"Well, a woman who is of age without a brand is fair game. They will expect something of similar, if not greater in representation. If anyone asks why you are not branded and instead collared, we'll simply say that I prefer not to marr such an attractive woman." He gave her a hard look shortly thereafter. "And the tone needs to be modified. My people will not take kindly to their culture and practices being looked down upon. Neither will I."<br/><br/>A smirk crawled across his face as he slid an arm under her cloak to wrap about her waist for support. "Anyone else would have reddened your ass for that comment. The mountain folk are night and day in comparison to your Andral. Keep that in mind." His hand twisted just slightly on the slick fabric of the gown as he finally found purchase. Darius could feel the cool skin of her back against the corded muscle and rougher skin on his arm.<br/><br/>Leading them towards the door, he pulled the smaller of the two weapons he carried from the heavy wood and hung it back at his side. The small trail of blood from the guard's ear had dried, and he made a mental note to clean the gleaming metal as soon as his new mistress had eaten. Tugging the door open, he beckoned his personal guard forward. "Have food send to my chambers, heavier on the fruit than normal. This woman will shortly be declared my Mistress once I'm able to find her a suitable collar. Brand or no, she is to be afforded the same respect that I am, and is free to move about as she pleases. Any man who deigns to lay a hand on her will find said limb no longer in his possession, and cock hung from his door as punishment."<br/><br/>The nod was cursory, and two men scrambled off down one of the long hallways to take both news and request for food.<br/><br/>"A large portion of the mountain population has settled down in towns at the base of the mountains to work mines that have... temporarily changed hands. Thus the fortress has a shortage of bodies. I do not blame them though, as men still need to feed families. They will return as the lands are restored."