Universe: heirloom gems
Setting: fantasy / medieval
Format: short stories
Index:
1. Casanova remix
2a. / 2b. Smooth like stone
3. Claimed by Fire
4. Druid wanted, Druid needed.
5. The price of vanity
-----
1. Casanova remix
-----
Jean was bored. Not that this was something new. It was another private
lecture. Her family was prestigious and merchants for a few
generations. As the oldest child, it was her duty one day to carry on
the family tradition and trade.
Hence the endless string of private teachers and tutors throughout her
childhood. At first, she thought this lecture might be different but it
was a rehash of something everyone knew. "Heirloom gems" as they were
commonly known were once created first by a mage under duress. The gems
could bond to a person. They then would gain knowledge and skill
alongside their wearers. Once handed over to a new wearer they would
gradually share their stored knowledge with the new bonded one. Handed
down from generation to generation these could acquire knowledge and
power rivaling of the biggest libraries and pass it on in just a few
years. Wielders of gems could become powerful fast. Maybe humankind was
lucky that heirloom gems were quite rare.
"Are you listening to me, young lady?" huffed the old sorcerer the
family hired for her today's lecture.
"Yes, Mister. Of course. I was only thinking of the implications.
Please move on."
The teacher looked as if he might not believe her completely.
"Ok well. Where was I? Ok now listen to me, young lady. There are some
properties not everyone is aware. Did you know that gems can not only
store knowledge but also behavior? No? Thought so. Well, they mainly
store knowledge and skill but the older a gem gets the stronger it is.
Learning and sharing faster. For about 2 hundred years we noticed that
old gems could store and share behaviors. Just now some academics claim
that they see some of the oldest gems learn to store and alter body
features. If true that could alter how we use these gems forever."
The old guy droned on and on. Jean was in thoughts, though. About the
implications of what she learned but also why would her parents hire
someone to tell her about heirloom gems. As far as she knew her family
didn't own one. Her mind was racing. She couldn't wait for the lecture
to end.
Jean waited patiently while the butler pulled back the chair for her.
It was afternoon and she had joined her parents for tea. Taking a seat
she endured all the procedures and normal fussing. When they finally
were alone she couldn't hold back anymore.
"So what heirloom gem did we get?"
Her mother gave a smug look to her father.
"Told you she would figure it out."
Her father held back a chuckle and looked at jean.
"We don't know princess. It is one of the lost gems. Sadly they don't
come with a manual. Could have belonged to an adventurer or to a
sorcerer. But here is where you come in. As you learned today gems bind
best to young people. We think we could build up the gem to support our
family in the future generations. But it has to start somewhere. But
it's up to you. You learned today of the risks and we don't know even
know what gem we have. So think carefully."
Jean nodded and the afternoon tea continued. Again Jean was deep in
thought.
A few days later jean joined her parents in the main office. Her father
opened a small wooden box. In there a small teal gem shone. Without
much preamble Jean took it, unbuttoned her shirt and pressed the gem
onto her chest. Slowly it sank half into her skin. Now it was time to
wait and see what knowledge the gem would offer her.
Chloe was, as always, talking about boys. Jean listened only halfway.
She tipped on the gem through her blouse like so often in the past
days. A strange habit she developed. Every time she wondered if the gem
would even work she slightly pushed it as if she wanna say come on
hurry up and do something.
"How do you like guys who wear their hair in a ponytail Jean? I find
them hot. Ya know like shoulder length and bound with a little string
or bow. Like the Coldwater lad wears."
That brought Jean back. Something picked her interest. She gathered her
hair and tied it back into a ponytail.
"Like this?" she asked.
"Ah, Jean stop teasing. And your hair's too long anyways" Jean was a
bit miffed but kept the ponytail anyways.
Later in the evening, Jean was before her mirror. She was fussing
around with her clothing and her hair.
Something isn't right, but what?
Again she gathered her hair in a ponytail like Chloe had described.
Idly she wondered how much Chloe really liked it on her. Shorter hair
she said. Jean didn't really notice that she picked up a pair of
scissor till she was holding its blades against her hair.
I shouldn't she thought.
Women wear their hair long and open in today's age. Going short would
make her certainly stand out. And she wouldn't like that right? The
short sound of her scissors slicing through her hair brought her back.
"Oh my gosh, I really did it! What will my parents say? But I must
admit it kinda looks better," she thought to herself.
She decided to just tell her parents something happened to her hair
overnight and she had to cut it out. Again she started to fuss over her
clothing.
She didn't have big breasts, maybe B-cup, but suddenly she was worried
that they might still grow. After all, she was only 16. She fussed
around some more till she had an idea. She removed her blouse and
pulled some white scarfs out of her dresser. Binding them tightly over
her breasts flattened them good.
It was a bit tight but she could endure. She wondered if wearing the
scarfs would hinder her breast growth. She again returned to the mirror
and looked at herself.
"Better. Hmm, I wonder if Chloe would like me more now. Wait where did
that thought come from?"
Shaking her head she got herself ready for bed. When she did fall
asleep her hair was still bound, as were the scarves around her chest.
It was a few days later that Jean was seeing Chloe again. Jean was
really excited. In the past few days she was busy, but also a bit
naughty. Her wardrobe expanded by a few pieces stolen from her brother.
She was caught by their young maid. Jean still couldn't believe that a
quick kiss on her lips and a "You won't tell don't cha?" worked.
So far the maid kept quiet. Though now and then Jean spotted the maid
stealing glances at her and quickly the blushes that followed. Somehow
Jean got excited by that.
Bringing her thoughts back to today she looked in her mirror. She wore
her brothers pants and his shirt. Her tightly bound breasts were only
barely to make out. Her hair was roughed out a bit and bound back. It
surprised her still a bit but she had to admit she was resembling a
handsome young man.
Maybe a bit on the androgynous side, but that made herself a bit more
attractive too, she thought. She exited her room and walked over to the
nearby maid. Slowly she encased the maid's waist from behind and pulled
her close. From behind she whispered into her ear.
"When my family comes back tomorrow they won't hear a thing from today
right?"
The maid blushed deeply red and gave a slight nod. Jean loved it. She
didn't know how, but she just knew how to press the buttons on the
women around her. She rather liked the feeling.
"Be a dear and bring miss Chloe into the garden when she arrives."
Jean didn't wait for the reply. Somehow she knew the maid would nod and
blush more. If that was even possible. She walked onward to the garden
and to prepare herself. It wasn't long before the maid did lead Chloe
out. Chloe looked confused before recognition set in.
"Jean? Wow, I barely..."
She stood speechless before Jean.
"Do you like it? Can I pass as one of your lads you lust after?"
Cloe still couldn't talk, but gave a small nod. Her eyes widened and
she blushed when she noticed that she had just admitted in a way to be
attracted to Jean. She was about to clarify, but Jean quickly hushed
her. Moving closer, she gently moved Chloe's chin up just as she wanted
to look away embarrassed.
