One chance. She had but one chance to get this right. Feet apart. Eyes on the target. Step, then another step. Then, she ran. Speeding forward. Towards her target. No, over her. Dipped, then jumped. Spun over. Caught by surprise. The back was wide up. Her spear thrusted true.
DING.
“By five strikes to four, the winner is- Renai!”
As the announcer made the final call, the entirely of the tribe assembled in the stands got up from their seats to cheer. All around the circular arena, the cheering and chanting lifted Renai’s elation ever further. A few feet in front of her was her opponent, knelt on the dusty ground: a slightly younger woman named Seetra. Not from any injury: the spears they wielded here were blunt and wounded pride far better than skin or flesh. No doubt the loss Renai only narrowly avoided was difficult to take.
Renai walked forward and offered a hand. “You fought well. It was only by risk I could win today.”
Seetra’s almond hand batted away Renai’s. Not the time yet. Seetra would come around. She just needed some time alone. With that in mind, Renai watched the wooden gates to the arena open and ran out.
She would be celebrating her victory for some time. By the looks of things, the rest of her village would as well. Dozens of people who couldn’t fit into the stands ran up to greet her. A young man placed a wide necklace of bones over her, showing off her grand victory. A girl handed Renai a cup of water, which she accepted. Even with the brown patches of cloth that protected little more than her modesty, the blistering sun and the action she’d gone through left her parched.
Though her strong, yet agile legs were a point of pride for Renai, the village saw fit to lift her up and carry her in their collective hands. Once the entire village was assembled, they headed away from the arena and towards the village proper.
Renai smiled and waved. All of her training hadn’t gone to waste after all.
This all started three years ago, at the previous Grand Games. At the age of sixteen, Renai felt the sight of young women running, jumping and facing each other in combat light a great fire within her. There were separate contests for men and women who hadn’t yet married, each involving about fifty entrants each time. Even with such long odds, Renai knew the next Games would be her time.
Here she was now. Still wondering if this was all some kind of dream. All the practice and determination made her entry a resounding success, if only barely. There would be a great feast. Many in the village would go their entire lives without something so grand in her honor. Afterwards- well, that part was less clear. There would be tremendous responsibility for sure. Many in the village would look up to her. She could take her time choosing a suitable man. Thoughts of fighting to defend her people filled Renai’s head.
Her daydreams went on longer than she expected; when Renai opened her eyes, the village square was in front of her. Seats and a wooden bonfire were arrayed for the celebration. Renai herself was let down from the crowd a few metres away from the largest seat of all: a large chair crafted roughly from twigs and leaves. She walked forward, letting her black hair loose until a single tied bunch reached all the way down to her hips. With a pivot to face the crowd and a firm stance she raised a fist to the gathered crowd, generating another round of cheers. People started to take their place around the bonfire, as the sun began to set.
Renai took her seat. The feast would soon begin.
The great fire burned down to a few cinders, bringing the revelry to an end. Only a few braziers remained to light the paths, and the people stopped their dancing and talking to make their way into their wooden homes. Renai was the last to remain, staying seated. She might never get another chance like this. Only when a familiar man came up did she finally rise up.
“Rama!” Renai ran up to embrace the man, only now noticing the rustling of her bone necklace.
Rama accepted her hug. “I am so proud of you. You have come so far!” That might not have been possible had it not been for his support. Urging her ever forward. Giving the support and tools she needed. Never getting mad no matter how many times she joked about his nearly bald head.
“Thank you. To me- this- is just the beginning. I feel like a real woman now.” Renai laughed. “Come on, let’s go home.”
Rama let go all of a sudden. “I would like to, but- the council needs you to meet them.”
“The council?” They’d never summoned her before. There was a mix of curiosity and excitement. Was this about her future? “Okay, I will see what they want. I’ll try not to get back too late!”
There was a smile on Rama’s lips, with just a hint of sadness. No matter, she could perhaps ask about that later. This council longhouse might have been difficult to find at this time of night, but Renai was familiar enough with the layout to find the largest building. The building possessed an elliptical roof, with a small wall at the end with a doorway. When Renai arrived there, a pair of men were holding spears, standing guard.
