Starblood. I remember it from Andrei's tale about the evil emperor. Capable of changing beings into other things, and capable of creating entire new races somehow.
"Within this little vial lays the key to turning a goblin, into a hobgoblin" Scarlett makes the vial float closer to my face, letting me see in detail its purple contents constantly moving, as if alive "So long as you know what to do with it, there are no limits to what can be done. This is a precious object that many lords and knights would gladly sell their souls to possess"
"And yet you offer it to me, for free" I state, my eyes focused on her. She grins, her black eyes seeming almost to shine.
"As I said...so long as you know what to do with it. Misuse it, and you will either become a mindless monster, or a pile of flesh and goo" She lets the object go and it falls on my hands, the empty plate I was holding falling to the ground loudly.
"Then this is useless to me without knowledge...and I suppose that knowledge won't be a gift"
"Indeed. I require proof that you have what it takes, that you are capable, and won't become a problem to me in the long run" Scarlett stands up, taking a step forth towards the map "I assume your war band has made camp somewhere within the green zone of the Farwoods, correct?" I nod "Perfect, the Orcota won't try to bring their armies through there, so long as you can keep their scouts away we can work together"
"Their scouts? Haven't they brought an entire army to these lands? Thousands?"
"I can provide you with a steady number of goblins since they are so easy to make. Making them useful will be your work"
"And you can bring them to me, past the border?"
"Rokan, I have many ways to get most of what I want, and making a few guards turn their heads to a caravan is not an issue, but I don't want to discuss logistics without your agreement to our partnership"
"Why would you put faith in me? How are you so sure that I'm capable? Don't you think of me as another goblin?"
"A very special goblin, and I have had my fair share of...unorthodox partners before. I am as old as the first houses that were built in this city, only surpassed by a selected few still alive...to some degree. I once associated myself with a kobold that made an empire deep down the earth, and I aided a mad toadling to achieve some sort of enlightenment in the furthest jungles of the East of Volatia" Her smile vanishes, suddenly the air feeling dense "But my hospitality has a time limit and I don't keep you here to listen to my tales, do you want your kingdom, or not?"
I stare into the black eyes of the terrifying witch, no reason to believe her other than her own words. A complete stranger far up the chain of power saying that needs me? Offering me "Invaluable" gifts in order to persuade me? What stops her from using force or magic to get what she wants? I know there is a game here that she hides, there must be.
But at this moment, I don't think refusing would be wise. At worst she kills me, at best I'm forced to go back to my men, who may not even be alive or where I left them anymore.
"What would you have me do?" Her thin, long smile returns.
"You will house important servants of mine when they need a place to hide, as well as serve as an information and exploration body to fit my needs. If I need you to guide your men somewhere, you must do so. And lastly, I may require your personal hand in certain matters, and I expect you to execute every task to perfection" She brings a piece of paper and a quill, writing on it with her magic "To this end, your tasks will be: To secure, develop and ensure a comfortable and safe environment for my agents, no harm must come to them at any cost and provide me with detailed information on the movement of both the humans and Orcotas, as well as the champions of each realm"
"That is a lot of demands" I reply after chewing her words for a bit.
"With a lot of rewards"
"But achieving everything you demand will need muscle, men. I lack men. Palisades won't erect themselves and if I must deal with Orcish scouts I will need a sizable amount of warriors, how much can you provide?" I decide to sit down, glancing briefly at the vial in my hands, it is cold.
"Forty every month, I can even throw in a few hobgoblins in between, if you need more you can always search for them in the disgusting lairs they inhabit"
"Fifty, and I doubt that's the case..."I clench my teeth, a question must be asked. "You are looking for Fogosh. I want to know why"
"My matters with Fogosh are mine and mine alone. And why would it be difficult for you to gather more of your brethren?"
"Fogosh has made an army, and I've been told he has hundreds of goblins in it. While I've traveled I have not found a single goblin roaming the woods, not even when getting close to the mountains. He must have taken as many lairs as possible before making his way through the Valley of Uj" My words seem to catch her interest, she didn't know where had he been.
"Of course, he must have either pushed past the incoming Orcota army to the plains or been forced to go south, to the Tsardom" She turns to see the map.
"No, he must have only gone to the Tsardom. The hobgoblins within my warband have stated he was faced with the full might of the orcish army...if he survived, he is in the Tsardom" I too look at the map, knowing I will head there eventually to find him and plunge my war pick deep into his chest.
"He has survived, thrived likely. He manages to always get out of a tricky situation" She glances at me "See? We just became partners and you have already helped me...I think you have earned those extra ten men"
"I will also need ingots. Arros will be used, armor and blades bent and dent, there is a blacksmith and an anvil in my possession, but I need metal to work with. Not to mention I will need to make nails to make proper defenses"
"Done, something else?"
