The Rat and the Dragon
Copyright© 2024 by Cly Anders
Chapter 22
Fantasy Sex Story: Chapter 22 - In a magical land set upon by monsters of nightmares, Roan was found as an orphan with a powerful artifact that he doesn't know how he came upon already fused to his body. Raised as a Seeker, his mission- and his life- take a wild turn when a strange elf and her magical panther hiding secrets of their own cross his path. Unable to forget her and intent on possessing her, it sets the two on a quest to discover the truth of their shared origins and to save their world from a terrible threat.
Caution: This Fantasy Sex Story contains strong sexual content, including Ma/Fa Consensual Reluctant Heterosexual High Fantasy Magic Vampires Demons BDSM DomSub MaleDom Spanking First Violence
It was early evening now. Lanterns were magically flickering on all around them. The people who milled about the courtyards were either deep into their own thing or busy conversing to give the rat anymore attention than a glance. Feeling a little awkward following the animal, Cylthan kept her head down as they made their way to another end of the castle.
As they walked down a faintly flickering corridor and rounded the corner to yet another overgrown courtyard, Cylthan paused to marvel at the enormous glass greenhouse. It was just like the kind the elves used only a whole lot bigger. The metal that held the windows in place was twisted in elegant spirals like roots searching for the earth, as though the very building itself had become a living plant, reaching for the sun at the top in a large, masterfully crafted bronze weeping willow. Its dangling branches spread out and hung over the courtyard with sparkling crystals among the delicate and realistic leaves.
Silver Eye did not stop. He strolled right in through the doorway and made his way towards the back. Following him hesitantly, Cylthan peeked into the faintly lit building. Along the walls were rows and rows of shelves laden with clay pots that overflowed with plants of every type and color, vibrant and verdant and smelling of fresh air and moist soil.
Moving carefully down the narrow path in the middle, she froze with a gasp and stepped closer to be as hidden as she could be among the ferns and vines. A tall elf tended to the plants on a shelf with slow, methodical movements. His flowing robes were the same colors as the plants around him, with embroidered vines and flowers so he nearly blended right in. It was the long golden ponytail and pointed ears that reached to the top shelf that had caught her eye to know he was even there.
Silver Eye trotted straight to the elf man, chittering a greeting before sitting down beside him and waiting patiently. Finishing his task, the elf turned slowly to look down on him and a gentle smile spread over his face with the same hurry as the rising moon.
“Ahh, val’ha, saipaki, ” he greeted the rat, reaching out his hand so that Silver Eye could tuck his head under it. The elf’s voice sounded so pleasant, like being slowly enveloped in a deep, warm velvet. “I’m relieved to see you in good health after your mission.”
His focus then shifted to Cylthan still trying to stay hidden among the foliage. She tensed when he noticed her, uncertain of what she should do. Blushing, she just sucked in her breath to speak when his gaze slid back to the rat now eagerly nosing a box under the table.
Another fond smile warmed his face. He moved and spoke with the same hurry as the plants growing around them. “Now, saipaki. I recall informing Roan I would not be offering you any more treats. If I don’t keep my word, how can anyone trust me?”
Silver Eye squeaked and sat up with his paws in the air, making that same pleading motion as he had earlier. With great effort, he managed an approximation of sweet, begging eyes on a face that wasn’t meant for such expressions. He finished off the scam with pitiful chirps that seemed to stab the elf right in the heart.
Pressing his lips together to hide his smile, the elf sucked in his breath and made a show of resisting by slipping his hands into his robes.
With another squeak, Silver Eye flipped onto his back, squirming about on the ground. He looked so silly wiggling all over the place and worming his way around the elf’s feet before stopping to peek up with a squeak to check if his antics were working.
While the elf smiled in a veiled way that softened his face without really curling his lips, Cylthan couldn’t hold it in. Despite biting her lip, a giggle bubbled right out of her.
“It would seem, saipaki, you’ve discovered how to amuse the shadows,” the elf said with fondness before leaning down to open the box. On his forearm, Cylthan caught the faint shine of Roan’s mark etched into his skin with but a few others. Pulling out a thick, heavy tuber, he held it over the rat’s head when Silver Eye flipped to his paws. “Now, saipaki, I say this for the last time. I don’t grow the yams for you. This is for the pies ... that Chencer already came and begged me for.” With that, he handed the yam to Silver Eye, who took it politely with a squeak and proceeded to munch it.
