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The Dragon Ring Ch. 01

By: Beatnic_jazzman



One

First a word in praise of my Editor; meathead96, who has done a hero's job in correcting my punctuation and grammar

It is set in a world where a day is twenty six hours, the sun bluer, years longer and the seasons less harsh.

All characters are older than eighteen earth years.

*

I was startled awake by the master's dragonlet. It's keening cry piercing my head like a knife. Jumping out of bed I rushed down to my master's study, where the creature was kept. As I approached the window where it was perched, I saw the raiders in the fields outside the castle walls. I looked to the main gate and saw that they had overwhelmed the guards on night patrol. How they had done it was beyond my knowledge. I ran to my master's bedchamber to awaken him. Unfortunately he was already up, almost colliding with me at the chambers entrance. He told me to go to the king and protect him. I ran down the stairs of our tower three steps at a time. 

Our soldiers, Surprised and unarmoured, were emerging from their barracks to meet the surging wave of invaders. I dodged my way through the skirmishes, alarmed at how many of our men were already fallen on the battlefield. Making it to the kitchen's entrance, well away from the assault on the main door, I pelted up the servants stairs. I entered the King's chambers only to find that it was full of raiders, looting the king's chests and cupboards. 

As they saw me, I created the illusion that I was an old crone in servant's rags, who scuttled away at a wave of a sword. I raced up the next level, changing my guise to that of an upstairs maid. Through the open door of the bedchamber I could hear screams, and the sound of a man laughing. Crouching I peeked through the door.

There were three raiders there; one stood with his back to me unbuckling his belt, the two others were knelt upon the bed holding the struggling Princess down. I looked around the door into the rest of the room, it was empty. 

There by the main door was a fallen defender, bow still in hand and his arrows scattered from the quiver. I looked back to the bed, the thin wiry one had his feet on hers pinning them to the ground while he was letting his trousers drop, I looked to where the arrows lay and focused my mind, seeing its elements, it's iron wood and feather. I looked from the arrow to the man, tracing the path it must take. Then narrowing my eyes on the arrow, I created the image of it flying into his buttocks. 

The arrow I had selected rose slowly from the ground as I exerted my will, then flew swiftly to pierce the muscle of his thigh. He screamed and clawed at it, releasing her feet. The other two were startled and distracted from the struggling Princess as they saw their companion topple. 

As they scrambled from the bed. I selected another arrow. Focusing on the nearer man, I loosed the arrow at him, seeing it lodge in his leather jerkin. They were on their feet and drawing their swords as the naked Princess sat up still screaming. 

The fat one gave her a back handed blow, which sent her sprawling back across the bed as they made their way to the main door. 

As they peered cautiously round the door, the thin one was grasping the ankle of the Princess, pulling her from the bed. 

As the two disappeared beyond the door I rushed over and slammed it shut, dropping the crossbar into place. The Princess was kicking furiously at the hand that gripped her ankle, as I rushed to help her free herself. Pulling the man's dagger from its sheath at his shoulder, I plunged it into his belly, leaving him screaming wildly.

The main door gave a crack as the two outside tried to force it open. 

The thin man released her, clutching at the dagger still stuck in his stomach.

I grabbed the Princess's arm and pulled her to the servant's door.

"Girl wait! I need my clothes." She still seemed disorientated.

The main door gave another crack as the thuds of the bodies hitting it forced it in, bending the crossbar. 

I shut my eyes briefly and she was clothed in a sleeping shift.

"Come; that door will not hold them for long." I ordered pulling her once more to the open door before us.

"Wait." She resisted.

"Come if you value your life," I shouted, and she allowed herself to be dragged out and down the servant's stairs.

We made it down the stairs and I paused at the door to the servant's hall. There were raiders in here, raping the servant girls and causing mayhem. I changed my appearance to that of the wiry man I had slain upstairs. The Princess looked in amazement.

"Magician," she uttered as I dragged her into the servants hall. I strode purposely across the hall, still with the princess in tow, and straight into the storerooms, where yet more raiders lingered, searching through the chaos of broken racks and bottles for remnants of the wine and beer once stored there.

Safely at the back of the store I sought the ladder to the stables, climbing up to the granary where the equinininys feed was kept. The place looked deserted, I scouted round, even the stable hands that slept here had gone. The safest place was atop the haystack, pushing her in front of me we climbed to the top. 

I relaxed, releasing the stress inside me. At the same time I inadvertently let the illusion of her clothes, and my disguise as a raider, slip from my mind. A mistake no novice should make. She cried out and I rudely thrust my hand across her mouth. 

"Quiet," I hissed in her ear, "You'll have them upon us." 

She looked imperiously at me, her hands covering her breasts and private parts. 

I quickly recreated her shift. She stepped back and slapped me hard across the face.

"That is for looking at me naked," she snarled.

I was stunned. I had rescued her from certain desecration and probable death, and all that was important to her was her dignity?

"Why have you dragged me here, hiding like raticus from the kitchen scattercat?" she pouted. 

"Look you out on the courtyard," I said pointedly. "Your father's forces are defeated and the keep is taken."

"No matter," she said. "Prince Hallit will ransom me."

"Prince Hallit will not hear of this in days," I whispered hoarsely, "And will not care for a bride who has been despoiled by the hands of these invaders." 

She looked at me silently, a look of fear creeping into her eyes.

I left her and scaled the wall into the loft. There I spied out the land. 

The moon was high in the sky casting its light over the scene. All around our soldiers lay dead or dying. The angle of the greater moon showed that there was but six hours of darkness left. 

The loft had a hoist that let down outside the outer walls. Peering through the hatch, a studied view revealed no raiders to be seen. 

I retreated back down to the Princess who was huddled sulking in the corner, knees drawn up, hands clasping her ankles.

"I am cold here. Get me some warm clothes."

I looked at her in the gloom of the stables, feeling still the sting of her blow. Dutifully I crawled across to her, creating a cloak and passing it to her.

"I am going to investigate the kitchens and see if I can liberate some food and drink," I said. "We need to make good our escape before the morn." 

She scowled at me and I left her there.

The storeroom was in near darkness, a single guttering candle lighting the scene. Spoilt food littered the ground, nearly tripping me twice, as my eyes gained their night vision. 

The bakery held several loaves and I stuffed these into a flour sack. Rummaging further, I found the soldiers field rations; dried strips of meat, hard biscuits and cheese. These too went into the sack. The wine racks were mostly fallen and empty but for broken bottles, but in the corner I found several stone flagons of cider. I doubled back to the bakery and retrieved another flour sack, returning to bag four of the flagons, and a bottle of plum brandy, that had miraculously survived being tossed among them.

Back in the stables I left my booty against the hay. Then donning the illusion of a scattercat, I made my way cautiously into the courtyard. I wandered round the bodies, collecting a few coins from the purses and a fine woollen cloak from the captain, before scuttling back.

Donning the cloak, I hauled the load up to the loft before going back to collect the Princess. 

She was in a foul mood. "Where have you been, what took you so long?"

I hushed her; the look on her face would have withered a serving girl at twenty paces. 

"We must ascend to the loft." I informed her, "From there we may escape to the Equinininyshoe woods." 

I turned to go but she called me back. 

"Boy, help me up." I proffered my hand and she stiffly stood.

I had a fine view of her slim form as, hands on her ass cheeks, I pushed her into clambering up the slatted wall into the loft. 

She chastised me once more. "You shall not touch me without permission." 

I merely smiled at her and made my way over to the hoist. I lifted the rope from the runner and spun the pulley, listening for creaks. Fortunately they kept it well greased and it made barely a sound.

"Right," I said. "I shall lower you first then the sacks then I shall descend." 

She pulled her imaginary cloak tighter; the wind blowing through the hatch had a chill to it. 

The outside wall was in darkness, the moon having descended to a quarter of the sky now. All was in our favour. I pulled the rope up and made a loop for her to stand in. 

"Put your right foot in there and grip the rope tightly." I instructed her. Taking her weight as she complied I swung her out off the platform. 

I lowered her slowly, waiting for her to free herself as she touched ground with her left foot. The sacks followed swiftly on. 

She stood there dumbly as I waited for her to untie them. I had to prompt her with a loud whisper before she grumblingly obeyed. I tied the rope to one of the beams and finally slipped down hand over hand to join her.

I handed her the lighter sack with the food in it and she looked at me blankly. 

"Carry it... it contains what little food I could find." 

A look of anger clouded her face. 

"You carry it! I don't do menial tasks. That's for servants." she stated.

"There are no servants here and, if you do not carry the food, you shall go hungry," I said plainly.

She still refused the sack I proffered. I growled at her before setting off along the wall. 

After a few moments she called to me. 

"Boy. Could you conjure me some shoes, the stones on the path are hurting my feet." 

I looked back at her in the gloom, gingerly walking on her toes as she tried to avoid the sharp flints that made up the track. I took pity and conjured up a pair of stout boots directly onto her feet.

Safely into the edge woods I saw the first flush of sunrise colour the sky. 

Our foot marks were clearly visible in the meadow dew where we had crossed. I comforted myself, knowing that the rising sun would soon obliterate them. 

We pressed on in deeper, me looking for a tall dense conifer, where we could pass the day in safety. The sun was fully up and my charge was complaining again before I found a suitable tree. 

"In here," I said gruffly as I carefully parted the lower branches, taking care not to damage them and leave a tell tale clue as to our presence. 

She followed. I perched my cloak and sacks on one of the sturdier branches and climbed a few steps up the tree. I motioned her to come closer and reached out my hand to help her ascend. 

"Why are we stopping here?" she asked. 

"We are going to hide out for the day in case they are still searching for us," I answered. 

Her cloak flapped open as she reached up to take my hand, giving me a first good look at her figure as the shift outlined her breasts and hips. My look gave me away as she snatched her hand back and firmly wrapped the cloak about her. 

"Sorry." I murmured as I visualised something more practical. A grooms thick trousers and heavy shirt flashed into being, matching the boots.

She continued to scowl as we climbed mid way up the tree to a convenient fork. I left her there while I made a further two trips, bringing up the food and drink along with my cloak. 

Her mood was still no better when I sat astraddle one of the branches and fished out one of the flagons, taking a long pull of its sweet contents. 

She held her hand out expectantly, as I wiped the dribbles from my chin with the back of my hand. 

"I said you would starve if you didn't help carry the sacks," I reminded her.

Her eyes blazed. 

"You forget I am a Princess, it is not for me to do these menial tasks," she responded, her voice tinged with annoyance. 

"It is for you to do as I ask," I stated. "If we are to survive the hard days ahead we must work together and share the tasks."

She clamped her teeth together and turned, almost falling from the branch she was perched on. I almost dropped the cider as I grabbed for her arm. 

"Don't do that again," I cried, as she grabbed my hand to steady herself. Her face was whitened with fright as she clung tightly to my hand, "You will give me apoplexy if you die here still in my charge." 

I smiled at her as she calmed down. 

Freeing my hand I stoppered the jug, passing it over to her.

Passing the jug back after taking a small drink, she squeezed her way round the trunk. Placing her hand on my shoulder, she eased her legs down to straddle the branch. She was facing me with her back to the tree. 

A bird to the left squawked in alarm. I placed my fingers to my lips and hers to hush any query she might make. 

Sitting in silence for the next ten minutes whilst we strained our ears as to what disturbed the bird. We heard voices in the distance and later an equinininy whinny close to us. 

We stayed silent for the next half hour but heard nothing more. 

She leant forward and whispered in my ear, 

"I need to toilet." 

"You'll have to do it here... gently against the tree so's it don't splash and make a noise," I whispered back. 

"Wh...," she squealed as I clamped my hand over her mouth. She looked at me indignantly, 

"I'll close my eyes, "I said in hushed tones and shut them tight, placing my hands over them in good faith. 

Her clothes vanished as I dropped the illusion and I heard another "Eek." Then a complaint, "You should have let me turn round first."

I returned her clothes and watched as she hugged the branch, moving closer to me. Reaching out for my hand to steady herself, she swung her legs over and around. I let her clothes dissolve again.

With her foot on one of the lower branches, using it for leverage, she pulled her body close to the trunk. I heard the flow begin. The soft sound of it gushing finally ended and, eyes still closed, I gave her a second or two to move away, before reclothing her.

She looked over her shoulder at me, she was faintly blushing, her cheeks a pastel pink. 

We spent several more silent hours camped up the tree, consuming a loaf of bread and a healthy portion of the cheese, washed down liberally with the cider. 

She was more than slightly drunk when I deemed it safe to come down out the tree. With the sun overhead I reasoned the search had long passed us, and in all probability, the searchers returned home for refreshment. 

I helped her down carefully leaving her sitting at the trunk, still concealed by the low hanging branches. 

To be safe I cast the illusion that she was a part of the trunk. 

I climbed twice more to retrieve our remaining food and drink. 

Rousing her I donned the guise of a senior friar of the order of Mother; a gray habit with a brown hood and a green sash about my waist. 

As to the Princess, I made her a novitiate; with an all white robe and a green sash. Her appearance was of a callow overweight youth, such as might be a younger son of a noble family. 

I gave her the food sack to carry and, to my delight she made no complaint.

Her spirit was somewhat brighter, and some of her inhibitions gone, as she enquired about me and my past. 

I told her that my mother had died birthing me and of my father I knew not. The wizard had recognised a spark in me and taken me into his care, when I was but one year old. From my tenth birthday he had trained me in the art of magic, making me his apprentice at the legal age of twelve.

I had mastered illusion, gift of the Father, and at the age of eighteen, I had become an adept. Ready to venture forth as a journeyman and learn more of the world, before returning for further training in the more esoteric arts of controlling the physical world, gift of the Mother. 

My master had already given me some training in the differing mental skills, in private, after matins on a Sunday. But I lacked the practiced concentration to exercise the skill fully.

We had headed north all the while and had come to a small stream. As I kneeled to drink an equinininyman emerged from the trees on the other side. 

From the side of my mouth I spat the words, "Say nothing." 

I faced the advancing rider.

"May the holy family bless you," I intoned.

"Father," the rider acknowledged.

"I follow the mother," I replied holding up the sash, "May she bless you with her bounty." 

"I seek a young girl, lost in the woods. Have you seen her in your wanderings?" 

"Alas no," came my answer. 

From the woods behind him a ragged line of men materialised.

"She may have a companion."

"I have seen no one since morning, up in the high fields we saw men on the road below." 

"And your companion?"

"We have travelled together; he has seen what I have seen."

"What brings you to this place?"

"I am leading this noviciate on a meditation into the wonders of the Mother."

"Where are you from?"

"From the monastery up beyond the high gate pass.... My son you look troubled, have you need of confession?"

"Thank you, no, I have more pressing needs.... Where do you go now?" 

"We head up to the ridge, to sit between the Father and Mother and admire the wondrous beauty of the world."

"Go in peace," he said.

"May the family protect you," I intoned in response, making the sign of the four circles contained in the larger one. 

He wheeled his mount and crossed downstream from me, followed by the line of men. 

I bent to drink and listened to the noise fade into the woods behind us. When I had drunk my fill we resumed our trek north, keeping a keen ear for sounds of pursuit.

It was nearly half an hour later that I considered we were safe. 

We paused to take a rest on a fallen log. I brought out a loaf and more of our cheese and we ate in silence. 

Aware of our near scrape, I was still scanning the woods around us, as we ate, in case we had been trailed. We finished up the food with a swig of the cider. 

After tidying up I motioned her to continue our journey. In another ten minutes we exited the woods and started up the incline towards the ridge. 

She broke our silence.

"Where exactly are we headed?" she asked.

"Up over the ridge and down into the Laarngstoc valley," I replied, "then down to the Slith River, maybe catching a boat down to Boughtnock, then follow the road down to Yipell and your precious Prince. If we're lucky we may do it in two weeks, if not...." I let my voice trail off. She looked at me; her face reflecting her fears of the trip ahead. 

"How long will they keep looking?"

"As long as you are alive you are a risk to them. You are the legitimate heir to the kingdom, and can prove it to the grand council."

"So they will be looking for us every step we take." she sighed.

I felt sorry for her with that sad frightened look on her face. I wanted to give her more comfort than words alone could provide.

"We will make it! You have my word on that."

The journey up and over the saddle of the ridge was uneventful, the long gradual slope easy to climb. We rested briefly on the crest before starting the descent. 


The Dragon Ring Ch. 01



We soon found that the way down was steeper, and more torturous, with sharp inclines and drops barring our way; forcing detours. The ground was slippery shale, covered with a thin veneer of soil and mosses in places. 

What had been five miles of gentle ascent was little more than a mile of a much sharper route. Not rounding out till we were at least half way down.

As we reached the jumble of fallen rocks we came to the start of the hardy grasses, with here and there clumps of sharp spike bushes. 

I was holding Sisoft's hand as we descended into a gully, it would lead us on an easier path to the plain now before us, when she lost her footing. 

She fell, tumbling and sliding down into a clump of sharp spike.

I followed her quickly, leaving a small avalanche behind me, as I rushed to her aid. 

When I reached her the tears were showing in her eyes and there was a sob in her voice.

"Help me out of here!" 

Before I entered the bushes, I armoured myself with a blacksmith's leather apron, arm guards and gloves. Breaking back the branches I gradually freed her. taking care so as not to let her be pierced by any more of the thorns on the leaves and branches. 

The thorns had a poison on them; the wounds would quickly go septic if they were not removed. 

She could barely hobble when I finally extricated her. Where the habit had slid up exposing her, the backs of her legs and posterior had suffered a host of cuts and abrasions, as well as the puncture marks of the thorns. She could only lie on her stomach sobbing and wailing.

"I cannot walk, you will have to carry me," she complained, "You should have saved me, that's what you're supposed to do."

My magic was illusion, as of yet I could only command the small things. 

You had to create an image in your mind and impose its existence on reality. I had practiced till I could hold at least ten concurrent objects, albeit small ones for the moment. 

But those objects I could make were real and tangible. Perhaps the best way to describe them was condensed thought. With more practice then maybe I could have blocked the bushes off with a hay bale. But the most I could conjure up was a cushion, it was of no help here.

I helped her up gently, lifting her to her feet. 

I was about to bend her head first over my shoulder when I realised that I would have to hold her legs to steady her. Instead I had her lean stomach down over my back, head forward to my chest, carrying the bags in my free hand.

"As I crouch put your stomach across my shoulder. I will hold around your back, and you may hold my sash to steady yourself."

"That is undignified," she exclaimed.

"That is the only way if I am to cause you the least pain."

She continued to sob softly as I journeyed down the gully.

"Carry me gently; your steps are jogging me."

"My lady," I acknowledged her. 

I held my tongue, the thorns I knew from experience were painful. I had been pricked but once, when collecting the seed for medicine that my master concocted. But that once was enough to make me give it a wide berth when I saw it.

The gully took us out onto the scrublands, and up a little I could see caves in the cliff face. We would be safe staying there. I could screen the mouth with magic then treat the splinters of thorn that remained without risk of casual discovery.

"My lady, I spy some caves yonder. We will put up there while I gather some plants to treat you and lessen the pain."

