Slave to the Empire:
Sorcerer 1
As far back as he could remember, Savren Syrenasson always love to watch
his beautiful mother workout in the training hall. Nominally it was forbidden
for those were not to take the oaths of the Dragon Kin to be present, but those
who were of the blood were allowed to watch silently from darkened alcoves. The
endless twirl and spin of his mother's spear cut a pattern through the air,
leaving a trail of blurred silver as the spear's long silver blade sang its song
of death. It was a perfect memory of his mother in her finest form: swift,
silent, deadly. A memory that he would carry with him always.
As he reached puberty, he was tested according to Imperial Law by each
of the Duchesses of the Empire. It was to the Black Tower he would go, to train
and serve his Empress as a sorcerer adept. He tried to keep up a brave face as
he said farewell to his mother, but held on tightly during the last moments they
were together. He would not be allowed to see her again until he had completed
his training and was ritually bound a higher Adept. He was led by the hand to
the portal by the Mistress of the Black Tower herself, and without a sound,
gated them both to his new home.
He spent the first few years amongst the few male noviates in the lonely
chambers that were assigned to them, quietly studying the basics and basis of
magick and sorcery. Magick, he learned, came in several varieties. The first
was High Magick, the manipulation of the world through the rituals and
incantations of the Mages. The second was Elemental magick, which focused only
on the elemental spheres. This was the purview of the Druids and Clerics of the
Empire. The last was Sorcery, whose practitioners had the blood of Dragons
flowing through their veins. High Magick was the most powerful of the schools,
however, Sorcery allowed for more flexibility, at the price of raw power. It
was said a well trained Sorcery Adept was more than a match of any Mage. Savren
spent long hours in the library of the Tower learning all that he could. Upon
his sixteenth birthday, he was called upon to make his Offering to the Lady of
the Spheres, the Goddess of Magick and Patron of Learning. The Offering was
something he was unsure of. His unease was not from the idea of making an
Offering to the Goddess, but what would be considered appropriate. Ever since
he was a child he paid homage to the same Gods and Goddesses that his Mother
followed, the Lord and Lady of the Sky. Savren made his way through the silent
halls of the tower until he reached the chambers of the Lady of the Tower, his
master in the Art. He announced his presence and requested an audience, his
mind clouded by his confusion. The doors of her chamber swung open, and he
entered cautiously. He found the Grand Duchess of the Marches of the East at
her vanity as she brushed her waist length hair. Her eyes flickered to him, and
then back to her reflection. He stopped his progress as he saw a pair of slaves
dozing in her bed.
"You may approach childe." She set her brush down.
"Forgive me for disturbing you Master."
"Yes?" She swiveled on the stool to face him. "Something troubles you,
yes?"
"Yes Master. I am unsure of what to make as my offering."
"You do understand the nature of the ritual involved, do you not?"
"Yes and no." Savren frowned. "I understand the Oaths of the Dragon
Kin, and the Blooding of the Nightfall Clan, but the Offering I don't
understand."
"You have the blood of the Dragon running through your veins. You are
not the first Sorcerer apprentice to voice confusion and misgivings about the
Offering." She spoke. "The next moon is in an eight day. That is when you are
to make your Offering. Before then, I want you to bring me a report on the
history and nature of the Offering. You are to include all the information that
you think pertinent to the ritual. You will present this report to me in two
days, is that clear?"
"Yes Master."
"Come here." She ordered.
Savren crossed the space between them and stood quietly before his
Master. She reached up to stroke his face gently before slipping a small tag on
the chain he wore around his throat.
"Almost a man." She whispered. "Your mother would be pleased to see
how you have grown in her absence."
"I miss her." He whispered.
"I know." The half elf replied. "You will see her again after your
noviate."
"Yes Master."
She removed her hand. "You are dismissed pet."
Savren bowed low, backing away. She resumed her brushing as he left.
He returned to his chambers, his hand finally bring the small tag to his sight.
It was a pass for the Tower Library. With a sigh he gathered his writing
utensils and blank scrolls, then made his way across the Tower to where the
Library resided. The Tower at its base was more like a pyramid than a tower,
with actual tower extending from the pyramid's apex. The whole structure was
carved from the living rock of a mountain, with several work rooms and training
halls built into the mountain itself. Great storerooms and halls honeycombed
the mountain and pyramid, with the living quarters and dormitories of the
resident Magick users and their students' right below the tower itself. The
Tower library was located at the base of the tower, where many of the
instructors had workrooms and offices. Savren showed his tag to the guards that
roamed the halls and finally to the Librarian, who said nothing as she ushered
him into the chamber. The room was circular, with many levels. Desks and
tables dominated the open center of the chamber, with bookshelves and scroll
racks lining the walls. There were several mages present at this time of night,
including a black robed Necromancer from the Nightfall Clan. Those that follow
the path of the Dead always made him nervous, and her dead stare did not help
his confidence.
