Despite the fact that this was still a relatively new experience for him, the lord and master of the forces of Utumno nevertheless felt pretty confident that he had performed more than adequately with his second bedding companion.
Especially since Mara's carnal preferences happened to be almost entirely different from what he had experienced during his time with Thuringwethil.
For whereas his vampire minion was aggressive, and had no problem taking the lead, the red haired assassin was more gentle, and willing to take a more submissive role when it came to 'bedroom activities'. That wasn't to say that she couldn't become aggressive, but her approach to convincing him to enjoy her…talents was a lot less forward than Thuringwethil's.
But, since his previous life had been lacking when it came to enjoying physical intimacy with a woman, let alone one as gorgeous as the red head that was currently snuggling into his side, the shape changing master of Utumno had no complaints.
However, content though he was to simply relax and enjoy the sensation of having a nude and busty woman press into his side, the mind of the former librarian had no problem drifting to other matters that needed attending to.
Something which his bedding companion easily picked up on.
"What matters trouble you my lord? Was the evening's….festivities not to your liking".
Chuckling at the green eyed woman's question, the golden eyed doppelganger wasted no time in sharing his thoughts with the crimson haired beauty.
"On the contrary I am much pleased with how things have progressed. Though I suspect that Thuringwethil might be a tad...annoyed at the fact that you were the one to enjoy my attentions rather than herself".
Smirking as his words earned a giggle from the deadly female, Morbus continued on.
"However, while our victory yesterday was indeed great, thanks in part to both the army and YOUR agents, we have further work to do in order ensure that it is complete. For while the Theocracy has lost its best chance of freeing itself from my rule, I will not tolerate any flickering embers of resistance, no matter how pathetic, to continue existing. Especially since we are now at our most vulnerable".
His words causing Mara to sport a confused frown, the shape shifter proceeded to outline the reason for his concern.
"Let me explain. While there are many things different about this world than the one I hailed from before aiding in the creation of Utumno, the nature of warfare in this world is quite similar to what it used to be like in mine millennia ago. Wars fought between two equal opposing sides were not quick, they were not cheap, and they hardly ever achieved all that they wanted in a single campaign. Of course in my world some of the victors of these wars who possessed the strength to capitalize on their successes and form great empires, but that usually took decades, if not centuries to accomplish".
A light of understanding entering her emerald eyes, Mara listened with rapt attention as her master continued to explain the nature of warfare between beings of his divine nature.
"However, completely conquering a nation within a short period of time wasn't unheard of. But with rare exceptions, these nations only managed to hang on to their possessions for a scant number of years as their actions forced rival countries to band together in an attempt to stop them. Something that would have likely happened already if Utumno was not the only…active power in this world".
Scowling at the reminder of her lord's rival, the red haired assassin felt her eyes widen in shock at Morbus outlined his immediate plans for the future.
"I think it might be time to implement the next stage of my empire building. Cause after all , if my new subjects have the privelge of living under my rule, they should have the honor of fighting for it".
…..
Though it had taken most of the evening to ensure that everything was prepared for her master's triumphant return, Thuringwethil could nevertheless look upon her work with satisfaction as she waited for Lord Morbus to see her efforts.
For while there was no doubt in her mind that the ruler of Utumno would continue to triumph over those foolish enough to oppose his might, the raven haired vampire knew that no one would be able to forget that the Slane Theocracy was the first pathetic nation of this world to be conquered by her shape changing master.
Which meant that the celebrations for his victory should also be as memorable as possible.
Flags showcasing the Iron Crown flew from every battlement of the Great Gate.
Rank upon rank of inhuman soldiers stood before the great battlement to cheer their returning master and his victorious army.
And the best of all, at least in her mind, a selection of musical delights from the world of her beloved master
It had taken some doing on her part, for while she had been granted access to the great library of the Shadowed Lords she had little experience in navigating it's vast stores of knowledge. But in the end, even if the artistry that accompanied the musical selection was upsetting, the dress wearing vampire had managed to find something that would no doubt make her master's return as triumphant as possible.
And then as a reward for her efforts, he would give her the chance to make him forget the previous evening he had spent with her fellow Supreme General.
For while they did have an agreement in place regarding the future offspring they would bear for their lord and master, treating the fruit of Lord Morbus's loins with the love and attention they rightfully deserved, Thuringwethil still wished to have the honor of being the first to give him a child.
And in order to do that, she had to make sure that Lord Morbus had no doubts about not only her loyalty, but her willingness to display it.
But considering the grand spectacle she had managed to create for her master's return, the crimson eyed beauty was confident that her efforts would be rewarded in the manner that she desired.
…
While having expected his minions to celebrate his return with something grand and over the top to mark their first major military victory on this world, the former librarian could never have suspected that the creations of his former teammates would ever choose to welcome him with a musical selection that would have raised some eyebrows back in what he had once considered to be the real world
Of course he sincerely doubted that his servants understood the lyrics of the booming score. Or the link between this anthem and the nation that had once terrified the world with its ideology.
But since this was a momentous occasion, Morbus could only be grateful that his underlings had chosen to welcome him with the blaring anthem of the human world's first communist nation instead of anything that was attributed to the 12 year era when Germany was led by an Austrian of increasing insanity.
"I loathe to admit it master, but Thuringwethil's efforts to celebrate your triumphant return have indeed surpassed my expectations. Though I must confess that the language of the voices that are welcoming us home are not something I recognize".
Chucking in agreement with his crimson haired general/lover, for while he was familiar with the overall message of the Soviet Anthem the exact lyrics were not something he was intimately familiar with, Morbus nodded his head as he sought to share his opinion with the emerald eyed beauty.