Now or never Jean thought and moved in.
Her lips meet Chloe's. First tenderly but soon with passion. Chloe
melted in her arms. She looked up at Jean with frightened eyes, but
also a hungry need in it. Jean complied. With expert hands, she
undressed her. She didn't know how she was doing it so expertly but
caught in the moment she didn't care.
Her hands roamed Chloe's body. Undressing her and caressing the smooth
skin she exposed. Soon her hands found Cloe's inner sanctum. She hadn't
much experience pleasuring herself, but with Chloe she just knew what
to do. Stifling her moans by pressing her lips onto Cloe just as she
was climaxing. Both caught their breath.
Though every time Chloe started to talk Jean would cut her off with
deep passionate kisses which lead to another round of steamy
lovemaking. After the fourth time, they started to dress themselves.
At last, Jean pulled her close and whispered.
"Our little secret right?"
Chloe gave a shy nod and headed out. The blush never left her face.
Jean grinned. She just had her way with her best friend of 2 years and
it felt so good. Despite being the instigator she didn't cum. Somehow
the 'conquest' in itself fulfilled her more.
Whistling she headed towards her room but didn't come very far. She
spotted the maid hidden behind one of the big decorative pots. Jean
smelt something that reminded her of the thrust with Chloe just now:
arousal.
She moved close and neither of them said anything. She beckoned the
maid even closer with a wink of her finger. Then she gave the maid a
kiss while her hand snaked down quickly under the maid's skirt. Sure
enough, the maid was soaking wet.
"Did you watch us?"
The maid gave a shy nod.
"Did you cum yet?"
The maid gave a slight shake of her head. Jean looked deep into the
maid's eyes.
"I can't believe I failed for so long to ask but dear what's your
lovely name?"
The maid needed a moment to gather herself, till there came a hesitant
"A-anna Miss."
Jean grinned. Slowly her hand moved upward from the maid's lap. Tracing
her silhouette up her stomach, then chest, handling her arm till she
was holding Anna's hand.
"Well, Anna I think we should get to know each other a little better
right?" Gently she did lead the maid to her chambers.
"After all, you can never have enough conquests right?"
Jean thought to herself.
Down at the docks, a young man was getting drunk. He had lost it. The
one and only heirloom gem named "Casanova". Passed down from one player
and womanizer to the next.
"I wonder who has the gem now."
-----
2a. Smooth like stone
-----
Nia was scared. She was deep in the lair of the medusa. The medusa was
old and quite cunning. She had already gotten the rest of Nias group.
"How could the medusa even hunt?" she asked herself.
The medusa had been hunted before. But the adventurer group back then
had spared her seeing that the creature had blinded herself on purpose
and never attacked anyone before. That changed a few weeks back.
No one knew how the medusa could regain her eyesight and the ability to
petrify her victims. Nia continued to explore the cave system she was
in. Now in near darkness, it was like a labyrinth. Just as she reached
the mouth of a big cavern a noise startled her.
Instinctively she looked only to freeze. Quite literally. She couldn't
move anymore. Was it the chill of the stone creeping up her limbs or
the dreaded medusa just inches away from her.
"What a fine prey I caught. I am looking forward to playing with you."
Nia saw the medusa moving away. With her, the rest of the lights faded.
Unmoving she could only think about one thing.
"She was still blinded! How could she turn me to stone?"
Nia had lost track of time. Frozen in stone and surrounded by darkness
there wasn't much she could do but to think. She did go through every
spell she knew more than once. Well, actually more than a dozen times.
None would help.
And if she was honest she wasn't the best sorceress in regards to
casting spells without incantation or gestures. Both taken away by her
being stone.
But she had still hope. On her chest half buried in her stony flesh was
a different type of stone: an heirloom gem. Passed time and time again,
from Sorceress who mastered their trade to their apprentices. It was
lastly bestowed upon Nia.
With time and luck, there might surface a spell to free her. But it was
a faint hope. Sure there was a "stone to flesh" spell. The cure to the
"flesh to stone" curse. But everyone knew medusae used their own
natural magic to trap their prey. Till then Nia could only wait and
practice her incantation-less magic.
Time flew by. Nia made progress. Now and then she could summon a magic
light. The easiest of all spells. One day as one of her lights faded
Nia was confused as she could still see slightly.
Her surroundings became brighter and brighter, till finally the medusa
and her light slipped into her view.
"Hmm, I nearly had forgotten about you. What a shame that would be,"
the medusa mused to herself.
Then the medusa murmured something and suddenly Nia was cold. Then
chilly air caressed normal human skin. Nia was puzzled. Though she was
freed she hadn't moved at all. It took concentration but finally she
got her arm to lower and to drop the remains of the torch she was
carrying. She looked slowly up and saw an equally puzzled medusa
looking back.
"You are a strange one, aren't you? Normally when I release someone
they try to charge me. Very curious."
Nia heard but outwardly she didn't show any sign that she did. Her body
was still pretty much frozen only to be moved slightly by the sheer
force of her will. Nia tried to answer but it was hard too. In the end
a barely breathed "How?" escaped her slightly moving lips.
"How what my dear? That you can't move well? I don't know. I have never
seen something like that."
Again Nia concentrated on pushing another word out: "Blind."
The medusa furrowed her eyebrows but then looked delighted.
"Ah! You want to know how a blinded one of my kind can trap someone. Oh
dear, the answer is simple: magic! You see sometimes a medusa is born
that can do more magic than the natural to their kind. They can learn
spells of mankind. It was hard, I admit, but once I had my hands on a
spell-book it was easier. But I needed time. I already knew I could see
through magic. With my gorgon gaze making me a target, it became a
liability. So I blinded myself and once adventurers found me it was
easy to plead my innocence. From then on I could study in peace. My
magic grew and eventually I learned a most peculiar spell: the flesh to
stone curse. It took me a while longer but I learn the other way around
too."
Nia would have facepalmed herself. It was the normal one. She could
have freed herself if she would have thought of it and actually tried
to cast it. But outward she barely moved. It was as if her body thought
she was still made of stone.
"Come now my dear. Let's talk somewhere more pleasant."
The medusa started to move but as she looked back she saw Nia still
standing still. Neither fleeing or following.
"Oh right," she muttered.
"You have this little trouble moving right?"
She plucked Nia of the ground with surprisingly strong arms and carried
her away. Nia couldn't protest as she was still stiff as a plank even
while being manhandled.
Back in the part of the cave system that was the medusa's lair Nia was
put down. Around her were a dozen of statues. Unmoving as she was she
could have been one of them if it wasn't for her flesh instead of
stone. They continued their talk or what might count as such. The
medusa was delighted to have someone who wouldn't attack her by first
chance.
She was quite chatty. Nia, on the other hand, was still limited and
barely gave now and then a word or two. She was still trying to figure
out how she was free but still couldn't escape.
