Bard's Tale 01 - The Beginning

Pouring some water into a bowl, Mindal grabbed a hand towel and soaped it up. From her lower back to her knees, she smelled strongly of sex. When she cleaned her vulva, she sighed at how tender it felt. As if she'd actually had an all-nighter filled with sex after a long period of drought. As if her dream of making love with Reison had been real. There had been no semen on the bed or on her. Just girl cum.

On a box near the door, Tahna noticed a food box and a covered ceramic coffee cup. Neither of her sisters questioned its presence. When she lifted the lid, Tahna discovered it was a grilled cheese sandwich, and it suddenly exuded heat and smelt delicious. Smoked Gouda on toasted rye bread as she recalled. Beside the sandwich were two dill pickle spears and three black olives.

Taking off the lid on the cup, steam appeared and the cup became hot to the touch. The cup was white with the black silhouette of a strange, two-wheeled device straddled by a busty woman wearing what appeared to be large glasses, with her long hair billowing out behind her.

Carefully tearing the sandwich into three portions, she shared them with her sisters. Both made pleased noises upon tasting the melted cheese.

Tia normally eschewed coffee, only taking a sip of the creamy, sweet espresso. She did, however, snag both pickles. Mindal took a healthy drink of the coffee before snatching two of the olives, so without an ounce of guilt, Tahna finished off the hot, sweet drink.

Once the last of the food and drink were gone, the box vanished, but the cup remained. Tahna wiped it out with a towel and put it into her backpack. Physical proof that her dream was tied to reality. Once she realized that, she had a pretty good idea what Mindal's dream had entailed. Both seemed settled and happy, and that eased Tahna's worries about them.

Hiking up her trousers and buttoning them closed, Mindal was the one who first broached the subject. "So what did you--"

"Later," Tia admonished, then amended. "Tonight, after we're settled. We have much to do, and I want us settled in our rooms across the river before end of day."

While Mindal laced up her boots, Tia dispelled the magic, and then she and Tahna broke down the cots. Several cantrips from Mindal on the blankets; dry on three, followed by several castings of clean, and then freshen to help air out the room.

Nodding, they gathered their things and went out for breakfast with their hosts. The bit of sandwich had been really good, but only took the edge off their morning hunger.

Tia spent some time with Helen Argonos, the wife of Alan, headmaster of the monastery.

By mid-morning, the three sisters, Reison, and their two drivers and the carriage were on the ferry heading into City of the Suns. For close to an hour, the ferry crew worked the ropes and pulleys, crossing the wide waterway, the Crescent River eagerly lapping at the craft's edge, giving the passengers a gentle, insistent swaying. Overhead, the three suns had burned away the morning fog, and it was turning out to be a pleasant March morning.

By lunchtime, they were in City of the Suns, and settled in their rooms. Mindal paid for the rooms, meals, and fare for Robert and John to return back to New Brittany with the next out-going caravan. The two men shopped for their families and then settled in for some serious drinking. The borrowed horses were collected by the wood elves, and the carriage stored in its reserved stall in the stables owned by The Pixie Palace.

Tia also paid for a comfortable single room for Reison to rest in. While Mindal and the others relaxed in the commons, Tia and Tahna went to the temple of Osh Mayan. During the trip, Tia thought to talk to her sister, but the look she gave told Tia that she was busy with her own thoughts. The fee of a hundred gold royals was paid for Reison's instruction, and the two women were back at the inn by dinner.

Mindal and Reison played and sang in the commons, to the delight of the customers. Reison quickly picked up the songs she taught him, and their duets were well-received. Tia and Tahna both sat a short distance away, taking in the bard's exuberance. There was the happy woman they both loved again, reveling in Reison's company.

At dinner time, the four of them retired to their suite, and two staff pushing carts met them upstairs. One remained behind, serving the various courses. Mindal happily chatted with Reison, talking about music, history, and anything that took her fancy.

After the main courses were done and the servant left with the bulk of the dishes, Reison sat back in his chair and looked at Tia and Tahna. Mindal, seeing his look let her chatter fade.

"Part of me still can't believe this is even happening at all," he said. "I'm happy about it, of course, but will you tell me why you accepted?"

Tahna blinked. He really was happy about the prospect of marrying all three of them. Excited even. Then she scoffed. What man wouldn't want sexual access to three women?