"...Books, of herbology, architecture, history. Really anything that has something of substance in it, but primarily those topics. A kingdom can't be made with might alone" Her smile slowly goes flat, but she doesn't seem mad or upset. I think I simply surprised her.
"Of course, I will see to it" The quill stops writing, and with a snap of her fingers the paper is engulfed in flames "Every full moon of the month there will be a small encampment around here "A small blue flame appears somewhere close to the border "If you do not retrieve it before the next phase of the moon, you lose it. Understood?" I nod "Then that's settled"
The door opens and I tense up, standing up from the stool in an instant and reaching for my war picks, realizing not only I don't have them, but I'm still naked.
"Dear, I brought the refreshments, and the garments," Hulian says stepping inside, on his right hand is a bottle of wine, and on his left, are a few clothes. Another snap and the map is gone as well as the plate on the floor.
"Ah, just in time as always. I want you to meet Nakor, our new partner" She sits back on her chair. What did she call me?
"A pleasure, young man" Hulian bows to me again...I do not like this. Especially the way he smiles at me, why don't I feel the falsehood behind it? Must be years of training "I believe these colors will be of your liking, the girls always tell me I have a sharp eye when it comes to this"
He approaches me and I instinctively take a step back when he extends his arms holding the clothes. I stay there immobile for a few seconds before snapping back to myself and grabbing them. An armless black leather jacket, with a thick dark green tunic with long arms and a fur neck; Simple green pants and knee-high leather boots with iron tips. I notice the belts with pouches and spaces for scabbards. It's actually not bad, except for one detail.
"These are too big"
"Hulian, please" Scarlett motions to the door, and the butler bows again, leaving us alone, "I told you that I needed proof of your abilities didn't I? Before I put trust in your abilities as a leader, I need proof of your abilities as a smart, and capable man" She snaps again, and she is gone.
Long seconds pass, only accompanied by the sound of cracking wood from the fireplace, I drop the clothes on the stool and rush to the desk, this is an opportunity I cannot pass. I open the drawers quickly but find them empty. Then I reach for the bigger tomes and books lying on top, most are in languages I do not understand, but some speak about religion, demons, and apparently, artifacts.
I assume the other books also speak about them. I decide not to push my luck and return to where I stood. Not long after, the witch reappears, in her hand a silvery pendant with a small sapphire hanging from it.
"This is an artifact. I assume you are aware of what that is" She makes it levitate to me and I grab it "As soon as you put it on, the spell within will react and activate an illusion, making you seem like the human you were when you first entered my office, try it"
I do as told and put it around my neck. Immediately the blue fire consumes me, but this time to my great delight there is no pain, and it is much quicker. In a few seconds, I stand now taller, and I once again look like a human.
Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.
"Here" A small vial that I recognize appears in my hand "For your eye"
Of course. With everything going on, I had forgotten about my mangled eye. I pour the contents of the tiny vial and after the sharp pain invades my body I'm healed.
"Listen to this carefully: Compared to the manual spell, this artifact only remains active if no significant harm has been done to the person, and on the nights of the full moon only, is it capable to remain activated despite any sort of wounds. If a priest with the sight lays eyes on you, they will see right through the illusion and only your hands can take the necklace off unless whoever tries has magic" She remains silent, and I nod "Good. This will be the start of a long and mutually beneficial partnership then"
She gives me a short smile.
The door opens and a couple of whores step in, wearing their skimpy clothes and exposed genitals. A voluptuous woman with curves and an experienced, mature look about her, and a younger, petite, and innocent looking one.
"Mira and Nama will guide you to the bathroom, then to your room. You will be fed so don't worry about it when the time is right, I will summon you and you will provide me with the proof of your worth. Understood?" I nod, and Scarlett sits down on her chair, making a random book from the hundreds that may be on the bookshelves disappear and appear in her hand "Enjoy"
"Come, young man" Mira, the voluptuous woman says with her silky voice as she approaches me, I tense up when she grabs my arm "Relax, you are a guest of the Mistress. We will treat you well"
"Yeah! You look so pretty! Are you a noble? Perhaps the son of a wealthy merchant?" Nama, the younger one excitedly exclaims.
Visions of Maeld flash in front of me, and I find myself clenching my fists. But I shake my head. I cannot allow those memories to take hold of my actions, they are in the past, and they must remain there. And these women are performers, servants of someone else that needs me loyal and satisfied, there is no danger, no dagger to my back...and yet, I find myself glancing at Scarlett for any sign of alarm, anything that tells me this is a trap.
"Come! Let's get you squeaky clean!" Nama shouts as she pulls me out of the room, Mira following behind.
