Chapter 364 (by Nefret)
It had been several days since they had stepped back inside the citadel. The space was a god sent. Things almost seemed better when they weren’t crammed together in one small tent, but in truth they where only turning a blind eye, avoiding. The manner house was so strange now, it almost seemed… lighter now. Like a black film had been wiped away, the blues were bluer, the light more golden, things shined more. Finally for the first time ever this place was wiped clean of the entity of Destain. Not to say it had become a cozy little retreat. The citadel by nature was still massive and foreboding, but only in looks now, not in feel.
Mozenrath was spending most of his time in the library reading those story books he’d never quite finished. His heart seemed to follow the up and down movement of the books. One moment he rejoiced in the company of Chroias, of his newly healed hand, of this new lighter feeling, of the absence of Destain. The next moment he remembered he no longer had his powers, and he remembered how Nefret was avoiding him at every turn. Why, why was she being so cruel? Why, when after he found his love for her?
Mozenrath sighed and set down the book, revealing Chroias sitting in the chair in front of him. “Hello love.” He smiled.
The demon returned the smile. “such a deep sigh.” She raised an eyebrow.
Moze pointed to the book. “The prince just lost the princess into the clutches of his nemesis.” He explained.
Chroias laughed. “I see.” She slipped into his lap and flipped through the pages. “Have no fear, the prince always wins the love of the princess in these dang idealist books.”
A small thoughtful smile crossed Moze’s. “Maybe, if as fairy god demon has a talk with the princess…”
Chroias rolled her eyes and whacked him on the head playfully. “It’s not my place to butt in.” She smirked and turned around to face him on his lap. “But maybe I help by reading you a bed time story, huh?” she smiled evilly.
“Oh is that so?!” Moze laughed and stood up, taking her with him. He really was getting stronger. “We’ll just see!” They both went laughing out the door.
Nefret stuck her head in the kitchen to find a staff of mumluks cooking up dinner without even her assistance. The girls gave a small growl and grabbed a pastry off a passing tray. “What’s the world coming to when a mumluk can do MY job!?” She gave a rueful smile. She’d been all over the citadel to find those dang zombies cleaning and organizing and doing every task that used to be hers.
Marching back up to her room Nefret thought. ‘The mumluks run things just as well here without me. Why did he even need me in the first place? Hum, to help out in the lab where a clumsy half dead ruffian wouldn’t do….. still he could have gotten monkey to do that job. He put up with a smart ass like me when he didn’t have to.’
She stepped into the room she’d been given. It was a grand room, with high cathedral ceilings, frescos spilling down the walls separated by golden gilded columns, on the ceiling above there were arching images of goddesses, the floors were a glowing marble. On the windows there fluttered lengths of linen like in the house of the pharaoh. There were sconces where incense burned, a massive beuro filled with nice cloths, an elegant makeup table heavy with perfume bottles, but most impressive was the bed. High and monstrous, with the sides made up of lengths of copper molded to look like the Jackal Anubis, on the canopy yards of transparent colored silks hung down to shade the mattress, where her hound now slept. It was the sort of grandeur the citadel could boost, but never had she thought it would be spent on her.
The girl sat down at the makeup table and tinkered with toiletries with a sigh. ‘I served no real purpose here that a mumluk or docile child couldn’t have filled. That crazy ass chose me because I’m so much like him, as someone to make this big place less lonely before Chroias came to stay.’ she gave a little laugh. ‘Hathor, I’m just like him.’
The door opened and Chroias stepped in. “Hey there.” She said brightly. Nefret smiled and greeted her happily as Chroias sat down on the bed. “I’ve been officially requested to come talk to you.”
Nef rolled her eyes and gave a laughing shake of her head. “He roped you into it huh?” She plopped down on the bed beside her.
“He can be convincing… very convincing.” The demon smiled devilishly and jabbed her thumb into Nefret’s ribs.
The girls laughed. “I know I know. You’ve come to ask why I’m being the way I am. You’ve come to see why I’m tourtchering the poor man, why when he loves me I’m hurting him by being a cold hearted bitch.” Nefret stated bluntly.
Chroias blinked several times and attempted to say something. “Um..”
“Yes you’ve come to see just what the hell my problem is.” Nefret nodded as Chroias tried to say something but was cut off. “I’ve just been thinking about that myself. It’s plain fear I think. Yes, fear. No no don’t try to make me feel better about it. I’m scared of Mozenrath’s feeling, and of my own so I’m pushing him away. Yes, it’s a classic case.” Nefret hummed and tapped her temple as chorals sat flabbergasted. “You know your right. I should go talk to him.” Nefret stood up and hugged her friend. “I love you sister. Thank you.” And she was out the door.
Chroias mouth moved for a moment and she blinked. “Oh I’m good.” She smiled and pranced out the door.
Chapter 365 ((Chroias))
Mozenrath heard the door open behind him and the soft pat pat of bare feet against the marble. The sound of sashaying silk and two hands placed gently on his shoulders made him look up. Nefret was looking down at him, a sort of half smile on her face. "I trust the new rooms are to your likening?"
"Oh yes, very beautiful." she agreed and walked over to sit across from him. "Your not making this easy on my you know. I mean, I used to think my presence here served a purpose of some sort and now I find mamlucks doing my jobs just as easily as I had."
"Your not a slave here any more Nefret. You don't have to do any more then Chroias does." Mozenrath tried to keep calm while inside he wished she'd simply walked over and kissed him.
"Yeah...I know. But it did get me wondering..."Nefret raised her face to meet his dark eyes. "Why'd you bring me here in the first place? It's obvious that you kept things running smoothly before I arrived, so why have a live servant?"
Mozenrath set his head to the side, trying to sort his thoughts correctly. In truth, he didn't really know why he'd taken her from her home so long ago. It had been a whim of his, soothing he had grow used to following. "I...I'm not sure. You were the only person who stood up to me...I guess..." he shook his head.
"You saw what you wished you could have been." Nefret surmised.
Mozenrath gave a rueful smile. "Something like that yes. I never stood up to him, not once in my entire life." Mozenrath sighed and closed his eyes. "He's still a part of my life Nefret. A part that isn't going to go away quickly. He's no longer able to control my movements. He no longer controls who I am or choose to be. But..." He paused for a moment, trying to find the right words. "But the taint is always going to be there."
"We'll fight it then." Nefret reached out her hand and gently intertwined her fingers with Mozenrath's. "All of us."
"Nefret..."Mozenrath toyed with the question in his mind. He wanted to ask her something, but wasn't willing to start another fight. Instead he took her hand and pulled her closer, into a warm hug. She squirmed for a moment, a little uncomfortable, but hesitantly hugged back. Mozenrath chuckled. "Not so bad..." he whispered and his hand ran up her spine, causing a mild shiver to run through the priestess.
Nefret smiled. It didn't feel so bad. A little frightening, but not so bad. But she wasn't going to take the next step yet. Not until she was sure. "Moze...I want to apologies for something."
"What could you possibly have to apologies for?"
Nefret shook her head and held the sorcerers face, wanting to make sure she had his attention. "I shouldn't have accused you last night. I mean.. I was angry...and afraid...and I when I said you were just going to have your fun and throw me out..."
"You were just expressing your fears." Mozenrath ran his hands through her silk hair. "The only thing that made me angry was the fact that you though I would do something like that. Maybe back when he was still controlling me...but now." Mozenrath kissed her. "Have you ever see me cast out Chroias after we'd..." he made a gesture with his hand.
Nefret giggled. "She'd have killed you if you did!" Mozenrath gave her a smile. I true, unscathed, unveil smile and she felt something in her chest start beating. "That reminds me of something Chroias brought up. Once...well....once we become...lovers." she saw a flicker of hope across Mozenrath's face. "Well...umm...it won't exactly be like we can trade off. I get you so many days and Chroias gets you so many days..."
It took him a moment to realize what Nefret wasn't asking. He laughed. A wild, silvery sound that spoke of actual humor. "Your asking if we'd end up as a..." he had to sit down. It was a hilarious thought. "a...m'enage 'a trois?"
Nefret gulped and felt a warm heat on her cheeks. "Well...it'd be kinda hard to divide the days.."
"Are you saying you wouldn't be adverse to the... possibility?" Mozenrath arched an eyebrow with a trace of his old villainy. Nefret gave a short growling sound and slapped his cheek gently. "Hey you brought it up!"
"Only because I was curious!"
"That’s one way of putting it." Mozenrath ducked the throw pillow and laughed again. "Well...I don't know...I guess that would depend on...Chroias's thoughts concerning such an arrangement. Of course if you two lovely ladies just can't seem to keep your hands off me.." Another thrown pillow which he was forced to duck.
"I'm gonna kill you!" Nefret surged ford, toppling Mozenrath from the chair and onto the floor. "I swear I'm gonna kill you." she wrestled with him for a moment, managing to maneuver herself on top and pin his arms down.
"So you enjoy the superior position. I'll keep that in mind." Nefret screeched and sat down on his stomach, hard! "Ooofh!" Mozenrath groaned. "You didn't have to do that."
"Yes I did." Nefret gave him a smart-ass smile until she suddenly heard a loud laughter from outside the library doors. "I do believe we're being watched by a certain demonic presence."
Chroias walked in, holding her stomach in laughter. "A m'enage 'a trois!" She gripped the side of a couch and tried to stop laughing. "Ohh Moze of all the things to suggest." she fall on the couch, laughing harder and harder.
Chapter 366 (by Nefret)
Nefret laughed and let Mozenrath up, jumping away quick enough to avoid his retaliation. “oh you cant blame him. He’s just a man.” Nefret sneered at him playfully and both girls pelted him with pillow.
“Ahh they’re attaching!!” Mozenrath screeched and covered himself wit his arms.
“Oh no you don’t!!” Chroias warned and rush him, tackling him down and bashing him with the fluffy object. Nefret cheered on and re-supplied her friend with the odd throw pillow whenever the demon lost one of her weapons.
“By M’enage ‘a trios this isn’t exactly what I meant!” Moze sputtered out. This only sent more and heavier objects the way of his head.
The battle only ceased when the soldiers were exhausted and all the pillows busted open, their feather content laying in heaps around the room.
“Who wins?” Mozenrath asked tiredly.
“We do.” Nefret and Chroias said in unison, raising their arms in victory, but just bearly.
“I’d disagree, but I don’t have the fight in me.” Moze rolled over and stood up.
“smart decision.” Chroias got up and dusted herself up.
Mozenrath smiled at both girls in a strange appreciative way. Chroias smirked and was about to say something when Nefret suddenly smacked her head and exhausted herself from the room.
Mozenrath swung Chroias up in his arms, kissed her forehead, but the couristy got the best of him and after a few minuets went to see what Nefret was up to.
The priestess was found slipping on her coat and a pair of sandals in her room. Mozenrath frowned and knocked on the doorframe. “Going somewhere?” He asked as she turned around in surprise.
“Oh hey.” Nefret smiled nonchalantly and tied her coat. “I have an appointment in Agrabah.” She smiled and slipped past him through the door.
Mozenrath hesitated before following her down the hall. “You’re going to Agrabah?” He felt his heart flinch. He tried to remind himself he wasn’t going to order her away from any of her lovers… but….
“Yes. I can do that now right? Go where I want, right?” Nefret chuckled and looked over her shoulder to him.
Mozenrath put his head to the side. “Y..yes you can.” Oh he could just picture in his mind… and it made his blood boil!
Nefret smirked, catching on to what he was thinking. “I think I’ll be taking regular trips there now. I man I greatly love lives there, you know.”
His mouth worked for a moment, a strange wash of sadness and jealous rage filled him. He stopped and clenched his fists. “You just have to rub salt…”
“Anything you want me to tell Trist?” Nefret cut him off and spun around with a toughly innocent look. Moze blinked several times. “I’m going to see my brother, Apepe.” She grinned as Moze’s tense muscles suddenly released and slumped.
“No.. just tell her hello for me.” He sighed.
“Okay.” Nefret backtracked to him. “I’ll be home before sunset. See you then?” Nefret gave a little flushing smile. Mozenrath only nodded and received a kiss on the cheek.
Chroias slipped into her lovers lap on big comfy chair in the lab. He was just staring ahead. “You okay?”
Mozenrath sighed and put his arms around her. “just missing it.” She gave him a questioning look. “The power I mean. Is that wrong of me?”
“No! No.” Chroias hugged his head to her chest. “Not wrong. Your just not used to being… human. But your not quite normal you know.” She ran her fingers of the small bump over his heart. The sharks tooth nestled there keeping him alive for centuries. “We’ll find another way Mozenrath. Not something like the gauntlet, but something.”
Chapter 367 (by Chroias)
Nefret dismounted her horse and stepped out onto the desert sands in front of Apepe's quaint house. It would be nice to settle down for a time and let herself relax among family and friends. Plus, she needed time away from...him...to consider things. She had promised herself to decide what the new relationship between them would be by dinnertime, and that meant she needed quiet opportunities to sort it out.
Nefret raised her hand and knocked on the door, smiling to herself. She could easily remember the look on Mozenrath's face when she'd mentioned Agrabah. No doubt he'd thought she was going to go and visit Aladdin in the palace. Little did he know that the decision there had already been made. What had happened between her and the current sultan had been nice while it lasted. But Aladdin was a married and taken man, and while Chroias was...liberal...Jasmine was much less likely to accept the presence of another female in the place. It had been wonderful, but it was over.
There was a crash from inside and the sound of someone fumbling with a metal latch. “Apepe? It's me...your loving sister...Apepe?" she knocked again and the door was flung open to reveled a man with large bags under his eyes, sweat all over his face, and a frantic, slightly unstable look on his face. "Apepe!"
Apepe's jaw was hung open. "Bababa--bababa" he stammered and made a gesture towards a back room. "Bababbbb."
Nefret's eyebrows skyrocketed to her forehead and she pushed past her brother without a seconds prompting. Sure enough, in the next room over, there lay Tris, just as calm as could be, breathing in and out with quiet meditative gestures. "Hello auntie." she said calmly. "I'm afraid my water just broke and Apepe's libel to faint."
Nefret sighed and walked over to her niece. "Hello Tris. Are you doing alright hunny?"
"Oh well enough, but you could inform daddy that I'm about to give him a grandchild." she rubbed her belly gently and smiled. "I've already given Zak a call, he'll be here shortly...and with company." her look turned severe and Nefret blanched.
"You know, I came here looking for peace and quiet! I came here hoping to take a break and relax!” Nefret picked up a basin and filled it with water, bathing Tristram's forehead and bringing pillows. "I'll send Apepe to the Citadel to get your mother and father. Chroias is going to want to be here for this."
