Princess Hannah of the Jade Harem CH 52

Hannah collapsed over Frank, laying across his chest as she stared at the ceiling. Breanne fell into the bed beside them as Quinny and Umtha pilled in. The day had been long and full of pleasurable excitement as the girls made. Twelve hours had gone by, and Hannah was ready to be still and let her body recover. It was all done to abuse the system and help them level faster than anyone would believe possible.

“Did we just do that?” Quinny asked as she lay helpless over Breanne.

“I had no idea this was going to be so tiring,” Breanne said. “I feel sore in places I didn’t know could feel sore.”

“My tail is sore,” Umtha said as she wagged her tail. “So many of the girls wanted to play with it.”

“It is unusually sensitive,” Breanne agreed. “Having somebody stroke your tail is tantalizing foreplay.

“I want to know why so many women came?” Frank asked. “I had to start taking them two at a time.”

“Oh, you poor thing,” Hannah said as she smiled. “Did you overdose on beautiful and willing women?”

“I was surprised, is all,” Frank said as he lay still.

“So, what are we going to do now?” Quinny asked.

“Does anyone want to have sex?” Frank replied.

Hannah burst into laughter, quickly followed by her wives as they found the idea of more sex funny. Even Frank joined in, the five of them falling apart as Blackbast walked in.

“I am glad to see you are all in good humor,” she said as she looked over the pile of spent women and her husband.

“So this is what you wanted?” Hannah asked as she looked up.

“Not exactly,” Blackbast said with a shake of her head. “I never expected the temple to be a hub of constant activity. My ideal vision was one or two guests a day, not twelve an hour. Still, I am happy to have girls in my collar, and guests cared for with love. I will tweak the number of guests to create a more moderate rate to allow you more time for personal attention.

“Speaking of guests,” Quinny replied. “Why are we only getting girls?”

“I was wondering that too,” Hannah agreed.

“Obviously, Blackbast is trying to placate Rajeen,” Breanne replied.

“I am trying to placate her,” Blackbast agreed as she climbed into the pile and settled in with her family. Truth be told, slightly more women came to the temple than men. Those men who did come were easily handled by the woman who volunteered to wear the collar.

“Will we ever have men?” Quinny asked.

“If we get too busy that the girls can't keep up, then maybe,” Blackbast replied. But we can control the number of players in the temple, so that doesn't need to happen. Remember, this isn't a brothel where you rush through it. I want you to have plenty of time to comfort the guests and make them feel welcome.”

“That means less experience,” Hannah replied. “And the goal here was to level.”

“I am aware,” Blackbast purred as she snuggled to Umtha’s chest. “That is why I kept you busy with harem girls when a regular one wasn’t available. As I said, we can tweak the numbers of players who come over to find a balanced rate if the gain is too slow.”

“But no men,” Quinny sighed.

“If men are that important to you, I will begin sending you some,” Blackbast replied as she used her tail to tickly Quinny. “I was only trying to appease your master.”

“How are the girls who did get to comfort the men?” Breanne asked.

“Just as tired but happy,” Blackbast replied. “One of them wants to come back tomorrow. She told me she enjoyed this and wanted to know if I wanted a permanent slave.”

“Good for you,” Hannah said, laying her head back to give up.

“It may be good, it may not,” Blackbast said. “She has seen a small taste of what it is like to wear a collar. She still needs to learn that she will not be herself anymore and will be expected to obey. I pray she has a heart strong enough to submit and embrace what that means truly. I will test her in the coming days to see where she stands.”

“At least you don’t have to rush into anything,” Frank said. “With the number of people coming, you will probably find ten more like her by the end of the week. You can afford to be choosy and get the right girl.”

“I am just glad I have the right man,” Blackbast replied as she stroked Frank's arm. “You have changed my life.”

“Well, I think it’s time we answered the question,” Hannah interrupted as she lifted her arm. “Did twelve hours of absolute hedonism help our levels?” She rubbed her tattoo as the others rolled over to see her interface. Blackbast crawled into the pile and lay beside her, watching as the screen came up.

