Untitled as of yet

[Kiara Johnson]

Chapter two:  The slaves




    "Well, I guess the first thing I should do is, show you to our room."  Zorin said as they walked down the corridor.  
"Our, room, what do you mean, our room?"  Kiara asked, raising her brow.  
"Well, since I have been sworn to protect you, I will be living in the same quarters as you, your majesty."  Zorin replied firmly.  
"Just what I always wanted, a roomie."  Kiara replied, sarcastically.   "I don't suppose there's any way to get out of it."  She asked hopefully.  
"No, way.  I have my orders and like it, or not, your stuck with me."  
Kiara sighed and followed Zorin to their rooms.  When they got there, Kiara noticed that her things had already been brought up.  Looking around, she noted, also, that her wonderful father had sent her some slaves of her own.  After noting that they were all, terribly, underdressed, she had one of them go fetch the tailor.

    "I can't believe, they make these poor people run around here like this.  It's the middle of winter for crying out loud!"  Kiara said angrily to Zorin.  
"I suppose, you sent for the tailor to cloth them, not you?"  Zorin asked, amused at the thought of Kiara having the best-dressed slaves in the palace.  
"Well yes, of course I did.  Do you see a problem with it?"  Kiara asked dangerously.  
"Uh, no, I don't."  Zorin replied quickly, noting her dangerous tone.  
"Good, then you can go do, whatever it is, that you do and leave me to my work."   Kiara shot at him, not really meaning to take it out on him but doing it anyway.   Zorin, feeling a little put off, went and sat on the couch and picked up a book to read.  Just at that moment, the slave Kiara had sent away came back with the palace tailor.  
"What can I do for your highness?"  He asked Kiara.  
"It's not what you can do for me, it's what can you do for them."  She motioned to the line of slaves by the window.  "I want them fully clothed by the end of the day."  She ordered.  
"But, my Lady, you can't possibly ---" Kiara cut him off, "Are you questioning my direct order?  For your sake, I most certainly, hope not."  She said in a dangerous tone.  
"No, you majesty, I, I'll have them dressed as you wish."  The tailor replied, a bit sullenly.  
Zorin smiled as he thought, She's going to have this place turned upside down in no time.  Kiara caught his smile, she glared at him, and he quickly turned away.  Kiara went on to describe what she wanted in, uniforms, for her slaves.  When she was finished, she left the room to change out of the dress and into something more comfortable.  She came out and sat across from Zorin and, stared at him.  After a bit, he put down his book.  
"Yes, your Majesty?  Did you want something?"  He asked, feeling more than a little nervous about the way she was looking at him.  Kiara didn't answer; she only smiled a devilish smile at him.  Then, she picked up her own book and started reading.

[.:isis:.]

BUMP!

[Kiara Johnson]

At the end of the day, as commanded, the tailor and his assistant brought back ten uniforms for Kiara's slaves.  She thanked him politely and handed them out to every one.  
"Girls you may use my room to change and the men may use Zorin's."  Zorin opened his mouth to protest but quickly closed it again deciding it best not to argue with her.  
"Then, when you have finished, I think Zorin and I will dine in here tonight so, you can go fetch us some dinner."  
Zorin stared at her as if she were nuts.  "Your actually going to have them leave the room dressed like that?"  He spoke before thinking.  
"Well, yes I am.  If the rest of the palace doesn't like it, they can come talk to me.  That includes my father!"  She shot back angrily.  
"Ok, ok, I was just asking.  Geesh!  You sure are grumpy tonight."  Zorin replied, he was a little hurt at being yelled at.  
"I'm sorry Zorin.  I guess I'm taking this out on you, aren't I?  It's just that, I can't stand to see these poor humans treated worse than dogs and my father; he's such an ass!  I only wish he'd --- well never mind.  I'm sorry, ok?"  She gave Zorin a sweet look that melted away any anger he may have had left.

    After a bit, Kiara's slaves returned with dinner, they were followed by non other than Lord Vandimire.  Kiara told her slaves to put the dinner on the table and to leave, immediately.  She knew there was going to be an argument and didn't want any of them to get hurt.

[.:isis:.]

