4 comments/ 17811 views/ 5 favorites The Groom's Tale By: Ziedrich The thunder out over the deep woods was still distant, but rain already pattered on the wooden roof of the charcoal burner's cabin. There was a leak on the far side of the lodge where drops fell into a pan on the earthen floor, but still there was something warm and comfortable about the sound of a storm outside. None of the men by the fire knew each other well yet, but they were starting to talk like old friends while they passed around clay bowls of venison stew and the half-blind charcoal burner wiped ale out of his long, white beard. Most of them wore undyed wool or ragged old linen, but the old equerry was dressed in velvet and fine, oiled furs. Still, he did not feel or even look out of place among them. After most of them finished their meal and sat back comfortably on their crude chairs, he was the first to stop merely talking and begin to speak. "I think," he began with a deliberate tone but became less formal word by word, "We had best share all we know before we go any further together. From what the tanner- and the rest of you- said to me, I think I'm finally starting to understand. But none of us lived this long by rushing into danger blindly, you know? I'm sure she'll need help if she goes into that witch realm but I want to know what kind. And why she's going." No one minded a long pause to digest words and stew. No one but the young bowyer anyway. He drained the other half of his mug at a gulp and refilled it. "Are you codgers going to cook your feet black by that fire before you start talking? I'm in the mood for a bawdy story even if I have to tell it myself." "Mm," the equerry gazed into the fire and then laughed. "You remind me of a man I used to know. Well Arsalin gave me a story you'll like if you can be patient." He stopped just long enough to annoy the younger man and then continued, "I guess I'll start, though I don't think I was the first to meet her." No one objected and he began. I was still working as a stableboy at Red Braigo's Inn when I met Arsalin, though of course I didn't know who she was at the time. It was a sultry evening two moons after I turned eighteen and the sun was lighting the lakes ablaze as I walked back from the farrier's with a pair of horseshoes in my left hand and a shiny copper Raimo in the right. Braigo was a generous fellow and since I'd negotiated the cantankerous old farrier down from his usual price, I could keep half the difference. Braigo made sure we were hard bargainers on his errands that way. Of course, much of our extra coin went right back to Braigo; he gave us a big discount at his tavern and he had the best place in Daraigo On The Lake anyway. When I got there, Vaiker had already had two ales and was sharing a third with a little shepherdess from out east of town somewhere. He was just getting started. He was only a year or so older than me, but he'd had a thick black mustache for three winters and he was really big. Almost six feet maybe. Never saw him drunk, no matter how many ales he had. He was already a little adventurous and more than a little coarse sober; drinks only made him louder. Jaga and Carago, another pair of inn hands, were already there with him, eyeing the girl enviously. They were older than Vaiker but not as handsome. Jaga might have been if he didn't have that scar and the broken nose from when an ill-trained horse kicked him years ago. Vaiker had had his first woman before they did and never let any of us forget it. This one would be lucky number 6, or so he claimed, and she was politely giggling at that when I came in. Braigo was at the bar nearby and seemed eager to change the subject to something that wouldn't offend the old banker from Garao or any of the other upper-crusty types drinking in the common room. His hands were gnarled and hard and covered in orange hair and he tapped one on a table while he beckoned me over with the other. "Karan! How'd dickering with old man Jangra go? I held up my prizes and he whistled appreciatively even before his copper landed on the table. "That reminds me!" he added loudly, beckoning me closer, "I was short of coin on your birthday, but here you are now. With interest!" he winked at the banking guild's man. Then he pressed a warm, silver Raimo into my palm. The tanner whistled too. "You must have liked working for a man like that!" Karan the equerry nodded, "He was always generous and friendly with us. I think it was because he came out of Raim. He had the best inn in town, but he'd seen better, so he didn't think he was a bigshot." He drank to wet his lips, "Kind of uptight and particular about how he wanted things though. Like with the horseshoes, he had to be there to put them on himself. The Signore lets me do my own job." "Get to the good stuff, would you?" the bowyer interrupted and Karan continued. I was already doing a man's job when I'd turned 18 so I hadn't thought it was a special birthday and hadn't expected a present like that. I stammered out some kind of thank you. He gave a warm smile. He'd always liked me especially well since I was quiet and did what he said when he said. "Figure out what you want to spend it on while you go hang those shoes in Thunder's stall. I'll help you get them on the rascal tomorrow." I nodded and was turning to go when Carago, who did get drunk, gave me an elbow. "Maybe that might be enough to pay..." he lost his train of thought and Braigo shook his head, sending his long red curls bouncing, but Carago was too soused to take the hint, "Pay... Hm. Oh, maybe enough to pay to have some wench fuck you, gap teeth and all." I was leaving the room, red-faced, before he finished but I heard two people laugh along half-heartedly behind me. The sun was just above the horizon, huge and reddish and sinking into shadow. It was right in my eyes while walking toward the stable- "Yes, yes! I'm getting there, quiet down," Karan glared at the bowyer who'd impatiently interrupted him. "Is Arsalin actually in this story?" By the looks of some of the others, the youngest man wasn't the only one getting impatient with the rambling. Karan sighed and sat up straighter in his chair. "Yes, right now if you'd let me finish. This