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Chapter Six The House of Mar

Karel Mar sat in the royal chair onboard the Mar-Pek: the Imperial cruiser and flagship for the House of Mar. His tall and lean figure was still and his close fitting black leather suit was highlighted by what little light was available. The suit had been altered from standard military issue to something more akin to a member of the royal family. Each anatomical segment had been accentuated: the shoulders, upper arms, chest and torso decipherable by individual padded sections. Over this he wore a mauve doublet which cut off at his mid shin, giving way to black ceremonial military boots. He rubbed his gothic-white pale chin as he contemplated what lay ahead and his slick, jet black hair parted at the centre and rose upwards to both sides like devils horns. The bridge was dark and foreboding; a central throne-like chair supported the soon-to-be prince as he sat in silence looking forward into the view screen. In front of him and lower down were two smaller chairs, meant for the ranking officers on the ship: they were empty. Karel Mar had come to the bridge to contemplate his future for he had long hoped for this day. The day when his status as the Prince of Mar would be solidified and the day he was to be bestowed with power surpassing

Unpublished novel by Adrian Webster

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anything he could ever have imagined. From this point on he would truly lead the Dominion into a new age and force the rule of Lord Mar. Behind the prince two fleet men busied themselves at independent terminals, both projecting red and yellow symbols from the con. Watch officers ran the bridge when the ship travelled in hyperspace, alerting the ships captain when they arrived at their destination. The ship itself would be commanded in battle by a ranking officer, but Karel Mar had authority to take charge at any moment and his voice as a member of the royal family would be heeded by any seasoned officer; far too often, in days past had officers been incinerated for disobeying a member of the ruling order. Now it was common place for nobility to be seated proudly on the bridge; exhuming king like vanity. Prince Mar, we are receiving a subspace transmission, said the helmsman. Lord Mar demands an audience. Very well, route the feed to the viewing chamber. I will receive Lord Mar from there. The Prince stood and moved towards the exit, disappearing into the adjoining room. Inside it was cylindrical and dark, lit only by the holo-emitters that tiled the surface of the walls with yellow luminescence. The ambient glow intensified as Prince Mar moved to the centre of the chamber and stood on the centre marking ready for the transmission. The emitters fired up, projecting the image of Lord Mar. A regal purple robe hung loosely about his frame and the gold trim sparkled against the light from the emitters. The robe revealed little of the man within, save for the occasional shaft of light, which penetrated the hood to reveal his craggy and ancient facial features. Standing in front of the Prince, cloaked in the royal garb specific to a Lord of Mar, he allowed his

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subordinate the introduction. My Lord; I approach your house, the Prince said proudly. Good. This day has been a long time coming for the young Prince of Mar. Make no mistake. This will be the first day of the new Dominion. Lord Mar circled the Prince and the holo-emmitters compensated to redirect the image in constant flux, losing the feed sporadically, only to be replaced by emitters of another source. The emissary of the rift will rendezvous with you shortly. He will bestow power to you my young Prince: power which you must use to expand my empire and conquer the Galaxy. I will receive this gift my Lord, the prince said gratefully. And do your bidding. Good. The prophecy of the House of Mar will be completed. When you return as the rightful Prince of Mar I will grant you the planet Carnosas. It is here where your rule will begin. Carnosas? But my Lord, what of the grid? replied the Prince. Do not concern yourself with the grid my young prince, we no longer need to concern ourselves with diplomacy. You will obliterate Carnosas and send a message to the Defracon government. Our peace treaty shall be no more. Lord Mar said bitterly. The prophecy has foretold it. The prince bowed his head, said: I regret my Lord that I am unable to see the prophecy of which you speak. You will know of what I speak soon enough. I have foreseen it, just as I have foreseen the demise of the two and the location of the relic. You will know all this and more my young prince, now hurry to me. I will my Lord. replied the prince.

Unpublished novel by Adrian Webster

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The holo-emiiters powered down and Karel Mar stood in the chamber alone. Content with his contemplation on the bridge he decided to return to his quarters and rest before the ceremony ahead. He left the chamber and made his way to the transporter where it took him down to the royal deck. As the transporter doors opened he was met with the familiar site of his royal quarters. The corridor in front of him was vast and stretched forwards for many steps. A mixture of dark grey-black metal lined the decking in almost normal military construction, and the pillars either side of the walkway were cream in colour and lined with gold markings. On the right the pillars were closely put together forming the wall of the entire corridor with no breaks or entrances until much further down the walkway, almost out of sight. But to the left the pillars marked the individual compartments and rooms that comprised the main dwellings of the prince himself. So every so often the pillars would break to allow entrance into a room. On the ceiling of the corridor hung fabric of pure white, the peaks and troughs of the fabric broken by the space in between each piece. The higher constructed roof above was masked by the cloth, masked by the feminine touch that had provided this decoration. In front of all this stood two guards in full battle armour. Holding their long axes to the side they observed the prince leave the transporter and make his way into the first room on the left. But they did not make eye contact with him or address him in any manner. They froze in position like good guards, ready to be called upon should anyone else emerge from the transporter instead of the prince. Once inside the prince made his way over to the large bed that was on the far right side and was raised slightly from the floor. The sheets were a shiny red, embroidered with gold. Close by and to the left of the bed was a dressing table where a beautiful