Tristramn nodded and her face strained for an instant before resuming it's normal beauty. "You have a knack for appearing right on time. I thought father didn't let you go anywhere without him."
Nefret tried her damnest not to smile. "A...a few things have changed between your father and myself Tris...something’s ...now's not the time!" Nefret said suddenly and gave her some water to drink. She walked over to the door and flung it open.
"Apepe! Take the horse outside and go tell your father-in-law that he's having a baby!" She heard a fumble and rustle and the slam of a door. "That should give him a chance to work of some of hat excess steam. How long have you been in labor?"
"About two hours. I'm really doing fine but we hadn't set up a mid-wife for this and I really didn't want anybody except you." Tris smiled. "The only reason I hadn't sent for you earlier was because Apepe refused to leave me alone." Tris laughed and sipped at her water, breathing in and out gently.
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"So this is Agrabah." A young man with blond hair looked around and shaded his eyes. "Nice, a little to dry for my tastes, but not necessarily bad." He smiled at his companion, a slightly older male with thick black hair and twin horns sprouting from his temples. "I have to admit it Zak, coming here in such a rush, no word to your father about me, no letter..."
"Dad doesn't like surprises. But it's better then giving him warning and finding the whole mamluck army waiting for us at the front door." Zakurum walked over and gave the blond haired man a warm kiss. "You worry too much Dameon."
Dameon smiled and winked with his silver-gray eyes. While Zak was tall and leanly muscles, Dameon was a little shorter and just plain beautiful. He had plenty of women drooling over him, despite his avid interests in a slightly more controversial lifestyle, and had found the half demons attentions more then flattering. "Never the less, I don't think he'll be happy to see me."
Zak smiled and put the bags down on the bed. They'd found a comfortable little hotel on the better side of town. A nice place with comfortable beds and a cafe underneath. Dameon, despite his wealthy heritage, was not a picky person, one of the reasons Zakurum found him attractive. "He'll get over it. My father hated Apepe too, but he still allowed Tris to marry him."
"Tris was also pregnant at the time." Dameon reminded Zakurum. "It would take nothing less then a miracle of the Gods to have that happen with us."
"How many God's do you have again?"
"More then I can count. How strange to only have one God for so many different kinds of people." Dameon looked down through the window at the people bellow.
"Lucky for you my father isn't ultra religious."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"She's birthing!" Chroias nearly feel from her chair when the young man who'd wed her daughter appeared, short breathed and red faced, at the Citadel doors.
"Yes...started...four hours...ago.." Apepe gripped the frame as Mozenrath came sweeping down the stairs. "Would have come earlier, but I didn't want to leave her alone...Thank the Gods for Nefret, she popped up just in time."
Chroias rushed about, grabbing the few things they'd need. "I'll conjure myself there, Mozenrath will follow on horseback." Before anybody could argue, Chroias had evaporated into thin air and left the two men in the hall.
"A sorcerer...on horseback?" Apepe looked questioningly at Mozenrath.
"Complications...."Mozenrath waved it away. "Come on I don't want to miss the birth of my grandchild." Within minuets they had both grabbed new horses and were racing towards Agrabah.
It took less than an hour. A relatively smooth birth as those sorts of things go. Chroias proudly chalked it up to fine breeding. The soon to be grandmother comforted her daughter as Nefret stood in catchers position. There wasn’t much for the midwife to do really, Tristram was doing quite well on her own. It was simply a matter of finding the best position and ordering a push at the right moment. Before long a new life slipped stickyly into the world.
Apepe and Mozenrath arrived only moments before the babies cry sounded, but that didn’t stop them from wearing a trench into the floor. Apepe stood with his nose nearly butted up against the door just waiting for someone to open it. He’d tried to come in a moment ago and was promptly yelled at by his sister. Apparently the birthing room was no place for a fumbling fainting man.
Chroias patted Tristrams head before slipping over Nefret as she wiped the baby off and severed it from it’s mother. It was a beautiful baby. Chroias took it her arms for a moment before laying it across Trist’s chest.
“It’s a beautiful girl.” Nefret assured.
“I’m proud of you.” The demoness kissed the new mothers forehead.
“It’s eyes… look a bit milky.” Trist muttered while counting the little bundles fingers and toes.
“Their just light. Didn’t get that from my side of the family.” Nefret laughed and poked her godchild.
“Oh hush Auntie.” Trist chuckled tiredly. “Go ahead and let them in. They’re probably plastered against the door.”
Chroias swung open the door to find two sets of eyes staring widly at her. “A girl.” She informed and stepped aside as they stampeded in.
Apepe slowly sat on the bed next to his wife and rubbed the babies cheek. He stiffened in a manly attempt to push his emotions aside.
Mozenrath kissed his daughters head and then that of his granddaughter. “She’s lovely.” He said quietly. “Despite half of her heritage.” But his jab was didn’t carry the same malice as it had before, only a soft allusion to his old self that brought a little laughing smile to everyone’s lips. “We’re the youngest, best looking grandparents ever my dear.” Moze pulled Chroias close and kissed her softly.
Nefret let out a happy sigh and pulled off her apron and washing the evidence of midwifery off her arms. Mozenrath left the others ohhing and awing over the baby and slipped up beside her. “Thank you my littlest minion.” He ruffled her hair and leaned in to kiss her as he had Chroias. Only last minuet common sense as to where he was reminded him to pull up quickly and place his kiss on her forehead and not her lips.
No one was focused on anything but the baby except for Apepe, who was also about to thank his sister but instead caught the exchange and sat back down with a funny look.
“I think we should all go celebrate at the family home.” Chroias said brightly. She wanted to spend a few days with the new family before letting them go on their own. It was her right as a grandparent after all.
Chroias was able to take herself trist and the baby safely by magic, the others took the horses back.
Apepe lingered back from the group studding things. Now that he was significantly calmer her was notices a few things, or maybe more appropriately not noticing them. Mozenrath no longer had the gauntlet… or a bony hand. He no longer held so much hatred in his eyes. He hummed at the thought and glanced to his sister.
Nefret shifted her feet higher on the horse’s side and this time no glitter of gold caught the light. There was no more anklet. Maybe Mozenrath had found a better system…. Maybe. But still there was the fact that she was wearing an expensive silk robe.
Apepe kicked his horse and rode up beside Nefret. Smiling soberly at his sister he took her hand firmly and rode close.
“Funny, they’re not here.” The blond man turned to Zak.
“Probably went off to the Citadel to throw a party.” The other man closed the door and walked back into the street.
“What’s say we go crash it!” The other man smiled and walked ahead.
Chapter 369((By Chroias))
Zakurum looked over at his blond haired companion with an odd sort of expression. Dameon looked wonderful in the dusky light, it accented both their features to a sultry and almost seductive tone that any artist would find themselves proud to capture on canvas. Dameon noticed his sigh and smiled. "Thinking evil thoughts?" he asked with an eyebrow.
"Not evil ones, simply ones which could be deemed dirty." Zak maneuvered his horse closer. "And yes I know you hate horseback riding, but if I use magic father will detect me automatically and I want to introduce you properly." he reached over and took Dameon's slim hand in his own. "Your worried."
"I'm not!" Dameon protested. "I'm simply questioning the wisdom of this."
"Well I'm hoping my dad will be too distracted with my sister to notice us for a while." Zak laughed and kissed Dameon's cheek, bringing a blush to the tanned skin.
"Speaking of your sister..."
"She knows already. Tris and I chose to share our thoughts without borders so she's known about you ever since I've met you." At the look of horror Zak added. "But we can block if we choose, so she hasn't been in on everything we do together."
Dameon looked a little more relived. "Thanks the Gods." he whispered and smacked Zakurum playfully. "So tell me a bit more about this Aunt of yours? She sounds like a real sparker."
"Oh she is! I swear no matter what trick I used to play on her..."Zak began telling tales of his auntie Nef as they approached the Land of the Black Sand.
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Chroias looked at Tristram's tear stained face. It was taking all self-control she possessed not to fling herself beside her daughter and weep. Nefret, however, felt no such restrictions and cried openly along with her niece and new godchild. 'How could this have happened?' She repeated the question over and over again in her mind. There was simply no logical explanation for it. The pregnancy had been fine!
Nefret began soothing Tristram from under her won tears and patted the baby silently. "I feel like it's my fault!" Tris wailed and clutched her baby close to her breast. "Tell me what I did wrong? Please somebody tell me!" Tristram screeched and hugged her child tightly.
"You did nothing wrong." Chroias exclaimed and walked over. "Tris...little love...sometimes these things happen...it can not be predicted."
Nefret supported the statement. "It's no more a consequence of your actions then my mother dieing is a consequence of mine." Nefret hugged both women.
Tris mearly shok her head and Chroias unclasped her shoulder strap. "Feed your child Tristram." she instructed gently. "I'm going to go tell your father."
"No! He'll think he was right! He'll think he was justified in telling me not to wed Apepe." Tristrams dark eyes went wide and frightened and Chroias shook her head violently.
"Perhaps the man you once knew would. But this man will not. Tristram ...some things have changed..."she rsiked a glance at Nefret.
"A lot of things have changed. "Nefret brought in. "Tris I know this seems so horrible right now. But...but I've seen worse things happen to a child. I've seen births so deformed that the mothers cast the child out to die or killed them their selves." At those words Tristram clutched onto her baby and emmited a growl so much like her mothers that an El Katib wouldn't have tried to take the baby away from her. "But you see! You love her...you love your child too much despite the...incident..."
"All that a child needs is love. "Chroias smiled gently at Nefret. "All anybody needs is love."
Nefret could feel a mild implication hiding inside her friends statement, but pointedly ignored it. "We're going to go talk to Mozenrath and Apepe..."
"Apepe! Oh Gods what’s he going to think of this!" Asked Trist.
"You know him better then we my dear." Chroias kissed her daughters head. "I judge him to be too good a man to do what you fear."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A new path had been trooden on the floors of the Citadel. Mozenrath had discovered upon arrival that Chroias had commandeered a room for Tristram and grabbed Nefret, escaping before and of the men could interviene. He could sense the tension in the air, as could Apepe. Something was very very wrong. There was a feeling of sadness hanging over him unlike anything he'd ever known before.
Suddenly the door opened and Chroias stepped out, followed by Nefret. It was hard to tell who assaulted the two with questions first, but Chroias silently heald up her hands as if to ask for some air. "Just...just give us a moment." she griped the handle of a chair, now able to show weariness’ out of Tristrams sight. She was vaguely aware of Nefret and Mozenrath helping her.
"What is it? Wheres Tris? is the baby alright?" Apepe breathed hard and pushed himself closer to the demoness. "Please...miss Chroias..."he looked up into her eyes. " Please...what’s the matter with my family?" Chroias closed her eyes and whispered it in a voice so soft that only Apepe could catch the meaning of what she said. His eyes went wide, then small, his mouth hung open and his whole body seemed to go limp as he slumped beside the chair. "I-i-t's not...not possible."
Mozenrath leaned in closer. "What is it! What’s wrong." He demanded.
Apepe looked up at his father-in-law, his face appearing to have aged a decade. "My...my baby is blind."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Apepe walked into the birthing room, ignoring the minor mess still at hand. "Tris..."he poked around the chair gently at his wife. "Tris...baby..." he saw her tear stained face and simply hugged her, kissing her cheeks time and time again until every tear had been soaked up by his lips. "It's alright...oh honey it's alright..." he stroked her hair and that of his daughters. "She's still a beautiful child, and so healthy." he praised.
"But she's blind..."Tris held up her child and Apepe saw his daughters face. She was beautiful. A head full of black, spiky hair and skin a pale cappuccino color. She had her mothers face shape and her fathers lips. The only fault from the sweet face, was the milky film over both eyes.
Apepe felt his heart squeeze. "She's still beautiful. She'll continue to be beautiful." he promised.
"I...I feel like a bad wife." Tris tried to explain. "Like I've failed somehow."
"Lovely you could never fail me. You gave me a strong, beautiful, healthy baby. So she'll have to make do another way, I've heard of worse things. We'll show her how...plus I've been reading up on sorcerers and such, figured if I was going to be related to one I may as well learn..."A derivative snort came from outside the door. "Wizards and their children have this thing called undersenses. It allows them to feel things instead of seeing them. We could let your father train her to use those when she gets older. It's not as good as eyes, but it's close..."
Tristram smiled a little. "Maybe..." she smiled down at her child. "Yes.. yes we'll do that when she's old enough." she patted her daughters spiky black hair. "We'll find a way my little Melpomene."
"Is that to be her name? Melpomene?" Mozenrath asked from outside the doors.
Tristram nodded. "Apepe and I found it in an old text book and decided it was lovely."
Mozenrath smiled and walked in to take his first look at his grandchild. "I feel so old to be a grandfather." he murmured and ran his hands through her hair. "She's beautiful...she'll be a proud child." he congratulated. "I'm proud of you...both of you." he said suddenly and walked out the doors.
As was usual, he walked straight from one crisis into another as his son walked through the Citadel doors, linked arm in arm with a raskish young blond man with cheeky blue eyes and an aura of pure mischief around him.
Mozenrath sputtered for a moment. Slowly the others were coming though the door into the room, leaving Trist and the baby to bond, slowing as they felt the air thicken. Zak was looking slightly sheepish but was steadfast in not letting the arm of his male friend go. No one in the room could be considered naive….. Still Mozenrath who was as yet unawares was going to give the benefit of the doubt more for his own sake than Zak’s.
“Hello son…” Mozenrath’s voice was slow and distrustful. “Who is… this?”
Zak’s eyes did a once over of the room, taking in the looks of his mother, aunt and brother in law, all a bit nervous like townspeople waiting for the volcano to go off. Slowly he eyed his father, noticed the fleshed bare arm. “Dad what happened!?” The boy asked surprised, half because he was so shocked by the sight, and maybe subconsciously because he wanted to change the subject.
Mozenrath’s fingers flexed for a moment and he looked down. “A lot has happened while you were gone. Things have changed around here… perhaps for the better…” The man’s eyes shot up again to his son. “But we’re being rude. You didn’t answer my question.”
Zak could sense now that his fathers power was gone… my god his father felt… mortal. The boy could tell there was an interesting story to come. But it would have to wait. “This is my… friend Dameon.” The chuckled, only slightly nervous, and offered an introduction with his hand.
Dameon could somehow sense something was amiss. He’d already been told that a gauntlet of power was worn by Zak’s father… hum… no gauntlet in sight. Perhaps this gave him a little safe leeway. “Very good friends!” Dameon gave a toothy smile and slapped Zak’s behind.
