Ruby Mage

by Dan Raxor

  She hopped off my cock, going to the edge of the bed, and bending over. When she danced her pert ass for me, I grinned, rushing to get behind her. This was a rare treat for Siofra who was more into one of us being on top.

  When my cock slid into her from behind it glided against the best pressure spot and she moaned out loudly. Siofra wanted my cum badly. Her pussy was dripping from the climax earlier, letting her take it rough. I could feel her sex dripping down my balls as she increased her moans while clenching the pillow extra tight again.

  “Fuck me, Trevor. My handsome lord, fuck me deeper,” she cried out, yelling, “More!”

  “Your pussy is so damn tight,” I grunted. “Oh, yes!”

  “That’s it, pull my hair, and slam that big thick cock into me until I squirt,” she commanded.

  She certainly could squirt, but… never from this position. Like the obedient man I was I fucked her so hard that she orgasmed from behind.

  Siofra screamed so loud during her climax that there was an echo and a ringing in my ears. Her cries of pleasure only drove me deeper and harder into her. Her clenching vagina was begging for my seed and my ability to climax for a third time was nearing.

  I could feel her squeezing vagina pulsing and it was euphoric. With my own loud shout of pleasure I released. I felt my seed jutting into her. The warmth of her juices dripping down my balls was oddly amazing. My thrusts slowed with my final pumps.

  I may have lost control near the end of our sex there. There was no healer here and the rough sexy might leave us both walking funny this time tomorrow. Super worth it.

  When I pulled out there was a splash onto the bed that we both giggled over.

  “Carry me to these archaic showers, my sweet Trevor,” Siofra said, flopping onto the bed in a spot I could easily hoist her from.

  There was a soft tap at the door, Rivinia poked her head in. “He just arrived by fey flight,” Rivinia said.

  I let out a long sigh before asking, “Oh really, Alexander right?”

  “Yes, Master. He… he has disappointing news,” Rivinia said.

  I left my spot on the bed to head for my travel bag. I pulled out a towel and a change of comfy clothes. “Tell him to wait. I need to shower first,” I ordered. I spun a bit more over my shoulder. “Hurry in to the showers, Siofra, and then get in something comfy.”

  “Yes, Prince,” she said with a bow before jetting out of my temporary room.

  Rivinia went to help me get ready for officially greeting a new duke. She kissed my cheek and said, “That sounded fun.”

  We headed into a shower that was simply a big roof bucket that servants had to fill by hand. Yeah. My actual home would have pumps for a water towers and aqueducts.

  I rushed into the shower, washing off the intense sex.

  “Gods and goddesses, it was the best, and my plans for a round four to twenty were just dashed,” I said and we shared a nice laugh. “I do wish Libby was with us.” I said and saw her smile from the mirror. “You okay?”

  “So which is going to be a sister wife that is pregnant with me? Susanna or Siofra?” Rivinia asked and I rolled my eyes.

  “Always the baby talk. Who knows? I… I tried in both though,” I said. “I figured it’s what you girls want and we’re rich with guards. Just need a home. I… There is impending doom and maybe battles I cannot win. I don’t want to live with regrets.”

  “Well, thank you. From all of us.” The shine in her sparkling eyes matched her happy smile. “Oh. Alexander is an eighth elven,” Rivinia said and I grew confused. “Yeah, I know. It's really, really, hard to tell, but for whatever reason I see the elven spirit in him. I rushed away fairly quickly, but that would explain how he won so many tournaments.”

  “That does make a certain amount of sense.” I said. “Wouldn’t other see that?”

  “Um…Not certain.” Rivinia paused. “Want some of the bad news first?”

  “Sure,” I said with a smile. “Not much can get me down.”

  “He is here with his seven wives who gave me evil glares,” Rivinia said with contempt, telling me there was a reason behind the tone. “He seems like a skilled warrior but there’s drama. The rest I’ll let him explain, but he is going to be a handful, and maybe not in the kind you pump cum out of.”

  I snickered. “I want you to be happy, Rivinia.”

