A Dragon's Tale
Copyright© 2022 by Antiproton
Chapter 78: The Lesser of Two Evils?
Fantasy Sex Story: Chapter 78: The Lesser of Two Evils? - An accident + Magic = A man's mind in a dragon's body. After being pulled into a high-fantasy world of elves, magic, and airships, our hero finds himself chased by lords, hunted by mages, and fighting to protect and nurture those he loves while also fighting his new dragon instincts. I promise a happy ending to this character-driven saga, but don't forget: "the course of true love never did run smooth".
Caution: This Fantasy Sex Story contains strong sexual content, including Ma/Fa Fa/Fa Mult Consensual Mind Control Reluctant Romantic Lesbian BiSexual Heterosexual High Fantasy Restart Magic non-anthro MaleDom Light Bond Group Sex Harem Polygamy/Polyamory Cream Pie First Oral Sex Pregnancy Slow
Candice leaned against the railing and watched two of the tournament contestants fight, keenly aware that Harrison was beside her and also watching them intently. These two combatants seemed more skilled than most of them, and Harrison always kept his eyes glued to the more skilled fighters. His focus was intense, and she could tell that he could see far more than she could. Honestly, she liked watching him almost as much as she liked watching the bouts.
She wasn’t sure why.
There was just something about his focus and the way he carried himself that she’d never encountered before. She realized she had a small smile on her face, then turned back to watch the contestants.
“That was because of the shield thing, right?” She asked not long after when another point had been scored. “The one who got hit didn’t protect his center line with his shield?”
“Yup.” Harrison replied. He wasn’t looking at her because his eyes were still glued to the fight, but he seemed to be paying attention to her anyway. Well, half paying attention; the fight clearly took precedence.
The bout ended barely a minute later and Harrison took a deep breath. “He’s one to watch.” He nodded his head toward the winner.
“Do you think you could beat him?” Candice asked.
“Sure.” He replied. There wasn’t an ounce of cockiness in his tone though, it was a calm, settled confidence. His tone was that way a lot.
“Fellow Ivernians!” Duke Farbrottan said from his boxed seat. “The matches will be suspended for one hour to give us all, especially the fighters, a break for lunch.”
“Come on, let’s get some grub.” Harrison said, then turned and headed toward the contestant’s dining hall.
It was incredible.
There was more food in that one room than she had seen in her entire life. They had every kind of meat you could imagine, vegetables cooked a thousand different ways, and enough bread to feed a small army. All of it was lying on large, flat stones with coals under them, so it was all hot too. She had been too nervous at breakfast to really appreciate all of this, but now she was definitely appreciating it.
Harrison grabbed a plate and put some food on it, mostly meat. Candice loaded hers up with a little bit of everything. It all looked so good and now that she wasn’t fighting butterflies in her stomach, she wanted to eat as much as she could.
For the first time in her entire life, she would be able to eat until she wanted to stop. Not when there was no more food, when she wanted to stop. She had an hour to eat as much as she could, and she was going to. She sat down and set the tip of Harrison’s sword scabbard on the floor between her feet and let the rest of it lean against her shoulder as she began to eat.
It was wonderful.
For the first time in her life, she felt like she could just eat because she was hungry. She didn’t need to worry about leaving enough food for her younger siblings, or undereating to make sure there would be enough food for the winter, or even worry that she was eating more than her fair share. She could just eat because she was hungry, and eat as much as she wanted.
It felt wonderful.
Luxurious.
She felt like some kind of princess living in the lap of luxury.
“You know, there’s no prize for who eats the most food at lunch.” Harrison said five minutes later when she’d nearly cleared her plate.
She blushed.
She should’ve been eating more slowly because she’d been eating like a pig and he’d noticed. She glanced at him, and he seemed more amused than anything else. Thank Illuminar.
“Um, I’m hungry.” She finally said, wishing she could come up with something more clever.
“I couldn’t tell.” Harrison replied with a chuckle. “Didn’t they feed you over there?” He nodded his head toward where the other young ladies had been housed.
“They did, but they wouldn’t let us eat too much so we didn’t gain weight.” Candice replied.
