Conflict: The Queen

by Pierce Smith

  “So, do you have everything you need for going up to the corridor?”

  “Yes, I do. If you are ready I am.” He rose and went to retrieve a basket he’d hidden from Kyg. He carried it to the front door where Uro scolded him for carrying something that heavy. He shook his head and smirked, “I’m pregnant, not disabled.”

  “Yeah, yeah, but if I let you get hurt on my watch, Kyg will have my ass.”

  Sam gasped. “Uro, he would never hurt anyone.”

  Uro laughed, “I know it’s just a saying, Your Highness.”

  The project took longer thanks to the many security guards that walked beside them along the corridor making sure everything was safe. It was nearly four in the morning by the time they were done and Sam’s back hurt. Uro helped clean up, then walked with Sam back to the elevator. Going down with him, Uro secured the elevator and helped Sam to bed.

  “No, don’t leave me, Uro. Stay the night, please.” he spoke in a sleepy voice.

  “I was already planning on this, Your Highness.” Uro helped Sam get ready for bed, pulling on his pajama bottoms when his bump got in the way. Pulling the covers over him she bade him goodnight, “Sleep well, Sire.” Turning off the light, Uro went to the spare bedroom and promptly fell asleep.

  THE BATTLE WITH THE Yomirians was bloody. Wearing their air masks he had the ship hover a few miles above the spaceport there. The miscreants and mercenary warriors were there waiting for someone to tell them to go and attack Byndra. They were caught unawares and Kyg had the upper hand. Xeg, Kyg and few of the elite landed in the small port square. By the time Kyg had killed several, their warning system was sounded.

  Kyg stood on the mountain behind the spaceport and roared, his voice echoing throughout the port. Those that were dragons were brought to their knees at the noise. Xeg and the elite wore special earplugs, so they didn’t succumb to Kyg’s alpha male voice. As the mercenary warriors began running from the port, the elite warriors took off after them in their dragon forms. Xeg headed to where the spaceships were housed, the last place that they needed to destroy. Xeg decimated the port, obliterating all the spacecraft in the hangers. Xeg watched them burn.

  Kyg flew around burning buildings in his wake. He torched the fields growing crops so the land lay ruined. He’d gathered the young men, women and children together, locking them aboard a smaller shuttle. He would fly those captured up to a larger space shuttle they had procured from the spaceport. It was larger than his spaceship, which couldn’t hold all the prisoners. Later a few elite warriors could fly his ship home. Before they left Yomiri, Kyg, Xeg and the rest of the elite warriors made sure they destroyed any possibilities for the port to be rebuilt any time soon.

  WATCHING UNNOTICED in her cloaked realm, Cezzot stood on top of Osaza, gloating as the planet was being destroyed. She laughed as Kyg and Xeg burnt the crops and obliterated the cities. In her twisted mind, Cezzot saw Byndra being burnt to the ground ready for her to come swooping in, to save the kingdom in an act of bravery to gain her rightful place as Queen.

  KYG MET HIS BROTHERS and the warriors before they donned their air masks and flew to the space shuttle, where they loaded the prisoners onboard.

  As Kyg bellowed his orders to jump to light speed, he turned to his brother. “I need to change and clean off. Then we will meet with the commanders that came with us, to debrief everyone, and to get a situation report on the captured.”

  Kyg, Xeg and the leaders of the elite warriors sat in the small debriefing room on the space shuttle heading back to Byndra. “How many men, women and children did we take?” Kyg asked.

  “Sire, we took over a hundred in total. I haven’t got a complete headcount as to men, women or children. As of right now, they are being fed. Some are dirty and were offered washing facilities in the mid-deck area of the shuttle.” Nergan, the Dark leader of one group of elite warriors replied.

  “Sire, I have run a quick scan on the hostages. They are all healthy. I have identified the children’s parents and I am humbly requesting that they be kept together,” Shiran, the Chosen, one of only three females in the elite warriors, added.

  Xeg, who was sitting next to Kyg looked very drained. “Brother, have you asked the healer to run tests on you? I am very concerned about your health.”

