I can't free myself from the cage that is XENAISM, I have this 'Conqueror' plot in my head, starring Xena and wanted to start it at fiction lounge, but I want to update at least one or two of my non Xena fictions, hence, here I am updating this…

MY LORD CONQUEROR

X. The Fates says…

She had not asked me to write again, after that one wish I asked of her, but I felt compelled writing more. Not that it's not enjoyable, as a matter of fact, I find writing down events of the past into papers was quite a relaxing, despite it being monotonous, activity. But I continued because of how Shizuru's face lights up every time she reads one of this scrolls written by me.

I found her one day reading a tactical scroll I've written and which Yukino archived in the palace's vast library. When I asked if she likes reading tactical instructions, she shook her head, and said she doesn't understand what's written on the scroll. So I said, you were smiling wide while reading it, and she replied, because it was written by me.

Now tell me, would I have the heart to stop now?

We ended our rest after two candle marks. Shizuru was not complaining, not that she could, her being a slave of the realm, but her expression when she thought no one was looking was definitely telling me how sore she was from riding. I feel like an idiot for getting her into this situation.

I called on to one of the horse handlers and asked for one of the unused carriage to be readied for me and Shizuru. I entrusted to him my horse Silver. I am not fond of riding a carriage, not even before I became the Queen of Windbloom, being in a confined space gives me the creeps and I hate the feeling. The sentiment is being shared by the living beast spirit inside of me. In a blocked out space, the beast spirit within hides, and if the beast would come out in time of distress under such circumstance, I wasn't sure. I haven't been in a similar state yet to prove the point.

We departed with my carriage riding behind Haruka-neechan and Nao's horses. Chie and Miyu flanked our rear, and the carriage with our healing team follows. I feel like suffocating while we rode, the feeling frustrates me, added the fact that Shizuru was not talking at all. I could see the worry on her face, but she still could not get the courage to speak.

I know I have no reason to get disjointed by Shizuru's silence, I myself don't talk much, not even when talked to. My nerves were just rattled from our confinement and I have this overwhelming need to know that the woman with me is fine.

Haruka-neechan and Nao both knew about my weakness, with the way the carriage move, I believe the two rallied the troops into making fast ride towards Windbloom. After every half a candle mark, Haruka-neechan or Nao would peek through our covered window and silently asked how was I, which I usually answer with an assuring nod.

I wasn't really fine, I could feel myself sweating more, and my gut is churning inside of me. I got an idea that I might be paler than usual and these reasons were probably the cause for my sisters' worry. I would catch Shizuru turn to me with worried gaze and when I return the look, she would look away, maybe from embarrassment or because she was not use to eyeing someone of higher class.

Smiling to myself, I decided to do something unusual. I turned, then slowly I lay down on the couch' padded bench. I laid my head on Shizuru's lap. I looked at her, she was biting her lips and her eyes were everywhere except down her lap where I lay. The joy that suddenly fills me overcame the discomfort brought about by the couch.

If I be put in a cage, it would be much easier to take with Shizuru around… I thought as I smiled at the revelation. There is something special about her that actually made me act so different.

"Do you feel uncomfortable with me doing this?" I asked after closing my eyes. I waited for Shizuru's answer which was given softly, No my Lord, she mumbled and that made me pat myself for a job well done.

"My… my Lord?" She voiced nervously, "I told you Shizuru, you can say whatever it is on your mind to me or to anyone else in my realm. No one will hurt you for saying what you think, but of course, that privilege always goes with respect," I explained.

"Yes my Lord, I understand my Lord,"

I nodded my head then opened my eyes, "So you were saying?"

Her face reddens and she cleared her throat. "I was… my Lord… are you… I mean, you don't look well,"

I grinned, so she is indeed worried about me. I thought, my response was halted by the opening of the couch window cover and the head of Nao peeking in,

"Oi pup are you…," she eyed me and then Shizuru before she grinned, "I guess you are in good hands, I'll tell Nee-chan so she'd stop pestering me to see you." She said, her voice laced with mischief.

I growled, "Naoooo,"

My General raised her palms forward in 'mock' surrender, "I'm leaving, I'm leaving!"

The hurried exit of Nao brought the beautiful woman atop me to giggle, but she stopped as soon as I returned my focus on her, "It's not a crime to laugh Shizuru." I said smiling. I love seeing you smile, laugh… I love seeing you period.

