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The Blood Pact Ch. 01

By: kimtheelf



"Please, Master Oringel, you've got to help me! It's the chamberlain, he's going to kill me!"

I guess I should have known better than to ask a wizard for help, but all those time I'd seen him down in the servant's quarters, drinking with the rest of us late into the evening, he never seemed all that different than anyone else. Some claimed he was rather frightening, but I'd never thought of him that way until I saw that mischievous glint in his eye.

"Kill you?" Master Oringel laughed. "Why would he have reason to kill a lowly stable hand?"

I looked back over my shoulder. I didn't have time for games. I could hear the fat man's boots on the stone stairs. He had me trapped. It had been stupid to go into the storerooms, but running for my life, I suppose I wasn't exactly thinking very clearly. I could have tried hiding amidst the sacks and crates but that would only delay the inevitable. The chamberlain had seen me come down here and he wouldn't rest until he had me in his grasp. Running into Master Oringel was a stroke of luck, though good or ill, it was hard to say. Regardless, he was my only chance.

"I owe him money!" I said, practically grabbing hold of the wizard's shirtfront in violation of all protocol. "He's already given me more extensions than he usually does but now he says he's going to take a finger for every extra day I'm late!"

There was no need to elaborate further. Surely even Master Oringel had heard of the Chamberlain's cutthroat collection methods. The wizard's smile broadened and he nearly chuckled. As he stood there, stroking his stubbled chin and looking down at me like a collector might a rare butterfly, I could feel the seconds ticking past. The man didn't look any older than forty, but as a wizard he could just as easily have been four-hundred. His tunic was rumpled and the salt and pepper hair hanging to his shoulders wasn't any better kept. He didn't look like he belonged in the castle at all, let alone on the king's inner council. Would he even be able to help me?

"So, you're asking a boon of a fully-vested Cadre wizard?" he said at last.

"Y-yes! I suppose I am! Can you use your magic to hide me?"

"Mathis! I saw you come down here!" The chamberlain's voice echoed down the hallway followed by the metallic scraping of a knife being drawn from its sheath. "Why don't you just come out, boy, and face the music."

"Very well, I shall grant your request," Master Oringel said.

He reached into the folds of his tunic and drew forth a small twig, as big around than his finger and no longer than his forearm. He raised it with a single deft movement and pointed it at my forehead, speaking some whispered incantation. There might have been a faint glow, but I couldn't say for certain, the sound of the door latch being lifted drew my attention away.

"Please, hurry!" I said. Turning back toward the wizard, he seemed even taller than he had a moment before. It was only then that I realized I didn't even know what he was doing. For all I knew, he was turning me into a newt. The Chamberlain certainly wouldn't have any reason to spare me a second glance then.

As the storeroom door opened, I shuffled around behind Master Oringel. It was a pitiful hiding place, but the best one I could see at the moment. Some great wizard he turned out to me. His magic hadn't done anything at all. To make things even worse, I nearly tripped when my tunic became entangled around my legs. Not only that, but my entire balance suddenly felt different, as if my hips were too wide and chest too heavy.

As I stumbled over my own feet and fell against Master Oringel, he didn't so much as budge. He'd just doomed me and he was being perfectly calm about the whole thing. The sadistic fellow had probably only been toying with me. He'd never had any intention of assisting me at all.

"Alright you little -- Master Oringel?" the chamberlain's voice boomed across the storeroom but cut off short. "What're you doing down here? And who's that with you?"

"Oh, this is just a friend of mine," Master Oringel said and pulled me back into the open. Why had I ever thought this wizard would really help me? They were all just as cruel as everyone said.

My heels clacked loudly on the stone floor as I stumbled yet again. I would have fallen completely if one of Master Oringel's hands wasn't still wrapped all the way around my upper arm. I'd never before noticed his hands were so large. To be manhandling me so easily, he must also have much stronger than he looked. It didn't help matters that it felt as if my shoes had suddenly gained nearly an inch of narrow sole. With a huff, I brushed the hair that fell across my face out of the way. I knew it had been getting long, but I hadn't thought it was time to have it cut just yet. With this inept wizard helping me though, perhaps I'd never have the chance.

The chamberlain stared at me and his plump face contorted with confusion. I suppose it would look rather strange to see a grown man hiding behind the court wizard like a frightened boy. But I wasn't about to face my end like that. Rearing up straight and setting my feet firmly, my ankle twisted yet again and turned my stance of defiance into one of ridicule. Instead of laughing, however, the chamberlain eyed me with a predatory gaze and licked his fat lips. That one look alone drained away all of my resolve in an instant. I backed away from him only to run right into Master Oringel. Before I had a chance to stumble yet again, he put a massive hand on each shoulder to hold me steady.

Looking up at him through my tangled bangs, I realized he was definitely taller than he had been; I was certain of it now. As that slowly dawned on me, I also came to realize the chamberlain looked somewhat larger than his usual rotund self. In fact, everything in the room and even the room itself appeared to have grown slightly larger. What the bloody hell had this crazy wizard done?

Still eyeing me like some roast fresh from the oven, the chamberlain sauntered closer. It was only after he gave me one last, long look, lingering for an uncomfortable length of time on my chest that he turned to the wizard. "Have you seen a stable hand come down here, Master Oringel?"

"No, I haven't," he said with a slippery sort of charm. "We've been down here quite a while now and haven't seen a thing until you're arrival."

"And just who is your friend?" the chamberlain said, again glancing at my chest.

"This is Stephanie," Master Oringel said at the same instant he gave my butt a forceful squeeze. A startled yelp left my mouth before I could even process what he'd done or why he'd called me by that name, but the voice I heard was much too high-pitched to be my own.

"What the -- " I cut myself off short when I heard myself speak in that same squeaky voice. I cleared my throat and tried again, but with no improvement. "What the hell, did you do..."

"Oh, nothing yet, my dear," Master Oringel laughed. He slipped an arm around my too-narrow waist and pulled me close. My eyes grew wide as saucers and the chamberlain chuckled at the display.

This wasn't right at all. I looked down and could see that part of the reason my waist was so narrow was because it was bound within a corset. Not only that, but my clothes had somehow become a dress! 

That's what his magic had done? Master Oringel had simply dressed me up as a woman? Now I would not only be a fingerless cripple but also a laughing stock as well!

But there was more to it than that. I could barely even see my waist past my chest. The low neckline of the dress I found myself wearing showed more jiggling cleavage than even the most well-endowed woman in the castle. That couldn't have been just a part of the dress. I could actually feel it -- those two things there, not just stuck to my chest, but actually a part of it. My hands too were changed; slender, soft, pale -- like the hands of a woman. And between my legs, I couldn't feel anything at all. My breath was coming in panicked gasps now and my mind was no longer thinking the least bit rationally. Regardless of what I had become and who was watching, I grabbed myself through the dress. There was nothing there but a smooth patch of skin above and a slightly puckered slit below. This had to be some kind of nightmare.

Master Oringel grabbed my hand away, though I doubt it was to save me my dignity since he was laughing nearly as hard as the Chamberlain was. "I know I promised I'd get you a position in the castle in exchange for a few favors, dear Stephanie, but I think my friend here has ruined the mood."

"Favors? Mood?" I sputtered in that ridiculous voice.

"Hey now, wizard or no, hiring and firing is my job alone," The chamberlain said, suddenly taking that familiar cruel edge he so proudly displayed around all of the servants.

"Oh, I'd never think to infringe upon your purview, but if you'd be willing to accept my recommendation on this matter, I think you'll agree with me that Stephanie here would be quite well-suited to employment within the castle."

Again with that oily charm of his. Was that one of his spells as well? The chamberlain gave me a harsh look, the same one he employed when he was about to scold someone for a job poorly done, but then pressed his lips into a thin line and stroked his chin. His eyes narrowed and he began pacing before me slowly, methodically studying me up and down.

"I suppose she's a healthy enough looking young lass." He sounded as if he was being overly-generous even to say that much. However, hearing those words addressed at me, I wish he'd have said nothing at all. Suddenly he stopped and his hand grabbed hold of my thigh. By this point I was too frozen with fear to even cry out. He squeezed my leg roughly, like he was appraising a horse. His hand lingered for a moment, slipping a little higher before finally releasing me. The chamberlain wasn't that strong but at the moment, even he could have overpowered me with ease. Never before had I ever felt so helpless in my entire life. 

"She's strong, I will give her that," the chamberlain continued. "And she's not too harsh on the eyes... Alright, I'll tell you what. With the festival tonight we could use an extras set of..." he paused, licking his lips as he looked down the front of my dress. "...hands. I'll start you on a trial basis. If you can pull your weight today, I'll give serious consideration to hiring you permanently -- but don't get your hopes up, the staff is already full up, so I can't make any guarantees."

"Don't worry about all that bluster," Master Oringel said with a flirty whisper in my ear. I never thought he was into men. Maybe his spell had done more than just change me, maybe it had addled his brain as well. "He says that to all the pretty young things. I'm sure you'll be a shoe-in."

"We'll see about that," the chamberlain said. "Now hurry on up to the kitchens and see if Holainah has any use for you."

Master Oringel released me from his grip and gave me a little push towards the door with a pat on the ass. Fortunately I kept my balance this time, but I'm not sure how with my chest as big as it was. No wonder the Chamberlain kept staring at me, I must have looked like a freak. However, glancing back at the wizard, I felt more like a little lost puppy.

"Oh, don't worry, there's no need to thank me," he said, "I'll find you later and we can finish up then."

Did he really intend to make me stay like this? What was everyone going to say when they saw me?

"But...but this isn't..."

"Hurry up!," the chamberlain said giving me a swift slap on the ass. I leaped nearly a foot in the air and yelped loudly. It stung worse than I would have thought. "Get going before I change my mind and throw you out on that shapely little ass of yours!"

He raised his hand to strike again, but I was already headed for the door. I couldn't believe I was actually going out in public like that, of my own free will no less.

But Master Oringel did say we'd talk later. He must have meant to humiliate me a while before changing me back. No matter what anyone said about him, or what I was thinking at the moment, he was an honorable man. I'd seen him lose often enough at cards know that. If he was going to end this madness eventually, I just had to put up with him laughing at me behind my back until then. However, once he did change me back, Cadre wizard or not, he was going to pay for this.

The Blood Pact Ch. 02



Simply climbing the stairs out of the storerooms proved to be a challenge like no other I'd ever faced. I nearly fell three different times when I stepped on the hem of that infernal skirt. I don't know how any of the women in the keep ever did it. Yes, Master Oringel was definitely going to pay for this. Why had I even asked him for help in the first place? A single lost finger was nothing compared to what I was facing now.

Why was I even heading up to the kitchens as the Chamberlain wanted? Cooking was work for women. Regardless of how I might have looked at the moment, I didn't have to subject myself to that, did I? I could have refused, simply played the part of being "Stephanie" for a moment and claimed I was no longer interested in the job, but I suppose I hadn't been thinking too straight at the time. 

At the top of the stairs, I could hear the sounds of bustling activity as the keep prepared for the evening's festivities. Every last hand had been pressed into service and most had been working since before dawn. Careful to stay out of sight, I leaned around the corner. The short corridor beyond was filled with more people than I'd ever seen there before. The kitchens at the far end appeared to be utter madness.

Seeing all that, I realized there was no way I could do what Master Oringel and the Chamberlain wanted. Just to get to the kitchens, I'd have to walk a gauntlet of my fellow servants. I knew all of them and worked with most every day. I simply couldn't face them looking like this. Maybe I could hide for a few days in some dark corner of the castle. The curse might even wear off on its own by then. Surely it couldn't be permanent. Even magic has limits, doesn't it?

Of course, I was just a stable hand. What did I know about magic? Master Oringel was a member of the cadre, the most powerful mages in all of Vitrelay. If anyone could forever curse a person with a casual wave of his wand, it would be him. If I angered him by hiding, then I might very end up stuck in this ungainly, bloated body the rest of my life.

I couldn't live like that. I'd sooner die. Maybe I should have simply gone to the top of the high tower and thrown myself off right then. After all, even if Master Oringel did change me back eventually, I'd still have to face the Chamberlain. However, suicide wasn't an option I was seriously willing to consider just yet -- at least not while I still had all my fingers. 

Two side doors opened off of the corridor and lead to other parts of the keep. There was no way I'd get to even the closest one without being seen, but it was either risk momentary embarrassment with that, or thrust myself headfirst into the lion's den by going to the kitchens as I'd been instructed. 

I didn't even have to think about it before choosing the second option.

It no longer mattered if I angered Master Oringel by hiding. I might have been willing to except this humiliation from him, but that did not mean I was going to face the same from everyone else as well. With all of them hard at work, they probably wouldn't even notice me. I just had to keep as unobtrusive as possible.

Brushing a few strands of golden hair across my face, I hunched my shoulders and dropped my eyes to the floor; anything to help hide my shame. Praying that no one would recognize me, I took a deep breath and stepped out into the hallway. After the trial of the stairs, walking on flat ground was a little easier, but I still felt as if I was going to fall flat on my face if I didn't keep all my concentration on simply putting one foot down in front of the other. 

One halting step after the other carried me down the corridor. Around me, my fellow stable hands were busy bringing fresh supplies in from the courtyard. Against the walls, girls were hunched over piles of flowers as they tied garlands to decorate the great hall. Elsewhere, women from the kitchen were digging through piles of extra pots and pans looking for just right one while others prepared chickens and rabbits and vegetables for the various extravagant dishes that were to be served that evening. I did my best to ignore them all and simply concentrated on my goal. Just a few more paces and I'd put all of them behind me.

However, the boisterous chatter filling the hallway seemed to stop abruptly at my approach, leaving only the sounds of dropping knives, rustling fabrics, and clanking pots. I must have looked quite freakish indeed to have attracted that much attention so quickly. I could feel their eyes on me, burning through the mortifying disguise I'd been forced to wear. I knew that if I so much as looked up they would all start laughing at my miserable state. I dared not do so for fear I'd lose what little resolve I'd managed to gather in order to get that far. I lowered my eyes further still, if that was even possible, and hurried on as fast as my clumsy gait allowed. 

The short set of stairs that lead up to the inner chambers opened to my right. Things would be quitter there and I'd have plenty of opportunities to find a hiding spot. However, several huge men were crowding the entire passageway with their bodies as they carefully maneuvered an ornate sideboard up the stairs. Rather than stand there looking like a fool as I waited for them to get out of the way, giving everyone amble opportunity to stare at me some more, I kept moving, acting as if I knew where I was going.

The passageway down to the stables was my next (and last) opportunity to avoid the kitchens. Unfortunately, it was even more blocked than the previous one had been. A number of hulking men were busy forcing several gigantic casts of ale up the stairs. They were going so slowly, maybe I'd be better to go back and wait for the other passageway to clear. I was stepping madly back and forth between my tiptoes as I looked from one to the other. Neither appeared to be moving at all. Even when it became clear my intent was to get past them, the men with the barrels paid little heed to my plight. It looked as though I had no other choice but to use that ridiculous voice I was now stuck with.

"Pl-please...um sirs, might I pass?" I practically whispered. It was a miracle the man supervising the others actually heard me.

With a swagger, he stepped forward and surveyed me with his eyes. The corner of his mouth turned up into lecherous smile. "Now lass, we're in a bit of a hurry here. Chamberlain says we gotta get all this in right away, no time for slacking."

And what exactly did everyone think they were doing by standing around staring at me? I nearly choked when I looked up at the man and say that it was Griffith. We'd been friends for ages. He'd be more likely than anyone to recognize me, but at the moment, that was not what I was afraid of. I'd never thought of him as being particularly big, but those bulging muscles of his now looked as if they could snap me in half without any effort at all.

"Please," I said again. My heart sank when I heard that same insipid voice coming from my mouth, only now on the verge of tears. What was wrong with me? Was I now going to start acting like a woman as well, breaking down in tears at the drop of a hat? I had to get out of there.

"Sorry, lass," Griffith said. He almost sounded like he actually was. "But we're almost done. Give us another ten minutes and we'll be out of your way."

Ten minutes? Standing around in that crowded hallway with all those eyes on me?

"Hey now, what's going on out here!" a shrill voice called from the kitchens. I knew it all too well as belonging to Holainah, mistress in charge of the all the women in the keep. "Get back to it, the lot of you! We've got work to do!"

Everyone hopped back to their tasks, me all but forgotten -- except by Holainah, of course.

"And just who the hell are you supposed to be? I know all the girls in the keep and you're not one of them." She brandished the long wooden spoon in my face like a club. I'd seen her use it often enough like one as well. "You'd better speak up when I ask you a question, girl, or I'll put you over my knee! And don't think I won't -- I don't care how old you are. If that doesn't teach you some manners, I'll let the Chamberlain have at you."

Maybe it wouldn't have been such a bad idea to get myself fired as soon as possible, but the thought of facing the Chamberlain again made my skin crawl. My voice came out at a squeak even before I was completely aware of what I was saying.

"Um, please, I'm new here, um, the...the Chamberlain sent me to see if you needed any help...?"

I could play along for a little while, at least until I found a chance to slip away. With hands on her amble hips, Holainah eyed me like a rotten piece of meat for several long second before saying anything.

"What's your name, girl?"

"Math -- Steph -- Stephanie." It took more effort than I could image to utter something so inherently wrong.

Suddenly there was a whoosh through the air as the spoon struck my backside hard enough to make me yelp. Several girls giggled behind their hands as they hurried past. I would have glared after them if Holainah's yelling wasn't occupying my complete attention.

"If you're going to work here, you will address me as 'mistress,' is that understood, girl!"

"Y-yes...mistress," I said, feeling like I wanted nothing more than to slink away and hide in a corner somewhere. Holainah stared at me again, as if debating whether or not I deserved another swat with the spoon, but then turned and gestured me toward the kitchens.

"Well, get moving, we haven't got all day!"

"Yes, mistress."

"Come on now, hurry up," she said, storming along right on my heels. I swear I could feel that spoon flailing back and forth through the air just behind my head. Everyone we passed, servant men and women alike, all laughed outright at the sight of it. Suddenly, the thought of throwing myself from the high tower didn't seem like such a bad idea after all.

The kitchens were huge, spread out over several different rooms, and today, every square inch was in use for one purpose or another. Just stepping though the door, I nearly ran right into someone carrying a steaming rack of loaves. I skidded to a halt, but Holainah grabbed me from behind and ushered me to the side, off into one of the back corners of the kitchen. There, a few barrels had been set up with a board across them to create a makeshift table. At one end a large old woman sat shelling peas, while at the other were a pair of girls about my age who were busy polishing silverware.

"What've ya got there, Holainah?" the older woman said, without even breaking the rhythm of what she was doing. Apparently she didn't need to address Holainah by her title. The two younger girls looked up from their work and eyed me with a sort of morbid curiosity. I stood before them all, trying to make myself as small as possible.

"Alright Stephie, you'll be helping out Greta and Nat there with the silverware," Holainah said. "They're so slow, they could use the help."

"Yes, mistress," I peeped.

Then I felt the sting of the spoon across my butt once again and reared up straight as could be, my ample chest inadvertently thrust forward for all the world to gaze upon. All three of the women laughed, but none louder than the old one, who cackled on in a rowdy guffaw.

"What -- what was that for?" I demanded of Holainah as I rubbed my backside.

"Standup straight! I'll not have any of my girls slouching around like those brutes out in the stables. Is that understood?"

"Yes, mistress."

"Good, now get to work! We still have a lot to do before this evening and not enough time to do it!"

Holainah hurried off, already yelling at someone else for some minor infraction.

"Hi, I'm Greta," one of the two girls said after Holainah was gone. She was a cute little brunette who I'd flirted with on more than one occasion. However, as far I knew, no one had yet gotten under her dress. Her friend had jet black hair and an angular face that made it look like she was always scowling. Griffith claimed to have gotten her to go down on him once, but I never wanted to try for fear she might bite something off. "And this is Natalie. You're Stephie?"

"um...yeah, Stephanie, that's me, I guess."

The older woman laughed again, rolling back and forth on the barrel she was using as a stool. "Damn girl, don't even know your own name?" I'd seen her around before but we'd never met -- after all who would want to socialize with a fat old hag like her? Now I found myself wishing we would have stayed strangers.

Greta and Natalie shifted over on the small bench they were sharing to give me a tiny little edge to sit on. With that diabolical corset squeezing my already sizable hips out on the bottom and my gigantic chest out on the top, just sitting down proved to be a challenge getting both ends to counterbalance each other correctly. Teetering on that tiny bit of seat, it felt like my whole ass, which was so much more rounded and soft than before, kept wanting to roll out of from under me and push me right onto the floor.

I picked up a rag and an ornate knife and became polishing just like the others, trying my best not to look up. The way my arm kept brushing against my breasts every time I reached for something gave me a sick feeling inside. The sensation of them jiggling wasn't entirely unpleasant but I just knew that even the slightest touch would be seen by the others and they'd instantly assume I was playing with myself, or something equally as humiliating. If Master Oringel was so intent on making me endure life as a woman for a time, why couldn't he have at least given me a more normally proportioned body?

"You're new here?" Greta said, her tight little body pressed up against mine. Under different circumstances, it would have been heaven, but with a corset biting into my ribs and the constant struggle to stay on the bench, it was anything but. She gritted her teeth as I tried once again to get more comfortable. "Are you from the village?"

"Um, yeah, I mean, I guess, I just moved here." It seemed like a good enough lie to get me through for a while. After all, it was turning out to look as if no one at all was going to recognize me for who I really was.

"You're not related to Mathis, by any chance, are you?" Natalie said. "You look a little like him."

My blood ran cold. She must have noticed something. Was she going to string me along, just to humiliate me in front of the entire kitchen? That would just be my luck. If I looked anything like my masculine self, it was no wonder everyone kept staring. I couldn't even imagine how hideous I would look as a woman. My jaw quivered and I didn't dare look away from the ornate knife I'd begun polishing. Again I shifted my weight to keep from falling off the bench and Greta groaned. I didn't know what to say, but the fat woman shelling peas spoke up for me.

"Ha! Everyone around here is related to everyone else! You're nothing but a bunch of inbreeds!"

The knife I was holding slipped out of my hand and I had to lunge to grab it before it clattered to the floor. That, however, threw me off balance and I only managed to keep myself on the bench by nearly unseating Greta. She in turn had to grab hold of the tabletop to keep from falling and it was only Natalie's intervention that kept the whole thing from ending up on the floor.

A moment of utter stillness followed in which the fat woman laughed on and on, offering all manner of uncouth comments about my grace. That high tower was sounding more and more appealing all the time. Suddenly, Greta stood up with a sigh and nudged me in the shoulder with her hip. I glanced at her out of the corner of my eye and she was glaring back at me.

"Excuse me," she said. "I need to take a piss."

"A piss?" I said. I'd never heard a girl speak like that before. Just the very thought of what it implied made my cheeks burn red.

"Yes, a piss! Would you please get out of my way!"

"Yeah, sorry," I shuffled off the bench.

"Gods, what a fat-ass cow..." Greta muttered as she pushed past me. As she stormed away, we were treated to another chorus of laugher from the fat woman.

"What's the matter girl, don't anyone ever piss where you come from?"

"No, they do -- I mean...I just never..."

"You're not too bright are you, bitch?" she laughed loud enough that the entire kitchen heard her.

With more eyes than I cared to think about boring into me, I settled back onto the bench, all too conscious of how much my pillowy ass spread out now that it had amble room to do so. Regardless of Mistress Holainah's warnings about my posture, I let my shoulders slump as far as they would go.

As I tried to ignore the stares and got back to polishing, Natalie shimmied close. Despite the fact there was now plenty of room on the bench for both of us, she didn't stop until her body was right up against mine. She leaned over and her breast squeezed up against my arm. I froze. In a conspiratorial tone, she said, "Well, I for one think your ass is quite exquisite."

My mouth was already dry but it was doubtful I would have been able to say anything after hearing that even if it wasn't. I looked over at her and her face was creased from ear to ear with a sly smile. Maybe she wasn't quite so cold as I'd always assumed. 

"I'd love to take a closer look at it after the festivities," she added. "I'd let you handle mine too, if you want."

I nearly smiled back, but then stopped short. Where I would have expected a playful twinge in my cock, I instead felt my nipples hardening and a growing warmth between my legs. Why did she have to be coming on to me now, of all times, when I didn't have the means to do anything about it? Was it even possible that all my various parts now worked just like a real woman's? I didn't even want to think about it. Doing my best to ignore her, I busied myself with the silverware.

She simply giggled, one of those girlish titters that always made me feel like they were all pointing at me behind my back. "You're cute when you blush like that."

Fortunately, I didn't have to reply because Greta returned and scooted onto the bench without any warning whatsoever. "Come on Stephanie, move that fat ass and give me some room here," she said. I did my best to accommodate her, but Natalie, humming innocently, wasn't budging an inch.

Wedged between those two girls, I found my new body bent uncomfortably out of shape and my movements confined in order to keep from disturbing them. As the two of them chattered away between themselves, my muscles became a tense ball of aches and pains. I wasn't in much of a mood to join in, especially when the topics they chose to keep retreading were a number of female issues which I would rather have not heard about, and the various men in the keep they wanted to have ravage them. (my real name did not come up once).

How long exactly I was stuck cramped between them like that, I couldn't say for certain, but it felt like hours. At least the boring repetition of the work helped to keep my mind from worrying too much. That secluded corner of the kitchen became my personal little sanctuary. As long as I didn't do anything to draw attention to myself, I was safe.

After awhile the girls' conversation stopped entirely, but Greta's occasional grumbles only grew more frequent, her manners more perturbed. Though I was certain she had much more of the bench to sit on then I had when on the end, she was now fidgeting far worse than I ever had. Finally, she slammed down the piece of silverware she had been working on and snatched up the one I had just finished. 

"What do you think you're doing?" she said, holding up the fork in front of my face.

When she continued waiting for a reply, I said the only thing that came to mind. "P-polishing?"

"You call this polished?" she said. "Half of what you did here needs to be redone!"




The Blood Pact Ch. 02



I looked to Natalie for help but she appeared to be ignoring the entire conversation.

"It looks fine to me," I said, unable to think of anything more fitting for my defense.

Greta shook her head. "After what I heard you and Master Oringel were up to down in the storerooms, I'd have thought you'd be an expert at polishing things."

The fat lady howled with laughter and even Natalie giggled demurely while pretending to act as if she wasn't. Myself, I felt my face turning a bright shade of red -- even though me and Master Oringel hadn't been doing anything in the storerooms. Or course, that's not what it would have looked like to the Chamberlain. With the way the rumor mill in the keep worked, he would only have had to tell one other and everyone would know by now. I glanced around the room and all the women within earshot were looking at me, most of them smiling, one or two making lewd sucking motions with their hands. It was bad enough I was trapped in that body but now everyone thought I was a complete slut as well?

I slunk down once again and tired to make myself disappear. However before I even got to work on the next piece of silver, Mistress Holainah called out my name from across the kitchen.

"Yes, mistress?" my feminine voice whined out as I shot to my feet so quickly I almost upended the table. Greta and Natalie both lunged to hold it steady. I cringed under their withering gazes.

"Nikelle needs some help up in the barons' chambers," Holainah said. "Go see if you can't give her a hand."

"Yes, mistress." Anything to get out of that room and away from those prying eyes. Greta didn't even stand to let me pass but simply turned her knees out of my way.

"Argh, get your fat ass out of my face!" she whined as I felt two hands push my ass cheeks up and to the side. "Damn dairy cow..." I jumped out of the way as quickly as I could and smoothed my skirts. My face burned crimson and I so wanted to strike Greta right across the face, but Holainah descended on me before I could even think about any kind of retaliation.

"Do you even know where you're going?" she demanded. Without giving me a chance to reply, she stepped past me and waved her spoon for me to follow. "Come on, I'll show you."

"You don't need to bother with that, mistress, I know the way," I called after her.

She stopped in the doorway and eyed me suspiciously. "I'm sure you do." Her voice dripped with sarcasm. "But we wouldn't want you getting lost and wandering into the throne room by mistake. I need to check on things up there anyway. Now hurry up!"

With that, she motioned for me to follow and stormed from the kitchens. 

"Yes, mistress..."

I sighed deeply, my chest heaving as if it might rip right out of the dress which just barely contained it. With long mannish strides, I hurried to catch up with Holainah. More laughter followed me from the room as my new breasts jigged terrifically on my chest with each step. For my own safety, if not my dignity, I was forced to alter my stride to a more feminine gliding movement or risk being tripped by my own dress.



The Blood Pact Ch. 03



Through well-known back passages of the keep we went, up dark staircases and down narrow servants' corridors. Even once I caught up with Holainah, it was still a challenge to keep from falling behind. Navigating stairs hadn't gotten any easier and even hurrying along on level ground was considerably more difficult than walking at a more reasonable pace. I don't know how any of the women were able to move so nimbly in those dreadful skirts.

The upper reaches of the castle where the nobles kept their quarters were considerably more open than those in the lower portions. Wide, vaulted hallways, filled with light from clerestory windows, were richly decorated in carved stone, ornate tapestries, and fine carpets. Servants were busy here as well, putting out arrangements of flowers and sweeping up dust, but their liveried uniforms made me feel even more misplaced in my drab blue dress. I'd seldom been in that part of the castle before but I was familiar enough with it to know that we ended up in the chambers of Sir Ruvano, the spymaster.

The antechamber was filled with more finery than I could have imagined. A pair of golden urns, polished to a brilliant luster, flanked a huge fireplace that at the moment sat dark and quiet. A man could live comfortably the rest his life with the money made from selling just one of those. A long carven table ran the length of the room while the faces of people long dead stared down from the ancient portraits hanging on the walls. Beyond an arched opening were the inner chambers. A four-post bed bigger than the entire chamber I shared with three others dominated the center of the room. Above it was an ornate rose window of pale blue glass that shone ethereally in the morning sun.

The rooms were more beautiful than any I had even been given the privilege of occupying my whole life, but just setting foot inside sent a shiver down my spine. As I understood it, Sir Ruvano was barely a knight, elevated from a lowly soldier by some special circumstance long ago, but his reputation as a dealer in secrets was well-earned. As a result, he commanded more respect and was cause from more fear than just about anyone else in the entire kingdom. It seemed dangerous at the very least to enter so casually into the chambers of a man like that. Holainah, however, stride right across the antechamber and into the inner rooms without so much as a pause. There we found two people.

The dark-skinned woman laying out a set of clothes on the bed I knew well. Soft, shapely, and lithe, Nikelle was one of the best fucks I'd ever had. We weren't what anyone would have called a couple -- she was far to enigmatic for that -- but we'd spent quite a few nights together and she often came back for more. If there was one person in the entire keep who I might be able to find a moment of peace with, it was her. Upon seeing us enter the room, a slight grimace flashed across her otherwise pretty face and she hastened to finish arranging a pair of clothes on top of the bed. There was always a hint of danger in her dark eyes, but at the moment it was more pronounced than usual. As she straightened herself and tipped her head respectfully to Mistress Holainah, she glanced sideways at the man before the large stand mirror.

He was tall and thin and his long hair was slicked back severely from his narrow face while a precisely trimmed mustache adorned his upper lip. After he finished tying the cravat around his neck, he straightened the jet black tunic and trousers he wore and examined his reflection with a self-satisfied smile. In the mirror, his beady eyes turned in my direction and I froze dead in my tracks. I felt death in that gaze for certain. This was the king's dreaded spymaster after all. I had just invaded his quarters without so much as a knock at the door. All I could do was stand there, staring like a mouse trapped by the stare of an owl. 

"Sir Ruvano," Holainah said by way of greeting as she dropped into a sort of walking curtsy.

That snapped me out of my momentary fright and I attempted a clumsy imitation of her bow but nearly tripped myself in the process. The thin smile which creased his lips caused my whole body to start shaking. He turned from the mirror and walked right up to me. Bowing my head in unconscious imitation of Nikelle, I stood with back rigid as I tried to stop myself from shaking.

"I don't believe I've ever seen you before," he said in a voice oily smooth. Touching my chin with the cool leather of his gloved finger, he lifted my face. Being touched like that by any man would have been bad enough, but this one in particular made me feel like I had a snake wrapping itself around me. I averted my eyes before I had to look directly into his. "And just where have you been hiding, my dear?"

"I-I'm new, sir," was all I could manage. Even that small statement made my stomach lurch. I could only hope I wouldn't throw up right there in front of him.

"Her name is Stephanie, sir," Holainah said. Just out of the corner of my eye, I could see her going about her business, straightening the clothes which Nikelle had just straightened, as if she wasn't in the presence of a potential monster. "You'll have to forgive her, she just started this morning and she's not all that bright."

"Well, intelligent or not, my dear Stephanie, your beauty more than makes up for any shortcomings you may possess."

Without thinking, I looked up and found myself staring into those dark sparkling eyes of his as he gazed back into mine. A warm tingle seemed to pass through my body then, radiating out from where he was lightly touching my chin, and pooling in my nipples and between my legs. Had he just offered me a real compliment? It was hard to imagine after all the belittling things everyone else had thrown at me all morning. Maybe his concept of beauty wasn't nearly as refined as his quarters suggested.

Suddenly, he released me, as much from his hand as from the phantom grip of his personality, and gave all three of us a sort of mock bow. "As much as I would love to stay and enjoy your company a little longer, I have business to which I must attend, even on a holiday such as this." He may have been addressing us all, but I could have sworn he was talking to me alone. "Fair thee well, my ladies," he added with a nonchalant wave over his shoulder as he strode for the door.

I couldn't believe that had just happened. Not only had I come face-to-face with Sir Ruvano, I'd actually spoken words with him and lived through it without incident. He wasn't nearly as bad as the stories made him out to be. In fact, he was actually rather charming. A stinging pain across backside brought me crashing back to the moment with a shock. With a yelp I spun to see Holainah brandishing her spoon.

"Alright, Stephie," Holainah said, "you've been just about worthless to me down in the kitchens but maybe you can be of more use up here...though I doubt it. All this needs to be perfect. However, I have more important things to worry about than babysitting you any longer. I'm going to leave you with Nikelle to show you what needs to be done. I'll be back later to check in."

"Yes, mistress," I said with bowed head as she left the room. Once she was gone I turned to Nikelle. It was going to be nice to have a friend once again. However, she stood there with arms crossed below her breasts and glaring at me with a look foreshadowing murder.

With the way she'd looked at the Sir Ruvanlo when we'd entered, she wasn't jealous of me, was she? I'd never considered us as exclusive but the thought she was interested in the spymaster caused a twinge of envy to boil up inside me as well. To my surprise, I realized that it was not directed against her, however, but rather him. Surely I couldn't have been concerned that I had competition for Ruvano's attentions, could I?

This infernal curse! It must have been affecting my brain as well as my body. I really was starting to think just like a woman. If it didn't end soon, I wouldn't even know what I was anymore.

"So, Stephanie, is it?" Nikelle said with a rolling of the eyes. "Just what I didn't need."

"I'm just...I mean, Hollainah made me...I can go away if you want..." Maybe I'd find that chance to slip away and hide yet.

Nikelle shook her head and groaned. "The damage is already done. Now come along. I'll show you what needs to be done. Just try not to mess it up."

She turned and headed for one of the side rooms and I followed. However, as I passed the mirror, I stopped dead in my tracks. I knew the shock of seeing my new self was going to be something of a shock, but nothing could have prepared me for the reflection I saw staring back at me.

Where I had imagined a dumpy and homely looking maid, I was instead a ravishing young thing that just yesterday I would have paid good money just look at. Yes, my hips were wide and my bosom excessive, but both were in perfect proportion to the rest of my slender body. Long strands of wavy gold hair fell to the middle of my back. My face was a like one of the heroines from the old stories, rounded and heart-shaped, with prominent cheeks, full lips with just a trace of poutiness, and a perfect little nose. Despite the utter bewilderment deep in my green eyes, they were still bright and sparkling, made all the more striking by the long dark lashes that fluttered like a butterfly's wings each time I blinked.

"My gods...I'm beautiful," I muttered as I ran my hands over the strange new contours of my body just to see if they were truly real. I could feel my touch through the fabric of the dress just as the reflection in the mirror did exactly the same. It was like some impossible fantasy woman who would do whatever I wanted her to -- only in this case, that fantasy woman was in fact me.

"Yes, yes, you put all the rest of us common wenches to shame," Nikelle said with hands on hips as she cast eyes skyward. "There's no need to rub it in. Now get moving, we still have a lot of work to do."

There was no way I'd ever be able to hide looking like this. Everyone on the keep would remember seeing me, no matter where I went. It was no wonder all the other women were so harsh with me -- and why all the men kept staring. This was far, far worse than if I'd simply been ugly.

The rest of the day passed in a haze that I could only liken to madness. Me and Nikelle worked tirelessly until well past noon. Even then we just barely finished before the first of the nobles began to arrive with their servants to don their finery. By the time we finally took a break, the kitchens were even more chaotic than they had been. It was something of a miracle that we were even able to find any lunch for ourselves. However, once food was secured, Nikelle vanished, leaving me to eat alone.

Of course, that was hardly out of character for her. The one woman in the entire keep I had thought might be my friend, proved to be far colder than anyone else I dealt with all day. Her manners were always distant and she said no more to me than was absolutely necessary. The only advantage to her company was that she did not constantly run me down like everyone else had. I was so drained and exhausted I didn't even think about taking the opportunity to slip away. I merely stood in a corner near a pile of barrels and tried my best to shovel that gruel down my throat without falling off my feet.

I didn't even finish before Mistress Holainah pulled me away and sent me off to tend the spits while Karrie took a break. It seemed that she hadn't yet had a chance to eat lunch. As I was coming to expect, no one cared the least that hadn't either. When she returned, I was harried on my way as fast as could be. As Mistress Holainah sent me back to polishing silverware, the two of them were already discussing how they might be able to salvage something from the mess I had made of the roasts.

Greta and Natalie had long ago been reassigned to other duties so I was left by myself for a few blessed moments to catch my breath. I concentrated intently on polishing each piece so thoroughly that even Greta would not be able to find fault, but that only got me accused of working too slowly. Later, I was tasked with helping a number of women who were folding table linens for the banquet. Though I would have sworn the ones I did looked identical to there's, they didn't consider my effort the least bit acceptable. As a result, I was treated to what felt like several hours of berating instruction from all of them about every little thing I was doing wrong.

Eventually I was sent away to the bowels of the kitchen to scrub pots. The greasy steam in the air clung to my skin like a sickening blanket. I was sweating so profusely it soaked through all the layers of my dress in under five minutes and turned my hair into a dripping, tangled mass. Not that is was all that noticeable after I'd been scrubbing for a little while with my arms submerged up to their elbows in that stinking, lukewarm water. No matter how careful I was handling those giant pots, they always managed to splash me. I could have easily lifted them with one hand had I still been a man, but they now seemed so cumbersome and unwieldy that I had to carry them with both arms wrapped all the way around.

Soon I was drenched so badly I could feel water pooling in my narrow boots. My dress clung to me like a heavy, unyielding second skin that was constantly threatening to drag me down -- or at the very least drag itself right off my shoulders. As the weight gradually pulled it lower, I could feel the swooping neckline creeping closer and closer to my nipples. I could only image the horror and embarrassment I would face to exposed like that. None of the other women I was working with seemed to be having similar problems and so, for a time, I tried desperately to avoid such a fate, constantly tugging at the dress and trying to pull it back into position. 

Eventually, it became more trouble than it was worth. I buried myself in the work with little concern for anything else. My hands were shriveled and sore, my back aching. It was grueling work but at least it kept my mind off other things. Time crawled along but at least I couldn't remember how long I'd actually been there. It seemed ages since I'd been sent down into that little hell, but eventually the trickle of fresh pots began to slow and replaced by delicate porcelain plates, pewter serving platters, and the same fancy silverware I'd been busy polishing earlier in the day.

The voices of the other servants in the adjoining rooms slowly grew more boisterous and cheerful. As I continued scrubbing, others began walking through from time to time, munching on leftovers from the banquet. Laughing, they often singled out the other women (who were somehow still in high spirits after hours of this backbreaking labor), dance with them for a time, offer them a few bites of food or a sip of wine, and then prance out again.

When the washing duties finally slowed to such a point that it no longer took all of us to keep up, Mistress Holainah came and reassigned us one at a time to other cleanup duties. I, of course, was the last one to leave, but only after a thorough report of how poorly I'd performed all day. Instead of being given some other arduous task to perform, I was told to take a break, get something to eat, and relax.

I could hardly believe my eyes when I passed a window and saw that it was dark outside. I knew I'd been down in that dungeon for a long time, but I'd never suspected that it was that late. In the kitchens, cleaning was still underway but it was mixed with equal parts revelry. I was too weary to even think about joining in. I gathered up a few cold scraps of what little remained from the feast and found a seat for myself on the stone steps that went down to the courtyard.

It was a warm night but after the inferno of the kitchens, the air was frigid against my soaked clothes and my skin grew sticky and clammy. I sat there in the dark for a long time just thankful to be off my aching feet. Though I was famished, I got through only a tiny portion of the food I'd grabbed before I was so full I couldn't even think about finishing. As a man I would have cleaned off an entire platter if given the chance.

At least the day was over. I could hear the festivities going on down in the village and similar activities where just beginning in the bowels of the servant's quarters. I'd lived through enough of these festivals to know that those parties would last well into the night and likely into the next morning as well. Now was my chance to get away. Only this time it wouldn't be to hide, but rather to find Master Oringel and have him change me back to normal. I'd put up with this humiliation long enough.

Standing with determination, I was happy to find that my dress had dried considerably. That, along with the meal and the fine rest I'd had, filled me with a new sense of resolve. Yes, enough was enough. I stormed back into the kitchens, put my plate down with the other dirty dishes, and headed for the inner keep. It was time to bring this madness to an end. Just as I passed through the door, I came face-to-face with a howling crowd of liveried servants who were rushing down the hall in the opposite direction.

Before I could even get out of their way, they were upon me. There was nothing I could do to protect myself against them. It was like try to stand up to a tidal wave. However, instead of being pushed under and crushed beneath their feet, I found myself lifted into the air and carried along with them.

So sudden had it all been that it took me a moment to realize that one of the men had picked me up around the waist in his vise-like grip and thrown me across his shoulder. Those around me hooted with laughter and offered me drinks from their cups but all their drunken antics did were splash me with wine and soak my dangling hair. The one who carried me laughed the loudest, especially when he began spanking me right on my upturned bottom.

That was quite enough for me and I thrashed about trying to break free. However, my strength was no match for his and all I ended up doing was kicking my heels in the air, beating harmlessly on his back with my frail feminine fists, and screaming at the top of my lungs like a little girl. Eventually we descended into the servants' quarters where almost all of the commoners employed by the castle had already gathered and were well on their way to thoroughly enjoying themselves. At last I was finally deposited back on the ground by the rowdy mob. They surrounded me for a few brief moments while the one who'd carried me clamped a hand around my neck and pulled me in to deliver a sloppy kiss right on my lips.

It was over before I even knew what was happening. In fact, I couldn't recall anything about it other than the lingering taste of cheep wine on my lips afterward. However, I reacted in the only way I could think of: I drew back my fist and let fly. But as it struck across his jaw, it was I who was left incapacitated with pain and he who laughed. His friends cheered him for his boldness and the whole mob moved off again just as quickly as they'd appeared. As they surged around me, however, I was thrown back and forth as I felt more than one of them pinch my ass or brush past my breasts just a little too forcefully.

I drew the back of my throbbing hand across my lips and spat the taste of that man's foul mouth out onto the floor. This little detour had cost me precious minutes and bit more of my dignity, but I would not allow it to delay me any further.

"So, your name is Sophie, right?" I heard someone say.

"Stephanie!" I barked as I whirled on him. Just when had I become so possessive of my new name? It wouldn't have been so bad if they could have just gotten it right.

I stopped dead in my tracks when I saw that it was Griffith. He was flanked on either side by Nathen and Geoff, two more of my cohorts from the stables. Like before, they were all three staring at me like wolves sizing up their prey. Only this time I knew why it was they were staring at me like that. It made my skin crawl. I had to get out of there.




The Blood Pact Ch. 03



"Excuse me," I said. "I really must be going."

"Please," Griffith said, grabbing hold of my arm. It was like being locked in a shackle. If he didn't want to let go, there would no way for me to get away for him. "I saw you earlier, I just wanted to talk to you for a moment. Would you like a drink?"

"No, I don't -- "

Geoff snatched up a full mug of beer from one of the nearby tables and pressed it into my hands, spilling a goodly portion right down the front of my dress. I cried out with one of those too-feminine shrieks as the icy cold and effervescent liquid ran down between my breasts and under my corset.

"Oh, so sorry about that," Geoff said, smiling. Knowing that bastard he'd probably done it on purpose.

"Here, let me give you a hand," Nathen said as he stepped forward with a towel that he proceeded to rub across my breasts. The way he was smiling, he was probably doing that on purpose as well.

I drew back my hand for another punch, but remembered the way it stung after the last time. Instead, I left it open and slapped him with all my might. To my surprise, It didn't hurt nearly as bad, but from the stunned look on Nathen's face, it must have been quite effective nonetheless. Griffith and Geoff both laughed, sputtering on their own mugs of ale.

"Come on now Steph, just one drink, that's all we're asking for," Griffith said.

Unfortunately, I'd hung out with Griffith often enough to know that's not all he wanted. In fact, a quick glance around the room revealed a number of eyes staring at me that were all likely thinking the exact same thing. A new girl in the keep was always an open invitation for all the men to try their luck with her. After all the rumors of Stephanie's proclivities that had no doubt circulated all day, they probably thought they had a better than average chance with me.

Thinking back to all the times I'd failed to win a girl's eye in this game, I tried to remember the best tactic to get away from them. Usually a girl would string you along until she got a beer or two out of you. Then, when your guard was down, she'd excuse herself, never to return. I looked around at the three men penning me in. If I tried to run, it would only make good sport for them.

"Very well, just one drink." I put on my best smile (which I knew looked forced), raised the mug to my lips, and took a long swig. All three of them cheered triumphantly and ushered me into a seat as they found chairs for themselves as well.

When I next saw Master Oringel, he was a dead man.



The Blood Pact Ch. 04



I finished that single mug faster than I would have liked. However, with the room so warm and the ale so cold, I just couldn't help myself. With head thrown back, I drained the last gulp and slammed the mug down on the table with a movement that was perhaps a little too masculine for my outward appearance. The smiles of approval I got from the others said they didn't care. Wasn't it always a pleasure when you found a girl who could party just as hard as you could? Maybe it had endeared me to them more than I had intended but I could use that to my advantage as well.

"Excuse me, you fine gentlemen, but I really need to be taking a piss."

That was actually the honest truth. I'd been holding it all day just so I wouldn't have to handle anything down below as a woman. Hopefully I could find Master Oringel before it got too bad. As I stood, however, my eyes went wide and the world around me seemed to spin for a moment. I had to grab the edge of the table to keep from falling over completely. 

What was wrong with me? I'd only had a single mug of beer. Usually I could down ten times that many before I felt this tipsy. I must have looked even worse than I felt because Geoff, the gentleman that he was, even reached out and grabbed me right under my breasts to help me keep my balance.

"I didn't think women ever pissed," Griffith laughed. "Don't you all just 'freshen up?'"

If he'd lived through the same day I just had, all those gentle, pretty, little women in the keep would have taken on a very different look entirely.

"You'd be surprised by the things that women do," I said, shaking a finger in his face.

Their eyes opened wide and they laughed knowingly. "Oh really?"

They certainly were awfully curious all of a sudden. And it probably wouldn't hurt to share a bit of the wisdom I'd gained today. "Well, for one thing, most of the women here are either just bitches or lesbians."

"And which are you?"

"I'm..." I paused and I laughed. If only they knew the truth. "I'm different."

"You are at that," Griffith said, slipping in around behind me and cradling my body against his as he sat against the edge of the table.

Part of me wanted to run screaming. After all this was one of my best friends. I wasn't attracted to him. The very thought of any man rubbing his hands across my hips the way he was doing made me want to die. On the other hand, something about being enclosed by those strong arms of his made me feel like a child again, safe and protected from that harsh outside world. After the day I'd had, it felt so good just to be able to relax like that.

I closed my eyes and leaned back against his muscular chest. Yes, I could go to sleep right there if I wanted to. His arms wrapped around my waist and pulled me close. As one hand traveled over the fabric of my dress and pressed down between my legs, the other moved up to grope my breast. Like a spark, a growing tingle raced through my body. My nipples hardened instantly and I felt a growing warmth between my legs. Through my long blond hair, he nuzzled my neck. It was like nothing I'd ever experienced before.

Then, from behind, I felt a hardening stiffness press against my ass.

With a start my eyes snapped open and I pushed myself away from him. My alcohol-dulled senses made me even less coordinated than was becoming normal for this female body of mine, but with a crazy flailing of my arms I was somehow able to keep my balance.

I must have been losing my mind! I wasn't attracted to men. How could I have ever let myself go that far? It must have been the drink. It was affecting me differently than as a man. Master Oringel must have slipped a love charm into his transformation spell as well. I was going to kill him! I just had to contain my rage long enough for him to turn me back.

"I -- I really have to go!" I sputtered, tottering away from the three men.

"Well, we wouldn't want you to do it all over the floor!" one of them laughed.

I couldn't tell which one it had been but I blushed bright red all the same. As I spun away from them, I found myself falling right into the arms of someone in house livery.

"'ow 'bout a drink, love?" he said, his hands fumbling to grab hold of me as he swayed dangerously. The fumes from his mouth were nearly enough to send me to the ground as well.

"Yes, of course, I'll be right back," I said, spinning out of his grasp and hurrying for the door. Another drunkard presented himself right in my path but I sidestepped him before he could even finish his slurred greeting. That was it. I was now free to go track down that bastard...

"Master Oringel!" I heard someone shout from across the room. A little cheer rose up from the gathered revelers as Master Oringel, the Chamberlain, and Sir Ruvano all entered through the other door like triumphant champions freshly returned from war. Master Oringel's reputation as one who enjoyed a good party was well-known in these halls. He'd also just saved me the bother of having to find him.

The beer might have reduced my legs to jelly but my mind suddenly snapped into clear focus. Completely ignoring the groping hands and the drunken pleas for my attention, I pushed my way through the crowds toward the wizard.

"Master! Master Oringel!" I cried when the press of bodies became too much for me to overcome. He was busy greeting with some of his fellow card players and didn't seem to notice me at all. "Master Oringel!"

"Hey girl, I ain't no wizard, but I still know a little magic," some dirty old man more than twice my age said as he rubbed his beer drenched body up against mine.

"Get your dirty hands off me, you bastard!"

In my panicked flailing to escape him, my elbow somehow connected with his nose. He went to floor like a sack of wet laundry, a stream of bright red blood flowing down his face. A small circle opened up around us and silence dropped over those looking on. Regardless of how drunk anyone ever got in those rooms, there was always certain guidelines of proper behavior that no one ever crossed. There were sometimes fights during these parties, but usually just between men and other men, occasionally between two women, but never between a man and woman. By striking him like that when he hadn't first assaulted me, I'd just crossed over a line which, to my knowledge, had never been crossed before.

Elsewhere in the room, the party raged on unabated, but in that small corner, I stood there, the center of everyone's attention. A pair of women were tending to the fallen man and everyone else stared at me like some kind of pariah. What had I done? I could be flogged for this, maybe even shipped off to a labor camp. As a woman, how long would I hope to last in a place like that? All because of this stupid curse. Suddenly the crowds parted and Master Oringel stepped forward with the Spymaster and the Chamberlain close behind.

"And what have we here?" Master Oringel said in the most nonchalant way. "Just what are you getting up to now, my dear Stephanie?"

"I...It was an accident, I didn't mean to hit him..."

Master Oringel glanced at the fallen man. He was still squirming on the floor, just barely conscious. Maybe I'd killed him. I'd get the noose for sure.

"Hit him?" Sir Ruvano suddenly spoke up. "It's looks to me like the fool was so drunk he fell and struck his nose on the way down. Did anyone see differently?"

A chorus of murmurs rippled through the crowd but no one spoke up. 

"Will he live?" The Chamberlain said, though it didn't sound as if he was particularly interested one way or the other.

"Oh yes, I don't even think it's actually broken," one of the women tending to him said. "He's just passed out from all the drink."

"Well, get him out of here and let him sleep it off then," the Chamberlain said.

"Yes," Sir Ruvano added. "Master Oringel assured me this was the best place in the entire castle to play cards and I would very much like to." He pulled a hefty bag of coins from his belt and tossed in the air so that everyone could hear it jingle. "Now who's up for a few hands?"

Suddenly the entire area descended back into the barely controlled chaos it had been moments before; the entire incident with the nearly broken nose seemingly forgotten. Men and women alike rushed forward to pit their luck against the spymaster. His reputation might have been fierce, but his gold was more impressive still. As it was decided who would participate first in the games, I caught sight of Sir Ruvano scanning the crowds more than once. Each time his eyes fell on me, he smiled. I did my best to ignore him and continued on to reach Master Oringel. The wizard was surrounded by a sizable crowd and seemed to rolling in the attention. If he'd yet noticed me, I couldn't tell.

I hadn't gotten too far when I felt a soft hand on my shoulder and tensed for yet another fight.

"He was such a dirty old man," a woman whispered in my ear. "Someone should have done that to him a long time ago. Good job I say." I turned to find a short, plump woman with hair of light yellow that was just starting to turn white. I'd never met her before that I could recall, but I found myself smiling all the same. She pressed a glass of rum into my hands, bowed her appreciation for what I'd done, and then vanished back into the crowds. Maybe all the women weren't bitches after all.

Turning back toward my quarry, I found that he had instead found me. Staring up at wizard, I could remember all the things I'd planned to say to him when I finally got the chance -- all the things I wanted to do to him. However, I instead found myself saying, "Oh, Master Oringel, please, you've got to turn me back."

"Back?" he said as he took a bite from a pretzel someone had given him. "What do you mean 'back'?"

"Back!" I said in a harsh whisper, casting a wary gaze at the people pressing in from all sides. "You know, use your wand, like you did this morning in the storeroom."

"Ah! You want me to use my magic wand on you?" he said, his voice suddenly low and conspiratorial.

Finally! I'd been waiting for this moment all day! "Yes, I want you to use your magic wand on me!"

"Did you hear that everyone?" He laughed loudly to the people surrounding us. "She says she wants me to use my magic wand on her!"

"If you'd like, I could use my magic wand on you," the Chamberlain said. I glanced in his direction but quickly turned away at the sight of his limp penis hanging from the front of his pants. "I'll even let you touch it if you want."

That got a loud chorus of laugher from everyone within earshot and caused me to turn a blazing shade of red yet again. Reigning in my burning desire to bury my head in the sand, I grabbed hold of the wizard's sleeve and pulled his ear close.

"Please, Master. Enough with the games. This morning you said that you'd set things right. Haven't I suffered enough? I just want this all to end."

"Ah yes, that little agreement we made." He said it as if he'd only just remembered -- like it would even be possible for him to forget. "Just a little longer, I think, and my payment will have been received in full. But now, the game is about to begin. Why don't you come along and see if you can't bring me some luck?"

He took a seat at the table where the rest of the card players were seated and patted his lap.

"You -- you want me to sit in your lap?"

His smile broadened. "Yes. It's just for a little while, my dear Stephanie. That is, if you want me to be satisfied."

If he was trying to embarrass me, he was doing a fine job of it. With all the guffaws and snickers from around the table, every last person there was taking a completely different meaning from his statements than the one I hoped he actually meant -- which was probably exactly what he intended. At least the flicker of rage helped to burn away some of the shame. That is, until I reluctantly settled down onto his knee. He instantly put his arm around my waist and pulled me in tight. I remained stiff as a board, just telling myself over and over that I just had to endure this a little longer and it would be over forever.



The Blood Pact Ch. 05



Fortunately, Master Oringel settled down to the game right away and didn't pay me any attention at all except when he occasionally got an exceptional hand and felt obliged to show me. Needless to say, he was running low on coins after only three games -- and that was only because of a generous donation from Sir Ruvano. The Spymaster was doing much better, though several of the servants were giving him quite a run for his money. He revealed in the challenge, however, and seemed to be greatly enjoying himself. The Chamberlain, on the other hand, was limping along with a sour look on his face, barely able to keep his head above water. I'm not sure I could have done any better in his place -- which was how I ended up in debt to him to begin with -- but I have to admit I almost smiled each time he lost a hand. It would serve that fat bastard right to lose his shirt for a change.

"Well, that's it friends!" Master Oringel, said as his last game came to an end.

He eased me from his lap as he stood. Never had I been more greatful for anything in my life. As all the players adjured to refresh their drinks, I stood by his side like a faithful puppy. All we needed now was to get out of that room. As Master Oringel continued chatting, I began fidgeting, bouncing on my toes. The journey up to that point had been so long, but this last tiny step still seemed so far away.

"Excuse me, my dear," someone said.

I turned and found Sir Ruvano standing alongside me. His talent for sneaking up on people must have served him well as the king's spymaster. He had a mug of ale in each hand and offered one to me.

"Would you like something to drink?" he said. "You looked like you could use it."

"Um, thank you." I accepted out of reflex and took a small sip. The cool drink definitely felt quite refreshing, but I wasn't going to make the same mistake as last time. My head had cleared considerably since them and I had enough sense not to gulp the whole thing down at once.

Sir Ruvano remained at my side without saying another word, simply looking at me, not like the others, but certainly in a way that made me want to get away from his gaze. "Um, you are most gracious."

"I try to be," he replied. "At least with girls as pretty as you."

"Well, I, um, thank you, I guess. Master Oringel, you're out of the game, shouldn't we be on our way?"

"What? Oh." The wizard turned away from the conversation he'd found himself in as if he'd forgotten all about me. His dark eyes flashed as he looked from me to the spymaster and then back. I didn't like that smile that spread across his lips one bit. "That game might be over, but the festivities have just begun. I plan on staying a little longer. But don't give me that look, I'll get to you eventually. Why don't you keep Sir Ruvano here company until then?"

"I would be honored if you would join me, Stephanie," he said, offering me a slight bow. "The next hand is about to begin."

Had I ever been driven that crazy simply by a pretty face? Master Oringel's mischief certainly wasn't helping matters any. "I'm not really sure...I mean, um, my luck hasn't been all the advantageous tonight. Perhaps you'd fair better without me."

"Nonsense. I can't imagine that a game of cards could ever be made worse by the addition of a comely woman sitting on my knee. Besides, I don't believe in luck." He took my hand in his like a lord escorting a lady to a ball and coaxed me back toward the table. I shot Master Oringel a withering look, but he merely smiled and waved me on my way.

Back at the table, Sir Ruvano took his seat and I stiffly lowered myself onto his lap. I'd survived an hour or so on Master Oringel's knee, I was sure I could do the same now.

"Please, Stephanie, most of the stories about me are completely false, there's no need to be so scared," he said. As the cards were dealt, he rubbed my back. "Why don't you just relax?"

I did my best to smile, taking another sip of beer to hide my true feeling, and slowly eased into his encircling arm. He seemed pleased enough, laughing and rubbing my thighs. If this was the last thing I had to do it end this curse, I would have to endure it.

The games flew by. The spymaster did indeed appear to have little need for luck. He played each hand the same, no matter how strong or weak. Never did he reveal any indication of which was which. Only I knew but only because I had a fine view from my position seated in his lap. One by one, the other players were reduced to only three. No longer was there any boisterous talk or loud bragging. These men were focused exclusively on the game, studying their opponents and their cards to divine some previously unrealized advantage.

I'd seldom seen so passionate a game of cards. Despite the situation I was in, I couldn't help but be drawn in by the intensity. Each time Sir Ruvano attempted a bluff with a weak hand, I held my breath, hoping that he would be successful. When his hand was strong, I watched the others with glee, just waiting for the moment when all their posturing would be crushed in an instant with the final reveal of the cards.

Sir Ruvano would occasionally stroke my thigh or squeeze my waist, but his attention seemed focused primarily on the game. If those were to be the extent of his attentions, I knew I could survive. It was when his hands occasionally brushed against my breasts that I would suddenly go rigid again. Each time, he merely turned a pleasing smile in my direction as if to say it was an accident and I would once again try my best to relax. In order to keep from losing my mind, I continued to sip the beer a small bit at a time, but eventually even that controlled moderation eventually drained the entire mug. Sir Ruvano was quick to have it replaced, despite my insistence to the contrary. And with a fresh mug in my hand, I couldn't help but maintain the habit I'd gotten into.

However, the drink only helped to exasperate the growing pressure on my bladder. The players were well into the fifth game of this second set when I could take it no longer. There was no way I was going to be able to hold out until Master Oringel was done with his tomfoolery. If I didn't relieve myself soon, I was going to end up doing it in Sir Ruvano's lap.

"Please. You'll have to excuse me," I said, standing with some difficulty. My muscles had grown stiff holding myself so rigid in his embrace and my bladder was near bursting. "I...really need to go fresh up."

"Yes of course, my dear," Sir Ruvano said, guiding me gracefully on my way

Though still showing no signs of ceasing entirely, the revelry had died down since earlier and I was able to get to the door without running afoul of anyone. Before leaving, I paused and looked back over my shoulder. Still seated at the card game, Sir Ruvano had followed me with his eyes and now smiled warmly. I felt my cheeks flush red once again and hurried off toward the latrines.

I made my way to the ones down by the stables, hoping that they would be too far out of the way on a night such as this to see much use. I did pass a number of couples in dark corners, but they paid me no heed, far too engrossed in their own private celebrations to care about one fleeting shadow in the night.

At the far end of the stables, the latrine sat dark and empty. It was a single narrow room with a continuous bench along the long wall with five seats each separated by a simple wooden barrier. Now that relief was in sight, I could barely hold it in any longer.

Unfortunately, apart from knowing that women sat down to piss, I had no real idea of how exactly they did so. I was sure nature would take care of things by itself once I managed that, but there were other things that first needed to be dealt with -- like the matter of how best to get that stupid dress out of the way. I hadn't even stopped to consider what I was wearing underneath.

With a final glance back toward the door, I gathered up the front hem and lifted it until I could see what I was dealing with. A pair of tight-fitting hose rose up to my shapely thighs where they were held in place by garters. Above that, the smooth white skin of my legs disappeared under a lacy white pair of panties. Moist with perspiration, they clung to the skin and I could see the outline of what was lying beneath. I'd seen that same kind of puffy, bisected mound before, but never between my own legs. The emptiness there was disheartening and it gave me pause. However, dancing urgently on the tips of my toes, I didn't have time to worry about such things. I grabbed the top seam and pulled the panties down. The fabric clung to that moist flesh between my legs, but when it finally fell away and revealed a smooth, hairless mound beneath, I felt a cool breeze against my skin.

Now I just needed to figure out these skirts so I could sit down. There was so much fabric, however, all my attempts to move it out of the way only made it more tangled. And I didn't have any time left. I had to go now. Holding the dress as high as I could, I leaned forward over the nearest seat and just let it all go.

A powerful stream of piss shot forth. Under such pressure, a great deal of it splattered back on my legs, but now that I'd started I couldn't stop until I was finished. I also had no way to direct the stream without moving my entire body. At first I missed the hole entirely and all of it splashed across the bench before I finally managed to find my target. But then, as the pressure eased, the stream lost it power and slowed to a comparative trickle which seemed much more interested in running down my legs rather than going down the drain. I could feel the warm creeping sensation as the urine soaked my hose and trickled all the way down to my feet. In hindsight, I should have held my legs father apart but it was too late to do anything about it. The whole thing was almost over already.

As the last warm drops ran down my skin I let out a long sigh. It felt so good to have relief from that. If only I hadn't also made a complete mess of myself in the process. There was no way I'd ever be able to go back to the festivities like that. This day just kept getting worse. To complicate matters even further, I couldn't even figure out how I was supposed to keep the dress out of the way and clean myself with only two hands. Undressing entirely crossed my mind, but even if I wanted to risk explaining what I was doing if I was caught, I wasn't entirely sure I would know how to undo all the fasteners. How could I have let this happen? I wasn't even sure I could blame this on Master Oringel.

Holding the dress up and out of the way as best I could, I hobbled across the room and found a clean towel hanging on a hook. I rubbed it across my legs, soaking up as much of the mess as I could. My pussy was still soaked but I couldn't quite bring myself to touch it. I could barely even stand to think of it as MY pussy. I could already feel it as a part of me but the thought confirming its existence with my fingers as well seemed like it would somehow make it more real than it already was. However I couldn't leave myself in this state. Spreading my legs wide, I took a deep breath in preparation for the what had to be.

But then I gasped as I felt someone behind me. Much larger than myself, it had to be a man. He was on me before I could so much as scream. With one hand he reached around from behind and held the dress out of the way, his fingers brushing against the bare skin above my pussy. The other hand he set atop mine that was holding the towel.

"Why don't you let me help you with that?" he whispered in my ear. I recognized his voice instantly as belonging to Sir Ruvano but that knowledge did nothing to alleviate my fright.

"Please, I...I"

"No, it's really no bother, my dear. Just relax."

Slowly, seductively, he drew the towel across my inner thigh. Higher and higher it went until it brushed against the warm folds of my pussy. I squirmed and tried to break free, but his grip was like iron. 

"Just relax," he said again.

This time he drew the towel across my swollen mound. I tried biting my lip to stifle the whimper it produced but it did no good.

"See, isn't that better?" he said.

Gently, he continued rubbing. I couldn't believe I was letting him do this. I wanted to resist but I couldn't deny that it felt really good. I also didn't have much of a choice in the matter did I? I knew I wouldn't be able to get away from him. Each time he teased my sensitive flesh, I could feel my resolve weakening. 

As he dropped the towel away, the cool air rushed in against my skin. If it was possible, I'd gotten even more wet than I'd been before. His hand seemed so large as he cupped the mound of flesh and ran his middle finger along the slit. His skin rough and slippery at the same time -- and oh so good.

"Oh no," he said, lifting his hand in front on my face. "I think I may have made things worse."

I could smell the female arousal on his fingers. It didn't matter that it was my own. My nipples were starting to feel like two little pebbles in my dress. When he ran his fingers across my soft lips I didn't even hesitate to suck them into my mouth. It tasted just like every other woman I'd ever sampled. How would this really be any different? Before I was finished, he pulled his fingers from my mouth and then I heard him sucking on them as well.

"Mmm, you truly are special," he said, holding his lips against my neck so that the murmurs of his words quivered though my skin. At the same time, he cupped my breast, pinching the nipple through the fabric. Meanwhile, his other hand returned to massage my pussy. My juices were flowing freely now and he rubbed them across the folds, tracing the contours, and finally circling the hard little button of my clitoris. My whole body shivered and I melted into him. 

"Ohhh, yesss," I moaned, my breath coming in ragged gasps. I was so horny, it no longer mattered how I got my pleasure. Tonight I would let him finger my pussy. Tomorrow I wouldn't even have one.

"I want you, Stephanie, I want to be in you so badly." His muscular body pressed back against mine. He ground his hips into me and I felt the stiffness of his cock rubbing against my lower back.

Suddenly my eyes snapped open and I jerked out of his grasp.

What the hell was I doing? I was a man, not a woman. I was letting him touch me, press his cock against me. Would I have even let him have sex with me if we kept going. The very thought of having his cock inside me turned my stomach. For a moment, I thought I might actually be sick. 

"Stephanie, what is it?" he said. "Please forgive me if I was to forward but I thought that was what you wanted. If you'd like, we could return to the festivities. I only want to be with you, it makes no difference what we do."

I backed away from him, clinging to the wall to keep my balance. After what we'd nearly done, I couldn't even stand to think of remaining in his company. I had to get away, put the entire incident out of my mind. 

"Is it money you want then?" Sir Ruvano said. He was starting to look desperate, flustered. It didn't seem to fit with everything else I knew about the man. "I thought you to be different class of woman than the rest, but here," he pulled a sack of coins form his belt and held it out to me. "Five hundred gold for just one evening of your company. I'd gladly pay that much and more just to be given the privilege of sharing a meal with you and taking you for a walk in the gardens."

That was a lot of money for something so mundane. I'd always known that some of the women in the keep seemed to have more extravagant dresses and pieces of jewelry than their pay should have allowed. Was this how they managed it?

"Alright then," he said suddenly growing calm once again. Untying the silk cravat from around his neck, he stepped forward and gently laid it across my shoulders. I cringed as he leaned down and kissed me tenderly on the forehead. "I can see you're reluctant, but for one such as you, I can wait. For the time being, consider this a token of my feelings. In the meantime, my will remain open as long as you like."

"I--I'm sorry," I said as I rushed out of the room, leaving Sir Ruvano behind. I didn't even know why I'd said that. I wanted to be angry with him but I was actually feeling sorry for having lead him along like that. My mind was so addled I couldn't even think straight any more. There had to be something wrong with the curse. I had to convince Master Oringel to change me back right now.

I hurried back to the festivities and found the wizard chatting with several overly-buxom women. If that was the kind he preferred it was no wonder I'd ended up in this body. I rushed through the ebbing crowds and grabbed hold of his sleeve, all but pulling him off his feet. Maybe it was the suddenness of it, maybe the urgent way I was acting my he actually allowed me to pull him away.

"Please, hasn't this gone on long enough? I can't take it any more, you've got to change me back right now! Surely my embarrassment this day has been more than enough payment for your services!"

He considered me for several long seconds, his smile wavering from one form to another but never disappearing completely. I knew I must have looked a fright, my hair hanging in a tangled mess, my face panicked and on the verge of tears, but I no longer cared. It certainly wasn't an act just for his benefit. I'd never been more sincere about anything in my entire life.

"Oh, very well," he said at last. Then, turning to the room, he lifted his hand in oration and spoke in a voice loud enough for everyone to hear. "Well, my dear friends, it seems the time has finally come to settle up for that little agreement I made with Stephanie to get her a job in the kitchens."

I quailed while everyone else laughed. They no doubt thought that we were going away to have sex. For all I knew, that was, in fact, the wizard's intention. He was the only one in the castle who knew my true nature but that hadn't stopped him from coming onto me. Maybe this night wasn't anywhere near being over. I was even starting to fear that he might have been planning to change me back in front of everyone, but then he moved off toward the door, slipping his hand around my waist and holding me close. Fortunately, Sir Ruvano was nowhere to be seen. No doubt he would hear about this eventually, but if he'd been there to witness me leaving with Master Oringel right after turning him down, I could easily have seen a scuffle breaking out.

Master Oringel, occasionally singing or humming quietly to himself, lead the way though lower reaches of the keep I'd seldom, if ever, seen. From the mustiness in the air, we must have been very near the dungeons. I doubted if many at all had ever been down there. Eventually we arrived at massive wooden door set into a curved portion of wall that encroached out into a wide section of the hallway. For a time, Master Oringel fumbled with a large ring of keys hanging from his belt but eventually gave up and simply kicked the stone jamb two times and gave the door ring a hard pull. With that, that door swung inward and he motioned me through with a flamboyant gesture. He followed right on my heels, closing the door behind him.

On the other side, I wasn't entirely sure what I was seeing. We were in a small half-domed bay which lead into a large circular room with a high ceiling. Other alcoves opened off of that larger room, but on the far side was a massive chamber with a high vaulted ceiling that was filled with all manner of strange esoteric instruments. The air was warm and dry and smelt vaguely of cinnamon, nothing at all like it had been in the hall right outside.

