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.
***
23rd of Twic, 15 AVE.
Kingdom of Harin, Winexia.
"A catastrophe..." Clin said as he dropped the message cylinder onto the floor, running his hands through his blond hair. He wanted to tear it all out yet calmed himself as he saw Hesin's peering eyes from across the map table. A deep sigh eased from his lips as he supported himself on his knuckles, feeling as if the world were beginning to spin. "Our scouts report sightings of wreckage and bodies flowing downstream, and still we hear no word from Kisrin. This is..."
"Yes, a catastrophe. You mentioned that," Hesin replied. The only other person in the command tent outside the besieged city of Winexia, his voice sounded metallic behind his mask. "I wonder if our Princess Cendra shall return to us."
Peering across the table, Clin met the eye of his fellow advisor. Was he smiling behind that mask? A viscous grin from ear to ear? Ever unreadable, it was impossible to tell for certain. Clin clenched his fists harder. "We've had our differences, yet if you gloat now..."
"I'm sorry for your loss." The assassin's posture remained still. "Your boy Cliax doesn't deserve to lose his mother.
No
boy does. Seeing as Salduin isn't here, I'll try to pray for Cendra's safe return, however useless that'll be."
Momentarily stunned, Clin found himself wordless. In the end, he cleared his throat and eased his muscles. "That...would be very kind of you."
"For your boy," Hesin said coldly before the tent's entrance opened. The God Emperor stormed inside like a raging typhoon, hands open as if they were claws readying to strike at whatever disturbed him.
The advisors remained frozen as Dominax approached Clin, grabbing his shoulder. His silver eyes burned into his own, containing an agony that threatened to consume them all. Their ruler's deep voice came harshly. "I sense her, Clin. She lives. I know the extent of her love for you, and so I shall make you a promise. Wherever she is, she
shall
return."
Behind them, the tent opened once more to allow Irith inside. She hurried over to her mate, placing her hand upon his forearm. "My love...I'm so sorry! I just heard. I can't imagine your worry. We'll continue to send scouts until Cendra is-"
Dominax brushed her hand away, turning to her with a calm coldness. "I stated she wasn't ready. The risks were clear, yet I placed my trust upon our bond and acted against my better judgment.
That
shall never again occur."
Irith's lips parted as she struggled to reply. "Surely you don't blame me for-"
"My daughter lives. She shall return, or she shall perish," he cut her off, his words dripping with disgust. "Either outcome shall be of your doing,
my love
."
The rage in his tone was a dagger to Irith's belly, unable to keep the devastation from her expression. She said nothing as he tore through the entrance, leaving the trio in silence.
"I'm sorry, my lady," Clin said as he moved closer. "He-"
"He's in pain. He doesn't mean what he says," Irith replied quickly, regaining control over her emotions. "I'll tend to Cliax. Whatever assistance you require with him I shall provide."
Clin nodded in gratitude before thanking her. He looked to the map carved into the table, seeing Kisrin. A tightening of his chest forced him to grit his teeth, trying to calm himself. "She'll return...my lady. I know it."
25th of Twic, 15 AVE.
Domani, Capital of The Vaid Empire.
"Well? Are you prepared?" Lalian asked. He stood before the doors to the hallway. At his side, Anthara knew the corridor led from his tower into the rest of The Grand Pyramid.
"Are you? This is quite a show of trust," she replied. Dressed in her green shawl, she touched where a long chain was connected to the tight collar locked around her neck. She contained her irritation, feeling like a pet on a leash as Lalian held the other end of the chain.
He hesitated as he touched the door, granting her a final glance as he dared to meet her eyes. "My trust is a calculated risk. Don't make me look foolish by breaking it."
Her expression eased as she saw the worry in his eyes. He pushed open the door and they were on their way. For the first time in months Anthara departed the tower of her imprisonment.
It had required quite a while to convince himself, yet today, Lalian permitted her to accompany him as he went about his duties. The cruelty of keeping her locked away was never far from his mind, and notably, she would need to be exposed to life within The Empire if she were to join them. Even that was quite a large
if.
Anthara strode proudly at his side, doing her best to ignore the curious eyes of those they passed. Servants hurrying about the decorated white halls bowed their heads in respect towards Lalian, yet their gazes burned into her skin. She felt them, these
humans
, gawking at her as if she were a rare animal.
They followed the many twists and turns of the internal structure within the gigantic fortress, and she began to wonder just how Lalian knew where he was going. Every turn they took, every long flight of stairs they ascended, her awe of the place steadily grew.
"If you've offered a lie by claiming to have designed this...mountain, I'd be
quite
disappointed," she muttered.
"Such was the truth. Whatever the extent of my weaknesses, you'll find few here." He tapped the side of his head with a smile.
They continued until they reached a large door. The guards permitted their entry, bowing before her captor. Lalian led her into what appeared to be a large workshop of sorts, its floor lined with tables and shelves of various sizes and purposes. Wooden slabs with odd designs carved into their surfaces were scattered throughout the room in neat collections, accompanied by various stone and wood sculptures in the shape of tiny structures and statues. Men and women went about their duties quietly, pausing only to glance at her.
Swallowing as curiosity began to claim her, Anthara looked around as Lalian summoned the workers into a group around them. To her surprise, she watched him address his subordinates with enthusiasm, receiving their reports and discussing corrections upon several designs. Here, surrounded by fellow architects, the nervous little Lanthian was gone, replaced by an artist discussing his craft. She couldn't help but smirk.
They visited three other identical workshops, each focused on several different projects. She watched Lalian closely, seeing the way others followed his every word with close attention. Most stared when they first saw her, of course, and she couldn't help but feel a sting of embarrassment as they eyed her collar. Still, she wouldn't grant them the honor of seeing her blush.
"Ah, now this is a singularly exciting occasion," Lalian said as they departed the final workshop. He closed a message cylinder as they walked, having been delivered by one of his workers. "It appears our next meeting is with the owner of Niria's quarry."
"Exciting, Lalian?" She avoided meeting the gaze of a servant as they walked. A human Administrator passed them next, showing no discretion as his eyes traveled down her exposed green legs with interest. "So you say..."
Her doubts were brushed aside when they reached the throne room. Entering through one of the side entrances, her lips parted as she took in the sight. Not since the day of her capture had she been brought back into the magnificent chamber, yet never could she forget what she had seen. The white pillars, the water, the vegetation, the golden throne. Even the human women lounging about the room, their bare bodies a testimony to the power of their master. She couldn't help but bite her lip, more than a little curious to meet this so-called God Emperor of Lalian's.
Men and women of obvious wealth went about their day, passing through the busy chamber. The presence of the harem removed some attention from her, yet dozens of eyes still snuck a glance or openly stared. A child of a visiting High-Lord asked to touch her wings before her father pulled her away. Not all were human, and when they passed by an Arkos trader, she received a harsh glare. Anthara met it with one of her own.
Their contact waited by the gigantic open main doors, dwarfed by their size. A large man in a robe of vivid orange, he greeted Lalian with respect. She watched as Lalian granted him several small wooden slabs, hearing them discuss measurements. She understood more than enough of their tongue to know when they were haggling over price and was surprised to see Lalian hold his ground. The large man bowed in respect as their business was concluded, and once more she found herself amused as Lalian led her away.
"I've placed an order for a particularly special project. When The God Emperor returns, he'll find a suitable monument to his victory," Lalian explained with enthusiasm.