The Choice

Dame Athanasia gave Woffang a stern look. The orcess shivered, hugging herself, and whimpered.

"Milady, please! I beg you to save me!" she fell on her knees, bowing at Dame Athanasia's feet.

Dame Athanasia frowned.

"Are you scared of someone more, than me? Scared enough to dare to return to me without Livonna? Who came after you? Explain yourself immediately!"

 

Wolffang sobbed and kissed Dame Athanasia's foot.

"I am sorry milady! I am sorry! I will never disappoint you again! I promise! I swear! Save me, I beg you! They came after me! She came after me!" the orcess bursted into tears.

Dame Athanasia gave her a strict look.

"Who is that 'she' you are talking about? Do I need to spank you again, you, useless wench?"

Wolffang sobbed.

"Please, milady, don't do that! Van'Elle came after me!" the orcess carefully looked up at the vampiress. "I worked for her once. And I... Well... We pulled off a grand robbery, but the guards almost got us. So I took all the money I could carry and left her to her fate. As I heard later, she got a very bad spanking that time!" Wolffang giggled through tears. "But Van'Elle vengeful person. And she finally found me! She and her stupid henchwoman Flavia! I'm afraid to even imagine what they will do to me! Milady, please, save me!" Wolffang wept bitterly and kissed Dame Athanasia's foot again.

Dame Athanasia frowned even more, thinking. From one hand she was sure, that Wolffang deserved to be punished. Even after she already gave her two very strict spanking just about few hours ago. After all, this girl was the reason she lost her loyal she-werewolf maid. But from the other hand, even while Dame Athanasia thought that Wolffang should be punished, she didn't want just left the poor orcess to her fate. It was only her, Dame Athanasia, who had the right to punish her minions. Not some elven thieves. The vampiress slowly nodded and put her hand on the orcess's shoulder.

"Stand up, my girl. I will protect you." she smiled sternly "You failed me, you betrayed your companion, but you are still my minion. And what a mistress will I be, if I'll just left you alone with your calamity?" the vampiress turned to the witch "Kajira, can you help me to teach that Van'Elle a lesson?"

The redhead witch smiled.

"With a great pleasure, milady!"

All three women quickly hidden behind the folding screen.

It didn't take too long before they heard a scratch. A picklock was stirring inside the lock about a few minutes before the door finally opened. A two pair of legs tiptoed inside the room. Dame Athanasia nodded, and Kajira showed out.

"Abrakadabra!" she said, making a magic pass.

Van'Elle and Flavia froze on the threshold unable to move. Their bows fell from their hands.

"So, you thought you can just break into my apartments and threaten my minions, Van'Elle?" Dame Athanasia showed out, smiling sinisterly "Thank you, Kajira. Brilliant work. Wolffang, please, help Kajira to undress our unwelcome guests! I will have a very long talk with them."

Both elven women gulped in unison.

Wolffang smirked, looking at Van'Elle, and stepped forward. It didn't take much time before both elven women were disarmed and almost completely stripped from their armour.

Wolffang tied Van'Elle thoroughly and stepped aside. Dame Athanasia nodded and stepped closely to her victim, raising the riding crop.

"Let it be a lesson to you, Van'Elle." she smirked. With a loud pop the crop landed over the bandit's bare buttocks, making her scream. "Never try to cross your path with a knight! Wolffang is my servant now, and that means that she is under my protection." Dame Athanasia emphasized each word with a heavy stroke of the riding crop, making Van'Elle squirming and screaming on the floor.

"Ouch! Ow! Ow! But she is traitor! Ouch Yaraa!!! She left me... Ouch!!! She left me in narks hands, fleeing with all our money! Eeyoow!!!" the elf woman protested "Ouch!!! Ow!!! Ouch!!! I have the right to... Ouch!!! Ow!!! Eeyoow!!! Yaraa!!! My butt! Ouch!!!"

"All the right you had, elven bitch, is to ask me to punish my servant! I am the knight! I am the lady! The nobility! And I am the only one who have the right to decide if my servants deserved to be punished. Not you, dirty bandit!" the crop strokes kept falling all over the buttocks and the back of Van'Elle, making her bawl. The elf woman wept bitterly. Her arguing quickly turned into begging, but the vampiress didn't stop until her buttocks were completely dark red and her back properly striped.

When Van'Elle's punishment was finally over, Dame Athanasia commanded Wolffang to untie her and put the elven bandit leader in the corner. Then she turned to Flavia, who was already put in the perfect position for the spanking by smirking orcess.

"And now hear, how your henchwoman will screaming in pain. If you are a good leader, Van'Elle, you should be ashamed of yourself, that you failed your accomplice so bad!" the vampiress said, before starting the punishment. Poor Flavia screamed even louder than her chief. It took even less time to make her beg for mercy at any cost. But Dame Athanasia was relentless.

Suddenly Van'Elle turned to the vampiress.

"Your Grace! Please, have a mercy! I have something to tell you!"

 "It is 'Your Excellency'," Dame Athanasia said sternly. "Speak, bandit. I hear you. But if I won't like what I will hear, you will be put on the floor side by side with your henchwoman to get another one lesson."

Van'Elle gasped in fear.

"Your Excellency, please! I beg you! I know, where is your werewolf!"

Dame Athanasia gave Flavia's already terrible sore bottom another one stroke before turning to Van'Elle.

"What did you said?"

"I know where is your werewolf! Your... What was her name? Your Livonna! And I will tell you, where she is, if you will let us go!" Van'Elle gave the vampiress a begging look.

Dame Athanasia frowned. She wasn't sure, if she should trust Van'Elle.

"She is telling the truth!" Flavia said through the sobbing. "We saw her at the forest edge! I'm sure, she is still there!"

"Flavia! What had you done?! Now we have no trumps in our sleeves!" Van'Elle shouted.

Suddenly Dame Athanasia turned to Kajira.

