The King’s Lands: The Audacious Flame By Ezekiael_K (Patreon)

Clat Clat, came a rapt at the door. Before I could even think to stand and answer, the entryway swung open. The Prefect of Aenara, an older panther named Dal Islind strode in looking around the room. I stood in respect, but I groaned silently the moment he looked at me. Why? He seemed a little too happy to see me.

“Ahh!!! There you are Corvo. I have something I need you to do.”

I made up an excuse. “Dal, I'm trying to finish up this report here. You know, festival month is coming up and all.”

“Is that the report about your last assignment?”

“Yes. I was asked to-”

“Ah, don’t worry about that.This is much more important.”

I rolled my eyes and sighed. With a bit of hidden frustration, I picked up the books and report I’d been working on then set them aside. Dal didn’t even notice my reaction. He poked his head out the door, back the way he’d come.  I was so annoyed I didn’t even pay attention to the motion he made to someone outside the entryway.

“Alright so what is it you want me to do Sir?”

A distinctly confident and female voice answered me. “Well, I was hoping someone of your expertise could help me. I want only the best.”

A new kinling stepped into the study room. I didn’t recognize her. She didn’t seem to be one of the students. Her clothing screamed Sorcerer. One of those freelance mages not employed by the nobility or Librarium. I could feel her affinity for fire and a few of the talismans she carried. At the time though, I wasn’t paying attention to any of that. I was so captivated by her beauty that I could do little else than stare. Her long legs accentuated her form in a way I found alluring while the rest of her frame gave her poise. She’d catch the eye of almost any kinling. Still, it was when Prefect Islind introduced his guest that I was pulled back to reality.

“Corvo, this is Zahra Amari. Raven of the Sacred Order. Daughter of Lady Sadiya Amari and Lord Aharon Talaat.”

I recognized those names. Zahra was a Rhim gazelle, born to a life of prestige and influence. Her family serviced a few Tikalinite mines and foundries near the Anhur mountains. Tikanlinite was one of the living metals and the deposits in that range were some of the largest on the continent of Theria. Her family was extremely wealthy. So much in fact that even the King and First Queen of Lioncourt attended her birth. Not the celebration or some sort of presentation of the child. No, the actual birth itself.

Such was the Amari lineage, that many considered it unsurprising when she was assessed as an awoken at a young age. She was enrolled at the olcadan at Manu. She became a famed mage in her youth. As a young adult, she traveled far and wide and was part of a triad too. That was all before joining the Sacred Order of Raven Knights. Which also brought me back to her request.

“You want me to help you? With what?”

Zahra spoke nonchalantly as if this was all in a day's work. “Well, I need something to disappear… mostly.”

“Mostly?” I squinted in confusion.

Prefect Islind, smiled and raised a hand.  “I see where this is going.”

I would have missed it if I hadn’t been looking, but Zahra blinked. Her eyes crept towards my Prefect slyly watching him.

“Oh. Do tell.” answered the still confident gazelle.

The dark panther grinned back. “The Librarium transports talismans to and fro all the time. You want us to demonstrate how we hide powerful talismans. Did the leadership of the Raven’s ask for this, or is it professional curiosity?”

Zahra smiled at the man. “Got it in one.”

I noticed she didn’t really answer all the questions. That put me on guard a bit and I made sure to pay attention. She did give some explanation.

“I’m training a new Raven flight to track down stolen magic. The current methods for divination are especially out of date.” The Raven turned towards me, “You're one of the foremost experts when it comes to talismans and divination. Who better to demonstrate what’s possible.” The Prefect’s voice arose again.

“But that belies the real question. What does Corvo and the Librarium receive in return? There are good reasons we hide our finds and teach others to do so.” Zahra swiped a hand through her long flowing hair as if she was unbothered by the question.

“I came prepared to make it worth your while.  Have you ever heard of Theesya’s Verdict?” Both Dal and Zahra looked at me expectantly. As a mage that specialized in talismans, of course I had an answer.

“It is supposed to be a staff from the time before Lioncourt had fully established olcadans. Instead of having outright power, Theesya’s Verdict and other staves like it offer a unique versatility. They're different from talismans we have today. Some folk are trying to recreate those talismans.” Zahra clapped her hands pleased with my response.

