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Brian's Adventures Ch. 01

By: tempter



Chapter One: The Calling Of The Road

I would not consider myself a greedy or selfish person, rather the opposite. I'm the type who looks out for others around me at the cost of myself. I have never wanted castles or other frivolous flights of fancy that Lords and Kings consider important. I have always been a good God-fearing man and have tried to live my life as he would want me to. In truth all I ever wanted was to be happy and live a good life. I didn't want to be rich or powerful, that just wasn't me. I never shied away from my duty or hard work and I still don't. I still am at heart what I always was, the son of a simple peasant farmer. I just had a run of luck I suppose; some good, some bad, but I assure you it was mostly good times even in troubled times. 

I never wanted power because I didn't like what power seemed to do to people. When I was a young man still living at home I saw routinely the way that the local Lord behaved and wanted none of such things. It was not until much later that I realized that it was more the character of the man that dictated how he reacted to power. A good man might handle power better than one that craves it, however rarely does one who does not seek power get it thrust upon him.

I craved no riches either because that seemed to rot the soul and pervert the heart of the purest of men. I didn't love being dirt poor; I simply didn't want the lust for money that surely accompanied great wealth. Money can do wondrous things such as see that God's work on earth continues and surly no man can say that is evil. We all need money to a certain degree to feed our families and you cannot say that is an evil thing either. Surely it is not fair to hate a man whom God has blessed with more riches than you and I know this. However there are those men who are never satisfied with the wealth they have and constantly scheme and deal for ever more wealth. That lust for money is what soured me on the quest for money that many men spend their lives pursuing. 

However, I also saw that my father worked hard from sunup to sundown to carve out a meager existence for all of us. Somehow he seemed happy with his lot in life, though I doubt he ever truly was. As for me, I wanted more than to die a poor peasant farmer like countless men before me. I didn't care to be rich mind you, but I wanted a better life to be sure. My name is Brian Westlock and the story I am about to tell you as strange as it may seem, is true.

My father tended the small patch of land that his father had tended before him and his before him and so on back farther than I can imagine. A long line of men in our family had tended this little plot of land trying to feed his family, pay his taxes and serve God. There was no end of work to be done and little to show for it, though I rarely ever heard my father complain. 

My father was a man who did the best he could to provide for his family and his faith in God never wavered even in the hardest of times. He did the only thing he knew how and did the best that he could. At the time I thought he was a man who had given up on life, that he wanted nothing more than what he had. I doubt it was true, I doubt that he was truly happy being a peasant farmer, always one meal away from starvation. However, he seemed content with his life and I can see now how liberating that can be. I guess he believed that his life was as good as it was going to get so you might as well make the best of it. While it may seem like a limiting way to view life, for him he was making the best of a bad situation with a positive attitude. There is something to be said with being content with what God has given you.

At the time I saw my father as a petty tyrant, taking his daily frustrations out on me, while that may be the slightest bit true. I see now that he was trying to shape me into the man that he wanted me to be. I understood only years later that he was doing what he thought was best for me. I see now that he was trying to give me the skills and type of character I would need to make it in this hard life. Only now years after I last saw him do I fully appreciate the man that my father was. It was not until some time later that I fully appreciated the effect that he had on me, how he shaped me into the man I am. I never got the chance to thank him for that, I hope that he knew how I felt, that I respected him for that. 

I grew up in a small town near what I thought was a grand church, though modest it may be. The Local Lord built it more for his own glory more than his desire to be closer to God. However it did mean that there was a good church to attend on Sunday and good deal of learned men around. I spent many hours in the evening talking to the fathers about the distant places they had seen, I tried to learn as much as I could. One in particular took pity on me and taught me to read and write, something I was very proud of at the time. 

All in all I do remember mostly happy times from those days of my youth. There were hardships and hard work to be sure but looking back now I see things differently than I did when I was young. Now I mostly remember the happy times spent with my brothers and sisters working that accursed piece of ground. Looking back I remember the pleasant things about that little town and the humble farm that I'm sure looks much the same today as it did when I left.

The local Lord was not as nice or generous as people would have liked him to be but I doubt he was as cruel and heartless as they gave him credit for. The taxes he levied were crippling and it would take generations to get even the slightest bit ahead. I never once saw him show the slightest bit of compassion or remorse when he tossed a family off his lands, taking everything they had for "unpaid taxes". However, I can only guess the number of "sob stories" he must have heard on a daily basis, you must get numb to it after a while. 

Happily though, the local lord was not a power-hungry one. All he wanted was for you to pay your taxes and he would leave you alone for the most part. It was a small blessing but at least you were not marching off to your death so he can gain power and influence in some far off place. Many Lords of the time were like that and thankfully our Lord was not.

As I got older, things didn't settle quite right with me, I was happy on one level but yet I was not satisfied. I couldn't explain it, I loved my family and my home but yet something was pulling at me to leave. I felt more and more out of place the older I got. That is an odd feeling to have about the only home you have ever known. I started to get the feeling that God had other plans for me; I started to get the feeling that I was not meant to stay at my home. I guess it was inevitable, sooner or later I would have left regardless I see that now. By the time I was a young man of twenty, my heart yearned to see lands outside the humble hamlet that had been my home. 

At the time I was not that bad to look at, after all I was a relatively young man. At the time that my story begins, I was somewhat of a handsome man for my years, or so I have been told. However, the ladies that have told me that were all those that loved me, so their opinion may be a bit biased. While I may have not liked farming, the hard work that farming demands had kept my body in fit and trim shape. My light brown hair was short and trim, most definitely off the shoulders. My eyes are still a grand and glorious blue, much to the delight of the ladies who have looked into them, (or so they say). As I have been told my face is perhaps slightly on the plain side but not homely or hard on the eyes. Although it has been said that my face was even nicer to look at on back then and that is understandable. As for the more personal regions of my body I may want to shy away from such discussions but I know that you're curious. Well let's say that my cock while being of average length (about six inches), it is slightly thicker than most men's cocks. The ladies I have pleasured over the years have not complained about my equipment. 

I remember the day I left like it was yesterday and while I had hoped to leave that day, it was not intended to be the way it turned out. It was a cool spring morning, the sun was shining and a warm breeze blew lightly out of the east as it always had. The sweet sent of the wildflowers from on the hill and just beyond is something I will always remember. The tall grass and grain blowing to and fro on the wind was a peaceful thing to see. I paused for a moment at Mr. Osterant's door looking at the view afforded by the hilltop house. 

Mr. Osterant was the local Merchant of many things, and the most successful man in our little corner of England. He was not a rich man by many standards, but in comparison to my father he seemed as rich as a King. I was intrigued with him from a very young age. I got to know him as I hung around his house and shop. I was greatly interested in what he did, considering it was not farming. As far as merchants go he was a kind and good man, though he knew the value of a coin to be sure. At a young age he was a hero of mine you might say, and I was trying to have him take me on as an apprentice.

"Can I help you?" A pleasant voice asked from behind me. 

"Yes, is Mr. Osterant in?" I inquired respectfully to the tall woman who stood in the door of the beautiful house. 

It was Mrs. Osterant standing before me with her once chestnut brown wavy hair that was now mostly gray drifting slightly on the light breeze. Her soft smooth skin now started to show a few more wrinkles than I'm sure she would have preferred but she was still a pretty woman. She carried a few extra pounds on her tall and still somewhat slender frame and her once high and proud breasts sagged a bit. In despite all of these telltale signs of age she never turned bitter or lamented at the loss of her youthful body. 

She was a woman who remained as nice, and kind as she ever was and always had a smile for you when she saw you. I always admired her and liked her genuinely jovial nature in despite of anything that was happening around her. She was a woman who went out of her way to see that you were happy and well taken care of before giving a thought to herself. 

"He left earlier this morning for London." Mrs. Osterant replied with a concerned look on her face yet trying to hide it. "Is there something I can help you with?" Mrs. Osterant inquired as she put her hand on her hip and held an inquisitive look about her. 

I was hurt and a little upset, he had promised to take me with him on his trip to London. He was going there on business and had promised to make me his assistant. I didn't understand why a man I respected and claimed to be a God-fearing man would break his word to me. He had not done so before and this new development troubled me and seemed to be out of character for the usually honorable man. He seemed so certain and genuine in his assertion to take me on, what had changed I wondered as I looked into the face of his beautiful wife.

I was looking forward to the journey, I wanted to see far off lands and learn some kind of profession, anything but farming. The only thing I was certain of was that I did not want to be a farmer. I had little idea of what I wanted to be or what God had in store for me but I hoped it was not farming. A peasant farmer was the one thing I was certain that I didn't want to be. I had had my fill of farming and didn't want to work another patch of ground as long as I lived. 

"I don't understand Mrs. Osterant, he promised to take me with him to London. He told me he was going to take me on as his assistant." I said looking down and feeling dejected. 

I felt trapped in a place I didn't belong in anymore I was feeling like my last ticket out of this town was gone. I was beginning to feel the hills close in on me, the only town I had ever known as home began to feel too small to me. I started to feel restless and agitated, like I was behind schedule though nobody had given me the schedule I was to stick to. 

"I know you were looking forward to the trip Brian." The kind older woman said with genuine sorrow in her voice. "He did tell me to let you know how sorry he was that things did not work out as you both had planned." She added with a bit of compassion. "Certain . . . complications had arisen at the last minute, that's all." Mrs. Osterant finished evasively and dismissively.

"Complications? What complications?" I asked prying a little, doubting that I was being told the whole truth as yet. "Well you understand, things being what they are this year." She said fumbling with her hands and her words. "Perhaps he can take you with him next time." The woman spoke as she looked at me with a bit of hope sparkling in her blue eyes. "I am sorry, it just wasn't meant to be this time." She finished and put her hand on my shoulder in an effort to comfort me from the saddening news. 

"But things are fine this year." I asserted a little more forcefully than I needed to. "There are plenty of hands to see the work be done." I replied disbelievingly with a twinge of indignation. "Who said things were too hard for me to go?" I asked half knowing the answer, my blood boiling under my skin. I still tried to keep a civil tongue in my head for she had not wronged me. 

"Your father came by and had a talk with us last night." A now quite nervous and uncomfortable Mrs. Osterant said. "He seemed to think that it would be best for everyone if you were not to go this time." She said before turning to leave. "If there is nothing further, I have other things to attend to." She finished and looked quite perturbed about the whole unpleasant business. 

"Thank you M'lady." I said respectfully before turning to leave, knowing not to press the matter further with her. 

I was still quite upset and angry with my father as I made my way down the hill toward his stall at the town market. He had said more than a few things in recent weeks trying to discourage my attempts to be Mr. Osterant's assistant. Now however he had interfered and had gone too far so I was going to let him know my displeasure. As I approached his stall he smiled at me but that smile trickled away the longer he looked at my angry face. 

"Hello lad, you're just in time to lend a hand selling our cabbages!" He said in hopes to distract my focus from my anger. "How would you like to run the shop?" He said with a broad smile as he indicated the stand he was at. 

It was little more than a box turned on its end and dressed up a little. It was in the heart of the modest market where everyone bought and sold what they had to make a few coins. In truth most of the money that changed hands here would go for taxes. However it was the modest bit of commerce, we had there. Most times we would barter with each other for what we needed. If you wanted anything that was not at the market, you spoke to Mr. Osterant. 

Mr. Osterant would buy whatever crops we couldn't sell locally and haul them to London and sell them there. Then he would pick up anything that you wanted and haul it back here and sell it to you. He made money both ways but made you think he was losing money both ways. He was not hurting for cash to be sure, however he was not much better off than the rest of us, it just appeared that way.

"Why did you tell Mr. Osterant that I wasn't going with him to London?" I demanded with a stern look that scared away a lady who was about to talk to him. "Now son, I know you were looking forward to that trip, but your place is here with your family." He said in a soothing tone of voice, trying to comfort me in my time of disappointment. 

"I don't want to be a farmer father! I want to make something of myself." I replied curtly, my eyes still held his as I glared at him, not hiding my anger in the slightest.

"You don't need to leave to make something of yourself son." Father said in a most upbeat tone as he put his arm around me and kept one hand on the market stand. "How would you like to run your own shop eh?" he added in a most excited tone of voice. "Why would you want to chase after that Mr. Osterant doing his bidding when you can run your own shop right here. And . . . and you will be helping out your family as well." My father said and paused for a moment before continuing in a more subdued tone. "I can't spend all my time at the market, and I can't be in two places at once. So I need someone I can trust, someone who is mature and has a head for commerce lad." My father stopped and looked me in the eye. "I need you son. I need you to run the shop here so I can look after things at the farm." He finished off and waited for me to say something. 

I thought for a moment over what he had to say and in truth it changed little about what I was upset over. It was a generous offer I suppose and it was the best thing he had to offer me. As I pondered what it would be like to stand there day after day trying to sell cabbages for a few coins I knew I wouldn't like it. I had convinced myself that I was unhappy with farming more than anything. In truth I didn't like it much but that was not the real reason I wanted to be Mr. Osterant's assistant. His trips to London were the real draw, the fact that he left town on a regular basis intrigued me more. I wanted to leave more than I wanted to be a merchant's apprentice.

It was at that point that I realized that if I wanted to leave and go to London, I could do that myself. For the first time in my life I realized that I was a free man, if I wanted to go to the city than I could do just that. I thought nothing of the long journey, the food needed, clothing, shelter or any other of the necessities. All I thought of was the simple fact that the only thing standing between London and me was the distance. At the time it seemed a simple matter to overcome, a simple jaunt down the road if you will. 

"No father." I said respectfully. 

"Don't answer now, give it a few days with me, I'll learn you up fine." My father said ignoring my refusal of his offer. "Give it a few days and you'll see it's truly the best thing." He said shaking me at the shoulder, trying to get me as excited about his idea as he was, it was not working.

"No father, I can't run the shop." I said regretfully, knowing I was going to hurt him. 

I didn't like the idea of letting him down and I knew I was doing just that but I felt more out of place than ever. I knew somehow that my life's calling lay somewhere down the road, far away from the place I grew up. While leaving my family and friends was hard to do, I knew deep down that it was the right thing to do. I had a sense of peace at that moment as I had finally made my mind up to leave my home and follow the calling of the road. 

"C'mon son, Mr. Osterant has left for London already. Work with me here at the market and when he gets back if you still want to tear after him." My father paused and swallowed hard once before continuing with a tear in his eye. "If you still want to tear after him when he gets back, I won't stand in your way." He said with a quivering lip and hidden, hurt look on his face. "What do you say lad? That's as fair and sensible offer as you can get. Listen to reason my boy. You can't do much until he gets back at any rate." My father waited for me to respond believing that his offer was the only sensible course. 

"You don't understand father, I don't belong here anymore." I said with a heavy heart and a sigh. 

"Of course you do!" My father responded with a confused look. "Your place is with your family and you know it!" He finished with a perturbed tone of his own trying to hide his own anger. 

"No father, I have to leave." I said firmly but with a strained heart.

"Don't be silly boy! Where would you go? What would you do?" My father said indignantly, with an angry tone that he tried to keep out of his voice but was unsuccessful to do so. 


Brian's Adventures Ch. 01



"To London where a man can do anything." I replied with a defiant look.

"Don't be silly boy, you're staying here and working the market and that's the end of it." My father decreed fully believing that he could order me to stay. 

"No father, I'm going to London." I said firmly as I turned to walk away from him. 

"Don't you walk away from me boy!" My father snapped; he had lost his cool and his anger roared to the surface. "I will not have you shirk your responsibilities boy!" He said as he grabbed my arm and turned me to face him. "You're my son and I won't have you abandon your family!" He snarled his displeasure and disappointment while looking me square in the eye.

"I'm going to London father and you can't stop me!" I said with cool determination in my voice as I glared back into his eyes staring him down. 

It was a long moment before anyone spoke and the tension was thick. We looked at each other deep in the eye waiting for the other to break. I knew that I could not stay there any longer; the time had come for me to leave. For better or worse my future lay over that hill and down the road. I could not give in to my father, though I loved him dearly and wanted his blessing, I could bend to his will this time. 

"Fine, go." My father snorted as he let go of my arm and turned to walk back to the market stand. "You'll be back." He said over his shoulder. "Go break your mother's heart before you leave." He said and didn't look at me again. 

"You must understand father, it's something I must do." I said standing there hoping for him to understand at least a part of it. 

"You still here?" My father said as he organized his cabbages while keeping his back to me. 

"I don't really want to go. All I know is that I feel out of place here." I continued, trying to leave things on better terms with my father. 

"Oh I see! We're not good enough for you is that it?" He replied with a hurt look as he turned to face me once more. 

"That's not it! All I know is that my future lay down that road!" I said while pointing to the road out of town. 

"Go chase your future than." My father sneered as he looked at me out of the corner of his eye. "I have work to do." He finished and than did not acknowledge my presence anymore.

"Goodbye father." I said with all the regret and pain of knowing I had hurt him so. 

Slowly I turned to walk to our house on the modest farm that was not that far from town. As I left he did not answer me, I never heard him say goodbye. A mile or two down the road it was and I remember the cloud of self-doubt that plagued me the whole trip. I remember walking to the place that was my home for as long as I knew for the last time. I looked at it long and hard wanting to remember every detail of it for years to come. I can still describe every last thing to you now, though I will not bore you with details that mean nothing to you. 

It was a small farm with a single room shack on it. How me and my six brothers and four sisters slept in that with my mother and father I don't know. The sad thing is that the animals had as good a shack to sleep in as we did, and about as large too. The older of my brothers and sisters were out working the fields when I came on them that morning. My mother was in the house with the younger ones making a meal and tending to other domestic duties. 

"Where've you been?" Shouted my eldest brother John. "There's work to be done." He gruffly continued; as I approached him as he was pulling some weeds from amongst the crops. 

"I had some things to attend to this morning." I replied calmly and I was about to continue but John cut me off before I could speak. 

"See to your personal business at night." John said hastily with a scolding tone of voice. "Now get to work or father will have your hide!" John finished with a little friendlier tone but still somewhat gruffly. He acted almost as if he were giving me advice for my own good that he strongly suggested I took, as older brothers tend to do. 

"I see you have the work well in hand John." I said with a smile, while indicating my siblings working in the field. "I'm heading to London to make something of myself." I said proudly while standing a little taller. 

"So old Osterant took you on did he?" John said looking unimpressed. I could see in his eye that he too felt I was making a mistake. 

"He would have, but he left this morning." I replied and paused for a moment to gather my nerve. "I'm going on my own." I finished, still looking as tall and proud as I could, trying to hide my self-doubts. 

"Excuse me?" John said now looking puzzled and wearing an expression that told me he thought I was an idiot. "What are you going to do, walk?" John asked with a chuckle and a shake of the head.

"What's up Brian? Where you been this morning?" Asked one of my other brothers as the rest of my siblings who were working the field gathered around. 

"Brian's walking to London, that's what." John snorted without taking his eyes off of me.

"You're leaving Brian?" Susan, my younger sister asked with a hurt tone. "Why?" She asked with pleading eyes, wanting to understand. 

"What's all this about?" My mother asked as she approached the small crowd that had gathered around me. 

"Brian's leaving and he won't say why!" Susan half-shouted in a tattletale way, as if she had caught me doing something I shouldn't. 

"What's this?" My mother asked curiously. "I thought Mr. Osterant left earlier this morning." My mother added with curiosity and a twinge of confusion in her voice. 

"I know that mother and I'm not going with Mr. Osterant . . . I'm going on my own." I said firmly as I looked into the eyes of my mother whose face went from curiosity to pale, then to a hurt and pained expression. 

"What?" She asked in a quiet voice, almost a whisper. 

"It's time I left mother. It's time I made my way in the world." I said with tears in my eyes as I tried to hold back the pain of the knowledge I was hurting my mother. "It's something I must do." I finished and swallowed hard, hoping that she would understand. 

"Why?" She asked with tears in her eyes and a heart-wrenching look on her face that tore at my heart. 

I thought for a moment on exactly what to say and had a hard time to come up with proper words. How could I tell her that the home she tried her best to make for her family was not good enough? How could I say to her that I found the place that had been my home all of my life felt too confining? How could I tell her that she couldn't understand the strange feeling that was calling me away from my home? I barely understood it myself. I sighed a heavy sigh as I realized that words were failing me. I had no words to describe how I felt, I had no way to make her understand and that hurt me deeply.

"I can't explain it." I sighed heavily and looked away in shame. 

"Try!" She demanded with an angry expression on her face as she grabbed my shoulder to get my attention.

"I don't belong here." I said and sighed once more. "I don't know why exactly. I can't explain it better than that." I looked back in her eyes and saw that her look had softened a touch. "I just know that I have to leave." I said with a hurt tone of my own. 

It hurt me to know that I was hurting my family; I didn't know why I had to hurt them to do what I felt I needed to do. I doubted that she understood fully or even partly, but at least she could understand that it was not being done out of anger. I respected and appreciated the fact that she didn't yell at me, rather she wanted to understand, needed to understand what was going on. 

"What did we do Brian?" Susan asked in a wavering voice while looking at me with piercing wet eyes. 

"Nothing dear, it's nothing anyone did. I'm not mad at anyone," I said as I stroked her head while looking back at her with a comforting smile. "It's just something I have to do" I added as I looked at her for a moment longer.

"But why?" My mother asked with a tear in her eye and an equally pleading look. 

"For some years now, I've had an unsettling feeling. A feeling deep down that won't let me be comfortable here." I said looking deep into her eyes before speaking again. "It started slowly and grew over time, now I know that while I love you all, and don't wish to leave; I know I must go to London." I said and fell silent. 

"I understand" My mother said after a brief pause. "I can't say I like it but at least I understand it . . . I think." She said with the barest of smiles and a puzzled look. 

"Thank you mother." I said as I embraced her and hugged her tight. 

"Are you absolutely sure about this?" She asked with a curious smile as she held my head in her hands while looking long and deep in my eyes. 

"I know that it's something I must do. I know it's a lot to swallow but I know I must go." I said with a sincere sigh as I looked at the faces of those around me once more. 

"When do you leave?" My mother asked, but the look on her face told me that she knew I would not delay my departure.

"I don't want to tarry any longer than I must, it is a long journey ahead." I said and bowed my head slightly as I said this; in truth I didn't want to drag out the good-byes 

"C'mon then, lets get a good meal in you at least." My mother said as she put her arm around me and guided me in our humble house for the last time. 

It was a good meal and I enjoyed the company of my brothers and sisters for that one last meal. It hadn't hit me entirely that I would not see them ever again. At the time I had intended to come back and visit once I had the time and money. I had hoped to go to London and make a success of myself and then come back the hero of sorts, the family rich man if you will. I had hoped to move my family to London once I could afford it. I had grand plans for myself in London, feeling that a grand life awaited me in the grand city. 

I left that day with a small pack of clothes, full stomach and a modest amount of food. I didn't get that far that first day, not much further than I had been myself on previous times exploring the region. I walked as long as I could, late into the night before I dropped from exhaustion. As I curled up under a tree by the side of the road the loneliness of my journey hit me. For the first time I realized that I was completely alone in the world, I did not have my family to help me when I ran into trouble. It was an unsettling thought but as I drifted off to sleep I comforted myself with the knowledge that I was on my way. 

As my journey wore on my food ran scarce and then completely out and I felt God's hand providing for me. I satisfied my hunger pangs with whatever I could find that was eatable. The occasional meal was not come by in the most honorable of ways but I hoped that heaven would understand the necessity and forgive me. I thanked john for the dagger he gave me before I left; it came in handy too. The odd time I had some small beast for dinner that had not been as quick as I at the crucial moment. I did not eat especially well on that journey, in truth I was not far from starvation. However that was a place that I had been a few times before, so I was not entirely panicked. 

Eventually though the journey came to an end and I found myself in London, praising God for delivering me to my destination. I was not comforted by my arrival though, I felt completely overwhelmed and lost in the grand city. I had no idea how large or crowded it was, the scale of it was humbling to a man coming from where I came from. I had no idea that cities were that large or grand. In truth it was dirty, cramped and a bit overwhelming to the son of a simple peasant farmer.

I never could find Mr. Osterant in London, the one thing he never told me was where he went in London. It was a big city and nobody had ever heard of Mr. Osterant, much to my dismay. I had hoped to at least have his help to get some suitable work with whatever contacts he had. I wanted to be an apprentice to a merchant but my lack of experience and no influential contacts make this difficult. I talked around and spoke to a few different people and soon enough found myself down at the docks. 

The only work I could get was loading and unloading the ships that came from all over. It was hard work and most nights I went home sore and tired but at least I could make a meager living at it. I had hoped to be working in a merchant shop before long but once I started to work at the docks that killed that idea. It seems that I was labeled as a laborer and not good enough for commerce. 

I knew that I was not much better off than I had been back on the farm, only now I was alone. I almost gave up and headed back to the farm, in order to return to the company of my family and friends. However, the look that I imagined on my father's face always kept me from heading home with my tail between my legs. 

Besides, something told me that my journey was not over and to press on. A little voice told me that whatever I was searching for was not yet within my grasp. I felt now that somehow it was God's will that I remain in London and press on with this journey, wherever it may lead me. The trouble was that I did not know just where this journey would take me and I had no clear idea of my destination. I had initially thought that London was my destination but this did not feel like the truth. That unsettling feeling had dimmed but not diminished and that in itself was troubling to me. 

I spent many hours trying to understand where I was to go from here. I wanted to do the right thing and follow where God wanted me to go but no clear direction was coming to me. For some reason my patience was being tested and for the moment I knew that I was to wait in London. Something told me deep down that the next stage of my journey would find me so alas I waited. 

I had been in London a year by this point and had still made few friends. My life was a dreary dull tedium of endless work, something I was used to but the loneliness in a sea of people I was not. I frequented the local pub not far from work, though I still had trouble making friends. I had drinking mates sure enough, but no steadfast friends, even after a year of being in London.

Worse yet was the fact that my financial situation had not improved in the slightest. I was still only a coin or two from homelessness and starvation so I could not afford to stop working. After a year of being in town I could not afford to return home even if I wanted to. The thought of returning home was bad enough, but to do so worse off than when I left was too much to bear. So I remained in a crowded, dirty place that also felt uncomfortable to me, treading water as it were, waiting for the next step in my journey. 

On one particular evening about this time I was drowning my sorrows and easing my pain in my usual tavern. I was at a table by myself, enjoying a meal and pint of ale while unwinding from work. I was mulling over my troubles and minding my own business when some pleasant looking young lass came over. Now I should tell you that I never was that popular with the ladies and had only been kissed on a few occasions. So you can imagine my delight when this lady came up to me and started a conversation. It was a pleasant diversion from my otherwise dreary evening. 

"You look like you could use some company. Would you mind buying a lady a drink or two?" Said this pleasant looking and slightly plump lass while making eyes at me.

"Certainly M'lady." I replied and tried to think of something to say as she sat down across from me.

"You here alone handsome?" She asked with a friendly smile.

"Yes." I admitted and fumbled with my words for a moment. "I'm Brian." I said, looking her in the eye briefly, not sure of what to say or do. 

"I'm Greta." She smiled back. "So where are you from?" She asked inquisitively. 

"You wouldn't know it?" I said with slight embarrassment.

"So you're not from around here are you?" Greta asked with a sparkle in her eye.

"No." I blushed. "I grew up in a small country town, hardly a town really." I laughed nervously. "More like a collection of shacks near a church." I finished with a chuckle and a shake of my head. 

"You got a girl in town or something?" Greta asked with heightened interest while waiting for my response with curiosity.

"No." I admitted nervously with a chuckle as I tried to cover my nervousness.

"A handsome fella like you? I bet you have the gals all clamoring for your attention." Greta said with a knowing look and a wink. 

"No, not me." I said now uncomfortable with the whole conversation.

"Well, I bet you have a large group of mates eh?" Greta said in an effort to lighten the mood up, sensing my tension and uneasiness. 

"I don't seem to make friends well in this town." I admitted with an equally embarrassed manner.

"I find that hard to believe Brian. You seem like a decent fella to me." Greta said with a smile as she reached out and took my hand in hers. 

"Thank you." I smiled appreciatively at her as our eyes met and for a moment we said nothing.

We carried on a lively conversation for a little over an hour and talked about all kinds of things. In hindsight it was mostly about me. She kept asking questions and on kept answering, trying to be polite and keeping her interested in the conversation. I was content simply to talk the night away with her over a pint or two but she had other ideas. I was pleasantly astounded that this young thing found me interesting enough to talk to for so long a time. 

I had tried to engage Veronica, (Mr. Osterant's daughter who was about my age) in similar conversation but to no avail. I had the idea of courting her once I had been Mr. Osterant's assistant for some time. I hoped that once I had proved myself to her father I could catch her interest and if I was lucky, ask for her hand. My journey to London scrapped all that so Greta was the next best thing, though she was not as pretty as Veronica. 

"You seem like a nice fella and all." She said bashfully and looked down. "I never do things like this you understand . . . but I like you Brian." Greta finished and then looked away from me.

"I like you too Greta." I replied and reached across the table and held her hand. 

"I don't live that far away, I was wondering if you would . . ." Greta said and her words trailed off as she looked down almost ashamed and couldn't finish the sentence. 

"If I would what?" I inquired curiously not quite getting what she was getting at, at the time I was inexperienced with women.

"Come back to my room and . . . " Greta's words dropped off again and she looked down once more. 

It was then that I had an idea of what she was talking about and I was shocked to say the least. I mean here I was, never been with a lady before, in a strange town and all and literally she walked up to me and invited me to spend the night. It all seemed too good to be true and I should have asked myself why she was interested in me all of a sudden. I know that it was not the gentlemanly thing to do, nor was it the most righteous thing to do either, but I was tempted and curious. I had never been with a lady before and the thought of finally knowing what it was like spoke to me. Perhaps I should have said no and walked away but I was weak and the flesh overwhelmed my better judgment. 

"Alright." I said as I caved in and accepted her offer of naughty fun.

She giggled coyly in response and before long we were in her room. I stood there like a dummy for a moment because I didn't know just what to do; thankfully she took the lead and kissed me. It was a tense kiss as you can imagine but after a moment I got the hang of it and relaxed a great deal. As I got bolder, my hands started to roam and explore this woman's body, the first woman that I would be with. I was nervous and trembling as I tried to touch her in all the places on a woman that were forbidden to me before that night.




Brian's Adventures Ch. 01



When my hand came to rest on her breast, she giggled and stepped back from me. I thought I had done something wrong and cursed myself for upsetting her so. However when she removed her dress and underclothes I was relieved. For even I knew that this was a step in the right direction. I gazed at her beautiful nakedness as she stood before me; I was in awe of her loveliness. 

She was not the first nude woman I had seen. Back home there was one time that I had stumbled upon some local girls bathing in the river. They thought they had found a secluded place to bathe and stripped down to nothing to do so. I was merely coming home after running some errand for my Father mind you, and I was not looking for the lasses. It was a delightful find though, let me assure you; I hid for quite some time as I watched them bathe in frolic around nude. I wanted to join them and act on the many nasty thoughts that came to mind but I knew better, these were not those kind of girls. Oh did I get in trouble from my father for being late, but it was worth it; anyway, back to Greta.

I stood there and drank in her beauty and flowing curves with great interest. My eyes examined how her body flowed and plunged from one part of her to the next. I was in awe of all of the delightfully feminine curves on her. Her face was round and slightly blushing as I looked at her face for a half second. Her breasts were not the largest that I had seen nor were they were not the smallest. However, at that moment I didn't care about the size of them. The fact that her breasts were there and uncovered was vastly more important to me at that point in time. Her belly swelled out a bit and her hips were larger than some women I had seen. Like I said she was a bit plump but to me at that point in time, she was Venus herself. 

"You gonna stand there all day or are you gonna get ready." Greta asked after a moment of smiling at me. 

"Huh?" I replied not understanding what she meant. 

However when she looked disapprovingly at my clothes rather obviously I knew what she was getting at. I took my clothes off as quickly as I could and it was my turn to feel like I was on display. After she looked me over a bit she moved closer and kissed me. The feeling of nude skin on nude skin was something else that I had not experienced and it was more than I was ready for. Somehow in all of this kissing I found myself on top of her on the bed. 

While we continued our kissing I felt her hand on my now hard cock, guiding it to the entrance of her womanhood. I didn't know about foreplay at the time and didn't know what to do really but I pressed into her regardless. We both moaned in delight once my cock was all the way inside of her, I held it there for a moment to calm myself down. Soon enough I was thrusting into her like I had been doing it all my life. 

I was in heaven as I pleasured my first woman ever. I knew nothing of finesse or finer techniques, but I made up for my lack of style with enthusiasm. I stroked into her hard and fast; I heard an audible slap each time I was all the way inside of her. She let out an "OH!" sound each time I was buried all of the way inside her. I rode her for all I was worth as instinct took over; I was not myself as I ravaged her savagely. However from the noises she was making I don't think that she minded one bit. 

When all of a sudden she wails out "OH, OH, OH SHIT!!"

Then she starts to shake and rock back and forth in such a violent manner that I was genuinely concerned for her well-being. As well as her outsides shaking and quaking about, her insides were also quivering about in an oh-so-delightful way. I could not take much more of this and I exploded deep inside of her. I shot my load of cum, washing her deepest insides with all I had.

In all of this commotion I didn't notice that someone had entered the room. Just as I was experiencing the most joyous experience of my short life, I felt a sharp pain in the back of my head and then nothing. As I was passing into the oblivion I heard one last thing.

"You let me go farther with this one than with any of the others." Greta complained from underneath me. 

"You enjoyed it and where he's going, he'll need something nice to remember." The man chuckled gruffly.

That was the last thing I remember until I awoke the next morning with a splitting headache and a terrible, woozy feeling. I looked around the small dark room that I found myself in and saw a few beds around the walls. Everything seemed to be firmly attached to either the floor or walls. A small round window let in some light but not an adequate amount. 

"The young one is awake!" Shouted a man from across the room. I groaned in response and he came up to me. "Greetings lad, what's your story!" said the burly man who would have been a menacing sight indeed if it wasn't for the smile on his face. Come to think of it with all of those crooked and missing teeth his smile was just as scary but he seemed pleasant enough. He had a few other fellows with him; they were smaller than him but just as rugged looking.

"Pardon me?" I said rubbing my head that hurt something awful. 

"Well, what I mean is, I joined up for the adventure see. What's your excuse?" He said as plainly as he could, but his words only confused me more. 

"Joined up? Adventure? What on earth are you talking about good sir?" I asked, trying to mind my manners. I still did not know what he was talking about and I was slightly perturbed about all these questions first thing in the morning.

"Well I mean on this journey, why did you join such a perilous journey as this? There must be a number of things that a strapping young lad like you can do on dry land. Why run away to the sea?" The burly man inquired and the sinking feeling in my stomach told me that I now knew where I was, or rather where I wasn't.

"Do you mean to tell me that we're at sea!" I exclaimed in shock. 

"So you didn't volunteer eh? Tell me lad, what happened to you?" He inquired, sounding concerned. 

"I was entertaining a lady when I was attacked from behind." I said as delicately as I could.

"I hope she's alright." The burly man said with genuine regard. 

"I'm sure she's fine." I said gruffly. 

"How do you know, you said you were attacked." He asked still sounding worried about Greta.

"Just before I passed out I heard them talking and it was clear to me that they knew each other." I replied in a glaring manner, unimpressed about the whole business.

"Jealous husband eh?" He chuckled and lightly elbowed me in the ribs. "Rotten luck lad." He added with a wink.

"I don't know about that but it was clear that they both knew I would end up on this ship." I said with a sneer as I felt the pain of Greta's betrayal. 

"Are you saying you were lured to a private spot by a lady and then hit from behind by some stranger?" My gruff friend asked with a raised eyebrow. 

"That's exactly what happened!" I finished indignantly. 

"I knew they were desperate for men but I didn't think they would resort to that!" He shook his head in disdain trying to hide the smirk underneath the surface. 

"My name's Brian sir." I said sticking out my hand to shake his. 

"Good to meet you Brian, I'm Peter." He said shaking my hand firmly. "Well no matter how you got here, your stuck here with the rest of us." Peter said grimly. "No worries, Ol'Peter will take care of you." He finished with a grin pointing with his thumb proudly to himself. 

"Where the hell am I?" Someone else shouted from across the room. 

In all there were nine of us that were taken in much the same manner and none of us were pleased about it one bit. However I was not at all outraged as I guess I should have been, in fact I was a bit relieved, almost pleased even. I should have been incensed for being taken against my will and losing everything I owned once more. I didn't own much mind you but that wasn't the point, it was mine no matter how meager the possessions. I was almost looking forward to the journey; the change of pace was a welcome relief in itself. However that little voice deep down inside me that pushed me ever onward was a little less agitated now. I guessed that however I got on that ship, I was supposed that God wanted me to be there.

"C'mon lads lets talk to the Captain and get some answers." Peter said with confidence as he stood and indicated the door. 

"What good will that do, we're at sea!" Said one of the other men with me who I later learned was Henry. 

"Why does that make any difference?" Another man asked curiously, who I later learned was Thomas.

"Because you idiot, when we're at sea, the Captain has supreme authority!" Henry answered with frustration. 

"Supreme what?" Thomas man asked now more confused than before. 

"It means he's the man in charge. He calls the shots, so he's the man to speak to." Peter said with confidence.

"It also means he can't be challenged." Muttered Henry as we all headed out of the cabin to find the Captain. 

"I don't care who he thinks he is, I just want to get home." Thomas snorted with an air of superiority and indignation that seemed unwise for the moment. 

It didn't take long to find the Captain I mean after all it was not that large of a ship. He was where you might expect him to be, on the bridge. The Captain was giving orders to various members of the crew to see various tasks done. In short he was making sure the ship and crew was ready for the voyage we all were making. 

The Captain himself was a taller, older man with white hair that was braided down just past his shoulders. His expression was that of a near frown as he sneered this way and that watching his crew closely. I could see his mind constantly working, mulling over this or that. His furrowed brow attested to the weight on his shoulders that he felt because of his position of authority and responsibility. 

"Can we have a moment of your time Captain?" Peter asked respectfully, waiting for a response.

"What is it?" Snapped the Captain. "Can't you see I'm busy?" He added gruffly

"Well it's about some of the crew sir." Pete responded more politely than before. "How they arrived sir." Pete finished and again waited to be spoken to. 

"What the devil do you mean man?" Asked a now slightly confused but no more calm Captain.

"Well Captain, it seems that some of them arrived under odd circumstances." Pete said equally as carefully. 

"What are you saying?" The Captain asked with a sneer; clearly he didn't like what was insinuated.

"We were kidnapped, that's what!" Thomas blurted out, quite annoyed.

"That's impossible!" The Captain snarled "I wouldn't allow it!" He growled indignantly. 

"But it did happen!" Thomas answered back with no less anger. 

"You're lying!" The Captain snarled with an evil look that frightened most of us.

"Absolutely not!" Thomas growled back with equal indignation. 

"I don't know what you hope to gain by doing this but for you're sake drop this and get to work!" The Captain warned with cool unmoving determination. 

"I didn't ask to be here and I demand you return me to London." Thomas replied with all the outrage that he was full of.

"I am the Captain of this ship and I will do no such thing. As a member of my crew you will work or I'll have you whipped for insubordination!" The Captain said standing taller while scowling his warning. 

"I demand you return me to London, I am not a member of your crew." Thomas said standing equally tall and indignant. 

"Fine." The Captain said with a smile as he looked at his first mate. "Discipline this man." He said and returned to commanding the ship.

With that two men grabbed the man and dragged him down to the main deck and tied him to the aft mast. In frighteningly short order he was whipped. After a few whips the first mate would ask Thomas if he was ready to work. After no less than ten whips Thomas finally relented. We all had to watch the horrible affair; I learned in graphic detail that like it or not, I was under the thumb of this Captain. I still remember them dragging what was left of Thomas down below decks when it was all over. 

The Captain then stood and addressed the whole crew. I was happy to at least know just what kind of trouble I had landed myself in. As long as I was along for the ride, I might as well know where we were going.

"I am Captain Blackstone and this is my ship. Those of you who don't work will find yourselves swimming back to England!" The tall, older and mean looking man said as he stood on the bridge looking over us. The rest of us were assembled on the deck below him. "If you work hard and survive the journey you will all be wealthy men." He smiled as much as he ever did. "We are going to sail to the Orient me lads!" He looked over the silent crowd and then shouted "SPICES! We are going to sail there and return to England laden down with spices, silks and all the treasures of the Orient we can carry! When we are done you will all receive your fair share of the booty." Captain Blackstone smiled and most of the crew cheered with greed and delight, I was not one of them.

You see, nobody had ever successfully sailed to the Orient or made it back to tell the tale. It was a one-way, foolish trip as far as I was concerned and not worth risking my neck over. However I was in the thick of it now and there was nothing I could do about it, Peter was right about that to be sure. 

"Enjoy yourself?" Came a familiar voice from behind me. 

The hair on the back of my neck stood up as I realized that this was the last voice I heard last night. This was the voice of the man that knocked me out and dragged me on this accursed ship. I spun to see who spoke to me but I saw another tall, mountain of a man, he was huge to be sure and even larger than Peter. I recognized him as the first mate and I knew that could not accuse him and scowled at him but said nothing.

I did my best to avoid upsetting the Captain for the rest of the voyage. I did what I was told, when I was told and for the most part the trip wasn't entirely unpleasant. I found out that I enjoyed sailing and the feel of the salt air in my face. As well the stars were more numerous than I ever remembered seeing before and the sunrises and sunsets were spectacular. But otherwise it was non-stop hard work, poor food, hard beds, little sleep with constant motion.

I always kept my eye out to get back at that horrible first mate that got me into this mess. Come to think of it I was not too pleased with Greta at that point either. I couldn't be too sore at her; after all she was my 'first one' and all. To the first mate it was all a big joke, he laughed at me under his breath any time he noticed me scowling at him. That angered me all the more, he was not remorseful about what he did or cared about the lives he ruined. I never did get a chance to show him up or do him any ill. 

Everything changed one night about six weeks into the journey. We had traveled some distance south by this time and had long since seen any land. All day there were a few sailors who talked about a storm coming, the Captain dismissed all of this by telling them that we would sail around it. As evening settled it was plain to see that the storm was dead ahead of us. My heart sank as I saw the massive size of it and I prayed that we would miss it. The Captain ordered us to head west when he saw the storm. It was his hope to head further out to sea and sail around it as the storm headed in for land. To us it seemed like a good plan, and all was well until sometime during the deep of night when things turned sour. 

"ALL HANDS ON DECK!" Some sailor shouted into the cabin with great fear and panic in his voice. 

Almost as if on cue I was tossed out of my bed landing roughly on the floor. All of us scrambled topside like our lives depended on it, cause it did! In a storm you don't mess about boy, you get on deck and help keep the ship in one piece. To tell you the truth I don't remember much of the exact orders given or what I did. All I know is that men were shouting things and I was just doing what I was told, as always. I don't think that I need to tell you that while I was rushing about, I was also praying something fierce. 

I was high in the rigging when the aft mast snapped and plunged downward smashing though the deck. Luckily I was high in the fore mast rigging trying to secure one of the topsails, not that it mattered now, the ship was going down. That mast punctured a huge hole in the bottom of her hull and hit the First Mate on the way down. Everything was happening so fast that I didn't take any joy in his death. All I could think of was to trying to somehow survive this mess, to avoid going down with the ship. I remember asking God why he brought me on this journey just to drown me? If he wanted me that badly he could have taken me from my bed at night when I was back with my family instead of dragging me out here to have my soul. 

Well it didn't take long before the ship was listing something fierce. The sea tossed her to and fro more wildly as the waters claimed more and more of the ship. That was when I saw Peter tossed overboard; he swam madly to get back on the ship. I yelled at him to swim away but all I could do was hold on to the top of the mast and hope for the best. On one of the last few side swings I knew that my chance had come; the ship would not be afloat much longer. When the mast reached the lowest point of its swing I jumped for it and hoped for the best. The water was cold but not deathly cold thankfully enough. I looked back at the ship and realized that I had jumped further than I had hoped; in fact I was further away than anyone else. 

Without warning and with a great noise the ship finally plunged beneath the waves with great speed that sucked down everything and everyone around. Suddenly the storm was the only thing I heard and no sign of the ship could be seen. I scoured the waves for some sign, for anyone who survived the wreck but I found none. It was a long tense moment before in the distance I saw in the dim moonlight something floating. I swam as fast as I could for it and found that fortune had smiled once more on me. I realized that this was a piece of decking a little larger than a man. I hauled myself up on it and breathed a sigh of relief, as I felt safe, and for the moment I was. 

The next morning I awoke with the sun on my face and I surveyed the now calm surroundings; I have never felt so alone in my life. Once again I thanked the Lord that he had spared me, but again questioned the need to bring me out here. Nothing but sea and waves in all directions as far as the eye could see. No land, no ships, no wreckage, nothing, absolutely nothing and I knew that without divine intervention I was a dead man. I scoured the horizon for some sign of salvation, some ship or land, anything that would save me. I never saw anything though, not even any birds. I don't know exactly how many days and nights I was adrift. You see I don't remember anything past day three because I passed out from lack of food and water under that hot sun.



Brian's Adventures Ch. 02



Chapter Two: Strange Welcomes

The next thing I do remember is stone, the feeling of cold stone against my face and straw underneath my weary body. A small trickle of water passed over my lips so I shut them tight to keep the seawater out. A single drop got past my dry lips however, when I realized that this was fresh water my eyes shot open. I saw an angelic face smiling back at me and I thought I had surely died and was at pearly gates, her beauty was so great. 

"He's awake! Praise the Lord he's awake!" The young woman said as she sat next to me and held the wet rag in her delicate hand.

"So he is dear. C'mon, lets have a look at him." Came a response from another woman who sounded older than the one I could see. 

"It's a miracle isn't it?" The younger woman exclaimed with joy and relief. 

"He's awake but he isn't out of the woods yet! Lets just look at him and see just what kind of shape he's in." The older one said as she approached the two of us. 

"Yes Herulia." The first one said with a bowed head and a subdued voice. 

"How do you feel then?" An older woman asked while leaning over me. She was poking and prodding me here and there, generally making me feel like a prized beast. "Seems healthy enough." She said to the younger one without taking her eyes off me or stopping her examination of me. "Can you speak dear?" The older woman whom I assumed was Herulia asked me as she sat back on her haunches.

"I'd like some water." I croaked out with a sore, dry throat. "Besides that, I feel half-dead and sore all over." I replied with a voice that was still rough. Almost instantly I saw the younger one disappear from sight for a moment and then return. 

"Oh he can talk." Herulia added with a hint of mock surprise. "There's hope for you yet." Herulia added with a bit of a chuckle. "It's a miracle you're in as good a shape as you are. Tell me lad, what happened to you?" Herulia, the healer inquired with an inquisitive, yet pleasant smile.

"Here you go. " The younger one said as she handed me a flask that I hoped contained water. I sat up and took a long drink and relished in the sensation as the long missed liquid flowed down my gracious throat. A small prayer of thanks went up as I gave her the flask back and they looked at me expectantly.

"Ah, that hit the spot, thank you." I said with great gratitude to the young one before continuing. "My ship sank, I was the only one that survived, I was adrift for days." I spoke to nobody in particular as I rested my head against the wall. "Where am I?" I asked as I looked back and forth between the two women.

"You're in the main barracks in Teroncia." Herulia said plainly but her words did little to explain my predicament. 

"Excuse me?" I asked not understanding what she was saying. For the moment I thought I was back in England, though that did not seem possible. "Some fools didn't recognize you and thought you were an outsider so you were brought here to be safe." Herulia said with a dismissive chuckle and shake of the head. "So what exactly happened to you again, out fishing too far from Sailorsreach eh?" Herulia asked with a comforting manner and understanding tone. 

"Sailors-what?" I asked, again confused as to what they were talking about. 

I was getting the feeling that I was not in London anymore and began to wonder just where I was. I thanked the Lord that I was alive and on dry land; I seemed to be in friendly and capable hands. I hoped and thought that if I talked politely to these two I might find out just where I was. 

"You were found on the north shore, not far from Sailorsreach. That is where you were sailing from isn't it?" Herulia asked with an uneasy tone. "You were fishing a little too far from shore when your ship sunk right?" Herulia asked with a twinge of a dark tone to her voice. 

Her manner was almost as if she were suggesting that I go along with her story. At the time I didn't understand what she was talking about, I didn't understand the trouble that the truth would get me in. In retrospect it would have been easier to simply lie and go my way, trying to blend in. At the time I didn't understand the ways of this strange land as I do now. At the time and still to this day, I hate lying and I have no time for liars so I guess I would have told the truth at any rate.

"No, I've never heard of the places you have mentioned. I was part of an expedition to sail to far off lands." I said and paused with a heavy sigh. "We hit a storm and the ship sunk, killing everyone else on board." I finished as the dark pawl fell over me as I remembered the men in knew on that ship.

"You're not from Tania?" The younger one asked curiously with a sense of wonder. 

She got a stern look from the older one and the mood turned darker and more ominous. Both ladies stepped back from me and looked at me differently for the moment not saying a word. I felt that I had said something terribly wrong, something that I shouldn't have. I started to regret what I had said, feeling that I had stepped in it. 

"No, I'm from England." I said with a nervous, almost regretful look. "Is that where I am? Tania is it? Am I on Tania?" I asked with genuine curiosity. I wanted to know where I was, if I was not in England. I looked at both women wanting to get some hint, some confirmation of what I already suspected to be true.

"You're an Outsider?" The young one asked with a pained look, almost as if I had betrayed her somehow.

"You're in isolation my dear." Herulia said with a cold tone and expression. "Are you hungry?" She said as she stood and turned to leave.

"FAMISHED!" I shouted in reply. "I could use some more water as well." I added politely and she nodded agreeably with an expressionless face and left with the younger one in tow still looking at me with a hurt tone.

I looked around at where I found myself and found that 'isolation' was a polite way to say 'dungeon'. It was a cold, dark stone cell with all the comforts you can imagine I would have. The pile of straw that I was sitting on was my bed and was not bound together in any way; it was simply a pile of straw against the wall. I found that my hands and feet were chained to the wall each with their own chain. I found that my clothes were replaced with a single white robe that looked dangerously like a dress. It hung loosely on me and I guessed that the thin fabric was the only thing I had on. 

The only light was the light that streamed in from the high window in one sidewall. The only exit was across from where I lay; a solid looking wooden door with a small opening with bars in it. I had just finished surveying my surroundings when the young looking assistant entered my cell. She carried a tray of food and a flask that I presumed contained more water and approached me cautiously. She stopped a short distance away from me looking me over, trying to make her mind up about me, I guessed.

"Can you feed yourself?" She asked and I looked her over briefly.

She stood there dressed in a conservative, all white, long dress, similar to the one I wore though more decorative and feminine in design. It was a loose fitting garment but I could see that underneath it she was far slimmer and smaller than Greta. Overall I would say that she was petite, small all over, small breasts, small waist and small, tight delightful looking bum. It was no wonder I mistook her for an angel with her white puffy hat and long blonde hair that was pulled back away from her face. Indeed she was a sight for sore eyes and quite possibly the prettiest young thing I had seen in all my days to that point.

"I can feed myself but I would like some company. I have been alone at sea for some time." I asked trying to look helpless and in fact I was. She took a nervous look back at the door and then at me and said nothing for a brief moment and wore a worried look on her face. 

"It would be nice to have some company but I don't want to get you in any trouble. I understand if you can't stay." I said looking down and away from her.

"Alright, I really shouldn't but I will stay for a bit." She said quietly with a smile. 

She looked back at the door one more time before putting the tray down in front of me. She drew a small stool that I hadn't seen before and sat on the other side of the tray from me. I looked over the tray of food and she looked me over with wonder and curiosity. It was the most glorious looking meal that had been spread before me in quite some time and I tucked into it quick.

"Thank you . . ." I said and paused looking at her with a puzzled smile for a moment. "I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name miss. I'm Brian" I introduced myself and held out my hand. Once more she looked back at the door and then back at me unsure of what to do.

"I'm Shelea, it's an honor to meet you Brian." She said after a moment and smiled as she shook my hand lightly. "Where did you say you came from Brian?" Shelea asked curiously with an apprehensive smile. 

"Why, England of course." I replied puzzled. "Where did you think I came from?" I inquired, perplexed by her question of such an obvious fact. 

"I've never heard of England?" Shelea replied with a puzzled look about her.

"Never heard of England!" I replied in shock. "How can you speak English and not heard of England!" I replied with an incredulous look that demanded an explanation. 

"Well how can you speak Tanian so well and not heard of Tania?" Shelea replied with equal indignation.

"Tanian?" I replied now puzzled as to what she was talking about. 

"Yes, the language you are speaking." Shelea replied with an 'of course silly' look on her face.

"No luv, we are speaking English." I corrected her assuredly. 

"Are you sure?" She asked curiously, not quite believing what I was saying.

"Positive." I said with conviction.

"Call it what you will, I've always known it to be Tanian, the language of Tania. That is the island where you are now on, Tania." Shelea answered assuredly. "However if you are indeed from England as you say, than your arrival is indeed stranger than anything I have seen." She said chuckling to herself with a puzzled look of wonder about her.

"Why's that Shelea?" I asked as I took a mouthful of water. 

"Nobody has arrived from off the island in over a hundred years!" Shelea said in amazement.

"A hundred years!" I replied equally amazed. "I can see why your people might see it as unusual but why am I in here?" I asked the question that was on my mind for some time raising my arm, indicating my chains.

Shelea got silent and looked more unsettled and worried than ever and clearly saddened. It was quite obviously not a nice subject for her to discuss and I didn't want to upset her. However, I needed to know why a simple castaway was treated like a criminal. What was my crime? What was it that they were afraid of? For the life of me I could not figure it out. I was an ordinary sailor, a son of a peasant farmer, nothing of concern; I was nobody. Clearly I didn't merit such attention and I hoped to rest her mind at ease.

"Please, I need to know." I implored tenderly and I held her gaze for a moment. "It isn't my place to tell you such things." Shelea said in a trembling voice and stood to walk a few steps away, facing away from me.

"I understand Shelea." I said and looked away, looking out the small window. 

Even though I only just met her, I could not bear to see Shelea in such pain. It was strange but I suppose it was because she was the kindest person that I had met in a while. She seamed to be my only friend in this desolate place. The silence was deafening and terrible to endure, so I searched my mind for some way to ease the tension. Alas I found none and simply ate my meal in quiet, not bothering her at all.

"There is a legend that foretells of people from the outside that will come and destroy us. Some believe that you are a part of that." Shelea said looking out of the window, unable to look at me at the moment. 

"I don't know anything about that." I replied with confused and disbelieving shock. 

"Really." She said unconvinced as she looked at me with dispassionate eyes. "You must believe me when I tell you that my ship sank at sea and I was lucky to have drifted to your island." I told her once more with conviction, almost insulted that I had to convince someone of the obvious truth. 

"Why should I believe you?" Shelea said with a waver in her voice. 

"I'm no destroyer! Up until a moment ago I didn't know that this place existed!" I said as forcefully and sincerely as possible. "If everyone is as nice and lovely as you I would never want to cause this place any harm." I finished and looked down with the sadness I felt for being thought of in so bad a light.

"Really?" She asked with an emerging hope in my goodness.

"Do I look like a Destroyer to you?" I asked with a silly look on my face as I held out my hands.

Slowly she looked back at me and stared at me for a long minute. It was clear that she was trying to make her mind up about me. I sat there and ate my dinner not saying anything more to her. I knew that there was little else I could say to her, for I had already said stranger things than she had heard in her lifetime. 

"What about your people from England? Do they not know where you are? Will they not come look for you?" Shelea asked with a furrowed brow, obviously concerned over this good point. 

I had to laugh, it hurt to laugh but I had a hearty, gut-splitting laugh. It was so humorous to think of anyone going to any trouble to find me. The most I expected was the passing thought when raising a mug of ale. In retrospect I would have asked the same question were I in Shelea's shoes. When my laughter died down and I was able to explain myself, the furrowed brow of a now aggravated Shelea demanded a satisfactory answer. 

"No, nobody knows were I am. I'm sure they think I'm dead. Even if they thought I was alive, I don't think they would waste their time looking for me, I'm nobody." I finished with a lightly despondent chuckle and looked down feeling small and insignificant just then. 

"But you're a MAN! Surely they'll want you back?" Shelea said shocked and amazed that I considered myself to be nobody.

While I was a little puzzled at her suggestion that I was valuable for simply being a man, I thought nothing of it. After all I was just a poor stranded sailor who was nobody just like his Father. Why should I be somebody special any other place when I wasn't worth anything much at home. It made so little sense to me at the time, I wrote it off to a simple misunderstanding. I told myself that she was simply enamored by the stranger from across the seas and gave me value when none was warranted. 

"Anyone who even knew where we were going will just assume that we died a fool's death at sea on a foolish voyage. Nobody cares, nobody is coming for me." I sighed heavily before continuing. "Nobody gives a toss if I live or die." I said then took the last swig of water in the flask before I laid back to digest the fine meal. "I am no threat to you or your people." I sighed and looked back at Shelea with a drained expression. "Thank you for the fine meal and delightful conversation." I said with the best smile that I could muster at the moment. 

"Oh you're most welcome, it was nice to meet you Master Brian." Shelea said with a polite curtsy then grasping the tray she stood to leave.

"Under the circumstances I hardly think you need to call me 'Master' my dear." I chuckled as I indicated my restraints.

"I suppose so." Shelea said with a sheepish grin. 

"Will I see you again?" I asked as she stood in the now open door.

"Certainly." Shelea smiled at me from over her shoulder before she left. 

The clink of the door as it closed behind her rang off the walls and the whole room seemed darker without her there. As I sat there I pondered my fate that seemed once again to be out of my hands. If they truly saw me as a threat of some kind would they simply kill me or would they hold me for ransom of some kind? Either fate didn't sound too pleasant to me so I resolved to try and make friends where I could. I hoped to swing things in my favor by showing them I was not a bad person. I figured that if they got to know me they might not see the need to do me in. At that moment, I knew that I was no better off than I was on that ship and my heart was heavy. However I was not entirely saddened by my being here, part of me was relieved. 

One thing I knew deep in my bones was that whatever God had planned for me, it had something to do with these people of Tania. I took small comfort in that knowledge and trusted him that once again he would deliver me from certain death. I knew in my heart that I was alive only because of God's guidance and deliverance. Whatever happened I would try to live as he would have me live, to be the best man I could be.

The quiet voice that pushed me away from my home an ever onward was finally at peace. Even though strange people, on an island I never knew existed saw me as a threat and held me prisoner, part of me was happy. For the first time in years I felt at peace, somehow I was getting an odd sense of a kind of homecoming. I was relieved to finally be rid of that ever-nagging voice pushing me on to far off and ever stranger places. For better or worse I was at the place that I was being called to and I felt that my journey was over. 

Little did I know that my adventures and perils were far from over, in fact they were just getting started. However at the time I was content in being rid of my quiet companion that had been with me low these many years. I was tired from my ordeal and I fell asleep quickly, satisfied and sleepy from the good meal I had been given.

It was some time later when I awoke to hear voices just outside my door. It was now the dead of night and only soft moonlight filled the room. I could also see some torchlight filtering in through the bars in the door. I could hear two guards talking just outside my door and I strained myself to listen to what they were saying. 

"Do you know what that is in there?" One female guard said.

"I know, a man. So what?" The other female guard replied unimpressed by the 'revelation'.

"A strange man; from off the island no less. They found him near Sailorsreach, half dead he was." The first guard said with great pride in telling the story.

"Your telling stories again Jealile." The second one said, still unmoved by the other one's story.

"Do you recognize him Yeoline?" Jealile asked with a snort of displeasure.

"Well no, but that doesn't mean he's from off the island." Yeoline replied defiantly. 

"I was at the healer's, having my arm looked at. When I was there I heard Herulia talking with her assistant. They were discussing this one; they talked about his discovery, how he washed up and all. I heard others talking as well at dinner." Jealile said and paused for effect, to get Yeoline's attention.

"What did they say?" Yeoline asked after a moment's pause.

"Well, there's even some that say he's the one the legend talks about. They say he's one of those Outsiders the legend says will come and destroy us all. They'll probably kill him just to be safe." Jealile said calmly and my heart sank at the news. "I would." She added assuredly and a touch coldly. 

Now I felt like a lamb waiting for the slaughter, but of course the lamb doesn't know what's about to happen to it, does it? I knew I had my work cut out for me if I was to keep breath in my lungs. I knew that they feared me they might kill me to protect their homes and in a way I could understand that. I didn't like it anymore than before, but at least I could understand people protecting their homes. The trick was to make them see that I was what I was, a stranded sailor and not a 'Destroyer'. 




Brian's Adventures Ch. 02



"Seems like a waste if you ask me, being a man and all." Yeoline said and I saw a pair of pretty blue eyes looking between the bars in the door, examining me; I pretended to be asleep. 

"You got that right, I got passed over at the last Harvest Festival, again. I would even settle for a mangy looking one like that. A scruffy man is better than no man at all if you ask me." Jealile chuckled shaking her head and I now saw a second pair of beautiful feminine eyes, green eyes now looked me over.

"I think he's beautiful." Yeoline said softly without taking her eyes off of me.

I could see the genuine affection she had for me in her eyes, as she looked me over in that dim light. It was clear to me that she was truthful in her assertion and that touched me. I knew it had to be simple infatuation with the new and unknown stranger, but at very least if she could find me appealing than there was hope for me yet. 

"You're daft! He looks like something the cat dragged in." Jealile laughed and shook her head.

I couldn't quite fault her for that assessment, after all I must have been a sight, unkempt and in a white dress and all. I hoped that I would get a chance to clean up and put on a more suitable set of clothes. At the time I was also grateful to be alive and not adrift at sea. The matter of possible death lingered and hindered my joy at the moment but I tried to take small joys in life. 

"I don't know, you gotta look past the dirt, I think he's quite handsome underneath." Yeoline said with a tender quality in her voice that I would not have expected from a guard. 

"Don't go getting soft on him, he'll be dead in no time." Jealile warned and then paused for a full minute. Four eyes never wavered in their gaze at me in that time. "Have you ever been with a man before?" Jealile asked with a mischievous lilt in her voice and twinkle in her eye.

"You know that this upcoming Harvest Festival is my first one and I hope to be married by the end of it." Yeoline replied with a hurt tone and sad eyes that looked away from her fellow guard.

"Don't get your hopes up, there are only five men selecting this time." Jealile said plainly with a disappointed sigh before pausing again for another moment. "Don't you want to know what it's like?" Jealile inquired again in the same mischievous sparkle as before.

"Of course I do, but . . . " Yeoline said with defensively but her words stopped coming out of her mouth. "But I will wait until I am married." Yeoline replied sternly yet in a quieter voice. 

The question of sex obviously unnerved her and I felt for the lass. I wouldn't have liked to be put on the spot like that, even by a friend as I guessed they were. That sort of thing is personal business and not the type of thing for polite conversation if you ask me. I wanted to come to her rescue but alas I was not supposed to be awake and was not involved in the conversation. 

"Well I've been through three of those 'Harvest Festivals' and I won't go through another one without knowing what 'being with a man' is like. He'll be dead soon, so who'll know." Jealile said just before the door opened, allowing light to stream into the room. 

"What are you doing?" Yeoline asked in shock as her companion entered my cell while she remained outside.

"I'm gonna have a little fun with him." Jealile said as she moved to the center of the room. "On your feet you!" She shouted at me while giving my leg a light kick. 

I pretended to wake up now and slowly stood to my feet for the first time since arriving. I stood and looked into the dark, shadowy face of the woman who stood before me. I tried to look her over, tried to see what she looked like. The light that washed in the room from behind her prevented me from discerning any detail. All I could see was the overall shape of her and that, for the moment seemed appealing. 

"You can't be serious Jealile! This . . . this isn't right!" Yeoline protested, looking quite upset at what Jealile obviously intended to do, yet remaining outside of my cell.

"C'mon, it's not like I'm gonna hurt him! Bring me that torch will you?" Jealile said over her shoulder. "Lets have a good look at him eh?" Jealile said with a chuckle and a smile to her friend before looking back at me. 

Jealile walked over to the far wall and reached for a large leaver that I had not seen before. When she pulled the leaver down I heard a series of loud clanging and clacking noises. Now I felt that all of my limbs were being pulled at the same time. I quickly realized that my chains were being pulled back into the wall. When my back was flat against the wall with my arms spread wide and the chains had disappeared into the wall, it was over. Jealile released the leaver and everything stopped but I was now pinned against the wall and I looked like I was in a large T shape. However my legs were a bit more than shoulder width apart so I could stand comfortably enough. Well somewhat comfortable, after all I was pulled back against the wall of stone.

Slowly Yeoline walked into the room holding a lit torch and walked over to two of the unlit torches around the cell and lit them. Soon the room was bathed in the warm glow of torchlight and the whole room was almost as bright as day. She placed the torch she held in her hand into one of the empty torch holders in the wall and joined her companion in the center of the room and they both proceeded to look me over. It was now that I got my first opportunity to look them over as well, now that there was sufficient light in the room to do so. 

Jealile was the taller and obviously older of the two but not by much. She was wearing a round metal helmet that did little to hide her red hair that was pulled back and flowed down her back in one long braid. Her green eyes were intently focused on studying every detail of me and her skin was creamy in color. I could not see much of her torso because she wore a large round breastplate for armor. The armor was uniform in shape and not tailored to her body at all, clearly not made for her specifically. But as I guessed from the slender nature of her arms and legs that she was not a fat woman, in fact I guessed that she was in excellent physical shape indeed. At her waist there hung a long-sword and on her hands she wore a pair of fine leather gloves for protection. 

Yeoline was slightly smaller and a little bit younger than her friend, but she was no less beautiful. Indeed her equally long golden blonde hair was also pulled back into a single braid that fell down her back. Her deep blue eyes showed a mix of emotions as they danced over my body. I could see that she was worried and intrigued, excited and scared all at the same time. She also wore the same leather gloves, breastplate and long-sword that Jealile had, so again I could not see much of her body. However, something about her told me that she was by far more beautiful than Jealile. Perhaps it was the way that she had expressed concern for me already or the tenderness in her nature that I sensed. 

"He still looks scruffy to me, but he'll do." Jealile said looking me over quite unimpressed and I rolled my eyes silently thanking her for the 'compliment'.

"Your blind Jealile, I tell you under that dirt and robe, he's handsome." Yeoline protested in frustration again and rushed out of the room and in a flash returned with a flask, a rag and a larger rag. She walked over, smiling to me as she came closer, looking me in the eyes for a moment before she said. "I'm just going to clean you up a bit." She said as she dropped her gloves to the floor near where she stood. 

Yeoline wet the small rag with the water from the flask and proceeded to wipe and scrub all of my exposed skin. It took a few minutes but soon the grit and grime of my ordeal was washed clean away. Then she wet my hair with water directly from the flask and scrubbed that with the small rag. When she was all done she wiped me dry with the larger dry rag. 

"See, what do you think of him now?" Yeoline said proudly as she stood back to admire her work.

"I see what you mean." Jealile said as she swallowed hard with a wide-eyed expression. "I've seen worse." Jealile said gathering her composure. "I've seen better mind you, but I've seen worse." She plainly finished with an unimpressed glance. "Let's look at the rest of him eh?" Jealile smiled with a mischievous chuckle. 

"You can't be serious!" Yeoline shot back with an embarrassed yet excited look.

"Are those clothes they brought for him still out there?" Jealile asked with glee and a giddy smirk.

"Yes they are." Yeoline said with a blushing chuckle, she was warming up to Jealile's idea it seemed. "It would be a shame to clean him up so and not give him some better clothes to wear." She finished with a smirk not able to look me in the eye. 

"Oh exactly. Take good care of him Shelea said and that's exactly what I plan to do." Jealile said giddily and approached me with her sword drawn. "Let's get him out of that robe shall we?" 

In a flash she had cut my robe off of me and not so much as nicked me once. Soon my now tattered robe was at a pile beneath me and I was as naked as the day I was born still chained to that wall. I felt quite embarrassed to be so nude and examined like this but there was nothing I could do. For a tense moment the two guards looked me over with even greater interest. I could see from the looks on their faces that they liked what they saw. That was the only comfort for me in that extremely awkward situation. I don't know what I would have done if they had burst into laughter at the sight of me in 'all my glory'.

"You missed some dirt there. Hand me that stuff and let me have a go at him." Jealile said with a glint in her eye as she tossed her gloves to the side.

Jealile approached me and started with my shoulder then proceed to wash me with the rag in her hand and worked her way down. After a minute Yeoline approached and insisted to help, so now I had both of these beautiful female guards washing me. The feel of their hands as they touched and scrubbed me here and there was actually quite a lovely experience. The one thing they didn't wash way my dick. After they had washed everything else there they were kneeling and looking at it only a few inches from their faces. 

"I think we should wash the rest of him first." Yeoline said plainly as she stared intently at my dick with intrigue.

"I don't know, he might try something funny." Jealile wearily.

"He'll behave himself won't you?" Yeoline said to Jealile and then finished with a look in my direction.

"Absolutely Yeoline, you and Jealile have nothing to fear from me." I said with a pleasant smile and they both looked at me with a start and looked a little shocked. "It would be nice to feel clean all over again." 

"I suppose, but I'll watch him just in case, Yeoline, hand me your sword." Jealile said as she approached the switch on the wall once more and drew her sword. Her eyes never left mine as she held a steely glare. I'm sure she meant business if I tried anything. 

Yeoline leaned her sword against the wall where Jealile stood and grabbed the water and rags then turned to face me. I heard the clanging and clacking once more and the chains came out of the wall once more and I was able to take a few steps away from the wall. It felt good not to have stone at my back and the air felt cool back there. I dropped my hands to my sides as Yeoline walked behind me and proceeded to wash me. In short order I was clean from head to toe, for the first time since in left on that damn voyage I felt completely clean. 

"That feels much better, thank you. Thank you so very much ladies." I said with a contented sigh. As Yeoline walked from out behind me the noises started up again and I found myself back against that damn wall.

"Now for the last part." Yeoline said with a giddy glee and knelt in front of me. After she gave my dick and balls a bath and cleaned them well she continued to fondle them, inspecting and playing with them. As you could guess my cock started to stiffen in all this caressing and fondling but was far from hard when she stopped. 

"That's not the way to really get it clean silly. Here, let me show you the proper way to clean it." Giggled Jealile as she leaned her sword against the wall and placed her helmet on the floor in front of it. "I won't need this any time soon." She giggled again and reached to the left side of her waist and undid a buckle fastening the breastplate together. After she undid the buckle on the other side of the breastplate she lifted the armor over her head. After she placed it on the floor next to her sword she walked over next to Yeoline. 

As she walked over to me I saw for the first time the loose fitting white shirt that contained her womanly curves. I could see now that she was every bit as slender and shapely as I thought she was. The loose garment did not hide her attributes as well as one might hope and that was a pleasant development indeed. I was pleasantly surprised to see that her breasts were large and firm, about the size of a grapefruit each. Only a slight quiver could be seen with each step she took toward me. The smirk on her face told me that she noticed and approved of my visual tour of her body. Jealile winked at me, causing my dick to twitch, which then caused Yeoline to jump with a little start.

"This is right way to properly get a penis clean." Jealile said with a smirk as she knelt down beside her friend. 

She then grabbed my dick around the base and started to tug almost as if she was trying to pull it off. After a moment of this lovely young woman stroking my cock, it started to come to life. When my cock was almost fully hard she stopped moving her hand and rested it back around the base of my cock again. 

When her lips came in contact with the head of my dick in almost cried out in shock. Nobody had ever done that to me before, heck I had never even heard of it being done before, let alone seeing it done. As her lips pressed further down my cock she slowly swallowed more and more of it until all six inches of it was passed her lips. I could see that she had to strain to fit her lips around the thick shaft. 

Her next move also surprised me when she moved her head back until only her lips touched the head of my cock. She then moved her head back down and swallowed my whole cock again in one smooth motion. Now she bobbed her head up and down on my cock, slowly at first but adding suction as she continued a steadily increasing pace. I could see her cheeks hollow out as she sucked so hard I almost felt that my insides would come out. 

The wondrous sensations were almost indescribable as this strange woman eagerly swallowed my cock at a dizzying pace. It was a joyous and rapturous delight that my cock was being treated to and I for one reveled in the experience. Soon enough, (too soon for my tastes) I could feel the familiar tensions in my balls, and I knew that soon enough I would cum. I knew that the right thing to do would be to warn this lass of what was about to happen. 

"Gonna cum soon." I breathed though my teeth as my heart beat hard in my chest. 

Instead of pulling out she quickened her pace and sucked even harder on my cock. I looked down at this beautiful woman who at this moment was focused only on my satisfaction and pleasure. This was not the response that I had expected and the shock and surprise pushed me over the edge. 

"Oh sweet heaven I'm cuming!" I shouted as cum raced up my cock to her waiting mouth as my knees weakened from the exquisite pleasure. 

She swallowed all of my cock again just as I exploded deep into her throat. Wave after wave shot forth and I washed her throat in what felt like a pint of cum. Lovingly and tenderly Jealile made sure she swallowed every drop and lovingly bathed my whole cock with her tongue. 

"That was INCREDIBLE!" I praised breathlessly with all the joy and gratitude I felt. 

I was rewarded with a proud yet slightly bashful grin as she smiled up at me warmly searching my eyes for approval and finding it there. At that moment I did not see the guard who was responsible for keeping me here, all I saw was the beautiful woman kneeling before me. Her smile was captivating and her laugh infectious as she sat there before me looking up at me giggling and shaking her head now and again.

"Really?" Jealile asked with a laugh that she couldn't help. 

"ABSOLUTELLY!" I half shouted still somewhat out of breath.

"As you can see, that's the proper way to take care of a cock my dear." Jealile said to Yeoline with a contented yet proud smile. 

"Oh my, I don't know if I could do that!" Yeoline said with a wide-eyed look of wonder.

"Nonsense, all it takes is practice." Jealile said with a grin while tossing me a wink. She then grabbed my deflating cock by the base and bobbed her head down on it once more before speaking. "No time like the present!" Jealile said emphatically with a broad grin as she waved my flopping cock around.

"I guess so, would you mind if I gave it a try?" Yeoline asked me politely. "I'm sure I won't be any good at it, but I'd like to try . . . What's your name?" 

"My name is Brian, Brian Westlock. There's no harm in trying, if you wish to of course." I replied politely with a warm smile, trying to make the nervous young lady at ease.

Yeoline smiled warmly at me to silently thank me for being understanding and removed her helmet and placed it on the floor next to her. She took Jealile's place in front of me and placed her hand around the base of my cock then licked her lips in preparation. She looked up at me, then over at Jealile unsure of what to do. 

The whole innocence and beauty about her was quite an alluring sight and clearly she was out of her element. She had never done anything like this and that much was clear, the thought of being a part of this new experience for her was exciting. My cock was responding not only to the touch of her delicate hand but to her blameless spirit and was fast coming back to life. 

I was not much more experienced in the ways of love and sex than her and in a way I felt a connection with her because of it. I was being patient and gentle with her because I hoped that others would do the same with me. When my time came to look like the fumbling child I hoped that others would not laugh or make me feel foolish. 

"You saw what I did, just swallow as much of his cock as you can and then back off it and do it again. Make sure you keep suction on it at all times." Jealile said as she watched intently as her friend's lips slowly moved toward my cock and then made contact. 

I watched as the innocent, angelic looking Yeoline proceeded to move her lips down my cock. I could feel my cock sliding into her mouth. She got about half way before she gagged and pulled back but not off of my cock. Slowly she repeated this process swallowing only half of my cock each time and settled into a steady pace. While she lacked the enthusiasm or talent of Jealile I was heartily enjoying her oral ministrations nonetheless. I was a little disappointed when she stopped but kept those feelings to myself to spare the young woman.

"How was that?" Yeoline asked inquisitively, with eyes that also searched my face for approval.

"Fine dear, just fine." I said with a comforting smile and she smiled back at me content in my praise. 

"Well, if your not gonna use the rest of that beautiful stiff cock, I can put it to use." Jealile smiled wickedly and Yeoline moved aside and watched, wondering what the older guard would do next.

Jealile stood up and quickly pulled her pants down and then off, tossing them and her boots aside. Quickly her underpants were next and I saw her standing there nude from the waist down and it took my breath away. Her slender legs were muscular and athletic and I could not get over how beautiful her hidden body was. The patch of fiery red hair between her legs was enticing and I so much wanted to see the glory of her womanly privates. 




Brian's Adventures Ch. 02



Quickly she turned around to face away from me and backed right up against me so close I could feel her warm flesh press up against me. She reached down between her legs and gently grasped my still rock hard cock and maneuvered her hips to line my cock up properly. I felt my cock pressing at the entrance to her pussy, pushing the lips of her womanly privates apart. Slowly she pushed back and I could feel every detail of her insides as my cock slid into her farther and farther. It felt like a very wet velvet vise was gripping my cock with exquisite force. Part way in she stopped and I felt something twinge from inside of her and she gasped in pain but after a moment of pause she continued. When I felt her delightfully tight and shapely ass-cheeks contact my hips I knew I was all the way inside her. The feeling of her flesh against mine was delightful and the fires of my passion were lit just to have her near. 

Jealile stood in a wide stance, her feet a few feet apart; she was bent over and had her hands on her knees. She shifted her weight forward and pulled off of my cock until only the cockhead parted her pussy lips. Then she would push back until all of my cock was deep inside her. Over and over again she slowly started to stroke away and I saw her hang her head and look between her legs as her thrusts continued steadily.

"Oh I'm doing it! I'm really doing it! I'm fucking! Look at me Yeoline I'm fucking a MAN! Oh God it feels soooooo good." She moaned out in a broken voice as she thrust harder and harder against me.

She was throwing more of her weight behind each stroke. An audible slap could be heard each time her thrust bottomed out. This sound was accompanied by the sloshing as my cock moved in and out of her now very wet pussy. A sharp "OH!" escaped our lips at the same moment each time my cock was fully buried inside of her. 

Now her fucking was at full speed as she madly thrust her whole body against me, slamming me against the wall. It was joyous torture it was; on one hand I had the intense, wondrously euphoric sensations that her tight, wet pussy was giving my cock. On the other hand though, these joyous sensations were offset by the jolt of being slammed against stone again and again. However I was not about to complain because the pleasure far outweighed the pain. 

Now, thankfully I had cum already, so I had some staying power or I would not be able to last much longer. The fast and furious pace she set in her fucking was not meant to make the experience last. After a few glorious moments of this her whole body tensed up.

"OH OH OH GOD I'M CUMMING! OH YES! OH YES YES YES YEEEESSSS!!!" Jealile screamed at the top of her lungs as every part of her body quivered and shook. 

Even her already tight pussy quaked and clamped down on my cock and for a moment she had to stop her thrusting as her intense orgasm rocked through her. Later she told me that she saw stars, she came so hard. After a moment or two she quieted down and all that was heard was her hard panting breath. When she realized that I was still hard inside her she quickly resumed her fast pace of fucking and came twice more. Soon after that I knew that was going to cum soon as I could not stand much more of this intense fucking before cuming myself. I held out as long as I could before I knew the moment had arrived.

"Cuming! Oh honey I'm cuming oh YES CUMING!" I screamed as my cock erupted and I shot my second load of the night into her body. 

"Yes! Yes! Yes! YEEEESSS!!! Oh God CUMING!" Jealile screamed. 

She came right along with me as more and more of my hot cum shot into her, bathing her insides with my cum. When her orgasm had subsided her legs gave way and she fell in a heap at my feet. Her body was motionless other than her heaving chest as she gulped for air while clinging to the stone floor.

"That was the most fantastic experience I have ever had! You're incredible Jealile!" I said with breathless reverence as I too tried to catch my breath. 

"Oh look, it needs cleaning again!" Yeoline said as she moved next to me and proceeded swallow as much of my cock as she could. After a moment or two of this bobbing action she then licked the rest of the shaft and balls clean. She sat back and proudly admired her work looking up to me to gauge my reaction, getting a weak smile in return. 

"I never knew a man could bring me so much joy! That was fantastic!" Jealile said while she sat up looking at me with the same sad, betrayed look that Shelea gave me earlier. "Oh why couldn't you be one of our men?" Jealile said with mixed sorrow and pain looking down and away.

"I can't help where I was born Jealile, but I'm here now. Can't we just take things from here?" I asked the woman who still did not look up at me as she rested her half-nude body on the cold stone floor.

"It's not that simple." Jealile said without even looking up at me.

"Why not? Why can't it be?" I replied with slight annoyance.

"Because you're an Outsider!" Jealile snapped looking at me with annoyance of her own. 

"So what!" I snapped back.

"They will likely kill you in a few days, that's why!" Jealile snapped at me with a mixture of anger frustration and sadness, as a tear rolled down her cheek. Jealile fell silent and did not say another word for a long moment while she looked down, not able to even look at me. I looked her over and could tell what she had intended to be a quick romp with a condemned man had stirred up feelings she was not expecting. She had wanted to simply know what sex was like and to experience it for herself, firsthand. While any religious man would scorn her and call her all sorts of unholy and horrible names for doing so, I understood. For it was the same curiosity that lead me to Greta and thus to where I was now, so I had an understanding perspective. I wanted to say something to comfort her but alas I could not think of anything to counter the fact that I was apparently a condemned man. 

"Brian?" Yeoline asked curiously yet cautiously. 

"Yes Yeoline." I responded calmly even though I found it hard to look away from Jealile while she was in so much pain and turmoil. 

"Why do you want to destroy us?" Yeoline asked with the same pained look that Jealile wore. 

"I don't want to destroy anybody!" I grunted in frustration as I looked at each woman trying to get them to look me in the eye again. 

"Really?" Yeoline said with her voice thick with disbelief and mistrust as Jealile sat silently looking at the floor.

"Why does nobody believe me when I say that my ship sank at sea and I washed up here! Why is it that nobody believes the simple explanation and clings to this far fetched story of one man coming here to destroy your whole island?" I said with an angry tone that perhaps wasn't the best thing but at the moment I was frustrated and angry, and not quite in control of my emotions.

Both women looked up at me and for a moment there was silence as they looked thoughtfully at me while, saying nothing. I didn't say anything though I wanted to; I just let them ponder my words. I desperately wanted them to believe my innocence, even if they could do nothing to prevent it. I wanted, no, needed to know that these women whom I barely knew yet cared for believed in me. I was alone in a strange land without a soul to call my friend. As you can imagine that is an especially lonely feeling indeed that I don't wish on anyone. As strange as it may seem I felt a connection with them already and wanted to find a way to at least remain friends with them. 

"So you're not a destroyer?" Yeoline asked, half sure of what she was saying.

"No dear, I don't want to destroy anything. Even if I did, what harm could I do?" I said in a calming tone.

"But you are an Outsider aren't you?" Yeoline asked with a distasteful tone that told me that being and Outsider was almost as bad as being a Destroyer.

"Yes, I was born in England. Fate and God's will brought me to your shores." I said with a smile that I hoped would be infectious as ladies both looked at me cautiously. "Does that make me such an evil man?" I asked with a twinge of hurt and pain in my own voice.

"No, I guess not." Jealile said while still looking down, unable to look at me even yet.

"Why do you hate me simply because I come from a far off place?" I asked again sounding hurt, curious to know their response. 

"I don't hate you." Jealile said with a hurt tone, almost as if she had been slapped across the face. 

"I may be wrong Jealile, but I thought you liked me." I said and paused to catch her eye before continuing. "I had hoped that I could see you . . . personally . . . when and if I get out of here." I said hopefully and fell silent, waiting for her response. 

"Of course I like you Brian!" Jealile snapped as her eyes welled up with tears. "If only there was a chance for us! I could make you happy Brian; I know I would! I can be a good wife Brian, I could take good care of you!" Jealile said with emotions overwhelming her as Yeoline rushed near her and held her to comfort her body and battered spirit. 

"No arguments here! Any man would be lucky to have you. I know I would consider myself very fortunate to be your husband." I said with a genuine smile of affection. "I don't think I will ever be so fortunate as to call a woman as fine as either of you my wife." I confessed with genuine desire and regret. 

"Do you really mean that Brian?" Yeoline asked with restrained joy looking up at me with hopeful eyes.

"I don't see the point of any of this, even if we wanted to, there's nothing we could do to save you!" Jealile said with frustration and undignified anger of her own.

"Well excuse me for actually wanting to try to find a way to be together." I snapped back to the woman on the floor whom I already felt affection for. 

"If you're looking for an easy way out of this cell you've got it all wrong stranger! I'm no fool you know!" Jealile said with a growl and a huff of suspicious discontent in my direction. 

"I am innocent, I know that. I haven't done anything wrong, sooner or later your superiors will see that I am no threat and let me go." I said with conviction of the straightforward logic of my own words. "When that happens I would like to spend some time with you." I said warmly and calmly, pausing for a moment until her wet green eyes met mine, searching mine for some hope and sincerity. 

"I can't let you out of here, only The Council can grant you your freedom." Jealile said with trepidation and distrust, searching my eyes for any hint of deception of any kind. 

"I understand that." I said with understanding. "I like you Jealile, not your position or jailor's key." I looked her in the eye and did not waiver in my deep gaze into her eyes. "I would be as cautious as you were I in your shoes." I chuckled lightly as our gaze deepened and intensified. Slowly her stern look softened and her breathing quickened as she retuned my gaze with a look of desire. She drew close and kissed me with a tender kiss that grew in intensity and passion and lasted only a moment or two. When she broke the kiss she kept her body pressed against mine and rested her head on my shoulder for a moment.

"I used to agree that any Outsiders must be put to death to prevent the legend from coming true." Jealile said without looking at me. "Oh why did you come here only to die?" She said as she tore her body away from mine and put her clothes and armor back on not looking at me once. 

"I don't want to die either you know! I've done nothing wrong and your telling me that I am doomed just because I washed up on your shore? How fair is that?" I said in a hurt and slightly outraged tone. "Is there nothing that can be done?" I implored her earnestly searching her face for some glimmer of hope but found none. "Sweet Jealile there must be something you can do?" I beseeched her again, she sighed and looked me in the eye and held that gaze for a moment as a tear formed in her eye.

"I don't know . . . but I will try." She said sincerely as she stood there back in full armor. Yeoline was also by her side and apart from the tender looks on their faces they looked as they had when the entered. "If you get out of here, remember us at the next Harvest Festival." Jealile said with a warm smile and at the moment I had no idea what she was talking about. "I can't promise anything but I will try dear Brian." Jealile said as she stroked my cheek lightly while smiling warmly at me for a long, tender moment. 

"Yes we'll do our best Brian." Yeoline added sincerely, looking at me with the same look of love as Jealile had while searching my eyes for sincerity.

"I will remember both of you." I said seriously, even though I didn't know what was going on or anything about this 'Harvest Festival' that they mentioned a few times. All I knew was that I needed their help to get out of this mess and already cared for them deeply as strange as that seems.

"Aren't you going to take your turn?" Jealile asked Yeoline plainly, giving her a light jab in the ribs. 

"I want to, but I'll wait till I'm married . . . I promised myself." Yeoline said with a downcast look.

"I understand dear." I replied with a reassuring smile. 

"Well, you should get dressed now. We have to unchain you for a bit, can we trust you not to make a run for it? I'd hate to have to kill you." Jealile said as she tossed the new clothes at my feet. 

"Where would I go? I am a stranger in a strange land and I have no place to go." I said, as I looked down, saddened by that thought. 

"Good enough." Jealile said as she closed and locked the door from the inside. 

Then Jealile placed the keys in her pocket and moved next to the leaver and drew her sword and pointed it at me. Yeoline removed her sword and placed it next to Jealile and stood near to me. With a short pull on the leaver a little of the chains came out of the wall giving me some slack. Yeoline approached and one by one unlocked the chains and I stood free of my confines. Yeoline stood back against the wall and took her sword in her hand and turned to face me, blocking the door. Both women looked at me with great intent, watching to see what I would do next.

"Ladies, I told you, I won't try anything, this isn't necessary." I said a little put off by all this obvious distrust. 

"Sorry, but it is standard procedure. Nothing personal." Jealile said in a lighter expression and an apologetic smile.

I quickly and quietly got into my new clothes and found that they were finer than the clothes I was used to. They were all gray and had some silver trim in places and fit quite well and the fabric felt great against my skin. They were obviously not the rags that you would expect a prisoner to get. I felt better and more dignified to be clean and wearing decent clothes once more. 

"He does clean up well doesn't he?" Yeoline said with a smirk.

"Indeed he does, not so scruffy looking anymore!" Jealile replied with the same smirk. "Alright, chain him back in." Jealile said as she took Yeoline's sword from her.

In a few moments I was chained back in and lying back on the straw and trying to sleep. They lights were out and the ladies were standing on the other side of the door like they were when all of this started. I even thought for a moment that I had dreamt all of this but one look at my clothes reassured me that this was not the case. I slept the contented sleep of a tired man and for the first time in a long time I had hope for a better life.



Brian's Adventures Ch. 03



Chapter Three: Changing Fortunes

I awoke the next morning with the sun beaming in my face and my body a little sore from sleeping on straw. As I rubbed my eyes, the clinking of the chains reminded me of where I was and the mess I was in. I looked around and found that the cell had not changed. I knew full well that morning that it was not all a terrible dream. I truly was in this strange place that I knew little about and yet had been drawn to. Already I knew that it was far different than any place I had seen. I mean, to have female guards was a strange and unheard of thing anywhere I had been, a rarity of extreme measure. I had not even heard of such a thing being done even in the darkest, most desperate of times. In this place I had not seen a male guard once. Come to think of it I had not seen any men at all yet, another strange oddity of this place called Tania. 

I stood up and looked out the door and when I saw female guards again I thought that Jealile and Yeoline were still out there. 

"Good morning ladies." I said with a chipper tone and a smile on my face as I remembered the night before.

"Good Afternoon." Came a monotone chorus of two strange female voices in reply. I watched as the guards took a brief glance into the room and otherwise paid me no mind. 

"He's up. Fetch the healer." One guard said to someone I couldn't see and I heard the scurrying of feet disappearing.

Moments later I heard a group of people returning and moments after that the door opened up and three people entered the room. Herulia the healer, Shelea her assistant and one of the Guards all entered the room. 

The Guard stood at attention by the door and seemed to look past me. She had a stern look about her and seemed to look through me, keeping an ever-watchful eye on everything in the room at once. She had a beautiful face and long black hair pulled back in a single braid. She wore the same uniform of armor that Jealile and Yeoline had worn. Her slender limbs sticking out of that armor made it clear that she too was in fine shape, as one would expect of a guard. 

Herulia stood in the centre of the room and I rose to greet her as one would if any lady entered the room. Shelea flashed me a smile quietly from her place beside and behind Herulia but otherwise remained quiet. Herulia didn't say anything for the moment as she examined me. I finally got the chance to examine her; the last time we met I was still not all together. 

Herulia was a pleasant looking older woman and carried a bit of extra weight around with her, as one would expect of a woman her age. All in all I would say that she was a well-rounded woman or pleasantly plump, but not excessively overweight by any means. Her silver hair was cut short and did not pass her shoulders. Her breasts were in proportion to her plump body and did droop a little bit. All in all she was a pleasant woman to look at and her face did know how to smile although up until now she was all business.

"How do you feel today?" Herulia asked with the barest hint of a smile, but sounding genuinely interested in what I had to say. 

"Better ma'm. It is amazing what a good meal and a decent night's rest can do." I replied with a smile of my own, trying to be pleasant.

"I see the guards last night took good care of you." Herulia asked with just the hint of a raised eyebrow. I got the impression that she knew something about what had happened last night, but for the moment she said nothing.

"Yes they did. They took pity on me I guess and decided to clean me up a bit." I replied pleasantly, ignoring the inference of Herulia's comment. 

"Is that all?" Herulia added with a more pronounced lifted eyebrow and a look that demanded that I 'come clean'. 

"Yes of course that's all! I was still quite scruffy looking if you remember and I felt dreadfully awful with all that muck on me. They were kind enough, or were sick of looking at the scruffy man in the cell and cleaned me up and gave me these clothes." I replied in an innocent tone but sounding a little perturbed. I was not about to get Jealile and Yeoline in trouble, if I could help it. After all I liked those ladies and as strange as it seamed they almost seemed like friends to me, and you protect your friends.

"I see." Herulia sighed with an unimpressed look and then continued. "Well, in any event you seemed to have made an impression on them. It just strikes me as odd that they would come to your defense so strongly, so quickly if nothing happened." 

"I don't know what to tell you." I shrugged.

"Well they're not the only ones that feel you are sincere about your claim not to pose a threat to us." Herulia said and glanced obviously over her shoulder to Shelea. Shelea blushed and looked away not able to look Herulia or me in the eye. "I for one don't know what to make of you though for your sake it would be so much easier if you were just one of our sailors who washed ashore. That's why I'm here, to find out the truth about you." Herulia finished and stepped closer to take a better look at me.

"I don't know what to do to make you see that I am what I say I am: a man washed upon your shores. I don't want anything but your mercy and the chance to prove myself." I said and looked her in the eyes with the most sincere look I could muster.

"I take it that by now you know that you are to be executed in a few days." Herulia said plainly.

"I do." I replied swallowing hard.

"Normally you would have been executed already. Until now all of our invaders have been easier to spot. Never before has one so familiar in appearance and tongue arrived. I must say that I wish to believe you, as I am curious about this England of yours. However, you must understand that the safety of Tania must come first!" Herulia finished with conviction, she made a fist and struck the air. 

"I do understand. I do not wish you or your people any harm. If the people I have met so far is any indication then you are a friendly people, a little untrusting of strangers but nice all the same." I said as politely as possible with a warm smile. 

"We have our reasons to be weary of outsiders." Herulia said still looking at me with a discerning look.

"I may be an Outsider but that does not mean that I am a Destroyer!" I said with a little frustration and the mildest of outrage. "I have done nothing to you or your people and yet I have been treated like a criminal." I finished in a more subdued tone but also with a tone of disgust. 

"You seem to know more about us than I thought." Herulia said with a slightly raised eyebrow yet keeping the suspicious look on her face and tone in her voice. 

"I am curious to know all I can about Tania and it's people." I replied with a friendly tone and inquisitive smile, hoping that she would warm up to me. 

"I'll bet you would like to know all about us wouldn't you." Herulia smiled with an expectant smile.

"Yes I would." I replied honestly and for the moment I thought I was getting somewhere with Herulia.

"I bet you would love to know all sorts of things about us before your army arrives!" Herulia snarled with a growl of distain and disgust, like you would look on your enemy or a traitor. 

"What?" I replied shocked and frustrated. "No! I am just a sailor who washed up on your shores and is in need of your mercy, I am no scout or spy!" I replied and affirmed assuredly.

"That may be Brian, but if the safety of your homeland was at stake, would you not kill someone to secure the safety of your people?" Herulia asked with an expectant, yet stern look about her. "Yes, of course." I replied with a more civilized tone. "But only if it was absolutely necessary, if they proved themselves to be a danger." I finished with a firm and otherwise pleasant tone.

