Orc Dominion: Triumph Chapter 12 Preview: Rosalind's Fate

The biting wind screamed through the entrance to the old mine, wailing like the cries of the spirits of those interred within. Maybe it is, Rosalind thought, most of the Tribe thinks so. No one else liked to come here, not anymore. Too many of their people had been thrown into the ‘Mouth of the Abyss’ when that monster Agmar ruled the hills, and many more orcs joined them when they were liberated. Along with all the babes they tried to spawn on us. The child Agmar put in her was down there as well, rotting in the mountain of corpses. Rosalind spit into the cavernous depth of the pit mine, and then turned and began walking up the hill. No sense spending any more time here, I’ll be joining them forever soon enough. Her slender fingers tightened around the shaft of her spear and her other hand clutched her side as she pressed the butt of the spear into the ground. Even months after giving birth her body hadn’t fully recovered, and now she was being thrust into conflict again. The eastern watchfires began burning a fortnight ago, but it took a week to learn what that meant. Never before had an enemy come at them from the east. When the first messengers arrived spreading tales of the return of the green orcs alongside monstrous bull men they were met with incredulity. How could the orcs have gotten past the Thestans? And bull men, or Minotaurs, were the stuff of tall tales told by the traders who occasionally passed through their village. Then giant flames joined those of the watchfires in illuminating the night sky. Bonfires that large could only come from villages being torched. With all the Catabrian men of fighting age off with Black Pete and the northern Hesten Lords (who could have ever imagined that they would be allied with Hestens?) Rosalind only had old men and young boys to defend the Hills, and even then not enough to stand against the enemy. Instead, they had been fortifying as best they could while drawing in their strength to withstand a siege. “I refuse to believe that the Princess Knight has been defeated. The orcs may have out maneuvered her, but she will be on their tail, I’m sure of it.” Rosalind had told her niece. She believed it too, she didn’t have any other choice. Despite the damage done during the battle, much of the wood from Agmar’s fort was salvageable and had been reclaimed after the orcs and the Thestan army had moved on from the Hills. It had been intended to rebuild villages, fence in grazing areas, and create wagons to haul supplies from Thesta. Now destiny was making its claim, and the wood was set to its original purpose of war. Day by day more refugees and streamed in from the east, affirming the tales of the monstrous bull men. The Minotaurs were as bad as the orcs if the stories were true. Rosalind had decided not to give them succor, but to send them on to the west. She would make her stand here to buy the rest time to evacuate into Heste where the allied army could protect them. Now the enemy would be here by nightfall. The enemy always attacked at night, and led by the Minotuars. That much was clear from the survivors. Rosalind’s heart began to beat faster as she considered it. In only a few short hours she would see for herself if the stories were true. As Rosalind reached the entrance to the new fort she looked back to the Mouth and a shiver went down her spine. She did not intend to be captured again, no matter what. She couldn’t go through it all again. Rosalind stalked through the camp to retrieve her bow and arrows, wading through the silence that permeated the fort. How different it was than the first time she had marched for war. Then she had been flush with excitement and sure of eventual victory. But now she knew that defeat was certain. She had resigned herself to die, but to buy her people as much time as possible to spare them the horror that she had suffered under the orcs. As day faded into night she took her place atop the battlement. Soon, she hoped, her scouts would report back with the enemy’s movement. Her own people knew the land, as well as hidden ways through it, but they lacked the apparent night vision of her monstrous foe. Rosalind was gambling that their knowledge of the terrain would win out. Scattered below the battlement were the wooden cheval de frises left behind by the orcs when Amelie routed their army the year before. She had ordered torches affixed to them, both to serve as range markers for her archers and, she hoped, to blind the Minotaurs night vision. The top of the battlement was clear of any such light so as not to silhouette the defenders. Only the barest sliver of the waning moon illuminated the night sky, and that was mostly washed out by the fires below. With luck they would be able to rain death unanswered upon the Minotaurs and their orc allies. Occasionally she thought she heard the whispers of battle on the wind, either faint screams or the clash of iron and wood. Rosalind knew the final hour was approaching, and sure enough her sentries began returning to the hastily constructed fort. “I saw them Ros, a whole great block of them, marching straight for us. Just like bulls, big giant bulls except with the body of a man. Armed and armored too, with thick axes that look like they could fell a tree.” One of her scouts reported, causing murmurs to spread through the camps. By now everyone had heard that there were Minotaurs, but many had scarce believed the fanciful tales. “What about orcs? Did you see any of them?” She asked impatiently. The scout’s answer didn’t satisfy her. He fled before seeing any, just as the others had. It was almost preternatural how the Minotaur vanguard was able to detect her scouts, or perhaps it was just their inexperience showing. She had to rely on boys for her scouts, as they were the only ones left with the eyesight and stamina to get back. But their lack of seasoning meant they didn’t stay long enough to get an accurate accounting of the enemy’s disposition…or stayed too long through a sense of invincibility and thus never returned at all. The heavy drum of hooves stomping on earth distracted her from that worry though. Right on the heels of her scouts were the monsters themselves marching steadily towards her palisade. “To arms! To the walls! Wait for my signal!” Rosalind rushed back to the wall to get her first glimpse of a Minotaur. The sight of the bull men shook her. Monstrously tall, and monstrously strong. Worse, and to her surprise, they were armed and armored in steel, and were moving in a disciplined formation. At least for now. Perhaps their ranks will break when they charge. It was the best she could hope for, anyway. “Archers, ready! Loose!” Arrows flew as the Minotaurs marched past the first marker. But as the arrows flew through the air the beastmen raised their massive shields above their heads to absorb the attack. A humungous Minotaur, seemingly a head taller than the rest bellowed out in some