In Over His Head Ch. 09

Outwardly, however, he was just trying really hard not to look small and weak and awkward as he climbed up into the huge chair, much in the manner of a small child. After dragging it over, he had to turn to face it first and then hoist himself up into seat, only turn around and sit with his legs dangling in midair, feet several inches off the ground. By the time he got turned around properly in the seat, he was quite winded, flushed, and not all prepared for the fact that while his back was turned, she'd undone her bodice completely and had just let it hang open, with only her flimsy shift covering her not-quite-Yagaritte-sized bosoms. But, unlike Yagaritte's, her shift was fine silk, and was also mostly plastered to her frame with sweat, so for all intents and purposes, she might as well have been leaning backwards against the desk in front of him with her top half covered in nothing but glossy white paint... still WET glossy white paint.

Lizard brain was doing cartwheels. Logical brain was trying to catch Lizard brain in a big butterfly net with little success. Just then the commander leaned forward and deftly grabbed his chair and pulled it forward, closer to the desk, her perspiration drenched cleavage hanging only inches above Edovan's tiny face. As she pulled it and him closer to her, a single drop of her sweet musky sweat dripped from that deep valley and landed just on the edge of his upper lip. With zero thought process he instinctively he curled up his tongue and licked it up before it could fall.

Logical brain almost fell over. If he had been drinking a glass of something, he would have sprayed it everywhere.

"YOU DID NOT JUST DO THAT!" he was screaming at himself, but then he saw lizard brain dashing toward the big lever labeled "Begin Erection."

There was no chance of stopping him.

Meanwhile, in the real world, her strong voice brought him back to the physical room. She was in Commander mode now, for sure. If she had noticed anything awry with the state of his breeches, she didn't say anything. So Edovan was grateful for that at least. That is, until she sauntered around behind his chair and she reached around him from behind, a thin leather strip held between her hands. Before Edovan could much register what he was looking at, the strip was attached around his neck and buckled firmly in the back. A collar!?

With surprising speed she attached something to the collar that pulled his head back and held it to the chair. Then just as rapidly, she produced straps that fastened his arms to the armrest and his legs to the feet of the chair. In seconds he was completely restrained and terrified out of his mind. Looking back he had noticed those straps on the chair as he drug it over, but he had just assumed they were decorations on the upholstery.

She came around in front of him now, easily straddling the chair and him in it. Her crotch was just in front of and above his face. As she stood there towering over him Logical brain was screaming something, something important, but Lizard brain was drowning him out with his hooting and hollering as she slowly lowered herself into his tiny lap, looking down at him through her cleavage with those predatory eyes, with some kind of... leather crop... in her hand? Logical brain resorted to hand gestures pointing frantically at the chair beneath him. At what? The straps?

Of course. He was trying to point out that the straps had been permanently attached to the chair.

It was made that way. On purpose. Whatever she was about to do to him was something she did often enough that she had had a special chair constructed just for it. Second scariest woman on the Island indeed. The first scariest must be a nightmare.

She was straddling him completely now, her well over 200lb frame pressing down on his legs, almost painfully... but the only thing Edovan could think about was how mortified he was as he felt his out of control erection pressing up into her breeches. If she noticed, she didn't say anything.

Instead the leather crop she was holding suddenly appeared under his chin, pressing upward into his skin with no small amount of pressure. It was forcing his face upward to look at hers. Gods, had he been staring at her breasts again? He dutifully focused his eyes up through the valley of her breasts and on her face, which if you had seen the serious, business like expression on her face, seemed very out of place, especially considering her hips were even now moving on their own again as she slowly almost undetectably ground herself against him even as she began to speak., Her voice was a low seductive growl that he felt through the vibrations of her body pressed to his, as much as heard.

"Judging by your age, I'd say you have never been part of a chartered guild before, let alone a fighters guild. So it is my job to educate you on what a fighter's guild is... what WE are... and what we are not. At the same time, it's also my chance to test your mettle, really see what you are made of. So before we begin. I will tell you that you can end all this at any time by just saying no... that's it. One simple no and you are free to go and join the rest of the milk-drinkers who don't have the guts to do what we do. But if you pass the test... and you answer enough of my questions correctly, you will be one of us..."

