What she once thought was a thriving and bustling community, Thandi soon discovered that the capital city Prospera was home to greed, violence, and unchecked hedonism. After departing from her homeland of Manadesa, Thandi landed in the eastern countryside of a land called Istres in the world of Alleria. Everything was new and quaint and barely a drop of magic was to be found! So she made it her business to teach the masses of Istres and the world beyond!
Her mission took a sharp turn, however, when she was brought before the king of the land, His Majesty Gaumont. The king took a liking to her and gave her her very own suite in the castle, asking her to teach his soldiers, his spies, and even his court some of the more combative and defensive spells she knew.
For years she remained under the care of the king but every so often, she would get the urge to teach more than just combat. She wanted to discuss theory, practical use, and mostly, she wanted to teach children how to harness the magic around them.
It wore on the king until he finally managed to snag her manacles with the help of his spies (who she trained!) and separated her from her magic. He locked her in the tower to “teach her some manners.”
After a month of an isolation that was all too familiar, the king summoned her to his throne room. There, she faced the humiliation of standing before his court dressed in her dirty clothes and matted, unwashed hair. The ladies all laughed or grimaced behind their hands while the men looked at her with a sickening sort of… delight.
“Miss Kahsu, today is your lucky day. We have finally decided where you would be best kept.”
Thandi watched the king with dark eyes, awaiting him to continue.
“You are aware of the Duke of Roseview? The Lord of the Green Coast? Our greatest enemy since this magic business began.”
The Duke of Roseview was infamous in the Istrian court. The son of a beloved member of the royal line, Charles Vanderbee was never liked much in polite company. He was labeled as unruly, unkind, and feral. He inherited some sort of magic once the bridge between Alleria and Manadesa was opened. It matched him in every way. Animals and plants alike bowed to him and bent to his will, gobbling up cities all across the East. His name and visage were always in the papers before she was locked away. A wicked, manic grin and wide eyes meant to frighten children. She even saw one cutting that depicted him with razor-sharp fangs like some sort of animal.
She had asked the king to let her do something about him. But… he was convinced that she was never as powerful as she truly was. And she had no way to show him other than ousting him from the throne, which… would not have worked. No. She wanted to be a teacher. She was better suited to the desk anyway. But the threat the Duke posed always tickled the back of her mind. And now…
Thandi bows her head. “I am aware, Your Majesty.”
“You will be given to him this evening. There, you may go about your business and do as you like. Or, you will stay here in our tower until you rot.”
Thandi grits her teeth. She literally can’t rot. She can’t age. She can’t die. So. If she disagreed… she would sit there while the tower fell apart around her. And if she goes… She can play wife while still accomplishing her goals. Unless… “As… his… what, Your Majesty?”
“His wife, you imbecile. We do not trade whores like those miscreants in other countries. You will marry him or you will stay in your tower. But do your best. He is rather picky when it comes to partners. I hear he prefers them to scream.”
Thandi nods resolutely and the guards yank her back to take her up the stairs, setting her down with a swarm of handmaids to prepare her. Like a turkey… before the feast.
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