Karina's Quest Read online

  "You're going to see Lady Triarii and will need to look your best," replied Genese. "I borrowed these from me mum." Something in Genese's tone told Karina that Genese had not asked her mother for permission. Karina also suspected that the small amount were all the hairpins that Genese's mother owned.

  "Genese, in that chest, there is a small wooden inlaid box of hairpins and a hairbrush," said Karina. "I won't need your mother's."

  Karina heard Genese sigh a breath of relief. "Yes, milady. Since you have been traveling, I did not know if you had any with you."

  Genese sat on a stool behind Karina. She dried, combed, and brushed Karina's hair as Karina relaxed in the hot water. Genese began to pin up Karina's long hair and fluff out parts of it. Karina, who had always worn it in a conventional style, prayed that it would not turn out too badly.

  "There you go, milady," said Genese in a satisfied tone as she put in the last hairpin. "Here let me help you up."

  Genese placed towels on the floor and, holding Karina's hair off her shoulders, helped her to step out of the tub. With one arm holding Karina's hair, Genese grabbed a towel and dried off her back and shoulders before letting it fall down.

  "I can dry the rest of myself off," said Karina. "Unless my hairdo is too fragile, that is."

  "Oh, no, milady," said Genese. "It will stay in place. Look," she said, pointing to a mirror on the wall.

  Without stepping off the towels, Karina slid over so she could see herself in the mirror. She was pleasantly pleased with the results. Genese had curled her bangs, and then had teased and pinned the rest of her hair to form a mane around her face. The rest of Karina's hair fell in soft curls down her back.

  "It's wonderful," said Karina, causing Genese to blush bright red. "Would you bring me over my stocking, corset, and underclothes?"

  "Yes, milady," answered Genese.

  Karina finished drying off and began to dress. She thought she heard a soft gasp as plunked her huge breasts into the corset, but when she looked up, she saw Genese laying out her shoes and guessed she had been mistaken. Then a timid knock sounded at the door.

  "It's me, Tabitha," said a small voice from beyond the door.

  Genese turned red and looked mortified. "I'm sorry, milady. She's my younger sister and her manners sometimes slip."

  Karina smiled. "Well, you'd better let her in then."

  Genese crossed over to the door and partially opened it. Karina heard her whispering fast and furious to whoever was on the other side. She then opened the door all the way and admitted an eight-year-old version of herself. Tabitha was carrying Karina's dress and petticoats.

  "I brung your clothing, milady," said Tabitha with a curtsey.

  "Thank you, Tabitha," said Karina, bending over to be closer to Tabitha's level. "I'm sure your mother did a wonderful job."

  Tabitha did not answer, but stared straight ahead. She seemed to be mesmerized by the mountains of flesh packed into Karina's corset.

  "Are those...?" she started to say in a hushed tone.

  "Tabitha!" yelled a now horrified Genese. "Lay those clothes on the bed and don't wrinkle them. Go home. I'm sure there are other chores mum needs help with."

  Tabitha's ears turned red as she carefully placed the items she was carrying on the bed. With her eyes downcast and a mumbled goodbye, she curtsied again and rushed out the door.

  "Milady," started Genese, before she was stopped by Karina's upheld hand.

  "It's alright," said Karina chuckling. "You can tell your sister they are real. They're both a blessing and a curse. Tabitha seems to be at that age to start wondering about such things. No doubt she wants breasts, but tell her she wants some just a little smaller than mine."

  "Oh, no, milady, with large breasts she would look well fed," stated Genese.

  Karina's brow crinkled in puzzlement at that statement and she opened her mouth to ask Genese what she meant. She then looked at Genese closely and closed her mouth. Genese's thinness did not look natural all of a sudden.

  "Your mother needs to talk to her about such things," said Karina closing the subject. "Please, hand me my dress."

  With Genese's help, Karina quickly dressed. The dress was free of stains and had been ironed smooth. Karina looked in the mirror and liked what she saw. She glanced down at the table and saw the six hairpins lying there that Genese had brought. Her inlaid box was next to them with about twenty or so hairpins still in it. Karina scooped up the six and put them in the box.

