Trial by Fire
This story is inspired by the old school Sierra Adventure game: “Quest for Glory II – Trial by Fire.” Shema the Katta was one of the first anthropomorphic crushes I ever had and I shipped the main hero with her pretty hard. Thus I decided to write this in honor of her. NOTE: I know not all of these details are exact to the game. I took a little creative license.
William pushed open the door to the Katta's Tale Inn and let it swing shut behind him. A heady haze of incense and the smells of bodies told him the inn was full but stepping from blinding desert into perilous gloom had plunged him into darkness. The warrior was painfully aware that he was vulnerable until his eyes could adjust to the dim light but this was a daily ritual for him to endure. Though he had come to Shapier, City of Adventure, for riches and glory he had remained for a very singular reason.
The sound of people shifting to stare at him caused William to lay a hand lazily upon his sword. He did not hear the singing of blades being drawn but he held the threatening posture as the seconds ticked by. Eventually the outlines of the people began to form and he let his hand fall away from his weapon.
“Welcome, William Golden Hairrr." Everything about the purring voice brought a smile to his sun-scorched face. Though her feet made almost no noise, feline-woman's jewelry clattered just enough for the warrior to orient on her. Though she needed no jewels to please him, William could not help but admire the way her gold complimented her tan fur and emerald green eyes.
“Good evening, Shema, widow of Shameen and hostess of the Katta's Tale Inn," William said formally and he bowed to her in the way of her people. “I am grateful to be under the hospitality of your shade, once more."
“I am delighted to see you still live," Shema spoke with the formality of the ritual. “Set aside your weapons and come be at your ease." The feline hostess gestured towards a collection of chests, some which boasted keys and others which did not.
William removed his arming belt and placed it in one of the empty chests along with his sword and an assortment of daggers from several areas on his person. It was always unnerving to disarm himself so completely but Shema's presence made so many rough men compliant. For her, he would make himself vulnerable.
Once William had shut the chest and turned the key, he placed the key in his pocket and allowed Shema to lead him to a floor table that was surrounded by pillows. The katta's plump bottom swayed in the mystic ways of women and William's attention was drawn to her in a familiar manner. Everything about the lithe cat-woman seemed tease the warrior in a manner that caused his lust to burn. A human and feline pairing was not something people would call normal but William's glands did not care.
“Herrre you go," Shema spoke in the way of her people. The feline woman rolled her Rs in a way that always seemed to stimulate the blood. Bright emerald eyes looked deeply into his soul and William wondered, not for the first time, if she was truly interested in him or if she led him on out of necessity. “Dare you request your heart's desire?"
“Not until your year is passed, but some food and drink will do." William said these words out of habit but then noticed some details that made him blink in surprise. “Err … uh … your mourning brooch …"
“Yes?" Shema asked as she moved a little closer to him.
“Has it truly been a year and a day?"
“It has."
“Oh," was all William could think to say and he became acutely aware of her outfit's low cut and the stance Shema was using the thrust her bosom up at him. Both of them were silent as the information sank in and the past came rushing back.
The adventuring society had teamed William and Shameen up at the start of their carriers and the pair had gone on many adventures together. Though it was not usual for the golden furred cat-people to take a human as a brother of the blade, Shameen had accepted William in a ceremony that made the men into family. William was delighted to find such acceptance and the men fought side by side for five years. Shameen's death in battle had been honorable but it left complications for his mate.
There had been some strange customs among the Katta that William did not fully understand. Shema being part of Shameen's property was clear enough and several of his male relatives had arrived for the funeral to claim their rights. They would be taking over the family business and Shema would be married to whichever male won property rights. William did not catch any further details because he was too busy pummeling the arrogant men who had dared to treat Shema like a horse to be purchased and ridden.
Once they submitted to William's fury, the male relatives declared William to be Shema's new husband and then limped away. William was about to refuse Shema's hand but the feline woman held wisdom that would allow her to mourn and him to consider. An old tradition allowed a widow a year and a day to morn so she accepted the time and the celibacy that went with it.
