“I think I’ll teleport up to High Hrothgar tomorrow and see what the Greybeards can tell me,” Nora told the table. There were gathered in the intimate dining room of the Blue Palace, enjoying a gourmet meal with the Jarl.

 

“You’re worried about that, aren’t you?” asked a concerned Elisif.

 

“Frankly, I’m scared to death. It brings me one step closer to facing Alduin, and losing everything I have learned about this beautiful world.”

 

“There’s always Sovngarde,” said Jordis, a smile on her face that wouldn’t leave.

The sword maiden was parked next the Valdimar, Lydia on the other side, both women giving him glances of desire while they touched his arms in the process of reaching for things on the table. A game, and Nora knew where it was heading. Jordis had made up her mind, and soon the maiden would be a woman. Valdimar was a good choice for the man to take her cherry. Calm and gentle when need be, he would make sure she made the transition with as much pleasure and as little pain as possible.

 

How in the hell did we end up like this? she thought. She had had sex with traveling partners the entire time she was in the Commonwealth, but not the traveling orgy she now had. So far jealousies had not caused any problems, but she had to be prepared for them. She had four oversexed women wanting the attentions of the one Nord man among them. Five with Jordis. She had pretty much given up her claim on the man, letting her girls enjoy him.

 

“The problem, Jordis,” said Lydia, looking over at the woman that all thought of as their little sister. “If Alduin kills you, he eats your soul. Then there is no Sovngarde.”

 

“Oh,” said Jordis, hand going to her mouth as her eyes widened.

 

“On my world there was no reason to believe in a life after death,” said Nora, reminiscing. “There were people who believed in it, but our science had found no evidence of it. You could have your memories implanted. In fact, the woman I came here with had the memories of a woman of my time, while another friend did as well. But when you died that was really the end of you. And here I find out that not only is the afterlife real, but it can be wonderful.” It can be terrible too, she thought, considering the Soul Cairn and the Planes of Oblivion.

 

“I am so sorry that you have to face such a doom, my friend,” said Elisif, reaching over to run a hand down Nora’s forearm in comfort.

 

Of course the Jarl said nothing about Nora turning her back on that doom. It was Nora’s fate, and the entire world was depending on her to destroy the monster before their souls were devoured. They all expected her to be a good soldier and do her job. And of course that was Nora the entire way. No matter how scared she was, she would do the job, no matter the cost to her. Which didn’t mean she felt overjoyed at facing the monster.

 

“Where is Sofia tonight?” asked Elisif.

 

“She’s with Sybille,” said Lydia. “Leaning more about enchanting.”

 

And destruction, thought Nora. Sofia had been ejected from the College of Winterhold for troublesome behavior. She loved practical jokes, on students and faculty alike, and it was determined that she had gone too far. When Nora had met her she was a proficient spellsword, equally deadly with sword or spell, but definitely not living up to her potential in magic. Since then she had developed the motivation to improve, and was on the verge of becoming an expert in magic. The funny part was Sofia had been deathly afraid of vampires. She had been frightened to death of facing the vampires in Morthal. Now she was working shoulder to shoulder with an ancient vampire. Of course Sybille was an exception, as civic minded a member of the undead as one was likely to find. And the vampire had taken an interest in helping the young spellsword to advance.

 

Four of the people around the table yawned at the same time, then laughed.

 

“I don’t know why I feel so tired,” said Elisif.

 

Nora yawned herself, and felt like she could go to sleep where she sat. Her vision started to fade on her, and no matter how much she tried she couldn’t keep her eyes open. The wine, she thought. Someone had drugged the wine, and the last thing she saw was a bunch of women with their heads on the table, snoring away.

 

*     *     *

 

Nora's eyes came open, blurry, not focusing correctly. She felt confused, not sure what was going on. She had been sipping wine at Elisif's table, enjoying good conversation, when suddenly everything went black.

 

I was drugged, she thought, not sure where she was. The blue wallpaper seemed to indicate that she was still in the palace. And she was lying on a bed, so one of the guest rooms. From the feel of the air on her body she was naked. She tried to move her arms, but the ropes that dug into her wrists let her know she was restrained. The same with her legs. What the hell is going on here?

 

“Nora?” called out a near voice. Elisif? So she was here too.

 

Nora could hear voices calling out from another room, and they didn't sound happy. She could make out Jordis, crying in pain and fear. Elesia raging. Eldawyn cursing in Altmer. Even Lydia, yelling at some men to leave Jordis alone and take her instead. But not Sofia, and she remembered that the Spellsword had been working with Sybille on learning enchanting.

