Sexy Warriors, Episode 25

Shallista was sitting in her guild hall, getting a quick drink of water before tending to her garden.  Then, suddenly, the door opened and in stumble Velpanie with a panicked look on her face.  "What are you doing here?  You're too young to join my guild."

"It's Penelope!" Velpanie said.  "She's hurt really bad!"

A chill rippled through her body as she almost choked on her water.  "What?  Take me there!"

She followed the girl into town and to the city center, where a crowd was murmuring, whispering, and gasping.  Once she worked her way through the crowd, she saw a grisly scene.  Penelope was sitting unconscious, naked, and tied to a bench.  She was covered in bruises, smeared with blood and dirt, and curses written all over her body.  "Penelope!  No!"

She ran over and checked her pulse.  Still alive.  She looked around angrily at the crowd.  "What are you all waiting for?  Someone get a doctor!"

Everyone looked too scared to move.  After a moment, Velpanie said, "right," and ran off.

A familiar voice asked, "What's going on?  What's everyone looking at?"  Eventually, Epsley emerged from the from the crowd and his face immediately changed from curious to devastated.  "What the hell?  Is that Penelope?  T-this is some kind of joke...r-right?  Is she..."

"She's still alive...but is seriously injured," Shallista said.

"Where's Wendy?  She could heal her right up, couldn't she?"

A chill coursed through her body.  "She's out on assignment."  She's the one who recommended Wendy take the job.  "It's all my fault."

Epsley took off his shirt and covered Penelope.  Then, he embraced her and cried.  "No!  This can't be real!  Damn it!"

She couldn't take it anymore.  She ran away until she got to the town's rear entrance.  That's when she tripped and fell.  She didn't bother getting up.  She simply laid there and cried.  "Penelope..."

*

Shallista staggered back to the town center.  The crowd was mostly gone, as was Penelope.  Velpanie was standing next to the bench where Penelope had been tied up.  "Hi..."

"Penelope is at the hospital," Velpanie said.  "She's still out, but she's going to live.  I can take you there if you want."

"Yeah...sure."

She followed Velpanie to the hospital.  There, she saw Penelope lying in bed with Epsley sitting on one side and Harmon sitting on the other.  "Hey, guys."

Epsley looked over at her.  "Hey.  I take it Velpanie told you the good news?"

"Yeah.  I'm glad to hear it.  Any idea on who did it?"

Harmon shook his head.  "No.  I can't help but feel like I let her down.  I view her like a little sister, ya know.  I don't know if I can ever forgive myself for lettin' this happen to her."

Shallista plopped down on a seat at the foot of the bed.  "Yeah.  Me, too.  After all, it's my fault for sending Wendy out on that job."  She was quiet for a moment.  "Hey Epsley, you can hit me if you want."

"No," Eplsey said.  "I don't blame you.  There's no way you could have known something like this would happen.  Heck, if anything, it's because of you that Penelope and I have gotten so close.  We were just kind of playing footsies until you came around.  Ever since then, she's been a lot more assertive.  And you've been doing so much to help out me and the other builders.  It wouldn't be good for us to turn on each other."  He said the next bit through clenched teeth.  "I'm just so damned frustrated.  I couldn't do anything to keep this from happening to the woman I love."

"Nah, this is on the watchmen," Harmon said.  "This never woulda happened if me and the boys hadn't been drinkin' all night with those female knights."

Female knights?  "You mean Lady Grizelda and her group?"

"Yep," Harmon said.  "Charmin' ladies, really.  The boys couldn't get enough of 'em.  We just sorta let down our guard and got drunk.  Seemed kinda strange that the ladies weren't drinkin', though.  I guess even female knights are still ladies."

Shallista felt the presence of someone looking in from outside.  She looked back at the door but saw no one.  Still, she had to check it out.  "I'm going to take a quick piss," she said to Epsley and Harmon before getting up and heading out.

Upon exiting the room, she saw one of the female knights halfway down the hall, walking away.  She followed her and said, "Hey, you.  Did you come to see Penelope?"

The female knight turned around.  It was the one who attacked her at the guild headquarters.  "Yeah, I guess.  I was hoping no one would be there.  I'll come back later."

"Actually, I have some questions to ask you," Shallista said.  "Penelope got attacked at some point either last night or this morning.  Do you have any information on who could have done it?"

"You have to understand," the female knight said.  "Penelope is a friend of mine, but I was in a difficult position."

"What are you talking about?" Shallista asked.

