Eternal
Kane isn’t making any move against you and you aren’t going to kill him based on suspicion especially with all the weirdness going on here in general. The best thing you feel you can do is just get the hell out of here.
As you order the gates to be opened you continue to keep an eye on Kane and he does the same to you. You aren’t seeing the monstrous traits like you were anymore which makes you believe that Mistress did do something to you. Possibly when she kissed you.
Then as you begin to leave, Kane calls out to you.
“Are you going to tell the Emperor?”
You turn around and face Kane who now isn’t even looking you in the eye. In fact you’d say he even looks ashamed. The funny thing is Kane just gave himself away, though maybe he wanted to.
Since you aren’t exactly sure what the situation is except what Mistress has told you, you ask Kane a simple question.
“Are you still loyal to the Emperor?”
“Yes.” Kane says looking up, straightening himself a little and making a major effort to look you in the eye.
“Then he already knows, otherwise I would’ve been sent here to kill you.”
Kane nods and begins to form disjointed sentences. You imagine he’s probably going to try to explain his side of things, but quite frankly after the day you’ve had here, you don’t care.
“I don’t need to know how it happened. I don’t need to know why it happened. I am not your judge. Just continue to serve the Empire and the Emperor with distinction and loyally as you have been. However the moment that thing inside you takes over completely, the moment you stop doing your duty, the moment you are considered a dangerous liability to the Empire… I will be your executioner. Remember this.”
“I will.” Kane says.
Kane steps forward and raises his hand in a salute. You return the salute, which seems to make Kane happy. You get back on your horse and ride away eager to put as much distance between you and Gnome’s Home as fast as possible.
When you arrive back at your own war camp, your two main commanders Captain Ackerson and Battlemage Galen are arguing over the battle plans as usual. They’re competent men its just too bad that they can’t get along if you aren’t around to bang their heads together. You learned very quickly why Roldan was quick to shove them on to you.
“Sir, I’m glad you’re back, I have tried to reason with this hedge wizard, but the man is being an unreasonable asshole. He doesn’t see that sending in our remaining golems on a suicidal run on Fort Tinker will result in a much quicker collapse of its walls and allow the rest of the troops to just pour in and overrun the place. The quicker we take this fort the quicker we can march on the capital.” Captain Ackerson says.
“And do you realize the waste you’re suggesting? What if we need those golems for our assault on the capital? You think golems are easy to make? No of course you don’t because you’re a muscle bound moron who just thinks brute strength and numbers are going to win the day!” Galen remarks.
You’re in no mood.
“Will both of you idiots shut the fuck up, I’m sick of your petty arguing! Look, use half of the golems to bring down one of the walls and back them up with a couple cannon units. The golems will probably be destroyed and those cannon crews are probably going to get hammered by whatever new gnome invention the Felkans have, but it should be enough. Or come up with something else, I don’t give a shit right now, just get it the fuck done and don’t bother me again until you’ve made more progress!” you yell and leave the war tent to make your way to your own private tent.
As soon as you open your tent, you have another unexpected encounter in your long line of unexpected encounters lately, however this one is much more pleasant.
“Alison? What’re you doing here?”
“I figured I’d surprise you. The eastern front has been pretty quiet ever since we destroyed the majority of the gnoll horde you know. It’s not like I can’t sneak away every once in a while. I was actually surprised when I got here that you weren’t around, so where did you sneak off to?”
“Orders from the Emperor. Special mission. It was…ugh…it’s done and I really don’t want to talk about it right now, I’m just glad to see you. You’re a welcome sight right now.”
“Aren’t I always?” Alison remarks with a smile.
You and Alison speak a bit, but you both know not to waste an opportunity like this and the pair of you get to doing what lovers normally do. It’s a good feeling, but its not just the sex (though that’s certainly good too) its just the fact that you still can’t believe someone can make you feel this way.
