Elf Maidens of Thurn

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Chapter 66: A night with Arona

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With Arona back aboard the Esmeralda, and Hinano and Akamu ashore, our sleeping arrangements revert to how they were on our long journey from Tewhanga. While I've enjoyed sharing the cabin with the two Tomyris males, I'm delighted that I'm once again bunking with Arona.

"This cabin looks and smells like a brothel," says Arona. "Did you get any sleep at night?"

I simply smile in reply while I help Arona change the bedding on both her and the spare bunks. The sheets and blankets contain enough stains to provide ample evidence of the wild sexual activity that occurred on our journey to and from Bardos.

"No more or less than you achieved when you were in heat," I reply, remembering Arona's uninhibited activities with TM.

Fortunately Arona understands the overpowering sexual needs of an Elf Maiden in heat. She and TM were fucking like rabbits on our journey from Tewhanga. Only once Arona ceased to be in heat did the wild activity come to a sudden end. I came into heat a week later, but by then we had arrived in these waters, and TM wasn't the only source of sex for me. I think that's what made TM jealous of the Tomyris males, both here on Madiana, and in Bardos.

"So, did you meet any hot Tomyris males in Bardos?" asks Arona as we remake her bed.

"Yes. Tayn," I reply. "He wanted to claim me as his own."

"You mean that he offered to collar you?" asks Arona.

"Yes. Akamu seems to want to do the same. What do you know about these collars? They seem to be part of a Tomyris mating custom."

"They are. I spent several hours talking with Aegle while you've been in Bardos. It seems that some of our legends about how cruelly Elf Maidens were treated when they arrived in Thurn are misleading. Some of those stories have origins in Tomyris customs here in Madiana. Elf Maiden legend claims that the original elves who arrived in Thur were forced to wear collars, and be kept on a leash. From what I've learned here, it's more likely that many of the women who arrived in Thur were already wearing a collar. Furthermore, a male keeping his mate on a leash when at social events is a regular practise among the Tomyris. It's possible that the Thurnians simply adapted an existing Tomyris custom."

"The Tomyris I saw in Bardos didn't adhere to that custom ... other than Tayn's efforts to put a collar around my neck," I say.

"Even so, I think a woman wearing a collar is fairly common among mated pairs," says Arona. "The use of a leash seems to be reserved as a symbol of commitment to each other at social events. Wearing a collar and leash is socially acceptable within their society."

"And what about bondage?" I ask, recalling how Tayn had bound my chest and arms in a tight rope harness while we had sex.

Until my session with Tayn in Bardos, I regarded bondage during sex fell as mildly erotic, but nothing special. Tayn's expertise with rope binding not only held me severely restrained, but enhanced my sexual desire to a level I've rarely attained. I rejected Tayn's offer to claim me as his mate simply because the Tomyris custom is too new to me, not because I was dissatisfied or angry at his treatment of me.

"Aegle didn't mention anything about the use of bondage during sex. However, the whole Tomyris society seems geared towards male dominance, so a male using bondage on his mate isn't out of line with social norms. That may be why Teuila is eager to awaken the younger Tomyris as soon as practical. I think Tomyris are taught their gender roles at an early age, and Teuila wants to create a more equal society."

"Creating an equal society is going to be difficult when the overwhelming majority of Tomyris adults are male," I say. "All the more reason why we should bring Elf Maidens from Thurn to balance the gender mix of their society."

"I've been thinking about how we could send a message to my sister, Arihia, in Thur without alerting those watching the Lampetia Potiora that the message originates from here," says Arona.

"Oh? How?" I ask.

"Simple. We have Aegle send my message to the Helia Potiora with a request to forward the message to Lampetia, without revealing its original source."

"Is that possible?" I ask.

"I believe so. From what we've seen, the Potiora are willing and able to communicate with each other without alerting any human watchers. However, communicating with Arihia requires a watcher's help to deliver the message and process any reply. The message would have to be worded carefully to avoid giving vital information to the Lampetia watchers. As long as the message is carefully worded, and it appears to originate from someone using the Helia Potiora, then it's unlikely to arouse suspicion."

Yes, that's an idea worth exploring. But why Helia rather than any of the other Potiora?"

