"Daria, the Warrior Queen" (closed to current writers)

[SandS13]

Meara heard everything but it was as if she had left her body and was hearing it at a distance. She was warm with embarrassment, in shock that Daria had let her speak in front of all the nobles and even more in shock that she had taken her advice.

She was confused as Daria spoke of indentured work force but she said nothing. She feared she had already said too much.

With grace and diplomacy, Daria offered the young woman a job in her staff. Meara felt her heart melt. For all her fierceness Daria was a kind and fair ruler. She did seem to want to do what was best for her people.

When Daria turned to look at her, smiling Meara had to resist the urge to kiss her. Meara bowed her head. "You are a fair better ruler than any that I know of. That is beyond what I- and I have no right to make such rulings - it is more than they had ever expected when they came here to petition you."

She bit her lip. She was matching Daria's volume and so continued to whisper. "You flatter me mistress by allowing me to speak so out of turn."

 

[PennySaver]

"You are to speak truthfully to me when questioned, Meara," Daria said, still barely above a whisper. "Speak to me from your heart, and forever you will make me happy."

She returned to her seat and looked to the Commander, the latter of whom called out over the crowd, "Bring the next petitioner forward."

From the far end of the hall, a man in his early 20s flanked by two Castle Guards marched tentatively down the red carpet toward Daria. At the base of the dais, he dropped to his knees, spoke his name as David the shoemaker's apprentice of Harldon, and immediately tried to spout out his respect for the Queen as the previous girl had, but his nervousness and less familiarity with the workings of court only had him tripping over his tongue.

"Why have you come before me this day, David the shoemaker?" Daria asked.

"I am here to find a girl," he said, his eyes down but his voice loud enough for all to hear, adding, "To be my wife."

There was a roll of laughter through the Great Hall, which ended when Daria held up her hand. She asked with a touch of humor, "Do you have a particular girl picked out, young David, or will any old girl do?"

"Anyone will do, Mistress," he answered, leading to another roll of laughter. After Daria again silenced the crowd, he added, "I would like that she be pretty enough not to scare the children she'll bear me in the years to come--"

Yet again, laughter and a subsequent signal from Daria, followed by him continuing, "--but I would more happily settle for one who would hold me close on cold nights … would help me with the sheep shearing and let me help her with the spinning … who would, as I said, bear me children … young ones who would love me and her, who we could love and cherish and raise to be loyal servants to our Mistress, the Warrior Queen Daria."

Daria was amused by the young man, as were many of the higher classed men and women in the crowd who saw him as little more than a jester. Daria asked, "And if I was to help you find this girl for whom you seek, what could you offer me for this service … and what could you offer her as a husband. You say you have sheep...? You are a successful shepherd then, with a big flock that will support all these many children, yes?"

He didn't answer but instead lowered his eyes to the floor again. The Commander insisted he answer the question, and the man tentatively said, "I have two sheep, Mistress."

Daria laughed. "How are you going to raise a flock to support this family you wish to create with only one ram and one doe, David the shoemaker, let alone repay me for my help in finding you this bride and mother to be?"

Barely above a whisper, the man admitted, "They are both bucks."

Enough of the crowd heard his confession to laugh, and slowly the man's confession was passed back through the uppity types, causing a slow role of laughter from front to back of the crowd. Daria felt sorry for David, but she was also intrigued by his boldness in coming to her. She looked to Meara again and asked, "So … do we help this young man...? And … if we do, what do we do for him?

 

[SandS13]

Meara's heart went out to the man. She stepped close to Daria and whispered. "Why is he petitioning for help? Are there no women where he lives? He is a shoemaker and that says he has a job, a livelihood. Perhaps he is just in a place were there are not many women his age or of an age to marry?"

Her eyes lifted to where the man knelt.

 

[PennySaver]

"That's a very good question, Miss Meara," Daria said, not loudly but not in a whisper either. "Why don't you ask him?"

Daria could see that her young advisor was hesitant to do as suggested, but the Queen insisted she do it and the question was asked. The young man became even more nervous and was quiet a moment, contemplating his answer.

"No father from my village will consent to permitting me to court his daughter, Mistress … Miss," he replied, addressing both Daria and Meara. He went silent again, then cleared his throat. "I have three older brothers … and … they … must I tell this, Mistress? It is embarrassing--"

"Did you yourself do something wrong and shameful, David," Daria cut in, "or did your brothers do something wrong and you are sharing a shame for which you are not responsible?"

He explained that his brothers had each gotten a girl pregnant out of wedlock and refused to do the right thing for her and her child. He swore, "I would never do such a dishonorable thing, Mistress … but … no man will take that risk with me."

Again Daria looked to Meara, this time playfully shrugging her shoulders at the girl. She leaned closer, gesturing her lover to lean in close. Then, with her mouth close to Meara's ear Daria whispered, "I so badly want to get naked with you, so … make this quick if you please."

She pulled back, wearing the most devilish expression as she announced to the crowd, "Miss Meara has a ruling on this petition."

 

[SandS13]

Meara was shocked that this man was being punished for his brother's behaviour. She shivered as Daria's breath tickled her ear. Her words stirred Meara's arousal.

"You should to be punished because your brothers are brutes and men of no honour. You are trying to better your life and it is cruel that your brothers are such disgraceful examples of your family name. Help should be given."

She looked at Daria. "Send him to join the army to repair boots perhaps. There are many women he would meet, a chance to be himself and not burdened by his brother's shame. He could earn his keep and hopefully settle down with someone."

 

[PennySaver]

"Send him to join the army to repair boots perhaps," was Meara's decision.

Daria smiled, even chuckled at the ingenious idea. She looked to the man and asked, "Would that suit you, David the shoemaker."

He looked a bit confused, asking, "How will that aid me in finding a wife?"

But Meara had the answer, responding, "There are many women he would meet, a chance to be himself and not burdened by his brother's shame. He could earn his keep and hopefully settle down with someone."

Daria looked back to the petitioner and, after a moment, saw a bit of realization in his expression. She asked him, "Can you repair the boot of a soldier who has marched all day and may have to march again after just four hours sleep."

The man didn't hesitate to respond proudly, "Both boots, and his tent mate's pair too, Mistress."

