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Vaid Empire: Conquest is a massive fantasy series that aims to mix erotica with the quality of a published novel. New chapters and artwork are released every month absolutely free, with the completely optional possibility to receive early access. The Series focuses heavily on worldbuilding, story, and characters.
The world of Ayphieal is shattered and chaotic, with kingdoms and tribes of six distinctive races vying for territory amongst themselves. It is only when a young human warrior finally pushes back against the chaos that the world begins to shift towards order.
***
40th of Fixuin, 13 AVE.
Kingdom of Vaidrin, Omrin.
Streets of dirt had turned to smooth brick, though that hardly made them cleaner. Kunir traced the lines of their pattern as he remained slumped against a building. A ragged tunic and lazy posture granted his body the appearance of a beggar, yet his keen eyes studied the passing population beneath his wrapped hood.
He could nearly hear the jingling of the purses passing by, each brimming with imperial coins. A proximity to The Capital had made his kind a rare sight in the quickly growing city, though he cared little. More trade and wealth brought more potential targets.
An older man caught his eye, dressed in a bright red robe of dyed chimira silk. He swayed with an oblivious ease, his posture granting his watcher no doubt as to where he concealed his wealth.
Kunir stood before following the slow flow of traffic, blending into the crowd. He’d stand out more than he had during previous years, of course, though even the most prosperous of cities held some number of unsavory individuals. They’d see him as little more than a poor young man drifting along.
Slowing his speed, he allowed a patrol of white cloaks to pass by, their number making his ‘work’ increasingly difficult each year. His target strolled along as Kunir gradually closed the distance until they could nearly touch.
Hand slipping into robe folds as they had countless times, his fingers found the coin purse waiting inside. It was as easy as all the others, until he felt a firm hand grip his shoulder. Whipped around forcefully, he was met by the appearance of a large man dressed in a gray robe.
“You’ll be returning that purse to the Administrator now, boy,” the man said in barely concealed fury. The movement had parted his robe, granting Kunir a glimpse at the white chest plate beneath. The man fingered the hilt of a white blade upon his belt, making his heart sink. The red robed man had evidently hired hidden guards.
The guard called out to a passing patrol before sticking his hand out demandingly. Holding the fat purse, Kunir sighed before heaving it hard against the side of his accuser’s head. Nearby citizens turned in surprise to witness the guard stumble and collapse, granting Kunir a small moment of shock before he burst into a sprint. Shouts echoed behind as the patrol hurried after him, while the visiting Administrator screamed “Thief!”
Running hard while still clutching the purse, Kunir maneuvered his way through the streets and alleyways of Omrin. New buildings made of pristine white stone passed him on both sides. It seemed as though construction began anew every day, causing him to grow lost at several points in his escape.
The sound of the guards on his heels drove him harder, rushing between buildings and toppling over pedestrians in the streets. Where he had easily slipped between the legs of oblivious citizens as a child, he had grown taller than most of the people he now passed.
More guards joined the chase at the sound of the commotion, attempting to cut him off as he ran. He was forced to turn down a narrow alley, new in construction and unknown to him. The mistake was immediately recognized, for he skidded to a stop just before he’d crash into a wall. A dead-end.
An instinct to turn around and dash out was shattered as the guards blocked the exit. They slowed, approaching cautiously. “Ah, nowhere to run. Just surrender, boy. We’ll only break a few ribs if you behave. Course, you know the punishment for thieves…”
Backing away, he was able to take a few steps before the wall pressed against his back. Utterly pinned, he looked around in desperation, met on all sides by smooth white bricks. There’d be no escape this time.
Heart pounding in his chest, he threw his freehand towards the guards as a last resort. The man in the lead opened his eyes in honor as a bolt of lightning erupted from Kunir’s fingertips, slamming into the man’s chest. Though only strong enough to send him stumbling back into the arms of his companions, the group froze in momentary surprise.
Kunir dropped his hand in exhaustion from the exertion, shocked by his own actions. He had thrown aside his secret, and now…
Shouting in fury, the guards rushed forwards. Kunir felt their fists, uncertain if he was grateful they weren’t blades as he was hurled to escort bayan beşiktaş the ground. Armored boots swarmed the narrow alley around him, pain shooting all over his body as they kicked him savagely. He struggled to protect himself, covering his head with his arms until a boot broke through and slammed into his face.