"This...is your tower isn't it?" I said. That was a place everyone in the castle knew well to avoid. Very few had ever seen the inside. After all, it was never a good idea to intrude on a wizard's inner sanctum. So what was I doing there?




The Blood Pact Ch. 05



"Backdoor," Master Oringel said, pointing with his thumb toward the door we'd just entered though. He stumbled into the central room and fell heavily onto the edge of a large bed sitting right in the center.

"I could have sworn it was on the other side of the castle," I said. With mouth agape, I wandered after him, staring at everything like some dimwitted tourist. In one of the other alcoves three darkened windows appeared to look out on a starry sky. I couldn't help but take a closer look. Through the wavy glass I could see the entire castle stretching out below me and the village beyond at the bottom of the hill. "How did we end up so high? I thought we were still in the basements."

"We are. We're also at the very top of the tower. We're also everywhere in between."

"I don't understand. Is this some kind of trick?"

"Yes, but not in the way you mean." He pressed his palms to his forehead and fell back on top of the bed covers. "Oh, I think I need another drink. Would you be a dear and pour me something?"

"Look, I've put up with your games long enough! I think it's time you changed me back!"

"Do you now?" He stood and came wobbling toward me. "Well, I for one think that the night is not yet over. Now how about you get down on your knees and finish paying me back for saving your life."

"What!?" I backed away as I knocked his hands off of me, nearly causing him to lose his balance. It was strange to think that even in my long dress I was more coordinated than he at the moment. "You do remember I'm still a man don't you? Do you really want me to suck your cock?"

He gazed at me lustily through veiled eyes. "You don't look like a man to me, Stephanie. That's all that matters. Now come here and give me a little taste."

Wizard or not, I slapped him hard enough that he flopped back down on the bed. After nearly giving myself to Sir Ruvano, I wasn't about to let this perverted fool anywhere near me. I shuttered at the very thought and pulled myself back to the matter at hand.

"I'm not your whore or any one else's!"

"Gods, you're even worse than the real one was," Master Oringel muttered as he rubbed his jaw.

"Real one? The real Stephanie? Do you mean you gave me the body of some hussy you used to know?" It would certainly start to explain these overblown features I'd been dealing with.

"No, just the name. I didn't have time for anything fancy earlier. That body, that face, everything about you; it's what you would have been if you were born as a woman instead of a man."

He couldn't have been serious. As Natalie had noticed earlier, there were similarities, but as a man I was merely common. There was no way that simple form could have translated into this shapely body with all its nicely rounded curves, its soft skin, its perfect features, its willing pussy... Again I shuttered. What might have I done with Sir Ruvano if I hadn't caught myself at the last moment? Was this really the kind of woman I was, just another stupid whore who wasn't even any good at all the jobs the other women excelled at?

"Please, just change me back," I pleaded. There were even tears in my eyes when I said it, and I wasn't the least bit ashamed of them. "I can't put up with this any longer."

Master Oringel suddenly grew serious. "Did something happen to you?"

"What? No, of course not," I said, turning away from him and wiping the tears away. How could he have even picked up on that? He must have been guessing.

"Really? Well, in that case I suppose we can bring this little game to a close." From his cloak, he produced the same wand as before. With a nonchalant flip of the hand, he waved it in front of me and then tossed it down on his night stand. "There, done." 

I looked down at myself but nothing had changed. My heaving breasts were still right there in front of me, I was still wearing that long dress, and my tangled hair still fell halfway down my back. The last time, the change had been instant. He must have been aiming for one more laugh at my expense.

"You didn't do anything! I'm still a woman."

"The effect of the transformation wand takes longer to reverse. By morning, I assure you, you will be back to your old self."

"Are you sure?" 

"Of course I'm sure," he said, dropping onto his bed and pulling one of the covers over him. "Now get out of my chambers, I can't have rumors getting started that I have enough courtesy to let a girl spend the whole night in my bed -- chivalry is for knights, not wizards."

"I...very well..."

Maybe there was a slight change starting to take place. Were the hairs on the backs of my hands becoming more coarse, or was it just my imagination? My chest might have felt just a little less heavy as well. I could only hope he really knew what he was doing. I made my way to the door and paused in the opening. Thanking him seemed out of the question after what he'd put me though but it still felt as if I should say something.

"Um, good night," I said.

"Out." Without looking up, he raised his hand and flipped his wrist. At the same moment, the door slammed shut in my face, sealing off the light from inside the chambers. I was suddenly alone in the darkness of those dank subterranean passages. Hugging my arms around my midsection, I began backtracking my steps toward the servants quarters.

Fortunately, I didn't get lost. The sounds of revelry still going on certainly helped me find my way, but I didn't return to the party. All I wanted to do was go to sleep. The halls that lead to the barracks were not all that occupied so I was able to make it to my room without having to cross paths in anyone. Still looking more like a woman than a man, I really didn't want to have to explain what I was doing in the men's wing alone.

Ramzi, one of my bunkmates, was passed out on his pallet. Griffith it appeared was still out. I slipped into my own bed, pulled the covers all the way up over my head, and turned my face to the wall. It was a little uncomfortable with my still sizable breasts squeezed between my body and the mattress, but I could definitely feel the changes starting to take effect now. I just hoped that they really would be finished by morning. Otherwise, I would have a hard time explaining what the hermaphrodite that looked vaguely like Mathis was doing in his bulk. Even those worries weren't enough to keep me awake, however. After the day I'd had, I was exhausted. As soon as I closed my eyes, I was dead to the world. 

To be continued...



The Blood Pact Ch. 06



A thin ray of morning light shone in through the small window slit and bird song could be heard outside. As I stretched, my hands reached well past the top of my bulk and my feet hung over the bottom. It was only when I heard the deep masculine yawn escape from my mouth that I remembered I still needed to be careful in case Master Oringel's spell hadn't quite finished with me yet.

With his back turned to me, Ramzi was snoring soundly in his bed and there was still no sign of Griffith. He was probably passed out in a gutter somewhere. Now wide awake and confident I might have a moment of privacy, I sat up quickly and looked myself over. Finally, I was back to normal -- the same body, the same hands, the same face I'd been born with, and most importantly of all, my cock, stiff and hard with a raging case of morning wood. Even my clothes were the same I'd been wearing before.

Well, all except for Sir Ruvano's silk scarf. That was still draped across my shoulders and smelling vaguely of his cologne. In fact, the lingering scent had even worked its way into my clothes and the bed sheets. How could he have given me a token of his love after the things he'd done to me? Just thinking about how helpless I'd been in his arms and the way he'd touched me sent a shiver of revulsion through my body. With a vehement jerk I pulled the scarf off and shoved it out of sight under my pillow. It wouldn't do to have anyone asking me where I'd gotten something like that. Maybe I'd take it down to the village and see if I could get a few coins for it.

Outside, the rest of the keep was more quiet than it usually was on such a pleasant morning. With half the servants and all of the nobles suffering from severe hangovers, the day after a festival was always slow to get started. I could have stayed in bed a little longer myself but the smells drifting in from the kitchens wouldn't let me. In fact, I couldn't remember ever having felt as hungry as I did then. What little I'd eaten the day before might have been enough to keep Stephanie going but I must have weighed nearly twice as much as her.

Before getting any food, however, I first needed to clean myself up. My skin was still just as sticky from the sweat and the grease as if I'd been the one working in the kitchens all day instead of Stephanie. What could Sir Ruvano have ever seen in a woman who'd let herself get that filthy?

At the water troughs in the courtyard, I set my shirt aside without thought, but then paused. My chest had always been well-defined, but had it always looked that...pronounced? It was defiantly a man's chest, firm and muscled, but a part of me couldn't help thinking how much it still looked like a pair of breasts. I'd never been one to worry about shaving every day either, but my face also seemed smoother than usual. And was my hair just a little bit longer as well? Maybe it was a lingering effect of Master Oringel's curse. Or maybe it was just my imagination. In either case, it looked as if it was going to take some time to put everything behind me entirely. I washed as quickly as I could, keeping my back to the courtyard the whole time. After escaping without anyone finding out about me, I wouldn't want to raise their suspicions now.

Setting foot in the kitchens again took more nerve than I would have thought. Compared to how busy everything had been in preparation for the festivities, they were now almost empty, but there were still a few servants hurrying about. Apparently not everyone was incapacitated this morning. I stood frozen in the doorway for a moment as the flood of memories that place stirred up swept over me.

"Oh Mathis, you're up early!" I heard a voice call out from across the room. Mistress Holainah was looking just as chipper as ever, brandishing her spoon as she danced through the room to keep the handful of cooks on task. Thank the gods I'd never have to be on the receiving end of that ever again. "Oh, no time to make any of you boys breakfast this morning! I've got a whole castle full of nobles with hangovers right now. There are some boiled eggs and bread over there. You can help yourself."

"That will be just fine, mistress."

"Oh, I like that," she said, laughing like a little girl. "I wish all the stable hands would call me 'mistress'."

In order to hide my embarrassment from that little slip, I hunched my shoulders and trudged off. It felt so good to be able to do that without having to risk a swat from that woman's spoon. It didn't seem possible that in a single day I'd been conditioned to behave in all kinds of strange ways. I'd have to be extra careful or the next thing I knew, I'd start waiting for men to open doors for me. As I busied myself serving up a steaming hot plate of eggs and hash, Holainah came bounding over. The last thing I wanted right then was to deal with her again. I tried my best to hurry up and move on before she got to me but I wasn't fast enough.

"Mathis, have you seen that new girl today? Stephanie."

"What? No, of course not!" I nearly dropped the entire plate along with everything on it. "Why would I have seen her? Why are you even asking me?"

"Well, I saw her leave the party last night with Master Oringel but he's not the type to let a girl stay the night. Since she never showed up in the women's quarters I thought she might have ended up in the men's...if you know what I mean"

She smirked and winked at me. They really did think Stephanie was nothing but a complete slut. I was so glad that little adventure was behind me for good.

"No, I didn't see her at all, especially not in the men's barracks -- but I didn't really look, so I don't really know -- I mean, I'm not even sure I remember what she looked like."

"Gods Mathis, a little nervous aren't you? She didn't spend the night in your bed did she?"

"What!? Of course not! Why would you even say..." I trailed off. Holainah was right, I was acting awfully nervous. As far as everyone else knew, I had no reason to be. I just had to act like the same old Mathis they all knew. "I mean, I wish she had. From what I heard, she was quite the looker -- but I barely even saw her YESTERDAY."

"That reminds me, I didn't see YOU at all, even during the party. The Chamberlain was looking for you though. Were you hiding out in some dark hole?"

"I-I was busy with...with...things." I said. It had never been so much trouble before just to act like myself. Putting on a bit of swagger, I added, "Why? Did you miss me?"

"Oh come now, Mathis." Holainah slapped me playfully on the shoulder. "You know how much I like seeing all you strapping young stable hands walking around the keep with your bare chests."

"Um, ah..." Why did the thought of baring my chest suddenly make me feel like I'd be exposing myself? "Why do you want to see Stephanie anyway? Are you going to let her go? Maybe she had enough and saved you the trouble by running away." Servants had occasionally run off in the past so it wouldn't be that unusual if the ditzy new girl had done the same when she realized she couldn't put up with all the pressures of working in a royal household.

"Gods, I hope not. She was one of the best girls I've had in a long time." Holainah said.

"But...I heard she hadn't done very well at all..."

"Oh, I say that to all the new girls to keep them on their toes. Truth to tell, she worked harder than most of the others all day long and didn't complain about anything. And just having her around helped to keep the men's spirits up, that's for certain. If nothing else, it was fun to make her blush -- she'd turn bright red at the drop of a hat -- I'd never seen anyone blush as much as she did!"

I was starting to feel that same heat building inside me now, but this time it wasn't from embarrassment. As Stephanie, I'd worked so hard just to keep above the work Holainah kept piling on my shoulders. How could she have let me think that I was only making a mess of everything? I clenched my fists and gritted my teeth to keep from doing anything rash.

"Excuse me, I've really got to get going." I picked up my plate and mug and headed for the door. 

Rather than eat in the dinning hall with the other servants who were up at that hour, I made my way into the storage tower above the stables. It was usually quiet up there, especially at this time of day. I often went there if I needed a moment to myself -- like right now. A barrel pushed up against a support pillar made a fine seat and the open cargo door high above the courtyard gave me a better view of the green countryside sparkling in the morning light than the king himself could have found in even his best chamber.

I wanted more than anything to forget about yesterday, just put it out of my mind and move on with my life. But like a particularly vivid dream -- or nightmare -- I just couldn't stop thinking about it. Everything I did and felt as Stephanie just kept rolling through my memories again and again. Most disturbing of all was the way my brain kept wanting to retread the way it felt to have my pussy stroked by Sir Ruvano. A shiver raced down my spine each time I thought about the way it had grown wet and slippery at his touch. Several times before I could catch myself and think better of it, I even found myself regretting that I no longer had the necessary anatomy to experience that incredible sensation again. Nonetheless, my memories of it were just as visceral as if there was still a pussy between my legs instead of a cock -- a cock that was actually growing hard just thinking about it.

It had actually become so engorged it was starting to press out against the front of my pants. I hadn't had something like that happen to me in public since I was a kid. Fortunately, there was no one around to see me adjust it to a more comfortable position.

This was ridiculous. I was a man who liked women. How could I miss having a pussy? That spell must have effected me in some profound way I couldn't even fathom. Would things ever go back the way they were before, or was I going to be forever cursed with these alien thoughts in my brain?

Absently, I found myself stroking my cock through my pants as I thought back to the scene that had played out in the latrine last night. The thought of fondling a woman had always turned me on, but this time it was the thought of being the woman fondled that was doing it. And I no longer cared. It was well past time for some relief. I didn't find it quite yet, however.

"Oh Mathis!" a woman shrieked excitedly from right behind me. A moment later two thin, yet powerful arms wrapped around my shoulders. "I really could have used that last night!"

"Nikelle?" I stammered. I hastily pretended like I hadn't been stroking myself but there was little doubt she'd already seen me. As she stepped around in front, I could see she looked as radiant as ever, even after the night's festivities. She had a knack for that sort of thing. It was one of the reasons I liked her. However, after seeing another side of her yesterday, I found myself sitting stiffly as she dropped her tight little body into my lap.

"So where were you?" she said, touching the side of my face with that impossibly soft skin of hers. Meanwhile, her thigh pressed pleasantly against my groin. "I was looking everywhere for you!"

"Um, I was busy all day," I said. It didn't seem possible that this alluring woman and that icy bitch were one and the same. "Master Oringel, um, sent me to do some things for him."

"Oh, running errands for the wizard now? That's quite a responsibility."

"It was just a one time thing," I replied hastily, anxious to put that topic aside as quickly as possible. However, with a bit of impish spite, I couldn't help adding, "But you had an interesting day, as well. I heard you and the new girl didn't get on very well at all."

"That Stephanie girl?" Nikelle shot me a pointed glance. Surely she couldn't have read anything into that simple question. "She wasn't that bad. I just work better alone, that's all. Where did you even hear about that?"

"Well, um, from your friends down in the kitchens."

"Come now, Mathis," she said, her eyes narrowing ever so slightly. "You know I don't have any friends."

I couldn't quite tell if she was joking or deadly serious. That ever-present glint of danger in her eyes had flared to life with new intensity and for a moment it seemed as if I had inadvertently stumbled onto a sensitive topic. Leave it to Nikelle to turn an innocent question into an interrogation. It was probably best to simply change the subject.

"Well if you don't have any friends, what does that make me?" I said, doing my best to pretend I hadn't noticed her sudden fierceness.

She smiled wickedly and poked me in the chest. "You're my toy."

"Your toy? I'm not sure I like the sound of that." Especially after I'd just spent the better part of yesterday feeling like Master Oringel's.

"Oh, don't give me that look. You know I mean it in the best possible way. In fact, I was rather hoping I might be able to play with you now."

"Now?" My cock twitched as her body squirmed seductively against mine. The door to the stairway was hanging open wide but there were still no sounds of activity anywhere nearby. Something about the fact we could be found out at any moment actually made my cock stiffen even further. Nikelle must have approved because she giggled and slid down between my legs. Looking up at me with a mischevious smile, she began rubbing my cock through my pant leg.

"Since we didn't get to celebrate last night, there's no better time than the present."

"In that case, let's not put it off any longer," I said.

I grabbed her by the shoulders and forced her to her feet. She giggled excitedly as I lifted he onto a barrel and stepped between her legs. Roughly kissing her, I mashing our lips together and forced my tongue into her mouth. Her breasts I wrenched free of her dress. Continuing our fervent kiss, I squeezed the warm, pliant flesh, grinding it beneath my hands and forcefully pinching her hard little nipples until I tasted the satisfaction of her signs in my mouth.

I'd done this with Nikelle often enough to know she liked it a little rough, but today I was more brutal than usual. This I wasn't just me getting off; I was reclaiming my manhood. Little Stephanie might have found pleasure in giving herself over to the manipulations of her partner, feeling sheltered in their strength, but this time I was the one in control. I wasn't just possessing Nikelle, I was dominating her.

I broke free of her lips long enough to lift the long folds of her dress over her knees, but she came at me like a snarling beast, fanged bared. As I fumbled to free my cock, she grabbed either side of my face and pulled me into another embrace, this time biting my lip in the process. With a grunt I pushed her back against the wall and held her there with a hand around her petite neck. She smiled back at me and her hands worked their way down my body, pulling open my shirt and dragging her pointed nails across my skin. Finally reaching into my pants, she pulled out my engorged cock. It sprang free and stood straight up like a piece of steel.

Leaning in close enough I could feel her quickened breath on my face, I attempted to kiss her but had to draw back lest I wanted to be bit again. A second time I moved on her but this time, the grinning snap of her teeth was only halfhearted. I held her to the wall with that next kiss, the both of us madly trying to reduce the distance between us to nothing.

With one hand I returned to ravaging her breasts while the other worked its way through the folds of her dress, guiding the way for my eager prick. Sliding along the cinnamon brown skin of her inner thigh, I found her mound fully exposed; blazing hot and dripping wet. As my finger brushed against the puckered folds, her whole body shuttered and a tiny moan escaped her lips. 

A final shove finished clearing her dress out of the way and then I stepped forward, placing the head of my cock against her pussy. Groaning in frustration, she bucked her hips forward, but that merely dragged her slippery lips down the underside of my cock. Gripping my shaft, I drew my hips back and thrust forward.

She tossed back her head and let out a protracted moan as I sank into her warm, wet folds. Her whole body tensed as I buried my cock in her with a single thrust. I held it there for a moment, savoring the burning heat. As I slowly began to back out of her, I could feel her tight walls gripping the entire length of my cock, desperate to prevent its escape. Planting savage kisses across her neck and bare shoulders, I drew back out of her until only the head was still inside.

In a flailing of limbs, she threw her arms around me and pulled us close. Laying her head on my shoulder, she might have told me not to stop, but it sounded more like an animal growl than actual words. 

I needed no encouragement, however.

With a single violent thrust that rocked her entire body and caused her to cry out, I rammed the entire length of my cock back into her. Slowly at first, but quickly building to a rapid pace, I pounded into her.

I reveled in that familiar feeling of euphoria that spread from my cock through the whole of my body. Her tight little body quivered and undulated in perfect rhythm to my jabs as she gasped for breath between clenched teeth. Her legs wrapped around my waist and her hands entwined behind my neck so that when she leaned back and hung from my body, she was all but impaled on my cock.

Her breath quickened, culminating in a long, low moan that was sure to be heard elsewhere in the keep. I didn't care. Her pussy began contracting rhythmically and that was all I needed to push me over the edge as well. I let out a moan of my own as I felt my cock erupt and flood her with my seed.

As my cock continued spasming, Nikelle leaned forward and kissed me again, desperately this time, urgent, almost panicked. I did my best to return the gesture, somehow trying to reassure her with my kiss. When we finally parted, we rested our sweating foreheads together.

"I've always liked these moments we shared together, Mathis," she said, still short of breath. 

Looking into her eyes I could see the same fierceness from before hadn't been dulled by the throes of passion. However, mixed with that and the ecstasy, there was also a hint of what could almost have been sadness.

"Are you okay?" I said. "I didn't hurt you did I?"

"No, I'm fine." Nikelle stood and my cock tickled uncomfortably as it slide out of her. With her back turned, she hastily put her dress in order. "Never better in fact."

"Um, okay. I just thought you looked... I mean, we've never done that before in a place like this."

"It WAS fun, wasn't it? Besides, I couldn't afford to put it off any longer. It's something of ritual I like to do before a big job."

"Okay..." I chuckled and shook my head. In honesty, I had no idea what she was talking about. "Glad I could help."

"You were wonderful." Standing on tiptoes, she gave me a quick kiss on the cheek and then hurried out of the room. 

"I'll see you around," I called after her. "We really should do this again soon."

However, she was already gone. That had been strange, even for her. But then, the logic of women seldom made much sense to me, even when I'd been one of them. Still, whatever her reason for doing it, that had been just what I needed. The cobwebs were gone from my brain and I felt like myself again. Stephanie could now rest in peace for all eternity as far as I was concerned.



The Blood Pact Ch. 07



--- Chapter 7 ---

As I buttoned up my shirt, I could hear a pair of footsteps ascending the stairs. Maybe things with Nikelle weren't quite over yet after all.

"Come back for another round?"

I began to turn, but as I did, a hand grabbed me by the throat and slammed my face down on top of a crate. My vision swam and I flailed about wildly for a moment, but there was no breaking free. As my senses quickly returned, I found myself looking up at the Chamberlain, sadistic glee dancing in his eyes. My fortunes had certainly shifted quite quickly. How could I even have forgotten about him? He'd been the whole cause of all my problems in the first place.

"Morning, Mathis," he said. "You wouldn't happen to have that three hundred gold you owe me, would you?"

"What? No...but I can get it!" How, I had no idea, but at the moment, I'd say anything to keep all my fingers. I struggled for all I was worth, but carrying around all that fat had given him a considerable amount of muscle. "I just need a little more time!" 

"Time?" Keeping my face pinned to the crate with one hand, he drew his knife with the other and drove it into the wood mere inches from my face. Another few seconds and that blade would start slicing off my fingers one by one. "I've already given you more time than I've ever given anyone else!"

Prying the knife free, he kicked me aside like a sack of wet laundry. I went stumbling and fell to the ground amidst a pile of empty barrels. As he approached, I tried to scuttle away, but I quickly found my back against a solid stone wall.

So this was the end? A whole miserable day spent as Stephanie had merely delayed the inevitable. In hindsight, I suppose I should have simply faced this yesterday and been done with it. It would have saved me a lot of bother. I hoped Nikelle wouldn't get too upset by my death. Knowing her, she'd simply find another toy to satisfy her desires and move on without giving me a second thought. In the end, my life hadn't amounted to much of anything, had it?

"Please, can't we just talk about this?" I siad as the chamberlain loomed over me, brandishing his knife. I needed to make him see reason. There was still so much I had to live for.

"I want my money, Mathis, not talk." He came close and squatted down before me. "This is your last chance. Do you have it or not?"

"N-No, I don't have it," I was forced to admit, but then added hastily, "Not right now."

The chamberlain chuckled grimly and shook his head. "You don't know it Mathis, but today is your lucky day. I was just talking to Master Oringel and he told me all about what you were up to yesterday."

Oh gods, he did? I knew that bastard wizard couldn't be trusted. How I wished the chamberlain would just hurry up and put me out of my misery already.

"He said he sent you to Eagle's Head to pick up a delivery for him," the chamberlain said. "But I know the truth."

"You do?" I tried my best to keep a look of confusion off my face. Why would Master Oringel have told him that lie? And if he had, how would the chamberlain have figured out the real truth?

He leaned in close enough that I could smell his putrid breath. "The only reason he sent you out on that little errand, was because he knew I was looking for you. He likes his games, that one does, that's for certain. He even suggested I should give you a little more time to come up with the money. I don't know why he's taken an interest in you, but since I'd rather not get on a wizard's bad side, I'm going to give you three more days."

"You are?"

"It's against my better judgment, but if you don't have my money by then, I don't care if the king himself says to spare you, I'm going to take what I'm owed out of your hide. You got that?"

Haltingly, I nodded my understanding.

"Good. Now remember: three days or..." He placed his knife against my throat and smiled, his jowls spreading like the mouth of a frog. I stretched my chin out of the way to avoid the cool metal blade, but he drew the back edge across my skin all the same. Patting my cheek, he stood and left the room, leaving me alone in a heap on the floor, terrified but still intact.

With nothing else that could be done at the moment, I returned to my work. The simple manual labor -- cleaning the stables, tending the horses -- was a refreshing change of pace after my experiences in the kitchens. Here, the scale of operations was so much larger that mistakes could usually be corrected before they resulted in a catastrophe. I didn't have to worry about breaking the delicate porcelain, or making sure all the corners of a napkin were folded under just so. I was also thankful Griffith ended up shirking his duties all day. I wasn't sure I'd be able to work with him, let alone look at him, after what had happened yesterday. I still cringed each time I thought about his cock pressed up against my back.

The old familiar routine gave me plenty of time to think about what I should do. Three days was an eternity after coming face-to-face with two deadlines already, but it still wasn't enough time. I knew there had to be a solution somewhere, but I just couldn't see it. For a while, I gave serious consideration to simply running away. However, without becoming a horse thief, I wouldn't be able to get very far very quickly. I didn't know my way around the woods like some men so I'd have to stick to the roads. And since the Chamberlain had contacts in every village within fifty miles, I'd quickly be found and brought back. Besides, I'd lived my whole short life in the castle. I couldn't even imagine how to go about doing anything else with my life.

Eventually, one possible solution did come to me, but I spent the better part of the afternoon trying to think of something else. However, no matter how much I wracked my brain for some alternative, my thoughts kept coming back to this one unthinkable possibility. After all, it would be relatively easy and it take care of all my money problems in one night. That alone made it incredibly enticing, regardless of the risks.

I still didn't like it one bit, but after wasting most of the day failing to think of something else, it didn't seem like I had any other choice. I left my duties without explanation -- a reprimand from the supervisor would be far more bearable than the loss of even one finger -- and hurried back to my bulk. I was probably insane for even considering this plan, but deep down, I knew it was the only way.

* * *

"Sir Ruvano?" I said.

It had been pure luck I'd run into him down here in the lower halls. He must have been returning to his chambers after performing some duty or another. The two armored men with him reflexively reached for their swords the moment they heard me speak. The spymaster himself turned a cold gaze on me that I imagined could have been just as deadly as any blade.

This had been a mistake. I hesitated and almost turned to leave, but froze at the command of one of the guards.

"You there! What do you think you're doing?"

"I-I..." It was impossible to say anything more cohesive. Dressed in Sir Ruvano's personal colors of brown and green, and wearing custom light armor, those two men were members of his personal guard. Soldiers, woodsmen, spies, and assassins all rolled into one package, they were more dangerous than any of the king's men and answered only to Sir Ruvano. If there could be any fate worse than having to deal with the spymaster himself, it was having to confront his men as well.

One of the two stepped forward, his hand adjusting the grip on his sword hilt. Unlike the other one, he wore no helmet, so I could clearly see the wispy blonde hair that fell to his shoulders and the jagged scar that diagonally bisected his pale, angular face from brow to chin.

"Speak now, before I run you though on this very spot!"

That finally loosened my tongue, but all I was able to utter was a single strained squeak of, "I have a message for Sir Ruvano."

The guard glanced over his shoulder for confirmation but the spymaster seemed uninterested. In fact, he looked like he was considering if he should simply let the guard run me through and be done with this delay. This was not the same man I'd been with last night; this was the man from all those grisly rumors. It was beginning to look as if everyone in the keep had two faces. After a moment, he crossed his arms and glared at me.

"Well, what is it?" he demanded. Maybe his ill-humor was just a result of the same hangover that was plaguing everyone today.

I reached into the front of my tunic and both of the guards drew their swords several inches. How had I ever convinced myself this idea had any chance of working? Unfortunately, there was no turning back now. Slowly, I drew forth the silk scarf that Sir Ruvano had given Stephanie last night and offered it up for inspection. The guards looked on uncertainly and Sir Ruvano cocked his head slightly to the side.

After snatching the scarf out of my hand and giving it a hasty examination that found nothing, the lead guard passed it on to the spymaster. He looked it over, as well, but no trace of understanding or sympathy showed in his hard features.

"Stephanie sent me, sir," I said. "She told me to give you that so that you would know this message came from her. She wanted me to ask if your...if your offer from last night still stands?"

My own uncertainty with what I was asking made it sound like I wasn't entirely sure what that offer might be. Hopefully, it would only make the show that much more convincing. Sir Ruvano considered me for several long moments and then examined the scarf again. "Why didn't she come herself?" he finally said.

I shrugged. It seemed like the best way to avoid having to go into any greater detail.

"You seem awfully nervous for simply delivering a message. What are you up to?"

"S-sir? Nothing, I swear. Ste-Stephanie merely asked me to give you this message, that's all. I'm not even sure what it's about."

"But why you?" He looked me over quickly and his lip curled back in disgust. "Who is she to you? A friend? An unrequited lover? You're not jealous, are you?"

"No, of course not!" It would be a little hard to be jealous of myself. "I'm -- we're actually...cousins."

"Cousins?" Sir Ruvano's eyes narrowed. After that conversation with Natalie yesterday, the entire household had likely heard by know that me and Stephanie were somehow related -- even if I'd never confirmed such a remark until now. "I suppose there is something of a family resemblance..."

"Yes! I...I actually helped her get work here in the keep."

"I heard it was the wizard who vouched for her."

"Yes. Yes, that's true, but I was the one who put her in touch with Master Oringel," In a twisted sort of way, that was actually true. "I'm not on the best of terms with the Chamberlain so it seemed like a better way to approach the matter."

Sir Ruvano stood scowling at me for a long time, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the hilt of his sword. If he was trying to divine the truth from my appearance or the way I'd spoken, my hastily conceived story was probably the best defense I could have had. It wasn't exactly true, but from a certain point of view, it wasn't the least bit false either. Holding my breath, I stared at the floor, just hoping he'd come to a verdict quickly. Death, or acceptance of my story, it was all the same to me at that point.

"Cousins..." Sir Ruvano stopped tapping his sword hilt and I envisioned him gripping it firmly in preparation to run me through. "In that case, you can tell Stephanie, yes, my offer still stands. If it suits her, she can find me in the gardens this evening at seven."

"Very well, sir." I nearly collapsed from relief. "I'll let her know."

"See that you do."

Sir Ruvano and the two guards began to move off, but they only got a few paces before the spymaster stopped and turned.

"Wait," he said. "Give the man a sovereign for his troubles."

"Yes sir," one of the guards said after a pause.

He dropped the small gold coin into my hand and then all three of them walked out of sight, leaving me rooted in place. I just knew it was going to be a while before I would regain enough composure to move again. I couldn't believe what I'd just done. Not only had I survived yet another encounter with the dreaded spymaster, I'd also just arranged a rendezvous with the man.

But it was just for the money, I kept telling myself, nothing more. Without that gold, I was a dead man.

Regardless of my motivations or how I rationalized my actions, I now had no choice but to go through with this outrageous plan. If I lost my nerve and stood him up, there would certainly be consequences. Stephanie, of course, hidden in plain sight, would be completely free from any retaliations, but now that I'd involved my real self in these proceedings as well, I wouldn't be so fortunate. If Sir Ruvano wanted to seek Stephanie out for any perceived impropriety, I would be his only point of contact. I had no choice but to do everything in my power to ensure he had no reason to find fault with anything either me or Stephanie did.

After all, I needed that money.



The Blood Pact Ch. 08



--- Chapter 8 ---

"Master Oringel!" I cried. "Master Oringel, it's me, Mathis! I need to talk to you right away!"

I must have been loosing my sanity. I'd never been one to push the rules too far, butt the things I was doing this day just kept becoming more and more outrageous. Now I was pounding on the door to the court wizard's tower, pleading for his help. Next, I'd be barging into the king's throne room right in the middle of an audience with the grand vizier.

"Please! It's urgent!" I said with one final bang on the door. "It's about...yesterday."

Without warning, the door swung open on silent hinges. Master Oringel's strange chambers stretched out before me, much as I remembered them from last night. Cautiously, I stepped inside. The rooms were considerably brighter than before, those strange windows letting in plenty of the late afternoon light. Across the main room, Master Oringel was hunched over a work table littered with glass tubes and beakers. 

"Close the door," he said without turning to face me. "I'd like to at least maintain the illusion that a wizard in his chambers is not to be disturbed."

I did as instructed and made my way across the room. On the work table he had several braziers burning, each with a different concoction boiling away on top. The smell, a bitter-sweet mix of ash and berries, was absolutely hideous. He dropped a few small shriveled pellets into a pot filled with a greenish-brown froth and then stirred gently. After pouring a potion into a small cup, he then ladled a bit of a frothy brown substance that smelled like scalded milk on top. Giving it a smell, he smiled agreeably and then offered the cup to me.

"Coffee?" he said. "It's a special blend I have imported all the way from Urinoca."

"No. Thank you," I said, barely containing my revulsion. I'd always preferred tea, but whatever that stuff was, it was certainly not coffee.

"Your loss." He took a sip and sighed contentedly.

"Why did you speak to the Chamberlain on my behalf?" I had to get on with things. I knew that if I let myself get sidetracked by his antics we might very well be here all night talking about coffee. 

"I granted you a boon remember?" Master Oringel said. "When I give favors, they're full service."

Maybe he wasn't such an asshole after all. That was good because I was going to need him to show a little generosity if my plan was ever going to work. And that plan was the only reason I'd come here. If I was really going to go through with it, I might as well just put it out in the open as soon as possible. I took a deep breath.

"I need you to change me into Stephanie again," I said.

Master Oringel's eyes opened wide but otherwise, he showed no sign of surprise. "I will admit the drink did make things a bit blurry last night, but weren't you begging me to turn you back into a man not all that long ago?"

"Things have changed. I may have found a way to get out of trouble with the Chamberlain."

Master Oringel shook his head and went back to his tubes and pots. Becoming Stephanie again for just one night was the only way out of debt and Master Oringel was the only one who could do that for me. I couldn't leave until he agreed to help.

"I'll pay you," I blurted out.

"Pay me?" He whirled on me, looking as if he'd just heard the worst insult I could possibly have given him. "I'm a tenured wizard of the Cadre! What need do I have of coin?"

"From the way your luck was going at cards last night, it looked like you have quite a large need of coin."

He scowled and raised his finger as if to rebuke me, but stopped short of actually speaking. After a moment of silent contemplation, his stance relaxed considerably. "How much?"

"A hundred gold?"

"Done!"

He'd agreed to that far too readily. I should have offered him less to start. But there was nothing I could do about it now. Besides, a hundred for the wizard, three hundred for the chamberlain, and I'd still pocket a hundred for myself. All in all, not a bad payout for simply having dinner with the king's spymaster.

"Now, where did I put that wand?" Master Oringel began rummaging through the various instruments cluttering up the work table.

"I think you left it on your nightstand," I said, pointing to his unmade bed.

"Ah, yes, that's right!" He bounded across the room and threw the various bits of litter on top of the nightstand to the floor before pulling the entire piece of furniture away from the bed. He eventually located the wand stuffed down amidst the unmade folds of his bed sheets.

"So, about this money?" Master Oringel said as retuned. Examining the wand strangely, he looked down its length and his face took on a perplexed look. "Hmm, was it always that bent?"

"If everything goes according to plan, I'll have the money for you by tomorrow," I said, however I was far more concerned with what he was doing at the moment. Gripping the wand in both hands, he gingerly bent it as if trying to make it more straight. "Is something wrong?"

"What? Oh no, perfectly fine," he said, again sighting along the length of the wand. This time he appeared more pleased with the result.

"Are you sure? I don't want to end up as a newt or something."

"Relax." He held up the wand and shook it in my face. "I could break this in two and it wouldn't effect the magic one bit."

"Really?"

"Of course...I think." Putting his finger to his chin, he considered it for a moment while I considered whether or not it had really been all that wise to ask him for help. "No, it's a transformation wand. There's no way the matrix of spells that are woven into it could possibly create an undesired effect. If something was wrong with it, it simply wouldn't do anything at all."

"Well, okay...If you're sure."

"Yes, I am. Now, are you ready?"

I took a deep breath and nodded.

"Relax, you know yourself that there's nothing to worry about. With a transformation wand like this one, all the magic is encapsulated in the wand itself. You don't even need to know any magic to use it: just point, and imagine what you want the thing to look like."

And then he did just that.

Knowing what to expect this time, I was much more aware of the changes sweeping over my body. In what felt like a cool wave, the sweat and grime of the day's labors dropped from my clothes and body like dust. My perspective shifted as I lost nearly a foot of height. My balance shifted to accommodate the unfamiliar proportions of my swollen chest and hips. My hair grew longer, cascading past my shoulders and all the way down my back. Between my legs, my penis and testicles contracted as if they'd just been plunged into ice water, but didn't stop until they'd been draw all the way inside my body and reshaped themselves into a puckered little pussy and clitoris.

My clothes changed as well, the tunic lengthening into a dress as the neckline plunged. My belt widened into a corset that cinched itself around my waist and forced my back straight at the same time it thrust my chest forward. My pants grew tight around my legs and crept away from my hips down to the middle of my thighs, leaving my groin concealed from below by only a thin, snuggly fitting pair of cotton panties. My shoes shrunk to fit my now dainty feet and took on a feminine pointed toe and a tightly laced upper which gripped my ankles securely.

As I stumbled to regain my balance, Master Oringel studied the end result of his spell, nodding with approval. "Ah, Stephanie returns to us. Come take a look. I think you're even more stunning than you were yesterday."

"Could we please avoid the jokes?" I said in that high-pitched voice I now had. It still sounded just as strange to me as it had the first time I'd heard it. I hoped I wasn't making a mistake with this whole plan.

Stepping around in front of the large stand mirror, however, I was forced to admit Master Oringel was correct: I did look quite nice. Unfortunately, I was also had to admit that something wasn't quite right.

"Um, I don't suppose you could do something about the dress?" As much as I didn't want to make myself any more comely, these plain beige clothes he'd given me were simply working garments. Even the lowliest servant would have something nicer than this to wear for special occasions. "I'm going to be meeting someone."

"Oh really?" Master Oringel said with a sly smile. "Who is it? Sir Ruvano? What are you two planning to do together?"

I blushed a vibrant shade of red, despite myself. "Why do you need to know that?"

"So I can match the dress to the occasion. You understand, don't you?" It did make sense but why then had his smile only broadened.

"Fine. He said he'd take me through the gardens and that we'd have dinner together."

"That's all?"

"Yes! What else would there be!"

I don't know how it was possible, but Master Oringel's smile grew even larger and more mischievous. He tapped his finger to his chin as he looked me over like a sculptor getting ready to start on a new project. "Let's see, Sir Ruvano's tastes run toward the extravagant. We don't want to disappoint him..."

This time, I could see the changes taking place in the mirror as well as feel them. The corset shrank down to a belt that draped loosely over my wide hips but the dress itself became even tighter. My panties contracted as well, becoming wispy thin, nuzzling into the crack between my shapely ass cheeks and firmly cradling the pussy between my legs. The heavy cotton fabric of the dress grew light and sheer as well, turning a brilliant shade of crimson that was accented with several panels of pure white that fanned open at the slightest movement. The sleeves vanished completely, the neckline dropped scandalously low, and the hem rose until it barley reached my ankles. The silky fabric clung to my body like a second skin, leaving absolutely nothing about the curvaceous body underneath to the imagination.

"What in the seven hells have you done?" I cried. I hadn't yet seen Stephanie without any clothes on, but I could imagine that seeing myself naked wouldn't be much different from the reflection I was currently looking at in the mirror. "You've turned me into a trollop! You can see...!" I motioned to my body but words failed me. "Everything! My legs are even showing!"

"Yes," Master Oringel agreed with a smirk. "Yes, they are. But that IS what all the fashionable women are wearing in Treppenkarrow this year."

"I don't care if it is! This isn't Treppenkarrow and I'm not some streetwalking whore trying to grab the attention of every sailor in the harbor!"

"Calm down, Stephanie, this sort of behavior really doesn't become you. And trust me about the dress. Sir Ruvano appreciates sophistication and this is far more sophisticated than anything he's ever seen in these parts."

I glared at Master Oringel, but I had to keep my emotions under control because it felt as if I simply breathed too hard, it might cause my breasts to spill out of the dress.

"Fine," I said with a stomp of my foot that caused various parts of my body to quiver, thus giving Master Oringel an interesting show. At least these light slippers that my shoes had become would be easier to walk in. "But could you at least make me a little taller? I already feel like a child, but dressed like this, I feel..."

'Vulnerable' was the word I was looking for but I couldn't bring myself to say it out loud. Instead of showing me any sympathy, however, Master Oringel threw up his hands and sighed.

"I AM the one paying you for this," I pointed out.

"Very well. But only a few inches. We don't want you looking like an Amazon."

With that, he again waved the wand. Imminently, my whole body lengthened, raising my eye line by those several promised inches. However, I was also quite certain my hips and breasts grew larger as well. Meanwhile, the dress seemed to stay the same size, constricting tightly. Frantically, I attempted to keep my body from ripping out of it entirely. Master Oringel simply watched and chuckled.

"Yes, I think you're right, that looks much better," he said. I snarled and started to offer all manner of insults, but he waved then aside flippantly. "I can't just make you taller without changing your other proportions, it wouldn't look right. Oh, and that reminds me; one more detail."

Going to his work bench he picked up a small clay dish filled with a fine black powder.

"What's that?" I said, finally coming to terms with the way my body was now filling out the dress. It WAS tight, but I supposed I wasn't really in any danger of tearing out of it.

"Makeup," Master Oringel said.

He took a large pinch of the black powder and, without warning, tossed it right into my face. I coughed fitfully as it filled my lungs and clung to my skin. Just one look in the mirror confirmed that it completely covered my face with a gritty black mask. 

"What are you doing! I looked perfect! Now I'm going to have take a bath to clean all this off."

"Calm down, it's a TRANSFORMATION wand, it can't make something out of nothing. I just needed some raw materials -- that is, unless you have some cosmetics that you know how to apply."

I suspected he was making this harder than it had to be, but didn't feel like saying anything at the moment. Throwing up my hands I turned to face him so that he could finish. This time, I felt next to nothing, but my reflection had indeed changed considerably.

"There!" Master Oringel said, throwing up his hands. "Is that good enough for you? Well worth a hundred gold, eh?"

Staring at the mirror, what I saw was definitely worth it. My cheeks had taken on a distinctive blush, my eyes were outlined in black, and my eyelids had become a dusky shade of grey. My lips looked more pouty than ever in that bright, glossy red that perfectly matched the color of my dress. My wavy hair had also gained more body and rearranged itself into artful tresses that tumbled past my shoulders in a stunning cascade. The sweet smell of perfume rose up around me, as well, filling my senses.

I only hoped we hadn't gone too far with this. If I were still a man, I knew I'd have a hard time keeping my hands off of me looking like that.



The Blood Pact Ch. 09



Master Oringel sent me on my way, but not before instructing me to return to his chambers when I was ready to be changed back. He said he would probably be there all night but if not I should find something else to do while I waited for him. I didn't bother to point out that there wasn't much I could do dressed I now was.

I knew the back door of the Master Oringel's tower was in one of the most remote parts of the keep and that there wouldn't be anyone out there, but it still took a colossal amount of courage to leave his rooms. I'd gotten somewhat used to being dressed like that, even if I wouldn't have chosen to wear anything like if it was up to me, but stepping out into the public realm suddenly made everything different. I knew I looked good, but I was also relatively certain no woman had ever worn anything like this dress in the halls of the keep.

It took several minutes of quite preparation before I proceeded up to the higher levels. Most the activates were starting to wind down at that hour, but there were still more than enough servants around that I was seen right away. Most of them didn't even try to hide their stares. I knew I was turning red, but I ignored them and just kept walking.

In one of the halls I even passed Greta. She had her sleeves rolled up and her hair tied back, carrying a bucket of dirty water. Catching sight of me, her eyes opened wide and she nearly dropped the bucket.

"Stephanie, is that you? WHERE did you get that dress?"

I just knew that damn wizard had gone and made a fool of me by dressing me like this. Unfortunately it was too late to do anything about it. The entrance to the royal gardens was just ahead. It would be far easier to hurry on ahead rather than going back over all the ground I'd just covered. Besides, it was doubtful Master Oringel would even change the dress to something more respectable even if I begged him to do so. I could only hope Sir Ruvano didn't find as much fault with my wardrobe as Greta did.

"I'm sorry, I don't have time to talk right now," I said as I all but ran past, leaving her standing there with mouth agape.

The large arched opening in the side of hallway lead out onto a veranda with multiple levels that were all decoratively arranged with potted plants. The sun was near the horizon, but there was till plenty of light to see the extensive gardens contained within those high walls.

I hurried through the arch, thankful to put Greta's prying eyes behind me, but in the process, I nearly ran into a towering wall of muscle and steel. I recognized him instantly as the man with the scar who'd been accompanying Sir Ruvano earlier. 

"Hey now, where do you think you're going?" He placed his hand on my chest to keep me from going any farther. His fingertips felt especially rough against my bare skin. Though they was nowhere near my breasts, it still felt like a terrible violation of my personal space. Not that he seemed to care. In fact, seeing the way he licked his lips, I knew he was hoping I might give him an opportunity to touch even more of my body. I backed away hastily, not wanting to give him any such chance.

"I'm here to meet Sir Ruvano," I stammered. "I'm Stephanie." Calling myself that name still hadn't gotten any more natural.

He smiled, a sinister expression without any warmth in it at all. "That's too bad."

"What? Why? Is he not here?" My heart sank. I couldn't have gone through all this trouble for nothing. And even if I didn't see Sir Ruvano, Master Oringel was probably still going to want his payment. Could this evening have gotten any worse?

"No, he's here," the guard said. "It's too bad for ME. If he wasn't meeting you, I wouldn't let you go anywhere." I didn't like the way he was looking at me. If anything, his expression had become even more lecherous than it had been just a few moments ago. "Go on," he said after a moment, pointing with his chin. "He's waiting for you down there."

Hesitantly, I sidestepped around him and made my way to steps he'd indicated. However, as I did so, he slapped my ass. With a gasp, I turned to find him smiling down at me. "If things don't go over well with Sir Ruvano, come and find me. If you don't, I'll make sure you regret it."

And I believed that he would. He didn't look like the sort who made idle threats.

"I...I..."

It was just for the money, I told myself. Just one night and never again. I simply had to make sure Sir Ruvano didn't find any reason to send me into the arms of this thug.

Without further word, I turned and rushed down the stairs, past pots and beds of exotic flowers I'd never seen the like of before. Several different terraces opened off at different levels but none of them were occupied. At the very bottom, a sizable hedge enclosed a final series of patios that were each tied together with shared plantings. On one of them was arranged a table and chairs and sitting there was the man I'd come here to meet. With his back turned to me, I had a moment to compose myself before going any further. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

It was just for the money.

"Sir Ruvano?"

He shot to his feet with a start but froze the instant he laid eyes on me. "My word..."

I practically turned and ran right at that moment. I knew these clothes had been a mistake. "I know the dress is rather silly, but a...friend of mine said it would -- "

He came hurrying over, cutting me off in mid-sentence. "No, my dear Stephanie, don't ever demean yourself like that. You're absolutely radiant! And that dress...that dress looks wonderful on you. It's a Treppenkarrow style, isn't it?"

"Y-yes. I'm told it's all the fashion these days."

"Yes it is, but on you it's elevated even beyond those avant-garde standards." He took my hand in his and kissed it. I had to fight the urge to cringe. "I'm so glad you chose to honor me with your company this evening. I must admit I was a little worried I might never see you again."

"Well, your offer was too tempting to pass up..." I said. The smile dropped from his face for a moment, but I suppose that was only to be expected. After all, I'd basically just told him that I was merely there for the money. Maybe I shouldn't have said anything about it. But if I hadn't, he might have assumed I'd come because I was honestly interested in him. "I mean, you did say it was a standing offer..."

"Yes, yes of course." He again kissed my hand. "I'm simply glad we can share this time together."

I forced myself to smile but could barely look him in the eye. He must have taken it as demure charm because his smile grew tender once again. "Come please. I got you something."

Taking me by the hand, he lead me over to the table where he'd been sitting. There he handed me a flat package wrapped in white paper. Presents now too? This whole evening could easily spiral beyond what I could handle.

"Go ahead, open it," he said.

Again I did my best to smile. Inside was a large piece of white silk, trimmed around the edges with delicate tassels and elaborate pearlescent embroidery. A shawl, I realized much later than it should have taken any real woman to figure out. I'd seen many of the noblewomen wearing ones similar, but seldom this elaborate. I had to remind myself that made it just the sort of gift any real woman would simply love to receive.

"Oh, it's beautiful!" I did my best to sound honesty impressed, though in truth, I'd never much understood what purpose a shawl of this sort served. It was so light it wouldn't offer much warmth and all that decoration would only get in the way and attract dirt. And now that he'd given it to me, what was I supposed to do with it? "I, um, love it."

"I'm glad. Here let me help you with it." Taking it from me, he wrapped it around my shoulders and crossed the ends in front, gently lifting my hair out from underneath. Stepping back, he beamed as he looked me over. "Yes, it suits you well. I thought it would serve you far better than that sweaty scarf I gave you last night."

Well, I did have to admit I no longer felt quite so exposed with it covering my shoulders. Depending on how I held the ends, I could even use it to help conceal the ample cleave revealed by the dress. Maybe it did have its uses after all.

"Would you like some wine?" Without waiting for my reply, he filled two goblets from the carafe on the table and handed one to me.

I took a sip if for no other reason than to avoid seeing the way he kept looking at me. However, that one sip quickly turned into another. I'd never had wine of that quality before. It was only a frantic reminder from some distant part of my brain that kept me downing it all in one gulp. I was supposed to be acting like a woman, not some uncouth stable hand.

"It's quite good," I said.

"It's from my private stock," he said, taking a sip of his own cup but looking at me over the rim the whole time. "Have you ever been though the gardens before?"

I shook my head and took another sip of wine. He knew quite well that I was merely a common servant girl -- that is, he knew Stephanie was -- of course I'd never seen the royal gardens before. They were a private retreat for only the highest ranking members of the household

"They're quite exquisite this time of year when everything is in bloom. I'd love to show them to you if you'd like."

Flowers had never been that much of an interest for me, but again, most women seemed to love the things. "Yes, that would be lovely."

"Wonderful." He set his goblet aside and beckoned me out onto the path that lead away from the veranda. I hastily finished the last gulp of wine I'd been right in the middle of and set my goblet aside as well.

Though filling a relatively small space, the royal gardens were extensive, carefully arranged to turn each small patch of lawn into its own private room. Pristinely shaped hedges directed our views and lead us from one place to the next. Underfoot, every blade of grass was manicured more evenly than any of the finest rugs. I'd never given much credit to the garden keepers before, but now that I was seeing their work up close, I realized that they were true artists. There was more to see in that single walled plot than one could ever hope to take in after even a dozen visits.

However, without pockets to put my hands into, walking beside Sir Ruvano made me feel quite ungainly and out of place. That is, until I realized he was offering me his arm. I smiled to hide my embarrassment and hooked my hands over his elbow as I'd seen women do. Despite the closeness it put the two of us in, it certainly made things much easier for me. He lead the way and I had merely to follow. But no matter where we went, it seemed as if we had the entire place to ourselves. If Sir Ruvano had arranged that, or if it was just coincidence, he would not say.

At first, I had to remind myself with each step to keep smiling and nodding at his explanations of this plant or that flower. But it wasn't long before I was actually growing interested in what he was saying. I didn't care if it was just my feminine side taking over, those flowers were actually quite beautiful. There were also more of them than I could ever hope to remember. Some were so exotic-looking I almost couldn't believe they were real. Others filled the air with fragrances more intoxicating than the finest liquors. There were also more butterflies and hummingbirds than I ever could have imagined. They all bobbed in and out amongst the blooms without any fear at all of the two people watching them. I'd never suspected that anything so wondrous existed right within the very walls I'd grown up in.

However, the sun was setting quickly. It was a shame that we'd only covered a fraction of everything there was to see. After tonight, I'd never have another chance to experience these wonders ever again.

"Not to worry, my dear," Sir Ruvano said, obviously detecting my unspoken regret. "The truly beautiful flowers open only after dark."

There was a grotto ahead where we sat on a stone bench and talked quietly for a time, but there wasn't much for either of us to say -- my own life was quite common and, in most ways, fabricated and his concealed behind secrets he was either unwilling or unable to share. As twilight gave way to darkness, however, the garden did indeed come to life around us in a whole new way.

Again we resumed our tour and Sir Ruvano showed me Silver Pixie Cups that twinkled like stars in the night sky and Shining Flamestars that glowed with in a rainbow of unearthly hues like the result of some wizard's spell. My favorite of all were the Ruby Plaxias with their long bell-shaped flowers that throbbed gently from within with a pinkish glow. The moment they were touched, however, their petals flashed to life with a brilliant crimson blaze before slowly fading back into the darkness. As a host of night insects worked their way from flower to flower, we were treated to a show just as spectacular as any firework's display.

There were other creatures about as well. In fact, as I was reaching out to examine the star-shaped bloom of some clinging vine, a strange little squirrel came scurrying out of the thick foliage and raced all the way up my arm before he realized it wasn't a tree branch. Before hopping into a nearby hedge and disappearing from sight, he paused long enough to lick my face with a tongue as long as his body.

"You must be more sweet than all these flowers for him to have made that mistake," Sir Ruvano said.

I found myself giggling like a little girl despite all my intentions never to do anything so completely foolish.

Shortly thereafter, we came around a corner and I was just as enthralled by the flowers there as by the ones I'd seen in every other corner of the garden. It was only after a moment I realized we were not alone. The large silhouette of a man loomed in the shadows, staring down as us in stony silence. Involuntarily I shrieked and jumped back. Unfortunately, that merely carried me right into Sir Ruvano's arms. He seemed unconcerned by this stranger.

"Ivan sends word that dinner will be ready shortly," the man said. It was only then that I recognized him as the same guard from before. Sir Ruvano nodded and the man strode off toward the keep.

"I hope my chaperone didn't startle you too badly." Sir Ruvano said as he cradled me in his arms.

I was acting like a fool. I had no reason to be scared, but I felt so frail in this body I couldn't help myself. I pulled away from him and straightened my shawl as a pretense to regaining my composure. It had fallen to my elbows during the course of the evening, but I pulled it protectively up around my shoulders. The night wasn't all that cold, but I shivered all the same.

"In my line of work," he said, "I inadvertently make a lot of enemies. I can never be too careful, even within the castle."

"That's perfectly understandable," I said.

I think I was finally starting to understand him. As a spymaster, he needed to unearth all those hidden threats to the kingdom before it was too late to do anything about them. He wasn't doing these things for his own advancement, but in the service of the crown. His work demanded that he be harsh, but he was not actually a harsh man. I almost felt sorry that someone with a heart as gentle as his had to put on those airs and constantly live in suspicion of everyone around him. 



The Blood Pact Ch. 10



As we returned to Sir Ruvano's quarters, there were only a few liveried servants to be seen in the halls. They, however, knew enough not to make an issue of my appearance, no matter how much they might have wanted to. They stood aside deferentially and didn't so much as raise an eyebrow at our passing. No doubt their would be plenty of talk floating around the servants quarters tonight, but as long as I didn't have to hear it, I didn't care.

Those few nobles we passed offered courteous greetings but little more. Most appeared happy to get out of the spymaster's presence as quickly as they could. His quarters were much as I remembered them, though considerably darkened. The rose window above his bed was a dark inky black and all the corners of the room were filled with soft shadows that the numerous candles couldn't quite dispatch. A small fire burned in the hearth, just enough to chase away the dampness which pervaded all of the castle's heavy stone chambers.

The large table in the antechamber had been decorated and set as if for a banquet, but with only two place settings, the ends would have seemed a quite barren if not for several cascading flower arrangements. Situated prominently in the nearest was a bouquet of Ruby Plaxias, still glowing as we'd just seen them in the garden.

I knew from that secretive smile of Sir Ruvano's that he'd noticed how much I'd liked them. He must have worked some of his furtive tricks to have them waiting here upon out arrival. I couldn't help but return his smile.

"Shall we get started?" he said, motioning to the table. 

I'd never had anyone dote over me the way he did by pulling out my chair and helping me get situated. It was all rather nice. He took his seat directly across the short length of the table from me, both of us with a place setting of the finest porcelain and more silverware than I could fathom any one meal could ever possibly need. And then the food itself was an exquisite seven courses the likes of which I had never tasted before, even as leftovers returned to the kitchen on the grandest of holidays. It was a shame I wasn't going to be able to eat as much as I would have liked, but my stomach just wasn't as big as it used to be. Would he think me too crass if I asked to take some of it with me when we were finished?

"My personal chef is something of a mad genius in a kitchen," Sir Ruvano said. "I found him on one of my campaigns when I was still just a soldier. He's been in my employ ever since." 

"My compliments," I said, touching my napkin delicately to my lips. Much to my surprise, I barely even had to remind myself to swallow before speaking. It worried me a little that these feminine mannerisms were becoming second nature to me so quickly.

After a dessert of an impossibly light concoction containing cream and cake and berries, there was more of that excellent wine to enjoy. Regardless of how little I had been able to eat, my capacity for drink didn't seem to have diminished all that much.

Of course, with dinner complete, that would mean this fine evening would soon be coming to an end. When I'd first considered this plan, it almost made me sick just thinking about it. Now I was actually wishing that it could go on a little longer.

But I couldn't allow myself to get bogged down with trivial matters. I was here for one purpose and that was the only important thing that mattered. All that remained to do was to find a way of asking for my money without sounding like a greedy bitch.

As we sat sipping wine and carrying on in idle chitchat while I tried to think of some cleaver way to broach the subject, Sir Ruvano sent away the few servants on hand. Once they were gone, leaving the two of us alone in those sprawling chambers, he rose from his seat and came around to my side of the table. As he sat on the edge of the table, he gazed at me over the rim of his goblet.

"You truly do possess a beauty unrivaled by any other woman in all of Rineve," he said. Haltingly I looked away and took another sip of my own cup. "And your innocence only makes it more appealing."

He reached out and brushed a stray lock of hair out of my face. Up until that point, I'd been quite proud of the fact I hadn't let any of his compliments make me blush. However, that came to a crashing halt at that moment.

"Um, yes, um..." I brought the goblet back to my lips and took another gulp only to find there was hardly any left. Dismayed and unsure of what else to do, I looked around for the carafe, but it too was empty.

"Here," Sir Ruvano said. Still staring at me, he offered me his cup. But this was not the same fond look he'd been giving me all evening. This was predatory, threatening.

"Um, perhaps I should be going," I stammered, trying to push out my chair but finding that it wouldn't quite move. It must have been caught on the edge of a rug or something. "Um, it was a wonderful evening, and your company was...wonderful...but it HAS gotten rather late..."

With a dark glint in his eyes reminiscent of the look he'd given Mathis in the halls earlier, he set his cup aside with a calculated movement and went to one of the gold urns flanking the fireplace. From inside he pulled a small sack of coins. Returning to the table, he held it before me for a moment and then let it drop with a jingle.

I sat stiffly in that high-backed chair, looking first at the bag of coins laying there before me and then at Sir Ruvano. He simply remained sitting on the edge of the table, his hands folded casually on his knee, his dark eyes locked onto mine. Haltingly, I reached for the gold.

"Wait," he said before I barely even lifted my hands. "If you want that, you'll have to stay a bit longer."

With the back of his fingers, he reached out and traced down the curve of my dress's neckline, his skin just barely brushing against mine. I was too bewildered to even draw away. It sent a tingle through my entire body. My heart was suddenly beating so quickly I could hear it in my ears. I suspected it was even visible as a rhythmic quivering of my breast.

He wasn't going to let me leave until he'd bedded me!

"But you said a walk in the gardens and dinner..."

"I said I'd gladly pay for that, but if you'll recall, that's not the offer I actually made." His voice had become cold and callous.

"It's just that I didn't...I mean, I never..."

"Don't worry, I'll be gentle with you." he said, running his fingers along my side of my face.

Oh gods, now he thought I was a virgin -- which I suppose, was actually the truth as far as Stephanie was concerned. Unfortunately, it would only made me more appealing to him.

If it hadn't been for the money, I would have left that instant. The thought of letting him touch me...of letting him fuck me; it turned my stomach. We were both men. I couldn't bring myself to let him do that to me.

But I needed that money. It was sitting right there within my grasp, so close. Could I really just turn my back and walk away from it now? To do so would mean the loss of finger or two at best, the loss of my life at worst.

It wasn't as if what he'd done to me last night had been entirely bad. It had actually felt rather nice. To my horror, I felt a warm tingling building between my legs at the memory of it. Even just this morning I'd been regretting the loss of my womanhood without having first done all there was to experience with it. Wasn't this a perfect opportunity?

But was I ready to have a man take me? It still seemed so wrong.

On the other hand, it wouldn't be as if he'd actually be fucking ME. It would be Stephanie. And after tonight, she would run away, never to be heard from again. With a hundred gold in his pocket, Mathis might very well disappear as well -- it would certainly be better than remaining in the keep, constantly surrounded by reminders of the shameful things I was considering letting Sir Ruvano do to me.

"Well?" he said.

Squeezing my eyes shut, and with an almost imperceptible tip of the chin, I nodded. If Stephanie had to sleep with just one man, there were far worse prospects than Sir Ruvano.

"Good, I'm pleased you've seen it my way."

As if he'd given me any other choice. Taking my hand, he lead me to the bed chamber. My heart was racing, my whole body shaking. I was even finding it difficult to breath. 

He pulled the shawl from my shoulders, the silk fabric gliding across my skin. As he ran his hands along my bare arms, he said, "You're scared. That's alright. It adds to the flavor."

With that, he gave me a shove and I fell backwards with a yelp. I didn't fall too far, however, landing on his bed, going onto my back. I looked down the length of my sprawled form to see him standing at the foot of the bed, pulling off his shirt and casting aside his belt. His chest was not overly muscled but well-defined none-the-less. He smiled with glee as he looked down at me, my legs inadvertently having spread in the fall.

"Oh Stephanie, I think you are more willing than you let on."

And then he was on me, kissing my mouth, nibbling at my neck. He ravished my breasts, pulling them free of the dress and squeezing them roughly. Trapped in that frail body, his hands felt so huge. I was frozen, unable to move. I couldn't believe I was letting him do this to me.

I only grew more confused because the things he was doing, the way he was touching me; actually felt rather good. He kissed my nipple and it was like a shock rang through me. He moved to the other, sucked it into his mouth, and I let out a cry. I told myself it had been a wail of panic, but even to my ear it sounded more like a cry of pleasure. That only drove him on with even greater zeal.

With my knees still hanging over the edge of the bed, he reared up and straddled my waist.

"No, this won't do," he said, rubbing my breasts together and invoking another whimper from me.

I heard a ripping sound as he tore my beautiful dress in two, right down the front. I squirmed beneath him, desperate to prevent him from seeing me naked, but there was little I could do. With a few quick motions, he'd laid me bare from shoulders to waist. The remains of the skirt still covered my groin and legs, but a single tug would quickly remove it as well.

"I've been wanting to do this since I first say you," he said.

Again he returned to my breasts, rolling them between his hands, sucking on the nipples, cradling my chest. My nipples grew hard and wet. As I squirmed my legs together in unconscious rapture, I could feel a moistness there amidst the growing warmth. I couldn't believe, even in this strange situation I'd found myself, it felt so good. The building pleasure was even starting of override my fear.

Sir Ruvano must have sensed it as well because he began working his way down my body, planting ticklish kisses as he went. Between my legs, he laughed excitedly and lifted my dress out of the way. It was only with some small reluctance that I let him spread my legs. Now there was nothing more than skimpy thong between him and my virgin pussy.

When he touched me, I tensed and grabbed the sheets, my eyes pinched closed. I could feel his breath on my pussy. His tongue reached out and licked me through my panties. I cringed as I felt my juices began to soak the fabric. This was so wrong, having a man between my legs. But at the same time, it felt too good to resist. As he sucked the panties into his mouth, he reached up the length of my body with one hand and began to fondle my breast once again. I took the other in my own hand and rolled the nipple between my fingers.

I could hardly believe I actually helping him now bring myself to ecstasy, but I simply couldn't bare this any longer. I'd been teased once too often. I needed to see this through to the end. It was the only chance I'd even have to feel like this.

With a jerk, he pulled my thong to the side, causing it to dig into my ass and fully exposing my pussy. A moment later I felt his tongue part my swollen lips and lap at the dripping juices inside. My whole body quivered and squirmed. I didn't want to let him know how much I was starting to enjoy this. I bit my lip to keep a ragged sigh from escaping, but only managed to muffle it.

When he placed his tongue to my stiff little clit, I felt a wave of heat radiating out from my hips. There was no way I could have prevented that effeminate sigh from filling the room. With even greater vigor, he alternated between licking my warm folds and sucking my clitoris. Soon I was lost to these incredibly things he was making me feel, writhing about in the sheets and panting unashamedly at the top of my lungs.

A growing ripple of bliss from between my legs suddenly made me feel like I might be losing all control of my body. My head back, my back arched, I rose up onto my elbows with a cry as a quivering shutter broke upon me in full force. At first I was afraid I had pissed myself -- how embarrassing would that have been? -- but as wave after wave of ecstasy tore through me, wracking my body with each pulse of my rapidly fluttering pussy, I ceased to care what was happening to me. It was so much different from anything I'd experienced as a man. My whole body felt like it wanted to contract into itself and explode outward at the same time. And it just kept going, on and on for what seemed like minutes. I thought I might pass out from the sheer splendor of it.

But slowly, it grew less intense and the waves got further apart. I flopped back down to the bed, my skin tingling and covered with sweat. My chest rose and fell with each gulp of air I took, sending my nipples toward the ceiling and then crashing back down again. I stared into space focusing on nothing at all. My brain couldn't have tried even if I'd wanted to. I felt like a pile of jelly, utterly drained of all my vital energy, yet strangely invigorated at the same time.

Between my legs I was vaguely aware that Sir Ruvano was still busy lapping at my pussy, but I took no further notice until he climbed on top of me. Now face-to-face, he kissed me. Without resistance, I opened my lips to him. Our tongues intertwined and I tasted my own juices in his mouth.

As I realized I was tasting myself on his lips, our kiss quickly turned frenzied. I'd never before had a desire to taste my own cum, but this was different. Now I was a woman -- a beautiful woman, and I tasted incredible! It didn't matter that I was kissing a man. Sir Ruvano was just a tool to get what I needed. He was merely a thing. MY toy.

He broke away from our embrace and looked deeply into my eyes. "Are you still scared, Stephanie?"

I shook my head, sending several moist locks of hair swinging.

"Good, because the night has only just begun."

With a simple scoot that reminded just how small I was in his arms, he pulled me completely out of my dress. Stephanie was now naked for the first time in her life and Sir Ruvano was laying on top of her. Not too long ago, that notion would have filled me with fright. Now I was calm -- even a little excited.

He fumbled with his pants for a moment and then looked me in the eyes once again. I felt something warm and blunt press against the slit between the slippery folds of my pussy. 

"Are you ready?"

This was it, my last chance to back out, to save my pride, my dignity. Did I really need the money badly enough that I was willing to prostrate myself to a man I barely even knew?

I never found out how I would have answered. At that very moment, the doors to the chamber swung open with a crash and both of us looked up in shock.

My heart and mind raced. Had we been discovered? There would be no way to explain away being in bed with the spymaster. Now everyone would know about what I'd done. As I felt myself being lifted off the bed, I saw a woman come storming into the chamber.

She was dressed in black, a short silk tunic that was held tightly around her waist by a leather corset. Her pointed boots were heavy and serviceable, her cloak of dark brown, frayed and tattered at the edges. A hood was pulled over her head, casting her fierce eyes into shadow, while her lower face was covered with a red scarf. Around her waist was a tasseled wrap. In one hand she carried a curved dagger, in the other, a tiny barbed dart.

I couldn't quite figure out what was happening. I had been laying flat on my back but now I found myself directly in the path of that deadly-looking projectile which the woman had let fly. It only dawned on me as the dart penetrated my bared breast that Sir Ruvano, was using me as a human shield!

However, it was too late to resist. I'd already been struck. Oddly, the wound didn't hurt, it merely stung. All the same, I felt the life drain from me in an instant. I collapsed -- or maybe Sir Ruvano threw my limp form at the assassin, I wasn't entirely sure -- but my naked body flopped heavily onto the floor. The blood pouring from my chest made the impact into a sickly splattering of twisted limps and slick flesh.

As I slid to a stop at the feet of the assassin, I could see the spymaster out of the corner of my eye disappearing through a hidden door. The woman glared down at me with a look of absolute disgust in her eyes.

"Impossible," she muttered. "A blood dart can't miss."

I might have heard cries raising the alarm throughout the castle but I was finding it hard to keep focused on much of anything. What I remembered most distinctly was thinking that this assassin was quite risqué to wear a skirt that short in public. Not only did it leave her knees completely exposed but I also got a fine look at her panties as she stepped over me and dashed after the spymaster.

They were red silk and trimmed with lace.

Before passing out, I remember wishing that I could have had a pair like that...



The Blood Pact Ch. 11



"Argh!"

I sat up with a start, though still careful to keep the thin sheet which covered me from falling away from my breasts. It was with some surprise I discovered I no longer had any. In fact, my entire body had returned to its old masculine appearance. Looking around at my surroundings, it took me a moment to figure out I was in one of Master Oringel's rooms -- a circular chamber with a low domed ceiling, empty of furniture or ornament save for the large stone alter in the center upon which I lay.

"Good, you're awake." Master Oringel came striding in from one of the two arched openings. "You've been out for nearly a day and a half. I was starting to worry."

"What happened?" I said. My mouth was dry and I felt so weak. Even saying that much took a great deal of effort. In fact, merely sitting up straight was starting to take its toll. However, I wasn't about to relax until I got some answers. "How'd I get here?"

"What do you remember?" Master Oringel said as he leaned against the alter and examined me critically.

"I was in Sir Ruvano's..." Oh gods, I was in Sir Ruvano's bed, spread out like a three sovereign whore, just waiting for him to fuck me! I buried my face in my hands and shuttered before trying again. "I was in...Sir Ruvano's quarters and a woman barged in. She threw something...a dart, maybe...It hit me right here."

I ran my fingers over the left side of my chest. It was a little sore but there was no sign of any injury ever having been inflicted there. "I...I fell to the floor...there was so much blood...I thought I was going to die..."

"You very nearly did. By the time I was summoned you'd nearly bled out completely."

"Who was she?"

Master Oringel shook his head. "We're not entirely sure. She managed to escape. You and Sir Ruvano were the only ones who saw her, but we're almost certain she was a Blood Dagger."

"A what?"

"A Blood Dagger. They're a brotherhood of assassins who work out of the deep Rae'ock desert. There's never been any record of them ever operating this far north, however."

"A brotherhood of assassins? But she was a woman."

"Yes. The legends say that they abduct young girls and raise them using their sadistic methods to turn them into agents of death. After all, no one would ever suspect a woman of being an assassin. They are trained in the arts of killing and seduction, and are even forced to master several dark magics. Their most potent ability, and the one from which their name derives, is blood magic. It allows them to form weapons from their very blood so that they are never unarmed. That's what hit you: a blood dart. It's a specialized implement for killing a specific target on contact."

