Chapter 1:
Mentors
Nameless the orphan woke to the familiar sensation of a woman’s moist tongue working over his sandy brown hair. His muddy eyes opened and the five-foot-naught nineteen (almost twenty) year old smiled at Milly, his buxom Minotaur.
At six foot six the blue eyed beauty dwarfed him in size. Her own chocolate coloured hair was tussled around her horns from sleep, though her bed-head did nothing to detract from her loveliness.
She paused in her grooming when she realized that he was awake.
“Good morning Master.” She whispered, returning his smile.
“Morning. What time is it?”
“I don’t know, it’s early. Just after dawn?” She gave his hairline another lick.
Now satisfied with her work she settled her body against his, her head resting on his shoulder and her impressive breasts pressed tight to his right side. They spoke in whispers, not wanting to wake the other girls.
“How long have you been awake?” Nameless yawned, tears welling in his squinted eyes.
“Not long, just enough to fix your hair.”
She ran her hand over his chest and stomach under the covers, while he similarly trailed his fingertips over her naked back.
“Oh is that what you were doing, here I thought you were taking advantage of me in my sleep.” He teased.
Her height put her ass out of reach so he settled for lightly pinching her side to drive home his point.
She let out a surprised moo, and then giggled.
“That tickles!”
“I could spend a lifetime finding all the different ways to tickle you.”
They lay together, half dozing, making loving pillow talk for several minutes.
Eventually Milly propped her chin on his shoulder, looking him in the eyes she traced one finger over the thin scar on his chin.
“Hard to believe you got this only a couple weeks ago.”
His eyes were closed again and he considered going back to sleep as he absently responded.
“Mmmm, it stung like mad, but it was still one of the best days of my life.”
Her smile was radiant, and she bit her lip as her look turned coy. Her finger drew down his chin and over the matching scar on his chest, then much lower until she was lightly stroking the tip of his morning wood.
“Do you want me to take care of this?”
He flinched.
“Ah! No thank you, I’m actually kind of sore.” He said plaintively.
She giggled again.
“I’m not surprised! The last few weeks have been pretty rough.”
Though she was referring to the sex, they had been rough in other ways. In less than two weeks, Nameless had gone from being a lonely uneducated orphan, to being bonded to five monster girls.
On his left, Erica the Katje slept in the arms of Ophelia the Flutterby. While Nina the Gigas, the newest girl, slept on the loveseat in the front room. For some reason she held herself back from sleeping with them.
His fifth girl was absent, them having never even met her before. Her name was Volka, and she had helped him to bring Nina out of the darkness of her own mind. It turned out that Nameless was a rather special orphan: he was an Empath, able to sense the emotions of any monster girl whose heartstone he had touched. With this power he was able to save not only Nina but Erica as well.
Now they all hoped to save Volka.
She wasn’t trapped in her mind like the others, but she was trapped. Though her voice had faded from his mind he could still feel her, a golden flicker guiding him eastward.
Milly’s hand on his cock gave a light stroke.
“Are you sure you don’t want me to suck on it for you?” She whispered as her lip jutted out in an adorable pout.
He chuckled.
“I’m sure. Actually, I do want something…”
“Name it!” She said immediately.
Rather than voicing his desire he pursed his lips out absurdly and made kissing noises while squinting his eyes shut.
Her look turned incredulous at the comical expression on her bond-mate’s face, then she laughed and obliged. Raising up on her arms and straddling him, his erection poking into her stomach as her soft breasts smooshed against his chest.
Still squinting, he couldn’t make out her features as her face hovered over his, so he didn’t see how she bit her lip as she looked upon the love of her life, basking in the sight of him.
He has a silly side that I haven’t seen much of yet…
She leaned down and pressed her lips to his, kissing him repeatedly, tiny noises of suction coming from their lips as warmth flooded her breast. After a minute she pulled back, but he continued to pucker his lips, so with another giggle she kissed him some more.
His hands found the sides of her head, gripping her gently over her floppy ears just below her horns. Their kiss deepened as he abandoned his mocking pose, unable to help himself, he ground his erection against her stomach.