  “I am fine, brother. I report that the entire spaceport was completely destroyed. It will take light years to rebuild,” Xeg answered, putting on a smile that belied his weariness.

  “When we arrive I want the slaves brought to the holding facilities where extensive test will be done to make sure they carry no viruses that can kill us. I want families separated from the single men and women. After they have been thoroughly checked to make sure they are healthy, bring the families to the palace. Send twenty females and twenty males, the rest go to the auction in Bormor.

  The intercom came on, “Sire, we are docking in the spaceport on Byndra.”

  “Thank you, Azod.” He stood and dismissed his men. He couldn’t wait to get home to Sam.

  Chapter Seven

  Auction of slaves

  COMMANDER Xumbinaynth, the Tenderheart was placed in charge of the single female slaves. Xumbinaynth, or Binay as she was known by, had personally checked each and every female, selecting only the best for her king and his harem. She’d placed them in the home off to the side of the palace that was reserved for the king’s women. The rest Binay had prepared for the slave auction. She hustled the women into a small conference room in the Ladies’ Hall where she could speak with them. There was so much chattering from the women and she could hear small sniffles of tears.

  “Ladies, calm yourselves. Please be seated.” She waited for them to sit before talking to them. “Ladies, please take heart and do not fret as such. You are now a part of Byndra, this is your new home. You will not be mistreated, or raped, or hurt in any way. You will be taken to the slave auction where men or women of our planet will bid for you to become a part of their families.” She heard the gasps of the women.

  “How do you know we won’t be raped or beaten by the men of this planet?” a female shouted from the crowd.

  Binay walked from behind the podium to stand in front of the women, and smiled at them. “Ladies, King Kyg strictly forbids women to be treated harshly. If he had word that one of the men of this planet has done such things, swift and harsh punishment would be dealt, and they would be exiled. That would be their fate. Do any of you have questions for me?”

  A young woman stood up. She was very young, probably in her early twenties. “What if I was already engaged to one of the men from my planet? Why can’t I be with him? Must my life be ripped from me before it even begins?” She ended, sobbing out her anguish.

  Binya smiled at the young women. Looking to the back at the other female warriors that served in Xeg’s army, she spoke in dragon and told her to take the young woman to the men’s wing to see if they could find her young man. She then turned to the young woman, “What is your name please?”

  “I am called Heny, the Adorable, mistress.”

  “Heny, my second-in-command, Uka, will escort you to the men’s wing where you can look for your fiancé.”

  “Really?” she heard the timid voice of the woman. This was the only part of these raiding missions she didn’t like, but her duty was to her king..

  “Yes, Heny, really.”

  Once the women witnessed the kindness of the royal guards, it seemed the whole atmosphere of the room changed. After the meeting the women were allowed back into the quarters where they could rest until they were taken to the auction.

  COMMANDER MOLBINONTH stood on the raised dais and looked around the room at the captured men. Binonth, as his men called him, was Lord of Fire and his dragon didn’t hesitate to use that fire if someone disobeyed orders. He never went as far as turning them into ashes, but he had been known to singe a few butts in his lifetime. He watched as Tyrset, The Strong, his second-in-command along with Raghelath, The Redeemer of Men, escorted the captured
men into the Men’s Hall.

  Once the warriors had them seated, Binonth began. “Men, you have been brought here by King Kyg. You are what we call the cursed of battle. My men have had the healer check you over, and all those who are healthy and strong will be taken to the auction for sale to other cities on the planet.”

  The men reacted badly and all stood with threats in their voices. “Why the fuck do you get to determine what our lives will be like here?” This man seemed to be the leader of this motley group.

  Another young man stood up, “I was engaged to be married where is my fiancée?” he demanded.

  “Another stood, I was a free man on Yomiri , yet now I am to be nothing more than chattel to be sold to the highest bidder?” he growled.

  “I am a wealthy business owner. I lived on the outskirts of Yomiri. I was only in town to conduct business with my agriculture supplier, and now I am nothing more than a slave?” he spoke in a very cultured voice.

