The Dragon King-Closed

[Perplexia]

Alexis Renfoe lived in the small village of Ardaya that prospered at the base of Mt. Olympus. She was the daughter of the towns tailor and had inspirations to one day explore further beyond her little village.

In the world in which she lived however, it was dangerous to travel beyond the visual distance of the mountain. For if you did he, The Dragon King, would not be able to see you and protect you from the dozens of dragons that threatened the country.

To pay homage for his protection a pact had been made hundreds of years earlier with the village people. In exchange for his protection and their prosperity every 20 years a virgin girl between the ages of 18-22 would be sacrificed to the Dragon King It was unknown for what reason he allowed that time frame. Of course there were many terrifying stories that went with it.

As every child was born their parents calculated if they would fall into the lottery that could possibly steal their child from them. It was there responsibility to ensure the child remain pure and unwed. To give an equal chance to all girls of that age in escaping their fate.

Otherwise there would be a rush of weddings prior to save their children. There was also a law put into place that anyone that hid or murdered their child to avoid the potential fate, would be banished which they all knew was certain death.

What they didn’t know was once the Dragon, successfully found his mate, the one that could bare his children. Their sacrifice would no longer be required. A dragon had mystical powers that could preserve the one girl that had the markers in her genetic code. To be his mate, for as long as he wished.

For as long as she could remember Alexis, or Alex as her friends called her. Had been mystified and drawn to the castle upon the mountain. She was terrified as well, but she had always appreciated its beauty and the way it had glimmered in the sun like diamonds. She had sketched it many times over her young 19 years.

A week before the festival all of the girls were gathered and taken to a holding house. They were pampered, manicured, and fitted for the finest white silk dress’ her father could make.

They stayed there until the time arose for them to walk the streets with their flower baskets. As Alex walked the streets she could hear the mothers crying for their daughters. Eventually they were brought up to the platform in the square where they all picked rocks that held numbers on the other side. They lined up in order and waited as the basked was turned to call the number.

It was almost as if she knew it was going to be her before it was pulled. When it was she had no expression of shock. She was worshiped as a tribute and given flowers and trinkets to take on her journey with her to present to the Dragon King. She was told to bow before him and give him her obedience. She already knew she wouldn’t. If he was going to eat her, then let him get it over with.

She was walked midway up the mountain, and sent on her own the rest of the way. She carefully maneuvered her way up the path with her torch and bag of gifts. It was a long tedious journey. Alexis found that she had to stop several times in order to rest before continuing. Eventually she made it to the large doors. She knocked several times, and there was no answer. So she contemplated her possibilities. She could make a break for it, but then her village would suffer. Or ..she turned the knob and walked in.

"Hello" she called out and listened as it echoed through the enormous castle.

 

[TheRPGuru]

(OCC: The pictures I found are too large for the forum, so I'm just going to give you links)

Dragon form: https://i.ytimg.com/vi/o_0jhMyEdYk/maxresdefault.jpg

Half-dragon: https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.co...1bc92219beb3c78a9f20f--anime-manga-demons.jpg

Human: http://3.bp.********.com/_tSD1HDcT0cA/TQ1B6z_t4lI/AAAAAAAAAcY/HLQG-WYdzQg/s1600/WerewolfLook.jpg

For thousands of years he had ruled over the continent, guarding the morals who walked the realm below him. He watched over them, through countless wars between, angels and demons, dragons and behemoths, beings of power far beyond what any moral could comprehend. Through the ages, through the countless battles, Djackar Slatvakan rose above all the others like him. He wasn't just a dragon, he had become the King of all dragons.

Through ages his power had grown, through battles his fierceness became legend, through legend he became a God. Finally, after eons of war, an age of peace had finally settled and Djackar found himself dealing with a new challenge. Though the human world was often referred to as the Moral Realm, he was not immortal. He aged like any other living being, though he lived far longer than any human could ever dream of, and like any aging beast he needed his legacy to live on.

It was through a human that he would be able to produce an heir. It would not be easy of course, if it were dragons would reproduce like a plague. No....it would take a special human to produce offspring for him. The right genetics to match with his in order for anything to be taken to term and brought to life. Djackar knew this, and even should he find the right human it would still not be so simple. A dragon was a beast of magic, and in order for him to make an heir there would be rules to follow.