William was seated and Shema leaned forward so that he could look down her top. “Dare you speak of your desires now?" Shema had learned much over the past year and she took great pleasure in teasing her human. Again William wondered if Shema was leading him on so that she would not be cast into the street, but he genuinely cared for her and was attracted to her in ways that he had never confessed to anyone.
“My desires should be obvious," William said as he dared not look away from her large green eyes.
“You may strrrain against yourrr lust, but what would you give to be my mate?"
It was a familiar conversation and the pair had talked about it in detail over the past year. William removed a pouch from his belt and handed it over to the feline woman. Shema broke eye-contact, accepted the pouch, and examined its contents.
“This is it," she whispered as her eyes grew wide. In her hands was the ring-set that declared a male as her mate. If William put it on then he would own her and be allowed to do as he pleased. “You are not claiming me?"
“I told you my intent," William said as he tried to remain stoic.
“Intent is not always done herrre," Shema told him coolly.
“I am not them," William said as lowered his lids and smoldered at her. “I will be your mate, if it is your desire, but I not take you. That is not my way."
“You have made another ring," Shema said as she fumbled it out of the bag.
“That one is sized for my larger hands," William said as he held up his hand. “The choice is still yours, Shema."
“It will take time," Shema said as her eyes dropped and her composure faltered a little. “I will bring you refreshment."
“I shall wait," William said and he leaned back to enjoy Shema's hospitality.
*****
The night went on as it normally did. Rough men entered the inn and demanded good food and stout drink. These appetites were sated but they could never get their full share. While many a wandering hand swiped at Shema's pert bottom, they always gripped nothing but air. The hostess was always in motion, bringing orders to her guests and flirting shamelessly as she worked. William often wondered how he would feel as the husband of a woman who so many men pawed after but he had made his peace with these fools. Their interest in Shema was a compliment to his taste and the sweet sway of her tail.
When the sun set beyond the horizon there was a buzz of energy that filled the main room. Shema's cousin Sharaf brought in his odd flute, called a pungi, which was made out of a gourd. Somehow Sharad had mastered the art of Circular Breathing, a technique used to produce a continuous tone without interruption. It was accomplished by breathing in through the nose while simultaneously pushing air out through the mouth using air stored in the cheeks.
All of this fascinating information faded out of interest once Shema slinked out of a back room and into a clear space where all could see. She had traded in the serving clothing for an outfit that was so scant that it barely covered her at all. There was often a small ruckus when she did this but regulars were familiar with the infrequency of Shema's dancing. They swatted their neighbors into silence, so they would not frighten her off of the stage, and held their breaths as they waited to be dazzled.
William's eyes watered as he stared openly at the flawless grace she exhibited. Shema shone golden under the lamp light as she prowled on all fours. Every male breathed deeply the incense which had been added to the braziers. The effect was electric as pheromones swept through the room and made them all long for her attention.
William had taken that dream to his room whenever he watched Shema dance. Even now he needed to shift his clothing to prevent uncomfortable embarrassment. As the dance played on, William realized Shema was watching him more than normal … and then he became the focus of every jealous gaze in the room.
The dance brought Shema over to William's table where she danced for only him. She swished her tail and undulated over him provocatively. After that she slipped away but she did not take her eyes off of him. Eventually she moved to the center of the room and the music grew in energy and pace. Silky movements increased in speed and Shema spun gracefully through the air. Eventually she performed several cartwheels and landed at the foot of William's table.
Boorish applause rose up from the men, but they fell into a hush of surprised gasps when Shema removed one of her earnings and took William's hand. Only then did he realize that earning had been the ring he had given her. Shema slipped the ring onto William's finger, lowered herself onto her new mate's lap, and she pressed her lips to his.
An explosion of bawdy laughter and cheering erupted from the crowd, but William barely registered the sound. All of his senses were marveling at how soft Shema's fur was and the delightful taste of her mouth. Sweat mixed with incense creating a scent that was both spicy and alive. When William's hands ran along Shema's back, he could feel hard muscles and the strength she always hid from the world. This woman was power and grace. Neither knew if their union could yield children but William knew that any kitten born from this woman would be healthy and strong.
