RedTails: Awakenings A Night Out, A Night In By Scarletdown Chapter I : Back to the HighTail The trio padded up the cobblestone walk, passing by various shops, inns, and taverns as they headed back to the Hightail Inn to relax and sort out the recent events which brought them together in a union that could not quite be called a family. The central figure, short and lithe, was clad in a black wizard's robe with matching black leather boots. His cowl was down against his shoulders; revealing his soft, rounded, boyish face; violet, catlike eyes; and a silvery-white mane of shoulder-length hair, through which a pair of gracefully pointed Elven ears protruded. Frelic Willowpaw guided his two charges, his newly purchased pets, through the streets of Mistport, occasionally tugging gently on the leashes that were attached to the leather collars clasped around their necks, to hurry them along. Unlike their Master, Shaasta and Hansen wore nothing save for their collars; their skyclad bodies, healthy and trim from their previous life of adventure, were on display for all to see and admire. Shaasta was in a constant state of blush as her Master paraded her sweet naked body through the seaside town. Like Frelic, she too was an Elf, and the soft features of her face hinted that her Master was also her twin. Her unconventional rescue from the Southern Rose pet shop by her brother had startled and embarrassed her, and amused the proprietor and his Halfling assistant. Frelic handed over a full ten platinum pieces to purchase her, and an additional thirty five gold pieces for the Furling Squirrel known as Hansen, her adventuring companion. Her excitement at being rescued turned to vehement protests, which were subsequently quelled by the burn of the paddle against her bare bottom, when Frelic informed her that he was going to keep them. Her mind was spinning as she tried to think about this recent turn of events. Never in her entire life had Shaasta ever considered that one day, she would become not merely a personal pet, but a pet sister, legally owned by her dear brother. The naked reality of her new place in life was starting to sink in as the cool, salty sea breeze caressed the lingering fire in her rump, where the Wand of the Masters had permanently seared her brother's personal mark into her flesh. Still hot, the enchanted brand, a feline paw print with a willow tree in its center, glowed with lines of silver, a sign to all who viewed her soft, round bottom, that her life now belonged to her Master. In addition to the glowing brand, the Elf girl's bottom possessed another embarrassing feature which served as an additional sign that she had been sold into a life of servitude. Pressed against her nether cheeks, the crimson bloom of a fragrant rose rode like a tail; it was the hallmark of the Southern Rose pet shop, and Frelic had ordered her to wear it until it was time to sleep. The caress of the flower's thornless stem planted deep up her rectal passage made her very conscious of her femininity and her status as a personal pet. At once, the feelings that coursed through her solidified in her mind with crystal clarity; Shaasta determined that she would serve her Master the way she was trained during her month at the pet shop. It mattered not that Frelic was her brother. What mattered more was that Frelic was now her Master and Shaasta was now a pleasure pet, her brother's pleasure pet; she would live to serve and please her new owner. Hansen was also lost in reflection on the events of the past month. But unlike his fiery-maned companion, the little Furling Squirrel's, thoughts were focused on ways he could serve, service, and please his new Master. He felt no shame or embarrassment as he padded up the walk, led on a leash by the Elf who had purchased him. His thick, gray, bushy tail held proudly high, revealing his Master's mark on his rump, and the rose planted up his ass, he felt overwhelmingly content and excited at the thought of living the life of a pleasure toy. His excitement was confirmed by the erect shaft that pointed prominently out in front of him from the furry sheath between his thighs. He looked over the girl walking beside him to his right, the girl whom he had shared many exciting and perilous adventures with, and with whom he had shared many hot passionate evenings with during their travels. This sweet creature had opened his eyes and opened his mind to forms of pleasure he had never considered before, and he was eternally grateful to Shaasta for simply being. He gave her a cheerful smile, coupled with a friendly pat on her soft, smooth bottom; she returned the gestures, and the Elf's warm and loving smile nearly melted the Furling's heart as they continued their walk through the streets of Mistport. Soon, they reached their destination, a three story, gray, stone building that took up nearly two thirds of the block. The entrance was a single pine wood door in one corner of the building. Above the door was a large wooden sign featuring a painting of a Furling Vixen, down on all fours, with her bottom and tail raised high in the air. Above the vixen, the name of the establishment was painted in bold green letters; this was the Hightail Inn. "Nice place, you picked, Master Frelic," Hansen chittered, admiring the architecture and especially the sign. "And I swear, that Vixen on the sign looks remarkably like Mistie." Frelic had gazed at the Hightail's brazen sign many times since his arrival in Mistport, yet strangely, the resemblance to that Vixen he had checked out earlier, with plans to purchase tomorrow at the Southern Rose escaped him until now. The artist had captured Mistie perfectly. The sweet expression on her face, the strawberry-blonde hair, and those soft graceful curves made it obvious who had modeled for the Inn's signage. "Huh, you're right, Hansen," he agreed. "That is Mistie. I'm ashamed that I didn't recognize her when I inspected her earlier today." "Are you going to buy her from Master Varo tomorrow?" Shaasta asked, "She seemed to really want you." Frelic smiled and nodded, "Oh yes, I will sign the papers for her tomorrow, she will be coming home to WraithHold with us at the end of the week." The wizard held the ends of both leashes in one hand, then removed the round wooden paddle from its hook on his belt. He opened the door to the inn and ushered his pets in ahead of him, giving each of them a firm, loving swat on their bare bottoms as they passed through the entrance and into the inn's dining commons. The big dining area was mostly empty at this time of the day, much to Shaasta's relief and Hansen's disappointment. A few of the tables were occupied by inn guests, finishing up a late lunch, or relaxing with mugs of coffee, tea, or cold mead and listening to the two bards, young adult gold and white Furling cats, obviously brother and sister, rehearsing for tonight's performance. The bards took turns as one strummed a tune on an eight-stringed guitar and the other practiced some dance movements. Flitting about the place was Furling Skunk lass, dressed in a white, lace-trimmed apron over a silky green tunic which draped over the base of her thick tail and provided a stunning view of her plush, furry, black and white assets whenever she bent over. She was busy arranging the tables and chairs and wiping them down, dusting the torch sconces in the walls, sweeping the polished wooden floor, and other typical barmaid tasks. Noticing the trio standing in the doorway, she smiled and padded over to them, her tail and pleasantly wide hips swishing alluringly with her well-practiced feminine stride. She gave Frelic's hand a welcoming squeeze and smiled cheerfully at him, her jade green eyes sparkling with innate friendliness. "Master Willowpaw! I didn't expect to see you back so soon. You were only away for a couple of hours." Her gaze then turned to the two lovely, skyclad creatures Frelic had in tow, "Oh, I see your hunt must have been a success. I presume these were the two missing kits you have been searching for?" "Yes indeed, Makae," Frelic replied, returning the cheerful smile and greeting the Skunkette with a kiss on the cheek. "I found them on display at the Southern Rose pet shop." He motioned his two pets to step forward, "The Elf is my sister, Shaasta, and the Squirrel is Hansen, Shaasta's adventuring matey." The Mephit grinned warmly at the naked, collared, and leashed pair, and gave them both a friendly hug, "Welcome to the Hightail Inn," she said, "I'm Makae, one of the chamber and barmaids here. Please, come have a seat, and I will fetch drinks for the three of you." She led them to a corner table close to where the Feline bards were rehearsing. Frelic unclasped the leashes from his pets' collars, then stripped himself down to his short, black tunic and matching black knee-high leather boots. He folded the robe neatly and placed it, along with his equipment belt, beneath a chair, then Makae motioned for them to sit, and she took their drink orders. "Coffee with vanilla cream and a dash of cinnamon, I presume, Frelic?" she asked. "As always, dear," Frelic confirmed. "And you two?" "Coffee sounds good," Shaasta agreed, "with hazelnut and a drop of honey, please." "And a tankard of honey mead for me," Hansen requested. "And can we get something to eat? I'm ravenous." "Certainly, sweet cheeks," the Skunkette giggled, "I'll see what we have ready." She spun around gracefully, and sauntered off to the kitchen, her lovely furry bottom jiggling with each step. Hansen's gaze was locked on Makae's backside until she disappeared through the double doors that led into the depths of the Hightail Inn. He then put a paw to his chest and grinned at his Master and stated the obvious, "By the Mink, she's one hot little honey." Frelic smiled back at his Furling pet and nodded, "That she is, dear. That she is, indeed. Makae is a real sweetheart; she is, always cheerful and bouncy, always with a kind word to say, and always ready and willing to lend a paw." "So, have you boinked her yet?" Frelic sighed and exchanged an exasperated look with Shaasta, then gave a soft laugh, "Hansen, you are incorrigible," he declared, "Is that all you ever think about?" "Oh, not at all, Master," he swore, "I do think about other matters...from time to time, but pretty lasses with lovely asses do fill about eighty five percent of my thoughts. So, have you boinked her yet, Master?" Frelic sighed again and shook his head, "No, I have not," he replied, "I only met her just yesterday when I checked in here." "Well, I'm sure your chance will come before we head home," Hansen assured him, "It would be a shame for my Master to leave here without getting to bed down with a babe like that first." "Thank-you for your concern, Hansen," Frelic said, hoping the touch of sarcasm was detectable in his voice. "No problem," It was evident that the Furling completely missed the sarcastic tone after all, "I only want to make certain my Master is happy. So, have you at least spanked Makae?" Shaasta was trying hard not to laugh out loud at the persistent intimate questioning her dear friend was subjecting her brother to. "No, I have not spanked her," Frelic again replied, making a mental note to take the impetuous Furling over his knee for a lengthy lesson in manners. "However, I have been able to give her bottom the occasional friendly swat," he admitted. Hansen nodded, "Well, that's something at least. A sweet, furry bottom like hers is just made for spanking, you know." "As is a sweet furry bottom like yours," Frelic warned, placing the paddle he had recently purchased on the table; the look he gave the Squirrel served as a sufficient warning that this time around, the paddling would not be for pleasure, at least not for the pet's pleasure. Hansen got the message this time, and let the subject drop, then watched the two feline bards; dressed in thin, buckskin tunics, practicing on the stage, their movements graceful and precise, and the music hypnotic and relaxing. "By the Mink," he softly swore, "those are a couple hot honeys. Have you boinked them yet, Master?" Fortunately, Makae returned just in time, and the Squirrel's attention was diverted from the performers to the tray the Mephit set down on the table. She distributed the tankards with their drinks along with a set of ceramic plates, and steel knives, and forks. A platter with a loaf of fresh potato bread accompanied by a stick of butter, and a pair of large bowls; one half filled with steaming, shredded, fried potatoes, and the other filled with a variety of fresh fruit, were placed at the center of the table. "I hope this can satisfy you for now," she said, "I had our cook, Brindon, go ahead and heat up what was left over from this morning's breakfast; the fruit is from our orchard just outside of town, picked just this morning." She noticed the paddle sitting on the table, and felt the insides of her ears redden, and her cheeks heat up. Suppressing her embarrassment at the thoughts the simple bit of wood caused her to think, she smoothed down the front of her apron, and sat herself down in the one unoccupied chair at Frelic's table. As the group dug into the food and sipped their drinks, the barmaid started questioning them about their adventures, "So, you found them at one of the pet shops, you said earlier?" Frelic swallowed the mouthful of perfectly seasoned potatoes, chased it down with a sip of his sweet hot coffee, and nodded, "I was heading to the Thundercloud Tavern, a favorite watering hole among slavers, to follow up on a tip I received last night," he explained, "My route took me past the Southern Rose. And there in the window, displaying her assets, was Shaasta. Needless to say, I did not need to continue on to the Thundercloud." "What a fortunate turn of luck," Makae commented, "for both you and them. Master Varo and his Halfling are the best fate in this town that could befall anyone taken by slavers. My boss here always sends us to Varo for weekly cleansings, since our work uniforms are a Southern Exposure fashion, and naturally render our bottoms fully exposed. Me and Mistie, when she worked here, always looked forward to seeing Varo and Lilieblume; we didn't look forward to the cleanings, but we always enjoyed spending an early evening with them, such fun people to socialize and hang out with. So how did you get Hansen and your sister out of there? Did you sneak in and spirit them away when nobody was looking?" Frelic chuckled and shook his head, "No, I'm afraid the rescue was nowhere near as exciting like what you would read in a typical adventure tale or see in a play." "Well, it was exciting," Shaasta added, but not in the traditional swashbuckling, storm the fortress walls sense." She quietly squirmed in her seat, and her perky bare nipples hardened as she replayed in her mind the entire hot and steamy episode, then she buttered a slice of bread and nibbled on it, following it up with a sip of her coffee. "Right," Frelic confirmed, then continued the condensed version of their tale, "So anyway, I just strolled right on in, posing as a customer. Varo, Lilieblume, and myself put my sister and Hansen through the whole inspection procedure, short of actually fucking them..." "Which was most unfortunate," Hansen pouted, then shut up and took a big bite out of an apple from the fruit bowl, allowing Frelic to continue. Makae coyly fluttered her eyelashes and giggled, "Oh, I bet that felt really naughty," she sighed wistfully, "I mean, probing and intimately examining your own lovely sister to determine if she is suitable to be a pleasure pet." Both Shaasta and Frelic blushed at the memories of what went on between them there at the pet shop, as well as at thoughts of what may yet occur between them in the imminently near future. Frelic took another long pull of his coffee and pressed on with his mini epic, "So after they were paddled, petted, and even fisted up the ass, I actually purchased them from Master Varo, complete with bills of sale and certificates of ownership." Hansen took a swig of his mead, then finished the story, "And here's the twist. After the papers were signed, he stashed them in a pouch and announced that he intended to keep us." The Mephit's eyes were wide with shock and disbelief at the Squirrel's revelation, "No way. You really are keeping them as your pets?" Frelic smiled sheepishly and nodded, "Considering how much I paid for them, thirty five gold pieces for Hansen, and ten platinum pieces for Shaasta, there was no way I was going to risk them getting into slaver trouble ever again." "I think he did well," Hansen said, after swallowing another bite of apple, "For one thousand and thirty five gold pieces, Master here is now the proud owner of a feisty pet Squirrel and a hot and sexy pet sister." Shaasta and averted her eyes briefly, then shyly added, "I protested at first. But as I thought it over, I decided that I may enjoy being owned by Frelic, and serving him as Master Varo and Lilieblume trained me." "Wow!" Makae exclaimed, "that is one intense and hot tale. Are you going to..." She was interrupted by a deep but soft, commanding voice right behind her, "Makae! Are you wearing blinders, girl?" She quickly stood up and faced the large man who towered above them, a massive and muscular dark-haired fellow. Performing a quick curtsy, Makae smiled and made hurried introductions, "Oh, hello, Mister Kez. We have two new guests here, Shaasta and Hansen," she gestured towards the Elf girl and Squirrel, "They are a part of Master Willowpaw's party, she added." Mister Kez noted the training paddle on the table, and casually put his hand on the handle, then nodded to the two new arrivals, "It will be a pleasure to meet you shortly." He turned his gaze back to his barmaid and resumed scolding her, "Now, Makae, you know I don't mind you hobnobbing and making idle chatter with our guests here, but you seem to have forgotten that we do indeed have other guests down here as well, and it isn't fair for the barmaid to neglect them as she gives all her attention exclusively to one little group." The Mephit girl looked suitably chastened, ears flattened out slightly as she bowed her head and apologized. She picked up her tray and gave the trio at the table another smile, "I'll talk with you some more this evening," she promised, then turned and resumed her duties, zeroing in on the bard couple first, as it looked like they were about to take a short break from their rehearsal. The moment her back was turned, and before she could take more than two steps, her employer took a firm grip on the paddle, and with one smooth movement, landed the round wooden blade hard across Makae's plush bottom, causing her to yelp out in pain and surprise. Though only a single swat, the impact was hard enough for the muffled SMACK to echo across the room, and also hard enough to already show the beginnings of a blush under the white treasure trail fur, a reddish-pink circle that partially covered both cheeks, bisected by the deep valley they formed beneath her tail. As the girl retreated across the room to attend to the other guests, Mister Kez set the paddle back down on the table, turned to Frelic and his little entourage and chuckled, "That Makae, she's quite the little treasure; brightens up our humble little establishment with her perpetually cheerful and bubbly attitude, she does." "You won't get any argument from me there, Ashton," Frelic replied, nodding his agreement, "Makae has been a bundle of energy since we first arrived, a very amazing girl." Mister Kez dried sweaty palms on his heavy, black cotton apron and assumed the seat his barmaid had vacated moments before. He carried on his musings about the Mephit girl, "That girl can be a bit flighty and easily distracted at times; as you witnessed, she occasionally needs a firm, guiding hand to keep her focused and on task." He idly tapped a thick, callused finger on the blade of the paddle laying on the table. Frelic nodded, understanding, and smiled as the proprietor continued. "She has been with us ever since the Hightail first opened its doors five years ago. It's difficult to imagine that she was a mere tender tail of ten summers when she started. She is like an adopted daughter to myself and my mate, and every time we look at her, we are truly amazed at what a fine and lovely young Furling lady she has blossomed into." "Again, you get no argument from me, Ashton," Frelic agreed once more, "May she remain forever healthy and beautiful in your service." He raised his tankard in an impromptu toast to Makae, and finished the last swallow of his coffee. "Now, then, who are these two newcomers sitting here with you, Frelic?" he asked, giving Shaasta and Hansen a curious look over, "And why do they sit naked in my dining commons at this time of the day?" "These are my pets," Frelic explained, "Shaasta and Hansen." The two smiled demurely and gave a polite wave, then Hansen set the remains of the apple he just finished down on his plate, and went to work on a sweet, juicy peach from the fruit bowl, while the master of the inn eyed them. "Your pets, hmm?" The large man idly stroked the short, dark beard that decorated his chin, "I don't remember seeing these two lovely creatures with you when you first checked in." "I purchased them only an hour or so ago," Frelic replied. Hansen swallowed and licked the peach juice off his muzzle, "Yes, Mister Kez," he nodded, "Master Frelic bought us from the Southern Rose. I believe you are familiar with that place?" "Aye, I know the place. That's Varo's establishment. I know him from way back, before either of us became business people. Good people, that Wolf is; as is Lilieblume, his little Halfling pet and aide." "I am prepared to cover whatever extra expenses are incurred by these two," Frelic assured him. "Well, I should have you know, pets stay free here," Ashton informed them, "at least there are no additional occupancy charges for their use of your suite. And any costs for meals other than leftovers, as well as other supplies used will be added to your bill, sir." Frelic nodded, "I would not have it any other way." "But," he continued, "before I put them on the registry here, I have to confirm that they are indeed pets. Do you have their papers?" Frelic reached down into the pouch that was on the belt on the floor underneath his chair, and withdrew the signed certificates of ownership. Ashton took the documents and gave them a quick perusal, then handed them back to Frelic, who neatly folded them and returned them to the pouch. "Very well, Frelic," Ashton said, "Everything seems to be in order. "Now, I must remind you, I maintain a clean house here. Have your pets been properly..." "Yes," Frelic interrupted, "They have recently had a proper cleansing." "Master Varo filled our bottoms with gehennite just this morning," Shaasta assured him. "And right before we left the shop, Master Frelic and Miss Lilieblume poured a full pint of the Potion of Dragon Metabolism up our butts," the Squirrel added, placing the peach pit on the plate beside the apple core, and buttering up a thick slice of the potato bread, "So we are good for a few days." "Excellent," Ashton replied. "Now for one more detail. Have they been properly marked?" "Branded about an hour ago," Frelic said, "Stand up and show them, my pets." Hansen swallowed the big bite he took then set the other half of the thickly buttered slice of bread down on his plate. He and Shaasta arose from their seats and faced the table, grasping the edge and bending over a little to present their behinds. The marks had completely faded by now, of course, so with his heavy callused hand, the Hightail Inn's proprietor planted two hard swats on their bottoms; the smack of his hand on their flesh echoed loudly through the room, and mixed with the surprised yelps from both Shaasta and Hansen, causing the other guests, including the bards, plus Makae to look up from whatever they were previously occupied with, and watch the little pet show. The swats they received were sufficient to generate the warmth and glow required to make the paw print marks, inlaid with a willow tree, once again appear on the Elf's and Squirrel's rumps. He traced his thick fingers over the wispy, glimmering, silver lines, admiring the fine but simplistic artistry of the design, then motioned for the two pets to sit down again. They both winced as their bare asses pressed against the wooden seats. Shaasta immediately thought of Mistie and her story of why she sold herself to Varo; she remembered the vixen mentioning that her employer had thoroughly paddled her before her dismissal, and she rubbed her bottom in sympathy. Just that simple two swat spanking from Mister Kez was painful enough. She could barely fathom what a full fledged paddling from the big man must be like. Satisfied that these two were indeed certified pets and not just freeloaders posing as pets, Mister Kez gave a wide toothy smile and spread his arms, "Welcome to the Hightail Inn, Shaasta and Hansen," he finally officially greeted them. "I am Ashton Kez, proprietor of this humble establishment. And if your Master approves, you may address me simply as Ashton." Frelic nodded his approval, and Ashton continued his welcoming speech, "I hope you find the accommodations here comfortable. And if you need anything; myself, Makae, and my mate, who should be back this evening with our cubs, will be glad to assist." "Thank-you for your hospitality, Ashton," Shaasta and Hansen responded in tandem. "Yes," Frelic added, "Thank-you for your hospitality. And if my pets can be of any assistance around here when I am not using them, just give the word. And your mate? I had no idea you were married." "That's right," Ashton realized, "Sharani was in need of a bit of a getaway, so just a few days before your arrival, we pulled the cubs out of school and I sent them, with their mother on a bit of a holiday up north to Coralport where they could visit with my folks for a few days." "I'm looking forward to meeting them," Frelic said. "Oh trust me, you will like them. Sharani is one of the finest and most interesting ladies you could ever encounter." Ashton was grinning like a schoolboy as he thought about his dear mate, "And the kids, Delaney and Alfred, they are just the most adorable young pups." He pushed his chair back and stood up, "But I have work to get back to. As I said before, if you need anything, don't hesitate to seek out Makae or myself." He put a friendly squeeze on Shaasta and Hansen's shoulders, and gave Frelic a polite bow, then dismissed himself and strode off to the kitchen area to see how the evening meal preparations were coming along, leaving the trio to finish their meal in peace. A minute or two after Ashton departed, Makae came back over to their table, as part of her normal rounds. She gave them fresh tankards of their preferred drinks, and cleared away the debris and dirty dishes. "I forgot to mention earlier, your two mateys, Karma and Thissle, left shortly after you did this morning," she informed him, "They said they wanted to do a bit of sight seeing and shopping. They should be back any time now." "Thanks for the intel," Frelic replied, "I do hope Thissle completed that magickal writing assignment I prescribed for her this morning, before they went out." Makae shrugged her dainty shoulders, "I wouldn't know about that, I'm afraid. Now, Is there anything else I can do for you?" she asked, as she wiped some spilled drops of mead off the table. "A lap dance, perhaps?" Frelic suggested, grinning mischievously, and only half seriously. The Skunkette giggled and turned around, teasingly shaking and swishing her springy, pretty butt for them, then she faced them again, a noticeable blush beneath the soft white fluff of her cheeks, "Perhaps this evening when I am off duty," she suggested, giving him a sly wink. She ran a finger along Frelic's smooth face, "I'm a bit too busy right now, and hafta be getting back to work. But first..." The Mephit turned her back to Frelic, and with tail held high, thrust out her soft, licorice and whipped cream colored bottom. Frelic accepted the unspoken invitation, of course, and landed a pair of firm, open handed swats on the delicious-looking target, one on each cheek; then she padded off to the kitchen to go wash the afternoon dishes. "And here you were accusing me of having a one track mind," Hansen smirked, both he and Shaasta looking quite amazed and amused at their Master's sudden brazenness. Frelic just shrugged and returned the smirk, "She made the invitation; I accepted it." He was about to say more, when the door in the corner opened and a pair of lovely ladies sauntered into the inn, both of them carrying rather loaded packs. "About bloody time," Frelic said. The wizard and his pets stood and hurried over to help the girls. The two ladies looked a little weary from their shopping expedition. The taller of the two, a lovely, coppery-red haired and sparkly copper-irised eyed young lady named Thissle, was currently in her Human form, looking to be in her final teen years. She stood about five and a half feet tall, towering six inches over Frelic, whom she also usually addressed as Master, due to her status as his apprentice instead of as a pet, though there often seemed little difference between the two. She sported a very short, plain white tunic, which just barely achieved modesty in front and did not quite fully cover the lowermost curves of her soft, but muscular behind in back. The tunic was cinched around the waist with a leather belt, from which hung various pouches, and effectively skirted the white shift; this was the standard uniform for an apprentice, whether to a wizard, acolyte, ranger, rogue, or whatever, designed to allow the teacher quick and easy access to the student's bottom for disciplining as needed. And her feet were shod with light brown moccasin boots that ran all the way up to the lower quarter of her smooth, muscular, sun tanned thighs. The other girl, a Furling Rabbit named Karma, stood just a little shorter than Frelic and Shaasta, unless you counted her long ears, which then made her height the same as Thissle's. Her large, liquid-blue eyes sparkled in the light, and her sweet lapine face was framed by a thick mane of sunny blonde hair, which dropped in wavy curls down to just below her shoulders. All Karma wore was a sleeveless shiny red leotard, that fully showed off her buxom curves. Tight, short, and formfitting, it was truly more like lingerie than normal everyday clothing, high cut in the rear to fully show off her wide hips and a good portion of her fur-clad bottom, and low cut at the neckline to reveal ample cleavage with a ruff of light blue chest fur. Like many Furlings, Karma's fur was two toned, mostly a golden brown, with a blue-white treasure trail that started at the lower half of her fluffy cheeks and muzzle, and ran down her neck and chest, vanishing beneath the tight leotard, and reappearing between her muscular jumper's thighs. Some of the blue fur was also visible on her soft ass, due to the immodest cut of her outfit, and more blue-white fur covered the underside of her teardrop-shaped tail which protruded through a hole cut and hemmed in the rear of the leotard. The two girls set their heavy burdens down on the floor and squealed happily as they noticed Frelic approaching, with both Shaasta and Hansen in tow. Thissle and Karma took turns smothering the two with long, deep embraces, with the traditional exchange of fondling squeezes on each others' bottoms, and a series of tender kisses on cheeks and mouths, and then more hugs. "Where have you two been?" Karma scolded them, "We've been worried sick about you for the past month, ever since we received word of your capture." Before either Shaasta or Hansen could answer, Thissle jumped in with more scolding questions, "And what's with those pretty collars?" she asked, "And more importantly, where are your clothes?" "Our clothes as well as everything else we had at the time were confiscated by the slavers that took us," Hansen replied, then added, "Duh!" "As for where we've been this past month," Shaasta said, "sitting in a pet shop, waiting to be sold is where we've been." "Ooh," they both gasped, "that sounds exciting." "In more ways than one, I can assure you," Hansen added, giving them a sly wink and a smirk. "And the collars?" Thissle asked again. "That's a bit of a long story," Shaasta warned them. "Let's retire for a bit to our suite, and I will tell you all about it," Frelic suggested. He picked up one of the shopping packs; Thissle took the other, and Hansen gathered up his Master's robe, belt, and paddle, then they all headed upstairs to retreat to a more private setting. Chapter II : Show and Tell The wizard ushered his little entourage into a modest but comfortably appointed third floor corner room, and closed the door behind him. The heavily-laden shopping packs, along with the paddle and belt, were deposited on top of the wooden, circular meeting table in the center of the room, and Frelic's wizard robe was hung on the cloak and hat rack near the door leading back out to the hallway. Hansen's eyes quickly scanned the area; his tail twitched incessantly as if it was a separate being that had attached itself to the Furling Squirrel's backside. In addition to the cloak rack and the meeting table with its accompanying half dozen straight-back padded chairs, this outer lounge also featured a pair of writing and drawing desks; several bookcases were well-stocked with various books and tomes. From where he stood, Hansen was unable to make out any of the titles, but he assumed that they were all merely the typical fare commonly provided to guests at establishments such as this inn. At the far end of the room, a fireplace was built up and out from the wall, its stone hearth surrounded by a thick soft couch and four equally soft tall-backed chairs. On one side of the fireplace, a weapons rack sat against the wall, hosting a six foot long, modestly decored fighting staff made of polished cypress wood; a short bow; and two swords, one a straight-bladed long sword, and the other a short cutlass. A full quiver of arrows hung from each end of the rack. On the other side of the fireplace, a double door took up a generous portion of the wall. Hansen guessed that those doors opened up onto the wide balcony he had noticed overlooking the streets the Hightail graced. In the far corner, opposite the balcony exit, single doors were set in the south and east walls; he guessed that these most likely led to the bed and bathing chambers. "Not a bad burrow you managed to score, Master," the Furling said, nodding his approval. Thissle cocked her head to one side and her copper eyes blinked a couple flashes. Hansen's deferential behavior since she and Karma had returned had not escaped her notice, "Excuse me, furball, what did you say?" "I said, not a bad burrow you managed to score," he repeated. "After that," she corrected herself, "I think my hearing may be playing games with me. What did you call Frelic?" "Master." "M-hmm. That's what I thought. Both you and Shaasta have been carrying yourselves like brand spanking new apprentices. That is so unlike you." "Yeah," Karma interjected, "This is so out of character for either of you. What happened during your captivity?" "Well," Hansen was beaming excitedly and his eyes twinkled, "a month in a pet shop gives one plenty of quiet time to ponder life and other matters." Shaasta was standing demurely with her hands clasped behind her back; a soft blush warmed the Elf girl's cheeks, and a coy smile touched her lips, "It is a bit of a long story, long and, well..." She trailed off and Frelic stepped in to field the question. He picked the paddle up off the table and led the group over to the hearth, "Yes, it is indeed a bit of a story. Sit down and I will explain." He sat down on the couch. Thissle and Karma sat to either side of him, and his pets took their Master's lap, facing each other. Nestled against Frelic's bare thighs, the feel of those two soft naked bottoms, one warm and smooth, and the other hot and clad with plush fur, he felt as if he had died and gone to Nirvana. His hands slid down their backs and caressed his pets' rumps, squeezing where their brands, his brand, lay hidden once more. His violet feline eyes met theirs; their gazes reflected the pure adoration, submission, and unquestioning devotion pledged wordlessly to their Master, and the wizard's heart melted while a passion burned between his legs, not quite projecting from under his short black tunic. At this moment, the full reality of this morning's events hit him with the force of a Storm Giant's fist. Frelic Willowpaw of WraithHold and Pinevale was the happiest and most fortunate Elf alive on Niath. "Okay, what happened to you three today?" Karma again demanded, "You, Boss, are acting every bit as strange and flighty as Shaasta and Hansen. So, wot the 'ell is the story?" Frelic lifted his gaze from his pets and beamed with pride at the two lovely ladies sitting on either side of him. His tale started with a brief prologue, "Karma, you and Thissle have joined me on many adventures. Correct?" Both girls nodded. "So as you should both know, all adventures are embarked upon with a specific goal in mind." "Like recovering a valuable artifact, unmasking ancient secrets, or defeating a great evil that plagues a peaceful village," Karma said. Thissle giggled, "Like when Master went Dragon hunting and subdued me at WraithHold, which gained him a second apprentice." She gave Frelic her most innocent smile and combed her fingers through her long, copper-red mane. "You, Thissle; are not, nor were you ever evil," Frelic corrected his student. "You were merely an annoying little nuisance to the good Halflings of Pinevale, naught more than mischievous brat who was simply long overdue for the kiss of a paddle under her tail." Thissle blushed and rubbed her butt as she remembered that fateful day, such a tremendous indignity for one such as herself while Frelic continued the little lesson in questing. "Now then, in addition to meeting an important objective, what else to we commonly experience during an adventure, particularly at the quest's end?" "Hot nights of passionate boinking?" Karma guessed, her long ears laid back behind her. "Aside from that, what else?" "Treasure," Thissle said, "usually a buttload of valuable booty." "Exactly!" Frelic slapped Shaasta's and Hansen's bottoms for emphasis. "We always return home with a nice little treasure or two; my most recent quest was no exception. The objective was met and valuable booty was recovered. But the ending to this story has a unique twist in that the both the objective and the treasures recovered were one and the same, or in this instance, two and the same." Before the girls could question him further, he relayed for the second time that day, the tale of his sister and Hansen's purchase from the Southern Rose and how they are now legally his personal pets. Instead of the edited version he had told Ashton earlier, Frelic gave Karma and Thissle the full unabridged epic. He revealed every last steamy detail of their adventure in Master Varo's shop. The girls were speechless, their wide eyes registering total disbelief. Their gazes shifted from Frelic; to Shaasta, who was blushing yet again; to Hansen, his happiness at his situation once more protruding from the furry sheath between his thighs; and back again to Frelic. "No way!" Thissle declared, shaking her head in denial, "You can't be serious. You aren't really going to own them like you own Delilah, are you? I mean, your own twin sister and her Furling lover, serving as your very own pleasure pets?" "That's the whole naked truth," Shaasta replied. She pressed her sweet lips to her brother's and rested her head on his shoulder, giving a soft sigh of contentment. "Hansen and I are now Frelic's property, forever under his protection." "Yes yes," the Squirrel chittered, also planting a deep kiss on his Master's lips as Shaasta had done, "Master has signed certificates of ownership for us, and our asses bear his brand. We will never fall to slavers ever again." "Ooh! Branded?" Karma