Asher's Futa Chronicles

Asher and Remmi make the chapel rendezvous and must make a "terrible" deal with the guild to deal with what they learn.

Enjoy!

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Chapter 22

ASHER

The chapel was empty at 2100 hours, or 9 p.m. civilian time.

"Maybe they're running late?" Remmi offered as she stepped inside behind me and closed the door.

The lights were burning softly, the way Carfen kept the chapel open for anyone to visit when not in use.

I shrugged and squinted in the darkness. My helmet took this to mean I wanted night-vision and automatically switched to it. The shadows in the room lit up as if in daylight. This wasn't the green images like you saw in the movies; this was full color. It literally made night into day.

Oh yeah, I didn't mention the helmets, did I? I hate helmets, I really do. But after what happened with that Gremlin, I wore one anytime I thought there might be trouble. Every time I thought about that Gremlin, I got a headache. I was sure it was psychosomatic, but I wasn't taking any chances.

As a bonus, when not in use, the helmets rotated up and back to rest on our backs. It would be convenient when standing, but it would become a bother when sitting down.

A figure stood up from where it had been sitting in the shadows, and I froze.

"Guardians," the voice said softly.

The girl was wearing a simple brown robe, much like the one Carfen wore during his sermons. Actually, the way it was hanging off her, I was pretty sure it was his robe.

"Where's Carfen?" I asked, suddenly worried she'd done something to him.

"Gathering night blossoms for service tomorrow," the girl said.

"At night?" I questioned.

There was a pause before the woman answered.

"They're night blossoms...it's in the name," she said. "He wanted to go by himself, but one of the guards insisted on accompanying him."

"Good," Remmi said. "Who are you?"

"My name's Alana," the girl said and pulled the hood of her robe back, revealing--

"It's violet eyes!" I practically squealed and tugged on Remmi's arm like an excited child.

Remmi looked at me like I'd lost my mind, and I guess I had a little. In my excitement, I was bobbing up and down.

"Yes," the girl said slowly. "I have violet eyes. What of it?"

"She likes your eyes," Remmi said and shook her head slowly in disgust. "How?" Remmi muttered to herself. "How do they always just fall into her lap?"

Before I could ask Remmi what she meant, Alana was talking again.

"She does?" Alana looked taken aback.

"What can we do for you, Alana?" Remmi asked, trying to move the conversation along.

"I've come to warn you, the prince is planning on leaving for the capital in the next day or so," Alana said.

"Good," I said, trying to get myself back under control. Having those pretty eyes appear out of nowhere had reignited the fire that had been tickling my belly all day.

"Not good," Alana countered. "He plans on gathering more troops and coming back here."

"I must have really gotten under his skin," I said.

Alana smiled, and it sent a zing down my belly.

"You really did," Alana grinned. "No one stands up to him, never. I think if it weren't for the arrival of the Daemon earlier today, he would have ordered us to violence."

"Have they really never seen a Daemon, even in the capital?" Remmi asked.

"There were stories of a sighting last year, but it was written off as a rumor," Alana said. "There hasn't been a documented sighting in living history. But she's here now, so the legends must be true."

"You speak about her with such reverence," Remmi started. "Why?"

"I...I'm descended from Guardians," Alana said. "At least, that's the stories that have been passed down through the generations of my family. It's mostly been in secret, seeing as the kingdom doesn't exactly like to admit the Guardians ever existed."

"But the histories," I started. "The Guardians did so much, not just for this kingdom, but for so many others." There had been so many books in the temple about the history of the Guardian's influence on the land. And I'd had to read them all.

"Most of the other countries still have those histories," Alana said. "But Yolig is where the religious turn started. They've all but denounced everything Daemons, Guardians, and even the Administrator ever stood for."

"Gotta love erasing history," Remmi muttered.

"So," I started. "Putner is planning on starting a Jihad against us."

"I don't know that word," Alana said. "But, if he gets his way, he will come back here with the church's soldiers."

"Great," Remmi shook her head. "We've started a holy war, just what we needed."

"Who knows," I said. "Maybe the king will smack some sense into Putzner." I glanced over, and Alana was slowly shaking her head. "No?"

"The church has as much, if not more, influence than the king. Once Prince Putz--Prince Putner reports in, confirming what he's seen here. I fear they'll come in force."

"Lovely," I said with a sigh. "There's not a lot we can do about that now, can we?"

