The end of a long, tiring day

The sun had crested over the horizon when Yannor decided that he and his family were finished harvesting for the day. Julian sagged on the ground panting with exhaustion. His body ached all over, his arms and back especially. His hands were worn and raw. A particularly annoying red blister had appeared between his right thumb and index finger. It seemed to want to sting the moment Julian began to become used to it.

Next time, I should remember to bring gloves.

“Are you well, Julian?” A warm feminine voice drew his gaze up to Sarrah, who was somehow still standing despite the rigors of the day. The redhaired girl seemed to be struggling not to grin as she offered him a low bow, displaying a decent offering of pale cleavage.

Too tired to pretend he was anything other than exhausted, he simply shrugged.

“As well as can be, I guess. I swear, that was more exhausting than actual combat. I don’t know how you manage it on a daily basis,” he grumbled, wincing at how immature he sounded to his own ears.

Sarrah must think I'm a sorry excuse for a nobleman.

The young woman laughed, and it was testament to how infectious her mood was that his lips tugged into a smile. She sat down next to him on the grass and leaned back, propping herself up with her hands.

“You get used to it after a while. I’ve been helping my father work the fields since I could walk. He always said that with perseverance comes tolerance,” Sarrah said. She leaned forward, hugging her lower legs with her arms. Her dress rode up, exposing the smooth skin of her slightly-tanned legs. He caught a flash of her upper thighs. She shivered slightly when a cool breeze wafted against her skin.

Above, the sky was a mix of fading orange and violet, the last light from the sun spilling defiantly into the sky like fiery blood.

Less than a hundred feet away, Sarrah’s brothers along with Yannor and the others were busy loading up the wagon with their tools along with the harvest they had gathered. They chattered animatedly amongst themselves. Julian didn't know how they had the energy for it after the work they had done. They had told him that he could rest if he wanted while they loaded the cart. He had felt a reflexive urge to decline and help him regardless of his exhaustion, but Yannor had insisted. The gruff, scarred man had given him a look that told Julian he would be disappointed if he did not stop to rest. So, he had acquiesced, and then the strangest thing had happened - they had smiled, offered him a waterskin, and told him that he had done an excellent job. He had been so puzzled at the lack of ridicule that he’d accepted the waterskin without complaint and moved out of the way to sit down.

Despite his irritation and exhaustion, he couldn’t have been said to be unhappy. Sarrah stared at him, her blue-green eyes staring at him as if he were the only thing in the world. A pleasant tingle went down his spine as Sarrah's hand brushed up against his, and at once he became aware of their closeness and relative isolation from the rest of the group. He was tempted to try to court her. Such was not uncommon between nobility and their subjects; the Empire was rife with consorts who had been plucked from the throngs of its classless population. A classed and classless person could marry, but such unions were rare and were subject to much derision among the nobility.

As he and Sarrah gazed at her each other, he realized that he would never want to put the girl through something like that.

Even if things were different, I would make a very poor husband, anyway. Especially since my heart, such as it is, belongs to someone already.

Izel hadn’t been the only woman he had ever been enamored with, but they were together. He knew he wasn’t capable of truly loving her, of loving anyone, but still, he had said the words. For a brief moment, he knew he had meant them.

She never said it back, but she didn't reject them either.

His pulse quickened at the thought of the Tenlani woman he’d been infatuated with for well over a year. She was his, in every way that mattered. A mirror of him. Power-hungry, cynical, and duplicitous. They were both liars united by a shared truth and Julian's power. A power Izel was not only aware of, but accepted as part of a larger plan by her patron god. But despite everything they had gone through together and as emotionally stunted as he was, he knew that their bond was still in its infancy. He trusted her more than anyone. No one else would have accepted his secret. She knew more about him than the people he had lived with his entire life up to this point.

As long as we both breathe, I know I’ll probably never let Izel go. I cannot afford to. She knows too much about me and I need her. The idea of living my life without her is… intolerable.

The realization stunned him. He wanted to balk at it. Julian Imerdan had never needed anyone. Julian Imerdan was alone. Julian Imerdan relied on himself because everyone he had loved had abandoned him.

Pride, a gravelly voice echoed from the depths of his mind like a rock clattering down a well. Pride is a suit of armor that we never examine or maintain.

Compulsively, he checked his status.

Julian Imerdan (lv. 7 Psion)

HP: 140/142

ST: 36/119

WP: 470/470

Skills...

Attributes…

Effects…

Stamina's low, but that's not surprising.

His level seemed to blare at him accusingly. He had no inkling as to how long his mother's ire with him would last. It could be weeks or months before he was allowed to leave the estate again. He needed to find something to fight and kill, to strengthen himself. He had only barely survived his encounter with Valda. The next time something monstrous attacked him, he wanted to be ready.