We go back to the more noisy part of the brothel, down some stairs, and reach an ornate door with stained glass depicting a naked woman with horns, the black legs of a goat, a dick, and a pair of bat wings spread wide. Women and men both bow and hold on to her, apparently kissing her all over her legs, and handing her large erect penis as if it was some type of holy artifact.
They open the door and it gives in to a fairly large pull of steaming water. The walls are decorated with depictions of sex, rudimentary carved into the stone, but there are also paintings, detailed, far too detailed. Candles make the place fairly dark for common eyes no doubt, and compared to the almost intoxicating smell of perfume, this place has a softer smell, sweet even.
I take a step forward but as I turn around to close the door the two women step inside...oh.
For so long I have kept these thoughts away. Usually burying them deep inside whenever they surface. I should have seen it coming, they are whores. And Scarlett must have told them to serve me. I knew this already but-
"Are you gonna come?" Mira asks, letting the already skimpy silk clothes fall one by one, for the first time I'm really looking at her. Her wide hips, the clear color of her skin. Her long light brown hair evokes memories that cause me to harden, it is braided in some parts. Her brown eyes, long eyelashes, and red lips. She grins, turning around "You flatter me, such a young man getting all excited for me"
Oh, God. Her breasts are large and plump, but not saggy. With erect nipples and a fairly large pair of areolas. The steam all around already makes her wet, and I follow a particular line of wetness that travels from her neck to her belly, getting lost in the thin and carefully groomed fur surrounding her vagina.
As if I had been faced with a mighty opponent I feel my legs lose their strength and I step back. My heart beats fast, and my powerful nose now focuses on more than the sweet aroma around me, instead on that of her flesh, it is raw and potent in a seductive way.
"Hey~ You will make me feel jealous" Nama whispers in my ear, is that raspberry I smell coming from her mouth? A bit of alcohol as well. She licks my cheek, pressing her naked body against my back and reaching for my now fully erect manhood, she slowly jerks it up and down "Mmm, you taste like sweat, mister~"
She lets go, quickly coming up in front of me and pulling me forth, to the shallow pool of steaming water. Her more than skin must mean she comes from a farm. Compared to Mira she has but a few strands of pubic hair, and her lips are thin and well-shaped, from above and below. Her blonde hair is cut straight and reaches her mid-back. Her breasts are small yet perky, with what looks like the scar of a bite around the pink areola of her left breast.
Once I take a few steps forward Mira also grabs my other hand, and now the three of us submerge into the pool, it barely reaches my stomach when sitting down, and I had not noticed before, but with how cold it was outside, this brothel is kept quite warm...I wonder if it has to do with its size of it or-
God. Nama grabs my manhood like a toy that she jerks, squeezes and massages with joy breaking me away from my escapist thoughts. Mira on the other hand reaches for a small bucket and pulls out a scented soap, carefully and thoroughly cleaning my torso, her sultry eyes and ample breasts swallow my left arm easily. Her erect nipples poking my side.
They continue like this for what feels like an eternity. Mira does the cleaning and Nama provides the pleasure as she occasionally kisses and licks my shoulder, neck, and chest. Looking into my soul with her youthful green eyes. Each stroke sends a wave of ecstasy to my entire body...but also hatred. It also fills me with anger, with the image of Maeld that I desperately try to make disappear.
And then comes the forest, the white flowers, the innocent woman, the harmless woman-
"Stop. STOP!" I shout and shove the shocked pair away, I'm breathing hard, and my head hurts. Fuck! Stop! "I-I...I'm not...I-"
"What's wrong? Are we not good enough?" Mira asks, her shock turning to apparent sadness.
"Impossible! Surely he wants a man, I heard around here they like 'em young" Nama sits up, crossing her arms and staring daggers at me "The mistress has strict rules so you won't get something like that in this city!"
"I-I...I'm just..." I breathe hard, shut my eyes for a moment, and when I open them I see Mira staring at me differently. Her years of experience seem to have picked on to something not even I fully understand about me, about why my body hates when it grows excited, has she seen this before? "I-I...I'm, curious about the glass, the glass of the door"
Silence endures in this bathroom. Occasionally broken by a distant laughter of other whores at work.
"What?" Nama looks at me in confusion, but before she can say anything else Mira grabs her, pulling her close to her and whispering something in her ear, something I can't hear with how loud my heart beats in my ears" Ohhh...I see"
Nama gets out of the water, I follow her with my gaze for a moment but Mira grabs a hold of my face and forces me to look ahead. In one swift move, she gets on top of me and-
I penetrate her. She moans as the full length of my manhood reaches the deepest parts of her insides.
