To Claim the Elvin Princess: Apprentice (19 page)

They landed, and were quickly surrounded by villagers, one having recognized Amein and hastily passed the word that the Princess had come to see them. Rasten noted that several seemed tear-stained and greatly miserable, surmising that these had lost a close family member. He soon found this true, and spent much time listening to their ordeal. He found the children, who had lost fathers especially touching, having many eager to be hugged and comforted by him.

While he was so engaged, Amein also gave much attention to her people, but also managed to speak with several who had eyewitness understanding of what had occurred. No one seemed the least concerned over their possessions, but were greatly saddened over the lives lost. This did much to inform Rasten as to Elvin values: things were replaceable, individual Elvin were not. What astounded him even more was how little hatred for the Eridians he witnessed. He gathered that the Eridians were mostly regarded as dangerous beasts, who might suddenly attack, but were too simple to be regarded as truly evil. Rasten had no chance to speak of this until they returned, and had landed. Walking through the maze of corridors, he mentioned this, eager to hear her thoughts.

“You find that strange?” she asked, eyeing him suspiciously. “You’d expect them to be angry and outraged, eager to go inflict death and destructions on the Eridians? Is that what your people on Earth might have done?” she demanded.

“Probably...I’m a barbarian, aren’t I?” he suggested.

“Quite! Most of our war with the Eridians is the result of them seeking vengeance against us, for those we kill when they attack us. It is a foolish, vicious cycle, that has gone on for millennia! I’m inclined to bring it to an end, but I’d need at least some co-operation from the Eridians, and they aren’t helping at the moment!” she declared, eyes flashing.

“You want to go beat the crap out of them right now, don’t you?” Rasten teased.

“More than a proper elf should...yes! Resisting such improper desires is always the hardest thing a leader must do. Worse than resisting the young, naughty elf!” she declared. “We have to figure out a way to retrieve our females...that’s most important!”

“Any thoughts on that? I suppose you also want to punish them somehow?”

“I want to get my hands on Shocara! I know how to break her handily, if we can just capture her,” Amein suggested, grinning wickedly.

“Without torturing her?”

“By letting a dozen males pleasure her into abject helplessness! Eridians know little of pleasure, and are quite susceptible to it! We’ve ruined more than one of their warriors with a half dozen naughty elf girls!” she declared wickedly. “You saw what happened to Koharilla!  Admit it, you can’t say no to even one! Imagine a whole roomful!” she insisted. Rasten cringed, knowing she was correct.

Since they returned in late afternoon, they elected to bathe and change for dinner, before joining their guests. They were well questioned, especially by ones less aware of the long history of the Eridians, and the Elvin ordeal in dealing with them. Incredulous might well have described their state upon hearing that mere barbarians had been plaguing the most powerful beings in the known universes for millennia. Amein had been forced to lecture her guests regarding Elvin history, and why simply wiping them out had been viewed as less than desirable. Rasten had been forced to resist his urge to laugh or tease her, remembering his own initial reaction to the Elvin reluctance to avoid inflicting genocide on their enemy.

Amein eventually convinced most, or at least embarrassed them into acquiescing regarding the proper view of things. She was still annoyed at bedtime.

“Can you imagine them?! I need to get on someone regarding what we’re teaching our people! I shouldn’t have to explain any of that to adult elves!” she snipped.

“Do you even know what’s happening on all the Elvin worlds? I can’t imagine it’s all that easy to stay aligned, strewn around the universes...is it?”

“Well, it’s not supposed to be all that hard! That’s what makes us special and strong! Humans, like the Eridians, can’t even run a small village without disagreeing and fighting, can they?!” she loudly demanded, giving him a wicked look.

“The ones on my old world certainly didn’t! They stayed tribal and impossible to rule, for the most part! Too many customs and different ways...two humans on Earth wouldn’t likely agree on what to eat for dinner! That might not be so terrible...variation can be a strength!”

“Not when some force like the Elvin comes to kick your ass! Then, while you argue about what to do, we’ll simply hammer you into submission! Well, we would if we were evil! But we could!” she insisted, as Rasten laughed long and loud.