"Release this two from your spell, my dear witch. They learned their lesson. Right, elven scum?" she gave both bandits a stern look. Van'Elle and Flavia nodded quickly. The vampiress smirked. "Now take your things and get out before I changed my mind. Quickly!"

Kajira nodded and whispered another spell, making a pass.

Weeping and sobbing, Van'Elle and Flavia took their armours and weapons and, still naked, ran away, not daring even to look back.

Dame Athanasia turned to her minions.

"Take our belongings, girls. We are moving. Let's go and find my dear Livonna."

The rain finally ended, but the sky was still overcast. It didn't took very long to Dame Athanasia and her minions to left the city and reach the forest. Livonna indeed still was at the forest edge. She felt her former mistress coming much earlier than she could see her. The she-werewolf growled and bared her teeth. It took a few minutes after she heard the footsteps and sniffed the smells, before Dame Athanasia, Kajira and Wolffang finally appeared. Livonna turned her back to them, growling threateningly. Dame Athanasia stepped forward.

"Livonna, my dear, please, listen to me." she said carefully.

Livonna growled louder. The vampiress sighed.

"I know, you have every right to be angry with me. I was unfair to you too often. But, please, just listen to me. Do you remember how we met?"

The she-wolf growled again, but not as loud as before, still baring her teeth. Dame Athanasia shook her head.

"Yes, I know. First I hunted you and brought you to an unfair justice. Just to leave you as my trophy and then taming you mercilessly. But you couldn't control your beast side. I was so strict not just because I am a wicked vampire knight, but mostly because I was afraid that you will lost control ever again, make something very bad, and I will lost you forever. And now I see that my cruelty almost made my fear come alive. Please, forgive me."

Dame Athanasia carefully made two more steps closer to Livonna. The she-werewolf finally turned around, still keeping silence, but finally stopping growling. The vampiress stepped a bit more close. The she-werewolf suddenly came up to her. Dame Athanasia carefully petted Livonna. The she-werewolf didn't bite her. The vampiress smiled and sat down on the ground. Livonna lay down on the ground. Dame Athanasia hugged her carefully.

"My dear Livonna. My beautiful she-werewolf. Please, don't leave me." she petted the she-werewolf a bit more. "It is your choice, Livonna. Your only. If you want, leave me. I know, I was a terrible mistress to you. You have every right to leave me. But please, stay with me. With us. You are more than just a maid for me. You are my friend. Please, don't leave me."

Kajira and Wolffang looked at each other.

"Livonna, I am very sorry for what I done to you..." Wolffang said carefully, stepping closer, trembling in fear. "Please, don't hurt me! Dame Athanasia already punished me twice for what I done. And believe her, she is really worrying about you! Please, forgive me too."

Kajira stepped closer.

"That is true, Livonna. We all care about you. And we don't want anything bad happen to you. Please, stay with us. Our team will never be complete without you. But Dame Athanasia is right. It is your choice, what to do. And we will accept any choice you will make. But please, stay with us."

Livonna suddenly nodded, and her body started changing, turning into more human form. She hugged Dame Athanasia back.

"I never thought, that you really care about me, milady." she whispered. "Maybe one day I will forgive you and Wolffang for what do two done to my love." she sighed and nodded again. "Well, I suppose you both, you, milady, and you, Kajira, are right. We need to stay together at least just for our safety. I don't know, if I will not regret this choice, but I will stay with you."

Dame Athanasia stood up and gave Livonna a hand.

"Welcome back, my dear Livonna. My loyal and brave she-werewolf. The Blood Moon is complete and is raising again! Let's go, girls! We still have the Paddle of Doom to found and a world to conquer! And while we are unite, nothing can stop us! I swear! One for all, all for one!"

"One for all, all for one!" all the women said in unison, walking leisurely along the road.

Beast of Kasterwood

Dame Athanasia sighed and added more wood to the fireplace. Kajira caught her eye. The vampiress nodded.

"So, where had I stopped? Oh, yes. As I said before, I spent a lot of time looking for a cure for vampirism. I studied many books and dissertation about supernatural beings, including vampires, werewolves, demons and such a creatures. I hoped I will find a way to become a human again. I became an expert in the Dark Side of the supernatural just to found out that if I really want to make the cure for my corrupted essence, I would need to spent almost all of my life just to find all the ingredients and to gather them in right moments of time. So, I preferred to stay a creature of the night instead of chasing shadows. After all, being an immortal worth it to drink a sentient being's blood time to time. And since I became an expert in supernatural, many people started hiring me as an adviser or even a monster hunter. A vampire hunting a children of the Darkness. Ironically, isn't it?" Dame Athanasia chuckled. "So, when a ferocious creature started terrorising a place named Kasterwood, the count called for me to help him to hunt and catch that monster..."

 As I arrived to the castle Helsubus, Sebastian Lannister, count of Kasterwood, brought me up to date. As he told me, a monstrous beast was terrorising villages around the town. It was coming every full moon. A wild beast, angry, relentless and almost invincible. No locks or hunting traps could stop it. The peasants and most of the guards were scared stiff by the only rumours about that beast. Beast of Kastrewood - that's how they called it. And count of Kasterwood wanted me to catch it for him. It was quite obvious that that Beast was with a high probability a werewolf. A rogue werewolf, as I supposed. Usually those beasts are living in packs and trying to stay away from any others settlements. At least - during full moon nights, when most of them are unable to control themselves. And, having a working hypothesis, I started my inquiry. It took almost half a year, since the Beast was making it's appearances only in the nights around the full moon, and I had no way to predict, where will it strike next time. Of course, count of Kasterwood and many other people in his lands already tried to systematise, where the Beast could coming from. Their mistake was that they was sure, that it was a kind of a demon in a wolfish body or just a possessed wolf, so they were looking for it in the forest thicket and uninhabited caves, ignoring old ruins. And as I knew, a lone werewolf would try to hide in a place, which will remember it about it's human nature. Or elven. Or dwarfish. Or orcish. Nevermind. The point is that count's people never tried to seek for that beast in any of those old ruins, almost forgotten in the forest. I have no doubt that if the count hadn't asked for my help, one day his people would have started searching for the Beast in these ruins anyway. But now that doesn't matter. I analysed all the facts about the Beast's attacks and then checked all the old ruins on the map for a place, where it could hide to be able to strike like it did that all those month. So I found a very old and almost forgotten Isaiah's temple. It was even uncharted on almost all modern maps. So on the next full moon I ordered to make an ambush near it after the midnight, but before the down. We were waiting for the Beast, but the only creature that appeared in the morning, was a young girl with a barely noticeable animal features. Count's men were unsure if she could be Beast of Kasterwood, but I ordered to take her and bring to the count."

