by Dante King
“I hope so,” Toshiro said. “I truly hope so.”
Chapter Nineteen
With a thought, I switched my Persona to the civilian garb of Ironside, and all the dirt and filth of battle disappeared. Cara did the same. It was a small benefit compared to the total power of our Personas, but avoiding the need to bathe after every battle was certainly a boon.
General Koshu and the others came storming up the hill at full speed, and he seemed disappointed to have missed the battle. Without delay, Kai gathered a group of her soldiers and, with a bit of difficulty, they managed to lower the cage which held the Tengu rebel leader, Nika.
I watched the tall, elegant figure of the Tengu leader with interest as she was released from captivity. She looked exhausted and leaned heavily on Kai.
When she pushed her hood back and uncovered her face, I was surprised to find that she was beautiful. The soft suggestion of feathers swept upward from her finely-curved cheeks and high, intelligent brow. Long, soft brown hair was wild about her face. Her lips were very full, and her large eyes glimmered a pale gray. There was something inhuman about her; it was subtle, but it was easy to see that she was Tengu rather than human. For all that, I was attracted to her exotic features as Kai led her away from the cage and the scene of battle. I figured an introduction was in order at some point, but, for now, it would be best to allow Nika to rest.
The soldiers quickly set up a tent, and Kai led the Tengu woman in. When Kai came out alone shortly afterward, she looked grave.
“Nika is not well,” she said, with a shake of her head. “She’s had a bad scare, and she is not immune to the terror of the Festering. It has taken a toll on her.”
Cara reached to her belt and pulled out a little vial of opaque crystal. She immediately handed it to Kai. “Give Nika some of this. It’s a powerful healing potion, and it’s also a strong sleeping draught. She’ll sleep until the morning, and when she wakes, she’ll feel much better.”
Kai smiled gratefully and took the potion. “Thank you, Cara,” she said. Their hands brushed as they passed the vial over, and Kai blushed as Cara smiled and raised her eyebrows at the tall Yamato woman. Kai turned and hurried back to the tent.
I looked at Cara. She was smiling, looking back and forth between me and Kai. “Do you feel that tugging sensation on your Persona awareness?” she asked.
I nodded. “I believe it’s Yakuna,” I said. “Give me a minute to speak to Koshu, then we can go somewhere private and answer that call. I think Yakuna might have something for us.”
General Koshu had done well in our absence, gaining the respect of the mercenaries and the Byakko. Toshiro’s little band seemed still a bit wary of him, and that was to be expected. He had led an attack against their house, after all, even if it had been a mistake. I gave orders to him to set up a camp here on the hilltop. We had tents and gear in plenty, and there was a stream and a little copse of woodland at the bottom of the hill which would provide firewood. Koshu did not delay, and soon the white shapes of the tents were popping up like mushrooms all over the green hilltop.
Now that the Festering had passed away from this place with the influence of Yakuna, the land had returned at a stroke to the beautiful green space which it had been before. Most of the day had passed, and the evening sun was golden over the now-lush green of the hills.
Cara and I walked away from the bustle, down the hill to an open space where piles of old stone were tumbled under trailing vines and thick grass. We looked at one another, then answered the call of the spirit realm.
Unlike previous times, the place where we sat did not fade, but it shivered as if it had been shaken, and I looked around in surprise. We had definitely opened the gate to the spirit realm—I could feel it—but there was no visible change.
“What...?” began Cara, but I stopped her.
“Look,” I said quietly, pointing.
A little way down the hill, a tall, grave-looking man was standing. He wore a blue robe in the Yamato style, and he had a samurai sword at his belt. I knew at once that we were looking at Yakuna.
He approached us slowly, his face looking down. When he reached the edge of the ring of stones we were sitting at, he bowed low.
“Thank you, Soul Binder,” he said. “I am ashamed to have been caught by the Festering so completely. Without your intervention, it would have caused so much damage to the land of Yamato, but you have saved me, and it, from destruction.”
“That’s what we came here to do,” I said to him. “I’m glad you can have peace now.”
“In thanks for your help, I have something I can give you to help you in your quest.”
“A Persona?” Cara asked, but Yakuna shook his head.
