Slave to the Empire

Slave to the Empire: Endings and Beginnings

Kieron awoke in darkness. The fires of the chamber were banked low, and cast dim shadows along the walls. A pair of eyes stared at him from the darkness, then stepped into the dim light. His aunt was dressed in her formal robes of office, in her hands a set of heavy silken robes and cloaks.

"Come…it is time."

He slipped out of the bed and padded across the gulf between them. She pulled him into a tight embrace.

"Your mother would have been proud of you." She whispered.

"Nothing has changed, has it?"

"Everything changes Kieron. You have avenged your parents, and ended a threat to the Empire."

"And don't forget the warm reception in the aftermath."

She stroked the back of his head. "By blood, Cymra was of the Royal House and of the Empire. You killed her in quite a spectacular fashion, and as such, you are in many ways a threat to the Empire."

"And the penalty for murder is death."

"You worry too much." Serena spoke. "Hallia has interceded on your behalf with the Empress, and you will not be executed or imprisoned."

Kieron was silent.

"Are you having second thoughts about becoming her mate?"

"No." Kieron shook his head. "I love her."

Serena smiled at him and released him. "Here, since your mother is not here to help you, it is up to me to make sure you are properly attired." She set the robes down and opened up a small case hidden in the volumous silks. She with drew a set of butter soft leather straps and quickly affixed them to his penis, making sure he was secure in his chastity. A set of leather wrist and ankle cuffs followed, and a thin silver chain several feet in length linked them. A white silk loin cloth was wrapped around his waist, and followed by several layers of cloaks. A final cloak was draped over his head, totally obscuring him from view.

"Hallia will collar you tonight." Serena touched his face through the silk. "Can you move freely?"

"I can Aunt Serena."

"Good." She led him out of the chamber and into the main passage of the ancient fortress. The halls were lined with Inquisitors in their full battle dress, all looking somber within their hoods, and all silent. He entered the small hall where the ceremony was to be held. It was occupied solely by Moon Elves, all family to Hallia. Serena stopped at the door and stood behind him.

"Who comes to this holy place."

"I do." Serena spoke.

"For what purpose do you come?"

"To give my sister's son in marriage."

"Let the verno' veruya stand forth."

A gentle push from Serena propelled Kieron forward. Behind him he could hear the doors close, leaving him alone with Hallia's clan. He stepped forward slowly in measured steps, until he reached the speaker. The Moon Elf was ancient, yet her appearance gave lie to her years. She wore the traditional waima of the Moon Elves, a robe of elegant design and function, and carried a staff topped with a standard of Ithil'Salka, Goddess of the Ithil'Quessir, the Moon Elves.

"Who claims this edan ?"

"I do." Hallia stepped from the throng of her kin. She was dressed in formal Inquisitorial attire, with the addition of formal robes that flowed about her. Atop her head she wore a simple silver circlet that identified her as a Duchess. She stepped forward to take her place next to Kieron.

"Hallia E'Tral'Koroth, you have laid claim to this edan according to the laws of our race. By the rights of the Moon and the Eternal Dance you are pledged." The priestess withdrew a slim dagger. She took Hallia's hand in hers and turned it palm up. With the tip of the dagger she drew blood on her fingertips and thumb. Through the silks, Kieron raised his own hand as he was bade. Through the silk his own fingers and thumb were bled. Hallia's hand went over his and the blood was mingled.

"By blood and spirit I bind you." The Priestess waved the blade over both of them. "By the hand of Ithil'Salka I bless you."

The Priestess stepped back. "What was two, now is one. Verne' , claim your verno' ."

Hallia stepped forward and ran her hand over his silk covered head. She smiled and kissed him though the silks, and Kieron could taste her lips despite the thin material between them.

" Aa' Ithil'Salka onuva belegtinu ar' vanimautinu ."

Hallia took his hand and led him from the hall. He took his customary position a step behind her as she escorted him back to her chambers. It was a long time coming, and he looked forward to spending the rest of his life with her. The fact that no one would see his face again but her did not bother him. The simple fact that someone loved him was enough. Once they were in their private chambers she turned to face him.

"As we are alone," She smiled. "You may remove your waima ." She stepped forward and helped him remove the silks. She shook them out and draped them over the chest at the foot of the bed.

Kieron stood still as she touched his face gently. Her fingers roamed his face and moved down. She smiled as she teased his bound genitals.

"And what do we have here?"

She removed his loincloth. His penis strained against the leather straps, and her fingers played along the sensitive flesh as he moaned softly. She stepped back.

"Help me undress my pet, and then we will take care of some long delayed business."

He unlaced her corset and unfastened the garters. She stood still as he took the time to unbuckle her boots and ease them off her feet, followed by the silk stockings. Her loincloth followed, as did the loosened corset. The leather gloves were the last item to leave her body as she was finally nude. He stood before her and she kissed him, her tongue taking possession of his mouth. He leaned into the kiss and let his tongue play along hers. She broke the kiss and stepped over to the bed. She reached into a side drawer and pulled out a collar, white leather with a silver clasp. Kieron stepped forward and knelt before her as she placed the collar around his neck and locked. She gave him a quick peck on the lips.

"Now you are mine forever."