Daria smiled at the man's confidence. She looked to the Commander, who repeated the thunk of his staff on the dais. She stood yet again and called out, "Scribe!"

An older man in a simple monk's habit stood from his little desk, off the side of the dais, responding, "Yes, Mistress."

"You will record this," Daria began in her formal voice. She asked the young man's surname, which was Restone, then told the scribe, "You will record that this young man, whose name will from this point be David Pilaremar--"

Pilaremar was the rough translation for the word bootmaker in one of the far north tribal areas that had joined the House of Baeran in those earliest days of Daria's control. She continued regarding the man, "--is to be commissioned as bootmaker to the 3rd Legion in East Translyck. He is to be paid immediately the purchase cost of a pilaremar cart, complete two mules to pull it and all the needed supplies to tend to the brave fighting men of the 3rd."

She asked the young shoe maker if he could read, to which he gave a tentative positive answer. Glancing to her right at Meara for a moment, then continued, "David Pilaremar, you will use the Legion's Post to report on your work every ten days, to show that you are worthy of this opportunity … and … you will post those letters to the person who has given you this opportunity … Miss Meara."

Daria looked to her lover and -- knowing what Meara was thinking -- whispered, "You will learn to read his letters … and you will learn to respond to them as well."

To the Scribe she finished, "After three months, if you have proven yourself to Miss Meara, she will ensure that your pay is sufficient for you to pursue a wife and family … and if you are fortunate to find someone to love you and who will love you in return..."

As she'd spoken those words, Daria looked off at Meara again, then turned back to finish, "...Miss Meara will endeavor to find you a shop in a village or town or back here in the Capital in which you and your family can prosper in happiness. Is this acceptable, David Pilaremar."

The young man practically tripped over his tongue as he rapidly began thanking the two women. Daria called out that she would be continue giving audience to petitioners the next day, then turned and took Meara by the hand, telling her with humor, "If it is acceptable to you, Miss Meara, I would like to take you to your new bed chamber, remove your clothes, and make love to you until long after dark."

 

[SandS13]

Meara wanted to remind Daria that she could not read but Daria was one step ahead of her, whispering her assurance that Meara would learn. She wanted to then question Daria’s thought about having her help find him a shop. She didn’t know this city or the people and she held no power. It was not something to bring up now though.

The young man seemed overwhelmed, a feeling Meara understood completely. Daria adjourned the day and took Meara’s hand.

A blush, deep red like her dress rose up from her neck to her forehead. “Of course, mistress.”

The door was barely closed before their hands were roaming over each other’s bodies. Clothes were discarded and smooth skin slid against smooth skin.

Meara learned just how soft and welcoming the bed was as Daria pushed her down and began to work her body into heights of passion. Meara was eager to return the pleasure.

She nuzzled against Daria’s freshly shaved mound before her mouth claimed Daria’s clit and she caused her lover to climax over and over again.

They laid in each other’s arms, warm and comfortable together. Food and drink was brought in for them. In robes they ate and talked about tutors, how Meara would learn to read and write. Meara expressed a desire to learn all she could about the area. She wanted to learn about maps and geography though she didn’t know to call it that.

The curly haired woman pulled Daria back to bed, kissing her deeply as her fingers delved into the queen’s depths. She wanted to hear Daria cry out in passion. She planted kisses up and down her body once she had. Her tongue bathed her nipples. Meara let out a gasp as Daria’s hands held her, turning her smoothly in the bed. Meara’s legs wrapped around Daria’s body as the queen pressed her body against hers.

Eventually, the pair laid in each other’s arms and kissed softly. “You gave me a great honour today. I am just a farm girl. I know nothing of diplomacy..but you knew that.” She worried her lower lip as she warred with whether or not what she was about to ask was permitted. “Mistress, will you tell me about your childhood? I know nothing about you.”

Meara’s eyes lifted to look at Daria, innocent and curious.

 

[PennySaver]

Making love with the new and improved Meara was one of the greatest experiences of Daria's life. The Queen couldn't get enough of the freshly shaven body of the young woman; she caressed or kissed nearly every square inch of the former slave, from neck to toes, and when she put her mouth to the folds between Meara's thighs, she almost didn't leave there even after she'd driven her lover to three separate orgasms.

And, of course, Meara caused Daria similarly euphoric pleasure. The Mistress of the Northlands had always thought the no woman would be able to do to her what Meeka had done, but Meara had proved Daria wrong. The skill with which the teenage village girl worked her clit and lips was like nothing Daria had ever imagined, and with her own desire to please Meara, that skill and desire resulted in the two of them making love to one off and on, again and again and again for almost six hours without leaving the bed except to retrieve a new wine bottle or delicious morsel from a food tray or pee.

“You gave me a great honour today," Meara told Daria after the two of them had ended their love making marathon and curled up in one another's arms. "I am just a farm girl. I know nothing of diplomacy … but you knew that.”

"I know what you do know, Meara," Daria said, pulling the younger woman tighter to her. "You know what it means to be a farm girl … to be a peasant. The Nobles … the Royals … they rule over the peasantry, they make decisions, big and small alike, that affect them in ways that they themselves couldn't possibly understand because they have never lived the peasant life..."

Daria went quiet a moment, remembering how she'd treated Meara that first day when the Black Army had attacked and destroyed the girl's home village of Greendale. She said with a tone of regret, "I have ruled in that way at times. I have made decisions that affected peasants in ways that changed their lives forever … or … or ended them … without my knowing who those people were … what they wanted from life … how they loved their children … or made love to their husbands or wives."

Getting back to her point and trying to forget how she'd ripped Meara from her family, her neighbors, and her home, Daria continued, "I trust your diplomacy toward an old man with a broken leg or a young man with an empty heart more than I trust the Lord or Lady to whom they serve."

Daria maneuvered Meara to allow her to look into the girl's face. "Do you know why I entertain petitions from the peasantry, Meara? Most Royals don't. Most Royals give audience to the nobility only, leaving the peasantry to take their issues to their Lord or Lady. Do you know what the result of that is...? The Royal only ever hear the petitions of the Nobility. They never hear the complaints, requests, beggings of the peasantry. How is a Royal to understand the hardships of their lowliest citizens if they never see or speak to them?"

