[Alexandra80]

It's the first time when I tried to write a story which includes many kinks, including catfight, ENF, CFNF, D/s in a High Fantasy setting. The story has a slow start, with a lot of background but should be pacier to the end. As usually, sorry for any grammar mistakes.

Part 0. BACKGROUND

The story takes place in the Principality of Astia, ruled by a hereditary caste of magicians. About 1000 years ago the old Republic of Astia was overrun by barbarians and survived members of the Republic's noble families who had a gift of magic, united to withstand enemies collectively. By accident, they found an enormous magical mineral which they took as the last gift of gods. After a certain procedure, this mineral called simply The Stone, dramatically raised their capabilities in magic. They repelled the barbarians, took control of the coastal lands near The Stone and build a city called Litinum there. The Great Palace of the city from which the magicians rule the land stood right above The Stone.

By that time, the magicians already knew that breeding within a circle of magic-gifted people significantly rises both chances to have a child with a talent, and power of this talent. So, they become a close caste which didn't bring anyone into the fold. Using their enhanced power from The Stone and proper breeding they started to recapture the lands of the former Republic and soon succeeded in imposing their rule on all Astians, descendants of the Republic citizens or barbarian invaders.

The Mages control virtually all political power in the Principality. They elect a Princeps from their caste who reigns for life but shares the authority with the High Council, which includes experienced Mages who proved themselves in their duties. Magician families struggle for more power between themselves but they never forget that their main goal is to withhold their collective mastery over the realm.

Every magician which is born into the right family with a talent after years of training should go through an Initiation which is conducted near The Stone by several Mages. After this, he or she becomes the full-fledged Mage but he should gain certain experience before he could take an administrative or executive office and take the steps towards the membership in the High Council.

Those unlucky who are born within the caste without talent also get their share of power and wealth to prevent envy and betrayal. They can become army officers or merchants or just live their lives as landholders or rent-seekers. This is a minority of the ruling class, because families of the magicians go through different magical procedures to ensure that their offspring would be genetically healthy and maximize the chances they have magically gifted children.

The initiation has one side effect: the lifespan of the magicians also doubles or even triples, though they become adults just like any other people. But since reaching 30, they're aging much more slowly than the simple folk.

There are no more than two hundred of the initiated members of the ruling caste. Each magician is very strong and can stop a small group of well-equipped soldiers or several 'natural' wizards and witches. But still, the magicians could not cling on to their power if they don't have Apprentices. These are outsiders with some magical gift who don't endure Initiation. Each one of them is weak and certainly no match for the proper magician but when led by the Mage and united into a "circle" they become a very formidable force.

Once in a generation or so, the High Council succeeds in finding a very talented youth from outside of the caste who is brought to the capital, trained and proceeds through the Initiation. This magicians are called Novices, and they are needed to bring some fresh blood to the caste. Despite that, they're usually resented by conservative wing of the caste and only in the third or fourth generation their descendants are fully accepted.

Other than that any magical activity within a realm is strictly prohibited and punished by death or even worse fate. The magicians persecute harshly every witch they are heard of. They do all their best to keep their monopoly in magic though their low numbers is not enough to give needed magical service to all the realm.

So, their monopoly, their thorough breeding, and of course the Stone make the caste perhaps the strongest Mages in the known world. Their magical and administrative power supports their rich and decadent lifestyle. The magicians of Litinum invoke envy and sometimes even hate from both their subjects (especially when their more conservative generation rule harshly) and outside powers. But all the invasions of the Astia were repelled though the Mages also didn't succeed in conquering lands outside of its border. And no one ever seriously tried to attack their power from inside the Principality. So far...

Part 1

The ball in the city's mansion of Garilius family dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the election of the Princeps from this clan, was drawing to a close. Some of the guests, most of them magicians with their families, began to leave for their homes. Two sorceresses, however, decided to stay as long as possible and headed for the terrace with the view on the sea just to smell fresh air. There, between the marble pillars, they went on chatting, sipping the ancient wine from the silver cups.