"Oh is that all. All I have to do is say no." he thought to himself. She might as well have said "All you have to do is turn into a bat and fly around the room." He had about as much ability to do that as he did to say no, what with her breasts in his face and her hips grinding slowly against the betrayer in his pants. As he had experienced before in the laundry at the Boar, that word didn't seem to work for him in situations like this, not without considerable effort and pain. And in his current predicament not only could could he not say no, it was all he could do to keep from screaming out "YESS!!"

Not that it mattered. Even if he could have said the word, he wouldn't have, and not just because a giant beautiful woman who looked like a sabrecat Yagaritte was humping him while tied to a chair. He wouldn't have said it because the real Yagaritte had gone to great trouble to set this up for him, find him a sponsor, get him a job. He didn't care what they did to him. He would see it through to the end because he couldn't bear the thought of disappointing her. Somewhere at the end of this long, dark, confusing yet seductive feminine tunnel (he fervently hoped that was a metaphor and would not turn out to be literally true) Yagaritte would be waiting for him. That was the hope that burned like a signal fire in his head, and in a rare moment of agreement, both Lizard brain and Logical brain chanted in unison: "Let's do this."

"Let's do this," he said out loud, looking up at her defiantly.

"Oh, some fire! I like that! I think we just might find a..." She squeezed him hard with her iron thighs and buried his face between her breasts. "A perfect place for you yet!" She held him there in her cleavage for several seconds before she released him, and the crop guided his face upwards again.

"First question. Do we take contracts to kill people?"

Edovan shook his head immediately. He wasn't dumb. There was only one guild who accepted those kinds of contracts (two if you counted the infamous Morag Tong, but the Island was so far from Morrowind that they weren't even a possibility.).

"Very good, little mouse. That's right, we are not the thrice be damned Dark Brotherhood.

We are not assassins. We don't take contracts to kill anyone, unless by anyone you mean any of the beasts or beastmen, creatures, magical constructs, summoned beings, or other non-sentient entities sanctioned for free..."

She paused. Edovan was staring at her again, jaws agape, this time for an entirely different reason.

"What? I assumed I could use the big words with you." She cocked her head at him in such a Yagaritte like manner he couldn't think straight. "Is that a problem?"

She stared at him pointedly as if he was being insulting until he closed his mouth and shook his head no.

"You can, of course, defend yourself against anyone trying to kill you. But this doesn't mean you can go insult someone's parentage to trick them into you "defending yourself from them" to death. Am I clear?"

"Yes ma'am."

"Do we take bounties? Either personal or those by writ of local or regional government?"

This was trickier. As someone who HAD bounties, Edovan knew a bit about about them and it seemed to vary from one locale to the next. But this guild was remote. If they didn't, who did? He decided to take a guess and gave a nod.

His answer was the sharp sting of the crop on his backside. Now he knew why the chair was open in back near the bottom. Strapped in as he was, all he could do was yelp like a kicked puppy.

"I'm sorry. That's not really fair of me. It's a trick question. Honestly I just wanted to hear what kind of noise you make when disciplined. But that was so adorable I hope you get at least one more question wrong." she said, licking her lips as she fingered the crop seductively.

"We, the guild itself, are also not bounty hunters, though individual members may, from time to time, engage in that pursuit on their own. As a guild, we do not take bounty contracts. Clear?"

"Yes ma'am," Edovan squeaked.

"We are not soldiers. Can you tell me why?"

Edovan thought about this a quiet moment, retreating into his mind.

"Because you don't have the authority?" he said, finally, after some consideration.

He squinted his eyes and tensed his buttocks in anticipation of the next whack, in case he was wrong, (or she just wanted to hear him squeak again), but instead she clasped him to her bosom again.

