1 comments/ 4754 views/ 0 favorites Scholarly Works Ch. 01 By: MonsterGirlExaminer The scholar awoke, her hips aching slightly. She let out a soft groan of discomfort, as she shifted out of the bed, her feet silently touching the ground. She shifted her weight slowly, to avoid a strain from the bedsprings, or a creak from the floor boards. She heard the man breathing heavily in the bed. She cast her eyes over to the door, as the ship rolled lightly. It would be locked- And beyond that, half a dozen men would be going about their business. After yesterday's ostentatious celebration, and all the vows, they might take amiss to the captain's new wife sneaking off the ship. She took a moment to look down at the ring, and smiled. The captain was quite a kind and gentle man, barring a bit of overeagerness, and the idea of playing pirate queen had its own kind of enjoyment, but she had work to do. The Imperial Library of Shangri-La had hired her, after she had thoroughly documented the monsterfolk in the mountains and valleys of her home country. It appeared they wanted more information about the world at large available to them as they prepared to spread in the world. That she had been banished by the Emperor shortly before just made the job all the more tempting. She gently slipped the ring off her finger, the coral and brass glittering beautifully. She would have to add 'Shockingly good jewelsmiths' to the entry on Scylla men. She gently placed it on the table by the bed, and lifted the delicate eyeglasses from the table, placing them over her eyes, blinking as she checked herself. Hickeys had been left everywhere on her soft skin, small rings of red where the Scylla had gotten overeager. She was pale-skinned, her hair dark, with a few copper strands visible. If she were entirely honest with herself, she was not of a most athletic shape, from a youth spent in libraries, bent over books, but it did not seem to put off the monsterfolk men. She smiled with modest satisfaction, and looked over her shoulder. Splayed across the bed, the Scylla man lay, eyes closed, heavy breaths rumbling out. His pale-olive skin had been intriguingly exotic, and she felt a little twinge of regret that she was not staying as she took a moment to appreciate his bare chest, broad shoulders spread lazily across the bed. Tentacles coiled across the bed, bringing a red blush to her face as memories of last night danced in her mind. He looked so fierce with his eye-patch, the scar visible above and below his cheek. The story of how he'd gotten it, saving a human child from a shark attack, made it seem somehow less frightening, making it a dashing badge of honor. She shook her head, and started dressing. If she spent all her time dreamily admiring his face, then she would hardly get anything done. The traveling clothes were not ornate or fancy. She wore a simple dark brown shawl, a pair of well-worn pants, and a concealing top, meant to hide her gender. Looking male had been only a moderate aid in avoiding unwanted attention on the roads, as most of the male monsterfolk she'd met on her travels had displayed a damnably strong sense of smell, but every little bit helped. She slowly pulled on her socks, the shoes sliding on, and she edged her way slowly towards the window. The moon shone through the glass. The city rocked outside. She'd been surprised that the city would allow pirates to dock here, but apparently, the local Emer was a man who enjoyed his kick-backs, and the pirates paid handsomely for the friendly port. With all those who had not heard the good word about Setereh, there were plenty of outsiders- Tarriqii- who the Emer was all too happy to see raided. The kingdom went unmolested, and traders had a good profit-driven reason to convert to the God of the Setereh. She reached down, lifting the travelling bag, hoping it would keep the water out while she spent a few brief moments underwater, and leapt from the corner just as a wave rocked the ship. She dove headfirst into the water, just as the water struck the pier, the noise of her entry lost in the splash. As she climbed out of the water, she heard the first shouts from aboard the ship. She ran into the alleyways, darting from shadow to shadow, and then, finding an opportune window to her right, leapt into the darkness. The young woman inside took the sudden intrusion with a surprising amount of grace, which is more than could be said for the scholar, who let out a high-pitched yelp, before processing the woman's appearance. The full-body white cotton veil the other woman wore had, momentarily, appeared like a ghost right out of the scholar's childhood nightmares. A smile spread across the scholar's face. "Want to trade clothes?" The other woman had left surprisingly quickly after putting on the scholar's clothing. She hadn't looked particularly like a fugitive- Maybe she just wanted to go explore the city while wearing something a bit less eye-catching. The scholar sighed, as she took a seat, polishing her glasses free of the water, and looking around the small room. A tall pitcher full of water and ice sat on a table, condensation dripping off the metal. She took to her feet, and bent over to admire the water, dragging a finger along the cool exterior, before lifting it to her lips. The first rosy fingers of dawn were arising over the city, the sky turning from pitch black to the most spectacular shade of blue, even as she watched. The garment, though it was somewhat difficult to walk in, was astonishingly comfortable. White cotton hung over the entirety of her body, loose and shapeless, with only a small hole to give a view of her eyes, a veil covering them. Despite its covering, it let the air flow easily. As she thought about that, she began to feel uncomfortably nude. She carefully slipped her travelling sack beneath the clothing, and then the door opened. Two tall men, dark-skinned and sharp-eyed, stood at the door, on either side of a bookish young human male. The young man had dark skin as well, though slightly lighter than the two guards, and wore a rather broad and voluminous shirt, a pair of trousers, and a rather fussy looking pair of glasses, rather unlike her own. He carried a small parchment, and a quill, which looked rather too large to be from anything but a harpy. It bore a curiously distinctive He studied her silently for a few moments, before nodding to the two men. She abruptly became aware of the curved blades the two men carried. The current atmosphere seemed like it would favor carefully going along with the two large and somewhat intimidating guards, rather than any foolish attempts to run in a garment that seemed designed to trip her up. She gave them her best winning smile before recalling the veil, and allowed them to flank her, as the scribe began leading them quickly through the building. The large hotel was rather busy, travelers filling it nearly to bursting, but none of them ever came close to her, or her flanking bodyguards. At least, she hoped they were bodyguards. Surely jailers would be a little more menacing towards her, specifically. As they lead her through the streets, she took a moment to appreciate the architecture. The white stone of the buildings shone brightly in the dawn light, making her think of the imperial palace back home, just for a moment. The tallest building stood several stories tall, in the center of the city. No doubt it was the manor of the local Emer. She felt her nerves grow slightly tenser as she approached the large building. The guards led her through the double doors of the large palace, and into a rather beautiful garden, set in the center