The Gift of a Collar - Ch. 36

Kybalo and Saoni ended up spending the night in the dungeon's bed and Zara slept over in Wyxy's cell. Much to their disappointment, Kybalo had decided to change his mind and leave them both behind their belts. Though, he did give permission for Wyxy to make out and fondle Zara as much as she wished until they were back under Kaelen's command.

The following morning everyone woke to Saoni and Lyra cooking. The two had snuck out of bed without waking their partners and met up in the living room and decided to surprise everyone with coffee, tea, and breakfast. The various cooking sounds and smells gradually woke everyone and they gathered around the table in the kitchen. Kybalo and Kaelen were the only ones clothed. The other four just wore their belts, cuffs, and collars. Various jewelry adorned them, notably the piercings on Zara and Lyra.

As breakfast drew to a close and everyone was more awake Zara asked, "So... Wyxy told me to bring my tools. Who's getting pierced with what?"

"Wyxy said she wanted some jewelry since you and Lyra were all done up. I was thinking we could do her nipples, both nostrils, and some labia rings." Kaelen answered.

Saoni bit her lip and looked at Kybalo. "Could I get my nipples done, too, Master?"

"Absolutely." He said with enthusiasm.

"I have a set of adamant jewelry prepared for Wyxy. Her nipple and labia rings will work like my nipple rings and can generate different sensations. Her nostrils won't do anything magical though. Just solid earrings." Lyra explained. "Though, they could be enchanted to do more later." She turned to Kybalo. "I could quickly throw an enchantment together on some electrum earrings for Saoni. I could set them to work the same as the others. Probably would only take an hour or so."

Kybalo nodded his ascent with a quiet "Thank you, Lyra" without taking his adoring eyes off of Saoni.

Kaelen told Lyra to get to work on those while the other slaves cleaned up breakfast. Kybalo offered to help. At first, Kaelen wanted him to relax with her; privileges of owning slaves an all. But he rightfully asserted that it would go quicker if he helped Lyra. Kaelen shrugged her acquiescence and left the two to their craft.

The pair of enchanters worked wonderfully in unison. Kybalo's artificer experience coupled with Lyra's enchanting and the slight overlap they each had in the other's skillset meant they could produce works at an incredible rate. Adding in the raw magic available to them both in this mystical space, they had a pair of electrum nipple rings ready in less time than Lyra had expected. They would magically function the same way as Lyra and Wyxy's rings.

While they were at work in Lyra's lab, Kaelen set the other slaves to work. She had Zara and Saoni tackle the chore of cleaning up the Manor a bit, including the dungeon. It was all mostly clean so just needed a bit of tidying up. Wyxy pouted a bit, presumably she'd wanted to work with Zara, but their Goddess suspected that work would be the last thing on their minds if they did so she kept them apart. Instead, Wyxy was tasked with cleaning and storing the dishes and pans from breakfast. Begrudgingly, she agreed.

With everyone at work, Kaelen decided to do the opposite. She poured herself another cup of coffee and retreated to her library to read and relax.

"So... what's the dynamic between you and the demon-born," Saoni asked Zara once everyone was working at their tasks. "You seem pretty smitten with each other."

Zara blushed a bit but smiled. "Yeah, I suppose we are. This foursome set up just sort of spontaneously happened over the past few weeks but... it somehow feels right to everyone involved. The elves are madly in love with each other. Have been for years. Wyxy had a rough situation that Kaelen helped her out with."

"Yeah, Lyra told me the details. Messed up." She was quiet for a minute then said... "So... where is this going for everyone. Wyxy's stuck with the elves. Elves and demon-born live a long time, like centuries. Cat-folk aren't so lucky. So, assuming this isn't just a fling in your mind, what's the long term plan for you?"

"I, uh... I don't know... been trying to figure that out myself."

###

After chores were done, everyone returned to the dungeon. The chair that Kaelen had installed that people could be strapped to was perfect for having piercing work done. They started with Wyxy and actually anchored her down with her cuffs affixed to the chair limbs. Before she put her in the chair, Kaelen also removed the demon-born slave's chastity belt. With Wyxy prepared, Zara began to inspect her anatomy and cleaned her nipples with an ointment meant to disinfect. While she did, Kaelen had Lyra fetch the leather ball gag and seated that in the demon's mouth.

"I suspect this will sting a bit so I'm just going to preemptively shut you up, slut." Once the ball gag was seated Kaelen gave her a kiss atop it.

