Remnant II
Page 21
“And it was that?” Steve asked.
“Yes. You reek of sex. It’s… almost overwhelming,” Geneva explained. “You stink of sexual abandon and power. There’s a part of me that wants to get down on the grass and see if you can actually do what you said.”
“What, mount you by force? Easily,” Steve said.
As an example, he slid his hand over behind her neck and curled his fingers around her. Then he pushed down a little, forcing her to squat just a bit.
“I… I can’t… stand up,” Geneva said with a grunt, coming to a complete standstill.
“Mm. Wait till I pin you to the grass. You won’t be able to move at all,” Steve said. “As I said before, I had a Tigan. I’m going to treat you like her until you say otherwise.”
Geneva put her hands to her knees and looked like she was struggling with all her might to stand up.
Finally, she gave up. She was panting hard, her mouth partly open.
Realizing she was done, Steve let go.
Geneva turned around and pushed her face into his neck, then took in several deep breaths.
When she leaned away from him, her mouth hung open, her upper lip was curled back, and her eyes were partly closed as she seemed to be inhaling his scent.
Geneva’s eyes slowly turned to Steve as she stood there, looking quite strange.
What the fuck is she doing?
Licking her lips suddenly, Geneva turned and headed into her command pavilion without a word.
Right. Okay.
Asking Lucia about that, too.
Fucking strange.
“…demands that her subjects be returned,” said a young human woman to one of Geneva’s aides.
“No,” Geneva said, walking right up to the messenger. The persona she was putting out now was very different from the one Steve had seen moments previously.
Right now, she seemed like a blooded veteran who was tired of letting the person in front of her steal oxygen.
“Those are women who were all guilty of crimes against the crown. They’ve all been sentenced accordingly,” Geneva said. “If she wants them, she can have them back after I remove their heads from their shoulders.”
What?
“You wouldn’t dare. Her Highness of Faraday would see your entire army on a spit for such an offense,” said the messenger.
“Really. You know what? That’s exactly what I’m going to do,” Geneva said. Then she turned to one of her aides.
“Ah, aren’t they mostly mine?” Steve asked.
All heads turned his way.
“And who are you?” the messenger asked.
“I’m Steve. You should probably be quiet before I decide to smoosh your pretty head,” he said, glaring at the Human woman. She looked like any other Human woman he’d seen anymore. Eerily pretty, with over-the-top assets. She also had short-cut black hair and piercing green eyes.
Steve couldn’t help but admire her for that alone.
“Steve,” Geneva said, looking frustrated.
“We talked about it, remember?” Steve said, shaking his head while holding Geneva’s eyes with his own. “They work for me now. You can go chop the heads off the corpses who declined my offer.
“They’re mine now. They get to live and work for me.”
“Steve,” Geneva said again, looking like she didn’t know how to tell him no. “I’m afraid I need to take them from you to make a point to the mayor.”
“No. They’re mine, Geneva,” Steve said.
“They’re neither of yours. They’re the subjects of the rightful queen of—”
Steve walked over to the messenger, grabbed her by the throat, and closed his hand partway.
The woman’s face started to turn red immediately.
Forcing her to her knees in front of him, Steve leaned in toward her. Practically getting nose-to-nose with her.
She was gripping his wrist with both hands, her wrists and forearms flexing wildly as she tried to break his literal stranglehold on her.
Letting go of her neck just enough that she didn’t pass out or die, Steve inspected her.
He even asked for insight into her from Shitty Steve.
Hiren Mess
Human
Knight/Champion
Father: deceased
Mother: living
Traitor- betrayed her nation
Condemned Criminal- has been condemned as a criminal
Royal Lieutenant-lieutenant of the royal guard
Ambassador- speaks on behalf of the queen of Faraday
Envoy- designated to treat with other nations for the queen of Faraday
Champion- one and true champion of Faraday
Noble Line(minor)- part of the nobility of Faraday and Lamals
“Traitor and Condemned Criminal. That’s what you are, Hiren,” Steve said. “You’re a fool for thinking you could come negotiate on behalf of a much larger criminal. Did you really think Geneva would let you leave? Or that you could get anything from this?”
Hiren was wheezing hard, her cheeks bright red, her entire face flushed. It was obvious she could breathe, but only barely.
Steve wasn’t sure how he wanted to deal with her. He was half tempted to break her neck or strangle her, then toss her corpse at the wall.
As he tilted Hiren’s face to one side, Steve couldn’t help but admire her beauty. It wasn’t what he’d expected, now that he was really looking at her.
She was stunning and quite different from the women of Filch he was used to.
“You’re pretty and likely useful,” Steve said, forcing Hiren to lift her chin up. Her hands still grasped at his wrist. “You can serve me, or die right here in accordance with the laws of Lamals.”
Turning his head, Steve looked at those around him.
He didn’t see who he needed.
“Everyone but Geneva can fuck off,” Steve growled. Immediately, the command pavilion cleared of Geneva’s aides and lieutenants.
“Nancy!” Steve called out.