"You may be right, you may just be a sailor who washed up on our shores either by accident or divine providence." Herulia relented with a plain tone. "What's one death when weighed against the lives of everyone in Tania?" Herulia said with a raised eyebrow and left that question to dangle in the air as she left.

Shelea looked at me as if she wanted to say something and her mouth opened up to speak, but in the end she said nothing. Instead she placed my meal on the floor near where I could get it and hurried out the door, to catch up to Herulia. 

I sat and ate my meal wondering what I could do to get Herulia on my side? How could I get someone who had no trouble with killing me on the off chance that I may be trouble to see that I was a good man, a life worth sparing? I was trying to make friends with her and she saw me as something bothersome, some kind of trouble. She saw me like a dog that has bitten once and may bite again; kill the beast and be done with it or it may trouble you in the future I could hear her saying. 

As I sat there pondering all of the strange events since I arrived on this island I was left with more questions than answers. For the rest of the day, other than the arrival of food by people I did not know, I was left alone. I stayed up late into the night hoping and waiting for Jealile or Yeoline to arrive to guard me but they did not. I was left with another pair of guards that did not pay me any mind and I fell asleep feeling quite alone. The two days that followed were much the same and I felt like I had been left to rot in this damn place and my spirit sunk. I have never felt so alone and forgotten in all my life. However, late in the day after that a cloaked figure came in to deliver the evening meal. I was wondering exactly what was going on and before I could question this person I saw inside the hood of the cloak and recognized the smiling, teary-eyed face. 

"I had to see you Brian." Jealile said quietly as she looked into my eyes with a loving expression.

"I haven't seen anyone for days, how did you get in here? What's going on?" I quietly said as she knelt down by me placing the tray on the floor before me. I started to slowly eat my meal to give Jealile the excuse of waiting for me to finish eating as a reason for her remaining with me. 

"Yeoline and I haven't been allowed near you. My superiors believe that we are too emotionally attached to you to be objective." Jealile said with a saddened expression before continuing. "I guess they're right." Jealile said looking troubled and looked away, distracted by her own thoughts for a moment. "I wanted to let you know that I haven't forgotten you." She said brushing her hand on my cheek tenderly and smiled lovingly at me.

"I never doubted you would do your best or that you would remember me." I said between mouthfuls as I brushed my hand on her cheek and she closed her eyes and held my hand to her face. I swallowed and pulled her to me for a brief kiss that lingered dangerously too long. As her lips touched mine I felt complete; passion welled up inside me. Clearly I felt stronger for her than anyone I had ever known and it had started one brief night that I would not forget. 

"I've talked to the healer but she isn't convinced as to your innocence, she thinks you're telling stories and should be killed 'to be safe'" Jealile said sounding slightly dejected as she broke the kiss. Both of our hearts were racing and our breath quick as we looked in each other's eyes.

"I know, she talked to me already. Naturally I didn't tell anyone about us." I said with a smile before taking a mouthful of my meal. 

"I know, I heard. It was then that I was truly convinced about you myself." Jealile said with a serious, yet piercing look. "Thank you for protecting me when you didn't have to. You could have turned me in to gain favor but you didn't. I know now that you can be trusted . . . that I love you." Jealile said softly and I was caught off guard and for a moment I was speechless as the weight of her admission hit me.

"I don't know how or why but I love you too Jealile." I said after a moment with a tear in my eye. "We know almost nothing about each other but one thing I do know is that I haven't felt like this about anyone else before." Jealile looked in my eyes and her expression melted into one of love and tears rolled down her cheek as she smiled broadly. 

"It's crazy I know." Jealile said shaking her head. "I haven't stopped thinking about you." She said fighting her emotions from overwhelming her as she looked down for a moment. When she looked back up her expression was the same steely, determined glare I had seen on her face before and I knew she meant business. "No harm will come to you Brian Westlock, I swear it!" She looked me dead in the eye and said. "I will get you out of here one way or another!" She finished looking me in the eye and her face melted into a tender, pleading look of a child. "We will be together won't we?" She asked with a fearful look, almost afraid of the answer.

"Of course luv I'll marry you . . . if . . . you'll have me that is." I replied softly. 

"Oh I'll marry you Brian, Yes!" She said with a delightful grin and tear filled eyes.

"Than it's settled, as soon as I get out of here we'll be married!" I said confidently and almost too loudly.

"If only it were that simple." Jealile chuckled but looked back at the door and then at me. "I should go, I've been here too long." Jealile said and then gave me a quick peck on the lips before quickly departing with the tray of empty dishes. 

I was confused by her last comment but took solace in the fact that she had not forgotten me. At least one person knew I was in here and cared if I lived or died, that was just what I needed to know. I could hardly sleep that night as I realized that she loved me as much as I loved her but yet I knew almost nothing about her. I feared for my sanity but at the time that was the least of my worries. I was more worried about my hide to be sure! 

I awoke the next morning feeling refreshed and energized, confident in the fact that somehow I would get out of this mess. Shortly after I had finished my morning meal I had another odd visitor, this time a man. I heard footsteps approaching the cell and when they neared I heard the guards snap to attention. The door opened and two other guards entered the room and took up positions on either side of the door. They were dressed in finer armor and clothing, also they bore fancier swords. 

The man that followed them entered the room and stood in the middle and looked me over for a moment. He was tall with dark hair and hazel eyes. His slender build and fine features added to his handsome looks. He wore fine clothes and everything about him looked to be clean and crisp. I could tell instantly that he was someone important and I wondered why he came to see me. 

I stood and kept my gaze down as I guessed he was the local Lord or someone similar and didn't want to offend him. I wanted to mind my manors around him after Herulia's reaction. I got the impression that if he didn't like me I was a dead man. The last man to have this kind of power over me was Captain Blackstone, but he was easy to deal with. I mean with the Captain, I knew what he wanted: work and obedience; all I had to do was do what I was told when I was told. With these people though I still didn't know what they wanted me to do other then die. I knew that if they had no use for me, I was a liability and easily disposed of at that. "Good morning Mr. Westlock I trust you slept well. Are you enjoying your stay?" He said with obvious breeding that reflected his obvious noble stature.

"Yes Milord, your people take good care of me." I said looking into his face only briefly, minding my manners.

"You have straw for your bed and you are chained to a wall in a dismal cell. I hate to see what you would consider poor treatment." He said with a hint of humor in his voice and a smirk on his face finishing with a chuckle.

"Well sir, I just figured that there was some concern of security and so forth. Otherwise I have been well treated Milord." I said and again did not look him in the face. 

It was then that he fell silent while he looked intently but sideways at me, pacing back and forth for a moment. I kept my thoughts to myself and waited, wondering what he was thinking. I hoped that he had a brighter view of me and did not see me as Herulia did. I thought over everything I had learned about these people and tried to figure out how I could impress him, what I could do to win his favor. It was a moment or two later when he stopped pacing and spoke again, giving me an idea as to what he had been thinking. 

"Guard." He said without looking away from me. One of the guards from outside my cell hurried into the room and stood at attention beside my mysterious, noble visitor. 

"Yes sir." She said with her eyes forward, not looking at him or me directly. 

"Is this how you would treat a guest in your home?" He said turning to the guard indicating me with one hand. 

"Well, no sir." The female guard said. 

"Exactly!" He snapped. "Unchain him." He ordered, pointing at me. 

Without a moments hesitation but a shocked look on her face the guard moved towards me. Exactly in sync the two escorts of my noble visitor drew their swords and took an aggressive stance and looked at me unwaveringly. In a moment I was free of the chains and I rubbed my wrists while looking at everyone in the room but did not move from my spot. The female guard stepped away from me but looked at me while placing her hand on the hilt of her sword. 

"Thank you sir." I said and bowed a shallow bow of gratitude. 

Again there was a pause as the nobleman looked me over and I kept to myself for the moment. Once again I kept to myself and thought things over, hoping that he would show kindness and mercy to me. This time however, I had three women watching my every move with swords at hand and deadly intentions in their hearts. I could see in their eyes they were looking for an excuse to kill me, any hint of a reason to do me ill. I stood there looking meek and mild, waiting for the man who stood before me to speak once more. 

"Does he look like a threat to you?" The nobleman said over his shoulder to the guards with him. They slowly put their swords away but kept their hands tightly on the hilts of their swords and glared a silent warning at me. "I am Director Lochel Teroncia and you will be my guest until this matter is resolved. Walk with me won't you." He said with an inviting smile and indicated the door. 

I looked at the guards in the room and then left the cell for the first time since I awoke in this place. I stood outside and waited for him and his escorts. At his cue we walked side by side down the maze of passageways with his escorts and my guards in tow. It was a little ways before he spoke again.

"Tell me about yourself Mr. Westlock." Director Lochel asked again not looking at me.

"Well sir, I was born in a place called England; more specifically in the country. I was born on a farm and farmed my entire life sir. My father was a farmer and his before his and so on and so on." I started out and paused to gauge his reaction. 

"How did a farmer from England end up here?" Director Lochel inquired, looking at me out of the corner of his eye.

"Well sir, I wanted more out of life than simply farm the land until I died. I wanted more, so I moved to nearest port city to find work and make my own path in life as it were." I paused to look at him and he nodded his understanding. "Well I was working on the docks for a spell and things were going fine until I met a lady." I said and paused, not sure how to tell him about Greta after all it was rather embarrassing. 

"They can be delightful but they can be trouble as well. I also know this all too well. We have at least one thing in common Mr. Westlock." Director Lochel laughed knowingly, shaking his head. 

"Brian sir, you can call me Brian if you like sir." I corrected politely. 




Brian's Adventures Ch. 03



"Fair enough Brian, when we are in private you may call me Lochel. But in public I am addressed as Director Teroncia. Please continue your story Brian." Lochel prodded.

"Well, as I said I had met a lady and she invited me back to her room to spend some intimate time together." I said dropping innuendo carefully. 

"I see, go on." Lochel prompted with a smirk and a raised eyebrow.

"Well in the middle of things I was hit over the head from behind. The next thing I knew I was on a ship at sea. The ship was on a perilous journey bound for far off lands to trade for strange and unusual things. They wanted to return to England and sell them to be rich. Part way through the journey we hit a storm and the ship sunk. I was the only survivor and I washed up on your shore, you know the rest." I finished and looked at him just as we entered into the light of day. I hid my eyes until I could get used to the dazzling daylight. 

I found that we had risen to the main level of the building that we were in. From the guards coming and going I guessed that were in the main barracks of some kind. It seemed the most likely place to bring a prisoner and keep an eye on them. Even if I had escaped from that cell the first night I would not have gotten ten feet before I was lost, captured or killed. The building was not tall, only three stories in all and made of stone. The main hall that we crossed was filled with guards going this way and that. From the stairs we went toward one of the sides, down a few more corridors before we stopped at another room. 

As I stepped inside I saw that it was also a cell but much brighter and quite luxurious compared to my previous cell. There was a large window across from the door that streamed daylight into the room. Naturally it had bars in it but at least I had a pleasant view out of it. Along one side wall there was a wooden bed that looked much more comfortable than straw. A small desk and chair was near the window and a bench was along the wall opposite from the bed. The door was the same solid looking door as my previous cell and the room seemed to be the same size. However the one thing I did notice was the lack of chains and I was relieved to find that. 

"I believe these are much more appropriate accommodations Brian." Lochel said. 

"Oh they are that. Yes you are most gracious Milord." I said still in wonder at the elevation of my status and the change in my accommodations. 

I looked out the window and found that I was in the centre of a great city, almost as grand as the one that I had left back in England. Most of the buildings were built of solid looking wood. The streets and public buildings were built of stone. The streets were clean and all was very beautiful and serene here. Back in England I remember that a dust hung over everything and nothing seemed to be truly clean. 

The whole city seemed to be surrounding a bay. In the harbor I could see a variety of smaller ships, fishing vessels and so on. Nowhere could I see the tall, seagoing ships like the one that brought me to this place. It seemed odd to see a great port city with no tall ships in the harbor. 

"You have a grand city here sir." I said as I tried to take in everything could but only caught a fraction of it. 

"Thank you. It is called Teroncia." He said and I looked at him after recognizing the city had the same name as his last name. "The city is named after my ancestor Augustus Teroncia, the first Council Director who founded this city." Lochel finished proudly standing slightly taller.

"Impressive, how long has your people been here?" I asked curiously. 

"The Master Scholar is better able to answer your questions." Lochel said evasively. "He will visit you shortly. I have other duties to attend to, you understand. Good day Brian." Lochel said and turned to leave but stopped at the doorway. "I almost forgot, you are allowed visitors now." He said and left, taking his escorts with him and leaving my guards on the outside of my new cell. 

As the door clinked closed I looked around in wonder and still could not believe my luck. I sat down on the bed then laid back and found that it was the most comfortable bed I could remember. However the beds that I had used in my recent past left much to be desired. To me it felt like the Kings own bed could not have been better. 

I spent some time looking out of the window, looking at the life in the streets below. Everything looked peaceful and calm down there and I wanted to wander and explore this fine and beautiful city. While everything did look like it was getting better for me. As lovely as the view was, it served to remind me of what I didn't have, freedom; that saddened me and slightly spoiled the view. 

I watched the people coming and going and again noticed many more women than men. Not that this was an unpleasant sight, but again an odd one. I saw women out shopping, women running shops, women cleaning the streets, more women guards patrolling the streets! Truly there was something not quite right here. Where were all the men? Why did these people make their women do the work of men? It all seemed strange and odd to me and I searched for a reasonable answer but found none. 

"Enjoying the view?" Came another strange voice from behind me.

"Yes. Quite." I replied as I spun to face the direction of the voice and found an old man standing there. 

I was so immersed in my thoughts that I did not notice that another visitor had entered the room. I was startled out of my skin when he spoke to me the first time. He was about my height and did not slouch over at all. He was wearing a plain gray robe that almost matched his off-white hair and beard. His blue eyes sparkled with interest as he looked me over. From the half smile, half sneer on his lips I could not tell if his interest had good or evil intent for me. 

"It is quite lovely, I could spend hours looking at it from my window." He said with the same look about him. "I am the Master Scholar and I'm just here to ask you a few questions." He said with an attempt at a reassuring smile, but it failed miserably. "Do you mind?" He asked motioning to the desk with the pile of books in his hands. 

"Certainly, make yourself at home." I said with a smile pointing at the modest desk.

He plopped his books on the desk and sat in the chair in front of it and for a moment he was lost in the shuffling of papers and organizing of books. I sat on the bench and waited for him to make the next move, unsure of how I should proceed. After a long moment he turned to me and asked his first question.

"Who sent you to spy on us? Was it the king?" The inquisitor asked directly.

"Nobody! I'm not here to spy." I said plainly but trying not to sound frustrated but the aggravation I felt snuck into my voice a bit.

"What was your mission then? Test our defenses then? Find out if we're weak? Then what? Signal your army?" The inquisitor snapped and the glint in his eye twinkled to life.

"I'm not on any mission! I'm not here to spy! I washed . . ." I started out, and was trying to keep my cool but I was cut off quickly.

"They told me the feeble lie you told the healer and the hapless guards. I will not be so easily swayed!" The old man snarled with fire in his voice as he slammed his fist on the table. "Do you really think that we are ALL so gullible as to believe so FLIMSY a cover story?" He shouted with distain in his voice.

"It's not a cover story, it's the truth!" I shouted back, now quite angry about his attitude.

"When did your people find out about us? How long have you been planning this invasion?" He shouted as he stood and took a few steps toward me. His breathing was quick and flame danced in his eyes and his whole being seethed with pure hatred as he pointed an accusing, bony finger at me.

"I only discovered this place after I woke up chained in one of your cells!" I shouted back. "I'm no destroyer! I'm no spy! I'm on no mission!" I growled back, now furious with him. 

"WHEN WILL THE ATTACK COME!" He screamed as he lunged at my throat pinning me against the wall. 

"There is no army, there will be no attack!" I replied as best as I could with his hands at my throat. 

It was then that I heard the sound of a dagger being pulled from its sheath. When I felt a blade held to my throat I knew I was in it deep and sent up a quick prayer for salvation. I knew if I gave him an answer he didn't like it would not be good for me. 

"Tell me what I want to know or you'll not live another moment." He spat as quietly as he could under his breath pressing the blade harder against my throat. 

It was then that I had had my fill of him and exploded, throwing him back. The Master Scholar stumbled back a few steps then fell backward sprawling on the floor. He looked up in shock and terror as I stood there with the dagger in my hand and towered over him. I will admit that for a brief second I thought of killing the spiteful man to put him out of his misery. However, I am not a cold-blooded killer, that is not who I am. Instead I walked to the door of the cell and presented the dagger, handle first between the bars.

"Will you take this please before he hurts himself with it." I said politely, presenting the dagger.

"Oh . . . Yes . . . Thank you." Came the startled reply of one of the guards on the other side of the door as she took the dagger from my hand.

"Can we please have a normal conversation?" I said as I walked over to him and offered him my hand to help him up but he only batted it away.

"I don't need your help. You caught me off guard, that's all." He snarled as he scrambled to his feet. "I know what you are and I will make others see as well." He said as he came too close to my face for my comfort.

"I have told you the truth. I am just a poor sod who was shipwrecked and washed up on your shore." I said plainly not showing any fear but he laughed in reply.

"We'll see." He said as he gathered his books sounding much calmer patting my cheek a little harder than he had to. As I looked at him I saw that the glint in his eye had returned and a sense of foreboding cast its shadow over me. "You can't lie forever. The truth will find you out." He laughed as he walked out the door 

As he left, one of the guards placed his dagger on the top of his books and from where I stood I could see a smirk on her face. When he was out of earshot the two guards entered the room with broad smiles on their faces. 

"Nice move." Said the taller blonde guard.

"Yes, brilliantly executed." The other slightly shorter brown haired guard said.

"He always was a miserable sod." The blonde guard chuckled.

"He needed to be taken down a peg for a while." The brunette guard said and they both broke into laughter and I joined in after a bit. 

"It was more an act of desperation than anything else. After all he did have that blade at my throat." I said with a chuckle. "But the way, thanks for coming to my defense." I laughed in a half-aggravated tone.

"Aw we figured you could handle the feeble old man." The blonde said with a warm smile.

"Besides, its more fun this way." The brunette said with the same warm smile. 

Then they stood there looking at me and stealing conspiratory glances at each other for a moment before saying anything to me. I was wondering what was going on but gathered by the smiles on their faces that it was not anything bad. Or at least I hopped that it wasn't but so far they seemed nice enough.

"I can see why she likes him." The blonde said as she gave me an approving glance and a most pleasant look steeling a smirk in the Brunette's direction. 

"Yes, he's not that bad to look at is he?" The brunette with a mischievous smirk stealing glances back at the blonde and they both broke into laughter at the same time.

"Might have to take a test ride ourselves eh?" The blonde said with a naughty smile and a playful flavor to her voice raising her eyebrows a few times at her fellow guard. "Eh?" She finished poking the other guard in the ribs.

"Easy there Valencia, he's not worth getting yourself killed over." The brunette warned shaking her head.

"You're such a spoilsport Pellenica!" Valencia, the blonde said in a pout. 

"Killed over?" I asked in a slightly higher voice. I was a little on edge whenever getting killed was mentioned.

"Oh sorry Brian, Valencia and I are married and the penalty for adultery is Death." Pellenica explained calmly, though I was no more at ease. 

"Oh dear, we can't have that can we." I agreed with a chuckle lightly rubbing my neck nervously. 

"Don't worry, Jealile is not married and there is no such penalty for anyone who is single and over nineteen. Though they might whip her for having sex with a prisoner. It was never a problem before now because every man who turns eighteen is married by the end of the next Harvest Festival!" Valencia explained with a laugh. "Lucky little shit she is if you ask me!" Valencia laughed giving me a quick pinch. 

"Am I gonna have to toss you in the bay to cool you off?" Pellenica teased. 

"C'mon just a quick bit O fun, who'll know?" Valencia said as she started to remove her armor with a playful glint in her eye. 

"Terenium is a good man and he doesn't deserve this!" Pellenica said seriously as she held Valencia's face near hers and looked the woman dead in the eye. 

"You're right, he is, I . . . I just lost my head for a moment there." Valencia said and left the room without saying another word. Pellenica was about to follow with her arm around the woman's shoulder when I stopped her.

"Well, I was just wondering." I said with a pause as she turned to face me. "Not that I'm admitting to anything mind you. But I was curious how you knew what you seem to know about me and . . ." My words trailed off and I could not say anymore. It appeared that I had said enough as Pellenica smiled knowingly at me before I had even finished speaking.

"Jealile told us everything about that first night; we're old friends. Take heart she loves you dearly and will see you when she can. She has been stationed to the other side of the Island." Pellenica said with a warm, soothing smile and brushed my cheek as her eyes darted all over my face. She then left the room and locked the door behind her.

I decided to enjoy my new surroundings and as I was looking out the window I noticed something odd down behind the desk. As I stooped to investigate I found that it was a couple of papers that the Master Scholar must have left behind. I picked them up and realized that they must have fallen out of one of his books as he left in a huff. I sat at the desk and read them over trying to make some sense of them. Any information I could get on these strange people of Tania would be helpful, that was to be sure.

I read them over and they seemed to be a few pages from someone's journal. By the fragile condition of the pages they were old. Most of it was of no interest to me, talking about weather and hardships and the like. But what I gathered was that this person was writing on a ship. They were on a journey fleeing someone who was invading their homeland. I could tell that they feared the total destruction of these invaders and had joined one 'Augustus Teroncia' in hopes to avoid certain death. 

I could learn little else from these pages and I paced back and forth trying to figure out just what this meant. I needed to know as much about the history of these people as I could as soon as I could. Perhaps in knowing more about them I could find a way to talk my head off of the 'block'. In knowing these pages perhaps I could find my salvation, I read them twice more but nothing new did I discern.

As I looked out of my window pondering all of these things I saw a statue in what looked like a town square. It was then that I was reminded of Lochel talking about his ancestor who founded this place. That ancestor was Augustus Teroncia and I knew that the journey this person took ended up here. They left their homeland because they were afraid of getting overrun by the invaders. For some reason they felt it was pointless to fight for their homes and instead abandoned them, but why?

I looked down at the pages and found the heading for they journal entry, July 3, 876. Suddenly it all fit! The people of Tania were English! They wrote and spoke English fluently and the only place I know people that do that is England! The Vikings made a mess of England, according to the old codger back home was about the time of this letter! When the Vikings invaded England old Augustus figured she was done for and packed it in. He apparently gathered others who felt the same and left to seek greener pastures. But how did they end up here? Did he know about this place or were they just lucky? 

It still didn't explain the unusually high number of women around (not that I was complaining). While this journal entry answered some questions it left many more unanswered. Their fear of outsiders (namely me) must be because they are afraid that the Vikings will come here next. They have been preparing for an invasion that would never come! 

It was late in the day by now and I was frazzled and tired from all my pacing and pondering. Just then as my stomach started to rumble the door opened and in came another cloaked figure carrying my evening meal. The figure placed the meal on the desk and turned to face me throwing the hood back revealing the smiling face of Yeoline. She rushed to embrace me and held me tight. I felt every delightful curve of her supple, firm, feminine body pressed against me. I knew that she was not wearing any armor. 

"I've missed you so." She said quietly without letting go of her tight grip on me.

"I've missed you too my dear." I said as I stroked her hair soothingly. 

Out of the corner of my eye I saw that Valencia and Pellenica were looking in on me with broad smiling faces. Both of them were giving me the thumbs up and approving looks. I smiled back at them and motioned for them to turn away and after a moment they did. Thankfully Yeoline was looking out the window for the moment and did not see the antics of her friends. 

"I had to see you, it's a risk I know, but I had to see you." Yeoline said as she looked into my face for the first time smiling a pain-ridden smile.

"But I'm allowed visitors now, there is no risk." I said reassuringly and smiled warmly at her.

"You may not be chained to a wall in the dungeon but you are in no less peril, and neither are those that associate with you. There are many who want you dead and they may yet get their way." Yeoline said with a worried tone and saddened face.

"I met one of them today and he had a go at my throat sure enough." I said with a half chuckle and Yeoline's brow furrowed with concern as she inspected my throat for injury.

"What happened?" Yeoline inquired and I quickly told her of my experience with the Master Scholar.

"Why is my arrival such a threat? I don't understand? What did I do to them?" I replied not sure of what to do or what to say.

"I don't know but the Master Scholar is the least of them. I haven't heard anything for certain but I will try to find out what I can." Yeoline said and finished while looking me in the eyes, holding that gaze for a moment. 

I smiled and she returned that smile yet our lips were drawn to each other's. The kiss was soft at first and built into a passionate kiss that burned with hell's fire. I pulled her even tighter to me and her hands roamed all over my back as she pressed her body even harder against mine. I found that my hands were also roaming and exploring her body as well. When my hands reached her rump she ground her pussy against my rock hard cock. After a moment of this she broke the kiss and looked me in the eye with a smoldering look of lust.

"I want you." Yeoline said with quick breaths.




Brian's Adventures Ch. 03



"We shouldn't dear. You said you wanted to wait until you were married." I said reminding her of what she said that first night.

"I should, but I can't help myself." She said with a sigh. "I can't stop thinking about you and what I passed up." Yeoline said with a strained look about her. "Can't we talk about this after? I want you now!" Yeoline said as she kissed me again forcefully. 

"There is only one first time. I want you to be sure it is what you truly want luv. We really shouldn't go much further." I said as I broke the kiss. 

With that Yeoline stepped back and removed her cloak revealing her nude body underneath. Her body was quite nearly the most perfect body I had seen. Everything was tight and trim on her supple feminine frame. From her head down to her toes she was in fine athletic form from the rigorous routine of life as a guard I guess. Her muscles were well defined and bulged out slightly in a way that I had not seen on a woman before; clearly she was not week and helpless. The most impressive part of her body was her breasts, simply massive they were! Quite possibly the largest mounds of feminine pleasure flesh I had seen in my lifetime. 

"Are you saying you don't want this?" Yeoline said in a sultry voice that bordered on innocent as she stood there with one leg slightly bent.

"Wow." I managed to say after glancing her over. "Well, as long as you're sure then." I replied with a weak smile as she stepped near to me and we kissed again. 

She managed to remove my clothes while we kissed and the exquisite feeling of her hot, soft skin against my skin is something I will remember. We kissed and explored each other's body and exposed skin with eager hands as we made our way to that bed. As we plopped down on that bed I was on top of her and I started to kiss my way down her body. I kissed my way from her lips down her neck and past her shoulders and across the invisible border of her right breast. Since this was the first pair of breasts that I had the chance to play with I did not know exactly what to do. However as I kissed, licked, caressed and explored the ample amount of her most feminine of flesh her coos encouraged me on. I kissed and explored as much of her breasts as I could, making sure to shower equal amount of attention on both breasts. In truth I was trying to devour both of them at the same time. 

What I did next I am not sure of why I did, other than as a result of trying to taste more of her soft skin. Trying to explore more of her body as it were; and from the way she sighed and squirmed I knew she liked what I was doing. I kept up my soft kisses on her stomach and found myself going further down her body. There was a sweet aroma that was drawing me further south. As my eyes and nose fell on the source of this sweet smell I could see that it was her excited pussy. It glistened in the sunlight and it moved and twitched in anticipation of something, but I knew not what. 

"Yesss . . . Clean it . . . Lick it Brian!" Yeoline hissed as she looked overtop of her massive breasts at me.

I inhaled the aroma and thought to myself that if it smelled this sweet, how could it taste that bad. Besides she had done something similar to me before, how could I refuse her even if it seemed a little disgusting at the time. 

I reached in with my tongue and licked the lips from the bottom to the top and a long low moan escaped Yeoline's other lips. I reached up with my hands and spread her pussy lips apart and found that it opened up like a flower. Gently I tongued up and down the insides of those lips kissing and licking sporadically here and there. Up at the top of her slit I found a little nub of flesh that seemed to beg for attention. All I did that first time was flick my tongue across it but I got an incredible reaction from Yeoline. 

"OH GOD YES!" Yeoline moaned as she threw her legs around my head hooking her heals. 

I took this as a good sign and kept up this attention to her clitoris and paying attention to the rest of her pussy as well. Needless to say her motions and moans became more pronounced as my attentions increased. Soon enough her whole body stiffened up and she bit her lip while she shook violently around the bed. She did her best to stifle the screams that tried to leap forth from her lips, only the odd moan managed to pass her lips. I found more of that tasty juice came out of her pussy and I did my best to lick all of it up. As quickly as the shaking started it was over and she slumped back onto the bed, her breathing still deep and quick. I continued to lick up all the juices I now craved until my head was unceremoniously lifted from between her legs.

"Fuck me . . . please!" Yeoline said with an urgency and need that would not be denied.

I scooted up quickly and found that my cock was soon at the entrance of her pussy thanks to her dept hands. With one thrust the head of my cock was past the tight lips of her pussy and a satisfied moan escaped my lover's lips. I continued to press in and found the same resistance that Jealile had that first time and waited for a moment. Yeoline thrust up quickly and I felt something break inside her and again I waited for her lead. With a quick thrust of the hips she signaled her willingness to continue and I pressed into her again. Soon I felt the skin that I had just been licking moments before pressed against my groin and I knew I was fully inside her. The look on her face was euphoric as she reveled in the sensations of having her first cock inside her fully. 

"FUCK ME!" She pleaded forcefully as she bucked her hips on my cock while locking her heals behind my waist and her arms around my neck. 

I did just that as I withdrew myself until just the head was spreading her lips apart and thrust it back into her fully. An "OH" sound escaped her lips each time I thrust into her and she gasped for air while we copulated on that humble bed. Each thrust I made into her she matched with a thrust of her own. It was not long before we had settled into a quick and steady pace. 

"Harder, fuck me harder baby . . . PLEASE!" Yeoline pleaded with a whine as she increased the thrusting of her hips. 

I did my best to keep up and slammed into her mercilessly again and again. Somehow I was able to match her breakneck pace and with each hard thrust an audible slapping sound was heard. The sound of skin slapping skin with each powerful thrust added to the unmistakable mix of sex sounds that came from my cell that evening.

"CUMING!" Yeoline screamed at the top of her lungs and then her whole body shook and quaked violently. It was the quivering of her tight insides that pushed me over the top and I slammed into her one last time and emptied myself into her. I exploded and shot my load deep into her and I seemed to keep cuming and cuming, we both were lost in the ecstasy of the moment. When the initial rush of our orgasms was over I heard someone enter the room.

"Get your clothes on you fools! The Captain is coming!" Pellenica shouted as she shook my shoulder. 

I jumped up and got dressed quickly and Yeoline did the same but was clearly in a near panic as she fumbled with her cloak. 

"I though he went down with the ship?" I wondered out loud, not exactly sure who she was talking about. 

"Not that Captain you idiot, the Captain of the guards; you know, our boss!" Pellenica barked.

In a flash we were both dressed and I was straightening up the room. Pellenica looked back and forth between the door and us looking quite worried, as we got dressed. 

"You said you wanted to see him quietly you daft girl! Is that what you call a quiet visit!" Pellenica shouted as quietly as she could, clearly she was pissed.

"I couldn't help myself." Yeoline apologized in near tears as she was rushed out the door. 

"Do you want to get whipped? Get out of here while you can!" Pellenica growled as she pushed Yeoline out the door. Before closing the door she turned back to me and said, "Keep your cool. Deny everything. Nothing happened!" She said firmly as she closed the door quickly.

"If you want, you could do us a favor and take the edge of this one." Valencia quipped happily through the bars.

"Shutup he's in enough trouble already without your help!" Pellenica snapped trying not to let the smile onto her lips but failing.

"You know it's what she needs." Valencia shot back with a shrug of her shoulders and they both burst into a giggling fit that they tried hard to contain. 

A minute later I heard commotion from outside the door and I saw the shadow of a menacing figure standing outside of the door. I swallowed hard and pretended to be sitting down to my evening supper peacefully but listened hard to the conversation outside the door.

"Alright what the HELL is going on around here!" Bellowed a booming voice that could only belong to the Captain of the Guards. 

"Nothing, he's just having dinner is all." Pellenica replied nonchalantly. 

"I heard his 'dinner' alright, where is she?" The Captain inquired sounding not impressed at all. 

"Don't know what you mean." Pellenica replied innocently. 

"Don't play games with me! I heard this one fucking the shit out of some harlot, now tell me who she was!" The Captain snarled pointing at the door. 

"Could you have been daydreaming again?" Valencia asked with a carefully crafted innocently inquiring look. It was a wonder that the Captain didn't swat her for that one; I might have if it were myself.

"I WAS NOT DAYDREAMING! I KNOW WHAT I HEARD!" The Captain shouted an inch from Valencia's face and Valencia didn't flinch a bit. "I heard this one fucking some lucky little whore. Now which one of you was it!" The Captain snarled glaring back and forth between the two guards. 

"Neither of us, because it didn't happen. Believe me if it was either one of us we'd still be in there." Valencia said sternly trying not to smile but the corners of her mouth betrayed her best intentions.

"If I find out that either of you are lying to me, I'll have your necks!" The Captain warned with a cynical smile. 

Just then the door opened up and in walked the largest woman I have ever seen. I don't mean she was fat, quite the opposite, she was bulging with muscles all over. Her armor looked like it had to have been custom made for her and naturally was the most intricate and decorated of any I had seen so far. Simply massive is the only way to describe this mountain of a woman. She was well over six feet tall and as solid as the walls of stone around us. Her red hair was pulled back into a single braid down to the middle of her back. Her green eyes scrutinized me intently as she stood just inside the door, not moving. She was an older woman but not an ancient woman by any stretch of the imagination. While she didn't have the prettiest face I had seen, hers wasn't the homeliest face I had seen either. Her plain face wore proudly the scars and lines of her work and station. 

"Just what the hell have you been up to in here!" The Captain snarled as she walked a few steps in my direction.

"Nothing, just having dinner." I replied calmly. 

"Bullshit! I heard you in here with that little tart now give me a name." The Captain ordered sternly. 

"There's no name to give." I shrugged my shoulders as she stepped closer to me. 

"It may have been a few years but I know what sex sounds like. I'm no fool!" The Captain said now towering over me and I started to fear for my life sending up a quick prayer for protection. 

"I find that hard to believe." I said under my breath and cursed myself for letting it slip. 

"What was that?" The Captain inquired accusingly. 

"Nothing, sorry." I said fumbling for my words, hoping she would not press the issue.

"Out with it! Or I'll beat it out of you!" She snarled now pressing her armor-covered body against mine.

"Please, it's nothing." I begged.

"I'll decide if it's nothing or not, now out with it!" She sternly pressed forward and the steel of her armor pressed into me. 

"Well, if you must know. I just found it hard to believe that you haven't had sex in years. Not that it's any of my business mind you." I said now embarrassed to have said it and looked away uncomfortably.

"Don't get cute with me!" The Captain snorted and she looked me over but after a moment she started to look flustered and backed away. "I . . . I'm busy with the Guards you know. Bunch of mindless wretches they are and can't do a thing right without my constant supervision." She said in a more subdued tone, now more distracted with her thoughts than ever.

"Well, perhaps you could leave early tonight and surprise your husband." I politely prodded.

"I'm not married." She replied now sitting down on the bench. 

"I find that also hard to believe, Captain of the Guards and all." I said as I put my hand on her shoulder as I sat down beside her. 

"Most men want a quiet and demure type, that's not me. Also my work keeps me busy." She replied and looked at me with an almost sheepish look. 

"I understand. It must be very taxing to be in charge of it all." I said with as much understanding as possible without sounding condescending. 

"It is, let me tell you. Why they wouldn't . . ." She started to say but her words trailed off into nothing for a moment and she sighed before looking back at me with a plain expression. "Listen, I can't have you pull another stunt like that again! You're in prison remember? You're my prisoner and I will not allow it!" She said shaking her finger at me in not so firm a tone as before. Clearly it was more of a normal speaking voice for her now and the anger had left her face.

"I've tried to be a model prisoner here." I replied stifling a smile.

"Try harder." The Captain said as she stood to leave. 

"Indeed I will Captain." I replied assuredly. 

"Please keep what I told you to yourself, it is personal Y'know." She said under her breath.

"Of course Captain." I replied equally as quiet.

"Just make sure I never find out who she was as I will have to deal with her if I do find out!" The Captain said as she closed the door behind her and I sighed a sigh of relief when she was gone.



Brian's Adventures Ch. 04



Chapter Four: The Mistress

"I thought she would throttle you for sure!" Pellenica said in disbelief as she entered the cell.

"You losing your touch or something?" Valencia inquired with a slight frown on her face as she also entered the room. "I thought for sure you'd have her legs in the air by now." She finished with crossed arms as she looked at me with a disappointed yet frustrated look about her. 

"I'll try harder next time." I quipped back, I was not at all impressed by her attitude. "I have feelings you know! I care for Jealile a great deal I'll have you know and I won't mess that up for anything!" I snapped and looked away from her feeling the genuine hurt and disgust that I had for myself.

"Who said anything about Jealile? I was talking about the Captain." Valencia said with a puzzled look on her face.

"Well I don't think Jealile would be too impressed to hear that I had sex with another woman, do you?" I urged, trying to convey the distress and anguish I felt. "I don't know how I'm going to explain Yeoline to her." I said shaking my head dejectedly for the moment as the emotions welled up in me. 

I felt like a first class heal, I should have kept better control of the situation and I knew it. I had sinned once with Greta, then with Jealile and now with Yeoline. I know that it was not right to be doing what I had done with these women, whether they were willing or not is not the point. Apart from Greta, I cared deeply for the two other women I had sinned with, I only hoped that God would take that into account and forgive me. 

It all happened so fast and before I knew it I was in the thick of it. I mean how can a man tell one woman that he loves her one day and then sleep with her best friend the next. That was not a real man as far as I was concerned, I was not being true and faithful to the woman I loved. I knew that I now ran the risk of ruining something special with Jealile all for the quick tryst with Yeoline.

"Hey, don't worry about it." Pellenica said tenderly as she stat down beside her. "I don't think she'll care, as long as you still love her." She said as she put her arm around my shoulder in an act of compassion and friendship.

"If I lose her because of a moment of weakness." My words trailed off as a tear rolled down my cheek and I looked away from her in shame. 

"Don't worry about it. Honestly I don't think she'll mind." Pellenica said reassuringly as she squeezed my shoulder. 

"I don't see why she wouldn't care! I betrayed her trust by sleeping with someone else, and a friend of hers to boot!" I replied still not consoled, still hating myself for what I had done. 

"I thought you were planning on marrying both of them anyways?" Pellenica inquired, looking a little puzzled at the moment.

"What? How can that be?" I said shaking my head now completely confused.

"Well, at least that's what Jealile told us." Pellenica added calmly, now a little confused herself.

"WHAT?" I replied, shocked to hear that from Jealile.

"That's what she said alright." Valencia added assuredly. "I remember specifically asking Jealile to marry me but I don't remember proposing to Yeoline." I said scratching my head trying to figure it all out. As you can guess it was a little confusing to me at the time.

"That first night you promised to select them at the Harvest Festival didn't you?" Pellenica inquired and awaited my response, reading my face for any reaction to the news.

"Well, not in so many words, I promised to remember them at the Harvest Festival. But what that has to do with marriage I don't know?" I responded with a furrowed brow and a confused mind. 

"See, you admit that you promised them!" Valencia said accusingly. "So what's wrong with Jealile and Yeoline? They're good friends and will get along fine, they'll be great Fellowives." Valencia said now curiously confused at my reaction.

"But I can only marry one!" I stated the obvious again in shock and exasperation.

"Why?" Valencia and Pellenica said in a confused chorus.

"What do you mean why! That's the way that it is! One man, one wife!" I replied stunned almost silent.

"Why would you be so selfish?" Valencia shouted, sounding hurt and turned away from me. "I thought you were better than that!" She said now facing away from me. "I thought you were different." She finished quietly, not looking at me and she seemed genuinely upset with me at the moment.

"But that's the way it has always been; I can't change that." I replied now looking to Pellenica for support and found her demeanour was calmer than Valencia's, but no less hurt. 

"On Tania, women greatly outnumber men by about twenty to one. By your way of thinking, there would be so many people unhappy and lonely." Pellenica started out calmly and paused.

"I had noticed the odd balance men to women here but I didn't know just how off balance it was, why is that?" I inquired curiously. 

"According to our history our ancestors arrived here with an equal number of men and women. Soon after they settled here, they found that more girls were born than boys, it has been that way ever since." Pellenica explained then paused to look me in the eye. "Nobody knows why."

"I say that is strange. I can see how that might cause a few problems." I said, conceding the point.

"In our past we used to marry the way you describe but as the women started to outnumber the men the competition to marry a man increased. Women were killed or just disappeared, men took lovers sometimes two or more; in short, a lot of pain was borne by a lot of people. We realized that we had to change the way we love and marry. The result has brought us happiness and stability for generations." Pellenica said and looked at me in the eye seriously. 

"When you put it like that, I can see where you're coming from. It makes an odd kind of sense I suppose." I said with a smile. "But only on Tania." I chuckled trying to lighten things up a bit. "So how does it all work, the marriages I mean?" I inquired curiously, anxious to learn all I could about this land. 

"The way of things on Tania is that each common man takes eight wives and no lovers. That is why adultery is met with death, there is no reason for it and it only brings back the time of troubles." Pellenica said, as she looked me in the eye to gauge my reaction. I must admit I probably could have reacted better, but it was quite a shock as you can imagine. The last bit of information pushed me over the edge, the shock and surprise was so great.

"Eight wives!" I squawked.

"Yes." Pellenica replied plainly.

"EIGHT!" 

"Yes." 

"WIVES!" 

"Yes!" Pellenica replied a little more firmly with a queer look in her eye.

"At the same time?" I asked, still shocked.

"YES!" Pellenica shouted shaking her head in disbelief. 

"TO THE SAME MAN!" I shrieked my mind unable to comprehend the concept of that many wives. 

"Are you deaf or just stupid?" Valencia asked angrily, glaring with an unbelieving look.

"Hold it!" I said giving my head a shake and I took a breath to calm down before continuing. "Are you telling me that you're completely okay with the concept of eight women married to the same man at the same time?" I asked with a look of shock and disbelief "What does they church have to say about all this?" I inquired in a calmer tone but no less stunned.

"It has been this way for generations! The church organizes the annual Harvest Festival where the wives are selected and married. The vows are taken quite seriously as they would be in your land. There is an established system in place and everything works out fine! The only person who has a problem with it is you Brian and I don't know why?" Pellenica said in a huff and turned away from me now quite hurt and upset.

"Don't you like women?" Valencia inquired with a raised eyebrow and a queer look.

"Of course I like women!" I replied indignantly shooting Valencia a dirty look.

"Well then, what's your problem?" Pellenica asked turning back to face me.

"It's a bit sudden if you ask me." I said with a sigh taking a breath "As long as you people are okay with it, I guess I can get used to it." I said now a little more at ease with the idea. "Of course it's all for naught if I can't find a way for your people not to kill me." I said looking down once more feeling the weight of my situation again. Valencia sat down on the other side of me and put her arm around me as well.

"We'll find a way out of this." Valencia said sincerely and tenderly as she looked me in the eye and I could not look away from her gaze for a moment.

"If I can have eight wives as you say; I would be honoured to count two women as nice as you among them. I only hope that I am as fortunate as your husbands someday." I replied with a smile. I had meant it to mean how nice they were to me and to thank them for their friendship. "You are truly good friends." I smiled as I put my arm around both of them and they leaned in to put their heads on my shoulders.

"We'll find a way out of this, we must." Pellenica said without looking at me. "You are not like the other men here." She said as she raised her head to look me in the eyes. "Perhaps you can remind our men of what it truly means to be a man and how to treat a woman like a lady." Pellenica said as she gave me a kiss on the cheek left the room. 

"Don't worry, we'll get your pretty ass out of this." Valencia said as she gave me a quick kiss on the lips and pinched my bum. Her eyes danced all over my face and she kissed me again, this time it was a longer, more lingering, tender kiss.

"C'mon we should be standing outside looking like Guards and not lounging about in here looking like prisoners." Pellenica said urging Valencia to join her outside the door. 

Valencia then tore herself away from me and walked to the door. "Lucky little shit Jealile is." She said under her breath almost inaudibly. After a moment I was alone again and the door was shut tight. Nothing more happened that night and I was left alone in my cell. I don't need to tell you that I slept like a baby that first night on a real bed. 

I awoke feeling better than I had in some time and I was ready to take on all of Tania if I had to. After my morning meal I had another visitor come to me. This one seemed more mysterious and intriguing than the others. 

I heard loud and sharp footsteps approaching. I could see though the bars in the door that a small crowd of five tall figures in black cloaks now stood momentarily at the door. With a few soft-spoken words my Guards opened the door and then disappeared. The lead cloaked figure then entered the room and was followed by two other cloaked figures. The first, taller cloaked figure stood in the centre of the room and waited for something. 

One of the other figures placed a tray on the desk and then closed the curtains on my window that until now had been tied back. This figure sat at the desk and prepared the papers, ink and quill to write something or take notes I presumed. The other of the secondary cloaked figures placed a folding chair that they were carrying near the desk. They took the other chair that they were carrying and placed it near the bed. The two chairs were facing each other about ten feet or so apart. This figure took me by the hand and directed me to sit in the chair near the bed without saying a word. I could tell by the feminine feel to the hands that this was a woman who brought me here. She then silently walked over to the bench and sat down without saying a word. 

The lead cloaked figure now walked over to the vacant chair and sat down. I could not make out just who this person was. Not only were they wearing a long black cloak, but also their face was covered. A black sheet was sewn inside the hood of the cloak; there were two openings for the eyes and one slit for the mouth. There was a regale quality to this person as they sat there quite clearly in charge of everything in the room and beyond. The sense of power was about them, evil power to be exact and I didn't want to cross them and waited quietly to see what they wanted. 

I could see through the bars that the two last figures stood directly on the other side of the door. I found it curious that they were watching the outside rather than the inside of the room. There was an ominous feel to these visitors and I didn't know just what to make of it. First of all my guards were dismissed and another pair placed in their stead. I presumed that this was done to keep anyone from interfering with whatever was going to happen in this room. I feared it was not going to be to my liking or to my benefit.

The seated cloaked leader pulled open their cloak at the waist and opened their legs I could clearly see a silver-haired pussy presented before me. The two other figures in the room knelt in front of the cloaked and seated woman in the chair. 

"I am your faithful and humble servant Mistress, do with me as you wish." The first kneeling cloaked woman said as she leaned in and kissed the silver-haired pussy on the lips and then returned to the desk. The second female, cloaked figure repeated the same phrase and did likewise then sat back on the bench. The Mistress closed her legs and covered herself again, looking regal and composed once more.

"Hello Brian Westlock of the English countryside; son of a peasant farmer who sailed the open ocean and was washed upon our shores." The woman in the chair said with a sweet voice, yet an evil air about her lingered, and was impossible to shake. 

"You know much about me, please tell me something about yourself." I inquired politely, hoping to find out as much as I could about this mysterious woman and her followers.

"I am the Mistress of Tania, through whom God will soon aid in the saving my children from the yoke of The Council." Said the Mistress in the chair in a deep, proud yet still feminine voice. "Serve me well and please me and you may yet survive the coming storm my child. Please me not and you will suffer with the rest of the disbelievers!" The Mistress said with a snarl and a commanding tone to her voice. "I am your only friend, I alone can get you out of this mess that you have landed yourself in!" The Mistress paused for a moment and with a grin in her voice she said "I hold your life in my hands. That is all you need to know." 

I could hear the smile that must have been on her hidden face. I responded by nodding my agreement. I was not about to upset someone of this kind of power. I felt like I was somehow making a deal with the devil and feared that my soul was the price of my promised salvation. 

"For now I have some questions for you my new Disciple. If you answer them correctly and honestly, you will be rewarded." The mistress replied plainly. 

Without taking her eyes off of me she beckoned the woman behind her with her left hand. Immediately the woman on the bench moved forward and knelt beside The Mistress with a bowed head and waited. The Mistress placed her hand on the head of this woman and patted her head like you would a dog. 

"Why did you leave England?" The Mistress asked. 

"I didn't do so willingly, I was kidnapped." I replied straightforwardly and the woman at the desk started scribbling. She continued scribbling the entire time I was questioned.

"How then did you get on that ship?" The Mistress inquired.

"Like I said, I was kidnapped." I replied, hoping to avoid the whole 'Greta' story. 

"How were you kidnapped?" The Mistress asked curiously. "Were you attacked in the street?" She finished posing the question and dangled an easy answer.

"Yes, exactly." I answered, grasping at the less embarrassing answer.

With a pat on the head of her assistant the assistant stood up and tossed the cloak off her shoulders and it fell on her back like a cape. Her whole front and sides were exposed to my view. Her tight, trim and delicious looking body was very nearly naked as she stood before me. The only clothing she wore was a pair of small black boots on her feet, a very thin pair of black panties that covered the barest of her privates and a black bra. The bra was also as small and cupped the bottom of her large breasts and only came up to cover the nipples. Most of her breasts were uncovered and indeed most of her body was proudly displayed. The gold chain around her neck held the cloak on her but did not choke her. The hood remained on her head and took the majority of the weight of the cloak. The top of her face was covered in an inner hood like the Mistresses but instead it only came down to just under her nose revealing her mouth and chin. 

This assistant wasted no time in walking over to me and drew her hand back and slapped my face with tremendous force. My head flew to the side; the force of the blow was so great. I was shocked and angry and was about to hit her back but I was unable to. My Father had always drilled into me that you don't hit a woman no matter what. It was now that I cursed him for that; clearly she had the advantage. 

"That was a lie and you know it! Care to tell me the truth this time?" The Mistress said with an agitated voice. I knew then that the previous question was a test. She knew the answer and tested me to see if I would admit the embarrassing truth. I sighed and resigned myself to tell her the truth that she evidently already knew.

"I was seduced by a woman. While we were 'getting intimate' I was hit on the back of the head. When I came to, I was on the ship at sea. It is not something that I am proud of, it was a foolish mistake and I don't like mentioning it." I said sheepishly as I tried to rub the stinging of my cheek away not looking at anyone. 

"I understand that it was hard to mention, but I won't stand for lies!" The Mistress snarled and then paused. "However The Mistress is fair to her Disciples, lies are punished but the truth is rewarded." She said and waved to the half nude assistant near me. 

The assistant near me knelt in front of me without hesitation and pulled my pants down to my ankles. My cock had already started to rise from seeing her almost nude form. Her outfit did leave nothing to the imagination and she was a spectacular specimen of a woman. She grabbed my cock by the base and swallowed my cock whole in one motion. She bobbed her head up and down on my cock for a full minute and then abruptly stopped. I had not yet cum and I wanted her to continue her wondrous work on my cock. She stood and stepped back a few steps and waited patiently for The Mistresses next command. 

It continued in much the same manner for a long time yet. The Mistress would ask the questions, one by one and I would answer them. She asked me a great deal about England and the journey, going over each and every small detail of my journey. Even the ship I came on, what it looked like, how big it was how it was put together, thinks like that. She asked about my life at home and the farm and all manner of things.

If I answered a question in a way that she didn't like I would get another swat from the assistant. After a few answers that she was satisfied with, the assistant would pleasure my cock for another minute. I was never able to cum in all this time, the starting and stopping was aggravating. While she did a wonderful job of giving head the fact that she never did allow me to cum was unnerving. I would have given nearly anything to blow my load down her talented throat; perhaps that was the idea. 

"Have you had sex with anyone since you arrived?" The Mistress asked in a commanding voice.

"No." I replied, not wanting to betray Jealile or Yeoline. Another forceful slap across my face reminded me of the price of that faithfulness. "I know different! Tell me the truth! Who have you fucked? Which of my Disciples has betrayed me?" The Mistress spat at me demanding an answer.




Brian's Adventures Ch. 04



"Nobody." I repeated and again the slap stung my face. 

"WHO!" The Mistress screamed. 

"Nobody." I replied calmly and my face stung with two slaps, one on each cheek, one after the other. 

"Tell me what I must know! Tell your Mistress the truth!" The Mistress snarled with demon fire in her voice.

"Nobody, I haven't slept with anybody!" I replied forcefully glaring back at the holes for her eyes. 

I expected another slap but instead there was another hand signal from the Mistress. The assistant than knelt in front of me and took my cock in her hands and proceeded to tease it. She would lick the head, blow kisses over it and lick the shaft. In short she did everything to keep me in a constant state of just about to blow but not able to let go and cum. 

"Tell me the truth my dear Disciple." The Mistress said sweetly. "Tell me her name and I will give you this one until the morning." The Mistress finished in a sultry voice. "I already know the answer, I already know the name. Your silence saves nobody. She will be dealt with in any event. Save yourself the pain of your continued disobedience. Savour the rewards of pleasing your Mistress." She said in the sweetest and sultriest voice she could muster. "Tell your Mistress the truth!" The Mistress finished with a commanding and demanding tone. 

It was about now that my resistance was at it's weakest, I was about to crack but I knew that I must not. I knew that any secret that she wanted that badly I could not give her. If she truly knew whom I had slept with she would not be talking to me. I could not live with myself if I had betrayed the two people who had risked much to befriend me. I remembered Jealile's promise to remain true to me and keep me from harm and my resolve was steeled. I would endure, for her if for nothing else. No matter what The Mistress did to me, I would not betray Jealile!

However the teasing and exquisite torture of this assistant had my blood boiling and my lust at a fevered pitch. What I did next was out of character for me and I am a little ashamed of it but it felt like the right thing to do at the time. When this assistant was licking and kissing the head of my cock I grabbed her head firmly in my hands. I pulled her head forward toward my groan, like a trooper she swallowed all of my cock, sucking hard.

"STOP THAT!" The Mistress screamed. "I COMMAND YOU TO STOP SUCKING THAT COCK" She bellowed but the assistant did not hear her and neither did I. 

I heard a moan around my cock as I raised and lowered her head on my cock. Strangely she did not fight me but let me move her lips up and down on my cock. As the pace increased she even sucked harder than she had before. Her movements were faster than my hands could thrust her head so I released her head and she kept on sucking hard and fast. 

"STOP THAT THIS INSTANT YOU BITCH!" The Mistress screamed. 

Just then the other assistant leapt from the desk and immediately tried to pull the cocksucking assistant off of me. I fended her off as the other one firmly held her ground and continued to blow me. Then it happened I erupted down the throat of this dutiful cocksucker. I came so hard and so much that it hurt, I almost saw stars as more and more cum erupted down the throat of this assistant. She swallowed all of it when it was over the smile on her face was euphoric as she licked her lips looking up at me.


"That was delicious, I needed that." The assistant said quietly with a warm smile as she sat back on her heels. 

The other assistant grabbed the first one by the back of her hood and threw the first one down onto the floor in front of The Mistress. The one that had just swallowed my load was on her knees and had her face pressed to the stone floor. The Mistress signalled the other assistant who moved the cloak out of the way revealing the bare ass of this cowering assistant. With another signal the kneeling assistant raised her hand and brought it sharply down on the ass of the other assistant. 

"Thank you my Mistress, I beg your forgiveness, may I have another." The assistant on the floor said quickly after her ass was smacked hard. Again and again one assistant spanked the other with great force. Again and again the other assistant would repeat her line, only to have her ass smacked again, hard. 

I could not stand to see this nonsense any longer and resolved to stop it! My Father had always taught me not to stand by and watch someone getting beaten, especially a woman! I only did what I had to do, what my Father would have me do. I never realized how much effect my Father had on me until that moment. I never realized how his teachings and instructions stayed with me and made me the man I am today. For the first time I was proud of him, proud to have him as my Father. 

I leapt to my feet, pulling my pants up before I rushed to the aid of the assistant who had pleasured me so. I grabbed the assistant by the shoulders and pulled her to her feet and rushed her to my bed and tossed her on it roughly. I turned to face the others and held my ground firm. The one on the bed didn't move or say anything; she was clearly in shock over the events of the last few minutes. The Mistress rose to her feet and walked toward me with the other assistant right beside and behind her.

"Don't get involved in business that you have no right to concern yourself with. This is a simple matter of disciplining a misguided Disciple." The Mistress said with a stern smile. "Now get out of our way and let us finish what must be done." The Mistress warned sternly as she took a step closer.

"I will not! You won't touch her again, I swear it!" I replied equally as sternly and held my ground firm as I glared at The Mistress.

"Out of my way you fool!" The Mistress huffed and tried to push me aside but I held firm and pushed her back and she staggered back a few steps. 

"Please let her finish!" The voice from the bed pleaded. "I disobeyed my Mistress and I must be punished." The voice finished in an urgent tone.

"Not while I'm around!" I said over my shoulder. "Nobody should be treated that way; I won't stand for it!" I said sternly and refused to be moved from that spot. Clearly this woman was not of her right mind and was under some kind of spell or other kind of influence. She needed saving from herself and The Mistress, she needed help more than she knew. 

"She's right, my Disciple needs to be punished. It's for her own good and she knows it." The Mistress replied in a soothing tone trying to charm her way past me. "Now step aside and let us get this unpleasant business over with." She said sweetly. "Then I'll deal with you." The Mistress said in a most displeased tone, surely her patience was wearing thin and she was about to snap.

"I will not!" I snarled. "She's no longer your Disciple! I will not see you treat another person this way!" I stepped closer and snarled an inch from her face. 

"I'll see you dead for this! Are you really that foolish?" The Mistress growled not backing up one bit. 

"I'd rather die a good man than live as a coward!" I replied confidently and proudly. 

"Don't do this! Don't take me away from my Mistress!" The voice from behind me cried out. 

"If you want her that badly, you can have her. She's no use to me anymore." The Mistress chuckled and turned to leave then paused. "Perfect! Yes PERFECT!" She laughed out loud in a near cackle. "Enjoy her while you can. You will not live long I swear it!" The Mistress warned in amidst her chuckling as the other assistant gathered up the chairs and the tray and followed the Mistress out. 

The woman on the bed behind me began sobbing uncontrollably. "Don't leave me my Mistress! Let me follow you! I'll be good I swear it!" The woman said and broke down into uncontrollable sobbing and was truly inconsolable. 

As the door clinked closed I sat on the bed next to her and put my arms around her. She pushed me away, clearly not wanting anything to do with me. I pulled her to me a little harder and after a moment of resisting and protesting, she relented and clutched me tightly. I laid back on the bed and held her tight as she cried for what seemed like an hour. I said nothing and just let her cry, holding her tight and letting her soak my shirt with her tears; I didn't know what to say. Some time later she finally cried herself out and just lay there silently holding onto me. Her steady breathing told me that she had fallen asleep and I let her rest, she had earned it for all that she must have been through.

Thankfully I was not disturbed for some time and my Guards never did return. In retrospect I may have been able to escape but on an island with few allies, I would have not have gotten far. Eventually I would have been caught, after all on an island there are only so may hiding places. I only hoped that friendly and understanding Guards would return, otherwise I would not know how to explain her presence. The truth was far too bizarre for even me to believe and I lived it! Just then I heard footsteps approach the door and the door open up, I swallowed hard and hoped for the best. 

"Brian?" Pellenica inquired as she poked her head in and looked around. Needless to say I sighed my relief.

"Over here, be quiet, she's sleeping." I replied as I motioned for her to approach.

"Where are the Guards we were to relieve? Who's that?" Pellenica asked as she approached the bed and knelt down beside me looking quite concerned.

"You never cease to amaze me Brian. How is it that you always seem to have a woman in here? Is there a door that we don't know about?" Valencia chuckled as she entered the room looking around for the imaginary door she was referring to. 

"What's going on Brian?" Pellenica asked as Valencia approached the bed and then fell unusually quiet. 

"Have either of you heard of someone called 'The Mistress of Tania'?" I asked and by the pale wide-eyed expressions on their faces I knew they knew of her.

"I've heard or her but I thought it was just rumours and ale-talk." Pellenica said as she looked at the sleeping woman beside me. "Is that her?" Pellenica asked wearily and disbelievingly. I explained the whole tale of what happened. I told them of the whole visit of The Mistress up until they walked in. 

"But who is she?" Valencia asked as she looked the woman over and reached for her mask.

"No! She will remove it herself when she wakes." I insisted stopping Valencia's hand. If she was going to be respected as a person, the first thing was to respect her privacy and I knew that. 

"You'd better wake her quick, we have to get her out of here before anyone sees her here." Pellenica said sensibly and I knew she was right. I shook the sleeping beauty in my arms and slowly she awoke with a start looking at the two Guards, then at me in near panic. She was quite upset and ill at ease for waking up and finding herself still there.

"It's alright! You're among friends, you're safe now." I said reassuringly as I held her soothingly.

"My Mistress! I've lost my Mistress! Why did you take her from me?" This woman said with a shaky voice and threw her head on my chest and pounded my chest with her fists repeatedly. "Why?" She cried out with each pounding of the fist. Each hit grew weaker and weaker until she stopped all together and lightly sobbed. 

"I've never seen such behaviour." Said Pellenica shaking her head in disbelief, the expression on her face echoing her sentiment. 

"Neither have I. I couldn't watch them abuse her for just being nice to me, I just couldn't!" I said with conviction and sadness as I remembered the cruel treatment I had witnessed. 

"So you risked your life for an ungrateful stranger?" Pellenica asked incredulously still shaking her head.

"I am already a condemned man. If I must die, then I will die for something honourable at least. Besides, I could not sit there and watch that senseless beating." I sighed for and paused for a moment. "Such abuse!" I repeated with sincerity and a tear came to my eye as I remembered the beating. "I couldn't do anything less and call myself a man." I said and looked away.

"It wasn't abuse, it was discipline, out of love! It wasn't your place to interfere! I didn't ask you to save me!" The still cloaked woman said as she looked into my eyes with what I could see was a pained look in her grey eyes. 

"But he did save you! He did interfere! He took you away from The Mistress! He won you your freedom!" Pellenica sternly said to the woman. "The least you can do, is say thank you!" 

This woman who was still clinging to me looked at Pellenica for a moment and then back to me. I could see a confused look in her eyes as she looked back and forth from Pellenica to me a few times. After a moment she wiped her tears from her covered eyes and cleared her throat in preparation to speak.

"You're right. He did take me away from The Mistress. I no longer belong to The Mistress because of what he did." She said looking at Pellenica and then scrambled out of the bed and knelt beside it facing me. "I am your faithful and humble servant Master Brian, do with me as you wish." She said as she kissed my nearest hand and waited with bowed head for my next move.

"What?" I shouted in disbelief and looked at Pellenica and Valencia who mirrored my puzzled expression. 

"Oh that's rich!" Valencia laughed heartily. "The condemned prisoner has a slave!" She rolled her eyes shaking her head in disbelief and chuckling, taking a few steps away.

"WHAT! That's not what I wanted! That's not why I did what I did!" I said with a look of horror as it sunk into my head what just happened. "What do I do? I wanted to release her from her bondage not transfer it to me!" I said imploring Pellenica for some guidance.

"She must think that since you stood up for her that she now belongs to you. Just release her, tell her she's free." Pellenica said with an unsure look, I guessed she had no more idea of what to do than I did. 

"I release you! Do you hear me? You are no longer anyone's slave. You belong to nobody but yourself." I said warmly as I touched her shoulder. 

"What have I done to displease you Master Brian?" The assistant said with tears in her eyes and a genuine pained and rejected look. "Are you angry with me for hitting you? I was just doing what The Mistress Commanded! Please don't hate me for being a faithful servant! I will serve you well! I will make you pleased with me, just give me a chance! Please don't send me away!" The assistant was in near hysterics and I could almost not make out the last of what she said. She had worked herself into a sobbing frenzy. 

"Alright! It's okay. It's okay." I said soothingly as I stroked her shoulder. "I'm not mad at you. You are your own person, who must decide for yourself what is best for you. You don't belong to anyone my dear." I continued in the same soothing tone and at the end of it she looked confused and perplexed.

"But I want to serve you Master." She said with a confused look. "I want you to be pleased with me!" She continued, her mind still in a muddle but she was talking her way out of it. "I can make you happy Master." She said now more sure of herself. "I know I can, it is my duty. You fought The Mistress and won me. My place is with you." She said plainly and confidently. 

"That's not necessary, I released you. You should go home to your family. Your place is with them." I said frustrated and concerned for her well being and sanity. 

"Don't send me away Master, I can serve you well!" She pleaded urgently and threw her arms around my waist and hugged me while still kneeling on the floor. "My place is with you! Please let me serve you!" She begged in a most urgent tone. "Don't send me away!" She said and started to shake in genuine fear and terror at the thought of not having a Master or Mistress.

"How can anyone be reduced to this?" I sighed in pain and disbelief, my heart went out to this poor woman now clutching my waist begging me to serve me. "I never wanted this! All I wanted was to save her from that Mistress." I sighed, not sure of what the right thing to do was. "I want her to be her own person, to be in control of her own destiny. I don't want her to belong to anyone, let alone belong to me!" I finished with a frustrated sigh genuinely saddened by this development. 

"I know Brian and in time we will be able to do that." Pellenica said with a reassuring look and a stroke of my cheek. "But for now, I fear it would be too great a change for her. Clearly she needs someone to call Master. At least for the time being you should play along." Pellenica finished plainly.

"Play along? I couldn't do that!" I replied in shock at the suggestion. 

"I'm not saying to be cruel, just let her call you Master for a while. Treat her with respect and dignity, as I know you will. In a while we may be able to help her not think of herself as a slave." Pellenica said in a calming tone and it seemed to make sense, it seemed to be the kindest thing to do. 

"I guess I could do that, but she can't stay here!" I said in shock.

"I don't know; she might brighten up the place a bit!" Valencia chuckled. "Can you get her to polish my armour for me?" She finished with a wink and a playful smile. 

"Funny." Pellenica said with a droll look. "She will stay with us I guess." Pellenica said to Valencia and then turned to me. "Well we should find out who she really is." She finished plainly and I nodded my agreement.

"Does this mean you'll let me serve you Master?" Came a trembling question from my lap.

"Yes dear, you may serve me." I replied calmly and she sighed contently.

"Thank you Master, I will serve you well and faithfully. I will make you happy, I know I will." She said with great relief in her voice and clearly her whole disposition was calm and at peace. 

I couldn't believe that this person had placed her life in my hands and would do anything I told her to do. She willingly placed herself in my hands pledging to faithfully perform any task I asked her. It was all so strange and yet exhilarating at the same time, the temptation to abuse this power was great. 

"So what's your name?" I asked and got no response. I looked at Pellenica who shrugged her shoulders and then I tried again. "My dear, tell me your name."

"Treabilla, Master Brian." She said without raising her head from my lap. I looked at Pellenica and Valencia who paled a bit when that name was mentioned. I knew this name was of someone of significance and now I was curious to see her face. 

"Treabilla, remove your cloak. Show me your face." She didn't move from my lap and she tensed up when the command was given. "Now please." I commanded as nicely as I could. 

She sat back on her knees again, kneeling beside me and looked up at me one last time with a pleading look. I nodded to signal that I was serious about my order for her to reveal her face to me and she sighed and bowed her head once more. Slowly her hands rose to her neck and she unclasped the chain and the cloak fell further toward the centre of her back. Her hands then slid further up and her fingers slipped under the hood and she lifted it up and off. The cloak fell down her back and pooled on the floor behind her and the face of the black haired beauty was revealed. She looked me in the eyes with a piercing look and her eyes held a look that pleaded me to be kind. 

"SWEET JESUS!" Valencia shouted in absolute shock. "Do you know who she is?" She shouted in pure shock and disbelief.

"I know! I know! I can't believe it myself!" Pellenica shouted back in equal shock and disbelief.

"How can this be? How could this happen to her?" Valencia cried out in pain and compassion as she knelt beside Treabilla and put her arm around her. Treabilla didn't know how to react but one approving look from me and she leaned into Valencia's hug with a sigh. 




Brian's Adventures Ch. 04



"Who is she?" I asked now very curious to know what the significance of her identity was.

"The Director's eldest daughter." Pellenica said with shock and wonder. 

"Lochel's daughter!" I cried out. 

"Yes!" Pellenica assured.

"The leader of your people! The Director of the council! That Lochel!" I cried out as I looked at Treabilla in wonder and compassion at this revelation. I knew that any Father would be worried about her and he must be informed. "He must be told! He must know she is safe! He must know tonight!" I said firmly. 

"Please Master, don't tell him. I beg you!" Treabilla begged with teary eyes. "Please, he'll take me away from you!" 

"No, my dear he won't, but he must know." I repeated as I stroked her cheek. 

"As you wish Master." She said and bowed her head. Valencia stroked her hair soothingly and stayed by her side. 

"I'll fetch him quietly. He knows and trusts me. I think I can get past his Guards to see him." Pellenica said assuredly as she stood, straightening her armour. "Valencia, you stand guard outside and let nobody inside. Brian, if anyone does come in; you get her to cover up and don't tell anyone who she is. I'll be back soon enough." Pellenica said with natural authority as she waited for Valencia to stand near her. 

Soon they were gone and I was alone with Treabilla and I took her by the hand and raised her up to sit by me. She sat close to me and I embraced her and we leaned back against the wall and she snuggled up tight. She remained calm and did not say anything for some time. A few minutes into the tender embrace she did speak but did not look at me.

"Please don't send me away Master, I will serve you well. Just give me a chance to prove myself." She said with a fear and tenderness in her voice that made my heart go out to her. 

She had been through so much and all I wanted was to help her be her own person again. Pellenica was right, the adjustment was already wearing on her and I knew I had to be sensitive to that. It was strange that one act of compassion for a stranger could get so complicated and had dangers and pitfalls all it's own. 

"It'll be alright my dear, you'll see. It will all work out fine in the end." I said encouragingly and stroked her hair tenderly and she sighed contently holding me tighter. "Don't worry my dear, it'll be fine, I promise." I said and we enjoyed the quiet, tender moment but only for too brief a time. 

I must admit that it felt wonderful to hold her there on that bed. I knew her affection was not genuine but it was nice to simply hold her, to hold someone in a tender embrace. If I was not careful I could develop feelings for her and in her current state that would not be fair. I never was one to want slaves or servants especially in the ways of love; I want equals who choose to love me. Like all good things though, that tender moment had to come to an end. When I heard the hurried footsteps of a small crowd approaching I knew that we could not be discovered in that intimate a position. 

Valencia snapped to attention and I knew that Lochel had arrived. I stood by the bed and awaited his entry into the room patiently. Treabilla also got off the bed and fell to the floor on her knees and bowed her head like she had done when The Mistress had beckoned her. 

"Stand up!" I urged. 

Treabilla rose to her feet and stood behind me and slightly to the side. She folded her hands in front of her and bowed her head and stood quietly. Before I could tell her to stand up straight the door opened and Lochel, Pellenica and Valencia entered the room. 

Lochel's guards remained outside the room and stood vigil. Lochel stood there quietly and his eyes glanced over his daughter a number of times as if he refused to believe what he saw. A pained look was in his eyes and I saw a tear run down his cheek before he spoke. My heart went out to him as I imagined what it must be like to see someone you love to be reduced to such a state.

"If you hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn't have believed it." Lochel said quietly and paused to gather himself together; I remained quiet. "It appears I have much to thank you for." Lochel finished and smiled at me with the best smile he could muster with his heart weighed down so.

"I didn't know who she was when I did what I did, I only did what I had to do sir." I replied looking down. 

"That only makes what you did that much greater. You put yourself at risk for someone you didn't know just because you saw an injustice being done." Lochel finished with an impressed smile and a shake of the head. "Hardly a small feat Mr Westlock." He chuckled and then turned his attention to Treabilla. "Come dear, get dressed; Let's go home." He said with a smile and extended his arm to his daughter.

Treabilla did not move or even acknowledge that she was spoken to. Lochel repeated his request twice more a little stronger each time but was also ignored each time. A flustered Lochel looked at Pellenica and me and then at his daughter with confused anger. 

"Treabilla, stop this nonsense and come home!" Lochel ordered in his most commanding voice, clearly his patience had come to an end. 

When she still did not move he rushed to her and grabbed her arm and started to pull her away from me. Then she came to life fighting him and kicking up a storm protesting all the way. When she got a lucky shot in and slapped him across the face, a stunned Lochel let go. He watched in horror as she rushed to my side and clung to me tightly, like her life depended on it. 

"I AM HOME!" Treabilla shouted vehemently. "My place is with my Master!" She said trembling with such great fear that I had to put my arm around her, in an effort to calm her down. 

"What's going on here?" Lochel asked indignantly not liking this display from his daughter. 

"This 'Mistress of Tania' apparently had her under her control for so long that this is the only way she knows." Pellenica said respectfully as she stepped toward Lochel. "Because of what Brian did, she believes that Brian won her and therefore is her new Master." She finished and swallowed hard.

"That's insane!" Lochel cried out and moved toward his daughter to grab her but she winced and held me tighter and cowered at my side. Lochel fell silent and moved away shaking his head in disbelief and the pain of seeing his daughter in such a state was all over his face. 

"She will pay for this! That Mistress has gone too far! I'll have her head for this!" Lochel sneered with the hatred that coursed through his body.

"We will do whatever we can to assist Director, but might we ask when you first noticed any strange behaviour in Treabilla?" Pellenica asked as tactfully as she could. "It will help us understand how deep this goes and how best to help her." Pellenica finished and the room fell silent as Lochel paused to think and pace the room, pondering her question. 

"I suppose two years ago. We had a fight and she ran away, after that she became increasingly distant. Spending more and more time away from home, not telling me where she had been or what she had been up to. Eight months ago she just disappeared completely, we searched everywhere but found nothing, no clues, nothing." He sighed, and looked out the window. "Naturally we kept it as quiet as possible; making one excuse after another for her absence from her public duties. We never stopped searching, but I never suspected . . . " He said but his words trailed off into nothing as his emotions gripped his heart and words would not pass his lips.

"Sir, we plan to break her of this but it takes time, she has already been through a great deal. Perhaps it would be best if for the time being we play along with this." Pellenica said and Lochel drew a breath to protest but Pellenica raised a finger and spoke quicker. "Just until we can undo the damage that The Mistress has done! Again I must stress that it will take time sir." Pellenica finished and Lochel sighed as he looked at his daughter and me, his heart still stinging from the revelations of the last half-hour. 

"Brian will take good care of her, he could never hurt her." Valencia said in a respectful and confident tone. Lochel looked at all of us in turn and remained quiet for a full minute before he spoke again.

"Already you have demonstrated that you are an honourable man. On more than a few occasions I might add." Lochel said with a chuckling sigh as he approached me. 

"Thank you sir." I said and bowed my head respectfully.

"It looks as though I have little choice then to trust you with my greatest treasure." He said as he stroked the quivering cheek of his daughter and I could see that it saddened his heart to see her in this much pain. 

"I won't let you down, sir." I nodded confidently. He walked away and turned back to face me after taking a few steps. "Take good care of her Brian and remember that not only am I her Father but I am the Director of the Council. In short take care of her as if your life depends on it, because it does." He firmly warned with fire in his eyes but shortly the flame flickered and died. 

"I will sir." I replied assuredly. "Does this mean you won't kill me?" I inquired curiously.

"The Council will convene one week from today and we will decide what to do about you then." Lochel said in a neutral manner. "While I am grateful to you for saving my daughter, I cannot allow that to cloud my judgement. I must do what is right for Tania first and foremost." Lochel said plainly but sighed. "From what you have demonstrated so far, I don't think that killing you will be necessary." 

"So what is to be done about the current situation sir?" Pellenica inquired plainly and Lochel fell silent once more and paced the room for another moment deep in thought. 

"Move them to one of the officers' quarters on the upper level." He said after a moment. "I want you two to remain their personal guards and jailors round the clock for the time being. Keep them in there and keep her out of sight". He said looking at Pellenica and Valencia while pointing to Treabilla. 

"Yes sir." Pellenica and Valencia asserted.

"If someone must see her then keep her face covered and her identity secret! And for God sake get her some decent clothes!" Lochel said and then turned to leave. 

"Yes sir." Pellenica and Valencia asserted again.

"Wait until later before moving them, keep me informed of the situation." He said to Pellenica. 

"Of course sir." Pellenica assured confidently. "We'll take excellent care of her." Pellenica said with a comforting smile and Lochel smiled warmly at that.

Then turning to Treabilla and me he said, "Goodbye, take care." Then he was gone and we all breathed a sight of relief. 

There was an odd feeling in the air and I felt more like a trusted associate and not a prisoner. However I knew better, I knew that I was not free to roam and that I was in no less peril. I simply didn't believe that I was trusted with the care of his daughter. I took it as a sign that things were heading in the right direction for me but my fate was still undecided. 

"How did we end up with non-stop guard duty over this? What did we do?" Valencia complained as the door shut. 

"We're not being punished! Obviously just wants to keep this as quiet as possible and involve as few people as possible! That's why we are not to leave their side until further notice." Pellenica explained to a disgruntled and no less satisfied Valencia.

"It's still not fair, I was going to raise a few pints with the girls tomorrow night!" Valencia grumbled. "Fat chance I'll see a beer or a wink of sleep for the next week thanks to him." Valencia said tossing an angry thumb in my direction. 

"I really didn't mean to cause all this fuss, I just wanted to help Treabilla is all." I said quietly, I didn't like all the trouble I had caused others over my actions. "I'm sorry it's messed up your plans Valencia and I will make it up to you somehow if I get the chance." I said in an apologetic tone in Valencia's direction while keeping my eyes downcast. 

"I know, I know. You're a good man Brian and I respect you for what you did, really I do." Valencia sighed and placed her hand on my shoulder. "Don't worry about it, I'll get over it." She said with a smile. 

It was long into the dead of the night before we left my cell and headed for the officers' quarters. Pellenica was in the lead, followed by me then Treabilla (in full cloak and hood) and finally Valencia. We took the back halls and the long way around, avoiding the open areas and populated corridors. When we finally arrived at the top floor officers' barracks area I was relived and surprised that nobody had seen us. 

"Here we are, home for the next week or so." Pellenica said as she opened the door to the vacant quarters. 

It was different then my cell but somehow there was a similar feel to the place. It was not lavish by any stretch of the imagination, more of the Spartan design that clearly extended to the whole barracks. It was functional and plain; it did the job it was supposed to do and nothing more. It was not intended for royalty or for the highest-ranking officers, and we were neither, so it was better than we deserved.

There was one main room from which four smaller rooms went off, two to each side. The window again had bars in it and was in the wall opposite of the main door. There was a table in the centre of the room that was plain and had a bench on either side of it. It was big enough for four people to sit at and eat comfortably or six people to sit very squished. The room was longer than it was wide, however there was enough room to comfortably walk around the table in the centre. A lamp hung on a hook high on the wall between the doors of the bedrooms on either side of the main room. 

Each bedroom was laid out exactly the same: one large bed, one dresser for clothes, one chair and one lamp high on one wall. There was just enough room to move around the furniture without risking banging into something, but just barely. There were no windows in any of the bedrooms and the only door that locked was the main door. 

For the first time in months I had my own private bedroom, granted I was still a condemned prisoner. I have learned however, that you must take the small blessings and notice them or they will be washed away in the sea of daily bad news. 

"Alright. I am the highest ranking Guard between Valencia and myself so that makes me in charge, got it." Pellenica said with authority, I nodded my agreement; it was already something I had guessed. "Valencia you're there." She said pointing to one of the rooms next to the main door. "Treabilla, you're there." She said pointing to the room next to Valencia. Treabilla looked at me and waited for me to approve of the decision before nodding agreement. "Brian, you're there." She said pointing to the room opposite Treabilla. "And that puts me here." She said pointing to the other room next to the main door. "Any questions?" Pellenica asked and looked at all of us and after a moment of silence she continued. "Good, you two get some rest." She said indicating Treabilla and myself. 

After instructing Treabilla to go to bed I did the same. After looking around the bedroom for some kind of nightclothes and finding none, I decided to sleep nude. I usually sleep in the nude and when you have only one change of clothes, you need to let them air out a bit at night. The bed was larger than my previous bed and was far more comfortable, ah the life of an officer. I drifted off to sleep almost immediately in that sea of comfort and warmth.

Some time later, I don't know how long I was shaken to life and I found two grey eyes piercing the darkness. There was a fear and trembling nature to these formless eyes that begged me to have mercy.

"I'm sorry for disturbing you Master." Treabilla said in a quiet and trembling voice.

"No problem, what is it?' I asked in my slurred, half asleep daze.

"I can't sleep." She trembled.

"Why?" I slurred.

"Normally I sleep with someone else, and I can't seem to fall asleep on my own." She said and fell quiet for a moment. 

"Oh." Was all I managed to respond with.

"Please forgive my boldness Master. I was hoping you would be so gracious and kind as to let me sleep with you Master." She asked as she cowered by my bed fearful of my wrath for disturbing my slumber.

"Sure luv." I slurred as I drew back the covers and made room in the bed for her.

In a moment I felt another body enter the bed and snuggle up to me. It took only a moment to realize that her hot flesh was pressed directly up against me. I could feel no clothes on her and I knew that she also was nude in that bed. I felt a tingle all over as I realized that the spectacular body that I had seen and fantasized about earlier was pressed up against me now. She lay there snuggled up to me and I could not get over that not only was she in my bed next to me nude, but eagerly wanted to please me. 

Nasty thoughts raced through my mind as I pictured all manner of things I wanted to do to her and have her do to me. My better self fought with my lust and passions as I tried to calm down and go back to sleep; but that seemed unlikely any time soon. I could not get the image of her hot, supple body pressed up against me out of my head. I could feel heat everywhere her body touched mine. In no time at all as you can imagine, my cock sprang to life and I had a rock hard, throbbing hard on. 

"Does my body please you Master?" Treabilla asked as she could feel the throbbing erection against her leg.

"Yes luv. Your quite beautiful." I said, trying to be as tactful as possible.

"Is there something I can do to please you Master?" She asked, looking me in the eyes with those piercing grey eyes and I froze! 

There were many ways to answer that question; most of them were not what Lochel or God would have me say or do. My better self was screaming at me to do the honourable thing and tell her no, but my lust was also screaming at me to say many other things. It was a long moment before a clear winner was declared and words passed my lips.



Brian's Adventures Ch. 05



Chapter Five: Judgment Day

Like I said, it was a moment or two before I was able to answer Treabilla. I knew that I should have said no flat out, and in a way I did tell her no, more or less. I used it as an opportunity to further her independence. Sooner or later she would have to start thinking about herself and what she wanted, now seemed as good a time as any to start. I couldn't just order her about, that wasn't me. I could not truly take advantage of the situation and call myself a man. I promised myself that I would not do anything to her without her consent. However, I did have that throbbing hardon to deal with, I hoped that she would choose to do something about that. 

"What about you? What do you want to do?" I asked curiously.

"I want to please you Master, how may I best do that?" She replied true to form, as I had expected her to.

"But is that what you really want to do?" I asked trying to press the question home.

"Of course Master." She said sounding a little upset that her intentions were questioned.

"But how?" I asked.

"Master?" She responded, confused at the question.

"You say you want to please me, so tell me exactly what you want to do." I asked, now more direct with the question. "Call me Brian, don't call me Master again." I said plainly yet sternly.

"Yes Ma . . . Brian." She said correcting herself. "I want to do whatever you wish me to do to please you. Tell me what you want and I will do it Brian." She said now unnerved and confused at the question. Clearly she didn't know how to respond and that saddened me.

"No luv, I'm giving you a choice. Tell me what YOU want dear. Tell me what you would like to do or have me do to you. Is there something specific that you want to do right now?" I asked and waited for a response. After a minute of silence I simply said. "If you can't think of anything specific that you want to do, then you don't really want to have sex, do you?" I asked with a smile. "It's okay, I don't expect you to always want sex, now get some rest." I said as I laid there trying to get some sleep, and for a few moments there was peace and quiet.

"I did enjoy sucking your cock." Treabilla said quietly and timidly. "I liked the way you tasted. I . . . I could do that if you like." She finished still unsure of her answer, unsure of herself in general.

"Don't do it if you think I will like it. Is that what YOU want to do?" I said pressing the point home.

"Yes Brian, I would like that very much." She replied timidly.

"Then by all means, proceed." I said with a smile that was met with a broad grin of her own.

She threw back the covers and spun on the spot, and while kneeling beside me on that bed, she leaned over me. She grabbed my cock in her hand and leaned in to take it in her mouth. In seconds my cock was all the way inside her mouth and her lips were at the base of it, kissing my groin. She brought her head up and when her lips kissed the head of it she closed her eyes and bobbed back down. Again and again she bobbed her head on my cock; again and again she swallowed all of my cock, sucking hard like she had done before. 

As she sucked me while on her hands and knees beside me, I looked over that body that was pressed up against me moments before. Her body was as perfect as I had imagined, her breasts firm, her form tight and trim, her pussy was glistening already. I licked my lips as I remembered the sweet taste of Yeoline's pussy and I wondered what this gorgeous creature would taste like. Also I wanted to reward her for her excellent blowjobs both before and now. I caressed her hips and thighs for a moment and waited until she was squirming before I touched her pussy. After a few moments of playing with it from afar I pulled her hips closer and silently she knew what I wanted to do. Without missing a beat on my cock she moved her hips and straddled my head. 

I inhaled sharply when I saw that glorious sight of her glistening pussy, pulsing and excited as it hung inches from my face. I noticed a small tattoo high on the inside of her thigh, near her pussy. As I looked at it I could see that it was made up of two letters, one on top of the other; the letters 'M' and 'T'. I reached up and kissed her pussy first, licking the inside of the slit from one end to the other. When my tongue flicked across her clit she moaned unexpectedly and the vibrations on my cock were wondrous. I spread her pussy lips open and licked every inch of that sweet and beautiful womanly flower before me. I still remember that sweet, delicious taste of her that first time. The more I pleased her, the harder and faster she sucked on my cock. 

I almost could not feel her sucking on my cock; I was so consumed with the activity of eating her delicious pussy. It still is one of my favourite pastimes, but there are so many delightful diversions when a woman is concerned aren't there? However, I could not take much more of her expert cocksucking talent before I reached the point of no return. 

"Oh God!" I moaned as my cum boiled in my balls and hurried forth to the end of my cock. 

I heard and felt a contented moan from Treabilla as I started to cum in her mouth. She pulled back until just the head was in her mouth and she let my cum collect in her mouth, swallowing only occasionally. She swallowed quickly one last time and moaned out as she then came herself. She shook violently and quaked and quivered as her orgasm overtook her. I continued to lick and eat her pussy all the way through her orgasm. A wave of pussy juice flooded forward from her insides and I was hard pressed to lick it all up. I almost drowned in her juices but let me tell you, there are far worse ways to go than drowning in pussy juice. When the storm was over she was still and quiet with my cock in her hand, trying to catch her breath. After a moment she started to lick and lightly suck on my sensitive cock again, and after a moment she had it hard again. 

"Oh thank you Brian. I loved that!" Treabilla said in between breaths. She licked her lips, sat to the side and wore a look of contentment as she savoured the taste of my cum on her lips. She looked at me with what can only be described as a look of love at me. Underneath that look though, I could see that there was a question that hid there.

"What is it luv?" I asked, now curious to know what she had on her mind. I had to prod her for a moment before she would tell me, I could have ordered her to tell me but that would be a step backwards. 

"It has been a long time since I have been with a man." She said timidly, her words trailing off into nothing by the end of the sentence. 

"And." I prodded.

"I was wondering, that is if you would like to . . . I was hoping that I could feel you inside me?" She replied equally as timid. Immediately my cock sprang to life as I thought about fucking this sweet, sexy woman.

"Does that answer your question?" I said in a playful voice, to which she looked at my cock and then back at me and smiled. She bent over and stuck her ass in the air obscenely and laid her head down on the bed. To me this looked too submissive, too much like being taken in the manner that she must have been countless times before. "No dear, not like that." I said as I lightly tapped her bum to get her attention, she gave me a confused look. "Why don't you ride me from on top?" I said with a smile and beckoned her to come to me and she did. 

I steered her hips until she was straddling me and when I guided my cock to the entrance to her pussy she knew what I had in mind. As she lowered herself onto me her lips made a large "O" and her face was washed in pure pleasure. Her pussy was unbelievably tight and wet; when she finally came to rest on my groin, a moaning sigh escaped her lips. She seemed a little at a loss of what to do next and I almost laughed as she sat there impaled on my cock with a pleased but perplexed look. 

"Bounce up and down as you like." I said and she raised herself up and then lowered herself down. 

That was it! She didn't need any more encouragement than that! She picked up her pace bouncing harder and faster on my cock. As her tempo increased, so too did her breathing, soon she was gasping for air! She threw herself into the hard fucking that she desperately needed. I watched as her large breasts bounced up and down and almost slapped her chin each time she thrust back down again. They would slap back down onto her chest as she bottomed out on each stroke. She was truly into and enjoying the fucking she was giving me. 

She enjoyed being in control of the experience more than anything, she told me later. Our escapade wasn't exactly quiet as you can imagine; the bed squeaked something awful. The sounds of slapping bodies and the squishing of my cock fucking her heated pussy rang out as well. Not to mention the heated, rasping breathing and moaning of two people lost in their own world of pleasure. 

"Oh God cuming!" She moaned out in a heated rasp as she stopped her bouncing.

She quaked and quivered and shook some more as her insides and outsides shook through her climax. I watched as her whole body went through one spasm after another. I could not stand the glorious torture her pussy was putting my cock through and half way through her orgasm I came. I shot spurt after spurt up into her eager and tight pussy.

"OH YES!" She cried out as her eyes shot open when she felt the first of my cum hit deep inside her. She tore off again into another orgasm and when her quaking stopped she fell forward and collapsed on top of me. 

It was then that I noticed that the door to my room was not quite closed. I looked intently at the crack that the door was open and found a pair of eyes looking back at me. I held their gaze for a moment but a moment later they were gone. I heard a door open and then close again, from the direction of the sound, I knew that it was Valencia's room. To my surprise I heard Pellenica's door open up and then close again. After a minute I heard a soft moaning sound come from the other side of the wall, I had to strain to hear it, but it was there none the less. I wondered if everything was okay, so I got up from underneath Treabilla and investigated the sounds. 

As I entered the main room I could see all the other doors were closed and in front of the main door was precariously piled some armour. Even if someone did pick the lock in the door, they would not get in without raising the alarm. I chuckled at the simplicity, yet effectiveness of it. 

A single moan from behind Valencia's door however reminded me why I was out there. I moved closer to the door and the almost silent sounds came louder and clearer. I pressed my ear up against the door and could clearly hear the moans of Valencia obviously pleasuring herself. Images flashed through my head as I tried to imagine exactly what she was doing on that bed just the other side of that door. All I had to do was open it up and I would know exactly what she was doing. That thought danced in my head for a few minutes, tempting me to enter the room. I resisted of course but just barely, the closest I came was resting my hand on the doorknob. 

I turned away from the door, leaving Valencia to her private session of self-pleasuring when my eyes fell on Pellenica's partially open door. I slowly and quietly approached the door and the moaning sounds got louder and louder. As I stood at the door and looked in through the crack in the door I could clearly see the bed and what was transpiring on it.

Pellenica was laying back on it and had her legs spread wide, with one hand she held her pussy lips apart. With the other hand she madly thrust two fingers in and out of her heated, wet pussy as fast as she could. My eyes walked all over her body and found that she had been hiding a very fine specimen of a woman. Her body was slender, tight and trim but had the flowing curves that you would expect and hope to see on a woman. Her curves were soft and flowing rather than hard and chiselled like Yeoline's. Her breasts were not large, but not small by any stretch of the imagination. One hand would have just barely stretched across each one. I watched her breasts quake and shiver as pleasure rippled through her beautiful body. When my eyes fell on her face I froze as I saw her pleading eyes staring back at me. I held her gaze for a moment while she continued to thrust her fingers in and out, now faster than before. 

"Please." I saw her lips form but barely heard the word on the wind. 

My eyes glanced down to her pussy and saw that her fingers were no longer thrusting in and out of it. She still held the lips open as she looked at me with a pleading look. I never would have guessed that this beautiful of a woman would ever have to plead for love. Before I knew what happened I had already entered the room and had taken a step or two. 

It was then that I noticed the change in her demeanour; her eyes welled up with tears and she looked away from me. She shifted her weight and turned to face the wall and started to cry. I rushed to her side but not to take her body but to comfort her spirit. I sat on the bet next to her and her sobbing increased; I put my arm around her and pulled her to me but she resisted.

"I'm married, I can't . . . I just can't" Pellenica sobbed still not able to look at me.

"It's okay luv, I understand." I said as I rubbed her shoulder soothingly.

"No you don't." Pellenica said vulnerably as she looked over her shoulder at me. "My husband is an old man." She sighed and paused. "It has been some years since he has been able to please me like a husband should." She said and I pulled her up to me and I held her tight in an embrace of support. Her arms went around my back and she clung to me placing her head on my shoulder. "But that is no excuse to break my wedding vows, I'm sorry Brian, I just can't." She sobbed as she clung to me.

"It's okay luv, I understand." I said as I stroked her hair in a calming manner and after a few moments of this she calmed down and fell silent. 

Steady breathing replaced the sobs and as I rocked her back and forth but her grip on me did not loosen, so I knew she was not asleep. After a moment of the tender calm she raised her head and looked me in the eye with her piercing hazel eyes. Her eyes searched my face for something for a half moment before she moved in and kissed me. It was a soft and quick kiss after which she pulled back and looked at my stunned face for a moment. 

"I'm sorry." She said, her face red with embarrassment as she tried to look everywhere but in my eyes. 

When her gaze returned I kissed her back on the lips, hard. It was not a tender kiss but full of passion and desire as I held that nude Pellenica against my equally nude body. Secretly I had longed for this moment for some time but never thought I would happen. She kissed me back with equal force and passion and held me tighter, her hands roaming over my back as we kissed. After a moment of heated kissing she broke into tears again and sobbed into my mouth as she tried to continue the kiss as long as she could. When the emotion got the better of her she broke the kiss and rested her head on my shoulder again and continued to sob bitterly.

"I want to, believe me I do!" Pellenica said between sobs as she clung to me. "I just can't do it!" She said with a sob and after a moment she looked at me with her teary, red eyes. 

"It's okay luv. I understand and respect that. I'm sorry for letting things go as far as they did. I just wanted to be there for you, as a friend should. I guess I got carried away and I'm sorry Pellenica." I said with tender sincerity and for a moment she looked me in the eye with a discerning look.

"You're a good and kind man Brian." Pellenica said with a loving look in her eye. "Jealile and Yeoline are lucky women indeed." She finished with a pained look and looked away. "I fear I will never be that lucky. Please go before I do something I will regret." Pellenica said as she broke the embrace and turned away from me not even able to look at me as she held back the tears as best she could. I touched her shoulder softly and she looked at me.

"I wish things could be different, I truly do." I said looking deep into her eyes but she looked away quickly. "But I'm here when you need a friend." I said sincerely.

Slowly she looked back over her shoulder and smiled "Thank you." She said warmly through the tears as I rose to leave. "Please don't tell anyone about this. I don't want Valencia to know about my moment of weakness." She said with a pleading look. After I reassured Pellenica about my silence, I left her alone and returned to Treabilla and fell fast asleep in her arms.

