Chronicles of the Ivory Expanse: The Princess's Bride

[MissBlackthorne]

In the region of Astilon lies the Ivory Expanse, an area known for the pure white stone and magic infused pale metals that are quarried there. These materials do not occur anywhere else in the known world, making them of great value and beauty to all who behold them. The ease with which spells of great power can be weaved into the already potent metals means that it is in popular demand, be it for weapons of power for those who adventure and battle, or jewelry and charms of protection for loved ones. 


The cost of such items of course is higher than most can afford, which the inhabitants of the Ivory Expanse are grateful for. Many see it as a gift from the gods, whereas other believe the metals gained their power from the fertility rites that are part of the largest festival of the year, the Bounty of Ivory. This festival places an emphasis on sharing fertility with the land through lactation along with various rituals to ensure fertility of both the land and people. While the cause of the metals power is unknown, it is widely agreed the soft and malleable metal makes the toughest and most resistant metalwork  ever seen.


The white stone of the area gleams a perfect white, but holds dyes exceptionally well.  When the last rays of the sun fade, the stone gently glows, giving off a gentle and comforting warmth while the light takes on the color of the stone. These qualities have made the stone popular for housing within the area, especially within the richer circles, who use vibrant dyes to turn their homes into works of art at night.


While the population of the Ivory Expanse is not the largest, it has the most variation in its residents. Humans, Elves, Beast-folk, Goblins, Orcs, Dwarves, Gnomes, Harpies, Kobolds and even some Demons inhabit the area, living together in a somewhat calm peace. 


Within the village of Stonewhite, is where our story begins. The village had recently had a visit announced from Castle Steelbriar, apparently the Princess was to arrive for an extended stay.  Of course, the village folk didn't know the true reasoning behind this visit. The King and Queen had sent a letter ahead of time to the village elder, explaining that with the centaur population dwindling, and males being infertile more often than not, they required an arranged marriage to ensure their legacy lived on. 


While the elder had few ideas of who in the village would be suitable for the Princess, he soon found a good prospect. The local blacksmith was a strong man, surely he would be able to deal with anything the woman would throw at him. So he left the arrangement papers with the blacksmith, only needing a signature to be complete. However when the blacksmith saw them., he smirked. He passed them on to his apprentice, saying he was too old for a mare like that and that his apprentice deserved a reward like a Princess. After all, imagine where it could lead?

 


-----


Day of the Princess's Arrival


---


The honey coated centauress sat impatient in the carriage that her guards pulled.  The village was almost in sight and already she was anxious. How dare her parents invoke an arranged marriage?! With some lower class citizen as well?! Hopefully it would be a Lord or a Duke, someone she could mold into a perfect figurehead of a king while she ruled. At least then she wouldn't be mocked at social gatherings too badly....Princess Coradeen Blackthorne, heir to Castle Steelbriar, and betrothed to lord knows whom....She was shocked out of her internal grouching when the carriage came to a halt.


''We have arrived, Your Highness.'' One guard said curtly as they stood at the village gates. The other unhitched himself and his companion before they assisted the Princess out of the carriage. With a slight annoyed glare, she allowed them to assist her, before heading toward the village with the guards trailing behind. 

 

[Floozer]

Vivian Cromlaad, the black smiths apprentice was blow away when she received the papers. She stammered and protested, saying that she was not worthy of such an honor. But after a few firm words from her teacher, she nodded her head and agreed. She was nervous, more nervous than she has ever been. She picked out her best clothes...which were really just her cleanest clothes. A sturdy pair of pants with no holes in them, a clean white button down shirt, her fathers old over coat kept in immaculate condition and her grandmothers silver necklace. While she looked good, maybe even upper class in this outfit, it was far from a duke or lord of any castle.


"Oh geeze, oh no...she is here! Look at her...so beautiful!" She turns to her teacher in panic. "What do I do?! Do I go to her now? Do I wait for a summons!?" 

 

[MissBlackthorne]

The blacksmith laughed heartily, clapping the holstaurus on the back. ''You should introduce yourself. She probably feels are nervous as you. She probably doesn't even know who she's here to meet.''