Even the count did not believe me, that I caught Beast of Kasterwood. His men interrogated the girl I brought to him, and she said that her name is Livonna Grau and she was hiding from a loan shark. So the count sentenced the girl to a public birching. And that was a chance for me to prove my correctness! As you know, my dear Kajira, the werewolves often are turning in a beasts, when they are in a great pain. Luckily for me, the day was overcast, so I could stand outside without even umbrella.

A huge crowd gathered to watch the execution. Livonna was tied to a whipping horse. And after the count ordered, the executioner started the birching. The sharp blows of the birches made Livonna desperately screaming in pain and struggling in the ropes very quickly, but unfortunately for her, she was tied properly. So she could only wag her bottom slightly, unable save it from the burning, flesh-tearing strokes. Bright welts swelled on the girl's bubble butt. It didn't take much time before those welts stained with blood. Livonna screamed desperately as the pain was spreading through her body. She squeezed her eyes shut in horror and clenched her teeth. All the spankings she had to endure before were nothing compared to this one. And the very next two strokes knocked the last doubts out of her. At least that was what she told me when she was able to speak again.

An each birch stroke quickly started leaving small wounds around the immediately swelling welt, which bled enough that soon Livonna's plump butt was glistened with blood. Livonna screamed, desperately struggling and wincing in ropes, clenched and unclenched her fists, curled and spread her toes, but nothing gave her any distraction from the pain tearing her entire body apart even for a moment. The executioner knew his job. The birch landed smoothly on the buttocks, which were rapidly becoming covered with purple welts, cutting deeply into the soft flesh. Livonna's buttocks and thighs were becoming more and more covered with welts and bruises, and after each strike, her screams sounded more and more like frenzied grunts. And her body suddenly started changing.

Watching Livonna's body was squirming under the strokes of the birch, how she was screaming from unbearable pain, how her plump buttocks and even her wide back were covering with purple welts, even I began to feel uncomfortable. I won't lying - I never was very merciful with low classes and servants when it was about the punishments, but this birching was too much even by my standards. And when Livonna's wolfish features became obvious to everyone, the count ordered to birch this dark creature to death! And, unexpectedly for myself, I suddenly realised, that I I want to save this girl. I'm still not completely sure, why I decided to do that. Maybe because she was a dark creature just like me. Maybe because I wanted to save her from those dorks just because I knew, that they would torture me the same way, if they will know, who I really am.

So, when Livonna was almost passing out from the pain, almost turning into the Beast, that was scaring all the Kasterwood for almost a year, I thought that it is the time to intervene. And I said to the count, that now nobody can deny, that I caught Beast of Kasterwood for him. And since he promised me whatever I'll ask him about as the reward for catching Beast of Kasterwood, I insisted that he should not only knighting me, but also let me keep Beast of Kasterwood as my trophy. And he agreed.

So I returned to my castle having a knighthood and keeping a half-dead she-werewolf as a trophy. Livonna was in a really terrible state. All her back and buttocks were badly welted and bruised. I wasn't sure, if she will survive, but she did. I spent many days nursing her wounds. Even her natural healing power wasn't enough to make her recover quickly. And while she was weak, I decided not to waste time and started teaching her some etiquette. After all I was planning to make her my personal maid, so she should know how to behave in high class society.

Also I made her tell me everything about her. Just as I thought, she was from lower class. Her name was really Livonna Grau, and she became a werewolf after she stole a cursed pendant from a Gypsy. As she explained me, she was desperately needing any money to pay for her flat. So when I offered her to become my maid, she agreed without thinking.

But the main problem were not her lack of manners or of education. She was a werewolf and she had a big problems with controlling her wildness.

 

You'll ask me, how did I train my werewolf? Well, my dear Kajira, I analysed all the books and dissertations I had read about the werewolves, and reached a conclusion, that since the werewolves are not too different from animals, I should tame my werewolf just I would tame a wild wolf or a bad dog.

Next few month were very painful for Livonna. I was punishing her for every minor mistake. Especially, when she allowed her beast part to take over her humanity. Few times I was very close to give up and admit, that werewolves are untrainable. But after all I got the result.

I'm not sure if my punishments and cruelty worked, or Livonna just spent enough time in her new condition to finally learn how to control herself. And she became the Livonna we both know. A bit reluctant, but loyal. And the most important - able to control her beast and human parts enough to be useful for me. But since I'm still unsure, what really made her able to control herself, I decided to be strict with her forever, so she'll be afraid of me enough to never lose control of herself. Well, maybe I was wrong. Maybe I shouldn't be that cruel with my poor Livonna...

Dame Athanasia fell silent. She sighed and turned to the fireplace, looking at the cauldron.

"My poor Livonna. My poor wolf-girl. Where are you now?" she asked without addressing anyone. Kajira kept silent.

Suddenly the door opened and Wolffang broke inside. She turned to Dame Athanasia and fell on her knees, prostrating in front of her mistress.

"Milady, please, save me!" she whispered loudly "They came after me! Please, save me!" the orcess whimpered in fear.

Dame Athanasia gave her an angry look. "Are you scared enough to dared to return to me without Livonna? Who came after you? Explain yourself immediately!"

