Meanwhile, Thanara left the carriage to be returned to the manor as she headed in to town.
The bell above the door rang and announced her approach as she entered the shop. She sought out the proprietor and locked eyes on them, folding her arms and asking ”Ryn? I think we need to talk.”
"Hey Tee," Ryn replies, looking a bit taken aback by Thanara's combative tone. "Sure, we can talk. I'll need ten minutes to finish here. Do you want to wait in the kitchen?"
True to her word Ryn emerges into the back of the shop after a little over eight minutes. "Tea?" She asks, bustling around with uncharacteristic nervousness.
Thanara paced in the kitchen, the click of her heels echoing through the small residence of the shop.
When Rynshinn arrived, she was running her fingers through her hair, leaning her head back to the ceiling. Thanara straightened back up and tugged the top half of her outfit back down from the stretching and answered ”No, thanks.”
She then got right to it. ”Look, I am sorry for whatever I did to upset you with our Mistress.”
Ryn lets out a sigh, a defeated puff of air, and slumps into a chair. "Tee, I care for you like a sister so please believe me when I say something you'll find hard to believe." She pauses to wait for Thanara's nod. "It had nothing to do with you. Shocking, isn't it?" A little bit of her old fire returns. "Savah bringing you in may have been the catalyst but it wasn't that She did it. It was what she was trying to make me do." She lets out another sigh and looks Thanara in the eye.
"Think about why you're with Savah, Tee. Is it because you enjoying taking charge and making all the decisions? No, of course not. We both have enough to deal with every day, being with Mi-, Savah was supposed to make that better. Not worse. We had limits, Tee, rules that we'd agreed to. I'm sure you've got them too. And she broke them, Tee. I told her when she mentioned her plans that I wasn't comfortable about trying to top you. It's not... who I am. So she spanked me, and it wasn't the playful kind that gets the blood flowing. She was doing it purely to hurt me."
She gestures to the bracelets Thanara still wears. "She convinced me that I was special, Tee. She made me those bracelets and they were unique. She made so many of those toys and I even asked her to make some of them. That took a lot from me, exposing my desires to her like that. And then she just threw what we had away. I was the old pet, not shiny and new anymore. If she'd picked you up then I could deal with that. I want you to be happy. I wanted her to be happy. Bit she was replacing me, taking everything that we had that was special and giving it to you instead. I was an afterthought, something extra to spice up a night. She didn't see me any more Tee, not as a person. Just as something she owned that was supposed to do what she wanted. I was fighting it, trying to tell.myself that it was OK but right at the end, when she took the flogger she made for me, and told me to use it on you, despite how scared you were. I... just couldn't do it any more."
She sighs a third time, even more deeply than the last two. "That's not how it's supposed to be Tee. We shouldn't have to wait and wonder how long she'll be satisfied with us before she moves on to the next thing, the next person."
Thanara looked to the floor, embarrassed by some of the things Rynshinn was saying.
Is…is Lisavet the new thing? Am I unwittingly replacing myself?
”Ryn,” Thanara says as she steps up and places her hands on the seamstresses hips. ”You do know I never tried to replace you, right? I didn’t even know about you two. She made me help her in the forge, to the point I was exhausted. Then…then she pinned me against the work bench and…” she pauses as she bites her lower lip as recounting the encounter begins to get her revved up, and she realizes she was pulling the seamstress closer.
She lets out a shaky breath and steps away.