"But it didn't kill me. I'm still alive."

"That's because the intended target was Sir Ruvano, not you. As it was, you barely pulled through. I've done what I can for you but..."

His eyes suddenly took on a look of despair that I did not like one bit.

"What are you talking about? It hasn't even been two days and there's not so much as a scar. You've clearly worked a miracle."

"You may think that, but truth to tell, all I did was change you back to your male self. Once It did, the wound disappeared as if it had never been there. No one outside of the Blood Daggers truly understands these abilities though, so I can only hope there will not be any lingering effects that I'm unaware of."

"Well, I don't really care what you did as long as it worked," Finally I allowed myself to recline once more. "So you brought me here from Sir Ruvano's Quarters so that you could heal me?"

The wizard nodded. "So far I've been telling everyone that Mathis is out running another errand for me and Stephanie is still so weak I don't know if she will pull through."

"And what happened to the money?"

Master Oringel's brows bunched together. "What money?"

I suddenly felt my stomach drop. Again I sat up, this time my heart pounding in my throat. "The money Sir Ruvano was going to give me! Five-hundred gold!"

"He never said anything about any gold as far as I'm aware."

This couldn't be happening. I'd gone through all that -- humiliated myself by becoming a woman again, debased myself by going on a date with Sir Ruvano, even offering myself to him, just so I could pay off my debts -- and all I received for my troubles was a near fatal wound.

"Regardless, I think this has all worked to your advantage. It allows you to bury Stephanie without anyone asking too many questions about what's become of her."

"But I needed that money!"

"Mathis, you barely survived. You should be grateful you're still alive."

"Without that money, I might not be for very much longer."

"You need to forget about Stephanie. From this point on, she's dead."

"But I still need that money." I couldn't let Stephanie die just yet. She was the only one who could save me.

"You're prostituting yourself, Mathis."

"What of it?" I snapped. It was a more noble profession than any I would soon find myself left with.

Master Oringel simply shook his head. "They'll be serving lunch in the dinning hall shortly. Why don't you go to your room, put some clothes on, and get something to eat?"

"Clothes?" It was the first I'd considered it, but looking under the thin sheet which covered me, I was still completely naked. "What happened to mine?"

"They were the tattered remains of a dress the last I saw. They've probably been burned by now. You can use the sheet, though."

"Couldn't I borrow something of yours?" I said. My room was quite far away. There was no way I'd get there wrapped only in a sheet without being noticed by someone. "Or why don't you just use the wand to change the sheet into something that would fit me?" 

"No," Master Oringel said, a sudden harshness lighting in his eyes, the likes of which I'd never seen before. I couldn't help but shrink away. This was no longer the mischievous wizard I'd come to know, this was a true Mage of the Cadre -- one who was not to be trifled with. He drew the wand from his tunic and held it up before me. "You're through using the wand." He dropped it into chest of drawers and sealed it away with a bang. "And you've run out of favors from me. Find some normal means of getting your money or face up to the chamberlain like a man. I'm not going to help you with any more shortcuts."

"But..." This pompous wizard was signing my death warrant. After spending a day and a half unconscious, I now only had until tomorrow morning to get the chamberlain his money. Without Stephanie, there was no way I'd be able to pay off my debts in time. 

"Go," Master Oringel said, pointing to the door.

I didn't know what else I could do. I slid off the alter, numbly wrapping the sheet around me to preserve some tiny measure of dignity. Slowly, I traipsed toward the door, my bare feet slapping against the cool stone floor. This couldn't really be happening. I'd invoked a wizard's wrath; something that was never supposed to be done. I should have been grateful he was merely expelling me from his presence. But if I left without securing his assistance, I was a dead man anyway. Timidly, I stopped and turned. He was still standing there, glaring at me.

"Please, Master Oringel. This wasn't my fault. I need your help, it's the only way.

"You want my help?" he said. "Then consider yourself absolved of the hundred gold you owe me. That should help, shouldn't it? Now get out."

As I stepped into the dark, the door slammed behind me with a loud crash that echoed through those dank sub-passages. I stood for a moment, unable to so much as think about moving. This wasn't fair, not in the least. That fucking wizard had gotten me into this situation in the first place.

"You fucking bastard!" I screamed at the closed door. "You fucking...bastard wizard!"

Of course, there was no reply. Knowing the strange nature of his chambers, I could probably howl at the top of my lungs all day and he wouldn't even hear me. My head hung in hopelessness, I trudged off toward the servants quarters.

I made it to my own room without incident, and though I DID pass Griffith and Ramzi in the hall, I was able to explain away my lack of clothes because of having coming into contact with some toxin on my latest "errand" for Master Oringel. I must have looked so disheartened that they didn't even feel the need to hassle me about it and merely invited me to join them in the dinning hall. Though I didn't feel the least bit like sharing anyone's company at the moment, I was even more famished than I'd been after the last time I'd transformed back from being Stephanie.

As I pulled on my clothes, I hoped that the movement might help to relieve the dull throbbing in the side of my chest which had yet to fade. However, no amount of exercise seemed to alter it in the least. I'd just finished getting dressed when Nikelle suddenly burst into the room, screaming like a madwoman.

"Alright you little Trollip, how did you -- " She broke off abruptly upon laying eyes on me. "Mathis? Where is...what're you...?"

Looking as confused as I felt, she stood with arms limp at her sides, looking around the tiny room.

"Nikelle? What's going on?"

"Where is she!" she cried, murder suddenly lighting in her eyes. "I know she's in here!"

"Who?"

"Stephanie!"

"W-wha--?" Was she jealous? She had been eying Sir Ruvano awfully close the other day. There was no doubt she'd heard about their rendezvous by now. But why would she think Stephanie was here in my room? How could she have even connected the two of us? It's not as if me and Stephanie had ever been seen together.

As I stood dumbfounded by her rash change in behavior, she stormed through the room, overturned the mattresses and looked into every place that might conceivably be large enough for a woman to hide. The room was so small, it didn't take her long to exhaust every possibility. When she was done, she stood there fuming for a moment, looking like she was unable to believe there was nothing to be found.

"What's this about? There's no one here but me."

Suddenly, she was in motion again, this time lunging at my chest. Teeth bared, she tore open my shirt, not all that differently from our last encounter in the storage tower. I did my best to hold her at bay, but she was a wild woman. I used to think I understood her, but apparently I didn't at all. Why would she suddenly want to make out now? She didn't think that Stephanie and I were a couple, did she? In a way, we were quite close, but how would Nikelle have ever come to that conclusion?

"Nikelle, I'm not really in the mood for this at the moment!"

I managed to seize her wrists and force her off me, but she relented of her own accord and backed away, huffing and glaring at nothing in particular. I felt a little like I'd just found myself locked in a room with a wild animal. One final glace around the room, and then a lingering glare at me, and she stormed out of the room as quickly as she'd arrived, leaving me with no clue as to what that had been about.

In the mess hall, Griffith and Ramzi and some of my other co-workers had saved a seat for me at their table. In sharp contrast to my own mood, they all seemed to be in high spirits and wanted to know all about these deliveries I'd been handling for Master Oringel. I tried to make them sound as if they were the most uninteresting things in the world.

They lost interest quickly enough, likely due to how drawn and haggard I looked -- which more than one of them felt the need to comment on. Their boisterous conversation faded to the edges of my perceptions as I busied myself with simply shoveling as much food into my mouth as I could. My ears did pick up on one conversation which drew my attention, but it was coming from the next table over.

"I saw her wearing the most beautiful dress I'd ever seen!" Greta was gushing to a small circle of girls. "It was red and white silk and she was going into the gardens."

"The ROYAL gardens?" a freckled-faced girl asked, as if there were some other. "Was she meeting someone?"

"Was it the king?" a tiny little dark-haired girl of no more than fifteen said.

"I heard Golly saw her with Sir Ruvano," the tall blonde said knowingly.

"Sir Ruvano!?" the young girl exclaimed. "He's SO creepy!" 

"I don't care if he is creepy," Greta said. "He's still handsome."

"Yeah, I'd let him fuck me!" the blonde replied. At that, they all broke out laughing.

So word of my -- of Stephanie's exploits had spread far and wide. And they were still the talk of the keep after a day and a half. Stephanie had really outdone her reputation as a slut this time.

Then, without warning, I felt a sharp pain in my chest, right were that dart had hit me, like a long dull needle was being driven into my skin. At first I tried to dismiss it as a momentary pang, but then it grew sharper, spreading through my chest, down into my hips, and out into my limbs. Sweat began to bead on my forehead. My heart raced so quickly I couldn't differentiate between one beat and the next. Then it stopped completely for a brief moment as my entire chest seized up and contracted with a violent spasm. I was almost certain it must have cracked a rib or two. With a cry, I rocked forward over my plate and sent several mugs clattering to the floor.

"Mathis, are you alright?" Griffith asked.

I barely heard him. I had already left the table and was running down the first corridor I'd come to. I didn't know what was happening, but I felt as if I was dieing. My skin was on fire, my insides thrashed about. I would have thrown up, but I wasn't even sure my throat was still open. My vision swam and blurred into a kaleidoscope of colors. Every joint of my body, from my jaw, to my knees, to every knuckle of every finger, cried out in as if they had been greased with red hot iron fillings. I wanted to fall to the ground, writhing in agony, but I instead found myself stumbling through those back corridors, headed for the high tower. I couldn't stop myself, my feet had a mind of their own and I had no choice but to follow them.

Down the stairs I went, into the crypts below where few people ever ventured, and even fewer returned. I nearly feel more than once, the toes of my boots catching on the nose of ever step. Eventually my foot slipped right out, as if my boot had suddenly grown five sizes too big. One look, however, and I knew that it was actually my foot which had shrunk. Both of them had, as well as my hands and my waist. My hips, on the other hand, seemed to have grown, as had my chest.

I'd seen these features often enough now to know that I was becoming Stephanie again. This time, however, without the wand. Had it been used on me one too many times and I could no longer retain my original form? Or was this one of those unforeseen side effects of the blood dart? Maybe Master Oringel was back in his tower, laughing at me some more as he changed my body from a distance.

No, it couldn't be that. This wasn't some gentle transformation like before; it was a violent, forceful reshuffling of my body. My skin creeped like putty to alter my proportions, I could hear my bones crackling as they rearranged themselves, and my hair grew as if someone were pulling it out of my scalp to the desired length.

My clothes, however, remained the same. I lost my other boot and even the socks inside them. It was all I could do just to keep my pants up around my waist, but the bottoms now hung down to my toes and made walking even more difficult. I couldn't stop to retrieve any lost articles. This irresistible urge that drove me onward wouldn't let me stop for anything.

By the time I reached the bottom of that endless set of stairs, the pain might have started to subside -- or maybe I was just getting used to it. Regardless, I still couldn't stop. I stumbled on until I came to a large wooden door. My mind cried out that I was going to run right into it, but there was nothing I could do to stop myself. I put out my hand to lessen the impact, but much to my surprise, the door swung inward with only the smallest push.

The room inside was circular and some ten paces across. Blazing braziers on stands alternated around the perimeter of room with niches containing the busts of long dead rulers. The air was dry and musty. Finally, the force that had driven me to come this far vanished in an instant and I fell to my knees, kicking up a small cloud of ancient dust that clung to my sweat drenched skin and clothes.

Before me, in the very center of the room, stood a woman. She wore a plain brown dress, the kind any of the servant women might wear, but in her hand was a curved dagger with a hooked blade the color of fresh blood. I recognized it as the same weapon that had been carried by the assassin who'd almost killed me. Glaring at me through her curly black hair, the woman's face was one I recognized as well. 

"Nikelle?"

"Finally!" she said. Her eyes were more dangerous than I'd ever seen them before, flashing violently in the firelight. Her lips curled back in a bloodthirsty snarl not the least bit as playful as I usually saw it. "Where have you been hiding all this time you stupid bitch!"

It was only with that insult that I looked down at myself and realized my transformation into Stephanie was complete. The pain was fading quickly, apparently having run its course. All that remained was a dull throbbing above my left breast.

"Nikelle, what's going on? What did you do to me?"

"I summoned you here with a compulsion. Now that our blood has mingled, I can compel you to come at my request. It is something all of us in the sisterhood who are bound by a blood pact can do."

"Don't tell me you're really one of these Blood Dagger Assassins." 

She strode across the room and grabbed me by the front of the shirt.

"Please, don't kill me!" I cried, tears rolling down my cheeks.

She tugged at the shirt until she'd bared my breasts -- a simple feat now that my clothes hung so limply from my petite frame -- and then released me with a disgusted shove.

"Yes, I am a Blood Dagger," she said. "And apparently, so are you now."

"What?" I looked down at myself. The place where the dart had struck me was now visible. However, it was not a wound or even a scar but merely a red mark on my skin that looked something like a narrow crescent bisected by a pointed line. "What's going on?"

"You now bear the mark," Nikelle said. She pulled open the side seam of her dress. There, low on her right hip, was emblazoned a mark identical to the one on my chest. "The same one worn my all Blood Daggers. I don't know how this has happened, but it means you're a member of our sisterhood now."

"But...but I'm not even really a woman!"

Nikelle looked at me incredulously. 

"I know it sounds fantastic, but it's true! Master Oringel used a spell to turn me into this! I'm really..." I paused. Could I really tell this secret which I'd so far been able to keep from everyone? What choice did I have? "Nikelle, it's me: Mathis."

Her derisive chuckle cut just as sharply as that blade she was holding would have. I had to make her believe me.

"Just the other day you came to me in the storage tower. We made love. You said it was a ritual you always did before...before a big job?" The quizzical expression she now wore told me I must have at least piqued her curiosity, but my own thoughts had suddenly diverged on a sharp tangent. "Oh gods... Sir Ruvano! That's what you were talking about -- THAT was your big job: assassinating Sir Ruvano!"

"Yes, assassinating Sir Ruvano," she said, dryly. Then her eyes narrowed. "Are you one of his spies? You must be quite good to have overheard us in the tower without me noticing you."

"What? No! Nikelle, I already told you! I'm Mathis! That's why no one saw me on the day of the festival! That's where I've been the last two days! Master Oringel has been covering for me by saying he's sent me out on deliveries."




The Blood Pact Ch. 11



She appeared to consider my statement for a time and then closed her dress back up. "A spell you say?"

"Yes!" I nodded frantically, sending my golden hair shaking all about my face.

"It might explain a few things," she said, stroking her chin. "But even so, it makes no difference. After my failed attempt to kill Sir Ruvano, my behavior these last few days will soon place me under suspicion; if it hasn't already. I shouldn't have gotten so careless, but I never thought that I'd have to worry about maintaining my cover after that night. However, he still needs to die. Since I will never be able to get close to him again, that means you'll have to do it."

"What!? I'm not an assassin! Even if I was, I don't have any reason to kill Sir Ruvano!" He still owed me five hundred gold.

Nikelle stood there for a time, staring at me. I couldn't quite tell if she was still angry with me or if her stance might have been softening. Eventually, she spoke, but what she said made little sense to me.

"I was sent here over a year ago to forestall a potential alliance between this kingdom and the Mordengern. We didn't know for certain it was going to happen until just recently. I received my orders three days ago."

With her dark skin, it had been no secret Nikelle had originally come from the southern deserts. But to think she was also a foreign assassin sent to undermine our kingdom? That was just too crazy to be possible. And the Mordengern? I'd never even heard that name before.

"An alliance with WHO?"

"The Mordengern," Nikelle's lip curled back in disgust and she very nearly spat. "They're a savage grassland tribe ruled by their necromantic shamans. We've been embroiled in a blood feud with them since the earliest days of the sisterhood."

"But what do they have to do with Sir Ruvano? He's just the king's spymaster. Why would the king even want to make an alliance with some tribe of southern barbarians?"

It seemed too outlandish to believe. This was Vitrelay, the most civilized region in all of Rineve. Our kingdom wasn't exactly as powerful as Driggam or Treppenkarrow, but that didn't mean we would ever debase ourselves with anything as shameful as a secret alliance with a people ruled by degenerate mystics.

"All I know is the Old Woman of the Mountain, our most senior sister, has divined that killing Sir Ruvano is the best way to prevent this alliance. I've already failed twice, both times because of you."

"Twice?"

"I was first going to do it on the day of the festival but then Mistress Holainah burdened me with you."

So Nikelle hadn't been jealous of Sir Ruvano's interest in me, she'd been pissed off I'd inadvertently ruined her plans to kill him.

"I tried again the other night but you somehow got in the way again. I didn't know that you would be with him, but it shouldn't have made a difference. A blood dart can't miss." She paused and looked into the distance. "There must be a reason why fate has intervened so often on this mission. Somehow, it wants you involved. We'll need to move quickly though. Rumors are already starting to circulate that Stephanie died in the assassination attempt. We have to act before your reappearance will raise too many suspicions."

"Nikelle! I already told you! I'm not a spy! I'm not an assassin! I'm just a stable hand! I don't want any part of this!"

"You don't have a choice. You're a Blood Dagger now. It's your duty to ensure this contract is carried out. If you refuse, it's within my right to kill you right here on this very spot." She lifted the dagger and glazed at me over the edge of the blade.

"Please, you don't have to do this. I know you never had a choice in becoming what you are. Master Oringel told me how you are all taken from your homes as children and raised by the men who run the Blood Daggers to be their assassins."

"That old rumor?" Nikelle laughed. "Neither me nor any of my sisters were ever forced into anything. And there are no men anywhere in our organization. Yes, all of us were taken from our homes as children, not by the Blood Daggers, but by circumstances beyond our control. We found ourselves outcaste, each for our own reasons; alone, wondering, headed for eventually doom. But each of us somehow found our way to the sisterhood. They take us in, train us, give us new purpose. Every last one of us chose this life for ourselves."

"Not me!"

That appeared to give her pause, but only for a moment. "Since a blood dart can not strike anyone other than its intended target, fate must have chosen you to join our ranks. If you do not help me, I will not hesitate to cut you down. But If you do as I tell you, both of us will be able to walk away unharmed and your kingdom will be saved from a terrible end. Is that really so bad?"

"Listen to yourself! You're being a hypocrite! You can't make me do this!"

That familiar danger again flashed in her eyes as she glared at me. Two lightning quick steps carried her across the distance between us and I suddenly found the blade of her dagger at my throat. I drew back my chin and the tears began to roll down my cheeks in uncontrollable torrents. "I will do everything in my power to ensure that my mission is completed. If that means I become a hypocrite by forcing you to assist me, then so be it."

This was insane. The only choice I had was none at all. I should have simply accepted the Chamberlain's punishment those few short days ago.



The Blood Pact Ch. 12



In that ancient crypt, my training in the killing arts began. There was no time for me to learn everything a proper Blood Dagger should know, so Nikelle taught me only those things I would need in order to kill Sir Ruvano -- a man I still did not believe deserved to die.

"A blood dart is a difficult thing to master so we will have to keep things simple." She held out her dagger, offering me to take it. "This is the primary weapon of all Blood Daggers -- the instrument from which our name originates. As such, it is much more than a mere weapon. It is a symbol of what you are. It is your heart, your soul."

Now was my chance. She was handing over her only weapon to me. I could plunge it into her heart and end this entire charade right now. However, I could no more imagine myself killing a woman -- especially one I'd made love to -- than I could Sir Ruvano.

As I reached for the weapon with shaky hand, the blade quivered and melted, flowing into the hilt as if it really were made of blood like it appeared to be. Even if I possessed the fortitude to slay Nikelle, what I took into my hand was nothing more than a harmless piece of metal and bone. Was this the blood magic Master Oringel had spoken of?

"Now hold it as if you intend to use it -- because, most assuredly, you will."

The hilt was perfectly scaled to fit a feminine hand such as mine or Nikelle's. The bone grip had darkened to a rich patina and was worn smooth by countless hours held in a hand much more sure than my own. The curved contours of the knuckle guard and the pointed pommel suggested the shape of a barbed fang. Where the blade should have been, however, there were merely a few tiny holes. As I gripped it more firmly, I felt a tiny prick in the palm of my hand.

"Ow!" I let go to see a tiny barb on the grip had indeed draw blood, but only a minuscule droplet. Regardless, it now inched like mad.

"Don't let go!" Nikelle snapped. "You must learn to focus that pain."

Fearing the repercussions of what she might do if I refused, I did as she wished. It was indeed irritating, but hardly fatal.

"Now picture a blade. Call it into existence with your will."

I looked at her hopelessly. "I'm not a mage. I can't work magic."

"You don't need to be a mage," Nikelle said. "Our blood has mingled. That is all that is required." She slapped me upside the head hard enough that it stung. "Now concentrate! Focus!"

I did as she wanted, I imagined a blade just like the one she'd possessed. I pictured it growing from the end of the dagger in a reverse of the way I'd seen it disappear. I held my breath and ground my teeth. 

Nothing happened.

"This will never work," I said, gasping. "I think you've made a mistake."

"Try again!" I didn't see her hands stir, but there was a flash of movement and she suddenly had a second dagger poised at my throat. "Now!"

With no other choice, I tried again, this time pouring all of my nonexistent talent into that stupid artifact. I strained until my vision became speckled with flecks of black. Nothing was any different than the last time until a tingling weakness began spreading out though my hand. It raced up my arms and across my shoulders. I felt faint and very nearly passed out. I did fall to my knees but the blade Nikelle still held at my throat forced me to keep trying. Then, in a sudden outpouring of what felt like my very soul, a torrent of vitality rushed through my hand and into the dagger. I let out a shriek, fearful that it was going to take all of my blood and leave me a dry shriveled husk. Frantically, I tired to stem the tide, but it was like cresting the wave of an orgasm; now that it had begun it was too late to stop.

Nikelle laughed excitedly. That was when I opened my eyes. She'd removed her dagger from my throat and was now staring at the one in my hand. I looked down as well and saw a tiny spike of red no larger than an arrowhead wavering uncertainly on the end of the hilt.

"You've done it!" Nikelle said. "That means there's no doubt now. Only a true Blood dagger could have done that!"

I wasn't sure why she was so excited. It didn't look like I'd be able to hurt anyone with that pitiful excuse for a blade. In fact, the moment I lost my concentration, it snapped back into the blade with a flash that sent a cold numbness racing up my arm. 

"With practice, you will be able to make the blade as large or as small as you need. Now do it again. And again. And again until you are able to make a blade at a moment's notice without second thought. When on a mission, your wits and that dagger are the only things that you will be able to rely on."

If that was true, I was already as good as dead.

But she insisted on more practice, and so that's exactly what I did. For hours I was held hostage by a woman I was once quite fond of -- and who I thought was fond of me. I practiced until the sweat was rolling off my body and soaking my masculine clothes. My body showed through the wet fabric, but I was so exhausted, I'd long since ceased to care. The blade did become easier each time I managed to bring it forth, but I was never able to make it any longer than my hand. Nikelle said that at long as it could reach Sir Ruvano's heart, it would be sufficient.

All the time I practiced, she continued with her harsh encouragements and spouted off instructions of how I was supposed to gain entrance to Sir Ruvano's chambers and eventually kill him. I repeated them as she wanted until I knew ever step by heart. However, I wasn't really comprehending any of it. I could barely even think at all. I just wished I could wake up from this twisted nightmare and go back to the way things had been before.

"You will get him to trust you," Nikelle was saying once again. "Once he drops his guard and you are alone with him, you will strike. But you must make sure you kill him with a single blow. If he lives to identify you, we will both burn as assassins. Once he'd dead, toss aside the dagger and call to the guards. Tell them that the assassin returned and finished what she started the other night. Point them to an open window and tell them that she fled before you could do a thing. Let them see how distraught you are. They will never suspect you. They will let you go without trouble."

Before me, I held the feeble blade that I'd just summoned in to existence. I tried to imagine it piercing Sir Ruvano's shapely chest and watching the life drain from his eyes. Would he cry out, using his last breath to question why I'd betrayed him? Or would he simply fall dead, leaving me to forever wonder what his last thoughts were?

Nikelle swatted my arm, forcing me to unlock my elbow -- as she'd been trying to instruct me to do for the last half hour. "Remember, you do this to preserve your kingdom," she said. "Love has no place in what you do today."

"Love!?" I sputtered. "What are you talking about?"

"I saw you in his bed with my own eyes."

"You -- you're mistaken...that had nothing to do with love!"

There was no way I could possibly be in love with Sir Ruvano. That bastard used me as a human shield just to save his own skin. At least I thought he had. Truth to tell, the events of that night were so muddled in my head that I wasn't entirely sure what exactly had happened. But even though I HAD been in his bed (the very thought of which caused me to blush a bright shade of crimson), that did not mean I loved him. It had merely been for the money. 

But why then did my hand shake every time I thought of plunging that dagger into his heart?

No, love had nothing do with it. It was simply that I was not a killer. I'd never killed anything before in my entire life. I didn't want to start now; not for any reason.

"No matter," Nikelle said. Going to several traveling packs that were laying to one side of the room, she pulled out a large towel which she spread on the ground. "Rest now. The hour has gotten late and we've done all we can. Soon, you will have to go to him and finish what we've started here."

I was too tired to complain. I collapsed on the towel she'd laid out and wiped the sweat from my face with another. That underground chamber had gotten rather warm in the time we'd been down there. She also produced some food and water which I greedily swallowed down.

Sitting behind me on the towel, she said, "Take off your clothes."

"What?" Her voice had been almost tender -- certainly more kind than I'd ever heard from her before, but her request still gave me pause.

"We need to get you ready. We can't have you going to Sir Ruvano looking like this."

Why did the thought of having him see me dressed as I was, dirty with sweat and grime, suddenly fill me with a sense of deep shame?

"But..."

"Don't worry. It's only us girls here."

Hesitantly, I let her remove my shirt, pulling it over my head, gently guiding my long hair out of the way. For some reason I could not fathom, I found myself turning from her, shyly shielding my breasts. There had been times in the past when the two of us had spent hours together without a stitch of clothing between us, but this was somehow different. With my pants cast aside, I knelt there on the towel with my back to Nikelle, my cheeks a constant rosy shade of red. My long hair tickled my back as she gathered it up and lifted it over my shoulder.

"I think I may have something that will fit you," she said as she scrubbed my back with water and perfumed soup she's taken from the packs. I couldn't help but wonder if those ancient busts looking down on us had ever seen such a sight before in these venerated halls. "It might be a bit snug across the bust but it should be fine otherwise. It's strange, though, I could almost swear that you weren't this tall the first time we met."

"That's because I wasn't."

"More of Master Oringel's magic?"

"You still don't believe I'm really Mathis, do you?"

When she replied, her voice was distant. "I'm not sure what to believe any more. A spell like you describe might explain why my dart missed. And earlier, I DID sense your presence in Mathis's room even though you weren't there."

"But I was there: as Mathis" I was too tired to argue so my words came out sounding flat. "Not that any of that matters. You're only interested in carrying our your orders."

"My orders come directly from the Old Woman of the Mountain." As she rubbed my shoulders, the slippery soup and her soft skin glided smoothly across mine. "It is her responsibility to interpret the currents of fate and use that information to guide our actions. We do not always know what direct effect our missions will have on the outcome of any event, but I have learned to trust my orders."

"Even if they mean forcing me to kill an innocent man?"

"Sir Ruvano might very well be innocent," Nikelle agreed. As her hands worked their way across my back, I could feel some of the tightness fading away from the muscles she was kneading. "But like a single domino removed from a chain, his death will surely prevent the much greater evil that is undoubtedly coming. I've told you, this is for the good of your kingdom as well. In the time I've been living here, I've come to think of this place as my home. You must believe me when I tell you that you would not want to see it corrupted by the wikedness of the Mordengern."

What reason did I even have to believe all this talk about mysterious alliances with foreign powers? Nikelle represented a foreign power herself. Even if she was telling the truth, I wasn't sure I could do what she wanted. Despite what she thought, I was not a murderer and I had no obligation to her organization.

However, as she continued massaging my weary muscles, my eyes drifted closed and the only thing that escaped my lips was a soft sigh. Having her soft hands slithering across my skin was putting me into such a deep sense of calm. I might very well have dozed off if she hadn't reached around from behind and cupped one of my breasts. Even then, it wasn't until she lifted it slightly and let her fingers brush past the nipple that I opened my eyes.

Gently, she laid her head on my shoulder. "I wouldn't wish this burden on you if I could help it, Stephanie, but I have no choice." I then felt the familiar press of her soft lips on the side of my neck. At the same time, her other hand began sliding down my stomach.

"Nikelle..." I breathed, turning my head to face hers.

"Shhh..." was all she said.

She squeezed my breast, her delicate fingers softly pinching the nipple. Despite myself, I let out a quiet moan. After the way she'd treated me this afternoon, and the things she still wanted me to do, I shouldn't have let her, but it just felt too good. I leaned back against her, feeling her breasts press against my back. As she continued rubbing my breast, her other hand continued snaking its way down my body until it arrived at the warm little mound between my legs. The moment I felt her fingers stroke the puckered folds, it sent a tingling sensation shuttering through my flesh.

With one hand she massaged the length of my pussy and with the other she expertly teased my stiff nipples. I let out a another sign, louder this time, biting my finger and closing my eyes. I could feel her body undulating against mine, bringing her manipulations into a perfect rhythm with my body. Her gentle touch was so much more intimate than Sir Ruvano's had been. She knew exactly where and how to touch me in order to bring forth the most pleasure from my not-entirely-willing body.

It wasn't long before my hips were bucking against her fingers, the soggy wet squishing sounds of my pussy echoing around the chamber. I could feel the convulsions build until they washed over me in wave after glorious wave. Instead of the thunderous climax of before, this one was calm and gentle -- like getting washed away in the current of a lazy river -- but still no less exquisite. I melted into Nikelle and she continued her ministrations, prolonging those incredible sensations far longer than I ever could have thought possible.

It seemed like forever before I came down from that incredible high. I felt warm and calm and more alive than I'd ever felt before.

Afterward, we hardly spoke. Nikelle finished bathing me and then helped me dress. I no longer tried to resist or make her see reason. Regardless of all the times we'd shared, her duty obviously came first and I was nothing more than a tool to help her complete it.

The dress she provided me with was considerably more conservative than the last one I had gone to Sir Ruvano wearing, but still of better quality than an everyday servant's. The main color was a dark royal purple. Yellow side panels that came up under my arms and were cinched tight at my sides with laces that acted like a built-in corset. The sleeves were long draping things that reached almost to my knees and were always getting in the way. Meanwhile, the neck-line hung low off my shoulders and left me feeling like the whole thing was going to slide right off my body at any moment. It also left the red mark on my breast clearly visible. Hopefully, no one outside of myself and Nikelle knew its importance. In the intricately folded lengths of fabric that made up the bustle, there was even a special hidden pocket for holding the blood dagger hilt. Nikelle assured me that it was easy to access in a pinch but completely undetectable to all but the most thorough searches.

Thusly cleaned and dressed, my cosmetics and perfumes applied, and my hair neatly arranged, Nikelle decreed that I was now ready.

As the time to get underway had grown near, I began to toy with the idea of simply telling Sir Ruvano everything and throwing myself on his mercy. Surely the capture of a true Blood Dagger would have to be payment enough to ensure my continued safety. Perhaps he'd even reward me. However, Nikelle's next words left me wondering if she might have been able to read my mind.

"You may think of betraying me," she said, "believing that since I can not get to Sir Ruvano, you would be safe in his custody, but know this: the reach of the Blood Daggers is far and our memory long. Even if I do not live through this, there are others who will continue in my place and ensure that vengeance is carried out on any who betrayed us."

She certainly knew how to give a peep talk. Although, truth to tell, without such a dire warning, I wouldn't have been able to go forward as she wanted me to.

Before sending me on my way, she leaned in and kissed me. Our two pairs of soft, feminine lips pressed together for several long moments. There was something exciting in that action, infinitely more sensual than kissing a woman as a man.

"Good luck, sister," she said. "You have your mission, now go. May your blade strike true."



The Blood Pact Ch. 13



I climbed the stairs out of the crypt shaking all the way. Unconsciously, I checked the hidden dagger ever few steps to ensure that it was still in place. It never moved, but I still felt as if it were on display for all to see. The high tower was linked directly to the noble's wing of the keep so I was able to get quite near Sir Ruvano's quarters before I even saw another person. Though I had no reason to be fearful of discovery at that point, I ducked out of sight all the same. As I waited for him to pass, I again began to wonder if I could go through with this.

Perhaps Master Oringel would know what I should do. If nothing else, he could change me back and then there would be no way I could carry out this insane plan. Of course, if Nikelle could reverse the process whenever she wanted, it wouldn't do much good. It was debatable if that bastard wizard would even be willing to help me. I had to keep going forward.

How had I ever let events get this far out of control?

From that point onward, I almost could have sworn there was a tenseness in the air, as if lightning were about to strike. Looking around the next corner, I could see the door to Sir Ruvano's chambers just ahead. However, six of his personal soldiers were standing guard. He must have been taking extra precautions since the assassination attempt.

I looked the other way down the length of the hallway. If I ran now, maybe I could make it out of the castle before Nikelle knew what was happening. There had to be a mage somewhere who would know how to circumvent this blood pact she'd cursed me with -- maybe in one of the neighboring kingdoms. If not, the Cadre themselves would surely be able to help me. Unfortunately, if Nikelle could sense my presence as she claimed, she'd be able to track me down with unerring accuracy. All she'd really have to do is use that summoning trick and I'd have no choice but to come back on my own. Was she maybe even watching me right now?

I couldn't take that chance. As much as I didn't want to kill Sir Ruvano, I wanted to die even less. And of all the things Nikelle said to me, the one I believed the most was that she'd kill me if I didn't do as she wanted. And I wasn't about to die at the her hand any more than I was at the Chamberlain's. If I got lucky, there might even be an opportunity to take from Sir Ruvano's golden urn the money he still owed me -- and maybe a great deal more besides.

I knocked my forehead against the stone column I was hiding behind. What was I even thinking? I wasn't some footpad who'd cut someone's throat just for a bit of coin.

But I wasn't an assassin either. Did Nikelle really expect me to survive this? I didn't want to believe that she was merely setting me up to take a fall, but I had only to look back on this afternoon to know she was capable of all kinds of things I never would have imagined of her before.

No, I couldn't believe that. She'd prepared me as best she could. Everything she'd said to me made sense. All I had to do was follow her instructions and I'd be fine.

Taking a moment to ensure my garments were still straight, I took a deep breath that caused my breasts to rise dangerously in the front of my dress. As I stepped around the corner, I put my best face forward. It was either me or Sir Ruvano. I had no reason to care what became of him. He was a spymaster, a dangerous profession by any definition. He lived each day knowing it could be his last. Since I wasn't about to let today be mine, that just meant this was going to be his.

The guards took notice of me before I even got close. All of them seemed jittery, ready to pounce on anything that moved. The assassination attempt must have left them on edge. Hopefully they wouldn't start swinging before even giving me a chance to speak.

My pace slowed with each step I took in their direction. My heart, already pounding like mad ever since leaving the crypt, was now racing at a dangerous pace. I felt as if it might pound out right through the front of my chest. 

"Well, if it isn't you again?" the lead guard said, stepping directly into my path. I recognized him instantly as the scarred man from the unsettling encounter we'd had the other night. All my earlier bravado dissolved in an instant. "Come sniffing around for another taste of the boss?"

"I..." My throat was so tight, I wasn't even sure if I could talk, but I had to try. It didn't matter that these men could break me in half like a twig if they wanted to. I didn't have any other choice. "I'd like to see Sir Ruvano." The way my voice quivered would have sounded feeble under normal circumstances, but in my high feminine register, it sounded downright pathetic.

Lecherous grins stretched across the faces of all six men, but none more prominently than the one with the scar. "Sorry, love, he's not to be disturbed. After the other night, he's not seeing any visitors. Even ones as pretty as you." He looked down the front of my dress and licked his lips.

Well, I'd tried. If there was no getting in to see Sir Ruvano, then that was it. Nikelle couldn't hold that against me, could she?

Unfortunately, I knew she could.

"Please, um, sir," I said, my voice crackling like it was on the verge of tears -- which it might well have been. "I just need to speak to him for a moment."

"Not gonna happen. Ya see, it's our job to protect him and while he's really good at reading men's intentions, he's a bit sloppy when it comes to women. Take you for instance... I heard you showed up in the keep from out of nowhere the day of the festival. That's not a bad time for a foreign agent to infiltrate an enemy stronghold -- the household staff is always shorthanded around festival time. Since you've been here, no one seems to have seen you around all that frequently, like you're always hiding. And then you took an interest in Sir Ruvano. You were even with him when that Blood Dagger woman made her move. With all that, it'd be easy to think that you were sent to keep him distracted so your partner would have any easier time of it."

I nearly pissed myself right there. He was completely wrong about everything, but my current situation would only make his speculation seem entirely correct. I had to resist the urge to reach for my bustle and confirm the presence of the dagger there. I felt as if it were about ready to fall out and give away my true intentions. "I...but I was the one who the...the assassin almost killed..."

"You're looking pretty good for a dead girl," he laughed as he swatted me on the ass. "Why don't you just come back to my room and we can have a little fun of our own without having to disturb the big man."

With that I put on a determined expression and glared right into his eyes. "If it wasn't for the Wizard I WOULD be dead. As it is, I took that dart that was intended for YOUR employer! I think he just might want to see me. If he doesn't, I'll go, but I'm not going to put up with this from one of his goons without even knowing what HE actually wants."

Somehow I held his venomous gaze.

Although, trying furiously to keep my limbs from shaking, I felt as if I might throw up. If he wanted to, this man could strike me down with a casual blow, or drag me off to some dark corner and have his way with me. I wasn't strong enough to stop him if he tried and none of his men would lift a finger to help me. Why the hell was I going to all this trouble for Nikelle?

"Fine," he said at last, drawing himself up to his full height, a scowl on his face. "I'll go ask."

One thing I knew from having spent all my life working in the keep was that even the most empowered servant would always back down when running the risk of having their decisions scrutinized by their employer. The guard disappeared into Sir Ruvano's chambers, leaving me with his five companions. They, however, seemed to have taken on his mood as well. Several of them were even resting their hands on the hilts of their swords. 

I didn't have long to spend with them, however. After a few moments, the scarred man stepped into the hall and held the door open, standing to one side. His eyes narrowed, but he stopped short of actually snarling at me.

"Sir Ruvano...will see you."

"Thank you." I said, striding past with my head held high.

Sir Ruvano's quarters were darkened, the only light coming from a few candles near the fireplace. As the door closed behind me with a crash, I jumped slightly. I couldn't believe I'd actually started for a moment to enjoy what I was doing there. But I was here on a mission. I couldn't forget that.

Dark shadows filled the room that could have concealed any number of dangers. Beyond the arched opening on the far side, I could just barely see the large canopy bed where Sir Ruvano had laid me down and...and... I visibly shuttered at the thought. That evening with him had been so pleasant up until then. Afterward it had become...not entirely unpleasant, but definitely something else.

I also remembered with crystal clarity the way that assassin had charged into the room. I could still see the way she was holding the blood dart as it left her fingers. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't merge the image of that woman with Nikelle. In my mind, it seemed as if they would forever be two separate people.

Stumbling along the edge of the room, it took me a moment before I found Sir Ruvano. He was sitting in repose in a lushly upholstered wingchair that was turned toward the middle of the room. In his right hand was a thin-bladed smallsword that rested with its point on the floor as he spun it idly. In his left hand, he held a goblet of wine. His jacket was draped across the back of the chair, his shirt was open, and his cravat was hanging only half-tied around his neck. He didn't rise or even speak any words of greeting, simply sat there, staring at me from under a heavy brow.

We were alone. But I couldn't strike now. He already had a sword in hand. And that look on his face didn't make him seem as if he were terribly happy to see me. Maybe the scarred man had convinced him I was in league with the assassins and I was now to be tortured until I revealed everything I knew. The point of his sword scraping on the stone floor was the only sound that filled the long span of silence that stretched between us.

"Hello," I eventually managed. I crept closer, just as feebly as I'd spoken.

"What do you want?" he said.

"I...I" That was actually a good question. What WAS my excuse for coming here? I hadn't given that any thought. At last, I blurted out, "I...I was scared!"

"Scared of what?" Sir Ruvano said, his sword continuing to spin, his expression remaining flat. His words almost sounded critical, insulting. "The assassin has fled, you're still alive; what do you have to be scared of?"

It had seemed like a good enough excuse when it had first crossed my mind -- the sort of thing a woman might say in such a situation. In fact, it STILL seemed like the irrational sort of thing a woman might say. I inched my way closer until I was standing a few feet in front of his chair.

"I know it makes no sense, but I can't get over what happened. I see that...that woman in every shadow I pass. I can't think straight. I fear she will come back and finish me off. I just want to feel safe...like I feel when I'm with you."

This might be as close as I was ever going to get. With my right hand, I slowly reached behind my dress to where the blood dagger rode in its hidden pocket. My fingers brushed against the fold, finding their way inside just as easily as I'd rehearsed in the crypt. Sir Ruvano continued staring impassively with those deep blue eyes of his. The flickering light of the candles made them sparkle in the darkness.

How could I be lying to him like this? How could I honestly be planning to kill him? He was a good man. He didn't deserve any of what I was doing to him. Maybe it wasn't too late to confess everything. If Nikelle was captured before she could send word to the other Blood Daggers, they'd never find out about my tenuous connection to their organization.

"Enough with the lies!" Sir Ruvano said. His blade flashed in the candlelight and its point hovered mere inches from my throat. "I know why you're really here!"

My right hand dropped quickly to my side. I'd been too late. He already knew everything. He'd given me a chance to come clean, but I'd squandered it with indecision. I should have spoken when I'd had the chance. Now anything I said would only be the fear-induced ramblings of a woman desperate to save her own life -- a life which Sir Ruvano probably saw no reason in sparing.

I was going to die. I couldn't believe I'd let Nikelle do this to me. Staring down the length of his sword, the tears that came to my eyes were not at all faked. This stupid female body! Didn't it have any control of its emotions? I couldn't even face my end like a man.

"You just want your money from the other night, don't you?" Sir Ruvano said, his expressing never changing.

He wasn't accusing me of being in league with the assassins? I nearly gagged on the sobs which caught in my throat. Slowly, he drew the sword's point across my skin, down past my shoulders. At the mark on my breast, he paused, pressing the tip of the blade against my skin and tracing the outline of the crescent. My body quaked as I tried unsuccessfully to reign in my emotions. If I moved so much as an inch in the wrong direction, I might accidentally impale myself on his blade. He continued lower, to the valley between my breasts. A casual flip of the blade sliced the top inch of the dress, causing the shoulders to droop and revealing the very tops of my pink areolas. My first reaction was to cover myself, but the sword prevented me from doing even that. As I stood there on display for him, he took a sip of his wine.

"I'll tell you what," he said, drawing a lazy circle in the air a few inches in front of my face with the tip of his sword. "These last few days have been rather stressful. If you help me finish what we started the other night, you can have your money."

Not again. Fate had barely gotten me out from under him the last time. Of course, once his attention was elsewhere, I would have the perfect opportunity to strike. I still didn't want to kill him, but it was either that or let him fuck me...

With these stupid tears still flowing, I couldn't speak. Instead, I simply nodded.

"Good." His smile didn't touch his eyes at all. "Now come here and get down on your knees."

The sword lifted, giving me room to move again, but it remained at the ready, poised to strike at a moment's notice. Watching it from out of the corner of my eye, I came toward him, dropping down between his spread knees.

"I think you know what to do next." He took another sip of his wine.

Unfortunately, I did. But to do so would mean crossing over from merely being a passive participant in these things to being the single active member. I wasn't sure I was ready for that. I was almost certain I wasn't ready to handle another man's cock.

I looked at him with big tearful doe eyes. He was still glaring down at me, his sword flicking about offhandedly above my head. He wasn't giving me any more choice than Nikelle had.

Swallowing hard, I reached out with quivering hands and pulled loose the laces that held the front of his breeches closed. Parting the two halves, I could see the large bulge beneath his silken underpants twitch in anticipation. If I went any farther, there would be no going back. However, I could feel his eyes on me. There was nothing else to be done.

I reached into the front of his breeches and through the gusset of his underpants. Inside, I could feel his warmth. His curly pubic hair, oddly soft, brushed against my hand. His half-flaccid cock twitched again, bringing it right to my fingers. The skin was smooth and warm. Involuntarily, I paused. I had to prod myself on to grab hold and pull it free.

The smell of his musk filled my nostrils. Even not fully erect his cock was already huge. Shoving my revulsion to the side, I took it in my soft white hands and began slowly to rub it. I heard a soft moan escape his lips. Thinking that I might be able to strike now before I had to go any further, I looked up only to see his eyes staring directly into mine.

I looked away instantly and returned my attention to his cock. It was fully stiff and hard and standing proudly on its own nearly a full one foot above Sir Ruvano's groin. As disgusting as it was, I also had to admit that there was a certain thrill knowing that it was my actions that had excited him so, like scratching a cat behind the ears.

"Use your mouth," he said. Maybe the slightest hint of breathiness had entered into his voice, but I could heard that he was still looking straight at me.

Again I swallowed. Licking my painted lips, I leaned forward until the head of his cock was close enough that I could have touched it with my tongue. On the very tip, a large drop of clear precum had welled up and was starting to run down the side. The whole rigid shaft twitched with each beat of his heart -- the same heart I had been instructed to stop. But the only way to that -- or to get my money -- was to make him happy enough that he'd let his guard down.

I just had to get it over with as quickly as possible. With one quick motion, I licked the underside, trying to avoid the tip. However, I must have miscalculated because my tongue caught that drop of precum. As I drew back, it left a long sticky strand hanging between my mouth and the head of his cock. I could feel it on my tongue, slippery and tasting a little salty, but not nearly as bad as I would have imagined.

If that was all there was to it, there was no point in prolonging this any longer than I needed. After all, the sooner he relaxed, the sooner I could be done with this.

Opening my mouth wide, I slipped my red lips around his shaft and sucked the head inside. I tickled the tip with my tongue and cleaned off the last of the precum but drew out more with my sucking. Working the lower portion of his shaft with my hands, I sucked a little more into my mouth.

He let out another moan, louder this time.

Oddly, I found having his cock in my mouth wasn't that bad at all. It wasn't as if he was violating me. I was the one in control this time and he was the one who was being driven wild by the passions he was feeling.

I let his shaft pop out with a smack of the lips in order to smile up at him. Again, I sucked it in, all the way into the back of my mouth and then let it slide out until only the head was enwrapped by my lips. Then I slowly sucked it back in. Again and again I did this, gradually increasing the speed until my head was bobbing up and down in his lap and my hair was flailing about wildly.

He let out a long, low moan. "Oh, Stephanie, you're quite good at this. You must have had a lot of practice..."

In a manner of speaking, I had, but never from this side before. I did, however, know exactly what would make him feel the best.

"Not so fast," he said, his fingers threading through my hair. As his fingertips raked across my scalp, it sent tingles racing through my body. "I want to make this last."

I did as he wanted, slowing down, but never stopping completely. With long deliberate strokes, I kept his shaft covered with my hands as it left my mouth and then sucked it back in with a wet, feminine slurping sound. I could hear his deep breaths passing through clenched teeth. His hands still rested lightly on the sides of my head, tenderly stroking the hair back from my face. 

It was with equal parts pleasure and fear that I came to realize my own body was growing excited without doing anything more than having this hard piece of meat in my mouth. My nipples were like two little pebbles and my pussy was even tingling with a fiery warmth. I couldn't believe it, but this was actually becoming rather fun. 




The Blood Pact Ch. 13



Too bad now would be the perfect opportunity to strike. I glanced up the length of his body. His head was back and his eyes were closed. He'd even set his sword aside. Continuing to suck madly, I let go of his shaft with my right hand and reached for the bustle of my dress. Even concentrating intently on Sir Ruvano's cock in my mouth, I was still able to lay my hands on the dagger with ease. I felt the barb pierce my palm and I let the instructions that Nikelle had pounded into my brain guide the formation of a blade.

"Oh, Stephanie..." he moaned. "I'm going to cum!"

I could feel his cock grow even more rigid and the head swelled.

Maybe we could keep going just a little longer.

After all, I wouldn't want him to meet his end unfulfilled.

Suddenly his thighs tensed and his hips rocked forward. His hands gripped the sides of my head, and he held me over his cock as it began to spray thick cum into my mouth. I didn't want to swallow, but I'd suffocate if I didn't. Spurt after spurt went sliding down my throat.

It tasted warm and salty, and some part of my brain was streaming at me that it was wrong and disgusting -- I was a man! -- but oddly I found myself more turned-on than ever. In all the time I'd spent as Stephanie, I'd never felt as truly feminine as I did in that moment.

As Sir Ruvano pulled my head off his still spasming cock and held it a few inches in front of the tip, I released the blood dagger and went back to stroking him with both hands. He'd already filled my stomach with what had felt like gallons of cum, but more came jetting out as I continued rubbing. I held out my tongue for another taste, eager to keep this ecstatic feeling going as long as I could. Unfortunately, most of it splashed across my face and chest instead.

As the last ropes of warm cum ran over my lips and down between my breasts, I opened my eyes and looked up at Sir Ruvano, still lost in the lingering throes of passion.

I now knew what I had to do.

I was going to tell him everything about Nikelle and her damned Blood Daggers. To hell with them all! I didn't owe them any allegiance and I certainly wasn't going to kill this man for them. 

At the same moment, a loud commotion suddenly broke out right outside the chambers. In a frantic rush, Sir Ruvano released me and reached for his sword. Had Nikelle grown tired of waiting for me to finish? Was she now coming to take care of matters herself?

No, I could hear the guards arguing loudly with someone. Though I couldn't make out the voice, it was defiantly a man. Then, without warning, the doors burst inward. Memories of the last time I'd been in this situation flooded into my brain and I let out an earsplitting shriek. I might have tried to run, but with my legs shaking just as baddly as if it was I who'd just climaxed, I merely fell onto my ass. Sir Ruvano jumped out of his chair, his sword held at the ready.

First through the double doors was the leader of his soldiers, stumbling as if he'd been pushed. Right behind him strode Master Oringel, his eyes blazing with fire and looking every bit the part of a vengeful wizard. Still sitting on the floor, I cringed, backing away on my hands.

"You!" He pointed directly at me and Sir Ruvano. "You pathetic bastard! You stole it didn't you!"

"Now, listen here -- " Sir Ruvano stammered but was cut off abruptly.

"Shut up! I'm here for him!"

This time Master Oringel pointed directly at me. I felt my heart sink. What was he doing? Wasn't he ever going to give me any rest? Sir Ruvano, performed a picture-perfect double take, looking first at me and then the wizard. The expression of confusion on his face looked completely out of place. Once it had become clear Master Oringel wasn't after Sir Ruvano, the guards hung back a respectful distance, still on-guard and attentive to the situation, but no longer willing to fight a wizard if they didn't have to.

"He's a man -- the stable hand, Mathis!" Master Oringel elaborated, sending my pride seeping though the cracks in the floor. "I turned him into Stephanie as a joke but he obviously came to enjoy it -- enough that he broke into my chambers and stole the transformation wand just so he could suck a little cock!"

Sir Ruvano turned his eyes on me and I felt my face burning bright red. His warm cum still covered my face and breasts. How could this have happened? Did Master Oringel really think that I'd sneak into his chambers and steal the wand? How had he even discovered I'd become Stephanie again?

"I-I-I didn't steal anything..."

"Now let's just calm down," Sir Ruvano said, almost smiling. He must have thought it was all some kind of terrific joke.

No one got a chance to say anything because the bells in the high tower suddenly started chiming with a deep resonating urgency. Simultaneously, all eyes looked skyward as if we could somehow see the cause of the alarm through solid walls. Moments later, hurried bodies began rushing through the hall outside. Voices of panic and alarm could be heard rising all through the keep.

One of Sir Ruvano's men came charging in through the still open doors. A handsome young man maybe two years younger than myself, he skidded to a halt, short of breath. He was about to speak, but catching sight of Master Oringel, hastily amended what he was originally going to say.

"Um, enemies have taken the gate, sir."

Calmly, Sir Ruvano turned to the scarred man. "Bakoro, take the men on ahead. You know what to do."

"I'll join you," Master Oringel said, falling in behind the guards as they filed from the room. "If the castle is under attack, this matter can wait until later."

"It would be an honor to have you along," Sir Ruvano said.

Then he drove his sword into Master Oringel's back.

The blade passed directly through the wizard's heart and thrust out the other side amidst a small spray of blood. Master Oringel stopped dead in his tracks, an expression of surprise on his face as he looked down at the sword protruding from his chest. He collapsed to the ground, sliding off the blade, and rolled to his side, a dead stare in his blank eyes.

It took me several moments to realize the high-pitched scream filling the chamber was coming from my own mouth.

Sir Ruvano turned toward me. The sword in his hand still dripped with Master Oringel's blood. Was I to be next? After all, Sir Ruvano had just had his cock sucked by a man. I couldn't move; couldn't think. My eyes were open wide, flittering about from one thing to the next but only able to see the blood pooling on the floor under Master Oringel's body.

"You killed him! You killed him!"

Sir Ruvano set his hand on the side of my face.

"Calm down, Stephanie, I know it's a hard thing to see right now but this is for the best. After all, I can't very well let the court wizard help defend the castle from my compatriots."

"What are you talking about?"

"Duke Rosenthall, the one who staged this little coup; I'm his inside man," Sir Ruvano said. "Besides, Master Oringel was a total bastard for accusing you of stealing that wand."

"You mean you didn't believe him?"

"Of course I didn't," he said. "Because I'm the one who took it."

"What?"

"Like I said: we can't have a wizard interfering in the Duke's plans, now can we? I took a few interesting little baubles form his chambers this afternoon just in case they might have proven useful to him." He paused and looked at Master Oringel's body laying on the floor. "But I guess we don't have to worry about that anymore. Now stay here if you want to live through the night."

With that, he draped his jacket across his shoulder and strode out of the room, joining the last few lingering members of his guard. They closed the door and bolted it securely, leaving me laying on the floor, cum dripping off my face and a dead wizard as my only companion. Any chance I might have had of ever finding a way out of this insanity my life had become died with Master Oringel.

To be continued...



A note from the author:

I'm kind of tired of writing this story at the moment so I'm going to take a little break before going on.

Actually, I could end it right here if I wanted to. It wouldn't be a very happy ending, but it would be AN ending.

However, for those few of you who actually want more, don't worry, Stephanie's story has only just begun. Just give me a little while to get around to it. These things take time.

Cheers!



The Blood Pact Ch. 14



Throughout the night I could hear the sounds of violence and death spilling through the castle. The clash of sword on shield and the desperate cries of men locked in combat for their very lives echoed through the halls. 

Nikelle had been right. Sir Ruvano was the key to everything. He wasn't even a good man as I'd suspected. I should have killed him when I had the chance. Instead, he'd killed Master Oringel, and the wizard's wand had become a prize of war.

His body still lay where it had fallen, his dead eyes staring blankly into the distance. It was a grisly scene but one which I couldn't do anything about. I hadn't so much as been able to move from that spot where Sir Ruvano had left me. I no longer knew what was going on.

What had become of Nikelle was a mystery. In all the chaos, she had plenty of opportunity to come and find me. Knowing her fear of getting caught, though, she'd probably fled at the first sign of trouble. She was likely long gone. Or dead. In either case, I was alone and utterly lost.

Twice the struggle for control of the castle raged right outside the doors to Sir Ruvano's chambers. It never lasted long before moving off again, but elsewhere, shouts and horns continued to sound until the great rose window began to glow with the first rays of the morning sun.

The quiet which came with the dawn was eerily unsettling after the violence which had preceded it. Men were marching orderly in the courtyard but I dared not go to a window to see which side it was that had claimed victory. Regardless of which way fate had swung, I could not imagine the outcome would be in my favor. If the garrison had managed to defeat the duke's forces, I would probably be thrown in with the traitors for having been in Sir Ruvano's company. But if his treachery had turned the battle in the duke's favor, Sir Ruvano would likely discard of me himself now that he knew the truth about my origins.

I just wanted to wake up from this nightmare and be done with it.

The morning had grown rather late when I first began to hear the crashes and wild hoots of laughter from the other chambers of the nobility. I gave a start when the sound of shattering porcelain and metal urns clattering off the floor came from the quarters right across the hall from Sir Ruvano's. Had the king's guard come to round up all the conspirators?

I was only roused from my frozen state when the doors on the other side of the room swung open. On hands and feet, I scurried backward into the bed chambers. Maybe I could hide from whoever they were until they moved on.

However, the man who stepped into the room caught sight of me right away. His sinister smile caused the scar which bisected his face to pucker grotesquely. It was Bakoro, Sir Ruvano's right hand man.

"Oh, Stephanie, don't think that I'd forgotten about you," he said as he set his helmet on the large table and undid his sword belt. His uniform was covered with dirt and half-dried blood. Unfortunately, none of it looked like his. Turning to the pair of men with him, he said, "Watch the door."

They nodded and stepped outside, closing the doors behind them and sealing me inside with that psychopath. As he looked at me from across the room, his smile broadened and he licked his lips.

Again I tried to back away, but my hands and feet could not seem to find any purchase. I was hyperventilating. Was Sir Ruvano dead? Was I now at this man's mercy? -- something I suspected he had none of.

As he stalked toward me, I fumbled with the hidden pocket in my bustle. My hands were shaking so badly, however, I couldn't find the opening. Oh gods, he was going have his way with me and I couldn't even manage to do anything to stop him.

"G-get away from me!" I cried, startling even myself with the shrillness of the words.

"Not today, girly." Grabbing me by the arm, he pulled me off the floor with just a simple jerk. "You've teased me with that pretty little body of yours once too often. Now it's time for you to pay up."

"What are you doing!" I struggled in his grasp like an eel in a net, but to no avail.

"Spoils of war, my dear, spoils of war." He roughly pulled the back of his sleeve across my face. "But look at you. You're one dirty little slut, aren't you? Still got the boss's cum all over your face. I'd be happy to add my own, but I think there's somewhere else I'd rather put it..."

With that, he took hold of my dress by the neckline and expanded the cut Sir Ruvano had made with his sword, ripping it in two right down to my waist. I let out a scream as by breasts spilled forth and I found myself exposed before this thug.

"That's it, bitch," he laughed. "Scream for me! With all the others in the castle this morning, no one's gonna hear yours."

Somehow in my panicked state, I was finally able to lay my hand upon the blood dagger hidden inside my dress. My fingers closed around the grip and, with a cry, I thrust it into the side of Bakoro's head.

Unfortunately, I hadn't managed to summon a blade for it.

"Ow!" he cried. With a backhanded slap he struck me across the face. The dagger hilt flew from my hand and went sliding under a sideboard on the other side of the room. I meanwhile, fell back onto the bed, my vision filled with stars.

I regained my senses soon enough but only to find Bakoro climbing on top of me, his smile gone, replaced instead with toothy snarl.

"So you like it rough!" he said. "I'll give you rough!"

I tried to throw him off, to climb out from under him, but another slap to the face left me crying and barely able to comprehend what was happening. I heard a rip and felt the lower portions of my dress torn violently away. In my addled state, I did my best to hold my legs together, but he wrenched them apart as if I wasn't doing anything. I felt the air rush in against my crotch, leaving me completely exposed and vulnerable. With one hand he grabbed my flailing wrists and held them above my head.

"Don't fight it, you dirty little slut!" he said, his warm breath and drops of spittle washing across my face as he reached between his legs to free his cock. "You know you want this."

I cried out again, but it was nothing but the most pitiful of sobbing whimpers. I couldn't believe this was really happening. I was going to be raped. Those times I'd been with Sir Ruvano were one thing -- I'd been able to convince myself they were what I wanted -- but not this! Never this!

Suddenly, Bakoro let out a cry of pain and went rolling to the floor.

"What the hell do you think you're doing!" Sir Ruvano cried. Standing at the foot of the bed with sword drawn and illuminated in the soft morning light from the rose window, he loomed over the fallen Bakoro like an angel of vengeance.

Frantically, I went to his side. I wasn't entirely sure why I did, but I felt so helpless, so frail, so vulnerable. And he'd saved me. As I clung to his firm body like a frightened child, tears flowing uncontrollability from my eyes and the tattered remains of my dress barely hanging from my frame, he put his free arm around me and held me close.

Bakoro climbed to his feet, a pair of red welts on the side of his head. Glaring at me, he licked his lips and I couldn't help but bury my face against Sir Ruvano's chest. Then, turning his attention to the spymaster, he said, "The castle is ours now. This one's just a commoner. She doesn't have the same protection enjoyed by the nobility. I was just taking my fair share."

"These are my quarters," Sir Ruvano said, leveling the tip of his sword at Bakoro. "Everything in them belongs to me. Everything. If you want to do some looting, there are much better places to do it. Now get out of my sight before I decide against letting you live."

Bakoro's lip curled back as he cast one final glance at me and then trudged out of the chambers.

I was only vaguely aware of orders being issued to dispose of Master Oringel's body, but for a long time I could do nothing but hold onto Sir Ruvano, blubbering like an infant. I should have felt nothing but revulsion in his embrace, but I for the first time in days, I actually felt safe. Not that I could fathom why. It wasn't as if Bakoro had actually managed to do anything to me. Curse this blasted female body and its wild emotions.

"There, there, Stephanie," he said, stroking my hair. "It's alright now. You're safe."

Trying once again to get my tears under control, I looked up to see him smiling tenderly down at me. Blast it all, nothing seemed to make sense anymore. How could this be the same man from last night -- the same one who'd just helped stage a coup?

"W-why? Why are you doing this? You heard what Master Oringel said about me, didn't you?"

"Even if what he said were true (and I have my doubts; Master Oringel was something of a prankster after all) you still look like a woman." He leaned in close and I could feel his nose brush against my hair as he breathed me in. "You smell like a woman."

Whispering in my ear, he continued. "Besides, back when I was still a solider, there weren't always enough women to go around after we razed a village so we'd occasionally have to make do with the young boys instead. However, none of them ever had a pussy as wet and willing as yours."

From behind, he reached between my legs and cradled my pussy through the tattered remains of the dress. I squirmed under his touch and whimpered. Despite the malice I should have felt toward this man; despite what I'd just been through with Bakoro; I didn't want him to stop.

Suddenly, he pulled me close, squashing my breasts against him. His finger rammed up into my pussy, drawing the fabric of my panties inside and soaking them with my already flowing juices. Something must have been wrong with me to be getting so aroused like this. I should have been plunging a dagger into his chest.

Instead, I took a step to the side and spread my legs for him. He responded by probing into me even more forcefully. I let out a moan, a low hiss through clenched teeth as I rubbed my clitoris against his thigh and breathed in his rough masculine scent. Oh how good it felt to be violated like that.

Then, with a small shove, he pushed me down onto the edge of the bed and turned to his reflection in the mirror. Panting, I looked up at him uncertainly.

"As much as I'd like to continue, my dear, there's no time for that right now," he said to my reflection in the mirror as he removed his cravat. "I have a coronation to attend. With the old king dead, the duke wants to legitimize his rule as quickly as possible."

"The...king is dead?"

"Unfortunately, yes. I advised against it, but Rosenthall is a brute and would heed none of my advice on the matter. However, no matter how much of a brute, he is a well-positioned one. If I hadn't sided with him, everyone in the castle would have died last night. My involvement in this coup ensured it was as bloodless as possible."

From the state of Bakoro and Sir Ruvano, it didn't look like the coup had been at all bloodless.

"You'll need to get ready as well," he added. "You'll be coming with me."

"Me? But I...I look a fright." My hair was indeed a tangled mess, my dress was ripped to shreds, and I still had dried cum on my face and chest. Never mind the fact I no longer wanted to be seen in public for as long as I lived. Surely word of my exploits with Sir Ruvano had traveled far and wide. How would I ever be able to live that down? "Besides, I have no right to attend a coronation. I'm only a house servant."

"Perhaps you are my dear, but among all the noble women of the court, there are none as beautiful as you. And since our new ruler has made me a Count for my part in his rise to the throne, I need to make a proper showing at the festivities. With you on my arm, I'll be sure to do just that -- especially since the duke's wife is an ugly shrew"

So I was just an accessory to him; something to make the other men jealous? I put on a stern expression. "After the things you've done, why should I do anything you say? You helped overthrow the king! You're a villain!"

Sir Ruvano turned from the mirror and gave me the most earnest expression I'd ever seen on his or anyone's face.

"What difference does it make who is king? Duke Rosenthall is the former king's nephew. The same blood he spilled last night to gain the throne flows through his veins. There is no difference between one and the other. All kings make poor choices, they fight their wars, they plot against their rivals, and they expand their rule at the expense of men and women like you and I. These things happen every day, but as a servant, working in the kitchens or washing the laundry, you've never had any reason to concern yourself with them. It is only because you have now seen them close up that you find them distasteful."

"But you killed Master Oringel in cold blood! He was my friend!"

Pursing his lips, Sir Ruvano dropped his gaze to the floor. "I never wanted to do that, Stephanie, but I had no choice. Besides, was he ever truly your friend? From what I've heard, he sounded more like your tormentor. You were nothing more than a plaything to him. The things he did to you were only so he could laugh at you behind your back."

I wanted to denounce everything he said but the words caught in my throat. Master Oringel never had been all that kind to me. He'd even accused me of stealing the wand without having an ounce of proof.

"I'm only asking one thing of you Stephanie: allow me to escort you to the coronation and the festivities which are to follow. If afterward you want to go back to that life you had before, I'll let you use Master Oringel's wand and you can turn yourself into whatever you want. But until then, just come with me this evening. You might actually find that you enjoy yourself."

I seriously doubted that. With his guard down I could probably get to the fallen Blood Dagger and finish him off right here and now. However, I'd be then trapped with Bakoro and have absolutely no chance of ever seeing the wand again. If all I had to do was attend a party in order to become my old self, that seemed like better terms than Master Oringel had ever given me.

Before I could give my answer there was a knock at the door. With a word from Sir Ruvano, a small team of servant women entered, each carrying two large buckets of steaming hot water. Greta was among them, as was that tall blonde I'd seen in the mess hall. Their eyes were down, their backs bent, and their dresses soiled. Apparently even the servants hadn't escaped the ravages of Sir Ruvano's "bloodless" coup.

"They'll get you cleaned up and respectable again," Sir Ruvano said. "Now hurry up. We still have a few hours but I know how long you women like to take to get ready."

I was ushered without further comment into the bathroom attached to Sir Ruvano's quarters; a luxury which showed just how highly placed he'd been before the coup. Would he now be receiving even grander chambers in reward for his service?

I blushed as the servant women stripped me of my clothes, but they said not a word and went about their preparations for my bath mechanically, never so much as even making eye contact with me. I could have bathed myself but I knew they would hear none of it, so I simply let them do their jobs as they'd been instructed. The copper tub was lined with towels and filled with steaming water. As I was lowered in, the water rushed between my legs and burned against my swollen pussy lips, still so sensitive from Sir Ruvano's aborted fondling.

Left to soak for a time while the women made further arrangements, I quickly grew accustomed to the heat and let my muscles relax. Floating there, my body was so much more buoyant than it had been before; my breasts especially so, bobbling gently with but the slightest movement.

When the four women all began to scrub me down at once, I felt a little like I was going to be pulled apart. I could feel in their hands a trepidation, as if they wanted to be rough with me but were held back by only the slightest measure of discretion. Under their spirited ministrations, even the perfumed soups and soft washcloths felt harsh against my skin. Something was clearly bothering them.

"How fared the others?" I said as the blonde girl scrubbed my back with barely contained fury.

All of them froze and glanced from one to another but not one of them said a word.

"Please, I've been locked in this room all night," I said. "What happened? Did...did many die?"

"No more than would be expected," Greta said, not even looking me in the eye as she lifted my leg from the water to scrub it.

It soon became clear that no amount of persuasion would get them to open up. The night's events must have been more traumatic for them than I could have guessed.

Once I'd been scrubbed clean, they extracted me from the bath and patted me dry using towels that felt like clouds against my skin. Being naked in their presence for so long, I was starting to become more comfortable with it as well. In fact, looking in the mirror, I no longer saw a complete stranger. Yes, that person in the reflection had firm breasts and a narrow waist, long golden hair and a shaved pussy, petite hands and feet, wide hips and a rounded ass, but she was me. That beautiful female body was mine. It felt...natural.

Ever efficient, the girls moved from one task to the next so quickly I seldom had a chance to relax. They applied perfumed oils to my skin and brushed out my hair. I was dressed in a cream colored gown with panels of golden embroidery that were so richly decorated the cloth underneath could no longer be seen. My face was painted with artful strokes that accentuated my natural beauty without detracting from it. Elaborate jewelry of gold and silver was next, decorated with gemstones and pearls the size of small eggs. Where Sir Ruvano had acquired such treasures, I could not fathom. Pawning just one piece would have kept me well-off for the better part of a year.

Having lost all track of time locked away in that surreal world, it came as something of a shock when Sir Ruvano rapped impatiently at the door.

"Come now, Stephanie," he said stepping into the room. "Are you not ready yet? Protocol states that the ceremony must begin at noon. We mustn't be...late."

The servant girls all lowered their heads in unison and backed dutifully away, leaving me standing on the dressing stand, revealed like a goddess in some street show opera. Sir Ruvano's jaw dropped open and his eyes grew wide. For several long moments he merely stood staring at me. Up until then I had felt confident in my appearance, but now my face burned red. I would have slunk away if it were not for the high heeled boots I was wearing and the precarious perch upon which I stood.

"My gods," Sir Ruvano said. "I would not have thought it possible if I were not seeing it with my own eyes. You're even more ravishing than I've ever seen you before. You would put even the ancient queens of legend to shame!"

Before I had a chance to try my luck at backing away in shame, he stepped forward and helped me down to the floor. Dressed as he was in a blue so dark it was almost black, Sir Ruvano was looking quite dashing himself. The two of us would indeed make quite a pair.

"Come," he said. "The coronation awaits."

My heels clicked on the stone floor as we made our way though the noble's wing. I grew accustomed to the height of the boots and the flowing fabric of my dress in no time at all, gliding along with a petite, feminine gait that seemed all the more fragile because of our surroundings.

Soldiers were everywhere, still clearing away the ravages of the siege, while servants had been employed in droves to scrub the blood from the floors. They'd apparently started in the royal chambers and were now working their way out into the less important sections of the keep. Their eyes were all hollow and lost, no doubt still in shock from the startling events of last night. Those I was familiar with, I could hardly even recognize as my old comrades.




The Blood Pact Ch. 14



At one intersection of hallways, we had to stop briefly as several bodies were carried past. One pair of lifeless eyes in particular caused me to gasp and unintentionally step backwards into Sir Ruvano's arms. It was the chamberlain, his dead face looking even more bloated than usual as he stared up at me from the litter.

"Was he a friend of yours?" Sir Ruvano said.

I did a poor job of suppressing the giddy laugh which followed. "No. He was a pig."

With the chamberlain dead, my debts died with him. Maybe this coup wouldn't turn out to be so bad after all.



The Blood Pact Ch. 15



I'd never been in the royal wing on the palace before. The white stone arched high overhead in feathery carvings that seemed to defy gravity. Vast rays of sunlight shone down though the huge clerestory windows, sparkling off the gilding which seemed to cover almost everything.