As Coradeen made her way a little further into the village she had begun to look about nervously. How was she supposed to find who she'd been palmed off to, when her parents hadn't even told her?! Her tail flicked impatiently behind her as she looked to her guards. ''Well?'' she said quietly, her voice cracking a little. Her front hoof began to trace shapes in the dirt as the guards remained silent. She grunted in annoyance and began to walk forward again. ''Fine, i'll find out myself.''

 

[Floozer]

"Ok...I can do this...I can do this..." She kept her head held high and stepped out from the black smith shop. Checking her clothes one last time she walks over to the princess and bows low. "Princess Coradeen? It is a great pleasure to finally meet you! My name is Vivian Cromlaad...and if the papers are to be believed, I am your husband to be." She puts on her best winning smile, hoping against hope to make a good first impression.

 

[MissBlackthorne]

Coradeen stood there in shocked silence. The woman before her had completely thrown her off. As she slowly regained the use of her brain, she scowled. ''This has to be a joke. My species requires breeders, not wet nurses.'' she said. She didn't mean to be cruel, but her fear over such life altering events coupled with the less than masculine holstaurus before her made her become cold to try and protect herself. She harrumphed as she looked Vivian over. 


''A commoner, presuming to be the one i am to be betrothed to...'' she said shaking her head.  In her normally fiery gaze you could see her fears clearly, making her look more like a nervous newborn filly than a strong centaur princess. 


One of her guards stepped forwards and halted her, receiving an angry glare as a result. He didn't even flinch even though he knew he was no match for her. 


'' I apologize on behalf of the princess. She is simply overwhelmed. Perhaps she could lie down in your quarters until her maidenly spell of hysteria is over?''

 

[Floozer]

Vivian looked a tad hurt at such a rude display on their first meeting, but quickly put it aside as meeting your betrothed for the first time after such a long trip was probably not the easier thing in the world. She nods her head and keeps her kind smile on display.


"Of course! I am sure she is just stressed from the long journey. Please, follow me to my home. it is not far." Show bows to the princess and turns around, leading the group to her humble abode. Humble was being kind of course, as it was a single floor home with only a basement as an attachment. A large bed sat to the right, a modest size table and kitchen area to the left which means the basement must be her recreation area.


"Please make yourself at home princess, I don't have much but what I do have is at your disposal." 

 

[MissBlackthorne]

Coradeen followed the woman after her guard whispered into her ear. Her ears were somewhat drooped and her arms were crossed across her squishy chest. She was honestly acting like a spoiled brat and the worst part was she knew it. As she trotted into the home she she looked about. It was surprisingly homey if she was honest, somewhat refreshing compared to all the over the top frivolousness that the castle had. Showing off in such ways was stupid in her mind as you didn't have guests or host parties all the time anyway. 


Coradeen gently sat on the bed, her honeyed flanks resting neatly while her front hooves supported most of her weight.  She watched as her guards merely stood outside, knowing they were likely to be readying themselves for their journey back. 


After some time in silence she let out a heavy sigh. ''I...I'm sorry for my rudeness. I shouldn't take out my emotions on you, especially if we are to be wed.....''

 

[Floozer]

She chuckles lightly and looks at Coradeen. "No need to apologize princess. I am sure this is the exact opposite of what you were hoping for. To be completely honest, you were supposed to be wed to my teacher, the town black smith. But he felt his age would hold him back and passed this blessing down to me." She holds out a shiny red apple. "Would you like an apple? I got it yesterday so it is still fresh." 

 

[MissBlackthorne]

Coradeen blushed a little, the recounting of events making her feel a little calmer. She supposed she was lucky to have a young husband, one who would be willing to at least listen to her rather than purely to tradition. 


''Um...thank you for the offer, but no. Tonight the village will hold a feast at which we will announce that we are to be wed. I think it would be best if i wait til then to eat or i may go a little overboard.'' she said a little embarrassed. '' However....I must ask. how do you feel about the whole marriage thing....I was informed of very little myself, but do know we will be required to return to the castle within a few days.''

