Chapter 6: The Sheriff
The next morning, Devon and Maeve ate breakfast alone in their room. Lamya and Tess were in their pokeballs, resting. Maeve turned to face Devon, a sour look on her features. “I don’t know if I can handle this.”
“What do you mean?”
“Lamya. I don’t know if I can take what happened last night.”
Devon put down his toast. “Tell me what happened.”
Maeve looked down at her plate. “She squeaks.” Defiantly she glared at him. “Everything was going well and then…” She shuddered. “When does the sheriff arrive?”
“Not until noon.” Devon was looking at her curiously. “Why?”
“So we’ve got a few hours. Do you have any more reports to take?” Her look was intense.
“Nooo.”
“Good.” She took the food out his hands and put it on the floor. “Come on.” Taking his hand, she drew him to the sleeping pallet where she pulled off her clothes and lay down. “I want to be your alpha and I know Lamya is important to you.” She looked up at him. “Make me want to put up with Lamya. Make me willing to live with that, that SQUEAK!”
Devon dropped to his knees and sucked a nipple into his mouth. Maeve hissed as her fingers tangled in his hair. “Yes!” His hand slid between her legs, his fingers stroking her clit. She arched her back, forcing her tit into his face. “Bite it!”
Maeve screamed when his teeth closed on her nipple. He twisted it in his teeth and she reared up squalling. “YES! OHGODOHGODOHGODOHGOD!”
Devon slid three fingers into her pussy. Maeve’s screaming became incoherent babbling until she came, her body spasming beneath his hands.
Slowly she came down, her body limp. Her glazed eyes stared in his direction, not quite focusing. “Wow. Where did you learn to do that?” Her chest heaved and sweat drops quivered on her skin. She smiled lazily. “If you could teach me to do that, I would never lose a sex competition.” She took a shuddery breath. “You win. I’ll put up with anything for that.”
Devon chuckled. “You could adapt the situation with Lamya, you know.” She looked up at him curiously. “Put her in a situation where her tendency to squeak can’t bother you. Here, let me show you.”
Suddenly Devon flipped Maeve over on her belly. He took her ears in one hand and pulled hard, jerking her up onto her knees. She gasped. He leaned forward and pushed her face down into the pallet.
He fumbled his pants open, freeing his cock, and rammed it into her pussy. Maeve screeched. Devon rammed into her quickly over and over again, his groin slapping against her ass.
Maeve jerked and shuddered as her body was slammed forward with each thrust. Her muffled cries merged into a wail as Devon sank his cock into her one last time and came.
He carefully lifted her up, her back resting against his chest. She whimpered. “Are you all right?
Maeve mumbled, “Uhhhhhhh.” She licked her lips and tried again. “I can’t feel my legs.” Her head lolled forward. “God.” She took a shuddery breath. “Please never to that to Lamya.”
Devon was confused. “Why shouldn’t I?” He gave her a suspicious look. “Are you trying to keep this to yourself?”
She shivered. “No, if you want to try this with Tess, go ahead. She should be strong enough.” She sighed. “I can’t move. I just don’t think Lamya could survive this.” Chuckle. “I’m not too sure I could if it went on too long.”
Devon lowered her down to the pallet and settled down next to her. She poked his cock. “That thing is dangerous.” She stroked it gently. “Good boy.”
***
Maggie came over to them as they walked out of the building. “I was looking for you Devon. The sheriff’s here.”
She fell in alongside Maeve as the walked to where the sheriff was waiting with Mike Vickery. In a low voice that Devon could barely hear, “Can I ask you a question?”
Maeve shrugged. “Sure.”
“Was he beating you?”
Maeve grinned salaciously. “No. Let’s just say I feel very tame now.” She and Maggie shared a grin and then giggled together.
Devon put the two of them out of his mind as the sheriff stuck out his hand. “Devon. I hope I’m not here to arrest you.”
Devon sighed mentally as he felt the sheriff test Devon’s grip. That was seven years ago. Let it go. “No, this time you are here to arrest someone else and transfer him over to Queen Xantha.”
Sheriff Dugal Godwin was a short, roly poly man with thinning gray hair that was rapidly turning snow white. He was more of a politician than a lawman. He could afford to be. Devon turned to the reason. “How are you Molly? And how are the children?”
The Denmother gave him a tight grin. “We’re fine.” Two hundred and twenty nine centimeters of police pokegirl looked him up and down. “You look fine too.” She winked and licked her lips.
Maeve bristled. Devon placed a hand on her shoulder. “Relax.”
Molly smiled tolerantly. “He’s right, child. I am no threat to you and he’s of no interest to me.” She turned her attention back to Devon. “How’s your father?”
