As if Liara or I had performed a spell to slow the time around me, my surroundings seemed to pass by me at a leaden pace. The sound of rattling chains and bare footsteps against the podium's wood crashed against the drums in my ears. I laid my eyes upon another of my crewmates. However, unlike those who had earned my wrath, this one had earned my joy. Never did I think that I would get to meet her so soon. She had not been amongst those who had betrayed me before. She had long passed away before that time.
Her skin be warm and colored like a sunset beach's sand. Her hair be tied in a long horse's tail. She walked like the seasoned warrior I had known her to be from the lands that laid towards the east. Her eyes pierced the very hearts and minds of the auctioneers as she walked with anger as her visage. Her arms and legs were chained not only with iron but also with magic. I could see the many arrays that kept her true abilities locked away. It was probably for everyone's good that they were. If they were not, then she could bring this whole C'ula Auction House to its knees.
Upon that podium stood my ship's very first official navigator, Leera, staring at the masses with anger behind her eyes.
Leera was...a complex woman. She was as smart as any mage scholar and just as studious. Leera had charted many courses of my ship back when I had known her. Through high seas and rough winds, she planned the best routes for me despite any danger that might have come for my ship. I valued her highly. Her knowledge of the constellations and celestial bodies made her one of the main reasons I had risen to my former glory so well.
The broad was everything ye could ask for in a pirate. She be a great fighter, a sharpshooter, an adventurer, and a loyal lass that would sooner cut off her own arm than betray you. Honesty be not a thing that many pirates have with their crews. I had come to see that mine was no different, but that be not the case with her. Until now, I had thought she had always been honest with me.
I say that because Leera never told me that she was to be sold in an auction. Just to be sure, I had checked across every memory I could think of where I had spoken with her. Admittedly, on my part, there were a lot. However, none of them, as far as I could tell, involved her being wrapped in chains and paraded before a C'ula audience.
I closed my eyes and I took a deep breath. Lest my imagination run wild, I took stock of this situation. Now, it be possible that I had begun to change the course of history and time with my actions. It was no surprise. Ellen, my mother, the elves, Burnwood, Liara, none of them were a part of my crew around this time. Hell, I wasn't even a captain yet.
Just as with Boreli, I would have met Leera later down the line in my life. If I recall, I would have met her about two years after Boreli. By that time, she was a free woman with no master and no tattered clothes.
It was definitely possible that due to my tamperings, the threads of time had unraveled slightly and changes were made. It held weight since my Ilzahold had said that she sent me back and my world had collapsed along with her.
I rubbed my head. Argh, this complex magic time shit isn't my bottle of rum!
Perhaps it be best that I recount what I know of Leera. As the auctioneer had said, she comes from the eastern lands. More specifically, she hails from the lands of Sairan. I shall go over the lands another time, but I should say that any man or woman who is birthed in those lands is no less a warrior than the Xhaluters. Not as brutal, but truly no less formidable.
Leera was born as the daughter of a lower-class man and woman. She told me stories that she had longed for the Way of the Blade and, with naught but a wooden stick, watched men practice from afar. With that stick, she spent hours swinging it just as they did while other brats played their little games.
Day, night, rain, snow, she swung that stick as if her soul depended on it, or so she told me. To her, the key to the stability of her family lay in joining her home's defense force. When she came of age, she had enlisted to join. Unfortunately, there be one qualification which she lacked. She had no cock between her legs. Thus, she was not allowed to take up blade nor honor upon the fields of battle.
It mattered not how many men she had bested. It mattered not how many she awed with her skill of the blade. She be no man, thus she be unfit for war. It was a thing to make me chuckle when I wonder how those people feel when they see women within other armed forces.
Anyway, Leera then did something that only a crazy bastard would do.
With only a blade that she had stolen from the training camps of Sairan, she marched into the Emperor's palace and cut down over 500 guards to pieces until she made her way to him. Bloodied and bruised, she showed to him that though she was a woman, she could rival any man.
If ye think this be the part where she was allowed to join the Sairan army, then ye be wrong. The Emperor had indeed acknowledged her ability. So, he gave her an impossible trial. It be one that any would see as sending her to her death. She never told me what that trial was, only that she realized it was the Empire's way of telling her that someone like her could not exist.
No matter how I prodded, she would not tell me further than that. It had always left me curious, but there were things I obviously had not discussed with her so this be one of those cases where I allow fairplay. Everyone aboard my ship had their own secrets, and she was no different.
That brings me to right now. Had those events still occurred here as they had in my time? If they did, then how could Leera have become a captive of anyone? If it had not, then...
"Eric, aren't we leaving?" my mother asked which stirred me from my thoughts.
I noticed that everyone was still waiting for me to exit the balcony section that we had been using.
I turned back to Leera. I closed my eyes and exhaled slowly. This be a hefty gamble to take, but I nodded. "Aye, we're leaving," I said a bit more firmly than I had wished. I bet this was because I truly did not wish to go.
By the fires of my pirate soul, I wished to gather Leera aboard my ship once again, but that could not be done now. Not yet. If this was my Leera, then Fate would see that we would meet again, and she would be the free woman she was when I had met her. If we met again and she was not free, then I would make damn sure that she was that time.
That said, I also trust Leera to survive. She wasn't some woman that be in need of saving. She could take care of herself. I would also make sure that her end would not come about so easily this time!
A woman like Leera be like the best wine, aged over the years before one partook of it. I held no doubts that we would meet again.
With my business concluded and my purchase made, I began the walk with the others to collect my winnings.
I paid for the urn with the 600,000 gold coins that my mother had used to bid. It was then rolled out to us on a wooden cart. Finally, after so many days of traveling, I could head for Delverhold without worry.
Maeloson and Aesteal secured the urn a little better and it did not take us long to start our walk out of the C'ula Auction House.
"Well, I must say that was quite the splendid auction. I have not been so easily amused the previous times I went," Liara said.
I smiled. "As I have said before, I do hope I continue to amuse you," I answered.
"Thou has not failed yet. I do hope you continue to as well," she returned.
It was about halfway from the auction house that I wonder if all the luck that I had garnered so far was cursed luck. I say this because a C'ula military man stood between us and our destination.
Even under the light of the moon, his armor glimmers with the city's finest iron. Granted, this type of iron could hardly compare to the iron or steel from the other major kingdoms and empires, but that be beside the point.
With each step, this man came before us and his armor rattling like a thousand cans. "Hold, pirates! What's in the cart?" he asked.
"Your mother's unwashed skirt," Diane replied irritably. Whether that irritation be from tiredness or from annoyance, I do not gather a guess. However, I could not deny that it made the rest of us laugh. Even Maeloson sported a grin. Perhaps next I should see oil mix with water.
"Funny. I'm inspecting your cart. Illegal shipments have made their way through C'ula lands and seas for years and a nobleman has informed me that he found it odd for a pirate to wish for such an ancient antique. Now that I see you lot, I'm inclined to believe him. What have you need of such a thing?" he asked us.
Ah, now I began to piece together what this was all about. I suppose I should have seen this coming. It matters not the breed of people, anyone can be a greedy son of a bitch. Of course, I'm the greediest of them all, but the point still stands.
"What I need it for isn't your business," I replied.
"Now that's where you're wrong. Everything in this land is C'ula's business. Now step aside," he ordered.
Ellen and my mother were fully prepared to resist the man's attempts, but I eased them with a hand. I then pulled them back and ordered everyone to step a few ways from the cart. Everyone did so.
The man then walked around the cart and inspected it. He searched beneath the wooden cart and all around the body of the urn. I didn't even need Maeloson or Aesteal to point out the pouch of drugs that the man was hiding that he was no doubt looking for. I merely shook my head. Clearly, I was getting underestimated.
"Ha! What have we here?" the man announced.
Oh seas below, I wonder what he could have found hidden within the stomach of my urn?
The C'ula military man didn't even get the chance to pull out what he had 'found.' Instead, I pulled out what I had found in my chest holster. Out came my double-barreled flintlock, and I pointed it directly at the man's skull. How unfortunate that he chose this night to not wear his helmet.
"What we have here be a piece of shit with too much time on his hands. Allow me to remedy that," I said. I pulled the trigger.
BANG!
Time seemed so slow to me as I watched the C'ula guard's head slam against the face of my urn as smoke exhaled from the twin noses of my pistol. Screams erupted from around my crew and I as men and women scattered like skittering roaches.
In less than two minutes, the roads were cleared of any business or merchants for as long as we could see. I closed my eyes and holstered my pistol once again. It would not be long before more soldiers stormed through the streets and we would find ourselves surrounded.
"Maeloson, retie the urn. I'll have to get someone to dust whatever shit he poured into it out. Aesteal, Ellen, run back towards the ship. Tell the crew we continue to sail to the East. We sail Delverhold," I ordered.
Ellen and Aesteal ran off down the road.
"Liara, I seem to have gifted you another body for your studies," I said as I picked up the corpse of the man I had just killed.
Liara smiled.