"I am fine Shizuru, I just haven't ridden a couch before and it sure sways a lot." I said. I wonder how she was able to coax words out of my mouth. She can probably tell me to impale myself with my sword and I'll blindly obey, well it's either that or the power of the beast has no match with hers.

The question is, what is the power of Shizuru?

"I apologize my Lord," she said contritely.

My brows furrowed, "What are you apologizing for?" I am intrigued.

"I… I wasn't of any use to you my Lord, since we met all you did was come to my aid, and yet I couldn't even ride with you on your horse and now…,"

I jumped, sat on the bench and faced her. I took her hands on mine, clasped them together before I silently urged her to look me directly in the eye. After a couple of moments, she did. I was once again mesmerized by her crimson orbs, I have to shake my head when my mind went on tangential. "Shizuru, don't you ever think that you are of no use to me. None of what happened was your fault. I always believe in the fates, and me finding you must be their doing." I took a deep breath and closed my eyes to find the right words. "You have no idea how useful you are to me Shizuru." I said before opening my eyes to see her eyes wet with tears.

"Shiz…,"

"Thank you my Lord," she whispered, smiled and then wiped her tears with the back of her hands.

I nodded my head and then returned to laying my head on her lap, "Now, we still have a lot of distance to endure and I need my very comfortable pillow." I said before looking up at her face, that was now smiling despite it being flushed once again.

When I close my eyes and feel the pull of sleep, I also felt warm, soothing and smooth hand brushing my hair.

Ahhh, now if all of my coming travels would be as nice as this, I'd endure being inside any couch!

maiuniverse

Before the moon rises at its peak, our troop had gained a very nice distance and we were near Windbloom territory. From the camp site, my Kingdom's lights could be seen, twinkling like night stars in the heavens. The beauty of them though paled compared to the beauty before her , the slave was standing in front of a meadow staring beyond and to the kingdom's lighted outline.

The moon was full in the sky, 'mother' (1) peeking below and guiding her people had shone, and her light reflects from the woman's chestnut colored hair that glistens as if she was some goddess who walks the earth.

As I stand here watching her, I made a vow… No one will hurt Shizuru ever again, anyone who dares will answer to me.

maiuniverse

We started early the next day, my soldiers were excited coming home. Some were happy at the thought of reuniting with their families, some were sad that their comrades had fallen during the long war of Zipang and Fuuka, but they have good news for the bereft families. I wasn't worried about the families left behind, I had entrusted the news to Yukino and I know it will be taken cared of before we arrive back home.

Before we arrive at the gate of Windbloom, I ordered the horse handler to bring Silver, I told Shizuru that I need to ride in front of the procession, and that she has to stay inside the couch. Since we are at Windbloom territory, I am confident of Shizuru's safety, but to make sure, I ordered Chie to post four of her most trusted men to enter alongside the couch.

I sat regally on top of Silver as we finally entered, lines of people were there greeting us, cheering. The flag of Windbloom could be seen littered all around. Children, males and females were clothed by their mothers to mimic my armed forces complete with my insignia. I smiled inwardly. I maybe a beast to the eyes of my enemies, but to these people, I am acclaimed, I am their savior.

At the entrance of the palace, me and my troop were greeted by my youngest sister and her militia, along with captain Tate and Captain Masashi who both wore a large grin on their faces. When I looked back, I saw Mai getting out of their couch and hurriedly ran towards Mikoto's arms.

I shook my head. My sister would always welcome Mai first before anyone, even me.

Then my thoughts wander, to a time in the future… will there be someone to wait for me in my palace? Someone to welcome me with open arms just as Mikoto waits for Mai and vice versa ? I once again looked back to find the couch where Shizuru was then I smiled. Maybe Shizuru won't see it the way I do, but I will do everything in my power to get her attention the way I want it.

Besides, I am this 'Realms' over all ruler.

maiuniverse

"Welcome home Conqueror." Yukino greeted as she bowed her head. Then she focused her attention to General Haruka whose smile widened at the site of the Royal Advisor. Beside Yukino was Aoi, the palace's seneschal. She used to be Queen Mashiro's personal maid, after I took over Windbloom through peaceful transition, I made her my palace seneschal. I don't think this place will continue to function properly without Aoi's golden touch, just as my government will fall if Yukino decides to quit.