  “Susanna would make a fine mother, and big stout children. I do know she was your -”

  “First?” I said and she nodded. “She is for Lornia, and I cherish her. I agree and think you’ll all be fantastic mothers.”

  “That will never change, Master,” Rivinia said, humming a tune while dusting off my outfit. “Done. Are you ready to meet a duke?”

  “No. I’m ready for a relaxing bath and a foot rub. Also, by the gods, Siofra wore me out,” I said, feeling sore.

  “She does that on purpose. Again, Master. Your lovers are very devoted to pleasing you,” Rivinia said.

  I snorted joyfully. “Pleasuring, it's pleasuring my sweet, Rivinia. Okay, let us see how much of a disappointment a tournament champion is to me,” I said, adjusting my armor with a final tug.

  I grabbed my staff and headed to hold court.

  CHAPTER 51

  Lornia - Harun Port

  7th day of the 2nd year of King Partel’s Reign

  Excited children chased a dog who hid behind a man on the dance floor. A close inspection of the animal told me it was a puppy wolf. I wasn’t huge on pets, but the creature and the children were cute. I decided to take this meeting with an open mind.

  “The Hand of the King, Prince Trevor,” Heb called out as I entered the room.

  Mothers raced to calm children, fearful I might anger.

  “Let them play,” I commanded. “The time for the young to cower in corners as death is at their doorstep is not this day. So I say again, be joyous.”

  I walked to the dais to sit at the throne like chair, finding a table with food not far below it on the dance floor. I diverted to get a snack when I was blocked by Siofra.

  My audible sigh was ignored as she tasted everything for me. Eating second hand plates was going to be a pain in the ass but my anti-poison training had just started.

  The last two days since capturing the pirate flagship had been working to bring this rat infested shitty port town back into working order. The slaves… correction, the prisoners of war pirates who were treated like slaves, were chopping wood to improve the mud homes in the slums.

  Well, that and to create heated night fires in street intersections for the poor. I needed the people strong, able, and certainly not dead from winter. While that transpired we improved the estate the best we could, but I still hated this city.

  Even the chair I sat in lacked comfort. I could make this place work but I’d need to import a whole lot of luxury items from Clruss, Trimi, and Farlake. Also, both the dwarves and The Dauntless were due in the next few days.

  My fate hinged on what kind of man Alexander was. When I saw him wrestling on the ground after being swarmed by his children, I had a decent idea. He was sleek with toned muscles, taller than Susanna, and graceful in his motions.

  He also was not about raw power, opting for grace. His blond hair and blue eyes sparkled with love for his youngins. His wives wanted him to stop as I watched but he ignored them to sate the children’s desires.

  I finger waved over the wives, gesturing for them to approach.

  “Who is the head wife?” I asked.

  They looked to the oldest for a brief moment then they collectively pointed to the youngest.

  “I’m Duchess Liqua of Rond, and newest wife of Duke Alexander of Harun. It is a pleasure to meet you, Prince,” Liqua said with a perfect curtsy.

  If she resented me, there was no telling it by her tone. “Where are your men at arms, your guards, your supplies, your children’s items, and the list goes on…” I said, looking around rudely.

  “That’s my fault,” Alexander said, getting in a tickle fight.
He dodged the wolf pup’s kisses with fluid movements, only to be ambushed by another child.

  If it wasn’t so flipping cute I’d scream at him. Even my devotees were being wooed by his charms.

  “And what fault did you cause?” I asked.

  “I declined to swear to the Council of Dukes, instead of you,” he said.

  “They made you a duke without securing your oaths first?” I asked in dismay.

  Siofra tensed at this, and was skeptical as was I.

  Liqua raised a hand. “I was… gifted to Alexander as his Duchess. He had to swear to me and indirectly my father, the Duke of Rand. After we were married, a festive celebration ran through the night.

  “My father got drunk, too drunk. He gifted his son in law his title way before he should have.”

  “Ha,” Siofra snorted. “What an idiot.”