How easy it would be for him to simply go into the village and start taking any and all the women he wanted, spreading his seed like a wildfire only hoping upon chance that something would sprout from his lust. No it would not work that way. His seed was useless in a host that did not accept it willingly. The magic would not allow life to be forced.

Which meant he had to lower himself, and his station to win the love of a mortal. So a thousand years ago he made a pact with the village below his great castle mountain. Every twenty or so years they would send a young fertile woman to come be his bride. He would win over the woman and then pray further that she would be the one who could give him an heir. He even hired humans generations ago to come to his castle home and build human comforts for these girls. Things like beds, tables, chairs, dressers, mirriors, luxuries that meant nothing to him but would help put these girls at ease when forced to live in his castle.

For generations, human generations, this cycle repeated itself. Djackar wasn't always successful in winning a woman's heart, but even those he had success with failed to grant him what he wanted. Still he kept his word, protecting the village below as it wasn't their fault that the magic wouldn't take hold. Bride after bride, generation after generation, until the people of the village began to see it as a sacred honor to be chosen. Still Djackar was heirless.

It was starting to become maddening.

However he never rejected nor hurt any of these women. In fact he used them. Everytime a new bride arrived, the previous bride would become a maid for the castle, a servant that would help ease the new bride into her new life. He cared for them until they passed of old age, the cycle continuing endlessly.....so far.

It was one of these women that ran up to greet the new arrival. This woman had come twenty years ago, now she was in her middle forties, aged yet still reflective of the beauty she once was. "Oh my dear, I am sorry!" She cried running up. "I wasn't expecting you to make it up the mountain so quickly. You must be a very active girl, and so fit, to make that climb in good time." She told her with a smile.

She looked the girl up and down and smiled, "Oh yes, he will like you indeed. Come let me show you to your room." She turned and started to walk away, then paused and gasped, "Oh my manners. Forgive me, I am Luna Alvere. I was the last girl the village sent up here...ohhhh must have been twenty-three years ago now." She said with a chuckle. "They still insist you bring trinkets do they?" She laughed. "He doesn't care for such things. But he accepts them politely, you should see his 'trinket room'." She waved the girl further into the castle. "Come along now."

 

[Perplexia]

Alex watched a woman came rushing toward her quickly with a bright smile and cheerful disposition. As she explained she was the last girl the village had sent, and talked of the Dragon King. She didn't display any fear or dissent for him. It was a bit overwhelming to find an instant she wasn't going to be eaten. "i'm Alexis" she replied after Luna introduced herself.

She nodded to the girl when she asked of the trinkets the village insisted she haul up the treacherous mountain, and then informed her they really held no sway with him. As Luna advised her to follow she simply nodded and looked up and around the giant entry way before following the cheerful older woman up the long winding staircase.

"This will be your room, for now." Luna said smiling. "It has everything you could ever need. But first the Master requests that you bathe if you wish, and get a good nights rest. Trust me, in that bed you surely will. There are many clothes in different sizes that will do for now. Feel free to search through the drawers for anything you may need." She smiled as she walked around showing her different things and gave her the break down of how general things worked.

Alex simply nodded and watched as her eyes took in the enormous bedroom. It was like a mini palace. She had a large canopy bed, and every convenience she could want for. It made her feel like a princess. She wasn't sure how she felt about that just yet.

"The Master will meet you tomorrow." She must have anticipated Alexis' hesitation because she said "Don't worry my dear, it is nothing like the rumors were in the village of what happens here. But that is for the Master to explain. Now would you like a bath? I know how tedious that journey was, and your nerves must be on end."

Alex nodded in response to wanting a bath. She pulled back a curtain revealing a beautiful tub that could easily fit two or three people in. She pulled a lever which some how made hot water and suds begin to fill the tub. Alex watched it with her eyes wide. "How..." she said looking at Luna.

Luna just laughed. "I know its just simply amazing, one of the greatest things I've ever seen." They both watched as the tub filled and then stopped at just the right level. "Sleep well dear Alexis, and welcome to your new home."

With that she gave her a soft hug and exited the room shutting the door behind her. The first thing Alexis did was go to the window. She looked out at the drop as she opened it. She could escape, but she knew she would either be caught or die one way or another, and was actually a little surprised that the window opened bringing in a chilly fresh mountain breeze.

She closed the window and slowly undressed entering the hot bubbly bath. It was one of the greatest sensations she had felt. It was if the water massaged her aches and nerves away.

