"The Heir Presumptive" (closed)

[LoriDean12345]

(OOC: Last we heard from Anya was here.)


Warrick House
Warrick County.
(In the Barony of Parse, on the border with the Barony of Weston.)

Breakfast:

Anya was bathed, dressed, and sitting on the end of her bed, waiting. Waiting for what or whom she didn't know. Someone would come for Anya eventually, wouldn't they?

She was hoping it wouldn't be Lord Trett. Her new master for whom she was supposed to be providing a variety of services -- sexual services included -- had last talked to her shortly after she'd very nearly been raped … by a man whose cock and balls Lord Trett had then sliced away with his dagger, leaving the man to bleed out on the river bank.

Honestly, Anya wasn't that eager to meet with Olean this morning either. The slightly older woman had been a brothel whore and was now a … a what? Olean was Lady Victoria's servant; Lord Trett was Lady Victoria's lover; and yet, Olean was also parting her thighs for Lord Trett. It was all so very confusing to a young woman who had only days earlier sacrificed her chastity to her male traveling partner in the name of the return of the Burkinian Diaspora.

A light knock at the bed chamber door caused Anya to leap to her feet, calling out, "Enter!"

The door cracked, and Zee poked her head inside. "Care for a walk, my dear Anya?"

"Yes, please! Anya answered anxiously, hurrying to grab a shawl and head for the door.

They made their way downstairs for a bottle of Morning Wine and some portable food -- something Zee called a Sandwich -- before heading out the Keep's front entrance and across the bridge to a lakeside path. They didn't speak much until they were away from the Count's home, the older woman holding the younger one's body close to her. A Guardsman followed the pair but at a distance that was enforced by Zee's occasional glances to the rear.

Zee inquired about Anya's state of mind following the previous day's occurrence, then talked to her more their conversation about trading information each of them learned about the people and events around them.

"And we won't get in trouble?" Anya asked innocently. "I mean, if I tell you what my Lord is doing … am I betraying him?"

"Your mission is to watch and listen, then report back to Lady Pollania and Princess Ranna, yes?" Zee asked. When Anya nodded, Zee continued, "That is my mission, too. So, I will tell you what I have seen and heard … and you will tell me what you have seen and heard … and our Masters -- or in your case -- Mistresses -- will be so much more happier with us, because we have learned and shared far more than any of them could have imagined. See how we benefit one another?"

Anya thought about Zee's argument for a moment, then nodded again. She smiled, pleased, saying, "Yes. I understand."

After an hour or so, they arrived at a little gazebo surrounded by two circles of thick shrubs that -- with a sort of mini-labyrinth layout -- hid them entirely from the outside, where Zee told the Guardsman to remain. Inside, they sat to drink the rest of their Morning Wine. Zee gave the younger woman a few minutes to relax and just enjoy the song of the birds in the trees above her.

"Did you enjoy fucking your Master?" Zee asked out of no where. When Anya's eyes widened, mouth dropped, and skin flushed, the older woman laughed. "I'm sorry. Did I embarrass you?"

Anya told Zee no, but it wasn't true. They engaged in a soft but erotic conversation in which the older woman had to repeatedly reassure the younger one that it was okay to talk about such things with another women who was a friend.

"Are we friends?" Anya asked with a hopeful tone.

Zee's lips spread in a wide smile. "Of course we are. Best of friends."

Anya smiled wider still, then leaned in to throw her arms around Zee's torso, hugging her tightly. After a long moment, Anya said, "I'm glad. I … I don't have a lot of friends. Actually … I don't have any friends."

"None?" Zee asked, surprised.

Anya shrugged against the other woman's body. "Not really. I like Princess Ranna, and I think my Grace likes me. The Countess … she is nice to me. Olean..."

She didn't really know what to say concerning the Hoshian. Olean had been very nice, but Anya was sure the older, more experienced servant had an ulterior motive. Which only went to show how good an actress Zee was as she was the definition of a walking, talking ulterior motive.

"Well, then, I am your best friend," Zee said. She sat Anya up taller to look her directly in the eyes, stressing, "And you, Anya, are my best friend. Yes?"

Anya smiled and nodded her head. The pair hugged again, then chatted about this, that, and the other for a while. The conversation began to get very personal and erotic. Zee asked Anya what she thought about her new status as a sex servant to Lord Trett; Anya asked Zee about new and better ways to please her new Master.

"In the coach on our way home, when we stopped at Greenhaven--" Anya stopped suddenly, recalling that the day after Trett had asked Olean to teach Anya to suck his cock, she'd very nearly been raped. She drew and released a calming breath, then continued in a whisper, "My lord wanted me to learn to … to … use my..."

Anya couldn't say it, and she was blushing a bright red by now. Zee laughed, pulling her close again for a tight hug. When they separated again, the older woman said bluntly, "He wants you to pleasure him by putting his penis in your mouth."

Anya laughed nervously, diverting her eyes as she blushed yet again. They chatted about oral sex for a couple of minutes, with Zee explaining some of the specifics of such an act and Anya confessing that she doubted she could do such a thing.

"Perhaps you should see someone else do it," Zee suggested. Anya told her that that was what Trett had wanted Olean to do in the coach that one day. "Well … how about I show you how its done?"

Anya's eyes widened. She asked with shock, "When...? With who? I … I don't think I want my master to be--"

"Pearson!" Zee called out, surprising Anya a bit. She looked to the gap in the inner circle of hedges, calling, "Pearson! Are you there?"

"Yes, my lady, it everything okay?" the Guardsman called from beyond the second circle of shrubs. When Zee asked him to come join them, he did as commanded. Once he was inside and near, he asked, "How can I help you, Lady Zelia?"

"This is my new and best friend, Anya of Urindale," Zee said with a joyous tone as she rose from her seat and gestured to Anya. "She's beautiful, isn't she?"

"She's very beautiful," the Guardsman responded, giving the younger of the woman -- now blushing a deep red -- a respectful bow.

"And this," Zee told Anya as she stepped closer to the tall, handsome, well built man, "is Sergeant Pearson of Count Warrick's Guard..."

As she circled around the man, Zee began to caress a hand over him … across his hip, to his buttocks … and as she came back out from behind him into Anya's view again, her other hand caressed its way over the top of his thigh to his groin.

She continued, "...as well as one of the best fucks in the Barony of Parse."

Anya giggled, embarrassed as she watched the two of them, just two yards away from her. Zee was groping the Guardsman's manhood as she asked him, "Pearson, my sweet … what would you think about removing your trousers and sitting on the bench there … to let me show my best friend how to pleasure a man with my mouth?"

 

[WatchingCloud]

Gardens in Warrick County.
(In the Barony of Parse, on the border with the Barony of Weston.)

Morning:

"...as well as one of the best fucks in the Barony of Parse."

Pearson grinned at the compliment, whether true or not he wouldn't deny it. Between her talk and wandering hands, he had a pretty good idea where this was headed. Lucky him to have drawn morning guard duty this day.

"You're too kind, Miss Zee." He cupped one of Zee's delectable ass cheeks when she turned back to her new friend, Anya, a cutie in her own right. Maybe he'd get two for one before the morning was out.

With her hand firmly grasping his hardening cock, Zee said, "Pearson, my sweet … what would you think about removing your trousers and sitting on the bench there … to let me show my best friend how to pleasure a man with my mouth?"

Pearson gave a mock sigh. "All in the line of duty."

He quickly kicked out of his boots and stripped from the waist down, completely unselfconscious of their audience. His cock was hard enough to point straight outward by the time he settled onto the bench. Eyes flicked back and forth between the two beauties...so many curves to appreciate.

But now, Zee's most expert mouth. She was one who knew how to leverage a man and make him feel good about being manipulated. Didn't much matter to him if she was also Warrick's little fuck toy. Warrick paid well, but he was an ass. Zee deserved a better class of cock.

"Anya, was it?" he said, looking to the other young woman. "You couldn't have found a better teacher, I promise you that."