You wouldn’t admit to this openly, but sometimes when you’re with Alison you feel a bond there that might even rival your bond with the Emperor. There have even been times you’ve briefly worried if there will come a day where you’d have to outright choose between the Emperor or Alison. The concern though isn’t that you’d have to do it, your concern is that there is the possibility that if it came down to it, you might choose Alison. You try to dismiss such thoughts however, after all when is a situation like that ever going to occur? Better to focus on the pleasant present rather than the possible grim future.
As the pair of you lies together, Alison starts to drift off in your arms and says something a little strange.
“Thank you.”
“Thank you? For what exactly? The orgasm?”
“For this night. I just feel so loved right now. And I love you too. You do know that don’t you?” Alison asks looking into your eyes.
“Of course I know that, I love you too.”
“Just laying here with you makes me feel so safe.” Alison remarks and cuddles into you even more.
“I suppose, but I’d hardly think you’d need me to protect you when you’re more than capable of doing it yourself. Is there something wrong? You don’t normally talk like this.”
“Nothing’s wrong. I guess I just felt a little girly there for a moment. Still, it’s nice to hear you say it to me and it’s nice to know this side of you.” Alison says and begins to drift off.
You briefly wonder if you lived a “normal” married life, most of your nights would be like this. Lying in bed holding your significant other. Getting up in the morning to do your mundane peasant job. Would you also have children? That’s something you’ve never even considered, though given your several intimate encounters with Alison you’re a little surprised you haven’t gotten into possible baby complications. Perhaps you’ve just been lucky, or maybe she’s been taking Stillness potions bought from Empire alchemists. Of course she might just be barren, or maybe you’re sterile. abort
Whatever the case she’s never brought up the subject and you certainly don’t intend to since it isn’t a priority and as far as you’re concerned, never will be.
With these final thoughts you join Alison in sleep.
Hours pass and you are awakened by the sounds of cannons and warfare in the distance.
“Ugh, I guess they’ve started…(Yawn) I suppose I better get up and see what’s going on before Galen and Ackerson start arguing over how to best execute the survivors. Hey did you need to…” you say and then realize that Alison is no longer laying anywhere next to you. She’s not even in the tent. What you do see is a piece of parchment nearby.
You pick it up and you feel something is wrong as soon as you do.
Your first thoughts are perhaps it is some sort of “break up” letter. You have heard of such things occurring with soldiers that have been far away from their wives or husbands sometimes. Perhaps Alison sees the futility in your current arrangement since you have such a significant duty to the Emperor and doesn’t want you to have to “choose”.
However, after you read the words on it you WISH it were a break up letter.
The words merely say:
Always and forever. Remember this.
Your heart sinks. You just slept with Mistress.
She must’ve magically disguised herself as Alison. You don’t even know how to react. Your normally reserved emotions are all over the place. You feel a little sick, you definitely feel rage, but more at yourself for not being observant and falling for Mistress’ tricks once again.
You end up nearly destroying everything in your tent in rage screaming incoherent obscenities not giving a damn about what the soldiers or officers walking by might be wondering what’s going on. In fact it’s a good thing none of them pop their head to investigate since you’re so angry you might’ve killed them.
After you’re spent, you fall to your knees feeling defeated.
“I’m sorry Alison…I’m sorry…” you say over and over again in between catching your breath and looking at your portrait of her.
And worst part of all this, is you still enjoyed your night with Mistress. Even if it really wasn’t your fault, you briefly wish you hadn’t allowed yourself to grow so attached to Alison so this wasn’t even an issue. You should’ve just been concentrating on your duty to the Emperor and now you’re paying the price for not staying focused. You’re focused now though.
With the battle of Fort Tinker already in full swing, you make your way into the war torn fort and unleash the rest of your renewed energy there. Your enemies suffer greatly that day.
By the time its all over you feel slightly better even though you know you’ll probably still have to deal with Mistress’ shit later. Until then though there are important tasks still at hand and the major one being that the Felkan Kingdom needs to be destroyed and you intend to see that through.
