The Lovely Knight Rises - Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Two Agrean soldiers dashed forward roaring battle cries with weapons held high. A shadowy pillar lashed out steel crashed and the two men were catapulted backwards, tumbling through the air to sprawl limply beside their companions. “Light!” an authoritative voice bellowed and a dozen lanterns were unshuttered, pushing back the gloom. The golden light illuminated a shapely pair of calves and swept back and forth, the men holding them unsure as to what they were looking at. Jasmine took a step forward and dispelled the mystery- lanterns tilted up to reveal the giantess in sections. A clenched fist, the underside of an enormous breast- then her feet were upon them. Booted heels stomped down with bone crushing force and soldiers went down screaming. Their lanterns winked out one by one until the rampaging giantess was shrouded in darkness once more.

An ominous silence fell over the room and Matt huddled close to the dais, hoping to remain out of sight.

The remaining soldiers shuffled forward, exchanging nervous glances. None wanted to be the first to engage the giantess and more than a couple cast furtive glances at the exits. “Orders sir?” a quavering voice came from somewhere to Matt’s left. Lantern light revealed a pillar of pale pillar slashed with a ribbon of red.

“The beast bleeds!” the commander bellowed. “Finish her!”

“Finish me?” Jasmine’s voice taunted from far above in the darkness. “I’m barely getting started.”

The soldiers balked but their commander was made of sterner stuff. “Attack!” he roared, and his men obeyed. Jasmine stepped forward to meet them, her foot lashing out with deadly force. At the last moment the soldier twisted to the side and her foot spun him to the floor rather than sending him soaring across the room. He scrambled back to his feet just in time to avoid a stomp that would have crushed him into paste. Two others slashed at Jasmine’s opposite leg, drawing blood. A third with a long spear ran up had managed to get around behind and looked intent on skewering her foot to the floor.

“Jasmine, behind you!” Matt shouted.

She whirled faster than any would have thought possible and caught the spear wielder with a backhand blow that sent him soaring. Matt’s attention was pulled away from Jasmine’s battle by the scrape of metal on stone alerted moments before a soldier lunged at him. Matt leapt back and his assailant over-extended his lunge and fell to stone while his hands clawed at Matt’s legs. A thick finger snagged on Matt’s boot and he kicked his foot free and rolled over to stand only to find himself facing another pair of boots. A savage kick made the world darken and tilt sickeningly. 

When his vision cleared again he was held by thick hairy arms with the cold steel of a dagger held to his throat. “Surrender,” his captor bellowed. “Or I’ll slit your little friend’s throat.” Jasmine hesitated and Matt felt the dagger bite into his skin. A whine of fear escaped his lips and a trickle of something warm dribbled down his neck. “On your knees, now!” The soldier roared. The lantern lights fixed on Jasmine as she stopped moving and Matt saw the fear and concern in her eyes. He closed his own, knowing what she had to do and unable to watch her do it.

Make it quick, he begged silently. For a moment the room fell quiet, then a heavy whump of displaced air.

“That’s right, bitch.” The man behind him sneered. Matt chanced opening his eyes and saw Jasmine had fallen to her knees. This is wrong, the mission is everything. The artifact must be returned to the Queen, no matter the cost. Yet there she was, kneeling before an enemy she could have easily bested, for him. Matt’s throat constricted from more than simple fear of being cut.

Jasmine bent forward to lay her palms flat against the ground in the universal symbol of surrender. Her sheer shirt, which had somehow grown with her, had not grown quite enough and left a considerable valley of cleavage on display. “Would ya look at the tits on her?” One of the Agreans jeered to the receptive snickers of a few of his fellows. The tips of Jasmine’s pink nipples swung into view as she bent forward and her huge breasts wobbled to a stop. The pebbled surface of her areola continued to expand into view and after a moment Matt realized why- Jasmine was still growing. She had been perhaps five times his size when the battle began and now was closer to six times his size. Her breasts had continued to grow out-of-proportion with the rest of her and the heavy swells of flesh eagerly expanded into the space beyond her ribs like balloons slowly filling with water. “We could feed a village with those milk bags,” the Agrean soldier jeered. The deadly tension seemed to break and a chorus of laughter went up, including from the man holding him.

