Strange Bedfellows Chapter 4.d

"But I don't understand."  Shara was saying as they ate lunch after the camp was set up.  "Why didn't the king simply march a bit faster through the forest, or march into the night so he didn't have to camp in the forest?"

"You have a keen mind little lady."  Titus said while Kalus chewed.  "Kalus wanted to do just that; march faster and then take a whole day's rest once we were out of the forest.  We would've arrived no slower and yet much safer.  Alas, the king had other ideas."

Shara frowned, finding it hard to believe that the king was so foolhardy.

"In war, decisions made by politicians are usually less effective than ones made by commanders."  Kalus said when he had finished chewing.  "I've spent my life studying military combat; King Tyso spent it studying...  other things."

Titus snorted.  "Like the nearest woman's ass.  There's a rumor going around that he wanted to bed his own sister."

Shara shuddered.

Kalus set his jaw.

Lyra made a face.  "Eww."

"That's the trouble with some men; they're always thinking with their dicks."  Titus said, then frowned and looked at the ladies.  "Please pardon my language."

"I've heard worse."  Lyra replied with a chuckle.  "Actually, I've said much worse."  She then looked at her felllow wife.  "Katia?"

"I am not bothered."  Shara replied.

Kalus shook his head.  "Six thousand men needlessly lost their lives last night.  Rarely have so many lives been so needlessly lost when the loss could've been so easily prevented."  He clenched his fist, then took a forced, measure breath.

"I'm sorry husband."  Lyra said, putting her hand on his arm.

He nodded to her, but didn't look much better.

"What will happen now?"  Shara asked.  "With the war I mean."

"We'll arrive in the capital city tomorrow and King Tyso will certainly want to occupy it."  Kalus said.  "The city will almost certainly surrender in exchange for good treatment.  The king will divide it up and each commander will have control of a portion.  It'll take the rest of the day, perhaps two, to assume full control of the city.  I expect that afterwards King Tyso will march on the castle and demand an unconditional surrender."

"Commander, we've been over this a dozen times today."  Titus said with an amused smile, then looked at his wives.  "Could one of you lovely ladies keep his mind on something else for five minutes?"

Lyra gave Kalus a look of barely concealed lust, then stood up like a proper woman, walked over to him, and took one of his hands.

"Husband, could I perhaps distract you for five minutes?"  She glanced at their tent, which would've left no one in doubt as to what she intended, even if she hadn't been biting her lip.

He raised his eyebrow.

"Please?"  She asked.

"You will be the death of me woman."  He said with a smile as he rose.

Lyra practically dragged him into the tent and Shara couldn't help but smile.  The horsewoman did seem to be almost overly fond of sharing his bed.

Her smile faltered slightly as she thought about the fact that she was no longer doing so.  She couldn't help but wonder if perhaps she was missing out on something wonderful.  That strange building sensation she'd experienced whenever he had taken her to bed and Lyra's reactions -- not to mention her near obsession with it -- seemed to confirm that too.

"Copper for your thoughts?"  Titus said.  The old warrior got up and sat down next to her; far enough to be respectful but close enough for a more private conversation.

"I think I misjudged him."  Shara replied, nodding towards the tent where Kalus was.  "I think I misjudged almost everything."

He had an amused smile on his face.  "Yes, the young often discover that the world has more nuance than they were led to believe while growing up."

"I'm beginning to see that."  She looked towards her tent, only just then realizing that she now considered it her tent.  It made quite a contrast to how she'd grown up.  "I used to think that my father--"  She stopped, realizing that she'd almost given her identity away.  "I used to think that he was right about everything.  I used to think that our king was among the best of kings, that the people loved him, that King Tyso was a cruel tyrant who wanted to enslave the entire country, and that my nation was completely blameless for this war."

Titus nodded slowly.  "Like I said, nuance.  Only one of those things is true without qualification."

"About King Tyso?"

"Of course not."  Titus replied, but his eyes twinkled in such a way as to let her know that she had been right.

"Tell me the truth Titus; is King Bracken a good king?"  She asked, hoping that he would say her father was indeed a good king.

Titus inhaled deeply, let it out slowly, and then stroked his short beard.  "I would say that he's a good man."

"...but not a good king?"

"Unfortunately, being a good man doesn't mean that you will be a good king."  He replied.  "I obviously haven't lived here long and only have an invading warrior's view of things.  But from what I can see, he is too hard when he should be soft, and too soft when he should be hard."

"Oh."  Shara nodded slowly.

She could see it.