of the building, a courtyard where a pair of rather beautiful young harpy women sat. The two played harps slowly, smiles on their faces, wearing long, elegant gowns. Their skin was the same shade of olive as the scribe's, and they waved pleasantly to her. Both were rather gorgeous creatures, with glittering, iridescent blue feathers, and long tails that lay across their legs as they played, apparently for their own pleasure. The music was soft and pleasant, and they gave her rather dazzling smiles as she took a seat by the small pool in the middle of the garden. She carefully set the bag down at the water's edge, and withdrew her notes from the previous week's observation, carefully setting to editing them, for lack of anything better to do. She would make copies, and give them to a traveler headed towards Shangri-la when she had the chance, and hope they made it to the Imperial Library. "The Sultan's insults verge on the outrageous. Sending me to this backwater was bad enough, but I could at least consider it an opportunity to prove my abilities in fostering trade. But this is who he chooses for my first wife? Some Tarriqi human, a slave bought by traders? This is outrageous! He deliberately provokes me!" "My lord, I'm sure that the Sultan has his reasons, and she is certainly an attractive-" "Perhaps if you are human. I've yet to see one of you that did not turn my stomach at some level." The voices carried over the walls of the garden. The door to the garden opened, and there he stood. He was one of the Naga of the Setereh kingdom, one of the famous hooded cobra men that she had read of. He towered, his shoulders broad, his arms crossed over his chest. His skin was a pleasant shade of dark brown, burnt by sun into a crisp color. The only clothing he wore was a simple sand-colored cloth skirt around his waist, covering the transition between human and snake. A pair of golden bands were fastened around his arms. He slithered across the garden, his movements hypnotic, leaving a trail in the delicate grass as he approached her. His eyes were golden and dark, and something about the look he gave her sent a shiver down her spine. His scales were a mix of dark, almost ash-gray scales on the back, and a lighter brown on the stomach, and he looked impressive as she took him in. His muscles gleamed in the soft light, a thin sheen of sweat on his skin, his torso narrow and tapered. His hair was a strange mix of black and tan, hanging down over his head in the shape of a broad hood, stiff, with a pair of pale gold eyes etched onto them, almost the same color as his actual eyes. He was angry, and while she had not caused that anger, she was the target of it. She was briefly put in the mind of stories she had heard, of snakes who could hypnotize prey, and put them into a trance, helpless to prevent their own deaths as it approached them... Which was why she was quite shocked when he darted forward, and his lips met hers through the veil, his hand resting on her chin, with a surprisingly gentle touch. The feel of his tongue was strange, but pleasant, as it danced across her lips through the veil. She could taste the faintest hint of honey through the cotton fabric, her heart pounding like it had when she'd experienced her first kiss, her eyes closing as the pleasant touch of the tongue soothed her. The kiss broke, and he studied her. "Tell me. Do you even speak my language, Tarriqi girl?" She swallowed slowly. "Yes, Emir. I apologize if I have displeased you." One eyebrow raised at this, and the dark anger on the Naga's brow faded, replaced with a certain amusement. "And where did you learn to speak it so ably, that you could ferret out what I said? I had the impression that you were hardly educated, from the Sultan's letter." "I am from the great nation of Shangri-La, my lord. I was educated there; On my travels, I was abducted by pirates, and brought here." None of the things she said were strictly lies. A creative explanation of the truth had gotten her to where she was in life today, and while some people might view exile and becoming the first wife of a foreign noble through a series of understandings something of an ill-spent youth, she was determined to see it through. He nodded. "Your name will be Kar Cicegi." He rested a hand on his chin, considering her, a smile on his face. "Perhaps the Sultan did not know what he had. Or perhaps he is hoping to make friends. We shall see how you serve me as a wife. The Eunuchs will prepare you." The scholar cast a brief eye around, to find the two harpy women standing on either side of her, giving a polite bow, as the Emir left. She stared at the two. "You're-?" she started, a certain disbelief in her voice. One of them smiled. "No, of course not. That's simply the Emer's little joke" she said, her voice warm and gentle. The other nodded. "Indeed. We're not castrated. We simply have little interest in women." The two shared a brief laugh together, and she found a flush rising to her cheeks, as they led her over to the waters. The waters had been perfumed lightly, and the cloth robe had remained on her as she bathed, something muttered briefly about religious rituals when she asked why. The harpies had dried her with their wings, creating gusts of wind. With the dry desert air, it had left the robe smelling pleasantly of rose petals, and comfortably cool as she walked through the garden, towards the Emer's quarters. She studied her surroundings as she walked. The walls, while modestly high, were far from unscalable. The stone looked fairly rough, and with the use of the gown, she should be able to escape. But, she had to admit, this place was fascinating. If she stayed, say, perhaps a week or two, she was sure she would have some fascinating insights to return to the Library. She opened the doors carefully, keeping her head down as she did. The veil covered her eyes, keeping her from seeing beyond the polished, sweeped marble floors. She was quite unprepared for the burst of movement from the Emir, coiling her in his body in an instant, leaving her wrapped pleasantly in the coils. The etched eyes on his hood were glowing softly, his real eyes watching her with a faintly amused expression. The coils shifted, slowly pulling the robe down across her body. She felt the veil slip from her face, exposing her eyes, and the robe was slowly, inexorably pulled down. It was tight, catching around her head, but it stretched, giving way. She stared into the eyes on the Emir's hood, and remembered seeing a snake shed its skin, and felt a shiver of vulnerability. He slipped the glasses from her eyes, resting them on a small table. He smiled, as she felt another layer of protection taken from her. "You are beautiful, and well educated." He murmured, and she felt herself nodding. "You do not carry yourself like a slave. I suspect you have never been a slave. Tell me, do you wish me harm? Do you intend to kill me? To betray me?" Her head shook from side to side with each question, and she felt her cheeks warming. The sensation was curious, as though she was half asleep, answering questions without thinking about them. She'd heard of the hypnosis of the Naga, but had never heard it described well. She was conscious, still thinking, her mind racing to process the phenomena as they came up, but her body was utterly relaxed. She could feel the beat of her heart, and the beat of his, the strong tail coiling around her slowly, squeezing her from her ankles up, sending strange waves of warmth flooding through her entire body. His grin shone, canines long, twice as long as the teeth around them, and he laughed. "Well, then, whatever