The Death of a Tyrant's Concubine

CHAPTER 02 - Raincatcher

***

The ceremony was rather brief and underwhelming. As expected for a man with a hundred concubines, these matters needed to be swift work.

The sun relinquished its reign to a crescent moon, casting a silvery light as we gathered in the dining hall. Like much of Stormgard Castle, the space was open to the night air, with flowing diaphanous curtains swaying gently in the breeze. We took our places at the polished sea-salt table, the feast laid before us a mockery of celebration.

Father and Sylvos sat at opposite ends, while I occupied the emperor's right hand, suffocating under the weight of his conversation. With each quick-witted remark he made, my dinner grew increasingly difficult to swallow.

"Y-your Majesty," Skye piped up, her voice trembling.

Claude and I shot her daggers, igniting a deeper blush across her cheeks.

"Yes, Princess Skye?" Sylvos replied gently.

"I-I heard you have unicorns. Is that true?" she stammered.

He smiled, a glint of something darker in his eyes.

"Yes, I acquired them during my first conquest in the forests of Flynmoore. We've been breeding them since then. In three years, we might have a cavalry of these fierce beasts."

"That's amazing," she marveled, her pale eyes sparkling with wonder. "I've always wanted to see one."

"They've cost several of my men their eyes," he chuckled, a low, menacing sound. "Their tempers are rather unruly."

"Perhaps they aren't meant to be tamed for war," I interjected, my voice slicing through the hall.

Silence blanketed the table, only the soft scrape of my knife against the silver plate shattering the stillness. Sensing the unease, Father filled the void with a hearty laugh.

"I suppose any beast can be tamed," he joked, but the humor felt hollow.

"Have you tamed many a beast here at Drakfjord?" Sylvos asked, leaning in with curiosity. "Your island is rather mysterious, after all — I wondered what secrets it might hold."

A tense silence settled over the table. My sisters and I exchanged wary glances, careful not to show our unease.

"Our only treasures are our storm-forged gems," Father said.

Sylvos watched him carefully, before finally leaning back in his seat.

"And of course, your lovely daughters," he said, his eyes sliding over to me with a sly smile.

I imagined that very smile as I cut through my chicken.

Skye, in her usual way, broke the tension. 

"What's the scariest creature you have?" she asked excitedly.

Sylvos' dark eyes glinted with amusement as he pondered her question.

"It must be my wyrm," he replied, his voice low and dangerous. "I possess only one for now, but he's large enough to swallow twenty horses whole. The fire he breathes has turned the tide of several battles in my favor."

Skye's eyes widened, completely captivated.

"Though the creature will do me little good in my conquest of Driftwoode," Sylvos continued. "It cannot traverse the rivers or swim the shores of its capital. I'm hoping to capture a kraken, but their sightings are rather rare these days."

"Doesn't Driftwoode have a kraken of its own?" I asked, taking a deep sip from my goblet as I held Sylvos' gaze. "You better ensure the one you acquire is larger. Or your next conquest might not be so lucky."