Where the Heart Is, Part 28

You watch through your scrying as Lily faces down Nergan, the young queen not hesitating or flinching before the dark priest. "Of course," she says. "I am more than willing to aid my subjects if the Church cannot. I will arrange for my servants to handle the distribution."

She doesn't overplay her hand... but you know her well enough to guess what she's thinking. A proud smile spreads across your face, as you watch her lay the groundwork to outmaneuver Nergan with his own strategy. It's a beautiful sight.

But you can't linger too long, as you need to get back to your own journey. Day after day you ride toward Kovora with two heroines on your back, pushing your newly-enhanced stamina in your desire to get back. It still takes a while, but eventually you do see Melca's Wall in the distance up ahead of you. The sight spurs you to a fresh gallop, and before long you're riding through the fortress gates. You ride into the stables, then release the shapeshifting and emerge as yourself.

News of your return spreads like lightning through the fortress, and soon you're attracting a crowd. Some of them are just eager to see the new corrupted heroine... but many seek you out to deliver their report on the tasks they were assigned in your absence.

Ceriss approaches first, walking up with her usual relaxed elegance. She's wearing a ravishing new dress, a slinky black garment with dark red designs. Probably something she picked up for her seduction mission, either stopping by her manor or buying a brand new one. The tiefling slides her arms around your shoulders, then goes in for a long kiss.

After you finally pull apart, she looks down at Mockingbird, an impish glint in her eye. "I'm so glad you decided to give him a chance, dear..." she says. "I'm very much looking forward to all the different kinds of fun we can have."

Mockingbird stands her ground under the good-natured teasing, with much less flustered embarrassment than she would have shown when you first met her. The sex-filled trip back to Kovora has done wonders for acclimating her to erotic matters. While she may have started out inexperienced and easily flustered, she isn't content to remain like that. She chose to step into this new world. And she doesn't intend to do so halfway.

"How did your trip to Vekmar go?" you ask Ceriss. "Did you sort everything out with that Inquisitor who was investigating the ratfolk after your disappearance?"

"Oh yes," the sorceress says, her smile widening. "In fact, it turned out to be rather adorable, once I figured out the reason she was so insistent on her investigation. She was an orphan, taken in by the Inquisition at a very young age and raised... rather strictly, as you might imagine. Their instructors were more interested in the weapons their recruits could become than the children they were."

Your lip twists at the thought of indoctrinating children into such awful levels of self-restraint. Ceriss, however, continues. "But there was one solace that she secretly indulged in. It started when she saw one of the displays of magical illusion and pyrotechnics that I would put on for the city, on occasion. She was entranced by the beauty of the art... and it seems that she also developed quite the crush on me. Though of course, as a sister of the Church, she could never admit it. She did have quite the secret collection of memorabilia from my various performances, however. It was... impressively extensive. Especially since she had to keep it hidden from her superiors."

Now you see the pieces fitting together. "So when you suddenly vanished, taken by a demon..."

"Yes, the poor thing was beside herself," Ceriss says. "She was following every lead she could think of, no matter how tenuous. Which led to the problems with the ratfolk. Of course, it also meant that when I showed up to seduce her... Well. Let us simply say that I did not have much difficulty. She is ours now, and she is quite penitent about the difficulties she was causing for our furry allies."

The two of you share a smirk. Then another question occurs to you. "Incidentally, while you were in the capitol... did you hear of any recent mass murders being discovered?"

Ceriss gives you a puzzled look. "No, not at all. Why?"

"Because there's another one of those mad incubi in Vekmar somewhere," you explain. "He's trying to hunt down a Pleasure cult that they're afraid might be trying to summon agents of the Second Circle into this world. But if he hasn't found them yet, they must be well-hidden."

Which could provide an opportunity to take out another one of your foes, if you were to send agents into the capitol with the aim of killing the demon. And there's also the question of this Pleasure cult that the Lust Queen didn't tell you about. Is Fallhazel right? Is the Lust Queen playing you with her gentle words, while still looking for any opportunity to kill you and end the threat to her daughters? If she is, it could be very dangerous to let them complete any summoning they might be trying to enact.

