A Mage's Tale Ch. 15

"Nameless? How do you feel?" Scelene asks timidly.

"I think so. Can I see? My eyes are closed and covered, right?" I ask very confusedly.

"I may have done a very unexpected and dangerous thing to you. Will you trust me, Nameless?" Scelene asks still dripping with worry and fear.

"Where's Crys?" I ask in a panic.

"She is unconscious on the bed. She had two huge releases and felt yours. It knocked her out." Scelene explains. "However you may have cloned her living magic and gained the eyes of a Gorgon."

"Is that even possible? What do you mean you did it?" I ask wanting to find a mirror.

"I gave you some of my mental spell-meditations. You just gained the magic of a trio of she-demons. Your personal instincts have adapted to what happened before with what I did and copied Crys's living magic. Which I don't know how to test without risking a living thing." Scelene offers as a theory. "You are seeing thru a gem of sight for the moment."

"It feels like drunk minus the fuzzy head," I say.

"Theoretically you now have the powers of a Gorgon. You're a male so there may be a way to test your eyes without risking someone." Scelene says.

"A rick to no one? How?"

"To stone to flesh. Male Gorgon can unpetrify as well as petrify. If you have those powers you can turn a lump of rock into a chunk of meat. And if you can't it's just a rock. Can't turn it to stone if it already is one." She says with a giggle.

I go out of the side of the island. She keeps watching as I take the gem off and remove the blindfold.

My eyes ache from the bright light. As I blink, the ache lessens and colors become more clear. I pick a rock and stare at it. Nothing happens. I notice a few small crabs dueling in the shallows and walk closer. I keep my eyes on them, staring intently and willing something to happen. Images of glyphs dance in my head.

One of the little buggers stares at me and I feel the surge of magic. In three seconds it is a statue of frozen stone. The feeling of having done it opens my understanding of how it works. I pick it up and then unpetrify it. As thanks, it pinches my thumb and skitters away. I pick up a rock and unpetrify it.

It is more taxing but the rock turns to flesh in my hand. I drop the lump of flesh on the ground at back away. I can feel where the magic flows in me and seal the flow that would turn a person to stone. Leaning against the rock wall, I think about how this is going to change how I do certain things.

The fact that this ability is now at my command frightens me. Feeling that I have somehow stepped headlong into an arena of untold dangers and chaos. Leaning over the water I check my reflection to see if I am even still me. No changes seem to be evident regardless of how much I think there should be. Once back inside the main of the house Scelene appears to be putting out food but doesn't look in my direction.

"So it works both ways for you then?" she asks. "Can you turn it off?"

"I have control if it." I assure.

"You seem to be uncomfortable with these new powers. Are you always so melancholy?" Scelene asks.

"How would you react if you woke up with an unfamiliar deadly power that could kill everyone you cared about before you had any idea how or if you could control it?" I ask sarcastically.

"Good point. I'm sorry. Umm, but how was it?" She timidly asks sliding food in front of me.

"Scary, alien, and uncomfortable to my usual magic." I answer seeing her cower back.

"I kinda meant the other how was it." She says turning bluish.

"Oh! I liked it. Thank you for preparing me for the cold-blooded thing. It might have been a mood breaker without the warnings. How was it for you? Was it what you hoped?" I ask.

"Not what I thought it would be but almost more then I could handle. It felt so good. I'd like to share what it feels like for me with the others. I can do that again with you?" She asks.

"How long was I out?" Crys asks.

"Just a little while, sweetie. Twenty minutes or so." Scelene answers.

"I'm gorgon now as well it would seem. Not sure if it is permanent at the moment. I did turn a crab to stone, returned it to living and, turned a rock into a lump of meat. I feel like I shouldn't set foot near other people ever. The two of you got me feeling real..." I trail off.

"You turned stone to flesh?" Crys asks exuberantly.

"He did. I saw that part." Scelene says.

"I did. It brought a whole flood of ideas and thoughts running through my head." I say.

"Then you may be able to give me a child!" Crys says bouncing from foot to foot.

"A what? Hold up a second. What are you saying?" I ask Scelene leaning close questioningly as well.

"A Gorgon gives a mateable partner power to guard against her power so a mating would be possible." She explains. "If you have the gift, you are suitable for mating. Not soon mind you but you will mate with me? Give to me a child?" She asks openly.

