Well, the general consensus was for Anya to be in the Harem. I must say that I am not terribly shocked, but I was surprised that not a single person spoke against it directly, though a few said they didn't care one way or another. So while Anya will be joining the Harem, so will not be doing so anytime soon, for reasons that will become clear. I'm also debating over Luna and Ontari, though Ontari seems like a total psychopath I ought to just kill, even if she is pretty hot. Maybe i should just have Clarke chain her up somewhere, teach her how to behave...

Further, I'm ignoring everything involving Bekka Pramheda or whatever the fuck she is called. ALIE might still exist, but her origins will be totally different. I think this is obvious, given what was revealed last chapter. I mean, all that shit about ALIE 2.0, the black blood, and all that seems way to fucking stupid to me.

To everyone wondering, yes the G!P is Clarke. This was hinted at last chapter when she was cradling her body just above her crotch. That is the first hint of the biological change she is going through due to Juno's energy-wave thingy. Though it is currently a matter of intense and furious internal debate over where it should be permanent or...'on call', as it were.

I really like Jude81's (AO3) idea about having the harem as a whole relationship, but smaller, secondary relationships inside of it. That actually makes a lot of sense, and will add a great deal of depth to the relationships. Mind you, I planned on the Harem 'entertaining' each other, but now I have something of a reasonable explanation for it.

As a final note, I can't guarantee steady updates at this point. My grandmother's health is declining (she is 95, and it's a blessing from God she has been healthy until now), so I am spending a great deal of time looking after her (I was there for 8 hours today, thus the late-night release of this chapter). Even when I have a free moment, I am far too stressed to really write quality work. However, I guarantee this story will never be canceled! I am far too angry over canon (basically from halfway through season two forwards, though to be honest I saw things that needed fixing from Season One, Episode One) to allow it to lie fallow.

As a final, final note, anyone willing to do ANYTHING to help me and my family financially through this current trial would be deeply appreciated. There is a link to my donation account on my stream, theshadowsofvanity on twitch (twitch dot tv slash theshadowsofvanity). I'll not be able to work for several more months at least with things as they are, and money is getting very tight.

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Nothing Is True (Save For The Blood We've Shed)

Chapter Eight

The Feast

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The Generals' reactions had been as good as she had hoped, better even. Shock, trepidation, and of course the totally expected and undisguised lust from Costia, who had arrived while they were within the Vault with some extra soldiers. Kara and Kira had fallen all over themselves to beg Clarke's forgiveness for failing to protect her, and she (unsurprisingly and endearingly) had forgiven them as gently and honestly as she had forgiven Lexa. The next several minutes were spent plotting their course for the night, especially as Costia had informed them that Nia of the Ice Nation had shown up in Polis, most interestingly with four gorgeous maidens in skimpy clothing with collars and chain leashes. While pleasure slaves, or slavery in general, was not uncommon amongst the clans, it was uncommon for them to travel with a higher-ranked individual, as opposed to be sending on ahead to prepare for their arrival. What was guaranteed is that the four of them had to be relevant in some way to something that would benefit Nia and her Nation, which meant they would need to be wary and inherently suspicious the rest of the night. It was also decided that Clarke would lay claim to Azrael's blade, an extremely well made, and therefore highly expensive, blade. A fine trophy, even if she had captured instead of kill, with the added benefit of throwing the Ice Nation off balance, perhaps badly enough for them to gain information or advantage. A few minutes of wardrobe manipulation later, and it was decided that the blade would work best holstered on her back, the hilt at her right shoulder.

After a quick refresher course on how to treat the dignitaries, Lexa sent all but Costia from there room and felt her nerves skyrocket again. If Clarke wasn't so amazing and beautiful, she might be angry with the girl for constantly having her emotions swinging to and fro as they had been the last few days. Now, they were doing so again because she had to mention one minor detail she had yet to share with Clarke, one she did not want to have the Generals witness her expose.

"Clarke, it might be best if you…avoided drinking too much tonight. No one would dare try and poison you, not at an event like this, but celebrations of my people, especially those of this magnitude of significance, tend to get rather…wild." Lexa said delicately, blushing lightly as she thought about how 'wild' she wanted to be with the Princess. When Clarke merely blinked at her confusedly, she huffed in irritation. She really wanted to be respectful of Clarke, and telling her that feasts and celebrations often devolved into city-wide orgies might make her seem as overtly lecherous as Costia, or extremely self-serving. Neither of the above would do her any good whatsoever.

"What she means is, we get hammered and have sex. Lots, and lots, of sex. The entire city turns into one giant orgy, and if you're too drunk something could happen that you'll regret once the feast is over." Costia interjected bluntly, to her horror, and Lexa closed her eyes and shook her head, silently begging the Maker for patience so she didn't kill her lovably idiotic redhead.

"While…far blunter then I would have preferred, Costia is correct. My people are rather free with themselves at feasts and celebrations, because at all other times we must be prepared for danger from the Mountain Men and the other dangers of this world. So, things tend to get, as I said, wild." Lexa continued, before giving a wry smile, her voice taking on a very dry note. "Coincidentally, we have many children born nine months after a feast or celebration."