Despite Sir Ruvano's fears of being late, we arrived along with all the rest of the guests. I'd never seen so many nobles in my entire life. They were dressed in a dazzling array of colors that I never could have imagined. From their stylish garb, as well as their attitudes, most were clearly foreigners who'd never set foot in the castle before today. Others I recognized as members of the previous king's court. Survival must have trumped any of their former alliances.

The chapel where the actual coronation was to take place was rather dark and low-ceilinged compared to even the hallways which we traversed to get there. The dais at the far end which supported the grand alter was surrounded by a semi-circle of windowed panels but the rest of the chapel was in darkness; no doubt intended to add some mystery to the proceedings that took place there.

Custom actually called for the coronation ceremony to take place at the cathedral in the city, but in this instance the holy men were brought here. Space was tight for the gathered nobility, but everyone's location had been carefully mapped out ahead of time. Sir Ruvano and I were given a prime location quite close to the dais. He must have indeed been very well-placed in this new government.

An oppressive austerity filled the air as we stood in silence waiting for the ceremonies to begin. As the wait grew long, I was left with little else to do but examine the crowd. I could not deny that Sir Ruvano had been right about me: I was indeed the most beautiful woman in the room. Most of the others were matronly old hags and the rest were stern-faced, straight-backed, and harsh. They were the wives of soldiers who'd spent their lives following their husbands from battle to battle. They'd probably seen as much war as the most seasoned knights. In their presence, I felt as if their harsh glances alone might shatter me.

When the ceremony itself eventually got underway, I was rather disappointed to see just how bland it all was. Vows and proclamations and holy mandates drew on and on. Duke Rosenthall was a large man, wide-framed, but powerfully built. His bearish appearance was only emphasized by a shaggy head of sandy beige hair and a full beard of the sort which had not been fashionable in these parts since my father was a young man.

The most interesting part of the entire affair proved to be his behavior. Though he apparently put a great deal of stock in formality, he smiled at the most inappropriate times and occasionally waved at people in the gathered crowd. At one point he even winked right at me. As the crown was placed upon his head, he chuckled like a bully flaunting his victory on the playground. The nobility did not seem to take any offense at his childlike impertinence, however, and they all played their roles in the drama as if it were all perfectly normal.

A procession through the city was traditional after the crowning, but on this occasion it consisted merely of the new king crossing the hallway to his throne room and ascending the stairs to his gilded throne with the queen at his side. Sir Ruvano had been right about her as well. She was a scarecrow of a woman: thin and pale with skin pulled tight over sharp, angular features.

The throne room was a lavish conglomeration of columns and arches and gilding and balconies and stairways; level upon level of finery all overlaid on each other until it was impossible to tell just how big the chamber really was. The thrones themselves stood at one end of the room at the top of an impressive set of stairs.

As our newly crowned rulers sat in repose, orderly lines of nobility filed past, offering their best wishes. Sir Ruvano kept me at his side the whole harrowing climb to the top of the stairs. It was a constant fear that I might trip on the hem of my dress and spoil all these elaborate proceedings. Unfortunately, even once we reached the top, I knew we would still have to go back down again.

When his turn finally came, "Count" Ruvano was announced with all the pomp and ceremony I'd only ever heard about in stories. Fortunately, my own name had not been included. I was already receiving far more attention than I would have liked.

Sir Ruvano bowed to the king and queen while I did my best to curtsy, relieved that I was at least able to make the gesture look somewhat passable. I was still mystified how women were able to do anything the least bit gracefully in these entangling garments. Sir Ruvano and the king bantered for a time like old acquaintances. I felt all but forgotten until the king suddenly inquired about me.

"The Mistress Stephanie, sire," Sir Ruvano said.

I was simply grateful he had spoken because I would not have been able to do so on my own. Still unsure of what exactly I should have been doing at all, I offered another fumbling curtsy, this time staying low for a long, respectful time. Rising to find the king's eyes on me and a lustful smile on his lips, however, I wished I had lingered a little longer.

As my face burned red, the queen glared at me with a fury that suggested her husband's impertinence was somehow my fault. Luckily we were able to make our exit at that point. As we descended the stairs, I hardly thought about tripping on my dress since I could still feel both the king's and the queen's eyes on my back. It seemed as though I was indeed helping Sir Ruvano make an impression.

With those formalities out of the way, Sir Ruvano had to leave me for a time so that he could attend to secretive matters of state. Those other nobles who'd already paid their respects to the king were carrying on in small groups, speaking in hushed, refined tones. Each tiny cluster was like a private conversation to which I was not invited.

I thus found myself drifting to the edges of the room and sampling a few choice appetizers from the tables of food that had been laid out there. My hope that something to eat might help quell my nervous stomach proved false. Though it was all of the finest quality, I hardly tasted a thing. I had no right to be at a gathering like this. I was an outsider here.

Nearby, a group of women were simply standing apart from the rest of the guests and examining the party with haughty expressions plastered across their faces. They didn't look the lest bit personable but maybe I could blend in with them and avoid any further notice until this nightmare was over.

As I inched closer, however, they all turned in my direction, practically demanding to know what I was doing in their presence. Small talk seemed like the best defense.

"Um, hello," I said. "It's all quite impressive, isn't it?"

"Humph," one of them said. "The midsummer eve festival in Koskof is more inspiring than this."

"I've seen more elaborate celebrations in military camps," another added. "During the Lantiarion Conflict, my husband staged a full coronation for the young king Vincent in his command tent. He had it decorated to perfectly match the grand cathedral in Driggam and, I swear, I could not tell the difference."

"That...must have been a large tent," I said. The looks they flashed left me feeling like a lame horse which was about to be put down for its own good.

"I don't think any amount of decoration would improve these chambers much," one of the other women said. "A kingdom as small as this one is fortunate, I suppose, to even have a great hall."

"I'm certain that Duke -- my apologies -- King Rosenthall will help to change their fortunes."

All of the women tittered demurely at the slip, hiding there fake smiles behind the lacy fans they carried. All I had was a goblet of wine and a small appetizer. In order to hide the redness rising into my face, I shoved the hors d'oeuvre into my mouth and downed the wine in a single gulp. I needed to get out of there before I made an ever bigger idiot of myself.

"Excuse me. I really need to take a piss."

All of them put on wide-eyed scowls and drew back as if I'd just insulted their mothers. So much for making a graceful exit. Instead I slunk away like a whipped dog. I never should have let Sir Ruvano talk me into coming here. The bastard couldn't even give me the support of his company. If he was merely planning on leaving me on my own all afternoon, I had no reason at all to stay.

As I neared the door, however, the last of the well-wishers finished delivering their required courtesies to the king. Suddenly, he leapt up from his throne and clapped his hands twice, instantly silencing all the various conversations filling the chamber.

"Let the feast begin!" he announced.

On cue, the doors to the great hall swung open and in marched an army of liveried servants, instantly cutting off my escape. Tables were brought in and arranged in a long line down the middle of the room. Simultaneously, table clothes were arranged, place settings laid out, and centerpieces put on display. Moving with the precision of a dance troupe, not one of the servants once came close to colliding with another. They must have been practicing all morning. In mere moments the hall was transformed.

Amidst that orchestrated chaos, Sir Ruvano somehow found me and guided me nearly to the head of the table before I could even think of offering any resistance. While everyone's place had been determined ahead of time, there seemed to have been some last minute changes at the request of the king. Invoking a few more venomous stares, I was informed that several high-ranking nobles had been displaced just so I would have a seat nearer the king. Even having Sir Ruvano seated right next to me did nothing to help contend with the harsh looks I kept getting from the queen. 

I lost track of how many courses were served or how many different dishes were laid before me. They all looked exquisite but because of the constant conversation, it seemed as though I never had a chance to take more than a nibble or two at each before they was swiftly replaced by another of even greater decadence.

After the feast, there was more polite conversation, and Sir Ruvano proved to be my only ally in the entire room. Though I knew he had not been born into this life like the rest of them, he handled himself as if he had. Most of the men seemed intent on seeking me out, always giving their sincerest-sounding regards to Sir Ruvano before casting long, shameless looks to me. Though the women talked amongst themselves, they always grew quiet whenever I grew near. Did they too envy my appearance as the servant women had, or did they see right away that I had no right to be at an event such as this?

However, with Sir Ruvano at my side, guiding me though that social morass, I realized I had nothing to worry about. I was indeed nothing more than an accessory to him, following where he lead and laughing politely at his jokes, but at least I no longer feel adrift. I was even able to start taking in all the majesty that surrounded us, for the first time realizing that I was witness to history in the making. Finding time leftover to worry about the hateful scowls and the lustful smiles seemed unimportant.

In conversation, Sir Ruvano made mention on several occasions that security concerns in the city were the reason for the modified coronation ceremony and procession. I suspected it was more so the new king would not have to wait as long before indulging in the celebratory wines. As they flowed freely, he became increasingly jubilant. Protocol, however, demanded that he remain at the head of the room for the majority of the celebration.

Several times I saw his wife or the clerics admonishing him for attempting to sneak off. I was grateful he never succeeded for very long. I would have had no idea how to respond to any more of his antics; especially if they were directed, as I feared they might be, against me.

Night was beginning to fall and lamps had been set out to illuminate the soaring chambers when the musicians moved from the side niche where they had been performing, to a gallery overlooking the center of the great hall.

"Stephanie, the dance is about to begin," Sir Ruvanos said, taking my hand and guiding me into the very center of the room.

"Dance?" I stammered. This was just perfect -- as if I hadn't embarrassed myself enough already.

With the majority of the revelers migrating to the edges of the room and only a small number of us heading toward the center, I felt more than ever as if I was on display for all to see. In the past I'd been told by plenty of women that I was a good dancer, but as the partners took their place on the floor, I realized this was not going to be one of the jigs or reels I was familiar with. Never mind the fact I was already fumbling in those stupid skirts with each step I took. In something of a panic I took hold of Sir Ruvano's arm.

"I don't think I know this one," I hissed as the band played the introductory cords.

Sir Ruvano, however, simply took my hand in his as he bowed to me like all the other men on the floor. "Simply follow my lead and I am sure your grace will make up for any lack of experience."

It took several attempts before he was proven correct but the steps were not that hard to figure out. Soon I was gliding along as if I'd done so many times before. In fact, if I'd known that dancing would have helped me find my feet at last, I might have insisted on doing this before now.

Occasionally I caught sight of those women from before laughing at me behind their fans, but not one of them dared to set foot on the dance floor. They probably had two left feet in addition to their dog-like faces.

However, such cares swiftly drifted far from my mind. I danced, I drank, I laughed. One dance blurred into the next, as did the goblets of wine. Sir Ruvano occasionally loaned me to another man for a dance or two, but always returned before too long. He was my best partner throughout the night, nimble and dexterous, his every move complementing my own.

The festivities continued late into the evening. As the king finally stumbled off to retire for the night, he needed the assistance of both the queen and his chamberlain to walk anything remotely close to a straight line. With his exit, the celebration was called to an end and everyone left the throne room with a resounding cheer for the newly crowned sovereign.

"Oh, I had so much fun!" I said, twirling into Sir Ruvano's chambers. Earlier I might have been ashamed to admit such a thing, especially to Sir Ruvano, but the wine helped allay my resistance.

"Didn't I tell you as much, my dear Stephanie?" he said. "And you were beautiful, as well. You should have been the queen up in that throne."

"Not if it were beside King Rosenthall!" I laughed.

Sir Ruvano slipped in behind me and wrapped his arms around my narrow waist. "No," he murmured in my ear. "I hope you'd reserve that honor for me."

Having his hands on me, large and masculine against my thin, feminine body, undercut just how different I'd become. I was a frail thing in his grasp, but his touch was gentle. He nuzzled my neck and ran his hands over my belly, just barely brushing against the undersides of my breasts. I melted into him, my nipples becoming stiff and a warmth growing between my legs.

I turned to face him and our lips met. It was strange to kiss a man, but apart from being on the other side, it was really no different. There was still one pair of soft, plump lips pressed again one rough and strong. Our tongues still danced in each others mouths and a single feminine whimper was heard as we parted.

Taking my hand in his, he started toward the bed chamber. "Come with me, Stephanie," he said.

I knew what was to come, but I did not resist. Whether it was the drink, fatigue, or some other factor, I went willingly; eagerly, in fact

At the foot of his bed we kissed again, longer and more passionately. His hands roamed freely over my body; squeezing my ass, cupping my breasts, undoing the laces of my dress. Likewise, I removed his cravat and reached into his shirt, feeling the firm contours of his chest.

He eased the dress off my shoulders and let it fall to the floor, leaving me in little more than a shift of the thinnest silk. He cast aside his jacket and shirt and kicked off his boots before sitting me on the edge of the bed and kneeling before me like an attendant to remove my own. I hadn't realized how uncomfortable my feet had become until they now had a chance to stretch again. He cradled one and rubbed the arch. It sent a tingling mix of shock and rapture up through my bones.

Sir Ruvano embraced my legs as he worked his way over my calves and past my knees. Under my shift he went, up the inside of my thighs. I spread my legs and he hooked his fingers into my panties. With a tug, he pulled them down and I lifted my ass so that he could remove them entirely.

When I felt his finger caress the outer edge of my pussy, my whole body quivered. I might not have realized it until now, but I'd been waiting for this moment ever since he'd touched me this morning.

He toyed with me for what seemed like hours, using his fingers and his mouth to bring me right to the edge of ecstasy but always backing off at the last moment. I didn't know how much longer I could stand it. My pussy was dripping wet by the time he finally stood and helped me out of my shift.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, panting slightly, my eyes were right at the level of his waist. Deliberately, he unfastened his belt. As his pants joined my dress on the floor, his cock sprang loose. It pointed from his crotch toward me. Even only half-erect, it was still longer than most mens when fully aroused. It twitched in anticipation and bobbed as he stepped between my legs.

I was exposed, completely and totally naked with a man who was every bit as undressed as myself. Just a day ago I would have felt nothing my shame, humiliation, degradation.

Now, I reached out and took hold of his cock in my soft hands.

It was stiff and warm. My hands seemed smaller that they already were as I stroked him gently, up and down, twirling them around the head. I kissed away the bead of pre-cum that my actions had squeezed out. It tasted just as intoxicating as it had the last time. Wrapping my red lips around the head, I sucked hard and then slowly let it slid back out, a trail of saliva connecting it to my tongue. His breathing was deep but steady. I loved how his scrotum bounced in my hand as I played with his cock.

It was standing proud now, the perfectly shaped head resting on my lips without me even needing to touch it. I kissed it again and looked longing into his eyes. He met my gaze and returned the smile.

Our eyes remained locked on each other as he leaned over me, easing my only my back. I shimmied into the center of the bed and he remained over me the whole time; his cock bouncing against my stomach, occasionally nudging my pussy.

I opened myself to him and he lowered himself over me. His cock hovered precariously close to my smoldering hole without even touching it. For several long moments he remained frozen there, his eyes burning into mine. What the hell was he waiting for? I wanted this so badly, I didn't care who he was or what he'd done.

"Stephanie." His voice was smooth as silk. "I promised you could use the wand after accompanying me to the festivities. You were nothing but wonderful this evening, and I would be remiss if I did not uphold my end of that bargain. If you'd like, I could get you the wand right now."

Now!? But...we were so close...we...

"No don't," I said, my voice a pleading whisper. In a panic, I tried to grab his arms, his body, anything to keep him from leaving this moment unfinished.




The Blood Pact Ch. 15



"Don't what?" he said. His expression was like granite.

"Don't go. Stay here, with me."

"Beg me," he said. Why did he have to toy with me so?

"Please stay with me!" I said. "Just fuck me! Please, do it now!"

With that, Sir Ruvano lowered his hips. His cock head found my pussy and pressed against its wet lips. My back arched and with eyes closed tight, I felt his meat penetrating me. The rigid shaft parted the tight folds of my vagina, deeper and deeper in a smooth steady plunge.

"Oh gods," I moaned. It felt as if his cock were going to rip my tender flesh but I didn't want him to stop either. He didn't until his hips were pressed solidly against mine. He held there for a moment before pulling out, slowly, an inch at a time.

I gasped shrilly as my hungry pussy clamped tightly against his cock, desperate not to let it go. The thought of no longer having him in me was agonizing. I would feel incomplete.

Nearly exiting me entirely, he stopped short and then promptly sank back in again, faster this time but just as smoothly. I gripped the bed covers in a white-knuckled death grip as a unabashed moan escaped from deep in my throat.

He increased his pace and I gasped, begging him over and over to fuck me. Through veiled eyes, I looked up to see him posed over me, his arms locked on either side of my quaking breasts, his teeth bared in primal desire, his hips ramming into mine like a machine. My whole body rocked with each impact of his invading cock. I could feel the eventual peak of my climax frustratingly just out of reach. I bucked my hips against his to intensify the thrusts. I clenched my pussy around his cock. I screamed until my cries echoed through the chambers.

"Faster! Harder! Gods, fuck me harder!"

His expression turned to a brutal smile and he grunted loudly, doing just as I asked. I writhed about under him, loosing all sense of myself. The distinction between him and me blurred in my mind until we became a single entity of mad sexual delight.

As my pussy finally began to spasm, I squealed in blatant lust. This was nothing like a man's orgasm or the ones I'd thus far had a woman. Having that hard cock pressed against the inside of my pussy only concentrated and intensified the experience. My whole body went rigid and I reared off the bed even as I shuddered so hard it felt if I might injure myself.

Sir Ruvano thrust his cock into me one last time, holding it for but a moment and then grunting loudly. With long meaty strokes, he pumped into me, his warm cum filling my pussy and making his thrusts slippery against my quivering flesh.

He held his cock inside me until it began to soften and I finally started to regain my senses. He withdrew from me and I felt the warm mix of our juices run out of my pussy and down between my ass cheeks.

Why had I ever been reluctant to do this? It was incredible. Better than incredible. I should have let him take me in the latrine that first night we'd met. It was better than anything I'd ever felt in my life.

With hardly a word spoken between us, we fucked like mad all night long, simply given over to our passions. I felt so warm and proud to know that I managed to make him come three times that night. Myself, I lost track of how many times he brought me to ecstasy.

Eventually we collapsed beside each other on the bed, both of us nothing more than sweaty, gelatinous puddles of bliss. His cock still inside me, we drifted into a deep sleep, exhausted but completely satisfied.

To Be Continued...



The Blood Pact Ch. 16



With a pleasant sigh, I rolled onto my back and stretched out beneath the covers. Soft morning light streamed in through the window overhead.

I'd just had the most lovely dream.

Except, it hadn't been a dream at all.

I buried my face in my hands, giggling. Me and Lord Ruvano had made use of every last inch of that gigantic bed last night. I could hardly believe half of what we'd done together. Of course, I'd been so horny I probably would have fucked a table leg. Not that I regretted it in the least.

And why should I have? I'd just had the most incredible night of sex in my entire life and I was waking up in the bed of one of the most influential people in the entire kingdom. There was a new king on the throne, and with the Steward dead, it was a new start for not only the kingdom but me as well. What did I care if I had to make that new start as a woman?

It wasn't as if my manhood had ever gotten me anything. As a man, I'd always been given the heaviest labor in the palace. I had to jump through hoops just to get a woman's attention. I was thought of as stupid and slow-witted by everyone who saw me. Why would I ever want to go back to the life of a dirty stable hand?

Now I had beauty and freedom; the best food, the nicest clothes, and the grandest trinkets. Most importantly of all, I'd have people waiting on me for a change instead of the other way around. I'd be a fool to pass all that up.

Even if I one day changed my mind, there didn't seem to be any rush. Lord Ruvano still had the wand, so I could change back whenever I wanted. For now, I couldn't see any possible reason why I shouldn't just enjoy my sudden reversal of fortune.

Lord Ruvano had left early in the morning to attend to all kinds of matters which I was fortunate I'd never have to worry about. Having the room to myself, I dozed in for a while longer, only half awake. So relaxed and comfortable, I could have remained between those soft sheets all day. They were so different than the course linens I was used to.

It was some time later when I was roused by Lord Ruvano's return. I heard the doors closing behind him and the familiar click of his boots on the floor as he approached the foot of the bed. Then with a quick yank, he jerked the covers right off of my naked body. I let out a shriek, half in surprise, half playful.

"Get up," he said. "There's too much that needs to be done today for you to sleep until noon."

"Is there indeed?" I said.

I would have thought last night would have dampened my sexual appetites somewhat, but seeing him again, I could only think of the pleasure I'd felt with his cock inside me. On all fours, like a cat, I stalked across the bed toward him, my breasts swinging freely with each step. He was looking quite elegant in that black tunic of his, but it was already quite rumpled. It must have been a rough morning. I kneeled before him and grabbed his cock through the front of his pants. It twitched appreciatively.

"I can think of a few things that I'd like to do today as well," I said.

He smiled, taking a deep breath as I rubbed him. His cock stiffened, its contours becoming more defined as it pressed against his pant leg.

"Mmm, I can hardly believe you still want more. My cock is raw after what you did to it last night."

My pussy was a bit tender as well, but I'd risk a little pain if I could recapture even a fraction of the pleasure I'd felt last night.

"I hope I didn't injure you too badly," I said, opening the front of his trousers. He didn't resist, merely stared down at me. I reached inside and found his warm shaft waiting for me. Pulling it free, I saw it was every bit as long and hard as I remembered it from last night, though now a slightly brighter shade of red.

I ran my tongue around the swollen head and wrapped my lips around the tip in a sloppy wet kiss. I wanted to taste him again, but my pussy was tingling in anticipation as well. After swirling the head of his cock around in my mouth, savoring the slippery warm flesh against my tongue, I let it pop back out. It slid down my chin, leaving a glistening trail of precum. I licked it from my plump red lips as I looked longingly up at him.

"If you've had enough breakfast now," Lord Ruvano said. "There ARE other matters yet to attend to."

Reclining back on my elbows, I spread my legs for him, my pussy lips sticky as they parted hungrily. "Please, just a little longer..." I said. Going down onto my back, I began rubbing my breasts, rolling the nipples between my fingertips. "Please..."

Lord Ruvano looked down at me and shook his head as I reached for him with my foot. "Are you sure you're the same woman I first met those few short days ago?" he said. Gently, he brushed his fingertips across the inside of my leg.

"I've always been this woman." I said, rubbing the underside of his cock with my toes. "I just never knew it until you showed me."

He smiled and, taking me forcefully by the ankle, pulled me across the bed. As he held my foot over his shoulder, he sank his cock into my tender pussy with a single violent thrust.

I let out a long protracted cry. My warm folds were on fire after last night, but the lightning that raced through my impatient flesh more than made up for the pain. With my hair splayed out across the bedcovers, my body squirmed under him as he began his long, steady thrusts. I bit my lip and clutched the sheets. He crashed into me and I threw my head back. It was just as good as last night. Even better. 

"Yes! Yes! Yes!" I cried in time with his jabs.

I wrapped my other leg around his waist and helped pull myself onto his cock. My breasts jiggled from each impact. I kneaded and mashed them in anxious desire as his cock raked over and over again against the soft flesh inside my pussy. I was going to cum again, just as hard as ever.

But then there a quick knock at the door and Bakoro stepped into the chambers without waiting for a reply. I shrieked for real this time and pulled off of Sir Ruvano as I scrambled to find something to cover myself with. By the time I jumped off the bed, took up the bedcovers laying on the floor, and wrapped myself in them, Bakoro had already gotten quite a show. He didn't even make any effort to pretend he wasn't staring. Oddly I didn't mind all that much. I must have been growing more comfortable in this body than I'd realized.

"Latest dispatches have just come in, m'lord," Bakoro said, jerking his thumb over his shoulder as his cold eyes remained fixed on me.

"I'll be right there," Lord Ruvano said as he casually put his cock back into his pants. I nearly sighed in despair upon seeing that. I would have liked for him to finish. Turning to me, he said, "It's time for you to get ready."

"Ready?" I said, readjusting the bed covers but nearly dropping them entirely. "For what?"

Lord Ruvano smiled broadly. "The king has requested a personal audience with you."

"The king? With me?"

"You must have made quite an impression yesterday. He's been doing little else but talk about you all morning."

And why did he want to see me? I hadn't done anything to catch his eye -- at least, not on purpose. And I hadn't tried to make him think that I was the least bit interested in talking with him either. I knew that he fancied me, but with his wife, there wouldn't be any chance of him trying anything improper with me. What could he possibly want?

"I've summoned servants to help you get cleaned up," Lord Ruvano said over his shoulder as he started for the door. "There isn't much help available at the moment so you'll have to make due with your old friends from the kitchen staff until we find you some proper chambermaids."

I barely heard him. Bakoro had continued staring at me until the last possible moment, the lust plain in his eyes. Despite Lord Ruvano's warning to the contrary, he still wanted to have his way with me. At that moment, I was nearly ready to drop the sheets and let him. Had I really become the whore everyone already thought I was?

The two of them left the room and the promised servants arrived in short order. Greta was again among them. As my bath was being drawn, she approached with eyes respectfully lowered. I almost wished she would make another off color remark about how big my tits were rather than keep addressing me as she did.

"Will you be requiring any Lankshire Root Tea or Banann Leaf Ointment, mistress?"

"What for?"

"Very well," she said, turning to go, "Your bath will be ready shortly."

"No," I said. "I meant, what are they for?"

Greta looked at me as if I'd just asked if water was wet. "The Banann Ointment is for the...soreness..." she said, motioning uncomfortably to her lower regions. I suppose it stood to reason there was little doubt about what had transpired in these chambers last night. "And the Lankshire Root is to prevent a child."

A child? The possibility had never even crossed my mind. But I WAS now a woman and Lord Ruvano was indeed a man. If I had been trying to get pregnant, the things we'd done last night would have been a good start. My stomach lurched.

"Yes! Both please!"

The tea was dark, foul smelling, and bitter. I nearly gagged swallowing it but wondered if I should ask for a second cup just in case. After bathing, the Banann Ointment did indeed help to sooth my tenderness, but even the finest silk still felt harsh against the sensitive skin between my legs so I chose to go without any kind of panties. The dress which had been selected for this occasion was more conservative than some of the others I'd worn, but it still showed off a great deal of cleavage and hugged my body close enough that it wouldn't take much imagination to know what I looked like underneath.

Lord Ruvano returned shortly after my preparations were complete and escorted me to the king's private chambers. I still had no idea why he wanted to see me, especially with Lord Ruvano along as well. It didn't help my churning stomach any to have my pussy exposed to the air like it was either. With each step and swish of the dress, I was reminded that I was not fully attired. Thinking that I was going to be presented to the king like that caused my cheeks to take on a rosy tint.

Apart from a somber mood still hanging heavily over the rest of the palace, everything seemed more or less to have returned to the way it had been before coup. A few doors showed signs of having been hacked open, but all the blood was gone, the servants again scurried about on their tasks, and the nobility stepped respectfully out of Lord Ruvano's way.

The room which made up the king's personal chambers were of a more human scale than the great halls and throne rooms I'd seen yesterday, but the decoration was no less generous. Very few but the highest members of the nobility were ever invited into those rooms. A handful of them were already waiting in the antechamber upon our arrival. With the way they spoke in hushed whispers amongst themselves and glanced at me out of the corners of their eyes, I was thankful to have Lord Ruvano at my side.

The doorkeeper was sent to announce our arrival and within seconds the king's booming voice shouted that we were to be seen in right away. The gold-chased doors swung open and I took a deep breath. Me and Lord Ruvano walked through with the other nobles filing in behind us. For a personal audience, it apparently wasn't going to be terribly private.

The room we found ourselves in and everything it contained was starkly white -- the carven pillars, the polished floor, the arched ceiling overhead, and even the marble throne. Austere in design as well as decoration, the room was entered through a door in one of the long sides directly across from a matched doorway which stood open and granted views of the gardens beyond. At one end of the room sat the throne atop a short dais, and at the other, the only pieces of furniture which did not conform to the monochromatic pallet: a large, perfectly rectangular block of black granite and a few crates. The way they were cluttered there haphazardly suggested they were new additions which had not yet been properly unpacked or arranged.

Looking just as brazen as he had when last I'd seen him, King Rosenthall jumped from his throne at the sight of me and bounded down the stairs. In the middle of my curtsy, he took hold of my hands and pulled me upright, kissing my fingers as he stared into my eyes. Unsure of what the protocol was when one was being accosted by royalty, I attempted to stand my ground without clinging too obviously from this mountain of man pressing in on me.

"Oh, Stephanie, I'm so glad you came," he said, kissing my hands again. As if I had a choice to refuse a royal summons. "I was feeling lost without your beauty to inspire me."

I glanced at Lord Ruvano out of the corner of my eye but he merely stood there without showing the slightest sign of concern. The other ministers shifted their weight uncomfortably, but were equally mute.

"Um, I'm, um, honored by your summons, sire."

"Yes, of course you are," he said. "We didn't get a chance to speak yesterday during my coronation but after Lord Ruvano told me about your skills as a conversationalist, I just knew I had to find the time to make your acquaintance as soon as possible."

I smiled nervously. Skills as a conversationalist? Was Lord Ruvano trying to make a fool of me?

The king motioned toward the garden. "Walk with me."

"Of...course." What else could I have said? "It would be my pleasure."

Offering me his arm, we passed through the doorway into the gardens. Lord Ruvano fell in with the other ministers of state as they followed us at a respectable distance of several paces, remaining absolutely silent the whole time.

The gardens were similar to those Lord Ruvano had shown me previously, but this was a private section reserved for use by the king alone. The sunlight sparkled from the last of the morning dew which still clung to the lush green foliage. Most of the flowers had yet to open but the clever way which all the paths doubled back on each other turned the relatively small space into a labyrinth of intriguing views.

Plodding along beside the king as he droned on about how wonderful he was, I had very little to do but take in the sights. I listened as best I could, but without being given any chance to speak for myself, it quickly became apparent the only trait the king needed for a good conversationalist was one who could stomach his company and listen to his ramblings without speaking her mind.

After passing around a hedge, however, the king suddenly came to a stop and turned toward me. "You are without a doubt, the most beautiful woman in the entire kingdom, Stephanie. I haven't been able to get you out of my mind since I first saw you."

With my back to the hedge, I could do little but blush. Down the path we'd just walked, there was no sight of the others. They must have been waiting around the bend, right on the other side of the hedge.

The king squeezed my hands in his and kissed them desperately. "I can't take this any longer. If I wasn't already married I would make you my queen."

"Sire, I don't think -- "

I jerked back as he leaned in and kissed my neck. His rough beard tickled my skin as his hands gripped my waist and slid up to cradle my breasts. The feel of those gigantic hands on my body sent an thrill through me. I felt like a little child in his embrace, totally at his command. His kisses worked their way up my neck, his tongue occasionally flicking out, rough against my soft skin.

"Sire, this isn't...oh..." I whimpered effeminately as he pinched my nipples through the fabric of my dress. Again I looked down the path but there was still no one there. "The queen would surely not approve..."

"Fuck her," the king said as he forced his lips over mine.

I cringed away, but as his tongue invaded my mouth, I parted my lips and kissed him back just as forcefully. I was still so horny from last night I couldn't help myself. He mashed my breasts and I could feel my pussy growing damp. 

Backing away from me, the king reached between his legs and pulled open the front of his trousers. As he released his cock, I gasped. It was huge, as big around as my wrist and with a swollen, knobby head befitting his burly physique.

I wanted it. More than anything, I wanted it inside me.

Seizing me by the shoulder, he spun me around and pushed me against the hedge. I tried not to giggle too loudly. The lack of control was exciting; as was the knowledge those other men were standing just a few paces away.

I stuck my ass toward the king and spread my legs as he lifted my skirts. If Lord Ruvano wasn't up to the task of pleasing me, then I'd just have to make due with whomever was willing. The king dragged his bulbous cock over the folds of my pussy, letting my slippery juices coat his shaft. My skin was still tender, but that monstrous cock would likely hurt even if I weren't.

Leaning his massive body in against me, the king wrapped one arm around my shoulders and groped my left breast. With his other hand, he took hold of his cock by the base. Slowly, it slid down the valley between my ass cheeks, stiff and hot.

"Have you ever taken it in the ass before?" he whispered in my ear.

I nearly cried out in surprise but he clamped his hand over my mouth, stifling any utterance I might have voiced. There were always those who said doing such things were amoral. I'd never yet found a woman who was willing to let me try it with her, but the thought of having a cock that large invade my own ass was terrifying and exciting at the same time. I felt the head, lubricated with my own juices, press against my puckered little asshole.

"Just relax," he said.

I did as instructed and he pushed his cock forward. The pressure was intense. There didn't seem to be any way it could possibly fit. Involuntarily, my body tensed, instantly sending a tinge of pain through my ass. I cried out but his hand over my mouth closed even tighter.

"Relax..." he said again and I did my best to comply.

He entered me, slowly but steadily spreading my reluctant ass. As his head popped just inside, the pain was pronounced. I was thankful he backed out then and lubricated his cock from my dripping pussy once again.

Stretched as my ass now was, the pain was more bearable when his cock returned. He slid up inside me as far as before, but then with a forceful jab, drove it in even further. It felt like he was pushing my insides up into my stomach.

I bit down on his finger to stifle a cry and he laughed in my ear. Softly, he began to rock his hips. At first his massive cock slid back and forth only a few short inches, but as my ass became accustomed to his girth, the pain lessened and his strokes became longer.

"That's it, Stephanie, swallow it down," he said in a low, breathy voice.

Each jab carried his cock a little farther into me until I could feel his hairy thighs resting against my ass cheeks. He paused and then pulled it back in a single long, smooth stroke. It wasn't anything as intense as being fucked in the pussy, but I still couldn't believe how good it felt. As he dove back in, I let out a moan and pinched my eyes shut.

He must have taken that as a sign, because he went faster this time, quickly building to a furious pace. With each thrust, I could feel his hefty scrotum swing forward and slap my wet pussy with a splat. He grabbed my hips with his huge hands and practically slammed my entire body up and down on his cock. It was oddly intoxicating to be dominated like this by a man so many times larger than myself.

I could feel the pressure inside me building. I was going to cum without hardly having my pussy touched at all.

However, he beat me to climax. With a deep muffled grunt, he rammed into me and I felt a warmth spreading out through my ass. His cock moved more freely now and a wet squishing sound accompanied each thrust. He didn't stop ramming into me, however, and the slippery gooeyness spilling from my ass only intensified the feeling.




The Blood Pact Ch. 16



In no time at all, my pussy began pulsating, sending shock waves through my whole body and causing my ass to flutter as it gripped the king. I moaned into his hand. Cum ran from my pussy in rivers and mixed with the king's which had leaked out around his cock.

Even after both of us began to come down from the thrill, the king continued pumping slowing in and out of me for some minutes. When he finally pulled his shriveling cock from my ass, it let a torrent of cum spill down the inside of my legs.

I'd been turned into a sticky mess. At least I wouldn't need any Lankshire Root Tea after this. Rubbing my legs together as my skirts drifted back down again, the slickness of his cum against my skin almost made me want to do that again. Maybe I really was just a slut after all. But as long as it made me feel this good, I didn't really care.

Wrapping his arms me from behind, the king nuzzled his beard into my hair. "Oh Stephanie, I knew I was right about you. It's too bad you're Lord Ruvano's mistress. But I suppose that's as close as I can hope to have you for the time being."

Lord Ruvano's mistress? The very thought made my insides squirm. I sounded so naughty I couldn't help but smile.

"But still only a commoner?" the king mussed. "You're too good for that. Far too good."

Releasing me from his embrace, he stepped away and returned his cock to his pants while I hastily straightened my dress and hair.

"Now come along," he said as he guided me back down the path. "Yes, Stephanie, you are quite the conversationalist. We really must have another talk sometime soon."

Right around the corner, Lord Ruvano and the other ministers were standing just as I'd last seen them, completely oblivious to what had transpired a short distance away. I blushed and hastily looked at the ground. If I really was Lord Ruvano's mistress, would he be upset to find out what I'd let the king do with me? Would he maybe even discard me like the whore I was quickly becoming? I'd have to be careful so he wouldn't discover the truth.

Back in the tiny throne room, the king left me standing in the center of the chamber while he returned to the dais. A sword belt had been carelessly hung from the back of the throne with a jewel-hilted sword in its scabbard. Laying his hands on the hilt, he drew it with a loud metallic shriek that filled the quiet chamber.

"Now, let's get down to the business I summoned you for in the first place!" he said, waving the sword about wildly. "What should we make of you?"

My eyes grew wide. What was going on here? Were they planning to execute me? I glanced toward Lord Ruvano. He was standing to one side of the chamber while the other ministers had taken up position opposite. Their expressions were all stony, betraying no emotion whatsoever. Meanwhile, the king's smirk didn't immediately suggest violence, but I could easily believe he would be the sort of man who could cut down friend and foe alike with a smile on his face.

"What do you think?" the king said offhandedly. I still had no idea what was even going on. "A countess? Make you a match for Lord Ruvano?"

"Sire, please!" one of the ministers finally spoke, stepping forward in irritation. "A baronetess, at most."

"Yes," one of the others added. "She's nothing but a commoner!"

"A baroness, you say?" the king replied. "I like that. I like that great deal." He pointed the sword at me and looked down the length of its blade. "Kneel."

I was so dumbfounded, I did so without even thinking. He couldn't seriously be doing what I thought he was, could he? Stepping forward, he reached out with the sword and clicked his tongue as he tapped me on each shoulder with the tip of the blade.

"I hereby dub you 'Lady Stephanie,' Baroness of...ah, we'll figure that out later."

I could practically hear the ministers' eye rolling in their sockets. At least one of them groaned out loud. I didn't know if I should have laughed or cried.

"Now rise, Lady Stephanie!" the king exclaimed, brandishing the sword with overblown theatricality.

As I climbed awkwardly to my feet, I could feel the still warm cum dripping down my legs. Surely this had to be the most unusual dubbing in the history of this, or any other kingdom. Things rushed ahead so quickly after that, I couldn't even catch my breathe until me and Lord Ruvano were ushered back into the antechamber amid the grumbling of the ministers. The doors slammed shut, sealing off their voices and leaving me and Lord Ruvano suddenly alone.

"Was that real?" I said. "Am I really a baroness now?"

Lord Ruvano nodded. "King Rosenthall is rather unconventional, but I was there when he had all the decrees and proclamations drawn up this morning. The ministers might not like it, but legally, there is nothing they can do."

"Wait, you knew about this beforehand? And you didn't tell me?"

"The king wanted it to be a surprise," Lord Ruvano said with a shrug.

I couldn't believe this. I was a baroness now; a real noble: Lady Stephanie. There was no way I ever could have achieved that as lowly Mathis. Would I be given lands now too? I'd have wealth and riches all my own. I wouldn't even need Lord Ruvano to take care of me. Yes, my fortunes had indeed turned around for the better. Becoming Stephanie was the best thing that had ever happened to me. I was practically bouncing on the tips of my toes. I would have cried out at the top of my lungs if we weren't still in the king's chambers.

"So," Lord Ruvano said offhandedly as we exited the antechamber and made our way through the nearly deserted corridors of the Royal wing. "Did you enjoy being fucked by the king?"

My heart skipped a beat and I stopped dead in my tracks. "Wh-why would you even suggest such a thing?"

"Or did you take you in the ass? I hear he's quite fond of that." Lord Ruvano chuckled and shook his head. "Don't look so shocked. That was the main reason he wanted to see you. All of us knew. We could hear the both of you on the other side of the hedge as clear as day."

I went deathly pale and my blood ran cold. I could feel my self-esteem dripping to the floor along with the king's cum running down my legs. I wanted to die. I wished Lord Ruvano would strike me down right there on that very spot.

However, his expression wasn't the least bit disturbed. If anything, he was nearly smiling.

"You're not upset?" I said in a very tiny voice.

A toothy grin spread across his face and he grabbed my shoulders, shaking me. "Far from it!" he said, a manic glee lighting in his eyes. "In fact, I want you to let him do whatever he wants with you. Get as close to him as possible and learn everything you can."

"Wh-what?" I'd never seen him like this before. This was many times worse than the cold indifference he showed most people.

"You're going to be my eyes and ears behind his closed doors. I've been trying to get an agent close to him for some time now. It's been difficult because the queen is so overprotective. We'll have to tread carefully so as to not arouse her suspicions, but now that they're invested in the palace, there will be more than enough opportunities."

He wanted me to be another of his spies? He'd probably intended this for me from the very beginning. All those kind words had merely been a front to make me trust him. He'd used me and I'd followed right where he wanted, like a dog on a leash. To think that I'd actually started to care for him -- that I'd excused the terrible things he'd done. How could I have been such a fool?

"But why spy on your own king?" I said. "Aren't you the one who put him where is now?"

Lord Ruvano squeezed my shoulders hard enough that it hurt. As he leaned in close, I squirmed in his grasp and tried to back away. "Because this isn't as high as I plan to climb, you artless little girl!" I could feel his hot breath wash across my face. "One day, I'll be sitting in that throne and Rosenthall will be the one with his head on the chopping block!"

I must have been the biggest fool of all time. I should have known better than to trust a spymaster -- even one who was supposed to be on my side.



To Be Continued...



The Blood Pact Ch. 17



Absently, I pushed the food around on my plate and glared at the two women sitting across the table from me.

After getting cleaned up from the king's attentions, I'd suddenly found myself burdened with these two asinine little twats. They were about the same age as me, comely but not beautiful; the wives of knights whom Lord Ruvano had somehow procured to keep me company. I couldn't even remember their names but apparently they were now to serve as my attendants.

"The three of you should go into the city, buy yourself some nice clothes," Lord Ruvano had said after returning me to his chambers. "Don't all women love to go shopping? It will take your mind off things."

He'd just informed me that the only reason he'd ever been interested in me was so that I could act as his spy in the King's bedchambers and now he expected me to go shopping as if nothing at all was the matter? I stabbed at a bit of boiled vegetable on my plate, imagining that it was his head.

The two women continued chattering between themselves as if I wasn't even there. Since they'd arrived to share dinner with me, neither had stopped talking for more than a brief moment. I was so sick of hearing about how handsome the victorious knight of the latest tournament was or about the gossip from their tiny little manor houses.

Rising from my seat, I slammed my hands down on the tabletop and their inane banter came to an abrupt stop.

"Get out," I said.

"M'lady?"

"Get out!" I said, leaning over the table.

Panic in their eyes, they leapt from their chairs and nearly tripped over each other as they dashed for the exit. With so little in my life under my own control anymore, it was something of a surprise to see them comply so readily. As the door swung closed with a crash, I tossed my fork to the table and turned away in a huff. The servants swept in to clear the table but for some reason I felt my blood boiling even worse than before.

"You too! All of you! Get out!"

Without question, they simply dropped what they were doing and filed orderly out of the room.

"Wait. Greta, you stay."

She stopped obediently and turned to face me as I approached but did not lift her eyes even a fraction of an inch.

"What do you need, my lady?"

"I...I need someone to talk to," I said. Out of the corner of her eye, Greta glanced toward the exit. "Please, just for a little while, not as a lady of the royal court but like we did on the day of the festival. Do you remember?"

"That would not be appropriate." 

I clenched my hands into tiny fists. "Why the hell not? I'm still the same person I was then. Nothing's changed."

"Yes, so I have heard."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"My apologies, I spoke without thinking."

"No, tell me what you meant." I stomped my heel on the floor and thrust my finger into her face. "Be frank with me or I'll have you whipped!"

Greta, squirmed uncomfortably but I loomed over her, allowing her only one way to escape.

"There are...rumors that you were always a baroness and that you were sent here as a spy to help overthrow the king. That's why you showed up when you did and why you're with Lord Ruvano now."

"That's -- I -- that's a bloody lie!" I cried. 

Greta stood without offering the slightest show of sympathy or belief. I was forever going to be saddled with these cursed rumors and slander following me everywhere, wasn't I? No amount of insistent to the contrary would ever change anyone's minds. To them, I was just another of Lord Ruvano's spies. 

"Get out!" I cried pointing to the door. "Get the fuck out of by bloody sight right now!"

Greta moved even more quickly than the first two women had.

Alone once more, I stood gritting my teeth and occasionally beating at the air with my fists. None of my former comrades were ever going to look at me the same way any more. No one at all would ever trust me again. Damn Lord Ruvano and his games. Because of him, I was an outsider to everyone.

There was a vase full of flowers sitting on one of the tables which I kicked at in my frustration. The heel of my other shoe, however, caught on the hem of my dress. Instead of kicking anything, I fell over backwards and crashed down on my ass.

It seemed somehow fitting with the way everything else was going. Slumped on the floor, I pulled my knees into my chest and buried my face against my arms, my long golden hair tumbling down on all sides. How had I let this happen? I'd much rather me working down in the stables right now, breaking my back shoveling manure.

I sat there for what might have been hours or simply minutes. I couldn't tell. Nothing seemed to matter any more. If Lord Ruvano had his way, I was to become the King's toy, rushing to his bed whenever the opportunity presented itself. More than just that, though, the spymaster would also want me to milk as much information from him as I could.

But I was no spy. I was barely even a real woman. Even if I could somehow overcome my failings and do as Lord Ruvano wanted, I'd still probably get myself killed when I asked too much or pressed too hard.

Suddenly, I shot to my feet. Maybe I would go down to the city after all. Without even gathering a shawl or purse, I left the chambers and started for the front gates. At the first corner I came to, a large armored figure stepped out of the shadows directly in front of me. I took one look at the scarred face glaring down at me and groaned.

"Where are you going?" Bakoro asked.

"What business is it of yours?" I snapped.

He merely placed his hands on his hips and cocked his head to the side. Shaking my own head and rolling my eyes skyward, I stepped around him and continued on my way.

"Just because you're the spymaster's dog doesn't mean you have to follow my every move," I said. "I'm his mistress -- AND a Baroness now in case you hadn't heard."

Undiscouraged, Bakoro trotted along behind me. "Oh I've heard. But the boss is a COUNT, in case YOU hadn't heard."

"You know he told you to leave me alone."

"He told me to keep my hands off, but it's still part of my job to keep an eye out for trouble."

"And you think I'm trouble?"

"For some of us." he said. "The boss also told me that if anything happens to you -- anything at all -- I'll be held responsible. I don't really feel like losing my head just because you go and do something stupid."

"So now you're my bodyguard?" I said. "How chivalrous of you."

I stormed off through the hallways, Barkoro remaining always a respectable distance behind, but never out of sight completely. As I headed down into the city, I did my best to pretend he wasn't there. 

The streets were busy, all manner of burghers plying there trades and selling their wares. The coup didn't look like it had effected them in the least. Maybe our new king wasn't quite the buffoon he often seemed to be after all. By leaving the citizenry out of his coup and concentrating his attack on the palace alone, he'd ensured the common people didn't even notice the change of leadership. As long as the they were allowed to go about their business, they didn't care who was sitting on the throne.

There was a single inn near the gates of the palace that showed the signs of a recent fire. Maybe that was where King Rosenthall's men had gathered before storming the palace. Anything was possible, I suppose. I knew as much about warfare as I knew about being a spy.

Walking those streets, I received many more looks from all the townsfolk than I ever had as a man. Far different from the hateful stares inside the palace, however, these were looks of awe and reverence. The people stepped respectfully out of my way, the men knuckling their foreheads and the women curtsying. A smiling young girl selling flowers even presented me with one of her finest as a gift for no reason whatsoever, disappearing back into the crowds before I could even thank her.

As if all the attention wasn't bewildering enough, I also had no idea where I was going. I seemed to remember a few shops which might have suited my needs, but I'd never been shopping for women's clothes before. Regardless, I walked those busy streets with unerring accuracy until I came to a nondescript shop on the eastern edge of the city. Without second thought, I went right in through the front door.

At a table strewn with bolts of cloth and ribbon, an old woman with skin a dusty shade of beige and hair of stark white was hunched over a half-finished dress with needle and thread. She jumped up at my entrance and smiled broadly, deepening the countless creases that covered her face.

"Yes, yes, I been expecting you," she said. "I take measurements in back room. Go, I be with you in moment."

I went for the back room even though I knew this made no sense. Why would she be expecting me? How had I even known this place was here? Why had I even come to the city in the first place? I was no more interested in shopping now than I had been when Lord Ruvano had first broached the idea. It was with a deepening sense of dread that the truth began to dawn on me.

At the front door, Bakoro was just entering the shop. In his armor and with a sword at his side, his head almost scraped the timbers overhead and his every move threatened to overturn whole tables of dainty fabrics. He started to follow me toward the backroom as well, but the seamstress jumped in front of him with arms spread.

"No men allowed in back. Lady will be undressed."

Looking over my shoulder, I saw Bakoro yielding grudgingly, his eyes still on me as I passed out of sight. I walked right to the end of the short hallway, past several other small rooms, and stepped into the last one. It was a simple chamber with a narrow window, a chair and a rough pallet. After coming all this way without pause or deviation, it was only in the middle of that chamber that I finally came to a stop.

"Sister," I heard a familiar voice say from behind as a woman's hand touched my shoulder.

I spun, setting free all that seething fury that had been building up inside me all morning. She must not have been expecting me to lash out at her because my elbow caught her in the side of the face and sent her tumbling to the floor. I stood over her, hands clenched in fists, breathing deeply.

"Stephanie!" the woman on the floor said. "It's me: Nikelle!"

"I know it is!" I hollowed back. "You've been gone for days and now, from out of the blue, you summon me here with that blasted compulsion of yours? I already know nothing good will come of this!"

"I'm sorry I wasn't able to contact you sooner but I needed time to seek the advice of the sisterhood," Nikelle said, rubbing her jaw. It was already turning quite red where I'd struck her. "I don't know if I am still under suspicion in the palace, but I thought it best to hide here for the time being. The seamstress who owes this shop is a friend of sorts."

"Another assassin?"

"No, just a kinswoman from the southlands." Nikelle climbed to her feet. "The sisterhood has acknowledged that fate has been against us on this mission. Our failure to kill Sir Ruvano is not being held against us. There was likely nothing we could have done at that late hour which would have prevented what was to come."

"I told you! I told you I didn't want to go, but yet you sent me in there all the same! Now you tell me I never would have had to?"

"That's no longer material. What's done is done. You survived. We can now regroup and devise a new plan."

"Hold up one second!" I said pacing and waving my arms wildly. "I'll grant you that Lord Ruvano was the key to everything. He's a bastard and a fiend as well, manipulating people's emotions until they don't even know which way is up. But I no longer care about saving this kingdom from him or anyone else! It can rot in the hands of your Mordengern for all I care. The only plan that interests me is finding a way to save myself!"

"Like it or not, you're still a Blood Dagger," Nikelle said. "And we have a mission to perform."

"And after that, then what? Will I be sent off on another mission, and another, and another after that until one day my luck runs out and the man I'm supposed to kill finally kills me instead? I'm not a fucking assassin, Nikelle!"

She looked thoughtful for a moment, an expression I'd seldom seen her wear. "Help me, Stephanie." She looked straight into my eyes. "Help me and I'll let you go your own way afterward."

"What do you mean? Is that possible?"

She took a deep breath. "I haven't told the sisterhood everything that has happened. They don't know about you. Help me and they'll never have to. If you don't, I will be forced to call in more sisters and then they will most assuredly find out about you."

"That's blackmail!"

"I don't see why you're so reluctant to help. You won't have to do anything differently than you are already. Simply remain where you are, doing what you are doing, and keep your eyes open for opportunities which will allow us to strike again. Until then, you can live like a princess. Isn't that what every little girl dreams of?"

"I was never a little girl..." I said. She didn't believe for a second that I was really Mathis. I would have liked nothing more than to strike her again. However, she had never lied to me. If I did as she wanted, I might finally be able to get out from under this curse she'd put on me. All I'd have to do is make another deal, become a spy to someone else's cause, take on yet another master in addition to all the others I already had.

"Remember: keep your eyes open," she said without waiting for me to agree to anything. As she slipped out the door, she added, "I'll be in contact with you again soon."

I went after her but the seamstress barged into the room from the other direction, pinning me inside with measuring tape and paper. She was certainly quite spry for being as old as she looked. Reluctantly, I allowed her to strip me to my shift and take the measurements for all the pretty new dresses I would no doubt be ordering. What would I do with Nikelle even if I was able to catch her? Trying to reason with her was like talking to a rock. I was simply glad to be rid of her for a time. At the moment, she and Lord Ruvano were on equal footing as far as I was concerned.

To Be Continued...



The Blood Pact Ch. 18



The seamstress took more measurements of me than I would have thought any single body could possibly have and I selected a few designs from her sketchbook which I figured wouldn't look too bad on me. Bakoro was still faithfully guarding the front door by the time we finished so I slipped out the back and was finally able to leave him behind.

However, I now had no idea where I was going or what I was doing. As the sun crawled toward the horizon, I wandered aimlessly through the outskirts of the city and the orchards to the west of the palace hill. The shadows were growing long by the time I found myself passing through the stable entrance on the back side of the palace.

The smell of horses and straw brought a bittersweet smile to my face. Those had been simpler times when I'd been working here as a Mathis. Though it had only been a few days past, it felt more like years.

"May I help you, m'lady?"

I turned with something of a start. It was Ramzi. There were a few more of the groom's helpers out in the yard exercising the horses but no sign of my other old roommate.

"Is Griffith around?" I said. Maybe he and Ramzi would still be willing to share a few drinks with me like they had on the night of the festival. Baroness or simple serving girl, I'm sure it would make no difference to those two.

Ramzi's eyes, however, grew dark. "No m'lady. He was killed in the fighting."

"What?" That couldn't be possible. Griffith had always been so strong and steady. Nothing had ever hurt him. He couldn't be dead. "How did it happen?"

"He went with the soldiers to aid in the defense of the palace." Ramzi shook his head with inner guilt. "I told him not to, but he wanted to help. They say he was cut down before he even got a chance to fight."

That bastard had always had more guts than brains.

"Is there anything I can do for you m'lady?" Ramzi asked.

I pulled myself out of my musings and did the best I could to swallow the lump in my throat. "I'd like a horse."

"Do you know how to ride?"

"Would I be asking for a horse if I didn't!"

As Ramzi cringed, I instantly felt worse for having yelled. I'd been having a rough day, but that was no reason to take it out on the servants. Besides, how many nobles had we seen asking for mounts who had never been on a horse before?

"We have several docile mares which I think would be to m'lady's liking," Ramzi said as he shuffled off toward those animals he'd mentions. I, however, had a different idea of what I was looking for.

"Bring me Diamondhead."

"M'lady?" Ramzi stopped and faced me with wide eyes. "He's a wild one, Diamondhead is. Not even the grooms have ever had much luck riding him. Mathis was the only one he ever really put up with, but no one rightly knows what's become of him."

Diamondhead HAD always been one of my favorites. "Just bring him."

"As m'lady wishes."

As Ramzi went to get the horse, I procured a saddle. However, that presented something of a dilemma all its own. Wearing a dress as I was, a sidesaddle would be best, but I'd only ever used one of those once -- and that was as a bet with Griffith that I couldn't run the entire steeplechase course without falling off. I won the wager, but not without a few close calls. Regardless, it still seemed like a better choice than making a fool of myself by trying to mount Diamondhead in a dress.

Perhaps I should have requested a riding ensemble from the seamstress, in addition to all the other things I'd ordered. A dress with divided skirts would certainly be a handy thing to have. Or maybe even trousers. Some women occasionally wore them, even if most men looked down on them for doing so, but surely as a baroness I could be allowed a few eccentricities. 

Heaving the saddle from its stand, I shouldn't have been suppressed to find it was heavier then I remembered it. I used to be able to carry one of those in just one hand. Now I had to wrap both arms around it and waddle along precariously. I'd be lucky if I could even reach high enough to get it on the horse's back.

"Please, m'lady!" Ramzi exclaimed. Having returned with Diamondhead, he left the horse tied off to a post and rushed over to effortlessly take the saddle from me. "I can do that."

Hadn't I also hated it when a noble wouldn't let me do my own job? Grudgingly, I backed away and let him do his. As he got the saddle on with a practiced precision I too used to possess, I offered Diamondhead a carrot. Though skittish at first, he readily nuzzled into me just like he used to.

"There you are m'lady," Ramzi said, offering me a stepping stool to get into the saddle. Unfortunately, it looked as if I was going to need it. Diamondhead was a colossal mount, sizable even to a burly groom. Just one tap of his hoof would smash my skull into a jelly. Muscles rippled beneath his skin as he fidgeted, no doubt unsure of what this frilly little thing climbing onto his back was.

Getting into the saddle was a little more difficult than it used to be. The sidesaddle wasn't exactly what I was used to either -- nor was Diamondhead. He continued prancing about and I held on for dear life as I stroked his neck and whispered in his ear. Ramzi held the lead and looked on in terror -- it would likely be his ass on the line if I went and got myself killed trying to ride such a spirited animal.

However, Diamondhead settled down fast enough -- at least as much as he ever did. Still tapping his hooves anxiously, he wanted to run.

"I've never seen him take to anyone that quickly, m'lady."

If only he knew the truth.

I urged Diamondhead on and the horse willingly blew out of the stables. We charged through the gate and down the back lane, leaving Ramzi staring in bewilderment. Even though he was probably fearing for his life, I also knew well enough a stable hand's pleasure at seeing a skilled rider in the saddle of one of our finest horses.

Into the countryside beyond the palace grounds me and Diamondhead ran. I let him go as fast as he liked, which was quite fast indeed. In the past, the freedom I found in the saddle had always brought a deep sense of calm to me. As the trees of the greenwood raced past on either side, the world blurred into an indistinct haze. The only thing which mattered was me and the horse upon which I rode. 

But today it was unable to purge all the gloomy thoughts from my head. If nothing else, the feel of my hair streaming out behind me and the unfamiliar quivering of my breasts should have been quite arousing, but my churning mind would let me have even a moment's peace.

We rode deep into the forest, trotting down old lanes I'd seldom seen. We stopped at a pond nestled in amongst the trees and overlooked by a royal hunting cabin built of stone and timber. A small palace unto itself, it hadn't been used in many a year and was starting to show signs of neglect. It was quite a picturesque scene, but even that wasn't enough to rouse me from my melancholy.

I allowed Diamondhead to wonder for a time, hoping that he might lead me to some unexpected solution to my troubles. All he found was a wild apple tree, filled with tiny, worm-ridden apples. By the time the sun was starting to paint the western sky in blazing shades of red and orange and pink, I was no closer to understanding than I'd been before starting out. 

Heading back to the palace, we raced along the main road at full tilt. Ahead, a carriage with lacquered panels and gold trim was bearing for the palace as well but at a much slower pace. I drew every last bit of speed I could from Diamondhead and coxed him on even a little harder besides. The carriage loomed before us for a brief moment and then disappeared behind us in a flash. I used to love doing things like that. Now it was a hollow experience, devoid of even the smallest thrill.

Upon my return to the stables, Ramzi was on hand to take Diamondhead's saddle, though I insisted I at least be allowed to brush down my trusty mount. He relented without argument, likely chalking it up to some stupid female sentimentality.

As I stroked the horse's coarse hair with the brush, I heard that same carriage I'd passed on the road pulling into the cobbled courtyard outside. A few brief words were exchanged between the occupants and the other grooms and then I heard a pair of footsteps enter the stables.

"You ride that horse like a man," one of the two, a woman, said.

Even though they were out of sight on the other side of the Diamondhead, there was no doubt she was addressing me. And I'd had just about enough of everyone's bullshit for one day. Storming around the horse, I cried, "And what damn difference does it make how I ride my horse!"

The moment I laid eyes on the couple, I came to an abrupt stop and my blood ran cold. That was the Marquis and Marquise of Jalifria. Highly placed members of the former king's court, they had not supported King Rosenthall before the coup, but had still found a way to survive the transition of power without losing too much of their former status. The Marquise was clearly of Calagearan descent; a tall woman, broad of shoulder, with a strong face and blond hair so pale it was nearly white. Her husband, with his olive skin and wavy black hair, was classic Vitrelayan through and through. The pair of them were in their late thirties at most but had already lived and prospered through so many upheavals that stories of their political endurance had taken on the gloss of legend. No doubt the means by which they'd navigated this most recent coup would soon being joining those other tales shortly.

My gaze fell to the ground and I dropped into a hasty curtsy, urgency making it look almost natural. In that moment, I felt just like a groveling servant once again. "My sincerest apologies m'lady. M'lord. I had no idea who you were."

"And that's the problem, you trumped-up hussy!" the Marquis said. "You should never speak if you do not know the situation."

He sounded like he might run me through on the spot. So much for a comfortable life as a baroness. 

Oh, what was I thinking? Things like that hadn't happened for hundreds of years. He might have me reprimanded; flogged; perhaps stripped of my newly-earned title; but even the king couldn't legally have me killed for a simple transgression like this.

"Pl-please," I said, my voice quivering without any attempt on my part to make it do so. "I am truly sorry. I meant no offence."

"You see?" the Marquis said, turning to his wife. "This is exactly what I was talking about. That tyrant's no better than the last one, but he's been handing out titles like they were candy on the winter solstice. At this rate he's going to make a mockery of the entire nobility. When a scullery maid becomes a baroness overnight, you know something is dreadfully wrong."

Scullery maid? I gripped the brush so hard the bristles pierced my palm and drew blood. I had to keep my head bowed so that they couldn't see my clenched teeth. If he kept up like this much longer, I was going to earn a spot at the gallows for certain.

"I offered you my apologies," I said. "What more do you want?"

The Marquis took a step forward, opening his mouth to reprimand me for my harsh tone, but his wife stopped him with but a gentle touch on the arm. He looked at her, then me. Without another word spoken, they turned and left through the entrance to noble's wing.

Only once they were gone was I was able to look up again. Stupid bastard nobles. I tossed the brush against the wall so hard several pitchforks were knocked off their rack. Diamondhead reared up against his lead with a frightened whiny. Having no interest in crossing paths with those two bloody pompous twits again, I stalked out through one of the other doors which lead down into the lower basements.

I might have been little more than a "trumped-up hussy," but what right did they have to talk to me, or anyone else, like that? They were nothing but a pair of spineless opportunists who'd forsaken all their allegiances to the old king just to save their own necks. 

In my anger, I turned a corner and nearly ran right into Ramzi who was heading the other way.

"Oh, I'm sorry, m'lady. My apologies." He started to move out of my way but then tipped his head to the side as he looked at me curiously. "Is everything alright?"

"Of course it is!"

Why couldn't that brainless simpleton know enough to leave his betters alone? I dropped one of my small fists onto his chest with all the force I could muster. Seeing him unmoved in the least by my best blow, I hit him again. And again. And again.

I didn't know why; angry at my lack of strength or my pitiful condition, perhaps. I certainly wasn't upset with anything Ramzi had actually done. He'd merely asked about me out of concern but now he was having to stand there and take my pitiful assault. After a short time, he took hold of my wrists, no doubt to keep me from hurting myself rather than to save his own body from any injury.

"Please, m'lady," he said, holding me fast as I struggled to break free. "If there's anything I can do to help, I will, but --"

He stopped abruptly when I leant in and kissed him hungrily, desperately. I didn't know why I did that either. He'd been a good friend, but I'd never harbored any feelings for him, either before or after becoming Stephanie. In that moment, he was simply a man who had exactly what I needed to forget about all the plots, the double dealings, the veiled lies, and all the other horridness my life had become filled with.

He stood frozen. I might as well have been mashing my lips against a wooden mannequin for how receptive he was at first. But then he quickly overcame his shock and kissed me back with equal and even greater fury. He released my arms and I stroked his chest as his hands ran over my back. I reached between his legs to feel his stiffening cock and he grabbed my ass.

Still kissing and groping each other's bodies, we stumbled backward into one of the storerooms that opened off of that lower hallway. It was only when I tore open his shirt that he realized what it was he was doing. Holding me at arm's length, he gasped for breath even as I tried to kiss him once more.

"Please, Lady Stephanie, I don't think this is appropriate."

"Just do as I say," I snarled. "I'm a baroness and I'm ordering you to fuck me!"

His raging masculine drive would probably not have allowed him to resist for long even without my order. Abandoning all good judgment, he fell upon me and we tumbled into a pile of empty feed sacks.

Landing on top, I straddled his waist and ripped the front of his trousers open. His cock was already hard with desire. I took hold of it in my small feminine hand and shifted my skirts out of the way to expose my pussy. A low moan filled the tiny room as I lowered my hips and pressed his cock up into me.

I placed my hands on his chest as I rocked my hips over his, driving his cock deeper. His hands rested on my wide hips, helping to guide my rhythm. I arched my back and dug my fingertips into his skin. My breasts shook within the confines of my dress. I ground my tingling clitoris down against his hips with each thrust.

But no matter what I did, the world wasn't melting away in a veil of mindless bliss like it had before. I threw back my head and groaned, trying to force myself toward climax.

"I thought I told you to fuck me!" I said, knocking Ramzi on the chest with my fist.

His expression turned hateful for a moment but then he reared up and lifted me off of him, his cock sliding smoothly out of my wet cunt. I felt hollow and empty without it inside me.

Roughly, he threw me down on my hands and knees. One hand on the back of my neck, he drove my face down into the empty sacks while leaving my ass thrust skyward. With my pussy spread open from behind like that, just waiting for him to do whatever he wanted with it, I felt more vulnerable than ever.

Once again he sank his cock into my pussy. Taking me from behind, he hit all different places within me. Surely, this would have to do it for me. After a few quick thrusts to get started, he removed his hand from my neck and grabbed my hips, pulling me back against his cock with each drive forward.

"Harder!" I said.

He ground his teeth in frustration and pounded his cock into me. I moaned and whimpered and howled for more. The minutes sped by as the sweat dripped from our bodies and soaked our clothes. I was desperate to feel that same freedom I'd found last night, but it remained elusive.

"Ugh, I'm gonna cum," Ramzi moaned after what must have been a Herculean effort on his part to have held back for as long as he already had.

"Not yet!"

It was already too late. With three shuddering plunges, he emptied himself into me. But then he suddenly froze with his cock still buried deep in my pussy.

"Don't stop now!" Maybe he'd stay hard long enough to finish me off as well.

I looked back at him, but his eyes were fixed on the doorway. I followed his gaze and instantly saw the reason for his concern. Standing out in the hall, stopped in mid-stride, were two more men from the stables I remembered well, Nathan and Geoff. From the wide-eyed expressions they wore, they must have been just as surprised to find me and Ramzi like that, as we were to see them watching us.

My face burned red with shame but I still wanted more. Ramzi obviously wasn't enough to satisfy me. Maybe these two could.

"Both of you," I said. "If you're just going to stand there staring, you might as well join us."

They looked at each other dubiously before smiling in disbelief and stepping into the storeroom. Both of them came close and began unfastening their belts hesitantly, as if they still weren't sure this was really happening. Nathan was closest so I reared up and lunged at him, feeling Ramzi's cock slip out of me with a gooey squish. He collapsed onto his back, panting as if he'd just run a marathon.

I pushed Nathan's hands out of the way and opened his pants for him. His musk filled my nostrils and I could taste the sweat of his day's labors on his cock. It wasn't nearly as big as Lord Ruvano's but it fit nicely in my mouth, quickly hardening to its full size.

Geoff's was shorter still but quite wide at the base and tapering smoothly to a pointed tip which was already standing nearly straight up in the air. I devoured it, inciting a delighted chuckle from the owner as I continued stroking Nathan with my hand.

I went back and forth between them, sucking on one while I stroked the other. I was at it for some minutes when Nathan suddenly tensed. His cock head grew even more rigid and swollen as it emptied his load into my mouth. I suckled at the head like a nursing child, slurping down every last drop of his sticky cum.

Ramzi had gotten up to his knees by then and looked as if he was planning to leave me with just Nathan and Geoff. I prevented him from leaving, however, diving after his half-erect cock. The suddenness of it knocked him off balance and he fell over backward into a grain sack. Now in a comfortable recline, his legs were nicely splayed so I could get between them and taste the intoxicating mix of my pussy and his cum which covered his cock. 

The last time I'd sucked a man's cock, it had excited me to no end. With three men, it should have been three times as thrilling, but it was nothing but a soulless motion. I must have been doing something wrong.

That's when I felt Geoff move behind me and take hold of my hips. Having him inside me while I sucked Ramzi's dick would surely bring me satisfaction, I just knew it would. I stuck my ass up toward Geoff and he willingly climbed under me, his bent knees straddling my waist as he took hold of my thighs from behind and pulled my pussy down over his stubby little prick.

He started plunging into me with smooth, steady strokes and I moaned around Ramzi's stiffening cock in my mouth. It all felt so good, but I was still no closer to cumming than I'd been before. What was I doing wrong?




The Blood Pact Ch. 18



We continued like that for quite some time until I felt a pair of hands stroke my ass. As Geoff continued with his unrelenting assault on my pussy, Nathan's leaned over my back and shoved his cock into my tight back door. As he reached around to maul my breasts, he began to jab into me like a rabbit, his thrusts quick and strong.

That alone wasn't nearly as intense as having the king's gigantic member in my ass, but with two cocks in me at the same time, they pressed against each other through my flesh and increased the pressure many fold. I clenched my muscles around them and groaned, trying to squeeze an orgasm from my uncooperative body.

They continued fucking me until both my ass and pussy were raw and sore. Ramzi was hard again and beginning to buck his cock into my mouth as he held my dripping hair back from my face. Nathan dug his fingernails into my breasts and increased the pace of his pumping further still. I felt his warm seed flood my ass a moment later. With the wet squishing sound of that now filling the storeroom, Nathan achieved his second orgasm of the night, filling my pussy for the second time as well. Ramzi was only seconds behind his two comrades. With a loud grunt, he sprayed his cum into my mouth.

I swallowed it down only halfheartedly. As Geoff and Nathan pulled out of me, I fell onto my side in a tight ball, starring blankly at the far wall, the fabric of my dress clinging uncomfortably to my skin.

"M'lady?" Ramzi said, as the other two looked on uncertainly. "Are you alright? You aren't hurt, are you?"

I closed my eyes and shook my head. We'd been at it for nearly an hour and I had not cum once. It was hopeless. If having all three of my holes filled couldn't bring me to climax, nothing would.

"Go," I said.

"M'lady, if we did something to offend you, I apologize..."

"Please, all of you, just leave me."

Ramzi got to his feet and left with his two friends. I remained laying there on the flood, not moving in the least.

I didn't know if word of this would get out. Ramzi was never the sort to boast about his conquests, but a mere stable hand bedding a baroness was sure to offer bragging rights the likes of which few had ever experienced before. All of them would no doubt find that hard to resist.

Not that I cared. It didn't seem possible that my life could have gotten any worse than it was at that moment. How could a day that had begun with such promise, end so badly?

To Be Continued...



The Blood Pact Ch. 19



"Where have you been?" Lord Ruvano asked as I stepped into his chambers.

Having sex with a couple stable hands in one of the storerooms. "Out riding."

"Riding," he said, lifting a lock of my still damp hair and looking over my rumbled dress. With a humph, he stepped away and took a sip of wine. "I heard you sent your attendants away."

"Yes," I said. "I couldn't stand their incessant prattling or their condescending little smiles one more minute."

"You're a baroness now. You can't send away the wives of influential knights on a whim." Lord Ruvano shook his head, a gesture of infinite displeasure. "Or go traipsing around the palace looking like a trollop."

"I'd rather have the company of my old friends from the servants quarters than those two," I said. "But of course, I can't even have that, can I? They all hate me now because they think I was a part of the plot to kill the king."

"Yes, I've heard that rumor."

