Back at the Imerdan Estate

“Master Julian, it’s such a pleasure to have you back!” Ebbeth Jonworn greeted them with a smile so genuine and warm that it nearly made Julian forget the stress of the day. Ebbeth was a mature, somewhat plump woman with dark chestnut hair and kind brown eyes. Fortunately, most of her fat had gone to her breasts, hips, thighs, and plump derriere. Age had been kind to her, with nary a wrinkle marring her features except small, nearly unnoticeable ones along the out corners of her eyes. Her tight blue shirt’s low neckline afforded him a tantalizing view of her heavy teardrop breasts.

I’d be lying if I said I never thought about spending the night with Ebbeth, having her teach me the ins and outs of sex; she would have been a much more caring lover than any of the whores who lived in Rona. But Mother would never allow it, and Ebbeth heeds her orders first and foremost. Hm. Perhaps it’s high time I changed that. A servant who was completely loyal to me could be my eyes and ears in the household, not to mention I’d be working with her extensively as part of my punishment. I just have to make sure it isn’t obvious at all, even though I doubt anyone would question a classless servant’s willingness to serve her lord. Status.

Julian Imerdan (lv. 7 Psion)

HP: 142/142

ST: 119/119

WP: 429/470

Skills...

Attributes…

Effects…

429. There will still be plenty of WP left for when I bring Petra upstairs.

He primed a Suggestion and let it loose.

-Master Julian’s commands should be followed first and foremost. He has just classed and has need of a faithful servant to follow his orders loyally and exclusively. This must be done discreetly, however. No one can know where your true loyalties lie.-

The Suggestion took root easily. His eyes widened with surprise. It was almost as if Ebbeth’s mind were eager for any excuse to serve him faithfully to the exclusion of all else and so latched on to his Suggestion like an arbitrator would a legal technicality during a trial.

Or perhaps it’s just my imagination. I’ve no idea what level Ebbeth is, but it could be that the classless have lower innate defense to a Psion’s influence. I’ll have to test that theory when I start living amongst the servants.

Ebbeth’s eyes radiated warmth and devotion as the Suggestion permeated her mind. He could almost see it, slithering into every nook and cranny of her brain, altering it and how Ebbeth perceived the world. Her pupils dilated, her lips parting slightly as she let out a soft sigh.

“Master…” she whispered so quietly he almost didn’t hear her.

“I missed you last night, Ebbeth,” he said, a part of him wondering where she’d been when he’d gotten home. Servants had made he and his sisters dinner, but Ebbeth hadn’t been among them. Perhaps she had retired for the day?

The voluptuous servant bowed deferentially. Her breasts wobbled slightly within her shirt.

“Ah, my apologies, Master. I was asleep. If you had need of me, you should have awoken me,” she said, bowing again and presenting Julian with a full view of her massive cleavage. Ebbeth’s brown eyes sparkled as she caught him looking, and she only bowed lower, causing her breasts to dangle beneath her.

His cock twitched.

Izel stood next to beside him, her amber eyes studying the servant critically, as if she were wondering if the woman would be an asset or hindrance to them. After a moment, she inclined her head minutely, satisfied.

The three of them stood slightly past the entrance, in the foyer. Immaculate mahogany wood lined the walls. Mana torches flickered with pleasant amber light. Twin staircases flanked a roaring fireplace on the other end of the foyer, leading to the second level. Doors lined the walls beside the stairs and along the walls to each side. Paintings of dark-haired men and women in ornate armor or military regalia lined the walls.

My ancestors.

Arranged at the center of the room, above the fireplace, was the painted likeness of Empress Alindra, ruler of the Aemari Empire for the past five centuries. Julian had seen depictions of her what must have been thousands of times over the course of his nineteen years, but each time he could not help but be awestruck by her beauty. If he had seen her image and not known who she was, he might have thought her a goddess. The elf had stark black hair that cascaded past her pale, immaculate face and neck, and brilliant, ageless eyes the color of a sunset that drowned out all else and made the fire below seem like a flickering candle ember by comparison. She was clad in an ornate Taelindaric purple-and-gold battle robe with the Aemari Phoenix sigil prominently displayed in gold across her ample bosom. She stood next to her throne in the Imperial capital Cam-Nedion. The Empress' milky white hand seemed to glide smoothly over the left armrest without touching it, a nonverbal statement of the supremacy of her rulership.

As a boy, I would always look into Alindra's eyes and feel a sort of warmth, like someone was watching over me. That no matter how I was treated for being classless, I was never truly alone in my struggle. Gods, what I would give to have even a fleeting meeting with the Empress. Mother and Father are so fortunate to have been granted a private audience with her. She almost never ventures away from the palace or entertains guests nowadays, relying on her daughters and their husbands to carry out matters of state.

Izel nudged his side, breaking him from his reverie. Her amber eyes stared at him questioningly, and he realized he’d awkwardly fallen silent for must have been over a minute. He cleared his throat and gestured towards Izel. “Oh, um. Ebbeth, this is my consort, Izel Vidoz.”

Ebbeth came up from her bow and smiled, inclining her head respectfully.

