Elf Maidens of Thurn

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Chapter 56: Warm Seas

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I feel less terrified of ocean travel having successfully weathered my first storm at sea. Of course, Jaro, Gaelan, Nuncio and Valeria are old hands, and the recent rough weather is nothing they haven't endured many times before. For the rest of us, it was a sudden introduction into the life of a sailor. I'm unsure whether I'm glad the storm struck so early in our voyage as it did, or if a few days of calm weather beforehand might have helped calm my terror as the Esme' tossed about in the storm.

The Esme' keeps travelling at night, so at least three of us must be working the ship at all times. Tonight I'm on duty with Nuncio and Yesha. While Nuncio takes the helm, I help Yesha in the engine room. By now we must be far out to sea. According to Nuncio there are no hazards in our path that require an additional lookout posting. The wheelhouse provides the helmsman an excellent view of the waters ahead, and the calm clear night provides good visibility. Nevertheless, we display two lights on our mast to warn of our presence, in case we encounter another ship.

"How long have you worked at the breakers yard?" I ask Yesha.

"Just over a year," replies Yesha. "The factory owner in Thurn where I used to work wanted me to join his harem. I'd heard enough rumours about his harem to know not to accept. I took the opportunity to move to Tewhanga."

"Surely you're too young to enter into a harem contract?" I query.

Biology makes adolescent elves sexually inactive. I'm not a legal expert, but I'm sure the once common sexual contracts between Thurnian men and elves require the elf to be an adult. Such harems are far less common these days, but they're not illegal, and a few still exist.

"My age didn't seem to be a barrier to the man's desires. I'm not sure what he expected of me, but I wasn't going to wait around to find out."

Yesha is attractive, albeit she's more muscular than a typical female elf. However, until she matures into an adult, she is incapable of sexual activity. I suspect both Yesha and Nyra will mature into Elf Maidens rather than Atenex adults, but I've not broached the delicate subject of their heritage with them. While these days the law provides adolescent elves with some legal protection, it isn't always easy for a young elf to obtain justice. The slightest hint of an elf having Elf Maiden heritage sabotages any claim of sexual harassment, regardless of the elf's age.

Yesha's experience at the breakers yard means that she understands the different components of a ship's engine. One of her duties at the yard was to dismantle old engines, so that usable items could be resold as spare parts. She delights in educating me on the mechanics of the Esme's boiler and engine. Understanding the purpose of all the various pipes, valves and gauges makes me less afraid of the mechanical monster that powers the ship.

On the fifth day of our journey we approach our first refuelling stop. According to Nuncio, the huge ocean we are sailing upon is bounded to the east and west by continuous stretches of land. To the north and south of the ocean are the treacherous ice covered seas that provide a variable boundary to travel in those directions. Within the vast area of ocean are numerous islands, with Thurn and Tewhanga sitting on one of the larger ones. Nuncio says that scattered among the larger islands and main land masses are sixteen major ports, such as Tewhanga, that facilitate ocean going trade between the various pockets of human habitation. As travel between the ports is often too far for a steamship to travel without refuelling, a network of coaling stations have been established on various small islands. We are approaching one such location.

"It's a lot warmer here than in Thurn," I say to Jaro as I watch our approach to the chain of islands ahead. The island of Delga is to be our first refuelling stop.

"Yes," replies Jaro. "It will get warmer still as we travel south. On this side of the ocean, the warm ocean current flows northwards towards Thurn, helping to drive back the ice sheets from Thurn's northern coast. The ice penetrates much further south on the western side of the ocean where the waters are cooler."

The bay that houses the coaling station is empty of ships when we arrive. While most ships travelling to and from Tewhanga will call here to refuel, there are only a few other trade routes where ships would use this particular station on their journey. Despite the lack of traffic, the refuelling station is well stocked with coal.

Re-coaling the Esmeralda is a slow and back-breaking task that forms part of the young elves and Mariners duties. Gaelan oversees the whole process while Jaro and Nuncio trade news with the locals. Jaro manages to sell some of the cargo we are carrying, although most of it is intended for our next refuelling stop.

