Dominion Ch. 03

Authors Note: I added a bit more to the end of this chapter, and though I've been told it seems like unnecessary dialogue that doesn't add to the story... I feel the things that you learn here are important later on, so I decided to keep it anyway.

Chapter 3

Serenad paced the floor of his room, lost in thought as he analyzed the few encounters he had with Nora. The damn woman was infuriating! Yes, he could understand her frustration over the suppression cuff, but her father had agreed to the entire thing! How could she be so vile toward him when he was only looking out for her and everyone else who might come under her wrath? Many times, he had watched as she flew into irrational anger, the only buffer being her brother... who was now gone. Could she not even attempt to understand his reasoning?

He frowned even deeper as he recalled the way he had treated her in his anger. Even in his attempts to discipline, it only managed to send her into more of a rage. He belittled her, and of course it would leave a mar on her opinion of him. He ticked in frustration, chiding himself for his ignorant handling of the situation. Never had he felt so unhinged by someone before. Something about her just set a fire underneath him. He had coveted her from afar for many years, and it simply killed him to see her look at him that way. To flinch away from his touch like he was some... Some monster!

He couldn't help but feel justified in his anger. He spent years and years of planning just to get to this point. Of course, a marriage to her was far from the end goal, but neither was it necessary. He could have simply sent her away just the same as he did her brother. If they only knew the truth about everything, they would understand why he had to do this. The brotherhood simply did not have the man power to accomplish the things he needed done.

No, he had to have control over the entire Dominion.

Brute force might have been faster, less troublesome, but he would never have found the peoples support that way. Killing Leon was a necessary evil that would ensure his right to the throne, no matter how threatened the people felt by the rule of a Naugu. He would even revert the laws against cross breeding if the trivial moral facets might gain him favor. He had hoped, above all else, that he could win Nora over in this as he had Rhyn. But alas, she was a complex creature, and seemingly impossible to understand. What would she have him do? buy Her flowers? Plead for her forgiveness? She was a war maiden, for God's sake! She even said so herself! He did not think she would need such useless coddling.

What, then? It wasn't as if he could explain his plans to her. She wouldn't be capable of looking past the banishment of her brother, and her hate for him would only grow.

"Focus, my boy," Ohna murmured from her place by the fire, "Stop brooding on such pointless nonsense. She will come around,"

"She is stubborn. I can hardly win the favor of her people if she hates me the way that she does,"

"If she cant move on from it, then we will find a different path to take,"

"Shes grieving the loss of her brother right now. Her way of coping is through anger, and I've unwittingly supplied her with the perfect target," he countered with a sharp glare in her direction, "Surely you can understand that she wont simply 'move on from it',"

"Then find a way to earn her forgiveness on your own time. We have other matters to discuss,"

He continued his irate pacing, wishing that Ohna had some good news to share. His mood was very black, and he needed something to cheer him up. A log split and crashed to the floor of the fireplace, sending sparks and licks of fire in multiple directions at once.

"The Republic are on our tail. They have been tracking our latest prospect for the last few days now,"

"So the abduction was a success then?"

"Yes. this one is stronger than the others. Kuren was very close to a break through before. It is unfortunate that he must begin again,"

"It shouldn't be difficult to pick up where he left off, should it?"

"No. This latest discovery can be applied with anyone. In fact, I believe it can be applied with other races as well,"

"But we need the artifacts,"

"Yes,"

"This is all very good news. how soon do you think it will be before they track the prints into Krauth Forrest?"

"Within a day or two,"

The Tourik were moving much faster than Serenad anticipated. He felt jittery from excitement, a wry smile forming on his lips as he sat across from Ohna. It wouldn't be long before the Republic recognized the breach in treaty and formulated an attack. The news about Kuren's discovery was icing on the cake, and he knew then that he would need to plan a visit to Ylatm soon so he could see the progress for himself. Everything was falling into place exactly as they anticipated. Now all he needed to do was woo his wayward fiance and everything would be perfect.

"What of Trysten?"

"My subordinates have been subtly herding him in the correct direction."

Serenad nodded absently as he stared into the fire, allowing Ohna to recede into her inner thoughts. she closed her eyes and began to search for the single wild card in all of this planning. Okuo was not a difficult man to find, and it wasn't long before she discovered him sitting in a garden near Phoenix Lake.

Okuo. Tell me, has the Daegra spy entered your ranks yet?

Ohna. It has been a while. Yes, he has been voted into the council. I still don't see how allowing the circle into the republics inner workings can be productive, unless you are trying to eliminate me from the game.

False security, Okuo. If they have an inside on the republic, they have less reason to fear you. They are already acting irrationally against the dominion.

Oh?

They used the eye to manipulate one of my subordinates.

Invasive measures against another without honest cause? That is unlike them. They must be desperate.

Yes, it was a very unexpected move against me. At this point, I fear what they are capable of. Jahren is another target I am concerned for.

I will keep an eye on him. But Ohna, how can you be sure Trysten won't end up working for the circle? You practically gave him to them. They won't let him go so easily.