“Izel,” the servant muttered experimentally, as if tasting the woman’s name in her mouth. “Lady Maela sent word. It’s an honor to make your acquaintance. I’m told you hail from Tenlan. If you wish it, I can have our cooks prepare a delicacy from your homeland.”

Izel visibly brightened, like an adventurer who had stumbled upon a cache of supplies. Her eyes swept over the servant, glimmering curiously.

“I might just take you up on that, if only to see how close Aemari chefs can come to producing an authentic Tenlani dish. Later, though. My lord and I have to get some rest. Lots to do tomorrow, you know?” she said, looping her arm through Julian’s. Julian grinned at the pleasantness of her closeness.

“Aye, I am aware, Mistress,” Ebbeth replied, her brown eyes looking at her soberly. "It was hard for me to believe that a good and proper lord like Julian could ever do something would warrant being assigned servants' work. But I would never question the wisdom of my lady."

Ebbeth gazed at Julian fondly. Whatever lingering doubts he may have had as to her true loyalties were washed away in an instant.

“I’ll be meeting Brianna Ulner in the servants’ quarters at dawn tomorrow to begin new duties my mother has assigned to me,” he said quietly.

Ebbeth’s pink lips drew into a thin line. Julian wondered if she was angry about his punishment.

“Lady Maela sent word of your new assignment to the serving staff. I have already arranged for a hearty breakfast to be brought up to you before dawn, with your permission," she said.

He smiled at the servant.

She's always been so thoughtful. I can't wait to see how she'll evolve as she carries out her duties for me. Servants are almost never questioned and are usually beneath notice here as they carry out their tasks. If I gain control over the servants here, they could serve as my eyes and ears here and beyond. Ebbeth, as head of the servants at my family's estate, will be useful in furthering my control over the servants as I work with them. Once Brianna Ulner is also mine, my so-called "punishment" may as well be a vacation. Though, I will certainly not be idle during my time there.

"Granted," he said.

Ebbeth nodded obediently.

"Very good, Master. You’ll want to be at full strength tomorrow; it would not be wise to attract Lady Ulner’s ire. But not to worry. Your humble servant stands ready to assist you with anything you need or desire. Is there anything else you require of me before you retire for the night?” she asked, her tone brimming with practiced deference, and perhaps a morsel of hope.

Julian smiled widely, affection flickering in his chest as he stared at the woman who’d been a constant fixture in the Imerdan household since he was very young.

“No, but thank you, Ebbeth. You've pleased me greatly. I look forward to seeing you again tomorrow morning.” He felt an urge to hug her, a vestigial feeling from long ago. He restrained himself.

The serving woman bowed lowly, a pleased smile twisting at her lips.

“Your thanks are not necessary, Master. As I’ve always told you, I live to serve,” she said, her voice suffused with pride.

He smiled fondly.

I wonder what Ebbeth might have been had the class system never come to be. Would she be a servant or would she have become something nobler? Perhaps she would be running her own household and have servants of her own. Regardless, under my control, she likely will attain power and responsibilities far greater than most of the class could ever dream. But I am getting ahead of myself. I scarcely have any power to my name aside from my class and what my mother and father deign to bestow on me.

As his mind wandered, the sound of boots thudding behind him caused him to turn around and saw Petra Ulner come into view. His lips twitched upward when he caught a glint of rage in her eyes. That rage was no less prominent that it had been before, but now there was a delicious undercurrent of fear and apprehension mixed in with it, like a soup of wildly conflicting ingredients.

The presence in the back of his mind smiled wolfishly, its red eyes gleaming as if surveying powerful prey that had been brought low.

Finally decided to join us, huh, Petra? None of this would have been necessary if you had just exercised even a modicum of maturity.

Almost reflexively, he glanced past her to see if any of the other members of his retinue were present, but found only the occasional servant or guard milling about the property, burning torch in hand.

Reyna must have dismissed Gartho and Zoris for the day, though I wouldn’t be surprised if that woman is watching me from someplace hidden, making sure I don’t dare wander off the estate grounds. I have a feeling she’s prepared to render me forcefully **** if she deems it necessary. I may not even notice the attempt until I wake hours later. Another reason she needs to be brought under my power.

He shivered unconsciously even as his heart thudded with excitement. He so looked forward to the day that the woman was so utterly his servant that the idea of following Maela’s orders over his was akin to blasphemy in her mind.

Oh yes, she’ll be mine. Maybe not today or tomorrow, but someday.

“Oh look, Julian, here comes your wayward retainer,” Izel’s words were silky smooth, like her hair and skin. She was one of the few people whose voice he would never tire of hearing, even if she did tend to have a dangerous way of fashioning her words into a dagger.

Petra froze in place when her light blue eyes met his, anger and fear pulsing within them like twin stars reaching their collapsing stage. He saw Izel’s smile widen into a predatory smirk in his peripherals. Petra noticed immediately and crossed her arms beneath her breasts, her eyes narrowed defiantly. She said not a word however.

Fearful of further incriminating herself, most likely. That won’t save her.

Izel broke the silence. She said, “You’re lucky you live in Aemar, Petra. If you’d annoyed a Tenlani lord or lady, they would do far, far worse than make you sleep on bare wooden floorboards.”