  "A present for your mother," said Karina, holding out the box to Genese.

  "I can't accept it," stammered Genese. "It's too valuable gift."

  "Nonsense," replied Karina. "It's just a simple wood inlaid box. I insist."

  "Uh, she wouldn't be able to honor it," said Genese with a catch in her voice.

  "Why is she lying?" thought Karina. "At least take the hairpins and three sauers for the work."

  "The hairpins are welcomed, but three gold is too much," said Genese, suddenly apprehensive and fearful. "Please, please make it only two silvers and five coppers."

  "Genese, sit down," said Karina firmly. "What is wrong? I've never met someone who wanted less money than what was offered. Tell the truth."

  "The coach, milady!" cried Genese, looking around quickly before scurrying over to the window. "It must be here and it is! It's out front. You mustn't keep Lady Triarii waiting!"

  "If I am late, it is because we haven't finished here yet," said Karina firmly. "Sit down."

  Genese caught the look of steel in Karina's eyes. Her shoulders slumped in defeat and she sat down on the stool with her eyes staring at the floor. "Me pop, he likes to go out drinking with his friends. Your box wouldn't stay in the house long," said Genese forlornly.

  "He'd sell it," said Karina and Genese nodded her head. "He'd take the sauers, too."

  "Yes, milady," said Genese in a whisper. "With gold, there'd be no hiding it. With silver and coppers, I could hide one silver, give him the other, and then let him find the coppers."

  "And being well-fed means you're hiding money from him, doesn't it?" asked Karina, now understanding and with her eyes starting to blaze.

  "Milady, please don't do anything," pleaded Genese. "We need his protection."

  Karina said nothing. She emptied the hairpins out of the box and gave them to Genese. She then handed over the amount of money that Genese had requested. Karina picked up her cloak and turned to face Genese.

  "Will you be here when I return?" she asked the girl.

  "If you wish, milady."

  Karina nodded and walked downstairs. A coachman in blue livery was sitting at an empty table and he had been watching the stairs. At Karina's appearance, he stood and walked over towards her.

  "Lady Karina?" he asked with a bow. "I was sent by Lady Triarii."

  "I hope I am not late," said Karina.

  "No, Lady Karina," replied the coachman as he led the way outside. "In fact, you're a little bit early compared to others I've had to pick up. We'll arrive right on time."

  The coachman opened the door for Karina and helped her inside. The coach wound through the city until it entered the district of a well-to-do neighborhood. It pulled into a private drive and went through a wrought iron gate. Karina, looking out her window, saw the fifteen-foot high gate and its attached walls surrounded a palatial villa. The coachman drew up in front of the entrance where another servant was waiting. The servant opened the door for Karina.

  "Welcome, Lady Karina," said the servant pleasantly. "I am Dobbs, Lady Triarii's butler. Lady Triarii is waiting for you in the parlor. If you will follow me."

  Now that she was out of the coach, Karina got a close look at the villa. It first appeared that the villa was a set of boxes, one set haphazardly upon another, but on a second look, she could see the asymmetrical grace of the design. Corners jutted out to form terraces and graceful columns supported elaborate balconies.

  Dobbs was walking towards a huge pair of marble griffon statues that flanked a
domed stairway. The stone steps led upward between parts of the building until it opened into a courtyard. Three terraces surrounded the courtyard. Dobbs walked across the courtyard, skirting the central fountain. He opened a large double door for Karina and then led her down the main hallway. Halfway down the hall, he stopped and knocked on a door.

  "Come in," was the reply to his knock.

  "Milady, the Lady Karina," announced Dobbs, opening the door and standing aside for Karina.

  Lady Triarii closed the book she had been reading and stood up. Compared to the other times Karina had met her, Lady Triarii was dressed simply, but fashionably, in a long black skirt with a matching blouse. Even though she was in her early fifties, Lady Triarii was still a great beauty.

  "Lady Karina, it is so good for you to come on such short notice."

  "It was my pleasure, Lady Triarii."

  "I believe we have satisfied convention," said Lady Triarii with a smile. "Please call me Triarii."

  "Only if you call me Karina."

  "Thank you," said Lady Triarii. "Thank you, Dobbs. I will call for you when we are ready."