"You have?" How could he sound so nonchalant about the whole thing? It was a bloody lie. "Have you told anyone it's not true?"

"Of course not," he said with a sneer. "Rumors like that are far more valuable than the truth."

Everything was just a game to him. Manipulating and maneuvering everyone around him to achieve his own goals.

"Damn you!"

I reared back and dropped my palm across his face but he caught my wrist before I could make contact. As he stared into my eyes, his grew cold and hard.

"Careful, Stephanie. Don't forget your place."

"My place?" I cried. "My place! Why is THIS my place? Just give me Master Oringel's wand like you promised and let me go back to the way things were."

"That's not a choice for you to make anymore. Events have moved on since then."

"But I did as you asked. I'm sick of being a noblewoman! I'm sick of this life! I'm sick of you!"

"It doesn't matter what you what, Stephanie. We're all just puppets dancing on someone's strings. You might not want to be noblewoman, but that's the role you've been given to play so you'd better start acting like one. Accept it, or there won't be any need for you in this production."

With that uncaring look in his eyes, his meaning was perfectly clear: do as I was told or he'd have me eliminated. Now that I knew about his plot to one day overthrow the king, it would be too much of a risk for him to just let me go. I was trapped, sealed into this infernal nightmare without any escape. I felt all the life seeping out of my body. My arm went limp in his hand and he released me.

"Are you ready to cooperate, then?"

What other choice did I have? As long as he had the wand, there was nothing I could do. If I refused to do as he wanted, he would dispose of me without ever letting me get so much a look at it again. At least if I stayed by his side, there might be some small chance that an opportunity for escape would yet present itself.

My eyes on the floor, I nodded.

"Good, now get ready for bed."

Tonight, Lord Ruvano remained well on his side of the bed while I stayed on mine. Now that he had no need to string me along with false words and promises, he was probably no more interested in sleeping close to me than he would have next to his dog. Or did the knowledge that I'd been sullied by the king repulse him? Maybe he even suspected what I'd done down in the stables.

Not that I minded. The thought of sleeping affectionately next a man now made my stomach heave. How could I have acted the way I did last night? I wasn't really a woman. Why had I allowed myself to give in to all the wild urges I'd felt?

As Lord Ruvano slept soundly beside me, I found myself staring at the darkened ceiling most of the night. Occasionally I'd slip into a light doze, but never for long. When the first traces of predawn light began to filter through the rose window, I was still just as lost as ever.

I needed some air.

Getting dressed by myself proved to be a bit of a challenge, but after selecting the most uncomplicated dress from my nascent wardrobe, I managed to get all the fasteners secured in only about twice as long as if I'd had the help of servants. Having slept so feebly my hair required only a light touch with the brush. I chose to go without any cosmetics. Even if I was in a mood to try applying them myself, I probably wouldn't need to impress anyone at that early hour. Besides, having only watched others do it in the past, I seriously doubted I would have achieved any kind of passable result on my own.

Much like yesterday, Bakoro was waiting for me outside Lord Ruvano's chambers. Didn't he ever sleep?

I wandered the hallways at random, barely noticing my skulking shadow. I had nowhere to go and nothing to do. I'd never seen the noble's wing so quiet before. My only other companions were the characters in those old paintings that hung in the gilded alcoves lining the hallways. Had any of those regal ladies of the court ever been in a position similar to mine?

I doubted it.

Even with my new title, I was still an outsider in these halls. No amount of money or prestige would ever change the fact I was still just a commoner at my core. Every other noble in the palace saw right though me at a glance, but yet Lord Ruvano and Nikelle both expected to be their spy by infiltrating this society I had absolutely no knowledge of how to behave within. They'd both threatened me with death if I didn't.

If I wanted to stay alive long enough to find a way out of this mess, I needed to learn how to be Lady Stephanie. Unfortunately I could see no way to do that. With no one to turn to for help, I was as good as dead.

As I wandered the halls, the palace came awake around me. First with the servants scurrying to the nobles' apartments with buckets of hot water and an occasion tray of food, then a noble or two heading off to take care of some early morning business. 

Lord Ruvano would be rising soon, if he hadn't already. Just how long I could stay away before I would be missed? It's not as if I could escape; I had Bakoro following my every move, after all. Even if I succeeded in getting away, I had nowhere to go.

Quite by chance, I happened to be nearing the chambers of the Marquis and Marquis of Jalifria as a servant wheeled a cart through their front door. Staring at nothing in particular, I found myself plodding to a stop right in the middle of the corridor.

It was true no one wanted me in the palace, some less than others, but if all of us really were someone's puppets as Lord Ruvano had said, why couldn't I be the one pulling a few of those string myself?

I walked right up to the door I'd just seen the servant enter through. The gilding was marred by several sword strokes but was otherwise still intact. I gave it a hearty rap with my knuckles and the doorkeeper answered promptly.

"Could you please inform the Marquis and Marquise that the Lady Stephanie would like to have a word with them?"

Within moments, I was let into their spacious chambers. Bakoro, still watching from the end of the hall, rushed toward me in something of a panic, but the doors closed before he got anywhere near. He'd likely report this to Lord Ruvano but that didn't matter. It was time for me to start playing this game of subterfuge in earnest.

As I entered an antechamber, a pair of young women were standing in a small sitting room to the side. Both of them were blonde and quite tall, laughing as they tossed a pair of knives back and forth between them. The blades flashed in the firelight, spinning erratically, but caught each time with a feathery touch before quickly being flicked back in the opposite direction with barely a pause. 

Noticing my eyes upon them, their laughter died in an instant and the knives disappeared from view as if I'd just been imaging the whole thing. The looks they gave were not like the ones I'd come to expect from the other nobles. They were predatory, like wolves sizing up their prey.

I left them to their outlandish game and hurried after the doorman into the inner rooms. Unlike Lord Ruvano's chambers, these were a distinct series of rooms connected by adjoining vestibules. Everywhere I looked, there were the lush furnishings and rich decoration of a comfortable household that had long been in residence there.

I hadn't been escorted far when I entered into a cozy parlor where the Lord and Lady were in the middle of breakfast, the Marquise lounging elegantly on a couch while the Marquis was reclining in an deeply upholstered wingchair.

"The Lady Stephanie," the doorman announced with a bow and then promptly left me standing alone.

"Well, if it isn't the Hawk Queen, herself," the Marquise said with a impish smile.

The Marquis scoffed and wrung his hands in a napkin. "What do you want, disturbing our breakfast like this?"

"My apologies." Remembering his words to me yesterday, I took a moment to compose myself before speaking. Flustered by their sudden demands, however, I hadn't even bowed upon entering. It was probably too late now. Erring on the side of caution, I curtsied anyway. "I thought it best not to tarry any longer than I already had."

The two of them shared an inscrutable look and then turned their back attention to me.

"Go on," the Marquis said.

"I have been thinking a great deal about what you said to me yesterday. Your words were -- "

"If you have come looking for an apology, you will not get one from me!" The Marquis sat forward, clasping the arms of his chair. "Unlike some, I do not speak unless I intend to do so."

Somehow, I stood my ground, quivering in my boots only a little.

"No, I seek no apologies. Your words to me yesterday were entirely correct. They, along with other events, have reiterated just how out of my depth I am. I don't know how to be a baroness -- I never wanted to be one -- but I do not want to disgrace the nobility as you fear I will."

The both of them stared at me, waiting for me to continue. I took a deep breath.

"I...need help learning what I do not know."

The Marquis scoffed again. "So of all people, you come to US?"

"Everyone else in the palace seems more than content to simply let me founder." I said. "You are the only ones who have so far shown any concern for how I present myself. You're also honest. You were willing to speak the truth, not only about me, but the king as well. I would very much like some honesty in my life at the moment."

The Marquise might have smiled at that, but she hid her mouth behind her coffee cup so quickly I couldn't tell for certain. She must have thought I was nothing more than a bumbling village idiot. The Marquis, however, stroked his chin and smiled scornfully.

"I suppose you have already passed our treasonous words about the king on to your master of lies?"

"No," I said with an emphatic shake of the head. "I have no more love of Lord Ruvano than you obviously do."

"Even if that were true, you're still his woman." Being reminded of that fact made my skin crawl. "It only stands to reason that you're here at his insistence."

It had already been hard enough simply to ask for their help, but now I had to prove my intentions as well? This was hopeless. But after coming this far, I couldn't just give up now. I didn't know if I had the resolve to try something like this again. I had to try at least one more appeal.

"I can only offer you my word that I am being sincere. I know that means nothing when dealing with the likes of Lord Ruvano, but if you accept my offer of friendship under the assumption that I am merely doing so to learn your secrets, you will be in just as good a position to learn about mine, won't you?"

The Marquise looked across at her husband and gave him something of a facial shrug. In reply, he sat back in his chair, frowned deeply, and shook his head.

I never should have come here. The Marquis wasn't any more interested in helping me than I was in remaining in his presence even a moment longer than I already had. As the silence stretched on and his critical eyes bored into me, I had to resist fidgeting.

This had been a stupid idea from the beginning. Why did I think I could just barge in uninvited and force myself upon these people? Maybe I could just excuse myself now. They would probably be grateful to be done with my intrusion.

"We would be happy to accept your offer of friendship, LADY Stephanie," the Marquise said at last. "Would you care to join us for breakfast?"

"Seriously?" I could so scarcely believe what I was hearing, I almost lost my footing.

The Marquis stood suddenly and tossed his napkin down on the table. "Excuse me, I have business to attend."

I watched uncomfortably as he left the room. All I'd done by coming here was deliver myself into yet another precarious situation while further upsetting a noble who obviously felt nothing but contempt for me. And now he was also angry at his wife for extending me any courtesy whatsoever. Was it still too late for me to leave as well?

"Please, have a seat," the Marquise said, taking a demure sip of coffee. "For your first lesson, do not question whether a noble has spoken truthfully -- especially my husband. Anyone who aspires to true nobility does not use sarcasm or doublespeak in polite conversation."

Unable to refuse her invitation, I stiffly I lowered myself into the upholstered couch across the serving cart from her.

"Help yourself," she said.

There were several trays with eggs and sausage, bread, cheese, coffee, fruits, and black pudding. I was famished, but yet had no appetite. Over the rim of her coffee cup, the Marquise stared at me with those icy blue eyes of hers, her mouth an unreadable smile. She certainly appeared to have taken my offer to heart: I was nothing but a pawn to her, another tool of espionage to be used and then discarded.

But I could do the same to her. I just had to be strong and take charge of the situation.

"So," she said before I could even compose my first thought, "tell me about yourself, LADY Stephanie."

Of course she was only looking for some scrap of useful information. She certainly didn't care about my life any more than anyone would.

"There's...there's really nothing to tell." I couldn't believe how difficult it was to meet her gaze. Instead, I merely tried to pretend like I was deciding what I should eat. "Up until yesterday, I was just a servant."

"You're obviously an accomplished rider," she said. "Where did you learn to ride like that?"

"I used to work in the stables..."

Her brow rose questioningly.

"Oh, um, not here in the palace!" I said. Her suspicion was hardly surprising; no women had ever worked in the palace's stables. How had she managed to knock me complexly out of sorts with such a simple line of questions? I had to be smarter than this. "My parents, um, ran a livery in...Eagle's Head. I came here because my cousin said he could get me a job in the palace."

There, that would put the matter to rest. Now we could move on.

"You sound like you wish you hadn't done so," the Marquise said, setting her cup down with a delicate motion that seemed impossibly calculated. "What of your childhood? Your family?"

She was practically interrogating me. Just like Lord Ruvano, this was nothing but a game to her. Would she even teach me anything at all, or would the only lesson learned here today be that I was a fool to have come asking for help?

"My life would be terribly uninteresting to you, I'm sure."

"Oh, not at all," she said. "All this duty and honor can often become quite tiring. I would very much like to hear about the uncomplicated life of a peasant girl."

And now she was patronizing me. Not that she didn't have every right to do so. I was nothing but a lowly stable hand and she a Marquise, born from a long line of nobility. I should not have even been talking to her like this, and she knew it.

This whole thing had been a mistake. I WAS a fool to think that I could have attempted even a fraction of the underhandedness Lord Ruvano performed by second nature -- a bloody fool!

But then that was nothing new. My whole life was nothing more than a long string of mistakes: my gambling problems, my frequent debts to the Steward, my hasty deal with the wizard, my unrequited feelings for Nikelle, my misplaced trust in Lord Ruvano, my indiscretions with half the men in the palace, and now this ridiculous arrangement with the Marquise.

I hated it all.

I hated Stephanie.

I hated Mathis just as much.

Maybe it was time to throw myself from the High Tower like I'd first considered back on the day of the festival.

"I'm sorry," I said as I stood to leave. It was hard to keep my voice level with that lump in my throat. "I apologize for having wasted you and your husband's time."

The Marquise rose unhurriedly but still managed to place herself between me and the door as if she'd leapt. "For your second lesson," she said, "don't turn away from someone you have asked for help after they have agreed to do so. Allies are scare enough in this world without forsaking those few you do have."

"Please," I said, blinking away tears. "I'm sorry to have bothered you. I really need to be going...I just...I just..."

And then the tears began to flow in torrents. I shouldn't have allowed myself to break down like that in front of an enemy, but I couldn't stop myself. In an instant, the tears were rolling down my cheeks and blurring my vision. I tried to push past the Marquise but she grappled with me, preventing my escape. I must have been too great a prize for her to let slip away so easily.

I struggled to break free, but in my addled state, I'm sure it was a pathetic display. It was only after several unsuccessful attempts that I realized the Marquise was, in fact, not restraining me, but rather embracing me. As she held me to her bosom, I lost all sagacity and my body was overcome, wracked by an uncontrollable sobbing that wouldn't even let me breathe.

I no longer cared if she was supposed to me my pawn or I hers. Held in her arms, my barriers fell away and I wept like I'd never allowed myself to do since I was a mere boy. I clung to her as she guided me back to the couch. She was warm and soft. Her perfume was sweet like flowers. I buried my face in her lap as she stroked my hair.

"I can't--I can't--do this any more!" I wailed incoherently. "Nobody--nobody wants me--except where I least want to be!"

"There, there, child," the Marquise said in a tone completely at odds with everything else I had so far seen of her. "Even Queen Vindrell faced her setbacks."

I must have been quite valuable to her indeed. No reasonable person would ever have put up with a blubbering idiot like myself for as long as she did. Even when my sobbing stretched on to the point it would have tried the patience of a saint, the Marquise never once attempted to reign me back in. She simply held me, offering soothing words.

It was quite some time before I was able to regain some small measure of control over my emotions, but even then, the slightest thought of my situation would instantly send me back into the depths of sobbing for apparently no reason at all. Damn this female body of mine.

It was even longer yet before I felt secure enough in myself to leave the Marquise's sheltering embrace, but I did so cautiously. Now that I'd allowed her to see me so vulnerable, it would be almost impossible to evade her questions with any degree of cunning. What a mess I'd made of this entire plan.

As she offered me a handkerchief to dry my eyes, her smile was little different from those she'd displayed earlier. However, it now seemed somehow more gentle, tempering her strong features with an almost motherly warmth. So serine and composed, she must have made me look like a sordid waif in comparison. Feverishly, I took the tissue and wiped my eyes and nose, if for no other reason than to give me something to think about other than breaking down into tears once again.




The Blood Pact Ch. 19



"Why don't you have something to eat," she said. "You'll feel better."

It certainly didn't seem as if it could have made things any worse. Still sniffling and hunched at the shoulders, I selected a piece of bread and nibbled at it unenthusiastically. I cringed, however, noticing the tray was different than it had been before my breakdown. Just how many servants had seen me in that dreadful state while I was incapacitated? My hunger, however, was quickly winning out over my pride.

"We'll make a Hawk Queen out of you yet," the Marquise said as I attacked the foodstuffs with mounting eagerness.

"You called me that earlier as well," I managed in a voice made tiny by hoarseness. "If I may ask, what do you mean by it?"

In a tone devoid of any malice whatsoever, she said, "Don't you know your history?"

Apparently not. I merely shook my head.

"Over a thousand years ago, the armies of the old Calagearan Empire were on campaign in the far north. As was their custom, wives followed their husbands to war. It was no different for Queen Vindrell, the wife of the reigning Emperor. When their camp was overrun and the Emperor slain, the queen took up sword and shield and rallied the army to victory. For the next two years, she tirelessly lead them against their enemies, ultimately winning a peace which lasted for generations. For her ferocity on the battlefield, her men called her the Hawk Queen, and upon her return to the capital, she was crowed as the first Empress ever to rule the Calagearan Empire."

I failed to see how any of that would make someone think of me.

"They said she had long golden hair and rode a horse better than any man. When you passed our carriage on the road yesterday, I thought I'd just witnessed a legend come to life. It was not my intent to offend when I said you rode like a man. In fact, I wish I could ride that well."

Was she really being serious? Maybe I'd been wrong about her from the very beginning.

"Perhaps...I could offer you some pointers...if you'd like."

"Yes, I think I would like that a great deal," she said. "However, that can wait for later. Once you've finished up there, I will begin your introduction to intricacies of the royal court."

Before even realizing it, I found myself returning her smile.

To Be Continued...



The Blood Pact Ch. 20



The Marquise and I chatted idly as I ate. Now that I gave her a chance, she actually proved to be quite personable. It was all too possible this was just a ploy on her part to win my trust, but if it was, it was perfectly fabricated. And after crying myself out in her embrace, I had to be especially wary of everything I said for fear I might let something important slip.

Even when I thought I was being quite cleaver in avoiding some detail about my bizarre origins, I could tell from that look in her eye that she knew I was holding something back. That alone might have been enough to undermine my new-found ease in her presence if it were not for the fact that she never once pushed to know more.

When I finished with my breakfast, servants were summoned to take away the dirty trays, and cold water was provided for me to wash my face in. Though it did little to remove the puffiness from my red eyes, it did make me feel much better. My frazzled hair, however, would need quite a bit more work before I made an appearance in public. The Marquise remedied that by starting to brush my hair before I could even voice any objections about how inappropriate it was for her to so.

I sat stiffly in front of her wardrobe mirror, watching the reflection as she tenderly removed the tangles from my golden locks. I didn't know what to say and so I said nothing. When she was finished, she looked at my reflection and smiled agreeably. I could only think to offer my timid thanks in reply.

As we crossed the antechamber on our way to the royal court, the two women I'd seen upon my entrance rose from their seats.

"Will you be needing anything, m'lady?" the slightly taller one with the thin face said.

"No, Traemene. You and Wilone can have the rest of the morning off."

Both of the women cast wary glances at me, but curtsied respectfully all the same.

"As you wish," Traemene said.

"Thank you, m'lady," Wilone, the girlish-looking one with a heart-shaped face, added.

"Now, let us be on our way."

Before I could get to the door myself, the Marquise opened it and invited me to go first. Even with my limited knowledge of such things, I knew this was no more appropriate than having her brush my hair. A mere Baroness should have gotten the door and let the Marquise go through first. However, it was too late to do anything about it. I sheepishly tipped my head in a miniature bow as I stepped outside.

No sooner was I back in the hallway than I heard a harsh cry and saw a flash of movement descend upon me.

"Come here, you!" Bakoro said. "Just what the hell do you think you're doing?"

I cringed, anticipating his hard to clamp onto my arm and drag me away. However, he stopped dead in his tracks as the Marquise joined me in the hallway.

"Has the Lady Stephanie been summoned?" Her voice sounded as if her blood were made of ice.

"Eh...no, m'lady..."

"Then you have no right to be speaking to her," the Marquise said. I didn't know how she could possibly stand up to a man like Bakoro without flinching. She was a strong woman but even she would be no match for a man like him if he got aggressive. "And I would further suggest you do not presume to address a noblewoman in that tone ever again."

"Yes, m'lady," Bakoro said, slinking away like a whipped dog. With eyes lowered, he backed up several paces and then disappeared around a corner.

My own eyes were wide and my mouth agape. The Marquise simply smiled and patted me on the shoulder, urging me to follow her as she started down the hall. "Come along now."

The council chambers of the royal court consisted of several richly adorned rooms in the very heart of the palace. The outer waiting room was a large, round chamber with a low arched ceiling that would almost have been intimate if it was not so wide and vast. I was told by the Marquise that a pair of closed doors at the far end of the room lead to the inner chamber where the king met with his closest advisers to discuss secret matters of vital importance to the kingdom. No doubt that's where Lord Ruvano and the Marquis were at that very moment. Meanwhile, the outer chamber was populated by messengers, scribes, and the wives of those important nobles who were currently behind those closed doors.

Several of them I recognized from my earlier forays into their realm. Many more glared at me upon our entrance. My first instinct was to shrink away, but the Marquise strode forward unaffected in the least. I stayed close to her but I knew I would never be able to match her confidence.

Judging from the stares we received, the others did not approve of me associating with the Marquise at all. Maybe she'd damage her own reputation by associating with me, but then she probably knew exactly what she was doing.

Not that I really cared about what became of her.

As she made her way across the room by a seemingly random and circuitous route, she nodded demurely to some of the ladies and ignored others as if she had simply overlooked them, while making it all look perfectly natural. All I could do was bumble along at her heels, praying I didn't trip over my own feet. 

Once she finally arrived at a spot which suited her, she took on that same haughty expression all the others were wearing, casually surveying the room as if it were perfectly natural to do so and also terribly boring at the same time. Alongside her, I did my best to emulate her performance, but I was no doubt shaking so badly I looked more like a frightened kitten next to this proud lioness.

"The politics of the kingdom may take place behind those doors," the Marquise said to me, tipping her head slightly in my direction but not taking her eyes off the other women in the room. "But the events which transpire in this hall are often just as important."

I didn't see how that could be possible. All these milling women looked like they were attending a tea social, not dealing in the high-level affairs of state that would decide the fate of kingdoms.

"Do you see those two?" With a tip of her chin, the Marquise indicated a pair of women not too far away who were conversing with each other and laughing as hard as etiquette would allow under the circumstances. "What do you make of them?"

I shook my head. What was there to see? "They must be old friends," I ventured.

The Marquise clicked her tongue in a chiding sort of way. "You might suppose that, but the fact of the matter is that they are bitter rivals. Their husbands have been jockeying against each other for years. Recently they managed to broker a deal which determined mining rights on a piece of land disputed by both of them. Though they may act friendly in public, they are both actively seeking ways to undermine the other's claims. What you see is merely an affectation. No one can ever be trusted entirely. Like everyone here, there are no friends, merely temporary allies."

"Like you and me?" I said.

The Marquise looked at me suddenly with a sharp intake of breath. For a moment she appeared pensive, a slight frown creasing her face.

"Yes..." she said at last. "Just like you and I."

At least she was honest about it.

Just then, the doors to the inner chamber opened and out poured the various ministers of state and the advisers who had been in conference with the king that morning. The Marquise drew the attention of her husband with a subtle wave. Lord Ruvano, eyes dark and cold, swept a furtive gaze across the room. He was about to continue on his way when his eyes fell on me. Suddenly his expression turned from merely cold, to pure ice. I tried not to back away and hide behind the Marquise like a frightened child.

He and the Marquis arrived before us at the same moment. In greeting, the two of them flashed each other scowls.

"Lord Ruvano," the Marquise said as if it were the most pleasant moment of her day to run into him like this.

"Lady Delphina, Lord Marcus," he said with a slight tip of the head to the Marquise and Marquis in turn. "I pray that Lady Stephanie has not been bothering you."

"Oh, on the contrary, I've found her company quite stimulating. We're becoming fast friends."

"That's very good to hear," Lord Ruvano said, though he didn't look at all pleased. "If I could take Stephanie away for a moment, I need to have a word with her."

"Of course."

As Lord Ruvano lead me away, I looked back at the Marquise. Her husband had begun speaking to her in no uncertain terms the moment we were out of earshot. The Marquise, however, remained unflappable, apparently unconcerned in the least by her husband's remonstrations.

"So you've now made the acquaintance of Lady Delphina?" Lord Ruvano demanded as he came a stop. I pulled my attention away from the Marquise and swallowed hard. I hoped he wasn't going to make me sever my association with her. True friend or just temporary ally, I couldn't afford to lose all the potential help she might yet be able to offer me.

"Those two are a dangerous pair," he said. "You looked like you were getting on quite well with the Marquise though."

"I...that is, our paths happened to cross yesterday. She's agreed to offer me some advice concerning my place in...all of this."

"Has she now?" Lord Ruvano's eyes narrowed and a thin smile creased his lips. I felt my skin writhing. "That's very fortuitous -- very resourceful, in fact. Good work. I'll expect a full report of their activities."

Of course he would. As he left me without another word, I didn't even bother to argue with him.

A short distance away, the Marquis had just finished speaking to his wife. He cast a long hard stare in my direction and then hurried on his own way. As the Marquise glided across the room with that inscrutable smile on her face, I felt my heart sink. I didn't want to deceive her, especially after I'd assured her in all honesty that that was not my intent when I'd first asked for her help.

"Why Stephanie, you look like your horse just died," the Marquise said. "Did Lord Ruvano bring you ill tidings?"

"I..." I threw up my hands and shrugged. What did it all matter? Shaking my head, I said, "He told me to spy on you and your husband for him."

The Marquise laughed in a light, singsong way. "You're not very good at it, are you? And to think my husband just urged me to be careful around you. He even ordered me to end our acquaintance before it was allowed to go any further."

Maybe I shouldn't have said anything. Even a fake friendship based on deception would have been better than being alone all the time.

"Come along, my Hawk Queen," the Marquise said. Putting an arm around my shoulders, she guided me toward the exit. "We still have much to do."

"You mean you're not going to..."

"Of course not! I never go back on my word. Besides, I would be thoroughly remiss if I were to set you adrift in your current state -- like throwing a babe to the wolves. No, Vindrel, your lessons have only just begun."

I smiled, an expression that grew until I was actually laughing just like the Marquise was.

To Be Continued...



The Blood Pact Ch. 21



I spent the rest of the day in the Marquise's company reading a history of Queen Vindrel, the Hawk Queen. It was a sensationalist narrative written in a simple vernacular that even my limited knowledge of writing was able to comprehend without more than an occasional bit of assistance from the Marquise or her two attendants. If even half the things in that book were true, Queen Vindrel had indeed been an extraordinary woman.

However, the more I read, the more convinced I was that the color of our hair and our love of horses were the only two traits we shared in common. She was a compassionate warrior who faced her enemies both on the battle field and in her council chambers with equal daring. She was decisive, cunning, intelligent, and resourceful -- in short, the exact opposite of myself.

Upon my return to Lord Ruvano's Chamber late that evening, he was there awaiting news of my first espionage mission. Though me and the Marquise had spoken at length about all manner of topics, nothing that would be of any particular interest to the spymaster's games had ever come up. Fortunately, he did not seem overly concerned with my lackluster performance as a spy. His games ran the long course so there would always be tomorrow.

In the morning I was wide awake the moment my eyes opened. The Marquise had requested that I come see her again right after breakfast. I couldn't remember the last time I'd ever begun the day looking forward to anything at all. Still wearing my silken night clothes, I was hurriedly eating my morning meal as fast as I could when Lord Ruvano entered the chambers.

Seeing him swagger up to the table, my appetite faltered and I felt the unconscious need to pull my robe closed across my protruding chest.

"You're looking chipper this morning," Lord Ruvano said. "Remember that when you go to the king later."

"The king?" Any lingering hunger I might have had disappeared in an instant. I knew this would eventually come, but I had been hoping it wouldn't be so soon -- or ever.

"He's requested another 'audience' with you." Lord Ruvano dropped a package onto the table before me and poured himself a glass of wine. "That was delivered for you earlier."

The brown paper wrapping had already been torn open. Inside was a garment of dark blue. I seemed to have hazy recollections of choosing a dress in that shade when I'd visited the Seamstress's shop. The style wasn't quite as I remembered from the drawings she'd shown me, but then I'd only been half paying attention to what exactly I had ordered.

The stitching and craftsmanship, however, were impeccable. As I ran my hands over the dress, they stopped abruptly at the one of the folds. To anyone else, it would look like nothing more than another pleat, but a furtive inspection reveled it was, in fact, a hidden pocket, just big enough to hold a blood dagger.

No wonder Nikelle wanted me to commission my wardrobe at that shop. Even when she was away, she was still finding ways to interfere in my life.

"It's very nice," Lord Ruvano said offhandedly. "You should wear it when you go to the king. The queen will be attending to some business elsewhere so you should have a hour or so alone with her husband."

I clenched the dress in my hands and suppressed a scowl. Why did he have to say it like that? He made it sound like I was purposely trying to ruin their marriage.

"You're to meet him at the gate between the palace gardens and his own private garden. No one will be able to see a thing there."

I wanted to throw up. Lord Ruvano was little more than a pimp and I his whore.

As the servants helped me dress, I came to realize that I knew none of these women. I felt foolish asking if they were the personal servants Lord Ruvano had promised me for fear I might be wrong, and so I let them go about their duties without uttering a word. Part of me wished Greta was still among them. Part of me would have liked to apologize for the way I'd spoken to her yesterday. The greater portion, however, was grateful I could let the matter rest without having to deal with it for the time being.

That new dress fit better than anything I'd ever worn before. It complimented my body perfectly and nowhere was it either too snug or too loose. That seamstress certainly knew what she was doing. I'd have to remember to congratulate her on a job well done -- and maybe order some more things as well. It was only Lord Ruvano's money after all and I wasn't sure I would ever want to wear this particular dress again after doing what was expected of me.

The Spymaster was gone by the time I was ready. With a time and a place known, it was apparently up to me to ensure I didn't ruin any of his plans. I sent a note of apology to the Marquise, informing her that I would not be able to see her that morning after all. I could only hope that she would not be upset with me for canceling our engagement. If I had a choice in the matter I much rather would have spent the morning with her instead of the king. Unfortunately, I had no choice in the matter at all.

I made my way through the corridors of the palace toward the palace gardens, steeling myself with each step for what was to come.

Maybe the king really did only wish to converse with me as he'd said when we'd last spoken.

Maybe that first time he'd merely been overcome with lust.

And maybe I was a two-headed albirnois.

I descended the stairs into the palace gardens and navigated through the maze of plantings until I arrived at the gate where I was to wait for the king. It was indeed a secluded spot. Even someone watching with a spyglass from one of the towers would not have a clear view of what transpired there. As I paced back and forth across the grass, that knowledge did not comfort me in the least.

"Pssst."

It was with something of a start that I turned toward the gate.

"Stephanie," I heard the king's voice coming from the wall which separated the two gardens. Through a tiny crack in the gate, I could see his eye, alight with laughter. "I'm so glad you came!"

As if I had any other choice. I was sure the smile I forced into place as I approached the gate could not have looked any less convincing. Smiling like a schoolboy as he threw open the gate, however, the king didn't seem to care. He grabbed me in his huge arms and held me close, planting a wet kiss on my lips even as he enveloped both of my ass cheeks with his hands.

"Oh, you're even more beautiful than I remember!" he said holding me at arms length as he looked me over. My back stiff, he ran his hands down my arms and took one of my breasts in each hand, squeezing them as if that were his way of greeting. I hoped the lopsided grin on my face was enough to hide my desire that this meeting wouldn't last any longer than it had to.

"Come with me!" he laughed, taking me by the hand and practically dragging me through the garden. If I hadn't been so quick to follow, he might have dislocated my shoulder. We rushed back to the palace, returning to the same small throne room where he'd made me a baroness only a few short days ago. This time it was empty except for a single servant woman down on her knees scrubbing the floor.

"Out!" the king cried. "I thought I told you to be finished by now!"

At the fierceness of his words, even I was tempted to vacate the room.

The woman glanced up as she gathered her things and it was only then that I recognized her as Natalie. The moment she laid eyes on me, her expression turned to one of contempt. Fortunately for her, the king had already forgotten about her or he might not have taken kindly to that clear show of disrespect. Unfortunately for ME, the reason he hadn't noticed was because he was already embracing me in his massive arms, attempting to plant rough kisses on my cheeks.

I was no longer sure I could do this again. As the door closed behind Natalie, I twirled out of the king's embrace, pretending as if had merely been taken in by the display at the far end of the chamber. When last I'd been there, it had still been sealed away in crates. Now it unpacked and on view for all to see.

A rusted iron hoop hung from the wall which had several spiked clamps that secured to it a pair of giant bird wings and two crossed spears of primitive manufacture. Their heads were made of knapped obsidian and bushy tassels of bright red and yellow hung from the shafts. The feathers of the wings appeared to have been white at one time but had since become stained a dingy shade of brown. Sitting prominently on the floor before them was that block of granite. Utterly black against the white room, it stood apart with a brooding primeval malevolence.

"That's...an interesting display," I said, suppressing a shudder.

"Oh that?" the king said offhandedly. He strode across the room toward it and I felt inclined to follow, even though my feet didn't want to carry me any closer than I already was. "It's one of the old traditions of my grandmother."

"Oh?" I said, but found even that difficult with my mouth as dry as it was. That altar was nothing more than a harmless block of stone but something about it made me want to flee the room.

"Yes," the king said. He stepped up to the stone and placed both his hands on top, palms down. Closing his eyes he took a deep breath.

Hesitantly, I ran my hand across the top as well. It was perfectly flat, but rather than the slick polish of the sides, it felt rough and porous. Upon closer inspection, the otherwise black finish was discolored where irregular blotches of dark brown and red had soaked into the pores. It was also cold to the touch, far colder than it should have been sitting as close to the sun as it was.

"My grandfather met his future wife while on campaign in the far south," the king said. "She was something of a witchdoctor in one of those barbaric little desert tribes."

My blood suddenly ran cold. "The Mordengern?" I muttered before I even knew what I was saying. At the utterance of that one word, the coldness of the stone seemed to surge up, as if it were ice water in a trough that had suddenly been sloshed in my direction. It sent a shiver racing through my fingers and up my arm. I jerked my hand away as if slapped.

"Morderngern?" the king said, opening his eyes and turning casually away from the altar. "Oh yes, I think that might have been it. Though she eventually became a fine Vitrelayan woman, my grandmother never quite gave up her old ways. Before she died, she taught me all about them. This..." he ran his fingertips across the altar like one might caress a lover, "is her Dark God."

As he approached me, I backed away, stumbling around the corner of the altar.

"Unlike those deities of Vitrelay who dwell in some celestial land watching down on us mortals like we were nothing more than ants, my god lives within this stone. In return for blood, he grants me power and ensures that no blade raised against me with the intent to harm will ever finds its mark. I personally slew twenty-two men in the taking of the palace and not one scratch befell me."

My mind was reeling. There was no conspiracy or secret alliance with the Mordengern -- King Rosenthall was one of them by blood as well as by practice. By failing to kill Sir Ruvano, I had indeed delivered the kingdom into their demented hands.

"So what do you think?" he said, backing me into the bloodstained altar. Even through the fabric of my dress, I could feel the coldness of the stone against my buttocks and thighs.

"It's...beautiful."

"Isn't it though." As he stared deeply into my eyes with that impish and slightly sinister smile of his, he ran his massive hands up my arms and across my shoulders. I inched away but his hands clasped around my neck, his fingers meeting in back and his thumbs in front.

"I hope you're not planning to...sacrifice me..." I tried to make it sound like a joke but my voice was quivering far too badly for it to ever be interpreted as such.

"Oh no," he said, squeezing my throat tightly enough that I found it hard to gulp down my fear. "My god is indeed a hungry god, but he feasts only on virgins."

That was certainly one advantage to being a whore I hadn't yet considered.

Suddenly, he released me. Spinning me around, he slammed my face down against the stone altar. I could smell dried blood and sulfur. With my legs still dangling over the side, he roughly lifted my shirts over my ass. Was he actually going to do it here? Now?

"My wife doesn't care much for all this but she respects its power."

While keeping my face pressed down against the cold stone with one hand, the king ripped my panties away and pulled out his cock with the other. Frantically, I planted my palms against the top of the altar and tired to push myself away, but I might as well have been trying to move an entire mountain.

"She's also become accustomed to the wealth it brings us. I've always wanted to take her on this very alter but she says it puts her out of the mood. She won't come anywhere near it."

I knew exactly how she felt. As the king drew the head of his cock across my pussy, it seemed as if the stone itself were reaching out for me, wanting to pull me into its chilly embrace.

I whined as I pushed even harder against the stone, but the king's grip on the back of my neck kept me pinned in place like a butterfly in a case.

The king laughed. "Oh Stephanie, not very wet today are you? Has Lord Ruvano been wearing you out?"

I heard him spit and felt a warm drop of saliva running down between my ass cheeks.

I pushed even harder still, straining for all I was worth, but still in vain.

"Oh yes, make it nice and tight for me!" he said as he raked his grotesquely huge cock head back and forth over my asshole.

With my face mashed down against the stone, my cry was muffled as he forced himself into me.

Gods, it hurt! It felt as if he were going to tear my ass apart. Could I bleed out from something like that? Would a doctor even be willing to see me?

I gritted my teeth as he spat again and pushed his invading cock past my outer ring. I had no choice but to relax and let him have his way with me. If I didn't, it would only make things worse. However, that was a hard thing to do, especially with the sudden feeling that the altar itself was writhing about under me.

With a single powerful jab, the king buried his cock all the way into me. I let out a shrill cry. Somehow my ass stretched to accommodate him but it still felt as if he was going to rip me in twain.

As he began pumping in and out, the burning warmth of my pain gave way to a freezing wave of cold in the depths of my ass. What the hell was he doing to me? Whimpering, I pawed feebly at the altar, trying in vain once again to pull myself away.

But I was trapped, unable to escape. The only movement I felt was as my body rocked forward across the altar top with each forward thrust and pulled back with each withdrawal, squashing my breasts under me. I closed my eyes, squeezing out tears. I tried to make it all go away, but it only made things worse.

I could sense that Dark God of his in the stone, thrashing about and clawing at the inside of the altar, driven into wild ecstasy by the scene above it. In my mind's eye, I could see it as a spindly creature with hooked talons and black skin, jeering and panting and hungry to taste my flesh, separated from me by only a thin membrane which seemed to sink under my weight, dropping me into that hideous thing's embrace.

My hands flailed about wildly to arrest my fall but found no purchase, the stone seemingly rising up around me like a viscous liquid of the blackest pitch. It filled my nose and mouth, cutting off my cries.

In some far off distant place, the king continued pumping into my ass, laughing as his speed increased in time with the Dark God's own laughter. I could feel its bony hands driving the king's thrusts, its icy prick in my ass as if the king and it were one and the same, impaling me, chilling my insides.

I wanted it to end, the back of my mind begging for mercy, but it just kept going, unrelenting. On and on, I was driven by his rampant jabs into that enveloping cold. I couldn't breath. I couldn't speak. I couldn't move.

Finally, the Dark God in the stone let out a shriek of unrepressed rapture, like the cry of a horse breaking its leg. It made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. The king grunted at the same instant and his seed exploded into me, hot and cold at the same time.

The moment his hand left my neck, I scrambled off of the altar, falling with a sickly flop onto the floor. It was with some surprise that I saw the stone was just as solid as ever. It must have been my imagination alone that had filled my thoughts with those frightening images.

However, anyone who had just witnessed what I had would not have been able to dismiss then so easily. On hands and knees, my eyes wide as saucers, I scuttled to the far side of the room, stopping only when my back came up against the unyielding wall. I wanted to go farther -- the inner door, the garden -- but I didn't know where to flee. I couldn't focus. I didn't even know if I could walk. I felt as if I'd been thrown naked into a snow drift in the dead of winter. My limbs were numb, my blood like ice.

Standing beside that cursed altar, the king looked down at me and laughed. "I suppose the first time is always the best," he said, his cock bobbling between his legs in time with his throaty laughter as the last few drops of cum dripped from the end.

Somehow, I found my feet at last and shot for the door. I no longer cared if I displeased Lord Ruvano. Death would be preferable to having to endure that again. I fumbled with the latch and cast a glance back toward the king. He had not moved, his laughter only growing louder as he watched me. Was I locked in with him?

No, in my panic I wasn't turning the handle the right way. Finally throwing open the door, I dashed through and raced across the antechamber. In the hallway beyond, I ran headfirst into someone, but I pushed past them without stopping to offer apology. The woman I'd struck, however, grabbed me by the arm and pushed me back against the wall.

"What's all this then!" the woman said, her eyes ablaze. Even in my addled state I somehow recognized the hollow-cheeked visage of the queen.

Blubbering incomprehensibly, I tried to wrench myself free of her grip, but she was much stronger than she looked.

"I knew you were trouble!" she said. "I'm sent away on 'pressing business' that could be handled by anyone in my staff and I'm not gone more than an hour when I here you're with my husband? That's too much of a coincidence, far too much of a coincidence indeed."

"I -- I -- " I needed to get out of there. The hallway was clear. If I could just get out of her grasp I would be free.

"Don't think that this is the first time some big-breasted little hussy has tried to catch his eye!" She took hold of my jaw and forced me to meet her gaze. "If I catch you sniffing around here again, I'll gut you like a fish! Do you understand me! Like a fish!"

Her boney fingers digging into my cheeks, I nodded vehemently. Anything so she'd let me go. "Yes, your majesty!"

I don't know if she released me then or if my spasming was finally enough for me to break free, but I twisted out of her hand and went stumbling down the corridor, falling to my knees once, but picking myself up again without losing any speed.

To hell with Lord Ruvano! I was leaving that very day! I didn't need the bloody wand, I didn't need anything. I would get a horse and ride it to death. I was not going to stay here any longer. I couldn't! I tasted blood in my mouth. I must have bitten my cheek when the queen grabbed me. Where was I even headed? The stables were in the other direction. I needed to calm down for a moment.




The Blood Pact Ch. 21



Sprinting down one of the corridors, I saw a group of men stalking toward me from the other direction. It took me a moment to realize it was Lord Ruvano with several of his men, Bakoro among them. He looked angry. I must have made a mistake. I'd ruined his plans. He was going to blame this on me, wasn't he? I'd done as he wanted and I was still going to die.

I skidded to a halt, my hair fanning out around my head as my feet slipped out from under me on the polished tile. With a crash I fell onto my back, cracking my skull against the floor. My vision blurred for a moment and I groaned as views of the ceiling swam past my eyes.

Suddenly, I was pulled into a seated position and Lord Ruvano's face resolved out of my chaotic vision. My eyes snapped open wide and I backed away, only to find my back already up against the wall. Looming above me as Lord Ruvano glared at me, his men stared down with a mix of curiosity and confusion.

"What the hell are you doing?" Lord Ruvano demanded, giving me a shake.

"I've got to get out of here! She's gonna kill me! Tha-that damn altar, it's --!"

My tirade ended abruptly with a slap across the face that again filled my vision with stars.

"Get a hold of yourself! Did she see anything? Did she see the two of you?"

I rubbed my jaw and blinked several times. My mind was still racing and my breathing fast, but it was almost as if I was seeing Lord Ruvano and the others for the first time. "She who?"

"The queen!"

"I...no, she didn't...but she knew. She knew I was with him. You said it would all be fine, but she knew! This is too dangerous! Were you TRYING to get me killed!"

"If she didn't see anything we're still fine. The king will get her to calm down eventually."

"But she's going to kill me if we keep this up. She likely would have done so back there if she knew for certain what we'd already done. Why was she even there? You said she'd be gone for at least an hour. It sounded like someone told her..."

"Yes, someone did," Lord Ruvano said. Had he sold me out as just another part of his game? "Don't give me that look. My men are efficient but I only just found out about it myself. That's why we were on our way. Apparently, in addition to all the other agents already on the queen's payroll, one of your old servant friends has joined her employ as well."

Was everyone in the palace playing these insane games? And what did he mean that it was one of my old servant friends?

"Wait...Natalie?"

"Yes."

That little bitch. Was she really willing to turn me over to the enemy, knowing full well it would be as good as a death sentence? I knew the other servants disliked me, but I could hardly believe they really hated me that much.

I sat forward and started to stand, but the back of my head throbbed painfully. When I went to rub it, I found a tender lump that stung when I touched it and dappled my fingertips with blood. Lord Ruvano pulled me off the floor and handed me over to Bakoro.

"Take her back to my chambers and summon the doctor. I'll take care of this damnable mess with the servant."

With that, Lord Ruvano and two of his men marched off, leaving me with Bakoro and one other.

"Is he going to kill her?" I said, leaning against Bakoro for support. Regardless of what my old comrades thought of me, I didn't want to see any of them dead. There'd been enough death already.

Bakoro laughed, a darkly sinister sound to be sure. "No. Once you know who a spy is, they're almost always more valuable alive than dead."

I shuddered to think of what use Lord Ruvano was going to find for Natalie.

To Be Continued...



The Blood Pact Ch. 22



"The Marquise is waiting in the parlor," the doorman said as he closed the door behind me. 

Involuntarily, I again rubbed the bump on the back of my head. It had stopped hurting except when I touched it, and my long hair hid it from view, but I couldn't quite put it out of my mind.

While I'd been out with the King and his Dark God, the Marquise had sent a reply to my earlier note, inviting me to lunch since I'd been unable to attend our morning meeting. I had no interest in eating -- or doing much of anything at the moment -- but I feared if I stayed in Lord Ruvano's chambers by myself any longer, I'd start to go crazy.

After the doctor assured me there would be no lasting damage, he'd encouraged me to rest. Every time I closed my eyes, however, my mind was filled with all those sinister things I'd experienced in the throne room. With luck, the company of the Marquise would be enough to keep my mind from such terrors -- provided that yesterday hadn't been a fluke and she was still as personable as I'd last seen her.

The Marquise rose from her seat as I stepped into the parlor and came across the room to meet me. Taking my hands in hers, she squeezed them warmly.

"Vindrel returns!" she said. "I heard you had a bit of excitement this morning. Are you alright?"

"I..." I started to reach for the back of my head yet again, but caught myself before my hand had risen above my waist. "What have you heard?"

"Only that there was some commotion and that the doctor had been summoned."

"Oh, it was nothing...I, um, fell and hit my head. I'll be fine."

Her brows rose almost imperceptibly, but she said nothing. If she had agents of her own in the castle, she might have already known what I'd been doing with the king. Although if the Queen herself was still in the dark, maybe the Marquise was as well. Regardless, no matter how comfortable I might ever become with her, I did not want to discuss it. 

"I'm glad to hear you're well," she said, sounding sincere. Putting an arm around my shoulder, she lead me to a table where a light lunch had been laid out. "Please, have a seat."

"Thank you." Stiffly I lowered myself into the offered seat, carefully smoothing my skirts.

As the Marquise poured us tea, I let out a long breath. It felt good to sit in the presence of someone I was relatively certain didn't want to stab me in the back. I took the cup she handed me, but made no effort to drink. No matter how comfortable I might have been, I still wasn't in the moo for such things.

It was a small miracle I'd lived through that encounter with the King. If the queen had been a few minutes sooner in responding to Natalie's summons, we would have been caught in the act. She probably would have killed me on the spot with her bare hands. There would have been nothing I could have done to prevent it.

Why did everyone feel they could push me around and use me however they wished? I was sick of feeling so vulnerable and frail. Hands quivering with pent-up anger, I set the tea cup aside without having taken a sip. 

"What is on your mind, Stephanie?" the Marquise said.

"You're from Arnoth, aren't you?" I glanced back toward the front room where her two attendants could be heard laughing softly between themselves. "Those two as well?"

"Yes, my family is originally from Arnoth, as are Traemene and Wilona. They were married to knights who died in the Talgeeanus War." The conflict was completely unknown to me. "Having heard of my influence in certain circles, they petitioned me for help when claims against their husbands' property threatened to leave them destitute. I did what I could for them, but in the end the best I could offer them was a place in my household. Why do you ask?"

"I've heard it said that Arnothian women are taught to fight with knives." I said somewhat hesitantly.

"In the Calagearan Empire, which gave rise to modern Arnoth, the women were often just as fierce in combat as the men, as the story of Queen Vindrel well illustrates. Times have changed, but we still maintain some of those old customs."

I looked up through the locks of my golden hair with a determined fire in my eyes. It was long past time for me to take charge of my own destiny. "Would you teach me?"

She looked at me for a long time, examining me, her features growing harsh and distant. "And why would you want to know the ways of the knife?"

"I no longer wish to be at anyone's mercy."

"Violence is not an ideal path to freedom."

"But sometimes it IS the only one."

"You've already asked a great deal of me, Stephanie, and this is a thing not readily shared with outsiders."

I should have known better than to overstep the hazy bounds of our newly forged friendship, especially when it was built on such precarious footings. The casual way we had become around each other was making me forget that we were not really friends. In fact, with that simple request, I might well have ruined everything we'd already achieved.

"You're right," I said, retreating back inside myself in a flash. "I've never had any right to ask anything of you. You've already been more generous with your time than anyone could expect. I'm sorry, m'lady."

The Marquise smiled and sat back in her seat, shaking her head. "You have nothing to apologize for. I was merely curious about your intent. But when we are alone, please call me Delphina. It just wouldn't be appropriate for you to address your knife mistress so formerly."

"Knife mistress?" My eyes grew wide and I sat forward. I almost asked if she was serious, but remembering her warning from yesterday, I instead amended myself. "Then you mean you will teach me after all?"

"Yes. But only under the condition that you keep your earlier promise to teach me to ride a horse as well as you."

The smile which slipped onto my face appeared before I even realized it.

"Do you own a dagger?" she said.

I thought back to the blood dagger still laying beneath the sideboard in Lord Ruvano's chambers. Even if I wanted to use that cursed thing again, I probably shouldn't do so now. How would I even explain something like that? Instead I simply shook my head. 

"And they say Arnoth is a land of barbarians," the Marquise said, shaking her head as she rose. "Come along. You can use one of mine for the time being."

Noticing out of the corner of my eye that Traemene and Wilona were watching from the doorway, I followed the Marquise to one of the cabinets lining the walls. The drawer she opened was filled with lacy undergarments, but she folded them back delicately to reveal a flat case of the most deeply polished yellow wood.

Inside was a row of marvelous daggers, some highly jeweled and others worked ornately in gold and silver. She took one of the latter and drew it partially from its sheath. The hilt was a burnished silver of intertwined coils and the blade delicately narrow with a mirror polish and a keen edge. She resheathed it with a sharp click that made me jump.

"This one should serve you well," she said. Looking me over, she paused and then thrust it into the valley between my breasts. "There you are."

From the doorway, Traemene and Wilona giggled loudly.

"What do you think you're doing!" I said. My first attempt to extract the dagger released it from its sheath and nearly cut the tender flesh of my breast.

"Just consider it another piece of jewelry," the Marquise said. "I know quite a few women who wear it like that. The men are always less eager to tease them."

Well, that WAS possible, but I didn't see any of these three women drawing attention to themselves with a dagger stuck into their cleavage.

"And where do you carry yours?" I asked, indignant.

With a flip of the wrist, her sleeve fluttered and then there was a dagger in her hand. I hadn't even seen where it had come from. She smiled at the daft expression plastered across my face. With another motion, the dagger disappeared again.

"Don't worry, you'll learn all those little tricks soon enough."

"Well, if it's all the same to you..." I finally managed to get a solid grip on the carven sheath and safely extract the dagger from the front of my dress. With a move not nearly as smooth as the Marquise's I slipped it into the hidden pocket of my dress. "...I'll just carry it here until I do."

The Marquise's brow rose. "Now that's an interesting accessory."

"A friend of mine insisted on it."

"She sounds like quite a practical woman."

"Perhaps," I said. "But any practicality in her nature is far overshadowed by her less desirable qualities. More than anything, she's a pain in the ass."

The Marquise smiled, just short of laughing, but the other two ladies did not show the same restraint. It was too bad we were only temporary allies. Under different circumstances, I felt like these people could have been true friends.

"We should begin your training right away," the Marquise said. "Most girls start far younger than you are now and I think a bit of physical activity wouldn't go amiss this afternoon. However, there are too many prying eyes in the palace for us to do it here."

"I may know of a place," I said. "Have you ever been to the western greenwood?"

The Marquise smiled covertly and nodded. "Why yes, I think a ride out to the western greenwood might be just the thing. Traemene, Wilona: you know what we need. Bring food and drink as well. We'll go on ahead and prepare the horses."

The two nodded obediently and hurried out of the room like a couple of girls excited about going on a picnic.

"They'll be coming too?" I said. I was rather hoping it would just be me and the Marquise again. Having those two along could very well ruin the chemistry we'd found. "Can they ride?"

The Marquise smiled slyly and patted me on the shoulder as we headed for the door. "Oh, they might not quite match your skill in the saddle, Vindrel, but I'm quite certain they'd give you a proper run for your money all the same."

If that were true, maybe their company wouldn't be so bad. It would rather be nice to be around people again who shared at least one of my interests. Yes, I suspected I just might end up liking all three of these women after all.

To Be Continued...

-----

Sorry about the long delays between chapters. I've recently gotten a new job which is really cutting into my free time. But rest assured, new chapters will continue to be posted as I find the time. I will not allow myself to stop until this story is finished. It might take a little longer than I originally expected, but it will eventually come to its proper conclusion.

All I ask is that you bare with me while I muddle through with everything.



The Blood Pact Ch. 23



We arrived at the stables shortly after high noon so it was no surprise that we found most of the groom's helpers laying in piles of straw and dozing in the sun as they idly smoked their pipes or carried on in gossip. It was a shame I'd probably never experience that sort of camaraderie again. I was finding that the ways of women were often more intimate, but not nearly as comfortably raucous. Even if I did one day find a way to return my body to its true form, I'd never be able to remain in the palace with these men. Concern for my safety, if not my overwhelming embarrassment, would likely speed me on my way as far from here as possible.

A few of the men looked up upon our arrival, but they let Ramzi make the inquires. I flushed a bright shade of red as he approached. He might have kept the secret of our recent meeting, but what of Nathan or Geoff? Casting a wary glance over the men, I saw no sign of either. No matter how innocuous the looks I received from the others were, I couldn't help but imagine they all knew what had transpired in the storeroom. Hastily I pulled my eyes away.

"G'afternoon, ladies!" Ramzi said. It didn't seem possible that he could have forgotten what we'd done, but that's exactly how he was behaving, expertly pretending as if it wasn't the least bit awkward to see me again. "Will you be wanting Diamondhead again, m'lady?"

"I, um, no, not today," I stammered. Diamondhead was a fine mount when you needed speed and power, but today something less excitable would probably serve me far better this afternoon. "I'll, um, take Razor's Eye instead. And I think Bluefin would be well-suited to the Marquise."

"I will yield to your judgment in this matter," the Marquise said. "We'll also be requiring Dames Traemene and Wilone's mounts prepared as well."

"Very good, m'ladies," Ramzi said, knuckling his forehead as he backed away with a spirited bow. "Come on you lazy bums!" he cried out to the lounging stable hands as he clapped his hands. "We've got work to do! You can get back to your loafing once we're done."

They rose and got to work with only a few groans of protest. Even then, they prepared the four horses in little time at all, efficiently getting them saddled and ready to go. I did my best to chat with the Marquise as they worked so as to help fight the urge to lend them a hand. Some of those newer boys still hadn't figured out how to tie off the reigns correctly or to adjust the saddle straps the way they should have. Fortunately the more experienced men caught all their mistakes before I was forced to do anything about them myself.

However, even with all my fancied expertise, I still found the hem of my dress caught between the stirrup and my heel as I swung onto my chosen mount's saddle. If I just tugged at it, I'd probably put a disastrous tear in my new dress but if I bent over too far in my attempts to loose it more gently, I might very well unseat myself entirely -- certainly not a terribly auspicious start to what was supposed to be my first riding lesson for the Marquise.

"Here, let me help you, m'lady," Ramzi said, sweeping to my rescue as I struggled with the stirrup. With a deft hand, he lifted my foot out so that the dress could fall free. 

"Um, thank you." Feeling his hand on me, even through the leather of my shoe, filled my mind with all those memories of the last time we'd seen each other. Blushing, I quickly busied myself by pretending as if my grip on the reigns was no longer to my liking.

As he went about double-checking all the saddle straps and working around the folds of my dress, he spoke in a quiet voice. "If you don't mind my saying, m'lady, I hope you're felling better than you were the other day."

"Um, yes. Quite." That is, if regretting what I'd done counted as feeling better. "Thank you for asking."

After making the final adjustments to the bridle, he leaned in with eyes lowered and whispered. "And you don't have to worry 'bout nothing that happened, m'lady. I made sure those other two have enough sense not to talk."

"I...you..."

"Well, there you are, m'lady," he said suddenly stepping away and patting the horse's neck. "All ready to go. You ladies enjoy yourselves now."

"Thank you very much," the Marquise said, tugging a little fitfully at her reigns. "I'm sure we will. Lady Stephanie, we await your lead."

Rousing myself, I heeled Razor's Eye onward, leading the way down the palace hill. What a sight we must have made: four comely women with blonde hair riding out of the palace like an amazonian war band straight from the old Calagearan Empire. No doubt rumors of female marauders ravaging the countryside would be circulating amongst the peasantry by that evening.

Bakoro likely would have tried to join us on our excursion if it weren't for the fact he didn't know how to ride. I'd have to remember that little fact in the future. However, if he had come along, he quickly would have found himself bored to tears. We spent quite some time leisurely trotting around an open field so that I could make note of any shortcomings in the Marquise's horsemanship while her two handmaidens merely entertained themselves by riding along the forest edge, jumping haystacks.

The Marquise was actually a better rider than I would have guessed from her request for tutoring. She wasn't as confident on the back of a horse as she was on her own two feet but that wasn't anything that a little practice wouldn't remedy. I recommended she learn to relax and trust the instincts of the horse, walking her through a few exercises which greatly helped her achieve a more natural posture in the saddle. It would take time, but I was confident I could make an expert rider out of her.

After that, we rode into the greenwood along the paths I'd followed the last time I'd made this trek. In the heart of the forest, we came upon the royal hunting cabin, almost exactly as I'd last seen it.

"I think this will do nicely," the Marquise said. Having dismounted, she lead her horse up the front door and peered through a gap in the shuttered window. "Yes, very nicely indeed. Come along girls, let's get underway."

We pried open the doors with little effort. The heavy wooden timbers which supported the structure were dry and solid. A few small holes had developed in the roof which had allowed the entrance of squirrels and raccoons, and some of the floor boards creaked when trod upon, but otherwise the building was still quite habitable.

The interior was dominated by a soaring great hall with a huge fire pit recessed in the floor and a hanging copper hood above. A series of rooms opened onto a pair of hallways that stretched out to either side, forming the two wings of this royal cabin. The exposed timbers overhead imparted a feeling of vastness and wonder without the least bit of gilding or extensive carvings.

The majority of the shutters were left closed so the interior remained mostly in shadow. It leant a mysterious quality to the proceeding as we got under way. Standing near the center of the hall, I was instructed to draw my dagger while Traemene and Wilona took up position in the shadows.

"Baroness Stephanie; originally of Eagle's Head," The Marquise intoned as she stood at her full imposing height before me. "You are being inducted into the sorority of the knife. This is not a formal sisterhood. There are no rules, no meetings, no dues. Understand, however, that these lessons are not to be taken lightly. They have been passed down from mother to daughter in an unbroken line that traces its roots back to the earliest Calagearan tribes."

"Passed on from mother to daughter?" I said.

Hastily, the Marquise looked away. "There are occasionally extenuating circumstances: orphans and adoptees and the like. I think you more than qualify in this case." Quickly regaining her air of authority, she continued. "It is a sacred duty undertaken by each generation to ensure no woman is ever left defenseless. By accepting my instruction, you must promise to in turn pass on what you learn here to your own daughters."

I cringed in sudden revulsion as my gut twisted. I certainly hoped never to bear any daughters -- or sons either. But I suppose if I did one day SIRE children, I would want them to be able to take of themselves -- especially the girls. "Of course," I managed.

"Now take a stance. Let's see what we have to work with."

I did as instructed and the Marquise circled, looking me up and down.

"Most beginners lock their elbows," she said, taking hold of my forearm. "But not you. I can see you've had some instruction already."

"Some," I admitted. I hadn't consciously thought about what I was doing with my elbows, but Nikelle's harsh instruction was not a thing easily discarded.

"Though obviously not enough," the Marquise said, nudging my toe a bit farther inward. "This should prove interesting. We'll begin with some basic moves and see how you take to them."

Though they may have been basic, they were not simple. Each one required not only a fluid understanding of were my hand was at all times but also where it had just been and where it was going to be. The footwork was even worse. Having to keep myself balanced at all times, even when in motion, was a challenge made considerably more complicated by my dress.

However, the Marquise insisted I never attempt any shortcuts by practicing in anything less than what I was currently wearing. Even divided skirts and trousers were not allowed. As she explained, if the need should ever arise to actually use what I was learning, it would seldom happen under a circumstance where I would be able to choose my wardrobe beforehand.

Though the Marquise excepted nothing less than perfection, I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride when I managed to achieve the proper stroke for a certain movement. Unlike Nikelle's crude Blood Dagger techniques, these forms were elegant. They flowed smoothly from one to the next like water. Once my body became accustomed to them, they felt as natural as breathing.

Though managing to combine them into a seamless attack and defense that could be executed on instinct would take much more work than a single afternoon, or even several weeks, of dedicated study. Watching Traemene and Wilona demonstrate the techniques for me, I often couldn't even follow what they were doing, let alone duplicate it. The look of frustration in their eyes as they slowed their actions to a speed I could manage was virtually tangible. My clumsy imitation of their techniques provoked even greater levels of annoyance. 

However, no matter how long it took me to learn each move, I never allowed their irritation or my own doubts to discourage me. With each thrust of my dagger, I reiterated my aspiration to take back the course of my own destiny. Never again would I blindly allow myself be used as a tool in other people's plots. This was a new beginning, one crafted for my own good and no one else's.

I only allowed the day's training to end when the Marquise finally insisted upon it. I could have kept going all night, and the Marquise did indulge me for a time, but after sending Traemene and Wilona back ahead of us to make preparations for our return, she eventually drew the line when the sun began to set.

I was tired and sore, but invigorated at the same time. I didn't want to return to the palace knowing that I would have to wait until tomorrow before we could continue with these lessons. I'd found a new force of deniable strength unlocked inside of me and I didn't want to waste it on such mundane activates as eating or sleeping. I was ready to conquer the world that very evening. All I needed was a sword.

Unfortunately, even in my energetic state, I had to admit that if we waited any longer before returning to the palace, we'd risk doing so in the dark of night, and that could be dangerous, especially for someone less skilled in the saddle than myself, such as the Marquise.

If we couldn't have continued the training, I would have at least liked to remain in her company for the rest of the evening, but she had a husband and a household to attend to. She couldn't spend all of the her time with me (and very likely didn't wish to), but I thought I did detect a twinge of regret in her voice as we parted ways at the entrance to the noble's wing. It was with a heavy heart that I reminded myself that this was likely just another front put forward to keep me in her confidence. We were not really friends after all, only allies.

The halls of the palace were growing dark by the time I was nearing Lord Ruvano's chambers. I suppose I was going to have to spend the rest of the evening with him. Maybe I could locate a dark wine cellar somewhere and drink myself into a coma instead. There had to be SOME alternative to sitting calmly next to him all evening and pretending as if I was still passively accepting of my part in all his machinations.

I had yet to conceive of something better when a pair of dark shapes descended on me from out of a shadowed alcove. I cried out and reached for my dagger, but a gag was pulled across my mouth, instantly stifling any alarm I might have raised, and my arms were pinned behind my back before I could even lay hands on a weapon. Lashing out as best I could, I found myself face down on the floor and immobilized without even having gotten a glimpse of my two assailants. A silk sack was pulled over my head, and my hands and feet were wrenched behind my back and tied together. I couldn't move, couldn't speak, couldn't see.

So much for taking charge of my own destiny.

To Be Continued...



The Blood Pact Ch. 24



"Gods, I think she might have knocked a tooth loose with that swing," I heard a woman whisper some short distance away. I didn't want to believe it, but it almost certainly sounded like Traemene.

"Shhh, we have to get moving before we're discovered."

With a shudder, I realized her partner could only be Wilona. I then felt two pairs of hands grab hold of me and heave me off the floor.

Had I outlived my usefulness to the Marquise so quickly? And here I thought we had found an honest grounding for our alliance. I should have been more cautious around them. I never should have let my guard down for a moment. Now I was going to end up tortured, or dead, or both.

But even though the Marquise might have thought to dispose of me before I had learned anything from her, I'd already gained enough wisdom to deal with this. Confidence and calm were often more important than power and strength.

I tried to make note of our movements so I could retrace my captor's steps should the need arise, but the way my body swung awkwardly back and forth between the two women made any such calculation nothing more than wild guesswork. They could have been taking me anywhere. I was going to die in some dark and forgotten corner of the castle, betrayed and alone.

I bit down hard on the gag in my mouth to keep the tears from coming to my eyes. If I wanted any hope of making it out of this alive, I had to keep my head about me. There had to be an opportunity I might yet exploit to my own advantage.

"Argh," Wilona said at one point. Holding onto my shoulders, she adjusted her grip and nearly dropped me in the process. "She weighs a ton."

"That's just because you got the heavy end," Traemene said, fighting hard to control laughter. "I'm pretty sure it's all in her chest."

This was all just a joke to them? I clenched the gag with my teeth in place of the growl which I wanted to voice. Straining with renewed vigor against the bindings that held my limbs gave me some scant sense of resistance, though it seemed utterly futile against the strength of the cords.

"She's acting up again," Traemene said.

"Don't worry, we're here."

And just where was here? I heard a door open ahead of me, felt more movement, then heard it close behind me. I was set down on a cushioned surface and the sack over my head was pulled back just enough so that they could unfasten the gag. A bit of flickering red light came in under the bottom of the blindfold but apart from that I could see nothing. Still, my mind drew a detailed imagine of a subterranean torture chamber, buried so deep that no one would hear my cries when I was shackled to the chains on the walls and the implements of torture heated to red hot in a bed of coals were brought into play against my fair skin.

"What do you think you're doing!" I cried the moment the gag dropped away from my mouth.

"Shhh," I heard Wilona say as she placed a finger across my lips. "You're fine. It's only us."

Fine? I'd just been hogtied in the middle of the palace and dragged away for who knew what, and she was trying to tell me everything was fine! "Does the Marquise know about this?" I said. Maybe they were acting alone. Or perhaps someone had bought them off and the Marquise had nothing to do with what was going on here.

"The Marquise sent us," Traemene laughed. I felt my heart sink. That's why she sent them back from the hunting lodge ahead of us. I'd been right after all. I HAD outlived my usefulness. "Because you got started so late, we're having to take some of the customs out of order."

"What? What are you talking about?"

"To put it simply: your indoctrination is far overdue," Wilona said with an impish laugh.

With that, the hood was jerked off of my face and the rope binding my wrists and ankles came undone with a tug. I blinked at the sudden brightness of the candles and roaring fireplace with filled the room with a warm illumination. It was a small chamber, but the walls were draped with rich curtains and the floor covered with soft silk cushions. A few small tables had been set up around with trays of food and drink.

Wilona poured a goblet of wine from a large carafe and stepped forward, offering it to me. "Welcome to the Sorority of the Knife, Lady Stephanie!" she said with a broad smile.

What the hell? This was just some stupid initiation stunt? I thought I was going to die! Baring my teeth, I jumped to my feet and lunged at Wilona. Giggling, she bounded out of the way, spilling most of the wine as she did so.

"You...you...fucking bitches!" I said.

"Hell yes!" Traemene agreed, thrusting another glass of wine to my lips. "Now drink up! We've gotten a late start so we'll have to make up for lost time!"

Having the wine forcibly poured down my throat, I sputtered and gagged. As I bent over at the waist and coughed, Traemene slapped me hardily on the back. With her free hand, she lifted the cup to her lips and finished off what I had not.

Smiling questioningly, Wilona again offered me a goblet, carelessly sending much of the wine it held sloshing over the sides. If this was to be the extent of the torture I would face tonight, I believed I could handle myself even without any lessons in bearing from the Marquise. Shaking my head, I snatched the cup away and downed the whole thing to the accompaniment of high-pitched, feminine cheers.

"You're still a fucking pair of dirty cunts!" I said, gasping for breath as I finished. The Marquise's handmaidens merely laughed all the harder and refilled my cup. "Will the Marquise be joining us?"

"Oh, no," Wilona said. "She knows this isn't going to be her kind of celebration."

I wasn't sure I liked the sound of that.

Time seemed to melt away as the three of us made merry in that small room undisturbed by the troubles of the outside world. We laughed, joked, and drank to our heart's content. Several hours at least must have passed but I cared not how long we had been at it.

With head thrown back, I finished off a whole carafe of wine and threw it to the ground with a crash and a shrill howl of victory.

"I think you might have a future here in the palace after all!" Wilona said as she dropped onto the cushions next to Traemene. The taller woman had already been lounging there half-senseless for some time now. With a giggle, I flopped down on the other side of Traemene.

"If drinking is the only skill needed to excel in life, I'll be queen in under year!"

"I'd believe it," Wilona said. "I've never seen another woman drink like you do."

"I just hope this isn't how you normally indoctrinate your young girls into the Sorority of the Knife."

"We didn't think you'd appreciate the kind of party that's usually staged for an eight-year old," Traemene said. "We had to improvise."

Well, they'd done a fine job. It had been ages since I'd been able to relax like this, either as Stephanie or as Mathis.

"So tell me," Wilona said, rolling onto her stomach and laying right across Traemene's body as she rested her chin in her hands. "Has Lord Ruvano yet made any hints of marriage?"

"Oh, please," I said, rolling my eyes. I'd seldom considered marriage myself, and those few times I had, I'd only entertained the idea of doing so to a pretty young woman. I couldn't see myself spending the rest of my life with a man. Lord Ruvano least of all. "He cares nothing for marriage or relationships. The only interest he has in me is as one of his agents. He'd no sooner marry me than he would his horse."

"That's too bad." Wilona said.

"No it's not!" I said, perhaps a bit too loudly. Despite the fact Lord Ruvano was practically her mistress's enemy, dreamy notions of romance must have clouded her thoughts on the matter. "I feel the same way about him!"

We both laughed, but Traemene merely stared at the ceiling. "I don't think I will ever marry again. I don't ever want to go through what I did when I lost my Foremir."

"Oh don't say that," Wilona said. "I know it was painful, but does that really outweigh all the good times? I'm sure you'll find a fine man again some day."

"Why should I bother?" she said. Smiling suddenly, she pushed Wilona off of her and began tickling her fiendishly. "Who needs a man when I've got you?"

"Stop it!" Wilona laughed. "Traemene! I'm serious! You're gotta make me pee!"

"And we wouldn't want to make you all wet, now would we?"

"Stephanie help!"

With a playful shout, I tackled Traemene off of Wilona and the two of us rolled into another pile of cushions. With me landing on top, Traemene suddenly reached up and cupped my breasts, one in each hand, and gave them a robust squeeze.

"Hmmm, they really ARE real. You don't pad them out at all, do you?"

Letting out a high-pitched yelp, I jerked away, but off-balance from the wine, I ended up falling over onto my back. Traemene was upon me in a flash. As she jumped between my raised knees, my skirt was carried forward as well, baring nearly the whole length of my legs. She landed atop me and began mauling my breasts mercilessly.

"Oh, I think I may have found your weak spot!" she laughed.

Maybe it was the drink, maybe it was the fact she was a pretty young woman, or maybe something else entirely, but my nipples were getting so hard and sensitive by what she was doing. I blushed a deep shade of red as I tried fitfully to beat her off while at the same time wishing she wouldn't stop.

