Jiya argued her point as well as any diplomat Kormaldi had ever dealt with, but when he responded it was only to her demand, Release all of her people to some better accommodations and I shall give you a kiss.
He turned to face her, almost suckling the huge strawberry he'd selected during her negotiating. He bit most of the berry off, chewed as he looked her up and down -- she was so beautiful, so youthful, so vulnerable standing there alone in her light, free gown -- and then smiled.
"Release all of her people, I will", he assured her in a soft, seductive voice, "and you shall give me more ... much more ... than a kiss..."
He expected outrage to build quickly within the brave, head strong untouched, and he knew he was running out of negotiating ground as well; she was unlikely to agree to his terms, he thought -- she had compassion for her people, for the Princess's servants, but Kormaldi knew the strength a girl could muster when her purity was at stake.
As she opened her mouth to speak, Kormaldi added quickly in a tone that was as serious and as trusting as he could himself muster. "...and Jiya ... in return for your ... sacrifice ... I will make you Mistress of the House of Ultach."
Her sudden hesitation told him not that she was considering the offer but that at least she had heard of the now empty seat at the head of the beautiful, prosperous County that occupied the rolling foothills of the Southern Ridge. The Viscount Ultach, Kormaldi's uncle, had died without an heir, leaving the County without a leader and in the hands of Baron Kormaldi.
"A beautiful Keep atop a green, meadow covered hillock," he described in a dreamy voice. "Deep forests full of game ... pastures of wheat growing as thick as the taxes they earn ... a people who for centuries have shown nothing but loyalty and praise for their leaders ... a people who will worship you as--" He spoke the words as if announcing her at Court. "--Countess Jiya of Ultach..."
He set the tray of treats aside and stood; he was again fully hardened below his waist and causing the groin of his thick, purple and gold robe to extend forward. He cared not; Jiya knew what he wanted from her, and now she knew what he was willing to offer for it.
"Guards!" he called loudly, causing Jiya to flinch. She stepped aside as the door to his quarters opened quickly and both Guardsmen entered, their eyes moving between the girl and their Lord. "Return the Princess's people to her care ... all of them."
He turned away from Jiya as he continued, moving about the long dining table as he spoke, filling a flagon with wine, selecting a crisp bread sheet; he didn't want Jiya looking at him as he spoke, did not want to see her reaction to his surrendering of all of his bargaining chips. Kormaldi didn't know where he would go if this failed; he had been resting his faith on his ability to seduce this young servant and hadn't expected, first, that she would negotiate as well as a Nobleman surrounded by his superior army and, second -- in addition to his ultimate prize of the Princess at his side as wife and mother of his future son -- that he would also so badly want this young beauty below him in his bed, thighs parted, screaming in ecstasy at his powerful love making.
"After the Princess has conferred with them and ensured their health and safety," he continued, "move the Guardsmen out of the South Watch house and put the male servants up there. Give them food ... wine..." He glanced back to Jiya with a sly smirk. "...women if they desire. Put the female servants in the nearest, comfortable quarters to the Princess herself ... perhaps ... yes, my dearly departed mother's room. It will need more sleeping pads ... cots ... until we can import some proper beds."
He turned to look at the nearest Guardsman, who was simply staring at his Master in disbelief. "Go! Get this done quickly, before I chop off your toes and feed them to the hogs."
The Guardsman confirmed Kormaldi's order and hurried away. His boot steps could be heard echoing off the stone walls of the hall as his partner close the door behind Jiya.
The Baron picked at the pieces of smoke meat on a heavy, silver platter with a wood spoon, then walked out from behind the table, looked to Jiya, and extended his hand in anticipation. "Come. Come with me Jiya. Come to my bed ... protect your Lady's future ... and create a new one ... a new adventure ... of your own. Become Countess Jiya of Ultach tomorrow ... by becoming my lover tonight."
He turned to face her, almost suckling the huge strawberry he'd selected during her negotiating. He bit most of the berry off, chewed as he looked her up and down -- she was so beautiful, so youthful, so vulnerable standing there alone in her light, free gown -- and then smiled.
"Release all of her people, I will", he assured her in a soft, seductive voice, "and you shall give me more ... much more ... than a kiss..."
He expected outrage to build quickly within the brave, head strong untouched, and he knew he was running out of negotiating ground as well; she was unlikely to agree to his terms, he thought -- she had compassion for her people, for the Princess's servants, but Kormaldi knew the strength a girl could muster when her purity was at stake.
As she opened her mouth to speak, Kormaldi added quickly in a tone that was as serious and as trusting as he could himself muster. "...and Jiya ... in return for your ... sacrifice ... I will make you Mistress of the House of Ultach."
Her sudden hesitation told him not that she was considering the offer but that at least she had heard of the now empty seat at the head of the beautiful, prosperous County that occupied the rolling foothills of the Southern Ridge. The Viscount Ultach, Kormaldi's uncle, had died without an heir, leaving the County without a leader and in the hands of Baron Kormaldi.
"A beautiful Keep atop a green, meadow covered hillock," he described in a dreamy voice. "Deep forests full of game ... pastures of wheat growing as thick as the taxes they earn ... a people who for centuries have shown nothing but loyalty and praise for their leaders ... a people who will worship you as--" He spoke the words as if announcing her at Court. "--Countess Jiya of Ultach..."
He set the tray of treats aside and stood; he was again fully hardened below his waist and causing the groin of his thick, purple and gold robe to extend forward. He cared not; Jiya knew what he wanted from her, and now she knew what he was willing to offer for it.
"Guards!" he called loudly, causing Jiya to flinch. She stepped aside as the door to his quarters opened quickly and both Guardsmen entered, their eyes moving between the girl and their Lord. "Return the Princess's people to her care ... all of them."
He turned away from Jiya as he continued, moving about the long dining table as he spoke, filling a flagon with wine, selecting a crisp bread sheet; he didn't want Jiya looking at him as he spoke, did not want to see her reaction to his surrendering of all of his bargaining chips. Kormaldi didn't know where he would go if this failed; he had been resting his faith on his ability to seduce this young servant and hadn't expected, first, that she would negotiate as well as a Nobleman surrounded by his superior army and, second -- in addition to his ultimate prize of the Princess at his side as wife and mother of his future son -- that he would also so badly want this young beauty below him in his bed, thighs parted, screaming in ecstasy at his powerful love making.
"After the Princess has conferred with them and ensured their health and safety," he continued, "move the Guardsmen out of the South Watch house and put the male servants up there. Give them food ... wine..." He glanced back to Jiya with a sly smirk. "...women if they desire. Put the female servants in the nearest, comfortable quarters to the Princess herself ... perhaps ... yes, my dearly departed mother's room. It will need more sleeping pads ... cots ... until we can import some proper beds."
He turned to look at the nearest Guardsman, who was simply staring at his Master in disbelief. "Go! Get this done quickly, before I chop off your toes and feed them to the hogs."
The Guardsman confirmed Kormaldi's order and hurried away. His boot steps could be heard echoing off the stone walls of the hall as his partner close the door behind Jiya.
The Baron picked at the pieces of smoke meat on a heavy, silver platter with a wood spoon, then walked out from behind the table, looked to Jiya, and extended his hand in anticipation. "Come. Come with me Jiya. Come to my bed ... protect your Lady's future ... and create a new one ... a new adventure ... of your own. Become Countess Jiya of Ultach tomorrow ... by becoming my lover tonight."
: ))