”So…why Snow?” she asked as she leaned against the table, back to the seamstress and her body trembling with need that had been fueled in Magnimar that was now simmering near the surface, like a kettle over a flame about to boil over. ”You surely know how awkward that is going to make things. She’s a mutual friend. And what you and I have done together…it…it’s going to cause problems…”
”So…why Snow?” she asked as she leaned against the table, back to the seamstress and her body trembling with need that had been fueled in Magnimar that was now simmering near the surface, like a kettle over a flame about to boil over. ”You surely know how awkward that is going to make things. She’s a mutual friend. And what you and I have done together…it…it’s going to cause problems…”
Ryn lets out a groan and hangs her head. "I was hoping you wouldn't ask that." She says, with an awkward smile. "Jealousy isn't a good look and that was what it was. Jealousy. Savah's never liked Snow, I'm not sure why, so I knew that making a pass at her would annoy Savah. That was the first reason, but I wouldn't have considered it before she came into my shop, Tee." She says with a grin. "I'll be honest, I really like girls with long legs. There's just something about them and hers go on for miles... I mean, I'd never really looked at her before, kinda like I'd never looked at you like that. Everyone knows you're hot, and everyone knew that Snow was just... you know, that odd girl. But when she came into the store I had to look at her properly. You've seen her in my clothes, she's hot! And she was teasing me all the way through the fitting, I don't know how she knew but she got me so worked up I couldn't stop thinking about her."
Ryn smiles, looking somewhat embarrassed. "I worked so hard on my reputation Tee, and I was acting like an angry teenager. A horny angry teenager. I know you and her are close and I don't want to get in the way of anything. I've told Snow that she can see other people, I don't know if we're going to be long term, but she's... she's kind Tee. When I'm with her I feel safe. I just know that she'll be right beside me whenever I need her. She says it's about 'Pack'? Which I don't entirely understand but I know I'm important to her Tee, and I know that won't change."
She looks down at the table. "Does that make sense? Or do I sound like an idiot? I feel like I must be acting like one sometimes and Savah sure as hell says I am."
Thanara shakes her head, her blonde hair swaying the only show of the motion from behind.
Should I tell her about the kiss? Would that make her jealous back? Is it wrong I want to?
She sighs and says ”I…I should go.”
She turns and steps towards the door, pausing long enough to look over her shoulder and say ”I’ll see you around, Rynshinn,” not using the abbreviated “Rynn” she usually does.
She then makes her way through town. As she passes the Hagfish, she notes the large crowd curiously, but knows she has somewhere to be and can’t linger to check it out. She turns north up Main Street and steps into the Town Hall, where a much smaller gathering was taking place.
The meeting was already starting to wind down, and when Thanara slipped into the back, she immediately caught the eye of her father at the main table, who had clearly started growing angry, but spotting her brought an unsettling smile to his lips. With him at the table was Ethram Valdemar. Then, at the center seat, was Sir Korvaski, presiding over the meeting given his neutral position. On the other side were Mayor Deverin and then a disinterested Ameiko, taking up her families seat.
”Final order of business, is the upcoming election. Mayor Deverin, the incumbent, is present. Will you wish to maintain your seat, Lady Mayor?” Sir Jasper asks, to which the Mayor nods in affirmation. ”Very well. Anyone present wish to oppose her claim?”
Several eyes fall to Titus, who had opposed her before, to no avail. But he does not speak up.
”Very well,” Jasper says.
Titus shoots a steely glare at Thanara, who also had not spoken up. Her stomach was in knots.
”As none have announced their opposition, I hereby de-“
”I oppose Lady Deverin for the position of Mayor,” Thanara’s voice finally calls out! As all eyes turned to her, she can be seen standing in the back of the hall by the doors. Her purple and gold silk dress seems to reflect the torch light in the room in an imperious manner. A low mutter rolls through the attendees, and most everyone looks stunned, save her father and his smug grin.
Thanara turns and walks out of the meeting, the statement of her abrupt departure after the announcement causing more of a stir than most words. As she left, she could hear Jasper’s gavel falling. ”Order. Order. Then, it would appear we will have an election after all,…” Thanara hears him say as his voice trails behind her.
She immediately turns and heads for an alley, where she shifts to her disguise cloak before making way to Savah’s. Once in the back door, she presses her back against it as she tries to calm herself.
"Tee!" Ryn calls to no avail. "Come back!"
----------------------------------------
"Who's there?" A sharp voice breaks Thanara's reverie. "Show yourself! I'm armed!" Savah appears, holding a short sword in one hand.
"Oh, it's you Pretty One. I wasn't expecting you." She puts the sword down and advances, arms wide. "I'm very glad to see you though."
