THE BRIDE OF NAGASH

Dedicated to a very special girl.

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"Doesn't Vanessa look beautiful tonight?"

"Hmph! Maybe for an illegitimate half-elf spawn."

"You're evil!"

"It's true! I can't see how Lord Skyflame could acknowledge such a creature, let alone arrange a marriage for her. What's even more remarkable is that he found someone willing to marry the little brat."

"It must be the dowry that Lord Skyflame is offering, I hear it is quite generous."

"It would have to be enough to buy a kingdom."

The two noblewomen giggled behind their hands as Lady Vanessa Skyflame walked past. The half-elf girl could hear their sharp barbs quite clearly, another curse of her elven heritage.

The young lady snatched a glass of punch from a standing servant, walking quickly across the crowded ballroom to a set of glass double doors. She pushed the doors violently open, closing them behind her before walking to the stone railing at the edge of the short balcony. Vanessa sipped her punch, deeply inhaling the cold night air, a few snowflakes fluttering through the light breeze. She looked out over the sprawling city of Nuln, the metropolis dark except for a few plumes of glowing smoke from chimneys.

Vanessa set the half-empty glass on the stone railing, wrapping her arms around her stomach just beneath her ample breasts. The bare skin of her exposed cleavage blossomed with goose bumps from the chill air. Mist streamed from Vanessa's sensual red lips as she tossed her long straight blonde hair, her mane adorned with a net of creamy white pearls. Vanessa moved from one end of the balcony to the other in agitation, her wide green silk skirts swishing around her slim legs. The half-elven lady recovered her glass, draining the strong punch in one long gulp.

Staring sadly into her empty glass, Vanessa was startled when a loud explosion echoed from the eastern end of the city. The half-elf rushed to the right-hand edge of the balcony, her brown eyes widening when the cannons positioned atop Nuln's walls cracked in reply.

The wealthy guests of Vanessa's betrothal gala rushed out onto other balconies, gaggling amongst themselves while all the cannons along the eastern wall fired, their reports gently shaking the balcony Vanessa stood upon. The guests swiftly excused themselves, barely taking the time to recover cloaks and fur wraps before rushing out to their waiting carriages.

"Vanessa! Vanessa!" shouted the girl's father, walking quickly across the ballroom floor to the balcony where Vanessa stood in numb terror.

"Father, what's happening?" asked Vanessa softly, clinging desperately to her father's long coat with her small hands.

"The city is under attack. I'm been called to lead a cavalry unit. I want you to go to the governor's palace with one of the serving women, she'll make sure you arrive safely."

"Father! Don't go!" pleaded Vanessa, looking deeply into her father's eyes, her own glistening with unshed tears.

"I love you, Vanessa," whispered her father tenderly, hugging her tightly, briefly kissing her golden hair before releasing her.

"Take her to the palace," ordered Vanessa's father, addressing a middle-aged woman that Vanessa recognized as one of the kitchen staff.

"I will, my lord. Do not worry," curtsied the woman.

Smiling reassuringly at his daughter, the proud Skyflame rushed out of the ballroom. The kitchen woman took Vanessa's limp right hand, leading the girl out into the chaotic streets.

Thunder seemed to fill the black sky, the eastern wall illuminated by the muzzle flashes of cannon and a strange green fire that glimmered just beyond the thick stone. People ran dumbly down the streets, screaming, clutching loved ones, confused and wandering without reason. The kitchen woman pushed people roughly aside, shouting along with everyone else, the words incomprehensible in Vanessa's graceful pointed ears. A huge roar froze everyone in place. Citizens turned to gape at a towering column of green fire that swirled around the eastern gate. The reinforced portal disappeared, along with a good portion of the wall around it. The sound of the explosion washed over the city a few moments later, the very air shuddering in agony from the raw violence of the eldritch blaze. People went mad, the screaming increased tenfold, citizens clawing and pushing everyone around them. Vanessa fell under the writhing press of humanity, screaming as her dress was torn by pounding feet and clutching hands. She lost sight of her guide; she was alone beneath a flood of frightened animals. More explosions shook the buildings around Vanessa, the wall cannons being systematically destroyed by fireballs and forks of purple lightning.