“Oh, my god,” Breanne gasped. “You gained over two levels in one day!”

“That can't be,” Blackbast gasped as she pointed at the screen. “I thought maybe one level at best.” She tapped into Hannah's history and nearly choked to see dozens of rewards from the others stacking with her own efforts. Frank had been the largest contributor, earning Hannah nearly double what any one of the others did.

“You had thirty-nine partners?” Quinny gasped.

“Don’t say it like that,” Hannah countered. “That’s less than four an hour. How many did you rack up little zombie? You were running nonstop.”

Quinny shrugged and opened her interface to reveal she had also gained two levels. Hannah wasn't sure she had ever seen the zombie woman blush, but she did when her count was revealed to be fifty-one.

“You slut,” Breanne laughed.

“Hey, don’t call me that,” Quinny said.

“Jaina is proud of that title,” Frank said and willed open his interface.

“Wow, he went up almost three levels!” Umtha gasped as she pointed.

“How are you all earning so much?” Blackbast said as she tapped into the details.

“Oh my god!” the girls cried in unison at Frank’s total of one hundred and two women.

“What?” he replied. “I told you I had to start taking them two at a time.”

“Frank, that's not even humanly possible,” Hannah laughed. “Did you line them up on the wall and work your way down?”

“I doubt he even remembers their faces,” Breanne laughed.

“There were so many,” Frank insisted. “And we turned away a bunch more.”

“This is crazy how easy it is to level like this,” Hannah said as she closed her interface. “It's like a free experience.”

“How much did you get?” Umtha asked as she looked at Blackbast.

Hannah was interested in that, too, as Blackbast hardly serviced any customers herself. Instead, she acted as a hostess, pairing arriving guests with available girls. She ran the temple to keep things going smoothly, leaving little time for her to get personally involved. Still, she earned a little bit of experience from every person under her collar, which was four girls. She also earned a little less from those under Hannah's collar, which added five more to the total.

The feline woman opened her interface to reveal she had earned nearly two levels. It shocked everyone to see that Blackbast was earning just as fast as the others, if not a little more.

“This is stupidly too easy,” Hannah said. No wonder I wanted to go this route. I will sail right past level one hundred in less than twenty days. The rest of you will be right behind me.”

“I will pass it before you,” Blackbast said as she shook her head. “Something is not right. All the rewards coming to and through Hannah appear to be magnified.”

“What do you mean?” Frank asked as they all looked at her interface. Blackbast showed them how her three girls under the collar were earning her nice, consistent rewards. But all of Hannah's were erratic. Some were a little smaller than her girls, but most were larger, some significantly so. Somehow, Hannah was boosting the rewards and causing an unnatural rate of experience gain.

“We had to know something more was going to be at play,” Hannah said. “I wouldn't have laid out a careful plan to follow this course if I didn't know how to cheat the system.”

“No, you would not have,” Blackbast agreed as she got up, wringing her hands. “And I think it’s time I told you the truth.”

“What truth?” Frank asked as they all watched the nervous cat woman tremble. Her tail twitched side to side in trepidation as she turned her back on them and lowered her head. Hannah could see she was in distress, and a palpable fear descended on the group.

“Blackbast?” Hannah asked as she sat up. “You know you can tell us anything.”

“I know, but it's that I didn't tell you sooner,” Blackbast replied without turning to face them. “I was only doing as promised and the criteria to reveal my secret has passed. I can now be honest with you.” She turned to face the group, taking hold of her tail to play with it nervously. “I am part of your plan. knew Hathlisora.”

“You did?” Quinny cried.

“You knew me?” Hannah gasped as everyone in the room was shocked. “When? Where?”

“Before I answer any of that, you should know you told me to stay hidden from Umtha,” Blackbast said. “You said she knew too much already, and the burden would become too great.”

“I was going to say I didn't know you,” Umtha added. “I guess that's why.”

“Oh, this can't be happening,” Hannah groaned as she sat up. “Are you sworn to secrecy, too?”

“Not like she is,” Blackbast said as she turned around. “You asked me to wait for you to return and then help you see the collar's power. You said you were going to need it to unlock the door.”