Tia smiled as she took a bite of her pastry. "Having second thoughts?"

"Not at all. You are all powerful women. You could marry nobles and powerful men, yet you accepted me. My concern is more that it's you that will change your minds. Why did you accept my offer, when you could have and deserve so much more?"

He's not sure he's worthy, Tahna realized. And then she realized the two-sided nature of her gift. She could read him, completely. He felt vulnerable, but he faced his fear head on. And she read that, too, admiring him for it.

"I've had offers," Tia answered. "I suspect my sisters have had them, too. I did accept another offer once. Long before you were born. It didn't turn out well. That experience kept me from accepting another for a long while. If you want to know about my sisters, well, you'd better ask them. However, I will tell you that your boldness helped a great deal. To be honest, Reison, I've been drawn to you since the moment I laid eyes on you, but put it aside because of your obvious interest in Mindal. Your offer, though, and your astute observation about the relationship between my sisters and I -- well, you are the first one to bring that up."

"It was really that easy? Then I'm a lucky man, indeed."

"Hardly that easy," Tia replied, "that got you a second look by me. However, you have several other things going for you. In a matter of a few days, you've managed to make Mindal happy. I haven't seen my sister smile so much in years, and for that you earned a lot of goodwill with me."

"So you think I'm hot, hmm?"

"Yes, I do." Tia blushed, but she managed to maintain an even tone.

"I have a great time with Mindal, and I am happy that she likes having me around. I do want to get to know you and Tahna better. I intend to treat each of you with respect and kindness, and if there is something that I'm doing or not doing that bothers you, tell me. I try to pick up on feelings, but I confess I have no skill at mind reading. It's a given that I will make mistakes. If we talk about what each of us wants, that will make things easier. I look forward to becoming your husband and sharing our lives together. I will do everything I can to make you happy."

Tahna knew to her depths that he meant every, single word. His relief. His growing interest in each one of them. Her eyes went wide as realization sank in. She had been warned and now it was too late.

Mindal and Tia smiled at his words.

He turned to Tahna and said, "How about you, pretty lady? Do you still dislike me?"

He believes I'm pretty! And... he really thinks I dislike him! I don't! And... and I'm still dealing with my own pain.

Tahna looked away, ashamed and confused. She realized that reading him like this was wrong. He didn't know, and hadn't given permission for her to read him. Her sister might have the spell detect lie available, Tahna also knew that she only used it on strangers when adventuring, or when the person to be spelled knew it was happening and had a choice.

The longer it went on, the worse her sin became. Then she latched onto the thought that because her goddess gave her the ability, it was sanctioned. Then Tahna stared at the table.

What if the Lawgiver offered the gift as a test, and by accepting it, I failed? And my knowing the truth of his feelings in my heart is my punishment. Oh, Goddess, what have I done?

Tia reached over, putting her hand onto her shoulder. "Something wrong, Tahna?"

The warrior monk looked like a frightened deer, ready to bolt. Tia had never seen her sister look so afraid before.

Mindal said, "Do you dislike him, Tahna? It's a fair question. You haven't exactly been friendly to him, you know."

Shaking her head, as much to master herself as to deny the accusation, Tahna said, "No! No, I don't dislike him. I don't. I just want my sisters to be safe. That's all."

"So, I have a chance with you, beautiful?"

Tahna began to tremble. She couldn't help it. Some of it was just friendliness, but he also truly believed she was beautiful! "Uh... uh... " She swallowed and tried again. "You uh... really think I'm beautiful?"

Reison grinned. "Yes, I do."

Tia raised her eyebrows in surprise. It wasn't like Tahna to avoid a direct question.

His simple declaration caused heat from Tahna's cheeks down to her throat. And all the more potent for the utter truth she heard in them. "There are a lot of women prettier than me."

"I'm not marrying them. I'm marrying you. Well, all three of you -- you know what I mean. You are beautiful, Tahna, and you are a lady. A leenan sidhe or a siren can bewitch by their beauty, but their hearts are dark. When Tia over-extended herself and needed you, you were there, standing guard over her. That just adds to your beauty, because it's beauty of the heart."

Tia grew worried. Her sister looked like he'd just stabbed her, when he'd just paid her a real compliment.

"Tia? I have another question about this temple stuff."

"Yes, what is it?"

"I guess I understand that you want me to be a good lover. But why not do it yourself? And, won't you be jealous of the women who have sex with me?"

