The trip from Rorikstead to Whiterun was mostly uneventful. We met a few travelers, saw some wolves and a sabercat from afar, but they didn't bother us.

Not that going around in Skyrim is really safe mind you. No, but let's say that luck goes with caution, and Uthgerd knew most of the dangers around. So we traveled with our eyes open and our ears at the ready. Well, Uthgerd did since Ethel and I spent most of the time chatting. Actually, After what I had seen her do, what I read about her fantasies, I expected  to be a bit ill at ease with her, but that wasn't so. On the opposite, knowing that she had those kind of kinks kind of make me want to get close to her. Was that to be able to help her? To protect her from her desires, or maybe to understand them as I had realised that I may have the same kind of hidden cravings that her and I thought that we could maybe both keep each other in check... There was a kind of ease and proximity that had appeared between us naturally, as if we had something in common that we didn't share with anybody else, but I had no idea what it could be.

Anyway, Uthgerd kept her vigil while we talked. Knowing when to shush us and tell us to pay attention. When to get out of the road to give a wide berth around an old fort now overrun with bandits, or a cave that was known to have dangerous predators, like trolls, in it...

 

 

All in all, it was a pleasant trip, and I even convinced Uthgerd to make a detour so that we could show Ethel a giant camp from afar.

 

 

And then, after one day and a half, one night camping outside, we arrived at whiterun around noon the next day.

 

 

Of course, Uthgerd had to bend my ear about how unprofessionnal I had been during the whole trip, treating me like a little girl, but well, that's the way she was and I knew that it was her own way of caring, so Ijust let it blow without really answering, knowing that she would end by herself.

 

Once in the city, Uthgerd told us that she had some things to do by herself. I knew that she spent some time at Jorrvaskr, the companions' place, every time we'd stop at Whiterun, without being a companion herself. I suspected that she had a lover amongst them but that she was to proud to admit any feeling towards any man.

 

 

We talked about the end of the mission and decided that we'd wait for Uthgerd to go see the alchemist that Ethel was meant to meet here.

 

So after Uthgerd left, we first went to the inn to book a room for us three, changed into more confortable clothes, and then we decided to go do some shopping. We walked around the city stalls, chatting about many things. After a while, Ethel convinced me to go to Belethor's shop. I personnally found the man unpleasant, the fact that this oily man was the face of bretons for most nords of Whiterun annoying me. But it is true that he always had some nice things.

Inside the shop, I spent some time browsing when I realized that Ethel had stopped in front of a poster on the wall. joining her, I saw what that was about.

 

 

It was another one of those posters with lifelike image, probably created by some kind of perverted magic, and once more about another of these bandit girls that was advertised as a slave to buy to atone for her crimes. Below her pictures were written her qualities, like "virgin but kinky", or "easy to handle"...

 

 

"Horrible isn't it?" Said  Ethel.

"Yeah..." I answered.

Although I knew that wasn't exactly her opinion on the matter, and I guess, if I was honest, that wasn't really mine either. 

"Do you know what kind of crimes she has done to end up like that? I mean, it must have been quite terrible to deserve such a fate." she said.

"Well, I don't know. I mean, I heard that some girls go missing, probably captured by some bandits. Then they are "bought" by some inn owners who have them work as prostitutes to pay back the price they cost plus interests. It is called indentured servitude, so while not technically slavery, it's pretty close. I wonder if this is not another kind of scam to justify slavery in another form."

"What you mean, this girl is innocent?"

"Well, what I mean is, we don't know. Having it written that she's a criminal doesn't make it true, but really we just can't know."

"Well, but if she isn't, then that means it could happen to anybody! It could happen... To us..."

We got silent when she said that. I mean, I knew what I had read last night, written by her hand, I also knew how I had felt reading it...

"You'd... Hate that, wouldn't you?" I asked, almost despite myself.

"What? But of course! I mean... You would too, right?"

"Of course! That's horrible!"

Another silence... A long one...

"Hum, ladies, sorry for the display but alas I can't sell her to you. You know the joke about buying one of your relatives? Well, the thing is, that's a joke." I heard someone say from the counter. Belethor, I had completely forgotten that we were in his shop.

 

 

Ethel and I joined him at the counter. I didn't like the guy, but I was happy with the diversion, that conversation was heading in the wrong direction, really.

"Hum. And why do you have these ads here if you don't sell what's advertised?" I asked trying to appear completely neutral.