“Unlock the what?” Breanne asked.

“I don't know,” Blackbast grumbled and started to pace. “You told me you needed all this if you were going to fix what was broken. I tried to get you to explain, but you insisted it remain a secret. You said it was better if I couldn’t tell you because if you learned about it too soon, it would ruin everything.”

“So you were one of my lovers?” Hannah asked.

“What, no, we weren't even friends,” Blackbast countered. “Let me explain. I told you the desert kingdom I was part of went to war against Kevin. That was done to help you. Rajeen and I were two princesses caught in your plan with our king. We never know what was really going on, only that we had to protect what the goblins were doing.”

“They were building the machine for Hannah,” Frank said.

“It would appear that was it,” Blackbast said. “But at the time, I didn't know that. I learned about it the same way you did, through Umtha. All I knew is the goblins were gathering in the desert and Kevin was determined to stop them. We were told to hold the line as long as we could to buy the goblins time.”

“So, how do you know Hathlisora?” Hannah asked.

“You came to me one day,” Blackbast replied. “You were haunted and desperate. You said it was falling apart, and you couldn't stop it. You needed to recover the thing that was broken but had failed because it was where they wanted you to go.”

“They want me to go to the broken thing?” Hannah asked.

“I wish I could tell you more. You were so distressed back then that you spoke erratically,” Blackbast said. “You said something about white roses and the obelisk that marked the place in time that it happened. I had no idea what you were talking about. But you said if you went to claim the thing, you would never be able to get back. It was a trap, and they were using this broken thing as bait, but you had a plan, and it required you to come to understand the collars. You asked me to wait in the desert for your return and then to teach you how the collars worked.”

“I can’t believe this,” Hannah said as Frank sat up to hold her. “You acted like you had never seen me before.”

“You said I had to,” Blackbast replied. I wasn't supposed to tell you anything until you had embraced the collar's power and started to use it. You said you knew how to make it truly worthwhile. Now that I see it for myself, I realize I am finally free to tell you.”” and I was sworn not to tell anyone about our meeting. I have kept that promise, even from the woman I love.”

“I don't know if I should be relieved or break down and cry,” Hannah said as she hid her face in her hands. “Somehow, I feel better knowing I wanted all this to happen. It gives me hope that I am on the right path to learning the truth but also means I am still a puppet.”

“Heather,” Frank said, using her original name intentionally. “I would take your hand and walk away from all of this if it would bring you peace. We all would find someplace in the wilds to make a little home and be together.”

“Yeah, I will go anywhere you go,” Quinny said.

“Before the rest of you join in, just stop,” Hannah insisted. “I appreciate all this, but that's not what I want anymore. I have been doing nothing but trying to escape something since getting here. At first it was the world, then it was my situation as a necromancer, then my dark past I couldn't remember. All my problems stem from the fact that I keep trying to run away, only to run deeper into the arms of this plan. Well, no more.” She paused and leaned into Frank's chest. “I want you all to come with me, but not to run away. I want you to help me see this path clearly so I can follow it and get to the end because I finally see the truth. We will never have peace until we reach the end of the road.”

“This must be very hard on you,” Breanne said as she rubbed Hannah’s stomach.

“I am getting used to it,” Hannah said with a shrug. “Honestly, I am glad to know I wanted this collar and temple thing to happen.”

“You never told me you wanted to be part of my temple,” Blackbast said. “Just that I should teach you about the collar and make you understand its power.”

“Well, you have certainly done that,” Hannah replied. “But what good is the collar if I don’t have the temple to put it to use? I must have been planning this.”

“You never said anything about the temple to me either,” Umtha added.

“Is there more?” Frank asked as he looked at Blackbast.

“No,” Blackbast replied. Truth be told, she and I only spoke twice. She was very busy with other things and frantic to slow the enemy's advance. I hardly knew her.”

“Alright, do any of you have anything to come clean bout?” Hannah asked to see if her family had more secrets to reveal.

“Not me,” Quinny said. “I don’t have any blind spots in my memory.”

