The Use

by D. L. Carter

  Instead of being led into the inn for a meal, refreshing bath, and massage, the girls were taken to the stables to spend the next few hours tending to tired, smelly, irritable animals. Lord Eioth personally carried Halidan's kidnapped books up to her room.

  He placed them on a table near the door and removed his riding gloves one finger at a time as he spoke. “Tomorrow, I believe it would be best if you did not occupy the coach at the same time as our young criminals. You should rest in the coach in the morning. Today's ride is, I believe, a little more than you are accustomed to. The ladies shall ride their horses tomorrow morning and you will switch places after lunch.”

  “As you will, High Lord,” said Halidan. “I admit to my role in the day’s events. Part of the problem was that I forbade them to read the books you gave me after I knew the titles. In my opinion, they are far beyond the girls’ years but I could not distract them.”

  Eioth slapped his gloves against his palm. “The books were yours, for your interest and entertainment, not theirs.”

  “But, we were in such close quarters that I was unable to prevent them from examining them. It would have been quite rude to refuse to permit them to know even the titles, and once they knew and recognized their reputation, well . . . the forbidden is desirable. We quarreled about whether they should be permitted to read them. In the end they found a way to have access, no matter that I had refused permission.”

  Halidan blushed when Eioth raised his eyes to her and studied her with such intensity she could feel the weight of his gaze on her body. Struggling to break his gaze she turned completely and leaned against the balcony.

  “Truthfully, High Lord, I thought the books beyond my own experience. That is . . . I have never been exposed to those sorts of books before. They are not the sort I chose to read.”

  “Chose to? If you are unaware of their existence, you have not been able to choose. No doubt your father sheltered you that being what fathers do when they are reluctant to admit their daughters have grown. Do not fear Norfarland's adventures, Halidan. There's nothing inherently wrong with such writings. I would recommend you explore them when the younger ladies are not about. You will find one or two passages in that book useful to you in the future.”

  Halidan stared out at the crowded courtyard. “I think not, High Lord.”

  There was a long silence, then the High Lord came to stand beside her. Reaching past her body, he drew the light linen awnings down to shield the balcony from the view of those still milling about in the forecourt.

  “Halidan, I know otherwise.” His breath was warm and sweet against her cheek and sent trembling heat through her body. As he spoke, his eyes gentle as he gazed upon her, he sent shivers through her limbs.

  Halidan tried to shift away, but found herself caught between the weighted linens, the stone wall, and Eioth's body. It was not necessary for her to touch him to be aware of the heat of his body so close, too close, to her own. More than any other moment in their short acquaintance she was aware of the height, the breadth of him.

  More effectively than the walls and curtains, he surrounded, enclosed her. Trapped her. The High Lord was not so close that she was completely unable to move. But, to escape, to move elsewhere in the room would require her first to move closer to him, maybe even to brush against his body. Instead of moving, Halidan clenched her hands, folding her arms across her chest and freezing in place even as her heart pounded in her throat. Her withdrawal did not escape his attention.

  “Do not fear me, Halidan. I fully intend to give you time to grieve and will not compel your response. I only wish you to be aware that you have engaged my interest.” He brushed the back of his fingers along her jaw and down the side of her neck.

  Halidan flinched. “I am sorry, High Lord. I cannot return your interest. It would be best; if this is why you hired me . . . I should leave.”

  “Halidan, look at me.” He waited until she tilted her face toward him. “I have no wish nor need to use force to find bed partners. Neither is it my habit to use my female staff in the manner you have begun to fear. If you truly do not return my interest, then the matter will be ended. I still, believe me, need a librarian to manage my books.”

  “I do not return your interest.” The words came out so fast Halidan was breathless at the end of them.

  “So quick to refuse me?” A smile flickered over his lips. “I am hurt, but not dissuaded. Your heart is still much occupied with your grief.”

  It was a good excuse, believable, understandable, and might even keep him at a distance for a respectable period of time, but even so, Halidan could not use it. The truth was best.