"That looks cozy, when do I get my turn." I heard someone say in a sarcastic huff. That was not the nicest way to be woken up, especially with the blast of morning light in my face. 

"You don't get a turn! You're married remember!" Snarled Pellenica. "Get up. Breakfast." She said curtly to me as her eyes only glanced inside the room before she closed the door.

"A lot of fat good that's done me the past few years." Valencia grumbled under her breath.

"I know about that more than anyone." Pellenica said quietly, with an understanding tone and a sigh. "But you took a vow on your Harvest Festival and you will honour it!" Pellenica warned shaking her finger sternly. 

"I was only joking anyways!" Valencia snapped back. "I know I'm married and that I can't do anything, just like you. But unlike you I don't mind daydreaming a bit." Valencia snarled and sat down roughly at the table. 

I emerged fully clothed about the same time that Treabilla had got dressed in her 'uniform' such as it was and came from her room. After the usual 'good mornings' and the like, we all sat down for breakfast. It was half way through the meal when Pellenica finally said something that had been on her mind through the meal.

"Do you really think it's appropriate for you to take advantage of Treabilla?" Pellenica asked, barely moving her lips. 

"Pardon?" I asked a little upset at the direction of the conversation. 

"She isn't really in control of her actions, she's still impressionable do you really think you should sleep with her?" Pellenica asked looking at me out of the corner of her eye. I was about to speak when I was cut off before words could leave my mouth.

"I couldn't sleep alone so I asked to sleep with Brian for comfort." Treabilla spoke up in my defence and I was proud that she spoke her mind. 

"We could all use that kind of 'comfort' now and again; hot sweaty 'comfort'." Valencia said under her breath with gritted teeth, clenching her fork tightly. 

"That was also my idea." Treabilla said softly, now almost ashamed to admit it. "I hadn't been with a man in so long."

"What she's trying to say is that we all have to be here. Do you really think it is appropriate to have sex right next to us when we can't do anything about it? Our husband isn't here, remember?" Pellenica said quietly but a little agitated as she tried to keep control of her temper. 

"I didn't think of that. I'm sorry, you're right." Treabilla apologized looking down at her plate. 

"It may be difficult but I think it would be best for you to sleep in your own bed for now on." Pellenica said in her sensible voice to Treabilla who looked at me and when I agreed she also agreed. 

"I know how unfair it is for you two to be stuck in here with us so I will do what I can to make it easier on you." I replied, and readily agreed to keep to myself physically. I was not about to be unmindful of how these two kind ladies felt, especially after last night with Pellenica. 

The rest of the day was spent talking with Treabilla, trying to find out about her experiences with The Mistress. We knew it was important to find out as much as we could about The Mistress and tried to prod her to tell us as much as she could remember. However, either she truly didn't know that much or she still felt some loyalty to her former Mistress. Little was learned from these discussions other then the descriptions of the tasks that she had to perform and tales of sex. By the end of it Pellenica and Valencia were squirming in their seats and I had a raging hardon that I tried to hide unsuccessfully. 




Brian's Adventures Ch. 05



As well we were trying to teach Treabilla how she should behave, trying to teach her how to be her own person all over again. As far as her training went, it went slow and she did seem frustrated and it all seemed too much for her too soon. We were able to make some progress and while she may not have believed most of it, we were able to get her to act better. It was my hope that by going through the motions, she would eventually realize that being a slave was not normal. 

About mid afternoon a small trunk was delivered by two of Lochel's personal servants. Treabilla was hiding of course when the trunk was delivered and there was no talking whatsoever. After the servants left she came out of her hiding place and explored the trunks contents. She had a far off look as she held up this dress and that. Clearly she was reminiscing, remembering something and that was a good thing.

"These were mine." She said to no one in particular. "I liked this one the best." She said with a smile as she picked up a pretty green dress and held it against her. 

"Why don't you put it on dear." I said with a smile and she returned the smile as she placed the green dress down over the back of the chest. 

Without warning or a hint of modesty she removed the skimpy bra and panties outfit that she wore and put the green dress on. As she was in the midst of changing I could not take my eyes off of her body. Pellenica was simply shocked as she watched the display of female flesh. Valencia however, I could see out of the corner of my eye, was eyeing Treabilla's body very intently, almost with desire. 

"How to I look?" Treabilla said as she stood before us now with the conservative yet snug green dress on. 

It was a plain dress that was form fitting but had a scooping neckline and a white patch in front near the top. A long string would lace up pulling the dress together, trying to squeeze and downplay her large breasts. It fell long to the floor and she looked quite pretty and respectable in that dress, I must say. 

After that, more time was spent with Treabilla reminiscing about her life before her enslavement. Clearly the more she talked about it, the more memories came back to her. She had lived a sheltered life as the life of the daughter of the Director of The Council. She remembered attending countless formal functions and of being brought out and put on display. She remembered always being told that she was to set a good example for her sisters and that nothing seemed quite good enough for her Father. The talking and reminiscing took us late into the night and clearly it was good for Treabilla but at this point we were all tired.

"Time for some rest." Pellenica said with a weary smile and she stood to leave. 

"True enough." I said with a smile and stood. "Off to bed with the lot of you." I chuckled and turned to Treabilla who by now stood beside me. "Goodnight, dear" I said as I gave her a hug and peck on the lips. 

"Goodnight Brian." She said with a smile before going to bed. 

"Goodnight Brian." Valencia said as she also gave me a hug and a lingering peck on the lips. She turned to Pellenica and with a "Goodnight" and a nod she was off to bed. 

There was a nervous moment of staring at each other before I plucked up my courage and took Pellenica in my arms. I had intended it to be a simple goodnight hug like I had given the others but clearly this was not to be. When my arms encircled her, she melted into my arms in a tender embrace. She held me tight with her head on my shoulder for a long moment. Neither of us said a word, neither of us wanting that moment to end, neither of us wanting to take the next step either. 

"Well, Goodnight Brian." Pellenica said with a tremble in her voice but still not letting go.

"Yes, Goodnight Pellenica." I replied but still not letting go of her. 

There was another moment of silence as we listened to the steady rhythm of each other's breathing. I reached up with one of my hands that were behind her and stroked her hair. She sighed contently as I held her there in the unmistakable embrace of two people who cared for each other deeply. Slowly she raised her head up off of my shoulder and looked me deep in the eyes. I could see that she wanted to kiss me but was trying to hide it. Her eyes betrayed the struggle that was going on in her mind and in her heart. A tear formed at the corner of her eye as she shook her head side-to-side and sobbed once.

"I can't." She said with a tear stained cheek.

"I know luv." I replied with a tender smile as I wiped the tear from her cheek.

"I should go." She said licking her lips in preparation for the impending kiss.

"I know luv." I said as I moved in and kissed her.

It was a splendidly spectacular; curl your toes kind of kiss. I was out of breath when we came up for air and every fibre in my being was on fire for her. She glanced all over my face before she threw herself into kissing me with all the lust that had been stirred up in her. When my roaming hands found her shapely ass, instead of running away like I had feared she pressed her groin hard against me. I could almost make out the outline of her pussylips as she ground herself against my hard cock. By now I had two full handfuls of her ass and was grinding back against her, matching her movements. 

After a moment of this she broke the kiss and held me at bay. She looked me in the eye with that pained look I had seen there before. It pierced my heart to see that look on her sweet face again and I almost broke down into tears when I saw it. A tear rolled down her cheek as she shook her head again, her lip quivered as she prepared to speak. Clearly, in her now very emotional state, coherent speech was difficult at best for her.

"Damn you Brian!" She sobbed as she covered her face and rushed to her room, closing the door behind her with a heavy thud.

The rush of cold air against my body as she vanished was like a splash of cold water on my face. I was ashamed of myself for acting like I did, knowing how she felt and that she was married. Clearly in her strained emotional state she could be forgiven for her momentary flirtation with temptation. I however should have known better and stopped things before they got dangerously close to breaking her vow.

I went to bed with a heavy heart and burdened soul. As I tossed and turned in that bed, I wrestled with demons of my own. Clearly I wanted her, not just as a conquest but also as something more. I knew in my heart that she also wanted the same thing. That was where her dilemma stemmed from and what she was wrestling with at the same moment, for I could feel it. I wanted to go to her and somehow resolve this growing problem between us. Nonetheless I didn't know how to do that without complicating the situation that much more so I stayed in my bed. Eventually I was able to drift off to sleep though it was not a restful sleep, it was the tortured sleep of the wicked. 

Sometime in the night I was stirred awake to the sound of my door opening up and then closing again. I could make out the form of a nude woman standing there but I could not quite identify her. There was a moment of quiet as I waited for this mystery woman to speak.

"Would it be so bad if I just held you for a while?" Came a timid voice from the door. "I'll be gone by morning, nobody need know." She finished and I still could not quite place the voice but I guessed it was Pellenica who had come to me.

"Of course luv." I smiled and drew back the covers inviting her to come to me. 

As she approached the bed I could make out the face of Valencia. My surprise was so great that I could not draw a breath to say a word in order to display my shock. She was beautiful and also had a slim, spectacular body, her body was muscular and her breasts were larger than Pellenica's but smaller than Treabilla's. In a moment I felt her warm, nude female body pressed up against me in a tender embrace, snuggling up to me. My concerns melted away as this beautiful, nude woman settled into a tender embrace next to me. 

"Thank you. All that sex talk got to me I guess. I couldn't stand another night alone. I needed to at least hold someone, to feel a man next to me." Valencia smiled as she gave me a kiss on the lips and snuggled in for a good sleep. 

"It's alright dear, I know what you mean." I said as I brought her face to meet mine and kissed her. 

It had intended it to simply be a return of her goodnight kiss and nothing more, however heated imaginations stretched it. The kiss lingered and slowly heated up in both passion and intensity; by the end of it she was lying on top of me. I could feel her slick pussy lips parted and slickly rubbing up and down on my cock as we kissed. If she only raised her body a few inches more, I would be inside her. I don't know how long it lasted, perhaps only a few minutes but it felt like a glorious eternity to kiss her. However, like Pellenica Valencia broke the kiss with a few sobs into my shoulder as she tried to catch her breath. 

"You have no idea how much I want this, how much I need to make love to you Brian." Valencia said into my shoulder. "I swear if you kiss me once more tonight I'll jump your bones!" She finished with a frustrated grunt. She slipped off of me and snuggled up to me beside me and we cuddled until we both drifted off to sleep. 

"YOU FILTY SLUT!" Pellenica screamed as she stood in the doorway the next morning.

"What the hell is your problem?" Valencia growled back indignantly. "Nothing happened!" She finished with a scowl. 

"You couldn't help yourself help yourself could you?" Pellenica seethed. "Just had to FUCK him didn't you?" She spat. "The fact that you're married means nothing to you doesn't it?" She finished with disgust.

"Keep your shirt on you bitch!" Valencia sneered. "Did you hear anything last night?" Valencia growled with indignation. 

"No, but that proves nothing." Pellenica shot back. 

"I'm not a quiet person and I haven't been FUCKED in years! Trust me, if anything would have happened last night, half the bloody barracks would have heard!" Valencia shouted as she sat up, revealing her nude body from the waist up, her breasts proudly on display for anyone to see. "Some of us have self-control you know! Some of us can sleep next to a man and not fuck him!" Valencia finished with her hand resting on my thigh dangerously close to my now very hard cock. 

"DON'T TALK TO ME ABOUT SELF-CONTROL!" Pellenica shouted as she leaned into the room. "I know more about it than you'll ever know!" She snarled and grunted in frustration in a lower tone before turning and leaving. 

"Fine, you sleep with him tonight and be done with it. I for one feel much better this morning." Valencia said as she got up and left the room still naked to follow after Pellenica. 

"You're nuts! It's not right to sleep next to another man and you know it!" Pellenica said a calmer tone as she stopped to turn back to face Valencia as the nude woman approached her friend and Fellowife. 

"Perhaps not right, but not exactly illegal. As long as you don't have sex with him I mean." Valencia said with a naughty smile a little quieter as she stood close to Pellenica. "I know you want him as much as I do. At least allow yourself one night to just hold him." Valencia said quietly as she put her hand on Pellenica's shoulder and Pellenica did not answer but kept her eyes closed tightly. Over the remainder of the week before my date with The Council we worked with Treabilla. I was hoping to somehow secure my salvation through this. At least I wanted to give her life back to her, even if my own was to be forfeit. I wanted to save myself either by discovering the identity of The Mistress or by reclaiming Treabilla's independence. It was a long shot at best but I had to at least try, I was not going to roll over and die without a fight. I was still hoping that God had brought me here to this place for a reason, that there was a purpose to my being here in Tania. 

That next night however, after everyone had gone to sleep I had another visitor to my room. As the door opened, quietly this visitor entered the room. I could not make out their identity but I could feel it, somehow as I laid there in that darkness I knew who it was. I knew without seeing that Pellenica had entered the room, so when she spoke it was not a surprise. 

"I shouldn't be here." Pellenica said quiet trembling voice.

"I know." I replied quietly as I looked into her eyes.

"I should go." She added softly yet unconvincingly.

"If you wish." I said with my heart pounding in my chest.

"I don't want to." She said with a tear in her eye and a quiver in her voice.

"I don't want you to either." I said as I did my best to keep a calm exterior.

"I can't make love to you." She said with fear in her trembling voice.

"That's okay." I assured her calmly. 

Slowly she walked over to my bed and drew back the covers and slipped inside. I tingled all over as she settled into a tender embrace beside me. Nothing was said for a long moment as we both enjoyed the peaceful contentment of simply holding each other. Strange as it seems, that was as rewarding to me as sex itself. I was happy just to hold her, to have her near. As much as I wanted her, I was happy to do nothing more than to hold her. 

"Damn you Brian." She sighed with a tear. 

"Pardon?" I questioned now confused at her comment.

"Damn you for making me love you." She said with a calm tear. "I'm married to a respectable man, whom I love and respect. He is a good man who doesn't deserve this even though he cannot please me physically anymore." She sighed and traced imaginary circles on my chest as she spoke. 

"I feel it too my dear, I love you too." I said as I kissed the top of her head. 

"I do love you, but I also love him. I made a promise to love, honour and cherish him until death." She sighed sadly and fell silent. "I can't break that promise, I just can't." Pellenica sighed as she looked me in the eye.

"I understand, but at least we have tonight." I said tenderly, and without a warning I kissed her. 

It was a tender, loving kiss that lasted for a lingering, wonderful moment. This time however, when the kiss was broken there was no crying or hurt feelings, only the glow of love. Her eyes danced all over my face and she kissed me lightly and quickly on the nose with a playful smile before settling in to get some sleep. 

If I died that night, I would die a happy man, for I got to touch pure love of the heart not once but twice. I cared deeply for Treabilla, Yeoline, and Valencia but not as intensely as I felt for Jealile and Pellenica. I drifted off to sleep clinging to the happy knowledge that we loved each other. I tried to push away the looming thought that our love was doomed with no hope of being fulfilled, yet it still plagued my dreams.

"Did we sleep well?" Valencia said with a catlike grin, looking oh-so-pleased with herself.

"I did actually, I must admit that you were right, I feel better." Pellenica said not moving or stirring from her embrace of me. 

"Does that mean we can take turns?" Treabilla inquired politely as she poked her nose into the room and conversation.

"Sounds delightful to me! What do you say Pel?" Valencia purred with the same silly grin on her face.

"Well, as long as we all promise not to have sex I don't see why not, do you Brian?" Pellenica said with a contented grin on her face.

"Well . . . define sex." I asked as carefully as possible. 

"Don't you get cute! It's the best you'll get!" Pellenica said as she gave me a playful swat, a smile crept across her lips that she tried to keep off of her face but failed to do so. 

Valencia and Treabilla both laughed and we all agreed. So for the remainder of our time in that room each night I had a different lady in my bed. All told I slept with each of the ladies twice and it was quite fantastic indeed, something I never thought I would do in my lifetime. However true to our word, I did not have sex with any of them except Treabilla, that first night. I must say, that it was not as frustrating as you might imagine, calming and comforting I found it, and quite definitely enjoyable. 


However, eventually the day did roll around and I was summoned to appear before The Council of Tania. I still remember the short and skinny page as he stood at the door and tried to look menacing and important. I did not laugh at him despite his humorous efforts to put on airs. For all I knew he may be important even though he looked like a simple page. 

"I am here for the English Spy Brian Westlock." The small man said with disdain and a sneer. 

"There is no English Spy here, only a simple castaway." I replied plainly. This seemed to have no effect on him, as he looked me over with equal disdain. 

"It matters little, your fate will be decided by The Council." He said as he looked through me and surveyed the room. "Where is the girl?" He asked Pellenica directly, now ignoring me all together.

"What girl?" She replied with a forced confused look on her face.

"Treabilla, Lochel's daughter, the other one you are charged with guarding. Produce her immediately; she is summoned as well." He said in his best commanding voice that sounded more like a squeak.

"Certainly." Pellenica said and gave Valencia a nod, who then opened up Treabilla's door. 

"Good to see you, your highness. I trust you have been treated well?" The short man said in a kind yet condescending tone as Treabilla came into view. 

"I have been treated grandly. I owe my life to Brian and he has treated me with dignity and respect." Treabilla said in a firm yet calm tone as she looked him straight in the eye. I must say that she looked quite the regal lady that day and truly looked like the daughter of the Director of the Council of Tania. He even took a moment to glance her over as she stood there. 

"I see." He replied quite dispassionately as he then turned back to Pellenica and said. "Let's go. We must not keep The Council waiting." Again our little convoy left the room for the last time together as we headed for the council chambers. In front was the short man; next came Pellenica, Treabilla, then me and finally Valencia. We took more winding and long passages before finally arriving in front of two huge doors. In front of those doors were two guards that were dressed like Lochel's personal guards. Without hesitation or any signal they opened up the huge doors and we entered The Council Chamber. 

The interior of The Council Chamber was a large, airy circular room, it had lots of windows to let in the sunlight. It was a tall room with fifty-foot ceilings, polished stone floor and large columns that separated the large windows. Directly opposite the large doors was a huge table that followed the circular contour of the room and encompassed just under half of the room. At the centre of the table was a higher station with a more intricate chair. On either side of this chair was a place for six people to sit equally spaced apart. Opposite of this table, near the door was row upon row of bench seats, like you would see in a church. There was one aisle up the middle that reached from the large doors to the vast open space in the middle of the arch of The Council Table. In the centre of the room, and in front of The Council Table was a single, humble chair all on its own. Seated at each of the lower chairs were all of the twelve Council Members, naturally the highest station was occupied by Lochel. 

We were led without hesitation directly into the room and directed to stand behind the lonely chair. The short man stood in front of the rest of us who were directed to stand in a horizontal line behind him. As I stood there I felt the full weight of the power of these men and Lochel in particular. I only hoped that they would take mercy on me. I hoped that they would see the good that I had done and that I was no threat to them or Tania. 




Brian's Adventures Ch. 05



"Honourable Director and Council Members I present the lady Treabilla and the Prisoner Brian Westlock. As the Council ordered, so it was done." He said in his best, puffed up voice before taking a low bow.

"Thank you Sergeant-at-Arms." Lochel said calmly and the Sergeant bowed slightly as he backed away and stood beside Valencia. "Hello sweetheart, how are feeling today?" Lochel said warmly to his daughter.

"I'm fine Father, I have been well treated and I feel much more like myself again thanks to my friends." Treabilla said standing there with dignity and respect in her voice and a smile on her face as she indicated the rest of us. 

"Good to hear sweetheart. I would love to hear about it later." Lochel responded with a warm smile in his daughter's direction. Then he turned to the Sergeant and said, "Take her home Sergeant."

"That's it?" Treabilla asked in shock as the Sergeant-at-arms started to move toward her. 

"What do you mean?" Lochel inquired. 

"I hoped that I would get a chance to address The Council on Brian's behalf." Treabilla protested sternly yet kept a civil tone to her voice.

"I don't think that will be necessary my dear." Lochel said dismissively motioning to the Sergeant to continue to 'escort' her out of The Council Chambers. With a little more fuss and protest she was ushered out of the room with the aid of two other Guards. "Have a seat Mr Westlock." Lochel said in his regal tone and naturally I sat down immediately. 

Pellenica and Valencia never moved from their stations behind my chair. They simply stood there at attention and waited to be addressed or dismissed. I must say that it felt good to have them there behind me. I regret that I never had a chance to say goodbye properly to Treabilla. She knew, however that it couldn't be helped. 

"Corporal, Report." Lochel commanded with a glance to Pellenica. 

Pellenica took a few steps forward and stopped a few steps ahead of me. She then proceeded to give a long and detailed account of my stay at Tania so far. I noticed a few things that she left out, like any of my intimate moments with the ladies of Tania. All in all it was an accurate, dry and quietly glowing account of my actions. I could see that she did her best to portray me in the best of light and I could have kissed her for it. When she was done she stepped back to her previous place. 

"Yes, yes; sufficed to say he's been a model prisoner." One of The Council Members, an older grey haired man said. "With respect Director, I fail to see how this changes anything?" He finished with a frustrated tone and my heart sank.

"Here, here. Why are we even wasting The Council's valuable time with this trivial matter?" Another older man inquired with disdain.

"With respect Director, does the law not require that all spies be executed immediately? Why are we postponing the inevitable?" Yet another silver haired Council Member said. "Why does this man still live?" He finished with an inquisitive yet perturbed tone while pointing to me with a sneer and distain. 

"Yes it does Councillor Premegar." Lochel admitted regrettably and sighed then paused. "However I do not believe he is a spy so the law does not apply in this case." Lochel finished with confidence and with a commanding presence. 

"With my humblest of respects Director, you can't possibly believe his ridiculous story!" Councillor Premegar spoke again in a cloaked insulting manner.

"It is not so much his story but the character of the man that convinces me." Lochel replied unwavered by the silent question of his sanity. "Have any of you tried to get to know him?" Lochel questioned, knowing the answer.

"With respect Director, we don't need to. The law is quite clear on this. He is from the outside, he has arrived here uninvited so he is a spy and must be killed." Councillor Premegar said with an aggravated tone. "Respectfully, the only one who is confused about this point is you Director." He finished while giving Lochel a queer look.

"If you don't want to kill him Director, what do you propose we do with him?" Inquired the second Council member who spoke with an incredulous chuckle.

"Give him a boat and send him on his way?" Asked another with a laugh. 

"No, of course not." Lochel agreed curtly. "That would put Tania at risk and I won't do that.

"What then? Lock him up and throw away the key?" Chuckled another.

"No, I'd sooner kill him than do that." Lochel said, now a little annoyed at the games of The Council Members. 

"But the question still stands Director?" Inquired the third Council Member who spoke. 

"At The Council's indulgence, why not solve two problems at the same time." Lochel said with a raised eyebrow, piquing the Council's interest.

"What are you talking about Director?" Inquired Councillor Premegar curiously.

"The Kincaid Estate has been without a Master for a few years now and its women are marrying off. Soon it will be dormant and the lands will not produce its share of food. Why not give Mr. Westlock that Estate and let him do Tania a greater service then fertilize the ground with his corpse." Lochel said in a manner that showed his pride in his idea and seemingly logical suggestion.

"You can't be serious Director!" Shouted Councillor Premegar with great indignation amid the grumbling of the whole council. "My son was promised that Estate five years hence! I won't have you give it away to the first beggar that comes along."

"I am serious, the Kincaid Estate can't wait five years, it need a Master now." Lochel said with a worried tone and light tap on the arm of his chair before continuing. "I move that Mr. Westlock be released from custody and awarded the Kincaid Estate immediately. Will the Council support me in this and do what is best for Tania?" Lochel said confidently and looked The Council over and sighed when the unmoved faces stared back at him. 

"All those who support the Directors motion please indicate it by raising you hand." Councillor Premegar said without looking away from Lochel as I saw that not a single hand rose in the room. "All those who are opposed to the Director's motion, please do so by raising your hand now." Councillor Premegar said and after a moment every Councillor had raised his hand. 

"I am the Director of the Council, it is my decision and I have made it, I don't need your approval to do the right thing!" Lochel growled at the still silent Council members. "I override you! Do you hear me, as Director, I claim the right to override The Council and order that Mr. Westlock be released and awarded the Kincaid Estate." Lochel boomed in his most outraged voice that a disrespected leader could muster.

"Director, I implore you to reconsider. You know it is best that the law be upheld." Councillor Premegar urged in his own tone of warning.

"It is the right thing to do and you know it!" Lochel said with aggravation before pausing to gather himself together. "We need more men, he is no threat so why not let him join us?" Lochel replied in his most charming tone.

"You won't reconsider then?" Councillor Premegar urged.

"No." Lochel said firmly sitting up straight. 

"Then you leave us no choice Director." Sighed Councillor Premegar. "I move that we hold a reversal vote." He finished grimly yet loudly and there was some murmuring from the other Council Members.

"I second it." One Council Member immediately shouted.

"Motion carried." Yet another Council Member shouted. 

"Let's vote!" Still another demanded and the mood turned foul. 

"What has he done that you now demand his blood!" Lochel snarled. 

"It's nothing personal Director Teroncia. It's the law and we will see it upheld for the safety of Tania. If you are unwilling to do it, then we will see it done." Councillor Premegar said through gritted teeth. 

I was amazed that through all this I was not asked one single question. My presence here was not even acknowledged in the slightest, they kept on talking about me like I wasn't even here. Everything I had done up to now seemed to them to be irrelevant. The Council wanted me dead for no other reason than the fact that I had washed up on their shore. They seemed determined to have my head; the only solace was that Lochel seemed to believe in me, that was at least something. 

"Don't do this! It is not necessary!" Lochel snarled. "Give him some time to prove his worth. If he is a spy his own stupidity and actions will reveal his allegiances soon enough." Lochel said through gritted teeth, proposing a compromise. 

"Why can't you see that the law is the law and it must be upheld?" Councillor Premegar growled back. "Is it really necessary to vote or will you yield to The Council's wisdom in this matter and withdraw your motion Director?" He finished in a cocky manner and leaned in with a raised eyebrow. 

"I see no reason to kill him, If you want his head that much then you order it if you must. I will not have this innocent man's blood stain my soul." Lochel finished and leaned back in his chair and gave me a regretful look that told me he was genuinely sorry. 

"Then we vote." Councillor Premegar asserted loudly. "All those who wish to reverse the Director's decision of mercy and wish to order the immediate execution of the prisoner please indicate by raising your hand now." He said in a dry monotone and waited. 

After a moment all the hands at the table were raised except Lochel and my heart sunk to its darkest depth yet. I could hear a solitary sniffle followed by a quiet "Dear God no" from Pellenica and a single sob from Valencia. I didn't need to look at Pellenica or Valencia's face to know tears were in their eyes.

"Motion carried. Take the prisoner away to await execution at sundown tomorrow." Councillor Premegar said in a booming, commanding voice. I stood up immediately and Pellenica and Valencia stood at either side of me and bowed to The Council. 

"As The Council orders, so it shall be." Pellenica said in her most controlled voice, trying desperately not to let her emotions enter into her voice. 

With that I was led from The Council Chambers without another word and directed down to the depths of the dungeon to a grimmer cell then my first. It was half the size and did not even have straw for a bed or any furniture at all. There were no windows and only one unlit torch on the wall leaving the only light to enter the room to come through the hole in the door. The floor was down a few feet from the door and there were three steps that took you from the door down to the floor of the cell. As I heard the door clink behind me I felt darkness settle on my heart and I fell down to the floor and cried but no tears came forth. I was truly too sad and depressed for tears. 

"All is not lost Brian." Pellenica said through the bars. "You'll see." She assured as best she could though I did not acknowledge her words. 

I could not believe her, my spirit was crushed and I had resigned myself to my fate. I sat there unmoving and unspeaking, just waiting for the executioner's blade to put me out of my misery. I could see no way out of this. All was lost, the final blow had not yet been delivered but it was as sure to come as the sun the next morning. It was then that my faith in God was at its lowest, for I believed that he had forsaken me and left me to die a pointless death far from my home.



Brian's Adventures Ch. 06



Chapter Six: Friendship

I do not remember much of that next day, I truly don't. Nor do I remember falling asleep the night before. I don't remember much of anything, its all a hazy blur to tell you the truth. I had resigned myself to my fate and just waited for the end to come. I had tried my best to show these people that I was a good person and not a spy but in the end, it mattered little. The fact that I drew breath and had set foot on Tania seemed to be my greatest crime. Death loomed inevitably on the horizon like a black cloud that billowed and festered, casting darkness everywhere. 

Late the next day, a pair of strange guards came and got me. Without much fanfare I left my cell for the last time and walked toward my date with the executioner. As we walked down the few winding passages I still felt numb, even the blast of daylight did not brighten my spirits. It seemed strangely ironic to me that the first time I should be outside since my arrival would be the last time that I would see the sun, ever. 

It was a small public courtyard that I presumed was behind the Barracks. It seemed to be the end of a dead end street and that seemed fitting to me somehow. There was a small platform set up in the middle of the end of the street. It was not that tall, about the height of a man, maybe a little less. There were balconies and windows that overlooked the courtyard and every place there seemed to be faces and people. 

It seemed that word had spread about the execution of the Outsider and it had become a spectacle. There was similar curiosity and gatherings about the executions back home, but I never paid them any mind. I never found the fascination of watching some poor bugger loosing his head. It seems that wherever you go people are the same, for lots of people wanted to watch me lose mine it seemed. 

I was roughly handled as I was directed up to the small platform and I remember taking those last few steps. I remember how heavy each foot felt as one by one I climbed those steps to the top of the platform. Standing there, waiting for me were two men, the Sergeant-at-Arms and the black hooded Executioner. The Sergeant-at-Arms looked pleased with everything, almost as if he'd got his way. The Executioner stood there waiting while holding a large axe that had a very long handle on it. 

"Brian Westlock you have been charged and convicted of spying on the noble people of Tania. The Great Council of Tania has sentenced you to death. Do you have any last words before the sentence is carried out?" The Sergeant-at-Arms said dryly and I said nothing as I was still in a fog.

As far as I knew my life was only moments from ending and nothing mattered to me anymore. I still remember the cold damp feel of the chopping block on the side of my cheek as I laid my head on that block. My life was now only seconds from ending and my tension rose as I prayed for a miracle to save me. 

Whoosh!! Twang!! 

A dagger flew out of the crowd and hit the Executioner's axe in the handle just an inch above where his hand held it. He was still standing there waiting for the final order to carry out the sentence. 

"Sweet Christ!" The Executioner shouted.

Out of shock and surprise he let go of the axe and it fell over and off of the platform with a series of loud clangs. I started to look around and notice things again. This seemed odd to me even in my hazy state and it was just what I needed to break me out of this depressed, dismal spell. 

"If he loses his head, you'll lose yours not a moment later!" Shouted someone from the direction of where the dagger came from. 

I looked and saw a number of people tossing their cloaks aside to reveal polished armour underneath. They had been hiding amongst the crowed and chose now to strike. Four of them rushed the platform and the first one reached the top of the platform only seconds after the axe fell away. I stood up and saw the terror on the faces of both the Executioner and the Sergeant at Arms and thanked God for my miracle. My miracle had four names, Jealile, Yeoline, Pellenica and Valencia and I kissed each one of them. 

"Didn't I promise you that no harm would come to you?" Smiled Jealile proudly after I kissed her. 

"I told you, we'd get your pretty ass out of this didn't I?" Smiled Valencia after I kissed her also. 

"I told you all was not lost didn't I?" Pellenica smiled warmly after her kiss. 

"I couldn't bear to let anything happen to you." Yeoline said with a tear after her kiss. 

"Get out of here!" Jealile ordered the Executioner and he quickly and quietly agreed, leaving the axe where it lay. "As for you." Jealile said with an evil smirk. "Fetch The Council, it's what you're good at." She finished with a sneer. 

"I most certainly will do no such thing." Sneered the Sergeant-at-Arms in defiant disgust.

"NOW!" Jealile growled impatiently as she drew her sword and pointed it at his throat. An evil smile crept across her face as she moved her face closer to his. I could see that after a few seconds of this, terror returned to his face and he sputtered in protest.

"I . . . I . . . If you insist." The Sergeant-at-Arms finally managed to get out and then retreated down the stairs rubbing his uninjured neck. 

"What now?" I asked curiously.

"Now we let everyone else know what's going on." Pellenica said with a smile and she whistled loudly. 

I could then see two things happening, for one the Capitan of the Guards led twenty guards out of the Barracks. They marched over to the platform and formed a ring around the base of the platform. They stood with swords drawn and the tip on the ground with both hands on the hilt of their swords as they faced away from the platform. With a nod to Pellenica the Captain stood at the base of the stairs and watched everything at once. 

The second thing I noticed was some movement in the crowd; someone stood forward and dropped their hood. Treabilla gracefully walked over to the platform and up the stairs, hugging me when she got near. I was still in shock because a little more than two minutes had passed since that dagger flew out of the crowd. Treabilla now stood tall on top of that chopping block where my head had been only moments before. She raised her hands and got the attention of the murmuring and mildly excited crowd. She waited for the noise to die down before she spoke.

"People of Tania!" Treabilla shouted at last. "A shameful crime almost happened here today. The crime of murder most foul! This man was sentenced to die by The Council but no trial took place, no evidence was presented and no crime committed!" Treabilla said with passion as she pointed to me. 

"If that's true then why kill him?" Someone from the crowd shouted.

"When his ship sank at sea far from his home, and being the only survivor he clung to a piece of wreckage for dear life! Fate and God's will my friends brought him to our shore!" She continued with the passion and skill of a master storyteller. "Yet how did we receive him?" She said sadly and by now she had the whole crowd mesmerized. 

"We locked him up as a spy before he even knew where he was! We accused him of spying on us when he had done nothing suspicious at all. Even as we treated him so unjustly he has yet to utter a single word against us." She finished and paused for effect. "I owe my very life to him!" She shouted with passion as a collective gasp came from the mesmerized crowd. 

"And still The Council wanted him dead. When my Father, the Director granted him mercy, The Council overturned that just decision and ordered his execution! Not one piece of evidence was given! No trial was held! Only death was given to the undeserving stranger." Treabilla finished with a sad tone and paused again looking down at me for a moment before looking back up to the crowd. 

"Are we so paranoid and cruel that we would kill an innocent man just because fate has delivered him to us? Is this the kind of people we are? To kill a man who has done nothing wrong just to feel safe? If they can kill him so easily, why could they not kill any one of us just as easily? If we get in their way will we not find ourselves on the same block?" Treabilla shouted to the now unnerved crowd while stamping her foot on the block. 

"This cannot be allowed to happen! This must not happen! This is not the land that my forefather Augustus Teroncia founded!" Treabilla shouted and the crowed erupted in cheers and shouts; she had successfully whipped the crowd up into frenzy! 

"My goodness she's good! Can she ever tell a story!" I said quietly to Pellenica beside me. 

"Her Father taught her well." Pellenica replied quietly. 

"Tell me something. How on earth did you talk The Captain into this?" I asked curiously and quietly to the ladies that had gathered near me and for a moment none of them said a thing but had sheepish smirks on their faces.

"Funny that." Valencia started out while the others still smirked and said nothing. "Mostly she was outraged at the injustice of it all. But what really sealed the deal was . . . um . . . well . . . She has been married five times and has been single for a few years." Valencia said and took a nervous pause. "She's still a woman and has needs you understand." She finished with a weak smile in my direction and I went white, as I understood. "We couldn't go without her support and we figured you wouldn't mind . . . doing your part." Valencia said fumbling with her words. "So . . . suffice to say you've got plans tonight." She said quietly as she leaned in next to me touching my arm. 

I looked over at the Captain of the Guards as she stood there in her commanding pose and in her armour all polished and shined up. I could tell that she was still muscular and as tough as they come, she looked menacing and unyielding. However, somewhere under that gruff and tough exterior beat the tender heart of a woman, I could see it in her eyes. She kept it locked away most of the time, but our deepest secrets tend to leak out when we least expect them to. She looked over at me and saw the silly, yet surprised dumb look on my face. The usually menacing looking Captain of the guards turned into a timid woman as she smiled at me, blushed a bit then quickly looked away. 

"Keep the healer handy tonight." I said under my breath to Valencia who responded with a chuckle. We both noticed movement in one of the vacant balconies above us at that moment.

The movement I noticed was some archers had now taken up positions on a number of the balconies around the square. The door to the barracks barged open and out marched thirty Guards who marched up to the square and formed two lines one behind the other and faced off against us. The Guards that had encircled the platform now quickly moved to form opposing lines and squared off to stare down the other Guards. 

The crowd disbursed somewhat, but the bulk of it hung about hiding around corners and giving wide berth. It seems that the prospect of a battle combined with their curiosity and unsatisfied bloodlust kept them around and just out of harms way. I don't think that I would have stuck around if I was just part of the crowd. No matter how curious I would have been I would not have wanted to die by some slash that missed its intended target. 

The two opposing ranks of Guards stood firm, snarling at each other, standing firm. The Sergeant-at-Arms commanded the opposing Guards and the Captain of the Guards naturally commanded our ranks. Five of our Guards put their swords away and took the bows off their backs and each picked an archer to aim at. There was a tense moment as both sides stared down each other. Nether side wanted to make the first move, nor wanted to yield the ground. A tense stalemate gripped the air for a horrendous few moments and nobody dared move. Civil War was in the air and I was ashamed and touched to know that it was over me.

It was just then that I looked up and noticed a man who was standing alone on one of the balconies. He was looking over the whole scene with unconcerned curiosity. I looked into his face and I recognized him as one of The Council Members that had remained quiet during my 'trial'. I looked up at him, as did other members of the group who stood there. 

After a moment of looking us over he disappeared back into the building. A few moments later an unassuming door opened up and he emerged from it and without a word or further ceremony. As he made his way over to the platform he easily walked through both ranks of Guards unhindered. Soon after, he stood before me with a charming smile as he stretched out his hand to shake mine. 

"Good afternoon Mr. Westlock, I am Councillor Brachous Palpetone and I am here on behalf of The Council. You are indeed more resourceful than The Council had given you credit." He said in the smooth, polished voice of a lifelong politician as he shook my hand. "You are certainly to be congratulated for your display of cunning and strength, let us hope that you possess wisdom as well." 

"Thank you but it was . . . " I started out but Jealile cut me off.

"But a small mater for him!" Jealile quickly interjected not letting me reveal that I had little to do with this. 

"You do indeed have a knack of acquiring allies from the oddest of places." He said with a curious smile as he looked at the ladies standing there around me. "You must tell me your secret sometime. That is, if we can find some way to settle this troublesome matter peacefully. Indeed you are a most curious fellow, you might have some merit after all." He said with a warm smile and a light chuckle. 

"I have tried to conduct myself in the best way I knew how. I tried to show your people that I was a good man. In the end, all that meant nothing to you and your kind." I said with some disdain that had leaked through my cool exterior. "You'd kill me for doing nothing other than showing up unannounced!" I said with clenched teeth. I tried to keep my cool as I looked into the face of one of the men who had sealed my doom.

"Indeed we did. Regretfully that was a hasty decision. Thanks to this delightful display" He said motioning in the direction of the ranks of Guards. "We can't kill you without looking overly cruel. But the trouble is we can't just let you go either." He said and paused and mused with his hand on his chin. "It would reflect poorly on The Council and we can't have that." He finished and looked at me with his charming smile.

"No, we can't have The Council look bad." Treabilla said sarcastically while rolling her eyes. Councillor Palpetone looked disapprovingly for a moment at Treabilla but said nothing. "What do you propose?" I inquired, curiously, bringing his attention back to me.

"Well, I have the approval of the Council to commute the sentence to ten lashings in public." Councillor Palpetone said with a sensible look. "That way, you keep your head attached and The Council can save face." He finished with his best 'I'm you're buddy' look. 

"Not a chance!" Treabilla shouted as quietly as she could, interjecting. "He's done nothing wrong!" 

"Surely you all realize that this is just a sample of the Guards that are loyal to The Council. Our ranks far outnumber yours and they would descend upon you with such force as to surely kill each and every one of you. What would that accomplish I ask you? You would still be dead Mr. Westlock and a great many others with you." Councillor Palpetone finished with a deadly serious glare that was masked by a smile. I could see in his eyes that he was capable of that and much more, I knew then not to press him. "Do you really want all bloodshed on your conscience as you meet your maker?" He asked with a look of distaste.

Jealile pressed the long blade of her sword against the neck of Councillor Palpetone and brought her face just an inch away from his. "You'll be the first to die, I swear it!" She spat with pure hatred. 

Like the groan of a great beast from above we heard the archers draw back their bows. They were ready to fire at a half second's notice and had an arrow trained on each of us with heart-stopping skill. In response our archers drew back their bows in a silent threat to the archers in the balconies. 

"What does it matter my dear if we're all dead!" He replied calmly.

I could see that there was not an ounce of fear in his eyes. There was a tense moment as the two stared each other down. Jealile growled and dropped her sword to her side, she knew he was right or at least not afraid to die. He rightly knew that we had no intention of dieing that day either, if it could be avoided. All the archers relaxed the tension on their bows and the release was like the beast sighed a sigh of relief. 

"I'd rather put my head on the block than see any of you harmed." I replied just as seriously looking into the eyes of the five ladies that surrounded me. 

"I sensed that about you, but I will not press it that far O noble one. I can see now that it would be a shame to waste such an interesting individual. Already your display has been quite entertaining and I must say I'm curious to see what you'll do next to liven up our little island." Councillor Palpetone finished with a warm and inviting smile.

"But why whip him!" Treabilla asked what was on the minds of everyone there. "Relax my child. I'll have the Captain of the Guard carry out the sentence. I'm sure she's skilled enough not to even touch him." He said to Treabilla with a condescending tone before turning to me. "But you'd better sell it to the crowd or I'll have someone else do the job and by God you'll feel it then!" He finished with a delightful sneer, shaking his finger in warning. "After which you're free to go." He finished with a warm smile, looking pleased with himself. 

"I can't go home obviously. What then? Where do I go? To live on the street?" I inquired curiously. 

"I'm sure one of these fine ladies would take you in but that may not be necessary." He said with a smile and leaned in a bit. "I am the Councillor in charge of Food and Farming. That means that the countryside Estates are under my control." He said with a pleased chuckle. "I may be able to quietly award you the Kincaid Estate without much trouble." He finished with an, 'aren't I so grand' smile as I considered his generous offer, but one thing came to mind.

"What do you want?" I asked with a discerning look.

"Nothing for now, but down the road you never know when I may need a favour. A resourceful man like yourself is always handy to know in such times, as I'm sure you'll agree. What do you say Mr. Westlock?" Counsellor Palpetone finished with his charming smile and waited for my answer. 

"What about my friends, they have risked much today. What about them?" I asked genuinely, not wanting to see them in any trouble either. 

"Well, since nobody was hurt I think we can just overlook this mater, provided they go away quietly." Palpetone finished with a smile and looked into the eyes of all the women there and each one in turn nodded their agreement. "Is it settled then?" Palpetone finished with extending his hand out and waited for me to shake it. 

"It's seems fair enough. I'll do it." I said as I shook his hand and it was settled. "Excellent. You've made a wise decision Mr. Westlock." Councillor Palpetone said assuredly as he slapped my shoulder in a friendly manner with one hand while still shaking my hand with his other.

"Do you mind calling off your dogs now?" Valencia asked with a nice smile while pointing at the ranks of Guards who were still on the brink of starting a Civil War. 

Councillor Palpetone agreed with a warm smile and half-chuckle just before he looked for the Sergeant-at-Arms. When their eyes met, it took only a look and a dismissive motion of the hand for the opposing ranks of Guards to start to leave. Jealile looked over at the Captain of the Guards with a similar look and a nod of the head. Our ranks then started to pack up and prepared to leave, the Captain however stood firm. 




Brian's Adventures Ch. 06



"Captain, prepare a whipping detail, you are to lead it, understand." Councillor Palpetone said in his commanding, superior manner and without saying a word the Captain understood. 

Then the Captain shouted some orders and while most of the Guards disappeared into the building, some returned with a whipping post and a whip. It was quickly set up so that my back would face away from the crowd. The crowd started to filter back in when the mood turned less tense as the Guards had sheathed their swords once more. When the crowd had settled back and was more or less quiet, Councillor Palpetone stepped forward and raised both his hands. A hush fell quickly over the crowd and he held that hush for a moment longer than he needed to. 

"Citizens of Tania. I come before you with news of a grave injustice that has now been righted." He said with a warm smile and indicated me as he continued. "This man was wrongfully sentenced to death. While it is true that the full penalty of his crime is death, we were not informed of all of his actions. If we had been given all the information and not stretched truths and rumours we would have made the right decision much earlier. It is because of the brave actions of these fine Guards here." He said pointing to the Captain proudly and paused to ensure he had everyone's attention. 

"They put their lives on the line to see justice served and we owe them much. Now that The Council has learned all of the pertinent information I can proudly say that the right sentence will now be carried out. In recognition of his actions and service to Tania so far, the prisoner Brian Westlock will be given ten lashings." Councillor Palpetone finished with a pleased smile, and the crowed cheered. 

Two guards I didn't know led me to the whipping post and removed my shirt before binding my hands high above me head. The Sergeant-at-Arms stood beside me to and off to the side about twenty feet. The Captain of the Guard unfurled the whip as she stood behind me about twenty feet and prepared her stance. 

"Brian Westlock, having been found guilty of spying by The Council, you have been sentenced to ten lashings." He said loudly, mostly to the crowd than me. "Captain, carry out the sentence." He said to the Captain who then nodded back to the Sergeant-at-Arms.

I can still hear the whistling sound of that whip as it traveled through the air and struck me that first time. I shouted and tensed up when it hit, more from shock than anything else. She was not supposed to hit me and she said later that she 'barely touched me'. Let me tell you if that was 'barely touching' I never want to feel the full force of a whip. It hurt and stung like hell's fire! 

"ONE!" The Sergeant-at-Arms called out. 

CRACK! Another crack of the whip but this one did not touch me at all. I jumped and shouted in fear and remembering how the last one felt.

"TWO!" The Sergeant-at-Arms called out.

CRACK Again I didn't feel it, but jumped and shouted anyways. 

"THREE!" The Sergeant called out and so it went until all ten were 'delivered'. 

I was only touched that first time but still my back hurt as if all ten had landed. I must say I was still a bit jumpy as you can guess. If you can't imagine, well you try getting whipped and see how you feel afterward. So when they came to release me I almost jumped out of my skin when they drew near. Pellenica and Jealile supported and helped me to stand a few feet in front of the Sergeant-at-Arms. 

"Brian Westlock, your sentence having been carried out to completion and to my satisfaction; on behalf of The Council, you are now released from custody." The Sergeant-at-Arms said in the same dry monotone he had used to address The Council the day before. 

With that one phrase, I was a free man and I felt a great weight lift from my shoulders. I looked up at the sun and suddenly the day felt warmer, the breeze smelled sweeter, the world was alive with colour and texture once more. I heard the sounds of a bustling city that surrounded me, birds chirping, leaves rustling, mothers calling their children, people living their lives. I was a free man once more and even though the only thing in the world that I owned was literally the clothes on my back, I felt rich! I was alive again! 

There was no death sentence that hung over my head, and nobody wanted me dead, except The Mistress. I figured with Lochel hot for her head, she would have larger issues to deal with than little old me. Even if she did make trouble for me down the road, none of that mattered now. I was enjoying the simple pleasure of breathing fresh air as a free man.

"What are your plans Mr. Westlock?" The Sergeant-at-Arms asked curiously with an attempt at a smile.

"Well since I have no way to go home and you wouldn't let me leave even if I could I'll have to make a home for myself here." I said with a light chuckle and a smile. 

"No, I wouldn't advise trying to leave." The Sergeant said with a smirk.

"Do you really want to leave?" Treabilla asked curiously, and the other ladies listened intently.

"Y'know, even after all I've been through, I don't want to leave." I said after a bit. "You have a beautiful island and the people I have met are a good and friendly lot. Well most of them, but there are always a few bad apples in the bunch. Just toss'em aside and keep the good ones I say." I laughed and then fell serious after a short laugh. "I would like to find some way to make myself useful I suppose. Do what I can, where I can and all that." I finished with a thoughtful scratch of the chin. 

"In that case you should see Councillor Palpetone when you're feeling better in the Council Building. He's the one you already met and I'm sure he can find something suitable for you. Good Evening" The Sergeant finished and then went on his way. 

"I still can't believe all that just happened. Did it really? Am I truly a free man?" I said with shock and disbelief. "I don't know how to thank you. I am truly in your debt, all of you!" I finished, trying to hold back the tears of joy and the emotions of the moment. 

"I can think of a few things." Valencia said under her breath; there was a quiet pause as the ladies looked at each other. After a few seconds though, the rest of them snickered at first and then burst into laughter. "Well he did offer!" Valencia chuckled in her defence. 

"Trust you to think of that!" Pellenica laughed and shook her head.

"Like any of you wouldn't like to either?" Valencia chuckled as she gave everyone there a mildly defensive frown in return. "I don't mean to be rude ladies but I would love to get cleaned up. I haven't had a bath or shave in forever." I said quietly looking all of the ladies in the eyes one after the other.

"True enough, and we do need to get that wound dressed." Jealile said as she ran her hand over my back near the wound and I flinched when her hand neared the wound.

"C'mon it's just a scratch, I barely touched him." The Captain of the Guards said as she approached.

"Deep enough though." Jealile said as she withdrew her hand, showing a drop of blood to the group. 

"Why the hell did you actually hit him anyways? I thought you were just supposed to make it look good?" Treabilla said with scorn and a sneer. 

"I had to hit him once to give him a taste of how much it really hurt so he could scream loud enough. Besides, we needed to see some blood. After all he was supposed to have been whipped ten times with full force." The Captain said, defending her actions and the logic seemed sound to me, even though my back was still hurt. 

"How do you feel Brian?" Treabilla asked with concern.

"Oh I feel well enough. I still hurt, but not as much as before." I said confidently with a reassuring smile. 

"Well enough to raise a few pints with the gals?" Valencia asked with a tempting smile as she put her arms around the shoulders of Treabilla and Yeoline.

"Don't be daft, after the whipping everyone thinks he received, he should be in bed for a few days at least!" Pellenica scolded. "How would it look if the same night he was 'whipped within an inch of his life' he was seen carousing in the local pub with the gals?" She finished and paused. "No, he should not be seen in public for a few days at least." 

"But we've got to celebrate!" Valencia finished with a half shout, squeezing Treabilla and Yeoline around the neck briefly.

"And in a few days we shall! But for right now he needs to keep a low profile." Jealile said with a strained low voice. 

"Well, we have plenty of space at our place. He could stay with us as long as he needs sure enough." Pellenica said confidently yet with a slightly uncomfortable look underneath the surface of her cool exterior.

"Terenium might have something to say about that!" Yeoline said curiously and playfully. 

"Oh, I don't think he'll mind and besides if he does, I'll talk him into it." Pellenica said with a charming smile. 

"You're not the only one with extra space you know!" Jealile said with an indignant frown.

"I do believe that we have more space than the lot of you!" Treabilla interjected. 

"I'll take care of him tonight, you can all decide what to do with him tomorrow. Tonight, he's my guest, as agreed." The Captain said unusually quietly and meekly looking each and every lady there in the eye once. 

Silently they all nodded and agreed without protest or another word to discuss the matter. I gave them each a hug and kiss goodnight. Valencia sneaked in a pinch of my bum when nobody was looking so I pinched hers back. The shocked look on her face melted into a playful 'I'll get you later' expression. The small crowd disbursed and the Captain and myself were left alone in that now darkening street. 

"Can you walk?" The Captain asked plainly.

"I'll manage alright." I said with a smile, "I just wanted to look a little more injured than I was in case someone was watching."

"Good plan." She said simply and put her arm around my shoulder and I put my arm around her waist. 

We took mostly the quiet streets and dark alleys in the hopes to disappear into the shadows. Eventually we passed through a plain door and into a small room. There was a fire roaring in the fireplace and the room basked in the warm glow of it. I could see a black pot of some kind with stew bubbling and keeping warm on the hook by the fire. It was a plainly decorated place that somehow did not suit her station as Captain of the Guards. 

There was one room off to each side of the main room that we now stood in. On the right was the bedroom and modest bed. To the left there seemed to be some kind of trophy room or study of some sort. Near the fire was a simple table with four chairs around it. Off to the side and near the fireplace was an assortment of cupboards and counter space in one corner of the room. 

"Take a load off while I fetch some water." The Captain said as she picked up a pole with four notches near each end of the long pole.

She picked up eight empty buckets and arranged them so that the handles rested in the notches in the pole. She stood up and placed the pole across her shoulders and went out to the local well. I opened the door for her and she left, I stood there and kept an eye out for her to return. Shortly she was back and placed the water buckets on the floor opposite the fireplace, out of the way. She walked over to the fireplace and looked in the pot and smelled the bubbling stew. 

"Do you always wear that armour?" I asked curiously and she looked down at herself, then over at me and chuckled. It was the first time I had ever seen a smile or light expression on her face. 

"I guess I do, I don't even feel it anymore." She finished with a chuckle. 

"You don't sleep in it do you?" I asked with a suspicious tone and a smirk. 

"Don't be daft!" She laughed out loud heartily as she walked over to the trophy room and undid the side straps as she went. "Well only once." She sheepishly snickered "But that was after a very long shift mind you." She defended with a chuckle. 

"Would you like some dinner?" I asked as I walked over to the stew. 

"Sorry, help yourself." She shouted from the trophy room. 

I took that as a yes and found two bowls and served up two helpings of the stew. After that I poured two cups of water and served them up as well. As I placed the last cup on the table she emerged from the trophy room with only her brown pants and white shirt on. She was still an impressive sight as she stood there; her muscles were plain to see under the shirt that clung to her body. Clearly, she was a very strong woman and her torso was bulging with the muscles that her armour had hinted were there. She noticed me looking her over and blushed when our eyes met yet she said nothing as she sat at the table.

"This is good stew." I said after we had been eating for a short bit. 

"Thanks, but I didn't make it. I have one of the local housewives come in during the day, clean the place up and make dinner. She does make a good stew though." The Captain said with a smile.

"Can I ask you something?" I asked plainly. 

"Sure." She replied cautiously casting a curious eye in my direction.

"I have never heard anyone call you anything other than 'The Captain', you do have a name don't you?" I asked curiously with a smirk.

"Sometimes I think I gave up my name when I became Captain of the Guards." The Captain chuckled. "Felleona, my name is Felleona, it means 'timid flower'." She finished with a smirk and a chuckle. 

"That is a beautiful name but somehow unfitting for you." I replied with a smirk and I tried my best to stifle a laugh but when our eyes met, we both burst into laughter. 

"Not exactly what you would call a 'timid flower' eh?" She laughed as she flexed her arm muscles a bit. 

"Not in the slightest. Without a doubt you're the strongest woman I've ever seen." I said with a smile of amazement on my face but it changed to friendly curiosity before I continued. "Tell me about yourself won't you Felleona?" I asked warmly and she looked at me for a moment and smiled at me before she answered me. 

"Well, I grew up on one of the more distant, rural Estates. I guess I was rather a small child so that's why my Father named me what he did." She said and paused. "As I grew older and 'filled out' it was clear to everyone that my name didn't fit. 'Flower' was what they would call me growing up and it became an inside joke." 

"Can I call you 'Flower'? I asked with a chuckle.

"You try that in front of the others and I'll swat you something awful!" She playfully threatened but the smile on her face and the chuckle that followed made her look less menacing. 

"I'll try to remember that Flower." I said with a light smirk and she only shook her head and smiled at me. "Please continue." I said as I took a gulp of water.

"Well, farming was all I knew when I was growing up." Felleona started out. "I was one of the oldest and expected to do the lion's share of the work. My sisters always came up with one excuse or another not to do the harder, more demanding chores so I always ended up doing them. It mattered little, as I was never one to shy away from hard work and all that hard work paid off as you can see. I even lifted stones and hay bales on a regular basis to keep fit. I was always taller and stronger than most people I knew and I liked that feeling so I have always tried to keep my shape." 

"Fit, you certainly are!" I said confidently and got a shy smile out of her.

"Well, it hasn't always been a blessing." She replied with a sorrowful look.

"What do you mean?" I inquired curiously. "I bet you don't worry about walking down dark streets at night." I said with cheerful lilt and a light punch at her shoulder. Her natural reaction was to glare a warning at me for touching her but after a half second of glare she chuckled. 

"No I don't, and I can carry more water than most." Felleona said with a smile and a toss of her thumb in the direction of the water pails. "I found myself getting into more fights than others when I was young. I guess when you're the strongest and toughest others come for you just to prove they're as tough. Most people figured I was dumb because I was big and strong. Most men wouldn't come near me, said I looked too much like a man they did." She finished with a pained look and looked at me with a timid look, almost searching for something from me.

"You don't look like a man." I said tenderly and with confidence as I reached across the table and held her hand to comfort her. "Sure, you're larger, taller and stronger than most, but that doesn't make you any less of a woman." I said straight into her emerald eyes as they intently scrutinized my face, searching for any hint of humour. Slowly, her face warmed up into a warm smile and our lips were drawn to each other's. When her lips were just a few inches from mine, she paused and looked flustered. I read in her eyes that part of her wanted to kiss me but part of her wasn't ready. "So you've been married before?" I asked as I tried to help her out of an awkward situation. 

"Yes, I was selected in my first Harvest Festival as a matter of fact." She said proudly. "However, I found out later that my Father had arranged the marriage by giving my prospective husband a few prized cows. He bribed my husband to take me on and he was the only bidder. When I found out that he took me as a wife for the cows I was devastated. One night we were supposed to be together I left one of the cows in my room and went to the local pub." Felleona said with a saddened look on her face as she remembered the rejection and pain.

"I can only imagine the look on his face as he opened up that door." I laughed and she joined in.

"He did not take it well and things went downhill after that." She sighed and then continued. "He put me in the next Harvest Festival and when nobody selected me he took me back only after making me beg." She said with a hardened look of hurt. "It was a hard year and things didn't improve at all, he didn't want me, he never loved me. He barely liked me, and I didn't like him at all. So the next Harvest Festival I asked him to register me, and he agreed. This time someone else selected me and I was happy that someone wanted me. However I found out that he had done so only to say that he had the strongest wife on the island!" 

"Oh that must have hurt." I said with a regretful look and she looked at me and sighed.

"It did. This marriage also didn't last one Harvest Festival and neither did the next two. My last marriage was the best but only because he was a wealthy merchant but he wanted me to play the little grovelling wife. When I refused to let him boss me around on a few occasions he registered me for the next Harvest Festival. When I wasn't selected, I chose to simply walk away single and I have been on my own ever since." She finished with a neutral smile.

"How long has that been?" I asked curiously. 

"Well if you must know, I have been single for a little over ten years." Felleona confessed, a little uncomfortable with the question. 

"Don't you miss it? Marriage I mean?" I pressed into territory that was none of my concern. 

"Sometimes, I guess. But it was never what I expected it would be. There are so few happy memories I have of those days. It almost seems like a different life to me now?" Felleona finished with a far off look.

"So what happened next? How did you become a Guard?" I asked; my question pulled her out of the funk she was in.

"Well, when my last marriage ended, the only skills I had was farming and I refused to go back to that life. I wanted more out of life than to farm!" She said with a firm smack of the table with the hand that she was not holding mine with. 

"Me too!" I cried out in joy and surprise and she gave me a funny look. "I too grew up on a farm and I moved to the city to get away from the farm life. I also wanted more than to die a farmer." I explained with a happy grin. I was happy to have something in common with someone in this strange land that was now my home.




Brian's Adventures Ch. 06



"Is that how you ended up on that ship?" Felleona asked with a curious look. 

"Sort of." I said, trying not to tell the 'Greta story' again. 

"I never did hear just how that happened. Exactly how did you get on that ship?" Felleona asked with insistent curiosity.

"I was kidnapped." I said too quickly and easily for her taste.

"There's more isn't there, I can tell you know." She finished with a playful lift of the eyebrow and a devilish grin that told me she wouldn't let it go.

"It's rather embarrassing." I said hoping she would respect my privacy on this matter.

"That just makes it that all the more interesting a story I bet!" Chuckled Felleona as she shook my hand and pressed on. "C'mon, it can't be worse than my 'cow story'! Out with it already!" She insisted and I groaned reluctantly.

"Alright! If you must know, a woman seduced me and while we were having sex I was knocked unconscious. When I awoke I was on a ship at sea bound for far off lands, part way through the journey we hit a storm and the ship sunk, I was the only survivor. I washed up on your shores and the rest you know." I finished with a light scowl. She laughed warmly in my face and I could not help but join her, her laugh was infectious. 

"I'm sorry, it's embarrassing true enough, but you have to admit it is funny." She said as she tried to contain her laughter but did a poor job of it.

"Whatever you say Flower!" I shot back and she gave me an indignant look that broke into laughter quickly. "So back to your story about how you became a guard." I said after we had calmed down a bit.

"Well, like I said I didn't want to farm and I had no other skills. I needed to do something to earn money and after talking to one of the Guards I decided it wasn't that bad, so I joined up. I found out soon enough that I liked it and I volunteered for the extra shifts. It didn't take long before I started to rise up the ranks." Felleona said and took a sip of water.

"But how did you become Captain of the Guards?" I asked curiously.

"Oh that, well the former Captain of the Guards was retiring and had to submit her pick to replace her. Apparently it came down to another Guard and myself so I slept with her." Felleona finished as plain as day and I spat out the water that I was drinking. 

"YOU WHAT?" I shouted in shock. 

"I admit it isn't the best way to get the job, but I was more than qualified and I was clearly the best choice. I just gave her 'incentive' to give it to me, is all." Felleona finished with a defensive look. "My having sex with women doesn't bother you does it?" She asked with an inquisitive look as she got up from the table taking the dishes with her.

"It's your business I suppose, it's just a bit of a shock is all." I said sincerely. "Do you do it often?" I asked curious and oddly aroused at the image I got of her having sex with another woman. "No, don't tell me! It's none of my concern." I said correcting myself as she searched through cupboards for something.

"After she retired and became the healer, we've 'gotten together' a few times for 'old times sakes'. There have been other women though. On an island of mostly women, you have to understand that this sort of thing is commonplace." Felleona said plainly while she removed some rags from one of the cupboards. 

"I suppose you're right." I chuckled; I understood that what she said made sense, on Tania.

"Well I should have a look at that wound of yours." She said plainly as she came around to my side of the table. "C'mon, off with your shirt then!" She said as she sat down behind me. 

"Herulia? You and Herulia?" I replied in shock as I removed my shirt. 

"She is older I know and normally I wouldn't have gone for her, but it was for the job remember." Felleona said as she wet a rag down and started to wipe clean the wound. "But between you and me, she's quite good at it." Felleona said with a smirk in her voice as she whispered in my ear. "Each time she comes around I can't seem to help myself." She finished with a giddy giggle.

"I can imagine that, though I have a hard time imagining Herulia as a hot lover." I replied with a chuckle. 

"Trust me, she is." Felleona said and there was a brief, nervous pause. "Well, enough about me, tell me about yourself?" Felleona said lightly. 

Over the next while as she proceeded to clean and dress the wound I regaled her with stories from my youth and the journey. We laughed and talked and she would also share similar stories from her life. It was good to chat and talk with her as a person and not as 'The Captain'. When the wound was dressed I didn't even notice that she continued to wash me. Slowly she washed all of me as we talked. Before I realized it, I was completely nude before her. When she finished washing my feet and looked up at me was the first time that I realized that I was nude and she wasn't. When our eyes met there was a hunger and tender fear in her eyes that I recognized; the mood started to shift. 

"This isn't fair this." I said not taking my eyes off of hers. "You washed me and I thank you. You certainly have worked hard today, you must also need a wash." I said with a hint of a devilish smile.

"Yes, I could use a good scrub." She said without looking away yet swallowing hard.

"C'mon then, your turn." I said with a smile as I stood up and grabbed a fresh rag and wet it down. 

She stood and pulled her shirt up and off of her head and tossed it aside, proudly displaying her upper body. Quickly she removed her boots, tossing them aside carelessly as well. Her pants followed soon after and then she too was nude before me and she sat down where I had been sitting and waited.

I had to admit that she was a unique combination of muscles and curves. Clearly she was strong, as the bulging, chiselled mountains of muscles around her body testified. However she also was most definitely a woman, her curves while not as soft and flowing as other women were still there. She still had the hips and ass of a woman, just tighter and stronger than most. Her breasts, while smaller than most women still stood proudly out from her chest because of the massive chest muscles behind them. The tuft of red hair between her strong, powerful thighs hid her most womanly of features that I hoped to see later. I could see by the nervous look in her eyes that she was scared to know my reaction and why I was looking her body over so long. 

"How could anyone think you looked like a man?" I said shaking my head in disbelief. "You're beautiful." I finished with a smile. 

"Thank you." Felleona finished with a blushing, nervous smile as her eyes took an obvious tour of my body. When she was finished her gaze was fixated on my cock for a long moment. "You're handsome yourself." She finished and flashed a smile at my face as I walked over and sat down behind her. 

I took my time washing her body, slowly and cautiously I moved the rag over her body. I was trying to draw out the act as much as possible. I watched the water run down her body, following the many curves and crevices of her body. Slowly and surely I washed over every inch of her body, and when it was over I found myself kneeling in front of her. As I looked up at her glistening pussy I paused to take in it's beauty before my gaze continued up her body until my eyes met hers.

"I missed one spot." I said quietly. 

"I think I missed the same spot on you." She replied just as quietly.

"That won't do, we have to take care of everything, don't we." I said as I looked up into her eyes and returned the smile I found there. I stood up and pulled her up to stand next to me. I took her in my arms as she stood and her lips were drawn to mine and we kissed. I felt her body press against me as we kissed; we kissed with such force and passion that I rarely knew. Her hands were everywhere as she caressed me as we kissed and I swear I felt her flesh melt into mine on a few occasions. Effortlessly she picked me up and carried me off to her bedroom without breaking the rhythm of the kiss. When we landed on that bed we rolled around like any new lovers do, exploring the new territory of each other's body. Before long she had kissed her way down my body and her lips were at my cock. 

"Oh it's been too long since I've seen one of these up close." She breathed breathlessly as I watched her lick her lips and bring them near my cock.

She held my cock with one hand, supported her weight with the other and never took her eyes off of mine as her lips kissed the head of it. Slowly she lowered her head and started to swallow my cock, moaning as more and more of it disappeared passed her lips. By the time all of my cock was inside her mouth, her eyes were closed in joyous rapture. When she brought her lips back up to the top she let it slip out of her mouth and she proceeded to lick the shaft down to the balls. 

"I forgot how good they feel, how much I love the smell and taste of a man!" Felleona said between licks of the shaft. 

"How's about bringing that pussy of yours in this direction." I said as I watched her lick her way further down my shaft. 

"I thought you'd never ask." She smiled catlike as she licked my balls, while looking me dead in the eye. 

Within a moment I had her glistening pussy hovering over me, and her massive thighs on either side of my head. I reached up and tasted her juices for the first time and I felt a moan around my cock as I licked and pleasured her pussy. She tasted sweet as well, and the more I tasted, the more I wanted to taste. I did my best with my limited pussy licking experience to bring her as much pleasure as I could. From Felleona's moaning I wasn't doing that bad. 

I had my tongue buried deep inside her pussy when she came that first time without warning. Her legs clamped around my head so tight I thought she would crush my skull. A flood of her sweet nectar flooded my mouth and past my captive tongue. I had no choice but to drink it all, not that I was planning to do otherwise. As the first of her nectar slid down my throat I erupted and washed her tonsils with what felt like gallons of my cum. 

"That was grand! My God you have no idea how much I needed that." Felleona said breathlessly as she tried to lick my cock back to life. 

As I lay there aimlessly licking Felleona's heated pussy, I noticed something familiar yet I had not noticed it on her before. High up on her inner thigh near her pussy was a tattoo similar to Treabilla's. Felleona's tattoo was also the combined symbol of 'M' and 'T', one on top of the other. I wanted to ask her about it but figured now was not the time for such discussions. Felleona's loving attentions to my cock had brought it mostly back to life. 

"Fuck me!" She said as she rolled off of me and laid on her back beside me with her legs spread wide. "I've waited so long, don't make me wait another second Brian!" She moaned in a pleading manner and my cock sprang all the way back to life when she begged. "Oh Brian, please fuck me!" She said with that tender hunger in her voice that quivered as she spoke and held her arms open to me. 

I moved up on top of her and positioned my cock at the entrance of her sweet tasting pussy. With one thrust her pussy lips opened up and accepted my cock into her womanly depths. Slowly I pressed forward, sinking deeper and deeper into her velvet viselike pussy. As my cock sank deeper and deeper into her pussy Felleona moaned in a long low moan that broke into a sobbing cry as I bottomed out. 

"Oooooh!" Felleona sobbed out and covered her face with her hands. I held still for a moment, not knowing how to take this development. Did she want to continue or not? I needed to know. "It's been so long that I forgot what it felt like to have a big hard cock stuffed up in me!" She said with a quivering voice that shook with tears. "It feels so good!" She said with confidence as she wrapped her hands around my neck. "So fucking good!" She shouted out with tears of joy as she wrapped her legs around my waist and started to thrust up against me. "Oh yes!" She sobbed as she humped me wildly 

Instinctively I thrust back to meet her strokes and that set us off on a wild session of hot fucking. The harder I thrust into her, the harder she thrust back at me. When she came the first time she almost broke my spine she clamped her legs down so tight. I can still hear her words echoing in my ears, as she was most definitely not quiet. 

"CUUUUMMMINNG!!! SWEET CHRIST I'M CUMING!!! OH GOD I'M CUUUUUUUMMMMIIIINNNG!!!" Felleona screamed out at the top of her lungs. 

Her whole being shook and quivered in the most violent manner imaginable. I thought she was genuinely hurt and I was paralysed as she had clamped her powerful leg-muscles around my waist. Needless to say her insides were quivering and shaking as much as her outsides were. I could not take much of those waves of clamping pussy walls on my cock. Soon I erupted inside her, filling her waiting pussy with my load. Again she broke into tears as she finished cuming and collapsed on the bed, motionless except for her deep breaths that gasped for air. After a moment or two of recuperating she pushed me off of her and got on her hands and knees and looked at me over her shoulder.

"FUCK ME!" Felleona ordered over her shoulder with fire in her eyes. 

"You know it Sweetheart!" I said with a smile and a smirk as I scrambled up behind her.

That was one order I was not about to disobey even if I wanted to. For one reason, she was a wildwoman in bed and an incredible fuck and seemed to never get enough. The other reason, well she was strong enough to force the issue anyways. 

I grabbed her shapely hips and pressed my cock into her once more, this time from behind taking her like a dog or a horse would. Almost instantly we fell into a quick and steady rhythm and fucked ourselves silly well into the night. It was well into the night and many more positions later before our bodies gave out. We collapsed in a heap on that bed exhausted from the night of hot and hard fucking. 

"Thank you Brian." Felleona said as she gave me a peck on the lips with a teary smile. "God knows I needed that!" She finished with a breathless sigh as she rolled off beside me. 

"Thank you Felleona, you risked much to save me, I won't soon forget it." I replied and kissed her back. 

With that we snuggled down together for a well-deserved, good nights rest. So ended a rather bizarre day that started out with certain death and ended up with me in bed with the Captain of the Guards. Lord only knows what tomorrow had in store for me.



Brian's Adventures Ch. 07



Chapter Seven: Comfortable Confinement

The next morning I was stirred to life by the shower of kisses that a frisky Felleona was giving me. Needless to say it was one of the nicer ways that I had been stirred to life in the past while. I was blessed enough to say that this was not the first woman I'd woken up beside since my arrival on Tania. However, it was the first time in a week that I had woke up beside the woman that I had sex with the night before. It was also the first morning that I had arisen a free man, I was not in captivity, yet in a way I was. The look on Felleona's face told me that I was not going anywhere until she was satisfied, and that suited me just fine. 

"Good morning" Purred Felleona with the sultriest of satisfied smiles. 

"Good morning." I replied with a broad smile of my own. 

For the moment I enjoyed the simple joy of holding the woman whom I'd made love to all night. The silky feel of her soft skin pressing up against me felt wondrous and as good as only a woman's body can. I smiled and brushed her hair out of her face and kissed her forehead eliciting a giddy smile and laugh out of her. I kissed her forehead again and then again, getting a squeal of delight out of her each time my lips contacted her skin. I kissed my way from her forehead down to her lips and we kissed with wild abandon as we rolled around that bed. It was the giddy, heady happiness, that playfulness that new lovers have which possessed us. We ended up with me on top of her and the bed sheets strewn everywhere. 

"I see we're feeling good this morning, not sore are you?" Felleona smiled with a hint of a wicked smile. 

"Well, I'm still a little sore and tired but I'll be damned if I pass up the chance to play around abit." I smiled as my thickening cock throbbed against her heated clitoris.

"Ah there's a good lad!" Beamed Felleona as she wrapped her arms around my neck. "Give us a good fucking and send us off with a permanent smile and a pussyload of cum." She smiled wickedly as she spread her legs wide, to accept me. "Ah, that's the stuff." She cooed contently as my cock slid into her waiting, wet pussy and sank all the way in until groin met groin. 

Naturally her legs wrapped themselves around my waist and we started moving and thrusting in rhythm. I started out with slow, long strokes, trying to draw out the glorious feeling of fucking this unique woman. Soon enough the grunting, groaning and eager bucking of the hips of Felleona told me that she wanted; no needed a quicker pace. Steadily I picked up the pace, making sure that I was setting the pace of the heated coupling. Soon enough however I was slamming into her with all the eagerness and force that she needed. We were kissing as madly as we could in between the gasps for air that we both were drawing deep. We were well into the thick of it now as we pounded away at each other's groin. That bed was getting a workout this morning for sure as we worked hard toward the much needed mutual release. 

"Captain?" Came a curious inquiry and knock at the door. I stopped thrusting and was about to get off of her but Felleona held me tight and kept thrusting her hips. "Don't you dare stop! Not when I'm so close!" Growled Felleona in frustration and I continued to thrust into her as madly as I had before.

"Captain?" The voice and knock came louder. "Are you in there? Everyone is ready for morning inspection and waiting for you. Is everything okay?" The voice asked in concern; at this Felleona laughed out loud.

"I don't think things could be going any better in here, do you?" Felleona said with a laugh in between raspy gasps for air. 

"I'd call this quite a good morning!" I smiled, as I slammed into her extra hard to punctuate my sentence.

"I wish I could wake up like this every morning!" Felleona glowed with wide eyes of delight. "CHRIST! You have a gorgeous cock, let me ride it for a while!" She moaned out as we switched positions and in a flash she was proudly on top of me.

"Captain?" The female voice said as the main door opened up. "Are you in here?" The voice continued as I heard footsteps enter the humble quarters. 

"Don't you lock the door at night?" I said while I watched Felleona's breasts rise and fall with each thrust. 

"I taught all the Guards how to pick locks, just in case." Felleona admitted sheepishly with a roll of her eyes as she continued to bounce madly on my cock. 

"Handy skill to have." I said with a smirk as she slammed down hard one time in particular.

"Quite." She smiled back.

"CAPTIAN?" Said a lone Guard who stood with an absolutely astonished look on her face. 

She stood there for a few seconds, as she looked the scene before her over and tried to comprehend what she saw. I could see by the expression on her face that this was the last thing in the world that she expected to see. Her brain could not process the information that her eyes and ears told her was happening right in front of her. Sure enough she could smell, hear and see the signs of the heated fucking that was going on a few feet from her. She stood there with mouth aghast, not saying anything as her eyes toured our bodies over and over again. Her gaze paused and was fixated on where my cock entered Felleona's pussy again and again.

"What do you want?" Felleona said as she continued to roughly ride my cock.

"I . . . I . . ." The poor startled Guard started to stammer incoherently.

"WHAT!" Felleona screamed out, bringing the young woman back to her senses.

"The Guards are assembled and ready for the morning inspection Captain." The Guard said as she snapped to attention trying not to look turned on by the scene of fucking before her. However the flushed look on her face, the biting of the lower lip and the squeezing of her thighs together betrayed her otherwise calm exterior.

"And?" Felleona asked frustrated at being interrupted.

"When you didn't show up as usual, there was some concern as to your safety." The Guard said and swallowed before continuing. "I was sent to see what happened to you." The young black-haired Guard said and looked us over once more. "I had no idea you were . . . entertaining, Captain."

"Well I am busy as you can see!" Felleona bellowed between gasping breaths. She didn't slow down her riding of my cock as she bawled out the Guard. "Just when did I ever give you permission to enter my home?" Growled Felleona as best as she could with her body washed with the pleasure of our fucking.

"Never Captain, but there was some concern as to your safety." The Guard admitted sheepishly as she rubbed her thighs together in an almost undetectable manner. 

"Exactly!" Felleona snapped. "My home is off limits! I do not need to report to you what I do, do I?" Felleona asked as she quickened her pace of bouncing on my cock. 

"No Captain. Understood Captain." The frightened and horny Guard said quickly. 

"I mean if I'm a little late because I wanted to get one last fuck in this morning, do I need to ask your permission?" Felleona asked without missing a beat of her quick, steady bouncing. 

"No Captain." The young, pretty Guard said with fear as she tried her best to keep her eyes forward. 

"So you don't mind if I finish riding this beautiful, hard, thick cock, do you?" Felleona said with a hint of horny excitement in her voice.

"No Captain, of course not." The now quite frustrated guard said as she looked me in the eye, looking for support and help but found none.

"C'mon you bastard, throw a good fuck into us! I'm running late after all!" Felleona said with a horny growl as she looked down at me. 

It was then that I planted my feet firmly on the bed behind her and grabbed her hips to guide my thrusts. I thrust up into that woman with all my might and she slammed down against me with all she had as well. The slapping of our bodies and the creaking of the bed made a terrible racket as we fucked with wild abandon with the poor Guard standing at attention, watching the whole thing. 

"OOOOHHH YEEEEAAAAHHH THAT'S WHAT I NEED!" Felleona screamed out as I continued to pummel her pussy from underneath. "So close!" She rasped out. "So fucking close! Don't you dare stop you bastard!" Felleona moaned out as her head lolled to the side as her body continued the fucking by itself. 

"Here it comes! Oh God! Cuming! Cumming you bitch! Cum with me!" I shouted out, now delirious with the waves of joy that continued to roll out from my cock. Cum shot from the end of my cock washing the deep insides of Felleona's pussy with my cum. 

"YES! YES! YES! THAT'S IT YOU BASTARD! THAT'S THE STUFF!!" Felleona screamed as her orgasm gripped her hard and rocked her world for the next few moments. Her whole body stiffened up and quaked violently as her insides clamped down mercilessly on my cock. "Fill my pussy with your cum, lover!" Felleona said as her head slumped forward with a contented, blissful smile on her face. 

Her body fell forward and she collapsed on top of me with the full weight of her body, her deep breaths the only sign of movement or life. I looked over at the Guard and she had the most uncomfortable look about her but again she didn't move from her spot. After a moment of recuperating as Felleona lay on top of me, she started to stir. 

"Well, I had better go." Felleona said with a smile as she propped herself up with her powerful arms. 

"Don't want to be too late." I replied with a smile.

"Thank you for a lovely evening, and a great night of fucking!" Felleona said loud enough for the poor young Guard to hear. 

"It was my pleasure indeed my dear." I said with a satisfied smile as I gave her one last kiss. 

With a giddy giggle and wide smile she got up off me and got dressed and ready for her shift. I was pleasantly presented with the delightful sight of her nude body as she walked around her home. Searching for new clothes, washing up briefly and so forth. I watched as the transformation took place from the hot sex maniac that I made love to all night into the no nonsense Captain of the Guards. When she was finished I gave her one last kiss and a playful smack on her ass as she walked out the door. 

"Do that again and neither of us are leaving this house all day." The Captain warned said with a playful scowl and yet stuck her ass out in a tempting manner. 

"You'd best be getting along." I said with a shake of my head and a smirk as I pondered her tempting offer.

"You're no fun, now get some rest!" Felleona said and gave me one last kiss before departing. 

As they walked down the walk I heard the pair of them talking. "Don't you tell a soul about what you saw! It's private!" Felleona warned and scowled as only she could.

"Who would believe me Captain?" The Guard quietly replied and there was a tense silence for a half moment before they both burst into laughter. "So how was he?" I heard the Guard ask as they turned the corner, out of sight and sound.

It was then that all of the pain and soreness of my body hit me, once she was gone I could feel the pain I should have felt all night. I dragged my weary body back to the bed and plopped down in it and fell fast asleep. It was some time later when I was brought to life by the sounds and sense that someone else was there. I listened intently from the bed and sure enough I could hear someone moving about in the main room. I could not quite see who it was from my vantage point so I got up. I dressed quickly and walked out into the main room to see just who it was. 

As I walked out I could plainly see a slender, older woman busying herself about the place. She was preparing a stew, cleaning up and organizing the place at the same time. I could see that she was most definitely older than me as her silver hair gave that away. However, she had a youthful glow about her and she still possessed the slender, womanly figure of her youth. Her average sized breasts still hung proudly, high on her chest but did sag a bit. Her face beamed as she smiled while she hummed to herself and contently set about her work. I could she that she was happy doing what she was doing, cleaning and cooking. In short taking care of a home was what made her happy. 

"How you feeling luv?" The delightful old woman said with a bright smile as she looked up from her vegetable chopping. "Hope I didn't wake you." She added with concern in her voice, but a smile remained on her face. 

"I'm still sore, but I'll live. I'm not much for complaining anyways. As for waking me, I reckon it was about time I got up anyways." I replied with a smile as I sat down at the other side of the table that she was chopping vegetables on. 

"Well aren't you a strong and handsome young man." She said out of the corner of her eye as she dropped a handful of vegetables in the pot bubbling in the fireplace.

"Aw you're too kind, I'm nothing special to look at." I said blushing and feeling embarrassed at the compliment. 

"What does an old woman know anyways eh?" She said with a warm smile and a healthy chuckle as she slapped my shoulder. 

"So you're the neighbour who comes in to make dinner and clean for Felleona are you?" I asked curiously, trying to change the subject and start some pleasant conversation. 

"Yes, that's me, how'd you guess?" She laughed and stretched out her hand. "I'm Urealla, pleased to meet you Brian." She said and shook my hand. 

"Pleased to meet you Urealla." I answered pleasantly but it took a moment to register something odd. "How'd you know who I am?" I asked in shock as I shook her hand. 

"After what happened yesterday, about everyone knows who you are!" Urealla laughed however that laughter died quickly. When she finished laughing, she continued with a sombre look on her face. "I had finished up here and was going to do some last minute shopping at the market on my way home when I happened by that awful scene." She said with some dread on her face. "I'm glad to see it ended relatively well, how's the back?" She finished with a comforting smile and a light pat on my shoulder.

"The back is doing alright, I honestly thought I was done for." I said as I remembered the dark feelings of the day before. "I had no idea they were going to do what they did." I said shaking my head with a smile. "They hardly knew me and they risked so much to save me. Felleona especially, we only met once before yesterday. After all, she is the Captain of the Guards and I was a prisoner, her prisoner." I said with a disbelieving look. 

"But first and foremost she's a good woman with great integrity. I know that she couldn't let you die for no good reason, not on her watch." Urealla said with a firm look. "Anyone can see from one look at you that you're no spy. Not polished enough, not slick enough to be a spy if you ask me." 

"Thank you Urealla." I replied with a smile and we fell silent for a moment as I watched her cook and clean. 

"I saw Felleona leaving for the Barracks a bit later than usual this morning and she looked happier than I have seen her in quite some time." Urealla said with a raised eyebrow and a knowing look, I blushed and looked away. "She's a good woman underneath all that armour and thick skin, treat her well and you can't find a better woman anywhere, that I promise you!" She finished with a poignant glint in her eye and a wave of the knife to press the point home.

"We talked a bit last night and I know what you mean." I said with a smile. "She's been through a lot and I admire her for surviving all of it like she has." I finished and looked down for a moment and then up into Urealla's eyes. "Can I ask you an odd . . . personal question?" I asked tentatively.

"Of course dear, what do you want to know?" Urealla said with an inviting smile as she continued to work away preparing the meal and clean the house.

"Well, first of all, are you married?" I asked nervously starting my curious line of questioning.

"Yes, and old enough to be your Grandmother luv." Urealla laughed heartily as she grabbed my chin and kissed my cheek and I laughed with her and shook my head. 

"Well, does your husband have other wives?" I asked, now no more at ease. 

"Yes, of course dear, he has seven others, like most men." Urealla replied looking a little bewildered.

"Doesn't that bother you? Sharing your husband with all those other wives?" I asked, sharing the same bewildered look with her.

"No, why should it?" Urealla replied plainly.

"Well, where I come from you're only allowed to have one spouse." I finished with a muddled look as I fumbled over my words a bit. 

"How odd. Are there more men where you come from?" Urealla asked with a curious look of her own.

"Yes. I'd say that about an equal number of men to woman." I replied calmly. "So you really don't mind sharing your husband with seven other women?" I asked again, still having a hard time accepting the Tanian style of marriage. 

"No, of course not. They're my closest and dearest friends as well as my fellowives. It also keeps him from getting under my feet all the time." Urealla smiled and chuckled. "There is never any shortage of people to talk to, share a laugh or shed a tear with." She finished and held a distant look for a moment before continuing. "I wouldn't have it any other way." She finished with a contented smile. 

"When you put it that way, it doesn't sound that bad." I said with a smile as I finally started to see past the strangeness of the concept of having multiple wives. 

"Course it isn't; companionship and love is always in ready supply." Urealla said with a bright smile. "Don't you like the idea of having eight wives?" She asked with a curious look.

"Well, to be honest, it doesn't seem fair to the women if you ask me." I replied with a concerned yet pondering look and for a moment, Urealla had the same look about her at that moment. "Where I come from the woman has her husband all to herself."

"It doesn't seem fair the way you do it; one woman to take care of all his needs? Clean the house, cook the meals, raise the children, and at the end of the day have enough energy left in case he wants to get frisky. Sounds like a lot to demand from one woman if you ask me." Urealla said and I sat there with a shocked smile on my face.

"I never thought of it like that." I said after a moment. 

"Of course not, you're a man, those sorts of thing just seem to take care of themselves don't they?" Urealla said with a light jab at me while keeping a playful smile on her face. 

"I've never been married, myself and my parents seemed to be happy with everything." I said in my defence as I fumbled for words. 

"Well here on Tania, one to three fellowives stay home to take care of the house and kids. The older kids help with the cleaning, cooking and looking after their younger siblings or help with work outside the home. That leaves the other fellowives free to help with work outside the home as well." Urealla explained with a common sense tone in her voice. 

"Makes sense I guess." I admitted with some apprehension. "What kind of work do the women do outside the home exactly?" I asked curiously. 

"All kinds of work. On the rural Estates they help with the farm work mostly. Others are blacksmiths, shopkeepers, innkeepers, pretty much any kind of work that needs to be done." Urealla said with an honest tone as another handful of vegetables made their way into the pot.

"Women Blacksmiths!" I said in disbelieving shock.

"What's so strange about it!" Urealla replied with indignation.

"Well . . . I mean . . . can they really do the work?" I asked still astonished.

"Of course they can! And damn well too!" Urealla said with a light snarl and a tap of her fist on the table. "All that work requires is a pair of willing hands and a good head on your shoulders!" She finished with a huff, and she seemed genuinely put off by my comment and rightly so in retrospect.




Brian's Adventures Ch. 07



"I'm sorry." I said with a sad sigh and paused; once again I felt like a fish out of water. "Where I come from women don't work much outside the home. There are so many new and different things here." I said in an apologetic tone and paused for a moment to collect my thoughts. "I was only trying to understand this place that I find myself in. After all I can't go home ever again. Tania is now my home for better or worse, and there is so much I don't understand." I finished and we both fell quiet, not looking at each other for a moment. The only sound that was heard was the chopping of vegetables for a long moment. 

"It's alright." Urealla said calmly after a moment. "I didn't think of how this would effect you. Of how Tania might seem to an Outsider." Urealla said understandingly as she put her hand on my shoulder. "Everything must seem so odd to you, mustn't it?" She asked with a curiously understanding look about her. "Its so easy to forget that you come from a distant place, given that you speak Tanian so well and all." Urealla finished with a curious look of wonder on her face.

"Well, actually we both are speaking English, the language of England where I came from. The land that I come from is also the place that Augustus and his band left from about six hundred years ago, as best I can recon." I said with pride for quoting the correct history of her people.

"I don't know about that. The homeland that Augustus left was destroyed soon after he left. We have been fortunate that those destroyers have not found our little island as yet. As for us speaking the same language, perhaps some others of the homeland also fled before the destroyers came. Perhaps they settled in the area that you hail from." Urealla said with uneasy and shaky confidence. I knew better than to press it any further, clearly she believed what she was saying and there was no need to shatter that belief yet. 

"Perhaps, but I'm just glad to be able to have a nice chat with a friendly lady as nice as yourself." I said with a warm smile. "Tell me more about Tania won't you?" I asked nicely.

"Only if you tell me about where you come from, . . . England is it?" Urealla asked inquisitively.

"That sounds like a fair trade to me." I replied with a smile. 

We ended up chatting away the rest of the day, I even picked up a few cooking tips along the way. I found out a great deal about Tanian life and the culture of these people. I told her as much as I could about English life, and in truth there was not that much difference between the two lands. The obvious differences centred around women and marriage. I started to understand the people of Tania, and everything did not seem that odd and bizarre to me anymore. I was starting to see things from their point of view and everything made an odd kind of sense. 

Late in the afternoon I got an odd visitor, someone that I hadn't seen in quite a while. After hearing a knock on the door I got up and answered the door because Urealla's hands were busy. Standing there in a long conservative grey dress was Shelea, the healer's assistant. She was the first person that I had seen when I awoke in Tania. I had not seen her in some time and it was nice to see her again. She stood there looking quite nervous and looked over her shoulder expecting someone to be there. 

"Shelea!" I cried out in pleasant surprise as I threw my arms around the small woman and hugged her tight. "Its so good to see you, my dear! What brings you here?" I asked as I looked into the happy yet confused face of Shelea. 

"I . . . I . . . I had to see if you were alright after what happened yesterday." She said with a sad tone in her voice and a hurt look on her face. 

"C'mon in luv, it'll be alright, I promise." I said as I guided her inside with one arm around her waist. 

"You should be in bed resting, after the whipping you received." Shelea said as she guided me to the table to sit down.

"We've got a visitor I see." Urealla said with a bright smile to me. "Hello my dear, what brings you round today?" She said to Shelea as we sat down at the table. 

"I'm the healer's assistant and I wanted to check on Brian." Shelea said with a nervous smile as she sat there at the table with her arm around me.

"She was the first person I saw after my time drifting at sea." I said with a smile and a squeeze of Shelea. "When I saw her face, I honestly thought I was dead and in heaven already." I laughed and Urealla laughed with me but Shelea blushed and remained silent. 

"I took care of him from the time he arrived to the time he woke up, about two weeks." Shelea said with a shy, bashful smile. "There were a few times when I thought he wouldn't make it." Shelea said with a downcast look and a painful look of remembrance. 


"But I did, thanks to you." I said with a cheerful smile and shaking her shoulder until I got a smile and chuckle out of her. 

"I thought you'd be still in bed with the whipping you received. Let me have a look at the wound." Shelea said as she turned to me and started to lift my shirt. 

"That's alright dear, Felleona is taking good care of me. No need to trouble yourself. " I nervously chuckled as I brushed her hands away from my shirt.

"But I'm a healer, I should take a look at it to see if it is healing properly." Shelea finished and looked me in the eye with a confused and hurt look.

"I appreciate your concern luv, truly I do but it isn't necessary." I said in my most reassuring tone as I held her by the shoulders and looked in her eyes.

"I'm not supposed to be here, and it took a bit of doing to find out where you were. All I want is to make sure that you're okay." Shelea said with a hurt tone as she walked a few steps away from the table and stood there, facing away from me.

"I'm fine, really I am. I'm glad to see you, but I don't want to reopen the wound by removing the bandage every five minutes." I said nervously. Urealla motioned me to lean in closer to her and I did.

"It's not my business, but she is a healer, why won't you let her look at it, are you that shy or something?" Urealla asked in a whisper.

"No, I have my reasons." I replied in an equally quiet whisper.

"Well, suit yourself but I don't think this one will let your secret out. After all, she had to sneak around to get here." Urealla said plainly. "She doesn't strike me as a spy either. Too smitten to knowingly do you any harm." She finished. 

"I really can't show anyone, I have good reasons to keep it under wraps." I finished with a concerned look. 

"I know this type and the young thing will worry herself silly if she doesn't know you're alright." Urealla finished with a nod indicating Shelea. "Probably just poke around some more until she gets a satisfactory answer anyways." Urealla finished and I paused to look over at Shelea for a moment. 

"Listen Shelea, the bandage was changed this morning and Felleona said it looked better. I just don't see the sense of opening it up any more than I need to." I said firmly as I stood waiting for her to face me. 

"I don't understand." Shelea said as she turned to face me. "I had to do a great deal just to find you." Shelea said indignantly while shaking her finger at me. "All I want is to check the wound to see that it is healing properly." She said with a perplexed look. "If you need my silence for some reason, then you shall have it. Please Brian, I must know that you're alright." Shelea said as she took a step closer to me with an imploring look. 

"But I am fine, as you can see." I said taking a few steps closer to her. "It's nothing personal Shelea." I said as I put my hand on her shoulder, her teary eyes almost broke my heart. "I just don't want to expose the wound any more than I absolutely have to." I said with a reassuringly warm smile. "I'm glad to see you and would dearly love to hear what you've been up since last we met." I said as I held her head in my hands. "I appreciate all that you've been through and I'm glad you're here." I said with my best charming smile and kissed her forehead and she broke into a smile. 

"Fine." Shelea said with a frustrated sigh. "If that's the way you want it, so be it." Shelea said with a slightly perturbed tone. "But you swear that you send for me the minute anything looks amiss!" Shelea warned with a shaking finger.

"I promise luv." I said as I walked her over to the table and once more we sat down.

There was an uneasy tension that soon melted as we chatted and caught up with each other. In truth it was the first time we had a chance to talk as friends like this. I found out that she had been the healer's assistant for five years already and had started assisting when she was twelve. Apparently it's a prestigious trade to be in that takes years of study and apprenticing to learn. Mostly though, it's watching and observing Herulia and other times it's wiping the brow of patients. Before long however, Shelea was looking nervously at the door and I knew that the time had come for her to go.

"I've been here long enough, I can't stay any longer or I will be missed." Shelea said with a nervous look to the door.

"I understand, I don't want to get you in any trouble. Come back to visit when you like but please keep my location to yourself." I said as I walked her to the door. 

"Alright, well goodbye Brian." Shelea said and leaned in and gave me a peck on the lips before rushing out the door.

"Goodbye Shelea, take care." I said and watched her bounce down the road before closing the door. 

