren cringed as another section of house came crashing down.

"This place is in utter ruins..."

Arlene stepped past him and out the front door. All the dark knight could do was watch the girl go. No doubt the state of her home was a direct result of the attack by his order. He felt responsible for her woes and a tinge of guilt forced itself upon him, for perhaps the first time in many years.

The wood of the porch buckled as the fully armored knight strode outside, comming to rest just behind the sobbing girl. He stood motionless for a few moments, trying to find the words.

"My dear Arlene...please let me rescue you from your pain if not for just a simple evening. You waste away here with little to bring a smile upon your face. It would be a crime for me to ignore this."

He moved around in front of her and extended his hand to take hers.

"Let me take you from here and show you a good time. I promise to make it worth your while..."

 

[Adara Willows]

Arlene looked up and wiped the tears from her eyes. The knight expended his hand to her and all she could do was laugh. the man that could very will be resonsible for the destruction of her life, now wanted to help her.
For a moment she though that this would be a good time to run, to get away but for what? She ha no home, no food, no cloths.... no future. What did she have left to loose. She causiously extendhed her hand, taking his.

 

[Dragonslave]

Darren took her hand in his with gentle grace learned from years of practice dealing with noble wives and ladies of the court. He lowered his lips to place a gentle kiss on the back of her hand, his piercing blue eyes seeking hers as he rose.

"You will not regret this milady. Tonight will be a festival unlike any other in these parts. You will taste the many pleasures of the high life. Perhaps too I will have the pleasure to taste those lips..."

He turned on his heel and marches back to Nightmare who was waiting patiently for his master. There the commander waited to help Arlene mount the steed, taking care to get a good look over her backside as he lifted her into place.

 

[Adara Willows]

Alrene was a little shocked when he kissed her hand. Part of her screamed to run, but for what? And would it be so bad to indalge alittle? It had been so long since the days of barn dances and spring festivals. It had been so long since she could skeam with her girlfirends about which boy she would allow to escoprt her. In many ways she felt like an old maid, looking back on her youth even though it had only been three years.
As she mounted the horse, Alrene could feel the knights eyes on her. She blushed and hid her face so he wouldn't see.

 

[Dragonslave]

Darren mounted behind Arlene and pressed against her back to get comfortable. He grasped the reins in his gauntleted hands and started Nightmare towards his temporary command tent.

"The maidens of the knighthood will see to it that you are washed and dressed. Feel free to pick out any dress you like, we spare no expenses. When you feel you are at your prettiest join me in the town square. Be prepared for the time of your life."

The steed navigated through the beaten path, avoiding even the damaged crops by the guiding hand of its master. As it trotted along Darren leaned forward to smell Arlene's hair.

"Mmmm...you are intoxicating."

The couple continued on past the main section of town. They could both see tents being erected and a small crowed already gathering for the day of festivities. All over the town the symbol of the knighthood shown on flags and banners. (A black background with a single gauntleted hand grasping a broken dagger)

 

[Adara Willows]

Arlene looked at her land with dispair, would it ever grow back? It was a small consilation that the knight took care not to damage what was left.
The town barrly looked the same, a few landmarks still remained and after a while things almost looked as they had before.

Just before the pair reached the town , Arlene looked over her shoulder at the knight. "I don't know your name." she said softly, blushing when she realized how close she was to him.

 

[Dragonslave]

The dark knight smirked and took the opportunity to stare into her eyes.

"Commander Maddux my dear. Darren Maddux."

Nightmare came to a halt a few minutes later. The couple were mounted just outside of a rather large building that seemed totally unaffected by the war. It was one of the oldest buildings in Dolan's rich history. The kings of old used it as a store house for the year's harvest. It was well suited for this task until the present day storage towers were created. Since then the building has served as a brewery, guild hall, smithy, and most recently, the Maiden house (used to house the female servants of the knighthood).

Darren dismounted and offered his hand to assist Arlene in her descent. Once she was down the Commander removed a small ribbon of blood red and tied it about her wrist.

"You will receive any treatment you wish while you wear my ribbon. Treat yourself to whatever you like, be it massage, bath, or anything else you can think of. I must prepare for the festival so I shall see you later in the evening."

 

[Adara Willows]

Arlene looked down at the ribbon and it finally dawned on her, there was no running anymore. She had been clamed, by a Commanding Knight no less. For a moment she paniced and looked around, searching for an escape. the area around the building was crawling with knights.
Dolan had been taken weeks ago but by the cetizins, you couldn't tell that anything had changed. The smiled and laughed and went about their dayly duities. The only thing that seemed to have changed was the banners that flew from each corner and the color of the armor the knights wore. Arlene had lost so much because of the war and these people didn't seem to know nor care what their country brothern had gone thru and she hated them for it.
Arlene gave the knight a weak smile, "Thank you Sir Maddux." she said and then held her head high and turned and walked to the doors of the Maiden house. The doors opened as she approched.

 

[Dragonslave]

Commander Maddux watched the girl go with a smirk set on his face. Yes she was enticing and he would enjoy her later, but for now. Nightmare turned at the command of its master and made way for the command tent.

The dark knight was saluted by the two armored guards that stood just outside his command tent, just prior to his entrance. He nodded in response and gestured for one of the guards to follow. Once inside the two men set about the task of removing his armor so that Darren could take a bath and dress for the festival. After the last buckle was undone, and the last plate removed, the Commander sent the guard away with a quick wave.