After a while, the medusa was getting bored. She moved over to Nia and
started posing her. To both their surprise it was very easy and to
Nia's dismay she couldn't fight it much. Barely at all. The medusa got
more creative as she experimented on. Changing Nia's pose time and time
again. Sometimes they were normal. Other times it was a pose as if she
was in the midst of a battle. Others were quite lewd or even outright
scandalous. At last, she found herself bend over with her hands between
her legs and her fingers spreading her own nether lips. The shocked
face she wore was more or less her own making. Before she could gather
her mental strength to shift to a less lewd pose she heard the medusa.
"I am getting tired. Let's play more tomorrow. Good night."
Nia felt once more her skin as it turned to stone. She cursed as loud
as she could. Mentally that is.
The days flew by. But not in the way Nia was used to. Sometimes the
medusa would pose her over and over again. Sometimes Nia was caressed
by her. Though she couldn't tell what was more pleasant. To feel her
fingers roam over flesh or over stone.
Other days the medusa would simply stare at her for hours. Slowly Nia
got used to it. Even the lewd poses. More so she felt a sense of peace
to grow. She was clearly the center of the medusas collection. Cared
for. Admired. It took some time but Nia got addicted. The thoughts
about escape became fewer and fewer.
"Rescue" comes sometimes at those moments you least expect it. Or as
Nia had to admit when you at least want them to happen. She had been
awake when the adventurers found the lair.
The medusa hadn't. It was over before it really started, and the medusa
was slain quickly.
She wanted to yell. She wanted to be free. But with a heavy heart, she
had to admit she wanted the medusa back. Her admirer. Her artist. And
in some regard her lover. Though frozen as she was she couldn't even
cry and no tears did slide down her cheeks.
Helpless she had to watch it unfold. In the end, she and the other
statues were transported away. For the first time in so long, she saw
the sun. It didn't last long.
She ended up in a big warehouse. Later she overheard workers there. All
around her were statues. All of them victims of gorgon gazes. Again she
cursed her silences. Days did go by and she was gathering dust.
Finally, after a long time, she worked again on her skills to do magic
while being frozen. If no one would free her then she had to do it
herself after all.
Days moved by. Years even. To Nia, it is just time. Something that
doesn't concern her. Now and then she gets dusted off. Not as carefully
as by her medusa. Oh, how she misses her. Then one day it finally
worked. She hadn't really expected it to work this time. Though she
could feel the cool air on her and the coarse fabric draped over her
for modesty she still couldn't move. It was hard. It took more
concentration than before. After a long day, she got slightly better.
After so much training she was exhausted and wondered what to do now.
Sleep standing up? A slight grin showed on her face. She knew what she
had to do and she was well aware of the irony. It took her 3 tries but
finally it worked. Her skin once more smooth stone. Somehow relieved
she drifted off to sleep.
Progress. Every day a bit more. Her magic got better. Soon she didn't
need more that one tries to turn back. Her movement improved too. Was
it a month later that she managed to move freely? But on the other
hand, she still was a bit lost. So long she dreamed of freedom. Now
that she had it she didn't know what to do with herself.
Day after day she brooded what to do. Sometimes in flesh. Other times
in stone. But at least she could enjoy a few new poses.
It happened on one of those days the statues were dusted off. One of
the workers noticed her changed posture. Quickly he scrambled off.
-----
2b. Smooth like stone part 2
-----
Jace was annoyed. He was an up and coming magician. And as it was
custom, those who sought favors with the higher ups, took over projects
no one else wanted. Like his current side posting in the project to
cure gorgon gazes. Not that it would go anywhere. Everyone knew it was
impossible to cure.
And now this one helper, a lad from a nearby village, swore one of the
statues moved. What an absurd notion. But just to be sure he followed
the agitated boy. Jace was taken by surprise. The statue in question
was beautiful. She clearly stood out. Around her, the other statues
were in movement. Taken as scenes cut out of battles.
But the beauty before him posed sensually. As if she hadn't a care in
the world. Jace knew at once he had to have her. Moving or not this
pearl had to be rescued out of this dreadful warehouse.
"Lad you did well. I see no movement but potential I see. I will take
her to my workshop and see what I can do."
Jace grinned. Maybe the day hadn't been so bad after all.
The worker placed the statue gently in Jace's workshop. Between the
beauty of the statue and that of his maid, he might have been
invisible. He grinned as the worker was lead out. He knew too well what
the worker would tell. That womanizer of Jace got a fitting statue to
his 'hobby'.
Jace didn't mind as he carefully had cultivated this image. Though it
wasn't that far off. He really liked women, but a mage was always busy
and sometimes his 'hobby' had to draw the short straw. So everything
that might further his reputation was a plus.
Caitlin, his maid, returned.
"Pretty. But how much did your eccentricity cost us this time?"
Jace grinned. She only talked like this when they were alone. To
everyone else, Caitlin was just a beauty that Jace had conquered.
Nothing could be further away. Caitlin was smart and had Jace respect.
The only skirt he didn't dare to chase.
If she would have just a little more talent he would make her his
apprentice. But still, in private he valued her and her sharp wit. And
after all, he knew too well that men might lose their cool close to a
pretty girl like her.
"I paid nothing, my dear. You see this damsel in distress is waiting to
be rescued. She is an unfortunate victim of a gorgon gaze."
Raising an eyebrow Caitlin got nearer and looked upon the statue up
close.
"She doesn't look like she is in distress to me. Where was she caught
by the medusa? At a moonlight bathing?"
She patted Jace on the shoulder.
"Well good luck curing her gorgon gaze affliction. We both know no one
has done that before. Meanwhile, you can count on me to keep her dust
free."
Chuckling she headed off. Jace didn't mind. He was used to her ribbing.
In fact, it was on of the things about her he rather liked. Turning
back he studied the statue in detail. He traced every detail. One stood
out rather quick. A slight bump on her chest. Carefully looking it over
until he muttered to himself.
"Could it be an heirloom gem? One of the lost ones?"
His curiosity was caught. Quickly he headed to his library.
Nia was furious. With whom she couldn't tell. She was caught. Well more
or less. And just when she was posing a bit more lewdly. What was she
thinking? Then there was this magician. Young he looked. And quite
arrogant to boot. Her 'knight in shining armor'. HA! That he had a
sexpot of a maid didn't help his image in her mind of him.
Well, she got out of the warehouse in a way. At least that was
something. Not that she had been truly trapped there. However, once she
was in his workshop she had to review her opinion.
The magician wasn't as stupid as she first thought. And from the
equipment around she gathered he was quite advanced. On top of it, the
'sexpot' of a maid didn't act like one. Quite the opposite. She mused
that in the past time she made quite a lot of mistakes and overlooked a
lot. Recent was a good term. Nia couldn't even say how old she was.
How many years or decades did she spend as a statue? Or had it been
even centuries? And last, but not least, the magician needed one good
look and saw her heirloom gem. She had all but forgotten about it as it
was a part of her for so long. But now her mind raced.
