The Jade Manor ~ Chapter 1

Chapter 1
The Ronin

The Jade Manor is one of the finest homes in all the Kingdoms. It sprawls atop a large hill, overlooking the fiefdom its owner controls. Walls, twice the size of even the tallest man, encircle the glamorous abode, painted a sage green with glittering gold shingles lining the tops. A massive gate, which is more often than not open, rests in the center of the Eastern wall, serving as a grandiose entrance. A cluster of small buildings rest in the South-Western corner, hidden in the shadows of a setting sun. This is where the servants live... well, servant.

With the recent wars plaguing the Kingdoms, all able bodied men have been conscripted into the King's army to defend these lands from invaders. As such, all of the Jade Manor's servants, big burly men that the Lady of the Manor enjoyed keeping around, have been swept away to fight for the King. All except for Colton Stonebridge.

Colton was never the biggest boy, nor the strongest. He wasn't scrawny, by any means. Being a blacksmith's apprentice meant he had developed muscles. His were simply equipped to swing a hammer as opposed to a blade. He stands quite short, especially compared to the towering men of this province, and doesn't have the broad shoulders you expect from a warrior. Despite that, his jaw is quite strong, and his features masculine. His eyes are like dark blue orbs, which glow in the crackling flame of the forge, and his skin is stained a few shades darker than it's natural color with ash and soot. A scar dips out of the collar of his modest maroon tunic, stretching over his shoulder. His hands are still soft, but his fingers are coated in scars from his early days as an apprentice.

Now, Colton serves as the head smith of the Jade Manor... as well as the handyman, groundskeeper, messenger, errand boy, chef, and, most importantly, guard. In fact, guard duty was exactly what Colton was doing right this very moment.

He stands at the open gates of the Jade Manor, a large sword in hand. Armor, which he hasn't quite gotten used to the weight of, rattles on his shoulders as his entire body shakes. The tip of his blade waves quickly back and forth as he quivers, getting stared down by the group of rough faced men before him. A band of ill-equipped ruffians threaten to invade the manor. Their weapons are all the wrong sizes, their armor torn up, dented, rusted, and worse for wear. Their leader stands at the front. A large beard covers most of his face, but what can still be seen is heavily weather beaten.

"Word is, the Jade Manor is without protection," The leader grunts, his voice a deep growl as it pours from his sneering lips. "Looks 'ta me that word was right."

"I 'fink the word was unguarded, boss!" One of his lackeys pipes up. Their leader swings his massive fist in a deadly arc, slamming it atop his smart mouthed follower's helmet. The cheap tin it's made of dents and the helmet is forced further down his head, getting stuck in place as the man falls on his rear in the dirt. He teeters back and forth for a moment before falling backwards, unconscious or worse. Well, at least that was one less attacker Colton would have to deal with himself. If only the others would manage to get removed from the battle as well.

As if the Gods could hear Colton's silent wishes, the crowd went still. The soft sound of footsteps could be heard from behind them, growing closer and closer to Colton. None of the bandits seemed to notice, or, if they did, couldn't react. It was as if they were frozen, not even their eyes able to move from the position they were locked. Slight movement in the back of the crowd catches Colton's eye and he takes a cautious step back. His grip tightens on the hilt of the blade in his hands and he gulps as much nervousness as he can manage away. Granted, that isn't much, his heart pounding against the inside of his chest.

A spot of gold bobs closer and closer. It grows steadily until Colton can see what it actually is. A ponytail and a long one at that. It towers up above the wearer before cascading down their powerful back. Their face is gentle enough, despite the jeweled eye patch covering what was once an eye. Their pale skin is painted with various symbols, among which was a crescent moon in the center of their forehead. Their clothing wasn't that of this region. It was made of a silky material and looked more like a robe than anything you would want to travel in. The front of the silvery garb was agape, displaying the wearer's ample chest, as well as a second crescent drawn in their cleavage. It displayed a row of bandage wrapped abs as well before closing tightly, secured by a belt on their slender waist. One sleeve hangs loosely, flapping in the wind. On their left hip is a katana, the sheath a deep black. Colton couldn't see the design of the hilt, as the woman's hand, which she only had one of, was wrapped tightly around it, a single inch of the polished onyx steel blade on display. They wear wooden sandals on their feet which quietly 'pap pap pap' against the stepping stones that make up the walkway they approach on.

