Scenes From A Great Pretender Ch 04

Chapter Four: I Want it All

Gerard laughed to himself as he walked down the stairs. He had "forgotten" his coin pouch so he could check up on Mila. It made him happy to see her enjoying herself again, she had been constantly stressed by the risks he was taking. Gerard wasn't particularly worried about the consequences of either of their shenanigans.The pheromones would never sway a human's mind. It was still possible Mila would become attached the natural way, but it was better for her to have fun.

Eliza and company were at the entrance of the Inn. The elves looked desperately uncomfortable in the warm valley environment. The night air was starting to cool, but the humidity kept their clothes damp with sweat. Eliza had been mortified all evening. The weakness of her body had over come her, and worst of all, Gerard had seen her in that state! She could still feel his hands on her skin, inside of her...

A touch on Eliza's shoulder made her jump. Gerard smiled warmly at her and shook a pouch that produced a metallic jingle. "There should be food vendors down by the lake, follow me!" Gerard grabbed her hand.

Eliza nodded, trying to regain composure. "Of-of course!" Gerard was already pulling her along down the street. Eliza could feel Syllia's disapproving stare following them down the street. She was definitely going to get an earful later about "respectful boundaries". If only Syllia knew.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

The lake seemed to stretch on forever, disappearing into the horizon. Some parts of the opposite shore were visible, but the sheer size of it still left Eliza in awe. A familiar finger tapped on her shoulder and she turned to see Gerard holding some sort of pastry. It was shaped like a fish and was a delightfully crispy brown.

Eliza took it and nodded gratefully. "Thanks!" she blew on it and took a bite. It was amazing! It was filled with a sweet cream that she couldn't get enough of. She devoured the rest of it without thinking. She had a moment of clarity while licking the cream off of her fingers and blushed. "Sorry, that was rude of me.."

Gerard laughed and shook his head "Not at all, I'm glad you like it. Social propriety is stifling anyway. Out here, nobody in court can judge us!"

Eliza smiled. It was oddly freeing. She had spent all of her life living up to the highest of expectations. Now she could just relax without worry. That feeling of freedom faded as she remembered her purpose. Two dozen of her subjects, her *people* had disappeared in this land. How could she relax when their faces were unknown?

Eliza felt a hand wrap around hers. She looked up at Gerard who smiled warmly. "You looked a little upset, something on your mind?"

Eliza's mood lightened. That was right, she did have an ally. This wonderful grandson of the king was far too kind and caring to be an enslaver of elves. He was simply a victim of the culture he grew up in. Or at least, she hoped so.

She tightened her hand around his. "Just...thinking about the people we sent down here. They are *my* responsibility. I need to find out what happened to them."

Gerard was silent for a moment. "You're a good leader Eliza Barbshank." He put his hands on her shoulders and looked deep in her eyes. "You have my word, you will find your countrymen, for better or worse. I will do everything in my power to make this happen."

Eliza was enchanted by his eyes, and felt tears forming. Why the hell was she feeling so emotional? It wasn't like he had saved her life or anything. She wiped them away. "Thank you, thank you, now! " Eliza straightened and grabbed Gerard's hand. "I recall you said something about clothes made for swimming?"

Gerard gave a sly smile, "I did indeed! Let's pick something worthy of your position."

They walked together hand in hand towards the lime of shops on the edge of the shore. Syllia and Retayn stood there a distance away. In the chaos of the the group had separated. In a silent agreement the two rival bodyguards kept a respectful distance from the young couple.

"Does how quickly they're becoming closer worry you at all?" Syllia asked as they made their way through the crowds.

"Better then the opposite." Retayn grunted, "I still don't trust your kind worth a damn. Despite his eccentric nature, Gerard is a good judge of character. I'll follow his lead until he's too blind to know the way."

Syllia nodded. She felt similarly about her own charge. Eliza was a natural when it came to maneuvering the court of the mountain elves. This skill was based on a solid foundation of objectivity. If Eliza became blinded by a lovesickness of some kind, she would have to step in.

Retayn sniffed the air. "Gods you mountain elves sweat more then minotaurs. You especially put off a scent that would scare off goblins." He cackled out a laugh.