It would explain so much. The time as statue had overridden much of the
original gem. Imprinted was now the knowledge and behavior of a statue.
How to be unmoving. How to feel to be admired. The need to be posed and
to be left in stasis.
After all these years something awoke in her nearly forgotten since her
days as an apprentice: curiosity.
Was it really the gem? She had to find out. A quick spell later and
once again she was made out of flesh. The undoing of the fusing of the
gem from her took longer than she had thought. For a moment it felt
strange to be without it. Then she stared at the gem in her hand. Had
it really been the gem that had doomed her? Or was it what saved her?
Her musing was broken by faint steps coming up the stairs. Quickly Nia
posed herself. She straightened up and took a pose showing her proud.
One arm raised and offering the gem. Just as the door open the last of
her skin turned to gray smooth stone. The maid didn?t step very far
into the room. Nia had to once again to revise her opinion of the maid.
She had quickly noticed Nia?s changed posture. But her reaction was
curious. She wasn?t scared or so. Nia felt how she was studied
carefully from afar. The maid slipped out of the room as quietly as she
had entered.
?Jace the statue has moved.?
Jace chuckled.
?You know the lad that found her told the same joke.?
?Jace.?
Caitlin repeated slowly and seriously.
?She has moved.?
Jace looked up as he heard the seriousness of her voice. In her pretty
face was not a hint of humor. A split second later Jace was up and
running. Sprinting to his workshop. He burst through the door and
immediately saw that Caitlin was right.
There she stood proudly and if she was offering something. As he
stepped closer, he saw the milky gem that decorated her chest earlier
in her hand. Curiously he tried to address her, but she neither reacted
or talked back.
When it got later he retired to his chamber. The gem still in his hand.
He could feel the magic and power. Without a doubt, he knew he was
holding an heirloom gem. With thoughts about its power, he drifted off
to sleep.
Nia knew she had to be patient. The mage and his maid did take their
sweet time. He didn?t fuseto the gem right away as Nia had hoped. No,
he rather studied the archives in hope to identify the gem first. After
all, there were some gems who could be quite harmful. Meanwhile, Nia
had her fun. Each night, when no one was around, she changed poses.
Sometimes playful ones, other times naughty one. But most often she had
a teasing stand as if to say ?Dude are you really fearing the gem??
The magician was often not amused, but she caught him time and time
again admiring her beauty. The maid, on the other hand, became Nia?s
favorite of sorts. Her silky feathery duster was pure pleasure. Surely
Nia didn?t have to be dusted off every day, not that she minded. Quite
often she thought she could see a slight smirk on the maid's face.
Betraying her and hinting that she was knowing well what she did to
Nia.
Jace was staring at the gem in his hand. Weeks of research but no trace
of a milky white gem. Lost gem or not this gem surely would reveal
itself only by being worn. Again he glanced over to the statue and yet
another mocking pose. New determination filled him. He shouted for
Caitlin and when she arrived he said.
?So yeah I'm gonna do it. I have to try this gem. We both know gems can
be dangerous. If you see any behavior that might fit a harmful behavior
tell me immediately. You should know as well as I that wearers of gems
sometimes don?t even notice it until it is too late.?
Caitlin gave a silent and serious nod. Now it was the time of truth.
Jace opened his shirt and fused the gem to his chest. Both looked as if
anything would happen but only silence followed.
?Well...? Jace finally said. ?Gems are working slowly. We are probably
expecting a bit too much right away.?
They both resumed their respective work, but Jace couldn?t help to
sneak now and then a peak of the gem and his reflection in the mirror.
Caitlin noticed a few changes pretty fast. For example that he spend so
much time in front of the mirror. Sure he had always been vain, but now
it was a bit more. Often she found him admiring his own reflection
while barely moved. Was he striking poses? It was hard to tell.
Other quirk were even harder to notice. Was he shaving less often? Did
he shake his hips a little more while moving? He also got quieter and
more patient. Something that never had been his strongest side, to
begin with.
And he looked younger. While no one could usually tell his age of 35,
now everyone would guess he was in his early twenties. But something
was off. He looked softer than Caitlin remembered. His face maybe a bit
rounder? His cheekbones a bit higher?
One day she noticed something was strange. Jace was standing yet again
in front of the mirror. Unmoving. Caitlin could barely tell that Jace
was still breathing. He had his shirt unbuttoned and was posed as if he
found something confusing on his chest. As Caitlin looked as well she
spotted 2 slightly butting breasts and nipples she was sure never were
so puffy.
Something was wrong. She tried to speak but no words left her mouth. A
curse of silence her mind noted. She tried to shake Jace awake but soft
hands pulled her back. There behind her was the statue. But she wasn?t
of stone anymore. A young beautiful girl pulled her back and patted on
the bench behind them. Caitlin sat down beside the girl. The girl
leaned over and whispered in her ear.
?It won?t be long now. She is so very close now. Can you tell? Watch.?
Jace stared at his reflection. For how long now he couldn?t tell. It
was strange. A puzzle in itself. He had noticed some changes about
himself. But this was something new. Breasts. Without a doubt. Small
still but growing. Was he becoming a woman? Why? Then his thoughts
turned to the statue. How long had she worn the gem? How much had she
imprinted it? Jace wanted answers. But he was afraid of them at the
same time.
I should remove the gem now he thought. But his body didn?t move. Why
was it so hard? Then a new thought made his guts run cold.
Did she imprint the gorgon gaze curse too?
His mind raced. He needed a way out before the curse hit him. But
without removing the gem he would turn to stone one way or another.
"That's it!" he thought.
"If I am already stone the curse can?t affect me. And a flesh to stone
spell can be dispelled. At least this will buy me time."
Jace gathered his magic and soon enough stone spread over his body. The
crisis averted, for now, his mind finally found peace. His gaze was
still on his bodies reflection. He didn?t know why but seeing himself
as smooth stone turned him on.
"It?s ok to admire myself for a bit. After all, I have now quite some
time."
Caitlin gasped.
?Why did you turn him into stone??
Nia couldn?t help but smirk.
?I didn?t. She did cast the spell herself.?
Caitlin was taken aback. Did he really? But another question escaped
her mouth first.
?Why do you call him a ?her???
Nia didn?t answer at first. She stood up and gently pulled Caitlin to
the statue. She then traced the budding breasts on Jace with her
fingers. Chuckling she ask.
?How many men do you know that grew breasts??
Caitlin had more questions but she was gently shushed by Nia.
?Don?t worry. She will return when she is ready. For now, the best way
you can serve her is how you cared for me. And believe me that duster
of yours. She will love it. But for now, it?s time to wait.?
Nia quickly walked over to the place she spends so much time as a
statue. She gave a last wink at Caitlin and once more turned to smooth
stone.
Jace was furious. That girl was alive. Well, he knew that before. But
he saw her in the flesh. What nonsense she was spouting. But all
throughout he was helpless. He sighted. Mentally that is. Days started
to go by and Jace still wasn?t finding a solution.
