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.
***
2nd of Senin, 18 AVE.
Domani, Capital of The Vaid Empire.
The moans of an imperial princess echoed through her father's throne room as Nafalya's Week of Ardon came to an end.
She had served her time, sitting upon the steps of the imperial throne, nude but for the paint decorating her pregnant swell with the symbol of House Vaid. It had been a curious thing to study her father's subjects as they came one by one to pray towards her belly in an endless stream of citizens. Hour after hour, she watched them with silent amusement, noting every tiny emotion she sensed. Sincerity in their prayers for the health of her unborn child came just as often as mere hopes that a royal would remember their loyal display.
Whispers of desire pulsated from every being that came forth. Listening to their prayers, she sensed what came unsaid, eyes sneaking glances. It had been the perfect opportunity to sharpen her greatest weapon. Her thighs sat parted or closed. A hand rested upon her belly, or her leg. Focusing, she studied the reaction of each worshipper, learning what tantalized them most. Some ached at the sight of her exposed body, no secret hidden between her royal legs. Others were taunted by a taste of mystery, a hand concealing what they craved.
She had played her games. Now, moaning in orgasmic bliss, they came to an end.
"Almost there! He's-" Irith squeezed her daughter's hand. The moment the little prince's cries rang out for the first time, she gasped, tears wetting her blues eyes.
"Princess Nafalya of House Vaid, you have a son!" a healer announced, holding the newborn in her arms.
Mind swirling in a haze of pleasure, Nafalya watched her father descend from the throne. Beside her, Hesin watched silently from behind his cold mask as The God Emperor claimed the boy first.
Assessing his new grandchild, Dominax grinned in satisfaction. Raising the boy, his voice boomed through the crowded chamber. "The son of Princess Nafalya and Grand Master Hesin lives! Hail Prince Atrix of House Vaid!"
As the fervent crowds cheered, Nafalya felt Hesin's hand take hers. Glancing to her mate, she allowed the touch, for after all, he had done well.
Resting in satisfaction at fulfilling her father's command, she smirked to herself as the child was passed into Irith's care.
"HAIL PRINCE ATRIX!"
***
The setting sun did little to dampen the celebrations raging through Domani. A new Vaid had been born, and echoes of delight rippled across The Empire to welcome him. Such was what historians would record, of course. The cheers down below, at least, were quite real.
Clin watched from Crescent Plaza. Atop The Grand Pyramid, the masses appeared to be a sea bathed in the light of blazing torches and braziers in the night. Music echoed between buildings, mixing with the laughter and moans of nude citizens.
It was much the same for the nobles gathered around him. When the feasting had ended, The God Emperor had invited them atop Crescent Plaza, displaying Nafalya like a prized pet. As visiting Lords and Mayors talked, drank, and entertained themselves with the company of pretty slaves, the princess rested atop a cushion in the center of the plaza, lounging as she recovered, the new prince at her breast. The boy's father had set himself apart from the crowd, for Hesin leaned against a pillar supporting the plaza's towering entrance, alone. Clin turned to glance at him occasionally, peering between shuffling guests and dancing slaves.
"Well?" Cendra asked at his side, and Clin realized he had stopped listening. When he searched for an excuse, her cheeks grew red with a simmering fury.
"Apologies, my love."
Swallowing her pride, she calmed herself. "I require a simple yes or no. Father has left the decision to you."
"My decision. Of course."
Once more she scowled. "Your decision about my proposal. On the night a Privictis recruit receives his or her Knighthood, they should be required to sire a child. What better way to reaffirm their sworn commitment to serve the population than the knowledge their child is among said population?"
Clin rubbed his weary eyes. "I hear your father in that idea."
"He's made his approval clear. Now, yes or no?"
Pondering, he nodded. "Any reminder of their duty is worthwhile."
As Cendra's lips eased at her satisfaction, he glanced at Hesin in the distance. Following his gaze, she offered a raised brow.
"We have ample time before the recruits are prepared to solidify the details," he said. When her question remained, he peered over once more. "As for tonight, we've yet to congratulate Hesin on the birth."
"Must we?"
Clin took her hand. "Come. You should speak to Nafalya as well."
"She knows of my support."
Clin frowned as they followed the outer edge of the plaza. "Cendra, you're the eldest."
Biting her lip, she sighed. "Fine."