"Ah well, I got paid to put em up, you see, quite well paid. At first, I tought that it was probably illegal, but the guy who asked me to do it assured me that it wasn't, and that other merchants in town had already said yes. Well, I am not one to pass up on good money like that, and when there are no clients, I won't lie, these posters make good eye candy. Surely not as good as you two ladies, but still good. "He said, winking.

 

 

"Anyway, why all the questions? If you girl want to buy that one, there are instructions on the posters about where to go and how much she'll cost if you are interested. But I can't help you with that." He continued.

"What? We're not intreseted in buying her!" Erupted Ethel.

"Well, then why were you staring at it for so long Mmm?"

"None of you business, that's not why we're here." I cut him. "Did you have some new arrival of clothes from out of Skyrim?

"Actually yes, I received a shipment straight from Cyrodil, hard to get with the stormcloaks and all that, but I was told that it's what the pretty ladies of the Empire wear in the streets of the Capital, so if you ladies care to check what's in these boxes I am sure that you'll find what you're looking for."

Back to some normality, we checked different clothes and I finally found two cute outfits that should fit our very different body types. Ethel didn't look too motivated to buy, may be she was a bit short on coins, so to take her mind off of her brooding, and also because I knew that she'd look pretty in it, I decided to buy her a dress. Now, that brought a smile back on her face and we went in another room to try our new clothes on.

 

 

As we undressed, Ethel stood in front of me, looking like she dared me to say something.

"Well, what is it?" I asked finally.

"Are they, are they that big?" She finally asked.

"What?"

"Well, my breasts, they are big?"

"Err, yeah. Probably the biggest I've ever seen."

"Do they make me look like a cow? That's what the men say in Rorikstead."

"What, of course no. And they are not men, they are brainless dirty pigs, so their judgement doesn't matter."

Well, at last, that made her laugh a little.

 

 

"They make you look so pretty, and attractive, a very attractive young woman. I... Kind of envy you, you know. I look like a little girl compared to you." I continued.

"Oh no, you shouldn't, you're super pretty, and dainty. Very attractive, and anyway, you're not that small. I guess you're quite big for an elf no? That... That's not racist to say that, right?"

"Err, I don't know. I am only half elf, I guess. My mother is a Breton, I... I don't really know my father, well... I still have some inkling as to who it might be, but I am not sure."

"Oh Sorry, your mother, she never told you?"

"Well I don't think that she was sure herself..."

"Err... so she had different elven suitors? And she slept with more than one? She was very... Free... I guess..."

Seeing her getting more and more embarassed, I cut to the chase.

"My mother's a whore in Camlorn, Ethel. So yeah, she had, still has probably, lots of lovers. I was kind of a surprise for her, she took some herbs that were supposed to stop... Well, things like me from happening."

"Oh gosh! I am so sorry!"

"Don't be, you couldn't know. And anyway I might not have been wanted at first, but she took good care of me, gave me a very confortable childhood. I know that "son or daughter of a whore" is supposed to be an insult but she's a good, intelligent and caring woman, and she earns a very decent living by the way. But yeah since she wasn't really trying to have kids or in an exclusive relationship, I don't even know if I am half bosmer, dunmer or altmer. I'd tend to bosmer though. I am pretty small, my skin isn't golden or gray, and animals really like me, so..."

We both jumped hearing a noise, and then laughed together.

"What do you say we get dressed before someone comes in here and finds us naked." I said.

"Well, that would be embarrassing"She answered.

 

 

"Well, I'd say you ladies took your time, but that really fits you well, so I'd say that the wait was worth it. So, Will you take them?"

"Yes, thanks. Here is the money.

"Even better, pretty ladies, and money to boot. You lovely girls really brightened my day."

Well, he was corny, but being called pretty was nice.

"Also, you girls noticed that these clothes both have a design where they can very easily be opened up there? So if you girls go on a date with your boys, they can have easy access to the goods! Even better, no?"

And he just had to ruin the start of a good impression I had of him.

Taking Ethel by the hand, I led her out back on the market.

 

 

Since there still wasn't any sign of Uthgerd, we kept browsing. Ending up in front of the jewelry stand.

 

 

As we were lookig at the many shiny trinkets, I heard someone say behind me.

"Hey if it isn't the generous Lady Shanilia, if you've money for jewelry, you probably have a few septims for a poor beggar."

Ah, Brenuin... without turning I answered:

"We're just browsing, Brenuin, and I gave you some alms last time we were in town, what 4 days ago?"

"And what, am i supposed to eat once every four days?"

Annoyed, I bit back:

"And what, am I supposed to be the only one in this whole town to feed you?"