primitive tongue and pointed towards the fort, and the mass began charging the wall. “First squad, up! Second squad, straight!” She called out, and the first squad loosed another barrage of arrows into the air to rain down on the beasts from above. As the Minotaurs raised their shields, the second squad loosed as well, this time directly at their foe. Rosalind herself joined the second squad, and taking aim for the lead Minotaur loosed an arrow towards the beast. The massive bull roared as the arrow slammed into his shoulder, but didn’t slow down as he led the column straight to the wall. More arrows followed as the Minotaurs passed the second beacon, but by the third the front ranks had lowered their shields to stop the oncoming fusillade. Rosalind scowled at the arrows jutting out from the shields like the quills of a porcupine. The Minotaur lines hadn’t bowed from the assault, and she wasn’t even sure she had seen a single one of the beastmen fall. “Keep up the pressure! Keep it up!” She called out, though the large shields made their arrows ineffective at best. Even when they made it through, as one expert shot from a boy to her right did, bounced harmlessly off the Minotaur’s mail. We just don’t have the strength to punch through. CRACK! BOOM! The crashing sound of wood rending sent shock waves up the palisade as the Minotaurs began to hack away at the wall. Surely they don’t mean to cut through? But it seemed they did. Capitalizing on their great strength, the bull-men were chopping through the wooden beams like lumberjacks. With the supply of arrows rapidly dwindling, Ros knew she needed to make every one count. Looking for a breach in the wall of shields, she spotted the large Minotaur from before. With careful aim, she loosed the arrow, sending it through the gap between two shields. She grinned in savage glee at the savage roar she heard, but her spirits dropped a moment later as she realized she hadn’t managed to kill him. I wounded him sorely though, at least. She began to line up another shot when the wall shook, and one of the beams beneath her shifted out of place. Looking down, she saw a splintered end thrusts into the interior of the fort. By the Abyss! They’re through already! Rosalind grabbed her spear and sprinted along the wall towards the stairs leading to the rear gate. I can’t let them cut me off! As she retreated from the wall darkness began to surround her as she left the light that the burning torches on the far side of the wall had provided. She had to fight off the moment of rising panic when she found herself blinded before her eyes adjusted to the night. She continued along the wall by muscle memory, but by the time she reached the stairs she was able to see enough to sprint down them. Unfortunately, she could also now see the devastating effect that the Minotaurs were having on the defenders. Towering masses of darkness were enveloping the scattered boys and old men, leaving only choked screams in their wake. They were not so advanced as the rear gate however, and she managed to lift the draw bar with the help of one of her men; she couldn’t see which one in the darkness. Thankfully the reports had proven right, and the Minotaurs made a direct attack instead of trying to encircle the fort. She ran into the darkness towards the black maw of the Mouth of the Abyss. This is it, time to end this- her thoughts were distracted as she nearly ran into a large orc charging from the darkness. “No!” Rosalind cried out, thrusting her spear into his side. She didn’t stop to see if she penetrated his armor, but kept pushing into the advancing tide. So this is where the green orcs went! She thought with despair. Light burst into being and the reverse slope of the hill became revealed as if a cloak had been lifted. Green orcs bearing torches were cutting off the escape of the remaining defenders, and with them her chance of casting herself into the Mouth. Curse them! But moments later, the despair gripping her lifted as she spotted Bogor in the crowd. At least I can kill Agmar’s bastard! Rosalind dropped her spear and readied her bow, nocking an arrow. Bogor was focused on the battle ahead, and didn’t see the danger. Her arrow was lined perfectly with his unguarded throat, but as she loosed the arrow another orc caught it in the chest as he charged into combat. At least she had the satisfaction of seeing the orc fall to the earth, but it was small recompense for missing her chance to kill the new chieftain. As she lined up a second shot the wind was knocked out of her as a large orc barreled into her and sent her to the ground. Rosalind reached desperately for her spear as she looked up in terror at the orc’s leering grin. A moment later blood showered down on her as a powerful blow cleaved the orc in two. Her relief was short lived though, as a powerful roar shook down her spine and the massive hand of a Minotaur grabbed her by the front of her armor and lifted her up. The massive brute, with a broken arrow still jutting out his eye snarled at her, sending hot breath wafting over her face. She drew her dagger, but before she could strike back the huge beast through her onto the ground, sending the blade flying from her hand and knocking the wind out of her lungs. Before she could even take a breath the Minotaur’s thick fingers curled into her pants and ripped them down. Her whole lower body went with them as he dragged her along the earth before the seams of her pants finally burst. The leather peeled off her thighs, and the terror of being violated again nearly paralyzed her. Not again! No! She desperately reached for her dagger, or the spear, or even the arrows that were falling out of her quiver but couldn’t grasp a single one. She just continued to flail desperately as the bestial bull man ripped her panties away next. Then the beast squeezed both ankles together in one hand as the other pulled his shaft out from beneath his loincloth. He rubbed the tip against her ass cheeks, then thrust it between her thighs, forcing it in as his hips started to stroke back and forth. A lewd snort rippled out from his snout as his lust began to take over at the prospect of having a new female to rut. “Ooof!” Rosalind felt her long red locks brush through the dirt at the Minotaur lowered her down again. His massive hands wrapped around her ankles, keeping her legs spread far apart as he slapped his massive shaft between her legs. “No!” She bucked her hips, trying to move out of the way but the bull man’s shaft was inescapable. Nor could his urge to mate be denied. The one-eyed Minotaur skillfully aligned his cock with the entrance to Rosalind’s sex. The large beast was used to mating smaller females, and knew just how to get his mammoth shaft inside their narrow slits. “Aaah!” Rosalind shrieked as the gigantic slab of meat thrust inside her, stretching her walls in a way that even Agmar and all his tortures couldn’t manage. The back of her head rolled in the dust as the brute yanked