The Albino

“AGAIN!”

Benjamin huffed, pulling himself off the ground for the 4th time in as many minutes. He felt ridiculous, wearing a poorly fitting set of practice armor, and a barely fitting half helm that was still ringing from its latest impact. He reached slowly for the short pike with a dagger-esque blade he had chosen as his weapon. He had picked the weapon on account of it being the only one that even remotely resembled a rifle with a bayonet.

That had not helped him, and neither did the exceedingly basic bayonet training he had been given in Army Basic. “You have heart, and you have aggression. I’ll give you that.” came the hearty chuckle of his titanic, four-armed instructor. The Goliath of a woman was wielding but a single broadsword, large enough to require two hands for a smaller being. “Now, come at me, with intelligence this time!” She bawled, and Benjamin slowly approached her. He again took the same stance as he was taught in basic. He closed with his tormentor, quickly being rewarded with yet another brief yet brutal counter that left him breathless and heaving for air on the ground. “No no no… stop!” The black-clad warrior groaned. “I was told you killed a slaver for those two, and a champion after. Where is THAT warrior!”

Benjamin stood, she was trying to piss him off, and it was working. He slowly stripped off the cumbersome metal from his body, standing defiantly as he dropped the spear. “I told you… my people don’t fight with sword or lance.”

“You’re not with your people,” his instructor stated, then scoffed “show me how they fight then.” she ordered. Benjamin tensed visibly… “I…can’t….” Benjamin responded. The 4-armed colossus simply raised an eyebrow, expecting further explanation. When Benjamin gave her none, she narrowed her gaze. “You can’t, or you won’t…”

Benjamin sighed, “I can’t fight you how I would fight at home… without killing you.” He said simply. “Confident are we,” the 4 armed warrior chuckled harshly, waving to an approaching Farie. Benjamin’s eyes widened as he recognized the weapons from his room and a sinister smile spread across his instructor's features. “I am responsible for the safety of the palace and the palace grounds. All weapons inside my domain are mine to retain at my pleasure.” She picked up Benjamin’s musket with little respect for it. She looked it over before sniffing the muzzle of the barrel and setting it down. She Mockingly waved to his weapons on the table “Choose, then. You must at least know how to use the weapons you threatened my lancers with.”

Benjamin stepped up to the table, slowly looking over his musket, pistol sword, dagger, and the flintlock pistol he had given to Viola. ‘This is not good.’ He began stalling, checking the priming pan in his musket before using the rod to check to see if his cartridge wadding was still in place. He repeated the process with Viola’s pistol, “I’m not going to fight you with these, I came here to learn the sword and lance.” He said over his shoulder.

“Prove you can fight at all, and I will teach you. Now choose.” The tall warrior stepped out into the field, turning to face him while she waited. Benjamin sighed, picking up his hybrid short sword revolver. It was robust enough for melee combat, but it was not built for it. It was too heavy in the wrong places, and the handle was excessively curved to be better for shooting. He slipped the stiletto into his other hand before turning to face his opponent. The four-armed woman raised an eyebrow as Benjamin’s face hardened, and he took a strange stance, short sword extended out in front of him, “Ah, there’s the Warrior. Common boy, show me wha…”

Thunder rolled through the trees of the FeralWood, once, then twice, then three times. A fourth and fifth clap sounded deafening, and Benjamin lowered his weapon. His ‘instructor’ stood frozen, shaking violently from the intimately close, directed explosions. Benjamin set the weapon down on the table with a clatter before walking out to the stockstill woman. She was just now beginning to check herself over for injuries. Finding none, she looked back at Benjamin sharply, “All that… for nothing?!? I should have...” “NO.” Benjamin’s steeled voice cut through her anger, and he slammed the practice armor he had left on the ground into her hands. He said nothing else before turning and walked off.

He reached the sisters just as the food to the training area, and no one challenged him or the sisters when they filled their plates, picked up the weapons taken from their room, and disappeared back into the gardens. The head of Palace security slowly looked down in bewilderment that quickly morphed into wide-eyed shock. 5 perfectly round holes were punched through the chest plate, and 3 holes now perforated the back plate of the practice armor. ‘I can’t fight you………. without killing you.’, and the practice arena looked up as the practice armor fell from her hands with a clatter.

