HTN 5-27 Slave girls

Blackbast stood at the table while Heather, Frank, and Quinny sat on the cushions waiting for Breanne to appear. When she did she had a happy smile on her face and a tall elven man on her arm.

“I see you took to your job as if born to it,” Blackbast teased causing Breanne’s cheeks to redden.

“She is a precious jewel,” the elven man said as Blackbast approached.

“Go sit and eat something,” she said to Breanne and took the hand of the elven man.

“Who are those two?” Breanne asked as she noticed the two slave girls sitting with Frank. There was something familiar about them both but she couldn’t put her finger on it.

“Go and sit, you will find out soon enough,” Blackbast encouraged before turning to introduce herself to the elf. She explain she was the high priestess of the temple and gave him a warm welcome to rest and enjoy the temples services. His eyes immediately went to Heather and Quinny but Blackbast was quick to tell him that the redhaired beauty wasn’t available.

“I see,” he replied with a glance at her. “And what about you?”

“I am always available,” she purred. “But I doubt you have the strength yet to satisfy me. Have something to eat and we will get to know one another better later.”

With that he turned to join the others at the table pausing a moment to look at Frank.

“Forgive me, but are you a ghoul?” he asked.

“He is a guest from a nearby dungeon in the sands,” Blackbast replied as she joined them at the table and poured a wine. “If you are looking for adventure you would find it and more in his lair.” She handed him the wine as he looked at her curiously. “My order makes no distinction between monster players and hero players. They are all welcome and protected at my temple.”

The elf man took a sip and nodded before replying. “Forgive me again, it’s just I haven’t seen monster player in years. They are so aggressively hunted that most choose to reset and become hero players.”

“And that’s terrible,” Heather interjected.  “The world was designed for monster and hero players to work together.” She looked across the table to see Breanne staring at her in disbelief. She tried to explain but Blackbast shot her a headshake so she remained quiet as their guest answered her instead.

“Oh I wholeheartedly agree,” the elvish man said with a smile. “Back in the early days you had all sorts of lairs and dungeons to explore. There were traps, treasure, and hidden passageways. Now the landscape is barren except for world spawn wild animals.”

“There are world spawn dungeons,” Breanne offered but the man shook his head.

“Those are rare and when found flooded by players. It was better when monster players banded together and turned whole regions into haunted landscapes with hidden lairs or crypts. It just hasn’t been the same since the war with the necromancer kings.” He finished that thought with another sip and  then sat down beside Breanne.

“Well this is new,” Heather whispered to Frank and touched at his wrist. “Your sitting at a table to eat with a hero player.”

“This is how it should always have been,” Frank sighed causing the stranger to look up.

“Forgive me yet again, but we elves have good hearing. I have to say you are right, I did most of my leveling when monster players had dungeons to level in. Since they have gone you really can’t level very far unless you want to run arena fights. I would actually love to see this lair of yours, it is very big?”

Frank looked to Blackbast who picked up a bowl of grapes and placed it before their guest.

“It is a pyramid complex almost directly south of here,” she said for him. “It is quite extensive and home to other monster players who have all contributed to making it dangerous.”

“Excellent!” the elf cried and paused before taking a sip. “Oh! Where are my manners, I am Falconler, the High elf ranger.”

“Frank the ghoul,” Frank replied. “This is Quinny, and Hannah,” he said gesturing to the other two before looking at Breanne.

“He already knows my name,” Breanne answered quickly as she stared with narrow eyes at Heather.

“That’s not all I know about you,” Falconler said with a wide smile forcing her to give up her glare. He plucked up some grapes and started to eat before asking if the goblins were also guests.

“Legeis and Umtha are traveling with me,” Frank said. “We are on a sort of quest.”

“Monster players out on a quest,” the elf said with a toss of his head. “Why not? I hope your travels haven’t been to hard.”

“They haven’t really begun yet,” Blackbast answered for him as she sat at the end of the table. “What brings you out to this desolate place?”

Falconler swallowed a grape and related how he wanted to see the glass, and the ships that sailed on it. He had already done it and was now traveling in the opposite direction of the group.

“I hear there is an old kingdom that was under some kind of curse. The queen was doomed to marry a wizard or something and had lost her power over the realm. Some hero actually recovered her stone and restored the land and now I hear rumors there are monster players set up all around the area.”