Daria took a moment to retrieve a glass of wine sitting nearby and fill her mouth. She leaned in, pressed her mouth to Meara's, then parted her lips; wine escaped their poorly matched mouths and ran down the girl's cheeks to her neck and clavicles. Daria laughed, kissed Meara again, then set to licking the thick, purple liquid from the girl's body.

“Mistress, will you tell me about your childhood?" Meara asked while Daria's tongue -- finding no more wine -- found a pert nipple instead. "I know nothing about you.”

Daria had moved into between Meara's parted thighs as her mouth explored the younger woman's lean, curvy torso. Pressing one side of her face in between the girl's firm breasts and wrapping her arms around and her hands beneath Meara's torso, Daria made herself comfortable as she contemplated the question for a long moment.

"My earliest memory is of my mother's death," she began with a solemn tone. "I was 6 years old."

She hesitated before continuing, maneuvering her body between Meara's parted thighs for more comfort; she could feel the warm wetness of the girl's pussy against her waist, and she liked it.

"My mother had had three boys before I was born, which had made my father a very happy man," she went on, a touch of joy in her voice, a tone which would fade as she went. "He, my father, was the latest and -- as if would be -- the last king in a long line of kings that reached back to the greatest king of them all, Baeran the Bold, for whom my House is named.

"Baeran the Bold, like you, Meara, was a great diplomat," Daria continued, looking up into the girl's face for a moment before kissing a breast and returning to her previous position of comfort. "He had a superior army that conquered great swathes of the World Known, but he'd taken control of nearly as much land without bloodshed as well. He married his sons and daughters -- he'd had 14 by way of 3 wives and a concubine -- to the Royals and Nobles of other lands, and when those couples had children, their new lands became part of the Realm that belonged to Baeran or his descendants.

"Baeran the Bold had had a granddaughter named Daria … my namesake," she went on as she slipped out from between Meara's legs to lay next to her; she wanted to look into the girl's eyes as she spoke of her ancestry and what they'd been through. "Daria had been a great warrior, and she had led forces into battle … but … because she was little more than a woman, she'd been prevented from wearing the crown, even after several deaths of siblings and cousins left her as the next Baeran in the lineage.

"She'd been an incredible woman, though … intelligent, innovative, charismatic. Under her, more than 80% of the walls surrounding Castlemont were begun and started, finally making the city secure against invasion or raids or whatever danger might come. Because of her leadership here in and around the City, the army was able to go out into the field in force, leaving very few soldiers behind to protect the capital … and soon, the whole of the continent was part of the Realm."

Daria suddenly laughed and pointed out, "I'm a little off topic. I believed you asked about my childhood."

She kissed Meara, laid on her back, and pulled the younger woman in close to her body with a loving embrace. She continued, "My mother … she had two more children, both girls, and while giving birth to a third -- this one a boy -- she died. I was there … I heard her scream from the pain … I saw her take her last breath. One moment, she was looking to me with those mesmerizing blue eyes that my father called brighter than all the stars in the heavens … telling me to be a big girl and not let my brothers be mean to me … and to take care of my father because he was just a big hairy baby who didn't know how to take care of himself … and the next … those eyes had gone cold … and her hand upon mine had gone limp."

 

[SandS13]

Meara had decided that as much as she liked the feeling Gwen’ts arms around her, the feeling of Daria’s body against hers was truly the most wonderful thing in the world. She listened as Daria explained why her rule was different, why she let farmers and those of the working class come to petition her. Admittedly, Meara had thought Daria cruel those first few days after her home was burnt, her family killed or perhaps sent off...she realized she truly had no idea what had become of them. Now, she knew that Daria while a fierce warrior whose army conquered all it came upon, was also fair and she tried to be just. She had seen Daria help, hand out money and provide food. Her slaves were even treated decently...if you ignored the raping and other punishments.

She didn’t think about those things too hard as Daria licked wine from her body. She moaned and writhed under Daria’s mouth. Meara put her hands in Daria’s hair as the queen settled between her legs, face nestled in her breasts. So much history...Meara didn’t even know her grandparents or if they were farmers. Here Daria could speak of relatives of her past, a namesake...Meara looked down at the blonde. She definitely lived up to what she was hearing about her namesake. Fingers brushed Daria’s cheek as she looked up at Meara.

“Your father and brothers must have been devastated as well. Where are your brothers? Your sisters?” She found herself more concerned with Daria and siblings than the fate of her own family. Meara curled her body around Daria. Her one arm draped across her chest. A finger lazily traced the underside of her breast. Her leg hooked over Daria’s.

 

[PennySaver]

"Do you really wish to know all of this?" Daria asked with a doubtful chuckle. "It is all so ... boring!"

It wasn't, of course; the history of the House of Baeran involved the whole of the World Known and most of the peoples and nations within it. The phrase the World Known was a bit misleading, of course, or at least referring to it as something that the House of Baeran had once controlled. At one point, the Realm which Daria was attempting to reclaim had included almost the entirety of this continent and the islands and archipelagos within easy sailing distance.

But there was more to the actual World Known that just that; to the west, six days travel by the fastest of known ocean going vessels, was another, smaller continent that the House of Baeran had been contemplating conquering just before it had been overthrown by the Houses Daria was in the process of eliminating. And to the southeast there were legends of yet another continent, this one mostly covered in ice and yet full of wildlife -- both on land and in the sea -- upon which a race of peoples fed in place of the farms and forests that fed the people of the Northlands.

Some of that history in which Meara had an interest was hard for Daria to contemplate. She would have preferred not speak of it at all if Meara hadn't shown an interest. "I came to lead the House of Baeran only because of the deaths of my father and my brothers, as would be expected. My eldest brother, Corsik ... he was killed in battle the year after my mother died. Horrin died just days later ... of the Fever. Pratt fell next, two years later ... slain by a drunken Noble visiting our camp with hopes of taking me as his wife ... to seal an agreement with my father over merging the man's lands into my father's realm. I'd been 11 at the time.

"My father spent the next 14 days ... one day for each year of my brother's short life .. torturing the noble while he was nailed to a cross in the square of the village. Each morning and each night, I took the man water and saw to his wounds ... to ensure he did not die too quickly. It was I who determined the length of his punishment. My father had wanted to cut the man up into pieces and send them in every direction to the other nobles who had not yet agreed to join his realm. He did do that eventually ... but not until after that 14th day had arrived and I gave my Papa permission."

