The Peace Offering

When most women thought of their wedding day as being a day to celebrate with the man who you could fall madly in love with, there were those few who’s thoughts of getting married wasn’t such a happy idea. For some, the thought elicited a fear unlike any other. For some, the idea of getting married felt like a death sentence. At least for Amalia Miahtyx, that’s what it felt like. From early life, Amalia had been told that she may not get the fairytale wedding that her Miahtyx siblings would hopefully have, and she accepted that.

For her and her older brother Jasper, they more than likely wouldn’t be so lucky. Jasper was destined to find himself serving amongst the Doxian Supreme Army and Amalia would more than likely be given as a gift to some lucky old brute as a peace treaty, a prize of war, as a show of gratitude or maybe even as a token for someone’s loyalty. She wasn’t far off from that thought either.

Unlike Jasper, who was related to King Rouch Miahtyx, Amalia wasn’t. She was a motherless and fatherless child that Rouch had found after the civil war that had once divided their empire. Rouch said he took her in because she was just a babe, left out to die and he couldn’t bear the thought of letting a child die like that. He brought her home to his wife Queen Lilia, and asked if she would mind caring for the child. Unlike Jasper, Lilia wasn’t opposed to this child being in their home. Where Jasper was Rouch’s bastard, Amalia was just a poor orphan.

That meant, being raised as an orphan, she was able to be given the Miahtyx name. Jasper was given the name ‘Citadel’, after one of their gods. It was a common practice to distinguish the bastards and the legitimates. Rouch said he only knew Amalia’s name because the blanket she was wrapped in had her name embroidered into the material. They thought it was a pretty name and decided to keep it. However, everyone simply knew her as “Molly”. Lilia was also much kinder to the young blonde girl than her husband’s bastard.

She attended normal lessons with her older sister Delia and younger sister Brea but when it came to potential suitors for the girls, Amalia was not included. She knew that it was more important for Brea and Delia to be married off to good men with good names. She came to terms with that long ago. However, Brea often didn’t care and spent time telling Molly exactly how much she hated boys while Delia would talk to her about which ones she liked and didn’t like. Amalia would have liked to marry a prince, but she knew Delia would more likely be that girl.

When she was eight, Rouch broke the news to Molly that she was being betrothed to a man from across the Permian Sea. A man who she had never met or even heard of. Rouch revealed to her that many years ago, before the civil war, before she was born, he had traveled East to a distant land and found that it was ruled by an empire of people known as Aquantians. In order to keep from a war breaking out, Rouch agreed to offer a child of his up to the second son of the emperor as his first born was already betrothed. Merely a boy, they had already planned his future and were in need of a future wife for their son. When she grew up, Rouch made the choice to send Amalia. Truth was, Lilia wasn’t going to give her girls up to some barbarian, but she didn’t have the same attachment with Amalia. So, she was chosen. She carried the Miahtyx name and that was all they needed to know.

Now, Amalia was meeting her future husband for the first time. She originally was going to dress like a typical Doxian princess, but Rouch suggested that she wear something a little more fitting for her husband-to-be. So, she was dressed in a pale pink dress that had been a gift from her future father-in-law. There were straps that wrapped around her shoulders to hold the garment up at her shoulders and then one strap on either side that hung down to the middle of her upper arms. It wasn’t form fitted and flowed easily as she walked. Her hair had been left down and what was once pretty blonde locks had turned almost white due to the unknowing lineage in her blood.

Even with as beautiful and ethereal as she looked, she was worried. Would this man be an old sap who had a hard hand? Would he be young, handsome and gentle? Would he be someone who demanded she walk two paces behind, or would he allow her to walk alongside him as his equal? From what she heard from Rouch; their kind was not the gentlest with their women, but they lived in a life of luxury that put the highest of Doxian nobles to shame. The man’s father had promised Rouch that Amalia would be in good hands because being the wife of his son would allow her many opportunities and luxuries that others would never be given so he was hopeful she would adapt to life across the Permian Sea and away from the comforts of her home.

Even though she wasn’t really his child, Amalia had developed a close relationship with Rouch. She called him ‘Father’ and treated him just the same as the Miahtyx children. She may not have resembled them, but she was raised as a Doxian princess, and she was very loved by Rouch. Amalia just didn’t want to go through what she had witnessed some women go through where their husbands would raise their hand, strike them in front of others and be cruel. It also didn’t help that Amalia had been somewhat devout in her faith in their old gods. She was often called “the good Miahtyx girl” because she hardly ever even got into trouble and showed much respect to her adoptive parents. Probably more so than their own blood children.