"Pah! You stupid cunt, you'll see! Nice new dresses by the way, you now what those straps are for?"

 

 

 I felt him pull something in my back, and suddenly, my tits were freed of my clothes, there for every one to see! Hearing Ethel squeal, I realized that Ihadn't been the only one pranked.

"Hah, that's worth all the alms in the world! I thank you for your sweet charititties!" He laughed.

"Nooo!" with a cry, Ethel ran away.

"Ethel, wait!"

 

 

Who knew she could run that fast? I finally joined her next to the town rempart where she had taken refuge in one of the empty archers alcove.

"What... An... Asshole!" she uttered.

 

 

"Well, like that you know that Rorikstead doesn't have the monopoly on annoying dirty old men."

She looked at me, I looked at her, and we both burst out laughing.

 

Later that day, after Uthgerd had finally come back to us, we went to the alchemist who usually dealed with Ethel and her ward. Supposedly, we just had to get the potions, some of them being apparently necessary for Ennis's business, and get back to Rorikstead, but of course, it couldn't be that simple.

 

 

"Wait, so did you prepare these potions or not, just to be clear. You said that you made them, but that you don't have them, so what happened, did you sell them to someone else?" Asked Uthgerd.

"I did make them, and I didn't sell them, I had made them especially for Ennis. But I got robbed, there is nothing else I can do. Give me some time, a week or two and I will have some more for you." Answered the merchant.

"Err Ethel? Would that be ok with you?" I asked.

"Well, not really, Ennis needs these for the crops now, actually, I postponed coming here, well, you know why, and now it is quite urgent, if not, all his crops could wither and die."

"Mmm, I probably can guess who was the culprit." Said the merchant. "The day I got robbed, there was someone in town who is suspected of being a member of a bandit group that operates around here. It is said that their base is in the old abandonned towers to the East, above the white river."

She looked at Uthgerd and I before continuing. "Normally I would tell you to let it go but I can understand that the crops dying could spell disaster for your business, and you seem to have some escort. Maybe you guys can retrieve it? I wasn't robbed long ago, most probably they still have the potions, I'd be surprised if they knew what they are, I'm guessing they took anything that they deemed expensive."

"How many bandits in this group?" Asked Uthgerd.

"No idea, I'd say 3 or 4, maybe 5 from what I heard..."

 

 

Uthgerd looked at me with a smile, but then, she got more serious and turned to Ethel.

"We'll get your potions. But you, you stay here."

Well, technically speaking i would have liked to stay here too, but I guessed that telling that to Uthgerd was not a good idea. Ethel seemed relieved though.

"Mmm... I don't know if I should butt in but, I guess that Ethel should actually come with you." Said the merchant.

"What? why, she'll be deadweight, I mean, she can't fight." Objected Uthgerd. "That one neither but she's a mage, she'll be useful. what should I use this girl as, a meat shield?"

"Uthgerd!" I screamed, seeing Ethel about to cry.

"What, that's true." She told me scowling.

"Well, maybe so, but Ethel here has some notions about alchemy, and she worked with me before. She'll know what to search for. Those bandits didn't take two or three potions, they got away with enough to fill a small cart, I don't think that you want to haul all that back to Whiterun."

Ugh... Hadn't thought about that.

Ethel looked at us, hesitating, and then she piped in. "If you guys get hurt, I'll know which potions and balms are restorative also."

Uthgerd frowned. "No need, she's a magician, she can heal. You can right?"

"Err... Yeah, a little..."

"And what if she's the one hurt?" Asked Ethel, pointing at me.

"That won't happen, I'll protect her." said Uthgerd, frowning more and more.

"Then you can protect me also." Said Ethel.

Uthgerd looked like she was about to argue some more when Ethel silenced her.

"Look Uthgerd. I understand that you are trying to protect me, and I am grateful, really. But I also wouldn't want anything to happen to Shanilia who has been really nice to me. And... Sorry but... I am the one who hired you, so I guess that gives me the right to say how we'll do things. I am afraid to come, but after all, this is my responsibility."

Uthgerd opened and closed her mouth a few time, and then threw her arms to the sky.

"Ok, fine! But if there is a fight, and I do mean when there'll be a fight, you get out of the way. Far back. I don't want you in harms way, be that, their swords, mine, or her spells, agree?"

"Yes! Sure, you're the boss. I mean I am, kind of, but you're the fight boss."

Well, then what was I the shopping boss, the dress boss?

