Adiranthe Ch 12 by Paladin

The name was just getting so unwieldy lol so has been shortened. Enjoy this, its Paladin's last turn at Adiranthe (with only the tiniest bit of guidance from me) before I take the reins again for the final turn.

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Kardan’s smile vanished, “I had hoped this foolishness was over. Since you arrived you have struggled against me and been defeated everytime. As much as I have enjoyed hearing your cries of submission and pleas for mercy I thought I’d tamed you enough pony.”

Eleria scowled as she thought of the times he had used his greater strength to dominate her and then to force her to yield to his demands that she carry him on her back. “I’m far from tamed,” she spat back, “and the only cries for mercy will be from you!” 

Kardan leapt up from his throne, one hand lashing out to grab her but Eleria was already springing backwards and the Goblin King’s hand swept through empty air. 

Eleria grinned at the surprised look on his face. She half turned and placed a hand on the small of her back. “You see this, Goblin Breath? Tonight was the last time your butt will ever sit here and this,” she slid her hand across her silk swathed rear, enjoying the way his eyes followed her movements. “This will be the last thing you see as I walk out of this kingdom of yours.”

Before he could move after her Eleria turned, dived forward, landed on her hands and used the momentum to spring up driving her heels into the startled Goblin King’s chest.

Kardan was thrown backwards, rolling until he crashed against his throne. He was up again in seconds and there was no sign of a smile this time.

“You crept into my kingdom to steal what you could, you were caught and told the conditions of your slavery which have been more than generous,” he growled.

“You use your 'kingdom' as a trap for adventurers! You’ve used me as your plaything, riding me like a pony at your pleasure and you call that generous.” 

“Compared to what I will do to you from now on, yes,” Kardan moved slowly towards her.

Eleria tried to circle around him but the Goblin King swiftly cut her off. He moved with a quickness that belied his size. 

“Now little pony I will break you to my will. If you think I’ve used you for my pleasure so far then you're mistaken... There are many parts of my kingdom that I’ve yet to see from the comfort of your back. You will learn love your saddle and your position under me and as for an end to your slavery that will be many years away if ever.”

Eleria’s eyes flashed with anger and she felt the enchanted silk shift and tighten around her body making her feel stronger and surer. “You’re wrong Goblin Breath. Not only will I be free of you by the end of this day but you will carry me out of this pit of a kingdom with a saddle on your back and a bit firmly between your teeth.”

Kardan roared with laughter, “I’m going to enjoy hearing you beg little pony while I sit on your chest so that I can see the defeat in your eyes.”

Eleria nodded, “just remember you’ve framed the terms of this challenge.”

Kardan paused a moment, taken aback by the firm tone in her voice. Shaking it off he rushed her intending to overwhelm her in one moment.

Eleria dived under his arms, sprang to her feet and lashed out, kicking at the back of his knee. The Goblin King crashed to the ground but managed to half-turn and throw a huge backfist that only Eleria’s magically enhanced reflexes enabled her to avoid. 

He got to his feet and closed on her once more. Eleria slapped away each attempt to capture her. 

Kardan sped up his attacks, trying to stun her long enough to get a firm grip on her so that his greater weight could come into play. 

Eleria’s confidence grew as she easily evaded him and she began striking back in earnest. She slipped under a wild swing and struck him in the ribs as she slid past. Eleria sprang up to her feet with blinding speed and launched a side kick at the turning Goblin King’s chest. As he’d done in the past Kardan caught her foot diffusing some of the impact but before he could take advantage Eleria twisted and leapt up, her free foot striking him a stunning blow. She landed low and as balanced as a cat.

Kardan stumbled back, shaking his head to clear it. He was breathing hard and the collection of short, sharp blows he’d received were taking their toll on his stamina. Her feral grin as she watched him trying to recover nearly drove him forward into yet another wild attack. Of course that was what she wanted. 

Kardan watched her cautiously. How was it that she was suddenly moving so swiftly and hitting with a force she’d never demonstrated before? 

Eleria rose gracefully from her crouch. She stretched as if unconcerned by his presence and Kardan found himself staring as the tight silk emphasised the muscles and softer curves of her body.

‘Silk!’ The Goblin King gasped as the answer hit him. ‘The little wench had found a way to use the power of the magical silk against him.’

“This game has been diverting but it’s over now little pony,” he growled.

Eleria sniffed and stood with her fists on her hips. To emphasise her defiance she raised one hand and gestured for him to come forward, if he dared!

“You will stand there without moving!” Kardan commanded as he imposed his will on the magical strips of silk.

The Goblin King broke into a rumbling laugh as he watched the thief-girl’s panic as she realised she was trapped. She struggled to break free of the magic as he approached and Kardan savoured the moment as he approached slowly. His little pony’s eyes filled with tears as she realised she was helpless.

Close enough now he took a fist-full of her black silk bodice and pulled her closer to him, enjoying the feel of the silk and her equally soft skin against his hand. He ran his free hand slowly down her back, pausing as he reached the gentle curve he’d so recently ridden. Kardan laughed, “this, little pony and this,” he slid his hand down around the curve of her backside, “are mine and I will have the pleasure of feeling beneath me any time I command it.” 

Eleria looked up at the Goblin King her eyes remarkably dry of tears and a crooked smile on her face. “There’s something you should know about your magical silk.”

Kardan’s eyes narrowed in suspicion but he was too slow to react. Eleria trapped the hand holding the silk and caught his elbow with her free hand. She yanked hard on the elbow twisting him off balance then swept his foot. Kardan crashed to the floor. 

The Goblin King gasped as the silk strips slipped from between his fingers, reforming into Eleria’s bodice. The thief-girl planted a foot on his chest and Kardan could feel the enhanced strength in her legs pressing down on him.

“Ready to start begging for mercy?” Eleria asked.

Kardan grabbed her ankle and tried to twist her foot away from him but Eleria simply pressed down harder. Changing his attack the Goblin King tried to spin and sweep Eleria’s weight bearing leg.

Eleria reacted instantly, springing backwards onto her hands and then over onto her feet. She tutted and waited with her hands on her hips for him to clamber back to his feet. 

As he got up Eleria rushed in and caught his hands, intertwining fingers. She waited until he’d gathered his senses and began to squeeze and push. So many times she’d looked up at him as he’d used his height and strength to dominate her now the tables were turned. Eleria allowed him to struggle briefly before driving him down to his knees. 

She giggled in a girlish way as he glared up at her, mainly because she knew it would drive him mad.

