Legends of Belariath

Thalea

Trials of Lust

The afternoon sun shone through the leaves of the trees, and its light played on the woodland pool. A few ripples formed on the surface, and a figure emerged, dived in again, and finally reappeared at the edge of the pool, leaning against the bank. Upon this sleek figure the play of light was even more delightful. It was a golden-haired naked elf girl, slender yet well curved, with a delicate youthful face.

And yet Alissia the Sylvan Elf seemed troubled as she left the pool after a while, picking up a note that lay in the grass.

Her green eyes flew over the bounty instructions for the hundredth time; she almost knew it by heart.

You’ve never done anything like this, Alissia...but then you’ve never been in this situation.

“This situation” was, quite simply, that she had been robbed. Her armor, her sword, her money, everything was gone.

How could you have been such a fool...! Leaving your pack in the common room while taking a bath, free for anyone to take...

She had only recently received her monthly pay, so waiting for the next one was not an option. She was quite certain that Ehlanna or any of her friends would help her out if she asked, but something inside her rebelled at the thought. It was not pride; that was not Alissia’s nature. She had asked for help many times before—and that was it, really.

You can’t rely on everyone to help you all the time; you have been too much of a burden already.

Of course, that was not everything, or she would just have found some fast-paying job. There was also the appeal of adventure, a slight desire to prove herself, and above all, a grim determination that whatever had caused the terrible fate of those poor women had to be stopped. That last reason was what pushed her on every time she thought about giving it up—the guild had said no one else had been volunteering for it...it was up to Alissia.

Fine, you’ve got all your reasons to do it... but why alone?

And as it had done every single time before, that thought stopped her.

Catirena...lovely, wonderful Catirena... Alissia found it highest treason not even to have told her love that she was planning to do this.

But if I tell her, there will be no way to stop her from coming with me.

And that was not to be allowed. Alissia knew very well that something might happen to her...and she would lose her soul rather then have Cat come to harm because of her...that had happened once already, which was once too often.

But I can’t just leave her without saying goodbye...yes, I wrote her a letter, but will it be enough?

She debated with herself for the rest of the day. At nightfall, she lay down to sleep in the glade. She dreamt that she had refused the bounty, and that one day Cat disappeared and was found again a week later, dead, her body unnaturally aged...

When the sun rose, Alissia swam in the pool again, then got dressed, and made straight for the seductress’ tower.

It was not such a spectacular sight, just a large spire of stone rising in the middle of a large clearing. Alissia felt her heart pound as she approached it. She was wearing the one dress she had left, which happened to be the most alluring one.

Its golden satin left her slender arms free, but clung tightly to her well-formed breasts, showing their firm outline. The skirt fell down to her knees, giving a good view of her lithe creamy legs. She had insisted on lightning inserts to be placed into the dress, as a sign for her magical powers. The two of green silk on the skirt were unremarkable enough, but some thought had evidently been given to the other two, which ran across from neckline to waist, across her breasts: they were of white spidersilk, well known for getting transparent when it’s wearer’s body heat increases. It was one of those little twists that marked Ehlanna’s creations.

All in all, Alissia was a rather alluring sight as she slowly walked towards the tower, feeling apprehensive and vulnerable.

Should I just knock at the door?

As soon as she had thought this, she suddenly heard a voice. A female voice, low and mysterious, with a hint of a sultry purr.

“Well, well...what would you be doing out here all by yourself?”

Alissia twirled, her skirt flaring up. That had certainly not been a desired effect from her part, but flaring up was what this skirt was designed for—Alissia did, after all, earn her living as a sensuous dancer.

But now the elf girl stared at the beauty before her. Delicate brown curls fell to the woman’s shoulders, framing a face of ageless beauty...or rather of eternal youth. Only the deep, piecing blue eyes hinted at very old age and knowledge. Red lips, well formed, sensuous and alluring. And her perfect firm curves, her smooth, flawless dusky skin...her body was veiled only by a long skirt and a sleeveless blouse, both of transparent red silk, hinting at the luscious treasures they covered.

“Well?” the woman said again, in a voice full of exciting mystery, of erotic seduction. “Why are you here, pretty elf? And what is your name?”

