by Eden Redd
“As for any books about undead and liches in the Moonvale region, I have just the book for you.”
The pair moved to another shelf. Dura reached up and pulled out a black book. She turned and handed it to Kavan.
Kavan looked down on the black book with gold lettering. The title read, “The History of Bromamir Truewind and Moonvale.”
Kavan blinked and looked up to Dura.
The orc gave a knowing smile. “You seem surprised. You’re not the only one who researched our town lich. Most here just treat Brom like a befuddled old man who roams around, but some of us know his history and legends. It took me over a year to find this book from merchants and my short visits to Loduss. He has a very colorful history. He was also present when the old gods fell and the people of Moonvale went mad.”
Kavan looked down at the book in slight bewilderment. “Onka informed me that no one knew anything about the founder of the town or about Brom.”
Dura smiled politely, “Nothing against Onka. She’s a sweet and loving goblin, but she hasn’t stepped foot in the library. It took several years for me to repopulate this library with books. The old books were rotted when Moonvale was re-settled over ten years ago. It stood empty for a long time until I was of age. It became my quest to fill it with knowledge again.
“Despite making the library ready for hungry minds, not many townsfolk come in here. I hope to change that as we grow the town.”
Dura looked down at the book in Kavan’s hands. “Brom’s history is one of my favorite subjects. He doesn’t talk to me, but I read the book in your hands several times. I always found it strange for a lich to live in town when his dungeon is deep in the Misty Forest. Considering what he witnessed, I always assumed he wouldn’t want to be in the place that holds so much tragedy for him. To want to subjugate the town and watch them go mad right before his eyes must have been heartbreaking. To slaughter the kingdom's residents and his family to save them must have taken an incredible toll on his mind.”
“Is the location of his dungeon detailed in the book?”
Dura nodded. “It is. Over the many centuries, this region has been explored and re-explored. This book has the most detail, the author barely surviving the undead that protected Brom’s dungeon. The author goes into detailed descriptions of the undead guarding the dungeon, how most were skeletons and dried out corpses, almost to the point of mummification. It adds a little bit of excitement to the town history and our oldest resident.”
Kavan smiled. “This will be a fascinating read. I look forward to it.”
Dura gave the dragonkin a knowing gaze. “If you ever want to write down anything you and Brom talk about, I am willing to help. It’s no secret that you have been visiting him. It seems he likes you very much since no one has stepped foot in his tower, other than you.”
“It sounds like a great project. I will have to get back to you, but I will keep it in mind.”
Dura nodded and smiled. “Please do. Now, let’s go to the private book collection and get that book on deities of Voldor for you.”
***
Kavan walked up to the main gate of his property. Three books filled his hand as he used his other hand to open the gate. A small squeak from the hinge stabbed into the air as the dragonkin stepped in and closed it behind him.
A sweet smell touched Kavan’s sensitive nose and he breathed it in. The scent had a strange familiarity to it, like honey and lilac. A dash of raw meat mingled with the strange scent, giving it an odd sensation to his slitted nostrils.
The front door to his farmhouse burst open and a naked Abby rushed across the porch and down the small steps to the ground. Kavan watched in disbelief as the taur crossed the distance, her breasts bouncing in every direction.
“Master!” Abby shouted and crashed into him.
Kavan took a step back, bracing himself as the taur hugged him tightly.
“You didn’t come back home last night and I was so worried! I tried to stay in the barn, but I heard some strange noises last night. I ran to the house and locked myself in. I hope you’re not mad, but I stayed in your bed. It was so dark and lonely, I barely slept.”
Kavan grabbed her arms and pulled her away from him just enough that they could look each other in the eyes. “Are you okay?”
Abby nodded. “I am, now that you’re here!”
Two wet spots soaked into Kavan’s shirt. He looked down and saw a milky substance against his shirt. Glancing to the taur’s full breasts, thin slivers of milk leaked from her engorged nipples.
Abby looked away, “It’s time for my first milking. I’m ready for your hands.”