Kardan suddenly dropped onto his backside. The sudden change tipped Eleria slightly forward but it was enough. The Goblin King rolled onto his back and as Eleria flew forward he thrust his legs up. 

Eleria was shot up to the high point of an arc and then slammed down to the floor on her back. She barely heard the air blast out of her lungs. With a growl Kardan rolled and came to a stop firmly seated on her chest. “Enough games wench.” He raised himself up and dropped his full weight squarely down on her chest, his weight forcing out what little air remained in her lungs. His shins bore down, grinding into her arms. 

The Goblin King shifted his hips as if trying to find a comfortable spot astride her breasts. Then he brought his knees in and began squeezing the sides of her head. “Feel like begging yet little pony? I hope not because I’m not finished with you yet.”

Kardan slid forward until his thighs framed her face. He grabbed a hand-full of hair and forced her face into his groin, again depriving her of the air needed before she could mount a resistance. 

Eleria could feel her captor’s excitement as he ground her face into his groin. The magical silk had protected her from injury but they hadn’t been able to stop her lungs from emptying. Now she was dazed and struggling to focus. She gasped for air as Kardan’s thighs tightened. ‘Work damn you,’ she ordered her body but nothing changed. She could feel her awareness fading and knew that if she passed out now she would awaken stripped of her advantage and helplessly at her captors mercy. Her Master’s mercy she corrected herself because she knew Kardan would crush all resistance from her after this rebellion.

If her body wouldn’t respond perhaps the magic in the silk would. She sent the last fading remnants of her will into the silken strips. Her legs jerked then acted without her muscles. They curved up and kicked out throwing the Goblin King off her.

Eleria gasped for air and pushed herself over onto her side. She could see Kardan slumped over by the wall but he was already starting to stir. ‘Up’ she ordered and her body slowly obeyed.

Eleria swayed but she could already feel the magic seeping back into her muscles.

Kardan roared and lurched to his feet. He swung about and charged at the thief-girl. He could see she was unsteady on her feet and hoped a final charge would drive her back to the ground. 

Eleria stumbled, seemingly unable to steady herself, unprepared for the ferocity of the Goblin King’s attack. Kardan threw himself at her. As his arms swept out and around to engulf her dazed expression hardened.

Eleria turned into his charge, dropping her weight and grabbing at the nearest arm. Her technique was far from perfect but subtlety was not needed. As his body connected with hers she pushed up with her hips and pulled hard on the arm in her grip.

The impact threw Eleria to the ground but the Goblin King crashed, out of control, destroying his throne. Eleria pushed her self up on one arm and watched in amazement as her opponent stirred. She got up and staggered over, kicking broken pieces of throne out of her way. 

The Goblin King shook his head and glared up at her, “I will crush you,” he said but his voice was hoarse and unsteady.

Eleria stepped over his prone body and without warning jumped up. Her full weight landed on Kardan’s chest and as his head bobbed forward she drove her fist into his jaw. The Goblin King went limp.

Eleria got up and retrieved Kardan’s jewel inset spurs. With a thiefs instincts she moved around the room evaluating, selecting and discarding. She chose only items easy to carry but of the highest value. A section of wall caught her attention, “too easy,” she muttered. Within moments a panel slid aside and a dragons hoard of gems trickled through her fingers. “Why live like a noble for a few months when I can buy my own castle?” She glanced over at the unconscious Goblin King, “let’s consider this payment for all my troubles shall we?”

As she walked back towards the shattered throne her eyes fell upon the exquisitely tooled saddle that had so recently been strapped to her back. A king would pay a fortune for his spoilt daughter to ride in such a saddle. Eleria looked over at Kardan, but first it would be put to a better use.

Kardan awoke to find his head buzzing and his jaw aching. The thief-girl! He tried to look around but found himself unable to  move. Kardan realised he was staring down at the floor between his hands. He tensed his shoulders and pushed until the tendons stood out in his arms but he remained where he was.

“The interesting thing about your magical silk,” said a voice from beyond his view, “is that even a few strips seperated from the main group can still be controlled.” Eleria crouched down and lifted his head, “which means that with a few strips of silk I can control you.”

Kardan struggled again but the magic held him fast. 

“I don’t expect you’ll beg for mercy and I don’t have the time or inclination to force it out of you. Instead I intend to leave your kingdom, much wealthier than when I arrived, and you will carry me the whole way.”

Eleria stood and collected the saddle. She briefly held it so that Kardan could see it and then dropped it onto his back before cinching it place. The Goblin King trembled with unexpressed anger. 

Eleria crouched back down in front of him, in her hands she held the bridle. She raised an eyebrow and tapped the bit with one finger. “You can voluntarily open your mouth or...,” she left the threat unspoken. 

The Goblin King growled low, the sound rumbling deep in his chest. Eleria laughed, “naughty pony,” she chided, “now open your mouth!”

Kardan struggled but could not overcome the magic that bound him and in short order the bit was placed between his teeth and the bridle fixed in place. Eleria looped the reins over his head and studied the scene critically, “something’s missing,” she snapped her fingers.

Eleria sat down where Kardan could see her, “I can’t ride a naughty pony without spurs can I?” she asked innocently. She bound the spurs to her heels. “What do you think?” She spun one of the rowels and laughed. “Time to go pony.”

Beneath the ruins of Adiranthe. Part 11 (by Paladin)

Editors Note - you should read the last parts of Chp 10 before the first part of this :) Paladin takes it in a cute direction, I thought. Go Eleria!

*****

The Sorceress wore an emerald chemise which gave her freedom of movement and outlined her figure. She’d removed all jewellery and had unbound her hair. The blond sauntered to the middle of the chamber and stood waiting with her hands on her hips.

Eleria stood opposite her and although she wanted to punish the sorceress for her humiliation in the feast-hall she didn’t want to take all her frustrations out on the woman. She also didn’t want to reveal to Kardan the extent to which she could now control the magic of the silk strips.

“A test of strength to begin?” the blond suggested. She raised both hands, palms outwards. Eleria shrugged and matched the gesture. Their fingers were quickly entwined. 

“A pity you’re feeling so weak,” the sorceress whispered. “In fact you already know your rightful place is on your knees.”

Eleria shook her head as if struggling against a compulsion to obey.

“Begin,” the Goblin King commanded.

The sorceress began squeezing and trying to use her slightly greater height to force Eleria’s hands back. Eleria gasped as she felt herself slowly being forced back and down. She tried to step back and circle around to give herself some room but the sorceress cut her off and with a wide grin applied even more pressure. Eleria collapsed to her knees with a sob as the blond woman towered over her. 