"It is the language of one of the major nations from the realm where I and the rest of the Shadowed Lords originally hail from. The…faction that created it have long since proven to be ineffectual political administrators, but one cant deny that they knew how to make an impression".
His words causing Mara to smile as she was bestowed the gift of learning more about the world in which her master and the rest of the Shadowed Lords had come from, the shapeshifting lord of Utumno tore his attention away from his leather clad servant/lover in order to stare at this rather impressive display of his dungeon's military might.
Thankfully, instead of adding their voices to the blaring Soviet Anthem, the soldiers of his underground fortress chose to remain silent as they stood in neat square like formations.
The battlements of the Great Gate proudly displayed numerus flags bearing the symbol of his guild, which thankfully had been selected with a color scheme that by no means violated Yggdrasil's rules regarding racist symbolism.
And perhaps the most amusing, the sight of his vampiric lover who was wearing an expression that made it clear that she wasn't sure if she wanted to jump his bones right then and there, or launch herself at her fellow female general and engage in something that probably was almost as entertaining as taking one of the two to bed.
However, as he approached, Thuringwethil quickly gained a more respectful expression as she bowed deeply.
"Greetings Lord Morbus. All of Utumno celebrates your victorious return from your latest conquest. I trust that you are pleased with our efforts to honor your return"?
Allowing a small smile to cross his face, Morbus nodded his head as he gestured for his undead lover to rise.
"I am Thuringwethil. I trust that you didn't have too much difficulty in finding this…musical selection"?
At his question, the raven haired vampire could only nod her head.
"I confess that it took some….exploration, but if you are pleased with the end result, then all my efforts were worth it".
Smirking at the vampiric beauty's genuine desire to try and please him, especially since he knew that part of her motivation was to put him in a good enough mood to demand her immediate presence in his bed, the shape shifter decided to offer a compliment before starting the process that would hopefully speed up the rate of his empire's expansion.
"I would have to agree that your efforts were indeed worth it my dear Thuringwethil. However, as much as I wish to savor your celebratory welcome, I'm afraid that for the moment we have more important things to discuss".
Though his words earned a slight pout from the raven haired woman, Thuringwethil nevertheless nodded her head in acceptance as her master proceeded to give her new orders.
"After contacting Saruman and Sidious to stand by their Palantir, instruct the rest of the Supreme Generals that I wish to meet them in the throne room. No doubt news of our victory is already spreading across the land, and I would prefer to hear the valued advice of my most trusted servants before deciding on the next step of our expansion".
Left unsaid of course was the fact that the final decision would be his and his alone.
But by now he had undeniable proof that his orders would be obeyed by his each and everyone of his minions.
…..
Though he knew many in the kingdom were celebrating the defeat on their more powerful southern neighbor, Gazef Stronff was no one of them.
For while the Slane Theocracy had done much to try and destabilize the Re-Estize Kingdom by supporting the various noble factions that dared to challenge the authority of his majesty King Ramposa III, they had nevertheless served as a useful counterbalance against not only the Bahurth Empire, but also the various non human kingdoms that would no doubt like to increase their territory at the expense of those that had always looked down on them for their lack of humanity.
But despite the best efforts of the Theocracy to appeal for military aid against the demon named Morbus, the highly religious human supremacist nation had been defeated before they could receive any form of help from either the Kingdom of the Empire.
And while the Kingdom's strongest knight had no doubt that the few surviving nobles and holy men who had escaped the downfall of their country would attempt to attract enough support to reclaim their conquered lands, he also suspected that they wouldn't receive the heroes welcome they felt they were do.
He had heard the angry mutterings of the Theocracy's displaced elite, and it was clear that while the forces of Utumno, a location that had still yet to be discovered, were merciless towards those that dared challenge them, they practiced a far more lenient policy towards their conquered subjects.
Gazef had no doubt that thousands, if not hundreds of thousands would be declared guilty of the crime of treason should the former rulers of the Theocracy ever manage to win back their lands.
But since the life of the common peasant was less harsh under the heel of Morbus than it had been under the Holy Light of the Supreme Council, he strongly suspected that the forces of Utumno would be strongly supported by those whose lives had been improved by a change in rulers.
However, to Gazef this merely confirmed his belief that that the ruler of Morbus was more intelligent, and thus more dangerous, than the typical warlord.
For it was one thing to control a population through fear. Especially when their was a clear distinction between those who reaped the spoils of this form of governance and those that suffered from it.
But offering the conquered undisputable proof that the quality of their lives would be improved if they chose to willingly serve under the flag of a new master, then the chances of sparking a rebellion in the enemy's rear became exceedingly more difficult.
However, though it confused him greatly, this Lord Morbus had made no sign of wishing to add the Re-Estize Kingdom to his domain.
With the need to continue the subjugation of the Theocracy, it was understandable that he would wait before he embarked on any northern campaign. But even if the bulk of his army was engaged to the south, surely Morbus could have spared some of his scouts to get some information about his future target?
But there had been nothing.
Which could mean one of two things.
The first was that the spies of Utumno had managed to sneak in and out of his country without anyone even noticing their presence. A difficult task to perform, but not impossible.
The second option was that Morbus had taken the sound military advice of concentrating on one enemy at a time to the extreme. But since his occupation polices showed that this was a being of intelligence, it was unlikely that he wouldn't have ordered some of his spies to scout out a country they were not at war with.
However, while somewhat unlikely, it was possible that the rumors of unrest between the tribes of Lizardmen were in fact the first signs of Morbus's decision to bring the Kingdom under his heel.
But for some reason, he doubted it.
…
ANNNNND gonna stop here for now.
Sincerest apologises for how long this chapter took to write, actually had half of it finished for a few months now, but thankfully I was able to finish this chapter as a Christmas present.
Anyways, plz review. No flames.
Merry Christmas.