BUMP![/color]

[Kiara Johnson]

     "What's this, Kiara?  Not only do you choose not to join me for dinner but also I find that you've clothed all your slaves!  The palace Tailor has enough work to do with out having to cloth humans as well!"  Lord Vandimire yelled.  
Kiara looked at him angrily.  "Are you quite finished?  First of all, I chose not to eat dinner with the likes of you because, quite frankly, the very site of you makes my stomach turn."  
Zorin cringed at her words, spoken so freely to her father.  
"Second, those are MY humans to do with as I see fit.  If your precious tailor can't get some, fat, noblewoman's dress done soon enough for her because I want my humans clothed then, that's too d**ned bad!  I will not sit around here with a bunch of half naked people running about.  I will NOT treat MY humans like dogs and if you have a problem with it, that is just too bad!"  Kiara was looking directly into her father's eye and knew it was coming, she braced herself.  As he spoke, Vandimire unleashed his anger upon her, slowly.  Kiara fell to the floor in a ball as he tortured her.  
"I told you, Kiara, a long time ago that, I would not put up with an insolent child."  Vandimire started.  
Zorin couldn't watch, he turned away as she let out an anguished scream.  He couldn't understand why Kiara, who he knew was more than capable of stopping him, would stand for this.  
"You can keep your slaves clothed, that's fine but, from now on , you WILL, at least, join the rest of us for dinner."  He spoke slowly and, when he finished, he left the room with his cape flowing behind him.

    Kiara had passed out, Zorin went to her, lifted her gently off the floor, brought her to her room, and laid her on the bed.  After doing this, he went to the slaves' quarters and told one of them to fetch a bowl of cold water and a cloth then to bring it to him in Kiara's room.  When the girl came back with them, she asked timidly, "Will the Lady be alright?"  
Zorin, at first looked angrily at her for speaking then, softened his gaze and said, "Yes, she'll be ok.  I'm sure she wouldn't want you to worry."  The girl bowed as she left the room.  "Oh, Kiara, now you've got me, being nice to them too."  He smiled.

    Zorin stayed at her side all night.  The only time he left was to grab a bite to eat and to give the rest of the food to the humans.  Can't let it go to waste, can I?  Was the excuse he made for his kind gesture to the human slaves.  He walked out of their quarters shaking his head.

    When Zorin woke up the next morning, Kiara had already left the room.  He walked to the door and heard voices on the other side.  He paused to listen.  "Ok so let me get this straight, your name is Shella, you are Kami and you ---"
She's learning all there names.  Zorin shook his head as he smiled and thought about how his life had been torn apart the moment he was assigned to her.  He waited a few more minutes then came out.

[.:isis:.]

BUMP![/color]

[Kiara Johnson]

     Kiara turned and smiled at Zorin as he walked out.  "You may all be excused now."  She said to her humans, still holding Zorin in her gaze.  
"You stayed with me last night.  Thank you."  Kiara said with a smile.   Zorin couldn't look away, it was almost as if she was holding him there.  
"You needed attention."  Zorin replied.  
"Yes, but you could have sent for some one else to take care of me but, you didn't."  Kiara walked over, still holding his gaze; she kissed him briefly on the lips then, turned away, letting him go.  
"Are you hungry?"  She asked softly.  "We've only got a few hours until we begin training with the soldiers we're to take with us into battle."  
"Ya, I guess I am, a little hungry."  Ha replied, confused as to her intentions.  Zorin wanted nothing more than to hold her.  He could still feel her lips on his, he wanted more.  Zorin walked up behind her, putting his arms around her waist and began kissing her neck.  Kiara closed her eyes and accepted this advance.  He then turned her around and began kissing her, passionately, running one hand through her soft hair and using the other to hold her to him.  Suddenly he let her go, shocked at what had just happened.  Then, trembling, he left the room.  Kiara didn't know what to make of it.  She knew he wanted her, why was he resisting so hard.  What was stopping him?  She thought for a moment then came to the conclusion that he was simply trying to keep their relationship as professional as possible.  She sighed then ate her breakfast.  When she was done, she changed into her field cloths for a day of training.

    Zorin sat in his room, horrified at what was happening.  All his life he had been trained for one purpose and one purpose only.  To kill, Lord Vandimire's daughter should she ever turn on him.  Now, he found himself falling in love with her.  How could he ever hurt Kiara?  d**n it!  He whispered to himself, as he too, got ready for a day of training.  