Their tongues grappled and she settled more of her weight on him, resting on her elbows now, gentle lows of pleasure escaping her at the feel of his hardness. They parted again, breathing heavily, his hands still cradling her head.
“Are you sure you don’t want me to…” She trailed off suggestively as she moved her hips in slow circles, teasing his cock with the flesh of her tummy.
He groaned.
“Yeah. I am really sore.” He massaged her ears for several moments, gripping them in his fists near her head and slowly stroking outwards; “Actually, I’m kind of hungry.”
Her eyelids had fluttered closed at the attention he was paying to her ears but she opened them again at his words.
“Oh, so I don’t get to suck you, but you get to suck me?”
Again the adorably pouty lip.
“Life is unfair.” He said tragically.
Her pout changed to a smile before she shifted herself upwards.
“You’ll have to shimmy down a bit. The headboard is in my way.”
He squirmed underneath her while she lifted herself back to give him room. Soon enough he was positioned underneath her chest, her nipples hanging on either side of his face.
“Fresh milk, yum!”
He guided the tip of her right breast to his mouth as she lowered herself again, her flesh pillowing around his face as he began to suckle at her. Her sigh of contentment turned into a low of pleasure as he began to suck in earnest.
Nothing in life was more satisfying for Milly the Minotaur than feeding her loves, which is just as well, because no meal could be more satisfying to them than her milk. As the creamy warmth flooded Nameless’s mouth, Erica’s eyes fluttered open.
“Breakfast?!” She half shouted blearily.
Milly rolled her eyes.
“Of course the kitty wants her cream, well you will have to wait your tu-!”
Her teasing was cut short as she let out another low of pleasure. Nameless had slipped one hand down between her legs and palmed her mound.
Erica arched her back and gave a mighty yawn, her mouth open wide and her feline tongue curling.
“Morning lovers.”
The cat-girl gave her dark-purple hair an expert twist to shift it out of her way as she turned onto one side, her head propped in her hand as her weight settled on her elbow. Now facing them, her back, pert butt and black furred tail were still pressed against the sleeping Ophelia.
“Good moooo-rning.” Milly breathed out as one of their master’s questing fingers slipped inside of her.
There was a muffled wet grunt from under her breast, and Nameless’s other hand snaked out to give Erica an awkward pat on the hip by way of greeting.
She purred and took his hand in hers, greatly enjoying the sight of her bond-sister and her master in each other’s arms.
“Want me to suck you off while you’re having breakfast?” She arched one eyebrow questioningly as she threw the covers down over Milly’s rump.
She directed her question at the side of the Minotaur’s teat as she could barely see her master’s face underneath it.
Milly huffed, rocking herself on his probing finger now.
“No, he’s sore .”
Her pouting tone was undercut by a deep groan as he slipped another finger inside her.
“Shame. Oh well, we have been working him pretty hard. We should save some for Nina.” Her fingers intertwined with his and she started to use her thumb to massage his palm.
Milly didn’t respond, too absorbed by her master suckling her breast while energetically fingering her. She was lowing almost continuously now, her eyes closed and her mouth hanging open as she approached orgasm.
Ophelia stirred, rolling over and hugging Erica, spooning her from behind in her sleep, her folded wings fluttering slightly under the covers.
A sudden urge took Erica and she pulled herself somewhat out of Ophelia’s sleepy embrace and ran her tongue over Milly’s ear, drawing the velvety skin into her mouth and nibbling teasingly.
The effect was immediate and dramatic as Milly came around Nameless’s thrusting fingers, giving one long resonate low of pleasure that filled the room as her sister teased her ear. Nameless didn’t stop working his fingers until his hand began to cramp up, wanting his devoted Minotaur to get every drop of pleasure that she deserved.
Her voice was enough to finally wake Ophelia, who sat up, her violet wings fluttering the blankets off as she gave an elegant stretch, revealing her nakedness to the room. Her translucent skin struck a sharp contrast with Erica’s own rich tan. She looked down on the others with a warm smile.
“Good morning dears.”
“Morning hot stuff!” Erica chirped over her shoulder.
“Good-ah!- morning.” Milly managed.
Her orgasm over she slumped against Nameless, only moving when he began to pat her back in panic and she realized that she was smothering him with her breasts.
