3 comments/ 10901 views/ 26 favorites The Afflicted Ch. 18 By: ShyChiWriter Votes and comments are always appreciated. Also, please do add the story or me to your favorites list if you are so inclined. Also, do check out my other stories here on Literotica. Thanks, as always, for reading. * * * * While the companions had been preparing in the governor's chamber, things had been very busy outside. Wave after wave had been arriving at the plain in front of the same crumbled temple of Saturn where Frederique had greeted the evening moon. With the assistance of the Elders' remarkable machines, groups of forty to fifty were arriving in the center of the huge field. There were several circular areas on the outskirts where deplaceurs were popping in with smaller groups. The ancient Roman theatre could still hold around three thousand people. Various Council members and other great minds of the Afflicted were supervising the activities of the many hundreds milling about. "Be sure to get the blood rations out," said Peregrine. "We can't have Afflicted snacking off their neighbors now, can we?" Elsewhere, Hypatia was considering the seating sections. "Of course, the Elders get their own section," she said. "But as to the mortals, I think it will go better if we mix them up with us." Reports of the true numbers started coming in and Patroclus found himself besieged from all sides, including by Sigrid. "These are the numbers, Patroclus," she said. "Between day-helpers and Elders, we are over capacity by nearly seven hundred. The theater seats three thousand and we are approaching three thousand seven hundred. Where do you want me to put them? Who do you want me to make sit outside of the theatre?" Patroclus viewed her with an amused expression. "My dear Sigrid. What is the most common gift among the Afflicted?" "Flight, but..." "So where do you think you could put a people if you were out of space on the ground." "Well, I would...never mind." She scurried off to make new arrangements. The theatre was filled. The Elders had a place of honor in the lower right hand portion of the seating. The rest of the seats were filled with much intermingling between the day-helpers and the Afflicted. It was actually a lovely opportunity for the Afflicted to mix with the mortal helpers who were integral to their way of life. Many day-helpers were particularly thrilled to be sought out by fliersecause. Resi, Glennis's attendant, could almost feel her heart leap from her chest when a handsome flier who called himself Oppo swooped down and offered her his hand. She would watch the rest of the proceedings from a vantage point fifty feet above the ancient seating. Trumpets sounded and all talking ceased as the crowd stood. Seven members of the Council were fliers. On cue, they swooped in from the sky and descended to the stage. Each Council member carried a lantern. Just as their feet hit the stage, the five remaining Council members appeared in the gaps between them, set there by deplaceurs who delivered them without ever being seen themselves. The crowd applauded until Patroclus gestured for them to be silent. All on the stage except Patroclus sat, and the crowd (those in seats) followed suit. "My friends," he began, "and I truly mean that word -- 'friends'. We are gathered here today to celebrate and to give thanks. Less than a week ago, our way of life and our very world was at the brink of destruction. How much peril, few of us realized at the time, but tonight we will learn how close we all came to annihilation." He went on with some general formalities; official greetings and the like that politicians the world over are always obligated to do. When he was done with his eloquent speech, he turned to the matter at hand. "Now, it is time to welcome our saviors who risked all so that we might be here today." The crowd stood again. There had been no command or suggestion; they simply rose. Backstage, the Seven waited. Beside them stood Galen who was waiting to be called to testify about the events that had taken place. Lights from one of Franz's inventions flooded the stage. Frederique started to step forward, but she was held back by her mates. "You will stay here," said Abby's voice in Frederique's mind. "No, we will enter together,"insisted Frederique. "It isn't up for debate,"said Claude's voice, forcefully."We will enter first, you will follow. We listened when you said we should make them wait.Youwill listen to us when we say you deserve your own entrance." Frederique lowered her eyes in acquiescence. Her mates wished it to be so; she would obey. The six youths started forward and stepped into the light. The crowd gasped at their beauty. Even the young men were 'beautiful' if one considered that term from an aesthetic point of view. Handsome, too, of course, but the six of them could have been statues carved by the finest sculptors of any great culture. The fact they were living and breathing statues made them even more wonderful to behold. It was clear that the tailor and dressmaker had known what they were doing. Each