Selene had come back from strolling around the castle, her mind at bit more at ease now that she had time to cool off. She was still disappointed with what had occurred with her daughter, but she now realized there was a lot on Joffey’s plate. Tempest was independent and had a fiery personality, whereas Brandon was strict and not to be undermined. As prince of the kingdom, Joffrey had to worry about making the right decision, even if it meant hurting his family. It was a hard responsibility, and Selene wanted to be there for him. As she made her way back to the throne room with hope her husband was still there, Lucan walked with her. “Princess, are you sure you wish to be alone with him?”
The princess laughed softly and nodded, patting his arm “Yes, I can handle my husband just fine…I think.” Though they had spent some time talking, Selene had no idea Lucan was her son. However, the things he said and his mannerisms had set off alarm bells of recognition in her mind, and she knew that somehow this boy was special to her. Seeing Joffrey leave the throne room, she turned to Lucan with a soft smile. “Please excuse me.”
Her son nodded and bowed his head politely “Of course, princess.”
Picking up her skirts, Selene hurried towards Joffrey. Stopping in front of him, she looked into his eyes as concern and love flooded out of her own. She felt horrible for abandoning him like that, but she knew if she did not calm down, ugly words would have passed her lips. Now that she felt calmer, she reached up to wrap her arms around her husband’s neck. Resting her cheek against Joffrey’s chest, she murmured “I hope you are not terribly upset, my love. We must do what we can to keep our daughter safe and in the king’s favor so she is out of harm’s way. We all have duties we must carry out for the sake of our kingdoms.”
Seeing the rest had left and his son had handled himself in a manner that he respected more than Joffrey might think, he decided he might do something a bit more for the girl. He was right in his own way Tempest reminded him a lot of himself. However he had also learned at a young age not to disrespect the crown as had Joffrey and this was something she also must learn.
Even in private it might have been something to ask as a request but as a public demand it would not go without discipline.
She had in all reality forced his hand, though she as young as she was might not have realized it.
Minerva felt a lot of his emotion through the collar, as he did hers.
She felt the whole thing to be amusing and he couldn’t say he blamed her entirely. From the outside it was.
Brandon stood up and motioned her to follow him to his private quarters.
Before he left he asked the guards to summon the smith again.
” Please ask him to also bring this Magnus by. Id meet him as well. I may have need of him on this. “ he said gravely to his head guard.
He then turned solemly looking to the ever pleasing Minerva,
” Let’s be off my dear. “
He smiled to himself as he thought of his new idea.
With all having left the throne room one after the other, and Joffrey one of the last, this left Minerva alone with the King. The collar that she wore gained her insight to the King, as it did him to her. She had enjoyed the spectacle of watching the antics of the Family Brax, but now it was just the King that would have her full attention. Watching him, she felt a sense of pride and respect for him that she never felt before. He handled all like a King should. None would doubt his authority again.
She watched him closely, as he summoned the guards to bring him the smith. Minerva raised an eyebrow at his request;
” Please ask him to also bring this Magnus by. Id meet him as well. I may have need of him on this. “
What could this mean? The witch pondered then shook her mind clear, when the King turned to her, and called;
” Let’s be off my dear. “
Rising off the floor in a fluid movement, her hair tumbled off her shoulders, and her silken dress which barely hid her body from view fell into place. Bare feet, she followed behind the King with her head bowed, so as not to look at any others. The collar around her neck glittering in the light of the many candles.
“As you wish, my Master and King.”
<3>
Hallway.
Joffrey stood by an opened window, as his wife Selene returned from her walk with Lucan. He can’t have blamed her for taking off as she did. He himself wished to do the same, but he had a role to fulfill, and he had never gone against royal protocol ever. His heart though was torn about Tempest. She was so headstrong and wily. So much like her Grandfather it was truly scary. Butting heads like mountain goats….and all over the right to chose who to spend the rest of their lives with.
Joffrey enveloped Selene in his arms, and just held her, resting his head upon hers and sighing.
“What kind of Father am I?” he uttered, thinking she might think less of him for how he acted. “Will she ever look at me the same way again?” Joffrey asked of Selene, burying his face in the nape of her neck. He was the one that needed consoling.
“Let us go check her…down in those horrid cells. Hell, I may well join her. A show of solidarity. Though…the rats down there do scare me silly.” He cringed.
<3>
Brandon walked down the halls followed by the lovely Minerva finally arriving in his private chambers.
As he made his way in he took off his coat and took a seat. He had found the whole thing bothersome.
He hadnt really wanted to make things so difficult but such was how they would make it. He would do what he must.
He looked to Minerva. She was ravishing. As she glided in he thought to himself how much he wanted her. He called to her, gesturing to her in a kingly way. The others had already left them alone in the chamber.
Looking towards her she his want and need after the exchange downstairs. They felt so much through the collar.
He knew she too had been amused by the whole affair. He also knew that she was excited by his handling of it.
He wanted her even more as a result. He fed her passion. He though to himself as he went to take her again, undoing her bodice that she was beyond compare.
Taking her again in many ways upon his bed he was surprised by her inventiveness, she had some ideas herself this time. He took bodily moving their bodies in rythmic time. She truly was an amazing creature.