is my story and I'm going to tell it my way. You'll have your turn." Well anyway, the sun was blinding so I just staggered in without noticing her standing there in the shade of the crooked door. Thunder was the second stall on the left. He was a big, reddish gelding Braigo had had for 6 years and he was a good horse for hauling carts of supplies around, but for some reason he was always throwing shoes. I hung the new ones on the door to his stall, piled up some more hay for him and the others and then saw an unfamiliar horse in with the other guests'. He was a smallish, gray stallion- maybe from somewhere out west in Washtan or beyond. He had that kind of look. They're good endurance horses you know. You can tell the breed for sure since they have just 17 ribs but the head shape is distinctive too usually. Anyway, he didn't even have all his saddle bags off, but I decided to fetch him some water first. I nearly jumped out of my own shoes when I turned around and saw her right behind me. She was beautiful. Well, no, not quite. The Most Serene Republic of Daraigo On The Lake isn't a city like Isva or Raim or even Virse, but it's no country village either. Women from all over at least passed through it from time to time on their way to the greater league cities, so I'd certainly seen women who were more beautiful. But she was up close and she was... striking. She looked fierce and hard. Not quite muscular, but I could tell that her tanned arms were wiry strong. Dangerous. And beautiful for that as much for her pretty features. I gaped at her, in surprise and awe. She was young then, of course. Just a few years older than me. I suspect I may have met her before most of you. She wore mostly red then too though. A long red dress --darkened a bit with sweat and road dust- that gave just a tantalizing glimpse of the base of her neck and the toned body beyond, a triangular, straw sunhat with scarlet ribbons, and road-worn riding-boots of crimson leather. She cleared her throat and gave a little, wry grin, "That's my horse, Clipper." Her eyes were so dark and her lips were so full. It was the faint smile about them that was prettiest. They seemed to understand why I was so flustered better than I did. "I... uh... Clipper, yes!" I stammered something out. "I'm Karan. A stabl- a groom here. At Red Braigo's!" She was so confident, so smooth. Those black eyes were hypnotic. "It's been a long day in the sun. Clipper will need plenty of water." As she spoke she brushed past me on graceful legs and began explaining how to do my job, "I've got the saddle, stirrups, and reins packed here," she tapped a slender hand on one of the bags hanging on hooks nearby, "Put them in the tack room under my name." "Yes- I," I began to realize she might have thought I was slow. That or she was mocking me. After what Carago had said I wasn't in any mood for those jokes, "Of course, miss. What is your name?" My sudden brusqueness caught her attention, but the look she gave me was not disapproving. "Arsalin.". There was so much pride to the way she stood that I'd half-expected some kind of noble title or for her to introduce herself as some bigwig's wife or daughter, but that was all she said. Come to think of it, she wasn't wearing any jewelry either. She raised an eyebrow and asked, "Can you write?" I proudly said I could. She didn't act surprised, and that made me feel prouder yet for some reason, "Good," she nodded and gave a slight smile, "Put me in your register as A-R-S-A-L-I-N. Now Clipper doesn't like carrots or apples from anyone else, and I already gave him one, so just put his oats in the manger and leave him be. He'll eat when he wants to." Her voice was pretty but strong, like the rest of her. No, not 'but strong', pretty because it was strong. It wasn't easy not to lose track of what she was actually saying, but I'd embarrassed myself enough already. Well it didn't take long before we were both talking horses and she seemed to know almost as much as I did. Maybe more about riding. I think I might have impressed her too, especially when Clipper nuzzled my hand and took an apple I offered after all. I always did have a way with horses. Most people were done traveling for the day and no one else came into the stables while we talked. She didn't tell me much of anything about herself, but she seemed more interested than I'd expected any outsider to be about Daraigo and the people there. "Well I'm not," the Bowyer interrupted, "I want to know why she's going to that blackguard in Zhendry. And whether she was a great fuck back then too," he added the latter with a shameless and slightly drunk wink. This time it wasn't just Karan who looked at him disapprovingly, "Stop interrupting, would you! Maybe if I was your age I'd just have skipped to that bit, but this is important too. I think we're going to need to know all we can about her if we're going to do something so dangerous." The fisherman's eyes were far away and his voice was small, "I agree." He fell silent and let Karan continue. I didn't notice there was nothing to sit on while we talked; I didn't even remember much of what I said, but she must have liked it enough to stay a while since it was full dark by the time we stopped. But eventually she went in to take a bath and order a late dinner and a room and I closed up the stables for the night. I'd been living there four years, since my pa died in the blue fever of '28, and I kept it as neat as I could. It wasn't a bad place to live. Warm in the winter and I always liked the earthy smell of clean stables. Tending the horses was late work compared to hauling water up for the day like Jaga or tending to the roof and whatnot like Carago and Vaiker did. If Braigo didn't have anything else for them to do, they usually finished up the day earlier than me. I didn't really mind since I wasn't much for talk or drinking then and there wasn't much else to do with them. Vaiker whistled and laughed when I came in, "So how was she?" he asked the whole smoky room. I couldn't do anything but sit down with him. I didn't want to walk through the whole crowd of people eating their dinner while they all laughed at me. "How was who?" Jaga's voice was thicker and slower than