A chill ran up Daria's spine and caused her skin to explode in goose flesh. She explained, "It was the first time I'd used my authority and power as daughter of the King. I'd expected ... I don't know ... I guess to feel horrified at what was being done to the man. But I'd only felt ... justice."

Daria playfully rolled Meara away from her so hard she nearly fell from the bed, then leaped from it herself. With joy, she demanded, "Enough of this! I want to eat and drink and put my mouth on you again."

 

[SandS13]

Meara was shocked to learn how her brothers had died. Even more so to hear of the punishment the noble had received. To learn it was Daria who had decided the man's fate brought a chill to Meara. This woman, for all her warmth in the bed, fairness as a ruler was certainly capable of cold vengeance. Her mind briefly flashed to Gwent raping Anaka and simultaneously being raped by Rickon. Meara never wanted to do anything to make her angry. Never.

Meara stood. "If you will indulge me, mistress?"

She led Daria to the edge of the bed and motioned for her to sit. She went to the tray of food that had been brought for them. There was some sort of dessert...Meara had never seen food like this before but there was a tart with cream and fruit. She lifted the little pastry from the tray and brought it to the bed. She delicately plucked a ripe berry from the top and pressed it seductively to Daria's lips. She waited for the queen to take it. Meara leaned in to lick a drip of juice from Daria's full lower lip. She took the second berry and put it between her own lips before once more leaning in. She kissed Daria, it was the kiss of a sweetheart to her lover. At the last second she bit down on the berry and let the juices drip between their mouths.

"Here. Hold this please, mistress." She whispered the words to Daria as she placed the little tart into her palm. A finger scooped up the rich cream and Meara knelt between Daria's legs. She smeared the cream over Daria's labia before lowering her mouth and proceeding to lick it all away. Meara moaned as she worked. Her hands caressed Daria's thighs.

 

[PennySaver]

Daria couldn't help but giggle as the juice of the berry squirted all over both of their lips and even here and there on their cheeks and chins. They took turns licking each other's skin clean and kissing in between. Daria had never enjoyed one of her previous sexual partners -- slaves, servants, or freewomen -- as she did Meara.

That fact only became so much clearer as Meara began applying dessert to Daria's body and lapping it up. No one -- not even the professionally trained Meeka -- had done this to her. Daria wondered for a moment whether or not Vallaana had taught Meara this during the few days together; she then wondered -- if that were true -- why Meara had waited so long to do this to her ... for her.

Most people probably wouldn't have thought that the two had enough energy to once again go at the other's body as she did now, but they did. Meara spread berries and creams and all forms of sweet goodness on all of Daria's erogenous zones, driving her to an incredible orgasm along the way. Daria, for her part, called her Lady's Maid to her room, ordered two servings of every desert currently available in the kitchen be brought up ASAP, and when it arrived continued the smorgasbord upon Meara's flesh and sensitive parts. Never in her life had Daria had so much fun and enjoyed so much laughter having sex with someone.

After she found her head spinning wildly from a combination of sexual euphoria and honey, Daria had a bath drawn in a tub that was three times the size of the one in her battle field tent. It was of a metal structure, like the tent tub, but its interior surface was coated with a smooth substance Daria called emalout vitrosic, or porcelain enamel. The upper edge of the tub's porcelain surface was intricately painted with figures engaged in all forms of sexual activity: men with women, men with men, and women and women ringed the entire tub.

In addition to the unique and expensive surface, the tub had another feature Meara had never seen before, what Daria called conductis sanitara bic: plumbing. As Daria described, the hole Meara could feel low with her feet or hands in the side of the tub allowed a small amount of water to drain out into a pipe that descended three floors to the laundry, where it emptied into the pool in which clothes were washed; the hot water that was spilling into the tub through three small pipes that themselves merged together a bit upstream were fed from a cast iron tank in the next room, under which a charcoal fed fire was burning; and by plugging one or more of the three hot water pipes and/or opening a pipe that fed the tub room temperature water from a cistern on the next floor above them, Daria and Meara could regulate not only the temperature of the tub but the volume as well.

"I'm going to help you find your family," Daria suddenly said out of nowhere at all. She saw the look on Meara's face and continued, "I have already learned that your mother and one of your siblings survived the attack on your village. I do not know their precise locations ... but ... I will shortly."

She studied Meara's expression for a moment, then asked with the most sincere tone, "Does that make you happy, my love?"

 

[SandS13]

Meara was lost in a state of bliss. By the time they climbed into the large tub to wash away the remnants of the sticky sugar from their bodies she was relaxed and warm in the afterglow of their love making.

She listened intently as Daria explained the idea of plumbing to her. It seemed marvellous and strange but made so much sense in the way it all worked together. Meara shifted, fingers moving over the painted figures. She admired them and made note of any she thought might please Daria.

"My family?" Meara did not hide the surprise from her voice. She looked down at the water. "My mother...of course, of course mistress, thank you." There was unease in her voice. Her mother would be angry with Meara for what she was doing, what she had done with Gwent. Her mother had been the one to ensure she had stayed pure, untouched and unaware of this part of life. She would not approve, of this Meara was certain.

 

[PennySaver]

"My family?"

The delight in Meara was as obvious as the shock. Daria further explained, "Your mother and sister both avoided capture the day the village was attacked, but they were captured a few days later when they and some others moved north through the forest toward my camp, hoping to find their loved ones. Meara ... they were coming to rescue you."

Daria gave Meara a moment to consider that, then continued, "Your mother was captured and taken directly to the slave auction, which is why you did not see her in the stockade with the others. She was sold to a slave merchant who deals exclusively in house servants, so Meara, I am sure that she is safely living in a safe, warm, dry home and -- assuming she is being respectful to her Mistress -- if in fine health. I should know who bought her and where she is within the month, and I will have her brought here to you or freed to return to Greendale ... as you command.

"Your sister is a bit of a mystery, but again, I am sure that she is alive and well. When your mother was caught, your sister and some of the others escaped to the west. Her location is not specifically known, however, she gave her and your name to one of the Circuit Communique Riders. I had, of course, made your name available to the Communique Minister, hoping someone would be looking for you, and this morning I was alerted that your sister was indeed searching for you."