She had been able to get away with almost anything when she was a child, and only the stern hand of her tutors had drilled any amount of discipline into her.  Her father had made sure she had the best tutors and he had caved when they said that she needed a stronger hand.  As she thought about it, he had caved to a lot of things during her short life.

"So, the people don't love him?"  She finally asked.

"I think they like him as a person, but not as a king."  Titus replied delicately.  "Again, this is only the view from an invading soldier, and an old one at that.  But from what I can tell, King Bracken lets his advisors push him into bad decisions and into appointing less-than-ideal people into roles of authority.  The common people who have met him -- which is a lot for a king in this age -- they seem to like him as a person, but not as a king."

Shara nodded slowly again.

It made sense.

It hurt, but it made sense.

"Is that why Lyra's father says that the people are happier with the men Kalus left in charge?"

"I suspect so."  Titus replied.  "Kalus is a shrewd man.  He appoints a native of our country to govern the cities, but mostly lets the elders of that city make the laws.  Then he appoints a military commander from our country to oversee things and enforce the laws.  Thus, the people mostly make the laws and they are rigidly enforced, bringing a measure of peace and stability that King Bracken's men were never able to achieve."

"And the people are less upset because they make the laws."  Shara finished.

"Like I said; shrewd."  Titus nodded.  "However, he's also a good man.  I have a daughter who will come of age in less than a year.  I had hoped that Kalus might consider her taking her hand in marriage when she does."

"Oh?"  Her eyes went a little wide; she could hardly think of a greater compliment that a father could give another man than to hope he would wed one of his daughters.

He nodded.  "Alas, he's too taken with you and Lyra to consider her now."  Titus looked a bit disappointed, but shrugged.  "Such is life."

"Taken with me?"

"Only a blind man, or perhaps the object of his affections, could miss it."  The older man looked at her pointedly.  "The young are often oblivious to the affections of others."

She blushed slightly, but nodded.  "Life used to be simpler when I was younger."

"It always is for a child, but you aren't a child anymore; you're a woman."  Titus replied.  "My life was infinitely less complex when I was a boy, and far less complex when I was a mere soldier.  The older you get, the more complex life gets."  He gave her a kind smile.  "But complexity has its rewards, just like maturity does."

"I hope so."  She cradled her hands around her womb, thinking about the tiny life she was now responsible for protecting and nurturing.  It was remarkable how much her perspective had shifted since she'd found out about him, though it might be a 'her'.

The old soldier eyed her hands for a moment, then smiled.  "It looks like our fearless commander is as...  potent in the bedroom as he is on the battlefield."

She blushed scarlet, but nodded.

"Don't be ashamed; you are carrying the child of the best man I know."  Titus said.

"I'm not ashamed."  Shara replied, surprising even herself.  "I'm just not used to discussing such things."

Just then, a suppressed feminine moan came from Kalus's tent.  It seemed like Lyra was trying and failing to be quiet.

"And it sounds like your fellow wife will soon share your joy."  The old soldier chuckled.  "Ah, to be young again."

Shara smiled, though it was a nervous smile.  She didn't really like how attached she was becoming to both Kalus and Lyra.  True she hadn't known either of them very long, but as she thought about living her life without either of them...  she shook her head; she didn't like the idea.

Kalus was very strict, but he was a good man and his men loved him because he truly cared about them.  She felt that reflected on the kind of father he would be: perhaps a bit strict, but his children would love him because he truly cared about them.  She idly wondered if that was the case for her as well, since he undeniably cared about her.

She pushed the thought out of her mind, not liking where it was leading.

* * *

Kalus exhaled, trying to remember the last time he had spent so much time in bed with a woman.  He couldn't.  He'd chased many a lass before he began to follow Illuminar, but he was rarely successful.  Now...  now Lyra wanted him as often as he was willing.

"If I pay him enough attention, will he stand at attention again?"  The horsewoman asked as she traced a delicate but strong finger over the underside of his softened cock as she lay curled up to his side.

"He will, but I'm only human."

"Will lips or hands rouse him faster?"

He chuckled.  "I'm surprised you would use your lips; he was firmly ensconced in you only a few minutes ago."

"I've done it before."  She said slyly, then slid her hand along her slit, brought a now-wet finger to her mouth -- and unless he was mistaken, there was a bit of his seed on the digit -- and then she sucked on it while locking eyes with him.  "Mmm, delicious."

He raised his eyebrow, but chuckled nonetheless.  "Had I not seen the blood from your maidenhead at our first coupling, I would have doubts about your virtue."