Zara set out all the needles, tools, and ointments she'd use. Lyra brought over the earrings for both women and Kaelen offered up some coin to cover the costs of the fast-healing ointment, enough for both Wyxy and Saoni's piercings. With everything prepared Zara began. She warned Wyxy of the impending pain and then pierced her left nipple. Everyone was expecting a grunt of pain or even a scream, so the ecstatic moan that came instead caught them all by surprise.

"I think Wyxy's a bit of a pain slut," Kybalo said to Kaelen. "I'm pretty sure she was on the verge of climaxing while I was paddling her last night."

Kaelen smiled and shrugged as if to say 'maybe'.

After the left nipple was done, Zara did the right to a similar reaction. From there, she applied some of the alchemical concoction that she used to rapidly heal the piercings. It cut healing time from weeks down to minutes. As it worked its magic, Zara began preparing everything for the labia rings that Wyxy would be getting. Kaelen said she'd probably ultimately end up with as many as Zara had but wanted to start her off slow.

The cat-folk got down on her haunches to inspect the area. Seeing the bare lips so close to her and given her own level of arousal, she couldn't help herself. She leaned forward and began licking Wyxy's clit while simultaneously shoving a few fingers in her.

Wyxy yelled and grunted into the gag and it took everyone a moment to react to what had just happened. The other slaves said nothing, just looked on jealously. Kybalo chuckled a bit and Kaelen seemed to not react for a few moments, letting Zara have her fun and tormenting Wyxy a bit more. She slowly walked over to where the flogger lay, turned it on to deliver as strong a shock as possible and casually walked up behind Zara.

Without word or warning, the flogger crashed down across Zara's exposed ass and the shock caused her jump to her feet and scream in pain.

"FUCKING HELLS!" she yelped. She was about to go off on her Goddess, but Kaelen expected that and reacted preemptively. She moved in behind Zara and grabbed a handful of her hair and pulled her head back.

"Did I tell you to pleasure my slave?"

"No... Goddess..." Zara said, the pain and the pull of the hair were more than enough to satisfy her brattiness and Kaelen's asserted dominance cut through and put Zara in that submissive headspace she craved.

"Apologize to my slut for getting her all worked up, especially since we all know that she won't be getting release for quite some time."

Kaelen turned Zara's head so that she was facing Wyxy.

"I'm sorry, Wyxy. That was cruel of me."

Wyxy tried to smile around her gag but it was really a mouthful. She just nodded her acceptance of the apology. As she did, Kaelen released Zara. "Back to work, kitten. No more teasing of any of the slaves for now. Understand?"

"Yes, Goddess," she said and went back to work.

The labia piercings did not produce as much of a reaction as the nipples had. The rings were seated in place, one after the other, and then ointment was again applied to the wounds; healing them immediately. With the work done, Zara stepped back and Kaelen quickly resealed the belt, giving Zara a glare as she did. Wyxy shuddered as she felt the belt attach to the new labia rings and it seemed to pry her open, leaving her feeling more exposed even though her sex was fully covered.

Lastly, came Wyxy's nostrils which were pierced with much less dramatic effect and healed quickly. Zara placed the jewelry in her nostrils, a pair of studs connected by a short chain. While Zara and Lyra had rings in their septums, Wyxy's nose was adorned with an outer chain now and all three looked the submissive part.

When the pair returned to the dungeon, they found Wyxy released from the chair, though still gagged. Kaelen was playing with the nostril chain and inspecting it with one hand and tweaking a new nipple ring with the other. She affixed Wyxy's wrists to the sides of her belt and just nodded her approval to Zara.

"Are we ready for Saoni?" Kaelen asked of the crafters.

Kybalo nodded. "Yes we are. Let's get her in the chair."

Zara and Lyra began helping Saoni and getting her in place. They placed her limbs in the appropriate points and Kybalo triggered the magic to bind her in place.

"Do you want her gagged," Kaelen asked.

"No, actually. I like hearing the noises she makes," he turned and smiled at Saoni. She seemed a bit nervous at what was about to happen. Then, he walked over to his bound slave and began tweaking and playing with her nipples. He twisted them, squeezed them, and flicked them. The other slaves (except for Zara who was focusing on her work preparations) and Kaelen ogled the display with glee. Saoni was twisting and writhing in her restraints as she was mercilessly teased. Cooing noises and grunts escaped her lips but she spoke no words.

