by Sarah Hawke
I sighed and shook my head as the guard led me up a nearby staircase to the Citadel’s main entrance. We walked through a large, pristine marble corridor before he pushed me into a holding cell where visitors could safely meet with guests. To my relief, the girls were already waiting inside.
“Don’t try anything stupid,” the guard said, closing the cell door. “When your visitor arrives, stand clear of the bars and behave yourself. Otherwise you’ll—”
“End up in the Vault,” I finished for him. “I heard you the first fifty times.”
The man glared at me for a long moment, then abruptly turned and continued down the corridor. Valuri waited all of about five seconds before she started tearing into me.
“Two days,” Valuri said, crossing her arms and scowling at me. “We’ve been back together for two whole days and you already found a way to get us thrown in prison!”
“Nice to see you, too,” I muttered.
“Did you forget that I spent the last three fucking months in the Inquisitrix’s dungeon thanks to you?”
“How could he when you constantly berate him about it?” Kaseya asked.
Valuri shot the amazon a baleful glare. “We would have already been out of here if you had just let me sweet-talk that guard yesterday.”
“You were lying to him.”
“Of course I was lying to him! That was the whole bloody point!”
“There is no honor in deception.”
Valuri grimaced. “You challenged him to a duel, and when he refused you threatened to kill him if he didn’t let you see Jorem. Did you seriously think that would help?”
“I knew he would be too cowardly to accept my challenge,” Kaseya said. “I thought I could intimidate him instead.”
Valuri smacked her head and ran her fingers back through her black hair. “You see what I’ve had to deal with this whole time?”
“And here I was worried that the two of you wouldn’t get along,” I muttered, leaning against the back wall.
“This isn’t funny,” Valuri said, shifting her glare back to me. “And how the hell did you get caught in the first place? You honestly didn’t know that the Mage’s Guild was spying on you? Even after you met Magister Moustache the first time?”
“I assumed I would notice if they started poking around, and Rethon seemed like he was just posturing,” I said, wincing at how lame the defense sounded to my own ears. “Besides, it wasn’t like we had much of a choice. We were running out of coin, and magic was the only way for us to find the information we needed.”
“No, it was the lazy way for you to find the information you needed,” Valuri countered. “You’ve always relied on the Aether too much. If I hadn’t taken pity on you, the Senosi would have caught and killed you years ago.”
I stood and got right up in her face. As usual, she didn’t flinch in the slightest.
“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” I grumbled. “You have no idea how much I’ve restrained myself since coming to Highwind.”
“Jorem, you nearly killed yourself by overchanneling on Ayrael’s ship.”
“That’s… different,” I managed.
“Is it?” Valuri pressed. “Kaseya also told me that you roasted a few dozen bandits and nearly burned down a whole fortress in the wilds. Were you restraining yourself then?”
“Our lives were at stake,” I protested. “I didn’t have a choice.”
“Did you have a choice when you started charming whores and wenches and guards?” Valuri scoffed and shook her head. “Unbelievable. You spent your whole life as a fugitive in Vorsalos, Jorem. Since when did you get so stupid? I taught you better than that!”
I started to respond but swore under my breath instead. She was right, of course—I had been more reckless than usual recently. I obviously should have been more careful after my initial confrontation with Rethon, too, but I hadn’t expected the wizards to be able to follow my Aetheric trail without my knowledge…
I sighed and pinched at my nose. The other problem was that I had spent so many years traveling with Valuri that I had grown more dependent upon her Senosi abilities than I wanted to admit. As long as she was around, my channeling didn’t leave a trail—she could easily absorb any residual echoes of my magic.
“I still cannot believe your people would dare to imprison such a skilled moshalim ,” Kaseya whispered. “They should be celebrating and harnessing your power, not trying to shackle it.”
Valuri grunted. “You’re cute, honey, but here in the real world you can’t just give dangerous channelers a morning blowjob and expect them to behave. Sorcery is deadly and terrifying in the wrong hands. It needs to be controlled.”
