Vaid Empire: Conquest
is a massive fantasy series that aims to mix
erotica
with the quality of a published novel. New chapters and artwork are released every month for free, with the completely optional possibility to receive early access on the official Vaid Empire Website. The Series focuses heavily on worldbuilding, story, and characters.
The world of Ayphieal is shattered and chaotic, with kingdoms and tribes of six distinctive races vying for territory amongst themselves. It is only when a young human warrior finally pushes back against the chaos that the world begins to shift towards order.
***
1st of Senin, 13 AVE.
Shai Domain, Between Nelzarshi and Zerdril.
"Are you certain you can make the climb?"
The voice came from behind Salik as he peered up at the towering cliffside from the swaying boat. The dark ocean waves glimmered with the orange of the setting sun as they lapped at the steep rock face.
Turning around, his only response came as a firm nod, red eyes peering at his Dril assistant. Seated, she wore all black, her dark hair tied into two knots on either side of her head. Trained to assist him in his tasks, she finished polishing his swords before presenting them. "Better hurry before the sun sets then."
Salik silently sheathed his blades, aware of the danger before him. No light would be permitted to assist his climb.
She stood to help strap a large pack to his back. "There are enough supplies to last you a full month. Afterwards, you'll have to improvise."
"Thank you, Ynisa," he replied quietly before returning his gaze upward. High above the waves, resting upon the frozen edge of the cliff sat The Palace of Palidri. The task ahead was simple. Up the cliff, up the palace walls, and into Representative Sinshi's luxurious little jewel overlooking a village near Nelzarshi. Then he'd wait, documenting whatever he could observe from the shadows.
"Remember, I'll wait for you within the village," Ynisa stated before making a clicking sound with her mouth. The call summoned an Idrae from where it circled above them, the winged creature swooping down to land gracefully upon her outstretched forearm. "Leave your reports atop the highest tower, and Talik here shall leave mine for you."
The faintest hint of a smile was hidden behind Salik's intimidating mask. The plan was clear, yet she dotted over every detail. Still, he nodded once more, peering at the eyeless creature with disapproval. With a long beak and fur the color of snow, she treated the winged blood drinker like a pet rather than a tool. "It's time."
She brought the boat closer to the rocks, allowing him to reach out and cling to the steep cliff. She bowed her head in respect before pushing off the rock surface with her leg. "May you find safety in your assignment," she said formally before grinning. "It'd be a shame to see you dead."
He didn't respond, focused solely upon the coming climb. Slowly, he began his ascent, seeking places to grab. Up and up, he pulled himself, never looking down as the icy wind steadily grew worse.
The sun caressed the horizon as he steadily proceeded, climbing with silent determination. Free of the boat, his thoughts no longer fell back to The Potentate, having been reluctant to leave Varse's side. He wasn't unguarded, of course, for the older Dril had taken refuge within the circular training hall of Salik's childhood. Vesh and his apprentices would protect their leader with their lives, yet he couldn't help but feel unwary at being so far from the man he had sworn his blade to.
Such a separation was necessary. Since the assassination attempt, Varse had effectively slowed the government to a standstill. No longer did he attend Council meetings, their votes unenforceable without his presence. Many Representatives had returned to their private dwellings as they waited for the situation to stabilize.
For months Salik had guarded The Potentate personally, standing at his side as he conducted his secret investigations. Varse was no fool. It'd be impossible to move against Sinshi without sufficient evidence.
Salik grunted as a burst of wind nearly caused him to lose his grip, the icy air pulling at his outfit. He glared as it passed.
The sky turned darker and darker before rock turned to grey brick as he arrived at the palace's foundations. He reached up to grip the edge of a long balcony outlining the wall, peaking over. Though clearly none expected an intruder to come from the steep cliff, he watched as an Arkos guard strolled through the open archways leading inside. The guard peered around lazily before walking away.
Salik memorized the guard's pattern, knowing how simple it'd be to pull him over the edge. It wouldn't do to inspire questions about a missing man, however, and he was forced to wait until the guard passed once more before hauling himself over the ledge.
Varse had studied every record regarding the palace's construction, allowing Salik to know that the dining hall sat just through the balcony's arches. He could sneak though, of course, yet there was a better way.
Using the balcony's railing to reach up to a windowsill, he continued his climb. Up one floor, then another, and a third before reaching the rooftops. A window extending from the sloped roof allowed him to climb up, balancing upon the narrow beam running along the peak of the steeply slanted rooftop.
Peering down, he saw the layout of the small palace as the sun set. A courtyard enclosed the main entrance and three square towers rose from the central structure. Salik marveled at the luxury of it all, never experiencing anything more than the cramped quarters of the training hall. Still, his mind fell to his task, seeing the numerous guards patrolling the courtyard. The realization that virtually none were of the Dril species struck him as odd, for he saw only Arkos, wingless Lanthian males, and even an occasional Tazik. He squinted with suspicion. What Dril felt safer guarded by outsiders than his own people?
