A New Dimension - for DarelHute

[DeliciousMaiden]

She watched the two young women as they reacted to her question.

"I don't know, your highness! You received a letter from the generals yesterday, after you took your bath and got ready for bed. You threw us out of your chambers without telling us what was on it. Your highness seemed... very upset!"

The girl called Sheera told her. It seemed that Inaya had arrived at a time when the Queen was faced with an impossible situation, but war and decisions were things that Inaya was familiar with at least. In her own time, she remembered with a start her people were about to be attacked. She had not been making the decisions that had led to their fate, yet she had offered advice and it had all gone horribly wrong for her people.

"The remains are in the hearth!"

Though she looked, there was nothing but a blank charred corner remaining.

"It must have been ridiculous demands! Eloen and I have asked the captain of the guard, but he did not know anything. He wished he did. The letter was for your eyes only!"

Inaya, focused more upon learning the name of her other companion, though she was more than aware of the seriousness of the situation that she found herself in. She could waste no time stating that she was not their princess, or queen or whatever status it was she held. Decisions were to be made quickly and she had no idea what it was she should do.

"I'm sorry, your highness, but there's nothing more we can tell you! The council awaits!"

Sheera prompted her and Inaya had no other choice but to allow the door to be opened and to allow herself to be escorted along a corridor, a guard at either side as she made her way to where she assumed the council waited. Enroute she noted her surroundings' armour, swords and spears. It seemed this was an historical time, but then her time with Roger and Jack had been before Anaya's time. Civilisation had advanced, but in essence it was the same, greed and war...


"Her highness Queen Elora of Iria!"

So, she was a Queen, her name Elora and this place Iria.
And this room was not the council room, it was the throne room, the council had come to her. Taking a deep breath she stepped into the room and walked towards 'her' throne. She turned and sat noting that she was surrounded by men, some in armour and of course Sheera and Eloen had followed her and were keeping close. She nodded as the men bowed and wondered what she would do or say next!

She sat silently as they discussed the letter and the demands, arguing across her as she listened in gathering all the clues she could.

"Before the queen can answer that, we have to discuss the terms we DO know about! The Ulvian generals demanded that the queen and her two companions deliver the answer to their camp!"

It was all she knew of the 'terms' of the unseen letter. Her mind was working on that new information as she listened to them speak of the Ulvian's and their lack of respect for Royalty.

"I don't think we have a choice! The siege has gone on for too long. Our supplies are dwindling... we need terms of surrender! Your highness must meet the generals' demands!"

She listened to the old man's words. It seemed that the situation was dire.

"That is up to the queen only! I, for one, am opposed! ...
Your highness, I advice against it! I do not trust the Ulvians, and neither should you!
They are brutal barbarians, and what they do to their women is well known!
What they would do to you... I dare not contemplate!"

She listened to his warning. Without a respect for Royal status, she would just be a woman going in amongst men.

"Your highness, you must decide!"

She was told as finally silence descended and they all looked to her for a response.

"In real terms, this is our only chance?"

She queried, listening to those surrounding her clarify their situation.

"Then ... send word to the Generals, that I will accept their terms ... given certain conditions ... "

She clarified.

"Inform them that it will be I and I alone who will deliver our final answer. I will put no other's life at risk for their sake."

She looked across to her loyal companions and took a moment to cast a fond smile in the direction of the two beautiful girls.

"Tell the Generals that they should send a contract, outlining the terms as set out in the letter and signed by them in which they guarantee the safety of our lands and our people. Only then will I put my signature to it and deliver it to them personally."

She looked around at those who were gathered around her.

"These are my terms and they're non-negotiable.
Make sure you tell them of that. If they grant my terms, then I'll deliver the contract to them tomorrow morning, but they must respond promptly, or my offer will be withdrawn."

She asserted.

 

[DarelHute]

"In real terms, this is our only chance?"

The general nodded.

"Then ... send word to the Generals, that I will accept their terms ... given certain conditions ... Inform them that it will be I and I alone who will deliver our final answer. I will put no other's life at risk for their sake."

The old general shook his head, along with the other knights.

"Tell the Generals that they should send a contract, outlining the terms as set out in the letter and signed by them in which they guarantee the safety of our lands and our people. Only then will I put my signature to it and deliver it to them personally. These are my terms and they're non-negotiable.
Make sure you tell them of that. If they grant my terms, then I'll deliver the contract to them tomorrow morning, but they must respond promptly, or my offer will be withdrawn."


"Your highness, we are long past negotiations. You tried this before. They will give us no guarantees of any kind. This was the last chance to surrender. We have nothing to offer. If they scale our walls, we are doomed. They will kill us all: women, children, all." the General said sternly.

"It's true, highness!" another knight intervened. "The Ulvians were clear. Unless you walk out our gates and go to them to discuss terms, they will launch the final attack. And this WILL be our undoing. It will be a blood bath!"

"We don't have a choice, your highness, you have to go to them. I'm sure they will concede to not having your companions by your side - even if this is why you have them - but they will certainly take it very badly if you seek to negotiate further!" the general concluded.