"I wanted Lady Grizelda to view me in a favorable light before I resigned from her guild," the female knight said.

"Will you just tell me what you know," Shallista said impatiently.

"I-I so freaking sorry," the female knight said.  "Penelope and I met up last night.  You see, we usually get together at night and hang out.  But last night was different.  When we met up last night...I set her up to take an ass whuppin'."

Shallista processed what she had just heard, then started laughing as she slowly got closer.  "Penelope is your friend...and you set her up to take a beating?  That's what I just heard.  Did I mishear?"

The female knight backed away.  "Why are you getting so close?"

"No reason," Shallista said.  "All I want to do is strangle the life out of you.  No big deal, really."

The female knight turned and bolted.

"No you don't," Shallista said, giving chase.

The chase spilled out of the hospital and onto the road.  Eventually, they got to the town center where Shallista caught up and tackled her down.  She then, wrapped her hands around her neck and squeezed.  "I'm going to squeeze your guts out like toothpaste!"

"I...can't...breath..." the female knight said, trying to prying Shallista's hands off of her.

"That's the point," Shallista said.  "You're supposed to be Penelope's friend!  She trusted you and you pulled this kind of crap?  You lousy maggot!"

Suddenly, Vilka and Audrixia ran over and pulled Shallista off of her.  "Calm down, milady," Vilka said.

"No!"  She fought to get loose, but Vilka and Audrixia managed to keep their grip.  She stared down at the female knight, who was coughing and hacking trying to catch her breath.  "I hate you!  I'm gonna kill you!"

Vilka and Audrixia gasped.  "N-now, milady," Audrixa said.  "Remember, Sexy Warriors don't kill humans."

"They do now!  She the reason why Penelope is in the hospital!  Some friend, huh?"  Vilka and Audrixia let her go, allowing her to resume her attack.

"N-n-n-no!" the female knight screeched, fear in her eyes.

She picked up the by the hair.  "Get the hell up."

"P-please!  I-I'm sorry!"  The female knight turned her head and closed her eyes.  Then, there was a pungent smell as a yellow liquid seeped through her armor and dripped onto the ground.

"You should have thought of that before you did what you did," Shallista said.  She grumbled.  "Penelope is the one you need to apologize to."

She yanked her all way back to the hospital and brought her to Penelope's room.  Epsley and Harmon were still there.  "Look at all the people you hurt, you piece of garbage."

Espley and Harmon looked at them.  "What's going on?"

Shallista shoved her in, causing her to stumble at the foot of the bed.  "Your new girlfirends are the ones who put Penelope here, Harmon."

"This is one of the maggots who did this to the woman I love?" Epsley asked.

"I'm s-sorry," the female knight said.

"Shut up!" Epsely shouted.  "Apologies aren't getting Penelope out of this bed."  His hand trembling, he said, "You're going to cover the bill.  And you're going to sit here until Penelope wakes up and you're going to apologize to her face."

The female knight sat down.  "Yes.  I owe it to Penelope."

"Shut up!" Epsley exploded.  "Shut the hell up!"

With that order of business taken care of, Shallista knew what was next.

Harmon stood.  "You're going to see Lady Grizelda aren't you?"

"It can't be avoided.  Sexy Warriors do a lot of things.  One of those things is to make things right."  She turned and headed down the hall.  "I will make this right.  I swear it."

Sexy Warriors, Episode 24

Natalie sat in the guild hall, three plates of food set on the table before her.  They weren't for her.  She wasn't hungry.  She was eagerly awaiting the return of Shallista, Penelope, and Vilka.

The trio entered.  Shallista sniffed the air.  "Smells pretty good."

"Welcome back," Natalie said.  "I've prepared a dinner of grilled lamb, corn biscuits, and cabbage.  I hope you enjoy it."

"You didn't have to do that," Penelope said.  "Thanks for the meal."

Shallista plopped down at the table.  "What's the occasion?"

"I just want to be useful," Natalie said.

"What do you mean?" Shallista asked.

"I can't fight...and the other women seem wary of me because of...my preferences," Natalie said.  "I figured I could do some of the little things, like preparing meals and other chores to keep this place tidy.  I'll never be a competent warrior, but I want to be more the just 'that girl who looks at everyone else's butts'.  It's the least I can do."

Vilka shrugged her shoulders and sat.  "I could go for a meal before I hunt down Audrixia for a workout.  Thanks for the grub."

Shallista gave the meal a look.  "It appears you may have found your niche.  Thanks may very well be in order.  But we are going to continue to work on those fighting skills.  After all, we are the Sexy Warriors, not the Sexy Chefs."

