Two Princes, One Girl, One Thief Part One
An innocent girl has been kidnapped by a lusty, feline, merchant prince. Can Astor Skinwolf, renowned mercenary, sneak aboard his pleasure yacht and rescue her while having enough time to fill his pockets with valuables?
Part One of Two
It was another hot, sticky day in Eastmoor and no place was more humid than the audience room of the local Merchant Prince Ylan. Ylan was a rare creature, although the scattered Merchant League cities, being defacto independent from the racially dominated Kingdoms that they happened to neighbor, were bastions of racial equality in theory, it was unusual to find, for example, a Fox like Ylan in charge of a city-state surrounded by two Human Kingdoms, but he had managed through a series of smart business and political manuevers, assisted by his relative popularity among the masses and being, Beast or not, considered quite handsome.
Even rarer was that despite have a thick, red winter coat of fur on, he seemed to delight in the heat and showed no discomfort, despite the discomfort he caused as his musky stench, so normal for his kind, lingered heavily in the poorly ventilated room. Perhaps this was helped by the two scantily clothed human women, a blonde and a brunette, massaging his shoulders and feeding him grapes.
Slouching in his chair, he lazily groped his tongue into the air to snatch a grape from the blonde, who pulled it away with a smile. Lowering it again, he responded by snapping his jaw, but not quick enough to steal it from the woman who giggled slightly before pulling the same trick.
“Bah!" he sneered, muzzle wrinkling with mock annoyance, “It was probably sour anyways."
Lunging out of his chair, tail whipping the brunette in the face who proceeded to grab it and press it against her face, he snatched the blonde in his black paws, clutching at her arms with his claws. His tongue lolled over before he ran it over her cheek before their lips met and their faces pressed against each other.
The grape dropped to the ground, rolling towards my boot. I kicked it away gently.
I scratched at my rough beard while staring exasperated at Dirk, Ylan's loyal human chancellor, whose weathered, wrinkled face reacted with only mild annoyance. The look of a man who was well used to enduring his master's ill-timed focus on lust, much as I had done so in my long history of being the Fox's acquaintance.
“Ylan?" Dirk finally whispered softly to his Prince. The omission of the title was not something that went unnoticed by me, “There are still more people awaiting an audience."
Ylan pulled away from his lover, his sharp ears flattened but his face only showed boredom. The blonde proceeded to lick away at his white furred muzzle, must like a Beast would. “Oh, very well. Send the next one in!"
A middle-aged peasant slipped in, head bowed. His clothes were plain, but well-maintained, not ragged in the slightest. As he entered the chamber, he pulled down his wide-brimmed hat and held it against his chest.
“Introduce yourself," Dirk ordered.
“P-Peter."
“Family name?"
“I-I don't have one."
“Profession?"
“Tanner...well, I wanted to be an innkeep but..."
“That's all," Dirk cut him off, “Peter, you stand in the presence of the Most Serene Prince Ylan of Eastmoor in the fifth year of his elected reign. Accompanying him is his guest of honor, renowned explorer Astor Skinwolf of Red Cage. Will his presence effect your request?"
“N-no, your honor. It is fine."
Dirk was polite enough to not include sellsword, rogue mage, and deserter from the Royal Wolven Army. All in all, it was a pretty impressive resume for someone who grew up as a human serf in former Wolven territory, but its inclusion was not necessary after all. My name had a history, a notoriety, and it was part of the reason why I avoided Human or Wolven territory and mostly as of late wandered between Merchant League cities and the increasingly rare, independent, non-Wolven, Beast territories.
Peter knew my name. That much was certain.
“Speak, then."
“I owed money to one of the Princes. He, uh, or well, one of his agents said he'd loan me the money for the inn I wanted to build. Things were going well at first..."
“Hold," Ylan spoke, raising a paw, padded palms stretched out, “Which Prince?"
“Mril of Chain River."
Mril...that took me back. I met him as a senile Cougar who nonetheless showed a shrewd cunning that revealed the Beast who had formed the newest League City, stealing it out from Wolven grasp and essentially gaining control of the trade of certain universally in-demand slaves, namely of the Vulpine variety.