asked, her ears fully erect and attentive, "as in a mark burned deep into your bottoms?" She winced at the thought and rubbed her own furry south end, trying to imagine how the searing kiss of a red hot iron on her flesh must feel. Frelic moved Shaasta out of the way, bent Hansen over his lap, and yanked up his bushy tail. Karma traced her fingers over the crimson petals of the rose blossom nestled against the Furling's nether cheeks. She placed her nose between his legs and deeply took in the bloom's fragrant scent, which was mingled with his own light muskiness. "Er, is that flower just pasted to his bottom, or is it..." "It's planted deep up his ass," Frelic answered. He pulled the rose out a few inches to illustrate, then pushed it back in. "All pets Master Varo sells receive a long-stem thornless rose; it's his shop's hallmark. Now, here is my hallmark. Watch this." The Elf took up the paddle and delivered two dozen extra hard swats to Hansen's upturned furry bottom, alternating between the left and right cheeks. The Furling yelped and struggled under the fierce assault his Master inflicted on his butt, each swat sending a flameless burn coursing through his behind until it felt like his rear was in flames. "Master!" he cried, sniffling and blinking back tears, "why such punishment just to invoke your mark?" "Two birds with one stroke, my naughty little pet," Frelic replied. He set the paddle down and traced his fingers over the ghostly silver outline of the paw print inlaid with a willow tree that now shimmered against the hot red background of paddle blush on the right mound of the Squirrel's bottom. "Remember your line of questioning concerning Makae down in the dining commons?" Hansen whimpered at the touch of his Master's fingers on his hot, sore bottom, and gave a weak nod, "Aye, Master. I remember. Did I take it too far?" "You did," Frelic replied. His hands caressed and squeezed his pet's glowing rump, "You embarrassed your Master with your intimate questions there in the presence of those two bards. I am certain they heard everything." "Oh, I am so sorry for that, Master. I will learn to practice better discretion from now on." "I know you will," Frelic landed a firm, openhanded swat on his pet's already sore butt, then invited Karma and Thissle to view his handiwork. "Ooh! Pretty," the Rabbit gasped. She reached out and touched the fine silver lines, which crackled and sent a pleasant electrical tingle through her as her fingers traced the circumference of the five rings which formed the paw print. "Never have I seen such a brand so finely rendered, especially one seared into a fur-clad ass." "I presume the burner was not crafted by a mere silversmith," Thissle said, "Magick must have been involved, otherwise Hansen would be missing a paw print-shaped patch of fur on his butt." Frelic nodded, "Yes, the mark was not applied by mundane means. I used a device called a Wand of the Masters. Lilieblume first drew the pattern on their behinds using kraken ink, and then I simply traced over the lines with the wand." He brought Hansen to his feet and pulled Shaasta over his lap, revealing the rose planted up her aft passage, then gave her two dozen swats with the paddle until her plush, jiggly bottom glowed red and a mark identical to the one Hansen sported shimmered on the right side of her ass. Shaasta also squirmed and cried at the punishment inflicted on her rump, but did not protest or question her Master's reasons, as the stiffness of his cock beneath her provided the answer; just because he could, and it pleased him when his sister submissively presented her butt for his pleasure despite it being punishment to her. "A brand applied with the Wand of the Masters is not easily lifted, unlike one applied with a mundane branding iron," he explained. "So, even if Shaasta and Hansen should fall afoul of slavers again, they will be protected and kept safe by their captors until they can be returned to their rightful owner." "Huh, I never realized slavers had such a complex culture," Karma said, "It never ceases to amaze me what I can learn about your world, even two years after my arrival here on Niath." "Don't you have slavers on Lockke?" Hansen asked, commandeering Karma's hot lap. "Yeah, we have slavers aplenty," she smiled down at the Squirrel, gave him a scritch between the ears with one hand and a squeeze and petting on his sore rump with the other, "but they are a pretty brutal and cut throat lot, a bunch of lowlife thieves they are. If they want to take you, they don't give a rat's ass whether you are marked or not." "I like the way the mark stays invisible until the pet gets paddled," Thissle said, "It's always a shame to see such a lovely bottom scarred with a brand or any other permanent mark." "Yes," Frelic agreed, "that is another nice little benefit of a Wand of the Masters branding. The mark remains hidden until sufficient heat is applied to the branded area. These brands also possess enchantments that protect the pets from the elements, so even in the coldest winter or most scorching summer, they can safely remain skyclad." He gave Shaasta's reddened bottom a two-handed pony swat and then helped her to her feet. "Master?" Shaasta asked, "Will we ever be permitted to wear clothing again? I would feel so embarrassed walking into the Pinevale Inn and mingling naked among the Halflings there. What will the locals think?" "Most of the time," Frelic said, "you two will wear nothing except your collars, boots, and possibly a pet harness so you can carry equipment and pouches. Don't worry about what the Haflings of Pinevale will think. Those matters are not the pet's concerns; they are for me to contend with." "Well, I have no problem being paraded about naked," Hansen assured his Master, "I actually like it when other people can admire my furry bottom and the other intimate bits." He giggled and gave Karma a lick on her cute little bunny nose as she gave his hard shaft a teasing squeeze with one paw. "However, what about when we are in adventure conditions? The brands we bear won't protect us from a foe's blades or arrows, you know." "I can make an exception there," Frelic assured them, "When we find ourselves in hostile surroundings, you can don your leather armor as needed. However, I will eventually see about getting you equipped with protective gear suitable to your status." "Bracers and such?" Shaasta guessed. "Yes. Over time, we will build a wardrobe of enchanted leather pieces for you two, items such as bracers, collars, harnesses, and boots, which will protect you as if you were clad in full Elven chainmail." "Damn," Thissle swore, "That's going to be expensive." "Yes it will," Frelic agreed, "but my pets as well as all members of the Willowpaw household are priceless to me. So then, other than when armoring up is required, Shaasta and Hansen are forbidden from wearing clothing, unless prescribed by me for special occasions." Hansen and Shaasta nodded their understanding. "Any other questions?" Frelic asked. Karma raised her paw, "So, Boss, since Shaasta and Hansen are your pleasure pets now, are you going to be using them for...Aw, wot the 'ell! Are you going to be boinking them?" Frelic nodded, a pink glow showing in his cheeks, "Yes. I will be making use of their lovely assets from time to time. I paid good money for these two, and not making use of their intimate features would be a crime, as far as I'm concerned." Thissle was giving Shaasta a teasing smile as Frelic admitted that he would be making full use of his pet sister, and Shaasta was blushing tremendously, "Good thing you are on Tempspay, Elf brat," she said, "At least your Master won't accidentally breed you." "Or you, my apprentice," Frelic said, "We've been lucky for the past few years. However, you never know when fate will revoke our luck. Since I do not wish for either of my apprentices to become mothers yet, I want you and Honeyrose to start receiving monthly Tempspay shots, Delilah too for that matter." "Me too, Boss," Karma volunteered, "I think I better start as well." "Wouldn't it be better and cheaper for just you to get the shots, Master?" Shaasta asked, "Having six of us on Tempspay may get rather pricey." "Well, remember," Frelic replied, "Thissle and the others are rather popular with the Halfling lads in Pinevale. And we obviously can't expect them to take the shots. Now, one last important item. Shaasta, Hansen, stand in front of me." The two pets assumed submissive positions in front of their Master, feet spread shoulder-width apart, heads down, and hands clasped behind their backs. "You two now bear my mark on your bottoms, signifying to all who shall see it that you belong to me, submit to discipline by my hand and at my whim, and are under my protection." He pulled Karma and Thissle close to him on the couch, and continued, "I fully expect you to submit to Thissle and Karma as you would submit to me. These two, as well as the other unbound members of WraithHold; Honeyrose, Connie, Fillie, and Nyssa; may use you as they see fit, when I am not utilizing your services. I grant them full authority to apply the paddle, crop, strap, or any other tools of discipline to your bottoms as required or as desired. Is this clear?" Elf and Squirrel lifted their heads and let their eyes meet the gaze of their Master, "Yes," they replied together, "We will obey those you place over us as we will obey you, Master." Frelic smiled lovingly at his pets, then pulled Karma and Thissle close to him, arms wrapped around their hips. Their smiles reflected mischief as their minds filled with ideas for activities they might try with these two pets. "Nothing to cause permanent damage or worse, girls," Frelic warned them. "And what of Delilah?" Shaasta asked. "Delilah," Frelic repeated the name of his first pet, a feisty, hot little Furling Otter, "Delilah will be your mentor. She will see to your training as a Willowpaw pet. You will be expected to observe her and learn. Ask questions, follow her instructions, and heed her guidance. She will also be authorized to discipline you as required, though because she is bound to me, I will review any spankings that you feel are unfair. If I agree with your claims, Delilah will be punished in kind; if I agree with her judgment, then you will be paddled by me." "Master," Hansen interrupted, "why paddle us a second time for the same offense? That seems rather heavy handed and unfair." "Unfair? Hardly, my dear fuzzbutt," Frelic laughed, "If anything, this rule makes things a little more fair for Delilah. Being subject to additional punishment-caliber paddlings should I judge in Delilah's favor will cause you to think twice or even three times before claiming a spanking is unfair." Frelic stood and stretched, "Now, let's see what you girls brought back from your shopping expedition." They all padded over to the table in the center of the room; Karma and Thissle opened up their shopping packs and showed off their wares. "I think you are going to be real pleased with what we scored," Thissle said, smiling excitedly as she burrowed into the first pack. "First, check this out." She extracted a sleeveless studded leather shirt with a hawk, wings and legs spread in a head-on attack on the front, and held it up in front of her. "You know," Shaasta said, "that looks a lot like the top piece of my old leather armor set that Corporal Wheaton confiscated when he captured us." Karma nodded, "It is. We found it in an armorer's shop along with some of your other stuff." "Now mind you," Thissle advised, "not everything was recovered, but everything we came across at the shops that we recognized, we did buy back for you." More leather armor pieces were extracted from the bags for both of them; Shaasta's thigh-length boots, Hansen's leather sleeveless top which matched Shaasta's, two sets of thigh bands, two pair of fingerless gloves, and a small shield bearing the same hawk design as the leather tops. A few of the weapons they had lost were also recovered: Shaasta's crossbow and long sword, Hansen's short bow, four daggers, and his twin short swords. "No sign of our Tanithian arrows or bolts?" Hansen asked. "Sadly no," Karma answered, "Either they were sold already or the fellow in charge of disposing of the slaves' possessions recognized them as enchanted and kept them for himself." "But," Thissle consoled them, "we did go ahead and pick up two quivers of ammo for each of you. They aren't Tanithian, but at least they make your bow and Shaasta's crossbow useful again." "Well, thank you so much for recovering what you could," Shaasta smiled and rewarded Karma and Thissle with a grateful, deep kiss. "It's so much more than either of us expected. Now, what other stuff did you two pick up?" The remainder of the shopping show and tell was a procession of various bits of jewelry, crystal figurines and other little trinkets, new belt pouches and packs, sexy clothes, a couple bottles of good sweet mead, a variety of pastries and dried meats, and books. There was a little something for everyone, and they saved what they felt was the best for last. "I think your Master will appreciate this," Karma said. She gave a mischievous smile and reached into her pack again and pulled out a leather belt. Attached to the back of the belt was a plume of eagle feathers, spread out like a fan. "Isn't it sexy? Don't worry," she assured them, "the feathers were not plucked. The Eagle sold them to the crafter after she molted according to the fellow who sold this to us." "Well, it's pretty, Karma," Shaasta agreed, "but did you forget that I am close to being able to do the real thing now?" She stepped back, and stood with her feet planted shoulder-width apart and her arms extended out. The Elf closed her eyes and focused. Within seconds, a spread of hawk feathers grew at the base of her spine; the tail fanned out to cover her bottom, then she turned around to show off her plumage. "See? I've been working on an intermediate form, between full Elf and full hawk." She made the tailfeathers lift behind her, providing an alluring peak at her still reddened butt and the silver brand that shimmered on her aft end. "That's for Frelic," Thissle said, "This one is for you." She took out another belt, this one with a long, black, slinky panther tail attached to it. Shaasta's tailfeathers vanished, seemingly retracting back into her body. She took the belt from Thissle and looked it over, "A real panther tail?" she asked. "The fur is real, gathered from sheddings over the course of several years," Thissle explained, "No panthers were harmed in order to craft this." Shaasta nodded and strapped the belt around her waist. She fastened the small brass buckle and Thissle helped her make adjustments so that the tail was draped perfectly down the center of her ass. "There ya go," Thissle told her, "Now turn around so everyone can admire your lovely new tail." The Elf girl did a one-eighty and presented her behind for the others' approval, giving a coy gaze over her shoulder and flexing her pleasantly wide hips which made the slinky prosthetic appendage swish back and forth just like a real tail. "How do I look?" "Hottest kitten on Niath," Hansen said, "You look like you could warm the coldest of laps, love. And it may just be my Furling bias speaking, but I personally think all pretty bottoms should be accessorized with a tail." He smiled and his own bushy aft appendage swished back and forth for emphasis." Frelic laughed and nodded his agreement. He slipped up behind his sister and his fingers administered a scritch at the base of her tail, actually causing it to rise behind her like the real thing, and eliciting a soft purr from the girl. "I agree absolutely with Fuzzbutt here, sis. That tail makes you one hot little kitty; I mean, even hotter." Unable to resist, he planted a firm swat on the bare flesh under the tail. "Meow," she giggled, and made playful mauling and scratching gestures at her Master. Frelic's reaction: he wrapped his arms around his kitty pet, his hands firmly gripped and kneaded her butt, and his lips pressed hard against hers. Half a minute later, they disengaged. Still holding her tight, Frelic looked into her eyes, which seemed to have more glow to them than normal; most likely a trick of the lighting. One hand released its grip on her bottom, slid up her back, and ran through her thick red mane. "I am going to add that tail belt of yours to the list of clothes you can wear without getting my permission first." "Are you going to try yours on now, Boss?" Karma asked. Frelic gave Shaasta one more light swat on her butt, then turned around. Karma was was standing close, holding up the tailfeathers belt for him. He reached for it, and the Rabbit gently slapped his hand back. "Off with the tunic first," she ordered, "we want to see how it accentuates your own pretty bottom. "Okay, okay," Frelic laughed, unfastening the belt around his waist. He looked over his shoulder at Shaasta and smiled mischievously, "It was going to be coming off soon anyway." He pulled the short black shift up over his head, tossed it on the table, and stood before Karma, skyclad save for his thigh-length boots. The Furling Rabbit paced around him, checking out his lithe figure and succumbed to the urge to plant a playful swat on his own cute, round bottom. "You know, Chief," she said, "you really should go naked more often. You certainly have the figure for it." She handed the feathered belt to the blushing Elf. He wrapped and secured it around his slender Elven waist and Karma made the aft adjustments so that the fan-shaped plumage was centered perfectly over his bare butt. "There ya go, Boss," Karma said. She ran her paws down the length of the charcoal-gray and white-speckled mountain eagle feathers that now decorated the wizard's backside, "Show us your tail." Frelic turned around and placed his hands on the table as if he was assuming a paddling position, his back arched and his feather clad rear thrust out on display. The tailfeathers were like a half skirt, just long enough to barely cover his assets in the back. He flexed the muscles in his shapely bottom, and the feather skirt rose up like a drawbridge, just high enough to reveal the lower curves of the Elf's pride. "Well, how do I look?" "Spankable," four voices rang out in unison, causing his face to turn red and his hands to move back into a protective position over his vulnerable rump. Frelic removed the tail belt and sat his naked self down on one of the tall-backed chairs that encircled the table, "That really is a lovely gift you girls scored," he said, gently running his finger tips over the feathers, "I think I will wear it tonight when we go down for dinner and the bards' show." "That vendor had plenty of other tails as well," Thissle said, "quite a variety of animals were represented. I may wander back that way tomorrow and pick up a few more, since they were so cheap." "But now," Karma interrupted, "we better get ourselves ready for our night out." "Oh? Where are you going?" Frelic asked. "We want to try out this really exciting club we saw down on the waterfront," Thissle replied, "Hot Summer Nights is what it's called. Wanna join us?" "I'll skip it this time around," Frelic declined, "Perhaps I'll check it out in a day or two. Tonight though, I just want to relax here and enjoy the in-house performances." Shaasta looked expectantly at her brother, "Can I go out with them, Master?" she asked, her belted-on tail swishing back and forth as if it had a mind of its own. Frelic nodded and gave his blessing, "Certainly, my pet. But before you go, we have some unfinished matters to attend to. Hansen, I want you to stay here with me this evening for a night in, after you help Thissle and Karma get themselves ready for their night out." The Furling Squirrel nodded happily at the thought of being his Master's date for the night, as Karma attached his leash to his collar and gave it a gentle tug, "Thank-you, Master. I know we are going to have a wonderful evening together." Karma and Thissle then shed their clothes, and the trio disappeared through the door in the east corner of the lounge to get themselves cleaned and prepped for a girls' night out. Chapter III : Penance, Passion, and a Bath Now alone in the outer lounge, Frelic turned to his sister and gave her a smile that reflected a mix of pure unconditional love, and unbridled feral passion. "Now, my little tender hawk," he purred, "We have an appointment in the bed chamber." He clasped a leash to her collar, removed her tail belt, picked up the paddle, and led his pet sister through the door to the south. The bed chamber was just as large as the outer lounge. A four-poster bed large enough to sleep at least six Elf or Furling-sized people dominated the southwest corner of the room. A large wooden chest sat locked on the floor at the foot of the bed, and beside the bed's head, a small table stood, with a tall, thick candle in a brass holder perched at the center. Along the wall that the bed chamber shared with the outer lounge, was a large, thick double cushion, upon which was a nest of pillows and light cotton blankets. It sat between a four drawer dresser to the left; its top surface fitted with a large mirror, and a wide bookcase to the right, which was mostly empty save for a pair of leather-bound journals belonging to Karma and Frelic, and Thissle's collection of lesson tomes and scrolls. A square, pinewood table with four wooden chairs around it decorated the middle of the room, and the southeast corner featured a small roll-top desk with a single padded chair. There was a door in the east wall near the desk. It was open, and Shaasta could see that it led to a small, private study. She guessed that the other door in the same wall, near the one they had come through, was another entrance to the bathing chamber. And set into the wall beside the night table, a double door, fitted with actual glass windows like the one out in the other room, opened out to the balcony. Shaasta's Master closed the door behind him, guided his pet over to the table in the middle of the room, and removed the leash from her collar. Still clad in nothing but his boots, Frelic's passion and arousal were clearly evident in more than just his violet cat-like eyes; The Elf pet knew that she would soon feel her Master's hard cock filling her hot depths at long last, finally satisfying the longing burn she had been holding back ever since her brother first started his inspection of her sweet treasures back at the Southern Rose. "Ten platinum pieces," Frelic said, his voice low and stern as he looked his pet over, his fingers tracing a gentle line down her left cheek from temple to chin. "That is one thousand gold pieces, dear sister. Do you know how many days wages that is for the average worker?" Math was not one of Shaasta's strengths, so all she could guess was, "A lot, Master." "Yes, that is a lot. That was why Master Varo nearly had a heart attack when I offered to pay your full original price instead of the seven he had discounted you to." "I am really grateful that you spent that on me, Master. And I give you my solemn word that that will be the best ten platinums you have ever spent. I am forever in your debt, my Master, my brother. All that I am belongs to you for all time and beyond." Shaasta's impromptu vow of submission hit Frelic like a war mace across the back of his head. A single tear escaped down his cheek, and he took his pet sister in his arms, his hands again gripping her sweet tender bottom and hers likewise pressed against his. Their lips touched and practically became one, tongues probing each other's. His hard maleness rubbing against the warm, damp, slit of her sex, Frelic wanted to take this beautiful creature he held in his arms, bend her over the table, and ride her to the summit of pure and feral passionate ecstasy, right here, right now. However, he had one last task to accomplish before consummating their relationship of loving Master and devoted Pet. "Shaasta, do you remember that bit of advice I imparted to you and Hansen before you went off on your little adventure?" Frelic asked. She nodded, remembering, "You advised us to avoid traveling along the northwest coast of Diranni." "Correct. And why did I suggest that?" "You had heard that the economy was depressed in this area; people are struggling to make their way by any means possible." "And any means is just that, any. For some, that means preying on unsuspecting travelers." "Brigands, charlatans, and slavers." "Right. And what did you two do despite my warnings?" Frelic continued his interrogation. "We journeyed up the northwest coast anyway. Hansen and I had been through so much together, we honestly felt that we could outsmart any thugs we might encounter along the way." "You underestimated the severity of the situation around here," Frelic declared. "Those who have taken up such an unsavory path are desperate. They have nothing to lose and the prospect of tremendous gains to fight for." "Yes, Master," Shaasta agreed, "Neither of us truly understood until it was too late, just what we were up against. We lost." "Ten platinum pieces, one thousand gold," Frelic repeated again. "I hate constantly bringing up the cost of your rescue, but it was a cost that was the result of your disregard for my advice." "I am truly sorry for what I cost you, Master. I will heed your instincts from now on," the fire-maned girl assured him, "And I will find a way to repay you for your loss." Frelic smiled devilishly at his sister, "No. I do not need the coin back. I have you now, a pet sister for whom I would have gladly paid ten times or more what I did; you, my love vixen, are truly priceless to me." Shaasta blushed and averted her eyes, visibly embarrassed at her Master's flattering words. A moment later, she recomposed herself and looked him in the eyes again, "Still, if it is at all possible to repay the debt in any way..." Frelic held his hand up to silence her, "Shush a moment, tender hawk. I do indeed have a suitable penance to prescribe to you." He held up the paddle he was carrying. "By the Mink!" Shaasta swore, "Yet another paddling? Hansen was right, Master. You do seem to have a single track mind tonight. But if reddening my bottom even more is what you decree, who am I to argue?" "Master Varo and Lilieblume indeed did some good work in training you," Frelic noted, nodding his approval, "but be warned, Shaasta. This is not to be like any of the spankings I have given you recently or back when we were tender tails." Shaasta was starting to look worried. Again Frelic repeated as if it was a mantra, "Ten platinum pieces, one thousand gold pieces." But this time, he added, "One thousand gold pieces, one thousand swats, one per gold piece." Shaasta put her hands protectively over her backside and shook her head, "No, Master," she protested, panic in her voice, "One thousand swats? My bottom would not be able to withstand such a heavy punishment." "One thousand gold pieces, one thousand swats," the Elven wizard again said. "Do not force me to cast a Holding spell over you Shaasta," he warned her, "I would prefer that you submit to this by your own will; submit to this by the vow you pledged to me mere minutes ago." Tears trickling down her face, Shaasta knew deep down that she was bound to obey and submit to her punishment. She had pledged her submission and then offered to pay whatever penance her Master desired to declare. "Turn and face the table," Frelic instructed. She turned around so that she was facing away from her brother and awaited his next command. "Spread your feet; bend over; grab the edge of the table." Again, she obeyed, bracing herself against the pine table, her rear thrust out and presented to her Master, awaiting the fiery kiss of the paddle. Mercifully, it was not a long wait. Standing behind and to her left, Frelic removed the rose that was nested up her ass and ran his tongue along the length of its stem, savoring the delightfully decadent flavor of gehennite-cleansed Elven bottom. He placed the flower in his hair behind his left ear for safe keeping, then he assumed a firm two-handed grip on the paddle and rubbed its round wooden blade over his twin sister's round, soft, quivering southern hills. "Shaasta, I am going to turn your lovely ass the same color as your lovely mane." He gave her rump a pair of light taps with the weapon of discipline and gave her a final instruction, "Now, you are going to receive a large number of swats. And because I will be busy concentrating on paddling your butt, I may lose count. Therefore, you are to count out each strike as it lands on your bottom." And so, Shaasta's penance for costing her brother ten platinum pieces, one thousand gold pieces, was executed on her tender ass in earnest. There was a soft whoosh of the paddle dropping down through the air, followed by a loud SMACK as oak connected with soft, tender flesh, striking solidly on the left cheek of her bottom. A white hot burning spread out across her rear, momentarily robbing the Elf girl of her breath. Then, closing her eyes, she gasped out through clenched teeth, "One!" A second SMACK, followed by the white hot pain, this time on the right cheek caused her to yelp out, "Two!" And this was followed by yet another burning impact, landing squarely across the center of her ass. Already, the punishment was unbearable, and Shaasta wondered how she would withstand the nine hundred ninety-seven yet to come. "Three!" In the bathing chamber, Thissle and Karma had put Hansen to work immediately, helping to prepare them for their evening at Hot Summer Nights. The Squirrel's leash, collar, and rose had been removed and placed safely on top of a table in the corner of the room by the door, and Hansen, Karma, and Thissle were soaking in a large cedar tub, filled with fresh steaming water from the underground hot spring that flowed and bubbled beneath the inn. After they were completely drenched in the steaming water, not quite hot enough to scald, Hansen was ordered to completely soap down and scrub the girls. Even had he not been bound to obey them, he would have been a fool to decline this task. "This has to be a dream," he thought to himself, as the girls stood on the submerged ledge that encircled the edge of the tub so that only their lower legs and feet were beneath the water. He rubbed the lightly scented cake of soap all over Thissle's smooth, slick, wet body. He made certain that he covered every last square inch of her lovely tanned flesh above the water line, from her brow down to the middle of her muscular but soft thighs, giving extra attention to the delicious-looking, jiggly, orbs and the crevasse that formed her perfect derriere. "If only my sibs could see me now, sharing a steaming tub with two hot and sexy young ladies, whose desires I am required to obey." His thoughts focused on the word required, as if any Furling in his right mind would balk at this situation, and soft giggle escaped him. "What's so funny?" Thissle asked, her body now glistening all wet and slippery with the scented coating of soap. "Oh, nothing nothing really," Hansen replied, giving her bottom a playful swat, then turning his attention to the drenched Rabbit to his left, "I was just reflecting about how I seem to be living the Furling Dream," he admitted. Thissle and Karma giggled with him. "Yes," Thissle agreed, "Now that you mention it, this does feel like a drawing right out of one of those naughty weeklies you see at the news vendor's stall in the market." She planted a soapy kiss on his cheek and then playfully goosed him under the tail, her finger easily finding the tight little opening behind his hard shaft of maleness, lightly pressing against the entrance, but not quite penetrating. "You silly teaser," Hansen laughed, playfully sticking his tongue out at the copper-maned girl. He resumed his task, gently but firmly massaging the soap into Karma's fur, again covering every square inch of her lovely body down to the tops of her thighs. Both girls now fully soaped down, Hansen reached over and picked up the pair of wooden, soft bristled bath brushes that lay on the tub's deck, "Turn around and face me, girls," he instructed, "I am going to do you both at the same time; ooh, that sounded naughty." Giggling like school girls, Karma and Thissle turned and stood before Hansen, who was armed with the twin bath brushes, tools of cleansing which both girls knew all too well could easily double as paddles of the cruelest kind. For a brief moment, the two giggling young ladies, standing wet and naked before the diminutive Furling, looked for all the world as if they were the bratty pets awaiting disciplining. He expertly scrubbed both of them simultaneously, gently working the soft bristles in small slow circles over their luscious soapy bodies, forming a thick creamy lather in the brushes' wakes. The brushes massaged vigorously over their shoulders, down their arms, and back up to their necks; the bristles not once losing contact with flesh and fur. Under their dainty chins he scrubbed, then worked their breasts, full but not overly endowed; their perky nipples stood erect on the soft orbs as the soapy bristles tickled and teased. Karma and Thissle's sweet scent of arousal, mingled with the light fragrant perfumes of the soap, filled the Squirrel's nose, and the steamy water, frosted with lather, hid the erection that formed between his muscular thighs. From beyond the door next to the one leading to the outer lounge, the rhythmic slap of oak on bare flesh coupled with the pained cries of a girl pleading for mercy, the distinctive sounds of punishment, could be heard. Karma winced in sympathy, "Sounds like Shaasta is getting paddled yet again, poor girl," she sighed. Even Thissle, who had learned to enjoy most spankings, placed her hands on her wet, slick bottom and turned her gaze towards the closed door, "And it sounds like one helluva tail roasting Master is giving her this time too. I wonder what the brat did so soon to earn a real punishment spanking?" Hansen shrugged and continued his chore, now working the brushes down the girls' tummies in firmer wider circles. The sounds coming from the next room brought images to his mind, images of his Elven lover submitting to their Master's paddle, her sweet lovely butt taking strike after strike after strike, jiggling cutely with every blow as her aft flesh burned red. His erection beneath the water lengthened and pulsed. "Perhaps she mouthed off to Master," he suggested, "You know how feisty that girl can be. Or perhaps she did nothing, and he is paddling her just because he can, you know; for his own pleasure, to give her a really good warm up before boinking her." "Well, whatever his reasons," Thissle said, "it's his call. And Shaasta probably had it coming to her anyway." Karma giggled, "A day of reckoning, ye might say. Now be careful, furball. You are getting to our high value zones." She and Thissle spread their legs a little wider as Hansen gently caressed the brushes between their thighs, tickling in tiny circles over the plump mounds. Thissle's was bare and smooth, and Karma's had a pelt of light blue fur; normally fluffy enough to provide modesty when dry, though now matted down to clearly reveal the tight slit of her sex. The Squirrel worked his brushes back to the tender spot between their treasure slots and tight southern stars, then continued his journey down the girls' inner thighs, stopping at the waterline, back up, and back down the other side. Hansen stepped back and rested the brushes, like sword blades, on his shoulders, "Finished afore, m'ladies," he announced, "Now please turn around so that I can work aft." Thissle and Karma turned around and presented their delightful backsides to the Squirrel so that he could continue his task. "Forty eight!" Shaasta gasped through her tears as the oak paddle continued to relentlessly tenderize her ass. She had stopped kicking and struggling after the thirtieth swat, and now merely clenched her aft cheeks and flexed her thighs with each impact. Another smack of wood against flesh sent yet another swell of fire through her burning backside and drew more tears in a steady stream from her eyes, "Forty nine!" Never in her life had she received a paddling so terrible, so intense. Even during her previous captivity, neither Captain Hayes, Mistress Triniti nor even Lieutenant Tarna had ever even come close to administering punishment on her tender tail bottom like her dear brother was now inflicting. Another strike, no harder nor softer than the previous forty and nine burned across the upper curve of her crimson butt, squarely across both cheeks, "Fifty!" Shaasta bowed her head, eyes closed tight as more tears escaped down her face and joined the small pool that had formed on the table. "A mere fifty," she thought to herself, "with another fifty and nine hundred remaining." But fifty one did not burn its punishment into her tortured, tender flesh. Instead, she felt her Master's soft hands gently caressing the glowing hills of her paddled ass. She gasped and winced at his touch, as his fingers rubbed and kneaded her glowing flesh and the silver brand which stood out and shimmered brighter than ever before against the lovely red background of her lovely Elven rump. Frelic set the paddle on the table in front of her, then wrapped an arm around his sister and gently pulled her upright to face him. He wiped the tears from her damp cheeks and combed his fingers through her tousled red mane. His loving smile as his gaze met hers proved contagious; her eyes, red from crying, lit up and her soft pouty lips parted softly in a smile that matched her brother's. "You are one amazing girl, dear sister," Frelic said, his voice a soft seductive purr." Before she could respond, he silenced her with a kiss as hot as the flameless fire burning across her paddle-warmed butt. As their lips pressed together and their tongues sweetly probed and tasted each others', the fingers of Frelic's left hand traced down the valley formed by his sisters soft, round flanks, and came to rest at the entrance to her tight little rear entrance. He teased around the rim, and then slipped his index and middle finger up her clean, hot, rectal passage, while continuing to knead her scorched, paddled flesh with his other hand. She gasped and gave a sweet moan, as for the second time that day, her brother's fingers probed her nether depths. Their lips parted from each other and the two just stood there gazing into one another's eyes for what seemed like an eternity or two. Frelic's fingers continued to probe deep up Shaasta's ass while he held her, and she caressed and kneaded her Master's smooth, bare bottom; which was every bit as delightful as her own. One hand slid around Frelic's hip and came to rest upon the hard shaft of his cock. She gently stroked its length, top and underside with her soft Elven fingers, and took a firm grip on it, guiding it to her waiting feminine fore passage, which was damp and ready to receive her Master's passion. "Not yet, my little boink bunny," Frelic whispered, his lips and tongue ever so gently tickling the edges and tip of one gracefully pointed ear. Shaasta sighed, "More paddling?" "No," Frelic replied, "No more paddling yet." "But that was only fifty swats," she reminded him, "and you sentenced me to one thousand." Frelic nodded and smiled again, "Yes, that was only fifty. Remember that number, for your penance will be carried out over the course of the next few weeks, in sessions such as the one which we just completed. We will conduct sessions of fifty swats at least once per day, sometimes two or three times per day should I wish until the one thousand have been fulfilled." "Thank-you, Master," Shaasta replied, sighing with relief that she would not have to take the full thousand in one sitting, or one standing to be precise. "That won't exempt you from spankings for other reasons, mind you," Frelic warned her, "whether for punishment or for pleasure," he gave her that devilish smile again and corrected himself, "either our shared pleasure or just my own." She nodded, understanding and accepting