usual, which was saying something. He wasn't very clever even when he was sober and Vaiker and Carago laughed at that instead for a moment. "That red-hot, fuckable bundle of woman who came strutting through here, you clod!" Vaiker chuckled and waved vaguely toward the ladder up to the second story. "You should have seen the ass on her." The shepherd girl blushed a bit but she'd shared at least another two drinks with Vaiker now and she nodded dreamily, "She was something." Vaiker put an arm across his forehead in mock distress, "Oh no! Carago was one thing, but don't tell me I have a beauty like you for a rival!" At that she really did blush and babble that that wasn't what she meant but he just laughed again, drained his mug of ale, and turned back to me. "But what am I telling them for? Surely you know more about what was under that dress than I do after so much time alone in the stables together." "Did you fuck her?" Carago was agape at the idea. I opened my mouth to say yes, but then shut it uncertainly. I wanted them to stop teasing me that I hadn't bedded anyone yet, but somehow I didn't want to lie about her. I just shook my head instead. "Just as well. You wouldn't know what to do with a woman anyway," Vaiker looked over his shoulder across the room, "Well speak of the devil!" he turned back around and winked, "I'll tell you what her pussy tastes like over breakfast tomorrow." I followed his gaze and there she was, slipping gracefully down the creaking ladder. Her hair was nearly black and hung heavily after her bath in the washtub and it looked as though she'd cleaned some of the road dust off her dress as well. I think I blushed as I realized Vaiker was right. The dress often pressed against her butt as she descended and it looked like it must be as toned and comely as the rest of her. I tried not to look right at her after that and got a mug of Braigo's good, dark ale from Devann instead. She was a serious and matronly woman who usually acted older than her 35 summers but had a roguish streak too. Short and sharp-chinned with rusty orange hair like most of us Daraigath. Braigo said she was perfect for keeping things calm while managing the bar on a busy night. Vaiker said she was perfect for bending over the bar on a slow night, though I didn't really believe he'd had her. I stared into the cup and made small talk with Devann and the shepherd girl- she had the prettiest, clear-toned, little laugh I'd ever heard, though she was usually as quiet as me- and watched Arsalin out of the corner of my eye. She was mingling with the other guests, laughing or talking quietly by turns in that intense way she had. Not staying long with anyone in particular. Vaiker was trying to get her attention for most of a quarter of an hour, but she didn't seem to see him. I was glad about that for some reason. Mostly I just tried not to look at her and failed. I was turning back to Devann to ask for another round and one of her famous stuffed potatoes when I saw Vaiker straightening his hair carefully in the looking glass he'd taken to carrying on his belt. "A face this pretty is worth spending a pretty penny on," he liked to say. He stood up, brushed himself off, and sauntered over to her, smiling his handsome smile. I didn't want to, but I had to watch. He sat right down beside her at her table, and I was glad to see she kept talking to the old trader-woman on the other side of her. When she did turn to him, he wiped a frustrated scowl off his face and I could almost hear him pouring on the charm over all the other conversations in the busy room. I had butterflies in my stomach. And a minute later, it dropped into my shoes as she stood up with him and walked back toward the table I was at. The shepherd girl said something angry but I excused myself hurriedly and went into the kitchen to join Devann. Devann was grumbling at a stubborn food stain on a pan she was cleaning and trying to keep the dull brown working apron she had on over her blouse from sliding around and getting in her way. One of the straps had worn out that spring and she never quite seemed to get around to fixing it properly, you see. She and I were pretty good friends and she was always glad of another pair of hands in the kitchen on busy nights. I gladly worked for those potatoes of hers. Braigo sometimes said he'd have to marry her for them. Anyway, she didn't mind me puttering around and helping her put things in order. Usually we both tried to hum a minstrel tune or two together while we worked, though neither of us were very good. That night I was just awful- for one thing I kept stopping to look out into the common room to see what was happening at Vaiker's table. Jaga and Carago were well and truly drunk now and weren't contributing much to the conversation. Mostly I just saw them laughing at each other's jokes and occasionally leering at Arsalin. She and Vaiker and the shepherd girl were all talking together most of the time when I saw them. There was a bit more light in there than in the stables and I could see her more clearly. I'd thought she was tanned, but now I could see she had sort of a reddish brown complexion- like the people from all those little countries north of the waste, you know? Chestnutish. She was sweating a bit in the heat, so she gleamed like polished bronze in the light of the candles and torches. And I could see now that her dress was a bit more revealing than I'd thought. When she leaned forward to listen better to what someone was saying you could see part of her breasts. They looked small and firm and I wondered what they'd feel like. Vaiker and Carago were both fond of squeezing breasts and said they felt good. Honestly, I hadn't even had the courage to ask to kiss a girl yet. "What did the shepherdess look like?" The bowyer asked. Karan looked away, "Well, uh, I didn't really notice her next to Arsalin. But she was cute. I think she had on a greenish tunic and a long, brown skirt. Wool of course." Well I wasn't very sneaky and Devann must have seen where I kept glancing off to. As she walked by me to toss a rag in the basket for washing later she gave a wink and stage-whispered, "Quit your worrying, lover-boy, she's not into him." I looked at Devann