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Post by Raimi on Dec 7, 2008 9:18:45 GMT -5
The King's Mates gasped and clung to each other and their children, the King's guards suddenly having drawn their weapons, standing before the King.
Bagnael was the only one of them all that seemed calm. "Stand down." he ordered his guards, who blinked and looked at each other.
Was the King mad? Stand down when these men, who were obviously here to kill him stood right before them??
With a sharp look from their ruler, they slowly put away their weapons and stepped back into place, each wary and watching the officers closely.
"I knew this day would come, however I did not expect it from you, Zadkiel, my most trusted General and Friend. Even though you have challenged me, I do not see it as a hostile action, and in a way, I am glad it is you whom has challenged me." He slowly stood, bones grinding as he did so. "I will accept your challenge, and will meet you in the courtyard for a duel. Would that be sufficient to you, General?" he asked respectfully. His tone contained no mockery.
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Post by Zadkiel on Dec 7, 2008 9:43:21 GMT -5
"It would, Majesty. I thank you for not making this a trouble. I have no wish to harm anyone or to cause your mates and sons strife." He nodded, and his men relaxed.
"Put your weapons away," He ordered them. "In the courtyard then," he nodded before turning, moving to the door, his officers following. Zadkiel had secretly counted on Bagnael's calm. He knew his King would not cause an uproar. He also knew that he would win. Bagnael, no matter how proud, was aging. He would not kill him. Unlike other people who thrived for the crown, he was not here to cause pain and overtake the palace.
Rumors spread like wildfire anyways, through the servents and noblemen. They gathered like moths to a flame about the courtyard. Some were pleased, others were not. Bets were being made on whom would rise as the winner.
Zadkiel stepped into the sandy courtyard, undoing the buttons of his cloak, tossing it aside. His vest followed and he methodically rolled up his sleeves, pacing almost calmly. There was no hurry, no anger to his actions as he waited. There would be guards that would be hell bent to sacrifice themselves for their ruler, but in a duel, they were pressed to stay out of it.
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Post by Raimi on Dec 7, 2008 9:50:27 GMT -5
"Something's going on!!!" one of the Concubines near the window shouted, suddenly they were fumbling over each other, all crowding around the missing wall draped with curtains to look down upon the courtyard.
"Who's that?" asked one, pointing out the pacing General.
"That's General Zadkiel. What's he doing down there??" Kamali asked, squinting. His eyes grew blurry when looking at things too far away, a vice he'd rather have kept secret.
Raimi was at the edge, looking down, Khalil laying beside him.
The King emerged from inside, dressed at the ready, the King's Blade at his side.
The King's Mates were all seated along the edge of the courtyard under a lean, fanning themselves and watching their mate in worry.
"It's a duel..." Latif breathed, and suddenly they were all worried.
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Post by Zadkiel on Dec 7, 2008 9:55:31 GMT -5
As soon as he saw the King, Zadkiel stopped pacing, insead turning to repectfully bow some. After all, he was still his ruler at the moment. "Majesty, it seems we'e incured a large crowd. i would ask that the nobles and servants back up to give us a wider field?" His eyes pierced the crowd and they stepped back as told, some of the King's guards pushing them back.
He had nothing else to say. What was he to say? He drew his sword from the sheath, tossing the belt clip and sheath to the side.
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Post by Raimi on Dec 7, 2008 9:56:01 GMT -5
The King nodded and drew his own blade, "Then, let us begin."
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Post by Zadkiel on Dec 7, 2008 9:59:30 GMT -5
"As you wish." He smirked and the sand flew beneath his feet as he dashed forward.
The fight lasted long enough for them both to sweat buckets, and for the sun to blaze high in the sky. The king was a great fighter still. Had he been young, he would find himself off the edge of the platform in no time. Zadkiel's weapon was heavy in his hand as he once more slashed forward, his foot sliding out through the burning sand to seek the King's, landing the old man on his back off the side of the platform.
He jumped down and pressed his sword to a throat. Panting, he kicked the Kings sword away.
"Do you forfeit?" He asked, sweat dripping into his eyes, matting his dark hair against his forehead, throat burning a he sucked in the humid air.
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Post by Raimi on Dec 7, 2008 10:04:26 GMT -5
The courtyard and the harem grew silent, all waiting with baited breath.
"...I forfeit." the King replied.
His mates erupted into sobs, clinging to each other, Nobles making noises of their own.
He stood with some help from his now former guards. "I only beg of you, Zadkael, to please have mercy on my mates and children."
The Harem was in an uproar, saddened and grieving just as the King's Mates were.
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Post by Zadkiel on Dec 7, 2008 10:12:53 GMT -5
Zadkiel let his sword tip drop to press into the sand, and crubbed at his brow. "I had no intention of harming your mates and sons, you know that. You may take them with you. They are your family," he assured him. He did not want to have the children seprated from their mothers. Most were barely out of diapers.
He finally took his sheath and belt clip to put his sword away, and his men let out a joyous cry of victory, clapping him on the back. The crown was his...he was king...
Zadkiel nodded to the guards. "See that he and his mates are taken where they need to go, and are not harmed. I will even allow you to take what you wish from your rooms Bagnael." With that, he turned, striding for the palace and the shade it offered.