Kavan blinked. “I thought taurs can milk themselves?”
Abby nodded, but didn’t look at Kavan. “We do, but our first time must be with our master or mistress. I have everything set up in the living room. We can do it now. I feel very uncomfortable and need you, my master.”
Kavan fought the urge to correct her and tell her to call him by his name. A memory floated into his head of the bolids on Lorta’s farm and he decided against it. She was clearly hard to deal with and letting her call him by his name, instead of title, would only make it harder to keep her in the barn.
How am I going to do this with several taurs? If they act like Abby, my farm is going to be a zoo.
Abby let out a small whimper. “It’s beginning to hurt. Please, milk me.”
Kavan sighed before he and Abby walked back to the house. They entered the living room and Kavan spied a crate with empty bottles and stoppers on the small table by the couch.
Abby’s mood changed like the wind. She was all smiles and nearly hopped to the couch. She turned around and sat down with an eagerness in her eyes and demeanor.
Kavan moved to her side and sat down next to her, putting the books he was carrying on the table. He looked down at her bouncing leg.
“Abby, is this really a thing? Do I have to milk you for the first time?” Kavan asked with a slight hesitation.
Abby gave a vigorous nod. “Oh yes! It’s standard practice, but the first time is the most important. As my Master, you can milk me anytime you wish, but I need you to do it this time.”
Kavan’s eyes narrowed.
She’s lying.
“Yes, I think she’s lying too,” Viz added.
Abby pushed out her heavy chest, milk leaking from her dark brown nipples. “Go ahead, squeeze them.”
The taur grabbed an empty bottle from the crate and put it in Kavan’s hand.
“Are you ever going to wear the overalls I gave you?” Kavan asked as he decided exactly how he was going to go through with this moment.
Abby didn’t answer. Her face was turned away and she waited.
Kavan looked down, shadows covering his eyes. He put the opening of the bottle to a nipple. Abby took in a sharp inhale. Kavan reached up and took hold of her full breast. Pink heat touched Abby’s cheeks. When the dragonkin gave her breast a slight squeeze, a stream of milk flowed into the bottle and Abby let out a sultry moan.
Kavan’s eye ridges narrowed as he squeezed and milk spilled into the bottle. Abby’s breathing increased and she trembled a little. Her eyes half-closed and heavy breath fell from her parted lips. A trance soon filled her eyes and she moaned again.
The small moans stabbed at Kavan as he milked her. He glanced at her face, seeing a look of blissful ecstasy in her eyes. She reached over and placed a hand on Kavan’s leg, giving it a squeeze every time he squeezed her.
“Keep doing that,” Abby said in a faraway voice.
“Abby, you should be doing…” Kavan was cut off by the taur.
“Shhh. Don’t speak. It’s distracting,” Abby whispered.
Annoyance flared within Kavan until it shifted into ludicrous amusement. The oddness of the moment drained away and the dragonkin chuckled. His scaled hand squeezed harder and Abby let out a yelp and her eyes closed. Heat radiated from her body as the bottle was nearly full.
“Master, you have very skill
ed hands,” Abby whispered.
Kavan put the now full bottle on the table and picked up another one. He pressed it to her nipple and began squeezing again. Abby let out an orgasmic sigh. She looked down and squeezed Kavan’s leg harder.
“You’re getting off on this,” Kavan grinned.
“I don’t know what you’re….OOOooooo, squeeze harder,” Abby said as she pushed her chest harder against his hand.
Gained 1 degree in Farming Skill. Farming Skill is now 3rd degree, Above Average.
Kavan smiled at the alert crossing his gaze.
“We’re having company later. I’m going to need you to stay in the barn tonight. Do you understand?”
Abby gave a slow nod. “Of course, Master. Now do the other one. If you have too, massage the nipple. Sucking on it works best, so don’t be shy,” the taur said with enthusiastic flair.
***
The sun vanished behind the horizon as night’s cloak flowed over the world. Nocturnal animals stirred from their dens as fireflies lit up the inky darkness with flashes of subdued light. The air took on a small, but comfortable chill.