you were before... You have a new position now." She felt the coils shift her, bending her body backwards, one of the thickest lengths of tail pressing against her back. Her body was limp, and she shocked herself with her own flexibility, as her back stretched, her limbs splayed out, the Naga's tail slipping under her neck. "I am Emer Golbasi. And while I am not normally a man to indulge in Tarriqi, or humans... You have aroused my curiosity." His tongue flickered out, and she felt a strange need to be kissed again. The robe finally slipped off of her body, leaving her bare, her pale skin exposed, as the Naga leaned forward, slowly planting a kiss on her lips. It was quite unlike any kiss she'd experienced before, even the brief kiss they had shared through the veil. His tongue flickered across her lips, narrow, forked, agile, making her open her mouth in surprise. In that moment of vulnerability, his tongue slid between her lips mouth, coiling around her tongue, and she felt the pounding in her heart grow stronger. She felt it squeeze slowly, the forked tip exploring her mouth, her eyes rolling up. She felt her breath growing short, but the sweetness of the kiss, that taste of honey on his tongue, and the security of his coils, kept her heart beating steadily, even as it seemed to hunder in her ears. Finally, as her eyes lidded, he released her from the kiss, a wide grin on his face. "When I am finished with you, you will no longer be Tarriqi." His smile made her feel a sudden spike of apprehension. She was rolled slowly, her upper body coiled in the strong tail. The tip of his tail rested across her eyes, the rest of her upper body pinned helplessly within the coil, as she felt him take hold of her ankles. She had begun to come out of the trance, now that she was no longer staring into those glowing eyes, but in her current position, she could hardly twitch. She flexed her legs, and it was like trying to escape granite, the strong hands giving her absolutely no room to move her ankles. The sense of helplessness ran up into her chest, and she felt her heart pounding with excitement. "We Naga possess a famous venom. In bites, it is delivered in lethal quantities, enough to stop the heart of a human. It is supposed to be a peaceful, even pleasant death." His laugh, the coils vibrating around her. "In less concentrated doses, it can loosen the muscles, and heighten the sensitivity of certain nerves. The sensation is said to make a simple kiss akin to a religious experience. Would you like to see what it can do when applied elsewhere?" She felt a bolt of fear. She'd been lucky, certainly, in the past. But that kiss had been almost too much to bear. She could feel the warmth of his breath across her groin, and the tip of his tongue as it drifted over the small patch of hair that she kept carefully trimmed. She could feel sweat beading around her forehead, and her throat, and her thighs, her skin growing hotter. She tried to think. The Naga was simply trying to excite her. She was going to make it through this momentary distraction, escape after learning all she could, and never give it a second thought. The tongue pressed against her, running across the lips of her womanhood. The world exploded into flashes of color before her eyes, her heart pounding so loud she felt like it was a kettledrum. She'd remembered, when she was young, touching a hot stove. She'd held it for nearly a second, marveling at the feeling of cold, before the heat had struck her brain, shocking her into movement. She could feel the same strange numbing cold between her legs for a moment, before heat exploded out of her. At first, she couldn't tell whether it was pain or pleasure that she was feeling, a shriek escaping her throat. Then, the waves of hot pleasure wrapped around her, like the coils wrapped around her body, and the shriek died off, becoming a low, liquid moan, as the Naga's laugh rumbled. "Just from a lick, little snowflower? Don't worry. It becomes much better." His voice rumbled around her, making her heart pound. The tongue ran across the petals of her flower, stroking between them, slowly teasing her bare skin. Her thighs were damp, and she could feel the moisture trickling down across her ass, reminding her painfully of every inch of skin, as the venom mixed with the signs of her surrender, and spreading that strained, blissful feeling over her skin. She felt exposed, each lick stripping away a layer of her mind, sending her into a blissful state of calm. His voice came out in warm, honeyed tones, dripping into her ear, and she found her jaw dropping. She tried to close her mouth, and to her distant and somewhat shaky horror, she couldn't. She had trained and studied and educated herself so much, and now, she could feel her own saliva, warm and slippery, dripping across her chin, as that tongue stroked her again. Scholarly Works Ch. 01 "You should consider yourself honored, little Snow Flower. Most humans cannot stand this venom. They would have passed out by now. Perhaps you're worthy after all. But a simple lick isn't enough for you, is it? I think that you would like more." She tried to scream, to beg him not to. It wasn't that she was afraid... Was it? Was she just not able to hack it, to experience this...? "Yes... please." The words came from between her dry lips, her eyes closed, shocking her with the eager neediness packed into them. The Naga made a pleased sound, somewhere between a hiss and a laugh, and she felt a strangely pleasurable sensation in the pit of her stomach, a warm little glow that made her quite unprepared for the tongue when it pressed inside of her body. The forked tip stroked a sensitive place, and the world went white around her, as she felt her entire body straining. She only became aware of it as she heard a grunt of exertion from the Naga, as he strained with her flexing body, doing his best to keep her from hurting herself, the realization flooding through her as waves of heat washed up and down her body, making her skin tingle pleasantly, as she began to breathe hard, ragged gasps escaping her. She became aware of warm streaks across her cheeks, tears dripping down slowly. She wasn't sure she had ever had her mind so empty of thoughts, of concerns, of planning ahead. The feeling was heady, the simple moment of perfect awareness. In the midst of the chaos of sensations, she could feel his tongue touching the nub just below her mound, and coiling around it. The moment of serenity was suddenly torn apart, as abstract, mountainous pleasure became a sudden avalanche of sensation, her mind quaking and bending under the stress of it. Her whole body arched violent, her back pressing into the firm coil around her, as she felt her whole body clench. She couldn't see what happened with the tail still coiled around her head, but the warm laugh of the Naga sent aftershock orgasms through her. The vibration seemed to be hooked directly into her nervous system, sending jets of pleasure up her spine, lodging somewhere in the pit of her stomach. His coils loosened, and her body fell limply to the ground. She panted softly, on the floor, her stomach twisting with strange flutters of excitement. She could feel her nipples again, after the sensory deprivation of the coils of snake-tail squeezing her. She stared down at her body, unable to muster the energy to do more than move her head slightly. She tingled all over, the venom making her feel helpless, taking away her agency while enhancing her sensitivity. It was impossible, and wonderful, and fascinating, and terrifying. The Naga smiled, as he studied her. "You are far