Worse, while he stopped the gorgon gaze, his body still continued to
change. Maybe even faster than before. He could see all the details as
Caitlin had cut away all the clothing pieces. How his breasts filled
out and his hips too. His waist that melted away and became smaller and
smaller. His arms and legs as they became small and dainty. But worst
of all was his proud member. Slowly sinking away till it merged with
him. Not long after his vagina formed. Reluctantly he had to admit he
was a she now.
Now and then Caitlin did come by and disrupted her thoughts. She didn?t
know if she should praise or curse that duster. It was oh so pleasant.
Jace had to admit if Caitlin did hit her just right she got the most
amazing orgasm. Though she luckily could only admit it to herself.
One day was different. Jace saw the girl and Caitlin before her.
?Well, I don?t think we still can call her Jace. Thoughts?? she asked
Caitlin.
?Hmm, how about Joyce? It?s still close to the original, but I kinda
like it.?
?Joyce it is.?
Great. They renamed me without my input. Hmm, Joyce. Yeah, I kinda like
it.
But this was only the first of many embarrassments. Her sweet torture
started now in earnest. The girl quickly developed the habit to tease
her every day. She would caress Joyce or would pose alongside her.
Sometimes she turned to stone while still played with Joice. How
delicious it was as the last feeling of her caress would linger. Joyce
would surely be wet as the girl froze herself while kissing her nipple,
hadn?t she been petrified herself.
Day after day did go by, just as pleasure and frustration did too.
One day Joyce had enough. The girl was teasing her again.
Soon she will turn herself to stone again. I know her antics well
enough by now. Well, today it is my turn.
She did strike while the girl was shifting positions. The flesh to
stone spell caught her by surprise. Joyce was mentally patting herself.
But not for long. Soon she was flesh again, smiling wickedly.
How could it be? It hadn?t been the gorgon gaze but the flesh to stone
spell. Yes, she somehow had broken the gaze but why would it work on
the spell too? Unless...
Joyce dispelled her own petrification.
?It was never the gorgon gaze was it??
Now the girl laughed.
?No honey. It never was.?
Joyce couldn?t believe it. All this time lost. All the changes to her
body. She let it be because of a flawed thinking. She facepalmed
herself hard, only to be frozen as her hand hit her face.
?Ha! Caught ya back. Time to meet each other officially. I am Nia.?
Joyce unfroze herself again and rubbed her head. Then she shook the
offered hand.
?Joyce.?
?Duh silly. I named you. Remember? Well, Caitlin did.?
Both chuckled.
?So what now?? Joyce asked.
Nia pulled her in close.
?Now we enjoy ourselves."
Caitlin blushed as she entered the workshop. In front of the mirror,
two statues were caught in the throws of passion. Now and then one
would turn back to flesh and to slightly shift a bit. Only to turn back
to stone again a moment later. Caitlin shook her head.
Well, at least mistress is moving again she thought.
Over the next days, she witnessed the slowest lovemaking two humans
ever had. Often she had to excuse herself and vanished into her room to
fulfill her own needs.
Joyce was breathing hard, as was Nia. Both looked at each other.
?That was amazing," Joyce remarked.
?Yeah. So much better when you have a partner.?
?Hmm, why didn?t you tell me what was happening at the start??
Nia didn?t think long to gather her answer.
?Well, I had to figure it out myself too. So why should you have it
easier that I had? And to be honest it kinda turned me on. You slowly
changing. It was hot.?
That gave Joyce to think. How would it be to watch someone else to be
ensnared by the gem. Her fingers moved up where the gem was still
sunken in her skin. She slowly released it from herself. Staring at the
gem in her delicate fingers she started to grin.
?Caitlin?? Nia softly asked. Joyce shook her head.
?I know her well enough. She wouldn?t. But I think she will help us.
Come here and mirror what I do.?
Joyce knelled down and spread her legs slightly. Nia followed. Then
Joyce slid beneath Nia so both would scissor each other. With her right
hand, she pulled Nia at her waist close and felt Nia?s left hand do the
same. Then she moved her left arm up as if she was offering the gem to
someone. As Nia mirrored it Jayce moved her arm closer and the gem was
now resting on both palms of the girls together.
?Not yet," Joyce whispered.
She started to slightly grind her pussy on Nia?s leg. Nia didn?t
hesitate long and started as well. Both soon moaned in delight. Nia was
the first who came. Quickly Joyce petrified her. She too was close and
ground herself more against the cold smooth stone between her legs.
Just as the orgasm took her over she too turned to stone. Nia had found
just the right moment too.
Caitlin couldn?t believe her eyes. In the workshops both her mistress
were petrified in throws of passion. They were kneeling and yet
grinding at each other. Or had, as they didn?t move anymore. What
scared, but also excited Caitlin was the offering. On the palms of both
girls was the heirloom gem. As if it was waiting to be picked up.
Caitlin knew though she wasn?t ready yet to join her mistresses.
Yet every time she entered the workshop they were still there. They
hadn?t moved at all. They were waiting after all. Caitlin knew she
needed a plan or soon the urge might get too strong. Luckily Caitlin
was a smart girl and a plan formed.
?So I get it all that for free?? the young mage asked.
?Of course,? Caitlin replied.
?It was written in my late master's will that I was to pass this abode
and my service on to a young mage that showed promise.?
Smiling she leads him on to the workshop. The young mage's eyes nearly
popped out as he saw the lewd statues entwined.
?My late master had a bit of a ?wicked? taste.?
Then the young mage noticed the gem and picked it up.
?Is this an heirloom gem??
?It sure is. It contains all his knowledge. Are you ready to follow his
footsteps??
As the young mage fused them gem onto him both smiled. Although for
quite the different reasons.
-----
3. Claimed by Fire
-----
Sonlas smirked. He just had broken into the most secure place in the
academy: the vault. It had been easier than he thought it would be. It
being in the center of one of the most influential academies for
magicians. To his surprise, he found many traps magically frayed. It
was if someone wanted him to break in.
He didn?t have to search long. In a small wooden box, he found the gem
he was looking for. What it did he didn?t know. But he had overheard
some teacher saying it was powerful and dangerous. The gem was warm in
his hand. It was kinda pretty too. A soft amber color. Quickly Sonlas
fused it to his chest.
"That would teach them," he thought.
He knew he was supposed to be expelled tomorrow. For a soon to be
dropout he was proud that he managed to sneak into the most secure
area. Hastily he made his exit. As much as he wanted to see their dumb
faces when they realized what he had stolen. He didn?t plan to stay
long enough to find out.
The first thing that Remus heard, when he entered the vault, was the
bickering of old Wizards.
?Must have been a mage of the enchanted lakes. Only they are deviant
enough to pull something like this off.?
?Oh don?t make me laugh. Those aren?t much more than street magicians.
No, it was the witches of Ember Cove. I am sure of it.?