Thanara leaned against the door, eyes closed and head leaning back against it as she pants from her anxiety. ”I…I did it, Mistress,” she stammers. ”I challenged Lady Deverin for Mayor. I…I can’t believe I just did that…”
Savah drops her arms and considers Thanara closely. "I'm... impressed Pretty One. That was quite a step for you to take. I trust that you know what you're doing. It's going to be a lot of work for you, you're going to need help. It's a good thing you came to me. I will help you. You'll need it."
She steps forwards to take Thanara in her arms again. "I'm proud of you Pretty One. Well done."
Thanara looks at Savah. ”You…you don’t think I can do it…”
Thanara feels a fire in her belly grow. ”I’m stronger than you think. I’m more than some toy for you to cast aside. More than some tool for someone to use for their benefit,” she says, letting some of her frustration out. ”I am a powerful sorceress! I am a noble born. I am stronger than you think!”
"Being a noble means nothing!" Savah snaps back, her fire matching Thanara's in an instant. "Except that you've had everything handed to you on a plate! That doesn't make you strong! Fighting for what you have, earning it with your sweat and your blood! That makes you strong! Your father is no better than mine and it doesn't make you better than me!"
She glares at Thanara for a second and then takes a deep breath, obviously making the effort to calm herself. "I know you are strong Thanara, but you need someone to lean on, to help you. We all do. Being able to admit that, being able to actually get that help, that is strength. You are no tool and if your father thinks that then you're going to disabuse him quite quickly when you win." She smiles. "You see, when you win. I know you will, because I have every confidence in you, because you are strong and beautiful and because the town loves you, and when your strength isn't enough then you will turn to me and use my strength too. Of course you'll win. I won't allow anything less!"
She steps in to pin Thanara against the door, holding her wrists against the solid wood. "I like this fire Thanara. Is it because you're frustrated? Needy? I can feel you clenching. You want me don't you? You want to kneel before me and beg me for your pleasure. I can tell..."
The last three words are whispered into the sorceress's ear, chafed lips brushing the delicate skin.
”I won’t allow anything less!”
Thanara was about to respond when Savah pinned her against the door. Thanara squirmed in her grip, trying to free herself. But as the armorer whispers into her ear, Savah can feel a heat rising off of Thanara, even if her eyes and face appear defiant, and her attempts to escape grow weaker.
When she mentions Thanara begging, Savah can feel Thanara’s teeth clench against her cheek as she whispers in the sorceresses ear, as if she intended to do whatever she had to in order to not break.
Lisa is bemused by the spectacle of the singing pirates. ”I suppose they’re enjoying their shore leave!” she says to Orik.
Once dinner and drinks arrive, the priestess decides to start with some small talk to ease into things. ”So, what have I missed? What’s been happening in Sandpoint these past few weeks?”
Savah simply coos, brings Thanara's hands together so that she can connect the bracelets and then raises them almost to the top of Thanara's reach to make contact with a hook over the back door!
Then, with her prey secured the blacksmith sets to work, placing kisses and feather-light touches on all the places that she knows Thanara loves. It appears that this time she has no intention of losing the silent battle raging between them.
Thanara struggled against the bracelets and hook, but stretched as she was, she was helpless to gather any momentum or leverage. Meanwhile, Savah was proving very determined and distracting.
She removed her clothing quickly, so fast that Thanara was concerned she had ripped them! Then her lips latched hard onto her left nipple as her fingers assailed her womanhood with a fury!
In just a few minutes, Thanara was bucking and writhing against the wall, unable to resist the climax after weeks of stimulation from Lisavet with no release. But, she pressed her lips tight together to avoid crying out, giving the smith a defiant look.
”N-never,” she said through heavy breaths.
But Savah wouldn’t stop! She kept up the pace with her hand as she pulled twisted on Thanara’s right nipple while nibbling hard on the left. Then, she slid down and set to work with her mouth on Thanara. The sorceresses mouth hung open in a silent moan and she panted out her breaths as beads of sweat appeared on her body.