We depart Delga at daybreak the next day. Our course now changes from south-west to south-east. It's necessary diversion to avoid a storm-prone area in the centre of the ocean. We are now approaching more heavily used sea lanes. The following morning we make our first sighting of another ship. The other ship is much larger than the Esmeralda, and is travelling across our path. As is customary, the two ships exchange brief messages via signal lamp when they are closest to each other.

"Why do passing ships exchange signals?" I ask Nuncio as he is showing me his charts and our current position.

"To identify ourselves, and to pass on any warnings," says Nuncio. "Ships occasionally go missing, and any search is made easier if a recent sighting and course is recorded. Although ice is rarely a problem this far south, warnings about floating ice are always exchanged."

"So, if anything happens to the Esmeralda, someone will come looking for us?" I ask.

"In our case, probably not," says Nuncio. "We aren't on a regular trading voyage, and our course will take us into little travelled waters once we pass our next refuelling stop at Verda."

"Can you show me our intended course on your charts?" I ask.

"Yes, okay. We are here, about a quarter of the way to our next refuelling stop at Verda. From there we change to a westerly course across a long open stretch of ocean to Bardos, over here. That's a good week to ten days journey. We refuel there before making the short hop to our destination."

"Why stop at Bardos if our destination is so close?" I ask.

"There's every likelihood that we will be nearly out of coal by the time we reach the Ribbean Sea. We don't want to reach our destination with empty bunkers without being sure that we can refuel. Bardos houses the only refuelling station in that area that is regularly supplied with coal."

Our arrival at Verda is very different from our visit to Delga. Firstly, there are four ships already refuelling when we arrive, so we are obliged to moor in the bay until we can access the coaling wharf. Secondly, our arrival coincides with me coming into heat. TM is understandably delighted at that discovery, especially since Arona ceased being in heat a day or so earlier. The two of them had been fucking like rabbits at every opportunity ever since we boarded the Esmeralda. I'm not sure what, if any, precautions Arona has been taking to avoid a pregnancy. Typically Elf Maidens never bother with contraceptives as we regard pregnancy as a desirable outcome from sexual intercourse. However, since we are on a long voyage, I'm not sure if Arona has considered the issue. While we intend to be back in Thurn long before any child is born, a pregnancy would mean that she would no longer come into heat each month. TM may not appreciate being deprived of partners for sex if we both become pregnant.

By the time the Esme' can take its turn at the coaling wharf, we have lost the best part of a day. We also find that the four ships ahead of us in the queue have taken all the coal from the easily accessible stockpiles. If we wait another day, the station's workmen will transfer fresh supplies from the rear stockpiles to the ones used by ships when refuelling. However, Jaro has an eye for a good business deal. He negotiates a discount on the price of the coal in exchange for us drawing our supplies from the rear stockpiles. Doing so saves us a wait, while relieving the station workmen from having to transfer the coal we are taking. Needless to say, all the younger members of the crew, me included, are expected to do the heavy work. Fortunately we are at least allowed to use the station's wheelbarrows while they are not in use overnight.

TM isn't happy about the extra work, but he's less truculent once I promise him a good fuck as soon as we've finished. I'm not sure if either of us will be in any condition for active sex by then, but the promise is good enough for now. Of course, having secured a discounted price for the coal, Jaro decides to load two dozen extra sacks of coal into the cargo hold. That's extra work for us, but it eases any concerns about running out of fuel on the next leg of our journey.

The older design of the Esmeralda means that she's fitted with a large sail for use in the event of engine failure. However the direction of travel and speed under sail alone would be problematic. Nuncio says that there are few inhabited settlements close to our route, so we could spend weeks trying to reach safety should we run out of fuel.

It's dawn by the time our night's work is finished. We are grubby and tired, but pleased with what we have achieved. Jaro intends to spend the day ahead trading his cargo in the main settlement, which allows us a free day to ourselves. A wash, food and sleep are our first priority so it's after lunch before we feel ready to make the most of our free time. Arona is keen to visit the local market, while TM is eager to redeem my promise of sex. I'm torn between the two possibilities despite my own burning sexual needs. I'm well practised at suppressing my need for sex until more appropriate moments, but TM is less controlled. The pervading coal dust throughout the ship doesn't dampen my powerful pheromones and TM is reacting as any Hiber male is designed to do.