I knew of a plant that should grow hereabouts, the milkweed popyodom. Its juices would calm and sooth the wounds.

I took her to the cave and laid her on her stomach as carefully as I could. On leaving the cave I created a plug that concealed the entrance as if it never existed.

The milkweed was some distance and freshly sprouted. I gathered an armful, and a few other plants that would help heal the skin smoothly, then hurried back. The sun was low in the sky and my steps weary as I came to the cave.

I dissolved the plug and stepped through, recreating it behind me. It was dark inside and I created four pitch torches around her. She was still lying where I left her. I was concerned that she didn't stir as I approached.

"Princess?"

She moaned and relief swept me.

"I have a balm to apply to your sores."

"Well hurry then for they pain me greatly."

I took her clothes away and made a few more torches to give me good light. 

Mixing the saps to form a salve, I thought how to remove the thorns. I had seen the women use small fire tongs from the smithy, the kind the blacksmith used for chain mail, to pluck hair from their chins, and I thought of them into my hand now. 

I started from her calves, pouring it on and with a cloth spread the juices liberally over the wounds. I worked steadily up her legs and finally her buttocks. I then gently stretched out the skin around the pinpricks to see if any of the thorn remained. Those that I found I gently removed.

She was lucky there were few to remove. As the salve took full effect she was able to move with little pain. I made her widen her legs and ran my hands up her inner calves and thighs, looking for any that I may have missed.

"Enough I have no pain there," she complained, as my hands rounded her buttocks.

"Then I am finished, you should rest now. I will build a fire to warm us and create some soft bedding for you to sleep on. I will look to see how you have healed in the morn."

"I am hungry, do we have food left?"

"Yes, we have, though the bread is a little stale now."

We ate, and then after I created the fire, she slept on the bedding face down. 

I had no knowledge of the time when I awoke. I tuned my mind to look through the plug I had created with a conjured sheet turned to rock, the sun was barely a half hand above the earth and shining straight into the cave. 

Cautiously I looked round outside. Seeing that there was no one around, I went to attend to the Princess. She woke and, as she tested her legs, said that there was still pain there.

"Come let me drag the bedding into the full sun."

She hobbled to the wall, leaning heavily on it, as I dragged the bedding nearer the cave's entrance. I went and took her hand, led her over and bade her lie down. I ran my hands lightly up the back of her legs.

"No, it hurts most between my legs."

"My lady let me finish the examination. I will come to where it pains you."

The juice had done its work and the sores had formed clean scabs. Her skin smooth to my touch, I worked my way up to her buttocks, but saw no wound that I missed.

"Where is this pain that ails you?" I asked. She half twisted and hesitantly reached between her legs to touch her private parts. 

"Then you will have to turn fully and open your legs to me."

She was looking at me half over her shoulder and as my words were spoken she flushed red. Looking at me I could see the consternation in her face as she debated inside.

"Very well. As you treat me as a physician I will let you."

She rolled to her back spreading her long legs wide; the dark bush of her hair was split showing a red slash a finger length long.

"Can you point exactly at the spot of the pain?"

Her finger touched a spot at the bottom of the slash. I bent in to examine it closely; there, poking through the curly dark hair, was an angry red lump with a white spot at its summit. 

A thorn I had missed had turned septic. The juices I had gathered yesterday would be spoilt. I would have to gather more.

"I see the problem my lady. I will need to gather more potions. Make yourself easy, I shall be but a short while."

She winced as she closed her legs and rolled onto her side.

"Go then and gather your herbs and hurry back." There was a pleading tone to her words.

With knowledge of where they were I was back in only a few short minutes.

Mixing the potion as before, I bid her to resume her position. I knelt between her legs and fingered the potion onto the swollen lip, seeing the hair smooth down as the gooey potion covered it. I looked to see a grimace on her face.

"My apologies my lady, but I must apply it in layers. The first will soon take effect and the pain will lessen and fade shortly."

"Enough talk. Just get on with it," she hissed through clenched teeth.

I applied a second layer. Spreading it further over and inside the swollen lip, the skin inside was as smooth as polished wood, even the wrinkled inner lips glided freely under my finger.

"Tell me when the pain lessens." 

I thought up the sharp knife butcher used when trimming the meats and the tweezers of the previous eve and waited looking at her face for her to tell me begin. I touched my fingers together, feeling for when they should go numb.

"I feel little now."

I took the knife and pressing with my thumb inside the lips, holding the red swelling between my fingers, I pierced the white spot. Puss oozed out and I squeezed firmly. She was watching me and winced just a little. The white goo spread across my finger as a black speck became visible. 

I tried to seize it with the tweezers, but it was too small among the hairs. My fingernails were too short to grab it and it left me only one option. I lent in feeling for it with my tongue and tried seizing it with my teeth. The hair frustrated my efforts; three times I grasped a hair instead. If I were to do it I would have to shave her first. 

Spitting out the foul taste in my mouth I looked her in the face. 

"My lady, it is giving me trouble, nestling amongst your hair. Needs be I must shave you if I am to remove it."

"Shave me! Oh... Do what you must; I just want it over with."

I thought up my open razor from home, my bowl and the soft soap that went with it, filled with warm water. I had her bring the one knee up and sat with my shoulder to it. Carefully putting my fingers inside her lip, I spread the soap evenly, making small circles to raise a lather. When I came to shave her I had to turn around, straddling her abdomen, to use my right hand on her left side. 

As I bent to start she complained again.

"Your habit is scratching me"

I paused, letting my habit go, leaving me clad only in my original night shirt.

I bent again, using my free hand to stretch her lip flat, and carefully shaved a full inch of her hair. Laying aside the razor, I dribbled the water over her, washing away the excess soap with my fingers.

I was ready to try once more. I bent forward, putting my head between her legs, and used my tongue to find the thorn again, with my finger inside I pressed her skin against my teeth and this time gripped it.

I swung my leg back across her to kneel at her side; I reached for her hand and put the tiny spike in her palm. 

When the salve wore off it would give a little pain but that would ease as the day wore on. She would be fit to resume our journey in the late afternoon.

I conjured up a coverlet and threw it over her.

"Rest now. The worst is over, you should leave your legs wide to let the air help the healing; we will resume our trek when you feel able."



The Dragon Ring Ch. 02



She slept the day while I kept watch, waking to complain that she was hungry. We shared what little cheese was left, eating it with the dry bread using the cider to wash it all down. 

Sleeping there again that night, the morn saw her ready to proceed. The soreness of the last thorn was, she assured me, completely healed. 

We walked the long day through the rough scrubland, stopping only to consume a meagre mid-day meal. A wide featureless plain opening out before us, as the fingers of the ridges broadened and flattened. .

"It's time we found somewhere to rest for the night," I commented as the sun was but a handwidth above the horizon. 

Around us I could see only open scrubland with the occasional clump of stunted bushes; a line of small trees marked the watercourse of a stream. 

There were no shepherd shelters or winter storehouses visible, and I didn't think proceeding in the gathering darkness was a good idea, which left only the trees for shelter. 

"I think the trees over there will offer our best hope of shelter," I said, pointing to the tree line on our left. 

We made our way over the rough mixture of rushes and spiky grasses to the side of the stream, where I spread the cloak on the ground under one of the trees. She sat with her back to the tree, looking weary from the day's long walk. 

"Do you want to eat?" I asked her, opening the sack and pulling out the last of the bread. She nodded and I broke the bread, and passed half to her along with a strip of the dried meat.

I took a strip of the dried meat and bit a chunk off. Laying back I thought back over our day. I could never even in my wildest dreams have imagined a day like today, it must be even worse for her. 

I was already mentally prepared to leave home for my journeyman's adventures. She on the other hand had lost not only her home but her family and in all probability her future prospects.

I looked to the east where the sun was already half under the earth, the evening chill creeping over us. We had a least another days trek before we reached civilisation again. 

She broke into my thoughts.

"What is your given name?" she asked softly.

"Rigbetif." I replied. 

"Mine is Sisoft."

"I know, the maids called you that when talking about you."

"What did they say of me?"

"My lady, nothing you should hear from my lips."

I changed the subject.

"How are you faring after our long days walk?"

"Tired, my legs ache like I've danced all night long."

I laughed. "Oh but that were true," I exclaimed. "That this were some dream that we should awaken from, warm and cosy in our beds."

"The cold creeps in, can we light a fire?" she asked.

"A fire will be seen for miles. It would draw attention to us, maybe unwanted attention."

"But I am cold."

I got up and lifted the cloak around her, tucking it behind her shoulders leaving only her head free. 

I had need to relieve myself.

"I need to use the bushes," I said, "I won't be far away."

I walked a short distance downstream and crouched behind a bush, eased both my bladder and my bowels. The leaves on the tree were too young, newly broken from their spring buds, so I walked to the side of the stream to scoop some soft sand to clean myself. 

As I walked back alongside the meandering watercourse I spied a cove, hollowed by some spring flood, that was filled with last year's windblown leaves. A tree, roots exposed, offered cover above. 

I picked my pace up and hurried back to tell the Princess.

"My lady, there is a hollow not far that will make a more comfortable place for us to rest."

"I have given you my name to use," she said softly, scolding me as she freed herself from the cloak.

"I am greatly honoured," I returned. "But I dare not use it for there will be ears listening for it." 

"Very well, my father called me Sissy," She said favouring me with a rare smile. 

Were I a full wizard, she had given me power over her, the power even to capture her heart.

I walked to her and took her by the shoulders. 

"You must give that name to no one, your familial name holds power over you if used in incantations," I warned. 

Her face blanched. 

"Fear not from me, for I am bound to you by oath of fealty to your father," I said softly, "But others might want to bind you a slave for your beauty alone." 

Even in the fading twilight I could see her blush.

We ensconced ourselves in the hollow. I created some blankets as our mattress, for under the cloak. A warm straw coverlet, for the top made a cosy bed for the pair of us. We lay huddled together on the thick cloak, that our bodies may warm each other. 

"My lady, I have a confession to make," I said, as I half turned to her, for we lay back to back. "My powers though considerable are not limitless... I can carry this illusion of clothes for some time yet, but it is better I rest my mind and conserve my thoughts to the bedding. I may need an uncluttered mind if some peril befalls us." 

With the clothes gone I could tuck the bedding into a corner of my mind till the morning, keeping them real while I slept. Should I have need, I had plenty of room to conjure our defence.

"What mean you Rigbetif?" She said, a worried edging her voice as she turned to me. 

"That, if you would allow me, I would release the illusion of our clothes."

She thought for a moment. "If it must be then let it be," she said finally.

The clothes dissolved, I could feel her warm flesh pressing against mine through my thin nightshirt.

I turn onto my back and she draped her arm across my chest, her leg across my thigh, arm on my shoulder, nestling her head. Pulling the coverlet tight against the chill of the night, I squeezed my arm from under her and clasped it round her neck and shoulders. We lay a while till she asked me about my power of illusion.

"How do you create illusions?"

"You create a picture in your mind and kind of see it where you want it."

"But it feels so real."

"It is real while I hold it in my mind, but it is gone the second I release it, otherwise we would have fine food to eat. The illusion gives us no sustenance, it passes through us like we've eaten stones; it is the power of the Father over the world created by the holy Family."

"I still don't understand, you sound like the priest at services."

"I don't think anyone truly understands except the wizards of the grand council."

She sighed.

"Thank you."

"Thank you?" I asked querulously.

"Mostly, when I ask questions I am told 'not to bother my head about it' as if I'm stupid and won't understand it, even if they tell me."

"There's nowt wrong with your understanding. You have both beauty and brains when you stop and use them, a dangerous combination in most women."

The greater moon had risen casting its pale light and we lay there in complete silence. I felt her stir.

"I need to use the bushes," She said, as she wriggled free of the bed clothes. The coldness of the night made her suddenly aware of her nudity, covering herself with her hands; she ran for cover to the nearest bush.

"Ow," I heard her cry followed by a commotion in the bush. I was out and on my feet in seconds, discovering her lying clutching her foot. She had trodden on a sharp twig or something. I picked her up and was about to take her back when she stopped me.

"Wait!"

"What?"

"I need to toilet."

I swore softly under my breath. Setting her down on her good foot, holding her arm, I led her hopping to the sandy bank of the stream. She knelt, scooping a shallow groove then shuffling over it. She completed her toilet and used the sand to clean herself, then bent and washed her hands in the stream. She stood, putting her arm about my shoulder. Then, with my aid, she hopped back to where we laid our bed. 

Back on the cloak, I looked around for a small faggot of wood and, set it afire. I gave it to her to hold whilst I examined her foot. 

There was a slight graze to the instep of her heel with a little blood showing, two indentations still in her sole but nothing serious. It might be painful now but it would not hinder her when we resumed our trek in the morning. 

"It's alright." I said, releasing my hold. "It's my fault for letting you go barefoot."

She twisted her foot round as I took the flaming faggot from her.

"Hold the light steady." she complained.

I could see her breasts heaving and the grimace of pain on her face as I knelt astride her good leg. She brushed her fingers over the graze and took a sharp intake of breath. 

"Are you sure?" she asked. 

"The skin is barely broken." 

"But it hurts."

"It will sting, but that will be gone by morn... We are fortunate.... It will be sensitive but not so much that it will hinder our progress." 

I was bringing my eyes back to her foot when I noticed the wetness between her legs. I reached forward and dipped my finger in the small pool as she swiftly moved her hand to protect her private parts. I held it to the light.

"My lady you bleed," I exclaimed.

She looked aghast. "My menses."

She looked at the greater moon, full in the sky.

"It is the time of my menses," she cried.

Puzzled I asked. "What are your menses?"

"It is part of the mystery of child bearing."

"What mystery is this that causes you to bleed?"

"It is how my body prepares to give birth to a child."

"You are with child?" I asked astounded. "I thought you a virgin."

She laughed, and let herself fall back onto the cloak. 

"No silly, I bleed every month, until I am pregnant."

I was even more confused as she sat back up.

"It only usually lasts two or three days I am usually warned of its coming by pains in my body here." 

She rubbed at the hair between the top of her legs.

"So there is no alarm."

"No, it has happened since these past five years."

"And it hinders you not in travelling?"

"No I can travel if I must. At home I would change my cloths every few hours and bathe every night, but there is no discomfort."

"What cloths do you need?" I asked, "I... I... I...." I stuttered into silence.

"I can go without cloths if we need. But I usually use old nightshirts ripped through, wound around muslin and wrapped around a belt."

As she spoke I created the items letting them fall across my knees. 

She directed me how to assemble it and, rising to her knees placed it between her legs and secured it with the belt. I used the remaining portion of the nightshirt and wiped the blood from the cloak as best I could.

We were both now shivering with the cold. I spread the cloak back out, and we wrapped the coverlet tightly around us and lay, arms around each other till we fell asleep.

The sun was already an eighth in the sky when I awoke. I could feel her breathing softly in my arms. It was such a satisfying feeling that I was reluctant to wake her, instead enjoying the closeness of her warm body. 

Nature won out though, with my bladder driving me to seek the bushes to relieve its ache. As I moved to loosen the bed clothes she tightened her arms around me.

"I need to toilet," I protested. She reluctantly let me free of her arms. 

She followed me, the tenderness of her ankle now gone or forgotten, as I sought the privacy of the leaves.

I turned to her, "My lady, I must expose myself."

"You have thoroughly seen the mysteries of my body; it is only fair that I see yours," she said. "I have not seen any man naked."

Unabashed I pulled my nightshirt over my head and holding my penis released a golden ark into the spiky grasses a yard from my feet. She looked in wonder.

"Can I hold it?" she requested, reaching forwards. 

Reluctantly I yielded to her hand; she waggled it, sending the ark hither and thither across the grass.

"When I was younger, maybe eight, I watched the boys make patterns in the snow, I was envious of them, they were having so much fun."

My penis was stiffening as the final drops squeezed out, I could see her astonishment at its growing size.

"How can all that fit inside me?"

"That's a mystery for another time," I said as I caught her wrist, freeing my penis from her grip.

I looked at her. "Do you need fresh cloths?"

She nodded reaching to the belt and releasing it. Free of the belt the cloth dropped to the floor, dried black clots crusting the edge with bright red still stripped across the centre. I saw her crotch was in a similar state as she picked my discarded nightshirt, and walked to the streams edge to wash herself.

The bread was finished so we breakfasted on the dried meat and biscuits, washed down with water. I changed our appearance to look like young sheeplie herders, and we followed the stream as the sun rose ever higher in the sky. 

We stopped at high sun to change her cloths, rest, and eat a little bit more of our meagre rations. 

My thoughts that morning had mostly been about her body. The smoothness and texture of her skin, the curves of her hips and her shapely legs. 

But mostly the shape of her breasts. I had seen the wet nurses in the kitchen feeding their charges with their fat bloated breasts, which hung flat to their bodies when the babes finished their suckling. Hers were rounded orbs of beauty, her nipples pointing slightly outward and skyward. I would be envious of any child that clung to that teat.

I looked over at her; she was sitting, boot off, with her leg across her knee examining her foot. 

I swore under my breath, as I leapt to my feet and hurried over. 

I had neglected to think of her injury. I had passed every other part of her body through my mind. From her soft blue eyes and full red lips, the full ripeness of her breasts, down to the mystery concealed by that wiry bush of hair between her legs. And on to the shapely calf, that had felt soft but firm beneath my hand the night before.

"How is your ankle faring this morning, my lady?" I enquired.

"It is fine, I hardly noticed any inconvenience."

I stood to her side and, bending, gently took her foot in my hand; there was a slight white blemish of scraped skin, but no swelling or redness.

"I am sorry that I caused so much fuss about it yester evening."

"And I'm sorry that I let you wander bare foot."

"No, I should have stayed by the streamside instead of going into the brush."

"My lady, you are in my care, it is my du...."

She placed a finger to my lips. 

"Stay your protests of duty to me; it was my foolishness that so nearly brought disaster."

"Not foolishness my lady, only inexperience."

"Rigbetif, you are determined to excuse me... so be it... the entire fault is yours, are you pleased now."

She looked smiling into my face; specs of dust and dirt streaked across her forehead and cheeks, hair tangled, yet she looked the most beautiful I had seen her.

"I will be more careful in the future," I said dropping to my knee. 

She freed her foot from my hand and replaced the long furry boot, rolled away from me to her knees and stood.

"The sun is descending; we have a long way to go yet."

Her voice was stern, yet I detected a twinkle in her eye.

"Yes my lady, as you command."

The stream grew to a rivulet, the trees more fulsome and the grasses less hardy, as the afternoon gave way to evening. 

We had stopped once more when her cloths became uncomfortable, resting for a while in the shade of the trees, after she changed and washed. She swore that she had seen fish in the water. I promised to try to catch some when we rested for the night. 

We found a place where an old tree had fallen, leaving a hollow in the ground, just before the sun kissed the earth. 

I dropped the outer guise as shepherd folk, but kept the warm clothes. 

We spent a while scooping out stones and levelling the earth for our bed with our hands, before laying the cloak down. I fashioned a crude net with a forked branch, and a pair of pantaloons with tied off legs I conjured up. She laughed long and hard when I showed it to her.