They motioned for her to enter. Renai pushed through the flaps, noticing from the corner of her vision that the guards followed her inside. The main room consisted of a fireplace in the center, but the main feature was a stone carved into a large semi-circle where five aged people sat around, facing Renai: four men and one woman. Renai walked in front of the fire and got down on a knee.
“There is no need for that. Rise, please,” the man in the centre of the formation said. Though Renai hadn’t learned his name, it was obvious from his bright clothing he was the hand of the council: not the outright leader, but one who held the most weight by far. His deep wrinkles and dry grey hair screamed his advanced age to the room. “Though I must ask that you relinquish the champion’s teeth.”
Oh, he must have meant the bone necklace. Renai lifted it from herself and placed it on the stone surface. As she stepped back, Renai felt the council members eyeing her up, trying to get a measure of her. As far as she knew, none of them left this place lightly, least of all to watch the Grand Games.
“Thank you,” the Hand said, nodding. “You are Renai, correct? And at just nineteen years of age, you have claimed the title of champion. That is truly impressive. Many of the women of our tribe delay their marriage in the hope of claiming the title. Yet you had no need. No doubt your parents would be very proud.” Though raspy, Renai couldn’t deny a gentle kindness to a voice. Why did he have to bring up her parents, though? That was something she wished to bury. “But enough pleasantries. Why do you think we summoned you here tonight?”
“I-” Most of Renai’s thoughts so far may have been a touch hopeful. “I think you would like to discuss my future?”
The Hand nodded. “In a manner of speaking, yes. You are a woman now, and I imagine you are more than ready to take responsibility as such.” Renai nodded, a slight smile crossing her lips. “Tell me, do you know about the Kingdom of Korst?”
Renai scrunched her face. “Not much. I think we fought them. A long time ago.”
“That is correct. The fighting ended just before I was born. That was the time we made a peace agreement.” The Hand looked up, seeming to reminisce about history he wasn’t there for. “Were we forced to give up a great many things to end the fighting. They were stronger than we were by far and they knew it. Even now, we are outmatched by them.”
An enemy. Was that what this was about? “If you need me to fight-” Renai offered.
“No. Absolutely not.” Renai felt the whole council unified in disapproval. “To start a war would only give them the excuse to finish us off. We must abide by the terms of the peace agreement. At all costs.”
“I understand. Forgive me.” The glares on Renai didn’t let up in the slightest. “What does this have to do with me, though?”
“Our agreements with the Kingdom over the years require- payment from us. Some are required every year, while other tributes are mercifully less frequent. The safety and well-being of our people depends on our compliance.” There was a growing unease Renai didn’t understand, yet couldn’t deny. The question of why she was brought here remained, only now she wasn’t so sure she wanted the answer.
“If you need my help to gather the necessary tribute, or perhaps to deliver it-”
“That won’t be needed.” The Hand smiled, but there was a deep sadness to it. “What we need of you- is to hold still.”
The discomfort deepened. Until something sharp hit Renai from behind. In a few seconds, all of her muscles were refusing to hold themselves up, much less obey her. There was no way for her to stop the guards coming from behind her from pulling her wrists together and shackling them both together. Or stringing her up from a metal frame from the chain extending from the cuffs. For all of her training, Renai’s strength failed her. She could only manage one weak word.
“Why?”
“You must understand, this brings us no joy. When the land was bled dry and we could no longer give our precious metals, the demands changed. Every three years, we would need to hand over the greatest of our maidens. That is the true purpose of the Grand Games. In becoming the victor, your life is now forfeit.” Renai could only hear The Hand speak now, her head hanging back from whatever was paralysing her.
“Y-you-” Renai gasped. The unreality of it all was too much.
“There is no other way, young one. If we do not agree to this, we stand to lose a great deal more. Since you have no blood kin, we will leave any possessions of yours to the man Rama, along with a compensation for your loss. Thank you, Renai; for your final service to the Matackians.”
“N-no-” It didn’t make any difference. On top of losing any semblance of strength, Renai felt a wave of dizzy exhaustion was over her. The last thing she saw was the large cloth, draped over the metal frame containing her.
