Wild Wastes: Chapter 2 (Patreon)

Everyone had dinner together and had retreated to whatever tasks they individually needed to complete.

Thera, Eva, Daphne, and Karya had gone back to their rooms to turn in for the night. Fes and Petra had done likewise, having been going to bed earlier as of late.

On his left was Elysia, his right, Meliae.

All the nocturnal species that lived in the city started to move about. Going about whatever job or duty they had.

The Ratfolk were an especially well respected species in Yosemite. Much to their own surprise.

They fought with their compatriots in Frit’s ranks. In addition the Ratfolk performed all scouting functions assigned to them with great aplomb.

On the civil side, they scurried through the streets at night, clearing away trash, litter, and debris. The citizenry would pack up all their trash waste into wooden bins. These bins were collected by the Ratfolk, sifted for anything they wanted, anything that could be reused, repaired, or re-purposed, and then happily burned the rest in a cave.

The soot and coal fragments were taken off for ink and pencils, the ash distributed into the plains west of the city.

Warriors by day, janitors by night.

Vince was watching as a swarm of Ratfolk were carting off a horde of wooden bins to process and handle.

“The Ratfolk wanted me to convey their thanks again to you, my liege. They also reported another ten litters successfully birthed. All living and healthy. They’re going to slow down their population after this, by their own volition no less,” Elysia said, her eyes watching the Ratfolk as well.

“I see,” Vince said softly. “Elysia, I don’t think you should go on the trip with me.”

The High Elf sat up straight and turned to him. Before she could open her mouth he held up a hand.

“If I were to fall, you’re the only one I could trust to maintain the city without me. Only you.

“I can’t afford to take you with me this time. I just can’t.”

Elysia frowned, her brows drawing down dangerously. She opened her mouth and then closed it again. “Truly?” she asked finally.

“Truly. You need to start training up a replacement for yourself. There should never be a position with no redundancy. Think on it. I’ll take Karya, Eva, and Thera with me.

“Daphne will remain here to act as your body guard while I’m away. We’ll be fine with the four of us. I’ll take one of the scouts with me after we meet up with them.”

Elysia’s features began to slowly smooth out, her head dipping down. “I understand, my Liege.”

“Sorry, Elysia. You’re too valuable to me to risk. Please understand it isn’t because I don’t trust you, or need you, it’s because I think so highly of you.”

The downbeat Elf nodded her head and then stood up. “Forgive me, I think I’d like to sleep now. Good night, my Liege.”

“Sleep well, Ellie,” Meliae said to the Elf with a smile. “All will be alright.”

The Elf blinked and looked to the Dryad. With a nod of her head she left then.

“She worries. She fears you’ll claim Eva and Thera, but not her on your return, Sweetling.” Meliae said, shifting her weight around in the chair. “And before you answer that, let me pose a situation to you.”

Vince closed his mouth, he’d been halfway to denying he’d be taking any of the Elves at all.

Seeing him waiting she gave him a warm smile. “Thank you.”

Sighing she rubbed a hand across her large stomach. Where Fes and Petra seemed to carry their added weight easily, Meliae truly ballooned out.

“You have created a situation where the Elves are more or less, your hands and mouths. The only place that isn’t true, is the military. You’ve created a very strong meritocracy at every level, except those who interact with you.

“And before you get defensive, this isn’t a bad thing. At least I don’t think so.”

Meliae brushed her fingers up and down her own sides as she grew silent for a moment. As if thinking out her words.

“Elves are great mediators. Facilitators, movers, middle men. Especially the ones you managed to acquire. Almost all of them were bred and born to manage large house holds.

“Now, what would happen if you were to die? And die you will, my love. You’ll live very long, because of the grove, but eventually that power will wane.

“Your children will pick up the mantle. That’s simply how it will be. Your citizens will see that as right and proper.”

Vince screwed up his face as he thought about that. Leaning forward he put his chin in his palm, his elbow resting on his knee.

“Forgive me, Sweetling. But that’s just how it is. 

“Now, the Elves will turn to serve your children. They will eventually become the role they were created for. House hold Elves. They won’t interbreed with the other races, though they’ve already started breeding amongst their own sub-races.

“What if, three of their numbers, were elevated. They become child bearers. Rather than house Elves, they simply became family.

“If ever you wanted to bind the Elves to our family in an unbreakable way, claiming those three Elves would do it. They would rabidly die for your progeny, even the non-Elven half brothers and sisters as they would still be ‘family’, if you should claim the Elves.

“Even if you only wanted to provide a life of love and children for Thera, Eva, and Elysia, as they will never seek out another, you should claim the Elves.”

Vince grumped internally at it. Everyone was pushing him to simply wed and bed them.

They were beautiful creatures. He flirted with them. Teased them on occasion. Often he found himself thinking of them sexually.

He was only a stupid man after all.