 

[WatchingCloud]

The Thicket

Morning:

Kitts was relieved and energized at the sight of Chloe. Such an easy smile and pure beauty. He'd never known a woman quite like her and it pained him to know she was betrothed, regardless her purpose here as a hostage. If things were just a little different...

Chloe presented him with a make-shift crutch that he gratefully accepted and tested out.

She said, "I've been told you need to take a walk. When was the last time you … you know..."

Kitts looked up, confused, until he saw her glancing at his groin. Oh, that. As soon as she called attention to it, he realized he really did need to go. Nature.

"Been a while," he said. "Lean on to the privy."

Such a romantic walk, he thought with mild humor. She asked as to his health and he was happy to tell her his fever had broken. The pain was still significant with each step, but not so much that he couldn't hold his own weight if necessary. That was a good sign that nothing major had been hit.

After a brief stop at their privy, a crude wood shack a couple hundred feet away from the cave, he asked if she wouldn't mind escorting him to the hot springs pool. His muscled had tightened up considerably and he thought a quick soak might do him some good. Nalla had always said the mineral waters had healing properties as well, so all the better.

"Nalla told me she'd been tending to a wounded soldier," Kitts said. If he didn't bring it up, Nalla probably would. He'd have preferred to go on pretending the man never existed, knowing who he was to Chloe. "Your guard, presumably. He's healing, thanks to her and no thanks to me.

"Sorry about that. I've had a long, unpleasant relationship with many a vile noble. The guards aren't responsible for those choices, usually. They do tend to get in the way, though. In the course of their duties."

He chose not to bring up his knowledge of their relationship, instead preferring to see how she reacted and if she mentioned anything.

 

[LoriDean12345]

The Gardens of the Warrick House
Warrick County.
(In the Barony of Parse, on the border with the Barony of Weston.)

Morning:

Anya wasn't uncertain of what was about to happen, so when it began she was so shocked that the blood ran out of her already fair skinned face. She diverted her eyes several times from the pawing and groping taking place before her. But each time, she found herself peeking back at the two.

Surely, Zee didn't really mean to put on a display of oral gratification right now, right here, in the manicured gardens of the Warrick House … while the Lord of the Manor, the Count, Zee's lover and keeper, was just across the lake, likely entertaining Anya's own lover and keeper.

And yet, this Pearson was suddenly sitting on the bench right next to Anya with his hardened cock stiff out before him like some kind of jousting lance. She looked away, this time determined not to look back, only to have Zee reached out to her chin and turn her back to the action.

"You can't learn if you don't watch, Anya," Zee said. She'd gathered Pearson's trousers and dropped them to the pea gravel between the man's parted feet. Pulling her dress up to make it easier to drop downward, Zee took position in between the man's thighs and told her young apprentice, "Pay attention … to what I do and say … to how Pearson reacts. You'll know what works and what doesn't … for instance."

Zee leaned down to take the bulbous head of the man's cock in her mouth, and a moment later he grimaced and grasped Zee's head defensively. "Teeth! Teeth, you vampire!"

He laughed as she lifted her head again, causing Zee to laugh as well. "First lesson…"

"No biting! Pearson said.

Zee spoke about being careful with sharp objects around a man's family jewels, then spoke about other little details before getting to work on Pearson's erection. She licked and sucked -- cock and balls both -- and all the while took little moments to give Anya verbal instructions.

For her part, Anya tried to turn her eyes away. It was all so … so … taboo! Not just watching another woman do this, but doing it at all. She knew women -- and even men -- sometimes did this to men; she knew that it was supposed to feel incredible. But she'd never imagined doing it herself, let alone sitting on a bench in the open watching it be done.

And yet Anya couldn't keep her gaze off what was happening there in their Pearson's lap. She even found herself leaning a bit to the right on occasion when Zee's hair sometimes blocked the view.

And Zee was surely going to make her do it, too … wasn't she?

"Okay, all this playing around is nice," Zee said, rising a bit taller on her knees for a moment. "But the thing that makes a man cum … is consistency. You're going to have to just watch for a moment, because I won't be able to narrate."

And with that, Zee carefully took Pearson's entire length into her mouth and throat, something Anya couldn't have even imagined was possible. She pulled her head back up, lowered it again, and repeated. She continued onward for quite a while -- an eternity it seemed to Anya -- until she pulled her head back and began stroking the man's length in a tightly gripping hand.

"He's close, and I wanted you to see this," Zee explained. "This is the goal, Anya."

She had obviously done this to him at least once before because less than three seconds after Zee had finished speaking, she opened her mouth … and a big glob of thick, white goop shot out of the Guardsman's cock, deep into Zee's mouth.

 

[WatchingCloud]

The Gardens of the Warrick House
Warrick County.
(In the Barony of Parse, on the border with the Barony of Weston.)

Morning:

It wasn't the first time Pearson had been engaged in a sex act with an audience, but usually the other party was a guy waiting his turn. Having Anya sitting beside him, flush with embarrassment yet unable to look away out of curiosity, was a total turn on for him. Zee's skill was simply the topper.

He played along with "the lesson" and even gave Anya a couple tidbits of advice when Zee's mouth was otherwise occupied...whispered like they were secret knowledge for her ears only.

"See how she maintains eye contact? A guy can tell if you're enjoying it or not. He'll probably still get off if you're not, but it's so much better when you are."

Zee had him nearing climax in short order and stroked him the last little bit so as to give the girl a good show. Pearson, too, enjoyed watching his seed shoot down her eager throat. He groaned in appreciative satisfaction.

"That there is how it's done, miss Anya," he said. "The most talented mouth, sweetest tasting pussy, and finest fuck in the county. Zee's a good friend to learn from."

And if you need someone to practice on...

 

[LoriDean12345]

The Thicket
The Wailing Woods

Morning:

Escorting Kitts to the privy was probably less uncomfortable an activity for Chloe as it was him. Before coming to the Barony of Parse, she'd served as a nurse during a year long conflict with Highland savages, so she'd dealt with injured men and their natural bodily functions. She'd rather be milking goats or playing with kittens, of course, but it wasn't something she was going to shy away from out of modesty or embarrassment.

If she'd known that over the last couple of days, a woman even younger than her had been helping her betrothed pee and clean his manhood, she would have considered a simple escort of Kitts to the privy and then to the springs for a soak as minor as pouring honey over an otherwise flavorless porridge for him.

And then, as if the Gods were listening to her quiet thoughts on Walton, Kitts said, "Nalla told me she'd been tending to a wounded soldier."

Chloe's eyes widened and her stomach turned at the mentioning of her lover. She looked to Kitts and was happy he had his back to her. Then she wondered why she was so concerned about letting the man who had kidnapped her and injured Walton see her looking concerned.

She knew why, of course. Chloe had begun falling for Kitts. Or, had she begun falling for this romantic life in which he lived? The remote, hidden location; the community; the free running children who seemed to happy and content with their lives away from the hustle and bustle of the City.

Kitts continued on about Walton, "Your guard, presumably. He's healing, thanks to her and no thanks to me."

Chloe suddenly realized that her heart was beating with excitement. Walton was alive! He was going to live! She was going to see him soon and be with him again … be in his arms … be held and loved … and made love to...

At the mineral spring Granny and Nalla had said would be good for his tense body, Chloe helped Kitts strip and step cautiously down into the water. Giggling came from the nearby bushes. Chloe ignored the children who seemed to follow her everywhere until the naked Kitts was in the water to his waist, then picked up a handful of pea gravel and threw it at the bushes. The children reacted with a combination of surprise and more laughter; a moment later, Chloe could hear them scattering away through the undergrowth, still laughing.

"Sorry about that," Kitts continued on about having injured Walton. "I've had a long, unpleasant relationship with many a vile noble. The guards aren't responsible for those choices, usually. They do tend to get in the way, though. In the course of their duties."