First of them was Lady Delvina Gratiana, a tall and curvy dark-haired woman of 35 years old. She was dressed in a silver grey satin ball gown with matching long gloves and a tiara made of dwarves' silver crustated with brilliants. Her stylish hairdo opened her perfect oval face with deep blue eyes, proportional straight nose and long eyelashes. Delvina was an aspiring Mage who came from the rich family of Flamelii. She was married to Rutilius Gratian, her childhood friend and lover, about two years ago. Her husband was born into an even more powerful family and also was a very promising young Mage.

She was talking to her own cousin, Lanta Flamelia, a dark brown haired woman, who was a little bit shorter and a little bit younger than her. Lanta wore scarlet long-sleeve gown with a nice cleavage. During the chat she was almost all the way giggling and laughing while her more serious relative only smiled from from time to time.

"Delvina, it's so great to be married", Lanta said. "I'm waiting and waiting for the moment when I start my own family and become an adult. But now I don't have even a fiance as if they're afraid of me. I'm very envious of you, big sister".

"Well, it's never too late to wear marriage knots", Delvina smiled. "If you were not so lightheaded, you'd better commit to your development as a sorceress and your career. Lanta, you are not a junior any more, you must take your destiny into your own hands"

"And in this you also run away from me by far" Lanta sighed. "You are already proved yourself even as a fighting Mage and a leader of Apprentices, not to mention your administrative skills. And everybody lauds you style, taste in clothes in jewelry and your manners. Just our Lady Perfection", she took her cousin by the elbow and giggled.

"I'm sure you'll get a very promising assignment, for example, as an ambassador in the east, any day now. By the way, when Rutilius is going to return?".

"In a month or so", answered Delvina, who seemed to be buried in thought for a moment.

"Do you miss him? When he returns, he will be a very important man. I bet he will be nominated for High Council"

"Of course I miss him. What a foolish question!", Delvina said, slightly irritated, and that was true. She loved her husband and was faithful to him but she always compete with Rutilius and now the sorceress saw that she was losing this competition.

The third woman appeared on the terrace, literally rising up between the cousins. She was much older and started her second hundred years. Still she looked gracious and elegant, and if she was a common woman, nobody would give her an age more than 45. She was wearing a dark green and golden dress and a necklace with large emeralds. That was a hostess of the party, Heliana Garilia, and she was one of the most important Mages and bureaucrats within the caste, ruling the internal affairs of the Principality.

"Hello girls", she said "Do you like the ball?"

"It was perfect. Lady Heliana, I always knew that you give best balls in all the High Council", Delvina answered courteously. "And your house look even better since I visited you the last time"

After some worldly conversation Lady Heliana said. "Sorry, but I must leave you, young ladies. Have a good time. But you, Delvina, please do not hurry home when everything's over. I will wait you in my cabinet. We have a very pressing issue to discuss with you"

Delvina entered the Lady Heliana's cabinet, richly decorated and furnished with bookcases, pictures and statues. Lady Heliana stood near her bureau with the back to the wall and read a book. Despite that, she greeted the visitor with her hand.

"Delvina, dear, I'm glad to meet you again", she said not even turning the head. "Pour yourself some wine, if you want".

For Delvina, the internal affairs Councilwoman was an example of a mature, respectable Mage. She admired her and even copied her style of behaviour where it was possible.

"So, young lady, I can only congratulate you. You were the main star of the ball. You looked absolutely gorgeous and several older colleagues said that if you were not already marries, they would try their luck in proposing a marriage alliance to you", she smiled.

"Thank you, my lady", Delvina graciously nodded. Of course she liked such compliments, but now she was a little bit impatient to know the true reasons why the Council Mage called her up.

"I see that you would like to get down to business", Heliana said as if she has read Delvina's thoughts. "Well then, I spoke to the Princeps yesterday. We had received an ill news from the city of Berdum. Phillas died".

