The Town
The furnace smouldered with heat as the temperature of the metal went up. Christian, the blacksmith of the local town near the Battlefields checked the colour of the sword he was working on. The metal glowed in a bright yellow; “Perfect.“ he thought.

He took it out with his tongs and placed it on the anvil quickly. Time was of the essence and soon enough the hammer fell  down on the hot metal, forming it with brutal power and a loud, metallic sound. Christian was new…ish. Learning from the old master before taking over his shop didn’t happen too long ago, placing the young man in the middle of his twenties. His biceps, trained from lifting the heavy hammer day to day, moved in the light of the furnace fire, the muscles of his body playing along and helping the blacksmith with his work. Just outside his window the rest of the town resided, each citizen busy with his or her own work.

⁂

War was a lucrative way to make money, especially of one wasn’t stupid enough to choose a side. History has taught humanity that much and so it didn’t take too long until near the Battlefields where heroes clashed against each other from day to day a small town developed. The first one to settle down an old mage, though how old exactly he was is unknown. He stopped the aging process and appeared as man nearing the end of his thirties. The hair still in it’s full brown colour with just a hint of grey, with the rest of his body being kept in excellent shape too. 
The magician used to power seeping from the Battlefields to it’s fullest extent and helped the Ancients by selling them arcane Artifacts he produced. Those Artifacts were later resold to the heroes waging war at each other at a slightly higher price.
Sooner than later another merchant appeared. A Master of Potions she was, her creations ranging from powerful toxins to life-saving healing salves. She was often found collaboration with the Wizard, and in the process got him to reveal his secret about longevity. 
The third person to appear was the old Blacksmith. There isn’t really a lot to tell about him, he was as boring as a human can be. Certainly good at this job, but just an uninteresting character.
At some point an ancient Druid emerged from the woods nearby. It was at that time that the Shopkeepers in the Battlefields starting selling Tangos. How long the Druid slumbered in the forest before taking part in the never ending war nobody knew.

Soon a Medic appeared for those who preferred the more normal ways of getting healed. Of course part of every town was a tavern and so it did not take long for one to appear as well, with it a Brewmaster with a broad expertise in creating the most delicious drinks. More building appeared and the town got a Library and a Joinery and a little school for the offspring of the War-profiteers.
It didn’t even take a hundred years for a small town to emerge near the Battlefields of the Ancients, bustling with creativity and hard work. The Heroes traveling to the Ancients soon took notice and not rarely were they seen having their weapons repaired by the blacksmith, stopping for a drink in the tavern or consulting with the Magician. The town was small and tightly-knit and even though it may not appear that way at the first glance, everyone was helping each other in some way. At this point it even had some famous stories to tell, for example the bar fight between Bristleback and Tusk which left the local tavern in pieces.

And yet it lacked a name. To be fair, calling it a town was a stretch, it was more of a village with maybe 50 to 70 people. So  maybe it didn’t deserve a name yet, even though it played a major role in supplying the Ancients with goods. Maybe it didn’t really need a name, considering it was the only arrangement of buildings for a very long distance so when someone spoke of a town it was clear of which one they were speaking. Perhaps it never needed one.

⁂

Christian hammered away at the piece of steel before putting it back into the furnace just to take it out and hammer away again. Occasionally folding the whole thing as well, it was simple to get lost in the work and Christian enjoyed, he stopped thinking and let his experienced hands do the work; smithing was his form of meditation. He was interrupted by the door opening and the small bells ringing, announcing a new customer. Christian looked up and noticed Rylai, the Crystal Maiden walking in. She looked different; it was the hair colour he noticed first… And the clothing, instead of her long blond hair it was now shorter and black, tied into a pony tail on the back. Her new dress waved around her, powered by the cold winds emitting from their wearer. She wasn’t wearing any shoes he noticed, her feet looked almost like ice and left snowy footsteps on the stone floor… No, they actually left snow behind. Christian lay down the hammer on the anvil and leaned back, his right hand instinctively grasping the clay plot with the flower in it. 
After having reassured himself that it was still there he opened up the conversation.