“Not that. But when you are in battle, you can summon me. You can call on me, and I will be able to send a spirit warrior to aid you, for a short while. It’s only a small service, but it’s all I have the power to do now...”
He was fading, disappearing into the grass. We heard a long, relieved sigh, and he was gone.
“I wonder what he meant?” said Cara.
“We’ll find out when we’re next in battle,” I said. “Whatever form the warrior he sends takes, it will be useful. Every advantage is going to be useful in this battle.”
“Every advantage?”
I heard the flirtatious note in her voice and glanced over at her.
“Yes, every advantage...”
“Including Kai having access to Persona magic?”
I laughed. “Yes! Absolutely! I think she’s keen to have that herself, and I’m keen to bring her in.”
Cara’s voice was husky as she replied, “Me too.”
We summoned our upgrade diagrams and spent our Renown. Instead of looking for anything new at this point, we decided it would be best to choose upgrades that increased the effectiveness of what we already had. Working quickly, we upgraded the explosive power of Cara’s lightning storm spell, and the strength of my mace. She found an upgrade to make her potions even more effective, and to increase the speed of her draw when she went for her bow. I upgraded the Ironside Persona with extra power in my shockwave attack, so that I could stomp the ground to send a crowd of enemies flying back from me if necessary.
As we worked, my mind was filled with thoughts of Kai, and I could tell that Cara’s mind was also on what we both hoped would come next.
Hand in hand, we made our way back up to the camp.
Kai was waiting for us when we reached the camp. She had been sitting outside the tent which had been put up for me and Cara, looking thoughtfully out over the ruins and smiling. Now, when she caught sight of us approaching, she jumped to her feet and turned to us.
She tossed her head, and her long, dark hair swung about her head and down her back. The golden light of late evening played across her bronzed face, and her dark eyes were sparkling as she looked us up and down.
“How is your friend?” Cara asked.
“Nika? She’s sleeping. That draught of yours sent her straight into a deep sleep. She was terrified, but physically unhurt. We’ll hear her story tomorrow, I’m sure, but for now, I’m not concerned for her. She just needs rest.”
Cara nodded. “I’m glad to hear my potion was the right thing. She should sleep until morning now.”
“So we have the night to ourselves now?” A slow smile crept across Kai’s face, and was returned by Cara. At the same time, they both looked at me.
“Well, I think we can find a profitable way to spend our time until tomorrow,” I said. I let my eyes travel up and down both women’s bodies, appreciating the contrast between Cara’s fair skin and hair, and Kai’s bronze skin and black hair. They were two very beautiful women.
“I’m sure we can,” Cara said, and we all laughed.
The sun was setting, and we checked in with Toshiro and Koshu, making sure all was well. Scouts had been sent out, and there was no sign of enemies anywhere near. The soldiers were all settling down around the big fire, some way away
from the tents, and they had meat and drink and seemed content to relax after the day’s labors.
“I’ve got my own supplies,” Kai said, indicating the pack she had picked up. “Some fruit and sweets, and some wine. Shall we take them back to your tent to eat, Leo?”
I glanced around the camp at the contented soldiers. We were not needed here tonight. “Let’s do that.”
I led the two women back to the big tent which had been set up for us, striding through the gathering dusk. Kai and Cara followed me quickly, and Cara hurried forward to push the tent flap up to let us both in.
Inside, the spacious tent was warm. A brazier of charcoal warmed the space, and two globe lanterns sat on a low table at one side. Rich furs carpeted the ground, so that every inch of the tent was covered in deep softness.
Cara and Kai looked at me expectantly. In the light of the lanterns, I could see the flush in Cara’s cheeks, and Kai’s full lips were slightly parted as she glanced from one to the other of us. I could see what was on their minds, but they were waiting for me to make the move.
“Kai,” I said without preamble, “we’d like to bring you into our Persona circle. Would you like that too?”
She nodded slowly. “Even if there was no magical power to share, I would still want to be joined with your... circle. Leofwine, Cara, I’ve never known anyone like you.”
The lust was plain to hear in her voice.