"That's right! What a good little mousey!" she said as she squeezed his face between her breasts. "We are collective of individuals. We do not blindly follow orders by authorities. We do not fight wars, and nor do we have any authority to enforce the will of any government, king, council, or law."

He nodded, cheeks still tucked between her breasts.

"And lastly, but most importantly, what is the difference between us and mercenaries?" she questioned as she leaned back again, studying his face.

Edovan knew this one. Mercenaries were cold-blooded, ruthless, and they were paid not to ask questions. Guild fighters, on the other hand, might vary from guild to guild, but they all had some set of rules to follow.

"Mercenaries will do anything for money," he said grimly.

This time she didn't strike him or crush him with her tits. She simply smiled and got up off him, moving to begin undoing all the straps.

"Correct. We are NOT mercenaries, swords for hire to the highest bidder who will do anything for money. As your sponsor has already instructed you, we have a strict but simple code and we follow it." she said as she released the last one and then leaned back against the table again..

Edovan, now free, warily raised his hand.

"This isn't mage school, rookie. If you have something to say just say it." She planted her hands on either thigh and leaned in toward him again. She was practically glistening with sweat by now.

Edovan was trying his hardest not to be intimidated or further aroused. She was imposing, of course. A formidable woman with an iron will, who didn't suffer fools, and it didn't help that she was a deadringer for Yagaritte. But trying and doing are not the same thing. And he was failing on both counts. But he was all about knowledge. And something she had said had caught his attention.

"Wh-what is the code?"

She looked nonplussed at that. "I know you are too smart to have forgotten it already. So I'm going to assume your sponsor never told you?" she shook her head. " What? Again with the hand?"

"Sorry. Um... it's just... it's just that.. I don't even know... who my sponsor is...?"

He had strong suspicions, of course, but the truth was he honestly didn't know, and was hoping he could find out.

She had a sudden look of realization on her face. As if she had remembered something important.

"Oh, yes. Of course. Nevermind, I'll just tell you."

Edovan's eyes lit up!

"The code, I mean..."

Oh well, it had been worth a try.

"Our code is this: In All things, Valor."

She ignored his blank look and pressed on.

"What that means is, that the guild ISN'T about how well you can swing a sword or how tough your are or how much punishment you can take. It's about doing the right thing. What makes us different from most of the citizenry is that when big scary things that most people run from show up, WE are the people running TOWARD the danger. We are willing to fight, when others are not. To defend people who need to be defended.

There is no Valor in simply doing things for money. We do what we do because it's the right thing to do and no one else will. If someone hires mercenaries to go force someone else off their farm, WE are the one's that family will turn to make sure that doesn't happen. I personally screen and approve EVERY contract that comes through this guild. We are here for the betterment of this island and the people on it, and as long as I am in charge that's how it's going to be.

The second part of that code is that we do NOT run. We may fail or suffer defeat, but we don't give up and we don't turn tail. Everybody wants to play soldier, be the big hero, but the bottom line is that most people don't have the guts for it. When faced with real danger and the fact that they might die, they panic and flee. I was in the war. I fought Daedra and worse during the Planemeld. I've seen fresh recruits and conscripts compromise entire battalion formations when they left our flanks exposed because they couldn't face combat. I can't have that here. If you can stand your ground and give back as well as you get, I can make a fighter out of just about anyone. But the most skilled swordsman in all of Tamriel is useless to me if they turn and run or worse, sell out to the other side. So courage and loyalty is above all what we are looking for, and your sponsor tells me you have it."

She leaned and closer to him to stare him level in his large golden eyes. Edovan swallowed, but didn't blink. She was close, her huge face only inches from his. Winter storms appeared to be howling within her own ice gray/blue eyes. Her face took up his entire field of view.