her brother's judgment. Frelic then removed his fingers from Shaasta's south passage, and touched them to her lips. She took them into her mouth and found her arousal growing stronger as she tasted her own unique flavor. Frelic led her over to the bed, and positioned her on top of the thick cushions, her head resting on the pillows, and her glowing, burning ass raised high. Saying no more, Frelic Willowpaw knelt on the bed behind Shaasta, his thick, hard shaft pulsing, its tip dripping clear juices down her tight, smooth slit. He mounted his sister like a pony. His hands brushed through Shaasta's fiery mane and caressed all over her sides, inner thighs, and bottom. Then those hands ran up her firm tummy and kneaded her breasts, lightly pinching the erect, perky nipples. The Elf girl gasped and moaned yet again; her back arched and her sweet, crimson butt thrust upwards in anticipation, ready to receive her Master's cock. Giving her sensitive nipples one last tweak, Frelic smoothly drove his hard maleness deep into his pet sister's virgin-tight passion canal. Hansen had worked his twin bath brushes down Karma and Thissle's backs, and arrived at the area he had been looking forward to the most. Still thankful that the soapy water concealed his arousal, he vigorously worked the two gorgeous bottoms presented before him. His brush strokes now were much harder than before, working in firm spiraling circles that left no area of the girls' plush derrieres untouched. They spread their legs a little further apart, and thrust their spankable rumps up a little higher so that he could get the soapy bristles into the valley formed by their soft, round cheeks. He could not tell for certain, but he thought he even heard Karma softly purr as the brush scrubbed her hidden areas. Whether she purred or not, he could tell by the way her ears were laying against her back that the Furling Rabbit from Lockke was enjoying this immensely. An impish grin appeared on his muzzle as he finished scrubbing their bottoms. He knew he would probably get his ass thoroughly roasted for this, but he decided it would be worth the price. Unable, and in reality unwilling, to resist the temptation, he pulled the bath brushes back, rolled them one hundred eighty degrees, and landed a hard swat on the two soap-clad bottoms in front of him with the flat, paddle-like backs of the scrubbers. The impact of wood on wet flesh sounded like a small firecracker, and both girls gave out a startled yelp as they nearly leaped right out of the tub. They said nothing as they turned around and beckoned him forward. The silence that echoed through the room and the devilish gleam in their eyes frightened him. Hansen waded towards Karma and Thissle. They took the bath brushes from him and set them on the deck, then Thissle picked him up so that only his legs, from the ankles on down were in the soapy water. Karma took the bar of soap and rubbed it all over the Squirrel's wet, furry body. When she was finished, Thissle laid him on his back on the deck, both girls took a brush, and they double-teamed him. Exchanging a look and a teasing giggle with each other at the sight of his stiff secret revealed, the girls took turns teasingly stroking the Squirrel's bobbing cock and the furry sack beneath it, eliciting a pleasured whimper from him. Then, they began scrubbing his fur into a thick lather, working his little body as he had worked theirs, gentle circular strokes over his shoulders, down his arms, and back up to his neck. He closed his eyes and smiled contentedly as the bristles massaged over his furry, and surprisingly muscular chest, down his stomach, and along his inner thighs. The girls next worked their brushes all over the hard package between his legs, working the sack, sheath, and shaft with much lighter and smaller strokes until Hansen was taken right to the very brink of orgasm. But before he could reach the passionate summit, they gently flipped him over and Thissle started working the lather through the fur of his back while Karma scrubbed his tail; the normally thick bushy appendage, now waterlogged, looked more like a rat's than a squirrel's. He closed his eyes and chirred softly as these two ladies gave him the soapy massage, so relaxing, all muscles except one turning to putty under their tender care. Reflexively, his legs parted as the twin brushes touched his bottom, moving with smaller but firmer circles over his well-toned nether flesh and between his cheeks, then down the backs of his thighs, and back up again for a second run over his rump. He sighed happily as they finished with final strokes again along his inner thighs. For the final touch, Karma and Thissle exchanged another look and nodded silent acknowledgment to each other. Like a pair of headsman's' axes, the bath brushes were raised high above their heads, then after a brief moment, they swung down in graceful arcs and the flat sides of the wooden blades landed hard on the Squirrel's wet, soap-slicked butt, each one firmly striking a cheek, not once, not twice, but three times. Hansen should have expected this rear assault, but the kiss of the bristles kneading his flesh through his wet fur had caused him to relax into a state of bliss so intense, that he was taken completely by surprise. The first pair of swats had jolted him awake, his dark eyes wide as saucers. The second pair made his back arch, his front half lifting up off the deck as the sharp bite of the wood against his bottom fully registered with him. The third pair of smacks finally caused him to yelp out. With a quiet whimper, he reached behind him and rubbed his wet, stinging rear end, then the girls helped him to his feet in the tub. They gave him that devilish smile again, set the bath brushes down on the deck, then all three disappeared beneath the steaming water to rinse the soap off of skin and out of fur. Shaasta was never a screamer. The Elf girl had always been a moaner and a most delightful squirmer, ever since she and Frelic first coupled as tender tails that night so long ago in the Kalthani Peninsula's seaside city of Otterport. Down on all fours like a wild pony, Shaasta's femininely wide bottom pressed hard against Frelic's groin and stomach. Her tight, hot sex flexed hard around his shaft as it pounded hard inside her. He squeezed and kneaded her breasts, her perky, sensitive nipples pinched painfully, pleasurably between his fingers. His hands then slid down her front, caressing over her trim stomach and gliding up around her hips; they began slapping a hard, feral drum beat on his sister's beautiful, paddle-reddened ass as he felt a heat wave flow over his entire body. Shaasta moaned and whined, her thrashings beneath her rider growing stronger as the rhythmic smacks of her brother's hands on her rear intensified the unquenchable burn growing within her depths. Each thrust of his hard shaft in her sex driving her farther up towards the summit of the Mink's Mountain. Master and pet lingered on the edge of an emotional precipice for a full ten minutes; they rocked forward and back, locked together as one, letting the burning sexual energy within them build like a great tsunami. Frelic's deep hard thrusts pounded inside Shaasta, and his hips pressed hard against her rear, which counterthrusted and ground against his loins. The slap of his hands on her burning flanks beat a steady cadence for their feral, bestial dance, pushing them ever closer to the edge. Finally, neither Elf could hold back any longer. Frelic took a firm, two-handed grip on his sister's butt and reared back like a wild pony stallion. At the same moment, Shaasta's fiery-maned head lifted up and back, her emerald green eyes half closed. Her back gracefully arched; her slick, hot nether folds clenched tight around her Master's cock; and as one, they slipped over the edge into a vast, lust-filled void. Falling into a deep, warm sea of passionate bliss, Shaasta writhed and moaned in pure unadulterated ecstasy, while Frelic's seed flowed hot from his hard, pulsing rod inside her most intimate channel. Frelic growled like a great cat, his nails digging into Shaasta's rump; his shaft pounded again and again inside his sister's tight, slick sex, pumping his hot, sweet Elven juices into her depths. Another ten minutes and they were spent. With a euphoric sigh, they collapsed together on the bed, rolling onto their sides to cuddle as Master and pet, as loving twin brother and sister, just as they had done many times those twelve years ago at the tender age of eleven summers, Frelic's cock still hard and nested deep inside her, and Shaasta's bottom and back firmly pressed against him. Frelic's gentle hands caressed and petted Shaasta's breasts, firm stomach, and hips before slipping down to knead her soft thighs, first the fronts, and then the inner surfaces, which caused her to tremble with another little wave of pleasure. "Ah, Shaasta, dear sister," Frelic purred, "I am truly the most fortunate Elf on all of Niath." Shaasta giggled and squirmed playfully against her brother, "Oh, Master, you embarrass this humble little pet with your flattery and sweet words." "Well, it is true, my little tender hawk. I am indeed most fortunate that during the weeks you were in the Southern Rose, no one realized just how valuable you are. And even then, ten platinums is only the smallest fraction of what my lovely sister is worth." Shaasta looked up at her brother, a soft crimson glow in her cheeks and an impish gleam in her emerald-green eyes, "I too feel most fortunate, Master, fortunate that I can serve and service such a wonderful, loving, and protective owner. But you do realize that neither of us will feel so fortunate the next time we visit Kalthani." She placed a hand on one of his as he continued to pet and caress her inner thighs, "You know that mother will turn both of us over her knee and roast our bottoms many times worse than the spanking you gave me." Frelic gave her a sheepish smirk and he shrugged, "Yes, we will most likely spend our next visit home on our feet, but what a small sacrifice to pay for what we now have, dear pet." He nuzzled his face against hers, and purring like a kitten, playfully planted a series of rapid-fire loving nips along her neck and slender shoulders. Their lips touched in a sweet, tender kiss, and then they lay there on the bed, cuddling together in silence and basking in each others' presence and warmth. Chapter IV : Cinnamon and a Spicy Tale Thissle bent over and felt around the tub's floor until her hand touched an iron ring. She gave it a tug and pulled out the cork stopper it was attached to. As the hot soapy water started its slow exit to the sewers beneath Mistport, she hoisted her wet body out of the large cedar basin and took one of the soft cotton towels to dry herself off. Hansen was attending to Karma, vigorously rubbing another towel through her waterlogged fur. The Rabbit stood with her arms out and big bunny feet spread while the Squirrel methodically worked her over from the top down. He started with her long ears. Then using both hands, he scrubbed her sunny blonde hair from drenched to merely damp. Hansen used lighter strokes on her brow, cute little muzzle, and over her fluffy cheeks; then gently patted her chin, neck, and shoulders dry before resuming the more vigorous strokes for her arms, breasts, and stomach. The Rabbit closed her eyes and smiled naughtily as the Squirrel worked on her lower half, buffing the cotton over her wide hips and thighs, down to the tops of her feet, and back up to gently swab the tender mound of her sex. Finally, Hansen padded around behind Karma and lovingly kneaded the towel all over her plush butt, pressing and kneading vigorously over every square inch of the Bunny's fur-clad, jiggly derriere, between her soft southern cheeks, and finishing with a brisk scrubbing over the top and underside of her teardrop-shaped tail. Once Karma was dry, she took up a fresh towel and gave Hansen the same treatment. He squirmed a bit as she worked the cloth down his sides. "Ticklish are you?" Karma asked, reaching around to land a playful swat on his still wet bottom." He giggled, "Just a little bit, love bunn," he admitted, "Don't tell Master, please? Karma laughed with him, "Don't worry, fuzzbutt. You're secret is safe with me. Besides, I don't think Frelic is into tickling anyway, not much at least." She continued working on getting the Squirrel's fur dried out. Naturally, when she worked on the treasure zone between his thighs, his cock emerged from its sheath again. She smiled naughtily, took the hard shaft in her hand, gently stroked it a few times, then leaned forward and ran her tongue along its length, top and underside. Hansen closed his eyes and gave a tortured moan as the tongue bath the Bunny gave his maleness caused him to sway back and forth, weak kneed. Clear lubricating fluid dripped from the tip of the pulsing shaft, which Karma lapped up. Before his loins could erupt with his seed, the Rabbit backed off, then had him turn around so she could finish drying him off. Thissle, finished grooming her mane, was watching the little drama taking place between the two. She smirked and laughed, "Silly Rabbit. You are such a terrible tease. I swear, you are going to end up driving the poor Squirrel to insanity if you keep that up without letting him boink you soon." Karma stuck her tongue out at Thissle, then gave Hansen's rump a friendly squeeze followed by a stinging flick of the wet towel as she finished the rubdown. "I just might do that," she said, "Shaasta said he is a real pleasure to couple with. But, I don't want to tire him out before Frelic can use him first." Hiding his embarrassment, Hansen picked up a hard-bristled brush and started working it over Karma's soft pelt, using short firm strokes to smooth out her fur. While he did that, Thissle took her brush and worked on the Rabbit's silky hair, brushing out the damp tangles. "So tell us, furball," Thissle said, "How did you and Shaasta, of all people, manage to get yourselves captured by slavers?" Hansen gave her a sheepish grin, shrugged, and brushed smooth the gold and blue fur of Karma's rump, teasing it to chinchilla-like softness, "I'm ashamed to admit; we were taken completely by surprise." "No way!" the girls exclaimed in unison. "That simply doesn't happen," Karma insisted, "A pair of highly skilled rangers, one of them an Elf no less, you never get ambushed." "Yeah," Thissle chimed in, "That simply defies every single law of reality on the books, and possibly even a few laws of surreality as well." She finished fixing the Rabbit's silky locks and idly ran the brush through her own mane a few more times, "You and Shaasta are the best in your class, so attuned to your surroundings that you know the enemy is out there even before they know." "So how could you possibly get caught with your armor down?" Karma demanded. The Squirrel chuckled and gave her a playful smack on the ass with the back of the pelt brush as he finished grooming her. He handed the brush off to her and presented himself for his turn. "That, dear ladies, pretty much says it all. We literally did get caught with our armor down." Karma worked the brush down his chest and nodded, "I get your meaning, but let's hear it anyway." "Yes, well," he continued, "me and Shaasta had just finished a nice long afternoon double-boinking, first in her Elf form, and then in her hawk form." Thissle smiled knowingly, her hands sliding up her inner thighs and over the moist slit of her smooth bare mound; the mental imagery of the Furling pressed against Shaasta's down-covered undertail, his hard shaft nested deep inside her hot treasure hole, sent an electric tingle through her body, "Mmmm, a double-boinking. So, when Shaasta went to her hawk form, did you take her from behind, or did you have her spread eagle on her back?" Hansen closed his eyes and let his thoughts fill with the sweet memories of that cool but hot afternoon that long month ago, while Karma firmly glided the pelt brush down his thighs; she then padded around behind him to groom the Squirrel's back half. "Oh, I took her from behind, both rounds in fact. For the first boinking, she was all Elf; down on all fours, legs spread, and those irresistible, round, blushing flanks thrust invitingly up." His cock hardened once more, and both Karma and Thissle were quietly squirming as the Squirrel relayed the encounter in fine, graphic detail; a sweet stickiness forming between their legs. "She was like a wild, fire-maned pony in season," Hansen recalled, "and I rode her long and hard, bringing that girl to the summit of the Mink's Mountain twice before I allowed myself to fill her with my passion seed." Thissle was now openly probing herself, three dainty fingers buried deep inside her burning sex, "Ooh!" she moaned, "Shaasta is one lucky Elf. Most other guys would be quite envious of your prowess and endurance, fuzzbutt," she complimented him. "Not many can bring an Elf girl to climax twice before unloading into her." Hansen had to avert his gaze as the insides of his ears heated up. He really did bear an inner modesty that countered his outward brazen tendencies; talk of his sexploits was difficult for him unless receiving heavy encouragement such as that currently coming from the two heavily aroused ladies now interrogating him. "Well I hate sounding like a sailor or some village pretty boy, spinning drunken yarns to compensate for certain shortcomings," he said, "but I have had a number of steamy years with Shaasta to hone my skills and finely attune them specifically to her needs. In fact, if you ask her, she will vouch for me and admit that I had her begging for me to fill her with my seed. She was thrashing about like a wild filly by the time she reached the summit the second time and my hot juices flowed into her like flood waters from a shattered dam." "Oh, I don't doubt a single word," Karma assured him. She gave his furry bottom an understanding squeeze, then went to work on making his tail bushy again. "Shaasta has told us countless tales every time the two of you paid a visit to WraithHold during one of your adventures." "You and Shaasta are hearth legends to the Halflings of Pinevale," Thissle informed him, "Both the lads and lasses there see you two as heroes of sorts." "Yeah, you have quite an impressive crowd of fans," Karma giggled. She finished his tail and brushed smooth the fur on his rump, then her ears dropped back alluringly, her tail twitched, and a suggestive glimmer flashed in her large, liquid eyes, "And two of your biggest fans are right here in this room with you." She teasingly ran a fingertip around the rim of his tight little treasure hole before applying a firm smack to his ass with the paddle side of the brush, signaling that the grooming was complete. Karma padded over to a low bench and lay face down with her legs straddling the seat, ready for the next phase of their preparations for their evening out. Her legs spread, and her soft pillowlike bottom flirted temptingly in the air, Hansen wanted nothing more than to cover her body with his and give the Bunny's tight love channel and even tighter little butthole a much needed boinking. He could have freely taken her right then and there, and Karma would have gladly received him. After all, she was just as much Furling as he, and almost always willing and ready to drop everything at the flick of a tail for a quick fucking. But now was not the time. The three had a busy night ahead of them, he with his Master here at the Hightail, and they with Shaasta at Hot Summer Nights. There would be plenty of time later to slip his cock into these two sweet ladies. Thissle stepped over to a table and picked up a small basin filled with steaming, fragrant, soapy water, and a pair of thick, round shafts made of smoothly polished wood, measuring approximately twelve inches from end to end. Half the length of these were wrapped with a thick sponge. Hansen recognized these wands of course, and could not help but give a naughty smile while patting Karma's upturned bottom. "Ah, a rectal scrub. Planning on a bit of tail diving or other uptail fun tonight?" "That's always a possibility," Thissle said, "But this is mostly because we may be doing lap dances this evening; and well, that is normally where we prefer to receive our tips." The Squirrel dipped the sponge end of one shaft into the water and pressed the tip against the waiting opening between the Bunny's southern cheeks. Hansen was intimately familiar with the procedure, having performed it on Shaasta's butt regularly over the years. Though nowhere near as effective as gehennite, a rectal scrub, if done right, provided a cleansing more than sufficient for a hot evening of uptail play. "Okay now," he said, "On the count of three. Ready?" Karma nodded her head, her tight little hole clenching and relaxing in anticipation. "One, two..." he took a firm grip on the wooden shaft, and in one smooth motion, he impaled the Rabbit up the ass, causing her to give a sharp gasp despite her readiness as the sponge-wrapped rod filled her rear channel. "Three." Hansen pumped the scrubber for several seconds inside Karma's butt, then rotated it left and right non-stop for a full minute, thoroughly swabbing her rectal wall with the hot soapy sponge. He gave it a few more pumps, working it in a little deeper, and with one final twist, pulled it back out, eliciting a sweet sigh from the Rabbit. He set the wet-sponged shaft aside, picked up the second scrubber, and looked over at Thissle. "Thissle, do you need me to give you a scrubbing too?" "No," she replied. Thissle was busy preparing a perfume spritzer bottle, concocting a mix of cool water and a very powerful cinnamon-scented oil, "I only need a deep cleansing after uptail play." "Oh, that's right," Hansen said, "I forgot that even in your Human form, you still retain that Dragon metabolism. I envy you Drakie types sometimes." He turned his attention back to Karma's ass and inserted the second sponge, without wetting it down, deep up inside her. The Bunny was of course thoroughly enjoying this. Her bottom was thrust up high, and a sweet sticky moisture coated her sex, matting down the fur of her mound as the Squirrel expertly worked the shaft in her bowels. Hansen used slow, meticulous strokes, taking his time as the sponge pistoning inside her soaked up the soapy dampness, leaving Karma's rectal wall clean and dry. Between gasps and moans, Karma whimpered for Hansen to finish his story, "Okay, furball, you still haven't told us how you and Shaasta managed to get ambushed." "Right, so anyway," he continued his little epic, "there we were, coupled together out among the coastal pines, Shaasta on her hands and knees, and me draped over her wide ass. Other than our heavy breathing and contented moans as we basked in the warm afterglow of our shared bliss, the only other sounds were the chirping of songbirds and chittering of small forest creatures." He pulled the sponge-wrapped shaft from Karma's depths and slipped two fingers up her butt. "Deciding it was time to continue our trek, as I wanted to cover as much ground as possible while we had plenty of daylight left, I extracted myself from Shaasta and started to gather up our gear. But that Elf brat had other ideas." He swabbed his fingers around Karma's rectal wall, then probed deeper; his thumb and third finger joined the first two and formed a fist inside of her. Her bottom clenched hard around his arm while Hansen pressed onward with his story. "I was about to get dressed, when I heard Shaasta call my name. I turned around, and there she stood atop a large flat boulder, her arms spread and her eyes glowing a soft emerald green. She flashed an alluring smile my way, then a green aura matching her eyes shimmered around her body, and she transformed. When the emerald halo about her faded, Shaasta had fully shifted to her hawk form. Her large wings gracefully spread wide for balance, she perched daintily on that rock. She didn't waste any time. Despite not being able to speak while she was a bird, Shaasta's motions and mannerisms left no doubt in my mind what she wanted." He pulled his fist from the Bunny's butt, slipped his fingers into his mouth, and savored Karma's unique flavor as if sampling a fine wine. "Perfect," was his assessment, "clean enough for the deepest taildive." Karma giggled, then gasped and tensed up when Thissle knelt behind her and probed her tongue deep up her freshly cleaned rear chamber, the copper-haired girl's face buried between the plush hills of the Bunny's bottom to test Hansen's claim. Satisfied with the Squirrel's work, she pulled back, sat down on the bench beside Karma, and gave the Rabbit an approving slap on the rump, "Delicious," she declared, "You should be able to carry a buttload of coin under your tail by the time were are finished for the night, boink bunny." Hansen nodded, "Now, where was I? Oh yes, Shaasta had transformed and was now in her hawk form. Her body language more than made up for her inability to speak. She turned her ass end towards me, and with her wings spread, she leaned forward so that her front half was pressed against her rocky perch and her back half was flirted up in the air before me, tailfeathers fanned out and raised to expose the soft creamy white down of her bird butt with its tight little opening pulsing and flexing, awaiting fulfillment." Karma started to get up, but Thissle stopped her, pushing her back down on the bench, "Not yet, Bunny," she said. She picked up the spritzer bottle she had prepared earlier and attached a long, round applicator tip, with a hole in the end as well as a number of smaller holes along the surface, to the flexible tube sticking out from the top. "We're going to try out this cinnamon scent oil I bought at the apothecary today." She motioned for Hansen to resume the tale while she worked the Rabbit's tail. But the Squirrel was too distracted by what Thissle was doing to Karma to continue just yet. Thissle inserted the applicator up Karma's butt and squeezed the bulb on the spritzer, sending a spray of cinnamon oil and water into the warm depths beneath her tail. Karma gave a soft moan at first, as the solution coated her rectal wall, feeling pleasantly cool but with an underlying tingle that sent shivers through her body. But soon, the coolness gave way to a burning that filled her entire nether passage and turned her pleasured shivers to agonized writhings so intense that Thissle had to hold her down. She gave the Rabbit a second dose of the fiery potion, then pulled the tube from her butt and continued to hold her until the burn faded to a mildly stinging warmth. Thissle gently stroked Karma's rump, silently comforting her and inviting Hansen to taste again the Rabbit's tail. He knelt behind her as Thissle had done and pressed his muzzle between her cheeks. The strong aroma of cinnamon mingled with Karma's own natural scent filled the Squirrel's nose and renewed his arousal. His tongue entered the hot opening of the Bunny's ass and lapped at the spicy oil coating her inner flesh. "All I can say is amazing!" he declared, as he looked back up at Thissle and licked his chops, "her taste was exquisite before you spritzed her. But now, her flavor is pure ambrosia. I bet Master would be quite pleased if you cinnamoned my butt." "I know he will be quite pleased, fuzzbutt," Thissle replied, as she removed the used applicator from the spritzer and replaced it with a fresh one. She handed the perfume bottle to Hansen, helped Karma to her feet, and took her place on the bench; face down, perky breasts pressed against the wooden seat, feet on the floor, and ass in the air. "Cinnamon is one of his favorite flavors. But before you get it, you have to finish the story of how you and Shaasta got caught with your armor down." Hansen buried his muzzle in Thissle's bottom and moistened her butthole with his tongue. Her natural scent was like the sweetness that permeates the air right before an electrical storm. He inserted the tube up her butt and gave the spritzer's bulb two squeezes, spraying the stinging cinnamon mist into Thissle's back passage just as she had done to Karma earlier. Unlike the Furling Rabbit, however; Thissle's moans and squirmings were of pure pleasure from beginning to end. The Squirrel set the bottle aside, sampled a taste of Thissle's ass, then finally resumed his tale of tail. "So there was Shaasta, looking every bit as hot in her bird form as she does in her Elven form, her beautiful feathered ass presented invitingly for stuffing. I knelt behind her and slipped my tongue into her hot, pulsing opening to get her properly slicked up, taking care to probe both the lower and upper channels; I knew from extensive previous experience that both were going to be unfathomably tight rides." "That really got her squirming, and even moreso when I primed her by planting a good dozen open-handed swats under her tailfeathers. By the time my paw struck her down-covered ass that twelfth time, that feathered honey was more than ready, chirping and squawking frantically for me to take her." "You know," Karma advised him, "you really should keep a journal of your adventures. The way you tell them, you could easily make a fortune with your tales." Thissle sat up, the cinnamon perfume now properly absorbed into the inner flesh of her nether chamber. She agreed with Karma, "She's right, y'know. In fact, not only could you be a best seller for your hot steamy epics, you could also do well writing text books and educational quarterlies for the Mink's Elite. That's something to think about, at least." Hansen smiled and blushed at the suggestions, "I may do just that one of these days. But anyway, as I was saying, after I warmed her feathered butt with a spanking, Shaasta was primed and ready for stuffing. Not wanting to keep my squirming lovebird waiting any longer, I gently draped my body over hers, wrapped my arms around her, and pulled her close to me." He paused briefly and closed his eyes, nearly coming to an orgasm as he let his mind recall every last vivid detail of that moment in time. "I first slid my cock down her lower passage, her avian sex, and rode her for at least a full fifteen minutes. And I must say, as an Elf, Shaasta is one of the sweetest pleasures imaginable, and Master is indeed most fortunate to have her as his pet. But Shaasta the Elf pales in comparison to Shaasta the hawk." He reached down between his legs and gave his hard, pulsing shaft a firm squeeze. "That girl has tremendous talent that puts the Order of the Mink's lads and lasses to shame. Her nesting chamber is incredible, so wonderfully hot and such a tight fit, I actually had to fight hard to keep from planting my seed in her the instant her treasure hole closed around my cock and I plumbed her ornithian depths. Over that quarter hour, we glided to the summit of the Mink's Mountain together three times. In fact, we not only went to the summit, we soared high above the peak each time; by the time we landed, her love chamber was full of Furling passion juices." Thissle smiled and was blushing at the graphic details Hansen was providing of his avian sexcapade with Shaasta, "Yeah, I've heard bird boinking is an experience like no other. We've had Cloud Rangers from Aquillia visit Pinevale, and their tales of how they have to frequently service their mounts matches your experiences with Shaasta. And a few of them have told me that in my small Dragon form, I am a match for their feathered lovers." "I will have to test that claim soon, you know," Hansen warned her, then went back to his story, "Still fired up, Shaasta was writhing and squawking under me, wanting more. So I extracted my shaft from under her tailfeathers for a brief moment, then slipped it back into her treasure hole, thrusting it up her upper passage to fuck her ass chamber. And let me tell you, with birds, it doesn't matter which path you take. Either the high road or the low road will give you a boinking to remember for years to come." "Another half hour and another five trips above the summit, and we were both spent at last. I pulled out of her, sat down on the rock, and cuddled her on my lap for a few minutes. She was cooing like a dove and nuzzling her beak over my face and neck, gently preening me while I stroked my fingers through her feathers; down her breast and thighs, and her soft undertail." "After we recovered, she leaped to the ground and became an Elf again. Still reeling a little from the after effects of our passion high, we were taking our time getting dressed. That was when I heard Shaasta shout out a pained cry. I quickly turned around to see what the problem was just in time to watch her crumple to the ground with a dart pierced deep in her rump. I rushed over to her, crying her name. But before I could reach her, I felt a sharp pain in my bottom, like the sting of a Sprite Dragon, then felt a deep, numbing heat spread out through my body from where the dart had struck me. The world swirled around me, and all went dark." "Ooh," Karma said, "tranq dart in the ass, that's the most effective way to take down an otherwise elusive prey like you and Shaasta." She patted him reassuringly on the shoulder, "So don't feel too bad about it. Even if you had been fully alert, it would still have been difficult to avoid being taken down like that." Hansen shook his head and sighed, "We could have easily avoided it," he argued, "All we had to do was take Frelic's advice he gave us before we set out to heart, and avoided traveling along the Northwest Coast." Thissle gave him a comforting hug, "Don't punish yourself over your decisions, fuzzbutt," she popped him on the ass with one hand, "Leave that to us. And look on the bright side. Had you not been taken by slavers, you would not have become Frelic's pet. And from the way you have been behaving since Master brought you back from the Southern Rose, it looks to me as if you really do like this new life you have entered into." He smiled as Thissle guided him down onto the bench, and positioned him with his bottom thrust up, ready to receive the cinnamon oil, "Yes, I suppose you are right," he agreed. "I'm always right," Thissle reminded him. She replaced the applicator on the spritzer bottle and knelt behind him while Karma held his tail up out of the way so she could slip her tongue into his southern star. "And I will admit," he continued, "watching Master play with and discipline Delilah, and hearing the heated tales of when he served as Mistress Triniti's pet and lab assistant aboard the Bloodlust, and Shaasta's own stories of her years serving Triniti, made me fantasize about serving a stern but loving mistress myself. I always figured when the time came, I would offer myself to Shaasta. I never thought I would serve a master though. But when Frelic was probing and prodding us there at the shop, I realized that it didn't matter who was on the giving end of the paddle. I could serve as a pleasure girl to either a master or a mistress." "And Frelic will thoroughly enjoy using your cute little bottom too, furball," Karma replied, "Also, you may not be aware that in addition to his full Elf, full panther, and Furling Panther forms, during his service as cabin boy to Captain Sasslyn and lab assistant to Master Kairo on the Svelte Lady after his rescue from the Bloodlust, Frelic managed to perfect his shapeshifting ability to where he could also transform into a female Furling Panther as well." "So if you please him well enough," Thissle cut in, finishing the thought for Karma, "you may yet get a chance to serve a mistress occasionally after all." With that, she inserted the tube up his butt and squeezed the bulb three times, thoroughly coating his rectal wall with the cinnamon spray. "Oh!" he gasped, as the spicy mist burned inside him, "that feels absolutely wonderful, even sweeter than the ginger roots Corporal Wheaton would stuff up our butts in his attempts to discipline us before he sold us to Master Varo." Thissle laughed and gave Hansen's bottom another slap, "You really are an incurable pain slut," she removed the tube from his butt and replaced it with his rose from the pet shop. "You and Delilah are really going to have fun playing together at WraithHold. Now, let's go present you to Master." Karma helped Hansen to his feet, clasped his collar around his neck, and planted an affectionate kiss on his muzzle. She then attached his leash to the collar and taking a firm hold on the other end, she followed Thissle back to the suite's outer lounge with the Furling Squirrel submissively in tow. Chapter V : Safety Briefing Frelic disengaged himself from his sister, planted a tender kiss on her sweet bottom, sat up on the bed, removed the rose in his hair and put it back in its rightful place up her butt, "Come my little tender hawk. Thissle and Karma are probably just about ready for your night out." He pulled her to her feet and led her over to the table, where he brushed the tangles from her fiery hair, clasped the leash to her collar, and led his pet sister back out to the lounge. The outer room was empty. Giggles and occasional laughter could be heard from behind the closed door leading to the bathing chamber. Frelic put his tunic on then led Shaasta over to the hearth, where he removed her leash, sat down on the couch and pulled her onto his lap so they could cuddle some more. Frelic could not get enough of his sister's plush bottom; his hand glided over the smooth, warm flesh, tenderly petting and kneading it. "Shaasta," he said, "one thing puzzles me." "What's that Master?" she gazed into his questioning eyes and ran her fingers through his silky, mithril hair. "With your innate ability common to us Moors Elves, why did you not simply turn into a hawk and fly free from the Southern Rose?" "That would have been impossible for two reasons," she replied, "First, the entire shop, including the training grounds out back, is protected by a magick dampening field, much like the enchantment on those collars Mistress Triniti placed around our necks when we were taken aboard the Bloodlust. So, I was stuck in my true form." "Ah, I suspected that might have been the case. When I entered the shop, I thought I felt a weakening of my powers and a loss of contact with the Beastlands. I thought it might just be weariness from last night's lessons I guided Thissle in." "Nope, it wasn't you, Master," Shaasta confirmed, "it was the shop." "And what was the second reason?" "Even had I been able to transform and fly away," she said, "I would not have done so; that would have meant leaving Hansen behind, and there is no way I would ever abandon him." Frelic held his sister close to him, greatly touched by her loyalty and devotion, "My sweet sister," he whispered in her ear as she lay her head on his shoulder, "that silly little Squirrel is lucky to have you for a friend and lover. And now you have each other for life, and I have both of you." Their soft lips met in another hot, tender kiss; her hands glided over his shoulders and back, and his caressed and fondled her thighs and bottom some more. "Master?" she said, once they finally came up for air. "Yes, my pet?" "Even though you own us both, would you permit us to marry eventually?" she asked. Frelic smacked her on the ass and laughed, "Of course, dear sister. You and Hansen have such a deep bond, there is no reason why you two couldn't become lifemates. You make a cute couple together anyway." "Thank-you so much, Master," she said, giving a heart melting smile and kissing him again, "We're not ready yet to fully seal the bond, but one of these days..." They were interrupted by the opening of the bathing chamber's door. Thissle and Karma entered the lounge, with Hansen in tow. Frelic couldn't help but smile. Hansen looked so cute and submissive as the Rabbit led him on the leash over to the hearth. She presented the Squirrel to Frelic, handing the lead over to the wizard. "Here he is, Boss," she announced, "Your pet is fresh and clean as a Dragon's butt." Hansen couldn't help but blush at the analogy, and neither could Thissle. Frelic pulled the Squirrel onto his lap with