 

“Don't worry little lady,” said a harsh voice with a Reach accent. “There's enough to go around for all of you.” Several men laughed, and Nora knew exactly what was going on.

 

“So, you're awake,” said a familiar voice. Nora turned her head to see a naked Erikur standing between the beds, his cock standing at attention. “So now we can start the party. Don't worry, I took a potion earlier, and I have enough for all of you. When I'm finished with you two my men will give you their attentions.”

 

“What's going on, Nora?” asked Elisif.

 

“No, not that,” screamed Jordis. “No.”

 

“Damn, but this cunt is tight,” said a man. “And dry as a bone.”

 

“Use some of the lubricant the Thane provided.”

 

“Well, she's a virgin,” said the first voice. “Look at that blood. Or she was a virgin.”

 

Nora closed her eyes and cursed. Jordis had been saving her virginity for someone special. Maybe Valdimar, maybe someone else. And now it had been ripped from her by a scumbag. Valdimar brought a thought to her., and she craned her head to see the big man leaning against the wall, unconscious, alongside a sleeping J'Zargo.

 

“Here's how it’s going to go, ladies. And don't think help is going to come. We drugged the guards, and the next shift is not due for five hours. We have plenty of time. So, we are going to rape the hell out of all of you. Then we’re are going to castrate your gigolo and skin the cat. After that I am going to slit all of your throats, except for that of the Jarl. She's worth coin, and I think Tullius will pay a pretty ransom for her alive, if a little bit used.”

 

“Don't you dare,” shouted Elisif.

 

“We played with you while you were out, ladies, so you should be wet enough. If not, I have some fine lubricant I bought off a Dunmer merchant. Guaranteed to smooth the way.”

 

Erikur laughed as he positioned himself over Elisif.

 

“Erikur. No. Not that.”

 

“Why. You don't want a real man for a change.”

 

Nora saw the erect penis on the man, and while it wasn't tiny, it really wasn't much to talk about.

“I'm going to kill you, Erikur.”

 

“That will be hard to do when your body is devoid of life,” laughed the man, thrusting forward and burying himself to the hilt in Elisif. The Jarl screamed, fear and anger, and Erikur thrust away, in and out, slaking his lust on the woman he had sworn loyalty to in another life.

 

All of the women in the other room were crying out, trying to fight their rapes and not succeeding. The sounds of groins slapping together came from that room, normally a happy sound. Not now. One of the men grunted and Jordis screamed again.

 

“Maybe I put a baby in this little cunt. Too bad she won't be alive to birth it.”

 

Elisif was clenching her fists at the top of the bed, her eyes closed, gritting her teeth. She moaned once, then bit her lip, not willing to give the man any encouragement.

 

“Damn, Elisif. You are one tight cunt. Been a long time since you've had a man, huh.”

 

“I still haven't had a man,” she screamed, spitting in the ex-Thane's face.

 

“Bitch,” yelled Erikur, slamming a hard hand into Elisif's face. Blood ran from her mouth, and the raging man struck her in the eye, hard.

 

“Don't resist, Elisif,” said Nora, gritting her teeth. She wanted to kill these men, but restrained as she was she couldn't even protect herself.

 

Erikur continued to fuck the Jarl, while the women in the other room cried out as the second round of rapists attacked them. Finally he grunted, shooting his seed deep in Elisif, then rolled off of her.

 

“Next,” he said, to the laughter of the other men. A Forsworn with the look of a wizard climbed on top of the Jarl and pushed his cock into her. His was of respectable size, and Elisif grunted with discomfort as he buried it in her pussy.

 

“You're mine now, my Dear,” said Erikur, lathering his cock with lubricant, then moving to Nora. He set his cock at her entrance, then pushed it in. “My, you're even tighter than the Jarl.”

 

“And I can barely feel that thing you call a cock,” said Nora, forcing a laugh.

 

“You slut,” yelled Erikur, punching her in the face.

 

“And you hit like a girl,” said Nora, continuing to laugh.

 

“Maybe I should go ahead and slit your throat now. Your corpse will stay warm for quite some time, and I can enjoy you without having to listen to you.”

