Ia: Other Ingdoms a Surprise?

Author's Note:

Dear Readers,

This chapter we learn more about the other kingdoms

Warning:

This chapter contains some dark themes.

Please remember this is pure fantasy and all characters are of legal age.

A million thanks to

firmbutgentle

for taking time to edit the chapter and help with the flow.

Recap:

Previously, on Ari's request, Gorlm loaned his pony girl Gabby. Ari has promised some unknown favor to Gorlm. Ari takes Gabby to the place she is staying. Gabby narrates to Ari her time on Ayers so far. Gabby and Ari make love. They also discuss their plans to acquire dillithium crystal. Gorlm receives an urgent message from goblin god. He retrieves his property, Gabby, from Ari ahead of time. Riding on Gabby, Gorlm starts his journey back to his village. Ari is in heat just like Gabby, but follows them nonetheless.

In Sibar, things are heating up. Zyd had usurped the ruling king. Princess Adira has been reduced to a mere puppy.

Earlier, few days in to Adira's training

A girl was squatting like a dog in a begging position. Her rear was resting on her heels. Apart from a dog collar on her slender neck and the obnoxious tail, she was completely nude. Adira blinked and shook her head, trying to confirm what she was seeing. Adira gasped as she realized it was her closest friend Sera. A flurry of emotions coursed through her mind. Shock at seeing her dear friend in this precarious situation. A sense of perverse delight that she was not alone in this hellhole. Joy to see her friend again. Most of all, a feeling of helplessness.

Before she could react, she felt another harsh tug on her leash. She yelped in pain as she felt her bottom explode in pain. Whimpering, she hurried behind her trainer.

A few days later, during a training break

For Adira and Sera, the shock of finding each other in this situation had worn off by now. They had consoled each other on that day.

During their initial training sessions, the head trainer had explained to them the basics. Things like subservience, obedience, pain, endurance and so forth. Then the trainers began elaborating. Making them perform what they called basic commands. They had been taught three so far. The first two were pretty simple - 'Heel' and 'Stay'.

Heel meant they were to simply follow the person holding their leash, six paces behind. They were to only look at that person's feet. They had to continue doing so even if the leash was let go. In which case they were to pick up the leash with their teeth and carry it. They were to always keep up with, slowing or picking up pace as required while maintaining the six pace distance.

Their trainers did allow them to talk during breaks.

During one of those breaks, Adira had confided in her friend. Initially, she was really hesitant to even broch the topic. The fact that Sera was in was in similar situation gave Adira the courage to open up about the deeply disturbing reaction of her body. She was as as baffled as she was worried about the constant state of arousal that had been growing more and more powerful within her every day. How could she be sexually excited at being abused in this way? But the tingling between her legs, the dampness covering her lady parts and the constant throbbing in her swaying nipples were the proof.

Adira noticed that Sera was squirming. She was relieved when Sera had confirmed that her experience mimicked what Adira was going through. In a way, this made Adira feel a bit better. She was not losing her mind. They had concluded that the constant state of undress and degradation was affecting their naughty desires.

Adira was exhausted. The morning session was grueling as usual. For some reason, their trainer had been harsher than before. Both Sera and her had been disciplined for the smallest errors. After they had finished licking the bowl clean, Sera crawled towards Adira. As trained, she started licking the crumbs sticking to Adira's face, around her lips and tip of her nose. She had been the one who had kept Adira sane in this nightmare.

"Adira, this will be over soon," Sera whispered in between her licks. Knowing how much it hurt Adira to be taunted with her former title, she had begun calling her Adira instead of 'Princess Adira'.

"But for how long, Sera?" Adira whispered back. Her voice was desperate. It was now her turn to lick and clean Sera. "I cannot take it any longer." She added in a hushed tone.

"Just a little longer. Please, don't give up hope." Sera consoled Adira in a reassuring voice. "Ely, came to visit yesterday. Although it was the most humiliating experience in my life, crawling to meet her. She has assured me that this will be over soon.".

"Oh my goodness Sera!" Adira exclaimed, "I could not have faced her in this condition. What happened?"

Sera's breasts jiggled as she shrugged. She knelt with her ass resting on her heels, her back straight. This classic sitting position had been drilled into them.