I don't doubt it. Tenlani nobility were never known for their charity, and records of their cruelty towards those they considered traitors are legendary across the continent.

The Shadower chuckled, her exotic amber eyes eyes studying Petra’s muscular form up and down. She had the body of woman who trained constantly and for whom fighting was a way of life. “Though perhaps you might be one of those women who enjoy such things. You certainly look the type.”

The muscular girl’s eyes flicked over to Izel. Defiance again flashed in her eyes like distant cannon fire as she clenched her fists.

“W-what’s that supposed to mean?” she blurted out, her lips curling unpleasantly.

Petra’s always been a hothead. It makes her dangerous as much to herself as others, but I see now that it also makes her easy to get the measure of. Those who wear their heart on their sleeves open themselves up to being influenced by those of us who know better. She would fare terribly in politics.

Izel opened her mouth to respond, and Julian, conscious of their relative lack of privacy, knew it was time to step in. The guards and servants at the Imerdan manor were trained to be discreet, but each was steadfastly loyal to Julian's parents, and he would rather not have his every word and interaction picked apart by either of them, especially his mother.

“Be calm, ladies,” he said pleasantly, letting his eyes rove over Izel and Petra. “Let’s go up to my room. We don’t want to burden anyone with things that aren’t their business. No offense, Ebbeth,” he addressed the servant, whose brown eyes had been lowered deferentially. Ebbeth’s expression betrayed no emotion or judgment, or even an indication that she had been listening to their discussion. She had remained simply because she had not yet been dismissed.

Though it is interesting to note how easy it is to forget that a servant is nearby, potentially watching and listening. It would be easy for her to pass along secrets to a rival family or even supposed "allies" like the Revenars.

“None taken, my master,” Ebbeth intoned warmly, life suddenly returning to her eyes as she gazed at him fondly. Something glimmered in her gaze then. Satisfaction? Approval? She bowed once more, her huge breasts wobbling again with the movement. “I shall see you in the morning when you are served breakfast. Goodnight.”

Without another word, Ebbeth backed away a few paces before turning and walking away, her wide matronly rear swaying almost deliberately in her skirt. She opened the door to the right of the fireplace and made way towards the kitchens.

I can’t wait until I official have lands and properties of my own, where I can interact with and house my servants without being disturbed. It will be freeing to not have to live under my family’s constant monitoring.

Julian turned to face Izel and Petra once more.

“Follow me to my room,” he commanded, his tone sharp like the crack of a whip. He felt a burst of satisfaction as Izel obediently fell into step beside him almost immediately, an amused glint in her eyes.

I swear I’ve never seen her so eager before, except perhaps when we lay together.

Petra unhurriedly brought up the rear, her hard boots clanking against the floor. Her eyes lowered and her lips pursed, like a prisoner who had just been ordered to march to her executioner. He led them upstairs. Along the way encountered two serving women sweeping the hallways. Each stopped what she was doing and bowed to him as he passed. Something about their demeanor felt more deferential, more submissive than he remembered.

Perhaps it’s because I’m classed now. Technically, I’ve been a noble since I was born, but nobles born without a class are looked on with scorn, even more so sometimes than classless commoners. I think it’s easier for people sort the classless into a neat, tidy little group when they aren’t born into noble families; the gods never favored them or their families, and never would. Until, eventually, one of them earned the gods’ favor and managed to class. People like me, however, should have inherited the gods’ blessing from my parents. Anything else would be dishonor of the highest order, to the point that even the classless would know to hate me. To scorn my very existence. I wonder if my parents wished I’d never been born, even if it was just a passing thought.

A pit opened in his stomach, and he clenched his fists and tried to calm himself.

Such thinking will do me no good. Whatever my parents felt doesn’t change anything. I’m my own man. I don’t need anyone’s approval but my own.

He wasn't sure if he believed his own words.

Julian stopped in front of his room and grabbed the knob and twisted. The wooden door squeaked on its hinges as he opened it. Izel brushed past him and was the first inside, her big bubble butt jiggling in her dress as she walked. Julian stared after her, and he suddenly wished he hadn’t brought Petra with them so he could push Izel on the bed and watch his hips collide with her amazing, plump rear again.

“Ah. So this is where you go to dream about me at night,” Izel said. Her smile looked entirely too pleased. "It's a lot neater than I imagined."

He let out a snort.

Izel's pretty eyes panned over the space as she familiarized herself with her surroundings. Dressers and a vanity lined the walls shared by the door and to the left of the entrance. A large wooden desk sat at the edge of the left wall. A large poster bed was situated perpendicularly against the wall to the right. Along the wall opposite the doorway were two windows with another dresser placed in between. The only lights visible in the windows were of orange torches held by guards and servants who walked throughout the property grounds. Two amber mana torches along the walls had ignited after Julian opened the door, softly illuminating the room.

“I do a lot more in here than just dream about you,” he said, not bothering to deny it. He looked her up and down for emphasis, his greedy eyes tracing her curves. Her eyes glimmered mischievously, and he knew he'd pleased her. She hooked a finger in her dress's neckline and tugged it downward slightly, exposing more of her breasts. He licked his lips and continued, “So, do you like it?”