Heather nearly choked on a wine as Quinny and Breanne shared a glance.

“Are you alright?” he said with a pause as Heather continued to cough.

“I’m fine,” she replied with a groaning voice. “Just tipped it back too far.”

“Anyway, I didn’t want to miss a chance to play like the old days. I would love to see a good well developed dungeon again.” With his story done he went back to discussing the desert road and how he almost missed the temple.

“A temple like this cannot be easy to find, like any great treasure one must look for it,” Blackbast replied and

“A fair analogy,” the man said with a raised glass. “I would really love to visit this pyramid dungeon, you said it was due south?”

Directly, you will be able to see it after an hour of running,” Blackbast replied.

“Running?” Heather asked as if confused by the statement.

“He’s a high elf,” Breanne answered with a hint of annoyance in her voice. “They can run for hours without tiring, it’s called flow like the wind.”

“I have a similar skill,” Blackbast added. “But in my case it is called lovers endurance.”

Heather blinked and cleared her throat one final time before asking if the two abilities were exactly the same or if they were different somehow. The two described the powers to be nearly identical and Heather made a mental note to explore the idea that many classes had the same powers under different names.

They ate for a few minutes more then Blackbast took his hand and whispered in an ear. He smiled and got up with her heading for the back rooms to leave the others to talk alone.

Breanne stood tall and glared down at the others as they waited her reaction.

“What in the blazes is going on here? How did you change your look?” she demanded.

“What? Don’t you like it?” Heather teased as Quinny laughed.

Breanne folded her arms in disdain so Heather let the joke drop and explained how Blackbast could alter their look significantly. She was careful to point out it only lasted so long as the collar as on and none of it was permanent.

“That is very hard to believe,” Breanne said as she looked away.

“I can’t wait to see what she does to you,” Quinny said.

“Why would she need to change me?” Breanne remarked in alarm.

Heather and Quinny shrugged and suggested it was safer if nobody could recognize them.

“I see your point,” she admitted and turned her head when they heard a loud long purr echo from down the hall.

“That woman,” Breanne grumbled.

“Look whose talking,” Heather laughed.

Breanne blushed and straightened her back taking on a haughty tone. “He is very handsome and an elf. I might also mention he is a very respectful and gentle.”

“I wasn’t going to judge,” Heather said with a smile.

“Oh, who are you to give me grief over my choices, look at what your wearing,” Breanne scolded.

“You mean our uniforms?” Quinny asked with a wink. “Yours is in back.”

Breanne looked shocked for a moment and turned to Heather for confirmation only to get a nod over a glass of wine.

“I’m not wearing that,” she said in a defiant voice.

“Try telling that to Blackbast,” Heather countered. “She is very persuasive and wont take no for an answer.”

With a hand to her face Breanne sat down and let out a tired groan. “Why did I agree to this?”

“You saw hotness and ran after it,” Quinny answered. “Honestly if you hadn’t I probably would have.”

“You two are awful,” Heather interjected. “Don’t you have any shame?”

“Those social rules don’t apply here,” Quinny said. “You are free to live your life any way you wish. If you want to live a vanilla life you are free to do so and nobody will judge you, but you can’t judge others who want to enjoy the freedom the system offers.”

Heather closed her eyes and held up a hand to admit defeat. “You’reright, I guess I have trouble accepting that freedom when I see it as a prison.”

Frank turned to her and looked hurt by her words. “I thought you said you were starting to enjoy being here?”

“I am,” Heather said. “You have made this whole experience not just bearable but enjoyable. But I still hold out hope of finding a way out. Until then I promise to do my best to see the world the way you do, and enjoy myself.”

“You could go help Blackbast with Falconler,” Quinny teased.

“Not like that,” Heather snapped.

“Suite yourself,” Quinny replied.

“You look alive,” Breanne interrupted as she leaned in closer to look at Quinny.

“I know!” Quinny moaned. “What’s the point of being a zombie if you don’t even look like one?”

“That was the point,” Frank said. “She doesn’t want people to recognize you as a zombie. I think she wants to be able to travel more safely.”

Heather considered the idea of traveling in the open without heavy armor or disguises to hide what they were. It made sense until she looked at Frank, he was still a ghoul and would have to wear all that obscuring armor. It would be true for Legis and Umtha as well, the two goblins being hard to hide from prying eyes.