Syllia looked at him, aghast at his sudden rudeness. "You-you insolent pig! You walk around with dirt you've carried for a thousand leagues and you *dare* insult me?!" She realized she was shaking. Why had this infuriated her so? They hadn't exactly been getting along, but the personal attacks had stopped. The lull almost made this attack worse.

Retayn grinned "Confident words for a knife-eared thief."

Syllia lashed our at him. Her fist was aimed at his temple, nothing fatal, just enough to teach him a lesson. That wasn't what happned. Her arm was snatched from the air and tossed aside. Retayns hand grabbed her throat and shoved her into a wall. She gasped and clawed at his arm. He didn't acknowledge it.

"There we go. Just wanted to make one thing clear. I can say whatever I want to you. I don't care how deeply you hate it, you'll sit there and nod away while I remind you what a useless knife-ear you are. Understand?"

Syllia was shocked to find herself nodding. She would rather *die* then agree. And yet there she was, nodding meekly.

Retayn chuckled. "Good girl. If your charge won't put a leash on your anger, then *I* will." He let go and Syllia fell to her knees, grabbing her neck. "Now let's get moving, you better not have made us lose them."

Syllia watched him walk away. She was humiliated, angry, no furious! But, there was something underneath it all. She hesitantly felt between her thighs. Her body froze. Slowly she brought her hand up and stared at it.

Her fingers were wet.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Keya stumbled around the beach, wandering aimlessly. Hours. Hours of the same pattern over and over. Building and building until she was so close, and then nothing. Her body shivered with every step. She could taste the arousal in the air, her tits felt sore yet still addictingly sensitive.

Sunny was following her. Keya had been trying to convince Sunny to give her relief for half the day, but Sunny had just tilted her head and pretended to not understand. Keya wanted to hate the creature but no such emotion bubbled up. All she felt was need and desire.

Sunny finally spoke behind her. "I think you're ready to negotiate with me Keeyo."

Keya wanted to correct her, but her pride had left her two hours ago. She fell to her knees in front of Sunny. "Anything...anything you want..."

Sunny's smirk burned through Keya's skull. "So cute when you're desperate and helpess. You're a creature of pure lust right now, willing to do anything as long as I promise to grant you release."

Keya nodded frantically. She wanted to touch herself but the pieces of Sunny kept her hands from making contact anywhere worthwhile. "Yes yes Sunny I'd kill the very gods for you..."

Sunny giggled. "Oh nothing so grandiose. It's actually quite simple. What I require is for you to do nothing."

Keya looked up, confused. "Nothing?"

Sunny put a finger to her chin. "Well more accurately, I'm going to tell you a secret, and you're going to give me a sacred vow you'll never tell that secret to your charge. I want to see your morals and beliefs crumble around you!" The look in her eyes was terrifying.

Keya grabbed the sand tightly. Maybe the secret wasn't so bad? "Jus-just tell me what it is."

Sunny leaned down and whispered in her ear. "Master Gerard fucked the brains out of your high elf's wife before we left. And gods, did she love it, did she scream and beg for more. She even said 'you can have my daughter, just keep making me cuuuuum'!" Sunny spoke the final part of the sentence in a perfect imitation of the high elf's wife's voice. The mimic giggled as Keya looked at her, mortified.

Keya couldn't believe it. It wasn't possible. Had they been sabotaged from the start? Was that naive young human a dangerous hunter laying traps for them? Eliza needed to know, Syllia needed to-

The arousal built between her legs, pushing her close to orgasm. Keya whimpered. It wasn't fair, all she wanted was to cum until her voice was hoarse from *screaming*.

Sunny watched her all the while. "Now sweetie, time for that vow. You can either make the promise, or suffer a lifetime of hellish edging. Never reaching that final peak, always unsatisfied."

Keya grabbed Sunnys hand and put her forehead to the ground. She panted heavily as she spoke. "I, Keya of the Marblerock, promise in the eyes of the gods and my people to never mention what I have learned to Eliza, or anyone who may tell her!"

Sunny hummed with delight. "There's that true elvish spirit! Now, feel *bliss*!"

And Keya did. The eruption of pleasure was as sudden as it was welcome. Keya could only lay on her back and hump the air. Her hands were probably bruising her tits, but she didn't care. She didn't even notice. She just groped while that ungodly climax wracked through her again and again. Keya squirted across the beach, a line that Sunny gladly consumed with a stray hand.