"You're my husband so I can do this while still being virtuous."  She said, somehow sounding both innocent and provocative at the same time.  She slid down, then used her hands to lift his semi-soft cock and took it tenderly in her mouth.

He sighed again, though it was a different kind of sigh this time.

"Mmm."  The ash blonde smiled, her lips still around his girth.  She pulled her mouth off long enough to speak.  "I really like this part."  Then she slid him inside her mouth again, gently sucking and lapping with her tongue as he grew larger and harder.

Once he was fully hard, she pulled back and looked at her handiwork.  "I like it when he grows in my mouth."  She sighed wistfully, then a frown crossed her face and she bit her lip.

"What?"  He asked.

"Um..."  She hesitated, not quite meeting his eye.  "Is...  is there something wrong with me?  I have heard that...  I mean, are women supposed to want so much time in the bed?"  She glanced into his eyes.  "Am I okay?"

"Yes."  He said simply.  "Illuminar created the marital bed not only to produce children, but also for pleasure too.  You seem far less inhibited than most women, but that's a good thing, not a problem."

"Are you sure?"  Lyra bit her lip again.  "I mean, Katia isn't...  I mean..."

Kalus smiled.  "Katia is far more interested in bed than she can admit to herself."

"Oh?"

He nodded.  "From our first coupling, she has been incredibly responsive even though she hadn't wanted to take part.  I believe that if I were not the enemy, you might find that you had some competition."

Lyra nodded slowly.  "So, I'm not...  um...  defective because I love it so much?"

He reached down and gently brushed her cheek.  "If all wives were as 'defective' as you, the world would be a better place."

She smiled and leaned her cheek into his hand.  "So, you're happy with me?"

"Very."

"And, I've been a good wife so far?"

"Very, though I'm afraid I might not be able to keep up with you, let alone Katia."

She smiled.  "Okay, in that case..."  She glanced down at his cock, which was still mostly hard.  "Husband, may I please snuggle with you inside of me?"

He grinned.  "Of course."

She slid up, aligned herself, and then slid back down, his cock spreading her as she did so.

"Ahhhh."  She breathed, then tucked her arms up against her chest and snuggled into his chest.  He wrapped his arms around her, feeling quite connected to her since he was both around her and inside of her too.

"I like this."  She mumbled dreamily.

"And I as well."  He nodded, giving her an affectionate squeeze.  She returned the squeeze, though not with her arms.

"Will you still do this when I'm old and fat?"  She asked, and it didn't sound like she had an ulterior motive for asking.

"Yes, though while growing old isn't optional, growing fat is."  He kissed the top of her head.  "I much prefer my wives took care of themselves enough that their waistline never grow excessive, except in preparation for birth."

"I'd like to give birth."  She sighed, then raised her head and looked at him.  "Where will we raise the children?  Do you have a home in Har'peton?"

"No."  He shook his head at the reference to his home country.  "I've been a soldier since I came of age and never needed one."

"Then..."  She got a slightly hopeful smile.  "Can I make a selfish request?"

"Please."  He replied.

"Could..."  She bit her lip and looked down.  "Could you perhaps consider choosing to live here in Timarou, near my Pa'pa?"

He smiled.  "I would certainly consider it."

"I would love that."  She beamed, though her face fell slightly after a moment.  "I realize it might not be possible, and there's Katia to consider of course, and I'll follow you wherever you choose to live, but I would love it if we could live in the area.  We would be closer to Katia's family as well."  She added, clearly trying to make the idea sound appealing.

"To tell you the truth, I have no great love for Har'peton, nor its king."  He said in a low voice, so as not to be overheard.  "I wouldn't object to living in Timarou."

"Why no love for your..."  She squeezed him gently with her vaginal muscles.  "Mmm...  your home."  She looked him right in the eye, leaving him in no doubt as to what she considered 'home'.

"It's..."  Kalus hesitated.  "It would not be my first choice of a place to raise a family."

"Why?"  Lyra asked, starting to gently massage him with her internal muscles.

"It's... it's less family-friendly than other nearby countries."  Kalus replied delicately and at a low volume.  "I would choose Koilas to the north, even despite Lord Borden's aversion to men with multiple wives; or perhaps Ivernia to the northwest, even with Lord Farbrottan's oppressive taxes, Narlotten would be an excellent choice as well, but perhaps Timarou would be the best choice given my wives' connections and my lack of them."

"Thank you for considering it."  Lyra beamed, then bit her lip and started rocking her hips gently.  "Now please let me show you how grateful I am..."

