Draegon: ::the second woman makes a subtle yawn, crawling out of bed putting a robe on. She walks to the curtain-covered windows and pulls the curtains apart, the beautiful morning sun rushing in to greet the two tired people in bed. The first woman awakes with a startled gasp at the sudden light and rubs her eyes::

Jorael: ::waking up with a start, Jorael's hand flashes to the side of the bed, stopping as his eyes take in the two women. Relaxing, he watches them with a mixture of shyness and shame::

Draegon: ::the first woman smiles and lays her head on Jorael's chest, rubbing her left hand along his arm:: Good morning... ::she pauses:: I have never caught your name.

::the second woman walks into the backroom, soon before they know it, a wonderful smell comes from the backroom::

Jorael: ::looks at her hand, then at her, self conscious again despite - or perhaps because of - the evening's passion:: My name is Jorael. And your's?

::He starts to sit up, caught short by the chain, and curses softly. Leaning on one elbow he looks around for his clothes and his sword.::

Draegon: ::she smiles, pulling Jorael to making him lay back down:: Rest, Jorael. My name is Sandira, My friend who went into the back, her name is Jaedina.

::Jaedina comes out with a tray full of food, toast, orange juice, grapes and cut orange and sausages with eggs on the side, she smiles, hopefully towards Jorael:: Is anyone hungry?

Jorael: ::Allowing himself to be pulled back, he looks at Jaedina and the tray of food, realizing that he hasn't eaten since breakfast of the previous day.:: Yes, actually I am quite hungry. Thank you.

::He smiles at Sandira, brushing her cheek lightly with his hand, and sits up once more.::

Draegon: ::Sandira smiles at Jorael's touch:: You are very gentle... ::she smiles holding Jorael's right hand::

::Jaedina sets the tray down and sits on the bed by Jorael with a smile. She begins passing out the food to Jorael and Sandira. Sandira and Jaedina begins chewing and eating::

Jorael: ::He smiles faintly at her, then accepts the food, quickly drinking half of his juice.::

Thank you. And.. ::swallows, frowning down at his plate:: I am very sorry that you have been forced into this.

::Rushing then, as if to flee the thought or topic, he takes some toast and eats it.::

Draegon: ::Jaedina smiles:: It is ok, It is not the first time we have gotten pregnant.

::Jaedina is once again hushed by Sandira, Jaedina looks down shyly::

Jorael: ::Starting to look up at this comment, he stops, looking down at the food again, eating thoughtfully.::

::His attitude slowly becoming more decisive, he finishes eating and looks around for his clothes again.::

::quietly, as he is looking about,:: Sandira, do not shush her when it was agreed we would exchange fulfilling needs.

Draegon: ::Sandira nods:: Yes, sir.

Jorael: ::He pauses, looking at Sandira, taking note of the sir, and nods slowly.:: Thank you.

::He finally spots his clothes on a chair, out of reach, and sighs.:: Would one of you be so kind as to fetch my clothes, please?

Draegon: ::Jaedina stands retrieving the clothes, handing it to Jorael:: I can fetch a guard to release you to let us go out into the fields? It is a very lovely day.

Jorael: ::smiles at Jaedina and nods, dressing as quickly as possible with the limits of the chain:: That would be pleasant. Perhaps it would be a good place to talk, as well.

::looks around, only mildly disappointed:: I take it my sword was removed...

Draegon: ::Jaedina points to the sword that is hanging on the wall:: Your sword is hung for now, For safety reasons..

::she gets up and calls for a guard, A tall, muscle rippling guard comes in and yanks the chain free from the bed post, not giving Jorael a chance to stand. Jaedina cringes at the act but says nothing::

::she and Sandira walk to a lovely grass clearing, to a willow tree that is upon a small hill near a pond. The guard ties Jorael's chain to the tree and stands guard. But Jaedina manages to ask the guard to leave, the guard nodding and walks away::

::Sandira smiles laying the blankets down and she sits upon it, Jaedina sitting as well::

Jorael: ::He looks at the sword and nods.:: To be expected. I'm surprised it's still even in the room. Thank you.

