Lemuria

Chapter 6

Port in a Storm

Ephiran Castle, Military Council Chambers

"You're sure it will be safe?"

General Oriana turned to her queen with a diplomatically blank expression on her war-chiseled face. "Melusine is roughly as far from the front lines as Ephira. Princess Anise is not needed to fight any battles or run the kingdom. However, her mere presence in Melusine will help calm the refugees and reassure them of our commitment to their safety."

Sitting at her mother's side, Cleome sighed. Oriana was probably right. When it came to understanding the kingdom's needs, none had a clearer head than the High General. More like the Only General, now. Cleome winced slightly at the thought. She couldn't dwell on the deceased Cybele or the missing Kaya. "How has the reclamation effort been faring?"

At this query, Oriana's regal features allowed a slight smile. "The latest cleansing spells seem promising. We have been able to scour Marlow's roots from several villages without incinerating the land above. And, assuming that the new sanctification rites hold and prevent the sowing of any new seeds in reclaimed areas, we should be able to expand the front line and encircle his forces."

Good news? Isn't that a pleasant change.

"We are still trying to determine if there is a way to separate our people from the parasites without killing both. Unfortunately, all signs point to the bond being a complete fusion. I'm afraid that fire remains our only viable weapon." The anguish and frustration of the thought caused a small amount of color to seep into Oriana's dark cheeks before she continued.

"Our...friend believes that once Marlow is dead, she should be able to exert some amount of control over the beasts. Perhaps she could restore their independence, or at least put an end to their torment. Whether that is an option we should explore or not, I leave to you."

Cleome's brow furrowed. Verity had been shockingly helpful, overall, but to hand her an army of monsters? "I don't know if we can risk it. We have to protect those of our people that are currently safe. Even if that means wiping out all of Marlow's creations. Even if that means the deaths of all those ensnared by them." Oriana nodded curtly. "As my princess commands." She stood, preparing to relay the military council's orders.

"General, one more question. Have you heard--" Oriana gently placed a gauntleted hand on the princess's shoulder. "Some farmers thought they saw the Scout General and her forces heading south last month. There have been no sightings since. Perhaps she--"

"Fled?" The princess interjected. "Kaya would never."

Oriana gave her shoulder a comforting squeeze. "I was going to suggest she was attempting a flanking maneuver. Or seeking help from beyond our borders. I know she wouldn't abandon you."

The princess took a moment to regain her composure. "Of course. And thank you. I need to return to the front shortly. Please ensure that Anise is safely escorted to Melusine. I'm sure she will be ecstatic to be out of the castle. And..."

"And any news about our wayward scouts will reach your ears as soon as it reaches mine." The general gave her young liege a supportive pat. "Now go out there and reclaim our land. The tide IS turning. We WILL win the day."

Melusine

"Oh, it positively reeks of fish here. And not in a fun way." The remark caused another wave of scandalized titters from Anise's retinue as their ship approached its berth. Only the princess herself seemed un-taken-aback. "Well, Verity, dear, YOU were the one who suggested to mother that I participate in the aid effort. Besides, I would have thought you'd be glad that she trusted you to join me."

Oh, yes, "trust." That's why the royal cunt told dear Anise's guards to behead me at the first sign of trouble. Isabelle just wants a parasite detector at her frail daughter's side, that's all. Still, no harm into playing into the princess's fantasies.

"I suppose you are right. Why, at this rate, maybe her queenliness will knight me before long!"

Anise giggled prettily at the thought while her ladies-in-waiting continued to mutter about the stranger in their midst. They had been told she was a minor noble mage who had recently drifted into the crown's good graces. Honestly, it's already been worth bringing Verity along just for the entertainment value alone. Besides, the demoness was the only one who really seemed to view her as something other than a fragile addendum to her vaunted family.

The princess smiled to herself. Nice to have a real friend. At least, I think she is. What else could you call a succubus that spends so much time around you without even making a token attempt at fucking you?

Melusine Docks

Braxton was the fifth in a long line of port inspectors. The final line of defence between Melusine and unscrupulous traders trying to sell spoiled vegetables from overseas. "So, I see that you are carrying barrels of...wine, is it? I don't see any manifest."