If I gain control over Brianna and have her insist on ending my punishment early, Mother might get suspicious. Brianna would not change her mind about me after a single day. And it would be risky to compel her not to assign tasks to me. I've no idea if Reyna or someone else is maintaining a watch over me. I know I certainly would if my wayward son had left home against my orders. I have no idea what to do. Maybe Izel can help.

Sarrah shifted closer to him. She supported herself with her hands, one of which brushed against the edge of his own.

“Your father seems like a very wise man,” he told her finally, letting the words anchor him to reality. He felt cold and distant, as if his awareness were buried within his own skin, his eyes like distant windows into the world beyond. Sarrah’s smile made his heart skip a beat, drawing him back into himself. Her hand brushed against his again.

At this point she has to be doing it on purpose.

“I'm sure he thinks so,” she said amusedly. After a moment, she continued. “You impressed him today. I hope you realize that.”

“Hm?” He blinked and glanced at the girl again. Her sea-colored eyes met his. Her cheeks flushed slightly as her lips curved into a small smile.

“My father only yelled at you once. That’s very high praise coming from him, my lord. He must really like you. I know my brothers do.”

He froze and stared at her disbelievingly. Yannor and his sons liked him? Surely not. They were probably just being polite out of fear of his status. But why did the notion make him feel like smiling? He was being foolish. That was all.

Sarrah’s probably just imagining things. Her family only treats me differently because I’m their lord’s son. They want to ingratiate themselves to me so I’ll grant them another plot of fertile land when I grow older.

“I thought I told you to call me Julian,” he said gruffly, pushing himself up onto his arms to be at eye level with her.

“Sorry, m - Julian. It was just a little slip of the tongue,” she whispered quietly. Her eyes flickered with disbelief, as if she struggled to come to terms with the idea of actually addressing him without his title, or addressing him at all. Her uncertain blue-green eyes darted towards her family. He followed her gaze and smiled ruefully.

“Worried they’ll think you’re being disrespectful towards me? That you’re shaming their honor?” he remarked, his lips twitching with amusement.

“Not at all,” she said after a long moment, her cheeks flushed. “It’s just, well, the highest ranking noble I’ve ever spoken with was Lady Brianna, and she serves you.”

“You’ll get used to it eventually,” he said calmly.

Sarrah blinked. She leaned forward, cradling her knees with her arms, revealing considerable cleavage.

“You’re coming back?” she murmured breathlessly, her eyes staring into his. They flashed with anticipation that sent a pleasant tingle down his spine.

Yannor, Sarrah and her brothers were kind to me. Maybe they felt obligated to be that way because of who I am, and maybe they want to curry my favor, but that’s only natural. Despite everything, I actually enjoyed myself, and that's a rare thing.

He felt a strange warmth in his chest that he couldn’t explain.

“I think so,” he said with a sincere nod. “If not tomorrow, then someday soon. Your family are good, industrious people. A credit to my family's holdings. I’d be glad of your company again, Sarrah.”

Sarrah blushed. Her eyes glimmered quizzically. She opened her mouth to speak when a low rumble drew his attention to the pathway leading to the wheatfield.

Brianna rode in on horseback, her breasts jiggling slightly in her leather outfit, her braided hair bobbing up and down. She slowed her mount to a trot. Yannor and the others turned to observe her. Yannor separated from the others and walked up to Brianna, giving her a polite bow. Their mouths moved, but he was too far away to hear what they were saying.

Hopefully Sarrah was right and Yannor was pleased with my work today.

Julian took Sarrah's hand and stood, pulling Sarrah to her feet. She dusted herself off, but didn't pull her hand from his.

“I guess this means you’ll be going,” Sarrah intoned regretfully. Julian sympathized. He wouldn’t mind staying and getting to know her better.

Will my time ever be my own again if I do as Mother commands and submit to this punishment of hers?

He took her other hand in his, letting his fingers brush over her calloused palms. She sucked in a breath, but didn’t pull away.

“I'll see you again. Don't worry about it. It is not as if we live far away from each other,” he said.

She gave him a hopeful smile.

“Maybe next time you’ll come back with us and let us treat you to dinner... or whatever else you fancy,” she added quietly and chewed her lower lip. She squeezed his hands and stepped closer to him. His eyes flicked downward for a moment as more of her cleavage came into view. “My father and I are fine cooks. Not that Jerric and Hendran would ever admit it. Ungrateful idiots.”

She hasn’t mentioned her mother at all. Perhaps she is dead. In that case, it would probably be wise not to bring her up.

He nodded. “I’m grateful for the invitation, but you don’t have to do all that for me.”