Thinking of Umtha, Heather wondered what the goblin woman was going to say about the plan. She wanted Heather to wear the crown, but she also wanted to deliver the egg. Would she be happy they were lingering for five days if it meant putting the crown on?

“Heather?” Frank asked drawing her out of her thoughts.

“Sorry, I was just thinking about Umtha,” she replied. “I wonder if she will be happy I am putting the crown back on?”

“I doubt it,” Breanne said. “Especially since you don’t plan to keep it on.”

“Where are Legeis and Umtha anyway?” Quinny asked.

Heather wasn’t sure but thoughtthey might be outside by the palanquin. Frank suggested they go and find them both so they could be introduced to Heather and Quinny’s new looks, and warned about the days ahead.

They moved outside into the lush gardens and Heather was proven right when the two goblins were found beside the palanquin. Umtha took one look at Heather and asked her why she changed her hair.

“How did you know it was me?” Heather stammered.

“I know,” was all Umtha would say before looking at Quinny and shrugging.

“Wait, none of this is a surprise to her?” Quinny asked.

“Apparently not,” Heather laughed.

“Umtha know friends,” the goblin woman said with ears perked high.

Breanne folded her arms and remarked that they should hope nobody else could see through the disguises as easily.

“So how did she do this?” Legeis asked as he put on his goggles to study them. “I don’t see anything magical about it.”

“She edited our character sheets,” Quinny said. “Being her slaves gave her access to our appearance tabs.”

“I have never heard of anybody doing that before. You say she has a panel? Are you sure she isn’t a chosen?”

Heather and the others exchanged looks of wonder but had to admit the thought hadn’t occurred to her before. “Could she be?”

“She doesn’t seem like the type to hide it,” Frank said. “She knows you are chosen. I would have expected her to come right out with it if she was.”

“She is rather bold,” Breanne agreed.

“Ahh, there you are,” came her voice as if on que. All heads turned to see Blackbast leading Falconler into the garden from the temple.

“That’s the panel under her arm,” Quinny said to Breanne. “She must be looking for you.”

Breanne stiffened as the two made their way to the palanquin sharing a kiss.

“Well, I must be off,” Falconler said as he stepped back. “I have been given detailed instructions by lady Blackbast on how to find your lair,” he said turning to Frank. “I hope you don’t mind my raiding it while you’re away?”

“Not at all,” Frank said with a sideways glance to Blackbast. “Have all the fun you want.”

“Excellent,” the man said and moved to Breanne. “Thank you for such a warm welcome. I look forward to coming here again in the future because of you.”

“You are most welcome,” Breanne said with reddening cheeks.

With that he waved and headed off at a brisk pace, running into the barrens in search of the pyramid.

“What is going to happen if he runs into the real owner of the pyramid?” Heather asked.

“A battle I presume,” Blackbast replied. “She and I are good friends and I have already secretly sent her a message. If they encounter one another she will play up that Frank is away.”

“Hmm,” Heather said with a studying glance.

“Now then, we have to get ready for our trip,” Blackbast said.

“I thought we were staying here for five days?”

“No must return egg!” Umtha insisted.

Heather sighed and explained the plan to put the crown back on and ask the woman inside it questions. Umtha didn’t seem to react to the idea of questioning the woman inside. Instead she asked why they couldn’t question her while traveling.

“I need her to be trapped in my area of influence,” Blackbast answered. “Here I will have absolute control and she will have to answer our questions.”

“Always delays,” Umtha growled. “Time will run out.”

“What time will run out?” Heather asked as Blackbast’s eyes narrowed.

“Must return egg,” Umtha repeated again.

Heather was frustrated but Blackbast stepped in and turned to Legeis.

“How fast is your armor?”

He perked up his ears and looked back to his suite standing motionless nearby.

“It can maintain a decent run forever. It’s technically a golem, it will never tire.”

“So it can run all day and night?” Blackbast pressed.

“Yeah, I guess so,” he replied. “What are you planning?”

“I know of a way to carry all of us at that speed. Could you add a small seat to the back lip of that opening?”

Legeis looked up and shrugged. “I suppose I could. It would take me about an hour, but I don’t understand,” he replied.

