Metamorph

(Author's note: We're getting close to the end of Zar'ahk's tale, but this won't be the end of everything. Be sure to follow me here.)

"You have to do something, Zar!" Dinae shouted, on the verge of hysteria.

Aasha said nothing, but her eyes bore into him like white-hot steel. Zar's two orcish mates sat on the other side of the room, unsurprised by the news he had brought home. They were a hard people, often seen by outsiders as unfeeling. It was not so much that they did not care, but that they easily accepted the brutality of their society. Duuhra watched the elves with pity, having come to understand what they called empathy. Sabrah was still not used to the strange dynamic of Zar's household and looked on in shock to what appeared to be the unconscionable crime of slaves talking back to their master.

"I cannot," Zar shouted for the third time. "If I, or anyone interferes, Tessyn will die. Then they will come for us all."

"What if she dies anyway!" Dinae brought both fists down on Zar's chest.

Sabrah started to rise but Duuhra's hand on her shoulder stalled her outraged defense of their mate.

Zar caught Dinae's wrists before she could land another blow, pulling her tense body close to his own. The elf's anger and fear turned to bitter tears of helplessness. Zar wrapped his thick arms around her.

"I would stop this if I could," Zar's voice rumbled in his chest and vibrated through the elf. The comfort of it calmed her. She took a shuddering breath and relaxed into him.

"I know," she said softly.

"We have to hope she is strong enough to face whatever they have planned for her," Aasha stepped up, hugging Dinae from behind.

"When?" Dinae asked, her voice muffled against Zar's chest.

"Tonight, under the full moon," Zar growled.

"Why?" Duuhra stood and walked over to put her hands on Dinae and Aasha's shoulders, adding her own comfort. "Fights in the arena never happen at night."

"A special surprise, Gor said," Zar looked over the elves' heads and caught Duuhra's eyes. There was dread mixed in with his anger.

Duuhra gripped the elves more firmly. She didn't know Tessyn, yet, but it was clear that she was loved by the other elves. Empathy was not something most orcs were capable of experiencing, but she was starting to understand the emotion. She hoped she got the chance to know this elf she'd heard so much about.

"We need to be there," Aasha stated. "It might help her to see that we are there for her."

"Of course we will be there," Zar nodded.

Dinae took a deep breath and let it out slowly before raising her head from Zar's chest. She forced a smile, looking around at her family.

"We should look our best," Dinae wiped her eyes.

"Might do us all some good to visit the springs," Duuhra said, rubbing Dinae's back.

They collected a change of clothing, opting for the richer furs and adorned leathers usually reserved for special functions. Zar and Duuhra also gathered their armor and weapons. They planned to head directly to the arena after bathing to insure they had the most advantageous seats. Zar didn't trust his brother, and if it came down to it, he would fight to make sure their bargain was kept. They all would, and live or die together. They planned to spend the rest of the afternoon trying to take their minds off of what was to come, for as Zar reminded them, Tessyn must not see them worried, or afraid. Dinae and Aasha especially, must put forth a confident front for their friend.

When Zar and his mates arrived at the springs, there were only a few other orcs present, but they chose a secluded spot anyway. The last thing any of them wanted was someone listening while they talked. The elves stripped out of their loincloths and boots, and helped the orcs remove their own clothing. Dinae worked out of habit, almost in a trance. Aasha seemed to need something to do other than lashing out in anger, so was thankful for the routine.

Once their clothing was neatly folded on the rocks the group settled into the steaming waters of the hot spring. Duuhra sat on the stones on one side of the pool and Dinae joined her. Across from them, Aasha and Sabrah flanked Zar and began slowly washing him and each other.

"Dinae," Duuhra touched the soft, pale cheek in front of her. The elf was scrubbing absently at the orc woman's shoulders with the cleansing sand found all around the springs. The two had formed a tight bond after the birth of Fehya. More than lovers, they had become close friends and it pained the orc to see Dinae in such a state, a feeling she wasn't accustomed to.

"I know you are worried," Duuhra continued when Dinae met her eyes, "But, there is nothing we can do now and your worry will only make Tessyn's situation worse. She must not see fear or worry when she looks to her friends."