  Once again, the cacophony of noise was deafening. “Silence!” Binonth bellowed. The room was suddenly quiet. “As men, you know as well as I that in war captured people are taken back to the planet that captured them. King Kyg has decimated the spaceport on Yomiri . All the outlying areas as well. The strongest of you will be sold to agricultural areas, others will be sold as mates to single dragon females or males. You will not be mistreated...” Binonth’s words were cut short as two female warriors led in one of the captured females.

  Uka, Commander Binay’s first lieutenant, walked up to Binonth and spoke in his ear? “Binonth, I have been sent with this woman to try and find her promised mate.”

  “Do you know his name?”

  “Yes, sir I do. Ynnor, Champion of Men.”

  Binonth looked out into the audience of men, “Is there a Ynnor in your group?”

  A young man quickly rose from the crowd. It was the same young man that had talked earlier. “Yes, I am Ynnor, and she is my promised mate.”

  Binonth smiled. “Well, then Ynnor, please come and take your promised.” Binonth laughed when Ynnor nearly knocked over the other men to get to his beloved mate. “Uka, please inform Binya that the matter is settled and escort them both to the couples’ wing for further processing.

  “Yes, Commander.”

  Ynnor spoke up again, “Thank you, thank you. I don’t know how to thank you enough for sparing us and allowing us to be together.”

  When they were gone Binonth spoke again. “I guess I should have started with this. Are there any more married or engaged men in this group?”

  Three men raised their hands. “Lieutenant Tyrset, please process these men, get the names of their wives and then take them to Commander Binya.” Binonth continued his instructions to the group of men. The angry group that had arrived in the Men’s Hall, left with much more confidence in their fates.

  BINONTH AND BINYA REQUESTED a meeting with Xeg and the king. They were granted the appointment and would meet with Xeg and King Kyg at four p.m., until then they both oversaw the processing of the captured men and women.

  Both commanders waited in the receiving hall. In no time they were brought before the king and his brother. Both of them knelt and gave their Vow to the King of Byndra. “I pledge on my life that I will serve the king and his citizens to the best of my abilities, dying in his service for what we believe. To be faithful in duty, in marriage, and in our chosen religious beliefs. By these words, I swear my solemn oath”

  Kyg smiled. He was always amazed at the fierceness in their voices when they recited the Oath of Conduct and Loyalty. “Rise Commander Binonth and Commander Binya. Please report on the status of our captured slaves.”

  Rising, Binonth bowed again to the king and then indicated that Binya could speak first. Binya smiled. “Thank you, Commander. Your Majesty, every woman that was brought to our planet has been processed and given medical attention as needed. Those that were mated to some of the men that we captured have been reinstated with their mates and are awaiting your instructions.” Binya finished. Taking a step back to let Binonth give his report.

  “My report is much the same, Your Majesty. If I may speak for Binya, we are both awaiting your orders to take them to the Auction Master.”

  “Excellent. I will visit the men and women this evening. That is all.” Kyg informed them.

  Later that evening Kyg took Sam and went to the House of Slaves. Sam was getting along very well with the women, so Kyg said he would meet him in the Hall of Men after Sam finished meeting and greeting all the young women. Thirty women had surrounded Sam, all twittering and chatting at once.

  Milly, a young woman giggled as she spoke, “You are a man, and yet you are the king’s Consort. That is so forward thinking of Byndra, and you are beautiful, I mean handsome.” she wrinkled her nose, “Which would you prefer us to say, Your Highness?”

  Sam sat on the big circular couch, “Either way, Milly, I will not be offended.”

  “I can’t believe you are pregnant,” Noasi, the Grey said, in rather snide way. “Isn’t it enough for us women to bear children? Now here on Byndra they have men doing a woman’s function.”

  “Shut up, Noasi, you are a foolish young woman to think you can insult the King’s Consort without repercussions, you little twit?”

  “Oh my, Uzzalth, the Powerful One. You have no hold over me, we were brought here against our will, so you shut up and I will speak as I please,” Noasi said, sneering at the older woman.