“That's a spot on. Most of our information about Theesya would be considered assumption and conjecture. But she was written about by many of the furkin she led. It was written that she was part of the cabal that traded favors with King Leandrys scorned wife, the Witch Queen. There are portraits of Theesya and her staff as well. Over hundreds of years, Theesya’s Verdict was handed down from kin to kin, but eventually it was given to an mage that ended up going rogue. It disappeared with him but its manastone was recovered eventually.”

“Whoa.” I spoke. “Who is holding that thing? That's a piece of history right there.”

“Manu has it.” Answered Zahra.

Dal interjected. “You’ve seen it? At the olcaldan?”

“I’ve held it.” the Raven quipped. “but that’s not important. There isn’t anything special about the manastone. Except for the history of course. It's the staff I think you're going to be interested in.” Dal and I must have given Zahra a look that was telling. Her eyes twinkled knowing she’d hooked our curiosity. Now she was drawing us in.

“The Order has it.” finished the elementalist.

‘But of course they did.’ I thought to myself. “M’lady, how did that happen?

“Our records mention confiscating it from some kinling that had a serious mana addiction some 50 years ago. It's been a curiosity for us. Powerful but it ignored all attempts to divine it. I only learned what it was from drawings I’d seen at Manu. So if you help me out, I’ll help get it released to Aenara.” Dal considered that.

“Seems like an acceptable trade to me Corvo. How soon can you be ready to leave?'' I was stunned by this.

“But Dal, it sounds like the staff and manastone are linked. You have to have both. Even if we got the staff, how are we going to get the manastone?” The Prefect chuckled.

“Leave that to me. More importantly, what have I told you about life as a mage?” I rolled my eyes again.

“There are 3 ways to make a living.” I answered.

“That's right. You can be first. You can be smarter. Or, you can try to cheat. Now I recommend you don’t cheat. And while I’ve met some pretty smart kinling, most times it is a heck of a lot easier to just be first. Go with Lady Amari and demonstrate some of your techniques. Make sure to keep her out of trouble. She has a bit of a reputation ever since her adventure in the Sealed Cities.”

I knew the Sealed Cities referred to Caprica, but I didn’t know why he was referring to that. Zahra apparently took exception.

“If I may, I’m pretty confident the records show I received a glowing review from Almathea.” The zelle was obviously proud of whatever happened back then. Dal had a comeback though.

“There is a reason your Magus Title is the ‘Audacious Flame’. Don’t burn too bright now.” Dal was grinning in that way predatory cats do. Zahra took note but seemed unbothered as she answered.

“I like you. I like you a lot.”

Dal laughed at her response. The Black Panther was just full of surprises and I knew from experience he had hundreds of stories to tell. I also knew I wasn’t going to get out of helping Lady Amari. Not with a historical talisman on the line. Zahra had planned ahead and Dal was happy to play his part in all this. So much for festival month. That is how I ended up on the road with another famous mage of Lioncourt.

At least I could say my traveling companion would be good company. While she was certainly the child of a noble family in her mannerisms, her Librarium upbringing showed. She was smart, witty, had a strong sense of humor and was pragmatic. Confident as hell too. She loved adventure above all, and was excited to get going. She led the way as we departed Aenara, with a smile on her face and the wind in her hair.

Ahead of us were the open plains of Enndi. Officially called the Central Dominance by Lioncourt. You could see leagues across the endless plains and even the lone mountain that dominated the horizon. Course my eyes did fall back onto Zahra. She was pleasing to look at. As I followed the Raven-mage I started to wonder what the next goal was going to be. Should have worried where I was staring.

“Something catch your eye?” teased the gazelle. She gave a crafty grin telling me she’d noticed.

I was a little unnerved.

“Sorry, thinking. What exactly do we have to do for this training?” Zahra looked…disappointed for the briefest moment, then smiled and answered the question.

“Well I need to leave a trail for the training flight to follow. Now that I think about it. Here out in the open is as good a place as any.”

She pulled a small talisman from one of her fancy pockets. It turned out to be a small disk with one protruding edge. The various living metals were carved into the shape of leaves. The small manastone at the center glowed with a deep azure hue.

“What is that exactly?” I asked.

Instead of answering, Zahra showed me by pointing the device toward one side of the road. Suddenly the temperature began to drop and then where she pointed slowly grew an ice crystal spiking out of the ground. She lowered her hand and motioned to me. After studying the clear ice that rose to my waist, I came to a conclusion.