Dinae nodded. Taking a deep breath, she returned to washing Duuhra's muscled shoulders and chest. Focusing on what was in front of her seemed to help ease her anxiety. To feel like she was accomplishing something, even if it wasn't helping Tessyn, made her feel better. The elf massaged Duuhra's neck and shoulders, and let her fingertips trail over the swell of the orc's breasts.

"Dinae," Duuhra started to lift the elf's hands away.

"Mistress," Dinae whispered. "Please, I need to do something."

The orc sighed and let go of Dinae's wrists. The tension in the elf's body and the pleading in her voice pulled at Duuhra's heart in a way she wouldn't have believed a year ago. The feeling made her want to shield the elf, protect her and fight off whatever caused such anguish. There was nothing to fight, however, so she let Dinae take the lead and do what she felt she needed at that time.

Dinae settled herself on Duuhra's muscled thigh, her legs on either side of the orc's. The tender lips of her pussy pressed firmly against the warm skin beneath. Duuhra spread her own legs to give the elf room to press down on her left leg. Dinae felt the tug of her new jewelry as it grazed against the orc's skin.

"We must have faith that your friend is as strong as you and Aasha," Duuhra said in an attempt to comfort her lover.

Dinae nodded, concentrating on washing the orc's large breasts. She was alternating between actual cleansing and massaging, sometimes scrubbing with the sand and other times squeezing and pulling insistently at Duuhra's distended nipples. The elf was grinding more aggressively on Duuhra's thigh so the orc slid a hand between them to help. She parted the elf's delicate lips, finding the metal ring piercing Dinae's hood and placed a finger on either side of the engorged clit hiding beneath it. The elf gasped and worked her hips faster against her lover's thick fingers.

When Dinae thrust her hips forward, Duuhra curled two of her fingers up and let them slip into the elf's pussy, pressing firmly against the sensitive spot just inside. That made Dinae moan deep in her chest and throw her head back. Her whole body tensed and she leaned back as far as she could with her arms wrapped around the orc's neck for support. Her heavy breasts rose out of the water, thick nipples pointing to the sky.

Tension, fear, anxiety, all balled up like a dark mass, but seemed to dissipate when Dinae focused on the ecstasy and love she felt in her connection to Duuhra. Where their bodies touched, her skin was charged like lightning. She focused on the warmth of the orc's skin under her hands, the pressure of the fingers slipping inside with each thrust of her hips, and the jots of pleasure when her clit found itself pinched between those same fingers. Eyes closed, and head back, she rode the waves of pleasure and allowed them to wash away the dark mass. Then, without warning that wave became a tsunami when Duuhra's hot, wet mouth captured one of Dinae's distended and tender nipples and sucked it hard into her mouth.

Duuhra could not help herself when she saw Dinae's nipples so prominently displayed in front of her. She loved the feeling of rolling them between her teeth and tongue, and sucking them hard into her mouth. She especially loved the reaction from the elf when she did it. She was always rewarded with gasps and moans from her lover, that heightened her own arousal and pleasure. Not to mention, since the elf was still nursing, the orc was rewarded with the warm sweet nectar her people viewed as a blessing from the Great Mother.

The storm of emotions and sensations were too much for Dinae. With a gasping cry her orgasm hit, and shook her entire body as if she had lost all control. Duuhra kept a firm hold of the elf's pussy, her thumb pressed into the delicate clit while two thick fingers curled deep inside. She sucked hard on the elf's nipple, gripping it gently with her teeth, and she held on tight with the other arm so Dinae didn't fall back into the water as her body was wracked with spasms. Dinae only saw stars in the darkness behind her clenched eyelids, barely breathing enough to gasp her need through clenched teeth. It was almost as if she could not get enough, but couldn't take anymore at the same time, and all she could do was grind harder against Duuhra's hand and clutch desperately at the orc's braids.

Finally, in a few seconds that seemed an eternity, Dinae came down and collapsed against her lover. She breathed heavily while Duuhra caressed her hair and back, heavy hands gently exploring the elf's sensitive skin. She realized, with relief, that the dark feelings had been swept away to be replaced by wonderous euphoria. She still worried for Tessyn, but the worry didn't make her feel helpless or lost. She could focus on keeping herself calm, and strong for her friend.

Across the pool, Aasha was taking a more practical approach to their situation. She never saw the point in worrying about something she had no control over. Sometimes that made her seem like she didn't care, or that she was very cold. In fact, she cared very much for Tessyn and her fate. She cared a great deal about her new family, and their future. She just didn't allow herself to get bogged down by the things she couldn't change.