of the young men was dressed in the perfect style for his look and personality. Martin's suit called to mind the fashions of the prior century, but with many modern flourishes. Claude's suitcoat accentuated his broad shoulders, but with an open shirt that hinted at the muscled chest below. Jacob's clothing tapered from his feet to his shoulders, and was of a shimmering green that complemented his red hair and lighter features. His sister stood next him, and though they wore similar colors, their contrast was notable. She was more than a head shorter than him and was round in every way that he was straight. Her ample breasts were accentuated by the perfect curve and cut of her dress. Interestingly, the dressmaker had chosen not to reveal any cleavage, but hehadleft fabric out in her midriff and that glimpse of skin proved even more tantalizing for anyone interested in what Abby had to offer (and a there were agreatmany interested.) Like Jacob, Glennis had also been attired to emphasize her lithe and long form. The skirt of her gown was slit to the thighs. When standing, it revealed nothing, but when she walked, hints of her incredibly long legs peeked out. Florian had taken his inspiration from a sketch of an Egyptian dress he had once seen. At Glennis's insistence, her neckline plunged deeply to reveal her newly burgeoning breasts. Aimée had been given boots with heels and the added height gave her a regal presence. She held her head proud and high. This brought focus to her magnificent long neck. Dressed in a slightly lighter red than her mother, the fabric cast an almost russet tone on her light brown skin. Her breasts seemed to want to fly out of the fabric of her bodice and their roundness seemed to glow from within. For all of the sensual nature of their clothing, there wasn't a stitch or an opening that wasn't tasteful. Each piece was suited perfectly to the person who wore it. The applause was deafening. Though few people in the audience knew the complete story, they knew that the people standing before them had saved their kind. The six took in the applause with gratitude and when it died down they turned and gestured to Frederique who stood beyond the lights. Frederique was about to step forward, but something felt wrong. She saw Galen's beaming face who was gesturing for her to step forward and she knew what it was. She walked to him and took his arm in hers. "You're coming with me," she said. "What? Gods no!" he said. "This is your moment." "This moment wouldn'tbeif it weren't for you. Now come on, you old coot." "It wouldn't be as pretty," said Galen. "All of you beautiful people and me. I would spoil the picture." "Now Galen," she admonished him. "You are more than handsome and you must know it is your mind that makes you the most attractive man of our kind." "Poppycock." "Dear Galen, this is not the time or the place. Right now, you are coming with me. I'll have Abby compel you to come with me if need be -- and with our new strength, she could do it." Galen acquiesced. The crowd beheld Frederique first and the cries that flew from their mouths left them hoarse. There had never been such a beauty; nor such a warrior. It was almost as if the fabric of her dress was electrified, for a nimbus glowed around her. The artists indeed had their work cut out for them to recreate the vision before them in paintings to follow. When it seemed the ovation would never stop, she turned and gestured to beyond the lights. When Galen appeared, the noise grew even louder. Swords were rattled, trumpets blared, and people's hands were sore from clapping. Frederique took Galen's hand and lifted him from the ground to float him above the stage. It was not in the great physician's nature to accept such attention, but he managed to bow his head in gratitude. Eight chairs appeared behind the companions and they all took a seat. At last, Patroclus held up a silencing hand and everyone on the stage took their seats. "We have had a rough few weeks of it," he said. "Further, the tale of what has happened is not complete for most of us. Hypatia and her friends have researched these horrible events and have reconstructed the sequence as well as she could. Hypatia, if you will." Hypatia, resplendent in scholarly robes, stood up and recounted what they now knew. How Arnet's mother had escaped after Frederique had destroyed Jacinto. How Arnet had schemed and learned and patiently infiltrated the Vatican to form the black guard with the serum he had perfected. From there, he had continued his slow, persistent march toward conquest -- and all the while he had been seeking Frederique. The Council had not known exactly what it was, but they had suspected enough that their reasons for transporting Frederique's family by ship had been justified. Hypatia went on to describe the events in New York and the shameful lapse in security that had allowed the deplaceurs, their most prized resource, to infect the Council and from there nearly their entire kind. Also, she told of Arnet's horrific practice of draining all of the