“Submit now and I’ll not hurt you too much,” the sorceress licked her lips as she looked down on Eleria. “Continue to struggle and I will punish you, then I will sit astride your face until you’re ready to beg to submit to me.” The sorceress moved close enough for Eleria to feel the woman’s thighs touching her face.

“There is a third choice,” Eleria growled. She gathered her strength and surged to her feet. In a single move she rose to her toes then drove the sorceress down to the floor. The woman wailed as her fingers were bent backwards.

Kardan’s laughter echoed around the chamber.

Eleria broke their fingerlock but before the sorceress had recovered she caught the blond’s wrist and stepped around and behind the kneeling woman. Eleria pushed the blond forward and sat enough of her weight on the sorceresses’ back to keep her there. She then twisted the wrist she’d captured until it was high up the other woman’s back.

The sorceress screamed in pain and tried to dig the nails of her free hand into Eleria’s leg. After a brief struggle Eleria trapped that wrist as well. She rocked her hips forward and rode the blond to the ground. 

As Kardan had once done to her she sat in the small of the sorceresses back and pulled the woman’s arms backwards, stretching her like a bow. Now it was the blond’s turn to sob in agony. 

Eleria continued to hold the sorceress in that position until she felt her opponent’s struggles grow weaker. She knew if she held her here the woman would submit, after all she had when Kardan had done it to her, but that wouldn’t be enough after all the woman’s taunts. Eleria released her opponents arms and the sorceress collapsed to the ground.

Eleria stood the reached down to take a handful of blond hair. She dragged the woman to her feet. The sorceress threw a weak punch which Eleria easily blocked. She then whipped her arm around locking the blond’s elbow. Eleria then straightened her own arm. The sorceress screamed and rose up onto her toes to try and relieve the pressure.

Eleria released the lock, stepped in close and spun, throwing the sorceress over her shoulder. The blond landed hard on her back the wind driven out of her. Eleria slowly walked around her opponent, making it clear to Kardan and the woman on the ground that she was fully in control.

The sorceress tried to slowly rise but Eleria placed her foot on the woman’s chest and pushed her back down to the ground. “Submit?” she asked.

The sorceress spat at her, “I don’t submit to gutter trash thieves.”

Eleria smiled and removed her foot, “so glad to hear it I didn’t really want this to end too quickly.”

Eleria again dragged the blond to her feet then waited. The sorceress grabbed Eleria around the waist trying to crush her to force the air out of her lungs or to smother her with her ample breasts. 

Eleria allowed the woman a moment of hope before allowing the woman to take her full weight on her arms. The Sorceress snarled, squeezing harder, thinking Eleria was weakening.

Eleria laughed and swung her legs around the woman’s body. She kicked hard behind both knees and the sorceress dropped to the ground. Eleria pushed hard off the floor and drove the blond backwards landing heavily on top.

Eleria quickly pinned the sorceress's wrists to the floor and straddled her chest. “Well?” she demanded.

Her opponent tried to look away but Eleria caught another handful of hair and pulled her head back around. “I quit the battle,” the sorceress answered.

Eleria looked to the Goblin King who shrugged gestured to indicate that he would leave it in her hands. Eleria looked back at the sorceress. It wasn’t enough she decided.

Eleria slid forward until her thighs framed the blond woman’s face. She repaid the earlier slap with one of her own! “This challenge is to a submission, you don’t get to quit it. You submit or to quote you will be made to beg to submit.”

The sorceress bucked but quickly gave up when she realised Eleria couldn’t be so easily unseated. “Lord Kardan she cried. “Surely you can’t mean for this guttersnipe to treat me like this?”

Kardan considered the scene before him for a long moment before answering. He loved the sight of the sorceresses body helplessly pinned beneath Eleria as much as he loved the dominant pose Eleria held with her silk clad behind firmly placed on the sorceresses chest and throat, her shins pressing down on the blond’s arms and her own hands resting on her hips. It was not an image he would quickly forget.

“As much as it pains me to do this my dear sorceress but you did in fact frame the conditions of this challenge yourself and my pretty pony, who appears very comfortable astride you by the way, has every right to demand your submission. I would suggest, that unless you have some some strength in reserve to allow you to escape, that you carefully consider your position under my pony and remember what you threatened her with could easily be visited upon you.”

The sorceress glared up at Eleria, “you wouldn’t dare.”

Eleria laughed and ran her fingers through her hair to show her complete control of the sorceress and her disdain for any resistance she might show. She bounced on the blond’s chest, enjoying each groan and grimace, using her thighs to ensure the sorceress was forced to look up at her.

Eleria paused, “once I would never have considered it. I would much rather have beaten your pretty face black and blue but right now I’m not above humiliating you with your own threat, in fact...,”

Eleria shifted forward and dropped her butt on to the sorceresses face, smothering the woman’s snarl of outrage. The blond’s struggles were short-lived and she went very still. It was an unusual feeling to be in such a commanding position on top of another woman. 

Eleria had no doubt that she would have been utterly humiliated if it had been done to her and knew that for someone so used to dominating others it would be an even more intense defeat. She moved back onto the woman’s chest. 

The sorceress looked up at her without a trace of her usual arrogance. “Well?” Eleria demanded.

“I submit,” 

Eleria gave her an amused look, then moved as if to sit astride her face again.

“Please,” the sorceress cried, “please I beg you to accept my submission.”

Eleria laughed and patted her beaten opponent’s cheek. She stood and ordered the sorceress onto all fours. Eleria stepped over the blond and without taking her eyes off Kardan she slowly lowered her weight onto the woman’s back. The sorceress made no protest even when Eleria caught up her hair and drummed her heels against her thighs.

Eleria rode her slowly towards the Goblin King’s throne and only reined her in once they were right in front of Kardan.

The Goblin King watched it all with an intensity that reminded Eleria that her objective of distraction was certainly being achieved. 

“Sorceress you have been fairly overcome in combat and have submitted, you are now bound to my service for one month. Do you accept this?”

“Yes Lord Kardan.”

“And to seal this,” Eleria added as she dismounted. She placed her foot on the sorceresses head and pushed it down until the woman’s lips met Kardan’s boot. 

The Goblin King smiled, “you are dismissed sorceress.” The kneeling woman vanished. “And now, what to do with you my victorious pony, hmm?”

Eleria collected the sorceresses emerald necklace and placed it around her own neck. She sauntered back up to the waiting King and placed her arms around his neck. Eleria gave him a light but soft kiss on the lips. She backed away from the throne.

“Now, now we fight for my freedom.” she said.

Christmas Story - By Unferth!