“You’d be more likely to do naughty things to them, and captivate them that way, than to wage war against them! You only fight the evil ones!”

“Mostly. But once we decide you’re evil...”

“Yet you can’t decide that the Eridians are evil? Really? You saw what they did in Hirienti!” Rasdten cried.

“I saw something amazing, that no one has noted,” she hinted, looking in a mirror, and fiddling with her hair.

“What? They killed many, and took a dozen females!”

“Of course...that’s what barbarians do! What they don’t ever do is what Shocara did; she let Elvin surrender, and didn’t kill them! That has never happened! She did something new and different...unexpected. That means she is capable of original thinking!” Amein turned, and stepped close to Rasten, unbuttoning his shirt. She looked up, into his eyes.

“I am certain she is the key...the one we’ve needed all these years. Somehow she is different than the rest of the Eridians. I wish to use that, to somehow engage with her...” Amein sighed.

“You’re serious? So if I get the chance, I’m to have a chat with her...to tell her how much the Elvin wish to be friends? You’re really serious? You want that more than any thing else?”

“Mostly, but right at the moment I want you to play with me!” she laughed.

In the morning, both seemed to be more disturbed than they had been the previous day, the reality of what the villagers had suffered returning and weighing heavily on them. Sitting at breakfast, both were quiet, a state that caught Elder Madarini’s eye.

“You seem much afflicted...care to speak of it?” he asked.

“Being a leader seems harder at the moment...” Amein declared simply, sighing heavily.

“I don’t recall ever hearing of anyone being in charge only when things were going well! Have you?” he asked, seriously.  Amein considered this, before emitting a guilty laugh.

“No, but I wish is was so! I especially hate when there is no easy solution, no simple response that would not be wrong! We must teach the Eridians a lesson, but I see no clear way to do such!” Amein complained. There was silence a moment, before Rasten spoke.

“If you wish to teach them not to take Elvin women, why would you not conduct a series of raids, and take only Eridian women and girls? I’d think even a barbarian might figure out what that implies...especially if we told them in no uncertain terms!”

“But that would make us just as evil as the Eridians! Well, maybe not quite, since we wouldn’t be inclined to rape their women, but still...” Amein grappled with this, her elvish sense of things confounded by Rasten’s simple suggestion.

“I’m not suggesting we rape or kill them, but just taking them would go far to teach them something! It’s either that, or kill a lot of warriors, to show our displeasure,” he suggested.

“Maybe...the problem is, we’d have to kill many to take any of their women...they tend to fight to the death, rather than to give up!” Amein suggested.

“Perhaps a bit of sorcery might help with that. Master Emareili has many useful things that might help you capture Eridians, without having to decimate an entire village!” the Elder advised them.

“Really? Rasten, you’ll see the Master later today...ask him about this!” Amein insisted. “If you can take your attention away from your cute teacher a moment...” she added, giving him a look that seemed to imply she knew more than she wanted to say in public,

“Of course...your wish is my command!” he teased.

“Good! I wish you to behave, and not succumb to the other naughty females!” she proclaimed smugly.

33

Rasten had been well abused by Master Roein for his failure to meet her expectations. She had sent him to a Sage, who had worked to get him to relax, to learn to let his mind stop over thinking, and to let his eyes and reflexes take over. He had finally begun to master this, when the Master decided to pair him with a young Elf named Corienia, a female of barely eighteen. She was well advanced with the sword, and utterly infatuated with him, a thing he had not noted before, but which within a few days became obvious.

She had gotten steadily closer, when not crossing weapons, soon touching him, a slight touch of her hand on his arm or hand at first, and then when departing one afternoon, she held his arm as they walked outside. Rasten found her delightful, cute and sweet, funny and utterly charming. It slowly dawned on him that she was trying to work up the courage to suggest something, but he did nothing to encourage her or make it more or less hard.

They had spent a long time working one day, and were both sweaty and tired, when they paused to rest. Rasten sat down on the bench that ringed the large practice area, and Corienia seemed poised to sit beside him, but at the last moment, plopped her bottom down on his lap, sitting sideways.

“Am I being too blatant?” she asked, watching his face nervously, to see if she was overstepping her welcome.