blood from people, filling his body to a near corpulent burst, and using that fluid to supply his fighters to infect others. The battles of New York were detailed and analyzed, all the way up to the point where Frederique was taken. "From there," said Hypatia, "I think is best to hand this story over to Galen. He can shed the most light on the details of our salvation." Galen stood and paused thoughtfully. "I was infected," he said. "When the skirmish washed through the hearing, I knew I had been taken. However, I was able to stop it. Before the fight I skulked away and found a hiding place where I stopped the flow of blood as much as I could. In my studies of the Norwegian bat, and bears and squirrels, I had learned the trick of slowing my system to almost nothing." The fascinating thing about Galen was the way he stated this feat matter-of-factly. The crowd buzzed in wonder, but he didn't even notice and continued his tale. "Having nothing else to do, I meditated on the events transpiring around us. I knewthat our four wonders here were part of the key. I also knew that Frederique held part of the puzzle. Glennis, however, this fair beauty, occupied the center of my thoughts. I had studied her system and it was fantastic. At the same time, and no offense to our new friends, her body was lacking something. Humanity and the Afflicted have been advancing, constantly changing. For over three myriad -- thirty millennia -- the Elders have been static. Pristine? Yes. Pure? Absolutely. Their systems are beautiful, their powers are gentle but impressive, and above all their knowledge is vast. Yet, with all of this knowledge, the lack of diversity in their systems had taken its toll. It seemed to me, that if the Affliction and the Elder strain could mix, it might create something wondrous." "I knew, though, that Glennis could not simply mate with an Afflicted. If we were to simply inject her with our blood or take her by a bite, her body would reject the Affliction immediately. However, if we were to concentrate the Elder cells with a mix of Afflicted cells -- as well as a human source to serve as a cushion between the two -- I thought there might be chance." Galen paused and shook his head in disbelief. "Here, my friends -- is where I step beyond the boundaries of any science I know. I could have spent ten years to find the proper mix of donors and I still could have easily gotten it wrong. Call it luck, call it fate, call it the hand of God. However, ifanyof the donors had been different, we would not be standing here today. I stand here, a man of science, and I tell you that I believe the prophecy of the Elders played a tangible role in this. Each strength of each donor balanced some weakness of the others. Even down to the fact that Glennis chose Frederique's cells as the seventh donor. The fact that there were two families involved made the cells seem more friendly to the Elder cells. Martin himself is also an innocent, of sorts, and his purity assisted in helping the Elder cells agree to cooperate. When that final injection was sent into Frederique's system, it completed a profound and deep bond that marked the beginning of a new race." "Explain that, if you will," interjected Patroclus. "How exactly did the serum get delivered to Frederique?" Galen turned to the companions. "Would one of you care to elaborate?" Claude seemed to be elected to the task and he stood to address the crowd. "There wasonefrightening moment," he said. "When we were being pursued in the air over the river and we saw the dampeners. We thought at that moment we might have been lost. However -- and this is hard to describe -- when we all became joined it was as if our minds were multiplied when we needed it. In that moment, when the dampener appeared, all six of us were thinking about the problem simultaneously. It felt like hours, like that moment when your life flashes before your eyes. Yet, in that moment we suddenly had a solution. In a flash, Martin reached out and reconfigured the dampeners so they still appeared to be on, but the field was harmless. We faked being stunned, and, if I say so myself, I invented a neat little trick that allowed us to hit the water without incurring any harm. We continued the ruse when they dragged us from the river. Martin readjusted the dampening collars they placed on us, also." "What about the blood?" asked Scaurus from a seat near the front. "We saw you injected with Arnet's blood." "We killed it," said Martin. "Before they got it to our necks, we flash-boiled the blood and cooled it again so there was nothing alive in it." "Just a point of interest," said Galen. "You needn't have worried about Arnet's blood. Your new systems would have crushed those cells almost before they were out of the needle." "The last piece of the puzzle was my mother," said Claude. "If we were magicians, it could have been called sleight-of-hand, but what we did was more like real magic. When they placed the syringe in my hand, Aimée 'jumped' the syringe which held our combined cells and swapped it with the