by D. R. Rosier
Sienna had been talking all day with the others and gave me a concise report of what she thought I would be interested in.
“Everyone seems to know about you and why you’re going to the capitol. Usually a mage is trained in the basics by eighteen, then sent to the capitol for specialized training. Since you’re in your mid twenties and new they are all very curious. They’ve been asking me about you, but I’ve not said much.”
I smiled at that, mid twenties…
She went on, “Ari is the second person they seem to gossip about, apparently it isn’t common for an Elf to travel out of their lands.”
She shrugged, “The rest is just gossip I’m sure you don’t want to hear about.”
I nodded, we talked a bit more during dinner, and then a comfortable silence fell between us. I found myself amazed again by what a jewel I had found. At least I knew I had one person that would have my best interests in mind. I was paying her, but she was exhibiting loyalty and intelligence far beyond what could be bought. I wasn’t blind to the fact that the great sex was a factor in liking her, but it was truly down on the list.
Jace called Niol and I over to him after dinner.
“Marcus, do some training with Niol here while I take over picket duty. In an hour you will replace me for first watch. Ari follows for second watch.”
Niol and I found a place to spar. We both moved tentatively at first, feeling each other out. It didn’t take long for me to conclude he had a good grasp of swordsmanship, but still had to think about what he was doing instead of having muscle memory to depend on, which slowed him down a bit.
I worked with him for about an hour, attacking him over and over where his responses were weak. I worried again about being identified as being different. I hardly had a sheen of sweat on my forehead, and my heart was only beating slightly faster at the end of our training session, but he didn’t seem to notice.
Niol said, “That was a good workout.”
I nodded, “You’re good and your forms are perfect. Just need to work on your speed.”
He moved off to get some rest and I tracked down Jace to take my turn at watch.
I practiced some more detecting air, and tried to find water as well to keep my mind sharp as the silence and dark made me rather sleepy. Walking a circuit around the camp helped me fend off sleep as well. When it was time to wake Ari to take over I stood, then froze as I sensed someone moving toward me. I turned to her when she was fifteen feet away or so.
“It’s been quiet. The watch is yours.”
She simply nodded, still hidden under the shadows of her hood. The moment got awkward, it was painfully apparent she had no interest in talking, apparently to anyone. I nodded and made my way back to the tent. Sienna was sleeping, so I quietly took off my boots, laid the sword next to my bedroll and settled down to sleep…
My eyes snapped open and I was fully alert, though I wasn’t sure why. I could tell it was close to dawn, perhaps an hour away. There was silence outside, so I knew we weren’t under attack. When I calmed down from my rude awakening I felt it. There was magic being used nearby, maybe a half mile from camp.
I put on my boots and strapped my sword on and slipped out of the tent. I could sense Kendra was on watch, but slipped away silently into the surrounding woods. I realized I was probably being stupid, but something about the magic drew me, and I had to investigate.
I moved silently through the woods like a ghost, stopping on the edge of a large clearing. I looked out and could hardly believe my eyes. Ari was in the field going through a sword kata. Though to say that did her no justice, her movements were graceful like a dance. She was fast, the motion of her sword never stopping as she jumped and twirled around the clearing.
I had a desire to learn that style; my sword mastery seemed more like a young lad taking an axe clumsily to wood in comparison. Yet, I doubted she would ever do such a thing as teach me, I wasn’t quite sure she would even bother to spit at me if I was on fire. Perhaps that was too harsh, I just got the feeling she didn’t like humans very much. I was conscious of the fact I might be misjudging her based on human expectations however.
I was completely clueless about the Elf races customs and taboos; it was also one of the subjects that Sienna didn’t know much about either.
But her beautiful… sword dance, wasn’t the only thing holding my rapt attention.
She wasn’t wearing her cloak. Her face was still obscured, her light pale skin barely illuminated by the moon. But her hair was a silver blonde running all the way down her back, and shone brightly in the moonlight as it moved freely with her dance. When she was turned in my direction, I could also see the silver glow in her eyes and make out the points of her upswept ears. She was about five foot one and petite, perfectly proportional for that size, though watching her, there was no doubt she was a grown woman.
As for the magic, it was wind and fire and seemed to be complimenting her movements. There was no breeze, or even fire, but it was as if the elementals themselves were present and joining her in the dance. I could feel the commonality between our magic and knew she was a mage.
I was very curious as to why she was going to Ciren. Her dance seemed to slow and I finally came to my senses, she’d be angry if she knew I was watching her like some dumbstruck teenage boy with worship in his eyes.
I stood and turned to go, but stopped as I heard her musical voice call out in steely tones, “So have you gotten your eyeful then?”
I cringed, but then straightened up and turned with a scowl on my face. She was closer than I expected her to be, only a few strides away. Her face was fair in complexion, perfect really. She was probably more beautiful than any woman I had met in all my years. But it was a cold beauty, almost like a statue in its cold aloofness. Her silver eyes looked at me icily.