“Something tells me that it is not a regular ice maker.”

“You're right. It's a weapon disguised as an ice maker. Fooled a lot of kinling but the strength of its magic gave it away.” She tossed the item to me. “Over to you now. Show me how you’d hide this?”

I caught the talisman and took a knee. I placed the item on the ground and began to chant a spell. The clay around the talisman began to rise and mold. Taking an idea from my mind the terra formed into a small idol. A common effigy from the Church of the Goddess. Small enough to fit onto your hand but bigger than the original talisman. Then, I placed an enchantment upon it.

“All done.” I finished picking the idol up.

“What did you do?” asked the curious Raven.

“I’ve hidden it from prying eyes and placed an anti-mana circle on it. The enchantment will change the flow of mana around the idol. It acts as a barrier to scrying spells. It will only work for a few hours. The flow of mana from the talisman will erode the idol and the mana circle from the inside. The change in the flow can be felt and the idol can be scryed if someone knows the technique.” Handing the talisman over, Zahra studied my work.

“Can I still use the weapon?”

“You can use it at any time. Doing that will immediately overwhelm the enchantment and break the idol. It will become visible to divination spells.”

“Just what I was hoping for.” She placed the item back into a pocket of hers. As she did I asked another question.

“Where are we going exactly?”

Zahra shrugged. “I don’t know. I’ve actually never been to this part of Enndi.”

I was floored. The Raven caught my surprise and chastised me. “Don’t look at me like that. I like adventure and I’ve been to places much more dangerous than Enndi.” Zahra then flicked her hair to the side. I tried to explain myself.

“Okay, but I’m not sure where to even take you.”

“You're a smart man. I’m sure you can figure something out. Surprise me.”

There wasn’t much I could say to that so instead of replying, I concentrated on what was needed. Zahra’s scenario represented a stolen talisman that was going to be fenced on the Black Market. It needed to be hidden while we were moving around but thieves regularly showed off ‘hot’ talismans to prospective buyers. Any competent thief would also know they’d need to sell the talisman quickly and then let it be someone else's problem. The Raven search party would use a variety of magical and non-magical methods to find the thief and the talisman.

Knowing this, I thought about the surrounding settlements. The way I saw it, there were two choices; the City of Nad or the City of Athani. They were well traveled and near enough we could visit both if we hurried but they were over a week away on foot. Zahra liked the idea  though and figured the training flight would have to figure out what city we were headed to.

“You know Corvo, you're kinda useful. You should be careful someone doesn't take advantage of you.”

Was she flirting? The pose said yes, but I mean she was an Amari; a noble… a very influential noble. Though, she kinda reminded me of those savvy farm girls I’d grown up with. I could only shrug though. I still didn’t want to scandalize Zahra by reading the situation wrong. So I didn’t really respond to her flirting when I answered.

“Well, hard work has never really hurt anyone.” I did notice Zahra roll her eyes, but she smiled anyway.

“We should get going Corvo. The flight will arrive soon and start searching for us.”

With a plan in place, we set off. For the first three days, we pushed ourselves to travel well. This wasn’t just ‘follow the leader’. We were making the training flight work to find us. We headed north avoiding roads and following caravan paths. My companion and I would talk to pass the time. Usually about magic and talismans like Theesya’s Verdict, but often it would turn to the court or rumors that were going around.

Over the days, my nervousness faded as we grew to know one another. While Zahra was a noble, and had made a few life changing decisions because of that, she wasn't one of those types that believed status was the only thing that mattered. It was merely a game that needed to be played and played well, she would say. I found I could question and even disagreed with her views. She wasn’t going to think less of me.

We settled into a rhythm. Each day I would demonstrate a different technique for hiding talismans, but we’d give the trainees at least a chance to divine where the talisman was. Each day we'd walk to a random settlement. We’d stop by small villages, and even lone farmhouses to throw off the flight. We’d often arrive late at a place to stay and would leave before the sun rose in the morning. We slept in inns and a few barns, but the adventurous Zahra even chose a soft haystack as a bed one night. We lay in the golden mound talking to one another and looking up to the stars that night. I hadn’t done that since I was a child. It was a fun time made better by a lovely traveling companion.