Kaseya frowned. “If you agree with your Inquisitrix, then why are you here helping Jorem?”
“The Inquisitrix wants to chop the balls off male sorcerers and brainwash female ones into serving her,” Valuri replied. “Just because I can accept the reality that the Aether is dangerous doesn’t mean I embrace her whole worldview. She’s a crazy, psychopathic cunt with far too much power and influence.”
I sighed again and gently pushed my forehead against the bars. “Look, we all just need to relax,” I said. “The two of you haven’t actually broken any laws.”
Valuri scoffed. “What difference does that make?”
“This isn’t Vorsalos—the rule of law actually matters here,” I told her. “I guarantee they’ll let the two of you go eventually.”
“What about you?” Kaseya asked.
I shrugged. “I channeled the Aether without a license. I suspect they’ll want to lock me up for a little while.”
“That is unacceptable. I will not leave your side, Maskari .”
I grunted and smiled despite myself. I still wasn’t sure what to make of her fanatical loyalty, but I knew she meant every word. I also knew that I hadn’t fucked her in almost three days, and I desperately wanted to correct that oversight as quickly as possible. I was honestly a little surprised she hadn’t dropped to her knees and tried to drain me the moment we’d been reunited, guards be damned.
“You’ll have to, at least for a while,” I said, lowering my voice and glancing back and forth down the nearby corridor. I didn’t see any signs of our “visitor” or anyone else yet, but I knew we still needed to be careful what we said. This was a prison run by wizards, after all—there were probably magical sensors all over the place in here.
“What he means is that he’s expecting us to break him out,” Valuri said. “The irony is so thick I think I’m going to gag.”
Kaseya frowned. “What? But how could we—”
“Tsst,” I hissed through my teeth as I made a sealed lips motion with my hand. Val of all people should have known better.
“There’s no one standing in the corridor, and their magical sensors won’t be able to hear me,” Valuri said, tapping her arm to remind us of her concealed Senosi tattoos. “I can say whatever I want—you two are the ones who need to be careful.”
“You don’t know that for certain,” I warned. “This place is built to hold monsters with all kinds of horrifying abilities. Who knows what kind of lingering enchantments they have in place?”
“I’m sure they’re all very impressive, but they still won’t be able to affect me.”
“You’re certain?”
“Certain enough,” she said, shrugging. “Like you said, I’ll probably be out on the streets soon. You’re the one who’s screwed.”
I groaned. “Thanks, Val. It’s so great knowing you always have my back.”
“I do not understand why you put up with her,” Kaseya said. “She is cold, capricious, and dishonorable.”
“Oh, get over yourself, sugar tits,” Valuri said. “Maybe if you could keep your mouth shut we’d—”
“Enough,” I said, glancing back out into the corridor. I wanted to tell them about my bump-in with Silhouette, but I couldn’t take the risk. “Do you have any idea who our visitor is?”
“So
meone important, judging from how the guards were reacting,” Valuri said. “Maybe you got the attention of the councilors. Or maybe even the Archmage himself.”
I nibbled at my lip. “I don’t know if that’s good or bad.”
“Well, let’s see: he hates Senosi, he hates sorcerers…the only one who is safe is Kaseya, at least until she blurts out something that gets us all into trouble.”
I started to argue, but a moment later the door at the end of the corridor opened. A pair of Citadel guards stepped inside, and behind them I heard the unexpected but unmistakable click of high heels on stone. The footsteps approached slowly but deliberately, and I found myself holding my breath until a tall, statuesque high elf woman walked into view.
She was, without a doubt, one of the most stunning women I had ever seen. Like most elves, she had high, stately cheekbones and flawless white skin. She tucked her long golden hair back in a tightly-braided ponytail that dangled halfway down her back, though her movements were so graceful and measured it barely even swished back and forth when she walked. Despite her fairly conservative outfit—a hip-hugging, knee-length blue dress—the sight of her bright blue eyes and slender body was enough to make my cock twinge in my trousers. Her five inch heels and ample cleavage were enough to make it spring upright.