The captain of the guard fell deep in thought, shaking his head, but not intervening.

"I know the captain is concerned for your safety! It is his calling! But the fate of our realm depends on your courage! Using your charm is our only hope. Antagonizing the Ulvians will be our undoing!" the general said.

"But the terms her highness proposes are fair!" the young knight said.

"They will not hear any terms accept from her own mouth!" the general insisted. "This much is clear!" the general added and looked around to the others, who nodded one by one. The captain alone stood motionless, looking down.

"Your highness. You must go. Even if you go alone. You must go!" the general said as he approached the throne. "We need our queen to save the realm!"

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"Your highness, we are long past negotiations. You tried this before. They will give us no guarantees of any kind. This was the last chance to surrender. We have nothing to offer. If they scale our walls, we are doomed. They will kill us all: women, children, all."

Inaya frowned. If they knew there was no choice, then why had they spoken as if there were.

"It's true, highness! The Ulvians were clear. Unless you walk out our gates and go to them to discuss terms, they will launch the final attack. And this WILL be our undoing. It will be a blood bath!"

She flinched. She did not know these people, had no link with them, but the situation as too close to home. If someone were put in her place, as she had been put into theirs, she could hope that they would do all they could to save her people, just as it seemed that she was to do now.

"We don't have a choice, your highness, you have to go to them. I'm sure they will concede to not having your companions by your side - even if this is why you have them - but they will certainly take it very badly if you seek to negotiate further!"

She met the general's gaze steadily.

"It seems the council have decided, regardless of my words."

She responded shortly.

"I know the captain is concerned for your safety! It is his calling!
But the fate of our realm depends on your courage!
Using your charm is our only hope. Antagonizing the Ulvians will be our undoing!"

Given her previous experiences, Inaya could guess at the nature of the charms and terms she was to use. She smiled as the young knight protested in her favour.

"They will not hear any terms accept from her own mouth! This much is clear!"

It seemed their attackers had but one focus, to have her meet them, unprotected.

"Your highness. You must go. Even if you go alone. You must go!
We need our queen to save the realm!"

She sighed wearily.

" ... enough ... "

She spoke softly, yet firmly enough for all surrounding her to become silent.
Her eyes slowly moved from General, to Captain, to the Knights surrounding her, to the guards and then across to her two companions who were stood close by.
She did not need her empathic powers to feel their fear, their desperation, yet she could sense not only their feelings, but the terror which seemed to hang over the land she know found herself in.

"Despite their words, I do not trust the Ulvians.
Captain, though I'm sure you would want to escort me until I can advance alone into the Ulvian camp you must remain here. Do not let down your guard, have every man on standby. I will go on one condition. If the enemy attack, you must defend without holding back. Do not concern yourself for my safety on any account."

She could only hope that she would move on before the situation here got too dire and had to trust to that to give her the courage to do what it seemed she must do.

"Also, if they attempt to use me to blackmail, to bargain you must not negotiate, is that clear?"

She looked around sensing their reluctance to obey.

"That is an order. As your Queen I will do what I must, but only if I have your promise, your oath that you will do as I command you should the situation go wrong."

 

[DarelHute]

" ... enough ... "

The knights stopped and looked at her, waiting for her reply:

"Despite their words, I do not trust the Ulvians. Captain, though I'm sure you would want to escort me until I can advance alone into the Ulvian camp you must remain here. Do not let down your guard, have every man on standby. I will go on one condition. If the enemy attack, you must defend without holding back. Do not concern yourself for my safety on any account."

The captain nodded to her words, sighing heavily.

"Also, if they attempt to use me to blackmail, to bargain you must not negotiate, is that clear?"

The knights looked at each other, and were close to starting an argument, when she intervened again, speaking with authority.

"That is an order. As your Queen I will do what I must, but only if I have your promise, your oath that you will do as I command you should the situation go wrong."

The knights looked at her and they all bowed.

"We shall do as our queen commands!" the general said.

"Of course you will!" the captain said to him, gritting his teeth.

The doors suddenly opened and a knight stepped forward and got on one knee in front of the throne.

"Your highness, the Ulvians sent an envoy demanding a response!"

The captain clutched his sword and turned to her.

"I am ready when you are, my queen!" he said to her and stepped aside along with all the knights gathered around her.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"We shall do as our queen commands!"

The general agreed.

"Of course you will!"

The Captain to would obey her orders.

For the briefest of seconds Inaya actually enjoyed having these men depending up on her, obeying her and of course eager to protect her, but what the cost would be to her she had no idea! Why the Queen had burned the letter stating the terms she would face, she had no idea. She would be going into this blind!

Not only did she have no idea of the enemy she faced, but she had yet to discover the Queen's age, appearance and most importantly what sexual experience if any she had? Had she ever had a husband, or known a man? Given Roger's words, Inaya could not help but think that this might be relevant to the fate she was to face. As Julia, she had become the slut that Julia needed to be, regardless of her own virginity, did that mean then that if the Queen were a virgin that she would experience whatever the Ulvian's would do to her as if she were the Queen?

