by Ron Vitale
“Has she been well?” I asked.
“She doesn’t let any of us into her room, but she’s friends with Rosamund. I talk with her as best I can, but she keeps mostly to herself.” She passed me and went into her room. “Would you like to come inside?”
“Yes, thank you.” I crossed the threshold into her room and the room wavered. The books and scrolls that I saw scattered all over vanished. The illusion faded and I saw that the room was well organized. Books were piled around her desk, but they were separated by topic and class that I taught. By her window, she had set up shelves with various chemicals and minerals. One of her experiments had fungus growing out of it and bubbled every so often.
Alessia went over to the fire and tossed on another log. She pulled the blanket off her bed, wrapped it around her, and sat on a chair. “I would offer you some wine, but I have none left.”
I took the rocking chair by the fire and listened to the swirling snow outside. The wind picked up and howled with both of us feeling a cold draft coming in from the window. “I’m more in the mood for something warm to drink.”
She got off her bed but kept the blanket wrapped around her. “Let me get you some tea.”
I rocked my chair and kept my feet close to the fire. “Thank you. That would be nice and help warm me up.” The wind changed direction and a mixture of snow and sleet pelted the window. Far off on the other side of town, we saw a flash of light followed by a low rumbling.
Alessia stopped boiling the water in the teapot that she positioned over the fire. “Was that thunder?”
A knock on the door distracted both of us. I kept my eye on the window, watching and listening to the storm outside, and ignored Alessia’s question.
She went to the door to her room and opened it to see Petronelle and Rosamund standing together. “We just heard thunder outside and were worried.”
Alessia opened the door wider and noticed that Petronelle held Rosamund’s hand. “We just heard the same thing. Come on in.”
I ignored the girls chatting about the storm and closed my eyes. Casting my spirit out, I left my body and searched for my raven. He had wintered himself at the top of the tower and stayed far away from the ice and snow. I could not see much through his eyes, but I listened and heard nothing unusual. When I came back to my body, the three girls were silent and watched me. It took me a few moments to reorient myself. Alessia handed me a mug of tea, and I held it in my hands. The warmth flowed through my hands and comforted me. “Girls, you all look upset. We’re going to be fine. It’s just a snow storm.”
Petronelle played with her long black hair, twirling it out of nervousness. “Are you sure it’s just a bad storm?”
I took a sip of tea and hid my displeasure. Alessia had brewed the green tea too long. Instead of tasting mild and soothing, a strong bitter flavor filled my mouth. The liquid did warm me up though and heated up my hands as well. “Yes, it’s just a storm. A bad one, but that’s all.”
Rosamund leaned onto Petronelle and stared out the window. “My father told me the story of the great wurm that attacked the northern cities thousands of years ago. Are you sure it’s not that?”
“There’s no such thing as a dragon.” I glanced back to the window. “It truly is just a bad winter storm.” The wind picked up as if to challenge me, and the snow fell faster and harder. I pitied anyone who had to be outside this evening.
Alessia passed more mugs of tea around and went over to her oil lamps and turned them up a bit. More light brightened the room, and I settled deeper into my chair. We were all silent for a moment, and out in the hall a few girls passed by who peeked in and were seemingly comforted that I was with them during the storm.
When Alessia sat back down, she asked, “Should we play a game or tell some stories to pass the time?”
Both Rosamund and Petronelle turned to Alessia in surprise. I laughed at them and said, “What? Do you not think I play games or like stories?”
Rosamund, the younger of the two, said, “But you’re old and our coven mother.” With her sweet voice and curly blond hair that flowed to her shoulders, I could see why Petronelle was attracted to her.
“I’m thirty-six. Is that so ancient to you?” I kept my face stern and waited to see her reaction.
Petronelle elbowed Rosamund in the side to silence her, but Rosamund ignored her and said, “You’re older than my mother.”
“That doesn’t mean that I dislike playing games and stories.” I put my mug down and faced her. “When I was young, I used to like playing risk and honesty.”