one holding Arnet's infection. When I injected mother the effect was immediate. Though the six of us had taken a few minutes to adjust when we injected each other, our bond with her was instantaneous once our combined blood merged with hers." Frederique spoke up. "With my addition, we came to full strength. In the moment afterward, we immobilized the hundreds around Lyndhurst with little effort." Hypatia spoke. "Speaking of those hundreds, this brings us to the Elders. What no one saw except our saviors here, were the people gathered around us at that time. Loenshellen, this is your part of the story." The leader of the Elders, father of Glennis, rose from where he was seated with his kind and ascended to the stage. "First, I would like to say that we are overjoyed to be here this evening. We have studied your kind from afar, and it pleases us to greet you in this peaceful moment. Before I detail what we had prepared for such dire circumstances, I would like to put a question to all of you. How many of you would have taken your own lives first before succumbing to Arnet's contagion?" No hands were raised, but the nodding heads and the ominous silence was all the answer he needed. "Just as I thought," he said. "Were we in that situation, we would have done the same. Now, multiply that same sentiment times the billion-plus inhabitants of this world. Ask yourself what you would do to stop them from being enslaved to one man." The silence was still heavy with contemplation. "What Galen said is true," said Loenshellen. "We are a delicate race. In truth, our hyper-natural abilities are not as great as your own. We have some powers of levitation and relocation, among others, but the secret behind our strength is in our machinery. We have had thousands of years to perfect mechanisms which magnify our lesser strengths. Frankly, we have also created a few frightening weapons which we have never wished to use. It was just such a weapon that we were preparing at Lyndhurst. We were following the prophecy and every soul there, our own kind included, was within moments of perishing. It was only Kenloen who convinced us to wait a few moments more. We are glad that we did wait. Had Arnet triumphed, he would have been destroyed and we would have waged a war to stamp out the rest of your kind. As I say, we are grateful the prophecy has turned out in this way. We are glad to be here this night and count you as allies and friends." From there, Galen and Hypatia picked up the tale again. They detailed the healing process and sang the praises of the heroes once more. The tale was nearly done, but Abby interrupted. "We have one question," said Abby. "Who was the voice?" "What voice?" asked Galen and Loenshellen at the same time. "The voice. It spoke to us with very helpful instructions. Was it one of you?" Loenshellen shook his head. "No," he said. "Our laws are quite strict on this. The prophecy dictates that we were to give our daughter to the world, but we were forbidden to step into these affairs in any other fashion." "Well someone did," said Aimée. "And we wouldn't be here if they hadn't." "I know of no one who would do such a thing," said Loenshellen. There was a rustling in the ranks of the Elders. Kenloen stood and his people parted, leaving him standing alone. "It was I," he said. "I know we disagree on these points, but I also saw signs among the stars. They dictated that one of us should take a hand in these events." "I am saddened to hear that," said Loenshellen. "Then you must also know that the stars dictated you would leave us.'The helper shall be set apart. They shall dwell in loneliness for four and twenty turns before walking a path forever apart from his people'.Those were the words, set down thousands of years before you were born." "I know," said Kenloen. "I knew this before, but I also knew I was the helper foretold by the stars." "He is welcome among us," said Patroclus sadly. The fair young man walked silently away from his people and took a seat next to Palo and Scaurus, who greeted him with kindly smiles. "It seems, then," said Patroclus, "that we have reached the end of our tale. We only have one matter left to attend to: the author of all of this misery. My friends, would you please retrieve Arnet." Aimée nodded. This time it was the seven of them. They all winked out and were standing in the darkened room where they had left him. The Afflicted Ch. 18 Arnet was still bound to the table. He looked thinner, and of course he was near madness from blood-thirst. Worst of all, was the stench. It had been many days, and he had soiled himself countless times. "Oh my god," said Aimée, stifling a gag. "How will we deliver him this way? I'm certainly not going to take the time to bathe him." "I know," said Frederique. "I have just the thing." Pop. Arnet was naked. Every bit of clothing and filth was sent away from him. Pop.Arnet was gone.Pop. He was back, soaked with water and whimpering and moaning. "Nothing like a dip in Victoria Falls to get cleaned up," said Frederique. "Now we deliver him." A