“What are you thinking?” Rasten asked, the feel of her bottom giving him the beginnings of an erection. He had instinctively slipped his hands around her,

“That I’d like you to use your personal sword on me! I could use your attention, and would like to play!” she dreamily replied. “Please...I get so eager, when we work out! Do you find me desirable?”

“My dear...a rock would find you desirable...but...” he hesitated to declare Amein’s problem or his own reluctance to do any thing to cause her more misery. “I’m sorry, it’s complicated...” he managed to sigh, looking down at the floor.

“There is a reason why you think you should not have me?” she softly asked, showing herself marvelously sensitive and empathetic, as most of the Elvin had seemed to him to be. Rasten nodded, peeking at her. Her brows were furrowed, and she was frowning.

“It isn’t because I don’t find you desirable; you are as lusciously sexy as any Elvin female I’ve yet seen!” he insisted; this took away her frown, and she smiled slyly.

“As much as the Princess?” she asked, delighted, and eager to have something to boast about.

“You’re trying to get me in trouble!” Rasten laughed, not eager to have an innocent comment reach Amein, and make her mad and suspicious.

“I’m just trying to get you to have me!” she sighed. “Can I at least have a kiss?”

Rasten thought this mostly harmless, but soon regretted it, as Corienia put all of her considerable skill into making it as long and enticing as possible. By the time he managed to pull back he had a firm erection, and Corienia looked ready to shed her clothes and be had on the spot. Neither knew that Amein had walked in, mid kiss, and had stood, arms crossed, observing from only a dozen paces away. Corienia had just stood, tugging on Rasten’s hand, ready to practice more, when they were both surprised to have Amein step up, her face an unreadable mask.

“And who might you be, dear girl?”

“Princess!” Corienia gasped, surprised, but instantly beaming, as she bowed to Amein. “I am Corienia, whom Master Roein has paired with Lord Rasten for practice! We were just preparing to resume! Would you like to observe us, and critique our efforts!” she gushed, not the least hint of guilt or embarrassment showing. That she was utterly enthralled with Amein was impossible to miss.

“Perhaps you would like to cross blades with me?” Amein suggested ominously.

“Princess! I am likely unworthy of your skill!” she sighed, suddenly grasping that Amein seemed displeased. Amein’s skill was known to all, and the prospect of being thoroughly humiliated gave the young elf a reason to cringe.

“Nonsense...you will never master the weapon without facing your betters! Come!” Amein insisted, taking hold of Coreinia’s upper arm, and leading her off. She gave Rasten a glance that seemed likely to promise him much aggravation later.

Rasten stood a moment, before sitting down, and was soon joined by Master Roein, who was curious as to why the Princess was taking on one of her students. Rasten was reluctant to speak, but under the Master’s prodding, he finally explained Amein’s odd situation.

“So she walked in and found Coreinia sitting on your lap, kissing you? That’s why she’s beating her butt?!” Roein gasped. Amein was giving the hapless young one no rest, pushing her hard, slowly forcing Coreinia to give ground, as they moved around the practice floor. The young swordswoman was soon drenched in sweat, while Amein looked almost unblemished. Everyone watching cringed, as Amein maneuvered her opponent back towards a small  chair, and when Coreinia, stumbled backward and fell, landing on her back, Amein drove her own sword into the dirt floor, precisely between the young ones legs, less that a small finger’s width from the  crotch of her pants.

“I believe you are mine!” Amein declared, grinning wickedly. She sheathed her sword, and offered Coreinia a hand, pulling her up easily. Coreinia could barely lift her arm, and her eyes were filled with tears. Amein stepped close, her nose touching the young one’s, and her hands held her shoulders.

“Your skill is excellent, with both the sword and your femaleness. I suggest you confine your attention with Lord Rasten to improving your skill with a blade. There may be a time, when you will be welcome to try your female charms on him, but now is not it!”

“You’re angry with me for...”

“No, you are merely being a naughty elf! But there is a reason why you should resist your urges with him. No, don’t argue or ask why! You must trust me! Perhaps when it is more proper, you might have a chance to play with both of us?” Amein suggested, and was pleased to see the young one’s face light up, all trace of upset and puzzlement wiped away.

