Empire 6: In the Court of the Horned King

[Zayuz]

The Warchief Kylisa is guided through these strange lands, simultaneously relieved and reluctant to see an olive branch extended between the Crimson Kingdom and her own peoples. The invitations were gifted to the four kingdoms intertwined with her dynasty, who had ultimately proven themselves worthy against the host of cannibals thrown against their gates. She travels with her designated paladin guide and however many of her family deign to come with her, as well as her friend from youth - Seek Makoa. The two girls seem ultimately impressed by the lavish lifestyles and immense respect that the paladins command; and the deadly efficiency with which they've dispatched their blightspawn. That their people paid reverence to their king, presumably a mortal, was somewhat laughable between the two. ...But terribly clever. Who would dare revolt against their king and god? The power that the role would wield would doubtless be intoxicating. Kylisa got a fine scolding from her clergy friend when she brought that idea up. Some people just didn't get it.

The price for all of this was quite unsettling. Slavery is something that Kylisa was tentatively used to, but never with such discipline and efficiency. Her slaves were merely servants paid instead with room and board, nothing quite like this. Her typically smug and playful attitude was washed away in isolated moral deliberation, caught between the idea of a power she craved that disgusted her all the same. Maybe it would be easier to stomach if the slaves were not her own race? Seeing humans among the chaff here was nothing less than heart-breaking.

Finally they arrived at the palace, and the shower of flower petals did manage to pick up her mood a little bit. Compared to the Horned King she was miniature, a few inches shy of six feet. She was decorated in fine white robes that were appropriately formal, accompanied by a host of sparkling green jewelry that the Blessed Vale was well known for. The robe was made to be cut in places to show the scintillating scales that marked some rare parts of her skin, the physical manifestation of her bloodline's gift and the medusa-blood that ran through her veins. The robes had not been her travelling clothes. Rather, she had brought them all the way here with the help of a servant of her own. If permitted she would also be under at least a three man guard, but she figured it wouldn't really do her any good anyways so it wasn't a point of contention.

She stared up at the King with guarded awe, taking a breath as she spoke. "It is... Good to be among the strong. I am Warchief Kylisa of Alqar, blessed daughter of Thalaz'ir Haraman and Merine, and wife of Tšrãák." For any of those names among them, she would gesture to them to allow introductions before any questions were posed. Given the chance (likely after the king answers Rose), she asks with a curious (and somewhat teasing) tone: "When might we expect the next horde to arrive at our doorstep? The men need not stand guard upon a border that poses no risk, and you claim now to offer your hand in friendship."