"He isn't like that," Chloe defended her lover. She was about to speak more, then didn't; she was unsure whether or not it was advisable to let Kitts know that she not only knew this Guardsman well but was actually bumping uglies with him as one of her less tactful Ladies in Waiting liked to call fucking. She considered her words better, then added, "The Count Pollania is a good woman … a benevolent woman who cares deeply for her people. She would never employ such men … so … I, I can only assume that this man … this guard of whom you speak … I can only believe that he, too, is a good man, worthy of life."

By the time she finished, Chloe had become a little more sentimental in her defense than she'd intended. And … her eyes were beginning to glaze over at thoughts of once again being with Walton. She chastised herself deep in her mind for not having though more about her betrothed than she had been. Kitts's injury had been her focus for nearly a full day; now, she needed to think about Walton.

"I need a moment," she said simply, turning and heading up the slight incline back toward the primary area of the Thicket. "I'll be back soon."

Chloe peeked back over her shoulder at one point to ensure Kitts couldn't see her from the spring, and once she saw the way clear, she hurried to locate Nalla. Finding the healer just finishing with child who'd scraped a knee, Chloe pulled Kitts's sister aside and inquired about the injured Guardsman.

"Walton, yes," Nalla confirmed, not knowing how much of what she'd told Kitts her brother had then relayed to Chloe. Chloe asked a string of questions: what was his injury, how badly was he hurt, is he safe, who is caring for him, and more. Nalla answered all as briefly but also as truthfully as she could. When the now teary eyed Chloe began to sob with relief, Nalla turned the questioning around. "Are you falling in love with my brother?"

Chloe stood a bit taller and wiped away the tears. She tried to collect herself, then said softly, "No. Of … of course not. I … I am his hostage."

The Riverbrook Lady in Waiting could see that Nalla wasn't convinced. Honestly, Chloe was unsure, too. She'd long been in love with Walton; she'd given him her chastity and accepted his vow to marry her. And she'd only known Kitts a few days, half of which he'd been unconscious or too loopy to even know who Chloe was.

"Why do you ask?" Chloe inquired. Had Kitts said something to Nalla? Had Granny? Gauld or the others? Or, had her feelings for Kitts been obvious to the man's sister? She repeated her question more defensively, "Why would you think such a thing? I am betrothed to-- to a wonderful man in Riverbrook … and I wish to go home. I insist that terms of my ransom be passed on … so that I can return to where I belong."

Nalla studied Chloe for a long moment, with the latter unable to hold the stare and diverting her attention to some children playing nearby. Finally she told the hostage, "I will see to it that my brother makes arrangements for your return to Riverbrook, my lady."

Chloe looked to Nalla, responding to her more formal way of speaking to her, like that of a servant speaking to a Noble, not that of two women equally concerned for the health and welfare of the same man. She tried to soften her expression and tone, nodding her head a bit and saying quietly, "Thank you, Nalla."

She looked away again, began to depart, then hesitated and reminded the healer that her patient was soaking in the mineral spring and, presumably, needed to be retrieved at some point. Nalla asked, "Do you wish to help him?"

Chloe hesitated, then walked away as she said firmly, "Please, no. I need to be alone a while."

She returned to the cave to retrieve some things: clothing Granny had given her, some bathing soaps and scrubbing stones she'd gotten from some of the other women, her blanket, and a rope she'd seen tossed into a corner of the cave the day before. Heading to the bathing creek near the fall -- where she'd seen a very naked Zee her first day here -- Chloe set about stringing up the blanket to give her some privacy in a spot otherwise surrounded by water reeds.

This part of the creek was away from the mineral springs and the men's bathing area, so Chloe felt a little more comfortable stripping to the skin and slipping down into the water that was warmed a bit here by an underwater heat vent. She felt comfortable enough with her privacy that, after she'd peeked out to ensure no one was around -- particularly those giggly little children or the single men like Gauld -- Chloe knelt down in the mud and reeds with only her shoulders and head above water … reached to between her thighs with skilled fingers … and drove herself to a badly needed orgasm...

And all the while, it was Kitts whose image was foremost in her mind, even though Chloe tried as hard as possible to make that vision appear to be Walton.

Back at the mineral springs, Nalla told her brother to rise out of the water and sit on the edge. She tossed his undergarment to him before his manhood came into view, saying with a smirk, "I think we both remember what happened last time I saw that thing."

Once he was up and his crotch hidden, Nalla removed the bandage. "It needs contact with the water. It'll hurt … probably already does … but it will help with the healing. When you are ready to leave the water, though, you must dab it dry and let it dry further in the air. It can't be wet when I bandage it again."

She was done removing the bandage and inspecting the wound by the time she finished speaking. She gestured him back into the water, studying him for a long moment. He was such a handsome man, even with a couple days growth on his face. Nalla had always hated hair on his face; reminded her too much of their father, with whom she'd had a rather … contentious relationship.

"I'm taking Chloe with me when I leave tomorrow," she suddenly said, her tone firm and authoritative. When Kitts looked to her, Nalla continued, "You can't hold her here any longer. By now, Countess Pollania has sent her Guard to find Chloe, as it was her Guardsmen who were killed protecting the girl. Count Warrick … he will send men, too. He won't care about Chloe or this man Walton … but … he doesn't like the Wailing Woods Highwaymen … and he doesn't like you!"

If that didn't concern her brother enough, Nalla added, "And Princess Ranna will send her Bodyguard as well. Those men you killed … they may have been simple Guardsmen working for the Countess … but -- for reasons I don't understand -- they were wearing the colors and crests of the Heir Apparent of the Kingdom of Weston. She will not let this stand. She can't! It will damage her reputation."

That got a reaction from Kitts. It was ironic that of all the armed forces in the lands surrounding the Wailing Woods, it was the Bodyguard of a girl that was most feared by criminals, outlaws, and rebels. The stories surrounding Ranna's Bodyguard were legendary, despite their Royal leader not even yet being out of her teens. The 19 year old Ranna's men -- and women it was rumored, though no one could be certain as the Bodyguard was so secretive -- were the most skilled and frightening warriors in the Kingdom, possibly even beyond the Kingdom. The stories of them were legendary, the kinds of tales that usually took years to accumulate around a single organization.

And now there was a new story circulating around the Barony of Parse. Nalla's young friend, Cable, had told her that a band of assassins had attempted to ambush the Princess Ranna while she was out hunting … that her Bodyguard had cut down the attackers to the man ... that Ranna herself had personally caught the main assassin, a trained killer from Parse … that she had tortured him in the basement dungeon of Riverbrook House for weeks … and finally, after breaking him and turning him to serve her instead, had sent him into the Baronies of Parse to kill the twenty-plus nobles who had been responsible for the assassination attempt … and he was traveling with just one partner but the best accomplice one could have ... the Master Spy known as Freeda the Fearless.

Of course, Nalla suspected that Cable's story was probably a bit over the top when it came to accuracy. But, the Princess's Bodyguard did have confirmable victories to its credit. They'd broken the 3 year long siege at Vurton Pass in a single night with the use of Night Archers; they'd rescued the Crown Prince of Northshore, killing more than 100 Highlander savages with only two losses from their own ranks; and they'd somehow slipped into the Inkbaw Castle -- a mountain keep guarded by hundreds of ferocious dogs and a Guard force of over 200 -- to recover a fortune in rare Black Pearls that had been stolen on their way to South Shore to buy the loyalties of the recently crowned 14 year old King.

True, partially true, or not true at all, these tales of Ranna's warriors were nothing at which one should scoff. And they certainly worth whatever ransom someone might pay for a Lady In Waiting at the Riverbrook House.

"Please, Kitts," Nalla asked, almost begging, out of fear of what might happen to her brother if the Authorities ever located the Thicket. "Let me take her back to her people."

 

[LoriDean12345]

The Gardens of the Warrick House
Warrick County.
(In the Barony of Parse, on the border with the Barony of Weston.)

Morning:

"See how she maintains eye contact...?" the Guardsman said as the pleasure building within him became obvious in his tone and body language.

As he added to the lesson, Anya felt her face explode in yet another fiery blush. She just simply couldn't get past the thought that she was watching a woman she barely knew stimulating a man she didn't know at all with her mouth on his penis. My Gods! What's happening?