Matt acted without thinking, pulling down on the man’s arm and twisting his body. He ducked away from the man’s shoulder. The edge of a dagger grazed his cheek and shaved the top couple layers of skin away as he dropped to a crouch and lunged towards Jasmine. It was all the opening she needed. Her enormous body pivoted on the anchor her hands provided and her foot swept across the room like an enormous scythe. The movement was so quick the soldiers barely had time let out cries of alarm before her leg plowed into them. Men crumpled against her shin, piling up like debris being swept by a broom until the arc of Jasmine’s kick completed and the writhing ball of soldiers was hurled into the wall with a deafening crash. 

A pair of Agreans used the opening to land blows on Jasmine’s arm and wrist but they might as well have been papercuts for all the attention she paid them. Her opposite hand plowed into Matt with force that drove the air from his lungs. The world tilted and jerked nauseatingly as she regained her feet with him in hand, his body no more than a doll to her. An incredibly luxuriant softness surrounded Matt as Jasmine plunged him between her breasts. He barely had time to register surprise before she was fighting again, laying about with both hands and feet. More crunches and screams came from below until the only sound was the steady drum of Jasmine’s heartbeat. 

The warm flesh held him snugly, the weight of Jasmine’s breasts bordered on uncomfortable, but Matt had never felt so safe. In spite of himself he nestled deeper into her cleavage as his racing heart slowed to match Jasmine’s cadence. “No need to hide,” Jasmine chuckled and Matt tensed as the vibrations rolled through him. “The ones I did not get ran off.”

Matt swallowed and said, “I’m sorry I-”

Jasmine hushed him. “You have nothing to apologize for. We need to return as quickly as possible, the Queen must be told of the Agreans. Can you get us home?”

That was a good question. Matt was capable of moving people and objects large distances, assuming he could picture the origin and destination clearly, but he had never tried to move anything as large as Jasmine. “I don’t know,” he admitted. “And why are you so eager to get back? We were supposed to return the artifact, not use it.” And you were not supposed to save me.

“It was not like there was much choice. Besides, I think things turned out pretty well, don’t you?” The smile in Jasmine’s voice was obvious and did a little to soothe Matt’s guilt, but only a little. She was clearly pleased to have grown, and Matt had to admit he found the change incredibly exciting. And yet… Why did he not feel happy? 

“I guess,” he replied.

“Try?” Jasmine urged softly. Matt swallowed the lump in his throat and began to cast a spell.

***

A woman carrying her wash screamed as a giant woman appeared in the field beside her. A wicker basket containing her unmentionables spilled from her arms and she ran for help, shouting hysterically. “Hmm,” Matt muttered. “My estimate was off. I think we’re somewhere near Coral Village. I’ll try again.”  

“Wait,” Jasmine said, eyeing the woman’s dropped laundry. “Before that, is there anything you can do about this?” She gestured at the avalanche of tit wobbling naked on her chest. 

Matt’s face heated and he nodded. Transmutation magic was simple enough, with a spell he could turn flimsy cloth into sturdy leather. Throw in a little alteration magic and… Magical energy poured out of him and the spilled basket of clothes swirled into the air around Jasmine’s chest. The garments merged and molded into a new shape and in moments her breasts were once more ensconced in fabric. The enormous orbs slowly lifted upward as Matt poured more and more energy into the spell. Eventually Jasmine’s tits were fully supported and he sagged with the effort of expending so much energy. The fact that it taxed his power so much to simply support Jasmine’s breasts was at once humiliating and incredibly erotic. 