Turning his attention to Cylthan, the elf held out his hand for her to approach.
“Val’ha, ” he greeted her, his words a little louder but in no more of a rush. “I don’t believe I’ve had the pleasure of making your acquaintance, child. I am Alanis, the Head Herbalist.”
Gathering herself, she stepped a little closer and gave him a bow of respect. “Oh, um, v-val’ha. My, uh, my name is Cylthan. Um, o-ohm’raha. I-I didn’t mean to disturb you, I was just following...”
The elf’s long brow arched up and a velvety chuckle rolled out of him. “If I did not wish to be disturbed, child, nothing would keep me from my task. Any friend of Roan and Silver Eye is welcome here. Come closer, child, out of the shadows.”
As soon as she stepped closer, his hand came up, and he cupped her chin with a touch as light as the leaves that had brushed her face. For a silent moment, he seemed to analyze her closely. It was considered a test of long life for young elves to remain patient among the ancients. Just as she started to feel awkward, his gaze softened. “You are a child of the woods.”
Cylthan felt a blush make her warm. That was what other elves she had met used to politely call someone “wild.” She should have just ground down her teeth like the other elves when she was younger.
“W-Well, kind of. I ... I’m not that wild,” she mumbled, looking away.
Alanis seemed surprised by her response, shaking his head as his hand slipped back into his robe. “I don’t believe I used that term. I’ve met wild elves. They are not often demure and generally lack manners ... or a vocabulary. I am aware of villages in the deepest of woods, of those who live close to the beasts without becoming as one. It’s clear you’ve been raised with civility and tenderness.”
Trying without success to move the lump in her throat, fighting the urge to burst into more tears, she looked down at her feet. “S-Something like that.”
The elf’s gaze slid to Silver Eye with a slight narrowing before turning his body and holding out a hand in invitation. “Join me, child. I baked several pies just this morning and could use some assistance enjoying them before the many critters descend.”
Chewing her lip as she fought with her jumble of emotions, she gave him a half-hearted smile. “I, um, I ate earlier, but I guess I have room for some more.”
“You are new,” he stated matter-of-fact as he led the way. “All who are new arrive to us hungry.”
She followed him past a bubbling koi pond to a back room where a table was pressed against one wall, covered in books, papers and scrolls with just enough space for a plate and cup of tea. The other walls had many shelves with books, trinkets and baubles, and taking up a corner was a large, wood burning cast iron oven. On the table beside the oven sat six perfect pies—well, five and a half.
A familiar plant caught her eye. Pale and drooping, it sat alone on top of a stack of books to keep it near the window. Cylthan thought it seemed like the perfect reflection for how she was feeling. They were both so far from home.
Alanis cut a slice of pie and turned to find her staring at the struggling orchid. “I’ve tended that plant for a year, after my assistant acquired it for me. I keep it infused with life magic, but it has yet to thrive on its own.”
Reaching out, she gently rubbed the broad, shriveled leaf between her fingers. “That’s because it can’t grow on its own,” she murmured softly, her thoughts as far away as her voice. “It only grows on the gorgor tree. It buries its roots into the bark and gets everything it needs from the tree. It fills the tree with poison so nothing eats the gorgor trees.”
Alanis tilted his head with interest as he set the plate on the clear spot of the table before her. “You hail from Thirbor?”
She hadn’t realized how telling her knowledge would be. Sucking in her breath, she opened her mouth to deflect and come up with a lie, but looking up at the ancient elf, she knew he would know that she lied. She had never needed anyone to believe her lies for more than a few minutes before Draen would take their memories. But, Draen wasn’t here.
The truth felt like opening a flood gate. All she did was nod and her eyes grew blurry and hot again. She looked down at the pie, clenching her fists to try and hold in the tears, but his gentle voice sounded like a hug, and she couldn’t help it.
“The jungle ... is a long way from here, child.”
“I miss it so much,” she whispered in a harsh breath, unable to get enough air to be much louder.
Alanis made a fluid, elegant motion with his hand, reaching down and lifting it back up as though he had grabbed an invisible string and pulled up the ground to form a chair of earth just behind him.
Adjusting his robes, he sat himself beside her. “Your journey has been long, child. More than your feet could benefit from some rest. Tell me how you’ve come to be here.”