Her thoughts were rudely interrupted by the entrance of a knight.

"Your highness, the Ulvians sent an envoy demanding a response!"

She looked down at the man kneeling before her and sighed heavily.
It seemed it was time.

"I am ready when you are, my queen!"

The men gathered around her, but it was futile. They could not protect her and they could not accompany her. It was for her to offer what she had to to protect her people.

"Tell him I will meet with the Generals as they require, that they should expect my arrival shortly."

She would take few minute to gather a cloak and make her farewells to her companions. There was no time for questions. Inaya would simply have to use her wits and her charm ...

 

[DarelHute]

The captain bowed and lead the queen out of the throne hall, walking down the steps to the large marketplace filled with soldiers. An Ulvian warrior waited a few feet away from the steps, still astride on his horse. His massively muscular torso was exposed bar the two leather straps across his chest. his curved swords on his back. He had long, wavy brown hair and deep blue eyes. He wore no armor. Fur on his boots, leather breeches and a few silver studs on his belt was more than enough. Ulvian warriors needed no armor. He looked so confident on his horse, not at all intimated by the rows of Irian soldiers clad in armor.

He jumped off his horse as he saw the captain and the queen approach, along with her two companions.

"Your highness!" he said with a broad smile showing his white teeth. "The generals await!"

"The generals will have to wait some more!" the captain snarled gritting his teeth, clutching the hilt of his sword. "The queen needs a few things, and she will be with you shortly!"

"Things?" the Ulvian raised an eyebrow. "She will need no... things! The generals are waiting for the queen now! If we don't walk out that gate in the next few minutes, they will storm the city!" the warrior said, his eyes traveling on Elora's cleavage.

The captain turned to the queen.

"I'm afraid there is no time, my queen. With your leave, I will escort you as far as I can!" the captain said and bowed.

The warrior jumped on his horse with the agility of a tiger, and turned his horse towards the gate, starting off as he looked left and right at the soldiers, scoffing.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

They went out of the hall and down some steps, which she found led out into a marketplace. All around were soldiers, all clad in the familiar armour and there in the middle was a man who was clearly the Ulvian envoy. She watched him dismount easily and advance as he saw her and her entourage approach.

"Your highness! The generals await!"

Even as she nodded, her captain snapped in reply.

"The generals will have to wait some more!
The queen needs a few things, and she will be with you shortly!"

She bit back a sigh. Unsurprisingly their enemy responded uncompromisingly.

"Things? She will need no... things! The generals are waiting for the queen now!
If we don't walk out that gate in the next few minutes, they will storm the city!"

He turned, his eyes raking insolently over her body and focused upon her cleavage, which her dress did nothing to hide.

"I'm afraid there is no time, my queen. With your leave, I will escort you as far as I can!"

She sympathised with her Captain's feelings, but he had not helped the situation and she had no intention of allowing him to further jeopardise the situation.
The Ulvan was already on his horse and turning towards the gate.

"No, Captain. I ordered you to stay here. That remains unchanged.
Remember, no blackmail, no ransoms, nothing.
My safety depends on my commands being followed without question."

She turned to her companions.

"Fetch me a cloak, any cloak, quickly!"

She ordered then stepped forward realising for the first time that she was going to be supposed to ride a horse. Just how that would work, she was unsure.

"My horse ... "

She instructed hesitantly aware that all eyes were on her.

"Your Majesty, we had supposed, that is ... "

A young man came forward, stammering an apology; her horse was not saddled it seemed, they had expected to escort her to the Generals, not have her ride out to meet them it seemed.

"We cannot waste time, bring me another horse!"

She ordered impatiently ignoring the protests as Sheera and Eloen appeared to fasten a cloak about her shoulders. Stepping forward, Queen Elora, for so she had to be now allowed herself to be assisted, the full dress pulled higher to allow her to straddle the horse, realising belatedly that, publically at least, she must evidently ride side saddle.

"Make sure my commands are carried out."

Were her last words addressed to those who surrounded her, then, somehow managing that she could turn her horse and urge it forward she slowly advanced in the wake of the Ulvian warrior...

 

[DarelHute]

The warrior lead the queen past the gates, as the soldiers watched helplessly. As she cleared the gates and rode behind the warrior over the draw bridge, the sheer size of the Ulvian camp opened before her. They covered the whole valley, as far as the eye could see. They kept at a safe distance, bu only just away from arrow range.

There seemed to be no order to the camp, except for a long parallel corridors leading to the city. The Ulvians were known for their swift movement in battle. They did not fight in close ranks. They used two swords each, and kept a safe distance between each warrior. Nobody wished to face an Ulvian face to face. They were the fiercest close combat fighters in the ten kingdoms.

The warrior stopped as they cleared the drawbridge, and allowed her to catch up, riding alongside her.

"You are a brave queen, to walk out alone like this! The generals will admire this!" he said as he looked at her with a broad smile. "They are not easily impressed by a woman's courage!"