Avoiding the crowd, they made their way towards the solitary assassin. No doubt he watched them in return, his eye always peering from behind his mask. As still as stone, he nearly appeared to be a part of the colossal pillar, a statue carved into a casual pose.
"Lord Hesin," Cendra greeted the hooded man with a tight smirk. "We're pleased by the health of my sister's son. Prince Atrix shall be a valuable asset to House Vaid."
"Ah, our princess," he replied, his voice holding a metallic echo as he looked her up and down. "Thank you. I'm pleased you're still here to see this day. You worried us all after
Kisrin
."
Her lips thinned. Before she could reply, Clin released her hand. "May I have a moment?"
Seeing the firmness of his gaze, Cendra nodded hesitantly. "Very well. I suppose I'll speak to Nafalya," she said before acknowledging the hooded man a final time. "Lord Hesin."
Waiting as she departed, Clin looked around, then scratched his head, as if uncertain what to do with his hands.
"You remain." Hesin stared, his mask expressionless. "Speak if you must."
"Hesin, we're far from young men. Now, we're fathers."
"We also breathe. What other obvious statements should we note?"
Clin sighed. "Our sons share blood."
"As cruel fate would have it, yes. What else?"
Opening his hands, Clin bowed his head. "Hesin, I'm sorry. We shouldn't allow our disagreements to affect our boys."
"Our boys, or you?"
Frowning, Clin straightened. "I've endured your spite. It was earned, I know. Never shall I deny that. Still, after all these years, decades, can we not put aside what occurred?" he asked, meeting Hesin's eye. "For our children?"
"You wield them like shields." Hesin tilted his head. "You know my price."
Clin hesitated. "I've done all I can to apologize."
The statue shattered, for Hesin waved a disgusted hand. "Feed your apologies to the lixidions."
Sighing, Clin rubbed his tired eyes. "I cannot undo my deeds. I cannot restore your family to life, though if I could, I'd-."
"Confess." The word hung between them, as solid as the pillar behind Hesin.
Clin swallowed. "Cendra knows what occurred. I revealed every horrid detail."
Hesin studied the blond man, hatred pouring from his eye. "You burden the girl with your disgrace, yet not her father?"
"He's made his disinterest clear, caring little to prod into our mistakes from before Nitri's fall. So long as we're useful to The Empire, what concern would he show in crimes decades old?"
"All the more reason to confess. Such is the price I offered long ago, and such is my price now. I care little if you're executed or pardoned. You had a chance to tell Nitri's elders the truth, to grant me justice, yet you lied. Speak it now."
Clin folded his arms, looking away. "I have a family, Hesin. Others rely on me now. The smallest risk is too great."
Leaning back once more, Hesin allowed a silence to linger. "I'd grant your family to the same beast for a moment more with mine. There's
my
confession."
"Hesin..." Once more Clin opened his hands. "Please, don't be unreasonable."
Silent, the hooded man offered nothing but a piercing eye.
"One day, I'll confess. I'll lay my sins bare before The God Emperor and let history name me terrible or redeemed. On that day, I'll do so on my terms, when I can no longer do any further good for The Empire's citizens."
He could almost hear a chuckle from behind Hesin's mask. "What good are you to those that are stomped into the dirt by the legions under your command?"
The blond man grimaced. "You know the necessity of war. I mourn those that fall. There are many, and shall be many more, it's true. When the blood dries, we'll have made a world where another drop shall never have to be spilled."
"Spoken as if from The God Emperor's lips."
The amusement in the man's metallic voice was a dagger in Clin's chest. "We all seek the same end, peace for all beings of Ayphieal."
"Ah, don't think I condemn what we've done, and what we'll do. I gladly dip my hands into the mud without hesitation, for such is necessary to create this empire of ours. Still, the same mud stains your hands, and I won't allow you of all people to pretend it doesn't. Play at being a good man if you must, yet every day you deny my family justice is proof of what you truly are."
Without another word, Hesin abandoned Clin to his silence, departing to rejoin the crowd.
Peering at the ground, Clin stood with an empty gaze.
11th of Senin, 18 AVE.
Domani, Capital of The Vaid Empire.
The God Emperor's hand held the soft flesh of the slave's rump. The imperial harem lounged about the throne room, enjoying the cool water of the pools and listening to the soft moans of his current lover.