Mozenrath’s eyes shot wide and everyone else put their head in their hands. Zak blushed red and looked for something to say. Mozenrath beat him to it. “I seee…..” He slowly paced to his son, throwing an arm around his shoulder and drawing the boy away a few feet. The grip only seemed to make Zak more nervous, as such was its intentions. “Zak, I think you should know you sister just gave birth to a blind but otherwise healthy baby girl. She’s in there quiet distraught. If you’ve brought me trouble!” His voice raise and his arm tightened around the boy.
It seemed Mozenrath’s old colors were retuning. The girl’s hearts clamped. Zak suddenly turned sober. “B… blind?” He whispered.
“Yes. Do you want to add to our problems Zak?” Mozenrath let go of his son and drilled a dark look into his eyes.
“It doesn’t have to be a problem if you weren’t so…” Zak didn’t finish, couldn’t finish. Mozenrath’s chest puffed up like a balloon about to blow.
“After all I’ve done for you… at least just tell me straight forward.” He commanded and crossed his arms.
“By gods leave him alone! He’s you son, not your subject. Be a father man, not a dictator!” Dameon snorted and rolled his eyes.
Mozenrath had him by the shirtfront so fast Dameon didn’t know what hit him. “You’re just begging for me to mumluck you!” He growled.
Around him Mozenrath could hear the girls let out a disappointed breath and turned their heads away from him. He was throwing away everything he’d learned over the past few weeks. But Allah help him he felt like his mad self again.
Mozenrath picked Dameon off the floor a bit. “Did you say something to me boy?” He hissed.
Chroias fists clenched. “I’m going to MY bed to rest for a bit, it’s been a tiring day.” She growled and stomped out of the room.
Mozenrath’s eyes followed her but he didn’t relent on the young boy. Nefret huffed at the sight. “Good night my lord.” Her address implied her chilled feelings.
Mozenrath bit his lip as she left. There was nothing he could say. Suddenly he became all the angrier. “Look what you’ve done!” He shook Dameon.
The young boy was starting to grow dizzy but his clever game didn’t stop. “Oh trouble in the Harem tonight.” He chuckled as best he could.
Moze’s eyes went wide. “Where did you hear that!?” He was close to breaking the boy’s nose.
Zak suddenly swung in and pushed his fathers. The former sorcerer seemed surprised. His own son raising a hand against him? The heat of the situation suddenly seemed to drain. Mozenrath was tired, emotionally spent, but he was not about to slip into his old tyrannical ways. “It’s been a long day son… we’ll talk about it in the morning…. Er… find yourself a ro… somewhere to sleep.”
And that was that. Mozenrath walked away to check on Trist. He found her asleep with the baby cuddled at her side and Apepe watching diligently over her. Slowly he climbed the stairs.
Mozenrath paced back and forth in his bedroom as Chroias sat at the
vicinity, brushing out her long green hair. She had been mercifully silent as
he tried to sort out his thoughts and Mozenrath suspected that she was merely
giving him time to act better. However, he wanted to be the one to break that
silence "My son..." he whispered softly. "Zakurum is
a...a..."
"Beradache." Chroias used a word which was
unfamiliar to even him. "They are refereed to as beradache by some."
She turned around to watch him, continuing to brush.
"What exactly does the term mean?" Mozenrath inquired.
"In the language it was taken from, it means a man with...ah...the
soul and desires of a woman." she saw Mozenrath's eyes skyrocket.
"But thats merely one interpretation of it. You take things so literally
Moze, you need to behave! Did you learn nothing of what happened?"
Mozenrath shook his head. "Chroias...you have always been there
for me. You have always taken the upper hand in situations I could not handle,
and you've been strong with me when you needed to be, even if I didn't want it.
Well now it's my turn to be strong with you!" he henwalked over and took
the demoness by her shoulders. "He Is My SON!" Mozenrath punctuated
each word carefully. "You can not expect me to simply accept this right
away! He is the man who should provide the heir for my kingdom! He's my protégé,
my essence! I know you think I'm being cruel...but..." he sighed. "I
will not stop them from....*cringe* being together, but realize that it will
take time for me to accept this."
Chroias smiled suddenly. "Thats all I ask of you." he hugged
him. "I don't ask for you to take things at face value, and I don't expect
for you to be a saint! I just ask that you learn to accept. Take it all in
stride." he whispered and kissed him.
Mozenrath kissed her back. "This...complicates things
however...Now I have Nefret mad at me again."
Chroias sighed. "I take it the two of you haven't yet..." she
waved a hand.
"Not yet, if we had you'd be the first to know." Mozenrath
promised. "I just don't know how to reach her Chroias! I gave her freedom!
I gave her choice! She stayed of her own free will...and yet..."
"Yet she won't admit affection." Chroias smiled. "I wish
I had better advise then to just keep trying." she shrugged as a thought
occurred to her. "Oh my....how are we going to explain the
new...situation to Zak and Tris?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Zakurum and Dameon laid beside each other in bed, speaking in soft
tones. "I guess that didn't go very well did it?" Dameon asked his
partner.
"As best as can be expected...something’s different around here
Dae...you weren't around back when I was last here...the very air had a
different feeling to it...a different aura." he sighed and brushed a black
strand from his face. "Something’s changed, drastically. My father would
have incinerated you on the spot...he COULD have easily choked you with only a
minimum of effort....but he restrained HIMSELF!"
"I take it that's a rare occurrence." Dameon smirked and Zak
slapped his rump.
"Yes for you information it is." Zak shook his head. "I
just can't figure it out yet, but I'm working on it. All we can do is be
patient and allow things to go on their own."
Dameon sat up and took a drink of water. "I'm surprised...I mean,
after everything you said about you father...he's being much better then you'd
anticipated. I'd even go so far as to say he's being civil."
"He IS being a lot better." Zak suddenly reached over and
tumbled Dameon closer to him. "Now, what do you say we prove to be as
close as we claim." an evil grin and a slight caress was all it took to
drive his meaning home.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Nefret was dressed in a nightgown the same color as her hair as she
turned her bed down for the evening. She took out some sandalwood lotion
and began putting it over her legs. Nefret patted Anubis on his head and drew
the dog into her lap. "I feel like all that work was waited.." she
said mournfully as a knock on her door interrupted. "Come in." she
said tentivly.
Mozenrath opened the door part way and caught sight of Nefret's silky
legs, glistening with the moisturizer. He gulped. "I'm...sorry to have
interrupted..." he began to walk back out.
"No!...no." Nefret said. "You've already seen...me...I
guess this won't hurt." Nefret tried for a weak smile and still covered
her leg.
To her surprised, Mozenrath took the lotion from her hands. "Lie
back...I’m going to do for you what I do for Chroias." at her half
terrified, half excited look, he grinned. "I'm going to give you a
massage." he said tenderly and held her arm.
"No tricks...."Nefret pursed her lips and arched a brow.
"No tricks." Mozenrath swore and waited patiently as she lay
down on the pillow. Without giving her so much as a moment to doubt, he undid
the strap of her nightgown with a deft, professional movement, leaving her back
bare and part of her rear exposed. A quick yelp from Nefret made him laugh, but
he put the palm of his hand on her spine and ground it in gently around the
third vertebra. "No tricks...I promised." he said as she sank back
down to the bed with a muffled contentment. He took the lotion and warmed it between
his hands, then began spreading it around Nefret's back, not missing a single
inch.
Nefret grudgingly found his hands as talented as Chroias had bragged
and felt her strained muscles relax under his care. He was being careful not to
do anything she could misconstrued as sexual, except for the simply fact that
she was partially exposed. "Are you trying to make me forgive you for that
outburst today?"
"Partially. And also..." he grinned. "I wanted to see
you again." a single finger traced along both sides of her body, tackling
her and making her twitch. "I know I shouldn't have gotten so rough with
..."
"Dameon."
"Dameon...but I'll tell the same to you I did to Chroias. I will
not stop them from being....involved, but do not expect me to accept something
without question. It isn't in my nature....never has been." Nefret nodded
and his hands worked her thighs. "Also...I wanted to know..."
Nefret turned around partially. "You wanted to know how we are to
explain this to the kids." Mozenrath nodded. "There is nothing to
explain...yet." she added at Mozenrath's crestfallen glance. "We wait
until one of them notices something is up, then make explanations as they are
needed."
"You sound like me." he muttered and she chuckled. "I
suppose thats the best we can do for the moment. " he trailed a single
finger down Nefret's spine and saw a somewhat delightful shiver follow in its
wake. "Nefret..." his voice quivered a little he saw Nefret tense. He
took the risk and brought his lips close to her neck, blowing over her skin
just enough to make the hairs on the back of her neck prickle.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A caravan traveled across the swirling black and gold sands. Their
leader wrapped his cloth closer around his face and looked out into the desert.
He had been leading this band for three years now. Refugees, rebellious
presents removed from their countries, all of them without a home.
They were near to starvation now, only though last of the dried meats
and jarred vegetables were left. If they did not find a kingdom soon, it would
mean death.
Mozenrath tensed and waited for a moment for Nefret to do something… slap him, accept him… just do something! It seemed forever but finally Nefret rolled herself over, Mozenrath lifting up just a bit to give her the room.
“You promised me no tricks lord Mozenrath.” She smirked.
“No trick…. Just asking permission.” Moze looked into her eyes but they quickly darted up in thought. “My little priestess of Hathor, child of the goddess of love, why do you try to be so cold?” He smirked and brushed away her hair. “Wouldn’t you consider that sacrilegious?”
That brought a chuckle from Nefret. She reached up and toyed with the silk of his shirt, poking him slightly. “May Hathor forgive me for trying to spare my heart.”
A frown came over Mozenrath’s face. “You spare it nothing.” Then he turned softer. “If I can admit it…. Maybe you can to.” He leaned down closer to her. “I love you Nefret Anuxanamoon.” He paused each word to kiss her forehead. Then leaned up to wait.
The Egyptian closed her eyes, almost painfully… then smiled and opened them. “Damn you.” She whispered and reached up to hold the back of his neck and pull him down for a kiss.
Mozenrath’s heart lightened and joy overcame him. Wrapping his arms around her he rolled over and pressed her close.
Nefret leaned up on her hands after a while and looked down at him, readying herself to drop her dignity and admit….. “Mozenrath I lo…”
Suddenly a horn blast echoed into the room. Long and low, like announcing the coming of something huge. It died slowly, leaving a moment of silence. Both Mozenrath and Nefret were frozen in place until it came again, louder now.
“Something’s outside…” Nefret skitted off Mozenrath and opened the curtains despite the former sorcerer’s protest.
“Someone had damn well be dead!” He growled and sat up.
“No… a caravan.” Nefret reported. “They’re at the door.”
Vile curses escaped Mozenrath as he got up and straighten out his cloths. “They will pay for this!” He shook his fist, half in jest.
Already Chroias and Zak were coming down the hall when Mozenrath and Nefret opened the door and joined them. Apepe was standing half bewildered in the parlor at the end of the stairs as the gang come arrived.
“Visitors here are never good.” Chroias half laughed.
“oh be sociable mother.” Zak teased and opened the door.
Outside stood a husky man in mounds of worn clothing. Behind him lay a caravan of equally worn people. Their eyes were hungry and their faces despite. Mozenrath noticed that first.
“Who is lord of this land?” Asked the leader.
“I am.” Mozenrath stepped forward proud as ever.
“Than I have a deal to make with you.” The man smiled.
"You wish to settle here?" Mozenrath inquired as he sat
across from the man who had introduced himself as Jatream Oscantop, the leader
of the nomadic mish mosh of people who now occupied his land. For the life of
him, Mozenrath could not figure out why anybody, much less a starving group of
wanderers would want to make a permanent home from his barren land. It boasted
no natural resources, had no rich landscape or coast line. And yet, here was a
man, wanting to put himself and his people under Mozenrath rule.
Jatream nodded slowly. "We have seen your land stretch for many
days now and looked carefully at the soil. It is the same kind that exists when
a volcano has erupted decades before and made the ground fertile. I have many
people who are farmers and could bring crops up within the next year."
"What about water? I have no rivers or streams going through my
lands." he pointed out.
"I have heard, from many different cities such as Agrabah, that
you are a great and powerful sorcerer, as is your...wife." Hatream said,
looking not unkindly at Chroias. "Perhaps we could perused you to bring a
river through the valley with your spells and incantations, we have not much,
but we would be willing to pay..."
"No payment needed." Chroias covered for her lover before he
could feel ashamed at his recent loss of magical powers. "A river is
something that would benefit all of this land, so it would work to all our
advantages to put one in." she covered Mozenrath's hand with her own as
she spoke, showing that she was very close to this man and attempting to put
away Jatream's doubts as to their relationship.
Jatream smiled and made a hopeful gesture with his hands.. "We
will work this out then?"
Mozenrath smiled. "I must take some time to consider...but the
odds are currently in your favor." he smiled. "Tell your people that
they have my permission to stay in this land until a decision is made." he
stood up and shook the nomad leaders hand with a strong grip. "You are
dismissed." he watched Jatream leave and waited patiently until the door
was closed before sweeping Chroias into a warm and passionate kiss. "This
is perfect!" he yelled and Chroias let out a wild laugh. "For once
things are finally looking up."
"I'll say. You'll have a proper kingdom with subjects and
court...." Chroias started just as Nefret burst in through a secret
entrance, one of many that littered the Citadel walls.
"There are people here from Egypt, most of from right around the
Upper Nile!" She squealed and kissed Mozenrath deeply. She didn't notice
Chroias eyebrows skyrocket and the odd little smile on the demon's face. She
did however, notice the crimson blush on Mozenrath's. "They've brought
oxen and sheep and silks and jewelry...." she began rattling off a list of
other people she'd seen and what kind of merchandise and trade products they'd
brought along.
"We could easily become a place of commerce." Mozenrath
concluded as Nefret began about the African people and their bright
geometrically patterned cloths. "I suppose taxes and such will have to be
made. We've never really had any law around her accept for my own word, it
wouldn't be a bad idea to see how these people have governed themselves and
hold a meeting with some of the elders to see how to govern them."
"Also religion." Chroias brought up. "We aren’t exactly
the faithful and devote types..."
"Speak for yourself!" Nefret humped and pointed at her Horus
medallion.
"MOST of us aren’t the devout type, but some of them might be,
we'll need to begin plans on temples and holidays and festivals and so
on..."Chroias grabbed a piece of paper and started making a list.
"Speaking of building, those disgusting lean toos you call houses
will have to be destroyed." Nefret pointed out the window at the black and
gray dingy buildings that littered the city.