"Christmas" - By Unferth

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“Shall we dance?” She had stretched, ever so slightly onto her toes, so that her words came as a breath in his ear, her perfume sweet to his nose. As he hesitated, she brushed her lips against his “or perhaps you’d like to hold me as I dance or” – she pirouetted, graceful even in her high heels, so that she stood finger-tip apart from him, head tilted in question “would you just like to watch me?”

He looked away, awkward. He’d not been surprised when she’d said earlier that she was a dancer, she’d moved with a lithe elegance, the black of her dress catching the flaring and flickering as she lit candles in the flat. “I’m afraid I can only manage Gangnam Style – and that badly!”

Her head tilted again as she smiled– he couldn’t decide if he found the mannerism irritating or endearing. “We should put some music on, anyway.” She dropped his hand, turned and quickly traced the rack of CDs with her finger. He couldn’t see the title, just the red sleeve and smiling santaclause on the cover before she opened it, pulled out the CD and left the open case on the TV, and kneeled down to the CD player beneath. He watched her hemline rise – he still couldn’t see if the sheer of her thighs came from stockings or tights – and her skirt pull taut over her buttocks. “I don’t have any PSY” She turned, dropped her hands to the carpet “but Gangnam Style it is. You sit astride me!”

From the speakers, a keyboard played a simple waltz rhythm http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjmGbI-Mnys

“I’ve never danced Gangnam to Saint Cliff!” Gingerly, he stepped over her, eased himself gently into the small of her back

“Me neither” she twisted her head round, so he could see her smile “Do you mind sitting a bit further back? Don’t want to damage myself”

“The child is a king…” he felt her rock beneath him, backwards and down, “…The carollers sing…” and forwards again, “..the old is past…”; back again: her bottom must have been pressed against her heels: his knees bent, his thighs nestled into the wide gold belt round her waist, and he rested his fingertips on her shoulders so that the straps of her dress peeped out between his fingers “…there’s a new beginning…” as she pivoted forward again, he felt her muscles tense beneath his fingers. “…Dreams of Santa…” his hands slid over her, so that her shoulders cupped in the palm of his hands ”… dreams of snow…” and, as she rocked forward again, he let her lift his feet off the carpet, let his fingertips flow across the warm sculpture of her shoulder bones. “…Fingers numb…” with his weight fully supported on her back, he could better feel the satin of her skirt as it slid between her hips and his thighs,”… faces aglow” He moved forward as she did, then, gripping her tightly between his knees leaned forward further, so he was almost laying flat on her back, his hands gripping her arms just above her wrists.

“Christmas time, Mistletoe and Wine…” He’d expected her to rock backwards again, “…Children singing Christian rhyme..” and was slightly unbalance as instead she swayed her hips. “…With logs on the fire…” from left to right in time to the singing: “…and gifts on the tree..” he heard her sharp intake of breath as he momentarily squeezed harder with his knees “…A time to rejoice in the good that we see”

“A time for living, a time for believing…” He was ready for the change this time, sitting straight, his palms on the cool smoothness of her dress back, his fingertips on the warmth of her skin “…A time for trusting, not deceiving…” his feet brushing the floor as she rocked, slowly backwards, then forwards again “…Love and laughter and joy ever after…” He wondered if, in the next verse “…yours for the taking, just follow the master.” he’d be able to kiss the nape of her neck, just beneath the knot of almost-black hair.

“Christmas time, Mistletoe and Wine Children singing Christian rhyme…” Then he realised, as he enjoyed the sensation of her hips, swaying beneath him in time to the chorus, that the back of her neck was stationary. “…With logs on the fire and gifts in the tree…” So he leaned forward, squeezing her waist, gripping her wrists, and gently touched the vertebra of her neck with his lips. “…A time to rejoice in the good that we see” Her gentle moans of pleasure as he kissed again counterpointed, in a dusky contralto, the melody of the song.

***

“I’ve set the CD so that it only plays one track at once” she explained, in the silence after the choirboy’s solo. He stood up: she stood up, stretched, then wrapped her arms around him again, pushed her body into his. “You enjoyed that, didn’t you? Again? But this time you can have reins! Its not proper Gangnam without reins.” She stepped back, reached to the back of her head and removed one, two three hairclips, and waves of hair cascaded down her back. As she turned quickly on her toes, to put the clips next to the CD box on the television, her hair flowing in the candlelight, seeming black against her pale skin, rich chocolate against the black of her dress, and casting a dark shadow across her belt. She tilted her head again, laughing. “Why don’t we up the stakes? If you can stay on my back as I dance, you choose the next track. If you can’t, I get to choose?”

“I don’t know which track is which”

“Ah, but I do! And it’s my flat, so I’ll make the rules up to give myself some advantage!” She dropped to her hands and knees again “Come on, think of a number from one to – er twenty, I think. But not three. Cliff was three.”

“One”

He sat astride her again as she pressed buttons under the TV. Then those chords http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzczoqLBWAY “A good choice! If I was standing up I’d have my air guitar out.” Then suddenly her head was shaking, her body writhing in time to the music. He couldn’t catch her hair, and the smoothness of her back offered nothing, so he hooked his fingers into the gold of her belt, braced his knees into her waist with his feet and hung on as her upper body thrashed and shocked to the music.

“What will your daddy do…” She paused: the only movement was her breathing, heavy from her exertions “…When he sees your Mama…” and he took the opportunity to lean forwards, grab handfuls of her hair “…Kissin' Santa Claus?..” and pulled it tight, hoping that the reins she’d offered would control her ” “ …Ah ah” “Ah ah” – she sang along and as the music picked up the tempo again – she’d evidently caught her breath - “Are you hanging up a stocking on your wall?...” not headbanging now – his hold of her hair stopped that “…Are you hoping that the snow will start to fall?...” but rocking, twisting “…Do you ride on down the hillside in a boggy you have made?...” shaking and singing, suddenly rearing “…When you land upon your arse then you've been Slade.”

How she turned so quickly after he’d fallen of her back he didn’t know. He managed a rueful smile “I’m not sure that’s quite the right lyric”

“I threw you!” the singer’s cry of “Merry Christmas” became her cry of triumph!

***

The gold belt joined the hairclips on the television: her hemline dropped ever so slightly “Can’t give you too many things to hold on to! Ready for the next round?” She dropped to her hands and knees again, her dress more fluid now that the belt did not restrain it. “And it’s my turn to choose. Lets have thirteen!”