And then Pearson's cock jerked … and a huge glob of his seed shot out into Zee's mouth, followed by another, and another … and more anothers. Anya knew what ejaculate was, of course; she'd had lessons from Riverbrook House's Matron prior to being sold to Lord Trett about sex and the prevention of pregnancy. The man's seed fertilized the woman's garden, the garden grew and brought forth life and all that.

The last thing Countess Pollania and Princess Ranna had wanted for Anya was for her to be stuck with a child born of Lord Trett's loins. So, Anya had had lessons on preventing pregnancy with the Matron of Riverbrook House, whose responsibilities included dealing with such situations amongst the House Staff.

This was not one of the ways the Matron had taught Anya to prevent her garden from being fertilized … but, that didn't mean that they young thing didn't know what Zee was doing or what the response from Pearson would be. Of course, she'd never seen it before; in her less-than-a-handful times with Lord Trett, Anya had never seen his cock do what the Guardsman's penis was doing now. The Nobleman's sword had always been hilt-deep inside Anya when it exploded.

Seeing such a thing … well … it was … incredible.

When the spurts of white stuff from Pearson's cock finally stopped and Zee began licking up all of his discharge that hadn't already entered her mouth, the man said between satisfied breaths, "That there is how it's done, miss Anya ... The most talented mouth, sweetest tasting pussy, and finest fuck in the county. Zee's a good friend to learn from."

Anya blushed again, then giggled embarrassingly. Her gaze shifted from Pearson's expression of delight to Zee's still eagerly working mouth. Finally, the blonde rose back to her feet, handing the Guardsman his trousers.

"You should get back to work, my big handsome lover," Zee said as she smoothed her dress, "before the Count begins to suspect that someone else's cock has been balls deep inside his mistress's pussy."

Without waiting for Pearson to even stand, Zee snatched Anya's hand and hurried her away from the gazebo. Out beyond the two circles of shrubs, she began laughing, asking her younger friend, "Well, did you learn anything?"

They laughed and walked close together, finishing the walk around the lake and arriving back at the Keep's entrance. All along the way, Anya and Zee had occasionally glanced back at the trailing Pearson. Now, at the door as Zee thanked the man for his protection and the Guardsman thanked Zee and Anya for their company, "albeit from a respectful distance, my lady" he'd said in front of the other Guardsmen.

They went their different ways...

 

[WatchingCloud]

Warrick House

Mid-morning:


After last night's brief introduction to Count Warrick, Trett didn't have much interest in prolonging his stay. The Count was generally vulgar and full of himself, as was often the case with many lesser nobles. Trett found it amusing that he thought of a Count as being "lesser" than him, even though he held a higher title. Unlike Warrick, Trett had a distant claim to the throne in the succession, but more importantly, he was close to Victoria, second in line to the throne. Hopefully, if their associates in Pratt didn't keep fucking things up, they'd soon be first in line.

She will be first in line. He would, hopefully, be her consort. They were a team, as far as he was concerned, so the distinction was almost immaterial.

He'd washed the foul taste of the Count from his mouth by availing himself of Olean in a number of creative ways. His disdain for her heritage continued to wane as he appreciated all she could teach Victoria. She teased him that he'd enjoyed a "poor man's threesome." When he didn't catch the reference, she explained it was brothel talk for having used all three of her holes in one session. Fascinating. He wasn't sure Victoria would be doing that any time soon, but he wouldn't complain if she did.

After a wake-up fuck, wash, and breakfast, Trett went off on horseback with Warrick to get a tour of his properties, stores, and defenses. The Count made the usual laments about never having enough tax revenue and needing more resources from the King. Trett made the usual comments of agreement with promises to pass his concerns along to Princess Victoria and the King. The only thing of note during the entire tour was spotting Anya in the presence of another young woman he'd only briefly glimpsed last night on their arrival, a buxom blonde. At least they had a guard escort.

When they returned, Warrick queried his guard about the search for the missing guard and Highwaymen. Nothing had been learned on either front. Without the resources to offer any assistance in the effort, Trett told the Count that he would resume his journey after lunch...with the Count's leave. The Count seemed a little disappointed, but didn't deny the request.

Returning to his quarters to clean up before lunch, he crossed paths with Anya and her blonde companion.

"Anya," he said, nodding his head briefly. "I trust you slept well?"

After her response, his attention turned to the other woman. He took her hand, placed a kiss upon the back, and said, "I'm afraid I haven't made your acquaintance. I'm Lord Trett."

 

[LoriDean12345]

Warrick House

Mid-morning:

"Oh, lucky me," Anya whispered to Zee with an obvious tone of sarcasm. They had just entered the Warrick House when she spotted Trett coming their way. Zee spotted the visiting Noble, too, and gave her new best friend a curious expression. Anya giggled and continued whispering, "I was afraid Olean might have fucked him into a heart attack last night … and I'd have to give up my life as a sex slave."

Zee laughed quick and sharp, covering her mouth at the unexpected barb. She diverted her eyes away from the approaching man to ensure he didn't think the pair were talking about him. As they met him where the foyer and hall joined, Anya gave Trett a respectful curtsey. She noticed that Zee didn't.

"Anya," he said, nodding his head briefly. "I trust you slept well?"

"I did, my lord," she said, once again curtseying. "Thank you very much."

He turned his attention to Zee, saying, "I'm afraid I haven't made your acquaintance. I'm Lord Trett."

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Lord Trett," Zee said, continuing to hold the man's fingers after he'd kissed the back of her hand. "You girl Anya here has told me a great deal about you … and about how you saved her from that horrid man in Greenhaven yesterday."

Zee stepped forward until there was so little room between her and Trett that his hand was nearly pressing against her generous bosom. With a tone that sounded almost erotically taboo, she told him softly, "I can't even imagine what it would have been like … having that creature ravaging me out in the open … taking me against my will … again … and again … and again."

As she finished, she licked her lips a bit and glanced at Trett's own, as if she was about to lean in and press her mouth to his. Then, just as suddenly as the inappropriate behavior had begun, she backed up again, curtseyed finally, and said with the sweetest voice, "Oh! Where are my manners? I am Zelia … of Bennerville … a guest of Count Warrick..."

She looked about as if spying for eavesdroppers, then leaned in closer and finished, "...but only when his wife, the Countess, is away."

She winked to Trett and only then released her hold on his hand. She turned to Anya and kissed her on her cheek before telling both of them, "Forgive me, but I must find the Count and learn of what his plans for us today might be."

She curtseyed to Trett again, and made her escape.

Anya watched her depart, still trying not to laugh as her crazy behavior before turning to face Trett. She wasn't sure what to say about Zee, so she only shrugged her shoulders and said, "She seems nice enough."

 

[WatchingCloud]

Breck Farm
County of Warrick
Barony of Parse

Breakfast:

Who was the woman he'd failed to protect? It was Walton's last good opportunity to come clean, to reveal that she was not only a Lady in Waiting but his betrothed.

Seeing Camilla's unabashed happiness and hope, however, he just couldn't. He had the courage to face down superior forces with death a near certainty, but he couldn't disappoint this young woman. Why did it have to hurt so much to fall so hard for someone?

"She was one of Princess Ranna's Ladies in Waiting," he said, figuring any deception was pointless at this point. Besides, to these women, one noble wasn't much different from another. He didn't say anything about their relationship. "So, you can understand why it's so important she's found safely."

He continued eating while Camilla and Lonna tittered over that little bit of information. His appetite had waned a bit, but he needed his strength. Now, perhaps more than ever, he felt like he was failing in his duty, failing to lead the effort to find and recover Chloe safely from those murderous thugs.

After eating, he stepped outside to stretch. Even through the pain, it felt good to be upright and moving again. Camilla shadowed him, holding his arm.

"You grew up around here," he said. "Tell me what you know about these highwaymen that kidnapped my charge. Does anyone know where they live? Where she might be held?"