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Elora looked about her as they rode towards the drawbridge. She noted the enemy camps and their extent. Truly her people were at the mercy of the Ulvians. She was uncertain if her people were quite aware of the extent of the attacking army and found that she hoped not... especially now that they did not need to.

She caught up with the warrior who awaited her and fell in to ride beside her as escort.

"You are a brave queen, to walk out alone like this! The generals will admire this!
They are not easily impressed by a woman's courage!"

She saw the smile, the admiration that he himself seemed to have for her courage and considered that the jump between dimensions could not come soon enough his time around.

"I am not just a woman, as you say I am a Queen and have a duty to do what I can to protect my people ... "

She told him.

"I suspect honour and duty are qualities your generals are also more than aware of ... "

She was assuming that civilised values lay behind those fierce exteriors. She had to treat these men as civilised, enemy or not. How else could she negotiate and 'charm' them?

 

[DarelHute]

"I am not just a woman, as you say I am a Queen and have a duty to do what I can to protect my people ... "

The warrior turned to her and nodded.

"I suspect honour and duty are qualities your generals are also more than aware of ... "

"Of course!" he said with a broad smile. "We are not used to women having such... duties!"

As he spoke the reached the camp. They passed through a long and wide corridor flanked by tents. Young warriors in the same dress as the one on horseback sat in circles around camp fires. As she passed on they looked at her intensely. The Ulvians were very different to the men in Iria. The local tales were a mixture of terror and erotic fascination with the broad shouldered Ulvian men and their legendary phallic qualities.

Some of the warriors stood and turned to face her, smiling at her as she passed. They were all handsome men, muscular, with long hair and blue eyes. After a few good minutes of riding in silence, there was a gap in the camp. An empty strip of a few hundred feet. It was clear that they had just passed through the avant-garde, and were going into a different part of the camp.

The atmosphere changed. It wasn't so much a war-like atmosphere, but rather more of a party scene. The men were not wearing swords, and most were naked or almost naked. They sat around camp fires, in almost each circle being at least a man and a woman having wild sex. In one circle a woman was sucking on a massive cock, her mouth stretched as she tried to take it in. The others watched with a grin on their face, probably waiting their turn. In the next circle, a woman was double teamed: a man was fucking her from behind while she sucked on another's cock. Elora could see that the legends were true. The men were extremely well endowed. Their massive cocks throbbed as they watched the scenes in the middle of the circle.

It was also clear that these were Irian women; and they didn't look like they had been forced to do any of what they were doing. They were moaning and groaning like there was no tomorrow.

As Elora passed through the camp, some of the men turned to see her. Some got up and turned to her, their big cocks throbbing as they smiled at her.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"Of course! We are not used to women having such... duties!"

What duties were given to women became increasingly apparent as they advanced through the camp. Elora could not help but admire the physique of the Ulvian warriors. Her own knights were handsome and gallant, yet beside them she had to admit these men were impressive. Where her society was civilised, she increasingly got the impression that this society was 'feral'.

Of course she had no memory of the reputation of these people, but she could not help but notice the extent of their 'endowment' and wished that she had more knowledge as to her own appearance and experience, though judging by the glances she as receiving the Queen was not unattractive to these men. She had expected aggression and hostility, especially as she was the ruler of an enemy nation, yet it seemed that they were welcoming, though just what form that welcome would take when she met the generals, Elora could only guess at...

 

[DarelHute]

It didn't take them too long before they turned to the left and reached a large tent. The entrance was guarded by two warriors who stood with their arms crossed.

"We're here!" the warrior said and jumped off his horse.

He walked towards Elora and helped her off her horse as well.

"Follow me, please!" he said and lead her through the entrance, pushing the heavy cover away as she went in.

As she walked inside she could see three large chairs set equally apart. Three impressive warriors were seated facing the center. They were not wearing swords. She was lead between two of them, noticing that neither chair was more prominent than the other. The warrior lead her to stand in the middle and then withdrew. She was left alone with the three warriors

They took a few seconds to look at her, and smiled.

"Queen Elora! Welcome to the Ulvian camp!" one of them said to her, without budging from his seat.

"We are the three generals: I am Alok, this is Malgath and this is Bellas!" another general said from behind her.

"Are you to understand that you agree to our terms?" the third one intervened, cutting right to the chase.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

The tent along with its guards were impressive as was the sight of the three who were seated before her. Again they smiled in welcome.

"Queen Elora! Welcome to the Ulvian camp!"

They remained seated, but at least they seemed civilised, so far.

"We are the three generals: I am Alok, this is Malgath and this is Bellas!"

She nodded to each in turn in recognition of their names.

"Are you to understand that you agree to our terms?"

Bellas seemed eager to secure her agreement. Her mind raced wondering how to deal with the fact she had no idea what the terms were.

"If you can guarantee the safety of my people, then I will agree to your terms."

She answered.

" ... I am responsible for their welfare and it is only that which brings me here today ... "

She told him firmly.
She would secure the security of her people and deal with the consequences later ...

 

[DarelHute]

"If you can guarantee the safety of my people, then I will agree to your terms. ... I am responsible for their welfare and it is only that which brings me here today ... "

They smiled at her and nodded.