more active than most people would be after that dosage. And you appear to be thinking." The eyes on the hood glowed softly, his own eyes glittering, sending pins and needles through her skin. "What runs through your head, little Snow Flower?" he asked, his voice warm. She tried to hold it back. "You're fascinating." His eyebrow went up, in interest, as he ran a hand down her stomach. "Go on, Snow Flower. Do tell me more. I'm fascinated." She tried to bite her lip, and as she opened her mouth to do so, the words spilled out. "I'm... a scholar. Not a slave. I study monsterfolk. And I'm going to run away once I've learned more about you." A stream of blistering invectives played across her mind, struggling to be said, but he simply laughed, a grin on his face. "Really? Well, that should make for an interesting challenge, then. We shall have to see if I can change your mind." His arms wrapped around her, and lifted her gently. His tail coiled around her, and she was seated on, for want of a better word, his lap. The length of his tail rested across her back, supporting her as he leaned forwards against her. It seemed to change its size, she realized, as she watched it. It stretched and compressed, to fit its owner's desires. Perhaps a magical effect, or some sort of curious talent. She thought hard to avoid thinking about how pleasant the tail felt as it draped around her. First her chest, and then her waist, the tail embraced her. He smiled, reaching over to the table, taking a pitcher of cold water. Her lips parted, and the pitcher was held to them, slowly pouring the water down her throat. She felt the cold in her chest, battling with the heat in her stomach. The pleasure was immaculate, leaving her feeling cleansed. Her body was awash in relief as the cool water quenched her thirst. She had been in danger of dehydration, it seemed. This thought brought uncomfortable awareness of the moisture along her thighs, calves, and ankles, and the warmth between her legs. For the first time, she was becoming aware of his scent, as she was drawn away from the sensory deprivation of his tongue working against her body. He smelled pleasantly masculine, his scent not offensively strong, but distinct enough. It was a sharp musk, and it made the warmth between her legs grow a little warmer. The flush on her cheeks spread down her throat and across the curve of her chest, turning pale flesh to a darker red. Her eyes cast down, and watched as the skirt slid away. She felt a slight flush run over her cheeks. The shaft lay against her, the beat of the Emer's heart easily felt, so intimately pressed against her. She ran a hand across her lips, wiping away a bit of the saliva still staining her cheeks, as she swallowed. The tip lay gently against her body. She was still too relaxed to tighten voluntarily, but he didn't seem to mind, as the shaft pressed inside of her. His body leaned closer, those false eyes growing larger, until she found them taking up the whole world. Her eyes crossed strangely, vision becoming unfocused, as she felt the familiar sense of helplessness surround her. "Tighten." The word hit her nervous system before her brain could understand, and she found her muscles responding without asking permission. As though shocked, her pussy clenched tightly around the intruding shaft. She became abruptly aware of the size of it, pressed inside of her, and let out an involuntary gasp. Her voice pitched an octave higher than usual, as he began to pump his hips. She felt the snake thrust carelessly, her own excitement leaving her body slick, his shaft pumping in and out of her easily. She clung to him, her heart pounding in her chest, gritting her teeth together, and tried, with no success, to keep her focus. She was a scholar, she had trained herself to deal with these situations. Her body showed absolutely no interest in listening to her, as her back arched in the warm coils, her pussy clenching. She could see the flow redouble, as the orgasm trickled down his shaft, pooling between them, forming a wet puddle. The sound of flesh slapping gently against flesh filled the air, as his hips pressed against hers. Cold and clinical detachment seemed to be failing her, here. She had been so used to having control of her mind and her body, and he'd stripped away control of the body. Without that, control of the mind was becoming extraordinarily difficult. She stared, as his hips pumped against her, trying to focus, but unable to. She could feel a broad, painfully obscene smile spread across her face, her tongue hanging from her mouth, drooling slightly onto her own chest. The sound of his hips pounding gently against her left her quivering on the tip of the shaft. Her toes curled, her legs pulling up against her body. He didn't move his upper body, but the tail fastened securely around her, slowly pumping her up and down. He was inexorable and inhumanly strong, penetrating her steadily without showing a sign of fatigue. She felt a tension growing in her stomach again, her body clenching, and a gasp escaped her throat, pitching down into a moan, her whole body shaking as the orgasm struck her. The smile on his face turned into a smirk. "Dear me, little snow flower. Can't you hold out? After all you've had, you're still greedy for more pleasure? I hope you don't pass out before I've had some fun, too." His lips pressed against her ear, as he laughed softly, warmly, sending spikes of delight up and down her spine. She felt him continue to move, pumping her body, her first orgasm followed by a second, and rapidly by a third. It was only with the fourth that she felt the change in tempo, his tail clenching tightly around her, so tight she could barely take in a breath, her breath rushing out in a gasp as he squeezed and thrust, her vision momentarily flashing, before she felt the shaft twitch inside of her. She felt him shift, and groan, and kiss firmly along her throat. Sensations struck her, the heat rushing up inside of her, the sensation of the thick shaft twitching inside of her body, every vein and ridge on it felt in shockingly exact detail. She could feel the heat of his seed dripping inside of her, the soft sensation of his lips, the air brushing over her bare skin, the thick tail rubbing across her nipples. And as he looked into her eyes, and smiled, she felt that she was still herself. She'd won. "Tell me, little snow flower. Will you become Seterehi, and become my bride, submitting yourself to me?" he asked, his voice low, and heated. She felt a quiver of pleasure. The idea of doing this again frightened her, and thrilled her. She took a deep breath, and shook her head, her eyes closed, her voice small, fearing anger, or violence. "I... I can't." His voice boomed cheerfully, his smile broad. "Do not worry, little snow flower. You will have six more days to decide. On the seventh night, you will conceive our children if you stay, and I shall take you as my wife. But until then, you may decide, each day, whether you wish to stay and learn more, or to flee." His laugh filled the air, and she swallowed. Six more days. She wondered if she'd be able to say no to him after another night. And the seventh night... She swallowed again, feeling the lump in her throat refuse to go down. For the life of her, she couldn't tell whether it was fear, or excitement. Scholarly Works Ch. 02 The scholar stood atop the wall, dressed only in the slender white gown of the garden. It had been ripped up to her thighs, exposing her knees, the band of cotton helping her to ascend the columns up to the height of the wall. She studied over the hills, a smile on her lips, as