Elf Maidens of Thurn

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Chapter 5: An unexpected visitor.

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The next day I make an initial report on my progress to the Chief Procurator. He doesn't show much interest in my observations, and it isn't until I tell him of my contract with DF36 that he makes any comment at all.

"Make sure you keep your Elf Maiden under control," the Chief Procurator responds. "Some of them are too smart for their own good."

"What about the poor state of the buildings they live in?" I ask. "More of them would survive winter if they lived in better housing."

"More of them surviving winter won't address the Elf Maiden problem. It will make it worse. Thurn is becoming overrun with elves."

"Many of Thurn's industries and farms depend on the cheap labour provided by their elven workers," I observe. "Mining operations are almost entirely reliant on elves. An increase in the elven population means that we will be able to expand our industries."

"That may be so," agrees the Chief Procurator begrudgingly. "But the industrial workforce is made up entirely of adolescent elves. It's the adults... the Elf Maidens, that are the problem. They seduce good honest Thurnian men and tempt them to perform lewd sexual acts. The women of Thurn are understandably upset."

I could point out that the Thurnian men I've met are more than happy to be seduced by Elf Maidens. And unless Elf Maidens are allowed to produce more elven children, then the supply of adolescent elves will quickly decline. As for Elf Maidens performing lewd sexual acts, then I can only assume the Chief Procurator is talking from personal experience with his own private harem of Elf Maidens. But he has a point about Thurnian women being upset. It's an issue born from the frustration of knowing Thurnian men can enjoy sex all year round with Elf Maidens, while Thurnian women can only enjoy sex in the brief three weeks of the Rutting Season.

The rules governing what elves can and cannot do is a patchwork of laws modified so many times over the years that some of the current laws are bizarre. Nobody knows why the law says Elf Maidens must wear collars and be confined to city ghettos. It's ambiguous whether some laws apply to all of Thurn, or only within the city of Thur. More and more Elf Maidens are leaving the ghettos for private harems. Apparently that's all perfectly legal thanks to a law allowing Elf Maidens to live outside of a ghetto if they have a work contract with a Thurnian male of good standing. Quite how anyone is supposed to determine whether a man is of good standing isn't specified. And the law allowing them to live in a man's harem can be inconsistent with the law prohibiting them from being inside the city walls. Despite the confusion, it would be a mistake to think anybody is in a rush to sort out the anomalies in the law.

My meeting with the Chief Procurator ends without my being able to get his agreement on any issue. I leave his office feeling a little despondent. How am I supposed to complete my work if the Chief Procurator and I disagree about nearly everything to do with Elf Maidens. The only issue we agree on is the effect Elf Maidens have on our sexual drive. While I'm in the building, I pay a visit to the Registrar of Land Titles. He should be able to tell me who owns the run-down ghetto buildings.

"Those land titles were cancelled many years ago when the buildings were declared derelict," says Registrar. "That means ownership has reverted to the Imperial family."

"So the Emperor owns them?"

"Not in the case of the elven ghettos. The buildings of all the elven ghettos are all owned by the Emperor's daughter, Cassandra."

Hearing Cassandra's name brings back memories of our friendship while we were studying history four years ago. I refuse to believe that the Cassandra I knew would allow her tenants to live in such squalor. However, I remind myself that none of the Imperial family would involve themselves in such lowly matters as property management, so it's possible that she's unaware of the problem.

"Is it a common arrangement to do that?" I ask.

"The laws regarding elves are ridiculously complex. Elves aren't allowed to live on land owned by the Emperor, so ownership of all properties in elven ghettos has been transferred to his daughter."

"So who manages the properties on Cassandra's behalf?" I ask.

"I have no idea. Probably nobody. The Imperial tax collectors will collect the rent, but that's as much as they will do."

"How does anyone go about having the properties repaired?" I ask. "Some of them are in danger of collapse."

"Which is probably why the buildings were declared unfit for Thurnian habitation years ago. If repairing the buildings matters so much to you, then have the Elven Council petition the owner."

"But elves aren't taught to read or write," I say.

"Hmm... That does present a problem, doesn't it," says the Registrar, clearly losing interest in the subject. "You could register your concern in the city land register."