______________________________

Benjamin and the sisters found themselves back at the little grove of trees, reclining into the soft moss as they ate. Benjamin picked at his food, his mind a million miles away, but soon smiled as he watched Vi and Val devour their food with a purpose. “You two really were hungry.” He mused, finally taking a bite of some type of bird’s thigh. It was a bit gamey, and he missed his Carolina BBQ seasonings, but it wasn’t horrible.

Val bobbed her head once, never stopping the inhalation of her own cooked bird. The sides were plain. They consisted of potato’s, a boiled vegetable of some kind, and a small loaf of bread. Benjamin forced himself to eat it all. “I hope this doesn’t become a thing; I would desperately like to take advantage of that peace I was promised” he spoke the last part rather pointedly into the air.

“Benjamin please…” Viola spoke in almost hushed reverence. Benjamin sighed and gave a resigned shrug, “Alright, she did save my ass, and bring me to you. I guess it can’t be all bad… but I think I’m going to need a combat instructor. Holy hell, that woman was… intense”

Viola nodded, swallowing quickly “Most Elven are…Ben?” Benjamin started coughing violently, pounding his chest before spitting up a portion of bread. “THAT was an Elf?!?”

“I am” All three of them spun at the new voice, and Benjamin instantly reached for the musket leaning within arm’s reach. The Titanic ‘Elf’ raised a pair of placating hands “Peace, I wish only to talk.” The Elven woman sat a respectful distance opposite them, “I need to apologize, I treated you harshly, and I need you to know why.”

Viola looked at Ben, who very slowly leaned the musket back against the tree, “I’m listening.” He finally responded. The Elf crossed her legs, putting all four hands in her lap, “I…. needed to know, if the stories were true…Krastorin was…a friend.”

The two sisters gasped out loud and Benjamin stiffened, the death rattle of the slaver son’s Champion ringing in his ears. “I…” he faltered, and just closed him mouth for a long moment, “What’s your name.”

“Yilarran” the Elven warrior answered, “Krastorin was young when he apprenticed with me, almost two young. I found him brawling with four other street urchins for a bag of spudroot. He learned fast, but enjoyed running his mouth…I told him it would get him killed one day.” Yilarran sniffed, and Ben reached over with a cloth, “I… don’t know what to say… I did not want to kill him. I… didn’t see a way out. I didn’t know him.”

Yilarran took the handkerchief, wiping her face hurriedly, “Tell me.. please. I need to know how it happened.”

Benjamin felt a pit in the bottom of his stomach growing. The feeling threatened to swallow him whole, but he began after a moment, “I was told it was some sort of Principality law. Their former master tried to kill me in a duel and failed. His son used an archaic mostly forgotten law to force me to fight… your friend…” Ben paused as an angry snort erupted from Yilarran, “Fucking Principality satisfaction duels. For the rich, it’s a game. For us sell swords, it’s a risky chance at practice and a big payday. It’s rare; but when it does happen, a sellsword can win enough coin from a victory to never work again…. What did the Romoregan twerp offer my Kras…”

Viola slid over to the Elf who eyed her with confusion, “He was not just a friend… was he..” She laid a gentle hand on Yilarran’s arm as the larger woman nodded her head, “he promised me one final job, enough money that he could help me retire… What did they offer him…. Oh…” she paused as the look on Viola’s face registered. Val moved away from her food, choosing to sit down in Benjamin’s lap, wrapping his arms around herself with the same expression. Ben leaned over, kissing the top of Val’s head, and giving her a gentle squeeze. “The twerp offered him one of them. I suspect that an Aereesin in good health would sell well in… certain places…. I… I went into the fight, hoping that I would be able to talk down whoever was the champion.” He began, “I….”

“You never had a chance at talking him down,” Yilarran interrupted as Ben faltered. “To him, you were an easy win. You don’t carry yourself as a warrior…. Nor like a Maje. He could not have known. I don’t fault you, Benjamin. Thank you for telling me.” The titanic four-armed elf stood, “Come to the arena tomorrow morning, I will teach you sword and lance. I will be harsh, but I will make you worthy of Krastorin’s death.”