Natalie chuckled.  "Yes, milady."

She watched as the three of them seemed to enjoy her meal.  It gave her joy to see them doing so.  This was a meal she made.  Her contribution to the guild.  And they were cute, too.

Each of them had a unique beauty about them.  Vilka was a muscular, almost masculine woman.  Penelope was a typical beauty, like the next-door neighbor you don't have the guts to speak to.  Shallista was that otherworldly beauty whose grounded, laid-back personality is the only thing that made her seem more human than goddess.  She sighed, "Shallista..."

Shallista looked up from her meal.  "What's going on?"

They already knew she was gay.  No need to hide her true feelings.  "I want to lick all that sweat off your delicious-looking body.  Duh!"

Shallista gave her that same serene look she gave her when she invited her into the guild.  "Stop saying stuff like that.  I'm trying to eat."

Natalie felt her butt clench.  In her short time here, she had received that look enough times to know that Shallista was hiding her anger.  "S-sorry," she whimpered.  "A-anyway, I can do other things, l-like laundry.  Anybody have any dirty clothes?"

Shallista shook her head.  "I don't wear clothes.  Hate the stuff."

"I have a practice gi that's starting to get pretty rancid," Vilka said.  "It's at my home, so I can bring it in tomorrow if that's okay."

Natalie nodded.  "That's fine.  What about you, Penelope?"

"I do my own laundry, but thanks anyway," Penelope said.

Natalie nodded.  "Okay.  I'll be waiting to wash one smelly gi tomorrow."

Shallista nudged Vilka and whispered, "You sure you want to do this?"

"I'm starting to wonder now," Vilka whispered back.

*

Lady Victoria was in the town center, sitting on a bench eating ice cream.  The weather was nice and the ice cream was good, but she couldn't enjoy it.  Last night, Lady Grizelda asked her to do something she didn't want to do.  She agreed to do it, but should she have?  It bothered her so much that she hadn't been able to sleep since.

Then, a teenage girl came over and sat next to her, also eating ice cream.  "You seem pretty glum.  What's up?"

"What does a kid like you want from me?"

"Nothing in particular," the girl answered.  "I'm just wondering how someone can be so sad when the weather is so sunny."

Should she talk to the girl?  It might help her relax a little.  "I know I'm supposed to be the adult, but could I ask you for some advice?"

"I suppose it can't hurt," the girl said.  "Fire away."

"Let's say you had a friend and she asked you to do something you don't want to do," Lady Victoria said.  "Would you do it because she's your friend or would you not do it because it doesn't feel right?"

The girl shrugged.  "Depends on how bad it is.  Is your friend asking you to do something relatively harmless, like running naked in the field or are they asking you to kill someone?"

Lady Victoria looked up and thought.  "No, it's not as bad as killing someone.  Nothing good will come of it."

The girl was silent.  Then, she asked, "Is it something dangerous, like hunting a dragon?"

"I...I don't know."

"I'm not sure what you want me to say," the girl said.  "I'm probably too young for you to talk to about this.  Maybe someone else can help.  We have a really cool watchperson around your age.  Her name's Penelope.  She's not that hard to find because she's the only female watchperson.  Just look for the shapely woman with the sword."

Her butt clenched upon hearing Penelope's name.

"Is something wrong?" the girl asked.  "You suddenly turned pale."

"I-I'm sorry," Lady Victoria, shooting up to her feet and running away.  "I have to go."

*

Lady Grizelda and her guildmates were at the tavern having a good time with the town watchmen.  She was engaged in a deep conversation with the head watchman, a thirty-something man called Harmon.  "This town seems like a nice place.  It's a wonder why watchmen are even needed."

"Yeah, it's pretty quiet," Harmon said, taking a big swig of beer afterward.  "Nothing really goes down around here, but better safe than sorry.  After all, you never know when a pack of wolves'll roam into town.  It does seem like things have gotten a little more lively since that group of scantily clad women came into town.  Man, that Shallista is something else."

Lady Grizelda grumbled.  "What have they been doing?"

"They've been doing a lot," he said.  "They're helping rebuild the Entertainment district.  They said they will help people out with their problems.  And of course, they make for good eye candy.  Lord knows me and the boys could've used some."

"Pig," Lady Grizelda muttered.

"But I guess the biggest change is in our lone watchwoman, Penelope," he said.  "Ya see, she used to be really cold and distant.  Ever since she joined Shallista and her group, she's really opened up.  Makes it a lot easier for me and the boys to deal with her."