  Binya stood back and listened to the banter long enough. Walking to Noasi, she spoke, “Rise, Noasi, and follow me.”

  “Oh really, are you going to beat me for daring to talk to the King’s Consort that way? Please, I have nothing to fear from you,” the little bitch laughed.

  Binya grabbed her by the arm and hauled her off her ass. As she did, she yelled for Uza and Sharlinti, the Grumpy, both female warriors. They came and restrained Noasi, then led her to an isolation cell.

  “You can’t do this to me. Come back here and let me out.” She screamed, but the cell was soundproofed, and her cries and laments would only be heard by her and the guard that sat watching in the monitoring booth.

  “Your Highness, please forgive the rude woman. I will have her punished,” Binya said.

  “No, it’s okay,” Sam said, a little hurt by the nasty tongue the little bitch had in her mouth.

  “I’m am sorry, Sire, but the King will hear of this and he will demand that I do my duty. When her punishment is finished she will have a different attitude and will come beg your forgiveness, Your Highness.”

  THINKING ABOUT CEZZOT and her gang and how to get them imprisoned, Kyg strode into his palace. Hearing men laughing and water splashing, his mind was distracted, he didn’t realize he had reached the Prisoner’s Hall. All single men were kept in the a big room, now called the Prisoner’s Hall. It was a big room usually used for gathering, with an adjacent dormitory for sleeping, a built-in swimming pool, and a kitchen. This area was altogether in a different part of the palace, and no one, other than instructed military personnel, was allowed here. Secondly, it was a newly built premises, so the prisoners had a good feeling toward the royalty of Byndra. The covered swimming pool could accommodate hundreds of sturdy dragons. The pool was the best part. Kyg had imported architects from different planets to finish it. They made a huge dome over the pool which was embellished with paintings, gems and bonsai. Shallow water seats on which swimmers could lounge, resting back with half their body underwater, could enjoy snacks and more fun. When required , the corners could convert into a spa. There were also small benches at all the sides of the pool for more seating arrangements, a small bar in one corner, an area for barbecuing and more. In short, the Prisoner’s Hall was a paradise hall.

  Being King himself, the guards didn’t stop him while he passed through the door, lost in his thoughts. Looking around, Kyg found his instructions had been followed and all the necessary arrangements were made. The prisoners were free to roam the Hall and use the pool. O
nly the slaves, serving them food and drinks were allowed to interact with them. Guards stood around the sides of the hall, keeping watch, but didn’t talk to anyone, focused purely on their job. The prisoners felt like it was a vacation trip if not a home. So far, he had heard about their multi-skills but hadn’t had a chance to get to know them. Smiling, to have a break from his monotonous regal life, he turned and walked straight into the men’s hall and headed down to the area. Walking in he found several of them in a state of nakedness. He gave a wicked little smile. He instantly grew hard. Fuck, he thought, I need to get laid, but I will not cheat on my love. However, it doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy with my eyes and more.

  “Hello, Handsomes,” Kyg welcomed, raising both arms, then stripped and stepped into the hot bathing pool. Several of the men stood stock still.

  Soon the whispers were going around, “It’s the king.” The prisoners swam at the corner while King Kyg displayed his swimming skills, while mapping the entire pool. First, he did the front crawl, then the freestyle stroke, while he returned using a backstroke. Showcasing his smartness and nakedness. He knew he had to win their hearts, but his acts were winning more than their hearts, he saw their desires wanting attention. Most of the men were getting boners, but they knew that their erections wouldn’t be attended to here, but the whispers went on, “He’s into men too.” and slowly the pool emptied, except for Kyg.

  Setting down on a low bench in the water he lay back and spread his arms across the side of the pool. He turned the switch, and turned this corner into a jacuzzi, and all of a sudden, the water turned into a whirlpool bath, both fascinating and new for most of the men there. He rolled his eyes and said in a loud voice, “My gods, men, if I wanted you dead, I would have killed you on your home planet. I am here merely to get to know those I have captured and to discuss with you about your thinking. Now, come sit in the pool and let’s chat.” This lowered the tension in the hall.