Nervous energy rippled through me as I paced the length of my private cell. Dim light filtered from the morning sun. Tipping myself forward I fell onto my palms. Beginning to do push-ups to focus my energy elsewhere but my head. I watched the bottom of my bide rise and fall as I struggled not to think. To lose myself in the rhythm of counting, “One, two, three….”
By the time I broke double digits my mind blazed with a single thought; I’d been summoned by the Legate himself! I was a lowly guard Lieutenant! What could he want with me? The nervousness compounded and I’d hit the triple digits before several knocks came to the door to my cell. A voice demanded, “Lanif Shadesdue! Are you in there?”
“Y-yes!” I stammered and pushed myself back onto my feet. Taking a rag I wiped the sweat off my face. As I opened the door, I saw an upper officer facing me. She wore the red Pin of the Legate’s private forces over her black uniform. Her purple eyes measuring me up. Her gaze narrowed.
“Follow me to the Legate,” she said bluntly. Turning on her heel she began to walk. My eyes drifted to her posterior as she leads the way. Her short skirt and stockings emphasized her strong legs. The barracks were empty at this time of day since it was shortly after shift change so most were busy preparing for sleep or out on patrol.
We reached the central staircase that leads up to where the Legate resided; The top of the tower above our encampment. With every step, my guide’s hips swayed widely. I bit my lip, entranced like a serpent. I regretted as we reached the plateau for the top. My guide knocked and announced my presence.
As the door was pulled inside, I was knocked from my trance. The nervous energy struck me like a physical blow. Stepping inside the Legate’s chambers I was struck by how ostentatious they were. Gold inlays were commonplace on the furniture. Every wall had either a piece of art or an artifact.
I noticed the floor was perfectly polished marble. Seated at a table with game pieces holding down a map was the Legate. Red trim was at every hem of his sheer, black suit. Gloved fingers were wrapped around a goblet of red wine. The exposed skin of his face was weathered, like old ash in the bottom of a burnt out firepit. His dark eyes sent shivers down my spine.
The Legate’s eyes were black, pupil-less and only added to the menace. Two horns curved around his skull to end in golden caps. The door closed quickly behind me and I knelt down, “Lord Legate, you called for me?”
“Yes, I did. Come closer.”
“Yes, your Lordship.”
No sooner had I knelt close enough to see his perfectly polished shoes than I heard the Legate say, “She has a fantastic ass, doesn’t she?”
“Y-yes, your Lordship.”
It was at that point I felt the blood drain from me. Had I just agreed about a crass remark about another soldier? To a superior officer no less? I’d fallen on my face at the start. My career was over. Worse yet, she’d be entitled to recompense for my insult. I’d be poor and on the street.
As my mind reeled in potential endings, I heard the Legate laugh. A harsh pat on my shoulder drew my eyes up. The Legate’s sharp teeth appeared behind his wide grin. He chuckled and looked out the mirror, “Twilight is the ‘City of Three Masks’. Have you ever heard the expression before?”
“No, your Lordship.”
“They say the Laughing Joy of the Church is one. The tears of the common man is the second and the Grimace of the Imperium is the third. Though, I like to think we of the Imperium can crack a joke once in a while.”
“Yes, your Lordship.” I barely held back the tears that I might not end up homeless shortly.
“Now, we lost contact with an informant of ours in the slums. Apparently, he got caught up in some infighting and we assume he’s been killed. The Imperium has spent considerable resources on our rat. I want you to find and apprehend the one who killed him.”
“I understand your Lordship. Do we have any clues?”
“There’s a new informant in the Slums. Head to the Red Square fighting ring on Shimpa street and ask for Eluvia. They’ll provide you details.”
“Yes, your Lordship.” I bowed and turned around to leave.
“Oh, and Lanif?”
“Yes?”
“Don’t screw this up or I’ll have to have an unfortunate talk with Major Blackdust.”
My heart sank and I bowed once more, “Yes, your Lordship.”