After almost dozing in the tub she got up and exited the tub grabbing a soft plush towel the feeling of it on her skin was amazing. Everything here was simply enhanced for her comfort and well being. Maybe this wasn't going to be bad at all.

Finding a silk nightdress she crawled into the massive soft bed and almost instantly fell into a deep sleep.

 

[TheRPGuru]

Djackar flew in towards his mountain, his massive body blocking out the early morning sun it rose gently behind him. He had meant to be back sooner, but a Vykrul uprising took more of his attention than he had intended. Which meant he hadn't been there for the new arrival. This upset him, poor girl was probably terrified and awaiting his return like a caged mouse waiting for the cat to come eat her. Sadly he had duties to uphold and it was required of him to fulfill those duties whenever they were called upon him to do so.

Djackar landed on his pedestal to the side of the castle, a massive stone platform that connected to his chambers. Without missing a beat he walked towards his room, while his body shrunk from dragon, to subdragon, to human. He was fully human by the time his feet broke the threshold. He wore a simple white tunic an light brown trousers, nothing extravagant, just a very simple man about to meet a woman for the first time.

Luna awaited him dutifully with a warm cup of tea as he exited his chamber. He took the cup from her and took a gentle sip, it was perfect as always. Luna had been a wonderful wife. Though she could not provide him with what he wanted, she did love him, and she cared for him in a way that very few women in the past had ever even tried.

"How is she?" He asked her, his voice like deep stone gravel.

"She is scared, as I was. I did what I could to make her feel comfortable, but you know how these things go. It will take some time." Luna explained.

Djackar sighed, "Indeed. Has she had breakfast yet?"

Luna shook her head. "I do not think she is even awake yet. It is quite early still." She explained.

He took a breath and let it out slowly. "Very well. I shall not disturb her then. Perhaps I will finish my tea in the garden. Once she wakes we can have breakfast." He said.

Luna nodded, "Veletra is already cooking. She knew you'd be hungry after yet another battle."

Veletra was nearing 70-years-old, and was Djackar's bride before Luna. She had been a stubborn woman beyond anything Djackar had ever seen. Veletra was a failure as a bride, unable to accept him or her fate. However she found solace in devoting herself to housekeeping and cooking. His relationship with her became almost professional, like a servant and master. She would clean, and cook, but little else. Djackar wished he could make her happier but he was never able to. However there were occasions when she would request the meat of a special animal, or certain vegetables, and Djackar would go out to get what she requested. Upon bringing back her request, it would be one of the few times Djackar would ever see her smile.

It broke his heart.

Her was hoping the new girl wouldn't go down that path.

As Luna started to walk away, Djackar called to her. "What is her name?"

Luna paused and turned back to him, "Alexis. She is very beautiful. I think you'll like her."

Djackar smiled, "I like all of you."

Something crossed Luna's face but she said nothing, only turning and continuing about her business.

Djackar sighed and put the tea to his lips again, before heading out to the garden.

 

[Perplexia]

Alex awoke feeling as though she had slept for the first time in her life. Her eyes struggled to open under the streaming light that had begun shining through her window. Reluctantly her she slowly rose and placed her feet on the plush rug.

She went to the vanity and brushed out her brown locks until they were free of tangles. Alex then made her way to the closet that had a wide amount of different dresses to chose from. She had a choice between dressing like a peasant or dressing like a princess or dressing somewhere in between.

She choose a nice in between dress that would be worn for everyday life.

With her shoes now tied, she gave herself a once over and took a deep breath. Opening her door she looked from side to side and made her way down the staircase.
"Oh good you're up" Luna said with a smile. "I hope you slept well, i always loved that bed." she said very chipper. "Master will have breakfast with you, come I'll show you the dining area."

Alex followed the woman through the halls till they arrived. "Have a seat I'll tell him you're up, and Veletra is almost done making it." she smiled again and left her alone in the giant dining room. Her eyes looked around taking in the beautiful moldings and arches.

This was all so new and she wasn't sure what was going to happen. She took her seat at the table trying to calm herself down.

 

[TheRPGuru]

Luna and Veletra began bringing in plates of food and setting them on the far side of the table. Djackar ate far more than a human would expect due to being a dragon after all. What looked to be a mountain of meats, cheeses, and fruits were placed at the far end of the table, opposite of Alexis.

Then a danty plate was place in front of Alexis, with a balance of meat, cheese, and bread. A second plate of fresh fruits were placed next to the first. Luna put a hand on her shoulder and smiled. "Enjoy."