"Tis so. I thank you for your gift, Eric Drakclaw. It shall be of great use to me. Diane, be a dear and collect this body. No injuries, please. A gunshot should be simple enough to repair, but I'd like to keep the corpse as untampered as possible," Liara stated.
"Yes Lady Liara," Diane said as she knelt down and picked up the bleeding body. Liara casted some healing magic that would repair the rabbit's hole I had made in the back of the man's skull.
It wasn't long before I could feel the gallons upon gallons of blood and water rushing for our location. Both sloshed around in grown bodies like a turbulent sea squall. To think they would descend upon us so quickly. It makes a man wonder if they ever had time for a cup of ale.
Once Maeloson had finished securing the cart, I willed the water in a forgotten jug into the air. I then encased the cart in a bubble of water that hung over my head as we made our way back to the ship. As we ran, I could hear the C'ula horns sounding like a thousand elephants. When I looked behind me, I could see the dirt of the road kicking up beneath our feet.
I could feel my chest pumping.
I could feel heart bursting.
If I could see me own face then I would have no doubts that I had the biggest grin on my face. I cannot fathom a tale of how much I missed this sense of thrill and adventure. Even in my past life, dreams of running alongside my mother, Liara, and even Diane had never once entered my depraved mind. Truly, there be no greater fantasy of men than to live a life free of worries and indulging in one's own destiny!
"HehehehehHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
I must have looked insane to the others when I laughed as loudly as I did, but I wouldn't blame them. Perhaps only an insane man would see what I saw.
With C'ula's alarms blazing, we ran down to the docks and climbed aboard my ship. No sooner had my feet touched the Main Deck, did men and women pull up the docking boards and weigh anchor. The sails were unleashed and I dropped the urn on the floor.
"Captain! There be no wind blowin'! How shall we sail?" the helmsman asked.
Please, I be the Son of Poseidon. The gale forces do not control this ship. I do!
"Aye, before that! Men, ready the cannons!" I hollered.
Everyone widened their eyes at me. Dare I say even Liara was shocked. I stood before them all, my smile threatening to split my face as I clenched my left hand into a fist!
"C'ula rats come aboard my ship. C'ula soldiers point guns and blades at my crew. C'ula bastards come into my quarters and interrupt my pleasant times. C'ula shitstains pointed their guns at Ellen and me. Is my ship such a place that anyone might tread?! Jaxshir Zagaul, 1st-Rank Flamebearer of the C'ula Military and Seekerbound-Captain of the C'ula Armed Forces, told me that he loves this city! Well, I hope he loves it so much that he'll be cleaning up its shit for days after pissing me off! Not even Zeus himself dares walk aboard my ship without my say so! Now, Let 'em HAVE IT!" I roared.
"AYE! AYE! CAPTAIN!" My crew roared as they scrambled to prepare what I had asked for.
Aesteal and Maeloson moved my prized urn to a safe spot while Diane took my gift to Liara inside the Witch's room. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Ilzahold smile at me before she returned inside.
I then wove my arms and the seas answered my call. My ship was pushed away from the C'ula docks and I whirled my arms to maneuver the waves to turn my ship to the side. The gun deck faced the shores of the City of Merchants. The windows were opened and I had no doubt in my mind that below me my crew was positioning the cannons straight for the city.
"Cannons ready, Eric!" My mother said.
I grinned as I pulled my arms to my chest. The waves responded and pulled my ship further away from the blazing docks. I could see the beginnings of C'ula soldiers in the distance. I withdrew my cutlass from its sheath and pointed it forward.
"FIRE!" I shouted.
What came next was a loud whistle of sailing cannonballs through the air before they struck their target. Like booming thunder in the night sky, I heard the explosions of my artillery upon the City of Merchants. Bombs of fire rained down upon houses and merchant stands.
The city became engulfed in bright flames. So hot were they that I could feel their heat from where I stood. The smell of smoke and gunpowder filled the air as the screams of the populace suddenly raised like the screams of a thousand banshees running through the streets.
"Second volley, FIRE!" I called out.
Per my command, my crew fired another shot of the cannons which sailed through the air and blasted into even more buildings and streets, crushing and destroying anyone unlucky enough to be caught in their pathway.
I watched the flames dance wildly before I sheathed my cutlass and stretched out my arms. I then raised them into the air. I be sure that my crew, the nation of C'ula, and anyone else observing would have been stunned at the sight of two spiraling towers of water sailing high above the air.
It was true that a few months ago, I had wished that none would know my name yet, but now I had begun the trials that would let me reclaim what was mine. In order to draw out my enemies, I would lead them right to me until I sank each and every last one of them beneath the crashing tides.
I then pushed my hands outward. The twin blades of water crashed into the docks of C'ula and flowed through its streets bringing down house after house. Soldiers screamed as mages tried and failed to contain my attack before they were swept away. To those leading forces of C'ula, they would know that this be the price for provoking me.
I watched the waves bring buildings to their knees as it flooded other highways and street alleys. Structures toppled over and crashed into one another leaving a once-bustling merchant venue completely destroyed and desolate.
Bright side to all this? At least C'ula would not have to worry about putting out its fires. I had taken care of that at least.
Unfortunately, I had not the time to admire my work because someone shouted. "Captain, C'ula ships off the port side bow!"
Sure enough, Five C'ula military vessels were sea-worthy and began sailing towards us. I smirked. They were no consequence. There be no way that they could catch up with my ship.
"We sail for Delverhold!" I exclaimed. I then pushed up the waters forward and my ship rode the massive waves in the direction of my objective. At our speed and with me controlling our current, what hope could five C'ula ships have of ever seeing me when the sun rose in the morning?
By the time I had allowed the waves to subside, C'ula might as well have been over 100 miles away. There was naught but sea as far as the eye could see. The only thing that moved was my ship from the gentle rocking of the waves.
I finally let down my arms and rubbed them. They had grown stiff in the time that I had held them like that.
I be unsure of what time it was but seeing as the moon was still high in the sky, then I must say that we were in the dead of night. Not a cloud hangs in the sky and my crew slowly feel the excitement drain away from their bodies.
Thankfully, Ellen took care of assigning the night workers. This left me the time to dismiss everyone else to their own activities. I assigned some men to bring the Kavtha's Urn into my storage room. I had no doubt that the water golem was furious with me and would be on his way to retrieve what was his.
In the meantime, I decided that rest would be a good thing. So, I took my mother and quietly laid with her. She had chosen to remind me that she still hadn't washed my cum off her from the auction, but why should I need to care about such a thing?
All I desired was to have my mother beside me as I fell asleep. Her red sea of hair became my pillow as I dreamt of riches and adventures once again. This time, no weird dreams plagued me like last time.
The next morning, the only thing that greeted me was the sound of the sea and my mother's breathing. Outside my window, a thick mist began to roll over the ocean and, like a foreboding warning, I already knew what this would entail. My eyes stared at my never-ending kingdom. As we continued to sail, I already knew what would be waiting for us.
I woke up my mother and told her to gather the entire crew together. Anyone sleeping would need to be woken up and anyone working would need to stop working for the moment.
My mother slipped out of bed and got dressed. She opened and closed my door as I slipped out as well. I dressed myself as well. Before I exited my quarters, I took one last look at my map. It still pointed to the destination I had marked. That was good. I would need to remember that well.
In a few days, we would be heading into a part of the seas known as The Coffin's Mouth. I remember that sea well because it was there that the first trials of my position as captain be tested. I count that I had lost about five men to that sea before I had escaped from it.
As I stepped out onto the deck, I saw the entirety of my crew standing there on the Main Deck. The ship moved not from its position. Even Liara, Alteria, Diane, and Goron were present. The elves, Ellen, my mother, all were present except for the Xhaluter who still laid unconscious in the brig and Boreli who was in the same place.
My boots knocked against the wood as every eye paid attention to my movements until I was on the Main Deck with everyone else. The smell of seawater stung my nose. I now be aware that there are no gulls screeching in the sky.
"Alright, ya bastards! It be time I address ya lot. I address this now because there shall be no time nor place that you guys thought I did not do my duties as Captain! Now that we have left C'ula, we have traveled southeast. Just yesterday we have entered The Coffin's Mouth or as is more formally known, The Graven Sea," I said.
I could see eyes wide with fear. Aye, these expressions be warranted. For more than a thousand years, there have only been two types of men to sail this part of the sea; the bold...and the desperate.
The Graven Sea is a place men and women only sail to when they beg for Death's sweet embrace. Dark magic, treacherous waves, unholy creatures, and boundless treasures await in this sea for those daring enough to come here. Perhaps, that is why Liara never thought the Isles of Delverhold would be here. Who would be daring enough to place their treasures in these seas?
Legends like to state that Persephone, Hades' wife, fell for an earnest, hardworking man that loved the earth and tilled it with joy. No doubt this be because her mother was the goddess of agriculture. To see a man honor her mother so passionately must have moved the heart of this woman trapped by Hades in the Underworld.