::He gives no sign of surprise or frustration at the guard's actions, merely following as best he might.::

::First watching the guard walk away, he then smiles and sits down on the blanket.:: Nicely done, Jaedina. Thank you.

::Becoming serious now, he looks back and forth between the two:: Now, what can you tell me?

Draegon: ::Jorael notices Sandira giving Jaedina a serious look, forcing Jaedina to look down shyly. Sandira looks at Jorael:: What do you want to know?

Jorael: ::Taking note of the silent exchange, Jorael smiles softly at Sandira.:: You are a wise and cautious woman, Sandira. I respect that. We are in a mutually difficult situation, and it is to my shame that I make demands of any kind. But I have much at stake, including the child you hope to carry.

Draegon has been fascinated by my family for quite some time, to the point that I am not certain that he did not have something to do with Kyoya Isayo bringing my brother, Cordell, to Fantasy in the first place. I would like to know why.

If this is to big a question to answer so soon, then perhaps you can tell me why Draegon would want another man's son to inherit his kingdom, if this is truly what is planned for the child we are meant to produce.

And if this is too much to ask so soon, then at least tell me why he seeks two children now. He already has my brother's son, Corbin. Surely only one child can inherit... ::looks at Sandira intently::

Draegon: ::Sandira gasps at all the questions:: Oh my... I have no idea what he plans to do with the children. I do know Corbin is meant to move out into the wilderness that is beyond these castle walls, He is to inherit Emperor Draegon's Grandfather's kingdom down south, It has been abandoned for centuries.

::Jaedina says very shyly while blushing:: Emperor Draegon searches for bloodlines that he believes may strengthen his... ::Jaedina is suddenly interrupted by Sandira's snapping, Jaedina begins blushing, almost crying::

Jorael: ::Sighing softly, he takes Sandira's hand in his own, covering it with his other hand, looking into her eyes.:: Please understand that I will keep your information as privately as I can. Don't be angry with one another. The three of us have enough trouble as it is. ::smiles slightly::

::Squeezing her hand once, he releases it, sitting back.:: Thank you both for what you have given me. It is sufficient for today. ::looking at Sandira again:: We have a week to pass together, yes? We can exchange bit by bit, eh?

Draegon: ::she nods quietly to Jorael and smiles:: Tonight will be special, just like last night... ::she lets out a small giggle::

Jorael: ::He smiles, laughing once, faintly, and blushing slightly, then blushing somewhat harder as he catches himself looking at her body...::

Draegon: ::she smiles:: You were very... shall I say... ::she runs her finger down Jorael's stomach to his inner thigh:: FULL-filling... If you know what I mean... ::she blushes but laughing slightly:: I absolutely look forward to tonight...

::Jaedina is distracted, a bit away from the two, staring at the pond::

Jorael: ::He smiles, tensing, yet enjoying her touch.::

::quietly:: You flatter me. But I'm glad you can enjoy the necessity. I can't deny that I look forward to it as well. I just.. ::sighs softly through his nose, looking away again, turning his gaze toward Jaedina, by the pond.::

Draegon: ::Sandira nods:: I know how you feel... This is your child.. or children... and there is no love between us.

::Sandira notices Jorael watching Jaedina::

Jorael: ::He looks back at Sandira again, searching her eyes.:: I do not like that you have no choice. Where I come from, an unmarried woman can bring charges against a man, even if there was consent.

::He drops his eyes, his lips searching for words, but failing to find them...::

Draegon: ::she smiles and leans in, kissing Jorael to distract him:: It is ok, I am pleased to serve my Emperor.