 

[Floozer]

She puts the apple down and pulls a chair over so she can sit while facing Coradeen. "Honestly, I am still nervous about it. I am just a black smith apprentice suddenly told I will be marrying the centaur princess! It is a rather large turn of events to put things likely. I don't mean to sound ungrateful though...you are far more beautiful than any descriptions I have been told! I will do my best to acclimate to a new life by your side." A blush over takes her face and she breaks eye contact. "you...you don't have to worry about kids. I...have the equipment for that, despite my apperance."

 

[MissBlackthorne]

''O-oh...'' Coradeen blushed, not used to such genuine sounding words. On hearing her betrothed was fully equipped, she couldnt help but be curious. '' I've never heard of a woman endowed in such a way.....though I suppose my knowledge has been quite restricted....Oh i'm making such a fool of myself.'' She relaxed her posture a little, her bountiful chest no longer constricted by her tight hugging grip. When she sat at ease like this, her delicate and regal appearance was much more obvious. Instead of seeming to be a spoiled brat, she looked much more like a lady of fine upbringing.

''Perhaps you could tell me about yourself to pass the time? After all, i seem to be putting my hoof in it every time I speak...'' she said shyly, running a hand through her short hair.

 

[Floozer]

"Ah... sure, I can do that, though it isn't very interesting. I was actually born the next town over about a month before my parents wanted to move over here. So while I was born elsewhere, I was raised here. It was a humble life to live but I enjoyed it all the same. I played with the other kids and learned all I could from the adults about town. Then I hit a growth spurt and was bigger than all the boys. As time wen't on I found myself to be more physically capable than the other girls and I really liked it. I started hovering around the blacksmith while he wroked and... he eventually just took me on as his apprentice."

 

[MissBlackthorne]

Coradeen listened and smiled. '' I see. Tell me, are you versed in combat, or only making the tools with which to engage in battle?'' She stood up at this point, the broken chain of her shackle jingling with the sudden movement. Slowly she trotted forward, appraising the woman before her a little more fairly now she was calm. She wasn't all that bad looking really. Tall, strong and rough around the edges. Those mismatched eyes were actually kind of charming, and those breasts....they'd probably feel lovely pressed against her own....And she could smell something wonderful...masculine and potent mixed with gentle femininity...

A slight blush filled Coradeen's cheeks as she snapped out of her lewd thoughts. She knew becoming a fertile woman would have an effect on her, but not like this! She hoped her gaze hadn't lingered anywhere too unsubtle, she couldn't handle looking like such a harlot, especially before she was even wed!

 

[Floozer]

She has to look up to meet Coradeen's eyes since she is still sitting down but she doesn't seem to notice her lingering gaze... or she is just too polite to bring it up. "Um, i have practiced a bit with a war hammer before, but then someone came in and bought it so that practice ended several weeks ago. I am better at making them than using them really."

 

[MissBlackthorne]

''Well, we'll have to change that then.'' Coradeen said. ''Come, let us practice against my guards. I am well versed in combat as I am expected to one day lead armies from the front lines. We centaur's don't back down from a challenge and what good would it do if the royals simply sat and watched as figureheads? Foes would learn nothing from their defeat if it isn't handed to them personal.''

Coradeen was obviously fired up, grabbing Vivian by the hand and almost dragging her along. '' Even basic hand to hand combat is a useful skill to make sure you have. If you are to be wed to me, you must be ready to manage displays of strength. The admiration of the people is key to success.''

 

[Floozer]

She gasps as she is suddenly dragged along by Coradeen, obviously not expecting the pretty princess to have such fire inside her. "I... um... very well my lady, if that is wha tyou wish then I will try to learn some combat skills for you."

 

[MissBlackthorne]

''Wonderful!'' Coradeen's guards soon arrived into sight as she dragged Vivian with her. '' First I want see how you do without direction. The guard will not fight back, only guard himself, so please feel free to try anything out.'' She smiled. The stronger looking one of the guards, a black coated stallion, simply rolled his eyes to his partner, while the other snickered. Evidently they had been the training dummy for Coradeen many times.