Days later, we caught sight of another town. It was early morning and Zahra and I were already on the move. With long shadows still cast over the plains, we both took a moment to admire the early morning. However, it was time again for Zahra to continue the trail. Just as before, she demonstrated the ‘Ice maker’ by freezing a section of ground before handing the talisman to me. A day prior, I’d promised to show her an advanced technique. She was holding me to my word.

I would be using a rune, and I had prepared it in advance on parchment. I layed the paper on top of the talisman and then magically anchored the two together. I was careful not to alter the rune I’d spent quite a bit of time on. Finally, I began to charge the rune as if I was charging a talisman with mana. Zahra didn’t understand what I was doing immediately. However, as she began to sense the mana was changing affinity, she began to look on with interest.

“There is no hint of Ice Mana now. You didn’t change the weapon's affinity did you?”

“No way, I can’t do that.” I answered. “This rune I’m using emits a stream of mana with a fire affinity. It's used to help train students on how to draw in wild mana by giving them a source to pull from. I’m using the interference created when manas with anathema affinities are close together. It causes havoc with divination spells. The reason I chose fire was because of your fire affinity. To anyone close by, it’ll just seem you have a stronger fire affinity than you actually do.” Zahra was flabbergasted.

“You know, you're just full of surprises. Why not use just a variation of some older technique? That's a lot of work to keep coming up with new ways to hide stuff.”

“When it comes to hiding talismans, there is always some sort of flaw with each technique. That's what divination latches onto. Variations on the same technique can’t hide the flaw. Worse, they can sometimes expose the flaw. Against an experienced diviner, variations don’t work. The mind's eye starts to see straight to the flaw. The more variations a diviner understands, the more powerful their scrying is against that technique.”

“Well that explains how our methods of tracing lost effectiveness. By the time we learn how to scry it, the Librarium has already moved on to a brand new technique. What about kin that leave the Librarium?”

“You may have better luck against folk like that. If they aren’t studying at a Librarium…”

“They’ll be using variations they already learned. You are good.”

I tried to be humble and shrugged. It wasn’t everyday you got a compliment from someone like Zahra. She had another request though.

“You think you could come and teach some of your techniques to the Order?”

“Hey now. I can’t give away all my secrets. Didn’t you say not to let folks take advantage of me?” I was only half serious. However, I surprised the Raven-mage for a moment, before she smirked. Apparently she liked that I was starting to banter.

“Well artificer, I’m sure we can come to a fair price. Perhaps a favor for a favor. ” She was baiting me alright; had bedroom eyes and everything.

“I’m sure your offer is quite generous,” I answered. “But you're asking quite a lot.” Zahra was undeterred. She stepped closer then she wrapped an arm around one of mine.  Her chest rubbed against my limb and she didn’t let go.

“I’m willing to do whatever it takes. I’m sure there’s something you need.”

Had anyone been around, they would have seen two amorous mages having a…questionable mediation. However, at that moment the two of us heard the sounds of harpers rapidly approaching. In an instant the both of us ran off the road and hid in the chest high grass that covered much of Enndi. Moments later six mounted knights dashed down the dirt road coming from the town we were heading towards. We watched on as they passed. Once they were gone, we stood and slowly moved back onto the road, our previous conversation forgotten for the moment. Zahra was the first to speak.

“Long range patrol?”

“Has to be. Town that size doesn’t have its own calvary.” I commented.

“Let's check in on them.” Replied the gazelle. I nodded, but then my companion brought a hand up and pointed at me. It was so close it almost booped my nose.

“But don’t think this negotiation is over with. I only want the best.” She then proceeded down the road as if nothing had happened. All I could do was give a non-committal chuckle and follow behind her. While I enjoyed the teasing, if I wasn’t careful, it was going to get to me.

As we entered the town of Berrywick, there didn’t seem to be all that much going on. The town reminded me of my own home village. Not many folk realized I was from Enndi. Didn’t have the look nor the accent. To my eye, there didn’t seem to be much of a reason for knights to stop by. Farmhands were out tending to the fields and other folk were taking care of chores.  Course, when we caught sight of villagers standing in the town square, it piqued our interest.

“Now calm down all of ya.” came a feminine voice. The woman was standing on a covered porch in front of everyone. Her arms were crossed and she seemed to be admonishing the group.

“Now I told ya dem knights would go and think about burning da’ bush. Since when that be’in a good idea? I told ya, I be working ta get help. De’re be otter kinling; mage kinling or Raven’s that be that be dealing with dis problem. ” Zahra and I looked at one another. Burning the bush? What was this about?