"Phillas? The Novice, who was a Council's envoy to the Duke of Western Hills for almost half hundred years?"

"Yes", Lady Heliana answered. "He died at 110. He was a Novice and their lives are much shorter than ours. Now we have to send another envoy to the province. Some councilors preferred Phillas' son or daughter but I was able to urge the Princeps that nobody could be better than... you"

Delvina was astonished. "Western Hills?" she asked with poorly hidden disappointment. "But... why me?"

The councilwoman laughed.

"Oh my dear, I see you are not happy with this decision. You think that the Hills is a back country for the young, aspiring sorceress to rot? Then think again. This is a strategic region near the border. And... it's not so calm. We have a civil unrest there, lots of road bandits and the smugglers' rings. What's even more disturbing is that these smugglers are not trading only common stuff, but magical artifacts too. And the last, not least, but maybe most important and troubling thing is the magical activity. Our sources say that every second village have their witch, or 'wise women' as they say. And... late Phillas did not fight actively enough against all this mess".

"I see why", Delvina answered, slightly fixing the lock of hair with her gloved hand. "Phillas was a Novice. He was born there among common village swineherds and he was sympathetic to them. You could not expect low-born people to fight low-born crimes even if it's dangerous for our state. We should also check out if he cooperated with some foreign agents".

Lady Heliana put on a satisfactory smile. "I always knew that you were very smart girl, Delvina. Of course you're right. As our spies say, he once told that the people of the province are very poor and suffer from high taxes. And that he'd rather let them do all these things to ease their life a bit. What a shame. We knew that and were going to recall him anyway before we learned of her death. As for his cooperation with foreign powers, I doubt that, but you're right again, a little more examination will never be excessive".

"Anyway, we needed a more determined Mage, who will crack down on witchcraft and stop all this smuggler activity. And I believe we have found such a Mage in you. The task is not very tough for you, Delvina, and I'm sure you will clean that mess very quickly. I'll give you a year and then recall you to the capital to give rewards. Which will mean a place in the Council. Won't it be great if you acquire this position right after your husband? We needed you to advance as we want more staunch supporters of our party to stand the ground against the radicals", the councilwoman said.

"I understand, my lady. I will do everything needed and destroy all the witches, criminals and other lawless commoners. I will live up to your expectations, I promise", Delvina said proudly.

"I'm glad to see your enthusiasm", nodded Heliana. "So, I think, three days to pack your chests will do. While you're preparing, I'll give you all necessary papers. In the city, you'll present yourself before the Duke. As an envoy you'll have all the executive powers including the veto right to any Duke's decision and exclusive right to arrest, interrogate and execute anyone who is linked to any illegal activity in magic. Also the Duke should listen to all your advice concerning any issue. You'll also meet the team of Apprentices who will be under your command at any time".

"You'll be escorted by a squad of soldiers with a pleasant captain of the guard. No one ever risk attack the Mage, especially so well-escorted. And please don't see it as an exile to village witches and swineherds. Berdum is a large town and you'll be a star there. Not one of the many like here but a true Queen. I hope you won't over-indulge such a high status", the councilwoman laughed. "And during the year, I think you'll have a lot of chances to return here on vacation and meet your dear Rutilius. So, the life will not be so bad and dull, will it? To your exciting career, young lady!", Heliana smiled widely and raised the cup of wine.

Part 2

The last part of the Delvina Gratiana's trip to Berdum was going through the high, steep hills. The sorceress demanded that they will take a shorter straight hill road instead of a longer and a more busy and popular one. The terrain was rough and several times Delvina was about to feel sorry for her decision when her large chic carriage was almost thrown up on a bumpy road. Fortunately she took more than enough well padded pillows to feel comfortable most of the time. Anyway she wanted to reach the Duke's residence as soon as possible.

The Captain of her guard, Martius, appeared to be a nice and pleasant young man, well educated for the person of the lower nobility. He said that his ancestors were Mages, and his great-grandfather was a magically barren son of one member of Garilius family. She tried to keep the distance from the beginning, but his affable manners, smart compliments and clever jokes made Delvina lose her cold, stern outlook and even smile a couple of times. She was actually happy to have a good companion on her way that took more than a week.