  “High Lord, grief is not the explanation,” she began, trying to inject as much sincerity as possible into her tone. “It would be best if I go n . . .”

  “No, Halidan, it would not. Only think. For you to leave my employ so soon, even if it is by your own choice, will not reflect well on you. No,” he added, when fear flashed across her face, “that is not a threat, merely an observation. I ask you, remain with me. I will grant you time for the first rush of grief to pass. If I am unable to capture your interest in a reasonable period of time, thereafter, I shall retreat and you will continue to care for my books. If after a year you find yourself unable to continue to serve my household, then I shall find other employment for you where you will be granted the respect and care you deserve.”

  When Halidan did not reply, but stood quiet and trembling beside him, he sighed.

  “Poor Halidan, life has changed so much for you. Consider the processional a time of rest and adjustment. It may be, when I ask again you will be eager . . .”

  “No!”

  “So swift a refusal. I am so ugly?”

  “Please, High Lord, I cannot even consider such a thing. It is not in me to desire . . . to desire an Elf. Not only because I have no knowledge or interest in matters of . . . mating. I have met half bloods and quarter bloods enough to know I have no wish to give birth to so unhappy a child. Neither one thing nor another with no place in the world, automatically illegitimate and despised by both peoples.” Her trembling spread until her whole body was shaking.

  Eioth bit back a groan. It would be a great pity if his desired Sex Magic partner had a problem with sex. Still there was one matter upon which he could set her mind to rest.

  “Since I have been married three times and have no children to show for that labor, I believe this is not something you need fear, Halidan. Therefore, be at peace. There is no threat here.” His voice dropped to a low croon. “No harm. Only wait. Consider . . .”

  “I cannot,” cried Halidan, pushing past him. Eioth reached the door before her and pressed one hand against it, holding it closed.

  “Halidan, you are tired and it has been a hot day. Tomorrow . . .”

  She shifted away, pressing her back against the wall as if to draw strength from the wood. “No. Do not say this. I cannot stay. I cannot work for you if this is what you are planning.”

  Eioth stepped away, both hands raised. “If you insist, I take it back. I desire you not at all. You are small, plain, and dull. Your conversation worthless and your intellect lacking.”

  “What?” Shock held Halidan breathless and still for a moment. “I don't understand.”

  “Better,” said Eioth, carefully retreating to the other side of the room and seating himself. “Now you might listen to me. Disregard my insulting words, Halidan, they were not sincerely meant. I only wished to catch your attention. Now that I have it, consider; have you ever heard anything ill of me? Have I not treated all with respect? Cannot my word be trusted?”

  Halidan kept her gaze on the floor and wrung her hands. Time stretched as Eioth waited.

  Eventually she sighed and murmured, “You have been so far above my knowledge that I have never heard anything of you at all.” Those words hung in the air between them until Halidan's blush rose high enough to turn her ears red and Eioth began to chuckle.

  “Well, now. Th
at sets my pride exactly where it belongs. I suppose it is true. Ah, Halidan, I have no wish for you to fear me. It seems I have spoken too soon.”

  “I prefer it, since it is the truth and permits me to respond and say I do not care to be the object of your attention.”

  “You are honest and I value that.” Eioth leaned forward and rested his chin on his fist. “Halidan, you have spent your life isolated. In the House of your previous employer there was no one who would have been allowed to develop an interest in you. I doubt very much if there were many mortal employees withindoors. Even if there were, you were young yourself and much in the company of your father. Who would have courted you? The whole idea is new.”

  “And unwelcome.”

  Eioth smiled. “No, I think it is simply new. Go to bed, Halidan, alone and safe. No one will harm you while you are a member of my Household. Not even myself.”

  There was a light tap on the door.

  “That will be your meal. Mitash and I will deny ourselves the pleasure of your conversation tonight.” With a bow to Halidan, Eioth opened the door. On the other side were the three newly hired guards. One carried Halidan's case, the next her dinner tray and the last a medicine jar. “And here are your attendants. Sirs, has Mitash explained your new duties?”