her back hard, impaling her even deeper and positioning her so he could grab her by the knees. Rosalind winced in pain as her back dragged and scraped along the ground. The Minotaur was wildly pulling her up and down on his shaft, creating an obscene dance between them as she jerked undulated on his iron rod. Her insides ached, and the invading shaft was so thick it made her hips feel like they would be knocked out of socket. Still, the constant friction of the monster’s cock against her inner walls began to make her moist, helping to lubricate its passage in and out of her tight tunnel. “Nnng!” She tried to push herself off the ground, to somehow twist out of the Minotaur’s grasp, but his hands were locked around her legs like vices. She couldn’t escape, and had no choice but to submit to the brutal fucking. Rosalind knew that soon it would be too late, that her body would become too battered and weakened by the coupling to be able to escape. Then she would have to wait for the war to be over for a chance to be rescued; or a chance to kill herself. But those thoughts were for the future, not for her calamitous present. Rosalind’s bestial lover wasn’t done with her yet. After pulling her all the way down his cock until the fat tip smashed into her cervix, he left her impaled as he reached to grab her wrists. Rosalind groaned as her upper body was lifted off the ground, then winced and turned her head away as the Minotaur’s fat tongue lapped up her cheek, smearing the scent of his spittle all over her face and neck. With her legs now free she tried to kick him, but the blows were weak and at a bad angle with no leverage. Then he started thrusting again, and the last of the fight went out of her. The renewed battering against her cervix sent shockwaves through her, and each impact made her jerk and spasm. “Ah! Ah! Mmmph!” The Minotaur’s bull head loomed over her, making the bestial visage inescapable to her, allowing her to see nothing else. Another low groan rippled out her mouth as the Minotaur plunged his tongue into her mouth. Rosalind was forced to suck on it as she struggled to breath. The thick appendage was too large for her mouth just as the beastman’s cock was too wide for her slit, though somehow he managed to cram both inside. Rosalind’s mind began to spin as the monster rutted her at a ferocious pace. She knew, at least, she hoped that he would be finished soon, and she’d get a respite from the torment. The Minotaur’s stamina seemed endless however, and he continued to ravish her, spearing her with his fat cock again and again. Finally, he pulled her down hard, skewering her on his cock as he pinned her in place and trapped her on the length. A moment later his seed exploded forth from the tip of his cock, basting her cervix and the inner lining of her vagina with the potent cum. A mighty roar filled the air, momentarily drowning out the cries of battle. As she felt the bull-man’s cum gushing inside Rosalind slumped forward in final defeat, the resistance seeping out of her alongside the cum dribbling out the rim of her stretched pussy. The large Minotaur wasn’t done humiliating her. He dumped Rosalind onto the ground as he pulled out of her, and then pressed his sloppy cock against her face. Around her the battle was coming to an end, with her people slaughtered and defeated. Fortunately, there weren’t any other women present to share her fate, and she only hoped that the rest would escape to Heste before the orcs and Minotaurs caught up to them. As for herself, the dream of rescue was already beginning to fade. If they got past Queen Amelie, if she couldn’t stop them, then it’s over, for all of us. As the Minotaur’s cock stretched her jaw wide and thrust into her mouth her vision began to fade, before turning to black.

Orc Dominion Triumph: Chapter 11

“She doesn’t deserve the treatment she’s getting, she’s not a real noble.” Daniels complained for what seemed like the hundredth time. Even as the two forces lined up for battle he didn’t relent on the issue. “You did good work, Daniels,” Henry responded, “but abusing the Princess is no longer producing results. The orcs learned their lesson and won’t make any more tactical mistakes on her behalf. Continuing her mistreatment serves no purpose.” The King tore his gaze away from the maneuvering orcs to look at the Queen’s former footman. The campaign had been hard on him, even if he had been enjoying Jasmara to relieve it. His beard was already white, but deep lines had formed beneath the ivory whiskers that seemed to be developing into ravines. “It doesn’t need a purpose!” Daniels snarled. “She’s an orc, and Jeanette’s daughter to boot. She has it coming, the whole family does! Fucking her is a small way of repaying them for the way they’ve fucked the Kingdom.” “Their reckoning will come when the war is over, but first we have to win it. When your strategy fails, you adapt or get overcome. My Queen’s velvet glove may bring greater success than your mailed gauntlet.” “Orcs only understand steel” Black Pete interjected, “I don’t know what velvet is, but it sounds too soft to get an orc’s attention. You need to show ‘em strength, and to teach ‘em harsh lessons before the teach you.” Henry glanced at the Catabrian, who also was older with a white beard. But where Daniels was ossifying, Black Pete was like a rock: solid, hard, and eternal. The King didn’t like dealing with the Catabrians, but he couldn’t deny that they hated the orcs and were willing to fight hard to prove it. “You cannot paint all the orcs with the same brush,” stated Etienne, the new Thestan commander, “they are not all like Augras. We shouldn’t give them any excuses for reprisals.” “Hah! You only say that because Grotok’s army is in Thesta” Daniels said, “and you don’t want them coming down on your people. But they already are, and there’s nothing we can do about it.” There’s truth to that, Henry thought. “The decision has been made. There’s no point in discussing it further.” Henry said abruptly. “We have more important issues before us. The orc vanguard will be here soon, and we still don’t know where their main body is. Etienne, take the cavalry and screen our flanks. Take a more defensive posture: we won’t score a decisive victory with only their vanguard in play and I don’t want to risk getting encircled by their main body.” Etienne nodded, “Yes Your Highness” and then road off to follow the orders. “Daniels, take the Hesten infantry and meet their vanguard and pin it in place. ‘Black Pete’, use your light infantry to flank the orcs once they’re engage. I’ll stay back with the Thestan host to engage Belkor if he shows himself. Does everyone understand?” When the commanders signaled their agreement, he dismissed them to follow their orders before turning back towards the battlefield. His brow furrowed in consternation as he watched the small block of orcs maneuvering into position. Where are the rest of them, and what are they planning? **** The leather