"Only stupid fish will be caught with that monstrosity, and I'm not sure I would want to eat of such a fish," she said, full of amusement.

"You'll regret saying that when I catch a fat one," I retorted.

It took me a bare ten minutes, knee deep in icy water with my net lying flat on the bottom, before a large fish swam across it. I snatched the rod up and was rewarded with the sight of the tail flapping against the waistband. 

Wading ashore I waggled it in front of her face where she lay resting. She tried to snatch it and chased me back to the hollow as I ran laughing. 

She caught me as I crested the rim and we both rolled down into the basin, ending up with her pressed on top of me as we reached the bottom. For a brief moment I was tempted to draw her down and kiss her, instead I pushed her off and retrieved the fish.

"I caught it you can cook it."

"How do you cook fish?" she asked.

"First you gut it, cutting the head off if you want, then roast it over smouldering coals. We'll have to use dry wood instead," I said, "Would you rather prepare the fish or collect the wood?"

A knife appeared in my hand and I offered it to her.

"I'll go and gather the wood," she said, climbing out of the hollow.

It would soon be dark, as the sun was a finger width of kissing the horizon. 

I wanted to get it cooked before full dark fell. I quickly followed her over the rim and used the tree to cut the head off, and rip the stomach open extracting the guts. I trimmed the fins and removed the tail. Pleased with myself I looked around for Sissy. 

She was approaching with an armful of wood. 

I skipped back down and arranged a ring of stones to contain the fire. She had brought only small faggots. I dispatched her once more to find a greenwood branch to spike it on. 

I was sitting, laying wood onto the small fire I had started, when a long green branch thudded by my side.

"You should have told me what you wanted the first time." She complained, as she scrambled down the embankment.

"We have all we need now," I said picking the branch up.

"Come and tend to the fire," I ordered, "Feed it slowly so it doesn't get too big, but fast enough that the ashes below don't burn up."

"Yes master," she intoned sourly.

I set about shaping the branch, sharpening the thin end. I removed the bark and side branches down about a foot. Picking the fish, I speared it just above the backbone and pushed it firmly on. 

She sat on her haunches tending the fire. 

I passed her the spit.

"I'll tend the fire, hold it about six to eight inches above, turning it slowly."

With a stick I pushed the fiercely burning wood to the edge, leaving a circle of glowing embers.

"Over the centre," I told her.

The fire started to sizzle as the fish cooked. I pushed the outer wood in, Adding more round the edge; I watched the fish cook for a few more minutes before a flash of realisation struck me. We had no plate to serve it on. I looked round franticly .

"What you doing now?" she asked.

"Looking for a platter," I said walking to the edge, where we had thrown the stones earlier.

"Something else you forgot," she quipped.

I refused to reply. 

I found a suitable stone, and hurried back. 

Washing it with water from the cider jug, whilst scrubbing it with my fingers. I laid it next to the fire, and leant forward to examine the fish.

"It should be cooked now," I proclaimed.

She laid the fish down. I scraped the skin off, laying bare the pink flesh. I cut a chunk off and pushed it toward her.

"It's going to be very hot. Watch out for bones."

"I know how to eat fish." There was that sharp edge to her voice again.

I took a portion for myself, blowing it in my fingers to cool it. We ate slowly and in silence. Twice I saw her grimace, and remove bones from her mouth. I chewed a big one myself. We soon devoured it, the fish tasted delicious and I could have consumed another easily. I wiped my hands on my smock, pulling the last jug of cider from the sack. I cracked it open, offering her the first drink. She drank two big gulps, before using the third to swish around her mouth to dislodge any remaining particles of flesh. I took one and swilled my mouth out, taking a longer second one before placing the jug between us.




The Dragon Ring Ch. 02



"I think that was the best fish I have tasted in my life." I exclaimed, moving to rest against the roots.

She watched the dying embers of the fire for a while, whilst I practiced picking small clods of earth and stones, then flinging them across the hollow with my mind. She stood. Picking the jug up, she joined me, lying back against the roots.

"Feeling better now?" I asked.

"Yes." She shifted sideways resting her head on my arm. "It's been a long day and I feel really weary, my legs ache, my back feels sore, - I'm sorry if I was mean to you then."

The moon was rising in front of us over the rim, its waning counting the days for us.

"Tomorrow should be the last day of hard walking."

"I hope so."

She looped her arm though mine, cuddling thigh to thigh.

"Do you wish to change your cloths before it gets too cold?"

"Later," she sighed.

I reached with my mind and tried to drag the cloak over. Once I lost it, at a snag on a rock, before it came within arm's reach. I tucked it round us, wedging the edge between my back and the roots.

She sighed again, and turned, tucking her legs into my lap. I would have liked to take another swig of the cider, but did not wish to disturb her. It was too precious to risk my mind trick, Mother bless it. 

I could feel her breathing slowing. The stones under me were becoming uncomfortable with the added weight of her legs on mine; I reached under her knees, trying to lift her and the cloak without disturbing her too much. 

All would have been well, had not my foot snagged a root, sending me hopping trying to hold onto my balance without dropping her. She awoke with a start in my arms disorientated, and letting slip a small cry. Seeing me, she curled an arm around my neck, bringing her face close to mine, resting her head on my shoulder. She looked me in the face, as I carried her over to the ground we had prepared earlier.

"You need to shave."

"And you have smuts all over your face. "

"You couldn't conjure up a hot bath could you?"

As I dropped to my knees to lay her down, I contemplated the idea. After all I had been exercising my mind over these past days. I should now have the capacity to try for bigger things. Standing up I focused my mind on the wooden tub that the kitchen drudges used to wash the clothes. 

A large tub of hot steaming water appeared in front of me, wavering just a little as I got it firmly fixed in my mind. It was a lot easier than I had feared. 

She squealed in delight and almost bounced off the ground. I disappeared our clothes, including her cloths, and focused on a soap bar.

"Here catch." I threw her the soap as she got to the tub.

"You're my real hero," She said. 

Clambering over the side of the tub and ducking into the water, she rose, blowing out her breath.

"I could love you forever for this," she proclaimed, as I joined her in the tub.

Turning her, I guided her over to the step in the side, and told her to kneel on it. Then I started to soap her back, washing from her waist up. She leaned back while I washed her hair, ducking under to rid it of the soap. I sat her on the step. I took her chin in my hand, holding it still, while washing her face with the other, the bones of her cheek sliding under my hand. . 

I put the soap in her hand, and splashed water up into her face.

"Oy!" she protested, splashing water back at me.

"You had better do your front."

She passed the soap back.

"No you do it ... please... I want to feel your hands on me."

I took the soap, slowly working from her neck down. Washing over her shoulder and then down, under, into her arm pit. I repeated it with her other arm, and then as our eyes met, over her chest and down onto her breasts. 

I could feel her hard nipples as my hand passed over them. Her eyes were glittering as I worked my way down onto her stomach, and the water line. She gripped the rim and pushed herself onto the side, her legs splayed, knees bent outwards.

I reached under the water and took her foot, resting it on my chest I washed it slowly up. She bent her knee as I began to stretch to reach her upper thighs, her skin was darkened between the top of her legs, chaffed by all the walking with her cloths and I smoothed it with the lightest of caresses. I moved back letting her leg drop back into the water and reached for the other one. She brought it up to meet my hand and placed it on my chest, as I washed up to the knee she lifted it and placed it on my shoulder, hooking it round my neck and pulling me in as my hands reached the chaffing on this one. I ducked and surfaced a yard away bidding her turn so I might do her backside. A look of something too quick to catch passed over her face and she complied thrusting her ass out and bending her knees to part her legs again. I pushed her hips down and started on her lower back. She rose as my hand circled her cheeks. they felt silky smooth under my hands as I let my thumbs slip down the split, I pushed the soap through between her legs and up into her bushy hair, making soft circles as I moved my hand back and forward. She shuddered and leant back against me pushing me under the water, I spluttered as I surfaced and she twisted jumping in next to me. 

Her arms went round my chest as she hugged me tight, her head pressed to mine, ear to ear. Then after a moment she released me. Taking my hand she led me to the step.

"Your turn."

I pressed my knees against the step and leaned against the wall elbows bent. She washed my back, digging her fingers deep into my muscles. When she reached the water line I turned, leaning my back against the rim. She washed my arms and chest, disappointed that my nipples didn't harden as did hers.

"Up," she commanded.

And I put my heel on the step and hoisted myself onto the rim. She pushed my legs apart and took my foot up onto her breast, her nipple between my toes. She washed up pushing to bend my knee as she reached my thigh. She washed right to the top of my groin, the back of her fingers brushing my testicles, as she washed round to the back. 

She stepped back and my foot slipped down across her stomach. She reached for my other leg and placed that on the other breast, nipple between her toes again. Washing it the same way.

"Stand." And I stood.

Looking me in the eyes, she began to slowly soap my balls. Then grasping my hard erect penis she rubbed the soap around the head, before sliding it down the side. Using two hands she massaged my stiff member. I had masturbated before, not often, as my master had said it was bad for me. But never had it felt as wonderful as this.

Still holding it with only the one hand, she used the other to push the edge of the soap through, under, and into the crack of my ass, working it back and forwards a few times. 

She released me and wrapped her arms around me. Pushing her head sideways into my hips, with my penis almost brushing her cheek. She held me for only a few seconds, before unfolding her arms. 

She stepped back and I stepped down, hugging her, before bringing my hand to the back of her head. We looked at each other eye to eye for a long while before I led her to the step and lifted her up onto the rim.

"Go," I said softly, "Out."

She pulled herself up and slipped her leg over the side, swinging the second and dropping lightly to the ground. I followed her over and let the tub disappear. 

Creating some soft cotton towels, I gave her one, and began to dry myself. Had the raiders found us now we would have been easy meat.

I finished and looked at her, steam wafting up from her torso, as she dried between her legs. I saw the stain of blood on the towel. 

She was shivering as she finished, so I created a thick soft bathrobe, draping it round, over her shoulders and lifting the hair from the collar. Creating then another large one for myself and slipping into it as well.

I looked at our resting place and a large comfortable bed appeared, with thick eiderdown coverings. I took her hand and we ran jumping onto it together. I pulled the covers over us and let the robes fade, as we hugged each other tightly.



The Dragon Ring Ch. 03







The Dragon Ring Ch. 03



"They feel wonderful," she exclaimed. "I must keep them for something special."

Wordlessly she folded them as they had come and gave them back to me. 

Sitting with her hands behind her head and leaning back she looked at me. "Why are you keeping that bottle?"

"That will be our celebratory drink," I said, nodding my head at it. "When we have won out, I will open it and we will get gloriously drunk." 

She stood and clasped me tightly.

"What a wonderful idea." She pulled me back onto the bed, legs splitting each others

She looked me in the face. "Have you ever made love to another girl?"

I flushed, "No, the master said it would weaken my powers."

"Would you like make love to me?"

I sat up. "My lady, you ask me a question I cannot answer... honour binds me to decline... But that would be a lie, and I can't lie to you on this matter." 

She sat up alongside me throwing her arms round me once more. "You make me love you even more."

Looking her plain in the face I whispered, "And I love everything about you, but you are pledged to Prince Hallit and the virgin you are is the virgin I shall deliver."

Her body seemed to soften in my arms and I let her limp form press me back to the bed. She lay awhile before she stirred. "Do you have a secret name?" she asked.

"The master called me 'Tif tif' when I was young. But it was a simple 'Tif' that I remember, so I suppose that's it," I answered.

She kissed my cheek, "So we can be as brother and sister who can enjoy each other. You can be my older brother who can teach me things."

She sat on the edge of the bed. "You can dress me," she said.

"Huh?"

"So we can get something to eat, my belly complains."

After a meal downstairs we returned to the room. We lay together side by side until the growing gloom drove me to light a candle. 

"It is time to see what entertainment this city offers," I said, taking her hand and pulling her from the bed.

The 'Sotherbe' turned out to be a gaudily painted block of a two-storied house. 

A row of privet screened the house just to head height, with a drive in and out. 

I presented the card I'd been given earlier, and a doorman escorted us in. 

The shock was absolute. The girl behind the desk was under guise, there was magic used in this house.

She looked at the card, "And you'd like to join as guests for the night?" She smiled.

Underneath was a woman of mid to late thirties, with dowdy brown hair, breasts starting to sag and a face that looked careworn. 

Sat there to the untrained eye was a beautiful twenty year old; firm breasted, slim waisted, near goddess. My heart was beating for fear that she might also see the real us, a naked boy of near eighteen and a girl in her eighteenth year.

"That will be two silvers for the pair of you," she said holding her hand out.

There was not even the smallest sign that we were revealed, and I wondered if I dare proceed.

We would be a total surprise to anyone who could see. Being forewarned of the possibility, we would be able to react faster and escape the situation. 

The picture of two black bruiners from the uplands came to mind, charging down the stairs. I couldn't see anyone getting in our way, let alone trying to stop us.

I handed over the two silvers and went to walk through the curtained arch.

"No!" Her raised voice stopped me dead in my tracks. I hadn't had time to warn Sissy, I hoped she'd instinctively trust me and follow my lead.

"That's the way to the private rooms, where you can entertain your friend in complete confidence of privacy," she explained. "You go up the stairs; one of our hostesses will be there and take you through. Just tell her you're new here and she will show you the place."

I turned about and we walked up the stairs. I grasped Sissy's arm and whispered urgently in her ear.

"Be prepared for anything, they use magic here. If a wizard with sight looks at us he will see us revealed. Be prepared to flee though the very Spirit is after us to drag us to his dark place." 

Through the curtained door were three girls seated. Two rose as we entered. 

"Welcome," one greeted us.

"We were told to say we were new here," I said.

"We'll show you round." The other said as she linked arms with Sissy. 

They were dressed in flouncy skirts with many under layers of liner, throwing the edges into the air. A waist corseted in and the breasts thrust up by a stiffened cup, which left the edges of their areola peeping over. 

They tried to separate us, starting in different directions, but I grasped Sissy's arm and forced us all in the same direction. 

We passed a couple of card tables and then a roulette table. Here was the taste of magic. Some sense made me look closer. There, the numbers were moving in the bowl. 

It was just a flicker as the ball settled; you'd have to carry a good image of the numbers for that. A decent illusion, giving credit where it's due. It didn't look to be the croupier, a girl dressed like our companions. The serious looking man, actually dealing with the chips was a suspect. Whoever it was they had to be looking to time it. 

My arm was pulled, we walked on. The serious man had not looked up from the table.

There were more card tables beyond and we crossed to the other side. Here behind were yet more card games, while in front, games of dice were available. I could use magic to play them as my master had done; there was no sign of magic except at the roulette. 

Leading us on to a curtained arch my companion said, "We have a bar through here with entertainment included."

I don't know what I expected but 'twas naught to what greeted our eyes. 

There was a small stage to the side, with a girl gyrating round a pole. At the far end was a bar. But in between was the most licentious scene you could imagine. 

At scattered tables, and in the open booths that lined the other wall, were men copulating; having their genitals kissed, kissing the ladies genitals with legs caught around their backs as they kneeled. My mouth was gaping open and Sissy was staring wide eyed.

"First timers get a free drink at the bar," one said.

"Thank you, but we would like to return to the gaming, could you bring it to us there."

They left us and we slipped back through the curtain.

"What in the name of the gods?" My hushed tones brought her eyes to my face, her face white with shock.

"Let's get out before they return, make some excuse downstairs, leave this horrid place."

"How do we make our money then? Put aside your thoughts of that place. I can win some at dice. There's only magic at the roulette. We can go without drinks or keep sending the girls. They will be more than grateful and we can string them along, just ignore the other place."

"Let's find another place, let's just get out of here." 

I waved my hand towards the entrance, we took a step.

"What if the next place is the same?"

She stopped.

"No, there are probably decent places but we would have to search."

She looked behind, a plain wall with a curtained arch.

"Alright, we'll take some money from this place."

We turned to the dice tables. There was only one running, and stood looking at the play. The rules seemed to be the same as I learnt from the master.

I followed the roll of the dice with a way of tracking them in my mind so that only a fractional flash was needed to control them. A skill my master thought useful for a journey man.

The two girls returned with a cheap wine.

"Oh I like this game, I can guess good at this. Give me some money and I'll show you."

I handed over five magic gold. Here was a test, I gripped Sissy's arm again, she'd probably have bruises tomorrow. 

When the betting came, she placed one of the coins on high odds bet. I focused on the dice, rooooooll, and it came up. Twenty coins and her own back.

I stepped to her side and gathered it up, leaving the original bet in place. I fished another fake out and gave it to Sissy's companion.

"Drinks for each of you," I proclaimed. 

My companion watched the game for another couple of plays and placed another coin. The bet lost. Another bet, this time against the throw, giving her a second winner. I let her play a couple more games, keeping her going on the last coin with a five win.

The other girl returned with glasses. "We do a good champagne to celebrate with," she said. I pulled out a hand full of magic coins and she took four. She playfully stroked Sissy's groin as she passed.

"Here cousin," I said to Sissy. "Here's your playing money for the night." 

Sissy turned delighted, and took the magic twenty from my hand. 

Immediately my companion wanted to play for her, but she insisted. She bet the seven and I twisted the die to make it happen. I lent and picked up the bulk of the winnings. My pockets were not made for this weight, the fashionable cut was suffering. 

I let her play on making small losses and a true win. 

The other returned with a tray, bottle and four glasses and I signalled Sissy to pick her coins. We retired to an empty card table. I questioned the time and was pointed to an ornate time piece set in the roof, showing a little past the twentieth hour.

"We will have to be going soon if we are to meet our new friends for cards at their place." 

"Is it that late already?" Sissy took my cue. 

The champagne was opened and placed plainly on the tray. I reached forward and poured the glasses.

"Here's to our current and future luck," I toasted.

We all drank. Now I have never tasted champagne before and Sissy tells me that I haven't tasted it yet, but it was sickly sweet and little fizz. I took a gulp of the original wine, which at least had a grape in its past.

"You must try the roulette. It's my favourite game," said the other.

"No, no we must really be leaving," I said firmly.

Sissy stood up, and I followed.

As we exited the building I hissed to Sissy, "Watch if we're followed, case they try to take their money back that way." 

She turned.

"No, not that obviously."

We walked the small avenue and through the gate. Quickening our step till we put at least two corners tween it and us.

I leant against the wall and started laughing. Sissy joined in, her eyes looking bright and alert in the light of the porch lantern. I put her into one of the young ladies dresses that we had seen at the park, and she caught my hand and gave a twirl. 

"How much do we have?"

"I don't know but it's heavy in my pockets."

I pulled some out and gave it to her.

"All real money." 

She pushed it into the dainty bag she was now carrying.

We traipsed home arm in arm, through the foyer, and up to our room. I emptied my pockets onto the bed, and she her bag.

Sixty three gold.

She gathered it and threw it into the air. Two of the coins hit her head, but there was still a smile as she rubbed the bumps.

"This should be enough to take us to Yipell," she said, launching herself at me leaning over the bed. We rolled on the coins as she scooped some and let them trickle from her hand.