She reaches the leader and continues passed him, standing instead directly in the entrance to the Jade Manor. Her eye lazily inspects Colton as her wrist flicks backwards, the sword clapping back into its sheath. The pained yelps of ten men explode into the air, a mist of blood exploding from their bodies, deep slashes appearing all over them before they collapse. Silence. The woman stares at Colton who stares back, unable to do anything but remain frozen with pure fear. She breaks the silence, pouty pink lips, parting. They open wider and wider, her teeth bared for a moment as she inhales deeply and exhales a yawn.

"Is this the Jade Manor?" She asks, breaking eye contact with the smith. She leans forward, passed the gate, and gazes around the courtyard. Colton's lips move, but no words escape. Her eye snaps back to him and he freezes once more. "I am Rokkaku Inu and I'd like to speak to the Lady of the Manor." Colton's eyes widen as he hears that name, one that had recently become famous in this Kingdom. She was an outsider, one look at her could tell you that, and a renowned swordsman who could best even the fiercest fighters. Her name was always followed by whispers of her legend, one most knew nothing about. She was a mysterious thing known by many names. The Red Mist, the Silver Wolf, and the Oni. To most, however, she was simply The Ronin. A deadly creature from another world.

Rokkaku grows tired of waiting for Colton to free himself of his frightened state. Instead, she strode forward, walking towards the manor, her sandals clattering loudly against the stone walkways below. She raises her hand, waving it dismissively to the smith as she walks passed, as a lazy thanks, and makes her way up the short set of steps to the main doors of the Manor.

"Wait!" Colton gasps, snapping from his trance. Rokkaku raises her blonde eyebrows, looking over her shoulder, hand grabbing the handle of the door. "If you open that door, you'll surely-" but it was too late. The door slid open and sound of a crossbow snapping into action rings from the shadows within. An arrow, the length of a grown man's forearm, spirals through the air, aimed expertly for Samurai's temple. Colton was too slow to do anything, he couldn't save her. Fortunately, Rokkaku wasn't the type that needed someone to save her.

The hand upon the door handle disappeared without so much as a blur. One moment it was there and the next it simply wasn't, as if it was never there in the first place. In that same instant, a hand appeared beside Rokkaku's head, clenched in a tight fist, the glittering tip of a crossbow bolt sitting mere inches from her skull. A surprised, "Eh?", escapes the ronin's throat as one of her eyebrows drops. She blinks, or winks, it's tough to tell, and looks forward once more at what could have easily been the end of her life. Then passed it.

In the shadows of the entry way, a heavy oak table has been over turned to create a shield. A large crossbow rests against it, a woman with a large grin holding it tight. She chuckles, her pearly white teeth shining in the dark, as she sees how easily the invader caught her last line of defense. Even if she was physically strong enough to reload the weapon herself, it would take far too much time for her to do so and aim at Rokkaku. The Samurai was clearly too quick for a second shot.

"Are you Lady Grimmsbane?" Rokkaku asks, dropping the arrow. It falls, turning in the air, the tip planting deep into the wooden porch below. The woman rises to her feet, her waist hovering just passed her make-shift barrier. She's quite tall, especially for a woman, and especially compared to the half-pint of a Smith's Apprentice Colton Stonebridge. Her arms are long and slender, the fingers decorated with a number of expensive looking rings, each adorned with at least one shining Jade. She wears an ample chest in the luxurious plum gown that cascades down her body, hugging the curves of her wide hips, the material straining around her thick thighs. Her hair is a fiery red and almost glows in the shadows that envelope her, loose curls running down her tanned shoulders.

"Well, I prefer to be called Azura," She admits, her voice a smooth song as it drifts to the rough Samurai's ears. "But yes, I am Lady Azura Grimmsbane of the Jade Manor." She waves her hand, gesturing to the house around her. "You've heard of me? Only frightening things I would hope." A larger smile stretches across her sharp lips, the candles that litter the room igniting, filling the shadows with the light of dancing flames. Rokkaku looks around, taking a moment to admire the pageantry brought to the simple task of lighting a room.