“Unlucky for someone” He sat, carefully on her back, gathered handfuls of her hair, and gave her ribs an experimental squeeze with his knees as she pressed the buttons on the CD player. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCEZEOYdfwo

“DaDaDaDaDaDaDaDaDaDaDaDaDaDaDaDa” her hair held her head still, but her shoulders shook violently to the music until the straps of her dress pulled to guitar tightness… “DaDaDaDaDaDaDaDaDaDaDaDaDaDaDaDa” and at the cymbal splash, she arched her back. “Santa Claus is coming to town” And suddenly her head reared towards him: instinctively, he grabbed hold of her, almost letting go of her hair, then feeling the softness of her breasts push against his hands as she dropped back to all fours “Santa Claus is coming to town” This time, his face was filled with her hair, her perfume: he scrabbled with his feet to stay seated. “You’d better watch out, you’d better not cry, you’d better not pout, I’m telling you why.” He was more – or less ready for her this time, holding her shoulders through her hair, letting his legs take much of his weight, and able to enjoy the sensation of her back pressing against him…

“He's making a list…” She moved more gently now – perhaps tiring: he slipped forwards slightly, watching as the dress rucked and crinkled above her waist “…And checking it twice…” and pinned the hank of her hair to the back of her neck with his hand…” …Gonna find out who's naughty and nice…” and squeezed her with his knees, and very gently tapped her buttocks. “Santa Claus is coming to town” That gave her energy! “Santa Claus is coming to town” But he was ready: keeping his balance. Another tap on her arse – definitely not tights! And this was a dance he understood. He would choose the next track!

Chance Meeting - Epilogue (Paladin)

Chance Meeting Epilogue

A small crowd waited across the lobby for the next elevator to arrive. I walked out of the breakfast lounge and paused at the fringe. A few of the business men glanced my way but without my suit I doubted many placed me as the one who’d left with the blond they’d all been salivating over. 

Now thoughts of my blond pony girl were far more interesting than contemplating the opinions of overweight middle management types. My blond had fought then submitted to me on the mats. Even now I could hardly believe the ease with which she’d slipped into the role I’d offered her. If the wrestling had been the opening of her mind, then riding her back to my room had been a revelation. 

I had physically exhausted my blond pony and then forced her on with the deliberate intent to break her will. As I’d repeatedly dropped my weight onto her oil slicked back and slipped up her spine she’d gone beyond play, beyond fantasy and had finally given me her power and control. In that moment I had felt the intoxicating power of knowing she’d surrendered completely and would obey any direction, any whim I cared to indulge.

I’d held that power in my hand as firmly as I’d held her hair and then I’d released her. That strange mix of submission and freedom had flooded her senses. 

It was really too soon to be thinking back on last night, my body was responding far too quickly.

A hand touched my arm, startling me out of my memories. A girl around nineteen or twenty stood next to me. It took me a moment to recognise the red hair of the girl who had encountered me mounted on my blond. Without the cocktail dress and make-up she looked younger than she had. She was wearing a hooded sweatshirt zipped down to show a hint of a blue sports top and her hair fell down her back in a long, single braid.

“Did you do it?” she asked.

“Do what?” I offered her nothing.

She looked around but no-one was paying us any attention. “I know it was you in the elevator.”

“Do you?”

“Well you were wearing a suit and sitting on top of a blond’s back at the time but yeah I’m pretty sure.”

I smiled as the doors opened and moved forward. The redhead caught my arm again. “This one’s full, you should wait for the next one.”

“It’s not that full.”

She shrugged, “okay I don’t mind carrying this on in a small room full of other people.”

I frowned but let the doors close. “So what is it you want to know?”

She moved a little closer, “did you ride her all night?”

“For a fair portion of it, yes.”

“Did she end up being your pony thing?”

“My ponygirl slave, yes she did.”

“She was weak anyway.”

“Really?” I looked her slowly over, noting the tone and shape of her body.

“Yeah, I’ll bet I could have kicked her ass and made her my slave easily enough.”

I smiled but said nothing. Although the thought of the two of them fighting it out for dominance was a pleasant tingling thought.

“What did you make her do?”

“Apart from wrestling her and riding her?”

“Yeah did she have to, you know” she glanced around.

“No she didn’t have to but when she submitted to me it was a natural way of showing she accepted my dominance.”

“You couldn’t dominate me,” she challenged. Slowly she unzipped her sweatshirt. The blue sports top ended just below the curve of her breasts, revealing a toned stomach and tiny lycra gym shorts. “I’m supposed to be going to the gym but,” she left the sentence unfinished.

I decided in an instant to see just how far this girl’s bravado would take her. 

“Take off your sweatshirt.”

She hesitated for a moment then pushed it back off her shoulders and let it fall to the floor. She placed her hands on her hips and stared defiantly at me. She was a little shorter than my blond and more obviously muscled, plus she has the absolute certainty and confidence in herself that only comes with youth.

Riding her would be so challenging but that would make victory even more exciting.

“Get down on all fours.”

“Here? But we’ll be seen.”

I shrugged, “the blond was brave enough to risk being seen.”

It was amusing watching the conflict cross her face. She didn’t want to be embarrassed but overriding that she didn’t want to think that my blond ponygirl was stronger or braver than she was.

Slowly she crouched down, almost as if she was reaching to get her sweatshirt. Then her knees touched the polished marble floor. Without realising it I was holding my breath, watching her intensely. She lowered herself until she was fully kneeling, then with an exhaled breath she rocked forward. The sound of her hands landing seemed overly loud but there she was on all fours in front of me.

Her back looked strong and the natural curve of her spine promised a yielding but powerful seat. The soft curve of her breast contrasted with the firmness of her stomach and the muscles in her shoulders and arms. She was built to be ridden!

The elevator doors slid open.

Before I could hesitate or change my mind I stepped over her and dropped my weight heavily onto her back. She gasped but recovered so quickly, her back literally thrusting back up under me. 

I caught up the long braid and drummed my heels against her thighs. She sprang forward and I clamped my thighs along her sides to steady my balance. We hit the entrance to the elevator in such a rush that I had to lean back and check her forward motion with her long braid. 

As the doors closed she spun without warning. I wrapped my legs around her waist and squeezed. She reacted by spinning the other way, then bouncing her back up and down.

Power. She was all power and attitude. She stopped facing the doors. The reflection showed her chest heaving with the exertion but the look on her face was undaunted. 

I could feel the muscles tensing under me. I pulled her head back, “save your energy pony, you’re going to need it.”

She resisted, moving restlessly under me despite the tight grip I maintained on her head. “I’m not your pony yet,” she growled.