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young woman sat, and upon observing Karel Mars entrance she stood to greet him, flicking her long black hair over her slender shoulder as she did so. My Prince, we have almost completed your ceremonial clothing, she advised. The prince heard but did not respond: weary from the intense focus hed held over the last few days. He continued to move forwards towards the bed. Sheepishly she approached him, meeting him at the foot of the bed. Slowly she reached for his doublet and removed it, laying it on the bed to the side. Have you spoken with Lord Mar? she asked. Yes, everything is in place for the emissary. We approach the House of Mar in good time, he replied. She made eye contact with him now rather nervously, but with a look of compassion and love, said: You seem weary. I am Raya, he replied. The visions do not come as Lord Mar has said they would. Perhaps they will not come until you meet with the emissary. Reassuringly she placed her hand on his arm. When did Lord Mars visions begin? He is Lord Mar! And he is not to be questioned, he replied, reminding her to keep place when discussing matters of the royal family. Making eye contact now his tone softened and he smiled with surprising warmth, I must rest before the ceremony. He placed his hand on hers and held it to his arm for a moment. Learaka entered the chamber and her trailing white dress ran behind as she crossed the room and approached them both. Noticing her, the prince removed Rayas hand from his and distanced himself from her slightly. Raya, the others require your presence. Why did you leave us? Learakas steps were measured and her voice was slightly accusing. Enough to put forth her point to

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Raya but subtle enough that the prince would perhaps not notice. She moved purposefully seductively, one foot in front and across the other holding herself like the lady of the house. Her long white-blonde hair cascaded around her slim shoulders which she held back in perfect posture. Reaching the prince she noticed that his doublet had been removed. Her emerald green eyes became wide against her pale complexion as she glared at Raya, inferring that she had overstepped her standing by removing the garb. I just wanted to offer the prince my assistance on his return. Raya replied tentatively. Well your assistance is no longer required. I will assist the prince for the evening. Learaka continued to glare at Raya. Very well, Rayas head bowed as she lost all confidence. My prince, she addressed, and without looking at Karel Mar she left the chamber swiftly: afraid of further scorn. Learaka removed the doublet from the bed and walked across to the dressing table. Why do you allow that girl so much freedom in your chamber? she asked with a note of bitterness. Because she is one of my wives, as you all are replied the prince. Trying not to show how incensed she was by his place-putting, she smiled deviously. Yes but does she do for you, what I do for you my prince? she walked towards him slowly, attempting to gain the upper hand. Does she deflect the diplomats when they require your presence at the council? Does she protect you from all that a prince needs protecting from? Does this not give you the time you need and conquer planet after planet, and gain the favour of Lord Mar? His greatest general: his greatest son, close enough now she placed her hand on the Princes chest and ran her fingers along him

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seductively. And does she do all that you ask in your private chambers my prince? Reaching up to his face with her other hand she kissed him slowly. The prince pulled away slightly, said: I am weary Learaka. I must rest. He moved her hand down to his chest but she replaced it with the other and continued to caress his face. The prince has no need to rest when the future Lady Mar wishes to please him. she ran her fingers down and unzipped the top part of his attire, kissing his neck and chest as she did so. Does Karel Mar not wish to feel powerful this evening? Taking his hand she moved it onto her breast, down her slim figure and onto her backside. The prince indulged in a kiss and continued to move his hands along her body. Breaking the kiss Learaka observed him with her calculating eyes. She wanted to see her power of seduction over the prince, wanted to see how she could manipulate this leading figure of the House of Mar towards her own ends. Shed been in place now as the rightful first Lady and she wasnt going to stop doing the things that gave her that platform. A smile formed as she knew shed got what she required. The prince wanted her and that was enough. Pushing him forwards she laid him down on the bed, pulled the straps of her dress away from her shoulders and let the garment fall slowly to the ground. Watching the prince as he looked at her body she smiled with victory and stepping forward she mounted him.

Unpublished novel by Adrian Webster

Please follow on twitter: @Ade_M_Webstar