To Claim the Elvin Princess: Apprentice (34 page)

2

Amein had been on her way back to Alarinad from the Elvin world of Am-Anarian when she received an urgent message which had been relayed from Tieneri. It had been brief and less than informative, her young elf likely wishing to deliver terrible news in person. It had said simply,
Elvin forces ambushed by mass of Eridians, heavy casualties. No Elvin captives present at village.

Amein knew from experience that further enquires would be pointless, her assistant precise and well able to resist her badgering. Instead, she concentrated on getting back as fast as possible. She had confronted horrid news before, and knew well how to stay focused and disciplined, resisting the urge to speculate about what might be involved.

Still, she was now confronted by a stronger feeling of dread, understanding how much deeper her feelings for Rasten were than for even her siblings. She had worried many times, having sent various ones of her family off to fight, and had more than once lost someone. While tragic and dire, none had tormented her like the possible loss of Rasten promised to do.

When she emerged from the gate at the Citadel, she quickly looked at those manning it, looking for any sign of sadness or pity for her. She could see no such, and this heartened her a bit.

“Greetings Princess...was your journey productive?” the gate keeper asked.

“It went well...I was summoned to return urgently. Do you know why?” she asked, and held her breath.

“No...I’m sure your people in the Citadel will inform you!” the elf suggested, giving no hint of dishonesty or evasion. None other displayed such either.

“I should hope so!” she said, and managed a weak smile.

It took much effort not to run, but she was soon striding into the entry, intent on going to her office, and seeking out Tineria. Instead, her father’s statue caught her eye, and she felt drawn to it, stepping up to stand and gaze.

What words might you counsel, to give me strength?
she wondered, knowing that Sayarin had lost many friends and companions in his years of war. Nothing came to her, and she stood staring, until the soft voice of Tineria intruded from behind her.

“Princess?” she whispered, having been advised by the gate keeper of Amein’s arrival, as she had ordered.

Amein managed to turn and face her assistant. “Sit!” the young elf commanded, then looked guilty for being so bold.

“Please, Princess?” she added, gesturing. Amein turned and sat, and Tineria did likewise, both turned to face each other.

“Is it as bad as I fear?” Amein managed to ask.

“I can not answer to how the battle went or what occured. All I can speak to is this; Rasten did not return with the Elvin. Kimarein informs us that he was battling Shocara, one on one, and that they pulled away from the main battle, deeper into the forest. None saw either of them after that, and being driven back, Kimarien chose to withdraw, rather than sacrifice more of our warriors...”

“So none can say if he fell or is captive?” Amein asked, searching for anyway to avoid complete despair. “I would speak with Kimarien and the other commanders, and hear a fuller telling.”

“It is late, Princess, would you rather wait until morning?”

“No...ignorance will make no pillow for me tonight...I need to know all aspects of what we faced!”

“I will see to it at once!” Tineria assured her, but instead of leaping up, she hesitated. “I’m sorry!” she whispered, knowing her words inadequate, but eager to offer some comfort. They swiftly embraced, both overcome, and sat several minutes, before parting.

“Thank you...no words will ever heal such a wound, or banish this misery, but I am grateful for your care!” Amein sighed, wiping at her eyes.

When she parted from Tinaria, she went to her rooms to change, but soon regretted it, seeing Rasten’s things bringing her to tears. She threw herself onto her bed, and hugged a pillow, crying helplessly, no longer able to hold in her misery. Several of her attendants, who had heard rumor of Rasten’s fall, came to watch, unsure whether to come to her or to grant her privacy. They finally came close, and sat, surrounding her on the bed and waited.

When she had stopped her tears, and pulled away from her pillow, she discovered them, several offering her a hankie, and all looking sad and concerned.

“You’ve heard?” she managed to ask, knowing such gossip would have been well spread and shared.

“Of course...Princess...there is little we might do to sooth you, but do not hesitate to ask it of us,” one whispered.

Her helpers got her to sit up, and one wiped her face with a warm and damp cloth, before drying it. A glance in a hand mirror showed her eyes red and swollen. but she was otherwise presentable.

“Thank you...” she sighed, before going out.

When she reached the meeting room where the commanders had gathered, all stood quickly upon her entry. Kimarien, who had served her since she was made Princess, bowed to her.

“Princess, I am much grieved to be the bearer of such unpleasant news!”

“Kimarien...there are no guarantees in life...we all know this. We lose many, who are dear, no matter what our hearts desire! Come, tell me all that occurred!” she managed to say, hoping her voice wouldn’t fail.

