The Authors Patron

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Thank you and I hope you enjoy the story.

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Ellie is a paladin on a quest! And that quest involves "researching" magical creatures in very intimate detail. After finding out about the dragon Obsidian and his proclivities, Ellie approaches him in the hope of getting him as a patron for her work, and perhaps some hands-on work...

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"Master Obsidian shall see you now," said the cute kobold maid with a musical voice that reminded Ellie of a songbird.

She had met kobolds before, they were uncommon in the cities of the realms,but if you were as well traveled as her, you were bound to cross paths with a few; the small dragonlike creatures had always seemed cute to the paladin, but it wasn't until she had arrived at Obsidian's Lair that she had actually felt attraction for them.

There had been something pleasingly odd about the way they spoke and carried themselves, they were confident, witty, and some had even flat out flirted with her.

She was sadly used to clumsy and unwelcome flirting or, gods forbid, cat calling, but all in the lair had made her feel welcome and safe, and her mind had definitely lost several minutes on the way to this room fantasizing about how their soft scales might feel against her skin, with their little tongues teasing her body...

"My lady?" said the kobold maid with a cute head tilt, snapping Ellie out of her little fantasy.

The paladin couldn't help but to think she looked like a cute little cupcake between her pink scales and white dress.

"Oh yes, I'm sorry, I was just... thinking about something," said the paladin, carefully adjusting her dress.

"Just knock when you are ready to go in," the maid said with a smile, "with your permission, I shall see to my other duties."

"But of course," Ellie said, giving her a little bow, not quite sure what was the polite way to say thank you to a kobold maid.

The cute little pink creature giggled and did a curtsy with her skirt before turning around, her little heels making sensual clicking noises on the polished rock floor as she moved down the hallway, disappearing around a corner with a playful wink from one of her ruby colored eyes.

A little tingle shot up Ellie's spine; she was definitely adding a chapter on kobolds to her book...

Meanwhile Ayla, her longtime companion that accompanied her on this journey, had decided to stay behind in one of the living rooms of the Lair, enjoying their host's hospitality, and from the looks she had also been sharing with some of the local denizens, perhaps a bit more than just some wine and food.

The paladin shrugged, they could always just compare notes later.

Taking a long breath, she adjusted her hair and dress once more with some trepidation. She still wasn't sure if her clothing of choice was a good idea. After traveling for so long, her wardrobe was very much utilitarian in nature, and often she just dressed in her armor.

But Ayla had suggested that, since they had been invited here by Obsidian after receiving their letter, and they were keen in getting his patronage for their quest, it made sense to dress more formally.

Also, unspoken between them, but plainly obvious to both, Ellie really hoped he could assist her with her research... personally.

Thus she had discarded her usual getup and put on a lovely yet simple white dress that she had gotten as a gift from Ayla a while back but hadn't been able to use it much except for that one night she tried it on for her lover.

It clung to her athletic frame rather nicely, and she had used a silken band to fasten it around her waist, accentuating her chest and hips. The dress didn't really show a lot of her cleavage, however the lack of a bra beneath made it look a lot lewder than intended - she was certain that even a slightly cool breeze would make her nipples noticeable under the fabric.

The thin, soft fabric covered her shoulders but not her arms and finished right above her knees, exposing her lower legs and feet.

She really wished she had the time to get some stockings or tights, and perhaps some fancy shoes, but alas the only thing she had with her were a pair of cute, flat shoes she sometimes wore when relaxing between trips.

The paladin shook her head and psyched herself up, clenching her fists for a moment before politely using one of the metallic handles at her height to knock on the door and announce her presence.

A deep rumbling voice that made Ellie think of a volcanic tremor sounded from somewhere behind the door. "Please, come in!" said the voice on the other side.

The door itself, like most of the hallways here, was dragon sized, and probably big enough to let through an elephant if needed; but thankfully for the paladin and the other denizens of the lair, a smaller door built onto the main one was available. Ellie opened it and stepped inside, doing her best to appear ladylike.