He needed a drink, to get in order what he needed to take care of, and then...then he would visit the harem.
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Post by Raimi on Dec 7, 2008 10:18:33 GMT -5
"...I thank you, King Zadkael." he said, watching at his former guards reluctantly followed their new leader.
His mates swarmed around him, sobbing and clinging, asking if he were alright. He hugged them each. At least he would still have them...and his wonderful children...
They would no longer carry the royal or noble endings to their names, but they had each other...
"This is horrible!!!" cried one of the Concubines as Cadfiel ordered them all back to their pillows.
The new King would most likely head here first, and no matter what, they were to respect him and do as he wished without complaint;
Although none would really do so.
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Post by Zadkiel on Dec 7, 2008 10:23:31 GMT -5
Zadkiel's name was changed to Zadkial and he was given but a moment to clean himself up. There was so much to take care of, and helaid his sword aside, ordering servant tomove his things to the great chambers. He would change them himself, but for now...He down three glasses of water, and appointed his second in command as the new general. Haiel was his greatest friend and the most trusted out of his men.
He was expected to make a speech, but the would come after...for now..
Heheaded for the harem. He had much to do about the boys that resided inside. Some were not to his liking, he knew, and some would have to go, but the rest he would keep. He had no desire to build the harem back up from it's beginnings. Most of the boys were still young.
He only wanted one as his high-mate...and he would have him. He stepped up the watcher, Cadfiel he remembered, and beckoned him to move.
"Have them all stay seated. I will speak to them alone."
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Post by Raimi on Dec 7, 2008 10:34:36 GMT -5
"Of course, Majesty." He said, bowing slightly. "Stay sitting." He called into the room before moving aside for the new King.
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Post by Zadkiel on Dec 7, 2008 11:02:34 GMT -5
Zadkael pushed back the purple curtain and stepped into the room. It smelled of perfumes and make up. Of bath oils and bearers. The room had a large window blocked by a curtain and boys lounged all over pillows, their beautifull made up faces al turned to him. His eyes skimmed over the concubines, but he couldn't pick out Raimi. There were too many.
"As you know your king has fallen, and I've taken the throne," He started, his crimson eyes skimming over them. "I will take care of you as he did, you can be sure. Not one of you will be turned away without compensation and a place to stay." He would have to meet with each of them in turn. It was the only way to pick out those who would stay, and who would go. I would like you all to ready yourselves to speak to me. Cadfiel?" He called past the curtain to the other man.
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Post by Raimi on Dec 7, 2008 11:10:26 GMT -5
Cadfiel was there in an instant, "Yes, King Zadkael?" he asked, bowing once more.
With the new King's back turned, the Concubines began to whisper to each other.
A few seemed excited, this was another chance to become one of the King's Mates. A chance to become a favorite. To top it off, this new King was far more handsome than the former King, and young to boot... And a General?? His body must have been perfection...
Others were worried, would they be turned out? Even if this man said they'd be treated and taken care of, could they trust him?? Would he hurt them during sex? Beat them?
And still, others were hostile. They didn't want a new King. They were loyal to Bagnae--- Bagn. They loved him and he had treated them well.
"Psst....Raimi." Khalil whispered, stretching slightly from his pillow to whisper to the youngest Concubine. "Didn't you know the new King before?? You seemed to know who he was..."
"He was at the feast last night..." He whispered back, leaning over as well. "When I was little, I saw him once... Aparently his mother is a sickly widow, and he would ask me to run errands for him. He was the only one who paid me a coin, others wouldn't give me much of anything save for beads. He was there once and was really nice..."
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Post by Zadkiel on Dec 7, 2008 11:17:04 GMT -5
"Please set up the room next door so that they may speak to me in comfort. And then I will see them one at a time, in order of name. " He could feel the tension and fear thrumming through the concubines behind him. Fear that they would be dismissed and forced upon a new life. And tension, because this was all so sudden. And still, he could feel the glares at his back, the hate. There were those that loved Bagn unconditionally. Those would be the ones to go. He did not need to invite a concubine to his bed only to be threatened with a weapon.
"I will be there in a moment." He motioned for Cadfiel to go.
His eyes skimmed over them again. He wanted to ask for Raimi, but that would already be playing favorites. He would rather speak to him in private anyways...
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Post by Raimi on Dec 7, 2008 11:22:37 GMT -5
Once the man left, Cadfiel returned, calling out their names one by one to go into the next room to speak with the new King.
At first, they thought he was simply going to take them one by one to try and get an heir; after all that was what all new Kings were to do.
But after a few went in and came back, they slowly calmed. He really meant just talk...
Some came back in tears; they were the ones that were going to be tossed aside, and the other Concubines hugged them and comforted them.
Name upon name was called, and Raimi was thankful that Khalil came back, saying he was going to be staying, and he hoped Raimi would be too.
Soon enough, it was his turn, and slowly he stood, shuffling through the room and out from behind the curtain to meet with the waiting King's Guard who escorted him to the next door and held back the curtain for him to enter.
He bowed to the new King, head kept low as he moved forward and sat upon the pillow as told.
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