The Curse of The She-Werewolf

Livonna finally stopped howling and just lay down, feeling how the raindrops were flow down her wool. She had no idea, where to go or even what to do. So long she was a loyal servant to Dame Athanasia, but now she was free once again, and she had no idea what to do with this freedom. All alone, not need to anyone, betrayed and broken - a lone wolf, but not proud and independent, as they almost always were shown in the old books. She sighed. Long time ago she wasn't Dame Athanasia's lap dog. She was a monster that was hunting in the night. But she wasn't born as a werewolf...

When Livonna was telling her past to Falaen, she didn't lying. Almost. Of course, she didn't tell him many things about herself, but the main part was true - she was raised in a family from a lower-class, so she never had any chance to get a proper education. But she always loved studying even while she had almost no time and money for that.

When she grew up she had no choice but to find any job, so she left her ancestral home and moved to a nearby town, where she became a waitress in a tavern. Almost all the money she was earning again and again went towards food and rent, but she always tried to by a new book, when she had a chance. And one day she spent her money to a book instead from paying her rent in time, hoping that her landlord won't notice that before the weekend, when she was sure she will be able to pay.

At the next morning Livonna was preparing to go to work, when the door of her cheep flat suddenly swung open with a loud crash, and a tall robust man appeared at the threshold.

"Livonna Grau! Where are you planning to go, I wonder?" he shouted. "Did you forgot, what a day was yesterday? If so, I'll be happy to remind you!" he struck a thick leather strap over his palm.

Livonna gulped nervously.

"Oh, master Codogno! Good day!" she curtsy. "No, I didn't forget anything! I just was short on money, so I hoped, that you will give me a little delay. Just three or four days more, and I will pay you for my flat."

Codogno frowned.

"I don't need your stupid excuses! I need my money. And I warned you several times - if you need some delay, warn me in good time! I have every right to throw you out right now!"

Livonna looked at him pleadingly.

"Please, no, master Codogno! I will pay you right at this weekend! I swear!"

Codogno shook his head and took Livonna by her arm.

"You'll pay me right here and now, or you can start looking for a new flat immediately!" he dragged her to the door.

"Please, I am sorry! I will pay you, I promise! I just don't have enough money right now! But I will pay you as soon as I'll have! I promise!"

Codogno dragged the girl out from the flat and stopped, frowning.

"Well, maybe I can give you a little delay."

Livonna sighed in relief. But before she could say anything, Codongo continued: "I will pay me this evening, or I will throw you out. And I don't care, if you have nowhere to go, wench! And right now I'll give you some stimulus not to forget our deal!" he lifted her skirt and raised the strap.

Codongo had a very heavy hand. Livonna was jumping and hopping in place at each stroke of the strap across her bare buttocks, bawling and screaming in pain and desperation. She wanted to run away, but she knew very well, that in this case Codongo surely will just throw all her things out from the flat like a garbage.

"And this will be an example for all of my tenants - if any of you will overdue rent or will try to cheat on it, I will show you no mercy." every his word was followed by a heavy stroke of the strap, making poor Livonna scream and weep in pain. When Codongo finally stopped, she continued jumping and hopping in place, just like she was dancing a kind of war dance, for a few more minutes, rubbing her terrible sore bottom.

"Ow! Ow! Ow! I am sorry, master Codongo! I will pay you this evening! I promise! I swear! Ow! My poor bottom! Boohoo!!!!" Livonna wept bitterly.

Codongo nodded, still frowning.

"And if you won't pay the rent this evening, I'll give you another walloping and throw you out! Is that clear?"

"Crystal clear... Ouch!" Livonna finally stopped her dance of pain and lowered her skirt, still rubbing her bottom.

Codongo nodded and walked away, leaving tearful girl alone.

With a very sore bottom under her skirt and restless restless thoughts in her head Livonna had difficulty remembering customers' orders. Usually she had no troubles with them and was always getting a good tips, but this day she was lucky, that no one wanted to complain. And the worst thing was the fact, that she had almost no chance to get the money she was need so much before the evening. She was almost desperate, but suddenly she got an idea.

A new customer, Reginald Front-de-Bœuf, baron of Finsterwood, ordered "Shadowbanish" one of the most expensive wine the tavern ever got. Livonna went to the wine cellar and pour some wine from a barrel with the wine the baron ordered and some wine from a barrel with one of the most cheap wine in the tavern. She sniffed and tasted from both portions and shrugged.

"I don't seen almost any difference... Maybe the baron also won't notice, if I'll replace the wine he wants with this cheap wine? And then I'll finally get the money I need!" she thought, feeling the jug with the cheap wine.

Livonna put the order in front of the baron and moved to the next customers. Time to time she sneaked a peek at Front-de-Bœuf, but he was just enjoying his meal. The sneaky waitress was almost sure, that her little mischief managed well, but suddenly the baron called for her.

"Excuse me, girl, but what is this?" he asked in annoyed voice, pointing at his goblet.

"'Shadowbanish', milord," Livonna curtsy. "Just as you ordered."

"Don't play games with me, wench!" the baron replied more annoyed. "I know very well, what an excellent taste 'Shadowbanish' has. And this is surely not 'Shadowbanish'! Call the innkeeper! Now! I have few questions for him!"

Of course Livonna's little trickery was quickly found out. Baron of Finsterwood was furious and insisted, that dastard girl should be punished for her villainy. Livonna tried to talk herself out of trouble, saying that she just mixed up the barrels when she was pouring the wine, but nobody listened her. The innkeeper said the bartender to drag the guilty waitress into the cellar, where they striped her out from her clothes and tied her to the barrel with the cheap wine she served to the baron.

