[Queen's Paradise: Prologue - Queen of Battle]

[Queen's Paradise: Prologue - Queen of Battle]
[21:03] <CYOA-sama> The roar of the crowd is deafening as for the tenth time another opponent fails to stand after being knocked off his feet by Aldeas.
[21:03] <CYOA-sama> For the very first time in ten years the arena is alive with cheering, not for blood sport and the merciless slaying of monsters in glorified public executions, but for fantastic displays of martial skill.
[21:04] <CYOA-sama> Aldeas himself has stepped forward agreeing to any challenge from anyone in the audience.
[21:05] <CYOA-sama> "Is there anyone else?" The young king asks as he postures, still wielding only a stick, refusing to use actual weapons no matter what his opponents come at him with.
[21:06] <CYOA-sama> As his next opponent, a figure in a black cloak hold a menacing curved dagger, steps into the arena the roaring cheers come to a halt and the crowd begins to stir.
[21:06] <CYOA-sama> "What an interesting event to arrive in the middle of!"
[21:07] <CYOA-sama> The stone wall protecting the crowd from the violence in the arena is cracked by the powerful foot placed on it.
[21:07] <CYOA-sama> The green scaled reptilian foot belongs to the beautiful lizardwoman adorned in gold armor.
[21:08] <CYOA-sama> "Welcome!" Aldeas shouts up from the arena as he turns his back on his opponent.
[21:08] <CYOA-sama> The cloaked figure clicks his tongue.
[21:08] <CYOA-sama> The lizardowman is flanked on either side by salamanders, one of fire and the other of ice, probably her royal guard.
[21:09] <CYOA-sama> "You are Elsa, Queen of the Lizardfolk, correct?" Aldeas asks, his smile serving to calm the panicked crowd.
[21:10] <CYOA-sama> "I am, would you mind if we sat in on this competition of yours, King of Man? It'll be good for deciding whether or not those treaties of yours are a genuine suggestion or the raving soft a child."
[21:10] <CYOA-sama> "But of course, you can even compete if you'd like!" Aldeas says
[21:11] <CYOA-sama> The gasps of the audience show that the rumors of the lizardfolks martial prowess do not go unheeded.
[21:11] <CYOA-sama> "Of course, I'd love nothing more than to spar with yo-"
[21:11] <CYOA-sama> The crowd falls silent.
[21:12] <CYOA-sama> The blade of the cloaked figure pierces through the young kings side.
[21:12] <CYOA-sama> "Die, beastlover."
[21:12] <CYOA-sama> Aldeas looks over his shoulder at the would be assassin.
[21:12] <CYOA-sama> The crowd screams in a panic and knights rush towards the arena's gates in an attempt to break them down.
[21:13] <CYOA-sama> the entire arena is in a panic.
[21:13] <CYOA-sama> The assassin lets go of his blade and cackles madly.
[21:13] <CYOA-sama> "THIS IS WHAT YOU GET BEASTLOVER! YOUR LAX SECURITY MADE IT ALL TOO EASY!"
[21:14] <CYOA-sama> "LOOK AT WHAT YOUR MERCY TOWARDS THESE WHORE CREATURES HAS ENABLED!"
[21:14] <CYOA-sama> The lizardwomen look down silently with shock.
[21:14] <CYOA-sama> The frost salamander leans in to Elsa.
[21:14] <CYOA-sama> "Perhaps it would be best to leave your majest-" "No." She interjects.
[21:15] <CYOA-sama> "I will stay here and see this to it's conclusion."
[21:15] <CYOA-sama> The lizardwoman looks down into the arena unblinkingly.
[21:16] <CYOA-sama> The knights mercilessly pound away at the gates preparing to kill the assassin.
[21:16] <CYOA-sama> "STOP!"
[21:16] <CYOA-sama> Aldeas stands, blood trailing from his side.
[21:16] <CYOA-sama> "Don't set foot in the arena during a match." He says as he looks towards the knights.
[21:17] <CYOA-sama> "You cannot look down on the competitive arena... it's my own fault for looking away." Aldeas says as he pulls the jagged blade from his ribs.
[21:17] <CYOA-sama> "This too is part of the competition..." He says as he takes a fighting stance.
[21:17] <CYOA-sama> "You are one of the extremists leftover from my father reign then?"