Though obviously massive in size, the room made Ellie think of a study, with the walls lined with books and scrolls of diverse nature and age. Multiple well placed everbright magical lamps lit up the place, giving it a cozy vibe and giving plenty of spots to snuggle up with a book, something Ellie was always keen to do.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, given the scale of the room, there wasn't a lot of furniture inside - what little there was seemed human-ish sized and was mostly pushed to the sides, hidden in the gaps between bookshelves. Thoughts rushed through her mind about what could be hidden within the wealth of tomes and how something the size of Obsidian could hold such a book - perhaps he changed his shape or used magic to read things so tiny for him.

Finally, her green eyes were drawn to the opposite end of the study, where a massive, black, scaly head had just raised in height and opened his eyes - the dragon that was her host.

His gaze hit Ellie like a blast from a furnace, his deep eyes the color of shifting magma and hiding a keen lizard-like iris.

The paladin was not an expert in dragons, but she knew of their powerful magical aura that could send other creatures into a panic or leave them cowering for mercy on the floor. This aura seemed to have a slightly different effect on her, perhaps because of her paladin training and power, or perhaps due to her... predilections, what Ellie felt was how her skin went tingly and sensitive, a feeling that spread to her nether regions, sending shocks of fire through her body.

Cursing inside her head to get a grip, she slowly closed the door behind her and tried to imitate the kobold maid by doing a little curtsy for the dragon. "Master Obsidian, thank you for inviting us to your home," she greeted him in her best diplomatic tone.

The dragon gave her a little nod, a smile showing on his face. "Lady Eleanor, please, it's my pleasure to host you and your companion," he said, his voice flowing in a gentle tremor that went through the paladin like a sweet caress as the room trembled.

She tried her best to hold back a moan, before smiling back at him. "Thank you so much my lord," she said, while carefully observing the dragon.

Black shiny scales covered his body, glistening under the light of the room like volcanic glass, no doubt the reason for his name. His body reminded Ellie of a large cat, with a surprisingly slender and muscular body with a thick chest that continued into a more compact underside.

The dragon's hind legs were thicker and more muscular than the rest of his body, while his front legs were thinner and seemed built for dexterity, yet probably just as deadly, making it obvious that despite his quadruped shape he could use the claws in them as hands if needed.

A beautiful pair of batlike wings rested against his back and sides, folded almost like a cape now they were not in use.

His head rested atop a long muscular neck, and it made Ellie think of an odd mixture between a tiger and an alligator. Obsidian's snout was flat with a small horn protruding backwards from between his nostrils, and he had a pair of lizard-like frills emerging from the back of his face, close to where a human's ears would be. His magma-filled eyes watched her with the wild intelligence of a predator stalking its prey and though his gaze was soft upon her, they hid within them the fire and fury of a roaring volcano.

Resting almost as a crown on his head were a pair of massive backswept horns, their tips curving slightly upwards. Two smaller horns rested between the bigger set, one growing just behind the other, before giving way to a big crest-like frill that grew from the back of his head all the way to just before the end of his thick and long tail.

Ellie had heard stories about dragons, seen many drawings and even life-like illusions of them brought to life by magic, but this was her first time in front of one, and despite all her training and experience she couldn't help but to stand there for a moment with her mouth agape in awe.

Obsidian, perhaps used to this, gave her a moment to compose herself, and as she regained her senses, the creature smiled at her as if to reassure her there was nothing to worry about.

"Apologies, Master Obsidian," she said, trying her best not to shift uncomfortably, "it is my first time meeting one of your kind in person."

Obsidian gave her a polite nod. "No need to apologise, Lady Eleanor," he said with his surprisingly sweet yet clearly inhuman voice, "I do my best to not cause distress on visitors, but alas, this is what I look like." He stopped for a moment, giving her a warm smile, "Oh, and by the way, please, feel free to just call me Obsidian, you're amongst friends."

The comment made Ellie get flustered for a second. "Oh please Master... I mean, Obsidian, sir, I have no problems with your appearance, believe me..." she said, trying not to be too obvious.

"Sir..." Obsidian said to himself before smiling back at her, "sir is fine I guess, if calling me that makes it easier for you to speak with me."

Ellie's mind rambled to itself; sir, master, daddy even... those might all be things she'd like to call him if she was honest with her nethers.