"Of course. Those WERE the terms! If you agree to our proposal, your people will have nothing to fear!" Bellas said.

"As you know, the Ulvians are not the only people after Irian gold and women!" Alok added.

"We are assuming your highness knows that three surrounding kingdoms are plotting to attack Iria, and they are forming an alliance as we speak! You do know of this?" Bellas enquired.

"Gantar, Ievos and Thar!" Malgath explained, waiting for her answer.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"Of course. Those WERE the terms!
If you agree to our proposal, your people will have nothing to fear!"

She was reassured.

"As you know, the Ulvians are not the only people after Irian gold and women!"

Her head spun around at that information.

"We are assuming your highness knows that three surrounding kingdoms are plotting to attack Iria, and they are forming an alliance as we speak!
You do know of this?"

There was no way she could bluff her way through this, Elora realised.
As the other General listed the names of the other lands, there was no recognition at all. When she was Julia things had begun to feel familiar, yet all had happened too quickly here and she was out of her depth. She had no idea how to play this; either way, she would be taking a gamble, a dangerous one.

"No. I did not know...."

She sighed in genuine exasperation and seemed to pace before them, locked with indecision.

"It seems that the situation is graver than I thought ... and ... alas, I fear that we must ... clarify our negotiations."

She thought she sensed a slight change in the atmosphere around her and knew she had to play this out using all the charms she had available. She unfastened her cloak and set it aside, a clear indication that she was here to stay and of course offering them a greater view of her figure as she turned back to them.

"It seems my men have taken it upon themselves not to inform me of the full picture...."

She conceded.

" ... yet they remain stubbornly opposed to any negotiations, the escort you kindly sent for me will attest as to the reception he received ..."

She informed them.

"... but to the point ... I am here in good faith and as I said gentlemen, I will undertake what is necessary to ensure the safety of my country, but ... you will have to repeat your terms ... "

She lifted her hand against any forthcoming comments.

"You sent your terms for my eyes only. That confidentiality was in danger of being compromised.
As a woman of honour I could not allow that."

She had no idea of how this news was being taken.

"I am Queen and a realist; even without the information you communicate, I am aware of the vulnerable situation in which my land finds itself ..."

She took a deep breath as she continued.

"To the point; your terms were seen only by flames.
My people have no knowledge of the detail, no more do I ... but that does not alter the fact that I am here and willing to do what must be done."

She could only pray that she had not made a grave mistake by making such a confession.

 

[DarelHute]

"It seems that the situation is graver than I thought ... and ... alas, I fear that we must ... clarify our negotiations." she said.

The three generals frowned, almost at the same time. Sensing the tension, she removed her cloak, revealing her sexy figure, her dress clinging to her sensual body, her cleavage doing nothing to conceal the genetic asset of Irian women: perfectly round and firm breasts. They all smiled at the sight and listened on:

"It seems my men have taken it upon themselves not to inform me of the full picture ... yet they remain stubbornly opposed to any negotiations, the escort you kindly sent for me will attest as to the reception he received ..."

They grinned as if saying "He can handle it!"

"... but to the point ... I am here in good faith and as I said gentlemen, I will undertake what is necessary to ensure the safety of my country, but ... you will have to repeat your terms ... "

They looked at each other in disbelief, almost asking "What?" She lifted her hand as she felt their upcoming protest.

"You sent your terms for my eyes only. That confidentiality was in danger of being compromised. As a woman of honour I could not allow that. I am Queen and a realist; even without the information you communicate, I am aware of the vulnerable situation in which my land finds itself ..."

They sighed and looked at her without moving an inch.

"To the point; your terms were seen only by flames. My people have no knowledge of the detail, no more do I ... but that does not alter the fact that I am here and willing to do what must be done."

"You burnt the letter without reading it?" Alok asked with disbelief in his voice. "That's a strange thing to do!"

"I understand!" Bellas said as he stood from his seat and moved to face her only a couple of feet away. "I understand that what we are asking is... unusual. It is understandable that you would want to hear it from our mouths, rather than from a piece of paper!" he continued, looking in her eyes.

The other two generals leaned into their chairs, allowing Bellas to speak on their behalf.

"Our terms are highly unusual for us as well. You see... Ulvia hasn't had a king on its throne for over a generation. Our people do not care for tyrants and our last king was one of those!..." he cleared his throat. "But enough time has past and the people are demanding a new dynasty be established. This we could not write in the letter, so it's better that you hear it from us now!"

"That is not all!" Alok said as he also stood from his chair and took his position next to Bellas. "Our lands have suffered greatly from a decade of draught. The crops are insufficient to feed our people. Besides, we are warriors, not farmers."

"What we are proposing is an alliance!" Malgath said as he joined Bellas on the other side, all three now facing her. "Or... rather... a union of kingdoms: Iria and Ulvia as one kingdom!"

"Yes, exactly!" Bellas confirmed. "A kingdom of two nations, joined together by marriage!"

