by John Evans
"She may not have been able to comprehend Teamer's downfall," suggested Shara.
"She's not alone," advised the major. "I'm just glad I took Elijah along with me. He settled most of the arguments."
"It sounds like everything went well," said Shara. "Can we offer you some of Teamer's vintage wine? I would also like to hear more about your life. We did not get much of a chance to talk before. Per, be a dear, and go tell Elijah to let the servants get some rest. They have put in a hard morning and I'm sure the night wasn't too restful for them, either. You look like you could do with some more rest yourself."
Per nodded to her and left to find Elijah. He related Shara's orders, causing the domo's mouth to twitch up into a smile. He thanked Per and said the servants would rest until sundown when they would prepare dinner. Per decided to walk around the mansion. He did not feel like going back to sleep because he would be up all night long then. He found the library, but nothing there captured his interest. Per headed back to the main foyer, planning on going to the garden, but stopped when he heard a noise coming from the morning room.
Creeping forward as quietly as possible, he carefully turned the handle of the door. He was so stunned by what he saw inside that the gasp he was about to give got caught in his throat.
The major was stark naked, lying on his back on the thick rug carpet. His hands were cupping Shara's generous breast from underneath. She was also naked, sitting astride his hips with her hands on her own. The Queen looked up at Per and winked at him.
"I'm going to be burned at the stake for this, aren't I?" panted the major.
"Only if you're indiscreet," replied Shara. "Of course, then you might just be made to disappear." She ground her hips down on his, embedding his cock further into her tight cunt. The major groaned in ecstasy. "I did promise you a reward. The General beat me to your promotion, so I thought I'd do something else for you. Your risk earned you great rewards. Remember that."
Shara raised her hands up to her luxurious, thick black hair and interlaced her fingers through it. Her large tits rose up magnificently and her hard nipples jutted out majestically. She began gyrating her hips around and around in circles. The major inhaled sharply as he felt his cock stir around inside her hot, wet snatch. He reached up with his forefingers and thumbs to pinch and rub her outthrust nipples between them.
Shara shivered and moaned as jolts of pleasure shot through her breasts. She squeezed the hard shaft stuffed inside her with her vaginal muscles as she continued her gyrations. Her body took on a sheen as she began to perspire. Sweat dripped off the major's forehead and Per could see him fight to keep from cumming too soon. Per knew it was a lost cause.
The pleasure from her nipples and the hard cock buried inside her caused Shara to have a series of mini-orgasms. As she shivered through each one, she shimmied her hips back and forth. The new motion pushed the major over the edge. With a loud grunt, his hands slapped down onto Shara's hips to hold her in place. His face grimaced and his whole body tensed up for that split-second before he climaxed.
The major started to shake, starting with his head and then it traveled down his shoulders, across his chest and down to his groin. With a loud gasp, his hips arched upward. His cock pulsated and spewed forth his hot, thick seed into her womb. Shara sighed in contentment as she felt him cum deep in her vagina. She then laid down on top of him, holding him close as they both gasped for breath.
Per jerked upright when he heard loud voices coming from outside. He eased the door closed and headed out front to see what the problem was. The last thing he wanted was for Shara and the major to be seen. At the bottom of the steps, a heavy-set, gray-haired, beady-eyed, angry woman was arguing with the sergeant. Three young men and two women were with her. They were obviously the woman's children and Per recognized Teamer's characteristics in their faces. The woman spotted him looking.
"That!" she spat shrilly, pointing at Per. "You're denying my right to my house so that thing can live in it!"
Per hurried down the steps towards her. "The General placed us here as the palace wasn't fit for guests after the last person's residence there, Lady Teamer."
"Don't try to match wits with me, boy," snarled Lady Teamer. "You don't have the equipment."
"Your husband thought I was inferior too, just before I stuck his head above the gate."
Her children all gasped in unison and took a step backwards. Lady Teamer's eyes narrowed as she studied him. Per had to give her a little respect as she showed no fear or reaction to his statement.
"Well, I guess I should thank you for that small favor," said Lady Teamer calmly, which shocked her children even more. "Oh, grow up. I know you all aren't that innocent." She turned back to face Per. "I will not be thrown out of my house for the likes of you, though."
"What about the likes of me?" asked Shara, walking out of the front door.
Lady Teamer's face became even more sour. "You're one of those stuck-up noble ladies, who prance around like they have a pole stuck up their butt. Why don't you grab your big fuck-toy here and go to the nearest sty."
"Sergeant, you know who I am, correct?" asked Shara.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Good. You witnessed that insult to the crown - kill her and that whole mangy brood of hers."
"What, Your Majesty?" stammered the sergeant, his eyes becoming very wide.
"She insulted me," repeated Shara imperially. "Kill her."
"Your Majesty," interrupted Per. "Lady Teamer probably does not recognize you. I think you should at least let her know she has insulted royalty."
"I'm Queen Shara, wife of the Overlord. The General put me up here when I was caught up in your city's recent unpleasantness. If you have an issue with the house, take it up with him."
"But we need," one of the sons started to say before Lady Teamer hit him in the face with her purse.