Standing up from where she was sitting on the wall, where Steve had honestly overlooked her, Nancy immediately came over.
“Yes, Steve?” she asked, smiling at him.
“Might need you,” Steve said, then looked back at Hiren. The woman’s eyes were starting to roll up into her head and it looked like she was losing strength in her arms.
Loosening his hold on her, he pulled his thumb back.
Hiren took in a deep breath, then started coughing.
“You get one chance to answer,” Steve said. “Be my property or die right here. I’m feeling merciful because you’re a brave and pretty little fool. The brave part is what saved you.”
Taking in deep, gulping breaths, Hiren continued to gasp, her hands closing on Steve’s wrist again.
“Married?” Steve asked. He was fairly certain she wasn’t, but he wanted to be sure.
Hiren shook her head.
“No children? No boyfriend or betrothed or anything like that?” Steve asked.
Once more, Hiren shook her head and finally got her breathing under control, her incredibly bright green eyes looking up at Steve this entire time.
“I’ll do it,” Hiren croaked, coughing once again.
“Hmph,” Steve grunted, flexing his fingers against Hiren’s neck. “If you refuse to serve, you die, as is right and lawful per your status. If you accept, you live. Then you help us figure out how to take care of the false queen.”
Hiren nodded her head slightly.
“I’ll do it. I’ll serve,” she rasped.
“Goodie,” Steve said, then turned to Geneva.
The Lionan had been watching Steve this entire time, her tail swishing back and forth behind her.
“They’re yours… of course,” Geneva said, her tail growing still and moving down between her legs again. “As you said once before… a wedding present from me to you. You may have anyone we capture that is willing to serve. I don’t think I’ll need an example after all.”
“Ah… thank you,” Geneva said, nodding her head lightly.
“Geneva, I’m done with Faraday. Send them a message—not a messenger, a message—that they need to send out their next champion since this one is mine now. We’ll send out ours.
“Whoever wins, wins. The other army will be forfeit. Got it?”
“I… I… yes, Steve. I’ve got it,” Geneva said. “Who’s our champion?”
“I am. Go. Send the message—I want this to be over with.”
Geneva nodded rapidly and then ran off to take care of the message.
Turning his head back to Nancy, Steve caught his henchwoman’s eyes.
“Do it. Give her a contract,” he said.
“Yes, Steve,” Nancy said, holding up her hands.
Steve watched as Nancy formed a black ball of magic in her left hand and then touched it to Hiren’s head.
It simply enveloped the woman. Oozing over her from the top of her head, it sank down to her boots.
You’ve been given a black-magic contract.
The contract binds Steven Bril to Hiren Mess for all time.
The majority contract holder is Steven Bril.
The lesser contract holder is Hiren Mess.
The lesser contract holder shall obey, abide, and adhere to all rules given by the majority contract holder.
The penalties of the contract are based on the perception of the majority contract holder.
All penalties will be judged and assessed accordingly by the majority contract holder, Steven Bril, though in accordance with the law.
Major sub-clauses exist:
Should Hiren Mess betray Steven Bril, she will instantly cease to live.
Hiren Mess is under a death sentence and is working to repay her debt.
Please confirm that you wish to accept this black-magic contract.
Of course. But like last time, I don’t want anyone to know of this contract.
Nor for it to have a physical manifestation.
Contract accepted under condition of anonymity.
Contract is now active.
“Oh, goddess,” Hiren said as the black magic fled her.
“Could be worse—could be a collar,” Steve said. “Collar magic would kill you if it misinterpreted your actions. This is better.”
“I’ll need you to get her situated, Nancy,” Steve said, releasing Hiren completely.
“Of course, Steve,” Nancy said, smiling at him.
“The queen won’t surrender just for losing me, or even losing the next champion,” Hiren got out in a scratchy voice.
“That’s fine,” Steve said. “I’ll keep killing her champions till she gives up. Eventually, her soldiers will get tired of being sent to their deaths, or they’ll lose belief that the false queen can win.”
Hiren got to her feet with one hand on her neck. There was a very distinct handprint there that would match Steve’s hand perfectly.
Now that Steve really looked at her, Hiren wasn’t just a dazzling beauty, she was quite tall as well. And built like she could fight while having a great figure.
“The armor for show?” Steve asked, reaching out and tapping her bronze breastplate with his knuckles.
“No,” Hiren croaked. “I’m a knight. I served the army, and the nobility of the capital. Earned my champion title through combat.”
“Hmph. We’ll see about that,” Steve said. “You belong to me. If I’m not around, Nancy is your keeper. Listen to her completely. I’m going to go wait for their champion.”
Geneva came back into the pavilion.
“It’s done,” she said.
“Great. I’m going to go wait for their champion,” Steve repeated for her.
Need the axe.
***
Lucia sighed and rubbed her fingertips along Steve’s shoulder.
“Well, I don’t think this will work,” she said. “But I do think it’s the right thing to do. It’ll be good to start breaking down their morale.”