The stallion stepped forward after removing his armor, taking a ready but relaxed stance. Coradeen drew out a simple box in the dirt with her hooves to be a makeshift arena. '' While strength is important, using your wits and speed is just as valuable.'' Coradeen said as she suddenly charged the guard, aiming a punch at his stomach. The stallion managed to block the hit with his arms, but not Coradeen's second movement of grabbing his ear with her free hand and pinching it. The way he froze up was comical enough but the faint blush spreading across his cheeks and sudden stamp of his hooves like a nervous colt made it all the more obscure. She let go and moved back outside the box.
''You try.''

 

[Floozer]

She steps nervously into the ring "So... I have to pinch his ear to win? Is that it?" She asks while looking at the guard. "I mean, I am about the same height as you three so I should be able to reach but... I have never really been that fast."

 

[MissBlackthorne]

'' Pinching his ear is a simple way to disable him. Any method of stopping him from reacting would work. Knocking him down, trapping him in mud, even using taunts to tire him and counter attack.'' Coradeen said, though she refused to give away why she used the approach she did. After all, if Vivian learnt how sensitive centaur's ears were, she could use it against her. And riling up a virgin princess, used to getting what she wants, well that could end interestingly for all parties.

The stallion slowly got his composure back, though his co-worker continued to laugh at him. He looked Vivian over, digging his hooves into the ground a little in expectation of a rushing blow.

 

[Floozer]

"Oh! I just have to stop him from reacting? I can try to do that." She waved at the guard to show she was ready before stomping up to him as quick as she could, flexing her arm as she draws it back for what must be an earth shaking punch if the bulging muscles were anything to go off of!

 

[MissBlackthorne]

The Guard crosses his arms in front of him, readying himself to try to withstand the hit if he should fail to move away. He leans to one side, ready to bolt to the left if he can.

Coradeen watched with interest, impressed with the musculature that Vivian possessed. She wondered if those muscles continued to be rock hard like that under her clothes too, shaking her head a little as she tried to keep her mind on the current situation. Her ruffled tail flicked behind her, trying to disperse the scent of her arousal.

 

[Floozer]

She stomps her hoof at the last second, coming to a stop and throwing her punch... only to stop it last minute and grab the guard by his arm! her other hand joined the grapple and she now held the guards arms together! With a grunt and a tug she pulls him forward, his legs hitting her own which makes him trip forward, a motion she follows as he now ends up on the floor with her sitting on top of him. "Does this count?"

 

[MissBlackthorne]

The guard grumbles from the ground, glaring daggers at his partner who can't seem to get enough of seeing him get pummeled. Coradeen jumped a little happily as she watched the guard's tumble to the ground before rushing over. ''That was excellent! Using your strength and his own weak positioning against him is perfect. I see you have raw potential.'' she said. She helped Vivian up, using the moment to run her fingertips over a bicep.

Such strength and fortitude may actually make this a good match. Our foals will grow strong and hardy in no time... Wait foals? What am I thinking? We haven't even been married yet!

''Hmm, it seems evening is approaching soon. We should make ourselves presentable for the feast.''

 

[Floozer]

"Yes my lady, of course." She says politely as she reaches a hand down to help the guard back up "But that wasn't any training... that is how I handle the stubborn goats that don't want to go back in the barn after grazing all day. Without the front legs they will tumble so... I just guessed that centaurs were the same." she says with a blush on her cheeks.

 

[MissBlackthorne]

Coradeen smirked as her guard's pride was hit further. '' Well, I think we may have bruised his pride enough for one day, and I must bathe and dress for tonight. However we can go over techniques for different battles tomorrow. I don't suppose you could show me to your washroom?''

Coradeen knew if she watched the holstaurus flexing those muscles and casually pinning the guards any more she would need more than just a cold bath to hide the desire that was brewing. She couldn't believe such an attraction was forming, though she blamed it purely on her bodies natural needs. After all, she barely knew the woman, yet here she was wanting to jump her without warning. What if it was purely a psychical thing? She couldn't let that happen....Her people needed them to be together.

 

[Floozer]

Vivian clasped her hands together and looked around bashfully "I... i am sorry my lady but... I don't have a washroom. you saw how small my humble home is. I usually go to a small pond when I need to wash up, just outside of town."