Cara’s eyes shone as I stepped forward and claimed Kai’s mouth with a kiss. I felt the Yamato woman’s body trembling with excitement and desire as I ran my hands up and down her sides, gripping her hips and letting one hand slip down to feel her ass. Her mouth tasted warm and sweet, and her tongue came out to meet mine. I heard a rustling noise and broke the kiss to see Cara wearing the slinky green dress again. Her feet were bare.
Boldly, she stepped forward and joined me next to Kai. She dropped one hand to touch Kai’s hip and laid her other on mine. She leaned forward, her lips parted.
Kai seemed to hesitate.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
She laughed. “Nothing. Nothing’s wrong, I just... well, I’ve never kissed another woman before, that’s all.”
“Well, I have,” Cara said, and leaned in again.
This time, Kai tentatively met the kiss. I watched as their lips met, gently at first, then more firmly. I pressed my grip on Kai’s ass and felt her respond, grinding her hip back against my hand. My other hand flowed up the soft fabric that covered Cara’s back, feeling the tension in the bunched muscles there ease under my touch. As the two women’s mouths parted, I leaned in and joined them, making a three-way kiss.
When we parted, Cara was a little out of breath.
“Come on,” I said. “Let’s go and lie down.”
I drew the two women after me, over to where the blankets and skins were piled thickest. I was wearing the non-combat aspect of the Ironside Persona, and as I drew the women down to the furs, they both leaned over and together raised the black woolen jerkin up over my head. They were laughing together as they did so, Cara stealing another kiss from the beautiful Yamato warrior.
Kai gasped as she looked down at my bare chest and iron-hard belly. Her mouth open, she leaned over me, tracing one finger down the ridge of my chest and toward my navel. Then she and Cara were both kissing my chest and torso. I leaned my head back, feeling their lips and tongues moving over my shoulders and chest. Then Kai was tugging at my belt, and Cara was massaging the bulge at my crotch.
“Wait, let me get out of this cumbersome garb,” Kai gasped.
“I’ll help you,” Cara said.
I propped myself up on my elbows and watched as Cara moved behind Kai to help her out of her leather jerkin. Kai had already laid her sword aside, and now she held her black hair up out of the way as Cara worked the buckles holding her jerkin in place. After a moment, the buckles came undone, and the leather slipped away.
Kai’s breasts seemed to leap out from their confinement; her jerkin was tight, and it had concealed just how full they were. Kai threw her head back and gasped in delight as Cara and I both leaned in, me from the front and Cara coming around from behind.
Cara’s eyes met mine as we both brought our hands and tongues around to pleasure Kai’s plump nipples, and Kai let out a groan of pure pleasure as we did so. I reached down and flipped the green silk out of the way, one hand finding the smooth, warm skin of Cara’s firm ass as my other kneaded Kai’s luscious breasts. After a moment, we all seemed to have the same thought at the same time.
“Too many clothes!” Kai gasped, and Cara and I both laughed. In a moment, Kai had kicked off her boots and slid her tight trousers down to her ankles and away. Cara lifted her dress up and over her head. She was wearing nothing underneath.
I hauled my trousers off and chucked them aside. Both women gasped out loud as my erect cock was released from captivity. Their eyes met for a moment, then they both dropped down in front of me.
First, Kai took it into her mouth. Cara, leaning over beside her, lifted the other woman’s black hair out of the way so that she could get a good view. I took a deep breath and let it out slowly as Kai slipped the full length of me into her mouth. I had been impressed with Cara’s skill at this, and I was delighted to find that Kai’s skill was no less.
Cara let out a small laugh of amazement at how deep Kai was able to take me. I felt Kai’s tongue sliding around the base of my shaft, then a bolt of pleasure shot through me as Cara lay down on her back and slipped her head between my thighs, taking my balls in her mouth and gently sucking on them. She was now directly below Kai, and Kai reached down to touch Cara’s smaller breasts as she moved her mouth steadily around my cock.
