The Magus Provectus
series
Vol. 2 -- Milk-filled Maid
"Before you begin milking, secure the cow's head so that she can't wander off. To effectively milk a cow, first clean the udder, then sit on a sturdy stool and lubricate the individual teats before you begin milking. Pull downward from the base of the teat, and squeeze the milk out into a bucket."
I slowly inhaled as I memorized the practical information and deliberately closed the book. "Please hurry, Valin..." Sara nearly begged me while she supported her swollen breasts, "It really hurts!"
Despite the young maids unexpectedly painful situation I felt my mouth form into a fiendish smirk as I mused on my short-term solution to her ailment.
Good thing I`m not some sexual degenerate,
I thought sarcastically,
or I might just enjoy this a little too much...
§1
-Three days earlier-
"Do you see what I mean, my lord?" The scraggly bearded farmer asked. My brow furrowed as I studied the contents of the pail he held up for inspection. "Well... I definitely understand why our King sent me to aid you," I muttered, thoughts churning in contemplation.
The leader of this particular farmstead had requested an emergency audience with the court, stating that his cows 'have run dry'. Now, looking at the meager amount of milk the man had managed to squeeze out of the animals teat, the acuteness of his problem slowly started to dawn on me.
The milk these cows provided is used as nutritious sustenance for the entire village, besides being used to nourish the next generation of cattle.
A scarcity would cause a serious lack of protein for the villagers, both from the absence of drinkable substance for the children and the scant production of meat.
I felt my head starting to throb as I absently imagined the amount of various ailments that outcome entailed.
"How long has this been going on?" I asked, squinting my eyes at the farmer to make the sun`s radiance tolerable. "Well... I suppose it`s been about two months now," he spoke hesitantly, eyes darting around in thought. "At first we thought it might just be a lack of water or grass, but the other communities helped us fix those issues before week`s end."
"What else have you tried?" I inquired as I turned my gaze out to the field, where the livestock stood grazing peacefully. I didn`t know much about handling animals, but I supposed more information would help me figure out which part of the cows anatomy I might have to influence, in order to mend the problem.
"We made sure all the heifers have been mounted by a bull at least thrice and had Old Pete take a look at them, since he has years of experience." A defeated tone snuck into the farmers speech as he counted the farmstead`s failed solutions on his fingers. "We tried sheltering them, in case something frightened them, we tried different kinds of grass and vegetables, we tried pairing them with different calves... Nothing worked."
He let his hands drop down onto the wooden fence as he uttered those last words. I could clearly tell the well-being of the herd weighed heavily on him. I sighed and mentally began listing my next steps.
"Give me a few days." I stated slowly.
The middle-aged man regarded me hopefully. "Will you be able to help us, my lord?"
I crossed my arms and compressed my lips in thought, "I just might be..."
§2
Before returning to the castle I made a detour to visit one of the villages largest bookshops, looking for information on bovine anatomy and physiology. Of course there were plentiful volumes about husbandry and caring for the large animals, but relatively few texts about their inner processes seemed to exist.
Eventually the bubbly daughter of the shop`s owner helped me locate a few books that culminated into a respectable source of knowledge for my task. She kept chatting while she stretched up to reach the books on the top shelves, giving me a perfect view of her exposed midriff. Needless to say the sight fixated my eyes with little difficulty.
Focus! You`re here for a reason!
I chastised myself, as I felt my mind filling with a dozen interesting scenarios involving the shapely girls bare belly beneath my hands. There wouldn`t even be a need to caress anything but her stomach to make her moan my name in delight before she climaxed...
FOCUS!
I plastered a friendly smile across my face in an attempt to disguise my lustful daydreaming, payed the stern shopkeeper his due, politely nodded my head to his daughter and took my leave.
The day`s light began to give way to the night and I could barely recall the route I`d walked back to my tower chamber. My head was swimming with possibilities to solve the farmsteads pressing problem.
Peculiar problems always tended to grip my mind in its entirety, refusing to release their hold until I`d worked out every minute mystery, every conceivable angle.
