The Edged Lexicon Ch 04 Vespertine

This is a multi-chapter series based on The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, with a big focus on BDSM/kink. Please feel free to leave any feedback, and hope you enjoy!

***

Nadine stirred, taking a while to come to and remember where she was.

A bed. Adrianne and Ulfberth's bed. The same bed she'd witnessed them in, with the Redguard, the night she'd got caught.

Suddenly aware of her own nudity, she instinctively pulled the covers over herself, guarding her bare skin from being seen.

Not that it mattered much now - both of them had seen every inch of her, whipped her arse raw, heard her whimper and beg and cry out her release.

The familiar prickle of heat crept across Nadine's skin as she recalled the events that had transpired.

"Glad to see you're awake, pet. I trust you had a good rest?" Adrianne beamed at Nadine, her tone nurturing and kind.

Nadine could only nod.

Adrianne stood over a large, cast iron pot, stirring vigilantly. The scent of something hearty and delicious filled the room, making Nadine's stomach rumble. As if reading her mind, Adrianne gestured to the pot. "Hungry?"

"Famished," Nadine admitted.

Famished and completely confounded.

"If you'd like to freshen up, Ulfberth can draw you a bath upstairs - it's not the most thorough, but it's a bit cold to bathe outside. We can eat when you're done," she continued as if this situation was the most natural thing in the world.

Nadine lowered herself into the bath, her mind reeling.

What in Oblivion was going on?

She had so many more questions than answers, and every situation that she had got into over the past few days had grown more outlandish, more surreal. Now here she was in a stranger's home, cleaning the remnants of their deviance off her still-flushed skin, and about to sit down to a nice, wholesome meal with them. The whole situation was profoundly odd, to say the least.

"Evening, girl," Ulfberth greeted cheerily as Nadine resurfaced. "Get you a drink?"

Her face a picture of surprise, she eventually answered. "...Yeah, thanks."

Sitting a bottle of mead down in front of her, he addressed her quizzical expression. "You've probably got a fair few questions, eh? We'll do our best to answer them all over dinner."

***

Nadine sat jaw agape, spoon loaded with beef stew stalled part way between bowl and mouth as she attempted to take in what Adrianne had just told her.

Their meeting had not been accidental. Everything from Nadine's discovery of the pair's tryst with the Redguard man to their meeting with her earlier was carefully set up by Brynjolf, Adrianne and Ulfberth. It was a test of sorts; them sensing something inherent in Nadine that even she had not yet recognised, seeking to coax it out gently, invisibly setting the scene and guiding the hand of fate as she delved deeper into her own sexual discovery. The first test had been within these very walls; they knew that her only given task was to retrieve the book and leave, which is why they waited just within earshot, hoping that her own curiosity and lust would overpower her usually sensible intentions and make her take the bait.

"That was the beauty of the plan," remarked Brynjolf, "It only progressed if you did."

"We wanted you to be in control without knowing what was going on behind the scenes," Adrianne explained. "That was the most important part in all of this - you had to truly want this, and going forward, it had to be your choice. That's why we made you ask to be punished, beg to be fucked, and ultimately choose whether you decided to submit or not. We also did our best to create clear boundaries, and remind you that while we were telling you what to do, you still had the freedom to leave whenever you wished."

Adrianne sipped her ale, continuing. "Ordinarily we would do this by clearer, more obvious means," Adrianne stressed, giving Ulfberth and Brynjolf a stern look. "But the nature of our introduction meant we needed to take a more...cloaked approach. We knew that these were uncharted territories, so we ultimately wanted you to feel as safe as you could to explore them. Every step we made was carefully calculated, and luckily for us, not only did you not go running, you ventured further every time, and came back for more."

Nadine ate her stew, her mind working overtime to process the information.

"Why, though? I'm still not sure I understand what's happening."

"That's understandable - it's a lot to take in," Adrianne smiled, attempting to be reassuring while knowing how all this must sound.

"We're sorry for the cloak and dagger, lass, but we doubted you'd have been up for trying most of what we did had we approached you in a more open manner." Brynjolf grinned apologetically, seemingly impervious to Adrianne's glare.

"I know we've hardly started off on the most honest or trustworthy foot, but we can all promise you that we'll aim to be as transparent as possible from now on if you're still interested in dealing with us."

Nadine nodded, slowly but surely coming to terms with Adrianne's words.