Descending the stairs quickly, I hurried out into the main courtyard. Many of my fellow soldiers were hanging around, waiting to be debriefed or finish reporting so they could eat and get some sleep. I was one of the only people heading to the exit and after flashing my own, silver badge was I let out onto the street.
Early morning in the Imperial sector was as orderly as ever. Shippers moved their goods in protected carts. If someone wasn’t moving with a cart, they moved in readily recognizable groups. Some were Nobles surrounded by bodyguards. Others were groups of laborers, recognizable by their simple clothing and tools hanging from their belts. A scant few individuals darted around the groups. Each messenger carrying a pack of missives from one location to the next.
Thick, black walls divided each section of the city. The Crimson armored guards on duty watched but didn’t stop me from passing through the gate to the Slum section. As I passed through, I thought on what the Legate had called this city muttering to myself, “The City of three masks.”
Leaving the logical and perfectly organized section, I entered into the crowded madness that was the slums. Buildings were crammed together where they could fit. There was no uniformity anywhere you looked. The various species mixed, sometimes even in a single being. Half breeds made up a lot of the population.
Clothing varied in tone, color and brightness. Food stalls bustled and the noise could be overwhelming at times. One uniformity, brought by us Drow were the street signs. Each large post-marked and named the roads. Common story has it the Legate had them put up after getting lost one day trying to find a bathroom. The signs weren’t in Traditional Drow undercommon but the more vulgar Common tongue.
It didn’t take long to identify the fighting ring. I need only follow the string of more robust people to the squat building that sat at a branching path. Stepping inside, was the common smell of sweat, blood and musk. People in the middle of training with various weapons, exercises and trainers were all over. A raised platform surrounded by wooden barriers sat center to the room. A loud grunt sent me stepping back.
Lucky I did, as a heavy sack landed where I’d just stood. A large, gruff man with rounded ears and Orange hair spit at me, “What’re you doin’ here, puppy? Hoping to get your ass ripped in two?”
“No, I’m here to speak to Eluvia.”
“That’s my name! Get up and tell me what all this is about!”
Figuring I’d found my informant, I climbed up into the stage. Placing a hand on my hip I explained, “I was told…”
Before I could even finish my sentence a fist grazed my nose. Another swift blow filled my vision. Managing to twist out of the way, I pushed myself back against the barrier. The sneering man gave me a moment before leaning into a new blow and a flurry of jabs from his other fist.
Managing to step in on me, that powerful right hand connected with my gut. Luvia chuckled and lowered his voice, “Thanks, I needed the exercise. The person you’re looking for is an assassin named Eos. Apparently, she took out everyone in the Chained Goddess bar. Swing around Sunless street and talk to the Detective Arcavato. He’s one of two survivors. The other was a halfling slave of the owner, named Meela.”
“Got it, thanks.” I groaned. The hit hadn’t actually been painful so much as perfectly placed to wind me. So it only took a moment for me to recover and climb back out.
Luvia howled as I departed, “See that! Little limp puppy dragging its tail!”
Raucous laughter followed my departure. I would’ve shown him up if I’d had the time but my duty and pay came before my pride. It didn’t take long to find Sunless street. In a cramped cluster of apartments, a street-level sign by the entrance marked the ‘Arcavato investigative services’. Climbing up the narrow stairway lead me to the office fitted out of a regular apartment.
I knocked and a shrill voice announced, “He’s out on a case! Come back later!”
“Could you let me in to wait for him?”
“No. Now go jump off the wall!”
After a breath to calm myself I tried to be civil, “Ma’am! I’m part of the Imperial section of the guards. Please open up and let me wait here for him!”
I heard several loud stomps and the door swung open. An untidy apartment was situated around a small kitchen and a desk but was otherwise unoccupied. A pain in my shin caused me to look down to face a woman who rose to my thighs in height. Her hard, blue eyes glaring up at me.
“Y-you must be Meela.”
That earned me another sharp blow to my other shin. The halfling snarled up at me behind her chestnut curls, “That’s the name that disgusting cunt called me! My NAME is Estace Oarsman!”