confusedly and she gave a wry smirk and tapped an ear with one finger. She often liked to say she had the best ears in Daraigo- and needed them to hear orders over all the noise on nights like this. I could have asked her to eavesdrop for me, but I was a bit too afraid to ask. Now that I'd heard Devann's opinion though, it began to look more and more like she was right. More often than not, Arsalin was talking with Am- with the shepherd girl- and Vaiker was trying to squeeze back into the conversation Eventually I stopped worrying about it, sat down to eat a quick dinner with Devann as guests began going home or upstairs for the night, and talked about the rains and whether she thought we'd be short on fish again this year. I had another ale and was feeling a little unsteady by the time we joined Braigo and any sober inn hands he could find to help clear the tables. As we walked back into the kitchens with a last armload of plates, I realized too late that my tongue hadn't been slowed by drink as badly as my brain, "Is it true about you and Vaiker?" I could have kicked myself for asking something so rude. The Groom's Tale She stood up sharply. The light was dim and her face was in shadow but I was certain the stern Devann was back, "Why do you think that's your business?" "I-I'm sorry. It isn't. I'm sorry," I scurried away while I could. Half an hour later we were done at last and everyone else had long since gone to bed. It was time for me to go to my spot in the loft over the stables and for Devann to lock the door for the night. "Yes, it's true," she said as I stepped outside. Although it was summer, the breeze from outside was blissfully cool and free of smoke compared to the stale air in the common room. I could feel sweat drying off my hair as I turned around, wondering for a long moment what she meant. "But that is not for all ears. I expect a bit more brains from you than that boy. Don't disappoint." The equerry trailed off sadly. "The poor woman is dead, isn't she?" the tanner asked. Karan nodded, "The war. Daraigo was hit hard. I was in Raim during the fighting, but I was riding with the Signore when he led the repairs. I found her lying in a row of a hundred bodies waiting to be buried. Vaiker was there too. I heard he died like a hero at the door of the inn. With Braigo. The inn was right on the road; it got hit first, middle of the night. The two of them held the entrance long enough for most of the guests to slip out the cellar door." He gave a broken half-laugh, "I tripped over it in the dark a dozen times. Now I'm glad it was so hard to see..." He leaned over to stoke up the dwindling fire and regain control of his voice, "People aren't just one thing, you know? No one is. Vaiker was a bully and a braggart sometimes, but I saw him be kind and friendly too. When I lost the last of my family and my home and had to start staying in the stable loft, he never mocked me for any of the crying I did. I think he did a little himself even. And he stayed up all night to fix up the roof just right so it wouldn't ever leak on me. The equerry resumed the story abruptly to get away from those memories. Well I was stunned to hear her say she'd slept with him. "Oh.... Uh..." I'd definitely had one too many drinks to keep up a smooth conversation. Not that I was much good at that then anyway, "I won't tell." Perhaps she'd also had too many herself; most of us did by the end of our shifts on long nights. Otherwise I doubt she'd have continued so frankly, "It was just a little fling. I wanted to see if a younger guy would still think I was attractive; he wanted... well just about anything in a dress will do for that boy." She smirked, "I guess I was also wondering if he was anywhere near as good as he said." I didn't want to know more and said nothing, but she continued anyway. I could practically hear another of her rare winks in the dark, "Much better than I thought. That mouth is good for more than jokes. Mm. He'll be a fine catch for some young woman if he ever gets around to growing up. For now he's still just a boy, and I think your lady-friend saw that. Ameri too." I wasn't sure who Ameri was and didn't much want to ask. It was as much from thinking about Arsalin as about Vaiker giving Devann the Isva Kiss, but I was getting hard and didn't want her to see that. I gave her an awkward goodnight, stumbled my way up into the stables in the dark, and bedded down after making sure none of the horses needed anything. I'll admit to double-checking Clipper, but the stallion was sound asleep. I slept like a stone too but woke early the next morning. Earlier than usual even, and I was often up an hour before dawn to make sure anyone who wanted to leave at first light could ride out without delay. It took me a while to realize that I wasn't just imagining candlelights down below. I could hear someone moving in among the horses. Since I was more used to getting up than bedding down in the dark, it wasn't much trouble for me to rub the sleep from my eyes, light some candles of my own, and get down to the stables proper to help whoever it was. Arsalin didn't look quite as awake as me yet and tried to stifle a yawn after realizing who I was. "I'll be going now," she said neutrally as she walked toward Clipper's stall with me following close behind. She was wearing the same clothes of course- minus the hat- though she looked rather disheveled. I almost asked if she'd paid Braigo but realized how insulting that might have sounded. I was glad I wasn't hungover. "That's early," was all I came up with instead. Her tone took on something of an icy tinge, "Braigo wanted me out." "Oh." I wondered if I'd offended her somehow, but after a moment she gave a slight smile. "I need to move on anyway. No sense in picking a fight about a few more hours of shut-eye before I get on the road." I watched her slide a small knife back into a sheath on the side of her boot. I hadn't noticed that last night. It was not her only one either. There was a long dagger on the belt she was wearing, and I thought I saw another small one in the other boot before I lost sight of her feet in the shadows. Together we watered and fed Clipper, brushed him, and were preparing to saddle