"You go on ahead," I say to Arona. "TM and I will find you later."

TM and I promptly retire to Arona's and my cabin as soon as Arona departs. Fortunately Arona has given me some pointers as to TM's likes and dislikes, and his preferred positions for sex. He doesn't appear to be as adventurous as Tamaz when it comes to positions, but apparently he likes to be forceful when he fucks. I suspect his attitude is fuelled by Arona's and my admission to being Elf Maidens. While TM remains polite towards us during the day, he clearly regards Elf Maidens as fuck toys when it comes to sex. I've no problem playing a submissive role during sex as long as TM satisfies me in the process.

Arona told me that TM likes his cock to be worshipped like a god before engaging in sex. It's an easy enough service that I've previously provided to various men. I kneel before him as soon as he lowers his pants and kiss and fondle his cock into a strong shaft. It has the desired effect and I sense that far from dominating me, he's bending to my will.

"Lie on the bed so that I can straddle you," I command in a firm voice.

Some men would refuse to obey my command and promptly wrest the initiative from me. However, TM seems content to do as I say. Neither of us is completely undressed and I sense we are about to have a side game of who strips the other first. As soon as TM is in position on the bed, I move to straddle his hips so I can slide his cock into my eager cunt. TM reaches for my tits through my shirt, but I hold his wrists and guide them onto my waist. My doing so is a test of his surrender to my control. Contrary to what Arona told me, it seems TM is far from a dominant male when it comes to sex.

I don't neglect to carefully direct the pair of us towards an orgasm. I suspect TM will remain subservient to my control as long as he gets to empty his balls. My aim, however, is to delay an orgasm as long as possible, while repeatedly edging him closer and closer to the point of no return. I misjudge the effect of my ministrations on the third attempt at edging his cock. Before I can dampen his ardour, his cock explodes in a powerful orgasm inside me. The flood of cum triggers my own orgasm.

"Shit. That was good," I sigh once my breathing returns to normal.

"Yeah," moans TM. "Again?"

"How about we do this later when Arona is on duty. We should take the opportunity to go to the local market while we can."

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Chapter 57: The Ribbean Sea

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We leave Verda early the next morning on what is going to be the longest leg of our journey. Jaro ensured that everything to do with the ship was checked at least twice before we departed. There are no major settlements between Verda and our next intended stop at Bardos, unless we take an extra three-day south-west diversion via the port of Valadolis. If we break down or run out of anything, then we are on our own. Few trading ships travel directly between Verda and Bardos as the distance is too far for most laden steamships to travel without running out of fuel. Even for the lightly loaded Esme' the distance is ambitious, but I trust Jaro's judgement.

According to Nuncio's charts, Bardos is almost directly west of our current location. Hopefully Jaro's and Nuncio's decision to approach the Ribbean Sea along a more southerly course will avoid the worst of the mid-ocean tempests. Gregori's memoires recall encountering fierce storms and mountainous waves on his journey. I now realise that he probably travelled along a more direct route to reach his destination. Even though his sailing ships were much slower than the Esme', they could travel without needing to worry about having a coaling station within range. However, it appears that the shorter route is much more hazardous.

Apart from the small islands housing the coaling stations, we have been out-of-sight of land ever since we left Tewhanga. That has given us the impression that we are now a long way from any large land mass. Nuncio's charts show me that the impression is false. Apparently we have never been more than a day's journey from the coast of the huge land mass that borders the eastern edge of the ocean. However, that's about to change. For the next week we will be travelling away from the land to the east and traversing the wide ocean towards the western lands.

Although the weather remains fine, the swell of the ocean is noticeably different. The waves are much taller and the ship is tossed about more violently. A few waves slosh over the deck, with some of the water penetrating the engine room air vents, and giving those in the engine room an unexpected shower. After a while, Jaro orders a slight change in course so that the ship isn't buffeted about so much. If this is what mid-ocean is like in fine weather, I dread to think what a tempest would be like. The storm we encountered shortly after leaving Tewhanga now seems relatively mild.