of her cuirass creaked and pinched her breast as she swung off her horse. For some reason it wasn’t fitting right today and kept crushing her breasts. There are worse problems to have though, Amelie thought, and it’s too late to do anything about it now. The orc rear guard waited for them up the road, lined for battle. Her mounted troopers could have bypassed them, but she didn’t want to leave an enemy in her rear while chasing a larger battle. She did have to push through them quickly though. Amelie had received another letter from Anne bringing bad tidings. Refugees from the orc advance had already reached Orlais. While it wasn’t yet putting a strain on the food supply, the increased numbers in the capital would be harder to feed if the orcs arrived and besieged the city before her and the Sandoran army could stop them. Amelie pushed the image of Anne from her mind. Though she wanted nothing more than to ride home and see her daughter and care for her people, she had to make the tactically and strategically wise decisions, and that meant fighting the orcs here, not going around them. Besides, I’m the ‘Princess-Knight’; I have a reputation to uphold. Sending their rear guard fleeing back into their main force will only increase the fear they have of me. Amelie smiled in grim satisfaction at the heavy infantry arrayed in front of her. They had half again her numbers, but it wouldn’t matter. Nor would the fact that they had heavier armor. Her own troops were elite, hardened veterans and well trained. She knew just how to smash armored ranks, orcs or not. Plus I have my new sword, Amelie thought with a grin as she grasped the blade, I was powerful before, now I’m unstoppable! She shook herself, trying to dispel the overconfidence. Being sure of yourself and your abilities was key in a fight, but never start thinking you’re invincible. That’s how you get killed. It took only a minute for her dragoons to be lined up for battle after dismounting from their horses. Amelie Stepped in front and drew her sword, raising it above her head. “On me, wedge formation!” Without waiting, she immediately stepped off, knowing her men would fall in behind her. The sword seemed to thrum in her grasp, as if she could feel it radiating magical power down her arm. The Mincenntti weapon was heavier than her normal blade, but the strength it granted her more than made up for the increased weight. The blade, her shield, and her armor seemed almost weightless as she marched down the road towards the waiting orcs. They’re holding it together well, she noticed, staying in ranks, in formation, not rushing to meet us. Either they’ve been well trained or have a harsh commander. No matter. “Wait for my order to launch the javelins!” She called out. “My order, not a signal. Leave them in your quivers until you hear me expressly order you to throw. Understood?” Her high pitched voice carried well down the ranks, and her men cheered in affirmation of the order. Typical Thestan strategy was to throw them at the beginning of the battle to soften up the enemy, but she didn’t think that would be effective against heavy infantry in tight ranks. No, she had something better in mind. Amelie grinned in anticipation, and began moving faster towards the rank of orcs ahead. Amelie was lined up with the middle of their column, and as she approached she could make out the individual orcs. She peered through the ranks until she made out a sergeant exhorting his men to prepare for the coming battle. She passed her sword to her shield hand, then pulled a javelin from her quiver. The orcs were lined up in a shield wall, braced for the javelin fire but that didn’t dissuade her. She took her aim, then flung the javelin forward. The missile flew through the air, brushed against the rim of an orc’s shield then slammed through the sergeant’s eye socket. The orc stumbled back and collapsed, and his men growled in anger at the sudden death. The line rippled, but angry shouts from further back in the ranks steadied the orcs and kept them in formation. Amelie tried to pick out which officer was restoring order, but he must have been too far back for her to see. It doesn’t matter, it was the front line leader that I needed to take out, and now that’s done it’s time to shatter them! “Forward! Thesta!” Amelie cried and began charging forward. “Princess-Knight! Princess-Knight!” The Falcon Guard chanted as they joined her in the attack. After she switched her sword back to her main hand, Amelie closed the distance with the nearest orc. He raised his shield to block her attack, so she slightly adjusted her aim as she swung it down. The magical blade impacted the wooden shield with a resounding crack, and then shredded the wood as it cut right through. The orc screamed in pain as the sword cut through his hand. Amelie quickly drew it back again and thrust past the orc’s lowered guard, skewering him through the throat. As the orc gurgled and fell to the earth, she raised her shield to block the attack of the next orc in line. Instead of countering, she slashed to the side, destroying the shield of the orc to her right and allowing her trooper to dispatch the foe. Then she chopped to the left, severing an orc’s arm and releasing a gush of blood. The power of the sword surged through her as she laid waste to her enemies. No wonder Augras wanted this sword! She thought. This is amazing! The thumping of the spear against her shield brought her attention back to the battle. She had barely noticed the orc in the second rank stabbing at her shield. Her increased strength was absorbing the blows almost effortlessly! Ignoring the screams and sounds of battle around her, Amelie returned her focus to her front. With a speed that shouldn’t be possible she swing the sword down and chopped the haft of the spear then swung it back hand, slicing through the leather breastplate and opening up the orc’s stomach. His viscera pours out from the wound and he collapsed to the ground but the Princess-Knight paid it no mind: she was intent on finding the lieutenant responsible for the center of the orcs’ line. To either side of her the orc rear guard started to collapse. Her men filled the gaps in the enemy lines and began prying the column apart. Though she had cracked the shell, her men were adept at exploiting a weakness and seizing an opportunity. Her wedge thrust into the wound and began cutting up the orc ranks from the inside. As the tip of the spear, she sank deeper into the formation, cutting a bloody path to the nearest orc officer. He’s young, she noted, but holding it together well. Some nobleman on his first campaign. “…and his last” she muttered as she made her way to him. Despite having fought her way through the orc lines her arms weren’t even tired yet. She still felt full of energy, invigorated and ready to put the orcs to flight. The orc lieutenant saw her coming and realized that killing Amelie was the only thing that would save the rear guard. A smile