"Well, I'm about done here." Urealla said as she wiped her hands on a towel and tossed it on the table. "It should be done in a bit, keep stirring it every once in a while and it'll be fine." Urealla said and walked over to me and gave me a hug. 

"It's been grand visiting with you Urealla, see you tomorrow I suppose?" I said with a bright smile as I hugged her tightly. She then got a mischievous look in her eye and winked at me. 

"You wouldn't want to do an old woman a favour and throw a good fuck into her would you?" Urealla said with a wide smile. "After all, I am married to an old man, not a handsome young stud like yourself. His performance leaves me . . . lacking most times." She finished with a raise of the eyebrow. 

"The operative word being 'married' my dear Urealla." I said while shaking my head with a chuckle.

"Oh bother, you are learning quickly aren't you?" Urealla said with a false dejected look. "Ah well, can't blame an old gal for trying can you?" Laughed Urealla as she smacked my ass before walking out the door with an exaggerated saunter. 

I had only straitened up a bit when the door opened up and in walked Felleona, Pellenica Valencia, Jealile and Yeoline. They all looked a bit tired from their shift at the barracks but I was happy to see each and every one of their tired faces. I greeted each lady with a hug and kiss and one by one they removed their armour, placing it around the edge of the room. Felleona naturally went into the trophy room to put her armour away and when she emerged she had a small keg of some kind. 

"Got to have something to wash down the meal with." Felleona said with a broad smile as she put the keg down on the counter in the corner. She tapped the keg quickly from a tap that was stored in one of the drawers and soon everyone had a mug of ale in hand. "Ah, that'll cure what ails ya!" She finished with a smile after taking a sip of her ale.

I looked around the room and smiled at each lady as she sipped her ale while looking back at me. Each pair of eyes had a story to tell, a story that the owner would rather tell me in private, that much I could see. Felleona walked over to the stew and gave it a stir and inhaled the smell. 

"Ah, smells delicious! God bless that woman." Felleona said as she started to dish out five portions of stew.

"Where's Treabilla?" I inquired curiously; it didn't seem right to celebrate without her there as well.

"From one meeting or party to another." Yeoline informed me.

"Her Father keeps her quite busy these days. Has her in all kinds of official engagements." Pellenica added calmly while also seemingly displeased with the turn of events.

"Trying make the best deal for her I bet." Valencia said with a twinge of disgust. 

"Excuse me? Deal, what deal?" I inquired curiously and a little confused.

"Sometimes a Father will make marriage arrangements for his child prior to the Harvest Festival." Pellenica explained calmly. "With a quiet word to all the bidding men usually a man can usually come out with the results he likes."

"Since she's the daughter of the Director, naturally all the power-hungry types want their son to marry her. Lochel should get a fair price for that privilege; I hear there's a bidding war going on now." Valencia said with increasing disgust. 

"Why doesn't someone else just bid higher for her at the Harvest Festival?" I asked curiously.

"Nobody would dare cross the Director! However in some cases that has happened, and legally there is nothing that can be done about it." Pellenica finished with a curious look and a twinkle in her eye. "Don't even think about it, it would put you on his shit-list for sure." She chuckled and we all had a laugh over it as I nodded my agreement. 

"How are you feeling today Brian?" Jealile asked softly as she put her hand on my shoulder. 

"I'm alright dear. A little sore still and every so often it reminds me it's there but mostly the wound leaves me alone." I said with a smile as I looked into her beautiful eyes and stroked her cheek tenderly. It was a quiet moment that we shared and for a brief moment all I saw in the world was Jealile.

"Probably shouldn't have kept you so busy last night eh?" Felleona said with a loud, proud chuckle as she put her arm around me and shook me by the shoulder. 

"Rest would be in order for him to recover properly." Jealile said with a twinge of jealousy in her voice.

"He can rest when I'm on shift." Felleona said with a bright smile, raising her eyebrows a few times in a sexy manner. 

"Yes, you'll take good care of him, I can tell." Valencia said with a sarcastic smirk and a light scowl. 

"Perhaps someone else should take care of him for the next while. You're liable to fuck him to death!" Pellenica said with a low growl and a thinly veiled perturbed look about her. 

"While I can't see him complaining about that, Pel's right, he needs bedrest." Valencia said to support her Fellowife and friend. 

"You've had your turn, someone else should care for him for the next while. Someplace where he would be cared for and allowed to get the rest he needs." Pellenica argued as calmly as she could, while trying to hide the anger that she was not proud of.

"Like your place for example?" Felleona said with a sarcastic snarl. 

"Why not, he'll get the rest he needs and be well taken care of. There's plenty of room at our house." Pellenica snapped and leaned in toward Felleona. 

"And I'm not taking care of him am I?" Felleona snarled as she stepped closer to Pellenica who didn't back down an inch. 

"You're more concerned with your libido than his health is what it is." Valencia quipped in as she stood beside Pellenica. 

"Enough, All of you!" I said loudly as I stepped into the middle of things. "I'm alright, and I wasn't exactly raped last night you know." I said in a perturbed voice. "Felleona did take good care of me last night, both before we went to bed and afterwards." I said to Pellenica and Valencia in a calmer tone as I put a hand on both of their shoulders. 

"Sorry." Pellenica said calmly with a tear threatening to leave her eye. "I lost my head for a moment." She finished and turned away to gather herself together, not looking me in the eyes.

"Yes, sorry Captain." Valencia said and fell silent along with Pellenica and there was a brief, tense calm. 

"C'mon! We're here to celebrate aren't we! Brian's free and we've won!" Jealile said with enthusiasm and joy as she looked at all of the faces around the room. "Who will raise a mug with me to cheer the freedom of our new friend!" Jealile said loudly and raised her mug with a proud smile. 

"I'll drink to that! Who's with us?" I asked with equal enthusiasm as I raised my mug to join Jealile's.

Slowly a smile crept across the faces of all the ladies there and one by one they all raised their mugs. One by one they clinked their mugs together until we all had our mugs raised.

"To freedom and friendship." Jealile said proudly.

"To freedom and friendship!" We echoed and everyone took a swig of ale.

"C'mon let's eat before it gets cold." Felleona said with a smile and nodded in the direction of the table. 

We all sat down and ate the hearty stew and washed it down with ale. There was some dinner conversation but mostly it was the friendly discussions of the humorous happenings of their days. In short order the mood turned festive and we were chatting like old friends not new friends that fate had brought together. It was sometime into the meal and dinner conversation that Valencia brought up an interesting story. It managed to spark a most intriguing conversation.

"You should have seen The Captain today Brian it was positively comical!" Valencia chuckled and tried to regain her composure before speaking again. "She was in a good mood for the first time since I can remember. She was pleasant, fair and easy to deal with!" Valencia said with chuckling astonishment. "I even caught her sauntering and chuckling to herself a few times!" 

"You did not!" Felleona indignantly replied with a guilty smirk on her face.

"Yes I did! A few times in fact." Valencia needled with a chuckle. 

"I also saw it, it was quite cute Captain." Pellenica added with a smirk and Felleona turned red. 

"Well, maybe once." She said trying her best to hide a smirk. "Listen, when we're alone and not on duty, call me by my name." Felleona said calmly yet firmly and there was a silence as the other ladies looked at each other and then at Felleona. 

"Um, Captain." Jealile said after a bit. "What is you're name?" She asked politely. There was a quiet moment as all of the ladies looked intently at the Felleona for a response. Felleona shook her head and looked at me with her eyes full of laughter and we both shared a chuckle in amidst the straight faces of the other ladies. 

"What did I tell you, when I became Captain of the Guard I gave up my name." Felleona laughed as she spoke directly to me and shook her head as she looked over the expectant faces. "Felleona, my name is Felleona." She said with a hint of shock as the smiles told her that they honestly had no idea what her name was. 

"Well Felleona, the only time we've seen you is on duty and nobody dared ask you something as personal as that. After all, you are our boss, and all." Jealile said as politely as she could.

"Sometimes you're not exactly approachable when you're on shift Felleona dear." Pellenica said as tactfully as she could trying to tell her boss something necessary but difficult. 

"Not quite the warm ray of sunshine that you could be." Valencia said in her usual style with a cheeky smile to boot.

"You try worrying about a bunch of brain-dead Guards day in and day out and see how pleasant you become." Felleona said gruffly, looking a bit ruffled.

"Awe C'mon Felleona dear, you can't be that angry with us? After all, how many of your Guards brought you a man for the night, hmm?" Valencia said with her trademark cheeky / inquisitive smirk blinking a few times for added effect.

"Don't think that'll get you anywhere on shift!" Felleona warned but a smile refused to disappear from her face and that lessened the menacing look about her.

"That brings up an interesting point that we need to talk about." Jealile politely said before she took a sip of her ale. 




Brian's Adventures Ch. 07



"What's that Jealile?" Pellenica inquired, but her face hinted that she knew what the impending discussion was about.

"Well, we all risked our necks to save Brian, shouldn't we take turns with him, each night?" Jealile said to the group rather than anyone in particular. Silently there was agreement among the other ladies except for Felleona. 

"Perhaps after a few days, but not just yet." Felleona said with a quiet, yet authoritative tone.

"Of course you wouldn't like it." Pellenica said with an ever so quiet snarl in her otherwise calm voice.

"Don't want to share him with anyone else do you?" Valencia interjected quickly. 

"IT'S NOT LIKE THAT!" Felleona roared. "He was supposed to have been whipped ten times! Anyone else would be in the healer's care for a few more days! He can't be seen anywhere for a few more days otherwise people will wonder." Felleona said and fell quiet. There was an aggravated silence that fell upon the group that quietly, one by one, begrudgingly accepted Felleona's logic.

"In a few days then. I still say that we each deserve some time alone with him at some point." Jealile said quietly, the disappointment she felt, saturated her voice. 

"I'm not denying that." Felleona said with a sigh. "I also think that's fair, but for right now he needs to remain here, unseen by anyone other than our group. Too much is at stake for him to be seen gallivanting about this soon." Felleona finished with a worried look in my direction and I nodded in agreement silently.

I remained silent during this whole conversation, not wanting to add more to an already difficult conversation. But at this point I felt the need to speak up and say something to these women who meant a great deal to me. 

"Listen my dear ladies." I said as I surveyed the group around the table. "You all mean so much to me. I can't tell you how grateful I am to each and every one of you for what you've done for me." I sighed and paused again. "I hope that in the near future I may be able to spend some time alone with each of you. For now though, Felleona is right. I must keep a low profile and not leave this place for the next few days at least." I finished with a smile and looked into the eyes of each lady at the table. 

"That doesn't mean that we all can't visit here each night!" Felleona said with a happy grin, and the faces around the table brightened at that thought.

We drank, ate and talked late into the night, and by the end of it the ladies that left were quite tipsy. They had to hold on to one another for support as they walked home. The next three days followed the same pattern. Felleona would go work in the morning and I would sleep the morning away, get up in the afternoon. Urealla and I would chat and visit until the evening and Felleona would come home with the other ladies in tow. We would all drink and chat up a storm until late and they would leave tipsy. Felleona and I would make love late into the night and pass out from exhaustion. 

It was on the evening of the fourth day that a most interesting visitor arrived in the early evening. The dinner had been consumed and the drinks and conversation was in full swing at this point when the knock was heard at the door. Felleona naturally answered the door and looked over the small boy, barely a man who stood in the open doorway. 

"I'm here to speak to Brian Westlock on official business of The Council." The small, almost a man said as he tried to stand as tall as he could. 

It was clear that he was trying to look larger than he was, puffing himself up as it were. I surmised that he was a student of the Sergeant-at-Arms, possibly one of his subordinates. He stood a little over five feet tall and was small and thin with blonde hair and blue eyes. He still had many of his boyish features as he stood in a similar uniform that the Sergeant-at-Arms wore but not as decorated. 

"What kind of business?" Felleona asked with an unimpressed look.

"That's for me to discuss with Mr. Westlock isn't it?" He said with a superior attitude and sneer. 

"What makes you think he's here?" Felleona asked curiously as she leaned in and towered over the small man.

"It's The Council's business to keep tabs on Mr. Westlock. Now be a good dear and fetch him will you." The man said with a dismissive look and tried to look past her into the room. 

Everyone in the room other than this poor little man knew that was not a smart thing to do. You have to understand that Felleona isn't a woman that is used to being talked down to or dismissed so easily. I tried to rush to the door and stop her from doing something rash but I was too late. Almost immediately after his words left his mouth did her arm leave her side. 

In one quick movement she grasped him by the throat and lifted him up so that he was eye level to her. I still remember seeing his little legs kicking and flailing as he tried to get a foothold on something but they found nothing but air. His face soon started to turn red and he croaked out his protest and indignation but no coherent words could be heard.

"I AM NOBODY'S SERVING WENCH! I AM THE CAPTIAN OF THE GUARDS AND THIS IS MY HOME!" Felleona roared into his little red face with the fire of her indignation burning in her eyes. I would not have wanted to be in his shoes for anything. I had never seen her that mad and I never wanted to anger her myself to that degree.

"Sorry." I think I heard come from the flailing legged small man now suspended more than a foot above the floor by his throat. 

"Felleona dear, I don't think he really meant any disrespect. Let him down please." I said as respectfully as I could as I tapped her on the arm. With a growl and one last scowl she roughly let him down and he inhaled deeply and coughed a bit as he tried to compose himself. 

"You need to keep that one on a shorter leash I think." He said to me with a glare at Felleona. She growled again and moved to grab him again but I stayed her arm with a touch.

"You foolish man! She is the Captain of the Guards and is due respect!" I snapped at him after rolling my eyes at his stupidity. "It would be wise to treat your betters with more respect." I finished with as calm a voice as I could. 

"Point taken Mr. Westlock." He said as he rubbed his throat. "I am here to deliver you a message." He finished and straitened up and tried to look superior again. 

"Well, what is it?" I inquired, a little put out by the theatrics of it all. "You are to report to the 'Estate Clerk's Office' First thing tomorrow morning. Your application for the Kincaid Estate will be reviewed at that time. Don't be late, it wouldn't look good." He finished and waited for a response. 

"Thank you, I'll be there." I said as I bowed ever so slightly to show respect to The Council. 

"A little uppity for a delivery boy I think." Felleona said to me loud enough for the man to hear. He glared back at her for a moment and then turned to leave, saying nothing.

"Not the brightest lad on the island was he." Valencia said with a chuckle after the door closed.

"You'd think after taking one look at Felleona he'd keep a better tongue in his head." Jealile laughed and the group joined her in hearty laughter. 

"I know the type." Felleona groaned grimly "The last Harvest Festival must have been his first. He probably picked a bunch of mousy little 'yes-women' and thinks that all women will grovel at his feet." 

"I still think he's stupid though." Valencia said with a chuckle. 

"True enough." I said after the laughter had died down somewhat. "I just have one question though. Does anyone know how to find the Estate Clerk's office?" I asked the group in general. 

"It's in the Council Building on the third floor." Jealile said calmly. "I have the day off tomorrow and I'll go with you." Jealile finished with a warm smile. 

"So will I." Yeoline added with a smile. 

"Sounds delightful!" I replied in a cheery tone. "We can make a day of it. After the meeting, you can show me the sights, if there is time." I finished and with a smile and nod from each and the day was set. 

"We'd love to join you but some of us have to work." Pellenica said with a slight sneer and disappointed look as she indicated Valencia, Felleona and herself. 

"Well why don't you meet us at the Inn by the docks after your shifts, you know, 'The Rolling Wave'." Jealile suggested with an excited look, just as the idea had hit her.

"Now there's an idea!" Valencia shouted in enthusiastic agreement. "I'm curious to know about Kincaid, I must admit."

"I didn't know you actually applied for it Brian?" Jealile inquired curiously.

"Well, I didn't, it must be Palpetone's work. He said he would get me Kincaid and it looks as though he's done it." I said with quiet astonishment that he had been true to his word. 

"What did you promise him in return again?" Pellenica asked untrustingly.

"Well, nothing actually. It was a gesture of friendship I suppose." I replied with slight astonishment. 

"I don't trust him, you never know what he'll ask in return down the road. You might find the cost is more than you wish to pay." Pellenica said shrewdly. 

"You may be right, but for now I have little choice." I replied with a calm tone, fearing she may be right. 

I was only happy that I was close to being able to call something my own on the strange island. I had never seen Kincaid but the thought of being the Master of an Estate seemed like a privilege that I wanted. The irony of wishing to be a glorified farmer so far from my home was somehow lost on me at the moment. The night ticked away too slowly for my tastes, I wanted the morning to come, sooner than it did. 



Brian's Adventures Ch. 08



Chapter Eight: Final Freedom

It was a typical morning for me that next morning, the sun was shining and I felt grand to say the least. I awoke to the sensations of a frisky Felleona who this morning had her lips around my cock. I looked down at her and smiled as I admired her working away, sucking hard on my cock. She smiled back at me as best she could with my cock in her mouth, then she worked harder and faster at sucking my dick.

"Good Morning Sweetheart." I said as I tenderly brushed the hair out of her face with my fingers that lingered on her cheek and chin.

"Good Morning, did you sleep well?" Felleona asked with a playful smirk as she popped my cock out of her mouth just long enough to speak. 

"Not well at all." I said with a forced disappointed look on my face. "Someone kept me up half the night." I replied with the best straight face I could manage but it was polluted heavily with a smirk. 

"Sorry, I couldn't help myself I guess." Felleona said just before licking the shaft from the bottom to the top, looking me dead in the eye the whole time. "How can I make it up to you?" Felleona said with a sultry look in her eye.

"Keep doing what you're doing darling." I said with a smirk as I leaned back to enjoy her work on my cock while she smiled and winked back at me.

With that, she really went to town, making a show of it as she sucked my cock in the most flamboyant fashion imaginable. I tried to hold out as long as I could because she was putting on quite a show. Alas she was quite good at what she was doing, so I could not hold out as long as I would have liked. Soon enough I felt the familiar tightening and tingling in my balls and I moaned as I felt myself cuming. Felleona let out a low moan of contentment as she felt my cum erupt down her throat. I even saw her roll her eyes in euphoric satisfaction as well. She sucked long after I had finished cuming to nurse out the last bit of cum. 

"That's what I call a morning pick me up!" Felleona said while licking her lips after finally letting my cock slip out of her mouth. "Have I earned a good fucking yet?" She inquired with a smirk and raised eyebrow.

Her eyes met mine with the sultriest of looks that caused my dick to stir back to life. The lingering sensations of the oral pleasures she had only just given me aided in hardening my cock. I also vividly remembered the silky, tight feel and every contour of her pussy and a smile crept across my face. 

For a woman that hadn't had sex in years, man could she fuck and she loved to do it too! I don't think I ever heard her say she wasn't in the mood or was too tired or had a headache, she always wanted sex, always! The fires of passion seemed to constantly smoulder in her loins flaring up now and again to consume those around her. 

"Absolutely my darling, how do you want it?" I asked with a raised eyebrow and she took a moment to ponder this with a delightful smile on her face. 

"From behind sweetheart." She said after a momentary pause and gave me a quick peck on the lips. 

It only took a moment before we were in position and my cock slid into the place it had been many times before over the past few days. We both let out a contented sigh as the length of it slid all the way into her waiting, wet pussy. Slowly I withdrew until just the head kissed the lips of her pussy, just barely keeping them apart. Quickly I thrust back in and Felleona took a sharp breath in surprise that turned into a moan as my mad thrusting began. We quickly settled into a nice and steady rhythm and had been contently copulating away for a bit when it happened.

"That little bitch!" Felleona shouted out with a snarl.

"What?" I asked with half a mind on what she was saying, the other half on pleasuring her wondrous womanhood. 

"She's back for another look, that's what!" Felleona said as she stared intently out the bedroom window. 

Without warning Felleona jumped up out of the bed and rushed to the main door so fast that I was literally in mid stroke. My cock popped out of her pussy with an odd pop sound and I fell forward onto my face. Luckily I caught myself before I fell all the way over or it could have been mightily painful. Felleona disappeared out the door for a moment but when she reappeared, she was not alone. She had someone by the neck and dragged them roughly inside and slammed them hard up against the wall. 

"What were you doing out there?" Felleona snarled at the Guard that she had pinned with one hand. 

I could see now that it was the same Guard that had interrupted us a few days earlier. I now understood what Felleona was talking about. The same black-haired guard that was sent to bring Felleona to the morning inspection had come back. Apparently she had been outside and watching us have sex but wasn't too sly about it as to go completely unnoticed. I guess all she really wanted was to watch us have sex and now she was pinned up against the wall by her nude boss. 

"S . . . Sorry Captain." The black-haired Guard said with a mix of shock and embarrassment on her face.

"You were spying on us weren't you?" Felleona spat angrily. "Why?" she demanded as she leaned in, her face now only an inch away from the terrified Guard. 

"I . . . I only wanted to watch." The black-haired Guard said and fell silent, hanging her head in shame.

"Watch us do what?" Felleona asked with a calmer, more curious tone of voice. 

"Have sex." The black-haired Guard reluctantly and sheepishly admitted, her voice almost a whisper. 

Felleona took a long moment and looked the Guard over in both face and body. When her tour was over Felleona had a slight smile on her face and a playful glint in her eye. I had seen that look in her eye before, but usually it was in my direction. I guessed just what she had in mind and was curious to see just what she would do next, would she actually do it or not? In a moment, the silent questions in my mind were answered by what Felleona did next.

"Why watch when you can join in the fun?" Felleona said in an alluring, sultry tone. 

"Captain?" The black-haired Guard asked with curious shock. This also was not what she was expecting and she was waiting to see if someone would let her in on the joke, but no punch line came. 

"For the moment call me Felleona, what's your name?" Felleona asked with a warm smile as she loosed her grip on the Guard's neck. 

"Irillis." The black-haired Guard said softly, a disbelieving look lingering in her eye. 

"Well Irillis, its been a while since I've had some pussy and I am a little hungry this morning, what'd you say?" Felleona said with an alluring smile and a raised eyebrow. 

"Ca . . . Felleona, I don't understand." Irillis said with a tremble in her voice.

"Oh I think you do understand, my dear Irillis." Felleona said and kissed Irillis on the lips and forced the kiss for a moment before breaking it. "Why don't you join us in bed this morning? That's what you really came for isn't it?" Felleona smiled with a sultry look on her face, her voice dripping with sex.

"I don't know I . . . I . . ." Irillis said with wide eyes of fear but was cut off.

"That wasn't a request!" Felleona said calmly yet forcefully. "Strip and get your pretty little ass in that bed, NOW!" Felleona said calmly but finished with a growl. 

"Captain? I've never . . . I . . . I . . . " Irillis said and was clearly on the brink of tears by this point. 

"I'm going over there to fuck Brian. If I don't have your delicious little pussy spread before me in five minutes you'll spend the next month or two cleaning the stables with the smallest shovel I can find!" Felleona said with a serious snarl and left poor Irillis standing there confused, shocked and curiously horny. 

As Felleona approached the bed she motioned for me to back up and I backed up as far as I could. Felleona got on her hands and knees in front of me and I slid my cock easily back into her dripping wet pussy. When we resumed our fucking, there was enough space for Irillis to sit down in front of Felleona. We both watched Irillis leaning up against that wall watching us fuck with a most distressed look on her face. 

It was clear that she was making her mind up about it and not sure what to do. I could see a myriad of emotions and thoughts running through her head. She looked around the room and glanced at us only occasionally. She bit her lip so hard I thought she would draw blood as she stood there with the most uncomfortable manner about her. 

However when she could not take her eyes off of us, I knew then that sooner or later she would give in. I watched as the look on her face turned slowly from distressed anguish to curiosity. Further that face melted to arousal and smouldered as she watched with lustful intent for only a moment or two more. 

Her hands trembled as slowly and deliberately she started to remove her clothes and armour. She was moving as fast as she could in her aroused and lust-clouded state as piece by piece of clothing was removed. Soon enough she stood there nude as the day she was born and slowly walked over to the bed. Her confidence increased with each step that she took, and the trembling quietened completely when she arrived at the bed. 

Felleona and I looked Irillis over as she approached the bed and were pleased with what we saw. She was about my height, and while she was not overly skinny she was not plump either. Her curves were a little larger than some but again everything was in proportion with everything else. Her breasts were not the largest or nicest I had seen but they were not the smallest nor the ugliest I had seen either. Her legs were her best feature, slender and shapely they were as they flowed from her hips to her feet. All in all I would say that she was pretty but of average beauty. She was not someone that would grab attention just because she entered the room but rather a gem you might miss if not careful. 

Without pausing at the bedside at all she stepped in and sat with legs spread wide in front of Felleona. With a nervous, tentative smile she looked down at Felleona who didn't take her eyes off of Irillises black haired pussy. Quickly Felleona leaned in and licked the slit of the pussy spread in front of her from the bottom to the top. Irillis jumped as if she had been bit and let out a little yelp of shock. Felleona licked her lips and smiled to herself and stuck her tongue as deep as it would go into the pussy she was eating. 

"It's been too long since I've had a pussy as tasty as yours my sweet." Felleona said with a wicked smile while tenderly caressing Irillises inner thigh as she looked up into Irillises teary eyes. 

I could see in those eyes of Irillises that she was torn between enjoying the pussy lick she had received and her desire to flee. I smiled at Irillis and that seemed to calm her a bit, but still she was unsure of what she had gotten herself involved in. Irillis looked down just in time to see Felleona's tongue reach out and contact her pussy once again. It was a simple lick of the inside of Irillises pussy lips and this sparked a sharp inhale from the woman. However this lick was not alone, it was followed by another and another and yet another. Felleona gave that pussy spread in front of her a merciless tongue thrashing. 

"Oh!" Sighed Irillis as her whole body relaxed, her eyes closed tight. 

Irillis sat there not moving for a while as I could see that she was enjoying the tongue-lashing she was receiving. I watched as she intently tried not to let any outward sign of her enjoyment show. It was as if she believed that if she kept her enjoyment bottled up then she didn't have to admit that she enjoyed what was happening to her. She would tense up and squeal with delight when a particularly fantastic sensation hit her and broke through her carefully crafted, cool exterior.

The whole time this was going on I was fucking Felleona with a quick and steady pace. As I stroked into Felleona she was licking and fingering the pussy of another woman. That thought was not lost on me and I watched in wonder as the woman I was pleasuring pleased another woman. I watched with great intent as Felleona madly thrust two of her fingers in and out of Irillises pussy. She was also alternating between licking the inside of the woman's pussy lips sucking and licking on the little bud of the clitoris. Still Irillis sat there pretending that nothing was happening to her; she just sat there with closed eyes, not moving. 

Soon though it happened, eventually it had to happen. I could see that Irillis was more strained than before. It was like she was boiling under the surface of her calm, nonchalant exterior as she tried to hide the storm beneath. Ripples of pleasure shot through her body unchecked as she forced herself to maintain the cool exterior. I saw it start as a little tremor in her stomach and the calm shell started to crack as that tremor gave way to a quiver. 

"OH JESUS YOU BITCH EAT ME!" Irillis screamed as her whole body was now consumed with the quake that started in her stomach. "EAT ME YOU SLUT! EAT ME GODAMMIT!!" Irillis shouted with almost a tear in her voice as her legs wrapped around Felleona's head. "See what you've done you BITCH! You've made me into a SLUT!" Irillis said in a horse moan. "OH GOD CUMMING YES THAT'S IT CUUUUMMMIIIIIIINNNNGGG!!!" Irillis shrieked as her whole body shook and violently quaked with the climax and the contained energy that she held in until now. 

Less than a minute later Felleona came and her pussy once again clamped delightfully around my cock sending me over the edge. In a short span of time, all three of us came in succession, each one after the other. After our erupting passions had subsided, we collapsed in a heap on the bed and recovered snuggling together for the moment. It felt wonderful to have one woman on either side, cuddling up to me. I was quite enjoying the moment but it was not to last as long as I would have liked. 

Soon there was a knock on the door and the peaceful world came crashing down around me. Reality came barging in on me and I was not intended to enjoy the simple pleasure of holding these women. Things needed to be taken care of and precious daylight was wasting away. I tossed on my pants and went to see who was at the door. The look on Felleona's face told me she wasn't planning to go anywhere just yet, neither would she let Irillis out of that bed any time soon either. 

"Aren't you ready yet?" Jealile said with an incredulous sigh as I opened the door. 

"Well I was . . ." I said fumbling with my words not knowing just what to say.

"Bless you Brian, you're not the first to wake up in the morning are you?" Jealile said as she gave me a hug and a kiss before moving past me. 

"Good morning Brian." Yeoline said as she also gave me a hug and a kiss as she pressed her body tight and close to me, running her fingers over my bare chest. 

"Good morning luv." I replied as I reluctantly let Yeoline go. "Good morning, both of you." I added as I turned to look at Jealile who was well into the room by now. Yeoline did not let me go; instead she kept her arm around my waist and walked with me into the room near Jealile.

"I see we've had a GRAND morning so far eh Brian?" Jealile said cheekily as she looked at me with a smirk to match and nodded in the direction of Felleona. I fumbled with my words and wasn't able to reply with anything intelligible just yet. "Good morning Felleona, who's your friend there with you?" Jealile asked Felleona. 

"My new personal assistant." Purred Felleona who by now had her legs spread wide and Irillis had her face between Felleona's legs. Irillis was eagerly licking that pussy which was filled with my cum. "She's taken to her new duties quite well." Felleona finished with a purr of contentment and she stroked the hair of the young woman who was busying herself with Felleona's pussy. Irillis managed to wave hello without distracting her focus away from Felleona's pussy for even a second.

"We brought you some new clothes for you to wear to your appointment." Jealile said as she presented me a small bundle of clothes. Yeoline couldn't take her eyes off of Felleona and Irillis for a second; she was intrigued and enthralled by the pair on the bed.

"Thank you, you're too good to me." I said as I kissed both of them once more and took the clothes and disappeared into the trophy room to get dressed. 

I was rather impressed with the clothes they brought for me. For one they brought me decent boots to wear rather than the foolish flimsy shoes I was given in prison. A nice, clean, long sleeved white shirt that fit me well and was comfortable to wear. Brown pants that were clean, sturdy and yet comfortable to wear and a brown vest to match. They were new clothes and I looked smart in them, also I was thankful that the ladies chose to be kind to me. 

As I emerged from the trophy room I noticed for the first time that day what the ladies were wearing. Yeoline was wearing a long off white dress, it was a very light brown coloured dress and had a lace up patch in the front of the bodice that helped to support her considerable assets. The dark brown piping and swirling designs on it matched the colour of my pants and vest. Jealile was wearing a dress almost identical to the way that Yeoline's dress was cut. However Jealile's dress was dark brown in colour and seemed to match my pants and vest exactly. Both ladies looked quite lovely and I was speechless for a moment as I looked them over. 

"Well look at that, he can look handsome after all." Yeoline added cheekily. 

"Looks like we'll be escorting the handsomest man in all of Teroncia." Jealile said with a smile as she put her arm around me. 

"Yes, now he looks like a man who is about to be awarded an Estate." Yeoline said with a smile as she put her arm around me as well. 

With that, we left the humble house that had been my home and prison of sorts since I had left the real prison. For the first time I was able to see and explore this city of Teroncia on the island of Tania. I marvelled at the sights and tried to take them in all at the same time. In truth I missed much but I also saw a great deal as we made our way to the Estate Clerk's office. Shopkeepers were opening their shops; housewives were beginning to browse the shops. The streets were alive with friendly people who were going about their business. It reminded me of home in the way that it felt and yet it was not the same, it was truly different but not alien to me.

The buildings that lined the stone paved streets were on average about three stories tall. The sharp-pitched roofs would have made it difficult to walk on and the wood shingles get very slippery when wet, increasing the danger. The way the buildings were placed so close together however, you could walk from one to the other easily though I wouldn't advise it. As you looked at them you could mistake the whole block for one long building that weaved its way down the street. 

The whole city was on a slope going up and away from the bay. The city seemed to be in a large bowl shape with a semicircular crest that ringed the whole city and ended in two pointed cliffs at either end of the bay. The whole city ran up to the crest and a wall was erected and ran the length of the crest of the hill. The main barracks backed onto the wall and seemed to be a part of it. The other public buildings were also backed onto this wall and I found out that this wall was used as a hallway to connect these buildings but was not used by the general public. This is how I was brought from the Barracks to The Council Chamber without going outside.

High atop each pointed cliff edge was a singular lookout tower that finished the wall at both ends. Another tower was in the middle of the wall and stood high over the single massive city gate. I imagined that the view from this tower must have been spectacular indeed, though I've never gotten the chance to see for myself. I learned later that these towers dot the landscape and keep a constant vigil for any sign of invaders. They have a system of flags to alert of any trouble and which tower spotted it. Very quickly this alert can be passed back to the main Barracks and the trouble responded to.




Brian's Adventures Ch. 08



To this day the sight of The Council Building takes my breath away and clearly it is the grandest building in all of Tania. It is the building that houses the various government offices and The Council Chamber as well. It is situated high on the hill and stands almost as high as some cathedrals I have seen. However due to its place high on the hill near the city wall it may seem higher than it actually is but its sight is no less impressive. The top of the building was a round spire and I recognized the shape of the spire and the windows in it. Clearly The Council Chamber was in the highest point in this building and towered over the whole city, dominating the landscape. 

The inside of it was no less grand but not too elaborate as to be excessive or ostentatious. There were Guards in the fancier dress inside and throughout the building. As various people said hello and greeted us I noticed that more people seemed to know who Yeoline was and a few even gave us a wide berth. I didn't understand this, but at the time I was more concerned with Kincaid. Eventually we made our way through the building to the door of the Estate Clerk's office.

"Well, here we are, how do I look?" I said nervously as I stood quietly awaiting the review of the ladies. 

"You look handsome of course dear. Relax, you've nothing to worry about." Jealile said with a warm smile as she straightened my shirt and vest. Yeoline also helped a bit, smoothing out a few wrinkles here and there. 

"Really Brian you look great. You'll be fine. Now lets get in there. This is a happy time, remember?" Yeoline said with a broad smile and bubbled with the excitement that we all felt at the moment. 

"Of course it is." I said with a thankful smile and I kissed Yeoline with a firm, quick kiss on the lips. "Thank you." I said as I looked into her warm eyes. "Thank you most of all." I said as I kissed Jealile, her gaze was piercing and loving for a moment before it was forced off of her face.

"C'mon enough dawdling, lets get in there." Jealile said as she tried to regain her composure. 

With that I opened the door and entered the modest office. As I looked around I found that I was in some kind of outer office. A few seats were arranged around the room and a number of people could sit and wait to see the clerks. This morning it seemed that we were the only ones to see the Estate Clerk. Two other doors could be seen leaving the room in the left and right walls from where we entered. Across from us there hung a huge mural that seemed to be a map of Tania and covered the whole wall.

I could see that Teroncia was on the left edge of the island and a great mountain was on the right edge of the island. In the middle was the vast rural expanse that was split up into Estates that were clustered in to groups of four. Every so often a small town would spring up that served the surrounding Estates. I studied this map intently and tried to get a feel for this new home of mine. The ladies also drew nearer to the mural and looked the map over. Yeoline walked closest to the mural and intently studied the end of map nearest the mountain. 

"I think Kincaid is one of these Estates here." Yeoline said after studying the map quietly for some time 

Jealile and I move closer and studied the area she was indicating. On the southeast corner of the island nestled up against the mountain and the sea was a cluster of four Estates. It was just about as far away from Teroncia as you could get and it looked like a very long walk to me. 

"Looks picturesque." Jealile said with a slight smile

"It also looks remote." I said with a strained smile as I imagined the walk to get there. "Beautiful, but remote." 

"Would you rather be back in your cell?" Yeoline said with a slight frown. 

"Point taken dear." I said with a chuckle. 

It was then that we found out that we were not alone indeed. From behind one of the doors in the room some raised voices could be heard. As we approached the door to the left of us we could make out the voices and caught the tail end of the argument.

"I don't care about that, we had a deal!" Shouted one man whose strangely familiar voice I could not quite place at the moment. 

"I know, I know. Calm down, everything will be alright I promise." Replied a second man in a soothing tone.

"Calm down!" Shouted the first man. "You were to hold that Estate for my younger son and now you've gone and given it away to that damned outside beggar!" He bellowed. "Do you know who I am?" He finished with a indignant shout. 

"Yes Councillor Premegar I do and I know what the agreement was but my hands are tied in this matter." The second man implored, obviously trying to calm the outraged Councillor with little success. 

"Hands are tied! You are the Estate Clerk you fool! You manage and hand out the Estates don't you?" Councillor Premegar snorted indignantly. 

"Yes but Councillor Palpetone is my boss and he ordered me to hand the Kincaid Estate to this Westlock fellow." The Estate Clerk replied defensively. "He said it was a personal request of the Director's!"

"That meddling fool." Snarled the angry Councillor. 

"Don't worry, he won't last any longer than the rest. Inside of a month he'll be begging me to take Kincaid back and your son will have the Estate as promised." The Estate Clerk finished and the room fell silent. 

"You'd better be right!" Premegar growled angrily.

A moment later the door opened up and a very angry Counsellor Premegar emerged from the room. He glared at me for a long moment with a steely glare and his whole being seethed with anger. His gaze wandered over the three of us and lingered on Yeoline for a while. She clung to me tighter, shrinking under his scrutiny and I felt her tremble with fear. It was some time before his focus returned to me. In truth it was only a minute but it seemed so much longer to the three of us who were subjected to his angry stare. 

"You're lucky to be still breathing boy! If you know what's good for you, you won't take Kincaid." Councillor Premegar said in the calmest voice he could muster but his voice dripped with loathing still as he took a step or two toward us. 

"I welcome any opportunities that come my way Councillor Premegar." I replied with a smile not showing the least bit of fear by his display. Yeoline still clung to my side tightly looking out from behind me.

The truth of the matter was that I felt like I had nowhere else to go but Kincaid. Besides I was still intrigued and thrilled by the idea of being the Master of an 'Estate' and did not want to pass up the opportunity. To me it sounded like someone had just offered to make me a Lord and who would ever turn that down! After all when was the last time someone offered you an Estate for free! I was not scared off easily as I thought that I truly had nothing to lose. 

"Don't say I didn't warn you boy." The gruff Councillor said with a sneer and walked out. 

"Do either of you know anything else I should know about this Kincaid Estate?" I asked to a shocked Jealile and Yeoline who said nothing in return but shrugged their shoulders. 

I could see by the looks on their faces that they were straining to remember but alas nothing was coming to mind at the moment. In retrospect I doubt that even if I knew then what I know now about Kincaid that I would have walked away from it. I was determined to call something my own on this foreign land and an Estate sounded as good a place as any.

"Mr. Westlock so good of you to come. This will take but a moment. Come in won't you." The Estate Clerk said in a polished tone as he stood in the doorway to his office and motioned me inside. 

He had taken a moment to compose himself and now had the polished look that you would expect from a man of his stature. His manner reminded me a great deal of Councillor Palpetone's; clearly he was a subordinate and student of the Councillor's. He was tall and skinny and not much to look at but his appearance was not hard on the eyes either. The man was a politician and a bureaucrat and he seemed comfortable with himself and nothing seemed to ruffle him. 

"Thank you, it was good of you to see me sir." I replied in as polite a manner as possible as I entered his office with the ladies in tow. I figured due to the behaviour of his last visitor he would appreciate a more subdued and civilized tone.

"Your companions can wait outside if they wish, this shouldn't take long." The Estate clerk said with a polished yet condescending tone as he looked at the ladies and then outside.

"They are my friends as well as my council." I smiled and allowed the ladies to sit first. 

"As you wish Mr. Westlock, I'm sure they'll serve you well." The Estate Clerk said with a smile and closed the office door and walked around behind his desk. "As you may have heard, your application for the Kincaid Estate has been approved and the Estate is yours if you wish." He said and paused as Jealile, Yeoline and myself smiled at each other upon hearing this. "However, I should point out that since the death of the last Kincaid the Estate has fallen onto . . . hard times and the new Master will have a challenge to put things right." The Estate Clerk said as tactfully as he could, clearly trying to phrase things just right. 

I could see that he was not telling the whole truth. For one thing I have learned is that no politician or bureaucrat will ever tell you the whole truth if he doesn't absolutely have to. However at the time all I really heard was 'the Estate is yours if you wish'. I figured that I could easily handle any minor problems or hard work that came along with it. All I cared about at the time was that the Estate was within my grasp and I would not let it slip away for anything. 

"What sort of 'hard times' are you talking about?" Jealile asked curiously while I was lost momentarily in my own thoughts. 

"Well, since the death of the Master, its women are marrying off and Kincaid women's numbers are dwindling. Those that remain can barely handle the workload now and I fear the Estate will fall vacant soon. As well, the Estate has not been as involved as it should be in the local council as it once was and that too is of concern." The Estate Clerk fidgeted in his seat as he was not comfortable talking about this subject in particular. 

"What did you mean by 'he won't last longer than the others'?" Yeoline asked curiously and we all watched the Estate Clerks manner become quite perturbed and unnerved as he prepared to speak. Somehow he managed to keep that unruffled exterior intact. 

"Well, I've awarded the Kincaid Estate before but it hasn't worked out. The first one simply disappeared shortly after arriving at the Estate and the other three just refused to take the Estate after taking one look at it. I couldn't get a straight answer out of them as to why they didn't want it. I've been there myself years ago and it is quite possibly the most beautiful Estate in all of Tania. I guess that's why Councillor Premegar wants it for his son so badly." 

"What do you mean?" I asked curiously. 

"Well, his eldest son is being groomed to take his place on The Council naturally, and he wants to take care of his younger son as well. Presenting his son with an Estate on his eighteenth birthday seems like a nice thing to do I'd say." The Estate clerk chuckled expecting to get a laugh from us as well. 

"I certainly didn't get anything as grand on my eighteenth." I chuckled in reply. "If I do take the Estate, what is required of me exactly?" I asked, now wanting to get on with the business of getting my Estate.

"After all I've told you are you sure you still want it Mr Westlock?" The Estate Clerk asked sceptically.

"I don't shy away from a challenge or hard work sir." I replied confidently.

"Well, because of the recent troubled times at Kincaid we need to make sure that the new Master is one who is capable. A few conditions have been set out for the successful awarding of the Kincaid Estate. First of all you are to regain control of the Estate and participate in the local town council as soon as possible. Salvage whatever crop you can this season and bring in a full crop next season. If you do this then we will know that we have awarded the Estate to the proper man." The Estate Clerk said and paused to let me think it over and stuck out his had to shake mine and said. "Do you still want the Kincaid Estate?" 

"Yes I do. I'm not as timid as some people think. I won't let you down, you'll see that I'm the right man." I smiled as I shook his hand firmly while keeping a confidant smile about me. 

"Excellent, glad to hear it, there is just a few papers to sign and you may be on your way." The Estate Clerk said with a grin that I wasn't sure was genuine or false but seemed pleasant enough. 

A short while and a few signatures later I found myself standing in the hall outside his office with a parcel of papers concerning my new Estate. I stood there and looked at the parcel in my hand and the weight of everything that had happened hit me. I said nothing but had a silly grin on my face as I realized that out there somewhere was a piece of land that was mine, and an Estate at that!

"Well, what now Master Westlock?" Jealile said with emphasis as she put her arm around my waist. 

"Did that really happen, is that all there is, I mean am I really the Master of an Estate now?" I asked in a disbelieving voice with a shocked smile on my face.

"The Estate is yours already Brian, but as long as you live up to his requirements then the Estate will remain yours and your children's and your grandchildren's." Yeoline said with an excited smile and her excitement was contagious and I burst into laughter and jumped for joy with Jealile and Yeoline jumping along with me. 

"C'mon Master Westlock, Lets celebrate and see the town." Jealile said with an excited chuckle as we calmed down a bit. 

With that we left The Council Building and headed out to spend most of the day walking around Teroncia. We leisurely walked, talked and the three of us held hands as we leisurely explored the sights of the city. There was a playful air to the day and everything was bright, sunny, warm and good. In short I was happy, truly and honestly happy, for I had two women with me that I loved and who loved me. We seemed to be in constant physical contact the whole day though this was not conscious or intentional. There were even a few times that we stole a few kisses in the more secluded corners of Teroncia. 

Everyone seemed to be friendly and more and more people seemed to recognize me and I got some odd looks as we passed by. Some people even whispered to each other as they watched us walk by. I guessed that being the first immigrant to Tania made me stick out a bit. Of course that little incident at my scheduled execution didn't help me blend in unnoticed either. For the most part I enjoyed my newfound notoriety and revelled in the thought that I was somebody. For not only was I the Master of an Estate, I was the talk of the town and I had two beautiful women on my arm; in short, life was good.

As we entered what looked like a small town square I noticed a huge stone statue in the centre of it. A man stood tall and proud on a pedestal and a small group of women and children huddled at his side clinging to him. He stood there tall and looking intently at the horizon and the whole statue was much larger than life and positively dominated the square. 

I read the plaque underneath it and it said: 'Augustus Teroncia, the founder of Tania, our Salvation, our Father, and our Protector. He led us from the homeland to escape the destroyers. By God's help we will keep our new home safe from the Destroyers and never flee again.' 

I stood there and knew then just how vital and important this man was to their history. I wondered just what these people would do if I were to reveal that the land they left was not destroyed as they feared. What would they do if they knew that their 'homeland' as they called it, recovered and flourished after the Viking invasions? After seeing the wondrous new home that they had built for themselves here on Tania I wondered if the point even mattered. What good would come from telling them that Augustus was wrong to leave England. After all this time of believing him to be a hero, why tell them that he was a cowardly fool. He had led these people to this island and together they built a new land to rival any county in England out of nothing. In that he was a hero and should be thought of as such. However I will never understand why he chose to flee rather than fight for his homeland. Some things will be lost to the sands of time is suppose, never to be revealed. 

"I come here sometimes when I want to think and be alone in a crowd." Jealile said as she squeezed my hand. "The view of the bay from here is quite lovely and I find it comforting to be near the 'old man'" Jealile finished with a nod in the direction of the statue. 

"Teroncia is a lovely city. I don't want to leave it but I guess I will have to make my way to Kincaid soon enough." I replied as I looked at the city around me and finished with my eyes resting on the ladies. "So many things I don't want to leave behind." I said with a lingering look into the eyes of the ladies standing near me that I treasured so dearly. 

"There's plenty of time to think of that later." Jealile said with an uncomfortable look about her, a tear came to her eye. "For now we've got some shopping to do!" Jealile said with a bright grin as she grabbed me by the collar and pulled me to her so my face was an inch from hers. Clearly she was trying to push the inevitable parting out of her mind at the moment and I welcomed any diversion from it.

"Shopping? But I can't afford to buy anything so what's the use?" I replied, not sure if I liked what she meant.

"Nonsense my Father owns a clothing shop in town and it'll be my treat!" Jealile said with an alluringly cute quality about her. 

"Sweetheart you've been too kind to me so far, I can't allow you to keep buying me things." I said with a concerned look. I was not comfortable with her being so free with the gifts as I didn't want to take advantage of her affections. 

"Nonsense, why can't I spoil my betrothed on the day he was awarded his Estate . . . our Estate." Jealile said with a pleadingly warm look that finally won me over and a smile broke across my face. "If you're going to be the Master of an Estate you should at least look the part my dear." Jealile finished as she traced a pattern on my chest while she pressed her forehead to mine and looked me deep in the eyes. 

"You'll spoil me something rotten." I chuckled. 

"Don't worry, we'll give your ass a swift kick when you need it." Yeoline smiled playfully. "Just let us celebrate this joyous occasion and give us this chance to take care of you." Yeoline said with a smile as she pressed herself into the now three-way hug and played with the sleeve of my shirt. 

"When you put it that way, how can I refuse?" I replied with a smile. "But only a few outfits mind you. I don't want you emptying the store or your Father will think ill of me." I playfully warned with a chuckle.

"You needn't worry about Father, I'm sure he'll love you." Jealile smirked. "Now lets move, it's getting late and we still have to meet the gals by the docks yet." 

With that we walked down a few twisting and turning streets and ended up in what seemed to me to be a quaint shopping district. The shops were all packed so close together and the street seemed to be alive and vibrant. Things of all shapes, sizes colours and colours seemed to burst forth from all the shops. Each shop tried to outdo each other and demand your attention. It reminded me of the crowded markets back home but a little more subdued and with some space that you could walk down the street comfortably. We stopped at one shop that burst forth with clothes of all description and went inside.




Brian's Adventures Ch. 08



"Well, well, well dear Sister, twice in as many days. To what do we owe the honour of this visit?" A tall blonde-haired beautiful woman said with a scowl on her face and crossed arms underneath her small breasts. Her eyes glared daggers at Jealile as we approached the woman and Jealile held me tighter as we neared her.

"Grevealza keep a civil tongue in your head, this is Master Brian Westlock, my betrothed." Jealile said proudly, with a scowl of her own as she stood a little higher and held me a little tighter around the waist. 

"Our betrothed." Yeoline said as she stood at my other side and also held me around the waist.

"How did you two mangy ones manage to nab an Estate Master?" Grevealza asked with suspicious disdain in her voice. "I thought you two were stuck on that outside beggar you were guarding?" She finished as she looked me over and intently stared into my eyes. "What Estate are you from Master Westlock?" She asked curiously and cutely as she tried to be as polite and well mannered as possible yet still untrusting of my credentials. 

"Kincaid. Just awarded it this morning." I replied proudly.

"What? Wait a second! It's you isn't it! Your that beggar that washed up half-dead aren't you?" Grevealza asked with inquisitive shock and a delightful smile as she looked down her nose at me. "Dear Sister, you can do so much better, if you would only follow Father's council he would find you a much better husband. Perhaps even the son of a Councillor!" She finished as she talked directly to Jealile and ignored me completely. 

"Brian is by far a better man than any man on this island! He loves me for me and doesn't expect me to change or cower at his feet! I don't know about you but I don't want to be a wife that is seen and not heard. One that must bow to her husband's will all the time, even when she knows he's making a monumental blunder!" Jealile shot back with the fire of her conviction and daggers in her own eyes for her Sister.

"You don't want to be rich? Live the life of luxury and prestige?" Grevealza asked disbelievingly.

"Its not the wealth that I hate, its the cost of it." Jealile said calmly and everyone fell silent, as the weight of what she said hung like a dark pawl in the air.

"Did you come in here just to show off this one or did you actually want something?" Grevealza asked, now a little unnerved by Jealile's last comment.

"We came here for some clothes for Brian. Don't worry Grevealza, I'll pay, I do earn my own money you know. I don't have to ask Daddy for everything I want." Jealile said proudly and wore a smirk on her face, as she knew that last comment got under her Sister's skin and Grevealza seemed unnerved. 

With that we spent the next while trying on a myriad of clothes and I felt like a doll that children would dress up in all kinds of clothes. It was kind of fun putting on all the different outfits, most of them just weren't me but a select few suited me. I don't know how long we were in the store but soon enough it was time to go.

"Be a dear Grevealza and have these sent to the house will you?" Jealile said with giddy glee as she walked out of the store after paying for the clothes we bought. A few grumbles from Grevealza was heard as we left the store to make our way to the docks.


When we arrived at the docks I found that I felt most at home here. I looked out at the small boats in the harbour and the sea beyond and the salt air filled my lungs. I closed my eyes and for the moment I was home, I was back in England standing on the docks taking a momentary break from unloading the ships. At any moment I expected my supervisor to tell me to stop loafing about and get back to work. However after a moment I felt a dainty pair of hands wrap themselves around my waist and a female form press up against me from behind. 

I knew that I was still in Tania and yet somehow I felt like I was home. It was the first time that I truly didn't want to leave Tania. Even if a ship came to take me back to England I couldn't go, I wouldn't want to go. I have seen too many glorious things here and even after all I had been through since I've arrived I now knew one thing. I knew that my life was far better on Tania than it had ever been back in England. As I felt another female body press herself up against my front I knew that too many good things would be left behind. Any sane man would make the same choice, I was sure of it. I took a moment to thank God for calling me here to this island of Tania even after all the things I had been through to get here.

"Taking a trip back home are you dear." I heard Jealile whisper in my ear as I opened my eyes to see Yeoline resting her head on my shoulder.

"No, taking a trip back to England. I am home my dears, I am home." I said with a smile and both ladies hugged me tighter. 

Over the next while we stood there holding each other and watched the sun set in a spectacular end to a wonderful day. I don't know how long we stood there, just enjoying the simple pleasure of holding each other. We were content at that moment as the warmth and beauty of the sunset basked its glow on us. 

"There you are!" I heard Pellenica's voice call to us from behind. "I thought we were supposed to meet over there at the Rolling Wave?" 

"I told you we shouldn't have left that trio to themselves for an entire day." Valencia quipped with a broad smile. "Up to no good I bet." She finished as they approached. 

I half expected a kiss from them but none came; it always seemed to be so natural when we greeted or left each other. It took a moment to realize that we were in public and they were married. I didn't expect that to change but it did, it had to. A few awkward glances were exchanged instead of hugs and kisses. It was the first time that the weight of that change and the reminder of their marital status hit me hard. I could see in their eyes it was hard for them as well. Pellenica seemed to need a hug and some comforting a bit more than Valencia as a pained quiver of her soul could be seen in her eyes. They were still dressed in the white shirt and brown pants that was their uniform but no piece of armour was on either of them.

"Felleona is holding our table for us at the Inn." Pellenica said after a brief moment of nervous pause.

"Far be it for us to break up this romantic scene but do you mind, the rest of us are hungry and a bit thirsty." Valencia said in an attempt at sarcastic whit but it came out as more of a frustrated pout.

"Point taken, it's been a wonderful but tiring day and I am also hungry. I have missed you too." I said to both Valencia and Pellenica before we walked over to the small dockside Inn that we were supposed to meet at.

As we approached the Inn I could see how we could have missed it as it had a quiet and unassuming exterior. The sign, 'The Rolling Wave Inn' was small and easily missed as it was a bit faded and seemed to be just part of the woodwork. It was a building that was not unlike any other on the block, or in the rest of Teroncia for that matter. The inside of this Inn was about what you would imagine to find there and it didn't look any different from any other Inn. There was a bar was on the back wall nestled up to the left wall and a rack of kegs behind it. Off to the right side of the bar was a door to the kitchen and beside it was the stairs that took you up to the guest rooms. Scattered about the rest of the room was tables arranged in a haphazard manner. In the right wall of the bar was a great fireplace and in it a warm fire crackled. 

The smell of good food, smoke, laughter and good times filled the air in the modestly populated Inn. A portly, bald man stood behind the bar cleaning a mug watching everything in an undetectable manner. An assortment of pretty women ran to and fro fetching food and drinks for the patrons. They varied in ages greatly and I surmised that each of them were either married to the bartender or were one of his daughters. All in all everyone seemed to be happy and pleasant and the mood was light and gay. Off in a corner I noticed two familiar faces sitting and chatting quietly amongst themselves.

"Look who we found watching the sunset, completely forgetting about us." Valencia said as we approached the table where Felleona and Treabilla were sitting. 

"Oh hush yourself, it was quite romantic and they are engaged after all. Have you forgotten what it's like to be in love?" Pellenica said in an attempt at a sarcastic remark to cover for both of their uncomfortable behaviours. She had tried to make a joke, but her own mix of emotions simmered under the surface. She had not quite gotten control of them and her own strained frustration leaked into her manner and voice. 

"No, I haven't." Valencia said calmly and her eyes burned into mine, searching for some reassurance but I could give her nothing but a smile. For now however, that seemed to be enough to ease her soul and she returned my smile.

"Brian, so good to see you again." Treabilla said as she jumped up and squeezed me tight in an excited greeting before she kissed me with a lingering hello kiss. "How are you feeling? Did Felleona let you rest in bed at all or was it as active as I've heard?" Treabilla whispered quietly but everyone in our group heard it and laughed except Felleona and myself. 

"She took excellent care of me." I said with a smirk, and winked at Felleona who blushed a bit at this. 

"I didn't hear any complaints from you at the time." Laughed Felleona looking a bit ruffled and uneasy but trying to keep her composure. 

"Nor you." I replied as I joined her in laughter and so did the rest of the group.

"But seriously Brian, congratulations on Kincaid." Treabilla said with a sincere smile.

"How did you find out?" I asked Treabilla a little shocked.

"When you're the daughter of the Director, you find out all kinds of things fast." Treabilla said proudly. 

"Especially since you haven't left your Father's side for days." Valencia wisecracked quickly and everyone enjoyed a laugh.

"It's true he's kept me busy but he says it's good for me to circulate." Treabilla said in a slightly put off and defensive tone. "But I was able to steal away this evening to spend some time with you all and celebrate Brian's freedom and new Estate." Treabilla finished in a happy tone trying to put a positive spin on everything. 

"Great! Can we start celebrating with some food, I'm famished!" Valencia said with a hint of her aggravation about the rumblings in her stomach.

"Agreed, what is a celebration without food and ale?" I smiled broadly as I slapped Valencia's back hard and with enthusiasm. 

For the next hour or so we sat there eating dinner, drinking ale and chatting up a storm like the fast friends we were. It felt good to have all of them by my side and to have the chance to raise a glass with them perhaps for the last time in quite a while. With each of them living their own lives, taking them in many different directions. I knew that I had to take this opportunity to thank them properly for what they had done for me.

"Ladies, your attention please." I said as I raised my mug and waited until I had their attention before continuing. "I have not had the chance to properly thank you for all you have done for me. I know full well that I owe each and every one of you my life for doing what you did that day." I said and looked down. 

A tear ran down my cheek as my emotions started to get the better of me. I remembered how close I came to death that day and how I had truly and completely accepted it. In my eyes I was dead and had resigned myself to my fate. It was a direct result of the actions of these ladies around me that I was standing before them now. Everything I had in my life, I had because of the charity of these ladies. From my life, to the clothes on my back I owed to them, literally. After I had taken a moment to gather myself together, I continued my speech.

"I thank you also for befriending me when I was not only a prisoner but someone who was not of this land. I treasure each of you dearly and should any of you need anything of me, I would gladly give it." I said as I smiled into the eyes of each and everyone at the table and they returned my smile. "As you all know I have been awarded the Kincaid Estate, and I have a daunting task ahead of me. The time has come for me to begin the preparations for the journey to Kincaid. I don't know how long these preparations will take and some of you I may not see again before I leave so I wanted to tell you all how I felt now. Naturally you are all welcome at Kincaid anytime, when I get there and get settled in of course." I said and raised my mug high and said "To the best group of friends a man could ever ask for." 

"To Friendship!" The cheered and clinked their mugs together with mine and we all toasted our little group of friends that had been through so much already.

"How are you going to get there?" Pellenica asked curiously after swallowing her sip of ale.

"Walk I suppose." I replied plainly after swallowing my gulp of ale.

"Do you know the way?" Pellenica asked doubting that I did.

"Not really, but I do have a map with me." I replied assuredly patting the parcel of papers before me. 

"How will you feed yourself? Do you have any money for food and lodging at least?" Jealile asked knowing I didn't have any money.

"You know I don't have any money." I replied with a light scowl. "I will sleep under the stars and live off the land. It won't be the first time I will have had to do that." I replied confident in my foraging skills, though not wishing to go through a journey like the one that brought me to London. 

"This is crazy sweetheart, you don't know the way, you don't know the land and you have no money for the trip. I'm sure Father will be able to help you better prepare for the journey, he wanted to see you as soon as you were able." Jealile said as persuasively as possible. 

"More charity?" I winced. "I can make my way on my own. I shall have to do so soon enough and why not now." I finished, my pride had been hurt and I was starting to feel like a kept man.

"Brian." Treabilla said quickly to get my attention and to cut off Jealile's response. "You are now the Master of an Estate and a man of your station cannot be seen foraging for food and sleeping under the stars; it wouldn't do. There are a few who would love to see you rummage around like a beggar!" Treabilla finished and punctuated the last word to press her point home and it worked. 

"You're right." I sighed wearily, "I know, but I hate having to rely on others to support me, I would much rather do my part and earn my way." I sighed and I felt Jealile's arm slide around me in a loving motion of support.

"It isn't charity my love, I love you and want to be with you. You will get your chance to earn your own way and repay the kindness and friendship bestowed on you tenfold. But for now, you need a helping hand of your own. If you will not accept help from your betrothed and her Father than who?" Jealile said in a soothing tone as she held my hand and kept her arm around my shoulder. "Trust me, it's the best way for us to get to Kincaid." Jealile finished with a look that sincerely asked me to trust her judgment one more time.

"Us?" I asked, not liking the thought of putting Jealile in any further danger unnecessarily. 

"I'm not letting you go there alone! Not after what the Estate Clerk told us!" Jealile asserted forcefully.

"You're not going there without us that's for sure Brian! It's not safe!" Yeoline asserted as she jumped into the conversation. 

"What did the Estate clerk say?" Valencia asked curiously. 

"That's exactly why I don't want you two going with me until I know it's safe!" I asserted while completely ignoring Valencia's question, in truth I never heard it.

"I think that we know our way around a sword much better than you Brian, after all we are Guards!" Jealile asserted forcefully as I saw the same steely determination in her eyes that I had seen before. 

I was learning that she could be stubborn and that was not always a good thing, in this case however I didn't know if it was good or bad. Yeoline had an aggravated frown on her face and her whole being was tensed up. I guessed she was going to be as stubborn as Jealile on this issue. 

"Excuse me, what did the Estate Clerk say?" Valencia asked again, a little louder this time and looking quite concerned, but again her question fell on deaf ears.

"That's not the point, I don't want to risk seeing you hurt when it's not necessary!" I replied still trying to force the issue.

"And I don't want to see you hurt!" Jealile snapped back forcefully, with her voice raised almost to a shout.

"Yeah!" Yeoline vehemently shot in to assert her agreement with Jealile. Her face was all still all screwed up and somehow it announced her indignation and determination even though she said little.

"Will someone tell me what the deal with Kincaid is?" Valencia asked now quite perturbed about being ignored. 

"Look Brian, we can do this either one of two ways, One, you can travel by yourself and we can follow you, keeping out of sight until we reach Kincaid or Two, we can all travel together. It's up to you but I think we would have more fun if we all traveled together." Jealile said with a calm cool determination about her entire being. I knew then and there that she was not kidding. One way or another she would end up at Kincaid along with me.

"But sweetheart, I don't want to see you hurt." I sighed with sincere regret as I imagined her dead on the road as a result of her coming with me and a tear came to my eye at the thought of it.

"Then let us come with you and we can all watch each other's backs. There's safety in numbers." Yeoline added in a calming, soothing tone. I could see that they both were as sincere about keeping me out of harms way as I was about them. 

WHAM! Valencia slammed her fist on the table and we all stopped to look at her angry face.

"WILL SOMBODY BLOODYWELL TELL ME WHAT THE BLOODY HELL THE BLOODY ESTATE CLERK SAID ABOUT THE BLOODY KINCAID ESTATE!!" Valencia screamed and her deep breathing along with her demeanour reminded me of an angry beast waiting to pounce on some unsuspecting victim.

"Keep your shorts on, we were getting to that." Jealile said in a tone and with a look that silently questioned Valencia's sanity. In response Valencia grunted a beastlike grunt of frustration. 

"It's alright dear, I'll tell ya even if they won't." Said an older, friendly and pleasant looking waitress as she put her hand on Valencia's shoulder in a friendly, calming gesture. "After the last Kincaid man died without an heir to the Estate, it was awarded to some poor sod that just disappeared soon after taking up residence at the Estate. The three others after him who were awarded the Estate stayed only one night before running away, never to return to the Estate." The waitress said as she handed out another round of ale to our table of thirsty patrons. 

"Really? It's that Estate? You've been awarded that patch of troubles?" Valencia asked with a shocked look of horror. "You are most definitely not going there alone if you truly intend to take that place on, though I beg you to reconsider Brian. It's not worth it." Valencia said with a pleading look as she held my hand and looked deep into my eyes.

"I've given my word, and I will take it on and do my best to bring the Estate in line." I said to the shocked faces of the other ladies around me. "How did you know?" I asked curiously to the waitress. 

"Well this is an Inn and one hears all kinds of things once the ale starts flowing." The waitress winked at me and then departed. 

"I had hoped that it was not that Estate." Felleona said with a sorrowful look about her. "We never found out exactly what happened to the last Kincaid or the first new Master of the Estate. The Kincaid women would not cooperate with our investigation and The Council would not allow us to press the issue. They didn't want the trouble or to look iron-fisted, if the Guards moved in on Kincaid as I requested." Felleona said with the drawn face of one who was reporting grim news that they had lived through. "Are you absolutely sure that you want to risk your life to claim this Estate?" Felleona asked with a pleading look of her own that silently implored me not to go.




Brian's Adventures Ch. 09



Chapter Nine: The Deal

It was not a long walk up the hill to Jealile's house but it seemed like forever to me because of the butterflies in my stomach. I was about to meet Jealile's Father for the first time and ask him for her hand. I knew that in this land it was not required but in this instance it was. For I was not only asking for the hand of his daughter, but a sizable dowry as well so the courtesy of a visit seemed in order. I was doubly nervous because I needed his help to get to Kincaid more than his blessing to marry Jealile. She was already intent on marrying me and would do so even if her Father refused to give his blessing. That much I knew and at least I took that small but steadfast comfort with me into this awkward situation. 

As we rounded the last turn and headed up the street that her house resided on I could tell that this was the better part of town. Even on a strange island, some things are the same; the rich don't want to associate with the common folk. These houses were massive in comparison to the ones I had seen in other parts of the city. On average, houses in this area of Teroncia were about twice the size of houses that the common folk inhabited. I could tell by size and scope of the houses that if she lived here, her family had money and perhaps some power.

From a few blocks away she pointed out her house and I could see that it was as impressive as the rest of the houses in the area. The structure stood about three stories tall and again was gargantuan in size compared to the average man's house. Solid, strong, tall and intricately decorated her house was and any man would be proud to call it home. It was nestled in between two other massive houses and apparently faced both the front and back streets. 

As we opened the door to walk inside, the warmth and light flooded the dark street where we stood. It took until a moment after we were inside with the door closed that my eyes adjusted to the bright interior. We stood in a small reception area and a hallway could be seen going straight off into the depths of the house. Lanterns hung along the hallway every few feet or so as to keep the walkway brightly lit. Rooms went off this way and that from the hall that ran to the back of the house. 

The small entry hall or reception area where we stood looked grand but not excessively so. The room was tall and clearly was tall enough to encompass the first and second floor. Two staircases on either side of the room ran up and ended at a small second floor balcony. A door could be seen on either side of the balcony next to the top of the stairs. An elaborate ring of lanterns hung by a chain over the whole reception room, basking the area in light. Just then, one of the upstairs doors could be seen opening up and someone emerged from behind it. 

"Hello dear, you're home finally." A tall, older woman whom I guessed was in her early forties said as she walked down the stairs towards us.

She was quite pretty and had maintained her girlish figure though her curves were a bit softer and rounder then they could have been. Her breasts had drooped a little, her face wore a few wrinkles that time gives to everyone, and a few gray streaks snuck their way into her proud red flowing mane. At a glance one might notice these attributes and dismiss her as a woman who was past her prime and strictly speaking, it may be so. However, I could see that in her youth she must have been stunningly beautiful and she still retained a great deal of that beauty. I suppose my view of her was a bit skewed because she looked like the older version of Jealile. I was relieved to know that Jealile would remain as beautiful as she was long into the future.

"Hello Mother, I'm sorry if I worried you. We all got to talking and you know how it is, time gets away from you." Jealile said as she rushed to hug and kiss her Mother hello.

"I wasn't worried, I knew you were out on the town with Yeoline and Brian. I trust you enjoyed your day together?" Jealile's mother asked while she still embraced her daughter as they walked slowly down towards me.

"It was absolutely wonderful! Brian got Kincaid as we had hoped and we had the most wonderful time exploring the city and shopping before meeting the gals for dinner and a few pints." Jealile said with a bright smile as the pair arrived in front of me. "Mother, I'd like to introduce you to Brian, Brian this is my Mother, Merandia." Jealile introduced us with a bright smile and I stuck my hand out to shake hers.

"That's not good enough, you're almost family son." Merandia said as she tossed her arms around me and hugged me tight in an excited embrace. "Jealile hardly talks about anything else these days, I feel as though I already know you." She said as she held my head in her hands just before she kissed me square on the lips with a friendly peck on the lips. 

"Then you have me at a disadvantage Merandia." I replied with a smile, now a little more at ease because of Merandia's warm and friendly nature but not quite relaxed. 

"Don't worry, I doubt I'll find the need to press the advantage . . . yet." She said with a playful smirk on her face.

"Mother!" Jealile warned with a disapproving smirk as her Mother loosened her embrace on me.

"I'm only playing with him, give me a chance to have some fun. Your Father has no sense of humor and keeps me on such a short leash these days." Merandia sighed with an attempt at a playful remark but I could see under the surface there dwelt some truth in her comment, and some pain too.

"If you're anything like your Daughter, I find it hard to believe that anyone keeps you on any sort of leash." I replied with a smirk of my own to which Merandia laughed.

"Now you're clearly trying to win the favor of an old woman!" Merandia laughed with a hearty laugh and smile that I could tell had not been on her face in some time. "Be careful of your charms dear Brian or I may snap you up for myself." She said with a playful smile and air about her as she gave me another peck on the lips and held me by the collar tight.

"Mother!" Jealile warned again with another uncomfortable look about her.

"Don't worry dear Daughter, your prize is safe from me." Merandia said with a warm smile as she loosened her embrace on me and kept one hand around my back and put her other hand around Jealile's waist. "I am only delighted to see you happy and that this man of yours does in fact exist." Merandia finished as she started to lead us down the hall, away from the reception area. 

"Mother." Jealile groaned in a futile and weak hearted attempt at a scolding.

"Come my dears, Perriolich wishes to see both of you." Merandia chuckled as she squeezed her Daughter tighter, "Honestly, I don't remember raising such a prudish spoilsport." Merandia chuckled as she squeezed Jealile.

"You're antics aren't at all funny Mother!" Jealile said with a drawn expression.

"Yes they are." I chided in, in the light-hearted spirit of the moment and Merandia laughed with me.

"Don't you start, keep this up and you'll be walking to Kincaid alone funnyman!" Jealile snapped, now a little perturbed.

"It's all in good fun sweetheart." Merandia said while kissing her daughter on the cheek just as we approached an entryway that glowed with warm light up and on the left.

"Honestly Father, I don't understand why I need to be here." I heard a younger man in the room up ahead say as we neared the entryway.

"Veronoule you must learn that when you are as wealthy as us, all kinds of people will come at you in all kinds of ways. People will do just about anything to get some of your money, watch and learn how you deal with them Son." An older man also in the room up ahead said just before we passed through the entryway. 

It was a good-sized sitting room but not overly large and had a comfortable feel to it. A fireplace was on one end with roaring fire in it, warming the room and casting its glow on everything. Fine chairs along with some small tables were scattered throughout the room, arranged in conversation areas. Some books were in a modest bookcase on one wall and fine paintings and decorative rugs adorned the walls. Seated in the grandest chair by the fireplace was an older, shrewd looking man. Slouching in a chair next to him was a man about my age who looked quite disinterested by everything.

The older man looked to be in his late forties and had dark brown hair with a touch of gray streaks that gave him a distinguished look. He did not look overly tall and was considerably plump, as one expects of a rich man. Otherwise his facial features were quite fine and well defined, appearing almost delicate, but his plump disposition could be seen in his face. His gaze constantly examined everything about you and told you that nothing you did would get past him unnoticed. 

The younger man had blonde hair and blue eyes and appeared to be quite handsome, tall and slender. I guessed that he would be popular with the ladies with his natural good looks and all. However, he had an air of dissatisfaction and disdain for everything and everyone around him. It almost seemed that he hated his life and the direction it was heading in. I felt no pity for the 'poor little rich boy' and I surmised that few others would counter my opinion.

"Look who finally found her way home dear?" Merandia announced with a proud smile as soon as we entered the room. 

"Good to see you dear. I trust you enjoyed your day on the town?" Perriolich said to Jealile with a smile, not even passing a glance at me.

"Yes Father, I had the most wonderful time with Brian and Yeoline." Jealile said as she leaned in and gave her Father a hug and quick kiss on the cheek.

"Oh Father, what do you get when you dress up a Beggar in fine clothes?" Veronoule asked Perriolich while not taking his disapproving eyes off of me.

"That's simple Son, a well dressed Beggar, nothing more." Perriolich replied calmly, with disdain in his eyes that never left mine. My blood boiled but I kept my cool for Jealile's sake and ignored the comment completely.

"Now dear, mind your manners Brian is a guest in our home and Jealile's betrothed." Merandia scolded her husband with a light-hearted cover to her obvious aggravation and objection to his attitude. She sat in another decorated chair on the other side of the fireplace from her husband. 

"My dear wife, it was a hypothetical question and directed at no one in particular." Perriolich replied with a satisfied smirk. "Unless you know someone who fits the description, my dear I should think nothing of it." Perriolich said with a broad smile at me and took a sip of his wine.

"Of course dear husband, I know you would never be such a rude and insensitive host as to insult our guest." Merandia said as she directed Jealile to sit in a chair next to her and me to sit next to Jealile.

"Father, I would like to introduce you to Master Brian Westlock." Jealile said proudly while doing her best to keep her cool presence in tact. I already knew her well enough to know that she was not at all pleased with her Father at the moment.

"Master? Master of what, the Jailhouse Rats?" Veronoule laughed heartily at his own joke. 

"Now, now dear boy, our esteemed Mr. Westlock here is an Estate Master." Perriolich lightly chuckled yet kept a scolding tone in his voice that was lightly veiled in a condescending manner.

"Really? What Estate, pray tell?" Veronoule inquired with his best attempt at holding in a smirk and chuckle but he was not good at it.

"Kincaid no less." Perriolich replied with as straight a face as he could muster with a mock impressed look and yet kept his condescending air.

"Kincaid!" Veronoule laughed out loud and then checked his laughter quick. "How long have you lived there?" He asked me curiously with a superior attitude and a smile to match.

"Just awarded it this morning." I replied feeling a little less proud than before but more aggravated and insulted by the way these two were carrying on. 

"You're still breathing so I guessed that you have not even laid eyes on it. You're not a real Estate Master are you? You're only a 'Paper Master' of Kincaid, true?" Veronoule finished in an unveiled look of snobbish disgust. 

"Veronoule!" Merandia snapped.

"Paper Master? What do you mean by that?" I asked plainly, having a good idea of what he meant but still wanting him to explain his comment before everyone.

"You don't really possess Kincaid do you Brian?" Perriolich asked plainly and respectfully as he leaned in.

"Well sir, the Estate Clerk says that it's mine and I have the paperwork to prove it!" I said as I indicated the parcel that the Estate Clerk had given me.

"But don't you see? Right now that's all you possess. That parcel of papers gives you claim to the title of Kincaid but someone at the Estate must recognize and accept your claim before it is anything of value." Perriolich sat back and let his words sink in for the moment and I knew he was right. I felt it in my bones all along but had refused to acknowledge it until now. What if those at Kincaid refused to yield to me, and to my claim to the Estate, what then, take the Estate by force?

"I see your point. But nonetheless I will go to Kincaid and claim what is mine!" I said with confidence. "If not for me then for those I love." I said as I gave an obvious glance to Jealile.

"Well go claim it then." Perriolich said dismissively as he pointed at the door. "Come back once you've claimed it and truly made your mark on it. Only then can you truly call yourself an Estate Master. Until that point you will remain nothing more than what you are, a 'Paper Master' with his hand out." He finished with a dismissive look down his nose at me. 

"That may be true Father but everyone must start somewhere will you yield that at least?" Jealile said as respectfully as she could but still managed to let her dissatisfaction show in a manner similar to her Father's.

"Yes of course my dear, everyone must start somewhere I will give you that. However, why must that place be with me?" Perriolich returned with the same dismissive look unmoved by her comment.

"Sir, I love Jealile and will marry her at the next Harvest Festival, sooner if it were possible. But time is crucial and it is slipping away from me. The Estate from what I understand it is in some state of disrepair. The true nature of the repairs that are needed will not be known until we are there. Naturally the trip to the Estate and the estimated repairs all cost money." I said as respectfully as possible and paused to take a breath. Before I could continue I was cut off. 

"So naturally you come to me with your parcel of papers and my Daughters heart full of dreams with your hand out." Perriolich said with a sarcastic tone as his eyes burned into me.

"Father, it was my idea to come to you! All my life you have taught me that something worth anything is worth earning. From the moment I was able, I joined the Guards and earned my own money. I have bought my own things with my own money and earned everything I have, asking you for nothing." Jealile said forcefully yet was able to keep her manner from straying to the disrespectful. "Now, when I fall in love with a man with a claim to an Estate and we ask your help to realize that claim you spit in my face." Jealile finished with a distasteful sneer of her own. "Yet at the same time you give my Sisters fistfuls of coins to buy dresses and other frivolous things. Where is the justice in this Father, tell me?" Jealile finished with a sneer. 

"I know that you have chosen to work and earn your own way through life and I am proud of you immensely for that." Perriolich said with a warm and glowing, proud smile before his face chilled to a cool expression. "Think of this logically my dear Jealile." Perriolich said with a sigh. "You met this man in prison while guarding his cell. You even risked your life to stop his execution. Then when he has an Estate to claim and finds out that your Father has money, naturally he proposes!" Perriolich finished with a disappointed sigh trying to get Jealile to see me in the light that he saw me in.

"It's not like that!" I said as I took offence to his comment I almost stood up to leave or hit him but Jealile's hand on mine stayed my hasty move.

"I don't think ill of you dear boy. It's probably something that I might try were I in your shoes." Perriolich said in a sympathetic tone. "But this is my Daughter we are talking about and I will not have you make a fool of her or me!" Perriolich finished with a tone of warning.

"What can I do to prove my intentions to you sir?" I asked sincerely. 

"Go now and claim Kincaid on your own and once you have settled in, you may select her at the next Harvest Festival with my blessing." Perriolich replied with a condescending tone.

"Father, I've never asked you for anything." Jealile said and paused for a moment. "I'm asking you to help us get to Kincaid." Jealile said with a firm tone and a tear bordering on leaving her eye.

"What guarantee do you have that he will marry you?" Perriolich asked curiously. "What's to stop him from using your money and skill to get to Kincaid, claim it and then toss you aside?" He finished poignantly and waited for a response from his Daughter.

"We love each other, Brian wouldn't do that to me. It's not in his nature, I know it." Jealile finished with a hurtful growl in her voice.

"Love has nothing to do with it dear girl, it's not personal, it's business." Perriolich said plainly, in a manner like he had already expected her to understand.

"Please Father, if you will not give Brian the money, then give it to me, I will pay you back I swear!" Jealile said with a waver in her voice that she tried hard to quell. A tear rolled down her cheek as she waited for his response.

"No dear, you will only give it to him and you will be left owing me the money and have nothing to show for it. It's for your own good that you see him for rogue that he is now, rather than later only after he has spent your money." Perriolich said firmly yet with a tender tone as to let Jealile see that he cared.

"Heartless bastard!" Jealile shouted as she was now in tears and got up and rushed out with Merandia right after her. I stood to go after them as well but Perriolich stopped me before I left the room.

"It's best to give them some space boy. It will also give us a chance to talk." Perriolich said as he released my arm. "Come, it's late and I'm sure you're tired, let me show you to your room." Perriolich said with a forced smile and we slowly walked down the hall to the main entryway. "I understand that you're doing what you feel you must but we're both grown men here. Can't we come to some agreement?" Perriolich said with a warm, inviting smile as we walked up the stairs to the second floor. 

"What did you have in mind?" I asked curiously as we passed through one of the doors on the balcony and entered a closed courtyard that was open to the sky.

The courtyard had doors packed close together with small windows in between them in all four walls of the courtyard. It extended one more floor higher and a second floor and similar ring of doors and windows could be seen. A covered balcony and roof covered a walkway that ran in front of the doors on the edge of the courtyard. Stairs ran from the courtyard floor near where we were walking to the top floor balcony/walkway. Another set of stairs ran to the top floor exactly diagonally across from where this set of stairs ran.

"I will loan you five thousand here, tonight. That's more than enough to get you there and set you up handsomely. All I ask is that you pay me back when you can and leave Jealile alone! She does not understand the ways of men and business. She does not deserve the pain that you have in store for her. Is it not better that she hurt a little now than much more, later?" Perriolich said and paused to read my reaction. "This way is best for everyone, it's a business deal, nothing more. You get the money you need, I make a little extra coin, and my Daughters heart remains somewhat in tact." Perriolich said in a tone that urged me to 'do the right thing' and accept his offer.




Brian's Adventures Ch. 09



"But I truly love Jealile, I won't turn my back on her a bag of gold!" I replied indignantly. "Kincaid means nothing without her!" I asserted into his eyes, hoping that he would see my sincerity. 

"Think it over dear boy and we'll talk again in the morning." Perriolich said as he opened one of the doors in the side of the courtyard. I said nothing as I went into the modest room and closed the door behind me. 

The room was about the same size of the second cell that I was in during my stay at the barracks. The room was divided into two parts but unequal portions; the door from the courtyard opened into the larger portion. One third of the room was walled off and a small entryway placed into it allowed access to it. In the smaller portion could be found a dresser, a wardrobe and a small desk and mirror. In the larger portion an oversized single bed whose head was up against the back wall and was pressed up against the right wall. A small window shared the wall with the main door and both were equally spaced inside it. The window was opposite the bed and the door was nearer the smaller portion. In the smaller portion of the room was another small window that allowed light to flow into it.

I walked into the smaller portion and found that the new clothes that Jealile had bought for me had been put away in the wardrobe. I got undressed and hung the clothes over the back of the chair, giving them a chance to air out. I walked wearily back to the bed with my heart heavy from Perriolich's words and tempting offer. As I slumped back into the soft and comfortable bed, I wondered if I could somehow get both his money and Jealile. 

As I drifted off to sleep I wondered if I could really play his game against him to get everything I wanted. The one thing that came back to me was simply that I never wanted it said that I ever chose money over love. I was not at all comfortable with the thought of lying to Perriolich in order to get what I wanted, even if he was leaving me little choice. For I needed his money to be sure, but more importantly, I needed Jealile. One I could make do without, the other I plainly couldn't or wouldn't want to do without.

The morning sun brought me the realization that I had made it through the night without any visitors. I had half-hoped that Jealile would have come to see me in the night but alas she didn't or couldn't. I dearly hoped that she was alright and would have gone to see her that morning but I had no idea what room she was in. The second thing I realized as I started to come to life that morning was that I still didn't have an answer to Perriolich's offer. I still hadn't found an honorable way to get both Jealile and his money.

In retrospect I couldn't blame him for not believing my intentions concerning Jealile. I also realized that everything looked a little too convenient and well planned for simple coincidence to be easily believed. It would not have been the first time a man had used such a ploy to get out of danger. For that matter I'm sure women have done the same thing, that's why it isn't so unbelievable. In his own way, he was only trying to do what he thought was best for his Daughter and I respected that about him. 

I knew that in this land of strange things, one thing that I must rely on for guidance was my own heart. I knew that no matter what, I must remain true to what I knew to be right, true and honorable. I knew what I was and what I was not, and I had to remain true to that or I would lose myself in this land. The kind of shady deals and double-crossing intentions I had contemplated that previous night was not who I was or wanted to be. For better or worse I could not compromise my integrity for an easy way to get what I wanted.

I got up and dressed in some fresh clothes and decided to go for a morning stroll around the courtyard. It was a bright morning already and the fresh breeze that lightly blew into the courtyard was refreshing. As I walked and looked about the courtyard I was amazed at the number of rooms that circled it. I wondered why a man would need that many rooms then the answer hit me. With eight wives, numerous children and perhaps the oldest son and his family living there waiting to inherit the house and businesses that adds up to a lot of people under one roof. 

At this time in the morning I was not alone, it seemed a few others had woken up early and had decided to start their day as well. In the midst of people coming and going, I didn't notice Jealile or Merandia in amongst them. I was about to stop someone and ask where I could find either Jealile or Merandia but someone approached me from behind. 

"Good morning dear boy, I trust you slept well?" Perriolich said warmly and friendly and one could almost believe that he was genuine about wanting my friendship.

"I slept excellent, your beds are quite comfortable indeed." I replied with a smile. "I trust you are also well rested?" I asked in a similar friendly fashion. 

"Oh yes excellent indeed, fine, fine." He replied quickly and dismissively. "Walk with me won't you?" Perriolich asked with a wry smile as he started to walk down the courtyard. "Have you thought about what we talked about last night?" Perriolich asked with a curious smile.

"I have sir, and I must tell you that my intentions remain the same." I replied with an honest look. "I still love Jealile and want to marry her though I still need your help in getting to Kincaid sir." I finished and watched for his reaction.

"So you say dear boy, but you are not the first man to come to a rich man and ask for such things. Only later to abandon the poor girl once the money has been spent. What assurance do I have that this money you ask for will go to provide for my Daughters future as you claim?" Perriolich asked a very poignant question that caused me to pause to ponder an appropriate reply.

"I have given her my word to marry her, we are engaged sir and I take that pledge very seriously." I replied with all the sincerity I could muster in a single look.

"But my dear boy, that is an old custom and has no bearing here." Perriolich laughed, stopped and turned to me. "Even though you're engaged and you may very well take that seriously, you are not bound to even bid on her at the next Harvest Festival." Perriolich finished with an expectant look. "So you see my problem, you ask for trust when none is warranted." Perriolich finished and looked me over while waiting for my reaction. 

"But I wouldn't do that, I love Jealile and want to be with her more than anything sir." I said, yet again and hoped that it would be enough to convince him but the look in his eye said that it was not enough.

"So you love her do you?" Perriolich asked with a cautiously curious tone.

"More than anything sir!" I replied assuredly.

"More than money?" Perriolich replied with a curious glint in his eye.

"Sir?" I answered with a confused tone in my voice and similar look on my face.

"I am an influential man and I usually get what I want. A word to the right men and I could assure you that you would never marry Jealile, or I could promise you that you would." Perriolich added with a superior and self-proud look about him. "I ask you here and now to choose one or the other. I will either give you the money you seek and promise you that you will never marry my Daughter or you may marry Jealile with no complications but I will not give you a single coin! The choice is yours, what do you say?" Perriolich said most assuredly and by the look in his eye and the house I was standing in I believed him. Not only did he strike me as the type of man that was capable of such a feat but that he was dead serious about it. 

"Then I choose Jealile." I replied with conviction as I looked him square in the eye. 

"Think hard boy, I am serious about this. Choose now and choose wisely, for I will not change my mind on this matter!" Perriolich said with a stern look in his eye and he even seemed taller at the moment. I knew that he indeed meant business on this issue. "Either way you choose, you walk away today and will not receive any further assistance from me, that I promise you!" Perriolich warned with a steadfast determined look in his eye that I had seen before in the eye of his Daughter. 

"Then I will walk to Kincaid and sleep under the stars if I must but it will all be worth it if I have Jealile with me someday." I replied assuredly and quickly.

"If you do that dear boy then I will truly believe that you do indeed love her more than anything. I wish you luck on your journey Brian as you will surely need it. Take care of my Daughter well or you will suffer my wrath as surely as the sun will rise tomorrow." Perriolich replied with a lightly sinister smile and a pat on my shoulder as he shook my hand with his free hand. 

"Good morning Father, Brian." Jealile said as she approached us and kissed her Father on the cheek and then took my hand in hers. "What did I miss?" Jealile asked with a warm smile, she seemed happy to see her Father and I talking in so friendly a manner. 

"Good news Jealile, I have given Brian here my blessing to marry you." Perriolich replied with a magnanimous smile as he received an energetic hug from Jealile. 

"Thank you Father, this is good news!" Jealile beamed as she held her Father in an embrace while she asked the next obvious question. "And the money we asked for?" Jealile asked tentatively and expectantly, clearly her face expected an encouraging answer.


"Sorry dear, not a coin. However, you can be assured that he does love you." Perriolich said with a wry smirk.

"What!" Jealile shouted in shock and anger as she pushed back away from her Father. Her demeanor demanded an explanation from her Father as she stood expectantly a few feet away. 

"Dear, it's not personal or anything to do with Brian. If I give money to every man that claims to love one of my Daughters I'll be a poor man. Once you're married for a few years I'll help you in any way I can." Perriolich said in a conciliatory tone as he put his arm around Jealile who stood there in shock for a moment more before reacting. 

"BULLSHIT!" Jealile exploded as once again she broke away from her Father's touch her eyes burned with fire. "You're too cheap to spend a coin on anyone but yourself!" Jealile growled as her whole being vibrated with her anger. I moved in and put my arm around her and after an initial jump at the shock, she held me tight and her quivering quieted somewhat.

"That's not true. You said yourself that I am free with my money amongst the family! But you ask that I give money away to a stranger and I can't do that!" Perriolich said now sounding a little hurt and taken aback by Jealile's attitude. 

"We both know very well that it looks good on you if your wives and daughters are dressed in the finest things! You dress them in the finest clothes to make yourself look gracious and generous." Jealile spat back in disgust. 

"Jealile." Perriolich said with a pained expression as he clutched his heart as if he was mortally wounded. The power of speech left him for the moment, his mouth opened up but no words could pass his lips. 

"I'm not coinless you know. It will be tight but we can make it to Kincaid on our own and we shall!" Jealile said defiantly as she stood a little higher. "Come Brian, there is much to do and there is nothing left for us here . . . nothing!" Jealile finished with a disgusted look on her face and yet an eerie calm about her.

We walked away, leaving a silent Perriolich standing there for but a moment before he turned and walked off in his own direction. We walked to my room first and packed my meager belongings before walking up to Jealile's room. It was hard for both of us as she selectively packed only what was essential for the journey. So many things had to be left behind, memories both fond and foul not the least of them. A select parcel of clothes along with another parcel of absolute essential mementos and other supplies was all that she packed besides her sword and bow.

Not much was said as we prepared to leave Jealile's home for the last time. It was not the way that she had intended to leave but the issue was greater than her not getting her way. Some time later Jealile explained that she could not stand the double standard, treating her like a naive child. Jealile was anything but naïve, and had seen her share of pain and learned the harsh ways of the world long ago. She had seen around her men and women that would promise the world and deliver nothing. Like most people, she had learned how to spot them and avoid them. As we saddled up a pair of horses in the basement stables it was there that a screaming madwoman found us as we cinched up the last of the packs to the horses. 

"JEALILE! JEALILE!" Merandia screamed constantly and her voice echoed off the walls long before she came into view. 

"What is it Mother." Jealile said with a sigh and a determined yet drained look on her face.

"It's true then! You're leaving! Leaving like this?" Merandia said in a panicked tearful scream as she clutched her Daughter tight. 

"What can I say other than Father has no faith in me or Brian. We must get to Kincaid one way or another. I will not stay here and be another trophy to be handed out to one of his clients and associates to seal a deal." Jealile said with equal determination and loathing. 

"Your Sisters have all married into good families! How can you see something sinister in that?" Merandia replied still in tears but her eyes held a look of disbelief as she beheld her Daughter.

"I'm not stupid Mother, I've seen the quiet late night talks. I've seen the pattern and everything he does . . . everything, absolutely everything is to line his pockets with coin." Jealile finished with a pained determination and a tear in her own eye. "I won't live like that, I must leave. It is time that I lead my own life away from this place." Jealile finished with a quivering lip as she tried not to break down completely. Seeing her Mother in such pain and turmoil was hard on her.

"If you must leave then by all means leave but not like this, not under these conditions! Please talk to your Father and work things out first." Merandia pleaded earnestly. "Please, talk to him one more time for me!" 

"Mother, he has given me no other choice but to leave. He does not understand how much Brian and I love each other. There is nothing left to say, I will keep in touch Mother, but I must leave." Jealile said in a comforting manner as she tried to calm her Mother. 

"If you will not speak to him than give me some time to talk to him. Why must you leave today, why not tomorrow? What harm could one more day's delay do?" Merandia said with a pleading yet searching look in her eye as she searched her daughters face for some sign of hope.

"I cannot stay here another minute!" Jealile said firmly. "I'm sorry, but I can't, I simply can't!" Jealile finished and turned away from her Mother. For a brief second Merandia seemed lost until her eye caught mine, and she gripped me and held me tight by the collar. 

"One day! That's all I ask! Stay in an Inn if you must but give me one day!" Merandia pleaded as she rested her head on my shoulder and held me tight. 

"It's not the way that we want to leave things either but Perriolich's position on this matter is firm." I replied as I stoked her hair to comfort the sobbing woman. 

"I don't care! You can't go like this! You can't take my Daughter away like this! It isn't right." Merandia said as she took my hand and placed some coins in it. "I'll pay for the Inn. Just give me one day to soften him up. By noon tomorrow I will come to see you either with him or alone. You can't leave town while you're still angry with him. Give me one day to patch things up." Merandia silently pleaded with a scared, timid look that tore at my heart. I looked at Jealile who silently nodded her agreement. 

"We will be at the Rolling Wave Inn by the docks. We will leave not long after noon tomorrow." I said as I held her head tight and smiled into her face. 

"Wonderful!" Merandia cried out in joy as she kissed me firmly before she kissed Jealile. "I'll turn him around, you'll see! Everything will be fine, I promise!" She said as she hugged her Daughter tight. 

Before long we were able to tear ourselves away from a now much happier Merandia and get on our way. Naturally we rode over to Yeoline's house and brought her up to speed on everything that had happened. She was as hurt and upset about Perriolich's reaction as we were. At this point I still had not told a soul about the deal and offer that Perriolich had made with me. I didn't want to give Jealile yet another reason to hate her Father and I didn't see what purpose telling her about it would serve. 

We sat around and visited with Yeoline's family and talked until dusk that day. It didn't take long for Yeoline to pack and be ready for the road. Even though we told her it was not necessary for her to leave tonight, she insisted to stay with us that night at the Rolling Wave Inn. I tried to argue that she might as well stay in her own bed one more night but she argued back that it was a sign of solidarity. 

It was agreed that our paths were linked and we were bound to one goal, to get to Kincaid. We agreed to stick together from here on out until we arrived at our Estate. I viewed it as ours rather than strictly mine, for they deserved it as much as I did considering all they have done for me. None of us knew what the future held for us but we knew one thing, that we would face it together. 

We retreated to the Rolling Wave Inn and checked in for the night. Part of us wanted to seek out our friends and find the comfort in numbers but mostly our souls craved solitude. We told ourselves that we only selected one room to save money, but in reality we wanted to spend the night together. When the door to the small guest room closed we looked around and surveyed our home for the night.

The room was small, big enough for two double beds with a night table between them. There was some room to walk around the beds but not much more than that. It was a modest room but the price was right and it served the purpose, namely shelter for the night. 

We looked at the beds and the awkward moment of discussing the sleeping arrangements arrived. None of us knew just what to say or how to start the conversation. We stood there with our packs over our shoulders and danced around the subject for a moment.

"Well, I suppose I will take this bed." I said pointing to one bed. "And you two can take that one." I finished by pointing at the other one, trying to look not disappointed by my own suggestion. 

It seemed the only decent and honorable thing to offer, I couldn't bring myself to suggest what my heart desired. Luckily I was not the only one with that thought on my mind. 

