<strong>"What are..."</strong>his sentence never ended as she opened her wings.<br/><strong>"Ah..."</strong>he said embracing the realisation of what occurred with his usual quick wit. Teleportation was not unknown to his world but never performed with such casual ease by the Necromancers of Khone or the Mages of the world he came from. Once more testament to Sakara's power... and hence proof that she was both an infinitely useful pawn and a foe of uncanny power in the context of this cesspit of depravity.<br/><br/>If a moment of surprise slithered across his gaze Thane hid it with his usual aptitude. For a mortal from an emotion-drive race of puny fleshthings the Black Baron was frigid and aloof as could be. All thought and emotion hidden behind walls of logic, rationality and bold defiance.<br/>The Queen was granted a whiff of impression as he rose up a black eyebrow at the unexpected and rather decadent sight before him but wisely held his tongue. He was in the court of the opposing player, best tread carefully. For he recognized the flawless beauty before her. If the General appealed to the general and conqueror in him... for Sakkara was a women of visually blatant might, control and boundless physical prowess... the Queen caught the attention of the statesman and lord in him. Despite having treacherous demons and devils swooping around her... and having to deal with a ravenous meticulous powerplayer like the leatherclad general she maintained complete control it seemed. Or at least for now. Given from what he had deduced so far, many things in their hierarchies and ways were akin to humanity. And this meant things were more influenceable than they all perhaps realized.<br/>Though his face showed no emotion only 'humble restraint', his mind's eye projected an inward smirk of malicious intent. A second plan already forming in his mind. The first would require copious amounts of blood... blood his talent for bloodshed might be able to achieve given time and of course opportunity...<br/>The second plan would require... information, patience and the right 'tool'. And he had already found that too. Albeit one that was likely to backstab and use him in turn. But then he was playing his lifelong game on an entirely different level of power. With potential rewards and risks undoubtably all tenfold if not more increased.<br/>His dark blue gaze fixed the Queen and he put a hand on his massive pale chest and bowed lightly. He did not speak. Best to show politeness and submissiveness without risking to say things that would go against protocol. He did not know the traditions of these<em>'things'</em>but he would learn... until then he had to improvize as good as he could and hope he didn't end up decapitated due to an indiscretion or a challenge posed at the wrong time at the wrong place.<br/><strong><em>'Like a wounded wolf in the lion's den...'</em></strong>he thought.<br/>Sakkara was still under his skin. Her vile blood coursing in him. He felt her... he smelled her in the strangest and most vibrant of ways.<br/>Unexpectedly the image of the winged goddess, chained before him appeared, his own massive hands reaching to unclasp her black top... but he chased away the image, temporarily freeing himself from the latent desire within him. The General was smart and he had a hunch about what she had done to him just not how it worked and if it was a permanent effect.<br/>He suspected she could not read his mind due to it but what about images or emotions? Gateways could go both ways after all. Or perhaps she merely sought to unbalance him? Toy with him? Or... the true intent was cruder, more primitive and far more... 'enjoyable' albeit distracting.<br/>As he glanced from the corner of his eyes, his deep blue gaze met her eyes and the two fixed each other for but a tiny moment.<br/>He smiled ever so lightly, wondering if she got his message?<br/>But then his gaze fixed the compromized Queen fully, attempting to ignore the situation. For the sight of the Fae filled him with instinctive even downright conservative distaste.<br/>The things a man did to reach his<em>manifest destiny</em>...