crossed his lips as he readied his sword: it didn’t hurt that it would bring him eternal glory as well. He launched himself at Amelie, keeping his shield up and swinging wide, using his greater range to keep the Princess-Knight at bay. The swing slammed against her shield, but she held steady and thrust her own sword forward. The magical blade scraped against the surface of the orc’s metal shield, but didn’t shatter it like it had with the wooden ones. At least now I know it’s limitations. The orc was swinging far out to keep her at bay, and it took her a moment to realize what the orc was doing. He thinks he’s using his reach, but he’s just tiring himself out. She began to feint from side to side, making it look like she was trying to dart in under his guard. In response, the orc started slashing more wildly from left to right, until finally the powerful blows left him overextended. Amelie was quick to capitalize, feinting right then charging left. She thrust the Mincenntti blade from the side. The tip punched through the chain shirt and the leather breastplate beneath before shattering the orc’s rip cage. She continued to push forward, ripping through the orcs torso before twisting the sword and ripping it out violently. The lieutenant’s young eyes went blank as he slumped to the ground. With the death of the officer and the success of her men’s assault the center collapsed and began to run. She grinned in triumph, hacking and slashing at the orcs as they ran past, severing tendons and removing limbs. Minutes after the center gave way, the right and left flanks did as well and the orcs were in full retreat. “Form ranks, line!” She called out and her men moved into a line in response. “Ready javelins…launch!” The first wave of missiles flew through the air, slamming into the relatively unarmored backs of the fleeing orcs. “Ready, launch!” The second wave flew, adding the trail of dead orcs leading away from the battle. Screams filled the air as wounded orcs were left on the field of battle. “Ready javelins…launch!” The third and final wave of missiles cut down the last stragglers of the rear guard. Maybe a third of their number littered the ground, and the rest were broken, running off to carry the tale of how the Princess-Knight shattered them in under twenty minutes. “Sergeant!” She called out to the nearest Thestan officer, “We’re not in a position to take prisoners. Kill the wounded and search that orc lieutenant for any papers. Then have the men drink and rest for an hour before mounting up. We’ve still got a war to win!” **** The blinding whiteness was almost overwhelming to Augras, but he persevered and made his way through the nothingness. He focused his thoughts, and flashes of images flew past him as he cut through the light. He tried to look at them, to see them fully but they moved too quickly, and there were too many. The images blurred together, indistinct and just out of reach. He felt a presence though, something that pulled him, reeling him in like an anchor to a boat. Relentlessly it dragged him forward, until finally, one image appeared and stabilized as he rushed towards it. Augras grinned wide as he found himself standing over Amelie, the Queen sleeping in a cot on a field of whiteness and holding the iron sword. He could feel his essence emanating off the sword, calling to him. The black stone decorating the hilt shimmered malevolently as he bent over, lowering himself down to Amelie’s forehead, as if peering directly into her mind. Blackness oozed out from the stone, enveloping them both and the world swirled as he plunged into the slumbering Amelie’s dream. **** The leather breastplate creaked as Amelie tried to lift it off over her head, but the worn leather was stuck on her chest. Each time she strained to remove the armor it only rubbed her breasts, stimulating her nipples which were now poking firmly through the cotton tunic beneath. She began to flush and worry that she’s was going to need to call one of the guards to assist when a deep rumbling voice interjected, “Would you like some help with that?” Amelie gave a start and spun around to see the large half orc looming behind her. “Augras!?” She reached for the hilt of her sword, but it wasn’t on her side. She looked around frantically, but somehow there wasn’t a weapon in sight. “How did you get in my camp?” “You know the answer to that.” He replied simply as he stepped forward and gripped the armor, lifting it easily, almost tearing it from her body. She froze in place as the half-orc moved so close and her heart beat furiously as she felt him remove the leather and free her breasts, which bounced about, untamable. A shiver went through her as she felt her nipples slide against his muscular chest, breaking the paralysis that had suddenly afflicted her. “You’re not really here…this is a dream, just like all the others.” Her deep brown eyes flashed with understanding. “You’re doing this! You’ve been influencing my dreams this whole time!” “Guilty as charged!” Augras said with a grin. “Pervert! You’re just as bad as the rest of your depraved family! What kind of sick mind would conjure up a kraken that-” Amelie’s words faltered, and she was unable to bring herself to speak them aloud. “Not mine!” Augras proclaimed with a mischievous grin. “I didn’t send you any specific dreams. In fact, I’ve been desperately wondering just what you’ve been dreaming about. I never would have guessed Kraken! I’m afraid that dirty little fantasy was plucked from your own mind, Amelie.” The Queen of Thesta flushed in shame. That can’t be right, he’s lying! I could never have come up with something like that! But doubt gnawed at her, and she couldn’t help but wonder if he was right. After all, she was fully conscious when she made the decision to fuck the orc prisoner. Perhaps, inside, she truly was as degenerate at the Zentarans. “I can’t control my dreams any more than you can!” She declared, before sagging slightly and slumping forward. “What do you want then? You must have some reason for contacting me.” “I thought it was time we talked. As the leaders of the two opposing sides of this war, we should have a venue for discussing terms and so forth.” “I am the Queen of Thesta, you are the Crown Prince of Deznessuian at best. Are you even still the heir apparent or has your father formally disinherited you?” Augras ignored the barb and continued to smile serenely at the Queen. “My father isn’t particularly relevant. My power is my own, and I don’t need any crown or nation to form its foundation.” His pleasant smile twisted into an amused grin. “Though when I’m wearing the crown of Thesta at the end of this war I’m sure it will help establish my dominion over the rest of the Western Kingdoms.” “Hah!” Amelie snorted. “Already plotting to turn against your uncles and grandmother? I suppose it’s reassuring that if you manage to prevail in this war you’ll be immediately plunging the orcs into a civil one.” “Oh I don’t think it will