"Is that what you really want?" Jealile said softly with a hint of an unsure tone in her voice. 

"No dear, but how would it look for the three of us to be seen sleeping in the same bed." I said quietly. "I don't want to make things look bad for either of you." I finished sincerely and remained where I stood. 

"Well I don't care what people think. But if anyone asks we can tell them that we did sleep separately." Jealile said while she walked over to one bed and tossed her pack down on it. "But after all we've been through, I need to hold you, here, tonight." Jealile said while she turned to look at me. 

"I agree, but I didn't want to push anything." I said as I tossed my pack on the same bed. 

"I don't know about her, but I need to be fucked right and proper!" Yeoline said as she tossed her pack on the same bed while turning to face me. 

"Sounds good to me." I said with a raised eyebrow as I accepted Yeoline's embrace while she drew herself near to me and pressed her body tight against mine. 




Brian's Adventures Ch. 09



I could feel every curve and feature of her heated feminine flesh as she energetically kissed me. The way she writhed, shifted and gyrated against me while we kissed heated up and added to the passion of the moment. The kiss lasted for a long moment and changed tempo a few times, fast, slow rough and tender. When Yeoline and I came up for air, I noticed Jealile standing nearby looking a bit uncomfortable so I extended my hand to her. 

When she came near to me I let Yeoline out of our embrace and drew Jealile close and felt her body press against mine. We let out a mutual contented sigh when she was fully in my arms. Her body felt similar to Yeoline's as I held her in that room but it was clearly different as we embraced. I felt a stronger connection with Jealile than I did with Yeoline and that made things more special. When our lips touched nothing else existed but Jealile and I; I knew at that moment if I had to choose only one woman, it would be Jealile. 

The kiss was for lack of a better word was magical, purely splendid. It was special and wonderful, tender, soft, and wondrous as our lips floated over each other's while our hands meandered. I understood what they meant by 'one flesh' as for a few moments there I could almost feel what she was feeling. I could almost feel the sensations of my hand caressing her back from inside Jealile's skin. When the kiss ended our hands didn't stop roaming as we looked around to find Yeoline. 

It took only a moment to notice a now completely nude Yeoline laid back on the bed playing with herself. Her legs were spread a bit and two fingers could be seen busily thrusting in and out of her furry blonde pussy. I had to take a moment to look over her body once more and found that she still was quite beautiful and a breathtaking sight to behold.

"You two planning on standing there or are ya going to join me?" Yeoline said slightly out of breath as she kept thrusting her fingers in and out of her now wet pussy. 

"Race ya!" I said after giving Jealile a peck on the lips. After that it was a flurry of clothes exploding and tearing off of our bodies but by the end of it I made it into bed briefly before Jealile. 

"No fair! You had less clothes to take off!" Jealile protested as she landed roughly in the bed and snuggled next to me. 

"Then let me kiss you to make up for it." I said after breaking the now brief kiss that I had given Yeoline before turning to Jealile and kissing her. 

"Much better." Purred Jealile as our lips parted, after the promised kiss. 

With that I laid back and both women snuggled up to me one on either side. They peppered me with kisses while my hands caressed and probed their wet, wondrous pussies. The feeling of their heated skin rubbing against mine was exquisite as my fingers repeatedly thrust into their pussies. It didn't take long before this thrusting and rubbing was not enough for the ladies, and things progressed further. 

It wasn't long before Yeoline moved up and thrust her marvelous mounds in my face; silently demanding they get much needed attention. Let me tell you, that was a glorious sight to behold indeed! I allowed a moment's hesitation before I moved up and kissed one of those breasts and heard a sigh from Yeoline. I attacked those breasts, eagerly attending to their needs as I kissed, licked nibbled and caressed them. I was like a kid with a new toy and I was lost in my own private world of pleasuring those breasts. 

For a moment I lost track of Jealile and was just about to wonder where she was when I felt a pair of lips kiss the head of my cock. I looked down to see Jealile's lips sliding down my cock until the head of it was buried deep in her throat. She had spun on the spot and was sucking my cock while my fingers were still thrusting into her pussy. As a reward and a thank you to Jealile I redoubled my efforts to please that pussy and thrust madly with my fingers. 

So there we were Jealile was sucking my cock, quite expertly of course, while I was fingering her pussy and sucking on Yeoline's breasts. It goes without saying that I was in heaven having these beautiful women at my disposal! However I tried my best to please both women at the same time, it was quite a taxing endeavor indeed. I regret that I couldn't sit back and thoroughly enjoy the blowjob Jealile was giving me. Nor could I focus entirely on sucking and caressing Yeoline's more than amble bosom either. However, somehow I managed to muddle through and I never heard either woman complain. 

It was somewhere around this time that I blew my load down the talented throat of Jealile. I remember looking down into her eyes as she swallowed time and time again more and more of my cum. Jealile's lips never left my cock until she had nursed it back to full mast, ready for action. It was then that she spun around again and positioned her pussy over my cock and sat back down. I still can remember almost every sensation as more and more of her pussy swallowed my cock. Another contented sigh escaped both Jealile's and my lips as her groin rested fully on my groin. 

"Oh baby. I almost forgot what it feels like to have you inside me!" Jealile said while she remained still for a moment. "So good, so fucking good!" She moaned out as she raised her hips up and thrust back down and began a rough thrusting that lacked any type of finesse. 

It took only a moment of this mad bouncing before Yeoline took it as a signal to bring things up a notch. I began to protest when she pulled her breasts away from my face, but when she moved her pussy nearer I quieted down. As her muscular thighs planted themselves on either side of my head I found myself in a familiar position. I had lost count of the number of days since she had snuck into my cell with that cloak and nothing else on to have sex with me. I had indeed missed the taste of her pussy and reveled in the chance to taste it again. 

It was hard to concentrate on properly pleasing Yeoline's heated, delicious pussy with Jealile fucking me madly. Somehow I managed to keep things progressing without cuming to soon. As Jealile repeatedly bounced up and down on my cock Yeoline quivered and teetered above me. I tried desperately to focus on pleasuring Yeoline and not the fantastic sensation of Jealile's delectable pussy devouring my cock. 

Then it happened Yeoline quivered and came with a force and a scream to announce that fact. She did this only just before flooding my mouth with her pussy juice. It was a tasty and most delicious deluge and quite possibly the most desirable way to drown if ever there was one. Yeoline's climax seemed to push Jealile over the edge and she slammed down hard one particular time and came with a shudder. Yeoline collapsed forward and held onto Jealile for support as her orgasm hit her and hit her hard. There was a brief pause as both women held onto each other for support as their respective orgasms subsided.

The rest of the night found us making love a number of times more in a variety of ways that brought mutual satisfaction to all. I awoke the next morning to find both women still snuggled up to me, one on either side of me. I felt like the luckiest man in all of Tania to have not one but two such beautiful women near me. I wanted to lay there all day holding them and making love to them sporadically. But alas with Merandia expected some time before noon, it was not to be. 

I truly expected Merandia to arrive and wish us well on our journey and say that Perriolich would not come and had not changed his mind. I held him no grudge as I did understand his misgivings about me, I might have had the same mistrust if I were in his shoes. In that respect, I respected him, he did not slyly undermine you or beat around the bush, he told you what he thought, up front.

Not long before noon there was a knock on the door and indeed it was Merandia, who looked truly happy to see us. She rushed in and embraced Jealile and hugged her tight before speaking. 

"My dears you're here! You're still here! Oh this is wondrous indeed!" Merandia said as she kissed me quickly after hugging me. 

"Of course Mother! We said we'd be here and we are!" Jealile replied slightly indignant. 

"Well the joyous news is that you're Father is here and wishes to speak to all of you." Merandia said in the same overjoyed fashion she said to Jealile and then passed a glance to Yeoline and I. 

Clearly she was happy and believed the news to be glorious indeed but for the moment I remained skeptical. It was at best a development that I did not expect, what it truly meant only time would tell. For the moment I decided to play the game and see what Perriolich had to say. However, that was not the only opinion in the room. 

"What if we've nothing more to say to him?" Jealile snapped and put her arm around my waist and stood defiantly tall next to me.

"But dear, I told you I would get him to come around and I have! Won't you at least come listen to what he has to say? Are you really that much like you're Father to be that STUBBORN!" Merandia said in an annoyed tone and I had to stifle a chuckle at the poignant point. 

"Jealile sweetheart, we did promise to at least talk to him if he wished to." I quietly reminded Jealile and she gave me a frustrated look for a moment before speaking.

"Well, if you think its best." Jealile calmly spoke. I could tell that she didn't want to but would agree to see him if I deemed it necessary.

"I think it's important." I replied with a reassuring tone and Jealile nodded her agreement. 

We followed Merandia out of the room, down the hall then up the stairs before ending up in one of the largest rooms of the Inn. The room was triple the size of the room that we had spent last night in. A pair of double beds could be seen in one end of the room with a small bedside table by each bed. Three windows allowed in lots of light and a glorious view of the bay. A medium sized table was near this end of the room and two men were seated in two of the chairs at the table. 

Perriolich sat in one and had a commanding presence about him and clearly he was pleased with himself. In the other chair sat an older man dressed in an all black robe and black hat. I didn't know him and there seemed to be a calmness about him and he also seemed pleased with something. I didn't know if this was a good sign or not for me, as rarely in this place were people happy on my account it seemed. 

"Brian, Yeoline and of course Jealile my dear, so good to see you again." Perriolich said with a bright, if forced smile to Jealile.

"Hello Father." Jealile said with gritted teeth as she did her best to hold in her anger. "We're here as we said we would be." Jealile finished as she stood with her arm around me standing her ground firmly. 

"Please sit down all of you, we have much to discuss, and I trust that you will be pleased with what we have to say." Perriolich said as he motioned to the four free chairs at the table. With a little prodding Jealile agreed to sit at the table with Yeoline, Merandia and myself. Only once we were all settled in the chairs did Perriolich begin to speak again. "I've done a lot of thinking since you left yesterday and I've realized that I was hasty in my decision." Perriolich paused for a moment and looked at Jealile.

"Really Father." Jealile said without conviction. 

"Yes dear, I see now how much you mean to each other and how far you will go to help this man. I see now that you indeed love each other and while I am happy for you my dear, I still can't just give you the money." Perriolich said with a heavy heart. "However, I can't let you just walk away from me with this rift still between us. For I may never get the chance to mend things between us again." Perriolich sighed and continued. "I also understand that Brian doesn't have the time to wait around and adequately prove himself to me."

"This is nothing new Father, is this all that you came to say?" Jealile said curtly.

"No dear, there is more. When I couldn't find an amicable solution I went to the one place that all good men turn to, the church." Perriolich finished and indicated the man in the black robe seated beside him. 

"I am Reverend Kenvessa and I find the situation faced by all of you to be most unique indeed. While The Church understands that you have great affection towards one another there is no formal arrangement between you. Though you feel a great deal of commitment to one another you are not indeed married are you?" The Reverend asked knowing the answer full well.

"No sir." I replied the obvious.

"You Mr. Westlock are over the age of when you should have attended your first Harvest Festival. Since you are not married to anyone and over that age, you are in a most unique position. While there is a law that prevents any married woman to commit adultery with you, any unmarried woman is free to sin with you. While there is nothing legally to prevent such sinful behavior we cannot allow you to upset the natural balance of Tania." The Reverend paused and gave me a disapproving yet knowing look. 

"I see. I didn't think I caused that much trouble already." I replied calmly, not liking the hidden accusation. 

"I'm not insinuating anything my Son, but you understand that certain things could happen." The Reverend said calmingly, pausing for me to acknowledge this before he would continue. 

"I understand." I replied.

"While we can't have you running around single, we can't prevent you from claiming your Estate." The Reverend said with a smile. "Congratulations by the way." Then added the aside before continuing. "You are the first person to settle on this Island since the founders came here with Augustus Teroncia many years ago. That makes you unique and a special case, one that we have decided to make . . . certain allowances for." The Reverend paused to focus our attention on him even more.

"What allowances?" I asked curiously. 

"Yes, what are you talking about Reverend?" Jealile asked much calmer and now intrigued as well. 

"Well, like I said normally every man is married at the first Harvest Festival after his eighteenth birthday." The Reverend paused to look at me to gauge my reaction to his news.

"I understand the basics good Reverend, please continue." I assured him and with a nod he continued.

"Well since you arrived on our shores unannounced, that didn't happen and we find ourselves in the predicament that we are in now. The only solution that is best for all concerned is that you be married as soon as possible. While we can't have a special Harvest Festival just for you dear boy, we must still marry you off quickly." The Reverend chuckled and everyone half-heartedly chuckled along with him, I listened quietly. "The Church is not inflexible and is able to respond to the specific needs of its flock." The Reverend said with a great deal of pride. "The Church will allow you to immediately marry one woman who was not selected at the last Harvest Festival." The Reverend said, with that Jealile, Yeoline and I sat up and grew greatly more interested in the conversation.

"If I must choose then I would like to marry Jealile." I said in response and Yeoline bowed her head and was saddened by that comment. 

"Take heart my dear, it was the only answer." The Reverend said with genuine sympathy as he touched her hand tenderly and expressed genuine sorrow and concern. "You see you have not been through one Harvest Festival so no men have had the opportunity to select you. Jealile here has been through three Harvest Festivals, so it is fair to say that all men have had an ample opportunity to select her." The Reverend finished and Jealile looked a little sheepish at that last comment, clearly not a fact she was proud of.

"I understand." Yeoline said with a tear stained smile at me as she tried to reassure me as best she could. I squeezed her hand in return to comfort her and let her know that she was still important to me. 

"Do you consent to marrying this man as soon as is possible?" The Reverend asked Jealile directly.

"Yes I do." Jealile said assuredly. 

"It is as I thought it would be." Perriolich said with a smile. "If you do indeed marry her and take her as your Firstwife then I will give you a most generous dowry. Not only that I will also hire a coach speed you to Kincaid in a style more befitting your station dear boy."

"I . . . I don't know what to say. I have one question though, what is the significance if any of 'Firstwife'?" I replied with a curious note. 

"As you understand, with most wives if a man does not believe that things are working out with one of his wives he may register her for the next Harvest Festival. There she may be selected by another man, walk away divorced or he may even choose to keep her. The Firstwife is the one wife that will remain married to him until death. Once a man has designated his Firstwife he cannot take that title away from her, so choose wisely Mr. Westlock." The Reverend finished with a cautionary tone.

"I can think of no one other than Jealile I would like to spend the rest of my life with. Yes, I will marry Jealile and yes I will name her my Firstwife." I responded assuredly and Jealile was now speechless but the tears on her smiling face spoke her joy with great volume as she kissed me. 

"Then the matter is settled, one week from today, you two will be married." The Reverend replied with a warm smile. The mood turned positively joyous at this point and everyone enjoyed the happy news of the moment. Yeoline was a bit subdued at this point but she was happy for us nonetheless. I could tell that she was disappointed by the decision but blamed nobody for the outcome. 

"Thank you Father." Jealile managed to say as she rushed to hug and kiss her Father, her face still stained with tears. 

"So you're happy then?" Perriolich said as he returned his Daughter's hug and squeezed her tight.

"Yes Father, but why Father?" Jealile replied with a teary smile.

"I couldn't bear to lose the Daughter I'm most proud of." Perriolich said with his throat choked up with emotion.



Brian's Adventures Ch. 10



Chapter Ten: The Wedding

As I stood there at the altar I got the shakes I was so nervous. I still could not believe that this wedding was going to take place, that in a few hours Jealile would be my wife. It was an odd and fortunate turn of events that allowed the wedding to take place. Ordinarily it would not be that odd to marry the woman you love. However, on Tania most things you take for granted about weddings and relationships are unheard of here. However it happened or why it did was little concern to me at the moment, I was simply happy that it was happening at all! 

The church that I was standing in was a fine church, though not as tall or elaborate as some of the churches back in England. It stood tall, but not overly tall and was built of solid stone and looked like it could stand for a thousand years. The church was laid out in the typical fashion with altar at one end and the doors at the other. The bell tower and spire towered over the end with the doors and a second floor balcony also was at this end. What the church lacked in size did not diminish its charm or beauty. It's grandeur and magnificence was far better than I, the son of a simple peasant farmer deserved to be married in. 

Beside me stood Pellenica and Treabilla as my 'groomsmen' of sorts, they were dressed the part and looked quite handsome. The ladies wore outfits similar to mine and we made quite the handsome trio. However they looked better than I in the smart yet simple attire, how could I compete with women as lovely as they? 

I could not think of anyone else I would rather share this day with or be at my side at this joyous time. Valencia and Yeoline were Jealile's bridesmaids and had not walked down the isle as yet. I looked the crowd over at this moment and searched for familiar faces but found few comforting sights.

The church was packed with people and not a free seat could be found anywhere in the building. Most of the people were folks that I didn't know, nor had I even met once. Only a few select faces I recognized, otherwise it was a sea of strange faces and I felt alone in the crowd. 

I would have liked for my family to be there. It would have been nice for my Father to see me then. I would have liked for my Brothers and Sisters to see how much I had accomplished during the brief time that I had been on Tania thus far. It was then, at the precipice of the happiest moment of my life that my lack of family stung me the most. I was happy to have met the close friends that were sharing this day with me. The ladies that I had met and befriended will have to do, and they felt like family to me. It was a similar feeling to what my heart yearned for, but it wasn't exactly the same thing. Nothing can replace the feeling of sharing a special moment with your real family. 

Pellenica gave me a reassuring smile at that moment, almost as if she knew what I was thinking and wanted to comfort me. It was especially nice to have her near me on this day, I still cared for her but alas I knew that nothing could happen. She was still as kind and considerate as ever and in short was being a good and supportive friend on my special day. I smiled back at her to show my gratitude before casting my eyes out over the crowd once more. 

There was a great deal of whispers, shared glances, pointing and hushed conversation that day. It was strange to see all this buzz about something as mundane and ordinary as a traditional wedding. However, everything that was normal concerning weddings and relationships to me was bizarre to the people of Tania. I surmised that the spectacle of 'one of their own' marrying 'The Outsider' was part of the excitement. Someone told me that this was the first wedding outside the Harvest Festival since wives were first selected at the Harvest Festival a few centuries ago. That might have also added to the buzz. Add to that the fact that Jealile and I would also be the first 'married couple' (one man, one woman) in an even longer spell. So I could in a way understand where all this excitement was coming from, but as long as I was marrying Jealile I was happy. 

But the strange thing is that sometimes when you are so close to getting what you want, you start to second-guess everything. As I stood there, looking at the expectant faces of the crowd, I wondered if I was right to be marrying Jealile. Was it all too much, too soon? How well did we really know each other? Should I really make her my Firstwife so soon? Was that a grave mistake in itself? What if we were not compatible in the end? A thousand questions and doubts swirled in my head so much so that I thought my head would explode. However, another gentle pat on the shoulder from Pellenica brought a momentary calm in the storm. 

As Valencia made her way down the isle, the storm moved to the outskirts of my mind. Her beauty was so captivating that I could not help but smile as she made her way down the isle in the elaborate white gown. Her blonde hair flowed well around her shoulders as she gracefully walked toward me. It was the first time I had seen her dressed up as a true woman should be and she indeed took my breath away. She smiled back at me warmly and could not take her eyes off of mine as she walked slowly towards the altar. 

Yeoline looked positively radiant as she walked down the isle after Valencia in the same white dress. She had that innocent look about her that made her look as sweet as a child. However I knew different, while she was sweet and a touch naïve, she was not innocent. I already knew every curve of her body quite well by this point and desired to caress them again sometime soon. Her feminine assets and curves were no stranger to my touch and yet she looked as beautiful and pure as a virgin. I regretted that she was not walking down that isle to marry me that day but alas you can't have everything. 

When my eyes fell on Jealile, the storms in my mind dissipated completely and my shaking stopped altogether. I knew at that moment as I looked at her walking down the isle toward me that everything would turn out right. Somehow just by having her near, knowing that we would spend our lives together soothed me. I can't begin to describe her beauty; any man who sees his bride walking down the isle toward him understands this. She was by far the most beautiful woman in the world at that moment and all others paled in comparison to her. I could hardly believe that I was as fortunate as to be able to call her my wife later that very day. I knew then that I would marry her, that I had to marry her, that I would be an absolute fool to do anything else. 

I hadn't noticed the tears on my cheek but again Pellenica who stood right beside me as my 'best man' did. A hand on my shoulder in a comforting gesture brought me back to reality. I looked over at her and she gave me a loving look that held my focus for a fleeting moment before it disappeared and she looked away. When she looked back, her face had retuned to the colder, more subdued look of a friend. I wiped the tears from my cheeks just in time as Jealile arrived to stand beside me. 

I felt the energy and excitement of having this woman who rivalled Venus standing beside me. What's more she stood there willingly and wanted to marry me, she chose to marry me! I was humbled that this marvellous woman who risked her life and career for me, wanted to marry lowly me. I could not understand what she saw in me and felt unworthy of such a spectacular woman. At that moment I also could not understand how such a remarkable woman could be passed over three times! I was clearly convinced that the male population of Tania was a bunch of blithering idiots! However, at that moment I was also relieved and thankful for that fact as well. 

Most of the ceremony went by uneventfully; it was lovely, traditional and memorable and I will not bore you with the details. However there was one part that I will never forget to be sure. I doubt few others standing beside me will forget it soon either. It all happened quickly and was over just as quick but was no less astounding, yet in a way, and in retrospect it was predictable. The ceremony had lumbered on as tastefully and majestically as you could expect and had arrived at the exchanging of the vows. I said my vow but when it was Jealile's turn I distinctly heard two women answer affirmatively, one from either side of me. 

At first I thought I was hearing things or that it was an echo from the stone building, but the look in Jealile's eyes told that this was not so. I looked over at Pellenica and the silent horror; sheer terror on her face told me that indeed she had also answered with Jealile. When her eyes met mine the pleading look in her desperate eyes begged Jealile and I not to say anything. I looked back at Jealile and we nodded to each other and nothing was said at that moment. Jealile's face shared the concern and curiosity over this development from a trusted friend.

I still cared a great deal for Pellenica and had wished that something could have happened between us but alas she was married. I had thought or at least had convinced myself that what had transpired in the isolation of the officer's quarters was only a passing moment. A fleeting temptation for an otherwise happily married woman if you will. I had not allowed myself to believe for even a second that any feelings stronger than close friendship remained between us. It would have been too painful for me to think otherwise, to hold on to pointless hope. 

I had my own secret wishes and desires for her, after all I am a man and she was a remarkable woman of both beauty and character. I even felt bad over that; after all it isn't exactly the proper thing to do, lust after another man's wife and all. To have her share those feelings and desires for me, someone who was not her husband was not an easy thing for me to take. On one hand my heart was elated that she might yet still care for me as I did for her. Alas it would do neither of us any good, even if it were true, it might even be dangerous for the both of us at this point.

However I desperately wanted to pull Pellenica aside and talk to her over this matter right then and there, but it was not the time nor the place. Clearly there was something that needed to be discussed between the three of us. I hoped that time would permit that discussion sometime soon, but for now silence was the best and most sensible course. 

The rest of the ceremony went well and was thankfully uneventful. Pellenica however still could not look Jealile or I in the eye, and that saddened me. But I could not take the time to deal with that now, for now I had to pretend that all was well. The whole place was stunned silent however when the part came for me to declare Jealile my Firstwife. After I did so there was another brief moment of silence before an eruption of cheering. 

The long line of people who wished to offer their congratulations to us after the ceremony kept us from adjourning to the reception. The majority of the people I talked to were complete strangers but friendly all the same. Most of the people wanted to talk to Jealile it seamed, wanting to know what it was like to have a husband all to herself. 

Most of the ladies both young and old were tickled pink about this point and repeatedly this point came up. While some ladies were jealous, most were curious and intrigued at the strange and bizarre concept of a man having only one wife. The ladies in the wedding party were gracious about all the attention focused on Jealile and I. They didn't seem to mind too much the extra time standing there at the doors of the church. As time wore on the ladies did get a little testy, but it was forgivable especially Yeoline and Pellenica. 

But none of them stormed off or make a scene; they just stood there graciously. I was not unmindful of how it must have been for them, especially Yeoline. She was still engaged to me at the time, having to watch her friend marry me that day and still she had to wait months and even then it was only a chance for us to marry. I could not help thinking of Pellenica, for if she truly did care for me she too must be enduring a special kind of torture.

"Tell me the truth dear." A plump old woman said giddily as she leaned in to talk to Jealile. "Are you going to let him near the next Harvest Festival?" She giggled with mischievous excitement as she winked at Jealile in a conspiratory manner. 

"I don't know, I haven't thought about that." Jealile said with a shy grin and a smile to match as she glanced at me.

"I'd keep him locked up if I was you! Having a handsome husband like that all you yourself! An Estate Master at that! Some of us don't know how lucky we are! No sir would I want to share him with anyone!" The plump woman said with a smile and a wink in my direction and at the moment I felt like a prized cow at market. 

"Well, I'll just have to spend the next few months convincing him that I'm the only woman he needs." Jealile replied with sultry self-assurance, laying it on thick for the crowd and getting a noise of understanding from them. "Just kidding of course darling." Jealile said coyly as she kissed me on the cheek. Jealile flashed a knowing smile to the crowd that kept them guessing as to Jealile's true intentions, but I knew different. 

I could see that she was enjoying the notoriety of her unusual position as the first married woman in almost five centuries to have no Fellowives. As you can see that would make her a bit of a celebrity to say the least. I loved her and simply let her enjoy her special day and moment in the sun. I let her make me the subject of a few light-hearted jokes and took them all in stride. There was a joyful playfulness to the day that was contagious but not everyone was amused by Jealile's behaviour.

"We'll see about that." Yeoline said as quietly as she could, under her breath to Valencia who stood beside her and nodded her agreement. 

Yeoline's eyes burned as they stared at Jealile intently; her blood was boiling and she was quickly reaching her limit. The day was hard on Yeoline, being so close to what she wanted but yet so far from it. After all, she was at a wedding with me but it was Jealile whom I was marrying that day, not her. I was still engaged to Yeoline and still intended to select her at the next Harvest Festival but that was months away. I could understand how Yeoline was feeling, and felt for her. Seeing Jealile flaunt the fact that she alone was married to me not anyone else her did not please Yeoline at all. I knew I needed to reassure her that she still was special to me.

"Ladies you're all forgetting the other special lady in my life, who I also intend to marry." I said to the crowd as I put my other arm around Yeoline's waist and pulled her close to my other side. "I couldn't forget to attend the next Harvest Festival for one very important reason." I said with a smile and a squeeze of Yeoline's waist, pressing her even tighter to me. Her face brightened up at this, glad to be remembered and thought of on Jealile's special day.

"Well, maybe I'll let you keep just one pet." Jealile said with a playful tone while shaking her finger just an inch from my nose in a manner as if she had regretfully given in on this point. Her smiles and joyful exuberance could not be hidden as she kissed me and it was a very light scolding I received indeed. 

"Thank you dear." I said as I kissed Jealile back and gave Yeoline another squeeze around the waist.

"Maybe." Jealile said playfully with a wink in Yeoline's direction who playfully scowled back a silent warning. 

That lasted but a moment before all of us burst into playful laughter, and for the moment all was well. That is until the embrace was broken and Yeoline had to go back to standing in Jealile's shadow. For the most part Yeoline was fine with it, but I could see that it bothered her not to be included now. Again, her uncomfortable feelings were understandable and yet she did not make a scene or pout in any way. I knew her well enough to see her hidden feelings, but on the outside it was undetectable. Quietly and gracefully she suffered in silence and I marvelled at her ability and willingness to do so. 

Before long the reception line was finished and we made our way to Perriolich's house for the reception feast. The entire upper courtyard had been transformed into a grand open-skied reception hall. There were tables everywhere arranged in an inner and outer semicircular ring that allowed plenty of room to walk in between the tables. The head table was at one side of the courtyard against the side pillars yet still in the focal point of the rings of tables. There was an area cleared out in the middle of it all that allowed for dancing. A minstrel group provided light music and there were plenty of lanterns around to provide lots of light when things got late. 

I almost didn't recognize the place as instead of the cold stone courtyard there was now light, colour, life and music. The place was packed with people, all seemingly waiting for us to arrive yet talking happily amongst themselves. A cheer went up when the crowd had noted our arrival and Miranda motioned for us to come to the head table. 

"Typical of Father." Jealile chuckled lightly to herself as she surveyed the crowd.

"What's that?" I asked as we started toward the head table with me escorting Jealile as a gentleman should.

"He has a way of turning everything to his advantage." Jealile quietly said to me out of the corner of her mouth while smiling and waving at the crowd.

"What do you mean?" I asked in similar clandestine fashion. 

"Apart from my family and our friends, everyone else here is either a business associate or client of my Father." Jealile said as she smiled and waived at her Father who waved back at us and indicated that he would speak to us shortly. 

As I looked around, most of the crowd did seem the older and wealthier type and Perriolich was doing his best to talk to everyone personally. He was either trying to play the perfect host or a good businessman trying to butter everyone up. Even though it seemed a bit tasteless to use your own Daughter's wedding as a mingling opportunity I could not begrudge him for it. After all he had paid for everything and besides, you can't expect a wolf not act like a wolf can you? 

"Well he did arrange for us to be married and gave us the money we needed, what does it matter if he invites a few key guests?" I replied in hopes it would satisfy her, help her to see the bright side. 

"I know, he has been generous, more so than I expected." Jealile sighed before continuing. "For a while there I believed that the only reason he was doing all this was for me, to show me that he loves me and is proud of me." Jealile said with at twinge of sadness in her voice.

"He did! He is proudly showing you off to not only family and friends but to those that are important to him . . . not to mention the whole city!" I said as we stopped at the head table and kissed her while holding her head in my hands. "He is proud of you, I am, who wouldn't be!" I smiled assuredly and she returned my smile.

"Thank you Dear." Jealile replied just as Perriolich walked up to us and stood beside Merandia who was now also beside Jealile and I.

"Good to see you again dear." Perriolich said as he embraced his daughter and kissed her on both cheeks, she did likewise to him. "Beautiful wedding indeed, you looked absolutely radiant! A more beautiful bride I've not ever seen!" Perriolich said proudly as he smiled at his daughter while still embracing her.

"Oh stop it Father." Jealile protested as she blushed. A bright smile on her face would not be denied nor hidden.

"You looked handsome yourself son. Welcome to the family Brian." Perriolich said as he slapped my shoulder and smiled at me broadly before turning to the crowd. "Ladies and Gentlemen let me introduce you to Tania's newest 'couple' Mr. and Mrs. Brian Westlock!" Perriolich announced to the crowd. "The first time in almost five centuries that a man has married only one woman and it is indeed my Daughter!" Perriolich finished proudly as he presented us to the crowd. The crowd responded with cheering and clapping and general merriment of the happy moment.




Brian's Adventures Ch. 10



What followed was a grand dinner with lots of excellent food along with delicious wine and ale. The food was good, the wine was sweet and the conversation lively but yet I couldn't truly enjoy the day until things were right with Pellenica. It seems strange somehow, this was my wedding and I should have been focused on Jealile and the near miracle that she was now my wife. Pellenica was my friend however and I was concerned for her, I wanted to see that she was okay. Thankfully Jealile not only understood my mood, she shared it, for in her eyes I could see the same concern for our friend. 

A few speeches by Perriolich, Lochel and others came next while people sipped on their drinks. Mostly the speeches were the usual boring and uninteresting fare that seem to accompany all weddings I've been at. I won't bore you with the tedious details even though there were a few interesting and humorous moments. Sufficed to say that it was the usual boring drawn out tedium before the festivities could begin.

Pellenica held herself together with grace and class as she stood there and gave her speech. Not a hint of anything amiss was on her face as she raised her glass to toast Jealile and myself. I still needed to talk to her and wanted to work things out if I could. In truth however, I didn't know what solution, if any I could find by talking to her but I at least had to try.

Nothing happened until the evening had worn on for a while yet. It was some time later, after the dancing and celebrating had begun that I was able to talk to Pellenica. It was early evening but yet the sky was not entirely dark, just after dusk and the lanterns were lit even though all natural light was not lost yet. In the distance the sunset surely was in it's last few moments though we could not see it from inside the courtyard. The lanterns that were hung on long ropes over the courtyard looked like giant fireflies perched on the ropes above our heads. The usual lanterns along the edges of the courtyard added to the magical glow of the moment. 

"Perhaps now we can talk to Pellenica." Jealile said while I looked over at Pellenica wondering that same question.

"Perhaps you're right." I replied while I smiled back at Jealile.

"Is there something I should know before we talk to her? Did something happen in that room?" Jealile asked tentatively but kept a straight face, clearly she wanted the truth no matter what it was.

"Nothing that would get anyone killed over." I said with a smile as I patted her cheek lightly.

"I wouldn't turn you in even if it did. All I want is a straight answer, did anything happen in there?" Jealile asked again with a discerning look. "Why do I get the feeling that you're not telling me the whole story?" Jealile finished as she gave me a persistent look and a raised eyebrow.

"Well we did spend the night together but nothing happened, all we did was sleep I swear!" I admitted quietly and defensively, not wanting to make a scene and not sure of how she would react.

"You slept with her but didn't have sex?" Jealile asked questioningly. "Really?" She asked disbelievingly with a questioning raised eyebrow. 

"Yes, I swear." I replied honestly.

"Just once?" Jealile asked.

"Well twice actually." I admitted sheepishly.

"You slept twice with Pellenica?" Jealile replied with a surprised look, "Didn't Treabilla and Valencia notice?" She asked incredulously.

"Yes, but they didn't seem to mind at all." I replied still bracing myself for the angry blow to come at any moment.

"They didn't mind?" Jealile quizzed curiously. 

"Not really, they had their turns." I answered truthfully, still waiting for her to blow her top yet not wanting to lie to her. 

"You also slept with Valencia and Treabilla?" Jealile asked, now shocked but somehow straining to keep her voice down. "Did you have sex with either of them?" Jealile asked curiously, still wanting clarification.

"Just Treabilla, actually she started all of it, the sleeping together I mean." I replied in my own defence. 

The now stern face of Jealile silently told me that she needed a better explanation and she needed it quick. I couldn't blame her and I was remarkably lucky that she hadn't clobbered me yet. I took the time to explain to her everything that happened from when the Mistress walked in to when she found me at my execution. She listened to everything and while I could tell that she wasn't entirely comfortable with the story, at least she listened. When it was over I sat there and waited for her response. She took a moment to ponder everything before she spoke quietly and in a subdued tone. 

"That explains a few things. I knew that she cared for you, that they all cared for you. That much I could tell on my own but I didn't know just how deeply or where it started until now. The question is do you love them?" Jealile asked calmly looking at me with a piercing look.

"My dear Jealile, I care for each and every one of them dearly, but there is no one as dear to me as you." I said as I lightly brushed her cheek and kissed her forehead. "If I had to choose only one woman to spend the rest of my life with, it would be you my dear, I love you." I said with a warm smile and getting a loving look in return.

"And I love you my dear and I couldn't imagine a better man to call my husband, I don't care if he was Lochel's son or not!" Jealile said proudly with a smile and a lingering look of affection that held my gaze for a moment before she continued. "The thing to remember Brian is that you are now married and those feelings could be dangerous for both of you, for all of you." Jealile said in a cautioning tone. "But Pellenica is our friend and we still need to talk to her." 

"Agreed." I said as I gave Jealile a brief kiss. 

We then quietly mingled and said hello to a number of guests while searching for Pellenica, hoping to escort her to a quiet corner. When we found her she was talking with a few other guests and was engaged in pleasant conversation and she looked at ease. When she saw us arrive she then looked more nervous and uncomfortable in her own skin when her eyes met mine. Jealile and I made up some excuse and politely took Pellenica aside privately to talk to her honestly and sincerely.

"We need to talk about what happened at the wedding." I said quietly as I looked in Pellenica's eyes. She looked even more ill at ease as she looked around for any excuse to get away.

"It's alright, I know you love him and I'm not upset." Jealile said to Pellenica as she put her arm around her long-time friend.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Pellenica said as her eyes danced everywhere other than looking at Jealile or myself. Tears threatened to come forward from her wet eyes, betraying her calm exterior that she tried desperately to keep up. 

"We all know that you also said 'I do' at the wedding along with me." Jealile said in a comforting manner as she hugged her friend. Pellenica also looked back at Jealile for a moment before sighing and wiping her eye, as if to confess what Jealile and I knew to be correct. "The question is, why?"

"Isn't it obvious!" Pellenica snapped angrily at Jealile. "I'm a whore . . . an adulterous WHORE!" Pellenica growled as she buried her head in shame in Jealile's shoulder.

"But Brian told me nothing happened in that room, is this untrue? Did you have sex with Brian?" Jealile asked with great intent. I could see the distress on her face as she pondered the possibility that I had lied to her. 

"No we didn't have sex but not because I didn't want him." Pellenica said as her tear filled eyes looked deeply into Jealile's for support and found comfort there. "Oh God help me I wanted him. What's worse is that I grew to love him during our short time together. After we parted, I found my thoughts drifting back to him over and over again." Pellenica's words drifted off at this point and she hid her head in her hands.

"I never knew Pell." Jealile said quietly and with a tender, nurturing quality about her "The important thing is that you haven't been unfaithful to your husband so you've nothing to be ashamed of." Jealile said in as comforting a manner as she could.

"But I love another man! Don't you get it! I have betrayed my husband's trust! I have cheated on him with my heart and not my body yes, but is that any less wrong?" Pellenica asked now completely distraught.

"I believe, that under the circumstances he would understand. The important thing to remember here is, that you did remain faithful to him. You were tempted . . . we both were, but we resisted. What you need to hold on to is that your will was stronger than your desires." I said quietly and calmly as I tried to comfort her as best I could but she shook her head, refusing to accept my argument. 

"You don't understand Brian, when I was up there at the altar today I started to think of you. Of what it would be like to be married to you instead of Terenium and I guess I got carried away." Pellenica said in between tears as she sobbed in Jealile's arms.

"I think, considering all you've been through, that it's understandable." I said in a soothing tone, trying to help her not be so hard on herself. I was referring to the lack of sexual satisfaction she received from her husband over the last number of years. 

"That's no excuse! You don't understand! You can't understand!" Pellenica snapped angrily as her tear filled face stared intently at me.

"If you truly want to be with Brian, then talk to Terenium. Let him know how you feel and ask him to register you for the next Harvest Festival, there's still plenty of time. Brian will select you I'm sure of it, won't you Dear?" Jealile said to the now vibrating Pellenica in an attempt to calm the poor woman's nerves down and ease her troubled heart. My heart skipped a beat with joy as Jealile suggested this.

"NO!" Pellenica exploded. "I CAN'T . . . I . . . I WON'T . . . I MADE A VOW!" Pellenica shouted as she burst out of Jealile's embrace and headed for the door.

Valencia was not that far away and apparently had been keeping an eye on us for a little while. She appeared out of nowhere and was at Pellenica's side almost instantaneously. Pellenica was still vibrating and quite visibly upset at this point. I'm not sure that Pellenica was aware of what was happening, she was in tears and seemed inconsolable. We chased after them trying to get them to stop but when Valencia looked back at me with a disappointed and hurt look. It nearly stopped my heart and chilled my soul to see it; I stopped and could not follow them any further. I watched as they left the courtyard and was on their way to leave the house as well.

"That went well." I said sarcastically as I cursed myself for making an awkward situation worse. 

"I've known her since before she was married, she'll come around." Jealile said with a cover of confidence, though I could see that she was as shaken and concerned as I. "I hope." She added as she looked at me and I took her in my arms and we held each other for support. We prayed that things would turn out alright and allowed ourselves a quiet moment to comfort each other.

"By then we'll be long since out of sight." I sighed regretfully.

"Perhaps it's for the best, out of sight, out of mind and all that. Maybe that's what she needs." Jealile replied hopefully as she tried to look on the bright side.

"I guess so, I only wish that we could patch things up before we leave town, it seems a pity to leave things like this." I mused my thoughts out loud.

"Perhaps we will have some time in a few months to come back and visit Teroncia." Jealile said cheerfully. Nothing more was said for a few moments as we held each other calmly and quietly gathering ourselves together.

"Excuse me could you tell me what that fuss was all about?" Came the polite voice of an older man who spoke just over my shoulder.

"I beg your pardon sir, but it was a private conversation." I replied indignantly as I turned to look at the face of the nosy person who had just addressed me.

He was an old man whom I would guess was much older than my father, perhaps closer to his father's age. His grey beard was well kept, long and distinguished and seemed to match his hair, which was equally as long and grey. He was a tall, slender man with only a few wrinkles that broke up his otherwise smooth complexion. He stood there with an almost regal air to him as he stood waiting for an answer to his question. However my response brought a smile to his face and he chuckled to himself.

"Quite right my good man and normally I would not pry into such matters. I have no taste for gossip. I only asked because Pellenica is my wife and I am concerned for her well being as I'm sure you understand." The old man replied and his chuckling died off as he began to speak. 

I noticed now that he had two women not much older than Pellenica hanging off of his arms, one on either side of him. They were pretty ladies and did not speak at all, but merely stood there, accompanying him as if to be the finishing touch to his outfit.


"Good to see you again Terenium, How've you been?" Jealile asked cheerily as she greeted the man she obviously knew well.

"Good to see you as well Jealile. Lovely wedding and you made an absolutely stunning bride." Terenium said with a bright smile as he kissed Jealile on the cheek. 

"You're too kind you sweet old man." Jealile blushed as she then kissed him on the cheek and lightly hugged him.

"Could you please tell me what's going on my dear? Is there anything to worry about?" Terenium asked with a touch of concern in his voice. 

"You're Terenium? Valencia and Pellenica's husband?" I inquired in shock that should have been kept under wraps better but somehow got away from me at the moment.

"Yes and you must be Brian, it's so good to finally meet you after hearing so much about you." Terenium said with a smile as he shook my hand firmly.

"Likewise, you are indeed a lucky man to have wives as fine as Pellenica and Valencia. I am honoured to call them my friends." I replied with a proud smile as I accepted a glass of wine from one of the serving lasses that circulated amongst the crowd.

"Now about Pellenica." Terenium asked with growing concern and rapidly fleeting patience. 

"It's nothing really, weddings and Harvest Festivals can bring out the strangest emotions in a woman. You know how it is. She was merely talking about how this day reminded her of her Harvest Festival years ago. Telling me that she was a little jealous for not having a day as grand as this for her wedding day. Tis nothing really, do not concern yourself, she will be right again in no time." Jealile said with a warming smile, hoping to keep Terenium from learning the true nature of Pellenica's outburst. 

"Perhaps we should speak in private." Terenium paused and looked at me. "There is a matter of some delicacy I wish to discuss with you." Terenium said to me as he glanced at Jealile, indicating that she should leave. Jealile started to leave, to be polite and respect the wishes of the man she had known for a good many years. The ladies that stood at Terenium's side now departed and disappeared into the crowd.

"Sir, I don't keep any secrets from my wife." I said as I stopped Jealile from leaving. "Either you discuss the matter in front of her or I will tell her later, it matters little, the result will be the same." I finished firmly but gently as Jealile returned to my side, smiling proudly at me as she did.

"An admirable policy, quite admirable indeed." Terenium said with a nervous smile, I could see that he was not comfortable with the arrangement. "Still, it is a mater that should not be discussed with too many ears around, is there someplace more suitable we could speak." He finished and looked around at the doors on the outside of the courtyard. 

"Certainly." Jealile said just before she escorted us behind the nearest of those doors that encircled the courtyard. 

I found myself in a guest room similar to the one that I had been staying in. It was identical to the one that Perriolich himself had shown me to that first night. My room was on the other side of the courtyard; this one was unoccupied at the moment as best I could tell. Terenium paced for a moment before turning to face me a short distance away. I could see on his face that this was not an easy thing to discuss, whatever it was. After the brief period of time that he spent in his own thoughts gathering up the right words to say, he spoke.

"How long have you known Pellenica and Valencia Brian?" Terenium asked with some curiosity, still slowly pacing to and fro.

"A few weeks. We met when they guarded my cell some time ago." I answered and then fell silent.

"You also spent some time sequestered away with them did you not?" Terenium replied. 

"Yes, I was asked to . . . take care of a daughter of a friend of mine and they were ordered to provide discrete, round the clock protection for us." I replied and once again waited for his next question. 

"Yes, that unfortunate incident with Treabilla. Courageous move by the way." Terenium replied quickly, as if his thoughts held his focus. "Why them specifically? Did you or Treabilla request it? Did they volunteer?" Terenium asked curiously leaning in a bit, anxious to hear the answer.

"It just sort of happened I guess, they had befriended me by this point but they simply were the next Guards to come on shift to guard me. They arrived to find me in the open cell with no Guards and a strange woman with me. When it was discovered that the strange woman was Treabilla, Pellenica fetched Director Teroncia. It was he who ordered that I remain with Treabilla and that Pellenica and Valencia stay and Guard us. The logic was that along with myself, they were the only ones who had seen her in the state she was in. Discretion was paramount it seemed and understandably so." I answered his question fully and again allowed him time to ponder my words.

"So they were ordered, not asked to volunteer?" Terenium asked somehow needing to clarify that point. 

"Yes, they weren't overjoyed over it either, Valencia was more displeased of the two of them but Pellenica saw it as her duty and accepted it." I finished my reply and then after a short pause I asked a question of my own. "Excuse me, but might I ask you what this is all about?" I asked politely and curiously.

"I'm trying to understand what happened to my wives." Terenium said a furrowed brow.

"Sir?" I inquired, hoping he would explain himself better.

"They do not speak to me in the same manner as they once did, and Pellenica's touch is most definitely not the same. All I know is that something happened in that room to change them. It has to do with you, that much I'm certain of." Terenium said with concern on his face, clearly this troubled him greatly. "Tell me dear boy." He said in a plain voice as he stopped and turned to face me, standing up straight. "What happened in that room that I should know about?" 

"Nothing." I replied looking a little confused as to what he was getting at. 

"Nothing?" Terenium asked disbelievingly with a raised eyebrow. 

"No, they were married and I was in love with Jealile and Yeoline. We talked and became friends but nothing inappropriate took place." I replied in a way that indicated that I was insulted at his insinuation.

"'Friends' you say? Help me understand something. Why would two of my wives risk their lives and jobs for someone that they met a few weeks before? Why would they do such a thing if something else, something deeper was not going on? They did not even consult me!" Terenium said with great insult before continuing. "I found out like everyone else, after it had happened!" He finished with the same shock and hurt pride that was evident before. "I ask you once again what is the nature of your involvement with my wives?" Terenium asked now quite perturbed and a few inches from my face. 




Brian's Adventures Ch. 10



"It was I who begged them to aid me in rescuing Brian. They assisted me and did what they did because I asked them to help me save the man I love!" Jealile cut in and asserted forcefully. "I am in their debt for that, more than you know." Jealile finished with a tear in her eye as the thought of my death came to mind.

"That may be and may be a part of it but I am no fool! I know desire when I see it and I want to know exactly when and where it started. How often have they been unfaithful to me? Was it both of them or was it just Pellenica? Tell me quickly for I have no patience for your lies!" Terenium snapped staring me down, scrutinizing me intently for that moment.

"They have been nothing but faithful to you! Both of them! Nor have I tried to make them unfaithful! I have not touched them in any way that I would not have touched my Sister." I said and uttered a small white lie hoping he would not spot it. 

The honour of Pellenica and Valencia was at stake and I didn't want to make things harder for them than they already were. I knew that he wouldn't understand about the sleeping in the same bed to ease their frustration and temptation. He would not understand or be sympathetic to the true nature of Pellenica's plight. Of being torn between her love and sense of duty to him and her love for me, what husband would? Pellenica, Valencia and I knew that nothing would ever happen between us, that they were married to him and I to Jealile and had accepted that. I doubt that they could have lived with themselves if they had allowed things to get sexual between us in that room. However since the outcome was the same and they had remained faithful to him, I did not see why he needed to know of their hour of weakness, of being tempted. It would only serve to hurt all concerned, and I loved them too much to see that happen if I could help it.

"They do care for you. I am not blind; I can see that for myself." Terenium said with a strained tone in his voice. "What I want to know is how far those feelings go and if they are shared." Terenium asked with a sincere look in his eye that silently begged me to tell him the truth and not spare his feelings. I could tell that he was genuinely concerned over this matter. 

"They love you and could never betray you, we are only close friends because of all we've been through together. Do not concern yourself by trying to see something that is not there." I replied in a reassuring tone as I put my hand on his shoulder and shook it firmly in a friendly manner. 

"You were locked up with three women, including two of my wives for about a week and you expect me to believe that nothing happened?" Terenium asked with a look on his face that tried to portray that he was a man of the world. 

I could see that he was trying to make be believe that he would understand if something had happened. His manner told me that it might have been a relief to him if something physical had happened in that room. It was at that moment that I pondered if it was right to keep the truth from him. After all his wives did remain faithful to him they had not betrayed their wedding vows. Clearly he knew that something was going on, I could see that he knew that Valencia and Pellenica cared for me more than as friends do. At that moment I believed that he may in fact understand and be truly relieved by the truth. However it was not my place to tell him, I could not tell him any more without Pellenica and Valencia's approval. 

"I can only tell you the truth; they love you and will not forsake their wedding vows for me, or anyone. Think no more on this matter lest you will drive yourself mad over nothing" I smiled warmly at him and his face brightened up at that. 

"Perhaps you're right." Terenium said with a smile as he patted my shoulder in reply and turned to leave. 

He stopped and looked over his shoulder at me while pondering something behind his eyes. I could see by the glint in his eye and the knowing look on his face that he was thinking of something that intrigued him. He spoke nothing more as he chuckled to himself and with a nod in my direction he left. 

When the door closed I looked at Jealile and sighed a sigh of relief. She echoed this sentiment and was almost as relieved as I was that the awkward conversation was over. As seemed natural that day we gravitated toward each other. Within moments after Terenium leaving we were embracing and soon after that, we realized that we were alone. The further point that did not escape our grasp was the fact that we stood alone in a room with a bed. 

As we started to kiss the passion grew to great heights as we both thought that we could be discovered at any moment. As we kissed, my hand fumbled in an attempt to bar the door to ensure our privacy, but another hand stopped me. 

"Let them find us!" Jealile said between kisses. 

The added excitement of knowing that only one door stood between a large crowd of people and us, struck me just then. A wicked smile crept across my lips as I thought of the dangerous possibility of being caught in the act. There was nothing wrong with having sex with your wife on your wedding day but it was not something you did on display. As we continued to kiss my hand withdrew from the door and left it unbarred. 

"Someone might walk in on us." I said teasingly as we kissed toward the bed. 

"I know." Jealile replied in a husky tone as she kissed me harder while her roaming hands pulled me tighter to her body that I knew so well.

"They might catch us doing nasty things." I said as she started to kiss her way down my neck, pulling my shirt open as we went. 

"If they walk in a moment from now, I hope that they'll find that beautiful cock of yours buried in my pussy!" Jealile said with a slur, her mouth remained in contact with my skin as she spoke. 

"Then dear wife, why is there a stitch of clothing on you?" I asked with a mischievous smile, and she paused her kissing of my chest and looked up at me for a moment. 

We held a glance for a fleeting moment before a storm of activity possessed the room. Clothing was strewn and flown about the room in the most haphazard manner. By the end of it we were naked and embracing again as we had done many times before, but yet it was for the first time as husband and wife. That point was not lost on either of us as we held each other and looked deep into each other's eyes. 

"I love you Mr. Westlock." Jealile smiled, as she looked deep into my eyes. 

"I love you too Mrs. Westlock." I replied proud and content that she was my wife and loved me so. 

"If that be true then will you please fuck your wife within an inch of her life?" Jealile said with a raised eyebrow as she pressed her pussy against my throbbing cock. 

I picked her up under her arms and held her close to me. Instinctively she wrapped her legs around my waist for support and her arms around my neck. She looked at me a little shocked for the unusual position she found herself in. When I released her she gripped me tighter and held herself in place with her arms and legs. 

"Why don't you do that yourself?" I said with a naughty smile as I grasped my dick and positioned it at the entrance of her pussy. 

Jealile's eyes lit up as she felt the head of my cock just kissing her lower set of lips. As she lowered herself down thus taking more of my cock into her pussy, her face was blissful. As she bottomed out, and all that she could get of my cock was in her pussy she rested her head on my shoulder for a moment and gripped me tight. 

"Oh heaven above do I ever love this cock!" Jealile said and somehow squeezed my cock with the insides of her pussy. "Your cock!" Jealile said as she raised herself up until her pussy was almost vacant. "My husband's cock!" She said as she slammed back down with such great force that it caused me to stumble for a moment.

However this did not seem to enter Jealile's mind as she then proceeded to raise and lower herself repeatedly. Faster and faster, harder and harder she fucked herself from that standing position as I stumbled toward the nearest wall. After a few unbalanced and awkward steps, I was able to get close enough to a wall to place my hands firmly against it. With my feet shoulder width apart and my hands flat against the wall, we were at last balanced. Her head was now rested once again on my shoulder as her lower body somehow raised and lowered in a quickening pace with little movement. She had found a way to impale herself and withdraw my cock almost completely, without moving much. 

Her breathing was deep and quick as she tried her best not to make any sound. Even in the heated moment she was aware of the crowd that stood outside in the courtyard only a few feet away. Just one wall and door separated us from a large gathering of people congregated outside. Neither of us wanted to attract that much attention to us at that very moment. However a few whimpers and low moans escaped Jealile's lips whenever her passions and pleasures got too much for her to contain. 

It didn't take long before Jealile's passions boiled over and she came. Her whole body tensed up and every muscle in her body contracted for a moment and her bouncing stopped. The quaking and quivering started in her lower stomach and quickly engulfed her whole body. She didn't move as she rode through her powerful climax. 

I however didn't want the moment to stop so I grasped her quivering ass and raised her pussy almost off of me. Roughly I slammed her back down on me before picking her ass up again and moving her climaxing pussy up and down on my cock. Again and again I fucked and ravaged her body while she still climaxed and quivered. As my cock thrust in and out of her she came for a longer time than I had known any other woman to have cum for. Later Jealile told me that she had cum several times in a row as I pounded her pussy mercilessly. I was possessed with my own lust and intent on reaching my own gratification. After a moment Jealile went limp and I had to hold onto her to prevent her from falling. I pressed her up against the wall and then went to town thrusting myself into her drenching wet pussy again and again. Her head flopped on my shoulder as I had my way with her unconscious body. 

This went on for only a moment or two more before Jealile woke up with a start and clutched me for dear life. Her legs wrapped themselves around my waist once more and squeezed me hard. I'm surprised they didn't break my spine in the process. Her arms wrapped themselves around my back under my arms and she dug her nails into my back. 

"FUCK ME! FUCK ME HARDER YOU BASTARD! OH CHRIST, JUST FUCK ME!" Jealile cried out loudly as her whole body tried to fuck me back as I never missed a thrust into her. 

I did my best to oblige her and I fucked her so hard that I felt the vibrations from the stonewall behind her with each thrust. Once again as expected she came and came hard, her whole body started to shake as her orgasm overtook her. 

"Cum with me! Fill me up with your cum baby" Jealile said in a horse whisper as her voice trembled with an almost crying waver. "NOW!" She screamed urgently as she dug her nails into my back and slammed down one last time and tensed her pussy muscles as best she could. Her whole body was under the spell of the climax and we both surrendered to it as I came at that instant, filling her waiting pussy with all I had. 

We allowed ourselves a moment to recover from that heated moment of desperate copulating. Once the heated passions had passed we found ourselves naked, sticky and on the floor of the strange room. We got up and cleaned ourselves up with the water, towel and basin that thankfully was in every room. After a moment more to get dressed and compose ourselves we emerged from the room pretending that nothing happened. However we were much happier and much more at ease, a great tension was off of our shoulders.

After looking around, it seemed as though our stolen moment of lovemaking went unnoticed by all. We started mingling and talking to a few people in the crowd and generally felt relaxed and had started to enjoy the evening. Most of the conversation was centred around the usual topics of the day. People asked us about our future plans and also about what it was like to not have any other Fellowives. It still seemed weird for people to ask about such an ordinary thing. It would be like people walking up to you and asking what it is like to breathe air. Some time later after a few different people had chatted with us, some familiar faces emerged from the crowd.

"We need to talk." Irillis said with a grim looking face. 

"Okay." I shrugged in reply and prepared to listen to what she had to say. 

"In private." Yeoline said quietly as she also leaned in, giving me a splendid view down her dress.

Once again Jealile and I found ourselves back in the room that we had exited not too long before. I couldn't help but smile at Jealile and she smirked back as she nodded in the direction of the special spot in the wall. Irillis wore a nice but not too fancy dress and looked pretty, but her worried look told me that she brought bad news. 

"Alright, what's this all about?" I said plainly as I prepared for her ill news. 

In truth I was not at all in the mood to discuss the matter. After all it was my wedding day and I should be out there celebrating the joyous and historic occasion with the guests that had gathered. Instead I was in here and about to deal with some crisis for the third time this day. I half wanted to tell her to stow whatever she had to say until late tomorrow but instead I bit my tongue. From the look on her face I knew that the news would not wait. Delaying the matter would not do me any good. Just knowing that ill news was afoot would gnaw away at me, ruining my mood. I knew that I must deal with her at that moment and hope that it would be the last ill news I would receive for some time to come.

"Felleona sends her best wishes to you on this joyous and historic occasion of your wedding." Irillis said as she forced herself to remain calm and collected. "She regrets that she was unable to attend." Irillis paused and swallowed before continuing. "And she deeply regrets that she will not be able to see you again . . . for some time to come." Irillis finished with a pained look on her face. 

"What?" Jealile and I asked in unison. 

"Why?" I demanded to know with a snort.

"She doesn't tell me everything and there is a great deal that I do not know about. I only know that it is not of her own choice. There has been a great deal of activity surrounding her lately, and she has been stressed a great deal since last she saw you. Know this, you are still dear to her heart and she does not do this to hurt you but rather out of absolute necessity." Irillis finished and looked no less unnerved than before. 

"Is that all you came to say?" I asked curiously, half knowing the answer. 

"No, there is more." Irillis started and swallowed hard before continuing. Yeoline by now had her arm around the young woman and was trying to comfort her, to ease her nerves. Irillis looked a bit more at ease now as she continued. "You already know that the Guards have been ordered not to interfere with Kincaid, yes?" Irillis asked and waited for me to respond. 

"Yes." I replied with a nod.

"Well, that order has not been lifted. In fact that order has now just been expanded!" Irillis stressed, upset and shocked by her own words.

"What?" Jealile asked in shock. "What do you mean?" Jealile demanded to know forcefully. 

"The Guards are to stay out of not just Kincaid but the whole Quad as well! All four Estates in that Quad are now off limits!" Irillis said with equal shock as before.

"That makes no sense! The Guards are sworn to protect every last person on Tania! They cannot simply abandon that charge when they wish! How can this be? The order to stay out of Kincaid was bad enough but this is pure madness! This cannot be allowed to happen! Who is responsible?" Jealile finished her rant and stood a short distance away from poor Irillis and quite clearly was very angry. 

"Don't kill the messenger dear." I said soothingly as I moved beside her and put my arm around her. 

"It's alright." Irillis said as she raised her hand in a calming gesture. "I understand she's upset, I am equally outraged and so is Felleona, but her hands are tied in this matter. She is sworn to silence on this matter and cannot divulge any further details . . . not even to me." Irillis said and hung her head, pained at that admission. Yeoline squeezed Irillis tight in an effort to comfort the young woman and for a moment Irillis took comfort in the embrace. 

"Is that all?" I asked, hoping this would be all.

"No, if you do go to Kincaid, you will go alone." Irillis started out and fell silent.

"What do you mean?" I asked now confused and angry. "Explain yourself!" I challenged.

"You're leave has been cut back to two weeks." Irillis said to Jealile dead in the eye while handing her written orders. 

"And I've been reassigned to the stables!" Yeoline said despondently and hung her head in shame. 

"What?" Jealile shouted her shock before I could. "How can this be? Felleona herself told us . . ." Jealile started out her protest but was cut off by Irillis. 

"Even the Captain of the Guards gets overruled sometimes. Like I said, things have changed since you have seen her last. Again these are not her orders but they come from higher up, from where exactly, I don't know." Irillis said and shook her head from side to side. 

"Why would they do this?" Jealile said in confused disbelief.

"I don't like it. Something tells me that there is something especially evil in store for you at Kincaid." Irillis finished with a cold tone and looked pale. "Is it worth it? Is being an Estate Master worth your life? Why do you risk your life to claim a place that you've never seen?" Irillis asked curiously, with a tear in her eye and looked at me expecting an answer.

"Ever since I landed here people have wanted me dead. I don't see that changing any time soon. I have a chance, just a chance to have a place of my own for the first time in my life!" I asserted with a stomp of my foot. "I have nothing else going for me but Kincaid! There is nothing else for me to do. I have no job or other means to earn money. Either I go to Kincaid and claim what is mine or scrounge around Teroncia for scraps from other men's tables! I will not live like that! I will earn my way and be my own man!" I said standing up higher and looking more determined than ever. 

"There are powerful forces at work. Can't you see that? Don't you know that you will surely be dead before you set foot on Kincaid!" Irillis said with stunned shock. 

"I am not a hard man to find, if they truly wanted me dead then I would have been dead by now." I replied dismissively and chuckled at what I thought was cowering stupidity. 

"You are too well known to simply send an assassin, that would attract too much attention. What if you were to die doing what others have done before, even a fools death perhaps? Think of it, would that not be less obvious and easily dismissed. Clearly you don't understand that you were never meant to own Kincaid." Irillis said and looked at me as if she were talking to an absolute fool or an ignorant child.

"Then they underestimated us!" Jealile said with a snarl as she stood firmly at my side taking my hand in hers. 

"Exactly!" I echoed her sentiment and held her hand firmly in mine.

"We are going to Kincaid and claim what is ours and nobody is going to stop us!" Jealile said in the same determined tone that told me she meant business and was not to be messed with. 

"Yeah!" Yeoline shouted, adding her voice to the mix. "Kincaid will be ours no matter what!" Yeoline finished and had the same determined look on her face. My surprise must have been evident because what she said next after glancing over at me. "Don't think I'm letting you two go there alone! They can reassign me but they can't stop me from resigning." Yeoline finished with assertion and stood prouder. 




Brian's Adventures Ch. 11



Chapter Eleven: Band of Misfits

That ride down the quiet stretch of road was uneventful, beautiful and peaceful. It was so peaceful in fact that I believed that perhaps it would be a simple ride in the country all the way to Kincaid. I believed that perhaps all of the dark and dismal things people had told me about this journey were all superstitious nonsense. Someday soon I imagined that we would pull up in front of Kincaid and be welcomed as a Master returning to his home after a long journey. 

The trees and other shrubs that doted the landscape might have given the illusion of untamed wilderness to the untrained eye. However I could see that the edges of the groves were too clean and it's lines were too straight. The wildflowers gave a lovely fragrance that drifted on the cool breeze of the sunny day. 

On either side of the road I could see now and again vast stretches of tilled fields with crops growing and people out working in them. The road that we traveled down intersected with other roads that ran to the left and right off into the distance. Every so often we could see that these roads seemed to run right up into the door of what seemed to be a small castle. Fairly tall stone structures they seemed to be and looked quite foreboding and yet welcoming at the same time. From the centre of the stone complex a sole watchtower rose high. The fields seemed to surround the 'castles' in all direction. I looked them over and could see that these were not military outposts; the children running about gave that away. 

"What's that?" I asked Jealile, as I remained looking at one of the stone structures in question. 

"That's a Quad." Jealile responded unimpressed. "It is a collection of four Estates gathered together and arranged like that for protection. When invaders come they will not find our homes easily plundered, or so it was thought when they were built." Jealile said with a sigh as she finished the explanation. 

"So, Kincaid looks like that?" I asked, looking it over with renewed interest. I was still shocked to find that I was now one-quarter owner of a castle! 

"Well, Kincaid is like other Estates, it has one quarter of the quad as well as one of the four fields that surround it. 

"What makes Kincaid so special?" I asked with curiosity. "Why all the fuss?"

"Well, I understand that it is at the base of mount Augustus and it is on the side that faces both the sea on its one side and the mountain on the other. The scenery is splendid to be sure; more than that, I don't know." Jealile said as she put her arm around me and rested her head on my shoulder. 

"Well, we'll find out together." I said to her as I kissed the top of her head. "We'll all find out before journey's end!" I said loud enough for the group to hear and with a cheerful beat to my voice. 

I got the expected cheers and happy shouts in response that I expected. Everyone sat back and quietly enjoyed the ride as the wagon lumbered along. The bodies in the wagon swayed to and fro with each bump and hole in the road along that stretch. It was some time before someone spoke; everyone was lost in their own thoughts but one person more than the others it seamed. 

"I hope it's like this all the way to Kincaid." Shelea asked with a warm, reflective smile on her face.

"Most of the countryside does look like this." Treabilla said to the companion who sat beside her. "Have you never seen it before?" Treabilla inquired of her younger traveling companion with a curious tone. 

"As the head healer's assistant, you don't get much chance to do much but look after sick people." Shelea said a little sheepishly. "I've never left Teroncia." She finished and looked out of the wagon at a passing patch of wildflowers. 

"If you don't' mind my asking, how did you end up here?" Jealile asked with an equally curious look as she turned back to face Shelea. 

"A fair question I suppose since I'm here." Shelea laughed to herself and paused for a moment before speaking. "Brian was the most curious patient I had ever cared for, being an Outsider and all. After his recovery I kept an eye on him to be sure he was okay. I was also curious to know more about this stranger to our land that looked no different." Shelea paused again and looked away, thinking again "The more I learned of what was happening to him and where he was heading the more exciting it sounded." Shelea said with a glint of excitement in her eye. 

"Exciting!" Jealile exclaimed before I could. "We are riding towards a place that has claimed at least two lives mysteriously and scared off many others. Things there have turned from bad to worse and we go because that is where our future lies! We go because we have no choice but to go! I ask you again, why are you going?" Jealile finished and let her last question sit in the air heavy for a moment and Shelea pondered it for a short while.

"Because." Shelea said with a huff after a moment, her face was all screwed up and a storm of thoughts raged through her small head. "All my life I have been treated like a child!" Shelea started out still a little upset by Jealile's blunt question. 

"But you are a child!" Treabilla chuckled in disbelief. 

"I AM NOT A CHILD! I am SIXTEEN!" Shelea shouted with a defiant and indignant frown at Treabilla. "Two years younger than you! Are you a child?" Shelea asked angrily and expected an answer.

"No, Of course not. It's just . . ." Treabilla started out to explain herself but was cut off.

"Neither am I!" Shelea snapped. "I may be small for my age but I am not a child!" Shelea replied and folded her arms and held something dangerously close to a pout. 

I did not dare point out that at the moment she was beginning to act like one. Her indignation was understandable and I started to understand her more than I had up until now. She must have lived her life always being brushed aside and treated like a meddlesome child. It could frustrate the greatest of saints, I'm sure and a lifetime of that would make anyone testy on that point, as I'm sure you'll agree.

"I never knew your age and I also made the mistake of thinking of you much younger then you are." Treabilla said with a tender look and put her arm around Shelea in a comforting gesture. "I'm sorry." Treabilla apologized when Shelea's eyes met hers and they shared a friendly smile. 

"But that still doesn't explain why you're here?" Jealile asked with a friendly, more inviting tone than before.

"Well, I've never been anywhere and in two years I'll be married off, then I will settle down to the quiet life of a dutiful wife." Shelea said calmly and once again looked outside the wagon at some passing flowers. A tear rolled down her cheek before she spoke again. "Before that happens, I would like to have done something exciting! Just for once I would like to do something brave and bold." Shelea said as her little body filled with breath and pride and she held that look as she gazed off into her thoughts for a moment. 

"And then no one will ever take you for granted or underestimate you again." Jealile said with an understanding smile as she looked over the small Shelea. 

Shelea looked over at Jealile and examined her face for a long moment trying to discern if she was serious or not. Was she being played a fool or not? Did this woman understand her or was she about to be told she was just being silly? I could see the questions roll through her mind and after a moment of silence she spoke.

"Yes, exactly." Shelea replied with a relieved look about her. "All my life I have been pushed aside and never allowed to try anything new. Even as a healer's assistant I do little meaningful work. Herulia does all of the real healing, all she lets me do is wipe foreheads and watch the sick." Shelea finished with a frustrated sigh. "I've learned a great deal by watching her, don't get me wrong. But she never lets me do anything, she does everything and I stand there and watch, hand her this and fetch that." I wanted to do more when I joined The Healers." Shelea finished and looked around to the others in the wagon and found warm smiles smiling back at her. 

"Well, you're among friends now. We're glad to have you aboard, though we hope we will not need the services of a Healer before journey's end." Yeoline said with a smile as she shook Shelea's hand. Each of us welcomed her aboard and for the first time we started to feel like a band of friends. 

"However you got here, its good to see you again." I said with a warm smile over my shoulder. 

"So what's you're story?" Yeoline asked Treabilla curiously. "One moment you're ignoring us and the next moment you appear out of nowhere. What gives?" Yeoline finished with a raised eyebrow.

"I wasn't ignoring you! I was busy that's all?" Treabilla laughed slightly indignantly yet at the same time she appreciated the jab of humor.

"Too busy for your friends? Sounds delightful." Yeoline replied with a bit of cheek. 

"Too busy for myself more like it!" Treabilla laughed back and then fell silent for a moment. "Before my experience with the Mistress and her bunch, I was always the dutiful Daughter. I was always trying to please my Father, I was trying to be the 'Young Lady' he always told me I should be. I never questioned it, never once wanted anything else but his approval, for him to be proud of me. After my time with you Brian; after I returned to my Father's side however, I started to see things differently." Treabilla sighed a heavy sigh and fell silent again, momentarily lost in her thoughts.

"Go on dear." Jealile prodded gently. 

"I saw how differently you treated me from my Father or The Mistress." Treabilla said with a sigh as she looked at me and caught my gaze for a moment. "You treated me as a person, you wanted to know what I wanted, what I liked, what I thought about things. For the first time I started to think for myself and question things in my life that I never had before. I saw that to a lesser degree, my Father treated me the same way that The Mistress had done."

"Don't be absurd, he loves you!" Yeoline said immediately, cutting off Treabilla. 

"I know that!" Treabilla shot back instinctively and defensively. "I'm not questioning that. However he always wanted me to be seen and not heard. He wanted me to do as I was told and not question why, ever! When I came back to him after my time with Brian I started to see that he treated me more like a possession than a Daughter. I don't think for a moment that was his intention, but that's the way it felt like." Treabilla said and searched the faces in the wagon for any kind of understanding and found four friendly faces nodding their understanding.

"I know that feeling." Jealile said quietly and sighed in agreement 

"I tried to play along, to continue as I had done so many times before, to be the 'Young Lady' that my Father wanted me to be. For a time I was able to keep up the charade, and things were well." Treabilla sighed and paused again to gather herself before speaking again. "As time wore on I started to become more and more uncomfortable with the role I was playing. I didn't like having to pretend to be someone other than who I was, but still I pressed on for my Father's sake. When he started to talk about the Harvest Festival and introducing me to various suitors my mood worsened. It was then that I knew that I would be expected to keep up the 'seen and not heard' act for the rest of my life." Treabilla sighed regretfully as she remembered the sorrowful feelings that realization had brought. 

"I never knew, I wondered what it was like for you. But I never knew it was that bad." I said with a pang of regret. "I'm sorry if I ruined your life, all I ever wanted to do was help you." I finished with a sigh as I wondered if I had really done the best thing for her. I turned back to the road, not bearing to look at her at that moment.

"Don't be silly Brian." Treabilla said as she rushed and put her arms around me from behind and squeezed me tight as I drove the wagon. "You showed me what it was to be valued, to be my own person, I owe you more than you know for that." Treabilla put her arm around Jealile and put her head between both of us as we rolled along. "It was at your wedding, as you were talking about leaving for Kincaid that I decided to tag along." Treabilla said and paused. "I love you both so much." Treabilla squeezed us tight and kissed us both on the cheek. "I knew that I had to get out or I would go mad." Treabilla laughed heartily.

"So we're to blame are we?" Jealile laughed as she stroked Treabilla's cheek with a smile.

"Don't give yourself too much credit! The choice was mine!" Treabilla laughed again. "However, I knew that we would not get past the city gates with me proudly sitting with you." Treabilla laughed and I shared a laugh as I pictured the scene and found the humour in it. "I was about to sneak out of the city when this one." Treabilla said, pointing to Shelea. "Caught up with me and made a general nuisance of herself until I agreed to take her along with me. Positively blackmailed me she did! Threatened to get the nearest Guard unless I agreed to let her tag along!" Treabilla said with a light scowl in Shelea's direction. However with the innocent façade the young companion put forth you could not be angry with her for long. "And here we are all together at last our merry Band of Misfits!" Treabilla laughed and we all joined her. 

We merrily rolled along for some time yet. Content in our 'Band of Misfits' the day wore on and the scenery changed little. It was a pleasant boredom as we rode on and on in that delightfully wonderful, idyllic scene. However the day drew long and road tiresomely wore on our jostled bodies in that wagon. We turned the corner in a long tree covered stretch of road and saw the end of the trees like a bright light. In that light we saw a town up ahead. It was a most welcome sight to our weary bones and I wanted to rush towards it and a good nights rest at the local Inn. 

"Pull over!" Jealile shouted in a panic. 

"Why?" I asked concerned and a bit confused but did as she ordered anyways. 

"Guards up ahead." Jealile said as she pointed out two shadowy figures lingering just inside the darkness of the trees. As I looked longer and longer I could see the armor and helmets that was the telltale sign of The Guards. 

"No doubt looking for me." Treabilla said as she spied up the road at the Guards. 

"What should we do?" I asked out loud to nobody in particular. "If we keep calm, we'll be alright." I said and prepared to get moving again. 

"Best not, they might recognize us." Jealile said while still pondering. "We were seen leaving Teroncia as three people, now we are five. Besides they may recognize Treabilla." Jealile finished with concern. 

"Simple, tell you what. Shelea and I will sneak into town another way and meet the rest of you at the Inn later." Treabilla said as she motioned to Shelea to get out of the wagon.

"Will you be alright?" I asked concerned for her safety.

"We'll be fine, I'm used to getting in and out of places undetected." Treabilla said with a proud smile.

A moment later they had disappeared into the darkness of the woods as silently as they had appeared earlier that day. After waiting a moment, we started moving again and leisurely rolled toward the town and the Guards before it. My heart was pounding as we approached the pair, even though I had done nothing to suffer their wrath. I was uncomfortable at their sight, for I had been on the wrong side of The Guards for too long for my comfort.

"Good evening." The taller, Guard said, as she shrewdly looked the wagon and us over. 

"Good evening." I nodded respectfully to the Guard on my side as the other Guard started to look through some of the stuff we were carrying. Lifting chests and packages and the like to see what was under them, rather then what was in them. 

"How has the road been? Have you had much trouble?" The Guard asked while looking me in the eye, observing my whole demeanor at once. 

"No, a pleasant ride in the country." I responded with a warm smile. "Nice day for it too." I added, trying to keep the discussion pleasant. 

"Where are you heading with all this?" The Guard asked, as she looked the load over once. 

"We are moving to the far side of the island." I replied plainly. "Kind of exciting really." I added with a smile trying to hide my nervousness. 

"Well, you might want to cover that up better. Most likely it will attract bandits." The Guard added while pointing to the load that the other Guard was still looking through. 

"Bandits?" I asked curiously and a bit disbelievingly.

"Yes, we're on the lookout for two of them in that are in the area. Nothing to concern yourself with, we'll catch them soon enough." The Guard replied confidently as she smiled back at me. "Move along, it'll be dark before long. Best hold up here for the night. Don't want to travel after dark with bandits in the area." The Guard replied authoritatively and stood back from the wagon and we moved along.

The town was a small one, only a few streets and a collection of buildings huddled together. The overall shape of the town was a square one and you could see clearly defined borders to it. All of the outer lying town buildings had flat roofs. Once again it had an open feel to the place but yet you could see that an eye to defense had influenced the town layout. While it did not have a solid wall around it, the outermost buildings were close together and you could almost jump from one to the other. 

The Inn was in the centre of town somewhere along the main street. As we rode further into the town the buildings became more spread out and less tightly packed. Inside the town was quaint and charming, just what you would expect a country town to be like. It was not simply a smaller version of Teroncia, but you could see similar influences throughout the small town. 

The innkeeper was not at all upset at helping us unload and stow the wagon. With the ample help of his family and other locals the job was done in no time. After about an hour our stuff was stowed in one of the two rooms we had rented for the night. We were settled at one of the tables in the tavern downstairs enjoying our dinner when the mood turned tense. 

The door opened up and in strode two black-cloaked figures one taller than the other. The three of us recognized the pair of them as the missing members of our 'Band of Misfits' Yeoline was about to welcome them to come over when Jealile and I stopped her at the same time. Silently we nodded in the direction of a group of Guards a few tables over. They were in there after a long shift I guessed, and had started drinking a little but still it was not good to tempt fate. 

We watched the pair of black figures escorted up the stairs and out of sight. Moments later they were back down and sitting quietly in a corner talking to themselves and having their own dinner. All of us wanted to go over and talk to them but we didn't for fear of attracting unwanted attention to them. It was good enough for the moment to know that they were safe and enjoying a fine meal by the fire.

The evening progressed fine and for the most part we had enjoyed our meals and was relaxing with a drink to unwind from the day. The wine was good, the atmosphere friendly (for the most part) and lively too. Even the Guards at the table near us were in a good mood and enjoyed a spirited conversation of their own. I started to relax and let my Guard down, thinking we were safe and there was nothing to worry about. I could see no suspicious characters lurking in the corners waiting to do me in. No bringers of doom or other equally unwelcome guests had arrived and I welcomed a quiet evening. 

However, out of the corner of my eye I noticed a man taking an unusual amount of interest in our table. I did not look at him directly but I could see that he was looking us over and trying hard to remember something. It was as if he was looking at something or someone that he should know and was trying to remember. After a drawn out moment of this, he got up and came over to our table, he was a bit tipsy at this point but he was not drunk. 




Brian's Adventures Ch. 11



"Do I know you?" Said the short, stout, brown haired man as he neared our table. 

"I don't think so good sir." I said as dismissively as politely as possible. 

At the moment I just wanted to sit and finish my drink, then get out of sight for the evening. The last thing I wanted was trouble from some half-drunk gent who mistook me for someone who recently wronged him. I returned to the conversation with the ladies and paid him no more mind but he did not leave as I had hoped. 

"I do know you." He said, only partially convinced about it himself, "But not really, I know of you." He continued as he started to think things over and tried even harder to remember than before.

"I don't think so. If you don't mind we're trying to have a quiet drink." I said trying to dismiss him once more, but again he did not move.

"I saw you." He started and stopped for a moment. "I saw you at the church?" He said doubting his own words and took a moment to think of the odd words that had come out of his mouth. "YES!" He shouted with the excitement of remembering what he had been trying to remember. "I remember you now!" He said aloud with confidence. "Hey everyone! This here is that crazy bugger that married only one wife the other day!" He announced to the whole Inn with the excitement and pride of remembering what he had so desperately tried to. 

"You're daft!" Said the said one of the barmaids. 

"That was just a rumor!" One of the other barmaids, called back.

"No, no tis true, I swear! I saw it with my own eye!" The man now put his drink down and stood up straight. "This fellow here is that Outsider that washed up on the north shore a spell ago." He paused as the Inn folk gathered around our table. 

"I heard about that, I thought it was just ale-talk." Said the youngest barmaid. 

"They whipped him and let him go but The Church didn't like the thought of an unmarried man running around the island so they hastily arranged a marriage for him." The man said with confidence, talking to the crowd and not talking to us anymore.

"Really? You don't say!" Said one of the old women patrons. "Is that true dear? Is that really you?" She said as she put her hand on my shoulder and asked politely. 

"That is the short version, but basically yes." I said as I smiled at the lady and then the crowd that had gathered, completely surrounding our table. "You left out however that this lovely woman here is the woman I love, whom I am most fortunate to call my wife." I said as I stroked the back of Jealile and the crowd hushed and looked at her with reverence. 

"Who's this one then?" The man who caused all this commotion asked as he pointed to Yeoline. "One of your other wives?" He said as he tried valiantly to look down the ample cleavage of an unsuspecting Yeoline. 

"No, we are engaged. I wanted to marry her as well but the Reverend Kenvessa wouldn't hear of allowing me to marry more than one wife." I explained politely as I rubbed Yeoline's shoulder and smiled at her. 

"You mean to tell me that you married only one woman?" A middle-aged woman said with disgust and distain in her voice. "Are you queer or something?" She asked looking down her nose at me. 

"No! Like I said, Reverend Kenvessa only wanted me to be married so I wouldn't upset the 'natural balance of Tania'. He didn't like making an allowance for me and would only let me marry one woman. Because as you know being married to one woman or eight would still serve his purpose!" I finished a little perturbed at her accusation. 

"It's still unnatural!" The old woman snapped. 

"Just not right!" Said another patron.

"Can a fellow stay faithful to one woman?" One of the men around the table asked curiously as he scratched his head and pondered what struck him as a bizarre concept. 

"If he loves her enough, yes. And I do love Jealile very much." I said as I leaned in and gave Jealile a kiss and the crowd smiled at this show of genuine affection. "But rest assured, I will be at the next Harvest Festival and select my other seven wives. Then we'll be just like everyone else." I said to the old woman who had snapped at me. 

"Not soon enough if you ask me. All those unhappy woman out there and this one here hogging you all to herself, it's not right!" The old woman grumbled. "Isn't it dearie?" She said in a conciliatory tone as she put her hand on Yeoline's shoulder looking her in the eye as she said it.

"It's alright." Yeoline said as she smiled bravely at me and took my hand. "I know Brian loves me and would marry me if he could. But as he said, it wasn't possible. We must wait for the Harvest Festival to make things right." Yeoline said with a positive beat and squeezed my hand and smiled at me again.

"You're a brave lass." She said in the same 'understanding' tone. "I know what it's like to be so close to what you want and yet so far." The old woman said and Yeoline opened her mouth as if to speak but no words came out; I could see a tear threatening to escape from her left eye. 

"I heard he was a powerful Lord from a distant land! I heard that they gave him an Estate to appease him!" One man said to another a little louder then he needed to. 

"That's not true! I'm no Lord!" I asserted to the crowd but it fell on deaf ears.

"A Lord! An Estate Master Lord! My word! Right here in our midst!" The Innkeeper shouted and now it was as if some fool had knocked open a bee's nest.

There was a great deal of commotion and the crowd thickened in moments and from where we sat I could not see the edge of the crowd. The throng of people pushing and shoving around us looked impassable and I resigned myself to remaining where we were for the moment. The only consolation I could see about all of this activity was that Treabilla and Shelea could be easily overlooked. At first I simply thought that the buzz was just more people being fetched to see the 'Estate Master Lord'. At first I tried to deny everything but nobody would hear my words so I gave up after a moment. 

After a bit the buzz quieted down to a dull roar and the Innkeeper fought his way to the front of the crowd directly across from where we sat. By now the Jealile and Yeoline had moved closer to me and one was on either side of me. The Innkeeper stood and seemed to be a buzz with energy but tried to contain himself as best he could. Beside him stood two of the younger Barmaids that helped run the Inn. 

They were both pretty young lasses, one had long blonde hair with blue eyes and an impressive chest-line. The other was a brunette and had hazel eyes and a slightly more modest but equally lovely set of breasts. Both were tall and slender and had the mature figures of a woman and filled out their barmaid uniforms quite delightfully. The blonde was making eyes at me in the most comely way. The brunette stood there politely and smiled pleasantly at me but did not come on as strong as the blonde. 

"Well, M'Lord." The Innkeeper started and seemed a little flustered and looked down, not daring to look me in the eyes at the moment as he spoke. "I hate to intrude sir, but rarely do we have a man of your station in our humble Inn. I know you have other things to attend to and I hate to intrude mind you." The Innkeeper said and paused, tripping over his own thoughts for a brief moment. "The Harvest Festival is coming up and you did say that you have some other wives to select. This will be my Daughters' first Harvest Festival." He said while pointing to the Barmaids at his side. "This is Revealia he said pointing to the blonde who waved and smiled wider at me. "And this is Carmelica." He said pointing to the Brunette who nodded and smiled pleasantly at me. 

"I don't mean to be rude sir, but the Harvest Festival is months away." I replied politely but still flustered at having him bring his Daughters out for me to look over like this. This felt like being given a sneak peek at the latest cattle before the next auction, so you could pick the one you like; it seemed a little odd. 

"I know sir, and I don't mean to intrude but as you can understand, I only want the best for my daughters you see. A man of your station would clearly give them the best lives possible, won't you at least let me introduce them to you sir?" The Innkeeper asked, now looking a little hurt. 

"Can you believe this?" I whispered to Jealile in disbelief of the actions of the Innkeeper.

"It may seem odd, but it is customary and commonplace. Even more so when the upper-class comes through town." Jealile whispered back. "The polite thing to do is simply look them over and promise nothing. 

"Seems strange, but if you think it's best." I replied in a whisper to Jealile before turning back to the Innkeeper. "Very well. Introduce them, but I can't promise you anything you understand." I said politely and looked over at the young ladies standing near him. "The Harvest Festival is a long way away and there is much to do before then, you understand." I replied and smiled at the young lasses in question. 

"Thank you sir, and I appreciate your indulgence once more." The Innkeeper said with a slight bow. "Well, Carmelica over here is as smart as a whip, real good head for business she has! Helps me keep this place running and could easily run the show herself if I dare let her!" The Innkeeper chuckled. 

"A dare sight better than you Father!" Carmelica laughed and her Father joined her as she reached over and extended her hand. I shook it firmly "Pleased to meet you M'Lord." She finished pleasantly; again she remained polite and reserved with a touch of warmth.

"She seems bright and could be useful, might want to keep her in mind." Jealile said with a smirk and a chuckle. 

"You're enjoying this aren't you?" I smirked back at Jealile. 

"Well, it is my first time to be on this side of the Harvest Festival! After being on the other side three times, can you blame me?" Jealile chuckled and rested her hand on my arm. 

"Just don't get carried away, remember who is doing the selecting here!" I playfully warned with a smirk of my own.

"Yes dear." Jealile replied with a condescending tone and peck on the cheek. "Next." She plainly said to the Innkeeper who nodded.

"Revealia is a wonderful cook and can keep a home in great order without breaking a sweat! A fine wife around the house she will make to be sure Sir." The Innkeeper said as he pointed to the Blonde. 

"Pleased to make your acquaintance good Sir." Revealia said as she bent over with an attempted cover of shaking my hand. The trouble is she bent over so far and so close to me that I could see straight down her dress, clear to her bellybutton. Her large and lovely breasts nearly fell out of her dress, she bent so low to 'shake my hand'. On any other occasion it would be a most splendid and welcome sight but in such a crowd it did not seem the thing to do to ogle her 'attributes'. 

"Hey sister, he's already got a pair of those!" Yeoline said, more than a little perturbed as she thrust her chest out as far as she could thereby making her already large breasts look even more monstrous! 

"Bitch!" Revealia shot back as quietly as she could and quicker then she could get a hold of her tongue. 

"Revealia!" The Innkeeper scolded.

"Yeoline!" I scolded at exactly the same time. 

"Sorry Father." Revealia growled an excuse for an apology. "No doubt she stuffs her shirt." She grumbled under her breath hoping that no one other that Carmelica would hear. 

Not many people heard it but Yeoline did and was not to be outdone by Revealia. In a flash Yeoline pulled down the top of her dress and revealed the breasts in question for all to see. There was a hushed shock that overtook the crowd, and a collective gasp was all that was heard. 

"Does it look like I stuff my shirt?" Yeoline hissed at Revealia her eyes shot daggers at the woman. 

"These are all natural too honey!" Revealia snapped back as she pulled the top of her dress down to expose her breasts as well. 

Carmelica just rolled her eyes at the display of female flesh and was obviously disgusted by her sister's behavior. The Innkeeper was beside himself with shock and anger at his daughter. I admit that I took an ever so brief moment to look over the display of the most feminine of flesh before me. After all, four very lovely breasts were on display for me and how many times can you say that has happened? 

"Ladies, that's quite enough!" I said in my best authoritative voice. 

"Cover yourself up you daft girl!" Jealile hissed with disgust as she pulled Yeoline's dress back up over her breasts. 

With that the Innkeeper snarled his disgust at his daughter and took her by the arm and roughly led her away. Revealia sputtered her protest and defense of her actions as she pulled her dress back up. In a moment they disappeared into the crowd, Carmelica with them shaking her head in detached disbelief. 

"Safe to say, She's out!" Jealile said with a perturbed tone with the hint of a smirk.

"Yes, as lovely as she is, Yeoline might kill her before long." I replied with a playful smirk.

"Might!" Yeoline grumbled her quiet warning. 

That was the beginning of the 'Parade of Potentials' as I call it. In short all of the eligible local women were brought forth before me and introduced in a similar fashion. It was a quite a distinguished line of lovely women of all shapes, sizes and descriptions who were brought before me one or two at a time. Some older, mostly it was the younger ones, some with a few extra pounds around the middle, some with not enough meat on their bones. 

I lost count somewhere above twenty women that came before me hoping to catch my eye. I found it hard to believe that each and every one of these women wanted to marry me even having never spoken a word to me before today. While I enjoyed the parade as much as any man would enjoy seeing a line of beautiful women brought before him. However it never quite settled well with me and I felt I wanted to know a woman before marrying her. I knew nothing about these women save a few lines about them before they were whisked away. I made my mind up that I wanted to know the women I selected much better than this. It was then that I started to make a list in my head of the women I knew and liked enough to marry.

Jealile was enjoying herself, eyeing up each woman that came before us telling me the ones she liked. Somewhere along the way she picked up some paper and ink and was writing down the names of the lasses we liked. She seemed to have a good and objective eye for the lasses that came before us and could pick out their hidden qualities. I didn't want to say anything to her at the time but I had no intention of using the list she was making for any marital selections. As with all good and fun things, it must come to an end sooner or later. 

"What Estate did you say is yours?" Asked one tall red headed beauty as she shook my hand, greeting me with a lovely smile. 

"I didn't actually, but Kincaid is mine. We are on our way there now as a matter of fact." I said proudly and cheerfully. 

The pale faces of the crowd along with the collective gasp of horror killed the jovial mood in a flash. The faces of the crowed turned from horror to confusion and it took but a moment for someone to ask what was on the minds of the people gathered.

"What kind of a Lord are you? Don't you know that place is cursed?" Asked the same old woman that had spoke to me before. 

"Well, I never said I was a Lord! Somebody else said that! As for the 'Curse', I know that bad times have fallen on the Estate and there have been some suspicious happenings. Let me tell you however that we are not scared away from such superstitious nonsense! We will go to Kincaid and we will set things right! You'll see." I replied with indignation and firm belief in our journey.

"You mad fool! You're all a bunch of mad fools!" The old woman shook her head in disbelief and I could see in her face that she genuinely thought that we were lunatics. 

The crowd quickly dispersed, whispering to themselves and steeling glances in our direction. A hushed condemning air fell over the Inn and before long we felt the need to retire to our rooms to escape it. We had not been in our room before long before Treabilla and Shelea had joined us. 

"Enjoy your show M'Lord?" Treabilla snickered as she tried to contain herself as she closed the door behind Shelea and herself.

"I think you should select the second one." Shelea said in her best attempt to keep a straight face.

"You do, do you!" Yeoline shot back with a chuckled growl. "Not a bit jealous are you?" Yeoline teased back with a chuckle of her own as she cupped her breasts in her hands. 

"Jealous! I'd look silly with breasts that big!" Shelea laughed as she put her hands on her hips thrusting her chest out as best as she could. "Besides, I think my breasts are fine for my size." Shelea said as she examined her breasts for a moment. 

"Just as well if you ask me." Treabilla said with a pat on Shelea's back. "You'd probably fall over too much with boobs that big." Treabilla laughed and stole a look at Yeoline. 

"She's just not woman enough to handle them." Yeoline said as she proudly thrust her breasts out as far as she could. 

"As delightful a conversation as this is, how are we going to get out of here together?" I said with an unimpressed sigh as I shook my head in the direction of all the ladies. 

"Same as before I suspect. We'll sneak out before dawn and meet you down the road a spell." Treabilla said motioning to Shelea. 

"Sounds good to me, but what if the Guards catch you, how will we know if you are caught?" I asked not sure if I liked this plan. "I don't want to go too far without missing you! Why don't we just leave together tomorrow, what does it matter if we're leaving?" I said not wanting to split up the group yet again.

"That is too risky!" Treabilla argued shaking her head. "Tell you what. Up the road about a mile or so there is a small creek that crosses the road. A clearing is to the left just on the other side of the bridge that crosses it, meet us there. With any luck we will stop you before you get there." Treabilla said as confidently as she could. 

"Well, that sounds sensible to me." Jealile added her approval and soon the other ladies also agreed and I went along with it, trusting their better judgment.

Treabilla, Shelea and Yeoline retired to their rooms and we all agreed to get some rest for the journey ahead. Jealile and I snuggled into our bed in our private room to get some rest and while we were tired, we were not too tired if you get my meaning. 

"Tell me dear, was there any lasses in particular that struck your fancy tonight?" Jealile said as she snuggled up to me and rested her head on my chest. 

Her leg was draped over my leg and she lightly rubbed her foot along my calf. She lightly played with my chest hairs and traced circles here and there around my upper body. Her eyes darted everywhere as she waited for my response. 

"There were a few lovely lasses to be sure but to be honest dear, I don't know a thing about any of them! How can I be expected to want to marry someone that I know nothing about?" I replied as I started to caress her back and kissed her forehead. 

"Not even Revealia?" Jealile asked teasingly. 

"Not even Revealia." I replied and chuckled as I squeezed her tighter. 

"You married me before you knew me very well, what's the difference?" Jealile asked me with a curious yet playful look. 

"My dear Jealile, I thought you knew that I married you because I love you! I may have not known you that well, but I felt a connection to you and loved you. It was not because you fucked me the first time you saw me!" I replied now a little put off that my wife had doubted my reason for marrying her.

"I knew that silly, but it still is nice to hear from time to time my sweet!" Jealile said as she moved up and kissed me on the lips quite nicely and leisurely. "You say the nicest things to a wife you know." Purred Jealile contently as she kissed me again.




Brian's Adventures Ch. 11



We kissed and caressed each other and rolled around in the bed like the newlyweds we were. Our hands were all over each other as we kissed and fondled each other. Even though my experience with Jealile was fairly extensive at this point it was still as exciting as the first time. My skin still tingled where her skin touched mine. Her breasts felt lovely as they pressed hard against my chest while we kissed and heaved with passion. Her breasts felt tantalizing and tempting as I felt the heat from her chest against me. 