“Go, get some more.” He said after a moment, then held out his hand. “I can babysit my sword for a few minutes.”
She handed him his sword, then virtually raced back to the food line to get some more food. She had a huge smile on her face as she picked out a few things she hadn’t had room for on her first trip and--
“Hey!” One of the guards barked. “Whores aren’t allowed in here.” He stepped forward menacingly and into her space. “Get out before I decide that--”
“She’s with me.” Harrison said as he appeared out of nowhere.
“She’s still not allowed in--” The guard stopped as Harrison stepped forward into the guard’s personal space, between him and Candice.
“I said, she’s with me.” Harrison’s voice was calm, even, measured, and even conversational. It was still the scariest thing Candice had ever heard. Something around Harrison had changed. He looked the same, but there was suddenly an element of menace in his posture and body language that hadn’t been there before.
“Okay.” The guard said, then he beat a hasty retreat.
That’s when Candice realized that everyone was watching.
“I thought she could use a decent meal.” Harrison said to the room at large, again, his tone calm and utterly relaxed. “If you think the woman sharing your bed deserves the same, I doubt our host will object, given that there’s enough food here to feed an army.”
Everyone was still looking at them.
“Go on, fill your plate.” Harrison said to her.
She hesitated, then put a few more things onto her plate, keenly aware of all the eyes on her. Finally, she went back up to Harrison, who led her back to where they had been sitting. Suddenly, she wasn’t so hungry.
“Why did you do that?” She asked a minute later when the room had gone back to normal.
“It was the right thing to do.” He shrugged, then took another bite.
She nodded, picking at her food.
A few minutes later, she noticed that there were a lot more women in the room. She looked around and realized that a bunch of the contestants had apparently gone and gotten their women. Even better, Candice noticed that a lot of the ladies seemed relatively happy. Not all, but most of them. Maybe they had passed the previous night with their virginity intact as she had? Hopefully?
Candice felt a tiny smile on her face as her appetite began to return. She glanced at Harrison often, but he seemed mostly lost in thought.
∗That was a bad idea.∗ Alana thought to the group chat after Ethan had told them what had just happened with Candice at lunch. ∗I’m so glad you did it, and I’m proud to be your wife because of it, but I still think it might end up being a bad idea.∗
∗You’re probably right.∗ He replied, sounding pensive. ∗I’m a terrible undercover agent.∗
∗It requires a certain moral ... flexibility. ∗ Kendra said. ∗Not everyone can do it.∗
∗Could you?∗ Selene asked. ∗I mean, if you had to now?∗
Alana looked at Kendra, since all of Ethan’s wives were in the dining room of their Nalatia suite eating lunch. The former Aldmiri looked pensive for a moment, and Alana couldn’t help but contrast Kendra now with how she had been when they had all met her. Well, after she stopped trying to kill them. Until recently, she would never have emoted so freely.
∗I would struggle with it.∗ Kendra replied after several moments. ∗I won’t say that I couldn’t, but I think I would struggle.∗
∗That’s progress.∗ Taloni thought to everyone with a bright smile on her face.
∗Maybe.∗ Kendra replied, not looking convinced.
“I think it is.” Sarah said after a moment. Beth was relaying what was being said in the group chat today, since Alana had been doing it for a while now. They’d decided to take turns until Sarah was bonded to Ethan and could join the group chat properly. Alana thought that couldn’t happen soon enough.
∗What can we do to help the women?∗ Beth asked everyone.
∗I’m not sure we can.∗ Kendra replied.
∗Why not?∗ Beth asked.
∗Collateral damage.∗ Kendra replied. ∗Almost anything he could do would probably end up making things worse in the long term.∗
∗Remember what happened to Talven and Salma.∗ Rachel pointed out. ∗Yes they needed help, but us helping them ended up nearly destroying their lives. Sometimes, trying to help can hurt.∗
∗But there must be something we can do.∗ The blonde insisted, her tone and expression clearly indicating that she wasn’t ready to give up.
