The Merciless Alpha(erotica)

I was enjoying my second round of these dishes, “Do these humans have more even rates of females to males?”

Tavorwen shook her head, “It doesn’t matter. Treating a mate in that way, regardless of perceived societal value, is abhorrent. I don’t care if it is males in a society where there are too many females or females in a society with too many males. Any individuals working to propagate a species together should treat each other with respect.”

She sat back, “Among elves, each male birth is celebrated. We she-elves are born much more frequently. When an elven male reaches the age of reproduction, almost every available female wishes to be selected as one of his matrons. Usually, elven males are encouraged to start looking for prospective matrons in the five years leading up to his coming of age at one hundred and sixteen years of age.”

She stared at the table, “Most masters desire matrons their age or younger. Masters often can be impregnating their matrons right up until they perish of old age, matrons have a much more limited window. But most she-elves either devote themselves to learning a craft or learning matronly skills. For example, I learned warcraft. I know I am not the most appealing of she-elves. You saw what I have to offer, my body is not what is considered appealing.”

I snorted, “I liked it.”

Tavorwen blushed dark red. “Th-th-thank you. I’m sorry, I am accustomed to such attentions.”

She took a deep breath and her flush began to fade, “Regardless, since the desire to bear children is inherent in almost all she-elves there are far more elven maidens, those that desire to be matrons then there are masters with the capacity to mate with them. Many acknowledge that they have not been selected and learn other crafts, but some hold out hope that once a master has a matron who is no longer of childbearing age, she will be selected to replace the retired matron.”

I swallowed, I’d have to revise my thoughts, calling an elf a maiden as apparently that meant something. I’d struggled with what to call these females, since ‘woman’ was apparently out. I was glad I hadn’t called anyone a maiden yet.

Tavorwen looked at me with an amused smile, “If the Elders agree to accept you as a master and allow you to select matrons, you will become a very, very popular male. A male with your capacity could have thirty matrons, or more. So many dreams could be made true for maidens who are near losing hope.”

I swallowed, “So… how will this work? I mean, you aren’t going to just line up maidens and have me pick one, are you?”

Tavorwen thought for a moment and shrugged, “This is a strange circumstance. Usually, every maiden in the city knows when males will be seeking a new matron. They visit the male and court his attentions by assisting either his matrons, if he is already a master, or his caretaker, if he is approaching the age of maturity. In this way the male can see the selection of maidens and how they interact with others. This usually happens for years before he is choosing a matron, so he may have a good idea what each maiden has to offer. Matrons and caretakers will often extol the virtues of maidens they view as particularly compatible with a particular master.”

She tapped one knuckle on her chin, “But you… You haven’t had a chance to view the maidens who will present themselves to you. Your seed is exceptionally desirable, and each day you are not engaging with matrons, it goes to waste. I’d be surprised if you don’t have at least one matron by the end of the day tomorrow. But I don’t know how the elders will go about it, but I would prepare myself, were I you.”

I continued to enjoy my dinner. Tavorwen had given me a lot to think about. My main concern was that I wouldn’t live long enough to actually fulfill my commitment. But as I started to dwell on that feeling, the soothing feeling, like cool water driving the worry and stress from my body returned.

I wish I could just talk to the angel again. I had so many questions, now that I knew more about the world I was joining. I finished my meal, now content, still thinking about what I would have asked, had I known what to ask.

My musing was interrupted by a messenger at the door.

“Captain Tavorwen, the Elders bid me give you this.” The armored she-elf declared. She had a blade at her waist and a bow and quiver sat upon her back. She peered around Tavorwen, openly ogling me. “You have been reassigned from the Silver Ivy Corps. You are to take up residence with your summoned hero and safeguard him at all times.”

I could tell that this surprised Tavorwen, “Thank you, Varthil.”

She closed the door, blocking the shameless gaze of the other she-elf.