It took a moment for William to orient to this new world but eventually he did. Shema pulled him to his feet and then drew him past the curtain to the private quarters no male had entered since her former mate had passed. Once inside Shema pounced, rode her new mate to the floor, and smothered him with hungry kissing.
William returned those kisses with more hunger than he knew existed in him. He wrapped his arms around her and ran his fingers through her fur. He pushed his tongue deep into her mouth and marveled at how she could be both so rough yet smooth. The outfit she had been wearing fell away easily enough and her engorged nipples slipped easily into his mouth. Shema let out an excited moan, pulling at William's hair as she shivered with pleasure.
Eventually Shema pulled away from him and only then did William notice anything beyond his new mate. The lewd sounds of rowdy guests carried on for several more minutes until they got on with their night. The pungi flute had kept on playing through the whole ordeal and soon Shema began another dance just for him.
At first William was a little disappointed that he could not continue touching Shema but her movements seemed to hypnotize him in ways he had not expected. The lithe predator prowled around William's prone form and she rubbed herself against him in the way felines do. Bit by bit she removed pieces of his clothing until her mate was laid bare before her.
A rough pink tongue lapped at his salty skin and her nostrils flared as she savored his scent. Shema licked his legs and nipped at his hips, but was careful not to touch the surface of his throbbing lust. Nimble fingers pressed into tight muscles and messaged them with expert pressure. Triangular ears perked up when William's breathing changed and her hands moved to touch the best places. It took a moment for him to realize she was correcting the placement of her hands and the pressure of her fingers according to the way he reacted.
Shema's tail swayed back and forth, as she worked, and a gentle purr resonated through her and into him. Shema's feline smile gave her the smug look of pleased predators and her emerald eyes sparkled with the mischief of her kind.
“So different from any other I have seen." She gave his manhood a little kiss and studied it as she spoke. “Much longerrr and widerrr but without the barrrbs." A long tongue lolled out, began at the base of William's anus, and licked all the way from taint to tip. Pleasure and pain drew breathy gasps out of him as pleasure pushed him closer to the edge. Shema's rough warmth crackled up his spine causing William to grip the bedding tightly in his fists.
Shema leaned back and stared into his eyes with a look of mischief which promised many more forbidden delights. William's imagination only had a moment to consider what delights those might be because the feline descended.
Lips parted and he became instantly acquainted with every inch of her predator's muzzle. Rough warmth surrounded his length and he became suddenly aware at how vulnerable he was. Shema's tongue played along his parts as her persistent purring vibrated through to the core of his being. Eventually she pushed down then pulled back … down and then back. Every time she pushed further than before; inch by inch as she took him into her throat.
After several seconds of this, her lips settled against his skin and she paused to look up at him. Emerald eyes sparkled with delighted lust and William knew he would not last much longer.
Shema drew all the way back and let little-William slip free. Saliva dangled from her lips and her tongue lolled out like a creature in heat. Shema panted and drooled, lapping at him hungrily until sucking him in once more.
This time Shema worked on him like a woman on a mission. Lewd sounds emitted from her mouth as she bobbed up and down without stopping for breath. Soft hands played with his parts until his wits slipped away. The pressure build, William arched his back, and he cried out as he erupted into Shema's greedy maw.
The cat-woman made a pleased trill as she lunged forward and held him down. Sealed lips sucked and she swallowed every emission of seed. The audible gulping of his essence seemed to excite William even further and his body redoubled its efforts. Muscles convulsed again and again, filling feline cheeks until they leaded white hot rivers.
Eventually William settled upon the floor and momentarily lost track of what was happening around him. He was grateful to already be lying flat on his back and he shuddered as his glorious feline mate cleaned his manhood with her tongue. Once she was finished she leaned back and gazed down at him; emerald eyes sparkling smugly in the manner he adored.
William tried to gather words together but it all came out as mangled sounds and severe panting.
“Is that all you can say to me?" Shema asked as she giggled at him.
William made a noise that was almost a word but this only made her laugh harder.
“You'd betterrr not be giving up, my gold hairred herrro," she told him with promise in her voice. “I have yet to marrk you properrly and it is yourrr turrn to get to worrrk."
“I need a moment," he finally managed to say but his mate's grin told William that he did not have much time.