 

Nora shut up then, gritting her teeth as the cock moved in and out of her. Erikur, for all the stories surrounding his conquests, was a poor example of a Nord lover. Put it in, move it a little, and cum. Unfortunately, he had imbibed a potion of virility, and he had enough stamina to fuck Nora badly for quite some time. The whole time she thought of strangling the man in his own guts, refusing to allow any physical feelings of pleasure to intrude on her anger.

 

The Forsworn man finished in Elisif, the Jarl again crying out in anger, tears rolling down her cheeks. Another Forsworn stepped up and took the man's place, shoving it in and slaking his lust. Erikur finally came in Nora, then pulled out.

 

“I'm going to enjoy some of your other women. But I'm sure we have enough here to keep you company.”

 

A smiling man who had the look of a pirate next took Nora, sliding his impressive cock into her and going at her like a madman. It was too big for a woman who was not receptive, and it hurt like hell. Nora felt something tear and knew that she had some healing to do after this experience. Except she would be dead.

 

“You beat her unconscious, you idiot,” growled Erikur to his people. “I might as well fuck a dead girl.”

 

“She’s still breathing,” said one of the men. “No problem. If you don't want her, I'll fuck her again.”

 

The man in Nora finished, got off, and made room for another, while yet another had his way with Elisif. Nora was hoping this never-ending nightmare was going to end, only it would end with their deaths, when the man thrusting into her went still as the dead. A figure appeared behind the man, fangs flashed and buried themselves into his neck. Sybille sucked hard at the man, emptying him and pushing the body aside.

 

Nora looked over to see that the man who had been raping Elisif was also frozen in place, as were the two others in the room. Sybille had cast paralysis on them, but they would soon come out of it. The vampire cut Nora's bonds, pressed the knife into her hand, then moved to drain the man who had been ravaging Elisif. After that she took out the throats of the two standing men with her hands, now formed into claws.

Nora, her hands half numb, forced herself to cut her feet free, then tried to stand up. She was still woozy, and Sybille sent healing magic into her. When Nora went to free Elisif Sybille stopped her.

 

“We need to take care of the other rapists.”

 

Nora nodded, then crept toward the doorway with the dagger in hand, Sybille beside her. There were a dozen men in the other room, four of them in the process of raping her followers. Lydia was laying still as a statue, giving them no satisfaction, as was Eldawyn. Elesia was fighting like a wildcat. And Jordis? Jordis lay as still as the dead, her chest barely rising, her face a mask of blood as one of the Forsworn rode her hard.

 

Nora shouted Slow Time, and the men started to turn her way like they were under water. She charged forward, driving her dagger into the brain stem of one man while kicking another in the knee, feeling the bones break with satisfaction. She spun on her heel and launched a hard foot into the temple of another man, then stepped down and grabbed a Forsworn by the hair, baring his throat and cutting his neck to the spine. Four down, three of them kills. Time came back into synch, and she launched a kick into the stomach of the man coming toward her, bending him over for an elbow strike to the back of the neck, knocking him out.

 

A knife went into Nora's back just over the kidney, and she spun around to bring her other elbow into the man's temple, dropping him dead to the ground. Blood was flowing from her body, but it wasn't a mortal blow and her healing factor quickly closed the wound. Two men came at her and she jumped into the air, sending a roundhouse kick into the head of one man, then shifting in the air to do the same to the other. Seven down.

 

“I'll kill her,” said one man, standing over Jordis and holding a sword over the woman. Sybille moved with vampire speed, grabbing the man and sinking her fangs into his shoulder, then tossing him hard into a wall.

 

Four left, and Nora sent Ice Spikes into one, then looked in shock as another spike skewered a second. Sofia came through the open door, ice magic in her hand as she killed the last rapist on his feet. Except for Erikur, who backed away like the coward he was.

 

“Free my girls and tie up anyone still living,” said Nora to Sofia, grabbing Erikur by the hair and dragging him into the other room. She punched him in the face, knocking him senseless, then cut Elisif free. The Jarl was crying, her face a bloody mess, and she grabbed onto Nora as if she were drowning and the Dragonborn was her savior.

 

“I'm so sorry,” she told the Jarl, stroking the long red hair. Nora pushed her at arm’s length for a moment, then sent healing into the Jarl. The wounds on her face closed up, and Nora sent another wave in to fade the wounds away so that not even a scar would show.

 

Erikur groaned and shook his head, his eyes opening, and Nora grabbed a sword of state from its mount on the wall.

 

“What do you want me to do with him?” asked Nora, grabbing Erikur by the hair and twisting him to his feet.

 

“Elisif. My Jarl. Please.”