The captain of the humorously named Deep Pockets was an unassuming, disheveled

young man. Ephiran, by the sound of his accent, although his crew seemed more of the Ipzoldi persuasion. "I'm so sorry about that. It must have slipped my mind. Maybe I can just pay you a fine now and go on my way?" He gave the inspector an innocent look. "I know that the port workers guild has been lobbying the crown for more wages for quite some time now. While I can't do anything about that, I'd be happy to add a donation to the guild on top of the fine itself."

As Braxton began to speak, a heavy satchel of coins was dropped into his burly lap. "That should cover any fines. The next two will be the donation."

Ten minutes later, Marlow's Ipzoldan was unloading the ship's hold of its unassuming barrels and distributing them across the city. The sorcerer reclined in the captain's quarters, idly rolling a gold coin back and forth between his fingers. Why bother wasting my army with an invasion when simple greed will do the trick instead?

Melusine Refugee Camp

Once the haggard masses realized that it was indeed one of their beloved princesses here to pass out food, water, clothing, and blankets, managing the line became quite a hassle. Verity's pheromones were kept busy performing a key duty, placating the crowd, keeping it calm and manageable. There would be no rioting on her watch. She wrinkled her nose. The area reeked of Marlow's corruption. Likely these refugees evacuated right as his roots were spreading under their feet. Got out just in time, from the smell of things. Lovely.

Several merchant crews, likely wanting to prove themselves just as generous as the crown, had also begun distributing some of their wares freely as well. Already, a crowd had gathered around several casks of wine kindly donated by one well-meaning crew or another.

Next to Verity, Anise was positively beaming. Finally, she was out of the castle, among the people she had sworn to serve. The fact that it had taken a horrific war to bring this good fortune was not lost upon the princess, but at least she was finally in a position to help, even if only in a small way.Finally, I can do something. I can matter.

Surely even her new, demonic friend was moved by the spirit of cooperation and goodwill on display. Anise turned to Verity and opened her mouth to speak. The words were dashed from her mouth when a scream erupted from the crowd.

The men and women who had just been joyously partaking in the proffered wine were now thrashing and convulsing on the ground. To Anise's horror, a black, tar-like substance erupted from their mouths and rapidly coated their bodies, creeping over their flesh with hungry intent.

The crowd stood, stunned, responses still dulled by the calming chemicals Verity had been pumping into the air. Then, as the first of the freshly-converted drones staggered to its feet, the remaining wine casks exploded in a torrent of red liquid. Liquid filled with tiny, writhing parasites.

Panic finally overcame the pheromone-induced placidity. People began to flee in all directions, trampling each other in their desperation to get away from the creatures now in their midst.

Those unlucky enough to be in the vicinity of the tainted barrels were already being forcibly converted into a second wave of Marlow's creations. Meanwhile, the first set of drones had waded into the panicked crowd, tentacles snatching up targets left and right and either consuming or violating then converting the helpless victims.

Anise felt a firm grip on her shoulder and turned to see a grim-faced Verity. "We have to run. NOW."

Melusine Port

Anise doubled over, wheezing. She had never exactly been physically fit, and the unexpected activity had rapidly taken its toll. Around her, the city had erupted into complete madness. Marlow's brutish creatures were cropping up everywhere, relentlessly seeking out new prey.

"Those barrels must have been left all over the city. The refugee camp alone couldn't have caused all of...this." Verity gestured at the city behind them, filled with smoke and screams. She had reasoned that their best chance of escape was by sea, so the pair had found shelter in a fishmonger's stall near the docks. A place to hide while the frail princess recovered her tiny reservoir of strength.

"Rest up for a moment, but then we need to go. I can't believe I missed the parasites. I thought what I was sensing was just--"

The demoness's explanation was cut off when the princess practically tackled her, hugging her in a desperate, sobbing embrace. Verity knew she should be disgusted by the woman's weakness, but strangely felt a warm fondness toward her royal companion instead. Her friend.

"Look, your mother told me that any harm that came to you would be visited on me as well. I already kind of fucked that part up. So I promise I will get you out of here. Okay?"

The princess raised her tear-stained eyes to meet those of her unlikely companion. Shockingly, she could spot nothing but genuine concern on the demon's face.

Almost unthinkingly, she began to lean in, but the would-be embrace ground to a halt when one of Verity's fingers gently pressed against her lips. "Tell you what. Let's escape first. Then you can do something stupid with me later and really piss your family off."