"I want one!" Tempis chimes in.

I stand there jaw dropped unable to speak. Not that the thought that some of them would want children. Being asked so openly does put into sharp focus. Can I knowingly give these women what they are asking when the time comes? Would Caldoria ask the same thing or one of the Huntresses? My legs go weak and the room spins as I faint.

At the edge of the cloud of my waking mind, garbled voices echo in the cavernous darkness of my head. I fight to understand them. Feeling that I should know what they are saying. The weightless feeling that surrounds me grows into a crushingly oppressive presence. I turn inward, taking stock of my own thoughts and feelings. Making judgments on my actions over the last year.

Even with this degree of introspection, I can't say I would have done a single thing differently. Taking the job on the trade ship, talked any differently to any of the women or done any less with any of them. Maybe I am feeling a little guilty that I have so many beautiful females wanting to give me their bodies. Perhaps it's them wanting to give me their hearts that has brought on this crisis of self I find myself in.

It raises me in a moment of clarity, I fear parenting. For all my learning and study, children are a mystery to me. The thought of being solely responsible for a life to that degree. Seeing the actions of others with their children and what was the shadows of my own. I know in my head how to deal with most of these but there are still fears in the heart that have robbed me of my reason.

I bring to my mind the glyphs Scelene sent. As I meditate worries and feelings clear. The clutter of my mind is organized, internal disciplines are adopted, and magical senses are tuned to my control. I open my eyes to the dark of a star-filled sky. I lay in the bed alone. I feel Scelene and the Huntresses are close but not the direction or distance. I swing my feet to the floor and stand.

Reaching the stairs Tempis bounces out of her nest yelling that I awake. Reaching the bottom all the women are gathered there. Scelene, Crys, Prizum with her sisters, Tempis, Nix and even Oasis. I rub my temple and step into the group. I get hugs and kisses.

"If you two are here, I take it I have been out for a while?" I ask.

"Two days. How are you feeling?" Nix asks.

"I am here. I need to eat and I have to have a talk with those of you that will want to have a child, be it mine on in general." I say sitting at the table. "Is there any fish?"

"Here you go," Oasis says setting a flat of flanked tuna and salmon down.

Tempis, Crys, and Nix sit down at the table with me. "We will want children one day."

"How does that work for each of you? I know that most you don't usually keep a mate around to help with raising an offspring. Would that be different with me? Would you let me help or be a part of it?"

"I would hope you would want to be a part of it," Nix says.

"I would need you," Crys admits.

"I want you to. No getting in the way or questioning flying or other things thou." Tempis says.

"So none of you would go running off and just show up at some later date with a little one in tow to say Hi to daddy?" I ask.

"Not by choice," Nix says.

"I feel like that, too," Tempis says.

"What more of me do you want? Other than help to make I mean? How much will I be involved?"

"I won't know until we have one," Crys says. "I want someone to walk with me in this. I know there are many of us and only one of you. We all season differently and have unique traits that will come with challenges on top of parenting alone. Especially for you."

"I helped my sister. She was eldest. Her daughter is out there somewhere. I would need help not just from you, but from my new sisters as well. We are a tribe or clan now, aren't we?" Tempis asks.

Tempis's plea was what all of us needed to hear. I soothed fears and got all of us thinking as a clan more than just two of us acting as thou we were alone in the world. Scelene seemed happiest of all. Being an outcast by her own kind, she may have consigned herself to never having young to care for. This was working well for all of us.

We talked it out and when Tempis comes into season we will try. Nix having a child we be a private until the little one could leave the water. Thou aunt Scelene and Dad would be able to visit in the lake as we both have a way of water breathing. Crys said her want for a child was a yearning for the years to come, perhaps in a decade. Oasis admitted she did want one, but a husband I am not and for a family of her own that would come first. She would look when her love of her life here no longer held as much for her and it was time to move on.

"For each of you, I will get a token of my love for you. You three don't count yet. No offense." I say.

"We understand Lord Nameless. We have yet to prove ourselves. And none of us can bare young of half-blood with you. Only a full demon would carry seed that would bare us a child." Prizum says.

"I would much like to help with little ones. I can be gentle." Jezabell says.

"And Lord we come with a gift and requested communicating item," Chereese says.