she looked down into the travelling bag. All the notes she'd carefully taken in her discussions with the Emer, his servants, and the Harpies rested in the bag. They would make for quite a juicy bit of information for the Imperial Library. She looked down into the courtyard. The two harpies slept with their wings over their heads, among the branches of the garden trees. She'd quite enjoyed their company, the two full of cheer and interesting stories of their homelands. The Emer's discussions had been somewhat more difficult to grasp, usually because of the price he exacted for them. She took a breath, sitting down slowly, to relax herself. Just thinking about it made her heartbeat race, and tingling afterimages ran across her eyes. The places where his tongue had run over her body had continued to experience the increased sensitivity. Their refusal to calm was beginning to worry her slightly. She had asked how long the tingling sensitivity to gentle pressures would persist, and he had only smiled. The Naga so often did in response to her more personal questions. It wasn't all bad, though. While she had grown more sensitive, her body seemed to be shaking off exhaustion faster than it had before. Climbing the pillar had been surprisingly easy, barely even speeding her heartbeat. The Emer had made it quite clear to her that she was not to tell anyone about their tryst. She, the scribe, and the two harpies were the only ones who knew of it, and all of them were depending on the Emer's protection and warmth. She felt safe enough about running off. She knew it would disappoint him to see she had not stayed, and she could so easily imagine how she might've. But she had barely even explored this country, and there was still so much more for her to find. She rested a hand on her stomach somewhat nervously. She could feel a strange twinge of disappointment inside of her at her decision. A brief flash of what it would be like to stay, shockingly vivid, playing across her mind's eye. She turned out towards the desert, and began climbing down. A gold coin bought a set of drab travelling clothes from a merchant in the early morning. She changed in an alley, watching her surroundings with trepidation. The sand-colored tunic, trousers, and cape hid her body from the sun. The clothing seemed a bit covering for the heat, but once she put it on, she found the air flowing underneath it rather refreshing. She entered the nearest tavern, and within moments, was signed up with a caravan. The caravan leader was taking one of the dangerous passages south through the mountains. A dozen humans, male and female, a silent red-headed elf woman, and a couple of dwarves she could only assume were men, made up the travelers. The leader of the caravan introduced her to their guides. Four Minotaurs stood in the corner of the room. She'd heard stories of them before, but she could not entirely help herself as she approached them. Her jaw dropped, her eyes wide. They each stood more than eight feet tall, towering over her. They had the upper bodies of men, broad-shouldered, with muscles that bulged perhaps a bit more than she strictly found attractive. She had to admit it worked for them, and felt slightly intimidated by their glances. Broad-headed long-shafted hammers hung from their belts. Each possessed a pair of colossal, curving horns, protruding from the crown of their head. And of course, she could not help but notice their strong, bull-like legs, ending in broad black hooves. What stood out to her most, however, was the smell. She wrinkled her nose the first time she caught a whiff, disgust on her features. When she breathed again, she found it was not as offensive as she had expected. The scent of the minotaurs was strong, and somewhat sharp, but it had a curious tendency to grow more enjoyable the longer she smelled it. The aroma was exaggeratedly masculine, but there was a certain sugared hint to it. It reminded her of the shaggy-furred yaks of her childhood, their coats smelling sweet from the oats they ate. She remembered burying her face in one of the beast's flanks, and taking deep breaths as the warm fur tickled her cheek. The one in the lead had skin the color of milky tea, browned by sun yet handsome. His hair was bleached to a fine blonde, and he was a full foot taller than the others, towering over her. His face was that of a man's, proud, with a strong chin, but cleanshaven. His eyes were a piercing golden color. He broke her out of her memory by holding out his hand. She felt slightly giddy as she returned the gesture. Her palm fit in his like a child's, and he smiled down towards her. "Charmed." His voice was rough, but his speech was elegant, surprisingly so. He must have seen the surprise in her eyes, for he gave her another quick, easy smile. "We are all quite well-spoken. Me and my people are no savages. We have a great appreciation for knowledge, and those who seek it." He bent forward, his lips meeting the back of her hand. She looked down, at the distinctive golden caps on his horns. They were fitted well, and glittered in the low light of the inn, only a few inches away from her chest. She could not suppress a little quiver of fear. The minotaur smiled. "We will be leading the caravan through the southern mountain passage, towards the oasis town of Bhagdal. It is a week's travel by our route; It is quite dangerous some times of the year, because of the bandit activity. We will ensure that you are not molested by any marauders." The leader of the caravan nodded. A tall, cheerful man, born in the Thousand Empires, he seemed easy to get along with. "And what is your name again, sir?" The minotaur smiled, his golden eyes moving to catch the scholar's. She averted her gaze. "You may call me Pith." the minotaur bowed his head. "The southern mountain passage leads through an ancient maze. I would recommend that you not wander when we arrive there, however interesting it may be. The tunnels are highly dangerous, and many monsters make it their home, to say nothing of the traps." He smiled pleasantly towards her, and she caught another whiff of that strong musk. She felt her breath catch in her chest as her head whirled slightly. — "The scent of the minotaur is quite famous." The red-headed elf woman rode next to her. Dark-skinned, the elf's pointed ears and bright, sky-blue eyes were unusual, but admittedly attractive. "It primarily only affects humans, of course; elves are quite immune to such base things. It tends to increase hormone production in those of the opposite sex. Increases libido. It's a very useful trait for acquiring human mates." The Scholar wrote down in her notes. The two of them were both riding the large, ill-tempered beasts of burden. The creatures were slow, but didn't seem to drink water. They had set out as the sun was rising, and now, were travelling along the sands south. The rocky mountains to either side were spectacular shades of red, as though burnt umber by the sun. She had been interested to get to know the elf, as the only other scholar on the trip. She was apparently educated in the Empire of Tales, and had come to this land to learn their language and culture. She was nearly as tall as the scholar, and more curvy than the scholar had usually associated with elves. "So, it's not an aphrodisiac?" "Well, technically speaking, it can only enhance what is already there. Minotaurs tend to be physically impressive specimens. It's easy for less selective individuals to be strongly affected by their scent. Naturally, no elf would be swayed that way." The Scholar nodded, silently doodling a rather crude stick figure of