the Leathermines

Back to Chapter 25

If you have just heard of this set of stories, go back and start at The Slave Warrior, Chapter 1

Please consider tribute.  The Chocolate Larder is getting bare.

###

The men of the Rosemond regulars and the mercs they had among them were easy and predictable.

The women of Salam-Dir had experience with soldiers.  They easily walked from the secure confines of the keep and castle of Nestwood and stirred the loins of most of the men they walked by in the tent encampment.  One of the women stayed in the keep to keep the men of the servants occupied as the rest that were not with Laun and the babies did their own infiltration of the Rosemond troops.

It was not just women who wore the green of Salam-Dir that were approached.  Laun’s rogues drew Verat and Franc with them to be the magnets for those who would not be enticed by the women.  Laun had talked at length with Verat and Sand Master’s own son to make sure they were comfortable with the mission, and the information they were to get and plant.  They had been dressed simply as any of the servants, but their attitudes towards each other showed that they were not as other men.

Offers were coming as soon as the nobles had gone into the keep, trailing servants behind them.  The women were used to blushing and looking over their shoulders at the others around them and putting the men off without telling them no.  The men had to learn on the run as they dealt with the light duties they had been assigned in the escort.

The time came and the best offers so far were accepted.  The women disappeared into tents, into wooded groves.  The men gave one last squeeze of the hand to each other as they let themselves get separated and led to their own assignations.

Coin, food, jewelry changed hands.  Then the information.  Little slips from the men of why they were there.  A hint of leaving the Nestwood soon.  True numbers of the troops.  Word from friends in other Rosemond controlled lands in the Midlands.  More than that, including declarations of love from many of the men.  All little and insignificant by themselves.  Later, when put together, they would be a full picture.

The Salam-Dir dropped their little scraps of information.  That the land held just a squad to protect them.  That King Falmir was unhappy with his daughter and had withdrawn support.  They were almost out of food.  That the children of Salam-Dir were starving.  That there had been skirmishes in the South that the Midlands had won handily.  That Rosemond had stopped paying most of the mercs.  That Falmir was already drawing troops from somewhere else to squash any more rebellion.  Things that were there to mislead, and together, after they were gone, to create sympathy and demoralize the Rosemond troops.

Each of the women went through the man they were with and then went back to the wagon and carriage, making it look as though they were nervous about getting caught away from their duties.  They would be offered several treats and trinkets and pick the best and slide away again.

The men were not as subtle after they were done with their soldiers.  They never made it back to the carriage, but were able to glean much more as they were trained by one of the Masters in the clapperless bells.  The word spread through the Rosemond troops of those who wished to lay with men that there were two from Salam-Dir.  They did not have to leave their first tent as a knock would come as the last soldier left.

Mid meal came and went.  The soldiers tempted the women of Salam-Dir with food and drink, making the mess tents full of lust and laughter as a few of the women ventured with the men into the heart of the encampments.  More little tidbits of information were fed to the Salam-Dir women as boasts with the gruel and tea.

Word was sent to Laun through the Salam-Dir people playing servant of the progress as things were learned.  What Laun said and revealed was sent back through to keep things flowing straight with everyone.  The mission was going well.

Laun had mentioned playing Sticks.  She had to again feed the babies after the nobles had eaten in the bathing chamber together.  Erin led Laun back to his room and pulled out a well hand-polished bone set as Laun fed the children behind the screen once again.  He had sorted out the pieces, finding one of the naught and fours had cracked since the last time it had been used.

He seemed to withdraw slightly as he rubbed the piece between the fingers on one hand.  Laun waived the screen away and stood, still holding Ash as the baby needed to be burped.  She had heard Erin get quiet.  She put a hand on his, lightly gripping around the broken Stick.

“Mother gave this set to me when I was to apprentice to our Uncle.  Ithian always wanted it and tried to play to win it from me for years.  We stopped playing after he came to the Midlands.  I last played with some of the officers about a month ago.”

Laun lightly drew her hand down his hand to his arm.  “He let you win, you know that,” she said quietly.

Erin nodded.  “He always won against everyone else.  I guess it was an excuse to spend time.”  He crossed his arms and laid the cool, carved bone against his chin.

“We both miss him.  Shall we play a game and see which one of us he really let win?”  Laun’s eye glinted as she smiled at Erin.