Izel shrugged and gave the bed another glance. Her lips curved upwards slightly as she approached it. She hopped on the bed, testing its softness, her breasts bouncing with her movements.

“I do, actually. I can see us getting a lot of use out of this bed.” She bounced herself again, her breasts jiggling. She settled down after a few moments and gave him a thoughtful look. “Your mother said we’ll be staying in the servants’ quarters starting tomorrow, right? I imagine they’re not nearly as nice as this.”

She patted the bed for emphasis.

Julian nodded in understanding. He stepped towards her. She parted her thighs slightly, showing more of her gorgeous dark skin.

“They’re not, but it’s not exactly impoverished living,” he said, leering at her. Izel preened at the attention and spread her legs further, exposing her upper inner thighs. A little bit more and her womanhood would be in view. He swallowed thickly, trying to suppress his arousal. Izel’s eyes twinkled with amusement.

Gods, of course she noticed, the tease!

“O-our servants are usually treated better than the classless you’re probably used to seeing in Rona. Their beds are comfortable and their quarters, while communal, are actually rather spacious,” he said.

“Oh, are they, now?” She smirked, like a fox that had stumbled upon an unguarded henhouse. “Well, I’m looking forward to seeing how… accommodating our new living arrangements will be.”

She licked her lips sexily and leaned back slightly on the bed.

She's so utterly ravishing. If Petra weren’t here, I would throw her on the bed and be inside her again and have those amazing thighs wrapped around my waist.

His lover looked past him, smirking.

“Come on in, Petra. Don’t be shy. There’s more than enough room here for the three of us~” she said in an almost sing-song voice.

Julian glanced back towards the doorway, where Petra still stood. She was giving Izel a glare so intense that if it had any tangible power to it, Izel would probably have spontaneously combusted where she sat.

I wonder if Petra would even be able to lay a finger on Izel in a fight. She's classed as a Pugilist, I believe, and relies on hand-to-hand combat to damage enemies. I've seen her kicks blast clean through wood and stone and bend steel. It would not be fun to get hit by any of those attacks. Izel probably has a significant advantage through her sheer versatility by virtue of having magic. And that's saying nothing of her Necromancy. Any no-holds-barred fight between the two would be incomplete without undead servants, putting Petra at an even further disadvantage. I also wouldn't be surprised if Izel is higher level, and thus has access to a greater health and resource pool than Petra. Which reminds me, I should find out what levels both of them are, and soon.

He gestured with his hand for Petra to enter.

The icy-eyed blonde nodded stiffly and obeyed, sending Izel another glare when the woman smiled at her.

“Close the door and lock it, Petra,” he ordered.

Petra swallowed, hesitating.

“Lock the door,” he commanded again.

The dusky-skinned Pugilist nodded obediently, though Julian could tell from her discomfort that she would rather be anywhere else.

“Yes, my lord,” she said, turning to close the door. She threw the deadbolt and turned to face him, waiting for his next word.

“I’m sorry about your mother being demoted,” Julian said after a long moment, knowing she wouldn’t believe him. Still, the words had to be said. Honor demanded it. “If I’d known how my mother would react or what events would transpire because of what I did, I probably would not have left the estate. You have my word on that.”

Petra raised her eyebrows skeptically, her eyes flashing hatefully. She looked like she want to yell at and insult him, but only just managed to keep herself under control.

Of course she doesn’t believe me. I doubt anything will convince her in the short-term that I’m genuinely sorry. And even then, she probably won’t even care. To her, I’m just the spoiled son of her sworn lord and lady. Someone who’s never fought his own battles or known hardship or discipline. I bet she wishes I were dead.

“If you say so, my lord,” she replied neutrally, crossing her arms beneath her breasts. She looked towards the floor and continued bitterly, “If you don’t mind, I’d better find a place to get some shut-eye. Or lie down awake until dawn, more like.”

She muttered the last part under her breath, but such was the relative quiet of the room that Julian heard her.

“Not so fast. Just stand there for a few minutes,” he ordered, holding his hand up.

A flicker of irritation crossed her face, but she masked it quickly as she obeyed him, standing stiffly at attention like a soldier would.

Julian couldn’t help but admire her toned midriff and her thick, muscular thighs forged from years of training and fighting. It had been over a year since he’d last seen Petra, and in that time, it seemed she had grown considerably, both in figure and level as well.

Getting Petra under my control would be a big step towards making my retinue truly mine, not some troupe of glorified babysitters taking orders from my mother. It could also help me deal with Brianna as well as open up avenues to influence her mind. I could see myself ordering Petra to let me into Brianna’s house when no one else is present so I can interact with her without any prying eyes. And Petra supervising me would probably satisfy Reyna enough that she feels comfortable going about other tasks. She’ll report only what I wish her to, of course, and her loyalty will be mine and mine alone. I’ll have to be careful not to let her express that loyalty openly so as not arouse suspicion.

He turned to face Izel.

“Can you do something for me?” he asked.

His lover raised her eyebrows expectantly from her position at the edge of the bed. She said, “Of course.”

He nodded.

“In my desk drawer, there should be an old silver coin. Fetch it for me. It should be somewhere near the back, beneath some old documents,” He gestured towards the desk in question.