Yilarran bowed slightly before departing. Viola watched Benjamin hold Val for a moment, “Are you well, Benjamin?” He looked at her, smiling weakly as he gave Val a reassuring squeeze she leaned into. “I think so. Maybe it’s an ‘I will be’. I knew that I might have to kill when I joined my home military, but actually taking life is…” he shook himself, looking up at the sky, “Let’s go, I think we can see the sunset from our room.”

The three of them wandered back towards the Mother Tree, eventually finding their way back to their room just as the sun began dipping down below the treetops. Their room resided high enough in the side of the tree to watch the waning evening fade over the forest tops. Streaks of amber fluttered through the trees, and the cool evening breeze flooded in from the west. Vi and Val shivered slightly in unison, pulling into Benjamin as they took in the view. “I don’t know how I’m going to get used to this…” He murmured, wrapping his arms around both of them, “It’s a beautiful site.” Viola answered and Benjamin smiled down at them, “It is, but that’s not what I mean.” He answered. He took their hands, walking back into the room and sitting them on the bed beside him. “I don’t know how to do… this.” He caressed each of their cheeks in turn. “I was raised to be monogamous. One woman, and me.” Viola nodded cautiously but Ben continued quickly, “I’m ill-equipped to understand your shared soul. I don’t want to hurt one of you or the other out of pure ignorance.”

Viola’s worry evaporated as understanding washed it away, “Oh, Benjamin. That can’t happen. When Gramamma paired our souls, we became one person. We have two minds, but over the years, they have blended as well. We are still our own selves, but we are also one being. Our soul lets us feel what is happening to the other, both pain and pleasure. When you touch me, you are touching Val. She can feel your fingers on my skin as if you were touching her yourself. When her passion crests, I feel it in my core as if you were inside me as well.” Val stood, slipping Benjamin’s hand beneath her skirt and between her thighs. Viola became breathless as Valtrya then ran his hand up her body to one of her breasts. “The feeling is slightly muted, and I can keep control over this body if I need to; but you could make love to my sister and I would crest with her, and I would feel your release when you fill her.” Val released Benjamin’s hand and switched with her sister. Vi pulled her dress over her head, and Benjamin leaned in, kissing her stomach before working his lips up to her breasts. Val gasped, feeling Benjamins through her sister. “Touching one of us, is touching both of us Benjamin, even if we can tell the difference.” Gasped Viola, “Now finish what you started my Benjamin.” She moaned as Val pulled her dress from her body as well, “But tonight, I shall have you first. Val wishes to have you last.” Benjamin paused, looking up at her as she stood there. He stood as the sisters began tugging at his clothes. The last fabrics fell away; and Benjamin gently captured Viola, laying her down on her back. She spread her thighs to him. Benjamin began making love to her first, slipping into Viola while kissing her about the chest and neck. Viola rolled her hips in rhythm with him and was soon in the throes of ecstasy. Valtrya cried out, intimately feeling Benjamin through her sister as they made love. Benjamin couldn’t keep his lips off of Viola’s soft skin, and soon he lost track of time. Eventually, Viola could feel Benjamin getting close. His breathing became ragged, his rhythm quickening; and she put a gentle hand on his chest.

Benjamin paused at her touch, and Viola gave him a final passionate kiss before slipping out from under him. It took a long minute for Benjamin to calm enough to continue. Val kissed him about the neck and shoulders, letting him recover while still exploring his body. Soon his breathing calmed; and Val wrapped her arms around him, slowly leaning back to pull Benjamin between her thighs. She was clearly worked up from feeling Viola’s climax, bucking her hips against him as he took her. She clamped her hands around the back of his head, pulling his face to the nape of her neck. His slowed rhythm quickly drew loud gasps and moans from her lips. Her body arched involuntarily as his lips latched to each breast in turn, his tongue teasing her nipples. Her breast may have been smaller than Viola’s, but Benjamin didn’t care. Both sister’s skin was addictingly soft, and the scent of their bodies intoxicated him. Time began to blur yet again, the pleasured cries of both women reminding him that they were indeed one being with two bodies. Val was panting loudly, still bucking in time to him as she climaxed again. Benjamin began to get close a second time, and there was no trading off. Val pulled his head away from her breasts, putting her forehead to his as Vi had done that morning, “My… Ben… Please… My Ben…” Her breathless voice was gorgeous if somewhat raspy from exertion and lack of use. Benjamin’s body shuddered, and his control finally failed him. Benjamin thrust one final time, their hips pressed together, and Val wrapped her legs around his back, locking him deep inside her as he bucked and shuddered his climax into her. Her legs clamped down like a vice, and her own hips began to roll uncontrollably at the sensation. Benjamin’s ragged irregular breathing eventually began to slow, and Val’s legs slackened their grip but did not release him.