The opportunities for TM and me to have sex are limited. With more crew on duty day and night, there are relatively few occasions when Arona is on duty, when TM and I are not. My own sexual urges are kept in check by the exhilaration I feel as the Esmeralda battles the ocean currents. TM is probably a bit disappointed, particularly as he and Arona were having sex multiple times a day when she was in heat. While I've never managed to go a whole fortnight when I'm in heat without having sex at least once, I was being truthful when I told Jaro and Gaelan that I can suppress my sexual urges ... usually.

Although we see dark storm clouds to the north of us, we only encounter a few days of strong winds and rough seas. Jaro has obviously made the right decision to bring us along this southerly course. While we don't need to bring the extra sacks of coal out of the hold, the ship's bunkers are looking very bare by the time we next see land ahead of us.

"Bardos is on the south side of the island ahead," says Nuncio as I look at the island we are approaching.

"How far to the island where the tower is located?" I ask.

"A day's travel ... perhaps two ... maybe three," says Nuncio, suddenly appearing very unsure of his navigation.

"Why so long?" I ask, looking at his chart. "The island with the tower looks to be fairly close. Surely the Esme' can make that distance in less than a day?"

"Ah ... Um ... I confess that I'm not exactly sure which of these islands is the one with the tower. It has been many years since I was last here."

"But it's definitely on one of these islands shown on your chart?" I ask, worried about TM's reaction when he hears this news.

"Yes ... yes ... I'm fairly sure it's on one of these islands."

"Fairly sure!?!" I practically scream. "Why did you assure me that you knew of the tower's location?"

"TM wouldn't have let us come on this journey with only a vague assurance we were going to be looking in the right place."

"But you've definitely seen the tower somewhere around here?" I ask, getting very worried that this is going to be a wasted trip, and the disastrous consequences of failure on my future career.

"Yes. I've definitely seen a tower like you described," says Nuncio. "Of that I'm certain. Perhaps someone in Bardos will know the exact location?"

"Hmm. Well, I suppose we can ask," I reply. "But make sure TM doesn't know of this. He'll be insufferable if he realises that he's been misled."

We reach the harbour around midday. There are several vessels in the harbour, although most are sailing ships. Only a few ships are steam powered, and all appear to be even older than the Esmeralda. Jaro tells me that Bardos mainly services trade between the ports dotted along the western land mass. Trade with the eastern lands usually travels via Valadolis. A more northerly route up the west coast before turning north-east towards Delga carries a much higher risk of encountering floating ice, which is why Jaro preferred the route we have taken. Every captain seems to avoid crossing the central part of the ocean.

The coaling wharf is unoccupied when we arrive, so we are able to begin coaling at once. Since the Esme's bunkers are nearly empty, refuelling is a long task that requires all the crew to help. For once I use my role as leader of the expedition to excuse myself from helping to load coal. Instead Nuncio and I head off into the town to make inquiries about the tower. I would like to bring Arona with me, but doing so would mean bringing TM as well. He's the last person I want to know about the reason for Nuncio's and my trip ashore.

It's nightfall before the coaling and re-provisioning is finally finished. By that time Nuncio and I have done the rounds of the chandlers, inns, and the harbour master's office. We've gathered a reasonable amount of information, but filtering the truth from rumour and myth is going to be difficult. At least I feel happier that the tower exists somewhere along the north-south chain of eight islands lying south-west to north-west of Bardos. Tales of hostile natives and dangerous beasts aren't encouraging, but some of those tales can be discounted as exaggerated seaman's tales. Unfortunately, we are no closer to identifying the correct island. Nuncio thinks we should first try Madiana, the fifth most northerly island in the chain, for the simple reason that the only stories mentioning the name 'Aegis' refer to that island. It's far from conclusive proof, but it's better than nothing.

Arona and TM aren't happy that I went off with Nuncio and left them hauling coal. I eventually placate Arona with a promise to make amends later. TM soon forgives me when I take him to a nearby inn and we rent a room for the night. Needless to say, neither of us get much sleep. Despite his earlier exertions, TM seems to find his second wind as soon as we are naked. I don't bother counting the number of orgasms we achieve, but I think I've drained every ounce of cum from TM before we are finished. We are both bleary-eyed when we rejoin the crew of the Esme' for breakfast.