The Circuit Communique Riders were mounted heralds who rode established routes, carrying news to the cities, towns, and larger villages. They also carried seal letters to individuals, mostly nobles or royals but sometimes to Sheriffs, Tax Collectors, and people of the lower class.

But one of the innovative concepts Daria had instituted a few years back was the Missing Loved Ones Ledger. The CC Riders carried a journal with them, into which they wrote the names of people who were being sought by yet other people. The Riders were supposed to include the dates and locations of each name collected, but that didn't always happen, as was the case with Meara's sister, Palla.

"I can only tell you that she is on a specific Communique Route," Daria told her, "And that I have already dispatched two pairs of riders, one leaving Castlemont in each direction of the route, in an attempt to find her. I'm sure that it will only be a matter of days before we find her, assuming that she hasn't left that location."

......................​

Palla rolled to her back and looked to the man padding about the hard wood floor, bare from head to feet. She watched as he drank from a flagon of ale and looked out upon the town laid out beneath his bedroom window.

"You will keep me then?" she asked with a hopeful tone. "I satisfy you?"

He looked back to her as she lay upon his bed naked. He smiled as she opened her thighs to flash him the heavenly hole into which he'd just deposited his seed for the ninth time in two days. He lifted the flagon to his mouth again, drank down several big gulps, then looked back to the businesses, homes, and fields below.

"And why would I do that?" he asked, looking back over his shoulder with a devilish smirk. "There are handfuls of young maids and maidens in this town who would open their thighs for the coin I give you."

By now, Palla was running an extended finger up and down her wet folds and drawing little circles around her love button as if inviting -- no, urging -- him to come back for another round. His gaze settled on her sex, glistening in the lamp light, as she laughed.

"Perhaps so, m'lord," she agreed, reaching toward her face and inserting a finger covered in her pussy's juices into her mouth, sucking it clean. "But how many of them would open their thighs ... and their mouths for you ... only for the pleasure of your company."

He corrected, "And for the pleasure of my home ... and my staff ... and my title."

"You have to share those with some one she said," inserting her licked off finger into her pussy, moving it about a bit, then beginning deep but slow moving strokes in continuing encouragement for his participation. She continued with a tone of doubt, "You're going to pick some nobleman's daughter who knows nothing about how to please you, m'lord...? Some whiny, prissy little thing who doesn't understand that a woman's mouth is just as warm, wet, and inviting to your cock as her pussy?"

Again, Palla sucked her juices from a long finger, pulling it out with a loud, wet pop sound before she giggled at him. Looking downward, she could see the head of his hardening cock as it lifted to reveal itself behind his half turned body. She laughed again, continuing her teasing with, "Some little tart who can't do that to you just with her words ... after you've already emptied yourself in her as many times as I have you?"

"I can't take you as my wife ... or even as my consort, Palla," he told her, and not for the first time since they'd begun fucking weeks earlier. He didn't expect the girl to ask why not; she knew the reason. He turned to look at her again as he explained, not for the first time yet again, "I must wait for news about whether or not the Queen's consort is pregnant with my child."

"She will never let you make a claim for that child, Gwent," Palla said. "She will surely have it killed ... or she'll raise it as her own child ... if there even is a child."

Her words were spoken with a tone that was part sympathy for him and disappointment for her; when she'd first parted her thighs to the Sheriff of Yarlham in a desperate move to stave off turning to prostitution to stay alive, Palla hadn't realized that her own sister had once been riding Gwent's cock. Only after she'd spoken Meara name during idle conversation and Gwent asked how she'd heard that name did they realized the incredible and now awkward coincidence.

"You've heard the stories of how the Queen keeps my sister as a pet," Palla said with a disapproving tone. "Knowing Meara, she probably thinks the Queen loves her ... respects her. They say Daria--"

"Mistress Daria!" Gwent cut in with a harsh tone as he looked back to the still naked girl who was barely 10 months older than the sibling about whom she was ranting. "She is your Queen, just as she is mine and your sister's."

"Marry me, m'lord," Palla pleaded. "I will give you many strong sons and beautiful daughters. Perhaps one day, you can marry one of them off to Meara's child, and we can all live a life of luxury in that big castle on the mountain as parents of the King of the World Known."

 

[SandS13]

"I- my mother...she will not approve of me...of this...of us..." Meara frowned. "I will think about it mistress..."

Her mind working out the details. Her mother had tried to come and save her, was now a slave in a household. Perhaps that life was better than the one she had had on the farm...

Her sister was another issue. Meara adored Palla. There was only a little more than a year between them but she looked up to her. Palla was beautiful and vibrant. She had a feminine figure despite their mother's efforts to hide it. In return though, Palla always seemed a little annoyed at Meara's presence as if she resented having a younger sister. For the most part they were friendly. Palla would tease Meara about her matt of curly hair. What Meara never realized was that Palla was jealous of her sister's looks. She had not inherited the curls of her father's ancestry or the blue eyes of her mother's.

Meara knew nothing of their past or ancestors so was ultimately oblivious to the differences between them. All she saw was her sister's round form compared to her very petite one.

She moved in the tub so she could wash Daria's body. "Thank you for searching for them. You are too kind to me."

 

[PennySaver]

The next four weeks were a never ending flurry of events for both Daria and Meara, sometimes together and sometimes apart.

Daria, of course, had a Realm to run. She met with Lord Kriggen and other military commanders nearly every day to discuss security and the next military campaign; she met with Royals and Nobles, including both those who had pledged their loyalty before she sent her Black Army to crush them and those who hadn't and now wished they had; she met with Merchants and Traders who always got excited about opportunities of expansion after Daria had claimed yet another territory; and she met with her Advisors on just about any and every topic.

And she'd put Meara to work as well. The girl had so impressed Daria at Court that first day that she'd tasked her with listening to petitions from the Peasant and Lower Merchant Classes on a daily basis. Initially, Daria had assigned one of her own Court Advisors to choose which petitions Meara heard. But through the ever present and ever effective rumor mill in the Castle, Daria learned that the Advisor was taking coin to put certain Petitioners ahead of the others.