come to that, Amelie. Grandmother is getting old, and between you and me she is no longer at her best. As for my uncles, well, Belkor is nothing, and by the time this war is over I’ll have quite eclipsed Grotok in the eyes of our people.” Augras chuckled softly at Amelie’s look of disbelief. “Don’t worry, I won’t hold your doubt against you. I’m a newcomer, and a young man to boot whereas you’ve known Grotok for decades. I understand, I do. Still, it will be fun seeing you eat your words.” “You’re sure of yourself, I’ll give you that.” Amelie considered the young man standing before her. That they were having this conversation at all was enough to give her pause, as his magical ability was nothing to be sneered at. Still, fantastic supernatural ability alone didn’t make someone a general or a ruler. “I have to be. You may not believe it Amelie, but we probably agree more than we disagree. The status quo is untenable, but that has been true since my grandmother was first engage to the Duke of Braden all those years ago. I’ll be the first to admit that her rule and guidance has not always been the most productive, that the orcs’ baser instincts have had a destabilizing influence.” Augras paced back and forth as he spoke. “However, it’s also been an era of immense prosperity.” “That prosperity could have continued for everyone if Jeanette’s ambition led to her casting her gaze on the Catabrian Tribes. It is clear that she will not stop until her children reign on every throne. Her reign has brought more war than any since Andarrion the Thrice-Damned!” Augras smiled at that, his pointed teeth flashing. “I know my histories, Amelie. Don’t pretend that you weren’t eager to fight Heste. You wanted to prove yourself and win glory. If anything, that makes you worse than my grandmother. She at least waged war for her family, you did it for yourself.” The half-orc held up his hands to placate her objection. “I mean no offense; I truly do not wish to quarrel with you. Clearly my grandmother’s ambition has over reached itself. She should never have sacrificed her alliance with you simply to let Agmar rule over the Catabrians.” “Yet here we are. I blame myself for not seeing Jeanette for what she was initially. If I had I would have left her to her own devices!” For the first time in years she thought of Katerei, and wished the warrior woman who trained her was here with her now. “It can be interesting to wonder how things might have been, but there’s nothing we can do to change what was. Had things been different I may never have left home and found my destiny. If my father were a better husband to my mother, if Grotok were a better brother to him, if my Grandmother-…well, it always comes back to her, doesn’t it?” Something dark crossed his expression. “What did she do to you?” Amelie asked, curious at the change that came over him. Besides, the general in her sensed a potential weakness she could exploit, a crack in her enemy that could be used to cleave them apart. Augras stared at her a moment before responding. “It wasn’t pleasant in Deznessuian when I left. My father is a cruel man, to both my me and my mother. I left home when he-well, it doesn’t really matter. I decided to strike out on my own. I will admit, I was feeling low. Alone and bereft. That’s when I met Bernadette.” The orc prince smiled tightly. “She was beautiful, fun, vivacious. She made everything light, which was a welcome change in my life. I loved her.” He took a deep breath. “But it was a lie. Bernadette was a spy, one of the Queen’s Shadow meant to keep an eye on me. None of it was real.” Is there nothing Jeanette won’t do, Amelie wondered, to play with her grandson so. She must have known how things were for him. “I’m so sorry to hear that, Augras. Families aren’t always what they’re supposed to be. I loved my father, but he preferred my brothers, and their deaths-” He looked sharply at her, “We have a chance to do things better, Amelie.” He walked over to her and clasped her arms, a smile forming on his lips. “I will be King of Thesta, but you could be my Queen. I’m not going to change sides; I already have my own agenda and will cleave to it. But we could work together, to build a better, more united world than the one we live in.” Is he serious? Does he truly think I’ll agree to be his Queen? Yet even as her mind rejected the idea her body responded to it. She flushed as she remembered the way her nipples slid along his body. This is just a dream! She screamed in her mind as she felt her knees wobble. Seeing Augras smirk knowingly only made the attraction worse. Perversely, the leer in his eyes turned her on and she felt herself start to grow damp between her legs. “Shhh” Augras said as he placed his finger on her lips, “you don’t have to say anything.” The prince’s lips parted and he began to breathe heavier as he slid his finger into Amelie’s mouth. “I know you’re not ready. Just let nature take its course.” Nature? Who does he think he is? She thought as she suckled on the finger. Then her eyes widened in fear as she realized what she was doing. What’s happening to me? Amelie knew it was a dream, and like a dream her body moved of its own accord. She gently bobbed on the finger, working it with her lips as her tongue caressed the digit’s length. “Very nice my pet, but that’s not what you’re really after, is it? Let’s find something for you that will be a bit more satisfying for both of us.” Augras placed his hand atop her head, stroking through the brown locks as he guided her down to her knees. Amelie responded as if entranced, for that is what she was, or at least, what she told herself. For while her mind had no control over her body, her body seemed to have a mind of its own. Hot flashes coursed through her, and she gushed into her panties as Augras’ cock appeared before her. It wasn’t as twisted as the orc prisoner’s had been, but it wasn’t anything like her late husband’s shaft either. The orc prince’s meat was larger than either, as magically enhanced as the rest of his large body. Her long fingers stroked it sensuously as she eyed it in wonder. “Mmmph…” She groaned to herself as she caught his scent, and the intoxicating musk further suppressed her thoughts and left her body in even greater control. After a sharp intake of breath, she guided his meat between her lips. The salty, tangy taste of his cock electrified her, a feeling of rightness and completeness suffused her body. Amelie began to suck it immediately, instinctively as she stroked and massaged the base. As it swelled inside her mouth a strong feeling began to well up inside her: not just pleasure, but happiness too. The queen tried to deny it, tried to push the feelings away but couldn’t. This isn’t a dream, it’s a nightmare! She began to bob up and down, slurping noisily as she sucked on the massive half-orc shaft. “Ah, that’s it Amelie. Good girl! Isn’t this nice? This will be you when the war is over.” Augras reached down to pet through her