Izel raised her eyebrows curiously, but obeyed. She hopped off the bed and sashayed over to Julian’s desk, opening the drawer with her left hand and reaching in with her right. He heard rustling noises as Izel rummaged through his desk, a slight frown on her face.

“Julian, there’s no coin in here – wait, I think I found it!” Izel pulled a small silver coin from the desk, holding it between her thumb and index finger. The face and back were pristine as the day they it the coin had been minted, well over a thousand years ago. A testament to workmanship of the era, when magic was said to have been much more potent. She eyed the coin curiously as walked towards him, giving her chest a deliberate shake as she did so.

“This isn’t an Imperial silver,” she remarked, her tone surprised. She looked at him. “I don’t think I’ve seen a coin like this before.”

She twirled the coin dexterously between her fingers before glancing at it again. The usual Aemari Phoenix sigil was nowhere to be seen, neither was there a likeness of the Empress or those who had preceded her on the throne. Instead, simple circle had been indented into the center, deep enough that there should have been a noticeable bump on the other side. Except, an identical indent had been made there as well. Obviously, a product of smithing magic.

But why waste the mana on a coin of all things? Currency is currency, with the value of the metal used in the minting being the determining factor of the value of the coin, except in countries that use fiat currency. Those are few and far between, however.

“It’s pre-Empire.” Julian smiled wistfully. He’d always considered himself a student of history. There was barely a tome or book in the Imerdan library that he hadn’t opened at least once over the years, and he’d made sizable dents in the catalogues of the libraries throughout Rona. He’d found an obscure book that discussed the history of currency of the various polities across the continent. Within it, he’d seen an illustration of the very same coin. The description below had been annoying vague. “Before he died, my grandfather gave me this coin as a gift. He said it had been passed through my family for generations and that it brought him luck.”

Izel hummed thoughtfully and said, “Perhaps it was enchanted. Keepsakes like that aren’t too uncommon in Tenlan.”

Almost unconsciously, her free hand clutched the thin silver necklace around her neck. Julian had almost forgotten about it until her movement drew his attention to it.

And apparently it protects her from mind magic. I wonder if she's encountered it before or if the amulet being gifted to her by her sister was merely precautionary.

“Maybe,” he allowed with a shrug. “But we’re getting sidetracked.”

He caught Petra was eyeing them impatiently. Her eyes flicked to the coin for a few moments before she’d apparently decided it was beneath her interest. Her eyes found his, a question pulsing within them.

“You look like you want to ask me something, Petra,” he said.

The dusky-skinned blonde stared at him.

“If there’s nothing else you need from me, I’d like to get my punishment over with,” she said, her voice cold.

He shook his head in disappointment.

Before, she might have asked me about the coin’s history. She was always a curious person, but despised reading. She’d often bring up historical topics she’d wanted to know more about, asking me certain countries; their rulers and history. Sometimes to help her prepare for an adventure abroad, I’d do some research, cobbling together what knowledge of an area’s culture and local wildlife I could gather. She’d smile gratefully in a way that almost no one had since I’d been declared classless.

Now, he couldn’t imagine Petra ever smiling at him again, unless he were in pain. The realization was like ash in his mouth, but it made what he was about to do much easier.

Julian held up the coin. It reflected the light from the mana torches almost eagerly.

Petra’s eyes naturally focused on it despite her disinterest, and that sealed her fate.

Hypnosis.

He saw the light from the coin reflect slightly, shining against Petra’s eyes. He felt a momentary connection with his mind, like a one-way door being opened and held only slightly ajar.

Petra’s face slackened immediately, her eyes glazing over as if all awareness within them had been snuffed out. She stood rigidly in place, her body almost locking up. The rise and fall of her chest she breathed and the occasional blink were her only signs of life.

“Whoa, what’s going on with her?” Izel said. She stared at Petra’s face for a few moments, frowning. She snapped her fingers inches away from Petra’s face. The young woman didn’t even blink. “Hey, anyone home?”

Petra remained eerily silent.

Izel turned to face Julian, a questioning look on her face.

“Are you...” she began, swallowing thickly.

“It’s okay. I don’t think she can hear you, and even if she could, she won’t remember anything that happens until I release her,” he said.

“R-release her?” Izel almost stammered. She swallowed again, quickly composing herself. She looks at Petra again, her eyes glowing with rapt interest. “What are you doing to her?”

It’s strange having someone watch me while I’m doing this.

It wasn’t unpleasant, however, or unwelcome. He trusted Izel as much as he could trust anyone. He knew she wouldn’t betray his secret, if only because of the leverage he had over her because of the commands he'd implanted in her mind.

“I’ve hypnotized her,” he said, watching Izel’s reaction.

She blinked and nodded. "I've heard of hypnosis before. The Mind Mage fuckers like to use it a lot."

Izel paused for a few moments, as if considering something. She continued, "So, Psions can hypnotize people at the drop of a hat? I guess that makes sense, now that I think about it. Some of your mental abilities seem very similar to those of Mind Mages,” she said. She looked at him hesitantly. “Did you hypnotize me?”

He nodded, seeing no reason to deny it. She already knew he'd used his powers on her. What harm would it be to fill her in on the specifics after the fact?