Alissia suddenly noticed that the unearthly beauty had a silver necklace on which she wore a small crystal sphere, pulsating with an inner red light. The guild had described that pendant... whatever doubt might have remained was dispelled. This was the woman she was looking for. But such thoughts were difficult to follow through for Alissia right now as she still stared breathlessly at the seductress.

Pull yourself together! It’s just...glamour magic or something.

Which didn’t really change anything, but nevertheless Alissia finally managed to speak, or at least to stammer the response she had prepared.

“I...I... M-my name is Alissia.” Drawing a deep breath she regained some control “I was just...wandering; I didn’t mean to intrude on your land. I think I’m lost,” she ended in a meek voice.

The woman assumed an air of compassion that would have fooled Alissia if she hadn’t known it to be forced.

“I am sorry,” the woman spoke in her enthralling voice. “Maybe I can help you find your way home. But first you must come inside and eat a little, Alissia...such a lovely name. It fits you. I am Saria.” With that, she motioned for Alissia to follow and started walking towards the tower, her hips swaying ever so softly.

Alissia stared after her. For a while she considered running away; she had caught a predatory glint in Saria’s eyes.

You’ve come here to do this, now you’re going to do it!

She hesitated a few more seconds, and then hurried after Saria, into the tower. The inside was far more prestigious than the outside; there were crystal lamps, shining white marble, gilt decorations everywhere...

Saria led her into a wide hall, where a table was laid with all sorts of foods and drinks. Alissia ate, but hardly felt the taste; she was concentrating on not staring at Saria all the time. The seductress was only sipping some wine, watching the elf with an amused smile. Now and then she would ask questions, which Alissia answered, now truthfully, now not so, according to the plan she had prepared.

So Saria now believed Alissia to be living on her own in the woods, going to the inn now and then, but not really a regular. She would not be missed. Alissia also let slip that she was a dancer. Saria’s interest was obviously piqued. “It’s been long since I saw a truly skilled dancer. Won’t you show me, sweet Alissia?”

Despite the fact that she was still stunned by Saria’s beauty, Alissia had won back most of her confidence, maybe due to the wine she had drunk. It therefore took some acting to retain her shy naivety, but she managed, even to the point of blushing slightly.

“Well... if you wish, Miss Saria... but I’d need some music.”

Saria just smiled and clapped her hand. A curtain was drawn aside, and a young woman came in, human by the looks of her. Her hair was dark and short; her eyes’ color couldn’t be seen since she kept her gaze to the ground. She was also totally naked, and had quite an attractive body. Her pert nipples were pierced with golden rings; her pubic hair was shaved off. There was a black collar around her neck.

“Yes, Mistress?” she said meekly.

“Play some music for our guest, Kila.” Saria answered. “Something sensuous.”

“Yes, Mistress.”

The girl turned and disappeared behind the curtain again. When she came back, she held a delicately crafted harp. Without even glancing at Alissia, she settled down in a corner, and began to play a soft, haunting tune.

Alissia gazed intently at Kila, not so much admiring her body (though she was definitely doing that as well), but rather wondering about her. Was this one of Saria’s victims? Or just her servant, her slave?

Making a mental note to find out more later, Alissia slowly stood up and took a few steps back. Then she began to dance. She was hesitant at first, swaying softly to the melody, keeping her eyes cast down. Then she slowly felt the familiar thrill of the dance quell her nervousness, and she began to move her body seductively, provocatively, glancing up at Saria through her eyelashes. She twirled expertly, her skirt riding up to show off her slim thighs. She felt rather than heard Saria rise and move to her side, as silently as a shadow. Alissia’s heart accelerated a little at the seductress’ proximity, but still she kept on dancing, presenting her charms, moving in an erotic flow of twirls and sways. Suddenly, she felt a strange tingling in her chest, which quickly sped through her entire body. She felt the heat in her bosom rise, and a sensation of mounting dampness between her legs. The spidersilk across her breasts was now fully transparent, giving a clear view of her stiff nipples.

Keep...going, girl...it’s a spell that’s doing this...

Spell or no, the sensation was too much to bear. Alissia’s dance collapsed as she swayed to the side with a moan, fighting hard against the urge to just throw herself at Saria. The seductress smiled, obviously enjoying the elf girl’s torment. At a snap of her fingers, the music ceased.

“You seem a little...weak, sweet Alissia.” She said, half mockingly, half seductively. “I think you should get some rest. Kila! Show our guest to her room.”