[21:18] <CYOA-sama> "Yes... and you're a half dead bastard child with no place on a battlefield. I'll make an example of you." The assassin says as he draws another blade.
[21:19] <CYOA-sama> "That's fine... in the arena, your motivations don't matter. There's only the fight."
[21:19] <CYOA-sama> Aldeas picks up the blade that caused the gaping wound in his side and takes his stance.
[21:19] <CYOA-sama> "Will you agree to a deathmatch?" The severely injured king says with a smile.
[21:20] <CYOA-sama> The two lizardwoman guards stare dumbfounded as the audience cheers and screams.
[21:20] <CYOA-sama> A chant of Aldeas' name echos loud enough that it can likely be heard even at the palace.
[21:21] <CYOA-sama> "I'm sorry, milady." The freckled messenger says as she squeezes in through the crowd. "Had I known this would happen I'd have taken you to meet lady Lucia at the castle instead of bringing you hear."
[21:22] <CYOA-sama> "Don't be silly girl, there's no place for me to get a better view of your king than here." The lizardwoman says as she looks down into the arena with a smile and a pink tint to her cheeks.
[21:22] <CYOA-sama> "This is already a deathmatch." the assassin says.
[21:23] <CYOA-sama> He lunges at Aldeas.
[21:23] <CYOA-sama> And in an instant his hand, and the blade it held are sent flying into the stands and the blade that once pierced Aldeas' side finds itself rammed violently through the skull of the assassin.
[21:23] <CYOA-sama> Before he can even hit the ground he is dead.
[21:24] <CYOA-sama> In a single flourish of martial skill refined for the sole purpose of killing Aldeas felled the would be kingslayer.
[21:25] <CYOA-sama> "This too... is part of the competition." The king says as he hangs his head and motions for the gates to be opened.
[21:25] <CYOA-sama> The knights enter the arena and begin tending to Aldeas' wounds as the crowd cheers for his victory.
[21:26] <CYOA-sama> "What would you have us do with the corpse of the assas-" "Don't call him that." Aldeas says.
[21:26] <CYOA-sama> "He was simply another opponent. If he served as one of my fathers knights then do as you would do for any knight and give him a proper funeral service."
[21:27] <CYOA-sama> "..... Yes, milord." The knight says as he carries the renegade knights body out of the arena.
[21:28] <CYOA-sama> When the bandages around his waist are secure Aldeas climbs the stairs of the arena to meet with the crowd.
[21:28] <CYOA-sama> Many young girls with tears rolling down their cheeks touch him just to reassure themselves he is alive.
[21:29] <CYOA-sama> Other more veteran members of the audience nod to the young king as he passes to show their silent approval.
[21:29] <CYOA-sama> Aldeas, after comforting his people makes his way to the queen of the lizardwomen.
[21:30] <CYOA-sama> "I apologize, it seems I'm too injured to fight anymore today. I'll have to take a raincheck on our duel."
[21:30] <CYOA-sama> "That's fine your majesty.... you showed me something equally amazing." Elsa says as she turns to face him.
[21:31] <CYOA-sama> Her guards blush furiously as they can't even bring themselves to make eye contact with Aldeas.
[21:31] <CYOA-sama> ".... Did I do something wrong?" The young king asks as he looks over the scaled warrior women.
[21:32] <CYOA-sama> "No.... but you are essentially a lizardwoman's ideal. They're trying not to show it to the best of their abilities but we were all swooned by your dignity and skill in the arena."
[21:33] <CYOA-sama> "Does that include you, Lady Elsa?" Aldeas asks slyly.
[21:33] <CYOA-sama> "Yes, very much so." She says without hesitation.
[21:34] <CYOA-sama> "Then shall we retire to the palace so you can meet my wife and she can discourage you from raping me?" Aldeas jokes
[21:35] <CYOA-sama> "I'd like that, but I won't be trying anything until after our duel. After all.... that too is part of the competition." Elsa smiles with a slight blush.
[21:35] <CYOA-sama> The pair return to the palace, Elsa dismissing her guard after being impressed by Aldeas.
[21:36] <CYOA-sama> "Idiot...." Lucia repeats for the fourth time as she dresses Aldeas' wounds cleanly.
[21:37] <CYOA-sama> "My apologies darli- OUCH!" He winces as she tightens the bandages.
