Part 1 of a short 2 part story congruently set in the same time and place as the other Goblin Quest story
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"Princess Emmaline, this is already highly unorthodox! I implore you to please reconsider! Your safety, not to mention your virtue, is at stake."
"I already have, Chief steward, more times than you can imagine -- lying in bed at night wondering who I was going to be married off to for what political favor or economic gain -- and I have come to the realization that since I'm third in line for the throne, my virginity is unnecessary. Let my two sisters ahead of me worry about which noble is going to get their maidenhood. Besides, how do you know I didn't already break it myself just to spite my family?"
"Don't even joke about such things, your highness!" The elderly servant took a deep breath. "I can sympathize with you. I truly can. I've been in your family's employ ever since you were born, and I've taken care of you till now. Perhaps I spoiled you a bit too much, letting you roam as you wanted and shirk on some of your classes on how to be a proper lady, but surely you could have chosen a less... violent path for your life!"
"I was not gifted with lady-like grace or delicate physique like my sisters. I cannot even entertain the idea of a life as a pretty little flower at the beck and call of social and royal obligation. I crave the freedom to explore and adventure, and it was either marry, get sent off to a convent, or join the Order. Since I honed my athletic prowess and martial art skills as much as I can through training,it would be a shame not to take advantage of this noble career. Most importantly, it's a path I've chosen for myself."
The princess placed a sympathetic hand on the old servant's shoulder. "Let's not forget you're partially to blame. Ever since you gave me that toy sword, you kindled my interest in the Rose Shield-Maidens."
He looked up apologetically. "It was meant to be a symbol of my sworn duty to protect you. I didn't mean to give you the wrong impression."
"Don't be. I'm glad you did, even if it took begging you every day for a full month to teach me how to use it.
"Chief steward... Edwin... I appreciate your concern. You have served my family faithfully for many years. In several ways, you have been a second father to me, but I have made my decision, and I ask for your support this one last time."
"You honor me, princess," he sighed. "I have supported you to the best of my abilities, and I won't stop now. I will support your decision, but... but..." He stooped forward to whisper. "Do you still have to participate in the... mandate?"
She laughed. "Of course! I don't like singling myself out for special treatment." She gave the old man a hug. "Thank you."
Emma turned around, pushed open the weathered guardroom door, and stepped out into the sunny plaza. A dozen female paladins, with gold, blue, and white hauberks fluttering in the wind, stood at the base of a raised platform some distance away. Twenty male goblins, clean, clothed, and keenly interested, stood on the platform, leering at the human women below.
More than a few of the women leered back. The more coy ones tittered behind their hands and whispered amongst one another.
The princess crossed the aged cobblestone walkway, stopping beside her bunkmate.
"The old fox is actually going to let you participate in the mandate, eh, little swan?" mused the brawny female warrior.
"I wouldn't say I got his blessing, but I did get his support, Kloe."
The tall Amazon warrior patted her friend on the head. "Except for the time you wanted a comfier mattress for your bunk... or the time you asked for liniment for all the calluses you got after training... or when you asked for an outhouse to be built."
Emma nudged her friend. "You know that was only for the first three weeks. I just needed some... time and help to adjust to a less spoiled lifestyle. I can squat in the bushes as well as any of the other girls now,' she pouted.
Kloe laughed. "Not the highest of accomplishments. You're still shy about getting naked in the public bath, and I can't fathom why. With shapely stallion legs and a chest that would turn any eye, what do you have to be ashamed of?"
"I was just brought up with a different sense of modesty. If you had your way, you'd be topless right now."
"You bet I would! Having your body exposed to the sun and air feels so liberating!"
"Or maybe you hate armor because it chafes those perky nipples of yours."
The amused warrior poked the side of Emma's boob. "I prefer mine bold and assertive to little-miss-inny here."
The princess covered her chest defensively. "It certainly makes it easier for you to orgasm during those boring theoretical combat lectures. You can just fold your hands and tease away."
"Much of fighting is psychological. Being half-naked to show your opponent you don't fear them is half the fight! Besides, right now, showing ma'goods to the boys on stage would make it easier to get their attention."
"Speaking of," Kloe said, glancing over her shoulder, "the men over yonder sure are ogling those goblin girls, and with chests like them, I would be too. Can't replace a nice, filling cock, mind you, but I bet it's something special to mash clits with a swollen gobby puss."
Turning her attention back to their side of the plaza, she put an arm around Emma. "So, little swan, any lad catch your eye?"
Emma peered toward the new recruits on stage. "I've never seen a goblin in person. They sure are wiry and short."
"Sure are! Perfect height for licking pussy when you're just standing around, and I bet they have all kinds of clever ideas on how to fill a hole."
Emma shifted her weight and asked, "How would you tell if you have any compatibility?"
"Like personality and stuff? Can't really help ya there. Maybe the one that would annoy you the least?"
Up to that point, none of them caught Emma's fancy. A particularly raucous male stepped to one side and revealed a timid-looking individual behind him. The previously hidden goblin was wringing his hands and looking toward the ground. His facial features were less sharp, and he was a smidge shorter than average.