“Trust me all will be apparent soon. Please get to work on the seat right away.” Blackbast cooed and turned to Umtha. “In five days we will travel at twice the speed we were before. We will return this egg sooner than you expected.”

Umtha gave her a glare that said she didn’t believe her but nodded reluctantly.

Blackbast took that as agreement and went back to her original comment. “Now then about our trip. I seem to recall you wanted to visit something else while you were here.”

Heather and the others were confused for a second before Heather remembered.

“The library!” she exclaimed.

“Yes, indeed,” Blackbast purred with a wink to her. “We will go visit it after I tend to one final task.”

“What task?” Quinny asked.

Blackbast’s tail began to swish as she turned about and looked at Breanne.  “Come my elvish beauty, I have some changes to make,” she purred.

“Do we really have to?” Breannne asked as she took a step away.

“Come now, it is too late to be shy,” Blackbast insisted. “I have only minor changes I wish to make, but come we I have an outfit for you to wear as well.” She was led away with her head down as the others waited by the Palanquin with a look of shock.

Legeis's armor thumped along with Umtha riding with him. She sat on the back seat of the cockpit, her legs danging inside, leaving him plenty of room.

Frank followed behind with Blackbast to his right, holding his arm with her own. He wore his heavy armor, and she wore a light wrap of soft yellow that hid just enough to be modest. She held three delicate leather leashes in her right hand, each of which trailed behind to the collar of a beautiful slave girl who followed along ten paces behind.

“This is humiliating,” Breanne sighed.

“Just take the collar off,” Heather said in irritation.

“I can’t,” Breanne said and turned to glare at Heather. “She said I agreed to wear it as long as you did, and if I took it off, she wouldn't help you.”

“I am touched you care that much about me,” Heather said.

“I am angry that you decided to wear it so long,” Breanne growled.

“I am kinda enjoying it,” Quinny said. “What’s wrong with going for a walk?”

“We are being paraded around the countryside nearly naked,” Breanne complained.

“We're in the middle of nowhere and off the trails. Nobody is going to see us. Besides, it’s only for a little bit,” Heather said. “Blackbast said it was just over an hour away.”

Quinny leaned into Breanne and gave her a gentle smile. “You did promise to go wherever Heather needed to go.”

“I assumed I could go clothed,” Breanne countered as she looked down. Her long graceful legs were bare, as were her feet. Around her waist was a delicate belt of gold discs from which hung a silky white skirt that almost reached her knees. It was made of a material so transparent that close up, it was possible to see the curves underneath. Around her stomach were three golden chains, and a green gemstone sparkled in her belly button. Her breasts had been enlarged, lifted, and given a gentle point, matching her sharp elven features. They were held in a white satin top pulled so tight it looked to be painted on and held up by two straps attached to the collar.

Each of her tall pointed ears was pierced by three golden hoops. Her black hair was woven down her back in a delicate braid and studded with silver pins designed to look like flowers.  Her lips were a soft lilac, and her cheeks were highlighted to define her sharp bones. She looked like an elf queen of great beauty, taken prisoner by some conquering pirate.

“Even if we are unlikely to be discovered here, she plans to keep us dressed like this for the whole journey to return the egg. Sooner or later, we're going to have to enter a settlement, and players are going to leer at us.”

“They will probably wonder if we are free or if they will have to pay,” Quinny said just to make them uncomfortable.

Heather was wondering about that, too, as her skin crawled to consider it. What could she do, though? She agreed to wear the collar as a punishment for attempting to manipulate Blackbast. There was no way to get out of it now.”

“Why are my feet not hurting?” Breanne asked as they crossed a trail made of small stones.

“Blackbast said she spent points in our subclass so we could walk barefoot,” Heather said.

“She also said it worked the same for our knees,” Quinny added. “For when we have to kneel to –“

“Quinny, be quiet,” Breanne interrupted with a shake of her head. “What a terrible class this is. Did she have to pick passion slave for all of us?”

“What else was she going to pick?” Quinny asked.

“There were household slaves,” Breanne offered.

“Bah, those wouldn’t be any fun,” Quinny said with a wave of her hand to dismiss the idea.

“You have a strange concept of what fun is,” Breanne quipped as she tugged at the leash. “And now she is walking us like we're pets.”