We approached the back of the gathering to listen in. The woman called out a few names. Even pointing them out and dressed them down for their…foolishness as I'll put it. Not a single voice rose against her and the villagers seemed to accept her words. As she seemed to run out of commentary, the frustrated yet motherly lioness looked up and noticed the two of us. She pointed and called out.

“Hey, y'all mages right? Ya got time to be help’in some honest folk? It involve a bit of explore’n.”

I was about to ask a question when Zahra gave a very loud and enthusiastic “But of course!” The lioness blinked. I think the rest of the villagers blinked too. I didn’t even know what to say.

“What's ya name girl?” Asked a voice from the crowd.

Zahra winked at me and stepped forward. “I’m Zahra and my traveling companion is Corvo. We can handle anything you can throw at us. We’re always ready to help out hardworking kin.” My jaw hit the floor. ‘I know Zahra was a Raven, but we didn’t even know what the problem was.’ Then I heard in my mind Perfect Islind speak again.

‘She has a bit of a reputation. Keep her out of trouble Corvo.’

‘Well nuts.’

The woman who’d called us out, was in fact the Mayor and was known as Radafi Ashour. She was one of the few folk in the village that had an education outside of farming. Being of a mature age and with three children of her own, she was one of those kin others looked up to. The crowd surrounded and lauded us for coming to the settlement. We were ushered into the Mayor's house to talk, while the excited crowd stayed outside and waited.

Mayors always got respect in villages like this one. Namely because they helped keep the town in one piece and also ensured land rights were fully documented and recorded. Theirs was a thankless job that had saved many a farm and family when times got tough. Because of my own upbringing I started to fall back into old habits as Radafi sat us in the living room and served us water. I almost didn’t want to touch anything. As a kid the living room was off limits to everyone except when guests were visiting. Zahra and I sat on the couch while Radafi sat in a plush chair opposite of us. As she told us what the problem was, I had a hard time believing what I heard.

“Hold on, mayor. Your telling us a nearby oasis has become wild grown, and all this happened in just a few weeks?”

“Ya bet ye’re best coin it be’in the truth. The village gets its water from a spring that comes from de’ underground. Makes a decent basin, then it be make’in a small stream that flows down de plains. Few of the folk went up d’ere to swim. When dey got close, they be seeing all the land changed. Didn’t believe it myself till some of the old boys come ask’in me to come see. Didn’t believe my eyes.” Zahra spoke up.

“And the knights thought burning the place would be the fastest way to deal with the problem.” I jumped at that conclusion.

“All that ash will collect in the water then flow into Berrywick. It will be poisonous for weeks or months.”

“That being why I told the folk to keep quiet. I know dat would be the only thing dem knightfolk think to do. Why I told dem knights not to bother if that were they best idea. Already, sent letters to otter mayors; told dem to send any mage-folk our way. Taking longer den I hoped.”

“What makes you so sure you need a mage? asked Zahra.

Mayor Ashour stood and walked over to a large desk near the back of the room. “Got to be magics. May not know everything, but I knows mana when I see it. One of the teen-kin found dis in the stream. Brought it to me cause he thought he could sell it. Boy’s got a good head, but dis be out of his league.” Reaching for one of the drawers, she pulled it open. As she did, I noticed a source of ethereal energy react to her presence. “I hid this to protect de village. If word got out, we be having every treasure hunta out h’re hope’n ta make it rich. Village don’t need dat.” As she presented us with a sliver of red stone I couldn’t contain myself.

“That a manastone Ra’ma!?!”

Instantly the mayor looked me over as she recognized my rising Enndini accent. Ra’ma was slang for Mother or Momma but you could use it with strangers. Most in the countryside would consider it to have some respect behind it. City folk hated it.

“You an honest man?” the lioness questioned. In this case, the mayor was asking if I was from Enndi. I replied in the best way I knew.

“As honest as Enndi gets. I was born in Coroba.”

“Be good’en da ‘ear. Nice be’in a mage too.” She turned back to Zahra. “He show’n you what Enndi have to offer?” She was asking if I was some sort of guide or something. I wasn’t expecting Zahra’s answer.

“Not everything. The land takes my breath away, but he doesn’t pick up everything I put down.”

Radafi gave me an accusatory look. “For shame. So young too.”