  Liqua frowned but continued, “The council approved it and… well… Father presented it early. That was three days ago. We were supposed to attend a council meeting tomorrow where oaths would be given and the title properly bestowed. Except when an agent came by to fix the issue, and ensure Alex was going to swear to the council, placing his loyalties to them, ahead of you, there was an issue.” Liqua paused.

  Alexander realized it was his cue to talk and said, “Except I told them that was not how the realm works. I said I’d swear to the council, the hand, and then the king in that order.”

  “My father died last night and Alex killed seven, yes seven assassins. The last four disappeared before they died and the attempt was a very clear signal. We fled immediately and in a hurry,” Liqua said and I winced.

  With a shake of my head I said, “I take it that was the short version. Your father made a mistake, costing him his life. Who rules Rand now?”

  “My eldest sister. Marith is slated to marry Duke Linshire’s third son, a nice enough fellow who is devoted to the council,” Liqua told me.

  “So… you arrived without riches, servants, or anything,” I said with a flustered sigh.

  Alexander handed me a tiny baby from a carrier that the eldest woman had against her chest.

  “This is Marco, and Prince, I may not have much, but I have my sword and dignity. I gladly give both to your cause,” he said earnestly.

  The baby tucked in my arms, not even waking from the adjustment.

  “They’ll strip his title, probably already have,” Siofra said, heading to sit on the ground to see if any kids would attack her. They did and the fun began anew with Siofra as the target.

  “Well, maybe there needs to be a northern and southern council of dukes. Also, it is kinda irrelevant. By summer, there will be troll-kin swarming this planet,” I said.

  “As prophecy foretells. The question is, why should I side with you?” Alexander asked directly.

  “Uh, good question. Arenia seemed to think me worthy. What have you heard of me?” I asked.

  He filled a plate of food, plopping in a seat at my side. Susanna moved to position herself between us, earning a glare from Alexander.

  “I… I heard you burst into flame, claim the dead, and sex your help. Including choosing to love your fey openly. Not judging, Charice has bunny ears under her braids,” Alexander said, pointing out her ears that were cleverly disguised. “You hired the largest ship in the fleet to bring out the largest migration in years. All to establish a southern realm that the dukes laugh at.”

  “That is true,” I said, rocking Marco. “And your thoughts?”

  “You have horses that the soldiers of the realm dream about. Trimi is in your pocket. Everyone is attached to Farlake but you have his favored daughter in your bed, and the rest of the south knows no one is coming if the troll-kin invade,” Alexander said.

  “Arenia expressed a similar sentiment, as did the King. I’m in the southern part of the isolated realm as a last ditch effort to build a semblance of a defense. I saw the troll-kin as did the others, invading my planet,” I said, eyeing the baby with regret. “He… he will not enjoy being alive during the war.”

  “What was it like?” Alexander asked, gulping some of my fine brandy.

  “Monsters flinging smaller monsters that exploded. By the tens of thousands. Wizards cast spells and massive ogres crashed defenses with ease… We have a lot of work to do and that starts with keeping everyone alive. Even the poor and the fey,” I said sternly.

  “I’d rather not rule here?” Alexander said and his wives gasped. Hell, even I was thrown for a loop.

  “And your intended occupation?” I asked.

  “At your side, helping lead the consolidated army,” he replied with… a range of longing and sadness. “I just know if I’m here micromanaging this poorly run city then I won’t be organizing formations, teaching drills, and preparing defenses.”

  “And who would lead the city?” I asked. He pointed to Liqua and then his eldest wife, Charice. “You want me to instill two female Duchesses, or is it Duchessessesss… Ugh, Lornia.”

  The ladies went to talk but I held out a hand. “Your husband is likely about to sing your praises. I’d let him if I were you,” I said with only a hint of a scolding and more of an amused tone.

  “Charice is a gifted bookkeeper. She… was not a dowry or a bride thrust upon me by another noble. I married her out of love and for her brilliance. Liqua was trained from birth to be a noble's wife and understands city management. Combined they can return this city to a semblance of excellence,” he said with a pause. “I… I’d have to have them run it anyway. All I’ve ever longed for is battle.”