“I… I see,” she said hesitantly. She moved closer to him, her body almost pressed against his side. Her eyes flicked to Petra again. “I don’t remember looking all vacant and staring at a coin. It’s like she’s not even there, mentally.”

“She’s not aware of anything. At least, not consciously,” he explained patiently. “You wouldn’t remember something like this unless I wanted you to.”

Izel shivered. She nodded.

“I see. Is that you managed to get me under your sway, so to speak?” she asked.

He shrugged.

“Partially. I used a combination of Hypnosis and Suggestion. They’re both Psion Skills.”

The presence shifted uncomfortably in the back of his mind. Julian cast his awareness towards it in recrimination.

Izel is mine. Telling her what I can do will benefit the both of us. She's no fool.

The presence's eyes flickered. Acquiescence?

“What does Suggestion do?” Izel seemed transfixed by the vacant look on the young woman’s face.

Seems like she's trying to imagine herself staring off into space like Petra is, enthralled by my power.

“It lets me send mental commands to someone without speaking,” he said. “I can make someone do or think something and have them believe it was their idea.”

Izel blinked and nodded.

“Hm. I figured you had something like that up your sleeve. I doubt you’d have managed to get me into a room alone with you at that inn without a bit of covert mental trickery,” she said, and let out a sigh. “That’s totally unfair, by the way.”

Julian smiled at the hint of mirth in her tone. He didn’t want her to be afraid of him. Izel might have put up a brave front, but after they'd fought the Amyss together, he'd known what it was like to see her scared.

“Such is life,” he said teasingly. He wanted her to laugh or at least let herself be distracted.

She leveled a glare him.

Anger suits me just fine, too. I hate seeing her afraid.

“I’ll remember that the next time you complain about something I do,” she huffed. Then turned to face Petra again. “So, you have her hypnotized. Can you order her to do something?”

“Sure. Petra, can you hear me?” he said.

“Yes,” Petra replied flatly, a sharp contrast against her earlier demeanor, where she seemed to be struggling to mask her emotions.

“Raise your arms in the air,” Julian commanded.

Petra obeyed immediately, stretching her hands towards the ceiling. His eyes traced her toned, bronze skin.

Izel snorted derisively.

“Come on, any of your servants would do that if you ordered them to,” Izel said, crossing her arms. “Are you sure she can’t hear me?”

Julian furrowed his brows.

“Pretty sure. But try addressing her anyway and we’ll see what happens. I haven’t had much opportunity to experiment, obviously. You’re the first person who’s seen me do this. Consciously, anyway,” he said.

“I’m honored,” Izel drawled. She cleared her throat dramatically. “Hey Petra, you there? Can you hear me? Hello?”

Petra remained silent and kept staring at the silver coin Julian still held.

“Um, you’re an imbecile?” Izel tried. No response from Petra. She smirked. “Oh, I’m gonna ride Julian on his bed and take his thick, amazing cock in my pussy and there’s nothing you can do to stop me!”

Julian almost choked on his spittle.

Petra kept her gaze on the coin. It was as if Izel’s words had slid right over her. The Tenlani woman let out a disappointed hum.

“Huh, I guess she really can’t hear me. That’s annoying,” Izel said, looking more than slightly miffed. She glanced at the silver coin Julian held. “So, what’s the deal with the old coin, anyway? Why do you need it to hypnotize people?”

He shrugged and stared at the coin for a few moments. “Honestly, I have no idea. All I know is that I can’t use Hypnosis without a focus. Something that can draw people's attention and hold it while I work my magic.”

“A focus?” Izel asked curiously, raised an eyebrow.

“Yeah,” Julian said, moving the coin for emphasis. Petra’s eyes followed it unblinkingly. He continued, “A focus. Something that can catch the light, so things with reflective surfaces work best. I used a coin when I hypnotized you, but a sword works just as well.”

“A sword, huh?” Izel hummed thoughtfully. “Say, have you ever tried using Hypnosis in combat? Does it even work?”

He paused, thinking about what she said. He imagined hypnotizing someone and forcing them to look at his sword.

In the heat of combat, though? With an ability that basically forces me to stay in one place or else the target would lose sight of the focus?

“I don’t know. It would have to be in a circumstance where I’m only fighting one person because I’d pretty much be locked in place or risk whoever’s hypnotized losing sight of the focus. And even if were just me and one other individual in a fight, what would be the point in using it when I can just kill them?” he replied.

Izel’s smile was particularly vicious. “I can think of a thousand ways to take advantage of an opponent that couldn’t move or react to me.”

Hm. Perhaps she may actually have a point, in certain circumstance. I’d never considered that Hypnosis could potentially serve as way to incapacitate an opponent during combat.

Julian pictured Valda standing in front of him, transfixed by his blade, hypnotized. He saw the Amyss’ eyes stare blankly at his sword long enough to run him through.

“You have a way coming with interesting ideas, Izel,” he said, feeling vindicated in his decision to allow Izel to know more about his capabilities.

Her lips curved upwards; her voice smug. “Of course I do. Also, you should probably wear a necklace or ring. Or a pendant. No one will think twice about a spoiled noble like you owning such a thing.”