"No," Alana said slowly. "Even if you eliminated Prince Putner and his knights, another expedition would be sent--"

"Whoa," Remmi chimed in. "We're not talking about murdering anybody!"

Alana shrugged.

"Even so, another expedition would be sent, and I'm afraid it would only be a matter of time before they showed up here in force," Alana said.

"Well, it's a month there and another month back, right?" I asked.

"A little less with how the prince likes to push his mounts," Alana said.

"That gives us a month and a half to figure something out," I said, turning to Remmi. "Any ideas?"

"Aside from prayer?" Remmi said.

"Not funny," I said.

"We can let the Gestalt know," Remmi said. "Maybe they have an idea."

"OK," I said and was about to mention having Miranda relay a message, but glanced at Alana and remembered the need for secrecy.

"What's a Gestalt?" Alana asked.

"Just some friends," Remmi jumped in.

"What are you going to do?" I asked, turning to Alana.

"Me?" Alana asked.

"Yeah, you," I said. "Since you're telling us all this, I figure you're against it?"

Alana looked uncomfortable.

"I'm still not sure," Alana said. "I was planning on speaking with Carfen when he got back."

I glanced at Remmi, who shook her head at me slightly.

"Well," I started, earning a look from Remmi. "You can always stay here with us."

Remmi looked like I'd just slapped her.

I held my hands out to her slightly with a shrug.

"I couldn't abandon Prince Putner," Alana said. "My grandfather is still in the capital. The prince would punish him for me breaking my oath to the crown."

An idea started to form in my head.

"You don't have any other family?" I asked.

"No, just my grandfather now," Alana said sorrowfully.

"What would your grandfather say about you breaking your oath?" Remmi asked as she stopped giving me the stink eye and turned to Alana.

"If he knew the truth, he'd be all for it, I'm sure," Alana said and then smiled sadly. "He's always been a supporter of the Guardians. He's the one who told me all the stories." Then Alana's smile drooped. "But I don't know what would happen to him."

"What?" Remmi said when she glanced at my smiling face.

"I've got an idea..." I said slowly. "It's sneaky...and might not work...but it's still an idea."

"Oh God..." Remmi muttered.

"What?" Alana asked with innocent eyes.

Carfen chose that moment to return from his flower picking. He paused in the doorway, looking at the three of us.

"Let me look into a few things," I started to Alana, my mind racing through one idea after another. "You wanted to talk with Carfen, so you do that, and I'll check back in with you shortly."

I grabbed Remmi's hand and pulled her outside.

"This may be a trap, you know," Remmi said.

"I doubt it," I said. "It doesn't feel right." Then another idea popped into my head, causing me to stop and snap my fingers.

"What?" Remmi asked.

"My brain's in overdrive at the moment. Follow me," I said and headed for the inn. Just as I got to the door, I turned to Remmi and said, "Trust me on this, please?"

Remmi gave me a strange look but nodded.

A different clerk that I hadn't met before was manning the guild desk. Frowning, I turned back to the main room.

"Miranda?" I called in a whisper.

There were a handful of people in the room, most talking quietly over some late-night food.

"Guardian!" Miranda said, appearing in front of me, not lowering her voice at all.

"People are sleeping, Miranda," I said. "Wouldn't talking at a quieter level help not to disturb them?"

"Oh," Miranda said, her smile dipping but for a moment. "I ensure they're not disturbed."

"Fine, but could you be a little quieter, please?" I asked. "I'm trying to keep things on the down low."

"The what now?" Miranda asked.

I heard Remmi sigh behind me.

"Miranda, I need to know what room Mabel stays in," I said. A quick glance Remmi's way showed she was already rolling her eyes at me.

"Oh?" Miranda asked before her face slipped into a sly grin. "Ahh, now I see. I didn't know you and Mabel had already joined."

I looked at Miranda sharply.

"No, we have not!" I whispered harshly. "And why would you think that?"

"Well, usually when you want to go calling on someone in the dead of the night...one thing leads to another...plus you've been dropping hints at her since you first saw her," Miranda said.

I turned to Remmi.

"Honest, I haven't been--" I started, but Remmi cut me off with a wave of her hand.

"Where is she, Miranda?" Remmi asked.

This time, Miranda gave Remmi an appraising look. When Remmi stared back, Miranda blanched.

"Sorry," Miranda said quickly. "She's in the guild dorm."

"Guild dorm?" I asked.

"Yes, the guild has their own dormitory behind its offices," Miranda said.