“He’s all right as far as I know.”
“Good.” Suddenly she turned businesslike. “I’ve been told by one Lawrence Burnside that you cheated during a pokegirl battle, injured his person when he expressed a grievance, and stole various and sundry properties belonging to him including but not limited to three pokegirls. What have you got to say for yourself.”
“All of it is lies.” Devon looked innocent. “I’ve got the records showing that we entered into an unlimited level pokegirl battle for salvage, the prize to be two pokegirls. I won that fight. Mr. Burnside took exception to my victory and attempted to assault my person, at which time I found it necessary to take him into custody.”
“And you’ve records to corroborate this?” Her tone was wry.
“I said I did.”
Molly had learned long ago that while Devon might lie a bit or pinch something here or there, when he said he had an alibi or convincing evidence, he did. “Very well. I’ll still need to review the recordings.”
Devon nodded. “There are more important charges that need to be brought forth, and I’ve decided that person’s charges take precedence over my own slight complaints.” He turned, “Marail?”
The Drow Zee looked over from where she’d been talking with three Avariel.
The sheriff shook his head. “We’ll get to her in a moment. Frankly I’m not sure that Mike’s complaint doesn’t take precedence over anyone else’s.”
“Mike doesn’t have any complaint.” Devon looked over at Mike. “Unless I have somehow caused you somehow have a complaint with me?”
“Nosir. I’ve no complaint with you, Devon.” He looked uncomfortable. “My complaint is with Mr. Burnside. He entered my premises under false pretenses, and abused my hospitality.”
Devon was confused. This was utter nonsense. Vickery had not expressed any dissatisfaction with Lawrence and had even started to defend him after the pokegirl battle like any good host. The magistrate would laugh such a charge out of the courtroom.
Maeve leaned over to Devon and whispered, “That is silly. Why is Mike acting like he’s got some kind of personal stake in this? And why is the sheriff backing him up? I know you Blues are honor crazy, but this is the worst I’ve ever seen.”
Devon’s mind clicked. His face went stony. “How much is it.”
“I don’t know what you are talking about.” The sheriff’s face was flat. Devon ignored him and glanced at Molly. She looked uncomfortable. Aha.
“How much is the bounty on Lawrence?”
The sheriff looked blandly at Devon. “One hundred thousand.”
Devon nodded. “Ten percent. We’ll call it administrative fees for you to process the paperwork.” He shook his head. “Dugal Godwin, I’m surprised at you. You have to know that eventually I’d find out about it. Honor would insist that I do something about it at that point.”
The sheriff shrugged. “So you tell your father. At that point the money would be spent and I’d get a lecture from the magistrate.”
“I wouldn’t tell Da.” Devon looked at him evenly. “I’d call you out.” Molly sucked air in surprise.
The sheriff looked startled. “You’re that sure of yourself are you?”
“Not at all. I don’t know who’d win if it came down to you and me with no pokegirls. But I’d have to or my father would disown me. He is that proud.”
Godwin looked contemplative. “Ten percent you say? I suppose I have to let you know I normally don’t get more than six.”
Devon grinned. “Molly has kids to feed right now. Give her a percent if you would out of the goodness of your heart.”
“Done.” The sheriff smiled. “Marail, the prisoner’s all yours.”
***
Maeve looked at him quizzically as they walked back to the main house. “If it came down to you and the sheriff there’d be no contest.”
“Maeve, you never know what a man might do when you put his back to the wall, especially if you give him time to think about it.” He smiled softly. “Besides there is a good chance Molly would try to kill me before the duel ever started.”
Poppet was waiting for them at the main building, along with an Alaka-Wham. “Hello Poppet. Ming Die.” The Alaka-Wham inclined her head. He turned to Maeve. “Maeve this is Poppet and this is Ming Die.”
“Hello.” Maeve’s voice was even, but Devon knew it wasn’t warm.
Poppet either didn’t know or care. She stepped forward and gave Devon a hug. “We got here while you were with the sheriff.” She frowned. “You look tired.” Her eyes peered concernedly into his.
“The sheriff makes me feel that way. I always feel that I should count my belongings after dealing with him.”
And you feared that Devon would never grow any wisdom. Ming Die’s “voice” was wry. And here he’s already learned a lesson that took you all too long.
“Enough.” Poppet was curt as usual. She slipped her arm through his, oblivious to Maeve’s scowl. “Tell us about your journey.” She pulled Devon inside the building.
***
That evening Poppet and Ming Die ate dinner with Devon and his pokegirls. It turned out that Beth, Devon’s mother, had been called by his father to wherever he was, but that Poppet and Ming Die had come to see him off.
