Princess Hannah of the Jade Harem CH 71

Hannah felt drained as she walked down the halls of Blackbast's temple. She had spent two hours in the secure magic room studying the necromancer's book. Blackbast had instructed her to begin making an index of the pages, meticulously cataloging what the book contained. Considering the book seemed to have thousands of pages, this task was going to take a while. She then spent an hour in a private room with the other masters, listening to various reports. Rajeen had girls working to various ends to collect information, and their reports were read aloud for all to hear.

Hannah was shocked to discover Rajeen was more or less spying on their neighbors. Using the rogues and other various means, she found that most of their neighbors were apprehensive. One was moderately friendly, and another bordered on hostility. She then shocked Hannah once again when she admitted that several harem girls had been loaned to Alexandria's brothel. They were spying on the overly chatty nobles who had come to visit, learning a great deal about their disposition.

Other girls were looking for any leads regarding what happened to the necromancer players. Nobody would openly admit to having been one, and quiet inquiries into the topic had been met with shrugs or dead ends.

Other teams had located some books of interest and brought them back for Hannah to study. Of special note was a team that had brought back a collection of maps detailing the location of old necromancer towers, fortresses, or other structures. Hannah wanted to visit some of these location to see if they were still standing, but the consensus was they would not be. If they were well known enough to be on a map they had likely been wiped from the world. Still, some maps contained information that didn't seem to match the world and would be compared to the small silver disc by a girl skilled in cartography.

Umtha then took center stage as she announced that she had sent goblin assassins and rogues out to assess the presence of paladins and other holy classes in cities further north. She had reports that paladin numbers were growing, with one city going from three to twenty-seven in just two weeks.

“That’s alarming,” Rajeen said with a raised brow. “Do they have any indication as to why they are massing?”

“They don't think it's related to Hannah,” Umtha replied. “ those hills.”

“When did Umtha become a spymaster?” Hannah asked as she looked over her beloved wife. Frank explained that he had asked her to do it, as she had superior numbers of extremely stealthy goblins. Umtha also admitted that she had them looking for other map tables. She believed it was important since the one they discovered was intentionally destroyed and the components removed. She hoped to locate one, get some engineers to study it, and bring back their findings.

Hannah couldn't argue with that logic and agreed it would help determine how they worked if they could find a functioning one or at least one that was more complete. The meeting then moved to Hannah herself as Blackbast explained the recent breakthrough with Drellis. Hannah was called on to give an account of what she had seen and if it was truly a memory. She insisted it was and explained that anyone who could evoke a strong enough desire to relive a moment from their past with her could then share that memory. The theory was that if she recovered enough memories in this way, she would start remembering other things.

Chandice was doubtful that would happen as part of her memory loss was magical. She was being blocked, and all they had done was find a way to artificially restore small snippets. She didn't think they could recover enough of those snippets to weave a larger memory through the barrier. She then took center stage to discuss all the work she and Legeis had been doing. The goblin machine was becoming more and more magical to boost the overall effect. They were even considering a radical idea to power the system. Since Hannah's essence had boosted the effect last time, they wanted to create a siphon. Any of her family that shared her essence could stand in the siphon chamber and the system would feed on the essence through them. This power would then be channeled into one primary purpose.

“Which is?” Rajeen questioned.

“A massively powerful magic dispel,” Chandice explained. “One that is hopefully large enough to peel all those curses off her for good.”

The room was struck silent at the proposal that such high-level spells could be broken. Blackbast questioned how safe such a process would be, but Chandice couldn't say. She then put forth another idea that was just as radical. Many of Hannah's curses had been placed using powerful magical artifacts. If they could lay their hands on those artifacts, they could be used to break the spells.

“Where would we find this device?” Blackbast asked.

“I don't know,” Chandice admitted. “But, Legeis thinks he can rig a device that works like Hannah's magical bracelet. It might be able to detect an effect placed on her and then point in the general direction of the device creating the effect. That would give us some indication of where to look. Outside of that all we can do is devote some of the girls to trying to uncover rumors about powerful devices used against Hathlisora.”

“That might be dangerous,” Frank cut in. “Asking that question to the wrong person will instantly raise suspicion.”

“I have to agree with Frank,” Rajeen said. “Only the people involved would likely be able to answer that, and such a question will bring their attention directly to us.”