hair. “But I am not my father, I don’t want a sex slave. You will be my partner and my general, except with all the pleasure you could ever need. All the pleasure you’ve been denied in life.” Augras’ words plucked her heartstrings and tears welled up in her eyes. If they were tears of frustration or happiness she couldn’t say. There were too many conflicting emotions threatening to tear her apart. She wanted it to end, but she also wanted it to last forever. The idea of sucking his dick was revolting, but she felt a powerful climax building from servicing him. “Keep going my Queen, don’t stop now. Embrace the pleasure, give in to it. Let’s bring a lasting peace to the Western Kingdoms together!” Augras groaned and thrust his hips forward while holding the back of Amelie’s head, keeping it braced in place so the bulbous head of his shaft could push into the queen’s tight throat. Amelie sucked the cock noisily as the orc prince slammed it in and out of her mouth. I never did it like this for my husband, she thought as her lips closed tightly around the impressive girth, I’m sucking him like a whore! “Together, Amelie, together!” Augras threw his head back and roared in pleasure as his balls tightened and his shaft spewed his thick cum right down Amelie’s gullet. Spurt after spurt poured down Amelie’s throat as he emptied himself into the queen. The semen splashed across her tongue, tasting almost like wine as it added to the raging fire within. Moments later she joined him in climax, thrashing in her bed as the pleasure ripped through her body. Her loud cries resounded in the small tent as she shot awake, panting for breath as the aftershocks of her climax rippled through her. “Your Highness!” One of the guards outside her tent shouted as they came running in. The guard stopped short as he noticed the heated flush on Amelie’s face, and the way her shift clung, damp with sweat, to the queen’s massive bosom. A moment later he stumbled forward as the second guard bumped into him from behind, driving him even closer to Amelie. “Erm, I’m sorry, is everything all right?” Despite her recent climax, Amelie still felt an inferno of lust blazing inside her. How can I still be this horny, she thought, what did Augras do to me? She locked eyes with the guard as the arousal continued to swell within her. “Pierre, I’ve…mmmph…I need your help,” Amelie groaned and ran her fingers over her bust, shuddering as pleasure jolted through her, “I’ve been struck by a curse from the enemy sorcerer.” She swallowed and looked over at the second guard Francois who had come around to see the queen. Both men couldn’t hide their own arousal as they watched their sexed up commander shudder half naked on her cot. “A curse?” Pierre asked, looking slightly alarmed but still unable to tear his eyes away from Amelie’s heaving chest. “Yessss…those…Zentaran degenerates have…afflicted me…with a lust curse. I need a man, a strong man…” Without thinking Amelie slid from the cot onto the ground, kneeling before the two guards, “two strong men.” She reached out and grabbed Pierre and Francois’ cocks through their pants. The shafts were already hard, and feeling them pulse against her palms made her pussy throb. Instinctively she knew she was on the right path and began to stroke them up and down. “Oh, my Queen!” Francois gasped as he pushed his hips forward, grinding his cock into Amelie’s hand. “Ah, this, this isn’t right…” Pierre protested, weakly. His cock was harder than it ever had been though, and he knew he wouldn’t, couldn’t resist the allure of having his queen, the famous Princess-Knight. “Please, I need this…ah…it’s the only way I’ll be able to focus, to lead you. I need to release this curse from my soul!” Amelie groaned in need as she freed their cocks from their pants and started to vigorously stroke them up and down. As Pierre opened his mouth to protest once more she quickly silenced him by wrapping her lips around the thick girth of his meat and began to suck. His hand fell to the top of Amelie’s head and gripped it, clutching it in place to prolong the pleasure of her royal mouth sucking his shaft. He tilted his head back, his earlier objections forgotten as he pushed himself deeper into Amelie’s mouth. “Oh! By the Abyss!” Francois looked down impatiently at the sight of his Queen sucking his comrade’s dick while she stroked his own. He began to move his hips as well, grinding against her palm as he tried to get greater pleasure. As the sound of Amelie’s sloppy sucking grew louder, he finally pulled away from the Queen and moved behind the kneeling ruler. Lost in the magically induced haze of lust, Amelie’s attention was completely focused on Pierre’s cock. She sucked it wantonly, slobbering over the shaft with an enthusiasm she had never shown her husband. She loved the way the hot flesh pulsed against her tongue, even as some part of her in the back of her mind was screaming that this was wrong. The feeling spiked as she felt Francois grab her hips and hike of the skirt of her shift. She shook her hips, trying to signal Francois to stop as she orally serviced Pierre, but the soldier didn’t relent. Amelie groaned around Pierre’s dick, sending little vibrations around the girth as Francois slid his fingers between the Queen’s legs and started to stroke her sopping wet pussy. Taking her groan for approval, he lined up his shaft with her slickened slit and pushed himself in. “Oh shit, that’s good! Oh Your Highness! Nnng!” A violent shudder ran through Amelie as Francois pushed his dick inside her. This wasn’t one of her dreams, this was real life. Are these dreams prophetic? She briefly wondered as the pleasure washed over her. Is being my army’s whore my fate? The thought increased her pleasure even more, and now she was moving her hips to ride Francois’ dick instead of trying to evade it. The distraction of her thoughts and her now full pussy made her momentarily forget about Pierre’s dick. The other soldier was quick to remind her by gripping her hair rightly and shoving it forward into her throat. Lost in his own pleasure and in the twisted eroticism of it, he began pumping his hips, eagerly fucking Amelie’s throat as the Queen desperately resumed sucking him. The wet sound of her pussy slapping against Francois’ dick, and her own loud slurps and grunts made her wonder if the rest of her soldiers outside the tent knew what was happening? Can they hear me? Do they know what a slut I am? Her heart pounded furiously as she wallowed in shame, trying to get a hold of herself. It’s not my fault, she reminded herself, it’s Augras and his damned magic! He has to die! A sudden thrust by Francois pierced her resistance again and made her mewl in delight. The soldier was watching in awe as the Princess Knight’s ass jiggled below him, bouncing as she rode his cock. He never thought that this would happen, never even imagined it possible, but it was. Fucking his Queen, his commander, enflamed him like no brothel whore or army