She and Sabrah began by washing Zar, and each other. The hot, steaming water was relaxing, as was the massaging of strong hands over bare skin. Sabrah was still fascinated by the elves, not having been intimate with them in the past. As Turag's mate, however, she had not been kind to Aasha. She had not physically abused the elf like Turag did, but she treated her like an animal as most orcs would. In the first few months of their family's expansion, when Zar had claimed all that was Turag's, it had been made clear to Sabrah that the elves were not slaves in Zar's home. They were to be treated as his mates, his and Duuhra's, and since they had been with Zar longer they were of a higher rank in his household than she was.

Sabrah had rankled internally at first. There was not much she could do, however. Zar could have had her killed, or sold into slavery. He could have kept her as his own personal slave, or just cast her out to fend for herself. Instead, Zar accepted her into his household. He gave her standing higher than most would have, even if that standing was lower than two elves who most orcs thought were slaves themselves. For, only in Zar's house, and among his closest advisors, was it known that the two elves were anything but. So, for her own well-being, Sabrah swallowed her pride, and treated the elves with a respect she found difficult at first. Over time, however, she'd grown more curious about them. She'd also grown to like them, and even view them as sister-mates.

While Aasha washed Zar with sand, scrubbing at his heavily corded muscles, Sabrah focused on the elf. She ran her hands over the pale skin of Aasha's slender back and sides. Her fingers roamed along the elf's ribs and stomach and up to cup her pert breasts. She was intrigued by the tiny nipples the elves seemed to have, at least the two currently in the family. Everything about them was so small and seemingly fragile. She pinched them lightly before moving on, eliciting a gasp from the dark-haired elf.

Aasha had abandoned the sand and was slowly stroking Zar's thick cock under the water of the pool. Sabrah's caresses and the closeness of both naked orcs already had her pussy tingling and her mind was quickly becoming overcome with desire. She used both hands to grip Zar's shaft, running her thumbs over his head when she reached the top, before sliding her hands back to cup his balls.

"Harder," Aasha moaned when Sabrah's fingers found her nipples again.

The orc obliged, capturing the pierced nubs between her fingers and pinching them hard, and pulling on them until they stretched away from the elf's chest. That elicited a deep growl from Aasha.

Aasha threw herself into the distraction, biting her lip and moaning when Sabrah abused her nipples. When the orc's hands left her breasts and moved down her back, the elf stood and positioned herself over the tip of Zar's cock, rubbing the thick head between the folds of her pussy. Sabrah's hands groped the elf's ass before sliding between her legs and feeling where Zar's cock opened her up. On their way back up, the orc's thick fingers brushed across Aasha's tight anus and the elf gasped, pressing back against that touch while also engulfing the wide tip of Zar's dick with her cunny.

Aasha's reaction made Sabrah curious, so she rubbed across the elf's anus again, applying a little pressure. Aasha moaned again, looking back over her shoulder and sinking down farther onto Zar's shaft. The movement pressed the tip of Sabrah's finger into the elf's ass. The newest member of Zar's family had experienced many new things since joining them after Turag's death, and it seemed like she was about to experience another. Turag had always kept her to himself, too jealous to even allow her to participate in his own sexual dalliances with the household slaves. Now she was able to explore all that her curious mind, and body wished, though she had learned to always consider the willingness of the others as well. It was made quite clear that everyone in her new family had the right to refuse any sort of contact.

Zar felt himself engulfed in the tight confines of Aasha's hot pussy. The elf's body gripped his shaft like she was going to milk his very soul from his body. He also felt Sabrah's hand on his cock, on the elf's breasts between them, and caressing his heavy balls. He lifted the elf out of the pool so the hot water did not wash away her natural lubricant and they could all enjoy the point where their bodies joined. As he sat down on the rocky ledge around the pool, he felt Aasha slide down, taking more of his cock inside her. She shifted her hips to adjust and finally settled fully into his lap, the wet lips of her pussy resting on his testicles. He felt Sabrah's fingers again, sliding along where his cock met the elf's pussy, and wondered what she was doing. Perhaps just playing while she waited her turn.