“I thought you’d like to know that we went by the Institute on our way here and picked up Lamya’s possessions. You can take them with you and dispose of them as she sees fit.”
“Thanks.” Devon raised and eyebrow. “I’m surprised that they were willing to give her things up.
“They weren’t. But that didn’t stop me.”
“I see. Is the place still standing?”
There was little trouble. Once they realized who we were they were eager to give us what we wanted. Ming Die glanced at him. What did you think of the Institute?
“I wouldn’t spit on them if they were on fire.” Devon smiled sweetly.
I look forward to your report.
Fortunately Poppet decided to change the topic at that point. Unfortunately, Poppet being Poppet, she took it upon herself to quiz Devon’s girls.
“Tess, I’m curious about your armor. Is it a particular style?”
“No Poppet. This is my own design.” She smiled. “I’ve had no complaints with it.”
“I see. What about your weapon? What style is it?”
“I prefer a European style weapon although as an Armsmistress I am instinctively conversant with all hand weapons. My last sword was an English broadsword.”
“Your last sword? Where is it now?”
“It was lost after I was taken by Lawrence. Fell into a crevasse and Lawrence wouldn’t let me go after it.”
“You don’t have a sword?” Poppet sounded astonished. She glanced at Devon disbelievingly. “Do you have any weapon?”
“Not right now.”
Devon was floored. He hadn’t realized that Tess didn’t have a sword. Granted he’d only known her for one day, but still… “That is something we need to remedy right away.”
Tess smiled. “I’m glad you feel that way. Without a good weapon I’m really only half as effective as I could be. I might even been able to deflect that rune chain attack.”
Devon rose to his feet. “If you ladies will excuse me, I have an errand I need to attend to.”
Unfortunately the Vickery clan didn’t have any medieval hand weapons available.
***
Devon was sitting on the porch step thinking when he heard a familiar tread. Am I disturbing you?
Half truths were wasted on Alaka-Whams. “Yes, but the interruption is welcome.”
Ming Die settled down next to him. Your problem with the Armsmistress is solvable. We brought the khukuri as you requested, but they are a poor choice to arm Tess with. The solution is within your grasp. It depends entirely upon the choices you make.
“All solutions depend entirely upon the choices I make.” Devon patted her on the leg. “I’ve heard that platitude over a hundred times.”
Be precise. Her tone was mildly annoyed. How many?
Devon thought briefly. “Two hundred and twelve.” He turned to her. “Two hundred and fifteen if I count the times you broadcast without being entirely sure I was conscious enough to hear you.”
You are a remarkable man, Devon Jamie Harris and your intellect approaches mine. If you wished to hear me, I do not doubt that you would never allow your state of consciousness to affect your ability to do so in the slightest way. Therefore the answer is two hundred and fifteen. Now you must harness that intellect to determine how you should best solve your dilemma and provide your haremwife with a sword.
“My mighty intellect.” Devon almost sneered. Then his face calmed. “You said sword. You never misspeak. Therefore it must be a sword that is the solution to my dilemma.” He looked up into the night sky for a handful of minutes. Ming Die was comfortably quiet next to him. “That would work. And the side benefits would definitely outweigh the disadvantages of going the long way. It will extend my journey, but I’m not on any schedule.”
He stood and offered Ming Die his hand. She took it even as he was lowering it in offer. She had the habit of responding to things people did even as they did them. Some found it unnerving. Devon thought it normal.
“Why is Poppet so determined to have me take a Conservatory pokegirl with me? Is there some threat that she hasn’t told me about?”
Ming Die turned her head to look directly into Devon’s eyes. One of her antenna twitched. Devon waited. Ming Die always answered, even if sometimes it was to tell you that she wasn’t going to tell you.
Poppet has husbanded the Harris line for three hundred years, as have I. Both of us are concerned when the males first journey forth. You are correct however in that Poppet is especially solicitous of your safety. A brief review of your memories of the journals of the former Directors of the Conservatory would tell you that much.
A pokegirl of her choice would be powerful and more capable of protecting you. She would also be one of Poppet’s agents and would report back to her on your activities.
A pokegirl of her choice, if captured by another, would be strong enough kill her Tamer before he could complete the alpha bond and return to you.
“You’ve told me what she wants to do, not why she wants to do it.”
It concerns more than just Poppet and you, Devon Jamie Harris. I will explain no further.
Withdrawing her hand from his she headed into the building. Devon watched her go. He headed off into the darkness, keeping close to the buildings. He needed a way to tell Poppet that he’d decided not to take the airship and instead return to the Conservatory without looking like an utter fool.
