Mytheroptera: Roadwise

                                                           "A Thieves Bounty"

                                              As told by the Bard Lucas Cobblewit

"Gather around listeners so that I may tell you a tale…one of intrigue, treachery and revenge. A tale that teaches us to never believe that a good deed will go unrewarded, but most of all a slight will never go unpunished...

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Sound of cloth slippers padding against the cold porcelain floor echoed through the halls of the Dewitter Estate as the lady of the house, Sonya Dewitter walked about the dark hallways with candelabra in hand. She was never entirely sure why she always became so restless in the evenings, wandering this large empty home once so alive with activity; fancy parties, gala balls and charity events held by her late husband, his Lord Archibald Dewitter who had passed nearly a year prior. And although he had been the one had been interred, it was the empty shell of a home he left behind that felt the most like a mausoleum.

Sonya had been privy to a very shallow and materialistic upbringing. A gold digging mother had raised her with the intent to marry young and marry wealthy; to a man who could take care of her so that she would never need to lift a finger on her own account ever again. She succeeded, through the right channels ended up meeting Lord Dewitter, one of the wealthiest land owners in Morhan and was married at a young age; nearly half his own. But it was not for love…for she never knew love in her life. She only knew how to take, how to use, how to manipulate and how to make those who dared to cross her path suffer for their transgressions; a truly perfect and ruthless match for a master of his domain.

Rumors of her infidelity gave way to suspicion of foul play after the Archibald passed, many believing she orchestrated his death to get her hands on his fortune. Ironically enough despite her many sorted affairs, she was innocent of any wrong doing other than keeping the true circumstances of his demise from the proper authorities. In truth her late husband was always aware of her promiscuity and chose to look the other way; having a stunning trophy wife on his arm for the purpose of appearances meant more than any vow or pledge.

She was indeed a truly remarkable specimen. A long life of privilege and pampering had allowed her to cheat the passage of time, appearing as a stunningly beautiful Elf female many times younger than her true age with flawless porcelain skin, piercing ice blue eyes and slender, frail figure appearing almost too delicate to function. The only tell tale sign that attributed to her true age was her snow white hair cascading down her back giving her an almost ghostly and ethereal beauty.
And here she stood, just as she did every night, in the grand hall of her huge estate with its many halls and chambers, an empty shell that seemed to have a foreboding and mocking life of its own as it teased her with the echoes of happier times that would never be again. It was then that she could hear a familiar sound coming from the room of her daughter, the young Jenessa Dewitter. She silently strolled down the hall, a small pillar of light cast onto the hallway wall across from the door, just barely open enough to peer inside.

"PLEASE MY GRACE!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAVE MERCYYYY!!!!!" A shrill, panicked voice emanated from within followed only by the sinister laughter of the heir to the Dewitter fortune. Few children born into high society were as poorly managed as the Jenessa. Having been spoiled rotten to the core, she cared only for her own enjoyment and desires in life, indulged in the suffering of the less fortunate and was just as cruel and unmerciful to those who wronged her as her mother. A few in high society genuinely wondered if Sonya's adulterous ways had lead her to lay with an Ogre or Gorgon to give birth to such a horrible child. The image before Lady Sonya at this moment was a common sight; the poor unfortunate servant girl Maggie, a favored slave who once served the late Lord Dewitter and yet now was just another victim of Jenessa's own brand of sadistic cruelty. In life he never would have permitted Maggie to be mistreated in such a way, and secretly this was why Jenessa enjoyed it so; no one tells her what she can and can't have. Seated in a well cushioned arm chair, Jenessa sat wearing a finely tailored nightgown of linen and lace, bearing her mother's flawless skin and cascading locks of crimson red hair down to her rear end and eyes that simultaneously glowed with an awe inspiring radiance and burning with malevolent cruelty.

In front of her on the floor lied Maggie, with a coppery tan skin; perhaps of Wood Elf stock, old enough to be a mother herself with an auburn brown hair and striking amber eyes that shimmered in the candle light, the feature that struck Jenessa the most when she was first purchased at auction. She lay there on the floor with her dainty bare feet up in Jenessa's lap, ankles finely bound in a silk bed sheet, the slack fastened firmly to either armrest as her soft and curvy bare soles were taunted and teased by Jenessa's cruel nails. She was one of many play things Jenessa had worked her way through since she had realized her fondness for tickle torture. She'd purchase a slave; torment and abuse them on a regular basis and inevitably grow weary of them and move on to her next victim. But Maggie in particular had only recently become available, having grown particularly fond of her and didn't feel as though she'd grow tired of her any time soon.