“I see you three have gotten an early start, though I also see that our master is more than ready to greet the day!” She leaned over Milly rear-end, her blue-black hair forming a curtain around her face and tickling the Minotaur’s cheeks as the Flutterby spotted his turgid cock between her spread thighs; “Would you like a morning blowjob my love?”
“He’s sore .” Milly and Erica answered immediately and then began to giggle together.
Nameless shifted, patting Milly’s side with his wet fingers.
“Had enough?” She pulled her weight off of him so he could speak.
“Never, but I’m too full now.” He licked around her pert nipple, cleaning up after his meal.
“Good because I’m starving!” Erica said with enthusiasm.
“Just remember to leave enough for Paul, we don’t know how long we’ll be gone, it wouldn’t be fair to him to let the rent slide.” Ophelia chided gently.
“Yeah, but that old farmer is so sweet on Milly I’m sure we’d be okay!”
Milly let out another startled moo as Erica all but leapt over Nameless and gamely flipped her onto her back and settled on top of her, the Katje’s greedy mouth quickly finding her nipple.
“All the same.” Ophelia frowned, her arms crossed.
Erica gave a thumbs-up gesture, eagerly suckling at Milly’s breast.
“We should be okay. We’ve been giving him most of the profits for the last couple days. And we already have enough saved for the trip.” Nameless offered as he sat up and stretched, giving his over-worked hand a shake.
Minotaur milk was a precious commodity, because aside from being delicious, it was very good for speeding the healing of minor injuries, especially broken bones.
Ophelia gave him a kiss, enjoying the sweet taste of her bond-sister’s milk on his lips, her hand running down his chest and finding his softening cock.
“Are you sure I can’t-”
He flinched at her touch.
“I’m sure.”
“Oh dear, you really are sore.”
“I’ll be okay, the milk will help. I’m going to have a shower while Erica finishes her breakfast.”
Just after Nameless got out of bed and went into the washroom Nina wandered in from the front room, at three-foot-nothing she was by far the shortest member of the household.
Rubbing at her eyes with one tiny red fist the Gigas gave a brusque greeting.
“You’re loud.”
“Good morning Nina dear.”
Ophelia’s violet wings gave a single beat of the air to carry her out of bed and land in front of Nina, she then leaned down to give the surprised giant a tender kiss on the lips.
“Don’t any of you have clothes?” Nina groused.
She was taken aback at the nearness of the naked butterfly, though her eyes worked their way over her curves. Unlike the others, she slept in shorts and a baggy shirt.
“We do, but it is nice to sleep naked. It is more intimate and it makes it much easier to do naughty things together when the mood strikes.” Ophelia gave a saucy wink as she ran her hands over Nina’s cheeks.
Nina broke away from her and went to use the bathroom, more flustered than ever. She was inside for only a moment before the girls in the room heard a yelp from Nameless and Nina bolted out again, her red skin darkened considerably in a blush.
“Why is everyone always naked!?” She demanded as she stomped her way back into the front room.
Her bond-sisters couldn’t help but laugh at her discomfiture, though Ophelia at least had the decency to try to hide her mirth.
They went about their morning; a pattern had begun to emerge for the newly minted family, though drinking from Milly before milking her into their six gallon pail was a break from the routine.
While Nina took her shower, Ophelia and Erica took it in turns to brush, dry, and style each other’s tresses in front of their new armoire in the bedroom. They had purchased it just a few days prior for the girls’ use.
“You are going to save me a fortune at the salon in Wayfelt. You have an incredible gift dearheart.” Ophelia sighed happily as she tilted her head side to side to examine her look in the mirror.
Erica had done her dark locks in an elaborate knot at the back of her head, held in place with a couple of strategically placed sticks.
“I don’t know, it’s just something I picked up over the years.” The Katje gave a dismissive shrug.
Milly and Nameless lounged together on the bed waiting for the other girls, their own short hair needing only a quick comb with their fingers, or in his case Milly’s tongue. Neither of them liked to hear Erica sell herself short, and the Minotaur wasn’t about to keep quiet about it.
“Well if you hadn’t than I wouldn’t have been able to make this!”