They spent a long moment together admiring his handiwork- a plain white bustier that left her shoulders and abdomen bare and cupped the generous swells of her tits like a second skin. Jasmine reached up absently and adjusted her bust to center her cleavage. It was the single most erotic gesture Matt had ever witnessed. She glanced up and saw him looking and gave him a wink. “Lets go home,” she said.

Matt blushed then nodded and, summoning the dregs of his power, sent them home.

***

The capital’s main square was not precisely where Matt intended to bring them but the familiar sights of the city and sensual comfort of being pressed close to Jasmine’s body was enough. He promptly slumped into an exhausted slumber.

Jasmine had a moment to cup her hand over him protectively before the startled cries began. “Peace, Pelthians,” her voice boomed at the people fleeing from the square. She moderated her volume and went on, “I am your Lovely Knight, I mean you no harm.” This was enough to stall the panic of a few, but others continued to scurry away like frightened mice. “Please, if any of you have retained your senses send word to the Queen that we have returned.”

“I’ll do it m’lady.” A grizzled man in a blacksmith’s apron sketched a clumsy bow that nearly made Jasmine snort with laughter.

“I’m no lady, but thank you. I will wait here, I think moving about might create panic.”

The man grinned toothily and nodded before running off towards the castle. When he was out of sight Jasmine sighed and sat down, mindful to avoid crushing the fountain at the square’s center. She looked once more at her exhausted companion and wondered why she did not feel some measure of exhaustion herself. The fraction of people remaining in the town square began to edge closer as curiosity overcame fear. “You’re awful big, lady,” a youth pointed out.

Jasmine smiled at the tousle-haired boy. “Maybe you’re just very small.” 

The boy’s face scrunched up as if considering that. “Nah, you’re huge. Ain’t never seen one big as you.”

“That’s because there isn’t anyone big as me,” Jasmine said and proudly stuck out her chest. This had the unintended side effect of emphasizing her newly enlarged bust and sent the boy into a wide-eyed state of wonder. With the ice broken others began pelting her with questions:

“How did you get so big?”
“What was your quest?”

“Are you really the lovely knight?”

“Will you marry me?”

“Have you rescued many cats?”

Jasmine answered the serious questions as best she could and let the more ridiculous comments off with a smile or a laugh. Before long the square was bustling with people again and her good humor infected the crowd. She had to gently reprimand a few for attempting to climb on her, but a dunk in the cold fountain as punishment elicited laughter rather than alarm.  By the time Queen Marigold arrived a sizeable crowd had gathered and were laughing and joking merrily. Jasmine was the first to notice the Queen’s retinue enter the square and her smile sobered. She started to rise, intending to kneel as was proper, and found the crowd moved too slowly to allow her freedom of movement.

“Do not trouble yourself Jasmine,” the Queen’s voice rang out. “I hardly expect you to stand on ceremony given the circumstances.” At once the crowd parted for the Queen and the laughter faded into hushed and excited whispers.

Jasmine offered her Queen an apologetic look and said, “Your Highness, we have returned with the artifact.” Jasmine uncupped her palm and held out the solid black orb just as the Queen’s retinue reached her feet. The Queen nodded and one of the knights stepped forward to relieve her of the artifact. A robed figure stepped forward to examine the orb and the Queen’s hopeful expression brought a twinge of guilt to Jasmine’s conscious. The robe figure shook his head and the Queen could not hide her disappointment. “I’m sorry,” Jasmine blurted out. “We had to use it.”

“You used it?” The Queen’s expression altered to fiery indignation and just as quickly to mistrust and fear. 

“We were attacked,” Jasmine rushed on. “They were-” she cut off abruptly realizing that this was hardly the private audience she had originally envisioned. If only there was some way to speak privately with the Queen she could tell her that Agreans attacked her.

“Agreans!” the Queen exclaimed. She and Jasmine exchanged startled glances.

Jasmine tried thinking at the Queen again. Can you hear me?

I can, the queen thought back at her.