“Leave us,” she said to the nearby guards.
“But, my lady, we should—”
“Leave us.”
The two men shared a nervous glance, then quickly scurried out of the room and closed the door behind them.
“The fugitive sorcerer from Vorsalos,” the elf woman said in a smooth, cultured voice once we were alone. “Interesting. I hope you are as knowledge as you say.”
“So do I,” I squeaked, forcing an awkward smile. “My name is Jorem Farr. My friends and I—”
“I know who you are,” she interrupted. “And just as importantly, I know who your friends are. Valuri Sorvaal, former Senosi Huntress and personal assassin for the Grand Inquisitrix. Kaseya Tal’Shira, amazon warrior from Nol Krovos.”
I swallowed heavily, still trying to figure out exactly who we were dealing with. The woman’s elegant dress wasn’t exactly a Guild-issue robe or tunic, which meant she obviously wasn’t just some random lackey. Perhaps she was a full Magistrix like Rethon…or perhaps she was something else entirely.
“Impressive,” Valuri said. “If you know who we are, then you must know how useful we could be to someone in your position. I doubt many prisoners here warrant a personal visit from the Headmistress of the Highwind Academy.”
I pursed my lips and resisted the urge to swear. No, this woman definitely wasn’t a random Guild lackey—Headmistress Telanya was the one of the most powerful and influential people in the whole damn city. The rumor on the street was that she had come here from Nelu’Thalas just over a year ago, and she had married Archmage Beloran not long afterwards. I felt like any idiot for not realizing who she was the moment I’d seen her. As usual, I decided to blame my overeager cock for clouding my judgment…
Telanya studied Valuri for several long seconds before she finally smiled. “Many wizards in this city would gladly see a Senosi Huntress hanged. They know what you stand for and what you represent.”
“Fair enough, but I’m not here on behalf of the Grand Inquisitrix,” Valuri said. “Quite the opposite, in fact. My friends and I are hoping we can convince the fine people of your city that the Senosi threat is even greater than they realize.”
“The people don’t need convincing,” Telanya replied. “The rabble is easily roused and frightened. The more difficult task will be persuading the Highwind Council to take action. They are so distracted by local politics that they refuse to see the true threat on the horizon.”
“We know more about that threat than anyone,” I said, an excited flutter in my stomach. It seemed like there was an opportunity here, assuming we didn’t fuck it up. “I’ve spent my whole life avoiding the Senosi. Valuri knows the workings of the Vorsalosian elite than anyone. And Kaseya…well, she’s personally acquainted with the Inquisitrix’s new right-hand woman.”
Telanya swept her eyes over us one by one. I couldn’t help but wonder how powerful of a channeler she was…or if she had the same attitude towards sorcerers that her husband did. The elves of Nelu’Thalas were far more accepting of all kinds of magic—perhaps that was why she was willing to speak with me.
I also couldn’t help but wonder what she looked like naked, but I did my best to bury that particular question before it got me into trouble.
“You have made some serious mistakes, Jorem Farr,” she said after a moment. “Using the Aether to manipulate the minds and memories of Highwind citizens is a serious crime. The Highwind Council will demand that my husband judge you harshly.”
“But they don’t know anything about me just yet, do they?” I asked, sensing where she might be going with this. “And you want to make me an offer to keep it that way.”
Her eyes focused upon me. “I am concerned about the safety of this city. As you said, the Senosi are a grave threat—one that many of my colleagues refuse to see. I think you may possess useful information on their strategy and capabilities.” She took a step closer to the bars. “I also think there may be something else you can do for me.”
I smiled. “We’re listening.”