It was then that the door on the far end of the dining room open and Djackar walked in. His eyes found Alexis immediately, the look on the girl's face one he had seen a hundred times over. She was nervous, unsure, scared even. The village never knew exactly what happened up in his castle, because the girls sent to him never returned. So he couldn't imagine the rumors that had been put into the girl's mind before starting her journey up the mountain.

She was indeed beautiful though, just as Luna had said. They were always beautiful to him, even if they didn't feel that way about him. Even Veletra who spend a decade mostly silent towards him, talking only with the previous girls. He tried to move as casually as he could to his seat at the table, pulling his chair out gently and sitting down.

There he sat, looked at her over the food place before them. He wasn't always bad at first meetings, every time a new girl came around he tried something new. Nothing ever worked the way he hoped. Sometimes it took years for him to start really getting along with a new woman. Sometimes it was instant. Human were quite the puzzle sometimes and he could never really figure them out. It was part of what he enjoyed about mortals so much.

He gestured to her plate. "If you are hungry after that I have plenty more." He told her, motioning jokingly to the mountain before him. "They feed me like some kind of dragon." He said with a smile. "Try the roast, Veletra is one of the best cooks I've ever known."

He looked down and frowned, "Forgive me. I am Djackar, you probably know me as the Dragon King. You can call me whatever you wish. I am found of the name Jack though...It sounds...good." He offered her, hoping she wouldn't outright start to hate him.

 

[Perplexia]

Alex was amazed at all of the food placed across from her. It was almost as much as a village feast. Then she was given a regular plate full that she would be lucky to consume on her own. She wondered how a giant dragon was going to fit in this room with her, much less through the door.

Her question was answered when a handsome man in white entered the room. He didn't look like a dragon at all. Yet he took a seat across from her and began chatting immediately. She looked at him blankly as if her mind was trying to comprehend how it was possible for him to be a dragon. Then it hit her magic.

He had even stated he was the dragon king. "I'm Alexis, but you can call me Alex, Jack." she said lightly. Oddly she wasn't half as nervous as she was before. "I've often admired your home from a distance, but I could have never imagined the beauty that lied with in." she said complimenting his home. "I can see that a lot of the rumors that I've grown up with aren't true in the least. Luna thinks the world of you, so why am I here Jack? Are you in need of an additional servant?"

Alex had never been one for tiptoeing. She wanted to know what her role was suppose to be here. Was she to replace the old cook? Or did he have some other position in the house that needed filling. Regardless she wanted to know, because floundering wasn't good for anyone.

 

[TheRPGuru]

Jack sliced off a small piece of meat with his knife and fork, glancing up at her as she told him her name. He smirked lightly as she too had a shorted version of her name. Alexis, but actually Alex. It suited her. He liked the name, it was always interesting to hear how human names changed through time. Veletra was an example of a name that seemed to be a snapshot of her time. Luna the same way.

"Alex it is then." He confirmed warmly.

Alex then continued to speak, seemingly trying to break the silence and get things out. "I've often admired your home from a distance, but I could have never imagined the beauty that lied with in." She paused only a moment before popping the big question. "I can see that a lot of the rumors that I've grown up with aren't true in the least. Luna thinks the world of you, so why am I here Jack? Are you in need of an additional servant?"

Jack paused, the fork making it's way to his mouth stopped completely and he looked up. He sighed and set the fork down, shaking his head. "Servant, no." He told her. "For thousands of years I protected the mortal realm below my mountain. While you are too young to know or have seen many of the major conflicts from the demi-gods that I have fought on your people's behalf, you may have heard legends. Those are mostly true tales of my protection."

"I am a dragon though. Unlike what humans might think, I am not Immortal. Like you, I age, I die. I yearn for an heir." He explained. "But dragon's cannot mate the way you might think. Dragons are born under only the most very special of circumstances. I takes a human to make another dragon. A human with a very special bloodline, a bloodline I honest don't know much about for sure. But I do know that in order for me to ever have an heir, I must win the heart of a human with a very special blood. Only with this woman can I have my heir."

He took a deep breath. "A couple thousand years ago, I became feeling the need to mate. So I turned to the humans I have looked over all this time. They made a pact with me, every twenty or so odd years, they would choose a special young girl from their village and send her up my mountain...to be my bride." He told her.