„Greetings Rylai.  Strange to see you here.“

The Maiden played with her staff and said: „Good morning to you as well. I’m here to make a request. A paid one.“

Something about her was off, Christian thought. She seemed to be standing up straighter, her noticeable chest and cleavage were more defined, like she was pushing them out on purpose… She seemed prouder. That’s what it was, she seemed prouder, from her posture to her expression it was pride, almost arrogance that was seeping from her.

„Why would a spell caster need something from a blacksmith?“ he replied.

„I had a recent encounter with some not-so-natural vines during a battle. They seemed to be very eager at disabling me so I’d like to purchase a knife. A very sharp one if possible.“

Christian raised an eyebrow but only confined his answer to: „My knifes are always sharp.“

She smiled and said: „I know, that’s why I came to you.“

Christian tried but couldn’t get rid of weirdness of the situation. She was just so different. Rylai didn’t seem to notice how uncomfortable he was. Or she didn’t care.

„…Do you have any special wishes regarding the knife, should it be more practical or more pretty?“

„If you could make it somehow elegant that would be nice, otherwise I’m leaving it to you.“

Various designs started taking shape in Christian’s head and he said: „That’s certainly possible. Check back in a week or so and I should have it ready for you.

„Wonderful.“ she remarked and stepped closer to the anvil. I have one more question for you… I heard my sister was here a few days ago, may I ask what she wanted?“

„I don’t discuss business with anyone but the client, not even with relatives.“

Rylai leaned forward and put her hands on the anvil, pressing her boobs together, „Would you make an exception for me?“ she asked in an overly nice voice.

Christian looked longer than he’d like to admit before snapping out of it. „She wasn’t here for any blacksmithing work, though she tried to make it look that way. It seemed to me that she was really bent over on trying to fuck me.“

Rylai stood up again and put her hands against her waist, replying: „Oh well, she does that to people occasionally. Did you accept?“

„No.“

„Wonderful, I’ll rub it in her face the next time I see her.“

„Rub what in her face, that she can’t get every man she pleases to have?“

„No, that I fucked you.“

Christian couldn’t properly reply before he felt a sudden force in his back that suddenly pushed him forward, making him fall over the anvil and slide across the room, landing on his back somehow.

„Damn Force Staff…“ he managed to utter before he felt his limbs being encased in ice.

„That’s technically rape!“ he protested as Rylai stepped closer.

„Details, details… And I’ll still fuck you.“ she dismissed him before sitting down on his  stomach. Her body was extremely cold and gave Christian the shivers. She smiled cruelly and quickly removed his clothing rather forcefully. Trailing her fingers across his now naked chest Christian felt goose bumps coming up across his whole body. Suddenly she bowed forward and kissed Christian on the lips, forcing her tongue down his throat. Wasn’t much he could do against it, her lips moved against his and her tongue explored his mouth enthusiastically and her hands gripped his face. The kiss went on for a good time and Rylai took care to use her tongue in every way possible before retreating it back into her own mouth and sitting back up. As she spoke Christian noticed how her voice change completely. She spoke in a slightly deeper tone and pronounced every word more sensually.

„You know… you don’t have to hate it.“ she said as she slid down, centering herself over his grown and started to slowly and rhythmically rub her own body over his loins. „I could undo my top, I could free your hands…“ she continued. „Do you want me to?“ she leaned closer to his face so they were almost touching. „Do you want me to undo my top and free your hands? Just kiss me back if you want to…“ Rylai repeated and kissed him again, passionately while rubbing her body against his still. 

Christian kissed her back. Passionately. Her lips formed as triumphant smile and their mouths parted again.

„See?“ she said as she slowly slid her garments off, „It doesn’t have to be so hard. Unlike some other things.“ she smiled dominantly as her hand slid down his pants, teasing him slightly.