She slipped one finger into the chocolate coloured braid around Nameless’s neck and gave what, to her, was a gentle tug, nearly pulling the diminutive man over on the bed. Milly had made the braid with her neigh-indestructible tail hair to hold her heartstone for him, its blue light twinkling from between the intricate strands.
“They’re right Erica, you’re amazing.” Nameless voiced his agreement as he adjusted the braid around his neck.
Ophelia turned away from the mirror and planted a quick kiss on the Katje’s nose, being a few inches taller than the kitty all she had to do was lean forwards slightly.
“Right, now how would you like me to do yours?” She raised an eyebrow elegantly.
Still a little embarrassed by all the praise, Erica gave her head a shake.
“I don’t know, surprise me?”
Ophelia shifted around behind her and Erica sat on the little stool, unable to stop herself from purring as the older girl massaged her scalp and ran her fingers through her hair, searching for inspiration.
“Mmm, well, I don’t have your skill, so maybe just twin tails below your ears?” She gathered most of Erica’s hair into a great handful as she purse her lips in thought; “No, I can do a nice braid down your back at least.”
Erica’s eyes flew open at a sudden thought.
“Tails! Definitely tails!”
Ophelia looked a bit skeptical as their eyes met in the mirror.
“Are you sure dearheart? It’s not very elaborate.”
“Yeah but…” Erica shuddered and licked her lips; “Handles.”
The Flutterby was confused for a few seconds before her eyes widened in realization and she too gave an aroused shudder, her hands finding Erica’s ears and giving them a vigorous massage for several seconds.
“Oh you are a handful aren’t you kitty?” She leaned down and kissed the top of her head.
Erica purred while Milly and Nameless shared a confused shrug on the bed.
Nina came out of the washroom at that point roughly drying her own short red hair with a towel much too large for her. She was clad now in a more rugged pair of shorts and a black tank top, the toned muscles of her shoulders and upper arms naked to their gaze.
“Want us to do something with your hair Nina?” Erica asked as Ophelia set to work with a comb.
“Like what? Eat it? It’s just hair.”
They were all pretty sure that Nina wasn’t trying to be rude, but she was really good at it nonetheless…
Soon enough they were all washed and clothed, and were loading up their little cart with the milking pail to bring to Paul’s barn to be bottled. While Milly hoisted the pail into place, the farmer in question arrived, a few of his Cockatrices in tow.
“Ho the house! You lot enjoying the morning?”
“Hello Paul! Yes, quite a lot actually.” Milly said with a bright smile.
If the Minotaur had to list her favorite humans in the world, Paul Fletcher would come in second to Nameless. The old farmer had been nothing but kind and gracious to her since the day they met and she had grown to love him dearly.
“Ha! I’ll bet! Well, I’m just passing through. The girls are so antsy these days with that Dragon around they need several good walks a day to keep them from vibrating all their feathers off!”
“Oh dear, will they be alright?” Ophelia asked.
“Sure they will! My brave little hens ain’t afraid of nothin’!”
Contrary to his words the flighty Cockatrices looked ready to bolt at any sudden noises, their wide eyes rolling in their heads as they scanned for hints of danger.
“I’ll bet.” Erica said, though her voice sounded unconvinced.
“Is Sadie up yet?” Nameless asked.
“I don’t think so. Xalanth is, though I honestly don’t know if she even sleeps!”
He gave a wave as he continued on his walk.
Sadie Essig was another Empath and had come to meet him when she learned of his existence several days ago. As far as any of them could tell, Xalanth had simply carried the white-haired woman in her arms and flown her to Paul’s place.
They had a somewhat busy morning; they bottled the milk and brought it to market, then spent some time browsing the various stalls and shops after it all sold, buying anything they thought they might need and a few things that they just plain wanted.
They stopped for a quick lunch at Tom Loskins’ bakery, his daughter Cordelia quickly turning pink and fleeing into the back. Though Tom had been kind to him in the past, his daughter had been quite cruel and when Erica first met her she had given her an earful.
Tom merely shook his head at his daughter’s strange behavior as he took their order. As they ate, Nameless took a moment to again focus on Volka in his mind.