He sighed and shook his head. "This pact was only supposed to be until a girl came to me that could give me an heir. Sadly...in over 2,000 years, that has not happened yet." His saddness was deep and clear. "Veletra and Luna, are the two previous girls sent up my mountain. No heir, but even still, I keep them here with me, taking care of them, and giving them a place in my home. As I shall for you as well."

 

[Perplexia]

Alex listened carefully to what he was saying. The dragon king was in need of heirs. That is why the woman were chosen. Which explained the time delay to give each one the opportunity to produce an heir for him. It wasn't the whole conception part that bothered her. He was a dragon but obviously could take human form so it would be like producing children for a husband.

The part that became obvious to her was the pain it must cause to spend that much time with someone and fail in the mission you were provided and to be replaced by another. Luna seemed to be handling it well, but she wondered if she could ever be that cheerful.

After all since he's had this pact, he still hasn't been successful so what was the odds that she could be the one. "I see" she replied to his explanation as her mind pondered everything. "And this.. mating.. takes place in your human form?" she questioned. Then quickly added "If it doesn't work do I have an option of leaving?"

She knew herself well enough to know that if she had allowed herself to grow close enough to him to allow him to consummate their relationship she would not be able to handle watching someone else take her place. If anything she was a romantic.

 

[TheRPGuru]

Jack watched her think upon this information. Again it was another thing he had seen many times before. She was pondering her fate, her future, what it actually met to help produce an heir. The sex was almost always the first thing to cross everyone's mind, "And this.. mating.. takes place in your human form?" She questioned, bring a smile to Jack's lips. "If it doesn't work do I have an option of leaving?"

That second line, wiped his smile away. He hated it when they were hopeful for leaving this place. It always meant that the first thing he had to do with his new prospected bride, was break her heart.

He took a deep breath and shook his head. "Success of failure matters not. By entering this castle, you've crossed beyond the mortal domain. Once a mortal enters the immortal plane, you cannot go back. You could climb back down the mountain for years and all you will find is endless mountain to climb. That is why your village never sees a girl sent to my castle ever again, she simply cannot go back." He gestured to the food, "Thus why the girls do things like cook and clean, they groundskeep and find themselves hobbies. I try to bring them mortal things when I can, but I too am limited when I cross over."

He frowned and looked at Alex with great sorrow. "I am sorry, but you are here forever success or not. There have been many women that I have never even touched because they hated me so for this fate I have sealed upon them. There isn't a night that goes by that I don't pray that one of those girls could have given me an heir and my chance passed along with their youths."

"I saw you looking at Luna, and I bet you wonder why you are replacing her when Luna would still be able to have a man's children if she desired." He offered. "In order to conceive a dragon, you must be within a very short age window. Because even if you matched up with me perfectly, after about twenty-eight years, your body simply would not be able to handle the pregnancy and would reject it." He explained softly.

"I promise you, I have never willingly cast Luna nor any girl before her aside like some common garbage. I love all my brides warmly, but the cycle must continue or my legacy will die forever." A tear rolled down his face. A tear that showed his fear, and frustration for 2000 years of failure, and a fear of his time growing short.

 

[Perplexia]

"I do not hate you for the fate. I understand the benefit of it for all involved. I just believe that after such a long time of belonging to one person entirely, that if I am not the one, I will have to endure the heartbreak of seeing you with another.."

Sorrow filled her eyes as she found herself almost repeating the same thing again "For me to agree to such an act would depend solely upon how I felt about you. To commit to such a thing would require a level of devotion. To fail, and watch another win the affections of one I cared so deeply for and dedicated myself to as such would kill me. That is the reason I asked to leave."

She took pity upon him and could empathize with how frustrating it must be to have to repeat this procedure over and over again and still not have any results.

"It must seem silly to you that us humans are so bombarded with emotions. I am sorry that a creature of your majestic nobility has to suffer so."

She took a bite of her food as she let things go through her mind. "I am willing to get to know you and see if we have a connection." she said finally

 

[TheRPGuru]

Jack hung his head and took a deep breath. "Believe me, if I could have chosen fate myself, I would only have ever taken a single bride. Every failure pains me deeper than you can imagine. That is part of why I try to take care of every woman to ever come to me. And I would be lying if I said they all accepted me. Veletra never came to love me, she refused my affections every day, she locked herself away only coming out once I promised to leave her be. My understand of her feels has been repaid with meals like the one you see before you, and she cleans most of the castle herself." He gestured around. "Well she used too, now she's pushing seventy and settles to mostly just cook, Luna however keeps things the way she likes them."

