Princess Hannah of the Jade Harem CH 55

Hannah walked up the temple steps, holding hands with Blackbast as they laughed. The walk in the forest had been wonderful, as had the romantic encounter that followed. They stayed all night, enjoying the forest's magic as they fell asleep in Frank's arms. They decided to return to the temple in the morning and resume their duties, but everyone felt better.

The air had been cleared, and important matters were discussed to everyone's satisfaction. They had also renewed their desire to function as a family, sharing their day-to-day affairs as one unit. Hannah was looking forward to a good drink when a harem girl ran down the steps, looking upset.

The immediate assumption was that something had gone wrong in the temple. However, that turned out to be far from the case. The woman said that Gisley had returned to the harem with a warning that Hannah was in danger. Roric wanted them to gather and hear Gisley out so they could decide what to do.

“My life,” Hannah sighed as she shook her head. “Well, let’s go see who wants to kill me this time.”

“Don't be so dismissive about it,” Breanne cautioned. “I hate to see you growing cold.”

“Yeah, I like the fun Hannah who wants to play,” Quinny agreed.

“I am still fun,” Hannah quipped as she looked at Frank. “I just get tired of people always targeting me. I just want to enjoy my life and spend time walking in the woods with my family.”

“I am sure we can handle this,” Frank replied and led the way, taking them into the temple. A few magic doors later, they entered the harem where the other masters had already gathered. Gisley was beside Roric, looking nervous as she watched Hannah approach. Hannah noticed that Jaina and Evalynn seemed to be missing and looked about to see where they were hiding. Gwen arrived a moment later, moving to the floor before the thrones, where she waited to hear what was happening.

“Why were we told we are in danger?” Frank asked as he and Hannah climbed the steps to his throne. Frank took his place and Hannah hers, sitting on his lap as he put an arm around her waist.

Roric took center stage, explaining that Gisley had flown back from the estate where she had been spying for the harem. He had Gisley take over, explaining what she heard while he helped guide her to avoid wandering off on tangents. Jaina had overheard a woman talking with Thexis about their plan for the harem. That woman was determined to get more samples from the harem and berated Thexis for his failure. However, he told her about Blackbast's temple and how Hannah and Frank could be found there. That woman was now on her way to the city to pose as a traveler and collect a sample from both of them. When asked why she wanted the samples, Gisley repeated what Jaina had told her. They needed the samples to replace her and Frank to assume control.

“She’s going to replace me?” Hannah asked as she leaned back in Frank’s lap. “Replace me with what?”

“She didn’t say,” Gisley said. “And I am only repeating what Jaina told me.”

It doesn’t matter what she plans to replace you with,” Rajeen said. “All that matters is she is arrogant enough to try. If this replacement allows her to gain control of any part of your power, then it has to be stopped.”

“Nobody is going to replace my daughter,” Gwen said firmly. “I would know it wasn’t her.”

Hannah smiled at her mother, who had a look of determined anger in her eyes. No doubt Gwen would see this woman drawn and quartered before she laid a hand on her daughter. Gwen then insisted she would know the difference between her real daughter and a fake. She pointed out that her bond to Hannah would be missing and reveal the truth.

Rajeen assured them that she and most of the others would, too. Roric even suggested Frank would know with a single kiss, which softened the tension but didn't answer the question. Frank expressed a desire to know what being replaced meant and why they needed the samples to do it. Chandice explained that samples could only mean she was working on a magical creation. She suggested it could be a clone or copy of the person sampled. However, she had never heard of such a spell. She did know of a spell to make a small, familiar-like creature that needed things like blood, hair, and tissue from a player. She could only suggest that maybe there was a more advanced version that created full copies.

Blackbast pointed out how a copy would likely be under the creator's control. They could replace Frank and Hannah, essentially assuming control of the kingdom. From there, they could undo any of the changes they disagreed with, like the monster guild.

Hannah asked what would happen to the real people. After all, what good would a copy do if she could confront it? She certainly wasn't going to stay away if somebody was trying to take over. Frank asserted that these people must have a plan for the real person. They probably had the means to kidnap the real person and keep them contained so the clone could do its work.

Again, Gwen pointed out that even if they could remove Hannah, she would know the difference, and Blackbast would know where she was. After all, Hannah wore the woman's slave collar, and as her master, Blackbast would unerringly know where her slave was.