"Good questions," she replied. "If I teach you, we assume roles, with me as teacher and you student. It can color a relationship, because a student normally defers to a teacher. I want our relationship to be as equals, as partners. The answer to the second question is no, I won't get jealous. Normally, the second part of the rite is to show you can survive, providing for yourself and your partner. Your past combat makes that unnecessary. You have demonstrated your ability to fight an enemy and kill when necessary. All of our young people, when they are old enough, go through this same rite. The instruction and intimacy are part of that ritual, and it confers adulthood among our people."

"That helps. And, it makes sense. Thanks, Tia." He nodded as he grinned at her.

Tia had to look away. It took a lot of effort to sit there and not race around the table and rip his clothes off. She bit her lower lip to blank out the images of what she'd do after that from her thoughts. Wet, throbbing, hard, squishy thoughts sliding -- Tia bit harder, drawing a bit of blood.

After a thoughtful pause, Reison continued. "I want all of you to know that I will do my best to be a good friend and a good husband."

Mindal gave him a sidelong glance. "Uh, you do know that there's also a few days where you have spend time with guys?"

Reison blinked, then exhaled slowly, gazing at the three women. "No, I didn't know that."

Mindal explained. "It's not just sex, Reison, though there's a lot of that. It's a pleasurable experience, but also supposed to be educational. A couple of days of anatomy and different methods of how to masturbate. Birth control methods, child care. Then a couple of days of sex with the same gender with one instructor. Some people don't know they are bi-sexual, and this gives them a chance to find that out. For those who are solidly hetero-, the experience confirms it for them. The approach is that love is love, no matter with whom it is expressed. Then you get five days with a partner of the opposite sex -- unless you request otherwise, because some people know if they are same-sex drawn or not ahead of time. Then a day with multiple partners."

He frowned. "But for those two... three days, I'll have to suck cock and take it up the ass?"

Mindal nodded. "Yeah. If it's any consolation, everyone does that. Us, too. I'm not terribly fond of getting my butt reamed, but with the right guy, I can get into sucking his cock and even swallowing what he gives me."

As he glanced at the other two, they both nodded.

He took two long breaths, drained his nearly full stein of mead in one go, then dropped it onto the table top. "I've been mauled by a warg. I can do this."

Hearing the very real determination in his voice -- and the comparison, Mindal and Tia burst out laughing. Even Tahna started chuckling.

Reison nodded at Tahna. "I shouldn't encourage this, since you're laughing at my expense. Still, I have to say, you are absolutely beautiful when you laugh. Did you know that?"

Stunned, Tahna slowly shook her head.

"It's true," he said.

And Tahna knew, all the way to the core of her heart that he believed it. The gift from her goddess made sure of it. The bricks of her stout emotional wall were tumbling, stone by stone, battered by his words. She was sure that if he said anything else to her, she'd start bawling.

Tia saw her discomfort, and put her hand on her sister's leg, giving it a squeeze.

"What time are we supposed to be there?" he asked.

"Just after breakfast. Eight bells," Tia answered.

"I'd best retire then. I've a fair bit of thinking to do, and I want to be fresh and ready for tomorrow."

Mindal sat back, her disappointment plain. "It's early! I thought we could drink some more, and talk! And... and kiss. I want more kissing, Reison!"

Grinning as he got up, he pulled her into his arms. One strong hand going to her back and the other into her hair. His lips found hers and had their way with her. Mindal closed her eyes and responded ardently. When their tongues danced, Mindal whimpered, pressing her body more firmly against him. Her arms clutched him tightly, enjoying the building heat and closeness.

When he broke the kiss, she protested, immediately seeking out his mouth again, which he briefly granted. Both breathing hard, he touched his forehead to hers. "Goodnight, sweet Mindal. I dreamt of you last night." Ran his tongue along her ear lobe, and she shivered. "I hope tonight to repeat the experience."

Mindal moaned as she, too, remembered. Recalled the pleasant ache between her legs. Tia had said it was probably part of the magic. It didn't matter.

Cupping her face in his hands brought back her complete attention. She looked back into his blue eyes.

"Did you dream of me last night?"

She just nodded, her green eyes alight.

"Did you enjoy it?"

Mindal smiled as she slowly nodded again.

Reison chuckled, then said, "Good."