Ceriss, meanwhile, continues. "At any rate... while I was sorting all this out, Meska did distribute the extra food we provided among all the various ratfolk clans. And a number of them were quite receptive to her overtures of recruitment, once they saw what a reliable friend Kovora could be. One clan in particular has sent a group of their best fighters to support our efforts, in exchange for the same alliance we offer the Thousand Eyes."

At this, a small figure approaches who had been hanging back before, a brown-furred ratfolk with quite the impressive collection of scars. "We are greeting you, big one," he says, his voice surprisingly deep for such a small creature. "If Meska's words are holding truth, then we are seeing hope for a far better future for all the clans. And we are joining our brethren in making that hope into reality. We are not, perhaps, fighting as well as your orcs in open battle. But in stealthing and city-fighting, you will not be finding my skirmishers wanting."

Then he steps closer, leaning in to deliver the next words for your ears alone. "I am also bringing information from my clan, concerning one of your targets. Information that even your Thousand Eyes is not knowing yet. My Hidden Claw clan is controlling much of the black market for magical texts and items. And we are knowing for some time that the fist-warrior of the heroines... she is searching very long and very hard for rituals and rites for the summoning of a demon. But she is keeping this a secret, not wanting anyone else to be knowing of her task."

Your eyes widen a little. Now that is something you would not have guessed. Why would the monk of all people want to summon a demon? Which Circle would she want to summon it from? And what purpose would it serve?

Whatever that purpose is, it seems to be something that she doesn't want even her closest allies to know about. Not surprising, you suppose, given how anathema demon-summoning is. Also, from what this ratfolk is saying, it sounds as though this endeavor of hers predates your arrival. Most curious.

At any rate, you're not surprised that Emiko is having difficulty in her search. Rituals to summon demons are usually forbidden knowledge that those in power try to suppress. And rituals that would allow someone with no magical training to do the summoning are even harder to craft, and are thus even more rare. Still, this new information could suggest a possible inroad with the monk, when you eventually approach her.

Your musing is interrupted as Nevati comes running headlong up to you and Ceriss, a jumbled mess of papers in her arms. "Y-y-you're back!" the gnome exclaims, her face lit up with excitement. "I c-can't wait to show you what I've c-come up with! Some of the d-discoveries I've made while s-studying the c-creature's body are just—"

But then she hesitates, glancing around at all the other people who are also seeking your time. She wilts a little, uncertain whether or not she ought to be interjecting like this. But you kneel down and take some of the papers, scanning over her dense notes. "You're right, this is fascinating..." you say. "And extremely useful as well. How did you even come up with the idea for this test here? It looks like this was the real breakthrough."

Nevati beams with elation at your comments. "Well, since the Thorn Beast is a d-divine construct, not a natural b-beast, I tried to incorporate insights from some esoteric theurgy texts c-combined with alchemical principles," she explains. "It p-produced some very unexpected r-results!"

You continue to talk with the small wizard, until you feel you have a basic grasp pf what she's learned. She has indeed come up with several powerful tactics that could be used against the Thorn Beasts, as well as some simple enchantments that could be cast on a large scale that could give your forces a serious advantage in any future battles with them. "This is excellent work," you say. "In fact... I think Ceriss and I should stop by your laboratory later on. It will give the three of us the chance to go through it in much greater depth."

Nevati nods furiously. Amusingly, you can't tell which is making her more giddy: the prospect of a three-way orgy with you and Ceriss, or the prospect of a three-way study session.

Relis steps forward after Nevati, informing you of the elves' success foraging in the Great Forest, now that Fallhazel has given you her permission to do so. The result is not just an increase in the quantity of food, but food of a succulent quality that the orcs are unused to having in any great amount. Perfect for the festival plans that Lily is making.