I laughed. This girl would fight to the end. She wouldn’t submit just because she was tired or unable to throw me. I would have to impose my will on her at all times, any let up and she would take her chance. Adrenaline pumped as I looked to the battle ahead.

“Oh you’ll get your chance to prove that.” Keeping a tight grip on her hair I reached out and pushed a button. She quickly tried to move out from under me but I’d expected that and just as quickly had my weight centred on her back again.

“Where are we going?” She demanded. Then she paused, “did that blond slave put up as much of a fight?”

“Up to the roof. Why so determined to better her?” I asked genuinely interested.

Some of the tension went out of her and I let a length of braid slide between my fingers. “When I first saw you siting on her back I didn’t know if I should be amazed, shocked or if I should call the police. I mean you don’t usually see a girl in her underwear being ridden in an elevator. Then you made her talk and you seemed so powerful. I wandered what would make her want to be under you like that. Then she gave me a look and I knew she was telling me to back off cause you were hers.”

“I’m surprised you even cared,” I interrupted.

She nodded, “I’ve always been too competitive but right then I just wanted to give that blond slave the beating of her life. I wanted you to watch while I beat her down and made her cry and admit that I was the better, stronger girl and that you should be trying to ride me.”

I drew in a deep breath, I really didn’t know what to say and at that moment my heart was pounding.

“Why are we going to the roof?”

“Lots of space and pads and the first classes don’t start until midday today.”

She moved and my legs tightened instinctively, “just seeing if you were awake,” she laughed. “I’m not going to let you win,” she added.

“I’d be very disappointed if you did,” I replied.

“We’re nearly there. I want you to tell me something like you told that blond.”

I understood what she meant. I reached forward and ran my hand up her neck and lifted her chin. “I’m going to ride you pony. I’m going to dominate and control you and when you’re begging me to stop and let you rest I’m going to keep riding you until your muscles are quivering and shaking.” 

She was trembling under me and I could tell from the look in her eyes it was with excitement not fear. I whispered into her ear, “I will ride you until you collapse under me and then I will put you on your back and sit on your chest. That way I will be able to look into your eyes while you’re submitting to me. Once you have admitted that you’re beaten and that you’re my obedient ponygirl slave I’ll let you up and then I’ll ride you and you’ll obey my every command.”

The elevator stopped and the doors slid open. I grabbed at her braid and tightened my legs as she exploded out into the sunlight. I whooped and brought my hand down firmly on her backside. the battle was on! 

Beneath the ruins of Adiranthe part 9 - by Paladin

I have dibs on the very ending, but Paladin wrote this and the next two or three parts, I enjoyed reading them  very much indeed and hope you all do too. ~Susan

**********

With no-one to observe her, Eleria brought the mirror out from behind the screens and studied her reflection. It was, she had to admit, a remarkable use of magic. The silk followed every contour of her body. Eleria half turned and rolled her hip, she gave her backside a pat, ‘damn but the black silk makes my ass look good. It would actually make a very effective thieves garb if it wasn’t for the neckline.’

Eleria studied the bustline critically. Too much skin would reflect even a glimmer of light, potentially waking a sleeping mark. The silk bodice quivered slightly as she continued to look at her reflection. “Perhaps more of a halter-top,” she mused. “It would cover more of my chest while leaving my arms free.” 

In the mirror she watched stunned as the silk strips wove themselves up, forming the top she’d imagined. Eleria gasped and her carefully built up image vanished. The silk quickly reverted back to it’s original design. 

The magic in the material had responded to her thoughts, she was sure of it. Eleria concentrated on the boots. In response the ridiculously high heels shrank. She let the image go and the heels shot up quickly enough to nearly throw her off balance.

Eleria tried again and the silk responded more quickly becoming the kind of outfit suitable for stealthy movement and nefarious deeds. With a little practice she could hold the image in the back of her mind while walking, then running. Finally she launched herself into the air, tumbling then landing lightly. She jumped again and lashed out with a spinning kick that whistled through the air. Eleria landed in a low crouch. She sprang backwards, landed on her hands and balanced easily. Eleria transferred all her weight to one hand and performed a smooth one-handed press-up. As she dipped a second time she allowed her self to roll forward and back up onto her feet.

Easy! All too easy. Kardan was right the magic enhanced all her strengths and not just the ones he thought would benefit him most. Eleria clamped down on her elation. He couldn’t suspect anything until the right moment when she would use the magic against him, defeating him and winning her freedom.

For a moment she allowed herself to picture revisiting all her humiliations back on her captor. How would it be to throw him to the ground and look into his frustrated face as she straddled his chest, pinning him to the ground and demanding he submit. Or to ride him through the stone corridors of his own realm until he collapsed exhausted under her. Eleria grinned, oh he would be exhausted all right. She would drive him on till he begged her to get off, then on again until he promised her anything just to be allowed to rest. Then when his limbs shook and his back sank beneath her she would force him to carry her on until he collapsed and admitted she had utterly defeated him.

Eleria clenched her fists. Kardan obviously hadn’t expected her to discover the secret of the silk or even more likely he hadn’t known her will could be imposed through the magic that infused the material. 

She strode, confident for the first time since her capture, to the door. When she’d been learning her trade her teacher had encouraged her to learn how to use every tool at her disposal. Kardan might be powerful, might be lord of his domain but he was still just a man and Eleria knew how to manipulate that weakness. She allowed the silk to revert to it’s original form then opened the door. “I wish to speak with your master and you will take me to him, now.”

Whether it was the commanding tone in her voice, her neckline or pure shock the goblins bowed and led her away. 

They led Eleria to the most ornately carved set of double doors she had yet seen. Her guards spoke quietly with the door guards who kept looking at her. With a sigh she brushed through them and pushed the doors open. 

As Eleria barged into Kardan’s personal chambers a part of her mind couldn’t help but assess the value of the objects that lay scattered around. Wealth that could keep a thief in luxury for years lay within easy reach everywhere she looked. Her fingers itched.

The guards rushed in behind her. Spears blocked her way and Eleria put her hands on her hips, “Kardan!” she yelled.

A half dressed Goblin King strode in from another chamber. He smiled, “I don’t remember summoning or requesting your presence.” He waved the guards away.

Eleria let her gaze move slowly up his body, not bothering to hide her attention. She gave Kardan a lazy smile that she could see confused him. He was also physically appealing which would make her subterfuge that much easier.

Eleria lowered her head but looked up at him through her lashes. Submissive but sweet, nothing like her usual defiance.

Kardan frowned then crossed to a chair. He dropped his weight into it. “Well you came to see me so speak. Tell me what brings you here?”

