Plead with the woman

You jerk your pants back up and quickly buckle your belt.

"Ma'am, I'm not trying to be difficult," you say, "but we're in the middle of the harvest. We've got to get this corn into the barn before it rains, or it'll be ruined, and I don't know how my folks will manage without me. Could you come back in three or four days? Please? I could go with you then."

"That's not possible," she says. "You have to be to the palace by morning so you can perform your royal duty as soon as the nobles start arriving. If you make them wait four days, war will break out."

Your body clenches, a deep, throbbing ache in your pussy as you think about your impending 'duty'. You glance over at the soldiers.

"What about them? Could you spare just a few to help my father bring in the corn? Please, Ma'am."

She draws a slow breath, her stony gaze sweeping across the dry, rustling corn stalks.

"Very well," she says finally. She finds half a dozen volunteers while you say your good-byes, then you head out, you and the woman marching at the head of the army as you begin the long walk to the palace, the royal city glimmering in the distance.

~*~*~*~

It is well after midnight when you stumble into the city, your feet sore, legs aching. You have been up since before dawn and are exhausted, barely able to keep your eyes open as the woman, who finally introduced herself as General Avari, leads you through the wide, deserted streets, toward the palace.

Built upon a rocky outcrop, the pale limestone walls gleam in the moonlight, tall towers reaching up into the star-studded sky. You have never seen the palace before, but you're just too tired to appreciate the immensity of the structure, the beauty of the architecture. You just want to sleep.

At the palace entrance, you are met by an older man with silvering hair and bright, intelligent eyes.

"What is this?" he ask when he sees you. "I need a Vessel, not a farm boy!"

"Steward Maizer, this is the Vessel," General Avari says. "I have seen the proof with my own eyes."

The royal steward scours you with his appraising gaze.

"Well, you're strong enough, aren't you? Though that may intimidate some of our more delicate nobles. Their loss, I suppose," he says, though it doesn't feel like he's actually talking to you. "Tall, healthy. Could be handsome or pretty, in the right light. Beautiful golden hair. From behind, in the dark, they could pretend you are a woman, if your masculinity is a problem for them. Yes, I think you'll do. Not that we have a lot of options." He has a grim, resigned air about him, as though he's just as tired as you are.

"Begging your pardon, sir," you say with a respectful nod, "but could I be shown to a bed? I am dead on my feet."

"Of course, of course," Maizer says, motioning for you to follow him. You turn to say good night to General Avari, but she has already left. Briefly, you wonder if you'll ever see her again, but you suppose not. She's done her duty, as you must now do yours. You hurry to catch up to the steward, who has a fast, powerful stride despite his advancing years. The older man glances at you as he leads you through a maze of corridors and staircases.

"You are not what I expected," he says finally, slowing down as you near a closed, white door. "I had already chosen a handmaid for you, but now I wonder if you would prefer a valet."

"I'm not sure what those are, sir," you say as he opens the door and ushers you inside. The room is dark, but Maizer flips a switch beside the door and clear, golden light fills the room, smokeless lamps glowing in sconces on the walls. You stare in awe. This bedroom is larger than the barn back home, though the ceilings aren't quite as tall. Fancy gilded furniture glints in the warm lamplight, a massive four-poster bed draped with heavy ivory curtains and a deep purple bedspread.

Something touches your shoulder and you jump, spinning around, but it's just Maizer.

"Did you hear me?" he asks. "A handmaid is a lady's servant; a valet tends to a gentleman. Due to your unique condition, I'm not certain which one you would be most comfortable with."