 

[WatchingCloud]

The Thicket
The Wailing Woods

Morning:


Kitts heard the urgency, the sincere worry in Nalla's voice for the risk in both having kidnapped and continuing to hold one of Ranna's Ladies. He should have known better than to stoop to kidnapping, despite the dire situation facing his band as the winter approached and their supplies dwindled. Risking everyone's lives wasn't worth it. Maybe Nalla was right, returning Chloe now without any demands having been delivered might spare them by keeping any retribution efforts to a minimum.

"Fine," he said, gaze averted from Nalla. "But let me tell her."

Was he more bothered by taking orders from his nearly-disowned sister or that she was right? Had he really been that blinded by Chloe, how she'd taken to their camp like a founding member? Yes, he had. Maybe he was the wrong person to lead this band. Eventually, someone would catch up to them and people would die on his account. But what alternative was there now?

Nalla gave him his space and he finished bathing and dressing alone with his thoughts.

A short while later, back in front of the cave, Kitts found Chloe. She'd again been roped into some of the young girls' game, but it was clear from her expression that her thoughts were elsewhere. He waited and watched patiently until she noticed him. He gestured away from the cave with his eyes and got a quick nod of understanding in return. Kitts hobbled off with his crutch and not long after she joined him.

"Tomorrow, you'll go with Nalla, back to town," he said, looking away before he could finish the sentence. "I'm sorry for what we put you through. I hope you might consider that and our situation here, maybe...I don't know... Ask the Princess not to seek retribution?"

 

[LoriDean12345]

Breck Farm
County of Warrick
Barony of Parse

Breakfast:

"Tell me what you know about these highwaymen that kidnapped my charge," Walton said. "Does anyone know where they live? Where she might be held?"

Camilla's stomach turned over at the question. She wanted to help Walton, of course; she loved him, even if it had only been 3 days … not even that, really.

But, the Highwaymen … they had helped her family so many times over the years. They often shared their ill gotten gain with peasants who otherwise might starve to death. And they protected the rural folk living in and around the Wailing woods from greedy nobles and their tax collectors. The Highwaymen had the Guardsmen who protected these men so scared of even nearing the Woods that many of the families Camilla knew hadn't paid their due taxes in three or four or five years.

"I don't know where they live, somewhere in the Woods," Camilla said. It was an honest answer, of course; she'd never been to the Thickets, so she couldn't know where it was or how to get there. She didn't want to lie to Walton, but she also didn't want him or anyone else invading the Woods trying to find it. So she told him, "They might keep her … your Lady in Waiting there. But, what I know of them, they are noble men … even if they are not Nobles. I think they would take her somewhere more comfortable … a house … and estate. Maybe Greenhaven, or Warrick, a little town near where Count Warrick lives."

Camilla couldn't be sure whether or not the Highwaymen were noble enough to do such a thing. Of course, even if they had been that type, they wouldn't have had the opportunity to do what Camilla thought was the right thing to do; Kitts's injury had delayed any actions concerning Chloe, including sending someone back to Riverbrook with a ransom demand.

"You should sit down … rest," Camilla said with concern; her true concern was in having to continue the discussion. She tried to turn Walton back to the home's front door, telling him, "You can use my bed, my love."

 

[LoriDean12345]

The Thicket
The Wailing Woods

Late Morning:

Chloe felt unbelievably relaxed and free after her bath in the warm spring water … and her self induced orgasm. She'd laid back into the soft bank for the longest time as the euphoria washed over her, eventually washing away the goopy mud, exiting the water to dry behind her hung blanket, and dress for her return to the encampment.

She wasn't surprised to have the children assail her again for games and fun. But her mind was spinning with deep thoughts: how was she to tell Kitts that she wanted to stay here with the Highwaymen … here, with him? She'd only been here two days and already she was in love with him and with his life and with his people. It was crazy to think of doing such a thing; she had a life at Court and a man to whom she was betrothed!

Walton … oh poor Walton. This would crush him. He'd very nearly lost his life protecting Chloe, and now she was going to leave him -- forego their engagement and ignore the accomplishments that had allowed him to court her -- for a bandit who lived in the woods and robbed coaches and tax collectors.

She looked up and was happy to see Kitts gesturing her to get away and meet him. She was about to tell him of her decision when he told her quite firmly, "Tomorrow, you'll go with Nalla, back to town."

Chloe's happy expression faded slowly as she realized he was sending her away. She assumed that -- without her knowledge -- Kitts had somehow made his demands for ransom and gotten a response. But he seemed to dispel that thought as he continued, "I'm sorry for what we put you through. I hope you might consider that and our situation here, maybe...I don't know... Ask the Princess not to seek retribution?"

He wasn't holding her for ransom anymore; he was simply letting her go. He was … Kitts was sending her away … from him. Oh, he wasn't tossing her aside, denying his romantic interest in her and denying hers in him; Chloe knew it was more about sending her back to where she belonged. But still, her leaving the Thicket meant she would never see him again.

"I assure you, sire, Princess Ranna will do no such thing," Chloe said, her eyes on her fidgeting fingers as they played with the bow at her waist. She couldn't look at him as she continued, "When I tell her how well you cared for me … after you rescued me from the bandits who attacked my coach..."

She looked up at him for his reaction; her eyes were beginning to glisten. Chloe added, "She will thank you … perhaps even give you a reward."

She turned her back, fearing a tear was about to break free. "And … I thank you for the kindness--"

Chloe couldn't get anymore out. She hurried away back up toward the cave, running through the children who initially thought it was more play and began to run after her. Nalla shooed the young ones away, however, and followed after Chloe, finding her hiding in the little natural mezzanine rock shelf on which she'd slept that first night … crying.

"You must return to your home," Nalla told her with a soft voice. "You must forget Kitts … the Highwaymen … me … and what happened to you here. No good will come from your wanting to remain here. Do you understand this, Chloe?"

Sobbing, Chloe leaned and dropped her head into Nalla's lap. The two of them remained here like this -- with Nalla gently petting the other woman's head and shoulders to calm her -- until Chloe fell asleep. Nalla slipped out from under her, then descended to go find her brother.

"This is for the best, brother," she told him. If he asked about Chloe's outburst, she would only tell him that this had all been very emotional for the women and that he should just leave her be. "Find yourself a hide full of brew and drink, brother. Sit by the fire … forget these last days … and all will be well."

 

[WatchingCloud]

Greenhaven

Mid-morning:

Breck had found the priest easily enough, but convincing the old drunkard to join him on the two hour trip back to his farmstead to perform his daughter's marriage had been another story. Admittedly, sitting in the back of his vegetable cart, pulled by donkey over rough roads was hard enough on his own body, and he was easily twenty years the priest's junior. It was only the promise of ample wine and a few more coins that he could realistically spare to the church's coffers that the old man finally came around.

Because the ceremony probably wouldn't take place until later in the afternoon, after they'd had time to round up their friends and neighbors and relatives, and the priest would be expected to join the celebrations afterward, it was going to be an overnight visit. Breck had promised to make accommodations either at his own place or a neighbor's. The priest had need to pack a few things, though, so Breck sat outside on his cart waiting.

A thunderous clatter of hooves pounding the hard-packed dirt road that ran through Greenhaven caused Breck's donkey to bray and look around wide-eyed. Breck reigned the beast in and spoke soothing words while looking for the source, fully expecting it to be a posse of the Count's men, perhaps even now looking for this hostage taken by the Highwaymen. When they came into view, however, he immediately saw they were led by a striking young woman. The standard caught his attention a moment later and his heart skipped a beat.

Breck jumped from his cart and went to a knee as was proper. His mind was awhirl. The princess had come here in person? It had to be because of the kidnapping. Just how serious was this? He didn't want to turn on the Highwaymen after all they'd done for him. He should tell them about her guard, Walton. She would certainly want to know about his well-being.

But what if she demanded he return to duty immediately? What if she wouldn't give her blessing to the union of her guard with his daughter? Could she have the marriage annulled after the fact?

Would she offer him some sort of reward for finding and saving the guard? She did have a reputation for generosity, one the Count most definitely lacked.

