You have a meeting with the Lord of the Black Cloaks Susan is invited

It was several hours later when the Lord of the Black Cloaks reported in to your castle. Now, that may have seemed tardy at first, but you knew something that most other people did not. The Lord of the Black Cloaks was based in the capital of the empire, a place a full week away even with a good horse. Which meant that the fact that he was here in several hours? That wasn't just good, that was scary.

You were waiting in your chambers for him, the room laid out for a meeting. The place was mostly bare, but for a fine carpet, a warm fire, and a single table in the middle of the room. Along the walls, there were sofas, soft and comfortable, and the smell of roasting food wafted through the air as the servants prepared for his arrival. In spite of all of this, however, you were nervous. You never liked to be so close to a man who could kill you where you stood. The Lord of the Black Cloaks was a legendary man, a man of the sort who, according to fable, could kill anyone, anywhere, anytime. You didn't buy that, but you certainly believed he could kill one wayward princeling.

There would be no guards during your meeting. You wanted the man to work for you, so there would be little point in guards. However, that didn't mean you were unarmed. You tucked your dagger into its sheath, and wore a loose set of mail under your clothes. Neither of these would stop a determined ****, but they would hopefully buy time for help to arrive. Even so, you knew that you were taking your life into your hands by even meeting the man.

You spent a long time looking into the mirror, seeing your own face reflected back at you.

"You're a man now Kanor." You hissed to yourself. "Did you think it would always be easy? Did you think that it would comer for free? You want the throne, the crown, the empire? Then earn it, damn you. Face the assassins, and get the measure of them, because some day, they might come for you for real."

You took breath, fortified yourself, and nodded to the mirror.

You were ready.

You gestured for a servant to lead the man into the chamber, and after a short pause, they did so. The Lord of the Black Cloaks was a tanned man, who looked to be in his forties. His form was wiry, but with a good deal of power, and scars crisscrossed his body. His eyes were hard, and the set of his mouth was cruel. he was clad in travelling leathers, and a long cloak from which his group drew their name. He looked like any other hired thug, right up until you looked into his eyes. Those eyes were more than hard, they were glacial. They were eyes that had watched men die - kings and emperors and peasants alike - and done nothing, felt nothing. They were the eyes of someone who would strangle the universe for a copper, and to whom all of mankind was just a bounty ready to be collected.

You shivered when he looked at you, his amused turn of the lips suggesting he knew exactly how much you feared him.

"You called for us, Lord Kanor?" He said, his tone was polite, but his face made a mockery of it. He was taunting you, laughing at the fact that in your castle, and in your very chambers, he was the one who held all the power. Bastard.

"I did indeed." You said. "Drink? Food? You came a very long way in a very short time, it's the least I could do to offer you refreshments."

"I don't need such things." The man said simply.

"You don't need to drink?" You asked. "Surely if that were the case, you'd be dead by now."

"I was dead once." The man said. "It didn't stick."

Lying. he was lying to you, using his reputation to try and unsteady you. Magic existed, but you knew of no way that the dead could walk again. nevertheless, the look in his eyes...

"Then, perhaps another type of service." You said, clapping your hands. Instantly, two doors to the inner chambers swung open. From the first, there stepped the maid, Sarah. One of your current sex slaves. She was clad in fine silks of blue and green, under which she was naked but for her pierced nipples, and the chains which ran from them to encircle her wrists which were held together against her waist. The chains were long, but not very strong, however, that did not much matter to you. The point was that with each step, she tugged on her breasts painfully, ands she was constantly reminded of her nudeness.

From the other door, there emerged another figure. The Princess Susan. {If Defiance <=10}Her gaze was lowered, she looked like she could not believe where she was. Her lithe, young body was clad in golden silks, which were semi-transparent. Below those, her breasts were naked, her nipples nestling nicely against the fabric. She looked like she was about to cry, but dared raise not a word against you as she walked slowly into the room. {elseif Defiance =>20}She was scowling and angry. her hands were down at her side, but you could see that they were balled with defiance. Those same eyes which had taunted you before were present again, and though she was clad in golden silks, which was semi-transparent as to reveal her body in an alluring way, she still seemed determined to resist you.

You took a deep breath, and then exhaled, telling yourself that such resistance did not matter. {else}She walked slowly and reluctantly into the room, her body was naked save for golden silks which had been draped over her, they were semi-transparent, so as to show off her body. She strained against them, trying to hide herself as much as possible, but it was clearly a losing battle. {endif}

The Lord of the Black Cloaks looked at her for a moment, and then turned to you, his expression was one of curiosity.

"Is that not the Princess Susan? I was informed that she was dead. It seems that this is not the case."

"It is indeed not the case." You said. "She is my captive now. Serving a more fitting role than the one she had before. I hope that if you cannot accept food and drink, this might be a more attractive offer while we get down to business."

"I see." Said the Lord of the Black Cloaks. "What exactly are you intending for her to offer me in ways of ''service''?"