Clarke snorted in amusement at the tone and the truth of the comment. She had no doubt that Lexa was right, she had noticed that many of the warriors all seemed around the same age, and some of them even had the same characteristics. She could only assume that the more virile and impressive warriors enjoyed more company and thus had more children running about.

"Well, you don't need to worry about me. It's not an easy feat getting any Arker drunk, and I can only assume that it goes double for me, thanks to whatever it is that the Triad has done to me. Once the sex starts, I'll probably return here." She responded, before looking at Costia, stopping her from speaking, and then looking between her and the downcast Lexa. "I've come to care for both of you, and you are both incredibly beautiful and would no doubt be great fun to sleep with, I don't want my first time making love to be a drunken orgy."

Boldy giving both of them a gentle kiss on the cheek, she strode from the room before either could react, leaving a pair of baffled and aroused women behind her. Costia gave a soft whimper of longing whilst staring after her, an action that Lexa mimicked silently, though she felt rather smug that Clarke had kissed her not once, but twice, and Costia only had one on the cheek! Clarke had looked magnificent in her sky-people armor, but in her new garb she was both mysterious and deadly in appearance, a combination that naturally made her all the more alluring to them. The fact that she wa a virgin was rather shocking initially, but in retrospect they considered she had mentioned not being with anyone because of the dishonesty and the ulterior motives behind the actions of those who approached her romantically.

"I was really looking forward to seducing her tonight too…" Costia said sadly, looking sidelong at Lexa, who looked rather put out as well, although she was hiding it better. "All three of us were going to have so much fun tonight! It was going to be amazing!"

"I know, I was hoping for it as well. Still, I can understand her wanting her first time to be as special as she can make it. Didn't we do the same thing?" the Heda reminded her woman, who nodded with a blush and a smile. When Lexa had first begun courting her (after months of being thick-skulled and oblivious to Costia's flirts and baiting), Costia had made her work for her submission, which had only made it more exciting when she finally pushed Lexa too far and been taken into her bed. Despite her irritation, the brunette (also a virgin, though her maidenhead had not been broken that night, nor any night since. That right belonged to a certain blond woman) had been gentle and sweet their first time. "I suppose we will simply have to partake in one another, ai hodnes."

"I'm sure we can suffer together, domina." Costia said flirtatiously, using the old Roman word for mistress, though as far as the tribes knew it was a 'sleng word for the same, and Lexa smiled at her warmly. It always made her happy to hear the affection-laden title fall from her lover's lips, and her heart fluttered as she thought of how soon she might be the one saying it to Clarke. Gesturing to her heel, she started from the building, her lover following her dutifully, as they prepared to confront their ancient enemy.

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Nia smirked broadly as she looked over the four young women she had decided to give to the sky-princess. All four were the daughters of wealthy civilian families, trained since birth to be the perfect, masochistically submissive women to whomever their families chose to give them too. None were above the age of eighteen, none younger than fifteen, and all were well above average in terms of their physical developments. Taught etiquette, business, language, history, and the house-crafts, they were meant to be the silent and obedient shadows to aid their superiors, assisting in ambassadorial and business ventures with all the charms and poise of the ideal hostess.

A handsome gift, altogether, more than was truly needed for the lives of four low-level warriors without name or standing, but it would impress upon this 'Clarke' just how wealthy and powerful the Ice Nation was, and possibly endear them to her as well. It might convince her that whatever tales she had heard from Lexa and her cronies might not be quite as legitimate as they claimed. Doubt would lead to fracture amongst them, and that would inevitably empower her own cause. If all else failed, she could use the girl's loyalty to their families to either manipulate or outright kill her enemies, though she doubted they would overtly attempt to harm their new domina, no matter who ordered them otherwise.

Daja, the sixteen year old second daughter of the ruling family of The Travelers, a formerly nomadic group of ocean-going merchant families that had been 'convinced' by Nia's own mother to operate entirely out of the Ice Nation, allowing her to challenge the monopoly on oceanic trade and fishing that was held by Lexa's Boat Clan allies, a minor blow to the girl's faction, but a blow non-the-less. She, and indeed the rest of her people, had far darker skin than their paler countrymen, their smooth, dusky brown skin, long silky black hair, and deep onyx eyes made her all the more alluring and exotic, something Nia was banking on.

Ailyn, the eldest at eighteen-years of age, was something of an oddity. Though she was from a, technically, 'civilian' family and raised accordingly, she was also the eldest daughter of a tribe of fighters that gave no true loyalty to the Ice Nation, but instead to their own Code of Honor and the strongest warrior or leader. It had cost Nia's mother a great many warriors to bring them to heel, but in the end they acknowledged her as their Warmistress…for now. Ailyn was the weakest link in her plan due to this, but hopefully the others would keep her from doing anything idiotic thanks to that damn Code of hers, like warning the Sky Princess of Nia's manipulations and true nature. With pale skin, silver hair, and crimson eyes, she was as exotically beautiful as she was lethal. It was she Nia wanted to analyze any military weaknesses she could exploit, as well as kill Lexa should it become necessary. True, she would have to somehow convince her that Lexa was a threat to her domina, but she was sure it could be done.