Shaasta, unclasped his leash, and looked him over, while Thissle and Karma burrowed into their shopping packs and pulled out matching buckskin, sleeveless, micro-mini dresses. They held them up against their frontsides to show them off. Frelic and Hansen both nodded their approval. "You girls will turn a lot of heads in those," Frelic said. "They will turn a lot of tricks too for that matter," Hansen added. The girls laughed and put the dresses on, "Yes, most likely on both accounts," Thissle agreed, as they cinched the buckskin minis around the waist with the darker suede belts attached to them. They slowly turned around, modeling their evening wear for Frelic, Hansen, and Shaasta. The dresses were quite form fitting on them, fully accentuating their ample feminine curves, lace-up low cut necklines to show off plenty of cleavage, and just barely long enough to provide modesty in front and back, but also providing a teasing glimpse of the lowermost curves of their naked bottoms when they bent forward. "You girls look fantastic in those," Frelic complimented them, "It really should be a hot night at Hot Summer Nights tonight with you two prowling about the club, as well as Shaasta in her collar, boots, and tail belt." Frelic sniffed at the air, as a pleasing, familiar scent filled his nose, "Is that cinnamon that I smell?" he asked. Hansen nodded his head several times, "It sure is, Master," he confirmed, "Me, Karma, and Thissle, all had cinnamon oil sprayed up our butts after our bath. Care to check it out?" He stood up on the couch and bent over, presenting his bottom for Frelic. The wizard removed the rose again from the Squirrel's ass and buried his face between the furry cheeks before him. He inhaled the strong scent of cinnamon coming from under his pet's tail, then slipped his tongue into the tight treasure hole and took a deep taste of the Squirrel's hot and spicy flavor. "Oh, that's good," Frelic said, as he extracted his face from the Furling's butt and gave him a loving pat on the rear before reinserting the rose. "I want you and Shaasta to have your asses sprayed inside with cinnamon on a regular basis." "A pleasure indeed, Master," Hansen chittered as he resumed his place on Frelic's lap, "It feels great, even better than ginger root." "Better than ginger root?" Shaasta repeated, a worried look in her eyes, "You mean it burns?" "Of course it burns, silly bird. It wouldn't be any fun if it didn't." He gave Shaasta his most innocent smile while Karma padded back to the bathing chamber. She returned a few seconds later with the spritzer bottle in hand, a fresh applicator attached to its long, flexible tube. Frelic took the bottle, "Stand up, spread your legs, and grab your ankles, Shaasta," he ordered. She obediently complied, presenting her ass to her brother. Frelic moistened her butthole with his tongue, slid the thick tube up inside her, and gave the spritzer's bulb four firm squeezes. Shaasta gave a quiet moan as the initially cool mist coated the inner flesh of her rear. By the time Frelic removed the tube from her ass, the cool moistness suddenly became an intense burn. Though nowhere near as painful as gehennite, the liquid fire burning in her bowels was enough to drop her down on all fours, writhing and whimpering loudly. Frelic knelt behind his sister and lovingly massaged her bottom with both hands as the cinnamon oil was absorbed into her rectal wall. Finally, after a couple minutes, the burn faded to a gentle warmth, and she slumped down, chest pressed against the floor and ass in the air. He took a two-handed grip on Shaasta's butt, spread her cheeks, and slipped his tongue a second time up inside her rear passage. "See, lovebird?" Hansen said. He knelt in front of the girl, put a paw under her chin, and lifted her head to meet his gaze, "that wasn't so bad now, was it?" Blushing, as her brother probed her ass with his tongue, Shaasta rocked forward and pressed her lips against the Squirrel's muzzle, "Yes, it was, actually," she disagreed with him, "But, I'm sure I can eventually get comfortable with it, like I did with the ginger root." Frelic finished sampling Shaasta's aft channel; he put the rose back in her and gave her the customary pony slap on the butt. "Perfect," he declared, "Now for two final matters before I dismiss you to join Thissle and Karma for the evening." He once again helped her to her feet, sat back down on the couch, and pulled her across his lap. "Thissle," he said, "bring me my outer belt." The copper-haired girl padded over to the table in the middle of the room and fetched the leather traveler's belt for Frelic. He opened one of the larger pouches and withdrew a syringe tipped with a long mithril needle, and a small vial containing a translucent green liquid. The stopper was removed, the needle was inserted, and the plunger was pulled back, slowly drawing the entire contents of the vial into the syringe. "What is it?" Thissle asked. Frelic held it up and pushed the plunger; a thin stream of green squirted from the needle's tip as he made sure no air bubbles were in the mix, "This is just a little something to ensure Shaasta will be able to sleep tonight," he explained. "Right before she and Hansen were branded today, they both took a potion of Dragon Metabolism up their butts to supplement their gehennite cleansings." He pushed the long, thick needle deep into the right cheek of Shaasta's bottom, emptied the emerald serum into her, and lovingly kneaded the soft flesh where she had been pierced. "Without it," Shaasta said, "we would be up and flying for days." "And then we would crash hard and sleep for days more," Hansen added. "And Master?" Shaasta asked, "what was the other matter you mentioned?" "While you are out carousing and dancing the night away," Frelic informed her, "I want everyone who views your pride to see my pride." Before Shaasta could question her Master further, the outer lounge echoed with the loud smacks of one-handed applause as Frelic's hand warmed and reddened her bottom again, refreshing the shimmering glow of the pawprint and willow tree brand. He helped her to her feet, gave her a tender embrace and pressed his lips against hers, "Go ahead and finish getting ready now, love," he said, giving her sore rear a gentle pat as she padded over to the table. While she donned her tail belt and buckskin thigh boots, Frelic took Thissle's apprentice's paddle from the mantle and tossed it to his student. "Whenever the glow fades tonight," he instructed her, "reheat my sister's butt." "That should earn her a few extra silvers," Karma said, giggling and giving Shaasta a smartass smirk. Shaasta stuck her tongue out at the Rabbit, "So my assets will appreciate in value as the night presses on," she countered. She shook her ass, causing the black tail hanging from the back of her belt to swish back and forth seductively behind her, "That's nothing to be ashamed of." "Alright, girls," Frelic cut in, motioning the four over, "It's time for a little briefing before I release you for the night." They gathered around the hearth. He sat back down on the couch; Hansen nestled his furry behind on his Master's lap, and the girls stood before them, awaiting Frelic's wisdom. "Now, I know you girls are quite capable of looking out for each other and yourselves," he began, "I want you to bear in mind that this is a maritime town, and there are several large ships in port tonight from all over Niath. This means that there will be hundreds of sailors of many races and species roaming the streets, pubs, and inns; all of them will be on the hunt for a good time." "So if we play their hands and other parts right," Thissle concluded, "this could conceivably be a profitable night for us." Frelic laughed and petted Hansen's bottom, "Yes, I do not doubt for a second that you will all come back with a buttload of coin. However, I expect you girls to exercise common sense," he continued, "Do not forget that you are members of the House of Willowpaw, and I expect you to conduct yourselves accordingly. If things look like they may get out of hand, if trouble starts to brew, get yourselves safely out of there." "You don't mind us working the floor?" Karma asked. "Not at all, bunny. You ladies are blessed with the grace, beauty, and charm to provide the services these hungry folk need and crave after weeks and months at sea. There is no reason for you to not use your tails for their benefit and your enrichment." "So which one of you will come back tonight with the most valuable ass?" Hansen asked. All three girls standing before him and Frelic raised a hand. Frelic exchanged a look with the Squirrel on his lap, then leaned down so that his pet could whisper something to him. The girls looked nervously at each other while the two held an impromptu, hushed, secret conference. A minute later, the Elf laughed softly and held the Furling close to him, lips pressing against muzzle. "Hansen, you are one devious little imp," he declared, "Go ahead and share your fun little idea." "By your leave, Master," the Furling beamed as he turned his gaze on Shaasta, Karma, and Thissle. "Since you girls seem to be in a bit of a competitive mood, I'm proposing a little game to spice up your night out." The gleam in the Squirrel's eyes piqued Karma and Thissle's interest and caused a sense of foreboding to sweep over Shaasta, as she knew what mischief her lover was capable of. They all listened intently as he put forth his idea. "All three of you think that your bottoms will hold the most money by the time you return from Hot Summer Nights. Well, Master and myself want to give you all some motivation. If you agree to a little contest, we have a little prize for whoever can earn the most coin tonight. Master?" He looked up at Frelic. "To liven up your evening, whoever brings back the most will win me and Hansen. We will be your pets for a full day," Frelic announced. There was a stunned silence for several seconds as the girls pondered the offer, then Karma asked, "Is this for real, boss? You are really offering yourself for a day?" "Absolutely, bunny," Frelic confirmed, "We will be the winner's pets for one day, fully at her command, willing to serve faithfully for whatever she wishes to use us for." "I'm in," Shaasta said. "Me too," Thissle replied. "Can't pass up an offer like this," Karma decided. "Well, before you commit to this," Hansen warned them, "you need to be aware of one other condition. The lowest earner gets to spend a day with a sore bottom." "How sore?" Thissle asked. "Myself, Master, and the other two will apply various intense punishments throughout the day on the lucky girl's rear, both on the surface and inside. These sessions can be carried out any time during the day and anywhere." "It's a good motivation to not be the lowest earner," Frelic said. "And what about the runner up?" Shaasta replied. Frelic thought for a moment, "Hmmm... Well, let's keep with the bottom theme. How about this? The second highest earner gets both a reward and a punishment. The reward is a nice bottom massage, hot waxing, taildiving, and fucking from both me and Hansen." "And the punishment?" "That would be a spanking, of course," Frelic declared, "sixty swats from both of us, twenty with the paddle, twenty with a leather strap, and twenty with a riding crop." "So," Hansen pressed them, "Do we have a competition on our paws, ladies?" The girls thought for a moment, then they all gave a firm nod and said, "May the best tail win." "Good," Frelic replied, "Now finally..." He was interrupted by a knock on the door, "Come in!" he yelled, figuring it was either Ashton or Makae come to check on them. The door opened, and a figure a little shorter than Frelic and Shaasta, and clad in nothing but dark gray fur entered the room. Definitely feminine, with canine features, digitigrade legs, and a mop of long auburn hair that flowed down her back to the base of her tail; she gazed at the group through large, glowing, yellow eyes. "Kobold," Frelic said, as the intruder took a step in their direction. With lightning fast reflexes honed by several years of experience exploring the wilds, the seasoned adventurers pulled their weapons from the rack and assumed fighting positions. Chapter VI : Stand Off and Stand Down Frelic, with his cypress wizard's staff glowing an eerie blue-white held before him, took point. Karma, short cutlass firmly held in one paw, stood to his right, and Thissle was poised for battle at her Master's left side, her longsword pointed at the Kobold in an overhead en garde position. Shaasta and Hansen knelt at either end of the couch, Elf on the left with her crossbow cocked and loaded, and Squirrel on the right, short bow drawn, with an arrow ready to fly. An intense silence permeated the air as the House of Willowpaw and the Goblin dog stared each other down for several interminable seconds. With a frightened whimper, the Kobold slowly backpedaled towards the open door, keeping her eyes on the wizard and his crew. Frelic suspected that there were more Kobolds or worse waiting out in the hall, and this one was most likely retreating to report her findings now that she knew what they faced. Frelic's heart almost stopped when the diminutive monster's retreat was unexpectedly blocked. A black-furred paw gently gripped the Kobold's shoulder. The monster turned around and looked up to meet the liquid-emerald gaze of Makae. "Are you okay?" the Mephit girl asked. She then turned her gaze to the quintet poised near the hearth, with their weapons drawn. Makae put her paw to her mouth and gave a soft, startled gasp, "Oh my! Master Willowpaw, why do you and your party stand so, as if you have just encountered a monster?" Frelic quietly gestured towards the Kobold the Skunkette maid was standing behind. Makae followed the Elf's gaze and cocked her head cutely to one side. After another long moment of intense silence, the golden-eyed creature broke out in a fit of loud, barking laughter. Frelic scowled, trying to guess at what this Kobold was scheming. Hansen drew the string of his bow back tighter and craned his neck, trying to peer behind Makae, looking for the other Kobolds, Goblins, or Trolls that surely must be lurking out in the hallway. Thissle, keeping her eyes focused on the laughing intruder, whispered to Frelic, "By Paramour's fangs," she swore, "the Goblin dog has lost her mind." "She's probably signaling to her comrades for an assault. Keep alert," he warned. "Makae! Get your lovely ass away from here! Do you not know danger when you see it, girl?" Makae looked up and down the empty corridor, then back to the wizard, whose staff glowed brighter. She shrugged her dainty shoulders, "I see no danger, unless there is some unseen evil lurking out here that only adventurers can see." The Kobold stopped laughing and an impish smile crossed her muzzle, "The only dangerous monsters here," she growled, her voice soft, low, and bearing a thick accent, is you five louts. Now put those toys away before I take you over my knee one at a time and paddle your asses until they catch fire!" Now it was Makae's turn to laugh, while Frelic, Thissle, Karma, Hansen, and Shaasta exchanged puzzled looks, "You better do as she says," she advised them, "When Ms. Kez threatens a spanking, you better believe her bite is much worse than her bark." She rubbed her own licorice and whipped cream-furred bottom and gave Frelic an earnest and pleading look that told him the young maid was speaking from considerable personal experience. The blue-white aura around Frelic's cypress staff vanished, and he gave first, the Furling Skunkette and then, the smirking lady Kobold a quizzical gaze. "Ms. Kez?" he repeated, "So you are Sharani Kez, Ashton's mate?" "In the fur," she replied, performing a graceful curtsy, "and at your service, Master Willowpaw." Frelic relaxed, looking quite embarrassed over the potentially deadly misunderstanding. He turned to his companions and ordered them to stand down. Weapons were secured once more in the rack beside the fireplace. The wizard stepped forward and ushered the ladies inside. They accompanied him over to the couch, sitting primly on either side of him. "Ms. Kez, I am truly mortified by our rash behavior," he apologized, placing a hand on the Kobold's paw. "Oh please, honey," she said, laughing softly and patting the Elf's bare thigh, "call me Sharani. And I must admit, you did give me quite a startle. I take it Ashie neglected to tell you about me?" "Well, Ashton did say that his mate was one of a kind," Frelic replied, "but talk about the understatement of the ages; I most certainly did not expect you to be a Kobold, Sharani." Sharani laughed again, "Travelers do tend to do double and triple takes when they see me for the first time downstairs. But you and your friends are the only guests the Hightail has had who have ever greeted me with blades and bows. I haven't had a reception like that since I was a member of War Wizard Yanrik's horde." "Well, I still feel bad about..." "Don't," she cut him off, "I'm the one to take the blame. I should have properly announced myself before entering." "Or even better," Makae suggested, "I should have come in first to introduce Ms. Kez to you." "Well, no matter now," Sharani continued, "Nobody got hurt, and we all had a bit of amusement. Now why don't you introduce me to your charming little entourage, Mister Willowpaw?" "You can call me Frelic," he said, then began the introductions. "First, this long-eared lady is Karma," he gestured to the Furling Rabbit. Sharani looked her over and gave her a welcoming hug. Karma was rather surprised at how strong the lady's grip was, "My, such a lovely example of Furling beauty," she complimented her, then motioned for her to bend down so she could plant a kiss on her cheek. "Thank-you, Ms. Kez," Karma replied, returning the peck on the cheek, "I'm Frelic's personal aide. The Kobold gave a friendly smile and nodded, then stepped over to Thissle, "And this striking beauty?" "Thissle, I'm one of Master Frelic's apprentices." Sharani repeated her welcoming embrace and kiss, "Oh, such lovely eyes, dear, they sparkle with magick. You are really a Dragon, shapeshifted into a Human form, I presume, a Copper Dragon to be precise?" "Why yes, I am," Thissle replied, impressed at their hostess' perceptiveness, "Was it the eyes that were the giveaway?" "That and your hair, as well as that sweet lightning storm scent," Sharani sniffed at the air, "But that strong hint of cinnamon mixed in, I noticed that Karma also smells of cinnamon. Are you by chance a mixed breed, perhaps the Furling's half sister?" Thissle laughed and put an arm around Karma, "As wonderful a thought that is, Ms. Kez, I really am a full-blooded Dragon. The cinnamon is naught more than an uptail perfume we purchased today." Frelic reached down and picked up the bottle of spice oil, its phallic applicator still attached to the rectal insertion tube. He almost managed to suppress an amused grin; he noticed a hint of delicious muskiness in the air as Makae quietly squirmed next to him, "All of them have taken a dose of this up their butts as part of their preparations for their night out." "Oh, expecting some deep south activity tonight?" Sharani asked. She gave Karma and Thissle a sly wink, slipped her paws under their ultra-short buckskin minidresses, and stole a playful pat and squeeze on their bare bottoms. Leaving the Rabbit and Dragon girls blushing at her brashness, she turned her attention to Hansen. "Now, what of this sexy little bushytailed lad?" The Squirrel, beating his Master to the punch, lifted the Kobold's paw to his muzzle, kissed it, and introduced himself, "Hansen at your service, m'lady; ranger, adventurer, and beloved pet to Master Frelic." "Beloved pet?" she reached around and fingered the rose blossom nestled against his soft bottom, then padded around behind him and took a peek under his bushy tail. "As I thought," she declared, giving the Squirrel a playful swat on his ass, "the hallmark of ol Varo." "Purchased from the Southern Rose just a few hours ago," Frelic replied. "Well you couldn't have done any better," she complimented the Elf, "Varo and Lilieblume sell only the best of the best, top of the line and cream of the crop, you know." "And finally," Frelic said, putting his arm around Shaasta with his hand resting on her rump, "this delightful, fiery little vixen is my dear twin sister, Shaasta." Sharani gave the naked Elven girl a thoughtful lookover from head to toe, "Shaasta, a lovely name for such a lovely lass." A hug and a kiss on the cheek, then the Kobold gently ran her paws down the girl's shoulders, sides, and hips, "And good taste there on your choice of fashion for the night. Snow Elf never goes out of style." She stepped back and gave Shaasta a sly smile and a wink, posing with a paw resting on fur-clad canted hip. "Thank-you, m'lady," Shaasta replied, blushing at the compliments over her nakedness, "I am still working at getting used to being skyclad in public. It is not easy to adjust one's thinking to develop the confidence, but I am enjoying the challenge." "Master neglected to mention," Hansen chimed in, "Shaasta is also an adventurer, highly skilled ranger, my lover, and another of his pets." "Oh!" the Kobold exclaimed, giving Frelic a naughty teasing smile, wink, and nudge, "she's your pet sister? You Willowpaws grow more interesting and exciting by the minute." Shaasta was blushing tremendously at Hansen's revelation of her status to Sharani, while her Master turned her around to present her ass to the innkeeper's mate. "Yes, m'lady," he admitted, "I do indeed own my sister. I purchased her at the same time I purchased Hansen." Sharani fingered the petals of the rose planted up the pet Elf's butt then traced the glowing, slightly raised, silver pawprint and willow tree brand shimmering against the crimson background of her paddled bottom. "Beautiful," was her verdict, "absolutely beautiful." Shaasta humbly bowed her head, "Thank-you, m'lady," she said, thrusting her rump out as the Kobold examined her assets, "I do try my best to keep it in top shape." The Kobold gave Shaasta's perfect Elven bottom a firm squeeze and a hard smack and laughed, "Yes, Elf pet, you do have one of the loveliest asses I have ever seen. However, I was referring to your brother's mark. Did you design it yourself?" Frelic nodded, "Yes, that is my own original creation. However, Lilieblume gets the credit for properly inking it onto her bottom. All I did was trace the lines with the Wand of the Masters." He turned his sister back around and again placed his arm around her, idly kneading her branded aft flesh with his hand. "Well, you know, Frelic," Sharani said, "you must tell me sometime how you came to own these two sexy beasts. I'm sure it is a most exciting and titillating tale, considering they came from Varo's shop." Frelic laughed and smiled, holding his sister close to him, her head resting on his shoulder, "Oh, it is indeed a hot little tale. And while we are at it, I am curious to hear your story. How did Ashton manage to score himself such a lovely little monster...I mean, a fine little lady Kobold for a mate?" Sharani giggled and patted his thigh, "That too is a long story," she replied, "Sadly, I don't have the time right now, as I need to check on the cubs and help Makae here get ready for her date with you tonight. But I'll tell you what. How about tomorrow morning we exchange tales?" "That sounds fine," Frelic agreed, "over breakfast then, before I go back to the Southern Rose to wrap up some unfinished business?" "Business business or pleasure business?" "A little of both," he admitted, "I need to be there to oversee the final preparations for another pet that I will be bringing home, and then I will also be taking Lilieblume up on an offer she made earlier that I have been mulling over." "Well, sounds like you are going to have a busy day then, if that Halfling temptress has charmed the pants off of you." "Master isn't wearing pants, m'lady," Hansen corrected her. "Yes, I know that, silly," she replied. She brazenly lifted the back of Frelic's tunic and checked out his bare bottom, kneading and patting the soft Elven flesh." Frelic looked rather startled and felt his face heat up, "Ms. Kez!" he exclaimed. She slapped his plush, jiggly rump and gave him a playful scolding, "Oh, don't be such a prude, Elf. You definitely have no cause for shame back there, and should be quite proud of your assets." She released the hem of his skirted tunic, "I fully understand why Lilieblume wants to play with you. And if you have no objections, I will gladly come up here before breakfast and assist you in getting ready for your morning date." "No objections, m'lady." "Ms. Kez?" Shaasta interrupted, "Ashton mentioned that you and him have young ones." "We do indeed, two lovely little cubs, Alfred and Delaney," she replied, "They are the sweetest little critters you can ever meet. They are having a bath right now before their nap. We had a long trip, and the cubs are exhausted. You will meet them soon enough. Now, I really must get a move-on. I have a lot to do myself, y'know." She motioned for Frelic to bend down. He did, and she wrapped her arms around his neck; his arms gripped her lower back and muscular rump, and the Kobold planted her hot muzzle on his lips. "It was a pleasure meeting you all," she said after she and the Elf disengaged. "We will talk some more later. Now, come along, Makae." Mimicking the Kobold's protocols, the Mephit girl also gave Frelic a deep muzzle to mouth kiss. She raised her thick, bushy tail so that the Elf could properly grope her pillow-soft bottom, then followed Sharani out the door and down the hall. Chapter VII : Final Instructions After the Kobold lady and Skunk girl were gone and out of earshot, Hansen gave a low whistle and touched a paw to his chest, "Wow! By the Mink's bottom," he swore, "who could have thought a Kobold could be so affectionate, and so sensual?" "Ashton apparently did," Frelic replied. He adjusted his tunic, which once again barely concealed the arousal stiffening between his legs, "He certainly struck it rich with Sharani," and after a brief pause, "with Makae as well. They are both real sweethearts. And I'm looking forward to hearing Ms. Kez's story tomorrow morning." "She is quite a charming lady," Karma said, "I guess it just goes to show us that just like other folk, we can't paint all Goblinkind with the same broad brush." "So true, Karma," Frelic agreed. He sat back down on the couch, crossing one leg over the other, "As both Mistress Triniti and Mistress Aeraal said on several occasions, one person's monster is could very well be another's lover." "As you yourself had the privilege of learning first hand a few years back, Master," Thissle reminded him. She sat down close to him, placed her hands on his shoulders, and guided her teacher down onto his back. Straddling the Elf, the Dragon girl put her face close to his, gave a playful Dragonish 'Rhawrr', and pressed her lips against his. Reflexively, Frelic took a firm grip with both hands on his apprentice's soft but muscular bottom while she squirmed naughtily on top of him. Frelic gave a surprised gasp and moan when Thissle expertly managed to work her Master's hardened cock deep into her hot, wet, feminine sex. Frelic let his apprentice ride him for half a minute; she felt so warm and soft draped over him, and her love passage was so wonderfully tight around his shaft. This girl had the most voracious appetite for fucking, stronger than any other he had ever known. However, now was not the time. Before he could unload his seed into her, he gave Thissle a hard two-handed slap on her delicious jiggly bottom, "Not now, my little Nymph," he said, "Save it for your clients tonight. We don't want you spent before first lap dance." Thissle pouted, "Aw, Master. You know that it takes like forever for my kind to tire out." She gave him another kiss and ground her hips against his groin, almost causing the Elf to orgasm. He landed another smack, a little harder against her rump and gave her a look that was both apologetic and stern. Hansen came to his Master's defense, "It's not you that we are worried over, Thissle," he said, "It's Master. If you use him up now, how can he function tonight, especially late tonight when it is just me and him?" Still pouting, she pushed herself off of Frelic, freeing his erect rod from her depths. She licked her own juices off his cock, then helped him sit up. "Okay, fuzzbutt, I'll go ahead and save some for your sweet little boy hole. At least I got Master properly primed and ready for you." "As did I," Shaasta added, "while you three were playing in the bath." "Way to go, Master!" Hansen congratulated Frelic, giving him a high five and perching himself on his Master's lap so that the Elf's hard shaft was nested along the length of the hot crevasse of his furry bottom, with the tip pressing into the fragrant petals of the rose planted up the Squirrel's butt. Frelic smiled at his ever-ready pet and idly stroked his fingers along the length of the lad's shaft, which was just as stiff as his own. The Elf was truly surprised at the feelings this feisty little Furling ranger had brought forth in him ever since he saw him trussed up, legs spread and ass and tail raised on high there in the show room of the Southern Rose, feelings he had not known existed anymore since his time as ship's pet on the Bloodlust and the Svelte Lady back when he was still a tender tail, as well as during his apprenticeship, when Mistress Aeraal would occasionally loan him out to other wizards and he would play the girl during boink magick rituals and spells. But even then, he had always been on the receiving end, and himself had never felt the warmth of another boy's ass around his cock. His pet Squirrel had successfully managed to broaden his horizons, so to speak, with his earnest eagerness to be taken like a girl, and Frelic found himself looking fondly forward to holding the lad in his arms, taking him to the bedroom, and filling his tight rear passage with his maleness and his seed, as he had done countless times with the other ladies of the Willowpaw household over the years; Honeyrose, Thissle, Delilah, Fillie, and Nyssa. "Patience, my little boink bunny," he said, as his fingers teased the Furling's pulsing shaft and sensitive tip, eliciting a soft whimper from him. "I don't want you spent before the evening is through either." Hansen nodded, and wrapped his arms around his Master, again pressing his muzzle against the Elf's lips in a tender, loving kiss. "We better get moving, before Hot Summer Nights gets too crowded," Karma said, "Don't want to get overloaded too fast, you know." The girls finished getting ready while Frelic and Hansen cuddled tenderly on the couch. Shaasta quietly waited while Thissle and Karma disappeared briefly into the bed chamber, where they fetched a handful of copper and silver pieces from their personal little lock boxes and refilled their money pouches which hung from their belts. They returned to the outer lounge, and with deliberate seductive moves and mannerisms, they bent over to pull on and lace up their buckskin, thigh-length boots. Frelic and Hansen watched the two as they checked each other over, admiring the ladies' delightful curves and graceful movements. The Elf leaned down and said to his pet, "You know, Hansen, there is definitely something to be said for tall boots and bare thighs." "You won't get any argument from me there," the Squirrel replied, nodding vigorously, and patting his Master's own bare thighs where they were exposed between his boots and tunic. "Hansen, you are so incorrigible," Frelic sighed, smiling and shaking his head in exasperation with his pet, "What am I going to do with you?" Hansen gave the Elf his trademarked impish smile and knowing wink, "Boink me, of course, Master." "Soon, my pet," he promised, "Soon." He placed one hand on the Squirrel's rump and the other on his paw, which was still resting on the Elf's smooth thigh. At last, Karma and Thissle were ready. Thissle picked up her paddle, a lovely varnished pine board, much different from the one Frelic used on Shaasta and Hansen recently. Hers, which she made herself with her Master's guidance, was a formidable-looking tool of punishment; its blade measured fourteen inches in length, four inches across, and a quarter inch thick. Three rows of four holes were drilled into the board; one side was smooth, and the other side was lined with small sharp metal studs that were like the ends of nails. It was a masterpiece of discipline, which Frelic had been proud to use on Thissle's bare bottom countless times. And tonight, she would get to use it on Shaasta's bare bottom several times. She rested the paddle on her shoulder as if it was a sword, and stood with Karma and Shaasta before Frelic and Hansen again. Frelic stood up and looked his ladies over. He put Shaasta's leash back on her collar, handed the other end to Thissle, and then paced around behind them, lovingly planting a firm swat on their bottoms. "You girls look absolutely fantastic," he said. "You are going to be the big hit of the night." "Most anything would look good on them, Master," Hansen chittered, running his paws up Shaasta's inner thighs and along the slit of her sex. "But do you girls know what would look best on you?" They exchanged looks with each other, shrugged, and shook their heads. Frelic and Hansen also exchanged a look and in unison answered, "Me!" The girls exchanged another look, smirked, and shook their heads. "Boys," Karma said, failing to suppress a giggle, "walked right into that one, we did." "Can we go now, Master?" Shaasta pleaded. She was really anxious to have her first night out in weeks, and did not want to waste any more time. "Certainly, love," Frelic replied, dismissing them for the evening. As they filed towards the door, he imparted final instructions to them, "Karma, you are in charge for the night." "Gotcha, Chief," the Rabbit acknowledged, "I'll watch their asses good and make sure that they, I mean we, keep out of trouble." "I know you will, bunny, and remember what I told you earlier." "Paddle Shaasta's butt regularly to keep her brand visible; check, Master," Thissle said, landing a solid swat with the studded side of her paddle dead center across the Elf's bottom, causing her to yelp. "Aside from that." Rubbing her ass with both hands, and glaring at Thissle, Shaasta repeated her brother's most crucial instruction, "If things start to get dangerously out of hand, distance ourselves quickly and safely from the trouble." "Correct," Frelic affirmed, "because if I have to come bail you out of the town dungeons because you were involved in a brawl, or somehow incited a brawl, I give you my solemn word that none of you girls will be able to even think about sitting comfortably until long after we get back to WraithHold. And I will personally enjoy every minute of that." "We will be good," Karma reassured him. "Damn good, in fact," Thissle added, shaking her bottom for emphasis. "Good," Frelic replied, "Now run along and have fun tonight. We'll see you in the morning." Waving good night to Frelic and Hansen, and wishing them an enjoyable night as well, the girls made their exit at last from the suite; Karma in the lead, Thissle right behind her, with Shaasta submissively in tow on her leash. Chapter VIII : Small Talk After the girls left for Hot Summer Nights, Frelic reached into his pouch and extracted another vial, syringe, and needle. "Come here, Fuzzbutt," he said, patting the seat of the chair he stood next to. Hansen padded over to his Master, and without any further prompting, he faced the chair, spread his legs, bent over with his paws on the soft cushioned seat, and raised his tail. Frelic filled the syringe, pushed out any air bubbles, and knelt behind his pet. He inserted the needle deep into the Squirrel's rump and injected the serum. "I just hope this doesn't wear me out too soon," he said, rubbing his bottom where the needle had gone in, "I don't want to crash too early tonight. "Truth to tell," Frelic confided, "I have no clue how this sedative works. I'm just as new to this as you are. However, I suspect that it will be a slow-acting formula that simply keeps you from getting too wired, and not totally kick your ass right away." "Then again," Hansen added, "if it is faster acting than we expect, I should be able fight it off and at least delay its effects. After all, in my line of work, I have been known to keep awake for extended periods, whether on watch or whether exploring deep caverns crawling with Goblins and other monsters, which make taking sleep breaks too dangerous." Frelic took his pet's paws in his hands and gazed down into his feisty eyes. A contented smile crossed his face as he just stared at and pondered the Furling before him. "What is it, Master?" Hansen asked, cocking his head to one side and blinking quizzically up at the Elf. "Oh, I'm just thinking again about how our lives have been reshaped so drastically over the past hours." "I know what you mean, Master. I was not surprised at all when you took Shaasta as your pet sister. I mean, with a hot little vixen like that, only a fool would refuse her charms, whether you share the blood running through your veins or not." Frelic laughed, amused at the blunt assessment of his twin, and gave the Squirrel a gentle scritch under the chin, "I can't argue with you there, love. And can I assume that Shaasta has told you all about our tender years from the time we left Kalthani until we were separated when the Svelte Lady overtook the Bloodlust?" Hansen nodded and smiled, "Oh yes," he admitted, "she left no minute detail untouched. With the experience she gained from you, 'tis no wonder she was able to hit the ground running that first night after Daddy and me helped her escape from Mistress Triniti's cottage. And by the Mink's bottom, what a memorable night that was." "Yes, Shaasta is an amazing girl. Just as Ashton here struck it rich with Sharani and Makae, I struck it rich even moreso with her," he wrapped his arms around the Squirrel and they held each other close, hands tenderly kneading Furling bottom and paws kneading and patting Elven bottom, "and with you, my pet." Hansen sighed and rested his head against Frelic's chest, "And that, Master, is what surprised me. In addition to your adventures with your sister, Shaasta had also told me of the times, mostly during your captivity, when your bottom was used to satisfy Captain Hayes and several of his officers." "That's right," my unofficial title on both the Bloodlust and the Svelte Lady was Ship's Pet." "And your unofficial position was down on all fours like a pony filly," the Furling added, "With all the time you spent being a surrogate girl, I never would have thought you would become the type to give that type of affection to another boy." Frelic took a firm grip on his pet's bottom and picked him up so they could see eye-to-eye, "Truth to tell, love, I was surprised too," he admitted, "and I have you to blame, I mean thank, for my awakening. When I saw you all trussed up there on your display mat at the Southern Rose, tail raised, and legs spread, I felt a stirring in my loins that disturbed me initially." Hansen's nether cheeks flexed around the stem of the flower that was nested in his rectal channel. "When I felt your hand on my bottom and scented your arousal, I actually thought you were Shaasta. Did you know that you and your sister are so alike that under the right conditions, you can easily be mistaken for each other?" The Elf smiled and slipped one hand between his pet's thighs, fingers gently scritching along the underside of the hard Furling cock pressed against his chest, "Yes, that is a little asset me and Shaasta have used to our advantage a number of times over the years. But that is a set of tales for some other time." He kissed the Furling; lips pressed against muzzle; tongues touched and became as one, then he set his pet down and padded towards the table in the middle of the room while he continued to reveal his secret thoughts. "When I paddled you and Shaasta there in the show room, and witnessed your squirmings and moanings, the stirring strengthened. Your blatantly honest and earnest desires that you expressed while sprawled out there over that examination bench, ignited the spark deep within me. But it was that moment, when my fist was buried up your ass, that moment when I felt the heat of your treasure hole and the unbelievable tightness of your rear channel around my arm, that was when the flame became an inferno in my loins and in my mind." Frelic picked up the narrow leather belt with the tail feathers off the table and cinched it around his waist. "It was that moment when you were impaled on my arm, thrashing about as I fist fucked your ass when I realized that it mattered not whether you were a boy or a girl, your sweet southern star was every bit as delightful as that of any other girl I had taken from behind; I determined that before the day died away, my shaft would penetrate your lovely butt and I would ride you until your hot, tight depths were filled with my seed." "And that wish will be fulfilled tonight, I trust?" Hansen asked. "Of course," Frelic slipped a finger up his pet's ass, sharing the tight passage with Varo's rose. "This, like the rest of you, belongs to me now; I am going to make full use of your talents." He pulled his finger back out and slipped it between his lips, savoring the taste of cinnamon mixed with the Furling's own natural flavor. "Yes, your sweet ass will receive full use." Hansen beamed happily at the Elf, "Thank-you, Master. I hope that I don't prove to be a disappointment to you in any way tonight." "You will do just fine," he assured him. He took a step back and struck a heroic pose for his pet, feet spread and fists planted on his hips, "Now, how do I look?" "The tailfeathers suit you most beautifully, Master." Hansen slipped behind Frelic and made some minor adjustments to his plumage so that it was properly centered over his pretty derriere and fanned out perfectly behind him. "As my daddy always says, a well groomed tail is a thing of tremendous beauty. It's like a necklace for your butt." "That goes without saying," Frelic agreed. "A properly poised tail never fails to draw my attention down to its owner's ass." "Aye. 