Keya twitched in the sand. One thought in her mind.

*It had been worth it. The betrayal had been so, so worth it.*

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Eliza had mixed feelings on the swimsuit she had picked out with Gerard. The store owner had referred to it as a "monokini." Eliza had found the ones that looked like underclothes far too scandolous, so she immediatly had drifted towards the swimsuits that were one solid piece of clothing. It would have been an exaggeration to call her swimsuit "solid," however. The top and bottom halves were connected only by a strip at the front that covered a third of her belly, and widened out at the top and bottom to cover her hips and chest. Eliza's sides and lower back were still exposed, and the straps that went over her shoulders didn't do much to cover the skin there either. Gerard assured her the skin it showed was "part of the local fashion". It certainly wasn't the most scandalous swimsuit in the shop. Still, when she had tried it on the bottoms kept riding up into her rear. It seemed counterintuitive, but Gerard said that was part of the charm.

Eliza met back up with her bodyguards one by one. Syllia and Retayn were first. Something was different about Syllia, she wasn't constantly rising at Retayns jabs. And there were some very aggressive jabs.

"Syllia here couldn't stop oggling the men's swimwear shop, you'd think she never saw a man with abs before!" His roaring laughter filled the dining hall at the first floor of their inn. Allen and Mila laughed with him, while Gerard gave Eliza an apologetic smile.

Keya looked exhausted. She claimed to have swam as far out into the lake as she could and back.

"Well hopefully you didn't tire yourself out too much" Eliza said, "I want us all to go swimming together tomorrow!"

Matilla was acting very friendly with Mila. They seemed to genuinely enjoy each other's company, making the other laugh often. It gave Eliza hope, maybe it would all work out.

"We present to you, the Elven Jewel from the east!" The Owner of the inn shouted from the center of the common area.

Eliza thought nothing of it, before remembering east was where the mountain elf kingdom was. She stood up and looked at the center of the room.

Renell de Hast. The court spy who had taught Eliza how to use a knife. The one who would wink and stay silent when Eliza stole from the kitchens. One of those who had been sent out to gather information on the Cathrain Empire.

Renell was dancing on a table in the center of the room. Transparent purple silk twirled around her as she spun. She wore nothing besides the smallest panties Eliza had ever seen, and paint in the shape of hearts over her nipples.

The other bodyguards noticed and watched in horror. Renell's smile was wide and genuine, seductive as she bent over and kissed the cheeks of those nearby. Half dance and half excuse to be touched by the audience.

Arms wrapped around Eliza. Gerard was hugging her, watching the display over her shoulder. "Look at her face, what do you see?"

Eliza wasn't sure what he meant, she was still in shock. "J-joy?"

Gerard nodded behind her. "Pure bliss. Do you see any chains?"

Eliza looked. There were none. She shook her head.

Gerards hands move down to her hips. He started helping her sway with the music. "Dancing is as natural to culture as breathing. Can you deny that this dance has brought her joy?"

Eliza wanted to argue, but she couldn't get over how good Gerard smelled, and how nice it was to sway back and forth with him to the rhythm. "I-i guess not..."

Gerard turned her around and stared into her eyes. "Dont mourn for those who have found true happiness. You can only wish them well and try to find your own." He pulled her in for a kiss. She let herself fall into it. She didn't want to think in that moment. She just wanted to exist in Gerard's arms for a while.

If Eliza had been able to pay attention, she would have noticed her bodyguards were all being distracted from Eliza and Gerards dance. Keya was groaning and staring at the ceiling as her clothess wriggled. Mila had jumped into Matillas lap and begun to kiss her deeply, aggressively. Matilla had met the challenge and dragged her off to a backroom. Syllia had followed, hoping to stop them in vain while Retayn followed to mock her attempt. Tisha was already Gerards creature, and would have sooner moved the moon then interrupt him. Instead, Tisha had mimicked Mila and jumped into Allen's lap.

Each of them sunk deeper into the tar pit of their desires, not knowing which way they wanted to swim.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Gerard stood on the balcony, staring at the night sky. It had been a very productive evening. By having Eliza witness Renell, he had made her, even just subconsciously, accept that such a thing could happen to her. Even better, Eliza had accepted that reality and existed alongside it. It had been a risky maneuver, and one he normally would have chosen to do under better circumstances.

