A Roll of the Die - 1. Inception
Copyright© 2026 by Michael Loucks
Day 7
Karla was exhausted at dawn, marveling at Brandon's stamina and skill. She had never been ploughed so thoroughly and for so long. Brandon had been taken in by the ruse of animal blood and Karla's feigned innocence. She had allowed that fiction to dissipate over the course of the evening, night, and early morning, and just before they collapsed from their exertion, she had given as good as she had gotten.
As pleasurable as it had been, she wouldn't trade what she had with Milos, who acted out of love, for Brandon, who acted out of lust. The love she had for Milos, and his love for her, fulfilled a need as important as any pleasurable release. That love was something Karla cherished above all else. That said, she had to ensure she could achieve her goal with Brandon — to gain membership in the Razor Claws.
"I doubt any maiden has had such an excellent ploughing," Karla said when Brandon awoke.
"Nor has any ploughman encountered a maiden such as you, willing to be ploughed all night and to drink lustily from his fountain! I will have you all night again, Karla of Langford!"
"I will take you to my bed again, Brandon of Black Lake, when I am admitted to the Razor Claws," she replied.
"That is up to Pavel," Brandon countered.
"Then it is upon you to convince him, should you wish to have me again in the future."
Brandon frowned because membership usually required a year of successful missions and demonstrated loyalty. But he wanted Karla again so badly that he would do whatever it took to ensure it happened.
"I'll find a way," he said.
Karla was sure he would, and she was also sure she now held the upper hand. His desire to have her would make him putty in her hands, and she could dole out pleasure in a way to keep him under control.
They rose from the bed, which was sodden with sweat and other fluids, and washed themselves with water from the pitcher and basin. Karla made use of rosewater, then the two of them dressed and left the room. Brandon left the inn, and Karla joined Miri, Matthias, and Tristan for breakfast.
"I wonder," Miri said with a twinkle in her eye, "who was more thoroughly ploughed last night — Lisette or Karla?"
"Or you?" Karla asked with a knowing smile.
"Matthew and Miriam were both innocent," Miri said. "It was our first time."
"Strange," Karla observed. "Miri and Matthias have been lovers for some time."
"That was Miriam's attempt to entice me to make love, which is what we call ploughing," Matthew said.
"She's beautiful and clearly loves you!" Karla declared. "Why wouldn't you?"
"It's complicated," Matthew replied. "I was foolish then; now things have changed."
"Have they?" Karla asked. "Milos and I will be together again, and he will not concern himself with what I do to help you both in your quests. Love and ploughing are very different things."
"Not in our plane," Miriam countered. "That's why Matthew called it 'making love'."
"A strange concept," Tristan declared, "except among foolish maidens who believe surrendering their maidenhead is akin to the bond of marriage."
"A common belief in our plane," Miriam replied.
"You?" Tristan asked.
"Somewhat," Miriam admitted. "I could only do it for love, but I was under no illusion it guaranteed marriage. Matthew thought the same, but Miri and Matthias find themselves in different circumstances, similar to you and Milos. Will he take a lover during this time?"
"He is free to do so, and it does not concern me if he does. But all things considered, I believe his sense of honor may cause him to refrain."
"How do you feel?" Miri asked.
"It was a very pleasurable ploughing, nothing more. A means to an end — an initiation into the Razor Claws."
Lisette came up to them along with a young redhead with green eyes.
"This is Katherine, who will begin serving starting today, with Emma taking over managing the girls," Lisette said, then, seeing Tristan's reaction, added, "and she knows you are mine, Tristan, son of Luther!"
Karla, Matthias, and Miri all laughed.
"Very wise," Karla declared mirthfully.
"He has no room to complain," Lisette declared. "At least if he knows what's good for him!"
"YOU are good for him," Karla said. "Do you join us as of today?"
"After the evening meal, when I have shown Katherine her duties."
"All your duties?" Tristan smirked.
"Not that!" Lisette exclaimed, her eyes twinkling. "Matthias and I will leave just after the evening meal to explore the cave and woods near the wizard's compound."
The quartet finished their breakfast, and three of them departed — Matthias for Tranos' house to spend the day with Lilia; Miri to the college library; and Tristan to gather information on the Commander of the King's Guard.
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Miri was concerned because the Lord Mayor had specified the order of their actions, but her own concerns, as well as those of Matthias, seemed more urgent. Just before she reached the college, she thought better of it and turned to head to the Lord Mayor's house, hoping to find him there.
Balor quickly admitted her through the back entrance, and once she was in the Lord Mayor's study, Balor withdrew immediately. After an exchange of greetings, Miri explained the problem, but refrained from speaking of other planes of existence, even though the Lord Mayor was aware of them.
"I fear Kranos' death would put my brother on alert," the Lord Mayor said.
Miri considered that statement and proposed a way forward.
"What if he went on a journey, with no determined return date, and was kept captive until the Commander of the King's Guard could be framed for the murder of the Prince?"
"That could work, assuming you're able to pull it off."
"I believe we can; else I would not have suggested it."
"Do what you must to succeed," the Lord Mayor instructed.
"We will," Miri replied. "The journal was delivered to the Razor Claws."
"I'm aware. It, and the schematic, are in my possession."
"We intend to use the Razor Claws to take out the Prince. Are they useful to you after that?"
The Lord Mayor smiled, "You are wise beyond your years."