"Congratulations Conqueror!" The whiny sound of former Queen Mashiro, now serving as one of my palace's head advisor rang. Mashiro might be young, when Windbloom was turned over to her by her late father, the kingdom was dying, she had no other recourse to help her suffering fellowmen but to make a pact with then an uprising warrior… me.

I intend to take over Ethica. I have been around and seen how this division had made the people suffer instead of prosper, and for me to take over one kingdom after another, I needed my own. Mashiro's surrender with a deal of making Windbloom the capital of my empire, and that her people will be spared a hard life was what I needed.

I agreed and made her a part of my palace advisor, seeing over the citizen's affair, now not only of Windbloom but of all the kingdoms I have conquered. All the citizens' problems and request goes to her first, and I trust her judgment that it's very rare of me to veto any acts or solutions she decreed.

"Mashiro," I greeted in return. I saw her eyes focused at my back so I turned to find Shizuru following me with her head bowed down. She was also struggling with her luggages, Aoi saw it and helped before calling on a servant to carry the luggages.

"I see you brought someone, and from where is she? I doubt she's another one from Zipang?" the purple colored haired woman asked with her usual smile.

"She is beautiful!" The excited comment came from the red headed woman in twin braid beside Mashiro, her Royal Guard Arika Yumemiya.

"She's from Fuuka, Queen Fumi's head advisor gave her to Queen Natsuki as gift." My sister Haruka replied.

Yukino and Aoi eyed each other. In Windbloom and then in the conquered kingdoms, Queen Natsuki had forbidden trade, selling and gifting of slaves. A lot of these rulers before tried bribing their way with their most priced body slaves but the conqueror had declined, causing her to make the proclamation.

Now…

"Where do you want me to place her Queen Natsuki?" Aoi asked.

I smiled, usually she just go and do this kind of thing, but perhaps she felt the specialness of this one.

"I'd be delighted if she be put in the same wing as my chamber Aoi, thank you." I said then I looked at Shizuru who had a permanent blush on her face. It is probably troubling to hear people talking about you when you are in front of them, and them talking about you in third person.

Aoi nodded and signaled Shizuru to follow her. She was to carry her luggage when she was stopped and my seneschal had one male servant to carry her things. Aoi knew Shizuru's status, and though Shizuru is my favored servant, her action was not because of some special consideration, it's because in my kingdom, all heavy works like carrying heavy equipments, luggages, etcetera are all delegated to the male servants.

I treat both genders equal, I am not saying women are weak, men were just gifted with extra testosterone.

Our talk halted as Aoi left for my wing of the palace, along with Shizuru and the male servant. When the three were out of sight, I pulled the scroll Nao gave me and hand it over to Yukino.

"What is that?" Haruka neechan asked me.

"Nao gave it to me, she said this is bad news and asked me to have it read here, with you," I said looking at Yukino. "I wished for Mashiro to be present too when we read this."

"When do you want it read?"

I smiled, "Give me a day or two to get a breather then the three of us could decipher this."

"If this is trouble, don't you think your Generals should be present too?" Haruka neechan asked with a frown.

"I had no idea of the content yet nee-chan, I guess the three of us could start with it first and if this is as dire as Nao made it sound, then we will convene with all the people that should be involved, Shizuru included."

Haruka nee-chan's frown deepened, "What does Shizuru has to do with this?"

"it was found in the couch where she was hit by the arrow. It was open and it seemed the gift Shinichi gave me isn't a simple servant at all."

My blonde haired sister took a deep breath. "Suki, I know how smitten you are with that Shizuru, but know this, If I learned that she is a spy or that she is here to hurt you, I won't hesitate to kill her, even if it means I have to fight you and your beast. Before you were Queen, you were my sister."

I prayed to kami that Shizuru isn't involve, for if she does, it will hurt me so much I'd rather die. I nodded my head. Haruka nee-chan satisfied returned the nod and then she turned to leave… but not before dragging Yukino out of the palace lobby.

-End chapter 10-

(1) The three goddess as one was referred as "The Maiden, The Mother, and the Crone". In the Greek mythology, Artemis represents the maiden, Selene the Mother and Hecate the Crone." The Fates , as I now sit corrected weren't the same as the Triple goddesses, The Fates or Moirai in Greek mythology were Clotho (the one who spuns the thread), Lachesis (the one who measures how long a life's thread is) and Atropos (The one who cuts the thread). The three also represents The Past, The Present and the Future.