"I want to have your baby, it will grow up to be a prince," she cooed in my ear. I lay still, turned to her and kissed her full on the lips. She grasped my head and crushed her lips to mine. Just as quick I broke it. Flopping back with a sigh, she covered me with her body. My penis reacted to the pressure of her thigh, growing stiffer by the second.

"Let's have an early night, and an early start to the coaches."

I smacked her lightly on the bottom, and she rolled, standing to the side of the bed, arms up.

"Goodbye pretty dress."

I laughed and left her dressed as I reached out my hand. 

She pulled me up, and pulled the covers back. Poof, it was a naked body that touched the sheet. I followed and rolled her back to me, wrapping my arms round just under her breasts. She was asleep before me and I held her quiet body, her slow breathing lifting and resting her breasts on my arm. A soft feeling that made me feel strangely happy.

Bright and early we checked out, leaving a fake gold with the fat jolly commissionaire and a fictitious address, to forward our trunks on to. As an aside, I asked of the meaning of 'gay'. He told me quietly, that the word described a section of the youth that defied convention and wore the vibrant colours of female fashion.

The streets were clear, and it took us a short time till we reached the station. 

On the way I told her my plan for travelling. I would have to hold us in character for the three days of the journey. 

The character she was to play, if she could, would be everyone's worst image of a dowager aunt, interfering with a theory and an opinion on everything. 

I would play the oppressed and over ordered drudge. Everything needed doing and it was more important than the last, leaving me running hither and thither with messages and advice. 

She would have a stiff leg and slight limp... 

She was getting absorbed into the character I was creating in her mind when I laughed and she caught the trick I was playing on her. 

"Let's see what happens," I said. 

We would play it by ear. With her as the mistress, I would follow her lead. 



The Dragon Ring Ch. 04



The first days travel was wholly uneventful. We stopped to rest the equinininys mid morn; some people had brought snacks to eat while others including us took the air. 

My mistress declared that eating was bad for the digestion when one was thrown around on the track, which had turned to bare earth outside of the town. 

We stopped at an inn at lunch time to change equinininys, and allow us to eat a filling meal. Mid afternoon we rested again, pulling in to the night stop with a full sun above the horizon. 

We were to have a room in the women's wing, a peculiarity of the travel stations, used by a goodly number of travellers a night. 

There was a communal bath room at one end and jugs of hot water; I saw some sights there as Sissy made me scrub her back. 

I slept on the cote provided, much to Sissy's surprise, my bum ached from the road and it took me awhile settling.

After an eggs, bacon and sausage breakfast we were on the road, and another day passed much the same as the first. 

The final night was the same, excepting that the landlady supervising was a real harridan. When I dropped the pot she gave me a stroke across my ass with a cane, to hurry me up, as I cleaned the shards. Sissy held her nose tight to stop herself laughing; truth is, I had the last laugh, turning rigid my pinafore to absorb the blow.

"Tif we are here," she exclaimed, as we alighted the next day around mid morn. 

'So far so good', I thought. Perhaps I was being overcautious. But, being in disguise felt more comfortable despite the hard work it entailed. It was a real adventure; given that we had experience no real danger so far, it had been a remarkable journey. What new circumstances would we find here?

We wandered, away from the milling crowd at the coach station, and I began looking for a quiet corner to change out of our disguise.

Yipell was an old port city grown large; it was in a great crater, about a mile and a half in radius. There was a central island, occupied these three generations of kings, by a magnificent palace built around a central mound of hot springs. There was a breach in the rim wall that allowed access to the sea, creating the perfect harbour. The dock had built out around the entire shore line, and it held ships both grand and small, private and commercial. There had been attempts to build a bridge to span the two hundred yard gap, which was the entrance to the port, with bridges replacing attempt after attempt of late.

With its monopoly on overseas trade to the eastward isles, and to the great southern continent, the city was the funnel to all these strange lands. It generated such profit for its merchants that it was the dominant kingdom by means of its wealth, amongst all the kingdoms of our lands. All that was important came from or to here.

Up on the wall facing the entrance was the old palace, now the base of the grand council of wizards. Scattered left and right were the generations of buildings with the larger dwelling tending to the top of the gentle slope of the rim. 

There are all sorts of fables and tales of, and, about it.

We dumped the costume in the gloom of a deep passageway, assuming our normal visage, and the clothes of a country townie. 

Accommodation and rest were the first order. I enquired of the seamen of a comfortable inn at reasonable rates and was directed to one along the docks. 

The 'House of the Rising Sun' was an old slate roofed stone walled corner building, with the wooden bat wing door giving entrance, set on the corner itself. 

As we entered there was a bar to the left and an eating area right. Modern iron steps replaced old wooden stairs along the outer wall, with new windows set incongruously in old walls.

"Good day to you sir. We are enquiring for a room." 

He looked at us. "Sharing?" 

"We are brother and sister, and know and tolerate each other well. Besides it saves us funds."

"Room with a view?"

"Room at the back."

"That will be nine coppers a night."

I paid over a silver and took the penny change. 

Our room was well proportioned, with a generous double bed. We both lay on the bed, clothes off, just resting. 

"Let's get some real clothes, merchant quality, something with comfort built in?"

"And a pretty dress for me to wear here."

"To match the stockings," I said smiling. 

She clapped her hands.

Asking where we might find a market, the receptionist told us of the best one in the third ring. 

We strolled up the slight incline past offices and warehouses. The third cross street had the low end shops, pubs and a variety of stalls, the fourth was a better class, the fifth was where we reassumed the guise of gentlemen to purchase a dress for her.  

She took a long time and three shops before she found the perfect thing. I was thoroughly bored by this time, and didn't examine the final garment before it was neatly packaged, with even a fancy bow. We picked out fine linen shirts and cotton clothes as well as undergarments. With hers done mine took no time at all, we got the shoes, shirt, coat trousers, underclothes and accessories all in the first tailors I came to.

We took our parcels home, washing and changing into the new clothes in the safety of the room. We then went down to eat.

The looks at our improved status said 'dressing up to impress', and turned heads here in this dockside inn as we sat for our meal. 

We then took a turn around the upper streets with the grand houses, clubs, theatres and the like. There were restaurants from the other lands with strange smells, and corner stands selling snacks, of which we sampled more than a few. 

In the courtyard of one of the houses, at the end of the commercial district, we came across a small casino. Card games under shaded tables, a roulette wheel under a canopy. We wandered in for a look round. At the back was a small bar. 

"Would you like a glass of wine?" I asked.

"Yes," came the reply, "why not."

I went to the bar and purchased a bottle of wine, and a plate of small savoury fancies. We retired to a table shaded by the wall. 

Sissy pulled our chairs together and leaned to my side; making a game of guessing the professions of those we observed gambling. It was refreshing just idling the time away, no rush to go anywhere or do anything. 

Finally with the sun setting, and the gas lamps being lit, we headed back. 

Making a guess where our inn was situated, I tried to take a shortcut down one of the alleyways. It was just as well I had magical powers or our venture might have ended there.

As we walked the darkening path, two villains emerged from the shadows in front of us. Sissy, who had her arm loosely linked through mine drew closer to me and cast a wary look behind. 

"There are three more behind us."

"It's ok Sissy, don't worry, they won't be expecting magic .... Do you want to have a little fun with them?"

The two in front were now only ten paces away, so I steered Sissy to the garden wall, where I stood with her behind my back. We must have looked easy marks for they continued sauntering, steering a path straight for us. I waited, wanting all five in front of me before I acted.

"What shall I do with them?" I asked over my shoulder.

"I don't know, what can you do?"

The centre of the three from behind pulled out a long knife and pointed it at us. I looked around at the group surrounding us, then inspired I focused on their footwear. I made the soles burning hot. They started hopping about and screeching.

"There I've made them dance for you."

She was beginning to laugh loudly as they sat and tried to pull their boots off, but they were too hot for their hands as well. I let the heat go, and seized on the knife, making it dance as well. Then I brought it off the ground and started it swooping on them, like an angry bird.

Trapped on the ground they were rolling left and right trying to avoid it. Sissy now had to lean on me she was laughing so much. Letting the knife drop to the floor I scrunched them together and lifted them into the air.

"Shall I let them go now or entertain you some more?"

"No." she said, getting the word out with difficulty as her laughter subsided. 

I took that to mean 'no let them go', but I wasn't quite finished yet. I set them back standing on the ground, facing away from us. Using every ounce of my concentration I set about removing their pants, undoing buckles and buttons. I heard Sissy's small "Eek" as the first one's trousers fell around his ankles. Then with the five all bare assed, I froze them to the spot, as we walked out of the alleyway and back onto the lamp lit street. 

We had gone but a dozen paces before she burst out laughing again and looking at her I started laughing too. 

Her mirth had finally subsided by the time we arrived back at the inn. 

Sitting in a corner of the bar, with glasses of wine, we discussed our next options, the final part of our quest, how to right the situation in her kingdom. We could go to the council, and put the matter of the inheritance of the kingdom before them, or tackle the prince and the betrothal. I was firm in my view that the matter of her identity, and proof of the malicious tale spread of her, was the prime concern and should be dealt with first. I would go and make representations to the council first thing they were open in the morning.

After taking two additional glasses, we made our way upstairs. 

Wearing real clothes had become a novelty, as we both undressed. She, hanging or folding the garments carefully as she removed them. While I simply laid mine on the floor.

We slept wrapped around each other, and faced the morning fresh. 

After breakfast, we agreed that she should walk the shops and parks, while I would attend to business at the council.

I made my way to the old Palace. The entrance was a circular stair, going up a storey to a pillared door, twice the size of a man where three abreast could enter.

The man at the desk was reading a paper or something, and it took a cough to bring me to his attention.

"Yes?"

"I have a complaint to bring before the council," I stated.

"Complaints down the third corridor, fifth door on your left."

The third corridor, fifth door on your left had a sign, 'Knock and Wait', pinned to the door. I knocked and waited near two minutes. I was on the point of knocking again when a small section at the centre opened, and a face slowly looked through, checking right and left after scanning me.

"Yes?"

"I wish to put a matter before the council, it concerns the Kingdom of Utopica, it concerns the overthrow of the lawful...."

"Whoa!" he exclaimed. "You've got the wrong place, you need the audience office. That's how you put a matter before the council. Usually you would use an Advocate, and he'd send a clerk to submit the papers."

"Ok, how do I find this audience office?"

"Back to the main entrance, stair on the right and four/five doors down."

Back to the main entrance, stair on the right and four/five doors down was a much nicer place. The doors were gilded, the outer office was carpeted, a secretary sat behind a desk.

She waved her hand at an empty seat that sat in a line of similar that lined one wall. There was one other waiting; he sat hunched at one end. We sat for maybe twenty minutes, before a bell tinkled inside the adjoining door. 

The secretary looked up and said, "Next."

The hunched one stood and walked quickly to the door and, with the briefest knock entered.

Even before the door closed a loud voice inside said, "Oh no not you, you mad bugger, I told you last time fuck off and don't bother me again."

Before even it shut fully it was flung wide again, a middle aged man with pince nez glasses, appeared, arm outstretched pointing to the outer door. The dejected man exited, and I stepped forward, pushing past him into the office.

"I need to put an urgent matter before the council. I represent Princess Sisoft. She has been the heir to Utopica kingdom since her father was overthrown and murdered by rebels. She wishes to bring charges of regicide and usurpation against its current rulers and reclaim her kingdom." 

"You'll have to fill out an application. I'll put it on file and we'll give you an appointment in six to eight weeks. Now, good day."

I stood my ground, glaring at him, annoyed by his offhand indifference to my words. He was still standing at the door, holding it open.

"Could you please leave my office!" He shouted in my face.

"You don't understand," I said, raising my voice. "This is a matter of some importance. She is the betrothed of Prince Hallit, and has to explain herself before him."

"None of my business domestics, you have to fill the form, bring it back...."

"Bring it back, yeh you told me. But what you are failing to realise is that people are probably suffering back in the kingdom, while you're pontificating on the rules people could be dying."

"But they're the rules."

"Let me see your superior, who's your manager?"

"You'll need to make an appointment."

"Dam your appointment, point me to his door. I wish to complain about you and your attitude."

"Complaints are on the ground floor."

I ensnared him with magic, giving the illusion of nudity to him. He screamed, and I grabbed his arm and thrust him out of his office. The secretary screamed as she saw him; I had given him a big dick so's not to embarrass on size. 

I let him have enough of his trousers to grant him decency, and repeated my question.

"Your superior, let's go." Taking him to the outer door. He was struggling but he had no strength compared to me.

"Miss Phipps, go and tell Mr Kopenoff, that he needs to come."

Her heels clacked down the corridor and stopped, the heels returned. 

"Alright was the big emergence?"

His eyes opening wide when he saw the state of his junior, standing half naked, with me holding his arm still. 

"I need to put a matter before the council as a matter of urgency," I began. 

"Get out of the building before I call for the guards."

I'd had enough. I let the one go and approached him.

"Don't you dare threaten me with violence. Miss Phipps, go and fetch a guard."

"Miss Phipps stay where you are. Mr. Kopenoff, show me the boss's door."

I grabbed his arm and twisted it behind his back, pushing him back out the door.

"Which way, there or there?" I said, looking both ways.

Miss Phipps ran past us, her clacking heels echoing loudly.

"Quickly now." Twisting his arm a little higher. "Which way?" 

He turned sideways and I pushed him in that direction. We stopped at the next to last door at the end.

I released him and pushed the door open. Another secretary rose. I headed straight for the side door to her bosses office, and burst through it.

He was sat behind his desk, feet up, drinking a beverage.

"I tried to stop him," came a voice from my back.

He swung his feet down, placed the cup down calmly, and splayed his hands. 

He was young, in his late twenties perhaps. "Yes, and?"

I started to explain. He looked over my shoulder.

"I'll deal with this."

I ran through the story, he listened attentively, clarifying details from me. When I finished, he sat back and picked a little bell.

"Do you take tea?" he enquired, ringing it. 

The door opened and a guard entered. He waved the guard back and shouted, "Tea for two, Miss Bods."

Turning to me he said, 

"You know how hard it is to convene a special session. It takes almost a week's notice to get an agenda together. Then it has to be circulated."

He sat with a bemused look on his face.

"I know what you can do. I will give you a note. I'm only a deputy, but I'm related, my name carries weight. You will have to see Councillor Cadwill; he's probably your best bet to stir something up in a hurry. Cantankerous old bastard will love something like this to throw at Millister's feet."

He sat and scribbled something on paper; Miss Bodds came in with the tea, giving me a sideways look of wonder.

"Now do you like sugar in your tea?"

Two or three heads looked out as I exited his door, quickly withdrawing as I appeared. I wonder how this tale will grow with the telling, especially the big dick.

Outside, life continued as normal. As I walked down the steps and across the street, I wondered if Sissy was back at the lodgings yet. Probably not. She had ten gold and plenty of shops.

I strolled to a restaurant, and ordered a snack and a glass of beer. There were pavement tables and I went and sat at one.

I would like to see Sissy before visiting the council man. Politics came before policy here evidently. I would have to watch out for the Great Whites in the muddy waters I was stepping into here.

People of all natures passed - a peddler with his wares - a matron hustling two small children; the cast was endless. 

My eyes fell upon a familiar figure. Though clothed in finery there was no mistaking the step of Sissy. I hailed her, took a few looks for that, and she came running, arms full of assorted bags.

"How were the Parks?" I asked.

She looked at me quizzically; "The parks," she said with a smile. "Are fine."

She began to list the items she carried, proffering each as she named it.

"Wait," I asked. "I have news of our plans.

She halted her enumeration and looked at me.

"We have to go to see this Councillor, to enlist his help in pressing your case before the council."

"Why?"

I ran her briefly through my morning.

"Oh I wish I could have been there to see that. It's a tale to tell your grandchildren." 

The smile around her eyes was infectious and I began to chuckle. She laughed a bit louder, and before a second we were both laughing. People staring, some smiling at us, some offended that we had intruded into their lives.

We carried her purchases back to our room. I shrugged my shoulders at the look we got from the receptionist. 

Up the stairs and into the room, we lay the bags and parcels down on the bottom of the bed, sitting on the side of bed.

"I hope your pretty dress is good enough to impress our Councillor."

"We can't get something done other than the council then?"

"No, we must deal with the politics here even on this. What we need is you looking innocent and vulnerable; make them take your side by creating a cause about you. It may be wise to employ a well connected advocate, though we have no funds to pay. We will have to plead for funds as well. How well do you simper?"

She pressed her lips up at the edge, tilting her head and curtsied.

"When shall we see him? I want to bathe properly. There are some beauty shops that will do my hair and makeup, nails and things."

"Can you do that this afternoon?" 

"If you have the money I can," she said. "Dress as the maid again."

"With a more kindly mistress I hope."

"She will be a delight to work for."

"Alright, I'll consider it."

"Thanks, now look at what I bought."

She had bought sexy underwear, blouses, and handkerchiefs with other bits and pieces. She was happily displaying them over her arm, picking from one to other. Gushing with pleasure, I relaxed, lying back on the bed.

"Come then, let's be about making you beautiful. Where are the shops you mentioned?"

"No let's eat first. I'm starving."

"Ok anywhere special?"

"No, downstairs is fine."

We ate some fowl, the breast was white and succulent, with the leg dark and chewy. I filled my stomach. She picked a bit at the food, but put a substantial portion away. After a glass of wine, we strolled out as she led the way.

I changed my guise when we ducked into an alley, and we found a beautician that looked inexpensive by judging the shop front. 

They first took her though where she stripped and took a soak in a tub, me scrubbing her back again. She donned a dressing gown after and sat while her nails where treated, looking a shiny pink picture. Then onto her hair; which was trimmed, combed, cut and combed again.




The Dragon Ring Ch. 04



I was stunned how beautiful she looked. We paid and with her on my arm I paraded with her all the way back. 

We had decided an early evening call would be the best approach, and had an hour or so to wait. I had directions from one of those constables that seem to infest the private areas.

Councillor Cadwill was an octogenarian, spritely for his age and ever willing to join an argument. 

His house was one of those overlooking the old Palace. A stately place, which had been built to house an ancient king's mistress. It was all marble and polished stone, it would have looked cold but for the splashes of pinks, greens and blues that were ingrained in the walls and floors.

He received us after I had passed the note over to the footman who answered the door. We were conducted into a well-stocked library. A young girl came and offered us refreshments, the fruit juice sounded nice and I asked for that. Sissy also chose a fruit drink but of a different flavour. 

He came in, trousers and braces over a white shirt.

"Jocis says that you have an interesting little problem that might serve my appetite."

We, or I, ran through our story of attack and escape.

"So you're a wizard in training, an apprentice who's ready for his journeyman's venture?" 

I nodded.

"A bare eighteen years old?" he asked looking me over. "No one will believe this tale."

"I can swear it on the crystals."

"I'm sure you can, it's been many years since the crystals were last used."

He sat back, stroking his beard.

"It is a sure outrage, what has happened, but it is in a kingdom far away." 

"Not if you have the Princess here. You can sell the story around the fatherless child of a dead king who's been robbed of her birthright."

"That, young man, is a politicians way of thinking; are you sure you're only eighteen?"

I smiled as he continued. 