him up when she turned around. It was a tight space in the stall beside the horse and I was suddenly conscious of how close together we were and how warm her body was. My eyes had adjusted to the darkness well enough to make out her black ones looking me over. She flashed that half-smile again and looked me in the eye. I felt like my heart had stopped. "Would that Braigo beat you if we fucked?" I had no idea what to say. Eventually I stammered out something about Braigo being good to work for, with enough conviction that she gave a little snort. "Then I want to if you do. You live upstairs, I take it?" Neither had a questioning tone to it. I could only nod. So we gathered the candles we'd been using and climbed up the ladder to the loft. I was so distracted that I nearly slipped and fell. I had a few more lights up there and soon there were enough to see by. Neither of us was tall, but we both had to kneel on the rush mats since the vaulted ceiling was low. I'd no furniture other than a mess of pillows and blankets, but she sat down comfortably on that and beckoned me down beside her. I just followed her lead. Her eyes were in shadow but I could see her lips and they were bent into a warm, self-confident grin. It was different from the way Vaiker grinned when he was making his jokes. His smile was asking you to please smile too. She was smiling just for herself. Some of the others nodded and shifted in their seats. They'd seen it too. No one interrupted him now. You know, I never did get a really good look at her. Never saw her out in the sunlight. It was always night or candlelight indoors. But I'm sure, absolutely sure, that I'd know her if I saw her again. She held herself differently. As I was sitting there, looking at her proud shoulders and seeing how her breasts bobbed under the fabric of her red dress, I realized that that was why she was so beautiful. Not her breasts, I mean. Well not just them. I mean she was so confident. She loved herself, so how could you not love her? She knew what she wanted and she would get it or do it or say it, and that was a kind of strength I'd never really had. I wanted it even more than I wanted her right then and I'll never forget the way I felt when she leaned toward me. I'd been shy most of my life, but right then it was like her strength was flowing into me and I wasn't afraid of what anyone else would say. Our lips met in the middle and I'll never forget that either. Her breath stank and so did mine, but I didn't want to break that kiss for anything. I embraced her with one hand and gently felt out the lovely contours of her face with the other, feeling the soft flesh of her cheeks and the smooth bones of her chin and running my fingers through her long, silky hair. It smelled like some kind of flower. I tugged a long strand of it to my nose and breathed in the sweet scent. It must have tickled her nose next to mine since she sneezed and then laughed. I sat back on my heels and laughed too, both of us quiet. There was no one else in the building but the horses down below, but there's something about being in the dark that makes one want to be silent. We kissed again and this time her nimble hands were undoing the laces of my jerkin. I tried to help her remove her dress but only got in the way. I took my tunic off instead. And then our arms were tangled together, exploring each other's chests as we kissed in the dark again. I wasn't full grown yet so I was more slim than muscular, but she seemed to like what she found anyway. Her firm hands were cool and I loved the sensation of them sliding from my abs all the way to my shouldrs, feeling every bump of muscle or rib. Even after hearing what Vaiker had to say on the matter, I wasn't sure what to do with her breasts. I brushed a hand over them tentatively and felt the silky skin wobble, but I didn't want to do something wrong and lowered my hands to her belly and her back. As I'd imagined, her body was toned and hardened by rough living, and yet still supple and gracefully curved. I loved how her sides were shaped, so different from mine. I didn't know why, but I was crying a little. She kissed my tears away. "You're as gentle as you looked," she murmured. "You've got nice hands. Rough, honest, working hands." "Am I.... doing it right?" I asked hesitantly. She laughed a quiet, merry laugh, "You have no idea what you're doing." My face fell but she lifted up my chin, "No one does the first time." A deep sorrow crossed her face like a shadow before she smiled, "But the... principle is right. Treasure your lovers. Love them. Everything else you can learn with practice. Don't be afraid." Then we kissed again. I'm not sure just how I ended up on my back, but she had her hands on my nipples, rubbing her palms over my chest, and was pulling down my ragged braies with her teeth. Underneath my cock was eager and ready. The fabric bulged out like a sail caught in the wind. It took me a long moment to realize she was stuck because my rear was trapping the braies to the floor, but I wriggled up and at last she pulled them off and I sprang free. Translucent beads of fluid dribbled from the end of my erection. I'd never noticed that while stroking myself off, but I'd never felt so aroused before. I'd heard about this! It just took me a while to realize what was going on. Vaiker said some of his women had taken his cock into their mouths and sucked on it. Now I was on my back and she was bent over me and ready to do the same. Then she sniffed and wrinkled her nose. I could almost have died from shame. I bathed as often as most of the other men in town, but suddenly that did not feel nearly often enough. From that day on, long walk to the lake be damned, I bathed every night. "Perhaps not," she sat back up a moment and I nearly sat up with her, but she put her hands on my chest and pushed me back down. Then she cupped them in front of her and I saw a long strand of saliva spill down into them like spider silk. She took a long, hungry look into my eyes that made me harder than ever. Then her hands were on me, fingers wrapping around my shaft and sliding up and down. It was better than doing it myself; she squeezed and kneaded better than I knew how to. Then she