It was an hour or two past midday when the carriage and escort reached rather large village, standing on a wide hill terrace.

"My lady", Martius on his horse drew up with the carriage. "I'm afraid we should take a stand here. There is a very adverse terrain further down the road where it's impossible to ride at night. We should stay here and leave early in the morning"

"I see", Delvina looked through carriage window. "Then I need a decent inn, preferably without bedbugs and with as few as possible dirty local swineherds"

Several minutes later the carriage approached a three-floored white building, the largest one in a village. The coach stopped the horses and the soldiers dismounted. Captain Martius opened the carriage door and offered the hand to a sorceress so that she could step down.

The people around the inn gathered to stare at unusual guests. Most of them never saw such rich carriages, well-bred horses and of course, a Mage. The woman, who stepped out of the carriage looked totally out of place in this poor remote village. Delvina was dressed today in a classy and rich, but not too sumptuous, style. She wore a maroon velvet form-fitting full length dress with a decent cleavage, straightly flared long sleeves and an ivory bodice, ornated with maroon lace. A decorate satin belt with a bow divided the bodice and the skirt of the dress. Her hands were covered by soft kid leather gloves and her feet were packed in the ivory high heeled ankle boots. There were a golden necklace with large dark rubies covering her cleavage. Delvina's maid helped her make an updo on the head so she was totally ready for the Duke's reception.

The couch cracked the whip and shouted "Off the road you rustics, let Her Ladyship Delvina, the High Mage, get through!"

The innkeeper, a small bald man of forty-five years old or so, dressed in a leather vest, ran from the inside to the front steps towards Delvina and her escort, bowing humbly all the time.

"Greetings, my lady!" he said in an oily tongue. "We are so happy to meet you. And you, Lord Officer. We never seen such important guests since the last year, when we were visited by the very Chief of Duke's tax service!"

"Haha, you fool!" Martius laughed out loud. "Comparing Her Ladyship to some ignoble tax collector is a bad idea. You stand right before Lady Delvina Gratiana, the High Mage, and a new envoy of the Council to the Duke of the Western Hills!"

The innkeeper seemed to have lost tongue, then bowed his knee. "Oh, the Honorable Lady Mage. Excuse me for my crudity. We re just a backwater village and rarely see noble people like you. I will do everything I can to feel you comfortable in our humble tavern"
"I hope you do", Delvina gave him a cold glance. "First, fry us a suckling pig and make sure we won't poison ourselves", she turned to her maid. "Bring me and Captain Martius wine from the chest in the carriage. Local drinks must be unbearable. And you - she called the owner again - prepare me a room and keep in mind that I'm not going to sleep on a straw mat".

Delvina and Martius sat down at the small table in the corner. The room started to fill with the smell of a pig being roasted. The maid came with the bottles and the captain poured exquisite southern wine for the sorceress and himself. The dining hall of the tavern was almost empty, there were only Delvina, Martius, soldiers and a couple near the wall. The big, stocky man sat with his back to the sorceress, and she couldn't see his face. As for the woman, she was quite young, possibly in her early twenties. Her hair was dirty blonde and big grey eyes stared from the round face. She was dressed only slightly better than the most of the common folk, wearing a simple but clean white traditional dress. She was quite pretty but Delvina didn't like her look. Most of the commoners couldn't look the female magician in her eyes for long, but this one not only continued to stare but seemed like to study the dressed to the nines sorceress from head to toes. In fact, Delvina was the first to withdraw her eyes.

"Who's that woman?" she asked the innkeeper when he personally served their guests' table.

"Ah it's Frida, the merchant. She supplies us with some of the city stuff for bargain prices, and sometimes buys the local production, again, lucratively for villagers. Do you want to talk to her, my lady? Or is she annoying you? I can ask her to leave not to trouble our high guests"

The latter is more likely than the former, Delvina thought. She felt something wrong with that woman but wasn't able to figure out for herself, what exactly. "Do nothing for now. Maybe we'll talk about it later".