"Of course the wrinkle is the betrothal to prince Hallit. If he were to back her it's a cinch; even now the council is reluctant to go against the royal house."

"I know not of the prince; we were to attempt communication tomorrow."

"Ah, of course you are not in the circle. You know not that the prince has privately denounced her on hearing the tale. He has unofficially announced his engagement to some merchant's young daughter. Very rich I hear, her dowry should swell the prince's funds considerably."

"Whoa, that's set the scattercat amongst the pigeonilings," I said. Inside I was so overjoyed to hear that, that I would have given everything else up and taken her as a plain ordinary wife if she would have me, but the ball was rolling now.

"Leave it with me. I will make a few calls and have a few conversations tomorrow."

"Sir, I am reluctant to mention it but we also lack funds. We are staying at an inn on the dockside for the while, but my funds will not last much longer."

"You must move in here," he stated, ringing the ubiquitous bell. "Have you luggage? No of course you don't."

"We have a few things we've acquired."

The maid attended, "See to it that two rooms are prepared, we have guests. Tell Robrik to ready the carriage."

She curtsied. "Yes Councillor."

"Now come, the carriage will be a short while."

He took us through to a sitting room, pouring us glasses of wine and seating us on a chaise longue. It was a place loaded with paintings, portraits predominantly, but some beautiful landscapes. I strolled around looking; the Councillor was busy penning notes, and Sissy. Sissy was beauty in a beautiful place, looking every bit as she belonged here. 

After a while came a knock on the door, 

"Come."

The door opened.

"The carriage is readied Sir."

"Take this young man where he directs you and return him."

"As you wish Sir." 

I followed the man out, after holding Sissy's hand for a moment, her eyes shining bright and full of joy.

Upon my return Sissy's laughter was ringing out. I was shown back to the room, my 'luggage' taken as I entered. Antic was on his feet, heading for the door I was entering by.

"Ah there you are my boy," he said to me. "I'm afraid that my age forces me to retire early, if you want for anything, ring the bell, oh and ring when you want to retire and they will show you where you are roomed."

As soon as the room was empty I went to Sissy. 

"Sissy I want to marry you, the prince has renounced his claim and you are free."

"Yes, my love when this is over we will wed..., we could be together in the meantime if you wish."

"I think it best if we stay our hand on that, we can wait a while longer till things are clearer."

"Not even just once?" 

"My love, wait until the time is perfect, it will be more delicious then."

She gave me a rueful smile, and reached out and took my hands, kissing each of them. We sat a while longer, both of us relaxed. Whatever happened now I was going to get the girl of my dreams. We lay back our bodies entwined, I felt the gods smiling on us. 

The bed was a double, comfortable in the least. And the room gave a view of the city around with its own balcony.

I stood there a while, looking out at the glittering lights in the darkness. Before I fell asleep I thought of the prospect of soon being united with Sissy.

The footman woke me in the early morn, bidding me attend the Councillor in the breakfast room.

I dressed hurriedly and ventured out my door, walking back to the entrance hall where we had been first received. A maid appeared as if by magic and conducted me to the master's breakfast room.

"Help yourself my boy," he said, waving vaguely in the direction of a side table with foods laid out on it.

"It seems that you have made a name for yourself, did you really strip him naked?" he asked, a smile playing on his lips.

"No sir, I only made him look naked, and I gave him a big dick, he was acting like one."

"The rumour mill has it, they haven't made sense of it yet, but a version of your claim is in there. I'm off to fan the flames a little. I shall be back for dinner. Make yourself at home. Mi casa es sui casa sort of thing. This might be fun."

He rang the little bell.

"Tell me, what do you plan to do today?"

"I thought we might stroll about the town." 

The bell was answered by a maid.

"Tell Robrik that they are to have ten gold apiece," he informed her.

And with that he was gone.

I walked to the food and placed a few morsels onto a plate, retiring to the table. 

Robrik entered and placed a little tray at my elbow, on it were four piles of five gold. 

He coughed, "Would sir be requiring the carriage?" he enquired.

"Thank you no; do you have a museum here about?"

"Yes sir, would you want someone to walk with you?"

"That would be very nice, thank you."

"My pleasure sir."

"Do you know if Princess Sisoft is up yet?"

"I shall enquire sir."

With that he left the room. 

"Ah there you are." Sissy poked her head round the door. She walked to the food and piled the plate, coming over to sit next to me. 

"What a delightful place, even the kitchen is bright."

"Kitchen?" I echoed.

"Yes, I went there looking for breakfast."

"Well, our host is off to feed the beast; it seems my escapades of yesterday have been seeping through the fabric of this place."

"Hmmm?" she queried, concentrating more on her food that me.

"Oh nothing."

"What did you say?" She was attentive now.

"Just that the games afoot."

"What are you on about?"

"Nothing, what do you want to do with the morning?"

"I don't know."

"I fancy something calm, like a museum."

"We could always go to an inn and cuddle up."

"I've got a feeling that eyes may be on us for real. Let's go to the museum, then back here for lunch, our host should be back then."

"OH alright then," she grumbled.

"Good, oh here's 10 gold, a loan from our host."

I handed her the money and she put it in a little purse.

"That's new."

"Yes one of those things I got yesterday, I showed it to you."

"Right, let me go and shave, and we'll be ready." 

"Can I watch? I want to learn so I can shave you."

She sat on the toilet, watching as I prepared. The lather was applied and I showed her how to hold the blade, backhanded, which caused an initial confusion. I shaved myself with only one little nick. She got too close, her head only inches away, examining the angle. Well that's my story. It was her fault.

As we entered the main hall we were greeted by a young boy. "You want to see the museum Sir?"

"Thank you young man."

He ran to the door. "Follow me." And scampered out.

"He looks to be only twelve, some spy."

I laughed, and taking her arm followed on, pulling the door behind. 

He led us through busy streets, then into a quiet square, with people taking the air or lazing on the benches on a green in the centre. Then up to an impressive and imposing building, created as in the golden age. It's pillared front a full two storeys high, possessed an imposing grandeur, having doors the height of two men. They stood wide and inviting and we wandered in, the boy was following.

"Do you want to go round with us?" 

He shook his head.

"Here's two coppers, wait for us outside in two hours, when the sun is high in the sky."

He scampered off, and arm in arm we entered.

"I dreamed of you last night. All I remember is a warm glow and your face, but it was much more when I woke." She hugged my arm tight. 

We passed paintings of grand men and women, families, and townscapes, some unexpectedly large. Further down were landscapes, nudes, she giggled at the male ones, and some modern art that was beyond me. 

Further rooms revealed costumes, furniture and weapons, there were some evil axes and swords there. 

We gave torture a miss and wandered into the wildlife section. First Flutterbyes and Goths in the Lepidoptera classification. Then the mammals and mankind's nearest relative, according to the latest science, a Yranga Tanger, found on some of the Far Isles. 

The reptiles were next and the two most poisonous in the world. The deadly Texian Boot Viperine, matched nearly by the Vituperous Religiot, which was found in many pockets around the whole world, differentiating a little as to colour and size, as this new fangled evolution would have us believe?

We were out inside the allotted two hours; the young lad was sitting, waiting on the steps with a liquorice root, chewing the end off vigorously.

I called him, "Hey!" 

He turned, smiled when he saw us and got to his feet. We followed him down, and back to the dwelling.



The Dragon Ring Ch. 05



Councillor Cadwill was there already, having arrived minutes in front of us.

"The talk is all of Prince Hallit being wrong footed. There are some that want to press forward, take him down a peg, but there are some that worry about reprisals; sabotage of their place men. It's turning into a kerfuffle large enough to attract the vultures of the café commentators. Their spies are everywhere; we're already feeding tit bits and innuendoes to them. Let's hope we outdo the prince's men." 

He sounded quite excited about it, throwing a coat to the chair. He said, "We must circulate you, let the right people see you, sympathise with you. Hah, Millister will have to oppose, it will make him a cowardly fool in front of his peers. Oh I'm beginning to enjoy this."

He rang the bell, and the maid, who must have been waiting outside the door, appeared. 

"Tell Robrik we will have dinner now."

"Yes master."

"Now what were you two up to this morning?"

I told him briefly of our trip to the museum, and he bade us walk through to the breakfast room, freshly laid for dinner. 

Seated, we were treated to a roasted joint of Goatse, fresh from his own farm in the Sx district, with a pudding after of pron pie. My belt needed a few extra notches as I lay back in the chair. 

"Could you be available to go to a dinner party this evening? There are a few people I'd like you to meet."

"Yes, we are at your disposal."

"Good." 

He would have his housekeeper take Sisoft shopping for some dresses, and for me to go with Robrik and have clothes fitted. 

He then busied himself writing more notes, while we were left to our own devices. 

Soon enough a formidable looking woman claimed Sissy, and I was escorted by Robrik to some tailor to be decked out.

The evening came soon enough; Sissy being attended to by two maids was ready before time and was left to twiddle her thumbs, whilst I was groomed by a manservant. 

As soon as I was ready we were whisked out into the carriage, and into the evening. Stopping before some grand house, we were greeted by our host for the evening.

I was dressed in a traditional wizards robe with a sash denoting my status around my waist. Sissy on the other hand looked radiant, every part the Princess. I don't know where they dug it up, but she also wore a coronet that sparkled in her hair. Sweet Mother, just looking at her made me proud. 

We went in and Antic took Sissy in arm as he circulated, she was the attention of a large crowd of simpering old men, each trying to be more gratuitous in the hope of winning a smile. I was introduced to a younger man who told me who was who at the gathering and was himself plagued by pretty young things requesting a dance or some other small favour. He blamed me for much of this attention, the young girls wishing to be introduced to the dashing hero.

The tale had grown in the telling of it, events and actions were ascribed to me that would have made a super hero blush. Everyone wanted me to perform illusions, and I titillated a group of influential matrons to a Black Bruiners display in the garden, rearing the full eight feet of the beareocious and giving a load roar. 

Just after ten, a servant found me and told me that the Councillor was ready to return home and would be pleased if I would accompany him

"Well that went very well," he said as we joined him in the coach. "Sisoft, you played your part well..., congratulations, you may have won a kingdom tonight."

You could see her face flushed and excited by the coach lights.

"And you, that little display with the beareocious was a masterful stroke, you reminded the people of the power of the wizards."

He retired soon after we arrived home, leaving us in the lounge with a good bottle of wine. We talked of who we met. She was a little jealous of the pretty young thing that had dogged me during the party. I teased her that there were some comely women there.

We slept separately. I was missing her warm and comforting body next to mine, and would have easily succumbed were she tomorrow to repeat her request to share some time at an inn.

But that was not to be. She was taken to a breakfast meeting with some dowagers, whilst I was introduced to one of the prince's men, and taken to an audience with the Prince himself.

"Commit yourself to nothing!" were the orders given.

The prince was probably more handsome in his youth, but had let himself get plump and didn't carry it well. He enquired of me the full tale, and asked some probing questions as to our relationship. I was ever cautious, insisting that she was as virginal now as she had been under her father's roof. He questioned me as to the Councilman's actions, to which I attributed no ulterior motive, merely that he was moved by her plight and wished to help right the situation. 

All in all I gave nothing; all that he could use against me was a little fraud with the money side of things. Which could be spun back as justifiable give our survival depended on it at times, and that it was never excessive. 

He did mention one interesting factoid. There was a long standing ban on royalty marrying wizards, enacted some generations ago to prevent a particular alliance from gaining strength. I wondered what his spies had discovered.

When I was delivered home again for dinner, nobody else was around. There were cold meats and a salad set up as a buffet.

I helped myself and then wandered into the library, losing myself in an old tome by some author named Machiavelli. I heard Sissy's tones as she came in the door, talking excitedly to some old biddy. I stepped out. 

"Oh hi," she greeted me. "I've just come to pick up some things, I'm out to see some of Mrs. DeBurg's friends."

I was still alone, reading, when Antic, as he had us call him now, returned. 

He came into the library.

"Ah there you are Rigbetif. I have news of some startling developments. It seems that S'snoyme was behind the plot. They wanted control of the gold mines. They put up the money to finance the little insurgency. The deeper we stir, the murkier the pool. However it makes dealing with it easier."

"How so Sir?" I asked.

"They are players on a larger stage. Now that they're found out, even though proof would be difficult, it will be easy to push them back. This now involves interstate politics, a familiar ground with known actors."

"So are you saying that this will now be over soon?"

"No, but negotiations can now begin in earnest.... Have you eaten yet.... Where is Sisoft?"

This as he walked me to the breakfast room, the answers were no and I don't know. 

We partook of some well seasoned chops, and he left me to pursue his staff about some matter. I went back to reading my book in the library.

Sissy came back in the early evening, flopped down in one of the chairs, declaring herself exhausted.

"Have you eaten?"

"Yes, they laid on quite a lavish meal. They were for inviting me to take supper with them but they know that 'dear old Antic' likes to go to bed early."

"Well 'dear old Antic' is busying himself organising something with his butler. He was around earlier telling me that the takeover was state sponsored. S'snoyme had a hand in it, they wanted control over the gold."

"Why. We sold them most of the gold we mined, we only kept enough to mint our coins."

"With control of your gold, they could have limited the supply, thereby the price."

She looked angry, "You mean this is all about money. They murdered my parents for money!"

Kneeling before her I took her in my arms, holding her head to my shoulder. She started crying, the first time since I had rescued her.

"I'm so sorry, I am so sorry." 

She squashed into me and we both lost our balance, tumbling backwards. She looked at me. "The bastards! Those bastards did this for money." 

I didn't even know she knew the word.

Antic came hurrying through. "What's the matter?" 

"Sisoft has learnt an important lesson about the nature of man."

"I don't want them to get away with this," she said.

"We may be able to get the actual players on the ground. They might be prepared to sacrifice them," said Antic. "But the people who dealt the hand will not be caught, they are sure to have deniability. Nothing on paper, secret meetings and the like. But anyway, I have some good news for you, we have invited the bishops of the Family; Father, Mother, Daughter and Son, we intend to hold a coronation here. The Father's Bishop will officiate; we also want you to make Rigbetif here a knight of the kingdom." 

"Rigbetif will be King when I am Queen. We intend to marry. Do I return to my home then and are the murderer's in jail yet?"

"Married, hmmm, we hadn't thought of that. We can get the Daughters Bishop to marry you, the Son's to help Knight him, and the Fathers can still do the crowning. Gods what a spectacle that will make. Public opinion will demand the return of your kingdom. S'snoyme will have to yield, or the other kings will be forced into playing the hand out. Ambassadors will be recalled. No, no they won't let it get that far. The disruption of trade would cost them far too much."

"Wait, when can we go back?"

"Soon, my dear, soon." He patted her hand. "A snack before bed anyone?"

I took Sissy to bed, taking her into my room and undressing her as she sat morosely on the bed; we slept the night through with her lying across me.

I awoke before her and dressed quietly, waking her with a kiss to the cheek.

She came awake with a start, then saw me and smiled, then yawned. "When are you going to marry me?"

"I'm not marrying a Princess when I can have a Queen," I quipped, and quickly left the room. She would have to dress before she could chase me, and thinking of the layers I peeled last night that would take a long while. 

Down stairs there was a great bustle going on. Furniture was being moved, flowers were being delivered, and an air of bedlam pervaded. 

I was making my way to the breakfast room when Robrik passed me, calling that breakfast would be served in the kitchen. He was gone before I could ask of the chaos around us. 

My host provided the answer. He was holding a reception for the Alhoh'a embassy, who were negotiating on behalf of S'snoyme. With luck a deal would be sealed by tonight.

Oh, and if I didn't mind, could they announce the betrothal and wedding?

I had no objections but he had better clear it with Sisoft. 

He left me to my breakfast in the kitchen. I had been given no tasks that day, so was about to retire to the library when Sissy came down the stair.

"Morning beautiful." I grinned at her.

She was dressed in a light blouse with frilly cuffs and collar, a cream coloured flared dress and had her hair tied back. She looked a picture of elegance, radiant in her simple beauty.

"What are you doing today?" I asked her.

"Nothing, I was about to ask if you had anything interesting."

"No."

I thought for a moment, "Shall we have a picnic in one of the parks; it's been a time since we had time together."

She clapped her hands. "Oh what a wonderful idea..., I shall change right after breakfast."

"Change nothing; you are perfect as you are."

We walked through the scuttling servants without noticing, ending at the kitchen; she picked only a few bites, and was quickly finished.

"We shall find sweets and cakes such as we had in Boughtnock, and eat them from the box."

She took my arm, laying her head against me as we headed for the front door. Once outside we both realised that we had no idea where any park was located. No matter, we could ask directions when we bought the sweets. Happy with each other, we strolled arm in arm like two lovers, blind and oblivious to the rest of the world.

We lay at the top of the rise with a good view of the harbour and Royal Island. We would leave without seeing it, pity; I would like to have seen if the magnificence of repute was matched by the reality.

Sissy lay back, eyes closed hands behind her head. I was lying next to her, head propped on hand and elbow. The sun was shining on us and soon all would be right with our world. 

I imagined our wedding day. I had a shaky idea of how to produce babies, learned from the equinininys being bred at stud, but I had no idea how to please the woman I loved. 

I looked at her, her breasts slowly rising and falling as she breathed, I would be slave to her if she wanted. I lay back and copied her, hand resting behind my head, and let the time and place fade.

When we got back the chaos had reached fever pitch. As we entered my arm was seized. 

"The master has been looking for you, come."

We followed through to the library, now filled with occasional tables plied with drink, to where Antic was scribbling notes and dealing with a stream of servants. He saw us as we approached.

"Where on earth have you been, we've looked everywhere?"

"We thought we'd get out of the way and spend a morning in the park."

"Never mind, your here now, you need to get changed. Your clothes are upstairs on your beds."

We looked at him.

"Go, go."

We went up the stairs. Laid out for me was a fine black suit, hers I would get to see later.

There were guests arriving when I made it down, I was hustled into the receiving line. 

Antic looked at me and hissed, "Where's Sisoft?" I mouthed back 'still dressing'. 

The next guest arrived and we stood straight, shaking hands as we were named. 

Sissy came down, maids still fussing with the chiffon creation, a long formal gown with a foot of train behind it. She was placed before me and I grinned at her, she grinned back, and the next guest came down the line.

After, she was taken to meet the ambassador and his wife, while several of the other guests drifted to the top of the room, disappearing out into the garden. 

A representative of the Slithcock kingdom pinned me by the punch bowl and quizzed me on our adventures. He wanted a demonstration of my magic, which I declined. 

Two attractive girls talked nonsense to me, they were daughters of some dignitary, they twittered on about how wonderful the city was, I think they liked the shops. 

I kept circulating. One dowager asked if I would like to be her personal magician. How I held my face straight while I pleaded a previous engagement to the court of Utopica. Will forever by a mystery.

The dinner ended about ten of the clock. 

We shook hands with the departing guests and retired to the library, where the servants had set up their drink relay. 

They too were relaxed, one or two had glasses in hand when we entered. I could see them discretely slide them onto tables and trays. The comfortable chairs were up by the window; we sat and held hands, looking at one another.