Daine, only daughter of the best and most prominent trainers and breeders the Ice Nation had to offer. An expert tracker and hunter, she had an incredible gift with animals that bordered upon the supernatural. Her own skin, while lighter than Daja's, was still nonetheless the dark brown-gold of a true, full body tan, born from hours upon hours spent in the sun. Her eyes were as green as the forests she spent her life in, brown hair as wild and untamed.

Finally, there was Samara, daughter of a powerful judge, expert in the laws of all the tribes both within and without the Coalition. Obsessed with justice, she was another risk to Nia's plan, but those obsessed by a cause could so easily be manipulated by it. She had short-cropped brown hair and steel-grey eyes as unyielding as her soul. It would have amazed her that someone so unshakable could be as submissive as she was, but she knew that how one acted for one's dominus or domina didn't necessarily affect their outside life amongst others. Not that anything other than absolute, full time subservience would ever be acceptable to her from lesser creatures like these four, of course.

One might wonder, of course, why Nia was willing to risk such valuable assets helping her enemies. After all, the four of them applying their skills to Clarke's, and thus Lexa's, cause could be disastrous. However, Nia was indeed supremely confident that she held all the cards in this particular game of chance. Besides, if they attempted to betray her, she could always frame them for something to remove them from her enemies' arsenal.

"The four of you will be gifted to your new domina tonight, along with a few tools of her trade," Nia finally addressed them, indicating a table covered with restraints, gags, whips, and the like. "For her to use to take pleasure from your pain, as it should be. I expect each of you to serve her however and whenever she desires, but do not forget that you are Ice Nation. My Nation."

The four bowed silently, knowing better than to speek without being expressly commanded to do so. None of them were terribly displeased with their fates, having been taught since childhood that they were meant only to serve. To serve the Sky Princess personally, to be first amongst her slaves, would bering great honor to their houses, and to themselves personally. As the slaves of a powerful figure, even if they were not yet Favored, would ensure that those who once would have treated them with contempt and abuse would have to treat them with respect lest their new owner take offence. Something that would doubtlessly prove fatal, disgraceful, or both for the foolish offenders.

A gesture had the quartet carefully packing the high-quality items into an embossed and intricately carved chest, a beautiful chest of polished mahogany and gold trim with black leather handles. A clatter of chains later and their leashes were attatched to the chest itself, whivh they hefted together. Leading the girls, and the chest they now carried, from her private room at her Polis manor, she started towards the maindoors that would lead her onto the streets.

"Oh, Mother, are you ready to depart?" her eldest daughter, Sylvanas, asked her cheerfully. Like Ailyn, she was slightly mutated by an exposure to radiation her mother had experienced while pregnant, with hair just as silver and eyes just as red. What truly made her an oddity amongst their family, however, was not her physical appearance. While the rest of them were cold and cruel, she was kind, care-free, and kind hearted, with a long list of other things features that would be wonderful things to anyone else, but were severe character defects to them. Still, Nia had struggled mightily to bring the child into the world, and loved her more than anything else on this rotten, blood-soaked planet. Not that such unusual emotion kept her from using the girl's nature to her advantage when possible, usually to manipulate others from behind the scenes or by using the girl as a red herring.

It helped that the girl was a lethal fighter, in truth the best woodswoman the Ice Nation possessed. Once, during a hunt, she had shot down a pair of birds with a single arrow, and was respected as being both cunning and swift when she chose instead to fight with her twin long-bladed daggers. She had expressed a great deal of interest in meating the Sky Princess and had accompanied her mother even as Roan, Nia's son and heir, had sneered and elected to remain home. While Nia didn't exactly want to be here, he was foolish to so easily discard a chance to help their family. Not to mention he might have been able to woo the Sky Princess.

"Of course, dearest. I was simply preparing my gift for the Sky Princess, compensation for the crimes of zealots who dared attempt harm those protected by our great Heda." She responded with a warm smile that was as false as her praise of Lexa, not that Sylvanas noticed.

"Yes, very disturbing, to think of any of our noble warriors were so foolish or corrupted to commit such a crime." The girl frowned heavily as she followed her mother out into the street, brightly lit by the hundreds of torches lining the streets and torches of Polis. The streets were already bustling with people, the many taverns and pubs already filling with patrons eager to drink and fuck the night away. The town criers were taking their positions, forming a human relay chain that would pass the words of the Heda and anyone else of import who made speeches to the city at large, while scribes stood ready to record the same for dispatch to all the villages and towns of the tribes. Street vendors were already out in force, hawking wares of all shapes and sizes, including small figures of the Sky Princess astride her six-legged warhorse. It never ceased to amaze how fast traders and merchants could be ready to take advantage of new opportunities. For Heaven's sake, the girl had only arrived in Polis a few hours ago!

"This should be terribly fun! I've never been in Polis during a feast before!" the red-eyed bow-mistress said cheerfully, and Nia scowled as a surge of powerful, rare motherly instinct flared.

"You will not be becoming a woman tonight, daughter, and I'll gut any man or woman who thinks otherwise!" she said sharply, tone implacable, and her daughter blinked at her in surprise before laughing softly. Nia's scowl deepened, but her child's laughter only grew louder.

