"More! Bring more ale, slave!" another repulsive warrior spat in my direction. My bound wrists strained to hold his drink, barely able to manage one enemy at a time. This was the General's cruel, twisted game, another layer of his torment. I stood amidst the celebrating warriors, surrounded by their stolen spoils, treasures, and the war's other victims turned slaves – those they had finally conquered. The one he had tried and failed to break. He had finally won, and his prize was me.
They had schemed and plotted their way into our small kingdom, slaughtering everyone in my household. Yet, he let me live. Why? Why murder all my kin, from the lowest to the highest, but leave me unharmed? He still hadn't laid a hand on me. It reminded me of what my maiden, who had cared for me as I blossomed into womanhood, had once said. As she cleaned my soiled feminine cloths and helped me change, she had spoken somberly. "When the enemy conquers a kingdom and slaughters to their heart's content, they then seek treasures, seize lands, and enslave both men and women, young and old. Pray you never know such a sorrowful existence; death is far kinder."
I should have heeded her words. I even tried to end it all, but he wouldn't even grant me that release. I glanced in his direction as he watched me, going back and forth from the large vats of mead, waiting for an available ale to deliver to one of his drunken soldiers. My wrists throbbed, raw from the tight rope, and my body and clothes were soiled from being dragged away from my only home.
"Come here!" another warrior bellowed, roughly pulling me onto his lap. I turned my face away from his foul, drunken breath, bile rising in my throat from the stench. "Let's have some fun, princess. My loins ache for a noble's warmth. You haven't felt a real man's—" "Enough, Elrick. Let her go. Now." The General's voice cut through the revelry. I hadn't even noticed him rise from his seat. Elrick glanced up at the General and immediately released me.
"No one is to touch her!" A hush fell over the room. It was as if his mere movement and words had cast a spell upon them all, his presence radiating a fear that even the most brutal warrior couldn't ignore. "She is here to serve our drinks and ensure our revelry as we celebrate the King's glorious victory!" A deafening roar erupted in response. "Come and drink! For tomorrow we ride back to the grandest kingdom of Eldoria, laden with our spoils!" More roars followed. "Bring in the slaves!" he commanded again. Women and some men were brought in to entertain the soldiers. I recognized some faces from my own kingdom, others from neighboring lands.
He gripped my still-bound hand and dragged me into his tent, then shoved me roughly to the ground. "Oof," I gasped, unable to break my fall with my bound wrists. I was filthy, exhausted, and bracing myself for whatever was to come. He glared down at me. "Do not move," he commanded, and I didn't dare lift my gaze.
He left and returned with several slave women. "Bathe her, prepare her for the King," he instructed them before turning to leave. "Sir, may we remove her bindings?" they asked, their heads bowed. He fixed me with a look of utter disgust. "You may. But watch her closely, do not let her out of your sight. She is a cunning one."
They immediately set to work, bringing in a basin and adding cold water. I was stripped bare, finally free from the chafing ropes. They began to scrub away the grime, dirt, and the dried blood of my people from my skin. I felt numb, my mind desperately searching for any means to end my life. I would sooner tear out my own heart than serve the King! As if the General had read my thoughts, guards entered the tent, increasing the security as they watched us work. I felt utterly exposed and humiliated.
Once they had dressed me and styled my hair, they and the guards accompanied me to the King's tent. His tent was the epitome of grandeur, the largest of all, with golden threads woven into the seams and velvet fabric hanging in towering folds for the magnificent King. A small fire glowed in a central pit, the tent's height easily accommodating the warmth. A vast bed covered in animal pelts, treasure chests, and a large table covered with maps and stones denoting their victories dominated the space.
My eyes scanned the interior, noting several women already there. They were adorned in exquisite jewels and even more luxurious clothing, some nearly nude, just draped in gems as they lounged together, toying with their intricate braids. I averted my gaze, finding their behavior distasteful. A princess would never be found in such an undignified state.
"Welcome, Princess of Evermere," he said, pouring a pitcher of wine with a self-satisfied air. "The legends were indeed true; your beauty is truly exceptional." He took a leisurely sip, his eyes appraising me. I remained silent and unyielding. "Come now, relax for a moment. Let us celebrate Ravenmarch's triumph over your pathetic lands," he said with a cruel smirk. I glared at him, my resolve hardening. I will not cry! I will not break! I will stand firm, even if it means my death. "I would rather cut my own throat and be burned alive than lie with a spineless king like you!" I spat.
He approached me with a predatory smile, caressing my face before delivering a sharp, brutal slap that sent me sprawling to the ground. "Watch your tongue, insolent girl! I will take you, whether you desire it or not. My seed will take root within you, and we will forge a new kingdom, just as I have with countless others before."
I met his gaze with burning defiance and spat at his feet. He looked down, a predatory smirk twisting his features. "Subduing you will be my greatest pleasure." He took a step forward, but a commanding voice halted him.
"Hold!" the voice rang out. "Hold, my King, a vision comes upon me!" I lifted my still-smarting face towards the source of the voice. A woman adorned in magnificent jewels and a sheer dress approached and knelt before me. Her eyes were glazed over, as if seeing something beyond, yet they seemed fixed on me. "Your hands, my lady," she intoned.
Still on the ground, I cautiously extended my hands to the woman. She touched them, but her gaze remained distant, unfocused. Was she blind? Then, she gasped and recoiled as if burned. She stood abruptly and approached the King, whispering urgently to him. He snapped his head towards me, alarm etched on his face. He seized my arm and yanked me to my feet. "You will die tonight! Guards!" he roared. Two guards rushed forward. "Yes, your majesty!" they responded in unison. "Bind her and take her to General Valorik! Tell him to execute her immediately. The oracle has seen a vision, and she must die tonight!"
"I'll just find another from that kingdom to carry my heir, noble or not," he muttered, waving us away dismissively.
I was bound once more and dragged towards Valorik's tent. A guard and I waited outside while the other spoke with him first. "Enter," his deep voice commanded. I was shoved forward, landing on my knees before him, my eyes lowered. I stared at his bare calves and feet. "Leave us," his deep voice commanded again. Why was it that in the presence of this man, my blood ran cold, while before the King, I had felt a surge of defiance?