[center][h3][b]Zakroti Unalin[/b][/h3]
[sub]Husband of Aymiria Cassiel and Kasari Liesma[/sub] [/center]

"No, Kasari, I certainly can't blame you for that. It rather does make sense and besides you're potentially going to your death at the hands of some brute, might as well do it wearing what you are comfortable in." Zakroti replied with a nod, watching her carefully as her gaze grew colder. He traced her look over towards the two guardsmen and then looked back to her with a frown. Well, she certainly was not a pushover. That was good.

"You're certainly made of sturdier stuff than most the other brides, much to your credit. Still, if you would like to repay them for their kindness, Kzaar would be happy to oblige." Zakroti motioned to the massive brute of a Drakken by his left side, towering nearly seven feet into the air. The Blackguard nodded in response and took a step forwards, raising his visor to reveal a face that was very rough, his nose seemed to end abruptly and his brows were drawn into a permanent frown. He opened his mouth for a moment to speak, revealing a set of jagged teeth.

"Say the word, Lady Kasari, and I'll go throw the fear of gods into them. They'd think twice the next time." He grunted in a disinterested manner; he was the go to man for whenever Zakroti needed some beaten up and beating guardsmen evidently held no lustre for him. He was Zakroti's Berserker (a sort of champion who could be appointed to fight duels in the place of their master) and, being massive even for a Drakken, the sight of the plate armoured beast and his warhammer was enough to make most back down quick enough.

"And if you would please, call me Zakroti." Zakroti said, glancing back towards Aymiria as she spoke, but said nothing on the matter himself.

It was a matter that did perplex him somewhat. What was the position of a bride? Certainly not the position held by an actual wife. More of a concubine he supposed; property. They were given the name of Unalim but they were never really part of the family. They were just expected to create babies. 

So in a way they were no higher than the slave girls, certainly at best they were  hostages. Legally the distinction was quite clear; Brides (a distinct legal entity from a true marital partner) were the property of their 'husbands' and as such he could do whatever he wanted with them, he could leave them chained to a bed. 

He had sold slave girls as concubines to lords who would have done no better before but he had never owned one (honestly he found the idea appalling) so this was an entirely new experience. Neither of them seemed to be particularly dangerous and he doubted he would have to send them around with armed guard, at worst they might try to escape or attack him with a kitchen knife; They could be recaptured and he doubted they would have much success with the latter so long as he kept his bodyguards around when he was with them. So he supposed he'd have them treated as though they were actually ladies of the house. Not that it would matter much to them of course; They'd been torn from their homes for his 'benefit' eeither way, no amount of charity was going to stop them hating his guts.

Ayltam grinned as Miry spoke, laughing lightly "Elenath sounds beautiful, I would love to see a painting of it, if it isn't too much of an inconvenience for you or course. So your mother knew the Royal Family then? Were they nice? I don't like our royal family much, they all seem to be a little- ungrounded. And yes, I suppose you're technically my Aunt now. Welcome to the family; House Unalim, it's not a bad family to belong to really. It's powerful, rich and respected and has a proud history, as my grandfather will never let you forget 'Our ancestors were kings! Before the King of Drakka forced us to bend the knee, we wore crowns of gold and carried blades of Paslim silver! We're House Unalim, one of the greatest houses in history and we will act like it!' He'll go on for hours if you set him off, I wouldn't recommend it." Ayltam said, glancing towards her grandfather before looking back to Miry and sighing "I shouldn't speak ill of him but he is a hard man to please at the best of times, no matter what you do it will be the wrong thing to do. Did you know anyone like that back home? And-" The girl paused for a moment in consideration, glancing to the floor before looking back up to her "If its not too much yo ask, did you ever meet anyone called Jaelyn Simmerson?" 

Ayltam listened in as Aymiria spoke to Kasari, smiling widely when she said a Daughter of Naia; She knew enough about the Gems to know what she meant by that. Zakroti glanced over his shoulder to her as he moved off to rejoin his family, his growing entourage in tow.

Qeynate glanced over to him, eyeing up Zakroti's two brides before turning his attention away again. One of the Blackguard, Gaikus, approached Zakroti quickly and leaned in, whispering something into his ear before backing off again. Zakroti grunted and then stood by his Grandfather, who did not even acknowledge the arrival of his kinsman but instead gave each bride a stone cold glared, scrutinising every aspect of them as if they had been chosen for himself. 

"Zakroti, wre xarxze wel." He muttered before turning away again. The lord did not respond to the insult, turning his attention back towards his brides with a heavy sigh.

Of course Nastaki was displeased with his choice. He could have brought all the daughters of the Gemminite Royal Family before him and Nastaki would have found some error in his choice.

[@WeepingLiberty][@RomanAria]