moment later, they were back on the stage in Dougga. Before them stood a dripping, naked Arnet. He was shivering and covered his privates. He would have been laughable if he weren't so pathetic. "Bring him blood," ordered Frederique. "We need him in a lucid state for sentencing." A vial of blood was retrieved and Arnet swallowed it hungrily. The strength it gave him returned a hint of his arrogance to his eyes, but what he heard next removed any trace of confidence. "Arnet," said Patroclus. "You stand before us a guilty man. This is no trial. Your victims stand around you. Your crimes are undeniable. What remains to the Council is to decide whether your punishment should be swift or slow." "I will bite you again," growled the pathetic man. "I will find a way to bind you to me again. If it is not the Afflicted, I will take the mortal world. Trust me, I will find a way." "How will you do that?" asked Galen. "We are all immune. We have created a vaccine that destroys your cells and prevents them from ever returning. Our new counter-serum for the mortals did much the same thing. Were you to inject anyone in New York, they would not be turned." Arnet said nothing, but his eyes flared in fear. He knew Galen was speaking the truth. "Fair Glennis asked that your life be spared," said Patroclus. "Out of deference to her, we agreed. Hypatia, our fine scholar and expert in the law has suggested a sentence for you. Three centuries ago, we had to deal with the abomination of Elizabeth Bathory. Our solution was to lock her away, alone in a tower. We will do the same for you. You will be placed in a secret location where you will live out your days, alone. Safeguards will be placed so no one can reach you. You will have the means to sustain yourself through a small crop. It will be a simple life and more than you deserve. Or, we could kill you now. What do you say?" Arnet was silent and finally spoke through gritted teeth. "I accept your terms," he said. "Good," said Patroclus. "We only have one more thing to take care of." Galen approached with a syringe. "In here is the same vaccine we used as a cure," he said calmly. "For us, it removed your tinge from our systems. For you, because it seeks out your native cells, it will remove the Affliction entirely. Any remnants of other cells in your system will simply die off naturally. With this needle, you will be mortal and human forevermore." "Not that," begged Arnet. "It is the only thing that is me." "Yes," said Patroclus sadly, "and thatonlything is what nearly destroyed our kind." Arnet did not struggle or try to run. He was surrounded by every last member of the Afflicted. He knew that if he tried anything, he would be instantly killed. Galen raised the syringe and placed the needle in the rat-like man's neck. It only took seconds before a rosy rash bloomed on his face. He gave a strangled cry and fell to his knees, defeated and Afflicted no more he lost consciousness. Patroclus thought of the location, a narrow, enclosed valley in the foothills of the Himalayas. He passed on the image to Abby and she gave it to her mates. Arnet awoke from his fever to see the walls which were hundreds of feet high which could not be scaled. He would never be seen again. "Now my friends, this adventure is truly at an end," said Patroclus. "Not quite," interrupted Frederique. "There is one more matter of business. As we all know, we have become mated, but it was without the approval of the Council. I would like to ask for that approval, officially." The Council cast concerned glances among themselves. It was Angelina, who finally spoke. "Frederique," she said. "I'm afraid that is something we can't do." The angry blush on Frederique's beautiful cheeks was undeniable. The entire audience could feel the rage emanating from her and in another few seconds, the entire Council might have been simply obliterated had Frederique's furor gone unchecked. Angelina rushed to the great woman's side and touched Frederique's arm tenderly. "Frederique. It is something we cannot do because we do not have the right." "What do you mean?" asked Frederique. "I mean, that the Council's power is over the Afflicted. You are no longer Afflicted. We have consulted with Galen. You are new. You are not Elders, you are not us. You are your own race, your own species for that matter. We hope to count you as friends, but our jurisdiction over you ended the moment Claude plunged that needle into your neck." "I see," said Frederique. Frederique was now pale. "Galen, is this true?" she asked. "We are no longer... but you are my kind, all I've ever known." "It certainly is, my lovely," said Galen. "You are now unique. As I mentioned, if you were to try mating with one of us, it would fail. However, I want you to also remember that I said you are fertile. You four women can begin having children as soon as you want, and they will be 'you' -- whatever it is you will be called." At his last words, Loenshellen had stood with an overwhelmed look upon his face. Glennis's mothers, too, had stood and a buzz was circulating