Sarrah snorted, as if he’d said something utterly ridiculous. “Don’t I? You’re my lord - I know you don’t like being called that, but it’s the truth. And more than that, you’re… a hard worker. You could have sat and done nothing if you wanted, but you didn't. You actually picked up a sickle and got your hands dirty. That says a lot about you.”

He sighed and rubbed the back of his neck.

“Well, when you put it that way, I guess I have **** then. I can’t tell you when I'll have time do that at the moment, but when I do…”

Sarrah grinned sensually.

“We’ll jump to get everything ready for you,” she said and pointed to a two-story wooden house in the distance. “My family lives there. Stop by any time.”

With a final squeeze, she let his hands go and stepped back. “Goodnight, Julian.”

“Goodnight,” he whispered warmly, and watched her as she went to join the rest of her family, her hips swaying alluringly. Then he turned and walked towards Brianna and Yannor. He ignored the soreness in his muscles as he **** his legs forward.

Gods, what I wouldn’t do to be able to use Focus outside of combat…

As he drew closer, Brianna’s eyes flicked towards him for the briefest of moments before she addressed Yannor again.

“We will be taking our leave now,” she said bluntly in a deep voice.

Recognizing the dismissal for what it was, Yannor bowed politely.

“Very well. May Klaria’s light shine upon you, Lady Brianna.” The man glanced at Julian and offered another bow. It was deeper than the one he’d given him when he’d first arrived that morning. His eyes twinkled mysteriously, and he couldn’t shake the feeling that he wanted to say something. Had he seen Sarrah with Julian? Instead, he merely grunted the words, “Lord Julian,” and walked off. His boots thudded as if he were trying to drive them through the ground.

Julian stared after the man as he joined his family to finish loading up the wagon. Sarrah had rushed over to greet him, reddish hair flowing like a trail of dark fire as her smile pierced the evening.

He tore his gaze away from Sarrah and faced Brianna again.

“Time to head back?” Julian wondered aloud, but the question came out more as a statement of fact.

She gave him a considering look.

“Yannor says you did well today. Good. If you’d disrespected him or his family in any way, well, there was one family I met down the road looking for an extra set of hands to shovel manure,” she trailed off, letting the words sink in like a threat. Julian was certain that was what they were.

Gods, she’s vicious.

Brianna’s lips twitched into the barest hint of a smile. A moment later, it was gone.

“Mount your horse. When we get back to the manor, you’ll be free the rest of the night, though if you’re wise, you’ll want to get to sleep as soon as possible. Tomorrow, you’ll start again at dawn.”

Too exhausted to complain, he obeyed. He managed to clamber on his waiting horse without falling, thankfully.

They rode back to the manor in silence aside from the sound of hooves thudding against the dirt path. The orange hues in the sky had by now fully faded to dark purple. More stars had begun to reveal themselves, like distant otherworldly beings opening their luminous eyes. For some reason, his exhaustion dimmed and his mind sharpened.

They stopped near the rear of the manor. Slitted windows in the stone walls shined with yellow-orange light. Every so often, the light would be disrupted as people walked past them.

A wide-eyed serving boy held Julian’s horse as he dismounted. Brianna brushed past him without a word. His eyes followed the tall woman’s round, muscular ass as she disappeared into the darkness.

It’d be so easy to influence her. Make her mine. But I can't right now. I have to be careful.

Julian clenched his fists and bit his lip hard enough that he almost drew blood. He **** his legs to move in the other direction, making his way into the large gathering area he’d met Brianna in that morning. It was much louder than it had been at dawn, a cacophony of voices blending into each other. Servants occupied every table in the room as they enjoyed dinner. The scent of freshly-cooked chicken, boiled vegetables, and mashed potatoes wafted into his nostrils. His stomach growled.

“Master Julian!” A feminine voice made him look left. Ebbeth stood in front of him. The brown-haired, dark-eyed older woman wore a green and white dress that hugged her substantial curves. Her plunging neckline allowed Julian to drink in the sight of her expansive cleavage.

Izel stood next to her. She wore a similar dress with a low neckline, showing off the upper slopes of her large, dark breasts. Her amber eyes glimmered hungrily as they met his own.

“Miss me? I hope they didn’t work you too hard,” she purred and stoked his arm. She stepped closer to him, giving her a chest a shake. She leaned in to whisper her plans for the evening, her soft breasts grazing his chest.

Julian’s eyes widened as he whipped his head over to stare at Ebbeth. She blushed, but nodded in confirmation. His throat suddenly felt dry.

He could never have imagined how quickly the sight of Brianna’s inviting rear would fade from his memory.