He handed a request for books to the Librarian, who nodded and quickly
retrieved them and set them on a table near the center. He sat and opened the
largest tome, a history of the Empire and began to read.
The Empire, he read, was founded over a thousand years ago by Kalythi
tro'Hellyn, a half elf from what is now known as Iilead. Wars were commonplace,
and the borders and rulers changed with frightening regularity. Kalythi was a
Knight of the Lady of Storms, and with the ever chaotic nature of the world,
soon found herself without home or people. She gathered several followers to
her, all females like herself, and led a grand crusade to try to stop the whole
sale slaughter. Many tribes rallied to her banner as her victories grew, but
there was discontent amongst her followers. Treachery and betrayal grew from
several of the men under her command, and her forces were scattered and
defeated. She gathered the survivors, mainly females and children, and led them
over the mountains into what would become the Empire. The capital was founded
on the shore of the great inland sea, a huge freshwater lake from which the
great Tiberion River linked it to the sea. There she established the first laws
of the Empire. Males would be forever regulated to property, subservient to
females. The capital city grew as more followers entered the Empire from the
outside world, prominently the Moon Elf tribe. Harried and near extinct, the
tribe sought sanctuary amongst the Empire's growing population. The Empress
greeted the Matriarchal tribe as lost sisters, giving them fertile lands to the
south in which to build their enclaves. In time, the laws governing males were
codified and in some cases loosened so that other races besides human and elf
would not feel constricted. The Dragons that inhabited the mountains to the
north made pacts and treaties with the newly arrived human population, and a
symbiotic relationship that would become the Dragon Kin began. However, there
were forces in the outside that would not see this new realm take form. A great
army descended upon the Empire, intent on destroying it once and for all. The
Empress led her forces into battle with her allies, emerging victorious at the
Battle of Pyramid Rock. The Empire was secure. At the end of the battle, the
Empress awarded each of her four Generals with Duchies, and the Empire was
divided into five Prefectures, each ruled by a Grand Duchess. By tradition, the
fifth duchy was the Imperial Prefecture and ruled by the Heir to the Empress.
The other four Duchesses each made Offerings to their respective Goddesses,
establishing the tradition of the Offering. Through the ages this ritual
continued in remembrance of those who had fought for the Empire.
Savren closed the book. He unrolled a scroll and began to write his
thoughts on the history of the Offering before continuing onto a second book.
The second tome was smaller, but was more of a detailed essay on what it meant
to make an Offering to a Goddess.
To make an Offering, he read, was to make a sacrifice. This sacrifice
does not mean a death, but something of value, something that has deep meaning.
There were some Goddesses who would accept pain and blood as an Offering, but to
do so would tempt the Goddess to take a rather active interest in the affairs of
the one making the Offering. Those that worship the Patron of Magick often
created spells or rituals specifically for the Offering, some new piece of
learning or magick that might please the Goddess.
Savren leaned back into his chair. He then wrote further on his
thoughts on the act of Offering, and what it meant to make an Offering. He felt
his stomach spasm as a cold hand touched the back of his neck. The scent of
jasmine and orchids flooded his nose as a pale face lowered itself into his
view.
The Necromancer said nothing, just studied his face with her dead eyes.
Necromancers for the most part were not truly dead, but their powers and
abilities often gave them the appearance of undeath. Her fingers massaged the
back of his neck gently, and her whisper echoed through him.
"You are on the verge of manhood childe. I smell the change in you as
you grow. Be wise in the choice of your Offering." Cold lips nipped at his ear
as she withdrew. Savren was not an innocent when it concerned the better sex,
but it unnerving nonetheless. He was still a virgin, and knew his virginity
would bring a horde of suitors willing to relieve him of it. Once his virginity
was gone, his chain would be replaced by a collar. He found it amusing to
observe those who had been taken as slaves that never knew the gentle touch of a
Mistress. The world outside the Empire was still as chaotic as ever, although
much of the chaos had been 'contained' in several Realms. He read the last tome
quietly to himself, the book containing many essays on the spiritual nature of
the Offering, and what benefits could be obtained. Savren rubbed his eyes as he
finished writing, and then gathered his materials to return to his room. The
morning bell chimed as he set his scrolls down, informing him of the morning
meal. Wearily he left his room and made his way to the dining hall where the
students and instructors shared their meals. There were only about one hundred
students currently undergoing training, nearly all of them female. Only a
handful of male students were accepted for training, and the training they
received was a far cry from that of female students. He accepted a plate of
stew from one of the servants and sat at one of the empty tables. He ate
quickly, feeling the eyes of many upon him as he finished his meal. He hazarded
a quick glance at the instructor's tables to see the Necromancer who spoke with
him earlier watching him intently.
