“You won?” asked Roland.

“Don’t worry, you didn’t miss much,” said Mallory. “They really overdid it with the sand in that arena. Every fight just looked like a turd shaking inside of a snow globe.

“Your body was nowhere near as flexible as mine, though. I almost pulled a hamstring kicking someone in the throat. Also, you should really work on your ergonomics when you write. You definitely have scribes’ wrist in your right hand. Or maybe just go left handed more often when you masturbate.”

I guess she’s back to normal, thought Roland.

“Here’s the invite,” said Mallory as she picked up a scroll off of the nightstand and handed it to him.

Roland opened and read it:

“An invitation to meet the Queen of Serene is extended to the champion of the Queen’s Tournament -

Howling Butz,

aka The Southern Spear,

aka The Master of First Hit Crits,

aka The Whirling Choad.”

“What’s with all these nicknames? The Whirling Choad?” said Roland as he gave Mallory an incredulous look.

“Nick came up with that one,” said Mallory. “Meant to keep the opponents guessing.”

She paused.

“I also got a small golden trophy of Eliza hugging a bobble,” said Mallory. “I’m keeping that.”

Roland looked over and saw the trophy sitting on her dresser next to a bouquet that she must also have been given.

“Mal, when I was in control of your body, you were just a kid and - “

She cut him off, “You need to get going, it’s already late and it will take a while to reach the palace.”

“Fine, but can we at least talk about …” he started to reach out to try and touch her hand. She pulled back.

“Get out of my room. I need to get dressed.”

She was still only wearing the robe from this morning as her body hadn’t moved until a few minutes ago.

“Sorry,” said Roland.

He left and went downstairs to eat. Nick was sitting in the kitchen eating a bagel.

“Hey Nick,” said Roland. “Mal’s back in her body and I’m back in mine.”

“Cool, cool. So, you give my sister that good dick this morning?” said Nick. “I’m just joshing you. I’m sure you were terrible. By the way, the bagels that Ella makes blow her pancakes away. Incredible.”

“Tell Nick to stop slicing bagels that he’s not going to eat,” said a voice that sounded just like Mallory’s. “They get all dried out when he does that.”

“Mal?” said Roland looking around the kitchen. He definitely heard Mallory, but that shouldn’t have been possible. She was still back in her room.

“Huh?” said Nick. “Sorry, I’ve been partying pretty hard the last few weeks. When I do that I get mean spirited. No one likes edgy Nick. I know. I’m sure you were a great lay.”

“It’s not that. Couldn’t you hear Mallory right now?”

“No. She’s still upstairs. Didn’t you just see her?”

“Well I can hear both of you,” said Mallory’s voice.

“And I can hear you,” said Roland. “At least in my mind. It’s like you’re part of my internal monologue or something.”

“Ella, is this some sort of joke?” asked Roland.

The house didn’t respond. It was ordered not to talk after Mallory got sick of its constant ranting about eavestroughs and how unnecessary they were. Something about how if the water ends up on the ground anyways, why does it matter where it falls off the roof from.

“If it was Ella,” said Nick taking a bite of a bagel. “Wouldn’t I hear it?”

Roland left the kitchen and headed back upstairs, Mallory was already heading down to see him.

“You heard all of that?” said Roland.

“Yes,” she replied. “I could hear everything you heard and said.”

Roland thought for a moment.

“It must be some after effect of the cantrip,” he said. “Like a magical hangover. I think once the active ingredients from that tincture are out of our systems it will go away.”

“You think? Or you know?” said Mallory.

“Well how could I know for sure?” he replied. “I casted a heavily improvised cantrip based on instructions from a pornographic book. It wasn’t exactly the most rigorous source material.”

“Yeah, we should really have stuck to peer-reviewed smut.”

“If this psychic connection is purely magical, it should fade overtime. Unless it’s tied to a physical object, my understanding is that all magic dissipates.”

“Wait here,” said Mallory. She went back into her room, closed the door and sat down.

“If this cantrip works over long distances and holds out for the rest of tonight, I’ll be able to guide you when you meet the Queen. Grab a bagel for the road and head out.”

Everything was happening so fast. They had only briefly discussed what he should do if they actually got an invitation to meet the Queen. Ideally, Roland would ingratiate himself with the royal court so that he could receive future invitations to events at Serene Castle. Once that was done, the trio could design a plot like they had done with Talon. A flimsy plan to be sure, but Eliza was very well protected and there was no other way to reach her. Mallory also suspected that there was a reason why Eliza only invited young men to see her, but she didn’t share that speculation with Roland.

***

After Roland arrived at Serene Castle, he showed one of the guards the invitation from the tournament.

“The Whirling Choad?” said the guard.

“Keeps the opponents guessing,” Roland replied.