“Will you just relax,” Heather said. “Listen, I am sure she will let out of it if you really want to. I don’t want you doing this for me if you hate it. I only committed to this because we need those answers.”

“And I said not to do it,” Breanne remarked with an upraised hand. “Why do you trust her?”

“Because Frank does,” Heather whispered. “He is an excellent judge of character. Not to mention when I originally shared my plan with her she refused to keep me as a slave. To her a slave is a sacred responsibility and she cares about them deeply. Though I get the feeling she has some desire to have a real relationship but doesn’t for some reason.”

“How could she?” Breanne asked. “She has sworn a holy oath to offer her sex to any man pr woman who comes to her temple. Who would want to build a relationship with somebody like that?”

“I don’t know,” Heather said with a shrug. “I find her fascinating, and the things she does even more so. Maybe it’s because she is so different than me and so easy to approach and talk to about it, I don’t know. All I know is for some reason I feel no discomfort in knowing what she does.”

“Yet you ask us why we have no shame?” Quinny added.

“For you guys yes, but for Blackbast it seems so open and natural, as if it was proper for her to behave in such a way. I look at what she does and think, who cares?”

“Lots of people do,” Breanne remarked. “But I get your point. I suppose it would be cruel to punish her for playing her character, even though she should have thought of that before picking it.”

“Bah, now that she has us, we can do all the work while she sits back with Heather and Frank,” Quinny interjected.

“Please don’t remind me,” Breanne groaned.

Quinny reached over and swatted at her rear, causing Breanne to jump up straight.

“You're the one who agreed to wear that collar, and don't even try to say you weren't hoping to test it out. The second a handsome stranger came in; you went right after him.

“Of course I did; I heard you and Blackbast talking. She said the collar increases sexual pleasure. I happen to be human and enjoy a little intimacy once in a while, and I saw this as my chance to try it. I just wanted to wear it for a few nights,” Breanne said with a hand to her forehead. “I wasn't planning to commit who knows how long.”

“Could be years,” Quinny said.

“Stop saying that,” Heather grumbled. “It isn’t going to be years. The eggs home can’t possibly be that far.”

“Frank was trying to be positive, but you’re only guessing,” Breanne said. “You have no idea how big this world is and how long it takes to cross it by walking. We are going to be paraded across the land with that woman holding our leashes the whole way.”

“At least we get to have fun,” Quinny said.

“What do you mean I get to have fun?” Breanne asked.

Quinny shrugged. “We’re here slave girls. If we come across somebody who wants to sample the goods, we’re the ones she can offer.”

Breanne’s face flushed violet as she trembled at the thought.

“She wouldn’t dare!” she cried and got a firm yank at her collar.

“Quiet back there,” Blackbast called. “Frank and I are trying to enjoy ourselves. We don't need our slaves bickering like little girls.”

Breanne growled and went silent as Heather and Quinny tried not to laugh.

“I don't see why you're laughing,” Breanne said with a glance to Heather. “Aren't you jealous that your back here while she is up there with Frank?”

Heather shrugged, the thought had crossed her mind, but she knew Frank to well. Somehow she just didn't feel threatened by any of it. She wondered if the collar was suppressing her fear and jealousy to make this all easier to accept.

“Everybody knows Heather is Frank’s main squeeze,” Quinny said. “She doesn’t have to compete.”

“Actually I have been thinking about that,” Heather said.

“Oh, don’t start this again,” Breanne groaned. “You promised in the pyramid to let him go. It isn’t fair to play your silly games with him.”

“I wasn’t talking about that,” Heather sighed. “I was thinking of another way to abuse the system.”

“Of course you were,” Breanne groaned again.

“Just listen first before you berate me,” Heather barked. “Gwen gave us those wonderful magical doors right?” She waited for Quinny and Breanne to nod before continuing. “Well one time while in town she took us out to eat and made a joke about Frank and I getting married. She said she would make him a prince if I did.”

“Whoa, what are you saying?” Quinny asked.

Heather took a moment to phrase it correctly so no misinterpretation could be found.

“Gwen is no stranger to bending the rules. She married Finneous just to get the king benefits and allow her to make a full princess. If I marry Frank the same way he will gain all the prince benefits and maybe, a second pair of doors?”

There was stunned silence for a long moment until Breanne finally shook her head.