the elf and one of the minotaurs. A dark-haired man who hadn't spoken during the entire trip, but who had often helped the elf with her mounting and dismounting. The elf was very knowledgeable, but it apparently came with excruciating airs of superiority. The scholar, luckily, had experienced it enough in her education that it barely fazed her. All the same, the idea of the elf indulging in something primitive with the minotaur brought a smile to her face. — Night fell quickly. The camp set down once the air began to grow chill. The large silk tents were set up on the sands, tent pegs hammered in, as everyone drew lots for the watches over the night. The camels sat quietly in the middle of the camp, clustered around a large fire made with some scant brush. She was drawn for the first watch, along with the leader of the minotaurs. They didn't talk. The tall man simply stared into the darkness, with a slight smile on his face. She didn't realize what was causing his amusement for several minutes. Then, the red-headed elf scampered out of the darkness. The elf's cheeks flushed, and she was carrying her trousers in both hands. Her thighs shone in the firelight, like they had been brushed with some kind of glistening oil. The scholar fancied that she could see large gobs of something white dripped down her legs. The scholar watched with a certain satisfaction as the elf slipped into one of the tents. A couple of minutes afterwards, the dark-haired minotaur appeared out of the shadows. An expression of extreme satisfaction was on his face as he flicked the loin cloth clean. The scent wafted over towards her, nearly knocking her onto her back, the musk like a mallet. She had thought the smell was strong before, but it appeared that it only grew more potent after the minotaur had sated himself with the elf. The strangest thing for her was how pleasant it felt. The scent, rather than being disgusting or nauseating, made her stomach grow warm, and her legs press together. The minotaur caught her expression, and gave her an easy grin. "I heard a bit of your conversation with the elf maiden earlier, Glass-eyes." Her hand went self-consciously to her glasses, and he laughed, a rumbling sound. It reminded her of thunder echoing out from the deep desert. "She knows a little about Minotaurs, but not about us. We are the Aurochs. We are special." He smiled. "Our people were once like the other Minotaur tribes. Long before the Setereh arose, a great civilization rose and fell here. We protect their knowledge. They were humans, clever ones." He smiled. "It was a beautiful land in those days. They could bring forth water from the ground where no aquifer lay, and spread rivers across the land. They turned the desert into a green jungle." He rested a hand on her head, and she felt a surge of embarrassment. It was like being a child again, his strong hand tousling her hair. But something about it was pleasant enough that she didn't want him to stop. She softly sighed, as he continued the story. "Our tribe lived near them. They bred with us, and gradually, it made our kind more intelligent. Of course, they were not as robust as we were, and over time, their kingdom fell. Now, little remains of them but the old labyrinths." The minotaur gave her a broad grin. "But we still choose attractive, intelligent humans with whom to mate. And continue our vigil over what remains of the knowledge of that time. And I will note that the more intelligent you are, the greater effect the pheremones have." He softly ran his fingers along her cheek, letting her bury her face against his warm palm. "I believe that our shift is finished. We should retire for the night. Trying to cross the desert while sleep deprived is dangerous." — She was surrounded by heat. The strong arms wound around her pressed her face against his chest. She could feel his heart pound like a drum, her ear pressing into his skin to hear it. He didn't make love like the Emer. There was no sense of control as he penetrated her, simply a wild animalistic rutting, that made her whole body ache. And yet, she thought to herself, there was no way she should be capable of surviving such a fierce experience. He was bucking into her with all of his strength, but she wasn't feeling any pain. Instead, bliss spread through her. Her hips clenched, as she felt the warmth between them. The stimulation was overwhelming, as he pumped his hips into hers, making her cry out softly, her muscles tightening around the intrusion. She could feel the pressure building up, growing tighter, till she felt like she might explode. But she couldn't find satisfaction, her body refusing to push over the edge, despite the intensity of his thrusting. She begged, pleaded, tears streaming down her cheeks, as he simply laughed. Her eyes snapped open. She lay atop the bedroll, the blanket kicked off. The air was cold enough that she felt it nip at her skin, but she felt like someone had lit a fire inside of her. The remnants of the dream washed over her, and she ran her fingers through her hair. She was a mess, her clothing scattered around her. Lying on the other side of the tent was the minotaur, his eyes closed. She hadn't even thought of the smell of his body as she went to sleep, but the scent had hounded her. She took a moment, gathering her clothing where it had been scattered around the bed in her sleep. She dressed herself, and carefully moved, on all fours, till she was sitting next to the minotaur. She stared. She wasn't entirely certain what she had intended to accomplish. Instead, she simply sat there, inches away from him, and admired him. Each breath filled her head with his scent. It was complex, the sweet odor of a herbivore, a grazer, mixed with the tangy musk of a human man. It was so strong that she couldn't breathe without feeling her thighs press together with excitement. She stared for a moment at the loincloth, and reached her hand out. She could feel the heat without touching him, her hand just an inch or two away. She suddenly felt a twinge between her legs, and cringed away. She had to be insane to be thinking that way. Her body was still recovering from what the Emer's poison had done, pleasant though it had been. Trying to push her body again by getting worked up over this bull would be dangerous. She crawled back into the bedroll, and moved it further, to the very edge of the tent, right by the entrance. She hoped the cold drafts of air would keep any more wet dreams out of her head. She'd find herself disappointed. — "Rough night?" The scholar gave the elf a baleful look. The elf coughed softly. "Not... in that way. I mean, you look like you didn't sleep a wink." The scholar sighed. The elf's tone was a great deal more pleasant than it had been yesterday. The scholar entertained brief thoughts of stress relief. Perhaps the medicinal application of whatever had been staining the elf's thighs last night had unwound the know-it-all red-head a bit. The elf flushed a bit, and the scholar realized her gaze had dropped down to the other woman's legs. "You... won't tell anyone, will you?" the elf asked, her voice low, her face red. "It was just a momentary lapse in judgement." "I'm familiar with those." The scholar sighed. "I had some very active dreams." The elf nodded sympathetically. The scholar noticed that she was sitting rather awkwardly on the back of the camel. It seemed she was trying to avoid pressure on certain parts of her anatomy. "Well, I had a very interesting conversation with Hatep, the black-haired one. He told me a bit about their philosophy; It's quite elaborate. He told me that the nature of the