A taur stood by a slightly open barn door, a frown painting her face. She glared at the farmhouse as lanterns were lit inside and a shadow moved about on the first floor, appearing and disappearing along the windows.
Inside the farmhouse, Kavan moved like he was possessed. Without a real dining table to sit at, he placed plates of food on the small table by the couch. He set up his only three chairs around it and the couch faced it. The plates of food on the table were filled with a variety of fruits, vegetables, cheese, bread, and a plate of dried meats.
Kavan judged his own food offerings and scratched his head.
I never really entertained before. This is a little weird and my food selection is pathetic.
“It’s fine for now. There is a Cooking skill you haven’t unlocked yet. You may have to make some time to learn some recipes so you can cook meals.”
Kavan nodded.
I’ll have to research it, but you’re right, this will have to do. Onka, Raine, and Misty will be here at any moment.
A knock at the door caused the dragonkin to whirl around. He stepped to the door and opened it. Onka was standing there with a wide smile and a bottle in her hand. The goblin was wearing a tight shirt and leather leggings. She did nothing to cover up her cleavage as she stepped in and presented the bottle.
“For the night. It’s called rum. Kazko said he had it imported and thought it would be good for dinner tonight.”
Kavan glanced at the coffee table and frowned.
Onka followed his gaze to the table with plates of food and smiled. “It looks good. Don’t be so hard on yourself.”
Kavan shrugged.
“I’ll pour us some drinks. Priest Raine and Priestess Misty are very relaxed. They won’t even notice or judge. Some rum might ease your nerves.”
The goblin walked toward the kitchen and disappeared from sight.
Kavan stood in the living room, his shoulders relaxing. With Onka here, her presence eased the tension away. The connection between them seemed to only grow and Kavan was finding it difficult to not think about her. Seeing Zellee and Lorta was welcomed, but the dragonkin’s thoughts continued to drift back to the beautiful goblin.
A knock at the door woke Kavan from his daydreaming. He turned, stepped to the door and opened it.
Priest Raine and Priestess Misty stood with attentive eyes and small smiles. They wore simple, black robes. Their blonde hair was shaped to bring all attention to their beautiful features. Kavan noticed a hint of glitter in their hair. Raine held a bottle in his hands and Misty held a covered plate in her hands.
“Greetings, Lord Cynder,” Raine smiled and bowed.
Misty bowed as well.
“Greetings. Please, come in,” Kavan said and stepped to the side.
The two fae stepped in and Kavan closed the door behind them. Misty stepped closer to Kavan, grabbed the lid on the plate and pulled it up. Kavan smiled as he looked down at a white-frosted cake with cut strawberries on it.
“I thought I would bring dessert,” Misty said with an infectious smile.
“I brought some fruit wine to wash it down,” Raine added.
Onka emerged from the kitchen with several cups and an open bottle of rum. “The party is just starting.”
Raine and Misty grinned at the goblin.
“Lady Treeclimber, so good of you to join us on this fine evening. The more the merrier,” Raine said with enthusiasm.
“I brought a bottle of rum. Would everyone want a cup?” Onka asked.
“Yes,” the two fae said at the same time and laughed.
Kavan relaxed as the mood did lighten. Everyone moved to the couch and chairs. Kavan and Onka sat on the couch. Raine and Misty sat on the chairs. Cups were placed down and rum was poured. Everyone picked up their wooden mugs, raised them to each other and took deep sips.
The rum washed along over Kavan’s tongue and down his throat. Never in his life did a rum taste this good. He took another long sip, savoring the taste. Raine, Misty, and Onka all nodded in agreement that the rum pleased their taste buds.
“Everyone, help yourself,” Kavan smiled.
Heads nodded and hands reached for a small stack of wood plates. Food was piled onto each plate. Soon, everyone was eating and drinking, the mood relaxing further.
“Lord Cynder, we have to thank you for having us in your home,” Raine said.
“Please, call me Kavan. Titles make it all so formal.”