"Oh mother, ever the great bear defending her cubs with bared fangs and great growls." She smiled briefly before going back to regarding her surroundings with immense interest. "Besides, I've no intention of giving myself to anyone anything soon, I would rather have it mean something instead of being a drunken fumble in the dark."

Nia frowned but neglected to comment, more interested in remaining implacable then once again explaining to her daughter that she should aspire to take control, not surrender it. Educating her properly (again!) could wait until later. For now, they were almost at the Polis Stadium, the large ovular arena that had, mostly, survived the war. It was used for special events like public executions and floggings, competitions, and feasts such as this.

Twin spears abruptly blocked her path as a pair of purple-cloaked Senate Guard, ceremonial protectors of Polis (though no less deadly than those that served on the front lines) performed their sacred duty to protect the Heda and the Senate of The Tribes.

"You who would enter the presence of Heda, Sacred Leader of Our People, and the Honored Senate of The Tribes, announce yourself or perish." The left hand guard commanded, and Nia squared her shoulders, bearing regal.

"I am Nia kom Azkru, Queen of the North and Leader of the Ice Nation. With me are my daughter, Sylvanas, and four gifts of flesh and blood for the Sky Princess, compensation for unsanctioned crimes against her." She responded just as formally, and the guards nodded in acceptance, returning their spears back to their sides, allowing the group to pass unmolested. Humming in satisfaction, Nia swept past with her group following, navigating the stairs and stone corridors until they reached what was called The Brass Box. A jocular nickname coined by the students, its inception came from the many games hosted there during the early Radicalist Wars, after the Draft had been reinstituted. The large stadium, made partially from the scraps of the old, was far larger than its predecessor and was constructed as a way for the tens of thousands of students to blow off steam and practice tactics, during which the high-ranking instructors and officers present would sit in the specially constructed seating area, hence the nickname.

Now, of course, it was where the Heda and her honored guests sat during whatever events required use of the stadium. As a powerful clan leader, Nia and her family were naturally amongst those. Passing several more guard pairs, they finally arrived at the entrance to their destination. Nia ordered her gifts to remain outside whilst she and her daughter made their way into the room.

Lexa and her red-haired civilian lover were there (shameful, really, and pathetically weak for the Heda to take a filthy civilian into her bed on a regular basis) as were her generals Indra and Anya, though Indra was of course technically present as Clan Leader of the Trikru, as opposed to being a general. With the edition of the other Clan Leaders and a handful of more prominent people in Polis, the room was uncomfortably close to being at capacity, though there was still plenty of room for servants to serve the large central table that awaited them. She noted with interest that Luna of the Boat Clan was not present. It was somewhat suspicious, given that the Boat Clan were ancestrally the closest allies of the Wood Clan. No doubt, her absent meant something was afoot.

"Hail, Heda." She spoke finally, voice warm and strong, as she approached the founder and supreme authority of the Coalition, who turned at her approach with an expression of polite welcome and disinterest.

"Nia, I had not thought to see you here! Imagine my surprise, and pleasure of course, at hearing you had arrived in Polis not long ago." The Commander's face was impassive, eyes glittering with concealed emotions, but Nia's hands tightened into fists involuntarily at the taunt hidden within her words, though she remained silent and smiling. Lexa's mouth quirked up slightly at the corners in response, before turning her attention from mother to daughter. "And this must be Sylvanas, the Bowmistress of the North. I've heard incredible things of your archery. Well met."

"Well met, Heda! Your words honor me greatly!" Sylvanas bowed with a faint blush at the praise, before looking about curiously and continuing. "Heda, is the SkaiPrisa not here? I had so looked forward to meeting her, especially after seeing the models of herself on her mount. A truly impressive looking animal, if I might add."

"Yes, a magnificent creature, one that rejected all attempts to tame it until she arrived. Almost as though only she could bring it to heel. She named it Sleipnir, after an ancient god-king's mighty steed of war. Most appropriate, would you not say?" the last was clearly directed at Nia, though Lexa didn't bother to observe her reaction, instead remaining focused on Sylvanas. "As for Clarke, she is..."

"Right behind you."

The two Ice Nation nobles spun around, hands on their weapons, at the foreign female voice that spoke directly behind them. There, standing not two feet behind them, was the SkaiPrisa, dressed in an elaborate yet practical combination of robes and armor that, combined with the raised hood hiding her face, oozed mystery...and danger. She was tall, taller than they had expected her to be, and while the nature of her clothes hid much of her physique, her chest and strong build were both easily noticeable, as was the sword sheathed on her back. A blade Nia recognized, for it was one that she had personally commissioned and gifted to the father of her children, the only overt sign of her affection for him she had ever permitted herself, lest she fall prey to the weakness of lesser people.

Ignoring their reactions, Clarke slipped past the pair, booted feet soft but still somewhat audible on the stone floor, taking up position between Lexa and Costia, a gesture that was lost on no one, and Nia gritted her teeth at the not-so-subtle assertion of authority. Costia quietly murmured something to her in English, and Clarke raised her hands to her hood, pushing it back and revealing her face to the other occupants of the room.

"I am Clarke of the Sky People, slayer of the yong pauna. Greetings to you, people of the Ice Nation, and to your as well, honored guests." She addressed first Nia and her daughter, and then the room at large, receiving various bows and acknowledgments from the Clan Leaders, though her attention remained on the Ice Nation duo.