Oh, wow. This is incredible I-

Yes, it is. But please make your report.

Of course, my Queen. Jasmine relayed the details of their journey and their encounter with the Agreans, only leaving out the intimate moments shared with Matt. When she was done lines of worry creased the Queen’s face. The crowd appeared baffled and uneasy mutters began to spread through their ranks. Both women realized at the same time that from everyone else’s perspective they had simply stopped talking mid-conversation.

“Be at ease!” The Queen raised her hand to quell the growing sense of alarm. “Our dear lovely knight and I have our own means of communicating. We are, after all, very old friends.” The murmurs stopped at once and Jasmine could not help but be impressed by her Queen’s poise. The woman clearly was wading in unknown waters and managed to keep a firm grip on her subjects in spite of her own misgivings. Marigold turned her attention back to Jasmine and visibly sighed. I’m sorry I distrusted you. The capital is full of those who seek to usurp my power and then to see you like this… I understand now my fears were misplaced. You have always been loyal to the throne. But without the power of the artifact I fear Agrea’s armies are simply too powerful.

Jasmine blushed. In the entire time she had known the Queen she had never once heard such an apology- apologizing was simply not what ruler’s did. And yet when had they ever shared such privacy? Perhaps Marigold felt that the secret nature of their conversation allowed her to be more honest? Jasmine supposed that worked the other way around as well. So long as I draw breath I will continue to protect Peltia, you have my vow as a knight. The Queen nodded and Jasmine went on, I believe I have absorbed the artifact’s energy and so I will be our weapon against Agrea. The Queen nodded again, this time more thoughtfully. And if you don’t mind, I have a few requests. 

The Queen smiled, go on.

“I wish for Matt to be assigned as my personal mage,” Jasmine spoke aloud. A fresh surge of murmuring rolled the crowd at this declaration. “And let it be known that I require no suitors, I am spoken for.”

“Granted,” Queen Marigold replied with a knowing smile.

“And I would like use of the Auxiliary as a residence.” The Queen balked visibly at this request. The Auxiliary was an extension of the royal palace and often used by the Queen to entertain highborn guests. It was not as large as the actual palace, but it was not far off and its rooms were grand in design- built to impress. To claim it as a residence would put Jasmine one step away from the Queen in terms of prestige.

I suppose it might be the only place big enough to hold you.

That was my thought.

Very well. Jasmine could not help but smile at the sigh evident in the Queen’s mental message. I suppose I ought to make keeping you happy a priority since my Kingdom’s survival depends on your assistance. Jasmine was once again caught off-guard by the Queen’s blunt admission.

Time to spend alone with Matt would make me happy. The admission was not intended to be sent but the Queen’s sudden, wry smile said she had received the message loud and clear. Jasmine admonished herself, she would have to be careful with this ability.

You two have earned your rest. If you have nothing else to report I must return to the castle. Jasmine felt a renewed surge of gratitude towards her regent, she was a woman truly worth serving. Yet some small part of her wondered if she wouldn’t make an even better ruler. She was huge and powerful and the people adored her and- Jasmine abruptly cut off that treasonous line of thinking. 

“Until such a time as it is required for other purposes you may reside in the Auxiliary,” The Queen declared so all could here. “All gathered here I leave it to you to spread word that the lovely knight remains loyal to Peltia and its people. In the coming weeks people will fear her, but I say you should love her instead- because she is our nation’s greatest champion and the world’s most powerful warrior.” Applause erupted through the crowd and the Queen’s retinue made an orderly turn and pushed back through the throng out of the square. 

Jasmine waited a moment then rose to her full height. A hush fell over the crowd and for a moment she worried their fears would be renewed at witnessing her sheer size. She was huge, even bigger than she had been during the fight with the Agreans- and it felt wonderful. The crowd burst into sudden, riotous whoops of delight and a chant of ‘lovely knight’ rose. Jasmine smiled, cradled Matt’s comatose body tight to her bust, and carried him home.