slicked her fingers again and continued. I was bucking and groaning and didn't even realize I should warn her until it was too late and my seed was spattering onto her hands in the reddish light. She caught it all, then rubbed it back on along with her saliva. I only went soft for a moment. I could see all of her now, and her small, bouncing breasts were enchanting. This time, at a nod from her, I did put my hands on them and started exploring them and feeling out their softness. I stopped as my fingers touched something that was not smooth. Under the left one was a long, cruel scar from a deep wound. A dagger, I realized immediately. I'd seen a man take a dagger to the chest in a brawl in the tavern years ago and he still liked to show off the ugly scar. I went red-hot with anger and sat up instantly, "Who hurt you?" She shook her head, "No one who hasn't suffered enough for it." I was going to press the question but there was a faraway look in her eyes that eventually stopped me. "I've lived a strange life," was all she would say. In the end I settled back down and she continued as if nothing had happened. "She had... scars on her back too," the bowyer whispered, "And maybe others. I wouldn't stop asking and she said a pirate gave her those. But she wouldn't talk about the one on her breast." "I saw her get the ones on her back," the quiet fisherman stared at his thumbless left hand, "But she had that one from long ago." The equerry suddenly wasn't sure he wanted to continue. He'd known they all probably knew more of her story than he did; it was him who needed to learn from them and not the other way around. And it was so personal. But, as he saw the leaping flames reflected in their eyes, he knew that was why he had to tell it. The storm was overhead now. There were no windows but they could still see the flashing lightning and the thunder seemed to rattle every timber of the cabin. Somewhere out in the darkness was a man who terrified him. His wife was dead and his son before her. Most of his old friends from back then too. He might be dead tomorrow and he wanted someone, somewhere to know what it had been like to be him. He needed someone to. Then he could be brave like Vaiker. He waited for everyone to look to him and then began again, speaking fluidly now and stopping for nothing. She drooled on her hands and rubbed it onto me just once more before looking down at my cock, full length again and dripping with my seed and her saliva. "Mm, good enough." She rose from her haunches and slowly crawled forward, pressing me down onto the soft but scratchy blankets. I saw the puffy lips of her vulva nearly brush my thigh and I gasped at the tickle of our hair together. She stopped between my thighs and leaned over me to look me in the eyes. Her face was right above mine, whispering into my ear, "If we do this, we do this my way. Don't do anything I don't tell you to and just let me handle it." I nodded. "No, I mean it," she said with a harder tone, "If you get too eager, you could injure me or worse. So you keep your ass planted firmly on the ground no matter how much you want to go deeper inside of me and you don't touch anything I don't say to. I went as still as I could, Taking that for an agreement, she slipped forward and brought her pussy, slick with her juices, up toward my twitching cock. Then she sat up further and brought herself right past it before slowly lowering herself down, one hand on the ground for balance and one around my throbbing head. I felt myself sliding into the smooth, tight crevasse between her buttocks as she spread out her legs to squat down. At first I thought she'd just missed in the dark and I almost reached to help her before remembering what she'd said. Then I felt the head of my cock pressing against something. She winced, spat a long strand on a hand, and reached it just past my cock to rub behind her. Then slowly, so slowly, she lowered herself onto me, eyes locked onto mine and mouth in a little o. I gasped when I realized I was pressing against her asshole. I'd never heard of anyone doing that before; even Vaiker didn't claim to have. It was weird but I was so aroused that I didn't think about that. I wanted to be in her more than I'd wanted anything before. She lowered herself at a snail's pace while I struggled to hold still and I felt her ass just begin to open for the head of my cock. She was so tight that it was almost painful despite how slick I was. But she half-closed her eyes and smiled sensually and gave a soft "Mm." She was hot as a furnace inside and had a harder grip on me than any hand. The softness of her was wonderful and I nearly came again as I felt the head of my cock pop inside her. She slid down oh so slowly, sitting back onto her hands on the wooden floors and spreading out her legs to balance on either side of me. It felt like an eternity lying there, trying to be still when all I wanted was to buck my hips and bury myself in her. I couldn't look down at her ass swallowing me inch by inch or I knew I wouldn't be able to resist. I panted and stared at her bouncing breasts and smiling lips instead. Then I felt her butt pressing firmly against the hairs on my crotch and realized she was done. I was inside her to the hilt. It was so warm. So tight but so soft inside of her. I thought I could feel her heartbeat and I tensed up, about to fill her. She leaned forward and lay down atop me with our chests against each other and pressed her lips to mine. We were one firm, hot, happy body. She gave a little giggle and wriggled her rear against me and I came, spurting inside her. She was so hot and the fit was so close that I could barely feel my own seed in there. It was sealed into her depths with me. She put her lips to mine again and I moaned into her hungry mouth. She hadn't told me to wrap my arms around her and embrace her, but didn't seem to mind when I did. She was like a hot blanket on a wintry night and I loved the feel of her lying atop me almost as much as being buried in her. Her breath was warm and sultry on my neck as she kissed and nibbled me. I don't think I ever even went soft, but we lay still together for a wonderful eternity before she started to move. Slowly and sensually