“Yes Mistress.”

Alissia clenched her teeth as she followed the meek slave girl, fighting hard against the urges.

If you give in, you’re lost she kept on telling herself. She’ll have you. She wants you to throw yourself at Kila, for whatever reason; just hold back...

The steps to her luxurious room, with a bath and a four-poster bed, were sheer agony.

“Will there be anything you require, Miss?” said Kila, still keeping her eyes to the floor.

“N-no” Alissia panted, trying not to moan. For a while she considered asking Kila about Saria, but quickly abandoned that idea.

If she’s really devoted to Saria, my cover would be blown in a few minutes.

As soon as Kila had left the room, Alissia quickly got rid of her dress, threw herself onto the bed and started to masturbate furiously. But no matter how fast and skillfully she used her hands, even in combination with a Telekinesis spell, be it on her breasts or between her legs, she just couldn’t find release. It was as if some magical barrier was holding her back. Groaning in frustration, she accelerated her rhythm, tried everything she could think of—until finally, exhaustion took over and she fell asleep.

When she woke up again, the burning need was still in her. As she slowly opened her eyes, the first thing she realized was that the light had changed. There was no longer any daylight filtering through the window, instead some unseen light source had plunged the room into a dim glow. And kneeling on the bed beside her, totally naked apart from the crystal around her neck, was Saria. Alissia held her breath. The seductress’ clothes had hid more than apparent. Now that her curves were bared, she looked nothing less than a goddess made flesh, with her perfectly rounded breasts, the nipples just the right size, the dark triangular patch between her legs alluring and inviting...

“Sorry to disturb you, Alissia,” she purred softly, her eyes sweeping over the elf’s bared form, “but you seemed a little bothered. I was wondering if I could... help you in any way...”

Her hand slowly moved towards Alissia’s thigh and brushed her skin slightly. Barely a touch, and yet it send a fire running through Alissia’s body, doubling, trebling her need.

Resist, girl... it’s just a spell...she wants you to lose control...

But it was too much. Her need and Saria’s beauty were seeping through her resistance; she couldn’t hold back.

With a soft moan that sounded a little like “Please,” she sat up, aching to touch this siren. But Saria just smiled and pushed her back down.

“Shh... Just enjoy yourself, little one...”

She slid forward and lay down on top of her, purring softly. Alissia shivered, her touch, her intoxicating smell driving her wild with need. Saria let her mouth trail from Alissia’s chin to her lips, then slowly slid her tongue inside, probing her mouth in a passionate kiss. At the same time, her hands started to explore the elf’s body, tracing her curves, gliding over the smooth creamy skin, teasing all her sensitive places. Alissia moaned into the kiss, then shivered as she felt Saria’s lips come away and her tongue slide over her body as well. The sensations washed over her, feather-light touches at first, then growing more intense as Saria rubbed her breasts against her chest, her hands gripping her skin a little harder, skillfully sending wave after arousing wave of pleasure through her body.

And still Alissia didn’t find release. She was driven to the edge but was held there, screaming in frustration.

Slowly, Saria’s gentle lovemaking turned faster, wilder. She groped the elf’s body, trailed her fingernails across her skin. Her eyes now looked dangerous and predatory as she gazed down with a cruel smile.

“Do you want release, elf-girl?”

Alissia nodded, her teeth clenched.

Saria’s smile turned even crueler.

“Then beg for it, slut!”

Alissia wanted to hit her, to run away, or at least to glare furiously at her. But the arousal was too strong; it was all she could do to remain silent, except for the occasional needy whimper. Suddenly Saria slapped her face, not too hard, but Alissia felt the sting burning in her cheek.

“I said beg for it!”

Alissia shook her head; she wanted to resist... but the torture was too strong, this feeling of being so close, so close, but unable to break that block...

“P-please...please give me release...”

Saria gave a cruel chuckle and started to move her hands again, caressing, clawing, pinching Alissia’s skin, sending shivers through her body, building up the heat, making it stronger, stronger, stronger....

Suddenly the barrier faded away, and Alissia could feel the built-up lust flood in on her, seeping into her very soul as she screamed out in relief and pleasure, shuddering as she felt her body unleash its tension, felt her juices flowing...