'Tis a shame that folk like the Humans, Halflings, and you Elves didn't get your bottoms blessed with these accessories." "Well, perhaps these tail belts the girls discovered will make up for fate cheating us less fortunate people." Frelic flexed the muscles of his lower back and caused the tailfeathers to rise as if they were really a part of him, then he turned around and faced his pet. Hansen looked his Master over as if judging a piece in an art show. He nodded his approval and smiled, "Yes, yes. That is most definitely you. The plumage makes you look most regal and majestic, in a feral sort of way." He performed a curtsy, reverently bowed his head, and gracefully dropped to one knee, "My liege." Frelic smiled at the silly Furling kneeling before him, and played along with the little impromptu roleplay. He reached a hand out and brought him to his feet, "Arise my Princess of the Wildlands. Come join me and we will survey our domain." Furry paw clasped in soft, smooth hand, Hansen accompanied his Master out to the balcony. The late afternoon air was sunny and cool; a fresh breeze was blowing in from the sea to the west. Hansen perched cutely on the railing overlooking the town, and together, they took in the panorama before and below them. "Lovely town, really," Hansen remarked." Frelic nodded his agreement, "It is indeed. I wouldn't mind securing a spot of land here for a vacation homesteading, perhaps something on the cliffs over there overlooking the sea." "That would be nice. 'Tis a pity we are going to be leaving here in a few days; I would love to spend a week or two exploring the area." "Well, it isn't much, but perhaps tomorrow we can have an afternoon out together to check out the shops and whatnot," Frelic suggested. Hansen clapped his paws together and smiled, "Oh, I would love that very much. But why afternoon and not in the morning?" "I have an appointment at the Southern Rose in the morning," the Furling was reminded. He nodded understanding, "Oh, that's right. You are going to buy that enchanting young Vixen tomorrow. If she isn't too tired by the time you get back, can Mistie join us? I'm sure she would make for the ideal guide as we wander around Mistport." Frelic patted his pet's hand, "That sounds like a fine idea actually. She will come with us tomorrow afternoon." "Master? In addition to being one of your boink bunnies, are you going to give Mistie any mundane taskings?" "Most definitely, Hansen. WraithHold is a big place, and a lot of work is required to maintain the old fortress. Mistie, considering her previous line of work, will have maid duties, and will also share cooking chores with the rest of us." "Will you let her wear one of those frilly black and white lace maid aprons? She would look quite delicious in one of those." "No reason not to. I've always liked that fashion." Hansen looked expectantly at Frelic, "And what of me and Shaasta, Master?" The Elf nodded and gave his pet an affectionate smile, "Yes, you and Shaasta can wear frilly black and white lace aprons too." The Furling blushed at the thought of being put in girl clothes, "I meant that neither of us are all that adept at cooking. What will you have us doing when you are not making use of our tails?" Frelic thought for a few moments, then, "You will learn. I'll see to it that Mistie teaches you properly, and I will also see if that fellow that Ashton mentioned, Brindon I believe he called him, their cook wouldn't mind letting you work with him in the kitchen tomorrow morning or the next day to get you started." "I'll give it my best shot, Master. In addition to that though, I have a suggestion for where you can put us to work where we both excel." "Let me guess, the gardens and the orchards?" "Exactly. Did you read my mind?" Frelic laughed and shook his silver-maned head, "No love, I haven't learned telepathy yet. I just figured that what with you and Shaasta being well attuned to the outdoors, you most likely have some respectable experience in dealing with plants and trees." His thoughts trailed off as he gazed off into the distance. Hansen turned his head to try to see what it was that stole his Master's attention from him, "What is it, Master? Is something wrong?" "No," Frelic replied, "I'm just watching the girls down there." The Squirrel squinted, trying to catch a glimpse of Shaasta, Thissle, and Karma. "Where are they? I don't see them." "Right there, on the boardwalk," Frelic pointed towards the waterfront. To Hansen, all the people way off in the distance were like little ants. "I'm sorry, Master. I simply can't tell which three dots are our little seductresses." "That's odd," Frelic said, "They are perfectly clear to me, and...Oh my, Thissle just gave Shaasta her first paddling of the evening." Hansen gave a dejected sigh, "Oh, how I wish I could see them. How many swats?" "Only three," Frelic reported, "The usual pattern, one on each cheek and one across the middle. It's too soon since her last paddling for her brand to need to be brought forth again, and that probably would not have warmed her bottom enough anyway. So she must have mouthed off to Thissle." "Or perhaps Thissle did it just because she could," Hansen suggested. "Yes, that's a good possibility too. Whoa! Looks like they caught someone's interest. Karma just removed Shaasta's rose to allow a sailor, an Ornith Sparrow, to slip five copper pieces up her butt, her first tip of the night." "So, which one do you think will win our tails tonight?" Hansen asked. "What? Oh, you mean that little competition we set them on." Frelic thought for a few moments then shook his head, "I have no clue. They are all highly talented, so I can only guess that it will be a really close race." "That reminds me Master," Hansen changed the subject again, "when me, Thissle, and Karma were getting cleaned up, we heard the sounds of a rather intense paddling coming from the bed chamber. What did Shaasta do to earn a real punishment spanking so soon?" Frelic gave a sly grin, and a devilish twinkle flashed in his eyes, "What did my sister do to get punished? She cost me ten platinum pieces because she stubbornly disregarded my warnings to avoid traveling along the Northwest coast." "Ah, I see. Well truth be known, Master," Hansen confessed, "at least half the blame should be laid upon my tail. Both of us agreed to take that route anyway, figuring we could hold our own against any foe in these parts." "Are you saying that you should have your bottom roasted as well?" The little Furling proudly held his head and tail high, "It is not fair that Shaasta take the punishment for both of us. Therefore, I should receive the same from you as she did." "Ten platinum pieces, one thousand gold," Frelic said, "For her penance, I sentenced my sister to receive a total of one thousand swats, one for each gold piece." Hansen's eyes widened, "One thousand? I know of no one throughout time who has ever withstood such a spanking." "I have," Frelic replied, letting Hansen in on a little personal secret. "You, Master?" The Furling shook his head in total disbelief, "No mortal can safely take that kind of punishment." "I did indeed, back when I was a mere thirteen years of age," he insisted, "Though I will admit that at the time, I was in spirit form in the Beastlands, and I'm not sure how many swats it actually was; it could have been much more than one thousand or a little less." "Oh, that does make a difference." "A big difference. What with my physical body safely sequestered in Mistress Aeraal's quarters on the Svelte Lady, there was no mortal flesh to insulate and cushion the spanking. A paddling in spirit form is ten times worse than one received in physical form." Hansen rubbed his bottom in sympathy, "I can't fathom what that must have been like. What did you do to deserve an immortal glow?" "At the time of the spanking, it had been two years since my last visit to the Beastlands. And damn, was Lynx pissed at me for neglecting my Wildmage training that long. Pretty much as soon as I arrived, she pulled me across her lap, conjured a paddle, declared that I would receive a two minute spanking, then proceeded to roast my bare bottom for an hour." "A full hour?" Frelic's pet looked confused, "That is considerably longer than two minutes. Did she purposely deceive you?" "Oh not at all," Frelic replied, "You may not be aware of this, but there is a severe time differential between the Mortal and Immortal Realms. The declaration of two minutes was by Niathian reckoning. In the Beastlands, that translates to one hour. So when she was done abusing my bottom, only two minutes had truly passed here on Niath." "Absolutely amazing, Master." Hansen was in awe at his owner's endurance and willpower to be able to withstand such a punishment, "And I bet you've made frequent trips to the Beastlands ever since then to keep Lynx happy." "Yes," Frelic said, "Lynx never had to paddle me again, at least not for neglecting my training." He took a gentle grip on Hansen's shoulder and looked him in the eyes. "Now, about your willingness to submit to the same punishment Shaasta is under. First, as you might have been able to determine, that was nowhere near one thousand swats I gave her while you three girls were bathing." Hansen nodded his head, "I wasn't counting, but it did only sound like around forty to perhaps seventy or so." "It was fifty. Shaasta is receiving her punishment in fifty swat installments, a minimum of once per day, sometimes twice or three times per day depending on my whims." "I can handle that." "Be advised though," Frelic warned him, "these are full-fledged punishment spankings well above yours and Shaasta's pleasure thresholds." "I fully understand, Master. And I humbly request that you allow me to share in Shaasta's penance." "Very well, sweet pet. Steel yourself for the most intense paddling you have ever known." Frelic gently pulled Hansen off the railing, took a firm grip on his arm, and marched him back inside. The dining commons were nearly deserted when the girls came down the stairs. Ashton was busy sweeping the floor; the two feline bards, finished with their rehearsal, were seated at a table, enjoying large tankards of ale to refresh themselves before taking the stage tonight, and quietly exchanging stories with a handsome Furling Badger who was seated with them. The musclebound inn keeper paused from his work, leaned on his broom, and gave the girls a warm friendly smile, "Hello again, ladies. Where are you off to this fine afternoon all prettied up so, if you don't mind my asking?" Thissle beamed back at him and struck a flirtatious pose, one hip canted seductively out, "Oh, we don't mind at all, Mister Kez." "You never do, brat," Shaasta smirked. Thissle smirked back and lightly tapped the paddle she was carrying on her shoulder, a little reminder to the Elf who was on which end of the leash. Karma stepped forward and gave Ashton a polite curtsy, "We're taking Shaasta out to dance the night away at a little place on the waterfront, Hot Summer Nights." "Ah, a girls' night out. Will Frelic and that charming bushytailed fellow be joining you?" Thissle shook her copper-maned head, "Not tonight, Ashton. Master and Hansen just want to relax here this evening and catch those kittens' performance." She nodded in the direction of the bards; they smiled and waved, then pushed back their chairs and padded slinkily over, steins in hand, and with the Badger close behind. The he-cat adjusted the wire-rimmed spectacles perched on his muzzle, smiled seductively and gently scritched the Rabbit and Dragon girls under the chin, "Good afternoon, Thissle, Karma. You two look absolutely bewitching, like a pair of young, wild, whitetail deer." His voice was melodic and mesmerizing, his eyes amber pools of enchantment. The girls giggled cutely, and performed a slow turn to show off their assets, teasingly thrusting out their behinds and shaking them for him like a pair of stage girls. "You're looking rather feral tonight yourself, Wish," Thissle replied. She ran her fingers through the soft fur of his cheeks and gave him a playful beep on his wide, toasty brown nose. He purred and licked at the girl's fingers, "Did I overhear correctly that you girls won't be here tonight for our little performance?" "I'm afraid you heard correctly," Karma replied, "Shaasta here has been cooped up in a pet shop for the past month, and she needs a night on the town." "Aw, 'tis a pity," he pouted, "I was truly hoping you ladies may find yourself up on the stage with my beloved little sister here this evening. It would have been the purest of magicks with all four of you working your curves for our hungry guests." The Rabbit blushed, the insides of her ears reddening, "Oh, you flatterer," she giggled, "You are a real dream." "No," the other cat corrected her, "I'm Dream; he's Wish." Wish's referral to her as his little sister was only accurate as far as their ages. Dream was really only a little smaller than her brother, but still quite healthy, her soft curves belying the strength hidden deep within her well-toned muscles. Wish laughed and took a deep pull from his stein, lapping some stray drops of the cool, sweet ale from his muzzle. "Perhaps tomorrow night then?" "We will see," Karma replied. "Thissle," the Badger said, stepping up next to the Elf the girl had on the leash. "Yes, Brindon?" "I assume this delightful little vixen you are leading about like a two-legged pony is the Shaasta whom Karma just mentioned?" he asked, placing a paw on her shoulder and looking her naked body over. "Yes, this is Shaasta," Thissle confirmed, "She is Master Frelic's new pet." He raised her hand to his muzzle and gave her dainty fingers an equally dainty lick, "Welcome to the Hightail, Miss Shaasta. 'Tis a pleasure to have a lovely and enchanting creature such as yourself here to bring a touch of class and beauty." He looked over at Ashton, who was giving him a bit of a look, and corrected himself, "I mean a touch of more class and more beauty." "Thank-you, kind sir," Shaasta replied. She gave him a heart-melting smile and coyly combed her fingers through her long, fiery mane. "It's a pleasure meeting you all, and I hope to get to know you better before we head for home. But we better get going if we want to get decent seating." "Right then," Brindon nodded. He wiped his paws on the front of his work tunic, "I best be getting back to the kitchen to get tonight's menu prepared. Have a good time, ladies." With his now empty stein in his paws, he disappeared through the double doors behind the bar. "We need to head off too," Wish announced. "Time for us to have a nice hot bath and a bit of a nap before show time." They finished their drinks and handed the large, empty mugs to Ashton, and with an arm wrapped around his sister, he escorted her up the stairs to their suite. Ashton excused himself momentarily to go set the empty steins on the stage near the cats' instruments, then came back and took up his broom again, "Well, have a good time out there, girls. Be careful though, Hot Summer Nights can be a pretty wild place, so watch yer asses. Everyone else will be." "We'll be careful," Karma assured him, "Frelic put me in charge tonight, and I will make sure nothing bad happens." "Good. Now get outta here, brats. I have work to do." He smiled and shooed them off, giving each of them a friendly swat on their bottoms with the broom as they filed past him on their way to the door. Outside, the sky was sunny, with a cool salty breeze coming in from the west. Karma directed them north, then they took a left at the next intersection and made their way towards the waterfront. The streets were quite busy this afternoon. Various sea birds squawked and shrieked overhead, scavenging for morsels, and the clip clop of horse, Centaur, and pony hooves mixed with the occasional whip crack and clatter of wheels on the cobblestone streets as carriages, buggies, and wagons carrying merchants and wealthier visitors and citizens through the streets. The sidewalks were a respectable procession of people of many races and countless species: locals, road-weary travelers, sailors, and more. Not unexpectedly, the three girls received a lot of lengthy stares from passersby as they strutted their way west; each one received her fair share of lewd compliments and muttered wishes, causing them to smile and putting an even more pronounced hip swish in their gait. "So," Shaasta said, trying to make small conversation, "What would you bet that those bards are boinking each other?" "Well that's a no brainer," Thissle replied, "I thought it was pretty obvious, judging by the way Dream clings to Wish the same way you cling to Frelic. Of course they're boinking each other." Karma's ears drooped back flat against her back, "The bigger question is, which one of us will get boinked by Wish first?" "One contest at a time please, bunny," Shaasta insisted. Her prosthetic tail flicked back and forth behind her, "Besides, I have a feeling Master will be the first of us to feel Wish's cock inside him." "How do you figure that?" Thissle asked. "Before you two came back from your shopping trip," she explained, "I noticed Wish ogling Master." Karma's tail twitched, "Do you suppose he swings both ways?" Shaasta shrugged, "It wouldn't surprise me. After all, he is a Furling, and you know how the old saying goes among the Furling lads." The Rabbit giggled and nodded, "A boinkable bottom that belongs to a boy is still a boinkable bottom." "And even if Wish wasn't harboring thoughts of fucking a sexy Elf boy like Frelic, he still may have been harboring thoughts of fucking him." "Shaasta, you are talking weird," Thissle replied, "That makes absolutely no sense." "It means that Wish may have thought Frelic was a girl. Wish is nearsighted; when he he was checking Frelic out from across the room, he didn't have his spectacles on. And what with the dim lighting and all, he could easily have thought he was mentally undressing a hot Elven lady." "That's pretty observant of you," Karma noted, "I would not have picked up on that detail." "Well, in my line of work, you have to be aware of your surroundings and note the more subtle details of the goings on around you." Shaasta took note of a cute brown and white Furling River Otter, a local merchant, wearing a solid red cotton vest and pushing a pastry cart down the other side of the street towards the waterfront. She gave him a coy gaze over her shoulder, playfully patted her bare bottom, and tossed a teasing kiss in his direction, causing him to shyly look away, then turn his attention to a pretty Furling Rat girl who was hungrily waiting to try some of his wares before continuing on his route, his path lightened by visions of playing with a pretty, naked, red-headed Elven temptress. "Truth to tell," Karma confessed, her ears dropped back again, "as nice as Wish is, I think I would most want to be taken by that gorgeous Badger fellow, Brindon." Thissle nodded her agreement. "He is quite charming, and looks like he'd be a pleasurable little stallion to play with. But if it came down to a choice between Brindon and Wish, I would have to compromise, and take both." The other girls exchanged a look, giggled, and voiced their agreement with Thissle's solution, then the subject was changed again. "How is your shapeshifting project coming along, Shaasta?" Thissle asked, "Have you managed to perfect your Ornith Hawk form yet?" The Elf shook her head, "Not yet, but I was getting close at the time me and Hansen got captured. The magick nullification field at the Southern Rose put a bit of a damper on my natural ability, so I haven't been able to practice since then. I'll resume my experiments tomorrow." A nice-looking Human couple who looked to be in their late twenties or early thirties passed by the girls, heading in the opposite direction. All three girls, as an impromptu warm up for tonight, repeated the flirt that Shaasta had used on the pastry vendor a minute ago. It worked like a charm, then the exasperated husband sighed, smacked his entranced wife on her leather-skirted ass to draw her attention away from the three cute hussies, and led her away, up a side street. "So," Karma said, "In the unlikely event one of you two brats win Frelic and Hansen for the day, what are you going to do with them?" Shaasta stuck her tongue out at the Rabbit and giggled, "Well, when I win," she paused to think about the possibilities, "I'll get back to you on that. Don't want to spoil any surprises, y'know." "In other words, you have no clue what you would do if you had your brother and your lover as your pets," Thissle translated. "How about you, bunny?" "I know exactly what I'm going to do with them. I want them to completely dote on me as if I was a great princess. I'll have them attend to me in the bath. After they have toweled me off, and groomed my hair and pelt, they will attend to me out on the balcony, and personally serve a wonderful, hot breakfast, and then..." "Okay, okay," Shaasta stopped her, "We get the picture. Just remember what often happens to spoiled brat princesses." Karma defensively put her paws over her bottom, and kept the rest of her plans to herself. They reached the waterfront, turned right, and paced north up the boardwalk. "And if you win, Thissle?" Shaasta asked. "I am going to start off bright and early by paddling their bottoms until they are fully awake, something like this," she wrapped an arm around the Elf's waist, bent her over, and brought all activity around them to a halt by landing three solid swats on her bare bottom with the studded side of her student paddle, one on each cheek, and one right across the middle, "only longer. And then we will see how the day develops from there." Before she could put Shaasta upright, Thissle felt the poke of a small, taloned finger on her rump, "Pardon me, miss?" She looked and saw no one, until she looked down. Standing before her was an Ornith Sparrow, a male, judging by the black feathery V on his breast; he was no taller than the top of Shaasta's behind. He was dressed in a blue and silver sailor's tunic with matching beret, and was holding five copper pieces in his hand. "Yes?" Thissle said, "Whatcha need, sea bird?" He held up the small handful of coins and gestured with his beak to the bent over Elf's bare, crimson rear, "May I?" Thissle laughed and smiled at the bird, "Be my guest, dear." Karma removed the rose planted inside the Elf, and the Sparrow slipped the copper coins, one at a time, deep up Shaasta's butt. Shaasta was blushing tremendously with so many strangers all around witnessing her receiving such intimate attention. Karma reinserted the rose, but did not yet allow the girl to stand upright. "Now, what do you say to the nice lad?" she prompted her. "Thank-you very much for your generosity, sir," she replied, looking upside-down through her spread legs at the feathered fellow standing behind her. The Sparrow gave her bottom a friendly pat, "My pleasure, m'lady," he said, "I always feel a show like that deserves compensation." "There will be plenty more of that and then some tonight at Hot Summer Nights," Thissle informed him. She released her grip on the Elf. She righted herself and turned around to face the handsome mariner bird. "You ladies are very pretty," he said, no hint of empty flattery in his voice. "I still have another two hours before I am off duty, but after that, I may show up to check out your performance then. And I will be sure to bring along some of my shipmates. Now, I must be getting back to work." He gave them a friendly salute, hands balled into fists and arms crossed over his breast, then turned about and marched down the boardwalk, whistling some seafarer's tune that none of the girls were familiar with. "Well, looks like you got a head start on us, Elf brat" Thissle said, "But the night has not yet started. Let's go." She landed another swat across Shaasta's bottom, and the girls continued their trek. Chapter IX : Tails Up Frelic sat down on the couch in front of the fireplace. "Go fetch the training paddle from the bed chamber, young lady," he ordered. Hansen disappeared through the southeast door, returning less than a minute later with the paddle Frelic had purchased from Varo reverently held in front of him in both paws. He presented it to his Master and submissively stood before him. Elf quietly patted his bare thigh, and Squirrel obediently lay face down across his Master's lap, bushy tail held high and proud. Frelic rubbed the paddle over his pet's upturned bottom and gave him a few light taps, "Ten platinum pieces, one thousand gold, one thousand swats," he chanted, as he had said to Shaasta earlier. This time however, he added, "Plus an additional thirty five, the price I paid for your own rescue. Now, since my concentration will be focused solely on paddling your butt, I may easily lose count. Therefore, I charge you to maintain the counting and to call out each swat applied to your bottom. You will count out the thirty five first, and after your price is fulfilled, you will start the count over again for the thousand. Are these instructions clear, my pet?" Hansen trembled as he thought about what he would soon endure, "Yes, Master. I fully understand." No sooner had he voiced his acknowledgment, then the paddle slammed down on his furry little bottom, striking the left cheek with a punishing wooden bite that left him stunned for a brief moment. "One!" he cried, after his breath returned to his lungs. Another smack of the paddle burned through the right hemisphere of his ass, every bit as cruel and punishing as its predecessor. He closed his eyes tight, and through clenched teeth, yelled, "Two!" A third strike immediately followed, kissing both cheeks as it landed perfectly across the center, "Three!" The paddling proceeded at a steady beat, the timing between each swat administered slow enough to where the Squirrel felt the full impact of wood on furry nether flesh, but not so slow as to give him any respite between strikes. The lounge was filled with the sounds of punishment mixed with Hansen's pained cries as he numbered each smack, sounds which spilled out above the streets and the third floor hallway through the open doors. By the thirtieth swat, Hansen was blinking back the tears that threatened to escape his eyes; his little bottom felt as if it was on fire. By the thirty fifth, his will broke and his whole body was quivering as he sobbed uncontrollably, "Thirty five." Frelic put the paddle down and inspected his handiwork. A lovely deep blush was visible through the white fur of his pet's plush bottom, and his mark, the pawprint overlaid with a willow tree, shimmered silver against the crimson canvas. Between the Squirrel's legs, there was not the slightest hint of arousal; between the Elf's legs was a different story, but Frelic was satisfied that the spanking he had just given his pet as well as the spanking to come, was and would be true punishment. After Hansen was calmed again, Frelic picked the paddle back up and rubbed it over the Squirrel's already punished bottom, "And now to begin the thousand." As before, the paddle traced a graceful downward arc through the air and landed solidly on the left side of Hansen's bottom, sending a new burst of pain coursing through his aft end. "One!!!" The boardwalk was a beehive of activity, a great contrast to the serene solitude of the wilds to which Shaasta was much more accustomed. The walks were a veritable river of people, folk from all over Niath, all bustling about on personal business or taking in the sights, or allowing themselves to be drawn into one of a great variety of shops that lined the wood-paved roadway. Many large ships floated in the cool salty waters, moored securely to the docks, ships as diverse as the people who filled the waterfront. Small fast corvettes; enormous cargo, passenger, and war vessels, whose multitude of masts formed a mini skyline; several massive longboats, with huge oars protruding from the sides like the legs of a giant centipede; and pleasure craft, clippers, schooners, and more, belonging to the wealthier citizens and visitors in Mistport. Sailors hustled about the piers, performing maintenance on their ships, loading and unloading cargo, securing rigging, and mending sails. Many paused to briefly take in the lovely sight of the three nymphly ladies as they passed by, while others, too focused on their work, blithely carried on with their tasks. Shaasta's prosthetic tail twitched nervously behind her. Places such as this made her uncomfortable and nervous. The Elf, being a shy creature of the wilds, felt much more at ease deep in the forests of Pinevale or the misty swamplands of Kalthani, where she and her brother had been born twenty three years previously. Without warning, she paused to regain her senses. The others did not stop until the leash clasped to her collar went taught. Thissle turned around and gazed at her charge; genuine concern for the Elf was clearly visible in her coppery eyes. "Shaasta, honey, are you okay? You seem troubled." "Yeah," Karma agreed, "Are you not feeling well?" Shaasta closed her eyes and covered her face with her hands for a few seconds, then turned and gave her friends a timid smile, "I'll be okay. I'm just feeling a wee bit overloaded out here." Thissle nodded sympathetically, "The shy forest creature outside of her natural habitat." She handed the leash to Karma and put an arm around the troubled Elf, gently petting her bare flank to comfort her. "If this is too much for your senses to withstand, we can go back to the Hightail Inn or find a nice quiet stretch of beach to retreat to away from this crowd, and just have some quiet intimate time together by ourselves," she offered. "Thank-you, Thissle, but I will be alright momentarily." She smiled again and planted a friendly peck on the Dragon girl's sweet lips. "I really do need to condition myself to become comfortable in settings such as this anyway." "Oh look!" Karma interrupted them. "Otters!" "That pastry vendor again?" Shaasta guessed. "No, sea otters," the Rabbit replied, pointing to the water, "the critters, not the Furlings." Shaasta and Thissle looked in the direction Karma was pointing. There in the salty water between the pier and a massive Tameran longboat, a group of three gray and white-furred sea otters were swimming about, playing nip and run and occasionally diving beneath the surface, only to come back up with a large shellfish in one paw and a large rock in the other. The girls dropped down on all fours at the edge of the pier for a better look, once again causing all activity around them to come to a halt. "Oh, how cute," Shaasta giggled, the smile on her face at the sight of the three large water rats chasing away any lingering threads of her recent claustrophobia. "You would think that much cuteness concentrated in one place would violate some local ordinances," Thissle commented, as one of the otters floated on his back, placed a mussel on his chest, and cracked it open with his rock to get at the succulent meat inside. "Aw, you can never have too much cuteness," Karma argued. She made a 'tch-tch' sound, which got the otters' attention. The three sea critters paused in their frolickings and gazed up at the three ladies watching them, staring back with large dark eyes that caught the afternoon sun and sparkled with playful mischief. "What are you doing?" Thissle asked. "I'm getting us a bit of good luck," Karma replied. She repeated the 'tch' sounds and the otters swam closer to the pier, almost close enough for the girls to reach out and caress their wet pelts. "Ever kissed an otter before?" "Only Delilah," Thissle said, "and that fellow who runs the little Inn at Rainwood. But never a mundane otter." "It's supposed to bring good luck," Shaasta told her. "Truth to tell, I can't say whether or not there is really anything to that or if it's just an old hearth tale, but there's no harm in trying." Thissle shook her head and smirked, "Well, it seems a little silly to me, but what do I know? After all, I'm only a young and clueless Dragon." They all leaned forward, heads down over the water, asses in the air. After a minute of making little kissy noises at the critters, the otters disappeared beneath the surface, then popped back up nose to nose with the girls. Wet, salty muzzles touched their mouths in a series of rapid-fire pecks. Then as quickly as it started, the otters slipped again beneath the water, resurfaced near the far end of the pier, and swam out to the kelp beds off in the distance. "Well, that was weird," was Thissle's verdict. "What was weird?" Shaasta asked. "Delilah never kisses like that." "Perhaps she would if you asked her." Karma looked over at Thissle and shrugged, "That's because Delilah is an Otter." Thissle and Shaasta exchanged a look, then the Dragon girl turned her gaze back to the Rabbit, "But those were otters." "What I mean is," Karma started to explain, then thought better of it, "ah, never mind for now. I'll spell it out for you later. Let's go." "Not yet." "Why?" Karma asked, "the otters are gone." Thissle and Shaasta gave her a puzzled look, "Who are you talking to, bunny?" She started to get up. "Please girls, stay put for just a moment or two longer." The voice, though gruff and subtly commanding, was definitely feminine. Not sure if they were about to be robbed or raped, the girls went ahead and played it safe and held still in the invite position. "Almost there," the voice behind them said. She sounded a little distracted, "Just one final touch. Hold it. Hold it. And..." one at a time, they felt a gentle hand on their rumps, followed by a light pressure on their southern stars, as the unknown lady behind them gave them each a single coin, inserted up their butts with a long, fur-covered finger. "There, finished. You ladies may get up now, unless you don't mind the possibility of just any passersby accepting your unspoken invitation. Oh, and lest I forget my manners, thank-you very much for your time and cooperation." The girls rose to their feet and slowly turned around. Before them, smiling warmly, stood a Furling Coyote. Her fur was dark gray, with speckles of lighter gray. A mop of hair, black as the darkest night crowned her furry head, dropping to her shoulders and curling out behind her. As if Ms. Nature was indecisive as to which color best suited this canine lady, her eyes were constantly changing colors every five seconds, cycling from brown, to violet, to blue, to green, to gray, and back to brown. As was typical of Furlings, Orniths, and other exotic races, this Coyote dressed lightly, showing off her fur-covered curves. Standing on digitigrade legs, her feet were shod with a pair of tall sandals, which were laced neatly up to her knees. The only other clothing on her lean but still curvaceous body was a harness of supple black leather, which was nothing more than a wide belt around her waist and two straps that formed an X across her back and pert breasts. A pair of silver pins decorated her harness, one near each shoulder. The left was a likeness of a mink, curled up on a pillow, and its counterpart was another mink, this one a Furling in a three quarter rear view, partially bent over with her paws on her knees and her tail raised high. Hanging from her belt, at her left hip, was a small, round wooden paddle, decorated with a likeness of the same Furling Mink featured on her right shoulder. Also on her belt were the usual pouches, as well as several quills, paint brushes, and charcoal sticks. Under her left arm, she held a thick pad of drawing parchments. "Again," the Coyote repeated, "I thank-you for your cooperation. I hope a silver piece each was sufficient for your modeling services." Shaasta looked puzzled, "Modeling services?" "Yes indeed. Look," she held up the drawing pad, and the girls gave a collective gasp at what they saw. While they were busy kissing the sea otters, this Furling managed to hammer out an impressively accurate sketch of the three girls; or more specifically, an impressively accurate sketch of the girls' severely upthrust asses. Karma looked quite amazed at this lady's work, "That is fantastic. You even managed to get the rose planted up Shaasta's butt." Thissle nodded, agreeing with Karma's assessment, "And in only a couple minutes at that, Miss?" "Trikks," she replied, giving the girl's hand a friendly squeeze, "I'm with Uptail Lodge, Mistport's chapter of the Order of the Mink." She pointed to the silver pin on her right shoulder, and then to its counterpart on her left. "And you are?" "Thissle," she offered, "of WraithHold." "Oh my!" Trikks' paw went to her muzzle, and her eyes went wide as if she had just seen a ghost. "From Pinevale, perchance?" Thissle exchanged looks with her friends, "That's the only WraithHold we know of." "And if you will pardon this humble artist's continued grilling," she pressed on, "would you by chance really be a Dragon, Copper to be precise?" Thissle's eyes changed; whites, irises, and pupils merged into swirling pools of translucent copper. "Ms. Trikks, what is your game here? How do you know who I am?" Her voice was a low growl, with a hint of suspicion and a touch of menace. Trikks remained calm, though her eyes betrayed her awe at the subtle power this lass emanated. "Please, dear," she said, "Keep your skirt on, at least for now. There is no cause for alarm. I am simply truly honored to find myself in your presence." She put her arms behind her and in a sincere gesture of deference, placed her paws flat on her furry rump. Thissle looked to Karma and Shaasta for a clue. All they could offer was a helpless shake of their heads and a puzzled shrug. Perhaps this creature was simply letting the wizweed speak for her, although there was no hint of that substance's sweet fragrance on the Coyote. "Begging your pardon, m'lady, but I fear that your flattery is misplaced." Thissle's eyes returned to as they were before, "I