They place a large quilted silk bag on the table before me. And a small wooden box. I look at the three them only to watch them bow to me again. They have outfitted themselves as I instructed. Real authentic northern war maiden gear and weapons. I open the bag first. It holds a large crystal ball with numerous enchantments. The box contains a Tarot Deck of Illusions. Each card holding an illusion of some fighter or dancer.

"The ball can call any of us. Or anyone else you known to you. It is a bit bigger then an item you can carry on your person as requested. So we acquired the deck as an apology for our inability to get the item as requested." Chareese says.

"This is a communication crystal ball? I am happy with it as is. Any other item is not required." I say to the three of them. "With this talking with all of you will be much easier. I guess I'll have to give it a try."

I bring to mind Cross, seeing her in my mind. The ball clouds up and an image of her forms form the mists. She is in the bookshop talking to Valkyrie. I focus on the conversation and the sound of their voices become clear. They are talking about how long I have been away and when I will be returning.

"Tell her I will see her for dinner tomorrow, Cross," I say.

"NAMELESS????" Cross yelps.

"New item, I will be back in the Vale tomorrow. I'm bringing friends." I say.

"You bringing those other chics? That trio of sluttish twats?" She asks.

"She doesn't much care for them," Nix says.

"If she did, I'd be worried," I say. "Yes, I am. You better behave or no make nice for you."

"Tough shit, you're going to have to fuck me into obedience for that." She snips.

"That will be top of the list then, you unruly randy horn bitch," I say and clear the ball. "Let's get ready for that shall we. Scelene you got everything ready to make those girls so let's get that done."

"Have done. Caldoria collected up some circlets and tiaras. That's done as well. Everything is ready to go on that front. Crys has all she needs between what I could give her and what Nix gathered up from the Vale so that's good to go as well." Scelene says.

"I have my own brewing lab set up," Crys says. "It should be a lot of fun. And with all the garden stuff, I will be quite occupied until your return. "

I finish eating and get to gather myself up. I flew here so I was not carrying a lot. Now it would seem I have amassed a fair amount to take back with me. Ball, cards, and gear stowed I get the introduction to the beasties who are now girls. They all gather up in a group to meet their Master.

First up are Ruby and Jade. Both are five foot curvy with full hand full titties and matching round asses. Diamond is a tall elf-amazon with a hard body men would kill to fuck. The three perky innocent farm maids are Jill, Mary, and Anna. All looking like they have to be handled sweetly. Lastly is the tall ebony jungle warrior, Shaka. Five nine, big breast with big dark nipples, and warm chocolate skin over toned muscles. Every one of them smiling sweetly at me with bright clear eyes.

"I also made arrangements to take Starlight, the Bard, with us," Scelene says.

"Why?" I asked giving her disapproving glance.

"Am I running the Brothel for you or was I mistaken?" Scelene asks.

"Yeah, but I doubt that skinny bitch will last more than twenty minutes around Val," I state flatly.

"Personnel is my problem. You worry about something else, like pricing and supplies. You did put in a kitchen?" Scelene asks.

I got the rundown on what the Brothel would need for food stores and a list of niceties that should be gotten before the doors opened to customers. It seems that this brothel thing was more complex than just girls, beds, and money. Who knew? I hoped I still had the money for all this.

I rode beside Oasis o the buckboard. This trip looked a lot nicer being able to see the scenery. Not looking down as a flew overhead didn't give much of an indication of the beauty of the wildflowers on native foliage. Not having traveled this way I almost didn't see the crag in the cliff behind which the Vale stood. Even getting to the gate looked much different. The guard started being snarky about the rules for horses beyond the gate. It took a dressing down from Val to get us in.

With all the extra time, a crowd gathered up around the gate and along the road in front of the brothel itself. Val gave had nothing but dirty looks for me the whole time. And the rise of catcalls and pronouncements of love for one or more of the girls as we got them inside earned me a punch in the shoulder.

"This is not the way you saw it in your head, Nameless. Not any less amazing or lacking in space, just different." Scelene said.

"That would because I wasn't here to reign over its completion. Like the color on the walls of the lounge." I say.

"I did what I thought looked best. Not like you left a list before flying off for days when you said it would only be one or two at the most." Cross complained. "Where are those hell-sluts going to be staying?"

"Enough Cross! Take your bitchy ass to the bookshop." I order. "You three follow her. Keep in mind that she outranks you."

