Tyranny of Steel

Khorijin sat in silence within the darkness of her cold cell in the city of Constantinople. She had not seen the light of day for some time. Despite this, she was rather content with her situation. By the warning the spirits had given her, she assumed that by now her purity would have been tarnished by her captors. Instead, they treated her to three square meals a day, a nice cot with proper coverings, and a proper chamber pot, as well as a bronze tub to bathe herself in.

The fact that she was being treated so well, despite being a prisoner of war, was something that truly astounded the young woman. It was, in fact, the orders of Prince Alexandros that had caused her and her comrades to be cared for with such humanity.

Currently, the Turko-Mongol Princess was meditating, listening to the winds, hoping that she could catch a glimpse of the spirits and their infinite wisdom. However, since she had been taken captive, the spirits had gone completely silent, as if the defeat of her brother marked the end of their support for herself and her people. With a heavy sigh, Khorijin expressed her sense of defeat in silence.

In the next moment, the sound of the doors to the dungeon being opened echoed throughout the cold and dark corridor. In doing so, Khorijin straightened her back, and waited for the unknown visitor to arrive.

As she had expected, the boy Prince who first oversaw her captivity had come to speak with her again. Though she continued her strict vow of silence, the boy would reveal his thoughts to her, and in a way the two of them communicated without a proper exchange of words.

However, this time, Alexandros was not alone. Instead, a tall, and handsome blonde man, who wore a far more extravagant uniform, stood by his side. Under the illumination of the candlelight, Khorijin caught a glimpse of Berengar's mismatched eyes, and could not help but voice her surprise aloud.

"The Golden-eyed man..."

This caused Berengar's brow to raise slightly, whereas Alexandros reacted in shock. Since he had taken the beautiful mongol woman as a prisoner, she had not once said a word. Yet upon witnessing his father in the flesh, a peculiar expression emerged on the woman's face, one that was riddled with dread, along with a chilling yet alluring voice. One he did not expect the princess to have.

A third man stood by Alexandros' side, a man Khorijin was all too familiar with. This man was the translator who converted the greek tongue into the mongol one. However, Khorijin's eyes were not focused on this background figure, and were instead glaring at Berengar as if she were his worst enemy. With a confident smirk on his face, Berengar gazed down upon the woman in front of him, and introduced himself to her.

"My name is Kaiser Berengar von Kufstein, Ruler of the German Empire. My son here has told me that you are an important figure within the Golden Horde. Is this true?"

These words were translated into the woman's native tongue, where she reacted by looking away, not willing to dignify this question with a proper response. As for Berengar, he remained stoic and motionless. Gazing upon the woman's beauty with a hint of admiration in his eyes. In the Reich, there were plenty of beautiful women, their looks enhanced by the high grade cosmetics that were produced within the Empire's interior.

However, it was rare for such a primitive woman to appear so lovely, and yet so barbaric at the same time. Among Berengar's current lovers, only one was remotely martial in any way, and that was the Aztec Princess.

Most of Berengar's women were living dolls who appeared as is they were sculpted from the finest jade. Tlexictli, on the other hand, was an example of what a woman could be when she trained her body for the sole purpose of warfare.

Yet, Khorijin was a fine balance between the two types of beauty. She was athletic, and fit, but not overly muscular. While at the same time, she was refined and soft in all the places that mattered. A true barbarian princess, if he had ever seen one.

Khorijin understood the way Berengar was looking at her, and could not help but bite her lower lip in frustration. The spirits said this man would consume her. She could only assume this meant that he would take her purity and treat her as his plaything.

Judging by the way the man introduced himself, the iron eagles who rained volcanic fire upon her people belonged to him. If she dared resist, her fate would be worse than death. Yet to be nothing more than a sex slave to this man was a dishonor and humiliation she would never endure.

The Turko-Mongol beauty was about to bite her tongue off in an attempt to end her own life, when Berengar's words caught her by surprise.

"Release this woman, have her bathed, and dressed in the most extravagent attire you have available. Then bring her to the dining hall so that she can enjoy a nice, fresh meal. I'm disappointed in you, boy, treating a princess in such a rough manner. She deserves better."

Alexandros was stunned by the mongol beauty's identity. He knew that she was important, but for her to be the princess of the Golden Horde, he did not expect it. As for Khorijin, she gazed upon the golden eyed man with caution.

Though his actions sounded benevolent, she was certain that it was a trick. Ultimately, it was the humble bow of the Byzantine Prince's head which convinced her to play along with Berengar's games.

"I'm sorry father, I did not know.... I will make sure she is well taken care of.'

After saying this, Alexandros ordered the guards to release Khorijin and for the maids to take make sure she was properly bathed and groomed. Meanwhile, Berengar took the boy back to the dining hall, to have a private chat with him while he waited for the Mongol Princess's arrival.

Alexandros bowed his head respectfully to his father at the dinner table, while silence prevailed within the room. It wasn't until Berengar finally spoke that the boy jumped to attention.

"During the siege of Constantinople, you, a boy no older than ten, not only took charge of the City's security, by quelling the riots in a timely manner without shedding unecessary blood. But you also commanded the city's defenses, allowing enough time for the Luftwaffe to arrive so that they could save you from the Golden Horde.

In doing so, you not only brought peace to the city, but secretly eliminated the political backing of your rivals so that they will pose no threat to your ascension when the time comes for you to be crowned emperor of Byzantium.

To say I'm impressed is an understatement, the fortitude you displayed during a time of crisis, as well as the fact that you took advantage of every opportunity which presented itself to you while under immense pressure. I must say even the most veteran of rulers would fail to live up to your results.

If your brothers display half the capability that you have shown here when they finally come into their own thrones, then perhaps our dynasty may be able to create a better world after all. Well done Alexandros, you have made me proud to be your father, and you have my utmost thanks for protecting your mother and siblings when I could not."

Berengar seldom complimented his children in such a way. In fact, he was a very strict parent, one who believed only the best results should receive praise. Alexandros had competed for years with all of his brothers for his father's affection, and yet in all that time the man had never spoken to him in such a manner before today.

To suddenly receive such words from his father, who he deeply admired, brought tears to the boy's eyes. But knowing how Berengar felt about men crying, the boy quickly wiped them away before wearing a stoic expression. He bowed his head respectfully to the man and spoke the words contained within his heart.

"You do not need to praise me so dearly father, I only did what was necessary..."

Berengar's lips turned into a smile when she saw the boy conquer his emotions before ultimately humbling himself before his father. A lesser child would be basking in the praise he was just given, which if not corrected could negatively affect his ego. Yet Alexandros was not a lesser child. Ultimately Berengar praised the boy once more.

"There are times when a man must be humble, but there are also times when he should take pride in his achievements. What you accomplished here in Constantinople was truly remarkable. You do not know it yet, but your actions have changed the course of the Byzantine Empire's fate.

For the first time in many years, the people of Byzantium have hope. Hope of a better tomorrow. The actions of your grandfather, and his errant sons over these past few years have ruined this Empire, and yet in the darkest hour a young boy rose to the occassion and saved Constantinople.

This selfless act has restored the people's faith in the monarchy. As a result when the time finally comes for you to wear your crown, you will have the support of the people, and that is a powerful weapon in the world of poltics."

Alexandros finally allowed himself to smile as he looked up at his father's proud gaze. He silently vowed to remember the words that were spoken by the man on this day for the rest of his life.