I sighed. I'd hoped to keep this quiet. But now it looked like I'd have to talk to the on-duty clerk if I wanted to speak with Mabel.

"Miranda, can you ask Mabel to come to our room, please?" Remmi asked.

"Sure thing," Miranda said, "Give me a moment."

Turning to me, "From that look on your face, I figured you were wanting to do this on the QT," Remmi said.

"You're definitely the smart one in this relationship," I grinned.

"Naturally," Remmi said.

"OK, she's on her way," Miranda said.

"You never left," I said to Miranda. "How'd you get a hold of her?"

"I can multitask, you know," Miranda said, looking slightly put out.

"Of course you can," I said quickly. "Sorry, Miranda and thank you."

Miranda simply nodded her head at me and winked out of existence.

"Come on," Remmi said and headed for the stairs. "You've been dying to get her into our room. You should at least be there when she finally shows up."

A few minutes later, I was opening the door to my room, revealing a slightly flushed Mabel. Had she run up here after Miranda woke her?

Mabel was wearing a long, one-piece nightgown with small red flowers embroidered on it. It was adorable, but a little on the childish side for her age, in my opinion.

"You wished to see me, Guardians?" Mabel said, slightly out of breath.

Mabel had run up here after all.

"Come on in," Remmi said from the other side of the room, while I just continued to stare at Mabel's outfit.

I had enough sense to get out of the way and to close the door once she was inside.

Mabel looked around the room nervously, paying particular attention to the large bed Remmi and I shared.

"Asher?" Remmi said, prodding me.

"Uh, yeah," I said and cleared my throat.

Mabel turned to look at me, her eyes wide.

"Mabel," I started. I felt as nervous as if I were about to proposition her.

"Yes, Guardian?" Mabel said.

"Please just call me Asher," I said. Everyone threw the Guardian title at me all day. I didn't want it right now.

"Alright...Asher," Mabel said.

"If I asked, could you do something for me?" I asked.

"Of course, Gua...Asher," Mabel said, her face reddening.

"It would be something...sorta sneaky," I began.

"Quit teasing the woman," Remmi scolded.

"OK," I said. "If I asked you some questions, could you not tell anyone else I asked...including your boss?"

"Well, I guess that depends on what it was you were asking," Mabel said, frowning at me slightly.

Just as I was about to say something, Mabel continued.

"And what you, in turn, were willing to do for me," Mabel said, her expression unreadable.

I glanced at Remmi, who'd stopped what she was doing and now watched Mabel curiously.

"OK," I started. "Well..."

"Why don't you say what you'd ask me, and I'll let you know whether I could answer you privately," Mabel said. As I watched, her cute and innocent face turned serious.

I was suddenly wary of this woman.

"Well," I swallowed. "Has the prince sent any messages back to the capital?"

One of the things I'd thought of outside the chapel was: what if the prince had already contacted the capital? That would mean additional soldiers would be heading this way in half the time.

"A royal secret?" Mabel said, tilting her head to the side as she examined me. "I can answer that in private, but it would be rather costly to you."

I glanced at Remmi. We didn't exactly have a lot of money. Tim had given us a small pile of coins, part of the salary we were to receive. But this money was supposed to be used to perform our duties. I wasn't sure if bribes fell into this category.

"How much?" Remmi asked.

Mabel grinned, adding to my unease.

"I have a feeling you won't mind my price, so I'll tell you now," Mabel started. "The prince did attempt to commandeer our communication system. But, unfortunately for him, we're still far too new an outpost to have such things ready and available for his use. He was none too happy about it when Ms. Dilapia turned him away."

"Oh," I said, my shoulders slumping as I'd just listened to my plan go up in smoke.

"This was a lie, of course," Mabel said.

"Really?" Remmi asked in surprise.

I was surprised as well. I could see how an idiot like me could stand up to a royal, not knowing any better. But a professional outfit like the guilt risking getting on a royal's bad side? I hadn't expected that.

"Truly," Mabel said, nodding at Remmi. Ms. Dilapia was not too happy about the way he treated everyone upon his arrival at The Roadhouse. Had he approached the situation with a bit more...tact, things may have gone differently for him."

"Huh," I said, hope reigniting in my chest.

"Then, of course, when he demanded the guild send a message for him," Mabel continued. "No one makes demands of the guild and gets away with it."

"Well, then," I started. "Is there a way to get a message to the capital...to a certain person in the capital, but in a way no one else ever knows about it?"

Mabel chewed on her lip.