The paladin let out a little cough, trying to regain her composure again.

Obsidian seemed to have an idea and shifted his massive body to stand from his cosy corner, revealing an almost equally massive mountain of cushions beneath him.

He stretched like a cat, giving Ellie a good view of the lethal talons hiding in his claws and the rows and rows of teeth like swords in his maw, just before advancing towards her with a pleasing feline gait.

To Ellie's surprise, he started getting smaller as he moved, and by the time he was right in front of her, his size had reduced from his previous enormity to that of a particularly big warhorse.

With a flick from his claw, a chair slid over the smooth floor, placing itself behind Ellie. "Please, Lady Eleanor, take a seat - make yourself comfortable," he said, sitting down on all fours so their eyes were at somewhat similar heights.

Ellie did as requested, smoothing her dress from behind her thighs so she could sit in a proper ladylike way. "Please sir, you can just call me Ellie," she said with a smile, trying to respond to his politeness in kind.

Obsidian smiled, his sharp as steel ivory teeth shining under the room's light for but a second.

"There is something I wished to discuss with you, sir," said Ellie, trying to get down to business.

"Yes, I received your letter my dear..." said the dragon, who was tilting his head with a look of curiosity on him as he looked at her carefully.

Ellie looked around her, confused about what the dragon was focused on.

"Is... all well, sir?" she said, shifting on her chair with some concern.

Obsidian held his chin with one of his claws, the glow on his eyes indicating he was using some kind of magic to look at her. "Perhaps..." he said, before his gaze returned to hers, "are you aware of the... "brand", for lack of a better term, on you?"

Ellie was surprised and worried for a moment, before something dawned on her. "Oh..." she said, looking to the side with a nervous look, "is it perhaps... fey magic that you see?"

The dragon's expression made it clear she had guessed correctly. "It is indeed! Are you... aware of what it is?" he said, clearly knowing more than he was letting on.

Ellie bit her lip nervously, it seemed the cat was out of the bag.

"Not entirely, that is perhaps the reason I wrote to you - to ask for your assistance with understanding it..." she said, being honest with the dragon.

"But of course my dear," he said politely but with a small smirk on his face, "tell, what do you know of it?"

The paladin took a deep breath and shifted slightly forward on her chair.

So... Some while ago I happened upon a gathering of Dryads within the forests. As I drew close to observe and take notes upon their social rituals," the paladin said, commencing her story, "it appeared that they were engaged in what turned out to be... let us say some sort of 'fertility' ritual..."

Obsidian grinned as he crossed his front claws and rested his chin on them, listening intently.

"I am familiar with your "research", my dear," he said with a wink that threw the paladin off for a moment.

"Right..." Ellie said, trying not to blush, "Anyway, as it happened they discovered me, and I was rather pulled into their ritual..."

"To slice a lengthy tale more succinctly, following many pleasant hours they left me upon my own within the forest. Yet, as Ayla and I returned to town and I recovered, I realised that the encounter had left me somewhat... changed?"

Ellie interlaced her fingers as she talked, clearly getting more comfortable with the topic while Obsidian looked at her like a cat focused on something intriguing.

"Since then, I have found that others - especially those more magically inclined, even what the common adventurer would call monsters - tend to be rather... enamoured with me," she said looking to the side and biting her lip, unable to remember some rather delightful encounters she had experienced since then.

She paused, her eyes flitting away from Obsidian for a moment, perhaps in embarrassment as her cheeks flushed. Slowly, she dragged her gaze back to the dragon, meeting his eyes even with reddened cheeks as she spoke once more, shifting almost uneasily beneath his gaze, "rather, I should say... Sexually attracted to me."

Obsidian nodded at her, patiently waiting to see if she could share anything else.

"At times I can feel it intensify or wane to dormancy, but it is not clear to me what this is - or if it can be controllers," she continued with a thoughtful look, "I have attempted to reach the dryads, but as yet they have been playfully distant and out of reach, or they have merely pinned me in place and enjoyed my body without answering my questions."

"Perhaps it is because of this gift they have bestowed, but I cannot seem to bring myself to press for answers. I succumb to their lustful will every time I have attempted..."