Dazed, he stared up at shouting faces as he slowly lost consciousness.
44th of Fixuin, 13 AVE.
Kingdom of Spirexia, Spiri.
The birth of a king approached as they studied the map before them. Within a domed chamber of Spiri’s royal stronghold, the royal advisors waited attentively as their God Emperor carefully pondered. The table they stood around had long ago been etched with the landscape of The Kingdom of Harin, its details worn from use. Spirexia was no stranger to war with their neighbor.
“The first to fall shall be Gadrin,” Dominax’s commanding voice broke the silence, tapping the location of a city. As far south as Harin’s borders stretched, it sat directly where the two rivers outlining the kingdom’s borders joined. “Such a foothold shall grant us control over the flow of trade.”
Somewhere in the distance, he sensed Quinla’s struggles through the thick stone walls of the structure.
“They wouldn’t allow a vulnerability such as that to be taken easily. Already our scouts report of their forces building along their borders,” Hesin’s metallic voice echoed behind his mask. Nafalya stood silently beside him, her silver eyes missing no subtle reaction around the table.
“Just so. They see their position, as does the rest of Magnius,” Salduin interjected. “Both Kinia and Spirexia have fallen, and now they stand as the final hurdle impeding human unification. They’ll fight with everything they have.”
Dominax grinned insidiously. “Of course, which is why I’ve called upon every kingdom beneath my throne. We stand upon the brink of the final war fought between human civilizations, a strike against chaos that shall lead to its end. ‘The greatest human kingdom’ they’ve named it, yet we shall see just how well such a title holds against our unified masses.”
Beside him, Cendra subtly squeezed Clin’s hand in excitement. The blond man stepped forward a moment later, remembering long discussions spent with The God Emperor over strategy. “Therefore, the conquest shall be split into thirds.” His hand swept over the left portion of the map, then the center, and finally the right. “We’ve been granted a great asset in our Concubine Empress, for she’s provided us with invaluable information regarding her former homeland. Harin is larger than our previous adversaries. They’ve had a millennium to develop, for they’re the very source of humanity itself. Their population is the highest we’ve faced thus far, their armies well equipped and trained. To minimize the bloodshed-“
“Efficiency is our aim, Clin,” Dominax interrupted.
He cleared his throat. “Of course. To proceed efficiently, we’ve selected several targets that shall cripple Harin’s resistance.”
Irith straightened as she prepared to speak, standing on the other side of Dominax. Arinax sat silently in her arms, clinging to her as he peered around with fearful silver eyes. “The cities of the west provide much in the way of food production. Though they rely on trade, to be sure, their stores and cellars will shrivel if the west is claimed.”
“Then I shall lead our forces in the west, your holiness,” Salduin pledged.
Dominax shook his head sharply. “No, for other duties call your attention. Instead, I’ve selected King Foin to lead the combined armies of Domexia and Spirexia into the west. Quinla may be preoccupied now, though when she has recovered, she shall proceed under his command.”
“Quinla? Can she already be trusted, father?” Cendra asked in suspicion. “If she’s still in contact with her cousin-“
“No contact has been permitted, my flower,” he replied firmly. “I’ve sensed no deceit within her, and she has ample motivation to ensure she remains strictly under my command. However, the men of her armies will be divided and reorganized within the legion. They are far too…freshly integrated to be trusted.”
Clin broke into the conversation, attempting to remain polite despite his concern. “The princess has stepped upon a curious point, your majesty. I’ve received reports that you’ve permanently dismissed Rolir’s retinue of guards. That’s a…perplexing gap within our defenses that I don’t believe I’m comfortable with.”
“Then you believe me so careless as to allow a potential enemy to wonder unwatched?” Dominax replied with irritation. He watched as Hesin remained still, offering no contradiction to the coming lie. They’d never need to know that waves now guarded Rolir’s bones. “I’ve granted the responsibility of monitoring Rolir to The Hesian Order. He’ll make no step from his hut without a Truthseeker witnessing his every move. I’ll leave no loose ends, Clin.”
“Of course, I meant no offense,” istanbul escort he replied, concealing the twinge of doubt within him. He gestured back to the table. “If that’s settled, I must also mention that King Foin’s heir has formally requested to lead in his father’s place.”
Irith tightened her arms around her son. “Prince Fonax? A boy of fourteen wishes to lead an invasion?”