***
As the grav jeep settled down, Devon looked around. The place hadn’t changed a bit, yet was entirely different. He shook his head. It wasn’t home any more. He caught Poppet looking at him. He shrugged. She nodded.
“I’ll put you and your girls in the guest house. There’s not room for everyone but your wives can sleep in their pokeballs.”
“Thanks.”
The jeep had been too small for the girls to ride in, so Devon let them out and showed them the guest house so they could start settling in. Lamya needed help with her stuff from the Institute and Tess grabbed the load. They’d go through it here and see what she wanted to keep in her backpack.
Maeve just wanted a bath.
Ming Die had teleported on ahead and she met them at the door to the main building with Devon’s sword case. We’d already put your things in storage and your brother is in the process of moving into your room. I didn’t think you wanted to see that so soon, so I brought you your sword.
Devon was pretty sure he was grateful. Space was always at a premium, and Devon knew that when he came back to stay he’d be moved to the adult side of the house but still he didn’t like thinking he could be so quickly replaced.
“Thanks. There is something else I want, though. We have a couple of moonstones. I’d like to buy one.”
Poppet didn’t hesitate. “Fifty thousand.”
Devon choked. “They’re only six thousand in Glasgow.”
“Then wait until you get there to buy one.”
“I’ll give you thirty. Not a halfpence more.”
They settled on forty two thousand.
He took the case and the stone and returned to the guest house.
“Tess, come here please.”
“Yes, my lord?”
Devon handed her the case. “Here.”
She placed it on the table and popped the locks. Inside laid a Scottish Claymore, gleaming softly in light. She glanced up at him and then lifted it from its case.
She gave it an experimental swing, careful of the furniture. “It is well made.” She ran her thumb up the edge and nodded. “I see it’s never been used.”
Devon was curious. “How do you know that?”
“It has a razor edge. A real swordsman knows that a razor edge doesn’t last long in normal use.” She smiled. “It’ll take me a day, but I’ll put it right. Where did it come from?”
Devon had the grace to look embarrassed. “It belonged to me. When I was younger I watched too much video and decided that I was going to be like the heroes in the shows. So I used up my chore money on that sword and some training videos. I practiced for about a year. Eventually my other responsibilities grew to the point where something had to give. I haven’t touched it in five years.”
“It’s a big sword for a ten year old.”
“It’s all I could find.”
“Thank you my lord. I am honored to carry your personal weapon.” Tess’ eyes glittered with suppressed laughter.
Lamya came running out of the bedroom waving something in her hand. “I found it! I found it!” She shoved a round object under Devon’s nose. “Master, they left this in my lab coat. It’s the Technical Trainer for Rune Chain.”
That was interesting. Technical Trainers didn’t run out so if they needed to they could sell its use. Of course, if the word got out that they had it, people would start trying to take it from them.
“Excellent, Lamya. Why don’t you keep if for us?” She nodded excitedly and ran back into the bedroom.
Devon followed her. “Lamya, I need to talk to you.” She hurriedly stuffed the T2 into her pack. They’d each been given one. While they weren’t pokepacks like his, they’d expand the range of options for the team. Devon was planning to carry most of the supplies in his pack, which left the ladies’ for their personal items and a load of perishable vegetables and fruit.
“Master,” she said as she turned around. “How may I help you?”
He pulled the moonstone out of his pocket. “This is a moonstone. I would like to use it to evolve you and I wanted to get your opinion first.”
“If you wish to evolve me, then that is your right.” She seemed excited. “Will it make me more powerful?”
“First, Lamya, if someone asks you to volunteer for something you need to find out what it is for, lest you find yourself doing something very hazardous. Secondly, this particular evolution will make you more powerful and potentially make everyone much more powerful. You see, I want to evolve you to Enchantress.”
“What does an Enchantress do?”
“You will be more powerful magically, but you will also be gifted with the ability of making magical items and potions.” He smiled. “In a way it will be kind of like when you were a human. You’ll be doing research and lab work, only on magic instead of on pokegirls.”
“That sounds like fun.” She frowned prettily. “Master, will it give me extra arms or something?”
“No. How about we review the entry on the Enchantress, and afterward I’ll try to answer any more of your questions.”
“OK.” They reviewed the entry together. “It seems pretty straightforward, master, and I shouldn’t change too much. I’ll just want to tame with you more.” She gave him a coquettish look. “That will be fun.”
“Very well, all you have to do is take the stone from my hand, grasshopper.”
“Master?”
“Sorry. It’s a little joke. I’ll explain later.”
“OK.” She reached for the stone and stopped to give him a worried look. “I’m a little frightened. Would you hold me?”