With a sigh, Uthgerd walked away: "Well then come on. If we leave now, we should be there in the night, they'll be less ready for us."

Smiling, Ethel winked at me before following. well, I didn't think that she had that kind of back bone, she actually had been kind of cool. Smiling to myself, I followed them out.

 

Later that night, we finally arrived at the infamous Valtheim Towers. On the way there, Uthgerd had told us that it was an old fort that had been abandonned many years ago. Since, bandits or other unsavory characters had many times, taken residency there, using its position to organize evil or illegal deeds. Every few years, the guards would clean the place, and then some times later, some bandits, the same or some other would come back there until the next time their actions incured the Jarl's wrath.

 

 

We took our time to observe. From afar, we could see 3 bandits, One on the bridge, one on top of a tower, and one in front, on the road. We waited a while, but saw no other.

"Still might be more." said Uthgerd. "Some sleeping or chilling inside. Three seems very little to hold such a big place."

"Should we abort then?" said Ethel, fright evident in her voice.

"Nah, it's time I finally see if my pouty mage here is worth all the care I've taken of her." She said, poking me in the ribs. "So what do you say. Think you can thin the ranks a bit for me?"

Well, now I was suddenly feeling afraid too. This wasn't a story book, if I messed up, I might end up dead, Ethel and Uthgerd too. Seeing me frozen, Uthgerd got closer to me and whispered in my ear.

"Yeah. First battle right? It's normal to be afraid, but you've got this. You might end up puking, or wetting your pants, but I know it, you've got this. Now show the world what you're made off."

 

 

Clenching my teeth, I took a deep breath, then another, then another, gathering my magicka at the tip of my fingers. Feeling the air around me getting colder, the others gave me some space.

 

 

I was calmer, colder too. My gaze went to my first target, noting his position, then to the other, and the other. I kept gathering my magicka until my heart felt like it was squeezed to the size of a lemon, until my head felt like in a vice, until my fingers were so cold they burned, and then I unleashed all I had.

 

 

One ice arrow left my fingers, then another, then another even before the first one had found, or missed it's quarry. 

 

 

Then my first arrow hit one in the back. felling him, or her as i'd see later.

 

 

I hit the one on top of the tower, but it wasn't enough. He started screaming, time for ambush was over.

 

 

My last arrow went wide, missing it's mark. By then, Uthgerd was already charging down towards the tower.

 

 

Seeing that we couldn't surprise them any more, I ran after Uthgerd, knowing that i'd never hit someone at this distance now that they were on the move and  ready to dodge. as we got closer, I saw an arrow, a normal one, miss Uthgerd by a hair. The one I had missed was firing back. Now that I had come closer. I gathered one more time my magicka and let fly, getting him square in the torso whe he got out of the tower to try to shoot at Uthgerd again.

 

 

However, he was not alone.  Some other bandits had gotten out of the tower and were swarming Uthgerd. Quickly, I got two magicka vials from a pouch and drank them, the over sugary taste and the flux of magicka in my body making my head spin.  Reopening my eyes, I saw that one of the bandits had almost gotten to me. I called forth an animal spirit, hoping that it wouldn't be a hare or a deer and threw myself backward as the bandit swinged at me.

 

 

After that, things were messy, I threw some flames, got back to back with Uthgerd, my wolf spirit (lucky!) harassing the fighters not on our side.

 

 

I suddenly realized that i was feeling some air on my tits. Yeah, that fist sword hit had really gotten too close for my taste.

 

 

Then Uthgerd shouted at me. "To Ethel! I got those ones."

What in Coldharbour was she doing here? She was supposed to stay far away from the fight. Seeing her running away from a murderous bandit, I ran to her, gathering all the magicka I had left. I couldn't afford to miss.

"To me Ethel, to me!" I screamed. 

With all the noise around, we were lucky that she heard me. The bandit heard me too, so he turned to me, giving me a perfect target. Feeling my whole body throbbing, I let go of my last magicka with an ice arrow, stoping the bandit in his track.

 

 

Back at Uthgerd, she had just put her last opponent to the ground, apparently we were victorious...

 

 

Putting her greatsword back in her scabbard, Uthgerd let out a long victory shout as we gathered around her. She then turned to Ethel.

 

 

"Shor's balls, girl, what kind of skeever dung were you doing here, you were supposed to stay out of harm's way, you put us in danger by your foolish actions!"

"I... I'm sorry Uthgerd, Shanilia. When you started running, I didn't know if I should stay alone or go with you, so I followed. I stopped away from the fight, but... A bandit saw me and... By Mara, I could have died, you saved me!"