“I should be utterly delighted to do so! Thank you! I promise, I’ll resist my urges...even though I have no idea why I should?”

“I do...just trust me!” Amein declared. She sent the sweaty elf off to change, and walked towards Rasten and the master.

“Coreinia is well advanced, and will be more than competent with a blade; apparently she is quite skilled also in her female abilities?” she demanded, giving Rasten a harsh look.

“Very...I turned her down, as far as being had is concerned, and only thought to give her a small kiss as compensation, but soon regretted it!” Rasten admitted, knowing that no lie would get passed her average Elvin truthsense.

“Good! Come...I wish to see how you are doing with the sword!” Amein demanded.

Rasten soon found himself having to work hard, Amein’s skill with a blade wicked and relentless. Where others might use strength to beat down an opponent, she used a precise eye and lightening quick speed to slip past an opponent’s guard. Rasten applied all his effort to not thinking or anticipating, wanting to merely react to her movements.

He was quickly drenched in sweat, and had accumulated a half dozen small nicks, Amein seeming intent on marking him well, whether as a reminder regarding swordsmanship, or to display some bit of female jealousy, and a desire to punish him, he could not guess. Whether Amein was being careless, or deliberately gave Rasten a slight opening, none watching could tell, but he instinctively seized on it, and turned her sword arm awkwardly down, then used his free hand to grab her sword hand, just at the wrist, and hit a spot above her thumb’s base with the hilt of his sword. Amein cried out in shock, as the blade dropped from her temporarily paralyzed hand. Rasten’s boot on her blade precluded her from snatching it up again.

“It appears the Princess’s ass is mine?!” Rasten gasped. Amein looked astounded, caught between outrage and amazement.

“Where did you learn to do such a thing?!” she cried, rubbing her hand, as the numbness slowly faded.

Rasten could only shrug, as Master Roein stepped up, a look of admiration clearly visible.

“Did you teach him that?!” Amein demanded.

“Hardly...Rasten is full of surprises and amazing skills. As he develops, I see more of your father in him; you’ve forgotten how skilled he was?” Master Roein wondered, standing with her hands behind her back, clearly delighted that Rasten had so amazingly overmastered the Princess.

“Apparently I have! I certainly don’t remember him doing something that sneaky and unexpected!” Amein sighed.

“He was quite good at such things, just as he was quite good at separating an Elvin female from her panty; Rasten shows signs of that skill as well, or perhaps even a slyer one; he makes Elvin females inclined to shed their own restraint and clothing, and surrender with barely a small touch!”

“I would prefer him not to be so inclined to develop such a skill...” Amein sighed, looking pouty, before she laughed. “Apparently I was the first to succumb to his skill?”

“You won’t be the last one to do so either, Dear Princess, whether you wish it or not!” Master Roein suggested, winking at Rasten where Amein couldn’t see.

Amein walked a block without touching Rasten, before he grabbed her and goosed her tight butt crack. Her shriek of surprise was loud, and she turned, looking harsh and ready to fight.

“That was uncalled for!” she whispered.

“I don’t like being ignored...perhaps I should find someone more eager to be close?” he demanded, holding her tight. This caused a fit of tears.

“Apparently I have all these cuts because you gave in to being jealous?” he whispered. “And that’s why you gave poor Corieinia such a brutal workout? That seems more like a bitchy human female, than a nice, compassionate Elvin Princess, doesn’t it?” Rasten whispered. Amein slapped his back, but nodded, still sniveling.

“I’m sorry! Rasten...I’m a mess! I’m...now...I’m starting to look at others, and I want to have them...but then...I’m choked by a feeling of guilt! I feel like I’m losing my mind! I just want to be a normal elf! Worse...I’m terrified of losing you!”

“As in me being killed or...”

“As in you falling for another of our slutty Elvin females! I never once feared such a thing! This is making me feel crazy!” she moaned.

“It isn’t doing a lot for me either!” Rasten sighed, hugging her tightly. “We need to stop ignoring this, and find a way to fix it!”

“I’m not sure I want to fix it...at least sometimes?!” she confessed, peeking at him smugly.