I snapped towards Zahra wide eyed and confused. “Wait what?”

Radafi and Zahra laughed at my reaction. I felt like I was a cub that had been caught with his hand in the cookie jar. The lioness waved me off but didn’t stop laughing as I searched for answers. The Rhim gazelle was tight lipped too but finally grinned and moved the conversation on.

“Corvo is one of the best when it comes to talismans. He is one of the talented mages coming out of Aenara. Even we Raven’s ask him for advice.” Radafi grew wide eyed at that comment.

“Say whot now?”

Zahra had gone and done it then. Radafi was much more excited after that. She couldn’t believe a Raven and Librarium mage had waltzed into her village by chance. She was quick to learn everything about the gazelle and myself. She nearly lost it when Zahra said her family name was Amari. Everyone had heard of her family and many rumors of her adventures.

After quite a bit of explanation Zahra promised to return to the village in order to appraise the mayor on the situation. Zahra and I then got on our way towards the spring. As a Raven, Zahra was compelled by her oath to ensure the town was safe. She figured we’d have plenty of time to handle this and move on. I wasn’t so sure, but even if I was right, it just meant more adventuring. Music to the ears of my companion.

Radafi had told us to simply follow the river to its source. Once we got close to that, it made sense as to why no one else noticed a change in the landscape. A series of rolling hills more or less hid the little oasis.  Still, we were not prepared for what we saw. Overgrown was an understatement. This was pretty much a jungle.

“What by the goddess were knights going to do about this?” I exclaimed.

“I’m with you there.” the Raven answered, but she still had the biggest smile. Zahra was thrilled to say the least. “If you don’t mind, I’m going to handle this one. I can’t have you doing all the work now.”

“Oh, by all means.” I joked.

The zelle didn’t even bother to cast a spell. As a Raven after all, she had training to find ethereal energies. After sensing the surroundings, she pointed deeper into the oasis and started walking.

As we proceeded, I could feel the ethereal power growing in strength. There was so much of it, everywhere, that even my mana sense wasn’t all that useful. Not only had the plants we were weaving through grown large. Some of them were even glowing with phantom light. One tree reacted when I placed my hand on its trunk. It sent energies up and down, lighting up leaves and even the ground below in the process. Seeing the pulse was fascinating. It was obvious the native biology had started to absorb the excess ethereal energies. Luckily, they hadn’t been subverted by them.

“Getting close now.” the Raven commented. “This way.”

Zahra found some sort of pathway and disappeared into the overgrowth. I followed her but as I emerged into a clearing the scene changed.

Just in front of us, the ground disappeared into a deep pool of water. No wonder the villagers would come up here to swim. At the center of the basin rose a mound of rock. Water discharged from many cracks and splits in the material. The water would flow downward and then collect into the pool. This was obviously where the waters emerged from the underground. Yet that wasn’t what had caught the gazelles' notice. Her attention had been drawn the two ruby red stones that seemed to jut out the ground.

“Two??? Never seen that before. That's remarkable.” I exclaimed.

Zahra looked around. “Plants I can understand. Manastones don’t grow overnight.” She was right.

“There could be hidden dangers. I can try to scry them.” I looked at Zahra and found she was staring right at me.

“Let me know what you find. I’m going to try my own little experiment.”

She turned and walked off, and I set about the task. Knowing I was going to be dealing with water, I decided to take off my outerwear so that some of my clothes wouldn’t get wet. It didn’t take long to divine the properties. Both manastones were of the water affinity despite the red color, but there were no obvious dangers I could find.

“Hey Zahra, seems safe enough. What did you have planned?”

I didn’t hear a response immediately. Yet, a shadow caught my eye from above. As I looked up, I choked at what I saw. Zahra was standing upon one of the rocks that lined the waters edge. The high noon sun was shining behind her, sending colors all around my sight. She was clad in only a tight fitting brassiere that covered her chest and a pair of tight fitting under-shorts. She then lept in the air and as I watched, she came crashing down into the water. Even I got mildly splashed in the process. Zahra broke the surface a split second later and gave me the most playful grin I think I’d ever seen from her. I was at a loss.

“What are you doing?”

“I wanted to swim.” she answered treading water.

“What about the manastones?”

“What better way to find out what their effects are? You said it yourself, seems safe enough. Care to join me?”