With that said, she pulled him onto the bed with her and eased his head down between her legs. Kieron bent his head down and laid a row of kisses along her inner thighs. She sighed contently as his tongue worked its way up to the tuff of silver hair above her labia. Slow, gentle strokes along the outer lips brought a surge of wetness to her genitals, and he took in the feast like a starving man. His tongue played along the inner folds of her vagina for the longest time, lapping up the cream that flowed from her before attacking her clitoris directly. Her fingers tug into his head as he licked and sucked the hard nub of flesh that jutted slightly from the folds of its hood. His face was covered in juices as she came, then she pulled him up beside her and licked him clean, her hand reached down to release his penis from its bondage. She stroked him till he was hard and firm, teasing slightly to keep him on edge. With ease she flipped him onto his back and straddled his hips. She stared into his eyes as she positioned herself over him, and slowly lowered herself down.

Kieron felt his head slide between the tight folds of her labia, and groaned as she just held there for a moment. She slid down slowly until he felt something in her and swallowed as she nodded slowly. She rose up a bit, then slammed down, her head lowered to his shoulder and her teeth biting in as she took her own viriginity. Kieron closed his eyes at the combined pain/pleasure, his bound hand cupped her breasts and massaged them as she slowly recovered, licking the blood off her lips from her bite. The momentary shock of the pain passed and her eyes clouded with newfound lust. She rode him slowly, her hips sliding up and down.

"I love you." Kieron whispered.

She touched his cheek and bent over, taking one of his nipples into her mouth. He felt his testicles tighten as his orgasm neared. She licked and sucked, occasionally nipping him as he neared. He felt her tighten in response, and he came, her own orgasm heightening his own. They lay entwined one the bed for the longest time.

"It was worth the wait." She kissed him.

Savren waited in the small chamber in silent vigil. He had remained in the room since he returned, refusing all guests. Upon the altar before him lay Trelyana. The magicks wrought upon her were terrible indeed, but it was possible that his love could bring her back to him. At least, that is what both his Master and the Lady Murelle had said. He prayed daily to his Goddess for both strength and patience. The magicks that warped her mainly affected her unique nature. She was born of a Vampire, and shared many traits with her mother, but she was also part human, and also shared traits with her blood sire. She would never be fully human or vampire, and while she seemed at times cold and distance, it was her own way of keeping others at bay. His interest in her and his asking of her to partake in his Offering helped bring her out of her shell. Her mother was pleased that someone had taken interest in her daughter, and was equally pleased that she cared about the young sorcerer enough to inquire to the General his mate-price. The core of her current state was her soul. During her captivity and servitude to Cymra, she was forced to do many dark and terrible things, reduced to the state of that of a simple, mindless beast. Savren's appearance shocked her, and in some way, she tried to protect him in an animalistic way. The question remained, was he strong enough to stand by her as she was now, and was she strong enough to forgive herself.

So Savren kept to his vigil. He ate sparingly, and tapped into reserves during the times he felt himself begin to falter. He cast no spells during this time, only remained himself. Part of him despaired in that she would never return to him, but he held on. She was the only one for him, and he resolved if she would not return to him, he would journey to her. His resolve was routed in iron will, and he would endure.

Her eyes fluttered.

His heart skipped a beat.

"Where?" The raspy voice echoed from her throat.

Savren rose and brought a goblet of wine to her parched lips. He brought her head up so she could sip. Her eyes flickered from the wine to his face, and the scars that decorated his neck. She started to move away, but he held her close.

"It is okay my Lady."

"I did that to you…"

"It is okay."

She shook her head. "I hurt you terribly."

"I love you."

Her eyes widened slightly at his statement, and she could taste the truth of it. The wine was cut with his own blood.

"What happened to you was unforeseen." Savren spoke. "But it is over and done with. Cymra is dead and the crystal destroyed."

"You saved me."

"I did what I had to do." He helped her sit up. "Both your mother and Lady Esmerelda said it would take time for you to regain your full strength."

"Will you stand by me?"

"Yes." He stared into her eyes. "Without a doubt."

"Forever?"

"Forever."

Clara stepped into the High Priestess chambers and knelt. "You wished you see me your reverence?"

The High Priestess handed Clara a scroll. "This arrived this morning, addressed to you."

Clara accepted the scroll and unrolled it.

"My darling Clara,

By the time you read this, I will be on board a ship for the Island Republics. My initial assessment in searching out the geas of my quest was wrong, but in many ways, it was right. I have been given a lead on a great evil that is currently stalking Demitros, and Goddess willing, I will be back with you soon. Know that I love you, and will always be yours.

Love, Toril"

Clara blinked back tears and crushed the scroll to her.

"He has passed his first test?" The High Priestess gently asked.

She nodded. "He is going to the Island Republics, looking for the object of his geas."

"Then his trip to the Empire was productive."

"Productive?"

"A great threat to the stability of the world has been removed, the actions of Iceholme will be curtailed for a while. And he has learned several truths that will be of great benefit to him."

"He knows the truth of our order then?"

"After a fashion." The High Priestess shrugged. "He accepted the Goddess as his own, and taken the first steps as her champion. His quest will be long and hard, but if he can survive Lady Murelle, he will survive most dangers."

"I will pray for his safe return."

"As will I."

Toril stood on the railing of the galley as the waves rocked across the bow. In the distance he could see the outline of the shore that was Gilead. He reached out with his hand to as if to wave to a distant figure.

"You alright kid?"

He turned to Aerick. "I am fine."

The resurrection of Aerick was a chancy thing, involving many forces within and without, with assistance from a distance Guardian. The two stopped in Iilead after leaving the Empire so that Aerick could turn over command of his Mercenaries to his second in command, and offered to travel with the young paladin on his quest. As to his survival, all Aerick spoke of was his tie to the earth, and that the spirits of the earth would not let him go…at least, not yet….