"All right All right!" Mozenrath called a silence with the
holding of his hands. "Clearly this will take time and work. Right now we
have to calm down and decide on what terms and conditions they may be allowed
to stay here. Laws first, then we begin with planning."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Apepe lifted Tristram to her feet and carried the baby as they wandered
about the mass of people now camping outside the Citadel. The people were
settling in and cooking, tending to their families and lifting their children
high in the air. He could see Tris casting longing glances at the women who
played with the babies and had already figured out a way to lift his wife’s
spirits.
As the walked along the encampment, people showed the jewelries and
cloths for children. One woman who looked to be of Ethiopian decent saw the
baby and offered to pierce her ear, though Tristram declined after seeing the
size of the earrings in the woman’s lobes and said she might come back
later.
The wonderful thing about these nomads was that they mingled with one
another. You could find the yellow-skinned people of the Far East discussing
family and friendship with those who's skin looked almost reddish in tone. They
talked and laughed and shared what little they had with one another as though
accustomed to it their entire lives. It was difficult to feel depressed in such
an environment, and Apepe found Tris holding her baby close and smiling as time
passed.
As the neared a triangular shaped tent with crude but artistic etchings
around the outside, Apepe steered is beloved towards the tent. "I have
somebody I'd like you to meet." he said at her questions and protests.
Just as they neared the door, Tris 's feet came to a dead stop and she froze in
position. "Tris...love..whats wrong..?"
"Power..."she whispered in a quiet voice. "This whole
place has the feeling of old power to it..." she proclaimed in a voice
filled with respect.
"Well I'm certainly old m'dear...but I wouldn't be too sure about
the powers your talking bout." A man, bend and with a full head of silvery
blue hair emerged from the tent with a toothy smile and white eyes. "So
this is the pretty young thing you've told me is having such problems.."
He extended his hands in a gesture so like a fathers it brought a smile to
Tristram's face. "She is a radiant as the Moon Lady." The man's skin
had a reddish tan to it, like red dirt had been smoothly spread across his
skin.
Apepe grinned. "Tristram, I'd like for you to meet Silverfalcon,
the shaman of his tribe."
The next few days leading into a week were busy. Work groups had assembled and the air was filled with the sound of destruction and construction. Bricks were being molded and hardening in the air scenting the land of dirt and earth. There was the sound of hammers and workmen singing and grunting with their labor. Women were busy beating rubs and setting homesteads for their family. Children ran to and fro chasing each other with sticks while their mothers yelled at them to come to work. Those barely bordering on manhood were planning a field with the help of lowing cattle.
Inside the Citadel Mozenrath and the girls were busy bringing out old law books, amending them, rewriting many parts, and forming a feudal court system. As all feudal systems worked Mozenrath was the Lord and supreme judge who lent his land to his surfs who would pay him a percentage of their gross product in exchange for their homes and his protection. Chroias was of course named the sovereign of the land of the Black Sands and garnered much respect both for her position and her power. Nefret was given the title of Lady and also became a figurehead especial amongst the sect of the tribe from upper Egypt who looked to as there high priestess.
There wasn’t much time for much else in the manor. Things, however, were paying off. The Black Sands was coming to be a Kingdome once again.
Silverfalcon had taken an intense interest in Tristram and her child. Each day, as requested the mother and child would come to visit where silverfalcon would hold the baby and make interesting conversation. He explained he felt a power deep with the child. Immature and small, but with potential.
“Watch.” Silverfalcon instructed. Slowly he drew out a feather and held it a few inches from the baby’s ear. Slowly he twirled it there. For the longest time he just held it rotating by the childs ear, as the baby stood seemingly unaware.
After at least 15 minuets Trist sighed and grew bored. “What are you trying…”
“Shhh.” Silverfalcon instructed as the baby tipped her head as if she just finally noticed something.
The red skinned and drew back the quill of the feather and made to snap it back at the child. Trist was horrified but she wasn’t quick enough. The feather snapped back but just in time the baby turned her head and the feather missed.
Trist picked up the baby and looked at her for a moment. “She must have heard it cutting the wind.”
“Perhaps.” Silverfalcon smiled and picked up a cup. “tea?”
Chroias slowly treaded the water of the river she’d brought though the land. “Come out come out where ever you are.” She grinned devilishly and looked around.
Nefret’s heads appeared from under the water just behind the demon. She grinned evilly and suddenly grabbed her friends shoulders, dragging her under.
The demon gasped and slashed around a bit before chasing the girl out of the water. “I’ll get you!” She yelled playfully, her dress completely drenched as was Nefret’s white linen slip.
The new residents of the land seemed stunned when the two girls ran dripping though the town wet as drowned rats and laughing at the top of their lungs like children. They didn’t know weather to bow or laugh.
Nefret dashed through the doors of the Citadel in a burst of droplets, Chroias just inches behind, reaching out to grab her arm.
At that moment Mozenrath turned the corner and caught both girls under his arm. The girls screeched and laughed he hauled them off their feet and swung them around with a wild happy laugh. Never had they seemed happier, more carefree.
“You two never grow up!” Mozenrath chuckled and set them on their feet again, kissing each of their wet cheeks in turn. “Now off with you!” He ordered playfully and smacked their rumps. The girls took off down the hall arm in arm laughing.
Mozenrath chuckled and shook his head. Turning around he saw Zak standing in the door way with a confused look on his face. “Zak…. Who long…”
“Father…?” Zak looked to his dad and then to where the girls had taken off.
Chapter 374((By Chroias))
((WARNING:THIS CHAPTER
CONTAINS A LITTEL TASTEFUL R RATED MATERIAL Doesn't last long though so don't
get eager.))
Mozenrath felt a crimson rush on his cheeks as his son inched closer. He could tell there was a feeling of betrayal on his offspring’s mind, and couldn't blame him. He discouraged Tris's romance and marriage with the 'hired help's brother' and now here he was smacking her rump and giving kisses to both Nefret AND Zak's mother. "Zakurum....I...I can explain."
"I don't know dad, that smack was pretty self explanatory." Zak clenched his fists at his side and took a deep breath. How dare he!? How dare he act so high and mighty and disapproving of MY life style when he's got his own? How long had this been going on? Ever since they were children? It hadn't been that long ago that Mozenrath couldn't have hidden it from them. In fact it would have been all to easy. "Does mother know?" he questioned.
"Yes she does. In fact she supports this." Mozenrath forced himself to relax his position. It wasn't easy, since he was used to the rage in his voice convincing others, now was the time for a different tactic. "Zakuru...my son...listen to me." When Zak turned away, he gently took his son's hand. "Please...give me the benefit of the doubt." Slowly, Zak turned back around and leveled his green eyes with his fathers black ones. "I...I wasn't always ...the kind of man I am now." he started, trying to phrase it correctly. "I..I've had problem's Zak, half of them of my own making, the other half I had no control over."
"I don't understand." Zakurum said and watched as his father sat down on a bench and patted the seat beside him.
"You will when I feel I'm better able to explain this. But for now, just know that I love you, and your sister, and your mother....and Nefret. I need her Zakurum, no more or less then I need Chroias. Just like...like you need Dameon." Mozenrath gulped at the analogy, but knew that it would bring the point further into focus for his son. "I will not prevent you and this...man from being with one another, but understand me Zak...your my son, the one who is expected to provide an offspring to my Kingdom. It's traditional for the male to..."
"But we've never followed tradition before! We've always just had our own way of running this." Zak protested.
"But now we have to. There are people in the streets bellow, people of cultures and backgrounds I can't even begin to name and they'll all need some sort of standard to go by, some sort of medium to look to when things go wrong. I will not be restrictive on them, but when they see me and my family they must see people who are accepting of differences and tolerating of oddities. I will not prevent you from having Dameon as your lover, but..." Mozenrath sighed. "But I ask for one favor. I ask from you a grandson. We are a Kingdom now, and even though I'd have no problems with Tris's daughter assuming the throne after I abdicate, the majority of the Seven Deserts will never accept a female ruler, much less a ...a blind one...and one who only has half of a royal heritage."
Zakurum nodded and sighed. "But..but I don't have any desire for a woman. I'm contented with Dameon..."
"Dameon is of royal blood correct." Mozenrath inquired.
"Yes...but I can't have a child with him! That'd take a mirical!" Zak half laughed until he saw the look on his fathers face. "Dad..dad I know your a great sorcerer but that's just not...possible. is it?"
Mozenrath smiled. "not for me it isn't.. however.. I seem to remember your mother making use of just such a spell not to long ago..." he shook his head. "Talk to Dameon.. ask him if he'd be willing to...procreate."
Zakurum stared into space as though he couldn't belive what his father was suggesting. "But..I he.. you.. umm..... why did I have to be born to this family!" he wailed into the halls.
Mozenrath shrugged. "You just got lucky."
~~~~~~~~~~~
Chroias grabbed a towel from off the hanger and undressed in a room with Nefret, wrapping the large towel around herself and flopping down on a popasan chair, sighing in comfort. "So.." she smiled over at Nefret as they shared a box of fruits. "Has it happened yet?"
"Has what happened...oh." Nefret blushed warmly and simply sat on the bed, laying the towel under her to keep the sheets dry. "Not yet...he came into my room just before the caravan arrived last week. We...we started to get close, but that horn interrupted everything."
Chroias nodded. "He's a good lover Nefret."
The blush on her mocha cheeks turned brighter then a torch. "I...I wouldn't know.."
"But you will know.. at least I hope so."
Nefret nearly shrieked when she realized that Mozenrath had been standing in the door, his eyes locked on her uncovered body. She smacked Chroias's smiling face lightly as she realized the two had maneuvered her into a trap. "I could kill you both for this." she yelled and grabbed for the towl.
Mozenrath took her hand and kissed the palm. "Chroias...could you...please..."
The demoness smiled. "Ya know I think I'll go over those laws again, see if we made any...spelling mistakes." she gave a slightly nervous looking Nefret a smug look and vanished with a puff of green smoke.
Mozenrath wrapped his arms tightly around his little ex-minion's body. He smiled at her deep blush but didn't let go when she pushed against his chest lightly. "We were interrupted last time...and from the tone of your voice just now you were disappointed."
Nefret felt her eyes get huge and her cheeks practically go up in flames. "Maybe ..maybe not.." she fumbled with her words, for the first time extremely nervous in front of Mozenrath. She fought to keep up her sarcastic front. "Maybe I'm just relived you left before anything got to close for comfort." she regretted the comment when she saw Mozenrath frown.
"You get a little mean when your afraid of something my houri." Mozenrath said and brought his face closer to hers, his deep black eyes locking in on hers.
"I'm not afraid...and don't call me that." Nefret felt a shiver trace her spine as his fingernail traced her with a feather light touch. She felt him press himself closer and gulped.
"Your right.. your no houri...what’s the name for an angel in Egyptian?" He smiled and watched as she tried to search for the word.
"It's..umm.." Nefret gave a short gasp when Mozenrath's hand caressed an intimate place. "Imakhu." she said with a start. "It's imakhu..." Nefret hummed as his lips brushed hers with such delicacy she could have mistaken them for silk.
"My little imakhu..." Mozenrath whispered and kissed her gently. Just as suddenly he felt Nefret's arms grip around the side of his head tightly as she planted her lips on his and hummed into the force of the kiss. He fingers took only seconds with his shirt as it became a piece of bundled up silk on the floor beside the bed. Everything else but them became nonexistent as the silk sheets slide over his body and hers and Mozenrath's alabaster skin melded with her _mocha.
((I told ya it wasn't gonna last
long!!LOL))
~~~~~~~~~~
Dameon stared at his partner half in disbelief, half in hope. "You mean...he..he could make that possible? I mean completely and totally possible!"
Zak shrugged. "He says he can. Or at least he says mother can." Zak hummed and looked at his lover. "I mean. I didn't know you could do such things..."
"Well then again you haven’t been very diligent about your magical practices have you?" Dameon scolded. Personally, the young price would have adored such powers, and couldn't really see why his partner did not use them while he had them. "I'd be willing...to do this I mean. I love babies...but are we talking I'd have to be female the full nine months.. or until the child is finished breast feeding..or..well what?"
"Ask my father. It was his idea." Zak concluded.
Chapter 375 (by Nefret)
(A note: Egyptians called their lover “brother/sister” it was a term of endearment and did not necessarily have any incestuous meaning.)
The sound of construction came early in the morning. The new residents of the black sands were hearty and working people, a fine bunch to call this place home. Slowly Nefret stretched and turned over, carefully unwrapping herself from Mozenrath’s arms. The sorcerer muttered in his sleep but did not wake. A small smile graced the Egyptians full lips.
“Sleep in, you deserve it, my brother.” She whispered to her sleeping lover before slipping out of her bed and dressing for the day, a day to be spent among the people.
Downstairs Trist was found suckling her baby. The new mother meet her aunt with a mixed emotion face. “You know?” Nefret stopped in the door and hugged herself.
“I know all that Zak knows.” Trist explained and looked down at her baby. “I can also feel that things here have changed… for the better.” She smiled slightly and smoothed the child’s hair. “The air is lighter, Mom seems more carefree, like her old concerns are no more. Your no longer carrying around bucked and mop… and that smile you have is truer…” She looked to the ceiling with an ethereal look. “But most of all Dad is a new man. Whatever has happened, whatever your new relationships, it’s made this family better. Come here Aunti.”
Nefret smiled and sat by trist’s feet, tickling the babies feet. “Zak is preparing your house for the baby?” Trist nodded. “I’m going to miss you so much. And especially this little one!”
Nefret’s door creaked open and Mozenrath stuck his head out, carefully slipping out into the hall and tying the robe around himself tighter. “Well! Good morning!” Came Chroias voice loudly as she suddenly appeared from out of no where.
Mozenrath stopped dead in his tracks for a moment then grinned. “I hate when you do that.” He scowled and wrapped his arms around her.
The demon grinned and combed out his ruffled hair with her fingers. “Well I can see we had fun.”
Mozenrath blushed crimson and began to reatreat down the hall. Chroias skipped after him. “We got a letter from Agrabah.” She hearled innocently.
“Aladdin!?” Mozenrath felt his gut twist. That brat was becoming a rival to him in more ways than one.
“And the Princess. They just wanted to congratulate us on our… empire building. I think their relieved. Maybe now you wont try to take over Agrabah and half the world.” She laughed.
“I’m just taking… a hiatus on my plans is all. I still plan to be complete dictator of everything under the sun.” He chuckled and did a clownish jig that made his lover double over in laughter.
“Dameon also wishes a word with you. He’s been waiting for you in the study. One suggestion. Take a shower and dress before you go see him.” Chroias smirked and kissed his cheek. “Now if you’ll excuse me I have a certain little minion to find.”
