Vaid Empire: Conquest Ch. 22

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.

***

6th of Iahta, 2 AVE.

Kingdom of Vaidrin, Domani.

"How has this possibly been allowed to occur?!" Lalian questioned with far more force than he had ever previously conjured. The fingers of his left hand continued to subtly fidget at his side, noticeable to his three fellow advisors as they all stood outside the door to The Royal Quarters.

"My assassins have already interrogated a number of slaves and minor guards, yet none of them have revealed anything worthwhile." Hesin responded from behind his mask, folding his arms. "Even when pressed to the brink of death and further, their ignorance appears to be genuine. We are at a loss."

In the days following the retrieval of Dominax's nearly deceased form from the river The God Emperor had been quickly returned to Domani. Only the greatest healers from across The Capital were permitted to treat the deep wounds and significant blood loss of their ruler, including Concubine Empress Xenia herself.

"I've dispatched emissaries to The King of Narok. If the attempted assassination truly came from the Arkos slaves as The God Emperor claims, we may have just stumbled into the beginning of a war." Clin said as he gazed at the locked door to his side. Dominax had demanded to be left alone, tended only to by his Empresses as he struggled to recover from the attack.

Salduin straightened up. "Do you doubt the word of our God?"

"Of course not!" Clin replied, more defensive than he had intended. "Yet the man had nearly been killed by a poison that we have no experience in dealing with. I merely wish to ensure that his recounting of events is accurate before we proceed in any drastic manner."

"Man." Salduin repeated, as if the term tasted bitter. "He is a deity! Least that is what we've been led to believe..." he said, his mind sorting through nearly a decade of Dominax's teachings. "Nothing like this should have been possible...even disregarding our security measures. How could simple slaves nearly bring down a being as powerful as his holiness? How could The Creator not intervene?"

"We do not possess all of the facts, Salduin." Clin said, resting a hand upon the large man's shoulder.

Lalian appeared to be on the verge of bursting, a mix of outrage and terror coursing through the nervous green man. "I want guards placed outside this door at all times...leave no inch of this corridor unseen!" He commanded to no one in particular. The attack had left a sickening sensation deep in his core, knowing just how close the man who had granted him his freedom and life had nearly been to a violent end. Such debts could never be repaid, nor did he wish them to be. "We can't allow a single person in that room..."

"Precautions will of course be taken." Clin said, clasping his hands behind his back. "Though please gentlemen, hold together. The Empire will look to us for strength for the time being. Grant them an example of honor, of dignity."

48th of Iahta, 2 AVE.

Kingdom of Vaidrin, Domani.

Hesin slapped one of his many apprentices across the face, reddening her somewhat tanned cheek as he continued to hold her against him. Her revealing robes hung loosely around her hips, parted as his manhood continued to slide in and out of her willing body.

Alone in the living quarters beneath the Hesian Training Hall, the young woman groaned with desire as he pressed her back against the firm wall. Located between two columns of stacked cots resting upon cutouts in the stone, their hips grinded together, a burning lust of primal attraction.

"Master...I- '' She began to say, only for his hand to creep around her neck with a solid grip. He peered at her through his single eye hole, the white mask concealing each pleasured twitch across his scarred face.

"Hush...if there is a need to speak, I shall do so." He said, steadily tightening his grip.

She nodded obediently, allowing a gasp to escape her lips as she strained for breath. Her eyes appeared heavy with desire, raising her left leg in a silent encouragement to delve deeper.

His free hand reached down to hold her raised leg, feeling the softness of her thigh as he pushed in and out of her snug tunnel. Hesin wasn't exactly large by any means...yet the intensity of his passion more than made up for any missing inches.

Tightening his hold upon her delicate neck further, his cock rocked in and out, a rhythmic motion that sent shivers of satisfaction through her toned body. Like each of her fellow female assassins of The Hesian Order, she could nearly be described as an artwork of deadly beauty. Lithe and athletic, there was no doubt in Hesin's mind that she'd be able to provide quite a fight.