During the time that she was with Hades, she played on his love for her and he allowed her to traverse the living world. Time and time again, she met with this man secretly. She cultivated the fields with him and even tasked her mother with blessing the soil beneath his feet. So strong was her love for this mortal that she laid with him and conceived his child.
As a story like this should go, Hades discovered this and, in his rage, trapped Persephone in the Underworld. He forced her to watch as ancient magic turned a deadly siren into her appearance. The Siren led the man and his child away from the blessed lands he tread upon and into the sea far away. There, the Siren devoured the man and his child while Hades cursed both to the seas we sailed. Their souls were bound here for all eternity to cry, mourn, and wander for Persephone and drag any ships unfortunate enough to wander these seas into a watery grave. The captains and their crews be the vigilant eye of this father and child, aiding them in finding their love, bringing more to them to increase their vigilant watch.
What my crew was scared of was that recently, there were tales of something even more terrifying than that legend. Tales of Q'wual, the Sightless. I know of him because I almost lost my soul when I almost laid eyes upon him wandering through the dark mist of the sea. If I put this shit bluntly, I doubt even the Witch and I together could fully contend with Q'wual.
"Ya got one chance. If ya don't wish to be on my ship, then the nearest piece of rock should be to the north. If ya got the guts to swim back then I bet you can do it if yer scared. If not, then ye best be prepared to lose your life. I ain't gonna lie to you right now. Not everyone on this ship is gonna make it. Shut the fuck up and face it. From the man who swabs the deck to me, there is no guarantee that we survive. Naturally, ya have seen what I can do and we hold the Witch of Draegnar aboard our ship. Our chances be higher than any other ship venturing here, but don't slack off! If ya want to survive then you will listen to what I say! Every word!" I said.
"If I yell ya to jump, then ya don't ask questions! Ya just jump! If I tell ya to strip naked, then I best see a pile of clothes littering my ship! If I tell ya not to speak, then SHUT YER TRAP! I have kept you safe this far and beguiled your eyes with treasure. If ya want to return home to your families, or whatever shithole you call a life, then you best listen to me! GOT IT?!" I hollered.
"AYE AYE, CAPTAIN!" They said.
I slowly nodded. I then turned around. "Good, now everyone close yer eyes," I ordered. Everyone did so, or so I wanted to believe.
"Now then, those who wish to leave, jump ship and swim back to shore. But don't think ya can be sneaky and steal from me. I'll make you wish you hadn't! You've got two minutes!" I threatened.
In those two minutes, I heard about ten to fifteen splashes of water. I held it against no one. I would try to keep them all alive, but it was obvious that I could not do that. Some were going to die here. It was inevitable. If we all managed to live, then this ship truly be cursed already. Perhaps someone should argue that I ought to give them their possessions, but I be not that kindhearted.
When I turned around, I saw those who were willing to stay. It was a lot more than I had given credit. They each stared at me with eyes that told me that only those who were willing to risk everything be the ones worthy enough to gain fame and glory.
"Helmsman, we sail for Delverhold. WE SAIL FOR GREATER FAME AND GLORY!" I shouted.
"WE SAIL FOR GREATER FAME AND GLORY, CAPTAIN!" they echoed back to me.
Ellen then began barking orders and reassigning the schedules for everyone. The trials would begin very soon. I say this because...I felt the boat shift to the right beneath the tides.
"Helmsman, keep your senses! We're off the path!" I said.
"What? But Captain, I haven't even moved the wheel yet!" the man replied to me.
I nodded. "Aye. You best make sure to keep your focus then. This is no fairy tale adventure! We sail to madness," I told him.
The helmsman firmly nodded and steered the ship back on course with the helm. We continued to sail forward.
As I looked off the side of the ship, Liara appeared next to me. "Tell me, Eric, how could a young man such as yourself come to know or be so certain of the dangers of these seas? It's almost as if you've been here before," she stated not so subtly to me.
I smiled. If this was some kind of game to the Witch then I would have to disappoint her. I turned my head and quickly surprised her with another kiss. However, I became aware of Ilzahold's willingness to go through with the pleasure that her lips and mine provided each other. Even now, as I taste her lips, I cannot perfectly describe the unreal firing of my senses when I touch her. It's enough to almost make my legs give out on me.
We parted. "Perhaps I have, Liara. Perhaps it came upon me in a vision, or perhaps reincarnation was a concept that may hold weight after all. Who can say?" I asked.
The Witch of Draegnar smiled. "Indeed. Who can say?" she repeated. She then left me alone.
My ship continued to operate as normal, but the main difference between before and now was that I had to constantly bark orders to the helmsman to stay on course. Each order made the man grow more and more anxious. He kept apologizing for his folly as I sensed the ship change course every so often. He kept swearing to me that he had not changed course, but he had.
I did not hold it against him. What can an old salty dog do before the coat of magic in the air? It was no dangerous magic, but it was there. It be like a soft subtle suggestion to the mind of the ship.
A simple turn here was no problem.
A shift of the helm there would cause no concern.
The ship would sail much faster if it turned in this direction to catch this mysterious wind.
No doubt these suggestions and more filled my helmsman's mind. Unfortunately, this wasn't exactly a magic that Liara or myself could handle. It would be easy if he were being controlled by the magic, but it was suggestions. It was little tantalizing whispers meant to steer us off course. Aside from blocking all of his senses and leaving him a vegetable, the only course was to correct him constantly.
Now granted, one might wonder why the magic barrier that surrounded the ship was not aiding in preventing these things, well...one may learn that there be several types of barriers. Some are better suited than others. The type of barrier this ship came with was suited defense from more offensive spells, and not controlling ones like what was occurring here.
"Perhaps for the sake of a safe voyage, I shall waver expenses until we reach our destination. I offer this for now. While it might not help completely with what's going on, it should fortify the mind," Liara said as she handed the helmsman a bottle of blue liquid.
Aye, at a point such as this, a potion to boost the mental fortitude was better than nothing.
"I...I don't have the coin for this," the man replied.
"Tis free...for now. Do come to me if you have need. Though I would advise that ye drink sparingly. No more than a sip each day," the witch advised before she returned to her quarters.
The helmsman took the potion and I found that I did not need to correct him as often as before.
After about four hours passed, I noticed that the magic in the air had lessened greatly. The helmsman needed no further corrections. It became clear to me now that we had pretty much sailed past the veil of The Coffin's Mouth.
"Ellen, tell the changing helmsmen to keep straight along this seaway. We will be sailing this route for the next few days. When ye see a mist so heavy that you cannot tell your right from your lift, then call for me. I will pave our path," I said to my Quartermaster.
The owner of the Dead Tales folded her arms. "You sure we're not going to go off track again? You've had to correct them over a dozen times," she mentioned.
"If the ship changes course then I'll change it back. I have the means to do so. No one is allowed to interrupt me unless it be a dire emergency or dinner," I told her. I then walked up the stairs and returned to my cabin.
I then hung up my coat and took off my boots. Now that we were in the Graven Sea, I would now have to get off my figurative ass and start working on something I loathed even more than rune sewing.
During my time with Liara back in C'ula, I had purchased a small cauldron. Arrrr, how I despised the task I am about to undertake. It takes more concentration and patience than Rune-Sewing with twice the rate of failure. I could already feel the irritating rushing through my head.
"God of Patience, if there be one, I could use that blessing shit you give to others right about now," I said to myself.
To be fair, if ye seek to criticize me then just know that a thing like alchemy be not something suited to one such as I.
Aye, yer ears do not deceive you. I, Eric Drakclaw, be about to undertake the grand chore...of magic alchemy. Ugh, the very words sting like salt on a wound.
The pursuit of alchemy is one of those paths apprentice mages are permitted to take once they graduate from their high-end schools and institutions of magic. Though notably harder to accomplish than Rune Sewing, there are more alchemists in the world than there are Rune Sewers. Hell, two of the handful of Rune Sewers be on this ship as I remember stating previously.
The reason for this divide is that there are many types of alchemists. The sub-types of alchemists are as numerous as the leaves on a tree. There be fire alchemists, wind alchemists, steel alchemists, dragon alchemists, feral alchemists, and any other type that you might be able to think of. If there is some strange concept out there, then there is probably an alchemist who has studied it and uses those methods to forge and enchant their own equipment.
Now before ya ask if there be any gold alchemists, then I would have to not disappoint you and say that there are, but no one knows where they are. So famous and well-respected are they that an emperor would be willing to sell his wife to one for whoever long they wanted just to get one piece of alchemist's gold. It's for that very reason that the number of fakes that attempt to make gold is as long as the sea my ship sails on.
Anyway, I be getting off the point. One is not "officially" recognized as an alchemist without taking some test passed by the royal mages that were recognized by society. Then there be ones like me, people who give two shits about tests and use alchemy whether recognized or not.
The reason alchemy be such a respected profession is because, in days of old, a king was threatened by a mighty dragon. A mysterious man came to the king one day and fashioned for him a blade made out of the stone walls of the left side of his kingdom. With that blade, the king slew the dragon, and the mystery man became known as a great alchemist that enchanted the king's blade with the power of a dragon slayer, or so legends like that go.