∗Like what?∗ Kendra asked. ∗He could storm where they’re being held, but what good would that do? Can he take care of all of them? Without the Ivernian military providing food, they would starve. They certainly won’t have the skills to all survive on their own, and there’s no way Ethan can transport them all somewhere else.∗
∗Not to mention that they are all far from home.∗ Rachel added. ∗Candice is from Baron Martel’s barony, which is probably a week’s journey without a horse. How many of them come from further away? How would they return to their families?∗
∗But we can’t do nothing!∗ Beth exclaimed, standing up from the table with a huff. ∗There must be a way we can help them.∗
∗I would like to, but how?∗ Alana asked.
Thankfully, Taloni had taken over relaying the group chat messages to Sarah since Beth had clearly forgotten in her zeal.
No one said anything for several moments.
∗Anyone?∗ Beth asked.
∗We’re trying to help right now.∗ Alana said after a moment. ∗The whole reason that Ethan is there is to contact Duke Farbrottan and see if he might make a good replacement for Lord Farbrottan. That will help all of Ivernia.∗
∗But that doesn’t mean we can’t help these women now.∗ Beth replied, her mental tone filled with frustration. ∗There must be something we can do!∗
∗Beth, a sad fact of life is that sometimes, trying to help someone can make things worse.∗ Kendra stated. ∗Almost no matter what Ethan does to try to help these women, ultimately, it will probably make things worse for them.∗
∗I hate to say this, but for their families too.∗ Selene pointed out, her jaw clenched. ∗It sounds like the deal was that their families’ debts would be wiped out if the women did this, is that right Boss?∗
∗Yeah, seems like it.∗ He confirmed.
∗So as terrible as it is, what can we do that won’t make things worse for everyone involved?∗ Selene sighed and her shoulders slumped. ∗How could we help without creating more harm than help via collateral damage?∗
∗But we can’t just leave them there!∗ Beth exclaimed. ∗I can’t even imagine what they’ve been through and they need help!∗
∗They do.∗ Ethan confirmed, his mental tone world-weary. ∗But again, what can I do?∗
No one answered.
∗We could pray Master.∗ Taloni suggested after a moment.
∗Yeah, yeah we could do that.∗ He replied, still sounding weary.
∗Well, you should at least help Candice.∗ Beth said firmly after several moments.
∗Yup, and I plan to, but I’ll have to do it carefully. I think she’s developing a little crush on me and I’d rather not feed that; I have too much female attention as it is.∗
∗Too much you say?∗ Selene said, an impish note in her tone.
∗Yeah, this has been a really nice break, especially from my newest wife.∗ Ethan teased back, then his tone grew more somber. ∗I would really like to help everyone, I just don’t know how to help.∗
∗I suspect you’ll at least need to help Candice.∗ Rachel thought to everyone. ∗It will be obvious that she’s attached to you, and that you care for her as a person, so if you’re discovered, they might threaten her to get to you.∗
∗Damn.∗ Ethan replied, and Alana could almost hear the sigh he’d be making. ∗I can’t watch her every minute, and I can’t take more than two people if I need to escape. Candice, Duke Farbrottan, and the Duke’s wife make three.∗
∗I’ll try asking The King for help again; he was in an important meeting when I tried earlier.∗ Alana replied. ∗Maybe he can send a covert team?∗
∗Master, I feel like Beth should go with them.∗ Taloni added.
∗Why?∗ Ethan asked.
Alana looked at the Fey teen, who had her lips pursed into a thoughtful frown. ∗I don’t know Master, but I feel like it would be a good idea.∗
∗It would.∗ Kendra added. ∗She can watch Candice on the Astral Plane, and even poke out the eyes of anyone who attempts to harm her.∗
∗I’d be happy to help.∗ The blonde volunteered instantly. ∗Even helping one person is better than doing nothing.∗
∗Careful.∗ Kendra cautioned. ∗Sometimes, helping one person can end up hurting many others.∗
∗That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t help.∗ Beth countered.
∗I didn’t say we shouldn’t, but I would advise caution.∗ Kendra explained.
∗These things must be done delicately, or you’ll hurt the spell.∗ Selene said in a high-pitched, almost cackling voice, probably quoting one of those ‘movie’ things again.
∗Run Toto! Run!∗ Ethan thought back in a high-pitched, almost girlish tone.