Chandice nodded and said she would check on Legeis to see how the device was progressing. He had been slowing down recently as he spent a lot of time on a personal matter. Chandice suspected he had a girlfriend, causing some funny smiles.

Finally, the meeting moved on to what they could pursue next. This question went back to Hannah, who reminded them that they could pursue a few paths. Firstly, they could attempt to contact the woman in the crown again. Hannah suspected she might be more easily reached by using a dream controlled by Gisley. Then she reminded everyone that she still had the necromancer's skull in her possession. She would eventually use a speak with the dead spell on it but was saving it until she felt she had a list of vital questions. There was also the matter of Jaina's dragon, who seemed to know more about her than anyone else did. Aside from those issues, Hannah reminded them there were still items of Hathlisora's to collect. One item known only as the hand was long overdue for their attention. They still needed to learn what Kevin had broken that drove her insane with rage. Then she shared Blackbast's concern that Quinny's fantasy Egyptian armor and Breanne's spectral ring were meant specifically for them. This raised the worry that they, too, had missing memories and perhaps a larger part to play.

She wanted time to study the Necrofidiax hiding in the mountain and there were deeper tunnels yet to explore. Finally, there was the broken path in the dark dimension beyond the mirror. She wondered if there was a way to fix it, or perhaps she could blink across the gap to reach the other path. Who knows what was hidden down that other path that Hathlisora broke? Perhaps she broke it intentionally to stop the paladins from discovering some great secret. Of course, if they could find a way to navigate the blackness, there was a chance they might find her actual body. If she could recover that skull, she could learn a great many things. Of course, she looked to Umtha and assured the woman she would not follow this course without her permission. If they did locate the skull they would safely remove it to the buffer and leave it there until they were sure it could be used safely.

Hannah then raised a few questions that needed to be answered. For one, there was still the matter of the secret group trying to collect magical components from her and Frank. Thus far none of their inquiries had turned up any further leads. There was also the problem that Vylah represented. This woman claimed she was so close to Hathlisora that she was willing to sit alone and isolated in a swamp for years waiting for her to return. This must mean the two were very close but why then did Umtha not know a thing about her?

“That is a long list,” Roric sighed as he leaned back in his chair and looked at Frank. “Do you have any preference on where to start?”

“I don't think we need to rush into anything,” Frank urged. “I like this slow memory idea, and I would be interested in following up on the goblin device to locate the artifacts. The rest of it can wait, but I would like to add something.” He paused to consider his words carefully, then with a knowing gaze sent Umtha's way, he spoke in a cold voice. “I don't trust Vylah.”

“Oh, thank goodness somebody agrees with me,” Umtha said.

“She has never caused an ounce of trouble,” Rajeen countered.

“No, but she’s making me suspicious,” Frank countered. “For one, she was so devoted to waiting for her lover that she refused to move from that spot. Then she meets Hannah and readily agrees to move.”

Hannah felt shock roll through her body as she realized that might mean Vylah already knew who she was. Frank confirmed that to be true and then raised the question of why the woman was now pretending not to recognize her.

Every face in the room looked lost as to an explanation, and Rajeen, in particular, looked upset. She clawed at the ends of her throne nervously and asked Frank if he had any further information. Frank did have more, and it raised more alarm bells. Vylah had a habit of going blank and not being home. As she was in Frank's graveyard he had approached her many times and had pleasant conversations. However, Vylah never said anything of substance nor liked to talk about her past. She also had moments when she simply wasn't there. Frank had walked up to her mausoleum and beat on the walls while calling her name, and she never answered. It was as if she was in a deep sleep that nothing could wake her from.

“We have witnessed this ourselves,” Roric added. “When we went into Frank's tunnels, we stopped at her first, but she never responded. Not even when we pushed open her doors.”

“That was extremely creepy,” Chandice agreed.

“Now I am deeply troubled,” Rajeen growled. “Is there any more?”

“Yes, my gut tells me she’s trouble,” Frank replied.

Hannah felt her skin crawl when she heard Frank's opinion of the woman. He had an uncanny knack for spotting dangerous people and had been proven right more times than she could count. Chandice defended the woman but admitted there was something very odd about her. She volunteered to spend some time with her and see if she could learn something of the woman’s nature.