"See that my bath is prepared warm..."

The guard clicked his heels and turned away with great obedience.

Darren sat a while in quiet thoughtfulness. Tonight was going to be an interesting night.

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

Later on the Commander stood tall just outside his tent. He was covered in black silk that seemed to compliment his well built frame. His badges reflected the light of the sun and added a glittering effect to his outfit. He wore dark boots and still kept the blood red cape. Darren was freshly shaven and he smelled of oils and herbs that were meant to be pleasing to the opposite sex. He fixed his collar and started off towards the festival.

 

[Adara Willows]

Arlene barely made it thru the doors of the Maiden’s house when a middle-aged woman grabbed her by the hand and dragged her in, "No time for lazy strolls! You have to get ready." Arlene pulled her hand away and glared at the woman. Before she could say anything though, the woman had Arlene's face in her hands. She pocked pulled and pinched. "Where have you been girl? You're pours look like you've been living out in the middle of the war zone."
Arlene pushed the woman away, "I have." She spat.
That was when the woman saw the ribbon around Arlene's wrist. "Oh.... I” the woman was at a loss for words.
"I want a bath and something to wear." She said. This brought the woman back to life.
"Very well Lady... what is your name dear?"
"Arlene."
The woman nodded and ran off to make arrangements.

Arlene looked around the Maiden House. All sorts of women were there: young as well as old. Some were obviously ladies but most were common whores. The dressed and acted crudely.
A few rows of simple cots lighted one wall. At the back of the building, the sounds of sex and lust could be heard. Arlene avoided this area.

Arlene sat in her private bath for a while and was about to get out when an older man came in. He smiled at Arlene licking his lips as he ogled Arlene's naked body in the water. "How much for this one?" He shouted over his shoulder.
The woman that had brought Arlene came in and her face went pail. "This young lady is spoken for. Now leave her."
The old man just smiled, "And who would outrank me?"
The woman walked over to where Arlene's robe lay. She picked up the ribbon and held it out for the man to see. It was his turn to go pail. He cleared his throat, "My deepest apologies, and my lady." Then he turned and left.

Arlene left the Maiden's House and vowed to never return. She was dressed in a silk gown in a deep red. It had a sweetheart neckline and hugged her body but didn't cling and the blood red ribbon around her wrist. The hairdresser had demanded to loop her hair up high like all the other women who walked out of the Maiden House. Arlene had refused. After the woman stormed out, refusing to do anything with Arlene, she ended up doing her own hair, choosing to let it hang about her shoulders with it's natural wave. She wore little make up.

Arlene entered the central court where most of the celebration was taking place. She watched those around her eating, and drinking and dancing the night away.

 

[Dragonslave]

Darren sat at the head of a large oaken table decorated with the finest cloth and tableware. All around him the wealthy gathered to drink and share stories, his knights among the party as well. His men wore the traditional navy blue garb of an off duty soldier, not to be mistaken with the contrast of his deep black cloth.

Young girls, even old, flocked to the Commander with flattery and kisses only to be turned away with an annoyed hand. He was bored with them, he needed a woman with some bite. Thoughts bombarded his mind of the girl in rags that now wore his ribbon. "Arlene..."

She had a strong quality to her that seemed to drive his sense wild. What a prize she would be.

His thoughts were interrupted by a sight most pleasing. A girl of such beauty unmatched made her way through the festival grounds, drawing the attention of all men present. She was stunning, a true diamond in the rough.

Darren stood from his chair and shoved a woman from his view as he took a few steps forward. Do my eyes deceive me? She wore a red ribbon about her wrist. This girl, a goddess among men, was the same girl in rags that he met not so long ago. He was amazed at what could be done with a cleaning and some new clothes.

The dark knight watched her from his place.

 

[Adara Willows]

Arlene flet lost in the crowd. What a bunch of fools, she thought. The danced and sang while their fellow countryman starved.
A figure caught her eye across the room. It was Darren. With her head held high, she made her way thru the crowd and around the head table. She made a slight curtsy.

 

[Dragonslave]

Darren smirked and stepped towards the girl. "You look divine. May I take your hand in a walk?" he leaned closer to her neck, whispering in her ear. "I grow tired of these people...I'd be delighted if you would join me somewhere more quiet."

 

[Adara Willows]

Arlene glared out at those who feasted while their own countryman starved. Who danced and sang while thier own countrymen cryed for the loss of their family's, their friends, their lives.
"that would please me." she said softly.

 

[Dragonslave]

"Then it is settled..." the commander wrapped his arm around Arlene and guided her away from the festivities. One of his personal guard was about to protest, but Darren made him think otherwise shooting him a look, conveying his intentions. "I'll return before the main feast..."

The couple left behind the corwded section of the city and slowly manuevered through the main street. He broke the silence finally as they turned on to Manor Path, the road the led to his command post.

"So tell me more about the beauty I have hte pleasure of dining with this evening." he turned towards her with eyes betraying the passion he felt for her.

 

[Adara Willows]

Alrene watched how the people resonded to Darren. They respected him, feared him. Perhaps he could change things back for her country.
As the couple made their way down the street lined with fancy houses, Alrene turned her attention to the commander who's arm was wrapped tightly around her.
"Do you want to know who I was before the war destoryed my country or who I am now?" she wasked in response to his question.