"Grand Master Hesin, there is- oh...apologies..." A voice came from behind, just beyond the carved archway of the entrance. Though he immediately recognized it as the voice of one of his other apprentices, the fact that she had made virtually no noise upon her approach was only a testament to her training.

Hesin's thrusts continued uninterrupted, their bodies locked together in an aching embrace. "Yes?"

Only a slight pause claimed the newcomer, before she straightened up dutifully. "I came to grant you the monthly report on Lady Xenia."

Slowly he eased his grip, allowing the young woman to inhale before tightening once more. She squirmed under his forceful domination, appearing to revel in the slight pain of strangulation as her legs began to quiver. "What of it?"

The newcomer's eyes traced over their bodies as she spoke, observing the subtle sheen of sweat upon their skin as he pounded her against the wall. "Our spies have observed minimal change, Master. There's been an increase in intimate encounters with her personal slave twins following the assassination attempt, yet all else is unnoteworthy."

Though unsurprised, Hesin gritted his teeth in disappointment beneath his mask. "I shall inform...ahhhh...Lalian. Carry on."

With a nod she turned to leave, visibly flustered by the sight she had stumbled into. She left his awareness with hardly a flicker of concern, his full attention focused towards his mate.

"H..harder..." She moaned, slightly choking.

Whether she referred to his thrusts or his grip became irrelevant, for he obliged in both. Their hips smashed together, as he tightened his fingers over her windpipe.

He had discovered her little preference nearly a month ago when they had shared their first intimate encounter. A little slap here, a small spank there, it all suited Hesin perfectly.

Her face slowly reddened as the seconds ticked by, desperate to breathe. He could see her gaze slowly losing focus as she neared her limit, on the verge of losing consciousness.

Finally...he set her free, removing his hand from her neck. With a gasp of fresh air her body began to quiver, climaxing from his rough domination.

The sweet feminine fluids of her pleasure dripped onto the stone floor, marking it with damp reminders of their passion. Hesin did not slow, remaining at full intensity as his average cock pounded into her delectable tunnel.

"We're...not done yet!" he said firmly, unrelenting in his lust. Over and over his manhood slid into her, not quite able to reach her cervix as Dominax was able to.

"C...cum inside...Master..." she breathed, nuzzling his neck. "The risk...is minimal tonight..."

Her words drove him into a frenzy, his skinny yet athletic body holding her tightly. "Lie, sweet one. You're mine."

At his command she moaned, pressing her lips to his ear. "The risk...is high, Master. I'm...aahh...ovulating for your seed..."

That was all that was required. Hesin slammed inside a final time, unleashing a spurt of cum. A slight twinge of envy tugged at his consciousness, fully aware that he did not possess The God Emperor's legendary fertility. He was but a man, yet a man nevertheless.

"Thank you...master..." she said through a wide grin, basking in the afterglow. She then lowered her voice further. "Would you like me to...?"

There was no need for her to complete the thought, for he knew her meaning already. Just as he had the last two times they had spent the evening together, he nodded before releasing her and slowly lowering himself to the ground.

Placing himself down on his back upon the cool floor, he raised his mask just enough to uncover his mouth. Then, ready to play her part, the young woman carefully crouched over his face.

Her gorgeous thighs straddled his head, placing her used vagina just above his lips. Then, just as he was eagerly awaiting, his spent seed began to slowly drip from her labia and into his open mouth.

A shiver of bliss trickled through his body as he tasted his own seed, mixed with the delectable juices of his mate. The domination he held melted away in an instant, leaving him a submissive slave beneath her womanhood.

The last of the cum leaked from her lower lips, sliding over his tongue to return to its creator. Were it possible, he'd nearly orgasm for a second time, yet his drained cock could only twitch in aching satisfaction.

"Good gods..." he thought, swallowing the last of his seed. "What a glorious existence we've forged..."

39th of Onis, 3 AVE.

Kingdom of Vaidrin, Domani.