Remus ignored them all. Instead, he carefully examined the few traces
of once powerful protection magic. Below it all, nearly lost in the
white noise of the common ebbs and flows of the normal magic, he found
traces of the perpetrator.
His gruff voice cut through the gaggle of the gathered Wizards.
?It was dispelled from within. No doubt about it.?
A storm of questions broke forth. Soon to be silenced by the dean of
the school.
?Remus, what makes you say that? What did you find??
Remus straightened and looked the old man in the eyes.
?Oh yes. Someone broke in. A student of this school. I think Sonlas is
his name.?
?Impossible! That boy has neither the skill nor magic. A few more hours
and we would have kicked him out.?
Remus ignored the outburst of an old teacher.
?He had help. And as I said it came from within this room.?
He raised his hand to stifle more protests.
?It was the gem. Much like it?s bearers it wants to be rescued. If it
takes too long it gives ?fate a little push. In this case, it shredded
most of the protection magic. I take it only the gem is missing??
The dean put a hand on Remus shoulder.
?Yes, old friend. You know what must be done, right??
?All too well. I will start my hunt immediately.?
Remus left with a swiftness. Behind him, he heard a few more arguments.
?If it?s the gem why don?t we just wait near the dragon caves. It will
come to us.?
?Oh don?t be a fool. How much chaos will it leave behind??
Remus shook his head. Once again he had to track down this cursed gem.
He just hoped he would catch up before the time ran out and another
circle completed.
It was 2 weeks later and a lot of lands traveled when Sonlas had to
admit he was in trouble. The amount of problems of his was staggering.
Nearly broke, his voice sounded weird, his ass expanded as if stuffed,
his chest has this 2 puffy areas that rubbed against his shirt and now
someone mistook him for a girl. He was furious.
Angered, he returned to his rented room. Probably his last time for a
while that he could afford one. He stomped over to the polished silver
mirror to find out just how stupid someone had to be to mistake him for
a girl. What he saw in his reflection, it shocked him. He barely
recognized himself. Starring back was less his own and more the face of
a young woman. No wonder he was mistaken as a girl. Stunned he sat down
on his bed and wondered what to do.
Two weeks later he was still doing good. By now he was utterly broke,
but that didn?t hold him back. He quickly discovered that his new
female face was one of those, no one could say no to. A little pale
with a few slight freckles. A nice pouty mouth and deep blue eyes.
Surrounded by quickly growing strawberry blond hair. As much as he was
displeased over his changes, he had to admit he liked the attention
that it brought. And with it the free stuff. He had gotten 3 more days
in the inn by pouting at the innkeeper.
An older wealthy woman took pity and offered him a place in her
carriage. That gave him 8 more days of easy travel. Right now he was
sitting beside an elderly farmer and enjoyed the warm soup his wife
made. They only knew him as MaryAnn.
He quickly developed a game. Find a new name for himself. It had to be
female and delicate. But most of all it had to sound innocent, as to
match his pretty face. He didn?t mind too much that his body became
more and more female too. In fact, he kind looked forward to it. It
certainly would make his hustling easier.
"Lea?" she thought. "Or maybe Diana?"
It was a month since she left the farm and since yesterday she couldn?t
pretend otherwise. Her body was now all female. Not the the most
voluptuous or sexy one. It was rather young and lithe. Fitting her
innocent face. So this time it wasn?t a game. She had to find a name
for real. Idly she wondered if her mind became more innocent too.
Yesterday she was tempted to play with her new body, but just couldn?t
make herself masturbate. It frustrated her to no end. She needed the
high but just couldn?t taint herself like that. Cursing under her
breath she tried again to find a name. Then she was suddenly
distracted. She was sitting in an alcove in a tavern. It would be a
dark corner if it hadn?t been for the candle on her table. The
flickering of the flame now caught her eye. It was a small flame,
though somehow it promised a warmth that she hadn?t known before, yet
now desperately needed.
Slowly her hand reached out, inching towards the flame. Her hand pulled
back of sudden pain, but even more for a strange feeling: pleasure. Raw
and yet pure. It filled her for just a moment. The pain slowly vanished
and she saw the slight burn marks simply vanish. Intrigued she reached
out again. Again it burned. Pain coursed through her but slowly faded.
But the pleasure was rising. Until a sudden moan starlet her. A moan
she had made.
With a guilty look and a strong blush on her face she withdrew her
hand. She knew she had been close to a shattering orgasm. Oh, how she
wanted more. She waited till her hand had healed and then bit her lower
lip. A devious look on her, oh so innocently looking face.
"If I play a damsel, afraid of the dark, just right the innkeeper might
give me a few more candles."
She looked around for the innkeeper, but her gaze stopped on a familiar
figure at the other end of the tavern. He slowly moved towards her. Her
mind raced. She had to find a way to get out. She couldn?t be caught.
Remus sighed and took a swig of the thin ale before him. It had been
weeks since the gem was stolen. He tracked the thief as best as he
could. Never quite catching up. He often ran into dead ends and had to
backtrack. That cost him days. His task also made harder by the fact
that the gem slowly would change its host. By now, Remus was sure, the
thief's body was that of a young innocent looking girl.
He knew only vague details by now. She was blond and blue eyed. That
fit a lot of girls around these parts. For all that he knew, the girl
on the other end of the tavern could be the thief. She looked as lost
as Remus felt. Starring absent minded into a candle.
He was about to avert his eyes when something curious happened.
The girl slowly reached for the candle. Or, to be more precise, the
flame. The look of shock was quite normal as the candle burned her
young flesh. The look of pleasure that followed not so much.
She reached out again and at once Remus knew he had found the thief.
Maybe luck was finally on his side.
He stood up and slowly made his way towards her. He didn?t come very
far. She had looked up and a moment later her gaze riveted on him. He
had been made.
Again he was moved towards her. The girl jumped up and sprinted to a
group of drinking men. He heard hushed talk and the men stood up.
He was close, but not close enough to grab the girl.
?You leave her alone you creep!? yelled one of the drunken men.
Remus muttered a curse. Followed by a spell or two.
After a few heartbeats, it was over. All men around him unconscious or
asleep. Remus was a formidable wizard. Even when he was slightly drunk.
He looked around the mess he had made. Bodies laying all around him. He
looked at each of them but didn?t found the one he was looking for. The
girl was gone. He muttered a curse again and sprinted out of the
tavern.
Maybe she hadn?t been gone too far. Just maybe he still could catch up.
Today she was Erin. Yesterday it had been Chloe. And before were so
many other names. Erin loved her life. Roaming from place to place felt
somehow right. She didn?t know why or what, but she was missing
something. And she was happy to search for it. She also became very
good at playing the damsel in distress. Someone who needed protection.
She usually never traveled alone. A prince charming, heroic protector
or another benevolent person could be most often found by her side.
It also helped her to blend in. To be one step ahead. Now she knew she
was hunted and if she was right it was the most skilled tracker her old
school had.