Dameon tapped his fingers nervously but froze as he heard someone coming up behind him.
“Good morning.” Mozenrath tired to be cordial as he sat down in the next seat.
“G…… good morning Mo….er.. Lord Mozenrath.” Dameon didn’t know why he was so nervous. Almost as nervous as Zak had been! After all it was as Zak said last night, he had no right to complain about their relationship when he was after his slave, Zak’s mother’s best friend, Zak’s aunt and godmother…..
“I have a good feeling of what you want to talk about and I know exactly what your going to ask.” The sorcerer folded his hands real businesslike “Yes it is possible. You would need to keep certain…… female characteristics while carrying the child. However after it is birthed you may return to normal and hire a wet nurse.”
Dameon sputtered. “Are you always so blunt?! Oh of course you are, look who I’m talking to.” The boy muttered. “Alright, now that’s the bulk of my questions. Perhaps we can address the others in a real conversation.” The boy leaned back more comfortably and Mozenrath smiled.
Several people in the streets tipped their heads in respect as Chroias passed by. From a distance she caught sight of a plum head sitting in a huddle of children. “Well, just the woman I was looking for.”
Nefret looked up and gave a playful scowl. “Oh, you, I have a bone to pick with you.” She tried not to smile.
“Certainly nothing you can talk about in front of the children!” Chroias smirked evilly.
“Alright children, off with you. I’ll teach you more later.” The kids scampered away, laughing and pulling at each others sidelocks. “You, my dear demonic friend, have a few things to answer to.” Nefret stood up and brushed herself off.
“Oh come on! If I hadn’t done something you’d of avoided it forever!” Chroias punched her shoulder lightly. “It wasn’t a trap… I just…. Got you in the right place at the right time. You cant be mad now.. from the state of your bed sheets it was quite a night.” She winked as Nefret’s jaw dropped.
“Why you little!!!” Nefret screeched and tackled her friend.
Chroias laughed and put Nefret in a head lock as Nefret grabbed a handful of dust and, with childish glee, ground it into her friends skin.
The new residents were starting to turn away from their choirs to enjoy the antics of their… less than regal royals. Indeed they were a loveable pair as they laughed and screamed, tumbling around the sands.
Through the crowd there parted a vee. Through the parting of the masses came a noble steed, swaggered in silks and tassels and shields and all manor of décor. Upon the horse was an equally decorated and equally pompous man. With a sneer he reached out is riding crop. “You there, girl.”
Chroias
arched as something pointy hit the small of her back and released Nefret.
Slowly she turned around to see the end of the crop pointing at her held by the
snobbish man. She growled and rubbed her back. How dare he! Doesn’t he know
who I am?
“Yes you, girl.” He seemed pleased that he’d managed to get her attention and stood up straighter. “I was wondering if you could point me in the direction of the main entrance to the manor house…”
Nefret stood up and dusted a large amount of dust from her rear than managed to smear it on her forehead with the side of her hand. The man gave a discussed face and held a hanky to his nose with a dainty hand. “I mean to see the lord of this land and his lovely wife.” He explained as if he was talking to a set of simpletons.
Chroias and Nefret exchanged sideways glances, half angered and half amused by the situation. “Well.. ahem.” Chroias cleared her. Holding her hands behind her back she swivel on her feet like an ingénue. “You may see him now, after all his gout has gotten all the more better since the witch doctor done used the leaches on him.”
Nefret caught onto the joke and crossed her eyes a bit, allowing her lips to hang lax. “And the wiffy is so much more temperamental now that they opened her skull.” She leaned in close as if there were a big secret. “Has spells she does, goes stark raving made she does. Oh but I don’t mean to scare you, please don’t tell no one I said anything. You’ll be okay as long as you’n don’t let her near sharp objects or say…. The word.” Nefret lowered her eyebrows and nodded at him as if they had some sort of understanding.
The man on horseback had eyes as big as saucers.
“But go on ahead if you will fine sir.” Chroias gave a doll face and pointed the way. Nefret smiled and pointed the opposite direction.
Flabbergasted the overfilled horseman put the hanky back to his nose and set his horse in the direction of the Citadel… more hesitant than before.
Chapter 376 (by Chroias)
Mozenrath sneered at the pompus man who'd entered his domicile. The fools arrogance could have easily been a replacement for his. He acted as though he had the right to simply stroll through the doors without so much as requesting an audience or taking any look at protocol. All be it, the Land of the Black Sand hadn't really HAD a protocal till a few weeks ago,but that was beside the point. "And ...you said your name is..."
"Lord Albarich Sassan Talmansha Welmans of the Hessians." He gave a low bow and snapped right back up like the solider of an army. "I am here because of rumors that my son is in your lands."
"Your son?" Mozenrath raised an eyebrow. "It is possible, I have had many come to my lands recently, it is possible that your son is among them."
"Oh I'm not speaking of that melting-pot you reefer to as a city down there." Lord Albarich waved his hand. "I'm speaking of someone you know quite better then this. In fact I believe he left with your own son."
"D-dameon. You are Dameon's father?" Zakurum said from his position at the balcony. One could hardly blame Zak for taking surprise. The man looked nothing like Dameon at all. His hair was a dingy, dull gray color while his eyes looked like pieces of baldy cut jade. Even his frame was different. While Dameon's was sleek and altogether beautiful, Alberich's was thick and completely muscled, like a proud rock standing from the side of a mountain.
Lord Albarich turned about and glared at Mozenrath's son. "Yes boy, and due to my son's...indiscretions, I allowed him to leave with you. That was, however, an oversight on my part."
"An oversight?" Mozenrath questioned and sat ford a little on his throne. "How do you mean."
Lord Albarich sniffed distastefully." Dameon is number five in line for the throne. With four healthy young brothers in front of him, I did not see any problems with him being permitted to...do as he pleased. However, thanks to a plague which has taken our land, his brothers took sick and died. Dameon is next in line for the throne."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chroias smiled and sat with Nefret. munching on grapes as they strolled the newly erected market place, browsing for a bit. They attracted a certain amount of a crowd as they walked. Everyone here knew that Chroias was the 'Queen' of this region, and that Nefret was the "Lady". One poor fool made the mistake of referring to her as a concubine, he now lay in a healers bed, brusied beyond belief and his jaw still broken. Now, everyone who found the need to call her by an official title, chose the word Lady, or if it was a religious conversation, Priestess.
Nefret was happier now, and it showed. Instead of the normal, though tasteful, Egyptian linens she normally wore, her outfit was one more fitted to a queen. Her form-fitting robe was made of black silk, cut in an Egyptian style, and trimmed with silver along the edges. A long slit up both sides showed off her legs as well as a low cut in the front which made obvious her bosoms.
Even Chroias's costume was more regal now that they had official stations, even though she showed much more then Nefret. Chroias wore a gold bikini cut specifically to her body and long, see through, black dress with shots of gold going through it. Both women had an abundance of jewelry which Mozenrath had insisted the pick from his treasury. The only similarity in their outfits was the circles on their head. Chroias's was gold with black opals, while Nefret's was silver with the same. It was a minor cue to their stations, but neither woman minded.
Nefret had become immensely popular with the children and had begun working with some of the local architects on plans for a school. There was a little trouble among some of those who felt that only boys should be allowed to learn, but Chroias had made her point rather well when she recited in five different languages why the girls should be allowed education alongside the boys. There were still grumblers, but they took care not to grumble too loudly.
All in all, the Land of the Black Sand looked like a healthier kingdom! The buildings which had been falling apart had been torn down and replaced with enameled residences that gleamed in the moon-light. They weren't like any building either of the woman had seen before and infact looked like several different building styles had gotten together. The huge glowing gems which had been magic detectors still had that same function, except now more had been placed around to provide light in the darkness, while under them, one could almost find themselves believing that it was daytime. A bazzar was running 24/7,with people all over the place haggling together. Yes, the Land of the Black Sand was rapidly expanding, within five years, Chroias estimated that taking over other lands would no longer be a dream, but rather, a necessity.
"Hey Tris!" Nefret suddenly called out as she caught sight of the young woman carrying her child. The mother turned around with a brighter smile then either of the women had seen her with in ages and ran towards them, her child clutched to her chest.
"Well hello hun. You've been out of sight for the past few days." Chroias commented gently.
Tris grinned “Yeah, I've been with Silverfalcon." She brushed a black spike from her Childs face and smiled. "He's been working with little one her hearing and undersenses."
"Undersenses. Isn't she a little young for that?" Nefret asked.
"Silverfalcon says she isn't to young for the most basic of skills. Just learning that noise can help her determine where things are. All babies automatically know who that mother is from birth, so he'd building on that by making her learn how far away I'm am from her. She's even crawling now!"
"I though this child was going to develop slower then that last ones!" Nefret shook her head and moaned.
"Oh she is. She's exactly the same size as any one month old around here, it's just that her strength and intelligence are the same as those of a demon. She'll probably be talking with reasonable comprehension by the end of the year." Tris smiled as her baby started crying. "Ohh silly little girl is getting hungry." she unhitched one side of her shirt and went to sit down and feed
Lord Albarich sat down with a deep sigh at the meeting table opposite his son. Dameon looked both worried and glad to see his father as is obligatory of a child. Still he indicated that Zak was to sit beside him and there would be no if ands or buts about it.
“Son, I know in the past I may have neglected you, but understand you were the fifth in line! Now you are my number one priority.” Lord Albarich smiled and clasped his hands on the table. “You’re the most important member of my prodigy now. It’s time to come home.”
Dameon closed he eyes and looked away. “Great, I’ve moved up on the family laddar climbing on the bodies of my brothers.”
Zak frowned and patted his shoulder. “That is the way it is in royal familes… royalty with traditional set ups.” Zak looked to his father who only sat back and took his place as an observer.
“Your little… friend is right son. That is the way things are. Now lets us return home.” The lord stood halfway up before Dameon pounded a fist on the table.
“I will not.” He said proudly. He was as unmovable as the great pyramids. “I have been called to provide an heir in this kindom. I now belong to this kingdom and my prodigy will sit on the throne.”
Sitting heavily down again Lord Albarich seemed dark and thoughtful. “Is it true? You claim lineage to this kingdom now?”
Dameon smiled and took Zak’s hand. “Yes my blood will rule this land someday.”
To everyone’s surprise Albarich smiled and stood up. “Wonderful. I love the empire game! I’m happy you’ve secured another land to be ruled by us my boy!”
Mozenrath sputtered. “Now hold on! This is MY land and I rule it singley!”
“Signaly?” Chroias questioned as she swept through the door followed by Nefret.
The previous sorcerer grimaced. “Well not completely alone. I meant my family not… not YOURS!” Mozenrath stood up to and pointed at Albarich.
“Ah but my son, a royal, comes here… he is in obviously cahoots with Zakurum. Dameon being my son I’m sure he’s the dominate force in the relationship. Therefore he has taken over your line. The Mozenrath dynasty has ended in the Land of the Black Sands and Hessians have usurped. Good work my boy!” he patted Dameon roughly on the back. The boy only sputtered and waved his hands about.
“No no no father.” Dameon tried to catch up with his father as the proud man swept to the door.
“You will not take my kingdom!” Mozenrath bellow brought the world to a stop.
Albarich slowly turned back around with a serious look. “I have in all but force. And that will follow if you resist becoming a part of my empire. Don’t worry, you shall all be given royal titles and keep seat in you land as long as you answer to me as your higher authority.” He swept back around and smiled cheerfully at the girls, not recognizing them now that the dirt had been scrubbed off their faces. “Ah Queen Chroias. I look forward to having you as part of my court.” He kissed the demons hand politely while she growled. Paying no mind he steeped to where Nefret was holding out his coat to him, anxious to have him gone. “And aren’t’ you a cute one. I’ll let you be the attending of my best daughter if you’re good!” he chuckled and pinched her cheek. Then he was out the door, leaving behind him a room full of aghast people.
Later that evening when the sun was setting over the land Mozenrath walked along with Chroias in a quaint little part of the world the demon has suggested when she noticed how much stress had been put on Mozenrath since that afternoon. Trips were so easy to take when you were of demonic stock.
Moze stretched out besied a cool fountain and pulled Chroias down on his lap. “Things have been so crazy lately. Utter chaos! It’s nice to get away.” He whispered in her hair.
The demon wrapped her arms around him and looked off at the landscape. “I still feel bad for leaving Nefret behind.”
“Oh but that would ruin our little romantic getaway!” Mozenrath smiled with absolute malice. “Or maybe it wouldn’t…”
Chroias gasped and hit his shoulder playfully. “You horrible horrible man!” She screeched and held him closer.
Still back at the Citadel Nefret galloped up the stairs and swepted in circles as she got to the landing of one the roofs. The child clinging to her back gave a happy yell and ordered her faster.
Nefret ran up to a fortified town and sat down on a piece of mesentery, panting but smiling. The child’s name was Sayis and one of Nefret’s favorites from the village. He was smart as a whip and the first one to sign up for the new school she had ordered built. Slowly the child bushed out his clothing in a gentlemanly manor much beyond his years. “Lady Nefret, if I may have a dance.” He questioned and held out his hand.
Nefret chuckled and grabbed him up by the ribs. “I’d be happy to little lord.” She swept him into a dance round and round the roof top. The two were the picture of foot loose fancy as they twirled and dipped.
Suddenly Nefret came to a stop facing the east balace. Her mouth opened slightly, eyes going huge and pupils retracting. The child leaned back from her grip. “What is it?” He questioned.
Nefret clasped his head to her shoulder and set him down, lowering him to the ground were he could not see over the wall. “It’s nothing. Run home to your mother now. I’m sure she’s worried.”
Sayis contemplated her, but when Nefret forced a smile he shrugged and ran off down the stairs. Slowly Nefret stood back up and clutched the wall, looking over the city and onto the sand dunes beyond. There in the setting sun was the outline of an army, the Hessians.
Chapter 378 (by Chroias)
"This...this is not possible." Chroias stared, slack jawed, out at the army of Hessians. "How in the name of the Hells did he get his army here so quickly?"
"Oh daddy probably expected that I wouldn't come home willingly." Dameon whispered from behind. "Lord Mozenrath...Lady Chroias...I have to apologize. I didn't ..I didn't know my father would ever pull something like this. I was last in line for the throne! He always looked over me when it came time for royal duties and such."
"Dameon there was no way you could have known." Mozenrath spoke up, surprising everyone. "Perhaps at one time I would have lashed out at you for something like this, but...things have changed...I've changed so quickly. It isn't like when I had only my magic and myself to defend. I have a kingdom now, people who have put themselves under my rule. And..." Mozenrath looked down at his hand. "I no longer have my magic to depend on."