Jorael: ::He closes his eyes, returning the kiss, his hand reaching up to cradle her face.::

Draegon: ::she smiles softly, but is interrupted by Draegon as he comes out::

::grins:: I see you two got friendly last night. ::chuckles:: How are you Jorael? ::he shoos Sandira away, she nods and quickly leaves. Seeing Jaedina is by the pond and is distracted, he nods to himself feeling he doesn't need to ask her to leave. He kneels to Jorael:: How are you?

Jorael: ::watches as Sandira leaves, then looks at Jaedina briefly, surprised he left her to stay. Then, looking to Draegon, he relaxes his muscles and smiles, nodding.:: I am well, thank you. You are a most generous host.

Draegon: ::grins:: Don't mind the chain. Have you eaten?

Jorael: ::He smiles wryly, wiping lightly, almost absently at the slight trickle of blood at his neck from the guard's earlier yanking.:: No sweat. And yes, I've eaten. The girls have been most good to me.

Draegon: ::he grins, believing Jorael is almost broken in, but knows he still rebels. Stands motioning to some guards as the gather around Jorael, yanking him up, the chain suddenly tight against Jorael's neck::

We want you to hand your sister over to the kingdom, to be my property.

Jorael: ::Jorael gasps at the tightening, trying to get a breath before it's too late, then noting that it hasn't yet cut off his breath. He forces a grin, then manages to add a laugh.:: My sister? Yeah, right. Dream on, Draegon.

Draegon: ::Draegon backhands Jorael, causing the healing lip to sever more, causing more running of the blood:: You can not deny my request.

Jorael: ::Jorael's head snaps back with the blow. Clenching his jaw as he slowly turns his face back, he glares at Draegon.::

::quietly:: I can. I did.

Draegon: ::Draegon closes all telepathic routes that can get out of this realm and motions to some guards:: Hunt down her sister where the bracelet was last spotted. I want her brought here. Now. ::The Guards nod and runs out:: Your sister will carry many children... It is her new destiny.

Jorael: ::Watches the guards run out, then looks darkly at Draegon.::

::very softly:: I am not Jarred to flinch at killing Corbin's father.

Draegon: ::Draegon places metal plating gloves onto his right hand and walks to Jorael, shoving his fist into Jorael's stomach, but at the same time upwards to shock Jorael's lungs:: Do not threaten me.

Jorael: ::He doubles over as far as the chain and the guards holding him will allow, then turns his face upwards to glare silently at Draegon, winded...::

Draegon: ::in a mocking tone:: Aw, and we were just getting along fine till you had to be rude. ::snorts:: Your sister's abilities will be stifled/removed and she will be among one of the women here... to serve and carry children. ::he stares at Jorael:: I am sure we can manipulate your body to be taller and stronger.. you can make a mighty fine guard..

Jorael: ::He struggles to regain his breath...::
::voice choked and strained with the remaining lack of wind:: If..I had.. any.. intention.. of letting you.. anywhere near her.. I would not.. be here now.

::He pauses then, breathing for a moment:: And oh yes.. Please make me your guard... ::smiles faintly, bitterly::

Draegon: ::chuckles:: Ah. but you see.. your mind will be changed in the process... You won't be the same. ::is suddenly interrupted by Jaedina throwing herself on Jorael:: Emperor Draegon! no! please!

::Draegon growls:: Back away, Jaedina. Now.

::Jaedina begins sobbing, Draegon seeing that she refuses to back away, sighs angrily motioning to the guards to drop Jorael, They nod doing so::

You are lucky she was here. ::Draegon turns and walks away with the guards::

Jorael: ::He slips an arm around Jaedina, both instinctively protective and as the gesture of an ally::

::He watches Draegon walk away, then reaches up to his bleeding neck as he turns to look at Jaedina::

That was a dangerous thing to do. I am grateful.

Draegon: ::she continues to hold him, obviously shaking scared from what she just did:: He will punish me later...

Jorael: ::He frowns, holding her still, touching her cheek with his other hand:: Then why did you do that? You don't owe me anything... You don't even know me...