I started to kiss my way down her body to her breasts. Rather I lifted her body up as I wanted to kiss lower down. I was on my back and Jealile was straddling me. She had scooted up higher and higher up my chest and I felt the heat and moisture of her pussy high on the centre of my chest. I was enjoying the delight of kissing and caressing Jealile's breasts as much as she was enjoying my attention to her breasts. 

We were so wrapped up in our own private world of pleasure and mutual satisfaction that we noticed little else that night. In truth when you are pleasuring your wife, do you notice much besides her? I think not and so was the case for us and we were just getting warmed up to what we hoped would be a long session of lovemaking. 

I can't pinpoint the exact moment when the sensations first started at my cock or when I first noticed a warm wet sensation engulfing it. At first I paid it no mind and dismissed it as Jealile simply had impaled her pussy with my cock. However it took a little longer then expected to realize that this was in error. I could still feel her heated pussy leaking Jealile's appreciation of my affection given to her breasts. 

"Oh baby, I don't know you're doing it but that's fantastic!" I said as I licked my tongue across Jealile's erect right nipple. 

"Doing what honey?" Jealile asked a little confused, as in truth she was just standing there enjoying my work. 

"Whatever you're doing to my cock dear." I said just before I sucked on my wife's left nipple.

"That's not me dear. I don't know . . . WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?" Jealile asked as she bounced off of me and knelt beside me in one quick motion. 

In a flash I saw a completely nude Yeoline kneeling across the bed enough so that her head reached my crotch. She had the base of my cock in one hand and she supported her weight with her other hand. Her cheeks were hollowed out as she sucked hard on my cock and her head bobbed up and down on my cock hard and fast. Clearly she was oblivious to what was going on and lost in her own world that had shrunk down to her mouth and my cock. Yeoline's eyes were closed as she bobbed her head up and down on my cock, giving me the best blowjob she had given me thusfar!

"Yeoline stop that!" Jealile sternly shouted as she watched her friend eagerly continue to suck my cock.

"What's your problem?" Yeoline growled with a frowning face as she now started to pump her fist up and down on my cock as she talked. 

"What's my problem? You shouldn't be here and you know it!" Jealile snapped as she watched Yeoline resume her cocksucking efforts while Jealile talked.

"You're not going to start that 'married crap' now are you? It's been a hard week on me and I need this as much as you do, more even." Yeoline said as she jacked me off while she spoke as before. 

"Oh let her stay." I moaned out in my lust-filled state as Yeoline once more continued to bob her head up and down on my cock. 

"You're thinking with the wrong head!" Jealile snapped at me "Do the pair of you want to get killed!" Jealile glared at both of us. 

"Don't tell me you would turn us in? How could you be that much of a selfish BITCH!" Yeoline growled and then flamboyantly started to suck my cock, making a good show of it and let me assure you it was quite a show. 

"Don't you get it! It's not me! I have no control over it! If anyone catches you in here having sex with a married man, the pair of you will be tried by the Church and then killed in public. I won't have the chance to press charges or not!" Jealile said with conviction and concern as Yeoline reluctantly let my cock slip out of her mouth. 

"It's not fair!" Yeoline said with frustration and aggravation as she pumped her fist up and down on my cock mindlessly. "You mean to tell me that for the next few months you get to go to bed with him every night and I don't!" Yeoline spat at Jealile with the pain and aggravation that she felt. 

"That's not fair Yeo!" Jealile shot back in defense.

"You get to fuck him silly every chance you get and I have to sit back and do nothing! Real fair!" Yeoline huffed and bobbed her head once more on my shaft. 

"I'm only thinking of you Yeo!" Jealile said with the compassion she felt for her friend.

"You get to have him all to yourself just like you wanted and you won't share him with me! Not even in private! How is that thinking of me?" Yeoline said now in tears as she lightly sobbed and stroked my cock. 

"We'll find some time for you to be with him! As soon as it is safe you will share our bed I swear it Yeoline." Jealile said as she stroked her friends hair out of her face and Yeoline looked up into Jealile's face and searched that face for any hint of deception. 

"Really?" Yeoline questioned, half-believing the sincerity of her friend. 

"Really Yeoline. But you must leave now before someone notices you." Jealile smiled at Yeoline warmly.

"Alright, just let me kiss it goodbye first." Yeoline said just before she bobbed her head down on my cock one last time. 

I was, as you could guess on the edge of cuming from the fantastic blowjob that Yeoline had given me. Not to mention the start and stop action along with the sporadic handjob that I was given as well added to my excitement. So when her lips touched the bottom of my shaft one last time I lost my control.

"Ooooooohhhh yeeeeaaah!!" I moaned as cum erupted down the throat of Yeoline and I moaned as I watched her swallow time and again. Knowing that each time she swallowed more and more of my cum was traveling down to her stomach. 

"Please let me stay, I just want to hold him tonight." Yeoline pleaded as she let my now softening cock go and sat up to face Jealile. "I'll be good I swear!" Yeoline finished with the most urgent of pleading looks.

"No, it's too dangerous. They'll not believe that nothing happened and kill both of you anyways!" Jealile said as she hugged her friend. As I saw the two nude women I loved embrace I felt a stirring in my loins. "As soon as it is safe, I will let you share our bed, you must believe that." Jealile said as she held Yeoline by the shoulders a foot away from her body. 

"A lot of good that does me tonight!" Yeoline said as she stood up and tossed her dress on and fled the room in a flash. A moment later I heard a nearby door open and close. 

"Did you enjoy that?" Jealile said as she looked back at me still kneeling where she had embraced Yeoline.

"Immensely!" I replied cheekily. 

"But she doesn't blow you better than I do, does she?" Jealile asked with a curious smile expecting only one answer. 

"To be honest dear wife I can't quite remember the way you suck my cock." I said and did my best to hold a serious look but my cheek showed through I fear, for a smirk spread to a smile across her face.

"Well then my dear husband, I shall have to refresh your memory." Jealile said as she slowly, deliberately and without losing eye contact lowered her lips to my now rock hard cock. 

As her lips slid down my shaft that first time I heard a nearby door open and close. As Jealile brought her lips back up my shaft I heard another nearby door open and then close. Still Jealile did not lose eye contact as she proceeded to lick, suck and nibble, bite and stroke my cock for the next longest while. In short she did every trick in the book that a woman can do to a cock and even invented a few new ones. I almost felt my insides being sucked out near the end of it as she worked her way to a grand finish. She sucked hard and bobbed her head at a blinding pace as she tried to push me over the top. Needless to say that it did not take much of this treatment to do just that. 

"Oooooohhh Hooonneeeyy you're the best! You're the queen! The cocksucking queen!" I moaned as I blew my second load of the evening down a woman's throat, my wife's throat at that. When the last of my cum had shot down her throat she lifted her head and looked me dead in the eye with fire. 

"Don't you dare go soft!" Jealile ordered as she moved up and positioned her pussy over my cock and with no fanfare whatsoever dropped herself hard on my cock. In less then a second she was sitting square on me with my cock buried in her as far as it could go. Her head dropped back and then rolled round the side to the front. "That's what the queen needed let me assure you!" Jealile said with an almost happy drunken smile on her face that turned to a wicked grin. She moved up drawing more and more of my cock out of her pussy before slamming down again. 

It was heaven to watch her bounce up and down me as quickly as she pleased. Her breasts looked fantastically exciting as she forcefully bounced and fucked herself on my cock. Soon enough I wanted to take a more active role and without missing a thrust I turned her over and had her on her back. Before she knew what was happening she was under me and I was the one doing the thrusting. After a few quick thrusts into her in the normal manner of fucking I picked up her legs and tossed them over my shoulders. Now I could slam hard and fast into her and get deeper then before. 

"YESS!! YEESSS Baby fuck me! Fuck me Brian Fuck me!!" Jealile hoarsely moaned between deep gasping breaths as the bed creaked something awful under my powerful thrusts. 

And so it continued our contented copulating for exactly how long a spell I can't tell. I had cum twice that night so I could control myself longer than I could usually. But you see that sex was especially hot and urgent. I fucked her that way for a while before turning her over and mounting her like a dog would mount his bitch. I ravaged her this way for quite a while and I can't count the number of times that Jealile came. All I remember is pounding shamelessly away into the hot, wet and oh so tight pussy of my wife. But eventually as you can guess it, I came in a roar and shot my load deep into her pussy before collapsing on her. As we cuddled up in that after glow we drifted to sleep happy to have each other. 

We slept well and deeply, tired from the day's events and the evening's festivities. Morning would come soon enough to be sure and another day that would bring us ever closer to Kincaid. For the moment I was happy to hold Jealile and be on our way toward the place that I could call my home. I wanted more than ever to get to Kincaid, raise a family and live a normal life. Whatever that meant on this strange and beautiful island of Tania I didn't know at the moment, but I wanted to find out. For now it was just a dream that I dreamt that night as I held my beloved Jealile, my wife, my love, my companion.



Brian's Adventures Ch. 12



Chapter Twelve: Rialtige

The next morning came all too soon if you ask me. I was quite content to hold Jealile late into the morning but yet we knew that we had to get moving. The day would not wait for anyone and the road was calling us ever onward towards Kincaid. The sun was up and climbing ever higher by the time we were ready for the road. As you can imagine it takes some time to hitch the wagon, load it, and then arrange the equipment, supplies and personal stuff in it just so. Of course we had to have breakfast and tend to the minor things that all of us need to attend to before hitting the road. 

I was tying down the last strap to conceal the contents of the wagon better. I had purchased a piece of canvas from one of the local merchants and had stretched it over the back of the wagon. Its purpose was to keep the elements out as well as keeping prying eyes out as the Guard had suggested. At the front of the wagon just behind the driver's bench I had arranged a few chests in a sort of bench of their own. I left just enough room for your feet, so it made a nice little spot up front where we could all sit in comfort near each other. 

Had I known that we would have had this many people with us I would have arranged more suitable transportation. That coach was looking better than ever now. But alas that would have made at least four horses, one wagon and one coach. One for luggage and one for people! Hardly practical and this would have to do, never the less nobody seemed to complain much about the transportation. 

About this time I noticed coming towards us a familiar face that I recognized from the night before, so I smiled and waved hello. It was one of the Innkeepers daughters, Revealia as a mater of fact. She was speeding toward us at that moment and did not wave back at me or responded to my greeting at all. Following shortly after her was a man dressed in an all black robe and black hat. Revealia's face was red and I could see that she was angry about something. The man behind her looked slightly disinterested and didn't appear to like being roused to trouble this early in the day. 

"There they are!" Revealia snorted as she got near to us. "There are the adulterers!" She shouted so the whole street could hear as she pointed to Yeoline and myself. 

"What on earth are you talking about?" I replied indignantly with a look to match, pretending not to know what she was talking about.

"I know what happened last night! I'm not stupid you know!" Revealia hissed as she drew too close to my face. 

"Are you sure about that?" Yeoline shot in with glaring eyes.

"I know sex when I hear it!" Revealia snapped, glaring at Yeoline then back at me. "Admit it! You couldn't remain faithful to your one wife could you?" Revealia said with gritted teeth as she glared at me. 

"Calm down my child, there is an orderly way to handle this." The black robed man said at last. "I am Reverend Petroliech and I am here to settle accusations of adultery between the two of you." The Reverend said slowly and deliberately. "Tell me, what happened last night my child, what did you see?" The Reverend finished and pointed to Revealia. 

"I'll tell ya plain enough! He had . . . relations with her?" Revealia said pointing to Yeoline and myself once more. 

"Relations? Please be more specific my child." The Reverend said calmly, now appearing more interested in the whole business that he had been dragged into.

"Sexual Relations!" Revealia said in a hushed tone. 

"Is this true?" The Reverend asked me with a raised eyebrow and a distasteful look on his face as he spoke to me. 

"Absolutely not!" I replied indignantly. 

"Are you sure my son?" Reverend Petroliech asked, taking greater interest as he slightly glared at me. "Don't compound your sins by lying about it!" The Reverend said with his greatest tone of doom and warning. "I ask you again my son, did you have sexual relations with this woman?" The Reverend finished with a forgiving look that expected my forthcoming confession as he pointed to Yeoline.

"No, No, No, No, No, No, No!" I repeated with the force of my conviction pounding my fist on the cart to punctuate each word. I hoped that I didn't have to deny my relations with Yeoline, as it didn't seem right to deny the expression of love for someone so dear. We were ambushed as a manner of speaking and caught unawares. I only hoped that she would understand, the looks that she gave me at the time told me so. 

"Admit it! You did her last night didn't you?" Revealia spat at me with hatred. "I did not have sexual relations with that woman!" I said loudly pointing at Yeoline with a finger that looked dangerously close to accusatory. 

"I know what I heard! I know what I saw!" Revealia snarled an inch away from Yeoline's face as the four breasts that were proudly on display last night were mashed together now.

"Tell me my child, what exactly did you see and hear last night?" The Reverend asked Revealia calmly. 

"Well." She said in a calmer tone and backed away from Yeoline. "Late last night, I saw that one go into their room and shortly thereafter heard sounds of 'sexual relations' happening in there! It didn't take much to figure out what was happening!" Revealia said sounding proud with herself looking down her nose at Yeoline and myself.

"Is that all?" The Reverend asked with a raised eyebrow of doubt.

"What do you mean is that all? That's enough isn't it? I heard them have sex!" Revealia snarled at the Reverend. 

"What I mean my child is, did you SEE them having sex? Do you have any evidence?" The Reverend asked curiously and patiently waited for an answer. Revealia sputtered a bit for a moment, muttering to herself flashing evil glances at all three of us.

"What about that stain!" Revealia said at long last pointing to a stain on Yeoline's dress. It was a small circular stain on the upper bodice of the blue dress over the right breast. 

"What stain?" Yeoline snorted, not knowing what Revealia was talking about.

"This stain!" Revealia spat as she lifted up Yeoline's entire right breast! 

Dress, breast and all were held up for the examination of everyone with the stain at the top as Revealia held Yeoline's breast with both hands. In her frustration and rage she didn't think just to point to it or lift the fabric to indicate the stain. Instead she grabbed the whole fleshy mound and lifted it for inspection. For a comical moment Revealia stood there with Yeoline's right breast held high. Nobody knew just what to say or even to laugh or not. 

"That's breakfast you idiot!" Yeoline snapped as she grabbed her breast out of Revealia's clutches. "You could have just pointed you MORON!" Yeoline growled as she straightened her dress. 

The Reverend dutifully walked over and examined the stain quite thoroughly and for a drawn out short while. I could not tell if he was examining the stain all this while or simply where it was located. I know that I myself would find it hard to focus on a stain were I so close to so lovely a breast. After his examination was finished and the Reverend stood back up straight; only the slightest of smirk could be seen on his face.

"I do agree, that looks more egg-ish then suspicious. Nothing of consequence here." The Reverend said then turned to leave, but not before speaking to Yeoline once more. "Do try to eat more carefully in the future, my child." The Reverend said and started to leave, much to the obvious protest of Revealia.

"Yes Reverend." Yeoline said respectfully. 

"What!" Revealia shouted as she grabbed the Reverend's arm. "You're letting them get away with it?" Revealia snarled at the Reverend who stopped in his tracks and glared at her.

"By your testimony and evidence we could convict every man whose child has run to him for comfort due to a storm at night! You have not offered one bit of proof!" Said the Reverend in the most scolding and scathing of calm tones. 

The rest of us snickered under our breaths, at this development and reveled in the snarling, defeated and red face of Revealia. The woman stormed away and disappeared into the Inn sputtering all the way, warning of her revenge that surely would come. The three of us simply finished packing and decided to make a hasty exit out of town. For some reason it seemed we had worn out our welcome and we did not want to press things further.

However after we left the outskirts of town we looked to the sides of the road for any sign of our companions. It was the longest mile I remember in my life as we scoured both sides of that tree-lined road for any movement. We would slow down now and then when some movement that could have been a person caught our eye. However, as we rode further and further down that road we grew more agitated and our nerves more strained. The longer we rode down that road the louder our fears in our minds became. 

As the bridge drew closer we all were greatly concerned. If things had gone as planned we knew that we should have met up with them by this point. Yeoline was the most concerned out of all of us, looking more intently at both sides and becoming more agitated as the ride wore on. As we pulled into the clearing that we were supposed to meet them I arranged the wagon in such a manner that we could take off in a hurry. 

"I don't like it." I said as I stepped down out of the wagon and looked around. 

"You're not the only one." Jealile said as she hopped out of the wagon after me and walked a few paces into the woods. 

"They should've been here by now! We should have run into them along the road!" Yeoline said now quite distressed and worried. 

"They'll be here!" Jealile said as she emerged out of the woods. 

"Something's wrong!" Yeoline said in a near panic.

"They just got delayed." Jealile said as she embraced Yeoline in an effort to calm her but it was little use.

"Something's happened to them, I just know it!" Yeoline said as her eyes got wet and Jealile held her tighter.

"I knew it was a mistake to split up." I grumbled as Yeoline's dark mood started to seep under my skin. 

"Don't you start!" Jealile warned flashing a stern look at me.

"Fine." I replied curtly. 

I paced back and forth for a few moments while Jealile and Yeoline sat holding each other and we all waited. Time ticked by slowly and the strain of doing nothing while our friends were out there somewhere wore heavy on us. After a near eternity of waiting and almost going near insane from the strain of inactivity, I broke. 

"We're going back for them." I said sternly as I jumped up into the wagon and grabbed the reigns. 

"That's stupid! We're supposed to meet them here!" Jealile said as she rushed to my side and held my hands still. "We'll pass them by on the way back more then likely!" Jealile replied just as sternly and then calmed her tone down. "Then we'll be spending all day looking for each other and get nowhere." Jealile said as she looked in my eyes deeply. "I'm worried about them as much as you are, but we must stay here." She finished and watched me calm down, as I looked her over. 

"Fine, you two stay here and wait for them, I'll sneak back and see if I can find them." I said calmly yet firmly. "Yeoline's right, they left before us and they should have been here by now. We can't all go back, you're right about that. Someone must go back and find them. No doubt, they need our help, we can't just leave them behind." I argued and watched as Jealile's face slowly warmed to my way of thinking as I spoke. 

However, I should have known my dear wife better, for now she grabbed her sword that was stored with the equipment. She had taken a few paces away from the wagon by the time that I had jumped down and caught up with her. 

"What are you doing?" I asked knowing, but not liking the answer.

"You're right, we need to find them but only one of us needs to go." Jealile said with a determined glare. 

"You're not going anywhere." I warned. "It's too dangerous!" I snapped and held her arm and my eyes pleaded with her to reconsider. 

"I am a well trained ex-guard, skilled in stealth, scouting and other arts of combat. You my dear husband are a Farmer and a Sailor, but a Fighter of my equal you are not, though I love you just the same. I love you dearly my husband but you will not get past me into those woods!" Jealile said with the firm, determined look that I already knew well. I knew that this was not a time to cross her. "I do not want have to find you and save you as well as Treabilla and Shelea" Jealile said calmer and more tenderly, like a woman who loved me as much as I loved her. I could see that she wanted to spare me from harm as much as I wanted to spare her from harm. "Please, stow your ego and watch the wagon." Jealile said as she gave me a kiss and turned to leave. 

"Sweetheart! Aren't you forgetting something?" I asked with a smirk as she turned back to look at me in a nice brown and white dress while holding her drawn sword in her hand.

"I don't have time for this! What is it?" Jealile said impatiently as she paused only momentarily to talk to me. 

"Wouldn't it be better if you weren't in a dress?" I asked with a broad smile looking her up and down. 

I couldn't help it; it seemed so odd to see a woman in a dress with a sword drawn, ready for battle. She looked dainty, womanly and charming and yet at the same time menacing, and somehow foolish. So as I smiled at her, I couldn't help myself. It started as a light snicker that wouldn't be hidden no matter how hard I tried and grew from there. That snicker was contagious it seamed as Yeoline also started to snicker and chuckle. Soon enough all three of us had burst into laughter as even Jealile had to admit that she looked foolish.

"Bloody hell! Give me a decent change of clothes!" Jealile said in an angry chuckle as she stuck her sword in the ground and rushed to the wagon. 

Her rummaging had not started long when noises could be heard far off and approaching fast. Leaves crunching, twigs breaking, branches swishing back into place could be heard getting louder and nearer. It was coming from the other side of the road and whatever it was, whoever it was did not bother with stealth. Jealile stopped searching for pants and grabbed her sword and stood her ground firmly. Yeoline drew her sword and stood beside Jealile and both women sternly examined the forest for any revealing sign. 

The noises were closer than ever now and I pulled out the bow and a quiver of arrows from the wagon. I had not shot a bow in ages, not since the few times my Father took me hunting back home. I was not going to stand by and let the ladies fight for me! For better or worse I readied an arrow, drew back and aimed in the direction of the moving noise. 

Now the noises were closer than ever and a few shadowy figures could be seen running through the woods at great speed. At first it was hard to tell much about them, other then they were not animals and they were in a hurry. A few tense seconds passed by and the figures came more and more into view; I could now count three people running. The two figures in front had cloaks flying behind them, the last one did not but they were all running hard. The lead figure was taller then the others and had a slight lead on the back two who were smaller and could not keep up. The lead figure kept looking back behind them, not out of fear but worry. 

"Hurry up! We're almost there!" Said the lead figure over her shoulder in a very familiar voice that I couldn't quite place. "Move it you two?" The lead figure spoke again and this time I knew it was Treabilla. 

"Treabilla?" I asked shocked and curious.

"Treabilla!" The ladies shouted and once we lowered our weapons, only slightly. 

Treabilla came bursting into view with Shelea soon after her also in a great hurry. Hot on her heels was a young man not much older or taller than Shelea. He looked thin and lean, wiry and nimble. His blonde hair was short and messed up, in short he looked scruffy. His clothes were a little on the shabby side but not rags, clearly he looked like he had seen better days. His eyes were blue and wide with fear as he saw Jealile, Yeoline and myself armed and pointing weapons at him. 

"Get in the wagon! We've got to get out of here quick!" Treabilla shouted to us as she crossed the road not letting up her speed. 

"What happened?" I asked concerned, not at all liking neither surprises like this nor unwanted guests. 

"Who's he?" Jealile asked pointing at the young man with her sword who had stopped at the other edge of the road, not wanting to cross it. He had good reason for two swords and one arrow was at that moment aimed at his heart with deadly intentions.

"He's a friend! I'll explain on the way! Now lets move!" Treabilla shouted impatiently, she was now up in the wagon and had the reigns in her hands. "Get in!" She shouted as the wagon started to slowly move. 

We didn't need to be told again and in a mad dash we all hopped up into the wagon as it picked up speed. As the last of us scrambled into the wagon, it picked up even more speed. The wagon lurched forward as Treabilla cracked the reigns again demanding more and more speed from the horses. Just then the horses broke into a full gallop, running as fast as they could. Hooves thundered and dust clouds filled the air as that poor wagon hurtled down the road far too fast for my liking. 

This was supposed to be an uneventful trip to Kincaid not a mad dash away from unknown danger in fear of our lives. I stewed as I sat in the back of the wagon while Treabilla drove the horses like a madwoman. In the hurried rush to get away from who knows what; Treabilla, Yeoline and Shelea ended up front leaving Jealile and myself with the scruffy looking stranger in the back. 

On more then a few turns I was tempted to simply push him out; I didn't know him or why he was here. It would have been simpler to have him 'fall' out of the wagon on some wild turn, but alas it was not me. I trusted Treabilla's judgment or rather I said I did and she had not steered me wrong as yet. I had no reason to mistrust her or question her loyalty, so if she said he was a friend then that should be the end of it.

However I wanted questions answered and was growing increasingly impatient to have them answered. We were on a seemingly increasingly perilous journey and had no room for odd strangers. With dangers all around us I didn't like the idea of inviting peril into our midst; it seamed a foolish idea. 

From the way Treabilla was driving I could see that I was not the only one afraid for my life. Shelea had a firm grasp on the wagon and was not letting go for anything. Yeoline had clutched Treabilla tight from the moment she got in the wagon and had not let her grip up yet. I was certain that a close and tight grip like that would have hampered Treabilla's ability to drive the wagon but she didn't complain. Jealile and I held onto each other as well as the wagon through the twists and turns, bumps and jostles. On one or two occasions I even pulled the stranger back into the wagon, though I don't know why. It would have been the perfect opportunity to rid ourselves of the unwanted passenger. I suppose that my curiosity and decency got the better of me.

After the horses had run for quite a while, they could not run anymore and dropped back to a trot and then to a walk. No matter what Treabilla did they wouldn't run, they couldn't run; she kept them walking and did not press them anymore that day. 

We had covered a good deal of ground by now and found ourselves in open country again. As the breeze of the warm day wafted over us we relaxed breathed a bit easier. As the serene surroundings abounded us, I hoped that finally I could get some of the answers I wanted.

"Do you mind telling us what that was all about?" I asked Treabilla who seemed to need a moment to catch her breath and calm down from the excitement.




Brian's Adventures Ch. 12



"Well, Shelea and I were making our way out of town by the most direct route possible. We had woken up a little later than I had hoped, but made the best of it anyways." Treabilla said and took a breath to steady her nerves, Yeoline still held her and stroked the far side of Treabilla's torso in support. "We were going slowly, crossing from one building to the next, one at a time. I would go first and then check to see if it was clear and signal Shelea to go. It was going fine until we reached the outskirts of town. We were near the outer buildings and could see past them to the wooded glen beyond." Treabilla said and paused. 

"So far, so good, what went wrong?" I asked curiously with a disdainful glance to the scruffy stranger.

"I had crossed over the last road and was pressed up against one of the outer buildings and was about to signal Shelea to cross when around the corner comes a Guard. Dumb luck tripped us up, that's all, dumb luck!" Treabilla cursed to herself. 

"Then what?" Jealile prodded; we were all curious to know how it turned out to be the mess that it did.

"She asked me what I was doing and I told her that I couldn't sleep and was out for an early morning stroll." Treabilla started to explain. "I got the idea that she fancied me, so I played her up a bit. It was the only thing I could do, I was hoping to simply sweet talk my way past her." Treabilla explained.

"You heartbreaker you." I teased with my voice full of cheek. 

"I didn't have much choice! I didn't want to assault her, that would have created too much of a scene and there would be hell to pay when she woke up!" Treabilla said and tossed a light scowl in the direction of Shelea who winced at this and looked sheepish for the moment.

"Where was Shelea in all this? Was she discovered as well?" I asked curiously.

"No and I wasn't worried about her because I told her that if anything should happen to me, she was to meet up with you guys, inform you of what happened and wait for me." Treabilla said and another disapproving look was tossed in the direction of Shelea, and another sheepish look was given in return. 

"That's sensible, so what happened?" I asked curious to know the nature of these scowls.

"Well, I had talked my way into the Guard's home, apparently she lived in that house with a few other Guards. The others were on duty and were not due back for an hour or so. I decided to play her up as best as I could, see what useful information I could get from her and when possible, slip away." Treabilla finished plainly. "It wasn't the first time I had to do this little routine and it always worked for me in the past." She finished with a proud look.

"Sounds good, what happened?" Jealile asked with a curious lilt.

"They did!" Treabilla pointed to Shelea and the scruffy stranger. 

"Okay Shelea, tell us your version of events." I asked now more curious then ever to find out why we had to leave in such a hurry. 

"Well like she said, everything was fine until she got caught. I stayed still, just like she told me to. When I saw her go inside the house with that Guard I panicked! I know she told me to leave her there but I just couldn't!" Shelea started to explain, a little excitable at this point. "I tried but I just couldn't leave her there to who knows what end? I didn't want to abandon a friend like that!" Shelea said and tossed a miffed look back at Treabilla. 

"You weren't abandoning me! I told you I could take care of myself! I was doing fine until you showed up and made a mess of it!" Treabilla exploded with frustration. 

"Slow down, I want to hear what she has to say!" I said and indicated for Shelea to continue. 

"I made my way toward the Inn to see if you were outside yet, but I saw that you were occupied with a mess of your own. So I waited until later to get your attention, but when I returned you were gone! I tried to look natural and walked plainly but unnoticeably as I tried to think of what to do. I had not gone far, only a few blocks over. As I neared the house where Treabilla was I ran into Rialtige here." Shelea said and motioned to the scruffy stranger sitting next to me. 

He extended his hand and I shook it firmly and greeted him politely. At that point everyone introduced themselves and shook hands with him, afterward Shelea got back to her story. 

"I was still trying to figure out how to help Treabilla and was lost in my own thoughts and I literally bumped into him!" Shelea laughed. "We got to talking and he noticed that I was upset and asked if he could help. He seemed nice enough and everything, so I told him about Treabilla. He said he could help but just wanted transportation out of town in return. I was so worried about Treabilla so I agreed to take him as far as the next town." Shelea said and then looked directly at me. "I didn't know what else to do. Are you mad at me?" She asked me tentatively. 

"You did what you thought was best dear. After all we are passing through the next town anyways so no harm was done." Jealile said to Shelea but it was more for my benefit then Shelea's. Jealile had cut me off and I begrudgingly saw her point of view and stowed my chosen words for the moment.

"She's right, you did what you thought was best and were only trying to help a friend in need." I said with a warm smile. "Continue your story, what happened next?" I prodded gently.

"Well, some time had passed since Treabilla had gone inside when we got back to the house she was in." Shelea began. "This was the point that I let Rialtige take the lead." Shelea finished and looked at Rialtige expecting him to take over explaining the story. 

"Well, like the young lady said, I was minding my own business, making my own way out of town when she ran into me. She was quite worried about her friend, and not being one to leave a lass in distress, I offered to help out. Truth be told I didn't really know what I was getting myself into when I made that deal but a deal's a deal I always say." He started to say and had a sort of lyrical quality to his voice. He spoke in almost an even tempo that seemed to be second nature to him but would be hard to imitate. "When we arrived at the house in question I looked inside and saw two women inside. From where I stood they were . . . um . . . 'getting acquainted' if you get my meaning sir." He said the last part to me carefully and quietly. 

"I see." I said with a smirk to Treabilla, knowing full well what he was talking about. 

"I am not one to judge about such things. Tis none of my business as far as I'm concerned, but I was told this was a rescue and rescue the lass I would!" Rialtige said with firmly and warmly. "As I looked in the building I saw that Treabilla was kneeling on the floor in front of the Guard she was 'entertaining'. The Guard in question was enjoying the 'efforts' of Treabilla and didn't notice much else." Rialtige said delicately and continued. "I snuck inside the door unnoticed, but as they were 'otherwise occupied' this was not a difficult task. The Guard had a firm grasp of Treabilla's hair and would not let go without a fight I could tell. Simplest thing I could figure was a good whack on the noggin, not fancy but effective. So with the aid of a helmet I found just inside the door I gave her a good clonk on the head and she was out. However, Treabilla was so engrossed in her . . . er. . work that she hadn't notice me either." Rialtige said with a chuckle. 

"Scared the shit out of me he did!" Treabilla said sounding still a bit miffed about the whole thing. "One minute I was taking care of things, quite handily I might add." Treabilla started but was cut off.

"Looked that way to me." Rialtige interrupted but got a glare from Treabilla.

"One minute I was about to bring her off mightily, then as she was recovering I was going to slip out." Treabilla said and sighed heavily. "But when this one knocked her out he scared me so I screamed before I could stop myself." Treabilla said through gritted teeth; clearly the distance and time had not softened her feelings of the events. "That's when Shelea bursts in one hurried burst of words brings up to date. I almost didn't fully understand what she said, as she was in such a panicked muddle." Treabilla said with a light chuckle and a shake of her head. "I balled her out for a moment before realizing that we had to get out because the Guards were due to arrive in a few moments! Not to mention that my scream would bring unwanted attention. In short we didn't want to be around to greet anyone who would come to investigate. After that we rushed out of town as quietly and quickly as we could, but once we were a distance away we ran as hard as we could." Treabilla finished with bit of a snort. "As near as I can figure, she would have been discovered or woke up about the time we met back up with you." Treabilla said with a reflective look. 

"No wonder you were all in such a hurry!" I chuckled lightly as I now understood the events that took place, or at least most of them. "What I don't understand is why you were trying to leave town in such a hurry?" I asked Rialtige as is gave him a curious look. "Do you mind telling us your story? Don't you have a family looking for you?" I asked expectantly and waited to hear what he had to say. 

It seemed odd to find a young man wandering, looking as a beggar in a land that had so few men and prided them so much. In a land where a man was near nobility simply because of the rarity of being a man I found it odd to find one wandering about. He did not look much older than Shelea, and in my way of thinking he should be at home learning the family business or something of the like. If he was a wanted criminal, that was the last thing we needed on this trip. If we were to leave him by the side of the road I wanted to know sooner rather than later.

"Well now, that's a good and fair question and I don't mind answering it, provided you fine people tell me your story after." Rialtige asked with a raised eyebrow expecting a response so I nodded affirmatively at him. "I can already see that you're reasonable and honorable sort so I'll take you at your word. I am Rialtige as you know and I bet you're wondering what a young man like myself is doing in such a condition." Rialtige started out and paused to focus our attention on him.

"The thought did cross our minds considering most men your age are apprenticing somewhere or doing something worthwhile." Jealile asked curiously with the hint of a smirk. 

"Aye that they are indeed, and so should I but for one problem." He paused with a sigh and stole a quick glance down Jealile's dress "I haven't found anything that appeals to me rightly yet but I am looking." Rialtige paused and sighed.

"What about the family business? Won't your Father expect you to carry that on?" Jealile asked the question curious that we were all wondering at that moment.

"He would like me to, but rest assured that is well in hand with my brothers." Rialtige started out. "You see, I'm the third son of a Treefarmer, we've been farming these trees for generations. My oldest Brother practically runs the business now, giving Father time for other pursuits. My other Brother had started his own Treefarm a few years back so there was little left for me when my turn came to start my Treefarm. When it became clear that all I would get is an axe and some good advice I got to thinking. I said to myself that if I was going to have to start from scratch, why shouldn't it be doing something I liked? I don't know what that is just yet, but I know it isn't Treefarming! There's got to be something better out there then that. I don't know what I want yet, but I know I want something more." Rialtige said and fell silent, leaving us to ponder his words. 

I for one found his story all too familiar. I too knew well what it was like to leave your perfectly good home and go in search of something better. He may have looked a little scruffy around the edges but I could see now that it was just the road worn look. I might have looked the same when I entered the great city back in England in search of my unknown future. It seemed strange to feel something in common with someone on this island so far from my home. Even though I knew very little about him, it didn't seem right to toss him to the side of the road, it would have been like tossing myself out. 

"The last question I have is why were you in such a hurry to leave town Rialtige?" Jealile asked with curious intent.

"Oh that. Well, things have not been as well as they could be." He said shamefacedly. "Well, a man still has to eat you understand." He said in a way that told us that he was not proud of what he had done.

"So you stole a meal did you?" I replied in an understanding tone. Back in England, I had to do that once or twice, not something you like to do but something you do when you have no other choice.

"In a manner of speaking yes." He admitted regretfully. "I may have had a word or two with the Innkeeper's daughter. I ran into her late last night and she was going on and on about that Estate Master Lord fellow and so I offered a sympathetic ear and she fed me a fine meal." Rialtige said carefully and somewhat sheepishly.

"Hardly worth running from town over." Jealile said with a doubtful look that we all shared.

"Well, I may have embellished the truth a little bit. Thrown in a few interesting 'tales' to keep her interest up and the food coming." Rialtige said even more sheepishly. "I didn't see the harm, I mean he would have been gone by morning and all. I get a meal, she gets a few stories to her liking, what's the harm?"

"So we have you to thank for that 'warm sendoff' this morning?" Yeoline said with a stern look of disapproval.

"What? . . . You? . . . You're a Lord?" Rialtige said to me with astonishment and disbelief that almost made him fall out of the wagon.

"I never said I was a Lord!" I growled back. "Someone else said that!" I growled lighter and fell silent.

"So all that 'Estate' stuff was just talk. Trying to get a better room were you?" Rialtige asked in a conspiratory tone adding in an understanding chuckle of his own. 

"No, that part was true. For better or worse we are going to Kincaid. I have been awarded it, though now I feel I know why, nobody else was fool enough to take it!" I lamented with a look to match.

"Is that the Estate that claimed the lives of two of its Masters and sent all others running for their lives?" Rialtige asked with curious intent of his own.

"Yes, and the Guards have been ordered to stay out of the whole quad so we will get no help from anyone to claim it." Jealile said with regret equal to my own and the group fell silent. 

For a moment nobody said anything, everyone was pondering the words that were said and all the new information they learned. The breeze brought a calming, sweet scent on the air; the birds flew overhead chirping and singing, dancing in the air for us. It was another day that we enjoyed the calm ride in beautiful country and I was enjoying the calm when it was broken once more. 

"We've got our work cut out for us haven't we?" Rialtige said with a whistle breaking the silence.

"We?" I said with surprise "What we? I don't remember inviting you along for the ride? The last thing we need is another passenger!" I replied not too pleased and a tad bit condescending I would have to say looking back now. 

"Of course we, my good sir. That is if you will be kind enough to accept my offer." Rialtige said with a raise of his eyebrow to elicit interest. 

"And what offer is that?" I asked a little dryly and not quite amused at this point. 

"What I propose my good sir is a trade of services if you will; plain and true and on the level. I will come with you to Kincaid and help you any way that I can. In return you help me get set up in my chosen profession when the time comes." Rialtige said in his most persuasive manner. 

"What kind of help? What chosen profession?" I asked, again wanting details before I would agree to anything. 

"That's a good and fair question, and I shall answer it fair and true. You are going to a place that you have not seen and claim it from people who may not want to give it up right? When you do claim what rightfully is yours you have no idea what condition the place will be in do you?" Rialtige paused. He posed the curious questions that I had asked myself but I had never come to a satisfactory answer on my own.

"True enough, go on." I conceded, a little more interested in what he had to say now.

"I mean you may walk into a place that is tip top, pristine condition, or you may find a real mess of troubles! If it is the former, you'll be set, good to go but I suspect you could always use and extra pair of hands to get things rolling. If it is the latter, then you will really need a man of my skills to lend a hand." Rialtige said and sat up proudly smiling to himself, waiting for the next question that had to be asked.

"And just what 'skills' are those?" I asked, curious to know the answer. 

"I am a scrounger, a scavenger, a dealmaker if you will. I can get you anything, anywhere! I have a way of finding things, most useful things to be sure when setting an Estate back on its feet again. Now I know what you're thinking and it isn't true, all of my deals are on the up and up, strictly above board! But as we know, desperate times call for desperate measures and in such times things can appear if you are willing not to ask too many questions. To tell you truthfully I hate it when such things happen but one does what one must in times of peril." Rialtige finished with a thoughtful look and the hint of a smile. 

"Fair enough, but what are these 'skills' going to cost me. Bear in mind that we go not to raid Kincaid nor are we going to split up the spoils, Kincaid and its' contents are mine and will remain so!" I said sternly trying to look unmovable on this issue. 

"Without question good sir. That was the furthest thing from my mind. All I ask for is no more help than you would give a good friend who had seen you through perilous times. I don't know exactly what I want to do as yet, but I shall have to know soon enough, after all I only have until the Harvest Festival after this next one to get my affairs in order! I can't marry anyone into poverty! I want my wives to be happy and well looked after, not rich mind you, but not dirt poor!" Rialtige finished and extended his hand to shake mine and seal the deal. 

"It sounds like a fair deal to me. What do the rest of you think?" I said to the group in general, now inviting their opinions. 

"It sounds like a sensible arrangement, provided you understand that we will have to look after our own first, you can't expect us to go beyond our means to help you." Jealile said cautiously, yet wore an approving smile. "But no matter how things work out, you can count on us to help you any way we can. After all, what are friends for?" Jealile smiled warmly. 

"Fair and true M'lady. Surely you get my meaning then." Rialtige said with a warm smile and patted Jealile on the back in a friendly gesture. In return she slapped him back on his shoulder and smiled back at him. 

"I have one question for you Rialtige that I need answered before I will give you my blessing to join our merry group." Treabilla asked cautiously and almost daringly. 

"Then by all means M'lady, ask your question and I shall answer it." Rialtige said with a merry and contagious smile.

"Why do you wish to join us so readily? There must be a multitude of ways that a man of your skills can advance yourself without taking such a risk?" Treabilla asked and at once we recognized an important and until now overlooked question. Her point was valid and I curiously waited for the answer to the important question.




Brian's Adventures Ch. 12



"A good question, and one that I myself would want to have answered if I were in your shoes." Rialtige said and leaned in as if to be in great thought, a reflective pose he struck for the moment. "As it happens I am between worthwhile endeavors at the moment, so that is one reason but not the main one. I'm sure that if I knock about long enough something of interest will cross my path; that much I am sure of. The most intriguing thing about the quest that you fine people are on is I suppose the simplest reason of all." Rialtige said and paused for a moment to let everything sink in and hold us in mild suspense. "Adventure!" He said with a sparkle in his eye. "Plainly put it all sounds quite exciting to me!" He finished with a glimmer in his eye and seemed genuine in his enthusiasm. 

I wondered if he had ever had his head on the executioner's block, would see things as romantic and grand now. I couldn't really fault him though, I mean compared to life back on the farm, this was quite exciting indeed. I'm sure that life on the Treefarm was much the same way, same routine day after day. It can get to you after a while. I only hoped that his enthusiasm would not land us into trouble before the end of things.

"Hardly a wise reason but a truthful one, I'll give you that." Treabilla laughed and smiled at him. "You may not be quiet right in the head, but if that be true, you're in good company." Treabilla laughed and the rest of us joined in enjoying the festive mood of the moment. 

"I can't see us turning away another with an adventurer's heart." Shelea said with a warm and coy smile at Rialtige who smiled warmly back at her. It was then that Jealile and I knew that we would have to keep an eye on those two from then on, for their own good.

"Well, he may be an odd fellow who likes the sound of his own voice too much but I say he'll prove useful. Even if he is a little touched in the head." Yeoline said with a smirk and a shake of her head.

"I don't know whether to be offended by that last remark or to thank you for your unusual compliment. However, in the interest of peace and goodwill, I shall thank you kind lady." Rialtige said with a chuckle of his own. "Never let it be said that I take myself too seriously, nor lack in a sense of humor." Rialtige said with a laugh that died as he turned to talk to me once more. "And you good sir, what say you now that you have heard from your companions? Do we have a deal or don't we?" Rialtige asked with the seriousness of a merchant about to make a deal as he extended his hand to me.

"Yes we do have a deal." I said as I firmly shook his hand. 

"Welcome to the Band of Misfits Rialtige" Jealile laughed as she shook his shoulder.

"Band of Misfits is it?" Rialtige asked curiously. "Don't take offense my friends but that name does somehow seem fitting." Rialtige said with warm laughter. 

The rest of the journey that day seemed a little more of a friendly chat between friends as we rolled along. We all swapped stories and tales one and all and generally got better acquainted with our new friend and likewise he with us. I could see that Shelea was listening to his tales a little more closely than the rest of us. Not to mention that there was a familiar sparkle in her eye when her eyes met his and likewise he kept his eye on Shelea. I felt more like Shelea's big brother as I felt the urge to watch over her and keep her safe. Not to keep her for myself but rather to protect the two of them from their own young lusts. 

"Why are you pulling over Treabilla?" Shelea asked curiously as the wagon slowed to a stop. 

"Town up ahead, around the next bend." Treabilla said as she turned around to look back at the group. "So how we going to do this?" Treabilla asked to the group in general. "We'll meet you at the Inn again?" Treabilla finished and looked at me.

"No!" I said firmly. "Absolutely not, we travel together from here on out. For good or bad we move together." I said authoritatively. 

"What, because of one slipup? It'll go easier this time, I know it." Assured Treabilla confidently. 

"We are a group, we look out for each other and we watch each other's backs in that group! I won't split it up again and risk loosing someone again. 

"That is a most excellent policy Brian but I have another idea." Rialtige said and paused momentarily to ensure he had everyone's attention. "I could walk into town and scout it out a bit, or perhaps Shelea could come with me. You know, see what the place is like, whether it is a trap or not. I should be able to get in and out without causing any trouble. After all, they nether want me nor does my reputation precede me, and I do have a friend or two in town." Rialtige said as calmly as possible.

"Not bad, but why take Shelea with you?" I asked curiously. 

"Well, two people out for a walk are less suspicious then one man walking alone." Rialtige said calmly and then added with a smile. "Not to mention that she would be fine company." 

From the way that Shelea was beaming and generally happy about this idea, it was clear that she had her heart set on it. The rest of us didn't have a heart to refuse her this opportunity to spend time with him alone. Also it would give Rialtige a chance to prove himself to the rest of us. With the added insurance of one of our own going with him, we could limit our risk of betrayal. 

They were gone about an hour and to me it seemed a bit too long for someone to scout out the town. He did what he said he would and you have to respect that about him. It was hard waiting for them to return though. All the time they were gone my mind would wander and wonder if I had been right. Was I right to send Shelea with him? Could he truly be trusted or was he some cleaver spy sent to betray us? As my doubts were starting to get the better of me, they returned and my doubts were proven ill founded. 

"How does it look?" Treabilla asked with hurried curiosity. 

"It is a fine and quiet town and in truth little happens here. However it is, as I feared, their Summer Festival is in a few days so the Inn is booked solid. Most of the families have guests with them as well." Rialtige said and paused. "The Guards, like others in the town are far too preoccupied with the festival to worry about us, that is the good news." He finished with a positive grin about his face. 

"We shall cherish that point as we sleep under the stars tonight." I said a little sarcastically. 

"Cherish it you shall my dear friend but sleep under the stars tonight you will not. For as I said, I can find anything, anywhere and I have secured accommodations." Rialtige said with pride, standing a bit taller as he said it. "Not the best accommodations mind you, a tad drafty but at least dry, free and available." Rialtige added with an interesting wink.

"Eager to prove your worth are you?" Jealile replied with cheek. 

"And why shouldn't I be?" Rialtige smiled back. "I had better prove it soon or you good people will think me a braggart and a useless fool and rightfully toss me on my ear. And that won't do, as I am eager to see Kincaid for myself and find out how the tale ends! It shall be a grand tale to bore my Grandchildren mightily!" He said with a smile as he helped Shelea into the wagon and climbed up himself. "Come my friends, our accommodations await, modest though they may be." Rialtige finished and urged us on.


This town was laid out very similar to the town we had just left that morning. The outer buildings were more solid and square with flat roofs and built closely together. The inner buildings were as you would find any small town, quiet, quaint and beautiful. As we passed through the outer buildings of this town I noticed that large wooden doors had been built into the sides of the outer buildings. If you didn't look carefully you would miss them. Clearly they were meant to swing out and lock in place making the wall around the city complete. While it was not as strong as the solid wall that encircled Teroncia, it looked like it would take a fair army to take the town. If every town was encircled like this, I could see how it would be a formidable task to take Tania. 

We rolled up in front of this lovely, larger house not far from the centre of town, though not far from the outskirts either. It looked larger and more ornate than the other houses around it but not overly so. Cleary this was the home of one of the better off townspeople but at least they were generous enough to put us up. As we pulled up a middle-aged plump woman came out with a few young children in tow. She looked friendly and generally pleased to see us. I could tell that she was the type who enjoyed taking care of people, of playing the gracious hostess. 

"Good to see you again Rialtige you dear lad!" The woman said as she grabbed him and gave him a hug and a kiss.

"Good to see you too Brealla." Rialtige said after returning her kiss.

"I'm afraid it ain't much, but with the festival around the corner you'll find nothing better in this town sure enough. Already we have relations from out of town doubling up with my lot in the house!" Brealla said with a laugh and walked over to the stables and opened up the doors. "Put your horses there tonight." Brealla said pointing to one of the few empty stalls. "And you lot can take the hayloft." She said pointing to the roof in the direction of a ladder in the corner of the building. "Sorry I haven't more to offer you, once you get settled, come into the house for a good meal and I'll show you at least that much hospitality." Brealla said with a slightly embarrassed look.

"We're ever so grateful for you to put us up like this." Jealile said warmly as she hugged Brealla. "You've saved us from a night on the hard ground sleeping under the stars. Thank you again for your gracious hospitality." Jealile added with just the right touch of compassion and warmth. 

Even I could tell that Brealla did not like to have guests in the stables and felt it might look bad on her or something. I was about to say something similar but Jealile beat me to it, and in retrospect it probably went farther coming from one woman to another. 

The horses were then unhitched and tended to, watered fed cared for. The wagon was then stored in the main area of the stables. Minimal stores and blankets were unpacked and hauled upstairs to make a campout in the hayloft. Luckily there was ample space for everyone to spread out and have breathing room to sleep. Once that was done we decided to take Brealla up on her offer of a home cooked meal. 

Brealla and her family were a friendly and rowdy lot but all in all a pleasant crowd, but what a crowd! I didn't dare count the number of people that were in that house for my head would spin to think of it. People had to eat in shifts due to the shear numbers of them. However neither Brealla nor any of her family complained at all about the work, bother or expense of it all. She explained it as a kind of homecoming for the people of this town, a time when family could gather together and enjoy each other's company.

Once Jealile got to talking to Brealla they spent most of the evening together. Once it was revealed that Jealile was not simply my only wife but my Firstwife as well, Brealla took great interest in her. For that was something that you may have guessed about Brealla by now, she was her husband's Firstwife. 

Brealla was in charge of the household mostly because of her abilities but also her position of Firstwife put her above the other wives and children. In short, after the Master of the family, the Firstwife was in charge. That is why it is such a big deal and the selection must me made carefully. Clearly I got lucky with Jealile in so many ways, not only because she loved me, but also because each day I was learning what a remarkable woman she was. 

Brealla was excited to talk to Jealile about all things to do with marriage, children, Fellowives, and husbands. I could see that it did her good to share her wisdom with someone younger and with whom she had something in common with. They talked like a pair of old friends and by the end of it Jealile had promised to keep in touch and write often. I was happy to see Jealile fitting in with someone she had something in common with and genuinely enjoying herself. 

As for myself, I talked with the men of the house about the local trade, price of lumber, the troubles of a Treefarmer, and the upcoming Festival. I lost track of the others in our group but nobody complained about being lost in the jovial atmosphere. But as the evening wore on we gathered our band up and headed up to the stables for a good night's rest. 

We had settled into our sleeping accommodations and had prepared ourselves for a good sleep. Treabilla on one end, Yeoline next to her then Jealile and myself, and to our right was Shelea and a short distance further Rialtige. We were all tired and it didn't take long for all of us to fall asleep. 

During the night Jealile awakened me quietly by a jab in the ribs. I was about to ask her what was wrong but silently and with a single look she shushed me before I spoke. With her eyes she begged me to look over to our left, in the direction of Treabilla and Yeoline.

It was nearly pitch black but the moonlight that filtered into that hayloft offered some light to see by but not much. Rialtige and Shelea were still asleep and the loft was peaceful and nothing seemed amiss. I was about to ask why I had been woken up to see a calm loft when I noticed that Yeoline had moved. She was not where she had been when we went to sleep. She was now all snuggled up to Treabilla and the pair held each other tenderly, like husband and wife, like lovers. 

I could hear that they were talking quietly to one another, I had to strain to hear it, but I could hear what they were saying. As my eyes got used to the darkness I could make them out in greater detail. I watched two people that I knew well and cared about, relate to each other in a way that I did not expect. I knew that Treabilla had been with women obviously from her experience with The Mistress. Yeoline, as far as I knew had never touched a woman in that familiar of a way. 

I was not shocked per say but a little surprised you might say, for it was not something that I had expected from them. I could not begrudge them any happiness anymore then I would deny anyone else happiness. After all I cared for both of them and only wanted the best for them, as any friend does. It may not be a common occurrence where I came from, but on an island of mostly women perhaps this was as commonplace as Felleona had told me. I had not discussed this with Jealile as yet and now was not the time obviously for such a discussion. 

I should have rolled over, gone back to sleep and left them their tender moment in private as they had intended. It would have been the polite thing to do and I know it, but something about that scene would not let me turn away. Something inside me was mesmerized by the sight of two women that I knew well relate to each other in a new and special way. I had had sex with each of them on separate occasions, so I knew their bodies well. It was the first time I had seen them this intimate with each other however. Exactly what the irresistible draw was I don't know. It was not the right thing to do, nor was I proud of myself for doing it, but I laid there and watched them, listening to their most private of conversations.

"Have you thought about what happened last night?" Treabilla asked Yeoline softly as the two women held each other in a loving embrace.

"Yes, and I must say that it was quite incredible." Yeoline said as she started to lightly trace circles on Treabilla's chest. "Much better then I thought it would be. I had always thought of sex with a woman as gross and sick, but it wasn't like that at all." Yeoline said as her finger lightly skirted a rapidly hardening nipple.

"So you'd never done that before? That was your first time?" Treabilla asked with surprise. "I find that hard to believe because you seemed to know what you were doing. You are quite good at pleasing a woman, tell me the truth, you have bedded a woman before, right?" Treabilla asked confidently, wanting confirmation for the statement she believed to be true.

"No, not ever. The closest I came was when Jealile and I had sex with Brian once. That was quite enjoyable let me tell you! She was riding Brian and I was sitting on his face and we both were facing each other. I remember admiring her body as she bounced on his cock. She was lost in her own pleasures so I don't think she noticed anything. I lost my balance and fell forward; I reached out to her for support and my hands rested squarely on her breasts. I was intrigued and excited to have another woman's flesh in my hands. I didn't let those breasts go, I caressed them for a moment. I was curious about how they felt under my fingers; the more I touched the more I wanted to touch. She then helped me straighten up and I remember looking into her eyes for a moment and I must have lost myself because I kissed her before I could stop myself." Yeoline explained to her intimate friend whom she held tenderly.

"You never told me that." I whispered into Jealile's ear as I cuddled her even closer from behind. 

"It was a fleeting moment in a heated time of passion." Jealile whispered back. "After all I had your cock buried in my pussy at the time, besides I didn't think it meant anything." Jealile finished as she pressed her ass back against my cock. I made sure I nestle it between the crack of her ass-cheeks, just the way she liked it.

"She brushed it aside." Yeoline continued to explain. "When the kiss was over she just resumed her bouncing efforts and that was the end of it. I was left there curious and wanting to explore her body more but it was not to be that night, so I made no other moves." Yeoline said as she paused momentarily. "But I have thought about that moment from time to time since them." 

"You fancy her don't you?" Treabilla asked as she traced patterns on Yeoline's arm. "Admit it love, it's okay. I'm not mad, I'm sure she'd make an excellent lover and she does have such a lovely body." Treabilla said with a curious smile and a sparkle in her eye.

"I've known her for such a long time and I would hate to mess it up by pressing her into something she was not ready for." Yeoline paused, hoping that was enough of an answer.

"But you fancy her don't you?" Treabilla said as her caressing reached Yeoline's breast.

"Can you blame me? She is beautiful and so energetic when she fucks, I'd love to see what kind of a lover she would make, sure." Yeoline said as she now openly tweaked one of Treabilla's nipples.

"You have a some fans I see." I whispered as I started to rub my cock against her ass as undetectably as possible. 

"I never knew." Jealile said in a hoarse whisper as she started to press back against my rubbing efforts.

"You do much more of that and there'll be a repeat of last night, is that what you want?" Treabilla warned with a playful lilt.

"I was wondering what it would take to get you going." Yeoline chuckled back with a gleam in her eye.

"All it takes is being near you my dear." Treabilla said as she took Yeoline in her arms and the two women kissed. 

I watched in awe and intrigue as they kissed and caressed each other. I had kissed each of them in times past in a similar manner as they were kissing each other now. I must admit that it was odd to watch them kiss each other that way, a romantic way. There was genuine passion and desire in that kiss as they pulled at each other, trying to draw closer to each other. By the end of it they were breathing hard yet held each other close in a passionate embrace.

"Let's get out of these cumbersome clothes sweetheart." Yeoline said with quick breaths.




Brian's Adventures Ch. 13



Chapter Thirteen: Band on the Run

I looked up into the blue eyes of the cloaked figure that hovered over me and waited for her to make her move. I could see that an inner mask had been sewn into the hood of the cloak that she wore. That mask covered the upper part of the face of the young woman, hiding her identity. Her red, lips were swollen almost as if she was always puckering her lips in order to kiss someone. Those lips were pressed close together and she looked at me with beautiful eyes that should be smiling instead of glaring as they were now. I recognized the cloak and mask as that of a 'Disciple of The Mistress' as The Mistress had called them. I had not seen the rest of the outfit to confirm my suspicions but from the hood it was a safe guess.

"What does The Mistress want of me?" I whispered with the blade not moving from my throat. 

"Our Mistress wishes you to return to her care." The Disciple spoke finally. She had a sweet voice that otherwise I would love to hear for hours on end. Knowing who she was or rather who she was speaking for I didn't care for that otherwise pleasant voice. "Our Mistress has been worried about you since you've strayed from her." The Disciple said with genuine concern and a slightly hurt look on her face. 

"I care not for The Mistress, I am only going to my home and live a quiet life." I whispered as loud as I dared, hoping not to wake Jealile. I didn't want to risk her life if at all possible even though at that moment she was cuddled, up holding me in her sleep.

"Where you go, you cannot go! For what you were given was not theirs' to give. What you think you own, you do not!" The Disciple replied in a hissing whisper so close to my face that she almost kissed me. Her eyes danced all over my face as she spoke and her breathing became a little deeper as she waited for my response. 

"I only go to claim Kincaid, farm it, raise a family and live a quiet life until I die. Why does that anger The Mistress so?" I asked curiously and quietly.

"Do not interfere with things that don't concern you. Return to our Mistresses care and your past sins will be forgiven, our Mistress has told me so." The Disciple said with a warmer whisper as she stroked my hair away from my face in a tender gesture. I almost had to remind myself that this seemingly tender woman still held the blade to my throat. 

"What past sins? What does she want of me if not to go to Kincaid? I have to live somewhere. I must make a living somehow? Will she provide for my family and children?" I asked with a sarcastic snort.

"I see that you still have the gift our Mistress gave you. Serve our Mistress well and you will be rewarded with everything you deserve and desire." The Disciple said with sweetness and warmth as she openly ran her fingers through my hair in a delightful way. "Disobey our Mistress and you will find only pain and death!" She finished with a tone of warning while she pressed the blade a little harder against my throat and grabbed a clump of my hair and pulled.

"What do you want with me?" I said a little calmer and respectfully. It was so odd and strange to be scared of and aroused by this woman at the same time.

"Remain here and our Mistress will come for you shortly and let you know how to serve her." The Disciple said plainly yet sternly. "You are lucky that our Mistress has need of you. Our Mistress is gracious and is giving you this last chance to come back to her. Swear your allegiance and faithfulness to our Mistress whom you've hurt with your betrayal and all is forgiven." The Disciple said with a pained look, almost as if she felt the pain of the 'betrayal' and had to look away for a brief moment to control her emotions. 

"And if I don't?" I asked the curious question, half knowing the answer.

"You would not live a quiet day in the short life you'd have left, nor will you ever set foot on Kincaid!" The Disciple snarled and again pressed the blade harder against my throat.

"Then you leave me little choice." I said calmly, hoping to fool this one into letting me live.

"Remain and serve our Mistress well and you will live and prosper. Do not seek to steal that which does not belong to you. Do not seek to disobey our Mistress again. For as gracious and forgiving as our Mistress is, our Mistress cannot allow you to disobey her again!" The Disciple said firmly while looking deep in my eyes for a fleeting moment I thought she might kiss me. The Disciple then stood up while pointing her sword at me that had been held to my throat seconds before. 

I looked over her body and found that she was indeed a tall, beautiful woman dressed like Treabilla was when I first met her. The Disciple had a tall and slender, athletic body, whose breasts were a little on the small side. She was quite desirable and beautiful all the same, her muscles were more toned and bulged slightly more than the average woman's. Clearly she looked like a woman of action and stood proud and tall over me with that short sword that she pointed at me with ease of skill. 

The Disciple then reached into a pouch at her waist and brought out a pinch of powder and let it spill into her upturned hand. The last thing I saw was her blowing the substance in my direction, a cloud overcame me and a moment later it was morning. 

When I awoke I jumped up with a start and reached for my throat to see if it was uncut and I was relieved to find it so. I looked around to see if The Disciple was still around but of course she was not. The sun had already risen but just barely and yet the loft was well lit. Yeoline had returned to the place where she was when the group went to sleep. Everyone was asleep and at first I thought it was all a vivid dream, a nightmare of my fears. 

"Oh Heavens above!" I shouted out when my eyes fell on the dagger stuck in the floor and I started to tremble. 

All of my terror and fear that I felt but was hidden while the blade was at my throat came back to me in one fell swoop. It was not a nightmare as I had first thought, it was real, it really happened. A Disciple of The Mistress had really come to me while I slept and held a sword to my throat. I was overcome with emotion, as my eyes could not look away from that dagger that was stuck so close to my head last night. 

"What is it?" Jealile shouted as she woke up with a start while I continued to babble for a moment. I still had not gotten a hold of myself just yet and could not say anything coherent. "Get up everyone! Something's wrong!" Jealile shouted as she stood up and held me tight and tried to calm me but I still vibrated with shock and terror. 

With that, everyone started to stir and wake up each with a jolt and mild muddle of their own. After a moment I was able to calm down enough to speak. Jealile still held onto me and was greatly concerned for me and was slightly panicked herself. I guess I gave her quite a start with my antics that morning, I didn't mean to but I guess you can understand why, can't you. 

"It's alright Sweetheart." Jealile said in a soothing tone as she held my head and looked deep into my eyes. "Just tell us what's wrong." Jealile finished and released her grip on my head but still held me in her arms. 

"I was visited last night." I said with quick breaths and my heart still racing.

"What?" Jealile said in shock and the others also looked concerned. "In a dream? Were you visited by a bad dream?" Jealile said hopefully, doubting that she could have missed an intruder.

"No." I said shaking my head. "I was visited by a Disciple of The Mistress." I said as I pointed to the dagger that was still stuck in the floor.

Everyone looked at it and stepped away from it and fell silent. It was then that I noticed a piece of paper stuck to it. I knelt down and removed the paper from around the dagger and read it to myself. 

"It says, Serve Our Mistress and live." I said and then fell silent.

I then handed the paper to Jealile and after she read it, it was passed around for everyone to read. I then told them everything that The Disciple said, leaving out no detail. Everyone was silent and pondered the words for a moment before someone started the discussion. 

"But what exactly does she want with you?" Shelea asked curiously "Why did you serve her before?" She asked in confusion with distress on her face. 

"I didn't!" I snapped. 

"But she said . . ." Shelea started out but was cut off.

"The Mistress believes that everyone serves her and so her Disciples also believe." Treabilla said with an uncomfortable manner as if she was reluctantly relating a piece of news that she didn't want to admit that she knew. 

"I've heard of this Mistress character and from what I hear she's bad news. If you didn't work for her, how do you know her? What was that gift she was talking about? None of this makes any sense if you ask me." Rialtige said scratching his head with a generally perplexed look on his face. 

"When I first arrived, I was imprisoned. The Mistress came to me to get some information from me." I said curtly and fell silent. I hopped that answer would suffice and satisfy Rialtige's curiosity. 

"But what about the gift? What gift was she talking about? Was it some sort of bribe? Payment for the information she got?" Rialtige asked and Shelea was equally curious evident by the look on her face. 

"The gift is not important. The Mistress wants me to stay here and play some part in her evil plans, that's just what we are not going to do!" I said firmly and picked up the dagger and tucked it inside my boot.

"I agree with that sure enough, but what about the gift? If we are all truly members in this Band of Misfits of yours than all our lives are in peril! Nothing should be kept from each other that might be useful." Rialtige said with a frustrated sigh. "I ask you again, what was the gift she gave you and why do you not wish to talk about it?" Rialtige said now sounding a bit perturbed and his manner told me that he would not drop this line of questioning. 

I had so wanted to keep Treabilla's secret and not have her past spread out for everyone to see. I wanted it to remain under wraps for Treabilla to share it with only those she chose to reveal it to. It was her private business and not for everyone to know who demanded such information. 

"Me." Treabilla said as she walked over to the nearest hay pile and sat on it. "I was the gift." She said as she held her head in her hands. Yeoline walked over and sat down beside her and put her arms around her friend and lover in a comforting gesture. 


"Satisfied?" I said in a quietly angry tone.

"I don't understand! How can you be the gift? How can you give a person? Unless . . ." Rialtige started out and fell silent and his face was filled with shock, sorrow and compassion as he looked Treabilla over. 

"I was a Disciple of The Mistress." Treabilla said without looking up. "Brian saved me and taught me what it was to be a person again. That is what she calls the gift, she let me go, so in her eyes I was a gift!" Treabilla said with a teary voice. 

"I never knew. I knew she was bad news but I never knew she went around enslaving people!" Rialtige said as he knelt in front of Treabilla.

"That's over now." I said as I sat on the other side of Treabilla and put my arm around her. "You are free of her and are among friends who love you." I said as I calmly stroked her back. 

"But it's not over! Not entirely, I still see her in my dreams! I still bear the mark! For me it will never truly be over until she is dead!" Treabilla said with rage and vibrated as she spoke. 

"We'll get her for what she did to you and other's like you." Jealile said to Treabilla as she knelt beside Rialtige and tried to comfort her friend. 

"What mark?" Shelea asked curiously. 

I too had wanted the answer to that question, although I already guessed the answer to it. I however would have waited for a more suitable time to ask it though. Treabilla looked around at the curious faces and sighed in shame. It was clear that she didn't want to reveal this. I felt for her and tried to save her the further shame and humiliation of revealing it. 

"Perhaps you can just tell us what it looks like, you don't need to show us it dear." I said comfortingly and soothingly continued to stroke her back. She remained silent for a moment before she spoke once again.

"No, I need to show you, you all need to know what it looks like and where it is found." Treabilla said as she looked up at the group once more in a calmer tone. "The Mistress is vein and likes to mark everything that is hers clearly. That will be her undoing! For every Disciple of The Mistress bears the same mark in the same place. The trick is to see it and identify it." Treabilla finished and then raised her but up and pulled her pants down to her ankles revealing her body from the waist down. She spread her legs and pointed to the tattoo that I had seen on her that first night we were together. "There it is, that is the mark of The Mistress and every last one of her Disciple's has it in the same spot." Treabilla said and everyone leaned in to take a good look at it before Treabilla pulled her pants back up. 

"Everyone?" I asked, my face went pale as I remembered where else I had seen it.

"Every last Disciple." Treabilla reaffirmed as she looked me over and looked concerned. "What is it Brian?" Treabilla said as she now put her arm around me. 

"I've seen that before." I said, still in shock.

"We have been intimate Brian, there is little on my body you haven't seen or touched." Treabilla said with a light chuckle. It was her way of lightening the mood; I knew that but it did little to ease my mood at the moment.

"I know dear but I have seen it before on someone else." I said in the same dry, drained expression. 

"Who?" Jealile asked as she moved closer and tried to comfort me.

I sat there for a moment and tears welled up in my eyes as I thought of Felleona and our times that we shared. I cared for her and thought of her as a friend, a lover and possibly someday a wife. As I sat there I felt as if someone had run a dagger through my heart at that moment and I was unable to speak from the pain. How could she be one of The Mistresses Disciples? She was so strong in body and spirit? How could she have fallen under the spell of that evil woman? I didn't understand but the evidence was irrefutable. 

"Felleona." I said at long last, but my response was just barely audible. "I saw that mark on Felleona." I repeated a little louder but with no lighter heart, comforted spirit or drier eyes.

"Felleona! The Captain?" Jealile shouted in shock and she too was as shocked and hurt as I was.

"Captain? What Captain?" Rialtige asked now confused and not quite up to speed.

"The Captain of the Guards." Yeoline repeated who was also in a state of shock. 

"HOLD IT!" Rialtige said as he stood up and looked shocked and panicked. "Do you mean to tell me that not only does is this Mistress power-hungry, vein, likes to enslave people and mark them up. Not only that, but she now has the Captain of the Guards under her control?" Rialtige said as he understood our shock and concern. "What can stop her from taking over Tania?" He asked with a hollow voice of pain.

"We can! We must!" I said with firm conviction, as I looked into the eyes of all the people surrounding me. Each one looked me back and with equal determination nodded their agreement. 

"How are we going to do that?" Shelea asked curiously. 

"I don't know, nobody knows what she looks like or who she really is." Yeoline sighed. "Otherwise she would have been caught by now." Yeoline said and fell silent looking quite worried and frustrated.

"Before we go on, I will have no doubts as to loyalty in this Band of Misfits." I said authoritatively as I stood up. "Everyone up!" I said and we all stood up and in a circle. "We have already seen the mark on Treabilla but I will vouch for her loyalty. Everyone else must also prove that they are not Disciples in like fashion." I said as I dropped my pants to my knees revealing my unmarked thighs.

I got an odd look from the others but one by one they all followed suit and revealed their thighs and no mark was found on anyone else in the group. With a nod we covered ourselves up and sat back down to discuss what we needed to discuss. 

"With that out of the way, what do we do?" I asked to everyone in general. "There is something at Kincaid that The Mistress does not want anyone to see, that much is clear. To me that means that we need to see it more then ever! We could go there to begin our search for The Mistress and the answers we seek." I said, thinking out loud and paused to gather my thoughts. 

"I say we just go after her! Catch her first and then go to Kincaid. Kincaid will keep; this is far more important don't you think!" Treabilla said with anger and gritted teeth. 

"Agreed but we don't know where she is! Nobody does." I said back trying to calm Treabilla down so she could make constructive comments and the group fell silent in thought for a moment. 

"But we know where she's gonna be." Rialtige said with a smile on his face and one by one each of us knew what he was talking about. "How well do you know the Commander of the local Guards here Jealile?" He asked with a curious sparkle in his eye, it was clear that he had an idea. 

"I have served with her on a few occasions. I cannot say for certain but I do not believe she is a Disciple. Why do you ask?" Jealile replied curiously.

"I have an idea but we will need the Guards' help." Rialtige smiled wickedly. "Lets set a trap for her when she comes to meet with Brian." Rialtige said with an evil grin. 

"I like it, lets talk to her." Jealile said nodding to Rialtige with a conspiratory grin. 

"Bring her here alone, say nothing to her until she is here in the group." I said to Jealile with a knowing glance. 

"Me?" Jealile said with surprise.

"You said you know her, she should trust you." I said with a smile and put my hand on her shoulder. "It will be fine love. We have a real chance to catch The Mistress and we must take advantage of that." I said warmly and Jealile nodded after a moment of looking in my eyes. 

With no further discussion we waited while Jealile slipped over to the local Barracks to fetch the Commander. We waited and I paced back and forth, worried about my wife all the while she was gone. I knew that if The Mistress could control the Captain she could control more Guards as well. Officers seemed to be the natural place to start if you wanted to control the Guards and I knew that. This Commander might already be under the control of The Mistress. Talking to the Commander was a risk, but a risk we needed to take. About half and hour later Jealile returned and the Commander with her.

The woman that was with Jealile was about Jealile's height and her blonde hair was pulled back in a ponytail. She wore armour similar to what all the Guards wore, but on her armour a stylized C in gold could be seen. On her helmet there was also the same stylized C. She seemed fit and athletic as you would expect a Guard to be, even more so from a leader of women. Her green eyes shrewdly examined the room and everyone in it before moving from her spot a few paces away from the ladder. 

"Alright Jealile, you asked me here, what's this all about?" The Commander asked as she looked back at her friend who was my wife.

"We will tell you everything, but first of all we need to see your thighs." Jealile said respectfully as she swallowed hard after making the odd sounding demand. 

"What? Get serious! Tell me why you called me here this instant!" The Commander replied indignantly.

It was clear that she was in no mood for these antics and I could see that her patience was wearing thin. She looked at each of us and huffed, shaking her head and turned to leave. We were afraid of this reaction, we were prepared for it but we hoped it didn't come to this. Yeoline and I grabbed her, one from each side and held her in place. Rialtige and Shelea grabbed her feet and held them a few feet apart. Treabilla gagged her with some cloth. Jealile pulled the Commander's pants down and looked for the mark but no tattoo was found. I could see Jealile's eyes stray up to the woman's panty covered groin. Jealile even drew a shallow breath through her nose as she wavered in the direction of the Commander. A tiny wet spot on those panties started to form during Jealile's examination of the woman's lower regions. 




Brian's Adventures Ch. 13



"She's clean, no mark." Jealile said bringing herself back to reality, pulling the Commander's pants back up. 

"Bunch of Perverts!" The Commander snorted as we all let go of her and she stormed towards the ladder, looking a little flushed. 

"Have you ever heard of the Mistress of Tania?" I called out to her quickly and she stopped in her tracks then slowly turned to face me.

"You've got one minute." The Commander said with a stern face, no less insulted but at least listening.

"I'm sorry it had to be that way." I said in a calming tone as I raised my hands in a gesture of peace and calm, trying to relay our friendly intentions. "We do need to talk to you about something vitally important, about The Mistress." I finished calmly. 

"We had to be sure you weren't a Disciple." Treabilla said as she stepped forward a few steps. 

"Disciple?" The Commander asked with a confused face for clarification.

"That is what the followers of The Mistress are called." Treabilla answered respectfully. The Commander nodded and it was clear that she was at least interested. "Every Disciple is marked with a tattoo on the upper thigh, and that is what we were looking for." Treabilla said in an equally calming gesture. 

"I've never heard of this, how do you know so much?" The Commander asked with an accusatory snort.

"Because I used to be a Disciple." Treabilla said as she dropped her pants once more. "This is the tattoo we were looking for." Treabilla said as she pointed to the tattoo on her upper thigh. 

The Commander dropped to her knees and examined the tattoo in great detail for a moment. On more than one occasion I saw her gaze glance over to Treabilla's panty covered pussy. Only once did I see her lick her lips while she examined the 'tattoo'. After she was satisfied she stood up with a puzzled and flushed look on her face. She looked at each of us to see if we were joking or pulling her leg, but found only solemn faces. 

"Okay, you've got my attention, what's going on around here? I want some answers!" She said after a short pause.

We sat down and told her everything we knew about The Mistress, along with everything that had happened to us up until that point. It was a long discussion and she had a number of questions of her own which we did our best to answer. Once it was over she looked like she was lost in thought over all the news that she had just received. 

"That is quite a tale, do you have any proof?" The Commander asked as she leaned in to look at the group in general. 

"My attacker last night left this. "I said as I handed the dagger and the note that was left by the Disciple. 

The Commander looked over both items carefully and finally looked up to speak. "Forgive me, but this could be anyone's" The Commander said holding up the dagger. "As for this, anyone could have written that, one of you even." She said indicating the note. She had removed her armour during the discussion and was comfortably sitting against a pile of hay.

"Woravia, you have known Yeoline and I for some time now. You know that I would never lie to you, especially about something like this!" Jealile pleaded with her old comrade in arms. 

"But you are telling me that this old wives tale does exist and has control of the Guards! Felleona is a friend of mine! I've known her for a long time and I can't see her being controlled by anyone!" Woravia said with stern disbelief, clearly she didn't want to accept the news of her Captain and friend anymore than I did. 

"She is a close friend of mine as well, closer than anyone maybe. Perhaps she is fighting that control; perhaps she is not as much of a Disciple as she once was, I don't know. But the fact remains that she can't be trusted until we know the truth!" I said with an ardent plea. "She is a dear friend of mine, and I wish it weren't so but at the very least we must suspect her orders." I said and Woravia sighed a heavy sigh and looked at Jealile, then Yeoline and finally at myself. 

"I understand, I like it less than you do but for now, lets suppose you're right. What do propose we do?" Woravia looked suspiciously at me. 

"We know that she will be here some time in the near future to meet with me. For some reason she has need of me, but for what I don't know." I said and paused to think once more of what that could be. "We'll gather as many of your Guards as we can be certain of and set a trap for her when she contacts me." I said plainly to Woravia gauging her response.

"A good plan, it would be good to catch her, to put and end to her troubles once and for all." Woravia said and fell silent for a moment, thinking to herself. "Where did you say you were heading?" Woravia asked with curious intent.

"Kincaid, I have been awarded it and was on my way to settle it." I replied as I looked at the sparkle in Woravia's eye. 

"That's where The Rebels are! The troubles in Greatfoot are due to the rebellion of the Kincaid Quad!" Woravia said as she leaned in and she looked at the puzzled faces of the group. "Haven't you heard of the troubles of the place that you are going to?" Woravia asked everyone and paused at Jealile. 

"We've heard that the Guards were ordered out of first Kincaid and then the whole Quad but we were told no reason why." Jealile explained to Woravia with a puzzled look. "Do you know more?" Jealile asked with great interest.

"Well, we knew of some troubles in the Kincaid Estate for some time now. The Guards have been massing in Greatfoot quietly, so as not to arise suspicion, arriving in plain clothes. We were not quite ready to move in on the Quad but things have escalated when a Guard was killed. An emissary was sent to find a peaceful solution to the situation but they were killed; she was a friend of mine." Woravia said with a pained look. "After that the lockdown was called and the whole Quad was encircled and nothing has moved in or out yet. Messengers are ridding to all the barracks with desperate pleas to send all available Guards. I myself have committed myself to sending what I can." Woravia said with a heavy heart and grim look. 

"How do you know this? Could this not be a ploy of The Mistresses?" I asked Woravia curiously.

"I have heard it from the Commander of the Greatfoot detachment and the flags have also warned of trouble in Greatfoot. While I don't know her as 'intimately' as you would like, I can safely say that she is not under any control. If Felleona is controlled as you say, then it could happen to anyone." Woravia said with a heavy sigh. "It could be a ploy to lure troops away from this town for your meeting but I doubt it." Woravia said with a doubtful shake of her head.

"What do the Rebels look like?" Treabilla asked with great interest.

"I have not seen them, but I have heard that they are clad in black cloaks and little else. Nobody can see any of their faces because the top portions are covered by some kind of mask. They are skilled with a bow as well as a sword." Woravia replied and all of us fell silent and wore a grim look and sighed heavily. 

"Disciples." Treabilla replied looking at Woravia with a pained look. "If it weren't for Brian, I could be one of those Rebels! We must do something to prevent this bloodshed. They're just . . . misguided and not in control of themselves. They should not die for The Mistresses crimes! We must stop this madness!" Treabilla said with a desperate look to everyone in the group. "We must!" She asserted with conviction.

"We can't give up this opportunity to catch The Mistress." I said assuredly. "I would love to go to Greatfoot and do what we can to prevent the senseless slaughter but we must remain here! We can't be in two places at once you know!" I said in frustration and my words rang out in the empty loft as the group fell quiet for a moment. 

"Yes we can." Rialtige said with a mischievous smile. 

"What are you talking about?" I asked confused yet curious. 

"Well, I mean we plan on having Guards here to jump her anyways right? So why not have them dress up as us in the mean time? That way we could sneak out of town unnoticed and press on to Greatfoot and see how we can lend a hand sorting out the mess." Rialtige said with a proud smirk. 

"It could work, but we would need someone who could pass for me. Not to mention we would need to talk to Brealla first. After all it is an imposition on her family." I said tentatively, and looked over at Woravia and said cautiously, "It could work." 

"Don't worry about Brealla, I'll fill her in myself." Woravia said with a smile of her own.

"She seems nice and all but can she be trusted?" Jealile asked tentatively, after a brief pause. 

"Oh yeah, she's fine." Woravia replied assuredly with a dismissive smile. 

"Um . . . exactly how certain are you?" I asked as delicately as possible. 

"Well, she is my Fellowife so I can say with assurance that she is clean." Smirked Woravia as she looked at everyone. "I was wondering what was going on when you brought me to my own stables Jealile!" She chuckled heartily and the rest of us looked shocked.

"Did I forget to mention whose house this was?" Rialtige added with a smirk of his own. 

"Bless you dear Brother, you are a first class shit disturber!" Woravia laughed as she shook her head. 

"Brother!" We all shouted in shock! 

"Did I forget to mention that as well? My, my, where is my head?" Rialtige said with a look of regret and a disgusted sigh, but a badly hidden smirk was underneath it all.

"If she is your Sister, why didn't you go get her then?" Jealile huffed with disgust. 

"She wouldn't have the time of day for me with something like this, besides it's more fun this way!" Rialtige laughed and the rest of us tossed things at him for a moment before breaking into laughter ourselves.

"So what exactly is the plan then?" I asked as we all calmed down from the laughter.

With that we spent the next hour or so talking about how we could pull off this feat of being in two places at once. Many ideas were discussed and tossed around but in the end we ended up with a workable scheme. It was a bold plan and a bit complex but in the end it was the only one that we thought had a chance for success.

Brealla and her family stored our equipment in their cellar and the wagon was loaded with empty chests to look the part. All of Woravia's Guards were checked under the guise of a medical exam that Shelea gave. We got extremely lucky and only one Guard was identified. From her description I guessed that she was my attacker. She was left alone but sent to Guard one of the distant corners of town or sent out on patrol more. The other Guards were told of the plan and watched the Disciple/Guard closely. The hope was to keep the appearance that everything was normal. Once the Mistress was captured she would be arrested as well. We knew that if she didn't report positively to The Mistress, that The Mistress wouldn't come. 

Our duplicates were selected, coached and they even wore our clothes to further look the part. As for us, we were all outfitted with Guard's uniforms, weapons, armour and horses. We left town in the early hours of the next morning after an ever so brief sleep in that loft. We were part of a column of twenty Guards that left that morning for Greatfoot. 

Woravia was left with at least as many Guards and some of the townsfolk were deputized. In short twice as many Troops were under Woravia's command after we left than before we came to Greenglen. She was not going to let The Mistress get away and was looking forward to questioning her personally. The key to the whole thing was not to make it look as if anything was amiss and somehow that had to be achieved. With the extra activity of the Festival, our activities easily went unnoticed, or could easily be explained away. On the surface it looked like only a handful of Guards remained, and the town an easy target for capture. The look of a sleepy town that nothing happens in was kept up. Only the most trusted of townsfolk were checked then let in on the plan and deputized. 

Anonymity for us was key and we kept to ourselves and did little to make ourselves stick out on that long ride. We ate on the ride, eating mostly bread and water from waterskins, stopping only to let the horses rest. We rode late into the night, finally stopping when it was clear that neither the horses nor ourselves could go on that night without rest. 

It was not lost on me the irony of my wearing the uniform of a Guard. I was wearing the symbol of law and order on and island that had wanted me dead when I arrived. I chuckled to myself a few times on that ride over that point. When we rested we behaved like any other Guards would in case Disciples watched us on our ride or while at camp. The whole troop took turns at watch and we were no different. 

Jealile and I slept apart but next to each other, after all appearances had to be kept up. It was the same with Treabilla and Yeoline; they kept close to each other but also distant. We slept in and amongst the other Guards, again wanting to blend in and not be recognized. For if we were spotted anywhere outside of Greenglen the trap would fail and that we couldn't afford. There were a few stolen moments of kisses and the odd time Jealile would remark how I desirable looked in that uniform. We planned on keeping the uniform as a memento of our journey, for me to wear in a 'more intimate' setting. 

The Guards we spent time with on that trek across Tania toward Greatfoot were some great people. I remember more then a few happy moments on that ride. I grew to hate and distrust the Guards less and less on that trip. It was not right of me to harbour ill feelings toward the Guards but can you blame me? The way these people treated me when I first arrived was not right, but they were only doing their jobs, I see that now. However, from their ranks I also discovered Pellenica, Valencia, Yeoline and of course my beloved Jealile. 

Felleona I still hoped for a happy resolution to, I wanted to believe so badly that she was not a Disciple but I had no other evidence to go on. While she had not done anything outright to betray me, I could not dismiss the fact that she bore the mark of The Mistress. I hoped that there was a similar story to Treabilla's for the mark to be there but something told me that was not it. Something about Irillises conversation told me that Felleona was struggling with divided allegiances. I knew her well enough and could see her trying to walk the fine line between betraying either of her loyalties and remain neutral. Eventually she would have to choose where her loyalties truly lay. I only hoped that when that finally happened we would be on the same side. Have you ever loved someone and then had to go to war against them? It was not a pleasant thought, then or now and cannot imagine a more heart-wrenching thing to do.

The next day we pressed on as long as this first day's ride and pressed on to the next town. We were fortunate enough for the Commander of the local detachment of Guards to put us up. That night our Band of Misfits was given one of the outer buildings to ourselves so we slept in a real bed that night. There were two floors and the flat roof in each of those square buildings. At night you need to set two watches instead of one, one on the bottom floor and one on the roof to look for outside trouble. 

I should have hit the sack and got some well-needed rest, however I knew that other matters needed to be tended to. Jealile and I had already talked and decided that at the first opportunity we would take the time to talk to Treabilla and Yeoline quietly. We wanted to bring things in the open and discuss them but naturally Rialtige and Shelea didn't need to be involved in such matters. With that in mind it was decided that I would take the first watch on the roof and she would take the first watch on the first floor. Treabilla would relieve me and Yeoline would relieve her, that would give us a chance to talk to them privately and one on one. 

At the appointed time Treabilla poked her head up through the hatch in the roof as she came up. Jealile had woken up both Treabilla and Yeoline up to take the next watch. As Jealile went back downstairs with Yeoline to talk, Treabilla came up to the roof to relieve me. 

"How's it been?" Treabilla asked as she came to stand near me.

"Quiet." I nodded. "Peaceful, you can actually hear yourself think for a change." I said as I leaned on an elbow and turned to face her.

"We all need some of that." She said as she did likewise and we stood there leaning against the half wall, facing each other.

"In all this rushing about, we don't always get the chance to say what we'd like." I said with a warm smile to Treabilla and she returned my smile with a loving smile of her own.

"I know what you mean." She said as she looked out over the darkness of the open fields of a nearby Estate.

"I never got to tell you how truly glad I am that you're here with us . . . with me." I said as I looked at her and lightly brushed her shoulder while smiling warmly at her. "I wouldn't want to be on this journey without you." 

"Where is all this coming from?" Treabilla said as she looked back at me with a slightly suspicious look; I looked down and sighed before answering.

"That first night in the hayloft, Jealile and I saw Yeoline and you getting intimate." I said and waited for her to freak out or make some other outraged gesture but she didn't, she just looked at me and a smirk grew across her face.

"How much did you see?" She asked with a curious gleam in her eye.

"All of it." I said and paused to take a breath to steady myself. "And some conversation that perhaps I shouldn't have." I said and again waited for her reaction but again it was quieter then I expected.

"I knew you saw us eating each other out, by that point you guys were not too sly about what you two were up to." Treabilla said with a smirk and a wink in my direction, I slightly blushed at being caught. "I didn't know you heard us talking though." Treabilla said as she fell silent, not able to look at me.

"You have to know how much you mean to me?" I said as I moved closer to her to put my arm around her but our armour clanged and got in the way. "Damn armour!" I said as I hurriedly took it off before holding her as I had intended. "I do care for you, I never stopped caring." I said with a sigh and looked out over the field.

"Then why did you stop showing me? When I went back to my Father, you avoided me, and were colder to me when we were together. Even now on this trip you act as if nothing ever happened between us, like I mean nothing to you, what happened?" Treabilla said as she turned to me with wet eyes that begged me to help her understand.

"Treabilla, you have to understand." I started to say as I turned her to face me but her armour was bulky and got in the way of our desired closeness.

"Damn armour!" Treabilla said as she removed her armour and snuggled back into my arms.

"Treabilla, you are Lochel's Daughter! The eldest daughter of the leader of Tania! I am an Outsider? What chance do I have to be with you? I didn't want to love you and then watch you go off and marry some Councillor's son!" I said as I turned away and sighed in frustration.

"But you are not an outsider anymore, you are an Estate Master. Or so you will be soon enough. That is not a lowly position you know! I can't help the fact that you I love you Brian, but I do. If you do not return those feelings then don't be cruel and just tell me so plain enough without all these theatrics." Treabilla huffed and turned away from me once more.

"Treabilla, I do love you. Don't you know that? I never thought I was good enough for you. I didn't want to hold you back, that's all." I said with regret and shame, after all what place did I have to marry the Director's Daughter!




Brian's Adventures Ch. 13



"Not good enough?" Treabilla said with shock and a little aggravated as she turned to face me again, taking my face in her hands and holding it an inch from hers. "Tell me truthfully Brian, do you love me?" She asked with a look that told me she could not bear to hear any answer then the one she needed to hear.

"Yes Treabilla, I do love you." I truthfully told her as I looked into her grey eyes and nearly lost myself.

"And I love you Brian so let me tell you something, you are good enough to marry me!" Treabilla said as her eyes watered while looking at me with a smile of love and acceptance. "The question is Brian, do you want to marry me?" She asked with deep breaths.

"Yes, I do." I replied with heaving breaths of my own.

"Then shut up and kiss me." She said only a split second before her lips touched mine.

It was the first time we had kissed for a long time and that kiss is something that I will remember fondly all the rest of my days. She literally melted into me as her body pressed up against mine so tightly and so close. Our lips slid over each other and our tongues danced and played with each other as we kissed on that roof under the stars. Our hands roamed and explored every part of our bodies

Our hands caressed and explored each other's bodies and our hands seemed to know the way. Our fingers needed no coaching or direction of what to do or where to go. Our bodies knew the very feel and touch of the other and a connection was there like we had been lovers all our lives. I can't quite describe what it was like; other then being intimate with Treabilla was the most natural thing in the world. I was lost in the moment of holding a woman who loved me and yet shouldn't. 

Treabilla was the Eldest daughter of the Director of The Council, the King of Tania if you will. Where I come from no Kings Daughter would be seen even associating with a commoner like myself. Princesses married Princes and others of 'Noble Birth'. I had no right to even hope that we could be together as friends and yet here we were pledging our love for each other. I knew that if there was even the slightest chance for us to be together, I had to try. I knew that the Harvest Festival might be a little unbalanced when it came to the Directors Daughters. But a chance was a chance, even if it may anger the most powerful man on Tania. I hoped that his Daughter's happiness would work in our favour. 

Somehow in all this thinking and pondering, clothes started to be removed. The odd thing is that I don't remember thinking about doing any of it. I don't mean to say that I was under any kind of spell but everything about that experience just flowed so well. One thing led to another and on into another as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Nothing was forced or rushed, we seemed to know what the other was doing or about to do, an odd but wonderful experience let me tell you. Soon enough though, my shirt fell off my shoulders and fell to my feet. As you might have guessed, soon after my shirt hit the floor behind me, Treabilla's shirt hit the floor behind her.

We embraced again and skin touched skin that had been kept apart for far too long. She felt wonderful in my arms and we took a brief moment to hold each other and enjoy the newfound closeness. Passions and lusts would not be kept at bay for long however and soon enough hands started roaming again. 

I kissed her for a moment before moving the attention of my lips to her neck. Her cooing response told me that she approved of this idea and melted in my arms running her fingers through my hair. I kissed my way further down her body, kissing down past her shoulders and further south until I found my lips around her right erect nipple. She almost collapsed as I sucked on it that first time and she had to rest herself against the wall that surrounded the roof. I was in no particular hurry as I reacquainted myself with her abundant feminine assets. My fingers, lips and tongue made sure that no spot of her bosom was neglected as I did my best to please her. I even tossed in a few of the techniques that I had watched Treabilla herself use on Yeoline and that got a reaction to be sure.

"Oh I see you were watching us closely baby." Purred Treabilla as she chuckled while stroking my hair. 

"What can I say, you two put on quite a show." I responded with a mouth full of breast. 

"Tell me the truth, does she not have the sweetest tasting pussy you have ever tasted?" Treabilla said with enthusiasm as I continued to orally please her breasts. 

"No argument here! No doubt one of the most delicious pussies ever!" I said as my mouth found her left nipple. "Not sweeter than yours of course." I added assuredly.

"You say the sweetest things." Treabilla giggled giddily. 

Soon enough, my desires pulled my attention further south. I kissed my way down across her tight stomach and I soon found myself at the waistband of her pants. With a pull, tug and a wiggle the second to last fabric barrier was down around her ankles. I inhaled her excited feminine aroma and my mouth watered at the sweet fragrance. Slowly I reached up and pulled at the final fabric barrier between the source of that heavenly aroma and me. I looked upon that black haired and most private of part of Treabilla's body that she so freely shared with me now. 

It took her only a moment to step out of her clothes and boots. Now she stood there stark naked on that roof. In a moment that pussy was spread before me once more as she rested herself against the wall for support. She waited with deep breaths for my oral assault on her now quite moist womanhood. I reached up and with one hand spread her lips apart and started with a lick up that slit from the bottom to the top. A spasm shot up Treabilla's spine as my tongue brushed over her clitoris briefly. She took a sharp inhale of breath and a moan escaped her lips as my tongue thrashing began.

Now I'm not sure if it was my skilled oral talents that brought her to climax so soon or if it was other factors. Was she so excited to be with me once more? Was it the fact that we were having sex on the roof under the starry sky? Was it the fact that someone might be watching at that very moment? Whatever the reason she came and came hard not too long after I started to eat her pussy. I even had to lay her down for fear she would fall over the edge. That would have been a hard thing to explain let me tell you! I did my best to keep on eating her and pushed her through two other orgasms quickly after the first before she stopped me. 

"There's something I've wanted to do for some time now." Treabilla said with a wicked smile and deep, quick breaths. "Lay down sweetheart." Treabilla said in a husky voice as she sat up.

I quickly obliged, and soon after my pants and boots were off and laying in a pile somewhere on that roof. I saw her crawl back over to my cock and she knelt on all fours in front of it. Gingerly she reached out and grabbed it at the base and licked her lips as she positioned her head over my cock. She never took her eyes off of it as she brought her lips down and kissed the head of it. Without stopping she kept pushing her lips further and further down my shaft until her lips bottomed out. Quickly she reached out with her tongue somehow and I felt her licking at my balls with my cock buried down her throat! She lifted her lips up and off of my cock and sighed before looking up into my eyes with a reminiscent smile.

"Do you remember the first time I did this to you?" Treabilla chuckled as she started to lightly stroke my cock. 

"Vividly, it is what brought us together in a manner of speaking." I said with a chuckle of my own. 

"I just couldn't resist the feel or taste of this cock, and I guess I still can't." Treabilla said as she swallowed my cock once again. 

"I'm glad to hear that." I said as I rested myself on my elbows to watch her work.

"All of that start and stop action was too frustrating! I remember thinking that all I wanted was to feel you cum down my throat. When you forced things like you did, it gave me the excuse to finish you off and give us what we both wanted." Treabilla said while pumping my cock but when she was finished she bobbed her head once more on my cock. This time as she swallowed my cock, she twisted her mouth on the shaft as she went down and up. 

"You got me so hot I couldn't think of anything else." I said in with a quiver in my voice from the pleasure of her cocksucking.