"But you have mine!" Chroias lifted her head and let out a low growl. "Daddy might not like it, Mozenrath but I can still command my powers! Or have you forgotten my Hellish lineage?" Chroias flexed her claws with an evil grin and her horns grew.
"I haven’t forgotten. And if it come to war I will not hesitate to use you for that purpose." Mozenrath knew he could make that statement without it seeming like he was truly going to use her. She had offered her services as a demon, not as his lover, and they both knew that she was a formidable fighting force when things came down to it. "But a war is not fought by one alone. You are an incredible foe Chroias. Even Zakurum and Tristram would bring their magic into this battle if I asked."
"You think I won't?" Zakurum put a firm hand on Dameon. "I know I'm not the caliber of sorcerer you are...were...father, but I do practice with my powers and I will fight for love." A bright blush overtook both the young men’s faces as they spoke out with the word love, but Zak didn't take it back.
"And then what. Maybe if I still had my powers...maybe...we could fight this as a family. But I don't. Am I to ask the people to become warriors. True, they were nomadic, and probably know how to fight. But can the fight on a scale of war? Can I even ask them to put their lives in danger like that? And the mamlucks...the minuet I lost my gauntlet I lost them. They sank back into the depth of the Abyss I called them from."
"Are you saying that we should give up?" Nefret called out. "Mozenrath is there something wrong with you? I mean.. you never gave up! EVER!"
"And yet I was always defeted."
"That never stopped you before!"
Mozenrath had to smile at his second lover. "You make a good point Nefret. I have no intention of giving up. I won these lands...it took me years of pain and humiliation, but I won them. I will not give them up to anybody." He set a hand firmly on the table. "But the question is, how to win. The Land of the Black Sand does not yet have an army, and it would take months to assemble and train a full fighting force."
"The children and I can hold them back for a while. Our magic will at the very least take them outside Black Sand borders." Chroias offered. "Zakurum, get a hold of Tristram and tell her that she is needed." Her son nodded and closed his eye, sending a message to his sister.
"I can start getting the young men around here togeth." Dameon said. "I know I don't look like much, but I was trained in battle same as my brothers were. I can do sword play, offensive and defensive tactics...I can start seeing if anybody here has any military training. They could become your officers on the battlefield."
"And the women. Many cultures have female fighter just as they do males, I for one can fight just as well as most men and have proved it on several occasions. "Nefret aid firmly. "We train the men to be strength and offensive fighters, doing mainly the hard battling and the war tactics. The women are better with speed and subterfuge, so they become our defensive fighters and our spy. After all, the Hessians are far from their country are they not.." she looked at Dameon who nodded. "It must get very lonely at night, not to mention boring. You'd be surprised as to what a man says to a woman while they lie together." Nefret looked cheekishly at Mozenrath who sat a little straighter in his seat.
Chroias smiled. "Then it begins now?" she looked at her lover.
"I think we have over-looked one thing." Mozenrath said quietly. "As much as I hate to play this card, Aladdin and I still have a treaty. Part of that treaty entails that we must offer service to one another in cases of war. Aladdin will help us, even if I have to make a new treaty and offer him half the treasury. He will help us."
~~~~~~~~~~~
"You don't want him to help us." Nefret said rather bluntly as Mozenrath held her in his arms, The chilled night air swept through the window and she pushed their bodies closer, him giving her warmth. "Your afraid that I might...go to him aren't you?"
Mozenrath intentionally looked away as she made that comment. "I will do what I have to." He stated. "I won't deny that I hate the idea of you two together. Every time the image comes up in my head I get so angry I could just...!" He seethed for a moment through gritted teeth. "I swore I would not keep you from your lovers. And I stand by that." he said firmly, like trying to convince himself of it.
"Stupid sorcerer." Nefret mumbled. "You don't even see what’s right in front of your face do you?" she hugged him closer and his hands caressed her spine.
"What are you talking about Nefret? I see you...I see that I'm...in love with you. And I see that...that you have more then one person you love." It took him a while to get out those words, and when he did his voice was strained and angry, like he regretted saying them.
Nefret shook her head. "I've had lovers, plural, but that doesn't mean I've loved." she said softly. "I enjoyed their company, and the satisfaction they gave me. It's not easy to be a loner Mozenrath, you know that." she traced a line down his chest. "I had somebody once...his name was Lucas...he...he might have been something more then just a lover, but I never got the opportunity to find out." she stroked Mozenrath's cheek gently.
"I know I know." He took her hand and lead it down under the covers and around his waist. "I love you Nefret." he whispered softly and brought her into another kiss.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lord Alberich sat in his large and luxurious tent, over seeing the battle tactics for their invasion. There were many names he'd been called over the years, aggressive, arrogant, hedonist. But one name he was never called by, was a fool. He had a few regrets mind you, it had been his fault, pushing his youngest son away simply because he was last in line. Not marring him off before he'd discovered his passion for his own sex. Of course there were no laws against such things in his kingdom, but it was frowned upon.
He should have known that Dameon wouldn't come home without being forced. And he was well aware of the Lord Mozenrath's magical abilities. He had prepared for that as well. It had taken massive amounts of gold and jewels to buy the blacksmiths who knew how to temper metal against magic. There had a to be a very specific bend to the iron in order for it to repel magic, and only those he hired had the knowledge to do so. Of course could only repel magic up to a certain power level, but it would keep many of his men alive until they figured out how to get around it.
Of course there would eventually be problems from the so called people of the land. He did not consider them a threat. Most of them were ostracized citizen of their own countries, the trash of a thousand cities. The might form a militia, but that was the most he should expect. Most of the men were either too old or too young to be of any use in the war, and of course the women were nothing. He had strict rules for his soldiers however. The women would be captured, unharmed, and returned to the Hessian country, the children along with them. Any men who survived would be automatically enrolled in the army. Lord Alberich did not consider himself a ruthless tyrant, as long as this land submitted to his rule, its citizens would have the same rights as his own.
All of course, except for Mozenrath. He had his own plans for that sorcerer and his family.
Chapter 379 (by Nefret)
Dameon had set out giving crash courses to any man in the village who was willing. And believe you me, after the call had been sent out in the streets every man from 16 to 60 had run to the enlist. Currently they were given weapon from the royal arsenal, swords, bows, axes, clubs, hell even pointy sticks, anything that might bring down the enemy.
Chroias and the twins were setting up magical barriers around the land. From their positions they could see the enemy camps. Large camps with ready made tents, racks of armor and weapons, professional soldiers… It gave them a heavy feeling in their stomachs, looking back to see their own rag tag army stumbling in the sword play exercises Dameon was instructing. Still after what they all had been through they realized that they came out all right in the past… certainly it was a pattern forming.
Nefret had gone to Agrabah to pled for help in the form of the royal army. Mozenrath regretted letting her go and was near to point of running after her and dragging her back… but this was for his kingdom, and like it or not Nefret had a much better chance of charming as much help as she could from Aladdin that Mozenrath himself did. It didn’t take a whole lot of charm, Nefret showed up wearing her new silk dress, explaining the problem dramatically, and a small pout and a few hundred of agrabah’s soldiers were marching.
Mozenrath was making his appearance on the streets in his armor with sword sheathed on his back, giving courage to the citizens and raising moral. He was pleased to find everyone sharpening weapons, acting out play battle between themselves, the woman were setting booby traps in case the Hessians entered the city, and the children were running around shouting and getting ready for the “excitement.”
The air of that next morning was thick with anticipation. The newly “trained” men were lining up at the entrance to the city and slowly marching to the border of the land, one front lead by Daemon and the other led by Mozenrath. Chroias and the twins were waiting there for them. From their positions they could see the Hessian army forming. Nefret was just coming over the black dunes with Aladdin on carpet above and the royal guards behind.
In the dusk of the morning the armies assembled and meet line to line upon two dunes, one black one tan. Between them lay a valley that would become the battle field. Dameon stood apron his swaying horse as leader of calvery and swords men. Mozenrath held the flag of his nation and prepared to order their archers. Nefret was on horse back in joint responsibility with Aladdin of the swords men from Agrabah. The magical members of the family were a free and wild force. Chroias had grown to full demon stage.
With one great cry raising up from both sides the battle began. Soldier son foot and horseback poured into the valley. A magnificent clash sounded as metal and wood and bodies from both sides of the conflict meet forcefully. Surpisingly the men from the Land of the Black Sand’s fought surprisingly well, and with passion. The force from Agrabah was just as well, if not better. Together they managed to keep the Hessians off the border with not much loss of life on their side. Chroias had to be counted as the most terrifying soldier. Like a great dragon she swept from the sky and easily plucked the Hessians from their positions and into sky, dropping their bodies like rain a few seconds later.
“Keep ‘em back! Move them away from the border!” Damoen shouted over the roar of men and the clank of swords. The young man growled and swung his weapon, taking down an opponent with one fell swoop.
“Nice to see you prince.” Said the hessian soldier that lay just behind the falling body. “Taking down your own country men, that wont do.” The brutish man grinned.
“Any man who would attack me and my friends are no country men of mine!” Dameon growled and raised his sword.
“Your right, and though that man you just killed was my cousin I shall not hurt you. I have orders to bring you back safely to our camp.” The man held out his hand.
“I will not go, we will fight!”
“That, my dear prince, would be foolish.” The soldier looked around at the battle field. “poor devils. They will all be dead soon.” He seemed almost regretful.
“What do you mean, it seems to me we’re winning!” Dameon rose his head high with pride.
“Now you are. But that was only allowed to give your men confidence and to tire them out before we really started the battle.”
“What…” The prince had no time to finish before a horn blast sounded. Over the tan dunes flowed a steady line of Hessian soldiers previously hidden. Their numbers tippled the current men on the field. Like a tilde wave they flooded the valley and overwhelmed their opponent. Dameon could only stand aghast as the Hessians swallowed up his men. “No! NO!!! Get the Agrabanian force over here! Where are they!!!” he screamed and ran through the battlefield as men fell left and right.
Nefret reared up on her horse as the men overcame the stead left and right. Rough hands clawed her legs and reached for the reigns of her horse. “Damn you!!” She seethed and kicked as many as she could away, catching a few with the sharp edge of her sword. Still, there were just to many. Tens of men were crowded around her horse, leaving no room for moment. Soon Nefret was torn down from her mount and into the sea or soldiers.
Chroias’s eyes grew wilder as she looked down at the scene. The Hessians now outnumbered them by incredible amounts and her people were being pushed back. “I’ll kill you all!” She screeched and dove from the sky, slashing left and right, bodies being flung out of her way. Suddenly a rope snagged around her wrist. With a growl she threw it off, but it was followed by another and another. Soon ten ropes were lassoed around her body, and these would not be broken by magic. Taking to sky the demon tried for escape, but the Hessians had devoted nearly a third of their army to the ropes. With a loud roar Chroias was pulled from the sky.
Mozenrath panted as he slashed the last of the Hessians in his vicinity, the enemy army seemed to be pulling back….. He could not have known why. “Lord Mozenrath!” A straggly soldier on his last legs staged to him, holding onto the lord’s shirt front.
“What is it man!?” Mozenrath shook him slightly.
“The Hessians…. Took the Lady Nefret off her horse…. She’s disappeared…. The demon… queen…. Pulled right out the sky…” The man slowly sunk to his knees. “They’re… retreating…” He laid down and tried to catch his breath.
Mozenrath’s eye’s were wide and his mouth slightly open.
From a dune a woman from the city started a call. “The leader of the Hessians is in the Citadel!! He made it to the Citadel!”
Mozenrath let out an animalist growl and rushed to his home.
“Alberich” Moze screamed though the halls of his home as he franticly searched. Flinging open the throne room doors he found the Hessian sitting royally on the throne. “Hello sorcerer.”
“How dare you!”
“Oh no offence.” Alberich stood up from the throne and walked a tad closer. “I know I don’t own this land… yet. I was just making myself comfortable.”
“You will never belong on my throne!” Mozenrath growled, wishing like hell he could still just raise his hand and incinerate this guy.
“I disagree. You see I have bargaining chips, as I’m sure you know.” Alberich grinned. “You will surrender your land in 24 hours or you queen dies.”
Mozenrath gulped, but still he would be strong. “How am I to believe you? How do I know they aren’t already…. Dead?”
“Ah, smart man. I wouldn’t blame you for not trusting me. Let me make a offering, to show you I’m not as back handed as you think.” He made a gester and one of his attendants disappeared out the door, arriving back dragging Nefret with him. She could barely walk, battered and buried so much she hardly resembled herself, blood streamed out from her mouth.
“I’m giving you this one back now to show you I have some honor. Do as I say, surrender, and you’ll have the other.” Alberich took Nefret roughly from the attendant and pushed her towards Mozenrath. Nefret teetered on wobbly legs and fell at Mozenrath’s feet coughing blood onto the floor.
Alberich was wise and while Mozenrath was still stunned he walked out the door, saying on is way out. “In 24 hours. I’ll be waiting for your response.”
Chapter 380 (By Chroias)
Mozenrath caught Nefret before she could fall to the floor, taking her soft body in his arms. She had a few slices in her from battle, the bruises were mainly from the rough handling of the Hessian men. "Alberich you basterd." he whispered in a low voice as the Hessian lord walked from the Citadel. He pulled Nefret's face up to him and used his own robe to clean the blood from her pretty face. "Nef...Nefret are you alright?"
The Egyptian moaned and clutched his robes, pulling him tighter. "I'm...w-w-well enough." she promised and felt him lift her up, summoning a healer. Two women came ford and picked her up, loading her body onto a stretcher and taking her into another room. Mozenrath's hand was gripped on hers the entire time while she listened to the Healers pronounce the damage.
"She's scarred up pretty bad, and it'll take most of the next few hours to stitch her back up." One woman began grabbing needle and thread to do the job. "The bruises will need to be treated and salve spread over her body each night for the next month or so. But she is not the worst off I've ever seen in battle." The woman’s voice was not cruel, but sharp and orderly, like she was used to forcing sick men to stay in bed and young children to sleep at night. She had a kind face and a quick mouth, giving orders to those around her with precise, snappy gestures.
Mozenrath stroked Nefret's hair from her face. Most of the blood on the young Egyptian's body was not her own. It appeared that she had down her own fair share of slaughter while on the field. "You'll be okay." he kissed her cheek despite the blood. "I swear it."
"T-t-they got Chroias." Nefret said as alcohol was poured over her cuts and then given to her to drink down. "I saw them...took a third of the army to get her down, but they did." Nefret took a long swig of the brandy and gave a low whimper as the needle pierced her flesh and the woman began to sew. "Moze, you have got to get her back. You just have to get her back." she tried to rise from the operating table but was pushed back down firmly.