---

After a short dinner of roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, and peas, Ebbeth led them to a room further down the hall leading to the gathering area. It was more isolated than the others. Julian hoped that meant the walls would muffle whatever sounds they made during the night.

“These are my quarters,” Ebbeth said as she strode into the room. It was larger than the other servants’ rooms that he’d seen, almost as spacious as his own bedroom. It was sparsely decorated, save an icon of Miribas the Unfading that was mounted over one of the walls. Born during the Second Deitic Cycle, Miribas was the patron god of nomads, travelers, and those whose homes were no more.

Ebbeth’s bed was smaller than Julian’s but large enough that two people could sleep on it without touching each other. The area was well-maintained but didn’t feel lived in. Julian wasn’t surprised. Ebbeth’s duties as head of the domestic servants often kept her occupied.

Julian and Izel filed in after her, Izel’s eyes flickering as she took in the living space.

“Not bad for a servant,” she remarked approvingly. Her right hand ghosted over the beige linen sheets. The dark-skinned woman looked towards Julian and then at Ebbeth. “So, Ebbeth. Are you ready to begin?”

The mature woman’s eyes widened as she nodded. She tightened her jaw, as if steeling her nerves. “Yes, my lady.”

The two women lined up next to each other, as if presenting themselves to him.

“What are you doing?” Julian muttered huskily, still not fully believing what was happening even after Izel had told her his plan.

Ebbeth and Izel exchanged a glance, then nodded to each other. In a swift motion, they removed their dresses, letting them pool at the floor around their feet.

Julian’s eyes widened as their naked, voluptuous bodies came into view. Their breasts swayed slightly as they breathed. He stared at Izel, marveling at her large breasts and wide hips, the smoothness of her skin apart from the scars that occasionally dotted it. Her thin silver necklace glinted faintly between her breasts.

He looked left and beheld Ebbeth’s nude body for the first time. Her large teardrop breasts were almost mesmerizing. A thin necklace with a red pendant hung between her tits. Her stomach was slightly pudgy, but she still maintained an hourglass shape. A tuft of brown hair framed the area of skin above her pussy.

Julian tore his gaze away from her and locked eyes with Izel. Her amber eyes stared back into his unflinchingly. How had she managed to get Ebbeth to go along with this? Why had she? She had told him that Tenlani women were used to sharing their men, but he never seriously considered that Izel would want to, no matter what she said. People were fond of saying things they didn’t necessarily believe in order to please others.

When has Izel ever said anything to please me? Even under my control, she isn’t afraid of me at all and makes it a game to get a reaction out of me.

“You are both beautiful,” he said, not knowing if he could utter anything else. Both women smiled at him. Well, Ebbeth smiled sweetly. Izel just smirked in that same impish way she always had, like he had said something that both pleased and amused her, and she would never tell him exactly why.

Ebbeth approached him, stopping mere inches away from him. He was abundantly aware of her proximity and warmth.

“Thank you, Master. I… for a long time, I’ve wanted to give myself to you. I didn’t because Lady Maela would never have allowed it, but now… now you’re classed. You are your own man, free do as you wish. To forge a life for yourself on your own terms. I wanted you to know that no matter what happens, you will always have my loyalty and my love,” she said breathlessly and fell to her knees in front of him. She looked up, her dark eyes exuding reverence. Her eyes grew watery. “I love you, Julian. I always have.”

She… she loves me? That’s impossible.

“Ebbeth…” he nearly gasped. His chest burned with need. He wanted to be close to her. He wanted to kiss her. To make love to her. To be with her and Izel, just the three of them.

Izel approached them, placing a comforting hand on Ebbeth’s shoulder. Her face was uncharacteristically warm.

How did she make this happen? Why did Ebbeth agree to it?

Ebbeth didn’t rise from her knees. Instead, she tentatively reached her hands forward, stopping at the buckle of his pants. She looked up at him again, seeking permission. He could do nothing but nod.

Ebbeth’s lips curved upwards as she undid his pants and slid them down. His hard erection sprang into view, the relatively cool air in Ebbeth's bedroom wafting against his sensitive skin. Ebbeth’s eyes widened as she stared at his cock, as if hypnotized. Izel stared at it as well, licking her lips. She gave Ebbeth a slight nudge that made both women’s breasts wobble.

“Don’t just sit there, Ebbeth,” Izel said teasingly, her eyes alight with desire. “Show Julian exactly how you feel about him.”

To Julian’s surprise, Ebbeth nodded without comment. She grasped his cock in her hand, her eyes meeting his once more. Then she leaned forward and took his hard, throbbing cock into her mouth.

---

Julian Imerdan (lv. 7 Psion)

HP: 142/142

ST: 62/119

WP: 470/470

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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