“Yes, yes,” Jaina said, stretching herself out on all fours.
“Hmm, well, one can’t expect the common folk to truly understand until they see it,” Xivin said. “I imagine there will be people lining the walls. Even if they’re not supposed to be there.
“You. Hiren, right? What’s the morale of the city?”
“Quite bad,” Hiren said. Her voice had just barely started to return to normal. The bruise on her throat in the shape of a hand was still very visible, however. “If… if Steve is able to do what he said he would, it’s going to be a very terrible blow for the false queen.”
“Delightful,” Lucia said with a soft laugh. “Ooooh, you’re such a fun and entertaining man, Steve.”
The Fae leaned up and kissed the corner of Steve’s mouth.
“I love you, my big, tough, beloved consort,” Lucia said. “If you do it quick, and with maximum dramatic effect, I’ll make sure your evening is extremely entertaining.
“We’ll start with a back rub for you, and I’ll comb your hair out. Then give you a haircut and a shave. I’ll groom you personally until you’re feeling warm and fuzzy, and then I’ll use my—”
“They’re coming,” Geneva said, interrupting Lucia before she could continue to what was likely the best part.
Steve didn’t need to hear any more from Lucia, though. He was well beyond properly motivated now.
Lucia took care of him. She never shied away from anything he needed from her. Anything he asked of her. Even if he was sure she’d refuse it.
On top of that, she constantly offered to groom, clean, and care for him. He was feeling incredibly pampered right now.
Hefting his axe up on to his shoulder, Steve started toward the broken gate of Faraday.
The camps that’d been out and around the city were gone, all of them now congregated on the far side of Faraday.
A woman in full armor with a long sword held with both hands was heading for Steve.
Sighing, Steve hefted the rock in his left hand.
He could make this look quite dramatic and stupid. Like it was nothing but a slaughter.
Or he could just chuck the rock at the woman and kill her from here.
Cocking his arm back, he hurled the stone with maximum force.
With a whistling crack, the stone flicked by over the woman’s head and hit the only standing tower that remained on this side of the city.
A small section of the tower’s exterior crumpled inward, and a puff of dust and dirt seemed to rain out of the top of the tower.
That’ll do to get my point across.
Snorting, Steve kept moving, heading for the now very nervous-looking woman.
“Sorry,” Steve said once she was close enough. “I have to kill you in an ugly way. Not my choice, but… I really want what Lucia offered.”
“What?” asked the woman.
Not answering, Steve came at her. It really wasn’t personal.
Her sword slid out quicker than Steve had been expecting.
Except it really didn’t matter. He only needed to get close enough to get his hands on her.
Swinging his axe at her sword rather than at her, he caught the edge with the head of his weapon.
With a loud ping, her blade snapped in half, right where the two weapons connected.
Stepping in close to the woman, Steve grabbed her around the throat with his left hand.
“Actually, I’ll just choke you out real quick so you don’t feel this,” he said as his hand rapidly cut off the blood and oxygen to the champion’s brain.
He was getting a feel for this sort of thing. After having hung onto Hiren, he had a good idea of how hard to squeeze.
In seconds, the face in the mask turned a deep red, and her arms dropped down to her sides.
As soon as the woman
stopped struggling, Steve tried to close his hand outright. There was a strange crunching noise as he did so.
Steve held tight to her neck to make sure she was quite dead before he continued.
He didn’t want her to suffer for his desire to be cared for by Lucia.
Dropping his axe, Steve grabbed the dead woman’s armored right arm and tore it from her torso. He pulled his arm back and flung it toward the city of Faraday.
Grabbing the woman’s left arm, he repeated the process. He tore it, armor and all, clear from her torso with a wet squelch.
He lifted the armless dead woman up, then had to reach into her armor to find her hip.
Grabbing hold of her thigh, he started yanking on her leg. A couple quick tugs and it simply detached from her torso.
Leaning back, he chucked it. Without bothering to see where it landed, he reached in and plucked off her last leg, then flung it as well.
Grabbing her by the breastplate, Steve pulled her head away from her torso.
With a sigh, he looked into her pretty face. Her helmet was still strapped into place under her chin.
Strange barely began to describe the view.
“Sorry,” Steve said.
He dropped the torso into the grass and held up the woman’s head.
“Send out your next champion!” he shouted at the city.
Setting the woman’s head to one side, he decided to wait right there. With any luck, they’d send out the next champion soon.
“Or your false queen!” Steve shouted after a second. Then he sat down on the dead woman’s torso and looked at her head.
“Shame. She was pretty, like Hiren,” Steve lamented.
Twenty
Steve looked up from the grass he was staring at. Turning his head, he directed his gaze toward the city.
Someone was calling out to him even as they came over.
It was a woman, armed and armored very similarly to the last one he’d killed, and to Hiren.
Standing up. Steve swung his axe up onto his shoulder.
“…n’t want to…” shouted the woman, the rest of her words not quite understandable.
Steve shrugged his shoulders, deciding to wait. He didn’t need to do anything else for the moment.