[.:isis:.]

awe! :) BUMP![/color]

[Kiara Johnson]

After he had eaten something, Zorin and Kiara headed out to the training field to meet their soldiers.  "There are so many of them."  Kiara whispered to Zorin who, smiled and said, "Yes, but we only need train twenty as our personal guard.  They in turn will pass on some of what they learn to the rest."  He explained.  Together, Kiara and Zorin handpicked twenty men and women from the group of two hundred presented to them.  Their group consisted of Elvin archers, Sorcerers, and some of the better fighters of the group.  The fighters were the people with minimal magical power who in order to survive in this new world, had found a position in the armies to keep from enslavement.  Kiara only allowed one healer for their group.  
"We don't need more than one close to us.  The rest need to be placed in the field."  She had argued.  She wanted fighters only, insisting that they, herself and Zorin, knew enough of healing to get by, when, so many soldiers had such limited magic use.  She finally gave in and let Zorin have the one.  
"What if we get separated and you need medical attention."  Was his argument.  He absolutely would not back down.  Therefore, she gave in and let him pick the one healer.

    They spent the next seven hours on the field with their soldiers, when finally Kiara, to everyone's pleasure, reported that they had done enough for the day.  They all left the field exhausted, but each one had learned a new spell or new fighting technique for swordsman ship.  Kiara was pleased with their progress.  "If they keep this up, we'll be leaving soon."  She commented on their way back to the palace.

    Kiara went to the girl's baths before lunch.  Zorin had tried to convince her to dine in the main hall but she would have nothing of it.  
"He told me I only had to eat dinner with him and that's all he gets."  Kiara said, with a note of finality in her voice.  Then she added, "You should really consider taking a bath too, you smell."  She patted Zorin on the cheek and closed the door.

    When Zorin arrived to their rooms, he noted that Kiara was having her humans some more clothes made.  
"Your father isn't going to like this, Kiara."  Zorin warned.  
"So what.  They need more than one outfit.  What are they supposed to wear when the other is being cleaned?"  She retorted.  Zorin just shook his head in defeat as he grabbed some food from the table and sat himself down across from her.  
"So, do you agree with the Light Force that humans should be free?"  Zorin finally decided to ask.  
"No, of course not but, that doesn't mean that they should be treated badly.  Like I said before, it's not their fault they weren't born into magic as we were."  Kiara explained patiently.  
"So, actually, you take neither side?  How interesting."  Zorin said as he took a drink from his cup.  
"Why is that so interesting?  Why should I take one side or the other when they are both, clearly wrong."  Kiara asked.  
"I don't know, Kiara.  I'm not asking you to choose a side.  I just don't get it.  Why have you chosen to stand with The Dark Alliance when, you clearly don't agree with it?  That's all, I mean, you hate your father and probably wish him dead, you don't agree with the way he treats the humans and you seem to still, love your brother."  Zorin explained his thoughts  
"First of all, I don't wish my father was dead.  I do hate the old man but he is still my father.  Second, I choose to stay with the Dark Alliance because I also like the Monarchy rule and, being next in line for the top spot, is really good incentive.  Does that help explain what I'm doing here?"  Kiara asked.  Zorin smiled.  There was definitely more to her than he thought.  
"Yes, Kiara, thank you."

[.:isis:.]

BUMP![/color]

[Kiara Johnson]

     Kiara smiled, her humans looked absolutely wonderful.  The new clothes the tailor had made for them were absolutely perfect.  She even spent a few hours after lunch getting the humans all cleaned up at the baths.  Kiara took a special liking to the girl named Kami.  Kami, Kiara had learned, was the girl who had bravely asked about her after Kiara's father had hurt her.  Kiara sat Kami down and played with her hair.  When she had finished, Kami ended up with her hair braided into a bun at the nape of her neck.  Kiara thought she looked beautiful.  
"Now."  Kiara said.  "We are ready to go to dinner.  Kami, you and Shella will attend us."  So, Kiara fixed Shella's hair to match Kami's.  Kiara was having fun; she played with the girls as if they were her living dolls.  Zorin cam in the room and saw what she had done with the girls.  He shook his head.  
"I suppose, these are the ones to attend us at dinner with your father tonight?"  He asked, clearly knowing the answer.  
"Yes, why?"  Kiara asked.  
"Nothing Kiara, nothing."  Zorin just shook his head,  "You really like to push his buttons, don't you?"  Kiara smiled sweetly.  Then, she walked over and planted a kiss on his cheek.  "Now you're getting the picture."  She said with a small smile.