"Keep still little one." The nurse ordered gently but firmly. "Lord Mozenrath, you'll have to leave. We need to strip her down and..."
"I have seen her before." He said, not letting the tone of the nurse deter him. But he had to leave, there were plans to be made, things to be done. He gave a warm kiss to Nefret and promised her that he would bring her friend back.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Keep that thing back!" Screamed one man as the demoness surged ford, taking by the throat and snapping his neck completely off his body. Spears were pointed at Chroias and she yelped when one grazed her side. She turned and caught the spear, twisting it from the mans hands implanting it in his stomach.
Chroias did not typically go into her full demon morph, what she had allowed her lover and friend to see before was only the battle mode she was capable of. But now, Her pale skin which once looked as soft as human flesh had scaled over, her eyes were the very firers of the Inferno itself. Her teeth had grown to ungodly proportions and looked ready to tear the throat from any man stupid enough to wander close. Her wings took up the entire tent she'd been thrown into, the bottom half of her body was not legs but rather one long, snakeish tail that lashed back and forth, wrapping around one unsuspecting and careless man and crushing the life from him like a python. Her claws resembled daggers more then they did nails and she curled them menacingly to those trying to corner her.
"Pull back!" Came a strong commanding voice. Lord Alberich walked through the tent opening and took a long look at the demon Queen. "Is this any way to treat a royal majesty?" he said softly and made a bow so low it was deemed insulting and full of mockery at Chroias. The demoness let out a feral growl. "Bring wine and...perhaps a side of beef." he remarked, looking at Chroias's size and mass. "Forgive me, but I do not remember you being this large when we last met."
"I recall you being just as arrogant." Chroias's voice took on that low, sultry, black widow about to strike tone.
"I resent that remark. I am no more arrogant then your husband is. Believe it or not I know perfectly well what Mozenrath is capable of, and I do this knowing that his anger and vices will be stopped. "Alberich leaned ford, taking a wine cup and pouring the red liquid into it. "Can you honestly say I am have less morals or less scruples then Mozenrath? I do not believe I am the only Lord who has ever come to gain his lands by force."
Chroias narrowed her eyes. The man made it sound so damn simple, so natural. Of course he was right on that point. Even Mozenrath had gained his lands through the death of others. Even Aladdin had been forced to fight to keep his city safe from harm. "But that is not the point."
"Then please, tell me what the point is?" Alberich said. "I wish for my sons return, and that I place this kingdom under my rule. You and your husband will remain firmly seated under the throne, and will obey my laws and vices. You will have the same privilege as any other members of my Kingdom..."
"And the same punishments." Chroias growled low. "If I were anyone else, that proposition would almost sound intriguing enough. But I am not. We have fought hard to keep these lands. We have over come insurmountable odds before. Mozenrath deserves to rule with his own judgment." 'Besides, he needs to know he can rule with his own judgement and not magic.' But she did not say this aloud.
Alberich sighed and shook his head. "You of course realize I have offered you as ransom in exchange for his surrender." Chroias nodded. "Of course, you are not some foolish woman or brainless queen with no more desire then for her jewelry. You have an almost cruel intelligence. "Alberich drew closer to Chroias, looking at the chains attached to her wings and tail as well as arms and any other appendage that looked remotely dangerous.
Chroias recoiled, growling in a low tone and acting like a snake to strike. "Back away." she ordered, eyeing the cross on his war tunic. Alberich knew what she was looking at and picked up his medallion, touching it to her skin.
Chroias screamed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dameon looked out the window at the people. There were a few of his fathers solders in the city, but under his order they showed no harassment to the people there. They were only there to make sure that those who were still battle able stained out of the field and in their homes. There had been a small riot earlier where one of the loyal Black Sanders had risen up and killed four of the Hessian guards before being taken down by an arrow.
Zakurum appeared behind his lover and caressed his thigh lightly. "Dameon...are you alright?" he whispered. "None of this was your fault...I known your blaming yourself for this but..."
"I can not cause you this trouble Zak." Dameon said in a stronger voice then Zak though capable. "I am putting not only your direct family in danger but the people who need to trust them!" Dameon turned around and locked Zakurum with his blue eyed stare. "What about Tris and little Melpomene? How will she fare if my father takes over? I will not longer be allowed to be with you Zak...I'll be forced to provide an heir with a woman I have no love or even affection for!"
Zakurum's eyes lite up. "What did you say...about an heir?" Dameon repeated the sentence. "Of course...of course!!" Zak smiled and kissed Dameon passionately. "Thats how we solve this problem!! Your father says that he should control this land because you are the...dominate force in this relationship right..." Dameon nodded, confused. "Well what will happen when you are female and with child? It's difficult, in your fathers opinion, to be dominant and female."
Chapter 381 (by Nefret)
“Just listen to my ideas father!” Zak pleaded as Mozenrath zipped from one side of the war room to the other, making lists of soldiers and sketching out plans of attack. “It will work, I know I can make it work!” Zak grabbed his father’s sleeve.
“Listen very carefully, son. Your mother is in the hands of those bastereds, going though Allah knows what and your aunt is laid out in the sick ward! I’m responsible for a nation now and I will not risk it all for some hair-brained scheme. Maybe I would have a year ago but now’s the time to be straight forward and plain.” Mozenrath pulled free from his son and took up his sword.
“I KNOW very well what danger Mom is in. Worried doesn’t even cover what I feel! I am only trying to help. You can be a tyrant, father, and only do what you want, or you can be a king and take advise from trusted council.”
That made Mozenrath stop in his tracks. With a deep sigh he turned to his son. “I have lost my abilities Zakurm, and your mother is not here. How are we to pull this off?”
Zak stood taller now that he was getting attention from his father. “I never pretended to be a great sorcerer, but I have some natural born talent. The library is filled with spell books. Even you can do magic by incantation now….”
“That is the lowest grade of sorcery… parlor tricks.” Mozenrath snorted, an old throw back to his former self. “Alright Zak, we will try it. But if it doesn’t work I’m sending the full force of this land into the Hessian camp by dawn tomorrow.”
Zak nodded and marched out the door.
~~~~~~~~~
The nurse shushed Nefret’s crying and pulled the tiny bundle from her arms, though she seemed reluctant to let it go. “There there girl, time to let it go now.”
Nefret sighed and sat back in bed, wiping away her tears. Now was the time for tears, but men from the battlefield were slowing being brought into the room for treatment. It would not due to have them see.. Especially those who knew who she was. “How old was it?”
The nurse lifted the corner of the bundle and looked inside. “Oh, only maybe a month… close to two perhaps…”
“I didn’t even know I was….” Nefret hung her head… a month or two.
“Well you mustn’t’ worry about it now. The stress and your beating on the field were just too much for the fetus. It died and your body rejected it.” Nurse said with a quick light tone that was almost too professional.
“A baby…I almost had a child…. So close to a mother….. Mozenrath was almost… Oh those Hessians!” Nefret babbled and clenched her fist. She couldn’t quite decide if this was a tragedy or a close call.
“Girl…. Girl!” The nurse shook Nefret back into reality. Turning softer, “What do you want to do with it?”
Nefret was silent for a moment. Calmly she came to a conclusion. “Take my baby to the home of Akentmesa. He used to prepare bodies in the House of the Dead… Tell him to take care of my baby.” Nefret felt her tears coming back. Suddenly she caught the nurse’s robe. “But don’t tell anyone! Do not let anyone know I miscarried, not even that I was pregnant!”
“What?” Nurse questioned.
“Mozenrath… everyone is under enough stress. I will not add to it. Please, tell no one.”
~~~~~~
Mozenrath and Zak spent hours in the library and the lab mixing potions finally the result was reached. Daemon made a rather nice woman….. In fact he was very attractive
“Well well well.” Zak laughed and spun Damon’s hair around his fingers. The newly made woman blushed and knocked his hand away. .
“Stop!” Dameon laughed and looked in the mirror, frowning at the way his male clothing now fit his new body. “Time for phase two.”
Phase two was simply the gathering of… patriotic woman from the village. A group of woman were chosen specifically to gain entrance to the Hessian camp and keep their soldiers…. Company that night. Damon would be one of them.
The chosen girls had to have one thing in common. None of their beauty was to surpass that of Dameon’s. To accentuate the difference between the village girls and Dameon the girls were given nice though drab robes to wear while Dameon wore a silk gown and some gold jewelry. All of this was to make sure Alberich, in his pride, would have the pick of the woman. Naturally he’d choose Dameon in all her elegance not knowing the pretty young woman was his own son.
If the plan went out without a hitch Dameon would be taken into his father’s tent, and there he’d reveal the secret. In humiliation Alberich would quietly pull away, not willing to have it known that his son was now a woman and taken into the custody of a rival family…. That was the plan anyways.
~~~~~
Chroias had slowly come down off her full demon high and resembling herself more. The torture she’d gone through had tired her out but little else. As a demon she healed quickly and already the burns from the amulet were starting to heal. Still it was not pleasant, and it did hurt like hell.
Alberich pulled back the tent flap and set a dinner tray in front of her. Chroias snorted. “You’re a master of contradiction you know that?” She laughed huskily and kicked away the tray with a free foot. “But then again that was probably drugged anyways.”
“There goes that mind again!” Alberich laughed and sat down in front of her. “Let me do some analyzing. You’re angry now because your not used to being helpless. You’re used to being the strong free one. The leader of the rescue party, not the one to be saved….” He smiled as Chroias growled and tried to lung forward, only to be caught by the heavy magic tempered chains. “As I see it..”
Suddenly a man rushed into the tent with a huge grin. “Lord!”
“Leave me alone! I’m busy!”
“But lord…” The man’s grin grew. “There women here from the village! Prostitutes!” He nearly jumped up and down. “The men are waiting for you to take your pick first.”
Alberich thought for a moment and then smiled. “If you’ll excuse me.” He bowed mockingly to the demon and left.
Chapter 382 (by Chroias)
Dameon knew exactly the amount of attention he was getting from the soldiers. Admittedly, Zak and Mozenrath had done a fantastic job, considering that the spell was only meant to change a person's sex and not really mold their body differently. He was beautifully shaped, lushes curves that closely resembled the male curves of his own body, only now with the female proportions added. He was well aware of the soldiers looking him over and wasn't too surprised when one of them whistled in a complimentary manner.
One of the patriots beside him smiled and thrust out her hip. "You are a brave man, to put yourself in such a position. Women are used to being seen as objects by men, and as such have twisted that overbearing desire to our advantage." she reached out and flirted with one of the men. "Within an hour I have no doubt that our arms will be laidened with gifts from those men. So you see, it is not just out of patriotic duty to our country that we offer ourselves."
Dameon smiled. It had been a long time since he'd been close enough to a woman to remember just how clever and wiley they could be. No matter what society they were born into, women often had a way of surviving better then men did. Even now, they flaunted and flirted like professionals, knowing that they would bring back a fat profit from tonight. All of them were aware of the seriousness of this mission, and so, with a little guidance from Dameon, specifically aimed their gestures at the higher-ranking officers of the camp.
Alberich strode from his tent, looking down the line at the streetwalkers. "Quite an array." He walked down the line, occasionally gesturing for a woman to come forword and present herself. They did so with bawdy advances and pleasant smiles; many of them had an earthy attractiveness about them. The kind that would make a farmer or middle-class merchant blush and feel proud. It wasn't until he spied golden tresses from under a veil that Alberich strode past the other women, each of whom feigned disappointment.
"And...who might you be, my wheat haired lady." Alberich lifted the woman’s face and saw ethereal blue eyes and a vague smile.
"I am Llywelyn." Dameon whispered in quiet, subservient tones. "I am well trained in my art." she whispered and batted her eye lashes in a way that made Alberich nearly blush.
"Well..my Llywelyn...would you care to join me in my tent?" He asked in polite tones and gave a gentlemanly bow to her, offering his arm. Dameon smiled secretively and followed his father into the tent.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Mozenrath watched from his balcony through a spy glass and grinned when he saw Alberich pick out the ' woman' with blond hair above all the others. The rest of the women were quickly picked by most of the higher-ranking officers in the camp. "It worked. Now comes phase three."
Zakurum raised his head in question. "What do you mean. Dameon will explain this to his father and all will be well."
Mozenrath sighed and shook his head. "I have made..extra plans" he gestured to somone holding the banner of the black sand. "Inform the troops to gather secretly and horse themselves."
Zakurum shot up from his seat. "Father what are you doing! We can not attack them! Not like this, they'll be massacred! They'll be.."
Mozenrath slapped a hand over his son's mouth. "Zakurum, have some faith in me son! I do not intend to massacre then or endanger your friend. I merely intend to drive this point home. If Alberich mearly retreats, he may return again, with larger troops and more allies. I must not permit that to happen. "He took his hand off Zak and sat down beside him. "Those women I hired...well...they aren't exactly what they seem. I discovered a few weeks ago that we have a nest of assassins in and among those who have put themselves under my care. They call themselves the Order of the Dove and are a mostly female group. Those women are among their order. When this is over, I intend to make them and their group the official guards of the Land of The Black Sand, to replace my lost mamlucks. I had intended to do so earlier, but the war interrupted. They are not instructed to kill, but rather to capture. My army will surround the Hessian camp and they will bring out the high ranking men of Dameon's fathers army. They will become...guests of the Citadel."
Zakurum, even though his anger was not quelled, could see his fathers intentions and found them brilliant. "So Alberich will be forced to return without his cheif commanders!"
"And no man is foolish enough to try and command an army of that size on his own. The Generals will be treated as noble guests here in the Citadel until he has returned home, after returning Chroias to us. Then, for every year pf peace there is between our lands, I will return one of his top Commanders. By my count, that should give us twelve years without trouble from his army."
"But what of other armies?"
"Simple. His commanders will pay for their luxurious accommodations by training our armies to fight." Mozenrath smiled. "It took me some time to consider this Zakurum. "And if at the end of twelve years, Alberich decides he will try to conquer us again, he'll be fighting against people trained by his own men."
Zakurum couldn’t help but smile. The plan was simple, flexible in an emergency, and brilliant. "You do yourself credit father. Has the loss of your magic forced you to this way of thinking?"
"In a way, yes. I can no long work in the brutal, bloody way I used to. I was never very apt at political controversy or diplomacy, I depend on Chroias for the former and Nefret for the latter But in battle..."There was an odd glint in Mozenrath's eye. "...when I fight. I know how to manage and deal."