“I never met you or Frank before that graveyard,” Breanne said. “I also have a full memory of the necromancer empire, so I didn’t lose my memories.”

“I do,” Frank spoke up.

“We already know you are part of my past,” Hannah grumbled. “You’re the man I fell in love with after I left Kevin and the one assigned to be my protector.”

“No,” Franks countered. That dream we went into with the pyramid and the monster- that wasn't your dream; it was mine.”

“Wait, what?” Hannah asked in confusion as she turned around. “That was my dream. Gisley took the image from my head.”

“Yeah, but that was my pyramid,” Frank countered. “It's the one I have been telling you I want to build since we met. I know it was because the moment I saw it, I felt the connection. It was another memory coming to the surface to tell me this was important.”

“Then how did I dream it?” Hannah asked.

“Because you helped me build it,” Frank said. You and I were there together to build that pyramid because it was part of your plan. You needed something, and I built the pyramid for you to accomplish it. Then something went wrong, but I don't remember what.”

“You know for a fact it was part of my plan?” Hannah asked.

“No, I can't remember anything, but I feel it,” Frank explained. “I think of that dream, and I strongly feel this was where it all went wrong.”

“If by wrong you mean you summoned Cuthulu, then I agree,” Breanne teased.

“So it's both your dreams,” Quinny said.

“How long have you been keeping this?” Hannah asked as she stroked his cheek.

“I discussed it with Roric, and he with Rajeen,” Frank said. “I didn't want to burden you with it when it doesn't tell us anything. Just knowing I built it doesn't answer any questions, but then I am reminded of Umtha's banner in the goblin throne room.”

“What about it?” Breanne pressed as she rubbed his arm.

“I went there to study it because it had me curious,” Frank replied. The five of us are depicted on a banner with a prominent triangle in the back. I asked Umtha why she designed it, and she told me she had copied one she had seen before.”

Hannah looked to Umtha, who nodded and admitted seeing the banner hanging in a hall. She hadn't realized the significance until Frank explained that the triangle was his pyramid.

“Oh, I remember how you told me that banner made you want to build your pyramid again,” Hannah said. “We had a big fight with Umtha and sorted out the goblin things.”

“I also told you that you needed to find the other parts of your armor,” Umtha reminded. “But I also promised not to push you anymore, so I never brought it up again.”

“I haven’t forgotten,” Hannah sighed. “I suppose I have been avoiding addressing it. I just want to stay here and be still for a little bit before leaving on another adventure. Speaking of addressing things, did you ever meet Breanne or Quinny before me?”

“I told you that already,” Umtha said. “No, I have never met them before you.”

“I know you told me before, but you may have lied to protect me,” Hannah said.

“No, I didn't lie, but I will tell you something more,” Umtha replied. “I did meet the other woman.”

“Other woman?” the group said in unison.

“How many wives did Hannah have?” Quinny asked.

“She wasn’t Hannah’s wife,” Umtha countered. “She was Franks.”

“Franks?” Hannah gasped and turned on the man in whose lap she sat. “Do you have a wife on the side?”

“I don't remember anything either,” Frank countered, looking distressed. “I don't have another wife.”

“I likely story,” Hannah said as she scowled at him.

“Honestly, you just encouraged him to make love to over a hundred women,” Breanne countered. “Are you really going to get upset that he has one more?”

“I was just teasing him,” Hannah said as she turned to Umtha. “Well, who is this mysterious woman?”

“I am not supposed to tell you,” Umtha said.

“Umtha, you can't drop something like that and then say I can't tell you. You have to give me more than that,” Hannah said. “Is it Vylah?”

“No, it isn't her, and I would be sick if it were,” Umtha replied.

“You really don’t like her,” Breanne said.

“No, she is a viper, and I am going to prove it somehow,” Umtha insisted.

Hannah didn’t want to get into that argument and pressed the original question. All Umtha would admit was that they had already met her, and she had shown them her connection to their group.”

“When did we meet a woman who had a connection to us?” Hannah asked as she looked at Frank.

“I have no idea,” Frank said. “Maybe it’s Jaina.”