And then something happened. The soul-rending orgasm continued, but at the same time it felt as if something was being sucked out of her; she felt her remaining strength draining away. Opening her eyes with an effort, she could see Saria grinning cruelly, the red light in her crystal growing brighter and brighter—then she passed out.

She was jerked awake by a sharp stinging pain searing through her left thigh. Slowly, she opened her eyes. She was in a different room, a small circular chamber with gray walls. Before her stood Saria, again clothed in translucent red silk, her seductive gaze now filled with unconcealed evil. She held a black whip with three thongs in her hand. Kila stood a little to the left, her eyes as ever to the floor. Coming fully awake, Alissia realized that she was standing, her hands cuffed above her head and linked to the ceiling with a long iron chain. Around her neck, she could feel the leather of a collar. A flash of anger passed through her. Summoning up her magic energies, she concentrated on melting the chains with a well-placed energy bolt. Suddenly a violent pain surged through her neck and spread through her entire body.

As her scream subsided, Saria laughed cruelly. “Yes, girl... I felt it would be inappropriate for my slave to handle potentially dangerous energies... don’t you think so?”

Alissia struggled against the chains, to no avail. “What do you want?” she asked, glaring at the seductress.

“Why, nothing I haven’t obtained already” Saria responded with a chuckle. “It’s you I want, and have... your body, your orgasms... you belong to me, little Alissia.”

Alissia just looked at her with a withering glance.

Why did you have to be such a fool? Not even learning how to protect yourself against seduction magic...

Saria stepped back a little, looking her over. “Now girl... you have a choice. Either you submit to me willingly, or you will suffer painful punishment, and will still submit to me. Which will it be?”

Alissia didn’t bother to answer as she still fixed the seductress with her glare.

“I thought as much,” said Saria with a slight sigh. “Kila! See to her.”

“Yes, Mistress.”

Alissia blinked in surprise as the slave girl suddenly knelt between her feet. She gripped the elf’s hips gently and started to slide her tongue across Alissia’s sex... slowly at first, then ever faster. Alissia groaned, struggling against the chains again. The girl was skilled, her tongue gently caressing her sex lips, then teasing its way inside, tickling her bud before moving deeper...

As her moans grew louder, Alissia suddenly felt that barrier again, that magic bond keeping her from total enjoyment. Soon she was on the edge again, screaming in frustration. But her torments were not finished. Saria lashed out with the whip, all three thongs landing across Alissia’s breasts with a stinging blow.

“AAHH!”

The whip flew again, biting into her right thigh.

“AH! P-please...”

The pain was stinging hard, burning through her body.

No ordinary whip should do that...

Saria moved behind her, there was a swish... and a stinging pain in her bottom.

“AARGH!”

Cries of pleasure, frustration and pain mingled as the ordeal went on, tearing Alissia’s will away bit by bit. She squirmed under the ministrations of Kila’s tongue, her pleasure mounting, then being forced down by the pain, then rising again... sometimes it rose a little higher, and was stopped by that magic barrier.

She had no idea how long it lasted; it seemed like an eternity. When it finally stopped, she was whimpering, tears flowing down her cheek as she moved her hips weakly, trying in vain to find release.

“Do you submit, girl?” Saria said, again standing in front of her.

A small part of Alissia’s mind wanted to resist, to think of Catirena, to refuse this woman’s evil thoughts, but it was overpowered by the burning pain.

“Y-yes Mistress.”

Saria smiled, dropping her whip. As if on a signal, Kila swiftly moved away, leaving the elf squirming on the edge. Saria stepped forward, gently touching her sex... and Alissia exploded in pleasure, screaming out as her body found released. And again, she felt something vanish at the same time, drain away as the light in Saria’s pendant grew brighter for a short moment. As darkness began to veil her eyes again, she could just hear Saria’s words, “You are mine,” before oblivion took her.

And those words proved to be true. From the moment she awoke the next day, she knew she was under Saria’s total control. She was given some frugal breakfast, then Saria took her to her room again and once again drove her to the edge of climax, keeping her there before giving her release, sapping the energy out of her. Every time, however, she recovered faster: three times Saria used her that day. In the evening, she was again subjected to the pain of the whip and the torment of Kila’s skilled tongue. The next day unfolded in a similar way. So did the one after that. Alissia was furious with herself, unable to believe that she had been tricked so easily.

