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Wizard of Zovoe Chapter 5: Serving and Servicing the Tong (MF MFF magic) � 2010 Rhys.The.Mage Ch. 1 || Ch. 2 || Ch. 3 || Ch. 4 || Ch. 5 || Ch. 6 || Ch. 7 || Ch. 8 || Ch. 9 || Ch. 10 || Ch. 11 [1] During the day they passed a number of travelers, all of whom seemed legitimate merchants or wanderers. Much of the day for Jillian was spent studying magic and asking questions of Rhys. Mostly, she was wondered about a repeat of the previous night in the forest. Her concern did not lessen as the enormous trees of the Tong forest at last came into view. “What is it?” Rhys asked. “I have never seen such trees. Need we go through the forest?” “There is one way around it, but the Tong provides a sturdy barrier to those of ill will.” As they finished cresting the last hill between them and the forest, the span and size of the forest became clear. Having seen it many times before, he realized he had forgotten his initial amazement years ago. The Tong was an ancient forest, protected by its denizens, its borders respected by all reasonable men. Many of the trees were thousands of years old, twenty or thirty feet around at the bottom and a hundred yards in height. They were awe inspiring. “Going around is possible, but the road through the forest is much safer than the one that skirts the coast.” “So the stories are not to be believed?” “The stories of travelers killed by the forest? Oh, they are undoubtedly based on truth, as many legends are. But the question is how much truth.” “How much?” “Just so. The truth may be that they were killed. But what did they do to earn it, eh? That is the part that is often left out. In a few parts of the world nature is more than able to protect itself. Especially when most men respect it. The Tong is such a place.” Jillian nodded absently, staring at the towering forest ahead that seemed to swallow up the road. “A quiet night would be welcome.” “Er, quiet, perhaps not. Safe, yes.” “What?” “We will be quite safe from attack within the forest, but I am afraid the dryads owe me a favor, and they will be keen to deliver.” “And the stories about the dryads sucking the life from men are no doubt only true in part.” Rhys smiled. “You see, you understand already.” He raised his voice. “Gylal,” he called, “my apprentice is brilliant.” Jillian slapped him on his back, and wondered just what kind of a night was likely ahead for them. [2] Upon entering the forest the darkness that enveloped them was total. The gloom affected everyone despite the sounds of life around them. Even though it was still an hour until sunset, the amount of light blocked by the thick forest gave one the impression it was several hours later. The forest appeared to swallow up all sound from their party as they continued on the road, but the forest itself was far from quiet as birds and animals chirped all around. The darkness made their little band close ranks as if to conserve warmth or to give a feeling of greater numbers, but to no avail. The Tong had surrounded them, and it would not give them up until morning. Ahead and behind them the trail seemed to vanish. “I presume you have an idea of where to go now that we cannot find our way?” Gylal asked Rhys in a quiet voice. “Why do you whisper? It is not as if the forest can hear you. Besides, if there is no road to follow then we do not need to leave it now, do we?” “Hold,” Gylal called out. He searched his saddlebags for something. “Allow me,” Rhys said, and held up a hand, "Feny.” A brilliant light spread out from his hand and illuminated the area all around them, revealing dozens of pairs of eyes. “Gods!” Zilan exclaimed. “Or perhaps the forest can hear you,” Rhys said. “Master Wizard,” a feminine voice called from the darkness, “we know you, but we do not know these others. The Tong is prepared to shelter only those that respect her.” “Mistress Erdore, my fellow travelers respect the forest and mean only to stay the night. They respect the wood.” The voice laughed, “Respect, eh? You will remember it was only you we owed a favor. Why are you in my demesne?” “Rhys?” Jillian asked softly, tugging on his sleeve. He patted her arm. “Mistress, we are on a quest to find a sorcerer most foul,” Rhys began, and was interrupted again by laughter. He continued. “Only two days ago he sent a maltuse to attack us, and we believe he has a namaah in thrall as well.” The laughter stopped, was replaced by a chorus of hissing. “Such creatures would not dare to enter here,” said the unseen woman. “What do you propose?” “The lady is with me, this party is also with me. These men will keep you warm even as the Tong wards off evil creatures this night.” There was some muttering from Gylal and the men. The eyes in the darkness became eight nude young women. Their skin was a curious mixture of brown and green, with eyes of deep black and hair to match. Two of the women approached each of the four men. “Rhys, what are you doing?” Gylal said. Rhys ignored the