Aasha felt what the orc female was doing, when moistened fingers began to circle her anus. Her pussy was stretched seemingly to its limit with the thick head of Zar's cock pounding deep within her body. She pressed her hips forward, and then back, feeling Sabrah's finger enter her ass. It wasn't enough.

"Another," she growled back at Sabrah.

The orc pushed another finger in, following Aasha as she rose up on Zar's shaft before settling back onto his cock and taking Sabrah's fingers deeper.

"Gods, that's it," Aasha gasped.

Zar could feel more pressure on the underside of his cock when Sabrah's fingers entered the elf. Aasha's pussy gripped him like a vice and he knew he wasn't going to last much longer. He grunted with each thrust, a deep, growling exhalation of air from his gut.

"You're so deep, love," Aasha gasped. She let out whimpering moans every time she settled at the bottom of her motion when he was fully seated in her. "Finish in me."

Aasha cried out, slamming herself down on Zar's cock as her orgasm came out of nowhere. She lost control of her body when tremors started up her spine and turned to spasms through every muscle. In her ecstatic bliss she felt Zar's release like a flood of warmth where their bodies were joined. The sounds of his orgasm, in contrast to the elf's cries of passion, were animalistic and savage.

Sucking in deep breaths of air, Aasha rested her head on Zar's chest while she recovered. Sabrah retreated a bit, sitting near but giving the two a moment. She learned quickly that Zar's relationship with the elves, and even Duuhra to some extent, was like nothing she'd ever witnessed.

Aasha finally settled her breathing and looked into Zar's eyes. She saw in them what she wanted to see. Love, devotion, and a burning anger she knew was directed at any who might hurt them. She kissed him deeply before standing up from his lap. The orc's thick cock slipped from her, leaving her with a brief sense of longing, like a part of her was suddenly missing. She smiled and moved across the pool to wash. Dinae joined her. Standing close, talking together, the two washed away the worries of the day.

"Do you trust your brother," Duuhra sat down next to Zar.

"No," Zar admitted. "I fear even if Tessyn survives, he will not honor his word."

Sabrah was watching the two elves, still working to wrap her head around all the new ideas and feelings since joining Zar's family.

"You have to make him say it in front of others," Sabrah said without looking at them. "He will be forced to hold to his word or be dishonored in the eyes of the clan."

"True," Duuhra said. "If you can get him to repeat his promise in the arena, he won't be able to go back on it."

"Elves feel so much more, don't they?" Sabrah asked without looking away from the two across the pool.

"They do," Duuhra said. "I, too, found it unsettling at first. They feel love, and fear, and worry for others like we feel lust and rage, but more deeply still."

"How do they deal with that?"

Duuhra smiled at Zar, who put an arm around her.

"You'll get used to it," Duuhra said.

Sabrah sat back in the warm water next to Zar. Her leg rested against his, and she stretched her arms out, resting one behind him. Duuhra's arm was already there and she gripped the other orc woman's muscled bicep.

"I think I'm starting to."

***

The sun was sinking below the western mountains when orcs began to fill the seats of the arena. Gor promised a bloody spectacle which brought almost everyone in the clan to the fighting pit. It wasn't often that an event was held at night, but the moon would be full and the sky clear so the battlefield would be well-lit. Gor had a flare for the dramatic when planning the fights, so the crowd was excited to see what gruesome entertainment awaited them.

When the stands were full, and only a few orcs still waited to enter the arena, Gor'zahn, chief of the orcs, entered and stood on a makeshift dais at one end of the pits. Next to him stood his personal guard, followed by his mates, with a few of his slaves trailing behind. He stood for a moment, letting the crowd noise die down on its own. Ever the showman, he wanted them to see him standing proud above them.

"Brothers and sisters!" Gor shouted when the crowd noise was at an acceptable level. The stragglers began to hush. It wasn't often that the chief addressed everyone as equals so something big was coming.

"I have called this special event because I have a grand announcement," he paused to let the crowd mutter in excitement.

"I have made an alliance with the Bloodravens," he continued when the noise died down. "Together, our clans will finally put an end to the elven threat that is Trulean!"

The crowd erupted into cheers again. Dinae and Aasha cried out, looking from Zar to the orc chief in fear and anger. Zar just stared at his brother, gritting his teeth in rage. Gor had listened to him, that they were not strong enough, but he had not foreseen his brother making an alliance with another clan to pursue his plan anyway.