He heard the first consequence's footsteps behind him. "We need to talk Gerard." Retayn growled.

Gerard sighed. The first name wasn't a good sign. "You don't approve of what happened this evening?"

Retayn stood next to him. "Absolutely not. I recognized that elf dancer, you broke her yourself. Why would you organize such a fool headed display?"

Gerard chuckled. Retayn never minced words. "In my defense, the owner of the Inn messed up the timing. He was supposed to wait until Eliza and I were alone without anyone to distract her. It seems he got excited when he saw the crowd and wanted to put on a show."

Retayn grunted unhappily. "And you're all pleased with yourself now aren't you? Made it through by the skin of your teeth and that's all that matters."

Gerard frowned and turned to the dwarf. "You're not actually angry about the dancer are you? What really has you worked up?"

Retayns face became redder. "I saw that muscled knife-ear with Mila while you were dancing with your toy. When I questioned her, she said that she had your complete and total permission."

Gerard sighed again. This was one if the reasons he had hesitated to bring Retayn. "Mila is her own woman, how she interacts with the elves is her choice."

Retayn slammed his hand on the balcony. "Even if it violates all common sense? There's already rumors of an elven resistance in the capital, and you want to encourage a knife-ear to enjoy *dominating* humans?"

Gerard put a hand on Retayn's shoulder. "Retayn, do you know anyone who knows more about breaking the will of an elf?"

Retayn pushed his hand away leaned on the balcony. He stared out into the dark city. "No. Your intuition is shocking, I just wish you'd use your head for more then enslaving new whores!"

Gerard leaned back on the balcony, staring at the same horizon. "The goal right now *is* enslaving, so trust my judgement. We've made it past the part of the journey with the most room for error. We have a hook in Eliza and each of her body guards. None of them will suggest turning back now."

"I still don't like it. An elf in charge like that...that's a fine line to walk when keeping one of them leashed." Retayn ran a hand through his thick hair. "Gerard I swear you haven't given me a peaceful day in years."

Gerard smiled and clapped the dwarf on the back. "I have a plan, I always do."

Retayn looked up. "That reminds me." He looked Gerard in the eyes, something he rarely did. "Why did you insist on bringing the mimc along? Especially as one as influential as Sunny Day."

Gerard gave a sly smile and wiggled his finger. "I can't give away all of my plans, that would make your life too easy. You'd die of boredom within a year!"

Gerard left the balcony. Retayn watched him go, thinking on what Gerard had said. He had confirmed that Sunny Day's presence wasn't a whim. Mimic society was complicated, but from what he could understand between the lines of their abstract speech, Sunny Day was important to them.

Retayn shivered. Gerard had never been interested in matters of state and politics. He was lazy and prone to spending days in his room with Gods knows how many elves.

But when Gerard cared about something, it was done grace and precision. Retayn was sure that with a little more maturity (and a far weaker labido) Gerard would have had the Cathrain court dancing in his hand.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Gerard laid down in his bed, excitement building inside of him. Eliza was capable of seeing the enslaved state of one of her countrymen, and doing nothing about it. In fact, Eliza seemed to have been quite excited when Renell allowed a customer to spank her. Her heart had raced adorably, and he had seen her lick her lips a few times. It meant the plan could work.

Retayn would never approve of the next step, but it was necessary. Eliza had witnessed one of her people be a sexual creature, now she needed to experience it.

*"Fill your many days with all the joy you can find"*

The words from his youth made him smile. There was plenty of joy to find out here.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Eliza stared up at the ceiling, Gerards words playing through her mind. They had watched Renell's entire performance, including when she had offered her body to the highest bidder. She was thankful the winner had taken Renell to a side room, watching that would have been too much.

Was she thankful? Eliza felt a strange emptiness in her belly when she imagined Renell submitting to the bidder. Her thighs rubbed together and she bit her lip. Had she actually wanted to see more? She shook her head. It was improper! Even if Renell had chosen all of that of her own free will, the indecency of it was still unbecoming of the daughter of the high elf!

In spite of that thought, she squirmed in her bed. Gerards scent lingered in her nose, the taste of his lips haunted her. Eliza wanted to see him again. She wanted to feel his touch and his skin on hers, to melt into each other-

Eliza gripped her bed sheets. The need was becoming unbearable. Any worse and she'd be running to Gerard's room.