Whatever spells had gone into the creation of the collar, they were effective:

An immobilizing pain shot through her every time she tried to cast a spell or approached the exit of the tower. She also felt that it was somehow dampening her rebellious thoughts, quelling her rage. To this were added her daily torture, and the fact that she felt emptied a little more with each orgasm. She was slowly turning into a meek, docile slave girl—by nature as well as by behavior.

But not completely. A spark of defiance remained in her, a strong to desire to escape Saira’s clutches. It was the memory of Catirena that kept that part alive. But there was little Alissia could do. Saria didn’t really mind her exploring the tower, only the highest chamber had been declared out of bounds. Of course it was that chamber that Alissia tried to explore at every occasion, and every time Saria caught her before she was even approaching the door—which led to her whipping taking twice as long as usual.

Alissia had hoped that she might at least get some information out of Kila, but the girl never answered a question from her; it was as if she didn’t see Alissia unless Saria told her to use her tongue on her. Alissia also noticed that Saria didn’t take Kila to her bed as often as Alissia...had the girl’s life energy already been sapped to a dangerous point, so that the seductress was more careful with her?

If at least I had some sort of idea what she’s thinking...

Alissia still didn’t have the slightest idea what Kila’s eyes looked like; they were constantly fixed to the ground. But the fact was that the girl wouldn’t be a helpful ally... Alissia was on her own, and on her own she had absolutely not chance. Most of her thought like this... but not that part that still burned with the thought of Catirena, with the need to escape. And so, a plan slowly started to form...

***

Alissia was kneeling in Saria’s bed, a situation she was well used to by now. The chamber was littered with velvet cushions and sexual toys. Saria was lounging upon the silken covers, teasing the elf’s pleasure with her spells. Soon she’d be at the edge; Saria would hold her here, play with her body a little, and give her release, sapping the strength from her. That was how it was supposed to go. But it was going to be different today. As soon as she felt her nipples stiffen and the wetness between her legs rise, Alissia suddenly slipped forward unto her belly and crawled towards Saria’s dusky form. The seductress blinked, clearly not having expected this, but before she could react, Alissia was lying on top of her, pressing her body down against her, and kissing her passionately. If those sudden advances made Saria suspicious, she didn’t show it. After all, what could happen while she had the girl in total control through the collar?

Trying to ignore her own lustful need, Alissia moaned into Saria’s mouth, vibrating her tongue, while her hands trailed over her dusky skin. Breaking off the kiss, she rubbed her wet sex on her stomach, gently fondling her beautiful firm breasts.

“Please, Mistress,” she whispered. “I want to make you feel good.”

Saria grinned, as if suddenly understanding Alissia’s motives. For a while, the elf’s breath caught in anxiousness... then Saria said, “Ah, I see. Very well, girl. Pleasure me, and I might not whip you today.”

Alissia didn’t have to force herself to smile in delight, as her fingers set out to explore Saria’s body. All the skill that she had acquired with Catirena, all the experience in the art of pleasure that she had, she now used to satisfy Saria without finishing her off to quickly, to keep her away from orgasm without frustrating her. As she felt Saria shivering beneath her and heard her moaning ever louder, Alissia softly kissed her ear and whispered “Mistress... I can make you feel so much better with my magic...”

This time, Saria frowned, doubt passing through her eyes. But it was overpowered by her lust—the elf’s skill was one to be reckoned with. Slowly, Alissia felt the influence of her collar weaken. Only a fraction of its control disappeared, but it was already more than she had hoped fore. Tapping into her telekinetic powers, she slowly reached out and picked up a long, smooth dildo lying on the floor. She was only able to use a tenth of her usual power, and it took great effort to make the phallus soar over to the bed. Continuing to service Saria’s body with her hands and tongue, she positioned the dildo at the entrance of the seductress’ sex, barely touching her lips... and then, with a quick twist of the spell, shoved it in. She smiled at her small victory as Saria cried out in pleasure, the dildo slowly rotating as it slipped deeper into her, inch by inch.

“Ah... g-good girl... faster...”

Alissia nuzzled her neck, gently playing with her nipples.

“Mmm... I can’t, Mistress... I’d need more power...”