“You’re the only one dragging their feet, Sweetling. Those Elven maidens wait every night with an unlocked door in the hopes you’ll visit them.

“Even Fes is tired of waiting. She mentioned to me that she would bring it up to you soon.”

“Fine, I’ll think on it.”

“Good. Thank you. Now, a new subject, equally important.”

“Ok?” Vince asked carefully, his eyes moving back up to the city streets.

“Our grove. I want it to be stronger.

“Daphne, Karya, and I are starting to run out of time in the day to act as mid-wives and nurses to all the pregnancies in our community. I’m going to need help soon.

“Especially when our little ones arrive.”

“Yeah, I can definitely agree to that. You three are starting to get run ragged.

“And it’d be nice to power the Elves up to insane levels again. Was fun turning them into things out of myth and fantasy.”

“Mm, I’m glad to hear you say that. It can be done. Easily too. Theres a cost involved though.”

“I wouldn’t expect that to be otherwise. That’s true in all things. How bad are we talking here?”

“Rather cheap, honestly. We just have to recruit more Dryads. The more Dryads in the grove, the more power we’ll have. Get enough, and you’ll become immune to old age. A grove is simply a gathering of Dryads in defense of their trees. Most groves start with two Dryads who find themselves close together without intending to be.”

Vince made a non-committal noise. Dryad society was strange to him, but it made sense.

“Dryads will often find life-partners in each since their lives can be so long. Mother said she’d tried it once, but found she quarreled with her Dryad lover often over men. They had different tastes. She moved on when her tree produced a new seed.

“I personally never considered it, but Karya and Daphne were in the process of attempting a grove. They just needed a man to share that would seed both of them.

“It increases the power of the grove when both Dryads use the same man.”

“Huh. That’s actually all rather interesting. How does that apply to us since I’m your grove and tree?”

“It’s actually simpler, but we’ll get to that next.

“First, we need more Dryads. I’d like to put out a purchasing party for the human lands, a search party for the woods, and a hunting party for the Wastes.

“To go round up Dryads and make them the offer to join our grove,” Meliae sighed and pressed a finger to her full lower lip. “I’m going to be picky though. I only want Dryads who are free of other men. Which means it’ll end up being all young ones with their first tree or seed. Which…” Meliae trailed off, uncertainty written clear on her face when Vince looked to her.

“Which…?”

“Back to your earlier question. How they join the grove. You cut yourself open, just like the last time, and they put in their seed.”

“Seems simple enough.”

“Then you put your seed in them. They’ll be concubines, basically.”

“Oh,” Vince said brilliantly. “So… I get to play one-night stand with a number of Dryads?”

“Something like that. You’d have to re-fertilize them every few months, but not too often.”

“And you’re alright with that? Fes is?” Vince asked. He was watching her now, looking for anything that could give him a hint about her feelings.

“Fes thinks it’s a good idea. It would give me more power and you as well,” Meliae said carefully.

“And you?”

“I… I want to give you more power. I want to make the grove strong. Strong enough to weather anything.”

“And?”

“And… I’m afraid. I’m afraid at a level that I know is just insecurity, that isn’t real and completely just a stupid worry.”

“Afraid of what?”

“That you’ll find a Dryad you like better than me. That I’ll be replaced as mistress of the grove. I’m a young Dryad, Vince. There are some out there who could pleasure you in ways I can’t even think of.”

Chuckling, Vince reached over and laid his hand on her knee. “Don’t worry about that. You’ll always be my ‘mistress’ as it were. If it makes you feel better, you could restrict it to only Dryads on their first tree and seed and free of other men.

“Providing I agree to the added Dryads.”

Meliae nodded with a grin, her face clearing up instantly. Her eyes glowed softly as she looked at him.

“Let me think on it.”

Elves and Dryads.

“All of it. You’re basically telling me I need to spread my seed far and wide like a weed. It’s a lot to take in.

“I mean, don’t get me wrong. I’m a man. Sounds like some sexy fun good times. But in the same breath.”

Vince finished with a sigh, turning his gaze out on the city.

Meliae got up slowly, the chair creaking as she moved.

“I understand. Come along, husband. Thinking on this can wait.

“Time to enjoy yourself for the evening before you journey. If I don’t miss my guess you’ll be leaving tomorrow,” Meliae said, pressing a kiss to his temple as she passed.

Vince blew out a breath in his hand.

Meliae never steered him wrong when it came to these things. She didn’t have a head for war, battle, politics, or strategy, but when it came to family and friends, she was supreme.

Sitting there for a few more minutes he realized she was right. He’d solve nothing right now.

Getting up he shook his head.

A decision for another time.

Deep in thought, Vince didn’t shake his mind free until the door to his bedroom closed behind him.

In his bed were all three of his Dryads.

Naked.

And already occupied.

<<Redacted due to Patreon Policy. Assume it continues till the end of the chapter>>