Sitting in the grand room beside Rouch, Amalia sat with her hands in her lap, nervously fidgeting with her fingers. She bit her bottom lip and looked around, surveying the room. The compound was bigger than any fortress she had ever set eyes on. It was absolutely stunning in its architecture. The large columns were decorated and adorned with beautiful designs. There was gold everywhere. Gold, marble and every exotic plant you could think of and then some. It was easy to see that the King had been right in the fact that they really did live in luxury here on this side of the world.

“Not to worry, love,” Rouch said while patting Amalia on the knee through her dress. This caught the girl’s attention, and she turned her head to look up at him.

Amalia took a deep breath and nodded her head. She tucked some of her luscious long white hair behind her ear and smiled at him.

“I won’t, father,” Amalia said in return. She didn’t want him to worry about her but inside, she was frightened. “I know that you wouldn’t hand me off to just anyone. I’m grateful that you and mother have given me the chance to experience a marriage like Delia and Brea.” Amalia informed him. This made Rouch smile.

“Of course, Molly. You’re my daughter too and you too shall be given a good life.” Rouch grinned and pulled his hand back just as the doors to the large room opened.

This made them both turn their heads and look in the direction at the large bronze plated doors. Rouch gestured for Amalia to stand and the two of them got to their feet. Once on their feet, Amalia smoothed her hands over her dress and took a deep breath. In came who she believed to be the King, the Queen and a few men tagged along behind them. She wondered which one was her betrothed. Now, at eighteen years old, Amalia was nubile but mentally, she was still just a young girl with her head in the clouds and had no idea what to expect. However, she had the body of a woman and didn’t exactly know what that meant for her but knew she would soon find out.

“King Rouch! We are happy to see you and your beautiful daughter have made it safely across the Permian,” The King happily greeted the father and daughter. He wasted no time in stepping toward them before pressing his palm to Rouch’s forearm and bringing their arms together. His other hand went to Rouch’s shoulder and Rouch’s hand went to the King’s shoulder. It was a proper greeting in Doxian standards and Amalia had witnessed this from her father many times.

“The Gods blessed us with sleepy seas,” Rouch chuckled.

The two men parted from each other and Rouch stepped aside to allow the King to lay his eyes upon his daughter for the first time.

“This is my daughter, Princess Amalia Miahtyx. Your daughter-in-law-to-be,” Rouch informed the King.

The King grinned a grin that was slightly more wicked than Amalia felt comfortable with, but she didn’t let that get in the way of her manners. She gave him an honoring bow.

“I can only imagine how beautiful your wife is, Rouch,” The King chuckled. “What a pleasure it is to finally meet the woman who will be making my son a very happy man.”

His words caused Amalia to blush. It was the first time anyone had ever referred to her in such a way that felt somewhat indecent. It also made her a little nervous.

“Molly, this is King Valerius Aquila of Aquantia,” Rouch said while placing his hand on Amalia’s shoulder. He gave her a soft nudge with his hand.

Valerius was older than Rouch, but he was in much better shape. Where her father had lost his muscle mass some years ago, Valerius was still very fit with muscular arms and a broad upper body. He had long silver hair that was fastened back behind his head and a matching silver colored beard. He wore a black floor length robe with a maroon tunic over that which was embroidered in beautiful gold designs. Amalia could also see what she believed to be gold armor peeking out from behind the tunic.

Amalia moved forward and took Valerius’s hand. She lifted his hand to her lips and gently placed a kiss on his knuckles. She then let it slowly drop from her hands and looked up at him with dazzling blue and brown eyes, “I am pleased to meet you, my lord.”

With a hearty chuckle, Valerius spoke, “Oh but the pleasure is quite all mine, Princess Amalia. Please, allow me to introduce my family.”

Valerius stepped to the side. The woman was the first to come forward.

“This is my wife, Queen Salvia Aquila,” Valerius said while reaching for his wife’s hand.

Salvia took her husband’s hand and stepped forward.

Salvia was so beautiful. She was younger than her mother but not by much. She had long black hair and the sides were pinned up in an intricate design, but her curly locks still seemed to frame her almost youthful face. She wore a beautiful matching maroon stola with the same golden embroidery around the edges. She also appeared to have colored her face with some sort of pigment. Amalia couldn’t help but notice how red her lips were – which had to be a pigment of some sort.

Salvia took Amalia’s hands in her own and gave the young girl the most kind and warm smile she could possibly muster. “Welcome home, Amalia.” Salvia lifted her hand to cup the young girl’s cheek, “We have been expecting you and we are thrilled of your arrival in Aquantia. You may come to me as you wish. It is my hope that you will find solace among us Aquantians and that you will adjust to life here in Aquantia.”

Hearing Salvia’s kind words made Amalia feel welcomed and thrilled to be there. It almost made every ounce of fear drift down her body and away from her chest, allowing her to breathe much more easily.