Several minutes of this and another powerful orgasm racked her body, and she thrashed about against the wall as she shook her head to resist crying out, though she could feel her will slipping.
Don’t do it Thanara. Hold out. You always have before. Don’t humiliate yourself like this…
The next thing she knew, Savah was looking her in the eye! Her rough fingers returning to her over sensitized privates and starts sliding back and forth as hard and fast as she can while her other hand grabs a handful of golden hair and pulls it back, crooning her head up to her as she coaxed her along. ”Let it out, Pretty One. You can’t resist me. Just submit!”
Thanara could feel a massive orgasm building. And being forced to leer into Savah’s eyes, full of determination, was enough for her to realize it was a lost cause.
”M-Mistress…please…n-no more…” she pleaded.
Savah pulled her hair tighter and smirked ”No! Now my Pretty One is going to scream!”
Oh no…I can’t…can’t stop…
Thanara then started letting out audible moans, slowly growing in volume until she was wailing in passion against the back door of the armory!
Afterwards, she hung limply from the hook, flirting with unconsciousness as she tried to hide her face in embarrassment at herself.
Orik tries to flag down a server girl, as busy as they are though it is proving a challenge. ”Oh, same as usual. Quiet town life. They did hold a service for the victims about a week ago. Was kind of sad around town a few days around that. But otherwise same as always.”
He sighs and gives up on a waitress for a moment. He looks back to Lisavet and asks ”How about your mission? And the city? Anything exciting happen?”
Savah presses her advantage to the fullest. Once she detaches Thanara from the door she sweeps her up in her strong arms and carries her upstairs. Once there however she turns to conversation, along with gentle, teasing touches which keep provoking Thanara's body just enough for her to beg for less (or more). The discussion covers a range of things, what did Thanara fantasise about while she was away? How often did she 'play' with Lisa? Then she turns to monologues, describing in great detail scenarios that she could play out involving Thanara, and often Lisa, enjoying the sorceress's lack of resistance to tease out clues about what excited her.
"Such a good little Pet." She says eventually, holding Thanara close as the blonde drifts off to sleep. "So passionate, so strong. Just remember Pet, Mistress is always stronger and that's good. I'm here for you, to help you with whatever you need. All you have to do is ask properly."
Thanara falls asleep with Savah's voice whispering softly in her ear, messages of love, endearment and devotion...
Lisa tells Orik an abbreviated version of the events in Magnimar, culminating in the battle against Xanesha and the discovery of a bigger conspiracy afoot. ”I think it will only be a matter of time before we leave town again.”
She takes a sip of her drink before continuing. ”But there’s something else I wanted to talk to you about, Orik. We’ve been seeing each other for a few weeks now... And, well, we never specified whether we were going to be exclusive or not. How serious are you about our relationship? Are you interested in seeing other people as well?”
Orik narrows his eyes at the priestess. ”Actually we’ve not seen each other for a few weeks. But I get what you are saying. There something you need to tell me?”
Lisa lowers her eyes. ”Yes. Thanara and I... We started off as good friends, but recently the nature of our relationship has changed. We have been intimate with one another. It was not something that I had planned or expected, but it happened nonetheless, and it would not be fair to keep that information from you.”
She looks up, nervous about how Orik will react.
Orik had just taken a pull of ale when Lisavet hit the meat of her confession, and the mercenary spits it out in shock at the information! He coughs a couple times, choking a bit.
”Holy s%&%! Really?” he guffaws, which draws eyes from nearby tables. ”I mean, I guess not. Ain’t like your letting another man f&%@ ya.”
He ponders a moment then asks ”You two looking for a third? II think I could make that sacrifice for ya, if you need me to?” with his awkward grin.
Lisa is quite relieved that Orik doesn’t seem mad. ”I’m not sure if she’s actually attracted to men in that way, but I’ll pass your offer along to her!” She smiles and reaches across the table to squeeze his hand. ”So you won’t be upset if we... continue doing what we have been doing?”
Orik takes a long drink from his mug while he thinks. ”I…I don’t guess. Ain’t like you are letting someone else shove a cock in ya, are ya?” he asks rhetorically.