Letting her go, Mindal sat down, a dreamy smile on her face.

He moved around the table to where Tia sat. Reached down and drew her up. "I think maybe it's time we shared a kiss?"

As his arms went around her, she looked up into those lovely, lovely blue eyes. Felt the burning heat between her legs. A runnel of liquid desire escaped down her thigh. Rubbing her belly against him, she felt his hardness, and had to fight the impulse to impale herself on him. "I'm not sure I dare."

"Oh?" He raised his eyebrows in question. Then he looked at her with concern. "You're trembling!"

"Uh, yes. I want you, Reison. From the first moment I saw your face, I lost myself. I've never seen eyes so full of color, so entrancing, so--mmph!"

As his lips found hers, Tia exhaled as she turned her face up to his. Her arms tightened around him, and she pressed her body against him, savoring his taste, his scent. He smelled so good, and his kiss...!

Tia whimpered as he held her close, his mouth moving with hers, their tongues dancing. The heat between her legs ignited. The crush of his grip squeezing her breasts between them, her nipples deliciously rubbing on the cloth between them. The faint growl as he kissed her made her heart race faster. It was all so good! Then her vision exploded.

The next thing Tia knew, she had her face buried into his chest, and she was shaking as she gasped for air.

"Are you all right?" he asked her.

A few moments to catch her breath. Her heart was still hammering in her chest. Tia looked up at him, at his still-so-luscious blue orbs and nodded.

Grinning, he ran one hand over her back while the other helped keep her steady. Now that she realized it, her legs were pretty shaky at the moment. She held him tighter, listening to the heavy beat of her heart thundering away.

When she was somewhat recovered, she half-slipped into her seat. Felt how soaked her panties were -- it was going to make a wet spot on the back of her new dress and she didn't care.

Once he saw she was going to be all right, he leaned down and gave her a quick kiss to the cheek. "I think you and I need to try that again once I get back."

Tia fanned herself, giving him a sultry smile. "That's a promise I expect you to keep."

Reison turned to Tahna.

"You don't need to do anything," she said, not looking at him in the eyes.

Mindal asked Tia, "Are you all right?"

Tia nodded, then grabbed her drink and downed it.

"As you wish, Tahna," he said to her. "I know you have reservations about me. You want to make sure that I won't hurt you or your sisters. I understand. They're your family. You three are used to a lifestyle that I currently can't provide for you. I'm not a rich man, I'm not famous, and I have no land. But I promise I will work hard to take care of each of you as you deserve. All I ask for a chance to prove myself to you. I am willing to wait until you are satisfied of my intent and my worth."

Again, his words were true. And they hammered at the wall around Tahna's heart.

Mindal, however, looked appalled. "What do you mean, wait? If she waits, that means I have to wait, too!"

"Why is that?" Reison asked.

"Well... because she's my older sister, and she's supposed to be next," Mindal said.

"Why?" he asked again.

"Well... I don't know. I guess that's how I thought it would go?"

"We will talk about, Mindal," Tia added, taking in his offer to wait for Tahna. "We will have it all sorted out by the time you get back, Reison."

He nodded. "Good night, then." And he left, closing the door behind him.

Mindal turned to her older sister. "Tia? When he kissed you? Did you... cum?"

Tia just nodded.

"I'm jealous! I should bring him back so he can kiss me until I cum, too."

Tahna, suddenly aware, stared at Tia. "Have you ever had that happen to you before?"

"No," the priestess replied. Then she added, "Tahna, I really want this to work. Didn't the dream walk spell give you any answers that you needed?"

At her sister's gaze, the warrior monk nodded, then looked away. "More than I bargained for."

Tia rubbed her face with her hands and picked up her fork, idly playing with it. Even saying it made her heart go cold. But she needed to say it, to support her sister. "I don't want to put pressure on you, sister, but unless you are okay with this, it would be wrong to force you. And if you aren't willing to marry him, we can't either."

"What?" Mindal exclaimed, standing up. "You just wait right there, Tia! No! No, no, no! If Tahna doesn't want him, that's on her. I'm sorry, but it's true! She can choose to be bitter and lonely. But I want him, Tia. And from the looks of things, you want him, too. After the dream walk, I have no doubts. I want that man. You can decide for yourself and Tahna if that's what you want. But you can not decide for me. I'm going to marry him and you can't stop me."