Lady Grizelda grumbled again.  "So, what do you think of me and my ladies?  Surely, we are better to look at than that bunch of floozies, right?"

He looked over at the next table, where the other five watchmen were seated with her three remaining guild members.  They were having a good time.  "What can I say?  It's been a while since I've seen the boys so comfortable with a group of women.  I could have sworn there were five of ya, though.  Maybe the other is with Penelope.  She seems to have taken quite a likin' to her."

"Yes...I am aware," she said.

"Ya know, since we're on the topic of eye candy, why don't you go grab some of the armor from Shallista," he said.  "Ya got a pretty face, but I could go for a little more skin."

Lady Grizelda grumbled once more.  "I am not a slut."

He laughed and slapped her shoulder.  "I only kid.  Ya know, I can't help but notice ya like to grumble a lot.  Ya could learn to relax.  A few hours with Shallista should fix ya right up."

Lady Grizelda rolled her eyes.  "Don't make me vomit."

*

It was late when Penelope met Lady Victoria in their usual spot.  Thing were different this time, though.  She was seated, her knees up, and her head resting between her legs.  She was still wearing her full armor and sniffling.

"Huh?  Are you crying?  What's wrong, Lady Victoria?"

Lady Victoria looked at her sadly.  "I'm sorry, Penelope.  I'm so freaking sorry.  Damn it..."

"What is it?"

That's when her guildmates emerged from the shadows.  "It's time to pay, whore."

"What's going on?"

She found herself quickly surrounded and disarmed.  She struggled in vain as she was grabbed and carried into the shadows.  "Hey!  Let me go! Somebody help!"

Sexy Warriors, Episode 23

It was very late at night as Penelope and Lady Victoria stepped back through the city gate.  "Well, I guess I'll see you again soon," Penelope said.

"Yeah," Lady Victoria said.  "I just wish we could hang out more often.  With our guild masters, though..."

"I don't know about your guild master, but mine wouldn't have a problem with it," Penelope said.  "She's pretty welcoming."

Lady Victoria snarled.  "That redhaired wench..."

Penelope was confused.  "Did something happen between you and Shallista?"

Lady Victoria only grumbled in her response.  Then, she suddenly started looking around.

Penelope looked around, too.  "Is something wrong?"

Lady Victoria looked around a bit more.  "I thought someone was watching us.  I can't be too careless.  If Lady Grizelda knew we were hanging out, it'd be the end of me."

Penelope frowned.  "That is quite ashamed.  Maybe we can openly be friends one day.  I guess I'll head home now.  I wouldn't want to get you in trouble.  See you around."

*

Lady Victoria was almost at the inn.  Thoughts of Penelope filled her head.  If only she weren't a Sexy Warrior, Lady Grizelda wouldn't have a problem with them hanging out.

They hadn't known each other long, but she felt as if Penelope was her best friend.  Her guildmates were decent, but her connection with Penelope felt more genuine.  Maybe she could steal her from that redhaired wench and bring her into Lady Grizelda's fold.

That was unlikely.  Simply by wearing sexy armor, Lady Grizelda would view her as tainted.  She looked down at the bag in her hand, which held the sexy armor Penelope gave her.  She could never find out what was in this bag.

When she entered the inn, she saw Lady Grizelda playing chess with another woman from her guild, Lady Milicent.  It was strange because only strangers played chess with Lady Grizelda.  Then again, Lady Milicent had recently been reading a book about chess strategies.  Maybe she finally decided to give it a try.

Lady Grizelda looked up from her game.  "Coming in late again?"

"Yes," she said.  "The nights are beautiful around here.  Can't let good weather go to waste."  It wasn't a total lie.  It really was beautiful out.

Lady Grizelda looked back at the chess board and made a move.  "Is it true?"

"Is what true?"

"Lady Milicent says she saw you entering town with one of those whores."

Lady Victoria felt her butt clench.

Lady Milicent looked at her, disappointment on her face.

"I wondered why you were really going out so late, because you've never done things like that before," Lady Grizelda said.  "And what's in that bag?  You say it's candy, but it never seems to get any emptier and you never share.  You know I like candy, you won't share, and you're not eating it.  You aren't transporting something illegal for that whore, are you?"

She knew what she had to do.  "I thank you for allowing me to travel with you.  It seems like we must part ways, so I am resigning from the guild."

"Is it really that bad?" Lady Grizelda asked.  "I'd be willing to forgive you if it really is candy and you share some with me."