To Breck's shock, Princess Ranna pulled up just before his cart. He must have been the first person she'd seen in the small town.

"Your Highness," he blurted before she even addressed him. He felt a fool for not knowing proper protocol, but it was too late now. "Er, Grace. M'lady. Your guard, Walton, is staying at my farm. My daughter rescued him from death's door."

The priest took this moment to stumble out of the two-room church. He raised his bushy, white eyebrows and snorted. "Eh? What's all this about?"

 

[LoriDean12345]

Greenhaven

Mid-morning:

Ranna had been leading the foursome since leaving the farm at sunup. William hadn't been happy about it, of course; he would have preferred, in order, that she be near the rear, surrounded by more men, or not fucking here in the first place. But he'd gotten used to his Grace's courage, strength, and bullheadedness.

As they rode into town, Ranna found all eyes upon them. That didn't surprise her; who wouldn't be concerned with or at least intrigued by an four approaching riders that included a beautiful and armed woman wearing pants (which was somewhat scandalous) who was leading two soldiers and a boy from this very community … all of whom were covered in dust and riding obviously tired and lathered horses.

She pulled up short as a man on a cart leaped to the ground and dropped to his knees at the sight of Ranna's coat of arms. Or, perhaps, he recognized Ranna herself? Didn't matter.

"Your Highness," he blurted. "Er, Grace. M'lady."

Despite being exhausted after 12 hours in the saddle, Ranna couldn't help but chuckle a bit at the man's nervousness. She slid out of the saddle as she often did, and was walking toward the man when Keno called. Ranna followed his gesture to the town's stables, where she immediately recognized her coach, the one in which Chloe had been traveling. Even from here, Ranna could see that there were still arrows sunk into its exterior.

"Rise, my good man, please," she told him politely. After the farmer had risen to his feet, she gestured toward the barn and asked, "Can you tell me about that coach? Have you any idea where--"

"Your guard, Walton, is staying at my farm."

Ranna was taken aback by the information. Had she really gotten that lucky in her search? But then she realized that the man hadn't said that Chloe was at his home as well.

Before she could ask, he continued, "My daughter rescued him from death's door."

"Death's door?" she asked with sincere concern. She glance to Keno, who had dismounted and approached. Remembering what the young man had told her, she asked, "What happened to him? I was told there was an attack on my coach. Was he seriously injured?"

The farmer was responding to Ranna's question, and when she got enough from him to more on, she asked with building concern, "What has happened to my Lady in Waiting? Where is Lady Chloe? She is his betrothed … though, I'm sure that he has already told you this, yes? He would not have left her unattended or in danger."

Ranna turned at movement to her right, finding a priest stumbling out of a small church across the packed dirt road. He asked with enough slurring in his words to tell Ranna he was far too drunk far too early in the day, "Eh? What's all this about?"

"Hush, you drunkard," Ranna snapped, turning her attention back to the farmer. Is Lady Chloe at your home tending to her betrothed? If not, what can you tell me about her whereabouts?"

 

[LoriDean12345]

(OOC: This is the second consecutive post from Camilla. I wanted to add something to her last one #212.)

Camilla urged the injured Guardsman back inside the family's home, telling her mother, "Walton is going to lay down in my bed while I finish the morning chores."

Lonna was obviously displeased with the idea of Walton finding comfort in her daughter's bed, but the pair were going to be married by sundown if Papa ever returned, so she only shrugged. "I'm going to the Mikkeleson's … to invite them to the ceremony. I'll be back soon."

She gestured her daughter to follow her outside, and after Camilla had helped Walton lay upon the bed and joined her outside, she growled, "You stay outside and away from him until either I or your father returns."

"Mama!" Camilla responded with an embarrassed tone.

Before her daughter could continue, Lonna only pointed to the barn, demanding, "Do your chores!"

"Yes, Mama," Camilla said, kissing her mother on the cheek. She asked with a hopeful tone, "Are you happy for me, Mama? You haven't yet told me you are happy for me."

Lonna studied her daughter's face for a moment, then reluctantly said, "I am happy for you, Cami."

The two went their own ways, with Lonna heading for the east trail and Camilla heading for the barn.

But...

No sooner had Lonna Breck disappeared into the woods then Camilla was running back to the house. She burst through the door and hurried up to her bed. She smiled to a surprised looking Walton, ripped her simple dress up and over her head -- exposing her nakedness with the exception of her boots -- and crawled up into the bed.

"I don't want to wait, my love," she said hissing Walton profusely about the lips, face, and neck. She reached one hand under his -- or Papa's -- shirt to feel the Guardsman's solid chest while the other moved to Walton's groin and began groping at his cock. "Make me a woman, my love. Make me yours … entirely yours."

 

[WatchingCloud]

Greenhaven

Mid-morning:

Breck was flummoxed at actually being addressed, politely even, by the princess. He'd expected to be chastised for speaking up, even though the news was important.

She peppered him with questions. "What happened to him? I was told there was an attack on my coach. Was he seriously injured?"

"He took an arrow in the side, Your Grace," he said. "I don't know the full extent of the injury, but I do believe he may have died without attention. He's on the mend, though."

Breck considered the injury and what he'd seen of the bandage work. It occurred to him, belatedly, that Camilla might have done the bandaging, but she wasn't well skilled in treating wounds like that. Others were, though. Had his daughter sought out the help of that witch? He was less than pleased at the prospect, but let it drop.

Princess Ranna continued, sounding increasingly concerned. "What has happened to my Lady in Waiting? Where is Lady Chloe? She is his betrothed … though, I'm sure that he has already told you this, yes? He would not have left her unattended or in danger."

Breck felt the bottom of his stomach fall out. The guard Walton was betrothed, and to a Lady, the very one who'd been kidnapped? That meant one of two things - either he was (or had!) deflower his dear daughter before skipping out or he was a dishonorable slug who wasn't worthy of her hand in marriage. Anger began to build, but the princess' attention had turned to the drunk priest to silence him.

What should he say?

The Princess turned back to him. "Is Lady Chloe at your home tending to her betrothed? If not, what can you tell me about her whereabouts?"

"I'm...I'm afraid I don't know where she is," he said. "I suspect the Highwaymen still have her, but Count Warrick might have sent men to find her already.

"But, her 'betrothed?' To Walton, the guard? You're certain? I only ask because, well, I was here to fetch a priest to see this Walton married to my daughter this very day."

He was beginning to feel a sense of urgency to get back to his farm faster than the donkey and cart could carry him. Even the priest, drunk as he was, managed to pick up on the awkward situation and hold his tongue.

 

[LoriDean12345]

Greenhaven

Mid-morning:

Ranna was relieved to hear that Walton was on the mend. She was concerned for the man's health and welfare, even if he was one of her Grandmother's Guardsmen, not one of her own Bodyguard. But her first concern now -- as it had been when she'd jumped into the saddle back in Riverbrook -- was Chloe, who most definitely was her responsibility.

She asked about the young woman, clenching her jaws at the mentioning of the Wailing Wood Highwaymen. The farmer didn't mention that particular group of thieves, but Ranna knew who he meant; her Master Spy Freeda was well informed about all of the various bands of criminals throughout the Barony and beyond, and Freeda in turn had passed on the highlights Ranna needed to know.

If this were true, if the Highwaymen had Chloe … they'd pay. Ranna didn't know how or to what extent; that all depended upon how her Lady in Waiting was treated. A shiver suddenly ran up her spine as she imagined any number of Highwaymen finding their pleasures between poor Chloe's thighs.

Then the farmer simply blew Ranna away with, "I only ask because, well, I was here to fetch a priest to see this Walton married to my daughter this very day."

Ranna simply stared at the man for a long moment. Then, she laughed, short and sharp. She turned away to look at William, dismayed. He only shrugged. She looked back at the farmer again, then away as she began a slow pace through the town's central dirt road a few steps, then back.

"How can this be?" she finally asked, her face still showing her surprise. "Chloe … and therefore Walton, have only been missing a couple of days … three. How can your daughter have met … and become betrothed … to Sergeant Walton in that amount of time?"