All three girls reacted by giggling. Rosamund stopped first and asked, “I didn’t know that you enjoyed games like that. We play that game all the time. Petronelle likes choosing risk most of the time.”
Petronelle scowled and shot her friend an angry look.
Rosamund ignored her and asked, “Can we play a game now?”
I shook my head. “I think you girls can play that later when I’m not around. It might be more enjoyable for you all without having an old person like me in the game.”
Rosamund blushed and turned away. Alessia, ever the social pleaser, stepped in and asked, “Why don’t you tell us a story?”
I stood up and headed toward the door. “Unfortunately, I can’t stay. I have a pressing matter that I need to take care of. But don’t stop having fun on my part. Now you can play your game of risk or honesty like you wanted.” I pointed over the far side of the room. “And the bottle of wine that I gave to Alessia might be fun to share tonight among friends.”
Alessia stood up and grabbed my arm. Both Rosamund and Petronelle appeared startled that their friend would be so familiar with me. “Please stay. It’s a bad night and your company would be missed.”
I squeezed her hand firmly, trying to send a signal to her. “No, I do need to go, but thank you.”
Alessia knew enough not to say more, and I left the room and headed out of the tower as quickly as I could walk without seeming to rush. At the bottom, I left the magical confines of the tower and was free to travel faster and make for my room. With the last step that I took out of the tower, my next brought me to my study. I rushed over to the fire and saw it burned low. Raising my hand, the fire ignited in a burning inferno for a second and then settled down to a nice and steady roar.
Leaving my study, I went into my library and rushed to a marble pedestal. On it, a crystal the width of my palm pulsed in an eerie blue light. I watched the pulsing light but did not touch the crystal. After all these years, the Moonstone had awakened, and a mixture of trepidation and happiness came over me. With the gem pulsing, it could only mean one thing, but I had to be sure. I sat down in a chair across from the pedestal and took watch. The pulsing light mesmerized me and I fought its magic, but soon I drifted off into a deep sleep.
***
I woke with a start, and for a few moments I did not recognize my surroundings. The Moonstone still pulsed in front of me. Several hours had passed. I must have fallen asleep in my chair watching the stone. Its magic was strong and could play strange games on people. Outside the storm still howled, and I sat fully up, feeling my heart still racing. I wanted to check on the girls again to make certain that they were safe. Dream magic and illusions were wrought with danger, and I feared for them. I left the chair and headed down the hall. When I crossed over into the tower, I passed by Alessia’s room first. The door was ajar, and she sat on the bed studying a scroll.
“Are the others fine? I wanted to come back to check on you all.” I stood in the hallway and did not enter the room.
“I’m glad you came back.” She pointed across the hall. “The others have been asleep. Though Rosamund and Petronelle have been rather noisy.”
“They’re young and experimenting. When you’re with John, do you not act the same?” I heard movement and turned to see Cassy walking toward me.
She wore her blanket around her shoulders that dragged behind like a bride’s train. “When is this storm going to be
over? It’s been howling all night long, and I haven’t been able to sleep.”
“I expect we have a few more hours yet.” I closed my eyes and looked to the east. “Sunrise is still a couple of hours away.”
“I just threw another log on. Why don’t you come on in and we’ll pass the time?” Alessia got off her bed and opened the door to her room all the way.
I took a seat by the fire, and Cassy sat on the floor as close to the fire as she could get. She had her blanket wrapped around her with her hair, wild and curly, sticking up in all directions. Alessia pulled her other chair next to the fire and sat by the fireplace as well. We listened to the wind outside and the snow, but I blocked that out and focused on the warmth from the fire. The white hot coals licked at the wood, catching the fresh piece ablaze.