They sat long, as all told parts of what had occurred, each contributing what they had seen. Amein listened intently, asking an occasional question, wanting to fully comprehend how the Elvin had been beaten. When all had fallen silent, they waited to hear what Amein thought of their story.

“The Eridians knew you were coming! And worse, they knew well in advance, so that they were able to move the captives and all their women and children. The men at the village...their job was to get you to go to Sardac!”

“Lord Rasten thought that likely also...our first thought was to go attack under cover of darkness, but upon reflection, he decided we should wait. That allowed us to rest, and arrive at dawn fresh, and we did catch the Eridians asleep or tired. Had we attacked in the dark, we would have been easily overwhelmed, considering where they had placed themselves,” Kimarien insisted bitterly.

“We must discover how the Eridians knew of our plans! We have never suffered such a betrayal!” Amein said, her voice angry and harsh.

“True, but there is another thing we must consider!” Kimarien suggested softly. Everyone stared at him. “Shocara...her leadership and quick thinking was amazing! She guided her men well, and her grasp of strategy is something we’ve never seen from the Eridians. We were well positioned twice to beat them down, but she guided them to elude our force! This whole battle smacks of brilliant planning, and we should not hesitate to confess it!”

“Well spoken. She gives them something they’ve never displayed before...an inventiveness and ability to improvise. We’re used to fighting Eridians who are simple and predictable, and she’s changed that! We must prepare better!” Amein declared. “How many did we loose.

“More than fifty...we were lucky to not lose more!”

“So...the Eridians drove us off, and their village was spared. They still have our people, and their own women and children?” Amein asked. Kimarien nodded.

“Then it seems the Eridians won this one, doesn’t it?!”

The commanders glanced at each other, before all nodded.

“What might you tell me of Lord Rasten?” she asked, and sat, scarcely breathing.

“His quick thinking liked spared us much worse casualties, Princess!”

“You said he was fighting Shocara when last you saw him? What can you tell me of that?”

“He was holding his own. She was trying to get him back deeper into the forest...likely to use it to her own advantage somehow, but...with the way the fighting was going, I had no time to watch! Neither of them were visible to me as we departed!”

“Were you fighting as you mounted your terranaks?”

“No..the Eridiains seemed to stop as we mounted up, and fled...what do you make of that?” Kimarien wondered.

“Only Shocara would have stopped them from trying to kill all of you! I’m certain she was someplace close enough to issue commands! You know what that likely means...” she ended, suddenly exhausted.

“Of course...but Rasten is a resourceful one...” Kimarien suggested, wishing to sound more hopeful than he felt.

“But even had he escaped Shocara’s blade, he would be alone, many leagues from our land, completely surrounded by Eridians!” Amein sighed.

They talked for a time, about the need to find the one within who had passed along such information, as well as the need to think better of their enemies deviousness. She finally dismissed them, and headed off to her rooms.

When she arrived, she found her mother waiting.

Hiverivi stood, and Amein ran into her arms, bursting into tears. Neither spoke for many long minutes.

“The evil part...is not knowing for certain!” Amein finnaly sighed.

“None saw him fall?” her mother asked, and Amein shook her head.

“None saw either of them,” she insisted, then explained what she knew.

“You are likely correct...but even captured or wounded...his chances of surviving the Eridians is slim. Should they discover who he is, his end would be terrible!”

“Probably. I’ve never hated the Eridians as much as I do now!” she complained.

“How much are you angry with yourself?” Hiverivi asked suddenly. This caused a new wave of tears, before Amein managed to stop sniveling.

“I will always blame myself! I...had no real reason for not going...I just wanted him to lead, without me looking over his shoulder!” Amein cried.

“I thought so. Your decision was wise, but will now torment you! You won’t heal from this for a long time, unless Rasten somehow escapes and returns!”

“That’s a fool’s hope...isn’t it?” Amein complained, wiping her eyes.

“Hope is never completely foolish or in vain, especially as it helps you function, while you heal. Your heart will know to let it go when it is time!” her mother assured her.

“I’m not sure I will ever find that time!” she sighed.

3

Shocara had gotten up, and put the mail garments on the table with the sword.

She returned, kneeling, and used both her hands to examine his body. She examined his maleness, cupping his balls in her hand.

“I make you nervous?” she asked, squeezing them lightly.

“Some,” he admitted.

“You look like a human...an Eridian with no beard, except for being pretty! That is because you are part elf?”

“Of course. Are you sure you don’t want to trade me for things of value?” he suggested, eager to find a way out of his predicament.

“Of course not!  Besides, I have something I wish you to do!”

“And what might that be?” Rasten wondered.