“I see. My apologies. Estace, please, may I just wait for Arcavato inside?”
“No! I’m not having some random guard sitting in here while I’m out and I’ll be leaving shortly! So go jump off the wall!” She slammed the door in my face once more. I clicked my tongue and walked back outside. It was clear the Halfling needed a lesson in humility that her time as a slave hadn’t taught her. So, I decided to step outside and pulled out one of the daggers from in my boots. Leaning behind the entrance in the shadows, I waited.
It wasn’t but a few minutes that I saw the Halfling leave. Before I could grab her she shouted out, “Hey!”
She was calling to a woman with black hair. Her silver colored eyes were haunting. She was dressed in layered, gray clothing and a wide-brimmed hat. The new woman smiled softly and held her arms wide. Etace hugged the woman tightly.
“I’m so glad I get to see you again,” The Halfling beamed. Her face showing none of the earlier aggression.
Almost picking up the woman half her size the silver eyed woman giggled, “Well, I have some downtime and I wanted to catch up with you. Plus, I figured you could help me with a problem.”
“Nothing dangerous, I hope.”
“Oh, nothing life-threatening. I just happen to have a bare closet and I’d like to start filling it.”
“Seems a tragedy to cover all you’ve got.”
“You’re so sweet, dear.”
I listened to the women make small talk as they walked. Hand in hand they wound through the crowds, myself not far behind. They eventually came to a two-story, streetside boutique. A ladder lead up to the second floor. Climbing it, I found a relatively bare floor with stalls dividing otherwise unremarkable spots.
My curiosity drew me to look at the holes. Peeking inside one, I gasped softly. Each hole was positioned over a changing room! Some perverts secret pleasure, I was sure. After a moment I recognized a voice enter one of the changing rooms. It was the silver eyed woman!
Unable to resist, I switched holes to see her walk in with several items draped over her arm. She set them aside and then began undressing. I watched as her hat was removed to reveal her long, luscious black hair. Her simple, gray top was next to reveal full, firm breasts. Her skin the color of freshly baked mud while her nipples were wet mud.
Leaning forward, the skirt she wore slid over her wide hips and full posterior. Letting the clothing pool on the floor, she selected a dark purple corset. Sliding it on, she tried pulling on the strings and sighed. Sticking her head out, “Etace, could you help me for a moment in here?”
The halfling strode in and halted for a moment. Slowly lowering herself she asked, “Could you tie the strings? I want to see what this will feel like fully tied on. Etace?” After the second call of her name, the Halfling nodded and her dexterous fingers went to work on tying the strings.
Pulling the corset made the larger woman whimper. Etace bit her lip and pulled again, eliciting another whimper that became a moan. After a final tug, she collapsed against the wall with a gasp. Etace growled, “You’re teasing me.”
“Am I? You did pull this so tight.”
“Yes,” Etace landed a slap on the woman’s ass, leaving a red mark and sending the mass jiggling. A subdued moan came as the Halfling lowered her face. Kneeling on her thighs to keep her pinned, Etace made a loud slurping sound against the woman’s nethers.
The woman gasped and moaned, pushing her hips back. Etace began to lick, slurp and suck harder. More moans came from both. Etace’s small frame let her explore her larger lover from many angles. All while the woman moaned from her throat and turned her face skyward in rapt pleasure. I watched in reverent awe as the two women gasped and whined together. Etace’s frenzied devouring relentlessly making the woman squeal, all while her hand was busy fingering her own need.
I don’t know how long before I noticed a puddle sticking me to the floor. The sticky fluid extending from my stomach to the ground. It came long before the two women collapsed in a gasping heap. Panting, I pulled myself away to slide down the ladder and wait outside.
Etace parted with the woman in front of the boutique. However, I noticed a new set of eyes looking directly at me. Across the road, a woman dressed in a simple, drab gray was staring right eye. She hooked a finger for me to follow.