She recalled all of her Northlands advisors and civil servants to court, an act that took nearly a week to complete; she charged, tried, and convicted the man of bribery, disloyalty, and treason; and a week later, after word of the man's planned punishment had had time to reach the ears of most of the Peasantry in and near Castlemont, she had him stripped bare and thrown out into the streets. A thousand peasants lined the street from the Castle gates to the Low River Bridge; many likely had had petitions of their own to present to the Queen at one time or another or even now today, but -- under the sentenced man -- they would never have been able to pay the bribe to have their case heard.

The stone throwing began almost the moment the man exited the gates and continued for almost two hundred yards before he fell for the last time and couldn't rise on his own. To satisfy the remainder of the peasants -- and to further make her case to other corrupt Advisors, Tax Collectors, and the like -- the man's dying body was dragged by one of Daria's Bodyguards all the way to the river, letting the peasants throw rocks at him even though he was so obviously dead. He was affixed to a pole at the bridge with a sign warning others of corruption, and he was still there today, despite his flesh having been so cleanly picked at that even the ravens had given up on him.

After the man's trial and execution, Meara was given full and total rights to pick and choose whose petitions she heard. Not only that, but Daria gave her free reign to make and carry out rulings. After the trial, Daria escorted her lover and partner in power to a room in the third lowest level of the Castle. One of its four permanent guards opened it and led Meara inside with a torch ... lighting up the Castlemont Treasury.

"Each day after you hear you petitions," Daria had told her, "You will come here or send your Scribe, you will collect any coin that you have bequeathed to your Petitioners, and you will distribute it as ruled upon."

She had also had a pair of guards pick up a small trunk full mostly of Coppers but also of some silver Crowns and take it to Meara's room. "You are to use this as you want and need. I will not have you wanting for anything, my love ... even if what you want is for others. You meet someone on the street who you feel is worthy ... this is for you to disburse, without guidance or supervision by me. And when it is empty ... these men will bring it back down here and fill it for you again."

Meara had been kept busy with tending to Castlemont's lower classes, but it wasn't the only thing taking up her time. Daria had taken her on day trips and even overnight treks to some of the nearest of Castlemont's attractions: waterfalls, hot springs, seemingly bottomless chasms, incredible vistas, and -- of course -- the finest shopping locations within the Capital and without. Today, that massive wardrobe room that had been empty when Meara first arrived in the Castle was now nearly full of the most incredible dresses, riding outfits, sheer bed chamber robes, and more.

And, of course, they'd had sex. Lots and lots of sex.

Today, though, sex was the last thing on Daria' mind when it came to Meara, though. The poor girl had lost her stomach's contents several times in the past few days. Others in the castle had had similar problems, food poisoning that Daria thought had gotten to her lover through her benevolent and empathetic dealings with people of all classes and job titles, throughout her new home. When it didn't go away, though, Daria called the Healer to come take a look at her.

 

[SandS13]

Meara adjusted to her new life. Clothes, servants, tutors and a role listening to the petitions of the lower class. She took it all very seriously.

Every morning she woke and lost her breakfast. Every day she bathed, did the days work and spent her evening with Daria. Life was a whirlwind and Meara was completely caught up in it.

Now she laid on the bed. It was not because Daria was between her legs. No, on this day she laid in a night gown as the healer checked her over.

"Majesty..." The healer looked at Daria. He bowed his head. "Your..." He stumbled, unsure what to call Meara. "She is with child."

Meara sat up in the bed. "What?"

Fear gripped her. Daria would not want her now. "Are you sure?" She whispered.

"I am sure, approximately two months along give or take. Have you not noticed the lack of your cycle?"

Meara shook her head.

The healer bowed his head. "I will step out so you may talk." He left the room.

Meara was out of the bed and on the floor, on her knees at Daria's feet. "Please don't send me away. I will work in the kitchen, I will shovel manure on a farm. Please...please mistress..." She looked up, tears in her blue eyes.

 

[PennySaver]

Daria was knowledgeable about a great many things, from advanced military strategy to aquaduct construction to sustainable agricultural. But one area of knowledge that had eluded her all these years was pregnancy. Daria had never been pregnant herself, despite having had far more cocks inside her than Meara could likely imagine. And she'd never spent much time around women who were or may have been in the early weeks and months of pregnancy. She simply didn't know anything about things such as, for example, how long she should have expected to wait to find out whether or not the Bodyguard's seed had found a fertile garden within her teen aged lover.

Daria had known all about the sexual relationship between Gwent and Meara, of course; Lauren had given her a very descriptive account of how often the soldier had been finding joy between the thighs of his Charge. But without that basic knowledge of female anatomy and without having seen Meara throwing up her meals until just yesterday, she'd simply thought the pair of them -- Daria and Meara, that is -- had avoided the situation that was now upon them: what … the fuck … to do now.

Meara seemed to have her own idea about what to do, dropping to the floor and begging, "Please don't send me away. I will work in the kitchen, I will shovel manure on a farm. Please...please mistress..."

The girl looked up with those mesmerizing, blue eyes, now filled with tears. And all Daria did was simply stare down at her with a black expression. It wasn't that she wasn't feeling anything, of course; Daria's heart was pounding hard and fast with a combination of anger, disappointment, fear, and who knows what more.

After a long moment of watching and listening to Meara sob, Daria -- without looking away from her lover -- called, "Healer!"

The door to Meara's bed chamber opened, and the Healer returned, his head already bent down as he knew that the situation was fluid … fluid as in if Daria didn't want others to know about this pregnancy, it would be his head that would be rolling on the floor to keep the news secret.

"You will finish your examination of Miss Meara," Daria commanded with a tone not unlike the one she would use to send troops into battle. Still looking down at the girl, Daria said, "You will give her every benefit of your learning to ensure that she and her child is now and will in the future be healthy. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Mistress," the Healer said without hesitation. He made a gesture meant to imply a desire to help Meara to her feet, asking respectfully, "May I, Mistress?"

Daria stared down at the girl another moment, nodded to the Healer, then turned and headed with purpose for the door. At it, though, she stopped, contemplated this very significant change in her life -- in Meara's, as well, of course -- and then looked back over her shoulder at the teen. She turned and returned to the now standing Meara, hesitated before her … then took her face in her hands, pulled it to her mouth, and removed the still falling tears with her closing lips.

"Stop crying, Meara," Daria whispered. She took in another descending tear, then simply kissed the girl's cheek. She held Meara's face such that they were staring directly into one another's eyes for a moment, then kissed her softly on the lips. "Stop crying. There is no reason to cry."