"Which would achieve what?" I ask.

"Probably nothing. But I would be obliged to notify the property owner of the entry, so it may prompt some action."

I do as he suggests and then I return to my house. DF36 has set up a small work area for herself in a corner of the living room. She's busy making what appears to be a decorative leather bodice. She acknowledges my arrival but she doesn't stop working.

"Who are you making that for" I ask.

"I don't know. The sale of everything I produce is handled by elven merchants. Sometimes they request a specific item, but generally I produce what I think will sell. I give the merchants my finished goods and they sell them on my behalf. I never know who buys what I produce."

"Aren't you concerned that the merchants may cheat you of your earnings?" I ask.

"No. That's a Thurnian way of doing business. It's not the elven way. We must trust and help each other if we are to survive in Thurn."

"Well, that bodice looks pretty. I'm sure a Thurnian woman would be glad to own something like that."

"Perhaps. But few local Thurnian women want anything produced by an Elf Maiden. They regard us as vermin and they don't want anything to do with us. Usually our merchants must transport elven goods to settlements and towns where elves are forbidden to live. Women there seem happier to be seen wearing elven made clothes and ornaments."

In the fifty years since elves were transported to Thurn, only Thur, Coldstream, Saxford and South Wealding have allowed elves to live in designated areas within their boundaries. Six more towns allow adolescent elves work on their nearby farms, forests and mines, but elves are never allowed to enter into those towns. I should investigate the situation in Coldstream, Saxford and South Wealding. I need to determine if the prejudices against Elf Maidens in Thur are replicated in other places.

"I must go and meet with your sister," I say to DF36. "I should be back in a couple of hours."

"That's okay. You don't need to tell me about your movements. I have everything I need for my work."

My meeting with DF35 was shorter than I expected. She is no longer in heat, so my visit didn't include any sex. Which I found disappointing, but I guess I'll get over it tonight with her sister. My visit to the ghetto only confirmed my earlier observations that something needs to be done to improve the lives of the elves living there.

I return to my house about half an hour earlier than I said to DF36. I walk in to find that we have a visitor. Cassandra! She and DF36 are busy discussing something, and Cassandra quickly hides something behind her back.

"Cassandra! This is an unexpected pleasure. I see you've met DF36."

"Alex. Hi. Sorry, you caught me by surprise. Your elven friend here said you weren't due back for another half an hour."

"I can go away and come back later if you wish," I reply, perplexed by Cassandra's embarrassment.

"That would be silly," laughs DF36. "Cassandra was just admiring my oiled leather cock."

Given the nature of the item DF36 has been working on, it probably wasn't the most tactful thing to say in front of the Emperor's daughter. However, it solves the mystery of why Cassandra is blushing.

"Um... Err... Yes... Um..." stutters Cassandra, producing the leather cock from behind her back and handing it to DF36.

I've never heard of a Thurnian woman using an imitation cock to pleasure herself, but I am hardly an expert on the matter. The strict moral code adopted by Thurnian women, and the never-ending list of self-imposed social taboos, forbid masturbation in any form. But that probably doesn't stop it from happening in private. It occurs to me that if an Elf Maiden can pleasure herself when not in heat, why can't a Thurnian woman achieve the same?

"I can have yours ready in a couple of days," says DF36. "Do you want to try this one out now? Alex and I can help you since it's your first time."

I'm completely bemused by this conversation. If I'm correctly interpreting what DF36 has said, Cassandra has asked DF36 to make one of these sex toys for her. I look at Cassandra only to see that she has overcome her embarrassment and taken on the determined look I've seen before.

"Sure," she says before turning towards me. "Don't look so surprised, Alex. Do you think I'm an innocent in such matters. Does it not strike you as strange that I'm used to an Elf Maiden's strong body odour. I've seen my father amuse himself with his harem of Elf Maidens, and I've been curious about such games."