My skin pulls back and is embraced by the tight, warm, folding flesh of the experienced woman. It was like receiving a punch to the gut. Everything in my body tenses, I'm not even breathing anymore. I stare deeply into her brown eyes as she gives me a sympathetic smile, slowly leaning close to me, her body burning against my skin as her softness and weight rest on me. She rests her head on my shoulder and whispers in my ear.
"Don't worry, you are not the first man who has lost a loved one that comes to us. We will make you forget..." As soon as she is done she leans back, and my eyes are covered by a towel. I hear Nama giggle and get back into the water, her hands caressing my torso.
"Succubi. They watch over us women of the night, to grant us with their skill in lovemaking" Mira begins to speak, slowly going up and down, her voice growing uneven with each word "It is said, they can make a man finish with a single touch"
Nama grabs my face and kisses me, her tongue forcefully invading my mouth, I know now she must have been drinking some sort of wine.
"If they kissed a woman, whatever that woman whispered in their lover's ear would become their dreams" Mira is now gasping, falling harder on top of me. Squeezing me harder as well, inside, and my arms, which she holds to stay in place "And that their dreams will bring them joy, and p-purpose. They would never have an n-nightmare again"
Nama lets go of me, my thoughts are getting cloudy. The darkness all around me lets my mind go wild with thoughts, with images, Maeld's disgust me and enrage me, but they also fill me with excitement. I clench my fists. And Ismeina's embarrasses me and makes me feel hatred towards myself. But they also make me somehow harder.
"O-Oh!" Mira shouts, gasping and taking a deep breath "T-They, know all pleasures!" Her pistoning of my manhood grows harder, faster, almost needy "They cure the sadness and heal the wounds of the heart and mind! They turn a broken man into a king in peasant clothes! A weeping widow into an eager w-w-wife!!"
Her body falls hard and fast, each time squeezing me harder, I can't think anymore. Ismeina's face mixes with Maelds's. My self-hatred and hatred of the world mix, my shame mixes with my disgust. It's so confusing, my head feels like it's going to split in half, and I'm about to reach my limit.
"Succubi are our mothers and teachers! Our sisters and f-friends! Our lovers and masters! And they t-turn this world into a world worth LIVING! AH! GODS!!" Mira falls harder than ever before on top of me.
Once. Twice. then the third time I explode, moaning hard as she wails in pure bliss, the burning oven that has become her insides clutching my manhood like a person holds on for dear life. Squeezing every drop of my discharge deep into her womb. Each stream made her gasp and moan. Until I'm done.
"Woah, if he made an old broomer like you cum this cock must be good!" Nama shouts as Mira stands up, she lets go of me and I can finally see again.
Mira and I look at each other, we breathe hard, and her hair has begun to unbraid. Her chest raises fast, and a thin line of my seed falls from her entrance. That sight, this sight; A woman that I have fucked standing straight with her hair made a mess, a sheepish smile, and glassy eyes, shaking legs...it awakens something in me.
"Well, I guess that's it," Nama says standing up as well...but I grab her hand before she leaves "Oh?"
"Nama, our guest is still hungry...it would be rude to leave now"
For what's left of an hour or maybe even more? I can't stop. Their moans fill the bathroom as I thrust into them, sometimes one alone, others together one on top of the other. Or one rests out of the pool as the sound of flesh hitting flesh echoes around. Either way, I have finished inside, outside, on them, and near them.
Nama began eager and full of energy, but also fake. I turned that around fast with Mira's guidance, who took the time to tell me how to move to better break Nama's false pleasure and soon have her begging for me to do all sorts of things. Pulling her hair, choking her, slapping her ass. In the end, she begged me to stop and lay on the floor outside of the pool, apparently falling asleep from exhaustion.
Mira, however, once the third time came had lost all her cool and grace, turning wilder than Nama. I wasn't fucking her, she was fucking me. As a wild beast, I let myself go fully with her, it was like her need invited mine, and soon she was tearing up and squeezing me hard. It was tears of sadness, of memories that hurt her, like me.
Soon I was slamming into her, digging my nails and drawing blood, but she didn't complain. Instead, she scratched and bite into me in return. She didn't moan, she outright screamed. I remember seeing some curious whores checking up on us from time to time, laughing as they left knowing there was no murder going on.
Eventually, I was spent, and Mira spoke incoherent words as she twitched and gasped for air. I sat on the floor having gone through the hardest, most demanding exercise of my life, my manhood now small and aching...but my heart, free.
I felt free as if a weight had been lifted.
The next time they checked on us it was a pair of groomed men who carried the two women out of the bathroom and helped me to my feet, caressing my ass and giggling to themselves as they brought me upstairs back to the quieter part of the brothel. But my eyes were too heavy by then...and I fell asleep.