"Don't worry, my lady!" Wilona cried as she rose up and thumped Traemene over the back with one of the pillows. "I'll save you!"

"You'll have to do better than that!" Traemene warded off her attack with a shrug and tugged at Wilona's ankle, causing my would-be savior to fall down right beside me.

However, it gave me the opening I needed to unseat Traemene. With a wild laugh, the two of us went rolling over Wilona and ended up with our positions again reversed. As I straddled Traemene's legs, Wilona threw herself across our aggressor's chest.

"Now we've got you!" Wilona cried, pressing down with all her strength to keep Traemene pinned.

"Then I guess you win the prize for victory," Traemene said. Rearing up, she kissed Wilona right on the lips. The other woman's grip instantly loosened but Traemene made no further attempt to break free. Instead, the kiss lingered, Wilona happily returning it at first, but then drew back with a start.

Sheepishly, her cheeks turning a rosy shade of red, Wilona stole a sideways glance in my direction. "Traemene, I don't think..."

"What?" Traemene said. "I'm sure Stephanie doesn't mind.

Truth to tell, having these two young women writhing about under me were starting to make my pussy moisten.

However, this was a thing which I had no right to watch. To stay would make me feel as if I had spied on them in their most private of moments. After all, I was still just a man disguised as a woman. My very presence up to this point had already been a betrayal of their trust. I didn't belong here any more than I did anywhere else.

"Um." My mouth was almost too dry to speak. "Maybe I should leave." Besides, it had to be getting quite late. Or maybe it was early by now. Shakily, I climbed to my knees.

Traemene, however, snatched hold of my hand. "Or you could stay."

Her fingers were warm and buttery smooth next to my equally tender skin. For several heartbeats and a short eternity, we stared into each other's eyes, only our fingertips touching but connected by so much more.

"Is this part of the indoctrination right as well?" I said.

"No," she said, shaking her head. Her hand took hold of mine more firmly, giving it an impassioned tug. "Just something between friends."

"Friends..." I whispered.

Wilona nodded. "Yes, you SHOULD stay."

I smiled, blinking away tears I hadn't even realized were there until now. Damn it, why was I crying NOW? With a swipe of the back of my hand, I tried to clear them away before they were noticed, but it was already too late.

Traemene and Wilona both rose up and embraced me, wrapping their arms tightly around my shoulders in a heartfelt show of support and comfort. With the three of us on our knees, not quite crying, not quite laughing, we held each other close. I felt so warm, so safe, so content. I didn't care if this was just a ploy on their part to further gain my trust, or if I was simply using them for my own comfort. In that moment, the rest of my life didn't matter -- the king, his altar, Lord Ruvano, Nikelle. There was a loneliness that was banished in that embrace and a desperate need for warm companionship that had been fulfilled.

As the embrace wore on, I felt one of Traemene's hands glide down my back, tracing my spine through the fabric of my dress. A moment later, Wilona did the same. It sent a shiver through my body and I, only half aware of my own actions, copied their movements, as I knew they were also doing for each other. My hands reached their firm hips at the same moment two hands belonging to two separate women grabbed my ass.

They parted their legs and I did likewise. We lifted each other's skirts out of the way, leaning together as we stuck out our asses in mutual invitation. We snaked our hands between our legs and gasped simultaneously as we all touched each other in chorus.

I felt their delicate folds while they softly fingered mine. A moan here and a whimper there sounded through the room as we cradled our pussies and rubbed our clits with tender affection. They were just as warm and wet as I. I let out a sigh as fingers found their way inside and we rested out heads on each other's shoulders

I could hear the sloppy stroking of Traemene's fingers inside me while Wilone alternated between sticking a finger into my pussy and rubbing my clit. Traemene felt so moist and silky smooth as I teased her clit and Wilona drove her fingers deep into her. Between Wilona's legs, her pussy was practically dripping. Me and Traemene probed into her hole in perfect unison and she eagerly pressed her hips down against each assault. 

We pressed our bodies against each other as our breasts smashed between us. Our hips rocked and shook against the fingers exciting our pussies, causing our thighs to quiver. With eyes pinched closed, I lifted my head skyward and felt my lips brush against Wilona's own. Several times they came close, just barely touching, like the ephemeral fluttering of butterfly wings. When we finally kissed, it was deep and impassioned. Her lips were so soft and totally unlike a man's. As our tongues intertwined in our mouths, we could hear Traemene moan mere inches away. We both kissed her as well, two sets of plump red lips pressed to hers at the exact same time.

As their ministrations carried me close to the edge of delight, my own actions on their pussies became harder to maintain. I felt the same in their fingers -- muscles tensing in time with their cries and their rhythms becoming less regular. Our lips brushed each others as they trembled with our heated whimpers.

Traemene bit my lower lip with playful glee as her whole body shuddered. I pressed my hips down hard against the suddenly tense hand within my pussy and felt a wave of pure bliss wash through me. It radiated out from my hips, first contracting my muscles forcefully and then reducing them to jelly. My spasming pussy sprayed forth juices that flooded across the other women's hands and ran down my legs in torrents. Wilona came a moment later, thrashing her body savagely against ours; once, twice, three times, gasping and moaning as if short of breath with each convulsion.

We rested our foreheads against each other and continued idly playing with our slippery folds as we breathed in each other's breaths in deep satisfied huffs.

"I think I need some more wine," Wilona said after a time. She separated herself from us and climbed to her feet, leaving a feeling of cold emptiness beside me.

"Oh gods, me too." Traemene flopped down on the cushions, staring blankly into space.

Still on my knees, I didn't know what to do. I'd never been a part of anything like that before. As we'd been doing it, I felt as if I belonged. Now, as my addled brain fought in vain to figure out what to do next, I remembered just how plainly obvious it was that I didn't belong here. If I were a real woman like them, instead of just playing the part, I would not have had any indecision about my place. I would have been just as comfortable as they were.

Mechanically, I passed the first cup Wilona poured on to Traemene and took the second for myself.

"Come on now," Wilona said, taking me by the hand and pulling me gently down alongside Traemene. She then lay down between us with her legs dangling across mine and her head resting against Traemene's chest.

After a long drink of wine, she let out a contented sigh and snuggled back against Traemene as she stared smiling at the ceiling. Laying half on her side with a half-veiled expression, Traemene brushed a few strands of hair out of my face and idly twirled a single golden lock around her finger. Haltingly, I brought my wine cup to my lips but could only manage a tiny sip.

No matter how long I lived as Stephanie, I would never be like them. I hadn't been born as a girl, I'd never grown up wearing dresses and playing with dolls, never fumbled my way into womanhood. I'd been created as a fully formed woman but in my heart I was still a man. I could never feel or behave as they did without having to second-guess every urge and emotion coursing through this strange body. Even here in the most intimate of moments, I would forever be apart, an outsider.

But did any of that really even matter? No two people had ever lived the exact same life. Even twins were never completely identical. I didn't know what I was anymore, but I did know that what we'd just shared had been real enough. Maybe I wasn't a real woman. Maybe I never would be. But I could not have felt what I had with them if I had been a man. For the time being, this is what I was and I had to make the most of it, for better or for ill.

To Be Continued...



The Blood Pact Ch. 25



In the weeks which followed my less-than-orthodox indoctrination into the Sorority of the Knife, I got along with my life as best I was able. I was still being pulled in every direction but the ones I wanted to go, but I also became my own agent in those halls as well. Those other influences in my life, I merely tolerated so as to keep myself alive until an opportunity for freedom would eventually present itself. Until then, I had to mask my defiance so no one would grow suspicious.

One thing, however, in which I did assert myself was that I wanted nothing more to do with that damn altar of the king's. I understood the only reason I was still in any position where I might yet be able to win my freedom was because of my use as a spy in the king's bedchamber, but nothing, not even the threat of death, would be enough to send me anywhere near that Dark God again.

"I do not understand your reluctance," Lord Ruvano told me. Not having lived through what I had, how could he? Even days afterward, I was still having nightmares about it. With a sigh and shake of the head, he rubbed the bridge of his nose. "However, I will admit that there were certain oversights. I've spoken to the king and informed him that if he ever wants to feel the warm embrace of your lovely ass ever again, he will have to provide me with certain assurances." As he brushed his fingers down the side of my face, I had to fight the urge to slap them away. "Among them is that you will not be made to go near his altar again."

He said it as if he was merely acceding to the unreasonable request of a spoiled child, but it didn't change the fact that the king had given in to my demand. Oh, what power my body allowed Lord Ruvano to wield over the king. I felt more like his whore than ever.

When next I was summoned to 'discuss matters of state' with the king, I did so with wary reluctance, but knowing that I had no other choice. Though his spirits never proved to be any less boisterous than the first meeting, he did seem to maintain a certain degree of barely contained civility toward me each time we met. One time he had me strip naked and then come upon him in a secluded grotto of his gardens like some wood sprite from an old legend before staining my knees in the grass as he emptied his cock into mouth. Another he took me to the grand throne room and bent me over the side of his gilded throne. Anyone who would have walked in on us like that would have been treated to quite a display: the king pumping into my ass atop the dais while his grunts filled the chamber. Fortunately, being as late at night as it was, our chances of discovery were somewhat reduced. The black altar and its Dark God were never again mentioned and he stayed true to his word that I would not have to go near it. Without having to contend with that, I could at least allow myself to get lost in the sex. In many ways he was little more than an overgrown child -- a bully and a braggart who reveled in brutish sport, but if I imagined I was with someone else, it wasn't always entirely unenjoyable.

Occasionally, either before or after having his way with me, he'd go on with boyish glee about some new discovery he'd made, sharing it with me like it were some childhood secret. From him, I learned of secret passages in the royal chambers with peepholes looking onto the rooms of the maids, lewd messages hidden in the patterns of various frescos within the palace, and even several tapestries locked in a small room depicting carnal acts between women and wild beasts. One of these discoveries that seemed to delight him more than the rest were three tiny bells hanging in his innermost chamber which had been installed by some insecure former ruler.

"Each one corresponds to one of my three thrones," he'd told me with a twinkle in his eye. "Whenever someone sits their ass upon one, like this--" He plopped me down on the grand throne over which he'd just fucked me. For such an elaborate chair, it wasn't all that comfortable. "--one of those three bells rings, letting me know that someone has overstepped his bounds and wishes to have his head removed! Here, I'll show you how it works!" With a laugh, he pulled me behind the throne and spent the next half-hour going on about the intricate series of pulleys and chains concealed within the throne that connected the panel hidden under the seat cushion to the appropriate bell.

After that encounter, the grand throne room became one of his favorite meeting places. Sometimes he'd have me sit in his lap while he sat in his throne. I could just imagine one of those little bells ringing madly with each powerful thrust of his hips. Other times he'd take me upon the railing of the minstrels' gallery or simply have me lay in the middle of the stone floor as he mounted me from behind.

Most of the time, he took me in the ass. On rare occasions he would have me swallow his cum, but never once did I ever feel his mammoth cock inside my pussy. Maybe he actually preferred boys and simply didn't have the nerve to admit it to himself. He wouldn't have been the first ruler in that position. Or maybe it was his own twisted way of remaining faithful to his wife. I still couldn't understand how their relationship worked. In some strange way, they honestly seemed to love each other. One had only to see the way the king went to such great pains to ensure I stayed below his wife's notice, or the way she jealously protected her husband to see their feelings in practice. In the end, I decided the king's infatuation with me was probably just a way for him to play out fantasies the queen would not fulfill for him herself.

I was never even quite sure if she suspected her husband was being unfaithful or not. I avoided her whenever possible but on those few unfortunate occasions when we did accidentally pass in the halls, I would curtsy respectfully, and she would glare with tangible spite. Never once, however, did she again threaten to carry out her warning from the last time we'd spoken. Perhaps she was simply secure in the mistaken belief that her spies were still doing their jobs, unaware that Lord Ruvano had somehow convinced them to be less faithful to her than they should have been.

I left the interpretation of all these events to Lord Ruvano. Though I never seemed to have much to tell him about my clandestine meetings, the tiny pieces I did deliver always seemed adequate to his needs. I could only imagine the complexity of the tapestry his mind fashioned from the countless fragments of information he was gathering from all his myriad of sources.

The rest of the time I was not thus engaged, Lord Ruvano allowed me to do largely as I liked. The first chance I got, I searched his chambers from top to bottom looking for the transformation wand. However, the only things of interest I found were several large stashes of gold. In my old life, their discovery would have driven me into rapture, but now they were of little interest. Lord Ruvano was actually quite free with his money toward me, doling it out at the asking. And I did ask quite frequently. As far as Lord Ruvano knew, this was merely to finance my many shopping trips. However, I had ulterior motives as well.

One was that I wanted to again speak to Nikelle and make her see the futility of her mission. She was never to be found, but her presence loomed over everything I did, like a dark cloud hovering just over the horizon. I knew that eventually she would find me when I least expected it and coerce me into some other unsavory development. The old seamstress who ran the shop where I'd last seen Nikelle either didn't understand my inquires or was better at dissembling than even Lord Ruvano. She always dotted over my dresses, happy in the way they fit, but always concerned about some little detail that I'm sure no one but herself would notice.

Most of my shopping trips proved quite expensive to Lord Ruvano. Though I did order a number of garments to fill out my wardrobe -- including several divided riding dresses and even a pair of fitted trousers -- only a small fraction of the coin he gave me ever made it into the hands of the merchants. Most of it was added to my own stash, a steadily growing reserve that I would use to support myself when I eventually broke free of this life I'd been cursed to live.

I'd been finding the time to go down into the city every few days and had gotten quite comfortable with the entire ruse, but after about a week, when I was asking for my latest stipend, Lord Ruvano unexpected announced that he would come with me. My blood had run cold. Even if he hadn't discovered my true intentions, he must have at least been curious about the extravagant spending. I spent the entire morning looking over my shoulder as we went between the various shops, trying the entire time to act as if I wasn't terrified for my life. When we eventually returned to the palace without any accusations having been leveled against me, I began to realize this was just another of his games: he wanted to be seen in public with me so that no one would forget I still belonged to him.

Of far greater hindrance to my preparations was the way in which Bakoro continued to fulfill his duties as bodyguard with irritating diligence. I knew from that ever-present look in his eye that he still had designs on me, but he was not stupid enough to risk his neck for a fleeting moment of pleasure. Now that I had entered into a routine, he seemed more willing to allow me a certain degree of leeway, even occasionally relegating my guard to his underlings. However, in one form or another, he was my constant shadow, following me everywhere. Sometimes his men proved easier to shake, sometimes harder. Most knew how to ride, however, so it did require some more guile on my part if I ever wanted to get away from them. 

Though I never lost sight of the fact that everything Bakoro did with me was simply so he would be close enough to snatch me up for himself the very moment I outlived my usefulness to Lord Ruvano, he did occasionally prove to be quite personable, even engaging me in nearly civil conversation from time to time. It was from him that I learned of the reasons behind Lord Ruvano's interest in the Marquis of Galifria. Apparently, he was one of the few people in the entire kingdom who might have been able to match the spymaster move-for-move in the game of secrets they played. It was that skill which had allowed him and his wife to survive as many upheavals as they had. Though his network of contacts was not nearly as extensive as Lord Ruvano's, the Marquis was the closest thing he had to a rival.

By far, the greatest portion of my free time was spent fulfilling my obligations to Delphina. Being pulled in so many different directions while constantly having to be cautious of my surroundings sometimes made me feel as if I was walking on eggshells. However, when I was with Delphina and her handmaidens, I found myself speaking and laughing with them just as easily as they apparently did with me. I knew there were still secrets between us, but that no longer seemed to matter.

Most mornings we would go down and socialize with the other ladies of the royal court. Rumors ran rampant through that strange shadow society but seldom found their way out of those sealed chambers. If it had not been for Delphina to guide me, I would have been lost in all the intricacies of court politics.

King Rosenthall's rise to power, for instance, was an issue I never could have imagined was so complicated. But then, as a mere stable hand, I'd never had much interest in court politics before. Even as a servant living in the palace, I'd only ever seen the former king a handful of times in my entire life. Apart from some nebulous idea it was his presence on the throne that provided me with a job, he'd never done anything for me as far I could tell.

Suddenly, I learned that he had not been much liked by any of the nobles. He was seen as an ineffectual ruler who quibbled over tiny issues while letting others do his dirty work for him. He was a stingy and cantankerous old man who had lost more territory and privileges to our neighboring kingdoms than any past ruler ever had. Duke Rosenthall, as the next in line for the throne, was actually seen by many as the preferable alternative. Judgment was still out on whether or not this was still the case, but most were willing to wait and see.

His duchy was a semi-autonomous region which had lead several sweepingly successful campaigns in recent years for the former king. As such, he had not only a large veteran army of his own, but also the popular support of the larger kingdom's military as well. Those few who might have wished to oppose the coup would have been quickly overwhelmed. Detractors had either grudgingly accepted the transition of power or were quietly disappeared. Those who died in the fighting were mostly the former king's personal guard who manned the palace garrison. They had sworn an oath to lay down their lives in his defense, and in a strange occurrence these days, they actually had.

In the afternoons, Delphina and I would occasionally retire to her chambers to study history or literature. I had never been the strongest reader, and some of those texts she expected me to assault were more than I thought I could handle, but she never tolerated anything less than my full effort. She always pressed until she was confident I understood, not only the words but also the importance of what I was reading. Traemene and Wilona were apt tutors in that regard. After that night we'd spent in drunken revelry, they had become like sisters to me, the three of us sometimes bantering on and on while hardly covering any of the passages we were supposed to.

Still, I much preferred the afternoons we went riding instead of staying indoors. Being on the back of a horse and racing through the forest once again allowed me to forget about my troubles. Delphina's riding had improved considerably as well. Though she attributed it primarily to my assistance, I knew I could take little credit. Her confidence alone would have allowed her to master anything she set her mind to.

My knife training in the cabin continued at a similar pace to my scholarly instruction. With Delphina overseeing, I tried my best to learn all I could. But even once I mastered one technique, the next was always waiting for me, ever more difficult. Many times, after having been pushed to the breaking point for hours on end by Traemene and Wilona, the three of us would collapse, soaked with sweat and laughing at nothing in particular as we gulped down mouthfuls of water from a shared canteen.

On one of those mornings I was to accompany Delphina to the royal court, I arrived at her chambers earlier than usual. I had been walking fast, likely startling servants at my passing, but I had little care for what they thought.

The Marquis usually left before my arrival, no doubt because he still didn't trust me. Delphina had told me in confidence that my continued association with her had become a matter of contention within their otherwise happy marriage. Most of the time, I was content to avoid the Marquis, but this morning, I needed to speak to him.

I arrived in good time and was shown into the antechamber, as had become routine, but when I was made to wait while my arrival was announced, I began pacing fretfully. After coming this far, I began to fear the pause might destroy my nerve and leave me unable to continue any farther. So engrossed in my thoughts, I didn't even notice Wilona's approach until she touched me on the arm.

"Stephanie, are you well?" she said. "Is something wrong."

"Oh! Yes, yes, I'm fine," I said, doing a poor job of suppressing my shock. Traemene was nowhere to be seen, likely out on one of her frequent errands. "No, actually, not really...It's Lord Ruvano. This morning he -- oh, bloody hell, I just need to go in there and be done with this."

"Stephanie, what's going on?" Wilona said, taking my hands to keep me from wringing them.

Could I really trust her? After I spoke to the Marquis this morning, it was entirely possible that this entire fake amity I'd fostered with their household would come to an end. The moment Delphina told Wilona to cease her association with me, both she and Traemene would have no choice but to obey.

Oh, damn it all!

Until then, she was still my friend -- or at least she was obligated to play the part. I threw my arms around her and held her close. Burying my face in her shoulder, I could smell the sweet familiar smell of her perfume. I could have kept her at a distance so as to lessen the shock of separation that could very well come with my revelation to the Marquis, but I wouldn't let our last moments be anything other than kindness. For a moment she stood stiff, unsure of what I was doing, but then hugged me back.

"Oh Wilona, I'm so scared," I said. This ease of sharing emotions was one of the advantages to being a woman I just might end up missing if I ever regained my true form. "There's something I have to do, but I'm afraid if I do, it will be a terrible mistake."

"How could anything possibly be that bad?" she said, warmly patting my back. "No matter what it is, I'm sure it will work out in the end."

I hoped it would. I prayed it would. If this went badly, I'd be all alone again. I might have begun learning how to navigate noble society but I was still a novice, fumbling about like a blind man. I couldn't go back to the way things were before. I just couldn't.

I looked up at a gruff clearing of the throat from the doorway. The doorman was standing there, frowning -- no doubt mirroring the expression of his master upon hearing my desire for an audience. With a simple nod, he motioned me into the inner chamber. I pushed myself away from Wilona, suppressing a sniffle.

"You and Traemene were always my friends," I said. "There was never any deception in that. I just want you to know, regardless of what happens."

"I...I'm not sure what you're going on about, but you'll always be my friend, Stephanie." She then leaned in and kissed me tenderly. "Nothing will ever change that."

"Thank you," I said, squeezing her hands. She didn't know it, but that possibly one of the timeliest things anyone had ever said to me. "Thank you, Thank you."

"Is there anything I can do to help?"

"No, this is something I need to do myself." I stopped and stared at the doorway though which I still needed to go. Once I stepped through, I could very well lose everything I'd found with these fine people. "Well, a bit of a push might not go amiss at the moment..."

"Oh, I'm always more than happy to push around a baroness!"

The slap she delivered squarely to my ass stung worse than my mother's harshest spankings ever had. Knowing her as I did, I should not have been surprised that she took my request so literally. As I stumbled through the doorway with a yelp, three faces looked up in surprise. If I had hoped to maintain some degree of dignity when going before the Marquis, this was certainly not a good way to do so. I quickly regained my footing and straightened myself, speaking in a rush before the last of my courage left me entirely.

"Forgive the intrusion, but I must speak with the both of you on a matter of the...utmost urgency..."

Much as I had been expecting, Delphina was sitting placidly in her favorite chair, smiling furtively at my abrupt entrance while her husband sat across from her wearing a scowl. It was the sight of the third individual standing before them, however, that gave me pause.

He was young, not much older than myself; lean and trim with an unruly head of sandy blonde hair that helped to emphasize the impish smile on his lips. His clothes were fine, the color of dark chocolate with black trim. At his side hung a narrow-bladed sword with a gold hilt.




The Blood Pact Ch. 25



"So this is the Lady Stephanie I've heard so much about," the stranger said with an easy smile. "She doesn't look like much of a spy to me."

My brow furrowed. Who was he? What had my hosts told him about me?

"Yes," the Marquis agreed with a tired sigh as he lifted himself out of his seat. "Stephanie, this is my nephew, Lord Fildrich, Earl of Hallephord. Fildrich, this is indeed the LADY Stephanie."

He never had learned to say my title without rolling his eyes. Although Hallephord, if I remembered my lessons correctly, was one of the more important territories which made up the Marches of Jalifria. That certainly made this Lord Fildrich someone not to be taken lightly.

"M'lord!" I offered a hasty curtsy.

He waved it aside with a flippant twist of the wrist. Taking my hand in his, he lifted me up to my proper height and pressed his lips to my fingers with a slight bow of his own. I tried not to moisten my lips, but with my mouth suddenly as dry as it was, I couldn't help myself.

"Well, I can say this about the lady," he said looking directly into my eyes with his of pale brown, "She might not be much of a spy, but she is every bit as beautiful as the rumors claim."

"Fildrich, please," Delphina said. Her voice had been level enough but I'd spent enough time with her to detect a note of chiding.

The Marquis glanced at his wife and then back to his nephew, who still held my hand in his. The way this Earl of Hallephord kept staring into my eyes made my stomach squirm. His skin was smooth and flawless, and he smelled slightly of roses. I just knew that all too frequent redness was rising up in my cheeks yet again.

"Yes, Fildrich, I think it best if we speak to Stephanie alone," the Marquis said. "They'll be time enough to finish your report later."

"Of course, uncle," the earl said, not taking his eyes, or his hand, off me. Again he kissed me and then offered all of us a slight bow as he backed out of the room. "Lady Stephanie. Aunt Delphina."

I shuddered as he left us and glanced over my shoulder to make sure he was really gone. Still standing in the doorway, he smiled at me one final time before disappearing from view. Now I was definitely blushing. I could feel my skin burning. Quickly, I turned back to the reason I'd come here in the first place.

"Now," the Marquis said as he lowered himself back into his chair, "Why don't you tell us why you've seen fit to interrupt what had been turning out to be a perfectly fine breakfast?"

As quick as I could, I put my thoughts back into as much order as they had been before that unexpected meeting.

"As your nephew, that is, Lord Fildrich, just made perfectly clear, you are both well aware of the fact that Lord Ruvano has asked me to be his...his spy in your household." It hurt to admit such a thing to these people out loud. "So far, I've been able to pacify him with useless snippets and inane trivia of no real value, but even those have made me feel sullied, as if I have been deceiving you both."

Delphina shifted her weight uncomfortably in her chair as I spoke. The Marquis's scowl merely deepened. My statement should not have come as much of a revelation to either of them since I had essentially told them as much previously, but that alone was not the sole purpose for my confession, and they knew it.

"Just this morning," I said, "under plenty of harm to myself, Lord Ruvano informed me that I was to try harder in uncovering information about you and your household that would be of greater interest to him."

Delphina put on a worried expression as she glanced at her husband.

"Why tell us this?" the Marquis said, impassively. "Do you expect us to take pity on you, providing scraps that you can take back to your master so as to save yourself at our own expense? We are not such fools, nor are we suicidal. In your naïveté, you may think that your looks are enough to get you out of situations that would send most men to the gallows, but we have no intention of opening our household to you any further then we already have. In fact, I believe we have been far too generous with you as it is."

Mathis might have fled then, writing the both of them off as lost assets, but I had to stand my ground. As the only one who might have had a chance of challenging Lord Ruvano, I needed the Marquis as an ally, not an enemy.

"I know Lord Ruvano will not allow me to refuse this order but I would sooner lose my life than betray either of you." I swallowed hard before continuing. "I would like to propose an alternative. I will relay whatever false or misleading information to him you would like me to: mistruths, deceptions, or outright lies, it makes no difference to me as long as I do not play a part in undermining you or your family."

The Marquis sat forward and his expression grew critical, perhaps scornful. "You're offering to become a double agent?"

I bristled at the thought, though that was essentially what I was, in fact, proposing. "I would choose not to be anyone's agent, but if my involvement would further your goals while hurting Lord Ruvano's, then I will do what I can. I do not ask to be taken into your confidence, merely to relay what information you wish him to discover."

We had reached a crossroads. After this, there was no way things could ever go back to the comfortable way they had been before. Either I would be invited deeper into their affairs or I would be cast out of their company entirely. Those were the only two options.

As the Marquis sat debating my proposal with eyes narrowed over steepled fingers, the only sound to be heard was the crackling of the coals in the hearth. I stood stark still with arms locked at my sides and every muscle of my body contracted in uncontrollable tension. I couldn't have moved even If I'd wanted to, even when a bead of sweat crept down the side of my forehead and raced across my cheek.

The Marquis obviously hadn't been expecting anything like this, but how could he not agree to my proposal? Surely I could be trusted to act as a simple messenger. What did he even have to consider? I'd rehearsed my case so well, crafting my argument in the most reasonable way so that anyone who heard it would have no choice but to arrive at the same inescapable truth.

Delphina, meanwhile, said not a word and merely sat there impassively. I was well aware of the fact she always acquiesced to her husband when they were together, but after all the time we'd spent in each other's company, she must have known the true course of my heart. If there was ever a time for her to speak out instead of just sitting there blankly, this was it...unless I had been nothing more than a pawn to her after all. In those many intimate moments we'd shared, how much had I already let slip about Lord Ruvano without even realizing it? Her husband had never liked me; of course it was now obvious she hadn't been any more obliging to my needs either. Even those times it looked as if she'd been defying her husband to remain in my company, it had probably just been a ruse they'd devised together in order to keep leading me along.

Damn these stupid games! I should have kept my mouth shut and let Lord Ruvano take out whatever punishments on me he wished for failing to deliver what he wanted. At least then I would still have my fake friends.

Finally the Marquis gripped the arms of his chair tightly and leaned forward. His scowl had not lessened in the least and as his mouth opened, I cringed, expecting the worst.

"I think you are much too bold with your intentions for me to believe them--!" Any further words abruptly died in his throat as Delphina reached across the gap between them and touched the back of his hand. I'd never seen her do anything like that. Under the circumstances, that simple touch was tantamount to an outburst.

The Marquis looked at his wife with a start. Her expression was full of worry.

"You must understand that this is a difficult proposition to swallow," Delphina said, tentatively gauging whether the Marquis would let her speak. When he offered no complaint, she turned to me. "In order for us to trust you, we would need something that proves your intentions are honorable."

"Anything! I will tell you anything at all you want to know!"

They just had to believe me! I couldn't bear the thought of losing Delphina. At that moment I was fully willing to sell my soul just to escape one master for another. Even if this was all part of a ploy to get me to betray Lord Ruvano, they'd roped me in well and good. I just needed some piece of information that could be used against the spymaster. Though he never confided the details of his plots to me, I had been around him long enough to learn that one of his schemes in particular would be of interest to just about anyone in the palace.

"Lord Ruvano's planning to overthrow the king," I said without any hesitation.

The Marquis's scowl lessened somewhat, replaced instead by a look of surprise. "He just helped put that maniac Rosenthall on the throne."

"I would never suggest otherwise unless I was certain." Of course I didn't have any proof other than Lord Ruvano's statement of intent to me, but what would they have to lose by investigating such a claim? "The only reason he keeps sending me to see the king is so that I can gather information about him the same way I'm supposed to from you." It made no difference if they knew about my clandestine meetings with the king. They likely already suspected as much in any case -- everyone in the palace except the queen seemed to.

The Marquis sat back in his chair, the wheels starting to turn inside his mind. Delphina instead sat forward. "This is a dangerous game, Stephanie." That might have been genuine concern in her voice.

"It always has been." I did my best to take on one of those looks of unflappable confidence I'd seen in her so often before. "I'm simply playing it for myself now instead of letting others tell me what moves to make."

"Except now you'll answer to us," the Marquis said.

"Does that mean you're willing to help me?"

He tipped his head to the side in a non-committal way, but I could see the beginnings of a smile on his lips. I'd never seen him smile before. This news must have presented him with more of an opportunity then I'd ever considered.

Again, Delphina reached for her husband and placed her hand on his arm. "Lord Ruvano must never learn of this. If he discovers that Stephanie has told us these things, her life will certainly be in danger."

The Marquis nodded. "We will tread cautiously. Nothing we discuss here will ever leave this room. Any action taken will only be so at the agreement of everyone involved."

I let out a silent sigh and finally allowed my shoulders to relax. I'd done it. I'd finally won their trust. I didn't want to imagine how difficult it would have been if I'd actually been doing so on Lord Ruvano's behalf. As the Marquis began laying out further ground rules, I had to fight hard to keep from bouncing on my toes. This was perhaps the best thing that had happened to me in quite a while.

"Fildrich might be of some use in this matter," the Marquis said as he lit his pipe with a match from the fire. "He tends to the marquisate while me and my wife attend court here. Though he's young, he's quite capable in such matters and has a good head on his shoulders."

The rest of him wasn't too bad either. The thought of including him in our planning sent goose bumps racing across my skin. It was exciting to be a part of such espionage, but having company like his would make it even more so.

"Stephanie?" Delphina said.

"What?" I said, rousing myself from my musings. "Oh, Lord Fildrich? Yes, I suppose, if you think it prudent."

"Good. I'll see if he hasn't found any of the servant girls yet."

As the Marquis hurried out of the chamber to retrieve his nephew, I wrung my hands. This could be fun. I hadn't had much opportunity to spend time with any charming young men who were actually on my side.

"Oh!" I jumped when I felt Delphina's hand on my shoulder.

"I'd recommend you be careful around Fildrich," she said. "In addition to his more redeeming qualities, he's also something of a rake. I wouldn't want to see your heart broken."

"What?" I sputtered. "Why would I -- I mean, I don't have any interest in him!"

"There's no shame in admitting it," Delphina said, patting me on the shoulder. "Stronger women than you have fallen for his charms. Even as a boy, he was able to talk me into giving him almost anything he wanted."

Again I shuddered. I didn't even know what to say. Men like Lord Ruvano and the King only seemed to have an interest in me because I fulfilled some ulterior motive. It was somehow unsettling to think that this Earl of Hallephord might simply wish to have me as another notch in his belt before moving on to his next conquest.

Still, that was of secondary concern to everything else. I'd finally taken real action on my own behalf. I was scheming against Lord Ruvano, the man who was supposed to be my master. Was this what it felt like to seize control of your own fate? If so, I was never going to let anyone take it away ever again.

To Be Continued... 



The Blood Pact Ch. 26



Following the forging of my compact with the Marquis and Delphina, we began fabricating a convoluted web of potential lies which I could deliver to Lord Ruvano one at a time. The biggest challenge was crafting them so that none of it to be perceived immediately as false, but that it would still mislead and confuse the larger picture the Spymaster was assembling from all his agents.

It was the first time the Marquis actually spoke to me with the least bit of respect, finally including me in his conversations as if I were, maybe not quite an equal, but certainly a valued ally. Much as the Marquis had said, Fildrich proved frighteningly skilled at devising these mistruths. The outline which all the rest followed was primarily the invention of his wily imagination. I was afraid to think what kinds of deception he might have orchestrated in the past to have honed such ability. Fortunately, he was on our side. One day, he would certainly make a fine ruler, since I was quickly discovering that espionage was almost more important to maintaining a kingdom than martial strength alone. It would indeed be a very lucky woman who eventually won his heart for good and convinced him to renounce his dissolute ways.

Devising these lies, however, was only the first step. I had to learn by heart, not only the lies themselves, but also the means by which they'd supposedly become known to me. Some we crafted with the understanding that Lord Ruvano would believe them to be false, like an order normally issued to a messenger in secret was instead spoken in my presence, as if it were intended to reach the Spymaster's ear. Others we devised so as to leave no doubt about their authenticity. Regardless, I committed each of these fictions to heart with such voracious intensity that even I began to believe that I really had slipped a peak inside the Marquis's filing chest or liberated the remains of a half-burned note from the fireplace while no one was looking.

We started slowly, with only one or two small tidbits, but gradually increased not only the size of the secrets but also their frequency. At first, I was certain Lord Ruvano would see right through our ploy -- after listening carefully to everything I had to say, he'd go through and point out with cool malice all the errors we'd neglected to consider. However, if he suspected something was afoot, he never gave any indication. I could only hope my fumbling delivery of these first reports was simply attributed to my lack of experience in such matters of espionage. Quickly, I became far too comfortable lying to him. I ceased fearing for my life and instead became much more concerned that I might misspeak and compromise the entire elaborate ploy we'd constructed.

I did my best to reciprocate in the passing of information back to the Marquis, but that proved somewhat more difficult since Lord Ruvano had never made me privy to any of his plans. What little I did learn came from seemingly-innocuous conversations with his men. Unlike my relationship with Lord Ruvano, however, I was slowly allowed to see how the information I provided to the Marquis fit into the larger puzzle. He and Delphina were still careful to keep their private affairs guarded, but I'd never before realized just how deep all of Lord Ruvano's plots ran. Many of his goals were still vague and uncertain at this point, but the larger picture was slowly starting to reveal itself.

There was one discovery I made quite by accident, however, which I did not share with my new-found confederates. I had been wondering seldom-used corridors in the nobles' wing when I happened to pass the main door into what had been Master Oringel's tower. Even now that the wizard was dead, almost everyone stayed well clear of it for fear possible traps might yet be poised to spring if anyone got too close. Even as a servant, I'd known enough not to go anywhere near it.

Maybe it was some lingering trace of that ingrained behavior that had kept me away for so long, but on that particular day, lost to other thoughts, I found myself stepping around a corner and coming to a an abrupt halt at the sight of that massive oaken door, etched all with golden sigils. It sat near the end of a short side passage which some past ruler had expanded into an impressive stone oriel, complete with cushioned benches and high arched windows. It would have been a sunny and relaxing place for quiet contemplation had it not been right outside the wizard's front door.

Today, I noted another reason to avoid it. Standing beside the door was one of Lord Ruvano's men while another was seated on the bench. The latter took immediate notice of my lingering presence at the end of the hallway and indicated me to his companion with a wary nod. I smiled and moved on again, their alert stares following me until I disappeared around the corner.

Why were they guarding the wizard's tower? With all the mystic wards built into it, only another wizard would ever risk trying to gain entrance without the former owner's blessing. Even the most cunning of thieves wouldn't even be able to get past the front door. King Rosenthall would have to be on the throne for at least six months before he could request a new court wizard from the Cadre. Until then, all Cadre members were supposed to stay out of the affairs of new governments lest they prove unstable.

Something about this didn't make sense. I wasn't quite sure what it was, but as my mind was busy trying to figure it out, I ended up walking right into a man standing in my path. Of course, the only one who'd have reason to be in that part of the palace at the same time as myself was Bakoro. He grabbed me by the shoulders to keep me from falling, but I knew he was slower in releasing me than he would have been with anyone else.

"Now what do you think you're up to out here?" he said.

"Why do your men have Master Oringel's tower under guard?" I said, completely forgetting to put on any airs of superiority as Delphina had been teaching me to do when dealing with a subordinate.

"It's a wizard's tower," Bakoro said, with a condescending smile and a shrug. "There's all kinds of things in there that might be dangerous in the wrong hands."

That was almost the same reason Lord Ruvano had given for stealing the Transformation Wand from Master Oringel during the coup. Come to think of it, how had he stolen it if it were locked inside the tower? That devious spymaster must have found another way in.

And if he did, what better place to hide an artifact as valuable as a Transformation Wand than inside a wizard's tower to which only he had the keys? Perhaps it was a long shot, but after having exhausted every other possibility, I was practically shaking at the prospect I might have finally found it.

"Eh...what kinds of things?" I said, trying my best to make it sound like nothing more than a causal inquiry uttered an inquisitive girl.

"Hell if I know what half of it is," Bakoro said, laughing. "Some of it looks like it could be pawned for a few coins, but most of it's just old books and pieces of junk."

"You mean, you've been inside?"

He rose up a little straighter and puffed out his chest. "It's part of my job to take inventory once a week. The boss doesn't want any of it disappearing on him, though he's a little paranoid about it if you ask me. That place is a fortress; no one's getting in there."

"Could you...show me?" Maybe it was a foolish thing to say, but I couldn't help myself. Lord Ruvano would never let me anywhere near that wand, he knew I wanted it too badly, but Bakoro? What would he care?

"I'm not supposed to let anyone in."

"Just a peak?" I said, batting my eyelashes.

His eyes roamed over my body, lingering for a long time on my cleavage. Slowly, he licked his lips. "Just a peak, huh?" He didn't even try to downplay the way he reached for his groin and readjusted himself. "I don't think so. I'm not a tour guide."

But he was temped. I knew I could get him to give in, but not just to let me see Master Oringel's trinkets. He was going to need more motivation than that. Unfortunately, I knew exactly what it would take. Stepping forward, I pressed my body against his and idly traced the molded lines of his breast plate with my forefinger. The steel was cold and hard.

"Maybe I could make it worth your while..." It was no easy task to make my voice seductive.

His back went rigid and he glanced up and down the hallway. "You know what the boss said. If I put my hands on you, he'll have my head."

"What if I just put MY hands on YOU then?" With that, I reached between his legs and took hold of his quickly stiffening cock. It wasn't quite as large as I'd imagined it, but nicely shaped nonetheless. "I actually have a confession to make. I still think about that night of the coup, when you came into Lord Ruvano's chambers and tried to force yourself on me."

"Oh yeah?" he gasped, as I continued rubbing his cock. It was standing straight up now, pressing out against his pants.

On tiptoes, I brought my lips close to his ear. "Sometimes, I wish you'd had a chance to finish. When Lord Ruvano and I...fuck," I felt his cock twitch, "I'm never quite sure if he's actually doing anything or just dry humping me. I want -- no -- I NEED a real man..."

He gulped. I could see the resolve in his eyes weakening. "But you're still his woman. These walls have eyes and ears. He'd know if we did anything before we even got started."

"You know, I was in the wizard's chambers once myself," I said whispering in his other ear. His masculine odor was sharp, pungent. He hadn't bathed in several days. I had to fight down the urge to gag. "That place is like another world all to itself. There's no way any of his eyes or ears would find out what we were up to in there..."

I felt his whole body quiver. His heart was practically beating right through his chest. "We can't go in through the front," he said, stammering. "Do you know the way to the storage rooms below here? The ones near the cells?"

"Mm-hm," I nodded. So he was going to use Master Oringel's backdoor?

"Meet me there, we can't be seen together, it's too dangerous."

Bakoro took a few steps back, looked me over again as if to convince himself that this was really happening, and then flashed a lecherous smile before dashing away down a nearby staircase. I myself could barely believe this was really happening. But it was necessary. How else could I possibly get inside the tower?

Taking a more circuitous route to the storerooms than was probably necessary, I eventually found myself sulking down that same darkened corridor that ran beside the base of Master Oringel's tower. No one ever went down there, but I couldn't stop myself from looking over my shoulder every three steps. If word of what I'd just proposed to Bakoro ever got back to Lord Ruvano, it would cost him his head for sure, but what of my fate? Lord Ruvano had so far turned a blind eye to my other sexual encounters, but Bakoro had nearly raped me the last time we'd been together. What if he became blinded by his baser instincts and got carried away? I could very well be walking to my death.

Ahead I could see the curved wall and the wooden door I'd used in the past to gain entrance to Master Oringel's tower. There was no one else in sight, just an empty hallway in near darkness and a damp, musty smell in the air.

Maybe Bakoro had come to his senses and abandoned this insanity -- because insanity it truly was. What had I been thinking to even attempt something like this -- with him of all people? Wringing my hands I looked down the length of the passageway as I stood before the door, shifting my weight from one foot to the other. Maybe this hadn't been such a good idea after all.

I nearly jumped right out of my skin when the door opened a crack. Fortunately, I was able to quell the feminine shriek of fright before it left my lips with any more force than a sharp gasp.

"I was beginning to think you'd changed your mind," Bakoro said as he leaned out through the partially opened door and examined the hallway. "Were you followed?"

Lips pressed tightly together and hands trembling, I shook my head haltingly.

"Well, come on then!" he said in a harsh whisper, waving me inside. "Before someone sees!"

I tried to step follow his lead, but my feet didn't want to move. The door was open. If the wand was in there, as I knew it had to be, this was my one chance to find it. I just had to debase myself with this brute. A small price to pay to regain my manhood and win my freedom, wasn't it?

Swallowing my pride, I charged forward without letting my mind give it one more thought. Bakoro stepped out of the way to let me pass and checked the passageway one last time before following after me and closing the door tightly behind us.

Inside, the strange chambers I remembered from before sat drearily silent. The various braziers were all dark and unlit. A pallid light spilled in through those unnatural windows that looked down on the palace from above, leaving eerie pools of partial shadow in the corners and under every table.

Unconsciously, I clutched my hands to my stomach as I made my way into the large domed room, looking around for some sight of the Transformation Wand. Master Oringel had never been all that organized, even with his most valuable possessions, so where it had ended up after being stolen by Lord Ruvano was anyone's guess. I could spend hours searching those rooms and never find it.

Bakoro suddenly moved up behind me and put his arms around my shoulders, crushing me uncomfortably against his armor. That was likely his idea of foreplay. I twisted out of his grip and took several hasty steps back. I know I'd all but promised myself to him, but could I really go through with this?

He stormed after me and grasped me by the arm hard enough that I let out a cry. "You better not be changing your mind now, you little bitch, not after I've stuck my neck out this far!"

"N-no," I said, trying my best to smile but failing miserably. I squirmed to break free but his grip did not slacken. "Please, you're hurting me."

"I thought you said you liked it rough!" he snarled, pushing me suddenly backward with a violent shove. I fell onto Master Oringel's round bed. Standing before me, Bakoro unfastened his sword belt and set his armor aside. "Now, are you going to put out, or am I gonna have to give you a lesson in keeping your word?"

"No. No, I'm willing," I said, sitting up and shifting to the edge of the bed. Maybe I could get by with simply sucking his cock. If he'd had half as many fantasies of me as I suspected, he'd have to find anything at all better than nothing, especially after having resigned himself to never possessing me at all. "I just...you frightened me, is all."

A grim smile spread the jagged scar that bisected his face. "Good, that's the way I like it." He kicked off his boots and cast aside his shirt. His chest was wiry and firm, the muscles plainly visible beneath pale skin that didn't seem quite as thick as it should have been. Much like his face, the rest of him was also covered in all manner of puckered scars. As he undid his belt, he was careful to remove a jingling ring of keys and a large hunting knife with a bone hilt. I hoped he wasn't planning to use that in me. "Now take off your dress, before I decide it doesn't matter what you have left to wear once we're done."

I stood, trying again to smile seductively. I undid the laces at the sides of my dress while Bakoro stared on hungrily. I could do this. It wasn't any different from any of the other times -- and this one I actually had something to gain by doing so. I pulled the dress off my shoulders and down past my breasts. It fell off my hips and landed in a pile on the floor around my ankles, leaving me in only a diaphanous shift of the thinnest silk.

"Good enough," Bakoro said as he lunged at me. With one large hand, he grabbed the shift and tore it away, causing it to bite into my side as it ripped open down the front. He fell upon me, pushing me back onto the bed and ravaging my neck and lips with rough kisses. With his hands, he ruthlessly mauled my breasts as he ground his hips against mine.

"Oh, I've waited so long to do this," he gasped. "You can't imagine the torture it's been to have you so close every day, but never able to touch you!"

"Y-yes," I said. "I've...often felt the same."

He must not have noticed the insincerity in my voice because he chuckled with glee and intensified his assault. Pinning me to the bed with one hand, he ripped away the last shreds of the shift and then tore open the crotch of my panties. My pained cries only provoked him to new levels, violently mashing his hand against my exposed pussy as he again kissed me, all but crushing me beneath his writhing body.

Looking down between the valley formed by my heaving breasts, I could see him open his trousers to unleash his cock. It was not nearly as long as Lord Ruvano's, but it had a sharp bend to it. Perhaps that, at least, would provide some novelty.

He all but snarled as he took it by the base and thrust it into me with a single sharp jab. I let out a cry as well, one of pain and shock. He wasn't being gentle in the least. My pussy felt violated. The pain became more tolerable as I stretched to accommodate him, but still holding me down, me rammed himself into me over and over again, each thrust more forceful than the last, as if he were purposely trying to hurt me. 

He groaned and gasped in rampant pleasure, both kissing and biting me with equal fervor. For myself, I felt little of anything from his repeated penetrations, but I moaned and cried out as if it were the most fantastic experience of my life. He seemed pleased enough by the performance because he only grew more violent with each effeminate whimper I uttered.

He didn't last long before he thrust into me one last time and let out a deep howl like that of some beastly creature. I could feel the hot stickiness of his seed pumping deep into me and, as I tensed my back and let out a passionate cry of my own, I dug my fingernails into his back in surreptitious retaliation for all the hurts he'd inflicted on me.

Thusly spent, he pulled out of me and collapsed on top of the bed sheets, gasping for breath and staring senselessly at the ceiling. I too felt rather short of breath. It took a minute or two before I was able to stop hyperventilating from the artificial wails I'd put on for his benefit. Even giving myself to him willingly, I'd suffered several welts which might yet turn into bruises and a small cut to my lip. None of it looked as though it would draw too much attention, but I now realized why it was that Lord Ruvano didn't want Bakoro to have me. Damaged goods wouldn't serve his plans nearly as well as pristine merchandise. 

"That was...unlike anything I've ever experienced before." I said.

"Give me a few minutes and we can do it again."

I had actually been hoping he didn't have it in him. Still naked, I slipped off of the bed just as he was reaching for me. If I left myself to his devises, I could very well end up as his plaything all afternoon. I was here for a purpose; that was the only reason I'd ever let him do those things to me.

Using the tattered remains of my panties, I wiped away Bakoro's seed where it was dripping out between my legs. I could feel his hungry eyes on my naked back as I padded across the cold stone floor on bare feet. I wanted to cover myself, but I knew this would keep his attention from my true aim. To his eyes, it would look as if I was merely wandering around the room, absently looking at all the odd trinkets and potions.

I paused at the table where all of Master Oringel's glass battles and beakers were kept, running my fingers along the edge and finding a thick coating of dust. Almost completely hidden from view amidst all the other items was his silver tea kettle, just like the last time I'd seen it but with a slightly deeper patina of tarnish to the dragon scale pattern. Amidst the alchemical instruments there were also several small sacks, each with a deep aroma of rancid coffee and all moldering badly. A tiny porcelain pitcher contained a solid and cracked mass of discolored brown and green which at onetime might have been cream. Bakoro had obviously taken Lord Ruvano's instructions not to touch anything quite literally. Placing my hand across my mouth, I drew back in revulsion.




The Blood Pact Ch. 26



Still lying on the bed, Bakoro chuckled. "You should have seen the pork roast he'd left in the other room. There were so many maggots, they were rolling right out of the pot and onto the floor. Nothing left of it now but a few bones."

"Ulgh!" The thought of treading on that same floor without any shoes on sent a visible shiver through my whole body. With a start, I backed away from the table while looking closely at the floor, only inciting more laugher from Bakoro.

Summoning what little remained of my manly courage, I continued my tour, albeit somewhat more mindful of what might be underfoot. It didn't take long before I noticed a rather large chest sitting somewhat prominently away from the wall. I hadn't remembered seeing it the last time I'd been in Master Oringel's chambers.

"Aren't wizards supposed to have crystal balls and wands and things like that?" I said.

"All the really good stuff is in that chest," Bakoro said.

I knew it.

He patted the ring of keys that was laying atop his clothes. "I guess the boss figures just keeping them in here isn't good enough, they need to be locked up in there too. They're the only things I really even bother to check when I do inventory for him." 

"May I see?" I said. When he started to shake his head in the negative, I turned, giving him a full look at my naked body, hands clasped in pleading below my sizable breasts, pushing them up and outward for an impressive display. "Please?"

"I..." He licked his lips and looked me up and down. "Alright, fine. Just don't touch nothing."

I caught the ring of keys he tossed and flashed a sly smile as I turned back toward the chest. "The keys to the kingdom..." I said, giving them a jingle.

"Yeah, so don't go gettin' no ideas."

"Oh, I've got all kinds of ideas. None of them have anything to do with these, however," I teased as I kneeled before the chest and fit the proper key into the lock. It turned easily, releasing the hasp. I paused and swallowed hard as I placed my hands on the lid. This had to be it. It just had to be.

Holding my breath, I lifted the lid in a single swift motion. The inside of the chest was filled with all manner of ornamental trinkets, gilded books, and even a crystal ball, but I had eyes for only the twisted wooden twig laying on top of all the rest.

Gods! It was there! Right within my grasp! All I had to do was reach out and take it.

Unfortunately, there was no way Bakoro would ever let me keep it. Maybe I could use it on him; turn him into a newt. But even if it was as simple to use as Master Oringel seemed to think, I'd never done so before. I wouldn't want to try anything like that without some practice first. Besides, Bakoro's absence would be noticed much too quickly, as would mine.

Damn it. To have come this close and still be thwarted.

At least I now knew where it was. Finding a way to liberate it from this vault would have to wait for another day. I couldn't even show any signs of interest in it if I didn't want to attract his attention. But this WAS another tiny step forward for my plans. There was no point to stumbling headlong into yet another mess like all the others which had gotten me here in the first place. I could have patience.

"That's it?" I said, doing my best to feign disappointment. "It's just a bunch of junk."

"I told you there wasn't any reason to get excited."

I dropped the lid back into place and rose without bothering to re-secure the lock. Tossing the keys back to Bakoro, I strode across the room, putting as much sway into my hips as I could without looking like a complete fool. If I could keep his attention away from the chest, he might forget to relock it. Then I'd just have to find my way back into the tower.

"Well, there is one thing exciting about this place," I said as I crawled onto the bed. Bakoro rolled onto his back and I straddled his waist with my naked body. "Just think if those guards standing right on the other side of that door knew what we were doing in here..." I settled my plumb ass over his cock and ground down on it, feeling it harden satisfactorily. "...right now."

Bakoro's expression turned sadistic as he looked up at me from amidst the pillows. His rough hands slid across my thighs and settled on my hips but I slapped them playfully away. "No, let me."

I lifted myself up and reached behind to grab his cock. With my thin feminine hand, I guided it to my hole. Still slippery from our earlier round, it admitted his bent cock with ease as I lowered myself onto him. His eyes rolled back in his head and he let out a hearty moan.

I was glad he couldn't see my own humdrum expression. I let out a low moan all the same as I began rocking back and forth against his meat. I could feel every pointy bone of his sinewy body. His pale skin crisscrossed with scars made me feel like I was fucking a warm corpse given animation through some kind of necromancy.

If it were anyone other than him, I might have been able to find some enjoyment in this. Why couldn't he have at least been handsome and trim. Someone like Fildrich. It was a shame that man was such a rake. I closed my eyes and imagined what HIS body would have looked lying naked under me as I placed my hand flat against Bakoro's chest.

I increased my pace as I traced the contours. My long hair tickled down my back as I lifted my head toward the ceiling and let out another moan.

I was sure Fildrich would have been a kind and compassionate lover, sensitive to my needs. With someone like that, I would gladly reciprocate, not just playing a part, but giving him everything I had to give. Eyes still closed, I imagined his handsome face gazing up at me with love-hazed eyes, his beautiful hair framing his handsome young face.

It was his fingertips I felt brush against my waist, tracing a feathery path toward my breasts. He cupped them, his hands feeling so strong and powerful against my sensitive flesh. He rolled my nipples between his fingers, pinching them and sending lightning bolts racing through my body. 

I began to rise up on my knees, lifting my hips and then slamming them back down on his waiting cock. My breasts crashed into his hands each time I arched my back and threw myself against him. One of my hands found his and our fingers intertwined. I could feel the heat of our bodies through that touch, the pulse of his heart matching my own. We became linked, our bodies and ourselves operating in tandem.

My tittering gasps were coming quick and breathy now. I rocked my pussy against his cock at a furious pace, causing my ass and thighs to quiver violently. My partner let out a long, throaty moan as I contracted my muscles around him, squeezing the very life out of his cock. The squishing sound of my juices running down his shaft and pooling between us filled the cavernous room.

As my orgasm began to rip through me, I threw back my head and howled at the ceiling. I continued thrusting my spasming cunt against his stiff cock even as the shuddering of my body made me lose all rhythm. I bit my lip and continued rocking against him with long steady strokes, growing slower in time with the quieting flutter of my pussy.

A pair of rough hands on my hips jarred me from my bliss. It was with slight disappointment that I opened my eyes to see it was still only Bakoro lying under me. With teeth bared, he threw me off, pushing my face down in the blankets.

"You fucking bitch!" Mounting me from behind, he pulled my arms to the rear and jabbed his cock into my still-inviting hole. "You think you can bring me right to the brink and then leave me wanting!" He thrust into me with cruel abandon, painfully driving my face and breasts down against the bed over and over again. My back bent backward so far I feared it might snap. "Even if you cum first, you won't leave me unsatisfied!"

Fortunately, it didn't take him long to find his satisfaction. I think he liked it better when I let him have complete control anyway. Once he'd emptied himself into my for the second time that day, he tossed me down on the bed and stepped to the floor with cock still dripping. I lay on my back, feeling my hips spread out on the bedding and my breasts slump to either side of my chest as Bakoro's cum ran down my ass.

"Get dressed," he said, pulling on his shirt. "We'll soon be missed, if we haven't already."

I was only too happy to get out of that room for the time being. I may have discovered where the wand was hidden, but I was not really any closer to having it. I'd still need to get back in, and that would likely mean I'd have to seduce Bakoro all over again. Before I did that, however, I'd first have to figure out how I was going to sneak it out right under his nose.

Gods, I hoped I hadn't given myself to him for nothing.

To Be Continued...



The Blood Pact Ch. 27



Though I now knew where the Transformation Wand was, I felt more trapped than ever. A distinct change had come over Bakoro since I'd let him fuck me in Master Oringel's tower. He now watched me closer than ever, though not in suspicion, but rather with lust. He still had enough sense not to pursue me in public, but except when Lord Ruvano had specific duties for him to perform elsewhere, he personally took on my guard duty almost exclusively; no doubt praying for my mood to eventually favor him with a repeat performance of the last time.

Just why did it have to be him who, quite literally, held the keys to my freedom? Getting my hands on them was not going to be easy. Pilfering them in his sleep didn't seem like a possibility since the man slept as lightly as a cat -- the few times I'd actually seen him do so. But even if I could gain access to the tower once more, I would still have the dilemma of what to do with the Wand itself. Its absence would only leave me with a week at the most to unlock its secrets and make my escape before it was missed during Bakoro's next inventory. Replacing it with a counterfeit was a possibility, though I wasn't sure I wanted to risk my continued wellbeing on something so risky.

Stalking through the corridors of the noble's wing one morning, I was still no closer to a solution. As always, Bakoro followed me like a lost puppy. If only I could be rid of him for a few moments.

"Come now, don't get so far ahead of me," Bakoro said, suddenly taking hold of me by the arm.

With face turned so he wouldn't see, I gritted my teeth. He was becoming entirely too friendly with me. I did my best to imitate Delphina's mannerisms as I rose up to my most domineering height. Even that barely brought me to Bakoro's shoulder, though.

"You forget your place!" I snapped. "You may be my guardian, but I am still a noblewoman, and you will not lay your hands on me!"

"Of course, m'lady...unless you ask me to." He released my arm, but his smile was mocking.

I could have knifed him right there. He was such an arrogant brute, I probably could have had my dagger buried in his heart before he even realized what was happening. Maybe I could even convince Lord Ruvano he had it coming.

A short distance down the hallway, I caught sight of Natalie, likely going about on some chore or another. Standing stark still at the intersection of two passages, however, she was staring intently at the two of us. The moment she noticed my eyes upon her, she hurried on again.

I never had found out what Lord Ruvano had done to convince her to stop spying for the queen, but I had seen her several times watching me as if she still was. Was she still in the queen's employ? Or was she now reporting to Lord Ruvano instead? With Bakoro as my constant shadow, I'd never thought that Lord Ruvano might also have me under surveillance from other fronts as well. Just one wrong word in the right ear could ruin everything I'd worked so hard to achieve. I wasn't about to let it all go just like that. In that one moment, the unmitigated rage I felt toward Bakoro boiled up inside me and I stormed after Natalie.

Bakoro was on my heels the whole way. As I rounded the corner, Natalie glanced over her shoulder, increased her own pace for a few steps, but then stopped with a look of panic in her eyes. She knew that whatever I wanted with her, it wouldn't do to compound her troubles by running from a noblewoman.

As I closed on her, I drew my dagger from the hidden pocket concealed in my dress. Every piece of my wardrobe had come with one so I was never without the blade, and my lessons in the forest had given me enough skill that I was able to bring it into service without the least bit of fumbling.

With one arm, I pushed Natalie back against the wall while I placed the knife against her throat with the other. Though my height might have been minuscule next to Bakoro, it was more than enough to dwarf Natalie. Her eyes grew wide and tears began to fall almost instantly. My own expression was like stone. I had to know what she was up to. I couldn't let anyone find out about me and Bakoro; or any of my other clandestine endeavors.

"Hello, Natalie. We haven't had much opportunity to speak to one another recently -- certainly not after you almost got me killed by selling me out to the queen! I thought we were friends. What could I have ever done to deserve such rancor from you?"

"I swear I didn't know it would put you in danger! Lord Ruvano made me see straight. I'm not taking the queen's coin no more 'cept when he wants me to! I swear it!"

"With how often I find your eyes on me, that is somewhat difficult to believe." I brought the knife to her face and dragged the flat of the blade across her cheek, smearing her tears. "Are you working for someone else now? I already have enough idiots following me around without you watching my every move as well."

I pointed with the tip of the dagger over my shoulder at Bakoro. He smiled grimly, putting his scar on fine display. Natalie squirmed under my grip and whimpered like a child.

"In the future, it would serve you well not to take so much of an interest in me. Do you understand?"

Frantically, with eyes pinched closed, she nodded. "Yes, yes, I understand, please, just don't kill me!"

Abruptly, I stepped back as if slapped. Natalie all but collapsed to the floor, a pitiful sobbing heap. What the hell was I doing? As I'd often told Nikelle with such vehemence, I was not a murderer. I couldn't hurt Natalie any more than I could kill Bakoro. Was my own freedom really so important that I was willing to compromise every moral I had? I felt like I was going to be sick.

Stashing the dagger back in its sheath, I turned and walked away, leaving Natalie where she lay. Bakoro fell in behind me, casting one last look back before we passed around a corner.

"Lady Stephanie?" he said. I could practically hear the malicious smile playing across his uneven lips. "You're more sexy than I ever realized."

Me playing rough with one of the servant girls turned him on? Oh, just what I wanted. I still couldn't believe I'd actually treated her like that. I glared at him over my shoulder as we kept walking. He cast me a toothy grin in reply.

"But you know," he continued, "I hear she's a lesbian. Maybe she's just got the hots for you."

He was probably right -- jealousy was often a stronger motivation than money ever was -- but I wasn't about to admit anything to him at the moment. "Shut up, Bakoro."

"Yes, M'LADY..." he smiled.

Maybe I couldn't bring myself to kill him but I was sure I could come up with some other imaginative fate for Bakoro. Men like him and the King might have used violence to achieve their ends, but I was a Baroness Stephanie of the royal court. I would not allow myself to become like them simply because my temper got the better of me. I needed to be smarter than that -- like this problem of finding a way back into the wizard's tower.

During drunken card games with Master Oringel, I'd heard him brag often enough about his tower's security measures to know that just having the keys would not have been enough to allow access. Lord Ruvano was a spymaster, but even he couldn't have had the cunning to neutralize a master wizard's defenses. He must have found another way in.

Through the windows? No, then any thief in the realm would have had free access. Perhaps the backdoor was less guarded than the front. Few people even knew it existed. To have any chance of getting past the guards, it would have to be MY only option. Apparently, it was also how Bakoro had gained entrance. Unfortunately, that just brought me back to the need to steal his keys. However, the one time I'd actually been with Master Oringel when he'd unlocked it, he hadn't used a key at all...

My step faltered and my eyes opened wide, flittering about but seeing nothing at all. My gods! A secret combination known only to the wizard that would allow him access even if he lost his keys? Could it really be that simple? If it were, I wouldn't need Bakoro at all.

I was on edge the next several days waiting for an opportunity to cast off my shadow for a few moments so I could test my theory. Bakoro was steadfast in his duties, but eventually Lord Ruvano sent him on some task that required he assign one of his underlings to my watch instead. It was fortunate that it turned out to be Mazantius. He looked like a freckle-faced boy, but he was deadly with those paired swords he carried. He was also absolute shit in a saddle. The moment I stepped out of Lord Ruvano's chambers wearing my divided skirts and heading for the stables, I could see him sweating.

"Um...my lady?" he said, jogging to catch up with me and holding his swords to keep them from flailing about. "If I could ask, where are you headed?"

With head held high, I kept walking at a brisk pace. "I'm going for a ride, not that it's any business of yours."

"I know, my lady, I know, but it is my duty to make sure you don't come to any harm. Perhaps if you could wait for a moment while I summon another guard who could accompany you on horseback..."

"I have no intention of altering my schedule to fit your needs," I said, still not slowing my pace. It was a challenge to keep from smirking. "If you can find your man before I leave, he's welcome to accompany me, but I'll not wait for him."

Checking his stride, Mazantius nearly tripped over his own feet in the middle of the empty hallway. "Oh, bloody hell," I heard him mutter. "I'll be right back with someone, my lady, don't you worry!"

"Oh, you can be well-assured I have no worries at all."

As he went running back the way we'd just come, I couldn't hold back my smile any longer. Even though I nearly considered Mazantius a friend, that had still been fun. Once he disappeared from sight, I did one final scan of the hallway to ensure I was truly alone and then ducked down one of the side passages that lead to the servants' corridors.

I hurried through the dimly-lit passages, checking my pace only when I passed those few servants who happened to be about. It wasn't entirely uncommon to see an occasional noble there, so my presence was probably of no great interest to them. Once I dropped into the lower levels, there was no one at all to see me. Only Bakoro would likely have reason to even be down there, but his weekly inventory wasn't for another few days.

Shortly, I arrived at the backdoor to the tower. My heart was pounding in my throat and I couldn't help looking both ways up and down the passage. Everything was darkness except for the few lamps which provided a dull illumination.

Now I just needed to remember the right sequence. I'd only seen it once, and I hadn't been paying attention to its importance at the time, but I'd thought about it until my brain hurt and I was almost positive I'd figured it out. With another check of the hallway, I kicked the stone door jamb twice and then pulled on the door ring.

Nothing happened.

I was positive I had remembered it correctly. Again I kicked the jamb, harder this time, and pulled on the ring, but with identical results. Maybe I'd been wrong about the whole thing. Maybe I was going to have to find a way to acquire Bakoro's keys after all. I didn't want to sleep with him again.

In frustration and anger, I took hold of the door ring and began tugging violently as I kicked the jamb until my toe became sore.

"You fucking piece of shit!" I said. "Just open up, damn you! Open up!"

Then, between two of my more forceful tugs, the door started swinging open. It caught me with such surprise that my next intended tug at the door ring accidentally pulled it closed before I even realized what was happening. It slammed shut with a crash that echoed loudly through those stone corridors.

Still holding fast to the door ring, I clenched my jaw and stared down the length of the hallway. It would be just my luck to finally get the stupid thing open, only to give myself away in the process. I waited there in the dark for what felt like several minutes before I allowed myself to push against the door. Again, it was sealed tight.

Trying to remember what it was I'd done to achieve a successful result, I did my best to repeat it. Despite my bruised toe, I kicked the jamb in what I thought was the same place as hard as I was able and then pulled the door ring, giving it something of a twist in the process.

My jaw dropped as the door silently swung open, pulling the ring right out of my stunned fingers.

I stifled a cry of joy and jumped inside, quietly closing the door behind me before someone might happen along and see me trespassing.

Master Oringel's chambers were just as I'd last seen them, dark shadows filling the corners where the light from the windows didn't quite reach, but they felt somehow more foreboding this time, as if I was being watched. I knew it was just my imagination, however, and did my best to shake the feeling as I dashed across the room to the chest. It was still unlocked and I lifted the lid to find the wand right where it had been before.

I clenched my hands into fists and bit my knuckles, pinching my eyes shut against the tears. After all this time, I'd made it. I could finally get out of this infernal mess.

However, a heavy weight fell over me and I sat back on my ankles as I realized that, even now, I still couldn't take the wand with me. With Bakoro's next inventory only a few days away, its absence would promptly be discovered. Even if I fled the palace right now, leaving all of my stashed coin behind, Bakoro's men were already looking for me. My disappearance would be noticed far too soon and they wouldn't rest until I was brought back.

Damn it!

If I just had a bit more free reign in my activities, I could do it, but not with Bakoro constantly breathing down my neck. Before I did anything further, I needed to get rid of him.

With eyes narrowed, I glanced around the room, trying desperately to think of something. I couldn't stand the thought of putting this opportunity off any longer than I already had. Suddenly, my eyes fell on the table covered to overflowing with Master Oringel's alchemical glassware.

I shot to my feet and carefully extracted the small silver teakettle from all the rest. To a casual glance, it wouldn't be missed. After all, Bakoro himself had said he wasn't even taking the inventories all that seriously anymore. Even if he was, the horrid stench of the rotting foodstuffs would probably keep anyone from getting too close. Yes, this might just work.

I stashed the teakettle in my dress's hidden pocket. It left something of a bulge, but I was fortunate that the fall of the ribbons on this particular dress helped to disguise that fact nicely. Returning to the chest, I stared at the Transformation Wand for a good long time with the lid half closed. I could still take it, but in the end, I left it where it was. Since I was the only one who had ever voiced interest in it, its disappearance would raise far too many of the wrong kinds of questions.

Using my dagger, I cut a small piece of fabric from the tattered edge a bed sheet and stuffed it into the catch on the lock. I kept my fingers crossed as I pressed the hasp back into place. It closed with a soft click and to all appearances looked as if it were again locked. However, a simple tug caused it to pop right open again without any trouble at all. That was a little trick me and my brothers had perfected as children in order to gain access to our parents' chests when snooping about for our winter solstice presents. Now, I could not only get back into the tower, but also the chest as well, whenever the opportunity was right.

All I had left to do was clear my path.

I stood at the inside of the tower's backdoor for what must have been ten minutes before I worked up the nerve to take a peek outside. It was probably foolish to think that there would even be anyone there waiting for me. After all, the only reason they'd check the tower was if I'd been gone so long they'd exhausted every other possibility. As far as they knew, it was the last place I could have been. The corridor was still clear, so I hurried off toward the stables. 

Emerging from the storerooms, I entered the stables without being seen by the replacement guard Mazantius had secured to accompany me on my ride. It wasn't much of a surprise to see the ever-morose and weather-beaten Yanthas waiting in the courtyard with his horse already saddled. Whenever it was known beforehand that I was going to be riding, he was usually the one assigned to my watch. Though he couldn't quite match me on horseback, he was still an excellent rider who I had spoken with at length about horses and horsemanship on more than one occasion. At the moment, he was probably wondering if he'd missed my departure entirely. I hoped I hadn't caused him too much worry, but by now most of Lord Ruvano's men had gotten used to my frequent efforts to evade them.

The grooms had come to respect me as a skilled rider with a true affinity for their horses so they were more than happy to get Diamondhead saddled for me quickly and feign ignorance when I rode unexpectedly out of the stables, catching my guardian unaware. Yanthas had to scramble to catch up, which he did eventually, but by that point, it was hardly a matter for concern. All of Lord Ruvano's men could have been following me for all I cared. I just needed some time to think. The plan that I'd hastily conceived in Master Oringel's chamber was quickly taking shape, growing into something I was quite proud to think of as my own. I think even Fildrich would have been rather impressed. By the time I returned to the Palace, I could hardly wait to speak with Delphina. I went straight to her quarters, finding Traemene waiting for me in the antechamber.

"I heard you went riding," she said. "Couldn't you have told us? I would have liked to come along."

"Too busy," I said, barely altering my stride. "Far too much going on this morning. Is Delphina in?"

"Waiting for you," Treamene called after me, "Lord Fildrich is there as well."

"Excellent! Thank you!"

In the parlor, I found Delphina and her nephew sitting down to tea.

"You look to be in good spirits this morning," Fildrich said, setting his cup aside.

His smile made me feel as if I was the only one in the whole world he ever smiled for. Shaking the doe-eyed expression from my face, I turned to Delphina. If I was going to get the Transformation Wand soon, it meant I was going to be a man again. I needed to stop thinking like a woman.

"I'll just get right to the point," I said. "I require your assistance in getting rid of Bakoro."

"That could be easily arranged," Fildrich said, chuckling. "With that man's reputation, we could have him knifed in some back alley and no one would ever question it as anything other than foul play at the hand of some cutpurse."

Delphina eyed her nephew with aversion. She must have found the idea of killing someone so casually just as repugnant as I did. "Why now?" she said. "Bakoro's been Lord Ruvano's right hand for years. What has changed to make it worthwhile to deal with him now?"