"I've heard many things about you," Rokkaku says with a nod, her intimidating gaze falling back on the Lady of the house. "However I'm not interested in tales of witchcraft and missing children whom may or may not reside in your belly." Azura coos with laughter. "I'm only interested in the Master Smith you have in your employ." Colton comes forward, beside Rokkaku, feeling smaller than ever in the presence of these women. His shoulders drift towards his ears, his stomach doing somersaults in the heavy armor he wears.

"Master?" Azura chuckles, laughter rarely missing when she speaks. It was when Azura was without a smile and even the slightest titter that you should begin to worry. But now, despite being in immediate danger, Lady Grimmsbane seemed to be in high spirits. "She must not be speaking of you, Stonebridge, hmm?" Her fiery brows raise questioningly. Colton feels his ears growing hot, the flesh of his cheeks flushing an embarrassing red. "You must be speaking of my former smith, Miss... My apologies. I don't believe you offered me your name."

"I am Rokkaku Inu, a ronin from Yami," The tactless Samurai introduces herself, not bothering to so much as acknowledge Azura's misplaced apology. "I was told the Smith of the Jade Manor was the greatest in this entire Kingdom and I need his help maintaining my Pit Viper." Rokkaku reaches down, knocking gently on the hilt of her sword. That must be it's name. Fitting, considering just how deadly it was in the hands of a warrior like her.

"Well unfortunately he was conscripted into our King's army in order to fight... well to fight your Shogun I suppose," Azura says, tilting her head playfully. "Does this make you my enemy and me yours, Silver Wolf?"

"I prefer to be called Roe," Rokkaku admits, stepping forward, her hand leaving the hilt of her blade. She folds her arm across her stomach, tucking her hand into her robe. For most people, this stance meant they wouldn't be able to draw their weapon without it being obvious they were raching for it. With Roe, as she preferred to be called, it meant nothing. She had displayed twice now that she could move faster than either Colton and Azura could follow. Still the gesture was there. Azura too stepped closer, coming around the over turned table, and standing mere feet from the Ronin. She had traded her crossbow, oversized as it was, for a twisted gnarled branch of a staff. Something infinitely more deadly in the hands of Grimmsbane than a mere crossbow. Of course, she had grown rusty on actually using the old thing.

"Roe," She says slowly, planting the end of her staff on the ground beside her foot, leaning gently against it. "You know that the Master Smith no longer resides her, yet you haven't said your goodbyes. Is there something else I can help you with?" They stare at one another. The glittering blue Roe's single eye stays locked in with the shimmering green of Azura's.

"I could use a place to stay for a time," Roe says. "And, from the look of things, you could use some protection for a time." Azura tilts her head back slightly, quite literally looking down her nose at the proposal. Colton was finding it harder and harder to breathe. Sweat poured down his cheeks, his face glowing red, the young man unable to withstand the crushing presences of this pair of powerful women.

"I suppose it is growing colder and colder in the wilds with each passing day," Azura says. "I'd be heartless to turn you away at this time of the year. Besides, I don't trust Stonebridge to protect my maids from very much." As if to prove her point, Colton fell forward, the world around him growing dark before his head clattered to the wooden flooring below. His armor clanged loudly, the sword he held skittering across the ground, the finely sharpened edge ruined as it claterred into the wall. The women blinked, looking down at the now unconscious man, who was hardly more than a boy.

-

Colton awoke with the rising sun, its warm rays pouring into the paper windows of his humble abode. His head ached, a dull throb present in the back of his skull. The cool breeze of his open door washed over his now bare chest, the armor that weighed him down the day before missing. He hoped it had someone found its way back to his forge, as it was quite nice armor that he had spent hundreds of hours perfecting. With a yawn, that quickly turned to a groan as the pain in his head reminded him it was in fact there, the smith sits up ever so slowly.

His chest and stomach muscles flex weakly, putting themselves on display for a brief moment. He looks around, vision still blurry, his right hand idly tracing the pale scar that runs up his chest and over his shoulder. Had he been more awake, not still so shell shocked from his intense meeting with The Ronin the day before, Colton may have noticed a few things out of place in his home. The way his second chair was slightly askew, despite him never having guests. The extra cloak which wasn't there the previous morning. The wooden sandals that accompanied his own thick leather boots beside the door.