“I would have you pleasure me, as I’ve heard rumors that some might experience. If you should do so, I will keep you alive; should you disappoint me, you will die!”

“If you would experience such a thing, I would need my hands free, Princess,” Rasten suggested, eager to be able to move. She eyed him sternly, idely touching his chest.

“I could do that, but you might choose to strangle me! I have no fear of such, as the three guards surrounding this place would cut you down on sight! Do you understand me?” she asked.

“Of course, Princess,” Rasten agreed, willing to agree to anything to be able to be unfettered.

Shocara left him tied, as she stripped off her leather boots, pants and vest. Seeing her in the lamp light, bare gave his organ a sudden thrill; Shocara seemed quite sexy and luscious.

When she again came close, to cut the rope on his wrists, she leaned over him. Rasten was assaulted by her smell, her unwashed, sweatiness, her dirty butt crack and her ripe puss were all overpowering. He moved his arms, rubbing his wrists, to get more feeling in them. Shocara slipped her dagger under the furs behind her, and slipped close against him. Her dark hair was thick and luscious, but dirty, it having been two weeks since she had last bathed. Like all of the Eridians, she was quite proud of her strong fragrance, having no idea that such might offend the humans or Elvin.

In spite of her overpowering smell, Rasten was determined to have her, hoping she might succumb to being had, giving him a chance to escape. He began by kissing her, finding her lips soft and responsive. A few minutes of this had her much delighted.

“Princess, will you promise not to be offended if I guide and instruct you a bit? I can teach you many things, which will make your pleasure greater, if you will permit me to!” he whispered.

“I should be angry only if you fail to please me!” she suggested.

Rasten got her to open her mouth, so he might be able to touch her tongue with his. She quickly mastered this, finding it thrilling, and as Rasten fondled her breasts, she touched his organ, delighted to find it fully erect. This promised her a better outcome, and she toyed with it, as he slipped his fingers between her legs, to explore her femaleness. Shocara gasped at these sensations, spreading her legs, to allow him freer access. Rasten found her to be sloppy wet and eager, and using his fingers, he began stimulating her vagina deeply, while teasing her swollen clitoris with his thumb, after wetting it well with her juices.

When Rasten felt her nearing an orgasm, he decided to slip between her legs, entering her with his hard organ. Shocara moaned with pleasure, and he slowly worked her, his cock deep inside. He pressed hard against her, making her more aroused, and only when he felt her begin to spasm, did he speed up, to join her in an intense orgasm. He held her tightly, staying deep within her, kissing her as she drifted, utterly delighted.

“Did you like that?” he whispered. “We can do more!” he suggested.

When she could again concentrate, she frowned at him.

“How is it that you are so skilled at this?!” she demanded, looking pouty and enticing in the dim light. Rasten shrugged.

“All the Elvin are able to do such...they are much devoted to the art of love, beginning very young to master it. Do the Eridians not devote energy and study to this also?”

“This is another reason to hate the Elvin!” she moaned, before grinning at him. “You shall be my plaything! Please me again!” she demanded.

“Of course, Princess, but you may be embarrassed a bit by what I do next. Just close your eyes and enjoy it!” he suggested. Shocara was puzzled by this but curious, eager to feel more of such delightful sensations.

Rasten moved off her, and worked to position his body where he could lick her female self. His ankles were still tied together, but he ignored this, coaxing her to spread her legs widely, so he could part her furry puss, exposing her tender inner self. He began licking her, only slightly holding his breath, her puss overpowering in its female fragrance. At first she stiffened, shocked at his sticking his nose into her female parts, but as the sensations touched her, she was soon making contented sounds, and becoming highly aroused. Rasten worked diligently, probing her vagina with his fingers as he lapped her hard clit, until she erupted in an overpowering climax. She seemed helplessly delighted, and before she knew what he was doing, he had turned her onto her side, moved her upper leg up out of the way, slipped astraddle of his lower leg, and entered her wet puss, giving her long strokes. This caused more moaning. A few minutes of this, and he again moved her, entering her from behind, as they lay spooned together. He reached over her, and toyed with her clitty, as he had her, and soon had her erupting in an overpowering orgasm.

Rasten snuggled close, not allowing himself to finish, wanting Shocara to go to sleep, and not himself. She was soon snoring, her orgasms handily putting her under, utterly satisfied. Rasten let his organ go limp and slip out, and he slowly backed away from her, replacing his body with the furs. He felt under the bottom most one, and retrieved the dagger, which he used to cut his ankles free.