He listen to her explain her feelings and nodded, "I understand Alex. Look I am no rapist, nor with I use some foul magic to morph your mind into what I want it to be. Like with Veletra, you will either come to love on your own terms, or...." He frowned, "Or it isn't meant to be." He shrugged and finally started eating.

"It must seem silly to you that us humans are so bombarded with emotions. I am sorry that a creature of your majestic nobility has to suffer so."

Jack suddenly laughed, big, booming and vibrant. "HA! Okay well first off don't ever call me majestic, or majesty, or anything like that. I am not some ruler for you to fear and obey. I am Jack, and you shall just think of me as that." He tore into another piece of meat and leaned forward on the team, gesturing to her with a beef bone as if to highlight just how much like a commoner he really was. "Second of all, I don't find human's silly. I find you all quite remarkable. If I didn't, I never would have bothered to protect your kind for the past...oh....50,000 years or so. There is more beauty in mankind than you realize my dear." He told her.

He watched her eat her rather generous human sized portion and said, "After we finish here, I would like to show you around if you'll allow me." He offered.

 

[Perplexia]

"All right, Just Jack, it is." she said with a smirk trying to lighten the mood a little.

Alex had listened to all that he said. She could understand that getting so close to someone could be difficult on him as well. He seemed to have a high respect for human kind. That was a bit surprising considering how many dragons would love to have her village as a meal.

Jack seemed genuine in his statements. But she had just met him so time would determine whether or not he actually meant them. Luna still seemed to be head over heals for him. She could understand that it must be hard on her, but perhaps for him she was putting on a brave face. It probably caused him a great deal of anguish not only to have to replace a bride, but to have to start all over with one he didn't even know would except him. His time was running short.

It seemed to Alex that this was a pretty ineffective way to find what he was looking for. Wouldn't it have been easier to have several at a time instead of one ever 20 some years? She would have to put that on the back burner for now.

She had continued to eat her meal and hadn't answered his question. "Yes, after we eat i'll be happy for you to show me around." she said softly. "Jack, how do you know that someone from our village has the bloodline that you're looking for?"

 

[TheRPGuru]

Jack looked up at her question. His knowledge of the bloodline was rather weak and he wasnt even sure how exactly it worked. Perhaps bloodline was the wrong word. It was more the right magic. Humans were born with very small amounts of magic, but every once in a while there was one with more magic than others.

"Perhaps bloodline is the wrong term. It doesnt really have anything to do with your fanily tree. It is more a....level of magic in thw blood i guess." He explained. "Everyone is born from magic. While biology started the process, it is a spark of magic that creates new life."

He thought for a second. "What i need is someone who's magic spark is bigger than most others. Which means it boils down to fate, since i cannot detect the magic in a person. Could have been girks from any village. However since your village lies at the base of my mountain, your village made thhe most sense."

He shrugged, "You know how hard that climb is. It would be useful to have a village from far away force a young girl to make a long journey followed by that horrible climb. The climb does server a great purpose as well."

He saw the question in her eyes. "The climb is a test of physical fitness. Again producing an heir requires a human of great health and endurance. By making that climb, you prove your body can handle a great physical challenge." He frowned. "Sorry if i am scaring you."

 

[Perplexia]

She shook her head lightly. "No you're not scaring me." she said softly "I should be terrified, yet oddly i feel calm." she looked slightly perplexed for a moment then continued.

"But what you said about magic. That's an interesting concept. I haven't quite heard it put that way before." She pushed her plate to the side after eating enough to make her full, but not over full.

"I have of course heard that magic is all around us, but I don't think I've ever given much consideration to what that means." Taking a drink of her juice she looked to Luna. "Please tell Veletra the meal was wonderful".

Looking back to Jack she said "I'm ready whenever you are for the tour"

 

[TheRPGuru]

Jack pushed away from the table, having eaten everything on his plates during his conversation with Alex. He rose gracefully like he hadnt just put away a man's own weight in food. Moving around the table he met with Alex in the middle and turned his gaze to Luna at Alex's comment.

He nodded, "Veletra never ceases to amaze." He agreed.

Luna bowed lightly, "Im sute she'll be delighted to hear you enjoyed it."

Jack frowned. Why was Luna bowing and acting all servantly all of a sudden. She knew she would not have to do that once the new girl arrived. Yet she seemed to be acting as such anyway. He would have to talk to her about it later.

