The Barbarian's Bride

During a seven-year war against barbarian forces, Knight Captain Serafina de Lavillant of Illodren Kingdom is defeated in a duel by the brutish giant Barbarian King Veor, who claims her as a spoil of war. Fearing she has failed the people of Illodren, she resigns herself to torture and death. She is surprised when Veor’s servant, Cersei, washes and dresses her “to Veor’s liking”. Due to his monstrous appearance Serafina supposes she will be sacrificed in some barbarian ritual, but the confused Veor reveals he fell in love with her during their duel, so due to his family tradition of marrying strong female warriors, he intends Serafina to be his wife, much to her horror. That night Serafina dreams of seven years previously during a time of severe famine. Serafina was named Knight Commander by her brother Margrave Sidius. Shortly after she prevented three starving men attacking a merchant and gave them her own jewellery to afford to feed their families, becoming determined to conquer the barbarians for Illodren’s future prosperity. However, Sidius scolded her, since she was only made Commander to attract a superior husband, not to actually go to war. Awakening from this unpleasant dream, Serafina discovers Veor sleeping next to her, totally, scandalously naked.

With her chastity in question Serafina asks to die, but Veor insists holding death preferable to embarrassment is nonsense. Cersei explains Serafina was accidentally overdosed on the barbarian’s sleeping drugs and fainted, so Veor looked after her all night. During breakfast, Serafina is given a quarter of meat which is bigger than she expected, upsetting her since meat is scarce in Illodren, even for royalty. Veor reveals the animal in question is plentiful, shocking Serafina the animal is a dragon, which are only legends in Illodren. Veor reveal his lands have forests, rivers and plentiful wildlife, depressing Serafina that Illodren is a wasteland in comparison. She is outraged by the practice of mixed outdoor bathing, but eventually agrees to wash while Veor goes to a different stream because of the fuss she was making. Realizing the area is filled with monsters, Serafina runs away naked and encounters a young, handsome barbarian. The man is amused, revealing his own mother was from the West and also ran away when she first bathed outdoors. Serafina guesses his mother must have been part of the 16th Expedition 20 years ago. The man gives her his coat, exciting her that there is at least one civilized, barbarian. Cersei reveals the man is just Veor without his beard. Serafina is so embarrassed she slaps him, but this only makes him want to marry her more, even though she still rejects him. Several days later Serafina is actually disappointed when Veor’s beard grows back.

Veor takes Serafina and Cersei to a village where he will have a meeting with the Elders. Several of his men are eager to spar with Serafina, whom they call Crystal Helmet. She is surprised that none of them hold a grudge even though she had killed several of them and instead complement her beauty and strength. Serafina and Cersei stay in two women’s house during the meeting. Serafina is surprised that the children are strong enough to haul firewood. The women serve herbal tea, which Serafina had never heard of and finds delicious. When the women say their husbands were killed in the war, a guilt ridden Serafina tells them to take their revenge on her, but they hold no grudge. Suddenly, dragons attack the village. Serafina fights one with a pair of tongs, stabbing it in the eye and luring it away from the others, impressing Cersei. Veor and the men slay the other dragons. The tongs break and Serafina resigns herself to die, but Veor arrives in time to kill the dragon. As he thanks her for saving Cersei and the others, she starts crying uncontrollably, so he carries her in his arms.

Veor introduces Serafina to Dwarf Elders Vas, Guas and Balhath who gift her a mithril sword, along with Elf Lord Karka, Dryad Nimhala and Fairy Chief Vyufumec. He explains along with the Barbarians they make up the Five Great Tribes. Serafina is depressed Illodren's constant invasions are treated as an amusing pastime by the Barbarians and not a real war. Veor explains the tribes only come together to fight Fiends, monsters more dangerous than dragons. Veor introduces her to Nyleia, one of Serafina's former knights who vanished after being defeated by Veor's cousin Vidal, and ended up happily marrying him. Serafina refuses to marry Veor, and Cersei is shocked Veor apologises. Nyleia explains knights insist on either fighting to the death or until incapacitated, whereas Veor won by destroying her sword. From Serafina's point of view Veor has not defeated her yet, so it is her duty to continue to resist him. Serafina finds she is pleased Nyleia found happiness. Later, Serafina admits her shame at thinking of Barbarians as savages, when they are kind, honourable people. She also admits that while her duty is to save Illodren, marriage to Veor no longer sounds so bad. Then she becomes embarrassed and hits him again.