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing, but at the same time all I could do was sigh and laugh at this whole situation. ‘Screw it. Why not’ I thought to myself. I took off my shirt and trousers. Considering the possibility of sharp rocks I decided to keep my boots. I stepped into the water and swam to the other side.

Ahead of me Zahra had lingered, but as I closed the distance she climbed out of the pool and began to study the two manastones up close. I did slip a naughty glance at Zahra's long and shapely legs. Something I always did love to see in taverns and inns, besides a nice bust of course. I suppressed that thought. Now wasn’t the time for that.

“Everything alright?” I asked as I climbed out of the water.

Never better.” the Raven responded. As I stepped closer, she finally turned towards me. The look she gave me was odd. She was smiling, but now her eyes were glowing with an intense golden hue. Was she using a spell?

I thought about looking at the other manastone, but something compelled me to stay close. Zahra eventually bent over to get a better look at the rock and stone, leaving her tightly covered bottom facing me. ‘Such a pretty tush.’ I thought. ‘I wonder what it would feel lik-.’ I realized what I was thinking and quickly concluded that there was a problem.

“Zahra, I think we might want to back away. When Zahra didn’t move from her position I reached out, placing my hand gently on her back to claim her attention. I hadn’t thought that through and it turned out to be a mistake. She shivered at my touch. I could feel small twitches where my hand brushed over her exquisite fur. I slowly pulled my hand back but as I did, Zahra finally turned to address me again. I took a step back, except my legs backed into a large slab of stone that was now in my way. I couldn’t retreat any further.

Looking at the Raven, her eyes were still filled with a golden light. I didn’t get a chance to ponder that as Zahra stepped forward and pressed against me placing her hands on my chest. My own mind was filled with naughty thoughts. My hands began to wander her frame. This had really come on fast and my body was already acting without thought.

“Zahra I think I’ve made a mistake…”

Still pressed against me, the zelle gave a small giggle then wrapped her arms around my waist. “Corvo, you know I’m a Raven right? I have artes that help me resist influences like this.” Her voice was slow but strangely clear. ‘If she wasn’t….’

“Wait… is this your experiment? Are you testing this on me?” Zahra laughed this time.

“Well, I’m testing this on myself too. I still feel the urges. I don’t have to act on them, if I don’t want to.” She dragged her fingers down the fur of my back. The feeling was divine as I stiffened at her touch. “I’m glad to see all my teasing wasn’t for nought. It's been awhile now.”

Everything made sense now. The comments to Radafi, the encounter by the road; all that teasing. Worrying about Zahra’s nobility seemed silly now. A whole host of thoughts ran through my head in the blink of an eye. However, the remaining were pushed aside as my companion and I finally began to explore one another. We pressed our lips together in a long and intimate kiss.

My playmate was keen to see the result of all her teasing. She took the lead and one of her hands slipped under my shorts. I had barely the time to notice before her hand wrapped around my shaft and began to stroke it. The pressure I felt made me groan in pleasure. Zahra giggled at my reaction and continued to massage my tool. The teasing had born some fruit, and I was already hard. The Raven chuckled when I would shudder in pleasure. She would continue to amuse herself as I grew more and more tense.

We kissed again, but Zahra broke our connection and stepped back. She immediately grabbed her brassiere and pulled it off before reaching for her undies. I quickly followed suit, attempting to get rid of my undershorts, but Zahra was driven and faster. Her garments came off in a near flash and then Zahra pushed me. I was forced to fall back upon the slab that had prevented my retreat previously. I landed with a surprised ‘Oof’ but didn’t mind the hard landing.

Zahra grabbed my half removed shorts, pulling them down my legs and leaving me in my boots. She next crawled on top of me. My member ached in the hot air of the pridelands, but Zahra avoided my manhood entirely grinning ear to ear. It became obvious what she wanted as her sex hovered above my face. I had no qualms in giving what she sought.

As soon as she pressed her lower lips against my nose, I lapped my tongue from the bottom of her slit to the top of her cleft. Zahra’s sigh was music to my ears. My arms hugged around her legs and waist holding her still as my tongue became intimately familiar with her folds. The woman was extremely wet and it wasn’t from her earlier swim. Her hand went to her chest as I feasted. She played with a nibble as the other hand went to my headfur. Slowly and surely, I began to push my companion to release.