Daria pulled the other woman into her body and held her in a tight hug. After a bit, she chastised, "I won't have the smell of pig shit or boiled onions all over the clothes I bought you, so … there will be no more talk of working on a farm or in the kitchen. Stop crying!"

The sobs wouldn't stop, but Daria had things to do. She pulled back, kissed Meara a last time, repeated some of her orders to the Healer, then strode out of the room, down the hall, down the spiral staircase, and across the great hall to a smaller meeting room where she had two people waiting for an audience. The pair bowed as they'd been earlier instructed by the Advisor who'd been waiting with them.

"It is good to see you healthy and strong, Lord Sheriff," Daria said to the man she remembered well. After he thanked her, she said, "I have been hearing good things about your rule over … I'm sorry, what is the name of the town again?"

"Yarlham, Mistress," Gwent responded, adding, "Thank you for your praise, Mistress. It is my pleasure to serve your Realm in my little piece of the world."

Daria looked to the young woman standing beside Gwent. "And who might be your lovely traveling companion, Lord Sheriff?"

The Black Army Squads who had been searching the Circuit Communique Rider's route for Meara's sister had found her, living under the roof of and sleeping in the bed of Daria's lover's former lover … the father of her recently discovered yet-to-be-born child. The Bodyguards didn't know of the connections between the Sheriff and Meara; they only knew they were looking for the sister of the latter.

So when Gwent and Palla arrived today and the Advisor escorted them to this greeting room, he had been poorly informed; the word he had sent to Daria was only that the Sheriff of Yarlham was requesting an audience … and there had been no mention of Palla other than to identify that the Sheriff had a female escort.

 

[SandS13]

Meara was beyond distraught. Even as Daria kissed her and told her it would be okay.

The healer examined her, prodded her and poked her and then gave her something to make her sleep.
------
Gwent bowed his head. "You had dispatched saying you were looking for Meara's sister. I am pleased to say that I was able to bring her to you. She had been staying with me."

Palla smiled brightly. She was unlike Meara in so many ways. Soft features, gentle curves, straight hair and dark eyes. She gave a slight bow to Daria. "I am honoured but do not know why you would be looking for me, highness."

 

[PennySaver]

The Healer finished with Meara, lifted his little box of medicines and medical devices, and turned to leave. But then he hesitated and turned back. He set his case down and opened it again, poked through the offerings, and took out a small vial of a purplish-black fluid. Setting it on the little table next to the bed, he said in a sympathetic tone, "Should you decide that having this child is not in your best interest, Miss."

He took out a second vial -- this one a clear liquid -- and set it beside the first. "This will help with the pain. It is to be taken afterward … after the … situation … is resolved."

He closed up his box, gave Meara a sympathetic glance, and headed for the door. He hesitated again, and over his shoulder he suggested, "If you choose this path, Miss … I think it would be better than Mistress Daria believe that it was nature's doing … not yours … and not mine."

With a respectful nod of his head, he departed.

------

"You had dispatched saying you were looking for Meara's sister," Gwent responded regarding the identify of the girl beside him. "I am pleased to say that I was able to bring her to you. She had been staying with me."

Daria almost laughed aloud at this new development; within minutes of learning that her lover was with child, the father of that child showed up on her doorstep? Coincidence? Or had Meara passed word to Gwent about the baby, perhaps sending a note with the Circuit Riders. Meara knew where to find Gwent, of course; she had been part of the decision making process that had resulted in the man being elevated to Sheriff of Yarlham.

The arrangement Daria had made with Gwent had been that he would never see Meara again. He was here now, but he claimed it was because this other girl was Meara's sister, Palla. Daria looked the young woman over carefully as she talked about being honored in meeting the Queen. Daria didn't see any similarity in the two girls and couldn't help but wonder whether or not this was some kind of ploy. No ... no that didn't make any sense; Meara would look upon this woman, not know her, and uncover what ever scheme was in the works. No, this had to be Meara's sister.

Daria's mind went to the girl as she finished speaking, "...but do not know why you would be looking for me, highness."

"Mistress," the Advisor standing nearby corrected.

Palla corrected her error, "Forgive me, Mistress. I … I'm not … I grew up on a--"

"Palla, was it?" Daria interrupted. When the girl acknowledged the inquiry's correctness, the Queen said with a firm tone, "Please accompany my Advisor. He will make quarters available to you, where you can clean up … bathe if you wish. Food and drink will be brought to you."

The girl looked to Gwent for guidance, but he only nodded to her. The Advisor made a polite gesture toward the exit, and the pair of them departed. Once they were gone, Daria turned her full attention to Gwent. "You were never to come here, Lord Sheriff. You were to stay away from Miss Meara."

Gwent bowed a bit lower than was necessary to reassure Daria that he wasn't being disobedient or confrontational when he said, "Forgive me, Mistress … but I did not come here to see Meara … Miss Meara. I am only acting as escort for--"

"Are you fucking her?" Daria cut him off. When Gwent only stared in silence, unsure of whether to make the admission or not, the Queen went on, "Are you going to put an out of wedlock child in her belly, too?"

Daria watched as surprise filled Gwent's face. He looked about to speak when she verified what he was thinking, "Miss Meara is with child."

She hesitated a moment, then laid out the situation to ensure he had no illusions about his place here. "Miss Meara is going to have a child … our child … hers and mine … not yours. You have done your duty in delivering Miss Meara's sister to her … and you will be rewarded. You can leave now. Guards!"

From just beyond the door through which Gwent and Palla had arrived, two Bodyguard soldiers entered and moved to flank the Sheriff.

 

[SandS13]

Meara sat in the bed, staring at the vials. She stared until the sedative he gave her took hold and she fell asleep.

-----------------------
Gwent watched Palla leave. He was a bit sad to lose his bedmate but there were others.

Gwent was too stunned to do anything as the guards came to him.

 

[PennySaver]

Gwent was nearly out the door when he stopped suddenly and, without turning, asked over his shoulder, "May I see her?"

He knew instantly that he had made his inquiry with a lack of protocol and respect. He turned to face Daria, ignoring the guards who had closed nearing than they typically did, for fear that the guest was going to be disruptive. Gwent bowed his head respectfully and repeated his request the proper way, "May I have an audience with Miss Meara … Mistress."