After a few minutes had passed, she slipped it out of her mouth with a gasp, my shaft glistening with her saliva. Cara leaned up and took a turn at pleasuring me, stealing a kiss from Kai on the way up. Cara worked the tip with her tongue and lips, and the shaft with her hand. She was smaller than Kai, and not able to go as deep. The difference in their techniques was delicious. Kai brought her face close, and the two women began to take turns. I thrust gently back and forth as first Cara, then Kai, then Cara again slipped my cock into their mouths.
Then Cara shifted so that she was side on to me, and Kai, understanding her intention, did the same. They brought their mouths together in a kiss, and I slipped my cock between their lips. With one mouth on either side, I thrust more strongly, gazing down in admiration at the smooth backs and perfect asses of my two partners as they pleasured me together.
I reached down and ran my hands through their hair, and I heard Kai gasp and moan with pleasure as I caught a handful of her hair and gripped it in my fist.
“Yes...” was all she said, then moaned louder as I took a firmer grip on her hair.
Cara sat up and put her hand on Kai’s hair as well. She met my eyes and smiled as Kai moaned, “Oh, yes!”
I remembered the moment we had shared when experimenting with Personas, when it had seemed to me that Kai might be one of those women who enjoyed the feeling of being dominated and even restrained during sex. Cara was kneeling with her legs spread, pleasuring herself with her left hand while her right hand was gripping Kai’s hair along with mine. She met my eyes as she pushed Kai’s head down onto my cock again.
Kai took it into her mouth with enthusiasm, and Cara moved behind her, lifting a hand to begin experimentally spanking her. Kai moaned loudly and worked me harder, and Cara spanked her a little harder. After a few slaps, Kai collapsed to the floor and rolled over. She spread her legs and her arms, inviting us in.
Cara and I swapped sides, and Cara knelt over Kai’s face, lowering herself onto Kai’s mouth. As she did so, Kai brought her arms up to grip Cara’s hips. I put my head between Kai’s thighs, feeling her wetness against my mouth and tongue as I began to taste her. The two women’s groans mixed as we all pleasured each other.
After a moment, Cara leaned forward, joining me between Kai’s legs. I took
one look at Cara’s ass in the air above Kai’s face, and decided it was time for fucking.
I left Cara to pleasure Kai with her tongue, and moved to where I could get inside Cara from behind. Cara’s moans of pleasure were loud as I slammed my cock into her as Kai continued eating Cara.
The three of us moved in unison, rocking back and forth as the women worked toward a climax. I felt my pleasure building, but I knew I could hold onto my load as long as I wanted. I had never had any issues in that regard. I smiled to myself at that thought. It was good to be able to do this for my partners.
Cara reached her climax, and her moans of pleasure must have reached out of the tent through the whole camp. I grinned as I pulled out, and Cara rolled away, gasping for air. Her face and hair and hands were covered in Kai’s wetness. She drew her hands down and rubbed it on her nipples as she lay in the afterglow of her orgasm.
Kai’s mouth was open, and I slipped my cock in when she reached up toward me. Again, she took it unbelievably deep, and seemed to derive a lot of pleasure from doing so.
When Cara had recovered, I withdrew, and Kai glanced at us both before asking breathlessly, “Cara, will you restrain me while Leo fucks me?”
Cara let out a little laugh, then kissed Kai’s mouth. “If that’s what you want,” she said.
Kai nodded.
She knelt and held out her wrists submissively, and Cara bound them gently with a piece of soft cloth. Then, together, Cara and I laid Kai down on her back on the soft furs of the tent. Cara pulled her bound arms up and back and held them against the ground. Kai was not really restrained—she could have escaped from Cara’s grip easily if she’d wanted to—but she clearly felt dominated enough to get pleasure from it. Her breasts pointed at the ceiling of the tent, and she closed her eyes. Her lips were parted, showing her perfect teeth.
I leaned forward and gently pushed her thighs apart.
“Oh, yes, Leo,” she moaned, “I want you to fill me completely and utterly. Please...”
I looked Cara in the eye, running my eyes over her flushed white skin, her blonde hair which was now wild about her face, and down over the darkness of our new partner’s skin. They were a beautiful contrast, Cara’s fair skin and hair and Kai’s bronzed skin and black hair. I teased Kai for a moment, slipping the tip of my cock back and forth across her slick outer lips and tickling her clitoris with it.