She turned away.  "I...can't.  I've already decided to resign, so..."

Before she knew it, Lady Milicent hopped out of her chair, ran over, and got a grip on the bag.  "What could possibly be in there?"

She and Lady Milicent had a tugging match with the bag until it ripped and the contents spilled out onto the floor.  "No..."

"Huh?" Lady Milicent said as she looked down at it.  Upon realizing what it was, she screamed and ran back to her seat.  "S-sexy armor...keep it away from me..."

"How could you?" Lady Grizelda asked, heartbreak forming on her face.  "You lied right to my face and said it was candy."  After a brief silence, she asked the question Lady Victoria feared most.  "Have you worn it yet?"

Lady Victoria looked at the ground and remained silent.

"How many times?"

Lady Victoria stayed silent.

"How many times have you worn that slutty armor?"

Lady Victoria gave no response.

Lady Grizelda drew her hand back and slapped her.

"I'm sorry..." Lady Victoria said sadly.

Lady Grizelda grumbled.  "I'll except your resignation, but you have to do something to make up for your betrayal first."

"Anything, milady.  After all, I would not have had the courage to even leave my hometown if I hadn't met you.  Because of you, I've seen things I never could have seen and gone places I never would have gone.  You broke me out of my shell and allowed me to reach heights I wouldn't have otherwise reached."  Lady Victoria sighed.  "So as long as it means you'll no longer view me in a bad light, I will do it, whatever it is."

Lady Grizelda put her hand on her shoulder.  "That's what I like to hear."

*

Shallista was sitting in the guild hall when Wendy and Cordelia came wandering in.  "Hey, you two.  Just who I was looking for."

"Yes, Milady?" Wendy and Cordelia said at the same time.

"We just got a job and I immediately thought of you."  She pointed to a sheet of paper on the table.  "It's an escort mission.  You're free to refuse, but because you have a history in escorting cargo, I thought I'd give you the first right of refusal."

Wendy and Cordelia looked at each other and lit up.  "We got a job!" Wendy said.

"We're getting paid!" Cordelia said.  They high-fived.

Shallista smiled.  "I take it that means you'll accept it.  The client wants to meet by the edge of the fields by sunset.  He says he's willing to pay up to three people, so you can invite another to join you."

"Want to invite Penelope?" Wendy asked Cordelia.

"I'd love to, but this might be a chance to get to know one of the others," Cordelia said.  "We haven't really gotten a chance to know anyone else.  It'd be good to make another friend."

"What about Telsie?" Wendy said.

Cordelia shook her head.  "Probably wants to go to her husband after work."

"Pilar?" Wendy suggested.

"Too much dancing."

"How about Natalie?" Wendy asked.

"The gay chick?" Cordelia said.  "I don't think I want to have another woman drooling over me for days on end.  No."

"Jelena?"

"She might steal some of the cargo," Cordelia said.  "She is a thief, after all."

Wendy looked up, a frown on her face.  "This is hard."

"Why don't we bring somebody to balance out our group?" Cordelia asked.  "You're a healer, so you don't fight.  I'm an archer, so I'm best suited for long range combat.  Let's add a close-range fighter."

They both looked at each other and gasped.  "Shallista!"

"I thought you were looking for a new friend," Shallista said.  "As in someone you don't know very well.  I mean, I'd be willing to go if you want, but I don't think I fit the criteria."

Then, Nicolotte entered, tugging at her outfit.  "I'm still not quite used to wearing such scant clothing, milady.  You sure I can't wear just a tiny bit more."

Wendy and Cordelia looked at her.

"Looks like you've found your third," Shallista said.

Nicolotte looked around at all of them.  "Have I done something wrong?"

Wendy shook her head.  "Not at all.  Cordelia and I were just wondering if you'd be interested in taking a job with us.  We'll be transporting some cargo.  We'd love to have you."

"You sure you want me?" Nicolotte asked.  "I figured you'd prefer Penelope."

"We're also trying to expand our circle of friends," Cordelia said.  "We're already great friends with her, so we figured we'd reach out to someone else."

Nicolotte smiled.  "Then I'd be glad to join you."  She looked down at herself.  "I think I'd like to buy a cloak first.  I'd like just a little more coverage before going on a journey."

"Sure," Wendy said.  "Maybe we all should buy cloaks, just in case it gets chilly while we're out."

As the three of them left, Shallista stretched and yawned.  Another day of work awaited.  She stood.  "Off to the garden."