Today, however, she traveled alone. Sometimes she needed space. As much
as she valued the persons she took advantage of, they very much came
into the way of her secret vice. Fire. She was drawn to it. She needed
it. More and more. This led her today to the clearing of the nearby
woods. She piled firewood higher and higher. Her shaky hands needed a
few tries before her flint and steel ignited the wood. Just as quickly
as the flames leaped up she undressed herself. Then she let herself
fall onto the pile. Pleasure gnawed at her. It ate itself through her
flesh. Reduced her body til only passion remained. She lost herself in
it. Time didn?t matter anymore.
Then she grew cold. Looking around she noticed the ash that covered her
and her surrounding. Below the dark grime, she could see the last of
her flesh heal. It should have frightened her, but it didn?t. She
needed more. She looked through her clothing till she found the flint
and steel. Nothing more. She didn?t need anything else. It was as if
the last act of her depravity had reborn her. But it still was not
enough. She walked away. Searching for something.
At the edge of the forest, something caught her eye. A barn filled with
hay. With resolve, she walked towards it. Ignoring the shouts of nearby
farmers. She didn?t care. Arriving in the barn first she quickly
barricaded the doors. Her eyes did fell on a nearby pile of hay. She
gently laid down on it. Her hand fidgeted again but soon her flint and
steel helped her again to find pleasure. It quickly surrounded her.
Played with every part of her body and being. She didn?t notice or
cared about the inferno around her. The cracking of woodwork around her
nothing but noise. The collapsing roof gave the fire and her passion
only more food.
Hours later the farmers looked at the smoldering ruins. Nothing could
have survived it. Yet they still found the girl. They couldn?t believe
their eyes as her skin was unblemished. She was breathing but no
attempts to wake her bear fruit. In the end, she was picked up and
carried to the locals healer's hut.
The healer tried his best. But he was at a loss what might have
befallen the girl. She showed no injury. The only thing he saw out of
the ordinary was the gem sunken into her chest. The healer often talked
to himself. It helped him think things through.
?I really wonder how she could have survived the fire. It was so hot,
only dragon fire is hotter.?
Did her eyes just flutter? In the end, he thought he must have imagined
it.
Erin didn?t move. She didn?t care enough. The pleasure had been
breathtaking. There couldn?t be anything better. And yet, she needed
more. It just wasn?t enough. Then her ears picked something up. Dragon
fire. She knew it was the solution. The epitome of her longing. How she
didn?t know. But what could be more fitting as a damsel in distress to
be offered as a sacrifice to a dragon. The thought alone made her wet.
Pretending to be asleep, she waited till she was alone. Quietly she
slipped outside and headed back to the woods. She retrieved her cloth.
With new determination, she returned to the road. She ignored the
stares of farmers and peasants along the road.
Remus cursed. Another few days lost on a dead end. Then the news of a
burned down barn and a tale of a miraculous surviving girl.
As fast as he could he made his way there.
As he arrived his fears were validated. She was gone again and she had
taken to the next act in the gems playbook. To be burned by fire. To
seek pleasure in it.
Remus wasn?t sure if he still could save her. Still, he moved on. Even
if it was too late for her he had to retrieve the gem. Before someone
else falls victim to it.
3 month later she finally found one. A dragon cave. She followed the
stone trail up to the mouth of the cave. All her feverish dreams will
be soon coming true. She was so close.
Then she spotted the hooded figure. Squarely standing in the doorway to
the dragons lair.
?You! Why can?t you let me be? Just why do you stand in my way towards
happiness??
The figure removes the hood. Below it, she sees the man that had hunted
her down for last months now. Although she knew him she never had
noticed how old and weary he looked. The man gave a deep sigh.
?My mission is not to capture you. It is to retrieve the gem. But I
admit that it deeply saddens me to see you here. I tried so hard to
save you too.?
Her hand came up towards the gem, fused onto her below her collarbone.
She could see it now. It all had started with the gem.
?The past month I had been so often the damsel in distress. No matter
how often someone came to my help. I always left. It took me a while,
but I know now. I don?t want to be saved. Not by you or anyone.?
?I know. It?s the gem talking. Or had been. By now it?s claws and magic
are too deep within your soul. You aren't the first one to wear it and
not the first one I had the displeasure to hunt. I have yet to save one
of you.?
He gave another tired sad sigh.
?You don?t need the gem anymore. Give it to me.?
?Will you promise to let me pass??
He gave her a serious nod.
Her hand moved upwards to the gem again. It only took a moment and it
rested in her palm. The tracker took out a small wooden box and held it
open to her.
She remembered it. The same one she had stolen the gem from all these
months ago. Gently she returned the gem.
He stowed away the box and slowly stepped aside.
?Are you sure? This time you won?t survive the flames.?
She gave him a genuine smile.
?I am. Don?t be sad. I am not afraid and I do not dread what?s to
come.?
?I heard that before. What does the gem do to you that makes you throw
away your young life.?
?The gem. It does nothing but leads you to an epiphany.?
She gently placed her hands on the sorcerer's shoulders and leaned in
to give him a kiss on the cheek.
?You fear death. We all do. I did once too. Not anymore. One day, when
you find yourself old and weary, you will lose that fear too. When that
day comes, then you will lose the fear of this gem. That day you can
find out why.?
Silently she slipped away. Her left hand the last to leave the
connection between him and her. She didn?t look back. There was no
need. He didn?t follow.
It was dark and she had to use the wall to guide her. Then the tunnel
opened to a cavern. There was the hoard. Slightly glowing as many
magical artifacts were scattered midst the gold coins. On top of it,
the dragon rested. Big golden eyes stared at her. Swallowing she
cleared her throat. With a voice close to breaking she shouted,
?Please. Take me. Let me be a sacrifice to you. Burn me till only my
ashes remain.?
The dragon slowly lifted himself up. Moving closer, something pulsed
deep below the neck of the beast. Suddenly white hot flames traveled
from him to her. It enveloped her in a split second. Her mind burst in
an orgasm never felt before. It was the last thing she ever felt.
Weary Remus listened. First, the soft steps as the girl walk deeper
into the cave. The echo of the girls shouting. The roar of flames that
even at the mouth of the cave was still deafening. Then there was only
silence.
Sorrow overcame him for the life lost. The girl had been the fourth he
couldn?t save. No matter how hard he tried. The gem had run its course.
Just like it had been taught. He knew the sad past. A few hundred years
ago a small kingdom had been tormented by a dragon. The only thing that
stifled the rage of the beast were the sacrifice of a young virgin
maiden.
Of course only rarely one would volunteer. One day the king ordered his
court mage to create an heirloom gem that could withstand dragon fire.
The magician obliged. It was then the gem was thought. Virgins would be
sacrificed wearing the gem. Drugs and magic obscured their thinking.
Promises of pleasure and to be honorable by being sacrificed.
Girl by girl. The gem grew in strength and soon enough all it took was
for a girl to wear it. She would sacrifice herself soon after.