"The three of us, as well as several others, belong to a group of people - I suppose you could call us a guild of sorts. We enjoy engaging in the kinds of things that you've been exploring over the past few days, as well as several others. It's our own personal sanctum; somewhere away from prying eyes where we can feel free and safe to submit to our desires."

Adrianne continued. "So here's our proposition, Nadine. We'd like to extend to you an invitation to join our group - we think you'd be a perfect fit. If it doesn't interest you, that's perfectly okay: as far as we're concerned your end of the bargain with us has been fulfilled, and you've more than earned the book. We also hope that you've had as good a time as we all did. If, on the other hand, you'd like to continue exploring your newfound urges, meet with us at Honningbrew Meadery on Fredas at sundown, and we'll be happy to welcome you into the fold - following your initiation, of course."

Nadine's head swam, slightly overwhelmed at all this new information but already thrilled at the idea of more potential liaisons like the past few days.

"Weigh it over, sleep on it," Ulfberth offered, his tone kind and supportive. "If you've got any questions you know where to find us."

Thanking them all for their hospitality, Nadine set off to the nearest inn, eager to rest and absorb the information she had just obtained. Sated in every sense, she settled in the spartan room, feeling slightly melancholic at being alone for the first time in days. She reached into her bag to retrieve the Daedric tome, and came across a small, leather satchel, its contents clinking as she pulled it out of her bag.

Think you earned this more than I did, lass,

read the note attached,

spend it well. Maybe on some boots of muffling?

It was a small satchel of septims - the same one, she recalled, that Brynjolf had wagered for the book should Adrianne and Ulfberth have accepted cash-based compensation. Nadine grinned at Brynjolf's joke - truthfully, his cheeky, charismatic wit was one of the things she found so attractive about him. For a member of the Thieves Guild, whose entire livelihood and raison d'etre was situated around the septim? It seemed like a fairly grand gesture, and Nadine was touched.

She missed him; his auburn hair like an autumnal forest floor, his roguish smile that travelled from the curl of his soft lips to his twinkling, emerald eyes, his flirtatious banter delivered in that velvet-smooth, lilting voice that still made her weak at the knees.

Gods, she missed him.

Her mind wandered to their last encounter, his hands wrapped around her hips, completely at his mercy as he whispered, soft yet sinister in her ear: "That's what you get for calling me a common thief, lass."

Nadine's body prickled and blazed with the familiar heat of shame and arousal mingling, patches of pinkness forming across her half-bare skin. A gentle breeze blew in through the inn window, heightening the bumps that formed across her flesh, as well as her own excitement. Her hand moved as if of its own volition, tracing the spots that had become heated, mapping her own desire out - chasing the source of both her lust and shame. As she grew nearer, eventually clasping down on her own release, she realised that they were one and the same.

Honningbrew Meadery, sundown on Fredas. She would be there.

***

The rest of the week dragged on as she waited for Fredas to arrive. She continued with her initial assignment, discovering that the book was indeed written in the Daedric alphabet. Having knowledge too scant to fully decipher it, she turned to the one place she always did when seeking answers: The Arcaneum.

Urag, the resident librarian, marvelled at the book - and then rather suspiciously demanded to know exactly how she'd acquired such a disturbing item. Luckily, Drevis, the Illusion mage took a keen interest in the tome and didn't ask any questions about its origin. She and the Dunmer both pored over the pages that told of the Lord of Domination, Harvester of Souls, Father of Coldharbour and creator of vampirism, and the myriad twisted and degrading ways he forced mortals to submit to his will. Nadine shifted uncomfortably in her seat, finding the subject matter somewhat difficult.

"Molag Bal's an especially difficult Daedra - one that my people have quite the detailed past with," Drevis remarked, scratching his pointed beard. "One of the Four Corners of the House of Troubles, but that's a story that's best left for another time."

Nadine gathered her notes and made her exit, deciding that was enough work for today. Letting her mind wander back to the meeting that awaited her, she decided that maybe she would spend the money Brynjolf had given her on something nice.