"But never in any of that did I think for a moment of leaving The Mistress. It was not some silent act of rebellion against her, or some plea to break free, yet you freed me anyways." Treabilla said as she bobbed again on my cock sucking hard while she did so. "You risked your life for me even though I hated you for it at the time." Treabilla said with a silent tear in her eye. "Thank you for giving me my life back to me. I know that Father may somehow try and keep us apart, but somehow we will be together." Treabilla said as she swallowed my cock once more with closed eyes and opened them once her lips left my cock. "I just can't stay away from this cock!" Treabilla said and then started to really give me head

That woman can really suck cock when she wants to! Oh man you can tell that she loves to, it shows in every thing she does when she gives head. It is almost as if she worships the fleshy member of the male anatomy. Every touch and taste she treasured as she licked, kissed and sucked my cock and balls. She would twist her head as her mouth went up and down on my cock. Most of the time that she was sucking on my cock she would have her eyes closed and work by memory or by feel. Occasionally she would look up at me with those big grey eyes and smile as best she could with a mouth full of cock. Then she would start her bobbing action again, sucking hard all the time. I remember a few times she would look at me unwaveringly as she licked the shaft down to the balls. Gingerly she would take my balls in her mouth and suck on them without hurting them. Then she would release them and lick her way back up the shaft. 

Before long she had worked me into a frenzy and on the edge of cuming for an excruciating eternity. A few times I would stroke her hair as she was sucking on my cock to silently let her know that I needed to cum soon. However these silent warnings went on deaf ears as she continued her teasing and playing efforts. 

"Finish me honey." I moaned with a raspy tone of voice. 

"Tell me you love me." Treabilla said somehow with her mouth in contact with my cock.

"I love you Treabilla!" I rasped out as she continued her magic on my cock.

"Tell me we're engaged." Treabilla asked again somehow while she licked my shaft down to the balls.

"Yes honey, We're Engaged, I'll marry you. Damn, half of Tania would marry you!" I moaned out as she licked her way further up to the head of my cock.

Without warning she bobbed her mouth up and down on my cock and sucked harder than ever before. When she grabbed my balls and lightly squeezed I was scared for a half second before I came in an eruption and emptied myself down her throat in spurt after spurt of hot cum. I watched as swallow after swallow went down her throat. More and more of my cum went down the throat of that happy cocksucker. After my eruption was over and the last of my cum and disappeared deep down the throat of Treabilla she sat up. 


"That was good my dear betrothed." Treabilla purred as she licked her lips looking quite catlike at me. "But what I really need right now is a good hard FUCKING!" Treabilla said sweetly until the end, only punctuating the last word. 

With a wicked, smouldering look in her eyes and a few ever so fleeting moments of her oral attention to my cock it was back, hard again. Without a word of discussion, she moved up and hovered her pussy over my cock for only a moment. She descended down onto my cock slowly and surely taking more and more of it inside her. When it was finally all the way inside her she paused for a moment and had a look of rapture on her face. 

After a moment's pause she slowly rose up and didn't stop when my cock was almost fully out of her. Back down she came almost immediately, and she started her bouncing harder and faster each time. Her deep breaths were getting louder and louder and the sound of hard cock moving in and out of a wet pussy was unmistakable. Not to mention the soft moans and squeaks that Treabilla let out now and again as she fucked herself on my cock. In short we were not exactly sneaky about our coupling on that roof, that beautiful late spring night. 

Her breast bounced uncontrollably during her mad frenzied fucking and looked quite irresistible. I leaned up and grabbed those breasts one with each hand and while she fucked herself on my cock I sucked her breasts. It was quite a hot experience as I tried to hold onto a woman who was now in a frenzy as she fucked herself silly on my cock while I licked and sucked her beautifully abundant breasts. 

"Oh Goooooooooooddd Briiiiaaaaann!!!!" She called out as a particularly intense orgasm hit her and rocked her body.

She shook, quaked and cried out as her intense orgasm hit her and she froze as she rode through her orgasm. I grabbed her hips and pumped into her as hard and fast as I could; this brought a low steady moan from Treabilla. She even cried out a few tears as one orgasm was pushed into another and yet another. Somewhere in all this my orgasm was sucked out of my cock, or so it felt like in all that activity. 

When it was over Treabilla slumped down onto me and fell asleep for a short bit. I just held her in my arms and let her sleep and treasured the brief time that I got to spend with her on that rooftop. I hoped that nothing bad had happened while we were messing about with each other. She should have been keeping watch and I should have been asleep, but given the choice, what would you do? At least Jealile and Yeoline would be keeping an eye out from the bottom floor I assured myself.

"Time to get up dear. You have your watch to finish." I said as I gently shook Treabilla awake. 

"Oh Brian! That was wonderful! Please tell me we will be able to do this again soon!" Treabilla cooed lovingly as she stirred awake. "I don't think I can stand to be near you and not touch you." She said with a wounded look deep into my eyes.

"You know that the times we get to spend together like this will be sparse." I said carefully as I held her in a still intimate embrace. "Not that it is the way I like it but we have to be careful. I am married and you are Lochel's daughter! If he knew that we did this, I'm sure nothing would save my head!" I laughed and she chuckled along with me. 

"He's really a reasonable man!" Treabilla said defensively but her voice still rang with a chuckle. 

"Any Father would want my head!" I laughed. "Understandably so." I said with dying laughter. "I hate to say this but we have tarried too long together. You need to stand watch and I need some sleep or I will fall out of the saddle tomorrow." I said as I jabbed Treabilla in the ribs to get her motivated. 

"You're right, I know." Treabilla said as she slowly got moving and started to get dressed. 

"I would love to sleep here with you until morning dear but we both know that just isn't possible." I said with genuine regret as I also started to search for my clothes and get dressed. 

"Do you think that Jealile would agree to taking turns sleeping with you?" Treabilla laughed hopefully. 

"Considering at the moment I can't even sleep with my own wife at night, she might not be too receptive to the idea just yet." I chuckled as we both continued to get dressed. 

"Didn't think so, but thought I might as well ask. It worked well for Pellenica, Valencia and I. It could work for Jealile, Yeoline and I as well but you're right, now is not the time for such a discussion." Treabilla said as she put the last of her clothes on. 

"It'll all get sorted out in the future, but for now we all need to tread lightly. Have a good watch dear." I said as I gave Treabilla a peck on the lips and patted her ass before walking away and down the stairs. 

I walked downstairs to the main sleeping area and climbed into one of the empty beds. I was dead tired and thought nothing of the fact that Jealile was not up from her talk with Yeoline yet. Rialtige and Shelea were already asleep and within moments of my head hitting the pillow, I was out too.



Brian's Adventures Ch. 14



Chapter Fourteen: Trouble in Greatfoot

Those next few days were not ones that that I particularly liked, for it was non-stop riding with not much time for anything else. Now I like to ride a horse as much as the next fellow, but everyday we got up early and rode till long after sundown. Like the first few days of the ride, we ate on the move and stopped only briefly to let the horses rest. Everything was go, go, go, push, push, push, onward to Greatfoot. 

We wanted to get to Greatfoot before anyone lost their lives needlessly. Our plan, like before was to advise the local Commander of the situation and who they really were fighting against. Once that was done we would work with them to find a better and less bloody solution to the problem of The Rebels. Our greatest hope was in the capture of The Mistress. For once she was captured we hoped that the loss of their key controlling figure would make them lost and unable to function. At the very least we hoped that it would distract and disorient them long enough for us to capture them without a single loss of life. 

When we finally arrived at Greatfoot I remember feeling an immense sense of relief as I saw that town nestled at the foot of the grand Mount Augustus. The mountain looked tall, grand and quite a spectacular sight to see as it towered over the town and landscape. 

The town itself was designed like the other towns that we had passed through. The whole town was under lockdown as they called it, and was in its most defensive stance. All of the gates were closed, both the inner and outer ring of gates were locked tight. The bridges that closed the gap from one of the outer buildings roofs to another were deployed. Guards were posted on every second building rooftop or so to watch for danger. In short what should have looked like a pretty little town at the base of a beautiful mountain looked anything but. It looked like a foreboding fortress that could repel a sizable force and I was glad that we rode to it as friends. 

As we rode closer and closer to the fortress that was the town of Greatfoot we were noticed by more than a few Guards standing watch. They watched us intently and motioned us to stop a few paces away from one of the gates. They looked us over from atop their rooftop lookout posts and waved a friendly greeting. One Guard in particular was in a joyous mood to see us. 

"Where are you mangy looking, sorry excuse for Guards think you're going?" The nearest Guard said with a broad smile and a hearty laugh. 

"We may look a little road weary but that is only because we have ridden hard for over a week to come here and save your pathetic asses!" Cheriphala, the leader of our troop of Guards said as she laughed in return and the rooftop guard joined in the laughter. 

"If you're here to save us then we are in more dire straights then I thought!" The rooftop Guard laughed even louder than before. "Come now!" She shouted over her shoulder presumably to someone who was out of sight. "Let them in before they fall down." The Guard finished saying to the hidden person and turned back to us. "Make your way to the town centre, your mounts will be taken care of and the Captain will review you." The Guard said to us in passing before returning to her vigil against intruders.

"Did I hear her right?" I whispered to Jealile beside me. "Did she just say that the Captain is here?" I asked with a little more panic in my voice.

"I heard her as well. This is not good news." Jealile whispered in reply with equal distress in her voice. 

"You lot, keep your heads down, and stick to the back of the formation when we're inspected." Cheriphala said quickly and quietly as she turned back only briefly and indicated the Band of Misfits. 

The gates then opened up and finally we were allowed in and rode slowly through the double sets of gates. Straight on we rode to the centre of town and looked over the pleasant looking town, quaint buildings and lovely people as we rode. The mood of the town was a mixture of tension and subdued resentment for their town being overrun by uninvited Guards. A rare few unpleasant looks were glared in our direction as we passed them by but for the most part the townsfolk welcomed us. 

Eventually we found our way to the centre of town and to a modest grassy patch of ground we found there. We could see that a large building on the other side of the grassy clearing was where the activity was. We rode over and dismounted near the tall building that I guessed was the town hall. Some Guards took our horses and led them away after we had removed our gear from our mounts. We were told by one of those Guards that the Captain would inspect us shortly. 

"Trouble in Greatfoot" Jealile said as she looked at the flags that flew high above the watchtower. "That's what the flags say." Jealile said as she pointed to the Watchtower that stood high above our heads and rose out of the large building that we stood in front of. 

We assembled in a formation four abreast and five rows deep and awaited the Capitan to review us. As we stood there, with our Band of Misfits mixed in amongst the back two rows, I hoped that Felleona would not be there. I hoped that she would not be the Captain that they were talking about; I hoped instead that someone, anyone else would walk out before us. I didn't like the thought of having to deceive her and liked the idea thinking of her as an enemy even less. 

Facts were facts and my fears became a cold hard reality when Felleona walked out from inside the large building that we were assembled in front of. I swallowed hard as I looked at her in the new light of knowing what I knew, that she wore the mark of a betrayer. She should be anywhere but here, someone else should be leading the Guards into battle if she were truly innocent. However when Tania is faced with the greatest threat it has faced in years the place for the Captain of the Guards is in the thick of it. She stood a few steps from the bottom of the stairs and looked us over with a keen eye without saying anything for a moment. 

"Where are you from?" Felleona said as she still looked us over, trying to find out who was in charge.

"Greenglen Captain." Cheriphala said respectfully while looking Felleona over with a shrewd eye. "Is this all Woravia could spare?" Felleona said a little disappointed by our numbers.

"We are half her numbers Captain, any more and the town would have been left at risk." Cheriphala replied as her eyes glanced over Felleona's armour all polished up and glistening in the day's dying sun. 

"Fine, fine, we wouldn't want two problems on our hands." Felleona said dismissively as she glanced over us once more. "You may know that you are here because of the troubles in one of the nearby Quads." Felleona said a little louder, addressing the whole group of us now. "However, what you don't know is how we are preparing to quell those troubles." Felleona said as her eyes rested on me for a moment, her face held a reminiscent look for a fleeting, frightening moment. Thankfully she shook her head dismissively and went on with her briefing. "We are running drills to sharpen your skills as well we are organizing everyone into new units. With all of the assortment of Guards coming from all over, it is important we can work as one when the fighting starts." Felleona said as she looked us over with a disapproving smirk. 

"Yes Captain." Cheriphala replied with a nod. 

"For tonight, rest and cleanup, you look like hell." Felleona shook her head and turned to walk back into the building. "Get them squared away in barracks, fed and cleaned up." Felleona said as she passed by another Guard who then walked towards us. 

"Okay you scruffy looking lot, follow me." The older gruff looking Guard said as she approached the bottom of the stairs. 

We walked towards the outer ring of buildings and toward one side that we had not entered from. Again the townspeople that we passed were mostly a friendly lot but not as jovial and happy as they could be. As we approached the outer buildings the people we passed were more often then not, other Guards. It seemed that the townsfolk stuck to the centre of town and left the outskirts of town to the Guards. Whether this was intended or not was a different story but that's how it was in Greatfoot at that time. 


"You lot, take those three barracks there." Our escorting Guard said as she pointed to three of the outer buildings. "The Inn is the main mess as well as the Officer's Quarters so stay clear of the upper floors. For tonight and tonight only, don't worry about setting watch, get a good night's rest, you've earned it." She said as she paused for a moment to look Rialtige and I over with a puzzled look. "When you are all settled, make your way to Inn for a good meal once you look respectable." She said and then walked away a few paces. "If that's possible." She added with a parting laugh.

"You lot take the centre building and the rest of us will take the other two. Get cleaned up and we'll meet back here and get a meal together." Cheriphala said in our direction and wearily walked toward one of the other buildings we had been assigned. 

We all split up, got settled, cleaned up and changed into better clothes and before long were seated at the Inn enjoying a fine meal. I have never tasted a better meal in my life then that meal after that long ride. I mean, imagine if you had ate only bread and water for over a week and then finally had a real meal! Even if it was half burned and half undercooked it would have tasted like a meal fit for a King! The Inn was too crowded for the discussion we all really wanted to have, namely about the Captain's presence. Once the meal was over and a few mugs of ale were consumed we all quietly made our way back to our barracks. 

I for one, felt better and more relaxed after washing up, getting changed, and having a fine meal and some ale to wash it down. As we crowded into the bottom floor of our barracks we all found someplace to rest our bones. I opened up the discussion that we had wanted to have since we arrived in Greatfoot almost two hours before. 

"My friends, we have an unforeseen problem on our hands." I said as I looked at the faces of everyone there, and everyone nodded their agreement. "The Captain is here and is in charge. We can't quite charge her with treason when she has done nothing wrong yet. Her presence here disturbs me though." I said with my voice full of regret and sighed heavily. 

"What can we do about it? She's here and she's in charge?" Cheriphala asked with equal regret and distress in her voice. "She's the Captain for Godsake! She is the highest-ranking Guard reporting only to The Council itself!" 

"What about the local Commander? Where is she? Perhaps we can speak to her about all of this?" Jealile said as she looked the group over, gauging their reaction. 

"Doubt it." Cheriphala said with a wincing look and a shake of her head. "I saw her on the steps today and she seemed to be fond of the Captain. I can't be certain but I don't think we should do anything until we can be certain where her loyalties lie." Cheriphala finished with a sorrowful look. 

"We must not give ourselves away until The Mistress is captured." Treabilla said with absolute certainty. "If we talk to someone and things go badly, or if someone recognizes us then we could mess up our one chance to capture The Mistress." Treabilla said with a grave look as she thought of letting The Mistress slip by her. "No, I say we sit tight and wait for word that The Mistress has been captured before we make our move here!" Treabilla said and again wore a look that affirmed her strong feelings on this issue.

"Agreed, but there is nothing saying we can't find out what we can through innocent talk." I said to everyone in the group. "Nothing specific mind you, just find out exactly what is going on here? Find out as much as we can about the Commander and the activities of The Captain in the meantime. We will wait for word from Greenglen before we make any move but we must know what we've gotten ourselves into!" I said and looked over the whole group of twenty of us and sighed with frustration. "Agreed?" I asked while still looking at the group, everyone nodded their agreement in turn.

"How are we going to know when The Mistress is captured?" Shelea asked curiously and a little perplexed. "It took us more than a week to ride here? Won't it take that long for news to arrive? I mean it has already been a week? How do we know that she hasn't been captured already?" Shelea said raising a good point. 

"You forget that Woravia will send word by the flags, that will reach all over Tania. We are to watch for the message 'Prisoner in Greenglen'. That will be her signal that The Mistress has been captured and we can reveal ourselves." Cheriphala said plainly as she reminded Shelea and the rest of us of that minor point that even I had forgotten about. "She will also dispatch a rider to speed word here informing the Commander here about her success." 

"That makes sense." Shelea said sounding satisfied in the knowledge that we would know within moments of The Mistresses capture. 

Perhaps now I should let tell you a bit more about those flags and watchtowers that I have touched on a few times before now. Each watchtower can see at least two other watchtowers from where they stand. When one watchtower sees flags flying above another watchtower, they fly the same flags on their flagpole. If they have a message they wish to send, they fly that message on top of the other flag message. Every watchtower does likewise and so messages can pass quickly back and forth throughout Tania. 

You might be asking exactly how you send a message by flags? Well each message has three components to them. The first is the verb/noun part, like 'trouble,' 'prisoner', 'invaders' and so forth. The second part is the bridge part, like 'in' 'around', 'to', 'near' and a few other words of the like. The third part is the location part, like; 'Greenglen', 'Greatfoot', 'Kincaid', 'Teroncia' and so forth, each town and Quad has its own flag. 

Each flag is a long triangle, almost a pennant in style and by the colour and other designs on it you tell what flag it is. There is a system to the way the flags are designed, that helps to lessen the task of remembering all those flags. All you really need to do is understand the system and you can read the flags with ease and not remembering everything. I won't bore you with the details of the system but sufficed to say there is a method to the madness of those flags. No words are used, that way you can tell what the message is but your enemy can't; doesn't help in the case of rebels though. 

The discussion was ended there and we all went to sleep and slept soundly until morning. Over the next few days we carried on as best we could, trying to look like Guards. Jealile, Yeoline and the others were a great help to the rest of us in the Band of Misfits. I'm sure we would have been found out soon after the drill started without their help, showing us what to do slyly. It was good for me to get some practice on how to handle myself with a few different weapons. At least now I would be more dangerous to my enemy than myself when I wielded a weapon, after all, isn't that the point?

In the downtimes between drills and at mealtimes we talked up the other Guards and tried to find out what we could. Even on watch at night we chatted up the Guard one roof over and that seemed the best way to get information. After all you both are board and have little to do but talk and watch the darkness for trouble. Our second best time to find out information was after the evening meals, sharing a mug or two of ale with a strange group of fellow Guards. It's amazing what you can find out once the ale starts flowing after a good meal. 

Mostly we confirmed what we already knew or suspected, thusfar. A few nuggets of information filled out the rest of the puzzle though, but we didn't like what it increasingly looked like. It seems that Felleona had left Teroncia a few days before my wedding, leaving Irillis to stay behind and deliver her message to me. Felleona then pressed on to Greatfoot and arrived shortly after the Emissary was killed and the last message dispatched to Woravia in Greenglen. 

Felleona arrived with a sizable force from Teroncia, no less then one hundred and fifty guards! These she split up into three 'units' as she called them. These Guards were kept to one side of the town and trained on their own and mostly kept to themselves. As Felleona ran all the other Guards through these drills, a few Guards were selected to join that group of Guards and even bunked with them. The curious thing to the on looking Guards was that it was not necessarily the best Guards that were selected to join them over there. They could see no pattern to the selection process. The rest of the Guards were split up into equal 'units' and bunked in various other parts of the town. 

We surmised as you may have already guessed that the Guards that Felleona brought with her were Disciple/Guards. The Guards that Felleona selected to join her other Guards were obviously other Disciple/Guards. When the call went out for reinforcements, all manner of Guards were sent to Greatfoot. A number of those Guards were Disciple/Guards that had somehow made their way into the ranks of the Guards. Somehow secretly they identified themselves to Felleona as Disciples and were then 'selected' to join the 'special units'. 

These Disciple/Guards were the traitorous Guards that wore the cloak of true Guards but had really sworn allegiance to the Mistress. I despised them more than Disciples, for at least Disciples had chosen a side and could be identified as such. But these Disciple/Guards were a different lot, they pretended to be one thing but underneath they were another, an altogether despicable lot. It was not clear if The Mistress was controlling these Guards or if they chose to follow her by their own volition. Were they Disciples who joined The Guards or were they Guards who were somehow 'recruited' by The Mistress? Perhaps it was a mixture of both but either way did little to lessen their traitorous crimes. 

As for the Commander, well, she was a hard one to read and we couldn't very well do much without knowing where she stood. For next to The Captain of the Guards, the local Commander had control of the situation. That meant that if we could prove to her that Felleona was in deed a traitor, then she could take control of the situation and the Guards at hand. That was what we were counting on, to convince the Commander of the truth of the situation before it was too late. 

The most frightening thing was the rumour of an imminent attack that Felleona was planning to lead on Kincaid. It had been whispered that in a few days hence, she would lead an assault on the Kincaid Quad personally with her 'special units'. We knew that if she were truly a traitor, this would only serve to reinforce the Rebels with well-trained Guards! We knew this we had to stop most certainly but two things stood in our way, hindering our ability to do so.

The first was the fact that we still had not heard from Greenglen about The Mistress. Without her capture we could not reveal ourselves or even give hint that we knew the real truth about the situation. It would raise questions and focus too much attention on us and possibly prevent the one golden opportunity to capture the troublesome Mistress and put an end to her evil ways. 

The second thing was the Commander herself; we still did not know one way or the other where she stood. We didn't know of she was a Disciple or if Felleona had her under her sway somehow. Felleona could be persuasive when she wanted to be and even force the issue if she needed to. With her expertise as a woman-pleaser Felleona could easily keep even the straightest of women emotionally off balance and coming back for more. On more than one occasion it was noted that the Commander looked 'fondly' upon Felleona. Worse yet were the whispers from the officers that the Commander had been seen entering Felleona's quarters late at night. 




Brian's Adventures Ch. 14



We had to find out for certain one way or another, we had to know where she stood. It was decided that we would spy on them when they entered Felleona's quarters and see just what happened in there. It could simply be a strategy meeting, or some other type of private discussion about the situation. Or it could be for some other secret 'get together' for some kind of intimate encounter. Time was ticking away against us and we knew that sooner or later we would have to make a gamble before it was too late. 

It was late one night about four days after we had first arrived at Greatfoot and the scouting and spying mission was underway. Yeoline and myself had been selected to do the scouting, I for one had to see things with my own eyes. 

I could not fully believe that Felleona would betray her oath or position as Captain of the Guards. Her actions as of late were indeed suspicious, but the most hopeful of hearts could explain them away. Even if Felleona had seduced the Commander I knew that it would not necessarily condemn her but it would further spoil our efforts. For me to truly believe her betrayal I needed to see her march into Kincaid without a shot fired, to see her standing high and proud on the walls. That however would prove disastrous and was what we were trying to prevent. I needed to be cautiously pessimistic where Felleona was concerned for everyone's sake. 

Yeoline and I had dressed in all dark clothing and had made our way over to the Inn and had snuck around back. I was thankful for all the drills that we had been put through. For with those skills we easily made our way there without being discovered. With the help of a hook and rope we climbed up to the balcony that was Felleona's quarters. Naturally the Captain of the Guards was given one of the best rooms in the Inn, one of the larger ones, on the top floor and with a private balcony.

When Yeoline and I were up we brought up the rope and stowed it away. We cautiously looked around and saw that this end of the balcony was in the shadows of another building. There was little chance of being seen if we were cautious and stuck to the darkness and were quiet. Ever so quietly we snuck over to the nearest window and cautiously Yeoline peered inside. I saw the face of Yeoline change as she looked into the room, her eyes warmed to the sight of something in that room. 

I also looked into that room and saw what had caught her eye; Felleona was sitting on the edge of one of the beds in the room. She was leaning forward a bit, supporting her upper body with her elbows on her knees and her shirt fell open with not a single button done up. Felleona's head hung low, she was enjoying the company of a nude Irillis as the young woman expertly rubbed and caressed Felleona's back. Every now and then Irillis would let her hand stroke Felleona's sides or reach around the front to caress and fondle the powerful woman's breasts. 

This seemed to be a tender moment between two intimate and well-established lovers. One lover was simply taking care of the one she loved after a long hard day of leading The Guards. If that were simply it, I could accept that and walk away, begrudging them nothing. However, part of the tension that the lovely Irillis was massaging away was the efforts of keeping her betrayal under wraps yet still on schedule. 

However as I looked over the body of the woman that I had made love to many times, I remembered those times fondly. Part of me wanted to walk in there and spend some time with her, to pick up where we left off. I was tempted to forgive her of her suspected crimes. However I was smart enough to know that I had no power to do such a thing. For her crimes of treason were not just against The Council but also against all of Tania and everyone in it. 

"You fucked that?" Yeoline whispered with awe as she looked over her former Captain's body.

"Many times." I whispered in reply.

"I'm surprised she didn't break you or rip your dick off when she came!" Yeoline said still astonished without taking her eyes off of Felleona's body. 

"A few times she almost did!" I replied in a whispering chuckle. "She is one hell of a piece of ass let me tell you." I said with a reminiscent smile. "Tasty pussy too, you'd like it." I said cheekily as I watched Yeoline panic out of the corner of my eye just before she sighed. 

"Oh yeah, Jealile told me that you two saw Treabilla and I." Yeoline said after a momentary shocked look came over her. "You're not mad are you?" Yeoline asked tentatively. 

"Of course not my dear." I said as I put my arm around her and held her close to my side as we continued to watch the women inside. "Let me ask you something Yeoline. Are you willing to let me have other wives? Will you not hate me for spending time with my other wives?" I asked Yeoline as she stood there watching everything in the room while keeping half an eye on me.

"Of course I will. You are a man and should have as many wives as you are allowed. Why would I expect you to do anything but the right and natural thing?" Yeoline replied with a puzzled look on her face. 

"Then why would I be angry with you for being intimate with another woman? If things go as planned then you two will be Fellowives as well as friends and lovers." I said as I squeezed Yeoline a bit. "I really don't mind." I added with a comforting smile.

"Really? You don't mind? You plan on marrying Treabilla as well? You straightened things out with her didn't you?" Yeoline asked with a slight raise of her eyebrow in a knowing look before her face turned cold and a pained look crept across it. 

"Yes we got to the seat of the matter." I said with a smirk of my own. 

"Does that mean you still want me?" Yeoline asked with a hurt sigh, she didn't even look at me. 

"Of course I do!" I said as pulled her to face me and hugged her tight.

"Then why do you spend all your private time with Jealile these days." Yeoline said with a tear in her eye while imploring me to be kind but yet tell her the truth. "She's not the only one that loves you, you do know that don't you? She's not the only one who risked her life to save you. Others of us have needs too Brian." Yeoline finished in a hurt, almost apologetic tone and I could tell that this was something that she felt strongly about.

"Now Yeoline, you know that I would dearly love to spend some private time with you." I replied now a little hurt by her accusation that I didn't love her and that I was ignoring her on purpose. "I thought after that incident with Revealia you understood that any time we spent together would be risky. I do love you and I wish to show you that I love you but my dear I don't want to risk our necks to do it." I said while stroking her left cheek tenderly. 

"I know all that and most of me understands that but part of me still needs you Brian. I . . . I guess I just need a little something to believe in from time to time. It must seem silly to need constant reminders of something that I know for certain but that's the way I am." Yeoline said before she falling silent, not proud of herself at the moment.

"There's nothing wrong with that dear. I should have found ways to be with you if only for a moment or two at a time, for that I am sorry. I didn't want anything to happen to you, luv." I said with genuine sorrow. "I'm sorry Yeoline." I apologized and she smiled at me.

"It's alright Brian, I know you love me and were only doing what you thought was best." Yeoline smiled and ran her fingers through my hair. "All I'm asking is that you don't forget about me." She finished with a tentative smile. 

"With a woman as kind and beautiful as you around, how could I possibly forget you my dear." I smiled as I moved in and kissed her, it was a tender and beautiful kiss and could have led to more but I knew that there were other things to attend to. "We'd better remember why we're here." I said looking deep into her eyes after the kiss was broken.

We now looked back inside the room and saw that the scene had changed. Felleona had wanted to take a more active role it seems and both women now sat on the bed facing each other. Felleona's shirt was now off and on the floor somewhere presumably. The women embraced each other in a passionate embrace and were kissing each other with wild abandon. Hands pulled and tugged at each other's body to bring their lover's body closer to them, almost becoming one body.

We watched the women kiss with desire and urgency as their kiss heated up the room; it even affected us on the balcony. Yeoline held me closer on that balcony and my cock was rock hard from the moment my eyes fell on the heated couple. I glanced down to see that Yeoline had already started to rub her own pussy through her dark pants.

Somehow in the midst of all of this tugging and kissing and heated caressing we could see deft feminine hands removing Felleona's pants. I will never figure out how when they were holding each other so tight, they managed to remove any clothing at all. I would have thought that the tight embrace would have hampered efforts to disrobe but somehow they managed it. Moments later they were both kneeling on the bed, kissing each other without a square inch of fabric between them. 

We could see both women grind and rub their obviously heated pussies against each other. Ever so slight hip movements could be seen in addition to the caressing and kissing movements in that even hotter embrace. 

Yeoline's hand was now down the front of her pants and her movements were not secretive in any fashion. Clearly you could see that she was rubbing her pussy and even thrusting her finger into it now and again. The action inside the room was hot enough but now with Yeoline putting on a show outside as well, I was getting hotter than ever myself. 

Now Felleona pushed on Irillises shoulders without warning and tossed the young woman on the bed, sending Irillis giggling all the way. Felleona remained where she was standing on her knees looking over the nude and spread out woman on the bed. From where we stood we could see the fronts of both women and it was a beautiful sight indeed. Both women were as beautiful and desirable as I remembered them, each with their own beauty and charms all their own. Clearly we could see both women's pussies and groin areas, I noticed things I remembered and things that were new. 

"There's the mark on Felleona, see it?" I asked Yeoline who looked at Felleona's groin area for sometime while she redoubled her efforts on her own pussy. 

"Right next to that sweet pussy." Yeoline said in the husky voice of a horny woman. 

"Yes but look at Irillis." I sighed with distress as I looked again at the mark that was not there the last time I saw this woman nude. 

"Pretty little thing I know." Yeoline said in the same husky voice. 

"Yes but she now wears the mark where she didn't before!" I said in a distressed whisper. 

"She's a new Disciple then." Yeoline said while coming out of her horny state just then.

"Yes, it is what I feared most." I sighed and took a breath before continuing. "Felleona is an active Disciple. She must have recruited Irillis since they first met." I said with the regret that I felt, I knew then that I had the proof to convince me of Felleona's betrayal and guilt. 

"Are you sure? Perhaps she was a Disciple and you didn't know it." Yeoline said, trying to give me a reason to disbelieve what I saw. 

"No, I remember distinctly that she had no mark when she first crawled into Felleona's bed. She had never even been with a woman before that day, now look at her." I sighed as by now Felleona had her face between the young woman in question's thighs. 

Irillis moaned and thrashed about on that bed as her lover, (my former lover), ate her with the expert tongue Felleona possessed. Felleona was happily eating out the delicious looking pussy before her and Irillis was deliriously happy to have her pussy eaten. Neither women noticed the door open up or another woman step inside it, nor did they notice the door close behind her it seemed. 

"Starting without me are you? You horny bitches!" The Commander said as she stood there just inside the door looking at the two women on the bed

"It's not our fault Pelluluka if you take too long in getting here." Felleona said with her mouth full of pussy. "Get over here, there's a lonely pussy that needs tending to." Felleona said as she returned to her pussy-eating efforts. 

"And a mouth that desperately needs a tasty pussy to eat." Irillis said between heaving breaths and moans. 

We watched as Pelluluka then disrobed as quickly as she could and the blonde woman's body came into view. She was tall, slender, also muscular and trim in build but her breasts were of medium size. However on her athletic, powerful frame they looked larger and were more pronounced as they sat high on her chest. While she was both beautiful and strong, she was nowhere near the muscular woman that Felleona was. The Blonde, almost white mane of hair was pulled back into a single braid that fell down her back. As this lovely woman strode toward the bed we examined her and saw that she had no mark on her body. 

"I don't see the mark on her, do you?" I asked as I intently examined the inner thighs of this woman. 

"No, she's clean. Thank God!" Yeoline said as she examined the woman more intently than I had. 

Just as plain as day we watched the three women change position and arrange themselves without talking. When it was over and the women were settled comfortably it was a most intriguing and erotic sight to behold. Each woman had her face in between the thighs of another woman and another woman was between her thighs. Felleona eating Irillis, Irillis was eating Pelluluka and Pelluluka was eating Felleona. Somehow these women managed this feat with very little effort and no words at all to direct them. It was clear that this was a regular occurrence with them and something they enjoyed greatly behind closed doors. 

"She may not wear the mark but clearly she is under Felleona's influence." I regretfully sighed as the heat turned up in the room and muffled moans of encouragement could be heard.

"What a feast of pussy!" Yeoline said as she by now had pulled her pants down and her hand could be seen rubbing her pussy openly.

"In there and out here." I said as I spied a look at her beautiful wet, red and swollen pussy.

"Fuck me!" Yeoline hissed quietly yet firmly with fire in her eyes.

"Excuse me?" I replied a little shocked and nervous about doing such a thing right where we were. 

"Either you fuck me right now or I swear I will walk in there and join them." Yeoline said as she turned her rump in my direction and pulled her pants down a little further. 

"Here? We can't" I replied in shock. 

Without a word Yeoline took about two steps toward the balcony door before I stopped her, she was serious! I pulled her back to me without a hint of protest and as she neared me the heat of the moment blinded me to our surroundings. It took but a moment more before my pants were down and my cock was staring at the opening to Yeoline's inner depths. I took but a brief moment more to admire the beauty of her standing there with her legs spread and a dripping pussy waiting for my cock's invasion. Her ass cheeks were soft, round, firm and oh so shapely as she stood there with quick breaths. I traced the contours of her glistening pussy lips with my eyes and admired the beautiful woman that was eagerly awaiting my cock.

"Please." Came a trembling whisper from that woman who was displaying herself, waiting and hoping for my cock to be buried in her pussy soon. 

I grasped her hips and moved those hips back toward my cock. Just as I figured when my cock neared her pussy one dainty hand grasped my cock and positioned it properly. Without stopping or any hesitation my cock slowly entered her pussy, slowly filling her up until I could not go in any further. One low moan escaped both of our lips as my cock slid deeper and deeper into her depths. We paused for a moment to enjoy the glorious feeling of the moment, of being fully inside her. 

"Fuck me! Fuck me now!" Yeoline hissed with a glare as she looked over her shoulder at me.

I needed no more encouragement or direction so I started my thrusting. We stood there looking into the room through that window observing the hot scene inside. Watching the women eating each other spurred us on while we thrust the heat and passion out of our bodies. A little whimper would escape Yeoline's tightly pressed together lips each time my cock would bottom out. I could see that she was trying hard to keep quiet during that copulation but her passions were boiling under the skin. I also wanted to utter a few words of excitement and encouragement but I knew better. 

At the moment we were a mere wall away from the people we were sent to spy on and had to keep from being discovered by them. While I was mindful of that it was hard to think of anything else but the exquisite pussy that I was experiencing just then. Yeoline was tight, wet, hot and quivering on the inside in an oh-so-delightful way. Every now and again Yeoline would look back over her shoulder at me. One time in particular she looked at me with a half snarl, half blissful smile that I took as an urging to pick up the pace. 

With that I started to slam into her hard and fast ignoring everything else, leaving caution and quietness to the wind. I can still hear the slapping sound as her gorgeous ass slammed against my hips each time I thrust fully into her. The squishing sound of a very wet pussy getting fucked hard also comes back to me clear when I think back to that moment. Her whimpers with each deep thrust were louder and louder now as her self-control was weakening in strength.

Thankfully the trio of pussylickers inside the room came first, Irillis came first clamping her legs needlessly around Felleona's head. Felleona was next cumming with a shudder and a shout into Irillises pussy. Pelluluka almost drowned with the amount of juices flowing from Felleona's pussy. Somehow in that moment the beautiful Pelluluka experienced incredible pain and incredible joy at the same moment. For on one end Felleona had Pelluluka's head clamped between her powerful thighs and at the other end Pelluluka came hard into Irillises mouth. 

Watching three beautiful women cum hard and loud at the same time is an erotic sight almost beyond description. In short order Yeoline came hard and clamped down around my cock and her pussy shuddered repeatedly and pushed me over the edge. I slammed hard and deep into her and emptied my load deep into her eager pussy. Eventually my cock softened, our passions satisfied for the moment so the reality of the situation came back to us in a hurry. 

"We'd best get moving." I said as I pulled my cock out of Yeoline's wet pussy. "We've seen what we needed to see." I said as Yeoline breathed heavy, catching her breath. 

"You're right dear. As much as I'd love to fool around some more with you we'd better leave now before we're caught. " Yeoline said as she pulled her pants back up. 

Before we climbed back down we looked once more into the room and saw that now all three women were cuddling each other. Felleona was in the middle and had Irillis and Pelluluka snuggling up to either side of her. All three women were caressing each other in the tender afterglow that lovers know and enjoy. I could tell that the lovemaking was not over for this trio but rather this was a brief respite before further activities. 

However, we had seen what we came to see and had the answer we sought even if it was not the answer we hoped to find. It was not the absolute worst answer we could get, but just barely. For we knew that even if Pelluluka was not a disciple she was clearly under Felleona's influence. I didn't want to believe Felleona's guilt and had hoped that she would just be misunderstood in this instance. We had not been together for some time, emotions and passions of the moment can cloud anyone's judgement, as we all know. My mind swirled with all of these thoughts as we made our way back to our barracks. 




Brian's Adventures Ch. 14



We relayed everything we saw and not quite everything we did to the group that had gathered to meet us on our return. After discussing what we had seen and heard everyone was disheartened at the news. We knew that things were more desperate than we had first feared. For the only person who could do anything about the traitorous Felleona, could not be trusted herself. We knew that now more than ever we had to sit tight until an opportunity arose to take matters into our own hands. 

I will admit that there was talk of simply killing Felleona then and there but that was dismissed. In retrospect it may have been simpler that way, but it was not the way we wanted to handle the situation. I still wanted to quell the rebellion without anyone loosing their lives, save The Mistress of course. For now we would keep to ourselves, for we had still not received word from Greenglen. 

For the next few days we carried on like any other Guards and fell into a routine of sorts; drills during the day and taking turns on watch by night. Laughter and joyous times were shared by us all as we trained and enjoyed the company of the other Guards around us. It reminded me of the pleasant times I had working on the ship that brought me to Tania. Hard work, but good times with those I was working with sprinkled liberally over the whole affair.

It was mid morning when something happened to brighten all of our moods, the one thing we were waiting for had happened. I remember that we were in the middle of hand-to-hand combat drills when there was a general commotion about something. Jealile was my sparing partner so I was learning a great deal and losing even more of my pride in the process. She was kind though and let me win a match or two, and I think even one match I won fairly. As I looked around to the other Guards who at this point had stopped sparing and were all looking up. 

As I glanced in the direction they were all looking I saw that the flags over the watchtower had changed. Now there were six flags flying high rather then three, underneath the message 'Trouble in Greatfoot' was the message 'Prisoner in Greenglen'. I smiled to myself and to Jealile as well for we knew that The Mistress had been captured. We flashed a smile to the others around us that knew the meaning of this message and then stopped smiling. For nobody else was overjoyed over this news, the others had resumed their sparing after shrugging off another meaningless message. 

I noticed Felleona looking up at the flags for some time and the longer she looked, the longer her face became. Her whole manner seemed ill at ease and generally upset and agitated. It was almost as if she knew the significance of this message and didn't like the thought of her Mistress captured. We kept an eye on her for the rest of the day and on into the next, her mood remained black and foul. 

That following day the whole town was abuzz with activity as stores and provisions were loaded on a few wagons. The area where Felleona's 'special squads' were located was a hive of activity and they seemed to be preparing to move out. When the rumour came to us that Felleona would attack the rebels at dawn we knew that time had run out. We knew that Felleona was taking her Disciple/Guards and reinforcing The Rebels at Kincaid. We knew that something had to be done to stop her and that Pelluluka was our only chance and a slim chance at that. 

None of us liked the thought of laying our hopes on a woman who we could not trust but we had little other choice. We knew that next to Felleona, Pelluluka had control of the situation; under her there were a number of sergeants but nobody specific. In short we had no other choice but to talk to Pelluluka that night if we had any chance to prevent Felleona's final betrayal. 

All twenty of us talked that night and decided that only the 'Band of Misfits' would talk to Pelluluka. Everyone wanted to go but we decided it would be wiser if only a small number confront her in case something goes wrong. We knew that someway Felleona and The Mistress had to be stopped and to do that someone had to survive who knew the truth. I wanted to go alone but I was reminded of my own rule 'no splitting up the group'. Alas I was tripped up by my own rule and that night we went to talk to Pelluluka together. 

She was still in what used to be the town hall and in her office or rather an office that she had commandeered. As we entered the room there were two Guards talking to her and they were looking over some papers together. All of them looked up at us, disinterested in us and Pelluluka looked at us and sighed in frustration. 

"What is it?" Pelluluka said dismissively as she barely looked up from the papers in front of her.

"We need to talk." I said respectfully and stood firm.

"I haven't the time." Pelluluka said now not even looking up to speak to us. "Come back tomorrow." 

"With all respect Commander, this matter won't wait until tomorrow." I said as delicately and firmly as I dared. 

"Fine, what is it?" Pelluluka huffed as she looked up at me with a slight scowl.

"It is a private matter Commander." I said looking sternly at each of the other Guards in the room.

"I haven't the time for this nonsense, just spit it out already!" Pelluluka growled, not at all in the mood to be bothered by any of this. 

"It's about the Captain." I said and looked her dead in the eye with a raised eyebrow and a knowing look. 

She sighed and looked down at the desk for a moment, and drew a few breaths before speaking again. It was clear she was in thought and needed a moment to ponder a response. I guessed she was thinking about tossing us out but doubted that was the best course of action. 

"Leave us." She said after a brief pause while not looking up from the desk. 

"Thank you Commander I'll be brief." I said after the door closed behind the two other Guards that had left the room hastily. "Have you ever heard of The Mistress of Tania?" I asked with a pause.

"Rumours and ale-talk. Complete nonsense the lot of it." Pelluluka huffed dismissively. "I thought you said this was about the Captain?" Pelluluka huffed gruffly. "Get to the point or leave, I'm busy." She added in a commanding tone that suited her position.

"Because the Captain is a Disciple." I said firmly looking her dead in the eye with all my seriousness.

"Disciple? What Disciple? Speak Tanian man!" Pelluluka spoke curtly with a wrinkled forehead.

"A Disciple of The Mistress." Treabilla spoke abruptly. "Does she bear a mark like this?" Treabilla asked again before pulling her pants down and revealing the mark on her thigh once more. 

"That means nothing, it could mean anything." Pelluluka said with a wrinkled forehead looking only briefly at the mark before looking away. 

"If this nonsense is all you came to say then you might as well leave now." Pelluluka said with a slightly perturbed and unnerved look about her.

"Please, you must listen!" I implored with an impassioned plea. "I didn't want to believe it either but I have no doubt now that The Captain serves The Mistress!" I said firmly and with a heavy heart.

"You're talking nonsense and I will hear no more of it!" Pelluluka said with an even more uncomfortable manner about her and even a tear could be seen threatening to leave her left eye.

"I care for her too, I also shared a bed with her. It pains me more than you know to go against her but I can't let her do it." I said without taking my eyes off of hers. "She will not attack The Rebels that hold the Kincaid Quad tomorrow, she will join them." I said with a sigh and my eyes never wavered from staring deep into her eyes the whole time. 

"What of the four units of Guards? Will they join them as well? You're mad!" Pelluluka said with a now angry and upset tone, but the tear had run down her cheek and another was poised to do the same momentarily. 

Clearly she was in conflict over this news and didn't want to believe it, heck I didn't want to believe it either but it was true just the same. The emotional strings tying her to Felleona was strong and I could see her trying to find a way to resolve this inside her. She clearly had seen some signs herself or she would not have been in such turmoil over this news. Either she would believe me or toss me out, but she was torn between believing me and believing Felleona. That was a most uncomfortable place that I had been in not long ago, not a comfortable place at all, and I felt for her. 

"That's exactly what I'm saying! Everyone in those squads are Disciples as well! There may even be more of them in the rest of the ranks! You cannot trust anyone who bears that mark!" I said sternly, not liking being mocked or not listened to.

"You're a hypocrite and a liar! That one bears the mark and you trust her?" Pelluluka snarled back at me with anger and fire in her eyes, nodding in the direction of Treabilla.

"She used to be a Disciple but I rescued her from The Mistress herself!" I said now my anger getting the better of me and I leaned in toward Pelluluka. 

"Oh so she's a good one and the Captain is a bad one is that it?" Pelluluka spat with a sarcastic, teasing tone of voice. "And only you can tell the difference right?" She added with equal disdain and cheek. 

"No! Treabilla is no longer a Disciple but Felleona is!" Jealile jumped in and clarified as forcefully and respectfully as she could. 

"We're telling you the truth! Why can't you see that?" Yeoline said with a questioning and accusatory look.

"What are you saying?" Pelluluka asked with a glaring reply. "You think that I'm one of these Disciples do you? Is that it?" Pelluluka growled who was by now quite angry and loosing her cool.

"We know you're not a Disciple but we know that you are involved with Felleona and that may cloud your judgement." I said a little calmer, trying to get a hold of my emotions. 

"I don't know what you're talking about." Pelluluka said with a flustered look and a blushing reply. 

"Why won't you listen to us? I promise you that Felleona will march into Kincaid without an arrow fired on either side! By nightfall you will see her on the walls of Kincaid! She goes there to aid the rebellion and not to crush it!" I said now as calm as I could and yet firm and self-assured as possible.

"Are you accusing The Captain of the Guards of treason?" Pelluluka leaned in with a sparkle in her eye.

"Yes, you must stop her, before it is too late." I sighed regrettably. 

"Are you certain? Will you not reconsider and recant your words?" Pelluluka replied with the same twinkle in her eye.

"I will not take back the truth!" I replied quickly and indignantly. 

"Guards!" Pelluluka said loudly and immediately the door opened and two Guards entered the room. 

The Guards stood at attention just inside the door and sternly looked through us. It was clear that while they were not moving from that spot that they would not let any of us leave the room. I looked them over and while they looked sturdy enough and I knew that the six of us could take these two. But with the vast numbers of Guards in the building and the town in general, we were as good as caught; fighting was pointless. 

"What's this then?" I asked with a nod to the direction of the Guards at the door.

"Arrest this lot and confine them to quarters until further notice!" Pelluluka said with a stern look about her as she talked to the Guards and ignored my question. 

"On what charge?" One of the Guards asked while the other one signalled to someone outside of the room.

"Impersonating Guards and insubordination." Pelluluka replied before turning to me. "I recognise you lot now, you're that Outsider spy who was let go for some stupid reason." She said pointing to me. "You're the foolish Guard that married him." She said pointing to Jealile. "You must be the director's daughter that went missing some time ago." Pelluluka said with a nod to Treabilla. "The rest of you I don't know and don't care to know. You are all guilty of the same crime and will be dealt with accordingly." Pelluluka said gruffly before looking back to the Guards. "Take them away and send word to the Director to send someone to fetch his daughter." Pelluluka said before turning to Treabilla one last time. "I am correct am I not?" Pelluluka said with an expectant look at Treabilla who nodded the affirmative in response. 

We were escorted with Guards all around us to our barracks and once there all the weapons we had on us or inside the building were taken away. We were put inside and the door shut quickly but not before three Guards passed us on their way up to the roof. Three more Guards were left at the bottom door and we were shut in for who knows how long. 

We had taken a gamble and it had not paid off, we had failed to stop Felleona and her band of Disciple/Guards. I didn't sleep much that night as I felt the failure rested solely on my head, after all I was the leader and I was supposed to steer us away from such troubles. I cursed myself for not finding a way to prevent such an obvious act of treason from taking place. Then again few people knew what we knew about The Mistress, I couldn't blame Pelluluka for not believing us. 

Early the next morning we felt the earth rumble and the sound of a great many feet on the move and knew our failure was complete. We knew that that sound could only be Felleona and her Deceitful Guards on the move, marching towards Kincaid. We all gathered around the windows that looked over the short distance between the barracks. 

We watched as four columns of Guards headed by Felleona and Irillis on horses at the head. As the vast numbers of the Disciple/Guards passed us by I watched their faces and wondered why they would choose to serve such a woman? Why would they give their will over to a woman who demanded absolute obedience and gave nothing in return? The whole matter was lost on me as I watched the four units of Disciple/Guards go by. 

I almost thought I saw Felleona look in our direction as she passed and it caused me to wonder a few things. Of all the gates that she could have gone past, why choose this gate in particular? My guess was that Pelluluka had said something to Felleona and this was Felleona's way of rubbing my failure in. To make us watch as her Disciple/Guards marched out right literally under our noses was an added twist of the dagger. 

I hung my head in shame as the thunderous marching passed us by and eventually faded in the distance. I knew that I had failed; it was one of the things that I had hoped to prevent. Instead of making things better I had made things worse. Not only was Felleona marching to Kincaid with two hundred well trained and excellently equipped Disciple/Guards. Not only that but we were now arrested essentially for trying to stop the matter. It was one of the lower points in my life but still not as low as when I awaited my execution but not far from it.

Later that day when the evening meal was delivered I could see that the lass who delivered the meal was upset. She looked at me and I could see that a question was on her mind as she slowly put the tray down on the table in at one end of the room. Her eyes rested on me for a moment and she started to speak but fell silent before she turned toward the door. 

"What is it?" I called after her. She turned to face me and thought for a moment. "It's alright." I said with a reassuring smile. 

"I heard that you predicted the Captain's betrayal. Did you? How did you know?" The young lass asked curiously still keeping her distance from me. 

"What happened? What betrayal?" I asked knowing fully the answer but still needing to hear it to believe that it actually took place.

"She marched out to attack The Rebels but marched right into the Quad. Funny thing was that they opened the door to her and everything; nobody shouted or fired an arrow to or from the Quad. It was as if they were expecting her and gave her a warm welcome." The young lass said to the now quiet room of drawn faces. "How did you know? Why didn't you stop her?" She asked curiously. 

"We've been investigating the matter for some time now. We tried to convince the Commander of her guilt but she threw us in here instead." I said aggravated for being told that my efforts were not good enough.

"The scouts who followed the column reported that when the doors closed behind the column a great cheer went up from the Quad." The young lass said with a very distressed look. "Surely the Commander will see the wisdom of your words and let you free." The young lass smiled and turned to leave. "Don't worry, all will be well." The young lass smiled as she left.

The rest of us sat there and sighed our heavy hearts and looked at each other and we felt low knowing that what we feared had actually come to pass. Nobody said anything for the rest of the night we all just mired in our own black thoughts and self-disappointment. We only retired to bed when we our bodies would not hold out any longer and sleep overcame us. 

The only consolation was that Jealile was able to share my bed from that night on. Our little secret was out and people knew who we were, so it was not strange to see two Guards sharing a bed. Having Jealile at my side was little comfort to my spirit as I thought of Felleona in Kincaid as now one of The Rebels. But the one thing that did lift our spirits but a little was the knowledge that The Mistress was captured. 

However we still were under arrest long into the next day and nobody was sent to release us as we had thought. We believed that once we were proven right we would be sent for and consulted on the matter. Time was wasting and plans needed to be made and we could do little confined to the barracks. As darkness fell the second time we wondered what would become of us as we paced and pondered.



Brian's Adventures Ch. 15



Chapter Fifteen: New Captain In Town

Time is an odd thing, when you are enjoying yourself it will go fast, when you are in anguish it will move ever so slowly. If you're in a rush, it will move so much faster than you wish it to, no matter what you do. If you wish it to hurry along, it will slow down to a crawl just to spite you. So you can imagine that when you are confined to quarters, what feels like two months is actually two weeks. 

I remember pacing back and forth with all manner of dark thoughts haunting my mind. We all had started to guess our chances of escape, of fighting our way to freedom. None of us had sunk to the level of actually making a break for it but we were close, ever so close to making a try for it. However, we managed to keep our wits about us and hoped the slim hope that we would be released sometime soon. 

After all, since we were proven right we thought that sooner or later someone would want to talk to us, to find out what we knew. At least that was the hope I was clinging to, that someone would find us useful and see the error of the Commander's ways. It seemed obvious to the Guards that guarded us that we had information on the situation and shouldn't have been left to rot in there.

Thankfully someone did come for us finally, I remember the door opening and a strange Guard entering the room. She looked around the room while counting our heads, and without as much as a hello ordered us to come with her. Then she turned and left the barracks and waited for us outside. To us it was almost unreal, almost a dream. We played along anyways and walked outside and winced in the bright light of day. 

We were escorted with a few more Guards over to the Town Hall, and again not a word was spoken to us. No explanations were given, no apologies or concern was shown for our time incarcerated. We were marched like cattle being driven to market, to her we were just another thing to deliver. As we walked through the Town Hall we all had an idea of where we were going, namely to the Commander's office. Eventually we found our way to the door of her office but oddly enough the Guards posted outside her office were not regular Guards. These were the 'Council Guards', the Guards that bore fancier swords and finer armour. I knew that could only mean that a person of some import was in there with the Commander, a Councillor or somebody of the like. Nothing prepared me for the shock I got when I rounded the corner and saw Lochel sitting there in the office alone. 

Lochel, or rather Director Teroncia was sitting at the desk looking over some papers and didn't seem to notice our arrival. Our escorting Guards stood outside but the lead Guard entered the room ahead of us. We all lined up in front of the desk and waited, not knowing what would happen next.

"The prisoners you requested Director." The lead Guard said in a dry tone, with just a hint of pride in her voice while she stood at attention tall and proud.

"Thank you, but they're not prisoners." Lochel replied, looking up at the lead Guard only just as he finished his sentence, glancing over us once.

"Sir? . . . But these are the individuals you requested?" The Guard asked a little confused over his last comment. 

"Yes they are, but they are not prisoners. They were arrested for impersonating Guards yet I have their transfer orders here." Lochel said holding up one of the papers on the desk. "According to this they were properly deputized in Greenglen and then transferred here. Why then were they arrested two weeks ago?" Lochel inquired with a perplexed look. The Guard also looked puzzled over this news but gave no reply for a moment.

"I don't know sir, you'd have to ask the Commander about that." The Guard said and fell silent again, still having a disturbed look about her.

"The Commander, yes." Lochel said with a disappointed and frustrated sigh with a look to match as he rolled his eyes. "Fair enough, dismissed." He said with a commanding glance to the Guard who then disappeared without another word closing the door behind her. "Have a seat all of you." Lochel said warmly to us as he rose and walked toward Treabilla who walked toward her Father. "Good to see you dear. You had me so worried, I swear you will be the death of me yet." Lochel said with a warm smile just before he embraced her and kissed both her cheeks, she did likewise.

"Oh Father, stop worrying about me, I can take care of myself." Treabilla said with a bright smile as she looked into her Father's face "Besides I was with good friends, you should have known that." Treabilla said while still embracing her Father while motioning to the rest of us.

"But still you shouldn't have run off and made me worry so." Lochel said with a cloaked perturbed tone with just a hint of a condescending flavour in his voice. 

"Oh Father really! I'm not a little girl anymore!" Treabilla said with just the beginnings of a pout. 

"We'll talk about this later dear." Lochel said with a tone that Treabilla knew was the end of the discussion for now. "Why is it Mr. Westlock that when my Daughter goes missing these days I find her in your care?" Lochel said with a curious tone and a raised eyebrow as he looked at me while still holding his Daughter. 

"Just lucky I guess sir." I replied respectfully, remembering whom I was talking to. 

"To have the company of my Daughter for so long a time on more than one occasion, I should definitely say is lucky indeed." Lochel said proudly with a squeeze of his Daughter who hugged him back. "I'm so relieved that you're alright dear. I came with fresh Guards as soon as I heard the news." Lochel said first to Treabilla and then turned to the rest of us. "Can someone tell me what is going on here? Do any of you have the slightest idea why the Captain of the Guards joined the rebellion she was supposed to quell? And why over two hundred Guards went with her?" Lochel said with the shock and disbelief he felt. 

"I can sir, but you'd better sit down for this, it is a bit involved and quite a troubling tale." I said with a regretful sigh and a shake of my head as the weight of the news I had to tell came back to me. 

With that we set about telling him everything we knew about The Mistress and her Disciples. Every last detail of the trip that we took from the gates of Teroncia to Greatfoot we told him. Naturally we left out certain intimate and more private details that he didn't need to know. We took our time and described everything else in detail, making sure that he understood all of it. After all, if there was one person in Tania who needed to know and understand what we had to say, Lochel was that person. He asked a number of questions and we answered them as best we could. Thankfully I did not do all the talking, everyone took their turn in explaining a portion of the tale. 

Yet again, Treabilla had to drop her drawers and reveal the mark of The Mistress; Lochel stared at it for a moment, almost in disbelief. Once we were finished and he had been caught up to the moment, he fell silent and was deep in thought. As he sat there, I could see a look I hadn't seen before on his normally confident face, now he had an almost frightened look about him. 

"My God, it's worse then I thought." Lochel sighed. "I knew that she had Disciples and did strange things to them but I always thought it was relatively harmless. I was assured by The Captain that she was trying to find The Mistress and bring her to justice as I ordered long ago. I suppose she was protecting her instead hunting for her." Lochel shook his head in disbelief. "I always thought she was content with the few she had worshiping her and paid her little mind. Naturally when she took Treabilla from me I wanted her head, but that was as a Father not as the Director." Lochel said and sighed with a frowning forehead. 

"Understandably sir." I assured him.

"I never imagined that she would go this far, it never occurred to me that she would actually want Tania!" Lochel said with a sigh and a shudder at the unpalatable thought. 

"But it is the truth Father, and we have to stop her!" Treabilla said with conviction. 

"Agreed, and thanks to you lot she has been captured and is on her way to Teroncia as we speak, in fact she should be there by now." Lochel said with a smile. "It is good to think of her as locked up." Lochel added with a satisfied smirk.

"As you may be aware sir." Jealile started out. "She is no less dangerous simply because she is locked up." Jealile said respectfully and assuredly. "She is quite manipulative and will most likely continue her troublesome influence from wherever she is." Jealile said plainly with the barest of frown and a troubled sigh.

"Best to just kill her Father. Kill her quickly and publicly." Treabilla said seething with her hidden anger and hatred for The Mistress.

"I'm sure she will die, but after a proper trial of course." Lochel said with a confident and satisfied tone while looking off and thinking for a moment.

"Hopefully the same one I received." I mumbled half to myself, I never meant for it to be said out loud, but somehow it slipped out.

"Unfortunately you were never given one, the law that covered your crime was quite specific. If you arrive, then you die. With The Mistress however, Treason will be easy to prove." Lochel said and fell silent for a moment, once again lost in thought. "That means that I must return to Teroncia as soon as possible and see that she gets what she deserves." Lochel said with a more agitated manner about him. 

"Absolutely sir. She must be dealt with once and for all. It will be easier to deal with the body once the head is cut off." I added assuredly, and with that Lochel looked at me with a curious look in his eye. 

"That leaves the pesky problem of what to do about the Guards who are now without a Captain." He added while looking at me with that same curious smile. "I need someone I can trust. I need someone who is a natural leader. Someone who is a smart tactician and one who can handle the most delicate of situations." Lochel said to himself as if in thought while watching me out of the corner of his eye where a sparkle lived.

"Agreed sir." I said agreeably.

"Are you interested?" Lochel said as he looked at me with a most serious look in his eye. 

"Me Director?" I blurted out most shocked and stunned. 

"Yes Mr. Westlock I mean you." Lochel repeated with sincerity. 

"There must be many more qualified people you could ask sir. I will do whatever you need of me of course Director, but are you sure that I am the best choice?" I asked in a calmer tone but no less shocked. 

"You're the perfect man for the job. You know the enemy that we face very well. You are resourceful and you can obviously get people to follow you, and most importantly I can trust you." Lochel said with a firm, yet pleasant tone. "You are the best man for the job at hand. Will you do it Mr. Westlock?" Lochel asked with an inquisitive and expectant look.

"I would be honoured Director. I'll do my best. I won't let you down." I said sitting up straighter in my chair. 

"Well, you'd better not, because all of Tania is counting on you!" Lochel said with a grim look in his eye. 

"I won't Director!" I said, as I looked him back with the same determination that I had seen in Jealile's face a few times before. "We won't." I added after I looked at the rest of the Band of Misfits who nodded back at me. 

"What do you think we should do first?" Lochel asked curiously and I knew it was a sort of test to see if I truly had what it took to be the Captain. 

"The first thing we need is to be sure of who we are fighting with. Every Guard here and all over Tania needs to be checked to see if they bear the mark of The Mistress. Those that do will be held for Treason and we will try to reclaim those that we can. We will try to undo the hold that The Mistress has on them." I said firmly. "It worked with Treabilla so I don't see the sense in killing all of them if it isn't necessary." I added and then waited for his response. 

"I agree, but keep them out of the way until everything is settled and the Mistress dealt with." Lochel said with a smile. "And what of the rebels in Kincaid?" Lochel asked with a curious lilt. 

"I hope to somehow capture them but not kill them, like the Disciple/Guards. I would like to find a way to restore them to their rightful selves and avoid a large bloody battle if possible." I said and again waited for Lochel's reaction.

"That is why I chose you instead of a warrior Captain Westlock. A warrior would simply charge ahead and kill all those that opposed them and sort things out later." Lochel said and paused to shake his finger at me with a sly smile. "You however take the time and see past all of the appearances. You want to crush the rebellion and yet save the rebel." Lochel finished with a satisfied smile. "A great many people may still lose their lives but I'm sure you will keep the deaths on both sides to a minimum. A great deal more will owe you their lives by the end of this. One way or another you must win! You can't let your desire for a bloodless resolution to this stop you from crushing this rebellion!" Lochel warned and looked at me again with a deadly serious glare. "Too much is at stake!" Lochel added with the same firmness of manner.

"I may not like killing, but I have the stomach for it when it is necessary and unavoidable." I replied respectfully yet with conviction, and returned his glare. In truth I really didn't know as I had never killed anyone neither by accident nor on purpose, but I hoped I was not a coward. 

"Good, then I'll let you get to the business at hand. I have one question however, how do you intend on checking all the Guards without raising any suspicion?" Lochel asked curiously. 

"That's where I come in sir." Shelea said with a timid voice as she tried to sound confident. "I will conduct a medical exam of the Guards here and during the exam I will check for the mark. After the exam if a mark is found I will signal a Guard who will pull the just examined Guard aside and sequester them." Shelea said with growing confidence the more she spoke.

"Will this work do you think?" Lochel asked curiously. 

"It went flawlessly at Greenglen. We only found one Guard mind you and we did not tell her we knew of what she really was. She was to be arrested with The Mistress." Shelea finished with a confident smile.

"Excellent, ingenious, it may just work." Lochel smiled and chuckled to himself. 

"Sir, if I may make a suggestion, while it is important to rid the Guards of the Disciples have you thought about purging other areas as well?" Jealile said respectfully. 

"Such as?" Lochel inquired.

"What about the Council Guards or those that serve in the Council offices? In short anyone who may have access to something vital to Tania should be checked." Jealile said with confident respect. 

"Just check everyone." Shelea added quickly before Lochel could answer.

"That may seem like the simplest answer but it is the most complex to implement." Lochel said while shaking his head. "I would like to but we simply can't. No, I agree with Jealile, we must be sure of all those with access to important areas." Lochel finished confidently. "I will contact the healers and have them conduct the necessary examinations throughout the rest of Tania. I want you to focus on the Rebellion here! However you will need to find a way to 'reclaim' these Disciples sometime soon or we may find our jails full to busting with Disciples." Lochel finished with a half wincing look as he thought to himself.

"I'll be best to do that Father." Treabilla said confidently.

"But you're coming home with me." Lochel said firmly and unwaveringly.

"No Father, I am staying here and will see this through to the end!" Treabilla replied defiantly. "I know the Mistress better than anyone here. I am the best choice to break The Mistresses hold over her Disciples, my place is here!" Treabilla finished with a stamp of her foot and she looked as stern and steadfast in her position as Lochel did.

"I will not have you hurt! Your place is at home with your family." Lochel repeated sternly and glared at his openly defiant daughter.

"If we fail here Father, then nowhere on Tania will be safe! My place is here." Treabilla finished firmly and then softened her tone to her Father. "I don't plan on getting hurt Father but if we are to save Tania then we all must do our part." Treabilla implored her Father. "Let me do my part." Treabilla asked her Father with eyes that would melt the coldest of hearts and held that look until her Father spoke again. 

"Damn you for being so persuasive. Who taught you to argue so well?" Lochel said with a grim smile to his daughter. 

"You did Father." Treabilla said with a proud smirk on her face that she tried to hide but did poorly at it.

"Too well it seems." Lochel finished with a light chuckle. 

"It's alright Father, I have the Captain of the Guards to protect me." Treabilla said giving me a wink and a smile. 

"I'll protect her as if she were my own wife sir." I replied confidently and quickly. 

"Quite." Lochel chuckled for a moment and then turned serious and lightly glared at me. "Just remember that she's not!" Lochel finished and waited for my reaction.

"Understood sir." I assured him with a nod and a nervous gulp. "Leave it to us, we'll take care of matters here Director." I said confidently and sat up straighter, trying to look the part of a no nonsense Captain of the Guards. 

"Then it's settled then." Lochel nodded with a confident nod. "Guard." Lochel said loudly and in the direction of the door and suddenly the door opened up. One of the Guards that had been standing outside now burst into the room and stood at attention just inside the door. 

"Yes Director." The Guard said as she stood tall, crisp and firmly at attention, her eyes never wavering from dead ahead. 

"Assemble all the Guards and prepare my coach, notify me when both are ready. Dismissed." Lochel said with a commanding look and the Guard quickly disappeared after nodding.

"Are you leaving so soon Director?" I inquired, a little taken aback by all the recent developments. 

"As you know there is much to attend to in Teroncia and time waits for no one." Lochel said with a weary smile. "I would like to take the time and teach you the details of what it takes to be the Captain but I haven't the time." Lochel said and then paused looking over everyone else in the room. "Besides, your companions will help you understand what is needed of you." Lochel finished with a confident smile. 

"I understand sir." I replied now starting to feel the weight of my new position on my shoulders. 

"Do you have any last minute questions Captain?" Lochel asked as he started to gather some papers together. 

"About a thousand." I said with a quiet panicked look about me. 

Clearly I was not ready for this to happen this fast, but in perilous times things can happen faster then you like. The trick is simply to accept what has been handed to you and do the best you can with what you've got. Having said that, can you imagine going from prisoner to Captain of the Guards in two minutes? Then imagine that you were told that you will be running the show on your own moments later? As you can imagine it was all a great shock to my system. I was still adjusting to everything that had happened and had not quite truly believed that I was Captain of the Guards. When Lochel told me that he was leaving just after announcing my appointment to the Guards my fears gripped me.

"I can answer two, the rest you will have to answer on your own." Lochel chuckled with an understanding smile. "I know it is a shock and an adjustment, but you'll do fine." Lochel finished with a comforting smile. "I'd be worried if you weren't nervous." 




Brian's Adventures Ch. 15



"The first question I have is, are we at war? I mean officially, are we at war with The Mistress?" I inquired knowing that the small distinction was important. 

"Right now . . . no. There is a 'state of emergency' in place in Greatfoot and naturally in Kincaid but the rest of Tania does not know the extent of the troubles here. For the moment that is how it stays unless we wish to add mass panic to our list of troubles." Lochel finished with a concerned look. "A most delicate situation to work in but there you have it."

"Understood sir and we will do our best to see that it ends quickly and ends here." I said as confidently as I could muster. "I just have a curious question about the Commander? Is she alright? I mean the last time I saw her she was in charge of the situation. She had us arrested when we confronted her about the er . . . Former Captain, what happened if you don't mind my asking sir?" I inquired curiously and waited for an answer. 

"From what I have pieced together, she held on for a week after the Former Captain's departure for hope that she would return. When finally she gave up hope that the Former Captain would return she retreated to her room and has not been seen since. In short, she's a mess so I had to relive her of duty. In the interim you will serve as Captain of the Guards and as the local Commander as well. That is, until you appoint a replacement." Lochel sighed regrettably and fell silent for a moment. "She is not the woman I knew, quite disheartening to see." Lochel sighed with the pain one knows after seeing the fallen form of a one that was so strong in character.

"We'll take care of her Father." Treabilla said with assurance and a comforting smile to which Lochel smiled back, I could see that he took some comfort in that. 

Just then there was a knock at the door and we were informed that the Guards were assembled. I walked out with Lochel and was introduced as the new Captain of the Guards. Even still I had a hard time to accept and believe that it was really happening to me, I could not believe my good fortune. I still expected to wake up in the barracks after having a vivid dream and find myself still a prisoner once more. But as I looked over the many faces of the Guards that were assembled I found my stomach turning. 

It was hard to believe that I was responsible for the lives of so many, that so many people were counting on me to direct them. If I got the shakes I never let it show, after all I was the Captain and had to be the end all, be all, and all knowing. I mean how can you follow a man that doesn't have a clue of what he's doing? 

After a brief speech, first from Lochel and then from me, it was over. I don't remember to this day what I said but it was apparently the usual, 'forget the past, onward and upward' speech. Lochel departed as soon as the 'Ceremony' was over and it was done. In the course of an hour I had gone from Prisoner to Captain of the Guards. I was still in a puzzled state as to how it all happened. I sat there at that desk where I had seen Lochel only minutes before and tried to take it all in that morning. 

"What are your orders, Captain?" Jealile said to me with a proud smirk on her face.

"Tell me how the hell we ended up in this mess! I wanted to help out but now look at us." I laughed and the rest joined in the much-needed levity of the moment. 

"Did that really happen? Are you really The Captain?" Rialtige asked with curious disbelief "Good thing he didn't see you shoot a bow or you might not be where you are now." Rialtige added with a healthy amount of cheek. 

"I'm getting better mind you!" I replied defensively but I knew I wasn't the best shot in town.

"No offence Captain but the question still stands. What are we to do now?" Rialtige added with a curious inkling in his voice and the rest looked at me with the same question on their faces.

Then I sat quiet and thought for a moment as I pondered that very question. I knew that I could have asked for their help but I also knew that as Captain I was supposed to have most of the answers. As scary as that was I knew that everyone was relying on me to lead them and not just direct everyone else's ideas. After a moment or two in thought I came up with a plan that that would at least get everything moving in the right direction. At the very least it would keep everyone busy while I think up a better plan of action.

"Okay, first of all I'm making all of you Lieutenants. I need people I can trust around me, people I can rely on to get the job done." I said as I leaned forward in the chair while still trying to maintain my 'commanding presence'. "Jealile, you are to take charge of the training of the Guards. I want you to organize them as you see fit and get them in fighting shape!" I said with a stern look to my wife.

"Yes Captain." Jealile responded appropriately with only the barest hint of a proud smirk. 

"Make sure they know how to disable an enemy without killing them. I want the option to attack The Rebels without ordering a mass slaughter." I finished with Jealile and turned to Shelea.

"Yes Captain." Jealile answered again. 

"Shelea, you take command of the local healers post and get them ready for the 'medical exams'. Conduct those exams, have Cheriphala help you in sequestering the prisoners. Once you have accomplished that, then get your healers ready to heal on the move. If we do have to attack the Rebels I want your people somewhere nearby patching people up to keep the dead to a minimum, understand?" I asked Shelea with a demanding look of a Captain.

"Yes Captain." Shelea answered with a slightly frightened look about her. 

"Treabilla, talk to Pelluluka and see what you can do to comfort her. It would be nice to have her input and insight into Felleona's current state of mind. As well it would do everyone good to see her up and around again, back to her old self once more." I said with a stern look of a Captain. 

"Yes Captain." Treabilla replied with a nod.

"Once you're done there, Shelea will have some Disciple/Guards for you to work with, see what you can do. I don't need to tell you that a great many lives depend on your success." I said with a wincing but mostly firm look to Treabilla. 

"Understood Captain, I won't let you down." Treabilla replied with a determined look. 

"Everyone is counting on your success, we all will do what we can to help you." I said with my best comforting look as I looked into her eyes for a moment.

"Yes Captain." Treabilla replied warmly and seemed a bit more at ease.

"Rialtige, I want you to work your magic with our supplies and equipment. We will be on the move, we possibly could even attack the Rebels in a few places, I want us to be ready for anything. Work with whoever is handling that now to see that we have more then we need. Yeoline will help you determine our needs and will help you as best she can." I said with an authoritative tone even though I was shaking on the inside. 

"Yes Captain." Rialtige said with a smirk and a nod. 

"Yeoline, you heard what I told Rialtige, make sure he knows what we need and how much of it we will need. I'm sure Jealile will help you determine our needs if you are unsure of anything. If you have any spare time, assist Jealile with the training of the Guards. Are you up to it?" I asked with the same commanding tone and waited for a response. 

"Absolutely Captain, I'm your girl." Yeoline responded with a firm and pleasant tone and a hint of a smirk. 

"People, time is everything, we must be ready for anything and soon. After all we have lost two weeks! The Rebels may be marching on us as we speak! I will be available to help you in any way that I can, keep me informed on your progress. Any questions?" I asked and looked around at the faces and everyone shook their head 'no' so I continued. "Good. Get on it. Dismissed!" I said and everyone got up and hurried out the door. 

I took a moment and sighed to myself and felt the shakes come back to me. I felt a bit overwhelmed and hoped that I had done the right thing, that I had covered all of the important areas. I was beginning to feel the weight of my responsibilities and I sat in my chair and tried to gather myself together. It was at that moment that I needed some assurances from someone I trusted. I looked at the door and saw that Jealile was almost out the door, but not quite, she was lingering around for some reason.

"Jealile." I said with a more subdued tone. 

"Yes Captain." She said as she turned to face me with a smirk on her face. 

"Can I talk to my wife please?" I said with an aggravated sigh and finally let my doubts and fears show.

"Of course sweetheart." Jealile said as she closed the office door and walked over to me and sat on my lap. 

I held her for a moment and all was well, as just having her near me was a comfort to me. She said nothing for a moment as she held her arms around my neck and rested her head against my head. We nestled in that chair for a moment and enjoyed the quiet time together as husband and wife. It had been some time since we had been able to spend any private time together and clearly we both missed that.

"What is it my love?" Jealile asked tenderly after long last while still holding me.

"Can I really do this? Do I have any business being the Captain?" I said with a pained waver that had entered my voice as my fears gripped me especially hard at that moment. 

"Of course you can! You're doing fine dear. Go with your gut on most things and you will do well. I will advise you as best I can, in private of course. We will get through this together. We have to find a way to make this work. Lochel made the right choice, you'll see. You have to believe in yourself dear. Have the confidence to do what you must and you will find your footing soon enough." Jealile said with a warm smile as she looked deep into my eyes at the moment, her smile forced a smile on my face.

"Thank you dear." I replied with an appreciative smile. "I guess I just needed to hear it, after all it is quite a shock and adjustment." I chuckled. 

"I'll bet." Jealile chuckled back. 

"You know you don't have to call me Captain all the time, I mean you are my wife after all." I said with a chuckle and a smile as I brushed some of her hair out of her face. 

"Yes I do, when we are 'on duty' it is inappropriate to address you as anything else. In private however don't expect me to salute you or let you boss me around." Jealile finished with a smirk and a playful warning as she grabbed the scruff of my neck. "Understood Captain?" Jealile finished with a chuckle and a playful look about her and a raised eyebrow.

"Absolutely Lieutenant." I replied in like manner. 

"You know you look quite sexy shouting orders like that." Jealile said with a slightly randy smile.

"Really, do tell?" I inquired with a similarly excited look. 

"Well, we could 'christen' this office of yours." Jealile said with a heated look that turned almost evil as her lips neared mine. 

"Captain?" Came a voice from the door accompanied with loud knocking interrupting the heat of the moment and our lips never touched. 

"It will have to wait until some other time I guess." I sighed and kissed Jealile. "We both have things to attend to it seems." I said and Jealile sighed with me. 

"I know." Jealile sighed with disappointment. "Think of this though, tonight we will finally have some privacy for the first time in weeks!" Jealile said with her voice dripping of sex while she spoke.

"Captain? Are you in there" Came the voice knocking at the door again.

"Enter!" I snapped and the door opened up and a younger Guard stood in the open doorway with a puzzled look on her face. "Captain?" She asked again still with a puzzled look on her face.

"Is there something wrong with stealing some private time with my wife?" I asked with a raised eyebrow. 

"Oh!" Said the Guard with great relief in her voice. "No, no not at all sir, you make a lovely pair!" She said defensively and apologetically. "That wasn't exactly what I expected when I opened the door though." She finished with a slightly embarrassed look. 

"I'll bet!" I said with a warm look. "It's alright, it's time we moved along anyways, time is wasting and there is much to do." I finished with a slightly downcast look as Jealile got off my lap and kissed me goodbye. 

That started a day of running here and there attending to a thousand details and making countless decisions. I always thought that most things ran themselves and that the higher you got up the ladder of authority the easier your day. I mean when you think of a King, you don't think of him as hard at work but rather holding court and stuffing his face. Here I was, my first day on the job and I was run ragged. For not only had I to check on my Lieutenants and the progress of their projects but other matters needed to be seen to. By the end of the day, I was so tired and worn out thankful to have a bed under me. 

The meagre possessions that I had brought with me were moved over to Felleona's old room. For the first time in a long time I actually had a room for just Jealile and myself, and a fancy room at that. As I plopped my weary body into that bed I almost fell right to sleep, however the delight that I found there picked my spirits up.

"I remember you." Came a sweet and delightful voice that I knew and loved so much.

"Aye, and I you my sweet." I replied with a delicious smile as I embraced my wife. 

"You're that handsome new Captain aren't you?" Jealile purred as she held me tight and pressed her nude body against me.

"And you're that hot new Lieutenant I've been thinking about all day. Such good luck to find you here waiting for me." I said with a broad smile as I started to pepper her face with kisses. 

"I have a thing for a man in a uniform." Giggled Jealile as she lavished in my attention to her face. 

"Really?" I inquired as I started to kiss my way down her neck, getting a satisfied sigh in response.

"And for a Captain, well I'm an absolute slut!" Jealile giggled as my mouth crossed her collarbone and started toward her right nipple.

"Really? We'll just have to test that won't we." I inquired with greater interest just as the door burst open.

"C'mon up out of bed you two!" Treabilla said as she burst into the room carrying a small keg of ale.

"We've got to celebrate! Time for that sort of celebrating later!" Yeoline said with a good deal of cheek as she entered the room right after Treabilla carrying two mitfulls of mugs. 

"Sorry, bout the intrusion. It wasn't my idea." Rialtige said after glancing over us in the bed. Shelea entered immediately after him and closed the door behind her. 

"Bloody hell!" I groaned quietly and stopped sucking on the nipple before me.

"Twice in the same day!" Jealile chuckled with a bit of humour and a bit of frustration mixed together in her voice. 

"Stop moaning you two, and get up and join the fun." Treabilla said as she picked up our clothes and tossed them at us covering our heads. 

By the time we had dressed ourselves and got up we were each given a mug of ale. If you have to be roused out of bed, being greeted by a mug of ale is one of the nicer ways to be disturbed. I must say that it was a grand time and a needed celebration for the good fortunes that had smiled on us. I mean we woke up as prisoners with a bleak future and ended up in charge of the whole mess by nightfall. It was a mixed blessing with its own pitfalls and pleasures. In the end however, it was work that needed to be done and we were going to see it done right. At the moment however I had a mug of ale in my hand and was surrounded by friends and was intent on enjoying myself. Not much time had passed when the door opened and a few faces peered in. 

"Is this a private party Captain or can anyone join?" Said one of a few Sergeants who had gathered at the door and looked in tentatively. 

"Of course, but tonight, we're all off duty so forget the Captain nonsense and call me Brian." I smiled and motioned them inside. 

It was a good guess that the noise and clinking of mugs had drawn them in to investigate. I didn't want to seem too snooty or standoffish and wanted everyone to know that while I was the Captain I was also a person as well. I figured that as long as they listened to me and did what they were told on duty that sharing a mug or two off duty would hurt no one. I mean we were in for tough times ahead and I knew that I would need their respect and affection if I were to drive them through hell. 

For that night though we were all happy people who shared a few mugs of ale together and swapped stories. While I would have preferred some private time with my wife, this gathering was a pleasant diversion however. We needed to bond as one group, the new with the old and I welcomed the impromptu opportunity to do so. The night dragged on and it was some time before everyone trickled out leaving Jealile and I alone in the room once again. 

"Well, alone in a room once more. Shall we risk it and pickup where we left off?" Jealile said with a coy smile as she walked slowly towards me removing her clothes along the way. 

"Absolutely my love, get over here before anything else happens." I said getting an instant erection from seeing my wife disrobe while we walked towards each other.

By the time our lips touched we were both completely nude. The heat and fire of our passion had not died down since last we kissed. Even though the last time we had a chance to be together as husband and wife was some time ago, it was like we never parted. Our desire and passion flared up as our fingers roamed over places they knew well and remembered with amazing clarity. It was amazing how familiar and yet how new her body felt, it was like caressing my wife and yet a new woman at the same time. 

We kissed and caressed as we stood there in the centre of that room. We kissed with wild abandon as our passions consumed us. What started out as tender kissing became heated and more lust-driven. What had begun as soft, gentle caressing and stroking now turned to pawing and pulling. We now pulled at each other's body trying to draw them ever closer to our own, pressing skin against skin. Nothing seemed to satisfy this desire to be yet even closer to the other, to have them under our skin, inside us.

Just when I was about to toss my wife on the bed and have my wicked way with her she slithered down my body. She kissed every inch of my skin as she dropped to her knees slowly. It took forever it seemed until her lips approached my throbbing cock. When she took my cock in her hands I swear it twitched in anticipation. 

She looked me dead in the eye with bedroom eyes as her tongue reached out and flicked across the head of my cock. A few more flicks across the head and she started to lick her way down the shaft of my cock looking me in the eyes the whole time. Her tongue did not ignore my balls as they hung there begging her attention and affection. When she had licked her way back up to the head of my cock she wasted no time in bringing her lips to kiss the head. When her mouth slid down engulfing more and more of my cock my knees started to give out. Luckily I caught myself and I did not collapse and remained standing while my wife lovingly and lustfully sucked my cock. Expertly she would bob her head up and down on my cock for some time and then take my cock out of her mouth. She would lick the whole shaft down to the balls before doing the same coming up to the head. Once or twice she would lick down my shaft twice before taking my cock in her mouth again. 

She did her best to draw out the experience, slowing down and stopping when she felt me get too close to cuming. However as you can imagine things got too close and eventually I could not hold back any more and I came. 




Brian's Adventures Ch. 15



"Ooooooohhh Yeeeeessss!" I hissed loudly as my cock erupted into my wife's eagerly sucking mouth. 

My knees buckled and luckily the bed was behind me to catch my fall or it could have been painful. Like a trooper she simply fell with me, her mouth never lost contact with my spurting cock. Not even a drop passed back out of her lips as she swallowed repeatedly so as to savour every last drop. When it was all over and my cock had finished spurting into her mouth; once my cock started to soften, only then did she open her eyes and smile at me.

I stroked her shoulders and looked down into her eyes lovingly for a moment as she licked the last drop of cum from the tip of my cock. We held that look for a moment before I nudged her shoulder and drew her up to my side. We held each other in a tender embrace and enjoyed the closeness and connected feeling we felt at that moment. 

"I've missed this." Jealile said as she snuggled into me holding me tight. 

"I've missed this too." I replied with a smile while kissing her forehead. 

"I could get used to nights like this." Jealile giggled as she kissed me and stroked my cheek.

"The night isn't over." I said as my fingers drew a line from the small of her back up to her shoulders.

"Ooooh I was hoping you would say that." Jealile squealed as I peppered her face with kisses. 

I didn't stop there and continued my kisses down past her face, to her neck. I lingered but a moment on her neck and moved on when I felt Jealile start to melt in my arms. Her hands roamed through my hair as I kissed further down her body crossing over her collarbone and on toward her breast. 

A passing thought went through my mind as I began to kiss and suck that breast that I had been here once before that night. Part of me was expecting the door to barge open once more, invading our quiet, private and intimate time together. No knock was heard and the door remained closed for the rest of that night. 

My wife started cooing, moaning and making other delightful noises as I caressed and kissed her bountiful breasts. I would kiss and lick my way around one breast while tracing circles around the other breast. I would ignore the nipple on both accounts for long stretches at a time and then suddenly suck on one and pinch the other. That always got quite a reaction from Jealile and I did this at irregular intervals so as to keep her never sure of when I would do this or that. I would have been content to play with her bosom all night but the heavenly aroma from between her legs drew me further south. 

A disappointed sigh escaped my wife's lips as my lips left her breasts behind. That was followed by a slight squeal when she realized where my lips were headed. I kissed my way down across her tight torso that quivered ever so little with anticipation. The closer and closer I got to her heated pussy the stronger her aroma became and the more intoxicated I became. When I finally felt her curly pubic-hair brush against my cheek I knew that I was mere inches away from my destination. I gave her clitoris a quick lick as I kissed my way down to face that pussy that demanded my attention. A smile crept across my lips as I looked at it and inhaled the aroma at its source. 

When my tongue reached out and licked from the bottom of her slit to the top I felt a pair of thighs at my ears. I knew that she had locked her legs behind my head; this was unnecessary though, as I didn't plan on leaving any time soon. The smell of her pussy was intoxicating and drew me to this place that I had not been in some time. However the taste of her pussy was sweet and delicious beyond compare and compelled me to stay and I surrendered to its will.

The more I licked and tasted the more I desired and craved; I was driven to devour that pussy like a thirsty man consumes water. I don't remember the exact things that I did, but rather the all-consuming lust that held me tight in its grasp. I made love to that pussy with my mouth with all I had, and I did so out of need to pleasure it, to taste of it's fruit. With each lick of my tongue, with each kiss of my lips, with each thrust of my finger my desire and her pleasure grew. The passion, pleasure and raw lust of the moment built and built to a peak that sooner or later had to be released. Sooner or later she had to find the other side of that mountain and feel the release that she needed. 

"Oh God baby! I'm cuming! Cumming baby! Oh God cuuuuuummmmiiiinnnnngggg!" She wailed out as her pussy exploded with her sweet juices and it was all I could do to lick it all up so as not to drown. 

I licked and licked and she wailed and shook violently as her orgasm overtook her and wracked her body. Her legs clamped hard around my head and I was whipped from side to side and caught up in the quakes of pleasure. I continued to lick and devour all of the sweet nectar that she flooded my mouth with. She quaked and wailed for longer then I remembered her doing up to that point and I guessed that she came more than once. Eventually her body gave out and she went limp as her legs fell away from the sides of my head. 

I licked the remainder of the sweet nectar that I could find and waited for my wife to come around. It took only a moment before my wife started to come around start to stir. She took a quick and deep breath when she realized what I was doing. 

"FUCK ME!" She ordered as she grabbed a handful of my hair and pulled my face away from her pussy. 

"Get on your hands and knees dear." I said with a wicked smile as I looked into the fiery look of my wife.

When I slid deep into her pussy that time, it felt like a homecoming of sorts, for this was a place that had been neglected for some time. Even though it had been a little over three weeks, it felt like forever. I slid into her with ease and we both sighed each inch that I slid into her wet and recently neglected pussy. 

"Fuck me!" Jealile whimpered as my cock hit bottom. 

She didn't wait for anything, she started to pull away from me and my cock slid out of her pussy but didn't leave her pussy. Back she thrust against me, and my cock slid back all the way into her pussy. Over and over again she thrust herself on and off of my cock while I remained still and watched. After a moment of this she looked over her shoulder and her face wore a scowl. 

"FUCK ME!" She growled over her shoulder as she picked up her pace. 

With that I did just that and she wailed as I grabbed her hips and slammed into her harder and faster then she had been. She tried to keep up to my pace and eagerly thrust her hips back at me. The tell tale slapping sound of heated bodies could be heard ringing out against the walls. 

"That's it, Fuck me, Fuck me hard with that big cock of yours. Oh Christ just Fuck meeeeee!" Jealile moaned out as I grunted with each powerful thrust into her now quivering pussy. 

With each thrust and slap of my balls against her pussy I knew that we were inching closer and closer to the release that we needed. A little moan would escape her lips each time my cock would thrust into her and a grunt would pass mine at the same time. I don't know how long we fucked like that; it was heavenly and was something that we needed very much. 

Eventually though Jealile came first and quivered and shook as her orgasm overtook her and when it was over she collapsed on the bed flat. Only her ass stuck up in the air and I held onto her hips and continued my thrusting into her otherwise quiet and still body. However after a minute or so I thought of stopping, out of genuine concern for my wife but when I saw movement I decide against it. Her hands had clutched tightly two handfuls of bed sheets, her head was turned to the side and her breath was quick and deep.

It didn't take much longer before I felt the relentless stirring in my own loins and I could hold back no longer. Then I came for the second time that night, the second time inside this woman, but the first time I her pussy that night. When the first of my cum hit the inside of her pussy my wife came again, shaking and quivering through yet another orgasm that night. I collapsed on top of Jealile when it was over and tried to catch my breath. My softening cock slowly withdrawing from her pussy as I caught my breath on top of my wife. Slowly we turned to face each other, to hold each other and look deep into each other's eyes. We made love a few more times that night. By morning I was no less tired then I was when I went to bed but my spirit was refreshed and renewed and that pulled me through the next day. 

The following week was much like that first day, as I was run ragged running here and there checking on all manner of things. I had a few assistants that helped me keep everything straight and my paperwork to a minimum. I wanted to focus my time on the task at hand, namely getting the Guards ready to quell the rebellion. Everything was working well and going ahead of schedule and while I was pleased I had the feeling that I was missing something. 

Treabilla had talked to and spent time with Pelluluka each and every day and in less then a week she was up and about. I had Pelluluka help Jealile with the training of the Guards and that did help lift morale as I had guessed. I had thought of asking her to take a more commanding role but I knew that it would be too much too soon. As yet I could not fully trust her and needed to keep a close eye on her, but I had hoped that I could make her the local Commander again someday. 

Shelea had great success with the 'medical exams' and everything went as planned. In all about twenty Guards were identified and Treabilla and Pelluluka worked together to try and break the hold that the Mistress had over them. While they had made some progress it was hard to tell whether the Disciple/Guards were 'playing along' or not.

Rialtige had made a few deals with local suppliers that got us the supplies that we needed and at the same time helped the local merchants out. After all as you can imagine, having your town locked down for over two months can be bad for business. That helped to ease some of the building tension between the Guards and the local townspeople. They finally felt a part of what was going on and not simply an occupied town, overrun by Guards. 

Jealile did not need much time with the Guards, after all they were all veterans and had been training since they arrived at Greatfoot. The Guards under her command were ready, disciplined and raring to go 

In a little over a week we were ready to move and do something, the problem was, I was not ready to order the full assault. I mean I looked the part of Captain, for the local armourer had made me a special suit of armour that looked similar to Felleona's. Now I could be easily distinguished as the Captain and looked smart in it, or at least that is what everyone told me. A badge they wore on their armour could easily identify each of my Lieutenants for who they were as well. 

The eerie calm of no activity from Kincaid was unsettling. I expected them to try to break the siege any day but yet each day came and went and no such attempt was made. I could only guess that they were not ready to do whatever it was that they had planned. I knew that now was the time to strike if I wanted to crush it quickly. Part of me however felt that it may have been a trap, perhaps they were waiting for us to attack and then slaughter us in the process. Once we were eliminated, the rest of Tania would be an easier task to conquer. I could not risk the attack without knowing more about what they had planned and how to undo those plans.

I knew however that the Guards holding the Siege at Kincaid needed to be relieved. They had been there for a long time and deserved some time in a warm bed and a good meal or two. As well I needed to purge their numbers of the Disciple/Guards that may be within their ranks as well. I needed to waste no time in moving our plans along and first of all be certain of those fighting at our side. The last thing I wanted was the panic that would ensue if part of our numbers would turn side once we engaged in battle with the Rebels. 

So with most of our numbers, six hundred in all we marched out to Kincaid to exchange the Guards that had been holding the Siege. I knew that they would have been weary and worn out, needing rest, food and medical care. I rode out at the head of the column with Yeoline and Jealile at my side. As we neared Kincaid I got a little anxious to finally see what was to be my home. I still had no idea which one of the four Estates were to mine but to finally see what I had sought out to clam was exciting. 

As we emerged from under the canopy of trees I saw the stone structure that commanded the landscape. It looked marvellous and spectacular to me and at that moment was the grandest Quad I had seen yet. In truth though it didn't look any different than any other Quad and hardly seemed worth all this fuss. It was the same size as the other Quads that I had seen throughout Tania though it looked slightly the worse for wear. Its fields had not been tended in sometime and they looked neglected and needed care but the crops not yet unsalvageable. The walls of Kincaid looked sturdy and perhaps slightly thicker than other Quads but again it was not overly ornate or vastly different. It was nestled close to the foot of Mount Augustus and there was not much clearance for the road between two of the fields and the Mountain itself. 

High on top of the watchtower in the middle of the Quad flew a new flag that I had not seen before yet knew at an instant. A black flag flew in the wind proudly and on it in white lettering was the mark of The Mistress. This could only be the flag of The Mistress and I wanted to see it torn down and ripped to shreds at the moment my eyes fell on it. 

We rode up toward the ring of Guards that still held their vigil, ever watching Kincaid, ever holding the siege. I could see that a command tent had been erected near where the road we were on crossed the road that rung the Quad. There was a road that ran around the outside of all of the four Fields that was under the control and care of the Estates in the Quad. I could see some Guards milling about and taking some notice and interest in our arrival. One Guard in particular looked at us with suspicion and scrutiny, not trusting what her eyes told her. 

"What's this then?" The Guard who stood looking me over said; she was still not sure what to make of me.

"We're here to relieve you and your Guards." I said with a commanding tone, sitting tall in the saddle. 

"I take it you're that new Captain everyone is talking about." The Guard said with a tone just this side disrespectful. 

"Yes, I am Captain Westlock, and you must be Lieutenant Chezeleste." I replied not rising to anger over her tone of voice. "You and your Guards are to be commended as to your valiant vigil and have earned some well deserved rest." I said looking over the older looking woman who still did not warm up to me. 

"That's not necessary Captain, my Guards and I would rather stay here and see this through to the end." Chezeleste replied with a firm tone, not liking the thought of being relieved of her post. 

"And so you shall, you have my promise of that. But for now, you all need some rest to be of any good when the final push comes." I replied with a slightly perturbed flavour to my otherwise calm tone of voice. "I am not sending you away, but to Greatfoot to get some rest and a well earned break." I replied with a smile and a slightly better tone of voice. 

The red headed woman with the road and time worn face, looked me over and remain silent for a moment. She was tall yet slightly overweight but she still had her muscles on her once powerful frame. She was an older woman who, while not very old, was clearly not a young woman by any stretch of the imagination. I guessed she was around Merandia's age but perhaps a little older if the few strands of grey hair was any indication. She looked perplexed and concerned over this order and truly didn't want to leave her post of siege around Kincaid. 