Julian rubbed the back of his neck.

“I thought of that. I’m sure I’ve got necklaces or rings buried in my dressers or closet somewhere. I just have to find them. If not, it shouldn’t be difficult acquiring another one,” he said.

Izel pressed her body against his, clutching her free arm between her big, soft breasts.

“Alright, enough theory crafting. Let’s address the question of the night: what are you going to do with little miss Ulner, whose mother will be looking to cause us so much grief tomorrow?” she whispered. Her voice trembled with excitement. “Are you going to make her your ****? Your whore?”

He smiled, his gaze drinking in Petra’s form once more.

“I can’t make any of the changes too obvious or people will get suspicious,” he said, loving the feeling of her breasts hugging his arm.

“Right, right. We wouldn’t want anyone to think you’re a Mind Mage. Or worse,” she said, a tinge of amusement in her tone. She squeezed his arm. “So, have her act like she normally would. It shouldn’t matter what changes you make to her as long as her behavior is indistinguishable from the way it was before she came to your room.”

“That was the plan,” he said with a nod.

The question is, how do I make it so she's obedient to me, but at the same time acts like her usual abrasive self? Hm. I guess I'm probably getting ahead of myself. I still haven't managed to ensure her obedience.

Izel quirked an eyebrow. “Are you going to fill me in on the rest anytime soon?”

“And spoil the surprise?” he asked. He nudged her with his hip, drawing an indignant glare from his lover.

She muttered something angrily under her breath, but he ignored her with a smile and turned to face Petra again.

“You can lower your hands now, Petra,” he said.

Petra, still in her trance, obeyed silently, lowering her hands to her sides. Beside him, Izel stilled, and he knew she was waiting for him to begin.

After a dramatic pause, he did, saying, “Hey Petra, am I my mother?”

Petra’s brow had furrowed.

“No,” came her simple reply.

Izel snorted, her amber eyes staring at him. “Julian, what the fuck?”

“Shh. Let me work,” he whispered.

Izel sighed and waved her hand as if to say, “Get on with it.”

He faced Petra again.

“Petra, do I have the power to demote your mother?” he said.

Petra shook her head.

“No, you don’t,” she muttered quietly.

He grinned.

“If I don’t have the power to demote your mother, then I can’t be responsible for your mother’s demotion, can I?” he said.

Petra’s mouth opened and closed in the way that reminded Julian of a fish.

He continued, “I don’t control my mother’s actions, do I?”

Petra shook her head.

“Of course not,” she muttered. Julian thought he caught a hint of indignation in her tone, powerful enough to slip through her trance. “Lady Maela would never follow your orders.”

He hummed.

“Exactly. So, any action my mother takes is something that is completely out of my control, correct?” he said.

Petra nodded. Julian went for the kill.

“I wasn’t the one who decided to demote your mother, was I?”

Petra nodded.

“You didn’t demote my mother…”

“I’m not responsible for my mother demoting yours.”

“Not responsible…” Petra whispered.

It's a good thing she hasn't thought to bring up my breaking curfew at all. I thought this was going to be much more difficult.

“You shouldn’t get angry at people for things they aren’t responsible for, should you?” he said.

“I shouldn’t be angry with you,” Petra said.

Izel mumbled frustratedly, “I thought the whole idea of this was not to change the girl’s behavior in public?”

“Patience, Izel. I have to get her to obey me first,” he whispered. Louder, he spoke to Petra. “Are you angry with me, Petra?”

“No,” was her immediate response.

“You were wrong to be angry with me before, weren’t you?”

Petra swallowed.

“I was. My… my punishment was just.”

Julian grinned.

This is going even better than I could have predicted.

“Do you think being made to sleep on the floor is a proper punishment for offending your lord and his consort?” he said.

Petra licked her lips, but said nothing.

She can’t fool me, not while she’s like this.

“If you were me, you’d have given you a much harsher punishment for insulting your lord’s consort right in front of him, wouldn’t you?”

She stared ahead blankly. For a moment, it appeared as if she wouldn’t say anything before finally nodding her head.

“I’d have punished myself more severely,” she admitted quietly.

Sensing an opportunity, Julian primed a Suggestion and sent it Petra’s way.

-You wish Julian had punished you more harshly. It’s what you deserve.-

He felt the dark tendril make contact with Petra’s mind, a telepathic conduit along which his commands could flow. He sensed his Suggestion be accepted into Petra’s mind, corrupting it. Changing it.

Petra moaned.

“What is it, Petra?” he said.

“I wish…” she trailed off.

“What is it you wish for, Petra?” he said, leaning forward slightly. His heart hammered loudly in his chest. Izel seemed to be holding her breath.

“I wish you’d punished me more severely, like I deserved,” Petra croaked.

“Say it again, and find yourself believing it more with each repetition.”

“I wish you’d punished me more severely, like I deserved.”

“Again,” he commanded.

“I wish you’d punished me more severely, like I deserved,” she obeyed immediately, steel in her voice.

Izel tightened her grip on his arm, her amber eyes glowing with lust.

He smirked at her, moving his arm from between her breasts and snaking it behind her back. He lifted up her dress and grabbed a handful of prodigiously big, round buttocks.