He struggled to hold himself above her, unwilling to let his much larger frame fall on her, but Val held him there. She stroked his hair, little coos and hums of bliss escaping her. “My Benjamin” was all she mumbled, repeating it over and over as the three of them calmed down. Benjamin finally recovered enough to pry Val from him. Kissing her gently on the lips before pulling them both under the covers with him. “That was... perfect” Viola said, pulling Benjamin into a kiss before laying down next to him. She lay to his left, her curvier body tracing shapes into the sheets as they draped across her being. Val’s much leaner figure rode the line between a runway model and an Olympic volleyball athlete, carving its own sensual shapes in the bedding. “Yes…… perfect.” Val mumbled and Ben looked down at her in surprise, hoping that her recent chattiness was just the beginning for her. He turned to Val for a moment. Teasing the outline of her side with his fingertips. “Yes… You are perfect.” He said to her. And Val looked at him in surprise. Her entire adult life, Viola had spoken for her, but now Benjamin was addressing her directly. “Your voice is beautiful.” He continued softly “I’d love to hear it more.” He finished, holding her gaze and stroking her body gently. Val’s eye flitted between her sister and Benjamin, hoping to have Viola answer for her. Viola stayed silent, nuzzling up to Benjamin's other side with her eyes gently encouraging. “my… voice… you… love?” she asked at last. “I do.” Benjamin answered instantly. Valtrya paused a long moment, but still her sister was silent. “You… give… you… to... us….” She took a breath, slowly working out the words, “I…share… voice… you…Vi…only...”

It was a start, and her soft quiet tone brought Benjamin more joy than he thought it could have. “Deal… You speak only when we are alone. Your voice is special, let's not waste it.” He pulled her up onto his chest for a moment, kissing her gently, but passionately on the lips before sliding her back to his side. Val mumbled something unintelligible but was asleep too quickly for Benjamin to inquire about its meaning. Her chest slowly rose and fell, and her body slackened, melting slightly into Benjamin’s side.

Val’s slumber was quickly drawing Benjamin into his own dreams when he felt a soft pair of lips brush his ear “I know what you did.” Viola had watched and listened to the two of them from her position on the other side of Ben. “… and I adore you more for it.” She breathed softly into his ear. Ben turned to face her gently stroking her side with the arm she was tucked under, “You should know by now. I’ll do anything for those I love.” He felt Viola’s breath catch, and he smiled as his words sank in fully. “You…” She stuttered softly, and Benjamin nodded once holding her eyes in his, “..us?” He nodded again, “Both of you. Two bodies, one soul. I swear it.” He whispered kissing her on the forehead.

“Then you wish….” Benjamin watched Viola’s fangs begin to slide out of her gumline and he shook his head with a gentle smile. They retracted quickly and she looked up at him with an almost hurt expression, “But…you..” but Ben put a finger on her lips, “I’m not saying no. I want to accept your kiss of eternity, but I am not from this reality. I am also still three years younger than when your people stop growing. Human males can continue to grow into their twenties, and we do not know if your venom is compatible with my biology... uh… my blood. I will have eternity with both of you but let us be cautious as well.”

Viola’s hurt expression slowly gave way, and she sighed in relief, “I understand. We will be careful.” She whispered, snuggling down against him again. Her breathing quickly slowed to the almost identical tell-tail rhythm of Valtrya’s, and their soft bodies on his quickly drew him from the conscious world.