After a few more lewd licks, Shema stretched before somersaulting to her feet. William suddenly realized Cousin Sharaf's pungi flute was still playing as Shema began to sway to that music once more. Her body moved like a cobra's but her hands played over her sleek fur. Breasts were messaged and nipples were squeezed so that they stood out, pink and hard. Then her hands moved lower and one graceful digit dipped neatly inside.
Clawed fingers played along moist folds and spread her delicate petals. Hips undulated as Shema brought her sex closer to William's face but she remained infuriatingly just out of reach. The scent of her heat filled his nostrils as her excitement glistened and sloshed. Candlelight shone on her pink inner-flesh and William's eyes were wide as he watched her fingers continue to dance along her valley. Tantalizing hands played with the parts William wished to devour as she spread her wetness in a dance not unlike her earlier display.
Shema's breathing became deep and her purr grew louder. The slurping sounds of fingers in her sex drew all of William's attention and he began to struggle against his bonds. Female whimpers caused him to strain even harder until his tongue finally reached into her.
The savory taste of her nethers was as delightful as he had imagined. The heated liquor of feminine desire was spread over his face and dripped down his chin. Each positive sound created a map in William's mind as he learned how to please his new mate. He grabbed her undulating hips and held Shema steady as her fingers gripped his hair.
The muscles along Shema's legs quivered and she clenched William's head with her thighs. Pert breasts thrust towards the sky as she released a cry of feline delight. A flood of desire gushed out of her nethers then she relaxed and began gasping for breath.
The pungent scent of a heady musk settled over William's face and chest. Pheromones wafted into his nostrils and could taste her lust on his lips. William had hoped Shema would then settle over his mouth, so that he could taste more of her, but Shema's breathing leveled and she began to frolic in her valley once more.
Lustful nectar oozed around her fingers and began dripping. William opened his mouth wide, catching her offering on his tongue to let it slide down his throat. A moment later he brushed away her hands and pressed his face fully into her valley.
The hero's talented tongue scooped at her offering and soft lips sucked at a bulbous nub. Shema cried out, her heat increased, and she crescendoed into a climax-cascade. She gripped his head with her fists and legs, wrenching him back and forth as she tumbles over her summit again and again. In normal places her screams may have brought armed men but this night simply brought cheers from the other room followed by bawdy jokes and applause.
Eventually Shema settled down atop him, and William thrust his tongue up and into her. Sealing his lips around her trembling base, the man sucked her clit and swallowed her juices like a traveler at an oasis. Every swallow was ambrosia that seemed to transfer her lust into him. No taste could outmatch this and no other lover could meet these desires.
By the time Shema slid her wet sex away, she was on all fours and panting like a dog. The primal scent was so thick that William was light headed and he felt like he might explode at the slightest touch. The potency of feline pheromones had affected the man as if he were a prowling Tom. The hammering of his heart caused his manhood to bob and he stared deep into the vertically slit pupils which were wide as if she were on a drug.
“I love you," William whispered and Shema responded by messaging his scalp with her claws.
“I know, you magnificent fool." She chided him as her purr resonated through both of their bodies. “I have marked you with my essence and now it is time for you to mark me."
“You want me to cum on you?" William asked dazedly.
“Yes," Shema whispered as her too large pupils stared into his. “My chest … my face … my lips … coat me in your heat. Fill me with your seed. Impregnate me with your children that I might fill this world with your strength!" Her words seemed to twist into William's brain and he felt like he was at the edge of his endurance.
“Is that even possible?" William asked as he absently ran ringers through her fur.
“I have seen to it," Shema stated imperially. “I have spent my time wisely … and my quest was to make this possible."
Shema dragged her claws along William's tanned skin and he let out a groan of pleasure. Lower lips glided along the length of William's manhood and leaked pheromone nectar all along his flesh. A time of gentle teasing caused the man to buck and strain until eventually the woman let him inside.
Heat descended from heaven and drew him into eternal bliss. Both mates whimpered in the pure pleasure of their first union and they stayed suspended in that rigor for a time. William pushed himself to the opening of her cervix and then pulled her tightly along his chest. Their kiss was deep and they shared the tastes of their bodies and its gifts.
