Vaid Empire: Conquest Ch. 56

An approaching legionary was stopped by the guards blocking the only footpath down the steep hill, their spears crossed before him. Dominax waited until Irith was finished before gesturing to the guards, allowing the man to step forth.

Lowering himself nearly to the ground, the man bowed his head in worship before an irritated gesture from Dominax incited him to speak. "Your holiness, a scouting party has returned bearing a prisoner of some interest."

Hesin's eye narrowed. "What of it?"

"The prisoner claims to be a member of the royal family of Spirexia." The man nervously rose, the knees of his one-suit now slightly damp and moss-stained. "She demands to speak to you at once, as it's a...ah, how did she put it? A 'matter of critical importance to the invasion'."

"Demands." Dominax repeated with distaste, extinguishing the globe projection before returning his sword to his belt. "If you're wrong about her usefulness, the punishment for wasting our time shall be severe. Go then, bring her forth."

A paleness overtook the man's cheeks as he dutifully nodded. Departing, he returned mere moments later accompanied by a group of four white cloaked legionaries surrounding a bound prisoner. Coming to a stop before the meeting table, they parted to force the woman forward.

Arms chained behind her back, her mouth gagged, she straightened up like a rising serpent readying to strike. Keen dark eyes scanned the group, one of the few purely human traits she possessed. Obviously a hybrid, she shared the dark gray skin and iron-colored horns of an Arkos, yet lacked the stripes and tail of a pureblood. The vibrant green dress she wore may once have been beautiful, yet it had been torn and muddied during her capture, ending just below her knees.

Fascinated by her appearance, no less due to her striking beauty, The God Emperor studied her before commanding the guards to remove her gag. He held up a hand as she readied to speak, cutting her off with a smile that revealed every ounce of the danger hanging over her. "My scouts have made an intriguing claim, though one that now holds doubt. In any case, you demand to speak to me. Here I am. God Emperor Dominax of House Vaid."

Shifting in her chains, she granted him a seductive smile and a polite bow. "Our risk wasn't in vain, then. It's a pleasure to meet you, your majesty. I am Quinla of House Stire, cousin to King Rolir of Spirexia."

Irith assessed the woman's accent, different to her own in ways too subtle for foreign ears to notice, yet there was no questioning her origin. She was a native of Spirexia at the very least. "You don't require a translator, then?"

Quinla shook her horned head with a coy smile, obviously assessing her captor's accent in turn. "All children of House Stire, what little remain, are required to learn the languages of the three nearest powers. The Arkos tongue, the Tazik's, and, of course, yours. I dare wager I've spoken your tongue for as long as my own."

Eyeing the stranger suspiciously, Cendra scowled. "If you truly claim to be a royal, you must admit, your appearance discredits you."

She shrugged. "A family embarrassment, it's true. Yet hybrid or not, the royal blood of Spirexia flows just as easily through my veins as my cousin's. You may doubt my heritage, though don't doubt my value to you."

"You seek to be ransomed, then?" Hesin questioned. "Perhaps trading your life for useful information? Hardly a 'critical' matter."

"Ah, you misunderstand, my lord." Her hips lightly swayed as she smiled. "My capture was entirely intentional. How best to ensure you receive the message I bring than to present it face to face?"

Dominax placed his hands onto the table, leaning forward with a menacing grin. "You have my attention, then."

"Very well, your majesty. I've come on behalf of an influential member of King Rolir's royal court. My benefactor seeks to, for lack of a better term, betray the throne in the hopes of avoiding further bloodshed." Quinla explained calmly despite his piercing gaze. "Of course, one can't rely on the flimsy security of a message cylinder to relay such words."

"That's quite a...bold claim, my lady." Clin broke in as the others eyed each other. "I don't believe it'd be unreasonable to require some form of proof."

Her seductive face flushed with annoyance as she nodded her head towards the guards. "Your men claimed my proof when they searched me."

Worry seized one of the guards as he quickly reached into a pouch, retrieving a small ring. He placed it carefully onto the table. "Apologies, your holiness. We found little else."

"A ring of House Stire. All legitimate royals in Spirexia receive one at birth, embarrassment or not." Quinla explained before nodding towards Irith. "Ask that one. She'll confirm my words."

Cendra shifted the child in her arms. "That one is a Concubine Empress of The Vaid Empire. You'll grant her proper respect."

"That's quite alright, Cendra. She speaks the truth." Irith said before stepping closer towards the table. She picked up the ring, her blue eyes assessing it with twinkling awe. All northern citizens knew of the royal rings of Spirexia, yet she had never imagined she'd ever hold one. A green gem nestled within the band, carved in the shape of a royal seal. "This woman is either a royal, or an exceptional thief."

"So she is, yet what of her benefactor?" Cendra replied.

Quinla directed her attention to Dominax. "I cannot grant you his identity, though my benefactor hopes to meet you face to face to discuss an arrangement that'll benefit us all mutually and bring a swift end to this...shall we say, unfortunate conflict."