world is that there are fundamental forces. They can be rearranged, but never created or destroyed. Apparently, they believe that includes energy, matter, even things like freedom. It was quite interesting. The idea was that if a slave was freed, or a freeman enslaved, then by necessity, the reverse had to happen somewhere else. If you made an entire nation free, slavery and oppression would spread elsewhere. It all seemed a little bit confused to me, but I was distracted." The scholar smiled. "I don't think I ever asked you your name." "My parents called me Desert Crocus. I suspect that they were protesting the overabundance of flowery names among elves of the Empire of Tales." The elf smiled pleasantly. "And yours?" "Glass-eyes." The elf raised an eyebrow, and shrugged, tossing her bright red hair gently. The scholar felt slightly less frustrated already, until the errant winds blew a whiff of Pith's musk to her. She felt her stomach clench as another wave of desire ran through her. — The four minotaurs strained with the door. Heavy slabs of obsidian-black stone slowly swung open, creaking ominously. The doors stood planted in the red mountainside, at the end of a path that had wound up the boulder-strewn landscape. Three days had been spent reaching this place, and the minotaurs said that it would take the better part of a day to pass through the mountains. The doors finally opened, wide enough to allow the caravan to enter, single-file. A long pathway had been cut through the stone, decorated with ancient characters along the walls. Statues lined the corridor, and two of the minotaurs strode ahead, lightning torches as they moved. Pith and Hatep walked along at the end, watching behind them. The scholar and Crocus rode near them, allowing the others to take the lead. "The men you are travelling with are slavers by trade, Glass-Eyes. Their intention is to sell you at the oasis town at the far end of this journey. As tarriq, they will be well within their rights to do so. If you do not wish to be their property, then when we reach the circular chamber, let the others proceed first." Her spine stiffened as Pith spoke quickly, and softly, into her ear. She looked to the side, and saw Hatep doing the same with Crocus. The price of joining the caravan had been surprisingly low. She wasn't sure how much she trusted Pith or his brethren, but she had caught the caravan leader giving her avaricious looks. And beneath all of that... If what Pith had told her was true, this place held a treasure trove of information. She wanted that knowledge. She wanted to find out what was hiding in this place. She nodded her head softly. "I believe you." she whispered, and Pith rested a hand on her shoulder comfortingly. The journey took them through what must have been miles of the underground tunnel. Eventually, it lead out, across a bridge. She stared over the edge of the narrow stone span, and then into the air. A thin crack of light was visible, high above, and the crevice's bottom was beyond the meager reach of the torches. She let out a soft breath, staring into the depths. She could see a statue had been carved into the walls of the crevice, so colossal that all she saw of it was a pair of hands. Each was a dozen feet long, clasped together in what looked like a prayer, the rest of the statue obscured by distance. The stone was barely illuminated by the torches, the color of pitch, and she watched as it passed out of view. Occasionally, they travelled through areas that were carefully sectioned off with chalk drawn over the stone. Pith guided them around the marked places, and the Scholar tried without success to tell what had distinguished them. "You would have to be a minotaur to know," Pith answered cheerfully. They passed dozens of branching tunnels, occasionally setting off down one. Pith and Hatep seemed entirely confident of the direction they were taking. Eventually, they entered a large, circular room. The ceiling rose, creating a dome. A dozen corridors radiated out from the hub, and the scholar could see the rest of the caravan, exiting through one of the doors. As the last person ahead of her crossed the threshold, she heard a click. A stone gate slammed shut over the doorway, and sounds of alarm came from beyond the blockade. Scholarly Works Ch. 02 She could hear past the stone, followed by the sound of metal clashing on metal, and bodies striking walls. She turned towards Pith, her hand going to the small knife, but he held up a hand. "We are not the only minotaurs in this labyrinth. We do not take many travelers, but we occasionally allow other tribes to capture the people we lead here, if we have no use for them." She frowned, and released the hilt of the blade. "Then you're going to lead us out of here?" she asked, feeling a sudden nervous tension. The elf let out a soft cry behind her, and she turned her head. The black-haired minotaur's hands had wrapped around the elf, one hand sliding slowly into her top, his other hand slid into the elf's trousers. Her eyes had grown soft and unfocused, her arms lifted out of the way, her cheeks flushing red. As the scholar stared, she felt strong arms wrapping around her. The minotaur whispered into her ear. "No, Glass-eyes." The scent of his body surrounded her. He explained to her, as she watched the elf moan with pleasure. She could only barely keep a hold on what he was saying. That freedom could not be created or destroyed, that she was destined to become a slave, and she had no choice in the matter. That they had preferred her to be enslaved here, where she would be taken care of, and could do good. She wanted to argue with him, to bite back a violent reply, but the scent of his musk washed through her. She couldn't think of the flaws in his argument. She would be a slave either way. Of all the places to be trapped, an ancient storehouse of knowledge where she could find out as much as she desired seemed ideal. And she wanted to feel what the elf was feeling right now. She had an independent streak, she knew. She just couldn't figure out where it had gone. She stared at the elven woman, watching as the dark-skinned elf's eyes went unfocused. Hatep undressed her, removing her clothing, exposing Crocus' dark skin as his own strong arms wrapped around her. The scholar found herself slipping into Pith's lap. As she watched, she couldn't help but think that the elf looked so happy. The scholar felt the shaft between her legs, as the Minotaur slipped his erection out of his loincloth and against her thighs . The scent nearly knocked her out, washing through her mind. The sweet odor of molasses and the sharp bite of manhood mixed intriguingly, making her mouth water. As she watched, Hatep's strong fingers slowly squeezed the elven woman. The slender redhead let out a soft moan, her smile unfocused, her eyes slightly glazed. Hatep's fingers slowly traced along the elf's breasts, and the scholar felt Pith doing the same to her. His hands were strong, and almost painfully warm. His fingers were rough, as they ran over her skin, slowly squeezing her. The pressure was enough that it could've become painful in a moment, but it never quite crossed the threshold. His hands were surprisingly gentle with her, and for a moment, she had a brief flash of a cow, her face going red as she realized what kind of experience the minotaur likely had. That's what she was in his hands. Just a cow. As she watched, her legs pressed together around the shaft. She could feel the minotaur's heartbeat, pressing into the soft curve of her inner thighs. She let out a strained gasp as she felt the minotaur thrust his hips