Keeping her head bowed Eleria stepped through the circle of guards. Once clearly in Kardan’s view she slowly, very slowly, dropped down to her knees.

Kardan’s eyes widened, “leave us,” he ordered and the goblins left in swift order. “Now what is this about?”

Eleria ignored the question but raised her head to look at the Goblin King, knowing he couldn’t help but look at her cleavage. Once she had his attention she began to crawl, slowly, towards him. She emphasised the shift of her shoulders and sway of her hips as she crawled.

Kardan had shifted forward in his chair, his chin resting on his hand as he watched every movement. “I’m not sure what...,” his voice trailed away as she drew closer.

Eleria stopped before him. She lowered her head a softly kissed his bare feet. She easily felt the shudder of delight that passed through his body. Smiling wickedly to herself, knowing he couldn’t see her expression she again lowered her head. Lightly she drew her tongue across the soft skin of his feet. Tracing curves and lines as Kardan gasped and made soft moans of pleasure.

Eleria rose without a sound and took his boots from beside the chair. Gently she helped him into them. Then she took up his spurs. Silver and jewel inset she could live like a noble for months off the pair of them. 

Eleria straightened up so that she could look Kardan in the eyes. Lightly she placed the rowel of the first spur against her cleavage. As Kardan watched, unable to tear his eyes away, she rolled the golden points up between her breasts to her throat, up over her chin to her lips. She kissed the rowel allowing her lips to press softly against the metal. Eleria bowed back down and fastened the spur to a boot.

Eleria took up the second spur and with a teasing look she repeated her earlier action. As the golden rowel met her lips though she raised the spur higher and tilted her head backwards. Her tongue slipped from between her lips to caress the points. Eleria’s tongue curled delicately around the golden disc then flicked back setting the rowel spinning. She fastened to his boot.

With a final teasing look Eleria dropped forward onto all fours and turned away from Kardan making sure her hips rolled emphasising her silk wrapped behind. She positioned herself on all fours the very image of a submissive pony. As if stretching she rolled her shoulders and then let the movement flow through her body. 

Eleria heard Kardan stand up and move towards her. His hand came down on her shoulder. As he traced it down her back she arched and dipped like a cat. His hand came to a halt on her backside and she could feel the heat of his skin through the silk as his fingers followed the curve of her behind. 

Kardan stepped over her without speaking. He lowered himself gently, allowing his weight to settle into the curve of her back. Before he could speak or act Eleria rocked forward. As she did she lowered her chest towards the ground, pushed up then rolled her back feeling Kardan move up and down with the movement. Eleria continued to sinuously roll and move her body, constantly keeping Kardan moving, pressing up against him then dropping him deeply into her. For his part Kardan said nothing but his breathing grew quicker, shallower. He rode her with each movement, making no attempt to influence what she did.

Eleria increased the pace of her movements and Kardan’s body responded to the pressure moving against him. Eleria grinned to herself. Physically she was finding this easy and although she was on all fours it was her who was actually in control.

She sped up, slowed down and then using her enhanced strength lifted him higher than before. She dropped her back as deeply as she could and felt Kardan sink into her back and he groaned. She did it again, faster this time and Kardans spurs finally found her thighs. “Faster,” he commanded.

Eleria grinned again, “yes Master,” she said breathlessly, although she felt fine but he expected her to be struggling by now. 

“Command me Master,” she pleaded as she sped up. “Make me your slave, ride me until I please you!” She moaned as if at the last vestiges of her strength.  

Eleria felt Kardan’s muscles tighten dramatically. His breathing became a loud roar as he reached the pinnacle of his excitement. Eleria stopped and sagged as if exhausted. She let her head drop as she felt Kardan lean forward to hug her. “I have no idea what brought this on,” he whispered into her ear, “but I would happily trade a kingdom for a slave such as you.”

He stood and Eleria rose to her feet also. She crowded close and kissed his chest, “a slave you might free one day if you are pleased with her,” she murmured into his chest.

Kardan chuckled, “an interesting change of tactics my little pony and one which I think will serve you much better than your customary defiance.” He held her at arms length, “I need to quickly refresh myself but when I return I should again find you saddled and ready to be ridden.” He raised an eyebrow as if expecting her to protest.

Eleria simply dropped back onto all fours, “I am ready Master,” she said. 

As Kardan left she watched him go, walking out of the room with an arrogant swagger. “I’m ready all right goblin breath,” she whispered to herself.

Beneath the ruins of Adiranthe Ch 8 - By Paladin

Surprise! Paladin has taken a hand in writing Adiranthe. A gauntleted hand? Should we be worried??

This does not start directly where the last chapters finished, you could imagine a couple of days later.

*****

Eleria could hear the flap, flap of leathery feet. Goblins! she was beginning to despise the sight and sound of them. Goblin Breath’s obsequious minions constantly padded up and down the corridors outside her room. Eleria glared around her room, cell more like it! There was nothing left to hurl. They’d taken it all and if she’d dared throw any of her bedding the little fiends would have happily left her to sleep on the stone floor.

She stretched and could tell her muscles were back to their normal fluid strength. Her captor hadn’t made any demands of her in days. No demands that she play the role of his pony as he arrogantly rode her throughout his underground kingdom. No wrestling matches that would end with him sitting astride her body laughing down at her. The thought reminded Eleria of other feelings his attentions had brought but she ruthlessly pushed them away.  

Soon he would make a mistake and she would be free. Every physical challenge honed her strength, every contest between them gave her opportunities to study his skills, to find a weakness.

The door opened and her guards trooped in. “The Master commands your presence,” one hissed. 

Eleria sneered, “he’s not my master.”

The guards stood like statues, waiting. Eleria knew her patience would run out before theirs did so she stood and walked through the doorway. Her guards fell in step.  

If she was honest with herself she would have admitted that although the lack of attention from the Goblin King had given her body time to recover it had also given her time to become very bored.

Eleria was a thief by choice as well as by natural ability. Any other life would have been stifling and dull.

The guards halted before a large door. Without waiting for her them Eleria threw the door open and strode in. The room was something of a surprise. A large folding screen blocked off one corner of the room while the largest stone bath Eleria had ever seen dominated the centre. Steam rose up from the bath carrying with it the scent of roses. She turned to find her captor observing her from the comfort of a throne-like chair.

“You wanted to see me?” she made it sound like a challenge not a question.

He raised an amused eyebrow, “slaves are summoned not requested.”

Eleria bristled, “I’m a captive not some piece of meat on an auction block.”

Kardan laughed. “Strip!” he ordered.