The guard sighed, “Follow me.”

Serene Castle was massive and full of beautifully decorated open spaces. After walking down many long hallways and going through numerous large double doors that opened far too slowly, the guard left Roland with a female servant who then took him into a large marble room that contained an enormous indoor pool. There were four other women who appeared to be servants standing around the walls of the room. At the far end Roland could see a woman sitting in the water. She was drinking a glass of wine and appeared to be naked.

Was the woman in the pool Queen Eliza? Impossible. Even from this distance, Roland could see that she looked far too young. Eliza should be middle-aged or older. This person looked like she was the same age as Roland, or possibly even younger.

One of the servants announced to the room, “Queen Eliza, I present the champion of your tournament - Howling Butz!”

“Marvellous,” said the woman in the pool. Roland now knew it was definitely his host, Queen Eliza.

“Howl, glad you could come,” said Eliza. “You fought so well in the arena today, I just had to meet you in person. Fortunately, as I’m the Queen of Serene that wasn’t too difficult to arrange.

“Come, join me in the bathes.”

Mallory, who of course couldn’t see anything but could hear everything, decided to chime in:

“Oh shit Rol! I knew it! This chick parties!”

Roland didn’t move. Immediately he regretted coming here tonight. Now he would have to endure whatever humiliation the Queen was going to subject him to while Mallory provided a running commentary.

“That wasn’t a request,” said Eliza. “Don’t make your Queen wait.”

Two of Eliza’s servants started to help Roland undress but he stopped them and did it himself.

Roland then entered the bathes and sat down as far away from Eliza as possible. The water was hotter than he had expected, adding to his overall discomfort. Eliza began to slowly swim around the pool.

“When I was just a young princess, everyone in the kingdom thought of me as a tomboy. It’s easy to understand why - I was only interested in two things: fighting and freedom. Not your typical feminine pursuits.

“In my travels with the other Chosen, fighting was easy and oh so much fun. Freedom though, well, our story was already foretold by the Heroic prophecy. Exploration and discovery were only an illusion.”

“Profound stuff here. You getting balls deep soon? Or do I have to listen to more of this elementary school philosophy?”

“After defeating the Archfiend, I was no longer bound by destiny. However, duty to my kingdom forced me to return to Serene and become Queen. So once again I was chained by fate and denied freedom.”

Eliza had now swam up next to Roland and was looking directly into his eyes. He didn’t know what do so he awkwardly said “You don’t seem to be chained down by much.”

“Groan. Are you trying to strike-out?”

Eliza laughed a bit and put her arm around his shoulder. She then continued, “You jest but you have also hit on a kernel of truth. There is freedom here - sexual freedom. That is why I’ve invited you to join me tonight. Of course, you certainly figured that out the moment you walked through the door.

“Or did you think all women in Serene greet visiting men like this? Ha.” She kissed Roland.

“Sex, I’ve found, is similar to fighting in many ways. Both are driven by lust and power and both require a partner. So, Howl shaw we begin our sparring session?”

“Barf.”

Eliza kissed Roland once again and began stroking him under the water.

“Looks like you’re gonna get to nail the girl that launched an entire genre of porn.”

Roland found this entire situation humiliating. Was he supposed to have sex with Eliza while her servants watched and Mallory listened? Was there any way out of this?

“I’m actually in a relationship right now,” said Roland.

“Really? How adorable,” said Eliza. “Young love is so precious and sweet. But in Serene, you belong to me and I won’t share you with anyone else. I’m sure she’ll understand.”

“Yeah, don’t worry, Nick is totally cool with it.”

“Come then. Let us go to my chambers.”

Eliza signalled her servants and they brought over towels and robes for her and Roland. The two then made their way to the Queen’s bedroom where the servants immediately removed Roland’s robe. Eliza stared at him.

“Not the typical body of a gladiator,” she said. “But I can’t argue with your results today.

“Anabelle - Howl appears to be a bit timid at the moment and needs your assistance.”

“Yes my Queen,” said one of servants who came over and knelt in front of him. She began pleasuring him with her mouth. He tried to step back but two of the other servants stopped him.

“So much for not sharing you with anyone.”

Eliza smirked at Roland’s reaction, “The humidity this time of year can make nighttime unbearable. One of the few aspects of Serene that I can’t control. I’ve found that the best way to cope with it is to distract yourself with simple pleasures.”

“Yes, it’s very moist tonight,” said Roland.

“Yikes.”

“Howl. From now on, no speaking.”

“Seconded.”

When Roland was ready, Anabelle stopped and guided him over to Eliza’s bed.