Saria was clearly beyond caution now, and she released a little more of the collar’s power. Alissia strengthened her spell, and the dildo began to slide in and out faster and faster, rotating a little to tease the walls of Saria’s womanhood. Louder and louder the seductress moaned, progressively reducing the collar’s control, and the dildo accelerated accordingly.

Finally, Alissia judged the time to be right and squeezed Saria’s breast hard, while ramming the dildo all the way in. Saria screamed in ecstasy as she reached her climax, shaking under Alissia’s hands. As the seductress squirmed in the throes of orgasm, her pleasure became too intense for her to concentrate on anything else. Alissia felt the spell controlling her own lust fizzle, and at the same time, the remaining influence of her collar disappeared. Not knowing how long this opportunity would last, she summoned up her full magic powers and cast a Sleep Spell. It was not a spell she was very skilled in, and it was additionally weakened by the lack of preparation, but Saria’s defenses were down as she still moaned, locked in her climax, and she just had time to open her eyes in shock before they fell closed again, and her breathing became slow and steady. With a small laugh of triumph, Alissia slipped off the bed.

I can’t believe it worked!

She looked down at Saria’s naked form, sleeping quietly, the dildo still inside her. The light in the crystal around her neck was dimmed, pulsating fitfully.

I should just kill her, then free Kila and bring her pendant to the guild.

But she couldn’t do it. Alissia despised the thought of killing someone, especially someone defenseless, no matter how evil a person it was. And it was even harder with such a beautiful, alluring woman. And suddenly she realized another reason why she couldn’t do it.

I need proof. It’s clear to me that she’s responsible for those poor women’s death, but I have nothing to prove it. And I cannot kill her before I know whether there’s some proof I can find without her...

With a soft sigh, Alissia cast a second, better-prepared spell to deepen Saria’s sleep. She tried to take off the pendant, but the silver chain was too close around the seductress’ neck, and there was no sigh of a hook or anything to open it. With a shrug, Alissia quietly left the bedroom, and made her way to the tower’s topmost room.

She had somehow expected the collar to stop her from entering despite Saria’s unconsciousness, or at least the doors to be closed. But she stepped into the room without the slightest problem. It was a wide circular hall, taking up the entire diameter of the tower. There were torches on the white walls, mirrors everywhere, and many strange items with a vaguely arcane look, as well as many books. One book in particular caught her attention; it was lying on a desk of ebony to the side of the room. She picked it up. It was bound in dark leather, with no inscription on its cover or on its back. Leafing through a few pages, she saw that it was some kind of diary. Knowing that she didn’t have much time before Saria woke up, she skipped to the last entry.

“Everything is working perfectly. I have managed to conceal my tower from my enemies. One of them found it, but I managed to overpower her. I keep her as a source of power, until I can find a way to get information out of her. Her mind is completely under my command. It was an exhausting ritual but it worked: her very will is subject to the power of my talisman. That talisman also has well fulfilled its intended purpose: it has made me immortal, forever young, forever beautiful. Of course, it constantly needs to be fed new life energy, and the only way I have found to obtain the appropriate energy is through the sexual pleasure of young females. That is not a problem, since the nearby inn is full of naïve, foolish girls. And it is rather enjoyable to watch them squirm, begging for the release that will further my power. But as I have found, draining the life energy in this way is not enough (which is a pity, since they seem to regenerate it after a while, if not used excessively). Such power helps me to keep my beauty and prolong my life for a few years, but I need far more in order to guarantee a youth that will last until the end of the world. But I have devised a ritual to gather the needed energy.

The small draining of the girls’ life force through their climaxes actually serves a different purpose: it helps me to ascertain how their individual sexual aura is structured. Once I have enough information, I can use it to create a spell that is specially molded for them. Once the spell is complete, a bridge to the girl’s energy has to be created, and the spell will invade that energy, sucking it out, strengthening my talisman far more than I ever could with draining it simply from their orgasm. The girl, of course, cannot survive this ritual.”

Just as she was about to turn the page, Alissia heard a voice behind her. She barely had the time to whirl around and see Saria, shaking with fury, raise her hand before she felt a violent pain in her head and fell unconscious once more.