Meanwhile, Zara got all her implements prepared and cleaned, including the new jewelry.

"Ready?" she asked Saoni once everything was set up. Kybalo ceased his torment and stepped back. Zara just cocked an eyebrow as she saw the pert and stiff nipples that his teasing had caused. Saoni sighed, accepting her fate of denial and the pending needle and just nodded her freckled head. Then, she bit her lip in preparation for the coming sensations.

Zara wasted no time and pierced the left nipple first. Saoni didn't scream, she just sucked in air and let out a noise that was somewhere between a groan and a moan. Kybalo looked at her and held up a hand for Zara to give them a moment. The cat-folk nodded, and just began cleaning the implements she just used.

"How was that?" The Master asked his slave.

"A lot more than I was expecting, sir." Her breathing was a bit heavy. "I feel a bit light headed, actually."

Zara heard that and asked Lyra to fetch some fruit and water. She nodded and after a minute, Saoni was chewing a piece of orange that had been fed to her and was feeling better.

"Is she good to continue," Kybalo asked Zara.

"I think so, Saoni? You good to continue? Just one more."

"Yeah... let's just get it over with..."

Zara nodded and got ready to go again. Kybalo moved on the other side of Saoni and put his hand on her throat and then splayed out his fingers for a moment as if adjusting the grip and tightness. She gasped air that couldn't fully make it in and she looked at him.

"Be a good girl and I might let you out of that belt sooner than the rest of these slaves get out of theirs."

"Yes... Master..." she choked out. He leaned in to kiss her quickly. He stood up and slapped her gently across the face. She gasped more in shock than in pain. Kybalo turned his attention to Zara and nodded before stepping back.

Zara nodded in return and drove the needle home again. As she did, Saoni let out a noise that sounded orgasmic, as if the needle had just pushed her over the edge. "Fuck..." she just gasped as Zara closed the jewelry in place and began using the ointment on her nipples.

As she did, Kybalo took a folded bit of cloth from Lyra and placed it on Zara's tray. "Actually, one more, kitten. Right in the middle of her lower lip."

Saoni and Zara both look surprised at the instruction but neither disagreed. Lyra fed Saoni another orange slice and more water and Zara prepared one last needle. This one was going to be quicker and as it wasn't in an erogenous area with a greater volume of nerves, it was less of a dramatic reaction. The third electrum ring was placed in Saoni and sealed and the wound cleaned and healed with Zara's ointment.

"I think she's done," Zara said. Kybalo nodded his agreement.

"A common mark of a bed slave in some of the free isles to the south is a ring through the lip. In case any travelers don't understand the brand, they may understand the lip." Kybalo said. Saoni didn't react, she was too busy fidgeting with it.

"Thank you, Mast.." she began to say but her voice was suddenly cut off as Kybalo cocked an eyebrow at her.

Everyone seemed confused and Lyra said. "Her lip ring works like my tongue barbell. She cannot make any more noise."

To prove the point, Kybalo reached out and gave his slave's nipple ring (which was already fully healed thanks to the ointment) a violent twist. It would normally have generated a loud moan or groan or scream, but not this time. Saoni jumped and tried to profane, but nothing came out. She looked both scared and incredibly aroused as she realized she couldn't talk.

###

Nyntz sat in the Mayor's parlor and sloshed the wine around in his glass slowly. He had just finished explaining the mystical value of the land to the Lord Mayor a second time and the dolt just wasn't getting it.  

"But why does nature matter? I always thought that the magic was just... something wizards plucked out of the air..."

Nyntz just sighed. "Regardless, of how it works, what's important is that there is an abundance of it here. I'm a formally trained caster and I know how to best manage the magical energies. I can assist with them should they go awry. That is why I want your endorsement. When Duke Szyara hears your testimony, he will surely side with Count Lyndivere and appoint me as your replacement and then I can take care of the this land's safety."

"Well, yes, that makes sense," he pondered, "But if its a magical matter, I've always found Lady Embersong to be quite reliable... perhaps we should converse with her on the topic."

"Lady Embersong is talented, yes, but she clearly has no interest in the governance of this land. Wouldn't you agree? She hides away in her tower and just practices her art all day. She doesn't come out and engage with the people or know what the community is about or..."

"Yes, but that's what she has Lady Shadowalker for." Interrupted the Mayor.