Of course, he was dead now and his son of the same name ruled the city. All accounts told that he was a hedonistic sort taken with drink and slaves; rumor has it he sought to have a harem larger than the Wolven King himself. Rumor also said that despite his lack of business acumen, his house was thriving, thanks to skilled and loyal men under him, as shown by him muscling in on the loaning industry in a city that, while League, was at least two weeks away by ship.
“That could be trouble," Ylan muttered, scratching at the pointed tip of his chin, “Go on."
“Well...things were going well, but the money...someone stole it! I-I-I don't know who but I-I..."
“You don't have to say it, we know," I butted in, getting a slightly annoyed gaze from Ylan's golden eyes before he turned his muzzle back away, having gotten bored of being annoyed.
Slander laws were severe when committed against League Princes. One had to be careful when making an accusation.
“Anyway, the money was stolen and Prince Mril came by and..."
“He came by himself?" Ylan asked, raising a furred brow.
“I, uh, the agent asked about my family, during the loan, and I told him I had a daughter, just came of age."
None of us said anything.
“And he demanded his money and-and when I couldn't pay he said he wasn't leaving without something of equal value and he didn't want the inn, it wasn't finished. He men burst in and seized my daughter and he said...he said she would be of...of..."
Peter covered his face, chest heaving with sobs.
“Please! She's my only daughter! My wife...she's sick with worry! I don't even want to think about what that...that Beast is doing to her!"
“Hm," Ylan turned to face the brunette, a wry smile curling against his muzzle. A whispered, just barely in earshot of me, emerged, “Probably the same thing this Beast did to you last night."
“I beg of you! Please help her!"
The Foxen Prince pointed his muzzle back at the peasant. Sighing, he motioned for Dirk to step forward.
“Please hand over the loan contract," Dirk demanded.
“Yes, your Grace!" Peter handed Dirk a tattered document which the aged chancellor handed over to his lord.
Ylan clutched the paper, accidentally scratching a hole in the corner with a claw. His nose hovered left to right as he read over the details. Frowning, he shook his head and passed it back to Dirk.
“This document is legally binding. It clearly states that anything you own and any family member of yours can be considered collateral. You did read this over before you signed it, didn't you?"
“No, I can't read, your Grace."
“This was approved by a notary, surely you had them read out the contents?"
“I hadn't expected..."
“There's your mistake, right there," Ylan pointed a claw accusingly at the distraught peasant, “What do you expect me to do? Intervene on your behalf when you clearly violated the terms of your agreement? Break the League and wage war on one of its members for the sake of your daughter's honor?"
Peter lowered his head. He had nothing to say.
Sniffing, Ylan lifted his muzzle, “Prince Mril will treat her well enough. It will not be an ideal life, but she will be taken care of. We are not all animals, my good man."
Peter's head snapped up, rage filling his eyes. “You didn't hear the things he said he'd do to her! He's a monster! A monster!"
“That is enough!" Dirk stepped in. Despite the man's age and apparently frailty, he was more than capable of pushing Peter out, which he proceeded to do, “Your claim is dismissed! Leave the chambers immediately!"
“No! You can't do this to me! If you won't help...Astor! You'll help me won't you!? I've heard the stories! I don't have...you can have the inn! Please, just get my girl back!"
Dirk slammed the chamber doors shut. Outside, muffled by the door, came the rattle of metal armor, followed by Peter's distant protests as he was led out.
“And this," Ylan stated, rubbing his thin snout against the blonde's nose. They both moaned with pleasure, “Is why you should make a deal with my men, not upstart kittens with bulging sheathes."
“And you would have treated him differently?"
Ylan faced me, one eye closed and his tongue lolling out, “I would have given him another chance at least, I would have even had someone look into the stolen money and I certainly wouldn't have stolen it!" he spun back to his girl and slapped his tongue against her cheek, leaving a trail of saliva as he ran it across her lips, “Then, and only after he failed again, would I have taken his daughter, and I treat my girls well, isn't that right?"
They both nodded silently in approval.
“Mril the Younger. I've heard he's a nasty sort."
“Oh definitely!" Ylan agreed, “But he's both possessive and easily bored. Once he grows tired of that girl, she'll live the rest of her life on silk sheets without having to pleasure anyone but herself."
“And before that time?"
Ylan paused, clearing his throat, “She will...Mril has violent tastes."
“That's what I feared."
“Oh no! You're not thinking of..."
“A man can think, can't he?"