  “Yes, High Lord,” replied Cris when the others proved to be voiceless. “One of us is to ride attendance upon tor Halidan even if she is within the Lady’s Coach and see to her safety and comfort. We are to fetch and carry anything that she requires and to see that she comes to no harm. May I say, High Lord, we are grateful for the opportunity to serve?”

  “Consider it gaining new experience,” said Eioth, with a glance over his shoulder to be certain Halidan was listening. “It is wise to keep the mind open to new knowledge and opportunity.”

  Halidan, who was still standing near the door, shot back. “I prefer to choose my new knowledge.”

  “Then I shall have a case of books sent to you so that you may have ample to choose from.” Eioth nodded to the darkest of his new employees. “Advise Mitash that I wish a small sample of my book purchases brought to tor Halidan for her examination.”

  “At once, High Lord,” said Nittel, and handing his burden to his friend was off down the stairs.

  With a slight inclination of his head, Eioth departed, heading deeper into the inn. His hand rose and clenched over his belt where the Essay still rested. A beautiful woman with no interest in lovemaking was not what he'd expected. In all other respects, she matched the Essay's list perfectly – for him. She was intelligent and amusing. Beautiful when flushed with the summer's heat. Even the scent of her skin at the end of a long day's exercise pleased him. She charmed him just by being herself which was not a skill he'd found in many. He sighed as he climbed the stairs. He would have to persuade her although he had no idea how that was to be done.

  His previous experience with women did not involve courtship. His wives came to him at the end of long political negotiations and the marriage that followed did not contain passion. For the most part, the women came from families who were his political enemies and with whom he had little in common. Those few with whom he'd shared pleasure between the marriages usually were those more interested in status and money than affection or respect.

  That the mortal woman was frightened of him, of sex itself, should eliminate her from consideration for Sex Magic experiments. There had to be a solution and he would find it.

  * * *

  After riding all day, there was nothing Halidan desired as much as a long soak to relieve her aching muscles. Fortunately, someone had informed the innkeeper that she was part of the High Lord’s personal staff. When she appeared in the bathhouse with the hope that she would be able to schedule a bath before midnight, she was ushered in immediately, assured she might take her time in the huge tub and afterwards, wrapped in warmed towels, escorted into a small chamber where the masseuse, a tiny, little old lady with surprisingly strong hands, awaited her.

  Halidan was emerging from the bathhouse, her face flushed from the heat, when the Ladies Worind entered, fresh from the stables. Halidan’s nose wrinkled at the scent wafting around them and the oldest Elf bridled.

  “See,” said Lilianda to her sister. “If mortals are given the least encouragement, they begin imitating their betters.”

  Halidan regarded her with some confusion. Lilianda reached up and gave Halidan’s shaggy, short, ash colored hair a sharp tug. Halidan had removed her headscarf to wash her hair and since it was in need of cleaning itself she had not put it back on.

  “How much do you pay to have your hair bleached?” demanded Lilianda. “Do you think the High Lord will think better of you if you imitate our coloring? Or perhaps you think if you make your skin pale people who do not know better might mistake you for one of us?”

  Halidan smiled and shook herself free of the filthy fingers.

  “I know who I am,” said Halidan, “and I am content with it. My hair is not bleached and my skin is not covered by powder. And I recognize you for what you are. You may think you are being a distant and disdainful, dignified lady when in fact you are a whining and petulant child.”

  “How dare you?” cried Lilianda.

  “Easily enough,” said Halidan with a very slight bow. “I will leave you ladies to your much needed baths and remind you that the High Lord will tolerate no nonsense from you so don’t bother leaving surprises for me in the carriage tomorrow.”