“I would think Chandice is more your speed,” Breanne said. “You tend to like intelligent, feminine women.”

“I think Idris is a better fit,” Quinny said. She is a woman who plays a priest class that is nearly identical to a necromancer. She said she came here hoping to adventure with a necromancer.”

“That is a good point,” Hannah agreed.

“But Idris has no reason to want me,” Frank pointed out. “This person was my wife, so she must have had a reason to see beyond my ghoul appearance.”

“Please, Idris loves your ghoul appearance,” Hannah laughed. “And don't you dare try to tell me she hasn't made love to you in it yet.”

“Alright, yes, we did make love in my ghoul form,” he admitted. “But I don't think it can be her.”

“But who could that be?” Hannah asked.

“It’s Iskathet,” Blackbast said as she paced. “It has to be. It only makes sense that she would be the woman.”

“The ghoul woman in the desert?” Quinny asked.

“The ghoul woman who built a pyramid by command of the necromancers,” Breanne said.

“And it has a statue of Hathlisora under it,” Quinny reminded.

“And being a ghoul herself, she probably wasn’t bothered by Frank’s appearance,” Hannah agreed. “Did we see anything more to link her, though? She didn't seem to recognize Frank.”

“Her pyramid is an exact copy of mine,” Frank said. When we went inside, I knew where every door, chamber, and tunnel would go. I could have led us through the place blindfolded.”

“And it gets crazier,” Hannah sighed and closed her eyes. “Can we just open the temple again and go back to having sex?”

“This is important,” Blackbast snapped. “A great deal of truth is coming out here.”

“I’m not denying that, but sometimes it’s too much at once,” Hannah quipped. “So now, not only is Frank’s pyramid vitally important somehow, but we both have estranged lovers to deal with.”

“Vylah is not your lover,” Umtha insisted.

“Look, let’s not even discuss that,” Hannah said as she put an arm over her eyes. “What do we do about Iskathet? Do we contact her and tell her that she’s Frank’s wife?”

“I don’t have any memory of her,” Frank insisted.

“I think we are jumping to conclusions,” Breanne said. “Before we make any more, Umtha has to tell us if we are right. Is Iskathet one of Frank's wives?”

They all looked to Umtha, who shrank into a little ball and looked away. She refused to answer the question as her eyes became wet.

“You do realize that you are saying yes by not answering?” Hannah pressed.

“Why do you keep doing this to me?” Umtha cried. “I am supposed to keep it a secret!”

“Oh, sweetheart,” Hannah sighed, pulling Umtha to her chest. “I am sorry, but now that we know he has another wife, we need to know more. Do we need to go back to Iskathet and tell her she is Frank’s wife?”

“I don’t think we should tell her,” Quinny said. “Not until we know what role she plays.”

“I happen to agree with that,” Breanne said. “She is part of the plan, but so far, all we know is that she was a wife and lives in a copy of Frank's pyramid.”

“As much as she is a friend of mine, I also agree,” Blackbast said. “There is too much going on already to add another layer of complication.”

“I think this is Frank's choice,” Hannah said as she looked at him. “She is your wife. You should have a final say in how we handle it.”

“I am sorry, you are right,” Blackbast nodded. “Frank must decide.”

Frank looked tired as he wrapped his arms around Hannah and Umtha. He was silent for almost a minute as he worked on the question that hung in the air.

“We leave her be,” Frank said at last. “We focus on leveling, and when we are all over a hundred, we go after the next part of Hannah’s armor.”

“You really want to do that?” Hannah asked in surprise.

“If we haven’t found a good course of direction from your study and research, then I say the armor is the best bet,” Frank stated. “If the course continues as it has, the journey should lead us to more clues and fill in more blanks. I am hoping we learn something more about why she's important to the plan before we face her. She might reject us if we show up with nothing more than Umtha's say so.”

“I believe this is a good plan,” Blackbast agreed. The others nodded that they also liked the plan, and they let the matter drop. For now, they would focus on getting to a point where their power was sufficient to challenge greater things. Then, when they were ready, they would go after the next piece of the puzzle- the hand.