“Astor, you're pushing your luck! And for what profit?"
Shrugging, I massaged the scabbard resting against my hip, “Sometimes a man feels like he's got to do the right thing."
“If you're expecting to break into his pleasure yacht and..."
“Pleasure yacht?"
Ylan froze, staring back with horror, having realized what he just did.
“Sounds like there's bound to be some valuables on there." I said, grinning from ear to ear.
“If you think you can just fence a Prince's treasures, you..."
“...clearly know the right people," I said with a wink. I started towards the exit.
“Astor, we're not living in the old days anymore! You can't keep up this game forever and it'll give my city a bad name!"
“Oh come now," I said, turning to face him, “The majority of your profits are domestic and you're the undisputed port for iron and precious metals from Logerd. A single robbery on an unpopular Beast Prince would do little but harm their incursions into your city. Do you really want that Cougar taking away the loan business from you? That's pretty lucrative, isn't it?"
Hesitating, Ylan slumped in his chair, his fluffed tail twitching to the side, “Loans are a solid business. Everyone always wants those..."
“Not to mention Mril brazenly kidnapping your people. Legal or not, that will eventually harm productivity, won't it?"
Closing his eyes, Ylan nodded, “Very well, but you will have no support from me. I heard nothing of the sort and neither did you, Dirk," he glared at the chancellor who nodded back, “How about you, girls?"
“Didn't hear nothing, master," the blonde purred lustily, groping for the crotch of his breeches, “We were too distracted by this. It wants to come out and play."
A wild grin shot across the Prince's muzzle and his tail flapped around playfully. Licking his lips, he reached out in opposite directions and clutched at a breast. His crotch was now exposed and the blonde massaged at the penis, goading it to come out of its cream colored hiding hole.
“Leave, Astor, I have business to attend to," Ylan ordered. I was already out of the room when he called back, “And bring back something nice!"
Catching a glimpse of myself in a murky window, I stopped to fix my hair. It was already slicked back but it wasn't perfect and tonight was all about perfection. I had even dared to shave my beard, but that was partly out of necessity for people were beginning to identify Astor Skinwolf as bearded. It was time for a change.
Walking was a bit of a chore, my outfit was not as maneuverable as I had hoped, but the advantages of wearing a padded doubled with puffed pants to match outweighed the cons, most notable of which would be denial of entrance.
It didn't hurt that you could hide quite a few things behind the padding. I adjusted my shoulder pad, for the dagger concealed within was beginning to prod against my ribs. Not readily accessible, but it was better than nothing.
Emerging from the streets, I caught the red sails of the Prince's luxury galleass agsainst the similarly colored sky. Already I heard the sound of choral coyotes drowning out the sounds of musical instruments with their mournful songs.
I will never understand Beast music.
Ironically, docked next to it was a significantly less decadent galleass with the crossed swords of the Guild of Arms emblazoned on the white sails. No doubt they were grumbling about their choice of neighbor, assuming the rumors about them financing Mril's father's takeover weren't true.
Hopefully I'll be in and out before they start a species war in Eastmoor, I thought, brushing some dust off of my gaudy, jeweled scabbard. Noticing the naked arcane tattoo on my left palm, I immediately took out a pair of silk gloves and slapped them on, Or worse, recognize me.
Standing at the gangplank was an enormous Cougar dressed in the black robes of a bureaucrat. A pair of comically tiny spectacles rested on his muzzle, which were clearly designed for a human face resulting in him adjusting their position every other second.
Spying me approaching, he crossed his arms, his hackles raised.
“No humans."
“What is the meaning of this!?" I shouted, inflecting self-importance into my tone, “I demand to know why!?"
“This is a private function."
“Indeed? But you didn't say so earlier, you simple said, “No humans," as if that was the only reason. Your priorities are skewed, good sir!"
“What are you..."
“Look!" I pointed behind him, to a shirtless human man on deck, “There's a human onboard!"
“No...disobedient humans aboard," he growled, baring his teeth with a smile, “Unless you'd like to be trained."
“Slaves!? You DARE compare me to a common slave!?"
The Cougar's smile faded nervously, “Who are..."
“I'll have you know, I'm the second cousin of Princess Emilee of Haven and as a relative of a League Prince, I demand entry to this event!"
“I'm not going to take you at your word, you'll..."
