Taming the Warlord

The weeks of the harvest went by. The Warlords life settled into a routine. Each night he would enjoy the pleasures of the Erra and she would resist, which only served to excite him. Each morning he would sport new bruises and one day he even had a limp. She had got him hard. That night she was free from his advances.

Still refusing to use his bed and instead preferring the cold floor, Cedar was starting to look the worse for wear. Each day a servant would bath her and tend to any needs under the watchful gaze of a guard.

Dealing with the day to day running of the city, he’d delegated the tasks to his generals. Leaving him free to plan and plot his next campaign. He was going to find the hidden Erra homeland. They were an unknown and thus a concern for the safety of the Empire. The scouts he had sent to the mountains were now overdue. He’d expected them back a week ago.

He couldn’t pull his forces from the capital city, they were needed to keep order. Word had been received that his sisters were on their way, they would be stopping at the major towns he’d conquered and leaving one of their number at each one. Plans were also in progress of spreading the Zult population throughout the empire to lessen their concentrated influence. Imperial citizens would be moved to bolster the vacated populace.

The grisly display in the market place had been removed weeks ago, though the stench still hung in the air and crows circled above or kept a vigil on the roofs nearby. There had been no further displays of rebellion, it had been quite quiet. Suspiciously so.

The bickering of merchants who wanted rights to certain trades had mentally exhausted him. If only he could just behead them but then he’d have to face the wrath of his sister and that was an episode he wanted to avoid. The Empire needed the trade and he understood the value to its growth.

He returned to his quarters and sat at the chair. His gaze passed over to Cedar who sat huddled in the corner. he could see that goose bumps covered her flesh. She had become more withdrawn the last couple of days and his initial lust had been sated to a degree. He still desired her but the need was not as urgent.

When he stood up and walked over to her, she didn’t even react. He unhooked the leash from the wall and tugged on it. She looked up and he could see the dark circles of exhaustion under her eyes. Taking her hand he lifted her to her feet. He caught her as she stumbled and she lent against his chest.

He led her to his bed, latching the leash to a ring above it. She curled up on the bed and seemed to relax. He undressed and settled himself behind her, wrapping his arms around her. His fingers idly played with her breasts, teasing her nipples. She didn’t react at all, seemingly asleep.

The sound of shouts outside the door drew his attention. In moments he was out of the bed and quickly dressed himself in his robe. His attention on the door, he didn’t see nor hear the Erra stand behind him. With a leap, her legs were around his neck and she pulled him back onto the bed. Her hands clenched in his rough hair as she squeezed her thighs strangling the life from him.

The door swung open, guards backed into the room. They were fighting a group of Zults. With a growl of rage, the Warlord wrenched her legs from his neck and shoved Cedar back onto the bed. He cursed himself at having no weapons at hand.

Soon the room was filled with Zults and Imperial guards. The Warlord snatched a fallen blade from the floor and joined the melee. His rage built as he heard the Erra behind him encouraging the Zults with shouts and suggestions.

Showing his sharp teeth the Warlord grinned at the Zult he faced. Their swords rang out with each strike, joining the cacophony of the melee around them. The floor was slick with the blood of the combatants.

He dodged backed from a swing of the Zults sword, narrowly saving himself from being gutted. He stumbled forward when the Erra’s foot crashed into the small of his back. He howled in rage and pain as the Zult’s sword sliced along his arm. The warlord swung his sword down hard, tearing into the Zult’s neck and chest. With a gurgle his victim collapsed to the ground clutching his mortal wound.

Cedar jumped onto the fallen Zult’s sword when it clattered from his lifeless hand. Before she could catch hold of it the Warlords foot shoved her in the chest knocking her away from the weapon. He shot her a warning glare and kicked the blade from her reach.

He hastily wrapped a torn piece of his robe around his wounded arm and returned to the melee. Standing shoulder to shoulder with his guards they beat back the Zults who were now encircled and doomed. They didn’t surrender and he didn’t offer. In moments they were all dead. There were more bodies in the next room and further down the corridor.

“How did they get this far?” He demanded from the nearest guard.

“They were part of the merchant group and had hid within the palace waiting for a moment to strike.” The guard replied

“Double the guard and search the palace, any Zult found within the walls is to be detained. I will deal with them in the morning.” He growled in reply.

“It will be done.” The guard hurried off to relay the orders.

Soldiers came to take away the bodies of the dead while servants mopped up most of the blood. The Warlord sat at his table, while the chirurgeon stitched up his arm. His teeth clenched he glared at Cedar, holding her personally responsible.

His wounds tended to and bandaged, he dismissed the people from his room which reeked with the coppery smell of blood. He advanced towards the Erra. She would pay for tonight.