question, spoke to the unseen owner of the voice. “Do we have a bargain Erdore?” A rustling of leaves was followed by a trio of bird calls and a soft voice on the wind. “Yes,” was the single word of reply. The forest women were now prodding the men from their mounts. “Rhys?” Gylal said, a bit more urgently. “Go with them and do as they ask. Just a word of caution. Make no promises, and agree to nothing. We will see you all in the morning.” Jillian dismounted and grabbed her bedroll. “I assume we won't have a fire here in the woods, so how can we cook or stay warm?” “I suggest simple rations, but the forest will provide some nuts and fruits. As for keeping warm..” he let the obvious hint hang in the air. “After this morning? Aside from sleep what I need from you are more answers. And what of them? I suppose they will be fucking those dryads all night.” “Probably only part of the night. The dryads will let them sleep when they have had their fill.” “Cute. Now, can we eat and talk?” “And then?” “Insatiable wizard. I don't suppose there is a river nearby where we can bathe?” “Not a river, but the forest can provide.” “So, why does Erdore owe you a favor?” Rhys sighed. “A long story, and one for a time when her ears not listening.” “She listens now? I thought she was gone?” “Erdore is the forest, as far as we are concerned. She is all around us.” Jillian nodded, then proceeded to quiz Rhys endlessly about creatures and their weaknesses. Some other thoughts crossed her mind. “Is it possible to cast a spell on an object? To make it magical, say a torch that is always bright?” Rhys nodded, then shook his head. “Yes, and no. It is possible to enchant some items, but there has been very little research on it to my knowledge.” “Little research does not mean it cannot be done.” From the darkness a man groaned in obvious sexual release. “Well, at least the dryads will be happy. It can be done, but to have any lasting effect it requires fearsome amounts of energy. And then there are practical reasons for not doing it.” “Practical?” “Of course. For starters, if one had, say, a ring that could light up the dark. Why would one need a wizard?” “One could buy a torch, and the wizard would have energy for other things.” “Eh, true. But the real problem is that from what I know only a few types of enchantments can be placed permanently on objects, and the energy required is not to be trifled with.” “So you haven't tried it?” “Oh no, I did. Once. A simple request from a friend that I attempted to grant. I have no desire to repeat that mistake.” “Perhaps some research might make things easier or more understandable?” “Perhaps, and perhaps I might get myself killed. What kind of enchantment were you envisioning?” “Something like a protection circle. Why? What did you try?” “A friend asked me to create a ring that would make the wearer invisible. I thought it would be easy enough after all the potions and spells of that kind that I had created and used, but I underestimated the thirst of the metal for the magic. Your protection idea would doubtless be worse.” A group of squirrels bounced over to where they sat and dropped a number of nuts on the ground near them. “Thank you,” Rhys said, and the squirrels chirped and ran off. Jillian took a few of the nuts and ate them. “I must hear that story.” “Mmhmm.” “Have you considered researching the matter?” “Of course I have. I read everything I could get my hands on and it told me nothing but the obvious. I do not control you, but you should leave that area alone and let legends lie.” “Legends? What legends.” “Blast. There are reports, mostly legends, of a few objects of the like. Perhaps they were the odd successes of an exceptionally powerful wizard. Perhaps they came about in a totally different way.” A second man, probably Gylal, was making another dryad happy from the sound of it. Jillian was now intrigued. “Would you tell me of one of the legends?” Rhys sighed. “Perhaps the most common theme is that of a wizard who is trying to preserve his power beyond death. The mage figures out a way to do this and transfers his power into certain objects. The process is difficult and typically the objects end up with only a small bit of his power despite the great energy needed to convey it.” Jillian nodded. “Oh, I don't know, the ring of invisibility would seem to require quite a bit of power to function forever, even if it is only one effect.” “True, but it would hardly be as if I had transferred all of my power into a ring.” Jillian grinned, understanding, and he continued. “I suspect, given the rarity of the legends and sightings of the objects, that not only are powerful wizards rare, but so is the right material.” “But you have not gone looking for this material.” “No, and I would not know where to begin.” “You said, mostly legends. What do you mean?” He sighed, his eyes revealing the age she had taken from him. “Many, many years ago I was asked by my first patron to verify that a set of objects he wished to purchase were