I lost track of time as I pleasured the noble lady. Every motion I made seemed to bring some bit of pleasure to the woman above me. Zahra’s breath grew labored and deep. I held her in place, but she writhed against my tongue. Her motions started to become sharp and unfocused. Now she was groaning as she continued to grind against me. Her hand grabbed my headfur and started to pull. I sent my tongue deep into her sex and Zahra’s voice rose in pitch. It was only a matter of time.

She cried out. That was my only warning before she snapped. Like mana on the rebound, Zahra shot up straight and groaned to the air. My face and neck were covered in her bliss. A stream of incoherent words followed as Zahra rode out her high. All at once, she leaned forward and I caught sight of her face. Her eyes were unfocused, but filled with a telling rapture. She shook as pleasure still raced up and down her frame. She gasped for air, but soon her breathing came under control and the sound of the outdoors returned to my senses.

The zelle’s eyes focused after a while and she gazed at me. “You are very good at that.” she huffed. I only smiled, not having a clever comeback. This whole situation was still surreal and deeply carnal. I wanted to just lay there for a bit, but my attention was pulled back to my companion when I noticed her shift her weight.

I couldn’t see it but I did feel it when the zelle’s hand wrapped around my manhood again. My lusts and desire returned in force as I learned how painfully erect I was. My spire was pointed to the sky demanding attention and Zahra had just the idea what to do with it.

The noblewoman scooted back. She rose above my waist before pointing my turgid shaft towards her opening. She held there teasing the tip. I could feel her wetness, her heat. She worked my cock between her folds, until I was glistening with her arousal. My hands began to wander again.

“Oh, no. Not this time.” I heard from the Raven. Suddenly my arms were pulled above my head. The gazelle’s eyes were glowing again. I could see a flame orange aura wrapping around my arms and anchoring them in place. She was using a binding spell. Zahra wanted to be in control this time and I was at her mercy.  Before I could say anything, Zahra began to lower herself.

I was slowly and achingly enveloped in a heat and tightness that was indescribable. I bucked and Zahra stopped. No words passed between us, but all at once the message was clear and understood. My lust jumped but I grit my teeth as I tried to hold still. Zahra stayed motionless and all I could do was whine as I wanted nothing more than to bury myself in her depths. The Raven, it seemed, wasn't trying to tease. After readying herself, she abruptly dropped her hips taking me fully. The both of us gasped at the sudden movement. I’d almost lost it and Zahra didn’t seem much better off even having just cum a bit ago.

I’m not sure how long we stayed like that, but when Zahra really began to move, all I could do was grin and hold on. The gazelle set a fierce pace, placing a hand on her hip and grabbing at my bound arm with the other. Her body trembled above me. Her back arched. Her moans had turned to fevered cries. She was close, just like I was. She would take me as deep as she could before rising. She’d then take me again just as quickly. Still incredibly wet, the sound of her hips slapping against my waist joined her huffs and revelry filling the air.

I couldn’t hold it. My hips began to buck on their own. Zahra’s full-body shutter told me she knew what was about to happen. She threw herself against me, taking me just that bit deeper. It was enough to set her off. I was too far gone and didn't hear her exultant cry, but I do remember feeling her convulse. Feeling her core tighten and flutter around me, I was already past the brink. I tensed, ramming my hips deep into her taunt folds until every muscle tensed and locked. There were no titles, authority or noble station here. My seed gushed into her sodden sex. I jerked again, sending another flood into her. Zahra shuddered and this time, I did hear her wail.

I couldn’t help myself. My mind was blank and my body continued to hitch against the gazelle, intent on having her take every last bit of my release. Every thrust was answered with a haunting gasp. I filled her, and when there was no more room, it began to leak from her sodden lips. We were going to need a bath and some Mindell Root to ensure there were no lasting consequences.

My arms were released and I hugged the gazelle to my chest so we could both rest. We stayed connected like that for some time. As my mind cleared, I was full of questions. Did Zahra always do experiments like this? How were we going to get the manastones back to town? Having ethereal energies playing around with your body was not without consequence however. Pleasurable as it was, our bodies were going to need to recover. We weren’t going to do much of anything for a bit.

Or so I thought. A new influx of ethereal energy flooded around us. Soon our bodies were renewed and a new wave of lust and desire made itself known. The pair of manastones it seemed were quite potent. We spent the next few hours working off all the energies that had affected us.

Had to wonder about the new flight of Ravens though. They never did catch up with us.