Even though he knew she wasn’t in any danger it had been a frantic couple of days. They were all eager to set out and had worked hard to finish thatching the roof and to make the necessary preparations to leave.
It was because of their frantic preparations that they decided to take a break later that afternoon, especially after Sadie had informed them that she would be leaving the next day when they were returning from the market.
The two Empaths sat on Nameless’s shaded porch, the sun hot in the sky. While they conversed they watched Milly, Erica and Ophelia in the field. Milly was happily grazing in the warm light, her jaw moving at a placid pace as she sat on her thighs in the long grass. Ophelia flew in loopy circles overhead, her diaphanous gown flowing behind her as she enjoyed the sun on her wings.
Meanwhile, Erica was hunched not far from Milly, her wide-eyed gaze locked on the circling Flutterby. The only movement from her was the occasional flick of an ear and her tail swishing behind her.
“Four girls, and a fifth out there somewhere. I would say that you are a lucky man, but honestly it sounds exhausting.” Sadie commented with a slight shake of her head.
She was wrapped in a light shawl, her eyes half closed in the warmth of the afternoon, though the Katje’s behaviour had caught her attention.
Remembering how sore his privates were that morning, Nameless couldn’t help but admit that she had a point.
“Do you have any advice?”
In the days since he rescued Nina from her darkness Nameless and the older Empath had grown closer and he greatly valued her opinion.
“Heavens no! I have never been with anyone other than Xalanth!”
“R-really?”
“Does she seem the type to share?” She chuckled.
“Er, no I suppose not.”
Nameless watched as Erica got up from her crouch and began to stalk Ophelia, freezing every time she thought she might have been spotted.
“What do you know of Dragons?” Sadie inquired, her eyes open now.
“Just that they are very strong and I guess they really like hoarding treasure.” He replied absently.
His focus was on his Katje’s predatory behaviour.
She nodded at his words.
“You are partly right, they are amongst the most powerful of beings, but as for the treasure, well, Dragons have no use for material things like gold or baubles.”
“Oh, the stories always talk about how protective they are of their treasures…”
His voice trailed off as Erica froze again; her legs shifting underneath her, tamping the ground down to get a good grip. Ophelia had swooped over that spot several times in her somewhat random flight.
“She is really protective of you… wait, are you her, um, treasure?” He managed to tear his attention away from his bond-mates as he made the connection in his mind.
“Very good, my friend. And she guards me most jealously! Don’t think that I resent it though, the love of a Dragon is no minor thing!”
Sadie allowed him a few moments to absorb the implications. Her attention on Erica again, who was gathering herself to do something drastic.
“Dragons are capricious to be sure, proud and dangerous. And when a Dragon bonds with someone all of that intensity focuses on protecting, and enjoying, her bond-mate. As an Empath you must be cautious if you ever encounter an unbonded Dragon, she would likely try to collect you and I’m afraid that they aren’t the kind to share their wealth with other girls-”
Her voice cut off as Ophelia swooped near Erica who then flung herself upwards with incredible dexterity. The winged girl gave a startled half-scream as the Katje collided with her mid-air, wrapping all four of her limbs around her legs and pulling her to the ground below. The pair was quickly lost to sight as they tumbled into the waist high grass.
Milly jaw stopped working as she stared in astonishment at her bond-sisters, then she shrugged and returned to her grazing with a happy moo.
Great peals of warm laughter erupted from Sadie as she listened to Erica and Ophelia wrestling on the ground. The Katje’s attack was expected, but no less entertaining to witness.
“Like I said, exhausting!”
Nameless blushed but didn’t really understand why. Ophelia’s high-voiced protestations to Erica went unheard as the Katje continued to buffet her with all four limbs, playfully wrestling with her prey and alternating between growling menacingly and purring.
Xalanth and Nina came on to the porch from the direction of the pond. They had taken a liking to each other, though that might have more to do with being two of the most powerful beings within a thousand miles than any shared interests...
“What has transpired?” The Dragon rumbled, her gaze scanning for danger in the field.
“Ophelia is being ravished by a terrible beast, while we are watching helplessly.” Sadie spoke lightly.