Had she seen me spying on them? The woman entered an apartment and lead me down into the basement. No sooner had I entered the room that largely only held the water heater, did the door slam shut behind me.
My head snapped around and the Silver eyed woman stood behind me. The woman who had lead me into the trap asked, “Why were you following Eos?”
“Huh? You’re Eos?” I asked in utter amazement of my luck. The silver eyed woman was my target! I looked into her silver eyes and reached into my pocket for my dagger. Only, my body refused to listen. I tried to move at all and I couldn’t.
I felt a soft touch behind my ears as the velvet voice of Eos caressed me, “Yes, I am. Now, you’re going to tell me why you’re after me.”
“I have no reason to… argggghhhhh!”
“Every time you don’t answer, you’ll be hurt. If you don’t answer me enough, you’ll die. Now, why were you following me?”
I didn’t answer and my heart throbbed in pain. She asked again and I choked out amid the blood, “The Legate told me to capture who killed our spy in the Nightsbane family.”
“Is that all? I’m insulted. I put on a show thinking you had a real reason. Kaorin, give me a hand.” Eos must’ve given some signal because the yellow-eyed woman reached into my belt and produced one of my daggers. She then skillfully began slicing my clothing off my body. Warm fingers guided my otherwise frozen body to stand bend over.
Kaorin cleaved through my pants and cut them free, leaving me naked and unable to move before the two women. Eos’ warm fingers wrapped around my manhood. Without thought or listening to my desires one way or another, it began to thicken at her touch. She had absolute control of me and I was stuck fulfilling her whims.
Eos giggled, “Wow, you’ve been blessed with such a cock. Thick, plenty of veins and a nicely narrow head to get really deep. I’m sure your lovers have enjoyed you.” She stroked me as she talked. Unwanted, shameful pleasure building up in my nethers.
A second set of hands, I assume belonging to Kaorin, were placed on my ass. Two fingers traced my rear hole as Eos continued, “And, like I thought, so inexperienced here. Have you even ever touched this?”
Slurping came before I felt an intrusion to my ass. Scream as I did internally, my body was used and refused any command I gave. A single finger pressed inside. Its movements clearly searching for something as Eos’ hands continued to caress my length. Another finger stretched me. If I’d been allowed to, I would have cried as the third finger stretched me painfully. The mixed pleasure and pain fogged my mind until I could take no more. My cock erupted, pouring a pool onto the floor.
I managed to give out a whimper as then I felt something thicked and grooved press into me. This time my body listened to me enough to let me cry out. Whatever was inside me was thick and was pumped loudly. Eos teased, “Mmmm, so cute. Yes, keep going.”
Shamefully, both women teased my nethers till I erupted once more. Never seeing Eos, she whispered to my ear, “Now you have a real reason to hunt me down. And I hope you do so and give me every single inch.” The last words were whispered with lust and a squeeze on my spent cock.
Left alone in the dark, I could only count the moments before my body buckled and I lay spent, in the bottom of a random apartment. My clothes in tatters, I found some leftover coveralls and decided to report back. It was late afternoon. Two of the Crimson guard stopped me at the gate.
Flashing my credentials the guard asked, “You’re Lanif Shadedue. Then you’re forbidden access on orders from the Legate. We were told to give you this letter if you arrived.”
Puzzled, I was handed a missive with the crest of the Legate. Cracking it open, I read the clean handwriting:
Lanif, If you’ve been stopped, that means you didn’t capture the person
you’ve been assigned to. As such, I will be revoking your authority and
clearance to the Imperium section until such time that you do what I
asked. You will find a reduced stipend being sent to you monthly until
you do so. Look at this as a prime opportunity to prove your worth and
bring in a dangerous criminal. Good luck and may the Dark Goddess
watch over you.
Legate Kalein Nightjoy
“How reduced?” I muttered aloud. Looking up, the guard held out two silver coins. Roughly 5% of my normal income. My shoulders slumped and I promised myself, “I’m going to catch her, I’m going to ruin her. I swear it.”