[21:37] <CYOA-sama> "Idiot...."
[21:38] <CYOA-sama> "Are the two of you always like this?" Elsa asks as she sits across from the couple eating the sandwich prepared for her.
[21:39] <CYOA-sama> "Far too often I'm afraid." Lucia says.
[21:40] <CYOA-sama> "I envy you girl, Aldeas is an amazing warrior and you get to mate with him whenever you want."
[21:40] <CYOA-sama> "I DO NOT!"
[21:40] <CYOA-sama> "You could you just don't want to ye-" Aldeas is interrupted as Lucia stuffs a roll of gauze into his mouth.
[21:40] <CYOA-sama> "Lady Elsa.... are you saying you intend to steal him away from me then?"
[21:41] <CYOA-sama> "After the peace talks? Perhaps, if I can beat him in a duel it will be my prize." The lizardwoman says directly.
[21:41] <CYOA-sama> "That's fine.... you won't beat him."
[21:41] <CYOA-sama> Lucia gently pats Aldeas' wounds.
[21:42] <CYOA-sama> "Once he heals he'll defeat you and end your delusions of ever taking him away."
[21:42] <CYOA-sama> "That might be fun too... I've always thought it would be okay to be made into such a mans slave." Elsa smiles as she tilts her head innocently.
[21:42] <CYOA-sama> ".... So either way you end up sleeping with him, huh?"
[21:43] <CYOA-sama> Lucia shakes her head and stands.
[21:43] <CYOA-sama> "Let me show you to your room while this idiot get's some rest."
[21:43] <CYOA-sama> "Of course!" Elsa says as she takes Lucia's hand.
[21:44] <CYOA-sama> The lizardwoman, over 6 feet tall with long flowing brown hair follows Lucia like a child.
[21:44] <CYOA-sama> Her violet eyes drawn to every statue and decoration.
[21:45] <CYOA-sama> "Excuse me, Ms. Queen." Elsa says as she tugs on Lucia's thin arm.
[21:45] <CYOA-sama> "Who's that?"
[21:45] <CYOA-sama> Elsa points to a marble statue.
[21:45] <CYOA-sama> "That's Aldeas' great grandfather."
[21:45] <CYOA-sama> "Was he like Aldeas, or evil like the previous king?" Elsa asks quizzically as the two continue walking.
[21:46] <CYOA-sama> "He was neither, he was too concerned with the civil war within the kingdom to worry about monsters."
[21:46] <CYOA-sama> "I see...."
[21:46] <CYOA-sama> "But... there's an old story, that Aldeas used to tell me when we were kids."
[21:47] <CYOA-sama> "According to the tale, during a speech his great grandfather was shot in the chest with a crossbow bolt by an assassin."
[21:47] <CYOA-sama> "Oh my.... did he die?" Elsa asks.
[21:47] <CYOA-sama> "Yes.... but he finished the speech." Lucia replies with a smile.
[21:48] <CYOA-sama> The two girls laugh together until they arrive at the chambers prepared for the lizardwoman.
[21:48] <CYOA-sama> "Enjoy your stay here, Elsa. I must say I find you a lot more pleasant than some of our guests." Lucia says as she turns to leave.
[21:48] <CYOA-sama> ".... I've decided."
[21:48] <CYOA-sama> Lucia turns to see what Elsa has to say.
[21:49] <CYOA-sama> "If Aldeas beats me I'll be your slave too!" Elsa giggles.
[21:49] <CYOA-sama> Lucia's cheeks turn crimson as her mind is assaulted with steamy images of group sex with Aldeas and Elsa.
[21:50] <CYOA-sama> "..... P-please don't tell him about that decision...." Lucia says through her embarrassment.
[21:50] <CYOA-sama> "Why?" Elsa tilts her head.
[21:50] <CYOA-sama> "Because if Aldeas thinks his victory would lead to a threesome with us you might die...."
[21:51] <CYOA-sama> The two stand in the hallway, Lucia too embarrassed to speak and Elsa trying to gauge whether or not the girl is kidding.
[21:51] <CYOA-sama> Aldeas lays in his bed, snoring peacefully.
[21:52] <CYOA-sama> The wound on his side is already closing.
[21:52] <CYOA-sama> [Queen of Battle - End]