Livonna already was punished few times for the bad customer service. Just like all other waitresses. The usual punishment was bare bottom belting from the bartender or the innkeeper himself, but this time he ordered to give her a good dozen with a cat'o'nine tails. And while poor Livonna was bawling and screaming in pain out loud, promising never to shortchange customers again, the innkeeper had a talk with Front-de-Bœuf. The baron made him agree, that after such a insult he has a right no to pay for his meal, and that the dastard waitress should be fired immediately. So right after her whipping, which left almost no untouched place over her buttocks and back, Livonna was threw out from the tavern.

Weeping in pain and despair, Livonna was walking down the street. This surely was the worst day in her life, and she couldn't blame anyone but herself. And the worst part was that she still had no money to pay the rent. Could this day become any worse? Livonna stopped and carefully rubber first her terrible sore bottom and then aching back, sobbing. Suddenly she heard laugh and music. She almost came to a town fair. And that gave the poor girl a new idea.

Trying to act as if nothing had happened, Livonna walked across the fair, looking around carefully. Her new plan was simple - to steal something valuable and then sell it somewhere else. She knew, that would be wrong, but she had no other choice. But luck didn't smile on her. She had stopped in front of many counters, but marketers and customers were watchful enough, so she didn't get any chance to steal anything. Finally Livonna stopped near the stage, where a beautiful Gypsy woman was performing a passionate dance. Livonna noticed, that Gypsy's golden pendant was almost failing from her neck because of a frayed rope at each her move. So she just waited, until the Gypsy moved near her and seized the moment to catch the pendant. Then she slowly turned around and walked away.

The rest of the day Livonna spent trying to sell the stolen pendant. She knew few buyers of stolen goods in the town, but non of them made a bid which was enough for her. She even didn't try to get more money than in she was so terrible need to pay the rent by selling it, which meant that she would starve until she will find a new job. When the first buyer offered her his price for the pendant, which wasn't even a half of the money she need, she refused to sell it and went to another one. And then to another one. And then to another one...

The sun has set. Livonna put the pendant on and sighed, looking at the rising moon. She didn't get the money to pay the rent. And now she had no choice but to return to her flat, which already was no longer hers, get another whipping and become a vagabond. She sighed and turned away from the moon. Suddenly she felt strange. Very strange. She fell on her knees, feeling that something is happening to her body. Something strange. Something weird. She finally could stand up and looked around. Then she screamed out loud. But a wild beast's howl drowned out her scream. The wolf was staying right in front of her in a doorway. It was showing off it's teeth. It's hungry eyes were glowing in the dark. Livonna screamed louder, still hearing a wolfish howling instead of her own voice. She reached her hand out to touch the beast and fell only cold glass under her fingers. Under her wolfish fingers. The only beast there was herself, and she was staying right in front of the closed basement window.

A large grey she-wolf was running across the streets. She had no idea what to do or where to go. All she wanted was just run away. Somewhere far from the town. In the woods, where she would be able to live by herself. Where nobody will find her. She stopped near a house at the end of the street and howled long and hard. First she heard, how the dogs started responding her with the howling from all over the town. Then the window she was standing under suddenly opened and something terrible hot scalded her back, bottom and hind legs. Poor she-wolf howled even louder, now in terrible pain, jumping and hopping around.

"What's the matter, mutt? Don't you like it?" she heard a female voice. "Than go away and never come back if you don't want to get some more!"

Still bawling in pain, she-werewolf ran away in the night.

And while Dame Athanasia and Kajira were talking about the past, sitting in a warm room in front of a fireplace, and Livonna was recalling her own past, lying under the heavy rain in the forest, Wolffang still was walking through the streets under the heavy rain, desperately searching for Livonna. She entered another gateway and stopped in fear. Two young elven women were walking down the street right in front of her. Wolffang held her breath. She would recognise this two any where. Van'Elle and Flavia! Did they finally found her? Or Or did she still have a chance? The orcess tiptoed back through the gateway.

"What was that, Flavia? Did you hear something?" Wolfang heard familiar voice.

"No, Van'Elle... Are you sure, that we will found anyone... Ow! Was is it really that necessary?!"

"Yes, it was! And I will give you a proper spanking, if you will continue this arguing! No go and check that gateway!"

Wolffang decided not to wait. She rushed to her heels without looking back.

Handsome and the Beast

"Is that him, milady?" Livonna asked, sniffing air and pricking her ears up. "Really handsome one!" she smiled wistfully, looking at young blond elf in green suit.

"It doesn't matter, if he is handsome or ugly!" Dame Athanasia shook her head. "As I already said, he is the keeper of the runic key I need. Well, we need."

"And what's the problem, milady?" Wolffang smirked. "Easy peasy lemon squeezy! All we need is just to sneak into his house and find that key, right?" she put her hand on the bunch of master keys under her apron.

"The problem is, we don't know, where in his house the key is hidden, my dear burglar," Dame Athanasia slapped orcess's butt. "And if we will blow up the dark, searching his house through, he will find out, that somebody stole the key too quickly. No. We need to find another way."

"Maybe you will just subjugate him by your bite, milady?" Kajira asked, straightening her pointed hat. "And then you will easily make him tell you everything you need to know and after that - to forgot, that he even saw you."

"Elven blood is too tasty for mine kind," Dame Athanasia sighed. "I'm not sure, if I will be able to control myself enough not to drain him over. And if I'll turn him into vampire, that will break all our conspiracy. But I have a better idea. Wolffang, Livonna, you two should track his usual routes. Kajira, prepare our wolf-girl's clothes, please."

"What do you have in mind, milady?" Livonna looked at her mistress in confusion.

"Since we can't just invade his house and blow up the dark searching for the key, you will get it for me." Dame Athanasia patted werewolf-girl's head. "You will turn into your human form and befriend with this elf. Your wolfish sense of smell will help you to find the key, when you'll became the welcome guest in his house. And if you'll find out, that there are any magic traps, you'll find the way to let Kajira in, so she'll help you." she patted Livonna's head once again. "I'm sure, you'll succeed, my fair beast!"

Few days later, in the evening a three pretty young women, two dressed as a philistines and one - as an aristocrat, were walking down the street. One of them, a beauty with a wolfish grey hair, stopped and sniffed air.