Eliza came over and pushed him onto his back. She got on top of him and, after he was inside of her, she started to move up and down. He tried at several points to take control like when he was with Mallory, but Eliza pinned him down with seemingly no effort. In the end, he closed his eyes and thought of his experience with Mallory this morning. After he finished, Eliza got up and smiled. She walked over to a servant who had a glass of wine ready for her.

“That was odd,” said Eliza as she took a sip. “By any objective measure you were terrible. I believe the sailors in Bellheim Harbor would say ‘as cold as a northern fish.’ ”

“Not the most flattering review.”

“Yet, I’m not disappointed,” said Eliza. “Quite the opposite, I haven’t felt that sensation in years. Marvellous - Howl, I don’t think I can let you go. I’m sorry if you had other plans but for now you’ll have to stay and serve me.”

“Serve you?” asked Roland.

“Yes, I am making you my concubine. Quite the honour. You will live with me here in Serene Castle.”

“What? I can’t.”

“Don’t worry, it will probably only be for a few years. Or until I tire of you. Then I’ll let you go. I am a benevolent ruler after all.”

“Damn Rol, how thirsty is this nympho if she already wants that dick on lockdown.”

“Lynn will show you to your room. During your time here you’ll be taken care of by my servants when I can’t see you. Once your refractory period is over, Anabelle will meet with you again. She and a few of my other servants will serve as your sexual mentors. I will ‘check’ on your progress in two weeks.”

“Mentors?”

“Please Howl, don’t speak unless I ask you a direct question. You’re my servant now,” Eliza paused. “I want you to approach this as you would any other intense training regime. I expect tangible progress.”

“Looks like you’ll get to bury your head in something other than books for once.”

With that, Queen Eliza signalled for Lynn to take Roland away.

***

Lynn showed Roland to his room, it was just as luxurious as the Queen’s own chamber. Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad after all.

“Lynn, was it?” said Roland. “May I ask, does the Queen have many concubines?”

Lynn rolled her eyes and left.

“Another breakthrough for the brilliant mind from Sages’ Keep.”

“Ok, I’m alone now, so we can talk,” Roland said under his breath. He didn’t think anyone would be listening to him right now, but he wasn’t about to take any unnecessary risks.

“Any ideas on how to take her out? Maybe we could engineer a sex toy accident. She seems up for some freaky shit. I’m not judging, though.”

“I don’t want to kill her.”

“Geez. I had you pegged as the type of guy that would get pussy whipped but I didn’t think it would happen so fast. Once again I gave you too much credit.”

“Just because she may be the horniest ruler in history, it doesn’t mean she deserves to die. She doesn’t seem like an evil person.”

“Yeah, how bad can someone who keeps sex slaves really be? And did you already forget about the gladiator arena I just fought in? But sure, let’s forgive rape and blood sport because you got a hand job in a pool.

“So you’re just going to stay in Serene Castle and live out the rest of your life in a teenage masturbatory fantasy?”

“No - but I’m not going to be involved in anymore conspiring until I get answers as to what’s really going on with the Chosen. Why did Talon not know about Sages’ Keep? Why does it look like Eliza hasn’t aged a day since she first ran away to join the Chosen?”

“Fine. Live that harem life. You’ve really hit the jackpot, Rol. Just don’t raw dog too much of the help. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Queen wasn’t the only one who knew her way around Bellheim sailors.”

Roland didn’t say anything. He just lay down on the bed and stared at ceiling.

After a while he started to feel an odd sensation in the back of his mind. Perhaps his connection with Mallory weakening.

“Mal, are you still there? I think the effects of the cantrip are wearing off.”

“About time.”

“When will I see you again?”

“Well, if you’re not interested in taking out Eliza, Nick and I are travelling to Valdt. Edwin and Louisia rule that city-state. What Talon told us about those two and Sera has given me an idea. But it will take months to organize. Head there if Eliza ever lets you leave.

“Also, I wouldn’t try to escape unless you have a foolproof plan. You won’t get very far if the entire kingdom of Serene is searching for the Queen’s favourite sex toy.”

Roland didn’t want to think about what his life was going to be like here. Although maybe he could finally relax. For the moment, this certainly seemed like more of a paradise than a prison.

“Before you go, can you tell me - this morning, when we were together, I … ” he paused. He knew she wouldn’t reciprocate any feelings that he shared with her no matter how sincere he was.

He continued anyways, “I enjoyed it and I like being with you. I wish we didn’t have to be apart.”

No response.

“Never mind. I’m sorry. Good luck in Valdt.”

“You’re such an idiot.”

Roland smiled. He thought about her lips the last time that those words came out of her mouth and how beautiful they were.

“I’ll miss you.”

“Wait! I need to ask you something very important about the Queen.”

“What?”

“Was it carpet or hardwood floor down there? Nick says that there’s no way that it was hardwood.”

Roland laughed as he felt Mallory’s presence fade from his mind.