Eleria shot him a look of pure hate, “bite me goblin breath.”

He laughed louder, “if it would make you more compliant I would but for now you will strip and then bathe.”

Eleria frowned. It didn’t quite sound like he was about to take advantage of her so what was he up to. “Why should I?”

Kardan wrinkled his nose, “you smell,” he commented and gestured towards the bath.

Eleria’s eyebrows shot up, any retort was swallowed by the shock of his statement. “I what?” she demanded.

He shrugged, “you smell and I simply thought you’d enjoy the chance to bathe.”

As quickly as possible and without making it too obvious she evaluated his statement. After days of living underground and the physical demands placed on her it was no surprise she was a bit fragrant. “Fine but I’m only doing it because I want to. I suppose you’re going to watch?”

He shrugged and smiled, “one of the privileges of being your captor I suppose.”

Eleria turned her back on him and quickly stripped off her brief underclothes. 

Kardan watched intently as Eleria climbed the steps to the broad lip of the bath. Steam rose to wreath around the soft curves and toned muscles of her body. She dipped a toe in a sighed at the temperature of the water. Eleria half turned to offer him a wicked smile knowing he’d be watching. Then she slowly lowered herself into the water.

Eleria felt the heat from the scented water sink deep into her bones. She allowed herself to slip beneath the surface before rising pushing her hair away from her face. On the stone lip opposite were jars and soaps. Eleria took her time testing and enjoying each offering. 

Kardan watched without speaking, allowing her to take whatever time she wished. Eventually she slipped beneath the surface one last time before rising and turning to face him. Her skin glowed and beads of water ran down her face to trace fascinating lines across her shoulders and down the curves of her breasts.

Eleria coughed, “my eyes are up here.”

With a jolt Kardan realised he’d been staring, barely breathing, like a youth seeing a beautiful girl for the first time. Eleria ran her hands through her hair and laughed as Kardan’s eyes darted between her eyes and her chest.

“So what happens now?”

Kardan pointed to the large screen, “you’ll find everything you need behind there.”

Eleria took her time leaving the bath, a distracted captor after all was a more easily defeated captor.

Behind the screen she dried herself and combed out her hair in front of a large crystal mirror. Curious she opened a large chest filled with what appeared to be long strips of black silk embroidered with silver thread. ‘Beautiful,’ she thought, ‘but hardly useful.’ She dropped a length to the floor. It quivered and slid across the stone towards her. More strips emerged from the chest.

Eleria fought her panic and fought to move but her feet appeared glued to the warm stone floor. The silk strips rustled as they swept across the stone before spiralling up her legs. Silk whispered as it swept in a gale of activity around her body. 

‘Magic,’ Eleria silently cursed.

When the silk tempest ended Eleria stared amazed into the mirror. Tall silken boots rose above her knees while strips criss-crossed around her thighs and seemed to outline her muscles as the strips clung to her skin. Eleria frowned, the silk seemed to cling even more tightly around her backside. From her hips the silk strips wove tightly around her waist, rising to form an intricate bodice with an almost indecent amount of lift.

Black gloves covered her hands to her elbows and the last silk strip appeared to have swept her hair up and threaded itself through a long single braid that fell to the middle of her back.

Eleria stormed back out from behind the screen, “what she growled is the point of all of this?”

Kardan steepled his fingers and looked at her with admiration open on his face. “Stunning,” he said.

Eleria smiled for a moment before remembering how angry she was supposed to be. 

Kardan smiled. “Tonight is a special celebration, exotic foods, wines, guests of great importance. As host and lord of this realm I must make an impression and you will help me do so.”

“Am I meant to wait on you hand and foot, smile at your every inane joke perhaps.”

“Oh I have a much better job for you my lovely little thief but first the final part of your outfit.” He waved a hand and perfectly on cue a goblin appeared carrying a magnificently tooled, black leather saddle. It’s proportions were perfectly measured to fit Eleria’s back and the pure silver tracery pressed into the leather matched the elaborate designs in her outfit.

“I am not.., you are not putting that thing on me!”  

Kardan raised a single finger and the silk tightened, a gesture and the magic in the silk bent her legs, dropping her to her hands and knees.

Eleria cursed, but the magic held her firmly in its grasp! Kardan walked around her enjoying her position from all angles. He chuckled and bent down beside her. You will find that when you don’t fight it the magic in the silk augments and magnifies your natural strength. 

Kardan took the saddle and placed it gently in the curve of Eleria’s back. He stood back, made a small adjustment then at a gesture a strip of silk bound the saddle tightly to her body. 

Kardan placed one foot in a stirrup and with a smooth motion mounted. Eleria felt his weight settle onto the saddle, hearing the soft creak of leather. Strangely his weight, which would normally have drawn a low gasp of effort from her, seemed diffused and somehow lighter. 

Kardan took a firm hold of her long braid and kicked his heels against her thighs. Eleria started forward, instinctively wincing as she expected the hard floor to bite into her knees and hands. There was no pressure, no hard stone. The boots and gloves absorbed each motion as if she were crawling over the softest furs.  

He kicked her again, harder this time but although she felt the pressure she felt no pain. In fact she felt stronger and crawled more quickly. “Faster pony,” Kardan’s hand smacked her backside.

Eleria gritted her teeth, fine he wanted faster she’d show him faster. Eleria moved from a scrambling crawl to a rocking canter. 

Kardan roared with pleasure as he guided her around the room by her braid. The saddle ensured his position on her back remained perfectly positioned while the stirrups gave him the balance he needed to ride her like a real pony. 

He reined her in tightly and she responded immediately. Kardan could just feel her sides swell as she breathed deeply and for a moment he wished he was astride her without the saddle or any other barrier between them. Perhaps when the feast was over he would try this again but with significant modifications to her magical silk outfit.

Kardan reluctantly dismounted. He released the magic that bound the saddle and Eleria and she stood up. “Impressed?” he asked.

She snorted and looked down at her outfit, “at least it’s self cleaning.”

Kardan smiled and ran his fingertips gently along her jaw. He resisted the sudden but powerful urge to trace the line down her throat to her bodice. “Tonight you will help me make a grand entrance. Eat, rest and be ready when I summon you.”

After Kardan left Eleria waited until his minions had brought food and drink in and then left. “I’ll be ready all right goblin breath!” 

Despite the extra weight of the saddle on her back she’d carried Kardan with little effort and carried him at a remarkable speed. The magic in the silk truly had enhanced her own strength. Now she needed to discover what other advantages 'goblin breath' might have unexpectedly given her.

*****