"Miss, you mean. She is no Lady. Her blood is common and not the fine pedigree you and I hail from. She maybe loved by the people but she doesn't know what it is to lead. That's what separates the noble from the common. She would be a fine advisor, as would her Lady Embersong (and I plan to ask that of both) but neither is fit to run this city."

"Hmm." Was all the response the Mayor gave.

###

Wanting to get home before nightfall, Kybalo and Saoni left shortly after the piercings were completed. He traded coin with Kaelen over the magical equipment that had been designed and for Zara's piercing work. Meanwhile all four slaves said their good byes to one another. Promises to see each other soon were made, and eventually everyone departed. As the visitors rode off toward their home city, the harem waved one last farewell.

Once alone again, Kaelen gathered everyone around to discuss plans.

"Alright, everyone, so here's the deal. I know we've only been back home for a couple of days but a lot's changing. In a few days, it will be the 1st of the coming month, Duke Szyara is holding Court followed by a Gala that night. We had been planning to attend for about a month or two now, Lyra has a commission to present at Court. However, after Mistress Ivojen's visit, plans changed. Remember, she's the Duke's wife. Instead of just showing up at Court, presenting the work, getting paid, having fun at the Gala and going home, we have some other things to attend to."

"Why does it sound like politics?" Zara asked

"Because it is," Kaelen confirmed.

"Blech." Zara said.

"I agree with that sentiment," Kaelen said. "If it makes you feel any better, you will likely be free of any of the political chatter. They are more involved around Lyra and I. Wyxy may have to deal with a small amount of them as my slave, but you should be clear of them. That said, since you don't have business there, you can skip it. Though the Gala should be a lot of fun."

A pang of jealousy hit Zara. A big fancy trip for Lyra and Kaelen. Even Wyxy had a part in it. But she, Zara, was an optional tag along. Outwardly though, she just shrugged her acceptance. "So, should I pack to go as a guest or a slave?" She asked with a tone of curiosity, trying not to let her annoyance show.

"I mean... both?" Kaelen chuckled. "I'm sure we'll have a chance to spend some time with Mistress Ivojen and she was quite fond of all three of you. But also plan to have some downtime as we'll be there a few days."

Zara shrugged. "Sounds like fun. How long of a trip is that, though? Ithra Anore is a bit further than Quarov City."

Kaelen smiled and gave Lyra a look to let her answer. "Well," the Sorceress began, "I made some arrangements with Mistress Ivojen and she's agreed to let us use her translocation node."

The slaves gave Lyra a confused look. She giggled. "We'll be teleporting there and back. We will arrive in Ithra Anore moments after we leave Aryna'an and we'll have the whole weekend to enjoy ourselves before Court and the Gala on the 1st of the month."

"Oh..." said Zara shocked.

"Coool!" exclaimed Wyxy.

"Everyone plan to be ready to go by the morning of the 6th, in three days. We'll meet up in Lyra's workshop and go from there."

###

For the remainder of the day, and into the next two, everyone went back to their normal day to day life. Wyxy and Kaelen put in a bunch of time working at the Dragon's Other Hoard. Kaelen felt bad about putting so much of the load on Lorvys lately but he took it with calm dedication, assuring her that she had most things set up so that there was no expectation for a lot of extra work on his part.

Wyxy spent every night working as a waitress at the Inn. Her more risque attire garnered quite a few extra tips and she regularly turned down invitations and offers for something even more torrid. It was the middle of the week, so the nights weren't as rowdy as they would be in a few days. The oddest occurrence she had was that both nights, she kept feeling like someone was watching her. Whenever she went to look for the source of the unease, though, she could swear she saw something flicker through the shadows. Ultimately, she tried to ignore it but it left her unnerved.

Lyra spent the days putting a few finishing touches on the commission for the Duke and Duchess' son. As well as starting the work on a few other commissions that had come her way. Everyone was keeping busy. Even Zara.

She'd reached out to most of her upcoming client meetings and rearranged her schedule so that she could take care of most appointments without having to miss them. She also decided to take on an Apprentice and snatched up Narielle, the young woman that worked at the Inn. She wanted to do something a bit more than get groped at by bar patrons and she'd expressed some interest in the arcane practices, though she was likely too late to learn any real magic. Alchemical formulae were something she could work on to give herself a brighter future.

She spent most of the next three days with Zara in her shoppe and at the end of it, boldly suggested that Zara could let her run the shoppe for a few days while she was gone.