Without another word, Salvia pulled Amalia into a motherly embrace, stroking the girl’s back gently.

Amalia smiled, “Thank you, my lady.”

As Salvia pulled away, she let go of Amalia and stepped to stand beside her husband.

“My eldest son and heir to the Aquantian throne, Titus Aquilia.”

The man that stepped forward was tall and broad like Valerius, but he had a small belly forming. He had shorter hair than his father that stopped at his shoulders. It was brown and not as black as his mother’s but curly like hers. His clothing was almost identical to his father but without the armor beneath the tunic. He had brown eyes like his father’s and the same smile, only something about his smile made her slightly uncomfortable.

“Welcome, Princess,” Titus remarked by simply giving Amalia a bow and stepping aside.

Amalia returned the gesture with a bow of her own.

It was then that the three of them stepped to the side to allow the man of honor step forward.

“Now, for the man you’ve come to meet,” Valerius grinned.

Stepping forward was a young man, not much older than Amalia. He had coal black hair like his mother, but it was short and cut close to the head. He had blue eyes that seemed to glow even in the well-lit room which was the same as his mother’s. He was strong looking, muscular and broad like his father but taller. Unlike his parents, he wore a short black tunic with a gold plate of armor over the top. He also wore armor on his forearms that matched his chest plate. If he hadn’t been living and breathing, Amalia would have said that the gods chiseled him from precious stones themselves.

He was breathtaking.

One thing Amalia noted between the four of them was the bronze skin the lot of them shared. It was as if they all had been pulled from a painting and created to resemble actual Gods.

The man stepped forward and took Amalia’s hand in his own. His large fingers dwarfed Amalia’s dainty hand in his own. He pressed his lips gently to her knuckles and gave her a small smile.

“My son, Prince Atilius Aquila. Your betrothed,” Valerius said proudly.

“It is lovely to meet you, Amalia,” Atilius spoke smoothly. His voice sounded as comforting as the sound of water flowing in a stream but deep and proper.

“I’m pleased to meet you, Atilius,” Amalia smiled.

To say Amalia was smitten at first glance wouldn’t be a lie. Her husband-to-be was gorgeous and unlike any of the men from Doxis. It was a little bit of a relief as she expected him to be hideously fat and much older than her. The sparkle in his glassy eyes was a look she could get used to seeing. Not to mention, the whites of his teeth that gleamed in the light when he spoke only made him that more attractive.

Atilius lingered a little longer in his greeting Amalia than the others but when he realized he had been standing there grinning like crazy, he gently let her hand drop from his own and stepped back.

Atilius turned to Rouch and gave him the same greeting as his father had done.

“King Miahtyx, a pleasure to finally meet you. My father has told many stories of you. He has told me what a brave a noble fighter you were long ago. I must admit, when father first told me that I was to be betrothed to a woman of Doxian blood, I wasn’t expecting such a beautiful woman as Amalia,” Atilius said with a chuckle.

Amalia blushed.

“Prince Atilius, I am honored to give my daughter to you at high sun tomorrow. I only ask that you keep her safe and allow her the luxury of living a life of happiness that she deserves.”

“Of course. As a Princess of Aquantia, she will be given nothing but the best to keep her comfortable and allow her to embrace Aquantian culture and life to the fullest.”

Rouch turned his head to glance down at his adopted daughter and he smiled warmly at her, “I’m sure she will become acquainted with life here in Aquantia quite nicely.”

“My wife, Lorna will help her in any way as well. She is only a year older than you, Princess. I’m sure you’ll both have much in common,” Titus said from behind them.

Atilius turned his head and he smirked at his older brother before turning to look back at Amalia, “He is right. She is a wonderful woman. Unfortunately, she couldn’t be here with us this evening as she is recovering from illness. You will have the chance to meet her tomorrow at our ceremony.”

“Thank you, my lord. I would like that very much,” Amalia smiled.

“How sweet,” Salvia grinned. She stepped forward and wrapped an arm around the tiny woman’s shoulders. “You don’t need to use titles among family, my girl. By this time tomorrow, we will be family,” Salvia chuckled. “Now, why don’t I show you to your chambers for the evening. I’ve prepared a feast for you and your father to be served privately in your quarters this evening but for now, we have servants waiting patiently with many gifts upon your arrival.”

Amalia turned her head to look up at Rouch, “May I father?”

“Oh, by all means, my child. This… is your home now. I will meet you tonight for supper,” Rouch grinned. He placed a soft kiss to his daughter’s temple before Salvia whisked the young Miahtyx daughter out of the room and leaving the men together.

Soon after, Valerius sent his sons off so that he might have a word with King Rouch alone.

Once alone, the men took seats beside one another while a servant placed a tray down on the small marble table between them.