"Since Ulvia does not have royal blood anymore, a new bloodline needs to be established!" Alok went on. "This is where it is all very... unusual. Ulvians do not marry. That was the exclusive duty of the royal family. If we are to unite the two kingdoms, you will need to marry someone of Ulvian blood. However, our people do not want any of us to take precedence over the other!

"Yes!" Bellas nodded. "Our proposal is that you marry all three of us!" he said and then stopped, all three looking at her intensely.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"You burnt the letter without reading it?"

She nodded.

"That's a strange thing to do!"

She met his gaze steadily, but it was Bellas who came to her aid.

"I understand! I understand that what we are asking is... unusual.
It is understandable that you would want to hear it from our mouths, rather than from a piece of paper!"

He was stood directly in front of her now, his eyes locking with hers.
She smiled and nodded as if affirming his interpretation of the situation.

"Our terms are highly unusual for us as well. You see... Ulvia hasn't had a king on its throne for over a generation. Our people do not care for tyrants and our last king was one of those!... But enough time has past and the people are demanding a new dynasty be established. This we could not write in the letter, so it's better that you hear it from us now!"

She nodded. She understood that they did not have a leader or else no doubt she would be speaking to him, or her now.

"That is not all! Our lands have suffered greatly from a decade of draught.
The crops are insufficient to feed our people. Besides, we are warriors, not farmers."

The second general stood and joined the first. It seemed that they were not as invincible as she had been led to believe. She assumed that her own lands were fertile and that her people were farmers and so could offer assistance.

"What we are proposing is an alliance!"

Malgath joined the other two. Encouraged she nodded. An alliance was more than she could have hoped for.

"Or... rather... a union of kingdoms: Iria and Ulvia as one kingdom!"

Her people might well resist this, but it was a much more preferable option than a blood bath.

"Yes, exactly! A kingdom of two nations, joined together by marriage!"

So that was why they needed her. And why the real Queen had been unable to enter into this agreement herself. Doubtless she held that the Ulvian's were barbarians and as such impossible to marry with.

"Since Ulvia does not have royal blood anymore, a new bloodline needs to be established! This is where it is all very... unusual. Ulvians do not marry."

She was confused now and it showed.

"That was the exclusive duty of the royal family. If we are to unite the two kingdoms, you will need to marry someone of Ulvian blood.
However, our people do not want any of us to take precedence over the other!"

The whole idea seemed to contradict itself constantly.

"Yes! Our proposal is that you marry all three of us!"

His proposition stunned her.

" ... all ... three ... "

She looked from one man to the other. Each was impressive in stature and physique ... and establishing a blood line would mean that they would wish her to have children, as many of them as possible she supposed. She flushed at the prospect of such a 'union' with three such men. Memories of Roger and Jack were still clear in her mind, but to have 3 husbands with equal rights to her ... could she truly handle it?

"It ... would ... be difficult for my people to accept such an arrangement ... "

She began though she truly did not know what the traditions of her people were, especially regarding the royal line and succession.

"But as you say, I am Queen and the decision is mine to make ... "

She looked to each again and took a steadying breath.

"Very well, I will marry with the three of you."

She consented.

" ... for the benefit of both our nations ... "

She clarified, her cheeks flaming as she contemplated the challenges such a marriage would bring ...

 

[DarelHute]

"Very well, I will marry with the three of you ... for the benefit of both our nations ... " she said, clearly blushing .

The generals looked at each other in astonishment. They had not expected her to say yes so easily.

"You... you will?" Alok asked in disbelief.

Bellas stepped forward and placed his finger under her chin, lifting it is softly as he looked into her eyes.

"Our nation will be proud to have a queen as strong as you!" he said. "Not to mention as beautiful as you!"

He then leaned forward and softly kissed her lips. He then smiled at her and stepped back. Alok took his place and pulled her close, kissing her as well.

"Bellas speaks the truth!" he agreed, and then stood back.

Malgath stepped forward and gently kissed Elora.

"You must have so many questions of how this will work..." he said to her softly, holding her gaze. "We have thought of this extensively, and we welcome your wisdom!" he said and kissed her again, pressing his chest on her breasts.

He then stepped back.

"Yes. Your questions and thoughts are most welcome. Please, ask anything, queen Elora!" Bellas said smiling, as he took her hand and kissed it gently.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

They seemed shocked at her agreement.

Bellas stepped forward and reached out to raise her head so that their eyes locked.
He would see no hesitation there.

"Our nation will be proud to have a queen as strong as you! Not to mention as beautiful as you!"

She had not expected him to kiss her. This was an alliance, a marriage of convenience, yet it seemed that she was to have attentive husbands she realised when Alok stepped forward and kissed her also.

"Bellas speaks the truth!"

He states simply as the third, Malgarth also pressed a soft kiss to her lips.

Each of them were strong enough to break her, and yet each treated her gently.

"You must have so many questions of how this will work...
We have thought of this extensively, and we welcome your wisdom!"

Malgarth invited as he kissed her a second time, his strong torso pressing closer than the other two had before he too stepped back.

"Yes. Your questions and thoughts are most welcome.
Please, ask anything, queen Elora!"