Xalanth’s neck nearly snapped with the speed she turned her head to look at her lover.
“My lady? Are you well?”
“With you nearby, how could I not be?” Sadie fixed her ardent gaze on the armoured woman.
Nameless didn’t even think a Dragon could blush.
The time spent on Paul’s farm had clearly been good for Sadie’s health: her cheeks were rosy, her eyes were bright and she was giving the Dragon more than a few hinting looks.
Nina looked between the two then shrugged and set her hammer down before hopping into Nameless’s lap. She shifted her tiny butt on his groin until she was comfortable and his penis was beginning to harden.
“Try to contain yourself. I just needed a place to sit.”
Despite her words she smiled privately at his obvious arousal.
They sat together in silence for several minutes. Ophelia and Erica’s impromptu wrestling match had apparently ended, although the couple had yet to emerge from the long grass. There were more than a few giggles heard from where they had landed.
Finally Sadie broke the silence, Xalanth had settled onto the porch beside her.
“My dear Dragon, would you be so kind as to join me for a walk?”
Her tone was artful, guileless… and full of heat.
“Of course!” Xalanth replied immediately, her voice much higher than usual. She coughed to regain her composure; “Of course, milady.”
They got up and left, wandering into the field past Milly and the pair in the grass, heading towards the massive tree at its center.
Nina snorted.
“I get the impression those two haven’t ‘gone for a walk’ in a long time.”
Nameless gave an awkward shrug, unsure what to do with his arms now that Nina sat in his lap.
“Miranda should be back tomorrow shouldn’t she?” She asked.
Miranda was an Aegis operative that had helped them in the past, and after it was discovered that he was the only Empath able to use his powers, she and her three bond-mates had been assigned to protect him.
“I think so, I don’t know how much supplies she plans on bringing, but Wayfelt is only a few hours walk from here.”
There was a long pause, during which Ophelia and Erica emerged from the grass, picking shoots from each other’s hair.
“Erica told me that you and Milly ran there to save her when she was a Tenebrae?”
“Er, well… Milly ran, I was too tired and had to ride in the cart.”
“Heh, weakling.”
Nameless squirmed in discomfort. His time spent in Nina’s mind, and his connection to her heartstone, told him that she didn’t mean it in a bad way, but still…
Nina huffed her annoyance at her restless perch.
“Hold still, or are you trying to get off on my butt?”
He was saved from trying to stammer out a response by Milly coming onto the porch, she had finally eaten her fill. She leaned into him and gave him a couple of affectionate licks across his cheek and hairline, then turned and gave Nina the same treatment, much to the tiny giant’s chagrin.
“I still don’t get the licking.” She muttered.
“Ready to try on your new shoes?” He asked his loving cow.
“Oh! Yes please!”
He had picked up the shoes from Rory the local blacksmith several days prior and they had sat in a corner ever since, still in the wooden box.
Several minutes later they were all gathered in the living room while Nameless fiddled with Milly’s feet.
“How’s that?”
Nameless gave one last adjustment to the ankle straps on the metal shoes. He originally thought that they would nail to her hooves, like a horse, but Paul had simply given him a level glare when he mentioned it.
“Perfect, Master!” The Minotaur exclaimed.
“Well, give them a try then.” Erica told her with just as much excitement, she had always worried about her sister’s feet.
With one hand on each of Nameless’s shoulders Milly hefted herself on to her hooves. She tottered a few steps past him… and then promptly fell over on one of the love seats.
Unfortunately it was already occupied, and Ophelia gave an indignant squawk at the sudden weight of the six foot six cow girl.
Nameless winced, Erica let out a quick laugh before stifling it with her hands and Nina rolled her eyes with a huff of impatience.
“I am so sorry!” A blushing Milly stammered.
She tried to lift herself up off of the Flutterby, but struggled with the softness of the plush cushions. Ophelia’s face was smooshed in between the cow’s large breasts and so her conciliatory reply was muffled by tit-flesh.
“Ah! Sister, that tickles!” Milly giggled, still working to keep her weight off of the smaller girl.
Ophelia murmured something again, this time her tone was questioning. Milly’s only response was a giggle then a deep low at whatever Ophelia was doing underneath her.