Rylai removed her top completely, leaving only a red bra on. It was clear that she intended to have Christian jump through a lot of hoops before he’d get a treat. Meanwhile she continued having fun at his expense. For moments her dominant fashion vanished as she looked up the ceiling thinking of a new way to torture her victim, it returned very quickly.

„Where were we…“ she thought out loudly. „Ah, of course!“ she acted like she remembered it before getting up, turning around and promptly sitting down on Christian’s face. He could smell her nethers clearly through the panties. Rylai chuckled and said: I only said I’d take my top off!“

„You also said you’d removed the ice…“ Christians protests sounded muffled due to his position.

The Maiden rolled her eyes and replied: „I suppose you’re right,  BUT if you touch me unless I allow you to do so, I’ll stick an icicle up your arse!“

„Sounds fair.“ he replied sarcastically.

„If you backtalk again I’ll stick two in there.“ She sounded serious this time. „Now get to work.“

Christian obeyed. Rylai managed to remove the ice before she started moaning. Even through the panties his tongue did good work. Automatically her own hand grabbed her large chest and Rylai closed her eyes and began fondling herself. Her right hand slipped under the red bra and teased her nipple carefully. Her left moved towards her groin and slid the panties to the side. Soon she helped Chris by moving her  hips so he could cover more ground. He decided to surprise her and stuck his tongue deep into her, as deep as he could. She responded by pressing herself further down, to ease access. Chris took his tongue out again and continued sliding it across her nether regions, it did not take long and he noticed that the Maiden was moving more fiercely. His tongue moved back inside her, exploring further, sliding it along her nether walls, pleasing her as well as he could. He thrusted his tongue in an out, circling around her needing pussy before diving back in, the intensity of her movements giving away how close she was to orgasm. Very close, he determined. So he kept doing exactly what he was told to as her moans became louder. Suddenly, from one moment to the other, Rylai came, spraying his face with her juices and moaning out loudly before collapsing to the side, breathing heavily.

„That was somewhat unspectacular.“ Chris thought, he kept it to himself however and waited. The Orchid standing near the window was too far away. It was the right move. Moments later, Rylai got up again and sat down on his chest, visibly shaken and still panting. She was clearly trying to regain her composure while trying to be dominant. Her hair somehow kept it’s shape. Probably magic.

„That was… pretty good.“ she exclaimed between pants. Chris opened his mouth to reply but she interrupted him with a glare, saying „Think about the icicle!“. It got him to shut up. Rylai moving her hip again made him somewhat forget her non-dominant behaviour and soon she relapsed fully.

„Now, I admit you surprised me, so you can have a reward. I’ll take the bra off as well.“ And indeed her silky red bra slipped of her chest, revealing a pair of large, perfectly formed breasts that just begged to be fondled. She didn’t let him however. „No hands.“ she remarked and Chris kept them to himself, dreading the icicle. She slid of him and sat down on his right side before pulling his pants off slowly, revealing his somewhat hard cock. She smiled and took it in her hand.

„Can’t we get a proper hard on as soon as the woman is on top hmm? Well don’t worry I can fix your uselessness.“

For a moment a violet light lit up between her fingers and was gone again in a heartbeat. When she moved her hands away Chris’ cock was as hard as rock.

„Honestly, I didn’t expect a simple blacksmith to be as good as you were just now, but I still don’t think you deserve my hands. So you’ll get the next best thing until you improve.“ She stood up, leaned on the nearby anvil and moved her right leg towards his cock. Her foot touched the glans gently and Chris sharply took in some breath in surprise. Her feet were extremely cold. But his cock stayed hard. She played a little with his member before sitting up on the anvil and moving in her second leg. She played with it expertly and Chris wondered where the innocent Maiden learned all these skills. She moved the tip between her toes, stroking it gently. She was right, her hands were probably better. And not as cold. But it still felt really good. She brought in both feed and started properly jerking him off. His member felt like it was inside a freezer while the rest of his body wasn’t, Chris conceded to the point that it was probably the weirdest feeling ever.