“And what about how Frank feels?” Breanne asked.

“What do you mean?” Heather asked.

Breanne nearly swatted her in frustration and drew her attention back to the hug in the temple where Frank very clearly said I love you.

“Oh that,” Heather sighed. “I just don’t know.”

“Why do you want a second pair of doors anyway?” Breanne asked.

“To link Blackbasts temple with our lairs,” Heather said. “She is far more organized than me and wants to help. If we had some way to stay close then she could offer a lot more help.”

“Isn’t that using her?” Breanne asked.

“No, she wants to do it, and I would ask her first, no manipulating,” Heather replied and took a moment to think. “Honestly, why can’t I marry all of you?”

“All of us?” Breanne laughed. “What are you talking about?”

Heather shrugged. “Why stop at making Frank a prince to gain the benefits. Why not make you all princesses?”

“Because it’s abusing the system,” Breanne said.

“Gwen doesn’t care, she already abused it herself with Finneous,” Heather argued.

“I understand your logic, but these plans almost never work out the way you expect them to,” Breanne replied and looked at Quinny.  And what about you? You’re being awfully quiet.”

Quinny gave her a wave and looked ahead. “I don’t see the harm in it.”

“So no desire to be married into a real relationship?” Breanne asked with a raised brow.

Quinny shrugged and smiled at Heather. “I wouldn’t say no.”

“Quinny!” Heather gasped. “Are you serious?”

“Why wouldn't I be? You and Frank are two of my best friends, and I love you both. I know you love me because you already admitted it, and I know Frank cares about me too. But I think it's better the way you want it. That way, I can help Blackbast work the temple without hurt feelings.”

“I. I didn’t realize,” Heather began.

“Don’t let it bother you,” Quinny said. “I know your a prude.”

“I am going to accept that remark in this circumstance,” Heather replied. “But your ok with marrying me just to become a princess?”

“Hmm, a princess,” Quinny said as a smile spread on her face. “A princess that is also a passion slave, unable to deny any who desire her. I bet that would get a lot of attention.”

“Is that all that matters to you?” Breanne asked.

Quinny shrugged. “No, but I didn’t come to New Eden to eat brains. I wanted to have fun too. This is a new way to have a lot more of it.”

Breanne rolled her eyes and looked back at Heather. “And I suppose you are including Blackbast in your list of princesses?”

“Why not?” Heather asked.

“She runs a free brothel,” Breanne pointed out. “One she is very active in. Is that really going to be a good princess for Gwen?”

“What am I supposed to say?” Heather said. “I am just trying to think of way to get more magic doors. We can't ask Blackbast to stop doing her job. Look at how naturally she does it. She will only agree to the idea if we were willing to accept she would go on.”

“And you agreed to wear her collar until this silly adventure was over,” Breanne reminded.

“Breanne, I am sorry. I didn’t know she was going to trap you in your words.

“And now you and the horny zombie are her toys.”

“Look whose throwing the word horny around,” Quinny laughed. “You took that guy to a bedroom in under a minute.”

“Will you two stop bickering,” Heather said, trying to keep her voice down. “Will you at least consider marrying me for the title.”

“I don’t need the title,” Breanne argued.

“Breanne, it comes with all sorts of perks, and mom can even protect us.”

“Her name is Queen Gwen,” Breanne corrected.  “And isn’t this exactly what Blackbast is punishing you for? Abusing the system for personal gain? Just because wecould gain some benefit is no reason to make such a superficial commitment. To Blackbast, these sorts of commitments are sacred, and you might want to consider how she sees it.”

Heather shrugged and looked ahead as Breanne held a hand up to shield her from the sun.

“I am going to sunburn terribly,” she said.

“No, you won't,” Heather replied. ‘We all have naked defense. So long as we are mostly undressed, we can't be sunburned. We are more resistant to the heat and cold as well.”

“She said if we got naked, we have even more,” Quinny added.

“Wonderful, if I get too hot, I will just strip off,” Breanne said.

“It’s not like it would take you long,” Heather laughed.

Breanne sighed as they headed for a collection of mesas that rose like red pillars from the desert scrub. They spoke for a while about what had happened and what was in store in the days ahead. Most of all, they talked about the crown and the questions that needed to be answered. In five days, they would face this other, and hopefully, the power of the collar would win out.