"My apologies, Your Majesty," she said obsequiously. "I did not wish for him to insult you and end up a corpse. I offer my apologies for any insult I may have given you. The events of the past couple of days have been trying and I forgot myself. If you will excuse us, I will go present my case to the General."
"You are dismissed," said Shara, with a negligent wave of her hand before turning to go back inside. "Come along, Per."
Per climbed back up the stairs, entered the house, and closed the door. Shara had stepped into the morning room and was watching Lady Teamer through the lace curtains. Per was glad to see that the major was not there.
"I sent the major out the back way," she said, as if reading his mind. "Thank you for stopping her. She would have bullied her way past the sergeant and that would have been awkward."
"Embarrassing and probably deadly," added Per.
"You would have killed them?" asked Shara with just a hint of surprise in her voice.
"We'll never know," replied Per. "I wonder what they wanted so badly from this house?"
"I wondered about that myself," said Shara. "Maybe Elijah has an idea of what that might be. Tell the sergeant to keep a close eye out for people around this house. Lady Teamer doesn't strike me as the type to give up easily. You might want to catch up on some sleep. It's been a long morning."
"You're right about that," said Per. "I got some sleep, but I now feel like I could use some more."
Per looked up at the sky. It was past noon, but it felt like he had been up for two days straight. His eyes were gritty and his muscles felt like lead weights. He decided he had better head back upstairs to his room. Per went up to his room and opened the door.
"Hello, Per. I understand I have you to thank for our rescue."
Iona was naked, lying coyly on the bed. Her skin tone was paler than Per remembered and she had lost weight, but there was no mistaking the lust in her eyes. She slowly swung herself out of the bed and sauntered over to him. She then pulled his head down and gave him a passionate kiss.
"Oh, Gods, it's so good to see you," gushed Iona as she broke the kiss and began peeling
off Per's clothing. "Teamer threw us all in jail. We had no idea what was happening until we were released this morning." She stripped Per down to the skin. "Go lie down, while I put your clothes away. Teamer was obsessed with stopping the prophesy. In a coup, he captured the General and the entire General Staff of the army. His militia took over the city and then the surrounding countryside. Holina and I walked right into the city and were tossed in the dungeon with my mother."
Breathlessly, Iona finished putting his clothes away. She turned and walked sexily back towards the bed. "I'm so glad you got Yayenski and saved Queen Shara. Now, it's time for your reward. Per? Per?"
She turned round to find the half-ogre lying on the floor, already snoring.
Chapter 14: Return To The Capitol
"I think we need to stop here."
Per reined in his horse and turned in his saddle to look at Queen Shara. She was looking at him imperially as if she expected her statement to be obeyed immediately. Her attitude had become more 'royal' and more irritating after they crossed the border and rode closer to the Capitol.
"What now, Your Majesty?" asked the General, riding up from behind with Iona, indicating that Per was not the only one put out by her behavior.
Shara flushed in embarrassment. "I'm sorry. Now that we're back, all my bad habits keep cropping up. I would like to stop so that I can get changed."
"Changed?" asked Per uncomprehending. "Why? We're only a couple of hours from the Capitol."
"Haven't you noticed the tenseness in the people we have encountered?" asked Shara. "They're jumpy, scared, and frightened. Remember the first village where we told them who I was? They would not believe it until after I changed out of my traveling outfit into something more regal. It reassured them and they finally began to relax around us."
"So that's why we've stopped in every town and village along the way!" exclaimed Per.
"Of course," said Shara. Her face then lit up in comprehension. "Oh, I see. You did not understand. My dressing-up along with acting like my old self must have seemed like I was subverting the people or manipulating them."
"The thought had occurred to me," said Per.
"What's going on?" asked Holina as she, Celine, and Contico rode up.
"May we please stop here?" Shara asked of Per and the General. "I think I need to explain some things."
The General signaled his men to secure the area. Inga joined the group as they moved off the road. Their horses were led away and they made themselves comfortable on the ground or on fallen logs.
"I wish to apologize," Shara said to everyone. "I am not used to explaining my actions, which has left you in the dark as to what I was doing. My people are tense and fearful. Their main concern was if they would survive the kingdom falling apart from my abduction. I was trying to reassure them by letting them know I had been rescued and was returning to them."
"Ah! Now, I understand!" remarked the General.
"I don't," replied Per. "I mean, I understand reassuring the people, but why all the theatrics?"
"What would you and other people think if your mother started wearing armor and acting like a fighter?" asked Shara.
"Well, um," Per said, struggling with the idea. "We'd probably think she lost her mind."
"Indeed," said Shara. "You might also wonder if she had been possessed or impersonated by any number of magical creatures. I will undoubtedly be subjugated to several days of magical tests to ensure I am the real Queen Shara.
"I've been dressing and acting the way I have been because the people expect it of me. To dress and act differently would only increase their apprehension and add fuel to their doubts. Their fears may make them do something rash, which could be disastrous all around."
"That would happen, Per," added the General. "Especially with strange soldiers escorting her back to the Capitol."