When Renai regained consciousness after however long it was, her world continued to be shrouded in the dark, with her head spinning in a debilitating dizziness.
She emerged in roughly the same position as before passing out: her hands were shackled together over her, trapped in a small box. For a while, it was tempting to believe she hadn’t moved at all. This was some great joke, or even a special trial for the great champion. Once her senses returned to her and her eyes were able to see a little in the darkness, she realised the floor changed, appearing to be smooth wood. The rumbling she sometimes felt came from without, not her own addled body.
She was being taken somewhere. That was the sense she got.
While the frame shook about an awful lot, the shackles and the chains they were attached to held fast. Her instincts told her trying to shout wouldn’t help; no one who could hear would come to her aid. The only thing Renai could do was think. Try to make sense of all of this madness.
There was little point in denying she’d been betrayed at this point; sold out even. There was little point holding out hope after the council themselves carried it out. How could they possibly cover it up? To keep such a dark secret- for no one to suspect the truth behind why the champion suddenly disappeared- they must have- wait. The last champion was exiled for ‘cheating’. That must have been a lie. Would they say something similar about her too? The thought made her thrash about on the chains again.
After a few seconds, there was definitely a sign the frame was coming loose. What would happen if it broke? Renai had no idea where she was. Her hands would still be tightly bound in front of her. Even if she did escape, that would mean the ‘deal’ was off. The Kingdom would demand someone take her place, or perhaps even go to war.
This was Renai’s responsibility to her people. Her future. Most of them would never know the truth; even her father figure. She didn’t know for certain what her future would hold, only that there she couldn’t escape.
Among the other thoughts was the suspicion that the male champion wasn’t forced to undergo this horrible ordeal.
Trapped in a box that was either dark or pitch black, time started to lose all meaning. Only the strain on Renai’s body gave any sense of progression. How long ago had the feast been? It seemed like years. Her stomach growled at her, while the rest of her muscles grew sore from the strain of standing. Was she going to die here? Maybe they wanted her emaciated and weak. All the strength; the muscle she built up. Gone. What else could they do to her?
Her thoughts cut short as she heard voices. Renai could almost make them out, only they were muffled by the thick cloth. The box seemed to bounce up and down, as though it was being carried by human hands. With a bump on the floor, the movement stopped. There was a male voice in front of her, raising his voice; she couldn’t detect any anger, though.
With a few fiery words, the cloth flew off the frame. It was a good thirty seconds before Renai could bear the light. She was now in some kind of hall; unlike anything she’d known before. The walls and floors were perfectly flat, with patterned wood on the floor and deep red paint on the walls. There was no view outside; instead about a hundred candles lit the room, held up more a metal structure hanging from the ceiling. Most striking was the room’s other occupants, about sixty of them. All men. Most of them looking to be middle-aged. All with skin far paler than anyone from back home. All with smooth clothes in dour, dark colours. Even their feet were covered in black leather without exception.
Every last one of them was looking straight at her.
“Gentlemen: I present to you, from the not-so great wilderness: our very special tribute!” Renai recognised it as the voice speaking before the cloth was pulled off. It belonged to a man sporting a short cut of brown hair that was starting to grey. His clothes glimmered with a golden weave; not to mention the chains hanging from the front. Most striking was his saggy skin. As though something aged him faster than it should have. The real alarm was when he walked close. “What’s your name then?”
“Stay back!” Renai hissed as the man’s hand crept into the frame. The long jangling of the chains seemed to make him flinch for a second. He soon regained his composure.
“Look, I think it’s trying to talk to us,” he said, inciting a round of laughter from the other men assembled there. “I asked you a question; you will answer.”
Renai clenched her bound hands. “Who are you?”
There was a round of murmurs and snickering from the crowd. The man closest to Renai glared for a second. Then, he lightened.
“Called out on etiquette by a dirt girl. Very well.” The man pulled his grey hat off. “I am Lord Palmer, third of my name. This entire region is under my rule. Now, so are you. As part of my agreement, you were ceded to me in perpetuity. That means you’re mine. Forever.”
“No!” Renai called out, tugging the chain once more. The frame wobbled slightly; only she seemed to notice. “I am Renai of the Matackians. Or, I was until they betrayed me. I am nobody’s slave! No matter what you say.”