"I think I see it too. I sense your eyes have seen some things in your short life thus far. You've endured loss. You've fought before. You've run when you had to, but you've also stood your ground." She leaned back up again and crossed her arms. "Which is good. Because I sense a storm coming. Nothing like the Planemeld I hope. But something is going on here... on the island. You aren't the only stranger to our shores recently. I've heard reports of a larger than usual number of visitors, which is to say any at all because of how remote we are from anywhere. Many of them seem to be doing their damndest to blend in as well but they stick out like sore thumbs to those who know what to look for. I don't know what is going on, but I'm going to find out, and I can use allies like you on my side. This is in strictest confidence of course. Breathe not a word of this to anyone. I don't want ANY of these newcomers to even suspect that we are on to them. Just know that when the time comes I'm going to need you."

Edovan gulped silently. He had been so focused on his own situation he had no idea anything else was going on. They could even be here looking for him! Though he decided not say anything about that till he knew for sure. And it was clear that he wouldn't be able to spot a stranger unless they weren't a nord. He barely knew anyone here. But the people he did know had been amazing to him. Margara, all the girls at the Boar...Mavka.. And especially Yagaritte. And he had already made good friends here at the guild with Staan.

"Maam. I want to thank you for this opportunity. And I promise I won't let you down. Everyone here has been so good to me, both at the Boar and here at the guild. I know I haven't been here very long but I consider this place my home now. And I swear on my birthright, I won't let anything in my power stop me from protecting them or this island. "

He had stood straight as he spoke and held his staff upright in his hand, resting on the floor like a proper wizard. He must have made some kind of impression on her because the commander suddenly clasped her hand to her mouth in shock but then quickly regained her composure.

"I believe you Edovan."

It was the first time she had used his name. He was getting called "little mouse" so often these days, when anyone actually said "Edovan" he knew it was serious.

"Well welcome to the guild then. I only have one more thing for you." She walked over to the table and retrieved a parchment from the many papers spread across it. As guild master of this fighter's guild it is my duty to inform you that another brand new recruit has issued a formal challenge of combat to your acceptance. Normally you would have to accept the challenge to be admitted, but as you have already been vouched for and specifically requested in a contract, technically it's just a formality and as such, I have the authority to waive the challenge."

She handed him the parchment.

"I'll leave it up to you of course. I would never deprive a new recruit of the opportunity to prove to everyone else what they are made of."

She waited expectantly as Edovan read quickly through the parchment in his hand.

I, being a member of the Jatte Kvinde Fighter's Guild in good standing, formally challenge the acceptance of the raw recruit known as Edovan as unfit to join our ranks because he is untested in combat. As is our custom, he must face me in the challenge ring to prove both his ability and his courage or be refused membership in our fine guild till such time as he is willing to accept my challenge or is otherwise proven in battle.

In All Things Valor...

Signed,

Utha Evershine

Edovan looked up at the Commander more determined than ever.

"I'll do it" he said resolutely.

"Well then," said the Commander, smirking like Yagaritte again. Let's see if you can fight as well as you eat!"

Edovan smiled at her with chagrin. He had a feeling this might be more challenging. A bad feeling. But it was important to him that his new guildmates know that he wasn't afraid to face them. In what seemed like another life entirely now, back when he was in school, a pampered kid from a rich family, he had been an easy target, even among other pampered kids from other rich families. He'd faced his share of bullies. All the way up until his skills with magicka started to develope. Then the tables had turned and he had become quite the little arrogant shit. And though he never bullied anyone else, he was merciless to those who had the bad form to attempt to do so in his presence, either to him or anyone else for that matter. But those had been mage duels. None of his classmates could hope to best him in that arena. As he learned during his six month headlong flight from his home, real enemies with steel and arrows or even just fists were a different matter entirely. And he had the scars to prove it.

"You go ahead and head to the lower yard then." said the Commander, " I'll... be along shortly. But don't start without me. I wouldn't want to miss this."

As Edovan turned and walked away from her toward the doors, she allowed the look of shock she had concealed from him to return to her face. She'd been here nearly all her life. She'd been commander of this guild for over 20. She'd had tried magic of all kinds from all over Tamriel. Save the dwemer table she had used as a desk, and the many artifacts that were originally found on it, and carefully stacked in the corners by the very first guild master who had occupied this office, nothing in this room had ever given off the faintest glimmer of magical ability or aura.