  "Yes, milady," replied Dobbs with a bow. He left, shutting the door behind him.

  "This is my private parlor," said Lady Triarii. "It's where I go when I want to be alone. No one will disturb us here. Please, sit down."

  Karina was surprised to see that the room was an interior room with no windows and only two doors opposite one another. There were no paintings or tapestries on the walls. The only furniture in the room was two chairs and a small round table. What amazed Karina was that the light in the room was shining down from the ceiling with no visible means for the illumination lamp oil.

  "I hope your travels haven't been too exhausting," said Lady Triarii. "I'd love to hear about them, if you will tell me."

  "I'd be delight to," answered Karina, a little puzzled. "Pardon me, but I thought from your message that you needed to discuss something urgently."

  "There will be plenty of time to talk about that subject over lunch," said Lady Triarii. "We've never really had a chance to get acquainted before and I'm afraid that it is my fault. How is your husband Tenan?"

  "He's fine," replied Karina with a little wariness creeping into her voice.

  "Good! I'm glad to hear that," said Lady Triarii. "We've missed him these past several months. Do you know when he'll be returning?"

  "Lady Triarii, what do you want?" asked Karina, her body tense. "Why the cat and mouse games? If I'm wrong, put it down to fatigue, but I want to know why you asked me here."

  "Oh, dear," sighed Lady Triarii in resignation as she pressed a hidden button.

  Steel bands shot out and clamped Karina's forearms down onto the arms of the chair she was sitting on. Two other bands snapped around her ankles, binding them tightly to the chair. Karina was shocked into immobility for a moment and then struggled to get free.

  "Don't bother," said lady Triarii. "The chair is bolted to the floor and is reinforced with iron rods under the wood."

  "Why are you doing this?" asked Karina, glancing at Lady Triarii who had stood up and rapped on the far door. "What do you want?"

  "Answers," said Lady Triarii calmly as two men came in and removed the table and the other chair.

  "Answers?" exclaimed Karina. "What are you talking about?"

  Lady Triarii closed the door, and turned to face Karina. "Queen Shara."

  "The Queen! I don't know anything about her abduction! Release me at once!"

  "This kingdom is barely being held together," said Lady Triarii angrily. "The Queen's abduction is being viewed as a weakness in the Overlord, both inside and outside the kingdom. I suppose you don't know anything about a seven and a half foot tall, green-haired half-ogre being seen in the Capitol on the night of the Queen's disappearance? The half-ogre never left the city by the gates, by the way. I imagine that Baron Tenan's absence on family matters, which occurred around the same time, is just a coincidence? Likewise the fact you have been riding around with your son's former companions, while others have stayed here doing all sorts of research into subjects such as Fire Giant settlements. You have High Priestess Ivin of Tectin with you and you have met with High Priest Bargan of Cific. It looks very much like you are trying to establish a power base."

  "Lady Triarii, believe me, we had nothing to do with Queen Shara's abduction. Tenan and I are just trying to fulfill the requirements for a ritual that Per has to go through. That's all."

  Lady Triarii sighed and walked back to the door. "It's almost unbelievable enough to be true," she said. "Unfortunately, there is too much at stake. I need to know for sure."

  "I've told you everything!" cried Karina.

  "No, you haven't. I will get to the truth and I've been told that you have a weakness," said Lady Triarii as she opened the door.

  Karina looked over at the door, half-expecting to see one of her friends there, but was shocked when she saw a heavily muscled naked man standing there with his hard cock jutting out from between his legs. Karina snapped her eyes shut, but it was too late. Visions of cocks began to form in her mind and she felt her body become warm, then hot.

  "Oh, good," said Lady Triarii as she closed the door. "It appears that my information on your weakness was correct. You can't control yourself when you see a man's penis. Just tell me everything and I'll let him come back in. He's not much in the brain department, but he makes up for it in stamina."

  Karina's body shook and quivered as she tried to remain in control. Her skin burned and she could feel her labia engorge and become wet with her juices. Visions of cocks and other lustful thoughts battered against her common sense. Karina's nipples had hardened and were digging painfully into the stiff fabric of her corset.