"I'm so glad to see you healed and healthy, SkaiPrisa. My deepest apologies for the terrible and entirely unsanctioned attack on you by renegade warriors of my clan." Nia addressed her directly, and the blonde raised a curious eyebrow in her direction as she continued. "Therefore, I have brought you a gift."

A snap of her fingers had her gifts entering the room, and she concealed a smirk as Clarke and Lexa stiffened, thought Costia seemed impassive. Lexa hurriedly began to whisper into Clarke's ear, no doubt explaining to the chit just what was going on, and the blonde nodded in acknowledgment to whatever she said before gesturing for the quartet to come over to her, which they did, placing the chest before her feet before getting on their knees, heads bowed in submission.

"Introduce yourselves to me." Clarke commanded, and so they did, giving only their names and familial affiliations to their new domina. Eyeing them thoughtfully, she spoke again, asking them about the contents of the chest before them. In answer, Daja and Ailyn opened the lid to reveal said contents to her eyes.

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Clarke suppressed the urge to either scowl or grin. As utterly distasteful as she found the fact that slavery existed in the world even after Armageddon, all four girls were immensely beautiful and well-proportioned. They would make ideal servants and Companions, as well as an excellent insight into the Ice Nation. They, she decided immediately, would keep her company tonight, though not necessarily in the manner that they were expecting.

"Eyes on me." She instructed softly, all four raising their eyes to meet her own after only a hint of hesitation, no doubt fearful of what she might do to them for doing so, even if it was at her command. Smiling at them reassuringly, she continued. "I humbly accept this gift, magnificent that they are. Consider your debt to me from TonDC...repaid." Her mouth quirkced slightly as she waved over Kira and Kara, giving them whhispered instructions, and they incilned their heads to her before departing through a side door.

"Come, let us all be seated and prepare ourselves for the festivities." Lexa spoke up, gesturing to the long table that dominated the room. The gathered leaders obeyed eagerly, taking their seats (as indicated by the emblem of their clan engraved on the back), while Clarke claimed the leashes of her new slaves and led them over to her own seat, at Lexa's right hand. Frowning at the hard stone floor, she turned to one of the door guards and commanded him to bring enough cushions to ensure the comfort of her slaves, a move that surprised the slaves and most of the clan leaders.

"What should you care for the pains or discomforts of a slave, especially ones meant only to bring you pleasure through their suffering?" the Rockkru's leader, a cruel brute known for going through his own slaves like water through a sieve, sneered contemptuously, and Clarke regarded him with thinly veiled disgust and equal contempt in turn.

"Though I hardly need explain myself to you, I shall do so in simple terms. First, they are a gift from an ally, a member of the Coalition, and as such should be treated well. Second, they are of no pleasure or use to me if they are incapable of performing their tasks in a satisfactory manner. Third, and most importantly, I have no intentions of allowing any true harm to come to them. The true worth of any dominus and domina is how they treat their slaves, and they are indeed human despite their lower station." Her voice could have frozen an ocean for all the first it held. Moments later, the guard returned with a stack of plush pillows, and she ordered her slaves to make themselves comfortable, an order they followed with relief.

"Where is dear Luna of the Boat Clan? And where did you acquire such a magnificent sword, SkaiPrisa? Another gift, perhaps?" Nia asked, face showing nothing but polite curiosity while she prayed to the Maker (someone she often dismissed the existence of, if only in private) that her lover was still alive and well, even if only because he was far too useful for her to lose.

"The answer to both of your questions..." Lexa glanced over at the side door the twins had departed through earlier, and Sylvanas leapt to her feet with a cry of "Father!" as Luna, the twins, and a male Trikru led Muruta inside, bound in ropes and gagged. "Has just arrived."

"What is the meaning of this! What have you done to my father?" Sylvanas cried in distress, and she looked to Lexa pleadingly. "Heda, whatever has happened, I can assure you my father is innocent! He is nothing more than a scholar, even if a well regarded one!"

"Well, for a scholar he had a very nice sword." Clarke responded dryly, placing said sword on the table before her with a sharp thud. She let the silence stretch for a long moment, making several of the Clan Leaders very nervous, before continuing. "Further, one might wonder how a scholar might acquire the position of Head of Security for Senator Falco, especially when said security consists entirely of members of Logos. A group said to be led by one known as Azrael."

Even Sylvanas knew that name, but she soldiered on, unwilling to believe that her father was in anyway connected to the many horrific acts attributed to that name, never mind their instigator. Still more and more evidence was brought forward, and finally she decided to make one final, desperate plea to the victim of his apparent crimes, Clarke.

"I beg of you, Sky Princess. I beg of you to spare my father." The proud princess of the Ice Nation was prostrate on the cold floor, tears flowing freely as she tried to save her father's life. 'I beg of you, do not deprive my siblings and I of our father. Please..."

It was silent for a long, tense moment, before Clarke approached the prone noble. Grasping her hands where they lay, she tugged the silver-haired archer to her feet, scrutinizing her silently before walking over to her bound father. Sylvanas gasped slightly as she drew the sword she had claimed from him, and the whole room waited with baited breath for what they all expected to be an execution. Instead, Clarke simply continued to stare at the Ice Nation royalty before speaking, voice thick with emotion.