"If all has gone well we will have settled the matter. They want to have a spectacle of our marriage, a whole grand affair. If you want we can escape this and turn up in our homeland unannounced and married somewhere on the way." 

"No, we would not have won without them, let them have their victory in this," she advised.

"If you're happy with it then let it be. We sit here and the wheels of the world turn. We're just watching the wheels go round."

She sighed, "Let's go to bed."

The house seemed quiet after the buzz of the dinner. We crept up the stairs to her room; she had to hang the dress. I sat on the bed and watched her strip. When she was down to her underwear she came over, thumbs hooked in the loops of her bodice. 

"Do you want to loosen these; they are tied at the back." She turned, and I kissed her shoulder.

With the corset loosed I let her push it down her body. As she bent I held her waist. She straightened and spun round, putting her arms over my neck and round my head. We had our first kiss. My hands slid round to her back and I held her, my hands rubbing up and down on her bare flesh. 

She broke our embrace and put her hand on my top button. She undressed me quickly, squatting as she pushed my trousers to my ankles. My penis leapt out nearly striking her in the face. She laughed and grasped it. I was standing near naked facing her, my trousers at my ankles. She in just her tight knickers. 

I raised a foot to try to shake the trousers free and nearly toppled forwards onto her. She pushed me and I steadied, but she now fell back, landing legs astride and ripping the gusset wide revealing her hairy mound. 

It was my turn to laugh, but that gave her spirit, as gleefully she leant forwards. She pulled at my trousers, bringing me down in a heap. Laughing, almost snickering, at my sudden discomfort. 

As I shook the offending trousers loose. I turned on my knees preparing to spring on her. As I sprang, she rolled sideways, escaping and jumped on my back.

I twisted over, trying to throw her off, landing on my back and elbows.

She stayed astride me, kneeling on my shoulders, pinning them down while grabbing my wrists. 

I pushed my groin high, attempting to throw her over my head; instead I had a mouthful of hair.

She was sitting straddling my face, torn knickers flapping on my cheeks. I could feel the press of warm flesh on my chin; her hair tickling my nose. A musty aroma assailed my nose with a taste both sweet and sultry on my lips. 

I moved my head up and she squealed.

"Owwww." Her hand went to her vagina as she raised herself. 

"You need to shave," she complained.

She stood, still rubbing her labia.

"I have been learning, go get your shaving things and I shall shave you."

"Not in this light," I pleaded, for we only had a few candles to augment the single gas flame.

"Please," she begged.

I relented; I could see in her face that this was somehow important to her. I stood up. Wearing only my socks I ran to my room and quickly back, clutching the requirements.

She had arranged her dressing chair and put lights on the tables to its side. I sat down while she filled the soap bowl with a little water from the pitcher. Stirring the brush vigorously to raise a lather, her breasts flopping back and forth. 

She sat on my legs and lathered my face. Picking the razor, she held my ear high, and slid the razor over my cheek. She wiped it in the towel and took a second stroke. I tried not to flinch, not so she wouldn't see but to prevent my movement from tricking her hand. 

She did the side of my face and I was forced to admit that she had mastered the technique. I was more relaxed as she did the rest, finally kissing both cheeks, before sliding back from my knees and standing before me. 

She rubbed a hand around my face.

"That's better. Now I need not fear being scratched again." She took the razor and things into the bathroom.

I sat and removed my socks, while she slid the torn knickers off as she walked towards me. As she passed me she playfully pushed me onto my back and slipped past onto the bed herself. 

Turning, I caught a leg and pulled her back. Her other leg slid beneath me, as my free hand grasped her knee and continued pulling. I rolled between her legs and pulled myself forward with her hips. 

We were face to face, my penis lying rigid between her thighs. I strained, inching forward till I could kiss her. She pulled my head closer then put her arms around my back, flattening her breasts against mine.

"Do you want a baby now?" I asked. 

"No, let's just enjoy each other ...babies will come later."

I moved my hands from her neck to her back and holding her tight I rolled the pair of us, putting her on top again. 

"What do you wish? ...I wish this was all over and we were free again."

"Aye, that would be one of my wishes too," she replied. "And I wish you were already my husband."

We kissed again and she let herself slip to my side, head on my shoulder, leg and arm across me. She talked of the fine houses she'd seen and her plans to refurnish the castle. Then exhausted, we held each other tight till we slept.




The Dragon Ring Ch. 05



The morn broke and Sissy was away to have her wedding dress agreed, leaving me listless and wandering from room to room.

"Is everything alright sir?" It was Robrik at my elbow.

"Yes, well no, I am in a quandary."

"And what might that be sir; perhaps I could be of help?"

"Oh Robrik, here I am to be married in a few days and I know little of how to please a woman."

"Sir, it is the general opinion that a woman is to please the man."

"But Sisoft is special; I want to please her, to let her know of my love for her."

"Sir, if you would learn that, then there is a place I know of that has a woman who might be amenable to teach you the secrets of a woman's body. But my master must know nothing of this; here I will give you a note to take to her."

I waited at the door till he returned, slipping the note surreptitiously into my hand. He gave me brief directions and shooed me out into the street.

Trembling, I looked from the note to the address on the wall. A modest house in a long row of similarly modest houses. Knocking, I waited. My hands were sweaty but I was determined. A small hatch in the centre of the door opened, a face looked about me, and the main door opened.

I followed the girl into the reception room, hung with bawdy paintings. A madam sat, at a small table, on one of the flowery chairs. The girl led me to the chair alongside and motioned me to sit. I handed over the note that Robrik had given over to me as I exited the house. She took a few moments to read it, her eyes glanced at me a few times during the reading and she finally looked directly at me. 

"Tis a strange request you make. Men are only interested in how pretty the girl is and how long they last till they give their all up."

I explained that I was awed by my beautiful Sisoft. I wanted to make our night as special as I could, and that learning the pleasure spots on a woman would help do that.

"You are an uncommon youth; give me a moment to think who would be a suitable teacher."

She walked to the door and disappeared, the young girl from reception came in and offered wine, which I declined, saying the day was too young. 

She took a while but the mistress of the house returned, and crooking her finger at me, signalled me follow. I traipsed out to find her ascending the stair. Following on I stopped next to her at a door. 

She waved her hand to the handle bidding me enter. Turning the knob I entered, the door closing behind me. 

There on a chair before a dresser sat a woman of about five and twenty, her face looking at me through a reflection in the mirror. 

She wore a bustier, which left her breasts fighting for space inside, and a short underskirt of near transparent chiffon showing the extent of her legs. A very short fancy pantie showed its whiteness against her skin through the chiffon., 

"So you would learn our secrets." Her face was plain showing neither smile of frown.

"Yes, I want to please my wife when we marry."

She laughed; a short giggle like noise. "No man can ever fully please his wife while he lives, unless he is a saint, and saints are only created after they're dead."

It took me a second or two to recognise she was using satire and not mockery, I waited for her to lead, as she was the teacher. 

"Come here, how old are you?"

"I have eighteen years."

"And your bride?"

"She is also eighteen."

"Your clothes are fine, how come you to attend here?

"Someone recommended and sponsored me."

"And that you would not tell me who this man is." 

"I gave his note in downstairs."

"You are a mystery, is this some collage jape?"

"If you are not willing then tell me and I will find another, for you make me more determined."

"NO, no calm yourself. You know not how your request sounds."

She stood, turning her back. "Here, loose the strings and stays for me."

I did as she requested. She took it fully off, her breasts were large but still holding against gravity. Her nipples were small but fat and she had areola the size of a double gold. 

She reached under the flimsy underskirt with both hands and pulled her panties down, bending, and giving me a look at her fine round ass and the hairy mound between, as she freed her feet. 

Casting them on the chair, she walked to the bed. She had large round buttocks. As she walked they wobbled up and down individually, following her stride, a not unattractive sight. Sitting on the bed she patted the space next to her. I walked over and sat next to her, she lifted the nearer breast.

"What I like a man to do is lick around my nipple and suck it." 

She jerked her breast towards me. I reached my hand gingerly and cupped it under the nipple, it was surprisingly heavy, I hadn't expected that. I leant forward touching her areole with the tip of my tongue.

"You've got to be bolder than that, put your lips full on me and try to tickle my nipple."

I did as she said. 

"That's nice, do it a bit faster." The nipple under my tongue was getting hard, erecting like a penis.

"Oh." A groan escaped her lips. "Bite me, soft and let it squeeze through your teeth as you pull it."

"And again."

"And again."

I looked up; the pleasure was showing on her face. I let go, releasing her breast and letting the nipple slip from my mouth.

"Anything else?" I asked.

She took my hand and dipped my fore finger into her mouth, placing it then onto her other nipple guiding it in small circles, making it wobble. 

She let go and I continued. She moved her finger and thumb to the one I had wet with my spittle and started rolling it. I slipped my finger off and continued circling the erect nipple.

"Ohh ... ohh... ohh."

She was working her whole breast now, running her hand up and over her nipple, squeezing her areole then rewetting her finger. While she released it I seized it with my lips. Sucking to hold firm, I ran my tongue over her nipple. Then round and round the tip. Then biting and moving my head away so that I stretched it a bit before it squeezed out. For more than a minute or two did I continue.

Her breathing was much faster now, and as I tilted my head to look at her she was of such a happy demeanour that I must be pleasing her highly. 

I let the nipple fall from my mouth. 

"Is there more yet?"

She looked at me and sighed.

"Running your fingers lightly up and down her back while you kiss is nice too, but this is the main pleasure organ of a woman." 

Spreading her legs and lifting the short petticoat, she hunched over to look at her vagina.

"Come; kneel before me that you can better see."

The lips between her mound were darker and longer than Sissy's, they were curved open, showing a deeper red inside. 

"There are two spots, one inside and one outside," she said, using her fingers to fully part them. They glistened wetly, she slid her fingers to the top and with her other hand took mine and then took a finger again, placed it on a hardish lump at the very top.

"This is the clitoris, it is equal to your penis in giving pleasure. Touching it as you touched the nipple will give her the highest feelings, but even the softest rubbing is wonderful in itself."

She moved my finger down, along the slick skin and pushed it into herself. The wetness oozed past, running down the back of my hand.

"At the top about half to three quarters of a large finger length in is a rough area, feel its ridges."

I probed with my finger, sliding it in past the second knuckle and she reacted, tensing her hips and moving my finger off the spot. I twisted my finger and her hips bucked again, this was difficult. I put my longest finger in and pushed my bent knuckles into the soft folds of her fleshy lips. Now as she moved my finger was kept in place. I slowly massaged the rippled skin.

"Yes," she said. "Don't stop."

She was pulling at her breasts. I looked at her vagina and used the thumb of my other hand to massage the clit. The bucking intensified making my thumb slip around, playing catch up as it slid up and down.

"Yes ...yes...." Then she screamed, and I felt the hot fluid running over my hand. 

She collapsed back onto the bed and I stopped, she looked at me over her breasts. I was knelt between her legs, peering over her bush of dark tangled hair.

After a short while she seemed recovered, sitting up again.

"There is another skill you must gain, if you are to please her thoroughly, that of kissing my fanny as you did my breast." 

I leaned forwards touching my tongue experimentally on her clit, moving it round slowly, then up and down. I pressed my lips and sucked. Trying again to tickle with the tip of my tongue. 

She started to buck again, falling back again onto the bed.

I held tight to her hips and went into a crouch to better balance myself, matching her gyrations. I let my mouth slip to the wide lips, running my tongue tween the outer fat ones and the soft sensual inner. The bucking slowed, and I dipped my tongue inside her, along my finger, pushing deep to see if it would reach the sweet spot.

"OH!" she let it out, her breath coming in short shallow gasps.

I was running my tongue around the whole of the inner lips with its tip inside. Then I went back to the clit, sucking and tickling it again. As she pushed her groin in my face, her hair rubbing my nose, I struggled to hold her. Her skin was getting slick with perspiration, letting my hand slip as her hip twisted under it.

As the twisting and thrusting increased, I struggled to stay on target. Then her legs enfolded my neck, pressing me into her groin. I bit gently and let her gyration pull it from my lips, then bit again, sucking and squeezing with my tongue. I felt a warmth on my chin as she gave one great heave and gave out a sob. She held me pinned for several moments, till her heaving subsided and I was able to free myself.

I looked for something to wipe my chin. It had run down my neck and I could feel it inside my collar. 

There was a towel across the bottom board; I used it to dry myself as best I could. 

Running my finger round inside my collar, there was an aroma to it, neutral, neither pleasant nor unpleasant. 

The smell of anonymous sex, I would have to rid myself of this. She might smell it and spoil the surprise by asking of it.

The woman had now recovered to the sitting position, such an expression on her face as she might have witnessed a vision of heaven.

"I wish to thank you lady, for teaching me this," I reached into my pocket and pulled a gold, and she looked with widened eyes.

"You only need pay me a silver."

"My wife would think it money well spent if it gives her the pleasure it gave you."

"That is the nicest way of earning a gold as I have ever experienced." She slid forward and stood.

I gave her the gold.

"There are other secrets you should know." 

"I have paid you for all."

"No these are what a wife may do for a husband, I will show you freely."

She beckoned me forward and laid her hands at my waist, unbuckling my belt, then trousers and pushing them down. She took my still semi erect penis in hand and rubbed the head peaking through the foreskin. It reacted, growing stiffer by the second. When it was erect she placed the two hands from the root up leaving the tip of the head showing. 

She looked at me, "This will please your wife enormously, it must be a full seven inches."

She moved her hands up and down, pulling the skin with them, slowly at first, then easing her grip. The slickness from her sweat allowed the skin to slip through as well. 

There was a tingling and warmth that was stronger than masturbating oneself. She spit on the eye of my head and suddenly enveloped it with her lips, her tongue circling the rim of my head. 

The sensation trebled and my hips jerked towards her, pushing it deeper. Sliding through her lips sent a tingling through into my belly. She pushed further till it entered her throat; the pressure on my head was sending signals of joy to my brain. She let it slowly slide out, stroking it with her hand.

"Do you want to practice entering the vagina with it?"

"No I think that it will find its own way when the time is right."

"One or two tips then; enter her from the rear. Have her kneel and rest on her elbows, your penetration will fill her. Also let her sit astride you and envelope it, she will have control then, and can set her own speed and rhythms."

I stooped to my trousers. "Anything else that might benefit me?"

"If, and only if,... do this only once, some find it highly offensive, ... when you make love and are licking or playing with her vagina, then wet your finger and rub it softly back and over her anus. You will know if she likes it, but if she does not or jumps away do it never again unless asked."

I had been but a scant hour away and already the house was back to its normal groove. I went straight upstairs and changed my smelly shirt, sponging away the odour from my neck and returning down to the library.

I retrieved the book that had provided me with entertainment previously and settled next to the window. The weather was turning cloudy, the wind had been gusty on my walk home, and clouds could be seen scudding across the sky. 

All was quiet for an hour or so, then Antic made his return.



The Dragon Ring Ch. 06



"I thought I might find you here," he said, popping his head around the door. "We have pegged them with irony. They are to pay for a mercenary expeditionary force to go in and take control of the country. Then to stay and train a new army for you, there's sweet justice in that." 

His glee was overflowing, giving him an unnatural presence. "Come, this calls for celebration. A few friends are following and will join us presently."

We went to the lounge and he called for brandy and champagne to be brought. Soon enough there was a small procession bringing trays of glasses and bottles. He selected one; brushing the label he exclaimed that this was a suitable vintage, older than me. He uncorked it with a pop that startled me, and poured two glasses.

"To the successful conclusion of our venture." He toasted, the wine had bite, and a subtle after taste, and a fizzyness that sort of got up your nose and gently tickled. 

His friends made an appearance and soon little coteries formed, each with its centre with peripherals flitting from group to group. I was out of place, politely accepted where I joined the outer ring but bemused by the conversation.

They were like eight year olds squabbling for status and bragging rights after the battle won, whose deed was greatest, most subtle, caused the most discomfort. I'd have been as well with the book I was reading, at least that gave me insight to the lore of governance.

Sissy came home late. All had now left, including Antic, and the house was still again. 

She walked into the library; her shoulders stooped a little, saying that her head was in a spin.

"The details of this wedding are getting beyond me," she stated. "So many things to settle, who to invite, seating the guests in the chapel. Oh I didn't tell you, we have been invited to use the royal chapel in the palace for the actual wedding. It will take place in the afternoon, with the reception in Prince Hallit's quarters. And he has give us run of the place for the wedding night."

"So how's the wedding dress, does it make you look beautiful?"

"Hah, they have measured every inch of my body. I stood in my underclothes for over an hour while the seamstress ran a tape over me. Then I was presented with swatches to choose the cloth from. Everyone was advising different. I finally chose at random. They want to change the style of my hair from the coronation in the morning. This is getting beyond me." Her voice ran down like some clockwork toy, and she sat plonk in a chair, kicking her shoes off. "And I'm starving; I've eaten only snacks since breakfast." 

It was past the usual dinner time and I'd not eaten myself. I scooped her shoes from the floor, and held my hand out.

"Let's see what the kitchen has to offer."

As we passed the stair, I dropped the shoes at its foot. She was swinging our joined arms and I let her lead into the kitchen. The cooks and other servants were sat at the head of the preparation table eating from bowls.

"Is there anything for us to eat?"

The cook looked aghast. "The master is out and left no orders, I thought that you would accompany him."

"No matter," I said. "Is there anything for a hungry pair to eat?"

"We have colds meats, cheese and the like, if it pleases you." She was on her feet. "Or if you want a hearty meal you can go to that restaurant that the master uses for his private meeting. He recommends the food there."

"That sounds like a good idea, we have yet to sample many of your local dishes."

Sissy pulled discreetly at my arm, I looked at her. "I don't want to go out," she whispered. "I want to eat and fall in bed."

"If you wish my love," I whispered back. "But this may be our last chance and there is a fish that has been recommended."

She smiled weakly at me, "Alright then, but I must change my clothes."

I looked to the cook still standing and told her that we would eat out and could she tell where the best cooked 'Snapper' was to be found. Sissy took herself off while I took directions. Better still Robrik walked in and insisted we use the coach. I was reluctant as to whether he had the authority to loan it, but it would save Sissy walking so I agreed.

The sky was dark with neither moon nor stars showing, even though the waxing moon should be near full bright in the sky at this time. 

We rode the carriage to a grand building on the docks itself. The restaurant was on the second floor and commanded a good view of the lighted ships, bobbing about in the wind across the harbour. 

The fish, served on a bed of rice and with a side salad, was worth the visit. The grey flakes of flesh crumbled in the mouth, the spices played tunes on the taste buds, making the wine served with it taste like nectar as well. 

We stayed a full hour, enjoying a boiled pudding with a thick yellow sauce after the main course. After, we sat a while satiated, enjoying a full stomach and looking out at the harbour lights, dancing madly on the wind swept water.

On the carriage ride back home, I watched the clouds scudding bye as Sissy cuddled up to me, tired out by her day and ready for bed.

We slept together in her bed. She complained about my bristles and wanted to shave me again but I refused, saying that it could wait till the morn, till she was fresh and bright again. 