I inhaled and exhaled. Though this was my first time performing alchemy, just as with rune sewing, I have a certain wellspring of knowledge to draw from. Of course, I would spend hours replaying scenes of Ilzahold's alchemy. There was quite a lot of it.
The reason I chose to do this now was because of the magic in the sea air that surrounded us. This magic was a welcome catalyst to fueling the pot or flames of what I wanted to produce. Such magic auras are used by many alchemists to increase the success of their brewing stands. For a place as densely populated with magic like Delverhold, this was the best environment for me to work with.
So, I decided to begin what would be my torture and hell over the next few days. I opened my window and weaved in about half the cauldron's mouth in seawater into my room. I poured the water into the cauldron. Even now, I can sense the magical properties that lay within this water. What we have sailed in before could not offer comparison.
Once the saltwater was placed inside, I then reached into the bottom drawer of my desk and pulled out an assortment of materials I had purchased from C'ula. I looked over my prizes before I decided to grab two of the lit candle lamps in my room and place them on opposite sides of the cauldron.
My room, once washed in candlelight, dimmed down where the cauldron sat. I then leaned over and picked up a vial of dragonewt grass. In another vial, there be about five crimson stones. Such items and more were around me. I closed my eyes and searched through the library that was Liara's memories for the things I needed to make. Ugh, just watching her work was enough to raise the hairs of my neck.
I picked up a vial of sanded blood. As I am a man of increasingly diminishing patience, I shall offer a mere statement to some of these materials if ye be interested. Sanded blood be a type of blood that has been joined with sand from the hottest deserts in the world. This sand makes the blood richer due to its strange metallic properties.
I opened the vial and poured the sanded blood into the cauldron filled with saltwater. Instantly the water and blood started to bubble with each other. Based on what Liara had done, this was supposed to happen for the next ten minutes. In that time, I opened a journal I had purchased and began writing down what I could gather from watching her.
The saltwater took on the color of the sanded blood. A deep glaze shined over what laid within the pot. The edges of the cauldron, due to the heat from the candles, began to expel tiny glimmers of salt that made it seem more akin to snow than salt.
I then took my finger and swirled the liquid in the cauldron as fast as I could. If one were listening just outside my door, then I have no doubt they were have heard the churning of the swirling fluids.
As the pot churned favorably, I held my right hand over it. "Ha'xah Szacrika Ooum Zlm Hafq," I uttered. I poured my mana into the pot and I watched the liquid boil angrily, violently even. Nevertheless, I forced it down into the pot with my powers, and damn if I don't say it was difficult. It was like a fire mage trying to keep a volcano from erupting. Even one slip and all my progress would be destroyed.
So tough was it that sweat poured down my face and to feel everyone moderately comfortable, I took off my shirt with my free hand. I then reached for a pouch and opened it. My fingers searched for what was inside and then pulled out a jar of ox balls.
Aye, no need to say it. At least ye don't have to touch it like I do.
I opened the jar and pulled out one of the testicles. Supposedly, ox balls are a good reinforcer for protective magic. I do not exactly know why nor do I care to delve into Liara's memories to find out either. It was her method so I used it.
I forged a blade of water with my finger and cut the testicle into three pieces. I picked it up and tossed it into the pot as well. I continued swirling my finger and the waters followed. That is if you could even call it water anymore.
The piece of testicle was dissolved in less than ten seconds, a harsh sizzle and foul stench followed. I be happy that I had my window open.
A half-hour passed and I was finally rewarded with no more twirling of my finger. I could finally stop stirring for a moment. I stared inside the pot and never mind looking like water, what was inside the pot didn't even look like liquid. Instead, it looked like a pot filled with black slime. I thought to touch it and experience its feel for myself, but I didn't do so. These weren't exactly materials that I could waste and I'd rather not imagine what something like this would do if it wasn't complete. I imagine it to be quite sticky though given the way it clings to the inner walls of the cauldron
Now, I had to...let this sit...for two days.
I'd curse, but that's beneath me.
"CUNT!!!!!!!!!"
...okay, maybe not.
I have no doubts some of my crew were laughing at me for my outburst. Perhaps even Liara was the same.
Fortunately, it seemed that my outburst was unwarranted because Liara had been busy preparing other materials while the cauldron was busy settling the materials I had used. That certainly eased my mood a little.
I placed a lid over the cauldron. I then moved back o my desk and lit another candle for appropriate light. As I pulled up my chair, I reached into another pouch and pulled the celtic pill that I had used for my mother's medicine awhile ago.
I had not explained this one previously, so I shall endeavor through that now for a moment.
If citric gain was the thing that aided the body's physical attributes with negative effects down the line, then the celtic pill was the thing that negated the disadvantages of the citric grain. I had previously stated that if one became exposed to citric grain for too long then their heart would give out in ten years or so.
A celtic pill is one of the answers to that. The veins of this type of pill have a way of strengthening the mana veins in a person's body. Because these veins are circled so close to the heart, it feeds off the increased density of mana that the celtic pill provides thus making it more resistant.
With the heart's resistance to strengthening effects improved, that also paved the way for a more purified mana pool. Don't ask me to start explaining shit that those professors and magic teachers speak on about mana theory and magic study. Having Ilzahold in my head is enough! What I can say is that with a stronger heart comes a stronger type of magic casting.
Anyway, I take a small knife and meticulously scraped the surface of the celtic pill. I could not recklessly cut this like before. There be precise measurements that must be taken for this to work. This is definitely not my preference.
What also wasn't helping my mood was the turn I made to steer the ship back on course. This...this was going to be a long day I felt.
As I watched the sun go down across the sky, I found that I had probably cursed myself with my earlier statement. It was already around the evening and I had yet to even finish half of what I wanted. Right now, I was busy crushing some Vacar horns into powder for the rest of the alchemy Liara was "unknowingly" teaching me.
I took the blunt end of a spoon and stabbed some mystic stones into they were no different than the Vacar horns I had worked on. I wiped my forehead and poured them both into one bowl. Next, came the liquid. More specifically, next came the blood of a human. I cut my thumb and watched the life fluids drop into this bowl filled with the crushed ingredients
As the blood poured into the bowl, I bore witness to a thick mist beginning to fill my room. So strong was its smell that just inhaling it gave me a headache. It also made my eyes blurry. I pulled some water from outside and splashed it on my face.
I would keep working in this environment for the next few hours. By the time I even thought of giving myself a break, the sun had left from the sky. I leaned back in my chair and exhaled tiredly. Curse alchemy, curse alchemists, and curse this shit that I be forced to do for hours on end.
I placed my head on my desk and closed my eyes.
Then, as if for the Fates to laugh at me, a knock on my door came. I thought to ignore it and just keep my head down, but I found myself leaning up, opening my notebook, and writing what I had learned. Might as well do this since I clearly wasn't going to have sand over my eyes any time soon.
"Enter at yer own risk!" I called.
Despite my warning, the door opened.
"Ugh!" a male voice winced.
I turned around and I noticed Maeloson standing at the door with a tray filled with food. No doubt that was my dinner. "I warned you," I said as he covered his sensitive nose from the stench of my room.
He stepped further inside. He took notice of the covered pot and the scattered ingredients on my desk. His eyes widened as if he thought I had been some hybrid between a god and a demon. An odd thought, but a hilarious one.
"Your dinner, Sir," he said as he placed the tray on my desk. His eyes wandered to my notes, but I wasn't even upset for two reasons. One, I didn't really attempt to hide them. Two, I was too tired to give a damn.
"Thanks. Kinda wish you were a woman though," I joked more for myself than for him. Unexpectedly, I got a small laugh out of the male elf for that one. I be honest. It's hard to try and grasp his sense of humor, but if it makes him comfortable then who am I to say otherwise?
"Ellen was going to do it, but I asked her if I could. She seemed all too happy to allow me the honor," he stated.
Ah, well I'll be putting that away in a personal file in my mind to be remembered later. "Is that right?" I asked. Setting aside Ellen, I found it rather odd that Maeloson would deliberately seek me out this way. Granted, I did tell everyone to leave me the fuck alone unless it was dinner or danger-related.
"Yes, I...what are you doing?" he asked, breaking his question. No doubt he finally took the time to properly view the mess that was my table and the floor.
"Continue asking and I'll order you to help out," I said. How I enjoyed the look of unease on his face. Clearly, this did not fill the elf with joy and merriment. Naturally, I be down to share my misery with someone else.
Maeloson slowly shook his head and cleared his throat. "Never mind, it's not my business. However, I have something I wish to discuss with you. It's...in regards to Aesteal," he mentioned.
The writing I had been doing was slowed to a halt. I stared into Maeloson's eyes and I saw that serious stare that almost all elves have when they wish to speak earnestly. I flicked my quill between my fingertips for a moment or two.