"My Guards and I are familiar with the layout and the movements of the Rebels Captain. Do you really think it best to pull them away now? Something could happen at any moment." Chezeleste asked with a more intrigued and respectful look about her. I could see by the pleading look in her eye that there was more to this, something that she couldn't speak of in public. 

"Perhaps we should speak in private." I replied firmly yet I had a softer look in my eye. 

"Yes Captain, my tent is this way." Chezeleste replied with an upbeat tone and she waited for me to dismount. 

I waited until we were inside her command tent and alone before I spoke to her again. She looked no less unnerved by speaking to me in private then she did a moment ago. I could see that the matter was a bit of an embarrassment to her and did not want others to know of it. 

"Alright what is the real reason you don't want to leave? I'm not relieving you of duty I'm only rewarding you for a job well done by giving you and your Guards some rest. What the hell is your problem?" I replied now a little out of patience for having my orders questioned in public. 

"That's just it Captain, the job is not done! The Rebels are not defeated! They are still hold Kincaid! I swore that I would see her brought to Justice!" Chezeleste started to say in an agitated manner and then fell silent and I could see her curse herself for saying something she didn't mean to.

"Her? You mean Felleona don't you?" I said with a questioning and perceptive look. 

"I. . . I . . . I knew her. I knew her before she . . . she did what she did." Chezeleste said with a pained look not even able to say the words. "I should have seen something, some kind of warning signs." She sighed. "I should have stopped her." She sobbed lightly to herself, and at once I embraced her and held her to me to comfort her. 

At once I knew what she was going through, I knew because I shared those feelings. I knew that she was blaming herself in some way for Felleona's failure, for somehow lapsing in duty. I held her to me and tried to quell her fears and calm her nerves as best as I could. When she had stopped sobbing and had somewhat got a hold of herself I clutched her head in my hands and spoke directly into her face. 

"You are not to blame!" I said with conviction. 

"But I should have . . ." She started to say before I cut her off.

"I also knew her! I had knowledge and proof of her betrayal before she marched to Kincaid and I was unable to stop her!" I said to the questioning and shocked face of Chezeleste. "I was unable to convince anyone of what I knew and was arrested for my troubles. When she marched to you, she had two hundred, trained Guards behind her that also desired to join the Rebellion. If you had done anything you would have been slaughtered, for you were unprepared. There was nothing you could have done." I finished and let her head go shaking my head as well. "There was nothing you could have done." I repeated calmly and let her go. 

"I wished that I could have done something. I don't want to leave until I have seen her dealt with. Please, I want to see this job finished with." Chezeleste said with a bowed head. 

"I promise you, that you will see this through, you will see her dealt with. But you'll do me no good here weary and worn out." I replied and stood back up straight. "Get your Guards ready to move out on the double." I said with a commanding voice. 

"Yes Captain." Chezeleste said with a more appropriate reply. "Thank you Captain." She added with a more friendly and subdued tone.

"Good, there is much to do and little time to do it." I said as I turned to leave the tent.

"What's the plan Captain?" Yeoline asked as she and Jealile approached me.




Brian's Adventures Ch. 16



Tightening The Noose

On the march back to Greatfoot I could tell that most of the troops were happy to be on their way to a hot meal and a soft bed. Some felt as Chezeleste did, that they were leaving unfinished business behind them and regretted leaving under such circumstances. Others simply didn't care one way or the other, to them this was simply another order to follow, another place to march to. But mostly it was a quiet march with a bunch of tired and weary guards that could definitely use a warm bed and hot meal. Nobody was openly complaining about the march, though some of them regretted leaving before seeing the rebels dealt with.

Chezeleste did not like the march one bit and I knew that. She was pleasant on the exterior however, even if she was bothered on the interior. I respected her professionalism and decorum around the troops and the fact that she did not openly cross me in front of anyone. It would have made my job to lead her troops harder if they were torn between respecting her and their duty to me as Captain. I understood why she was upset and I too felt like I was leaving behind some unfinished business. There were loose ends at Kincaid that we would tie up before long, but other matters needed tending to first. 

Felleona needed to be dealt with and I had no intention of letting her slip away from me. While she was my friend and someone whom I thought I knew well, I could not let my personal feelings interfere. It was my job to see justice done and treason of the Captain of the Guards was no small matter. More than likely I knew it would end up with her head on the block for what she had done. I also knew that she would not give up easily and her years as Captain would make her a formidable foe. I still hoped to talk to her and find a bloodless solution to this whole mess. I hoped that she could be brought from under the Mistress's spell; I hoped that her life could be spared. 

I knew Chezeleste would understand my reasons for secrecy and discretion once she knew the true reasons for the changing of the Guards. Once I knew I could trust her, I would let her know whom we truly faced. I felt as if I could trust her but I had to be careful, my instincts had been wrong before. As a Commander of Guards and a lieutenant, she needed to know what lay ahead of us. I needed her input on the situation as well as her knowledge of Kincaid and the lands surrounding it. I needed to be sure of her loyalties first and foremost as too much was at stake. All of Tania as a matter of fact could suffer if I was not careful. That thought never left my mind as I weighed each and every decision that I had to make those days. It was a heavy burden to bear, knowing the fate of a nation rested on my shoulders. 

Once back at Greatfoot we escorted the Guards over to where Felleona's Disciple/Guards had been separated from the rest of the Guards. We had them stay in this area and told them not to leave this area until told to do so. We then informed them that it was for the "medical exam" that they would be going through in the next few days. With a little puzzlement they accepted this odd order and obliged with little fuss. Some wondered what it was all about but none the less with the Guards, discipline was not a problem it seemed. 

Over the next few days we ran them through light drills, giving them ample time to rest and relax. They had earned a good deal of rest and I saw to it that they were given plenty of that. Not to mention however that we needed to separate the Disciple/Guards from the true Guards. The "medical exams" went as quickly as possible but these things take time, as you can understand. Eventually however, all the Guards were checked and the Disciple/Guards were locked away. I remember well when the final tally was brought forth to me a few days after the "medical exams" had been completed. 

Treabilla entered my office first and looked quite distressed at the news she brought. Pelluluka came next and looked concerned, but not overly so. Shelea was right behind her and also looked a little worried, but kept to herself so as to let the others take the lead. All three women bore grim news; that much was certain by the looks on their faces. At that moment I did not welcome their presence, though normally I would have cherished it. I wanted no more ill news, for I had already had my fill of troublesome tidings. However, dismissing the messenger no more deals with grim news than walking away from a loved one moments from their death.

"Good morning ladies." I said with a forced smile, trying to keep an upbeat mood in the room. 

"Good morning Captain." The three women replied calmly yet with a drained tone. 

"Doesn't seem so looking at the lot of you." I sighed, starting to give in to their black mood that started to hang over the room. "What news do you bring?" I asked not knowing if I wanted that question answered or not, though pressing on anyways into seemingly dark territory. 

"The exams are completed, and we have some results from our initial reclamation efforts." Treabilla said with no lighter of a heart or look on her face. 

"How does it look?" I asked with a raised eyebrow, hoping for some measure of good news. 

"Well, not good frankly." Treabilla sighed and started to crumble under the weight of news she held in. 

Treabilla sank into the nearest chair and a tear ran down her cheek. She buried her face in her hands and started to sob. In an instant I rushed to her side and put my arm around her, to comfort her as her friend and betrothed and not her Captain. She gripped me tight and held onto me, not wanting to let me go, finding some measure of comfort in my arms. Pelluluka and Shelea also rushed to her side and tried to comfort their friend and fellow Guard.

"It's alright honey." I said soothingly as I stroked her hair while she rested her head on my shoulder. 

"No it's not!" Treabilla sobbed while not lifting her head from my shoulder. "So many of them! Too many of them!" Treabilla sobbed snapping bitterly at me through the tears and cries of sorrow.

"C'mon sweetheart, how many are there?" I said as I held her still, stroking her hair in a soothing manner.

"Seventy! There are seventy of them!" Treabilla snapped with a frustrated cry. "Most of them are hard to deal with! Most of them don't want to change!" Treabilla sobbed with an especially bitter round of tears as she clutched me tightly.

"Don't think of the numbers dear." I said as I stroked her back while she rested her head on my shoulder. "Just work with them a few at a time." 

"So many of them! I don't know if I can handle all of them!" Treabilla said angrily with a tear stained face. 

"Just let us know how best to help these women, if you need others to help you that can be arranged. I don't expect you to personally work with every Disciple on Tania!" I said looking into her eyes as she lifted her head off of my shoulder. She then looked me in the eyes with fear and apprehension that lingered there, almost untrustingly, sceptically. 

"That's what I've been telling you." Pelluluka added tenderly, let me know what to do, how to help them. 

"You're doing too much on your own." Shelea said as she stroked Treabilla's back in a soothing manner. 

"I suppose you're right. I just don't want to fail them." Treabilla said as she sobbed into my shoulder once more and my heart started to crack at the sound of it. "If we can't undo what the Mistress has done then they are all doomed! I'm trying so hard not to fail them because I know what it means to fail! My failure is their death!" Treabilla said with still great fear and sorrow as she thought of what my happen if she fails.

"You won't fail dear." Pelluluka said tenderly and paused for a moment. "You helped me sort a lot out." Pelluluka said in a quieter tone. "You helped me see things much more clearly. You helped me become more like my old self once more." Pelluluka said and waited for Treabilla's eyes to meet hers before she continued. It only took a moment before the two were looking deep into each other's eyes. "Thank you Treabilla, I won't forget what you did for me. Let me help you, help these women." Pelluluka finished and waited for Treabilla to respond. 

"Yes, let us help you help them." Shelea said in a soft, concerned tone.

"We all want to help these women but we need you to take the lead in this area, we need you to teach others to help these women. You can't possibly do everything yourself." I said and Treabilla sighed as she looked into the faces of the three people that looked back at her with friendly smiles on their faces. 

"Thank you, all of you." Treabilla smiled for the first time since she walked into the room. 

"Now what do you think we can do today, to help them?" I asked in a positive tone and a warm smile that I hoped would be contagious. 

For a moment the room fell silent as Treabilla pondered and was lost in thought over my question. However she was not as worked up or excitable as she had been recently. In fact she seemed to calm down more the longer she sat there thinking over what could be done for these women. By the end of it her tears had stopped flowing and her spirit seemed more at ease yet she still held me tight.

"Well, I suppose we could split them up, some of them are showing some signs of promise." Treabilla said with a calmer tone to her voice as she loosened her grip on me but still held me in a familiar, almost intimate embrace.

"Yeah." Pelluluka added in a cheery tone. "That way the grumps won't spoil the chance for the ones that want to change." 

"Exactly! Now we're talking." I said with the similar pleasant mood, hoping to brighten the air in the room. "What else dear? Anything else that you can think of?" I asked Treabilla again with a happy and pleasant tone, and slowly the mood lightened. 

"Well, we might separate out the ones that want to change but are reluctant to change." Treabilla started out and looked at each of us with slowly returning composure and confidence. "There's not much we can do with the ones that flat out refuse to change at all." Treabilla finished, again looking to the rest of us for approval of some sort.

"Yes, those are the ones that chose to follow her, or that have been following her for so long that they can't see any other way to be." I said regretfully. "Perhaps in time we may be able to help them but if they are not willing to change, then there is little we can do." I finished with a saddened tone and regretted even their loss of life.

"You're right, but lets hope that those numbers will be relatively few." Pelluluka said with a quietly strained tone in her voice though trying to keep positive.

"We probably should get the ones that want to change doing something positive as soon as possible." I said with a thoughtful look, though the idea only just had hit me and I threw it out there before I had a chance to think it over myself. 

"What do you mean?" Shelea asked curiously.

"Well, I mean why just have them locked away when they could be doing something positive. Any kind of work that can be done while they are supervised would let them feel a part of the group. They may even work along side some other guards to further show them how to behave." I finished with a look that told everyone that I was curious to see if my idea was sensible or silly.

"Yeah, kinda like what you did for me." Treabilla said with a reminiscent look that then led into an inspired look with a smile to match. "By having them work with others we can trust, they can learn how to be people again." Treabilla said with a smile but the two other women didn't quite understand. 

"Explain." Pelluluka asked with a raised eyebrow of interest. 

"Don't you see? By going through the motions of 'normal behaviour' they can remember what life was like before The Mistress. As long as they're in smaller groups and outnumbered by the healers or Guards, it should work!" Treabilla said with great excitement and relief and was greeted with a smile from the Pelluluka and Shelea. 

"I see!" Shelea said with a similarly excited grin on her face.

"Perfect!" Pelluluka added with a knowing smile.

"At any rate Treabilla, the Healers will take a greater part in all of this, after all shouldn't healers help with the healing these women?" Shelea said with confidence though still looking back and forth between Treabilla, Pelluluka and myself for agreement. "I mean, they may not be physically hurt but quite clearly they are mentally and emotionally hurt." Shelea said and again paused to see the nodding heads of those around her.

"Those are the wounds that indeed are hardest to see and take the longest to heal." Pelluluka said with a far off, saddened look about her as she remembered something that made her sad and chilled her soul.

We all guessed that she was remembering her time with Felleona with mixed feelings and was not entirely healed from that experience. Time would work its magic I guessed and soon enough all would be well with her. However for now the wound was still fresh and tender it seamed. I for one wanted to steer clear of the subject for some time, out of respect for her privacy and peace of mind. However that was not the only opinion in the room that day it seems.

"Do you mind telling us about your experience with Felleona?" Shelea asked tentatively and curiously.

"Well I don't know what to tell you." Pelluluka replied looking a little flustered and embarrassed to have it mentioned so soon after going through it.

"It's alright, you don't have to talk about it if you're not ready." I said as I put my hand on her shoulder and smiled at her with a comforting smile trying to convey my offer of friendship and concern.

"Oh yes of course, I didn't mean to pry." Shelea said with an embarrassed look about her. "I only asked because I thought it might help us understand what happened to these women. How did they get like this? Why would they choose to follow her?" Shelea said explaining herself a little better and for a moment the room was silent as Pelluluka pondered Shelea's words.

"I understand." Pelluluka nodded with a troubled, yet understanding look about her as she found her way to the nearest chair and sat heavily in it. "I guess it all started not long after she arrived. The Captain, I mean, the 'Former Captain' started to make friendly gestures toward me soon after her arrival." Pelluluka said cautiously and fell silent. 

I could see that most of her focus was deep in her own thoughts, not really concentrating on the words that came out of her mouth. Almost as if she were trying hard to remember everything and was relating what little nuggets of information that she remembered, when she remembered them. 

"Go on." I prodded as Shelea and Treabilla sat back in their chairs yet I leaned against the desk nearest Pelluluka.

"Well, when she first arrived she kept wanting to do things in an odd way, organize guards into new units that made no sense, strange things. Out of character things, I questioned her a few times on them and each time she tried to dismiss me saying I didn't know what I was talking about." Pelluluka started out talking in the same far off manner but continued in a more animated style. "I've been a Guard long enough and I know how to run a squad of Guards and what she was doing made no sense!"

"What happened next?" Shelea inquired, trying to keep the tale moving along. 

"I remember one time in particular I had been asking her a great many questions about what she was doing with the Guards. I had been pressing her more than usual that time and she seemed to warm up to me. She told me that she respected my opinion, wanted to know more about what I thought." Pelluluka started out and fell silent for a moment.

"Sounds promising, what happened? Was your opinion sought out for other decisions?" I asked curious to know how things turned sour if they looked so promising at that point.

"Oh yeah." Pelluluka huffed with now wet eyes. "She asked me to consult with her on some important matters later that day." Pelluluka said with a slightly sarcastic, yet mostly straight tone.

"That's good." I said plainly.

"In her quarters later that night." Pelluluka added with a raised eyebrow.

"I see." I replied with a raised eyebrow of my own.

"I told myself that she just needed the privacy for the important matters we were to discuss." Pelluluka started out but a tear came to her eye and she started to choke up and words became more difficult.

"It's okay." Treabilla said as she moved closer to Pelluluka and put her arm around the troubled woman.

"Well, she starts out by promising me a promotion and that I would take on more important responsibilities and so forth." Pelluluka said while forcing herself to continue. "She then proposed a toast to my new promotion." Pelluluka said with a sad sigh. "I guess I was too distracted by my views of promotion and advancement to notice the odd drink she held in her hand." Pelluluka said and fell silent as a solitary sob came from her and Shelea and Treabilla did their best to comfort the woman. 

"It's okay." I said as I held her hand on her leg in an effort to comfort her. "Just tell us about the drink." I said with a smile on my face as her eyes met mine.

"Well, I remember that it was a dark brown colour with little silver specs in it. It tasted like dirt and tree bark mixed together. Perhaps a slightly sweet taste to it; just a hint mind you." Pelluluka said and paused, looking reflective for a moment. "I remember she tossed something in her mouth before she took a sip of the stuff. Immediately after she took a sip then I took a sip, all the while she looked me deep in the eyes." She finished with a silent, far off look and fell quiet for a moment.

"Then what?" Shelea asked curious to know all about this drink.

"Everything gets hazy after that." Pelluluka said with teary eyes as her emotions got the better of her. 

"It's okay, it's over now." Treabilla said as she held the woman closer to her. 

"All I really remember is wanting to please her." Pelluluka said with a sigh and paused. "I just remember having this overwhelming feeling that having her approval was the most important thing. It was like I needed to know that she was pleased with me, I couldn't stand not to have her happy with me." Pelluluka finished and looked at me for a brief while.

"I understand." I said with a friendly smile.

"When you confronted me about her, part of me believed you, it made sense to me. But mostly I knew that I couldn't betray her, no matter how hard I tried, I just couldn't make her upset with me, I couldn't stand that." Pelluluka said with a sigh and was genuinely saddened but couldn't cry anymore. "It was some time after she left when I came to my senses and couldn't believe the things that I did." Pelluluka finished and looked at me with a piercing look of pain.

"I can relate." Treabilla said with a saddened yet strangely reminiscent look about her.

"I just fell apart I guess." Pelluluka said with a mournful sigh and hanging of her head. 

"You've been through a lot and everyone understands that you still have some things to work out." I said with tenderness as I put my hand on her shoulder.

"I am still affected by my experience with The Mistress." Treabilla said to Pelluluka with a saddened look as their eyes met. "It will get better, I promise." Treabilla added with a warm smile and Pelluluka responded with a similar smile and for the moment all seemed better. 

"Clearly you were affected by that drink Pelluluka, so you are not responsible for your actions!" Shelea said calmly yet firmly. "I will see what I can do to discover exactly what was used. Perhaps then we can come up with an antidote for it." Shelea added assuredly with a pleasant tone of voice. 




Brian's Adventures Ch. 16



"Do you know potions and powders that well Shelea?" I asked curiously with a raised eyebrow.

"I am not a Master Healer but I do know a thing or two about mixing potions together. Why do you ask Captain?" Shelea asked curiously but with a knowing look on her face.

"Well, I was just thinking about my experience with that Disciple back in Greenglen, do you remember the one?" I asked Shelea curiously and she nodded and smiled in agreement.

"Do you mean that stuff that put you to sleep?" Shelea asked with a knowing look and nodding smile. 

"Yea, can you make some? It might come in handy." I said nodding to myself liking my own idea. 

"I'll get right on it Captain." Shelea responded with a positive lilt in her voice. 

It was then that I heard a knock on the door after biding whoever it was to enter I saw Chezeleste enter the office. She looked quite agitated and upset, clearly her patience was at an end. She stood there with a cool cover over her obviously perturbed mood. She stood there stiff and her fists clenched and released a few times as she tried not to lose her cool. It was then that I knew that the time had come to let her in on what was going on, to tell her about The Mistress.

"Captain, my I have a word with you." Chezeleste said just after she entered the office.

"By all means." I said and expected her to speak. 

"A number of my Guards have been detained after they went through those 'medical exams' of yours." Chezeleste started out with a respectful tone yet still aggravated under the surface. "No explanation has been given and I demand to know what their crimes are?" She finished and stood tall, clearly looking unmovable in body and spirit. 

"Your patience and dedication to duty is remarkable and I thank you for indulging my odd behaviour so far but I assure you there is a good reason for everything." I said with a smile and motioned to an open seat near the desk. "Sit down won't you, we have much to discuss." 

"Thank you Captain." Chezeleste said with a slightly less aggravated tone as she sat in the chair that I had indicated, though her eyes still glared at me. 

"Did she pass her Medical exam?" I asked with a glance at Shelea while nodding toward Chezeleste, waiting for an answer.

"Yes Captain, she's clean." Shelea replied quickly and assuredly. 

"Good." I said to Shelea before turning to Chezeleste again. "Have you heard of The Mistress of Tania?" I asked Chezeleste curiously before going into the short version of my adventures thusfar. 

It took much shorter than when we had talked to Lochel, it seams the more I tell the tale the shorter the tale becomes. She doubted my words at first but by the end of it was as shocked and dismayed as the rest of us. Even Pelluluka was a little shocked, for it was the first time that she understood the depth of what she was wrapped up in. Pelluluka even related her tale to Chezeleste and by the end of it everyone was quiet and troubled. 

"My God, how could all this happen right under our noses?" Chezeleste said with a pale face of shock and disbelief. 

"The Mistress and her Disciples are careful not to draw attention to themselves." Treabilla said with an air of knowledge and authority.

"So you mean to tell me that the Former Captain, the woman I knew and served with all those years is one of those Disciples?" Chezeleste asked with an air of disbelief and sadness that we all understood.

"Yes, I hate to think of it myself but it is the truth." I said with equal sadness.

"So these Rebels out there are actually Disciples of this Mistress character? But where is she? Where is this Mistress now?" Chezeleste asked with curiosity but still troubled over all that she had been told up until now. 

"She was captured just before Felleona marched to Kincaid. With any luck she should be in Teroncia by now. Hopefully The Council has killed her and put an end to her troublesome nature. As for the Rebels, that's exactly what they are, Disciples. So now you see why we must try to capture them and not simply slaughter them, they are not in their right minds. They are being controlled and not entirely in control of their actions." I said and waited for her to respond.

"I agree that they shouldn't be killed but that will make the battle much more difficult, as you can imagine, they will have no such desire to spare our lives!" Chezeleste said with a regretful shake of the head. "We should not wait around here any longer, I say lets depart for Kincaid first thing tomorrow and deal with these rebels! Unless you have some other reason to hang around here!" Chezeleste finished with an uncomfortable look about her while she shot me a queer look. 

It was agreed that we would return to Kincaid in the morning with all the troops we could spare. For tonight through I wanted to spend a quiet evening with my wife, for the morning would lead me away from her. As I opened up that door to my room I saw that she was not alone and in fact had company, most welcome company at that.

"Hello dear." Jealile greeted me with a smile as she looked over at me with a loving look from the table where they sat.

"Hello Sweetheart." I answered back as I closed the door behind me while tossing a glance at both Jealile and Treabilla who sat at the table in the room apparently talking. "So good to see both of you after a long day." I smiled wearily as I removed my armour before walking over to the table.

"Rough day?" Jealile said understandingly as she smiled at me with an inviting smile while holding her arms open for a hug and kiss. 

"Well, it ended well at least." I said as I embraced my wife and kissed her after a long, tiring day. "What better way to end the day than to find two of my favourite ladies waiting for me?" I said as I kissed Treabilla before I sat down next to Jealile. 


"So is it true?" Jealile asked tentatively with a mixed expression of hope and fear all the while trying to keep a positive look about her.

"Is what true?" I asked in return as I settled into the seat next to my wife.

"Are we marching to Kincaid tomorrow?" Jealile asked and again held the same expression as before. 

"Yes, all is prepared, we march to meet the rebels tomorrow." I said with a sigh. "And neither of you will be going with me." I said and prepared to get hit or yelled at by my dear wife but all I got was a stern look from both of them that silently demanded an explanation quick. "I am naming Pelluluka the local Commander and I need you to keep an eye on her. I want her to run things and give her the chance to prove herself again but I can't risk all of Greatfoot in the process." I said with a tender look of pleading for understanding as I paused for a moment, praying for a good reaction from the women with me. 

"I understand." Sighed Jealile regretfully. "I like the idea of you going into battle without me no less than before but I understand that it must be done." Jealile sighed heavily but forced a smile on her face for the moment. "That only means that we must treasure the time we have together that much more." Jealile said with a comely expression as a smile crept across her lips. 

"After all, anything could happen tomorrow so we must treat tonight like it is the last time we will see each other." I said with an agreeable tone even though that thought scared me for a moment. 

"Absolutely my dear, treat this night as if it were our last." Treabilla said as she leaned over and kissed an unsuspecting Jealile on the lips. 

My wife's eyes shot open in shock and surprise as Treabilla held Jealile firmly and forced the kiss to continue. Jealile was wide eyed and I could tell that she had not quite yet accepted that it was happening, yet the kiss continued. 

This was not what Jealile had in mind, and while I knew that, I was intrigued to see how this would progress. I was curious to see what would happen, to see how Jealile would react to this development. Seeing two women I knew and loved kiss each other right in front of me aroused me more than you know. I wanted to jump in there and get involved but I did not want to break the spell or spoil the show. As yet, Jealile had not reacted one way or the other, she had not accepted or rejected the kiss. 

Jealile's eyes started to close and I saw for a brief moment that she started to return the kiss. However that lasted only a split second before her eyes shot open and she searched the room for something. When her eyes met mine there was a pleading look in her eyes, for me to do something to help her. Yet I only smiled with a curiously horny smile and watched as her eyes rolled back in her head while she surrendered herself to the kiss. 

Jealile then threw her arms around Treabilla and pulled the woman closer to her and returned the kiss with great force and closed eyes. I watched as my wife kissed another woman for the first time and I was greatly aroused by it. I watched as they pressed their bodies together and hands started to caress and roam over each other's body as time passed. As the kiss progressed I could the passion and intensity that both women poured into the kiss increased tenfold. What had started with an off hand, tentative kiss now took on a life of its own as it had now consumed both women completely. 

"You horny bitch!" Jealile said with heaving breaths as she broke the kiss but still looked deep into Treabilla's eyes. "That's not what I meant!" Jealile said with a look mixed with lust and anger. 

"Are you complaining?" Treabilla shot back with equal lust and desire while she held Jealile's body close to her own. 

"Well." Jealile sputtered in reply but was unable to speak any other intelligible word and after a brief moment of trying, fell silent.

"Then shutup and kiss me! I know you've wanted to ever since that first night in Greenglen!" Treabilla said with seething passion while her eyes searched Jealile's for some kind of reaction. 

My wife however only blushed in reply and remained still, not moving toward or away from Treabilla. With that Treabilla stood there, waiting for Jealile to make a move. With each passing second each woman got more and more agitated as one waited for the other to do something. After a few short seconds Jealile let out a frustrated grunt as she moved in and kissed Treabilla. It was the first time that Jealile had become the aggressor with another woman as far as I knew and it was quite exciting to see. 

When their lips met this time I saw as both women moved in and kissed the other it was more natural a kiss, less forced and hurried. I saw as hands slowly slid over each other's body, growing bolder and bolder as time moved on. I watched as these two women I loved embraced as lovers for the first time and again I was not repulsed or jealous. 

Without breaking the kiss, Treabilla stood and Jealile followed, now not wanting to break that kiss. I saw as Treabilla moved Jealile closer to the bed and now her hands started to unbutton Jealile's shirt. Without pausing to protest or make a fuss Jealile not only let Treabilla remove her clothes but began to remove Treabilla's clothes as well. It started slowly at first but increased in speed and intensity as more and more supple skin was revealed. 

By the time both women were nude they were both lying down on the bed beside each other kissing and caressing like old lovers. I watched as Treabilla kissed her way down my wife's neck and on to the nearest nipple that she craved. A contented sigh escaped Jealile's lips as Treabilla kissed that nipple for the first time. A look of love was in her eyes as she watched her friend now begin to suck and caress her breast. 

I desperately wanted to get involved in this heated scene but I didn't want to spoil the spell that my wife was under. I knew that this was her first time with another woman and I wanted to let her enjoy the experience fully before trudging in. I sat back and watched as Jealile started to squirm and writhe under Treabilla's expert attention and affection to her bosom. I was happy to allow her this time to be happy and I was content to watch my wife be happy. For I knew that sooner or later she would take care of me, that both of them would take care of me; this was their time.

Slowly Treabilla kissed her way down Jealile's body and across the tight stomach of my very fit wife. Everyone in the room knew where those lips would be kissing before long and the anticipation was intense. A moan escaped Jealile's lips as Treabilla's tongue crossed the furry line of pubic hair and neared my wife's very wet pussy. I could see the glistening of Treabilla's own heated pussy and thought of ravaging her while she pleasured my wife but alas it was not yet to be. Jealile had other ideas it seamed, for not long after Treabilla had started to make love to Jealile's pussy with her mouth did my wife speak. 

"Swing your pussy around here." Jealile hoarsely moaned out as a particularly good pleasure hit her as she spoke. "Let me taste you sweetheart." Jealile said with little more composure as she squirmed on that bed. 

"I thought you'd never ask." Treabilla said cheekily just before she planted her thighs on either side of Jealile's head. 

I watched as both women ate each other out for a moment or two while indeed focussing on the sight of my wife happily eating out Treabilla. However it was not that much longer that my presence was indeed noticed and appreciated. Treabilla looked up at me and smiled with my wife's juices smeared all over her face; in truth it was an oh-so-beautifully erotic sight. At the beckoning of a smirking face and slick finger I approached Treabilla. 

Naturally by this point I was nude and hoping to participate and I was happy to finally get my chance. I walked over and kissed Treabilla, and it was a joyously wonderful kiss with the added excitement of another woman's taste on her lips. After a brief kiss Treabilla spread Jealile's pussy-lips open and looked at me with a smirk, I knew full well what she had in mind. I got myself in position and Treabilla guided my cock and in one motion I was in position and fully inside Jealile before she knew what was going on. 

"Holy shit!" Jealile screamed as Treabilla started to suck hard on Jealile's clitoris. 

I started to stroke my wife slowly at first all the while Treabilla continued to play with and lick the rest of Jealile's pussy. It was quite a sight to see another woman pleasing the same pussy that I was now stroking. Jealile was moaning and screaming and tried to muffle her cries of passion with a mouthful of Treabilla's pussy. Treabilla enjoyed the vibrations immensely and in short there was plenty of pleasure to go around.

Jealile came first with a shudder and minor quake, somehow I was able to hold on and keep on fucking. Treabilla came soon after Jealile but both women kept eating the pussy in front of them as best they could. The sight of two women climaxing while eating each other was intense, top that off with my cock being buried in one of them and you could guess that I came soon after. As I started to deflate I pulled my cock out of Jealile's pussy only to have my cock quickly licked clean from Treabilla. That was of course just before she then returned her attention to my wife's pussy. 

I sat back for a moment and watched these two women try to recover from their orgasms and cuddle each other. However neither of them were still for long and before long they were back to pussy licking. Only now there was oh so much more juice to lick up; Treabilla now had the mixture of my cum and Jealile's juices. She has told me that she loves that particular cocktail more than any other substance in the world. 

After a short while of this delightful show I was back at attention and ready for more action. This time I moved around to Jealile's head and smiled at my wife as she busied herself with Treabilla's pussy. I watched for a moment without her knowing I was there as she ate the pussy before her as naturally as you can imagine. Even when she noticed that I was standing there she didn't blush or appear ashamed about it, she only smiled at me and beckoned me closer with a look. 

As I leaned in and kissed her, I recognized the sweet taste of Treabilla on her lips and noted the difference in the way the women tasted. They were distinct in how they tasted and yet similar, they were both sweet and a welcome delicacy, I assure you. After the kiss was over a smile crept across Jealile's lips as her eyes danced across my face, that smile turned to laughter. 

"I can see why you like her." Jealile said in amidst the dying of her laughter that I had joined her in. 

"So you approve of my marrying her do you?" I asked in a cheeky tone of voice. 

"Yes, I'll let you marry this one." Jealile replied in an equally cheeky tone of voice though she tried unsuccessfully to keep a straight face. 

"Hey!" Treabilla shot in with an almost indignant, yet mostly playful tone. "I am the eldest daughter of the Director of The Council and might I remind you that Brian is damn lucky to be marrying me my dear!" Treabilla said as she paused briefly her licking of Jealile's pussy. 

"You just be quiet and mind that pussy in front of you!" Jealile said in a mock-condescending tone.

"Yes dear." Treabilla said compliantly and returned to her licking of Jealile's pussy in grand fashion, eliciting a moan from my wife.

"Oh yeah." Jealile moaned with a contented smile on her face. "We'll keep her around." Jealile finished and then proceeded to lick Treabilla's wet pussy-lips once more. 

"We almost don't need you around Brian." Treabilla shot out in a cheeky tone of voice to which I huffed back in mock disgust. 

"Then my dear, let me remind you why we need to keep my husband around." Jealile said as she grabbed my cock and pulled it up toward the pussy she was eating. 

Naturally I was not in a position to complain so I complied silently. Besides, since I knew what she had in mind I was not about to put up any fuss or protest. In one motion I scooted up into position and found my cock-head kissing the lips of Treabilla's pussy open. I slowly pressed into the pussy I had experienced on a few occasions until that point. I can still hear the moan from Treabilla as I slid ever so slowly fully into her most private of places. 

"Now I remember why we need you around my love!" Treabilla said with a contented smile and satisfied tone of voice. 

"So you don't want me to leave just now?" I asked with a cheeky tone as I withdrew from her pussy, keeping just the head inside. 

"No No No! don't do that!" Treabilla said with a slightly panicked voice. 

"Okay then." I said with a satisfied grin as I pushed back inside her. 

"Yes, we'll take good care of you." Treabilla said with a pleased tone. "Won't we dear?" Treabilla asked my wife who was trying to still eat the pussy that I was stuffed into. 

"Absolutely! I can't imagine my life without Brian!" Jealile said just before quickly licking at my swinging balls. 

"Nor I without either of you my dears." I said as I picked up speed on my thrusts into Treabilla with Jealile alternating her attention between Treabilla and myself.

That night saw many firsts and many other things that I never thought I would see happen or experience. But alas they did come to pass and I am a much happier man for it. I slept soundly for the few hours that I was able to get before the next day's activities demanded that I tend to them.

Next morning I awoke bright and early, for there was much to attend to and I wanted to see that everything was done right. I never woke the ladies up to say goodbye as I left the room that next morning; I knew that I would see them before I left. I wanted to give them the time to rest and recuperate from the previous night's activities. It was a sight to see them peacefully asleep in the same bed, I almost didn't leave that room, but I knew I had to tear myself away from them. 




Brian's Adventures Ch. 16



I knew that we were riding off not only to strengthen the siege of Kincaid but also to crush the Rebels once and for all. There was so much to see to before we left and I didn't want to forget any important detail that might cost anyone their lives. Even though I awoke before dawn it was mid morning before we finally got underway. 

I was feeling less than rested due to the amorous activates of the night before but I tried to but my best face forward. I rode high in the saddle at the head of the column of Guards and Healers and I was the most nervous one there I'll bet. I knew full well that we headed into battle and before the end of it, not everyone would be walking away from Kincaid. Despite my best efforts I knew that people would die and that was a fact that I couldn't change. I only hoped however that I had done everything that I could to keep the casualties to a minimum, on both sides. 

It was a pleasant day as we made our way to Kincaid and on any other occasion I would have enjoyed the leisurely ride. However, the fact that we were riding into trouble dimmed my spirits somewhat. The knowledge that I would see Yeoline again did little to ease my spirits, though I was looking forward to seeing her again. As we neared Kincaid I could see that some things had changed and some things had remained the same. 

The mountain still looked as grand as ever, standing proudly, ever watchful over the whole scene. Kincaid itself looked as it always had, tall, solid and at the moment, uninviting with Rebels at the walls. The fields that surrounded Kincaid still needed care and attention, and a few more weeds had crept in amongst the crops. The biggest change however was around the outskirts of Kincaid, where the Guards held their vigil, keeping the siege in tact. 

Around the outside of the road that surrounded Kincaid, the Guards had dug in hastily made fortifications. Barely tall enough so that you could crouch behind and at least fifty feet long at a stretch. While there was no roof on them, they would at least provide some protection against the arrows coming from Kincaid. 

As I approached the command tent I could once again see that our approach had not gone unnoticed. A small crowd had gathered watching our approach with intrigue and excitement. I gathered that we were the most exiting thing to happen in days and took some small measure of comfort in that. 

"Good morning Captain." Yeoline said with a bright smile on her face that she tried to keep her manner respectful and not amorously affectionate.

"Good morning Lieutenant how have things been here?" I asked as I glanced around at the whole scene taking in everything at once. 

"Quiet thankfully, we've thrown up some fortifications around the road but have seen no change from the Rebels inside." Yeoline replied with a little more subdued tone but it was clear that she was pleased to see me on a personal level. 

"I see that. Good work Lieutenant." I said with a nod and a slight smile that only Yeoline picked up on. "Disburse these Guards evenly around Kincaid and have the healers set-up a healing station at the each road leading up to Kincaid." I said loudly enough that everyone could hear. 

"Yes Captain." Yeoline said with a nod and turned to another guard that stood near her. "You heard him, see to it." She said with an authoritative tone that I almost didn't recognize coming from the once timid Yeoline. 

"Yes Lieutenant." The guard responded and with that she began shouting and barking at the guards that I had brought with me and the column started to move out.

As the Guards and Healers began to move this way and that, I could see a flurry of activity take place. The supplies we brought with us was stored with the rest of the supplies that was already at Kincaid. I could see that everyone was happy to be here and in a way it was an odd kind of homecoming. The guards that we brought with us were the guards that we had brought away from Kincaid not long prior. Now they were back at Kincaid and happy to see that they would see the siege through to the end. I dismounted and along with Chezeleste followed Yeoline into the Command tent. 

"I've missed you dear." Yeoline said as she embraced me while kissing hard on the lips. 

"And I've missed you my dear." I said with a smile as I held her tight even after the kiss was over. 

It was a nice, tender moment and I enjoyed holding Yeoline once more and I was relieved to see that she was alright. For a brief moment all I saw was Yeoline and all was well, however I also saw the perplexed look that Chezeleste had on her face. It was at that moment that I realized how odd it must have looked holding my lieutenant in so intimate an embrace. I turned and smiled at Chezeleste for a moment and she gave me a bit of a flustered look. 

"Don't mind me Captain. It's not may place to judge such things." Chezeleste said with a nervous smirk and shrug of the shoulders looking generally uncomfortable about the situation. 

"Is there something wrong with giving an adequate greeting to the woman I plan to marry?" I asked with a smirk as I held Yeoline in my arms and both of us smiled at Chezeleste proudly. 

"Oh that explains it!" Chezeleste said with a relieved look and sigh. "For a moment there I was wondering if you greeted all of your Lieutenants like that." Chezeleste chuckled and paused. "I doubt my husband would understand so familiar a greeting." She finished and broke into a full laugh that Yeoline and I joined in on.

"Does someone need a hug?" Yeoline said with a mock-pout mixed with a broad grin. 

"I'm fine!" Chezeleste replied with a bit of an uptight manner. "Don't worry about me." She finished defensively as she raised her hands to fend off any advance either of us made. 

"Well, how have things been here?" I asked Yeoline to change the subject. 

"Quiet, we sit here and stare at each other. They haven't tried to break out and we haven't tried to take the Quad." Yeoline said plainly and then continued. "It's strange, they don't even seem worried that we have them completely surrounded, I can't figure it!" She finished with an odd scratch of her head. 

"Well, all that will change today." I said firmly. "Lets see if we can't finish this here and now." I said with a proud and slightly devilish grin. 

"What do you have in mind Captain?" Chezeleste asked curiously cautiously.

"I'm gonna call Felleona out and demand her surrender." I said in a nonchalant tone. "One way or another, it ends today! I'm not going to wait around until she is ready to do whatever it is that she has planned!" I finished with a determined glare. 

"Can I watch?" Chezeleste said with a bright yet devilish grin of her own.

"It wouldn't be fun without you." I said with a smirk in reply as I slapped her on the shoulder. 

I didn't wait for anything as I proudly left the tent and walked down the road that lead up to Kincaid. I walked halfway down the road and stopped looking up at the walls of the seemingly imposing fortress. The puzzled looks on the faces of the Disciples that looked at me from the walls was priceless. I took a moment to look over all the faces and did not recognize Felleona's among them, not that one could from the hoods they wore. 

"ALRIGHT YOU TRAITOROUS BITCH!" I shouted as loud as I could. "GET YOUR ASS OUT HERE NOW AND STOP HIDING BEHIND THESE WALLS!" I shouted and waited for a response that never came. "OR ARE YOU TOO COWARDLY TO FACE ME?" I shouted my question and fell silent, listening and waiting for a reaction, any kind of reaction.

This time I saw some movement at the walls and wondered if I was about to get a shower of arrows for my troubles. I decided to stand my ground and see what happened next. For a few tense moments I watched as a number of hooded faces peered down at me from high above those walls. I had almost lost my patience when a particular hooded face caught my attention as it stared at me with hollow eyes. I looked up and stared back at the still figure for a moment before it disappeared behind the walls once more. Not long after that did the great door that I stood before opened up and out walked two figures. They did not pause as the door closed behind them, instead they walked in a calm yet quick pace toward me. 

One was dressed a typical Disciple but had a sword at her side that was partially obscured by her billowing cloak. The other one I knew simply from a glance at the size of her that she must be Felleona. Her attire was an odd mix of old and new, a blending of her lives as it were. While she wore the typical attire of a Disciple, she still wore her special armour from when she was Captain of the Guards. She still had the half hooded cloak overtop of it but the sparkling, shiny decorative metal armour underneath could not be mistaken. As she neared me, I could see in her eyes that she was a little miffed and just a hint of fear was in the air. 

"Alright, you've got my attention, what the hell do you want?" The large, hooded figure said with a voice that was unmistakably Felleona's

"I want to end this of course." I replied firmly, trying to keep the disdain and anger out of my voice as I looked Felleona in the eye.

"Fine, so leave then." Felleona said dismissively as she pointed to the road behind me, leading to Greatfoot. 

"You know very well that I can't leave until Kincaid is back under control." I said firmly, yet a hint of anger snuck into my voice. "Unlike you however, I actually plan to do my job." I said with a snarl of disdain as I looked into the face of the woman who had been my lover back in Teroncia.

"Thought you'd play at being Captain did you?" Felleona laughed as she looked at me while shaking her head. "It takes more than a fancy piece of armour to truly make you Captain boy!" Felleona said as she leaned in, trying to intimidate me yet failing to do so.

"I assure you my dear Felleona that I am The Captain of the Guards of Tania and that I earned that place by orchestrating the capture of your beloved Mistress!" I said with a proud smirk as I leaned back in toward her and our armour almost touched as I looked up at her with a steely glare.

"Lies!" Shouted Felleona without moving from her spot of staring down at me. 

"Prisoner in Greenglen." I said calmly and paused for a moment as I watched a sparkle of understanding flicker in Felleona's eyes. "You know the meaning of that message as well as I." I said calmly before continuing. "That's the real reason you betrayed your position and your people when you did!" I finished with a snarl and at this Felleona blinked and turned away from me slowly.

I could see a change in her demeanour, it was almost as if I had mortally wounded her and she was staggering from the pain. She turned her back on me for a moment as she digested the news and my words. I thought at that moment that perhaps she didn't quite know what I thought she knew when she departed. Perhaps it was more of a hunch that she went on, or it could have been simply a coincidence. But for whatever reason, the news of the capture of The Mistress seemed to hit her and hit her hard at that moment. 

"I wondered what that meant." Felleona said with a shaken voice with her back still to me. "I hoped that it did not mean what I feared it did." She said as she turned to face me now a few steps away from me.

"With any luck she should be dead by now." I said with a calm voice, trying not to sound too pleased. 

I got an angry glare from Felleona whose eyes seemed wet with pain and sorrow as well at that moment. Part of me felt for her, for even then I didn't like to see her in such pain. In truth I was only trying to get her to see that it was pointless to continue to serve a now dead Mistress. I could tell that she was torn by the news but I doubted I would win her over so easily, yet I had to try. 

"It's over, give it up." I said calmly as I put my hand on her shoulder. "Think of your troops. Do they deserve to die for nothing?" I said with a consolatory tone. "Surrender and you will all be treated fairly, I promise you." I said as I looked her in the eye with an almost pleading look of concern for someone who I hoped could still be a friend. 

"No." Felleona said with a determined look as she looked back into my eyes. "My Mistress is alive, I know it." Felleona said with a look that pierced through me as life and steel returned to her bones. "I will not forsake my Mistress!" Felleona finished with a growl as she stood taller and firmer.

"But you'll turn your back on your people sure enough!" Chezeleste huffed with disgust, as she spoke for the first time since we met Felleona on that road. 

"I betrayed nobody but a council of men who have kept the women of Tania under their heal for generations!" Felleona snarled back. "I am here to liberate the women of Tania from the yoke of a group of men who do nothing but serve themselves!" Felleona finished with a calmer but no less determined tone of voice. 

"Go stuff yourself!" I shot back with a disgusted chuckle. "The Mistress you serve wants to control everyone and everything and is quite clearly insane!" I shouted back with the same determined voice she had used. "As are you for following her! Clearly she has you under her sway and you are not in your right mind, as are those who follow you!" I finished with a saddened yet firm tone as I searched her face for understanding but found none. 

"Why can't you see that I only want what is best for Tania!" Felleona said with genuine passion in her voice and I could see that she firmly believed every word she said. 

"How is making everyone a slave to that woman, the best thing for Tania!" I asked with an incredulous snort wearing a look to match. 

"You're a man, you can't understand." Felleona said with a voice that dripped with disdain and disgust as she looked down her nose at me.

"Answer me then!" Chezeleste interjected with equal disgust. "The Council may not be perfect, I'll grant you that, but I'm a slave to nobody, I can think and do what I want. That's a darn sight better than being a mindless, snivelling slave to an insane woman!" Chezeleste finished with a louder tone to punch her point home.

"Letting a man boss you around just because he is a man is insane!" Felleona growled with an aggravated tone as she stepped closer to Chezeleste to continue. "We women vastly outnumber the men on Tania yet the men are in charge, can you give me a good reason why?" Felleona said in a calmer tone and a raised eyebrow as she waited for Chezeleste's response. 

"It has always been this way. We can trace the lineage of all the Council members back to the original Council and Director Lochel is a direct descendant of Augustus Teroncia himself!" Chezeleste said with pride and conviction. "The Council may make mistakes but they do their best for Tania. If you have a better way to run things, I'd like to hear it!" Chezeleste finished with a queer look toward Felleona.

"The Mistress only wants to. . ." Felleona started to speak but was cut off by Chezeleste.

"Shut up about that damn fool woman!" Chezeleste snapped stopping Felleona in mid sentence.

"This is pointless!" I said with growling disgust. "Will you or will you not Surrender?" I asked with a commanding tone as I stand up straight and tall.

"I will not forsake my Mistress." Felleona said with equal determination as she stood tall and glared back at me. 

"Fine." I replied firmly. "You have until dawn to change your mind." I finished with a stern look, hoping to look as menacing as I could.

"And you have until Dusk to leave!" Felleona said calmly as she turned and walked back toward Kincaid.

"Madwoman!" Chezeleste huffed as we both turned to walk back toward our lines. "I never thought I would see the day when she lost her marbles like that!" Chezeleste finished while shaking her head. 

"Well, by Dawn it will all be over, hopefully she will come around before then." I said in a conciliatory tone as we continued to walk. 

"Yes but it's not Dawn that worries me." Chezeleste said in a troubled tone. "It's Dusk." She finished and looked me square in the eyes and from one look we knew that we shared the same fear.



Brian's Adventures Ch. 17



Chapter 17: Empty Victory

The sun moved ever so slowly that day as it inched its way across the sky, slower than usual it seemed. It fought and clawed, reluctantly giving up each and every inch of sky as it followed its ancient path across the heavens. It would loose its battle that day, as it would every day only to fight again the next morning. 

I only hoped that tomorrow morning would bring a brighter mood to everyone and better times for Tania. We were on the eve of battle, I could feel it; I knew it was coming but I did not know precisely when. I could not get Felleona's last words out of my head, the demand that I leave before dusk. I sat and wondered what she might be planning to do and tried to think of ways to counteract her suspected plans. I still clung to the thin hope that she would heed my words and surrender before dawn. If I gave up that hope, I would order the attack immediately and not wait a moment longer. I only wanted this over and done with one way or another, preferably a bloodless solution but a solution nonetheless. 

I spent a great deal of time talking with Yeoline, Chezeleste and some other Guards discussing battle plans. It passed the time but did little to ease the tension we felt. We were all wound up and ready to pounce, but had nowhere to pounce just yet. Some were used to this kind of tension and took it in stride, or somehow did not show it at all. I however was not used to this kind of tension and my nerves started to fray. More than once that day did I get into a senseless argument over nothing at all with people I knew and trusted. 

Finally though, the day passed and the sun set below the horizon, giving us a dazzling display of colour that on any other day I would have greatly appreciated. My mind was elsewhere it seemed, for the day had ended and so began the night of wondering or second-guessing. Felleona's deadline had passed, dusk had settled and we were still here, as immovable as we were before light left the land. The question was what would she do, for that matter what would I do; did I really have any business leading the Guards into battle?

That night was the first time I would see battle, leading or participating and I hoped that it would not be a disaster. My greatest fear was not my death or even my loss in this battle; my greatest fear was wholesale slaughter of the innocent. I didn't want to see the ground of what was to be my home stained with the blood of so many young and unwilling participants. I didn't want to have to explain to the families of the dead why I thought their daughter deserved to die. 

I guess I was a little worked up over this point, but every time I looked at one of those Disciples I saw Susan, my younger sister looking at me. She was as innocent as the day she was born and I couldn't bear the thought of her under the sway of The Mistress. I could stand the thought of her dead on a battlefield as a result of what I had done even less! So in a way I saw each and every one of those Disciples as a wayward sister, someone who should be saved from themselves and not killed. 

It was pitch black and night by a few hours before anything happened. Everyone was tense and a little weary due to the hour and being on edge most of the day but stood their post, no less vigil. A few were catching a short nap while others took their turn watching for trouble. I was out for a short walk along the lines, trying to ease my troubled spirit and clear my head. I remember hearing the twang of an arrow being shot and seeing an odd light out of the corner of my eye. I looked up just in time to see an arrow that was on fire land in amidst the crops, near the outer edge of one of the nearby fields. 

"FIRE" Shouted someone down near where the arrow landed as the crops caught fire. 

Something else caught my eye in the black night sky. I looked up just in time to see another 'fire-arrow' flying through the night sky. Then another and yet another fire-arrow was shot from high on the walls of Kincaid. Now the arrows were landing here and there, seemingly everywhere, lighting spot-fires both in the crops and in amongst our lines. Small bushes and brushes were burning as the fire-arrows rained down from Kincaid all around us. Most of the fires were stamped out quickly, but our focus was not at the walls of Kincaid anymore. Our focus was amongst our lines as we tried to avoid the arrows and bring the spot-fires under control. There seemed to be no end to the fire arrows and it was after a few minutes that I noticed that we had not as yet retaliated in anyway. 

"Return fire!" I shouted as loud as I could as I looked at a group of Guards cowering behind the defenses. 

"Captain?" Asked a scared Guard who looked at me with wide eyes of fear and a tone of voice like I was insane. 

"Fire at will!" I shouted down the line in one direction with my best commanding voice. "Shoot those bitches!" I shouted down the line in the other direction trying to inspire my Guards as I pointed my sword to top of the walls of Kincaid.

"Yes Captain!" The Guard who had been scared a moment responded with gritted teeth of both glee and determination. 

In short order our archers were shooting back at Kincaid, however as you can imagine, our targets were much harder to hit. With the Disciple archers, all they had to do was hit a piece of ground here and there with no exact target. We were shooting at their positions of protection high on the walls of Kincaid. Still I hoped to let them know we would answer their challenge and hoped to keep them ducking for cover rather than shooting at us. 

It was just then when one of my Guards were hit with an arrow and screamed as her clothes went up in flames. Shortly thereafter the Guards around her had the flames out and a Healer was tending her to her wounds, but the incident boiled my blood. I realized the obvious, that we were on the defensive and you don't win battles being on the defensive.

"Get the ram, we're entering Kincaid!" I said with a gleam in my eye with my blood still pumping from seeing on of my Guards fall. 

"Yes Captain!" A sergeant gleefully shouted in reply. "You heard the Captain, lets move!" She said to a group of Guards standing near her. 

In short order her and two-dozen of my Guards were charging toward Kincaid as fast as they could. They had with them a large battering ram fashioned from the trunk of a tree. Our archers intensified their shots to the walls of Kincaid, hoping to keep the Disciple archers from attacking the charging Guards. I wanted to be one of the Guards charging to Kincaid with the battering ram, but none of my Guards would let me. I didn't want to send anyone else into danger while hiding safely behind the lines, it didn't seem right. 

"Lieutenant!" I said getting Chezeleste's attention and motioning for her to come near me.

"Yes Captain?" Chezeleste asked as she approached. 

"Circle around to the other side and see what you can do from there. I'll meet you in the middle of the Courtyard." I said pointing to Kincaid with a smirk on my face. 

"Yes Captain, I won't let you down." Chezeleste said with a determined look and a smirk of her own as she got on her horse and rode off in a rush. 

It was then that I looked back to see the ram crash against the door of Kincaid with a loud bang. The great door shook but didn't yield, holding firm and doing its job of keeping out invaders. The noise was so great that it echoed off the mountain, and I was not the only one to notice the Guards at the doors of the Quad. The Disciple archers then shifted their focus from our lines to the ram at the door. 

I could see the Disciples gather on the walls high above the door, the repeated ramming at the door below understandably agitated them. A few of them tried to shoot arrows at the group of Guards below them, while others would toss rocks. Occasionally one would get a lucky shot in and hit a Guard and they would fall aside, wounded or worse. I grew more and more angry as more of my Guards got hit and fell. 

When I saw some Disciples toss what looked like small rocks that exploded into a small cloud on impact, I got worried. I saw a number of Guards fall to the ground, some of whom had not been hit but rather only covered by the cloud. I got a strangely reminiscent feeling from this; it was like watching something that I had seen before, something that I should know. Again I saw a cloudburst at the battering ram and more Guards fell and some Guards panicked. First one Guard turned and ran back toward our lines and then another joined her. I saw the terror on their faces and I knew that the rest would follow suit in short order if something was not done quick. What I did next might not have been the brightest thing I could have done, but I knew that I had to do something and quick. 

"Follow me into Kincaid!" I shouted as I charged boldly toward the battering ram. 

A great cheer erupted from behind me and I heard the thunder of feet charging in to follow me. The few Guards that had started to run back to lines now stopped in their tracks looking at the now charging horde. It took but a moment before they were overrun but their fellow screaming Guards. Like it or not, they were pushed back toward the ram that they had just fled. They were in fighting spirit along with the rest of us by the time we reached the ram. We drew back the ram and rushed forward crashing it into the door with such force as to make the great door tremble with fear. When an arrow whisked by my ear landing not far behind me, it reminded me that all were not pleased with our resurgence of spirit.

"Will somebody shoot those damn archers!" I shouted as I tossed an angry finger in the direction of the Disciples at the wall overhead. 

Our archers shot back and had better luck as they took up positions at our rear, about half way down the road between the fields. I could see a number of Disciples ducking for cover as some arrows got dangerously close to them. Panic ensued on the walls of Kincaid when our archers finally started using some fire-arrows of our own. I don't know exactly what we hit but I saw a great burst of flame erupt from high on the walls of Kincaid. A cheer erupted from our lines when the fireball lit up the sky. I could see their numbers dwindle at that point and only a handful of Disciples remained to harass us.

Again and again we rammed against that door with all we had, again and again it shuddered giving up a little of its strength with each blow. I don't know how long we had hammered away at those doors but I remember the last time we charged at it well. We had drawn back the ram like always and rushed it toward the door with all our weary bodies had. As we neared the door I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me as I saw the doors open up before us. More of the courtyard was revealed as two Guards opened up the doors and hurriedly pushed them all the way open. We had built up enough momentum that we could not stop until we were a good way into the middle of the courtyard. 

"What's this?" I shouted to one of the many Guards that I saw inside the Kincaid Quad. "What's going on?" I demanded to know how so many Guards had entered the Quad before us. 

"We got in through the far door Captain." The Guard shouted as she pointed to the far set of doors that appeared to be undamaged and yet wide open. 

"How?" I asked still confused about a great many things about the situation. 

"After they left they didn't bother to close the door behind them." She replied sheepishly, looking unsettled over this point. 

"WHAT!" I shouted in anger at the poor Guard. "They escaped!" I snarled at the woman who didn't deserve my wrath yet got it anyways. "Would you mind telling me how we let them get away when we had them surrounded and vastly outnumbered?" I growled with the seething anger and outrage that I felt at the moment. 

"I . . . I . . . I'm sorry Captain. I happened so fast." She started to stammer out and tried to continue but began to babble incoherently as tears welled up in her eyes. I was too hard on her it seemed and she could tell me no more as she ran off into the crowd whilst being comforted by another Guard. 

"Bloody hell!" I cursed under my breath. 

"You! Get up that tower and get that damn flag down!" Chezeleste shouted while pointing at the flag of The Mistress as she crossed the courtyard on her way toward me. "Round up those archers." She said pointing to the few Disciples that remained high on the walls some of them were still shooting at us. "I want all prisoners right here where I can see them!" She finished while pointing to a patch of ground near the watchtower. "Go easy on her Captain, it wasn't her fault!" She said as she neared me, I guessed that the crying Guard running away from me did not escape her attention.

"Do you want to tell me what the hell is going on here?" I snarled at Chezeleste a little gruffer than I should have but I was less abrasive than I was with the Guard that I had I brought to tears. 

"Whoa, easy there Captain." Chezeleste said with her hands raised in a soothing manner as she stopped near me. 

"Sorry" I said in a growling apology.

"It happened fast, I had just barely arrived and was coming up with a plan when they charged." Chezeleste said and paused for a breath but I cut her off before she could speak again. 

"Your Guards?" I asked curiously.

"No, the Rebels." Chezeleste said accentuating the point with a slightly raised voice. "They just threw open the doors and ran out of there. When we rushed to engage them they tossed what looked like small balls at us. When they hit anything they exploded into a small cloud that put anyone to sleep when they breathed it." She finished, shaking her head with a slightly dejected look. 

"Then what?" I asked, curious to know what happened next though having an idea. 

"When it was clear that hand to hand combat was out of the question I ordered our archers to lay into them." Chezeleste paused for a moment. "We took a few of them down but most of the ones we hit were dragged along by the others." 

"How many got out?" I asked, dreading the answer that I suspected.

"It looks like most of them." Chezeleste said with a saddened sigh. 

"And Felleona?" I asked with a cautiously hopeful look. 

"Gone." She sighed and we both fell silent. 

"Bloody hell!" I cursed at our bad luck. 

"On the bright side we took Kincaid with very few casualties." Chezeleste said in an effort to pick up my spirits and see the lighter side of things. 

"That's one blessing at least." I said with a nod as I walked toward the center of the Quad and surveyed the place. "Search the Quad and report what you find to me." I said as I walked away from Chezeleste. 

"Yes Captain." She said with a nod and she walked off in the other direction. 

"You won!" Yeoline said with exuberant joy as she rushed up to me putting her arms around me and hugging me as tight as she could through our sets of armor. I must admit that it brought a smile to my face but it was only a fleeting smile. 

"She got away with most of her troops." I said with a twinge of stinging pain in my voice.

"Yes but you took Kincaid!" Yeoline said with the same excitement as before. "She's on the run now and scurrying for cover, we will catch her soon enough, you took her home." Yeoline said with a smile that was contagious and soon enough I was smiling along with her.

"I hope you're right." I said with the barest of smiles. "It all seems too easy if you ask me. I don't think she's beaten, not by a long shot." I said as I looked into Yeoline's eyes and for a silent moment she shared the same serious look. 

"Neither are you." Yeoline said with a genuine look of support. "Did you really think you could beat her in one battle? Did you think that she would just roll over and die?" She asked with a questioning look and waited for my reply. 

"No, of course not." I said with a sigh as I gave in to that point. 

"Well then, take your victory like a man and celebrate it, if not for you than for your Guards who have earned it!" Yeoline said with an expectant look and impatient tone as she stared me down until I broke into a smile and then to laughter. 

"You're right, it is the first step on a long road." I said with a smile and for the moment I felt better. 

"C'mon, lets go home." Yeoline said as she directed me toward one of the Estates in the Quad.

"Home?" I asked with a queer look, it had been so long since I had heard that phrase.

"Yes, home." Yeoline said as she pointed in the direction that we were walking in.

I looked up and when I saw it I smiled, I had to smile; just the sight of it lifted my mood. For carved in the stone archway over the large double door of one of the buildings in the Quad was the word 'Kincaid'. It felt odd walking toward those doors; I was nervous and excited at the same time. For on this strange island that I knew so little about, I finally had arrived at the place I was to call home. As we crossed the courtyard of the Quad my spirits brightened and I while I was nervous I was mostly excited. We opened up the great doors to the Estate that I was awarded back in Teroncia, and yet had fought for and won only moments before. 

We took our time to explore the many rooms of the three floors plus basement Estate and I was impressed to put it mildly. It was quite possibly the largest house that I had ever seen! My home back in England was about the size of the kitchen and the room in London was no bigger than the smallest of bedrooms. At first glance the 62 bedrooms seemed excessive and ostentatious and I wondered if it was a show of wealth and position. However when you remember the size of the average Tanian family it seems practical, in a strangely Tanian sense. 

The Estate was laid out nicely and had a plan to each of the floors. The basement had a few storerooms along with a large room that housed winemaking equipment complete with large Kegs that lined the walls. The main floor had all of the common rooms for the Estate: Kitchen, Dining Room, Library, Study and so forth. The second and third floors were laid out in similar fashion with bedrooms along the outside walls. The center group of bedrooms opened up to a tiny courtyard that only they could access. The courtyard was open through the second and third floors to the sky and had some small greenery growing there. 

The sides that faced the courtyard were where the Estate Master and his wives slept. Somewhere over the main doors was where the Master's chambers were and they opened up to a balcony. Four rooms on either side of the Master's chambers also opened up to the balcony. I presumed these were the rooms for his wives to sleep. Each of the rooms that opened up to the balcony had glass doors. I could tell that the second floor Master's chambers were for the eldest son and the Third floor chambers were for the Estate Master himself. 

The roof was flat and plain, although there were fortifications around the outside of the walls with large notches cut out. That was for you to attack but yet you could easily hide behind the stone fortifications. Apart from the opening going down to the tiny courtyard on the second floor there was no other features to note. You could see two bridges over the great doors of the Quad, one to each nearby Estate. You could walk in a circle around the whole top wall of the Quad from one Estate to each of the other three and back again. 

We were on the top of the Kincaid Estate enjoying the view when Chezeleste caught up with us. It was starting to get light now and we were looking out to the south over the river and on to the Sea in the distance. I was still adjusting to the thought that the grand place I had just toured was now my home. However I could not settle into it just yet, other matters needed to be dealt with first, namely Felleona and The Mistress. 




Brian's Adventures Ch. 17



"Hello Captain, I thought I might find you up here." Chezeleste said as she emerged from the nearest staircase. 

"Hello Lieutenant, just enjoying the view." I replied with a smile. "What have you found?" I asked and waited for her to report what she had come to report. 

"Well, we have finished searching all the Estates and the surrounding area and we have found little." Chezeleste said with a worried look on her face.

"Why does that trouble you?" Yeoline asked curiously, with a look to match. 

"Don't you see? There's nothing here, no families, no Estate Masters, nothing!" Chezeleste said with a concerned tone and worried look.

"That is troubling, I was hoping for a few survivors to tell us what went on here." I said with a sigh and a troubled look to match Chezeleste's. "I had also hoped to rescue the Estate Masters themselves." I sighed and looked at Chezeleste.

"They must be here somewhere, I doubt they would have left with Felleona." Chezeleste said with a hopeful look as she looked back at me for some sign of approval or agreement.

"Unless they're under her control somehow." I said while looking back at her, still worried. 

"But what about the children?" Yeoline asked with a worried look of her own.

"Excuse me?" I asked with a perplexed look. 

"Families lived at these Estates, where are the children?" Yeoline asked and it brought up a very good point. "Did you see any children rush out with Felleona Chezeleste?" Yeoline asked Chezeleste directly. 

"No, come to think of it I didn't." Chezeleste replied but was clearly deep in thought. "We haven't seen any sign of them yet, I wonder what happened to them?" She asked with a curious tone of her own. 

"We'll keep an eye out for them and for now let's not assume the worst." I said with a firm look to both of them and they nodded back at me with worried looks in their eyes. 

"Yes Captain, good idea." Chezeleste replied agreeably. 

"Well, I for one am dead tired and I guess that everyone else must be tired as well." I said as I started out. "Move all the equipment within the walls and secure the Quad, lock all the doors. Find everyone a room in the Estates, set a watch at the walls and let everyone else rest for a few hours at least." I said with my best commanding voice. "There is much cleanup to be done but that can wait until everyone gets some rest." I finished and waited for Chezeleste's response. 

"What about the prisoners?" Chezeleste asked respectfully. 

"Move them into the storerooms of the basements of the Estates and set a watch that will be relieved at the same time the first watch is relieved." I replied with a straight face.

"Understood Captain." Chezeleste replied with an affirmative nod.

"There is lots to do, lets get moving." I said and we all set to work immediately.

It took at least an hour to get everything moved and stored away, and the Guards settled. In all we left only fifty Guards to watch the walls and another fifty to watch the fifty prisoners we had captured. The prisoners we split up and stored in the largest storeroom in the basement of each of the Estates. In all we had to sleep four Guards to a bedroom but in the end everyone had a place to sleep. I guessed that I was the last to go to bed, as I needed to see that everyone and everything else was seen to first. 

Finally though, I got settled into the oversized bed in the Estate Master's chamber of my new Estate and tried to get to sleep. I must admit that it took some getting used to, sleeping in such a large bed in such a large and fancy room. I was used to sleeping in a bed that barely fit two people and here I was in a bed that would comfortably sleep four people! It felt very lonely as I slept alone in that bed, as you can imagine I missed Jealile terribly. 

I had tossed and turned a few times as I tried to unwind and relax enough to get some much needed sleep when a door opened up. I looked over and saw Yeoline entering the room from an adjoining room, the Firstwife's room. It was similar to the other rooms reserved for the Master's wives; it was the only room that had a door opening up directly into the Master's chambers. I smiled when I saw her walking toward the bed. 

"I've missed you." I said with a smile as she neared the bed, removing what little clothes she had on along the way. 

"And I've missed you too." She said with a smile as she paused by the bed only long enough to shed the last of her clothes before climbing into the bed. "But most of all, I've missed this." She finished as she got close to me and held me tight after getting settled into a comfortable snuggling position. 

"Yes, this is nice, I must admit my dear." I said as I looked into her wet eyes. "What's wrong dear?" I asked concerned why she seemed upset at what should be a happy time.

"Do you remember the last time we did this?" Yeoline asked with a curious tone with only the barest hint of a waver in her otherwise calm voice. 

"Back in Teroncia, before we left I think." I replied with a cautious, unsure tone. 

"But Jealile was with us in bed that night." Yeoline sighed and paused briefly before continuing. "I mean just you and me, alone in bed for the night." She finished and looked down, not able to look me in the eyes for some reason. 

"Well." I said trying to remember a time but failed to remember any particular time with just her and I. "I don't think we have dear." I replied, now knowing what she was referring to. 

It was true that we had spent far fewer intimate moments together and even fewer private moments together. I knew that everything was hard on her and the lack of intimacy was getting to her, understandably so. I had spent a great deal of time with Jealile and in fact she had shared my bed every night for a few weeks now. I had got so used to having Jealile with me that I didn't give it a second thought. However I had been ignoring the needs of another woman who also loved me and wanted to marry me. Even though it was dangerous, I needed to show her that I loved her, to reassure her of her place in my heart. 

"Exactly." She said in a quiet, saddened tone of voice without looking back up at me. 

"Sweetheart." I replied in a compassionate tone as I lifted her chin to look at me and waited until her now tear-filled eyes met mine before speaking again. "You know I love you." I said as I wiped a tear from her cheek. 

"I know." She said in the same quiet and hurt tone.

"You know it's dangerous for us to be together until we're married." I said carefully as I tried to get her to understand the delicate position we were in.

"I know that." She snorted back a little put off by being reminded of the obvious. "You don't think I know that?" She snapped. "You don't think that I remind myself of that everytime that I see you and want to run up to you and give you a big hug and kiss?" Yeoline finished and broke the embrace and jumped out of the bed. "If you don't want me here, just say so!" Yeoline snapped as her feet hit the floor. 

"That's not what I'm saying!" I barked as I jumped out of bed and stopped her from leaving.

"Well what are you saying then?" Yeoline said with a still wrinkled forehead, her face holding a genuine pout.

"I love the fact that you're here with me, and I have missed you dearly sweetheart." I said as I stroked her hair and held her close while I talked. "But if anyone catches us together like this we both could be killed." I implored her with eyes of sincerity. "I want you here with me now sure enough, but I want you with me more importantly for a lifetime." I said and paused to read her mood that seemed to have calmed down slightly. 

"I want that too." She said with a loving smile as she now looked back into my eyes. 

"We are in a Quad that is full to busting with people, our very lives are at stake just for being together like this." I said with a sigh. "I have missed you and I do want you here with me but we must be ever so careful not to arise anyone's suspicions." I finished and gave Yeoline a kiss on her forehead.

"I know that, but it's been hard for me." Yeoline sighed and hugged me tighter as we cuddled standing there near the bed. "Jealile got to marry you." Yeoline said with an ever so slight sneer of disdain. "She gets to sleep with you every night. She gets to hug and kiss you in public whenever she wants. She gets to have sex with you whenever and wherever and nobody thinks anything of it." Yeoline fell silent after her mild rant of understandable jealous frustration. "And I must pretend that nothing is going on. I must stand by and do nothing when you are near, not even allowed to share your bed in private." She sighed with the sad regret that she felt deeply at that moment.

"It may not be fair my dear but it is the situation that we face." I sighed briefly. "The Harvest Festival is coming up this fall and we will be able to set things right then." I said before allowing a wicked smile to creep across my face. "Come to bed and let me make it up to you." I said and it took but a moment for Yeoline's grin to match mine. 

"Of course dear but you have a lot to make up for." She said with a smirk just before kissing me. 

"Just try to keep quiet my dear and remember that we are surrounded by people in every room of this Estate." I said as I crawled into bed with Yeoline soon after me. "People that could catch us at any moment." I finished my warning but a sparkle lit up in Yeoline's eyes. 

"I will try my dear but I can't promise anything, after all it has been some time since we have last been together." Yeoline said with a smirk as she kissed me deeply on the lips. 

It was a nice kiss, a passionate kiss, a kiss from lips I had almost forgotten about; it was a kiss from a woman who desperately needed to be kissed. With each passing second the kiss lasted it grew in intensity greatly. As our passions began to consume us our hands started to roam over long neglected regions of each other's bodies. Now and again a coo, moan or other approving sound would escape Yeoline's lips muffled by my own lips. 

As time marched on I started to kiss my way down her neck much to the approval and delight of Yeoline. She tried to keep her calm and keep her vocalizations to herself but I could tell that it was a strain for her to do so. I lingered on her neck for a few moments, taking my time to heighten her anticipation of things to come. After some time of kissing and nibbling at her neck and ear I moved my attentions further south. 

I remember the moan that escaped Yeoline's lips when my lips first met her left nipple atop her marvelous mound of flesh. It was a low, guttural moan that I knew would escape the walls of my room and I silently cursed her for it. At the moment however my mouth was full with her breast so no sound passed my lips, only her supple skin passed by my lips. I kissed my way from one breast to the other and back again as I leisurely lavished attention on her wondrous womanly assets. 

"That is wonderful dear but we don't have time for all this." Yeoline moaned out as quietly as she could as she found fistfuls of my hair and pulled my lips off of her nipple. 

"What did you have in mind?" I asked with a sinful smirk on my face.

"You know well enough that what I need right now is a good hard FUCKING!" Yeoline said with a slightly frustrated growl as she pulled my face nearer to hers. 

"Fine with me," I replied with a broad smile as I scooted up until I was right up on top of her. 

I picked up her legs and threw them over my shoulder and roughly slipped my cock into her very wet pussy. It was all done in one swift motion and before she knew what was going on Yeoline found herself with a pussy full of cock.

"Holy shit!" Yeoline grunted out as I slammed into her deeply that first time. "You don't waste any time do you?" She half chuckled with a slightly dopey smile. 

"What my sweetheart wants, my sweetheart gets!" I replied with the same gleeful smile as I withdrew my cock for the first time. 

"Bless you love!" Yeoline replied with a blissful smile as I started to thrust into her fast and quick. 

I pummeled her pussy with quick and fast strokes as Yeoline closed her eyes and surrendered to the waves of pleasure that rocked through her body. It was by far not the most tender or loving intimate time I have spent with a woman, far from it. That time with Yeoline was pure and simple fucking! Animal instinct took over as I drove deep, fast and hard into her pussy over and over again. I let out a grunt with each deep thrust into that sweet pussy that I had not pleasured in some time. 

Yeoline's breathing quickly turned to a rasping almost squeak each time she drew air during that heated coupling. I could see in Yeoline's eyes that she wanted to cry out with pleasure or offer up other obscene words of encouragement. I saw her bite her lip almost constantly as her body shook with each powerful thrust I slammed into her body. A whimper would escape her lips now and again and her body would quiver when an especially exquisite pleasure would shoot through her. 

"Ooooooooohhh Shiiiiiiiiiiit!" Yeoline moaned out as her orgasm overtook her. 

Her pussy quaked and quivered as her whole body shook and shivered while the powerful and much needed climax came over her. It started in her stomach but shot out in waves from there consuming her whole body as her climax overwhelmed her. I kept on thrusting into her, not missing a beat as she climaxed underneath me. Mercilessly I thrust into her quivering pussy again and again and again giving Yeoline's poor body a workout as one orgasm pushed into another. Finally though her orgasms subsided and Yeoline laid there not moving for a moment as she recovered.   I had slowed my thrusts to a slower pace but kept an average tempo, not too fast, not too slow for a while. I watched the now unconscious Yeoline sleep for a moment as her body lifelessly rocked with each stroke. After a moment or so her eyes shot open and a long moan escaped her lips that I tried to smother with a kiss. I was somewhat successful at keeping the noise from leaving the room but I can never be entirely certain.

"Fuck me honey! Oh Christ just fuck me!" Yeoline hissed in as quiet a whisper as she could manage. 

With that I picked up my pace and pounded into her as quick and hard as I had done before, harder this time even. This time I was not letting up for anything, I had given her the release she needed and now I was determined to get the release I needed. I pounded into her again and again slapping groin against groin as our passions drove to a heated pitch. It was a hot and urgent fucking that had but one goal, release. It didn't take long for my passions to boil over and I erupted deep into her pussy, I kept pumping into her as long as I could. However I had to stop and give in to the pleasure that overtook me. Yeoline came with me but not as intense as she had done moments before. 

We collapsed in a heap on that bed, our bodies intertwined and for the first time I let her legs slip off of my shoulders. Our deep and quick breaths were the only thing that you heard as we tried to recover. I held her in my arms and we cuddled and enjoyed the tender afterglow that lovers know. 

"Oh sweetheart, that was just what I needed." A sleepy and content Yeoline said as she cuddled me and drifted off to sleep, and I with her.

It was a nice and peaceful sleep if not overly long, though I did get to hold Yeoline and have her near. I slept like a baby and fell asleep almost immediately I was so tired. It had been a long day and an even longer night. However there was much to do and even the Captain of the Guards can't sleep the day away.

"Captain." A voice enquired along with a knock from the door. "Are you awake?" The voice repeated again. 

"Yes, I'm up." I groaned in reply. "I'll be out in a minute." I added as I started to stir and shake Yeoline back to the land of the living. 

"Hmm, what?" Yeoline mumbled as she started to wake up, with a look and a finger to my lips I shushed her before she spoke another word. 

"Alright Captain, sorry to wake you but your presence is needed in the courtyard." The voice replied respectfully still on the other side of the door.

"Fine, I'll be down in a moment, Dismissed." I replied in a clearer, calm yet authoritative tone.

"Yes Captain." The voice replied and then I heard footsteps walking away from the door and I breathed easier. 

"That was close, I'm glad I can order them away." I sighed a sigh of relief while smiling at Yeoline who still lay in bed next to me. 

"So am I." She said with a smirk that grew into a chuckle that I found contagious. 

"We'd best get moving before we really are discovered." I said and started to climb out of the bed. 

"Any chance I could persuade you to linger around in bed a little longer." Yeoline purred with her best, comeliest voice that she could as she drew back the covers to reveal her shapely and beautiful body. 

I took a moment to look her over and I admit that I was tempted by her offer, any man would be. However I also knew that there were things that we needed to see to and that the day would wait for nobody. I sighed and shook my head while looking regretfully at what I was passing up before I answered her. She was a very beautiful woman and it was a tempting offer but one that I had to turn down for the moment.

"I would love to, but I just can't" I sighed regretfully. "We have too much to do." I said as I leaned back over and gave her a peck on the lips. "Sorry, I would love to linger but duty calls." I said with a smile. 

"Oh bother." Yeoline said with a pout that was hidden by a smile as she stroked my cheek before answering. "You're lucky that I love you Brian Westlock." She finished with the same alluring tone she had used before as she kissed me again but this time it was a lingering, slow kiss. 

"Now we really have to go." I said as I broke the kiss and got out of bed. 

"Alright." Yeoline lamented as she remained in bed for a moment before getting up and gathering her clothes together. "See you downstairs." She said as she disappeared into the adjoining room, the one reserved for the Estate Master's Firstwife. 

In a moment I was dressed and downstairs, the glare of the daylight made me squint for a moment as I emerged from Kincaid. I could see that people were up and hard at work, rushing to and fro. All four sets of great doors were open and I could see Guards placed at each one. What I could see was that the cleanup efforts had begun both inside and outside of the Quad; things were slowly being set right. The outside fields were being tended to and the burnt crops and bushes were being removed and the blackened soil turned. There was plenty of work for everyone and everyone was seeing to it without complaint. 

"Good morning Captain." Chezeleste said as she approached me with a slight smirk on her face. "Sleep well?" She asked with her voice dripping with innuendo, and I knew what she was referring to.

"Yes, quite well." I replied with a knowing smirk of my own. 

"Well, in future try to keep things quieter or you may find yourself in trouble that your rank can't get you out of." Chezeleste said quietly, almost under her breath, as she leaned in toward me. "Not that I care one way or the other, she looks delightful and would be hard to pass up, I admit." Chezeleste finished with a smirk and a wink. 

"Understood." I said with a slightly embarrassed smile. "Now to the business at hand, what did you need to see me about?" I asked as I straightened up while wiping the smirk off my face. 

"Of course Captain." Chezeleste replied with a nod as she also straightened up. "We are starting to clean up and get things in order around here as you can see." She started out and I began to nod my agreement. 




Brian's Adventures Ch. 17



"I see that. Good work." I complimented her.

"Thank you, but with all the extra hands around here, that shouldn't take long." Chezeleste said and looked at me with an expectant look. "I was wondering Captain, what you planned to do next?" She asked with a curious look. 

"I guess that depends on Felleona, doesn't it?" I said with a bare snicker. "Walk with me won't you." I said and pointed toward one of the great doors as we started to walk. "How well do you know Felleona?" I asked with a curious, inquiring expression of my own.

"I thought I knew her well, but now I don't think I ever really knew her." Chezeleste said with a sorrowful look that showed that she truly felt betrayed.

"I know what you mean but I mean as a leader of troops. What do you think she will do next?" I asked and again waited for her response, which she took a moment or two to gather herself together and reply. 

"Well, she is in a tight spot and I guess that we could count her as out, but I think she's far from it." Chezeleste said with a sigh. "She has always found a way to make the best out of any situation." Chezeleste finished and looked at me to read my reaction. 

We had now passed outside one of the sets of great doors and were walking down the road between the fields leisurely. We were walking, talking and taking in the scene around us of Guards working here and there. I smiled and greeted the odd Guard as we generally toured the grounds of the Kincaid Quad while we chatted. I could see that the attitude of my Guards had changed, while yesterday a number of them looked at me through skeptical eyes. Today it seemed that I had earned a small measure of their respect, and that was a comfort to me. Though I knew that I had a long way to go before I could say that I had earned the right to be Captain. I was on the right track it seemed, and was glad that my Guards didn't blame me for the loss of Felleona and her band. 

"The greatest trouble that I see is that she knows where we are but we have no clue where she is." I said with a frustrated sigh and looked at Chezeleste who shared my worried expression. 

"Yes, she may even be on her way back here to attack." Chezeleste replied with a troubled tone. 

"Nah." I said dismissively. "She ran from here with only two hundred Disciples, we have a fortified Quad with over nine hundred troops, she would be insane to attack." I finished with a shake of my head. 

"But we wouldn't expect it, surprise can go a long way." Chezeleste said with a warning tone. 

"True enough, but not that far, if she didn't overwhelm us quickly we would finish her off sooner or later." I replied with a shake of my head. "It would be easier for her to take one of the other Quads or towns in the area." I said as I looked off into the distance at the ocean and paused to think things over. 

"As soon as she did that though, we would be on her fast. Without reinforcements she would quickly loose what she gained, that would be stupid on her part, and she's not stupid. I say that she will probably just hide out and build up her strength and try again later, when she is stronger." Chezeleste said with a voice of authority and wisdom.

I admit that I might do that were I in Felleona's shoes, but something tells me that she was not going to sit around. I knew that she was committed to The Mistress and I had told her too much. I had hoped that Felleona would give up once she knew that The Mistress was doomed. However the reaction I got was quite the opposite, in fact it was pure determination and outrage. Those are two qualities that are a dangerous combination in such a strong and capable woman. 

"Yes, that would make the most sense except for one thing." I said while still looking out across the ocean. 

"What's that?" Chezeleste asked curiously.

"She knows where The Mistress is and that she's in trouble." I groaned with a twinge of regret. "Thanks to me." I sighed sheepishly while looking at Chezeleste with a look to match.

"You don't think she would be dumb enough to attack Teroncia do you?" Chezeleste asked with an incredulous and shocked look that told me she simply couldn't accept my suggestion. 

"No, of course not, but she might try to sneak in and rescue The Mistress." I said and turned to face Chezeleste and the look on her face told me that I probably was not that far off the mark.

"She wouldn't stand a chance, she might try but she wouldn't be able to pull it off, it's impossible!" Chezeleste huffed and shook her head. 

"In any event Lochel must be warned. He must know what has happened and what to prepare for." I said with a certain look of my own, though I regretted telling Lochel of the escape of Felleona. 

"True, but what do we do in the mean time?" Chezeleste asked while nodding her agreement. 

"If Felleona wants rest, then we'll give her anything but!" I smiled with a slightly wicked grin. "Leave two hundred Guards here but take the rest and scour the area for her!" I smiled and Chezeleste smiled back at me with the same wicked grin. "Keep her on the run, find her and catch her!" I finished with a grin that we both shared. 

"With any luck we should find her before long, I mean there can't be that many places around here that you can hide two hundred troops without anyone noticing anything!" Chezeleste replied with a chuckle. "What are you going to do?" She asked curiously with an inquiring look.

"Well, now that we have Kincaid I don't see the sense of keeping Greatfoot under lockdown." I replied with a straight face. "I'm going to move our operations from there to here." I finished with a plain tone of voice. 

"You're going to what? Are you sure that's wise?" Chezeleste asked with a shocked tone while trying not to sound disrespectful. "What about the prisoners?" She added with a queer look. 

"Well, for one thing Kincaid is easier to defend. Second of all, if she does cause trouble in Greatfoot or any of the other surrounding Quads we can be there within a day to take it back." I said and paused for a moment before continuing. "Second of all, it will give us less to worry about and those poor people in Greatfoot have been under the crushing control of the Guards for far too long now. It's time they had their town back." I said with a shake of the head. "Besides, the Prisoners will have plenty of work to do around here and it will help in their recovery." I finished with a calm yet firm tone as I finished with a smile. 

"I see Captain." Chezeleste said with a reluctant nod and a troubled look. Clearly she was unconvinced as to the wisdom of my plan but went along with it in any event.

With that we then set about the task of putting my plan into practice. I sent a detailed letter to Lochel reporting to him everything that had happened up until then. I made sure to let him know, that in my belief she would try to rescue The Mistress next and implored him to execute her as soon as possible. It was a long and dry report but in the end it was a necessary letter. After all, I didn't want Felleona to find an easy target in Teroncia. 

As for giving her a hard time in case she was still in the area, Chezeleste ensured that the bulk of our Guards were out on patrol at any given time. It was a vast area that we searched but we were unable to find any trace of her and that was frustrating to everyone. It was beginning to seem like she just vanished into thin air. There were whispers amongst the Guards of her using 'evil powers' to conceal herself. Still we kept up our patrols, widening the area we searched with each pass. We were intent on catching Felleona and never thought that she would evade us forever, after all on an island there are only so many places to hide.

Next I knew that Felleona might find other towns an easier target, other Commanders did not know exactly what was going on. I knew that lack of information in such troubling times could breed the worst enemies of all, fear and suspicion. So I sat down and for the first time dispatched a letter to the Commander of each and every detachment of Guards. I explained everything that was necessary for them to know about the Disciples, The Mistress and of Felleona. I sealed each letter and personally addressed each letter to each Commander with instructions that they alone open them. I knew it was a risk and that some Commanders may yet be loyal to Felleona but it was a risk that I had to take. 

The time for sneaking around was over it seamed, war was almost upon us, and Civil War at that. I wanted Felleona to find no easy targets on Tania under my watch! I wanted to give her as much hell as I could! I wanted to prevent her from stirring up anymore trouble and keeping everyone informed was a small part of that. The chance for a bloodless solution was fast evaporating but I would not ignore the opportunity to save lives if I had the chance. Regretfully Felleona and I seemed to be locked on a collision course and I hoped that Tania would survive the coming struggle.

As for dealing with Greatfoot I saw to that personally and I rode out as soon as I could. The organizing of the search, starting the cleanup efforts and writing and dispatching of the letters took time as you can imagine. It was over half a week before I could find the time to get away and the change of pace was a welcome change. I made sure that Yeoline at my side, but in truth I don't think she would have let me leave her behind again.

We arrived at Greatfoot around the time for the evening meal and the Guards at the gates were happy to see me. I guessed that a few of them thought (or hoped) that I would not survive the attack. We dismounted just inside the door and walked from there, I had hoped for a quiet evening without much fanfare. As we walked slowly toward the town hall I was greeted by a number of Guards and townsfolk alike. 

Nearing the grassy clearing in front of the town hall I saw a group of Guards going through some sparring exercises. Two Guards were sparing while the rest of the group stood in a circle and watched. I could hear the instructor giving pointers and tips to the fighters as she closely watched the match. I recognized the instructor at a glance and smiled as I neared the group. We approached from an angle that my wife didn't see me, as I didn't want to distract her from the match she was overseeing.

"C'mon now put some spirit in it you two!" Jealile shouted at the two Guards who continued to hack away at each other hitting only sword, shield or the occasional armor. "My grandmother could hit better than you two!" She finished with a disapproving tone. 

"Yes Lieutenant." The Guards replied in a droll tone as they continued their match with only a marginal improvement in their aggression. 

"If I was fighting either of you I would have had your heads by now!" Jealile growled in frustration and anger. 

"I'll attest to that Lieutenant, but I wouldn't advise it. I would hate to see you waste a pair of good Guards for no reason." I said with a smirk and Jealile spun on the spot to look at Yeoline and I with a shocked look on her face that quickly turned to a broad smile as she ran the short distance to me. 

"You're back!" Jealile shouted with excitement as she threw her arms around me giving me a large hug.

"Yes dear!" I said with a smile as big as my face as I kissed my wife hello. "Did you ever doubt that I would return to you?" I asked with a playful look as I held Jealile's head in my hands and kissed her forehead. 

"Well, I was a little worried but I'm glad to see you still in one peace." Jealile said with a beaming smile. 

"Lieutenant, just when can we greet the Captain like that?" Inquired one of the Guards Jealile had been instructing with her voice full of teasing and a smirk on her face.

"Only when you're marred to him Larissa." Jealile replied with equal cheek as she glanced at the chuckling Guards out of the corner of her eye.

"I'll keep that in mind, after all the Harvest Festival is coming up you know." Larissa replied with an innocent look about her while trying to catch my eye in a most alluring fashion. "Hello Captain." Larissa smiled with an obviously alluring tone in her voice. "It's so good to see everything is still where it should be." Larissa finished with a wink and sultry smirk in my direction. 

I had to admit that I took a moment to look over the cheeky Larissa. She was a pretty woman and in good fighting shape with an athletic build to her. Her chestnut brown hair was long and tied back in a single braid, as was the custom with Guards. Although her hair was longer than most women's hair, that much stuck in my mind. Her figure was most womanly and fine while still having a menacing touch to it. She looked like a woman who could be a woman in private but also could be deadly on the battlefield. She had a confident presence about her but still had a healthy sense of humor, that much was obvious. 

"Ha, ha, Ha." Jealile laughed with a dry, barely a laugh kind of laugh. "Quite funny." Jealile added with a light scowl in the direction of the group, and Larissa in particular. 

"A girl can dream can't she?" Larissa asked with a look of polished innocence. "Right girls?" She asked to the group of Guards who stood around her and got a number of approving giggles in reply.

"Yes, dream on Larissa." Jealile chuckled as she kissed me again. "Dream on." Jealile said as she looked over at Larissa with a quite contented look while still holding me. 

All this while Yeoline stood by without saying a thing even though she was just a few feet away from me. She didn't get angry or otherwise but in, instead she just stood there and patiently waited for Jealile to notice her. At this point Yeoline had lost her patience it seemed and quietly cleared her throat.

"Yeoline, don't think I forgot about you." Jealile said as she loosed her grip on me and embraced her friend that she had not seen in a short while, greeting her with a kiss. 

"I was beginning to wonder." Yeoline cheeked while wearing a bright smile as she returned the kiss that Jealile had just given her. 

We had a late dinner in private with our closest friends, just the Band of Misfits, I needed to discuss some delicate matters. In short Jealile, Yeoline, Shelea, Treabilla and Rialtige were there but Pelluluka was not. We kept the meal quiet and in our room so as not to arise suspicions. In truth I needed a night where I was just Brian and not the Captain. 

"So how have things been here?" I asked to the group in general and was curious to know a few things before I told them what I had in mind. 

"Quiet really." Jealile replied after swallowing a mouthful of food. "How was Kincaid?" She asked in reply and held a curious look in her eye.

"Well the attack was quick and relatively painless." I said with a sigh before continuing. "We took the Quad and lost very few Guards. We managed to capture about fifty Disciples but Felleona got away." I said with a still sadden look about me. "How has Pelluluka been as Commander? Is she alright?" I asked with heightened interest, wanting to know if my instincts about her were correct or not.

"We heard about Felleona, that is frustrating but expected I guess, given her experience and the time she had to prepare for the attack." Jealile said with a sad tone of her own before putting her hand on my shoulder. "Don't let it get to you, you took Kincaid with few casualties on both sides and that is what you really wanted isn't it?" Jealile finished with a look of compassion and understanding.

"Yeah, you avoided the massacre we were afraid of didn't you?" Treabilla added with a smile of understanding of her own. 

"I was there and there was nothing more you could have done Captain." Yeoline added with a gentle look and touch of her own.

"Don't call me that, not tonight." I sighed with a shake of my head. "Tonight I want to be just plain Brian." I finished with another sigh.

"Fair enough, Brian my friend." Rialtige interjected quickly before Yeoline could respond. "Relax for you are among a most welcome company of those who see you as plain, ordinary, dreary and dull." Rialtige said in his usually lively and warm voice, though his face wore a smile to match his cheeky wit. 

"Thanks. . . I think?" I replied with a questioning look, as at the moment I didn't know if I had been complimented or insulted. The group erupted in uproarious laughter at that point and I managed a chuckle or two.   "Well it sounds like you made the best of a bad situation, you had a difficult balance to maintain yet somehow you did it." Rialtige said as his humorous demeanor settled into a more serious one. "That's not something I would want to do." Rialtige added with a somber look on his usually smiling face. 

"Thank you, all of you for your kind words." I sighed with an attempt at a smile but only managed a weak one. "But what about Pelluluka?" I asked again and looked around the room hoping for some good news. 

"She's been fine by all accounts." Treabilla said assuredly with a pleasant nod of her own. "There has been little excitement around here but she has done her job well and nothing out of the ordinary happened." Treabilla added and fell silent, in short she has been a fine Commander but not really tested you understand. 

"Well, there was that incident with that Disciple/Guard don't forget." Shelea added with a look to the group.

"Excuse me?" I asked with a concerned look, now worried that I had placed my faith in the wrong person, again.

"No, no. It's not what you think." Shelea emphatically assured me as she looked at my furrowed brow. "Not long after you left did a newly transferred Guard, (or so she said) approached Pelluluka in private. Apparently this Disciple/Guard told her that she was a Disciple and came here to help out their Mistress." Shelea paused to catch her breath before continuing. "Well without hesitation, Pelluluka talks her up all friendly like and they go for a walk. She walked that Disciple/Guard right over to the jail and locked her up!" Shelea then broke into a chuckle at the memory of it. "I don't have to tell you that the Disciple/Guard was not pleased at all and still doesn't have anything nice to say to Pelluluka. 

"Well, that's good to hear, I only hope that it wasn't staged for our benefit." I said with a sigh as I tried to figure out that very point.

"Not much pleases you these days does it?" Shelea inquired with a screwed up face and a queer look.

"I'm sorry but a lot is at stake, I can't afford to have someone leading Guards that I can't be absolutely certain about." I said with a worried sigh. "Too much is at stake." I finished while looking at everyone around the room in the eye at least once.

"There's no great risk, we're here to keep an eye on her in case she does start to falter." Treabilla added with an assuring look but she started to look worried when this did not comfort me. "Aren't we?" She asked curiously and everyone else in the room listened more intently at this point.

"Well, we have taken Kincaid and regrettably none of the families have been found yet so that means there is a great deal of extra space at Kincaid." I said and paused for a moment. "I don't see the sense of keeping this town under our heel any longer than we have to. I just think that we should let them get back to their normal lives. We can still do our work from Kincaid. Pelluluka and her Guards will be here to keep this town safe." I said and then fell silent to hear the reaction of my friends around the room.

"I can see why you were so concerned about Pelluluka, but let me assure you, she will be fine." Treabilla finished with a comforting smile. 

"I agree Brian. These people are fast loosing their patience with us. Some of the Merchants are a few days away from poverty. You're right when you say this town needs to return to normal, they need that mine reopened and the gates opened once more. In short this town needs trade and quick!" Rialtige said with a somber look about him, and I could tell that he knew well the troubles of the people of this town.