“My, my. Feisty, aren’t we?” Palmer replaced his hat and moved in closer. “I think you misunderstand my intentions, though. You have risen to the top of the muck, so we have seen fit to pluck you from it. If you can learn to behave, you will come to understand how blessed you are.” Renai’s glare did not soften in the slightest. “Besides, even if you have cast aside your little tribe, are you truly willing to hurt them all for the sake of your pride.”
“I-” Was she? There were plenty of people who had nothing to do with her cruel betrayal. Rama, the man who took on the role of father. There were many children. Her pride was the only thing Renai had left. Could she really let everything she knew burn just to keep it?
Palmer nodded. Then smirked. “So you do understand. Now, be a good little girl and maybe I’ll have a treat for you.”
Oh, that was it. The red mist was setting in.
“Rawr!” With a jerk and sharp pull, Renai snapped the chain cleaning through the frame at the top. The broken frame fell away and clattered on the floor, leaving the chain dangling from Renai’s shackled wrists. The other end had been wrapped around the frame, leaving a knot at the end.
Renai swung. Palmer reared back and fell to the floor trying to avoid her. She spread her feet, taking a combative stance. She was still outnumbered; if the men present all rushed at her at once, they could probably take her down in her current state. None of them appeared eager to be lashed by her chain trying, though.
“You-” Palmer stuttered, staggering up to his feet. “Your people will burn for your impudence. Do you understand?”
Renai was still trapped in a no win situation. She couldn’t back down, though. Not now.
“Then you are as weak and cowardly as you are hideous. If you wish to punish me, then do it yourself!” Several people oohed and sniggered at Renai’s challenge. Still, none of them took her up, even in her weakened state.
“Summon the guards! We will teach you respect yet,” Palmer sneered, wiping his face.
“Oh yes.” Renai rolled her eyes. “Of course you would need a man to come and subdue me. You may make me fear you, but I will never give you respect.”
Palmer sneered. “So be it. The only thing you will have to eat is your own empty words.”
A silence fell, as the crowd simply gawked at her. Time was not on Renai’s side. As soon as one or two people trained and armed arrived, it would not be difficult for them to restrain her completely again. The reality that Renai only succeeded in making things worse for herself started to creep in.
The double doors at the end of the room opening had gone almost completely unnoticed. Now, a commotion was creeping closer and closer to the escalating situation.
“Make way, make way!” A voice pushed through the crowd of onlookers. The people assembled grumbled and groaned, but stood aside all the same. The men closest to Renai parted, revealing a man much younger than most of the assembled crowd. He had a full head of shining blonde hair, and a style of dress less expensive looking than Palmer’s but no less ostentatious. A mix of bright colours that clashed with the clothes of the crowd. “What is the meaning of this?”
“Richard, why are you interrupting us? I did not call for you.” Palmer pulled his attention away from Renai to the new arrival.
Richard sighed. “Did you forget about our arrangement, father?”
Palmer’s expression softened. “Yes yes, of course. Now isn’t the best time, though. You’re not safe here. Return to your quarters before you get hurt.”
“Hurt? I-” Richard finally seemed to notice Renai, standing there, grasping the chain. Not as restrained as she was meant to be. “What have you done to her, father?”
“Nothing yet. They’re always like this.”
“Always like what, father?” Richard looked at Renai briefly, then back at Palmer. “Enough. I’ll be taking her away from here. Before you make things worse.”
“I told you, now isn’t a good time. Unless you care to bring her under control yourself?” Palmer gestured his hand towards Renai, still in her fighting stance.
Richard stared at her briefly. “Fine then.” Without another second’s hesitation, he walked slowly up to her. “Come on, we need to leave.”
Renai stood there, trying to size up the man standing in front of her. For a man who looked like he’d never worked a day in his life, she couldn’t fault his audacity. With a single swing she could lash the chain around his neck, yet here he was trying to lead her away.on his own.
There was something- disarming about him. Those soft green eyes didn’t display the ill will she could clearly see from everyone else within the room. The others seemed sure that this young man would fail. More than that, they wanted him to. This might be Renai’s only chance. If only she could be certain what for.