The paladin's gaze returned to Obsidian, locking her green eyes with the dragon's before making a firm but polite plea.

"So, sir, I have come to ask... could you be of assistance to me?" she asked him, excited to perhaps get some answers.

Obsidian smiled, a soft purr vibrating from his chest.

"It will be my pleasure, Ellie," he said as he sat up on his hind quarters, his head raising much higher than the paladin's.

"You're in luck, actually, I'm probably one of the few in this region that could tell you..." he said as his claw drew arcane symbols in the air, glowing draconic runes floating for a second before vanishing as his hand moved.

"Fey creatures are known for their mischievous nature, and I think this "gift" they bestowed upon you is a mix between a playful curse and a genuine blessing."

Ellie sat back on her chair looking at the creature in front of her as he spoke. There was something candid and kind about the dragon.

She had originally reached out to him with her letter and copy of her manuscript because of his reputation; one of a dragon that had been raised by humans, had spend his formative years adventuring with his adopted brother and accomplishing many still talked about feats, before retiring to the mountains to build a lair for him and his many wives.

Obsidian was known to find women of the common species attractive, and unlike other dragons that hoarded jewels, gold or relics, his impulse was to grow and keep close a crazy web of lovers.

Who better than him to advise her on her research about the "mating habits" of magical creatures and their compatibility, for lack of a better word, with those of the common species.

It seemed that his knowledge was going to be useful for more than just that.

Her train of thought got stopped again as Obsidian seemed to finish his exploratory spells, a mischievous grin on his face.

Ellie held her hands together, giving him an intrigued look.

"Do... you see anything?" she asked, unable to contain her curiosity.

The dragon chuckled gently.

"So... your "gift" does several things, at least, that I could find," he said, sounding like a cute teacher addressing a curious student, "it might do more, fey are tricksy like that, but I doubt it."

Ellie nodded, letting him know he had her full attention.

"First off, it's like a brand or a message, it uses no words but it communicates to creatures like me something quite clearly..."

"What does it say..." asked Ellie, somehow suspecting the answer.

The dragon sighed, trying to keep a straight face.

"Something along the lines of... "If you can read this, yes, I am into you and yes, you can fuck me as much as you want, I consent," the dragon said with a naughty look.

Ellie sat there for a second with her mouth open.

"Oh..." she said nervously, a few things finally making sense, "can any magical creature see it?"

Obsidian shook his head.

"It wouldn't seem so, I think only those friendly and non threatening to you could see it, or benefit from the brand's other effects..."

Ellie's freckled face got flush with red.

"So, to summarize this brand - any magical creature that is not hostile to me believes that I am happy and open for them to just take me?" she asked, her body heat continuing to rise.

Obsidian nodded.

"And you are one of them..." she asked him point blank.

The dragon nodded with a naughty smile.

"And something tells me the dryads did not misread you when they placed their little parting gift on you..." the dragon said in a teasing tone.

"No... you would be perhaps... A little correct..." said Ellie quietly, still processing the information.

"What else does it do?" asked Ellie, trying to keep things going.

Obsidian grinned, clearly knowing what she was doing.

"It has some other minor and major effects..." he said as he sat down again on all fours, resting his chin on his claws, "as a beneficial minor thing, it protects you from unwanted pregnancy and all but the most virulent of sexual diseases."

Ellie tilted her head.

"It's... prophylactic?" she asked.

Obsidian nodded.

"Indeed, and contraceptive... but do be careful with that latter one," he said with a smirk, "it's tied to your own wants, so if in the throes of passion you really really want your partner to knock you up... your gift will do nothing to stop it."

Ellie licked her own lips before assenting.

"Noted..."

"Anything else?" she asked, hungry for more details.

Obsidian nodded again, his smirk having grown into a shit eating grin that annoyed Ellie, not because he offended her, but because she found incredibly cute.

"As you suspected you also emit a potent aura of arousal that that affects those around you, its effect mostly increases any already present attraction, but it could cause it in some," he said, still grinning, "though you should be able to control it's intensity, for it feeds on your own magic and it should be similar to your own paladin aura."