~~~~~~~~~
Nefret sat at her bed side, sobbing softly to herself. She had seen Mozenrath earlier and managed a soft hello. He'd frowned as though he'd seen something wrong, but she's escaped down a corridor before being confronted. She had changed back into her Lady of the Manor clothing and Mozenrath had ordered her battle armor removed from her reach. She hadn't really argued when he told he she would not be going back into the battlefield until her wounds were healed. She had set her lip stubbornly but knew that she should not even be standing at the moment, and relented. Perhaps that was why Mozenrath detected something wrong. She should have put up a fight.
Even though Nefret had been forcing the thought from her mind, the vision of the dead baby in her arms haunted her. Just thinking about it made her start to cry again, tears streaking down her face. She felt so pathetically small and helpless.
Would she never bear children? Was she fated to die as soon as a healthy child was born, just as her mother did? Both notions terrified her. Mozenrath and she were as promiscus as he and Chroias were been. In time, he would begin to wonder why she was not swelled with child.
But I want to give birth. Nefret mumbled and though. I want to have a child giggling as I teach it and hugging me and calling me mommy. Nefret knew she was crying hard now. Her nose would be stuffed and her head was going to ache for a day or more. She pressed a hand to her temples and walked into the bathroom, running hot water into a tub so she could bathe herself.
Even the rich scent of sandalwood could not calm her nerves. She felt so high strung and vulnerable. The warm water caressed her body and the oil made her skin smooth. She wished, just for one moment, to have Mozenrath's arms hugging her. But he wasn't here right now. He was out in the field, arranging the kidnapping of those General. Nefret smiled a little, it was a good plan. One that would humiliate and drive back Alberich.
As Nefret gazed at her Hathor medallion, and idea rose in her mind. She rose from the tub, still glistening from the water, and took her favorite bottle of sandalwood oil, so powerful that when she opened the top the smell possessed the air around her. There was a small alter erected to her goddess on one side of her room, a golden statue of Hathor with ruby eyes and a jade disk between her horns stood proudly at the head of the alter. Her benevolent face looked down at Nefret as she poured the sandalwood oil into the fire and bowed before the alter. Trying not to let the hopelessness of the situation enter her mind, Nefret began to pray for a child.
Chroias growled and flexed her shoulders a bit, making the chains rattle but not disturbing them much. Her tent door had been left open and from her position she could see out onto the scene of the main campfire.
The Hessian soldiers were wineing and dinning the lovely ladies and picking from them their favorites. Soon each of the officers had one, or in some cases two lovely ladies following him into his private tent. The lowly foot men had to settle with the left overs or none at all.
The demon snorted. So this was the loyalty of her new people? With a growl she twisted around into a more comforatable postion. Half heartly she looked back out her tent. Two ladies were entering into the generals tent, each with a little smile and looking behind them suspisoulsy. Chroias hummed but turned back around.
Alberich poured a fine wine inot a bronze cup and offered it to his lady friend. “A lovely flower like you should have only the best!” He smoozed.
The woman grinned and fell into the most comfortable. “I was never given the best. It was only spoiled on those higher in my family.” She sighed.
“Oh how horrible.” The lord sat bedise her and tickled her arm, only half listening.
“yes well such is family life. But it is when your family goes against you… That is when you pull a few tricks.”
Aberich toyed with her hair and leaned in. “Oh… and have you pulled many…. Tricks?”
“I am about to pull a faboulose one now.” The woman smiled with canine like valor and turned to him.
Alberich grinned back and took another sip of wine. “I look forward to it.”
Chroias tapped her fingers in bordum…. Boy being the damsel in distress was utterly tetiouse! Lazely she looked out the tent flap, around her the officer’s tents were lit up from the inside, creating shadows againt the fabric walls of what was happening inside. Nothing to graphic, yet, but still it was more entertaining then sitting around twitlling her thumbs…
Roais watched passively as inside the genrals tent he laughed and danced playfully with the women, gripping each close in turn as they giggled and coyly dance away from him. Catching one as she twirled past he put her in a good grip and bent down to kiss her neck. The woman wrapped her arms around him and curled a finger to her female partner. Lighting quick the other woman fell upon the general and hog tied him as the other gagged him successfully before he could cry out.
Now that was interesting! Chroias sat up on her knees and edged to the tent flap, looking out at the other lit tents. In everyone of them a similar scene was staging. Each officer was falling silently into bonds.
The women continued to giggle and cry out with noises that would not arouse supsiotiong from the other soliors how had gone to bed alone and disappointed. Yes this was a very intering turn of events.
Alberich was getting slightly tippsy as Dameon removed the wine cup from his hand. Laughing rudishly the lord sat back in his chair. “It sounds like the ladies are really enjoying themselves!”
“Oh they are.” Daemon assured. “Just celebrating our imprending vicroty.”
“Oh ho ho! Yes, I’m glad you gave such faith in me. It will drive me on in the battle field!” Alberich sat up with a slight tetter and strutted behind his table, unrolling maps and slapping the table with good cheer.
“Oh not your vicorty. Ours!” Dameon sashayed to the other side of the table and leaned on it.
“I don’t quite follow my dear.”
Dameon leaned in and spoke in a way that left no doubt who was in charge. “As we speak your officers are falling to those woman they invited into their tents, by now the black sands soliodor have been given their signal…” Dameons eyes rolled to the side as the sound horses became autable. “and their coming to take your high ranking officers into custody.”
Alberich stiffened and didn’t seem to know quiet what to say.
“Listen up, this is how it’s going to work… father.” Dameon grinned and took a seat at the table.
Chroais could see soldiers and gards wearing familur armor rushing the camp on horse back. Simotanoulsy the woman threw back the flaps of the tents and drug the bound officers out where they were picked up and dashed away so quick no one had much time to react.
The demons view was blocked as a horse came to stop abruptly right outside of her tent. The rider dismounted and ducked his head in, giving a quick bow. “Queen Chroias. We’re here to take you home.
~~~~~~~~
Nefret had
prayed long and hard for a child, for Chroias, for Zak and Dameon, for it all,
and it had tired her out. With her last bow she stayed on the floor and went
limp with sleep.
Through the
mist of her sleep a warm light came. To her left and right were long pillared
hallways, above her was a great zodiac carved in the ceiling. Nefret sat on her
knees on the floor proudly before a great throne. The priestess looked up with
awe at the deity sitting there, her skin the color and sheen of gold, her face
was kind and warm, and from her head spouted great bull horns supporting the
blazing sun disk.
Hathor
silently held a hand out to And with a tinkling sound the girl was surrounded
by a glowing light and her body was lifted up a bit as if she weighed much less
than before.
“Go to your
lover. Go now.” Hathor spoke and then the dream broke and Nefret was thrown
back into reality, lying on the cold floor before her stature of the goddess.
Mozenrath
was in his study nervously pacing, occasionally going to the telescope to look
out, making sure all was going according to plan. He could see the first few
black sand guards rushing into the camp.
There was a
soft swish sound. The sorcerer turned around to see Nefret standing in the
midst of her room, her black silk robe fallen around her feet. The room was
practically black but for a faint moonlight through the clouds and her body’s
curves were only highlighted by the warm yellow light of a candle. She stood
there so elegantly colored, her head high, and both palms faced towards him as
if presenting herself… or inviting him.
“Nefret..”
Mozenrath gulped.
“Come to
me.” She whispered softly, and she could not be disobeyed.
Chapter 384
Alberich sat down in his
chair, his dark eyes focusing on the frail, exotic woman standing in front of
his eyes. A moment ago she had been nothing more then an exciting evening, but
now her presence took on a far darker meaning. Mixed emotiones entered
Alberich's mind. On one hand, he was appaled at the fact that his son could
betray him in such a way. But on the other, he felt a strange pride at seeing
his offspring show such resourcefulness. He never would have been able to come
up with such a sceam, besides, Mozenrath's army didn't have generals.
Dameon sat across from his
father, arms folded politely in his lap. "I did not want it to come to
this father." he said through female lips with a female voice.
"And you assume I
wanted it to end this way! I assure you that turning my son female and having
him invade my camp with a troop of hookers...!"
"Assassins father.
Female assassins who happen to be very good at their job." Dameon
corrected with a mild smirk."At least I think their all female."
"Very well, female
assassins."Alberich gripped the edges of his seat, his teeth grating
together. "This was not how I intended this battle to end!"
"Nothing ends the way
people intend it father. I admit it, if Mozenrath was not...the man he is, this
nation would have fallen to your control." Dameon gave a lighthearted
smile and sat a little taller. "But, from my understanding, he earned his
right to rule, while people like you and I were simply born into it."
"Earned his
right..."Alberich repeted the phrase with distaste. "How could
someone as young as he is earn the right to rule. I got a good look at
the man. He can't be older then 28, perhaps 29! I myself didn't acend the
throne till I was 46!And those women he keeps by his side! One,a demoness who
could be ANY age from 10 to immortal..."
"Actually I belive she
is immortal."
"And the other, an
Egyptian priestess who doesn't look like she's even 20 yet!"Alberich began
pacing, somthing he was fond of doing when things entered his mind which he
could not comprehend. "What kind of a kingdom is this! A man who has no
nobility sits on the throne with a hell spawn at one arm and a holy woman on
the other. Is the man both blessed and damned?"
Dameon couldn't help it. He
laughed, a high sound the rung out in the confines of the tent. "Perhaps
so father...from what I hear he could easily be both."
~~~~
Chroias jumped from the
back of the horse and bolted past her rescuers. She paid no heed to the men
whod been hog-tied and slung over the rumps of the horses with triumphant
women, and three men who looked surprisingly like women, sitting on the front.
She didn't look like the Queen they addressed her as. Dirty, sweaty, and with
half her body smeared in blood which most deffinatly did not belong to her,
Chroias hardly presented a regal sight. She tore up the stairs and down the
hallways, moving past the servents and onto Mozenrath's bedroom, dieing to be
in the embrace of her beloved again. "Mozenrath!" she called out.
"Mozenrath you brillant brillant son of a ..." she flung open the
doors of the bedroom.
She looked in at the black
silk sheets and what they contained. Mozenrath lay there, a small smile on his
pale face, his hair tousled and his body nude. In his arms, a purple haired
priestess, trying slowly to untangle herself from his embrace.Nefret looked up
as she slid through the sorcerers arms, her cheeks burning brightly.
"Welcome home." she whispered in a soft voice.
Chroias's face looked
slightly pinched, but she was grinning. "Nice I know I was so very
missed." she arched a brow and handed her friend a robe.
"Oh yes, the poor dear
was absolutly pineing for you." Nefret giggled and hugged Chroias close to
her. "I missed you...is that enough for now?"
"Yes priestess, it's
enough."Chroias hugged her close and reveled in her closest companions
embrace. Something unfamiler struck her nose and her demonic instincts
shuddered from deep inside. 'I smell blood...young blood, and fear, and
death, and grieving...' Chroias lifted her Nefret's head and looked into
the soft brown eyes. "Nefret...is...is somthing wrong...? You feel
diffrent..." the clawed hands tightened their hold on the priestess a
little, like trying to feel somthing.
Nefret hide her emotiions
remarkably well. "What do you mean diffrent? I am still a little weak from
the wounds but..."
Chroias's face turned
seriouse. "No...this is from an entierly diffrent kind of wound." The
clawed hands ran gently along Nefret's sides. "It's the kind of hurt no
weapon can make..." Chroias's red eyes burrowed deep into Nefret's,
searching for somthing. "Whats wrong little Neffie. You know you can tell
me..."
"Why are you holding
me so tightly? Have you suddenly decided that Mozenrath's menage'a'trios
is a god idea?" She tried to joke and change the subject.
Chroias loosened her grip.
"I smell sorrow on you Nefret. It is laid so thickly I could lap at it
like cream." Chroias's face moved closer, almost touching noses with her
friend. "Tell me...what happened? Did one of the children you care for get
hurt?"
Nefret shook her head.
"No..not that I know of?" She pushed away a bit, suddenly very
uncomfortable in the demons presence. "I...I have to tend to
somthings.." she stammered out and gave Chroias a hard push, eascaping out
the doors and down the halls before Chroias could follow.
~~~~
Aladdin dismounted his
horse in the midst of chaos. People were rushing about the streets so fast he
couldn't tell one from another.The gaurds he had assigned to assist the Black
Sands army saw him and gave a proper salute, he waved them on their way without
a second though, his mind on bigger things.
He had expected to see the
Land of the Black Sand as he had always seen it. A decrepid, ruined land where
few people would dare to cross. Instead...the sight that met his eyes were
nothing short of amazing. The crunmbling buildings had been replaced with new
houses made from hard bricks and covered with reflective ennamle. Merchensts
engaged in trade and commerce lined the streets, selling foods that tantilized
the mouth and fabrics that made silk look like burlap. Even the men of the
opposing army were in the city, buying and selling amidst the clamor of
haggleing.
As Aladdin rode through the
city, he noticed other mind-boggiling changes. Off to the eastern end, he could
make out pastures with grass growing from the thick black snad. Crops and livestock
thrived, though very few would consider a place composed of black sand to be
fertil. A river cut through the land, branching off at decidedly convienent
areas and giving irrigation to the crops. Off to the west, Aladdin could make
out the building of a training camp, where several people were working and
training. Most of the houses and marketing were in the central area of the
city, where the Sultan of Agrabah was currently riding.
The magic
crystals were now decorated with black and silver silks, winding around
the pole till a banner meet his eyes. A slim silver trim, with the inside being
black, held a beautifully rendered picture of a silver hawk with a massive
wingspand and talons which looked ready to tear a man in two. One of these
banners hung from every post. The CItadel looked cleaned up, though the same
dark colors still gave it a forbidden feeling. The uniform of the gaurds he
passed looked much more comfortable then the bulky, thick armor of the Agrabah
royal gaurd. The pants were tailored for each persons's fit and had been dyed a
deep ebony and trimmed in silver, while the shirt was midnight blue, cut off at
the sleeves and had a deep v down the front, both the shoulders and the v
trimmed with silver. The outfit allowed for both mobility and comfort and
Aladdin found himself admirering the designe before he realised that half the
gaurds her saw were female.
The inside of the Citadel
was undergoing rennovations just as some of the town was and carpenters and
craftsmen busteled about, laying blue prints and plans all over the place. The
throne room had already been taken care of, and one of the female gaurds
presented him to the throne.
Once again, another
surprise meet the hero. It is often said that the best revenge on your enemys
is to be successful. Never was this phrase more aptly put, then as when Sultan
Aladdin looked up at the obsidian throne, trimmed in silver and decorated with
dark sapphires and glowing moonstones, and did his best to present himself to
Sultan Mozenrath.