When the piglet was served, one of the soldiers, who guarded the carriage outside, entered the room. He came close to the table where the sorceress and her companion were sitting, and spoke in a low voice.

"Sorry for the interruption but one of the locals slipped a a message in my hand and whispered that it's for you", he left a piece of paper on the table and stepped away.

Delvina just in case checked the paper for the spells and magical substances. Nothing. She took it in her gloved hands and read. My lady, there is a witch living near the end of this street, in a house with a white roof. She's home today, you can check her. Good luck!

"What are you going to do, my lady" asked Martius when the sorceress showed him the note.

"Do my duty, of course", Delvina showed a sly, foxy smile. "Let's finish with the pork and walk a little"

Captain Martius nodded, smiling pleasantly, called the guards and helped Lady Delvina walk out of the tavern. The Mage and the soldiers strolled down the main street of the village to the house where the alleged witch lived. The crowds of local men and women gathered around them, it seemed like all the dwellers took to streets to look at the high-flying guest. They glanced at her sullenly, with a mix of fear and curiosity. A middle-aged hairy, scrawny man who happened to be local mayor headed the crowds.

As the procession almost reached their destination, the man broke the silence, starting to snivel.

«My lady, we, of course are very proud to see you there, and we understand you have a very important mission”, he said quickly. “B-but I beg you, Ilgwid never did any harm to us. She helped us with good weather, treated us and our children when we caught diseases, made sure that some of our ancestors' ghosts and other never disturbed the folks. She's a good girl and I'm sure that she couldn't do something that is forbidden”. His words was accompanied by approving clatter.

Delvina stopped, turned on her heels and glared at the village head. Her deep blue eyes seemed to throw lightnings. “You all seem to not fully understand the seriousness of the situation. 'The good girl' is a witch, and witchery is one of the most dangerous crimes over there. I can have you all arrested and burn your village to the ground for the complicity. But I am benevolent and kind, maybe too kind to let you get away with it... but only if you collaborate”.

“Besides”, she smiled none too pleasantly, “as a mayor you first of all should mind your own business. It's a shame that you keep your town in such a disarray. Your streets are dirty as hell and it's difficult to walk there, especially for a decently dressed person. Why didn't you cobble at least the main square. It's absolutely unbearable”.

“My lady”, the man seemed to be very scared of the Mage's outburst. “I'm very sorry, but we don't have money to do the very least. The taxes and tributes are heavy and we're almost starving here. The Duke promised to lower them but when Phillas died, he seemed to change his mind. I'm begging you to help us with that issue” He fell on his knees and tried to kiss the lady's gloved hand.

Delvina pushed him away with a disgusting look on her face and walked on. “Don't want to hear such nonsense. Work harder and your problems will be solved. Don't try to move your responsibilities onto others' shoulders, keep in mind that we have much more important issues than a couple of silver coins which you don't earn because of your laziness”.

Finally the procession reached the small wooden hut on the village outskirts. It looked neat and gloomy at the same time. Very much like the house for the real witch, Delvina thought. One of the soldiers knocked the door with his mailed fist. “Ilgwid, the witch of the village, come out, or we will drag you by force!”

The door opened, creaking, and a girl came out of the darkness of the hut. She moved a few steps, stopping several yards away from Delvina, and crossed her arms. The witch was barely young, surely no more than twenty years old and possibly even younger. Her long red hair slightly fluttered in the wind. Her pretty oval face was covered with freckles, and the greenish eyes looked defiantly at the noble lady.

“What's going on here” she asked in a thin and girlish, but rather sassy voice “Who are you all? What do you want from me?”

Delvina looked at the witch from head to toe. The girl was dressed in an old but clean white tunic with some red insertions and a grey wool skirt. The magician noticed that the witch also examines her closely with her eyes.