When we woke it was to a knock on the door. She grumbled and pushed at me but I pushed back; it was her room. 

A second louder knock came, then through the door a voice. "Princess Sisoft, you are needed; the dressmaker is here to attend to you." 

More fittings for the dress, and another day of me kicking my heels. She walked to the bathroom and back to the bedside, where I watched her dress. I could hear the wind blowing, sending moans and shrieks through the window and I told her to wrap up warm. 

After she was gone, I picked my clothes and returned to my own room. Dressed and shaved I took myself to the breakfast room. Robrik was there and told me that I was to attend the fitting of my wedding suit. There would be a carriage waiting for me outside to take me there after I had had breakfast. 

The carriage took me to the door of a drab shop. I knocked hesitantly and walked in. The shop was filled with rolls of cloth, half made clothes on hangers and a little old man, who immediately pumped my hand vigorously when I announced my name. 

He brought out a guild ceremonial robe and had me try it on. He walked around me inspecting the fit and making little chalk marks. Satisfied, he bid me disrobe and took it, hanging it on the wall. 

We parted with another energetic handshake and the carriage took me back to the house. With nothing to do and no one around and the darkening clouds threatening rain, I retired to the library. 

It was there that Antic found me an hour or so later. He was complaining that the weather was threatening to spoil the grand procession. 

As we walked to eat lunch he told me of the Bishops impending arrival.

"We have arranged for them to be accommodated in the royal palace. They will accompany you home the next day. You will all go in procession, accompanied by a small detachment of their majesties personal guard."

I thanked him for the information and continued. "I have learnt that there is a prohibition on marriage between royalty and wizards."

"Yes," he said. "I've just heard of it myself that is but a minor matter. No one has bothered with that law for more than a hundred years; put it out of your mind."

"So," I said. "All preparations are in hand. We are to be married in two days and then we will return to our homes, free to continue with our lives."

He agreed. "S'snoyme has had its nose bloodied; I don't think we shall have trouble from them in a while."

We finished our meal and he went off to busy himself in some domestic matter, while I returned to the library. 

Sissy arrived with the rain. A light drizzle was falling, sprinkling her hair with glistening drops. She shook herself and found me in the library.

"What a day, if they had kept me any longer I would have gotten soaked. They were saying that when the rains come they can last for days, with bouts of really heavy downpours."

"I know, it's getting Antic worried in case it rains on his parade in two days time."

"I wish it were all over. I'm getting tired of being pushed around. Go here, do this. It's like I've got no life of my own anymore."

"It's only another three days and we'll be on the road home. Travelling easier than when we came."

She came over and embraced me in my chair, twisting she sat in my lap. "I enjoyed those times. I was alive then, a little confused and scared, but alive to the world around me."

I put my arm around her neck and pulled her in for a kiss. She responded with some fervour. My penis started to harden underneath her. She reached down, sliding her hand under her thigh and touched it, stroking it through my trousers.

"Why does it get hard like that?" she asked.

"It is responding to my love for you," I answered.

She cuddled to me closer, turning to lay full length along me and looking into my face.

"I need to change," she said. "Do you want to help me?"

We went up the stairs holding hands and turned into her room. She started to unbutton her jacket.

"Hey, that's supposed to be my job," I complained.

She smiled at me and held her hand wide. I unbuttoned the rest and pushed it slowly over her shoulders. I started on the buttons on her blouse and removed that. I reached around her back and brought our faces together. While my hands found the ends of the laces my lips touched hers, kissing me she held my head while I loosened her bustier, pushing it down releasing her breasts. I dropped my hands to the buttons securing her skirt, undoing them and pushing it down with her petticoats till it dropped of its own accord. She wriggled out of the bustier and stood before me clad only in her panties. 

I put my hand to her back and behind her knees and carried her to the bed, laying her down and joining her. I held her, kissing her till she complained of the roughness of my clothes on her skin. 

She knelt, undoing the buttons on my coat and shirt as I lay back. I pulled my head and shoulders up to ease them from my arms, kissing one of her nipples and giving it a quick lick around.

"Oh." There was both surprise and pleasure in her voice as her hand relaxed letting my head slip back to the pillow. My arms, still trapped in the sleeves were pinned to my sides, as hands on my shoulders she swivelled on top and pressed her lips to mine. Her tongue slipped in and we wrestled with our tongues till she released me for breath. 

She slid down onto my knees and released my belt. I struggled to get up to free my arms but she pushed me back down with her hand, holding me there with gentle pressure, the other hand fumbling at my trouser buttons. 

She used both hands to pull my trousers down as I raised my hips to help her. My penis stood full and erect as she ripped of my shoes and tossed them aside. Gripping the bottoms she pulled the trousers off and leapt back on top of me sitting on my thighs. Her cool hand encircled my hardened member and began to stroke it up and down. Her touch was thrilling me, causing a pleasure in my groin that spread a warmth to the rest of my body.

"This thing is too big to fit inside me," she exclaimed. "It is tight getting my finger in there." 

"It seems the snugger the fit the more pleasure is to be had," I explained.

"Had practice have you?" She looked at me, her hand stilled from stroking.

"No I have heard it said," I replied.

She squeezed my penis hard.

"Ow ow." 

Her grip softened and she laid the length of me, kissing me again, opening her mouth to let my tongue play with hers while gently holding my hard member rubbing her thumb on its head. 

She moved, lying to my side, her head on my shoulder, idly stroking my now throbbing penis. As she continued the leisurely movement, I felt a growing pleasure and pressure in my groin, my hips were now thrusting and twisting as the feeling intensified, moans escaped my mouth. 

As if with knowledge of what pleased me she tightened her grip and stroked faster, then faster again. The spurt of my cum arced over us and splattered the headboard. In her surprise she released me. The next spurt struck her chest above her breasts, running to her throat before its force was spent. A third spurt went onto my chest, running back down to my navel and filling it. The fourth was only a dribble onto my pubic hair. The long pent up pleasure released, I felt weak and exhausted, while she used a linen handkerchief to wipe the semen from her body.

"I had not known it had such power, it will force itself out through my mouth," she said, discarding the soiled kerchief.

"No." I leant up and disentangled my arms from my shirt, the cold sperm running into my pubic hair. "'twill go to your womb, feeding the seed of the baby there."

She leant to me and took up my flaccid member and kissed it. It gave a little twitch in her hand and she kissed it again. She reached for the kerchief to wipe the semen from my pubes. 

As she traced under my balls, my penis struggled to rise again. She giggled and squeezed it. 

She lay back on top of me and held my penis under her inner thigh, we lay a long while in each other's arms. She drifting towards sleep till a great flash and crack of thunder filled the room. She jumped with a start. 

"What time is it?" she asked.

"I don't know."

"I wonder if there is dinner, I'm hungry."

"Let's go down and see."

She groaned. "That means getting dressed again," She complained. 

"You can have them serve us in bed when we are home."

"That is of no help now." 

She sat up on the bed and I clothed her with my mind, illusioning a pretty dress that I had seen in the park in Boughtnock.

"Ohhh," she said in delight, as she hugged me round my neck and kissed me.

I clothed myself in dandy's clothes and we held hands walking to the door.

We ate our dinner in wistful silence, sitting opposite one another. Then made our way to bed.

The day dawned dark and gloomy. I had gotten up to use the toilet thinking it was still night, when there was a knock on the door. Thinking that there may be some emergency, I opened it, peering naked round the door. 

A maid stood there with an arm full of clothes. She curtsied, "I have clothes for the Princess to try on for the reception." 

I quickly imagined clothes for myself and opened the door wide. Sissy was still abed, drowsily peeking over the bedclothes. 

As soon as she had entered the room I excused myself and traipsed to my room to properly dress.

Downstairs, breakfast had finished long ago and I managed to scrounge a few scraps from the kitchen, before retreating to the library. It was here that Antic found me; he came bustling in, a wide grin on his face.

"Come, come." He waved his hand beckoning me. "Look who is here."

I walked rapidly to the door, following him through. "He came down with the Bishops."

There standing in the hallway was my old master, Unwinkle, looking resplendent in his guild robes; I ran to him and hugged him. 

"I thought that you might have perished," I said,

"It will take more than a few raggedy rebels to see me off," he chortled.

I hugged him again, clapping him on the back. "It is so good to see you."

Antic directed us into the library and we sat around the table. 

He began to relate his tale of the attack and occupation and Antic excused himself.

"I have some matters to attend to."

Soon after, Robrik appeared with a tray, bringing us wine and glasses. We talked the rest of the morn, till dinner time arrived and I accompanied my master to the table. Sissy was already seated talking to Antic and looked at Unwinkle with a puzzled look. 

"You remember Master Unwinkle, your father's court magician," I prompted. 

Recognition dawned on her face, and she excitedly greeted him.

"Unwinkle I didn't know you would be here, when did you arrive?"

Unwinkle told her of his journey with the Bishops and of meeting master Antic and being invited here. She pressed him for news of home and other matters all during dinner.

After dinner Antic took Sissy off to sort out some arrangements or something. Unwinkle had liberated a bottle of fine proastă, a spirit of fermented ground nanas. And we retired to the library to enjoy it.

"Now, Tiff my boy, you must tell me how you won at that dice game."

I spent the afternoon with him, swapping tales. He retelling me, for the umpteenth time, of his adventures as a journeyman. 

As it was getting near teatime he stood up. "Tiff, before I forget again, I have something for you."

He went and rummaged in his luggage.

"Here." In his proffered hand was a ring. "I bought it from the chief's wife when I took you; she claimed it was your mothers wish that you be given your fathers ring when you were old enough to bear it."

I took the ring, it was heavy like gold but of some silvery metal. The stone that faced it had a dragon design on it and was a milky green with flecks of gold embedded; it fitted my ring finger as if it were made for it.

"We will talk more of it after all this fuss is done with," he said. "See if the chief's wife can tell us more."

Tea was served, a meal of cubed meat, boiled with vegetables. Sissy was looking a bit glum, I resolved that as soon as the meal was over I would take her to the bedroom and put some fun back into her life.

I stood to leave, walking round the table to take Sissy's hand.

"Rigbetif, here attend me." It was Antic, a broad smile on his face. "I have someone I want you to meet."

Antic took me to meet a caller who waited in the hall. He was dressed in the robes of an initiate, and looked in awe of the house and Antic. He was standing nervously, playing with the tassel of his sash.

"It is traditional that the groom is granted one last night of freedom before his wedding. I have recruited some lads from the academy to take you out tonight to celebrate your last night of bachelorhood. Rissit here has come to take you out. You will spend the night at the academy, so that Princess Sisoft may don her wedding gown without fear of you seeing her in it, and spoiling your luck for the marriage," Antic informed me.

Rissit took my hand and shook it.

"We have heard a lot about you, sir."

"I am no sir, you must call me Rigbetif."

Rissit took his leave of Antic and we departed. Fortunately the rain had eased and was no more than a misty fog as we walked to the gate.

Rissit led me through the streets to an imposing building, a full three stories high. The front was all windows with a castellated roof; the door as we approached was small when measured against the building. 

Through it was a circular stair running up and corridors running left and right. He took me to the right. The corridor seemed to go on forever and we were most of the way down it before he stopped at a door. 

He produced a key and we entered. There were two single beds and wardrobes either side. A table with two chairs was set against the window. He took one of the chairs and I the other.

"You are younger than I thought."

"I am yet to begin my journeyman's travels." 

"Yet your adventures sound like you travelled the world." 

"The stories are overrated; I faced no real dangers once we left the kingdom."

"But you travelled in secret with a Princess in your charge"

A knock at the door saved me further explanation as he opened it to a group of friends. They were all about my age and were dressed for the street.

"Are we ready then?" A tall cropped haired youth asked. There was a murmured assent amongst the group as Rissit turned and pointed at me.

"Here is the man of the hour; if he is ready then we may be off."




The Dragon Ring Ch. 06



As they looked to me I stood and walked to join them.

"Let us be off then gentlemen," I said.

Our first port of call was the inn virtually outside the academy. They were well known to the clientele, being greeted by various people as we made our way to the bar.

Rissit plonked a purse on the counter and pulled out a gold. "Drinks are on Antic," he proclaimed, 

I requested a cider, it being lighter in alcohol than the wines and beers. 

We crowded to a table in the corner; each was keen for me to tell the tale of my adventures. As the drinks flowed I told them such portions as I thought would play down the story. Everyone laughed at the tale of my soaking with the boat, and all were greatly interested at my story of the bordello, especially the curtained back room. Indeed some stated their intent to visit as soon as they started their journeyman's venture. 

After about four drinks apiece and the cost of another gold, we left and journeyed a few streets nearer the dock, to a large establishment that seemed more frequented by seamen and outsiders. 

There were strange assortments of fashions on display, along with a fair sprinkling of hostesses. They seemed known here, for the barmaid came as soon as they approached the bar, calling one by name.

I was regaled by tales of their adventures at the academy. I managed to duck two rounds of drinks; I was beginning to get a little tipsy and didn't fancy the hangover to follow should I get really drunk. 

They had me show them a magic gold, passing it round and examining it with some care. No one would declare it a fake, while someone wanted to try it at the bar to pay for our next round. I let it disappear, not wanting to cheat without dire need.

Our third and final stop was at a dockside inn with music pouring through the doors. The fog was settling thick now, limiting vision to less than twenty yards; sounds were echoing, you couldn't tell the direction or nearness. 

A few of our company were showing signs of being drunk. 

The room inside was crowded and we had almost to force our way to the bar. The barman walked past us twice and I suggested that the way to attract his attention was to hold up a gold. He came as soon as he saw it and served us. 

There was no place to sit and the crush behind trying to get served pushed us from the bar into the middle of the room. 

A man, a docker or seaman by his grizzled muscular build, was jostled and spilt his drink on one of my companions. The youth became angry and began berating him, shouting at his clumsiness. A space cleared around them and as the man stepped forward, I placed the image of a beareocious, rearing eight feet high, between them. 

There was a panic, the like I'd never seen before, the room cleared in an instant. With the doorway crowded, people were even jumping through windows in their fear. 

Aware of my previous illusion at the party, my companions, after the initial shock stood round laughing and examining the illusion.

"We had better leave," I said, letting the vision fade. 

There were people milling around outside, peering through the windows and door. One of our group jocularly said, as we pushed our way through the crowd, "It has chased a maid upstair." 

Aways from the inn they were laughing and pounding each other on the back as if we had won a great victory. Some staggered drunkenly from pavement to street, as we made our way back to the academy. 

On the way up the incline Risset tripped in the road and lay laughing, when suddenly out of the fog there loomed a carriage and four. 

The coachman had no chance of stopping, but was surprised to find himself soaring through the air some six feet above the fallen Rissit. It thumped down some ten yards past and disappeared as quickly as it came. 

Those companions, sober enough to comprehend what they had witnessed, stood mouth agape. 

While the others wandered aimlessly, someone had the presence of mind to pull Risset from the road. He had no clear mind of what had just happened, standing there, his clothes dirtied with the street mud.

I took command.

"Let's get him back to the academy," I said, and with him supported by two of our group we made our way home without further incident.

When we had Rissit back to his room, the noise of our return had brought other students out into the hallway. I could see the admiring glances, as the incident was retold and enlarged in the retelling.

Rissit was groaning on his bed threatening to be sick and I asked if anyone knew of a bucket and a waste bin was produced and placed at the head of the bed. 

I pushed everyone out, threatening to produce a monster worse than the beareocious, and finally had a clear room.

The morning dawned with clearer skies. I was woken by a porter, who shook me awake as he would a student. Outside a footman stood at the open door in his polished uniform, he had my robes in hand and urged me to dress quickly as we were due at the coronation in a scant half hour. 

The coach rushed me through the streets to the cathedral. Inside the organist was playing some tune that was unknown to me, while servants scuttled round making last minute changes as the pews slowly filled.

I had pride of place on the front row, albeit more towards the sidewall, and had just gained my seat, when the music stopped and our national anthem started. Everyone sprung to their feet as the procession started from the main door. 

It took a good five minutes before I caught my first glimpse of Sissy. She looked magnificent in a dress sewn with sparkling gems, bare armed but with long white gloves, she had a radiant smile on her face. My heart swelled and I felt so proud of my Princess. 

She took a seat on the throne erected before the alter and I could see her eyes look left and right as she surveyed the assembled crowd. She finally spotted me and her mouth split wide in a grin, her white teeth a line through the red of her lips. 

The ceremony took a full hour till, crown on head; she proceeded back up the aisle. 

I was hustled to the nave while the throne was removed and most of the guests left. 

Here I was left to wait another quarter before being called by a young acolyte. He accompanied me to a seat set separate in the middle of the aisle, then left to join the lines either side of the alter. 

Sissy entered, accompanied by the four Bishops, several servants and priests and stood before a small bench. 

The Sons Bishop stepped forward and called.

"Is there one present by the name of Rigbetif? Let him come forward." 

I presumed they wanted me to step forward for they had not rehearsed me in the ceremony, and I stood and walked to the bench.

"Let it be known that the Son recognises his brave and valiant deeds and does smile on him today. Let it be further known that this valour is recognised by the crown of Utopica who has fittingly awarded him the honour of the title Lord Sir Rigbetif."

Sissy came forward and a page handed her a sword.

She said in a clear voice. "Kneel Rigbetif, and receive this honour."

I knelt on the bench before me and she placed the blade on both shoulders.

"Rise Lord Sir Rigbetif." Her face was a smile from ear to ear and I had a lump in my throat that I couldn't swallow. I wanted with all my being to leap the bench and take her in my arms.

She stepped back and an old robed wizard stepped forwards.

The Bishop's voice boomed again. "The wizards' guild recognises the deeds done and hereby grants him full membership of the guild with the rank of master."

A page handed the old one a bright sash of the colours of a master and he looped it around my neck, then flipped it down my back, tying it about my waist. He held out his hand and I looked in askance of him, his eyes flicked to the old sash at my waist and I loosed it, handing it to him. He stepped back.

The Bishop turned and held his hand forward, fist clenched and elbow to his side and Sissy placed hers on top. They lead the procession back through the door they had used for their entrance.

I was left bemused at the bench till someone touched me on the shoulder and beckoned me to the main door with a wave of his hand. 

Two gone and the most important one to go, I entered a coach and was cheered by a small crowd, assembled beyond the iron fence that surrounded the cathedral.

"That last touch was my idea, I thought I'd surprise you with it," Antic said, as the coach moved off. "It will look better in the dispatches if the wedding marries a master wizard to the Queen." 

"Political promotion for political purposes. As they say in tennis circles, 'Advantage Antic'." The thought ran through my head. I held my council and lay my head back.

"I can't believe you terrorised an inn last night. You'll have to put me straight on the details. The rumours around are beyond belief."

I looked him in the eye; his had a twinkle in it. I kept the details to a bare minimum, explaining that if he were attacked, then we were morally obliged to go to his defence. We were but youths who would face adult men with far more experience of the rough and tumble of real life, and rather than let it happen, I intervened in a way that I thought would cause least harm, at least to us.

"You seem to have a unique way of solving problems, let's hope you have few more to come." 

I smiled at the thought; a trouble free life I could settle for.