"That man follows me everywhere. He pays far too close attention to my activities. With our recent alliance, he endangers everything." All true, though in actuality, his surveillance only helped to reinforce the deception we were conducting against Lord Ruvano. Even though they were my allies, I couldn't let them know the true reasons for my need. Perhaps a more emotional appeal might help win my case. "He also has designs on bedding me, forcefully if possible, but Lord Ruvano has forbidden him from doing so under penalty of death."

"Oh Stephanie, you can't mean to -- " Delphina suddenly sat up very straight. She must have thought I planned to let him have me so that we could be found together. How shocked would she have been if she knew what I'd already done?




The Blood Pact Ch. 27



"No, I don't intend to get him killed. I don't want to see anyone die. I have something else in mind for him; something that will also be more damaging to Lord Ruvano than merely disposing of his right-hand."

"And just how do you intend to do this?" Fildrich said, sitting forward with cautious interest.

"With this." I drew forth the teakettle and held it out for them to see. Now it was simply a matter of letting my plan play itself out. 

To Be Continued...



The Blood Pact Ch. 28



With the Marquis's contacts, it didn't take long to arrange the details of my plan. All I had to do then was wait for the right opportunity. That came only a few days later in the form of Lord Ruvano deciding to accompany me on one of my shopping trips to the city. He didn't seem to think this excursion was any different from the other times he'd displayed like a trophy for everyone to see, so it took quite a bit of effort on my part to pretend the same. 

My heart was thumping in my chest from the first moment we set out. I knew I would eventually be heading for a tiny pawn shop that sat on the boarder between the good part of the city and mud-paved outer districts, but today nothing could be forced, lest I wanted to tip off Lord Ruvano to what I had set in motion. The first few shops at which we stopped had absolutely nothing to do with my plan. I simply had to make my arrival at our ultimate destination seem as natural and coincidental as possible. 

When I finally caught sight of the pawn shop some short distance down the street we walked, my heart skipped a beat and I nearly abandoned the entire plan right there. Lord Ruvano was the king's Spymaster after all. What hope did I have of fooling him like this? If my disloyalty was discovered, I'd be executed for sure. However, if I did not take action on my own behalf soon, my fate would likely be just as terrible. 

I entered the shop as if on a whim, merely looking for some pretty bauble or jewel which would catch my eye. As always, Lord Ruvano wore a scowl when he was out amongst the commoners. I could never quite tell if it was their presence or simply my extended shopping which he found so distasteful.

"Good day, m'lady! M'lord!" The shopkeeper greeted us like any other customer, bowing slightly upon our entry. I'd never met him before or set foot in his shop. He looked utterly common, just like any number of shopkeepers in the city. Had I not been aware of his affiliations, I never would have suspected that he was one of the Marquis's contacts. I could only hope that he did not bungle his role and expose all of us. "Is there anything that I might be able to help you with this morning?"

"Oh, no, thank you, I'm just browsing," I said as I drifted though the cluttered little shop, glancing at all the various knickknacks on display. Much of it was the sort of junk you'd find at any pawn shop but there were just enough expensive trinkets mixed in with the rest to give the entire place a slightly more affluent feeling. Occasionally I'd stop to take a closer look at some bauble or another and the shopkeeper was always quick to mention how nice that necklace would look on me or that he'd cut me a discount if I bought the entire writing set all at once.

When I saw the dragon-shaped teakettle sitting on a shelf, newly polished and glistening more brightly than brand new, my step faltered. This was the moment; the culmination of my plans. I had to act now, casually so as to not arouse Lord Ruvano's suspicions. He was still on the far side of the room, idly looking at a rack of daggers and trying to pretend like he wasn't bored completely out of his mind.

Trying to do so no differently than I had with any of the other artifacts in the store, I picked up the teakettle and turned it over in my hands. "Oh, now that's awfully pretty," I cooed.

"You have quite an eye, m'lady. I just got it in," the shopkeeper said. "Pure silver, and the craftsmanship is impeccable."

I continued handling the kettle for another few seconds. From the reflection in a glass-fronted cabinet, I could see Lord Ruvano was still on the other side of the shop. This wouldn't work if he didn't take notice. I'd already been holding onto the teakettle too long to be comfortable with. At this rate, when he did see it, he was going to think I'd been trying to get his attention on purpose.

I started to put the teakettle back down and, against my better judgment, was just about to say, "Master Oringel used to have one just like that," when Lord Ruvano lunged in from out of nowhere and snatched it out of my hands. His scowl deepened considerably as he turned the teakettle over, examining it from every angle. The ridges of his brow furrowed in irate disbelief.

"Are you interested in it, m'lord?" the shopkeeper started to say.

Lord Ruvano cut him off, grabbing him by the shirt front and knocking many small curios onto the floor as he pulled him half-way across the counter. "Where did you get this!"

Even though I had been expecting something like that to happen, I still jumped with a girlish shriek. I'd seen Lord Ruvano in all manner of moods but never this enraged. It was no act when I cringed away from him. He'd never harmed me in the past but if he realized what was happening here, it could very well be the end of me.

"I -- it was sold to me by a man off the street, like most of my wares," the shopkeeper said in a rush.

"What man? What did he look like!"

"Tall, thin...wispy blond hair...a scar down his face!" Gods, he sounded so sincerely terrified as he said it, even I believed that Bakoro had really been the one who'd sold it to him.

The Spymaster's scowl turned to a snarl as he gazed into space for a moment. Releasing the shopkeeper, Lord Ruvano grabbed me by the arm and pulled me back into the street. The shopkeeper, gasping for breath, didn't bother to raise the alarm at having one of his pieces taken without payment.

"Ow! What's going on!" I said.

As he stormed down the street with the teakettle in one hand and me in the other, he didn't even face me when he spoke. "We're going back to the palace. There are things which require investigation."

At the front gate, Jorven and Stanos, two of Lord Ruvano's men, were assigned to take me back to his chambers and hold me there until he returned. Was he going to discover what I'd done? Did he already suspect me? Maybe I'd pushed things too far, too quickly. After all, what did I really know about these matters of espionage?

"Do either of you know what all this is about?" I said as me and my two guards entered Lord Ruvano's chambers.

Jorven shrugged and shook his head. Stanos appeared just as baffled. "I'd actually been hoping you might know, my lady. We haven't been told a thing."

"No, I'm sorry, but I haven't a clue either," I said, wringing my hands as I took a seat in one of the large upholstered wingchairs. Playing innocent even when Lord Ruvano wasn't watching couldn't hurt my defense if he did turn on me. If only I could have stopped my body from quivering.

"Not to worry," Jorven said. "As long as we're here, no harm will come to you."

"Not that you're likely in any danger," Stanos added, anxious to calm my fears. The both of them must have thought this was another coup or some equally devastating turn of events. Not that they wouldn't be justified. The last one had come upon us just as suddenly and had been preceded by a similar tension in the air. "Whatever's going on, I'm sure this is just a precaution."

"Yes, I'm sure it's nothing," I said, as much to reassure myself as them.

Even if either of my guards had been in a mood to discuss these matters further, I was not. I wanted to pace the room, but instead I forced myself to sit still and quiet. It was something of a struggle to keep my heel from tapping against the floor, however.

I'd known this was a risky endeavor when I'd set it in motion, but I'd been confident it would all end up working in my favor. Now that my trap had been sprung, I was shaking in my boots. However, even if my involvement did come to light, I could at least take comfort in the fact Delphina and her husband would not be implicated as well. We had taken every precaution we could think of to isolate them from the duplicity being orchestrated here, but if we were found out, I would not let the accusations pass beyond myself. This was my plan, and if it came to that, I would take full responsibility for everything.

Eventually, another two of Lord Ruvano's men entered the room, dragging a livid Bakoro between them. My back went stiff as they brought him before me.

"What the hell is the meaning of this!" he cried. When the guards came to a stop, he threw off their hands and hastily straightened his cloak. "I'm your bloody commander! You're gonna answer for this!"

"No. No they won't," Lord Ruvano said as he strode in after them. "You, however, DO have a great deal to answer for."

Bakoro shook his head. "What are you talking about?"

"What do you make of this?" Lord Ruvano said, holding out the teakettle.

Bakoro's expression was one of angry confusion. "It's a bloody teakettle! What's that got to do with anything? I've never seen it before in my life."

"Don't play games with me!" Lord Ruvano said. "This belonged to Master Oringel. It was locked in his tower. You were supposed to be responsible for everything in there, so don't tell me you've never seen it before."

"Well -- perhaps, now that you mention it, it does look kinda familiar." Bakoro threw out his hands. "But I still don't know what this is about."

"I found it for sale at a pawn shop in the city."

From Bakoro's stuttering panic, realization was starting to dawn on him, but of course, he was still just as confused as ever. "It...there must be a million teakettles like that. How do you know it came from the wizard's tower? Nobody's been in there but me: nobody!"

Lord Ruvano slammed the teakettle down on the table. The resounding crash was so fierce I jumped right out of my chair.

"There's only one teakettle like this in the whole world, it's one-of-a-kind!" he said. "And I just checked the tower, it's also missing!"

"That's...that's not possible."

Lord Ruvano scoffed and shook his head. "You disappoint me Bakoro. You stood at my right hand. I gave you authority over my men and I paid you well. Yet you betray me? How much more of my property have you taken without my knowledge?"

"I've never betrayed you!" Bakoro shook his head vehemently. "And I've never taken anything of yours without your permission!"

"What about the night of the coup?" Lord Ruvano said, his eyes nothing but cold blue embers.

Bakoro's own eyes, now desperate, swung in my direction. Hastily, I fled to Lord Ruvano's side.

Rather than offer any defense for his attempted rape of me the night Lord Ruvano helped install a new king on the throne, he motioned toward the teakettle. "That little chamber pot is worthless compared to the gifts you've given me freely! Why would I ever do anything so stupid as to steal something like THAT!"

Lord Ruvano merely glared back, his expression immutable.

"It wasn't me!" Bakoro cried.

"Who else could it have been? You yourself just said you're the only one with access to the tower."

His eyes flittered about the room in a panic and then suddenly latched onto me. "Her!" he cried, pointing fiercely. My heart stopped for a moment, but somehow I was able to keep my poise. This could yet work. Bakoro had nowhere left to run. I just had to remain calm.

"Stephanie?" Lord Ruvano all but laughed.

"Yes! She and I..." he trailed off, knowing full well the dire straights that statement would put him in if he finished it. Accepting the theft might allow him to keep his life, but admitting to bedding me would get him killed on the spot. Sweat rolled down his face as he swallowed hard.

All eyes were on him, Lord Ruvano's critical, the other guards in shock at the possibility their commander had betrayed their master's trust. Bakoro's, meanwhile were on me, a mix of panic, disbelief, and pleading. 

After all the times he'd followed me, shadowing my every move; all the lewd stares and off-color comments he'd made to me; did he really think that I would come to his rescue and provide him with an alibi now? Subtly, I shook my head. His eyes went wide and his nostrils flared.

"You filthy bitch!" He lunged forward, thin fingers reaching for my neck. "I'll kill you!"

The guards grabbed him by the arms and held him well back but I clung to Lord Ruvano and cried out all the same. My legs felt as if they were ready to give out. I could barely catch my breath.

"Put him in a cell," Lord Ruvano said. "I'll deal with him later."

"You set me up, you filthy god-damned whore!" Bakoro howled as he struggled incessantly against the guards who dragged him from the chamber. Once his cries died away down the halls, Lord Ruvano turned to me. Still scowling, he held up a single cautioning finger.

"And you: stay here until I return."

I nodded, but was unable to speak. My plan had done exactly what I'd hoped, but I was not yet in the clear. All I could do now was hope Bakoro did not become desperate enough to sign his own death warrant by implicating me in this affair.

Without having been given any further orders from Lord Ruvano in regards to watching over me, Jorven and Stanos stood uncertainly in the silent room.

"You can both go," I told them, my voice tight but firm. "I'll be fine on my own."

"Yes, m'lady, or course," Jorven said, as if in shock. The apparent betrayal of their commander had hit them hard. Bakoro could hang for all I cared, but I almost felt bad that decent men like Stanos and Jorven would be left in quite a state by all this as well.

Once they were gone, I allowed myself to let go of the last few threads of composure I'd managed to hang onto and all but collapsed onto one of the couches. I couldn't seem to stop my limbs from trembling or my breath from coming in quick gasps. Images of what had just happened kept replaying themselves before my eyes. Imagined punishments for my betrayal joined them and left my whole body limp. I wanted to cry but was too exhausted to even do that. Had I signed away my own life just for a chance at freedom?

I sat slumped there for what must have been hours before I was finally able to think about anything in the least coherent terms. It was even longer before I was able to light a single lamp against the deepening twilight. When my dinner was delivered to me, as it customarily was at 8 o'clock sharp, I could hardly believe so much time had passed. The food was just as fine as ever and I ate heartily, being more famished than I'd realized, but I could not help but wonder if this was intended to be my last meal. Afterward, I sat down with a book about the royal lines of Arnoth which Delphina had given me. I didn't really want to anything at all, but if I was left alone with nothing but my thoughts to keep me company, I would only end up worrying about things which I could not effect.

When Lord Ruvano eventually returned as promised, I merely looked up from the book without making any attempt at more formal greeting. His jacket was unfastened, his cravat untied, and the scent of fresh soap followed in his wake. As he stopped a pace before my chair, I couldn't help but notice how heavily bruised his knuckles were.

"Why does he accuse you?" Lord Ruvano said flatly.

There could be no doubt about who and what he was referring to. I closed the book with a measured movement and reminded myself once more that I was supposed to be innocent in all this. I had no reason to be nervous.

"He appeared quite desperate," I said. "He was obviously just latching onto anything that might deflect suspicion from himself."

Lord Ruvano's eyes narrowed. Even with the blinders he supposed had toward women, he must have seen too much truth in Bakoro's words to look the other way. Maybe Bakoro had already given him a complete confession. However, even if his corpse was already being carried out of the palace, I had to keep my nerve. I couldn't give away anything more than Lord Ruvano already knew.

"You certainly do not seem much concerned by this news," he said.

"I never made it a secret that I didn't care for Bakoro. Half the servant girls in the palace would gladly put a knife in his heart if they could get away with it. He's a brute and an idiot. There was never any doubt of the first and this only confirms the latter. I'll not shed any tears for him."

"You surprise me, Stephanie. But then you've been doing quite a bit of that lately, haven't you? It wasn't that long ago that you were like a startled deer here in the palace, terrified by everything happening around you, but now you take in this without the least concern."

"I have no interest in your games." I rubbed the bridge of my nose and set the book aside. "I learned long ago that when I think about them too much they just make my head spin. I've stopped trying to make any sense of them at all."

"Still, it makes me wonder what else you might have become capable of."

He didn't know a thing. He was simply digging, hoping that I might let slip with some incriminating bit of information. I wasn't about to give him the satisfaction, however.

"When have I ever done anything to harm you? You hold my freedom in your hands. If anything ever happened to you, I'd be passed off to the king, or forced to become someone else's pawn. I've found my place here; it's...comfortable. I'd not do anything to unsettle that."

"Perhaps you're trying to find employment with Lady Delphina and Lord Marcus."

I stood suddenly, fists clenched at my sides. I would not allow him to destroy them when he clearly had no proof of anything we'd done. "You and I both know the only interest they have in me is as a source of information! If I wasn't in your employ, they'd cut me loose in a flash! Now, unless you wish to lock me up beside Bakoro, I'm going to bed."

Lord Ruvano grabbed me by the arm and pulled me back with a jerk. Maybe he knew more than I suspected. Had I just condemned myself by lying to him like that? Even if this was the end for me, however, I was not going to face it sniveling like a child. For better or for worse, I'd brought this on myself, fully aware of what the consequences could have been. At least I hadn't bumbled into it like so many times before.

I met his gaze with as much determination as I could muster and attempted once to pull myself free. He did not let go, but instead placed his other hand at my neck and leaned down until his face was mere inches from mine. I could feel his hot breath on my skin and his rough fingers pressing against my throat. The musky smell of his cologne filled my nose.

"It's a shame I have to share you with the likes of the king," he said. The fingers gripping my throat loosened and slipped behind my head, running through my hair and caressing my scalp. "This maturity you've recently developed is far more fetching than that naiveté from our first meetings."

So he wasn't going to kill me after all. Apparently, the dreaded spymaster really didn't think very highly of a woman's cunning. As his fingers kneaded my weary flesh, the tension which I'd felt since first setting out into the city on my mission drained from my body. Involuntarily, I sighed and lolled my head against his hands. I'd done it. I'd really done it!

As he continued massaging my neck and shoulders, I melted into him. Our lips brushed and our breath mingled. If ever there was a time for celebration, this was it. He was still a monster but there was no reason I couldn't make the most of this unenviable situation I'd found myself in. After all, I still had no choice but to share his bed each night. I also had needs of my own to consider, and he certainly knew how to service them. I could use him for all he was worth, right up until I was finally able to make my escape. It would be made all the more sweet by the fact he didn't even know he was being used. I was beginning to see just how intoxicating these games of espionage could be.

He kissed me then, or perhaps I kissed him, I wasn't entire sure, but our tongues intertwined in our mouths as the embrace grew frenzied. I rubbed my body against his, pressing my breasts to his chest and rubbing my hip against his thigh. I could already feel the growing wetness between my legs and the hardening of my nipples.




The Blood Pact Ch. 28



Still kissing frantically, I moaned into his mouth as our hands groped each other's bodies. His roamed down my back, grabbing me by the ass and lifting me roughly. I gasped in pleasure, throwing my hands around his shoulders. He nuzzled into my breasts, sending erotic waves rippling though my flesh. I wrapped my legs around his waist, interlocking my ankles behind his back as I began to rub my crouch against his hips. Even through the fabric separating us, I could feel his excitement.

Pulling away from him, I heard him gasp. I wanted to feel his skin on mine. I tore open the front of his shirt, exposing his perfectly muscled chest. However, still hanging from him as I was, there was only so much I could do.

He must have shared my desire because he laid me down on the couch, one hand cradling the back of my head wile the other supported the small of my back. I unwrapped my legs from behind his back but left them spread as I frantically began undoing the laces of my dress. I couldn't get it off fast enough. Lord Ruvano pulled his own clothes off with ease and then helped me finish shrugging out of mine.

Not a single stitch of clothing remained between us as he climbed onto the couch atop me. Throwing my arms around him again, I pulled him close and we kissed even more roughly than before. His pubic hairs tickled the inside of my leg and his cock poked me with its blunt head. Still kissing madly, I shifted my hips so he could enter my slick pussy with ease.

Lord Ruvano did not need much more encouragement than that. Rocking forward, he dragged his cock across my burning pussy several times. The swollen head separated my lips, cutting down their length and ultimately jabbing against my erect little clitoris. Both of us moaned with each pass. I didn't know how much longer I could take this.

"Please," I gasped around our fervent kisses, "Just stick it in. I want to feel you inside me!"

He reached back then and took hold of his cock by the base, guiding it to its destination. Feeling its bulbous head press again my opening, my whole body tensed in anticipation and I let out a throaty moan. He did not make me wait any longer. With a long smooth motion, he sank his cock into me. As it went deeper and deeper, slowly parting my canal, my back went rigid and my fingers gripped his shoulders.

Finally burying himself to the hilt with a manly grunt, he ground his body into mine and we mauled each other with out lips. My pussy felt so stuffed and warm with his bulging shaft all the way inside me, nothing could have stayed me from finishing what we'd started here. Whatever else I knew about the man, he was an excellent lover.

With long steady strokes, he pumped in and out of me. Desperate to feel the most I could, I began driving my hips up to meet his, causing my pussy to tighten with each thrust. Our breathing was hard as we grunted and moaned with reckless abandon. The couch rocked violently, its legs in danger of breaking right off. Sweat glistened from our naked bodies and our muscles rippled tightly beneath our skin in perfect rhythm. My buoyant breasts shook violently against my chest and my moist hair became a tangled mess as I thrashed about under him.

"Gods!" I mewed, feeling my pleasure building to climax. "I'm so close! So close!"

Still slathering me with heated kissed, he drove into my pussy harder and faster than ever.

Ecstasy broke upon me like a tidal wave. Every muscle in my body began to convulse and my moan became a scream. At the same moment, his seed began spilling into me, hot and sticky bursts surging deep into my pussy with each pronounced thrust. Sick squishing sounds spilled out from between our bodies as his warm fluid lubricated our movements even further.

Lord Ruvano continued driving his cock into my still quivering pussy even after it began to grow soft. Then with a final spastic thrust, he collapsed beside me with a long, satisfied sigh. As his cock slipped from my pussy, I could feel the warm mixture of his seed and my juices dribbling down the inside of my thigh. He enwrapped me with his arms and I cradled my body against his. Our chests rose and fell with each deep breath we took. As my long-lingering fatigue finally overcame me, I drifted off to sleep, surrounded by his warmth and his distinct masculine scent filling my senses. 

Though my plan was finally moving forward, I was still trapped in this life for the time being, but at least I had fun toys to play with while I waited for my schemes to come to fruition.

To Be Continued...



The Blood Pact Ch. 29



Bright sunlight in a kaleidoscope of colors streamed in through the narrow leaded-glass windows of the bath chamber. The scent of perfumed soap filled the moist air. With eyes closed, I lounged back in the vast copper tub. Rubbing my silky legs together beneath the steaming water, I let out a long sigh. I was going to miss luxuries like this when I left the palace. A tub this large would cost a fortune just to rent for half an hour at a public bathhouse. Still, I was willing to lose a few luxuries in exchange for not having to risk my neck with nearly every action I took. I'd sent all the servants away so that I could have a few blessed moments of solitude. Removing Bakoro from the board had given me more freedom than I ever could have imagined, but in other ways it added new complications to my life as well.

Three days after his arrest and he was still locked away in some dank dungeon cell. Lord Ruvano had all but given up trying to get a confession out of the man, but that didn't mean he was ever going to accept his innocence either. I stayed well clear for fear of any words he might speak if he were to see me. In all likelihood he'd end up rotting away down there, never to see the sunlight again. It couldn't have happened to a better man.

The problems arose from Lord Ruvano's increasing paranoia. No longer willing to fully trust any of his men, he'd taken on all of Bakoro's responsibilities himself, stretching himself to the limit. He never seemed able to relax anymore. Even Nikelle's attempted assassination hadn't set him on edge this badly. For a time I feared he might attempt to move the contents of Master Oringel's tower to a more secure location, but as far as he knew, Bakoro was the only one other than himself who had had access. With his lieutenant imprisoned and the keys now in his possession alone, the tower probably still seemed like the most protected place in the entire kingdom.

Lord Ruvano's men would never dare grumble in his presence, but they spoke more openly with me, secure in the knowledge that I would not report them to their employer. I could tell they were increasingly at odds with the situation; themselves feeling betrayed by not only by Bakoro's supposed actions but also by Lord Ruvano's lack of trust in them.

With everything in such disarray, my guard lapsed to the point where I no longer had to worry about any shadows at all. This gave me the liberty to come and go as I liked, but it also meant I now had to tend to my daily schedules on my own. It didn't seem like I was able to go five minutes without some servant asking me about the dinner arrangements for the evening or some noble requesting a moment of my time because they believed I held Lord Ruvano's favor. If things didn't settle down soon, I'd have to hire a secretary to keep track of everything. Maybe Delphina could help me locate someone trustworthy enough.

Still, even taking into account all those hassles, between my new-found freedom, Delphina's friendship and tutoring, and Lord Ruvano's stipends, life in the palace wasn't really all that bad. Without constantly having to look back over my shoulder every three steps, I could almost grow used to this kind of life.

However, the Transformation Wand was still waiting for me in that trunk. All I really had to do now was wait a few days without arousing Lord Ruvano's suspicions. Once the worst of the hubbub from Bakoro's arrest died down, then I could make my move. I still wasn't sure exactly what that would be -- there were so many things to consider. If I took the wand with me, Lord Ruvano would suspect me right away, but if I simply used it and then left it behind, I'd have to make sure the transformation was flawless. Master Oringel had said anyone should be able to make the wand work, but I'd never even tried before. Maybe I'd have to start practicing with it. If I wasn't able to turn myself back into Mathis I might instead end up as some hideously deformed monstrosity. Would I even be able to become Stephanie again after something like that?

Maybe I'd have to put off my escape for several weeks yet. After all, I couldn't just abandon Delphina like that. It was going to be hard to leave her behind. Maybe it would be best to push things back until autumn. That way, if anyone did wish to track me down, they would be hindered by the weather. Besides, every day spent in the palace was one more I didn't have to worry about paying my own way. There wasn't any need to rush forward and make a mess of everything.

I stretched out in the tub and propped my feet up on the rim while letting my body sink down to my chin. Yes, I could leave whenever I wanted...if I decided I even needed to.

"Well, you're certainly looking well-rested," a voice said from out of nowhere.

My eyes snapped open in a flash and I twisted around in the tub, sending a wave sloshing over the side. Standing in a shadowed back corner of the room, Nikelle leered down at me.

"What the hell are you doing! How long have you been there?"

She merely shook her head as she came forward and kneeled down next to the tub. "The time has come for us to strike, my sister. We can't wait any longer."

My heart sank. I pushed myself back to the far side of the tub and wrapped my arms tightly around my body. Even surrounded by that steaming water, I suddenly felt cold. "What are you talking about?"

"The betrayal of Lord Ruvano's man has tightened security around the king further than ever before."

"Better reason that ever not to do this!" I said.

"If we don't act now we may never get a chance. With every day that passes, any remaining holes in his defense will be filled."

I had noticed the extra guards in the royal wing, but they hadn't interfered with my visits to the king so I hadn't really given any thought as to why they were there. Had I really been responsible for that?

"Damn it, Nikelle! You can't really be serious! You're going to get us both killed!"

"You've been here for weeks. You must know of some weaknesses we might exploit. Tell me everything you've learned."

"You want to know what I've learned? Well, I'll tell you: this is suicide. You can't just kill the King!"

Nikelle sighed and shook her head. "Don't tell me you've now fallen for HIM as well."

"No!" I said, sloshing over to her side of the tub and gripping the edge tightly. "I mean it's impossible! He's protected by that Dark God of his!"

"I fear no Mordengern 'god'." Nikelle said with a dismissive nod as she stood. "The next time he summons you, just strike him down when he drops his guard -- the same as he was supposed to do with Sir Ruvano. You can't allow yourself to be mastered by these irrational fears you have."

Even if I was willing to help Nikelle, I knew that Dark God wouldn't allow me to just kill the king like she wanted. Sheets of bathwater rolled across my bare flesh as I too stood, my naked body suddenly feeling very heavy as I lifted it from the tub. 

"No, you don't understand! It's real! I've seen it!" SEEN was not quite the right word, but to merely say that I had FELT its presence would not have conveyed the appropriate confidence I had in its existance. "This is a fool's quest you're on, Nikelle! You asked for my help in finding out what I could, and I did that for you, but I'll not help you any further! I've finally found a way to free myself from this place and I'm going to take it."

Nikelle narrowed her eyes as she glared at me. Seeing her hand drop to her side, I was in motion even before she was able to reach her blood dagger and draw it forth.

The water wrapped around my legs and tried to hold me down as I leapt from the tub. I rolled onto the tiled flooring, my feet slipping out from under me and sending me splattering to my knees. But I did not allow that to stop me. I scrambled onward and reached the dressing rack which held the gown I'd selected to wear that day. My hand found its hidden pocket and I brought my own dagger into play with a wide slash that intercepted Nikelle's just as it descended on me.

"I told you I wouldn't hesitate to kill you if you didn't do as I asked!"

"And I told you that I am not your bloody assassin!" I said, pushing her back. I came back to my feet charging.

Nikelle parried my thrust and quickly countered with one of her own. I jumped out the way but the point of her blade still managed to nick my left shoulder. I saw blood out of the corner of my eye but felt no pain. The wet tiles under my bare feet were making it hard to react as quickly as I would have liked. Delphina would have been disappointed in my showing thus far.

I dodged Nikelle's next attack with more grace and lashed out with a wild strike, dagger raised high overhead as my wet hair streamed out behind me. She managed to trap the edge of my blade against hers, but I continued baring down with all my strength, the tip of my blade slowly inching closer and closer to her face. I could see the strain in her eyes as she fought back with everything she had just to hold me at bay. Traemene and Wilona had pushed me hard in training, but even when I thought they'd really been trying to kill me, things had never been like this.

After a moment, Nikelle threw me off with a sudden burst of power. We squared off again, blades at the ready, both of us breathing hard. 

"You've had some training," Nikelle said. "You've definitely gotten better, but you're still not good enough to defeat me. If you insist on continuing here, you'll die."

"You're right." Without even thinking about it, I subtly shifted my stance in response to Nikelle's. "Even I can see that. But I'll not give up without a fight." I pointed my dagger at her face. "By the time you manage to bring me down, you'll be in no condition to go after the king as you're so clearly hell-bent on doing!"

Nikelle twitched, either from the forcefulness of my words or the truth behind them. Her lip curled back slightly to reveal the points of her white canines.

"Very well," she said. The blade of her dagger melted back into the hilt and she relaxed her stance. I did so as well, but kept my dagger at the ready. "I'll do it myself."

"Nikelle, you don't have to do it at all. It's hopeless. Just come with me. We can get out of here, together."

She shook her head as she headed for the door. "You may be a coward but I'm not."

"Maybe I am a coward, but YOU'RE suicidal. I'm not going to throw MY life away on YOUR obsession."

Those fierce eyes of hers burned into me as she stood at the door with her hand on the latch. After a moment, she left, leaving the door open behind her and letting in a sudden chill draft that pimpled my skin. Standing naked in the center of the room, I looked down at the dagger still held in my hand. My knuckles were white and I could feel the knotwork pattern of the grip digging into my palm. My whole arm was shaking.

I couldn't believe I'd really just held my own against Nikelle like that. I knew I'd taken to Delphina's lessons but I guess I never thought I'd ever actually have to use any of what I'd learned in a real fight. If it hadn't been for that training I would have been dead.

And that's all the friend Nikelle had ever been. To her, I was nothing but a tool to be used then discarded when it could no longer serve its purpose. Let her try to assassinate the king. She'd see soon enough just how real that Dark God of his was. She was the one who was going to end up dead. It would suit her just fine.

Suddenly, my blood ran cold. With Nikelle's failure, they'd finally learn the identity of their Blood Dagger Assassin. Even the smallest connection drawn between her and me would place me under immediate suspicion. All my preparations would be discovered and all my plans brought to light. After all the hard work I'd invested, I would never have a chance to escape.

Damn Nikelle! She was going to ruin everything!

Without bothering to dry myself off, I pulled on the dress. The stitches strained and the fabric pulled at my wet skin, leaving red welts where I forced it to cooperate. Pulling on a random pair of shoes, I rushed out into the main chambers.

I'd have to make my move now. It was my only hope. There wasn't any time left to wait. Once the alarm was raised, I'd be trapped. I needed to get everything in order quickly. Damn! I wouldn't have time to take any of my favorite dresses with me.

What was I thinking? If I got away with this, I wouldn't need any of them ever again. I didn't need anything at all from Lord Ruvano's chambers. Without a constant guard following my every move, I'd been able to relocate my stash of gold and supplies to the royal hunting cabin in the woods. The whole point of doing so was that I would not have to go ransacking the chambers when an opportunity for my departure finally presented itself -- like right now. I needed to calm down. The only thing I needed was the Transformation wand.

I cast one last look over Lord Ruvano's chambers and then left them behind. I had come to think of them as home since becoming Stephanie, but after today, Stephanie would no longer exist. I needed to forget about them.

My hair dripped down my back and soaked the dress through as I strode down the gilded hallways of the noble's wing, drawing strange looks from all who saw me. There was nothing that could be done about that. The damp skirts tangled around my legs and made even walking difficult. It was too risky to go anywhere near Master Oringel's tower on these levels so I went in the opposite direction instead. I followed the servant's passages down into the depths of the palace until I arrived at the secret backdoor to the wizard's tower. It opened on my first attempt and I slipped inside without more than a cursory glance to make sure no one had seen me.

The chest was still right where I'd last seen it. I dashed across the room. Falling to my knees, I jerked at the latch and it popped right open. This was going too well. I held my breath as I lifted the lid. I fully expected the wand to be gone.

I nearly fainted when I was it sitting on top of the other artifacts, just as before. I snatched it up and stuffed it away next to my dagger without any ceremony at all -- there wasn't time for any -- or any practice either. It looked as if I have no choice but to take the wand with me after all. I could test it once I reached the cabin. When they started looking for me, they'd certainly search the palace before throwing their net that far afield. That should give me a little while at least. I only hoped I could make the wand work as I needed it to.

As I resealed the chest and stood, the tocsin of the High Tower's bell sounded through the palace. It wasn't a festival day. That could only mean it was meant as an alarm.

To Be Continued...



The Blood Pact Ch. 30



I ran to one of those strange windows that encircled Master Oringel's chamber and looked down on the palace courtyard. Swarms of guards were headed for the royal wing.

Nikelle?

She must have gone straight to the king's chambers. She really did have a death wish. That bitch just couldn't let anything be easy for me. Still, with everyone's attention on the king, I might be able to slip out of the place unnoticed.

I returned to the back door and cracked it open an inch, just as I always did when exiting the tower. I knew it was foolish to think that there would be anyone out in those deserted passages, but this once, my paranoia was rewarded. At the sound of voices, I drew back, leaving the door open just enough so I could still hear them.

" -- fucking assassins. I was right in the middle of lunch," a familiar voice was saying. "They have no sense of timing at all."

I knew exactly what he meant. If Nikelle had just waited a few minutes, I could have slipped out ahead of these fools. As they drew closer, I caught sight of a brown cloak and green armor through the crack in the door: Lord Ruvano's men. That must have been Yanthas I'd heard.

"The whole barracks was in such a state, I didn't understand half of what those royal guardsmen were saying," the other said. He was almost definitely Jorven. "What were they even talking about?"

"Hell if I know," Yanthas replied. "They weren't making much sense as far as I could tell. All I heard was something about detaining a woman if she came through here." Definitely Nikelle. "We'll just stop any skirts we find and let the boss sort it out. There's not gonna be anyone down here anyways."

As they moved beyond my ability to hear them, I closed the door all the way and leaned back against it. Fuck! I'd never get past them now. And if they did detain me for Lord Ruvano, he'd be sure to want to know why I was down in these passages during such a crisis. If he found the wand on me, I'd lose any chance of ever seeing it again. I'd have to put it back, return to the chambers, and hope that another chance would eventually present itself.

But that could take forever -- or never come at all.

I needed to use the wand now. Practice or no, becoming Mathis again was the only way past those guards.

My heart was pounding in my throat as I plodded into the main chamber and stood before the mirror where Master Oringel had once transformed me in preparation for an evening with Lord Ruvano. It seemed like such a long time ago. I'd been so scared at the time, not so much of the magic, but of simply becoming a woman.

Looking at my reflection now, I could barely even remember myself as anything other than a woman. Even disheveled and dripping wet, I was still beautiful. I was a noble, a baroness. I had the favor of a powerful Marquis and the friendship of his wife. Did I really want to go back to what I'd been before; nothing more than a rowdy and uncouth stable hand?

I didn't really have any other choice. I'd put too much planning into this to give up now. This was all I'd ever wanted, wasn't it? I couldn't hesitate now.

I swallowed hard and drew forth the wand. It felt like nothing more that the twig it appeared to be. Maybe Lord Ruvano had replaced it with a duplicate. No, that was stupid. He had no reason to do anything of the sort.

All the same, a test probably wouldn't be such a bad idea. Time was limited, but I could still manage that. But what to try?

I lifted the hem of my shirt so I could plainly see the daintily laced shoes on my feet. I couldn't believe I'd grabbed those when I'd hurriedly gotten dressed. I never had much liked them and they didn't match my dress at all. That would make them as good a place to start as any. If I messed this up, I wouldn't be out much.

I pointed the wand at them and, doing as I remembered Master Oringel explaining, imagined them not as simple little feminine shoes but as Mathis's favorite old pair of boots.

At first, nothing happened. Maybe it was a forgery after all. However, remembering how hard I'd needed to concentrate in order to use a blood dagger, I tried again with much more force. Suddenly, a warm, almost-living sensation pulsated from the wand. I couldn't quite tell if it was just my imagination or reality, but I almost could have sworn that the tip of the wand was surrounded by a rotating array of unearthly lights.

It was then that I began to feel a tingling sensation from my feet, as if the material of my shoes was moving, shifting, rearranging itself. I could not yet see any change, but it must have been working! It was really working!

With my loss of concentration, I could feel the magic slip from my grasp. Clenching my jaw, I focused for all I was worth. I could see that worn old pair of boots in my mind and as I envisioned them, my dainty little shoes grew, darkened and became weathered. The soft doe's leather became rough and thick. The soles thickened and became stiff. The uppers grew higher and didn't stop until they'd nearly reached my knees. 

When all was finished, I let out a gasp and released tensed muscles I hadn't even realized I'd tensed. I'd done it! The rough leather of those cavernous boots scratched my smooth legs. I didn't remember them being that large, but then Stephanie was much smaller than Mathis was. There were also other features which I hadn't even thought about consciously that had been recreated in perfect detail, like the way I could feel the indents where the soles had conformed to Mathis's larger feet. Maybe this wouldn't be quite so difficult to master after all.

Looking rather ridiculous in that wet dress and wearing men's boots many times too large for her, I gave Stephanie's reflection one last gaze and bid her goodbye.

Grasping the wand in both hands, I pointed it at myself this time and closed my eyes. I imagined Mathis the way I remembered him: tall, strong, not quite handsome but certainly not ugly, always dressed in those simple working garments, his blond hair hanging to his shoulders, trim waist and wide shoulders, arms well-muscled, callused hands, stubble that never quite needed to be shaved.

I could feel the magic washing over me. My body shifted, not quite as smoothly as when Master Oringel had done it, but definitely a far cry from the transformation that had been forced on me by Nikelle's compulsion. There was no pain, but I felt compressed and stretched at the same time. The two natures of my being tugged at each other with my heart and soul trapped in the middle. A living thing was not as easy to change as a pair of shoes. However, I would not give-up now. I bared my teeth and squeezed my eyes shut until my muscles ached.

The pressing force of the magic became a crushing weight. I fell to my knees but even then I did not lessen my determination. I held the wand in a white-knuckled death grip as I kept it trained unrelentingly on myself. My mind replayed the likeness of Mathis over and over again. There was no other thought in my mind but his image. 

Then with a start, the magic snapped back into the wand. My eyes sprang open and I lurched forward with a gasp that sounded much too gruff to my ears. With my breath coming in gasps, unrestrained tears of joy began to roll down my cheeks as I reached out to touch the glass of the mirror. Where before there had been Stephanie, there was now Mathis, dressed in those same old dingy working clothes of his and looking exactly as I last remembered seeing him in that very same mirror. It had been so long, it was something of a shock to see that unfamiliar face expressing my emotions for me. Of course, Mathis never would have cried at such stupid sentimentality. I pressed heavy palms to my temples and sucked down the tears as I sat back on my heels.

It took longer than I would have liked to get myself under control. The tears just wouldn't stop and my eyes were red and puffy by the time I finally ceased. I hoped no one would notice. However, I should have been grateful that was the least of my worries in regard to side effects from the transformation. The last time Master Oringel had turned me from Stephanie back to Mathis, he'd said it took time. He'd left me dangling all night, fearfully wondering if I would ever reassume my true form again. That stupid bastard had only been fucking with me yet again!

As I shifted my weight and tried to reacquaint myself with this once familiar body, I nearly cried out in joy at what I found between my legs. Instead of that infernal pussy, I again had my old cock back. I grabbed it just to make sure it was really there and it instantly hardened, sending a shiver of excitement through my whole body. How I'd missed that -- the ease and simplicity of masculine arousal -- no need for lengthy foreplay, just simple straightforward pleasure. It was with great reluctance that I pulled my hand away from the now fully engorged cock. As much as I would have liked to go all the way right there, I didn't have the time for such frivolities.

Rising to my feet, my whole body felt overly large and heavy. The room looked smaller too. Moving my arms was like maneuvering two huge tree branches. The heavy boots I'd fashioned with the wand now conformed to my feet perfectly and the leather didn't feel the least bit harsh against my skin, but the bulky things were like two anchors on my feet. With each step I took, that waggling cock would also rub painfully against my pants or the inside of my leg. I tried adjusting it a few times but couldn't quite seem to find a comfortable position for it. Had it always been that difficult to sort out? The hair on my chest and legs also itched fiercely against my clothing and set me off on several fits of frantic scratching.

How had I ever been able to live like this? I felt like a brutish troglodyte. Maybe I could use the wand to do something about the hair. That at least would make things a little more bearable. And never having to shave again was certainly something I wouldn't complain about. If I ever wanted to grow a beard in the future, the wand would allow me to do so in seconds.

But there wasn't any time for that now. I was Mathis again but if I was found in Master Oringel's Tower, there would be no explanation in any of the seven hells that be enough to save me.

Those awkward boots dragging my feet down with each step, I managed to hobble back to the door. When I put my hand on the handle and pulled, it swung open easier than I had been expecting. It was as if the whole world was suddenly made of paper and a single careless move would rip it all asunder. I'd have to remember to moderate my strength or I was going to end up breaking something. 

The darkened hallway outside was now clear, but it took me several moments before I was able to set foot outside. I still hoped I hadn't made any mistakes with the transformation. Was this how I really looked or just how I remembered myself? With an overly-cautious hand, I softly closed the door behind me.

Making my way through those subterranean passages, I wanted to take more time to get used to the way this large masculine body behaved, but urgency sped me on my way. The longer I took with this, the less chance I'd have of success. Quickly, getting to the stables before they were locked down became my only concern.

I rounded the last corner before the passage I was following opened out somewhat and became brighter thanks to the small clerestory windows overhead, but then stopped dead in my tracks and hastily ducked back into the shadows. Ahead of me, at a crossing of passages, Yanthas and Jorven were standing guard. Idly chatting between themselves, their duty looked like it was about as grueling as they'd guessed. However, stationed at that intersection, they would easily be able to stop anyone trying to go from the noble wing to the service areas of the palace. Unless I wanted to chance waltzing right out through the front gates -- something I'd seldom even done as Stephanie -- I'd have no choice but to go past them.

But if they were only concerned about finding a woman, getting past couldn't be too hard. Still, something about facing them while looking like this felt wrong -- like they'd be able to see through my disguise in an instant. Even if they didn't detain me outright, a simple search would quickly reveal that I still had the transformation wand. Now that I was Mathis again, I could have left it behind, but I just didn't know if I might need it again. The guards probably wouldn't even know that it was. To them, it would just look like a twig. I stuffed it deep into my pocket all the same.

Taking a deep breath, I quickly composed myself before casually stepping back into view as if I had not just been hiding. It was odd to feel that much air fill my lungs, or failing to see breasts rise noticeably as I did. I tried to make my stride look nonchalant as I approached the intersection. Yanthas and Jorven noticed me right away and watched with hawk-like eyes. I couldn't decide if it would be better to ignore them, or to stop and ask what all the commotion was about. In the end, they were the ones who took the initiative.

"Hey now, where are you coming from?" Yanthas said, his hand resting idly on the hilt of his sword. It hadn't exactly been a demand, but I froze as if he'd just accused me of killing the king myself.

"I...um...one of the...um...just one of the store rooms...looking for some...tack..."

Jorvan snickered loudly while Yanthas smiled and shock his head. I knew my deep masculine voice now sounded strange to my ears, but I assumed that was simply because I was no longer accustomed to it. Had the transformation not turned out correctly after all?

"Is there a problem?" I ventured, probably blushing just as badly as Stephanie ever had.

At that, Yanthas let out a snort of laughter while Jorvan nearly doubled over.

"Get out of here, you nance," Yanthas said, "before I shove my boot up your ass and make your fucking day."

Nance? Oh shit. What the fuck had I been doing? I'd gotten so used to mincing along primly and talking with demure affectation that I hadn't even thought to alter my mannerisms in the least. No wonder they were laughing at me -- no self-respecting man would ever behave like that. I offered the two guards a tip of the head as I hurried past, planting my feet solidly with each step and swinging my arms powerfully, all the time careful to remove all the sway from my hips and shoulders. The laughter died away behind me as I strode around a corner, but the heat in my face burned more fiercely than ever.

The stables were just ahead though. Only a little further and I'd be free. I was just about to step out of the way of three ladies heading in the opposite direction when my step suddenly faltered.

"Delphina?" I said without even thinking. She looked lost in thought, but upon hearing me speak, she swung a pair of stern eyes in my direction. Instead of always looking up at her as I had in the past, I now felt like a giant looming over her frail form. However, I was still unable to meet that reproachful gaze of hers.

"What the hell do you think you're doing addressing the Marquise like that!" Wilona said. After having seen her charge toward me like that so often during our training, I instinctively started to reach for my knife. Fortunately, I was able to stop myself before actually putting it into service.

"Um, apologies...m'lady," I said, barely remembering to bow instead of curtsy. It must have been fate that we ran into each other like this. After I left the palace, I would likely never see any of them again. If there had been more time, I would have given each of them proper goodbyes, but as it was, this was probably the last change I'd ever get to speak with them. "Um, there's been some sort of alarm in the palace...an assassin-woman or some such...they're detaining ALL the women until she's found...I thought you might want to know."

"Bloody hell," Traemene said, throwing up her hands. "Of all the inconvenient -- "

Delphina silenced her with a raised hand and stepped forward, her eyes boring into me. I dropped my own gaze to the floor.

"Yes, we heard the bells when we were out in the city and returned as quickly as we could," she said. She paused then and eyed me even more critically. "You look familiar to me. Do I know you?"

"Um, no, m'lady." How it pained me to lie to her like that. "But Ste -- the Lady Stephanie is my cousin."

"Ah, that must be it," she said, placing a finger to the side of her face. "I thank you for your forewarning."

"Um, m'lady?" I said as she started to turn away. I couldn't let those be the last words we shared, not after everything she'd done for me. "Stephanie wanted me to give you a message."

Delphina looked at me and tipped her head to the side in a questioning sort of expression. Yes, what message would that be? Hastily, I reached into my pocket and pulled out the dagger that Delphina had given me at the start of my training. Even though it was still sheathed, Traemene and Wilona both tensed at the sight of it. Their hands twitched imperceptibly in preparation to draw their own daggers.

"Stephanie wanted me to tell you..." I said. "She wanted me to tell you that she's left the palace...and that she won't be coming back." Tramene and Wilona looked at each other in disbelief while Delphina's expression remained unmoving. "She, um, wanted to thank you for everything you did for her and to let you know that you -- all of you, will be missed."

Delphina looked the dagger over as she pressed her lips into a thin line. "Are...are you certain of all this?" she said, her voice nearly cracking. Oh gods, I didn't want to make her upset.

"Yes, m'lady. I saw her off myself. She was...truly heartbroken that she couldn't bid you farewell in person." With tears starting to well up in the corners of my eyes, I knew it was no lie. I really was going to miss them.

Eyes fixed on the dagger as she took it from my hand, Delphina shook her head, blinking away tears of her own. "Oh Stephanie," she whispered. "Only an ally then after all. You learned your lessons well. Traemene, give the man a sovereign for his troubles."

"No m'lady, I couldn't accept anything more from you," I said, backing away and bowing low so they couldn't see the tears running down my face. "I'm sorry."

I could feel three pairs of perplexed eyes on my back as I ducked down the first side passage I came to. I couldn't quite decide if fate was trying to be kind to me for a change, or more cruel than usual to have given me that one last opportunity to see them like that.

I'd gone quite some distance before I finally stopped and leaned against the wall to wipe the tears away. Sniffling, I looked up with something of a start to realize I was standing outside the door to my old room. At that hour of the day, especially after the alarm had been sounded, the servant's quarters were all but deserted.

As if in a daze, I stepped inside and sat down on my old bulk. Apart from the sheets having been removed from Griffith's rack, nothing looked to have changed all that much. Absently, I reached under my bed. That old, crudely built chest that had once held my every worldly possession was still exactly where I'd left it. I didn't know why I'd never come back for it before now.

I lifted the lid. Inside were my good shirt and pants, neatly folded and placed to one side. Fingering the coarse fabric, I couldn't believe that I'd ever thought of those worn-out garments as being "good." Next to them was that carven beer stein I'd picked up at a pawn shop for a few coins. At the time, it seemed like quite a deal, but now it looked like the sort of thing I wouldn't have taken even if someone was giving it away. A bittersweet smile touched my lips when I heard it rattle. Into my palm, I dumped out the ivory dice that I always stored inside. Yellowed and worn, they'd once been even more highly prized than the stein, but having lived as a noble, I'd had ivory buttons on my dresses more expensive than those pathetic-looking things.




The Blood Pact Ch. 30



"Mathis?"

I looked up to see Ramzi framed in the doorway. Fate certainly wasn't about to let me off easily.

"My gods! Mathis! It really is you! Jodi said he thought he saw you, but I couldn't believe it!"

He embraced me heartily, as a friend would an old friend, but I cringed, remembering well the last time I'd felt his hands on me.

"Where have you been?" he said, smiling broadly and slapping me enthusiastically on the shoulders. "We all thought you'd died for sure."

"N-no, I'm still alive...barely," I said once he'd released me. "But I'm leaving. For good. I'm getting out of here before it's too late."

"Does this have something to do with Lady Stephanie?"

My blood ran cold. "What would she have to do with it?"

"She's your cousin, isn't she?" Ramzi said. "Everyone knows the king fancies her. You haven't fallen into his displeasure because of something she did, have you?"

"Um, perhaps, in a manner of speaking, I suppose that could be the truth of the matter," I said, dumping the dice back into the beer stein and handing it to Ramzi. "Here, you might as well have this. You're welcome to anything else you'd like as well."

"Mathis, are you sure? This is your favorite cup. And the dice; you spent a whole month's wages on them. I can't take this without giving you something in return."

"You already have, Ramzi. You were always a good friend to me. I couldn't ask for more than that." He started to protest but I merely offered him my hand. After a moment's pause, he accepted and shook it with a firm, manly grip. "Just promise me you won't do anything to get yourself killed."

"I...I'll do my best. Don't you go doing anything stupid either."

"Oh, you can count on that," I said as I stepped into the hall. "I've had more than enough of risking my life to last me a lifetime."

Looking over my shoulder every few steps, I made my way to the stables. I saddled Diamondhead and had him ready to go in no time at all. Diamondhead had never been a small animal but even he felt somehow more insubstantial as I climbed onto his back. He tossed his head in friendly welcome as I patted his neck and whispered in his ear. Pawing at the ground, he seemed just as eager as I was to leave the palace behind. Urging him on, I hung on for all I was worth as we tore out of the stables and into the greenwood.

No one, not even Lord Ruvano's agents would take notice of a single stable hand riding one of the mounts out for a bit of exercise. By the time they even realized the horse was missing, I'd be in Driggam or Treppenkarrow; so far beyond their reach that I'd never have to worry about King Rosenthall, Nikelle, Lord Ruvano, or Lady Stephanie ever again.

To be Continued...



The Blood Pact Ch. 31



It was the mid-afternoon by the time I arrived at the cabin. All my supplies were still right where I'd stashed them under the floorboards in the one of the side rooms. Even when Delphina and her handmaidens had been here with me, they'd never known about my preparations.

I had trail rations to last me a week or more, spare clothes, camping gear, a bow and arrows, and even a short sword. I wasn't really sure why I'd purchased most of it -- I couldn't really cook, I'd never fired a bow more than once or twice in my entire life, and a sword wasn't exactly the same as a dagger -- but if worse came to worse and I got lost in the wilds, I didn't want to be without options.

By far, the most important items in my hoard were the three bags of gold coin. They didn't look like much laid out like on the dusty floorboards next to all the rest, but I'd taken careful accounting of every coin and knew that it would be more than enough to get me by long into the future. All I had to do was stay away from the gaming halls. I was quite certain that wasn't going to be a problem. This whole mess with Lady Stephanie had taught me the dangers of wanton gambling quite thoroughly.

As I organized my supplies, Nikelle crossed my mind more than once, but I pushed the thought aside each time. She was likely dead. Even if she had managed to bring down the king and get away, she would probably disappear, returning to her Blood Dagger sisters in the south to receive yet another mission from her masters. Maybe she'd come after me next. If she did, that compulsion of hers would be a hard thing to overcome. I didn't know if the Transformation Wand would be of any help to me in that regard, but it was the only weapon I had that might be able to fight magic like that. Regardless, I would not let her take me without a fight.

Sorting through all of my haphazardly gathered supplies took longer than I would have liked, but I was so giddy with the prospect of having finally broken free of my chains that I hardly cared. It seemed strange now to look back on my behavior from just a few hours ago and think that I'd shed so many tears for Delphina and Ramzi. I would miss them to be certain, but now that I was here, a mere hairsbreadth from total freedom, I couldn't wait to take the next step.

By the time I finally got everything packed away into the right saddle bags, the sun was already getting low in the sky. With my almost nonexistent wilderness skills, I had no intention of wondering through strange parts of the greenwood under total darkness. And after having waited as long as I had to make it this far, I could certainly put off my departure until morning. With the day I'd just had, a good night's sleep would probably do my good anyway.

I'd stabled Diamondhead in a cobbled plaza behind the cabin which had become mostly overgrown with weeds. The room I selected for myself had a large window which looked out onto it. The opening had long ago lost all of its glass, however, so it was now more of an awkward doorway with dry-rotted shutters for a door. The readied saddle and supplies I set nearby so all I would have to do in morning was pack my bedroll and get underway.

With everything going as perfectly as it was, I shouldn't have been surprised when I heard the sudden crash of a door being thrown open from somewhere in the front of the cabin. I left the bedroll only half opened and listened intently to the darkness which loomed oppressively in the hallway outside my room.

Lord Ruvano couldn't have found me already. Stephanie wouldn't even be missed yet -- often times I didn't return to Lord Ruvano's chambers until much later than this -- unless Nikelle's attempt to assassinate the king had somehow brought suspicion down upon me.

I reached for my hidden dagger pocket before I even realized I wasn't wearing one of Stephanie's dresses. Instead I went for the sword lashed to my traveling bundle. I'd tried to make it easy to access in an emergency, but I must have tied the cords too tightly because It took several attempts before I was able to jerk it free.

I'd hoped my larger muscles would compensate for the difference in size between a dagger and a sword, but lifting it now, I could instantly tell the weight and balance were completely unsuited for most of the techniques I'd learned. Unfortunately, after having given away Delphina's dagger, it was the only weapon I had left. I blew out the my lamp and, holding the sword out in front of me, stalked out into the hallway as quietly as I could on the creaking floorboards.

As I neared the great room at the center of the cabin, I could see one of the two front doors hanging open, the blackness of the interior framing the starlit forest outside. Maybe it had just been a sudden breeze on this otherwise windless night that had knocked it open. Or perhaps an animal of some sort. Their signs were everywhere within cabin. I crept out to the very end of the hallway and paused as I strained my eyes against the darkness. Nothing seemed to be amiss.

I just began to relax my guard when a shadowy form came at me from the side. I couldn't bring my clumsy sword into play fast enough. Whoever it was was already upon me!

However, instead of attacking, they fell into me as if they'd tripped or fainted. Judging from the slightness of their body, it was a woman. I caught her in my arms and eased her to the floor. There was a warm sticky wetness soaking the side of her dress where the fabric had been crudely sliced open. She was bleeding. Her brown skin seemed to blend into the darkness of the cabin. Even before she spoke, I knew who it was.

"Where is she?" Nikelle's voice spoke out from the body in my arms.

"Gods, Nikelle! You're hurt!"

"Where is she!" Nikelle's dark eyes flashed out in the blackness. A prick on my neck told me she still had her blood dagger.

"Why don't you just put that thing away," I said, gently pulling the dagger away from my throat. To my surprise, she didn't resist. "I don't think you have enough blood left to waste using it anyway."

"I'll be fine. I just need to find Stephanie."

"Why don't you just use that compulsion of yours to summon her?" I said, my voice flat.

"That only works for the first few weeks after a girl is inducted into the sisterhood."

Was she serious? That meant my fears of reprisal had been completely groundless. If Nikelle hadn't been bleeding in my arms at the moment, I could have throttled her.

"But I can still sense her and I know she's here. I just need a safe place to rest and someone I can trust to keep watch until they stop looking for me."

"What!" I shot to my feet, letting Nikelle's head fall to the floor with a thud. Awkwardly, I raised my sword and scanned the darkness beyond the front doors. Stupid, selfish Nikelle, even now, only thinking of herself and her stupid mission! I'd have to leave right away. "I had everything planned out but you had to go a ruin everything by leading the royal guard right to me!"

"Gods Mathis, I don't remember you being such a pussy," Nikelle said. "I wouldn't do anything that foolish. It will take those nitwits days to find me here and by then we'll both be gone."

After everything she'd done to me, I should have left her there to bleed out on the floor.

But then again, maybe I was just a little bit responsible for her current condition. If I'd helped her as she'd wanted, maybe she wouldn't have ended up like this.

"We need to get you patched up." Much to my surprise, she did not complain when I scooped her up in my arms and carried her back to the room I'd claimed for myself.

Relighting the lamp graced me with my first good look of her. The left side of her face had a large welt. Elsewhere, numerous other bruises discolored her once flawless skin. Though that lengthy gash in her side was only a flesh wound, it was still bleeding badly and had left her looking like a grisly mess. 

"We'll need to bandage that," I said.

She offered no resistance as I stripped away her dress to get access to the wound; even when I undid the laces at her shoulders and pulled the entire thing down to her waist. Sitting cross legged in silence, staring into the distance with a glower on her face, she said not a word as I cleaned the cut and prepared the bandages. I'd seen her more naked than that in the past, so I knew her ill humor had to be from something else.

"What happened?" I said. "I heard the alarm but no other news. You're obviously still alive at any rate."

"I posed as a servant and got close enough to the King to strike, but then..."

"What?"

"I tried again and again but my blade could not touch him. Each time I had a clear opening, the blade would turn at the last moment, as if deflected by a pane of glass. He beat me off with his own hands." She paused and touched the large bruise on the side of her face before thrashing her head violently back and forth in a vain attempt to shake away the shame. "I only fled when the guards arrived and nearly sliced me open like a Solstice Day goose. Stephanie was right. I should have listened to her."

"Damn right you should have."

Nikelle's frown deepened and she lowered her gaze. "The last time we talked, I called her a coward. I was wrong. This whole time I was trying to use her to carry out my own duties. I'd convinced myself it was necessary, but as I discovered by going after the king, there was never any need. I should have done it myself at the very beginning but I was too afraid."

"You can't say that. You're one of the bravest women I've ever known. Who else would have walked right into the king's chambers like you did?"

What the hell was I doing? She didn't deserve my sympathy. It was debatable whether or not she even deserved my help with her wounds.

"Why didn't I kill Ruvano when I first had the chance? Why did I have to seek the approval of the sisterhood before I moved against Rosenthall? Why did I wait so long to strike after they gave it?"

"You were just being cautious. There's no harm in that." Had I always been this empty-headed when presented with a pretty face or only for Nikelle?

"Caution is the excuse of cowards," Nikelle muttered as I began wrapping the bandages around her midsection. The bleeding had already almost stopped on its own, but that cut was still going to be hurting badly by morning.

"Look, Nikelle, after having come to know King Rosenthal and Lord Ruvano both, I would never suggest that men like them don't deserve to die, but why is it our responsibility to do something about it? If they're really as dangerous as you seen to think, there are countless others out there who have far more reason to deal with them than we do." As I finished tying off the bandage, I paused and stared at the floorboards. "I probably shouldn't say this after all the foul things you've done to me, but I asked you before to come away with me. The offer still stands, if you're interested."

"You never made me any such offer. That was Stephanie."

"I AM Stephanie..."

"No," she placed her hand on the side of the my face, "you're Mathis."

She closed her eyes and leant in to kiss me. As her warm, soft lips pressed to mine, I remained impassive. Just that morning she'd tried to kill me. I should not have tended to her wounds here now or extended her that offer of running away together yet again. She was as much my tormentor as Lord Ruvano ever was. In fact, even though he had occasionally alluded to it, Lord Ruvano had never actually tried to kill me as Nikelle had.

But at the same time, I couldn't forget all the times we'd stayed up late into the night drinking that bad ale and having wild sex until the wee hours of the morning. I'd once been able to talk and joke with her like no other woman I'd ever known. I'd used to like her...a lot. In a way, I still did.

I watched her delicate fingers unfasten my shirt. When she pulled it down over my broad shoulders, she paused for but a moment when she saw the vague red mark in my skin where her dagger had nicked Stephanie earlier. Again she kissed me and this time, I returned the gesture, our tongues intertwining in our mouths, our hands pulling each other close. She winced when I accidentally touched her injured side, but did not allow it to dampen the mood.

Rising to her feet, she pushed her dress past her hips and let it fall down around her ankles. In the flickering lamplight, her dark skin seemed to glow. Even battered and wounded as she was, she was still beautiful in an exotic way Stephanie never could have matched. As I looked on, my cock had become uncomfortably stiff in my pants. A woman's arousal was more subtle, but no less intoxicating. I stood then and removed my pants. My cock was standing semi-erect, twitching with each beat of my heart. I'd forgotten the craving it could instill in a man.

The two of us stood there, facing each other, naked. The desire was plain in her eyes, as I'm sure it was in my own. This had to be a mistake. I couldn't really do this with a woman who'd tried to kill me -- who'd used me -- who'd tried to make me into her assassin. But in that moment, it didn't matter. We were both exactly what the other needed.

I stepped forward and caressed her cheek. Her silky skin felt especially smooth under my callused fingers. We shared a mutual kiss before kneeling down together on the bedroll. I cradled her slight body in my muscled arms and laid her down, my own body covering hers as we kissed again. She spread her legs, inviting me between them. My cock was hard as a rock, standing firmly on its own and pointing directly at her shaven pussy. I lowered my hips, bringing the head of my cock down to touch her slippery folds.

Her hands on the small of my back urged me on. She needed this as badly as I did. I pressed my cock against her opening. It sank slowly into her depths, her eager flesh constricting around my shaft, enveloping it in her burning warmth. I felt her fingers gripping the muscled contours of my back, her own back going rigid as her sighs were muffled by our impassioned kisses. When I'd gone into her as far as I could, I leaned back so that I could see her face. She looked back at me with pleading desire. 

Gods, she really was beautiful.

I drew my cock out of her right to the head. She gripped my thighs with her knees to keep me from going any farther but I had no intention of doing so. Nearly as slowly as I'd penetrated her the first time, I pressed my cock into her again, unhurriedly plowing her furrow and forcing a breathy sigh from her lips.

In and out with slow, steady strokes, I pumped my cock into her for what seemed like hours, driving her mad with the prolonged intrusions. My cock was hungry for release as well and my whole body tingled from the sensations coursing through it, but there was no need to rush. This was just the start.

As Nikelle's juices leaked down my shaft and dripped from my scrotum, I gradually increased the pace. Not too quickly at first; just a little. She bit her lip and twisted her hips against me. I went faster, holding my cock deep inside her for but a moment with each thrust. She began to whimper effeminately. If it were possible, I felt as if my cock grew even more stiff.

By the time I was pounding into her, she was writhing about under me, moaning and gasping. Our eyes locked onto each other and she grabbed the sides of my face, pulling me toward her for a fervent kiss. Lightning seemed to pass between our lips and across our tongues. I could feel the pressure of my passion building to climax. The moment her pussy began contracting rhythmically around my cock was the same moment I spilled my seed into her, all but exploding. A tingling raced across my skin and my head became light. We cried out into each others mouths in unison, our eyes still probing the other's.

I kept pumping into her throughout, the sputtering bursts of my cock perfectly in time with the spasms of her pussy. We came together, and together we came down. Still deep inside her, I laid down alongside her glistening body and brushed a stray lock of hair from her face before kissing her once again. As I stared into her eyes, they grew heavy with fatigue.

She really was a splendid woman -- far too splendid to throw her life away as an assassin. She should have been a queen. I wrapped my arms around her and held her close. Now that I had the strength to protect her, that was all I wanted to do. Unfortunately, I knew her twisted sense of duty was going to send her right back into the lion's den the moment she thought she was able.

I hated her stubbornness almost as much as I hated the things she'd done to me. Just a few hours earlier when we'd dueled in the bath chamber, I would have felt no remorse whatsoever if my dagger had found her heart. But now... 

"I love you, Nikelle," I said, kissing her forehead. "I don't want to lose you."

"Mmm," she said, sleepily. "I'm not going anywhere, Mathis. Right here with you is all I need."





To Be Continued...



The Blood Pact Ch. 32



With the first muted flickers of morning light shining through the cracks in the shutters, I lay there under the covers of my bedroll with Nikelle's soft body cradled against me, smiling at the dingy ceiling of the old hunting lodge

I'd really done it. I'd finally escaped. In maybe as little as an hour, after we'd both had amble opportunity to wake and ready ourselves for the journey ahead, we would be on our way, never to return. Nikelle had yet to give me a firm answer as whether or not she would accompany me, but I knew she would come. She had to.

With the money I'd embezzled from Lord Ruvano, we could live like royalty -- but without any of the compromising obligations and secretive games. We'd head for Treppenkarrow. I'd invest in shipping with the southern islands -- I'd always heard that was a surefire way to increase one's funds without having to do any real work. We'd buy a mansion in the city and a villa in the country -- nothing too ostentatious, maybe something like this hunting 'cabin.' As a free man, it would certainly be more than I would ever need.

I'd get new dice of carven ivory and Nikelle would wear the finest dresses of the most expensive silk, cut in those risqué fashions they favored in the south. I could just sit back and watch her body move beneath that revealing silk all day long. We'd make love through the nights, maybe even have some children, raise a family.

I'd won. Everything I'd been through, everything I'd endured to reach this point, had all been worth it. I shook my fist overhead. I'd won!

As if to defy me to the very end, the neighing of horses cut through the woods outside the lodge. My eyes shot open wide and I lay perfectly still in order to catch some further sound. I knew I'd heard more than one of the animals, but even if it had been only one, the sound had come from too far away to have been Diamondhead. Nikelle sat up, instantly wide awake.

"What it is?" she said.

"I don't know," I started to say, even as we heard the sharp bellow of a man issuing orders. Nikelle was on her feet in an instant. Still naked, she bounded into the hallway outside our room and peered through a small crack in the frame of a window. Within moments, she was donning her dress.

"Soldiers," she said in response to my questioning look. "Lots of them. And some of Lord Ruvano's men, as well. They're coming with swords drawn. Damn it! I knew we shouldn't have stayed here so long!"

"But...Nikelle, what are we going to do?" I stammered as I fumbled with pulling on my pants and boots at the same time.

"You'll go out the back while I draw them away."

Stumbling to the window I could now see why she was so frantic. There was an entire army out there, all stalking across the grassy meadow in front of the cabin, all headed directly toward us. This was not a mere search party, they knew their prey was near. There was no way Nikelle would ever be able to draw them away, she wouldn't even be able to get past them.

"Nikelle, we have to run for it. If we leave the gear behind, Diamondhead might be able to outpace them if we can find a way through the forest."

As I turned away from the window, Nikelle leaned in and kissed me passionately. I was too shocked by current events to do anything but stand there stupidly.

"No," she said. "That's far too many 'ifs.' They want their assassin, and you won't have a chance unless they get what they've come for. You just need to go, now! Don't argue with me on this."

"Wait, Nikelle, don't do this!" I cried after her, but she was already out the door. I went to follow, but my pants became tangled around my legs and I fell to my knees. It took several excruciatingly long moments to sort them out, but by then, the front door of the cabin had been thrown open. The soldier's voices all rose up to a roar at the same instant, every last one of them charging toward the front of the cabin.

Pants still unfastened and shirt hanging loose from my shoulders, I ran after Nikelle. My feet stopped of their own volition at the end of that dusty hallway, however. Through the open doors of the cabin, I could see Nikelle locked in battle with the soldiers. The elegant scimitar blade extending from her blood dagger flashed in the morning mists. Soldier after soldier fell before her lightning-quick strikes, but there were simply too many of them. I should have been there at her side, but in my haste, I hadn't thought to grab my own sword. With wide eyes locked on that frantic scene, I couldn't move my feet, either to her defense or in retreat.

Nikelle gritted her teeth as a sword point sliced her shoulder and then cried out and fell to her knees as a second blade pierced her abdomen. It was over before I even managed to prod my craven mind into action. Not that I could have possibly done anything except delay the inevitable. What had Nikelle even been thinking to take on all of them at once like that?

She was trying to give me an opportunity to save myself, that's what. And by standing there with mouth agape, I was going to make her sacrifice worthless.

Tears streaming down my face, I turned and dashed back to the room. I grabbed those few essential supplies I could carry in one load and dove out the back window. I didn't have time to saddle Diamondhead so I threw myself on bareback and charged away into the swirling fog, climbing the ridge behind the cabin.

At the crest, the fog parted enough so that I could look back down the way I'd just come. Though my escape had apparently gone unnoticed, I gazed in horror at what was playing out before me. Nikelle was brutishly dragged to the edge of the pond by several soldiers and tossed to the ground. Her pained cry cut through the forest like a knife. Her jaw was clenched and the side of her dress was quickly turning a deep shade of red, but at least she was still alive. The voices of the soldiers carried through the fog as they spoke of taking her back to the palace to face the king's judgment. That would almost certainly be a death sentence.

How could I have ever left her to such a fate? Twice now I'd left her to die. How could I ever claim to love her? How could she ever claim to be a coward. I was, through and through. I needed to go back down there and fight as she had. It didn't matter that I'd die, I had to do something. I couldn't just sit there doing nothing.

However, before I could even reach for my sword, the soldiers remounted. Trussed up in heavy ropes, Nikelle was thrown across the horses like a sack of grain. Within moments, the whole troop of them rode back toward the palace.

What had I done? I may have been a coward, but I couldn't let that define my entire existence. I had to go after her. For the moment, she was still alive, so maybe there was still a chance to save her. However, what could a lowly stable hand possibly do?

Frantically, I dismounted and rummaged through my saddle bags. The supplies which I'd carefully packed the night before were all thrown aside without heed until I finally located the transformation wand at the very bottom.

No, a stable hand wouldn't be able to do anything to save Nikelle. Baroness Stephanie on the other hand might have enough clout, either with Lord Ruvano or perhaps the king himself, to convince them to spare her life. I'd never asked either of them for anything before this. They owed me a boon. Even if they decided to execute me as being in league with the assassin, at least I would be facing a fate of my own making instead of simply running blindly into the machinations of others.

To Be Continued...



The Blood Pact Ch. 33



Wearing a dress again and riding Diamondhead at full tilt like nothing more than a flea on his back, it somehow felt natural to be Stephanie once more, but I could find no pleasure in the ride as we raced toward the palace. My heart was cold, my path clear.

The morning sun had all but burned away the fog by the time I reached the palace hill, but my clothes were still moist with dew and perspiration. Diamonghead was in froth as we charged into the stable yard and I was dismounting even before he'd come to a full stop. Ramzi was there to take the reigns and, in something of a panic, followed along at my heels as I stalked toward the palace.

"M'lady! It's Nikelle! They had her in chains like some criminal and bleeding like a stuck pig! They say she's an assassin -- the one who tried to kill the king!"

"I know, I know!" I said, not altering my pace. "Where have they taken her?"