magical. I was presented with a collection of things to examine, and out of all of them a sword, a ring and an amulet seemed different. Never having encountered such things before, I was unable to discern much more, but there was something disturbing about them.” “What do you mean?” “It was only a feeling, and it makes me cringe to think of it, even today. There was a certain malevolence to them, if you knew what to sense. The sword, in particular, seemed to know I had guessed its secret.” “Odd.” “And disturbing. My patron later said he had been given a chance to bid on a sword of unmatched power, a ring that will protect its wearer, and an amulet that promised the world. I know that he was not able to acquire them.” “And even though those were real, you have not pursued this?” “Jillian, I tell you there was something simply wrong with them. Even then, in my stupidity I tried to replicate the objects, but the materials could never hold the energy. Once, with the ring, I appeared to be on to something only to be proven quite in error.” “That does not mean it cannot be done.” “No, it does not. And some day I may demonstrate why this is not an area to be pursued. Lest you try on your own.” “But..” “But for now we should enjoy the forest.” A third man signaled his giving happiness to a dryad. “And add our noise to theirs.” Jillian embraced him, pulled the tie on her bodice. “To the forest then,” and she pulled his head down to her breasts. The wizard suckled the proffered nipples and she tangled her fingers in his hair. Rhys' hands stroked her thighs, and Jillian spread them wide to give him full access. Rhys stroked her pussy lips, found her wet as he always did. He shifted his mouth to her neck and continued to tease her pussy. Jillian grabbed his fingers and thrust them into her pussy, urging him on. He curled his fingers and she fucked his hand. In no time at all she peaked. In the weak light from the stars that filtered down to them through the canopy, she held his face in her hands and looked in his eyes, “Rhys, please mount your sorceress and fuck her.” “If that is your desire,” he said, and rolled between her spread legs. He was within her in seconds, thrusting his cock into her in long hard strokes, just the way she loved it. She wrapped her legs around him and urged him on. A flash of light distracted her, and she the afterimage of a woman seated on the trunk of a fallen tree. Her distraction did not keep the cock within her from driving her higher. She pulled Rhys close. “Erdore, or one of her dryads, is watching us.” Rhys was unconcerned and he continued to plow her furrow with full strokes. “The forest wants you to be happy, just as the dryads are happy. What is she doing?” Jillian was watching the woman and listening as Rhys talked. Another brief flash of light revealed the woman was furiously thrusting two fingers into her cunt even as Jillian watched. “She's fucking herself while she watches us.” “Yes, and those flashes are the orgasms of the women nearby: her dryads and you.” Jillian stopped Rhys, then she got on all fours, and looked right at the shadowy form of Erdore as Rhys mounted her from behind. “Talk to her,” he said. “Lady, can I help you?” Erdore smiled, stood, and closed the distance between them. As Rhys continued to fuck Jillian, Erdore sat nude in front of her, legs outstretched, her pussy inches from Jillian's face. She spread herself with her fingers in an obvious invitation. Jillian did not hesitate before lashing out with her tongue at the pussy of the Forest Guardian. She found the forest spirit tasted of the great outdoors, grass, and fruits all in one. Erdore gave a sharp intake of breath as Jillian locked on her clit. Rhys smiled and grunted at the sight, continued to pound the eager pussy surrounding his cock even as its owner worked over the forest queen. Jillian managed a 'hmmm' sound through her efforts. Erdore stroked Jillian's hair, “A mortal who satisfies my need is owed a favor, as your wizard well knows.” Jillian needed no encouragement, for the situation was intense and she wanted nothing more than for Erdore to join them in release in the glory of the deep forest. Jillian, feeling that her orgasm would be on her in seconds, thrust two fingers into Erdore and, covering her teeth with her lips, clamped down firmly on the Guardian's clit. Even as Rhys took Jillian and himself over the top, groaning loudly at the glory of coming inside his love and under the stars, Jillian's orgasm pushed Erdore over the brink and light exploded around them as the demi-goddess shrieked in joy. The triple orgasm lasted a long time, and when Rhys and Jillian opened their eyes they were alone. Above their own heavy breathing, they heard the sounds of the dryads continuing their pleasant harvest. [3] Rhys awoke a little before the others. He softly moved Jillian's arm to avoid waking her, and was about to head into the forest when when the wind whispered to him. “Bring her.” He reached down and shook Jillian