Cassandra doesn't hesitate to remove her clothes and at DF36's prompting she lies on the bed with her legs apart. It's the first time I've seen Cassandra's gorgeous naked body, and I sorely wish my cock would rise to the occasion. But it won't, and DF36 won't be in heat for another few days. Both Cassandra and I allow DF36 to orchestrate our combined actions. I gently massage Cassandra's tits and nipples while DF36 works on her cunt. DF36 adds an extra dose of oil to the cock to ensure it is well lubricated. None of us know how easy or hard it will be for Cassandra's own juices to start following and lubricate her cunt naturally.

Once again I feel a strange sense of power when Cassandra starts responding to our combined actions. Before long she has relaxed completely and is allowing DF36 and me to control her body. Cassandra lets out a loud gasp as DF36 starts pushing the cock inside her. The moans of pleasure that quickly follow encourage us to work more vigorously. Minutes later DF36 has the cock moving back and forth like a piston and Cassandra is squirming in delight. Without being told, I replicate a move DF36 taught me, and start teasing Cassandra's clit with my right hand, while teasing one of her nipples with my left. The result is dramatic. Cassandra practically explodes with a violent orgasm which has her juices squirting from her cunt. Poor DF36 is soaked but she doesn't seem to mind in the least.

Once the orgasm has passed, Cassandra flings her arms around me and kisses me with a passion. Needless to say, I respond with a will. DF36 tactfully allows us a moment of privacy and goes to clean the worst of Cassandra's juices from her leather clothing. As for Cassandra's cum splattered all over her face, DF36 seems happy to wipe it up with her fingers and then suck her fingers dry.

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Chapter 6: An influential ally

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Being a party to bringing Cassandra to an explosive orgasm was an event to remember. What surprised me the most was that she immediately wanted to do it again. Needless to say DF36 and I were happy to oblige. With Cassandra's cunt being well lubricated with her own juices, the leather cock was worked harder and deeper into her cunt. I repeated the dual teasing of her clit and nipples and I witness the same powerful response as the first time. I notice that this time, DF36 had taken the precaution of removing her leather clothes and was naked except for her narrow collar. Cassandra had showered DF36 with her cum, which DF36 promptly started to consume.

This time Cassandra draws both of us in to receive kisses as a reward for the delights we had given her. If only my cock would show a flicker of the desire which the rest of my body feels. After our vigorous games, we collapse side by side on the bed while we recover.

Eventually we decide that we must return to reality, and we clean ourselves up and get dressed. DF36 returns to her work in the corner, while I prepare a hot drink for Cassandra.

"I wish I'd visited you earlier," says Cassandra. "How long have you and your Elf Maiden been together?"

I notice Cassandra has the same difficulty I initially experienced in referring to an Elf Maiden by her serial number.

"DF36 and I have only been together for a couple of days," I reply. "Anyway, what brought you here today? Not that it isn't a pleasure to see you again."

"You registered a complaint about some derelict properties near the old docks. I've just learned that the properties are owned by me," replies Cassandra. "I want to know why you have such an interest in those buildings."

"I think you ought to see the buildings for yourself and then you will understand my concern," I reply.

"I can't venture into the area of the old docks without an escort," replies Cassandra. "You had better accompany me. Will your Elf Maiden be alright if you leave her?"

"Yes, of course she will," I laugh. "Elves are intelligent beings, and DF36 is quite capable of looking after herself."

Cassandra and I walk over to the area of the old docks. It is a fifteen minute walk from my house. That gives us plenty of time to renew our friendship, although you could argue that we've just achieved that in my bed. Nevertheless, we find plenty of things to talk about, and I realise how much she has matured from the headstrong girl I knew when we first met.

"Are you taking me into the elven ghetto?" asks Cassandra when she sees the ugly red signs marking the boundary of the elven ghetto.

"Yes. The buildings we are visiting make up this entire elven ghetto."

"But the buildings in this area look as though they've been derelict for years. Why is the elven ghetto still here?"

"When they built the new docks, this area became redundant. The city aldermen decided to close the elven ghetto near the city gates and move the elves into these buildings."

"That's disgraceful!" replies Cassandra. "Why would the aldermen want to do that?"

"I don't know," I reply.

I have an unproven theory why the aldermen did what they did. The area which was previously the elven ghetto has now been redeveloped. Gone are the old houses and workshops. These days the area boasts several large mansions that are homes for wealthy men and women. Somebody will have made a lot of money from the redevelopment.