Ghazar gives his report next, describing how his team's efforts to win over his fellow orcs in the main army have likewise born fruit. "I'd say a lot more of the army is loyal to her majesty now than isn't," he says. "We're making progress, slow and steady."

His sister Rakhai speaks up as well. "We're also starting to see more and more orc women join up. They've been coming in ever since you allowed us to be a part of this... but now there's enough that others are really taking notice. We all want to fight for Kovora too."

That is good news. Your decision to buck tradition and allow women to join the army has probably slowed the rate of recruitment from among the traditionalist holdouts... but now it's reached a point where the main army can truly be considered a mixed force, which has its own advantages. In addition, this new pool of female recruits could allow you to keep expanding the size of the army through this same sort of recruitment and morale gain, even beyond the initial group of warriors that you've been trying to win over.

Ghazar, for his part, cracks his knuckles. "I just hope we can get in on some of this fighting ourselves soon, instead of just more talking..." he says. "The boys are getting restless. They're really hoping blow off some steam soon."

And speaking of fighting... next, you listen to the report of the new warchief on his efforts to take the fortified border town. This is, admittedly, the mission that you were most uncertain about. Your corruptive boon would have warned you if the big orc had tried to deliberately disobey orders... but there are still a great many variables in an operation like this, and the warchief is more of an unknown quantity than your other agents.

However, he seems to have performed his task impeccably. "It was an easy battle," he rumbles. "With the entire army there, we outnumbered the defenders by a landslide, just on orcs alone. Their only hope was their defensive fortifications. And even then it wasn't much of a hope."

A note of grudging respect enters his voice. "Still, they were going to make a fight of it. Their commander had courage, if nothing else. They put all their soldiers on the walls... so I sent the harpies in high overhead. They swarmed down from above, right in the center of the town, and started fucking all the humans there."

You nod in appreciation of the strategy. If the defenders on the wall held their position, that would allow the harpies to take the town interior unopposed, and cut the soldiers off from all food and support. But if they left the wall to assist the defenseless civilians, the orcs outside would immediately overrun the walls. And if they tried to do both, they would risk weakening both fronts, leaving them unable to do either. "So how did the garrison respond?"

The warchief smirks. "Their commander tried to keep his men on the walls. He knew he didn't have a chance either way, not in the long run. But he was determined to hold out for as long as he could. Problem was... when his soldiers saw what was going on, they started to break ranks. The fools kept running in to save their families. But each time any of them tried, they just kept getting dogpiled and pulled in themselves, piecemeal. And then we broke down the gates and joined in."

You can picture it in your mind's eye. A veritable wave of orcs, overrunning what few defenders remained. And each orc infused with powerful demonic regeneration, to wipe away any lucky hits the defenders might have managed to score before they were brought down and fucked. In the end, there was really no strategy that could have possibly kept the town out of your hands, not with the odds stacked so overwhelmingly in favor of your forces.

Glancing around, you do see quite a few new human faces wearing Nelin uniforms with the insignia torn off. One human soldier in particular is pressed up against the outer wall of the armory, with two harpies sucking at his cock. You can also see a female soldier around the corner of a different building, getting enthusiastically spit-roasted by a pair of orcs. And from inside the barracks, you can hear the sounds of far greater debauchery. "It seems they're enjoying their defeat now," you observe.

The warchief barks out a laugh. "They are," he says. "As Melca is my witness... when you told me how you wanted us to fight from now on, I thought it was the stupidest thing I'd ever heard. Hells, I still can't say it isn't stupid. But... the three-day orgy after we took that town..."

He breaks off, unable to do anything but shake his head in utter wonderment. "If that's what 'stupid' gets you... then I could live with a little more of it."

You clasp your hand on his shoulder, giving him a knowing look. "Trust me," you say. "This is only the beginning. You're going to experience things that make that look tame."

A shudder runs through the big orc. But your comment does remind him of something else he's already experienced. Something that does indeed fit the description you just gave. "Er..." he begins, suddenly hesitant. "Pardon my asking, but... is... she back yet?"

