Daughters, Swords &Dragons

The Emperor was fast asleep, a young maiden's mouth wrapped about his organ.

Two other mouths about his mammary gland sucking him in a relaxing morning slumber at the garden house as he snored.

A little knock disrupted the peace of the morning as his advisor Roriath's voice boomed on the other side of the door "I bring you news, your majesty."

If not for roriath's use in the court, vastus might have maimed him for disrupting his beauty sleep.

Roriath bowed in front of the large metal doors with large golden Dragons surrounding it in a circle, within it were carved tales of the first emperor's victories, all inscribed in real gold.

After an hour he heard the emperor speak "Enter."

The guards opened the grand doors to reveal a hallway, covered in plush maroon carpets woven by the finest of makers, the design intricate also telling a tale in its threads of the great men that had walked upon it.

The grandeur was however marred by little spots of wine as a guard led him through the hallway to the open pool in the middle of an exotic garden, with a waterfall moving over steep rocks into the large pool.

A small banquet table lay under a shed with light curtains wrapped around their pillars.

A grand breakfast laden on the well polished oak of different varieties, roasted meat of all kinds chicken, beef, lamb, rare fruits, and a large pill of well decorated pastries half eaten.

It was always a feast with his majesty. Golden goblets and chalices filled with rich wine scattered across the table some tipped over.

The giggles of young women swimming in the pool in the naked light of day, mixed with the music of a subtle instrument.

Admits this splendor the emperor slouched in an armchair that faces the pool watching the women, his attire silk of the highest grade, silver embroidered robe sitting on his shoulders.

His crown crafted in the finest of gold, studded with diamonds, sits on his head. His eyes glazed bemused with the women in the pool who chased butterflies in the pool, his cheeks flushed and lips pulled in a lazy grin as he occasionally lifted a goblet of wine gesturing a toast to the ladies.

Roriath bowed "Glory to the crown your majesty may the dragon be praised for thy life is everlasting."

"I heard that the sorcerer was released from the underground prison. What do you think about this Roriath?" vastus gestured for him to sit.

Roriath took his seat across from him "Your majesty, the only person with access to the underground dungeon…"

"So what you're saying is that the royal chief guard Knight sir Lepato Aidar released her… there by betraying his oath to serve the emperor with his life."

Shifting in his chair Roriath spoke "Your majesty, it is only him and the royal family that has access to the underground prison so it is the only reasonable explanation."

Vastus chewed a nut thoughtfully "Why would someone who has served me with full loyalty for thirty years suddenly commit such a grave offense?"

"I believe it is over familiarity with your majesty as you are his friend, he might have slacked off a little. It's nothing serious, plus we aren't sure it is really him who released the sorcerer we still need to investigate?" Roriath reasoned cautiously, walking on glass.

"So what you are insinuating is that someone in the royal family released a forbidden prisoner?"

Roriath fell on his face "I dare not your majesty." he swallowed so nervously he almost choked on his own spit.

Accusing a member of the royal family was treason, if they were punished he'd be flogged to death as well.

"Let's go to the court of glass." Vastus drawled.

They sat in the throne room glass painted windows reflecting the rays of the bright sun, even with a hundred candles lit the atmosphere was freezing.

Vastus was in a foul mood; everyone knows he despised sorcerers; there's no greater evil he feared than them.

"The pope Worezayax Megalis Tope has arrived, your majesty," herald announced.

Pope Worezayax Megalis Tope waltzed into the throne room dressed in thick satin golden apparel mixed with black silk and a golden dragon embroidered on the back of his apparel.

A golden staff in his hand with a dragon as its head and a black crown on his long white hair.

Wrinkles set beside black eyes a devious smile made its way to his lips as he bowed before the Emperor "Glory to the crown may the Emperor live as long as the dragon."

"Yes, Yes it's been about a year Worezayax."

The old pope smiled "That is because his majesty never attends the church.

Vastus lips pressed in a hard line "I'm not religious."

"Of course your majesty but you summon me the moment a sorcerer is unleashed." Worezayax grinned.

vastus smirked "Am I to suspect you?"

"I will never work with the devil for a little attention your majesty you belittle me." Worezayax gritted his teeth turning his eyes on Roriath "Lord Oldas I heard your wife delivered safely, glory to the dragon."

Roriath replied through clenched teeth "Indeed, you know I do not fancy your barbaric religion, I bet it's just secret witchcraft."

Worezayax frowned "I did not come here to endure insults, your majesty. Please, what is the purpose for which you summon me."

"The King's guard sir Lepato Aidar has arrived." the herald announced again.

Sir Lepato fell to his knees "Glory to the crown your majesty may you live as long as the dragon."

Vastus shrugged in his throne "Sir Lepato is it true that the head of the sorcerer's council was released yesterday."

Sir Lepato bowed "No your majesty, I made sure all the prisoners were intact at the early hours of mid-day."

"So how do you presume the Sorcerer escaped, has she magically learnt how to lift a magic barrier to the gates?" Vastus growled.

Sir Lepato slouched "Your majesty it is treason to say my keys were stolen but that is what happened."

"Pope Worezayax what is the penalty for releasing a criminal without the order of the emperor?" Vastus asked.

"Death by hanging."

Sir Lepato sprawled before vastus "Your majesty please give me a chance to investigate, death by hanging is a dishonor to a knight."

Vastus shrugged "I trusted you to carry out your orders and you give me a flimsy excuse like your keys were stolen to fend for yourself in court. You must think me the Emperor not worth your effort."

"I dare not your majesty!"

"I sentence you ...sir Lepato to death by hanging. Your son Reynold shall take your place. This is the last honor I will give you as your friend."

Lepato kissed the floor with his head. "Long live the emperor."

Vastus watched as they led one of his most trusted allies away.