Karden's Thoughts

Karden watched eagerly on the shore, following Vrasha's swim into the lake. He knew it would not take long for the water to overwhelm her rationality. Vrasha was very strong willed, but even she was only human in the end and the water of Gelmina was designed to break down humans. It was hypnotic, carrying a trace of suggestion which grew stronger and stronger the more pure the water you were exposed to was. Vrasha had been able to partially resist the water served in the palace but now she was being exposed to the original source. She had no hope at all, and just to be sure Karden had spent the day priming her with suggestions. By the time she got back she would be a willing **** in body, mind and soul.

He felt a grin tugging at his lips, the ideas filled his mind as he watched her sleek and graceful. Oh, the things he would do with her. Obviously, his ambitions stretched beyond mere lust - he wanted to rule an empire - but having Vrasha as his loyal and submissive wife would certainly not hurt either. With the power of the alliance he would use her to forge between Gelmina and Khol-Hon, Karden would be assured the spot of mayor. Then, he would rule Gelmina in his own right and Khol-Hon through Vrasha. It would take some years to rebuild and properly merge the two kingdoms, but that would be fine. Thanks to the water that Kazum had created, Karden would live for a very long time. Not forever, though he was hoping to figure something out on that score, but for long enough.

Power. It was all about power when it came down to it. He almost felt giddy. He would have power over Vrasha, power over Khol-Hon and power over Gelmina. The seed of an empire which might one day stretch across the continent. Vrasha's father had been right to try to expand his land, but he had been foolish as well and far too simple. **** of arms would never work alone. One had to be smart and use their resources properly. With the gift of longevity that Gelmina could offer, Karden would make many allies in many nations. Using their resources, he would extend the **** network, utilise Gelmina as a source of willing slaves who would go off to do everything their masters desired. That would make Gelmina money and with money came influence. After a few decades of that, Gelmina would rule those nations too in all but name. And soon even in name.

Everything was falling into place. Assuming that the water actually got her. He felt the slightest disquiet about that. Vrasha had been resistant so far. There should have been no way for her to fight back against the water source, but what if she did?

He half turned; Kazum was standing a little to the left. The archmage looked extremely uninterested, but his presence was comforting. Kazum had been one of his first supporters. Though really it was a relationship of mutual parasitism. Kazum could not be bothered to play politics or deal with the face to face workings of the city so Karden arranged all of that for him. He saw to it that his students were fed, he provided fresh slaves, material to work with, resources and magical items. In return, Kazum supported Karden in numerous small ways. Helping him to charm allies or remove enemies.

They were not really friends; it was more like they were each using the other. But they both knew it and over the years it had become a strange sort of mutual respect. Karden respected the power and authority that Kazum had. And Kazum respected the ambition and drive which allowed Karden to forge his path to empire.

Karden relaxed. If Vrasha returned without being enchanted, Kazum would simply overpower and capture her. His future plans benefited them both too much for the mage not to help. Then they would simply break her the old fashioned way. It would take longer perhaps but the result would be the same.

Yes. Everything was going exactly as it should.