Hold the Trials to decide!

A flash of movement draws your eye, white and black coming over the crest of the rolling hills that surround Stonegate. The dark elf and the prisoner are neck and neck, running at a full sprint. They have developed something of a rivalry during the physical tests that you began with, both being competitive and used to winning. You'll have to manage that relationship carefully. Done well, they will push each other to excel rather than developing into something venomous. Possibly literally, if some of the reports on the prisoner are to be believed. The last thing you need (other than Fell chewing your face off) is a harem of nagging, bitter women. You'll just have to make the effort to avoid that.

The dark elf slowly pulls ahead during the final leg of the run, her open tunic making quite a show of her heaving breath and her long hair streaming behind her like a banner. The prisoner crosses the finish line a few seconds later, her pale skin flushed with the exertion and the chill in the air. She looks coldly furious, but maintains a dignified silence as she gasps to regain her breath. The others have been dismissed one by one, unsurprisingly unable to keep up with your demands. You have thanked them for their time and encouraged them to work on improving themselves for the next opportunity.

"Stretch out, the next test will begin in two minutes." You order the two finalists. Your suspicions are proven correct when the dark elf immediately takes the opportunity to throw her hands behind her head and arches her back with a sensual moan, pushing her breasts out toward you so hard that her nipples are clearly outlined against the fabric of her top. Now that she's decided that gaining your favor is in the interest of her people, she's going to play all the cards she's got. And, as you openly enjoy the presentation, you readily admit that her deck is stacked! Its good that she's getting into the spirit of things, as you never intended for this to be a chaste relationship. The sound of creaking leather barely reaches your consciousness, but when you check the prisoner has turned her back to you and is folded completely in half at the waist. You're not sure if its because she feels that she has to seduce you to be chosen (and thus stay out of jail) or because her pride is stung at having another woman monopolize your attention, but the display of flexibility and perfectly juicy and rounded ass straining against the skin-tight leather is just as noteworthy as the dark elf's melons.

The next two minutes proceed in a similar fashion, with both beautiful ladies demonstrating their sexuality and imagination in an attempt to outdo the other. You don't participate further than sidelong glances and a crooked smile, and then it is time for another test. "Hand to hand combat, pure physical strength only." You announce, raising your fists in an easy stance and nodding to the dark elf first. She believes that you're looking for an opportunity to play some grab-ass, and saunters over with one hand on her hip before dropping into a sideways stance. Your first left connects solidly with her sharply-defined cheekbone with brutal force, stunning her with its force and spinning her away from you. You snake a thick forearm around her neck and choke her out in less than a minute. The prisoner barked with a surprised laugh as the first blow landed, almost as surprised as the dark elf but already inclined to celebrate any setback the buxom elf suffered.

She may get the last laugh, but she only lasts a little longer even with her predecessors example as a warning. Either of these ladies would likely defeat you when playing to their strengths, but within the limits you've defined your vast experience and personal might are too much to overcome. You prop them into a seated position back-to-back and then throw a bucket of water over their heads to wake them up. Twin death glares are directed toward you as you toss the empty bucket aside casually and squat down to their level. You are unmoved, favoring them with a patient smile. "Here's the thing. While I enjoy the attentions of a lovely lady as much as the next man, I'm not going to lose my good judgement doing so. We're not here to fool around. When its time to play, I'll play hard. But when its time to work, I'll work even harder and I expect the same from my Agents. The fate of this world may literally rest on our efforts, so I will accept nothing but your best. You're talented and beautiful. You have my interest. If you want my respect, you'll have to earn it."

The last part of the trials today involve a one-on-one interview. You pull the prisoner aside first. You feel like she is prickly at the best of times and is more likely to feel slighted than the dark elf. "What is your name?" You begin. It wouldn't do for a Royal Agent to go around being called 'prisoner' after all. "Anastasia. Anastasia Cisarovna." She answers somewhat tersely. You smile crookedly. "You are upset about the last test. It wasn't fair, I know. That wasn't the point. The Fell will be far less merciful than I was. Besides, we both know that 'fair' doesn't apply to our enemies. You're brilliant, ruthless, and selfish. Dangerous. But let me ask you this... what do you want?"

She begins to give an off-the-cuff answer, then pauses and falls silent again. She sees that you're taking this seriously, and that she may go back into a narrow, underground cell if you don't like her answer. No doubt her first instinct would have been to say something she thought that you wanted to hear, but you've managed to make enough of an impression on her that she doubts that would work this time. She is silent for a time, considering the answer possibly for the first time. You give her space, curious as to what she will come back with. "I want a good life." She finally answers softly. Looking up, she continues. "I want to be respected or feared. I'm not a nobody, and I can't stand people looking down on me. I want fine clothes and the best house in the world. Quality food and drink, that sort of thing. I want to be special." She finishes with a shrug, then glares at you with piercing black eyes as if daring you to challenge her claims.

"That's about what I figured." You agree. "I won't ask you to trust me, that would be foolish. Instead, I'll ask you to wait and see. I have a few conditions of my own. I need you to understand that there will be other women. You're competitive. Is that going to be a problem?" "No." She answers confidently. "You're royalty. Everyone knows that you follow different rules." She begins to say something else, but cuts herself off. It was probably something unflattering then. You simply smirk. You're quite the catch. Raw sexuality and humility all wrapped into one regal figure. "Good. You're willing to do whatever I order, without question or hesitation?" She looks out over Stonegate in the distance, rebuilding efforts are already under way. The damage is extensive though, heavy black burn scars cutting through the streets and buildings. "If you'll have me." She finally answers softly, the answer difficult for her.

"Welcome aboard, Anastasia."