Raine nodded. “Yes, we feel the same. Titles can be a little stuffy at times. That is one of the wonderful things about Moonvale, we are a close-knit, relaxed community.”
“How is it where you’re from?” Misty asked.
Kavan smiled. “A little uptight. It was one of the many reasons why I left. It didn’t feel like home anymore.”
The two glanced at each other before looking at the dragonkin.
Raine spoke up, “We felt the same. Though, fae families are very free and open to many things, religion is not one of them.”
Misty continued, “My brother and I have always had a deep, spiritual belief. It was often frowned upon in our communities. When we were of age, we left our home to seek out a place to worship in peace.”
Kavan nodded. “I did some reading on the gods and goddesses of Voldor, new and old. It’s fascinating, if a little hard to understand exactly what happened.”
Raine nodded. “Books will often glance over the difficult times of what happened in the higher planes. I won’t bore you too much, but it was hard for many to comprehend what exactly happened. The dragonkin dictated what happened when the dragons invaded the higher realms, or liberated as they often like to say. I hope you don’t find any of this offensive, our dear host?”
Kavan shook his head. “Not at all. I tended to stay away from religions that don’t follow their own doctrine. It actually happens a lot.”
Misty smiled brightly. “As do we. Moonvale is the only place we found where the dragon gods didn’t treat its people like lepers if they didn’t follow them. We follow the ways of Drogoss. He is one of the more powerful old gods. His form is that of a silver dragon, but he has taken on a humanoid shape from time to time.”
Raine nodded. “We still follow him because he is the only old god from the old pantheon still accepted among all kingdoms. When the dragons stormed the higher realms, Drogoss refused to interfere. He himself loved dragons and could not bring himself to stand in their way. It muddied the waters, to follow a god that stood aside as the higher realms burned, but we place our trust and faith that he had his reasons.”
Kavan spoke up, “The new dragon pantheon is quite extensive. Many took over the roles of the old gods.”
The two fae nodded.
Raine looked to the side, “They did. Those gods that were killed were easily replaced. Many others fled and went into hiding. There have always been rumors that the dragon gods co
ntinue to hunt them.”
Misty looked into Kavan’s eyes, “Despite the loss of the hudenns and most of the elves, in some places, the old gods are still worshipped. That is why we are here. We follow Drogoss, but in truth, we follow much of the old pantheon. Living on the edge of civilization has helped give us our freedom, but it also shuns us from many others.”
“We must take extra precautions when we have new residents. We give them time to adjust to our way of life. When we feel confident, we have these dinners to connect, explain and see if faith will be part of your life. We in no way push any god or goddess, but follow all of them to help bring nourishment to the soul,” Raine said.
“Mayor Sunaxe and many in town have spoken highly of you,” Misty grinned. “We felt it was time for our meeting, to help you further adjust to Moonvale’s beliefs.”
Kavan smiled politely, “Thank you for this, but I’m not sure I follow any faith. Religion has always been a thorn in my side. I always felt that I can be spiritual in my own way, without following ancient rules to dictate and judge if I am a good person or not.”
The two fae nodded.
Raine’s eyes gleamed in the lantern light. “We completely agree, religion is not for everyone.”
“Religions only get people killed,” Onka said in a low, dark tone.
Kavan turned his gaze to the goblin. Onka sat with her drink in hand and her plate half empty. A scowl was etched into her brow, but she had a faraway look in her oval, yellow eyes. She didn’t speak toward Raine and Misty. She spoke like her inner thoughts came spilling out of her mouth.
Raine nodded. “In some cases, it's true. But here in Moonvale, it is the one of the many bonds that holds our community together.”
Misty smiled to the goblin, “Onka, why don’t we get some cups for the wine.”
Onka blinked and looked around like she was back in her body. Without a word, she stood up and put her plate down. Misty stood and the two women moved toward the kitchen door. When they stepped through it, the air in the room seemed to lighten.
Raine leaned forward, elbows on his knees and a gleam in his gaze as he looked at the dragonkin with serious eyes.