Bellas pressed a kiss to her hand and she smiled shyly from one to the other.

"I ... suppose ... I am curious as to how this will work in practice, living together and ... sleeping together ... "

She flushed modestly. Though Inaya secretely thrilled at the prospect of belonging to these 3 intimidating looking men, she could feel Elora's modesty and sense her revulsion at what Inaya, in her place was agreeing to.

" ... you say none must have precedence over the other ... that will be true in every aspect of our marriage I assume ... ?"

She wondered just what form of ceremony would unite them.

"And what of the wedding ... when and where did you expect that to take place? I suspect that my people would be resistant to this arrangement, yet if I return already married and ... established as your wife, then there can be no delay or objection ... "

She suggested.

 

[DarelHute]

"I ... suppose ... I am curious as to how this will work in practice, living together and ... sleeping together ... "

The three grinned almost like schoolboys, trying hard not to laugh and embarrass her.

" ... you say none must have precedence over the other ... that will be true in every aspect of our marriage I assume ... ? And what of the wedding ... when and where did you expect that to take place? I suspect that my people would be resistant to this arrangement, yet if I return already married and ... established as your wife, then there can be no delay or objection ... "

"All understandable questions, my queen. Some we have considered, others we have not. We waited to hear your reply before we establish how it will happen in reality!" Bellas said, still holding her hand.

"In terms of... sleeping together... which I know could be worrisome to a woman of Iria, unaccustomed to Ulvian ways. This is where we are hoping to meet you half way, and do it OUR way, together, the four of us!" Alok said smiling.

"Yes... perhaps we should start with that!" Malgarth agreed, smiling at her as he took her other hand and kissed it. "We would be honored if you would agree for the three of us to share you as often as possible. It would please us enormously if you would allow us to please you together as often as we can!"

"Yes, especially on the day of the wedding!" Bellas agreed, waiting for her reply.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

She saw them grinning and trying to remain serious in response to her questions.

"All understandable questions, my queen. Some we have considered, others we have not. We waited to hear your reply before we establish how it will happen in reality!"

Bellas held her hand in his as he spoke reassuringly.

"In terms of... sleeping together... which I know could be worrisome to a woman of Iria, unaccustomed to Ulvian ways. This is where we are hoping to meet you half way, and do it OUR way, together, the four of us!"

She turned her gaze towards Alok, uncertain whether they were to discuss arrangements together and to what extend they awaited her wishes.

"Yes... perhaps we should start with that!"

The third general took her other hand drawing her attention to him.

"We would be honored if you would agree for the three of us to share you as often as possible. It would please us enormously if you would allow us to please you together as often as we can!"

Malgarth requested, no doubt seeing her eyes widen at what he suggested.

"Yes, especially on the day of the wedding!"

Bellas told her, his words more enthusiastic than the careful respect of Malgarth.
Perhaps due to her empathic powers, Inaya could feel everything in Elora repulsed by the situation Inaya had brought her into, yet she ignored those feelings supressing them and allowing only her own slight nervousness to affect her response.

"How can I refuse my husbands...?"

She murmured softly.

" ... I agree ... how could it be otherwise?"

She told them with a demure smile even though her heart hammered and pulses raced at the prospect.

 

[DarelHute]

They could sense an internal dialogue in Elora, that making her even more enticing to them.

"How can I refuse my husbands...? ... I agree ... how could it be otherwise?" she said to them, giving them a shy smile they could only feel as sensual.

"Of course it could be, my queen!" Bellas assured her. "We are to be your lovers, not your masters!" he said and stepped forward, approaching her from her left and pressing his lips against hers, kissing her softly while he placed his hand gently on her tummy.

He broke off the kiss and smiled at her before he stepped back.

"You asked about the marriage ceremony!" Alok said as he looked at her, noticing the effect Bellas had on her. "Our customs are... unusual for Irian tastes!" he said, hesitating to go on.

"Since it is only done so publicly for the royal family, the people will expect it to happen this way!" Malgarth continued. "You see... Ulvians are not as shy as the other kingdoms when it comes to physical love. We are a free people, as you may have seen in our camp!... However... your own people may object to that arrangement!"

"Barbarians, is what we are often called!" Bellas said with a smile.

"Yes... exactly. Thus, I believe that the best way to do this for the sake of your people is for us to be married among our people, after we inform your people of our terms. You could return to your people and explain the situation, and then return for the ceremony. After it is done, we can accompany you in your city and perform whatever ceremonies are expected by your people!" Malgarth explained.

"Perhaps you should know what we mean by our ceremony!" Alok said, and then looked at the other two, meeting their nods. "It is our custom for the marrying couple to make love until they all climax. And this is done before all people gathered. The climax of the last person signals the sealed marriage!"

"Since there is three of us and one of you, it will be expected that we do that at the same time!" Bellas said smiling at her. "And this requires some... practice..."

"Yes. It is in many ways a performance..." Malgarth added, watching her reaction.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"Of course it could be, my queen! We are to be your lovers, not your masters!"

She was grateful for his consideration and as if demonstrating the point, he not only kissed her, but placed a hand upon her stomach, the touch of that strong hand making her body quiver at the lightly casual touch.