"What about her?" I asked slowly. I had always been deliberately careful in my dealings with Maeloson and Aesteal. Even now, I do not fully trust them. They have not given me reason to doubt them, but I'm not much for trust these days. I think even deep within me there is a mistrust of Ellen. Even in the deepest depths of my mind, I wonder if even my own mother would betray me. I would think not, but I thought that same thing in my last life as well in regards to my crew.
"Do you find her attractive?" Maeloson asked.
...I stopped writing once again. I thought to answer this seemingly obvious question with some snark, but the will to follow through did not find itself with me. I'm not sure why this was the case. Nevertheless, once I found my nerve again I continued writing.
"I would wager I find her desirable. Naturally, you elves, whether male or female, hold a presence that attracts all other races to your beauty. Aye, I do find her attractive," I replied. I reached over to my tray and picked up a piece of dried boar's meat and partook of it. I then stuffed some sliced carrots into my mouth.
Maeloson watched me for a little while. "Why do you not wish to lay with her then?" he asked.
...Of the many things I was expecting to come from the elf's mouth, that was not one of them. Perhaps I was lucky that I had already swallowed what I was chewing, elsewise I might have choked on it. I stared at Maeloson strangely, but he didn't seem perturbed by what he had just asked.
"What brings this about?" I asked.
His eyes left mine for a moment. "It's impossible for me to be unaware of the...things that go on in your quarters. You don't try to hide these activities either. Everyone knows that your mother is currently the only one you lay with...,"
"Have sex with, or fuck," I interrupted.
"Excuse me?" He returned.
"We're not babes, Maeloson. I'm fucking my mother, or having sex with her, take your pick," I replied.
"...Right, everyone knows you've been...having sex with your mother. Yet, you have also invited Liara Ilzahold, her guard, Ellen, and...Aesteal into your chambers. I have seen the evidence of their aftermath. She is sometimes sore. She can hardly stand some days. She appears restless at night. Back when we asked if either of us has been with...had sex with anyone, I had assumed that...,"
"...I would have fucked Aesteal so hard that the legs of my bed would have broken beneath our combined weight?" I finished.
"I didn't think for it to be put so forward like that, but yes," he responded.
I put down my quill and fully turned to face him. "Before I decide to answer that, tell me why you're even asking me at all," I returned. I was very curious as to where this conversation was even headed. Whatever it was, judging by the troubled expression on Maeloson's face, it was something to be prepared for.
"Aesteal has...bonded with you," he said.
...oh.
"Well, I would assume that we would naturally bond over this voyage," I said.
Aye, I was playing naive to what Maeloson meant. I knew what he meant. After all, I had said that I had been with elves before. I knew what he was talking about. I just wanted him to explain that it wasn't what I thought to give me some time to form my own thoughts. I...I really needed a moment to properly fathom these events.
Ūǒḿ, better translated as 'Merging of Spirit and Magic, be a term that has been simplified to Elf Bonding. Originally, this term was not tied to just elves, but to all races. However, it became an elf term since the elves exhibit this bonding the most...intensely.
As the name states, it is the bonding of an elf to a man or woman whom they would wish to spend the rest of their lives. It's something akin to marriage, but much more...spiritual than that. I know of this because one of my past elven lovers always joked that if I wasn't a pirate then she would have bonded to me long ago.
Within every person, there is something like an aura of mana that surrounds them. This does not mean they have the proficiency to use magic, but the mana is there from the time that the person is born. I think this mana is different from the mana that naturally dwells within the body. Basically, think of the body as holding physical mana, and the body's spirit holding spiritual mana.
Aye, it be a headache, but deal with that for now.
Anyway, elves tend to have a higher than average spiritual mana capacity. Some fuckers have speculated it's why they have such a long lifespan. When an elf is emotionally invested in a person, their spiritual mana, for lack of a better term, consumes a portion of the invested person's mana and takes it into their own. With that, the elf's mana adapts or forms itself into the likeness of the person's mana. This forms a sort of psychic link between the elf and the person.
Naturally, both races' spirits must...accept this action. This only weirded me out because, I don't know why my spirit, or whatever, would accept a woman that I did not fully trust. Even more, when had it happened? I can't recall anything significant.
Anyway, unlike most races that treat this...bonding thing as something silly, elves
take it very seriously. So serious is it that someone like Aesteal is liable to be put to death if her tribesmen ever discover this.
The reason for that is, for elves, there is complete submission and vulnerability to the bonded person. For the sake of the bonded person, the elf would do anything for them. Boy, do I mean ANYTHING to make them happy.
Divulge elven secrets, participate in deplorable acts that most elves wouldn't dare, and so much more would a bonded elf do if it made their bonded one happy. Now usually one would think this to be unusual since if one didn't like this then they would simply refuse to do so. However, do remember that for elves the bonding is meant to partake of their invested person's spiritual mana.
Additionally, elves are a race more sensitive to the natural and spiritual world thus these effects are perhaps three or four times what any other race must endure.
Perhaps it's for that reason that elves are a rather secluded race that doesn't enjoy visitors very much. Now, of course, even elves can differentiate sex from bonding. It's just more likely to happen if it keeps occurring.
As with most things, the reason some elves are fearful of this is because a bonding can be manipulated. A race like the elves, who are taken as treasures by the rich and noble of society, can develop a twisted sense of dependency which likens itself to a bonding. Same with any other race, but as stated before, elves feel this much more. That's probably why elven marriage outside of elven people are seen as taboo.
Never have I heard of an elf bonding to a pirate. Hell, it never even happened to me in my past life despite the few elven women I had been with. With a bonding, you could even learn...an elf's true name.
Maeloson finished his explanation of what the bonding meant for elves to me. I decided to simply play ignorant about knowing this already. I'm sure if I knew such a thing then that would rouse even greater suspicion. I can tell that though we talk, he and I don't share as much about ourselves with each other. I know why. He is just as cautious of me as I am of him.
However, with the knowledge that Aesteal is bonded to me comes some...concerns and peace of mind simultaneously. I have some peace of mind that Aesteal wouldn't betray me. For an elf to betray their bonded has never happened, as far as I am aware of. Yet, that concerns me that, why would these two elves still follow me if not such some underlying plot?
I leaned back into my chair. "Alright, and what exactly do you wish me to do?" I asked.
"Personally, sir? I'd ask you to tell Aesteal that there is no world in which you two can be together, but the odd thing about this turn of events is that I don't even think she knows that she's bonded to you," he replied.
Why do I feel as if I am being run around in circles?
"If you're telling me that she doesn't even know she's bonded, then how would you know?" I asked. There was some irritation in my voice.
Maeloson turned around. He pulled his hair out of the way and showed the back of his neck. "For every elf and their Bonded, there is an elven symbol etched around here. I saw it while Aesteal combed her hair," he replied.
I frowned before I stood up and walked over to my window. I pulled some saltwater from the ocean and maneuvered it so that its reflective surface could show me what the mirrors of my window were showing. I shouldn't have been surprised, but I was at the sight of an elven symbol etched to the back of my neck. No doubt this proved that Aesteal had indeed bonded herself to me without either of us knowing.
"As I feared," Maeloson said.
I threw the water outside and returned to my seat. "Hmm, and here I thought you'd wish her to be happy," I remarked.
"Were it any normal elf then I would not raise concern, but Aesteal is no normal elven woman. She is an elven warrior raised by an ancient code of our people. Our code, especially for those warriors, forbids the seeking of carnal desires. To protect the kingdom, they are taught that pleasure comes from serving the kingdom. Yet, her acts with you...,"
"Have shown her that the body be not so steadfast as you elves like to believe it is. I never understood that about you lot. Perhaps I never will," I replied.
We sat in silence for a moment. I finished the last pieces of my food and pushed the tray to the side. "And what happens should I go through with this bonding?" I asked.
Maeloson chuckled angrily. "You are already bonded. She would face our entire elven kingdom if it meant getting you what you desired. She'll sail with you until her body grows old and her womb bears your offspring. I only wish you to know the heavy price for having one of the kingdom's most powerful members of the ancient order as part of your crew," he said.
He then stood up, took the tray, and walked away. I'd forgive him for leaving without permission just this once. I had too much on my mind anyway.
With Maeloson's revelation on my mind, I spent the next two days in a blur between thinking of Aesteal and thinking of my alchemy. I still wasn't finished with the latter. Not even close. The reason for that was also the former. I found myself distracted by Aesteal and what my plans for her were. This news had definitely forced me to rethink the actions that I ought to take with the elves.
When night fell over the ship, I corrected our course one more time before Ellen came through the door and offered me my dinner. When she turned to leave, I spoke. "Tell Aesteal to come to me. I need to speak to her," I said.
"I'll be sure to cover my ears," Ellen said with a roll of her eyes before she left.
Despite my rather melancholy mood, I laughed. Seas, I loved that one more than almost any other. While I waited, I decided to partake in my dinner. This time, instead of land meat, I find my taste buds suited to sea meat. More specifically, I found myself delighted with krill, shrimp, and other tasty delights that be found swimming through the ocean.
Anyway, a knock came to my door about five minutes later. "Enter," I said.
