#messantia

T's been years since the great wizard Thulsa Doom's influence grew strong roots in the Hyborian lands, he and his followers explored and raided the villages and cities with no mercy, leaving but a trail of destruction behind, they cared not if there were children or women on his way. The continent was torn apart, the violence that was already high only proliferated like a disease, along with famine and injustice due to the terror the man inflicted in the hearts of men.

It was that same fear that changed Anais life so suddenly, taken from her home and family as a slave, an offering for Thulsa so he’d spare at least part of Messantia. The whole of her freedom for half of her people? T’s but a cruel, unfair world. They covered her in silver, small gems of ocean topaz, fine white linen, making sure to only accentuate her curves, femininity and purity.

They treated her like a princess for two days, making preparations for her “delivery”, she was fed with only the best fruits and meat, bathed on milk and honey, perfumed with flowers oils the last resources the locals had to offer. But nothing could cheer up the girl, she knew her fate was nigh. This “dreamy facade” was but a ritual to prepare the girl for a nightmare. 

The head counselors of Messantia requested an audience with Thulsa Doom, a way to bargain their way out of his wrath. Giving them steel, land and the prettiest girl in the land, a gift of good faith and appreciation. Anais wasn’t even allowed to walk the stairs, relying on the city’s servants to do it for her and being carried all the way up to the main hall...the situation was so atypical for her. Whence there they all bowed down before the wizard.

The eldest of the five stepped forward, his name was Thaddeus the wise, a tall man of slim features and the longest white beard“My lord, almighty Thulsan Doom! We are the head counselors of Messantia and speak for our people’s best interest. We’ve given you all our steel, gold, and part of the land to satisfy your needs and wished. Today we come before you to ask for thee to have mercy upon us, let our locals be set free form your warrior’s wrath. And in exchange, we give you the most precious gem of Messantia’s crown...” The men made way for the girl in white, she wouldn’t dare look up , her hands to the side as if she was but a statue, so fragile and delicate that one touch would break her.

“She’s the prettiest! Eyes blue as the ocean, skin pale as the moon, not to mention the hair red as the brightest fire!” Counselor Fazull said with a yellow grin, - “The wiser! You’ll never go bored! She can tell stories and chat for hours!” Counselor Jahid replied while gesturing with his hands with enthusiasm. “She can sing and dance like the fae from the ethereal forests! Entertain you for endless nights!” Counselor Bahul continued with a humble nod.

“The girl, my lord...can predict the future.” The last sentence, those words that came out of from the last of the counselors made the room so uncomfortably quiet all eyes were directed to him, the other elders included. “In dreams.”

(Starter for @the-thulsa-doom)