Dominax slipped into a satisfied smirk. “The boy is ambitious, it seems. He shall not have his father’s command, yet, though perhaps a minor position of command could be arranged.”
“I thought as much,” Clin agreed before gesturing to the right portion of the map. “As for the east, the majority of their mines lay along the mountain range.”
“Queen Regent Elmia shall hold command over that task,” Dominax announced to the group. “Felza is far too inexperienced, and thus, she shall follow her lead.”
Hesin chuckled quietly behind his mask. “That’ll no doubt make for an interesting encounter, considering old Galis’s fate.”
“Elmia’s loyalty has always been unquestionable,” Salduin replied. “She’ll know better than to punish Felza for the deeds of her father.”
“And the center?” Cendra asked, gesturing to the final third of the map.
“Ah, my flower, we shall delve into their lands ourselves,” Dominax explained as he placed his hand upon her slender shoulder, sensing her heart rate quicken. “The population is heaviest along the great river. We shall sail directly for Visti, claiming cities as we proceed until our hold is unbreakable. Allow them to call us savages, uncivilized, for when we seize their prized lands, they shall witness the glory of The Empire.”
Ambition sparkled in her eyes as she reached up to touch his hand, her gaze settling on The Great Azure City in the far north.
A knock on the door rasped quietly, not unexpected. Dominax gestured to the guard beside the chamber’s entrance. She moved to open it quickly, allowing the presence of a young servant girl to step into the doorway.
Upon a commanding gesture from The God Emperor, she nervously bowed her head, speaking in the imperial language. “Your majesty…I bring joyful news. Queen Regent Quinla has given birth to a healthy prince.”
“So she has,” Dominax said, already sensing his son’s tiny presence growing stronger in the world, free of his mother’s womb. Still, it amused him that she felt the need to inform him of the sex, a fact he had been aware of for months. “Go. I’ll be along shortly.”
The girl bowed low once more before departing, leaving the group to break into separate discussions. Dominax silenced them with a raised hand. “We’re done here, though there remains much to do. You know your duties. You know our aims. You’re all dismissed.”
1st of Silla, 13 AVE.
Domani, Capital of The Vaid Empire.
“Quite a curiosity indeed,” Vixin said as she appraised the prisoner with concern. “Was it truly necessary to harm him?”
Inside the lowest depths of the Omrinian ship, she stood beside Rosila as Lalian was granted a closer look. The young man was bound between two structural beams of the damp brig, his battered and bruised body fully exposed to the humid air. His wrists and ankles were outstretched, and she wondered just how long he had been chained in such a position.
“He harmed a guard. The others took their own justice,” the ship’s captain explained. Though his wavy dark hair had grown longer since she had first encountered him at her son’s celebration feast, Vixin had recognized him the moment he had greeted her royal entourage in Domani’s port. He was Drivis of The City of Omrin, Lady Dunith’s sole heir.
Vixin glanced at the man with mixed emotions. Though she could clearly sense the composition of his soul, a mixture of both her father and Dunith, Drivis offered little in the way of sibling warmth. Hints of her father’s features stared back at her with cold eyes, his lips never shifting from the slight frown he held.
The subject of their meeting groaned into his gag as Lalian gripped the prisoner’s chin, tilting it as he studied his features. “Truly fascinating. I had hoped to study one of your father’s non-vaidimated offspring. W…with your permission of course, princess.”
Remaining under the cold gaze of Drivis, Vixin eyed the belt of his dark tunic. It proudly displayed his dagger, the so-called White teardrop. She’d give anything to toss the blade into the water of the port, knowing the horrid deed her own mother had used it to commit, yet her careful posture offered no hint of her thoughts. “You’ve brought lofty claims, Drivis. Do you truly believe the word of your men?”
He nodded. “When a dozen men all claim to have witnessed lightning spring from a mere thief’s fingers, you listen. As does the population. Personally, I’d have already discarded his body before he may do more harm, though Lady Dunith’s orders to deliver him were firm.”
“Domani is hardly a day or two away from Omrin by ship,” Rosila taksim bayan escort began, studying the prisoner’s beaten body. “You held him for some time. Tell us what you learned, unless you’ll hold to the claim that all of his wounds occurred during his capture.”