Water flowed over Xenia's feet, cold and soothing as she stood upon the shore of the river. Her eyes closed, she pictured Briza's lifeless body floating beneath the gentle waves, calmed by the satisfaction of her victory despite the four guards standing nearby.

Dominax's bleeding body slipped through her mind, forcing her eyes open. The waters had claimed an enemy, yet they had also nearly snatched away the stability of her existence. Irith would one day join them, though only when Xenia was absolutely certain that she herself wouldn't be dragged down with her.

"Lady Xenia!" Pria's voice came from behind, as recognizable to her mistress as the quiet crashing of the waves. The slave girl made her way across the reddish beach, only stopping as the guards formed a protective barrier around their Concubine Empress.

Xenia waved her hand in a dismissive gesture. "Allow her in, she poses no threat." She said, despite the collective awareness that their ruler's assassination attempt had come at the hands of slaves.

"Thank you, mistress..." she said with a bow of her head, ignoring the intense suspicion in the eyes of the guards as she moved in closer. Every expression and subtle movement of her body indicated that her words were meant for her mistress's ears only, and Xenia quickly forced the guards to spread further apart. "We've kept an eye on Lord Salduin as you requested, my lady."

"And?" The command to watch over a member of The God Emperor's advisory council came at a calculated risk. They all held secrets of course, yet she had witnessed Salduin's odd behavior in person. If she could only discover the source of the bizarre night in the forest in which she had found him weeping openly and alone, it would be all too simple to gain his assistance in Irith's downfall. A little blackmail could do wonders, after all.

"I've received word from a servant who overheard him bribe his guards to grant himself a night of privacy. According to her, he leaves Domani tonight." Pria explained, keeping her voice low.

A grim smile crept across Xenia's mischievous lips. "Are you certain of your trust in your source? The God Emperor shall not tolerate our prodding into one of his advisors, even from an Empress of his Harem."

"Of course, mistress...I'm aware of the girls I can trust, and those I cannot. I shall see myself dead before allowing you to be discovered." Pria replied in absolute loyalty.

For a moment Xenia weighed her options, carefully assessing the risks involved before finally nodding her head. "Very well, I shall follow him myself. Order the stablemaster to ready a lixidion for tonight's departure. Make no mention of the intended rider, with a claim of security concerns...or...ah, you know what to say. You've never let me down. "

"As you wish." Pria bowed once more before swiftly departing, allowing the guards to press in closer.

Xenia's smile slowly soured, falling into a scowl that left no room for negotiation as she turned her attention to her guards. "Gentlemen, I shall say this only once. Tonight I am going to be alone, with or without The God Emperor's permission. You shall say nothing. You shall make no move to stop me. For if you do...I shall ensure a blade finds its way across your necks as you sleep."

The group of four stared at her in disbelief, uncertain of what to say before the largest of the men opened his mouth. "My lady...his holiness merely wishes to ensure that all of his close advisors and family are protected in the wake of this near tragedy. Should the organizers of the attempt on his life seek you out, we-"

She raised a hand to silence him. "Tonight. You shall each find a reward for your obedience in the morning, or..." she left the statement hanging for a slight instant, glaring at each of them. "...you may serve your God Emperor in the afterlife."

***

Pria's claims were proven correct when, just as the sun dipped below the horizon, Salduin collected his lixidion and rode off alone into the night. Had he known that Xenia was already waiting to follow him, she wondered what his reaction would have been.

She kept her distance, primarily relying on the faint claw marks dug into the soft mud. The night was warm, yet she had wrapped a black cloak around herself for additional concealment.

Hours ticked by as she traveled North, ever on the heel of her oblivious target. He seemed to be following the nearby river, heading in the general direction of Nitri. There were numerous reasons for the big man to return to the abandoned settlement, many of which would do nothing to further Xenia's goals. What would Dominax care if his advisor wished to delve into a sentimental trip through their mutual past?