There's no question who the "she" is that the warchief is asking about. Rysanial. The demoness who conquered him, who dominated him, who broke him in such an exquisitely wonderful way... and who then put him back together again. You can tell just at a glance that while he may be enjoying his own little pleasures of domination and conquest... he still knows who his mistress is. He knows who holds his leash.

"She'll be back soon," you say. Though you can't help thinking of the Lust Queen and her unknown intentions. "Don't worry."

Now if you could just take your own advice.

Finally, you're approached by the towering figures of Khaytala and Rokaviel, striding through the growing crowd. Both of the warriors look quite satisfied with themselves. You glance between the two of them. "I'm glad you're both in one piece," you say, offering Khaytala in particular a relieved smile. "I know it couldn't have been an easy fight that I sent you on."

Khaytala smiles back. But Rokaviel just lets out a booming laugh. "It was magnificent!" he rumbles, looking more relaxed than you've ever seen him. "The final stand of such an ancient wyrm, brought to bay in his den by three mighty warriors seeking his blood! The very earth shook with the blows we exchanged, and the rocks melted in the heat of his consuming fire! Skill and daring and power, pitted against the matchless might of a worthy enemy!"

He clamps his hand down atop Khaytala's head and gives her an exuberant shake back and forth. "You should have seen this one, incubus! She may be mortal, but she fights better than a lot of demons I've known. The Seventh Circle would be proud to have her... if she could just learn to enjoy putting her gifts to their proper use, instead of feeling ashamed of what she is."

Khaytala tolerates him shaking her, looking up at the huge demon with only mild annoyance. You can tell that this argument is one they've already had multiple times over the course of their mission together. "My principles are my own, Rokaviel," she insists, simply but firmly. "I don't intend to change them. Even if my 'gifts' do lie in fighting... I'll only use them when truly necessary. And I hope one day we can make a world where gifts like that are completely unneeded."

Rokaviel exhales in vexation. You, meanwhile, reach out to take hold of Khaytala's larger hand. "Even if we did create a world without fighting someday, gifts like your would still be needed," you say earnestly, interlacing her fingers with your own. "A warm heart that protects others will always be important. Even if the protection isn't from a physical fight."

A bit on the sappy side... but for a self-doubting romantic like Khaytala, it's what she needs to hear. A hint of a blush creeps across her face, and she glances away, embarrassed. Rokaviel, for his part, rolls his eyes, grumbling under his breath about how he can't bear to watch you ruin a promising warrior like her.

"Anyway!" Khaytala says, quickly changing the topic. "We found what we were looking for. Just in time too, since the fight with Desiderax ended up bringing down his entire cave around us. We barely got out ourselves. But I made sure to find this while Rokaviel and Fallhazel were keeping him busy."

She pulls a pouch out of her pack, and carefully hands it over to you. Emptying the contents, you see a large pearl of transcendent beauty roll out into your palm. Just the ingredient you need for the ritual.

You look back up at Khaytala. "Thank you," you say, genuine gratitude in your voice. This is a real, tangible step toward defeating the parasite threatening to devour your very soul. You feel as though a weight that you didn't fully realize you were carrying has been lifted, just a little. "This... means a great deal to me."

Khaytala gives you a wide smile. "Hey, that's what heroines are supposed to do, right? Slay dragons to save their prince?" She's still blushing a little even as she says it, but she isn't letting that stop her.

You put the pearl safely back into the pouch. Khaytala, meanwhile, reaches into her pack once more. "Oh! And that wasn't the only thing I grabbed as we were running for our lives," she says. "I saw this out of the corner of my eye. And somehow... I thought it might help us. It just felt... powerful."

She holds an item up for you to examine, and your eyes widen at the sight. It only takes you a single glance to confirm that Khaytala's instincts were right on the money. The item she grabbed from the dragon hoard is powerful, an artifact of great age and potency. If you pair it with a heroine who would naturally attune to its use, it could significantly increase their capabilities.