"Sending the message directly to Lampetia will alert the Thurnian watchers of Aegle's re-activation and cause all sorts of potential problems. Dioxippe is monitored by Thurnian and Atenex watchers, so we can't rely on secrecy. Merope and Phoebe aren't regularly used and they may even be inactive. We can't be sure that any communication sent via them will be forwarded to and from Lampetia. That leaves Helia and Aetheria. I suggest Helia simply because the race that emerged from the Helia Potiora live on the eastern mainland, far from the coast. Even if they are intrigued by Aegle's reappearance, they are unlikely to come and explore Madiana uninvited.

"Hmmm. I agree that sounds like a good plan, although there's still a risk the Helian's will alert the other races to Aegle's sudden activity."

"Yes. But I don't think it will pose any greater risk to the well being of the Tomyris than the consequences from publication of your research paper."

I cringe at the reminder that I may be dooming the Tomyris to outside interference if I go ahead and publish my research paper. I can hardly reveal the location of the Aegle Potiora and then pretend I don't know where the Tomyris are located. Even if the Tomyris choose a well hidden location for a settlement, a determined search starting from the Aegle Potiora will eventually find them. And there is the small Tomyris settlement on Bardos. Pretending that Aegle Harbour doesn't exist will devalue my research paper, while still making it possible that someone else will discover what I've already found.

"That still leaves the problem of paying to transport Elf Maidens here," I say.

"There may be a way if we're all prepared to take a risk," says Arona. "Have you heard of the Society of the Pure?"

"Yes, they're that extremist fringe group who believe in racial purity?" I muse. "Weren't they an elitist group of Atenex who were roused from hibernation during the Thurnian civil war?"

"That's right. They later merged with a similar purist group of Thurnians based in Isbjerg. Together they oppose the united rule of the Thurnian and Atenex races. The don't approve of inter-racial mating. More importantly, they blame Elf Maidens as the root cause of almost every political and social problem in Thurn."

I recall reading something about a resurgence of support for the Society of the Pure, and their revival of the long discredited 'Elf Maiden Problem'. The Purists periodically demand that Elf Maidens be deported from Thurn to ... well, anywhere that isn't Thurn. Despite its extremist views, the Society of the Pure has some wealthy and influential supporters.

"So you think the Purists might be prepared to finance the deportation of thirty or so Elf Maidens?" I ask.

"Yes. I think they might be fooled into doing that," replies Arona. "The trick will be to make it appear as though the Society is forcing the Elf Maidens to leave Thurn."

"But how do we go about doing that?" I ask.

"Arihia knows one of the Society's members," says Arona. "Of course he believes Arihia is an Atenex, and that she shares his Purist views. We must be careful not to betray Arihia's true heritage."

"Okay. But we need to make sure that any Elf Maidens deported actually want to come to Madiana. Nobody is going to thank us if unwilling captives are rounded up as a consequence of our actions. We also need to make sure they are sent somewhere close to Madiana."

"I agree. However I have faith in Arihia's abilities," says Arona.

"Then let's see if the others approve and then we can set things in motion," I say.

We finish tidying our cabin and prepare to settle down for the night. I'm still in heat, and my urges are pushing me to go and find TM for sex. However, I don't want to disturb Nyra while she is flirting with TM. I recall my own experiences when I transitioned from adolescence into adulthood, and I make a determined effort to respect Nyra's privacy. Arona understands my dilemma, and she promptly sets about satisfying my burning need like a true friend.

I've rarely needed to satisfy my sexual urges with another Elf Maiden. In Thurn, there's always been a ready supply of eager men ready to fuck me when I'm in heat. In recent times, Tamaz provides all the attention I need in that department. However, now we are away from Thurn, there's only TM who is of a Potiora race. The Mariners are 'old human' so they aren't sexually attracted to Elf Maidens. Consequently, I must rely on TM or one of the Tomyris males for sex. Since none of them are available, I accept Arona's generous offer to service my needs.