"Then once the Commander of the King's Guard is executed, we will betray Pavel to the King as the true mastermind behind the assassination."
"Brilliant!" the Lord Mayor exclaimed. "Many birds with one stone, as it were. And the King?"
"No plans as of yet, but opportunity and circumstance will present themselves."
"If my grandsons are as handsome as Robert and as wise and cunning as you, my dynasty will rule for centuries."
"I hope to give you several, and perhaps a granddaughter or two as well."
"Both Robert and I will be pleased; he in more ways than one!"
Miri smiled, "I promise to please him in every way possible!"
"Excellent. As soon as my idiot nephew is dead, I will name you Lady Miri, and there will be a public betrothal."
"I am your loyal servant, my Lord Mayor," Miri replied.
"Soon enough, you may call me 'Father'. Report regularly on your progress."
"Yes, my Lord Mayor. With your permission, I will take my leave."
"Granted."
Miri left the study, and Balor escorted her to the rear entrance of the house. Once outside, she headed to the college to continue her studies.
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"Do you have experience?" Lilia asked as she and Matthias drank chamomile tea and ate cakes.
"I do," Matthias admitted. "Sufficient, I am sure."
"Then I am certain our wedding night will be exquisite!"
"That is my desire."
"Were there many girls?" Lilia asked.
"Just one, but circumstances were such we could not be pledged to each other."
"Then I am fortunate, for she must have been special."
"She was," Matthias agreed, "but you are my betrothed, and the object of my full attention."
Lilia smiled happily, "I swear my undying love, and I desire to please you in any and every way. Have you seen what will be our part of the house?"
"No."
"Then come, and I shall show you!"
Lilia took Matthias' hand and led him from the sitting room and up a flight of stairs located at the back of the house. She unlocked the door at the top landing with a key, then pushed the door open.
"These would be our chambers," she said.
The chambers consisted of a large sitting room, a dining area, a small kitchen, a privy room, and two bed chambers — one large and one small. There was a large fireplace in the sitting room and smaller ones in each bed chamber.
"This will be our room," Lilia said. "And our bed. The other room is for our children. Our bed is very soft and warm!"
"As I am sure you are!" Matthias said with a smile.
Lilia stepped very close in front of him, their bodies almost touching.
"You may verify," she said, her voice full of desire and anticipation. "No one will disturb us."
"I do not wish to disrespect your father," Matthias said gently. "I believe it is better to wait six days."
Lilia sighed, "You are right, of course, but I burn with desire to be with you!"
"And I with you," Matthias replied, surprising himself because he realized he actually meant it.
"Most days, we'll take meals with my parents," she said. "But some days, I'll prepare something special for us, so we may eat together as a family — two at the start, but hopefully three within a year. We should make every effort to ensure I am with child!"
Matthias marveled at how enamored Lilia was with him. In the Real World, he'd struggled to get dates, finally asking Miriam to go out less than a month before his graduation. As he looked into his betrothed's eyes, he wondered if Miriam might have a point about staying in Nystria.
"I look forward to ensuring you are!" Matthias declared. "Are you aware I have a mission from your father?"
"Yes, but he has withheld all details. Is it dangerous?"
"Somewhat, but he has provided a talisman that will provide special protection, and you can be sure I want to celebrate our wedding night!"
"What will you do after the mission is complete?"
"Perhaps become an advocate and practice law, ensuring the fair treatment of all, and ensuring people keep their word."
"A very honorable profession!"
True in either world, Matthew thought. His thoughts were interrupted by what he would call an 'electric surge,' and he realized Lilia had pressed her body against his and wrapped her arms around him. He responded in kind and felt his willpower quickly draining away.
"We should return to our tea and cakes," he suggested, his pulse racing.
"Are you sure?" Lilia asked quietly, squeezing her arms tightly around him.
"Yes," he croaked, barely controlling his burning desire.
"Six days," Lilia sighed.
Mercifully, she released him, and they returned to the tea and cakes in the main sitting room.
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For his part, Tristan visited a multitude of taverns and inns, talking to patrons, proprietors, and serving girls, rueing the promise he had made to Lisette. He gathered some important tidbits, but it was clear he would need to travel to Haven, the capital city, to gain any real information. The sooner he could do that, the better, or they would need to rely purely on the Razor Claws, something he did not relish doing.
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Brandon finally returned to the Soaring Falcon just before noon and sat down next to Karla. He signaled for an ale, and Katherine brought it to him. Karla noted Brandon's appreciative stare and shook her head.
"Do you tire of me so quickly?" she asked.
"Just admiring the beautiful creation of the gods," he replied.
"So you say."
"I want you again," Brandon said firmly.
"And my price?"
"Difficult, but not impossible."
"How?" she asked.
"There is a device in the possession of the wizard, Kranos. Retrieve it, and you are in."
"And then you can be 'in' again!" Karla declared mirthfully. "What does this device do?"
"It provides access to other worlds."
"Impossible!" she declared with feigned disbelief.
"I agree with you, but Pavel does not."
"How will I recognize the device?"
"According to Pavel, it has receptacles for ten mana crystals, which shatter when the device is used. It has a number of levers and dials, an activation bar, and inside it is a lodestone."
"If it exists, I will find it."
"Quickly," Brandon declared.
Karla smiled, "It is good to see you so eager to plough!"
"I am, but Pavel needs the device soon. He is acting more paranoid than usual."
"I'll get right on it," Karla said firmly.
"See that you do."
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