Fredas evening, she unwrapped her new purchases - Brynjolf's little gift had been well spent. She traced her fingers lightly over the soft, ivory silk, handling the dainty undergarments and stockings with a gentle care as she meticulously wiggled herself into them. She laced up the corset, admiring how the colour complimented her skin - the two pure and pale, yet the latter showing up every brush of heat, excitement or embarrassment she felt. Catching a glimpse of her reflection in the window pane, she blushed at how good she looked - like a present waiting to be unwrapped. Even when she was fully dressed, she felt a surge of powerful lust, knowing she was the only one who knew what laid underneath.

For now, at least.

Nadine arrived at Honningbrew just as the torchbugs and luna moths were beginning to appear, the sun having retreated into the clouds that hung overhead. Adrianne and Ulfberth stood outside, next to the brewhouse door. As she nervously approached, Ulfberth enfolded her in a lover's embrace, Adrianne stepping forward to join them. Nadine sighed as she gripped onto the pair, breathing in their comforting scents. She hadn't realised just how much she'd missed them.

"This way, pet."

Opening the heavy, enforced door, the three wandered through the brewhouse, descending the stairs and walking through a dark, dull hallway lined with kegs upon kegs full of mead. Eventually, reaching another door, they turned the key, hearing a loud satisfying

clunk

as it unlocked.

"Welcome to the Sanctum of the Vespertine."

Nadine looked round, taking in everything that surrounded her. In front of her was a long, grand dining table housing a banquet fit for a Jarl, with about a dozen or so figures sitting around it - some whom she realised she recognised. Brynjolf was one of them, as was the Redguard stranger. Tucked away in the corner of the room was an alchemist's table with shelves of salves and potions, as well as a well stocked ingredient supply; in the opposite corner of the room, a fire burned brightly in the hearth, large, cosy looking armchairs surrounding it, bookshelves lining the nearby wall. Some ways behind the banquet table and down a set of steps, she could make out some smithing tools - workbench, forge, anvil - as well as several pieces of furniture similar to the bench she'd gotten so acquainted to the other day, only far more daunting looking. She saw what looked to be shackles, a large cross-like device, some sort of rack...? It looked not unlike a torture chamber. A shiver ran down her spine.

"So, is this the one?" a sultry, sinister voice asked. The source of the voice was an achingly gorgeous woman; tall, flaxen-haired and somehow terrifying to Nadine in ways she couldn't quite figure out yet.

"Oh yeah, that's definitely her," the Redguard smirked, a wicked glint in his eye.

"We're so glad you could make it, Nadine," Adrianne beamed. "Come sit down with everyone - they're so eager to meet the new protegé."

Nadine perched herself next to Brynjolf, his familiar, cheerful face serving as a beacon of comfort in more unfamiliar surroundings. One by one, she was introduced to the bodies sitting around the table.

The mystery Redguard and statuesque blonde were Nazir and Astrid, and were apparently members of the infamous Dark Brotherhood.

That would explain the ominous looking red and black armour

, Nadine thought.

And my feeling of unease.

If they noticed her discomfort, they didn't show it, merely smiling at her in a slightly unnerving manner.

The woman sitting next to them wore armour matching Brynjolf's, but her demeanour was in direct contrast. Her severe face was framed by a shock of almost white-blonde hair, matched by her pallid skin. "Vex," she announced brusquely. "I work with your travelling companion down in the Thieves' Guild."

Nadine blushed, quickly muttering a greeting in response to the woman's pointed comment. Thankfully, nobody around the table seemed to notice and the introductions went on.

The next was a redhead woman, her cheeks rosied and skin sunkissed. She ran her fingers through her tangled, flowing locks as she spoke. "Aela. I'm with the Companions. You may have heard of us; we train up at Jorrvaskr."

"I have," Nadine admitted. "I actually visited once to test my mettle but was told you didn't accept mages."

"Their loss, Miss Rielle," a wonderfully resonant voice interrupted. "Giraud Gemane - I believe we may have met during your brief term at the Bard's College?" Turning to face the man, Nadine realised she did remember him - a Breton like herself, with slight stubble peppering his distinguished, handsome face. He raised his tankard to his mouth, draining it empty, then gestured to Ulfberth.

"Ysolda, Ingun! Fetch some more drink for our guests." Ulfberth's voice rumbled across the table. It was only then that Nadine noticed the two serving girls - one with short red hair, the other with flowing black locks similar to her own. They were both scantily clad, their dark tavern dresses revealing more than they covered, the hems barely skimming their thighs as the fabric scarcely traced over their breasts. They also both wore leather collars around their necks, a small silver ring gleaming in the centre of each.

