The Seamakari are a large tribe of supposed savages. They are a mystery to outsiders, known only for their skill in combat. It's said that they are taught from birth to not fear or acknowledge pain. In a world of growing civilisations tribes like the Seamakari are a thing of the past. They have only survived because, in the words of one man who has fought against them, they are so blasted hard to kill. Lead by the strongest warrior among them, the Seamakari travel to foreign kingdoms, slaughtering those they face in their feat to conquer all that they can. The smaller kingdoms, who can't hope to survive their wrath, give gifts to appease the tribe. Usually horses or wine, two things the Seamakari treasure.
The kingdom of Mertineira, ruled by the house of Undersee, once held precedence over all the land and kept peace. Though the house has since fallen from grace as others took advantage of their mercy and used their weaknesses to overthrow them. Mertineira is now a poor kingdom, though King Undersee's subjects have remained loyal to him. When the Seamakari show signs of attacking he has no horses, no wine, nothing to offer. Out of desperation he gives the only thing he has left, his most prized possession, his treasure, his heir, his daughter.
Which brings us to Madge, or Magdalena as she was named at birth. It's not uncommon for a father to adore his daughter by any means but there is a reason King Undersee treasures his Princess so. She was unlike any other, beautiful and quietly intelligent beyond her years, yet ferocious. She had a tenacity in her that he knew would shape her destiny, and the destiny of the land. She was born a Princess, to be married off, as was custom but King Undersee, he knew. He knew from the moment she could talk, even before then, that his Princess was to be Queen, Queen of all the lands. She would sit atop a throne of ivory and pearls and rule, as her children after her would, over a prosperous and peaceful land for as long as the sun rose each morning.
It was that very story Madge thought about as she awaited her new fate. Her father had told and retold her a story of the Queen on her pearl and ivory throne. It was only recently he had confided in her that the story was hers. That he had seen it for her every day since she was born. Never once though, had he mentioned offering her up to some little minded brute to use as he so pleased. She was angry at her father a lot, irritated really, about the way he ruled mostly. He wasn't careful or wise about his decisions but she'd never been angry at him like this.
Madge's horse was as stoic as her, as they waited for the small group of Seamakari they were to meet at the outskirts of their kingdom. While the mares her father, his guards and her uncle Haymitch sat upon fussed and sidestepped in the wind, hers was like stone, his breathing shallow and silent
"I think Wolfy here knows I'm a lamb for the slaughter" Madge quips, referring to her beloved horse, she goes unanswered "do you know anything about him? The man I'm being sold to"
"You're not being sold Sweetheart, he's not paying for you" Madge glares at her uncle's back as he chuckles at his own joke
"I'm glad someone's enjoying this"
"Just trying to make the best of a shitty situation"
"Which part of this is shitty for you?" Madge gripes
"Who am I going to annoy when you're gone?" Haymitch grins.
Its three men on horseback that meet us, all huge, all covered in scars, all annoyingly handsome, scowls included
"At least he's not old" Haymitch murmurs
"It could be worse" I agree, eyeing the man my father speaks to. He's tall but Seamakari are known for that and has dark hair and skin, but they're known for that too. He's got chiselled features and short hair, nothing special when listed but put it all together and even Madge won't deny he's attractive "doesn't mean I'm any happier about this". The three riders wear typical Seamakari garb, mainly horse hide. Very rarely do the men wear more than leather breeches, when they travel to colder kingdoms they wear furs but nothing more. Madge doesn't know how she feels about his size or muscles. Yes, the smooth planes and defined lines are enticing but for all she knows that much power may be used against her.
Madge stops analysing the stranger when she hears her name and realises her father is gesturing to her. Reluctantly she nudges her horse forward to join her father and the stranger, who watches her through serious eyes. She stares him down, noticing the pale silver of his eyes that had looked blue from a distance
"Magdalena" the king smiles tightly at her "my daughter. Magdalena this is Galon, Semse - leader of the Seamakari people" Madge tips her head at him, he continues to stare
"Am I supposed to do something?" Madge murmurs to her father
"Not that I know of" Galon, Madge is glad to at least have a name, grunts something to the rider on his left and goes back to watching Madge. The rider turns away from Madge and towards her father when he speaks with a heavy accent
"Semse will take the woman for his bride, she comes now" Madge isn't the only one that nearly falls off her horse
"Bride?!"
"Madge" her father reasons "you'll be their Semisa, their queen for all intents and purposes. That's better than-"
"Better than what?" Madge cuts him off
"Better than being used as some sort of slave" Haymitch pipes up
"I don't have much of a choice with this do I" Madge goes unanswered again so looks to the rider who had spoken her common tongue before "We'll leave now?" he nods
"Madge" her father stops her "I still see you as queen, your fate has not changed and this is how you will get there"
"Then frankly father, a little warning would've been nice" she snaps before kicking her heels in to her horse and leaving him in the dust.
-x-
Galon knew he'd accept his gift the moment he saw her. She was beautiful but so were lots of women. To him she was like the moon, when it's bright in the darkest sky, all pale skin and gold hair. It was her eyes that decided she'd be his wife. His people were proud, they followed those they respected and they were lead not ruled. His Semisa would have to be strong to lead his people with him. It was the ferocity he saw in those seemingly innocent eyes that decided it.
Galon had not been looking for a wife, he'd vowed that would not come until much later in his leadership but it only took looking deep in to the princess Magdalena's eyes to change that.