Anise wiped the tears from her eyes. "Fine, but I'm going to hold you to that."

Melusine Town Square

Marlow couldn't believe his luck. One of the fleeing noblewomen had recognized him and decided that negotiation, rather than retreat, was her best chance at freedom. After he swore he wouldn't convert her into one of his drones, she had given him a piece information most valuable. Marlow had been more than happy to grant the wish in exchange for providing him with such a gift. Even now, several of his drones fed upon her lifeless corpse. Completely unconverted, just as promised.

Anise is here. In Melusine. He couldn't believe his luck. That pathetic, pampered princess would be the perfect hostage. Although my drones would likely reject her as an unsuitable host and slay her.

That thought shook the grin from his face. He needed to act quickly before an incorrect fate befell poor Anise. Focusing his will, he formed a mental image of the princess and broadcast it to his thralls. Bring this one to me alive and untouched.

Melusine Docks

Bring this one to me alive and untouched. Verity jolted at the mental intrusion. Their limited window of time had just narrowed. She'd temporarily left the princess behind. The noble's frail form was still slowly recovering its strength. The demoness figured she could plot out a relatively safe route to an available boat, then return for her royal friend.

Unfortunately, it seemed she was far from the only one to consider that idea. Heat wafted over the succubus as she observed the inferno consuming the docks. "Fuck." Guess Marlow would rather cut off escapees than have a navy.

Her mind desperately scoured her available options. The moment Marlow found her, she'd be his plaything once again. Every single drone roaming the city was searching for Anise, and Marlow would surely use all of that divine essence filling the poor thing's body to--

She stopped in her tracks. A sliver of hope began to form in her mind. A stupid sliver, one based on luck and guesswork, but it was at least something. And all she had to do to set it in motion was betray her friend.

Verity rushed back toward Anise's hiding spot, eyes desperately seeking a suitable target as she travelled. Finally, she spotted it. One of Marlow's drones, totally alone and close to the stall that held the terrified princess. It ignored the succubus as she approached, senses registering her as simply another corrupted being.

Mustering powers she desperately hoped she possessed, Verity placed a hand on the moaning beast and focused. Marlow controlled these things using the Exile's essence. Which was inexorably entwined with his essence. And he had pumped so very much of that essence into the hungry body of a powerful succubus. So that essence was now a part of her being. While she might not have enough of it to overrule Marlow's instructions, perhaps she could subtly alter them.

Doing her best to imitate Marlow's 'voice,' she gave the beast an updated order. Bring this one to me after converting her.

With a shuddering moan, the drone lurched away from her and extended two tentacles into Anise's hiding spot, swiftly dragging the screaming princess into the open. Her shrieks were quickly cut off by one tentacle plunging into her mouth as two more set about tearing her dress to shreds. Her weeping eyes could only stare at the succubus with a look of dawning betrayal as the creature began violating her royal holes. Well, that's one successful gamble. Now for the big one. Let's see just how full of divine essence Princess Anise really is.

Verity watched as the conversion process began. The drone's tentacles pulsed in the struggling princess's holes, depositing their corrupting load with such force that it sprayed across the cobbled ground. Then, its lewd task now complete, the moaning creature dropped its prey to the ground and waited for the conversion to take hold.

The process began as normal, with the inky black substance pouring out of a retching Anise's holes and encasing her body. Shit. I threw away my only leverage--and friend--for nothing. But then Verity noticed a faint glow emanating from the confines of the writhing, rubbery mass. Verity grinned, astonished by her good luck. Gamble number two.

Quickly, she laid her hands on the rubbery shape at her feet. Within, the essences of the Exile and the Goddess were at war, with poor Anise's form at stake. Verity focused on a single mental image, hoping to slip her desires in unnoticed, slipping past the far more powerful competing forces. I just need one more thing. One specific change.

"Well I'll be damned. Is that Verity I see?" Forcing a grin on her face, the demon turned to face her master. "Marlow. I was just--" He silenced her with a gesture. "Did you betray me to the Ephirans?"

"Of course I did. I told them everything I knew about you and helped them stop your forces from advancing." The truth fell unbidden from her lips.