But, as he stumbled from bed towards his bathroom, he didn't see any of that. He felt his cock slapping clumsily against his inner thighs as he walked and looked down in surprise to find himself completely nude. Sure, he could understand them removing the armor, but his underwear as well? He felt embarrassed that one of the ladies of the Manor had seem him like that, so you can imagine how he felt when he drew back that curtain which served as his bathroom door, to find an unexpected guest. In the center of his bathroom was a large wooden tub. It had already been filled with hot water, which Colton found a bit strange, but what was even stranger was someone had already made themself comfortable in that hot water.

Roe lounges casually in the steaming water, her right arm, which comes to an abrupt stop just above where her elbow should be, laying along the rim of the tub. Her left arm runs casually through the golden locks on her head, wetting them with the hot water as she brushes through it. She had washed away the dirt and grime of her long journey the night before, so the water was still pristine, despite her soaking in it for a time. Her right foot rests on the edge of the tub as she really stretches out. Most notably, however, are her ample breasts, which heave with each breath, on display as the water only reaches her second to last rib. The steam, which fills the bathroom, does little to block Colton's view of the Samurai, her trusty Katana within arm's length, propped against the tub's side.

"Ah!" Colton gasps, nearly jumping out of his skin. He steps back quickly, shielding his eyes. They open wider as he remembers he, too, was nude and his hands shoot down to cup his hanging cock and balls, doing his best to keep the Samurai from seeing them. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" He swears. Roe doesn't flinch, simply raising her eyebrows once more. It seems like putting your nude body on display, as hers was now, just isn't a big deal back in Yami.

"Good, you're up," She says, the water sloshing as she shifts slightly. "Come join me, there are certain places I can't reach." She waves her right arm briefly before using it to point at her left pit. Her arm presses into her right breast, squishing the impossibly soft mass briefly and sending it into a jiggling dance as she releases it. That warmth returns to his ears as he feels his cheeks flush red once more. He could feel himself throbbing at the mere sight of the woman, his cock aching to be freed from his grasp. He can feel it growing as he struggles to maintain her intimidating gaze.

Colton's feet begin moving on their own. They move him forward, into the bathroom, towards the lounging samurai. He feels as if he's in a trance, though still shielding himself from her view, unable to do anything but obey her commands. Roe raises one of those golden eyebrows, looking him up and down. She still wore an eye patch. It was different from the one she wore yesterday. This one was smaller and plain black with no decoration. It had two simple straps, which met at the back of her head. Standing this close, Colton could see the scar which the other patch hides completely. It was a simple pale slash running straight from her cheek bone up behind the patch.

What truly amazed Colton, however, was the severe lack of scarring on the rest of her body. Her skin was a smooth pale porcelain without blemish. Of course there was a scar on her right arm, where it had been severed, but other than those two, Colton only saw a single battle mark on her body. Well, he saw the reflection of it. As Roe shifted in the tub, leaning briefly away from the side, to make room for the Smith, he saw a small scar on her left shoulder blade. It looked to be from an arrow or a spear, but definitely not a sword.

Colton released his cock, stood just beside the tub now, and let it hang and swing before Roe. She doesn't bother to hide her gaze, eye running down Colton's slightly toned body to the length of meat bobbing between his legs. She drinks in the sight. It had been quite some time since she, as well as most women in the Kingdoms, had enjoyed the company of a man. As Colton stood there, his cock reaching surprisingly far down his thighs with room to grow, she could feel an ache brewing in her loins. One she had been feeling for weeks now.

Colton lifts his leg, lowering it slowly into the water, which was still steaming hot. He shivered slightly before bringing his other foot in behind him, standing before the ronin. He wasn't a bold man, but something about her gaze made him stand still, letting his cock hang on display mere inches from her face. He felt like he was in a daze, possibly still dreaming. Roe reaches out, her long fingers caressing the heavy pair of balls swinging before her. Her tongue snakes out, surprisingly long. It could easily reach her chin, but she opted to simply lick her lips and let it return to her mouth.