It broke down into a debate of how they could remove anyone without them knowing. Hannah grew tired of the debate and realized a simple truth. No copy, magical or otherwise, would have the same social settings. Her character sheet clearly showed she was Gwen's daughter, Blackbast's slave girl, and Frank's wife. She stated clearly that she would not be offended if any of her masters asked to see her character sheet. In fact, if she refused to show them, they were to immediately restrain her and test her to establish her identity. Frank and the others agreed to the same measures, creating a quick and easy way to establish the truth.

“Now, what do we do with this woman?” Hannah asked as she glared from her perch on Frank’s lap.

“If you want my opinion, we need to catch her in the act,” Chandice said. “It might shed a lot of light on what she’s doing if we can witness it.”

“I don’t like the idea of letting her into our home,” Roric countered as he looked Hannah’s way. “Or leaving her alone with Hannah. What if she gets what she needs and escapes?”

“What if I was with her?” Frank offered. “If she wants us both, she might agree to a threesome, and then I could protect Hannah.”

“Or make it ten times easier for her to get what she wants,” Blackbast countered. “Remember, she knows who you two are. If she's coming here to get those samples, she must believe she has the means to overpower you.”

“Good point,” Frank agreed.

“Then the most logical thing to do is keep them both out of the room,” Rajeen said.

“I could make an illusion of them,” Zillix offered from where he sat in his tiny dragon form on Idris’s lap. “She can’t get anything from that.”

“I worry she will detect an illusion,” Roric said. “And if she did, she would know it was a trap.”

“And we won’t learn anything about how she does it,” Chandice added.

“Then how do we catch her in the act without exposing me to her?” Hannah asked.

“Jaina,” Roric said with a nod. “She will masquerade as you and lure her in. If anyone can fool this woman into believing she is with the real Hannah, it’s her.”

“Where is Jaina?” Hannah asked, and Roric explained she was following the woman here. She would arrive in an hour or two, giving them plenty of time to plant her at the temple. Hannah expressed a fear that they were exposing Jaina to the same danger, but Roric felt tricking the woman was far safer than exposing the real Hannah. Frank then spoke up, reminding Roric that this woman had compelled Jaina before. He wondered if the woman was powerful enough to influence Jaina and escape with her.

Roric conceded that he hadn't considered that but pointed out that he could follow the collar if it happened. Still, it also meant the plan might not work, and the woman might harm Jaina in the process. Gwen then stood before the group and said she would be in the room with Jaina. As her level was exceptional, she would likely be able to resist anything this woman tried to do. Gwen would remove her collar and face the woman directly if needed, but Roric refused.

Hannah and the others knew how important Gwen's secret identity was and, more to the point, what would happen if it was revealed. He insisted she couldn't do such a thing and then asked what would happen if the woman could influence Gwen. Gwen laughed at the idea, but Rajeen suggested a few additional measures could be taken. Five of the most powerful wizards from the harem would be on hand nearby to detect and, if necessary, counterspell any magic. Frank and the others would be just down the hall to rush in and deal with the woman if needed.

Zillix then spoke up and suggested he could also be in the room. His form suddenly glittered, and he became a simple black cat looking at the group with green eyes. He said he could use his illusions to pretend to be a temple pet who just happened to be in the room at the time. If anything went wrong, he could take the woman by surprise and buy them time to intervene.

“So the plan is to lure her in and offer her a threesome with Hannah and Gwen,” Blackbast surmised. “Then we put her into a secure room with Zillix planted as an extra measure. The rest of us will watch from my temple mirror and rush in when the moment comes.”

“Then we capture and question her,” Rajeen agreed. “And we find out what this copy business is all about.”

They parted to make preparations, and some extra security was placed about. Harem girls in full battle gear were placed in the gardens and strategic points about the temple. A room was chosen to maximize the distance this woman needed to run to escape. It also put them right outside Blackbast's private room, where her magic mirror was. With this mirror, she could watch any location on the temple grounds and hear what was happening. They would spy on this Julliesta and see everything in exacting detail.

Hannah thought the plan was solid but slipped away while sending a telepathic message. She waited outside the chosen room as Webster appeared from around a corner. She scooped him up, explaining what would happen, and asked for his help. She wanted him to hide in the room and watch so she could use his eyes if needed. If anything happened, Zillix would deal with it while the others came running. All Webster had to do was stay hidden and observe. The little spider readily agreed and scurried into the room to wait. Hannah went to take her place with the others to discover Jaina and Evalynn had arrived in her absence.