"Well, I didn't, that one did." said Uthgerd, turning to me. 

 

 

"Shani, you did good. You're actually a much better mage than I gave you credit for." Then she frowned. Err Shanilia, you allright girl?"

Looking at her, I felt dazed, and also a bit nauseous.

"I... am not feeling that well."

"Well, first battle eh? I'll buy you a few mug of ale or mead when we get back to Whiterun. And you didn't puke!"

"Still can. And, err, I think I did the other thing you said."

She was about to retort when I wobbled on my feet and fell to the ground.

 

 

"Sweet Mara! Shanilia, are you all right?" asked Ethel, kneeling next to me.

"I... Yes, it is nothing, just, tired. Used too much magicka, too quick, and the scare probably didn't help."

"Can we do something" Asked Ethel.

"I don't think so. My magicka will come back, I have a pretty good magic recovery so that should be quick. I just need some calm, and... Maybe to freshen up a little."

 

 

"Bah, can't help it." Said Uthgerd. "You delicate flower go take a bath down there, fresh water should help you come back to your senses. Ethel, you go with her, wouldn't want our young prodigy here to drown because she fainted in the water. I'll go inside and see if I can find where they hid the potions." Said Uthgerd.

"You shouldn't go in there alone, there might be more!" I objected.

"With the noise we made? Nah, there's nobody. Or if there is they're either so deep in their cups than my coming won't change a thing, or so craven, to let their comrades being hacked to pieces and skewered by magic without lifting a finger, that I really don't fear them. Now stop bothering me and go get better, your little lady vapor now doesn't change a thing, you really did good, now relax a little, you've earned it."

With these words, she strode to the towers.

Looking down at me, Ethel helped me up and she started undressing me.

"Err, shouldn't we do that down there?"

"Considering how unstable you are on your feet, I'd rather do that here than on uneven ground next to a river."

Well that was a fair point. When I was naked, sha started undressing too.

"Why are you undressing?"

"Well, I can't really go with you in the water with my clothes on, now can I? Also, don't you feel how nice the cool air on our skin is?" She added, blushing.

"Well, it is nice." I said, blushing too.

"Here, let me help you."

 

 

Together, we went to the water, and got in together, when she saw that I wasn't about to fall again, she let go of me, handed me some scented soap, and sat on a rock while i washed myself.

It really was soothing, the water was cold, but it had somewhat awoken me and I felt better. My magicka pool on the other hand was coming back really slowly, I probably had overdone it a bit.

 

 

There really was something calming for me to be with Ethel. At first, we were silent, but she started talking with me about some trivia of her life at the farm. I knew that she was doing that to take my mind of the fight, but still it worked, and before long, I was laughing with her at the goofiness of her coworkers. However, I was brought back quite brutally to the present when I heard Uthgerd scream her warcry "Shor's Might!" in the tower, followed by the clash of steel.

 

 

We ran to the edge of the river and hid there, trying to see what was happening. From there, we could see that a group of bandits was crowding the entrance of the tower. Since they were coming from outside they must have been out when we attacked and had just come back. Considering that they still hadn't stormed the entrance and from the screams and noises there, Uthgerd was probably making a stand at the entrance.

 

 

We creeped closer, then stopped.

"What should we do?" Whispered Ethel.

"I... Don't know..." I answered, torn between the desire to go help my friend, and the knowledge that naked, weaponless, and with my magicka recovered enough for at most one or two spells, I wouldn't be able to do much.

"Can she beat all these bandits on her own?"

"No... No she can't!" I said, torn by indecision.

I was about to rush there whatever the outcome when the clashing of steel ended.

 

 

Fearing the worst, I started to get out of cover but Ethel stopped me.

"Stay! What are you doing?"

"But Uthgerd?"

"Dying won't help her."

I was still searching for an answer when the men started to laugh. I could hear Uthgerd, screaming and cursing, a good sign I guessed, and some noises. Yes, they were having sex with her...

 

 

"What is happening?" asked Ethel.

"They're... Raping her..." I whispered back.

Powerless, we could still hear her cursing, but less and less, while the men kept laughing and grunting. Then after a while, we started to hear her insults and screams interspersed with moans.

I don't know how long that lasted, but it was long, the men must have taken turns on her.

The worst in all that is that, there, naked, close to one of my friends being abused, despite the horror I felt, I was slowly getting aroused, and I knew, without even having to look at her, that it was the same for Ethel, as I am sure that she knew for me.

After a while, I heard one of the men tell the others to "bring the bitch to the bitch room".