am merely a girl, a Dragon girl masquerading as a Human, but still just a girl, nothing more, nothing special." Trikks gave a laugh that was sweet music to the ears and soothing to the nerves. "Your modesty is greatly understated, dear Dragon." She placed a paw on the back of Thissle's bare thigh, giving it a gentle pat, "and I do not mean your delightful fashion sense." "Honestly, Ms. Trikks," Thissle replied, "Before you start speaking in riddles, I must again insist that I am truly no one of any significance. You must be mistaking me for some other girl." "Nonsense!" Thissle felt the cool seaside breeze caress her naked bottom, followed by the burning sting of wood on flesh as Trikks pulled up the hem of her minidress and planted the paddle which, moments before, hung docilely at her hip, squarely on the girl's exposed left cheek. The impact brought a loud smack that rang out up and down the street and across the water, causing the three otters out there to briefly look up from their kelp wraps before returning to their afternoon nap. The Coyote released Thissle's dress, shook the paddle knowingly in her direction, and scolded her. "Knock it off with that innocent little charade, girl. Just as there is only one WraithHold in Pinevale, we all know that there is only one young Copper Dragon brat named Thissle who calls WraithHold in Pinevale her lair." Thissle rubbed her left flank. It smarted considerably where Trikks' paddle had struck her. "Okay, we have established my identity." She raised her own paddle and returned the Coyote's favor squarely across both furry southern cheeks, "Now, will you please tell us how you know who I am and why, by Paramour's fangs, you are acting as if this humble Dragon lass is some sort of celebrity?" "Oh, but you are a celebrity, dear girl," Trikks corrected her, "In fact, you are a legend. Who would have thought that I would have the honor of having my furry butt paddle-smacked by the Paddled Dragon herself." She fluttered her eyelashes dreamily at Thissle, "Thank-you so much. I will cherish this moment for all time." Karma pulled the confused Dragon girl aside, "Thissle, what the 'ell is up with you and Ms. Trikks here? I mean, the Paddled Dragon? Is that like a future prediction or something?" Shaasta huffed and exchanged a look with the Coyote, "Yeah, as if that is a shocking event to predict." "Oh, but I am not referring to the future," Trikks said, "I am talking about the epic tale of when this girl became the first Dragon in recorded history to be subdued and thoroughly paddled by a non-Dragon, that dreamy Elf fellow that saved Pinevale." "Oh, you mean Frelic Willowpaw," Shaasta said. "Yes, that is his name." She nodded excitedly, put her paws to her chest, and fluttered her eyelashes again, "He is such a hot fellow. After the tale of your subdual at his hand spread from Pinevale, well, you wouldn't believe how many Mink initiates, myself included, have fantasized about being taken down and having their bottoms paddled by him, as well as giving him the same blessing." Understanding was finally starting to work its way into Thissle's copper-maned head, "Oh, that little episode. That was like what, a year ago?" "The steamiest tales travel fast through the Order of the Mink," Trikks explained. "And let me tell you, that sweet little Halfling lass that Frelic has as his apprentice is one hot storyteller." Thissle's face cycled through several shades of red, "Oh my, you mean Honeyrose?" "Yes, that's her name. The night after Frelic made history, Honeyrose was at the local inn, chatting with some Order of the Mink friends from Ponytail Lodge; and the tale of the Great Dragontamer came up." "That little brat," Thissle growled, "She told everyone about the most humiliating moment in my life over a mug of mead. How much detail did she go into?" "She just gave a short summary of your adventure," the Coyote shrugged." Thissle nodded. "We didn't get the full tale until a week later when she was invited to Ponytail Lodge, where Archivist Renton negotiated a deal with her." "She sold that journal entry?" "Yes, though he did have Honeyrose expand it a bit to give all the finer details, turning it from just a few pages from her journal into a full-fledged redtail epic." She sighed again, "When we got a copy at Uptail Lodge, I took the liberty of creating some illustrations to accompany the story. That was one of my most enjoyable projects ever." "She sold the story of Master spanking me." Trikks put her arm around Thissle, "You should be proud of that girl, dear. She has made you famous all over Niath and beyond." "She sold the story of Master spanking me," Thissle repeated, "When we get back to WraithHold, I am finally going to take her up on a little offer she always makes whenever she does not feel like talking anymore." Karma giggled, "You mean that cute little thing she says?" "Which is?" the Coyote asked. Shaasta did a half-turn and thrust out her rump, one hand resting sassily on her hip, "Talk to the butt." "That's the one," Thissle replied. "Only it will be the paddle doing the talking." She gave the Elf's presented bottom a firm smack with the paddle." "If you do redden the Halfling's rear, would you be so kind as to write the incident down and present it to Ponytail Lodge?" Trikks requested. "Oh, you bet I will," Thissle agreed, a devilish gleam in her eyes. "And this one will be a gift from me too." "Oh, most generous of you, oh legendary Paddled Dragon. And I would love to spend time with you ladies and hear more tales of tails sometime." Karma stepped forward, "Well, we are on our way to a nice little club we saw earlier today, Hot Summer Nights. You are more than welcome to join us, Ms. Trikks." Trikks smiled and accepted the invitation, "I am honored, Miss?" "Karma," the Rabbit offered. "I'm Frelic's personal aide." "Karma, such a lovely name. And this skyclad Elf on the leash?" "This is Shaasta. She was just purchased from the Southern Rose." "Ah, I thought I recognized Varo's hallmark when you girls were kissing the otters." She gave Shaasta a big hug, and the obligatory pat and squeeze on the bottom, "A pleasure to meet you, little boink bunny." "Well, what are we waiting for?" Thissle asked, giving Shaasta's leash a tug, "Let's go." "Oh this is going to be a night to remember," Trikks predicted, as the Dragon girl led them north to their evening's destiny, "especially if Brannel is working there tonight. You will like him; you will like him a lot." "Thirty eight! Thirty nine!" Hansen's butt felt like it was on fire as Frelic relentlessly paddled him. The Elf felt no hardness against his thigh, which told him that the spanking the Furling Squirrel bent over his lap was taking was indeed one of true punishment. Likewise, the hardness Hansen felt pressed against his firm, furry stomach indicated that his Master was thoroughly enjoying roasting his cute little bottom. Deep within him, far beneath the fiery pain coursing through his backside, the understanding that his unquestioning submission to his punishment brought pleasure to his Master made the Squirrel's penance bearable. The paddle slammed down on his ass again, solidly striking the right cheek and making the pawprint and willow tree brand glow brighter. He closed his eyes tight to fight back the tears that were finally threatening to escape down his muzzle, "Forty, Master!" Hansen breathed a sigh of relief as an unexpected respite appeared in the lounge. "Frelic, Hansen? Aren't you two ready to go yet?" The Elf halted in mid-swing, paddle poised high over the Squirrel's butt. He twisted around to look at the Furling Skunk standing in the doorway, dressed in a green, sleeveless, wrap-around top that left her midriff and one shoulder bare, and a matching very short, green, pleated miniskirt that showed off plenty of black and white-furred thigh. Frelic smiled and motioned for her to come in, "Hello again, Makae. Please come join us. We will be ready shortly. I just have some final business to wrap up." The Skunkette padded over to the hearth, her wide hips and thick bushy tail swishing left and right seductively with each step. Upon seeing Hansen sprawled over his Master's lap, tail raised high, brand glowing brightly, and every square inch of white fur showing the telltale crimson blush of punishment, she instinctively reached out to run her paws over the tender, burning, southern hills. "Oh my, Frelic," she said, "That is some of the most impressive tail work I have seen in ages. Are ye just getting your pet properly primed for the evening, or is this a much more serious session?" "I'm afraid this would be the latter," Frelic replied. "That's what I thought. His bottom does resemble how mine and Mistie's always looked after being taken over Mister or Misses Kez's lap for punishment." She smiled sympathetically down at Hansen, though he could not see her, and gave his tender rump a comforting squeeze which caused him to wince. "Poor Squirrel. What did he do?" "He agreed to share in Shaasta's penance for costing me over a thousand gold pieces to rescue them," Frelic explained. "Yes," Hansen chimed in, "one swat for each gold piece." Makae put one paw over her muzzle and one over her rump, "Oh my, one thousand punishment-caliber swats? Can their bottoms withstand that much abuse?" Frelic laughed and patted his pet's rump, "Not in one sitting, they couldn't. No, we are carrying this out over the course of several weeks until penance has reached completion." "Sessions of fifty swats at a time," Hansen said, "a minimum of one session per day. Only ten more for this round, and then we can go have some fun." Makae sat down on the couch and snuggled up close to the Elf, "Frelic, may I carry out your pet's final ten? He looks like a real pleasure to paddle." Frelic rested the paddle on Hansen's butt and smiled devilishly at the Skunkette; her light musky scent was intoxicating. "Can you handle it, sweet tail? This is punishment, you know." "You bet your ass I can handle it. Before Mister Kez had to dismiss Mistie, he would often have me administer her paddlings and vice versa when he and the others were too busy with other matters to take the time out to redden our bottoms." She returned the devilish smile, "We learned from the experts here." Frelic nodded and had his pet transfer himself from his lap to Makae's, then he turned the paddle over to the Mephit. "Make sure you get every square inch of his ass," he instructed her, and to Hansen he reminded him, "Don't forget to count the swats, love Squirrel." Makae held the Squirrel's tail out of the way, pressing it between her right arm and his back, and without warning, brought the paddle down dead center on his rear. It was hard enough to steal Hansen's breath away from him and even caused Frelic to wince sympathetically. "Forty one!" Hansen cried. Another swat landed on his bottom, sending a burst of wooden agony through the left cheek. "Forty two!" This was immediately followed by a third, impacting hard on the right flank. "Forty three!" Frelic noticed that his pet's cock had emerged from its furry sheath again, and the scent of the Squirrel's arousal mingled with the Skunk's scent. However, this did not cause him any concern; it was not the paddling itself that was getting Hansen worked up. Not even Delilah could enjoy that intense of a punishment, at least he didn't think his Otter brat could. No, the cause for Hansen's burning lust was simply the fact that his spanking was being given to him over the lap of a hot young Furling Mephit. And who could blame him? This is the sort of scene many lads and lasses would pay gold or even platinum to experience, himself included. One final smack, harder than any of the previous ones, sent a final wave of fierce pain rippling through the Squirrel's ass, "Fifty, m'lady!" Hansen cried out. "Thank-you so much for disciplining this humble pet." Makae laughed, set the paddle down, and affectionately ran her paws again over the Squirrel's bottom, her fingers expertly kneading the hot, glowing, punished southern flesh. "It was my pleasure, love Squirrel. We will have to do this again sometime, and again, and again." "Well, he does have another fifty and nine hundred to suffer before his penance is complete," Frelic reminded her, "as does my sister; that is, if you fancy spanking soft smooth Elven bottoms." She fluttered her eyelashes at him, ran a gentle paw up his thigh and under his skirt, and caressed his bare flank, "Oh, I most certainly do." She gave him an impish wink and planted a kiss on his lips, then had Hansen get to his feet so that she could lay herself across the Elf's lap. This caught Frelic completely off guard, "Erm, Makae, what are you doing?" "What's it look like I'm doing, silly Elf?" she sassed back at him, "I'm offering my ass to you for a spanking." The Skunkette squirmed playfully on his lap; her muskiness grew stronger as Frelic's erection, pressing into the young lady's plush fur grew harder. "And then I want some of that cinnamon perfume sprayed up my butt like your girls got earlier." "I want to be the answer to an ages-old question. What is black, white, and red?" Hansen was grinning like a naughty schoolboy as he rubbed his sore, tender rump. "So, you like getting spanked too?" She shrugged her dainty shoulders, "Of course I do, brat boy. I am a Furling, you know. No one is quite sure why, but an obsessive love of sore bottoms seems to be ingrained into us. Why do you think the Order of the Mink has such a much greater Furball and Feathertail membership across Niath than any other Order?" The Squirrel nodded thoughtfully, "I never really thought about that before. But now that you mention it, there does seem to be a tremendous amount of spanking and other painful undertail activities going on among us than among other races. Perhaps I should embark on a research expedition to investigate this further one of these days." "I'm sure one of the Mink lodges would be more than happy to sponsor you on such a noble quest," Makae replied, "Now what are you waiting for, Frelic? My bottom needs your not-so-tender care now." Frelic laughed then pulled up the back of the Mephit's skirt, tucking it into itself, lifted her tail up out of the way, holding it down along the length of her back, and exposed her indescribably gorgeous licorice and whipped-cream bottom. He kneaded the soft, hot mounds with his hands and smiled over at his fully aroused pet. "A wizard's work never ends, eh Hansen?" Feigning complete seriousness, the Squirrel nodded understanding, "Aye, 'tis a tiring task, Master. But the rewards are well worth the toil." "They are indeed, my pet." Frelic's hand went up, then descended in a graceful arc, landing hard with a dull smack on the left cheek of Makae's upthrust bottom. Her rear jiggled cutely upon impact and she squirmed again on his lap. Another swat landed on the other cheek, followed by a third across the middle. The girl was purring softly as the Elf gave her a warm up. The spanking so far stung a little, just enough to cause her back to arch a little more; her behind rose higher and exposed the sweet moistness forming between her thighs. Frelic repeated the pattern twice more, migrating the impacts to the upper rise of her rump; left, right, and center; and then gave the same to her lower curves. He finished the warm up with a harder two-handed swat on both cheeks, then ran a finger along the slit of her sex. "Most impressive, sweet little slut. We have just started and already you are ready for boinking." She sighed happily at Frelic's touch on her femininity and at the sound of his sweet talk, then spread her legs a little further apart when she felt his lust-moistened finger slide up and press at the rim of her musk hole. "Go ahead," she whimpered, "Remember, I do get the gehennite treatment weekly." Frelic smiled and thrust his finger up her tight ass, sliding it around the hot wall of her nether chamber. She gasped as his finger probed deep inside her; she clenched her southern star tight around him, not wanting this moment to end. She nearly orgasmed on his lap when he yanked his finger out from under her tail, and he nearly orgasmed when he put his finger in his mouth and sampled the girl's flavor. It was like nothing he had ever tasted before, pure ambrosia. "And now that you are properly warmed up, sweet tail, we are ready to turn your gorgeous ass the color of the sunset." He took up the paddle and laid into Makae's tender bottom with renewed vigor, alternating in his usual pattern of left cheek, right cheek, and middle up and down her jiggling behind until her nether cheeks were blushing a soft crimson and she was writhing in pure ecstasy on his lap, begging and pleading for the Elf to take her here and now. However, after twenty swats, Frelic set the paddle down and instructed Makae to rise to her feet. "Not yet, little slut. Now that your bottom has been properly warmed up on the outside, it needs to be warmed up inside." He gestured to the perfume bottle sitting next to the couch, then turned to Hansen. "Go fetch a fresh applicator, love." Hansen trotted off to the bath chamber and Frelic instructed the Mephit to bend herself over and place her paws on the seat of one of the chairs. While he waited for his pet to return, Frelic idly played with Makae's lovely bottom; his hands gently caressed and massaged the soft, paddled flesh, and his dexterous fingers traced along the crevasse formed by those sweet, tender, furry cheeks, probing down between her legs to briefly tease around the edge of her butthole, and continuing on to just barely press into the outer folds of her sweet, sticky sex. The Squirrel returned half a minute later with a brand spanking new applicator tip, which he handed over to his Master. "Prep her ass for insertion," Frelic instructed him. Hansen smiled cheerfully and licked his chops, "Oh yes, thank-you so much, Master." He knelt behind the bent over Skunkette and buried his muzzle under her tail, happily pressing his tongue deep up her musk hole while his Master removed the used applicator from the rectal tube attached to the perfume bottle and replaced it with the new one. Frelic waited patiently for his pet to get his fill of the delightful Mephit's ass. Both Furlings were purring loudly as Hansen's tongue probed around deep inside Makae; the Squirrel's cock was quite hard now and pulsing rhythmically. This taildiving could very well bring the two brats to the summit of the Mink's Mountain quite quickly. But Frelic did not want them to reach the peak just yet, so he gave his pet a firm pop on the ass with his open hand to get his attention. "Okay, you tail sluts, that should be good for now." Reluctantly, Hansen extracted his tongue from Makae's ass and pouted at his Master. "Aw, and we were just getting started too." The Skunkette maid giggled cutely, "It's okay, sweetie. I'm sure we will have a chance to finish this later." Hansen padded around to stand beside the girl. She looked over her shoulder and winked at him, then planted her muzzle against his. As they kissed, Frelic inserted the tube up Makae's butt and Hansen slipped his tongue into her mouth, letting her taste her own sweetness. "This is going to burn a little," Frelic warned her. He gave the bulb on the bottle three hard squeezes and sent a spray of cinnamon oil up the girl's ass, thoroughly coating her rectal wall. She gave a hard gasp as the spicy hot mist burned inside her, almost but not quite like liquid fire. Her furry cheeks clenched hard around the tube up her ass, and in a moment of mischeviousness, Frelic sprayed another burst of the cinnamon perfume deep up her musky butt, causing her to whimper and swoon momentarily. Finally, the burning up inside her rectal passage faded to a deep, pleasant warmth, and her muscles relaxed, releasing their grip on the tube, which Frelic extracted from her depths with one quick and smooth pull. He removed the applicator from the tube and handed it to Hansen, which the Squirrel immediately stuck in his mouth. While the Squirrel suckled on the Mephit-flavored shaft as if it was a sweet pop, Frelic knelt behind Makae and buried his tongue up her butt, tasting the exotic mix of cinnamon and Furling Skunk lass. It was more than simply pure bliss, the taste was absolute and total Nirvana, as evidenced by the intense stiffness of the erection clearly visible between the Elf's legs. Lest he spill his seed right there in the lounge, Frelic willed himself to disengage from the Skunkette's bottom, and rose to his feet. He gave her a final swat on her delicious ass, and untucked her skirt, letting it fall back down to cover her backside again. Eyes closed, he took a few deep breaths, focusing inwardly and willing his arousal to fade back to normal levels. Finally ready, he took the paddle and put it in its place on his belt, letting it hang at his left hip as if it was a sword. "Come now, my pets," he declared. Even though Makae was not his pet, she smiled and nodded, allowing herself to play that role for the Elf for the evening. "Let us head downstairs for a night of fine food, fine drink, and fine music." With his soft hands in their furry paws, Frelic led his Furling dates across the room and out into the third floor corridor, securing the door behind them. Chapter X : Ringtail Ale Hot Summer Nights was already getting busy when Karma, Thissle, Shaasta, and Trikks passed through its doors. Floor girls and boys bustled about ferrying succulent platters of meats, breads, and steaming vegetables and serving up a wide variety of exotic drinks to the hungry guests scattered about the central dining room. A band of five musicians and dancers, an eclectic group consisting of a salt and pepper haired male Dwarf, an Elven lad, a youthful-looking Furling Fox boy, and two adult Ornith ducks, were on the stage, getting in some last minute practice before show time. A small party of four Furlings; one Ocelot girl, one humble-looking little male Chinchilla, and two Raccoons; male and female, were already a little tipsy and attempting to dance to the band's rehearsal tunes. At tables in two different corners of the room, sat the obligatory mysterious cloaked figures; one of whom was quietly observing the goings on here, and the other already engaged in what was most likely conversation of gravest concern to a party of six adventurers, also cloaked and hooded. Trikks scanned the room until she was spotted by one of the Floor boys, a handsome Furling Deer, dressed in a leather collar and a black and white lace apron, which was really intended for the Floor girls. The apron was cinched around his waist with a narrow leather belt, from which hung the usual pouches and a wide round paddle at his right hip. A mane of dark red hair, dropping in graceful waves below his shoulders framed his pretty face, and a majestic pair of antlers, each with four sharp points protruded from between his long ears, adding an additional two feet to his otherwise five and a half foot stature. He gave a delighted smile when he saw the party of four lovely ladies, and trotted over on cloven-hoofed digitigrade legs to greet them. "Trikks!" he said, picking up the Coyote in his arms and holding her tight while smothering her with kisses, "It's about time you dined here again. You've been absent for far too long, m'lady." "Oh, Brannel," she giggled, as he gently set her back down on her feet, "you sure know how to make a humble little artist feel welcome. As for my absence, I realized I was spending way too much here every week, just on your ass alone. So I decided to exile myself for a time from Hot Summer Nights before I could become a pathetic beggar girl." Brannel was grinning like a schoolboy, "Well, thanks for finally brightening our little establishment once more with your presence. And, I see you brought some new lady friends, and very lovely and boinkable lady friends at that, if I may be so bold." "These honeys are distinguished models," Trikks replied, "and anything they order tonight is on me." "Distinguished models?" the deer repeated, "How long have you girls been modeling?" Thissle stepped forward and posed seductively with one hand on her hip, "Oh, about fifteen minutes, I think. Hiyas, I'm Thissle." "Well, 'tis a pleasure to serve you, m'lady. You look like you are dressed for a bit of action this evening." He brought her hand to his mouth, and gave it a friendly welcoming lick. So, you have been Ms. Trikks' models for a whole fifteen minutes now, eh?" Karma giggled and introduced herself, "Yeppers, that sounds about right, sir. I'm Karma." He repeated his welcoming gesture and smiled warmly; the Rabbit nearly lost herself in their host's large dark eyes, "Are ye good karma or bad karma?" She giggled again, "Is there a difference?" The Deer gave her a sly look and tapped the paddle at his hip, "Bad karma earns you a touch of this; good karma, well, that also earns you a touch of this, but with less coin afterwards." "Well then, I will endeavor to strive for bad Karma, sir." "Oh, please don't address me as sir, m'lady," he touched his collar, "after all, I am merely a humble pleasure pet, much like your Elf here." And with that he gave Shaasta a very thorough looking over. Shaasta, blushing and smiling ever so coyly, assumed a variety of poses for her fellow pet's viewing pleasure. She was thoroughly entranced by this charming buck. He was a pure delight to look at, and carried himself with a grace and pride that suggested that he had already spent several years as a loving but stern owner's pleasure girl. Brannel knelt behind her to admire the rosy glow on her bottom, "Ah, I see ye are no stranger to the paddle, little doe. And my, what a lovely beast mark you bear." He gently ran his fingers around the outline of the shimmering silver brand that decorated her plush ass, then his fingers moved down to the rose she carried in her rear channel. "Master Varo's signature, so to speak. So, ye were just recently purchased from the Southern Rose. That can only mean ye are top of the line." His hands pressed against the upper curves of her bottom, sliding down the soft southern hills and between her legs to caress her inner thighs. Then he rose to his feet, paced back around and stood towering over her, the scent of his interest in her filling the air about them, "Can ye speak, girl? Have ye a name?" Now blushing even more, Shaasta finally had to avert her eyes from his hypnotic gaze, "Shaasta, sir," she replied, "A Moors Elf from Kalthani I am." "Her name means Tender Hawk," Karma offered. "I am most delighted and enchanted to be in your presence, little Tender Hawk," Brannel said. He wrapped an arm around her with his hand firmly gripping her delightful rear, bent her backwards, and planted his muzzle hard on her soft lips. "And since we are equals, you have no cause to call me sir. Now, you said that you are a Moors Elf?" Shaasta nodded, "I am." "Ergo, you are a shapeshifter." She nodded again. "I am confuzzled," he confided to her, "You bear an ornithian name, yet you wear a feline tail. So are ye a sometimes hawk, or a sometimes kitty?" "The tail belt is just a little bit of costume Karma and Thissle picked up for me earlier today. I transform into a hawk," she replied. "A very sexy one at that," Thissle added. He smiled sweetly, "Is there any other kind? I do hope that you will show off your feathered form here for us later tonight, if your handlers approve." She looked to Karma and Thissle. They just shrugged, nodded, and smiled. "I'll be more than happy to spread my tailfeathers this evening." Trikks stepped in, "Sorry to interrupt this little group hug, kids, but can we continue our chatter from a seated position? My feet are dog tired, if you will pardon the pun, and I am absolutely ravenous." "By your leave, m'lady," Brannel replied, performing first a graceful bow, followed by a graceful curtsy. "Please walk this way." He led them into the depths of Hot Summer Nights. Brannel's stride was smooth and graceful, his wide hips swaying hypnotically back and forth with each step. The four ladies followed close behind, their stride matching the dreamy Deer's. Thissle noticed a Furling Mouse gawking at them. "What?" she said, "We always strut this way." Shaasta, as well as the others, couldn't help but notice Brannel's fully exposed bottom, very shapely and well toned. The white treasure trail spread from the inner thighs, covered the inner half of each spankable cheek, and fully up the underside of his short, teardrop-shaped tail, which was held proudly erect. Between his thighs, his treasures were clearly visible, a decent-sized fur covered sac and sheath, from which his maleness was partially protruding. The Elf girl felt her nether regions get warm and slightly damp as she imagined herself underneath this gorgeous buck, his large cock filling her while he rode her from behind. She guessed that Karma, Thissle, and most likely Trikks as well were thinking the same thoughts as she about Brannel, judging by the way their heads were down and their gazes focused on his ass and well endowed package. He was the perfect mixture of both masculine and feminine strength, power, sensuality, and grace. His mistress or master must have invested a tremendous amount of time and energy to produce such a fine pet. Brannel brought them to a table close to the stage and dance floor. "This should do fine, m'ladies. Now remember, I am your humble servant at your beck and call tonight." The girls sat themselves down and Trikks smiled up at Brannel, "Second best seat in the house." "Oh, pardon my indiscretion." the buck looked honestly chastened, "If you would prefer to sit elsewhere, just give the word." "You are such a dear. I can't possibly take the best seat in the house, as that would require distracting you from your work." The Coyote gave him a flirty wink and touched a paw to one of his muscular thighs. "Yes," he agreed, easily catching her meaning, "Mistress Ravenna would not be too happy about her devoted pet allowing you to monopolize his time on such a busy night." Trikks nodded understanding, "I would not want to be the one who causes you to have to take your breaks tonight on your hooves." "And likewise," Brannel countered, "I would feel most saddened knowing that I was the reason your evening here was spent on your feet." They shared a laugh together, then Trikks placed a paw on the buck's hand, "Speaking of your Mistress, where are Ravenna and the kits tonight? Both your mate and Anton are usually found out here on the floor." "They will all make their appearances later," he replied. "Melody is down in our suite doing her homework, and Anton is in the kitchen helping his mother on the grill," he smiled devilishly, "literally." Shaasta, Karma, and Thissle gave the buck a blank, worried stare. Finally, the Elf worked up the courage to ask the question they were all thinking, "His mother is on the grill? Isn't that...well...dangerous?" The Coyote and the Deer shared another laugh, "Don't worry your pretty little bottom, girl," Trikks reassured her, "They don't serve up sentients here." She turned back to Brannel. "So I take it that you and your mate finally decided to unleash Ringtail Ale on the unsuspecting citizens of Mistport?" The Deer gave an enthusiastic nod; a toothy grin parted his muzzle, "Our only regret is that we didn't do it sooner." "It's doing that well, eh?" "A walloping success it is. 'Tis so popular, we may need to recruit more vessels to keep up with the demand." He stole a glance over at the slightly drunken dancing Furlings, "Two candidates right there," he muttered, then fixed his gaze on the plush, muscular backside of the Ocelot girl, whose Chinchilla boyfriend was struggling to keep her steady on her feet, "Perhaps three, in fact." Trikks chuckled at the enterprising Deer, "But she isn't a Ringtail, and ale may not be..." "Yes, you're right," Brannel agreed, "Something a little higher class for the likes of her. Wine would suit that lovely creature better, perhaps an Azure Depths as the base instead of ale." "It will take a bit of experimenting, but that sounds like a good starting point," the Coyote nodded, "And if it works out, I can draw up a label design for you and bottle it as Blue Rosette." "Brannel," Karma interrupted. Her formerly worried stare was now a curious gaze. The handsome buck knelt on one knee beside her and looked into her eyes, "Let me guess, little boink bunny, you wish to know what the 'ell Trikks and I are going on about. You wish to know what exactly is Ringtail Ale, and why we are discussing those tipsy Furlings over there and what type of wine would go best with the Ocelot." The Rabbit nodded her pretty head and Brannel rose to his hooves to educate this sweet trio of confused ladies. "Ringtail Ale," he began, sounding like a tour guide at a brewery, "is the most exotic drink known on and beneath the face of all Niath. What is it that makes a simple ale the most covetable delight for the highly refined tastes of Mistport's citizens? What exotic and mysterious ingredient can turn such a common drink into a rare and highly valued rage?" Trikks had a grin on her muzzle that bore a hint of naughtiness, and an even naughtier gleam in her eyes. "Rare? Don't you mean rear?" Brannel boldly brandished his paddle at the Coyote, "M'lady, please do not spoil the moment, lest I turn you over my lap and take pleasure in warming your delicious bottom." "Do so, and you would have to surrender five silvers under my tail," she shot back. "I am no cheap slut. At least, I am not cheap." He returned the board of persuasion to its rightful place on his belt. "Right then, as I was about to say, what makes Ringtail Ale such an exotic and rear, I mean rare treat is the naughty means by which it is prepared." "And if I am interpreting the current intoxicating scent of the arousal which thoughts of Ringtail Ale bring to the two of you," Karma surmised, "then the means by which your highly revered drink is mixed must be one which greatly pleases the Order of the Mink." Her long ears were lying flat against her back, and a sweet moistness began to mat the fur between her thighs. The Coyote and Deer's subtle lust was proving contagious. "It is indeed a process worthy of the Order of the Mink," Trikks agreed. "Except," Brannel corrected them, "this concoction, I am proud to say, is fully a creation from the Order of the Twilight Mists, devised and perfected by Mistress Ravenna and myself." "Ringtail Ale, as I have mentioned, is prepared in a most unique manner. After its initial brewing, the ale is brewed a second time, only this time it is brewed inside a specially prepared Furling Raccoon over a gehennite flame, then chilled on a block of Beastlands glacier ice and served cold." "Wait a minute," Shaasta interrupted, "You are saying that we would be drinking from a Raccoon's butt?" She looked rather disturbed. "No," Brannel replied, "you would be drinking from a mug. The ale is only brewed in a Raccoon's butt." Thissle pouted, "Aw, 'tis a pity. I would have loved to try it straight from the source." "I do recommend you try it from a mug first," the Deer advised her, "then if you like it enough, I can bring Mistress Ravenna out here so that you can tap the keg." "Sounds sensible to me," Karma agreed. Shaasta still looked confused and shocked, "We would be drinking from a Raccoon's butt?" she repeated. Brannel gently placed a hand beneath the Elf's chin and tilted her head up to meet his gaze, "I can assure you, little boink bunny, there is no cause for concern. My mate's delightful butt gets properly cleansed with gehennite on a regular basis." Karma cocked her head to one side and gave the Elf a puzzled gaze, "Shaasta, what's wrong with you tonight? You've never been this squeamish about anything before." Shaasta smiled sheepishly, "Doesn't the idea of using someone else's ass as a serving vessel seem, i don't know, a little out there?" "Well, if that is what your reservations are about, I would be most happy to brew some Elf Bottom Ale just for you," Brannel offered, "then it wouldn't be someone else's ass you are being served from." Shaasta blushed and thought back to right before Frelic boinked her. He had slipped his fingers up her butt and had her taste her own flavor. She had to admit to herself that she did indeed taste good. "Haven't you ever taildived anyone?" Thissle asked her, "I mean, as notorious as you and Hansen are, and always willing to experience new pleasures, I would assume that your tongue has been under his tail at least once." "Well actually, I haven't," Shaasta confessed, "However, he has tasted me a few times." "We know," Karma replied. "He told us about how he had his tongue up your ass to prepare you for boinking in your hawk form shortly before you two were captured." Thissle smiled innocently at the blushing Elf, "And after hearing his critique, I want to taste your bird butt one of these days. Now come on, girl. Don't tell us your month chained up at the pet shop drove away your great sense of adventure." Shaasta sighed in resignation, "Okay, you win. I'll give it a shot." Trikks happily clapped her paws together, "Oh, very good, very good indeed. You won't regret this at all." She smiled up at Brannel, "Four mugs of Ringtail Ale, please." The Deer gave a graceful curtsy, "Four Ringtails it is then. I will return shortly." He took his leave of the giggle of girls and sauntered off to the kitchen. His long ears twitched as he felt the gaze of four sets of eyes burning into his wide, furry behind as it swayed back and forth like a pendulum with each graceful step. Karma chirred softly, her ears down flat against her back, "Do you think he might be willing to do Whitetail Ale later tonight?" Trikks smiled at the bunny, "He might, Rabbit, he might. You can always ask him. I'm sure he would be quite willing to accommodate you." "With him," Thissle said, "I'd be willing to forgo the ale part," she licked her soft lips as she envisioned the flavor of venison. Karma touched her paw to the money pouch on her belt. "Ms. Trikks, how much should we tip Brannel when he comes back?" The Coyote thought for a moment, "For four Ringtail Ales, one silver piece should be about right." The Rabbit reached into her pouch and withdrew five copper coins, "So five coppers each then." "Oh, put away yer money, bunny," Trikks said, "Remember, it's all on me tonight." Karma shook her head, "That doesn't include tips. You aren't getting that handsome buck's lovely bottom all to yourself." "Neither are you, Rabbit," Thissle added. She now had a stack of five coppers in front of her as well. She pulled out another five and set them on the table in front of Shaasta, since the Elf wasn't carrying anything save for the tips she received earlier from the sailor bird and Trikks. "Thank-you, Thissle," Shaasta said, "I would have felt bad about not being able to contribute, since I lost all my coin when me and Hansen were taken." "I brought plenty for the both of us," Thissle assured her. Trikks laughed as she looked over the three stacks of copper pieces on the table. She reached into her own pouch and also made a stack of coin in front of her. "I must say, that poor Deer is going to be carrying a genuine buttload of money tonight, twenty from us already, and that is in addition to whatever he had earned before we showed up." Shaasta giggled, "That would explain his girlish stride. I mean, how can you not have such a pronounced hip swish when your bottom is stuffed?" Trikks leaned forward, "I'll let you in on a secret," she said in a mock conspiratorial whisper, "That is Brannel's natural stride. Ravenna likes her buck to be a bit girly. She trained him that way back when he was her apprentice." She put her paw into the large bowl in the middle of the table and took a handful of mixed tropical nuts, which she popped into her mouth. Shaasta and Thissle followed suit. Karma, on the other hand, plucked a violet from the bouquet of various flowers in the vase beside the nut bowl and nibbled on the fragrant petals, "That would explain the black and white lacy apron then. He does look awfully cute in that." Trikks swallowed and took another pawful of nuts, "He does indeed." Finished with rehearsal, the band on the stage started its first number for the evening, a haunting, ethereal piece that was equally suitable for a fast or slow dance. The Coyote stood and stretched, then scanned the room until her gaze landed on a handsome Ornith Eagle, "Well ladies, since it will be a few minutes before Brannel returns, what say we work up our thirsts?" Thissle, Karma, and Shaasta watched the Coyote saunter across the floor towards the Eagle, every step emanating seductive feminine grace. When she reached her objective, Trikks ran a paw down the Ornith's neck and feathery chest, then commandeered his lap, perching her furry bottom on one muscular thigh. He gently ran sharp taloned fingers over her rump, and the two quietly exchanged some words. The girls were unable to make out what they were saying, but apparently the Coyote had successfully charmed the Eagle. Together, they arose, and with an arm and a wing draped around her, he led Trikks out to the dance floor. Thissle rose to her feet and turned her gaze towards the hooded figure in the corner. He had been joined by a Furling Fox who was clad in a short green tunic and leather belt, the typical uniform of a wizard's or acolyte's apprentice. The two were quietly sipping on chalices filled with a translucent jade green wine while coolly surveying the growing crowd. "Well, let's get to work, girls. We can't let that silly 'yote outdo us." "The Fox is mine," claimed Karma as she and Thissle padded over to the pair in the corner. Shaasta, now alone at the table, scanned the room, seeking a suitable partner. There were so many to choose from, so many species represented here tonight, that the Elf found it difficult to decide where to begin. She considered the Chinchilla she had noticed earlier, but quickly dismissed that notion. He and his companions had returned to the table and he was now comfortably seated on his Ocelot girlfriend's lap. Trying to borrow him for a dance, she determined, would involve a little too much peril. The hairless fellow seated at the next table over from the Ocelot, Chinchilla, and Raccoons looked promising. He was a giant of a man, though not fat by any definition; his mass was obviously the result of years of hard labor such as heavy lifting or working one of the oars of a Tameran longboat. Sporting lightweight buckskin pants and a matching sleeveless top which showcased his massive sun kissed shoulders and arms, he divided his attention between the large stein in his left hand, the smoldering pipe in his right, and the wide assortment of lovely ladies gracing the dance floor. Occasionally, he would turn to his companions to share a comment or short tale, and a hearty laugh. As she looked him over, Shaasta envisioned the feel of the big man's arms around her, holding her close to him while his powerful hands caressed and kneaded and played with her bottom. She also imagined the feel of his stiff cock nested in her tight, moist sex, while his thick fingers probed deep up her ass. In a flash of pure animal desire, all lingering traces of indecision vanished from her mind. Shaasta rose to her feet and took a deep breath. The gentle touch of a soft, webbed paw on her bare shoulder coupled with the whisper of an equally gentle and soft voice behind her caused her to halt. She turned around to find herself gazing into the large brown eyes of a Furling River Otter. He was a cute one for certain, as was typical of his species, and his eyes reflected an innate cheerfulness. Dressed in naught but a red cotton vest, Shaasta recognized this Furling as the pastry vendor she had flirted at during the trek to Hot Summer Nights. "M'lady," he said. A deep shyness was clearly evident in his voice, "If you are not otherwise occupied, might you honor me with this dance?" He averted his gaze to the floor and a light crimson blush was visible through the white fur of his cheeks. Shaasta took one last look over at the big guy she had originally set her sights on. "I'll do him later," she thought to herself, "The night is still young, and there is plenty of Elf to share." She placed a hand under the Otter's chin, brought his gaze back up to meet hers, and gave him her warmest smile, "The honor would be mine, Water Rat. Come, let's set the floor ablaze." She took his paw in her hand and led him through the crowd out to the dance floor under the withering gazes of countless other guys and some girls who watched with envy, envy at the Furling Otter who, by a stroke of fortune, was graced with the company and attention of a tender, nymphly, naked Elf lass. "Fast or slow?" the Otter asked, "This particular piece is suitable for either." "Let's do it slow to start, "Shaasta purred. She put her arms around his waist; he followed suit, placing his paws on her lower back, and Otter and Elf glided together around the floor. "I must admit, m'lady, I am not the most graceful of dancers," the Furling advised her. Shaasta replied with an understanding smile and friendly reassuring laugh, "You have no cause for shame. You are doing no worse and many times better than most everyone else out here. And truth to tell, I am no ballroom swan myself." "Thank-you for the vote of confidence," he chittered. He gave a timid smile, "and I must say, you are the loveliest and most graceful creature to ever brighten the dance floor, m'lady. Though I dare not let my beloved mate ever hear me say that, lest she warm my bottom until even thinking of sitting down would be painful." "Please, call me Shaasta. As you should be able to tell by my attire, such a noble address is far above my humble status." The Otter nodded understanding, "Aye, m'lady Shaasta. I was wondering about your lack of clothing. 