Melee and I walked a narrow forest path from our tent to the river. The shadows were getting deep, the sun was sinking behind the mountains and trees to the west. I kept our conversation about her, asking about Gilead.
"So Melee, you and Gilead? He seems charming, and you seem well matched and challenged."
"Mistress! Yes, Gilead is sweet, and certainly can give me what I crave. Except there is only one of him, hahahaha... which, as you know, is not enough."
"Why is that, Melee? I cannot imagine a hunger for any other man than Z... him."
"You haven't tried Mistress. Having two, even three, is a feeling I cannot describe. Being filled everywhere, all at once, all that seed, satisfying multiple men, is a pleasure beyond any I have known. The taste of a man in my mouth, while having a man in me, maybe even two in me, is bliss."
I found this curious, and could not imagine craving any other man than Zyre. All I wanted was to feel that manhood in me, anywhere. I have never known a man in any way; the closest was Syrte in the arena, and sparring with Zyre, whom I wanted the moment I saw him.
"Hahaha unless you experience it, Mistress, there will be no understanding I'm afraid."
"I do not wish it, Melee, I only wish for him. But he will not take me, I doubt his desire is the same as mine."
"Exactly what I wish to speak with you about. I have hinted, and asked Gilead a few questions. I know you desire him, and I blame you not. A feared warrior, a chieftain, and, if he has his way, the hegemon of the Orc tribes; a king for all practical purposes. And Mistress, do not worry about his desire for you. I heard what he spoke just before you lost consciousness in the arena."
"I did not imagine that then? He called me 'his love'?"
"He did. And I never recall in all my days an orc saying such things."
"And my desire does not revolve around his power, Melee, real or otherwise. When I rode out of the palace with Cyllian, the palace guards, and you, to greet Zyre and his retinue for negotiations... I do not know. I felt pulled, like the earth herself was drawing me to him, something beyond me. Regardless, what words passed between you and Gilead?"
"First, I won't bore you with details, but know this. Gilead has said Zyre hasn't touched a woman since that meeting. And I can verify during their stay in the palace, he not once partook in a woman. And yes, Mistress, I would know. Not one of the palace servants entertained him. You know how lustful and virile orcs are, so for him to not touch or have use of a woman for weeks is remarkable."
We had reached the river by this time, and we walked along its banks looking for a suitable spot. We found a bend a little off the trail, where there was a low drop from the bank, sandy and hidden. Fitting for a private bath and conversation. We looked around, and sniffed the air but there seemed to be no one present, no threat. We stripped our clothes and entered the cold river water slowly, it was a shock at first, but we soon adjusted and let the water wash over us. I continued my questioning.
"And what else did he have to say about his master?"
"Gilead does not know much. Zyre is circumspect, and does not always make his intentions known. He did say he watches you closely, but that is no secret." She smiled that knowing look and continued. "All in the camp have been told, under pain, that you and I are not to be molested; we are not for the 'common use' that orcs are so used too. Except if I'm willing.. which of course, I usually am. Ha! But you really haven't anything to fear. With your magic no one can touch you without your consent."
"My magic, as you say, I cannot control. Anything within 200 feet of me suffers annihilation, you know this. I am surprised Zyre survived the arena, but I had no choice. And as you know, it leaves me exhausted beyond measure. My use of it must be judicial, otherwise Syrte and his band wouldn't have caught us off guard."
"Well fortunately Zyre has fae blood, as you do. His battle fury black skin protects him better than any armor."
"Still it is a hopeful sign for me that he has not had use of a woman since he came to the palace, but why not claim me Melee? Why? He must know I would not deny him or resist; nay, that I desire this greatly."
"How much of Orc tradition do you know, Mistress? To claim you now, being a chieftain of a small band, would be dangerous for you both. You especially. Zyre has not yet achieved power over the orc bands and clans. What if the orc bands deny his authority? Certainly he could mark you, but that gives him a month to claim you, and if he doesn't, you become fair game for any orc. Orc traditions are serious, Mistress and he must abide by them. On the other hand, his threats of violence for an attempt on you will only carry for so long. And if the king, your father, is displeased, what becomes of you? Abandoned, Mistress, with no recourse."
"I cannot fathom why the king would care. I cannot inherit, and he does not recognize me as his offspring. Why he should care if I leave his royal service, I know not. I still do not understand why he kept me after my fae mother left me with him. Regardless of all that what is this 'marking' you speak of?"
Melee grew quiet after that, like she knew of something I did not. The moment was brief, very brief, and her look changed, and she moved on. I will remember this.
"Do you not know? In times before the goblin threat, when orcs, elves, and humans, but especially orc and elf, fought incessantly, before the peace, before orcs became somewhat civilized, do you not know what they would do to conquered peoples?"
For all the differences between the two species, we are closely related; more alike and closer in kinship than any of the other species. For all that, mating between the two was rare, and practically forbidden by the elfin race, and usually forced by the orc, at least in the past. Except for one fabled coupling that ended in tragedy.
"Tell me what 'marking' means, Melee. I only know the chieftains and hegemons received first pick of conquered women, and those not claimed would be given to the common soldiers after."
"When an orc leader marks, Mistress, he publicly ejaculates on her. Putting his seed all over her. Of course this was only for a woman who would belong to a single orc; she would not be given to any other, unless he publicly abandoned her."