The game went on for a while.  Erin started to see that Laun was good and started to bet kisses for points and blocks.  Laun took many of the bets, and found that Erin usually won the bet, reaching over to her and taking her hand to kiss it.  She saw him bump a piece, letting it go as an accident, but when he then bet and won the bet within two moves, Laun’s eye saw when he used the same cheat again.

Laun saw the next move he was going to try to use for a bet and let him bring the bet up.  She smiled at took the bet, complaining that she usually was better than that day.  The piece she expected to be placed was.

There was swearing from him as she blocked and placed in her move where he was not expecting.  He scrambled to make the move he wanted, but after three more moves, Laun had shown him that she could work around his cheat.  She placed a piece randomly, expecting him to be able to take the next move and he swore again.

“Where the hell did you learn that?  I’m not making bets with you any more.”  He placed a stick, blocking, but badly.

Laun looked at what she had done.  She had piled on his stack, making it part of her field, making her control almost all of the pieces.  “Erin, I didn’t know I had done that.  I guess that means-”  Laun held up and turned her last piece so he could see it. “If I play this, I take the field.”

His eyebrows went together and his lips pressed hard together.  “You would, Highness,” he said in a monotone.

Laun looked at the piece and placed it, but next to the playing field and face down.  Erin looked at her and was confused.  “Why are you forfeiting?”

Laun took a sip of water and said, “Knowing I could do it is satisfying enough for me.”

His eyes were level with hers.  He blinked and closed his eyes after a moment, bowing his head to her.  “I think I understand, Laun.”  He reached out and pulled one of the bottom sticks from one of the stacks, tumbling the field into chaos.

“This has been pleasant.”  Laun looked at him and felt the need to tease, tried to be kind and gentle as she said, “Have you decided what you wish to do with me, Erin?”  Laun tilted her head and ran her finger along the rim of the tankard as she held it at cleavage level.  His eyes followed where she wished and stayed on her breasts as she drew her fingers along the laces of the dress.

He blindly reached for his own tankard of cider.  He had to glance away to find it, reaching just a little further than where his hand was to grab it.  He took a gulp and looked at Launs’ face.  “If we start something, I don’t know if we will be interrupted again, and I want to...  I want to so much...”

Laun leaned over, her hand going in the midst of the Sticks pieces.  “You are the Master.  Tell them not to disturb you for a while.”  Her lips were close to his and she breathed hotly on him as she said, “And that screen can block the door so no one can see in.”

His face brightened.  He nodded and orders were sent out.  The screen was arranged to block and Laun sent the children to the bathing chamber to be washed and cared for.

He was eager, but did not know how to approach her.  She dropped her dress as before and draped it over the low couch.  She sat on the couch and held her hand out to the Baron.  “Would you help me with my boots?  I am afraid I can’t get them myself.”

He took her hand and knelt next to the couch.  His hands went to the leg Laun raised and he pulled, the fit tighter than he expected.  Some effort and the boot came off, soon matched by the other boot.  Laun raised the knee that was towards the back of the couch and laid back, beaconing Erin to her.

He dropped his belt, the dagger bouncing out of it’s sheath and to the floor.  Erin ignored it and put himself between Laun’s legs, his hands going to her thighs.  He slid his hands up her tanned thighs, over the knives and to the loincloth, pulling and loosening the fabric.  He closed his eyes and swallowed as he saw the fur that had been under the loincloth.

Laun put her hands on his and pulled his hands up to her breasts.  He almost fell forward as he touched her breasts, his face landing in her cleavage.  He nuzzled and kissed and licked even before he had a nipple in his mouth.  Laun put her hand on the back of his head and pressed in but released when he started to bite, not suck.

The sensations were good.  Laun let her head fall back and her back arch slightly, pressing her up into his face.  His hands went to her hips, fingers pressing in and pulling her down further on the couch.  Her groin was against his thigh and she moved her hips and felt him shudder.

It was as if he wanted to do too many things at once.  His hands started roaming her as his mouth held onto her nipple and his hips started to grind into her.  Laun started to pull on the back of his tunic and he came up off of her breast, pulling the arm of the tunic away from him and off.