“Your Molly is far more fitting for my son than I expected, Miahtyx,” Valerius said happily.

“Yes well, many of the Doxian men were sad to learn she was already spoken for. I’ve had to fight off suitors since she entered puberty,” Rouch laughed heartily.

“I’m sure. She is magnificent. If I wasn’t an old man already, I’d add her to my line of wives myself.”

The comment made the smile fade slowly from Rouch’s face. He cleared his throat and took one of the goblets offered to him.

“How many wives do you have?” Rouch asked curiously.

“Too many,” Valerius laughed.

“I trust Molly will be safe and in good hands here among the Aquilian, Valerius,” Rouch said as the tone of his voice turned serious.

“Of course, she will! She’s marrying a prince. What more could you ask for?”

“One word from her of any ill doing and our offer is off the table. I expect that you will treat her as your own. We agreed on this years ago. I hope that you haven’t changed your mind and even more so, I hope that you will keep her comfortable.” The tone of Rouch’s voice was almost a warning to the other King.

Valerius’s smile was removed from his lips quickly as he looked upon Rouch.

“I am a man of my word, Rouch. Your daughter in return for my legion.”

Rouch nodded his head, “War is coming to Doxis, and I fear it may be sooner than expected.”

Valerius took a drink from his own goblet before sitting it back down on the tray.

“From whom?”

“To the West of Doxis. A place known as Yupitar Hallows. There is a very powerful man who rules over a people who are rumored to be of magical descent. He calls himself Emperor of the Hallowed. Goes by the name Jancutar. If the whispers through Lumia are true, he plans to come West. He will come for Doxis first and then for Aquantia,” Rouch explained.

This made Valerius laugh.

“You don’t really believe that do you?”

“Two moons ago, one of my ships was taken over by a group of men that go by The Hallowed. A ship of twenty returned with merely five. Five of my best men who I trust with my life told me a story of men who were powerful. One could manipulate the sea. Of course, I believe the rumors.”

“For centuries, men have claimed to have strange things happening in Permian waters and we have yet to see proof. How do you know this wasn’t just some grand scheme? You were facing civil war back when you came upon my shores. What if there is to be another civil war and this is just the start? If I were you, I’d worry about my home and less about what lay beyond the Permian Sea.”

Rouch sighed a gulped down the rest of his drink. He looked across the room where he could see the large archways that looked over the waters where he would soon be crossing to return home.

There was plenty of validity to Valerius’s words, but he believed the men who returned from that ship were in danger and barely escaped with their lives. He couldn’t believe that his men would turn on him. However, it happened before. He could only pray to the gods that this time, it wasn’t the case. He’d rather face a distant enemy than one burrowing in his own homeland.

“Let us not bore ourselves with speculations. Our children will be married tomorrow and our family with have an everlasting alliance!” Valerius exclaimed happily in an effort to change the subject.

Rouch gave Valerius a small smile and nodded his head.

“I’d like to think that their luck will be fruitful, and they might bear us many grandchildren,” Rouch thought aloud.

“Molly has bled, has she not?” Valerius asked curiously.

Rouch nodded his head, “Certainly. It had been countless moons since her first bleeding. My wife couldn’t seem to send her away so early. In Doxis, we don’t wed the young ones.”

“Salvia bore Titus when she was sixteen and I was told it was a horrendous affair. Titus’s wife can’t seem to get past pregnancy. I can only hope that your Molly will be stronger. My family has always struggled with the birthing process. We Aquantian are big men and big men mean large babies,” Valerius explained. He rubbed his beard with his hand and sighed, “Molly’s a tiny thing. By the Gods, may they grant her to be stronger than she looks.”

“She certainly is. My sons have trained her well,” Rouch chuckled.

“Oh?”

“My eldest, Vickard and his brother Jasper used to chase Molly and her sisters around the grounds on horseback with wooden swords. Molly was always the most cunning of her sisters. Once, she somehow knocked Vickard from his horse with a tree branch. I couldn’t believe it when he told me. She’s certainly strong. I’d be more fearful of her mind than her strength. One thing Lilia and I could never seem to do was calm the fire in her. She is strong-willed and outspoken.”

“She’s perfect for Atilius! He loves them a little mouthy and a little untamed,” Valerius laughed and smacked Rouch on his shoulder.

Rouch was again, a little uncomfortable by Valerius’s words but he chose to ignore them and hoped he was just being comedic.

When the laughter subsided, Rouch looked over at Valerius.

“Promise me, you’ll see that she is cared for. Lilia was a wreck when we set sail for Aquantia. I’d like to return home to tell my wife that our daughter is in good hands.”

Valerius nodded his head, “You sail home to your wife and tell her that your daughter will be loved by all.”