“I remember the winter storm that hit the city during the war.” I looked to Alessia and Cassy. “Before both of you were born, the snow drifts were higher than the tallest man. We stayed inside for almost two full days before the storm ended. When we did finally try to venture out, we opened the back door and saw that the wind had blown a drift against the door. A wall of snow covered the exit. Our cook, Bessy, formed several small balls from the snow, put them in a bowl and made a sweet mixture from sugar and milk, pouring it warm on top of them. It was delicious. Even after all these years, I remember how good it tasted. A mixture between cold and hot with just the right amount of sweetness.”
Cassy smiled. “I like sweets. Maybe we can do the same thing after this storm.” She thought for a moment and then said, “I have some chocolate that my mother sent me. Maybe we can warm that up and pour it over the snow and try that?”
“Sounds delicious to me.” Alessia folded her hands and then asked, “What else do you remember from that storm? I like it when you tell stories from the past.”
“The night of the storm, we played cards, told ghost stories, and passed the time enjoying ourselves. Some wine and whiskey made its way around that we hid from those not so inclined to partake, and we enjoyed ourselves as best we could.”
Cassy sighed. “I bet other things happened too, but you’re not telling us because you think us too young.” She scratched the back of her head and waited for me to say more.
“Out of all the girls I have taught, you are the most brazen.” I shook my head. “Is that all you want to know are the exciting parts?”
Cassy blushed but did not say another word.
Alessia looked expectantly at me, but also remained quiet.
I thought it over for a moment and then said, “Let me close your door.”
Both girls clapped their hands in delight, happy that I gave in to them. I pointed at the door and then waved my hand. Slowly, the door closed shut, and I looked at each one of them. They were young, good students, but so unsure of themselves yet in the world. Raising my hands above my head, I closed my eyes and brought in my magic. A thick mist came up from underneath Alessia’s bed and it swirled around her desk, slowly spreading over to us, filling her room with a thick fog. Cassy reached out and touched my chair and said, “I can’t see.”
Alessia reached over to her friend to comfort her. “It’s okay. We’re all still here.”
I ignored them both and then fell back into my memory, remembering that night and what I saw. The shadows and the sighs.
***
After midnight, I left my friends and walked the house alone. Outside, the storm raged with the wind blowing strong and the snow falling so hard that I could not see the buildings across the street. Darkness and snow had descended over the city, and the cold seeped deep in my bones. I wrapped my arms around myself to keep warm and sneaked upstairs. I had not seen or heard from our house lord for much of the day. He had come to check that we were well supplied for the storm and to make certain that all the wounded soldiers were well cared for and did not want for anything.
But after dinner, he had vanished from sight. Curious as to his whereabouts, I passed the main stairs and decided to find out. I walked up them in the dark and was careful to keep quiet. I thought up a story on why I might need to be up on the upper floor, but all of my excuses would be seen through. At the top of the third floor, I saw no guards or anyone of any kind. But at the end of the hall, I could see flickering light coming from one of the rooms.
Still I saw no one around, and my curiosity peaked and I wanted to know what the house lord was up to. Slowly, I crept down the hall and did my best to avoid any creaky floorboards. My plan was simple. I would take a peek into the room and then head back down to my fellow servants and enjoy the rest of the night. When I arrived at the doorway, I peered around the door frame and took in as much as I could see and then pulled back.
No one that I could see was in the room. A lantern on a desk flickered, but I saw no fireplace, yet a warmth came from the room that I could not explain. I took a quick second glance and saw a door open on the far side of the room. My house lord exited the room wearing a lighter robe than he normally wore. He held a candle in his hand, and I heard sighing coming from the room behind him. He picked up a jar on his desk and went back inside the room, but left an inner door open.
A few moments later, I heard a deeper, more animalistic grunt from a girl that came from within the second room. I could have turned away, but I think the wine made me braver than normal. I took a step inside and saw a bookcase lined the left side of the room. I also saw a large sofa there as well. I hurried over and climbed behind the sofa and peeked out from around the side so that I could look into the door where the moaning sounds came.