"Is there a problem boy?" One of the room monitors spoke.
"No Mistress." He replied.
"Then why are you watching the instructors?"
"I had an encounter with the Lady Necromancer earlier this morning
Mistress."
"Ah." The woman nodded to the Necromancer, who approached. "Did he
offend you Mistress Trelyana?"
"He interests me." She replied. "He has potential."
"Yes," The monitor agreed. "If he doesn't manage to get his spirit
broken with his disrespect." She bowed to the Necromancer, and then returned to
her wandering the hall. Lady Trelyana slid into the seat next to the young man.
"Thank you for your kindness Mistress." Savren spoke quietly, his eyes
fixed to the empty plate before him.
"I will see you in my chambers after the noon break." She ordered.
"Yes Mistress."
And she too left him.
Savren spent the morning worried. He had been called to task before,
and once even before the entire student body for punishment. All throughout his
morning classes it stayed a part of his thoughts. He found himself wondering if
he too was to become a lover of death, trying to explain away his strange
attraction to the Necromancer. During lunch he kept his eyes firmly fixed upon
the plate before him.
"So you have an appointment with Lady Trelyana." He jumped in his seat
as his Master appeared by his chair.
"Yes Master."
"I will have a word with her about you before she leaves for her
chambers. Are you worried?"
"Yes Master."
"Is she the one?"
"Master?"
"Will you give your chain to her?"
"I-" Savren was speechless. The thought of offering the Mistress his
virginity never crossed his mind.
"Whatever you choose will be acceptable." She stroked his hair. "This
may be one of the only free choices you have in your life, think fully before
making it."
"Yes Master." Savren replied. "Thank you Master."
Lady Danae moved away and seemed to glide across the floor where she
paused at Lady Trelyana's table. He saw his Master lean close and speak with
the dark woman before the two leave the hall. Without another bite he pushed
his plate away and stood up. He returned to his room to return his tome to his
desk before making the trip to Mistress Trelyana's room. The walk to her
chambers was quiet, and he swallowed nervously as he knocked on the ancient
door. It opened soundlessly and he entered. The room was spartan, as were most
chambers of instructors. There was a large bed against the far wall, several
bookcases, worktables, stools, and soft chairs. Dominating the room was an old
wingback leather chair, upon which sat Mistress Trelyana. Her black robes were
pulled close about her, the hood up, casting shadows upon her alabaster skin.
Her eyes seemed to glow under the hood. There was a huge wall cabinet behind
her that seemed to give the room a lived in nature.
"Enter childe." She spoke.
He approached her, kneeling before her feet in obsolescence. He heard
the door click as it shut.
"I have thought of many pleasures to take of you." Her hand reached out
to raise his eyes to hers. "I want to see your tears, hear your cries of pain,
of pleasure." Her finger traced his jaw line. "But you are not a man. Not
yet."
He opened his mouth to speak but closed it quickly.
"You may speak."
"Does Mistress want my chain?"
Her fingers slid down his throat to take the thin chain between them.
"It would give me great pleasure to take it. But you must offer it
freely." Her eyes pinned him in place. "Are you offering it?"
He trembled in her gaze.
"No. You are not yet ready." She released the chain. "Strip."
Savren gracefully rose to his feet and disrobed, allowing her to touch
and feel his body. She slid forward in her seat and gently laid him across her
knees. Her hand strayed between his legs to feel the rising erection. It was a
sharp contrast of warm flesh to cold skin. Her remaining hand rested on the
small of his back, rubbing small circles.
"Are you ready?"
"Yes Mistress." Savren replied, breathless.
"Normally I would string you up and whip you till you bled. Perhaps
paddle your ass black then rape you." The hand strayed up to this cleft and
teased the brown rose within. "I take great delight in pain childe. However,
your Master has stayed my hand this time, citing your youth. I have agreed with
her on this instance, but you will be punished." She hand landed like a
thunderclap on his ass. He yelped and almost rose straight up if not for her
other hand firmly holding him down. Tears blurred his vision as the heavy
spanking continued. He tried to remain still as her hand landed again and
again, his erection rubbing against the soft fabric of her leg. After thirty
swats he was let up, her hand grasping his raging erection and jerked it
mercilessly. Her hand was like a vice on his penis as her eyes found his.
Without a sound she rose, her hand stopped its motion and held him firm. His
mouth opened slightly as she kissed him, her tongue stabbing into his mouth.
She raped his mouth, using lips, teeth, and tongue to take her pleasure of him.
She released him suddenly and moved to her bed.
"Get out."
In the darkest corners of his mind, he knew what he would offer.