“Fine.” She offered up her bound wrists, and Richard took the end of the chain, leading her through the parted crowd. They gave her sneers and jeers, but none of those dared to close in, let alone try touching her.
She still had no idea where she was, much less where she was going now. Renai could only hope the man at the other end of the chain was a ray of kindness in the cruel storm she’d been thrown into.
Richard Palmer, fourth of his name felt more certain by the second he’d gotten more than he bargained for. When he returned to his chamber and undid the restraints binding the young woman, there could be no more doubt. With a sweep of her left arm, the woman he’d brought with him grabbed his neck and lifted him up a couple of inches. Her grip wasn’t completely crushing or choking, but Richard found himself too rattled to even move.
“Stop, please!” he gasped.
“Why?” The woman’s glare could pierce steel. “You have taken everything from me. Why should I not do the same?”
Before Richard could attempt an answer, the hand dropped him back down onto the floor. The hand grasping him fell, and the rest of the young woman soon followed, collapsing to the floor. For a moment, Richard stared at the tribal girl on the floor, face down with her head resting in his feet. Only when he could be certain this wasn’t some trick of hers and she was actually passed out on the bearskin rug that he pulled away and got to work.
Even with the rush of adrenaline, the task was lifting this young woman and carrying her was quite the challenge, and not without a few close calls. When she lay completely on his king-size, four poster bed he slid a pillow under her head, allowing a more gentle rest.
There was no way for him to know how long she would stay like this. For a time, Richard attempted to distract himself from the situation he found himself in. The thick red tome waiting on his polished desk wasn’t usually a page-turner, but now it was just what he needed. Unfortunately, he started reading the sentences over and over even quicker than usual.
He turned back to the bed. Still no obvious signs of movement. She lay there so still. Such alluring almond skin. Long, luscious black hair. Her toned-
No. This was all wrong. Time for another distraction. The bathroom would kill another hour at most, but even he could only get so clean. He dare not leave the room, lest his father or one of his- associates got any ideas. Worse still, she might wake up at any time and make another destructive escape attempt.
So, he waited. Waited, and watched. Watched the young woman lying there, only the vaguest of stirring to indicate she was still alive, and hopefully well. So this was one of the people of the Kingdom’s vassal tribes. After so many years tucked away safely in the family manor, Richard never saw a real tribal this close, in the flesh. Judging by her hands on interaction earlier she was less than an inch taller than him. Apart from that, they were worlds apart.
Most noticeable was the contrast in the skin tones; her almond to his pale creamy hue, probably pushed further apart by how different their levels of exposure to the sun was. Accompanied by his short blonde hair to her black locks that could reach past her hips. Her deep brown eyes weren’t visible, but Richard doubted he would forget about them any time soon.
His hands were drawn to the smooth skin in front of him. Or more precisely to the muscles that lay underneath. With simple fur cloth that protected little more than her modesty, her steely legs and arms along with those defined abdominal muscles. Running his hand over them, he felt sure the woman would rouse from her sleep and finish what she started. In the end, she only slightly stirred.
It was in the middle of some administrative work that Richard finally stopped delaying that his special guest finally came about. Already the middle of the afternoon. Her voice coming from behind startled him.
“You. You have no right holding me here. Release me at once!” She demanded. The woman leapt from the bed, taking up her combat stance.
Richard turned around and gave a sympathetic look. “I’m afraid I cannot do that. The agreement cannot be undone. Even if you were to leave, where would you go? Do you even know the way?”
“I said let me GO!” The woman charged at him, closing the gap with frightening speed. However, Richard was ready this time. He gave a motion of his hand, and a wall of transparent, glowing red energy appeared, forcing her strike to bounce off. “Wh- what is this?”
“This is magic. That isn’t the only way I can use it, either. I don’t want to hurt you, believe me. But I won’t allow you to attack me, either.”
The woman paced back and forth. Pounding at the wall a few times before relenting. “What do you want from me?”
With another wave of his hand. Richard dissipated the barrier. “That depends on you.”
“Me? I already told you, I want to return home. If I don’t know the way, then someone can show me.”
Richard raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean? Didn’t you choose to come here?”