"Not actually do anything magical," Narielle said. "But I could just keep the shoppe open, take appointments, sell ointments or supplies. That sort of thing. I know the big money for you comes from the direct appointments, but this will keep some money coming in while you are gone, right?"

Zara reluctantly agreed and, the night before the Harem was to depart, she left the keys with Narielle. "I'll be staying at the Embersong Manor tonight and I'll be back in 7-8 days after that."

The new apprentice confidently took the keys and promised everything would be fine. They said farewell and Zara departed to meet up with some of the harem at the Inn where Wyxy and Kaelen were on duty. As she set out from her shoppe, she tugged at the frustrating belt. It had been over a week since she'd been locked in the damned thing and she was as horny as she could ever remember being.

She arrived at the Inn just as the sun was setting, traveling bag over her shoulder. When she got there, the dinner swing was fully underway. She saw a few of the smaller tables were still open and took one of those. Strategically, too, she picked one that Wyxy's was waiting on and settled in. When the demon-born came over to her, finally, she played being a stranger.

"Evening, there, sweety! Welcome the Dragon's Other Hoard Inn! What can I get you?"

"A glass of wine, a bowl of stew, and a glance at more of your skin."

Wyxy giggled. She looked down at her outfit. She was wearing thigh-high boots, her leather loincloth and a matching leather bustier. Her trammels and slave brand on full display. "Well dear, there isn't much skin left unexposed so take all the glances you want. Hells, you are even welcome to stare.." She gave Zara a wink and turned and sauntered off toward the bar, putting a bit more sway into her hips than usual. She was feeling the frustration of the denial as well.

Zara watched the room and noticed the new Baron, Nyntz Duskshard, enter from the front door. His porcelain skin and athletic physique was on full display. He was dressed in fine silk fabric and seemed to be on the prowl. He meandered through the room, flirting with various women and even a few of the more sophisticated gentlemen that were there.

Wyxy broke Zara's ogling of the Baron as she arrived with her food and drink. She set it down, showing off a bit of cleavage as she bent down to set things down. Without standing up, she turned to Zara once she was done. "Anything else I can do for you?" Zara leaned forward and looped a finger on her right hand through Wyxy's dangling collar ring. She gave it a tug and pulled the demon-born so their lips were only a few centimeters apart.

"Nothing that I think your Goddess will let you do for me," she licked her tongue across Wyxy's pouting lips and then pushed her away. As the demon-born slave stood up smiling, Zara gave her ass a hard smack and she giggled as she returned to her work. Zara watched her go, a smile on her face.

"Lovely waitresses this Inn employs," said Baron Duskshard. He had approached Zara as she was distracted by Wyxy. "Though, I suspect I should be jealous of you as I have the feeling you've seen even more of her than she is revealing tonight."

"Oh, uh, hello again," Zara said with a smile.

"Good evening, mind if I join you?"

"Not at all," Zara commented.

Nyntz sat and set a mug of ale down on the table while crossing his legs. Without thinking to ask, he casually tore off a hunk of bread that came with the stew and popped it in his mouth. That reminded Zara to eat something and she began to pick at the food as well while they talked.

"Most slaves I see are only wearing simple iron collars. Unless I miss my guess, that one has something far more expensive on her throat," he turned to look at Zara. "As do you."

Zara toyed with the ring on her own collar for a moment. "Yeah, they were gifts for us by a really powerful sorceress."

"The Lady Embersong I hear so much about, I assume?"

Zara nodded.

"Does it have some magical properties then? I cannot imagine the need for a slave collar to be as strong as adamant is without it being the vessel for some other magics."

"They are, but, uh, I'm not sure I want to get into the specifics."

Nyntz held up his hands in a gesture of restraint. "No, no, not at all. Though, I'm jealous of you yet again. To have something so exquisite. Locked. Around your throat." His words were dripping with a seductive tone that was drawing Zara in.

He leaned in toward her, conspiratorily. "I hope your Mistress is taking full advantage of that collar. And the exquisite body that wears it."

Zara was speechless and before she could regain her wits to talk, the Baron too kher hand, kissed the back of it and bid her farewell.

Zara watched him go while Kaelen and Wyxy watched him and Zara from across the room at the bar.

"I don't trust him," Wyxy said to her Goddess, narrowing her eyes a bit.

"Nor do I," agreed Kaelen. "Nor do I."