among the Elders. "What is it?" asked Galen. "What did I say?" "Did you say that Glennis would have children?" asked Loenshellen. "Of course," said Galen. "I think her system may take some time to fully adjust to this new form, but after that she can have children whenever she likes. Why do you ask?" "Because she couldn't before," said Loenshellen. "This is a secret we had not shared. Ever since we left the valley, children have been growing fewer. In truth, only the last inhabitants of our original valley were fertile. All subsequent generations have been long-lived, but unable to procreate. Glennis was the product of the last viable egg among our entire race. How difficult do you think this was for us then, when the prophecy said we must give her up? It foretold that,the wandering child will lead them to the replenished spring," but we never knew what that meant. Now we do. Though she is 'new', it gratifies us to no end to know that our line will continue. Thank you. Thank you to Galen, and to all of the Afflicted for this gift." After this momentous revelation, the crowd was abuzz until Patroclus stepped forward once more. "These past weeks have been filled with miraculous events," said Patroclus. "Something within me wonders if instead of the end, this just the beginning of many more adventures. For now, we can simply offer our eternal gratitude to these seven, and Galen. Whatever you need, we will give. No gift will be denied, no favor refused." "No gift will be denied, no favor refused!" cried the entire assemblage. "Now, it is time to celebrate!" cried Peregrine. "The city below us has been prepared. One week of festivities. Drinking, drunkenness, and debauchery. If you don't participate and if you leave before that time is up, you'll have me to answer to!" A final cheer went up from the crowd and it was louder than before as the seven were escorted through the crowd and back to the governor's chamber. The companions filed into the Governor's Chamber. When the door closed, and shut out the beginning sounds of revelry outside, they found their minds in a curious overwhelming haze. "We are 'new'!" exclaimed Glennis. "I can have children! I didn't know I couldn't, but now that I do -- when should we start?" Martin also seemed excited, but the other five seemed more somber, especially Frederique. "What's wrong?" asked Glennis. "Don't you see how wonderful this is?" "You're right," said Abby. "It is. It is beyond wonderful. The problem is: we are alone." "Oh," said Glennis. "I suppose that's true. I guess it doesn't bother me as much because I've always been alone. To be one of seven -- and such a wonderful seven -- I think it is magnificent." "I, too," agreed Martin. "I mean, I suppose I was one of a billion when I was simply human, but I always worked alone in my shop. Plus, we won't always be alone. There will be children." The four siblings turned their thoughts inward. They realized that much of what they were feeling was absurd. The thought of never having another bloodmate outside their group: who cared? They loved each other beyond measure and couldn't foresee ever needing anyone else. Even the idea of one of them dying was a silly proposition. They were now as close to immortal as anyone could ever be. The brothers and sisters seemed ready to be at peace with their new status. Frederique, with her six centuries, was having the most difficulty adjusting. She brushed tears from her cheeks. "I had a friend once," she said. "She was a devout Catholic but she was also a day-helper. The local priest started suspecting the family she was helping and demanded that she tell him everything she knew. She refused and she was excommunicated. Bell, book, candle, all of it. I took her from that place. I can still remember her anguish at being denied something that was so deep a part of her. A month later, she joined the Afflicted. It still took her years to recover and she still attended evening mass at least once a week -- though she never took communion again. For the first time, I understand how she felt. I'll... I'll be fine. This will just take a little while to absorb, that's all." A gentle knock came at the door and Resi poked her head in. "My lady," she said. "We were wondering if we could help you change into your evening wear?" "Of course," answered Glennis. "Come in." They were soon changed into their new evening attire and ready to venture out into the underground city beyond the Governor's Chamber. * * * * Because it was in their honor, the next week was actuallynotthe honeymoon they might have hoped for. In a way, it was more like an endless wedding reception. As they traversed the streets of the underground city, they were constantly met by stares and wonderment. They also kissed countless necks, which were offered to them in the ultimate gesture of deference known among the Afflicted. They were invited to party after party, meeting after meeting. To have an audience with one ofThe Seven, as they were soon known, was something highly sought after. They found themselves placed