slut ever had. His hips began to clap sharply against her lush backside as he picked up the pace, thrusting harder and faster into Amelie. “Mmmph! Take it my Queen!” Pierre grunted as he shoved his dick deep into her mouth. Tears formed in the corners of Amelie’s eyes as Pierre violated her throat. She closed her lips tightly around his shaft and sucked hard, creating the tightest seal around his girth as she could for him to push into. Looking up, her heart swelled as she saw the look of bliss on Pierre’s face. She knew her own must look the same, or it would if not twisted by her voraciously sucking lips. After a moment though her vision began to blur as Francois’ dick begin to drive her to the height of pleasure. Her nostrils flared wide as she inhaled deeply to brace herself for the oncoming storm of pleasure. She teetered on the edge of climax, her mind starting to drift as she surrendered to the pleasure. When Pierre’s cock pulled from her mouth and spit its salty seed over her face she finally gave in completely. Her hips raised up and her knees briefly lifted off the ground as she slammed herself back into Francois. Her body convulsed, and her vaginal muscles tightly constricted around his cock as the orgasm washed over her. As Pierre’s cum dripped down her face she cried out in pleasure. “Aaaah! Yes!” Francois joined Amelie and Pierre in climax a moment later, and with a low, guttural groan pushed his dick all the way to the Queen’s cervix and shot his load, basting her insides with his thick cum. He continued to pump his hips, milking himself with her tight walls as he pushed their bodies together. After several moments Amelie sighed as Francois slumped and his soft shaft slipped from her. She looked up at Pierre, and the stunned guard returned her gaze, watching his seed dribble down her face. Now that the moment had passed the shame of it returned in full force, and she wanted to cry. But Amelie knew that to show that weakness now would ruin her even further. Taking a deep breath, she stood up and straightened her shift, pulling it back down over her hips. “Thank you for your assistance. Our enemy’s magic truly is insidious and terrible. I trust in your discretion in this matter.” Silence reigned for a moment, before Pierre replied, “Of course, Your Highness. And should the orc strike you with his magic again, well, we’re happy to help you again!” Amelie didn’t like the smirk on his face, but she nodded all the same. “Dismissed.” When they left, she took a deep breath and grabbed her water-skin and a rag to clean her face off, and then wiped between her legs. Still trembling, it took all her willpower to hold herself together as she sat down to write a letter to Anna. She couldn’t tell her what happened, but she needed to feel close to her right now. As Amelie put her quill to the paper, the sound of laughing outside the tent sent a shiver down her spine. **** As the morning drew on, Henry grew more concerned. There still hadn’t been any sight of the enemy’s main body, and their vanguard seemed to be fighting a delaying action, not aggressively pushing the attack. There’s some strategy here I’m not seeing, and I’m going to get caught flat-footed. He began to pace his horse nervously back and forth, and his fingers tensed around the hilt of his sword impatiently. Finally, as the sun reached the crest of its transit and began its slow descent one of his outriders returned. “Your Highness!” The scout panted out of breath as sweat poured down from beneath his helm. “The orcs crossed the Warne several leagues to the north.” “Damnation!” Henry swore. He knew something was afoot, and now Belkor had stolen a march on him. The King of Heste closed his eyes a moment and imagined a map of his Kingdom to try and guess their heading. The answer was obvious: “Dromstadt. They’re going to liberate the capital.” He turned to his messengers. “Run to the reserves and send them in. It’s time to end this charade. Then start breaking camp, we need to march at once!” Henry wanted to say that it was short work to mop up the orcs once his main force was committed, but it took a quarter of an hour for the order to reach his formations, and then another quarter for them to engage and a half hour after that to send the orcs into full retreat! I’ve already lost an hour, and we still have to break camp! Nor was that the end of his problems. As the army was getting ready to set out, Daniels approached with a troubled look. “Your Highness, I wanted to get you word before Black Pete, but there’s troubling news from the northern counties. Refugees from the Tribes have been flooding in, somehow an orc force with some of those Minotaurs we’ve heard so much about slipped past the Princess Knight and are ravaging the Hills.” “By the Abyss!” Henry closed his eyes and took a deep breath to calm himself. Will nothing go right? “Belkor is marching on the capital and now another force is threatening our rear. We should be planning to sweep the orcs from my Kingdom, not chasing them around it!” It didn’t take long for Black Pete to hear the news either, and he quickly came storming up to the King. “My boys and I will be leaving, Yer Highness” the grizzled old warrior said. “We had enough of their rules the first time around. From what I hear these bull-men are even worse than that monster Agmar was. Poor Ros is trying to hold them off by herself, and if I don’t get there in time she’s likely to do something ugly.” Or have something ugly done to her. “You’ll never get there in time, you realize that right? Even if you do, it will be for naught if we can’t stop the orcs here in Heste. You’ll be playing right into their hands, doing exactly what they want you to do by splitting off and running after them.” Black Pete’s brow furrowed as he took on a stubborn, mulish expression. “That might be so, but I can’t let her alone to die or worse, nor the rest of my people. Once they’ve broke through the Hills they’ll poor into your Kingdom all the same.” Henry clenched his jaw, unable to deny the truth of that. How could Amelie let them slip by her like that? He knew in his heart that he needed all the forces he had available to ensure defeating Belkor. Yet he also knew that once the orcs and Minotaurs started pouring out of the Hills and into the Northern Counties his own people would be clamoring to leave. Maybe it is better to let him go and slow them down long enough for me to defeat Belkor. Once that is done I can march to the north and deal with the beasts. “Very well, I won’t order you to stay,” not that you’d listen if I did, “Good luck in rescuing your Chief, and in saving your people.” When he was gone, Daniels turned to Henry. “You shouldn’t have let him ride off. He can’t stop them and they’ll get killed all the same.” “I fear your right, but dispatching the barbarians to the north will keep my knights with the main army. We just need to run down Belkor and his army, and ensure this time they don’t manage to escape.”