“But nothing! I have important business to discuss with Prince Mril and if you dare impede me, I shall inform him of the trouble I've faced and believe me, I know your punishment will be swift and severe!"
“Look, I don't..."
“Step aside, Cat!" I marched onto the gangplank, slapping my scabbard against my thigh. The Cougar only put up a token resistance before giving up and returning to his post. I was in.
But not in an ideal manner. If only the bigotry accusation had worked, now I've got to get out before someone tells Mril about Emilee's Cousin being onboard.
I thought back to Peter's description of his daughter while he blubbered away in his house. Long red hair, green eyes, slim body. He described her dress as well, but no doubt the Prince has picked out her outfit or lack thereof by now. Ultimately, it would be easier to look for the Prince first, then examine whoever was at the end of the chains he held.
Approaching a large cabin with curtained windows, I cupped my hands against the door and listened. Music. No doubt this was one of many party rooms. It was time to mingle.
I slid the doors open and immediately the heavy scent of musk escaped liked a gust of wind. Entering, I found a large party hall filled with large cats of all shapes engaging in a different sort of partying with the vast assortment of slaves, male and female, human and Beast. Right next to me, a Tiger was pounding away at the ass of a young man, silent tears streaming down his face. To my left, a Lion sat on face of a male human who slurped away at his anus while two Fox girls gave his barbed penis a tongue bath.
Another Lion, standing a full head taller than me, strode by, giving me an approving look. He shook his head, rustling his proud mane and leaned in close, nearly pressing his massive snout against my lips as he sniffed. With a whisper, he said, “A free human, huh? Very interesting. Feel free to join in."
Smiling politely, I refused, stating that I had just arrived and needed some time to relax. He looked a little disappointed, but departed without protest.
It would appear that I arrived overdressed. I thought to myself, nearly shaking my head in disbelief, And to think that I paid good money for a bottle of musk when I could have gotten it for free.
Perhaps that's why I attracted the Lion's attention. I've been around the block, no doubt, but sex with Felines always ended sorely and this was hardly the time.
Before I could properly mingle with the sex-crazed crowd, a skinny coyote wearing a chastity belt over his crotch approached me, holding open a silver box with several fat cigars in it. I inspected each one, sniffing it as if I had an idea of what to smell for. I repeated the process, feigning indecision.
“Tell you what, how about you leave the box with me and I'll decide?"
Nodding, the coyote shambled away empty-handed. As soon as he was out of sight, I slipped several of them into my sleeves, keeping one for the party. I abandoned the box on a counter, a little reluctant to leave it behind, but I had to leave room for more valuable acquisitions.
Jackpot! I spotted an ornate, gold plated lighter on a table between two Wolves chatting away soberly amongst the chaos. Despite, or perhaps because of their sobriety, I was able to scoop up the lighter, light up my cigar, take a few good puffs, cough, and casually throw the lighter into a hidden pocket in my padded pants.
Almost tempted to forgo all this hero business. I'm making a killing already.
My celebration was cut short by me almost tripping over a Lioness sprawled out over the floor. She moaned in ecstasy while a Wolf in expensive clothes licked out her oozing pussy with his long, broad tongue. She hadn't noticed one of her many rings had slipped off her and I stepped on it and dragged, casually picking it up when no one was looking. A simple, gold band, but it was one more gold band than I had a minute ago.
Having considered myself quite lucky already, I took a seat at an empty table. A black Fox, his thin, red penis erect and knot bulging, immediately prostrated himself at my feet but I waved him away. I took another puff of my cigar and rubbed my tattoo through the silk gloves, closing my eyes.
Vague images floated into my mind, memories etched into the hulls, captured by the arcane arts that I knew. Most of them involved other, similarly baudy parties, but I also saw formal, clothed functions between dignitaries, slaves washing away at the floors, but most of all, I saw an empty, silent hall.
Then I saw her. Just for a second.
She was yanked towards her owner, a short (But still much larger than me) Cougar who gripped the chain end of her collar. Lust oozed from his every expression and he leaned close into her ear.
“Tonight."
“Just you and me."
“In my chambers."
“You will be mine."
“Forever."
He quickly licked her, causing her to recoil in shock, and then they were gone and I was once again back in the sexually deviant crowd.
