The Magus Provectus
series
Vol. 1 - Ensnared Intruder
§1
"Release me at once!" she shouted at me as I entered my chambers. Her eyes were wide with fury and though I could not say how long she`d been trapped, the disheveled state of her hair and simple dress told me she didn`t resign to her fate without a willful struggle.
"Didn`t you hear me, pervert!? I demand you free me, right this instance!" The attractiveness of her face wasn`t diminished by her flared nostrils and stubbornly set jaw, in fact; this was perhaps the most animated I`d seen her since we first met. Astounding what wonders a little aggravation can do to break through even the most rigid of politely condescending masks.
"I swear by the Father if you don`t-!" The rest of her threat was muffled as I swiftly conjured a gag in her mouth. The loud noises of the feast raging in the castle meant that even had she screamed at the top of her lungs nobody would hear her, so silencing her wasn't strictly necessary. But my head was throbbing enough without her verbal assault beating my eardrums into submission. "Please forgive me for the gag, Violet." I sighed in apology, "these blasted banquets never fail to leave me with a splitting headache."
Her eyes fixated angrily on mine as I massaged my forehead.
Huh, caramel brown with gold flecks,
I noted absently as I stared back at her,
how have I never noticed that before?
I drew in a slow, deep breath and calmly took in the scene before me.
§2
Magnificent sorcerer that I am, I had of course secured my chambers with various traps, centered around the most valuable or dangerous items in my possession. For instance; my collection of swords would pin down an intruder if he came to close and my rug act surprisingly similar to sentient quicksand to anyone unlucky enough to step on it.
Violet had apparently triggered one of my more elegant snares. A silken rope that would tightly bind and hoist the wrists of anyone trying to tamper with my alchemy supplies. A small smile tugged the corner of my mouth as I beheld my well-functioning enchantment.
Not that I had any reason to doubt myself,
I thought sarcastically,
Everything I attempt always works out soooo well.
My dry chuckle must have given the bound girl the impression I was amused by her misfortune as her eyes blazed and she tried furiously to kick my shins. Still rubbing my temples I waited for her tirade to eb, taking the time to inspect my suspended and gagged guest.
The young girl, or rather young woman, as she wasn`t much younger than my own three decades, had been in service to our princess for nearly five years now. Violet didn`t have a last name or family, though this didn`t stop her from possessing a tremendous amount of pride and displaying a quiet, sometimes nearly disdainful dignity in courtly daily life. In fact, as far as I can remember I`d never received a single friendly word or glance from her, while she nevertheless adhered to a rigid politeness when dealing with me on behalf of her mistress.
I will admit that her feisty demeanor does have a certain alure... In its own way. Even if she isn`t much to look at...
I mused. I knew that my opinion was shared by more than a few of the courts noblemen, both young and old. Violet`s figure was lean and though definitely rounded, didn`t match up to the more desired and buxom women of local stock.
Her face held a rigid symmetry, accented by her strong, prideful jaw. Her pale, yet full, lips always carefully held in a haughty straight line as her eyes betrayed neither warmth nor disdain. The only person with which she seemed to relinquish her stiff demeanor was the princess, yet even then smiles were a rare sight on her coldly appealing face.
Nonetheless, it seemed as though she was never shy of hopeful suitors, be they serious or simple trying to make good on a drunken boast of their own skills in artful seduction. Without fail, without mirth, she denied them all.
Strange, to have such a notoriously willful woman so utterly at my mercy...
§3
"So tell me," I began, "what business does the lady-in-waiting of our dear princess have in my humble chambers?"
She made an exasperated noise through the fabric in her mouth, rolling her eyes in obvious scorn. "For you see," I deliberated without acknowledging her, "it is, by the kings own law, a crime to steal from any of his subjects. Especially if that subject happens to be his dear, beloved magus." Violet struggled against her bonds, under muffled cursing, causing the enchanted rope to lift her hands up slightly higher, making her stand on tiptoes to maintain balance.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk... So eager to avoid your due berating, Violet?" "hmm-mm mm-hmm hmph." Was her subdued answer.
I suppose I should just release her before I get myself into trouble.
The thought wasn`t half formed before an opportunity dawned on me.
Or should I?
Slowly I paced around my captive, mulling the idea over in my mind, trying to root out it`s morality. No one could observe or enter my rather large tower-chambers without disarming the wards I`d placed on the door.
Oh, that reminds me,
I realized, brushing my will against the wards and arming them.
Violet must have noticed the arcane glimmer, as she stiffened noticeably, fixing her weary eyes once more upon me.
"Against my better judgement, I fear that simply letting you go wouldn`t inspire the kind of... cautioning... I believe is required." My voice was soft, but filled the round room as easily as had I shouted. "Do you know why the kings has chosen
me
to fulfill the role of court sorcerer?"
Her features seemed to narrow in response to my last words, giving her appearance a cautious aspect. The melodious howling of the wind lent my question an ominous air, which I emphasized by mentally lighting the kindling and logs in my fire-place.
Let`s see who`s master in this domain, shall we?
I thought wickedly as bared my teeth in a grin.
§4
"Before I was even remotely eligible for the royal position I learned a great deal from a woman known as Isabel Valan," I began, as I circled around Violet, "a mage singularly skilled in affecting human anatomy and physiology." A fluid word of power flowed from my lips, creating silken ropes identical to the ones binding Violets hands, snuggly tying her ankles to the floor. "She mostly dealt with -uhm- problems of an intimate nature, marital and such."
My eyebrows creased as I thought back of master Isabel`s tutelage, causing a shudder to run down my spine. "Anyway..." I continued, "I learned a great variety of things from her. First and foremost; the human need for pleasure and the problems caused by the lack thereof. Knowledge the king had discrete need of. "
Violet tried to turn her head, attempting to follow me with her gaze as I deliberately stepped behind her. She could still see me from the corner of her eye, but was impeded by her outstretched arms.
"You see, Violet." I spoke softly, whilst positioning myself inches away from her back. "I know that you are a most faithful and dutiful servant. I know that you deny yourself intimate company. I know your type and I know what you deserve..." At these last words she tensed, her breathing noticeably quickening.
I placed my lips a hairbreadth from her ear and rumbled, "there`s no reason why punishment and reward can`t be received at the same time."
A small, sharp inhalation was all the reaction she gave when numerous strands of my will undid every button on her dress, letting it drop to the floor around her feet. The soft fabric made merely a rustle in response to its sudden removal.
§5
My word...
Without her dress obscuring the view I could now properly appreciate Violet`s slender form, and did so with great discern.
As I walked around her once more, drinking in the sight of her, she refused to meet my eye, casting her glare in the opposite direction and causing her brown curls to conceal her face and neck.
Under the dress she wore a thin tunic that playfully hinted at the tips of her perky breasts. I noticed she wore undergarments in the latest fashion; a soft, minimal amount of cloth, barely enough to cover her womanhood. The way it lay flat against her skin told me that Violet preferred to keep her sex neatly shaven.
Most enticing perhaps were her lean legs. She wore longer stockings than was common, which meant they reached to halfway up her thigh, exquisitely emphasizing her hips and butt.
Out of curiosity I decided to unmake the gag, needing only a small spark of will to enact its dispersal. Violet raised her head and hoarsely breathed "You can`t do this... The princess-" "It is well within my rights to dispatch of sneak-ins and thieves as I see fit, Violet." I interrupted gently.
She nervously licked her lips, glancing back and forth at me. "Please, I`ll leave." I smiled kindly and approached her, delicately lifting up her chin "I`m afraid I can`t allow that." At my words she set her jaw and I could see the heat of anger once again rising in her.
Better give her something to focus on,