Chapter 7: Unexpected
In the realm of sleep, a strange vision unfolded. An oracle sat before me, her eyes holding a faraway look, two cups floating in the air before her. "Drink," she instructed. The setting was ethereal, a cloudy space surrounded by encroaching darkness, isolating us with the two suspended vessels. "Which do I take?" I inquired, perplexed. The oracle remained motionless, her gaze shifting between the cups. Finally, I reached out and chose the one on my right. "A wise choice, Princess," she murmured
"What have I chosen?" I asked the oracle. "You have chosen a cleansing, a remaking from old to new." "What does that mean... 'a cleansing'?" I murmured. "A forging of something new despite the hardships you will face. Do not yield, but persevere, for he is the key, and you are the treasured lock that will usher in a new era, a new age of dominion." Water began to rise, enveloping me in a gentle embrace. Yet, amidst the soothing sensation, a throbbing ache persisted, followed by a chilling wave that gradually dulled the pain into a numb thrum. Then, I felt the light pressure of her fingertip between my eyes, and I slowly returned to consciousness.
I glanced to my side; the room remained dark, our bedside light still casting a soft glow. Then, with a jolt, I looked down. The General was positioned between my legs, his movements slow and meticulous as he cleaned me. Following this, he gently applied a soothing balm around my core. The initial coolness gave way to a numbing sensation, a welcome relief to my aching flesh. He then blew a stream of cool air, further easing my discomfort. I held my breath, feigning sleep, and closed my eyes again. I heard the gentle sounds of a water bowl and cloth being placed on a tray, along with his ointment, followed by a soft kiss to my most intimate place.
"What have I done...?" His voice was thick with sorrow. "May the Gods tear me apart endlessly," he whispered, his remorse palpable. Who was this man? Could this be the same General who had just...? He gently adjusted my legs and then carefully pulled a fresh gown over me before drawing the covers up. I heard him moving around the room, extinguishing the torches one by one, until he returned to his original place, leaving a cool silence in his wake. I turned onto my side as quietly as possible, my mind reeling. What was that sudden tenderness? Did he truly regret his actions? Who was the General beneath the brutal exterior? I pondered, a strange sense of relief mingling with my confusion.
--
Hours later, I awoke to find myself alone in the chamber that had been the site of my painful and bewildering first night with the General. The maidservants were already present, gently rousing me and assisting with preparations for the long journey ahead. "First, you must dress for your morning meal with Sir Valorik," one of them informed me. "He will join you shortly, but he is currently finishing his morning training routine.
Her eyes directed me to a lone figure training below. The General stood there, sweat coating his bare, muscular, and scarred physique as he expertly handled his legendary and unique sword, the Blade of Bloodlust. A weapon steeped in grim tales, said to have reaped thousands of souls, its power and sharpness increasing with every kill. It glinted in the morning sun. The other soldiers watched him with a blend of awe and reverence, maintaining a respectful distance, while the newer recruits absorbed his technique with focused attention.
My blood ran cold as I watched one soldier approach the General, only to be intercepted by another trying to restrain him. Valorik whirled around with terrifying skill, his legendary blade aimed at the younger soldier, stopping mere inches from his throat. "Do you value your life, Evermerian?" The frantic nodding of the soldier's head was his only reply. "Then do not interrupt me, or your disgusting blood will be the next to feed my blade." The soldier scrambled backward, fleeing in terror. The General regained his composure as if nothing had happened and concluded his routine by effortlessly slicing through the heads of three thick clay dummies. He turned and walked away before the severed heads even hit the ground with a sickening thud.
He stalked off, male servants attending to his formidable blade while another offered a drying cloth. I finished my meal and quickly changed, another escort leading me to the grand dining hall. I sat in silence, eating slowly, my eyes drawn to the entrance, waiting for him. Eventually, he arrived, clean and dressed in a tunic and cotton britches, his long black hair falling over one shoulder, exposing the shaved side of his head.
His eyes flickered over me as I ate before he turned and sat beside me. "Princess," he murmured as servants filled his plate. "General," I replied softly, my voice barely a whisper. I saw him glance at me briefly. "Did you," he began, his tone surprisingly mild, "did you sleep well?" I hesitated. "Yes," I answered, the memory of his unexpected care still vivid. I watched him eat, a silent question hanging in the air. Why the change? "What is it?" he asked, mid-bite. "Just say what's on your mind." I swallowed. "You... why did you... It's nothing." He regarded me with a lack of interest before returning to his meal. "Eat. A long journey awaits us, and there is much to prepare. A large caravan is being readied as we speak."