Suddenly, Rylai stopped. „That should be enough.“ At least his cock wasn’t in Antarctica any more. She got rid of her panties while still keeping the garments on, Rylai was serious about this whole not getting undressed thing. She sat back down, sliding over his cock, up and down just a few times before grabbing it with her hand and guiding it in. With a moan she finally let him inside her and boy did it feel good. Her nether walls pushed down on him as she once again began sliding back and forth with his cock inside her, moaning as the intense pleasure pulsated in her whole body. Rylai mover her head closer to his and said: „The thing I’ve given you earlier, it has some side effects, you’ll be able to finish multiple times so I can use you multiple times.“ Chris wasn’t really listening as his eyes were mesmerized by her tits bouncing up and down in the rhythm of her body. Rylai noticed.
„I bet you’d like to touch them don’t you. Fondle them, give them a good squeeze?“ Chris knew that he wanted to, he also knew that she wasn’t going to let him. It was getting more annoying than arousing. „Play with my nipples…“ she continued as he was thinking. No, she was definitely overdoing it. 
As she continued sliding up and down on his cock he thought of the flower near the anvil. If he could lift her up there and press it into her face it would all work out… He looked at her and got into it. Decided to be her slave for the moment.
„I’d love to.“ He finally responded to her constant taunting. She straightened her back and quickened the pace.

„Oh… really… Look what you think… you’re entitled to…“ her moans became more apparent now. The moment of action was drawing near, thankfully the  Crystal Maiden was way too occupied riding his cock and having her eyes closed. She didn’t quite realize that he wasn’t in the moment quite like she was. Her hips moved back and forth, the inner walls pushing down on his member from every side. Soon he felt her insides shiver and contract as she came, at the same time her arms, which were placed on his chest, failed to support her any longer and she again collapsed on his chest with a loud moan as the orgasm washed over her.

Now it was time to act. Years of training and smithing work had steeled Chris’ body similar to years in combat. Additionally, the mage who was so set on dominating him was quite petite and surprisingly light. He reached his arms around her and gripped her close, then, quickly, he sat up and stood up, placing Rylai on the cold anvil. She squealed and couldn’t quite react. He realized that he was too slow, he had to make it seem somewhat innocent. Well, as innocent as it could be at that point.

He kissed her, passionately. pressed his body into hers, leaned her over backwards while his right arm grasped after the pot with the Orchid in it. He reached it just with his finger tips an managed to get a hold of it. When the kiss ended he was sure, she’d gasp and take a large breath of air. Chris continued the kiss as he pulled the pot back with his arm, exploring her mouth with his tongue as he moved into position. Then he broke the touch of their lips voluntarily, moved his head back and moved the flower between their faces. Just as predicted, Rylai took in a large breath, inhaled the scent. Her eyes widened as she realized what he had just done. She tried to cast a spell but it was too late, it was in her bloodstream already.

⁂

Orchis malivolens, first classified and described by Lesale the Herbalist on the Jidi Isle. A beautiful flower of white and crimson, it has disastrous effects on beings infused with Arcane Power especially. Often used by assassins tasked to kill mages, a mere touch of the plant on the skin prevents any incantation by the victim. If inhaled or injected, the effects are much more potent and longer-lasting. The Orchid of Malevolence can only be found in the deepest of jungles and forests and is extremely rare. How exactly it worked was unknown to most people, it seemed to be to Arcane Power what anti-matter is to matter: the exact opposite. If the two touched, everything in a living organism seemed to go haywire, though the effects always lessened with time and rest and never were quite deadly. Of course there haven’t been conducted any experiments on prolonged exposure since all contact is usually only momentary.