Selene started laughing. “I’ll explain in a minute.”
∗Beth, it’s good that you want to help everyone.∗ Kendra said, bringing the conversation back on topic. ∗But as Selene just said, it must be done delicately or you can sometimes cause more harm than good.∗ She paused, then said under her breath. “And it helps to be able to walk.”
Alana looked at Kendra pointedly. “Kendra, it isn’t all on you. You’re recovering, and it’s fine if you can help a little less until you’re fully recovered.”
“Agree to disagree.” The former Aldmiri replied.
Selene sighed. “Well, how about Rachel and I help you try to walk again after lunch? You’re getting much steadier on your feet.”
“Thank you.” Kendra replied.
∗Ethan, I’ll make sure I talk to The King or The Queen right after we finish eating.∗ Alana thought to everyone.
∗It should take less than a day for them to get there Master.∗ Taloni added.
∗Good.∗ Ethan replied. ∗The final match won’t be until evening the day after tomorrow, so if Beth can get here before then, that would be ideal.∗
∗I’ll do my best Dominus.∗
“Um, Beth?” Sarah spoke up. “How are your wings coming?”
“They’re almost done.” The blonde grinned. “I would’ve finished a while ago, but I got distracted after the ambush and haven’t worked on them for a few days.”
Sarah nodded. “Okay.”
Alana hurriedly finished eating and then stood to go see The Queen, or The King if she could get an audience. As she was preparing to leave, Selene and Rachel went to either side of Kendra and helped her up out of her wheelchair. It was a mark of how well she was progressing that Kendra was actually able to help them get her up. She had been working on her legs almost non-stop since the ambush, and the progress showed.
“Candice?”
She was waiting with Harrison at the railing to the tournament arena when she heard the voice. She turned to see one of the contestants standing nearby.
“Do I know you?” She asked, knowing full well that she didn’t.
“No, but we have a mutual acquaintance.” He glanced pointedly in the direction of a woman, the same one who had told her of the ‘use your mouth’ trick to tire a man so they wouldn’t have to give up their virginities. The man spoke with a subtle smile. “She asked me to tell you that she didn’t end up needing that trick.”
Candice smiled. “I’m glad.”
Harrison turned to look at the man, and Candice got the impression that he saw a lot more than she did. When he spoke, it was in a low tone that wasn’t quite whispering, but was close. “Best not to mention that again, you wouldn’t want to cause trouble.”
The man nodded at Harrison. “I won’t, I just wanted to say ‘thank you’ for what you said at lunch. We uh...” He got a small smile on his face. “ ... we got to talking last night and she’s pretty incredible. It’s been nice having her around me since lunch.”
Harrison slowly nodded. “Glad to hear that.”
“Anyway, thanks.” The man smiled, then walked away toward the other woman, who smiled when he returned and they started talking. The man was clearly trying to pay attention to the fights in the arena, but he looked at her rather often.
It was cute to see.
It also put a thought in Candice’s head. Suddenly, a few butterflies started fluttering around in her stomach and a nervous smile appeared on her face as her cheeks grew warm. She glanced at Harrison, wondering if it was possible.
“So, would The King be willing to send someone to help?” Alana asked The Queen, whom she’d found very quickly. They were currently in an unoccupied room in the palace which The Queen had pulled her into.
“My dear niece, what makes you think that he doesn’t already have some on station?” The Queen asked with an amused smile.
“He does?”
The Queen merely smiled wider.
“Does he think of everything?” Alana asked after a moment, hardly believing it.
“Not everything.” The Queen replied. “Just the important things.”
Alana nodded.
“I will speak to him about transportation for Elizabeth to the area.” The Queen added. “I am certain that he will approve, and she will likely depart within the hour. Though, he will assuredly require some of the Lightguard to accompany her, and will likely draft Mr. Serif as well, since Lord Borden wished him to protect Elizabeth.”
“That’s even better.” Alana smiled.
The Queen’s expression turned serious. “However, let this information not travel beyond your husband and fellow wives; it would not do for others to learn that our fair kingdom is interfering in Ivernian internal matters.”
“Of course.” Alana agreed.