 

“You dare ask for mercy after raping me and one of my Thanes,” roared Elisif, on her feet. “After capturing her people and raping them as well, taking Jordis' virginity. Putting your rancid seed in us.”

 

“Your judgment, my Jarl?”

 

“Erikur. As Jarl of Haafingar, I hereby sentence you, for the crime of rape, kidnapping and attempted murder, to death. To be carried out immediately.”

 

Nora nodded, stepped back, and swung the sword hard through the neck of the once richest man in Haafingar. The fat head rolled from the neck and hit the floor, while torrents of blood spurt from the stump and the body fell to bleed out.

 

“I am so sorry, Elisif,” said Nora, dropping the sword to the carpet and wrapping the Jarl in a tight hug.

 

“And I am so sorry that you had to go through this,” said a crying Elisif, returning the hug. “But if not for you and Sybille, it would have been much worse.”

 

“Let's get you dressed, my Jarl,” said Sybille, coming back into the room with a dress.

 

“I need to get a bath first,” said Elisif, shaking her head. “I will not go about my business with this filth on me. And you, Thane Nora, need to see to your people.”

 

Nora nodded and ran into the other room. Sofia had cut everyone free, and Eldawyn and her were casting healing into everyone. Lydia was crying, Elesia was cussing, and Eldawyn seemed to be taking it best of all. And Jordis was still lying on the bed crying. Nora shot all of her considerable store of magicka into the girl, healing her face. Eldawyn came over and sent in more, joined by Sofia, until the girl was stable. It would take longer to heal her mind though.

 

“Everyone take a contraceptive potion,” she ordered, thinking of asking Sybille for them immediately. They would help Jordis to take the elixir. She didn't want even a chance of any of them becoming pregnant from these people.

 

An hour later the guards had been given the antidote, everyone was dressed and clean, and the invaders, those still alive, had been hauled off to prison. Where they would wait their turns to slake Sybille's thirst. Nora wanted them dead as soon as possible, but no use letting them go to waste.

 

*     *      *

 

“I am so sorry, my dear,” said Valdimar, walking cautiously into Jordis's room. There was not a mark on the gorgeous face of the girl, but her eyes reflected the torment within. Valdimar sat softly on the edge of the bed, making sure he was not too close. Jordis leaned over and pushed, trying to drive him off the bed, then wrapped her arms around him and pulled him tight.

 

“I am so sorry, little sister. If I had been conscious they would have had to go through my dead body to get to you.”

 

“Not your fault,” said a crying Jordis, her face buried in his chest. She sniffled, then leaned back and looked at the man. “You were going to be my first, the next time you were with Lydia and me. We talked about it, and she thought it a wonderful idea. My first real lover, but those scum came along and took that away from me.”

 

“I can still be your first real lover, when you're ready,” said the man, taking her chin in his hand. “Those vermin were not lovers. They were the lowest form of men, taking what they couldn't get willingly. Do not consider them as anything other than attackers.”

 

Jordis nodded, more tears flowing from her eyes. “And would you want to have anything to do with me, after..”

 

“Dear heart. I would be honored to still be your first. And I was there for Lady Nora after she was raped by the Markarth guards. Nothing they did to you left a permanent mark on your body. On your mind, yes, and that will take time to heal. But it will heal, and you'll go on to enjoy life. Just give it time.”

 

“I will,” she said, kissing Valdimar on the cheek. “Thank you.”

 

“How is she?” asked Nora as Valdimar walked out to the room.

 

“Well. She's young, and resilient. But it will take time.”

 

Nora nodded. They had been at the Palace for three days, and would spend at least four more. Everyone needed some time. Jordis could sit in the gardens, talking with Elisif as she had done every day. It was good for both of them, and Nora was willing to let Jordis stay here as long as needed.

 

Jordis's father was in the guard, a captain, and he visited every day as well, to let his little girl know he still loved her, and always would, no matter what. It turned out that Elisif had known the girl all of the years she had been in Solitude, and had really thought she was giving Nora a prized follower.

 

“Well, she was a little rough around the edges at first,” admitted Nora as she was having tea with the Jarl. “But she turned out to be a valuable asset. She has saved the lives of several of my people during missions. I fell in love with her earnest way and her courage. I hope she will recover.”

 

Elisif nodded, tears welling in her eyes.

 

“And what about you, Jarl Elisif?”