awake. Disoriented briefly, she rose and followed him into the forest as he bid her, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. They walked into the dark forest about twenty paces when a woman came into view just a bit in front of him. Rhys stopped, and bowed. “Mistress Erdore.” “Dispense with the pleasantries Master wizard, they do not become you.” “Thank you for your hospitality last night. We will leave you shortly.” “We are even wizard. Your men were most, ah, accomodating, last night.” Rhys nodded, she continued. “But there is much for us to talk about. First, I have a debt to settle.” Erdore stepped forward and stood directly in front of Jillian. Suddenly in her hand was a four foot long, inch and a half thick twisted piece of solid wood. It had interwoven elements of light and dark that almost seemed to writhe in the forest woman's hands. Erdore held it in front of her with one hand, clearly offering it to Jillian. “Lady Jillian, you will accept this staff from the Guardian of the Tong and the Defender of the Wyr.” Jillian nodded and took the staff with both her hands. It felt alive, and she regarded it almost reverently. “It is beautiful. Thank you Mistress for a piece of your guard.” A brief look of pain crossed Erdore's face, but then her countenance shifted and she smiled. “You are welcome, but that is from the heart of the Wyr, not my Tong. And you need not thank me. It is payment for the the debt of another.” Jillian looked at Rhys, back to Erdore. “I, I don't understand.” Erdore grinned, a slightly wry smile. “For service to the Defender. We pay our debts.” Jillian shook her head. “I thought that was a dream.” Erdore did not reply. “And in addition, as you served me last night, I owe you a favor. But you may not claim it now.” She turned to Rhys. “I have information for you, if you are inclined to hear it.” “Why does Erdore grant me this boon?” She laughed. “Boon? Nay, you will definitely be in my debt when you hear it.” Rhys frowned slightly, “How great a debt?” “You are honorable, for a wizard. When we have told you what we know, we require a confidence.” Rhys nodded and bowed slightly, “I agree, of course.” Erdore, Lady of the Forest, paced. “The creatures of which you spoke, the maltuse and the namaah, are given form in this the world by the taking of life energy from this world.” She spat, “It is an abomination. The mage you seek defiles us by bringing such filth to this plane.” Rhys did not fear Erdore's obvious anger for it was not directed at him, but he knew the object of that anger should be afraid. “How can I help?” She spun on him. “Make no mistake, wizard, you are helping yourself. This is a problem for men.” Rhys bowed in contrition, she continued. “The one you seek lies beyond Om. Even now he plans his retreat from Anora, but he leaves another behind.” “Another?” “One he has trained. And he sends someone to meet you in the Tengerpartal.” “Good, I tire of looking for him.” “Oh, there is more. Though we have not sensed them for many decades, the three objects of which you spoke last night are in play in the world again.” “You jest..” Erdore shook her head. “One of them is here in Anora. The apprentice carries it.” Rhys sighed, “Of course he does. Is there anything else?” “Mage, listen and believe. You are correct that the objects are evil. Under no circumstances should you use them. Do anything more than simply determine they are enchanted and you risk corruption. I must insist the rest stays between us. That is the confidence I require for this information.” Rhys and Jillian both nodded. Erdore held her hands tightly clasped. “You must return them here when you find them. Tell no one of the fate of the objects save that you took care of them. I will remove their blight from the land.” Rhys bowed. “Yes, Lady. I will keep this confidence.” Jillian followed Rhys's lead, repeated his words. “Good. We wish you success. It is, after all, greatly in our interests for you to succeed. Therefore, I give you this.” She held forth a small lump of metal. Rhys took the formless object, he weighed it at a pound. “And this is?” “The, how did you put it? 'Right material?” She turned and walked away from him, vanishing into the forest. “Do not fail us,” the wind said. Rhys felt a chill as he rolled the lump of metal in his hand. They returned to the camp to find four well rested men. “Where have you two been?” Gylal asked. “Selling my soul for information,” Rhys said. “Oh? And did the forest accept such a low price?” “Charming. No, but that is the way of it.” They ate as a group as the men told short tales of the previous night. Rhys asked, “I trust all of you remembered my directions last night?” “Aye,” Lusan said, “I did nothing more than moan my head off as those dryads took me for all I was worth.” Kiba and Zilan nodded in agreement. Rhys looked at Gylal, who also nodded. “Good, then we need to mount up and ride.” As they packed the horses the road through the forest slowly became visible. Next Chapter |