“NO!” She raised a fist. When Richard readied the magic barrier again, she relented. “They lied to me. They promised me glory and respect, then they sold me out instead.”
Odd. This wasn’t at all what Richard heard about this. “What happened, exactly?”
The woman frowned. “Do not insult me by pretending to care.”
“I’m not lying!” Richard waved his hands. “Look, you’re probably hungry, right? Why don’t you eat first, then I want to hear about how you got here.”
The young woman considered. She winced a little at her stomach, affirming Richard’s guess. “Fine. If your food is good enough, I will consider telling you.”
“That works for me.” With that, Richard called for food to be brought to his room, as he’d often done before. This time, he ordered something more extravagant. Cuts of meat from all the different animals reared across the kingdom, with the freshest of vegetables. Along with a side of cakes and biscuits, topped with a pot of fruit tea.
As it was presented to the young tribal woman, she first eyed over the array of food with inquisition. After a few seconds, she attacked it with a ferocity Richard never saw before. If she understood what the utensils were meant for, she was too hungry to care. Every last piece of meat vanished. The cakes were next. Most mystifying of all was the part when the woman drank directly from the teapot. Apparently having the drink cool down wasn’t a concern. Throughout all of this, Richard was more fascinated than appalled by the utter lack of table manners on display.
“I never learned your name,” Richard commented when the last food was gone.
The young woman sighed. “Renai. My name is Renai.”
“Renai? That’s it? What about your family name?” Richard looked puzzled.
There was a moment of apprehension on Renai’s face, before it faded. “Gone. When I was very young, my parents became very ill and died after. Since then, my family was seen as forsaken by the gods. It was only because of a close friend of my parents I had anyone to look after me at all. Growing up, I could never shake the idea that I was cursed.” Renai forced a dry laugh.
“Why? What did they do?” Richard leaned in closer.
“No matter how many years passed, how much wood I chopped for our people to use, how many animals I hunted for us to eat, people gave me strange looks. Never wanted to talk to me. It seemed I was destined to be alone my whole life.
Then, I learned about our Grand Games. A tournament that all of the young adults could take part in. If only I could get victory in that, I could prove to everyone that I had no curse. So I did. I trained, and I trained, and I trained. There were times I wanted to give up. Then, when the time came, I came close to losing many times. But I barely won. My people carried me on their shoulders. For a brief moment, it seemed as though the curse was no more.”
Richard sighed. “I see. Is that the lie you were talking about?”
“Yes.” Renai nodded. “It was all a trap. The real prize was not glory or respect, but to be trapped like an animal. To be tied up, and dragged off to be a prize to people you’ve never met. I am not A PRIZE!”
“Please, calm down.” Richard walked closer. To within her reach. “Though I understand why you are upset. When our Kingdom took our armies out into the wild lands, we ran over many small tribes and towns alike. We could have enslaved the lot of them or wiped you all out. We told ourselves we were the bigger people by letting you live.
So instead, we extracted many things from those tribes. First, we forced all of you to use our language. Then, we forced you to pay great tributes to us for peace. For a time, we were satisfied with the riches from your lands. Then, over time we started to want your people instead. It is only one or two people every few years, but I fear over time it may grow further.”
“So what do you want of me? Am I to submit to you? Become your toy?” Renai leaned in close.
Richard would need to be careful about this.
“I’ve been told that I am to teach you our civilized ways. Though I am old enough to understand what they mean. If it were anyone else, you would be correct.”
Renai spat. “Civilized? You have taken me from my home. What is so civilized about your kingdom? You look like you have never worked for anything in your life.”
“Well- I suppose in a sense that is true. Since I am to succeed my father that you met, I have spent most of my time studying. Literature, mathematics, art, rhetoric, leadership, and magic, among other things.
If you want to know how we are civilized, I would say that comes from the things we have learned and shared. Walled cities and towns to protect our people. Great fields of crops and animals such that we can all eat, even if our harvests go bad. Medicine that can heal our wounds and save us from sickness. Art and music that enriches our lives. I know that we have done you wrong, but there are good things in this place. Good people.”
“Medicine.” Renai stalled for a second, then sat down on the bed. “Maybe- maybe they could have saved my parents.”