Out of the corner of her eye, Ranna caught the movement of the priest. She glanced to find him turning slowly on a heel and heading back into the church. He obviously didn't want to have anything to do with this.

 

[WatchingCloud]

Greenhaven

Mid morning:

"How can this be?" she finally asked, her face still showing her surprise. "Chloe … and therefore Walton, have only been missing a couple of days … three. How can your daughter have met … and become betrothed … to Sergeant Walton in that amount of time?"

The princess’s words spoke to Breck's own growing concerns. Still, maybe he was wrong.

"I'm uncertain, your Grace," he said. "I suppose sometimes it just happens. Was that way with my wife. I knew she was the one the first time we met. Granted, we didn't marry quite that quickly. Waited a whole month, if I recall. Longest month of my life, too."

He realized his reminiscing wasn't helping.

"Sorry. I can take you to him, if you like. It's south of Count Warrick's place, though. Not exactly on the way."

 

[LoriDean12345]

Greenhaven

Mid morning:

Ranna was pacing in a circle around the farmer now. She looked like a Mountain Cat circling a cow protecting its calf, though of course, Ranna wasn't about to attack. This man wasn't the cause of her current uncertainties.

"Where is this town's Sheriff?" she snapped at no one in particular. "This town is large enough to have a--"

"Here, my Grace, here I am," a male voice called out from near. A short, stubby man pushing 60 hurried as best he could from a ramshackle of a building down the dirt road. "I'm coming my Grace."

Ranna could see that the man was still buttoning his tunic; and looking past him, she could see a young woman in her underwear peeking out the door of the shack. She shook her head in disbelief.

"Do you know who I am?" Ranna snapped at the man when he arrived and bent forward in a bow.

Still bent over and only barely peeking up to look into her eyes, the Sheriff rattled off quickly, "My Grace, Princess Ranna, daughter of King Elrod, heir to the throne of--"

"And you know I have people missing within your jurisdiction!" she interrupted, continuing, "A Lady in Waiting … four Guardsmen … a coach!"

The man looked toward the stables and began, "My Grace, your coach is--"

"Silence that tongue!" William snapped, beginning to step toward the Sheriff. The Captain of Ranna's Bodyguard pulled his dagger out with a familiar ringing of good steel. As the Sheriff's head bent even farther lower, William added about the man's tongue, "Or I'll cut it out."

But Ranna raised a hand casually, slowing William to a stop at her side. More calmly but still with authority, she continued, "All of these people are missing somewhere within the bounds of your Authority … and you're getting your knobber polished?"

From the not too distant shack, the whore called out, "He still hasn't paid me yet!"

Ranna stared at the woman for a moment, then began laughing loudly. She'd still been pacing, this time around the law man, not the farmer. But she looked to the latter now, studying him for a moment before asking bluntly, "Has this man Walton laid with your daughter...? Does she still retain her chastity?"

 

[WatchingCloud]

"Has this man Walton laid with your daughter...? Does she still retain her chastity?"

Breck felt the utter weight of this woman's authority as she directed her focus back in him. No wonder she was the heir apparent. Regardless of birth, she had that presence of a born leader.

"She claims they haven't...yet," he said. "I'm sure they've enjoyed one another's company in some fashion, however. That's, uh, partly why the hurry to get the marriage done, before they... Well, to make things proper and all."

He didn't bother mentioning the specifics of having caught the guard naked and covered in semen. Then again, if the semen was there, it was less likely inside his daughter. Maybe she'd spoken true. Given Walton's condition, it was hard to picture them having actually gone that far.

 

[WatchingCloud]

Breck Farm
County of Warrick
Barony of Parse

Breakfast:

Walton's brief return of focus to his duty, the responsibility to find Chloe, was short-lived. Camilla insisted her go rest in her bed and, even as she said it, he began feeling faint and wondered if he looked worse than he thought. He'd felt better during breakfast, but perhaps he'd pushed too much.

After getting him situated in her small bed that dominated the tiny room, . Yes, something Camilla hurried off to see her mother off and tend to her chores. He closed his eyes and tried to rest. Something was definitely "off" with his body, something more than just the wound. Had it gone bad, despite Nalla's treatment? He didn't think so, not having the feverish feelings associated with that. And Camilla had said the wound looked better today than yesterday.

Scarcely a handful of minutes passed before Camilla burst back into the room and stripped out of her dress, revealing that delectable naked body to him. She was positively giddy as she climbed into the bed with him.

"I don't want to wait, my love," she said hissing Walton profusely about the lips, face, and neck. She reached one hand under his -- or Papa's -- shirt to feel the Guardsman's solid chest while the other moved to Walton's groin and began groping at his cock. "Make me a woman, my love. Make me yours … entirely yours."

Walton thought rest was the better course, but her figure and enthusiasm and touch gave his body entirely different ideas. His cock swelled almost instantly and he cupped her breasts as she pressed into him with wild kisses. She must have read his reaction to her as an agreement of sentiment - it was, essentially - and she quickly pulled his pants down. Camilla then kissed and licked her way back up from his legs, giving his erection a special bit of naïve attention, and up his chest until she laid entirely atop him. His hips thrust into her as they kissed and touched. He couldn't help his need to take this young woman.

His side hurt, but the pain was manageable. He was pretty sure he could do this and do it properly.

"Roll over, love," he said, gently rolling her off him and positioning himself atop her. He could feel her wetness from their foreplay and knew she was impatient to be made a woman - his woman. Subtlety and patience could wait for another time.

He looked her in the eyes, making sure she was ready. Her expression said it all. He gave her a single kiss, then propped himself up just enough to be able to watch her face.

Walton positioned the tip of his cock against her and slowly began to penetrate. She was incredibly tight, yet wet and yielding. It would hurt, he knew, so he tried to read her expression as he nudged slowly deeper in a series of short strokes.

"Ready, my love?"

 

[LoriDean12345]

"She claims they haven't...yet," he said.

Ranna laughed again, turning away from the man and continuing her circular pace, which, by now, was more wandering than before. Ranna knew girls -- young women, whatever -- and she had a pretty good idea, albeit wrong, that this farmer's grandchild was already being cooked up inside his chaste daughter.

"I'm sure they've enjoyed one another's company in some fashion, however. That's, uh, partly why the hurry to get the marriage done, before they... Well, to make things proper and all."

"Proper!" she snapped, again laughing. She murmured to herself, although some of the others might have heard her, "Proper, my cute little ass."

Ranna had long had an issue with the concepts that circled around sexuality, pregnancy, marriage, and the proper associations between them all. Societal norms were, of course, designed such to allow men to do whatever they wanted with whatever woman they wanted to do it with, while women themselves were only allowed to do the same with their husbands.

She understood part of the reasoning behind it all: legitimacy of the off spring resultant of sexual intercourse. A man couldn't be certain that the baby his wife popped out was actually his if she'd been doing the deed with men other than himself. But still, that was only the pregnancy and child portion of the whole sexuality issue. What about the simple pleasure of being with another person? A man could if he wanted … but a woman couldn't? Again she thought to herself, Proper, my ass.

"We need fresh horses," Ranna told the Bodyguard who had ridden with them. She added Keno to the orders, telling him and the soldier, "Check the stables … swap our saddles and tack. Then, both of you get some rest."

The Bodyguard began to argue his desire to stay with Ranna, but she cut him off and sent him and the local boy off. To William, she said, "Food and water for the two of us."

Her Captain didn't argue, instead enlisting one of the gawking locals in finding the local Inn and gather some food. It had been nearly 12 hours since any of them had rested or truly ate, having only gotten water and a snack at the roadside ranch near dawn. Ranna turned to the farmer, asked him his name, then told him, "Ricken Breck, you will gather up that worthless priest … put him in your cart -- tie him in if necessary -- and you will lead us to your home."

She hollered to Keno at the stables, asking him to find another messenger. Within minutes, his young friend -- who had been with him when they found the abandoned coach -- was on his way back to Riverbrook with an update.