When the darkness faded, Alissia’s first thought was that she’d died and was somehow looking at her body from the outside. Then she realized she was looking at one of the many mirrors in the hall. She was kneeling on the floor, her thighs spread. They were kept apart by a metal bar that was cuffed to each of her legs, just above the knees. There was a silver dildo in her sex, feeling strangely warm. Two silver clamps were biting down on her nipples, but for some reason didn’t hurt that much. Her ankles were tied together, as were her hands, behind her back. There also was a strange magic rune painted in red ink on her forehead. A velvet scarf had been used to gag her.

“Ah, she’s ready!”

With some difficulty, Alissia turned towards the source of the voice. There stood Saria, and besides her Kila with her ever-lowered gaze. A strange transparent globe, covered with markings, lay on the floor.

“You have been quite an annoyance, girl,” said Saria. “I think it is time I get my final... gift from you. A pity, I had hoped to enjoy you some more, but you have become too irksome for that.”

A mocking smile appeared on her face.

“You never got to read my description of how the ritual unfolds. I will be glad to explain it to you.” She gestured towards the globe. “In this sphere, the spell will prepare, building up its power and absorbing the structure of your sexual aura that I have written upon the glass. Of course, I still lack some details; that means that some of your energy will be lost. A pity. It also means that it will be even more painful than usual. Now, while the spell prepares, you shall feel your pleasure rise. I cannot do this through direct magic since that would interfere with the spell, but this delightful jewelry will do just as well.” She smirked, pointing at the dildo and the clamps.

“When the spell is ready, you will reach your orgasm, and as such be open for the energy-drain. The rune on your forehead will sense that and be replaced by a bridge to your inner energies. That bridge will only exist for a second, but it need not be there longer, since at that moment, the spell will spring forth, reach your life force while you are still moaning in ecstasy, and suck away your life, to assure my immortality.”

Saria laughed evilly, her cold stare sweeping over Alissia’s vulnerable body. Then, without a further word, she touched the globe once, and a green light started to shimmer inside it, slowly growing brighter.

At the same time, Alissia felt how the dildo and the clamps started to vibrate a little, sending jolts of pleasure through her body. Alissia tried to resist, but the sensation was too strong, and soon she was squirming on the hard stone floor, moaning into her gag. The sensation of the metal scraping and vibrating against her sensitive flesh drove her lust ever higher, while the green light grew brigher, more intense. Alissia shivered in fear and lust, slowly moving towards the climax that would bring about her death.

But... if I come before the spell is ready...it won’t be able to touch my life energy, right?

With that thought, she started bucking her hips against the dildo as best as she could, straining against her bonds. She pressed her chest to the floor, feeling the clamps push into her breasts. But Saria had foreseen this. There was no magical barrier as usual, but something just as effective. As soon as Alissia passed a certain level of pleasure, she suddenly felt another force surging through her, bringing her lust down to the right level before disappearing again. Groaning, she tried again and again to bring herself far enough, but in vain. A second after passing that limit, she immediately was brought down again. The green light was now filling the entire globe, slowly rendering it opaque. It would not be long now. Knowing that she had only one last chance to save herself from death, Alissia concentrated. Moving her hips carefully, she brought herself to the very edge after which her pleasure would be brought down again. With extreme effort, she managed to keep herself at that level. Then she closed her eyes and thought about Catirena. She thought about their wild nights together, about her lover’s skilled tongue and hands, about their secret pool besides which they had lain many a night, letting out their inner beasts and feeling the thrill of lust and love.

A thrust of her hips accompanied those memories, and she felt her pleasure surge upward. The force again tried to stop it, but it was too late, and too weak. Her juices gushed as she screamed loudly into the gag, her body shaking in orgasm as she opened her eyes. In a mirror, she could see that instead of the rune, there now was a disc of white light on her forehead. Then the disc disappeared, leaving her forehead blank.

The next second, the globe exploded, and she was surrounded by green light. The silver items, the collar, the bindings, all the things that weren’t part of her body suddenly disappeared, evaporated. She felt the spell probing at her skin, sapping away her pleasure, and trying to get more... but there was no bridge; her life force was safe.

As the green light faded, she saw Saria staring at her with pure fury and hatred.