"If he has words to exchange, he can do so here." Dominax replied plainly.

"It's not so simple as that, your majesty. He seeks to meet you alone. No guards, no army surrounding either of you. Merely two men to discuss fate."

Hesin chuckled behind his mask. "And without weapons, no doubt."

"Where?" Dominax demanded calmly.

Quinla stiffened. "I cannot grant you the location until the day you must meet. He doesn't want to risk an ambush from either side."

Wordlessly, Dominax walked around the table to join her. In full armor, The God Emperor loomed over her, standing calm as glowing silver eyes peered down at her. "You misunderstand. You hold no leverage here, royal or not. I've asked, and you will answer."

His words incited a chill within her, instincts begging her to back away despite the guards at her side. Somehow, she retained her seductive expression, politely lowering her eyes to the ground. "Very well...my lord. You'll find him no more than three miles west of here, in a temple once dedicated to the god Venitis. He'll be waiting in five days. Come alone, for he'll flee at the first sign of deception on your part."

Satisfied, Dominax eased from her. "You've taken a large risk in coming here. If you speak the truth, you've earned my respect, though how can I be certain?"

"Because I'm no mere messenger. I'm very dear to the man you'll meet. He knows you'll use me as leverage, and thus, he demonstrates that he'll make no move against you. Deception against you shall mean my death, so he offers no tricks." She explained. The torn fabric of her dress fluttered at a sudden breeze, revealing much of her upper thigh.

Dominax stroked his short beard before waving her away. "Leave us to discuss your proposal."

She opened her mouth in protest, though stopped and smiled instead. "Of course, your majesty. Think on it well, for many lives may rest upon your decision." She said before the guards led her away.

"This is madness, father." Cendra said as she caressed Cliax's blond hair. "She can't expect our ruler to walk blindly into a trap."

"She's right, my love." Irith added. "These Spirexians shouldn't be underestimated. Who's to say what they'll do in desperation to see this invasion ended?"

Clin sighed. He knew his words were necessary, though he didn't need to like them. "You're right that we should be cautious, yet we shouldn't entirely ignore what she said. Her benefactor claims to seek an end to this bloodshed. Surely that's worth consideration."

"You'd have our ruler march into the grasp of our enemy, merely on the word of said enemy?" Hesin asked with disgust.

"That word promises an early peace." Clin replied with open hands. "If her words are little more than lies, so be it. Our scouts will inform us if an ambush is waiting. If she speaks the truth, can we truly sit by and allow the potential of this opportunity to pass?"

Dominax shook his head. "Scouts won't do. They pose too high of a risk, yet Truthseekers would be able to approach closely without detection."

"They may possess assassins of their own, my love." Irith countered. "You're needed here, where people rely on you. I can't see you walk into your death."

Clin ignored a baffled look from Cendra as he stepped closer to the table. "I understand your concerns, for I share them. Truly. I merely believe we can't be hasty in discarding what Quinla said. An army approaches from the west, one of many we'll face before Spirexia submits. Thousands of men on both sides shall die before we're through, without so much as considering the cities we've yet to take. If such a thing is avoidable, duty demands we take the risk."

Dominax turned to Lalian. "And you? Have you nothing to say, my friend?"

Almost hoping he had been forgotten, Lalian fidgeted with his cloak as his mind quickly pondered. He caught Clin's gaze, peering at him expectantly. Finally, he mustered the will to speak, holding reluctance from his tone. "It's quite the singular dilemma, my lord. Their concerns hold merit, as the risk is high indeed. Yet...perhaps not too high."

"Oh?"

"Consider your own suggestion. Truthseekers may be able to remain relatively close by. They've been well trained, after all. Conder your powers. Should we assess that a large force isn't stationed to ambush you, it may be relatively simple to defend yourself against a small number of combatants. That is to say, if you should need to defend yourself, for treachery isn't certain. I'd say...the risk is manageable, and the reward is worthy." Lalian replied, hating the surprised glances from the women, and seeing an expression of gratitude claim Clin.

"Has the Lanthian's gifted mind finally failed him?" Cendra questioned in shock.

"Such a mind has been of more use than you can hope to imagine." Dominax chided her before returning his attention to Lalian. "Are you certain, my friend?"

Lalian knew the risk if he was wrong. His mind replayed the conversation again and again, assessing every aspect of Quinla's words. There could be no mistakes, no tangible threat to Dominax. Yet as he looked to Clin, he finally nodded.

"This is madness..." Cendra uttered, pulling Cliax closer.

"Very well. I shall trust your judgment. Whatever plots these conspirators hold shall be met with our own, for we'll come prepared." Dominax smirked as he turned to Hesin. "You'll assess this temple for yourself, then ensure that Truthseekers remain stationed around the area at all times. We shall see anyone who approaches in the coming days."

"I don't like this..." Irith said, placing her hand onto his forearm. "You had better come back."

Seeing her clear concern, he cupped her chin gently. "I shall. Let's see what schemes these northern Lords are capable of. They only delay the inevitable."