"Mercy you say? My act of mercy was my father pulling you out of the filth you once lived in and honoring you with a place within this home. At a moment's notice I could claim you stole from us and there would be no investigation or trial…my word would be law and you would be imprisoned for the rest of your life you pathetic peasant!" Jenessa mocked as she dug her nails into the creamy soft soles of the hysterical Maggie, who had to try her best not to struggle or pull away less she anger her mistress.

"EEEEEEEEHEEHEEHEEHAHHAHAAHHAHAA!!! NOHOHOHOHOOOO!!!! PLEEEHEEHEEHEEASE!!!!" She screamed out loud as tears streamed down her face and her shapely toes flexed and wiggled around under Jenessa's skillful nails, only to be replied to with more of her mocking laughter, indulging in the girl suffering, every plea for mercy only exciting her more. This would continue on for quite some time into the night, as it did every night, this woman's imprisonment a true hell she would not wish on anyone. Sonya stood silently at the door watching the spectacle, partially ashamed at the daughter she had raised but at the same time finding her own cruel streak enticed at the nightly show, even considering more than once to get her own play toy eventually.

"The night grows later and I am weary…" Jenessa haughtily exclaimed as she pulled free the sheets that bound her captive and tossed her modest slippers back to her. "Leave me at once!" She commanded as she rose to her feet, the poor Maggie still crying hysterically as she collected her shoes and began to leave. "No! How many times have I told you to replace your shoes before you leave? I'll not have dirty feet at these perfect hands!" She added as the woman quickly began to put her shoes back on, Sonya's cue to be on her way back down the hallway, turning momentarily to watch the panicked Maggie flee her daughter's room back to her quarters, relieved tonight wasn't one of the nights Jenessa felt like taking a tickle toy to bed with her.

It was then that Sonya noticed the flames of the candelabra flickering as a gentle breeze drifted through; had she left a window open possibly? She gracefully strolled down the hallway only to find the draft coming from under the door of her late husband's private study. "But…no one has been there since he passed…" She thought to herself as she carefully unlocked the door and peered inside, the sudden flash of lightning of a breaking thunderstorm illuminating a truly frightening sight. Furniture overturned, random items knocked over or broken on the floor but the most unsettling was the sight of a large wall safe, one that had never been opened by anyone but Archibald himself was not only open but…completely empty.

Sonya dropped to her knees, nearly dropping the candelabra in the process. It was not a fear of lost wealth she feared, for she was not lacking. It wasn't a blow to her pride or ego for being violated for she believed herself to be above such petty grievances. It was a fear…a deep rooted fear and suspicion of her late husband and the nature of his business dealings. For years she had observed him acting rather secretive at times, going on secret rendezvous with not explanation as to where he had been, leading her to believe he had been involved in certain illegal activities which may have very well been the source of their prosperity as well as his demise. The contents of that safe had always perplexed her since she was never allowed access. If it truly was as incriminating as she feared…it would be the end of everything.

To be in such a position was truly a torturous experience. She could not call for any assistance or report any theft, because what if they found the contents of the safe and it only brought the suspicious content to light? A week of sleepless nights past, only the tortured laughter of Maggie down the hall filled her with any comfort; somehow the favorite servant of her late husband forced to suffer was soothing to her dark heart. And then finally, one night while making her usual rounds, she heard a noise coming from the kitchen. Entering she could see candles lit and a dark figure leaning against a table, glass of wine in hand.

"A truly excellent vintage I must say…" He spoke in a sultry voice. "Who are you!? HOW DARE YOU BREAK INTO MY HOUSE! I'll make you pay for disrespecting my noble estate with your foul presence!" She exclaimed in true self entitled, arrogant fashion. "Truth be told my dear…it is actually your late husband's estate, not a freeloading jezebel with delusions of grandeur."  He replied just as quickly as she had finished. "Why you insolent, foul,…" She had begun to rant before he cut in. "I do believe it is in your best interest to hear what I have to say, before I see to it that your entire life, social standing and financial stability comes crashing down around you like a tower of playing cards…" He spoke in a malicious tone. Immediately a chill ran down her spine…there was no other reason why a common thief would act so cocky and self-assured.