Nina huffed again, crossing her arms over her chest.
“Seriously? We have shit to do! Didn’t you and Erica just get off in the field? How can you be ready for more already?”
Milly finally managed to roll off of the rumpled Flutterby who pulled her deft fingers from the cow’s now-unbuttoned jean shorts and turned to give the Gigas a kind look.
“Quite simply, dearheart: love.” The elegant woman answered as she sat up and smoothed out her gown then slipped a single moist digit between her lips to lick off her bond-sister’s juices; “When you are in love, sex with a lover is a beautiful thing and can be quite irresistible.”
She ran her hand over Milly’s cheek affectionately, and then leaned in for a quick kiss which the Minotaur happily returned. A few tender moments later they parted, heat in their eyes. Ophelia shook her head to clear the haze of desire.
“But you are right. We do have things to do. And the first seems to be getting our bond-sister used to her new footwear!”
Milly blushed deeply and Erica shrugged.
“Well, really, what do we have left? We’ve packed our bags, and we have everything that Paul suggested we bring. All we need is the old hag and her sluts to get back from Wayfelt with their crap and we can leave, right?”
Nameless winced at her harsh words; the Katje and the Aegis operative really didn’t get along.
“We still need to close up the cottage, there is no telling how long we’ll be gone. We should bring in the panels for the solar stove, and make sure the cistern… is… sealed.” He trailed off at their grinning faces; “What?”
“Nothing dear, you just sound so very responsible. ”
“Yeah baby, you know I love it when you take charge.” Erica’s eyes were hooded as she purred.
“Oh come on! Don’t you people ever get enough?”
Nina stamped one tiny foot and one of the floorboards gave a sharp crack as it broke under her incredible strength.
A silence filled the room until Erica, ever tactful, spoke her mind.
“Nina, it’s been a couple days since you bonded, how come you haven’t taken a turn on our man’s meat pole yet?”
Nina’s red skin darkened in a blush. Her jaw worked in frustration as she glared at the Katje before abruptly stomping out of the room.
“Was it something I said?” Her brow furrowed in puzzlement.
Nameless sighed. With everything that had been going on, from getting the roof done to preparing for their journey, he and Nina hadn’t had a chance to be intimate. Or rather, Nina had held herself back while he had been intimate with the others.
It didn’t help that he had no idea how to broach the subject with her; his other girls were all quite vocal and even aggressive about sex, but Nina was uncharacteristically bashful and he had no idea why.
“Don’t worry Master, I’m sure it will be alright.”
Milly pulled him into a hug, nestling his head between her soft breasts, it was his favorite place in the world to be.
“We will talk to her, dearheart. In the meanwhile we really do need to get things squared away here, the plan is to leave as soon as Miranda shows up tomorrow right?”
“Not just Miranda, that Amazon, um… Yana? She said that she and her warriors would come with us as far as Bramblewood.” Nameless said with a shrug.
The Amazons made him nervous; nearly as strong as Milly and far more dangerous, the militant girls had a reputation for war and violence. It certainly didn’t help that his first encounter with one nearly ended with him having his head torn off.
“I suppose, they must want to give you some kind of honour-guard. When you saved Nina you made quite the impression on them dear.” Ophelia smiled at him.
The unassuming man was uncomfortable with all of the praise and attention and he didn’t really know how he was supposed to respond to it.
“W-Well, anyways, let’s get to work.”
Several hours later, and with the cottage finally ready for their absence, Nameless left the girls inside and went to sit by the pond for a rare private moment, which is where Paul found him in the evening.
“You still totin’ those hearts around in your bare hands like a damn fool?” The old man said by way of greeting.
“N-No, I put them in here.”
Nameless held up a repurposed coin purse that held Erica, Nina, and Ophelia’s heartstones.
Paul shook his head and muttered under his breath.
“Hellfire boy, they ain’t marbles… Here-” The old man handed him a simple leather bracer with a curved metal plate on it that had several rounded indentations in it; “-don’t know where that Clint idiot scored himself a Witch-charmed bracer but he, uh, ‘forgot it’ in my barn while we were talking. You put a girl’s heart in one of them slots and only you or she can remove it. It ain’t fancy, and no doubt the girls deserve something prettier, but it will keep ‘em safe when you’re in the wilds.”
