From the Diary of Blake Bowen, Lord of Bowen Village:

Autumn, in my 35th year and the 19th of my rule:

I still await the coming of the Sentinel. I was told that the final installment was properly paid and a group of guild adventurers will be bringing it this month. I pray to Ilya that nothing unforeseen happens to it, for it is my hope that the increased security that it will bring to my village will attract more tradesmen to stay here. We need more people who can read and write.

Johnday Evans was put to rest today. He was a good friend and will be greatly missed. His laugh was the loudest I have ever heard and could make even the cattle happier. I gave three silvers to his wife so that she may hire additional farmhands until winter comes.

On this evening a naked elf suddenly appeared in the Church of Ilya, of amazing beauty, absolutely fluffy hair, and oddly compelling body. When I had him moved to the unused mage quarters on the second level, I had to direct Sister Teresa quite severely lest she molest the boy as she carried him.

I have ordered the servants to watch over his movements but not to come near.

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Teresa dropped her armor onto its stand with a ‘kathunk’, and tiredly wiped it clean with a damp cloth before giving it a light coating of oil to protect it from rust.

It had been a long day, and a longer night.

After putting the elf boy to bed (and yes she had accidentally confirmed it was most definitely a BOY), she discovered her dinner had been eaten by cats… or perhaps just Benito. She had to sneak down to the pantry to make a sandwich, no easy task when wearing plate armor.

Well, Emilya owed her a favor anyways after burning a scroll for the sake of Bitsy and her puppies.

She set out the blank scrolls and ink pot for tomorrow’s writing, and after giving thanks to the Goddess Ilya for the day, asking for wisdom with regards to the new elf, and praying for the next day’s spells, she scattered her clothes onto the floor and dove under the bedsheets.

She was almost instantly asleep.

Joan opened her eyes and sat bolt upright in bed. She quickly gathered the scattered clothes from the floor.

Going somewhere?

“Just to get some answers.”

Joan put on the long-sleeved woolen undershirt, still slightly smelling of sweat.

Teresa won’t be happy if you get too violent again.

“I won’t. I serve the Truth.”

She pulled on the matching woolen underpants.

Were you serving the Truth when you broke George’s arm and cracked John’s head?

“YOU were the one who broke George’s arm.”

Was that me? I can’t remember. We were pretty drunk at the time.

“He called Teresa a slut for having sexual relations with that Mike person outside of wedlock.”

She slipped into the blue nun’s habit.

Ah. I was wondering why I didn’t feel guilty about it…

“Personally, while the wording was harsher than I would have said, I also don’t approve of it. She could do better than that… guy. As for John, he made an improper advance to a lady.”

You think ANYTHING is “an improper advance to a lady.”

“I do NOT! His hand clearly touched my… my…”

Joan started blushing.

Your what? Speak clearly.

Joan blushed an even more red.

“My br… bre…”

Your breast? Oh my gosh! He’s lucky to be ALIVE!

“Don’t be sarcastic!”

Oh what a smooth operator he must have been, to touch your breast through PLATE ARMOR. Seriously Joaniekins, you have to get over your fear of men.

“Don’t call me ‘Joaniekins’. You know why I distrust them.”

Grumpily Joan stomped out of the bedroom for the main hall of the church.

She was forced to switch to a much less noisy walk when Bitsy looked up at her with a ‘why are you up so late’ look. Titus thumped his tail at her.

She made sure the puppies were properly covered by the blue blanket and patted the new parents before quietly leaving.

Lord Bowen is sure to have left someone watching the elf. You KNOW who, right?

“Ugh. I’m not good with him.”

You’re not good with ANY man. He knows me better than you, so I’ll do the talking. Okay?

Joan sighed the sigh of one agreeing to something stupid, but with no alternatives.

“Fine.”

Joan closed her eyes.

Cynthia opened them.

“Plus, I’m a WHOLE lot better at moving quietly than you. He’ll never know we were there.”

Daniel sat in the chair by the door to the bedroom, staring deeply at the elf, licking his face with his eyes. His fingers wrote feverishly.

“No! You mustn’t!” screamed the elf princess, her tears making her face only more appealing.

However, the throbbing bulge in her wet panties said otherwise.

Quickly he grabbed her soft, silvery-blue ponytail, pulling her onto the altar and ripping off her—

Daniel Bowen is a very happy man.

That’s not what he’d tell you, but it is (more or less) the truth.

Born the bastard son of Edgar Bowen (the current Lord Bowen’s uncle) and the commoner maid Meg Evans, his “half-breed” heritage showed itself in his brown (but not black) skin, and dark (but not curly) hair. An outsider to both Bowens and Evans, his childhood was… unfortunate.