With that final note, they parted, and Hannah was allowed to return to the temple. Her mind was spinning, and she felt crushed under the weight of responsibility. She headed for a bedroom and threw herself into a silken bed, eager for the sweet release of sleep. She stripped bare and sprawled over the silken blankets while trying to relive the memory of her first encounter with Drellis. That image played in her mind as she faded into sleep and slipped into the dreams.

Hannah relived the dream several times, her smile wide with decadent pleasure. Then she cast her net wider, looking for somebody who might be dreaming of her, but she realized it was daytime, and most people were awake. She dabbled with her dream powers a bit, trying to do what Gisley did, but the fairy's skill was superior. Then she considered trying to talk to the woman in the crown but felt it was too dangerous. She would rather Gisley were in control of that dream so that if something went wrong, she could terminate it.

With a sigh, she let go of the dream world, her mind slipping back to the bedroom she lay sprawled in. Her eyes came open to find two little heads tucked into her breast. Quinny and Umtha had managed to climb into bed and snuggle in without her even realizing it. She smiled to think that she so loved these girls that she hadn't felt the least bit disturbed when they joined her. She looked down at their devilish bodies to see they were holding hands while Umtha's tail curled and relaxed in time to her breathing.

It was moments like these that made this world magical for Hannah. Waking up to find her loved ones in her arms and sleeping blissfully was a moment she would forever cherish. She wondered how much time had passed and assumed it could be much. The room had no windows to speak of, but a quick look into her dream powers revealed nobody she affected was sleeping.

“My little dark angels,” Hannah cooed as she played with one of Umtha's ears. It twitched in response, and then she wiggled in to get closer. Quinny's eyes came open, and she smiled before going into a long stretch. Hannah felt the smoothness of the woman's body as it pressed into her skin. She wrapped an arm around her and held her tight before kissing her head.

“What a pleasant surprise,” Hannah said. “I love waking up to my girls.”

“Umtha told me about the meeting,” Quinny said. “I was worried about you. She said you looked drained and upset.”

Hannah nodded and admitted the meeting had been intense but she would survive. After all, waking up with her beauties at her side was all she ever lived for.

“You’ve changed,” Quinny said. “I used to call you a prude, but now you’re like my mother, lover, and best friend all in one.”

“I am not sure I like the mother part, but the rest is nice,” Hannah laughed.

“You know what I mean,” Quinny sighed. “You take care of us and call us your girls. I love that about you. I love being yours.”

“Me too,” Umtha added to show she was awake. “I want to be her girl forever.”

“Aww,” Hannah cooed and kissed her head. “Do you two want me to be in charge and keep you two little devils in line?”

They both nodded, and Hannah swept them into her arms, promising that they were going to behave or she would spank them. Umtha giggled and began tracing little circles with a finger on Hannah's stomach.

“So, are you worried about what I said?” Umtha asked.

“About the paladins?” Hannah replied and shook her head. “I think the masters are right. They are searching those hills for something important to them. It has nothing to do with us. If anything I am intrigued to know what they are looking for that so many have gathered.”

“I can see if my goblins can find out,” Umtha offered.

Hannah loved the idea but stressed that she should only do so if it was safe. She didn't want the paladins to discover they were being followed by goblins. Everybody knew the goblins were considered citizens in her kingdom, and an incident like that might send those paladins her way.

Umtha assured her they would never know, even if they caught one. The goblins were players, after all, and had taken the precaution of wearing armor and insignia belonging to tribes far north of their lands. If a goblin did get caught, they would think it was a northern one and look that way.

“Clever,” Hannah replied as she petted her little spymaster. “How long has Frank had you using the goblins?”

“Almost since the day you started building the city,” Umtha admitted. “He also has me contacting more tribes, letting them know about you and the fortress.”

“Oh, has he now,” Hannah replied. “So the awkward little boy in his graveyard really is a master of strategy and military power.”

“Frank is a lot smarter than he lets on,” Quinny said. “He always knows what to do because he's planned it already.”