"He is coming!" she whispered, turning to her companions.

Dame Athanasia nodded contentedly.

"Excellent! Livonna, dear, stay here. Wollfang!" she turned to the orcess. "Get ready!" the vampiress stepped behind an arch, hiding in shadows. Wolffang put her hand on the saber hilt. Few minutes later they heard foot steps approaching. Livonna nodded. Wolffang raised the sabre.

"Where do you think you are going, pretty?" she asked, smirking. "Do you have any money? Or any jewels? No? And what if I'll find some on your body?"

"Help! Please! Someone!" Livonna screamed, while orcess was coming closer.

"Stop right there, criminal scum!" both girls heard strict male voice, and the elf appeared from the evening shadows with a rapier drawn. Wolffang screamed angrily and tried to attack him, but even if she was planning to defeat him for real, she had no chance against a knight. So he quickly disarmed her and put his rapier to her throat.

"I surrender! I promise!" Wolffang gulped in fear. She was pretty sure, that he will just scare her away, but not capture. The knight looked at her sternly.

"And what should I do with you?" He sighed. "Call the guards and send you to the court?"

The orcess shook her head, looking at him pleadingly. The elf frowned.

"Well, I have an idea. Pull your skirt up!" he said, taking off his belt. Wolffang pouted, but submitted. Livonna smirked.

Few seconds later the whooping sounds of the belt landing on the soft skin repeatedly and the girlish screams of pain were heard around the alley. Wolffang was begging for mercy and weeping bitterly, struggling the pain. She quickly became almost ready to confess, that it all was nothing but a staging, but when she caught the gaze of Dame Athanasia, who was watching all the scene from around the corner, poor orcess bit her tongue. She knew very well, that her mistress will punish her for failed task much more severely, than even the elven knight. And she just screamed and wept in pain till he was satisfied and just kicked her away. Steal crying in pain, failed robber ran away, clutching her very sore bottom. The knight followed her with his gaze and turned to the girl he saved. Livonna smiled and curtsied.

"Oh, thank you, milord! You saved my life!" she finally noticed, that her breasts are uncovered and blushed, fixing her corsage.

"Not at all, young lady," the knight smiled back and turned away, giving her time to fix her dress. "It is dangerous walking alone so late, you know?" he said jocosely strictly.

"I know," Livonna sighed. "I know. My bad. My employer made me to clean dust in his library all over, and I made too many breaks to read..." she smiled guilty. "I was happy he didn't caught me, when I was reading his books instead of working, or I could get a spanking instead of payment," Livonna giggled and sighed again. "So I ended my work quite late. Right when highwaymen go out for prey..." she looked at the knight. "If it wasn't for you, I would definitely have been robbed, and possibly killed!" Livonna curtsied again.

"All's well that ends well!" the knight smiled. "Don't feel bad for your thirst for knowledge," he winked at the girl. "I hope, the book you were reading was an academic treatise, not just some romance novel. But even it was the latest, don't feel guilty. What is your name, young lady? I am Falaen, Knight of the Realm." he saluted.

"My name is Livonna," Livonna curtsied again, blushing. "You may not believe me, milord, but that was an academic treatise. About natural balance and the role of predators in its maintenance. I was always loving books, but my family was very poor, so I never could get a proper education." She sighed. "Well, now the robber is gone. I guess, I can continue my way home. I hope, nothing more bad will happen to me. Thank you very much for saving me and good bye!" Livonna sighed again and turned away, preparing to go, but suddenly the knight's hand lay on her shoulder.

"Not so fast, Livonna," Falaen smiled. "Night streets aren't safe enough, and my evening is free. Why should I not escort you home?"

Livonna smiled happily.

"Oh, thank you very much, milord."

All the way home Livonna was trying to keep the conversation going. She never felt herself so foolish ever before, but Falaen found her rustic spontaneity surprisingly nice. Of course this girl was far from the noble ladies from his usual encirclement. She was too rude and totally lack of manners, but she was really cute in her clumsiness. Her almost primal wilderness was really tempting. So when they finally reached her home, Falaen asked her, if they may meet again. And when Livonna blushed and agreed, he insisted to meet the next day in city park. She promised him to be there at midday, made a curtsy and disappeared behind a tenement house's door just to get out from a window on the other side.

Dame Athanasia was very happy about her maid's success. But it was only the first step to her triumph. So she allowed Livonna to date Falaen and insisted that she should behave nice with him. At least, until she will find the runic key. Wolffang tried to complain about the spanking she received, but Dame Athanasia just called that collateral damage and even Kajira advised poor orcess to forget about that punishment and not make a drama. End justifies the means.

The next day at the midday Livonna came to the park. Falaen was happy to see her again. They spent few hours just promenading around the lake, making pauses to stare at water. Livonna tried her Best to not make a fool of herself and not disappoint Falaen. But actually she charmed him by her easiness. She was completely different from the noble ladies and high society dandies. And in the same time the werewolf-girl started feeling that she finally met someone, who saw a person in her. So after the date in park they met again quite soon. Falaen taught Livonna some high society manners and even gave her few science lessons. He was surprised, how willingly this girl accepted new knowledge. He didn't know that, but she even asked Dame Athanasia and Kajira to help her to study. And not just the witch but even the vampiress surprisingly gladly helped her. And while Falaen was teaching Livonna some science and manners, she reminded him, how to simple enjoy life by walking around a forest or just doing nonsense time to time. So one day he finally invited her in his house. The only problem remained was Livonna's secret. Her curse. Her beast nature, which she kept hidden from Falaen. She wanted to confess him, but still was unsure if he won't just chase her away after that. And she continued trying her Best to hide her beast part from him.