⁂

The look in her eyes could only be described as fearful. When Rylai realized just how powerless she was, the arrogant look in her eyes vanished from one second to the other. Now, not even the new hair colour could help her. Chris grinned triumphantly. It was accomplished with the uttermost success. She was at his mercy now, and not the other way around. He put the Orchid aside and cupped her breasts. Now she couldn’t do anything against it and he gave them a powerful squeeze, circled his fingers around her nipples, gave them a strong pinch. She winced at the feeling. Brushing her dress aside, he directed himself into her again only to pull out shortly after thinking: “No, that’s exactly what she wants.“ So instead he pulled her off to the floor again and lay down on his back.
„Use your mouth.“ he commanded as she kneeled down between his legs.
„Use it until I cum. You better not make a mess.“
So the reluctant Maiden bowed down and took the member in her mouth slowly. She played with the tip using her tongue before she almost swallowed it to the girth. Chris was welcomed by her warm mouth interior as she did so and closed his eyes to concentrate more on the pleasure. Rylai’s head started bobbing up and down as she gave the Blacksmith a proper blowing. While she didn’t have a choice, she also didn’t seem to mind it much either. Chris hadn’t orgasmed for a long time during this whole endeavor and he already felt himself approaching the edge with speed. It wouldn’t take much longer.
To assure that the Maiden was following his command he got a hold of her head and pushed it down, impaling her head on his cock at the same time as he came. He felt her head pushing back, resisting. Chris denied her the pleasure and kept her mouth where it belonged with an iron grip. The orgasm was powerful from all the teasing and fucking and he felt how Rylai’s mouth filled up with the hot spunk. In the end the Maiden had to swallow it with big gulps as she realized that he wasn’t going to release her. Only until all of it was sent down to her stomach she felt his grasp loosen, allowing her to straighten up. Chris lay there only for moments.
„Bend over the anvil.“ he said.
She didn’t protest, Rylai knew that it wasn’t worth it. Picking herself up, she turned and bent over the Anvil, on which the Orchid was still standing. The Blacksmith stepped behind her seconds later. Brushing aside her dress, he trailed over her ass cheeks with his cock, taking his time until finally centering himself over her tight backdoor.
„I’m not going to give you the pleasure of being fucked like before.“ Chris remarked before slowly pushing his magically erect cock into the Crystal Maiden’s delicate ass. She gasped at the intrusion, her eyes widened as the rod filled her up from behind.
„Pl-Please take it back out!“ she protested for the first time.
„I wouldn’t dream of it.“ Chris replied while pushing his member far into her ass, up to the base.
„In fact, I think I’ll quicken the pace a little.“
Rylai’s behind was forcefully accustomed to the new intruder, but the body is resilient and it soon adapted, allowing Chris to pick up the pace. He pounded her little ass fiercely and Rylai responded with reluctant ughs and ahhs. Luckily to Chris, it didn’t matter how she felt. He grabbed her around the waist to gain better leverage and fuck the Maiden in the ass properly like she deserved. Her large ass rippled every time their bodies clashed together and Chris’ member entered her deepest insides. Her mouth formed a large O and Rylai moaned every time the Blacksmith’s thick rod filled her up.
Suddenly, Chris grabbed her arms and forced her up while pounding her, their faces close to each other, he questioned Rylai:
„Do you like it?“
„I… I don’t know.“
An unexpected answer. Chris expected a firm „No!“ and wanted to force her to say she loved it but this was truly unplanned. It made him stop to think for a moment, slow down a little. The Blacksmith decided to change course, but first, he needed to do something he desired to do for quite some time. His strong hands let go of hers and he embraced the Crystal Maiden, directing his hands towards her large breasts. The previously forbidden area proved to rather squeezable he concluded as his hands played with her large tits. Her head turned as more moans escaped her lips and their eyes met. They looked clueless, a little frightened even, like she was looking for guidance. Chris decided to kiss her. Rylai kissed back. While their lips were occupied he slowly slid his right arm down from her delicate chest to her nether areas. Just brushing over them got the Maiden all riled up. She broke the kiss to ask: „Please, keep it down there.“
Chris grinned: „Are you begging me?“
It would’ve been the right moment for the Maiden to roll her eyes and mumble something about men and how dumb they were. Instead she kept looking into his eyes and replied:
„Yes, please, I’m begging you.“
The Blacksmith raised his eyebrows, stopped for a moment to think and then began a three-way assault. At the same time he kissed Rylai, he picked up the pace of this thrust again and dived into her needing pussy with his fingers. The Crystal Maiden didn’t quite expect such a sudden change of pace and she expressed this by moaning in a very high pitched manner for a second. The moan was captured by Chris’ mouth and thereby muffled effectively. Her moans became louder and louder and soon the Blacksmith broke the kiss so he could hear them to their fullest. They were loud now, more confident than earlier. The sound waves rebounded from the walls, the tools, the anvil and the furnace, they filled up the whole room as the Crystal Maiden was pleasured and used for pleasure at the same time. Chris was much more quiet, he preferred her voice alone. His cock stiffened and he realized that he was nearing his end. Maybe the end of the cock magic as well.
He dipped a second finger into her pussy and quickened his hands as well, Rylai picked up the rhythm and began rocking her hip with it. His fingers found a special, vulnerable spot inside her and hit it hard, sending her voice up a few octaves as long as he touched it. It did not take long, and they sent each other over the edge. Rylai barely kept herself on her feet, tugged in between the anvil and the Blacksmith, as wave after wave of the most powerful orgasm yet came clashing down over her. Her moans turned into sighs, the sighs into inhales and exhales of air as the tsunami-like orgasm washed over her and went away.
At the same time Chris came inside the Maiden’s tight ass, filling it up to the brim with hot, white liquid. He let loose a loud Ahh as Rylai’s body contracted over his cock, squeezing it tightly from all sides, milking it of every drop of the precious liquid before releasing it. Chris pulled out, turned around and slid into a sitting position, leaned against the anvil. Rylai did the same, staying in his embrace. They both drew in breath heavily, exhausted.