Now they were ready, and the wait wasn't long. This Julliesta woman arrived in the Jade Temple less than an hour later and immediately headed for the lounge. Jaina and Gwen took their places as the others gathered at the magic mirror. Hannah felt it odd to see herself through the mirror as Jaina played her role perfectly. She even sounded like Hannah, playing with her tail as Hannah often did.

“So what do we expect from this?” Hannah asked as they waited for Julliesta to arrive.

“Jaina said she overheard Julliesta say she was just going to scout this out,” Roric replied. “So we don’t expect her to act, but she might see too good an opportunity and choose to strike.”

“Doesn’t she need me?” Frank asked.

“We considered that,” Rajeen said. “We think that once they have Hannah, they can use her to get you.”

“Wonderful,” Hannah grumbled. She didn’t like the idea that someone would copy her and then strike at her family.

“I wouldn’t worry about it,” Rajeen said as she put an arm around Hannah. “Nobody could replace you.”

“But a few copies might be useful,” Frank suggested, getting a giggle from Quinny.

“Oh, ha, ha,” Hannah replied, using her tail to smack him in the leg.

“So where is this woman?” Breanne asked as she grew impatient.

“Blackbast went to meet her and offered to bring her to Hannah,” Rajeen answered as Jaina and Gwen began to make love.

Hannah found herself unable to look away from the mirror, commenting that it was disturbing to see herself in the room. She was particularly bothered by the size of her breasts, causing Breanne to comment that they were things of beauty. Frank and Roric shared a laugh as Hannah shook her head. A moment later, the door opened, and Blackbast arrived with the mysterious woman.

The woman was of average height with long black hair and pale skin. She had a flair for fancy dress with frills and lace in black and red, oddly reminding Hannah of Lydia. She could see the vampire woman in a dress like that, and the thought made her hunger for another kiss. She shook the image away and focused on studying the woman who looked completely human, if not for a long furry tail.

“What race is that?” Umtha asked as the girls were introduced.

“I have no idea,” Frank replied as Roric and Rajeen nodded that they didn’t know either.

“She looks shady,” Quinny said with a frown as Blackabast left the room so the women could be alone.

“She has that look of arrogance,” Evalynn agreed. “The kind of look a predator has when the prey has no idea it’s being hunted.”

Hannah agreed that there was something unnatural about the woman. She seemed too comfortable in her skin, too at ease with what she was doing. They watched as Jaina crawled out of the bed, coming to Julliesta on hands and knees as her tail swayed. It was a pure display of sexual aggression that even Hannah found exciting.

“Wow, that crawl was sexy,” Frank said.

“Oh, so now you want me to crawl at your feet?” Hannah asked.

“Maybe just a little,” he replied, earning a few giggles. Hannah shook her head again and returned to the unfolding scene. Julliesta shed her clothes, placing them and a small pack on a nearby table. Instantly, she was pulled into their arms, and the three women began their foreplay.

Hannah noticed Roric was tense, and so did Rajeen, who took his hand and assured him it would be fine. It made sense that he was upset, considering how much he loved Jaina and how dangerous this woman was. He expressed a desire to have the same kind of magical armbands that Alexandria used in her brothel. Hannah didn't know much about the bands, but she knew they protected the girls from danger. Rajeen once again assured him that things would be fine and held him firm.

Hannah took Frank’s hand for support, even wrapping her tail around him. Blackbast came to his chest and leaned in, asking if Julliesta had done anything since she left her in the room. Frank explained that nothing unexpected had happened as the three girls moved to the bed, and the passion began to build.

Hannah watched herself make love to the women and wondered if maybe they were overplaying the threat. She focused her attention on Webster, who appeared to be looking out from under a dresser. She used her telepathy to ask if he had noticed anything unusual, and he said no.

Julliesta admonished the girls for being beautiful and asked the fake Hannah why she had become a slave girl. Jaina answered in Hannah's voice, saying that she found the act of surrendering to be the greatest thrill of her life. She had also learned that her husband had a secret harem fantasy and wanted to fulfill it. In the end, though, what changed her mind was the love she found in being part of the harem. She was surrounded by girls with a true passion for service, and the masters treated them all with great respect.

Hannah looked at Frank and smiled as every word of that answer had been true. She loved her role as a slave girl serving her masters, who showered her in affection. There was never a shortage of loving arms eager to embrace her, and she slept in a warm embrace every night.