Nothing is set in stone, Okuo. You of all people know this. But I know Trysten, and his sister's position will only solidify his inevitable defiance. Holding her hostage here will insure a war.

I do not believe war is the answer. I will not allow the clasp to fall into the brotherhoods hands. You are ignorant to trust them. Nor do I think it is wise to pit Trysten against his own people if you intend to put him on the throne.

Fear is more reliable than loyalty, Okuo. Trust is a rare sentiment, and I find that instilling fear is the best way to insure those below you do not act against you. Holding all the artifacts will insure that control.

There is more to this than you are telling me. Jahren revealed the rumors about your twisted experiments.

And rumors are all that they are, Okuo. I will acquire the clasp, with or without your help.

We shall see.

Ohna opened her eyes and sighed. Of course Okuo would be difficult to sway. He was set in his ways just as she was set in hers. She looked up at Serenad, who had been listening in to the conversation, and smiled.

"Whether he wants a war or not, we will give him one. When our next target is captured, carry him through Krauth," she replied with a smile, "I think it is about time we take a trip to Ylatm,"

"I think that's a good idea. I need time away from Nora," he said as he leaned back against a wall, "I believe its time I take my leave. I have other matters to attend,"

With that, Serenad let himself out and headed toward his next meeting. One of his scouts had just returned from Phoenix, and he wanted to see what the man had to say. He was careful to hide the information from Ohna, because he didn't need the old women in every inch of his business. He had dealt with her enough that he had practice keeping her out of his head, and he exercised that privilege to a great degree. If she knew what he was up to behind her back, she would no doubt be very disapproving.

Her first mistake was assuming she was in charge. He allowed her to think she was leading and manipulating him, but in reality he was the one pulling the strings. He knew she was hiding things, and she thought to take advantage of his dependence on her Intel and Maeleq skill. He wanted to find a way to distance himself from her, and what he learned from his scout might lead him in that direction.

After a long and winding trek through a multitude of secret passageways, he found himself inside one of his many meeting places where his scout was waiting for him. The young Daegra half-breed was perched lazily in a seat with his feet propped up on the table, picking his teeth clean as he appraised Serenad with his muddy yellow eyes.

"Have you checked on Joel recently?" the scout asked, attempting without success to seem uncaring.

His men were often concerned about the fate of their ex-subordinate, and Serenad understood very well how they felt. He barely convinced his mother to let the man live, hoping that in time he would be able to free him once again. He had been loyal to a fault, and his stumbling on their workings with the Daegra was an accident. If his mother hadn't been tactless and ignorant with her decisions he might have been able to groom and tempt the man to their cause. After all, Joel was thoroughly convinced that the assassin was aligned with the Kaharin. It was not his fault that he was so dedicated to such a dead end mission.

At this point, however, he was more than positive that Joel held severe resentment toward Serenad and his following. He deeply regretted how the situation turned out, and wished he had been able to stay his mothers hand.

"He's doing well. Hes the reason the prisoners are even cared for anymore, if you don't recall," he explained with a sideways glance, "i take care of my own, you know this. The situation is simply complicated. I intend to free him as soon as I am able,"

"as soon as you relieve the emperor of his duty, I am sure,"

The scout grinned at the scathing glance that was sent his way. Serenad knew the man was true to the cause and was trustworthy. Still, sometimes the lack of respect dealt to him could be frustrating. If they acted this way when he was actually put in power, it could upset the balance. He wasn't sure how to broach the situation yet, so he simply let it slide, choosing instead to change the subject.

"Tell me what you know,"

"Not much, but I've found some very interesting news. There is a girl that matches the description you gave us," his voice was slow, cautious. He knew Serenad's obsession with finding her, and hoped not to set him off, "from what we have gathered, she knows a lot more than she should, and keeps a suspiciously low profile. Should we bring her in-"

"no! absolutely not," Serenad's voice snapped with sudden, unnecessary anger and he caught himself before lashing out further, "Is she safe? I want her monitored and protected at all times,"

"I understand," the scout dropped his feet from the table, "who should I designate this task to?"

"it doesn't matter. Just make sure they understand that if they compromise her safety, I will kill them all," he clasped his hands behind his back and stared pointedly at the half breed before him, "and if they dare touch her, I will skin them alive before chopping up their bodies and feeding them to the livestock,"

"Understood," he seemed unfazed by Serenad's words, but it was probably more to do with the fact that he knew his men would not be so stupid than it was to do with the threats being lack luster, "i have a few men in mind already,"

"good. Also, one more thing,"

"yes sir?"

"when... when a woman is angry with you... how would you go about remedying it?" he turned his back to the man and cleared his throat, "I've upset Nora, and I am unsure of how to go about winning her favor again,"

"Ah," the scout chuckled as he stood from his chair and turned toward the secret entrance on the opposite side of the room. The door slid open as he turned toward Serenad once more, "well sir, women are the most complicated creatures I've ever had to deal with. I suggest you pray,"

Serenad snickered as the door slid shut, leaving him alone in the room. In other words, he was on his own with this dilemma. He had no clue how to rebuild what he had tactlessly broken, but he would try to mend it regardless. With a heavy sigh, he left the secret room with a lot on his mind.