Draegon: ::she looks up at Jorael:: You are a kind man, That is reason enough...

Jorael: ::He looks at her, searching her face silently for a moment.:: You haven't been here for very long, have you? I am sure there are many kind people under his control. But you won't survive long if you keep trading your safety to aid strangers. I am quite surprised Draegon didn't hurt you on the spot.

::touches her hair softly:: But I am indeed grateful, sweet one. At least he seems to be slow to kill... ::smiles faintly and adds,:: Waste not, want not, eh?

Draegon: ::Jaedina sighs:: My family has been integrated into Emperor Kingdom's family. My 5 brothers are now guards. ::a tear begins to fall:: I no longer recognize them...

Jorael: ::sighs and nods:: I see.

::wraps his arms around her, drawing her close and holding her gently:: I'm sorry. I didn't really have any desire to become a guard, I only said that for effect.

Draegon: ::she calms and feels safe in Jorael's arms:: He will release you in a week... You will be with your family.. I think. I have no idea why he wants your sister though.. ::she sighs:: I was listening to Emperor Draegon speaking, I know something about Corbin that you should know..

Jorael: ::He sighs quietly, sadly:: My sister Kyla is my family. She and my brother, Jarred... And Jarred has been captured.

::shakes his head once and looks at her:: What about Corbin?

Draegon: ::she looks at Jorael:: Corbin is your brother.... in a way...

Jorael: ::looks at her intently, considering::

Jarred told me something to that effect... I found it rather difficult to believe. What do you know of this?

Draegon: I think the name was Cordill? or something like that. Emperor Draegon said his spirit lives in the body of Corbin.

Jorael: ::nods slowly:: Cordell. That is what Jarred insisted as well, only he thought perhaps Draegon didn't realize.

::frowns, thinking:: What did Draegon say of this? Did he say anything else? He caused the pregnancy... but I can't see how he could have had a hand in obtaining Cordell's spirit.... Unless...

::looks at her, hoping she has something to say about it...::

Draegon: ::she thinks and looks at you:: There was this boy that came around, had these jewels in his eyes. Very sweet child, Emperor Draegon used to take over his body to parade around with, as a disguise. I think he figured out how to control the abilities of the boy.

Jorael: ::nods slowly:: Gem Bluestone. Yes, I have heard about him. He was a dear friend of Cordell's, and yes, Draegon was able to use him at times...

::sighs heavily, shoulders sagging:: Cordell killed him once, drowned him, to kill Draegon and stop him from using Gem to betray the dragons that Gem protected... Cordell healed him afterwards, but... Draegon even laughed about it earlier, that Cordell killed an innocent. ::shakes head again:: It may be that Draegon used this to gain a claim against his soul...

Draegon: ::she shakes her head:: The dragon thing was a scheme, a ::she pauses trying to find the word:: a lie to make this Cordill react.

Jorael: ::looks at her and sighs again, shaking his head::

A lie. Then he did it on purpose... He knew. Even then...

Draegon: ::she hugs Jorael tightly:: He knew of what?

Jorael: ::squeezes back, taking comfort in her presence::

Draegon did it to snare Cordell's soul. He manuevered Cordell, to get a claim against him. To get control. There are many forms of control, and Draegon seems quite versed in making use of them all. How he managed to get this done, I still don't know. Nor do I understand why he would put him within his own son, for the one thing Jarred made clear is that Draegon cares deeply for Corbin...

Draegon: ::Jaedina nods:: He has killed guards that have yelled or disciplined Corbin... He is in very good hands... ::she smiles to comfort Jorael::

Jorael: ::snorts softly through his nose, frowning slightly:: No wonder he was such a handful at the castle... No one is allowed to discipline him...

::shakes head again, thoughtfully:: I did not want to return him, but Jarred felt quite strongly about allowing Corbin to love Draegon... And with the castle under seige, it isn't safe for him there.