"There's a way," Mabel finally said, nodding. "I could make it happen." Then Mabel glanced at both Asher and me with a twinkle in her eye that both frightened and excited me at the same time. "But then you'd both be in my debt," Mabel finally said.

Remmi was already looking at me when I looked at her.

"Do I want to know?" Remmi asked.

"It's probably the only way," I said.

"You still haven't told me what you're up to!" Remmi said.

"Trust me!" I countered.

Meanwhile, Mabel was watching us with an amused expression on her face.

"Fine," Remmi finally surrendered.

"Deal," I said, turning back to Mabel.

Mabel stood there a moment, looking between the two of us, waiting for one of us to change our minds.

"Good," Mabel said, breaking the silence. "Do you want to send the message now?"

"No, probably not until tomorrow. There's still some other things I need to do," I said.

"Good, then we have time now?" Mabel asked.

I considered my tentative timetable before answering, "Y...yeah."

"Excellent," Mabel grinned. "Then follow me," she said and led the two of us into the bathroom. She directed Remmi to start the shower and make sure it was hot.

"Now you," Mabel said, turning to me. "I want you to remove my clothes."

I had no trouble following this order. I was reaching for her dress when it finally dawned on me: did she want us as slaves for the night? I wouldn't mind, but I wasn't so sure about Remmi.

Mabel snapped her fingers at me, spurring me into action.

I quickly raised the hem of her dress over her head, revealing her nakedness beneath. My eyes immediately locked onto her chest. Her breasts were full and looked heavy, but still tight. Her nipples were large and dark. Down below, she seemed to have a bit of an untamed wild going on.

"Now, help me in," Mabel said. "No, leave your clothes on," she said.

Remmi and I had dropped the armor off our warskins when we got to the room. But that's as far as we'd gotten. We were still both wearing the skin-tight outfits.

Water beaded and rolled off the warskin as I brought Mabel into the shower with Remmi.

"You, wash me," Mabel said, then turned to Remmi. "And you shave me."

Gone was the timid young woman who manned the guild counter downstairs. Here was a commanding figure who knew what she wanted and wasn't afraid to demand it.

I took my time, lathering Mabel's hair and rinsing it before starting on what I'd been wanting to get my hands on, her boobs! I was behind her; my arms wrapped around her as my hands lathered up the soap and began to slide across her skin.

Remmi was kneeling before us, the razor delicately removing the hair from between Mabel's thighs. Thankfully, Angela had gotten us the same magic-infused tool she used. All you had to do was run the small dull blade across an area, and the hair was sliced away smoothly. You could even have the thing dispose of the hair as it went if you wanted.

Remmi's hand touched Mabel's thighs, spreading her legs so she could continue her task.

Mabel's breasts were as heavy as I thought they'd be. I took my time with their cleaning, making sure to pay special attention to those big nipples. By the time I was done, they were standing a good inch straight out.

I reluctantly worked my way down her back and began to soap up Mabel's ample ass. Sliding my hand between her cheeks, I made sure every inch was squeaky clean.

"I like your attention to detail," Mabel said, her voice showing the first sign of anything other than being calm and controlled as my fingers continued to slip around her ring.

Remmi was finishing up and washing Mabel down to make sure she hadn't missed anything.

"Enough," Mabel commanded as we finished rinsing her off. "Help me out," she said, and we complied. "Now, dry me."

Remmi and I each got a towel and set about wiping the dripping water from the demanding girl. I made sure to get to her boobs first, making Remmi chuckle at my eagerness.

I glanced at Remmi, worried she was upset with what we were being made to do. But when I saw her face, she was smiling as she dried Mabel's hair. I guess she was OK.

"Take me to the bed," Mabel said. "No, do not dry yourselves off."

We complied and walked the now dry girl to the bed. Mabel lay down and propped herself up on a mountain of pillows.

"Now," Mabel said, settling herself into her pillow throne. "Asher, take Remmi's clothes off."

I looked up into Remmi's eyes, where I saw a small fire stirring. This was doing something for her. Then I realized Mabel was currently in the role Remmi usually enjoyed. It was rare for the roles to be reversed, and it was pushing her buttons.

Pulling at the sealing seam of the warskin, it split easily.

"Slowly!" Mabel ordered when the material started to fall off Remmi's shoulders.

I had to hold the suit and roll it down her body to give Mabel the show she wanted.

Luckily, the warskins had kept us dry as they were designed to. Otherwise, Remmi would have been shivering as she stood there naked.