  "Go fuck yourself!" snarled Karina in a last act of defiance.

  "I'm afraid not, Lady Karina," replied Lady Triarii urbanely. "Let me know when it becomes unbearable."

  Karina fought against her enhanced sexual appetite for almost an hour. Her body was visibly shaking and she was drenched in sweat. She tried to hold on as more and more of her will was suppressed by her overpowering desire. Karina finally cried out in frustration as her lust overtook her completely.

  "Well, now maybe you are ready to talk," said Lady Triarii, who had been standing by quietly the entire time.

  "No talk!" growled Karina as she began to flex and rock in the chair. "Cock. Cock!"

  Lady Triarii watched her impassively and then gasped in shock as the chair began to creak and move. Her eyes widened in fright and her hand went to her throat as one of the arms of the chair snapped with a loud metallic crack. The arm was bent up to a forty-five degree angle with the broken iron bar visible inside it. Lady Triarii did not wait, but fled through the far door as Karina started to bend the arm back and forth. Three men were in the next room.

  "Quick! Get something to block the door!" yelled Lady Triarii as she slammed and locked the door. She turned and saw the man who had appeared naked in front of Karina. He was redressed back into his guard uniform. "Go and get someone to block the other door. Hurry!"

  Lady Triarii went over and yanked a bell pull. The guard went running out as the other two men began to stack chairs against the door.

  "No! No!" yelled Lady Triarii. "Something heavy! The bookcase - shove it over and brace it against the door!"

  The men looked at each other as if Lady Triarii had lost her mind. They put down the chairs and, with no small difficulty, managed to shove the heavy bookcase in front of the door. They then began to brace it with other furniture.

  "You rang, milady?" asked Dobbs as he entered the room. His expression did not change as the sight of the furniture jumbled in front of the door, except for a minuscule rising of one eyebrow.

  Before Lady Triarii could answer him, there was a resounding crash from the other side of the door. The entire pile of furniture shook. The two guards, their eyes wide in uncertainty and fear, repositioned more furniture to secure the door even more. Another r
esounding crash followed the first one.

  "Dobbs, get all the servants out of here!" said Lady Triarii to the ashen-faced butler. She grasped his arm and shook him. "Do you understand? Take everyone, but the guards to the swan fountain and make sure you have everyone. You're responsible for their safety, okay?"

  Dobbs shook himself back to reality. "Yes, milady," he said. "I understand - everyone to the swan fountain," and he hurried off out of the room.

  "Milady, we have the door secured!" said one of the guards. "We can hold whatever is inside. You should go and check on the other door."

  "Yes," agreed Lady Triarii. "If you can't hold her in, then run. I'll send help as soon as I can. If she does get out, don't fight her, just run."

  "Yes, milady."

  Lady Triarii walked quickly through other rooms to get back to the central hallway. She heard a series of crashes and thuds following after her as Karina tried to get out of the room. Lady Triarii picked up her pace as she cursed herself for underestimating and mishandling the entire encounter.

  Lady Triarii entered the central hallway to see only the muscular guard there. A tall, heavy cabinet had been pushed against the front of the door and the guard was leaning on it listening. He straightened up when he caught sight of Lady Triarii.

  "I sent another man for Lieutenant Kruger after we pushed this against the door, milady," he said and then added, with a smile, "She's really trying to get out on the other side, isn't she?"

  Lady Triarii opened her mouth, but was cut off when Lieutenant Kruger and twelve other guards came double-timing up the hallway. Just then, there was a crash against the door.

  The doorjamb splintered, but the door held because of the heavy cabinet. To everyone's horror, the cabinet, which took the main force of the blow, toppled over. The muscular guard gave one strangled cry before the cabinet landed on top of him with a sickening thud and the loud snaps of breaking bone.

  "Get it up! Get it up!" yelled Lieutenant Kruger, racing up the hall with his men.

  Lady Triarii looked down with regret as six men lifted the cabinet and set it back against the door. The broken and bleeding body underneath only vaguely resembled the young man who was talking to her just moments before. The guards slammed the cabinet back in place just as Karina crashed into the door again. The cabinet rocked, but stayed in place.