"My own father was taken from me not so long ago, by the machinations of my mother no less. As much as I hate what your father has done in the past, and tried to do to me tonight, I cannot in the face of your plea kill him for doing the same thing my father died for: trying to act in what he perceived as the best interests of his family and his people." She declared, and with that she cut his bonds and pushed him towards his daughter, who caught him as he stumbled forwards. Sheathing the blade, Clarke addressed him in a voice of iron. "The only reason you are leaving this room alive is because of the love your daughter has for you. Never enter Polis, Trikru, or indeed Coalition territory outside of your homeland again. Should you disobey this command, your life will be immediately forfeit, and no heartfelt pleas will spare you a second time."

A sharp gesture from her had the twin guards 'escorting' him to the door, where a group of Trikru warriors waited to ensure he returned to the Ice Nation manor, where he would stay until Nia returned home to her palace. While Sylvanas was tearfully praising Clarke for her mercy and the Clan Leaders were each reacting in their own way, Nia was planning how best to take advantage of the massive emotional streak that clearly made the Sky Princess far too weak to live for long in this world.

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Several hours later found Clarke comfortable relaxing in her chair as the festival raged around her, the air thick with the sounds and smells of sex, alcohol, and sweat.

After the Clan Leaders had eaten and sparred verbally over the table, a few speeches had been made, primary amongst them an official announcement of Clarke's presence and the merciful act she had just performed. While many across the city scoffed in contempt, far more cheered wildly, her actions proof to them that the Prophecy was real. That peace, true peace, was here at last. Then, finally, Lexa had declared that they were free to disperse about the city and enjoy themselves. Clakre had laughed at how fast the room had cleared, leaving only the Trikru and Luna remaining behind. At that point, things devolved as she had been informed. Luna and Anya were enjoying themselves with a kind of awkward familiarity that showed care for one another, but (judging by the looks they shot Lexa) were together because the one they wanted was otherwise occupied. Speaking of Lexa, she was utterly oblviious to their looks, to busy enjoying dominating Costia for Clarke's viewing pleasure, or so it seemed since both were shooting the newly-minted domina very lustful looks indeed. Tris, of all people, had arrived not long ago and was 'flying solo' in the corner oogling Lincoln, who had been dragged down like a gazelle by a very enthusiastic Kira and Kara, though they had not remained in charge for all that long. Indra was the biggest shock, as the normally cold and stoic General was busy riding Gustus like her very life depended upon it.

Clarke bit her lip rather hard, wanting deeply to take the invitation that was before her eyes when Lexa gave her another heated look before lowering her eyes demurely (Submission! As it should be!), but she didn't want her first time to be like this. So, she restrianed herself and absently began stroking the hair of Daine, whose head was closest from where she and her sister-slaves were clustered around their domina's feet.

"Domina, might I ask you a question?" the younger girl finally asked, leaning slightly into the sensation with a small smile on her face, though her eyes betrayed her worry for her audacity. When she was not immediatly struck and the hand on her head continued its motions, she boldly placed her head on her owners thigh, just as said owner responded to her.

"All of you may always ask me a question. I may be your domina, but what I said to that fool from the Rockkru is true. You are cherished possessions, people to be cared for, not pieces of meat to bleed for amusement. The worst I can ever do should you ask me something is refuse to answer and order you not to speak of it again." Clarke reassured her, feeling a thrill of power at the behavior of the girl, and Daine spoke again.

"Domina, why are you not engaging in the festivities. It is clear that both the Commander and her lover desire you, and indeed others in this room as well. I and my sister-slaves are yours to use as you please, but you do not. Are we not pleasing to your eyes?"

"God, no!" Clarke snorted, shaking her head before looking around at her baffled slaves. They were obviously seriously concerned about this, and she sighed lightly before expounding. "All of you are intensely desirable, and you in particular would know this Daine, if the room did not smell so strongly as it does." The implication made the girl blush brightly while her sisters grinned at her in amusement. "I am simply...at an odd place. I've never lain with anyone, you see. Never had a lover, and I want my first time to be special. Not that the four of you would not be glorious, but..."

"Domina, I understand. Naturally you would want to lose your maidenhead to one that you love, but my sisters and I can give you pleasure without taking that from you." Ailyn said softly, looking around at them. "We have our own to offer you, our maiden's blood, and our tongues and fingers can bring you pleasure without taking your blood from you."

"For one thing, your maiden's blood will not be taken from you tonight regardless. Slaves you may be, it doesn't mean it cannot be special for you as well. As for the rest...perhaps. Tell me more about yourselves." Clarke responded, and they did. The quartet told her of what life was like for the civilians of this world, especially those of the Ice Nation, and explained that Nia had sent soldiers to their houses and many others to gather the best women in her kingdom. She had selected the four of them as the best and brightest, the most beautiful and graceful, and ensured that they knew their duty.