Strong hands messaged a fur covered back, dragged down to a round bottom, and found the base of her tail. Shema made pleased little whimpers as William felt along the edges of their connection and spread the copious secretions around her anus and tail. Everything he touched like this became sensitive and soon Shema was grinding against him, desperate for him to pound into her with his strength.
The grin William gave his mate was almost as feral as the one she gave to him. Without releasing his grip, William pressed his manhood firmly against the opening of Shema's cervix until she let out a little gasp. After a count of four he drew back, listened to her breathe, and then slid himself all the way back in to press against her wall once more.
Each movement was slow and steady. Each time he pressed against her cervix Shema let out a ragged little huff of air and curled her toes as he held it. When William drew back his mate would gasp and take in several quick breaths, bracing herself for the next time he would press all the way into her.
That time the orgasm was a soft and shivering. Shema let out a whimpering growl and her tail vibrated and fluffed up. More liquid heat secreted from her opening and ran in little rivers down her mate's body, staining the bedding below.
Shema relaxed and William let her go. She laid on him for a time, vibrating purr resonating through their bodies without rest. Eventually she drew herself back up onto all fours and began kissing her mate deeply and without fear. In the end she stared into his eyes and began searching for words.
“I didn't cum that time," he told her.
“Oh?" she asked as she nodded. “Yes … I wonderrred. You held back."
“I wanted to give you at least one more."
“Ooohhh," she purred and her smile became wicked once more. “Do you still have strength in you?"
“I'm a hero of the land," William said smugly. “By the time I'm done with your backside it will be red through the fur."
Shema's laughter echoed oddly with her purring and William could not help but laugh as well. A playful nip landed on his collarbone and she danced back before he could respond. The feline woman moved around the room in another variation of her dance and then prowled around on all-fours until she faced away from him. Raising her tail revealed the glistening pink of her sex and she looked back at him expectantly.
William chuckled as he rose unsteadily to his feet. Striking a pose, he flexed his powerful muscles and thrust his hips forward. His manhood bobbed comically toward her and Shema let out a snorting laugh.
“Are you deterrrmined to rrruin the mood?"
“I just wanted to remind you what type of mate you captured," he told her.
“Ooohhh … I know," Shema said as she wiggled her bottom at him. “Now come over here and breed me."
“As my lady wishes," William said.
There was very little ceremony after that. William got onto his hands and knees and buried his face into the presented bottom. All of her tasted wonderful and the pheromones chased away fatigue and made him whole. Once satisfied he gripped Shema's tail and gave it a tug as he slid into her.
A sound between a scream and a moan filled the bedchamber as he pressed her firmly against him. William began thrusting. The gentle sensuality from earlier was nowhere in this act. Wet slapping sounds could be heard in the main room as he plunged into her with a steady rhythm.
Shema moaned and growled, tongue lolling out of her mouth as she drooled on the bedding. Small breasts bounced violently as her whole body shook from the pounding. Voice and breath rose in small bursts as she rolled from one orgasm into another.
William felt himself reaching his end. He focused on his mate, paddling her bottom with his free hand and tugging her tail with the other. He savored her noises and wallowed in the mess of her lust. The twitch of her inner-thighs praised his efforts and he basked in the riot of her joy.
When at last he could hold back no longer, William tightened his abs and growled. He unleashed like a demon and filled her with all of his passion. Pushing as deep into her as he could reach, William held her in place and shook with every glorious spasm. Shema's ecstatic cry was delirious and exhausted. Together they knew bliss so intense that it drew their souls together and there was no doubt that it would create a third.
When the pair came down from their peak they settled carefully on the bedding below. They lay together without breaking their connection and they breathed heavily from a job well done. William wrapped his arms around his mate and held her firmly in his arms.
“I love you so much," he whispered, and she returned the statement. “I feel like we forged a soul."
“I think we did," Shema said dreamily.
“You think so?" William asked.
“Maybe we should go again," Shema said. “Just to make sure."
“Good thing I'm a hero of the land," William said smugly as he withdrew from his mate and rolled her onto her back. “I'd be too tired if I was a lesser man."