'Tis rather uncommon outside of one of the Order of the Mink's Lodges for those not blessed with fur or feathers to parade about skyclad, save for slaves and pets." "And a pet is what I am, as of this afternoon. I must admit, however; it is taking me some time to adjust to this lifestyle, what with my naked body on display for all the world to see. I feel as if I could drop dead of embarrassment at any time, and doubly so when my bare bottom is showing the fiery blush from a paddling." "I do believe that you will eventually grow comfortable with and even take great pride in your nakedness, m'lady," he predicted. And echoing Shaasta's previous words, he added, "And take heart. You most certainly have no cause for shame." One webbed paw timidly slid downwards, "May I, Shaasta?" She blushed and nodded, "But of course, Water Rat. My butt was made to be used and enjoyed." Now that he had the Elf's blessing, he moved both paws down and took a firm grip on her bottom, gently kneading her soft southern flesh with his fingers. Shaasta did the same for him, causing an embarrassed smile to cross his muzzle. They closed the half arm's length gap between them so that their bodies were pressed together as one. Her head rested on his shoulder, and the Otter's rapidly stiffening cock lay along the length of the Elf's bare mound. "You do have a pretty bottom, Shaasta," the Otter said as they swayed back and forth to the music. "And if you would take no offense at my saying so, I would very much enjoy seeing it get spanked, and I would enjoy even moreso having the honor of putting you over my lap and paddling your lovely bottom myself." Shaasta closed her eyes and purred seductively, forgetting to be embarrassed as she nuzzled her face against the Otter's brawny shoulder and neck, basking in the sensuousness of his plush furry body against her bare flesh. "You may very well find both wishes granted before the night is gone," she whispered in his ear. Feeling his erection reach completion at her suggestion, she added, "Both wishes and more, unless you fear your mate's wrath brought down upon your own bottom." The Otter chuckled and gave Shaasta a big musteline grin, "Oh, not at all, m'lady. My precious Issibel does not mind me sampling Niath's finest treasures. And likewise, I do not mind her playing around, as we both know that no matter who we boink or how many, we will end the evening in each others' arms." His fingers found their way under Shaasta's prosthetic tail and teasingly traced down the length of the crevasse formed by her nether cheeks. "Issibel," Shaasta repeated, "such a lovely name. I would guess that she is as pretty as her name sounds." The girl gasped and shuddered at the caress of the Furling's fingers teasing her aft vale. "And before we go any further, does the handsome Otter who is probing my south end have a name, or do I continue to call him Water Rat?" "Oh, forgive my omission, m'lady," he replied, looking genuinely chastened, "Twas a true oversight on my part. You may call me Benden. And 'tis true, Issibel is indeed a most enchanting Otterette. I am most fortunate to have her to share my bed with every night. She works here at Hot Summer Nights, so you should have the pleasure of meeting her later this evening, after her nightly cleansing is complete." He gave a sharp gasp, which was followed by a brief moment of silence when the Elf's fingers found his tight southern star and began probing his depths. "Ah, so she is a dancer here, I presume?" Shaasta playfully wiggled her fingers around inside Benden's ass, causing him to moan. "Issibel is a serving girl," he corrected her, "but all of the serving girls here, whether female or male, often earn some spare coin with their tails. Issibel is a favorite attraction here. On a good night, she can leave here with as much coin inside her as I make in three days pushing the pastry cart." "It sounds like you two have a pretty good thing going and the means for a comfortable life together. Do you have kits, or have you kept your mate on Tempspay?" Benden smiled wistfully, "We have six young'uns," he proudly revealed, "And three of them also now work here. They started two days ago and are putting in a couple hours every evening to earn their apprenticing fees so they can join Uptail Lodge." "Mistport's chapter of The Order of the Mink," Shaasta said. "Yes. Our oldest boy, Denn, wants to become an acolyte. His sister, Faeth, is showing some aptitude for wizardry, and Tizz simply wants to be a Mink Dancer." "Do they lap dance here?" "Denn and Faeth do. But I haven't allowed Tizz to do more than simply be a serving girl and a lap sitter. However, we may allow her to dance tonight under her mother's guidance. After all, she and Dizz are celebrating their tenth year today and she has been begging and pleading for us to allow her to dance like Faeth." He sighed, "I suppose if she is going to be a Mink Dancer anyway, we should let her practice her growing talents. Better she do it under our supervision than for her to sneak off and practice in some seedy tavern where she could end up getting hurt or stolen by slavers." Shaasta nodded understanding, "It would make a nice little birthday present for her. So, will your kits be making an appearance here tonight as well?" "They should be here shortly," Benden replied, "I told them that we would be having a little birthday celebration here for the twins provided they finish their evening chores and after they put in their work time here. They should be showing up within the hour, unless they have been goofing off." Benden's fingers came to rest on the rose Shaasta was carrying, "Hello, what is this?" Shaasta giggled and blushed, "That bit of silliness? That is merely a long-stem rose." "Is it pinned on, or is it..." "It's planted," she replied before Benden could finish his question. "It's the hallmark of the Southern Rose Pet Shop. Every pet Master Varo and Lilieblume sell receives a rose up her butt. Are you not familiar with the Southern Rose?" Benden fingered the fragrant petals pressed against the Elf's ass and shook his head, "Forgive my ignorance, m'lady, but my family is still fairly new to Mistport, and I have not yet become familiar with more than a small fraction of this lovely town's little quirks and customs. So, the Southern Rose it's called, hmm? 'Tis a pretty clever trademark your Master Varo chose, a rose inserted into your southern star, making the flower a southern rose." He paused to catch his breath, then winced as a passing thought struck him. "Benden, are you okay?" Shaasta asked, "Am I hurting you somehow?" "Not at all, m'lady," he reassured her, "In fact, what you are doing beneath my tail feels most wonderful. You work magick with your fingers. I was merely concerned about you and your rose, specifically the matter of the thorns. I mean, is it not exceedingly dangerous to have those piercing you inside? And even if your aft channel has been properly swabbed with Unicorn salve first, would not the thorns still cause unfathomable agony up your butt?" Shaasta laughed and ground her body hard against Benden's, while working her fingers deeper up inside him, "There is no cause for alarm, silly Otter. Varo's roses are thornless. Whether they are grown that way or Lilieblume clips the thorns off, they are perfectly safe." She thrusted her bottom out for Benden, "Go ahead and remove it; see for yourself." Benden took a tender grip on the flower's stem at the base of the bloom, and gently extracted the rose from the Elf's butt and examined it closely, noting the raised nubs where the thorns used to be, "It has been clipped," he announced. He ran the stem over his tongue, taking in the flavor of Elven naughtiness mingled with cinnamon, "You are most delicious, Shaasta. I would very much love to sample your ass further should we have the chance to retreat to more intimate surroundings later this evening. He put the rose in the Elf's hair, behind her left ear, "I presume you submit to gehennite cleansings on a regular basis?" The Otter's assessment of her nether charms as if he was judging wines at a fair caused Shaasta's face to redden yet again. She nodded her head and briefly averted her eyes, "Aye, 'tis gehennite. We received weekly cleansings during our time at the Southern Rose. Master Varo says that just as no two snowflakes are alike, no two people have the exact identical flavor, and the netherwordly liquid fire properly brings out that flavor." "Your Master Varo sounds like a well-educated fellow," Benden said, "I may have to expand my route soon so that I can service and visit his shop." "He is indeed quite knowledgeable about a great array of subjects," Shaasta agreed, "Some of it he learned from his Halfling pet, but most of his knowledge and wisdom was accumulated during his years as an adventurer." "Aye, I often envy those who have taken up that lifestyle and let the world be their teacher." The Otter sighed wistfully, "I do enjoy listening to the tales they often like to tell as they purchase my wares, and I have picked up on many lessons gleaned from their adventures and misadventures." "Well, I certainly have plenty of both that I can talk about." Shaasta took a quick look around the room to see how her companions were faring. Thissle and her partner had returned to the corner table, where the Dragon girl was now sitting centered on his lap. Her back was against his chest, and her wide bottom was rubbing and grinding hard over his groin. Judging by the expression on his face and the way he was holding her, right hand pressed hard against her waist and the left hand down the front of her partially unlaced dress, the Elf guessed that Thissle was now fully and properly impaled on the man's cock. Karma and the Fox were burning up the dance floor. Like Thissle's partner, the Fox was holding the rabbit from behind. His arms were wrapped snug around her and they swayed and ground in perfect unison to the beat of the music. He was obviously locked and knotted inside of Karma, as the back of her dress was partially hiked up and her eyes were partially closed, though Shaasta couldn't tell whether Karma was being taken traditionally or up the ass. Trikks was the most impressive of the three, "By the Mink," Shaasta gasped, "there's something you don't see every day." Benden turned his head to see what Shaasta was going on about. The Coyote and Eagle had their arms wrapped tight around each other. His wings were spread and flapping slowly so that the two dancers were hovering a Halfling's height off the floor. Trikks had an ecstatic expression on her muzzle, and her hips were bucking hard against the Ornith's, leaving no doubt in anyone's mind that she was in fact being fucked in mid-air. "Ah, the Falcon and the Mink," the Otter said, "That is actually a ritual dance, highly revered of course by..." Shaasta interrupted him to complete the thought, "By the Order of the Mink, I presume?" "Yes," the Otter confirmed, "and by the Order of the Falcon as well, for that matter. The complete version is frequently practiced by both orders. It is said that many millenia ago when they were still mere mortals, Lord Azoral and his pet sister, Lady Ishtar, coupled together in mid-air for three days and three nights non-stop in their Ornith Falcon and Furling Mink forms. Six months later, their first daughter, Lady Halanith, future Mistress of the Beastlands, was born." Shaasta was quite impressed, "Oh my! Three days of nonstop airborne boinking? That gives a whole new meaning to giving a flying fuck." "Actually," Benden corrected her, "that is where the expression originated." "So then," Shaasta said, "for one who has never led a life of adventure, how did you come upon this bit of lore?" "As I said previously," the Otter replied, "in my line of work, I hear many tales and pick up on many little tidbits of ancient history. In this case, my knowledge was gleaned from Zorahs himself," he gestured towards the Eagle who was dancing above the crowd while fucking the Coyote girl. "Last night, he demonstrated the Falcon and the Mink, the condensed version like they are doing now of course, three, no, four times." "Four flying fucks?" Shaasta exclaimed, "That bird must have legendary endurance." "That he does indeed," Benden replied, "And 'tis no surprise either, considering he is, in fact, a high level acolyte in the Order of the Falcon. So anyway, he first took to the air with my Issibel and demonstrated how the dance was traditionally performed." "Except that they didn't dance anywhere near three days and three nights." "Correct, they danced just long enough for them both to reach the summit of the Mink's Mountain. No sooner had they landed and his cock was extracted from my mate, Zorahs gently wrapped his arms around Denn and showed how the Falcon and the Mink was performed when a boy takes on the role of the girl." He gestured towards Karma and her Vulpine partner, who was still taking her from behind while swaying and grinding to the music. "It was much like the way that Fox and Rabbit are dancing over there. Except, they were in the air and Zorahs' cock was buried up my son's ass of course." Shaasta solemnly nodded; her arousal was rapidly strengthening within her as Benden described the Eagle's recent boinking spree, "Up the ass of course, and after he was finished with your boy?" "After Denn's bottom was filled with the Eagle's seed, it was Faeth's turn. He made the mistake of asking her which way she wanted to try it. She couldn't decide, so she compromised, and Zorahs ended up taking her both ways." Benden smiled and his eyes reflected a twinkle of pure fatherly pride. "Such an amazing girl my daughter is. Just barely thirteen summers now and Faeth is already demonstrating talents on par with her mother. Denn is quite skilled with his assets as well, but Faeth is truly gifted and blessed beyond all expectations." "So then, she should earn her apprenticing fee in no time at all," Shaasta guessed. The Otter nodded his head several times, "That she will indeed," he agreed. "In fact, last night she earned more copper, silver, and even gold than Issibel. By the time we went home, Faeth was carrying so much coin under her tail, she could barely walk. We were so proud of her, and little Dizz was jealous of her big sister because..." The Otter's chatter was abruptly silenced. Unable to resist the desire aching between her legs any longer, Shaasta subtley worked her hips against Benden's, and without missing a beat, she impaled herself with one quick and smooth motion on the Otter's thick, hard cock, taking his full length deep inside her sex. Benden's breath escaped him and his eyes nearly rolled back in his skull when his shaft was unexpectedly driven into and engulfed by the Elf's feminine depths. She was so hot inside, and so tight that had he not known better, he would swear that he had just penetrated a tender-tail virgin. "Shaasta," he moaned, engaging in a mental struggle to prevent his loins from unloading his seed into her so soon, "this is a thousandfold greater than even I had anticipated." His fingers again probed beneath Shaasta's tail until he found that tight little opening where her southern rose had been planted. The tip of one finger teased around the rim, while a second finger gently caressed and pressed against the smooth spot between the Elf girl's anus and cunt. "Aw, sweet Otter," Shaasta purred; her eyes were half closed and her hips were bucking hard against Benden, drawing him rapidly upwards towards the summit of the Mink's Mountain, "you shame me with your tender words." She was gradually working them back to her table, where she would take his lap and bring their dance to its climactic conclusion. "But 'tis true, m'lady," Benden swore. He was working as hard as the Elf, his hips gyrating and pounding against hers, perfectly synchronized with the band's heavy drum beat. "You present a great paradox, Elf," he informed her, "Your moves out here are clearly those of a girl who has been to the Summit countless times. Yet inside, you are as a young maiden who is making her first climb." His finger penetrated the Elf's tight butthole, mingling with the coins she carried, and tickling the inner wall of her rear passage. They reached the table. Shaasta removed her fingers from the Otter's butt and guided him down onto her chair, all the wile keeping his pulsing cock nested to the hilt inside her. She sat facing him, her feet not quite touching the floor as she straddled his thighs, and her naked bottom traced wide circles around his lap. She playfully rubbed her nose against his and touched her soft lips to his muzzle, "There is no paradox," she claimed, "What you feel is one of the benefits of fucking an Elf. We don't wear down like many other races do." Since her explanation was absolutely true, she saw no need to mention the Pixie Salve Varo had treated her ass and cunt with before she left the Southern Rose. "To the Fey Folk!" Benden toasted, despite his paws being too occupied with Elven tail to properly lift a drink, which he didn't have anyway, "May they never vanish from the face of Niath." As the music crescendoed, Shaasta lowered herself back so that she was lying down along the length of the Otter's legs. Her own buckskin-clad legs rose up along Benden's arms and hooked over his shoulders. With the Elf in this position, he was forced to remove his fingers from her ass. The girl gasped as the coins inside her shifted to fill the space vacated by the Otter's digits. The gasp became a soft moan when his webbed paws gently caressed and kneaded her smooth, bare inner thighs. As she lay inverted on Benden's lap, still writhing to the feral beat while the Otter's cock continued to pound a counter rhythm inside her, Shaasta took note of the activities taking place around her. The music was nearing its climax, as were Thissle and her partner. The Dragon girl's writhings on the man's lap had reached a frenzied peak; he was holding her so tight and the grim expression on his face was so intense, there was no doubt that the lap dance had reached its orgasmic conclusion and his hot, sweet juices were now filling Thissle's even hotter depths. Karma and her partner had given up all pretense of actually dancing. Having returned to the corner where his companion and Thissle were squirming together as one, the Fox had the Rabbit simply bent over the table. The back of Karma's buckskin minidress was hiked way up out of the way, and he was ramming her hard from behind. His groin slammed over and over against Karma's wide, furry bottom and his long, hard cock thrust steadily in her sex, pumping in and out of her in sync with the beat of the music. Soon, however, Fox and Bunny joined the other two atop the summit of the Mink's Mountain. His thrusts inside her warm, slick depths came to an abrupt halt; he bent himself over Karma's back and his jaws clamped down on her neck, not hard enough to harm her, but with sufficient strength to hold the Rabbit in place while he filled her aching cunt with his passion. Karma's head was raised back as the Fox's teeth pressed into her neck. Her eyes were closed tight and her mouth was open as she gasped for breath. Her wide hips bucked violently under his weight, and Shaasta could see the Bunny's ass and thighs flex rhythmically, milking her partner's juices from his loins. Despite the blatant display of unbridled animal lust taking place at the corner table, the Fox and the Rabbit drew very little attention from the other revelers. Most of the crowd was fixated on Trikks and Zorahs squirming together in the middle of the room, high above the dance floor. As they neared completion of the Falcon and the Mink, they lay horizontal in mid-air. The Coyote was violently thrashing about beneath the Eagle. His beak was gently nuzzling and pecking all over her neck, shoulders, and breasts. While one arm was wrapped securely around her waist, Zorahs' other arm was under Trikks' tail, his fist planted past the wrist up her ass, pumping hard in time with the rhythmic thrusts of his large cock buried in her tight cunt. Shaasta pressed her ass hard against Benden and spread her arms out. The moment for her big finishing move had finally arrived. She swayed back and forth like a snake, then raised her right leg off the Otter's shoulder. The other leg came up and pressed against the back of her thigh, and the Elf performed a graceful one hundred eighty degree roll so that she was now lying face-down on Benden's lap with her arms wrapped around his lower legs, her thighs hugging his hips, and her luscious bare ass gyrating and shaking teasingly in the air. As expected, Shaasta heard Benden moan, felt his webbed paws grasp her bottom and begin playing it like a drum with quick, stinging swats, and finally felt the much anticipated sticky warmth of his seed filling her sex. The pulsing of the Otter's cock as it squirted his life juices into her pushed Shaasta over the edge. The fiery kiss of orgasm rippled through her sweet body, and the Elf's gyrations and writhings grew more frenzied. This drew Benden even further into the seething furnace of pure animal passion. His orgasm reaching its fevered climax, Benden took a powerful two-handed grip on Shaasta's bottom, his claws digging hard into her soft flesh, not hard enough to draw blood, but hard enough to send needles of sweet pain coursing through the Elf's backside and drive her deeper into the flaming abyss. His paws forcefully spread Shaasta's nether cheeks apart, exposing her beautiful little southern star. With the agility and flexibility that his species was famous for, the Otter bent forward and buried his face in the squirming girl's butt; his tongue penetrated her tight treasure hole, thoroughly moistening her rear passage. He lingered for a full half minute in Shaasta's bottom, savoring the decadent flavor of her cinnamon naughtiness before finally coming up for air. Sitting upright once more, he reached into an inner pocket in his vest and produced not one, but two large gold coins. He inserted them one at a time into Shaasta, pushing them as deep as he could up her butt, to join the silver and copper coins she was already carrying. The Elf's writhings were starting to wane, so Benden put his arms around her and gently pulled her up back to a seated position on his lap. Her back was pressed against his chest and her cunt was still impaled on his cock, which remained erect inside her. He tenderly caressed and played with Shaasta's hips and her soft, yet subtly muscular bare thighs and playfully nuzzled and nipped at her neck while they quietly basked in the afterglow of their shared passion. "M'lady," Benden purred in her ear, "that was truly one of the finest couplings I have ever had the fortune to experience. That final move was most amazing. Never have I seen a dancer perform such a trick. You should teach that one to Denn and Faeth one of these times." Shaasta giggled and rested her head on his shoulder, "Truth be known, that was the first time I had ever attempted such a feat." His paws glided down her hips and caressed her inner thighs, eliciting a shudder of pleasure from the Elf, "Well you most certainly pleased and impressed this Otter tonight. And if the sweet lady would pardon my brashness, I must also declare that your bottom is one of the most wonderful I have ever tasted." She sighed and blushed again, then whispered in his ear, "No pardoning is required, love. And I would like to take you up on your offer before the night is finished. If we can find a more intimate place to retire to, ye may indulge your decadence and sample my naughtiness in much greater depth." "If you two need a quiet place to escape to, Ravenna and I have a suite downstairs that you can use." Startled by the unexpected interruption, Shaasta and Benden looked up to see Brannel standing over them. Accompanying the Buck was a cute, perky Otter girl. She was dressed in nothing but a short, lacy, black and white apron identical to the one Brannel wore, and she was carrying a tray with four frosty mugs of ale. "Oh, Brannel!" Shaasta said, "You startled me real good there. I didn't hear you arrive." The Deer laughed and patted the Elf's thigh, "What with this rowdy lot here tonight," he gestured towards the crowd out on the floor cheering Zorahs and Trikks along, "stealth is no challenge even for the most heavy footed. Anyway, your drinks are here and ready. Issibel, if you would?" He smiled at the Otter who was waiting quietly behind him. She set the tray down and dispensed a mug to each place setting. "Issibel?" Shaasta repeated the girl's name and glanced at Benden, whose eyes were transfixed on the wide, plush backside of the Otterette as she served, "This sweet little creature is your precious mate you have been telling me about?" "In the fur," Benden replied and commenced introductions, "Shaasta, this is my lovely Issibel. Issibel, this is Shaasta; she just finished performing the second best lap dance I have ever known." Issibel smiled at Shaasta, then turned to her mate, "Did you fuck her?" Brannel smiled warmly at Shaasta, "Aw look. The Elf is blushing again." "Yeppers, you fucked her," Issibel concluded. "Shaasta tends to blush a lot," Benden explained, giving her rump an affectionate pat. "It is so cute when her face turns red like that." "And when her lovely bottom has been properly paddled, the blush in her aft end complements the blush in her face quite well," the Deer added. Issibel padded over to the Elf and pressed her muzzle to her lips, "It is a pleasure to meet you, Shaasta," she said. Her voice was soft and childlike, "I trust ye are keeping my dear mate in line?" She gave Benden a playful smack on the flank, and he returned the favor with a firm swat on Issibel's wide, furry rump. "No worries, m'lady," Shaasta assured her, "Benden has been a perfect gentlefur thus far." Issibel pressed her muzzle to her mate's and giggled, "Well, he's perfect at least. But if he misbehaves too much, feel free to put him over your lap and put that lovely paddle there to proper use on his cute bottom." She reverently patted Thissle's apprentice's paddle which was lying on the table. This time, it was Benden's turn to blush, "If she does, would I have to coin her, or would she have to coin me?" Brannel shrugged, "That is a difficult question best left to the Mink's High Sages on Kamanawannaleia. But I would wager to say that who coins who would depends on which of you enjoys the paddling the most." "So then," Benden said, putting his paw under Issibel's tail and slipping a finger up her butt, "speaking of sore bottoms, how was your cleansing tonight, love?" "I'm still a bit tender inside," she replied, "and Anton had a moment of clumsiness. He accidentally dripped a little bit of gehennite on my rump and thighs." She reached behind herself and gingerly rubbed her ass as she recalled the experience. "Fortunately, he was quick enough with the Beastlands ice to put the flames out before they could spread and make me a Fire Maiden." "I do wish to apologize again for that incident," Brannel said, giving Issibel's rump a squeeze, "I have seen to it that my son will never make that mistake again." "I do appreciate you thoroughly paddling his bottom for his error," the Otter girl replied, "but I still think the other part of his disciplining is rather harsh for what amounted to naught more than a temporarily superheated bottom." Benden cocked his head to one side and gave the Buck a curious gaze, "What did you do to Anton after you spanked him, that even my own dear mate would find too severe?" "First, I must remind you that we are of the Order of the Twilight Mists," Brannel explained. "When it comes to instilling discipline, we make the Minks look like the Order of the Cute Little Pink Fluffy Bunnies. We do not do anything half-assed. When punishment is decreed, it is carried out in full force so that there is no doubt in the recipient's mind that she is indeed being punished." He took his paddle off his belt and gave his own muscular rump a hard swat for emphasis. Having some glimmer of an idea where this was going, Shaasta gave her bottom a sympathetic rub and coaxed the Deer to continue, "So i take it that this was indeed terribly excruciating, most likely involving more pain administered on his rear?" "In his rear is more accurate," he corrected her, "To really drive the lesson home, my son is working the rest of the night with a long plug of gehennite up his butt." "Ooh, ouch," Shaasta said, wincing again, "I bet that is going to affect his job performance a bit." "Just a little," Brannel assured her, "Just like myself and Mistress Ravenna, Anton and Melody have learned to work under conditions of extreme discomfort, and I do mean extreme." Shaasta nodded and smirked, "Anton would really fall for Delilah then. She's my Master's other pet, and she is quite addicted to gehennite for some reason. Perhaps the next time we visit Mistport, she can join us." Benden removed his finger from his mate's butt and put it in his mouth, "Mmm, most wonderful," he purred, "I may have to take both you and Shaasta down to the Dungeon Suite tonight, love." "Oh! a three-way," Issibel exclaimed, "We haven't done that in ages. If time permits and if one of the others can fill in for me..." Brannel put a hand on the Otter girl's shoulder, "I'll talk to Ravenna and see what we can arrange. Now, speaking of sore bottoms, I hope your girlfriends finish up with their clients soon. We wouldn't want their drinks to get warm." Benden's whiskers twitched at the mention of drinks, "Oh? What are ye drinking tonight?" "It's called Ringtail Ale," Shaasta replied, "It's brewed in a Furling Raccoon's..." "Yes yes, I know what Ringtail Ale is," the Otter interrupted her, "I haven't tried it yet myself, but I have heard that it is truly something to write home about." "Are you going to give it a shot tonight?" Brannel asked, "I can guarantee that you won't regret it." "Benden shrugged his shoulders and nodded his head, "Okay, you twisted my tail. I figure that I have tasted plenty of behinds as it is, so why not go ahead and finally see if your mate's ass is as tasty as everyone has been raving about?" "You heard the order, Issibel," Brannel said, "One mug of Ringtail Ale for your Otter." He sent the girl on her way with a firm smack of his paddle on her furry butt, then he took his leave of Benden and Shaasta to go wait on other customers. After Issibel disappeared back into the kitchen, Benden adjusted the Elf's position on his lap so that she was perched sidesaddle, with her legs draped over his and her bare bottom exposed for the viewing pleasure of all passersby. "So then, m'lady," he said. One paw was once again idly playing with Shaasta's butt, "if ye have no other plans for late tonight, would you and your companions honor us with your presence at Dizz and Tizz's little birthday celebration?" Shaasta nodded and smiled, "I'm all for it. But I will have to ask Thissle, Karma, and Trikks first. After all, I am just the pet, and tonight, Karma is the one in charge. However, I am pretty certain that they will accept your invitation." Benden happily clapped his paw on the Elf's bottom, causing her to squirm playfully on his lap and renew his erection inside of her, "Oh, that is most wonderful. Dizz will especially be excited to meet and yakkity-yak with you, since you and her have some major interests in common." "Oh? Like what?" "Well for starters, she is showing signs of submissiveness." Shaasta cocked her head to one side, "You mean Dizz is her brother's pet sister as I am?" Benden laughed and shook his head, "Pet sister? My, you are naughtier than I thought. But no, 'tis nothing like that, at least not yet. She does tend to idolize Denn though. And she is most definitely a daddy's girl, always wanting to be with me when she isn't with her big brother, and always quick to submit to the paddle when she knows that she has been a bad girl. Still, I can see her putting on a collar some day and dedicating her life to serving a loving but strict master." Shaasta smiled and nuzzled Benden's neck again while his paw continued to idly toy with her rump, "With the right owner, it really isn't a bad lifestyle to fall into." "Aye," the Otter agreed, "so I have heard. In fact, Issibel and myself have a similar arrangement." "Really? Which one of you is the pet?" "Odd as it may seem," he replied, "we both are. When we became mates, we vowed to be submissive to each other. She keeps me in line and disciplines me as she deems necessary, and likewise, I keep her in line and discipline her as required, or as either of us desires." Shaasta nodded her head and caressed the edges of Benden's ears, "It sounds like a good arrangement. But perhaps you should make it official and receive each other's mark on your behinds." "You mean get branded?" Benden winced at the thought of his mate's perfect bottom being marred by a hot iron. "Yes. Both of you are pretty hot properties, and without a beastmark, any slaver who sets his eyes on your tails would take you down and collar you in an instant." "Do you really think so?" "You bet your ass," Shaasta replied. "In fact, I think those two over there might, at this very moment, be harboring thoughts of taking you." She very subtly gestured in the direction of a Furling Bat and a Furling Tigress three tables over to their left. The two Furlings were definitely eyeing them and making occasional comments to each other, as if taking mental notes. "Those two, eh? You really think they might be slavers?" "I don't know for sure," Shaasta admitted, "but they do seem to carry the same air of dominance and authority that Master Varo has." "You have an outstanding sense of perception, Tender Hawk." Shaasta turned her attention away from the two Furlings and looked up at Brannel, who had returned to check up on them. "Those two are Syrinx and Sheena," he said, giving the Bat, Tigress, and the collar-clad Furling Pony who just now joined them a friendly nod and smile. "They actually own the Hinterteil Pet Shop up north in Coralport. And that lovely Pony attending to them is Merriweather, their pet." Merriweather gave Brannel, Shaasta, and Benden a coy smile when she noticed their gaze, then prompted by the affectionate open-handed swat Syrinx planted on her soft but muscular rump, she knelt submissively beside her Master and awaited his command. "So, what are they doing here in Mistport?" Shaasta asked, "Are they like spying on Master Varo and the Southern Rose