"By your silence I deduce that you've realized who I am…or rather what I've done…" He said as she slowly approached her, his face coming into view in the dim candle light; that of a dark skinned Desert Elf of exotic beauty and a devilish smile, still sipping his wine. "What is this a Veaux Cherat? A 32 I believe?" He inquired in a mocking tone at the still stunned and speechless Sonya. "What would you say if I told you I had in my position certain…information…information that if presented to the right people would leave you paupers living on the street without a friend in the world? You really think any of those arrogant high society friends of yours would offer you any assistance once you lost your holdings and position?" He inquired, swirling the wine around in the glass.

"W…what do you want?" Sonya finally managed to force out, trembling horribly. "Oh well first off I should introduce myself…it is the formal thing to do of course…" He said as he bowed before her. "Marcus, Gentleman Thief and entrepreneur extraordinaire…a pleasure I'm sure." He said in a polite fashion as he walked past her. "I request the presence of both you and your daughter in the drawing room…it would be in your best interest not to keep me waiting…" He said as he headed down the hall. Immediately Sonya ran down the opposite hallway to her daughters' chambers where she was engaged in her nightly tickle torture session with Maggie, this time tied to a chair, bare-chested and having her shapely upper body tormented with the poor girl currently on the verge of wetting herself.

"JENESSA! You must come to the Drawing Room immediately!" She said with the first bit of authority she had ever shown before her daughter. Jenessa glared at her mother with an odd mix of disbelief and discontent, not used to anyone disturbing her fun and giving Maggie a split second to catch her breath. "I'm busy mother, go entertain yourself elsewhere…" She replied in a snarky tone. It was then that Jenessa made eye contact with her mother and saw something she had never seen before…true unrestrained fear; this from a woman who had always come across as so cold and without any intense emotion to speak of. Rather than any form of obedience or compassion, but merely morbid curiosity, Jenessa decided to entertain her mother's request. "Thank your Lady for an early reprieve tonight…" She commanded at Maggie as she untied her. "Th…thank you Lady Dewitter…*cough*…" She managed to stammer as she covered herself and ran from the room in tears.

"Now what is this all about then MOTHER?" She inquired in a defiant tone as she followed her mother down the hall dressed in her silken night gown and slippers. Her mother didn't respond, simply walked onward silently but Jenessa could somehow sense the tension emanating from her. They approached the drawing room, a dim light casting through the doorway into the hall from a few candelabras which had been lit in preparation for their arrival. Entering the room they were greeted by the devilish grin of Marcus, seated in an arm chair across from a sofa. "Please…sit…" he said in a deceptively charming tone.

"Mother! Who this is this upstart who dares to address us as such in our own home!?!?" Jenessa exclaimed in disgust at the dark skinned elf. "Sonya…please instruct your daughter to sit…" Marcus responded swishing the wine around in his glass. Without a word Sonya instead took Jenessa by the arm, much to her shock and guided her over to sit on the couch across from Marcus. "Well then…I'm sure by now you're wondering what this "upstart" is doing here my dear Jenessa. Please allow me to explain…" He spoke as he rose to his feet and began to slowly pace as he spoke. "A week ago tonight I quite skillfully broke into your home through the window of the master study. Experience has taught me that such a place is often where the master of the house would hide precious valuables or even legal documents, deeds, bonds and other papers that at times can be worth quite a bit to the right investor. After cracking the safe, I quickly emptied its contents and took to the night before my trespass was discovered. Now imagine my surprise when I inspected the contents to find quite a few incriminating bits of information…your daddy was a very naughty boy…" He said with a venomous tongue.

Only now did Jenessa finally begin to understand now…that look of fear in her mother's eyes…this man threatened everything they had in the world; but more important to her, he threatened everything SHE had in the world. "How…DARE YOU!!! HOW DARE YOU INVADE OUR HOME AND DIRESPECT THE MEMORY OF MY FATHER WITH YOUR FOUL HANDS!!!" She screamed out as Sonya quickly squeezed her wrist in her hands, signaling her to calm down and not anger this man who held their fate in twain. "This "memory" you hold of your dear sweet father is quite the illusion I will tell you…" Marcus began with his back to them, unphased by Jenessa's outburst. "Did you know he regularly raided the city councils cophers? Or had dealings in illegal slave trading? Or was even a silent investor in certain rebellious factions seeking to bring down all of the Seelie Court? Truth be told, ALL your wealth and decadence you see around you was purchased with blood money…how truly interesting…the life of a peasant would be the best you could hope for if you weren't arrested as suspected co-conspirators." He said as he spun around, Jenessa's face having now finally shifted to unbridled rage to fear and on the verge of tears.