in the category of celebrity or royalty. Eventually, they had to call on one of Hypatia's students to help them schedule their time. The Elders lingered for a short time. They attended a few more social events, but seemed to be mostly sexless and almost prudish. The overt sexuality of the Afflicted seemed to bother them after a time and they all soon returned home. The one exception was the banished Kenloen, or Ken, as he was generally called. He was a particularly popular young man. He might have been sterile, but his equipment certainly worked; which well over a dozen girls could attest to. In terms of the Seven, their thirst had not abated. It wasn't unusual for one of the girls to find herself thrown into a dark corner and have her bodice pushed down so one of her mates could have a quick drink. Or, one of the boys might find himself deplaced away to a closet where his partner could slake her thirst kneeling in front of him. The boys also continued discovering their new, adaptable members and their mates had no complaints. All of the companions learned to hydrate themselves very well due to the large amounts of delicious fluids they were producing. The men continued coming in great volumes, and the women's full breasts certainly needed replenishment. The 'proportional achievements' of the boys were still a simple rumor. A few people had gotten wind of the phenomenon, but it was yet to be verified. The Seven thought decided to keep it that way for the time being. They actually didn't see that much of their old friends from the dorms, who seemed to be keeping themselves busy -- many of whom had taken mates in confinement. Oppo was certainly busy, and they learned he had taken a shine to Glennis's dresser, Resi. While he had his share of 'required' Afflicted lovers, he developed a habit of calling on Resi for his daily ration of blood. They didn't know about it until the fourth day, when Resi cringed a bit after brushing against Glennis while helping her get dressed. "Whatever is wrong?" asked Glennis. "Nothing, my lady," said Resi. Glennis forced the issue though, and Resi finally confessed. The quiet young German girl rolled up her sleeve to reveal several cuts on her arm. They noticed she was also quite pale and she confessed that Oppo had quite a thirst. "He says I'm too delicious to stop," she said. "How can I say no to that? Besides, he drinks when he is inside of me. When he is filling me with his lovely manhood I'm helpless to say anything at all." "Send for him at once," insisted Aimée. "No. I'll find him." She jumped away, found him, and a moment later, a confused Oppo was standing before a disgruntled 'jury' of women, including Frederique. "What do you mean by this?" demanded Aimée, rolling up Resi's sleeve. "I..." stammered Oppo. "Don't you know how sick you can make her?" chastised Abby. "It's called anemia." "But..." Oppo said, still unable to get a word in. "Young man, I had heard such good things about you," said Frederique. "Where are your manners? Our kind has a reputation. Explain yourself." He said nothing. "Well?" said Frederique. "Can I speak now?" "Yes, do." "I love her," said Oppo. "I can't help it. All of the young Afflicted girls I could have and she's the one who captured my heart." "Well, when are you going to make an honest woman of her?" "I'd planned on applying for her joining us at the end of the week," he said. "However, I know it won't be easy. Too many people lost mates and I know they want us to mate among our kind, first." "Ridiculous," said Aimée. Within a half an hour, they had Galen, Peregrine, and two other Council members in a room, along with Oppo and Resi. Aimée was coming into her own and it seemed she would be giving her mother a run for her money when it came to assertiveness. "No gift denied, no favor refused. Correct?" asked Aimée of Peregrine. "Of course," he said. "Then allow them to mate. Now." "There are papers," objected Peregrine. "Proceedings, and so on;andI have more drinking to do." "No favor refused," repeated Aimée. "That was your promise. Galen, how are they matched." Galen shrugged and put a hand on each of them. "Wonderfully," he said. "Oppo's a flier. She'd become... a healer, if I surmise correctly. This is an easy match. No mysteries here. " "Good then," said Abby, picking up where Aimée left off. "Sign the papers, make it so. It's a favor." An hour later, Oppo and Resi were flying above the opulent beds of the main portion of the Governor's Chamber. The companions lent it to them for their honeymoon night. Oppo was in need of a new mortal bloodnurse, but he had no regrets. * * * * That same evening, they ran across Scaurus who had made it his personal mission to run the final security sweeps. He still felt so guilty about having allowed himself to be turned that he wouldn't rest until every loose end was tied up. He made it his habit to report to them every day just before sundown. "How are things going?" asked Frederique. "Very well," said Scaurus. "Believe it or not, we have accounted for all but two. Two swimmers. One was