Rasten was eager to try and escape, but assumed the guards outside would at least be watching her door. He sat, rubbing his ankles, trying to get some feeling back into them as he considered what to do. He finally stood carefully up, taking the dagger, and made his way to the small table. He worked carefully to slip his mail back on, the chain so perfectly fitted and close that it made almost no sound. When he had the pants also on, he looked, but saw no trace of his boots.

A glance at Shocara’s bare form showed her snuggled deeply into the furs, having not moved since her final orgasm. She seemed amazingly beautiful in her naked splendor, and Rasten thought how marvelous she would be, clean and dressed like a proper Princess, and not hidden by the clothes of a warrior.
If only they could abandon this stupid war, she might be able to be what she could, in all her beauty! Her skill with a blade was certainly not exaggerated, and neither were the reports of her appearance! If she was clean and well arrayed, she would make even the Elvin sigh at her loveliness!
Rasten thought, before turning to escape.

Taking the dagger, he moved stealthily to the rear window, feeling to determine how it was fastened. It took him a moment to figure out how it was held in place, and more time, carefully and slowly prying with the dagger blade to get it loose. He sat it carefully on the floor, flat so it could not fall and wake Shocara or any other. Peering out, he saw no sign of any guards, the night being moonless. There was a slight glow from around the front of the cabin, from a dying fire, but nothing else could be seen or heard. He had played long with Shocara, and was hopeful that most Eridians would be asleep. Slipping back, he picked up his sword, but didn’t buckle it on, wanting to slip out the window first.

Getting over the wall, and down to the ground without making noise was hard, and he felt like he was making more commotion than a wounded beast. When he was standing on solid dirt, he quickly put on his sword, eager to have his hands free.

Rasten had observed the arrangement of the village when he was moved to Shocara’s place, and he had noted the area well beyond her abode, where the terranaks were kept. Slipping across the open area behind her small cabin, he moved between trees, making his way carefully through the gloom slowly, using his bare feet to feel his way, and to avoid anything that might make noise. He arrived at the place where the terranaks were kept, and moved furtively among them until he discovered one still saddled and harnessed.

Realizing that, like the Elvin, the Eridians kept at least one ready to dispatch at a moment’s notice, he grinned to himself.
That’s quite handy!
he thought, climbing the short ladder up onto the large creature. He fastened the lap belt, the saddles stirrups cold and hard without boots. When he was ready, he jerked on the reins, and was pleased to have the creature leap skyward in a flurry of wings. He heard distant yelling from below, but concentrated on making haste away from the Eridian camp.

He hoped to be well away, before any pursuit might be launched, knowing he was at least a day’s ride away from Eridian territory.

He flew in the darkness, watching the stars, thankful his instructors had made him learn the constellations. The lap belt chaffed his thighs, and his balls itched. Worse, his sweaty skin stuck to the leather understructure of his mail. He was thrilled to have escaped, especially with both his mail and sword, the idea of having lost such a treasure too much to bear. His face still held the strong scent of Shocara’s puss, as did his organ. This amused him, until he thought of Amein, and what she might be like, if she discovered he had pleasured her enemy.

I’ll need a bath,
he thought,
before seeing her. Or I’ll need to have a much better excuse! She’ll never believe I was raped!
he understood, before he thought of the others  they’d failed to find and retrieve. It somehow made having Shocara seem even more wicked.

The Eridians had well prepared for us a brilliant trap! Somehow they must have known we were coming!
he thought, this idea as certain as it had previously been unthinkable.
Do we have a spy within our place? How could that even be possible?! There are none of the former Eridains within the Citadel! Everyone present is an elf, or a human, who can trace their family back generations, having always been close and devoted. How could such a one turn against us enough to aid the enemy? Or has someone young and less wise spoken improperly to someone outside the keep, who has wicked allegiance to the Eridians somehow? Even a chance comment could have informed the Eridians, if carried to them timely. Shocara is certainly wise enough to use such a gift!

Rasten flew through the darkness, his mind darting from one issue to the next. He remembered his dream, which had seemed to well foretell what they had experienced. His vision too returned to give him pause, seeing now how parts of it had been a false display and which had been made real, by the choices he had made.

Listening to the Eridian in Shocara’s village was a mistake...was what she wanted. She guessed we would come eagerly in the darkness, wanting to use it against her. Instead, she was its master, being well prepared and ready. Had we not waited until daybreak, we would have been even more easily snared!
he though, sighing as he scratched his itching self, the sweaty leather rubbing him unmercifully.

I need to never trust the words of an Eridian under such a condition!
he thought, smiling.
Consider that well learned...I likely won’t live through a second such lesson!
he considered, as he shivered in the darkness, thrilled to be alive.