    They left for dinner.  On the way to the hall, a wizard, of some rank, grabbed Kami and began walking away with her.  Kiara whirled around.  
"And, just what do you think your doing with MY human."  Kiara stated in a rather dangerous tone.  "Don't worry Miss, you'll have your slave back when I am through with her."  The wizard said pointedly.  Zorin opened his mouth to say something but Kiara held her hand up to stop him.  
"You sir, will unhand my human, right now or you will find yourself hanging by your pants on that wall!"  Kiara snapped.  The wizard just laughed and turned away intending to ignore Kiara and take Kami.  Next thing he knew, he was hanging by the seat of his pants high up on the far wall.  Kiara put her arm around Kami then the four of them continued to dinner, Zorin shaking his head the entire way.  He had to keep from laughing in order to not be glared at by Kiara.  He found her quite amusing.

[Kiara Johnson]

When they arrived in the hall, Kiara looked upon the vast table, laden with more food than the group of people seated around it could possibly eat.  She frowned slightly, knowing that the food would all be thrown out to the pigs and that if any of the palace slaves were caught taking any of it, they would be put to death. Everyone stared at Kiara's girls.  
Kiara smiled and said, "I've always believed that a woman's slaves are a reflection unto her self.  Don't you agree madam?"  She commented, looking at what seemed to Kiara, the richest witch amongst the group.  
"Why yes, lady Kiara, you are absolutely correct.  Why I ---" The lady went on to explain in great detail how she, had her slaves dressed.  Kiara went and took her seat next to her father.  
"You have just managed to cloth, every slave from here to Timbuktu, with that one statement."  Lord Vandimire said, through gritted teeth.  He did not look pleased.  Kiara smiled.  That's a start, at least.   She thought to herself.  
"Oh, and by the way Kiara.  I would really appreciate it if you would refrain from hanging my courtiers on walls, from now on."  Lord Vandimire said irritably.  
"I gave him a choice and he chose wrongly.  These people just must learn some manners, that's all.  I bet he won't vex me again."  Kiara said calmly to her father.  Lord Vandimire glared at her.  Kiara smiled openly and turned to her plate, ignoring her fathers, obvious anger at her open aggression towards his wishes.

    "So, when do we march against your son's armies?"  Sir Jason asked, trying to change the dangerous subject.  
"I don't know, Kiara, how long do you think the it will take to get the troops ready?"  Vandimire asked.  "Give me a week and they should be in good shape to take the field."  Kiara replied.  
"There, you can expect them to leave in two weeks time."  Vandimire told Jason.  
"We will have a Strategy council in four days time.  Zorin, you will set it up, make sure to let all the generals know."  Jason told his son.  
"Yes sir.  Do we know for sure as to rather Zed has Dragons with him?"  Zorin asked.  
"Not yet, there have been rumors.  You and Kiara may want to do some aerial training, just incase." Jason replied.

    The rest of the dinner went on that way.  They mostly talked about the upcoming war and training for it.  Kiara had made sure, she set the place for her slaves and now it seemed that she had also, with just the right words, gotten the rest of the slaves in the country clothed, at least.  She smiled.  It's a start, it's a start.  She thought to herself and smiled once again.  Vandimire looked at her, clearly she was up to something, and he didn't think he would care for any idea she had forming in that irritatingly quick, and uncontrolled mind of hers.

(End Chapter 2.)

[Kiara Johnson]

Ok, this is where I stop, for now, the rest I still have to put on the puter from my paper copy, lol.  I would really apreciate comments or suggestions, as long as you don't try and tell me to make it into a fan fic..lol.  Should I be more discriptive of places and things should I scap it?  What, please tell me, I want comments, even crittisism, I wont hate you if you tell me what you really think, I want COMMENTS!  PLEaSE.  thanks, Kerri C. (Kiara MAul)

[Andersoninthehouse]

Your story is lopsided.But good.

[Kiara Johnson]

(Ok, thank you Andy however, I do not understand lopsidesed, please explain...)