Lowering her voice even further, she added "Oh! I will tell you in detail later. For now, did you know that Penelope has managed to escape? It will be over soon. After that, we will castrate all the men who have put us in this position."

In what felt like ages, a glimmer of hope danced in Adira's eyes for the first time. A smile tugged at the corners of her lips. She wanted to jump in joy. Her sister had escaped! She looked at Sera. She giggled, imagining how a castrated Zyd would look like.

Wanting to hear more, Adira opened her mouth to speak. The sound of approaching footsteps cut her short. With a sense of urgency, she hurried to complete her task. The girls hurried to crawl back to their designated spots. They knew that they had to resume their positions before their trainer arrived.

Inside Sibar near Ashel border

Near the Ashel border, the outskirts of Sibar extended seamlessly into the Goblin forest. Hidden within the dense canopy, a small village served as their rendezvous point. As Myrine approached the tavern and the earthy aroma of the surrounding forest was replaced by the scent of wood smoke coming from the tavern. When she got closer, she could hear the distant sounds of drunken guests arguing. She could also hear the loud voices of occasional brawl.

Myrine still exuded a commanding presence even though she had dressed in simple peasant clothing. She was easily a head taller than most patrons in the tavern which was not uncommon for high-ranking commanders in Ashel's royal army. Yet, she felt exposed without her usual regal armor. Stepping into the dimly lit room, her keen eyes scanned the room. She was searching for her trusted agent amidst the smoky haze.

She spotted her contact, the handler of Ashel spies inside Sibar. Calmly sipping a drink, she was sitting at a table in the far corner. They both nodded in recognition. Making her way over through the crowd, Myrine settled into the vacant seat. She waved the serving girl to bring her ale.

The handler had seen Myrine enter in her disguise. She was not sure if Myrine would have been able to fool anyone in the tavern. Even in her ragged clothes, she looked majestic with her commanding presence, an angelic face and perfect gait. Luckily for them, most of the folks in the tavern were half drunk. In addition, the tavern keeper and her staff were staunch Ashel supporters.

Myrine realized that it was going to be difficult conversing amidst the clatter of tankards and loud noises around them. After exchanging pleasantries, they got down to business.

"Commander, I have good news and bad news." the handler inquired in a hushed tone. Keeping her voice barely audible over the noise she asked "Which would you prefer first?"

"I see that you have not lost your wit despite being stationed in Sibar." Myrine chuckled softly "let's start with the good news."

"As per your instructions, Morgana and Diana have successfully integrated into the capital," the handler reported. Her eyes glimmered with satisfaction. "Their home will serve as a vital hub for our efforts in Sibar." Myrine nodded in approval. Her mind was already racing with strategies and plans.

"Have you made contact with King Aldrick's loyalist?" Myrine continued her questions.

"Yes, that's another piece of good news," the handler responded with a proud smile. "They were initially hesitant, but after presenting our offer, they are fully on board. Although, I must admit, some remain reluctant to engage with us." Myrine nodded appreciatively at the update, returning the smile.

"And what's the bad news?" she prompted, her voice edged with anticipation.

"You recall the individual that seized power from King Aldrick right?" the handler asked. With a nod from Myrine, the handler continued "This 'Zyd' fella, well no one knows where he comes from. He has transformed Sibar into a living nightmare." She took a breath, her expression darkening. Still keeping her voice low, she added "Now-a-days, women do not dare to venture beyond their homes without escort. If they do, they are likely to fall prey to his ruthless enforcers - which he ironically calls 'Council of Morality and Virtue'."

Myrines's jaw clenched in anger at the plight of her sisters across the border. She knew that her queen was about to sign an agreement with King Aldrick when Zyd had forced him out. She pushed her emotions aside to focus on the task at hand.

"But that's not all. He has struck a deal with those hated Goblins. He is selling off incarcerated women to the Goblin slavers. Apparently, Zyd has also promised them aid against our beloved kingdom." the handler went on in a heavy voice.

Myrine massaged her temples. She took deep breaths to quell her rising fury as she processed the dire situation in Sibar.

"And what of Zyd himself?" she inquired, her controlled voice barely above a whisper.