At Arona's prompting, I lie back on my bed and allow her to pull my trousers down to my knees. A man would remove my trousers completely, so that I can spread my legs and allow my sexual pheromones to flow free. Arona needs no such enticement as she's wrong gender to be affected by my scent. Her actions expose my cunt and allow her to dip her tongue inside my moist hole. The effect is divine as I lean back an enjoy the moment. Arona's tongue delves deeper inside me and I'm rapidly approaching an orgasm. When Arona reaches forward and runs her hands under my shirt to cup my tits, I let out a gasp signalling the state of my arousal. Arona is well practised in the art of driving both men and women to the cusp of an orgasm, but withholding the final act that will tip her victim over the edge. It's a game I've frequently played, edging my partner into mind-blowing frustration as an orgasm is repeatedly denied. Arona is merciless in applying the same technique on me, and I'm pleading for release within a matter of minutes.

Our game becomes a challenge as Arona does her best to keep me aroused but deny me an orgasm. Meanwhile, I do my best to achieve the satisfaction I crave. I would reciprocate Arona's actions if it would achieve any good. However, she's not in heat, so she's not feeling the same desperate urge for an orgasm that I feel. In the circumstances it's an unfair game. Unfortunately it's one that I cannot resist playing despite being at a disadvantage.

All my clothes get removed at some point in our game. I don't consciously remember how or when because I'm too lost in my arousal. I'm practically begging for an orgasm, but Arona remains steadfast in denying me the pleasure. Arona briefly stops her attention on my cunt when I start gently hitting her with my fists as I plead for release. She takes my wrists and wraps my belt around then before attaching the belt to my bed's headboard.

"Behave, or I'll bind you tighter than Tayn's rope harness," chortles Arona, before resuming her tongue's assault on my cunt.

Arona has only my description of the rope harness Tayn used on me, but I don't doubt her ability to come up with something equally restrictive. I'm not sure how I feel about her promise-threat. At one level, I dislike the concept of being bound and helpless, but at another level, I cannot deny the sexual pleasure I get at the thought. Even restraining my wrists above my head is doing strange things to my insides.

"You wouldn't dare," I say, challenging Arona to admit that her threat was a bluff.

"Oh, wouldn't I?" replies Arona. "Just wait there for a minute."

Arona leaves our cabin while I remain with my wrists tied to my bed's headboard. I could free myself with relatively little effort, but I choose not to do so. My lying here naked, awaiting Arona's return, is going some way towards pacifying my now rampant sexual urges.

I hear Arona's return before she enters the cabin. Being aboard a freight ship, there is an abundance of ropes, chains and various other bits and pieces that are normally used for fastening cargo. I'm not sure if anyone noticed Arona hauling the coils of rope she is holding, or what they thought she was doing if they did. Either way, Aroma places her collection of wicked treats on the floor of the cabin. I watch in silence as Arona contemplates which pieces of rope to use.

The larger pieces of rope are soon discarded as either too thick or too long. However, there's still several strands that will make an effective rope harness. Arona doesn't possess the same level of skill as Tayn, but she makes a good effort at binding my arms behind me and placing my tits in a frame of rope. I passively cooperate as Arona completes her work. While I'm not a huge fan of being in bondage, I desperately need to achieve an orgasm soon and this seems to be the quickest way to achieving my goal.

I can't deny that the effect of Arona's rope work enhances my erotic pleasure, much in the same way as Tayn's harness had driven me to new heights during sex. When Arona resumes her assault on my clit and cunt, she soon brings me to an orgasm ... and then another ... and yet another. Finally she unbinds me and we fall asleep in each other's arms.

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Chapter 67: Search for a Home

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The next morning, Harry and Roland collect Akamu, Hinano, Taito and Teuila in the jolly boat and bring them aboard the Esmeralda. Nuncio explains his recommended search plan for a suitable site for a new settlement. He favours a large inlet located on the southwest coastline of Madiana. The inlet is midway between the Potiora and the former settlement on the south coast. If we can find a suitable place in or near the inlet, then the location would appear to satisfy the conditions the four Tomyris impose.

The Esme' has travelled past the mouth of the inlet on our journey here, and our trip to and from Bardos. However, we haven't ventured into the inlet itself. As soon as Yesha reports that the engine room is ready, Jaro orders the anchor to be lifted and we set off. I join the Tomyris and several of the off-duty crew in watching the west coast shoreline as we steam south. Before long, Akamu sidles towards me, obviously hoping for an opportunity for sex.

