Taming the Warlord

He propped himself on an elbow, his jaw stinging from the blow. He wasn’t prepared for that. Her foot swept across slamming into his face, snapping his head around, knocking him to the floor again. She struggled to free her arms as he staggered to his feet.

Avoiding her feet, he stepped forward grabbing her hair forcing her head back. She shrieked in pain and glowered at him. He slipped a collar around her neck, locking it in place. Pulling on the leash, he dragged her to a wall, where he secured the leash in place.

She kicked at him as he backed away. He looked her over and smiled thinking of the weeks to come. The way her arms were tied behind her back made her breasts stand up. He could see the red marks left by his signet ring down her belly to her bare sex. Standing proudly, she glowered at him denying him any sign of the pain she felt.

“Turn around.” He said softly. “I’ll free your arms,” he added when she shook her head.

Her eyes queried his, then after a moment she turned her back on him. She felt him close behind her, his breath hot on the back of her neck, his hands at her wrists. He pushed her forward, so that she was sandwiched between him and the wall. She gasped when the cold stone pressed against her tender nipples.

Now free of the leather thong, her wrists gripped in his strong hands. He stretched her arms up above her head to either side and pressed in close behind her. She could feel his hardness against the small of her back, she stilled herself and held her breath.

“Obey me and you will be rewarded.” He whispered into her ear. Squeezing on her wrists until she felt they would break, “Disobey and you will know pain.”

“I hope you rot, you son of a mangy bitch!” she swore.

“You have spirit, I like that. You will come to understand your place.” He released his hold on her and stepped back. She swung around and futilely kicked at him again. He stopped at the table, and picked up the water jug, she licked her dry lips at the sound of the sloshing water.

“You do look thirsty,” he said after taking a long drink from the jug.

“Perhaps some water will quench the fire in your soul?” he mused as he tossed the liquid at her. He watched her shiver as the cold water struck her naked flesh. Her body glistened in the moonlight, little sparkles of light dripping from her curves.

“If you were nicer to me, I might even let you share my bed.” He added casually as he settled himself on his bed, wrapping the furs around his body. He smiled as he snuggled in the bed, lying on his side watching her.

In the morning, he awoke to the sound of a knock on his door. He rose from his bed, tying his robe about him and bid them to enter. A guard entered, carrying his morning meal on a tray. The guard paused for a moment, taken aback by the purple bruises on the Warlords chin and cheek. Placing the tray on the table, the soldier pointedly avoided the Warlord’s eyes and quickly departed from the room.

The Warlord sat in his chair and looked over at his captive, curled up in the corner shivering. He tapped his finger against the tray as he pondered.

“Eat.” He said, pushing a plate to the edge of the table.

She looked up at him with hateful eyes, watching him as he ate his food. Tentatively she moved forward and took the wooden plate, returning quickly to her corner. She ate the food slowly, not wanting to show him how hungry she really was.

Finishing his meal, he stood up and smiled at the cowering Erra. “Well my dear, I need to go. But I will return and I will enjoy you once again. Rest well.” He said as he walked from the room.

After getting properly dressed, he went to the war room where his generals awaited him. On the central table a large map of the continent was displayed. He greeted his generals amicably and ignored their stares at the bruises on his face.

He looked over the territory they had conquered. The Zult dominion had stretched along the southern border of the Imperium and the Divine Kingdom. To the north were the lands that had belonged to another mostly human nation but one which paid tribute to the Empress.

He looked to the eastern highlands of his homeland and idly recalled his boyhood, chasing Tulsin Dragons with only a spear. The size of an elephant with hide like iron they were deadly prey. He'd been the only one of his brothers to bring one down without assistance much to his mother's pride though she was dismayed at his recklessness.

The Imperium now covered nearly two thirds of the continent. He wondered where the hidden Erra homeland lay. It was unlikely to be in the realm of the Divine Kingdom as they were zealously against all forms of magic except their own, which came from their false god. He chuckled at their ineptitude and false understanding of the cosmos. There was an uncountable number of gods, to whom the Imperium paid their respect to though they did not worship them.

He could see it would be a slow time ahead. There were no more significant battles to be fought just the solidifying of their position and guarding against rebellion. So where were the Erra? He scoured the map, looking for somewhere that his armies had missed. He supposed they could be in the large mountain ranges to the north nestled between the Imperium and the Divine Kingdom. Perhaps he would send scouting parties there, wielding cold iron arms and armour to protect them from the Erran magic.

The day was spent discussing, arguing and drinking with his Generals as they consolidated their forces and arranged troop movements. It would take months for the changes to be accomplished. Such was the life of a warrior, fighting then planning for the next fight. He enjoyed this life, away from the intrigue and ceremony of the Imperial Court. Letting the women administer was the best decision the Imperium had ever made. It left the men free to fight and drink.