A distrust of people and a need to prove his superiority over his childhood “friends” somewhere… anywhere… made him dive into books for solace. He learned how to read, write, and do math before anyone else of his age, and do it far better than them as well. At the age of eight, Edgar Bowen finally accepted him as his own son and heir.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

Naturally, this made his childhood… much worse.

When Lord Blake Bowen came to power, partly as an apology and partly in recognition of Daniel’s mathematical prowess, he quickly put him in charge of shoring up the weak family finances, granting him full access to the family library.

It was there, that Daniel found salvation…

in porn.

As one of the few who could both read AND write in the village, he devoured the stuff. He reviewed the stuff. He even wrote the stuff. Daniel Blake (his penname) is legendary in certain, highly influential circles in more than one capital.

His An A to Z Guide to Porn while written a long time ago and now quite out of date is still referred to as the “Bible of Blush” by many demi-human races. It’s also on the master list of “Books to be Burned” by many religious groups.

The Nun’s Unholy Obsession, a book about a young blond nun named Tabitha who kidnaps her playboy boyfriend Michel (some names MAY have been changed to protect the innocent) and winds up chopping off his body parts to keep him at home and to herself, only to awaken to a new, dark fetish, is rapidly becoming a bestseller in multiple countries.

As a person who would rather be left alone, he was also perfect as a sort-of night manager for the entire nipple fort.

Number of screaming children annoying him: Zero.

Number of so-called “childhood friends” still bullying him: Zero.

As a person with responsibility over financial matters, he had some personal power. People didn’t come to him if they didn’t have to, which suited him just fine.

Number of adults who could bother him: Zero

He jumped when his eyes were suddenly covered.

“Gueeeesssss Who?” sang a female voice.

Number of adults who could bother him: Zero Two.

Hanging is too good a punishment for people who interrupt writers caught by the muse.

Daniel sighed deeply.

“Why are you up, Cynthia? It’s late.”

And what was that about “he’ll never know we were here”?

Cynthia removed her hand from his eyes.

“We came to see the elf.”

“You saw him earlier. I believe that it was your sister Teresa who put him to bed?”

“Gnn…”

Tell him I can sense things Teresa can’t.

“Well so can I, but fine. Look, Dannyboy. We know nothing about that elf. Teresa’s out of spells and asleep right now. For all we know the kid could be an evil shape-shifter. What’s the harm in letting us have a closer look?”

“The fact that if he’s an evil shape-shifter I’ll be giving him the body of the village’s only magic caster in the middle of the night when nobody else is awake?”

“Gnn…!”

He does have a point.

“You’re not helping!”

“Why would I be helping you?” Daniel cocked one eyebrow at her.

“I’m talking to her, not you!”

Enough. Let me try convincing him.

“… Fine.”

Cynthia closed her eyes…

Joan opened them.

“Good evening. I’m Joan. If I’m understanding your concerns properly, you would prefer we not talk to the elf unprepared and unmonitored?”

“Good evening, Joan. If I may add, it would also be best if we were both armed. For example, with these daggers I just happen to have with me.” He lifted his writing pad to reveal two sheathed knives on his lap.

What?

That’s it?

We can go?

What was his freaking problem then?

“Probably you calling him ‘Dannyboy’, I would think.” Joan muttered quietly.

The magical lights were unsheathed in the bedroom, destroying the darkness.

The elf boy had still not moved, but his breathing had gotten slightly stronger than when he was in the church.

Joan stared at his face, searching with her senses.

He didn’t seem evil. She didn’t feel that coming from him.

Well, of course not.

Not with that beautiful face…

and those adorable ears…

and that fluffy-wuffy hair...

JOAN!

“Whoa!” She yanked her hand away from his head.

“What is it? Did you sense something?” Daniel unsheathed his weapon.

“No. It’s just… uh, no, the boy isn’t evil. Hang on, I’m going to try something.”

She gathered the Light within her, focusing it to her left hand.

Gently, she touched the boy’s forehead and willed the Light to enter him. To heal him.

“Uhhn…”

Slowly, the boy’s eyes opened. He looked at Daniel Bowen. He looked at her. His eyes widened as he saw the burn scars on her fully-uncovered face.

Beautiful purple eyes…

JOAN…

“I’m okay. Right. I'm sorry child, but I have to get some answers out of you. In the Light of Truth, none may hide, all must submit to the Command: Confess your true name and identity!”

The spell slammed into his defenseless body.

He moved weakly to get up, the bedsheets falling away from his naked chest, and with a surprisingly melodic voice he said,

“[Um, I’m sorry. I have no idea what you just said.]”

I noticed some people use the swapped palette (white background, black font) when using this site. Should I pander to them, say by making double chapter releases (one regular, one inverted)?

Shameless plug: I'm attempting to be ambitious by adding a second series! (Don't worry this series has priority)

Making a Mark in the World

http://www.royalroadl.com/fiction/2997