"What do you want?" Sonya once again repeated in her same calm voice with a slight tremble. "I personally…have a deep disdain for you people…" Marcus began to speak in a slightly more emotional tone…gritty, dark. "…you sit up on high in your palaces of glass and stone, looking down on the "common people" as if they were insects to be stepped on by your expensive tailored shoes. They have no more worth to you than a freshly slaughtered pig for your Sunday dinners and why? Because of your holdings? Your wealth? Your breeding? What true meaning does any of that hold in the world outside these walls? Do you really think ANYONE really thinks of you to be of any more worth than they are? They simply know they must make it seem as such to keep up norms of society. Perhaps if they are respectful and polite you may come to your senses and show some benevolence and charity with all that wealth…." He continued as she leaned against the chair, turning his head to them with a cold stare. "But no…you won't…you can't…you aren't capable of such kindness…you only know cruelty and greed and ridicule. You're just as untrusting of your own peers in high society and likewise, without your vast wealth, these so called "friends" you hold so dear would turn on you in a heartbeat because for them, image and prestige are the only things worth holding any importance in." He finished as she sat down once more and leaned forward, gazing at them with a sly smile. "I do believe…it's about time someone showed you some humility…and what it feels like to be truly helpless…"

Both women stared at him eyes wide, not knowing how to respond. That feeling of helplessness had all but already set in, this desert snake had lured them into his burrow and they had no choice but to do as he commanded less he go in for the kill. "This is how it will play out. Before you plan anything drastic in how to deal with me, let it be known that I have entrusted the documents to an associate of mine. He has been instructed to send them to the proper authorities in the event that he does not hear back from me by tomorrow at noon. So any intentions on plotting a swift death of retribution for yours truly would not be beneficial for your current situation." He explained as Sonya's eyes than softened a bit and she looked at him with a somewhat affectionate gaze. "Such a clever one you are…surely there is some sort of arrangement we can come to?" She spoke as she quite unabashedly leaned forward to give a shameless view of her cleavage and batted her eyes. Marcus only sat there with that same dead gaze into her eyes.

"Lady Sonya…do you remember the last time you felt any real emotion? Before your spirit and very soul wasted away leaving this shallow husk of a woman behind?" He said in a cold monotone voice. Sonya immediately recoiled, leaning back against the couch, humiliated and ashamed at her attempt to seduce their inquisitor, and possibly angering him in the process. "Its not that I don't appreciate the attempt mind you…its all you know of course…after all your bed chambers play witness to many a sorted affair through each week." He spoke as Sonya's eyes widened and Jenessa glared at her mother in disgust. "As a man who takes pride in his work I always spend many weeks observing my chosen quarry and have noticed quite a number of willing men and even a few women entering through the old servants quarters…quite a bit of stamina for a woman your age I must say…" He added with a snicker causing Sonya to blush. "And what of poor Maggie?" He inquired causing Jenessa to turn towards him. "Never have I seen such unrestrained cruely and lack of compassion…enough to turn ones stomach…" He continued as he then rose to he then moved forward, kneeling down and leaning against the coffee table in front of the couch. "What I want from both of you now is to remove your slippers and place your feet up on the table…now…" He commanded.

A look of horror came upon Jenessa's face, knowing how horribly ticklish she was and being nauseated at the thought of this filthy peasant placing his hands upon her perfect skin; but what choice did she have? Both mother and daughter silently removed their slippers and did as they were instructed, presenting their bare soles for their captor, enticing a wide smile from him. Jenessa's feet were curvy and fleshy with high arches, toes that seemed to arch forward creating a dramatic groove under each pad along the stem and were rosie pink at the heel, ball and pads of the toes. Her mothers were more slender with long toes and slight wrinkles along the arch and toe stems. "My my my…by the looks of these it doesn't look like either of you have worked a single day in your lives…such primped and pampered skin…how truly marvelous." He said in a smooth yet devilish tone as he removed a pair of scarves from his pocket and proceeded to bind their ankles together.

"…marvelous for me that is…"

                                                             TO BE CONTINUED!