He moved along the rooftop. In his studies, Varse had found mention of an access hatch installed by Palidri's previous owner to ease future repairs. Salik found its supposed location, reaching down to slide his fingers beneath the roof tiles. As promised, he felt the movement of a hatch, requiring him to insert one of his blades. His muscles lightly ached from the long climb as he pulled, using leverage to snap open the lock.
The sun dipped below the horizon just as he pulled it open, allowing him to look out with curiosity. Having never seen the ocean before today, he was awed at just how dark the night was. The cliff below the palace fell away into an abyss of absolute darkness, the distant sounds of waves offering the only hint of what lay below.
He lowered himself into the hatch before resealing it, moving silently. No matter how long he must wait, no matter what he'd be required to do, he'd complete his task.
3rd of Senin, 13 AVE.
Kingdom of Harin, Gadrin.
"Magnificent, isn't he?" Dominax's powerful voice echoed in Clin's ear as they stood upon the beach. "Such a curious specimen, yet I'm certain he'll be a valuable asset."
The subject of their study, standing mere feet away and flanked by two guards, Kunir scowled at being spoken about as though he were an object. The chain of his cuffs rattled as he adjusted the cloak hanging from his shoulders. A gift from the Vaid princess that was supposedly his sister, it acted to conceal much of his bare body to his relief, his injuries nearly healed. Now this God Emperor, his
father
, stood before him like an amused God of judgment.
"There's a fire in him, my friend. I sense it. I suspect he despises me, yet all beings may have their use if properly molded." Dominax smirked. "Use that fire to your advantage."
Clin studied the young man wearily, hearing the legion soldiers as they trained along the beach. Cendra would be nearby with Irith, he knew, no doubt utilizing her newly granted command to drill them to her own standards. "He holds your abilities, then?"
"So Drivis claims," The God Emperor replied. "We'll see the truth of it soon enough."
Kunir's scowl deepened at the mention of his captor. He had hardly seen the man during their long journey, delayed by the invasion. He cared little that he was thought of as 'precious cargo', his capture unable to be risked until a foothold in Harin had been forged. After all, what made him so special?
"I shall grant you time to assess him for yourself. Should you judge him fit for your plans, very well. If not, so be it, for I'll find other uses for him." Dominax eyed Kunir a final time before turning to depart, seeking to observe Cendra's progress.
Alone aside from the guards, Clin sighed before approaching the prisoner. They offered warnings as he stepped within arm's length, yet he dismissed them with a wave. "He won't harm me. If he does, damn my naivety," Clin chuckled lightheartedly before shifting his attention to the bound man. "The name Kunir has been passed along. Is that what you call yourself?"
Kunir nodded coldly.
"Then it's a pleasure to meet you, Kunir. You may call me Clin. Preferably Lord, as it seems to assure my men." He bowed his head in greeting. "I'll command them to unlock you, though only after I know what kind of man I'm facing."
"A Lord? No surprise." Kunir scowled. "You nobles love toying with your 'subjects'."
"Noble?" Clin was about to refute the point before realizing he no longer could. It was an odd realization, and he tucked it aside as he stroked his blond beard. "You despise us, then?"
Kunir shrugged. "When you interfere. Leave me alone to live my way, and I won't spare you another thought. Of course, I'm not stupid enough to believe that'll happen now." He jingled his cuffs.
Clin shook his head. "No, I suppose not. You've found The God Emperor's eye, and few ever escape."
"What's his curiosity with me? I revealed my powers, though I doubt I'll be able to again. Desperation is a damned thing."
"He considers you the first of many, an example of what others may become should they share his blood. Already we've begun to search for the first groups of children he sired long ago." Clin sighed. "I shall speak plainly, Kunir. He's granted your services to me, as I seek to form a new Order. Should I see what I must see within you, I shall train you. If not, I shall do what I can to convince him to free you. Others will be along shortly to replace you, and I won't force any man to grant me his sword against his will."
Kunir's sandy hair was caught by the breeze, messy from his imprisonment. "Serve the royals? Should I cast aside my self-respect now, or after you've decorated me in your fine white armor like these fools?" He nodded to the guards at his side, receiving glares. "I'm not your pawn."
"The royals?" Clin shook his head. "That is but a small part of my intentions. A royal guard shall be created, yet what of the citizens? Who shall be their protectors? I seek to form an Order willing to serve the
people
, Kunir."
"Do you now?" He tilted his head with skepticism.
Clin nodded firmly. "We hold a responsibility to our citizens, and I'd see us fulfill it."
"What do you know of the people under your thumb? Are they always brought to you in chains?"