There I saw a large mattress on the ground. A girl, who looked a bit older than me, lay on her back with her hands tied to each of the corners. She lay spread-eagled out, and I could see that her ankles were tied as well. Her long, curly red hair fell off to the side, and she squirmed but could not move much from the cords that tied her in place. Lying between her legs was another girl I recognized but did not know her name. She was one of the new girls on staff having just arrived a few weeks ago. I saw her from time to time, but did not know much about her. She had long black curly hair that ended at her shoulders. She was licking the redhead’s thigh, and I heard my house lord mumble something, but I could not see him from my vantage point.
I leaned out a bit more, and then I caught a glimpse of him. He knelt on the left side of the mattress and held the candle in his hand. The redheaded girl glanced over to him, and he shook his head. “You are too eager and want to enjoy yourself too soon. That will not do.” He held up his hand. “Ada, stop.”
With her long black hair, she slid back and stopped licking her partner’s thigh. In protest, the redhead squirmed more. “No, please don’t stop.”
A wicked smile crossed my house lord’s face. “Leah, I did not tell you to speak. Now you will lose a sensation.”
“No, please. I didn’t mean …” Leah squirmed in mock fear.
My house lord reached into his robe and handed a sash to Ada. “Blindfold her now.”
Ada took the sash and gently tied it around Leah’s head so that she could not see.
My house lord sat next to Leah and ran one finger down her side. “You will learn how to obey. Do you understand?”
Leah nodded and said, “Yes, my lord.”
He shook his head in disgust. “I still did not give you permission to speak.” He tipped the candle he held over and a few drops of wax dripped onto Leah’s side. She gasped in surprise more than pain but did not cry out.
Ada waited, kneeling in front of Leah with her hands folded in her lap. She spoke not a word but watched my house lord expectantly. A birthmark, the size of a gold coin, marked her right buttock.
Holding the candle steady, he walked over to Leah’s other side and then sat, positioning the candle over her right breast. Heavy and full, her breasts flopped down with her nipples erect. The areola was dark brown in color, and I could see the stretch marks on her stomach as she moved. My house lord turned to Leah and nodded, then said, �
�To fully enjoy the level of pleasure that you desire, you must learn to let go and to listen to me. It’s just as much about the anticipation as it is the surprise.”
He waved Ada on and she leaned in and licked Leah’s cunt. The lick was quick, teasing, and then done. Leah’s legs tightened and she arched her body up toward Ada’s mouth. Waiting for permission, Leah remained still.
“Please, let her lick me more.” Leah turned toward the house lord. “I want her to not stop, and then I want …”
Tipping the candle over, hot wax dripped on her breast.
She flinched in surprise and hissed out a breath between her teeth. He nodded again and Ada leaned in and licked, leisurely, tasting Leah, and toyed with her, kissing her clitoris and then, gently at first, using her tongue to gently lick Leah’s outer lips. Leah started to moan in pleasure, but she clamped her mouth shut and grabbed the rope that tied her to the mattress in each hand and clenched tightly. She spread her legs as far apart as she could and let her head fall to the side, biting her tongue.
I watched, unable to stop, and slowly felt a rise in desire come to me. I was hidden, an observer, lurking behind the sofa, filled with a mixture of guilt and excitement. The wine I had drunk made me brave, but not courageous enough to come forward. I hid behind the sofa and took in every lick that Ada made and watched Leah’s face contort in pleasure.
“Put your fingers inside her.” Our house lord scooted down toward Ada and watched as she sucked on her index and middle fingers and then slid them deep into Leah. She quickly pulled the fingers out and then gently slid them back in.
Leah moaned and moved her hips, matching the motion, clenching tight her stomach muscles. The house lord held up his hand to stop, and Ada obeyed. He motioned for her to remain quiet, and then he pointed to a dark corner of the room. From the shadows a man wearing a lion’s mask came over, naked and fully erect. He had little hair on his legs and a large muscular torso and strong hands. I could see nothing of his face because of the mask, and when he stood by Ada, she moved off to the side and knelt in the spot that she had been in, careful not to touch Leah at all.