After a long session a knock was heard upon the door. Pulling on his trousers The King went to the door.
” Who is it? “ the king asked from behind the door
A gruff voice answered “Magnus “
Brandon then let the Warlock enter the chamber,
” Well come in, we have some things to talk about. “
As Magnus entered he bowed slightly to the king.
” Thank you M’lord. Indeed we do. I had heard You summoned me. I also wished to speak with you for sometime. “
The king then outlined his plan to the young warlock. How he might fashion a necklace to bring Tempest to heel. a necklace which would bring her temper in line when necessary and in control of his dear Minerva.
Magnus took a bit to reply.
” It shouldn’t be a problem m’lord though I will need a bit of her hair or nails for the spell crafting. I also have heard heard whispers m’lord that we have a common enemy in The Casterly’s. Should you need my service ever in hurting them in any way I hope you know I would love to help in any task that requires it.. “
The king wondered a bit how information traveled so quickly but knew also he was one who traded in magic. So information was a commondity he also probably had a commodity in. ” Well I shall keep that under advisement Magnus. “ the king said in reply rather smugly.
He then ordered the guards to check on the condition of Tempest and to offer her some refreshment should she need it.
Oh how Minerva felt the King’s needs and wishes via the collar she wore proudly around her slender neck. The sparkling jewel that was the center piece, glinted in the light, as she glided into the room, and approached him at his silent request. Though troubled by the altercations with his family, he needed her to sate his desires, and feed his sexual hunger. Standing before him, she kept perfectly still as he undid her bodice, and her ripe breasts spilled out to please his eye. A woman in fine cloth, soon completely disrobed, aside from sparkling hair pieces and of course the collar.
The King took her, up onto the bed and masterfully rode her, enjoying her cries of submission, and the luscious squelch as their naked bodies slapped against each other in rhythmic timing and paced from slow to a faster speed of urgency. For hours, the haunting sound of the King’s requests for new positions, and then the thud of the head board against the wall, his dark laughter as she continued to bring him to experience many orgasms, till finally spent. When done with her, she lay upon the golden sheets, panting, with her collar tight around her neck. Face to the side, she could only watch as the King went to answer the door, pulling on his trousers. Reaching for the top sheet, she drew it over herself, so that whoever wished to visit the King, would not have the privilege to gaze upon what belonged to the King. And so, still recovering, she listened to the King’s conversation with the guest, who was none other than the maker of the very collar she wore.
” Thank you M’lord. Indeed we do. I had heard You summoned me. I also wished to speak with you for sometime. “
The King was curious about what Magnus knew of the rumors that the Realm of Casterly had been plotting to do untoward things to the House of Brax, and would gladly lend his support, should the King need it. Minerva’s fingers toyed with the sheet that covered her and kept silent, not wanting to get involved in the political talks. But this was interesting, in particular, the King’s desire to make a necklace that would have her answer to Minerva. A sly grin formed on her lips, and she wondered just what would happen, if Tempest ever put it on.
Oh the plot thickens.
<3>
Selene stood there in the hallway with her husband, her arms wrapped around him tightly. Though her mind was a bit fuzzy from recent events, she knew for sure what her heart felt and wanted. Joffrey and Tempest meant the world to her, and she had a feeling Lucan did too. Her family was everything to her and she wanted the best for them. As Joffrey tucked himself into the nape of her neck, she smiled gently and threaded her hands into his hair. Caressing his dark locks slowly and with care, she murmured softly “You are the kind of father that would do anything to keep his little girl safe. King Brandon is just that…the king. If you or I were to go against his word in front of the court, her punishment would have been much more severe.”
Pulling back to look at her dark prince, the angelic princess smiled affectionately. She thought no less of her husband, but more to see him so distraught over their daughter. He cared just as much as she did about their daughter, and she knew he would do whatever it took to keep her safe and from harm’s way. Linking her hand with his, she brought his knuckles up to her lips to kiss them gently. Closing her eyes, Selene brushed her fingers up and down his wrist before looking back up at him “She will understand with time that we are doing what is best for her. The fact that the king is even allowing her a choice in the matter is a miracle in and of itself. So yes, let us go see our child and offer her as much comfort as we can, my love. I love you so very much and we will get through this together.”
It was clear that whatever ill feelings she ever had for her husband has dissipated, and even her own personal problem of forgetting her own memories were pushed aside to focus on their family. All she wanted was to keep them together and strong. Snuggling close to Joffrey, Selene began to lead him down the hallway so they could try to talk to Tempest together.
Joffrey’s beautiful Selene was right of course. Sure the King was brash and practically unforgiving, but he had offered to give Tempest a choice of suitors, not simply pointing at one and saying, well marry him. Joffrey was being very hard on himself, taking the full weight of blame for the actions and demands of his Father, and now he was sure that Tempest would place him on equal footing with Brandon, for not disrupting the Court and standing up for her. Selene’s words calmed and soothed his troubled mind, and as he held her, the love he had for her only increased, with the dark times they experienced being but a memory, a blot on their relationship.
” let us go see our child and offer her as much comfort as we can, my love. I love you so very much and we will get through this together.”
