Authors Note: As promised, this chapter will focus far more on the carnal parts of the relationship. The plot deepens, and we familiarize ourselves with Viara's allies. Longer this time as well. Let us know if you have any questions or comments!
Haern was awake before Viara was even out of reverie. He took the time to go through what little belongings he had left, including the scraps of paper he used to sketch Leilana when he knew the woman wasn't watching. Over the past few days, things had grown almost comfortable with the woman.
They had their little routine. She did her things - he cleaned, made sure everything in her chambers was where it should be, and they would spar in what passed for evenings in this gods-forsaken place. She had not forced him to...serve, as she called it, for several days now.
She is even starting to...well, not trust, exactly. Drow do not trust. She seems to at least start to anticipate. And understand. Seems to make genuine efforts at keeping things...congenial.
Today, however, was different - which was why he was up early. She'd let him know that they would be visiting the elves she knew, and she would bring his as a servant.
A few days ago, she'd brought him what she referred to as the house livery. It fit him well - though he would not go so far as to say it suited him. The black tunic with a blood-red symbol which he'd understood to be their house sigil seemed to only scream for an echo of the same brand on his forehead. His position, with the breeches and the belt, was very evident.
When he left his room an hour later, he knew he looked presentable - but upon seeing her, he could not help staring.
She wore a shimmering gown of what seemed like translucent dense-threaded, silvery spiderweb. Her breasts, her sex, the curve of her stomach and thighs - it was all visible, yet not, through the barely-opaque dress. Her nipples seemed to have been painted a purple that shone through the dress. Her hair had somehow been put into intricate curls that fell to her shoulders and below like a snow-white fall. She wore long-armed gloves from a leather-like material that he'd learned came from a species of underground snake - soft as silk. Several of her fingers bore large rings tipped with shimmering stones - rubies, emeralds and one sapphire. Her boots were high - she never left the room without fighting boots - but very fine.
Others might have called the blades by her slim belt a foolish affectation - but one look at the way she handled herself would tell anyone she well knew how to handle them.
Her cheeks were dusted with what seemed like a crimson blood-spray, though somehow delicate and graceful - not
just
disgusting, and she wore a lipstick that seemed to mirror the shimmer and lustre of her ruby-red eyes.
Her graceful lips, however, were turned in a frown.
"What?"
"I..." he realized he'd been staring and quickly dropped his gaze.
How can i be disgusted and...
"I can
smell
the salt of your disgusting arousal on the air, male. Compose yourself, and your ape instincts. Understood? You can drool after me later, if you prefer - and out of my sight." Despite that, she'd moved forward, and the smile on her lip was half-cruel, half...triumphant?
He'd half-opened his mouth to argue that, no, he wasn't aroused in the least. But he knew his cock strained against his breeches.
"Forgive me, mistress." He meant it - for several reasons, and by the way she met his eyes, it seemed she knew it.
"You are...forgiven." Her voice was musical and her smile curved upward further and she touched the pit of his neck with one finger. "So difficult to control yourself, hmm? Such a
male
, after all."
"I...you are very beautiful, mistress," His voice sounded numb to his own ears.
"I know." She breathed, close enough for his breath to travel across his face. She smelled of sharp spice today. "And you look...passable, slave. The tunic fits. The breeches...will be better once you contain your base instincts." Her eyes sparkled.
Haern jumped. She'd actually given his crotch a small slap!
He glared.
Viara laughed out loud in what seemed true amusement, then turned. "Here. Take it." She handed him a bundle, long and thick.
He frowned and unrolled it, blinking at it. It was a blade. "Mistress, i-"
"For today." She interrupted. "You are my servant - and part of my retinue for travelling. We will travel through the city. No member of the house attending a daughter of the house goes unarmed. Certainly you will not. But...if you imagine to even
consider
using that blade upon me..."
He swallowed. "I will not. I swear it."
At least not now. Not yet.
Viara nodded, slow. "Good. You will wear it proudly. And compose yourself with the air suitable for a personal servant for a daughter of the house of De'larn. We will travel by carriage." She took a small satchel and tied it to her belt in a small hook. "Come."
They went.
He felt odd, walking by her side in the house in such a fashion. Other servants - even drow guards - quickly went out of their way. Not just hers, but his as well. To Viara, it was of course nothing. To him, it felt for the first time as though he had a measure of control back, no matter how ridiculous it seemed. He was used to others viewing him with awe. His prowess, his size, his skill with the blade. They all-
His thoughts froze as a taller drow female than Viara stepped across the corridor, saw them and smirked. "Why Viara - dearest sister. You look fantastic."
Viara halted. "Maela."
"Almost as though you're going to be a surface whore at a celebratory feast. Who is the lucky male? Your slave, there? I'm surprised the beast still lives, given your...appetites."
"Unlike you, i do not take
beasts
to bed, dear sister. My slaves are only that - slaves...Though if you need wardrobe assistance..." She sneered at the older drow's apparel, which seemed drab and tawdry in comparison, though it was shining links of silvery metal "...i would be happy to arrange a meeting with my seamstress for you. But of course!" She snapped her gloved finger and shook her head "...you would need to have something to show, no!" She pouted in mock-sympathy. "And blessed Lolth did not bless you with much in the ways of...
charms
? At least" She added almost lazily "That is what i hear the males in the barracks laughing about when deep in their cups of ale."
Haern blinked before realizing what they must be talking about. The other woman's chest region was conspicuously flat, and the way her eyes seemed to blaze.
"Careful - lest i bite that wagging tongue, hag!" She showed her teeth as if to make a reality of the threat.
Viara smirked. "No way to speak to your sister, is it? Come now, dearest. I'm sure i can find one of my...acquaintances who would not mind some time with you as a favor to me. You must be