And while Livonna was happy and Dame Athanasia was pretty sure, that she almost got the key, Wolffang became more and more jealous and envious. Falaen was really very handsome and smart, but while that wolf in chick's clothing almost got his heart, she got only a very painful belting from him. And in the same time Wolffang was pretty sure, that Livonna doesn't even try to speed up. Just like she really started falling in love with that elf! And that was unacceptable! At least Wolffang was sure so. After all, if this love will become Livonna's main priority, wouldn't she betray Dame Athanasia? Wolffang discussed this with the vampiress few times, and she even agreed with her, that the she-werewolf's make-believe love became true. Maybe even mutual. But when the orcess asked if she should take some measures, the vampiress suddenly became very serious and strictly prohibited her to do anything about that without any explanation. Wolfgang was confused, but decided to take matters in her own hands.

It was nice sunny day. Nothing foreshadowed trouble. Falaen and Livonna went to the market to buy her some new clothing. The knight finally decided to officially announce that she is his girlfriend. Livonna was over the moon. She was so happy that even didn't notice a pretty familiar smell.

Wolffang tried to stay on the leeward, but it wasn't so easy on the market with so many people around. Even not to lose the knight and his girl wasn't an easy task. Orcess sighed. She wasn't sure how to ruin their romance, but she had an idea. And right now she was looking for an opportunity. And finally she saw her. A noble elven lady in a very expensive dress with two bodyguards - a dwarf and an elf. She was much more focused on goods on the shelves than on her own safety, while her bodyguards were admiring pretty girls instead of looking for their employer. Wolffang smirked and looked for Livonna. Just in time to notice, that Falaen leaved her alone to prepare his surprise. The time was right.

The orcess sneaked behind the elven lady and easily stole her wallet. If she wanted to be sure, that silly woman won't notice that she was just robbed, Wolffang would replace the wallet with a stone the same weight. She did this trick many times before. But now she wanted to make some noise. And trying to be as quick and as inconspicuous as possible, she sneaked behind Livonna, put the stollen wallet in her bag and escaped as quick as it was possible, hiding behind the arch. The she-werewolf finally recognised the smell, but right when she turned around, the noble lady in a beautiful blue dress suddenly screamed:

"Thieves! I got robbed! You two, fools! Do something!"

Her bodyguards looked around, trying to find anyone looking like a thief even a bit. A crowd become bigger. Wolffand choose a moment and sneaked out from her hide. She sneaked behind the dwarf.

"That grey-haired girl stole something from the lady!" she whispered in his ear before disappear again. The dwarf turned around, trying to get, who was just speaking to him, but decided to follow mysterious advice and caught poor Livonna by her hand.

"Where do you think you are going, princess?" he asked and turned to his partner. "Aurelio, I think I found our thief! Help me to search her!"

"How dare you?! You have no right to do this!" Livonna protested, but two men easily overpowered her and while Aurelio was holding her by her arms, his partner searched her bad.

"I found it!" he shouted. "I found it, lady Shahirim!"

"Good job, Shtyz!" Lady Megalkarven Shahirim took her wallet from his hands and screamed: "Strip this vile thief naked! She deserved a good birching!"

Her bodyguards nodded contentedly, and Shtyz started ripping Livonna's dress.

"But I have no idea, how this wallet got into my bag! I didn't steal it! Please, don't do this to me! I swear, this is a mistake!" Livonna protested, struggling, but neither the lady nor her bodyguards listened to her.

"Hey! What do you think you are doing! Stop immediately! I forbid you!" Falaen screamed, trying to get through the crowd, but he was too far to stop lady Shahirim's bodyguards.

Wolffang smiled, peeking from around the corner.

Shtyz and Aurelio stripped poor Livonna naked and made her bend over by tying her hands. Aurelio took a big bunch of birches and, while Shtyz was keeping loudly protesting girl in position, started flogging her. Livonna screamed out loud and wagged her plump bottom like a mad, trying to make the terrible pain easy even a bit. She was desperate. She could stand the humiliation. She could stand the pain. But she was frightened about her secret will be revealed. It was a well know fact, that the pain always makes werewolves show their true nature. The nature of the beast. And no matter how hard she tried to stand the pain, she couldn't prevent her transformation. Lady Shahirim laughed, watching at poor girl's suffering, and all the crowd roared approval. They all were pretty sure, that this girl was a thief, so nobody felt pity for her. Except Falaen, who still tried to get through the crowd and stop this reprisal. But when he finally did it, it was too late. Livonna's body started changing. Her ears became pointy and covered with a grey fur, while her hair became totally look just like a long wolfish wool. Her arms and legs turned into a wolf's paws. Then even her body became wolfish and her face turned into a muzzle. Her torturers stopped.

"What?! A werewolf?!" Aurelio screamed, stepping back.

"Guards! Guards! A werewolf! A werewolf!" Shtyz screamed out loud, throwing the rope.

Livonna looked at Falaen, who was totally shocked. The fear and disenchantment in his eyes were much worse than any pain or humiliation.

"I am sorry, Falaen! I can explain!" she mumbled. But he just turned away. The werewolfess growled desperately and just ran away like darkness.

Falaen also walked away, still not wanting to believe what he just saw.

Wolffang laughed until she drop. Suddenly someone's heavy hand lay over her shoulder. Wolffang turned around and gulped in fear, seeing furious Dame Athanasia.

"Do you have any idea, what had you done, stupid girl?" the vampiress asked sternly, grabbing her maid by the braid.

"But that mutt wanted to betray us and stay with that elf! Someone should stop her! I thought..."

"You are here not for thinking!" Dame Athanasia interrupted her. "I could just talk to Livonna and she would listen to me! And you ruined all the plan, stupid jealous vixen! Three weeks of preparation down the drain!" she pulled orcess hair, making her scream and turn her face to the wall. "Stand still!" she raised the girl's skirt. Wolffang sobbed in fear. She knew very well what is going to happen.

Dame Athanasia raised her umbrella.