at first, then she sat back and set her hands behind her again and began to ride me hard and fast. It was near midsummer, but the air felt freezing cold on my cock when she was off of me. I wasn't sure if I preferred the sliding in or the being inside and from her groans she might not have been either. Between her legs, her vulva was slick and wet and gleaming and the lips puffed out invitingly. I'd never seen one before and it was more beautiful and alluring than I could have imagined. I wanted to kiss those lips and see if they were even better than the ones on her face. I wanted her to clench and wriggle and groan on my fingers and come like I had. Although her eyes were often closed now, she saw where my hand was going almost before I realized it. My fingers were just an inch from her inviting wetness when her arm flashed out -- swoosh- like a striking snake. Her grip was iron and she forced my hand back with fierce strength. There was a... steel in her eyes that was almost frightening, "No!" I was so foggy with the pleasure of fucking her ass that I don't think I actually managed a coherent apology, but I did nod and that satisfied her. She started slowly again. The startling stop cooled me off a little but I knew I would surely blow again soon. When I watched my cock slowly disappear into her I was harder than I'd ever thought was possible. She paused with me in her to the root and rocked back and forth a moment before starting a quick, steady rhythm. With almost the same speed that she'd grabbed my hand with, she raised her left to her mouth, licked it, and then swiped it down to stroke and finger herself in time with her movements. When I saw how those plump, full lips slid under her fingers I groaned and panted with lust. She smiled and this time when she came down she stayed put with me buried in her, still sliding her fingers over herself. One slipped inside her. It was beautiful. She was so tight that I thought I could feel it inside her almost beside me. And then she started squeezing me. It was like her ass was sucking on my cock, hard and insistently. The wonderful squeezings and wrigglings continued as she rose once more and then slammed herself down one last time. I came hard, babbling incoherently, and sat up to embrace her so fast that I think I blacked out. Distantly I knew she was still riding me, groaning, and I could feel her arm clamped between us still fingering her pussy until she came too. The Groom's Tale When I regained my senses she was sliding off of me, strands of white semen dripping out of her as she reached over to pick up a candle we'd knocked over. I was well and truly spent and suddenly tired, feeling how little sleep I'd had. But more than that I think I was wearied by the knowledge that she would leave now. I didn't say anything as she wiped herself clean and then began slipping on her clothes. I put on my own braies and my boots, but left my chest bare to the morning air. I was soaked with sweat and wanted to cool off before getting dressed. I still hadn't said much by the time we both went down the ladder again. The horses were awake and nervous, but were calming down. Clipper wasn't as antsy as the others but seemed eager to go. She reached out one of those wiry arms I loved so much to lead him toward the door. At last I opened my mouth to say something, but she spoke first, "I'm not staying. I wanted to stop in town before pressing on; I did. I wanted to screw you; I did, and now I want to get back on the road." There wasn't much I could say to that. Not much that wasn't stupid anyway. I was ruing every step, but I helped lead Clipper toward the big stable doors and fetched some more water for him. The nuzzle he gave my hand when I brought him a carrot with the water seemed almost apologetic. While he drank, Arsalin gave her brown locks a cursory combing with her fingers. "You're not going to do something stupid and follow me, are you?" she asked as she helped me carry back the empty trough. The thought had occurred to me and I sheepishly admitted to it. She sighed, "Look, Karan, don't go thinking you love me. You don't even know me really. Real love takes time. I've been around and seen it." I looked at the straw-covered sod floor of the stables. A hint of grayish light was beginning to show beyond the stable doors, though true dawn was still far off. "Then let me go with you." I hadn't thought much about ever leaving Daraigo before, but after meeting her I found I wanted to. More importantly, I knew she wouldn't listen to another word if I asked her to stay with me instead. She didn't laugh at me, so I went on. "I'm not just good with horses; I can stitch leather and fix shoes and... and all kinds of things. I'll be useful." She stiffened, "Do you think I want a servant?" "Well, no, I just mean... we could travel together," I finished lamely. "Then we'd have time. To fall in love I mean." She tried not to smile but I thought I saw the corner of her mouth curl a little, "You're a silly young romantic. Well that's what I liked about you. I'd wager Ameri would too." There was that name again. "Who's Ameri?" I blurted, instantly realizing my mistake. Arsalin seized the chance to change the subject, "You don't know her name? Don't be such a clod! The girl who was talking with you and Jaga and... Carago and that Vaiker boy last night! You know, with the red hair curled like this. And the little brown spots on her cheeks," she tried to demonstrate. "The shepherd girl!" I said it as soon as I realized it. She rolled her eyes, "I suppose Vaiker wouldn't have introduced her. Well you should try talking to her. She's a nice sort. Has that same kind of puppy-eyed shyness you do though." "But she's Vaiker's." "No, she's Ameri's!" She was getting annoyed with me and walked back to Clipper, "The two of them were through as soon as he started chasing after me. I don't think she was ever much into him to begin with, he was just too pushy and she was too meek to tell him off before." I didn't say anything for a while and she opened the heavy, wooden door and then sprang up into the saddle smoothly. "Talk to her or not, that's your choice," she frowned down at me, "But don't sit around mooning after me." "Do