"So all civilian women are trained to be submissive masochists with the ability to handle just about any other duties or tasks you are given?" she asked with a frown, wondering why Nia would giver her such a useful and beautiful group of assets. While the way they were raised bother her, it wasn't nearly as offensive to her as she thought it should be, and she supposed it made sense based on the tribal society's focus on strength and power and domination. It was the fact that Nia was strengthening her, and Lexa, which was surely the last thing their enemy would want. What was her game? Still, she kept these thoughts to herself for the moment, and instead considered her current libido.

"Girls, I've decided that we're going to do some celebrating after all." She said abruptly, gathering their leashes and leading them over to a long, low...well, it was probably meant to act like a couch or recliner, but looked more like the ancient Roman klinai. Draping herslef over it, she quickly instructed her slaves how to remove enough armor to reach her breasts and moist folds. Smiling their lustful looks and the tongues darting out to lick suddenly dry lips, she leaned back and smirked. "Decide amongst yourselves who is doing what, girls. We've got a few hours to kill."

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"She isn't anything like I expected." Ailyn murmured in the Ice Nation tongue to her three sisters as they followed their new, kind but still commanding domina to...somewhere. After receiving her pleasure from them, and not just allowing them to pleasure themselves, but stroking each of them possessively more than once, she had informed a rather jealous and thunderous looking Heda that she had to depart for 'The Vault', whatever that was. The Heda had been...less than pleased as she scowled at the four of them, but she obviously had enough confidence in their domina to allow it.

"Indeed not, but we would be foolish to ignore any possibility of cruelty on her part. Guard your hearts and hold fast your expectations lest she prove the same kind of domina we have always expected to serve." Samara cautioned, although it was obvious her heart wasn't in it, and she sounded downright upbeat as she continued. "Yet I will assuradly agree that she is kind and wise, and extraordinarily merciful. I had not expected her to allow the likes of Azrael to live, no matter who pled his case. I am certain that his head would of struck the floor if Lady Sylvanas' pleas had not struck such a cord within her heart."

"Yes, I have to agree with that." Daja hummed with a nod, and Daine nodded in silent agreement, a broad smile on her face as she continued savoring the high she had just experienced. Further discussion was rendered impossible as their owner adressed them again.

"This is one of the few non-sexual orders I will ever give you that must never, ever, under no circumstances, be disobeyed. Whatever you see, hear, or learn tonight must not be discussed anywhere other than in privacy, and with no one other than ourselves and whomever I authorize." Her tone held no threat, no darkness in its depths, only cold promise, and all four bowed very deeply, murmuring her title in unison, and she nodded in satisfaction before leading them insdide the Old World building before them.

The quartet watched in awe as she opened the way to The Vault, thought they trembled with nerves as they stepped into the elevator. They had never seen such a device, and being in a small, box shapped machine with nothing but a long drop beneath them was more than a little terrifying. Still, they remained strong as the lift descended into the depths, though all four huddled closser to their domina, seeking comfort fromher, which they recieved in the form of murmured words and gentle caresses on each of their arms. Clarke couldn't help but smirk slightly at the audible sighs of relief when the doors opened to disgorge them.

"What...what is this place?" Daja breathed, as they looked around the wide, bright, baffling expanse of otherworldly and advanced technology and architecture.

"Welcome to the Vault of Annapolis, one of hundreds of depositories of the knowledge and relics of the Isu, those you call the First Ones." Clarke responded solemnly as a woman in white armor like her own appeared, a small smile on barely visible lips.

"And it was here that you were awakened, Clarke, heir of Artemis, Scion of The Brotherhood. Sky Princess. Heir to millenia of planning and plotting." She commented before glacning at the four slaves, who were regarding her suspiciously. "I see Nia's gift to buy her life for her foiled plans are duly impressive."

"Indeed, I returned, as promised, Galina. These four are, as you say, my gifts. My slaves. Which means they are loyal to me. Ideal to be entrusted with both my safety and the arts of the Brotherhood."

"Interesting..."Galina murmured, circling the four almost-naked women, eyes scrutinizing them. However, it was different from the lustful and affectionate looks they had received from their domina, and even from the lecherous looks they had endured during their walk to this place. It was clinical, appraising. "They certainly have some promise, but it is ultimately up to you as Mentor."

"What? Mentor? I just joined the Brotherhood a few hours ago! I can't teach them a damn thing! You're the mentor, not me!" Clarke protested, missing the epmphasis indicating the capitalization of the word, and Galina laughed aloud.

"Mentor is a rank, Clarke. Leader of the Brotherhood, and though it also means that you teach those below you, the Isu have provided something of a deus ex machina for you. That, however, is for them to explain. I have one final task to complete." She responded before passing them to enter the elevator.

"Step into the pad at the center of the room." Minerva's voice echoed around them, as said pad began to emanate a soft white light. Clarke stepped up, shoulder square, and after a moment the four slaves joined her, despite the fear filling their eyes. Once again each sought comfort from her, and once again Clarke gave it, hiding the nervousness she felt lest they see it. Their willingness to follow her into the unknown and potentially hazardous, collars or not, was encouraging and endearing.

A flash of light later and they were somewhere else. A massive expanse of darkness surrounded them, and they dared not venture far from their position for fear of falling. All five breathed a sight of relief as massive banks of lights began to activate...and activate...and activate. The group stared around them in awe.