Xenia was beginning to wonder if she had wasted her time when Salduin's tracks abruptly veered to the left, heavily off course if he wished to reach Nitri. A renewed spark of interest flared in her chest, and she eagerly steered her lixidion to follow. The creature's vicious claws made short work of any foliage blocking her way, entirely adapted to the cluttered ground of the rainforest.

An additional hour passed, pushing them deep into the night before she spotted his monstrous mount up ahead through a break in the trees. Sitting ideally with its reins crudely fastened around the trunk of a tree, it appeared riderless. She came to a halt herself, positioning her lixidion a great enough distance away as to not be detectable before dismounting.

Cautiously she made her way through the trees, slowly retracing the heavy steps of Lord Salduin. Even the slowest learner in Hesin's little Order would have easily been able to follow the big man, for he had smashed his way through the branches with his hammer. With the moonlight cascading through the trees, the path he had taken appeared littered with shattered branches and crushed leaves.

The eerie calls of distant night dwelling creatures became interrupted by the familiar echoes of a man's sorrowful sobs. A smirk crept onto Xenia's face as she neared, knowing the odds of gaining what she sought had increased tenfold. The similarities to the night she had discovered him alone in the forest were precise, just as she had hoped.

It didn't take long until she reached the edge of a forest clearing, observing the trees as they encircled a small hill open to the night sky. The muscled frame of Salduin kneeled atop its peak, accompanied by two flat stones that lay just in front of him.

Like a predator stalking her prey she crept around the edge of the rainforest, doing her best to remain soundless as she moved into his blind spot before emerging from the foliage. Then, slowly, she made her way up the hill.

Salduin's sobs became louder the closer she grew, easily masking her footsteps. She needed to see the supposed source of the man's anguish, to assess its usefulness before she could even consider revealing her presence.

Closer...she neared, nearly able to reach out and touch him if she'd like. His hammer had been discarded, slumped to the ground at his side as he leaned over the pair of stones.

Carefully she peered over his shoulder as he remained kneeling, finally able to see the surface of the stones. They appeared to be pressed into the dirt, each roughly the shape of a hexagon. Squinting, she could make out the presence of crude inscriptions, not quite readable in the dim moonlight.

Without warning, Salduin roared into action, spinning around to tackle her to the soft ground. Taken utterly off guard she screamed as he pinned her, pressing his heavy body against her own.

"WHO ARE YOU? HOW DARE YOU FOLLOW ME HERE!" He shouted, pressing her into the dirt.

"S..Salduin! Take your damn hands off me!" She replied, injecting authority into her tone despite the panic that flowed through her.

Freezing at the familiar voice, he pulled her hood back to reveal her beautiful face. "Xenia...?"

"Yes, you oaf, unhand me!"

Mortified, he quickly moved to roll off of her sensual form. He stood to his full height, towering over her as he offered a hand. She accepted it, allowing him to pull her to her feet.

"What in his holiness's name are you doing here?" He questioned coldly, wiping away the moisture from his eyes.

"I shall ask you the same question, considering how far we are from The Capital." She said, brushing mud from her cloak and loincloth. The moonlight radiated off her skin, granting her a mystifying appearance. "Are all of Dominax's men this dubious?"

Salduin's face hardened at the accusation. "I've never concealed a necessary fact from The God Emperor."

"Oh? Then what of this?" She asked, smirking with a wave of her hand towards the stones. "Is it not necessary for him to know that one of his trusted men occasionally sneaks away at night?"

They stared at each other for a silent moment, neither of them backing down. "You speak of what you do not know."

"Perfect, then why don't you start explaining?" She said, meeting his glare with a teasing look of self-satisfaction. Apart from being tackled, her plan had mostly gone just as she had hoped.

Salduin hesitated, taking a single step back as he inhaled. "The demons in a man's life are of no concern to you. Leave, and allow me some peace."

Xenia chuckled, shaking her head. "Sorry big Lord, a greater strategy is at play here. Begin explaining, and I shall keep this little display as our secret."

"You will not inform his holiness?" he asked, lacking all hints of joy in his tone.

"If you grant me what I seek, no. Though I insist that you begin talking, and quickly."