Submission

Note: Each chapter is it's own one shot unless otherwise stated

The Tsaritsa's will was absolute.

And her harbingers were those who enforced it by any means necessary.

Her citizens, however, were worthless to her, beneath her. They were snowflakes, subject to her icy winds. Most went completely unnoticed, a part of her blizzard. But there were a select few plucked before they blended into the snow.

Chosen.

Given an opportunity to be of use to their almighty Tsaritsa

"It is unusual for someone to choose to become a companion. And selecting the Balladeer no less. I'm unsure of whether your brave or incredibly stupid." Signora lounged on the couch, tipping back her goblet of wine to sip it. The first harbinger had tasked her with preparing the girl for the ceremony. A task that she found beneath her, but in this case, she was curious about the girl who'd requested to serve Scaramouche.

Soji stood in the middle of the room, glancing at herself in the mirror while two of Signora's companions fiddled with the last touches. She'd never worn such revealing garments. Barely dressed at all, but in material of the finest quality.

The cream top covered her breasts much like a bra, straps crossing delicately across her chest, buttoned into a x shape with a smooth violet stone. Slender, off the shoulder sleeves, only there for decorations. Matching cream panties. And a violet sash loosely fastened around her waist, hanging from her right hip and falling down to her left thigh where it had a beautiful violet bow.

"Speak, girl. I'm interested to know your reasoning. It's unlikely that I'll ever encounter you again with how quickly the sixth goes through companions. At least if you'd chosen me, I'd let you live, for a while at least." Signora smirked at her crude humor. She hardly cared to be the choice of a new companion. It was another thing for her to deal with. Training them was very tedious.

Her passing on comment on how the Balladeer treated his companions wasn't lost on her. Although companions were advertised as being treated well, serving their archon, and their protectors, the reality was most different. Some Harbingers were tolerable, neither needlessly cruel nor strict, but a few, including Soji's new master, were rumored to only use their companions for amusement before disposing of them.

"I only wish to serve the Tsarits-ah-"

With a flick of her wrist, Signora clamped a block of ice around Soji's throat. "I didn't ask for you filthy mouth to speak of the Tsaritsa. You aren't worthy to have her title pass your lips. If you're this incompetent, Scaramouche will have you dead before day's end. Answer my question."

The ice vanished as quickly as it came, leaving Soji coughing and gasping for air. The older companion nudged her with a hissed apologize. She was well aware of the rumors surrounding the sixth harbinger. Cruel. Torture. Humiliation. Death. Words all used in conjunction with the feared Balladeer. "I'm deeply sorry, Mistress Signora. I took my sister's place. She's frail and clumsy. I offered myself to the most... difficult harbinger that was listed in hopes of taking her place."

The illusion of choice. Choosing a harbinger who'd requested a new companion. As if that made servitude any less demeaning.

Companions were given three harbingers to choose from, but some were coerced into their decision. The family left behind was given a bonus sum of mora, and they refused to speak of it. No one actually chose to go to the cruel Balladeer. No one wanted to be under his control.

"Hmm. I suppose that's a sufficient explanation. Finish up, three and five. It's time." Signora gracefully stood, heels clacking on the floor as she approached. The two companions fastened the gold leaves clips onto either side of her head, pinning back her hair from her face. Signora gripped Soji's jaw, tilting her head up, gaze shifting down her scantily clad body. "It will do. Put on the wristlets and anklets." She snapped her fingers for haste.

Dainty, golden, slender. Snug around her wrists and ankles, but Soji recognized the type of ore used to craft these, the strongest found in Snezhnaya.

"These were made to his very specific design. Easily able to be hooked to chains and strong enough to lift your body." Signora spoke with a mocking tone, alluding to the intent. Silently holding up her hand, the companions she called five placed a final object in her waiting palm. It resembled the wristlets, but larger.

Could it be-

"It isn't your collar. Scaramouche will put that on you before the Tsaritsa. I hear he made this one special since you chose him willingly." Signora fastened the cuff around her right thigh, tracing her finger over it with a disgusted chuckle. "He's a sadistic master, ready to chain you up and use you until he's satisfied."

Everything on her body was a gift from her new master. Companions dressed as they were instructed, acted as they were commanded, and were to be of use to their master in any way they desired without delay.

"Do you choose to serve the sixth harbinger?"

A last chance to change her mind. Although, Soji was sure that it was a death sentence. No harbinger would be pleased to be the second choice.

"I do."

Words she'd be saying to her master in only minutes.

Signora hummed in satisfaction, signaling for Soji to follow her. A silent march away from freedom. How many had walked this very route? Dressed in clothes that were chosen for them? Led by the invisible leash to be collared and tethered to a real one?

Soji swallowed the lump in her throat, trying to strengthen her resolve. Her body wanted to run. Find a door, a window, anything to escape the castle and her awaiting fate. But her sister would live a happy life, find love, grow and thrive without worry. Once a companion was chosen from a family, they would never be put in the lottery again.

That gave her the strength to straighten her posture and keep moving forward.

She could endure for that guarantee.

The Tsaritsa's palace was grand, beautiful, but it was close, lacking the warmth that a true home provided. The Cryo Archon sat upon her throne, gazing down with disinterest as Signora led the girl down the seemingly endless length of the chamber to where the sixth harbinger waited.

Soji barely got a glimpse of him. There were rules for the ceremony, most of which were not told to the companions. Breaking them gave an opportunity for them to learn from their master through punishment. One had been slain in this very spot, their crime unknown to them.

"Kneel."

Those were the last words Signora spoke, moving aside to become a part of the witnesses.

"Soji Kotov."

Her voice echoed through the chamber, reverberating all around, full of absolute authority. It was considered a high honor for one's name to leave the Tsaritsa's lips.