We reach the building that was DF36's former home and workshop. The upper floors have already been abandoned. The window frames are so rotten that the glass panes have been removed before they can fall out onto passers-by without warning. The other buildings in the ghetto are in only marginally better condition.

It only takes Cassandra ten minutes to decide that something urgent needs to be done to rehouse the whole elven population in this ghetto. Since there are about two hundred elves living here, I'm not sure what she can achieve without her father's support. However, she seems confident that something can be done relatively quickly.

We conclude our visit to the elven ghetto with a meeting with DF35 in her workshop. I'm not sure why Cassandra insists on meeting her but I presume it has something to do with her earlier discussion with DF36. I leave them to themselves for a few minutes while I admire some of the metalwork produced by the Elf Maidens of this workshop. When I return to where Cassandra and DF35 are talking about the decorative work the elves have produced.

When Cassandra has finished in the workshop, we walk towards the boundary of the elven ghetto when we see a group of men entering the House of Delight.

"What are those men doing?" Cassandra asks me.

"Umm... Elf Maidens in heat go to the House of Delight if they are wanting sex with a man."

"And there seem to be plenty of men willing to play their part. Have you ever been inside one of these... err... establishments?"

"It's where I first met DF35," I reply. "But the purpose of my visit wasn't for sex. At least, not at the time."

"Yes, I suspected as much from what she told me. Why do you have this sudden interest in elves?"

"The Chief Procurator has given me the task of solving the so-called Elf Maiden problem."

"I don't envy you that mission," laughs Cassandra. "Everybody talks about the Elf Maiden problem, but I've yet to find anybody who can define the problem, or why it needs solving."

"I think calling it the Elf Maiden problem has disguised the real issue that is concerning people," I reply. "The rapid increase in the population of elves has masked a decrease in the indigenous Thurnian population in recent years."

"Hmm. But before the arrival of elves, the population of Thurn regularly fluctuated up and down. Our history is full of natural disasters and plagues. The decrease you speak of is nothing out of the ordinary if you study far enough back into our history."

I find it refreshing to be talking to someone who has studied Thurnian history beyond the last fifty years. Cassandra has clearly continued her research into our distant history long after I was obliged to give it up in favour of my government job. While she is probably correct about the fluctuating population over the years, Thurn hasn't suffered any major natural disasters or plagues in the last few decades. I still believe in my theory that the population drop is due to the direct and indirect consequences of the skirmishes and petty feuds between various Thurnian warlords. Those warlords supposedly owe allegiance to the Emperor, but like the Emperor himself, they have become preoccupied with possessing as many Elf Maidens as they can acquire. Possession of a harem of Elf Maidens has become a status symbol among the powerful elite. A symbol which is jealously guarded, even to the extent of violence. As usual, though, it's the ordinary citizens who suffer the worst from these squabbles.

"What you say is true up to a point," I say. "But unless the Emperor and his government manage to end the feuding between warlords over the possession of Elf Maidens, then I fear the consequences on our population may be dire."

"What do you propose the Emperor should do?" asks Cassandra.

"I don't currently have an answer, but repeatedly blaming Elf Maidens isn't going to lead to a solution. The laws governing elves need to be relaxed so as to make these feuds unnecessary."

"You have an uphill battle if you want any changes to the laws governing elves," observes Cassandra. "Most Thurnian women despise elves, and most men are happy treating them as little more than animals. Neither my father nor his government are going to agree to law changes that most Thurnians don't want."

"I agree, which is why this is a problem that is going to be impossible to solve."

"Perhaps there may be a way to remove one of the main objections Thurnian women have against Elf Maidens. If an Elf Maiden in heat can act as a catalyst for sex between a man and another Elf Maiden who isn't in heat, then why can't the same happen between a man and a Thurnian woman?"

"I see no reason why that shouldn't be possible, but how do you propose we put it to the test?"

"When is your Elf Maiden going to be in heat?"

"DF36 says she should come into heat later this week," I reply, noting Cassandra still has difficulty in calling DF36 by her serial number.