“I know it must be difficult to believe, but you could have a better life here,” Richard offered.
“No.” Renai stood up again. “I do not belong here. I must go home. You must send me back!”
“I can’t do that, Renai. I don’t have that power. The people who do will never want to help you. Believe me, this is the best place you can possibly be right now.”
Renai clenched her fists. Starting to lean in. Then, she fell back onto the bed. It seemed even she could not deny the truth any longer. “What do you want from me?”
“This must be a lot to take in. Please, just let me look after you for a while.”
“What.” She surged upwards, climbing onto the bed. Then, she jumped up to the back bar between the posters and started to pull herself up. “Do I look like I need to be looked after?”
Richard whistled. “N- no, not at all. But you must remain calm. If you cause anyone problems, they’ll probably take you away. You don’t want that, believe me.”
After a couple more repetitions, Renai dropped down. “So I am supposed to stay quiet, behave myself? Let you civilise me?”
“You just need to pretend, at least when we’re outside of this room. You will need to learn some new things, act politely around others. Especially my father. I’ll find a way to make it worth it, I promise.”
“Hmph. If you want to make this worthwhile, then I will be the one to decide how, not you.” Renai flexed her toned arms, making Richard step back.
“What do you mean? Did you have something in mind?”
For the first time, Renai smiled. “I did. You see, there was a certain thing I hoped to win in that tournament. Everyone in my home talked about what a worthy partner that champion would be. When I won, I felt so sure they would be men lining up so I could choose one of them to marry, and- what was it- consummate.”
“Consummate? You don’t mean-” Richard became flustered.
“Oh, I do. I cannot choose between men; you will have to do. On my terms.” Renai laughed softly.
Richard waved his hands. “Look- I mean- I know- I’m supposed to be married one day-”
Renai cupped his chin. “If you don’t want to do this, that’s all the more reason it would make me trust you.”
It was true that he was to be married one day, but there were certain dalliances that were permitted. Such as with the tribal girl in front of her. Though, that most certainly wasn’t how such an allowance was generally utilised.
It was something he did to her.
“Alright. If that’s what it takes. But not a word about this to anyone.”
Renai laughed again, more heartily. “I didn’t think that would work. Well then. If you are truly serious about this, then I will go and wash myself. Take off those awful clothes, and wait for me.” With that, she turned and walked into the bathroom, closing the door behind her.
Awful clothes? What did she mean? Renai probably just didn’t understand the attire of the nobility. That would be one thing to educate her on. Richard was getting distracted. Off his clothes went.
He was done a good few minutes before Renai was done. He sat on the bed, having more than one second thought. This all escalated so quickly. He’d certainly been curious about this kind of thing. Renai was like no woman Richard ever met before, and not just in her appearance. What if things went out of control, though? What was she hoping to get out of all this?
The door clicked open. Looked like he was about to find out.
There stood Renai, now completely bare and just a little bit wet on the skin. Her long black hair flowed freely from her head, while the rest of her body was almost entirely devoid of any; only a small pubic tuft remained.
“So, you have chosen to go through with this. Good.” Renai strutted around to the end of the bed. “Now, lie on your back. I’m going to enjoy this.”
Richard obliged her, pushing himself back until he rested on the pillows at the end. Laying down only further revealed the fact he was ‘standing tall’.
“Excited already?” Renai climbed onto the bed, crawling around Richard. “This wasn’t all I hoped for from your strongest muscle, but I suppose it will do.”
“N-no, the tongue is the strongest muscle,” Richard corrected.
“Oh? Then why don’t you show me?” She turned around to face the end of the bed, then lifted her hips and planted them down on Richard’s face. “Even I have heard about how good this feels? You know what to do, right? Get to it.”
Even with his vision obscured and hair tickling his forehead, Richard had a clear enough idea of what to do. He plied his tongue on the folds he felt in front of them. With a brief delay, he started to glide along them. Back and forth. Back, and forth. Each run gave moans from the woman on top of him, only further raising his excitement. He set up a rhythm; only now he couldn’t be sure if and when to change it.