  With that Halidan turned and left, walking slowly through the inn. It was perhaps unfair of her to threaten the girls with the High Lord when Halidan was determined to have as little as possible to do with him. She paused at the bottom of the stairs leading up to the bedchambers and considered what the girls had said. Her father insisted Halidan’s pale hair color, rare amongst mortals, but not unknown, would cause trouble in her relationship with the Matriarch, and so it had. It was possible that part of the High Lord’s interest in her might be related to her hair color and manners. It would be best, if he was to be discouraged, for her to be as mortal as possible over the next few days.

  Turning, Halidan went in search of the innkeeper’s wife and a pair of shears.

  Chapter Six

  The Use and Complexity of Sex Magic –Weather Magic

  Ritual for dismissal of severe storm systems.

  Equipment required:

  Strong chair with no arm rests.

  Small item to serve as link to storm location attached to cord so can be worn by Sex Magic partner. Be certain that the item is specific to the area. An ordinary rock will not do unless it has been collected from that area and has been Ritual blessed and bonded – see Map Magic.

  Candles – two, thin tapers: one blue, one green

  Large bowl of Water

  Ritual:

  Prepare Ritual area in the usual manner.

  Summon your prepared Sex Magic partner to center of circle.

  Activate Sex Magic partner's skin and have her begin chant (see Appendix 4) to focus mind and energy.

  Pour Water over skin and hair of partner ensuring a full soaking.

  Magician seats himself on strong chair and summons partner to position herself astride his lap, upon his cock, facing magician.

  Partner holds lit blue candle in right hand, green in left with arms extended out from body.

  Place link item on cord around her neck.

  Magician lights candle with personal magic – if has bond to Fire Elemental, or from other flame source, if not.

  Use hands, mouth, and movement as necessary to arouse partner, maximizing her stimulation and pleasure.

  Partner must continue chant until told otherwise.

  Magician gathers raised energy as it passes from his partner to him.

  At peak of stimulation gather the raised energy, take hold of link item in right hand and infuse with gathered power.

  Observe partner closely so that spell is performed at instant prior to partner's release. The thwarted orga
sm is the activation of the spell. The stronger the storm system being interrupted the greater the amount of stimulation the partner must experience while still holding off orgasm. Partner may cease chant at this point.

  Recommendations:

  Have gift or other reward available for Sex Magic partner as a substitute for the thwarted orgasm.

  Do not use Thwarted Orgasm spells too frequently. Sex Magic partners tend to become irritable if they are not permitted to experience their own release.

  Eioth put his copy of the Essay down and tried to refocus his eyes. His cock was as stiff as stone, aching like a broken bone and very distracting. So far he hadn't read anything about how to seduce, but he'd read descriptions of at least three spells he wanted to try, tonight! He closed his eyes and eased back against his pillows. Except there wasn't any out of control storm to quell, aftershocks of earthquakes to settle, or oracular vision he required. It didn't matter. Practice, every skill should be practiced, and he wanted to practice all of the described postures until the act was perfect!

  It was amazing to him the degree to which the dry recitation of the spells’ procedures aroused him. He reviewed the words imagining Halidan thus positioned facing him, legs widespread and her arms raised. Surely in this position, her hands occupied with the candles and arms outstretched to each side, her body would be vulnerable, exposed to his hands, his tongue. Her breasts, soft and full, would be just the right height for his mouth to draw in. To keep to the purpose of the spell she must concentrate on her posture and the chant and would have no time or will to cover herself, to protect herself from the exploration of his mouth on her breasts, his hands over her smooth curves and valleys. She’d be vulnerable and helpless before him.

  Eioth winced as the image made his cock rise again and ache. The image was too beautiful, too stimulating. What delicate shade of pink was her intimate flesh, he wondered? How responsive would she be to the brush of his fingers across her mound?

  It was odd that he was so preoccupied with a woman when he'd never so much as touched her hand. How was he to judge her possible response to intimate exploration especially when she expressed no desire for such activities? The most detailed and complex of erotic literature had not had the same effect upon him, not so far as he could remember, but these spells simply and briefly described left him cross eyed and unable to bear the touch of his own clothing upon his cock.