I'd like to make the excuse that it be the revelation of this bonding that I felt surprisingly less confident when I turned around I spotted Aesteal in my doorway. Blood was rushing through my chest and my eyes. Like some wide burst of clarity, I could see every corner of her body that leaked a sexuality to draw me in like a great whirlpool. I was hard just from watching her descend my steps.
"You asked for me, sir?" Aesteal questioned.
Seas, her voice sounded like a melodious song over the waves that stirred both my spirit and my loins. Had her voice always been this way and I just not notice it?
Bah, look at me! I be a middle-aged man in the body of a young brat and my mind is woven by over a thousand pleasant thoughts like some giddy child. Perhaps I ought to be glad that these feelings remain locked in my mind. I don't know how I'd deal otherwise.
I desired to hold her. Kiss her. Make love to her. Breed her full of my little bastards and watch them run along my ship causing any mischief they please.
I inhaled and exhaled slowly. I calmed myself. Eager though I was, I reined in my cock and the blood that surged within it.
"Aye, I did. Tell me, have you eaten already?" I asked.
"No, sir. I was going to until you called," she replied.
I slowly nodded and held out my hand. "Then dine with your captain tonight. A meal be much better when enjoyed by such lovely company," I stated.
Aesteal looked at my offered hand and smiled. This smile, I found much different from her others. Not that she was never against it before, as far as I could tell, but this time...she seemed entirely delighted at the thought.
"Is that an order, sir?" she asked as she stepped into the light of the candles which lit my room.
I smirked. "Shall I make it one?" I asked as her hand slipped into mine. Her skin felt like warm silk. Each nerve on the tips of my fingers firing like a thousand cannon shots.
"No, I suppose not, sir," she answered.
I then pulled her to me. She allowed herself to be taken. She sat on my thighs just like Ellen would have done if she were with me. Her silver hair rubbed against my cheek. Her eyes stared into mine and I found myself drifting through the quiet forest grass like a wayward spirit.
Aesteal reached for some of the food, but I smacked her hand away. She looked at me curiously before I took a piece of sliced apple and held it to her lips. I'm not sure what protests she had, but she did not voice them, and instead, she opened her mouth. She took the apple and chewed on it, suckling on the tips of my fingers as she did so.
My cock lurched forward as her tongue slathered my fingers with saliva. How funny that a few weeks ago, she couldn't even masturbate properly. Now, I can feel her ass gently grind against my pelvis while her spirit's mana flourished around her. Her hot breath tickled my skin before I pulled out my fingers.
So caked in spit were they that they glistened beneath the light of the candles. When I turned to her I noticed her reach for some of my food. She then faced me and held the food near my lips as well. "I had always thought feeding someone else was more...private and personal," she said.
"It is. I be sharing it privately in my quarters with a personal member of my crew. What better time is there than now?" I asked.
I then took my food from her hand and ate it slowly. She watched me curiously while I swallowed.
For the next half an hour, we fed each other and we drank the fruits of delectable wine. Naturally, I had to coax her a bit to drink with me as I promised there was no desire of mine to get her drunk. She seemed to believe me and we only drank for a little while. It was nothing much, but it made us both aware that this be the first time we had ever been alone in a truly intimate fashion.
"Aesteal, stand up," I said.
Without a word, she tore herself from me and stood to her feet. She turned to face me. "Strip," I said.
My female elf grabbed her shirt. "Slowly," I then uttered.
"Yes, sir," she returned.
She then unbuttoned her shirt. Her delicate fingers worked each one through each hole before she was exposed to me. Just as I had wished, she had not bound her breasts with wrappings every since the first time I had seen them.
She then undid the belt buckle of her pants. Grabbing their edges, she slowly pulled them down as her fair skin glimmered next to my desk. Her long legs drove me wild and the way her legs coiled next to each other, as if to try and hide her pussy from me drove, me wild.
Aesteal, without a shadow of a doubt, was a very beautiful elven female. She had every tool to drive a man to go to war just to spend one night with her. A strong will, beautiful breasts, long legs, beautiful eyes, and a nice ass. Plus, she could kick some good ass as well. What more could any man desire in such a strong woman?
I decided to stand as well. Due to my age, I don't think I was as imposing as I playfully wished to appear since I was about Aesteal's height due to my age.
I followed suit.
I took off my coat.
I took off my shirt.
I kicked off my boots.
Lastly, I kicked away my pants when I pulled them down.
I was left just as naked as Aesteal. For such a woman who has lived for a number of years, Aesteal still has a certain naivete that I be attracted to. She has certainly seen me naked enough times, but her eyes still roamed my body like she had never seen a male naked before. Her eyes look at my arms, my chest, and my cock. It stood proud before her, letting her know that it was strongly attracted to her.
"You know how much I value honesty, Aesteal. Two things may occur this night. One, I punish you. Two, I take you to my bed. You may decide which when I ask two questions. Am I clear?" I asked.
"Yes, sir," she answered slowly.
"Good. Question one, back in C'ula, I noticed you were not yourself at the auction house. Tell me why," I said.
I could tell that Aesteal was not expecting this question. Well, it wasn't really a question based on how I worded it, but it was all the same.
Aesteal opened and closed her mouth several times. I could feel her fluctuating mana almost as well as I could feel my own. It only served to remind me that we had indeed bonded. Her eyes wandered anywhere but me, and I made note of it. I slowly caressed her cheek and pulled her face to mine.
"Look at me when I'm speaking to you. Understood?" I asked, there was no heat in my voice. There wasn't even any firmness. There was only a soft command that I would use with my mother when we were alone.
"U-Understood, Sir," she replied with a quivering lip. Never had I heard Aesteal tremble like this since I had punished her for Diane's mistake. The hazes of lust had begun to cloud her eyes and mine. In her eyes, I saw resistance. I saw those old elven teachings which guided her manifest themselves. Yet, her body could not hold their disciplines when she stared at me.
Perhaps Liara was right. So strong was the lustful aura of my mana that, when enhanced by the presence of Liara's own, it was enough to make men and women shiver. Clearly, a strong woman like Aesteal was no different.
"Tell me, Aesteal. Answer me now," I whispered as my lips laid just beyond her reach. I had no doubts she could feel my breath because I could feel hers.
She slowly raised one of her hands and took hold of my fingers that laid on her cheek. "I was raised to abstain from all worldly pleasures, Sir. To dedicate my entire being to my people was what could be considered as pleasure for me. What greater ecstasy could be found than in the prospering of one's own people and kingdom? But, seeds of jealousy sprung within my chest. I was jealous of your mother," she replied.
I stiffened.
"I bore witness to the unrivaled pleasure on her face as she copulated with her own son. As a warrior raised on the ancient teachings of my elders, I should have abhorred such animalistic intercourse, but...with everything I have done on this voyage, I wished to be held like that. The arms of a man wrapped around me, making others bear witness to my descent into otherwordly desires, were on my mind. Perhaps some part of me wondered why you never called me to your chambers like you did your mother. Perhaps I was not to your liking. Perhaps you did not trust me. All were valid reasons I thought, but I was told that humans care little for emotional attachment when having sex. I figured you were no different, Sir," she said.
As I listened, I continued caressing her cheek. "When I saw you and your mother, I was reminded of my vows. 'My body is not my own. Everything I am is in service to the Kingdom and the Order. My eyes search in the day. My ears listen in the night. I am not a part of the world. I exist above it. I find nourishment in the spirits and love in my duty. So, I swear to Divine Tree'," She said. I had never known Aesteal to shed tears. Nevertheless, my palm felt warm.
"I have already come to terms that I am a failure to my people. At that time, nay perhaps even when you first had me masturbate, I felt my oath shaken. Thoughts of my Order and my people left me as I succumbed to the greatest pleasures of the flesh I had never known. A warrior like me who had made such vows against desires like these would have been cast out just for the mere thought of it. Yet, knowing that even if I were cast out that I can't even have that which I was cast out for was enough to make my heart break. The culmination of what I desired came together when I saw you with your mother in C'ula. Sir, I...I wish you to desire me as well," she said.
"And Maeloson? Perhaps he will wish to leave my crew one day. Shall you follow him?" I asked.
"If that is Maeloson's desire then I will not stop him. As for me, if I am to be outcast, then where better shall I thrive than in a den of outcasts?" she asked.
Ah, perhaps I had finally understood why I felt this odd feeling. It was the same I felt when I had first been with Leah. A sense of wholeness overwhelmed my sunken heart. A sense of peace entered my spirit. For a woman from a race known for its honor, its pride, and its nobility to stand by me within a den of serpents, and offer herself to me, eased the storming doubts within my mind.
"You want to be like my mother? You want to be fucked lovingly, roughly, in front of anyone, in any place I choose, at any point that I care about?" I asked her.
"Y-Yes, sir. Perhaps from the day you first rescued Maeloson and I, that is what I desired," she answered.
My hand left her cheek. I then pulled back from her. Ah, I saw fear in her eyes for only a moment. Then, I turned around and showed her the elven dot on the back of my neck. I then turned to face her.