He was not Ithian.  These were well developed working muscles that had been under the fine, blue linen.  No pot had grown on that stomach, the muscles defined and rippling as Laun looked at him.  She had a flash of shame at her own body, her lack of shape and strength before his head was between her breasts again.

The taste and feel of the breasts was intoxicating to him.  He wanted to just stay there, licking her sweetness from her.  It was exciting and comforting.  Other parts of his body wanted to meet her, too.  His manhood was throbbing to be taken from the loincloth, to be plunged into her.  That would mean not being at her breast.

Laun was not exactly getting bored, but was wondering if the man knew what else to do with a woman.  His eyes blazed with heat as he kissed his way up from her breasts.  Her head was between his hands as he kissed her, a forceful show of his lust into her.  He released her and sat back, his hands following each other around her breasts and body.

“Can we get this thing off?” he asked as he pulled on one of the straps of the garment around her breasts.  Laun nodded and sat up.  She pulled and undid the straps, a feeling of restriction gone as it landed on the floor.  His hands went to her loincloth, pulling it away from her and then off of her as Laun laid back, raising her hips.

His hand went to her womanhood and pressed fingers against her.  She gasped as he forced his fingers between her lips.  There was moisture underneath and he started to pump his arm between her legs, his fingers rapidly going in and out of her.  His face went to her breasts again, his teeth clamping down as she squirmed under his hands.

It was rough, but Laun felt her passion rise as he worked on her.  Laun kneaded her hands into his shoulders, her fingernails scraping him and prodding him further on.  She gasped and a little growl came out of her as she felt that, even with trying to keep her mind clear, her body wanted a release.

He did not slow as the first wave of her orgasm hit.  He was able to move with her, keep his hands working on her breasts and womanhood, fingering her until she was gasping.

He slowed and stopped his hand in her.  He brought his fingers up and looked at the white, foamy stuff that clung to him.  Erin wiped his hand on the discarded tunic and stood.

Laun had not clearly seen his manhood.  It was under a loincloth and while she could see that it was straining the fabric, it was not obvious what the loincloth contained.  Laun fought against her own body to stay in control as the tender area between her legs pulsed still from her orgasm.  She felt her body pulse as he untied his loincloth and his hand went to himself.

She did have a liking for large men.  Not necessarily large of body, but the member that they came with between their legs.  Erin could have had both of his hands loosely around his manhood and the head still would not have been covered.

Laun could not keep her astonishment from her face and swore, saying, “Oh fuck!  You’re too big!”

He liked her reaction and smiled widely.  “I think that I will be the only one with you tonight, Highness.”

Laun gulped as he moved up the low couch, aiming his cock at her mouth.  “I may need to get Gem in with me just to be able to handle you, Erin.  Now I know why you are called Excellency.”

He laughed.  Laun took the shaft in her hand and felt very small.  She took the head to her lips and kissed him.  She wetted the tip and worked her way down on the sides before she tried to put the head into her mouth.  His hand went to her head and directed her slightly before trying to force his manhood into her mouth.

Laun could not do it.  She tried, but the head was the only part that fit in her mouth, the shaft not passing her lips at all.  She had to push at him to get him to stop, his grip lessening when she just stopped moving.

Laun could understand why he did not have the experience with women that Ithian had.  It was not just training, it was the immense member he had to use.  He had some skill, but once he had the shaft out, most women would have been terrified to go against him, their acquiescence being taken as a willing partner.

Laun felt that he was a challenge, and that the challenge was too much.  She rubbed her hand below his head and down the shaft and thought.  It was the angle.  Laun looked up at Erin and said, “May I try with you on the couch?”

He nodded and they switched positions, Laun still feeling the weakness in her legs from the recent orgasm.  She unhooked the straps of the weapon holsters and they were on the floor, still within reach.  Laun stretched her mouth and felt her jaw with one hand as she positioned herself alongside the couch.  Erin had one arm in back of him, holding up his head, the other stroking along her back and ass with the position Laun had taken.

Laun took the shaft in her hand again and licked and rubbed.  There was a layer of spit on his manhood before she tried to take him into her mouth.  The angle was better, even if her back was now complaining.  Laun ran her tongue around the head as she wetly kissed it.  She could hear him suck in air and his hand grabbed the flesh of her ass.