The chamber they were in was ancient and massive, ravaged by time in a such a way that the Annapolis Vault had not been. Carved statues of stone, spiraling staircases ascending to dizzying heights, a myriad of artifacts and technology that even Clarke couldn't comprehend. At the center of the room, a large bed-like object rested, surrounded by a smaller circle of no less than eight others. Each had a large bank of dedicated computer blinking away beneath them, silent in the expanse.

"The Animus..." Clarke murmured, frowning heavily. She wasn't sure how she knew that, and for that matter her behavior had been...off tonight. It was strange looking at one's own actions from an outside perspective, but before today she doubted she would have so boldly commanded slaves (whom she would have violently protested the existence of!) to give her and themselves pleasure. Never mind with others present! "JUNO! WHAT ELSE HAVE YOU DONE TO ME!"

"I told you, you've been awakened, all your inborn natures and subconscious desires brought forth and enhanced. In essence, girl, you are precisely as you are and were always meant to be. The way you would have been had you been born and raised on the ground as opposed to the Ark." The snide tones of the 'goddess' answered her, as the imagoes of the Capitoliane Triad appeared before them, floating above the ground by several feet. "Dominant yet gentle, sensual yet reserved, sexual yet ladylike, lethal yet merciful, commanding yet willing to listen. In a world without the Isu and all that came because of us, you would be as your are now, but it would have been a path drenched in blood and tears."

"So, what, you shoved a bunch of random info and attitude adjustments into my head when you messed with my body?" Clarke growled, believing despite herself that the ancient imprint was telling the truth. The changes they had made felt so damn natural, like she had been dreaming and only recently, well, to use Juno's words, awakened.

"Yes, all of which can be discussed later. For now, using the modified Animi, you will learn all you need to become Mentor of the reborn Assassin Order. Through you, your slaves will do the same. The Animi will record it all to use as a...training program for future recruits." Minerva answered before Juno could, and Clarke hummed her understanding, squaring her shoulders and heading for the circle of memory-diving devices, her slaves at her heels.

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Lexa shot up with a gasp, having dozed of in her office waiting for her Princess to return. Her eyes roved the dark room endlessly as she stood and drew her sword. She had sensed that something was amiss, but she saw nothing out of place.

"Your senses are quite sharp, Lexa." A familiar female voice sounded behind her, and Lexa spun, sword raising to block the other woman's path, but Galima remained stationary behind her chair. "Peace, I've not come to harm you. If I had, you wouldn't have woken up."

"And what do you want, Assassin?" Lexa inquired, tired enough and irritated enough to be brusquer than was polite.

Galina's face broadened int oa sly smirk as she walked around the seat and sat down, crossing her legs and folding her hands. Lexa found herself sinking into another seat, sword across her lap.

"Let's talk about Clarke..."

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There you go, the latest chapter! Please make sure to read both the starting AN and what comes below this line, both are very important!

The first lemon that will happen onscreen in this story is the first time Lexa and Clarke are together, up until then everything will be offscreen. Sorrynotsorry, Clexa priority!

Yes, Sylvanas and the four sex slaves are all imports from other fandoms. Sylvanas is obvious, while Ailyn is the name of Boba Fett's daughter, Daja is from The Circle of Magic, Daine from The Immortals War, and Samara is from Mass Effect.

As a side note, this is how the slave ranking system works in this universe

Family Slaves: more or less insignificant and beneath notice. They do the menial chores like mucking the stables or sweeping the floors. Marked by plain, rough leather collars.

House Slaves: more trusted than Family Slaves, permitted with tasks such as shopping, cooking, or serving the family. Marked by padded leather collars.

Personal Slaves: The highest rank a slave can reach without being taken as a Pleasure Slave, these are the most trusted and valued of the regular slaves, educated and acting on the behalf of the House and Family, and often helping raise and teach the young children of the House as tutors, nannies, and the like. Marked by silver-embossed padded leather collars, far more comfortable than that of those below them in rank.

Pleasure Slave: Generally regarded as equal in rank to Personal Slaves, though technically higher in rank. They serve their owners in the physical capacity, playing music, reading to them, massaging them, bathing them, and the like. Naturally, they are also serve their owners in the sexual capacity, though it is often stressed that this is not their only duty, but simply to give their owners happiness in whatever fashion is required.

Favored Slaves: these are the absolute pinnacle of being a slave in the society of the Tribes. They speak on their owners behalf, in a far more personal fashion than Personal Slaves are permitted. Their collars are usually gold embossed with silver and jeweled while in public, and silk in private. An offence against them is considered a direct assault on their owner, and is punished very severely. Arguably, a Favored Slave has a better life than many free civilians, as they are cherished and pampered until the day they die.

Generally, the societal ranking system is Civilians, Warriors, Clan Leaders, Heda.

Civilians are Peasents, Merchants, Great Houses.

Warriors are Initiates, Blooded Warriors, Unit Leaders, Generals.

Clan Leaders are above Generals, unless otherwise stated by the Heda. In the current case, Anya outranks everyone but Lexa, Indra, and Gustus, thanks to the measure of closeness she shares with Lexa.

Naturally, once she takes her place, Clarke will out-rank everyone, though she will not be quite so totalitarian as other might in her position.