 

 

We barely had time to change our hiding place before seeing 5 bandits escort a chained, handcuffedd and apparently very angry Uthgerd on the bridge towards the tower on the other side of the river.

 

 

Once they had crossed, it was too far for me to be sure, but I was pretty sure that I started to hear some coupling cries again.

"Ethel, we have to do something!" I hissed.

"Should we go back to town, come back with some help?"

"No, what if they take her somewhere else, we'd never find her! We have to go rescue her!."

Seeing that she didn't have any answer, I got out of our hiding place, ignoring her whispered calls to reason and, still crouching, went towards the entrance of the tower.

 

 

As I supposed, there was a lone bandit there, standing guard and drinking some ale. Seeing him here alone, I started to have an idea. Still  crouching, I went back to Ethel and told her:

"OK Ethel, I have an plan, but you'll have to be courageous, now listen to me, here's what we'll do."

 

 Later, I was back at the corner of the wall, the ruffian standing guard still drinking...

 

 

I started gathering my magicka. Yes, It had come back some, but clearly less than wwhat I had expected. During my time when I was being tutored by the professors of Winterhold, they had told me to deplete my magicka pool and had concluded that not only had I a lot for someone as untrained as I was, but also that it was replenishing very quickly, and yet, here I was after more than an hour or rest and I still didn't have more than enough for 2 or 3 spells before i'd go dry. Was the stress doing that to me? And what was Ethel doing, shouldn't she have been there already?

 

 

Just when I was sure that she had gotten cold feet and ran away, leaving me here alone, I saw Ethel get out from cover on the other side of the tower. Obviously, the bandit let go of his cup and jumped toward her but his call to arms didn't go pas his lips when he saw that the intruder was a naked woman, probably the buxomest he had ever seen.

"Hi..." Said Ethel, just standing there in front of him.

 

 

"What the... Who? What?" said the bandit, completely dumbfounded.

I slowly got out of cover and started to gather my magicka at the end of my fingers.

"Who in Oblivion are you? And what are you doing here?" the bandit finally managed to ask.

 

 

In place of answering his questions, Ethel bent forward, putting one arm under her massive breasts to push them forward.

"Do you like my boobs, sir?" She asked, starting to shake them slowly from side to side. "Everybody tells me that they are big... Ah, it's so embarassing..."

Watching her like a starved dog would a piece of meat, the bandit started to get out of his own clothes.

 

 

When he was naked, he started stroking himself and... Fuck he was big, that thing was bigger than my arm, probably bigger than his! I had watched quite a number of men having fun with my mom, peeping on her and I don't think that I had already seen such a big member. My concentration wavering, I almost let go of my spell, coming back to my senses just as my control was about to slip.

"Yeah! you must be the girl we were waiting for. No way in Coldharbour that blond fury was the one the boss expected. You fit the bill better, that's for sure!"

What? What was he talking about?

 

 

On her side, Ethel seemed entranced by what was happening.

"Oh! Stop... Don't look at me... Don't  point that thing at me! That big thing! Ah! I am so ashamed!"

"OK, enough foreplay girl, time to have some fun, and then i'll collar you like the bitch you are." He said.

 

 

Well, waiting time was over, I was as ready as I'd ever be. I aimed as best I could, I knew I had, not only to kill him, but to kill him quick, if he was to scream we'd end up captured with Uthgerd too. Seeing that he was about to pounce on Ethel, I let go, putting my ice arrow in the middle of his torso. As I had hoped, the cold filling his lungs prevented him from screaming and he went down with nothing more than a long rattle.

 

 

I got up to join Ethel, but as I neared her, my head was turning again. It had cost me more than it should have, and why was my mind filled with the image of his huge thing?

"Shanilia, Are you alright?" Asked Ethel.

"I'll be, in a moment. Let's just hope that the next one won't be there too soon."

"Yes, you think we'll be able to get them all like that?"

"As my mother said, there are not that many things that can stop a man in his track, and most of them are hidden under a woman's dress. So they'll wonder what's happening when they don't see their comrade out, but if before they have the time to call for help the first thing they see is you and your big... Err... Arguments, that should give me the time to silence them. Let's just hope that they come one by one."

 

 

"What about the body?" She asked.

"Well, of course they shouldn't see it or I am guessing that even tits aren't going to subdue them. Do you think that you can..."

"Of course Shanilia, you rest."

Without any more fuss, she went to the naked bandit and grabbed him under the arms.