"You know what this is," I said, not asked.
"Yes, sir," she replied.
I exhaled. "Then, question two. Should I assume you love me?" I asked.
Aesteal frowned. "Sir, I can't answer that as I have never loved anyone before. I...am not sure. However, if I am to desire one more thing then it would be to sail forever with you. Ahn xhinae fcvan ghadmaj jakiylo, fcvan ghadmaji dozvhic, fcvan ghadmaji ashire, fcvan ghadmaji famier," she spoke in her elven tongue. If I translate that right, she just swore by the spirit of water, earth, air, and fire respectively.
I leaned forward. I passed her lips and settled my mouth to her ears.
"Beg me," I whispered like a gentle gale over the sea.
"S-Sir?" she shivered as I walked around her and held her in my arms. My cock wedged itself into the split crevice of her ass. With slow, firm motions, I rubbed my cock against her and found satisfaction in the way her body responded to it. Her breaths increased and she allowed her body to fall into my embrace.
"Beg me to treat you like the beautiful elven slut I know you are. Beg for my cock to fuck you until you feel my cum explode inside. Beg me to treat you as I desire. Beg me...to desire your whole body and take it as my own. Beg me...to make you realize that your Order no longer controls what happens to your body, I do. Beg this lowly pirate to ravish you!" I whispered.
My tongue slithered across her long ears.
"Ooooooh, Sir. P-Please...," she panted. My hands roamed her curves.
"Please, what?" I asked. I then nibbled on the top of her ears. My hands rubbed her delicate skin, memorizing the shape of her body that had been trained for so many years. This body once used to protect elven citizens would now be used for my sole pleasure and satisfaction. Such a thought was enough to force small drips of pre-cum from my hardened rod.
"S-Sir! Sir, please...mmmmmmph...P-PLEASEEEEEEEEEEEE!" Aesteal moaned as her body shuddered from a sudden orgasm that left her weak. So aroused was her body that I suppose she couldn't have held it.
Curiously, I slipped my left hand down her chest. I touched her stomach and continued to sail down to her cunt. Seas, it was hot. I could feel the heat vibrating from her loins as juice spilled into my hand. Her unsteady breaths moved my lust without regard for a pause.
I held up my fingers and as I expected, they were full of the sticky residue of her climax. I stared at my fingers and smiled. "Did it feel that good? I have yet to even begin with you, Aesteal. Are you that needy for my cock?" I asked.
"Y-Yes, sir. I...I want your cock, sir. I want you to fuck me with your hard cock! Please, fuck me as you wish, wherever you wish, whenever...you wish, and for however long you wish. I am yours to do with as you p-please. I wish to give...you everything! Never shall I take another bonded. Everything... that I am shall be for the sake of t-t-thee. My body...aches for your cum to wash away the shame of my spirit! Sir, use me as you see fit! Fuck your elven slut!" Aesteal exclaimed.
Need I ask for more?
I turned Aesteal to me. "It shall be done, you sexy elf!" I said before I pulled her into my arms and engulfed her lips with my own. Unlike before, her kiss this time was full of experience and dedication. Her restless pants flew through the air of my quarters as she wrapped her arms around my neck.
"Mmmmmp muuuuuwaaaa, sir, I have longed for this many days and nights," she said as she kissed me. Her tongue flicked across my upper and lower lips while mine caressed the corners of her teeth. I had not felt such elation and joy of union except during the time I had fucked my own mother for the first time.
We parted slowly. Her eyes into mine, I grabbed her hand and guided her to my bed. She laid down and I almost mistook her for a king's maiden rather than a hardened warrior. Her face red with desire, her body ready and willing to submit to all the whims my mind could think of, I could not hold my lust for her. I don't think she desired me to either.
I laid my body down upon hers and kissed her once again. Unlike any previous exchange, I did not seek to fully place my will upon her like usual. I was going to grant her the desires she asked for. I was going to treat her as I treated my mother.
As we swapped spit, I took one of my hands and cupped her left breast. "Hmmmmm oooooooh, that feels so good, sir," she said. Her voice tickled the hairs of my upper lip. She was not idle either. Her hands explored my body like a blacksmith explored his metals. A soft glide of touches through my core pleased me greatly. I could feel her desire to please me despite the fact that was not necessarily good at it. Her hands reached across my young body. There was an awkwardness and shyness in her touch, but an eagerness to explore my body like it was some foreign object to her. Her skin upon mine, she tried to slide her fingers down to grasp my cock.
Unfortunately for her, it would not be so easy. Just before she could touch the tip of my painful erection, I slid my body down. I placed soft kisses on her neck and collarbone. My destination laid upon her chest. Her nipples protruded shamelessly in the air. They were just waiting for a mouth and tongue to stick to them and suckle the glorious juices within them that had not yet been made.
Without any word of encouragement, I took a hold of her breasts and I kneaded them both like fine dough.
"Mmmmmmmm ooooooooooooh! Oooooh that feels good, sir. I was taught the only use for breasts was for nurturing children. Why...why doesn't it feel so gooooood?" Aesteal questioned as she laid her head back while my tongue rolled around the pointed skin of her areolae. Her body arched upwards beautifully as I closed my eyes to enjoy the sweet song of her moans.
My cute little elf's body undulated as she tried to escape my weaving tongue, but my body held her down. The only thing she could do was writhe beneath me as the pleasures I sent through her body today would not be ones of pain, but of equal endearment.
My other hand was free to pinch her nipples and twist them as it pleased. Her arms around my neck, I cared not for who heard her. Her voice was truly beautiful. This tenacious woman had sweat beating down her forehead as her arms cradled my head. She pushed my mouth deeper into her breasts and I responded to her silent demands by gently flicking each tit between my teeth.
As my mouth worked her upper body, my fingers worked her lower portion. Like a captain does with his ship, I familiarized myself with her long legs. Each touch was like a burst of colorful mana seeping into my body. I was drunk on this feeling. I desired more of it. Her groans of ecstasy were my reward.
My fingers slid between her legs and I felt the flood come forth from within her.
"OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH! SAZAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL!" Aesteal screamed as her legs trapped my hand and her body shivered in a wondrous orgasm once again. Her legs locked and her eyes closed as I felt my hand once again drown in the rush of her excitement.
I pulled my lips away from her body and she seemed to glow with an ethereal light that only made her all the more pleasing to me. I smirked. "I wonder if you taste as delicious as you sound. Shall I find out?" I asked.
I don't think Aesteal understood what I meant, but I feel that she would soon.
I dropped off my bed and my knees rested on the cold, wooden floor of my quarters. I pulled her body to mine and I bet she now understood what I desired when I laid her legs on my shoulders. For the first time, I held an uninterrupted view of Aesteal's maidenhood. without her fingers massaging it repeatedly. So pinky, puffy, and flowing with life-giving waters was it that her pussy made my throat go dry. Well, it either be that or the alcohol.
"S-Sir," Aesteal spoke warily.
My eyes gazed into her own for a brief period. "This body, so slutty, so tempting, so beautiful. I could feast my eyes on it for days and still remain painfully aroused. Did you know that when I first called you to my chambers, I desired nothing more than to hear your voice over the sea's tide as I fucked you? Are all elves sirens in disguise? Shall I be charmed and meet my demise later?" I asked.
"If it pleases you, sir. I shall be as wanton as you desire. Just your gaze upon me makes me shudder. Pleasure in serving my kingdom...could not compare to what I feel right now," she spoke.
"And I shall teach you why it never will," I said. I then latched my tongue to her pussy.
"AAAAAAAAAAAH, SIR! Y-YES! OOOOOOOO FGHAIL!!!!! F-Fuck!" Aesteal cried. No, it might be because the pleasure was firing through my brain, or the taste of this delectable heated wine was on my tongue, but was that the first time Aesteal cursed in absolute pleasure? Forgive me, my memory is distracted by the beverage I had the luxury of swallowing down.
Anyway, my tongue pierced its way into Aesteal's cunt. Damn, so hot was her juice that I wondered if it was going to burn my tongue. Her walls clung to my tongue and her hands rested on my head.
"OOOOOOOOOOOOOH, SIR! F-F-FUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK! YES! OH YES! Your tongue feels amazing!" She exclaimed as I sought to continue my assault of her womanly body. Her nails painfully etched themselves into my hair and her legs coiled around my neck like a venomous viper, but I persisted through any pain. After all, this pain was what I lived for. How could I shy away from such when they had so favorably endured with me?
The sounds of the sea, the cheers of my crew, the soft howl of the wind, Aesteal's moans as she experiences sex for the first time like a proper elven virgin, all of these things seemed to culminate in the increasing arousal in my mind. Each inch my tongue slid through her cavern, my cock lurched angrily. It desperately desired to be inside her. I had not even touched it, but I could feel the cum slowly seeping from my balls.