I replied in clipped words, “I was merely investigating the magic that woke me.”
She raised an eyebrow at me and said in a scathing tone, “And why then did you stay. To gawp at the Elf?”
I frowned not sure how to answer. This was obviously a touchy subject but I didn’t know if it was personal, or a race thing.
“The magic and your sword dance. I have never seen its like before. I won’t bother you again during your morning training. It wasn’t my intention to spy on you or invade your privacy.”
There was more to it than that, but I really wasn’t sure what it was.
She asked, her voice sounding surprised, “You felt my magic?”
I nodded letting my scowl go and replied evenly, “Yes, I’m going to Ciren for mage training. The magic woke me from a dead sleep.”
She nodded once, her face was still expressionless but I could see her eyes soften, although perhaps that was wishful thinking on my part.
“I too am heading to Ciren for mage training.”
I probably looked surprised by her statement, because she actually volunteered more information.
“It is my duty. Every generation an Elf goes to the human capitol to affirm the peace between our nations. We also take the opportunity to exchange magical knowledge.”
Reading between the lines I could tell she thought she had gotten the short straw by having to come. I was curious as hell and wanted to ask her many questions about Elven magic, her sword technique and about the woman herself. I had the feeling though I needed to go very slowly if I wanted to learn anything about her or her people. But to do that, I needed to at least open a door between us.
If one thing was obvious by her guarded expression and actions is she was wary of humans, perhaps rightly so. I knew nothing of the international politics here, or again, her people’s customs and taboos.
“I apologize again for intruding. It won’t happen again, unless you invite me.”
Her eyes narrowed, “Why would I do that?”
I shrugged, “You will be teaching as well as learning in the city, and I’m sure I will see you a lot there. Perhaps I am hopeful you will teach me something on our way
there?”
Taking a chance I continued, “I am new in this country, and you are the first Elf I have ever met. I admit to a certain amount of curiosity in learning your magic, language and customs. For all I know I just broke a taboo by even saying that.”
She studied me as if I was dirt under her nails and said, “And what exactly will I be learning from you in exchange? You already admitted you know nothing of magic.”
I said, “Please don’t be offended, but I can tell you aren’t very comfortable around humans, even though I am sure you probably know more than I do about Cirenthian customs. But I am a lone power with no real political connections. We also have something in common, we will be lone powers in a strange city full of mages who all have known each other since birth.
“It wouldn’t hurt to form a connection between us, perhaps even a friendship. I’m the perfect human to acclimatize against and won’t easily take offense by any missteps between us.”
I shrugged, “Even if I did, politically I’m not important for that to matter.”
Her eyes flashed with anger and she turned away returning to her morning workout. Apparently dismissed, I turned and headed off into the forest.
I was painfully curious to learn about the Elves but it seemed befriending one would be much harder than I’d expected. Perhaps it wasn’t worth the effort, I was almost sure I could get information about them out of books. Ari was haughty and rude, but still, that almost didn’t matter at all to me. She was alien, and different, something new in a life where that was rare thanks to my age.
Yes, the Cirenthian customs would be different as well, perhaps even surprise me at times, but they would be recognizable as human customs, unlike learning about Elven culture. I was almost sure the fact she was exotically beautiful had nothing to do with my desire there… at least, not much.
I guessed we had at least an hour before the sun came up high enough for the cook to get going and I was now wide awake. I felt a little guilty waking Sienna, but we wouldn’t have any time once the day got started for any fun. I opened her bedroll and found her in nothing but under clothes. Her riding breaches and shirt were folded down by her feet.
I grinned down at her; she looked so peaceful with her face relaxed in sleep. I softly started to play with her inner thigh with my fingertips as I softly kissed the top of her breasts and cleavage. She moaned softly in her sleep, and I teased the fabric of her panties to the side, exposing her treasure to the cool air in the tent.
She gasped and opened her eyes as I slid my finger up and down her swollen lips. I teased my middle finger past the barrier into her wet heat as I pulled the fabric off her breasts and took a nipple into my mouth.
I slid my finger deep inside her and brushed her hardened nub with the pad of my thumb. I heard a muffled moan and looked up from her teat to see her covering her mouth to lessen the sound. Her cheeks were flushed and her wide blue eyes looking down at me.
She moaned and said in light gasping breaths, “Isn’t that… my… job.”
I kissed up to her throat and across her neck before lightly nibbling her ear.
I said grinning, “Employee benefit, I love to feel your body tremble on my fingertips.”
She seemingly took my light words as an order. She covered her mouth again and whimpered in pleasure as I felt her wet heat tighten around my fingers. I pushed down on her button for a moment to give her that final push and watched as her young nubile body froze, and then trembled, wracked with pleasure as she soaked my hand.
I mounted her then, holding my weight up so our bodies merely brushed together. She was coming down and looking into my eyes as I pushed deeply into her welcoming soft and supple body. The heat, pressure and wet friction drew a moan from both of us. Buried deep inside her I kissed her hungrily for a moment before taking her hard and fast.