"I may not be a sorceress like you, or a warrior like Uthgerd, but I work the farm every days, I am strong." She said, and with a grunt, she dragged him away.

 

Later.

"Rory? Where the heck are you?"

 

 

"Hi... Rory sent me..." Said Ethel, walking casually out from the side of the tower. She then put her hands above her head and starting swaying her hips.

She really was a natural. From where I was, I could see of flushed she was, sure, she was afraid, but that wasn't all...

"What? Who? Am I dreaming?"

"Ah... Naked, I am naked in front of a bandit! Ah... This is bad..."

 

 

Wow, that was... Something. But as far as that was fascinating to watch Ethel give in to her naughty inclinations, we had a captive friend to save. Concentrating, I let go of my ice arrow.

 

 

"What is Glark!" was all he had the time to say.

 

 

As he fell, a disconnected part of me noted that there was some advantage to kill people with ice or fire, no blood, cleaner.

I managed to walk only a few steps towards Ethel and the new corpse I had just created before falling to the floor, everything turning gray.

 

 

"You... You all right Shani?"

"Nope."

"Want me to take care of the body?"

"Sure."

"O... Okay then, I'll be back."

As she dragged the body away, I stayed there, trying to hold onto the content of my stomach.

I finally manage to stand up, leaning on the wall. My magicka, I didn't think that I had it me for another time, what was I gonna do? I had to rest. I'd heard that mages who used too much magicka could actually physically hurt themselves internally. Was that what I was feeling? Or was it just a mixture of disgust and fright? I was lost in my thoughts when I heard a rough voice asking:

"What in Sanguine's bordello are you doing here girl? And where are Rory and Joko?"

 

 

Oh fuck, a bandit, no actually two bandits, what was I gonna do? Getting away from the wall, I tried to look at them but couldn't face them, suddenly conscious of my attire, or lack thereof. I felt, small, vulnerable, and... Hot? Was that what Ethel had been feeling exposing herself? by Dibella that was intoxicating!

"Hey bitch, my buddy asked you a question."

 

 

"I... I... Is that err... The... The entrance to the boobs club?"

What in Sheogorath's pie was I saying? Was that the best I could do? If I didn't find anything better, I was going to end up captured... Probably raped... Then enslaved... Oh Mara... Dibella...

" The what? You crazy girl? Hey Urgush, you think that's the one the boss was expecting?"

"Well, her tits ain't that big, that blond one is actually bigger, on the other hand she has black hair, she may not be that busty but she's hot as fuck and she appears a bit dumb, so maybe..."

What, were they talking about Ethel? Why? Why would they expect her?

"Ok girl, you're coming with us, time to start the fuckfest."

 

 

Just as one of them was about to move, Ethel came running from the other side of the tower. Screaming she hit a bandit with both hands on the back of the neck and he fell like if he had been struck by lightening.

 

 

"To arms!" Screamed the other bandit. "We're buah!"

Not stopping now that she had started, Ethel punched the other bandit as he was screaming and reaching for his sword. well, she had surprise on her side, but that wasn't going to matter much against some strong man with weapons and armor. I didn't have enough in me left for some ice arrows, so I went with fire hands, messier and less deadly, but that's all I could muster.

 

 

I barely had time to generate my fire before he strarted hacking at Ethel but just on time, I doused him with flames. Already shaken by Ethel's hit, he went down screaming.

At that point, I knew that I had no magic left, I also knew that any notion of doing things quietly was over. On the other hand, we must have had killed most of the bandits. So I told Ethel to grab a weapon, myself I grabbed a sword and a shield ans I ran inside the towers.

As I had hoped, we saw nobody inside of the first tower.

 

 

As we crossed the bridge, I saw an orc bandit look at us from a window of the second tower. Well, it was too late to run away now.

"Come on Ethel, we can do it!" I told her, then I pushed forward.

 

 

As we got into the second tower, I was starting up some stairs when a voice from above stopped me in my track.

 

 

"Stop right there you bitches" bellowed an orc from the top of the stairs.

Despite myself I took a step backward.

"That's right girlie, step the fuck down. Now, you wanna drop that big mean sword before you cut yourself with it. And you, at the back, as if you could use a bow with udders like this, put it down. You little sluts do as I say and I won't punish you too hard. Now!"

How dared he? Plus he was all alone, we had already beaten all of his subordinate. Then, why did I feel like obeying? Looking back at Ethel I saw that she hadn't even pointed her bow at him.