Izel gasped, pressing her ass into his hand.

He turned to face Petra again. The woman’s eyes were still glazed over, her conscious mind still totally oblivious to the world around her.

“You feel ashamed of your actions, don’t you, Petra?” he said, groping Izel’s amazing ass.

Petra nodded and replied instantly, “I’m ashamed.”

“You’ve stained your honor immeasurably by presuming I was responsible for your mother’s plight when I was not, haven’t you?” he said.

“I…” she trailed off.

“You wish I’d punished you more severely, like you deserved.”

“I wish you’d punished me more severely, like I deserved,” she repeated him readily.

“Why do you deserve to be punished more severely?” Julian asked.

“I-”

“It’s because you’ve stained your honor, haven’t you?” he said.

“I-I stained my honor,” she muttered.

“Say it again.”

“I stained my honor,” she repeated herself, her voice growing more certain.

“Again.”

“I stained my honor.”

He switched to Izel’s other buttcheek, his thumb digging into her asscrack. She moaned softly; her eyes gleaming with wicked glee.

“How does one recover her honor, Petra?” he asked.

Petra set her jaw.

“By being victorious in battle. By serving her lord,” she said firmly.

Ever the warrior, this one.

Julian smirked.

“By serving her lord?” he said.

“By serving her lord,” Petra repeated.

“I’m your lord, Petra, aren’t I?” he said.

Petra opened her mouth, but didn’t speak.

“My mother assigned you to my retinue. You’re my retainer, aren’t you?” he said.

“Yes,” Petra said.

“Say it.”

“I’m your retainer,” she replied obediently.

“A retainer serves her lord, doesn’t she?” he asked.

Petra nodded. “I serve my lord.”

“I’m your lord, Petra. Say it.”

“You’re my lord, Julian.”

His erection throbbed.

“You stained your honor.”

“I stained my honor,” Petra repeated without hesitation.

“And you recover your honor by serving your lord.”

“I regain my honor by serving my lord faithfully,” she said, inclining her head slightly, as if to bow.

“I’m your lord.”

“You’re my lord.”

“You’ll serve me faithfully to recover your honor, right Petra?”

“I’ll serve you to recover my honor.”

“You’ll obey all my commands, because you want to recover your honor,” he said.

“I’ll obey you,” she said quietly.

A satisfied smirk spread across his face. He gave Izel’s ass a loud smack. She moaned softly, pressing her body against him. He kept squeezing her ass, only barely resisting going further with her.

There’ll be time for that later. I’ve gotten far with Petra, but there’s still a good deal of work left to do. I have to turn her mind against itself and everything she holds dear. I have to make her into a person who can appear utterly hateful and resentful towards me, perhaps even believing it on some level, and still serve me to the exclusion of all else.

His heart thudded with anticipation as he considered the challenge that lay ahead of him.

I can hardly wait.

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Julian Imerdan (lv. 7 Psion)

HP: 142/142

ST: 119/119

WP: 342/470

Skills...

Attributes…

Effects…

Julian's Skills

[Manipulation] Suggestion (cost: 20 WP): Telepathically implant a suggestion in the mind of a target to influence or induce an action, thought, or emotion.

[Manipulation] Hypnosis (cost: 30 WP) – Lull someone into a hypnotic trance. Requires the use of a pendant or other foci to draw the target’s gaze.

[Affliction] Mind Jab (cost: 15 WP): Project a weak bolt of psionic energy that attacks the mind of an opponent, causing crippling mental pain that lasts for a few moments.

[Affliction] Psi-Bolt (cost: 5 WP) – Emit an unguided bolt of psionic energy that inflicts low Psi damage to a target upon impact. It deals moderate Psi damage against targets affected by Mind Jab, but clears them of the status.

[Connection] Detect Mind (cost: 2 WP/s): Focus your awareness outward to detect the minds of sentient organic beings within ten feet.

[Connection] Connect Mind (cost: 5 WP) – Choose two minds glimpsed with Detect Mind and link them together for a time, allowing a psionic Skill used on one mind to affect the other.

[Matter] Piercing Field (cost: 15 WP) – Imbue a weapon or projectile within range with an impossibly narrow telekinetic field, allowing it to cut through armor. The field dissipates after a single attack.

[Knowledge] Safe Fall (cost: free) - You have learned how to shift your body mid-air to significantly mitigate falling damage.

[Knowledge] Meditation (cost: free) Clear your thoughts and retreat into an introspective state within your own mind. Your WP regeneration is significantly increased while meditating. Meditation is a viable substitute for the equivalent amount of sleep.

[Innate] Focus (cost: free): When in combat, enter a state of emotional detachment which allows you to ignore pain and resist negative mental effects.

Julian’s Attributes

Human - As a member of the human species, your body is more resilient than most other sapient races.

Magical Ancestry - Several of your ancestors possessed powerful magical abilities and talents. The barest hint of their talent resides within you, granting you easier use of magical items.

Psionic - You are capable of affecting physical and nonphysical reality through Will alone. You are resistant to mental effects and psionic damage. You can perceive all spectrums of psionic energy.

Fardreamer - While you sleep, you may randomly send your mental awareness to another place in the universe.

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