"Perhaps sir, I should also relate to you the episode with the carriage. It nearly ran poor Rissit down. It would have done had I not lifted it over him, for he had stumbled on a cobble in the street and the carriage just appeared out of the fog."

He looked at me mouth agape, "I took that part for a drunkard's fancy, I chastised him for his foolish drunken visions." 

He leant backwards. "Perhaps it is fortunate that you leave us so soon, you could cause great mischief here," he said as his eyebrows closed down his eyes into an almost frown.

I sat silent till the carriage disgorged us at the pier to take the boat to the royal palace. 

The water was calm and the weather fair, taking us less than ten minutes to cross. 

Disembarking at the Princes private pier we were at the chapel in under a minute. Finding a great crowd in the adjoining reception room, I excused myself, saying I needed to toilet. I wandered into the chapel itself; this is where the final act would take place. Unifying us through our love, into a couple, who would express that love as progenitors.



The Dragon Ring Ch. 07



I saw place names and looked to find mine; it was on the left front. On the right front where I expected to find Sissy's was the coat of arms of the S'snoyme kingdom with the legend of 'Giver of the Bride'. I was horrified. I grabbed the marker and rushed double time to the reception room. 

I spotted Antic and rudely took his arm.

"This is an abomination!" I shouted, showing him the card.

He looked at me, alarmed at the looks my shout had attracted. "Calm yourself and explain the matter reasonably to me."

"This arrangement that the S'snoyme's ambassador is to give Sissy away. You would have the men who murdered her father represent him!" My voice though quieter still trembled from my anger.

"The palace was responsible for all the arrangements, in fact they organised the whole ceremony, using only the Daughters Bishop because we insisted."

"Then this whole thing is a farce and I will have no further part in it," I stated, somewhat calmer having found the real cause. The Prince's hand was behind this. It was spite for being made to look opportunistic and foolish in dumping his bride, a bride who was heir to the goldmines of a kingdom, for only a pretty face and a small fortune. Antic looked frantic at my statement, "If it is only the ambassador that you object to then we will force a replacement. There is time yet."

"Do it then. If it be done, it best be done quickly."

"Who shall we replace him with?"

My old master came to mind. "Unwinkle will do. He has connection to the old king. He may represent him well."

Antic disappeared into the crowd.

He came back with minutes to spare as people started entering the church.

"Tis done. Unwinkle will be walking the aisle with her, but there is a sting. The ambassador will be seated next to you. Please keep the peace with him and offer civility. He is but their representative and I'm told has sympathy for your position." 

For the sake of spoiling a day that I wanted Sissy to treasure the rest of her life, peace with the ambassador was a small price to pay. I readily agreed and found my place in the pews. Before too long the organist started 'The Wedding March' and I turned to see an angel in white lace, gliding slowly down the aisle, her head bobbing with her steps as if already agreeing to the vows. 

Almost shuffling to keep step was a beaming Unwinkle. Dressed in his robes he looked stately personified, except perhaps for the comical gait. 

As she passed me we looked full into each other's face, there was the magic I most wanted. I puckered up my lips in a mock kiss. A smile widened her face, and she wrinkled her nose at me. 

He lead her to the alter and the priest intoned, "Who claims this maid as a bride?"

I stood. "I do." 

"Come forth and pledge your troth."

I stepped forward and stood beside her.

"Do you accept this man as your groom?"

"I do."

"Then may the Daughter smile on your union and bring you happiness in your days. May you bear him strong sons and daughters and your hearth never go cold."

We were married. The exchange was yet to happen but that was a formality. If the priest fell dead this moment it would be legal.

"You may exchange gifts." 

I handed her the ring. I had wanted to inscribe on it 'May the ring wear thin but not the bond between us' but today was the first I had handled it. 

"Let this ring surround your finger as my love and protection surrounds you."

She handed me the lighted two tone candle. 

"May it bring fire to your hearth, warmth to your heart and light to the bedchamber, for the birthing of children. As the wax melts and mingles I would join my life to yours."

The priest intoned, "Let the world witness the joining of the couple before us." Then he made the sign of the five circles, the four inner and the great outer.

"I bid you all now assembled to go and celebrate this union." 

As the day lengthened so did the measure of my happiness. I took the hand of my bride and walked her out and into the reception. As we entered, a maid appeared and spoke, "Your highness, your clothes for the reception are upstairs; if you please would you follow me."

We turned and I whispered in her ear, "Let me help you change." She giggled and took my hand tighter in hers, the maid stopped and looked at me.

"Sir?"

I looked at her. "I will accompany my wife to change." Some part of her was shocked with the breach of protocol, another recognised the romance. She turned and led us upstairs to a wide richly carpeted hallway. She stopped before the door and opened it. 

We entered, the door closing softly behind us. From behind the near curtain Prince Hallit appeared. There was a certain shock on his face when it registered that I was standing at the door as well.

"YOU!" He exclaimed, his face going red. "Whenever I have a plan you are there to spoil it. Well this time I shall fix that, you ignorant little pipsqueak." 

He launched himself at us, pulling his ceremonial dagger with his left hand and a sword with his right.

I pushed Sissy aside, sending her sprawling to the floor, without taking my eyes from the charging prince. When he came near my magic lifted him to the ceiling. Would that I could humiliate him but that would only increase his animosity, and make a next attempt all the more deadly. 

I lowered him gently till he was hovering but a foot from the floor, then removed his weapons, sending them clattering to the far end of the room. I looked into his terrified face.

"Mess with me or mine and I shall make you eat the deal, understand me." The last words were said so softly and in such deadly earnest that his face went a shade whiter. I dropped him to the floor and he collapsed, sitting shaking.

"Get out!" I shouted at him, he scrabbled on all fours only rising to reach for the door handle.

I turned to Sissy who was still lying recumbent on the floor.

"My love are you alright?"

"You marry a man who offers you his protection and he does more damage to you than the assailant."

"Bu bu bu...."

She burst out laughing.

"You should see the look on your face."

I leapt at her, my frustration evaporating into laughter to join in hers. I swooped her up in my arms, kissing her as I spun her round. 

She freed herself from my kiss. "Stop, you shall make us dizzy and we shall fall again."

I stopped and looked her in the face. "How do you release yourself from the dress?" 

She showed me the buttons hidden under her arms and down to her waist. I set about undoing them while at the same time being reminded of the maid that brought us here. What became of her? And how much of what happened inside did she witness. Was she in on the prince's plot? How had I spoilt his previous plan? 

I reached her waist and started up the other side as she pirouetted round to accommodate my hands. Laying a hand to my shoulder, she bent to loosen her shoes. I saw that they had heels that inflated her height a good two inches, I had not noticed. 

As I undid the last button she shucked the straps from her shoulders and the dress dropped to the floor. 

She had a thin underskirt from the waist, and a soft cotton bustier wrapped her breasts; the thin material showing her nipple plainly. Beneath the pleated slip she wore the garters and probably the stockings that I had tricked from the greedy haberdasher all that while ago. A pair of white panties offset the red blush of her thighs.

I reached around her back to loosen the bustier but she caught my arms and gently pushed me away.

"The doors not locked, wait until we are in our own bed then we'll start with the whole night before us." She pulled me forward and kissed me, then turned and sought her dress for the reception.

The reception was as if paused waiting for our appearance. 

A passage way opened through the assembled throng and we walked onto the dance floor as the quartet struck a waltz. I have never had a lesson in my life, and merely held on to her, holding tight and doing a penginicus walk, as we rotated nearly on the spot. 

After a moment the rest of the couples joined us and soon we were hidden in the midst of them.

"How soon can we get out of here?" I asked softly in her ear.

"Not for a long time yet, there is a formal sit down dinner to come."

"Shall I make us invisible then and we sneak to some quiet corner."

She laughed out loud, bringing a hesitation to the swirl around us, as eyes turned to look. 

"You have some wicked ideas."

I kissed her and we remained head to head through the next piece and into a third when I needed to toilet. Holding hands we walked from the dance floor. 

Leaving her at the door I went to relieve myself. When I got back she was surrounded by beaus asking to dance with her. I smiled and told her to enjoy herself.

I walked the room with every man congratulating me and shaking my hand. With two or three touches the ring on my finger grew warm, and my greeter dropped my hand as if it had turned to shit at his touch. I wondered about the power I felt within the ring. Could it be used?

Somebody somewhere rang a gong, striking but a single blow that reverberated round all, and the crowd moved through into a third room. My arm was caught as we entered and a gentleman whispered to my ear. 

"The prince sends his regrets." He informed me. "He has taken to his bed. Something he ate disagreed with him. As he is indisposed he must withdraw his gift of his rooms tonight. He offers in its stead the summer house out on the west rim; a carriage has been arranged and awaits your pleasure on the quay." 

I entered the dining room. Here was set out an arrangement of tables such that there was one across the width of the room, with two rows looking as if bent to right angles, running down parallel to the wall. I walked to the centre of the top table where a large cake was positioned; a miniature couple holding hands placed on top. Those I would pocket as a reminder of this day.

I was seated with Sissy to my left, the empty chair, three over, would be for Hallit. 

The waiters and maids circulated, bringing dishes and wine to our elbows. 

An hour saw the feast ended and everything cleared, excepting the wine. Antic, seated on Sissy's left stood and tapped his glass. "Your highnesses, my lords, ladies and gentlemen, please charge your glasses and be upstanding, that we may toast the happy couple."

She held me to my seat as I started to rise, and we stood once the toast was drunk. We held our glasses high, drank, and Sissy replied to the toast.

"Peoples of Yipell, we thank you for extending your hearts to us. In turn this city has captured our hearts with its generosity, as I return to my kingdom to restore peace and order to my own peoples I shall have in mind that it is fitting that such a beacon should serve as a light to guide my steps."

There was applause and shouts of "The cake". I took the figures from the top and placed them carefully in my pocket. Then together we cut the cake; there was another ripple of applause.

She whispered in my ear, "We may depart whenever you please. I am ready."

People were returning to the second room and the dance floor, we followed the crowd. We continued on to the outer doors, then onto the pier, where the boatmen stopped lounging and handed us onto a boat. The sun was kissing the earth, giving a bright red display on the remaining clouds, which in turn was reflected in the ripples across the harbour.

The coach awaited us, and I insisted that we first collect the bottle of brandy that was still in the sweet box below my bed. As we pulled up outside Antics house I was surprised to see that he was in attendance, standing in front of his door after alighting from his own coach.

He must have left even before us to be here now; he waited puzzled to see us. 

I explained the situation, both our call for the brandy, and our presence on the mainland. 

He immediately invited us to spend our last night there, saying that he would have our travelling clothes and wedding dress picked up and delivered to us here in time for the coach. 

As we entered he sent someone to retrieve the bottle while Sissy attended to her toilet. I walked with him to the lounge, telling him of the Princes attempted ambush of Sisoft. And also of my intense dislike of the prince. I kept my suspicions that the prince had a finger in the pie, and my determination to keep my eye on him, guarded.

No sooner than we entered and sat, still discussing the Princes actions, than the servant returned with the battered box that contained the precious cargo. 

I took it from the box; it was just a plain glass bottle with a deep red fluid. It was in a way a symbol, surviving the chaos and destruction of our home, the journey here, now the last remnant of what was, was being used to consummate the new order. 

It would serve us now as both a reminder of home and the start of the new road before us. As Sissy returned, glasses were produced and I solemnly poured the beverage into the glasses. 

With glasses raised we toasted her father. "To those departed, remembered and given life in our thoughts. The last ever of you fathers vintage, drunk in memory of what was a way of life that will never be again." 

Antic took but the smallest sip before announcing that he was ready for his bed. He bid us use either bedroom and bade us goodnight, saying lastly that our transport would be waiting at the old palace from two hours after sun up.

We savoured the bottle that I had husbanded; sat together on the sofa, her with her back to my chest holding my arm around her waist. 

We drank but two glasses apiece before resealing the bottle, saving the remainder for the birth of our first child. 

I would have been content to sit as we were all night but, the marital bed was waiting, and we had waited long enough.

I gave her my letter before we climbed the stair, making her promise that it would be ten years before she opened it.

We were tipsy, happy drunk, she had the giggles. As we mounted the stair I felt the urge to toilet. Grasping her hand, I brought it to my lips. 

Kissing it briefly I said, "My love I need to toilet." 

Releasing her hand I started taking the stair at a more hurried pace, she kept pace with me as we walked rapidly to her room. I walked straight to the toilet and loosened my buttons; her hand dipped in and seized my member, pulling it out. 

She pointed it at the bowl, but had not slid the foreskin back. I laid my hand atop of hers gently easing the head of my penis out. I released the torrent and she giggled as she directed the stream around in the bowl. I could feel my bladder contract as she gleefully wetted every part. When it had dribbled its last I took her hand to the root and squeezing I pushed up and the last dribble splashed down. 

She pulled my head to hers with her free hand, whispering to me, "Undress me"

She continued to hold my rapidly engorging penis as we walked to the bed, releasing it when I began to unbutton her. First was her waistcoat and blouse, followed by the voluminous skirt. 

The bustier was next, freeing her breasts. Then, kneeling, her panties. 

I peeled them slowly down to reveal the bush of her hair, then her blush red lips, and finally the wrinkly brown tips of the inner lips. 

As I pulled the panties down to her ankles, she raised one leg shaking the panties off, the pinkness of her inner lips flashed before me. Then the other and another peek, the wrinkled bud opening like a pink butterfly emerging from its chrysalis. 

The smell of her musky aroma intoxicated me; I began rubbing my hands up her stockings, beyond the tops and round to cup her ass cheeks. I kissed her navel, running my tongue around and inside. 

Moving my hands to her hips I guided her backwards to the bed. As she lay back I took her knees over my shoulders. I grasped her hips again and eased her to the edge of the bed. Sliding my hands between her thighs I parted them wide and high. She held her legs there, looking down in puzzlement. 

I dipped my finger in my mouth, and with her looking over her breasts at me I touched it to her clitoris, slowly making small circles then rubbing it across. 

She looped her arms around her legs and pulled them flatter. My finger wandered lower, brushing over the protruding tips I felt the small movements of her body as I put my split fingers aside her labia, gently squashing them together, slowly moving them to the top, squeezing her inner lips as it ran through them.

Then I let them slide back down again. I let my fingers glide further, down into the crevice of her cheeks. 

As my finger brushed her anal rosebud, sliding over the wrinkled button she sighed, pressing closer. 

Instead of her vulva I directed my tongue there and gently circled it. I let the light hair slide across my tongue two or three times, as I circled it she shivered with delight. Then I ran my tongue between her legs and into her vagina. 

I felt the wetness as I tasted her swollen lips, running it twice over the outer before letting it slip between the inner. I heard her moans as wiggling it, I pushed it in deeper, the taste was salty sweet. 

I moved it up and touched the hood of her clitoris, swirling my tongue around it and moving my lips in to suck it gently. The moans were louder now and her hips bucked pushing my mouth hard against her. 

Suddenly there was alarm downstairs, doors were banged and voices raised. I heard the word 'FIRE'; I grabbed Sissy's hand and clothed us in nightclothes as we rushed to the door and down the stair. I stopped one of the servants as she went to the front door.

"Where's the fire" I asked. 

She pointed out the door, Sissy and I stepped through and saw a house ablaze on the other side of the bay. Around us plainly seen in the light of the full moon, were the occupants of the other fine houses, similarly enthralled by the spectacle. 

"What is it?" I asked of one of the servants.

"It is the prince's summer house, the one on the west rim."

The very one that had been offered for our use. If he sought to trap us then he had destroyed the house for naught; we were safe watching the blaze from afar.

I looked at Sissy.

"Do you think it an accident?"

She shook her head, "No, but we are safe here and tomorrow we will be away."

She squeezed my hand. "Let us be back abed, we have our wedding night to enjoy."

The very thought of her made my penis start to rise again and I turned, re-entering the house with her. 

Holding hands we raced back up to the bedroom. Closing the door I let our clothes fade and held her at arm's length, looking at her naked beauty. 

My penis fully erect attracted her attention and she grasped it first with one hand then two, before crouching and kissing it.

I caught her arms and pulled her up, kissing her and sliding my tongue into her mouth where she playfully pushed at it with hers. Still kissing I lifted her and let my penis find its way between her legs; she clenched it hard as I moved us back to the bed. I held her firm as I let myself fall across the bed, rolling to my side. 

She released my mouth and I could see the excitement in her eyes, the enjoyment in her face, when my hand found her breast; her nipple was hard under my palm. 

My mouth sought her other breast and I teased the nipple with my teeth pulling it and then letting it slide through. I attacked the other nipple while I slipped my hand down to her navel, using my little finger to circle it and penetrate its depths. 

Her breath was coming fast and shallow as she bit into my shoulder; I found her mouth with my right hand and ran my forefinger round her lips. She took it into her mouth and sucked and stroked it with her tongue. My left hand had reached the tangle of her bush and began teasing it, pushing the fingers in and stretching her curly mop of hair out slowly. I swapped nipples again and sucked as hard as I could, her hand pulling me tighter. I slowly pulled my finger from her mouth and circled her lips again as the finger of my other hand found her clitoris, and pressed it softly, making little circles. 




The Dragon Ring Ch. 07



Her nails pressed deep into my back as a sound escaped her lips, "Ahhh." Encouraged by her delight I pushed my fingers further squeezing them down the outside of her vagina and drawing them back up through the centre to her clitoris again. 

She swallowed my finger again, nipping my knuckle with her teeth then releasing it as a louder "Ohhh" assailed my ear. I moved my mouth to hers and kissed her lightly once, twice, thrice, then a half dozen times on her nose and cheeks, while my hand cradled her head. 

My other fingers were still playing with her clit, squeezing it then rubbing it gently back and forth then up and down. I moved my fingers down, my three fingers split and centred her vagina, pressing the middle one into the wet opening and deep, seeking the G spot, while my thumb took up residence over her clit.

I was rewarded by two loud "ahhh ahhh" as she bucked her hips again and again. 

My mouth sought out her nipple again and I squeezed it between my teeth, licking furiously at its tip in time to my plunging finger in her wet vagina. The skin on her abdomen slick now with sweat.

"I want you inside me," she gasped. "Please I want you inside me." 

I wanted her to feel my full length, it had never felt harder. I released her nipple. 

"Turn on your knees," I commanded; she twisted raising her backside into the air. I gripped her hips and took my penis in hand, kneeling behind her. There was blood running down her legs and on the bed, bright red blood, and my mind remembered the moon, full outside as we looked at the fire, her menses were on her again.





Note –

Religion – Father, Mother, Son and Daughter, collectively the holy family

Father – bringer of summer and winter in its season, 

Mother – the bountiful earth giver of sustenance, 

Son – leader, warrior, a man amongst men, 

Daughter – mothering nurture keeper of the home

To exhibit the qualities is to be touched by the god(ess) - madness is attributed to the unseen spirit of the greater moon, stealing the mind, the spirit also puts evil into the heart of men by stealing the good from them, or stealing badness on the full moon to give saints.

Oh, 

With apologies to anyone offended, 

Not by the words but by the unapologetic plagiarisms