--
I was attired for travel, and the caravan was an immense undertaking – a Kingdom on the move! It comprised countless male and female servants, numerous carriages, livestock, horses, a substantial military escort, and massive wagons laden with treasures and supplies.
Standing by the royal carriage, I glanced towards Valorik and King Florian, who were speaking intently nearby. "The day has finally arrived," the King said, gripping Valorik's shoulder. "Your rightful place as ruler is now within reach, my friend." The General remained stoic, offering only a slight nod. "Your reign will be a formidable one, much like my own. I hope you will still fight alongside me when war calls, though for now, I must choose one of the three you've trained to become my next elite general and secure future victories. This is a bittersweet day for me, I confess, but I am happy for you, my boy. Finally, the Gods smile upon you." He leaned his head towards Valorik's. "Forgive me for calling you that; I have always held you as a son." The General remained still, his head tilting slightly forward, his eyes closed. "I should depart now; the daylight hours are short this season," he said softly to Florian. With a final, firm grip on Valorik's arm, the King turned and walked away, leaving the General to approach me.
"May your travels be blessed with safety," the Queen said, her voice close, and I jumped, not having seen her. "Y-Yes, Your Majesty!" I replied, flustered. She offered a slight smirk before returning to Florian, who took her hand, and they moved a short distance to watch, along with a crowd of onlookers and his elite guard.
The General took my hand and guided me into the royal carriage. He paused for one last look at Ravenmarch before entering after me and firmly closing the door.
--
Our vast entourage, a procession spanning miles, began the long journey back to Evermere. The royal carriage was surprisingly roomy and offered a degree of comfort. As I looked out the window, I could feel his persistent, unsettling gaze upon me. "Come here," he said suddenly, his deep voice strangely calm, a deceptive stillness before what felt like an inevitable storm. I turned to him, surprised by his altered tone. "What is it?" I asked quietly. "Do not test my patience, Princess," he sneered, the familiar edge returning to his voice. I quickly moved to sit next to him on his side of the carriage. "Not there." He indicated his lap with a pointed gesture. "Here."
My gaze flickered down then back up, a bewildered question in my eyes. He seized me, roughly hiking my dress to my waist, and then positioned me to straddle him. "My lord!" I protested. "Silence! These are not the fortress walls," he hissed, producing his arousal. "Oh no, please!" I begged. He gripped my hair, yanking my head back, forcing me to meet his gaze. "You will grow accustomed to my desires. I have no patience for this gentle pace." He slowly forced himself into me until I was fully stretched. "We will remain like this for the duration of the journey, until nightfall. Do not fret, Princess, I will not move, though the road ahead may be uneven."
A whimper escaped me; the feeling was marginally better, yet still overwhelmingly invasive. My hands remained clenched on the carriage framing on either side of him as he watched my face contort with strain. "I could observe your expressions all day and night, Princess," he murmured, his gaze lingering on my eyes and lips. The carriage jolted onward, each bump eliciting a small cry from me and a grunt from him. "You are making a mess of me," he growled. I glanced down, then quickly away. His grip tightened on my jaw. "No, look at it." He forced my head down, and I saw with horror that I had descended further, now fully encompassing him. "Well now, Princess," he said, a strange note of triumph in his voice, "I believe this is a new personal best. Well done." I stared at him in stunned disbelief, then turned to the window, noting the distance we had traveled.
"It's too much," I gasped, the intensity overwhelming. "Just a moment more, then I'll—" The carriage hit a rough stretch of cobblestone, bucking violently. He seized my waist, his head thrown back in a primal response as a moan and cry were wrenched from me. "Please, no!" I begged, but he silenced me with a rough cloth stuffed in my mouth, then forced my head into his shoulder, his grip like iron. He grunted with each deep thrust of his hips. "You will destroy me, Princess," he groaned, his voice raw. "You will shatter me! Take it all! Empty me dry!" He roared, while finally seizing and drawing out long groans of pleasure. He collapsed back against the seat, his breath coming in ragged gasps, his eyes squeezed shut. Finally, his grip loosened, and he slowly pulled me up, the slick sound of our forced union ending filling the carriage.
With slow, deliberate movements, I sat back, seeking a small measure of solace by hiding my face in my hair. I glanced at him; his eyes remained closed, his state indecent. I quickly averted my gaze, a knot of apprehension still tight in my stomach. He finally composed himself and moved to sit behind me. "Please, no more, I can't bear any—" He pulled me into a close embrace instead, burying his face in my hair, his breath warm against my scalp. "General, what is it?" I managed to ask, my voice barely a whisper. "Quiet," he commanded softly, and I remained still, held firmly against him as he continued to nuzzle me. The shadows of night began to lengthen.