"Sorry, Akamu," I say. "I'm no longer in heat, so I'm off the menu."

My wild romp with Arona last night was the final burst of my fortnight in heat. By the time I awoke this morning I soon realised that my sexual urges were gone. In another few days it will be Arona's period in heat ... that's assuming she's not pregnant following her numerous sexual games with TM on our journey here.

I don't point Akamu in the direction of Nyra, who is currently going through the short intermediate phase between adolescent and adulthood. In another month or two Nyra will become a full Elf Maiden. She's already emitting weak sexual pheromones that TM detected yesterday. Nyra's own urges are starting to manifest, although, for now, all she can manage is to create a tingly effect that encourages flirting but nothing more intimate.

"So Elf Maidens are like Tomyris females," observes Akamu. "Incapable of sex when not in heat."

I don't reveal that Elf Maidens ... and I presume adult female Tomyris as well ... are able to enjoy some limited sexual pleasure when not in heat. Like all males of the Potiora races, Akamu needs the scent of a female in heat to enable an erection. Fortunately, nature has ensured that the aggressive and territorial tendencies of males are also neutered when not aroused by a female in heat. It's one of the main differences between the Atenex and Tomyris variants of 'elves'. Male Atenex retain an aggressive and territorial nature at all times.

"Elf Maidens are simply the Thurnian branch of the Tomyris," I say. "We have the same genetic make up as Tomyris women."

My comparison isn't strictly correct as there have been some variances as successive generations of Elf Maidens are born. I'm sure the Tomyris living on Bardos will also be slightly different from those hibernating in the Aegle Potiora. With so few Tomyris surviving the catastrophes of the last two hundred years, those of us of born in Thurn will now be in the majority. Hopefully that fact isn't going to cause problems for any branch of elven race.

Jaro reduces the Esme's speed as we enter each bay on our southward route. It enables those on watch to take a close look at the shore. The Tomyris reject the first couple of small bays because of their proximity to the volcano at the north end of the island. I've no idea what distance Hinano and the others regard as 'safe', but the four Tomyris clearly think we need to go further south. There are three more small bays before we reach the large inlet. The inlet measures about two kilometres across the entrance, and reaches up to five kilometres east at its farthest point. This area is far more promising as a site for a settlement. The hills that hug the western coast north of here now recede much further inland, leaving a large flattish area extending about ten kilometres to the east, with hills bordering it to the north and south.

After a few hours slowly scouting the various small bays inside the inlet, there's general consensus to send a party ashore to explore a promising area on the southern side of the inlet. I'm not qualified to determine a good or bad location for a settlement, so I've no problem in remaining on the Esme' while Arona and Arikiwi accompany the four Tomyris on an exploratory tour of the area. I take the opportunity to continue with writing up more of my research paper.

The shore party returns to the ship ninety minutes later. The area they've explored meets all their requirements for a settlement. The Tomyris are already planning the construction of housing in the area for the rest of their population. Apparently they have stored plenty of tools and equipment in one of the hibernation chambers a century ago. However, it means transporting everything from the Potiora to here. Needless to say, Jaro and I offer to have the Esme' provide transport. Even so, the task will be difficult. The stored equipment is deep underground and everything must be carried up the circular staircase to the surface. Then it needs ferrying to the ship. With only four Tomyris, and whomever Jaro can spare from the ship, it could take a while to move everything to the inlet.

By now I have gathered enough material for my research paper to earn a renewal of my research grant for another year. But to claim it, I need to finalise my research paper and hand it over to my professor in Thur before the deadline for next year's grants. Providing we leave Madiana within the next fortnight, then I should be back in Thur in plenty of time to submit my research paper before the deadline. My own moral dilemma about the impact of my research paper is still unresolved. The possible harm to the Tomyris from publication of my paper is an unknown factor that I cannot ignore. I was dismissive when Jaro first suggested that I stay here with the Tomyris, and forget about my research paper. While I'm not willing to give up on my research, I'm now less inclined to outright reject the idea of staying to help the Tomyris. However, I also need to consider Tamaz, whose cock is hopefully eagerly waiting for my return to Thur.