Sean, who was last known to be helping with the water supply." "I know him," said Abby. "He's... lovely." "Is he now," said Claude, recognizing what 'lovely' meant. "Oh, yes," she said. "If I could get him into the pool in the Governor's Chamber, now that would be time well spent." "Anyway," said Scaurus. "We're also missing Jessamine. She was last seen in the underground mansion just before Hypatia struck." "Oh dear," said Frederique. "Oh dear, indeed," said Claude. "Now, if you want to talk about lovely." "Agreed," said Jacob. "Well," said Abby, "since we both seem to know their 'loveliness' first-hand, I should be able to find them." She reached out with her mind. Her face screwed up with concentration for several moments and then she sighed with a smile. "Interesting," she said. "I've found them. They are safe and... hiding, together I believe. They are deep underwater. It seems that the liquid shields them in a way and it makes it hard to pinpoint them. No, wait, I see that they have taken up residence in a water pumping station in New York City. With the water around them, I can't reach them entirely so I can't let them know it is safe to return." "Well, at least they are safe," said Scaurus. "That's enough to go on. We'll find them and bring them back in." * * * * One person who had been conspicuously missing was Palo. They had last seen him at the opening audience of the Conventus. Scaurus assured them he was fine. Palo had felt even more guilty than Scaurus at his involuntary betrayal of his family. He had been instrumental in rounding up rogue mortals who had been trying to use the knowledge they'd gained while serving Arnet. Frederique suspected Palo's reasons might also have something to do with his grappling with the new scenario; his former mate was goneandshe was mated to their son. For someone recently turned (relatively speaking) this would indeed be a shock to the system. At last, the week ended and people began returning to their homes. It had been too long since a Conventus, and the week had been beneficial for all. The Council had been busy, with nearly thirty new matings and at least as many undergoing evaluation. A tired and happy community returned to their homes with new friends and lovers, as well as a feeling that there were brighter times to come. After the last group was transported away, the companions found themselves alone once again, standing at the abandoned Temple of Mercury outside of the Governor's Chamber. "Where now?" asked Jacob. "We can stay here," said Frederique. "The Council said they will appoint it as we wish and staff it as well. In truth, it is only a place to sleep. Where we travel to is obviously unlimited." "Oh, I'm not just going to sleep," purred Glennis. "It's been averyfrustrating week. I'm a newlywed, or newly-mated, after all. I need something very badly, and a lot of it." Her hands were already caressing both Jacob and Martin, who she was standing between. They all raised their heads at a shift in the air. They quickly knew who was approaching. "Brolly," they said to each other in their minds. The next moment, the jovial English deplaceur appeared before them. "Hello lovelies," he said. He handed an envelope over to them. "Nice to find you all here. I come with an invitation. Your father and his new mate Seiko have purchased the great mansion below Manhattan. As a housewarming, they are hosting aliaisongangento which you are cordially invited. I hope to see you there." He winked out again. "Oh my," said Frederique. She looked at the envelope with some trepidation. Tears were brimming in her eyes. The Afflicted Ch. 18 "Mother, are you alright?" asked Aimée. "I am," she said. "It is just odd. I knew this day was coming. Of course it was. It is just so final. The chapter is closed. My darlings, please don't think this is anything against you." She wept softly for a few moments before steeling herself again. She raised her chin proudly, defying any more tears to escape from her eyes. "To focus on the positive; he is mated to Seiko, one of the loveliest women I could hope for him. They are well suited in nature and she is a fierce fighter." She looked at the invitation again. "How simply marvelous. There is to be a liaisongangen." The others looked at her, unsure of the word. "It's another Afflicted word, likewakneturst,"she explained. "Liaison for 'link', or 'union' in French, andgangenlikely from indgangen, from 'entrance' in Danish. It is a term used for a group mating reception. It happens rarely, only when many couples have been bloodmated at around the same time. I have to say that I am impressed with Seiko for being so astute. This is the perfect occasion." "What happens at a 'liaisongangen'asked Aimée. Frederique gave her daughter a sly look. "The better question to ask is whatdoesn'thappen, daughter. Just you wait." * * * * Votes and comments are always appreciated. Also, please do add the story or me to your favorites list if you are so inclined. Also, do check out my other stories here on Literotica. Thanks, as always, for reading.