Nameless stammering out his gratitude.
“Bah! It’s not like I paid anything for it! And it’s more for them than for you. It makes my teeth hurt the way you treat those hearts sometimes.”
As he accepted the bracer from the old farmer, Nameless noticed that his arms had several nasty scratches on them.
“Are you alright?” He gestured with the bracer at Paul’s injuries.
The farmer brought one forearm up, then squatted down and joined the young man on the ground.
“Yeah, I just gave the hens some news they didn’t like.”
Not wanting to pry, Nameless just waited for the kindly old man to continue.
“I’m old, Nameless. Feel it in my bones, even with Moon-Pie’s milk helpin’.” He sighed; “Which is why I have a favour to ask of you.”
“Anything.” Nameless responded immediately, his eyes on the man’s face.
Paul looked out over the water, needing a moment before he continued.
“I know you got a full plate, especially with all this ‘Empath’ business, but I’d like for you to look after my flock when I’m gone.”
“Oh! Um...”
Nameless was more than a little surprised and uncertain what to say.
“They know you, and they trust you. None of my regular hands have the patience to manage them and I worry for the little cuties. They’re one of the most naïve breeds I’ve ever encountered, and honestly many people feel they’re more trouble than they’re worth. Mind you I’m not asking you to bond with them! Just… look after them, and if you can find them someone who might be worthy of ‘em...” Paul gave a shake of his head; “Take some time and talk it over with your girls, taking on a Cockatrice flock is a helluva chore afterall!”
Nameless simply nodded, realizing that Paul was right. He couldn’t agree to this without the girls weighing in on it, especially after he bonded with Nina without talking with them first.
“I will Paul, we’ll talk about it. Just… don’t go anywhere anytime soon okay?”
He couldn’t help but swallow at the sudden lump in his throat.
Paul Fletcher had been a major influence on him in recent years: helping him find work when he couldn’t on his own, teaching him how to care for Milly, and ultimately being an endlessly reliable font of wisdom for the often clueless orphan.
In many ways he was the closest thing Nameless had to a father.
Paul gave him a gruff slap on the back.
“Don’t get soft on me boy! I ain’t about to call it quits yet. Just want to be ready for when I do.”
Nameless nodded mutely.
Paul sighed and fetched out his pipe, banging it out against a rock before filling it again.
“Yeah, I ain’t going nowhere until I find out how this adventure of yours turns out. Which reminds me” Paul turned and gave him a stern look; “Don’t you go an’ get yourself done in neither!”
Nameless nodded again.
“I won’t, I promise.”
“Thing is boy,” Paul continued seriously; “You got a protective streak in you about a mile wide. That scar on your chin is proof of that! Sadly you didn’t get any sense of self preservation to go along with it. Moon-Pie wasn’t in any danger from that idiot’s whip, but you stepped in front of her anyways, and that is all well and good in the middle of civilization, but out in the wilds it’ll only put you, and your girls, in more danger.”
Nameless wanted to argue but he knew that Paul was probably right so he simply listened.
The farmer struck a match with his thumb and lit his pipe, taking several hearty puffs to get the tobacco to catch.
“It’s a hard thing to watch someone you love face danger, even harder when you know you can’t do a damned thing to help them! Just promise me that you won’t go rushin’ in trying to save some girl who don’t really need savin’.”
“I promise.” Nameless repeated.
Paul gave a jerky nod.
“Good, so long as you use your brain for something other than keepin’ your ears from whistlin’ you’ll be fine. Now get some sleep, or whatever sleep you can with those girls all over you! I’ll see you off in the morning.”
With that he got up and, smoking his pipe, wandered back into the grass towards the path home.
“Goodnight Paul.” Nameless said quietly.
The conversation with Paul had a profound effect on Nameless and he considered the implications of it as he got to his feet and walked back to the cottage.
He had barely gotten through the door though when his Katje promptly kicked him back out again.
“Sorry lover, us girls are having a private talk.” She said as she shut the door in his face.
His startled expression gave way to a wan smile as he settled on the porch to wait.