"So disappointing. Do you have anything to say for yourself before I have you killed?" Verity seized the chance. She couldn't lie, but perhaps she could speed her way past any unhelpful truths before he picked up on them. "That's Princess Anise down there. I had her infected because I thought that her body would react in a unique way. One you would find useful." A way I'll find useful as well, I hope.

The sorcerer's brow furrowed. "I ordered my drones to leave her as is." Verity shrugged. "Well, when did you issue that order? I imagine your drones were already converting people well before you did." A true statement, albeit a deceptive one. "I sincerely hope that you will forgive my actions once you see their outcome." Also true. After all, if he doesn't forgive me, I'm dead.

Marlow looked unconvinced. "How did you even--"

His thoughts were interrupted by a wretched squelching sound as the membrane surrounding Anise split open, revealing a vastly altered princess.

Anise slowly rose to her feet, completely nude and absent the rubbery covering that encased all those converted before her. No longer a bony waif, she now possessed a taut, sinewy musculature. Anise experimentally flexed one arm, awed by its newfound strength. Looking down, past her newly enlarged, perfectly-sculpted breasts, her eyes widened at the sight of a far more shocking change enacted upon her body. A girthy, nearly foot-long cock hung in place of her clitoris, swaying slightly in the night air.

The princess's gaze turned to Verity, and a range of emotions flitted across her face. Relief, then betrayal, before settling on rage. "You lying whore! You turned me over to those things!" With a feral snarl, she lunged at the stunned succubus, taking two steps before Marlow ordered her to stop.

The princess froze in place, eyes flicking back and forth between her betrayer and her tormentor. "Well, at least that still works." Marlow turned to Verity. "What in the hells did you do to her?"

The succubus chose her words extremely carefully. Deceit without falsehood. "The Goddess and the Exile once had a symbiotic relationship. I thought that something similar would happen here as well, within Anise's body. She took in the Exile's essence, combined it with essence she already possessed, and unconsciously remade herself into her ideal form. One that has all the strength, beauty, and grace she never had before."

"And the cock?"

Verity blushed slightly. "That was my influence. I wanted her to be able to fuck me." True, if leaving out the WHY of my desire.

Marlow sighed. "Of course you did. And I can still control her because?"

Verity smiled sweetly at him. "She's no different from any of your other thralls, just a bit less...obvious in appearance than them. The parasite is truly integrated into her being, but you still control it. She just happens to be filled with the Goddess's essence as well. That is why her mind, form, and will are still her own...more or less. I think it also means you can't reshape her body."

Marlow was still suspicious, but this new Anise could work just as well for his plans as the untouched one. He turned to the princess. "I know this isn't exactly where you want to be right now, but trust me when I say I don't actually bear any ill will toward you. You are simply a means to an end. And you WILL fulfill your role in that end, whether you want to or not."

He took on a placating tone. "But there is no reason why you can't make the most out of your situation. I know you've been cooped up in a dusty castle for far too long. So let me ask you this: what do you want, right now? Aside from your freedom, that is."

Through gritted teeth, the furious princess spoke the first truth that spring into her mind. "I want to rip that traitor's head clean off and use it for my lavatory."

Marlow had to laugh at that. "A tempting proposition, but I think I would like the harlot left alive for now."

"Let me have her, then." Marlow was taken aback as the princess continued. "She wanted me to fuck her? Fine. I want to test out my new body on her. I'll take her so hard it'll leave her shattered and broken."

True to her words, Anise was sporting quite the impressive erection. Marlow considered the request for a moment. "Very well. I don't have a need for either of you quite at the moment, and the traitor IS due for some punishment. So, until I decide otherwise Verity is yours to use as you see fit. No permanent damage, though. I don't want to waste my time fixing her up again."

Report

He had barely finished speaking when the fury-and-lust-driven Anise fell upon the succubus, grabbing two handfuls of her hair and forcing her mouth on to her royal cock.

Verity began to struggle as the princess violently throat-fucked her, leading Marlow to add another command. "Oh, and Verity? You are to submit to anything Anise demands of you."

Feeling all resistance seep out of her limbs, Verity fell to her knees and began worshiping Anise's cock in earnest. All the while, she directed a steady flow of lust-inducing pheromones in the princess's direction. Just as she had been doing from the moment Anise had "hatched." Gamble number three.

End of Chapter 6