"There are rumours amongst the populace," the handler hesitated. With a troubled gaze she continued "Whispers of Zyd's claim to divine power, of his ability to be in multiple places at the same time. There are even rumors that his manhood is the biggest." the handler blushed at the last statement. Nodding emphatically she added "There is something sinister about that man."

"What happened to our team that was going to infiltrate the palace?" Myrine asked in a concerned voice.

As if on cue, a sudden commotion erupted from the far end of the tavern. The clash of tankards and the shouts of angry patrons filled the air. A brawl broke out between two drunken guests. Tables overturned, sending mugs and plates crashing to the floor, while others scrambled to move out of harm's way.

"That's the worst news," the handler replied, raising her voice to be heard over the chaos. "No one has seen or heard back from either of them. My guess is they were captured and are now in the royal dungeons."

Myrine's jaw tightened at the grim assessment. She cast a wary glance at the escalating brawl before turning back to the handler.

"Should I instruct our assets to attempt a rescue?" the handler proposed with a worried expression. She surveyed the unruly scene unfolding before them.

Instead of answering, Myrine rose from her seat. She gave the handler a subtle nod to follow as she gently nudged her shoulder. They made their way outside to escape the escalating commotion.

"Let me get back to you on that. You can expect a note from me at our usual rendezvous point," she assured the handler, her mind racing with possibilities.

After bidding the handler a final farewell, she hastened into the dense forest. She quickened her pace eager to get back home. She found her faithful horse right where she had left him. She changed into her familiar armor, tugging the peasant dress away.

Few days later in Sibar

Zyd was happy. He was in his regal chamber. 'Life is good' he thought to himself. His experiments earlier that day had confirmed what he had suspected. The so-called "Pony Fruit" that the Goblin potion maker had given to him was an astounding find. When the Goblin potion maker had explained to him how the Goblins use it to control their "ponies" by controlling their libido, he had been skeptical. However, his own analysis of the fruit and its effects were more than what he might have hoped for.

The experiments revealed remarkable side effects of the fruit. Not only was the 'Pony Fruit' a potent aphrodisiac, but it also possessed natural contraceptive properties. The amount of estrogen and progestogen hormones found in the fruit had baffled him. He had tested it multiple times but the results were the same. He had concluded that any woman on this fruits' regimen would not have to worry about her monthly cycles. The analysis further confirmed that the fruit was a genetically enhanced variant of one of the local species. What surprised him the most was the short term memory loss it induced if mixed with 'Salvia divinorum'.

Zyd vaguely wondered about the capabilities of individuals on this backward planet to modify DNA at such a level. While genetic manipulation was common in advanced civilizations like Musly, he doubted the locals possessed the scientific expertise for such feats.

He smiled to himself as he recalled an offhand remark from the Goblin potion maker that now made perfect sense. Apparently, it was a well known belief amongst the Goblins that humans were unable to conceive in the confines of Goblin captivity. She had mentioned that the only way for the Goblins to breed their "ponies" was by leaving them with special dwarfs for a couple of months. It was more expensive to part with a well trained pony for such a long duration than to just capture new ones. Thus the Goblins rarely bred their fillies. Only the ones designated to be 'cows' were bred. It made perfect sense now. This duration likely coincided with the time it took for the "ponies" to return to their regular reproductive cycle.

What the Goblins had not realized, but was confirmed by his analysis, was that the skin of fruits contained higher concentrations of those hormones than the succulent, addictive juicy layer. Zyd had devised a method to extract the hormones from the fruit's peel, converting it into a powder form. This powder could be conveniently stored for months, if not years, without concern for spoilage. Although the fruit itself was barely larger than an orange, it was much easier to transport the powder than the fruit itself.

Sound of small bells tinkling followed by heavy footsteps brought him out of his thoughts. He smiled as he saw a woman crawling in his regal chamber followed by Lord Blackwood holding a delicate gold chain attached to a large ring in her septum. But for a dog collar around her neck, the creature crawling towards him was completely naked.

"Lord Blackwood, I see that you finally have her under control." Zyd exclaimed

"Stay" Lord Blackwood ordered the cowering woman. He tied the chain to the chair and sat across the table from Zyd. Smiling to Zyd he responded "Yes Your Highness. This one proved to be a challenge but nothing a good training cannot overcome. I hear you have some new ideas?"