“Well, young lady” Delvina smiled. “It's me who asks questions here. For I'm Delvina Gratiana, the High Mage, and an envoy to the Duke of Western Hills. Are you Ilgwid, as far as I understand”

“Yes, my lady”. Now the girl looked slightly bewildered.

“So, by the authority given to me by the High Council of Litinum I'm arresting you. You are accused of witchcraft and illegal sorcery. I'm going to take you to Berdum where I will decide your fate. I strongly advise you to co-operate because there are some things definitely worse than death. Mira, bring me my whip and a taming collar!”

The girl made a step a little closer. The witch's green eyes were burning with rage.

“So you arrest me? And what wrong have I done? Is it because I helped the poor peasants all the way, while you, all high and mighty Mages, only think about how to squeeze these people with more taxes? Or are you afraid, that we, humble wise men and women from the back country, will once come for you and wrestle the power from your greedy aristocratic hands? You are parasite, my lady, like all those who sit in the Council and around it. Let the hell swallow you all”

Such passionate speeches from the arrested criminals were not news for Lady Delvina. She however noticed something else. While speaking, the girl made some passes with her hands. It was certain that she had been preparing some magical attack. And when it came, Delvina was ready.

The spell was simple. It was supposed to throw away her and the soldiers and stun them for some time. The power of the spell, however, was astonishingly strong. Still Delvina concentrated and stopped the magical pressure of her adversary's spell. Two women stood motionless but their faces showed the real stress of their confrontation. Gathering together almost all her will, the noble lady magician finally pushed back and Ilgwid fell to the ground, devastated.

Meanwhile, the maid servant brought a taming collar and gave it to Delvina. This was a powerful instrument for Mages, used for keeping down any illegal magical activity. Collar blocked magical powers of any person who wore it, and any attempt to take it off could lead to major physical harm for them. Its effects could be cancelled only by a magician who put it on a witch or an unauthorized wizard, or it could be done by the joint effort of the several High Mages. With such collars, it could be possible to keep the rebellious witches alive while learning them or using for different tasks.

Delvina smiled sweetly, looking at her beaten opponent who tried to stand up and regain her consciousness after the defeat in the duel.

"Оh dear, did you really believe that you can beat me in magic? So foolish village girl. Anyway, such a disobedience can't go unpunished. I think keeping you as my slave and trophy after the tribunal would be a good idea."

Delvina was very surprised by the strength of the resistance of Ilgwid. She was very, very talented magician and if she was found by the Council Mages earlier, she would definitely brought to Litinum for training, education and, in the end, initiation. The sweeter will be to have her as a trophy, Delvina thought.

While she was thinking about how she would use Ilgwid at the Duke's court and maybe in the capital, the girl finally got on her feet, moved on a few steps to Delvina, swung her arm and slapped the noble lady in the face. The sound of the slap was heard probably in the whole village. The blow was so strong that the well-dressed magician dropped the collar to the ground, staggered on her heels and almost fell herself. In the last moment, Delvina somehow managed to to hang onto the local mayor who looked extremely astonished and frightened.

"I don't give a fuck what you will do to me, you stuck up cow. I detest the likes of you and I'm sure I will find more opportunities to award you with my slaps. I was raised here in this village, and my hand is heavy", Ilgwid roared and spat on the ground.

"You lowly tramp..." Delvina hissed. She was deeply shocked and enraged, her face was burning red both because of the slap and the indignation. "Hold the b*tch tightly" she ordered the soldiers and two of them quickly complied. Regaining her composure, she recalled one good spell which was definitely appropriate in this situation.

CRACK! Ilgwid's shirt and skirts came apart at the seams and in a moment she was completely naked. Several chuckles came from the crowd but most people still kept gloomy silence. Ilgwid tried to break free or cover her breasts and crotch but to no avail. Delvina picked the collar off the ground and, murmuring another spell, placed it on Ilgwid's neck and fastened it.

TO BE CONTINUED