  “This will anger the council,” Liqua said, grabbing Marco gently out of my arms. Charice stuffed him back into the carrier. “They’ll resent you. Not that they don’t already but, we’ll need more guards and…”

  “Let me think about it. For now draft up plans to improve the port and I’ll review them. After you rest and recover. Since there is no urgent need here, I’ll be flying south to rename Loon Harbor to Arenia Harbor as ordered by the king. Also to inspect the city,” I said, eating off a new tray Siofra brought me.

  “You’ll take us in? Even with assassins?” Charice said and I nodded. “Thank you, my Lord.”

  “Think nothing of it. We need good people to defeat the coming threats. As for assassins, well, we all have those who wish us harm. My stage teacher had a saying. ‘The brighter the spotlight the sharper the daggers,’” I said with a deep sigh.

  The heavy talk subsided and I was asked why there was a winter by a little girl at least ten times. I gave ten different answers while I ate a full meal.

  After I was stuffed and feeling relaxed I offered bindings, and used the terms to verify their story. Everything checked out to some extent.

  While I didn’t have a spy network, I was certain Juniper or the King would send a raven if my life were in danger from a single man, his seven wives, and four young children.

  We shared a few drinks and when that finished, I excused myself to my private room. I packed a travel bag so I could visit Arenia Harbor. I was interested to see what state that port town was in before I made a choice on where to set up my capital.

  Honestly, I still liked Trimi. Arenia said to defend by the water, the troll-kin won’t follow us into the depths. I had to trust her judgement and deep down, I sure wished Arenia Harbor was the better city.

  CHAPTER 52

  Lornia - Arenia Port

  17th day of the 2nd year of King Partel’s Reign

  Ten days later I was feeling confident as I rode atop Tsar. I was at the head of a long procession like a conquering King. The trip to the majestic castle at the peak of the city was slow, giving me plenty of time to reflect on the recent past.

  After meeting Alexander and his ready-made family, I rushed off to find out if Arenia was as much of a dump as Harun was. I wanted to kiss the god and goddesses that it was a newer sand-colored granite city with a proper layout.

  A massive quarry rested to the east. Boats hauled the stone in through Mist Lake that tra
nsitioned to Arenia Harbor. I never stopped in to bother the residents after a cursory overflight. I figured it would be best to announce myself with massive ships and an army at my back.

  The city itself was clean, using the wide river properly. A stream of waste washed out to sea with gulls in an overabundance. I knew very little about docks, warehouses, and city infrastructure. What I saw left me happy.

  Out of the hundreds if not thousands of buildings only a few were dilapidated. A majority were even built in fine granite. The elite homes were towering, majestic, and had room to expand. Then again they weren’t all fancy stone, and there were slums, but they were wooden, and organized.

  The quick inspection left me understanding that defending a well laid out city would have benefits. The southern half was a river, the western half was ocean. Meaning the city at least had two barriers.

  I remember feeling much better about my decision to stay in Lornia after seeing my proposed home. After the inspection I flew to see Libby and Norlan on the Dauntless.

  When The Dauntless pulled into Harun Port about a thousand of my latest subjects exited the ship, kissing dry land. They were assigned to Duchess Liqua who was already fixing the city, raising its workforce, and preparing defenses.

  Yes, she was poor with nothing to her name. I swear it made the proud woman work harder. I gave her a budget to start with, and had my flying fey ferry additional funds from Trimi. She immediately started with cleaning up the city and unclogging the sewer system.

  There was a request for a sewer mage. Yeah… I sent a letter to Farlake to say the western cities were hiring. Siofra said we would get some of the new graduates and older instructors who were looking to break the monotony of academy life.

  All this meant Harun Port was busy when the dwarven delegation arrived. Before we left they helped fix both walls’ portcullis. Most of the delegation and migration turned south to travel for Arenia by foot. A few of the trained warriors wanted to set up a royal guard, securing my big suite.