But not now. For now Alex must be his focus. He smiled and gestured out of the room. He did not touch on her, not qanting to lead her around like he was her boss. "Tell you what. You lead and i shall follow. We can talk as we go around. Im sure you have more questions."

Then they were off to explore.

 

[Perplexia]

"Alright" Alex said not sure where she was going, but appreciated that he was giving her a little space. Seeing Luna bow she had been slightly worried that he would be expecting her to do the same. But the look on his face seemed one of perplexity as she did it.

As they exited the dining room her eyes danced around the walls decorated with fine pieces of art, and the hand-painted ceiling. The floors, walls and pillars seemed to be made of fine marble.

"this really is a beautiful place" she exclaimed in awe.

"Do you have a garden?"

 

[TheRPGuru]

Jack watched Alex's eyes dart around the rooms as they made their way around. He liked watching the look on her face as she took in grandeur unlike anything she had ever seen before. It was often a sudden change for most of the girls that came to him, and he never tired of seeing that expression of wonder.

She spun to him and asked about a garden, to which he smiled and nodded, "Of course, wouldn't be much of a castle without a garden now would it?" He turned and motioned her to follow.

He lead her through a hall, into a second grand but smaller than the main foyer. Through the double doors, the room opened out into an incredibly lush garden. Not only did the garden have roses, lilacs, and a virtual rainbow assortment of flowers in all shapes and colors, but the garden also had a back section in which fruits and vegetables grew. Tomatoes, berries, melons, squash, potatoes, carrots, an variable collection of grown delights.

He watched her with a smile, "The soil here is magic, and sustains the plants, helps them grow quickly and survive every season." He explained. "I didn't much care for a garden, but a few hundred years ago someone convinced me that it would be worth it. I flew far and wide to gather seedlings for her, and I think she was right. It's beautiful isn't it?"

 

[Perplexia]

"It is one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen" she said taking in the sight and smells.

"It is so fragrant and intoxicating. I could spend hours her just painting and sketching. Still it may take me forever to capture the beauty" she added as she began to wander touching and smelling them.

Her joy at the garden was overwhelming. A large smile had crossed her young lips as she took everything in. Eventually she returned to his side. "It is absolutely stunning. Everything here is. I can see you put a lot of effort into making this place a home for your ...brides.."

"Luna had mentioned you have a trinket room for all the tributes. The villagers take great pride in selecting items to show their gratitude for your protection. Do you have a library?"

 

[TheRPGuru]

Jack looked at her, watching her take in the beauty of the garden. There was a delightful innocence to her eyes as she looked around in awe. She mentioned painting and drawing, clearly a passion for her and he made a mental note to set up an easel for her to do that very thing if she wished it.

Jack nodded at her comment about his brides. "I do not take the sacrifice of you women, nor the sacrifice of your village in vein. While the pact set by your village long ago was done in my own selfishness, in the end it is for the good of the world as well. If I do not gain a successor, eventually I will die and humanity will loose my protection forever."

He took a deep breath, "So I go through great lengths to make sure your life here with me is as comfortable as possible. I do not want you to regret or worse, resent, your time here." He confessed.

Jack looked at her, "A library? No, but I do have a museum of sorts. There are books there, many books that have been brought to me through the ages. They are kept in a room with the other trinkets that people bring to me." He told her and gestured back towards the foyer. "Come I will show you."

The room he led her to was massive, nearly three stories high, with shelves lining the parameter of the room. The shelves contained a variety of things, from books, to portraits, weapons, fancy golden bowls and jewelery. Anything that people thought would appease him of grant his favor.

"Behold Alex." He told her, making a sweeping gesture through the room. "You shall probably find more books than you can possible read here. Though it is clearly no real library." He offered.

Suddenly Jack stiffened, hearing the call for help from hundreds of miles away. He frowned and shook his head. "Forgive me Alex. Duty calls, feel free to explore this room, find a book, or continue to explore the castle at your leisure. I must be off, but I shall return as quickly as possible."

He turned and hurried away.

 

[Perplexia]

Jack told her about how he didn't take the sacrifices people made for his protection lightly, and without an heir the protection would be lost to the world forever. She understood the importance even deeper of her being her, and the greater good her surrender to being his mate would be.

Alex listened as he told her he hadn't a library, but there were many books in the trinket room. She followed him to the giant room and took it in. It was filled with so much history, and everything was beautifully displayed.