The arcane sight had once again teased me. Feeling a little frustrated, I called the black Fox whom I rejected earlier and simply asked him where Mril's quarters were.
“I cannot divulge that, master," he nervously clutched his paws together.
With a quick sweep, I carelessly tossed the cigar away and grabbed his paws and pulled them towards me, kissing the top of them. Standing up, I stepped forward, drawing closer to the Fox who stared back with confusion. I pressed my lips up against his and he did not resist.
While my tongue gentled caressed his thin, black lips, I withdrew the gold ring and planted it in his paw. He twitched a little at feeling it. Sliding to the side of his face, I whispered in his pointed ear.
“You can have it, if you tell me where the Prince's quarters are."
Gasping, his ear twitched nervously and he hesitated to move even an inch. Eventually, he leaned towards my ear, his wet nose tickling the rim as he spoke.
“Follow me."
He turned and through an exit that led back onto the desk, I followed close behind. His tail occasionally lashed apprehensively as he continued. Hardened though I was, I couldn't help but find it cute and although I preferred women, Foxes of any gender had an effect on me; not Ylan of course, I knew him since we were kids and he liked girls anyways.
We approached a two story cabin with stair access on the side, heavily guarded by armored Felines with steel weapons. The Fox turned his head, lifting his muzzle to stare at me with innocent eyes.
“We can go into the servant's quarters. They let us...take attendees there for private time."
“I would enjoy that very much," I whispered huskily, “But about the Prince..."
“There's a ladder in a hidden room," he said, “He likes private time with us as well."
I followed him into a room filled with bunks and thick with the smell of sex. There was no question about the Prince's fecundity, that much was certain. Lining the room were small chambers, just room enough for one bed each, he pulled me into one and threw himself backwards on the bed.
“Master, please...I have one request."
Smiling, I leaned forward, planting my hands on the edge of the bed and towering over his helpless form, “What might that be?"
“I have been...treated poorly," he whispered, his ears drooping, “But you seem so kind and gentle. I want you to treat me well."
“How can I do that?"
He rolled around onto his paws and raised his tiny ass into the air, lifting his fluffy tail, “Take me, please!"
My pants dropped. I didn't even care enough to notice the rattle of hidden blades and valuables and neither did he.
Pressing myself up against his butt, I grinded the tip of my penis against his hold, pleasure coursing through my cock. It didn't take long for it to turn rock hard. It had been a long time since I had been with a Beast, or a Human for that matter. With a name like mine, far too many wanted to turn you in for a reward at the end of the night.
“Master, take me! Now!"
“Be patient," I chuckled, grabbing him by the scruff of the neck. He groaned contentedly while I continued to grind against his ass.
“No! Take me, now!"
This was beginning to get a bit annoying. I liked to take my time, “Okay. But it'll hurt a little without..."
“I don't care, master! If it's you, I don't mind."
Sighing, I pushed my head against his tailhole, slowly slipping my manhood inside. It was tight, even for a Fox, almost as if he hadn't been taken up there before in his life. It constricted, warmly embracing my cock while I continued onward.
“Oh, yes! Master! Master!"
I had reached the end and pulled back for another thrust.
“Please, master!"
I pounded away at the slave's ass from behind, each thrust sending him moaning with pleasure, then groaning, and finally, as I began to near the end, he started wailing, as Foxes tend to do when amorous. Had I been in a clearer state of mind, had I focused on the task at hand, I might have realized this might attract attention.
I didn't realize this until the door flew open and a furry arm wrapped around my neck.
“That's him!" the Fox screamed, pointing a claw in my direction. All the innocent warmth had left his face and now there was nothing but cold anger, “He's a thief!"
“No," a voice muttered outside the room.
Remembering the hidden blade in my shoulder, I tried to reach for it but a clawed paw wrapped itself around my arm and yanked it behind my back. I was pulled out of the room and found a young Cougar there, dressed in a red, silk robes. He casually rubbed the various jewels on his rings, pretending to be indifferent.
“He's no thief," the Cougar, whom I recognized from my vision, purred, “This would Astor Skinwolf, if I'm not mistaken?"
High pitched chuckling came from behind me and I heard the Fox speak, “What an honor to have laid with a double turncoat."
“Yes," Mril hissed, lowering his gaze and exposing his fangs, “I think he'll be joining us this evening, won't you, Skinwolf?"