“Excellent.” The Queen smiled. “Then, there is but one thing more we should discuss, and a thing for which I had been planning to seek you out.”
“Oh?”
“How would you like to visit my sister tomorrow?” The Queen asked with a wide smile.
Alana beamed.
“Oh, he lifted his shield too much, blocking his view.” Candice said, realizing with a smile that she actually recognized something. She smiled even wider when she saw him nod with a proud smile.
“Yup.” Harrison replied, his eyes still glued to the match.
Candice smiled; she had been paying even more attention and hanging on Harrison’s every word, hoping he would appreciate her taking an interest in his profession. She wasn’t sure what else to do. Normally, her father or brothers might broach the topic and be complimentary about her, but they weren’t here. Of course, he would still need to ask her father, and that’s assuming he was interested.
She felt her heart flutter and the butterflies in her stomach dance a little at that thought.
The match finished and Harrison looked at her. “You have something on your mind.”
“Oh, is it that obvious?” She asked, then bit her lip.
“Probably not to most people, but let’s just say that I have a lot of experience reading women lately.” He chuckled.
She did too, though her chuckle was more nervous than anything else.
“Spit it out.” He encouraged.
“Um...” She looked at the man who had talked to them at lunch, and he was smiling widely as he talked to the woman assigned to him. “They seem like they might be happy. Um, together.” She bit her lip and then took a deep breath. “Um, I was thinking that ... do ... do you think that might happen for anyone else?”
Her heart was beating a mile a minute.
“Ah.” Harrison nodded slowly. He looked pensive for several moments before speaking. “Candice, I’m in a rather unique situation. I’m actually already married, more than once, and because of my unique situation, I’m not able to have another wife; it can’t happen.”
“Oh.” She nodded slowly, her face as calm and neutral as she could make it, even as her heart sank like a rock dropped into a pond.
“It’s not an issue of interest, or your attractiveness, or anything else like that.” Harrison added, and even though the next pair of contestants were beginning their bout, he hadn’t looked at them. “In fact, it has nothing to do with you at all; my own situation makes it impossible.” He looked her in the eye pointedly. “So don’t take this as a rejection, okay?”
She nodded, but it took her a few moments to summon the courage to reply. “ And um, your situation won’t change?”
“No, it won’t.” He replied gently. “I’m sorry.”
“Me too.” She said so quietly that he probably didn’t hear. She hoped he didn’t hear.
He looked at the two contestants who had just started their bout, but he wasn’t looking as intently as he usually did. After a moment, he spoke. “In lieu of that, is there anything that you would really like to do that I could help with? Some dream you have that I could maybe help you fulfill?”
Candice smiled weakly. “The most wonderful dream I could imagine would be marrying a good man who loves me, would protect me, and is wealthy enough that I would never need to worry about where my next meal would come from, or my children’s next meal.” She sighed slightly. “It might not be possible in Ivernia, but it would be wonderful.”
“It should not only be possible, but expected.” Harrison growled, though his displeasure clearly wasn’t directed at her.
“Well, almost no one starves in Ivernia.” Candice clarified. “Everyone takes care of each other, but occasionally skipping a meal happens.”
Harrison nodded, though Candice noticed that his fist was clenched rather tightly.
They both watched the bout, but it wasn’t a particularly interesting one. One fighter was clearly better than the other and toyed with him for a while before winning without taking a hit.
“Anything else?” Harrison asked. “I can’t ensure you find a good and wealthy man in Ivernia, but maybe I could fulfill another dream.”
“Um, I would love to see Nalatia, just once.” Candice said, a smile coming unbidden to her face. “I’ve heard it’s gorgeous, and the elves always make everything so beautiful.” She looked at him. “Have you ever seen it?”
“I have, and it is beautiful.” He replied, paused for several moments, then added. “I’m actually headed there after the tournament.”
“Really?!” Candice asked, barely remembering to keep her voice at a normal volume.
“Yup.” He nodded. “You could tag along if you want, though, it might be a long time until I could get you back to your family.”
“Oh.” Candice felt her heart simultaneously rise and sink. “I ... I would love to go, but I would need to let my family know so they wouldn’t worry. If I couldn’t do that, then ... then I couldn’t go.” She tried not to let her heart completely sink.