„And?“ Chris asked.

„And, what?“ Rylai replied.

„And, did you like it?“ he repeated.

She tugged herself a closer to him, like she was looking for warmth.

„Yes. Though I don’t think I was supposed to.“

„What do you mean?“

„I liked it more than when I was on top and… weird. And I should’ve liked it more when I was on top.“

„Why?“

„Mages are never supposed to be submissive.“

„Who says?“

And Rylai told the Blacksmith of her adventures up far in the north of the world, where she met an ancient librarian who told her many arcane secrets and taught her valuable lessons. She told him about how she always insisted that Magicians, Witches and Mages are the top elite of the world, that they always need to be above everything because they are smarter than those idiot kings who have driven their countries into a meat grinder while waging war with everything that moved. She said that the Librarian was of the opinion that the Arcane Masters where the ones who were meant to fix this world, so it could be good again, so it could work again. She said that this required all of them to be strong, to never submit and never show any weakness to anybody. In the end, the Librarian told her that she needed to be more like her sister.

“Ouch.“ Chris thought. That had to hurt.

„She sounds smart, the woman.“ Chris of course didn’t know that he was talking about a wyrm.

„But at the same time like a fucking idiot.“ he continued.

„Hey! You can’t say that about her-!“ Rylai protested.

„Well you can’t really change who you are. As you have witnessed yourself, changing your hair colour and trying to rape someone won’t make you magically dominant. Or enjoy being it. And honestly, that’s fine. It would be boring otherwise. No variety.“

She didn’t have to remark anything about that, so they just sat there in quiet. After a while, Chris noticed, the natural cold of her skin returned. The Orchid had done it’s job. He decided to test his luck, now that he walking on thin ice again, so to speak.

„You know, originally I did intend to also use your breasts more for my enjoyment.“

„How so? Haven’t you abused them enough already? Look, they are all red!“

„Yeah but not in that way.“

Rylai gasped as she realized what he meant and said: „My sister told me once what she people do with them… I can’t do that!“

„Why not?“ he grinned. He thought about testing his chances further.

„I… I don’t know.“ she looked in his eyes. Realized his intent.