"I'm sorry if I snubbed anyone," said Shara. "It was just easier to keep up the appearances. I'll try to do better. Anyway, the General's messenger should have reached my husband by now and, if I know him, he'll be here within an hour. That is precious little time to change in. May I suggest we all freshen up? There will be a parade through the streets."
"You're joking," scoffed Iona.
"No, she's not," answered Holina and the General together. They smiled at each other. "Her abduction would be viewed as a weakness in this kingdom," Holina continued. "A parade through the streets showing her return reinforces the monarchy."
"Sounds like you know about these things," commented Contico.
"My father is Warden of the Eastern Spine," said Holina. "Dwarven politics are a little more rough and tumble than those of humans, but it is essentially the same game."
"Well, I, for one, am not going to look like a ragamuffin when we enter the Capitol," said Inga. She turned to face the General. "Dear, would you please have someone bring my valise over to that shrubbery over there?"
"Aw, fuck!" griped Holina, under her breath. "I'm going to have to get back into that dwarven torture device of a dress."
"Why don't you set a new fashion and where something comfortable?" suggested Per.
"Because this is the Capitol of the Overlord," replied Holina. "There will be dwarves there and my father will hear about it if I don't wear the traditional dress, especially if I parade it through the streets."
Celine looked at her stained traveling outfit. "I'm afraid this is my best outfit."
"I think we can do something better than that," said Inga. "Iona, I packed dresses for you." Iona looked up at her mother in shock. "I knew it would be a wasted effort, but I had hope. Would you mind if Celine borrows one? You can also try one on if you like."
Iona sighed and said, "Yes, mother. Come on, Celine. Let's see what there is so we can get changed. Happy, mother?"
"You're such a good girl," said Inga with a smile.
Soon the ladies were decked out in their finery. The men took their cue and made themselves presentable too. Horses were groomed, armor cleaned and weapons inspected for rust. Celine looked lovely in a pink gown that only had to be darned in a couple of places. Iona and Inga both wore blue gowns, while Contico was dressed in shimmering green. Shara looked every part a queen in radiant white.
"Where did you get those dresses?" asked Per in awe as they presented themselves before him and the General.
"These old things?" teased Shara, pirouetting around. "We have the General to thank for that."
"I know an enchanting seamstress," confided the General. "She can turn out the most fabulous clothes, but that's as far as her magic will take her."
"I'm sure our Thaumaturgical School can help her," stated Shara. "I'll even arrange transportation here so she can be tested."
Inga laughed. "Nice try, Your Majesty. I prefer to keep her in our employ."
Shara returned the laugh. "I thought I'd give it a try. Her work is marvelous."
"Sir!" called out a soldier stationed down the road. "A troop of cavalry, Kingdom colors, two banners."
"Lieutenant, form up the men," ordered the General. "Shara, your husband is approaching. One banner is the unit banner. The other, I presume, will be the royal banner."
"Thank you," said Shara with a little catch in her voice. "It might be best if Per and I move forward to greet him."
"As you wish," replied the General. "You know him better than I do."
Shara nodded and started to walk down the road. Per followed after her and moved up beside her. They stopped when they were about a hundred yards from the others. Per could hear the faint hoof beats of approaching horses.
"I'm scared," admitted Shara suddenly. "I was plotting to have him overthrown the night I was captured. What if he found out about it?"
"He won't learn it from me," said Per softly. "I believe you have changed. Even if you do backslide from time to time." Shara snorted as she tried to swallow her laughter. "Remember you have to show him that you have changed too."
The hoof beats became louder and the troop of about th
irty lancers came cantering around the bend in the road. Per saw the Overlord in the lead. He raised his hand and slowed the troop down to walk. Shara's face was pinched tight and she was trembling slightly. The Overlord halted the troop and swung a leg over the neck of his horse to drop to the ground.
"Courage, Your Majesty," whispered Per to Shara. "What would you want to see if the roles were reversed?"
Shara took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. She took two steps forward as the Overlord approached and then sank down to one knee. Per, not expecting her action, floundered for a second before dropping to one knee himself. He heard the Overlord slow to a stop and also a collective gasp from the royal guards.
"What are you doing, Shara?" asked the Overlord quietly so that only she and Per could hear him.
"I'm kneeling before my liege lord and husband," replied Shara in the same tone. "I beg your forgiveness that my folly has brought us to this point."
"Your folly is no worse than mine," replied the Overlord, moving forward and kneeling beside her. "I am glad you have returned unharmed. Come and stand up. I don't believe the queen or my wife should be kneeling in the dirt."
The Overlord jumped a little bit and a shocked look appeared on his face when Shara wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tightly. After a moment's hesitation, he hugged her back with murmurs of approval coming from his men.
"Well, Per, it seems that you are the hero of the hour," said the Overlord. "I must admit it did not look good for you when Queen Shara was first abducted."
"That was my thought, too, Your Majesty," replied Per.
"I'm still amazed that you came after me, after all that I did," said Shara.
"Water under the bridge, Your Majesty," said Per.
"No, it's not," said Shara firmly. She released her hold around the Overlord's waist. "Come, we have visitors and I'm sure you want to hear the story."