Laun was sure that Gem or Ali would have been able to do a much better job of taking Erin in their mouths, but Laun did try.  The head was in and then pushing against the back of her throat, cutting off her air for just a moment before Laun drew back and licked around the head again.  Laun pushed the head and shaft in further and felt that she would pass out if she did not pull back right then.  She did not let the head leave her mouth but used the motion of her neck to glide her up and down his long, thick shaft.

Erin started to groan.  He grabbed her butt and Laun felt his legs tense under her hands.  She slowly drew his shaft out and turned to look at him.

His eyes were closed, the look on his face one of pleasure and concentration.  Laun did not know him, but she felt that he was very close to the edge.  She moved, his hand not wanting to let go of her ass.  She was able to stand and turn, not letting her gut feeling of fright show on her face.  She climbed onto the couch, straddling his legs.

His eyes opened and he seemed slightly bewildered.  His hands went to her hips and he tried to sit up.  Laun put her hand on his chest and smiled at him.  She was going to mount him and she was gong to be in control.

A hand on herself to spread her own fluids as her other hand gently went up and down his shaft to keep him occupied.  His eyes closed again and he brought his eyebrows together.  Laun changed her position slightly and started to run her lower lips over his shaft, his breath catching and his hands tensing on her hips.

Laun became resigned to having to have him in her, as far in her as she could.  She did not know why it scared her.  Silar was not this large, but his ring needed space within and had always been exciting, not frightening.  Laun smiled at the man below her as she mentally pulled back and focused on the mission, not the sensations.

Her voice was low and calm as she said, “I hope I am doing well, Erin.”

His head nodded.  His eyes slitted open and he looked at her.  With her hands on his chest, the light breasts on her tanned chest were pushed together, her hips moving and sliding her womanhood up and down him.  The sensations were different, gentler and brought a different feeling out of him.  He had approached spurting into her mouth and he grinned up at her, thinking about her tongue on him.  Most women did not know what to do when they saw him.  Laun had tried and succeeded.

Laun leaned forward, putting a hand on the arm of the low couch above Erin’s head.  Her breasts hung above his face and he reached up to taste them again.  They floated there, tantalizing him, as Laun moved on him, her hips wiggling as she straddled him.  She lowered her breasts and he was able to take a moist nipple into his mouth.  He started to suckle and then tried to take a breath in around her breast as he started to enter her.

Laun had worked her way up to the head as she moved and wiggled her hips.  The same hip movement that worked on the other men she had been with in this position worked on him.  She felt him slide in and she briefly closed her eyes.  His hand on her hip was strong, the fingers were going to leave marks with how he was gripping her.  She was glad that he had not tried to bite down as she started to slide further onto his shaft.  Her nipples were sensitive and the babies did not like to suck on blood.

The expected buck from under her came, Laun using her legs to move with him, not against him.  She did not want him in her all at once.  She was sliding him in and out cautiously, going further each time and gauging how she was handling him.  She let gasps and moans escape her lips as his length started to come into play, pushing further into her than she thought anyone had been in her.

He started to moan and swear as she took him in further, slowly.  He wanted to thrust up into her, to take her all at once, but she would not let him.  She would lean forward, her breasts in his face, his cock sliding almost out of her before Laun pushed back onto him again, his shaft going into her just a little further each time.  This played out for far longer than Erin wanted it to, though he did not want to stop her to roll her over.  He swore again as she was perched on the top of his shaft again, his head going back into the upholstery.

“Shit!  Laun you bitch!  Fuck me!”

Laun was not to be rushed.  She moved her hand from the support of the arm of the couch to his chest right at the base of his throat.  His muscles moved and tensed under her hand and she felt his pulse racing.  She used as much strength as she had and sat up, keeping the head of his manhood as the only part of him inside of her.  She was almost standing on the couch, her hands lifting from his chest.

Breathy and quiet, Launs voice had passion under the calm as she said, “I don’t know if we will ever be able to be together again, Erin.  I want this to last as long as possible.”

He brought his head up and looked at her.  His eyes were slightly glazed and he was having a hard time bringing his eyes from her breasts to her face.  “Why wouldn’t... ah!”  His head went back again as she started to slide down his pole of a shaft.  “Fuck!  You feel so good!  Fuck me!”