"Where's the mage," Vex asked Adrianne, "still doing his disappearing act?"

"Ah, I thought we were missing someone! Of course. Nadine, there's someone you've still to meet, although I understand that you're already acquainted."

From out of nowhere, the figure of a man appeared by Adrianne's side, handsome, bearded and silver haired - Drevis Neloren, the Illusion tutor from the Mage's College who had helped her translate the book the other day. Nothing should surprise her at this point, yet it did.

"Disappearing act? You should be so talented, fetcher." Drevis smirked at Vex before focusing his attention on Nadine. Taking her hand, he introduced himself in this new context: "Charmed to make your acquaintance again, dear girl."

Vex rolled her eyes at Drevis' showy entrance; Nadine, on the other hand, was rather taken by it, if a little shaken by the fact that she had no idea how long he had been there, invisible and watching.

"Now that you've met everyone, I thought it might be a good idea to go over the basics of what it is we do here," Adrianne said, "as well as establishing some house rules. Then we can have some fun."

"Any guild or group is only as strong as the bonds within it. The most important tenets are trust, safety and consent - this is what separates us from Molag Bal and his worshippers. That doesn't mean you won't be pushed to every one of your limits, however. But, within these walls, your main tool of control is what we call a safeword. If you feel like anything at all is too much - a scene is too intense, you're too scared, pain is getting too much, something just doesn't feel right - use your safeword. Whoever is in charge of you at that time will stop what they're doing immediately and make sure you're okay. Ultimately, the health and safety of everybody in this Sanctum is our top priority, so we'll all do our best to make sure you're taken care of during and after a scene."

"Our vetting process for membership is very particular, as you probably noticed. Now, I know it probably looks like our ranks are filled with rogues and assassins, but I can promise you that I would trust any one of these people with my life. Having said that, if you ever feel uncomfortable with anything that's said or done during a scene, please come and see either me or Ulfberth and tell us what happened. Again, everyone's safety in the Sanctum is our top priority and vigilance is paramount; we will not tolerate abuse from anyone, whether they've been inside these walls five minutes or five years. Also, this should go without saying, but discretion is vital. You absolutely cannot mention this to anyone outside these walls. Is that all understood?"

"Absolutely, Adrianne."

"Any questions?"

Nadine had a few. "What's my safeword?"

"Good question. It can be anything you want. Ingun there uses 'Nightshade' when she wants to stop, and 'Nirnroot' when she wants her Master to slow down or to lower the intensity a bit. She's our alchemist as well as being a wonderful little pain slut, so the words were a perfect fit."

"Those words sound good. Can I use them?"

Ingun's voice chimed over, "Go ahead."

"Thanks. I have another question."

"Go on, pet."

"Why here? For a dungeon, I mean."

"Why not? Central location, close to Warmaiden's, great mead...had to clean it up a bit before we moved in and do some light pest control, but other than that it's a pretty perfect location, wouldn't you agree?"

Chomping on a thick chunk of horse haunch, Aela piped up, "I suggested we make our home in the Underforge - it's nice and cosy, plus it's close by. But everyone said it smelled like wet dog."

"Yeah, plus that massive smelly chalice in the centre of the room was possibly off-putting for new recruits," Vex chimed in sarcastically. "What was

in

that thing?"

Nadine felt Adrianne's kind words and the other members' banter comfort her in equal measure. "It's a great location," Nadine conceded, grinning. "Plus, I'm a sucker for Honningbrew. I'm in."

Adrianne sighed. "Any other burning questions?"

"I don't think so."

"Wonderful. Then it's time for your initiation."

***

"Grab a drink. Make yourself comfortable in the arena. We'll be down in a moment, after we've got ourselves ready."

Nadine slowly descended the stairs to the dungeon arena, marveling at the various pieces of furniture on display. She noticed several more set-pieces - an ornate four poster bed with sturdy shackles affixed to the headboard, surrounded by matching armchairs and a large desk; a cage big enough to fit a fully grown person; what looked to be a set of pillory stocks, like ones found in a town square, with spaces for one's hands and head; and an entire series of complicated looking pulleys, rigs and ropes. Tentatively, she perched herself on one of the armchairs and sipped her bottle of Honningbrew, steadying her nerves. Her whole body jangled, sparks of delicious energy surging through her.