::sighs heavily, sinking to the ground to sit::

Draegon: ::she kisses Jorael's cheek:: I can talk to Emperor Draegon, to allow him to let you keep Corbin... I believe he was allowing to let Jarred hold him until he failed to keep the child safe.

Jorael: ::smiles softly at her, caressing her cheek with his hand:: Sweet one, I have no illusions about getting out of here without a fight. If I make it, Draegon will either be dead, or in no mood to grant me any favors.

Draegon: ::she smiles at his touch:: But sir, You will only remain here a week... you can wait it out, please? for me, sir? ::she looks at Jorael hopefully::

Jorael: ::He hesitates, gazing at her, not wanting to worry her, but knowing better::

::softly:: Is that why you braved his wrath, begging him not to make a guard of me?

Draegon: ::she runs her hands down Jorael's cheeks, feeling his beard and smiles:: You have a family to take care of, It is not right for you to be harmed or be a guard...

Jorael: ::raises his eyebrows, smiling faintly:: I don't think that will stop Draegon. It is not right for you to be here -

::breaks off, not wanting to voice her situation again::

For you I will try to wait. ::smiles:: I am not one to act rashly anyway. If I see my opportunity before then, however, I make no promises. I will do what must be done.

Draegon: ::she smiles:: Thank you... ::Sandira lunges in, shoving Jaedina aside and begins beating upon her:: You back-stabbing wrench!!! ::Jaedina begins crying in pain, not able to defend herself::

Jorael: ::lunges at the two of them, shocked, coming up short against the chain, but managing to snatch Sandira's ankle, dragging her toward him::

STOP IT!! Stop it now!!!

Draegon: ::Sandira, raging, like an animal, she swings her hand around, clawing at Jorael's face:: Either I get you or no one gets you!!!

Jorael: ::catches her hand and twists her wrist downward in a pressure hold, drawing her slightly toward him as he does so, trying to ease up on the chain and give himself room to move::

::growls:: Control yourself. Now.

Draegon: ::suddenly, Sandira is yanked from Jorael's grasp, he sees two guards holding her, Draegon facing her:: She's in labor, ::he motions to her stomach, which is seemingly bulging and Sandira begins screaming in pain:: Deliver the child and get rid of the peasant.

::Draegon looks at Jorael with a grin::

Jorael: ::stares, utterly confused, thinking he must be mistaking some other girl for Sandira::

::looks at Draegon and backs up for slack, standing slowly, warily, glancing at Jaedina to see if she is all right, then back at Draegon::

Draegon: ::eyes not leaving Jorael's, he motions to Jaedina:: Come.

::she slowly approaches Draegon shyly:: yes Emperor Draegon?

::before Jorael knows it, her belly is bulging as she slowly lowers to the ground screaming in pain::

Jorael: ::starts forward, then stops himself, staring, shocked and horrified, suddenly understanding::

::watches helplessly for a moment, then looks at Draegon, settling into a deep and quiet anger::

Draegon: ::Draegon chuckles:: Don't worry, this is her first time. We'll go easy on her. Sorta.

::The guards carry the screaming Jaedina away::

I think your week is over, Unless you wish to consummate with another female tonight.

Jorael: ::gazes silently at Draegon for a long moment, focusing::

::very quietly:: The week is over.

Draegon: ::he grins as a portal opens, a guard yanking the chain free, not giving a chance for Jorael to do anything, Before Jorael is tossed through, he hears a:: We found your sister, I don't think you will see her for quite a bit. ::Jorael finds himself through the portal and on the ground, the collar still on him::

Jorael: ::lands in a heap, rolling, and scrambling to his feet, glaring at the closed portal, panting and shaking with unused adrenilin::

::softly under his breath:: Liar.. Liar.. ::hisses viciously:: You're lying!

::turns and sprints towards home, snatching angrily at the dangling chain, carrying it in his hands to stop it from swinging about::