Laun felt her legs start to tremble in the effort to keep above him.  “I am fucking you, Erin.  I hope you like this, even though it is slow and different than your usual.  I would hope you would remember me after...”  Laun thrust down and was sitting on him, a pain flashing through her as he pushed on things deep inside of her.

He bellowed and pulled on her hips.  He was all the way in her, the most exquisite feeling he had not enjoyed in too long.  No, it was not like others.  She held still, the only movement coming from their pulses, vibrating together inside of her.  He was certain he could feel her heart beat through his manhood.

Her breathing was slow, deep.  She was close to another peak, but she could not allow her body to control her actions, blur her mind’s focus.  She moved her hips from side to side, his manhood moving slightly inside her.  He took in a gasp of air.  His face contorted.  She felt his abdomen tensing as she moved her hands back up him and to his chest, laying on top of him.

His arms went around her, his hand trying to force her mouth to his.  She turned her head slightly and his face was in her hair, his lips at her ear.  Her own breath was going past Erin’s ear and she made a slightly exaggerated sigh.  “I don’t want this to end.”

Even in the heat of passion, Erin heard the sorrow in Laun’s voice.  He was perhaps a little loud as he spoke into her hair.  “It doesn’t have to.  You are here now.  Stay longer with me.”

She wiggled her hips, his knees coming up to thrust into her.  She did not move to counteract the movements and moaned into his ear.  It was not acting.  The sensations of being that full, of him thrusting up into her, was pushing her limits, and her to the edge.

Part of her brain stepped back and chose her words.  Laun had been thinking of this time of the mission for days, variations on what could be said.  Laun heard her voice, soft and breathy say, “Right now is perfect.  I don’t want to think of going back and then you and your-”  Laun sobbed.

Erin stopped.  He pushed at her until his hands were holding her face above his.  A tear had come from her eye and dropped onto his cheek as he looked at her.  She was flushed with passion, but the sadness that was washing over her was different to him.  He wanted to please her, fuck her for as long as possible.  Have her smile, her wit her-

He kissed her, his arms going around her again.  He felt his manhood pulse, wishing for more of her, for release.  He ignored himself for now as he tried to hold her, to comfort her as she was on top of him.

“My Lady, why are you sad?  Please, am I hurting you?”  Erin had never asked that of any of the women he had been with.  It didn’t seem important before.

Laun shook her head and took in a gasp of air.  Her eyes were open, looking down at him, her hand stroking along his blonde stubble on his cheek and chin.  “This does not hurt.  It is wonderful.  Please forget I said anything.  Just be in me for now.”  She moved on top of him and started a small rhythm.

His body betrayed him and he started thrusting.  He wanted to talk to her.  He wanted to know why she was sad.  To take the crease from her brow and make her sigh and gasp and scream from him giving her pleasure.  His hands went to her shoulders, pulling her down as he was thrusting up.

He felt her body tense and shudder.  She became impossibly tight around him, pushing his limits of control.  The face of sadness changed and became one of pure passion, pleasure from him thrusting up into her.  Her voice dropped in tone, a slight growl sliding out before her head went back and she made a guttural sound that could not have been from a conscious place.

Laun’s head fell forward and was on Erin’s shoulder as the waves of her orgasm went through her.  Her hands clenched, blonde hair being pulled from his chest and fingernail scrapes marking his fair skin.

He was continuing to thrust into her, his hands going down her back and to her ass.  His fingers gripped, his hips thrust and he could not stop the feeling, the pulse as he started to come to his peak in her.  He swore and started to contort under her.

Launs’ eyes went wide and she pushed with her legs, scrambling to get him out of her before he spilled his seed.  She had the strength, but his arms were around her and held her tight to him.  She pushed her self up on his chest and then used her thumbs in pressure points in his arm pits.  She did not want to hurt him, but she was damned if she was going to have a child from him.

Erin’s arms reacted and let go of her.  She sat up and then stood, his manhood slapping his stomach as it came out of her.  He had already spurted some of his seed in her, but he had more coming out of him and onto his chest.  Laun grabbed his shaft and stroked, the thick fluid coming out of him coating her hand as the spurts changed to bubbling and flowed down his shaft.

Laun was not pleased.  But she could not show it right then.  She took his tunic and wiped her hand and his manhood fairly clean before she reached down and felt the slickness he had left in her.  She had missed that feeling, but knew the dangers.