“Yes, you’re right. Let us go down to those cells and speak with her, united.” The Prince said, gripping her small hand in his and taking her down to the dank dark cells beneath the castle.
Dungeons
The executioner was sharpening his axe while the cries of one prisoner being flogged filled the air. The smell was simply disgusting, and even the Prince had to try not to gag on his own rising stomach fluid. He had forgotten how nasty it was down here, and he tread lightly past the jail keeper, who sat at a large oak desk, munching away on an uncooked turnip.
“Scuse me. The Princess and I would like to visit with our daughter, Tempest.” Joffrey asked, like he was registering in at the Hyatt, putting on his best smile, in the face of the jailer’s bad breath. The jailer munched on the turnip and took out a big key ring and went through it slowly, as his saliva trickled down his chin.
“Ere…cell twelve. She’s been a bit quiet, but that’s okay…already enough shouting and groaning down here to drive a man mad.” he handed Joffrey the keys and Joffrey silently thanked him, leading Selene down the hall, past cells with people’s arms reaching out trying to touch the royals.
On reaching the cell, Joffrey undid the lock, but when he pushed the door open…
“Tempest?….Tempest?” There was no sign of her. He started to look under her bed, and then up ended the mattress. Panic set in.
“FUCK..SHE’S GONE!” He exclaimed. Yes, she had gone….but where…and how?
<3>
Selene smiled warmly when she noticed Joffrey seemed to calm down a bit with her words. She was ready to soothe him further if need be, but she was glad to know that he trusted her words. Her hand was curled under his as he led the way to the dungeons, and her heart felt heavy. Was Tempest all right? Was she still angry with them for not speaking out against the king? With a worried sigh, she turned to look up at Joffrey as he spoke to the guard. She was doing her best to ignore just how vile and disgusting the man was and focused only on seeing their daughter. Her blue eyes looked around hastily as if searching through each cell to try and see her. When the guard mentioned it had been quiet, she raised an eyebrow and turned to stare him down “Quiet? Tempest?” Though she did not remember much, her daughter’s storm off made it clear her daughter rarely did anything quiet. But soon she was being led to her daughter’s cell and for a reason she could not understand, her heart felt heavy.
But soon everything was made clear to the princess. Tempest’s cell was empty. Stepping inside as her husband cursed out loud, Selene could only stare in shock. Her baby was gone. They had not spoken up, and Tempest was gone. Tears formed in her eyes but she did not notice as she turned to look at Joffrey. Her pallor was deadly white as her hands shook “Tempest…is gone.” Her knees felt weak as she rushed over to her husband. Gripping his shirt, she practically shouted with rage intended for the guards “How could those mongrels let this happen?! I hope your father is pleased now! He has driven our daughter from the castle and into the unknown!” The calm collected Selene was gone and the protective Mama Bear was coming out. Whipping around, she stormed toward the guard and gave him a swift kick to his dick. Digging her hands into his neck, she hissed angrily “WHERE IS MY DAUGHTER?! WERE YOU NOT IN CHARGE OF WATCHING OVER HER?!”. Her eyes flashed a lightening blue as the cells rattled and shook around them with her rage. The Saint had been unleashed…and she was very very pissed.
King Brandons Personal Guard had arrived down the stairs as he heard the two speaking in excited tones.
He had been sent to check on the condition and health of the lady Tempest and to offer her refreshement of her choice.
As he reached the base of the stairs hearing both Joffrey’s and Selene’s words…
“FUCK..SHE’S GONE!” and “WHERE IS MY DAUGHTER?! WERE YOU NOT IN CHARGE OF WATCHING OVER HER?!”. he stood aghast with his mouth agape, incredulous.
Not knowing what to say to either of them he quickly turned on his heel and went right back up the stairs saying not a word.
Magnus’s Chamber’s
Magnus had fashioned the necklace through much work.
Admiring the finished product he watched the detail of the necklace hoping the king might like the work. He was unsure it would be of use however. His spies had told him that this one had already escaped the castles walls, which is why he deliberatley left the magic capable of being syncronized to whom he wished. It would work but once but to whom it was asked of. He hoped the king chose wisely when he used the object. It was possessed of a truly unique power and could be quite useful in time. He thought to himself if it helped him find a way towards vengeance it was time well spent.
Lord Ash:
The Portal opened in a secluded forest glade near the road to BlackFog Castle. The Fae calmly stepped out followed by his loyal guards who remained silent and followed their king grimly.
They each knew their jobs well and each in their own rights were efficient killing machines. Their skills having been hones in the wars of the higher planes. Lord Ash wanted the wars behind him now however he was looking for something and so was Magnus. Magnus desired revenge and he desired to find what had always eluded him as well, true love. What Magnus had promised him was a gem that would help lead him to it. He had but to bring him the object he had sought. It had taken many years to find as they had never left any traces near where any could be found. However he was a walker of realms he could find things at times in the places between. He had found what Magnus had wanted and soon he would have it.
Walking through the trees he found the road and began the journey towards the castle. He hoped Magnus was in favor with the court. It was time to walk into the Lion’s Den he thought to himself, with a smug grin on his face.