upwards. She could feel the tingling pleasure spread through her hips as the shaft rubbed against her, a damp spot staining her trousers. The Emer's poison still hadn't faded, and the minotaur's body-heat made her quiver. She was much too sensitive. She felt a brief shock of fear energizing her, and shifted her body, trying to move, to escape. After a few moments, she realized her legs were too weak to lift her, and began to relax. While the sensation was intensely pleasurable, it was not driving her mad. At least, not yet. His hands began to undress her slowly, and she watched with a certain detached joy as the clothing fell away from her body. The scent of the minotaur made it pleasurably difficult to think, almost like being drunk. But far from being muddled, she felt sharper than ever. Even as her body begged to relax and rest, her mind raced. It didn't seem like such a bad idea to go along with these minotaurs. The amount of knowledge they had in this place had to be staggering. And surely, if they were so pleasant, she might be able to find a way to sneak out. She was sure she could. As she deluded herself, the minotaur finished undressing her. His tongue ran along her cheek, one hand resting on her breasts, the other hand stroking her stomach. "You're too small to mate with normally, of course. Not yet; That takes a great deal of training and preparation." his voice buzzed in her ear, and she felt a little giggle in her throat as his hand slid down her stomach to slide across her mound. She thought he was underestimating her chances, but she let out a happy little cry as she felt the finger slide inside of her. His finger sank into her up to the knuckle, and her eyes went to the elf again. She tried to use breathing exercises. She'd trained herself so hard in methods to keep her mind focused during sex, but the Emer's poison had ruined her ability to block out the pleasurable sensations. She couldn't distance herself from the touches, and the view of the elf was only making things worse. She watched as Crocus was lifted up and down, the other woman's legs wrapped around the shaft. Her expression was blissful as she pitched her hips back and forth. Pith's fingers sunk in and out of the scholar as she watched Crocus, her nipples stiffening as the elf approached an orgasm. The elf let out a high cry, her thighs tightening around the shaft as she reached her climax. The minotaur let out a bellow, and the scholar stared in astonishment. The minotaur's seed sprayed across the underside of the elf's breasts, arcing over her and falling into her hair. Thick strands of semen painted the elf's stomach and breasts, hanging from her red locks, a few stray globs dripping down her throat and shoulders. More of the thick stuff slowly dripped over her legs, and the elf let out a helpless little sound, slumping down on the minotaur's lap, visibly drained by the experience, her legs shaking as the minotaur stroked her hair. Suddenly, the scholar was in motion. Pith shifted her, till she lay on her back across his lap. His shaft was pressed down on her breasts, the tip resting against her lips. She was curled up in the hollow of his lap. One of the minotaur's hands rested against her head, making it impossible for her to withdraw from her current position. His other hand still cupped her pussy. She could feel the finger slowly pressing back and forth inside of her. The shaft was at least twelve inches long, gently held to her lips. His hand rested on the back of her head, and somehow, the shaft felt impossibly heavy on her chest. Every breath she took, she could feel her breasts press against the heated member. Each inhalation sent a wash of those pheromones into her lungs. She found herself sinking in against the shaft, opening her mouth wider. She slowly ran her tongue along the tip of the shaft, and sank into oblivion. She wasn't thinking anymore. Not quite. She was aware of everything that happened. She could feel the finger sliding in and out of her body, stimulating her. She could feel the knuckle as it passed over somewhere sensitive, and the shiver that rippled through her body. The sound that escaped her throat was pure desire, high and in need. And in response, the minotaur's hand pressed into her cheek, stroking her comfortingly. She felt a sweet satisfaction at this. She felt all of the concerns for the future melt away. All of the lies about why she was doing this, for her research, for the sake of science, were stripped away. She simply wanted to be here. It was that easy. She felt her body quake as the realization ran through her. She felt the heat in her stomach tighten into a knot around that finger buried inside of her, growing tighter, and tighter, the finger stroking her, until she felt it release inside of her. The tension unwound itself suddenly and violently. Her back arched, her mouth dropping open, drooling slightly onto the tip of the shaft, as she let out a soft, feminine moan. The sensation left her stunned, as she slumped slightly. She found herself licking at the tip of the shaft slowly, both of her hands resting on the sides of the minotaur's cock. She could feel herself drifting happily, her lips fastened at the tip. The occasional bead of precum spread over her tongue, and sent pleasurable twinges rolling up and down her spine, raising goosebumps on her body. When the minotaur came, it was without fuss, or pre-amble. His shaft twitched once, twice, three times, and the thick cum filled her mouth. She choked a little bit when the semen splattered against the back of her throat, but regained her balance quickly and easily. Her lips pressed into the shaft, breathing in through her nose. The sticky seed filled her mouth, and she lifted her head, her mouth open, drooling a bit. She tried to swallow it all, the sweet taste of molasses and the bitter sharpness of the seed mixing strangely and pleasantly in her mouth, but some of it dripped from between her lips, splattering onto her breasts. It trailed down across the curve of her bosom to her stomach, as she felt herself sinking into a happy little fugue state. She looked up, and watched as the other minotaur finished fastening a leather collar around the elf's neck. She could feel Pith doing the same to her, the tight strap of leather pressed against her skin as she closed her eyes, feeling a warm sense of satisfaction running through her body. The end of the leash clipped to the collar, and she was helped to her feet by the minotaur. The scent of his body still hung in her nostrils, making her head swim every time she took a breath, her heart pounding in her chest, her toes curling. "When you have been properly trained, I will make you my mate." the minotaur murmured into her ears. "I have every faith that you will carry wise children for me, and teach them well, Glass-eyes." She felt a little shiver run down her spine, as she stood up, becoming aware, slowly, that she had no idea which of the doors they had entered from. She turned in a circle, and realized that she had no idea where any of these passages led, and felt a little shiver of fear. Then she looked up at Pith, and he smiled, his hand resting on her head, as he began to lead her towards one of the doorways. She realized that she had no choice but to follow him, and to hope that he would treat her kindly. She moved her hands up to her chest, her heart pounding, and she swallowed. She felt herself following him, so grateful to be led through the dark passages by someone who knew where he was going. And she wondered in her heart how she was going to ever find a way out of this place without him leading her.