"To the king. The whole palace is in an uproar. He says he wants to deal with her personally. Surely this must be some kind of mistake. Nikelle, an assassin? It's too wild to believe. Isn't there anything you can do?"

"Stand easy, Ramzi, all will be well." I said as I marched into the palace, leaving my old friend behind with Diamondhead. The words were so confident, even I almost believed them, though I had absolutely no idea what I was going to do.

It was not difficult to find where Nikelle had been taken. The palace was in a state of chaos just as Ramzi had said and the King's personal chambers were the epicenter of it all. Every noble on hand had been gathered and the most important of them were crowded into the king's small throne room. I pushed through the babbling crowds without offering any apologies. Though many of the heavily armed guards who stood sentry over the gathering did watch my entrance with wary eyes, they allowed me into the very heart of the proceedings without question.

"Stephanie! I'd been told you left!" a surprised voice cried out over the murmur of the crowd. I turned and Delphina clasped me firmly by the arms in welcome. I returned her greeting in kind. I'd seldom seen her look this troubled, but I could tell my presence must have come as something of a comfort to her. Fildrich and the Marquis stood by her side looking apprehensive.

"Delphina, what's going on here? Why has everyone been summoned?"

"The King's on a rampage, completely irrational. I fear what he plans to do. It might have been better if you'd stayed away."

She was probably right. I was free but I'd come right back into the heart of disaster. What had I been thinking? I must have been insane to risk my life for a woman who'd brought all this on herself. 

A sudden flourish drew everyone's attention to the archway which lead into the garden. As the curtains were drawn back, every mouth in the room shared a collective gasp, but none louder than my own. The king stood before us wielding a massive axe while a bloodied Nikelle wobbled uncertainly between two armored soldiers. Her hands and feet had been bound with chains so heavy she probably could not have lifted them even if she wasn't on the verge of death.

"Hear me, all you pathetic traitors and schemers!" the king howled, brandishing the axe as if it were nothing more than a quill pen. "Don't think for a minute that I do not know every last one of you is plotting behind my back. I have allowed these irritating little games to run unchecked because there is no hope they will ever succeed in unseating me, but I have had enough! One of you now sends an assassin to take my life?"

Holding the axe in one hand, the king pointed it at the crowd and swept it across them to take in every noble there. Most gasped and cringed as its shadow fell across them, while others, like the Marquis, stood their ground and stared back into the king's mad gaze without flinching.

"Know this: I will not tolerate such blatant disregard for my authority! No, I will not have it! Now witness the fate which awaits all traitors!"

The king lifted the axe high overhead. The guards flanking Nikelle seized her by the shoulders and forced her neck down upon a crude stump that had hastily been carried in. She offered no resistance. Those gathered must have thought she was simply too weak from loss of blood, but I could see in her eyes that she was resigned to this fate.

"Nikelle! No!" I threw myself forward, pushing some high seneschal and his wife aside without care. There were guards everywhere and the king could fell me with that axe himself if he so chose, but I was not about to let Nikelle die like this. I would shield her body with my own if I had to.

However, I'd gone no more than a single step before a tug at my arm prevented me from going any farther. Delphina had taken a hold of me and her lips were moving as she said some pleading thing, but I heard none of her words. There was only Nikelle. I had to get to her. I wrenched myself free of Delphina only to find myself crashing into the restraining arms of her husband and nephew. I kicked and screamed and lashed out like a trapped jaguar, but they held me tight.

Only a short distance away, Nikelle caught sight of me through the crowds as a strained to reach her. Even with her head down on the chopping block, her face lit up with a smile and her ashen lips mouthed a string of whispered words which I swore I heard even over the cacophony filling the room:

"I love you too, Mathis."

Then, with a gut-wrenching thud, the axe fell and Nikelle's head rolled free of her body.

No! This couldn't be how it ended! I cried out her name, renewing my struggles against the Marquis with no better results than before. She couldn't really be dead. She couldn't!

Leaving the axe buried several inches in the stump, the king stooped to retrieve Nikelle's severed head. Holding it aloft by her dark hair, he brandishing it for all to see, and my cried became an incoherent wail.

"Be forewarned! All traitors in my midst will suffer the same!"

With that, he threw Nikelle's head down atop her limp body and stormed off into the gardens followed by his men, the curtain again falling into place to hide the carnage before us. While everyone else murmured between themselves and cringed away from the grisly reminder of the King's vengeance, I howled through my tears, trying fitfully to get nearer. The Marquise and Marquis would have none of it, however. As the gathered nobility was allowed to disperse, I was dragged away, still fighting against my captors for just one more chance to see Nikelle.

To Be Continued...



The Blood Pact Ch. 34



Slowly, the Marquise's chambers resolved out of my tear-smeared vision. Delphina sat across from me on the couch. I'd never seen her look as haggard as she did at that moment with legs folded under her and hands clasped in her lap, staring into the distance. From the antechamber, I could hear the familiar tread of Traemene and Wilona pacing. Elsewhere in the chambers the servants were bustling about like ants after having had their mound kicked over. King Rosenthal's threats must have served their purpose. 

I still didn't want to believe Nikelle was dead -- I wished that it had just been some vivid dream -- but I'd seen it. It HAD happened. The woman I loved was dead, executed at the hands of a monster right before my very eyes.

I sat up lethargically, shoulders stooped, instantly drawing Delphina's attention. My hair was probably askew and my face felt tight from all the crying. However, my expression was now cold and grim. On the table before me lay the silver training dagger I'd returned to Delphina just the day before.

"Stephanie?" Delphina ventured. "Are you well? After yesterday, I was afraid I'd never see you again. I am glad that was not the case, but I do wish it could have been under better circumstances."

"I'm sorry I made you worry," I said mechanically, still staring at the knife. "Things didn't work out as I'd planned."

I was just as much to blame for Nikelle's death as the king. If I'd only been a little more helpful in her crusade, maybe things would have turned out differently. Maybe we could have made things better for everyone living in the kingdom. Maybe she'd still be alive. But like a coward, I had simply let her go to her death. I'd done nothing but let her down time and time again.

Standing, I snatched up the dagger from the table and clutched it to my breast. "I think I may yet have need of this after all. There are things I left unfinished to which I still need to attend."

As I hurried from the room, Delphina rose haltingly, as if fatigued. "Stephanie! Please, don't do anything rash!"

I'd already wasted far too much time on being cautious. Now was exactly the time for recklessness. I was going to kill that goddamn Rosenthal. One way or another, I was going to avenge Nikelle.

Traemene stepped in front of the door with arms spread to bar my advance. "Stephanie..."

"Out of my way, Traemene."

Wilona advanced uncertainly from the side. In the doorway behind me, Delphina leaned against the jamb. "Stephanie, these are dangerous times. I know she was your friend, but even just that may have already signed your death warrant."

She was right, of course. Knowing King Rosenthal's temper, guards could already be coming for me after that display I'd put on in the throne room. And with the protection of his Dark God, would I really have any better luck than Nikelle? I'd felt that thing's power first hand. Even if I was able to get him to lower his guard, I doubted it would make a difference. I'd need a wizard to combat something like that.

Or maybe a wizard's weapon.

I could still feel the knobby length of the Transformation Wand in the hidden pocket of my dress where I'd stuffed it after transforming myself back into Stephanie.

Would that work? I'd already used it to transform myself twice now so I knew I could, in fact, wield it, but would it have any effect on the Dark God in that stone? I didn't have any choice but to try. Nikelle didn't deserve anything less.

"Please, let me go."

"I don't like this, Stephanie," Delphina said. "Not one bit."

"It hardly matters anymore. I've stopped caring what becomes of me. Death seems to be the only conclusion I have to expect."

Delphina slapped me then, hard enough that the whole side of my face stung and my vision filled with stars for a moment. "Don't you ever say such a thing!"

Holding my jaw, I met Delphina's gaze. It was angry, but her eyes were moist with tears.

"Delphina, please," I said, my voice firm. "I know what I'm doing."

Traemene looked to Delphina with a worried shake of the head. The Marquise closed her eyes and shook her head as well, but then nodded. "Go," she said. "I taught you the best I was able, but there comes a time when you must be allowed to make your own decisions. I only pray that you're making the right one."

As did I.

"I thank you, Lady Delphina. For everything." As I stepped to the door, I laid a reassuring hand on Traemene's shoulder and nodded to Wilona. I could see none of them agreed, or even understood with my actions, but the encouragement I felt from them in return was sincere. I'd never had friends as true as them before in my entire life. I could only hope I did not disappoint them.

The passageways of the palace were both barren and crowded at the same time. Guards were out in force, the entire garrison obviously having been turned out as an overwhelming show of force. Servants and nobles, however, were staying in their rooms with doors barred, waiting for the chaos to blow over. In the past, I might have been allowed into the king's chambers without his summons, but that was not going to happen today.

Instead, I went to the gardens. There were no guards at all there. I hurried though the immaculately trimmed maze of hedges, blind to the beauty which surrounded me. I had only my goal in mind and all else did not matter. I arrived at the gate where I'd so often met with the King in the past. It was locked, as it always was, but that would not stop me.

I pulled out the Transformation wand and pointed it at the gate. My thoughts were so focused, it took but a moment before the heavy brass of the lock turned to water and fell away with a splash, leaving the gate unsealed. I tossed it open and dashed through the King's personal gardens. The throne room lay just ahead at the top of a grand garden stairway. I took the steps two at a time, my long skirts barely hindering my pace at all.

At the top of the stairs was a cobbled terrace I remembered well, but at the sight of it, I froze. There on the spot where Nikelle had been killed, the ground was colored by an immense pool of red that had puddled in the cracks between the stones and was only just beginning to grow dark as the flies clustered. The stump was gone, but its shadow remained in the form of a bare ring in the middle of the pooled blood. Long streaks of red and trampled boot marks indicated where Nikelle's body had been removed. Was she going to be buried in some unmarked grave, or simply left out for the vultures?

A mewing whimper slipped from my mouth to see the last vestiges of my love desecrated thusly, but I swallowed it down and grasped the Transformation Wand all the more tightly. Reaffirming my goal, I strode into the empty throne room, careful not to disturb the scene any more than it already was.

The morning light was shining in and illuminated the white room in glorious brilliance except for where the black altar sat with brooding malevolence. I could imagine the Dark God laughing, tauntingly from inside its vessel, safe in the knowledge that I was powerless to stop it.

I raised the wand and pointed it like a dagger. This would be the end. The king had said his Dark God was the stone in which it dwelled. In that case, I would turn it into something harmless that would no longer be able to contain its vile nature. I imagined the stone melting away into a vapor, dissipating on the breeze and never to be seen again. My focus was razor sharp, my intent unwavering.

It should have worked just as easily as it had with the gate latch, but the black stone simply sat there, mockingly unchanged. Something was wrong. I could feel the Dark God -- it was definitely not my imagination this time. It was resisting my efforts, countering the effect of the Wand with the force of its black heart.

I bared my teeth and redoubled my efforts. I would not lose to that hateful thing. It clearly had power, but my rage was far greater than anything it could possibly use in its defense.

Like a startled fish in a tank, I felt the Dark God thrash about. It had not been expecting that. It reeled and scrambled to fight back. The stone quivered as if made of jelly and then solidified once more.

My hand shook from how tightly I held the wand. I gripped it with my other hand as well and planted my feet. I would not let this Dark God of the Mordengern win. Today, it would be undone. I would destroy it, once and for all! In my mind, I imagined the black stone evaporating like water splashed into a frying pan.

The Dark God thrashed at the confines of its realm, pushing back. It was growing desperate. It hadn't expected such a power to equal its own, but each attempt to resist only intensified my focus.

Both of my arms were now trembling so violently that it felt as if my shoulders might be pulled from their sockets. This time it wasn't just me, it was the wand itself. It had never been intended for such use. I had to end this now before I damaged it irrevocably.

The Dark God felt my desperation. I could hear its laughter inside my mind. It thought it had won.

With a growl, I assaulted it once more, this time with every last shred of my resolve. My foe pulled in on itself and became a quivering bundle of tension.

It was frantic now, panicked. Just a little longer and I would have it. I could feel it in my marrow.

However, the wand was growing uncomfortably warm. The wood of which it was made was flaking off in my hands. I could feel the lattice of spells woven into it coming undone. It was only my own force of will that was holding it together at all. If I relaxed for even a moment, it would tear apart. I was certain I had already ruined it beyond all repair, but that no longer mattered. Regardless of the price, I swore to myself and to the memory of Nikelle that I would destroy this Dark God!

With a titanic surge of will, I pushed against the thing inside that hideous block of stone. It would be undone, removed for all time from this realm!

Its wail of panic ripped through my mind at the same instant a great shock sounded from the altar. I could feel it ripple though the floor, up through my feet with a great hollow thud. A flash of light and a blast of force knocked my arms wide and threw me onto my ass.

Gasping to fill lungs which no long seemed willing to seek air, I struggled to make my black-flecked vision focus. The palms of my hands were red. The wand was gone. All that remained of it were small brown flakes that drifted away like burnt paper, vanishing completely with warm, firefly-like glows. In my recklessness, I'd destroyed the one thing that would have given me my freedom back.

And sitting across the throne room, the black altar remained, unchanged. Closer and less imagined than ever before, I could also hear the crescendoing laughter of the Dark God, subtle at first, building quickly to a roaring guffaw of stunned disbelief. Its horrifying presence in the room was more tangible than ever before, looming like a thickening cloud spreading out from the altar.

As if in a dream, where the best defense against some unseen monster is to remain as inconspicuous as possible, I pushed myself slowly across the floor until I backed into the steps leading up to the king's throne. Careful not to take my eyes form the altar, I rose up to sit upon the bottom step. As I did so, the light shifted across the surface of the black stone. Where before it had been a single uniform piece of rock, I could now make out a thin, barely visible fracture that had split the entire thing in two. That must have been the cause of that hollow crash from before. Maybe it hadn't been completely unharmed after all.

Not that it seemed to have done any good. I'd put forth all that effort -- wasted the one weapon I had to use against it -- and that was all the damage I'd done? The king's Dark God of the Mordengern was still alive, just as powerful as ever and effectively unharmed. I didn't want it to end like this, but the simple fact of the matter was that I'd lost.

To Be Continued...



The Blood Pact Ch. 35



--- The Blood Pact, Chapter 35 ---

The ethereal howls of the Dark God's laughter over its victory continued to fill my brain. I slumped down against the steps with legs askew and shoulders bent.

With the continued protection his Dark God, the king was invincible.

The Transformation Wand, the one weapon I'd had to use, was destroyed.

I'd failed to avenge Nikelle. Failed, utterly and completely. I pulled Delphina's dagger from my pocket and drew it out of its sheath. In the sunlight, the polished blade flashed brightly. There was nothing left for me to do.

I would wait here for the king and confront him as Nikelle had. He could take my life as he had hers. Perhaps in death we would find each other again and finally get past all the extraneous things in our lives which had prevented us from ever fully understanding each other.

The latch to the door lifted. My actions must have been heard. I ducked out of sight behind the door as it swung inward. I may have had nothing left to live for, but that didn't mean I was simply going to lie down and let that bastard kill me. Nikelle deserved better. I would fight to the very end with every advantage I could lay my hands on, as Nikelle would have wanted. Rosenthal would have to fight for the honor of killing me.

I heard a pair of footsteps enter the room, but neither sounded like the tread of the king.

"There," spoke the gruff voice of a guard. "All this business has greatly distressed the king. The queen wants all reminder of it removed right away."

"Y-yes, I understand," From around the corner of the door, I could see Natalie plod haltingly into the room, two large buckets of water awkwardly carried in her hands.

That was just like the queen, always looking out for her husband, even when he didn't deserve her love. If she wasn't blinded to the truth about him, perhaps she wouldn't have been so devoted.

Suddenly, like a bolt of lightening, realization sprang upon me. Was that the weapon I needed? Would it even work? The Dark God merely cackled mockingly in my head at the vain surge of hope that had welled up inside me. Perhaps I really did have no hope of success, but what did I possibly have to lose by trying?

"I'll be nearby," the guard said. "You're not to leave this room until you've finished cleaning up every last drop of that traitor's blood."

With that, he went back outside and closed the door, leaving me alone with Natalie. Staring only at the pool of coagulated blood on the terrace outside and apparently working up the courage to go forward, she hadn't yet noticed me.

Stepping away from the wall, I said, "Hello, Natalie."

She gasped and turned, dropping both buckets as she did so. At the sight of me, she moaned and clutched her hands to her mouth.

"You once placed yourself in the employ of the Queen," I said, coming near. She quivered but her fear prevented her from running. "It must fill you with shame to know Lord Ruvano forced you to betray her trust as you have."

Natalie shook her head vehemently, tears in her eyes. "N-no! I've learned my lesson, I have!"

"You misunderstand me. I'm giving you a chance to redeem yourself." I pointed to the gardens beyond the doorway. "Go. Soon no one will care that you have shirked your cleaning duties, least of all the queen. The gate to the palace gardens is unlocked. Tell the queen that I am meeting her husband right now."

She stood in indecision for several long moments, mentally weighing the situation, her eyes darting from me, to the spilled buckets, and back. When she laid eyes on the black altar, she took a step back, shivered visibly and then fled into the gardens without any further word.

Now there was but one thing left to do.

I went to the carven throne and sat upon it, the Dark God's mirth at whatever futile plan I'd dreamed up still ringing in my ears. I could have disconnected the warning mechanism hidden beneath the seat cushion with the simple slipping of a hook from a chain, but I wanted the king to hear the sounding of its bell. Today, of all days, he would heed such a summons himself, his rage-fueled arrogance driving him on to personally deal with whatever fool chose to sit in his throne.

As I waited, I pulled one of the pink ribbons from my dress and tied it around my dagger with an elaborately dainty knot I'd learned while working in the kitchens on the day of the festival. At the time, with all those other women screaming at me to go faster and telling me every few minutes how worthless I was, it had seemed like an impossible knot to tie. Now, it went together so easily I wondered if maybe I'd forgotten a few steps.

The doorways on either side of the throne lead back to the king's personal chambers. Already I could hear his footsteps approaching. The time to strike was drawing near. The Dark God seemed to mock my hastily conceived plan once again. I still had no idea if it would work, but I had no other options and I would not allow myself to be dissuaded. As the king burst in the room, he drew a long sword and cast aside its scabbard.

"You bloody assassins want another shot at me! Well come on then, have at thee!" The fury burning in his eyes did not diminish in the least when he spied me sitting dispassionately upon his throne. "What is this! Stephanie, have you come to try and drive a knife into my back as well?"

I smiled, a surprisingly easy thing to do considering the circumstances. "Not at all," I said, making my voice thick with seductive charm. "I heard of the assassination and was worried for you safety."

Somewhat dumbfounded, he glanced around the room, the point of his sword wavering. "If what you say is true, why do you carry a weapon?"

I stood then and glided down the stairs. With head bowed, I offered up to him the dagger. "A gift. I wanted you to be able to protect yourself should anyone else try something so ghastly as attacking you."

"You, what?" Dumbfounded, he lowered his sword and took the dagger from my hands. After examining the tiny weapon and the frilly pink ribbon tied around it, he let out a rowdy laugh. "Oh, my simple little Stephanie! I have no need of such things; I beat off this assassin with my own hands!"

With another laugh, he threw his sword aside, sending it clattering across the floor, and grabbed me in his thick arms. "Still, I treasure your concern. Ever since that woman came at me, I have been beside myself with irritation that she was allowed to escape. Even the cleaving of her traitorous head from her body offered no relief. All I've wanted is to see you again. My duties have thus far kept me otherwise engaged, but now here YOU come to ME, like an angel bearing promise of blessed respite at last."

As he spoke, his hands ranged freely over my body, stroking my back and groping my ass. I did not resist. In fact, I encouraged him, rubbing my body against his, feeling his massive cock growing hard against my hip. Having been with him so often in the past, I knew that was all it would take to get his full attention.

Taking me in his arms, he lifted me up and kissed me savagely on the lips. Swallowing down my revulsion for the man, I kissed him back with even greater fury, wrapping my legs around his waist and my arms around his shoulders.

"Oh Stephanie, so lively today!"

He carried me to the wall and held me there with his body as we continued our embrace. His hands found my breasts and attacked them as he dry humped my crouch with the cock bulging visibly from the front of his trousers.

The Dark God cackled wildly at the show, but I did my best to ignore it. Seemingly closer than ever before, it felt as if the crack I'd put in the stone gave that demonic beast the freedom to project its presence beyond the confines of the altar. The king seemed blissfully unaware of it, but my skin still crawled to be so near.

Growing frustrated with the tangled skirts around my legs, the king all put threw me down. I landed on my feet, panting, but my balance was still precarious as he lunged at me, pulling at my dress and putting a lengthy tear in it from the shoulder well past my hip.

As the garment was forcibly torn from my body, it became snarled around my legs and sent me backpedaling frantically. It would have tripped me entirely had my fall not been arrested by an object directly in my path. However, the moment I felt the icy cold stone of the black altar against my bare thighs and upon my palms, I drew back as if burned. I didn't get far at all before the king came at me again, his mammoth cock now sticking straight out from the opened front of his trousers. Savaging my face and my chest with rough kisses, his brutish embrace knocked me flat onto my back atop the altar.

Still unseen but keenly felt, the Dark God was indeed no longer bound within the confines of the stone. As the king pressed me down with the weight of his body, a fresh burst of laughter from that hateful thing nearly stripped me of my resolve. I was still determined to go through with my plan, but not with that thing looming over us as it was. In a panicked struggle to get out from under the king, I grunted and tried in vain to push him off. He merely caught one of my hands and wrenched it out of the way with a fierce jerk.

"Yes, I'm excited too!" he laughed.

My pained cry delighted the dark god. Had it been a living thing and not just a vile presence, I could have felt its carrion-scented breath on my face as it bent close to revel in the futility of my situation.

The king drew back just enough so he could tear away the last of my undergarments. In his distraction, I made another attempt to get off the altar, but was pulled right back. I kicked and clawed for my freedom, but the king grabbed my ankles and laughed as he attempted to turn me over onto my stomach so he could mount me from behind.

The Dark God seemed to be growing annoyed with the delay. I could feel it lash out at the king, admonishing him for not getting on with things quickly enough. To my surprise, the king seemed to reel as if the Dark God HAD actually struck him. My legs still held firmly in his burly hands, he stared down at me with a glassy-eyed expression. Then, hesitantly, as if dazed by the Dark God's attack, he pulled my legs apart, opening my pussy.

Again, I attempted to crawl off the altar, but again the king pulled me back, this time heaving one of my legs over his shoulder and firmly striking my ass with the open palm of his hand. I let out a yelp and the Dark God chuckled.

"Please, your majesty," I pleaded with face mashed uncomfortably against the cold stone altar, "Must we do this here?"

"You've always been far too much of a tease, Stephanie," the king said, his words sounding hollow and emotionless. "I've tolerated it in the past because you always put out in the end, but I think it's finally time I taught you some manners."

Taking the base of his cock in hand, he dragged its head down the crack between my ass cheeks, leaving a slippery trail of precum in its wake. If only we weren't doing this on the altar, it would have been so much easier to accept. I thrashed out once more and he spanked me again, even harder than before. Looking back at him across my twisted body, I could feel him press the head of his cock against my constricted asshole.

The Dark God's chuckles now turned to a growl of irritation. Again it lashed out at the king and again he reeled as if its claws had ripped across his face. This time, however, as the momentary shock left his eyes, it was replaced by a maniac glee completely unlike anything I had ever seen in him before. 

With a single violent yank, he threw me back down to the altar and climbed between my legs. His cock stood taller and harder than I'd ever seen before. In fact, it almost seemed to pulsate, ready to burst with pent-up desire. A thick hand on my chest, the king slammed me down hard enough that it knocked the air out of my lungs.

I closed my eyes and prayed that this would all be over quickly. Maybe if I was unconscious it would make this whole ordeal easier to bear. I could still feel the Dark God there alongside the king, but when next it laughed, my eyes shot open wide. That hideous thing's dry cackles had not came from some imagined place, but from the king's own mouth! Pinioning my arms to the altar, the king took a moment to stare down at my prone form, his eyes alight with insane mirth. 

"I've taken your body many times, but always only halfway," he said in a voice that was somehow not quite Rosenthal's. "I think it is long past time I resolved that oversight."

What had that creature in the stone done? Was it somehow inside the king, manipulating his actions? Plan or no, I was not about to let that...that thing take me! I struggled to close my legs but they were pinned open just as assuredly as my arms. Looking down the length of my body, I could see him lower that abnormally swollen cock towards my hips. The bulbous head raked across my pussy lips. I let out a whimper that sounded something like a cross between a cry of defiance and utter panic. The King merely laughed.

"Yes, long past time," he said.

With that, he drove his hips down over mine. His cock found my pussy and invaded it with a single long thrust that felt as if it were going to tear my insides apart. My shriek filled the room and again the King laughed in a voice that was not quite his own. Drawing his hideous member out of my pussy was blessed relief until he drove it back in again, even harder than the first time.

At my renewed struggles, he brought the back of his hand across my face and I tasted blood. He leant in and kissed me roughly, all but sucking at the split in my lip. Parting, he cried out to the ceiling with an insane burst of audacious laughter.

"Ah yes! You know that brown-skinned little bitch came at me in this very room?" the King said in that strange voice as he continued thrusting his engorged cock into me, his breathing growing fast. "The Mordengern have resisted their kind for generations and she thought to strike me down with a BLOOD DAGGER! I am a god!"

With one sweaty palm, he seized my left breast and pinched the red mark that had been left by Nikelle's blood dart piercing my heart. "You pathetic bitches and your blood magic. Oh yes, you don't have a blood dagger, but I can smell their taint on you. I'll admit you made a better go of it than most in the past. You actually wounded me. No one has ever done that before -- and oh so grievously! You destroyed my home, my realm, my existence! But he and I have a pact as well, sealed with the blood of a thousand virgins! I shall live on, despite your artless attempt to destroy me."

Was this truly even still the King or was that Dark God now fully in control of his body? The way he spoke, I could no longer tell. His next words sounded more like the man I knew, but they were still laced with a certain alien quality that made me want more than ever to get out from under him.

"I wanted to put the stupid bitch up on this altar and show her the error of her ways with my cock, but Lord Ruvano said I should just be rid of her quickly!"

At the utterance of the spymaster's name, he jabbed into me harder than ever and I cried out. Gods, if he kept at this pace, he was going to injure me. I wasn't even sure how much longer I could take it.

"I follow that man's advice far too often. I could have entertained myself with that southern beauty for years! You could have joined the three of us, Stephanie! It would have been wonderful, but, no!"

Again he stabbed me as if his cock were a dagger being thrust into the heart of a hated foe. My wail sounded like I was indeed the one on the receiving end of that vengeance. However, the pain had become secondary to all else. His words had snapped my mind into crystalline focus. I'd come to kill this man because he was the one who killed Nikelle, but now he was telling me that he was only the instrument of another. The real enemy here was Lord Ruvano! If not for his advice to the king, Nikelle would still be alive.

"It was the same with my uncle!" he said. Sweat rolled from his face and dripped onto my bared breasts and face. "I would have liked to have seen that shriveled old fool suffer in the dungeons a bit before taking his head, but Lord Ruvano insisted on killing him right away! Always the same with him -- unless its one of his own men! Doesn't he understand the fun of a nice prolonged torture!"

The old king too? But Lord Ruvano had said he'd tried to talk Rosenthal out of that. That lying bastard had as good as killed them both. 

Then, from the corner of my eye, I saw a flash of movement. The king, or the Dark God, or whatever it was that was atop me, hadn't noticed, too engrossed in its own tirade, however, someone else had definitely entered the room. Whoever it was stopped in the doorway and simply stared.

"If that man wasn't so useful to me in other ways, I would have gotten rid of him long ago and simply taken you for my own!" The king continued, his voice growing even more maniacal and taking on a raspy hissing quality. "It has always sickened me to know I've only been able to have you with Lord Ruvano's permission! All you mortals are nothing but playthings to the likes of me, but sometimes you still have your uses. You, for instance, may play at being a noblewoman, Stephanie, thinking you're so much better than everyone else, but from where I stand, you're nothing more than fertile soil in which to plant a seed. If that whore of a queen would have let herself be taken on this altar, I could have given that bitch such a child -- a child like this world has never seen before. Now, because of this grievous harm you have inflicted upon me, we shall have to see what I can plumb from your worthless depths. Through you, my reign on this world will truly begin! You will provide me with a legacy that will last for all time!"

Gods! I prayed that he wasn't saying what I thought he was. Again I cried out and thrashed about helplessly under him. If this kept up much longer, he was going to kill me with the brutality of his thrusts alone, but to anyone watching on from the outside, it probably looked like I was being utterly consumed by throes of ecstasy.

The figure in the doorway swept across the room and stooped alongside my discarded dress. I saw the flutter of a pink ribbon and the flash of a blade. As the pounding of the King's hips grew to a furious pace, he, or whatever the Dark God had turned him into, reared back and let out a cry of absolute bone-chilling rapture. Over his shoulder, the queen's equine face came into view, contorted with rage as she plunged my dagger into her husband's back.

The king's eyes grew wide and his cry of pleasure suddenly became a gasp of surprise. A second scream seemed to escape the King's throat as well, this one a brittle shriek of despair. At the same instant, the cock still buried deep in my pussy convulsed and released its seed in a single titanic rush. I felt life slip from the king, and with the lingering tendrils of the Dark God's malevolence still pervading my mind, I felt that horrid thing die along with him.

Under us, the black altar quivered, seemingly turning from solid to liquid in an instant. It crashed to the floor, taking the king and myself along with it. I fell with a splash into the middle of that viscous black filth, scrambling out from under the now limp body of the king only a moment before being crushed beneath it.

I scuttled across the floor, drenched in the vile substance that had once been the stone home of the Dark God. I left long streaks of it trailing behind me as the King's final load of cum leaked out from between my legs. My mind reeling, I could barely stitch two coherent thoughts together in my mind, but I still somehow retained enough lucidity to retrieve the remains my dress with which to cover myself.




The Blood Pact Ch. 35



The Queen appeared to be nearly as shocked by what happened as I was. Dumbstruck, she hovered over the body of her fallen husband, her hands reaching out, but unable to touch him.

"What have I done?" she muttered, over and over again. "Oh, my love, what have I done?"

Far worse than the last time the King had taken me on the altar, my whole body shivered violently with a prickly burning sensation that seemed to be in danger of tearing my skin apart from the sudden contraction of my muscles. My mind felt like a marble statue taken from a fire and cast into the snow, moments from shattering into a million pieces. I could very well have lost all sanity if there was not still some trace of urgency in the back of my mind, reminding me that my work here was not yet done. I struggled to find my voice but it was like calling out in the middle of a nightmare. After several attempts that resulted in little more than hoarse croaks, I finally managed to make myself heard.

"Guards," I said, barely more than a whisper. I tried again, this time managing to project a shrill, yet commanding cry. "Guards!"

The door burst open mere moments after my summons. One guard crashed into the room only seconds behind several more. Frozen in uncertainty, they looked around the room but their eyes seemed unable to comprehend the sight before them: a naked woman covered in black filth, the king face down in a puddle of the same with a dagger in his back, and the bloody-handed queen standing over the body.

"She killed him!" I cried, pointing frantically toward the queen. "St-stabbed him in the heart!"

I did not know what the law said about regicide inflicted by one's own wife, but the barked command of a noble was enough to shock the guards out of their hesitation. Besides, with the queen's hands practically on the murder weapon, there seemed little doubt as to what had happened. As the guards took her into custody, she looked about like a startled bird, her eyes hollow and not really seeing anything at all.

"I didn't mean to...I...was angry, but I didn't mean to...no...NO!" she said as she was taken from the room.

More guards arrived and went to the king, but they confirmed what I already knew: he was dead. His Dark God might have protected him from everyone who wished to do him harm, but the queen truly loved him. What she had done had been an act of passion, without any real intent. When I had sent Natalie away, all I had been able to do was hope that the queen's reaction would have been something like this, but I'd never planned for the Dark God to be inside the King as well. As he died, so too did it. It couldn't have possibly worked any better.

Huddled in a corner and mostly ignored by the guards as inconsequential to the matter at hand, I slowly regained my senses and managed to exert some degree of composure over my body. As the bells of the High Tower chimed, various officials of the court came into the room, all of them gasping at the grisly sight which greeted them. Lord Ruvano was one of the first, his shocked expression much like the other's initially, but quickly turning to sly satisfaction as he laid eyes on me and began to put the pieces together in his devious mind.

If he knew what I had planned for him, however, he would not have been so pleased.


To Be Continued...



The Blood Pact Ch. 36



Lord Ruvano was quick to exert his influence over the stunned royal court. They were soon jumping to his orders as if he were the king. Under his instruction, I was quickly removed to one of the king's chambers and given opportunity to clean and make myself more presentable.

I still felt cold and had blankets pulled around my shoulders as I hunkered down in a lushly upholstered wingchair. Death was not something I'd ever grown accustomed to, even after having been exposed to it so frequently since becoming Stephanie. To see the King die like that, his cock inside me, I had all but felt the life drain from his body. He did not deserve anything less, but I seemed unable to shake the dread image of his last moment.

Lord Ruvano came to me shortly with an assortment of officials to question me about what had happened and even a clerk to record my statement. I told them the true sequence of events, save for any details regarding the Dark God, my intentional summoning of the queen, or my actual reasons for going to the king in the first place.

The Queen, currently locked away in a cell at Lord Ruvano's command had all but confessed to the murder already, so there seemed little I could have said which would have implicated me. Once satisfied that that was indeed the case, most of them left, save for Lord Ruvano himself. Food and drink were summoned for me and I tore into the platter that was set before me even before the servants who'd delivered it had a chance to leave the room.

In brooding silence, Lord Ruvano stood with his back to me. Was he upset by my actions? He'd been planning to dispose of the King sooner or later himself, but this could certainly not have been part of his master plan. Not that I cared what he thought of me or my deed. He was the one who'd killed Nikelle, as surely as if he'd been the one holding the axe. If there had been a blade at hand, I would have stabbed him then and there. However, even had there been one, I doubted my shaking limbs would have been able to hold it effectively.

"I must admit, you continue to surprise, Stephanie," he said at last. "I never would have expected something like this from you."

"Something like what?"

He turned toward me, his knowing smile far too sure of himself. "Come now, don't play dumb with me. This was about revenge, plain and simple. The queen may have stabbed the king, but it was your knife. You hated the man, but yet you risked your life sneaking into his chambers and threw yourself at him. I also know that Blood Dagger woman was your friend when you were still just a servant. I saw your reaction at her execution -- I would have spared her if I'd been able, but you know how the king was."

I glared at him over the morsel of cold chicken held in my fingers. So he was going to pretend he was innocent in Nikkele's death? I, however, knew the truth and none of his lies, no matter how artfully delivered, would be enough to save him from his fate.

"So what if I did orchestrate the king's death?" I said. "Will I be the next one on the chopping block?"

Lord Ruvano smiled. "Those various ministers aren't imaginative enough to think along these lines. They'll never figure it out. Besides, at the moment, they're far more concerned about what to do next. Was the Queen within her rights to attack the king? Will she be allowed to lead the kingdom in his stead?"

I sat back and wiped my hands on a towel. If she did, I surely wouldn't survive very long afterward.

"Don't worry," Lord Ruvano said, obviously reading my concern. "I've already set things in motion to ensure she is never allowed to take the throne. Now come along, we haven't got much time. Things are moving more quickly than I would have liked. Your actions have forced me to alter my plans somewhat, but my goals haven't changed in the least."

I fell in beside him as we returned to the throne room. My limbs felt more sure now, but looking about for a weapon as we made our way, I could see nothing I might be able to use. The king's body had been removed but the black puddle that had once been the altar, swirled red with his blood, still filled the far end of the room, and was given a wide berth by everyone there.

The moment we stepped into the passageway beyond, a gaggle of Lord Ruvano's personal guard fell in around us. Even if I were able to find a weapon now, they'd likely cut me down before I could make any use of it. We'd only gone a short distance when a panicked seneschal came running down the corridor.

"Lord Ruvano!" he exclaimed, stopping before the guards who'd all reached for their swords at his approach. "It's the queen! She's...she's dead, hanged herself with a cord from her dress."

Lord Ruvano's only reaction was a curious lifting of the eyebrow. "I suppose she couldn't live with what she'd done. Not surprising really. We should have placed her under guard."

"Oh, this is indeed a dark day!" the seneschal said, shaking his head gravely.

"Make the appropriate arrangements," Lord Ruvano said. "She'll be buried next to her husband with all the honors befitting her rank."

"Yes, Lord Ruvano!" the man said with a bow as our group got underway again.

"Well," Lord Ruvano said to me askance, "that takes care of one problem for us."

I gazed at him in startled disbelief. He couldn't have actually arranged her death, could he? Was that the thing he'd set in motion to ensure she wouldn't be allowed to take the throne?

When we reached the passage that connected the royal wing to the noble's wing, I caught sight of a man dressed in soiled tatters being lead by a group of guards toward the front gates. At first a stranger to my eyes, I quailed with recognition when I saw the long scar bisecting his face.

"Bakoro! What's he doing out of shackles?"

"I had use of him," Lord Ruvano said. "In exchange for one final job, I've given him his freedom."

My step faltered as my mind filled with images of Bakoro's cell conveniently being left unlocked; a cord of silk from the queen's own dress tied around her neck; her terrified screams cut off with a sickly gurgle before they were even heard; her limp, lifeless body strung up by the rafters to make it look like she'd been overcome with grief and hanged herself.

Bakoro looked in my direction as he passed, our eyes meeting for but a brief moment. In that fleeting glance, I could see he had a desire to tie a cord around my neck as well.

"He's being exiled, but at least he'll keep his life," Lord Ruvano said. "It's more than he deserves, really."

"But I thought only the king could exile a man..."

"I told you before, this hasn't changed my plans, only accelerated them. Within a few hours, my decree WILL be the king's."

"You mean you're going to take the throne for yourself? But you're only a Count. Won't there be opposition?"

Lord Ruvano stopped, causing his men to scrabble for a moment as they rearranged their formation to accommodate the sudden motion. He turned on me and pointed so fiercely that I jerked back. "No one is ever born to the title of 'king,' it is a position that is either given to the timid or taken by the strong. Anyone can rule a kingdom -- from a duke, to a count, to a lowly common soldier -- provided they are in the right place at the right time. And I have worked for a very hard for a very long time to ensure that I would be here, now.

"As for opposition, I have the support of Rosenthal's men. They respect the fact I was once a solider down in the mud who fought alongside them and they will follow me more readily than any of those posturing nobles in the royal court. None of those blue-blooded sycophants are even in a position to stop me. By the time anyone in the outlying regions receives word of what's happened here, I will have already solidified my powerbase. Everyone will pledge their allegiance to me as if I was their rightful king by birth, and you'll be there at my side to see it all."

I had a hollow dread in the pit of my stomach as we again started moving. "What do you mean, 'at your side'?"

"It's only fitting. After all, I couldn't have done this without you. You're one of the best investments I've ever made. But don't go getting any ideas. Not as my queen, or even my mistress. I have no interest in marrying anyone this early in the game, least of all a baroness who came up from the peasantry."

He sounded as if such a thing were unimaginably vile to even consider -- never mind the fact, he himself had once been a common soldier. No doubt he'd put off marriage until he found the perfect noblewoman who he could use to further his plans. After serving her purpose, she'd likely be discarded like everyone else in his life. As nothing more than his whore, how long could I hope to last?

"But you will need a place in the coronation ceremony," he said. "Anywhere on my arm would send the wrong message, but I think I've found the perfect role for you to play."

He was already planning his coronation? His footing must have been quite tentative, indeed, if he had to be moving this quickly to cement his claims.

At his chambers, he threw back the doors with a flourish. Hanging from a stand in the very center of the room was a multi-layered gown of creamy white, flanked on either side by a row of female temple acolytes attired in similar colors. I recognized the costume instantly from King Rosenthal's coronation as the one worn by the Virgin Priestess who traditionally blessed the crown before it was placed upon the new king's head. If being at Lord Ruvano's side would send the wrong message, I had no idea what sort this would send instead.

I turned to him with a look of utter condemnation. "You must be joking."

His laughter certainly made it seem so, but he shook his head vehemently from side to side.

"I'll soon be king and the temple knows it. They can either do as I say now, or suffer my wrath when I claim the throne without their help. If I tell them you're a virgin with all the training necessary to be a priestess, they have little choice but to take my word for it."

Several of the gathered acolytes shifted their feet or clutched at their sleeves, but not one of them lifted their eyes from where they were fixed respectfully on the floor.

"But the blessing of the Virgin is supposed to ensure a long and fruitful reign," I said, drawing that little tidbit from Delphina's lessons.

"A lot of good it did Rosenthal," Lord Ruvano said. "A virgin is nothing but a waste of a fresh pussy. The temple knows better than anyone that all their talk of pleasing the gods is nothing but rubbish. We make our own fates by seizing those opportunities that come our way."

Then, with a mischievous smile, he took my chin in his hand. "But the people want the illusion of a proper ceremony with all the roles filled, so that's what I'm going to give them. When I have a choice between sharing the stage with you, or one of these homely crones from the nunnery, I'll take you every time."

Again several of the acolytes seemed a hairsbreadth from speaking out. Lord Ruvano paid them no heed, but the thin smile on his lips did almost make him seem like he was enjoying their reaction. Scowling, I shook myself free of his grip. I'd never had much use for religion myself, but even I saw no to reason to torment these women like that.

Lord Ruvano merely chuckled. As I looked back at the gowns, however, something else caught my eye. Sitting on one of the small tables flanking the couch, a bundle of tattered brown fabric looked quite out of place. Lifting the top flap revealed a risqué set of garments in red and black: Nikelle's Blood Dagger uniform. And laying atop the rest was the bladeless hilt of her weapon.

Before I even thought to grab it up, Lord Ruvano did so himself.

"We found the uniform in your friend's things," he said. "Obviously, there is no doubt about who she was."

He gave the dagger hilt a quick look before wincing and drawing back. I knew to expect a single drop of blood running down his finger even before I saw it. With a frown, he handed it off to one of the guards, being careful to avoid getting pricked by the barb in the hilt once again. I eyed it keenly but it was already out of my reach. I shouldn't have let it out of my grasp like that. None of them would have excepted me to be able to wield it. I could have cut down Lord Ruvano before they even knew what was happening.

"Not very impressive without one of those assassins to use it though," Lord Ruvano said. "Still, I think I'll put it away for safekeeping. No sense in leaving something of dark magic laying about, is there? You can have the uniform as a souvenir if you like."

A fucking souvenir of the woman I was trying to avenge? I nearly went after Lord Ruvano with my finger nails.

"Now get dressed," he said. "The ceremony starts in an hour and you are going to be there whether you like it or not."

I stood there fuming as Lord Ruvano and his men left the room. Either by interference or indecision, I was foiled at every opportunity to do away with that man. Maybe I would have a chance in his bed tonight, but it sickened me to think of sharing a bed with that lying, murderous bastard even once more -- almost as much as it sickened me to think of how I'd thrown away my freedom by coming back to the palace.

The transformation wand was destroyed, Nikelle was still unavenged, and I was going to end up in the thrall of the man who killed her for the rest of my days. Not only that, but I would have to live with the knowledge that I was the one who put him on the throne by arranging the King's death. He even expected me to provide the blessing for his ascension!

Several of white-garbed women approached in silence, intent to help me into the ceremonial robes. 

"Out! All of you, out! I can dress own damn self!"

The acolytes flittered out of the room like a flock of startled butterflies. I wasn't going to have any of them see me in this state, beaten down to the very end, lost on all fronts. At least I hadn't broken down into a fit of tears. My rage was burning so brightly that it prevented any tears from falling at all. I'd changed a lot since those early days. Unfortunately, it seemed as if I was still no better able to take care of myself.

I kicked over one of the end tables which shattered a priceless Tropen vase into a million pieces. A swipe of my arm dumped Lord Ruvano's desktop onto the floor. Screaming to the rafters, I tore the sheets off his bed, toppled the chests, and knocked down all his assorted curios. I scattered flowers, papers, and pillows on the floor. I smashed everything that was breakable and upended everything I could move that was not.

The last thing in the room left untouched was Nikelle's uniform, still laying neatly folded on one of the small end tables. I hesitated before it for a moment. It was all I had left of her, my last memento of a woman who claimed to have loved me and who I had occasionally loved myself.

But she was the one who'd gotten me involved in all this. She'd turned me into a assassin, ruined my plans for escape, and then brought me back to this place with her death. If not for her Blood Dart, I could have been done with all of this after that first night spent with Lord Ruvano -- with a tidy profit to boot! Everything since had been her fault!

I picked up the entire table and threw it with a howl against the far wall, putting a long tear in the centuries-old landscape painting hanging there. The table went clattering across the floor and the uniform fell with a flop in front of the sideboard.

Glaring at nothing at all, I stood surrounded by the carnage I'd made of the room as my stooped shoulders rose and fell with each breath I took. This wasn't fair! Why did I, of all people, have to be the one who'd ended up in this situation? I thumped my fists against the sides of my head and groaned in despair. I almost wished I were dead.

Suddenly, as if seeing it for the first time, my eyes locked onto Nikelle's uniform laying there on the floor. With newfound passion, I rushed across the room and fell to my knees, sliding to the edge of the sideboard. I thrust my hand underneath and at first found nothing but clods of dust. The cleaning maids couldn't have found it, could they?

It was with a sense of vengeance that my hand fell upon the cold, hard handle of a dagger, a tiny barb in the grip pricking my finger as I clutched it. A predatory smile spread across my face as I looked at the multi-layered gown of the Virgin Priestess which I'd toppled onto the floor.

Lord Ruvano wasn't king yet. If I had anything to say about it, he never would sit upon the throne.

To Be Continued... 



The Blood Pact Ch. 37



Lord Ruvano returned to his chambers to find me wearing the cream-colored gowns of the Virgin Priestess. He paused upon seeing the mess which surrounded me, but only for a moment. In the radiance of the rose window behind me, I stood like a resplendent goddess, unmoving at the heart of a tempest.

Surrounded by a small handful of his best men, the spymaster -- soon to be king -- strode right up to me. I had to fight to keep a scowl from my face. Oh, how I hated this man.

The guards stayed by his side as he moved, a bristling cloud of armored bodies always between him and any potential danger, even here in his own chambers. Of course, these chambers had proven permeable enough to all manner of intrusion in the past, and their current state didn't exactly make them appear any less threatening. Their hands all rested on their sword hilts, their eyes vigilant for signs of danger. They all knew Lord Ruvano was not the popular choice for the crown so danger could be coming from anywhere -- even within the presence of this seemingly banal woman dressed in the gowns of a priestess.

Lord Ruvano stopped before me and smiled one of those oily, condescending smiles he was so found of throwing around. He stoked my chin with the back of his hand, saying, "You're flushed. But then I can see you've redecorated a bit."

I said nothing, merely kept my expression as flat as a carven statue. I'd already waited long enough for the right moment, I could bide my time a little longer. When everything was right, nothing would be able to stop me.

His finger slipped beneath the collar of the gown and lifted it teasingly away. It would be just like him to fuck the "Virgin" Priestess mere moments before the ceremony and leave her standing up there on the chapel dais throughout the whole coronation ceremony with his seed dripping down the inside of her legs.

"It's a shame you have to cover your body with all this. Maybe we should remove some of these layers..."

As much as I disliked the costume, its many different layers would serve me well for the occasion. Rather than slap his hand away and risk reprisals from his tightly-wound guards, I merely stood my ground.

"You yourself said we have to maintain appearances for an event this prestigious," I said. "Besides, would you really want everyone in attendance seeing beneath these gowns? With the king gone, what's under them can now be for your eyes only."

"Indeed!" With a sharp slap on my ass, he turned to leave, his guard enveloping him once again. "The clerics will ensure you know your role. Play it well, and you'll have naught to worry about the rest of your days."

Was that a threat, or a promise of leisure? No matter. I knew my course, and nothing he could say or do would stay me from it.

A small gaggle of clerics in their white robes shuffled out of Lord Ruvano's way as he exited. They all looked like they'd rather be doing just about anything else at the moment, fidgeting and quivering in their boots as they bowed and shuffled restlessly. They took me away into back rooms of the chapel only they and a select few others had ever seen. The lead cleric was a jittery man with a white ring of hair around the edge of his head who didn't ever stand as tall as my shoulder. Repeatedly and in a high-pitched voice that dripped with apprehension, he instructed me as to what my duties would be in the coming ceremony until he was certain I could handle it without error. However, it seemed as though I had very little to do besides stepping forward at the right moment, extending my hand over the crown, and reciting a simple prayer.

They must have doubted my abilities regardless, because when the ceremony got underway, I was assigned a layperson to ensure I ended up standing in the right place throughout all the preliminary decrees and invocations. It was surprisingly easy for me to stand stark still while the boring parts of the coronation stretched on and on. Perhaps it was my imagination, but the enthusiasm of the gathered nobles did not seem nearly as great in their participation for Lord Ruvano as it had for Lord Rosenthal. Clearly he'd twisted some arms and leveraged quite a few of the secrets he'd gathered in order to force them all into this.

When the crown was finally brought out to be placed upon Lord Ruvano's head, forever anointing him as sovereign king of the realm, the lead cleric had to stand on a gilded box at Lord Ruvano's left shoulder in order to raise it high enough. I would not have been one bit surprised if he'd also been standing on tiptoes beneath the dragging hem of his ceremonial robes. Even watching the scene with a sense of cold detachment, I still found myself holding my breath as I watched the crown being held over Lord Ruvano's head in preparation for the virgin's blessing.

One of the other clerics, standing unseen at the side of the dais, then began intoning a lengthy prayer that was my cue to start forward. I'd been told by every sweating cleric beforehand that I was to moderate my step so that I arrived at Lord Ruvano's right shoulder with hand extended above the crown just as the prayer ended so that I could then begin my own.

As I strode regally across the lush red carpets, I came into the light of the windows behind the altar just as the cleric's prayer reached its high point. My cream-colored gown seemed to come alight, transforming me from a mere whore into an angelic vision. The proper placement of the players in regard to the light coming in through the windows was probably the only reason for the strict starting times of the ceremony. 

As I approached Lord Ruvano, my pace quickened by a hairsbreadth. I hoped no one noticed.

I extended my hands as I had been told to do. With Lord Ruvano's back to me as he faced the crowd, I could only imagine the smug, conniving expression he wore.

I would put this off no longer. As he himself had said, we made our own fates by seizing those opportunities that come our way. This was mine.

Instead of placing my hands above the crown, I instead reached into my robes. As I drew forth my blood dagger, the gowns flew open. Underneath, I was wearing Nikelle's Blood Dagger uniform, the black and red of it standing out starkly against the glowing white robes which flared out behind me. I felt the barb of the dagger pierce my skin and the cold numbness as it greedily sucked on my lifeblood.

Everything happened so quickly, no one had a chance to stop me. They didn't even have a chance to warn Lord Ruvano about what was happening right behind him. I thrust the dagger into his back, parting his ribs and piercing his heart with a single blow. I felt his warm blood wash over my hands and saw a spray of red over his shoulder as the blade exited through the front of chest. A convulsive tremor ripped through his body. I could only wonder what his expression was now.

His suddenly limb body fell off my blade and crashed face-first to the steps of dais, sliding to the bottom before coming to a stop. The gathered nobles appeared to be in shock, none of them able to believe what they'd just seen. Even the head cleric stood frozen in place, his eyes wide as saucers as he still held the crown aloft. Lord Ruvano's body remained motionless, a rapidly widening pool of blood forming under him on the stone floor of the chapel.

My captor, my tormentor: dead at last.

Now I suppose it was my turn.

With Lord Ruvano's blood still dripping from my blade, I stepped forward to confront my fate. I was prepared to feel the sting of the guards swords as they cut me down, to be thrown in a dungeon, raped, tortured, and ultimately executed in the most vile manner they could imagine. I'd had enough of this life. I'd avenged Nikelle. There was nothing left for me to do.

Terror of all terrors in the head cleric's eyes, and shaking like he'd just come in from a blizzard in nothing but his smallclothes, he must have thought he was going to be joining Lord Ruvano any moment. Without warning, he dropped the crown he still held onto MY head and backed away with a jerky bow.

"A-a-all hail Queen Stephanie!"

"What the --!" If he had been confused by my sudden actions, I was even more so by his. This must have been his befuddled attempt to save himself. "No, you idiot, I'm not going to hurt you! And I don't want this bloody crown either!"

I went to snatch it off my head and cast it aside, but catching sight of the nobles staring up at me, I froze. Delphina and her husband were near the foot of the steps, looking just as shocked as the rest. In that moment, I was a stranger in their eyes. It almost made a tear come to my eye. I'd insisted from the beginning that I was not a killer, but here at the end, I'd cut down Lord Ruvano in cold blood for the entire royal court to see. Just who the hell was I anymore?

Standing at their side, however, Fildrich's surprise quickly turned to bemusement.

"All hail Queen Stephanie!" he said, kneeling with an impish smile on his face.

What was that fool doing? This was no time for his stupid jokes!

However, as I stood at the head of the dais, a bloody knife in my hand, the crown of the kingdom on my head, the blood splattered gowns of the Virgin Priestess hanging from my shoulders, and wearing the uniform of the Blood Daggers, it was now my turn to stare dumbfounded. All of the nobles dropped to their knees in an elegantly cascading wave as they rose up their voices proclaiming their loyalty to me, their queen.

"All Hail Queen Stephanie! Long Live the Queen!"

They must have thought it was a coup; my own attempt to wrest the crown away from Lord Ruvano for myself. Those bloody fools. 

"Stop it! I'm not your fucking queen. I don't ..."

My pleas were drowned out by their encouraging cheers. They must have been mad, utterly and completely insane. Why would they even want me as their queen? Words failed me entirely. I didn't know what to do. Even when I was able to follow a path of my own choosing, fate found a way to interfere. I had been ready to die but I couldn't even be granted that. Was I forever to be nothing more than a mere puppet dancing on fate's strings?

To Be Concluded...



The Blood Pact Ch. 38



I ran headlong through passages and rooms of the royal wing with hardly any sense of where I was going. My only thought was to get away as quickly as possible. I had a vague impression of pursuit -- either real or imagined -- but I dared not turn to face whoever it might have been.

What had just happened in the chapel wasn't something that I ever could have imagined in my wildest dreams. Maybe I'd been prepared for death back there, but after witnessing that farce, I didn't want to see what those lunatics might next do to me, and so I ran.

Some notion in the back of my head told me to get out of the palace and follow through with my original plan of escape. Most of my supplies were still at the cabin. If I could get beyond the walls, I might have a chance.

However, I'd murdered the king-to-be in front of every noble of consequence in the entire kingdom. They knew who I was and without the Transformation Wand, I no longer had a means of becoming someone else. I'd never get away, no matter what I did.

Finally breaking into a small chamber I'd only once ever set foot inside of before now, I came to an abrupt stop. It was the king's third throne room, a tiny chamber with wood-paneled walls and a modestly-sized throne of oak with brass panels inset into the wood. It was also a dead-end -- the only way out was back the way I'd just come.

The sounds of pursuit, most definitely real, were now drawing dangerously close. Maybe they'd finally come to their senses and were ready to cut me down as I deserved. I unfastened the pale priestess robes from around my neck and let them fall to the floor. If I was to face my end at last, let it be with some degree of dignity. Now attired in nothing more than Nikelle's uniform, I turned toward the door and held my blood dagger at the ready, my arm growing momentarily numb as a curved blade with a hooked base grew from the hilt.

However, when I caught sight of the small group that burst into the room, I nearly dropped my blade. Rather than the scores of guards I'd been expecting, it was Delphina, Lord Marcus, and Fildrich. Outside, Traemene and Wilona took up positions of defense.

"Delphina! What the bloody hell happened back there!" I cried. "Those people were calling me their queen! Me! I'm just a stupid stable hand. I just...I just...killed Lord Ruvano!"

Gods, I HAD just killed him. I'd never killed anyone before. Looking back, it was almost as if it had been a completely different person doing those things. However, his blood was still on my hands and still soaked into my clothes. My hands began shaking and my knees nearly buckled. The swirled blood of my blade quivered and then snapped back into the hilt as a queasy tingling raced up my arm. I took a step backward and sat wearily upon the edge of the throne.

"Why the bloody fucking hell would they ever bow down and accept me as their queen after doing something like that?" I paused and looked up at Delphina. "Why the hell did YOU? Please don't tell me this was all part of some elaborate game you were playing with me from the start."

Delphina, profound sympathy in her eyes, merely shook her head. She stepped close enough to touch my arm, and though I sensed she wanted to hug me, something held her back. I would have embraced her instead, but if I was now some kind of monster in her eyes, I didn't think I could stand to see her cringe away from me. "No Stephanie, we couldn't have orchestrated something like this even if we'd tried."

"However, it is quite fortuitous," Fildrich was quick to add. "We could make use of this situation."

"Make use of it?" I snapped, my voice a harsh screech. "Now you listen here --!"

"Stephanie, please, clam down," Delphina said.

I didn't see any reason to do so under the circumstances but decided I would at least try to keep my outbursts to a minimum for the time being, for Delphina. "Very well. But know this: I will not bind my life to your plots as I did for Lord Ruvano."

"I wasn't suggesting you should," Fildrich said.

"I don't even understand why this is happening." I could have cried if I'd had anything left in me to do so. I was trapped forever as a woman now so maintaining any kind of stoic resolve in situations like this no longer seemed to matter. "All I wanted was to avenge Nikelle. Why didn't they just kill me?"

"Because they think you now hold Lord Ruvano's book of secrets," the Marquis said.

"Lord Ruvano's book of secrets?" I said, fighting hard to keep from shouting. The Marquis should have know as well as any of us just how foolish that sounded. "He didn't have anything like that. He kept all the dirty little secrets he'd collected in his head."

"They don't know that," Fildrich said. "Besides, it's purely figurative anyway. The royal court now believes you have all that information."

"What?" I sputtered. "Why would they ever think such a thing!"

"Lord Ruvano flaunted you as his woman and freely encouraged all those rumors about your origins to circulate" the Marquis said. "No one ever realized just how superficial and one-sided your relationship with him really was. As far they know, you were more than just his agent, you may have been his equal partner. When you killed him, they all assumed you were doing so with the intent of taking his place on the game board."

"I must admit," Fildrich said, "that very thought did cross my mind for a moment back there."

The Marquis continued. "Men and women who have aspired for the throne their whole lives would never have made a move as they believe you have without the means to hold onto what they had just taken."

It seemed to take a great deal of effort simply to reach up and pull the crown off my head and into my lap. It was encrusted with patterns of jewels and other precious stones but the open-worked design and intricate tracery of the gold underneath made it much lighter than I would have expected. Though it really was a priceless object of beauty, I wanted nothing at all to do with the cursed thing.

"So I'll abdicate," I said. "I never wanted to be queen anyway. I'll simply leave all this behind and get as far away as possible."

Delphina's expression grew even more worried and the Marquis shook his head solemnly. "Then they'd have you killed for sure."

Realization dawned on me with a sickening sense of dread in the pit of my stomach. "Even if I did abdicate the throne, they would assume I still knew all of Lord Ruvano's secrets. I'd be too much of a liability to let live."

"Any move you make would merely be seen as another attempt to outmaneuver them," Fildrich said. "Anything is possible in the game of secrets. In fact, that's the entire point."

Gods, I hated this mess! I held out the crown, imploringly. "Please, Lord Marcus, you take it! If I gave the throne to you, wouldn't that be a logical endgame to all this as well?"

He laughed and held up his hands. "I don't want that thing. I'm not a king."

"And I'm not a queen!"

"You are now," Fildrich said. "You might as well take advantage of it."

"Stephanie, just think for a moment," Delphina said. "Lord Ruvano, and Duke Rosenthal before him, had both been intent on using the throne as a mere stepping stone to ever greater heights. They would have destroyed this kingdom just to further their ambitions. If you accept the throne, you could help to make life better for everyone."

"Y-yes, think of the people," Fildrich added, somewhat hastily. "We must project the appearance of strength, regardless of what the truth may be. Uncertainty in choosing a new ruler is a sure sign of weakness. Not one of our neighboring kingdoms would hesitate to invade if they caught wind of this crisis. Our lands would be taken, our economy destroyed, and our people forced to live under foreign rule."

I sank in on myself. I didn't want to see any of those things happen, but why did the responsibility of preventing them have to fall on MY shoulders?

"Even if you were to abdicate without loosing your life, the lines of succession after Duke Rosenthal are somewhat muddled. There are currently..." Fildrich paused to count on his fingers, "five -- no six nobles, each of whom have equally legitimate claims to the crown. With an empty throne, all six of them would attempt to take it for themselves. It would be civil war. The kingdom would be destroyed from within."

"And you want me to bluff my way through against people like that? In the past I liked to gamble quite a bit, but I must admit I was never any good at it. Even if we could fool every noble out there into thinking that I had inherited all the leverage Lord Ruvano had against them, the king's forces won't be inclined to follow me as they were him. Guile alone is not a suitable defense against overwhelming force."

"Rosenthal's Duchy is not a hereditary title," Fildrich said. "A few well-appointed fiefs would likely bring his men into line."

"Begging you pardon, m'lord," a new voice called out from the doorway. "But you'd not be able to devest Rosenthal's men of the palace without some show of force. They'd sooner loot the place than turn it over freely to someone like her."

All eyes turned to see one of Lord Ruvano's men. Dressed in full armor and standing just outside, his way was being barred by Traemene.

"You watch your tongue or I'll cut out!" Fildrich said, whirling on the man. "You'll not address the queen in that manner!"

I guess Fildrich had already decided I was going to take the throne regardless of what I wanted. However, I knew no such display would impress the man in the doorway at all. Yanthas, his expression just as dour as ever, eyed the young lord with complete indifference.

"And what manner is that?" he said. "Are you implying that I shouldn't address her truthfully?"

Fildrich's hand went to his sword. "I'm giving you one chance to turn and walk away before I cut you down where you stand."

"You're more than welcome to try, m'lord," Yanthas said, his stance shifting subtly.

"Both of you, cut it out!" I said, my voice booming through the small chamber and instantly silencing them both. The acoustics had obviously been tailored for the purpose because there was no way I could have done that without aid. I took a moment to sit up a little straighter and place a commanding expression on my face. "Yanthas, surrender your sword and come forward. I would hear what reason has brought you here."

Yanthas stood for a moment longer eying Fildrich before handing his sword over to Traemene. Thusly disarmed, he strode into the middle of the chamber. Though he stopped a respectable distance before me, he made no effort at all to bow.

Lord Ruvano's men would not be happy about what I'd done. They were hardened soldiers who'd followed the spymaster through countless trials to get where they were now. It was men like that who more often then not ensured new rulers didn't remain in power for too long. As I sat on the very edge of the throne with back straight as an arrow, I merely offered him a stiff nod, signaling him to go ahead.

"The men all know what you've done -- hell, everyone in the palace knows -- and we been talking about what to do next. I volunteered to let you know what we decided."

"Go ahead."

"When we swore our allegiance to Lord Ruvano, it was because he promised to lead us to fortune and glory. Obviously, he can't do that now that he's dead. I suppose we could kill all of you, loot the castle, and get away with a fine pile of booty, but then what? I can go back to being a mercenary whenever I want, but the honor of serving a queen doesn't come along everyday. Hell, most can live their whole lives without even getting close to an opportunity like this. Besides, the men respect you...more, I'd be willing to wager, than they did Lord Ruvano after the way he'd been treating us recently. We'd like to see how you do, and we'd like to help, if you'll let us."

Fildrich shook his head. "No, your majesty. These men are dangerous. They're little more than criminals. They served Lord Ruvano, carrying out his clandestine assignments. They should not have been allowed into the palace during ANY king's reign. Cut them loose."

Yanthas glared at the young earl. If his sword hadn't been surrendered at the door, he likely would have had it in hand by now.

"You should be grateful I'm willing to let you keep your freedom," Fildrich added.

"That's enough," I said, "For the moment, I am still the queen here (regardless of what I may have wanted), and that makes this decision mine and mine alone."

Fildrich's mouth twisted as he pressed his lips together. He then bowed slightly at the waist with his hand to his heart. "Yes, of course, your majesty."

Being addressed like that, I had to fight down the urge not to roll my eyes. I'd never really gotten used to being called a lady. I doubted I'd ever be able to stomach something as grand as 'your majesty.'

Yanthas meanwhile, stood his ground, ever-vigilant for signs of trouble. Even when faced with possible death, he didn't flinch. I had always liked that about him. Though Fildrich was correct about them being dangerous men, Yanthas was also correct about Rosenthal's forces not going quietly without some show of force. Surely Fildrich could see that. He was too cunning to be that naïve. However, pride and dignity make people believe foolish things. And I'd lost all sense of pride or dignity the first time I was forced to debase myself with another man. Was that what it meant to rule; to make hard decisions when others were blinded by emotion?

"Take word to the rest of the men and inform them to pack their things," I said.

Yanthas's eyes narrowed and his scowl deepened. Meanwhile, Fildrich nodded with a self-satisfied smirk.

"You'll all be moving into the royal garrison without delay. With things the way they are at the moment, I'll need a guard detail that I can trust."

"Your majesty..." Fildrich muttered in irritation.

"Any who wish to leave may do so without reprisal. I do not want anyone serving in my employ who is not fully committed. Now, once you have delivered your message, return here with Mazarius, Jorven, and Stanos. I will require an honor guard for the ceremonies which I'm sure the Royal Council here is going to force me to attend."

"Yes, your majesty!" This time it was Yanthas's weathered face that creased with smirk. I'd never actually seen him smile before. He backed away as he bowed and then sharply exited the room.

"Stephanie, are you sure this is wise?" Delphina said in a low voice. "Up until moments ago, those men were loyal to Lord Ruvano and no one else. They could merely be using this as an opportunity to get close enough to put a knife your back."

"Before killing Lord Ruvano, I'd prepared myself for death. It seems I've evaded that fate for the time being, but anyone who sits on a throne is someone's target. I might as well just get it over with instead of drawing it out."

Delphina began to reproach me, but my smile silenced her. "Only joking." Although how I could manage such a thing at a time like this, I didn't know. Maybe I really had ceased caring whether I lived or died. It certainly didn't seem as if I had any chose in what became of me. Maybe the time had come to stop fighting it.

"Yanthas was right," I said. "Until we deal with Rosenthal's men, we're going to need protection within these walls more than ever. Unless one of you has a small army hiding somewhere close at hand, those men are the only ones who might be able to provide us with the necessary strength we need. Besides, I know them. They are dependable and stalwart." I wouldn't dispute the fact that they were also dangerous and nearly criminals, since I'd certainly lose that argument, but I did trust them...to a point.

Delphina shook her head slightly. She still didn't like my reasoning but at least she trusted my decision enough not to openly question it. "And what did you mean earlier when you said your 'Royal Council'?" She spread her arms to encompass the three of them. "There is no one here but us."

I flashed her a knowing smile before turning to her husband. "Lord Marcus, you may not be a king, but if you insist on making me a queen, I will require a minister of state. Do you think you could handle THAT?"

He chuckled and shook his head. Then, placing his hand to his heart, he bowed deeply. "Yes, your majesty, I believe I can."

Who would have ever thought that the great Lord Marcus, Marquis of Jalifria would ever be bowing to me: a commoner, a one-time stable hand, a spy, a whore. Yes, the world had clearly gone insane. Maybe I was the only one who could see it for what it was, but I was not going to curl myself up into a ball and wait for the end. I was going to go down fighting, as I'd promised Nikelle's memory I would.

"And you Fildrich: I can think of none better to be my master of spies. I'm sure I'll have great need of your skills in the coming months."

The young man looked slightly taken aback for a moment before he too bowed. Maybe he'd been hoping for some grander appointment. However, it was almost certain that once we started cleaning out Rosenthal's council, I'd have all kinds of grants to bestow.

"And finally Delphina," I said taking her hand in mine and squeezing it warmly. "I treasure your friendship too much to burden you with any such posting, but if I could trouble you with simply staying close by my side for the time being. Having a friend nearby would be greatly appreciated, but I'll also need someone to make sure I don't make too big a fool of myself."

Delphina smiled with almost maternal pride. Then remembering herself, she offered a hasty curtsy. "Yes, of course, your majesty."

I took a deep breath and sighed before placing the crown back on my head. What choice did I have? It was impossible to go back to the way things had been before. Master Oringel, the Steward, Griffith, Nikelle, Duke Rosenthal, Lord Ruvano; all dead. The Transformation Wand; destroyed. I was forever stuck with this body and this life, but was that really so bad?

"Just one more thing," I said, addressing all three of them. "At least when we're alone together, please just call me Stephanie."

After all, that WAS my name.

I had once known a man named Mathis. He had been an excellent horse trainer but little else. I, on the other hand, was now a queen. I was being given a chance to make lasting changes to the entire kingdom and improve the lives of all its people. Maybe this wasn't the fate I would have chosen for myself, but perhaps I could yet find a way to make use of my strange circumstance, not for my own benefit, but everyone else's.

--- EPILOGUE ---

Like all of us, Queen Stephanie came into the world drenched in blood. Her rise to the throne was marked with violence, but she would eventually reign over one of the most prosperous eras her people had ever known.

It was no easy task, but with the help of trusted friends and allies, Stephanie was able to counter most threats from within the kingdom before they got out of control. More damaging than any unruly baron, however, were the whispered rumors which spread like wildfire though the populace and threatened to undermine all authority she had managed to secure for herself. They spoke of oaths of loyalty signed in blood, scores of servants released from employment for minor transgressions, the queen's unhealthy taste for expensive wine, unexplained meetings with envoys of strange women from the south, nightly orgies taking place in the bowels of the palace, Stephanie's lack of interest in all things except the riding of horses, a secret alliance with the Blood Dagger Sisterhood, and even wilder tales. Most eventually proved to be groundless, but by then, the harm had already been done. Though the common people knew Stephanie had once been a mere drudge like them, uncertainty gripped the land until she was able to convince them of her ability to lead.




The Blood Pact Ch. 38



Unfortunately, this came in the form of the many wars she was forced to wage against foreign aggressors in order to keep her people safe. The conflicts went from one to the next in a seemingly unbroken string of violence that lasted for years and nearly destroyed the entire kingdom on more than one occasion. However, because of Stephanie's unflinching use of force when attacked, not one neighboring kingdom was ever able to permanently expand their borders at her expense. Her military actions in those early days would pave the way for the lengthy peace which was to follow.

Bitter from their defeats, outsiders labeled her the "Blood Queen" and composed unfounded, embroidered tales of her brutality. Her soldiers, however, who had come to respect her swift and decisive military prowess, called her the "Hawk Queen;" very few of them ever realizing the true origin of that moniker. To her people, who loved her with familial devotion, she was known as the "Virgin Queen," never marrying and never producing an heir, but embracing all her subjects as if they were her children.

Blood, Hawk, or Virgin; these only tell a small, and sometimes wildly misleading, piece of the larger picture. But one fact is far more telling than any mere label. Even many years after Queen Stephanie's long reign, when histories written by biased scholars in faraway lands remember her as nothing more than another despotic tyrant whose time had came and gone, the people of the land she once ruled still venerate her as a true warrior queen whose compassion, bravery, and cunning would never be forgotten.