He gave her a mock-annoyed expression.  "I suppose if--"

"Commander Kalus!"  His herald called from outside the tent.

He restrained a look of annoyance at the interruption.  "Yes Kyselius?"

Lyra had frozen at the voice but started rocking her hips again moments later.  He raised his eyebrow at her and she looked sheepish, but she didn't stop.

"Commander, King Tyso requests your presence in the royal tent for a council of war."

"I shall be out shortly."  He replied.

Lyra's face fell, but she slipped off of him.  "Might we continue when you return husband?"

"I don't see why not."  He replied.  "Now, I need to make myself presentable."

Lyra glanced at his still-hard cock.  "I can make sure you're clean if you like?"

He chuckled.  "As much as I would enjoy that, it would make me late."

It took Kalus a minute to make himself presentable, then he kissed his young wife before leaving the tent.  That was new for him; kissing his wife before he left.  He had always heard it was a thing that wives liked and he found himself enjoying it as well.

Katia was outside the tent talking to Titus and she gave him a small smile as he passed her.  He returned it before continuing to the king's tent, thanking Illuminar that she was no longer being so adversarial.  In fact, her smiling at him seemed like incredible progress.  Even a small smile such as that one was worlds better than a few days ago.

He found his own lips pulling into a small smile.

His herald fell into step beside him not long afterwards, and he knew the man well enough to know he had some information to share.

"What is it?"  Kalus asked before they'd walked a dozen paces.

"It's grim Commander."  Kyselius replied.  "I've been around checking on the men and talking to the other heralds.  Now that we've stopped and there's no danger, the soldiers are furious.  With a third of the men having died, practically every man here lost a comrade or friend, to say nothing of leaving their bodies to rot instead of giving them a proper burial."

"How bad is it?"  Kalus asked, slowing his walk slightly to make sure his herald had time to finish his report.

"Among our legion, it's not bad."  Kyselius said.  "Our losses were extremely light and by now every man under your command knows that they were buried.  They love you all the more for it."

"And among the rest of the army?"

"I hate to say it, but mutinous."

Kalus frowned; that was a dangerous position to be in.  The soldiers had wearied of the campaign over the many months and even more battles; most simply wanted to go home.  To have been struck such a deadly blow so close to the end was understandably devastating.

"You know how the king will attempt to remedy this, don't you?"  Kalus asked quietly.

"Unfortunately, yes."  Kyselius grimaced.  "May Illuminar help the poor women in the city of Laerten when we finally arrive, to say nothing of the life-savings of every man."

Kalus took a long, slow, calming breath.

He clenched his fist, knowing there was nothing he could do about it without starting a mutiny, which he wouldn't do.

And yet...

He shook his head.

He couldn't do nothing.  He couldn't stand before Illuminar at the end of his life without having done something about this.  He wouldn't even be able to look at himself in a mirror for the rest of his life if he didn't intervene.  But what to do...

Hmm.

This was rather like planning a battle.  Half the struggle was knowing what you should do and half was guessing what the other side would do.  This time, his opponent was King Tyso who fortunately was fairly easy to predict.  He thought about the entire campaign and what the king was likely to do once they arrived in Laerten.  Once he knew that, he knew what to do.

Finally, he looked at Kyselius and spoke in hushed but urgent tones.  "Find someone you trust, someone who might be willing to hang for treason for a good cause.  Give him a haggard horse and have him ride it hard to Laerten.  Let him spread the word of what King Tyso will probably do; perhaps have him say that he overheard it."

"That will make many flee from the city, but what about those who are left and cannot leave?"  Kyselius asked.

Kalus frowned.

What of them indeed, and how could he help them?

"If the king stays true to his plans, he will put each of his commanders in charge of a portion of the city."  Kalus said.  "Knowing him and his frustrations with me, he'll undoubtedly put me in command of the poorest section.  Have the man tell the people that I will likely be put in charge of the poorest section.  They can flee there and I'll do what I can to protect them."

"I think I know a man who would be willing."  The herald nodded.

"Not you Kyselius."  Kalus replied.  "You have that look in your eye and I need you here.  Besides, your absence could alert the king that something is going on."

The man hesitated.

"That's an order Kyselius; you're staying in the camp for the security of the mission."

"Yes sir, I will find someone else."  Kyselius nodded.

They had nearly reached the king's tent by this point, so Kyselius saluted and then turned to complete his mission.

The meeting with the king was short and Kalus found himself wishing that he hadn't accurately predicted everything that would happen in it.

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