or something?" "Oh, not at all," Brannel laughed. "No, Syrinx and Sheena are in town to work out some possible trades with Varo. And they have rented a couple suites from us here for themselves and their merchandise they brought down with them. I can introduce you to them if you wish." "Perhaps a bit later," Shaasta replied. "I'll take a rain check on that," Benden said, "I don't want to risk them stealing me or anything." "Silly Otter," the Deer chided him, "Syrinx and Sheena are respectable business folk, and highly revered in Coralport. They would never outright abduct anyone in order to increase their inventory." "Just like Master Varo and Lilieblume," Shaasta added, "They are shop owners, not brigands or mercenary slavers." "Oh. Well, what do I know," the Otter smiled sheepishly, "After all, I'm just a lowly pastry vendor." He focused his gaze on the kneeling Pony girl, "They do have good taste in pets, I must admit." "They do indeed," Brannel agreed, "Merriweather there is a real sweetheart. I played with her last night, and let me tell you, that girl can fuck like a rabbit in season. She was expensive, but well worth the price for a full night." Benden's whiskers twitched, "Really? I may have to talk with her Master after all before the night is through, and see if he would let me use her for a bit." "If you have the coin, they will not say no," Brannel assured him. "But just be wary. Syrinx may not steal victims to become pets, but he can be extremely persuasive when it comes to convincing worthy candidates to sell themselves to his shop. He even managed to talk Count Morland's daughter into selling herself to him." "Who's Count Morland?" Shaasta asked. "He is the one who rules this region from Harrjsson Fjord, a day's journey south of Mistport, to just beyond Coralport in the north, and Granite Heights to the west." "And he didn't mind his daughter selling herself into a life of servitude?" Benden asked. "Of course he minded," Brannel shot back, "However, since she had already received her beastmark and the papers had been signed by the time he got to her, there was nothing he could do except give her a spanking, with her new owners' permission of course, and wish them the best together." "Okay," Benden said, "if I do talk to Master Syrinx about boinking his pet, I will keep wary and watch my ass." "Because Syrinx and Sheena most certainly will be," Brannel and Shaasta said in unison. "Now on that note," Brannel said, "I must take my leave of you again for a short time. I need to check on some of the preparations for the Count's arrival tonight." "Count Morland is coming here tonight?" Shaasta asked. "Indeed he is. His daughter is in town, and will be playing here tonight. Since she tends to keep a rather busy schedule, this is the ideal place for them to meet." And with that, Brannel performed another dainty curtsy and sauntered back to the kitchen. "Oh good," Shaasta said, "It looks like Karma and Thissle are finally finished. She failed to stifle a chuckle as the Human and Fox extracted themselves from her companions' posteriors, then bent the girls over, inserted a gold piece and a few silvers up their butts, and escorted them across the room back to their own table. "It's about bloody time," the Elf jabbed at them, as the two newcomers sat down and Rabbit and Dragon perched themselves on their partners' laps. "We were afraid your ales would get warm by the time you got back over here." Thissle shrugged and picked up her mug. She took a dainty sniff at its contents and smiled. "It was a long song," she argued, then took a sip of the cold, pale liquid. "So naturally, that made for a long dance," Karma added. Like Thissle, she took a sniff at her drink, and followed it with a tentative sip. Her ears dropped back seductively against her back as the sweet exotic flavor spread over her tongue, "and we still finished before the music did." "What a strange definition you have of dancing, silly Rabbit," Shaasta said, "I may have to look it up in a lexicon later, but I'm pretty sure that dancing is not synonymous with plain, outright fucking." Karma shrugged and stuck her tongue out at the Elf, "So what? Perhaps it is the same in some languages. If not, we can always petition whoever is in charge to change that." She took a deeper sip of her drink, draining half the mug down her throat, "Amazing! This is like nothing I've ever tried before." Thissle nodded her head and giggled, "Yeah, who would have thought a Raccoon's butt could taste so delightful?" The Human whose lap Thissle was gracing gave a quizzical look, "Er, a Raccoon's butt? Pardon my ignorance, but what are you drinking?" Karma held up the mug for all to see, "It's a house specialty here. They call it Ringtail Ale. It is pretty unique to say the least." "Yeah," Thissle added, "freshly brewed inside the naughty end of a Furling Raccoon and chilled with Beastlands ice. Wanna sip, Arthur?" The man shook his head and waved the mug away, "Uhm, no thanks. I'll stick with the more traditional brews for now. "Okay, suit yourself. But you are missing out on a real treat here," she shrugged her shoulders and took another sip. "Mmmm, we need to get Master a few bottles of this." "I'd like to try it," the Fox whose lap Karma decorated said, "I'll try anything once, twice if I like it, more if I'm tied up." Karma handed her mug to him and he took a sampling. He nodded his head and licked his chops approvingly, "The girls are right, Master. You are missing out on a real treat. Though truth to tell, I would really like to try a Bunny brew of some sort sometime." Karma took her mug back and giggled, the insides of her ears reddening a bit as she momentarily averted her eyes, "Oh, Syrano. You really have a knack for making a girl blush." Shaasta, who had yet to try hers, hefted her mug and took a deep breath, "Well, bottoms up," she toasted, and took a long pull. "I think you're right, Thissle. Master would appreciate this. Hansen would like it as well." Thissle gave Shaasta a knowing smirk, "I'm always right. So anyway, where is Brannel at, and when is Trikks going to get her furry ass back over here?" "I'm right here," Brannel replied, as he once again made an appearance at their table. This time, Issibel had returned with him, with a rather large platter bearing a number of frosty mugs and steins, and plates of appetizers. She set one mug in front of her mate, then presented her backside to him so he could insert the obligatory one silver for the drink and five coppers for the gratuity. "Thanks, love," she said, also accepting an affectionate pat on the ass from Benden and planting a kiss on his cheek. "I'll chatter with you later. Got customers to serve, y'know." And with that, she took her tray and padded away the room to deliver her orders, the swish in her gait a little more pronounced as the coins under her tail shifted and settled inside her. "Hey, looks like your 'Yote friend and her partner are finally finished with their demonstration," Benden noted, after Issibel disappeared into the crowd. A raucous cheer, punctuated by the noise of mugs banging on tables filled the room. The music had ended at last and Trikks and Zorahs had finally landed. The Eagle extracted himself from the Coyote, helped her to her feet, and the couple acknowledged the crowd with the usual bows and curtsies. As they worked their way through the throng, several revelers gave their thanks so that by the time they reached their table, both of them were carrying a considerable amount of coin under their tails. Trikks had a rather smug expression on her muzzle, while Zorahs looked a little embarrassed over the attention his posterior had suddenly received. Zorahs took a seat at the table, and Trikks cuddled on his lap. She rested her head on his shoulder and gave a contented sigh, "Oh, Z, that was absolutely wonderful. I could feel the magick in the air and inside me." The Eagle replied with a soft laugh and gave Trikks a friendly squeeze on the rump, "That wasn't magick inside you, m'lady," he corrected her, "That was me inside you." She giggled and gave him a kiss on the cheek, then picked up her mug, "Aw, 'tis just silly semantics, bird brain. Every time you fuck me, it is pure unbridled magick." The Coyote took a long drink of her ale, then licked the foam off her muzzle. "Brannel, m'boy," she said, "Give my compliments to your mate, and especially to your mate's butt. She makes one fine Ringtail Ale indeed." "That is what is on tap tonight?" Zorahs asked, "Bring me a double then, if you please." "There's a fresh batch brewing now," the Deer informed him, "It should be ready shortly." He then turned to the other new arrivals who had joined the Coyote's party, "And what would you two gentlemen like?" "I'll go with a Ringtail," the Fox declared. "You should too, Master. It really is quite delightful." "It seems a strange concept," the man replied, "but then again, I have imbibed potions brewed in more esoteric manners than this ale in my day. So why not?" "Good choice, sir" Brannel said, "You won't be disappointed." He turned to leave, but Trikks stopped him. "Brannel, I believe that you are forgetting something of great importance." She held up a silver piece. The Deer held out a hand to accept it, but the Coyote playfully slapped it away. "No, love. You should take your payment the way the other girls here take theirs." Brannel sighed and a soft reddening was visible through the white fluff of his cheeks. "As you wish, m'lady," he conceded. He turned around and bent forward slightly, presenting his delicious-looking bottom to Trikks. The Coyote pressed the silver coin between Brannel's nether cheeks, and in one smooth motion, pushed it well up inside his depths. The five coppers she had set aside for gratuity followed the silver one at a time. "There, that wasn't so bad now. Was it?" She smiled and gave Brannel's bottom a firm smack with her paddle. "And the other's also wish to contribute as well." Brannel, blushing even more now, as the people at neighboring tables were watching the payment proceedings with tremendous amusement, meekly went around the table and presented his rear to Thissle, Karma, and finally Shaasta, so that they could also insert their five coppers each as Trikks had done. Now, with his south end filled with coins, the Deer again took his leave of the party and returned once more to the kitchen, bearing and even more exaggerated swish in his stride than before. "So then," Trikks said, "I see our little party has grown a bit since that last dance. Will someone please make introductions?" "Certainly, m'lady of the Mink." The man whose lap Thissle decorated lowered his cowl to reveal a head of shoulder-length salt and pepper colored hair which framed a face that showed the early signs of middle age. Trikks guessed he had seen at least forty Summers already, perhaps a bit more. He coaxed Thissle off his lap and gracefully rose to his feet. "I am Arthur," he said, taking the Coyote's paw in his hand and planting a polite kiss on her fingers, "a hermitic Wizard, initiated with the Order of the Wild Rose." Trikks gave Arthur her sweetest and most sincere smile, "Ah, 'tis a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Arthur of the Rose. I am Trikks, merely a humble artist and initiate in the Order of the Mink, as you had already correctly guessed. And who is this lovely young Voop?" The Fox followed Arthur's lead, gently put Karma off his lap, rose to his feet, and planted a gentle lick on the Coyote's paw, "I'm Syrano, m'lady," he replied, "I am Master Arthur's apprentice. We have a small cottage deep in the woods two days' journey east of here. Master thought it would be good for me to get some exposure to town life in order to help me appreciate the solitary lifestyle of our Order, so he brought me with him on his semi-annual expedition here to Mistport to stock up on various supplies." "Enough, Syrano," Arthur interrupted, "No need to bore these fine ladies with our life stories now." He took the Fox's student paddle that hung from the lad's belt, and applied a pair of firm warning swats under his tunic and tail, which silenced the now properly embarrassed apprentice. Zorahs chuckled at the exchange between Arthur and Syrano, "Heh. Rather impetuous lad, eh?" "He isn't normally this chatty," the wizard replied, "But after a couple glasses of Azure Depths, it becomes rather difficult to shut him up." "It didn't look too difficult for you," Trikks commented, "a single well-placed smack under his tail seems to have done the job quite well." Syrano blushed and rubbed his bottom, then sat down again and pulled Karma back onto his lap. "He's learning," Arthur said, "learning that silence can be platinum, and that too little silence can be crimson." "Yes," Zorahs agreed, "Furlings do tend to learn those little lessons quickly," he gave Trikks a look, then amended his statement, "at least, most do." Trikks huffed indignantly, "Well, I can't help it. I am a people person, y'know. And I am no silly little apprentice either, never was, actually. I taught myself my trade and..." She was quickly silenced by a firm smack of a taloned hand on her rump. To conceal her brief moment of embarrassment, she turned and gave Syrinx and his little entourage a wave and friendly smile, then turned her attention to Elf and Otter. "And Shaasta, who is your charming Otter friend?" Before Shaasta could answer, Zorahs cut in, "This fellow is Benden, Pastry Vendor Extraordinaire. His mate and three of his kits started working here not long after you went into your self-imposed exile from Hot Summer Nights." The Otter hefted his mug and gave Trikks a friendly nod and toast, "An honor to meet you, m'lady. 'Tis a fine group of friends you have chosen to drink with tonight." He took a long pull of his Ringtail Ale, savoring Ravenna's unique flavor as it spread over his tongue and down his throat. "And Zorahs, Faeth has not been able to stop talking about last night. She is hoping that before the night is done, you might be willing to join her for an encore performance of The Falcon and the Mink." "The honor would be mine," Zorahs replied, "Your daughter is a natural on the dance floor, and she will rise high in the Mink's ranks." "It's Tizz that is going to be the dancer," Benden corrected him, "Faeth is going to be a wizardess." "I know. However, all apprenticeships through Uptail Lodge, through any Order of the Mink Lodge for that matter, involve learning service skills." "Especially magick-oriented apprenticeships," Trikks added, "There are countless spells, enchantments, and rituals our Order engages in that make use of what we like to call boink magick, as that is one of the most effective and efficient techniques for gathering the mana needed for the most powerful of spells." "Correct," Zorahs agreed, "The Minks' boink magick is every bit as powerful as pain magick, revered by the Order of the Falcon and the Order of the Twilight Mists. And truth to tell, quite often, the two forms are largely indistinguishable." Trikks nodded her head enthusiastically, "Yes yes. That is why the Minks and Falcons are such close and strong allies. Our rituals and techniques complement each other perfectly." "That's truly no surprise if you think about it for a moment," Arthur cut in, "After all, your respective Founding Immortals are siblings." Zorahs nodded thoughtfully, "Yes, you do have a point there. And likewise, sir, your Order's Founding Immortal is their firstborn daughter. But now is not the time for lessons in ancient history. Now is the time to enjoy this wild hot Summer night here with sweet drink, succulent food, and passionate dancing." "I'll drink to that," Thissle said, raising her mug in a toast and draining the remains of her ale down her throat. "A pity my drink is gone. I am going to need another round." "Well then, it sounds like we returned just in time." Brannel had rejoined the group once more. Accompanying him this time, and pushing a small wheeled table, was a most enchanting Furling Raccoon. Despite being dressed in naught but a pair of ornate bracers, one on her upper left arm, and one on her right ankle, she still carried herself with an air of dignity and grace. She gave the group a coy smile and a curtsy, and introduced herself, "Welcome to our humble little inn. I am Ravenna, your hostess. I trust my beloved mate and pet here has been treating you well?" "Indeed he has," Shaasta replied, "Brannel has been a perfect gentlefur since our arrival." Ravenna ran a paw through her mane of waist-length, coal black hair, laughed, and slapped the Deer on his ass, "Ha! I seriously doubt that. But seriously, we are pleased to have you here of course, and especially you, Trikks." The Raccoon padded over to the Coyote and leaned forward to plant a deep kiss solidly on her mouth. "You have been sorely missed here. Hot Summer Nights has been a rather dull spot without your presence. Now, please introduce me to your drinking mates. Zorahs and Benden I know intimately, but what of these three lovely young ladies, the Fox, and the wizard?" The group made their customary round of introductions, and then Ravenna got down to business. "Now, Brannel here tells me that you are pleased with our house specialty." "That's right," Thissle acknowledged, "Ringtail Ale is pure ambrosia. Never have I tasted such a wonderful, naughty concoction. In fact, I wouldn't mind getting a few extra bottles of it as a pet warming present for Master Frelic." "She is quite right," Trikks agreed, "I myself am now addicted to the wonderful flavor of your bottom. And I agree with Thissle. A few extra bottles would make the perfect gift for her Master, considering the circumstances, what with him being a new pet owner twice over." "And are you one of his pets, Thissle?" Ravenna asked. Thissle giggled and shook her head, "Oh no. Not me. I'm one of his apprentices." She gestured towards the Elf girl, "But Shaasta here, she is one of his." Ravenna gave Shaasta a thorough looking over and gave her an approving pat on the rump, "Your Master has good taste in pets. Had he not purchased you, I most likely would have next time I made the trip to the Southern Rose." Shaasta blushed and smiled timidly at the Raccoon, "Thank-you m'lady. Master is very good to me, though he does seem to have an obsession with keeping my bottom sore." "And that is just as it should be, because...Well, I'm sure you know the reasons." "Yes, I know, m'lady," the Elf replied, "Master Varo and Lilieblume put heavy emphasis on that part of the training." "That's the understatement of the ages," Brannel muttered, "I know exactly what they put you through, because Mistress Ravenna had them train me." "And they did a damn good job too, Brannel," Ravenna smirked, "I remember when you were my apprentice, you were a real pawful, and constantly getting into one form of trouble or another. Thankfully, Varo and Lilieblume were able to tame you and give you that extra little bit of discipline that for some reason, I was not able to manage." "Now," she continued, "about your sudden addiction to Ringtail Ale. Brannel tells me that one of you was asking about possibly trying it fresh from the source?" Thissle raised a hand, "That was me, m'lady. If the other patrons here would not be offended by the sight, I really would like to try it without the mug." Ravenna chuckled and patted the girl's bare thigh, "No need to worry about this rowdy lot being offended, dear. I'm sure by now you have seen some of the debauchery that takes place beneath our roof," She gave Zorahs a gentle nudge with her elbow, "and everyone who orders Ringtail Ale knows how it is made. We do not keep that a secret. In fact, I believe our customers here would very much enjoy seeing someone drink from the source." "And truth be known," Brannel added, "this could very well start a new trend. It's quite possible that once these folk see you drinking from my mate, others may want to give it a try." "As the drinker, or as the keg?" Karma asked. "You make a good point there, Bunny," Ravenna mused, "Brannel has talked frequently about recruiting willing tails to serve as vessels. This could possibly be the catalyst that starts it all. Now, let's hurry up here. We both have other work to attend to." Ravenna pushed the little mobile table up next to Thissle and climbed up on top. Brannel held his mate's tail up out of the way while she assumed the invite position, legs folded beneath her, face and chest pressed against the surface of the table, and her lovely plush bottom thrust up in the air. With his free hand, the Deer removed the cork stopper from the Raccoon's upturned butt, and took a thick, bamboo tube from a pocket in his apron. He offered the tube to Arthur, "Since you lead a hermitic lifestyle and only join civilization two to three times per year, good Wizard, I think you should have the honor of tapping the keg." The entire club went dead silent. All eyes were on the Deer, the Wizard, and the lovely Raccoon who was curled up on the little table with her ass thrust high in the air. Sure, many of those partying here tonight had tried Ringtail Ale, and were aware of how it was drawn. However, very few had ever had the privilege of actually witnessing the actual procedure, and they all stared in total fascination as if they were school kids about to witness one of their classmates getting spanked. Arthur was blushing considerably, which was something he rarely ever did, but he graciously accepted Brannel's invitation and took the bamboo tube from his host. The Wizard stood behind the vulnerably positioned Raccoon and looked down at her lovely assets. He couldn't help but note how tightly clenched Ravenna's southern star was. She looked like she was truly struggling to keep the ale she was carrying inside of her. Nervously, he lifted the tube and pressed its tip against her waiting opening. After a few seconds of tense hesitation, he then gently slid it up her rear passage until she told him to stop. "Now, Thissle," Brannel said, "Before you drink from my mate, we should first let the others be served properly." "Of course," Thissle agreed. The Deer produced a clean, empty mug from the shelf beneath the table, and presented it to Arthur. The Wizard held the mug beneath the end of the bamboo tube. Brannel administered a pair of hard swats with his paddle on his mate's plush, upturned bottom, and Ravenna relaxed her aft end. A stream of fragrant amber flowed into the waiting mug from the tube protruding from the Raccoon's butt. During the past few days since Ravenna and Brannel first started marketing their special brew, the Raccoon had developed a knack for perfectly measuring a full serving despite not being able to see the proceedings. Before Arthur's mug could overflow onto the serving table, Ravenna clenched her nether cheeks, and the flow of ale abruptly ended. Arthur held the mug up and sniffed at the contents. It really did smell quite pleasant and even rather arousing, though he was not certain whether that was due to the aroma itself or just the thought of how his drink was drawn. He took a tentative sip, savoring the exotic flavor of the icy cold ale. He swallowed, and a smile crossed his face. "Indeed, this will be a treat to recall with fondness when we return home, and look forward to whenever we make our infrequent journeys to Mistport." Syrano gave him a rather smug grin and nodded his agreement, "See, Master? I told you you would not want to miss out on this bit of decadence." He arose again and approached the Raccoon-adorned table, ready for his turn to be served. Arthur laughed softly and took another sip, "Right you may be this time, laddie," he said, "but mind that smugness, lest you fancy drinking and dining standing up." "Point taken, Master," the Fox replied, protectively placing his paws over his soft rump. "Master, may we commission these fine folk to prepare a few bottles for us to bring home?" Arthur placed a hand on Ravenna's rear and pondered his student's request, "I will think it over. Whether we do or not all depends on how you behave during tomorrow's physical and how faithfully you mind your lessons." "I won't disappoint you, Master," Syrano promised, "Now, Master Brannel, may I please have a mug?" The Deer handed a fresh mug to the Fox and again paddled Ravenna to signal her to relax. Syrano filled his mug and the process was repeated for Zorahs. Then it was time for Benden and the girls to have their second round. "Oh, and one more thing," Arthur said, "this round is on me." "Very well, sir," Brannel replied, "But wait until the keg is empty, then you can pay my mate directly, as my bottom is already rather stuffed with coins from the last round and from other customers." Not heeding the Deer's request, the young Furling Fox still went ahead and withdrew a full ten copper pieces from his money pouch and pushed them up under their host's tail, which caused Brannel to blush yet again, "Now, sir," he announced, "now you are fully stuffed with coin." Benden smiled and raised his mug in a toast to the kind Wizard, "I believe I can speak for everyone gathered around this table, when I offer a heartfelt thank-you for your kindness and generosity, Master Arthur." The rest of the group responded with a hearty "Hear hear," and then drank to the Otter's toast. After taking a long sip, Thissle set her mug down on the table and padded over to stand behind Ravenna, "So now that everyone has been served, may I please try it from the source as promised?" Brannel smiled warmly at the impatient girl and gave her shoulder a squeeze, "But of course, sweet child of Paramour. Though there is not much left inside my mate, what remains should be sufficient to satisfy your lust. Drink up." Thissle giggled at the Deer's poetic flair and turned to face Ravenna's delicious-looking behind. She placed her hands on the table and bent forward, providing Brannel and anyone else standing behind her a shameless peek at the lower curves of her own bare bottom, and closed her lips around the bamboo tube that was nestled tight inside the Furling Raccoon's ass. Despite the icy chill of the ale as it was siphoned from Ravenna's depths, Thissle felt a delightful warmth course through her body, originating in her intimate regions and spreading outward. Sipping from a mug was all well and good, but when sucked directly from this sweet, living keg, Ravenna's unique flavor was indescribable and many times more potent. As she finished the last drops and felt the tension on the straw, indicating that she had sucked the Raccoon dry, Thissle was on the verge of her second orgasm of the night. She stood upright, and started to swoon. Brannel grabbed her by the arm and helped steady her. When the girl finally regained her senses, she sighed and rubbed herself under her skirt, "That...That was absolutely amazing!" she declared, "As soon as the first drops touched my tongue, I was nearly taken right to the summit of the Mink's Mountain." Brannel removed the bamboo straw from Ravenna's butt, licked the remaining traces of ale from it, and put it away in his apron pocket. "We haven't figured out yet why that is, but the few times we have allowed anyone to drink directly like you did instead of from a mug, the effect was the same or greater." "If you need someone to research that phenomenon," Trikks offered, "I would be quite willing to look into it. This sounds like it could be a very enjoyable assignment." "We will keep that in mind," Ravenna replied. She gasped as she suddenly felt Thissle's hand on her rump, and the other under her tail. Then the Raccoon moaned when the Dragon girl pushed a dozen chilled coins deep up her aft passage. Following Thissle's example, the others also paid their gratuities, including Syrano, despite him coining Brannel earlier. Finally, Arthur paid their tab for this round, topping off the large amounts of copper pieces Ravenna's ass was carrying with two single silvers. Now feeling quite bottom heavy, the Raccoon sat up and her mate helped her to her feet, so that she could return to the kitchen, where Anton would extract and secure his mother's recent earnings to make room for more. Ravenna faced the crowed and performed a graceful curtsy, which was met with the resounding echoes of applause and the banging of mugs on tables. As she was about to leave, Issibel came sashaying back. Judging by her gait, it appeared as if she might be carrying a considerable amount of coin under her tail as well. "Ravenna, Brannel," the Otter girl sounded rather distraught, "We 'ave a bit of a crisis on our paws now." "Really?" Ravenna asked, "What is the problem? Is one of our patrons being troublesome, or are we on the verge of a brawl?" "No," Issibel replied, "It's nothing like that, though it could lead to a brawl if we are not quick to do something about it." "Well, out with it, girl," Brannel prodded her, landing his paddle across her rump for emphasis, "What has you so worked up?" "It's the demonstration you just put on for the crowd," she explained, "After seeing this Wizard here stick the straw up Ravenna's butt and fill his mug, we are now getting swamped with orders for Ringtail Ale. I dunno if one Raccoon is enough to keep up with the demand from this thirsty lot though." "Don't worry your lovely tail over this, love," Ravenna reassured her. I know just the solution. One of them I am looking at right now even." Issibel looked confused. Her whiskers twitched nervously and she cocked her head to one side, "You mean me? But I'm no Ringtail." "Silly girl," Brannel chuckled, "That doesn't matter. What does matter is that you have a bottom every bit as delightful as Mistress Ravenna's. We may not be able to call it Ringtail Ale, but that is merely a minor quibble." A light pink glow was visible beneath the white fluff on the Otter's cheeks. She focused her gaze on a spot on the floor in front of her, then looked over at her mate for encouragement. "Go ahead, love," Benden agreed, "I think anyone here would be quite happy to drink from your depths." "Listen to him," Ravenna said, "He is right. We need all the vessels we can get, if the demand is as great as you say it is." Issibel sighed and closed her eyes, "Okay, I'll do it. 'Tis better than allowing a riot to break out." "Most excellent," Brannel replied, giving the girl an affectionate pat on her rump, "And when Denn and Faeth get here, I want them on keg detail as well." "Melody and Tizz can join in the fun too," Ravenna suggested, "May as well have them all serving." Benden's ears twitched at the mention of his daughter, "I don't know about Tizz," he said, "Do you really think she is ready for something like this?" "Why not?" Shaasta replied, "It seems that not too long ago, you were considering allowing her to finally try lap dancing. If Tizz can do that, then why shouldn't she be able to serve as a keg?" Issibel smiled and stroked her mate's muzzle, "Don't worry about it, love. I'll be with Tizz. I won't let anything happen to her." "Very well," Benden conceded, "Tizz can have her ass tapped tonight. Hopefully, she will get coined well for it though." "I'm sure she will," Brannel assured him, "She may be a tender tail, but she is still a hot little lass." "So then, that makes six of us serving up our tails tonight. That still may not be enough to keep up with the demand though," Ravenna mused. "I think we need to start tapping volunteers here. Perhaps if we offered free drinks and a free meal, plus letting them keep all their gratuities..." "Leave that to me," her mate declared, "For starters, I know of at least three, perhaps four that I can convince to offer their tails." He gestured subtly in the direction of the Chinchilla, Ocelot, and pair of Raccoons he had sized up earlier. "Those Raccoons and the kitty are so juiced up, they should be an easy sell." Issibel added, "And I'll talk to Selene and Marcko there on the stage. They should be pretty easy as well." Brannel turned his gaze to the band, which had not yet started up their next number, "Those are the two Ducks, I presume? Even sober, they should be even easier than the Chinchilla's party. Typical Ornith kinkiness." "And how about you ladies?" Ravenna asked, turning to face Trikks and her companions, "Would any of you care to serve as vessels for us tonight?" Shaasta, Karma, and Thissle all politely declined the invitation, "We are all flattered by your offer, m'lady," Karma replied, "But right now, we would all prefer to just continue dining and dancing." "Perhaps later this evening we might," Thissle suggested, "After all, we do have a little competition going on concerning whose tail will earn the most coin tonight." "Fine, I'll check on you again later on then," Ravenna agreed. "I will hold off as well," Trikks said, "Though I can pretty much guarantee that before the night is out, I will join in and let you serve from my depths." Brannel planted a kiss on the Coyote's cheek, "I know you won't disappoint us. That would not go over well with your Order at all if you declined." "Excuse me, sir," Arthur interrupted, "But I would like for my apprentice to serve as a vessel as well, seeing as how you are not keeping this task exclusive to the ladies." "Master!" the young Fox started to protest. The wizard cut him off. "Syrano, do not argue this matter. Remember, you are my apprentice. And as an apprentice, you have a social status equal to that of a pet. What your Master says, goes. Understand?" Syrano sighed and bowed his head, "Aye, Master. I understand and apologize for my outburst. I will submit my tail for service. How bad can it be anyway, other than a bit of humiliation?" Covertly, Brannel, Ravenna, Issibel, and Trikks exchanged knowing looks, then the Otterette sashayed over to the stage to talk to the Ducks, and Brannel took his leave of the group to go make his sales pitch to the little group of party animals. Ravenna offered an arm to Syrano and escorted him back to the kitchen to begin preparations for his service as one of her kegs, and to get herself refilled. As predicted, Issibel had no trouble convincing the two Duck musicians to take a break from their instruments and volunteer some time to have their butts used as serving vessels. Less than a minute after the Otter approached them, they were following her back to the kitchen to join Ravenna and Syrano. Likewise, Brannel was having almost as easy a time with his marks. The Raccoons jumped immediately at the opportunity to earn free drinks. The Ocelot, not to be outdone by her ringtailed companions offered herself without the Deer even needing to ask. The Chinchilla was the only one of the four to decline the offer. On their way back to the kitchen, Brannel paused at Syrinx and Sheena's table. "Master Syrinx, Mistress Sheena," he greeted them, "How are you finding your stay at our humble little establishment thus far?" Syrinx stood up and spread his leathery wings, "We are most impressed with your hospitality, Brannel. This has been the most wonderful inn we have ever had the honor of staying at." The Bat's voice was soft and enchanting, sweet to the ears and soothing to the soul. "Indeed," Sheena purred, "When we return to Coralport, we will give Hot Summer Nights the highest recommendation to anyone who travels down this way." "And Brannel," Syrinx said, "We would be quite honored should you and your clan ever choose to sell yourselves to us." "Thank-you, but no, Master Syrinx," Brannel countered, "Ravenna, the kids, and myself are quite content with our lives here." "Ah, 'tis a pity," the Tigress pouted, "The four of you would make such a fine hot property." She gave him a playful but firm smack on his bottom. "You're flattery is noted and appreciated, m'lady," Brannel replied. He rubbed his rump where Sheena had swatted him, "and I will relay your compliment to my mistress. Now, I do have one request to ask of you." The Bat nodded and motioned for him to continue, "Ask. We may be able to accommodate." "You saw our little demonstration of how Ringtail Ale is served, I presume?" "Yes," Syrinx answered, "It was a most titillating display of decadent naughtiness." "Well," Brannel continued, "that display prompted a great demand, and we are in need of more tails to serve as vessels if we wish to fulfill all orders, and I was hoping that..." "Say no more," Syrinx interrupted, "Merriweather, accompany Brannel back to the kitchen. Tonight, the citizens of Mistport, and especially Count Morland when and if he arrives, will be drinking from your lovely bottom." "Your desires are my desires, Master," Merriweather affirmed. The Pony girl rose to her hooves, and obediently presented herself to Brannel. "Thank-you, Master Syrinx," Brannel said, "There will be a generous payment for your pet's services tonight in addition to any coin she receives under her tail. Additionally, for her service, Merriweather will drink and dine free this night. Now, fall in with the others, girl." He prodded the Pony into place with two firm swats of his paddle on her soft, well-toned bottom. "Come on, ladies," the Deer ordered, "Your greatest adventure yet is about to begin." "Wait!" Sheena called out, "You forgot something." "And what did I forget?" Brannel asked. The Tigress stood up, completely shed her sandals and minidress, and stood in naught but her fur beside her Pony, "You forgot me. That is, if you can take one more." "Sheena?" Syrinx looked quizzically at his mate, "Are you certain that you want to do this?" "Of course I'm certain," she snapped back at him, "I'm always certain that I want to do what I want to do." "You are aware of what we will be putting you through, I presume?" Brannel asked. "Yes, I know what you will be doing to my ass," Sheena replied, "It is nothing new to me." Syrinx sighed and then chuckled, "Who am I to say no. If my mate wants to take part in this humiliating silliness, then there is nothing I can do to stop her." "Very well then," Brannel declared, "Now, follow me." He strutted back to the kitchen at last, with these five lovely ladies in tow. After Issibel, Brannel, Ravenna, and their volunteers were safely out of earshot, Trikks turned to Arthur and shook her head, "Have you any clue what your apprentice is about to be put through, Wizard?" Arthur shrugged and smiled, "Same thing Ravenna just went through, I presume. He will have his cute little butt filled with ale or some other drink, a straw inserted, and then people will fill their mugs from under his tail." Trikks gave a hearty laugh, "That is only part of the deal. There is a very intense process that he will undergo before Anton or Brannel actually fills his bottom with ale." She then went into a lengthy description of what the Fox was soon going to suffer. "Oh, my," Arthur sighed, "I had no idea. Poor lad. I can't even imagine what that must be like. Ah well, I suppose he needed to experience gehennite eventually." "And that is just the prep phase," Shaasta reminded him, "According to Brannel, after he's had his cleansing, his butt will be filled with whatever drink he will be serving, and he will then be chained to a grill so that it can be boiled inside him over a gehennite flame before being chilled with Beastlands ice." "Well, this will definitely make for his most interesting journal entry thus far," Arthur laughed. Shaasta finished her second mug of Ringtail Ale and scanned the room. Her gaze landed on the large man she had noticed just moments before Benden approached her earlier. "I think it's time for another round of dance," she announced. "If I may take my leave of you for a short time, Otter?" Benden smiled and nodded, "No problem, m'lady. I understand that you have work to do." Shaasta stood and stretched, then took a step towards her quarry. "Shaasta, wait a moment," Thissle said. Shaasta turned and faced the copper-haired girl, "Why? I don't want to lose this guy." "There is something very important that must be done first." Thissle stood and approached the Elf. Without saying another word, she grabbed Shaasta by the arm, bent her over the table, and thoroughly paddled her bare bottom until her flesh was glowing a soft red and her brand was again visible for all to see. "Now you may go slut around, Elf." *** To Be Continued ***