Looking down at the kneeling woman, Zyd smiled. His deviant urges had frustrated him in Musly. Though legal options like lifelike robots or holos existed, Zyd found them devoid of challenge. Despite their advanced artificial intelligence, they couldn't compare to the thrill of the real hunt. On this planet though, in this barbaric society, he was just one of the many so called deviants. In his mind, Zyd saw himself as the apex predator.

"Ah yes. I have enchanted dust for you to use." Zyd informed. He went on looking into Lord Blackwood's eager eyes of an acolyte "Ames, this will solve the problem you were worried about earlier."

He then went on to explain how the pony powder would help. Ames had complained that a few days every month he could not avail his female slaves. Zyd assured him that a daily dose will not only keep his slaves constantly aroused but also make them available throughout the month. It also had an added benefit of preventing pregnancy. Rather proud of himself, he smiled inwardly with satisfaction at the almost reverent look on Ames face.

"Your Highness!," Lord Ames Blackwood exclaimed in excitement, "this will help keep them under control. As you alway say, our God really loves us."

As ordained by their beliefs, the Muslys firmly believed in the traditional roles of men as breadwinners, decision-makers, and protectors of their women. However, they were pragmatic. Practicality had prevailed when they recognized that if half the population remained confined to the home, they could never compete with the GC. Moreover, real-world examples had demonstrated that women were just as competent, if not superior, in many aspects of running a successful empire. As a result, the old rules were rescinded, and in recent centuries, women had ascended to higher positions in various fields within the Musly empire.

When Zyd had received this current assignment to confirm and report back on the dillithium crystals, he wasn't thrilled. While women in high positions weren't unheard of in Musly, they remained rare. He suspected his immediate superior, Mona, a woman who had swiftly risen in ranks and now lead their department, of using this mission as an excuse to sideline him. Despite the patriarchal culture, Mona had ascended in hierarchy.

This had sparked various rumors about her methods hinting at using her beauty to attain the position. Zyd was jealous of her rapid rise just like others in his department. However, he acknowledged her competence. She was known for her efficiency and hands-on approach, actively involved in every task. While demanding, she was also fair. She was unwilling to tolerate any lack of diligence from her team.

"Your Highness, another good news," Lord Blackwood continued "I have news from the team you had sent for collection. They have apprehended the woman in question. They should be reaching the palace with her within two days. As you had predicted, the team found her in the exact spot you had told us. Unfortunately we lost twelve of our men. As you had warned, that woman is really powerful. Your Highness, this has even the non believers convinced that our God communicates with you. "

"Life is good, Lord Blackwood." Zyd responded happily, smiling. Earlier, when he had received word from Musly that Mona was on her way to salvage the mission, he had been concerned. However, he had meticulously devised a plan to track her entry to Ayers. Diverting considerable resources from his burgeoning factories, he had established a tracking system to alert him of any atmospheric entries. His efforts had paid off. He knew exactly where Mona's shuttle had landed. Acting swiftly, he had dispatched an elite team to capture and retrieve her. And now, in just two days, he will meet her again.

Zyd had doubts. He was not sure if even his elite team could match Mona's skills. He had personally trained them extensively and provided them with a few ingenious devices for the task. But he knew that the technology of Musly, and indeed the GC, far surpassed that of this primitive planet. He was a planner. As a risk mitigation strategy he had decided to rely on brute strength. Given the fact that Mona was stickler for rules, he had correctly guessed that she wouldn't blatantly display any advanced technology which was against the Musly regulations. Thus, he aimed to overwhelm any covert tech she might use with overwhelming numbers. Nonetheless, he considered it a victory.

Sera recounts her meeting with Ely to Adira

The other day, I was told that I was to be rewarded for completing first part of my obedience training. As if that was not humiliating enough, the 'reward' was even more degrading. As a reward, they said, I would get to meet Ely. I was beside myself. Forgetting the rules, I spoke. I implored them to let me wear something for the meeting, anything. Of course I was swiftly punished. It was horrible. My rear burnt in pain. Sniffling, I had to heel behind the trainer as they took me to the visiting chamber of the right wing.