“Is everything okay?” I gently asked Tavorwen, who stood still by the closed door.

“I… I don’t know.” Tavorwen admitted. “I don’t know if this is a promotion, or a demotion… there is only one barracks more prestigious than the Silver Ivy Corps… But there hasn’t been a successful summon in long enough… I’m not sure what the protocol is here.”

I felt for her. I’d worked my ass off to earn my position as squad leader. If it’d been pulled out of my squad and put in a new position of questionable rank, I’d have been conflicted too.

“Do you need to get your belongings?” I hesitantly checked.

Tavorwen shook her head, her hair swinging lightly. Damn, women back home would have killed for hair like that.

“As a ranger, most of what I own, I carry.” She explained, motioning to her pack. “What remained at the barracks were simply more uniforms… but those no longer reflect my status.”

I noticed for the first time gray ivy pattern embroidery along the hems and shoulders of garments. I guessed the color was gray, instead of silver, to avoid reflections that could compromise the wearer’s stealth.

“Is… that all you ever wear?” I wondered.

Tavorwen shrugged, “Household clothing is common. I imagine the matrons’ rooms and maidens’ rooms here have plenty of household gowns, robes and lounging attire. However, I’m still on duty as your guard and protector. I should be garbed as such.”

The faint sound of crickets rousing for their nightly song reminded me both of the fact that while much here was different some things remained the same, and that the hour was growing late.

I sighed, it had been a long day, and I was ready to hit the hay. Before I could, however, there was a final knock on the door.

It was the seamstress elf from early, with a pile of garments on a small cart. “I’m sorry I was slow, a few of my patterns needed serious modifications to fit such a broad and powerfully built male.” She apologized, wheeling her cart inside.

“These should fit you far better than what you are wearing.” The seamstress assured me.

I noted the new undergarments prominently on top of the pile she handed me, and sighed internally. Both she-elves present had seen me naked, so there was little point in trying to be discreet. I stripped off my temporary garments and stepped into each half of the new undergarment and discovered that once tied on, it was surprisingly comfortable. The pants fit like a second skin, except where it was cut roomy around my junk. There was a base shirt, which was smooth and soft as I pulled it over my head, then a leather jacket for warmth. The jacket was thick and had reinforcement and I realized it was probably enchanted to be the equivalent of armor. All of it fit perfectly, and was built such that while it fit me snuggly, I found I could move freely. The socks fit me much more snugly, and the boots I had initially been given were left to join my permanent wardrobe.

“This is all great.” I informed the glowing seamstress.

“Wonderful.” She beamed, “I have a full set for you. Oh, and Tavorwen, I brought your new uniforms.”

She handed me the pile of my clothing, and handed Tavorwen a separate stack.

“I haven’t had to use the pearl thread in a long time.” The seamstress admitted, “It is quite the honor.” And with that she wheeled her cart out the door.

Tavorwen stared at the embroidery on her new garments. In place of gray ivy, her new garments bore white unicorns. Her hands trembled.

“Is that a good thing?” I wondered cautiously.Content rights belong to NôvelDrama.Org.

“A platinum unicorn is the mark of a Champion. It…” She swallowed, “It is the highest honor a warrior can receive to wear the platinum unicorn into battle.”

“Congratulations!” I encouraged her, “I’m happy for you.”

The song of the Crickets was getting to me, and I stifled a yawn.

Tavorwen noticed and it pulled her from her revere. “Tomorrow will be busy. You should rest.”

She led me to the largest of the bedrooms, and helped me stow my new clothing. There were also robes and what looked like nightgowns.

“I’ll sleep in my undergarments.” I told her. I didn’t have anything to prove, but a nightgown didn’t appeal to me.

Tavorwen blushed, “Very well, I’ll be in the room next door, should you need me.”

I laid down and tried my hand at the word to extinguish the lights. “Seltin.” The lights faded and the soft, supportive warmth of the bed lulled me to sleep.