He then excused himself and advised her he'd be back as soon as he could. She nodded and watched as he gracefully let the room. Her eyes turned back to what was before her. She wandered around looking and touching things until she came across a book that seemed very old. Carefully she brought it down from the shelf and found a place to sit with it.

Hours seemed to pass as she read about magic, and how it seemed to call to some people. Her mother had told her stories of how she had to always chase after her when she was little to keep her from climbing the mountain. Even before she knew that she was a potential chosen one. They eventually tried to scare her with tales of a dragon that lived upon it to try to detour her.

None of her other friends had ever seemed interested in the mountain, and dreaded the day that they were to all walk down to the square together. Perhaps somewhere deep her subconscious she knew that she belonged here.

Jack had made a wonderful first impression. He hadn't been even remotely aggressive or demanding. He like he had done many times before gave her a choice. Even though it meant he could possibly loose out on 'the one'. This was greater then herself, this was about the protection of her people. She knew that she would have to go through with it. Even if it meant she wasn't the one. For them she had to try.

 

[TheRPGuru]

Jack stayed gone for three days. Fighting a rebellion in the north in which the Vikings of Emdyr had made a pact with the underworld and had an army of demon possessed soldiers. During this time Luna helped Alex in anyway she could. Making sure Alex got fed, showing her around when she requested, answered her questions, whatever she needed.

Finally after along battle, Jack was home. He landed upon his platform just outside his chambers with a massive thud. His body hurt with muscle aches and he was so incredibly tired he staggered barely able to get to his bed before he collapsed and fell asleep for another two days.

When he awoke he was surprised to find it mid-day. He had been asleep for nearly 56 hours. He rolled onto his back and stared up at the ceiling for a moment. Then a deep breath brought his attention. His head jerked over and he saw Alex sitting besides the bed in a stool, a pad of paper and a pencil in her hand.

He frowned and sat up slowly, "I'm sorry to keep you waiting for so long." He groaned, his body still ached. "It was a hard fight." He told her. He looked at her puzzled, "Are you? Are you drawing me?" He asked.

 

[Perplexia]

For three long days Jack had been gone. She spent most of her days in the garden drawing and painting the flowers. In the evenings she spent her time in the trinket room reading whatever books she could find.

Luna had told her the Master was back as she sat for a portrait. "He sleeps for days sometimes after a battle" she told her. With Luna's portrait done and that being the mood she was in she found herself a stool next to his bed and quietly began to draw him.

For his 56 hours of sleep she had spent a great deal of time sketching him. He was the perfect model. He remained still for the most part. She had been able to capture his likeness to a tee and a bit of his demure as well.

She had been putting the final touches on it when he awoke.
"It's okay i've kept myself busy" she replied to his statement of being gone so long.

"Yes, you were the perfect model." She handed him her sketchbook after adding her signature to the picture.

 

[TheRPGuru]

Jack took the book from her and glanced down at the pictures she had made. His eyes widened as he saw her talent. There were several drawings, not just of him but of the garden as well, and all of them were wonderfully true to life. He looked up from the book and pointed at it. "These are incredible. You have quite the talent there."

He handed her the book and shifted to throw his legs over the side of the bed. "Did you do a lot of drawing as a child? You must have practiced constantly." He asked trying to get to know her a bit better.

He groaned with his stomach as he got to his feet. "Come, I need to eat before I fall back asleep from starvation. You can tell me about yourself on the way."

He listened to her as they made their way to the dining room. The smells of a feast could be smelled from rooms away and Jack felt his mouth water. He hadn't eaten in nearly a week, so he was sure the girls knew how hungry he would be.

 

[Perplexia]

"Thank you" she said as he complimented her talent and then proceeded to ask her more questions as they started to walk to the dining room.

"Yes i've always drawn. My mother said it was the only thing she could get me to focus on to keep me occupied enough to stay away from the mountain." She smiled as he looked at her.

"The story is that even before I knew i was to be in the group of chosen girls. I would try to climb the mountain. I supposedly told her the mountain called to me and said I was suppose to go to the top." She shrugged.

"I don't remember that, but i've filled books with sketches of it over my life, so i suppose i've always been drawn to it."

The took their seats at the table and she watched as he piled away the mountain of food before him. She ate her food and smiled as he managed to still eat somewhat gracefully despite the hunger he was feeling.