“Good boy. I think you’ve earned this.” The soft hand starting to grasp his pole confirmed what she meant. Much like Richard, she paused, then started a series of gentle motions. She noticed things slowing down on the other end. “Oh? Were you hoping I would use my tongue? You’re going to have to earn that.”
Richard shivered, before returning to his task. This time, he tried to match his speed to that of the hand that stroked him down there. Renai proved far less eager to stagnate and instead went on a gradual escalation. Faster. Faster. Faster. Richard almost gasped. It wouldn’t be much longer. Just a-
“Ahhh!” Renai filled the whole room with a sensual moan. With that, she briefly squeezed Richard before removing her hand. Leaving him so close, yet so far. After a few more gasps, she dismounted, leaving nothing more than residual wetness on Richard’s lips. “Well, it appears you have given me what I wanted. That was a lot of fun.”
Richard leaned over. “Wait, that’s it? You’re done?”
“I am satisfied now. I will do my best not to cause you trouble, do not worry.” Renai got off the bed and onto her feet.
“But- you can’t stop now.” Richard leaned over. “I thought you wanted- you know-”
“I wanted satisfaction. I got it.” Renai laughed, then climbed back on the bed. “Oh, were you hoping for something more? You know, all of that studying didn’t make you a very good liar.”
“Wh-what?”
“Oh, if that’s what it takes.” Renai made a mocking imitation of his voice. Then, she got a grasp on him again. “I understand now. You always wanted this, didn’t you? That’s why you arranged to have me.”
“-fine. It’s true. You’re so strong. And proud. No one else would want that. But I do.” Richard took a deep breath. Was that so difficult?
“Well, well. You could have said that before. Now- beg me, and I might consider it.” She gave him an intense, lustful look.
“Please. Please, Renai. Take me now. Go all the way. Do anything you want. I’m ready for you.”
After a short pause, Renai climbed on top of him. “I accept. Do not complain if I go too far.”
There was no time to wonder if he made the right decision in the throes of his arousal; Renai already lowered herself onto him, guiding him inside of her with the help of her hand. There was a lull as Richard reached as far as Renai could push him. Perhaps it was the hormones, but Renai looked more beautiful than ever more. Perhaps the best view was from below.
If so, he was going to get even more than he bargained for. Instead of simply moving herself, Renai grabbed his legs and started to lift them into the air, to the point that his hips were now starting to point upwards.
“Renai, wait-”
“Do you want me to stop now?” She gave a sultry smile. Richard’s words dried up. It was this or nothing. With an arm around each of his ankles, Renai moved her thighs up and down, forcing Richard to thrust in and out through both of their movements. Up and down. Up, and down.
It was more strain than he was used to, but any shred of courage to stop was snuffed out simply from the look Renai gave of pleasure as she pushed them both further on her own strength. There were no signs of slowing down from her. He would just have to learn to keep up.
Easier said than done. Renai was going faster now. Richard started to surge.
“Wait, Renai. No! I can’t-”
“Can’t what?” With a few more thrusts, Renai relented, pulling Richard out in the nick of time. A quick and steady hand from her made sure all of his liquid seed shot out onto her chest and torso.
Richard was left on the bed, panting. His legs just a little sore. From the corner of his vision, he saw Renai return to the bathroom. Would they do that every time? Would he need to beg again?
What a woman.
“Father, I would like you to meet Renée,”
Out in the gardens of the manor stood a woman completely unlike the one that arrived but a month ago. While her skin and eyes hadn’t changed, her black hair was tied and platted. Her stance showing far more grace and poise. Most noticeable was perhaps the sky-blue dress she wore, flowing almost all the way down her legs.
“Pleased to meet you,” Renée said, with a curtsy. “I have learned so much from your son. Please, allow me to apologise for all of the rude things I said to you. I know now to show you the respect you deserve.”
“My. What a surprise. I wasn’t sure you would be up to the task of teaching this wild girl her place.” Palmer gave a sly smile. “Very good. Continue her education. And her training.”
With a bow, the old man turned and left. Leaving Richard and the woman in his care sitting together, sipping their tea. A few seconds later, they were alone.
“So, do you want to grind on me later, or-” Richard asked.
Renai laughed. “If you’re good, maybe.”