“I’m afraid I cannot discuss it here,” she said. “The three of you will be released into my custody, and you will attend a dinner at our estate this evening. Once there, you will tell my husband and I everything you know about the Inquisitrix.”
“I would be happy to,” I told her, and meant it. My heart had started racing with in my chest. Fate, it seemed, hadn’t completely abandoned me just yet.
“Good,” Telanya said. “The warden will release you shortly. My associates will meet you outside and make sure you are properly dressed for the occasion tonight.” She started to turn away but then pivoted back towards us a second later. “I’m sure I don’t need to tell you that I am taking a significant risk by clearing your name in this way. If you don’t end want to spend the rest of your lives rotting in a cell, I suggest you do exactly as I say from this point onward.”
“We understand,” I assured her. “And we won’t disappoint you.”
“We shall see.”
Telanya turned and left the room, the clicking of her heels echoing through the stone corridor. When she started whispering something to the guards outside, I ran a hand across my face and glanced back to the girls.
“That was…unexpected.”
“She’s desperate,” Valuri said, a dark smile on her lips. “I could see it in her face and hear it in her voice.”
“She must be if she’s reaching out to a group of total strangers from a rival city-state,” I said. “What could the wife of the Archmage and the Headmistress of the Highwind Academy possibly want from us?”
“I don’t know,” Valuri said. “But I can’t wait to find out.”
***
The guard eventually introduced us to Telanya’s “associates” outside the Grey Citadel, and it was immediately clear that we were simply being handed off from one set of guards to another. Two of the men were Guild wizards, judging from their robes, and the third was a genuine servant who seemed positively giddy at the prospect of getting the three of us ready for the night’s festivities.
The girls reacted more or less exactly how I had expected: Kaseya was a good sport but found whole thing frivolous; Valuri griped constantly despite the fact she was clearly enjoying every minute of it. By the time we finished it was only an hour or so before nightfall, and the servant quickly bought us a carriage and pointed us toward the Archmage’s estate.
“I’m still not completely clear what you wish to accomplish,” Kaseya said once we finally had a modicum of privacy inside the carriage.
“Getting us out of a prison was a good start,” I said. “Getting you into that dress was a nice bonus.”
Both women were undeniably
radiant in their new attire. Kaseya had traded her red armor for a red dress, and the design had made my cock stir the moment I’d laid eyes on it. The long slit on the side of the floor-length skirt showed off her shapely legs, and the crisscrossing halter top gently cradled her breasts while leaving her back and navel exposed. She was even wearing heels, thanks to Valuri’s endless taunts.
The Huntress was wearing heels too, of course, but I honestly couldn’t imagine her feet without them. She had chosen a black dress with a much shorter skirt, and the way the fabric hugged her cleavage made it almost impossible for me to look at anything else.
“We have some privacy now,” Kaseya said, placing her hand in my lap. “Should I relieve you before we reach the estate?”
I wish.
I would have given just about anything for ten minutes alone with her right now. I’d spent half my time in that cell worrying that the gods had only given her to me so that they could brutally steal her away a few weeks later.
“He’ll be fine,” Valuri said, scoffing and crossing her arms. “If anyone needs relief, it’s me. I haven’t fed in almost two days…”
“Well, you’re not taking my blood,” I told her.
“It’s not your blood I want.”
Kaseya glanced between us. “I can help you both, then. This won’t take long…”
She began to reach into my trousers, but I grabbed her wrist and stopped her. “I’ll be fine,” I soothed. “We need to keep our heads here. I have no idea what kind of job Telanya plans on offering us, but we weren’t in any position to turn her down. She has gold and power. We could use both.”
“Does this change your plan to try and work with the Black Mistress?” Kaseya asked.
I pursed my lips. “I bumped into Silhouette when I was being escorted up to the holding cell. She said that she had delivered our message and that the Black Mistress would contact us soon.”
“Interesting,” Valuri said, her eyes lightning up. “Maybe we’ll get the chance to play these fools off each other.”