you think I should talk to her?" She snorted, "Why would that matter? It's about you and her and what you two want. All I can tell you is she's cute under the dirt and looking for love, like you." I was silent. She gave an exasperated sigh, "Yes I think you should. But only if you promise you won't ever treat her as second best. I think you'll be good for each other, whether you stay together or not," she finally admitted, "And she already likes you." "Will you come back?" I looked up at her. There was a breeze out there and her hair rustled against the stars above. "Because I like you," she started and I looked at her eagerly, but she turned away, to look ahead, "I promise that I never will. Go live your life." She was gone before I could come up with a reply. I'll admit I did walk after her for a while, and I kept hoping she would change her mind and return. In the end though, there was nothing for it but to take her advice and live my own life. I went back into the stables, took my clothes down to the lake to wash up, took care of the horses, and was tired all day. I went into the common room around noon for a drink and a chance to sit down. Vaiker and some of the other inn hands were there eating their lunches too and I joined them like I usually did. Vaiker seemed to be in an uncharacteristically dark mood and didn't have much to say. I didn't either, but he kept glancing over at me. The others were content to gripe about how humid it was, but even slow Jaga noticed Vaiker was quiet. "Hey!" he chuckled, slowly chewed another chunk of dry bread, and then continued, "How did that red lady's pussy taste, Vaiker?" "Ask that ugly tailor she went upstairs with, I don't need to fuck whores." Even when he scowled he was a handsome fellow, but you could hear the wounded pride in his tone. All that morning I'd heard the talk from other inn patrons and I already knew he wasn't just trying to mock her. Still, it made me angry. Yes, she was a whore, but she was still a woman as good as any other. And I was sure there was more to her than any of us would ever learn. I'd never have talked back to him before I met her, but this time I was going to. This time- "Or shepherds!" Saraigo added and they all laughed at what sounded like a well-known joke already. Well I'd lost my chance for now, but I knew someone would give me another sooner or later. Braigo came inside, talking to a new guest, and joined us a minute or two later as we were finishing. "Afternoon, boys." We all nodded and 'good afternooned' him too. "Listen," he said awkwardly, "I love a good time as much as anyone else, but I keep a clean inn. That reminds me, Orago, change out the rushes in the cellar before tomorrow." Orago nodded. He was already finished eating and stood to go, "Wait," Braigo beckoned him back into his chair, "Listen, boys. I'm not saying it's your fault, but Red Braigo's has a reputation and I can't have anyone staining it." He brushed his orange hair away from his eyes, not wanting to continue. We were all sitting tensely, knowing we wouldn't like what he said next either, "Last night a... lady of the evening... came in here and this isn't that kind of house. I can't have that, some of the guests wouldn't like it." He meant people like that stuffy old banker of course. Isva was Isva, but the other republics of the league were not so open. "If you're looking for a guard, I'm your man. If you've got the coin anyway," Vaiker smirked hollowly. "That's not what I mean," Braigo put up his hands, "I just mean... well... don't go flirting with any others. Show them out." He wasn't the only one frowning or looking at the table. I wasn't quite sure whether I could say something worth breaking the awkward silence, but I really wanted to tell him he was wrong. Eventually I stood up to get back to work, "That means you as well, Karan, understand?" He knew. Somehow. I was going to nod and mutter something and excuse myself, but I didn't. I kept thinking about Arsalin and how she wasn't ashamed or in tears when he kicked her out of his inn in the middle of the night. She didn't live in fear of what other people thought and she was happier than I was. I was blushing but I looked him almost in the eyes and managed to speak clearly, "I know more about horses than... whores, sir. And I've never run an inn. But I mean... it's like smiths isn't it?" He was looking at me rather confusedly, perhaps as much because I was talking at all as because of what I was saying. I plunged onward, "I mean, you couldn't have a smith like Janda hammering out an axle in your common room, but as long as he doesn't do that, his coin isn't any different, right? I mean..." I knew I wasn't exactly being eloquent, but I kept on going, "I mean... she's a woman." I finished lamely. He looked more surprised than annoyed, and certainly not angry like I'd feared he would be. "Well... I can't let it keep happening. I guess if she'll just sleep in her own room like any other guest... it would be alright." He changed the subject rather than wait out another awkward silence, "Did you decide what to spend your gift on, Karan?" It was a good question. I hadn't until just a moment before, but I was feeling ten feet tall after speaking my mind. "That depends.' "On?" he seemed genuinely interested now. "Well first," I considered, "I've got the stables all ready for the evening rush. Can I take the rest of the day off?" He thought a moment, "I... might need your help putting on Thunder's new shoes, but it can wait. I'm sure someone can fill in." "Well then," I turned to Vaiker. This would be harder. I knew he might laugh, but it would be a hollow jape if he did, "Where does Ameri live?" He was stunned enough at the question that he answered without thinking, "Farm just across Lake Figo, by the old ruined mill." Six miles then, at a guess, I reckoned the numbers as best I could, "Then I know," I nodded to Braigo, "I'm going to wash up, buy some flowers, and hire a carriage so I can get out there clean. And I'll see if she'd like to come back to town for dinner. I know a nice inn called Red Braigo's with the best stuffed potatoes you've ever tasted." I made a first attempt at one of Devann's sly winks and we all laughed together.