"Today, you are before the throne of your Archon for the purpose of furthering my will. For that, the Kotov family shall be recompensed for your loyalty. Proceed." Her blessing to continue brought about silence.

Soji held her breath, tempted to search the room. Curiosity and fear were enough to drive anyone to raise their head, if only for a glimpse of what was coming. How many had dared to do so, confused by the pause, only to be met with swift punishment. She inhaled deeply, trying to calm her racing heart, squeezing her hands together in her lap.

Cool metal touched her neck. A brush of warm fingers as Scaramouche locked the collar around her throat. It was lighter than she'd imagined, snug but not suffocating. He didn't speak, only chuckling softly as he slipped his index finger under the collar, tugging to check that it was secure.

"Henceforth, Soji Kotov, you are the companions to the sixth harbinger. Your body, mind, and soul belong to your master. Your purpose is to assist in any way chosen by the Balladeer to serve Snezhnaya's glory, without protest. Will you comply to your new purpose of your own will?"

As if her own will mattered.

But Soji bowed forward. "Yes, your excellency." Three simple words. She stopped with those. As the least among them, Soji had no right to speak any more to their Archon, as proven by the rage of the fair lady in the preparation room.

"Bring about my will."

The Tsaritsa brought a swift end to the ceremony.

"Come."

The first and only word that Scaramouche spoke to her.

Soji silently followed the harbinger, keeping a pace behind him. She was growing more nervous with each step. The unknown of how he'd act alone with her for the first time, with her swearing to let him have control of her body. Of course, the girl knew that she'd have to perform, but the whispers of his behaviors rattled her mind.

Besides doing menial tasks, companions were there for the harbingers pleasure, their entertainment.

Scaramouche was slightly taller than her, something that he likely requested in a companion. In his temporary chambers, he circled her, finally able to get a good look at her. His fingers dragged over the dip of her lower back, achingly gentle. "It's interesting," he mused, violet irises appraising her body. Coming to stop behind her, his hands settled on her hips, warm against her bare skin. "No one had ever survived a ceremony without breaking at least one rule. And yet, you-"

Soji shuddered at his touch, his breath ticking against her ear. She desperately wanted to turn her head, to see what expression he wore. His current actions toward her contrary to all the stories of his viciousness.

Even his voice was charming.

"You managed to be perfect. I'll have that to hold over the others for quite some time." Scaramouche trailed his fingers over her exposed stomach, up to her breasts. He squeezed them over the fabric, humming appreciatively. "You're not so bad to look at. I can probably tolerate it. It's been a while since I've had a companion. Soji, was it? Are you going to obey me, without question?"

"Yes, I am wholly yours, Master Scaramouche." Soji prayed that her voice didn't betray her. Her whole body was tense, waiting for the pin to drop and his demeanor to crumble into that of the rumors. Harbingers were incredibly powerful vision bearers, but she knew he hardly needed his vision to harm her. His touch might be light, but it only proved that he was choosing to be that way.

Those hands had brought about many deaths.

"That's a sufficient answer. At least you aren't a blubbering mess. Bend over the desk." His warmth left her, tone holding no anger. Violet irises watched her with amusement. She could listen. She didn't tremble in terror at the command. His brows furrowed, remembering his last companion, sniveling and sobbing at the prospect of having him take her.

It was utterly annoying.

But this girl was still, only her breathing giving away slight nervousness.

Scaramouche simply stared at her for a moment. He didn't hate her yet. Companions were useful, doing meaningless, boring tasks that his subordinates were too busy to handle. He also enjoyed having one to order around and toy with. This one even willingly chose to be his and seemed to possess at least a bit of a brain.

"This one time only, I'll correct your problems. Pay attention." The harbinger touched the inside of her soft thigh, tapping twice. "Spread your legs wider. You should show your master what's his." He nodded in approval when she responded without hesitation. His gaze drifted over her clothed cunt, tempted to touch her to see what sounds she might make. "Better. You've no right to hide anything from me, understand? You're my whore. My slave. Isn't that right, Soji? You'll be a good little whore for your master, won't you?"

He so adored this.

"Yes, master."

Filthy words passed his lips, but his touch remained soft. It had been some time since the sixth harbinger had felt so invigorated. Training a companion was irritating, especially when all they did was cry and whimper. He despised dealing with them. But Soji was amusing, calm and subservient. He'd thoroughly enjoy taking time to make her into his.

Scaramouche mulled over his next move. Typically, he got the first fuck out of the way. "Arms behind your back, always, unless I give you other orders." He watched her slender arms gracefully move into the correct position. Her tits would be on full display if she were on her back.

He decided then, admiring the curve of her ass, that he'd make her want him. How entertaining it would be to have her ask for him to use her, to fuck her however he saw fit.

And Scaramouche imagined with a little manipulation that she would. Something about the way she obeyed his commands told him so.

His tongue slid over his lips in anticipation.

He'd revel in breaking her into the perfect submissive.

"I've had enough for today. Go and fetch my dinner. Be quick about it."

Soji had to will her body to move. She escaped the room as quickly as possible, heart pounding within her chest. He'd not done as she'd imagined. It would have been within his rights to take her, and she'd prepared herself for it.

And now, alone in the hallway, Soji missed his gentle touches. He'd managed to make her feel as though a lover had been caressing her body, and the wetness between her legs was evidence that she'd been...

What had caused him to stop?

Soji contemplated the answer all the way to the kitchen and back, never reaching a satisfactory answer. Perhaps he wasn't as horrible as she'd heard, or perhaps he was simply toying with her. She reminded herself that his reasons were irrelevant.

For he was her master.

And Soji was to obey.