“You... do you have any idea how much power this cost me, girl?” she said in a growl. She reached to a table and picked up a long knife, slowly walking forwards. Acting half out of instinct, Alissia thrust out her hand, and a bolt of energy leapt from her fingers. By sheer luck, the flare found its goal in Saria’s pendant. The crystal remained whole, only a small crack appeared on its surface, but Saria suddenly shrieked loudly. A broad ray of red light escaped the pendant and blasted through the far wall. For what seemed like an eternity, the stored power leaked out, dispersing... then it stopped. Saria sagged to her knees, the sudden weakness in her eyes being overborne by the deepening of her rage and hate. Suddenly there was a crackling noise. Kila, who had been standing silent like a statue the whole time, suddenly shivered. The collar around her neck vibrated... and broke to pieces. A white flash passed through the hall. Kila still stood where she had been before, but she was changed. She was robed in white, and a strange glow surrounded her, like a bright aura. Slowly, she raised her head. Her eyes were golden, the pupils silver.

“Enough,” she said. Even her voice was changed. It was haunting and melodious, and almost sounded as if several people were speaking at once. “Your foul acts are at an end, Saria.”

The seductress stared at Kila... then, with an insane cry of rage, she flung herself at Alissia, the knife slashing out at the elf’s throat. Alissia would have been unable to defend herself, surprised as she was. But suddenly there was an explosion of heat—and where Saria had been, only a few ashes now lay on the floor, and amid them her broken pendant. Kila lowered her hand “Justice is done.” she spoke in an impassive tone. Slowly, Alissia got to her feet.

“Who...what are you?” she asked.

Kila looked at her with her shining her eyes.

“I am part of a secret group,” she said. “A group that opposes those whose pride takes on evil, dangerous dimensions... such as Saria. She managed to capture me, to suppress my will, my power, even my memory with her collar. But that collar was fed through her amulet, and when you destroyed that, I was free.” There was no gratefulness in that remark, or indeed any emotion at all. Kila’s gaze swept through the hall. “There are many valuable things in this tower, magic and otherwise, that can help us in our fight against evil. I shall take them with me when I go.”

Alissia blinked, staring at her in confusion. “Hold on,” she said. “What about me?”

“If you are looking for a reward, I must disappoint you,” said Kila impassively. “As I said, we need these items. I will leave you enough to prove your deed—I believe you did this to fulfill a bounty? Let that be your reward, then. And be grateful that no one will believe the full story, or I might have to take you with me, to make sure you do not reveal the little you know about our existence.”

Alissia narrowed her eyes. “For someone who claims to fight evil, you don’t seem very friendly,” she said, trying to keep the anger out of her voice. “You could at least say ‘thank you for freeing me’ or something like that.”

But even as she was talking, there was another flash of light, and Kila disappeared.

Searching the tower, Alissia discovered that indeed, all magical and valuable items had somehow vanished, even the gilt decorations. One thing she did find, though, was her dress. A small consolation that may seem, but Alissia left the tower with a smile—it was the dress in which she had first danced for Catirena.

The sun was setting as she finally entered the building of the Bounty Hunters’ Guild, carrying Saria’s diary and her pendant. On her way through the forest, she had thought about many things, about the trials she had passed, whether the bounty reward would be enough to replace her stolen gear, and whether anyone would believe her when she told them about Kila.

Probably not, she decided. But then, what did it matter? Proof of Saria’s guilt and death was enough.

A man was sitting at a desk inside. Walking over to him Alissia said, “I have come to claim a bounty. Could you please take me to Terra?”

The man just nodded and stood, motioning for her to follow. As they were walking down a corridor, he suddenly turned and frowned at her.

“Excuse me, Miss... Aren’t you the one called Alissia?”

She nodded, puzzled.

“If you would please step this way first, I have something to show you.”

She followed him down another corridor and into a small room with a single table. On the table lay a leather pack. It looked awfully familiar. Slowly, not quite believing it, Alissia opened it. All her belongings were still inside it; her sword, her clothes, even the purse with her money.

“It’s this bandit,” said the man behind her. “We were searching him for quite some time. A quick hand, that one, he surely knew how to make other people’s things become his. But he never sold them—probably was afraid it’d be traced back to him. He hid everything in a cave instead. Maybe he was waiting for an opportunity to fence it all at once. Anyway, we recently tracked him down, made inquiries as to whom the stuff belonged to, and gave it back to their owners. Now, if you’ll follow me, Miss, I’ll take you to Terra for your bounty. Uh, Miss? Are you all right? Are you laughing or crying, Miss?”

Alissia didn’t know herself.

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