As you order the gates to be opened you continue to keep an eye on Kane and he does the same to you. You aren’t seeing the monstrous traits like you were anymore which makes you believe that Mistress did do something to you. Possibly when she kissed you.
Then as you begin to leave, Kane calls out to you.
“Are you going to tell the Emperor?”
You turn around and face Kane who now isn’t even looking you in the eye. In fact you’d say he even looks ashamed. The funny thing is Kane just gave himself away, though maybe he wanted to.
Since you aren’t exactly sure what the situation is except what Mistress has told you, you ask Kane a simple question.
“Are you still loyal to the Emperor?”
“Yes.” Kane says looking up, straightening himself a little and making a major effort to look you in the eye.
“Then he already knows, otherwise I would’ve been sent here to kill you.”
Kane nods and begins to form disjointed sentences. You imagine he’s probably going to try to explain his side of things, but quite frankly after the day you’ve had here, you don’t care.
“I don’t need to know how it happened. I don’t need to know why it happened. I am not your judge. Just continue to serve the Empire and the Emperor with distinction and loyally as you have been. However the moment that thing inside you takes over completely, the moment you stop doing your duty, the moment you are considered a dangerous liability to the Empire… I will be your executioner. Remember this.”
“I will.” Kane says.
Kane steps forward and raises his hand in a salute. You return the salute, which seems to make Kane happy. You get back on your horse and ride away eager to put as much distance between you and Gnome’s Home as fast as possible.
When you arrive back at your own war camp, your two main commanders Captain Ackerson and Battlemage Galen are arguing over the battle plans as usual. They’re competent men its just too bad that they can’t get along if you aren’t around to bang their heads together. You learned very quickly why Roldan was quick to shove them on to you.
“Sir, I’m glad you’re back, I have tried to reason with this hedge wizard, but the man is being an unreasonable asshole. He doesn’t see that sending in our remaining golems on a suicidal run on Fort Tinker will result in a much quicker collapse of its walls and allow the rest of the troops to just pour in and overrun the place. The quicker we take this fort the quicker we can march on the capital.” Captain Ackerson says.
“And do you realize the waste you’re suggesting? What if we need those golems for our assault on the capital? You think golems are easy to make? No of course you don’t because you’re a muscle bound moron who just thinks brute strength and numbers are going to win the day!” Galen remarks.
You’re in no mood.
“Will both of you idiots shut the fuck up, I’m sick of your petty arguing! Look, use half of the golems to bring down one of the walls and back them up with a couple cannon units. The golems will probably be destroyed and those cannon crews are probably going to get hammered by whatever new gnome invention the Felkans have, but it should be enough. Or come up with something else, I don’t give a shit right now, just get it the fuck done and don’t bother me again until you’ve made more progress!” you yell and leave the war tent to make your way to your own private tent.
As soon as you open your tent, you have another unexpected encounter in your long line of unexpected encounters lately, however this one is much more pleasant.
“Alison? What’re you doing here?”
“I figured I’d surprise you. The eastern front has been pretty quiet ever since we destroyed the majority of the gnoll horde you know. It’s not like I can’t sneak away every once in a while. I was actually surprised when I got here that you weren’t around, so where did you sneak off to?”
“Orders from the Emperor. Special mission. It was…ugh…it’s done and I really don’t want to talk about it right now, I’m just glad to see you. You’re a welcome sight right now.”
“Aren’t I always?” Alison remarks with a smile.
You and Alison speak a bit, but you both know not to waste an opportunity like this and the pair of you get to doing what lovers normally do. It’s a good feeling, but its not just the sex (though that’s certainly good too) its just the fact that you still can’t believe someone can make you feel this way.