 

 

"Wait a minute." He said. "You in the back, with the humongous tits. You must be Ethel, I was expecting you, but not in this company. And you in front, I don't know who you are, but I don't care. You both are mine now, playing adventurers is over, time to make some cocksucking whores out of you bitches!"

I was still considering wether it was better to wait for him downstairs or to go to him when he jumped down next to me.

 

 

I barely had the time to lift my shield before he hit it. It felt like a mammoth had rammed me.

 

 

My arm in agony, I couldn't hold onto my sword and shield, or even stay upright. Falling on my knees, I saw that Ethel had let go of her bow and was kneeling on the floor.

"Stop! Please stop! Don't hurt her! We surrender!"" She cried.

 

 

"Haha. That's right you little cunts, you'll learn to respect me, I'll teach you how to be good sluts for me and my friends, like these ones up there, they'll show you the ropes."

Oh by Dibella and Mara, then that was the end.

"You're the one I'll show the ropes to, you puny horker fucker" I heard Uthberd bellow.

 

 

And suddenly, she was there, taller than life itself. Well her looks were kind of different, but to say that she looked less dangerous would have been a lie.

"What? but..."

"You shouldn't leave a girl's sword next to her when she's only tied with leather."

"But, Rognir..."

"Dead, but don't worry, you'll see him soon."

"Like hell I will!"

 

 

He tried to jump towards Ethel and I but she was quicker, and already in his path swinging.

"Time to die weakling!" she screamed.

 

 

And before I really had the time to understand what had happened, her sword were through his head.

He fell on the floor like a puppet whose strings have been cut.

She then turned to us and said.

""What are you girls doing here? Trying to get yourselves killed? You could already be halfway to Whiterun."

 

 

More tired than I knew it possible to be, I fell to the floor one more time, as did Ethel next to me.

"Well... We were trying to save you I guess." I said.

 

 

"Trying?" She said, and I thought that she was going to lecture me one more time. That's why I was very surprised by what she said after.

"I'd say you've done more than try. You girls saved me from a disgraceful fate."

"But, you freed yourself. You're the one who actually saved us."

"I could free myself because you distracted them. And something tells me that the reason we aren't swarmed by his goons right now is because, I don't know how, but you girls took care of them, am I right? Well, then you've saved me, but I saved you too, so we're even. By the way, that's what comrades do."

To say that I was suprised would have been an understatement.

Seeing that I was speechless, Uthgerd took my hand and helped me up before doing the same for Ethel.

"Come, there is someone else who'll come with us, then we have to find these stupid potions and be on our way."

 

 

Up there in the boss's room. We met another girl who had been captured by the bandits. However we couldn't get much out of her. She had been a captive for many days, (She couldn't tell us how many) and she appeared more anxious than relieved of having been freed. She still told us that the orc we had killed was apparently in contact with a bigger slaver group who targeted pretty girls to turn them into pleasure slaves.

 

 

We found the potions that Ethel needed, plus some jewelry and quite a few purses of septim, making the whole trip really profitable. 

 

 

Concerning Orianne (that's the name of the girl we rescued), we took her to Whiterun where we let her in the care of the priests of Kynareth. Last time I've been there I have seen her working as a tavern wench in the Bannered mare tavern and she seemed to be doing well.

As for Ethel Uthgerd and I. We actually ended up using a lot of the money we had made to remove the markings that had been put on Uthgerd. It would have faded eventually, but I can kind of understand why she wanted them off. Then, after a few days of rest, we made it back to Rorikstead... Of course ther is the question of the source of the bandit's information of Ethel coming there, but I'd say that's another story...

So that's how Ethel and I met. Quite the tale isn't it?

 

 

So my friend, tell me. have I sated your curiosity? Was that to hear about Ethel? To hear about me when I was still a fledgling novice? Or did you just ask for the first story that you could think about as a pretext to look at my... Eyes?

"Shanilia, what are you doing wasting time talking to this peasant? We have to go now?" Calls J'Zargo from the other end of the tavern.

"But Arch-mage, I tought that the event in question wasn't supposed to happen for still a few hours?" I complain.

"Stop thinking Shanilia, that's never been your strong suit as you should know by now."

I sigh.

"Sorry traveler, duty calls. And you know how patient khajitts are, then imagine when they are arch-mage..."

 

 

I stand up and follow J'Zargo out of the tavern.

 

 

Along the way, I can feel many stares on my almost naked body, some disdainful, some full of barely contained lust and I can't help but remember that it was with you Ethel that I learned how exciting it can be to be seen in the nude by unknown people. It was my first time after all, but clearly not the last...