Another thought runs through his mind. ”She is the only one, right?”
”Aside from you, she is the only one I am interested in being intimate with,” Lisa says, which is more or less the truth. ”Thank you for being understanding, Orik. It is a weight off my conscience that you know what’s going on. Now then... After we finish here, should we go back to your place and make up for lost time?”
He smiles knowingly, and the two of you enjoy a meal of chowder and ale. The raucous scene continues, various pirates pairing off with local singles in various groupings. Arika and Aneka wave and come make some small talk briefly before allowing themselves to be whisked away to dance with a couple of the ship’s crew. All in all, everyone seems to be having a good time.
Orik and Lisavet eventually retire for the evening, though don’t quite “retire.” As the two have sex, he tries to coax Lisavet into brining Thanara into his bed alongside her…
”I will ask her, but... mmm... it will be her choice,” Lisa reiterates, even as she writhes beneath Orik.
The next day, once Thanara has the strength to stand, she slips out and makes her way home for a proper bath. Titus actually seems quite pleased, and oblivious to the fact she wasn’t in her room last night. So she is able to have herself another berry/flower tinted bath before making her way to the Rusty Dragon.
She slips into her booth and orders some food more suitable for breakfast than lunch.
After her morning duties at the cathedral, Lisa spots Thanara through the window at the Rusty Dragon. She waves and enters the tavern to join the sorceress for brunch.
”Hey, sorry I didn’t connect with you last night. I was catching up with Orik. I actually told him about us, Thanara, and... he was surprisingly accepting of our relationship. He, heh, he kept asking me to see if you’d be interested in sharing the bed with the two of us sometime.” Lisa grins sheepishly.
Thanara waves at Lisavet and signaled for her to join her. As she approached, though, thoughts of what she did the last time the two were in this booth came flooding back, and she couldn’t help but squirm a bit at the memory.
Then Lisavet makes her request, and Thanara pales. ”Y-you…you told him? About us!?!?” she panic whispers! ”Lisa! What if he…he tells Father!?!?”
Lisa lowers her voice. ”I told you from the beginning, Thanara. I could not lie to Orik. Lying is anathema for a priestess of Sarenrae. I do not believe he will tell your father. And if you are truly worried he might... Well, there is a way to ensure his silence, if he is willing. I can place a geas on him forbidding him to speak of it to anybody.”
”You had to use my name!?!? Couldn’t leave me anonymous?” she says as quietly as she can manage, given that she feels like her whole world is collapsing in around her.
This is it! This is how father finds out. And then he is going to kill me. Lisavet. Savah. Who knows who else before he’s through!?!?
Bethana approaches with Thanara’s brunch, and asks ”Everythin’ alright, hun?”
Thanara puts on as much of a facade as she can muster. ”Yes, certainly. Just a bit of unfortunate news is all. May I also have a glass of wine?” she asked.
Lisa lowers her eyes. ”I’m sorry, Thanara. But if I hadn’t told him, he might have found out another way. And he certainly would not have been as accepting of things then. This was the right thing to do.”
The more Lisavet tried to make it seem alright, the more of a sinking feeling she felt in her gut. To the point she started feeling nauseous. Bethana poured the wine and and when she left, Thanara pushed the food in front of Lisavet. ”Here…I need some air…” she mutters and drops a couple coins on the table as she slides out of the booth.
Lisa sighs and chases after Thanara. "You know, I can't understand how you can stare down a lamia without blinking an eye, but you are so afraid of your father! You can't keep living your life like this. You are going to have to stand up to him sooner or later."
Thanara wheels on Lisavet when she catches up to her in the alley. ”Because it is different! The monsters we have faced, they were trying to kill me! My father…he’s…he’s just trying to teach me a lesson. He wants the best for me, deep down. I know it…” she counters.
"Oh, Thanara! Can you not see that your father is manipulating you? He has you living your life in fear! You deserve better than that! You deserve to live free from him!"