Whether because she bonded to me, or through some other mysterious means, I could feel what she was feeling. As my tongue climbed through her pussy, I could feel the same sensations wrapping around my pistol like a hot, wet cloth. It was a truly divine experience, one that had me releasing tiny orgasms that embedded her mana into my body.
I held no idea of where the time went nor if I cared to know. All I did know was that I taught Aesteal more of her body when I nibbled on her clit. "MMMMMMMMMMMMMPPH! OOoooooooooooooooh! Aauhghhhhhhh!" She moaned as she fondled her breasts.
I wasn't long before the combination of my mouth, my fingers, and her glorious snatch made her cum for a third time. Only this time, her tangy taste released itself all over my face. Yet, deep within me, I felt my mana increase once again. Clearly, there is something to elven fluids and mana growth, but anyway.
"Haaa...haaaaaa...haaaa...,"
As I stood up, I surveyed my work. Aesteal was a hot mess of unleashed sexual desire. Her eyes were unfocused and her chest heaved up and down like the rolling waves. Her body was alive, warm, needy, and exposed. Her mana was covering my quarters like a thick sheet of mist. As her bonded, my body took in this mist which only drove my maddening desire to fuck this elf.
Perhaps I should have waited for her to come down from her sexual high, but my lustful aura had permeated the air too much. I could not hold it anymore. I wanted to use her, dominate her, fuck her, love her. I sought every single piece of her body as a pirate sought every treasure hidden beneath the shores of sand on a beach.
I laid over her again. She was still breathless. "Prepare yourself. I'm gonna fuck you now for as long as I wish!" I said. I positioned myself between her legs and lined my lowly pirate cock with her proud, noble, elven slit.
I then lowered myself down and took Aesteal's lips in a fiery kiss that would make any priest. Then, without any other warning, I pushed my cock through the folds of her pussy and tore through her maidenhood.
"MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMHPPPPPMM!" Aesteal moaned into my lips as my cock slid inch by inch through her glorious mound.
"UUUUUUUUUUGH!" I groaned as the sensations that fired through my brain in combination with our combined aura of lust made me cum before I could even hold onto my nerve.
"Ooooooooh, I feel your seeds of life swimming inside me, sir! Neve have I felt such exhilaration!" the warrior elf said.
I slowed my breaths. I had not told Aesteal this, but I was a tad embarrassed that her body felt so wonderful that not even I could stop the culmination of my lust from spilling into her. However, the good thing about having control over the abilities that I do, it wasn't difficult for me to get hard once again.
I smirked "You pleased me so much I couldn't resist. Now, let's give you the fucking you deserve!" I said. I then pulled my cock out and then shoved it back in.
"Oooooh, oh Hamava! It feels amazing! Yes, sir! Fuck me! Fuck me until Idyir howls upon the white moon!" she said with fervor.
I did just that! I fucked Aesteal. I fucked this voluptuous elf as hard as I could. The harsh sounds of our nether regions bashing against each other were like two loud drums over the night air.
Aesteal, her arms around my neck, her breath in my ears, she was not so silent as her long legs wrapped around my waist. "OoOOOOOOOOOOOOOH! OH seas! OOOOOOOOOooooh gods! Oooooooh gahldafhir! Your cock feels good, sir!" she praised.
No, it was quite the contrary. Her pussy felt magnificent. Seas, not even the elves I had fucked back in my original life caressed my cock with such passion and vigor as Aesteal did. The awkward flexes of her cunt muscles and the sopping juices lathering my cock made me feel like I bathing in a basin of hot water. Every thrust was met with more flowing waters.
I felt as if I could feel the very forces of elven energy gorging on my cock and moving it to the right places that I just knew Aesteal would love. My bed shook with vigor. It constantly smacked against the wall no doubt alerting Liara to what was happening right next to her room.
"Aaaaaaahhh, yesssssss! Never have I known...oooooooooooooooh...such pleasures! Oh, elven gods!!!!" she replied.
I silenced her words with another kiss that she happily partook in. "Aye, you feel wonderful. When men.....uuuufff...look at you they want to fuck you in every position known throughout the world. Women want to lick this dripping cunt like a king's wine pitcher!" I said.
I turned Aesteal over and rammed my cock back into her pussy as she clenched the side of the pillow like it was her only thing keeping her from losing what little of her mind hadn't been given over to our fucking.
I nibbled on one of her ears and then spoke. "Come on, you slutty elf. Show me how you toy with your body! Show me why every race desires to fuck you like you're the sons and daughters of Aphrodite herself!" I ordered.
To my desire, Aesteal moved her hand and began to stroke her clit while her knuckles brushed against my unstoppable cannon flag. "Mmmmmm yes sir! I'm your elven slut that forsakes her own oaths and gives her mind and body to you! MMMMMMMMMMmmmmmmmph yes! I can feel my body shudder like lightning! Please, sir, fuck me as...aaaaaaaahhhhhhaa...you wish! Ohhhhhhh gods! OOOOOOOOOOOOOOH Dehna! F-FUUUUUUUUUUCK! SAZAMAAAAAAA!! You're gonna make me cum, SIIIIIIIIIIIIR!"
Aesteal's shivered once again as I felt he pussy clamp down over my cock. Aye, there truly be nothing better than an unknown sea filled with danger, a crew so turned on by your lust that their moans are heard even in my room, and warm pussy around your cock. Such moments I wholeheartedly enjoy to the fullest.
Time became little more than an afterthought for Aesteal and me. A cornucopia of pleasure surrounded as, her body in mine, she massaged the back of my head, her chest thrusting out from me making her ass jiggle. I was at the height of sexual ecstasy. I could feel my cock just barely shying away from the entrance to her womb where I would no doubt be cumming as hard as I could.
Once again, I felt the cum slide up the long tube that was my blood-filled lower muscle. The sweat on my forehead, the blazing lights in my eyes, the electric signals rapidly shooting off one after the other, my grip against her thighs strengthened.
"AAAAAAAHHHHh FUCK! I'm gonna cum, you slutty elf!" I waned as my hips began moving even faster, preparing my cock and my elven wench for the cannon that was ready to fire!
"Huuuuuuaaaaaaa yes! Yes, sir! Please release your cum inside me! MMMMMMMMMAAAAAA I can feel your balls filled with your offspring just waiting for me to receive them.......aaaaaaaaaampppph....all! Please don't cum outside! I'll give birth to all your descendants if you so desire! Breed your elven slut as long as you wish!"
GODDAMMIT!
For a virgin, Aesteal knew the words to say to me. Thoughts of her round belly, lactating tits, and hyper sex drive filled me with the basic animalistic urge to breed this elf with plenty of my children that would go on and make their own lives! Just the thought of her...
"UUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGHH!" I roared like a brainless animal as my cock pushed as far into her as I could get it before my cum blasted into her waiting pussy. My arms and legs locked and the muscles in my ass clenched. Ropes of virile sperm wrung themselves from within me. Even then her walls did not stop trying to milk it all from me.
"Hhaaaaaaaaaa, yes! I can feel your cum inside me, sir! It feels so wonderful!" Aesteal said as her eyes rolled into the back of her head from another orgasm of her own.
We both fell to my bed and panted, the waves of orgasmic bliss rushed through both of our bodies. I slowly pulled my fuckrod from my lovely elf's cunt and watched the cum slowly fall out. However, that didn't last long because she leaned over and pressed her lips to my cock. Without me even needing to ask, she sucked on the last vestiges of my sperm until I was clean.
"Satisfied?" I asked.
Aesteal frowned for a moment. "For much of my years, I had not cared for pleasure or carnal desires. My pleasure was training in the woods, practicing combat with my fellow warriors, and surrendering my desires for the sake of the kingdom. Yet, I have now felt a sense of peace that no lecture of the spirits could compare. Perhaps, Le'a was right. Everything has its own purpose," Aesteal said.
I smiled at my elf for a moment before my world froze.
Le'a? Leah?!
I touched my head as thousands of memories rushed through my mind. I stared at Aesteal and I closed my eyes.
"Aesteal, repeat that," I said.
"Everything has its own purpose?" she asked.
I sighed. "Before that,"
"Perhaps, Le'a was right?" she asked again.
I slowly nodded. "Who is Le'a?" I asked slowly, yet rather angrily.
Aesteal, sensing my mood I suppose, leaned up. "She...was a slave companion of sorts before Maeloson and I were detained by the Lindengar Household. She told me that phrase before she was sold off," my elf said.
My fingers clenched. "Did she ever give you her last name?" I asked.
"Le'a Crowmere," she replied.
"Hello, welcome to the Eagle Blade's Bar, my name is Leah Crownmore. How might I serve you?"
Aesteal shivered as a blast of thunder ruptured the skies while the sound of rain fell in a mighty downpour.
"Aesteal, trust be a hard thing for anyone to give. No less is for me. I shall weave a tale for you and, when I'm done, you're going to tell me everything ye know of your friend," I spoke, making sure she heard every word.
Aesteal slowly accepted my words. Then, under the heavy rain, thunderous clouds, and crashing lightning, I told Aesteal of my origins and the path I would take in order to satisfy my revenge!