"My, my, you've quite the impressive hammer, smith," She says, her usually rough voice quite gentle. Her slender hand moves to the shaft, stroking it slowly. The thick summer sausage throbbing in her palm, growing before her as she enjoys the weight of it in hand. She watches the fat uncut head push free, displaying itself to her, a bead of salty pre-cum glistening on the tip. She leans in, that long tongue lapping the head clean, slathering it in hot spit. Her tongue swirls slowly around, her soft hand stroking up and down, grip firm. Colton inhales deeply, exhaling shakily, his knees growing weak. "Is this meant to be my breakfast for the day?"

Her hand slides down to those heavy balls once more, groping and squeezing them as she lets the fat head press to her soft lips. Pushing forward, Roe takes it slowly into her mouth, tongue pressing firmly against the underside the entire way. Deeper. Deeper. Until it hits the back of her throat, her lips wrapped firmly around the shaft, only about halfway down it. Her hand squeezes and caresses, feeling just how big those aching balls of his were. They felt as if they hadn't been unloaded for just as long, if not longer than Roe herself had been pent up and she wanted every last drop to herself.

Those soft lips slip further down, the head of his cock pushing into her greedy throat for a moment. She pulls back, smacking her lips, lapping the taste of dick from them. Roe raises to her feet, his heavy balls still held in her hand. She stands taller than him, her ample breasts perfectly eye level. Colton can't help himself. He leans in, face pressing between those gorgeous breasts, the nipple pretty and pink, a golden ring hanging from the right one. His hands move to her stomach, feeling her abs, fingers running up to her chest, giving each on a strong squeeze. He feels himself lowering into the water until he's sat down, Roe in his lap.

She leans against him, smothering him, trapping him in her breasts. The world around him is dark and the only sound he can hear is the dull beat of her heart and quiet rumble of her moans. Roe shifts until the head of his cock presses against her aching groin. Her hand slides up his arm to the back of his head, holding him in place as she presses down on the throbbing mass between his legs.

"Nn..Nuh...Nyah!" She gasps as it pushes in. The thick length stretching her aching body, pushing deeper and deeper inside of her. Her drooling cunt squeezes him so tight, stroking his entire length as her round ass presses into his thighs. Roe stays still for a moment, breathing heavy, this feeling of pure pleasure something she hadn't felt in so long. She arches her back, pressing into him, raising her hips briefly before slamming back down, aggressively onto him. His cock pushing so hard and so deep into her, breasts jiggling and bouncing in his face. "Nuh!" She whines for it, unable to maintain her usual cold demeanor.

Colton's breaths come slow, labored. He feels his cock so deep inside her, getting milked. He felt as if his soul was leaving his body as she rode him so roughly. Her breasts smothered him, keeping him in complete darkness, her scent filling his nose and mind. He moaned for her, into her chest, his body quivering as he held himself back. His hands moved to her round ass, squeezing and groping it, helping her bounce and ride his fat cock.

Roe slams down suddenly, pressing into him, rolling her hips, grinding on his lap. She lays hard against him, panting and whining, quivering at even the slight touch. The Ronin cums, her toes curling under the water, entire body tensing as she creams on his cock.

Colton can't help himself. He pushes into her, as deep as he can, exploding. Thick ropes of potent seed spray inside her, flooding her aching cunt with cum. His legs tense, the muscles straining painfully so as he feels her embrace. His heavy balls emptying as her cunt milks him for all he's worth, draining him completely. Colton loses his grip, falling back against the side of the tub, feeling himself slipping into unconsciousness once again.

Roe lays against him panting, catching her breath slowly, feeling the unbelievable warmth inside her as his cock pulses for her, softening gently. She leans back, light flooding the Smith's world once again as he's able to breathe freely. He takes deep breaths, entire body shaking as he exhales, making the Samurai chuckle slightly. She raises from him, his thick seed drooling down her inner thigh as she climbs out of the tub, fetching a towel. "Clean yourself up and then come help me with my paint," She commands him.

Colton can't think straight, his entire mind in a haze after what had just happened. His legs felt numb. His entire body felt numb for that matter. The poor Smith had no idea what the world had in store for his near future. If he did, he'd surely try to escape from the Jade Manor. Unfortunately, Colton Stonebridge couldn't see into the future, or the chaos his life would soon become.