“Well, maybe we could make a short detour first.” Harrison said with a smile. “Hell, if you’re looking for a fellow who would protect you, I might know a guy. A really good one, though he’s from Narlotten. He’ll be traveling with me for a while soon and I could introduce you. You never know, you might end up liking each other.”
“I love Ivernia, but I would rather raise a family in Narlotten.” Candice replied with a sad sigh. “I would hate to leave my homeland, but I would hate for my children to worry about their next meal more.”
“That’s called being a good mother.” He looked at her pointedly with a smile as the next two contestants entered the arena for their bout.
“Thank you.” She smiled, but her heart didn’t flutter. “Um, and thank you for being so kind, with what I said earlier. I really appreciate it.”
He smiled again. “Kind should be the default. Too many people have had their hearts stomped on before they find real love; I don’t want to add to that number.”
She nodded. “Thank you again.”
“You’re welcome.” He replied.
They watched the next bout in silence as she thought about what he had said, and how kind he had been. She would love to meet another man like him.
“Um, this man you know, the good one from Narlotten, is he serious about Illuminar?”
Harrison cocked his head to one side, paused for a moment, then spoke. “I think he is. My betrothed knows him a little and says he is. Why?”
“Well, before we met, I asked Illuminar that I wouldn’t be picked so I could remain a virgin.” She whispered. “He decided to do even better. I think maybe I should pay more attention to Illuminar, I’m just not sure how to.”
Harrison smiled. “Don’t worry, I know a few people who are as serious as a luminar, or even more so. I’ll introduce you.”
“Thank you.” Candice smiled. For as terrible as the situation had seemed the previous morning, she was quite happy with how things were turning out.
Beth watched the palace slowly get smaller as the airship she was on rose into the skies above Nalatia. Below, all her fellow wives were there waving goodbye, and she waved back, her heart falling slightly that she wouldn’t be able to sleep next to them for several nights. It was strange, but way back when she’d first married Ethan, she hated the idea of sharing him. Now, she wouldn’t trade the sisterhood with his other wives for anything in the world.
She sighed as the airship’s sails were deployed, caught the wind, and the ship’s motion put some trees between her and her fellow wives. Her shoulders slumped a little and she sighed again.
“Trouble, Mrs. Ejder?” The captain of the Lightguard, Halasses Hamellion, said from nearby. Of course, on an airship this small, almost everything was nearby.
The airship was about twice the size of Kendra’s canoe-sized airship and the only other person aboard besides herself and the Lightguard captain was Serif. Oddly, Beth noticed a certain similarity of mannerism between Serif and the Lightguard captain, and Kendra had a bit of the same mannerisms as well.
“I’m not used to being called that.” She replied. “I’ve only been a ‘Mrs. Ejder’ for a few months and it still feels weird. I love having Ethan’s last name, but it still sounds strange to me.”
“Many newlywed women encounter the same.” He replied. “It will pass with time. However, I do not believe that is what troubles you.”
“It’s being away from my family.” She replied, her shoulders slumping more.
“It is a great blessing to have a family that you miss so greatly.” He replied.
“Huh.” Beth cocked her head to one side. “I never thought about it like that.”
“For many things in life, though not all, there are both positives and negatives you could focus on.” He said. “A constant focus on the negative can rob you of the joys of the positive. It would benefit you greatly to learn that lesson long before I did, for in not learning it, I robbed myself of much joy and inflicted much unneeded misery on myself.”
“You sound like my dad.” Beth chuckled. “Did your kids ignore that lesson from you the way I did from my dad?”
“I do not have any, for I never married.” He replied, then smiled faintly. “Unless you consider my career; I have been a most devoted husband to that fickle bride.”
Beth laughed. “Military?”
“Initially.”
“Oh? What about after?” She asked.
“Similar profession, but with fewer rules.” He replied.
“Huh?”
“I am on this mission because of my very particular set of skills, not because I am the captain of the Lightguard.” He hinted.
Beth frowned, then considered how much his mannerisms resembled Serif and Kendra. “Oh, okay.”
He nodded, then looked forward to the horizon.