 

“I was thinking of taking a lover,” said the woman, wiping at her tears. “Now I'm not sure. I've always been a one-man woman, and Ulfric took him away from me. But after what those beasts did, I'm not sure if I will ever let a man touch me again.”

 

“Try. Maybe not now, or maybe not for some time. But try. Not all men are like those, and you will find a good one someday.”

 

“I do miss the touch of a lover though, someone who cares for me.” Elisif leaned forward, putting a hand on Nora's knee. “Maybe someone like you.”

 

“Elisif, while I would be proud and delighted to have a love like you, you have to know that I can't confine myself to a single person. It's just not in my nature. But if you do wish my attentions whenever I happen to be at the palace, they are yours, my Lady.”

 

“An honest answer,” said Elisif sadly. She then smiled. “But yes, I am willing to accept you on your terms.”

 

Later, after Nora had given and received much pleasure to and from the Jarl, they lay together in the large bed in the master's chamber. Nora basked in the glow of their lovemaking, while Elisif lay breathless beside her, nipples erect and the flush of orgasm on her chest.

 

“That was wonderful,” said Elisif, a hand reaching over and cupping one of Nora's smallish breasts, rubbing her palm over a stiff nipple.

 

Nora smiled and looked at the gorgeous woman beside her. Elisif was thinner than most Nord women, though not as thin as Nora. Tall and lithe, with a graceful body, C cup breasts and large nipples, she had the kind of body to excite any lover. Add to that her tender lips and tight genitals and she was made for loving.

 

“I've wondered Nora, and you've mentioned it before I think, but why do you have such soft skin. Like a baby's. But your muscles are like steel underneath. No scars.” Elisif ran her fingers over one of Nora's hands. “And no calluses.”

 

“It's a long story.”

 

“And we have nowhere to go,” said Elisif, smiling.

 

“I found a man named Lorenzo Cabot,” said Nora, launching into the tale. “Four hundred years old and locked away by his family, who milked his blood for the secret of immortality. He was crazy, but his family was even more so, and I freed him. In reward he gave me the oil that his family was taking from him. I became stronger, faster, able to heal incredible wounds, and my life was extended.”

 

“Sounds wonderful. Can you get some of that oil for me?”

 

“I would if I could,” said Nora with a laugh. “But Lorenzo is in another Universe. And I had to take the oil every month to reap the benefits.”

 

“But,” said Elisif, propping herself up on an elbow. “You've been here for almost a year.”

 

“Well, some scientists I knew took the oil and used it to make what they called a Supersoldier serum. Something from before the war that never quite worked. Only with Lorenzo's oil it worked just fine. I took the serum, a risk, but I needed every advantage I could get to fight the people that were out to destroy the nation I was building. And it gave me everything. Strength, speed, agility, healing. Even my brain worked faster. Every injury I get heals with no scar unless it kills me outright. My muscles are harder and denser than anyone not treated with the serum.”

 

“But your skin? It would be the envy of any woman.”

 

Nora laughed. Elisif had exceptionally soft fair skin herself, though without the other advantages.

 

“My skin is as tough as leather underneath, but softer than most on the surface. You mentioned calluses. Well, any that form are absorbed into my body within days, though the skin is still tougher than that of ordinary people with calluses. But even as it strengthened my body it also accentuated the feminine in me. Soft skin, strong pheromones, and a sex drive like you wouldn't believe. Which is one reason I'm such an alley cat. I've always loved sex, more than most, but my new metabolism made it almost a necessity. Add to that the nightmares, and sex became a daily requirement.”

 

“And why do you get these nightmares. I've heard you talk about them, but most warriors I know don't have the kind of dreams you've talked about.”

 

“Because, my dear Jarl, I had never intended to become a warrior. I was a counselor of law, defending the downtrodden. Then I found myself in a world where it was either kill, or let innocent people die. So I became a killer, but I never liked it.”

 

“So,” said Elisif, looking thoughtful. “When you kill someone like Erikur, you will see his face at night?”

 

“Yes,” said Nora, closing her eyes for a moment and seeing the head rolling off the shoulders. “He was a human being, as terrible as he acted. But he needed to be killed, since he had harmed people dear to me, including you, Elisif. He needed to pay the penalty, and I couldn't let someone else experience the memories of killing him. So I did it. And I would do it again if given the chance, much as it pains me.”

 

“I am so sorry, dear Nora,” whispered Elisif, leaning over and kissing the Dragonborn softly on the lips. “I am so sorry you had to go through that. And so grateful that you were there to save me.”