“Yes, our husband has a side to him that he likes to keep to himself,” Hannah agreed. She wasn’t alarmed by Frank’s cunning, and kind of found it arousing. She liked that he was complex, a mystery to be solved and dissected. He knew the dangers of founding a monster player led kingdom better than anyone as he had first hand experience with player aggression. He probably thought it prudent to keep silent tabs on their enemies, just as those enemies were watching them.

“So, what are my girls planning for today?” Hannah asked.

“Blackbast said we could help you in the temple,” Quinny replied. “You know, with the guests.”

“Umm, are there any guests?” Hannah laughed, and the girls shrugged. She didn't suspect there would be guests, as the temple's magical doorway had been temporarily closed. That meant a guest had to find the temple the old-fashioned way, and that was proving to be challenging. It was hidden high on a cliff above the canopy, where only the most adventurous players went.

Hannah supposed the closure was necessary as she was here to spend time with Blackbast while training and studying. A temple guest might consume whole days of her time, putting her progress back significantly. Still, it was hardly necessary to entertain guests. She made a full level or more in just a few hours in the forest, leaving her time to study under Blackbast's watchful eye.

With a stretch, she urged her girls up and wandered into the temple halls, not bothering to get dressed. She felt exhilarated to be prancing around naked and tried to imagine what it must be like for Jaina and her family to walk the streets with it all exposed. Of course they had taken to wearing skimpy dresses of late as the masters didn't want to encourage people to approach them. They only went out naked when accompanied by a master who led them by a leash. Hannah felt flushed at the idea of Frank pulling her along on a leash as she walked naked through the crowds.

She found Blackbast in the grand hall, naked in her human form, under a fountain. She turned her head to smile and beckoned the girls to join her in a pool laden with flower petals.

“I see why you like this role,” Hannah said as the girls scampered over and waded into the rustling water.

“It has its advantages,” Blackabast said, still managing to purr despite not being in cat form.

“And why are you so much less furry today?” Hannah asked as she came to the woman and joined her in the fountain, her hair wet with soothing water.

“I love a good bath,” Blackbast admitted. “But the fur isn't suited to it. I hate that damp feeling it gives me.”

“I see,” Hannah smiled before leaning in to share a kiss in the water. “For the record I like you like this just as much.”

“Sometimes I use it,” Blackbast said then swept Hannah's wet hair back. “But to tell you the truth, I love your simple blond human appearance. I don't deny that the devil look is enticing, but I think the human blond suits you better.”

“Frank doesn’t want me using it,” Hannah replied. “He doesn’t even care for the mixed appearance with the horns.”

“I know and I don’t understand why,” Blackbast agreed before usuring her to the side to sit on a bench that allowed her to sink to her breasts in the water. “I may have to pry at him a little to find out.”

“I think he just likes sexy devil girl,” Quinny said as she and Umtha joined them.

“I want to say I agree with that, but it feels like it has to be more,” Blackbast replied.

“That's funny, I was just having suspicious thoughts about him myself,” Hannah laughed. “All this secret goblin spying going on is an act of inspiration.”

“He is far more forward-thinking than I had first imagined,” Blackbast agreed as she turned to run a hand up Hannah's leg. “I hope it hasn't made you wary of him?”

“Of Frank?” Hannah balked. “Please, he's still the boy I first met; he just has more toys to play with now. Besides, every time I pry into something he's doing in secret, I find out it's to protect us or make us happy.”

“Good,” Blackbast replied as she smiled. “Because I can sense him approaching.”

The girls looked up as a broad-chested man appeared in the hallway, walking with confident strides toward the pool. Hannah felt her heart skip a beat to see his strong, well-defined body, readily apparent even through his shirt. His eyes were brown but carried a hint of strength, and his chiseled face was framed by long, flowing dark hair. Just seeing the man she loved sent shivers down her spine, which were echoed by the girls around her.

“Here you are,” Frank said as he looked down on the four women sitting in a neat row. His eyes went over their chests as his smile grew, and Hannah had to laugh.

“You are such a boy!” she cried, lifting her chest from the water. “Don't you get enough of this? Shouldn't you be bored of it by now?”

The other girls laughed as Frank shook his head and began to undress. Hannah sat back and watched as her husband stripped naked and wadded into the pool to join them. It was a moment of love and excitement as they renewed their vows to one another. Hannah couldn't dream of a better life in her perfect world, with her perfect family, living in a garden paradise.