Author's Note: This is my first story in this genre. There are more chapters to follow. I hope you enjoy!
A Visitor in the Night
Chapter 1
The lord and master of the castle was restless. He had recently been out marauding with a band of knights for hire and had conquered many a fortress and castle to add to his holdings. Now, he had been home a fortnight and the exhilaration of the conquests had begun to wear off.
He currently had no overnight guests, no slaves, in fact, quite an empty castle. He had sent a large group of servants, under the supervision of some knights, to one of his newest holdings to clean the place and ready it for his future use.
He paced now in one of the large chambers off of the great hall. A fire roared in the stone fireplace for the night was cold and bleak for that time of year. It seemed to him that winter had decided to come early that fall, and his thoughts were as black as the night.
He had so much pent-up energy and no immediate way to release it. He paced, looking down at times at his shining black boots. Suddenly, he heard the sound of the heavy metal knocker hitting against the studded wooden doors of his home.
The knocking did not subside. Where is Oden, worthless lout, he wondered, and why wasn't he answering the door? Why do I keep him on, he wondered? But he knew the answer. Oden was fierce and loyal and would protect him to the death. He also would not be appalled by anything the master did.
He left the chamber and went to the door. He could hardly open it against the howling wind. There was a figure there in a hooded black cloak. Another beggar who had no doubt slipped in unseen in the dark he thought as he scowled at it.
The hood of the cloak blew off in a strong gust of wind, and he saw that it was not a beggar but a beautiful damsel who graced his doorway. Her long, dark hair was tangled and blowing about her face. Her huge blue eyes looked frightened.
"Please, My Lord, may I enter?"
Fascinated, he stepped aside and permitted her to walk inside.
"Here, come to this chamber and warm yourself. You look half frozen, lady," he stated.
She followed him into the chamber and stood by the fire rubbing her hands together. Her hands looked white and soft. Clearly, she was a lady and not a serving wench.
"How is it that you have come to my castle on this blustery evening, all alone?" he enquired.
She was silent for a moment.
"I know not," she replied. "In fact, I do not remember anything. I do not know my name or from whence I came, My Lord."
"Please, I prefer to be called Master and not My Lord."
"Yes, Master," she said softly, and at the sound of those words he felt a stirring in his loins.
He wasn't feeling so bored and miserable now. He looked at her, and his thoughts began to travel into the corners of his mind that he only explored on special occasions. He could feel the blood moving into his loins as his thoughts crystallized.
"So, lady, you are sure you have no idea who you are or from whence you have arrived?"
She nodded.
He walked smoothly to her and lifted her chin. "Do not fear. I will take care of you."
She looked at him with beautiful, trusting eyes.
"Now that you have warmed up, why don't I take your cloak?" he suggested, carefully untying it from beneath her chin.
When he opened the sides of the cloak to reveal her beneath it, he sucked in his breath at what he saw. She was stark naked underneath save for her black sheer stockings and garters and her leather shoes.
She was totally unashamed, almost oblivious to the fact that she was naked.
He was not oblivious, however. She had a full, lush body, voluptuous even. Her breasts were large and full and hung beautifully against her torso. Her nipples were large and pink. The tops of her thighs were white against the stockings and her Venus mound was covered with a thin layer of dark hair. Her outer lips were slightly parted to reveal the pink of her inner depths. Noting the soft, white flesh and rich curves, he noted that she had obviously not been wandering around for long.
It took him a moment to compose himself. He approached her as he spoke, "I am going to have my ladies feed, bathe, and dress you, and then you will meet up with me again. Will that be pleasing to you, my lady?" He drew the cloak around her again, enveloping her hidden beauty.
She nodded, and he pulled the heavy bell cord to summon his servant. Oden appeared momentarily at the doorway, and if he was surprised to see a maiden in a cloak standing in the master's chamber, he did not show it. Oden was more of a bear than a man, standing seven feet tall with a massive frame, large bald head, and protruding eyes. He had a large scar that started at his left ear and wound its way down his cheek.
"Have Gwyneth and the ladies draw a hot bath for my guest and send one of the ladies to lead her to the chamber," he instructed Oden.
Oden grunted and nodded and retreated, and it wasn't long before a female servant came in and gently led the maiden away.
The master retreated to his bedchamber and called for his man servant/valet to draw a bath for him as well. He would soak in the hot water and will the throbbing in his loins to dissipate because it was too soon for it. He needed to calm himself, and he would think about exactly how he wished to proceed with his visitor.
Chapter 2
An hour and a half passed and the master was out of the tub, freshly dressed in a clean tunic, hose and boots. His dark hair was clean and still damp. It fell to the back of his neck and curled slightly. Unlike others, he did not have a full beard but a small trimmed one, and a mustache as dark as his hair graced his upper lip. Like the beard, it was neatly trimmed. His eyes were dark, calculating and mesmerizing. It was hard to look away if one met his gaze. He was tall, lean, and well-muscled, and his body was strong and powerful. The muscles of his thighs bulged in his hose, and the mass of his loins was apparent beneath the tunic.
He rang for Oden and bid him to check on the visitor. Oden returned and informed his master that she had ceased to eat and bathe and that the women had her dressed.
"Send for her then," he ordered.
"Master, in which chamber would you like her?" Oden questioned.
"The tower chamber and make haste," he ordered.
Oden hurried away, moving quickly for one so large.
The master made his way to the circular staircase of the keep tower and climbed the stairs, his whole body alert with anticipation. He entered the chamber to find Oden there lighting the torches and the fireplace.
"She will be up shortly, Master," he said as he finished his task and left the room.
Soon thereafter, there was a knock on the chamber door, and the Master's voice commanded the knocker to enter. The damsel tentatively opened the heavy door, turning around to the woman servant for affirmation that she should enter. The servant nodded and moved lithely away. The maiden had no recourse but to enter the chamber and she did, walking slowly, uncertainly.
He was waiting for her in the center of the room, darkly handsome in the dim torchlight, for the chamber was not brightly lit.
"Come in, my dear, and let me look at you. I trust the ladies treated you satisfactorily?"
She nodded as she walked to him. She was radiant. Her long dark hair had been washed and curled, slightly damp tendrils still framing her face which was a perfect oval. Her blue eyes were enormous, fringed with long lashes. She wore a robe of cloth of silk, tied at the waist with braided golden thread. She wore a circlet of gold on top of her dark locks. Her feet were in embroidered slippers, and the dark stockings were just visible beneath the flowing hem of the robe. The robe could barely conceal her full breasts, and her large nipples were straining against the material.
He sucked in his breath and it caught in his throat. She was lovelier than he had even realized. He reached for her hand, and she proffered it. He enclosed it in a warm embrace. His hand was firm, calloused from battle, strong and masculine with long fingers and neatly groomed nails.
"You are beautiful, my dear. Are you frightened?"