"And now try to finally remember! Never spoil my plans! Never do anything without my permission if that affects my plans even indirectly! Stop competing with your partners! And never hurt feeling of any of them this way ever again! Is that clear?" she said in low stern voice, accentuating every word by a hard stroke of her umbrella on the girl's bottom.

Wolffang wept in pain and nodded, begging for mercy. She never saw her mistress so angry. By the time the punishment was finished, the orcess's bottom was bruised badly.

"Take her to our lair," Dame Athanasia said to Kajira, who suddenly appeared from the shadows. "And if Livonna will return before me, try to stop her from killing Wolffang. I don't want to loose any of you," she whispered in the witch's ear and walked away, covering from the sunlight under her umbrella.

Just as Dame Athanasia thought, Falaen went right to his house. He still was so shocked about what he saw at the market, that he didn't noticed, when a woman in dark clothes appeared from the shadows and bit him right in the neck. Suddenly he felt weakness and then a strange apathy. The woman turned him around, looking right in his eyes.

"Your blood is so tasty! It was very hard not to drain you down." she smirked. "Do you remember, what had happen today, Falaen Knight of the Realm?"

"Yes, milady." he nodded. His voice sounded empty.

"And what had happen today?"

"I found out that the girl I loved was actually a wild beast. Literally."

"Good. And now you have nothing to lose, Falaen. So give me the runic key," Dame Athanasia commanded.

Falaen just nodded and invited her to his home. There he led her into the kitchen and opened a shelf filled with cupcakes.

"Such a silly stash!" he said without any emotions. "Some magic, and a no one will notice that one of these cupcakes stays on this shelf much longer than such a stuff can stored." he took one of the cupcakes and crashed it, taking the runic key out. "It's yours milady." he gave it to vampiress.

Dame Athanasia smiled.

"Thank you, my dear. Now eat all what left from this delicious cupcake and forget that you ever touched it. And lead me out from your cosy home." she hid the key in her pocket.

Falaen quickly ate all the crumbs remaining from the enchanted cupcake and lead his sinister guest to the door. On the porch Dame Athasia gazed into his eyes.

"Forget about me. Forget about the key." she said in low voice.

"Yes, milady." Falaen answered.

"What do you remember?" Dame Athanasia asked.

"The girl I loved was a werewolf..." he respond perplexedly.

"Go and have some rest. And you never saw me," Dame Athanasia turned around and walked away, while totally confused Falaen closed door behind himself.

They both didn't noticed that poor Livonna was peeking from the bushes, weeping in pain and desperation.

"Is Livonna here?" Dame Athanasia asked, closing the door behind her.

"No, milady," Kajira turned to her. "How did it go? Have you got the key?"

"Yes! Another step to my victory. To our victory, my dear Kajira!" the vampiress smiled, but frowned noticing Wolffang, who tried to hide behind the curtain.

"Hey you, foolish girl! Go and find Livonna before she'll make anything stupid!"

"But she will torn me into pieces!" the orcess protested.

"Oh, yes! I will!" a rabid roar was heard behind their backs. All three women turned to the door and saw furious Livonna standing on the threshold.

"Oh, darkness!" Wolffang closed her eyes and hugged herself.

"How dare you to speak to me in such a voice!" Dame Athanasia said sternly. "Get over my knee! Now!"

"How dare you to ruin my love?" Livonna screamed hysterically. "You could make him forget about what he had seen on the market! But you didn't! Why?" she came up to her mistress, showing her ivories.

"To be sure, that he will not recall about the runic key any time soon, being too upset about how his love turned to be a beast!" Dame Athanasia grabbed Livonna by her scruff. "And I don't need to explain any of my decisions to any of you three! So get over my knee! Now!" and she put struggling she-werewolf over her knee. "Now you need some lesson in humility!" the vampiress took a solid wooden hairbrush.

"This is not fair! I got birched for nothing just because of this greenskin framed me! OW!!! OUCH!!! Milady, please, don't do this! OWIEE!!! I am so sore already! EEYOOW!!!" Livonna bawled in pain, squirming and struggling after each heavy spank landing over her already badly flogged bottom.

Livonna howled and bawled in pain, while Dame Athanasia continued walloping her with the hairbrush, neglecting her protests.

"...And I am your mistress, so it is me who decides what is right and what is wrong! And you can only... Hey what do you think you are doing?!" the vampiress tried to keep the she-werewolf lying over her knee, but Livonna suddenly break away and grabbed her mistress by the collar.

"I don't care if I owe you! I don't care if you are my mistress! You have no right to ignore my feelings like this!" she punched Dame Athanasia in the face and ran away, slamming the door behind herself.

Dame Athanasia stunned in shock, looking at the closed door.

The weather has turned bad. It was raining cats and dogs. Falaen was sitting in an armchair in front of the fireplace, looking out the window, sadly staring at raindrops running down the glass.

There was a knock on the door.

"Who is there?" Falaen asked, standing up from the armchair.

"It's me, Lydda!" the female voice answered.

"Oh, it's you," Falaen sighed and opened the door. "Come in, my old friend! How do you do?" he hugged her.

"Well, that's a state secret, you know," a young elven blonde giggled and hugged him back. "But speaking seriously, I am fine. Me and princess Maera are still trying to find her disappeared mother." she frowned for a second. "And how are you, my friend?"

"Well, fifty-fifty," Falaen shrugged.

"What's the matter, Falaen? I see that something is bothering you!" Lydda frowned.

Livonna didn't noticed that. She only wept bitterly, gazing at elves through the window. They didn't even notice her. And she didn’t even realise that she was just seeing a meeting of old friends. Her heart was broken. Weeping bitterly poor werewolfess walked away. And at each step she was turning more and more beast-alike.

A big grey she-wolf ran out the city and stopped only when she reached the forest. She sat on the ground, raised her muzzle and howled bitterly, feeling how the raindrops are running down over her fluffy wool. She never felt so lonely and so betrayed in her whole life. She howled to the clouded sky but the storm muffled her, turning her howl into a silent weep.