You wouldn’t admit to this openly, but sometimes when you’re with Alison you feel a bond there that might even rival your bond with the Emperor. There have even been times you’ve briefly worried if there will come a day where you’d have to outright choose between the Emperor or Alison. The concern though isn’t that you’d have to do it, your concern is that there is the possibility that if it came down to it, you might choose Alison. You try to dismiss such thoughts however, after all when is a situation like that ever going to occur? Better to focus on the pleasant present rather than the possible grim future.
As the pair of you lies together, Alison starts to drift off in your arms and says something a little strange.
“Thank you.”
“Thank you? For what exactly? The orgasm?”
“For this night. I just feel so loved right now. And I love you too. You do know that don’t you?” Alison asks looking into your eyes.
“Of course I know that, I love you too.”
“Just laying here with you makes me feel so safe.” Alison remarks and cuddles into you even more.
“I suppose, but I’d hardly think you’d need me to protect you when you’re more than capable of doing it yourself. Is there something wrong? You don’t normally talk like this.”
“Nothing’s wrong. I guess I just felt a little girly there for a moment. Still, it’s nice to hear you say it to me and it’s nice to know this side of you.” Alison says and begins to drift off.
You briefly wonder if you lived a “normal” married life, most of your nights would be like this. Lying in bed holding your significant other. Getting up in the morning to do your mundane peasant job. Would you also have children? That’s something you’ve never even considered, though given your several intimate encounters with Alison you’re a little surprised you haven’t gotten into possible baby complications. Perhaps you’ve just been lucky, or maybe she’s been taking Stillness potions bought from Empire alchemists. Of course she might just be barren, or maybe you’re sterile. abort
Whatever the case she’s never brought up the subject and you certainly don’t intend to since it isn’t a priority and as far as you’re concerned, never will be.
With these final thoughts you join Alison in sleep.
Hours pass and you are awakened by the sounds of cannons and warfare in the distance.
“Ugh, I guess they’ve started…(Yawn) I suppose I better get up and see what’s going on before Galen and Ackerson start arguing over how to best execute the survivors. Hey did you need to…” you say and then realize that Alison is no longer laying anywhere next to you. She’s not even in the tent. What you do see is a piece of parchment nearby.
You pick it up and you feel something is wrong as soon as you do.
Your first thoughts are perhaps it is some sort of “break up” letter. You have heard of such things occurring with soldiers that have been far away from their wives or husbands sometimes. Perhaps Alison sees the futility in your current arrangement since you have such a significant duty to the Emperor and doesn’t want you to have to “choose”.
However, after you read the words on it you WISH it were a break up letter.
The words merely say:
Always and forever. Remember this.
Your heart sinks. You just slept with Mistress.
She must’ve magically disguised herself as Alison. You don’t even know how to react. Your normally reserved emotions are all over the place. You feel a little sick, you definitely feel rage, but more at yourself for not being observant and falling for Mistress’ tricks once again.
You end up nearly destroying everything in your tent in rage screaming incoherent obscenities not giving a damn about what the soldiers or officers walking by might be wondering what’s going on. In fact it’s a good thing none of them pop their head to investigate since you’re so angry you might’ve killed them.
After you’re spent, you fall to your knees feeling defeated.
“I’m sorry Alison…I’m sorry…” you say over and over again in between catching your breath and looking at your portrait of her.
And worst part of all this, is you still enjoyed your night with Mistress. Even if it really wasn’t your fault, you briefly wish you hadn’t allowed yourself to grow so attached to Alison so this wasn’t even an issue. You should’ve just been concentrating on your duty to the Emperor and now you’re paying the price for not staying focused. You’re focused now though.
With the battle of Fort Tinker already in full swing, you make your way into the war torn fort and unleash the rest of your renewed energy there. Your enemies suffer greatly that day.
By the time its all over you feel slightly better even though you know you’ll probably still have to deal with Mistress’ shit later. Until then though there are important tasks still at hand and the major one being that the Felkan Kingdom needs to be destroyed and you intend to see that through.