Julliesta then asked why Hannah served in the temple and was not restricted to the harem. Jaina masterfully explained how Blackbast was tied to the temple, causing distress in their relationship. She and her family agreed to join Blackbast in service so they could spend a lot more time with her and share in the dream she had.

“She really understands us,” Breanne said.

“That’s because she sleeps with our husband every chance she can get,” Hannah replied with a wink at Frank.

“She sleeps with you every chance she can get,” Frank corrected as Quinny laughed.

“That’s because we are dating,” Hannah said. “Though that seems odd when we are harem sisters. I mean, who am I not dating in the harem?”

“It is different,” Breanne said as she stepped to Evalynn and put an arm around her. “I am dating Evalynn because I feel a deeper connection to her.”

“Is this going to end up in another wedding?” Quinny asked as Frank cleared his throat.

“I told you,” Rajeen said as she glared at the two boys. “I said that sooner or later, you would all end up married and one family.”

“We are one family already,” Frank replied with an agreeing nod from Roric.

Hannah agreed with the sentiment, but there was something special about marrying somebody. It said that you loved them so much that you wanted to be together forever and needed them. She was grateful she married Frank and all her wives, but was that the end of it? How long would it be before there were others? How long before Rajeen was a wife, or Roric, another husband? Technically, Zillix was already her second husband, so what was the point in fighting it?

The group focused on the mirror as Julliesta asked why Hannah had played a monster player. Jaina said it was because she had been chosen and had no knowledge of the world's politics. All she knew was that Frank was the only person who would help her, and she was slowly growing to love him. She picked her class to be something that could play alongside him and that he would find attractive.

Rajeen commented on how effective a liar Jaina was, and Blackbast agreed. Hannah didn't want to call it lying. It was more Jaina answering with the truth on Hannah's behalf. All she was doing was leaving out key details that put it into perspective.

The three women in the mirror made love, with Hannah growing hot as she watched. Julliesta continued to talk in brief spurts, even suggesting that Hannah and her family reset to pick hero players. Hannah began to feel that Julliesta wasn't who they thought she was. She seemed to be trying to reason with them for their safety, not lure them into a trap. She even warned that a danger was coming but never elaborated on what that was.

“Gwen is getting irritated,” Blackbast said. “I can feel her displeasure through the collar.”

“Why is she so focused on convincing us to reset?” Quinny asked.

“There is something else going on here,” Frank said, echoing Hannah’s suspicions. “I hate to say this, but I don’t get a bad feeling from her. She feels more desperate than malevolent. Like she’s afraid for us.”

“Be that as it may, she was responsible for the deaths of harem girls,” Rajeen reminded.

“I know,” Frank said as he watched the mirror intently. “But desperate people will do terrible things when they have to. I am worried she is going to act sooner than later.”

“Jaina was sure this would be a scouting mission,” Roric repeated.

Hannah knew better than to second guess Frank's judgment. Despite his feelings that she wasn't here for purely selfish reasons, he still felt she was a danger. The watched as the woman climbed from the bed and went to the table. Frank tensed as she reached for her back, and suddenly, the mirror went black.

Panic erupted as Roric asked what happened, and Blackbast said Julliesta must have known they were watching and used a magical device to block the mirror. Frank insisted they needed to get into the room, but Hannah put a hand to his chest. She quickly told Webster to move closer so she could see them.

“Webster is in the room?” Quinny said with a wide smile. “You can still see what is happening?”

“I asked him to hide under the dresser,” Hannah replied as she focused on looking through his eyes. “I can see everything. Julliesta is standing by the table, saying they need to be prepared. She's got something in her hand, like a pouch. Wait, she just filled the air with a white powder.”

“What's happening?” Blackbast demanded as Hannah looked through Webster's eyes to see Jaina suddenly fall over. She landed on the bed with a yawn as her eyes closed. Julliesta looked pleased with herself until she saw Gwen staring at her with murder in her

eyes.

“How are you still awake?” Julliesta cried in obvious surprise.

“You are going to regret coming here,” Gwen growled as a sword of light formed in her hand.

Julliesta drew a knife out of nowhere, and a large reptilian form was on her in a second as Zillix pounced. There was an explosion of magic and powers as Hannah realized it was all falling apart. Julliesta broke free and jumped to the bed, stabbing Jaina with the knife before Gwen got hold of her tail. Hannah related the scene to the others as her eyes came open in a panic.

“Get in there fast. Gwen is going to kill her!”