I held back my pleasure and took her over the edge two more times. I could barely hear her muffled noises of bliss as she gagged herself with the bedroll. Her body was rolling up into me each thrust, our bodies slapping together hard. I let go of my control, or perhaps I lost it, when she spoke on her third rise to orgasm.
“Fill me Marcus, I want to feel you explode deep inside me,” she begged in a breathless voice.
Her words sent a surge of lust through me and I started to pound harder, barely keeping a hold on my enhanced strength so as not to hurt her. Her body locked up tight around my invader, milking it demandingly as I expanded within her, releasing into her warmth’s embrace…
I had a question I was afraid to ask Sienna as I came down and she snuggled into my side. Mistress obviously meant something different here. On earth it meant a lover other than a wife, no servant duties, no pay… unless you count gifts or a love nest. Here though, it was much different. She was an advisor, took care of servant duties like cleaning, organizing, etc. Then of course there was the sex.
But what about lover… as it is in the other world? Wouldn’t that complicate the servant part? Mistresses were accepted here, probably commonplace. But were they left behind all the time at home, or brought to polite company dinners and parties. I had all these questions but didn’t want to make her feel awkward. Maybe if I came at it obliquely. No, I needed to just ask.
When I asked her for a better understanding of how it all worked it turned out I was worried for nothing.
She explained, “It’s different for everyone, just like every marriage is, or every friendship. It depends on the people involved and what they agreed to. Some mistresses are spies that are encouraged to sleep around. Some are brought to polite parties and no one will blink an eye. Some share their mistress for some other gain, some are very possessive and don’t share well.
“Basically we make the rules for us. That is why there is an out clause so to speak, in case we don’t agree. For instance, one of the main reasons I did this besides you being a good man was to get away from a prostitute’s life. I would object strongly to being shared, or used to seduce information from other men.”
I replied, “Good, because I don’t want to share you at all. I also don’t want to hide you away.”
She kissed my cheek and smiled like the cat that got in the cream, “Told you I made a good decision.”
I asked the hard questions, “So what does that mean for me? Do men have multiple mistresses? Wives? Is that frowned on here? What if we fall in love down the line, how could continue paying you be the right thing?”
She frowned, “Love does complicate it. It is why mistresses do not usually last longer than a year or two. By then it usually either leads to marriage or a split of some kind. Some men avoid having mistresses for that very reason and stick to courting and regular servants if they are wealthy enough.
“Multiple mistresses are rare but do happen. Usually though it is after marriage and both the man and woman have a say if and who a new mistress will be. There is no right or wrong answer there either.”
I grunted, “I don’t have any plans, but how do you feel about it?”
She shrugged, “I wouldn’t mind sharing. I just won’t be the one shared. The benefit to me is I’d have more help to get things done. You will be a mage after all, and that comes with many responsibilities, money, and probably land to take care of. Right now living on the road it’s easy to take care of it all, but running an estate and keeping track of servants would be hard for one person.”
She grinned, “I’d be too tired for sex all the time, neither of us wants that.”
I thought for a moment and said, “There has to be more to that, I could just hire an estate manager for most of that, keep your duties reasonable.”
She sighed and seemed a little defensive. “A woman needs the company of another woman sometimes. A second mistress or wife is someone I would be able to trust, and not worry about constantly guarding your reputation and secrets with. The servants would be below me in status, so that wouldn’t work, and all my other peers will be looking for information on you for their employers or husba
nds.”
I nodded slowly. At least I knew where she stood. I knew her for two days now and I wasn’t in love with her, but based on her qualities I knew it could happen sometime in the future. I wasn’t really shocked about the multiple wives thing either, it had been common back when I was born, only recently outlawed, relatively. Based on what I’d learned of this society so far, I’d have been surprised if they didn’t.
I said, “Of course I understand that, why wouldn’t I? I need to get cleaned up, it’s breakfast soon and we’ll be moving out shortly after.”
She kissed me and put a hand on my chest, holding me down.
She whispered, “It’s my job to clean that up…”
She slid down my body and I gasped as she started to lick me clean. I decided I had time for one more mess and reached down and grabbed her hair, holding it out of the way so she could concentrate on doing a good job…
The day went by quickly, and again there were no ambushes or even false alarms. It was a chore to keep myself focused and not let my guard down. The only thing that saved me from doing so was detecting the air and water around me with my magic. I may have only been able to read the air around and not affect it, but it was still a whole new world opened up to me as the caravan moved down the road.
That night we had stopped by a small lake, some of the wagon drivers broke out fishing poles and set up. With that much water, it was easier for me to feel, and I could tell where the fish were and the size based on how they cut through the water.
I had first watch again, so after I ate and tried to help Niol’s sword work improve I said goodnight to Sienna and started walking a perimeter. I may not have gotten fatigued from running or exercise, but I was still tired at the end of the long day. I wound up walking nonstop while spreading out my magical senses for the last half hour.
I felt Ari approach and said, “Another quiet night, the watch is yours.”