My master would have been proud
.
My chamber door creaked a bit as I swung it open. With a practiced bit of concentration I focused my will on the logs in the hearth, instantly enveloping the wood in bright flames. The same arcane trick lit the lamps above my table and I splayed my purchased books out on the wooden desk before me. My knuckles cracked satisfyingly as I entwined my fingers and extended my hands upward. I adjusted my chair, grabbed the nearest book and began reading the large pages for the required knowledge.
§3
The world around me was dark when I finally felt I had a firm grasp on what needed to be done. I could see the black sky in the east giving way to a dark blue, indicating I`d studied through the night. Dully, I stood up and stretched my arms to the sides, attempting to alleviate myself of the sluggish feeling the sitting position had instilled in my muscles.
Only then did I notice the now cold bowl of stew standing next to me, which my maid had silently left for me, not wanting to disturb me.
Sara is going to be cross with me if she finds out I didn`t eat again
, I considered. As if to punctuate its agreement with my fussy maid`s attitude, my stomach growled a loud rumble of dissatisfaction.
I`d better grab a bite before beginning my work
.
I scratched my chin and yawned as I reached for the doorhandle. A dry click and soft creaking quickly made me take a step back as the door swung open.
...Speak of the devil...
With a clean linen bedsheet over her shoulder and a plate filled with bread and honey in her hand Sara entered my chamber. She looked me over from head to toe and drew up one of her eyebrows. "I could have known," she sighed.
"Goodmornin` ma`am," I managed to greet her, still recovering from her sudden appearance. I made it a habit to address her with the honorific as a little inside joke, despite the 5 year age difference, but mostly because her scolding gaze could put even the queen`s to shame. It seemed my humor was lost on her.
"Books still wide open, clothes rumpled, bed untouched," she tallied as her eyes took it all in. She tilted her head sightly when she fixed my eyes with hers, "You know I don`t like it when you do that."
"Do what?" I intoned smugly while I took the plate from her. I knew damn well what she meant, but teasing Sara in the morning never failed to lift my spirits a bit. "...take care of yourself, Valin," came her exasperated response. "I don`t like being worried about your well-being, even
if
you can be an annoying bastard at times."
She spoke those words as her stern expression softened and I almost felt guilty for letting her down.
Hey, wait a minute!
"Oh no!" I exclaimed as I realized what she was doing, "don`t you try to guilt me for performing my tasks, you shrewd wench." I said the last part with a decidedly playful pitch and wide eyes, to show her I meant the insult merely in jest. Her worried look melted into a sly smile. "Nearly had you though," she sniffed.
I took a bite of the honeyed bread and closed my eyes in delight,
mmm... heavenly
, as I ambled back to my desk. "All kidding aside, I`m not fooling around, Valin." Her voice followed me, "I`ve seen you exhaust yourself before and I know about the responsibility the King has placed on your shoulders. I can`t in good conscience allow you to run yourself ragged again, not after last time..."
The genuine worry in her tone made me turn around. I set down the sweet breakfast and wiped my lips with the back of my hand as I strode towards her. She crossed her arms as I placed my hands on her slender shoulders.
"I promised you that would never happen again, Sara." I said softly. All hint of levity had left my voice as my eyes locked with the petite young woman, "I know you mean well, but I need to finish this as soon as possible, then I`ll take all the rest you want me to, okay?"
Her shoulders raised my hands as she took a deep, slow breath and let it out. "Okay."
I planted a gentle kiss on her forehead, she could be so sweet when she wasn`t threatening to physically restrain me to my bed so I`d get my sleep. "Thanks, Sara."
"Just promise me you`ll let me help in any way that`ll make this easier for you." The returning austerity in her voice was slightly negated by the way her eyes crinkled as she tried to deny herself a smile, "or else..." Her left eyebrow twitched.
"...You`ll tie me to the bed", I finished mockingly, letting the grin spread across my face as I quickly walked past her and out of the room. I nimbly grabbed my satchel on the way out and made for the town, in search of the ingredients I`d need for my solution.