Eventually, the dragon was slain. With the gem obsolete, they tried to
destroy it, but all the dragon fire had hardened it too much. So it was
hidden. But now and then a foul would get his or her hands on it. And
the gem would do his grim duty again.
Remus turned and started his long journey back. To return the gem to
its prison. How long would it take to free itself again? He hoped he
will never find out.
-----
4. Druid wanted, Druid needed.
-----
Leanora just couldn?t understand humans. A druid tried to teach her
about many things. Human language, culture, and history. Of all that
only the skill to speak remained with her. The rest just was confusing.
Like the battlefield before her, just past the outskirts of woods. She
just couldn?t understand why they killed each other with such passion.
It wasn?t for food. Not one of them had teeth marks. Not that Leanora
really cared.
The humans wasted even their dead. She, however, chose not to. One by
one she dragged the dead into her woods. At least here they would serve
as fertilizer. All the while she thought about the druid who tried to
teach her. Was he dead by now too?
Sometimes she wished the druid would come back. Though she wouldn't
minded other druids as well. At least they respected nature. Sighing
she continued her work. It was one of the last ones that dropped
something that caught her eye. It was a clear gem, one without color
and it sparkled in the afternoon sun. Curious she picked it up.
It was no ordinary gem she noticed. There had some kind of human magic
on it. She wasn?t good at the magic of the unnatural kind. So it took
her a while to figure the gems aura out. It was a gem that could learn.
Not just that. It could teach its owner too. Leanora did think for a
while. If I wear the gem and teach it about nature then the gem could
teach someone else. I do not need another druid. I just need a human
and the gem would teach them the ways of nature.
Grinning at her cunning plan she lifted the gem to her chest. It sunk
into her green succulent skin. With lifted spirit, she continued her
work.
Seasons did go by, but still, no human visited her garden, home, and
woods. She rubbed the gem on her chest. A habit she picked up quite a
while ago. Humans would say something about 1 or 2 decades. To Leanora,
it was just time.
Peeking down she saw the gem half sunken into her skin. It had become a
deep green over the many past seasons. One might mistake it for an
emerald.
Then, one morning, she spotted on the fields nearby that another battle
had taken place. Cautiously she moved closer. No sound, save for the
wind was heard, as she reached the about dozen corpses. Sighing and
muttering about stupid humans, she once again started to drag the
bodies to her glade. It was the third that gave her a fright. Just as
she touched the body it moved. Did draw in a painful sounding labored
breath. Recovering quickly she came closer.
It was a male, maybe 50 cycles of seasons old. Blood clung everywhere
to his armor. Deep gashes were seen at places where weapons had pierced
armor. Surely he was close to dying. All Leanora had was to wait for it
a little. Instead, she helped. She had been too long without company
and as much as she pitied humans it would have to do.
Her magic was strong but meant to heal wood or foliage. Used on a human
it barely was enough. Soon he breathed deeper and a little color
returned. Leanora didn?t care about the other bodies anymore. Carefully
she dragged the wounded man to her glade.
It took several days of careful nursing and healing till the stranger
awoke. His first instinct was to sit up. Leanora had to gently push him
back. Not that is was hard as fatigued as he was. He tried to talk but
his voice was barely heard. Seeing what he was trying to ask, she
headed out to gather some nectar and the last of the morning dew.
Returning she carefully let it drip into his mouth. A weak ?Thank you?
was all she got before the men drifted off to sleep again.
The next time he was awake he looked and felt better. Spotting the
dryad he spoke.
?My lady, have my thanks for rescuing me. You did go through great
trouble rescuing me. My name is Sir Theodore.?
For a moment his face showed pain. Not from physical injury but from a
wounded heart.
?Well, maybe not Sir anymore. My lord was slain before my eyes. My
title and holdings were taken. I have nothing left but my life, thanks
to you I have at least that.?
Leanora waited. Humans always had so much to talk. Even when they were
wounded and still weak.
?Forgive me, lady. How rude of me. May I ask your name? And I am at a
loss. I never did meet someone of your species. What do you call
yourself??
Leanora had to smirk. Finally, he did shut up. But then again she
wanted company, right? Can?t fault a human for being a human.
?I was given the name Leanora by the last druid. And he called us
dryads. Though my kind normally doesn?t use names.?
Slowly an uneven conversation blossomed. Theodore did most of the
talking, while Leanora parts were short and precise. Coming dawn they
talked about the future.
?Not much now anywhere for me. I owe you my life but yet I do not know
what to do with it now.?
It was the opening Leanora had waited.
?You could stay here and become the next druid for this glade.?
Theodore saw the hope in her eyes. It pained him to reply.
?My dear. I do not know the ways of the druids and I feel I do not have
the years left to learn. I am sorry.?
Leanora, however, didn?t give up.
?Do you see this gem? It can teach you. It won?t take long. Please.?
Theodore only noticed now the gem on her chest. After all, she was a
young looking woman and appearing nearly naked. He was raised to
strictly and had tried his best not to look or stare.
Now that he saw the gem he got the feeling there was something magical
about it. Unbidden a memory surfaced. He had been young and one of his
teachers had taught them about special gems that could teach you
things. He thought the name for them was heirloom gems. As he looked up
he saw the hope in Leanora?s eyes. How could he say no to this
beautiful creature that had saved his life?
?I can?t promise you anything other that I try to give my best. I swear
to you on my honor.?
The happiness that appeared on her was like a blossoming flower. As it
spread it transform her face from pretty to stunning. It filled his
heart with new light and hope.
?Thank you,? was all she said before she gave him a deep passionate
kiss.
For the first time in a long time, he felt something special: serenity.
Theo looked down on his chest. It had been a few days since Leonora had
given her gem to him. Now the deep green gem contrasted against his old
worn out skin. It astounded him how far he had come the past few days.
His injuries were gone. Nothing remained, but scars. And even those
started to fade to his amazement. He felt at least 10 years younger and
if he could trust the reflection in the lake his body tried to match
it.
To him, it was all Leanora. She gave him new hope and stirred feelings
he long had forgotten. They spend most of their time together. Every
day they did take long walks. She would tell him about the plants
around and their deeper function. What animals were around and how they
contributed. Lately, he often knew about it before she told him.
"Must be the gem," he thought.
But he never interrupted her, as her voice was a music he couldn?t get
enough. Smiling he continued onward. Today, she was not by his side.
Leanora was hiding somewhere. He was supposed to find her just with his
newfound knowledge of the woods. A challenge and game they recently
came up with. In that moment he truly enjoyed his life.
Theo did stare again at his reflection in the water. He looked so
young. As if he was in his early thirties. He clearly was getting
younger. And he truly felt great. Absent minded he wondered when it
would stop. He didn?t mind getting his youth back, but he was less
eager to relive his puberty.
He already thought that his beard was thinning. Though his body was in
peak condition he noticed that some of his muscles developed a bit
back. Not all, though. His thighs and buttock were getting more
pronounced. He blamed his nightly ?training? with Leanora. Th