Drivis’s frown deepened. “We learned his name is Kunir, though he provided little else of interest. Dead mother, no other family but the obvious. We even attempted to force a display of his powers, though he was incapable.”
“Kunir,” Vixin whispered, feeling a hint of sadness upon her tongue. It required minimal effort to sense her father’s blood within him. Even orphaned, how could an illegitimate child of The God Emperor be allowed to fall into such squalor and hardship?
Rosila easily guided Lalian to move out of the way, glaring into the prisoner’s eyes. Though one had swollen shut, the other stared back in defiance. “You carry his divine blood, yet you spit on your father’s laws? In the very heartland of his Empire, no less?” She reached down, gripping his exposed testicles firmly. Kunir grunted in pain as she squeezed him, his gaze never faltering.
“Stop this!” Vixin pulled her mentor’s hand away, spinning her around. Rosila looked to her in shock, only for her lips to curl into a smile of respect after a moment. She backed away with obedient acceptance, allowing Vixin to take her place.
The prisoner glared at her, straining in his chains as she placed a gentle hand upon his bruised chest. She studied his face, his ragged sandy hair, seeing the clear signs of their kinship. He couldn’t be more than a year younger than her, having just passed into adulthood. She peered into his soul, sensing its composition. It was linked to a young woman, unrecognizable to her, but no doubt one of the many girls her father had enjoyed. Every confirmation of their sibling bond pained her, grimacing at the sight of his battered form. “Remove his gag.”
The trio waited for her command to be followed as her personal slave stepped forward from the corner of the brig. The skinny young man approached nervously, holding the wooden cup that had been prepared for the meeting. He placed it into Vixin’s waiting hand, blushing with a smile as she patted his cheek with the other.
“Thank you, Fanir,” she said, gesturing for him to return to his place before focusing on the prisoner’s gag. It was made from slinion silk, of course. The smooth black fabric clung tightly to his skin, concealing his lips. She remembered the stinging pain she had felt when Rosila had ripped a similar gag from her own lips.
Holding the cup, she pulled a small brush from inside. A slimy white substance dripped from its fine bristles. Discoveries of Northern ways had progressed since slinion silk had first been imported from Kinia, and as she began to brush the viscous liquid over the gag, she was uncertain how long it would require to take effect. The silk reacted to the substance quicker than she anticipated, its sticky nature slowly lessening until it appeared ready to peel from his skin. She did so, deciding not to inform him that the white liquid consisted of slinion seed.
“You may speak,” Vixin commanded in a soft voice, stepping back. “Kunir, is it?”
The prisoner retained his glare, though attempted to bow his head. “Aye, my divine imperial princess.” He spat on the wooden deck between her feet, his saliva speckled with crimson. “My mother taught me enough to greet you royals properly before she died, though expect little else from me.”
Rosila and Lalian appeared horrified at his disrespect, while Drivis nearly grinned. Vixin, however, met him with sorrowful eyes. “I apologize that she passed away. However, I’m curious why you simply didn’t make your heritage known. Any number of families would have been overjoyed to accept you into their homes, wealthy or poor.”
What passed for disgust spread across his badly bruised features. “Do you…know what they call that? I’ve heard it spoken on the streets. Bloodtrading. Oh yes, they’d be eager to claim me. Who wouldn’t want the prestige of holding a son of The God Emperor within their family? What a boast that would be.” He groaned as he shifted in his chains. “Of course, my unknown siblings have already started breeding. Your siblings, don’t forget. Their children are praised, but they aren’t as valuable to these kind families you speak of. See, there lies the problem, princess. They breed with ordinary citizens. Their ‘divine’ blood is diluted and will slowly phase into obscurity until they are ordinary themselves.”
Rosila glared. “No descendant of our ruler will ever be judged ‘ordinary’. You’ll all retain the physical benefits of his blood.”
“Ah, but then what? Everyone will possess such benefits after enough generations. Our divine God Emperor isn’t known for his restraint.” Kunir coughed, his nude body rattling his chains. “They’ve already begun to pay, you know. Ah, of course you do. The wealthiest pay highly for a baby of his blood. They offer their daughters and mothers to him, hoping he’ll bless them with a child. Others pay less for his grandchildren. Still a blessing, though less…fresh. Soon, they’ll pay even less for great-grandchildren, their holy blood diminished by outsiders. They’ll still brag, of course, and the trading will continue on and on.”
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