His breath was still ragged as he pushed himself off the couch.  He stumbled to the tankards they had left on the table by the Sticks pieces and slammed his cider back.  He swallowed and turned, looking at Laun.

She had leaned on an elbow, not posing, but trying to regain some of her calm as she partially lay on the low couch.  Her own breathing was shallow and fast, Laun having a problem getting herself under control.

He grabbed the tankard she had been using for water and brought it to her.  She took it before he dropped it.  Erin turned, looking for the pitchers which were on the other side of the room.

Laun looked at his actions.  It was considerate of him to give her water.  She did not know if it was something he usually did, but from the slightly wild-eyed look and the way he leaned on the sideboard before pouring himself something to drink, Laun thought this was new for him.

He wavered back to the couch and drank half of the water he had poured for himself before collapsing next to her.  His arm went around her, pulling her to him.  He had started to sweat and he was slick as she moved against him.  He used the heel of his hand holding his tankard to pull her face around to him and he kissed her.  It was a deep kiss, one that still had lust in it, but not as rough.

“My Lady, that was good.”  His breath was calming, but the words came out as a ragged growl.

Laun smiled and put her hand to his face.  “Thank you, excellen-”  He kissed her, taking her breath and her words.

He pulled back and looked at her.  He looked deep in her eyes, not glancing down or looking anywhere else.  “Stay with me.”

Laun heard what he meant behind the words.  “For the night.”

He shook his head.  “You were to marry my brother.”  He had a crooked smile as he said, “I can see more of why he chose you.  Stay with me.”

Laun kissed him and felt her gentle pressure returned before he pulled at her again and was hard against her lips.  He released her and her fingers went along his lips.  “The visit will have to end some time.  I have my own lands to get back to.  My own people to look after.”

He moved the tankard from one hand to the other, draining it before putting it on the floor.  He took hers from her hand and placed it next to his, though it tipped, spilling a mouthful worth of water to the stone.  He was regaining his strength, using it to scoop her off the couch beside him and onto his lap.

“Laun, please, I don’t know how else to say it.  Stay with me.  Not just for the night.”  His kiss and stroke of his hand was tender, was almost loving.

They kissed and held each other for a while.  Laun did not know how long, but the feeling was wonderful.  She was wanted by him.  He held her, would protect her.  But...  That part of her mind that had been detached for most of the seduction came forward and kicked her.

Her hand was on her chest, gripping his hand over her heart.  She leaned her head on his shoulder and sighed.  “Please, let’s not talk of anything but right now.  I don’t want to think of the future.  It just...  We are together now, and that is what matters.”

He did not want to say what came to mind.  The messages from Lady Engrid had said that Laun was manipulative, a cold whore.  The Lady on his lap, within his arms, was gentle and warm and one fuck of a lover.  She knew about the troops, but had only said anything about them when directly asked by the Captain.  Erin did not want to accuse her of coming here to delay or stop his plans.

He felt a shock go through his system as he thought to himself that they were not his plans.  They were her plans.  Lady Engrids.  The woman who had his brother killed.  The Council General who pulled strings and people and plans to her satisfaction.  Her satisfaction.  His Aunt.

There was a smile on Laun’s face as she looked up at him.  No, this was not the woman that his Aunt had warned him about.  The old woman was paranoid, jealous.  She had pushed him into being in the Midlands for the coup.  She had told him he was to be a landed noble away from his home and family.  She used that Midlands land to house her troops, not the King’s troops.  She had ruled his life for years.  She was not going to rule him any longer.

“Stay with me for the night.  I want you to be here past the morning, but I understand.  You have your household and your babies.  I have...  This place.”  He looked around and Laun could feel the dissatisfaction in him.  “Having you here, even though we only just met, made it feel more like a home.”

Laun sighed.  “I am happy I could bring that to you.  Everyone should have a place they feel is home.”  Laun had more she wanted to say, but the flash of concern behind his eyes stilled her tongue.

“My Lady-I...  I seem to be sweating all over you.  Can I offer you use of the bath to freshen up?”

Laun smiled and she felt his heart race below her hand on his chest.  “That would be wonderful.”

 

Onto the nights dinner and entertainment in Chapter 27