" ... not my masters, no, but husbands nonetheless,"

She told him softly.

" ... and as such ... there is much to learn to share between the four of us ... "

Alok continued;

"You asked about the marriage ceremony! Our customs are... unusual for Irian tastes!"

She sensed that there was something significant in the customs they would recount.

"Since it is only done so publicly for the royal family, the people will expect it to happen this way ... You see... Ulvians are not as shy as the other kingdoms when it comes to physical love. We are a free people, as you may have seen in our camp!... However... your own people may object to that arrangement!"

She nodded.

" ... more than likely .. "

She conceded.

"Barbarians, is what we are often called!"

Bellas seemed less than upset by the reputation they had gained.

"I have heard that said ... "

She responded with a chuckle.

"Yes... exactly. Thus, I believe that the best way to do this for the sake of your people is for us to be married among our people, after we inform your people of our terms. You could return to your people and explain the situation, and then return for the ceremony. After it is done, we can accompany you in your city and perform whatever ceremonies are expected by your people!"

She frowned. She did not think that returning to her people would necessarily be a good thing. She thought that perhaps presenting them with what was done would be better than bringing the suggestion back for discussion.

"Perhaps you should know what we mean by our ceremony!"

Alok's words interrupted her thoughts.

"It is our custom for the marrying couple to make love until they all climax.
And this is done before all people gathered. The climax of the last person signals the sealed marriage!"

She looked at him aghast. She had of course seen the public displays upon her arrival, but for a marriage and a royal one ...

"Since there is three of us and one of you, it will be expected that we do that at the same time! ... And this requires some... practice..."

She was told.

"Yes. It is in many ways a performance..."

She shook her head slowly.

"How can that even be possible....?"

The query was all Elora's. Inaya knew it to be possible in theory, but ... to practice ... in advance of the ceremony ... that could only mean ...

"It is not in our nature to be ... intimate ... before an audience ... "

She replied hesitantly.

"I understand that we need to be married under Ulvian law, but ... "

She blushed hotly at the thought of what they suggested.

"Whatever the ceremony, I do not think it wise for me to return to my people in advance of our ceremony. Far better to send them at least some information, perhaps that an alliance of marriage has been made to save the Kingdom ... the fact of my having 3 husbands can be dealt with later ... "

 

[DarelHute]

They all sensed her shock at the public side of their ceremony. They exchanged glances, all being of one mind.

"Whatever the ceremony, I do not think it wise for me to return to my people in advance of our ceremony. Far better to send them at least some information, perhaps that an alliance of marriage has been made to save the Kingdom ... the fact of my having 3 husbands can be dealt with later ... "

"Yes... perhaps you are right!" Alok agreed, turning to the other two, who nodded. "We shall send an envoy to inform your people that an alliance has been established, and that you are engaged in negotiations. That should be enough at this stage!"

"As far as the public ceremony... I am not sure I want to put our bride through that!" Bellas said, looking at Malgarth, who nodded. "Perhaps a select group of tribal chiefs can be present here to attest to the marriage!"

"Yes... that should be enough!" Malgarth agreed. "Our people must accept that an alliance is done by negotiation!"

"It's about time they learn this truth!" Alok added to that agreement.

"What do you think, my queen? We are talking about no more than 12 tribal chiefs. The first part of the ceremony will be public, but the last part will be done in this tent, with the 12 chiefs present. Is that an acceptable compromise?" Bellas asked her.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"Yes... perhaps you are right! We shall send an envoy to inform your people that an alliance has been established, and that you are engaged in negotiations. That should be enough at this stage!"

She nodded in agreement. The wording was perfect.

"As far as the public ceremony... I am not sure I want to put our bride through that!"

It was Bellas who spoke for her and to her relief Malgarth seemed to agree.

"Perhaps a select group of tribal chiefs can be present here to attest to the marriage!"

Bellas suggested.

"Yes... that should be enough! Our people must accept that an alliance is done by negotiation!"

She realised then that only by a public display would their people believe such a union had taken place and at least those present would be the equivalent of her nobles and though that did not exactly put her mind at ease, it was so much better than being watched as a 'public display'.

"It's about time they learn this truth!"

Alok put his own voice to the compromise.

"What do you think, my queen? We are talking about no more than 12 tribal chiefs. The first part of the ceremony will be public, but the last part will be done in this tent, with the 12 chiefs present. Is that an acceptable compromise?"

She looked around the tent, as if imagining the 12 chiefs present, an idea she still found difficult, but Roger had told her that she would most likely take on increasingly challenging sexual tasks and so she knew this was what she had to do.

"I think so, though I would ask that my people are not informed as to the exact ... nature ... of your ceremony ... at least not unless necessary ... "

She blushed imagining the scandal such a report would cause. She instinctively knew that her position as Queen might even be challenged should it be discovered that she had entered into such acts willingly ....

"You ... spoke of ... practice ... what are your ... traditions ... leading up to marriage and how soon are you wishing all this to take place...?"

She asked.