Ranna finally turned to the Sheriff, who had risen a bit taller but now bent forward again. She quizzed him about anyone or anything more of which she should be aware. He told her the story of a second coach having come through, belonging to a Lord from the west.

"Lord Trett?" Ranna asked.

When the Sheriff confirmed, Ranna asked more questions. She learned of the rape attempt against a young woman who Ranna concluded had been Anya.

"Where is this rapist now?" she asked.

"Dead, my Grace," the Sheriff said, explaining that the man's family had claimed the body and buried it. He glanced toward the end of the street, saying, "That's them there, my Grace."

Ranna looked down the road to the only stone home in the town. She told the Sheriff and William to follow her. They reached the couple, who bowed respectfully, though with what Ranna thought was hesitation, possibly even disrespectful reluctance.

"Your son raped my Charge?" Ranna asked with a hard tone.

The couple apologized but then quickly tried to excuse their son, tossing in some lies about how the girl was bathing naked in the creek for all to see, teasing their boy. Ranna didn't interrupt them, allowing them to ramble on until they ran out of lies and distortions and went quiet.

"This is your home?" Ranna asked. They confirmed. "Nice home. Expensive to maintain … staff and such. How do you afford this? You're not Free Peasants. And few Merchants in this area could afford this. I don't see a Noble seal over your door."

The couple explained that they were of the Merchant Class and seeking title from the local Count, Lord Warrick. Ranna snorted, asking with obvious doubt, "You pay for this through the Market? Or … are you collecting taxes from your neighbors?"

The wife diverted her eyes, while the husband half glanced to the Sheriff, who also diverted his eyes when Ranna looked to him. "Answer me.""

They admitted to collecting taxes, with the wife arguing that they were essentially Nobles and the husband declaring that they offered the community safety through his armed force.

Ranna studied the two for a moment but was distracted by the sound of approaching horses. Four armed men lacking the uniforms of an official Guard unit rode up and dismounted. As Ranna watched, they casually took up station behind the wanna-be royals.

"Your men," Ranna stated more than questioned. The Husband was suddenly showing a little more pride and courage in his face now. After he confirmed that the men were his, Ranna looked between them to determine which was the leader of the unit. She looked him straight in the eyes, glanced at the house behind him, and growled, "Burn it."

The man stared for a moment, then chuckled in surprise. He looked back to the house, then back to Ranna. His smile faded as he realized that she was entirely serious.

"You can't burn my home," the Merchant finally said. "You don't have the authority."

He looked behind himself to the four armed men, looked back to Ranna, and -- with his confidence still building -- told her, "And … I seem better positioned to prevent you from doing this … my Grace."

Ranna's lips widened in a smirk as she studied the man. She looked to William, then back to the man in charge of the faux-Guard. She said with a casual tone, "You can burn it … or … my men and I--"

"Man," the wanna-be-noble corrected, looking to William, who he mistakenly thought was Ranna's only sword; the second Bodyguard was still at the stables, preparing the new horses for travel.

Ranna only stared at the man a moment before looking back to the soldier, continuing, "My man and I ... will kill you ... your men … your Lord and his Lady … and then … we will burn the house."

She gave the soldier -- who was more criminal, actually -- a moment to consider her offer, then looked hard at the wanna-be-Noble. "Your son is responsible for the assault of an innocent young woman in my charge. As your son is not available for punishment … and as you are responsible for his upbringing and actions..."

She stepped up closer to the man. She was just inches from the taller, much bigger man when she finished, "And as I am who I am … I have all the authority I need … not only to burn your house … but to have you crucified, beheaded, and left out on a pole for the animals to feed up until all that remains is your sun bleached bones."

By the time Ranna finished, she was practically speaking through clenched teeth … and the wanna-be-noble -- despite clutched the hilt of his sword so tightly it hurt his hand -- was wide eyed and obviously frightened at what might happen to him.

"Burn it."

Ranna looked for the source of the command, finding it was the faux-Sergeant. He directed his men, and -- though hesitating -- they all turned and headed inside the home to carry out his orders. The Lady pitched a fit and tried to stop them; the Lord only stood where he was, slowly removing his hand from his weapon.

Ranna turned to near the Sheriff, telling him firmly, "You're gone, too."

Trying to sound confident and unafraid, he began, "I was appointed Sheriff by Count Warrick. You do not have the authority to--"

With a mean growl and volume the man had never seen come from a woman before, she spat back at him, "I AM YOUR PRINCESS … HEIR TO THE KINGDOM OF WESTON!"

The Sheriff went silent, and when she demanded them, he turned over his sword and official decorations. She told him in a calm but still firm voice, "You will leave this town and never come back."

He hesitated, then gave Ranna a respectful bow before backing, turning, and departing … in a hurry. Ranna watched him go, smiling when she caught sight of the whore in the shack laughing at the man. She checked the activity behind her -- already seeing smoke beginning to escape through a second floor window -- then returned to where Breck was waiting. He or someone had gathered the priest, who was laying in the back of the cart, even more intoxicated than he had been. She found three new horses bearing her, Keno, and William's saddles and tack.

She ordered William to stay here -- which he didn't like but accepted -- and find someone to go to Count Warrick's to find Trett, Olean, and Anya. Turning back to the farmer, "Let's go see if this daughter of yours still has possession of her chastity, shall we?"

 

[LoriDean12345]

Breck Farm
County of Warrick
Barony of Parse

Breakfast:

Camilla had absolutely no idea what she was doing, but she seemed to be doing it right if what she knew about making love was correct. She kissed Walton up and down his body, from forehead to belly; as she grasped his erection, squeezing it as she had when he'd spewed all over himself and herself, too, she even gave the end of it a wet kiss before heading back upwards again.

"Roll over, love," he said.

She'd seen him grimacing from her contact with him, and she saw it even more as he swapped places with him. She kissed him more, asking, "Can you do this, love? Does it hurt too much?"

Without even awaiting an answer, though, Camilla opened her thighs and invited him hungrily between them. She couldn't believe she was doing this -- that they were doing this. She hadn't truly understood what it meant to be a man's lover -- she'd caught her parents once but that had been quick and so long ago -- but somehow Camilla knew now that she'd wanted to be Walton's lover almost from the moment she'd met him.

She felt the end of his manhood at her sensitive flesh as she asked, "Ready, my love?"

"Yes, my love," Camilla responded without hesitation.

She wasn't, of course.

She laid her hands upon Walton's midsection, avoiding the injuries, and looked into his face as he began working his cock at her hole. It didn't seem to want to go in; Camilla parted her knees further thinking that would help. Suddenly, he penetrated her … and Camilla's entire body tensed at the instant pain. Her fingers dug into Walton's side, and while she didn't have long nails -- hard working country girls didn't -- she would find out later when they were done that she did in fact scratch and cut the hell out of Walton's side.

But she braved through it, closing her eyes against the pain, trying to stop the tears from manifesting. She could feel him sinking inside her, little by little; he would pull out a bit, push, pull out, and push again, each time a bit deeper. She didn't know he was lubing his skin to allow it slip inside her.

Camilla was beginning to wonder why women did this, why they went through this kind of pain, why they so eagerly chased men to get them to do such a thing to them. But soon, the pain began to subside, and Camilla began to feel a bit of pleasure with Walton's every thrust.

She blinked her eyes to rid them of the wanna-be-tears, then looked into Walton's orbs. She smiled to him, whispering only, "Am I a woman yet?"

 

[WatchingCloud]

Greenhaven

Mid morning:

Breck watched the entire episode with detached awe, horror, and respect. He quickly bowed as she returned to him.

"Let's go see if this daughter of yours still has possession of her chastity, shall we?"

"Of course, Your Grace," he said and hurried to his cart where the priest was already packed into the back. Breck wasn't sure if the priest was needed any longer, but it seemed everything was in the princess’s hands now. That actually felt like something of a relief.

He gave his old mule a slap on the rear with the crop and urged it toward the farm, pushing it to a pace to which it was unaccustomed.