When Daria didn't immediately respond, he again bowed, though with his gaze still upon the Queen, and added, "I am in no way wishing to upset your relationship with Miss Meara, my Queen. I only … Miss Meara and I … we developed a friendship beyond my duty to protect her, as you yourself had tasked me. I would be honored if--"

"You may see her," Daria cut in, her tone hard and crisp; reluctant. "You will stay tonight at the Harton House. You will wait outside for the Advisor who escorted you inside, and he will give you a pass to stay there tonight at my cost. Tomorrow, I will send someone to retrieve you, and you will be allowed an hour … to reacquaint yourselves … before you depart and never … again make an attempt to see Miss Meara again … on pain of death. Is that understood?"

"Understood, Mistress," Gwent said with yet another bow. He and Palla had seen the barely identifiable corpse still hanging upon a pole at the Low River bridge before entering the city; one of it legs was now missing, as was the lower half of an arm. "And I thank you, Mistress."

Daria turned and headed out the entrance through which she'd entered, as the guards escorted the Sheriff away.

……………………​

When she entered Meara's bed chamber and stepped up close to the girl's bed, Daria spotted the little vials sitting on the nearby table. She picked them up and studied them; while she knew nothing about pregnancy, she knew a great deal about preventing one. She'd never had to use the herbal abortion remedy herself, of course, but she knew what it was.

She studied the soundly sleeping beauty for a long moment, contemplating how a child -- and the scandalous pregnancy leading up to it -- would affect their lives and, possibly, her rule over the Northlands and the Continent as a whole. It had been miraculous that Daria -- a mere female -- had been able to accomplish all she had thus far; how much harder would it be when it was learned that she was raising a child who wasn't of her own bloodline yet might be raised to be her heir.

Daria smiled a bit at her thoughts. Was she really contemplating raising this bastard child to follow her on the throne? She had told Meara she wanted her to rule side by side with her.

Turning away with the bottles still in her hand, Daria paused. She looked to the liquids and considered the ramifications of tossing them out … and of leaving them behind. She looked to Meara, so peaceful in her drugged state … and set the bottles back where they'd been. This wasn't her decision, Daria told herself. Meara could drink the fluids or she could ask for her Mistress's guidance, but Daria wasn't going to make the decision on her own.

She left and headed for the guest quarters where her lover's sister was being made at home.

 

[SandS13]

Palla was pleased as punch to be a guest in the castle. She was going to miss Gwent but this...she began to wonder if she would be made a lady in waiting or some other fancy title that would let her do minimal work but enjoy the benefits of the castle and wealth.

She bathed and took her sweet time doing it. She was just dressing in a simple, clean dress that was provided for her when Daria arrived.

"Mistress." Palla bowed her head. "Thank you for this." She looked the beautiful blonde queen up and down. She licked her lower lip and began to wonder if she might be able to somehow gain Daria's favour...

 

[PennySaver]

"Do you like it?" Daria asked from just inside Palla's guest room. The girl flinched in surprise having not detected the suite's doors opening and the Queen arriving.

"Mistress," Palla responsed quickly, bowing her head. "Thank you for this."

Daria looked Palla up and down. She was freshly bathed and wearing a dress that was simple by comparison to the Queen's wardrobe. An Attendant had put up Palla's hair in a quick yet somehow complex braid that turned her rather plain, straight hair into a near masterpiece.

Suddenly, the comparatively plain looking second sister from Greendale was a beautiful young woman, and despite her love for Meara, Daria couldn't help but wish she'd arrived earlier while this sister had still been in the bath.

Looking to Palla's face and contemplating the girl's body language, Daria couldn't help but wonder if perhaps this girl was thinking the same thing. Daria forced her sudden lust aside and looked toward the reflective surface before which Palla had been twisting and turning, admiring her dress. Regarding her question, Do you like it? she gestured toward the free standing frame.

"I was actually asking about the Silver Glass," she said about the six foot tall, three foot wide mirror. "It's made of sand and silver, both melted and layered. Far more reflective and exact than a polished metal mirror."

Palla had turned back to the standing mirror again and was admiring the dress with a big smile. Daria found her delight ironic in a way. To fulfill Daria's need to greet Palla in something not covered in road dust, this dress had been borrowed from one of the similarly sized Chamber Maids. It was far more intricate in styling and far more expensive than anything the peasant girl had ever worn before, and yet its owner it was just a casual mid-day wardrobe for casual, fresh air walks in the castle's park settings or along the river bank when she was not on duty.

"You asked me earlier why you were here, Palla," Daria began the conversation as she began a slow, circular walk around the girl. "You are aware that your sister is here … in the castle … in my care, yes?"

Gwent had told Palla that, obviously, and the girl confirmed Daria's inquiry. The Queen continued, "What precisely has the Lord Sheriff told you about your sister's position in my court?"

Daria didn't know whether or not Gwent had told Palla that he'd relieved Meara of her virginity, let alone that he'd fucked the living hell out of her in those last days together in an attempt to make her with child before she returned to their Queen's care.

 

[SandS13]

Palla smiled at the queen. "Everything about your castle is wonderful. I am honoured to be here. Truly." She stepped closer to the queen. She decided she could lay with this woman, something she had never done before if it meant she could secure her place here. Even better if she could push her sister out....

She blinked at Daria, feigning ignorance. "The sheriff only told me that he had once been my sister's guard and that now, she was here in your protection. Though there are whispers that she is your pet in a way. A sweet girl you have taken under your wing. Educating her and showing her the ways of diplomacy. Very kind of you, mistress."

Oh, she knew that the queen favoured women and that Meara was just the latest in her rotation of slaves. Palla assumed she would tire of Meara, how could she not? This was a queen and Meara was just a farm girl with big eyes. What could she possibly offer someone like Daria? Her goal was now, when Meara was tossed away that Palla would be next in line.

She also didn't let on that she knew Gwent was waiting to hear if Meara was pregnant and that his heart was still tied up in her younger sister. A slight smile formed. Palla couldn't help but wonder if Daria would take her to bed and then send Meara to live with Gwent...the man was sweet but really, a queen's consort was far better than a sheriff's wife. Meara deserved that life. Palla wanted more.