„No! Don’t you even think about it!“

He moved one of his hands towards her breasts, gave on of them a good squeeze. She tried to stop him with her hands, obviously being the weaker one, it was unsuccessful. Rylai didn’t resort to magic though. She didn’t freeze his hands or even his whole body. She did look very defiantly in his eyes, which made the Blacksmith a little unsure.
He trailed his arm down between her legs. She was as wet as ever. He chuckled and suddenly pushed her over, on her back, before climbing on top of her. The erection was his this time. No fancy magic involved. Rylai glared at him. But still no magic.

„It makes me think. That you want to do that. You certainly have the tools for it.“ Chris remarked as he played with her tits.

He leaned over, closer to her face and whispered: “That you enjoy being bossed around like this, that you like being, well, submissive. You should just accept yourself.“

Rylai blushed and turned her head, looked away, at the wall.

„Now now. Look at me. Your eyes are way to pretty to go to waste like that.“ he ordered. She complied. Her eyes were in did pretty, actually, even more so. They were rather beautiful. Dark blue, like the deep ocean, he thought.

„Hands.“ he ordered. She complied. He put them into place: pressing together her large tits. Then he thrusted into them while keeping eye contact. They felt wonderful. So different to her insides, but still special. They embraced him, welcomed him in. The tip of his cock emerged at the other side. He pulled back out, only to go back in. The motion repeated itself. All while looking at Rylai. Alas, his own abilities couldn’t quite hold a candle to Rylai’s magic and he soon quickened his pace, shortly interrupted to coat his cock with her saliva and return to the task at hand. His member stiffened as he thought of her face covered in cum. He thrusted into her breasts quicker, wanting to make that picture in his mind reality. Picking up the pace and coming to a close at the same time, Rylai noticed what was going on. She readied herself. Closed her eyes and mouth. Chris didn’t protest this time, besides, her make-up was masterfully done and also quite nice to look at.

Then the final thrust came, and with it, loads of cum. Most of it landed on her face, lines of the white liquid covering parts of her face. Some of it landed on her neck, some sprinkled her lips. She was right to close her eyes because the hot spunk also found it’s way on her eye lids. Chris pulled out and the rest landed on her tits. Now he was done.

Rylai opened her eyes. Her face felt sticky. Her look at Chris resembled something between a glare and smile. It was difficult to describe.

„Can I go clean up now?“

„I wasn’t under the assumption that our set up rules extended beyond the sex. I have a bucket of clean water here somewhere…“

⁂

Rylai was fully dressed again, and also clean. She was standing across the anvil, in the same spot where she was standing when she walked in. Her staff was in her hands again, picked up from a corner, where it rolled off after everything started.

„I’ll be expecting you in around a week, you can pick up your new knife then.“ Chris said, also fully dressed again.

„Good. Don’t think today was any indication for our future endeavors.“

„I wouldn’t dream of it. However, you will probably bend over this anvil again when I tell you to. And you’d probably like it as well, you know.“ Chris chuckled, looked at the Orchid and placed it back in front of the window. It needed the sun.

Rylai blushed and stepped closer to the anvil. Chris mirrored her movements, so they were only moments apart.

„In fact, you’d probably do so again right now if I ordered it. Because you are mine. Out of your own choosing, you are mine.“ Chris placed his hand on her cheek, gently and looked in her eyes. They were indeed beautiful, but he saw something else in them but beauty. Something, different.

„Am I yours…? And are you mine?“ she asked, softly, quietly.

He realized what he saw in her eyes, besides the beauty, besides the ocean, but he had no words for it.

„You are mine and I am yours.“ he repeated.

They kissed. The roles were gone, there was no master and slave, no dominance and submissiveness any more. They vanished. There were only two lovers.

They parted, almost reluctantly. The Crystal Maiden walked out, back into the world, back into the war. The Blacksmith stayed behind, in his old workshop. He had a knife to craft, a blade to sharpen. He planned on putting his heart into it, like he did with all his work.