She shakes her head. ”Losa! I don’t wanna talk about this! It’s my life, and…and…and you don’t know everything! And,” she looks around anxiously ”Lets just drop it, okay? I can’t be seen arguing like this! I…I’m running for mayor now!”
"Mayor?!? Why?" Lisa asks, dumbfounded.
”What? So hard to believe?” Thanara asks, but then her brow furrows as a darker thought hits her. ”You…you don’t think I can, do you?” as she pulls her back from the priestess.
She holds her hands up as the thought consumes her mind. ”Fine. Whatever. Good to know just what you think of me!” she fumes as tears fill her eyes and she turns to walk away.
”What? Thanara!” Lisa all but shouts as the sorceress tries to run off again. ”I do not know why you have such a low opinion of yourself! But it does not become you to project that upon me! If you want to be the mayor of Sandpoint, then there is no doubt in my mind that you will be a brilliant mayor. But is that something that you want? Because I have never heard you express any political ambitions before. It seems like something that a certain somebody else would push you into doing. And you deserve better than that.”
The priestess shakes her head. ”I love you, Thanara. I wish you could be able to love yourself.”
Thanara wheeled around and seethes ”Be quiet!” with tear filled eyes. ”Just drop it, okay?”
She folds her arms across her stomach as she tries to settle down, wanting to change the subject before anyone else finds out. ”You going to be at Miss Savah’s tonight?” she asks as she looks from the ground to Lisavet.
Lisa meets Thanara's teary gaze, her eyes conveying a mixture of concern and regret. "I don't know. But right now, I need to get back to the cathedral. I'll be there if you need me. I will pray for you, Thanara."
Lisa does not go to Savah's that night, in fact. Thanara's unwillingness to help herself weighs heavily on the cleric's heart, so Lisa decides to keep her distance from the sorceress until Thanara is ready to face the truth. She splits her time between the cathedral at day and Orik's at night, submitting to the warrior's rough and largely selfish efforts at lovemaking. At least it's something to take her mind off the person she'd rather be with...
Five days later, Snow finally arrives in Sandpoint. She finds the town abuzz with activity, and anybody on the street can tell her that today is the big debate in the race for the position of Sandpoint's mayor. For the first time since the ill-fated Swallowtail Festival, a party atmosphere has taken over the town. The square outside Sandpoint Cathedral is filled with food vendors, musicians, and other entertainment to entice the public to come out and listen to the candidates' speeches. The crowd seems roughly evenly split in their support--most of the older citizens support Mayor Deverin's bid for re-election, while the younger folk lean heavily towards Thanara. Whatever the outcome, surely it will set the course for Sandpoint's future...
Snow, naturally, goes looking for the woman of the hour. Although she is now noticeable in Sandpoint, thanks to her new look, fame and vastly increased confidence no-one goes out of their way to talk to her apart from a couple of children, who are excited about the fair but unclear as to its cause, and Nishka, who hasn't left her house yet today.
Thus when she actually finds Thanara she's not entirely sure what's going on, or why the sorceress is so nervous.
"What's on?" She asks simply. "You are nervous. Why?"
Snow finds Thanara at the brook where she had played tag with her, brooding silently. She turns her head at Snow’s voice, smiled weakly, then turns it back to the water where her bare feet dangle, the water gently tickling her toes.
”Because everyone thinks I’m a fool. Or that I’m just some pawn for their own game. Or too feeble minded to accomplish anything of my own,” she sighs. Without looking back over her shoulder, she asks ”You here to tell me more of the same?” as she raises a foot and watches the water drop off her foot.
"Why?" Snow asks, pulling off her boots and rolling up her trousers to join Thanara, dangling her feet in the brook. "Why say that? You do something? Need any help?"
”I’m running for mayor. So far, everyone I’ve told has treated me like I can’t. Or that I’m gonna be used. Like I’m too weak or dumb,” she says as she stares at her toes in the water. ”Maybe they’re right…”
"Good." Snow says simply. "You will be good. Sandpoint needs change."
She sits in silence for a while, waiting for Thanara to speak again. When the sorceress doesn't Snow puts a warm hand over Thanara's pale one. "How can I help?"