"Yes, Lord Nameless." They say with a bow of their heads and follow Cross.

"Lady Scelene, if there is anything you need me for, send Oasis to get me. Oasis help get them settled and the couch handled. Nix?" I ask.

"I'll see to setting up the place with Lady Scelene. We can talk later, Master." Nix says rubbing her nipples through her top.

"I can see I have a lot of lost time to make up for. I better get myself some food and wine to keep my strength up then." I say. "See you later, Nix."

I dole out the kisses and start for the bookshop. A wave from this one or that as Valkyrie steps to my side with Strike in tow. Both give me odd looks and pass glances from me back to the brothel. Strike flashes a few hand signals to someone out of view and a feeling of suspicion edges in. I let it go but keep a wary eye for trouble none the less.

"What's your hurry, Nameless?" Val asks just as I reach for the door.

"No hurry. Just feel that I am being set up." I answer.

"You are," Val says laughingly.

"Why? What have I done to deserve it?" I inquire.

"Your being named a founder," Strike says pointing up at the plaque on the bookshop.

It now reads 'Founder Nameless, Tome and Volume Bookshop'.

"The party starts at noon. Don't be late!" Val says before turning and skipping away like a five-year-old.

"Or a fashionable five or ten minutes late. I don't think she's thinking clearly. See you there, Nameless." Strike adds before turning to catch up to Valkyrie.

I watch them go as I step inside. "Surprise!" a crowd yells.

I about jump out of my skin. Nix is standing there grinning like a demon. The demons and Cross are standing off to the side confused. The shop is filled wall to wall with scantily clad women. I get led upstairs to the buffet laid out complete with three layer chocolate cake. Nix pulls Cross over to help her drag me behind a changing screen and strip me. Before letting me step back out they wrap a long silk robe over my shoulders.

Clue is the first one to step up and hung me. After which she pulled the robe open in front of the crowd of grinning women. Clue giggles and darts into the crowd before I can get my hands on her. Nix steps up and reopens the robe to wrap her hand around my pole. The ladies giggle and a few smack their lips watching her squeeze my manhood.

"Welcome home. These ladies are here for the fuck a slut party. Get some food, I'll collar the slut and trio, and you do that dirty demon taming thing that makes Cross cross-eyed puddle of orgasms." Nix whispers in my ear.

"I can't do that with all these strangers gawking." I protest."

"They won't be here. You still trust me, right?" She says before pushing me back in the chair.

My full weight drops onto the cushion and a big plate of food gets set before me, complete with its own table. The ladies set wine and fruit on the table as Nix steps close wearing only napkins. They ask for romance novellas and love stories. I few ask about cookbooks for bread and exotic dishes that would be prepared in restaurant settings. Then I am left with Cross in a collar and three naked demonesses with frightened looks on their faces.

"Please, take your time and don't mind the noise from downstairs," Nix says as she heads down the steps.

"This was planned around my coming back to the Vale? Did you have a hand in this?" I say grabbing Cross by the collar.

"I just agreed. I didn't know it was going to be a full town event." She admits.

"So how many women are downstairs? How are they tapping into the collar?" I ask angrily.

"You would have to ask Nix. I know those hose blowers are wearing the ones you made. I don't know how they could be doing it." She says sounding on the verge of tears.

"Calm down. I'm sorry. Have a little wine and get up on this bed. As for you three. Grab a quilt to lay back on, stay quiet, and enjoy." I say offering Cross a glass of sweet dark red wine.

Cross turns the fluke up like a shot of whiskey. I refill the fluke and my own then just hand her the bottle. She climbs up on the bed with the bottle slinking and arching her body in a 'come hither' fashion. I just give her cute little ass a swat and return to my meal. She mews and purrs as she pets herself. I eat generously, finishing both flukes of wine but not overdoing it. I plate up some for each Huntress before going to the drawer and grabbing a few things to use on Cross.

The crop is a must, as is the soft leather flail, and a couple lengths of silk rope for good measure. I throw the rope on the bed in front of her. She whimpers but her eyes light in a lustful fire. I beckon her to the side of the bed with my finger. I offer my cock to her all but drooling mouth. She sucks it in hungrily. As she as gets too aggressive I smack her ass with the crop, if she isn't giving it hard enough I swat her with the flail.