“Of course. Would you like the rest of the harem to watch?”
“No. This is my special time.” She winked. “They can find their own special time.”
After some experimentation, they finally ended up with him sitting on the bed with Lamya in his lap while he held her. She kissed him and took the moonstone. “It tickles.” Then she began to glow. It grew steadily brighter.
At the height of her evolution a flash of light formed a nimbus around Devon, flickered and went out.
Devon’s eyes widened but he continued to hold Lamya. Slowly the glow died down. She’d gained about five centimeters and had rounded out a bit. Devon liked what he saw.
Lamya opened her eyes and smiled sensually. “Master.” She kissed him hungrily, pushing him back on the bed.
Enchantresses were supposed to be very active sexually. Devon cheerfully surrendered to the inevitable.
***
After breakfast the next morning Devon introduced the new Lamya to the other girls. Both of them looked at her, but could see little change. Maeve was irked when Lamya pointed out that her breasts were now even more obviously bigger than those of the Mini-Top.
After that he had some goodies to give out. First were the khukuri. There was one for each of them with three spares for Devon’s pack. Maeve’s irritation evaporated into glee with hers and for good reason.
No one remembered which Harris male had returned with a pokegirl who could make them, but they had become a family trademark since. Many people in the region swore by their khukuri. Locally they were often called the Harris knife.
Known in the popular literature as a kukri knife, the family had returned to the more traditional name of khukuri. No matter which name you used it was a grand general purpose tool. The one’s the family made were a little on the large side at eighteen inches but since pokegirls were stronger than humans it made no difference.
Each came with the traditional scabbard which also housed the karda, a small version of the khukuri for daily use as well as the chakmak. The chakmak was a khukuri shaped piece of metal that was used to sharpen the khukuri and could also be used as a light rasp or striker if you had some flint, which each of these knives had built into the butt of the scabbard.
Of course what made Maeve so happy was when Devon told them how an experienced user of this knife could take a head off with a single stroke. She was even happier when Devon confirmed that she’d be allowed to use it in battle. Her happiness dimmed when she was informed that everyone would be taking lessons from Tess.
“Are you going to be taking them too?”
“I already know how to use a khukuri.”
“Then I don’t see why I should have to. We Mini-Tops know all about knives.”
“Be that as it may, you will train until Tess says you’re an expert.”
Tess smiled. “Be of good cheer Maeve. While Devon probably won’t be training with the knife, this will only free up time for his other training.”
Devon looked at her suspiciously. “What training is that?”
Her expression was angelic. “Why, my lord, didn’t you tell me last night that you trained with the sword for a year? Your training needs to continue until you are proficient. After all, there are many battles where trainers get involved.”
“Yeah! Then next time Lamya and I won’t have to save your butt, like we did with Larry.”
“I already know martial arts. I’ll be fine.”
“Just like we do, you also need to improve the range of your skills.” Tess kissed him gently. “It’ll be fun.” She stopped and peered into his eyes intently. “What happened to your eyes?”
Devon blinked. “What do you mean?” Maeve and Lamya crowded around to stare at his face.
“I don’t think your eyes had slits like a cat before.”
“Of course not. My eyes are normal.”
Maeve grabbed his chin and pulled his head around. “Not any more.”
A wave of unease slid through Devon. Briefly he recounted what happened when Lamya evolved.
Tess looked at Lamya. “You saw him nude after the evolution, did anything else seem unusual?”
“No. Everything worked just fine.” She grinned. “We tested it all, too. Whatever you’re worried about I can assure you he’s still a man. But, just to make sure, let’s drag him into the bedroom and check.”
Devon was worried enough that he didn’t fight as Tess picked him up and carried him into the bedroom. There the pokegirls stripped off his clothes and subjected him to an extremely thorough examination.
When Lamya triggered his claws, they discovered that his claws were no longer the tiny little points. Instead they had become two centimeter long scimitar shaped claws that were sharp along the entire length of their underside.
Devon pulled his clothes on when his harem finally let him up. “I think that for the time being, we should keep this to ourselves.”
Lamya nodded. “I agree. There are places out there like the Institute and they would be willing to lock Devon up in order to study him. Some, like Team Viper, would kill us or take us as well to ensure that no one came to find him.” She looked at Devon. “Should we tell Poppet?”
Devon frowned. “Yes. However, I want to tell her after I’m some distance from here. She would probably want to keep me here long enough to ensure that no further changes were going to take place. The way she sometimes gets, that could take years.”
Maeve looked at Tess. “Then perhaps we need to get moving right now.” There was a chorus of assents.