The night was illuminated by screaming green skulls, the cackling projectiles arcing down in waves over Nuln. Shops, taverns, manors, everything was vulnerable to the blazing skulls of death. Buildings exploded in brilliant blossoms of jade flame, raining the streets with burning debris and the remains of the destroyed buildings' occupants.

Vanessa fought her way back to her feet, sliding her way into a dark alley. The panicked citizens flowed by the alley mouth in an unending wave, the air rank with their fear. The half-elf leaned heavily against one of the alley walls, the stone vibrating as a nearby shop disappeared in a cloud of green fire. Vanessa looked down at her torn dress, her bosom nearly exposed, her breasts pumping desperately to fill her aching lungs. The skirts of the once fine dress were ripped up to her hips, her lush legs visible behind her white petticoats. The pearl net was gone from Vanessa's hair, the locks filthy with dust and sweat.

Detached from her surroundings, Vanessa stiffened when she finally realized the screaming had increased in volume. Peeking tentatively out of the alley, the young woman gasped when she beheld five walking skeletons and three zombies charging down the street towards her, cutting down everyone before them with blood dripping blades. Shaking with fear, Vanessa ran down the length of the alley to the other opening. A careening carriage smashed into the left-hand side of the alley mouth, the driver tumbling out like a broken doll onto the filthy cobbles. Vanessa slid to a halt, her bosom heaving, her skin flushed and gleaming with perspiration. She spun back to face the only open alley mouth, only to discover that three tall, burly zombies blocked the way.

Vanessa whimpered softly, backing away from the advancing Undead. The zombies marched towards the half-elf girl relentlessly, drool pouring from their open mouths, their skin green with rot and decay. Vanessa barely kept from vomiting when the smell of the approaching zombies wafted over her, the stench of rotting meat, the aroma of death. Vanessa bumped into the ruined carriage, the dead driver lying in a pool of his own steaming blood. The zombies sheathed their weapons, reaching out towards Vanessa with long, scabby, black-nailed hands.

"No!" screamed Vanessa, struggling as two zombies grabbed her thin arms and dragged her away from the carriage. The Undead took Vanessa to the middle of the alley, then held her while the third zombie tore open her dress in one downward motion.

"Please," sobbed Vanessa as the zombie in front of her grinned vacantly, his sunken eyes locked pointing towards the sky. Moaning through decaying vocal cords, the zombie pawed Vanessa's large breasts, his touch revolting and clammy. Vanessa whimpered, closing her eyes while one of her captors licked up the left side of her neck and across her cheek.

The two zombies holding Vanessa forced her to the ground on her back, spreading her legs apart for their comrade. The waiting zombie opened his dirty breeches, releasing a huge stiff purple cock. Vanessa stared wide-eyed at the zombie's member as he knelt between her outspread legs, grasping her kneecaps with his cold hands. He bent down to Vanessa's quivering pussy, licking her cunt lips, nuzzling just inside her slit with his vile, ruined face.

Vanessa shuddered, unprepared for the sensual thrill that shot through her body when the zombie caressed her pussy. The half-elf girl leaned her head back as the zombie near her crotch lapped up and down her cunt, moaning with pleasure when her twat became wet with her virginal juices. The restraining zombie on Vanessa's left side stroked her long blonde hair while the Undead on the right pressed his mouth over her right tit, sucking deeply on the warm mound with dry, ravenous lips. Vanessa moaned loudly, her pussy melting with arousal, her vagina dripping with her honey. The zombie licking her cunt stopped to position his long purple cock against her narrow pink opening. Vanessa opened her eyes, her mouth open as she witnessed her attacker shove his rancid meat pole into her pussy. The half-elf girl groaned deeply, throwing back her head, arching her naked back while the zombie between her thighs rammed his shaft into her uterus. The zombie sucking on Vanessa's right tit started licking her sensitive pink nipple, his black tongue fondling the little knob, caressing it until it stood erect and stiff.

Vanessa shook with each powerful thrust, her hymen tearing painfully, releasing a stream of blood between her puffy labia folds. The zombie pumped into Vanessa unceasingly, his hands firm on her legs, his hips thrusting mechanically forward against the naked girl's crotch. Vanessa lay limply on the cobbled ground, her arms held down by Undead hands, one of the creatures covering her open mouth with his. She moaned softly, the zombie's tongue slithering like a snake inside her throat. Vanessa returned the zombie's kiss, sucking on her rotting lover's skin cracked lips, her jaws working as she fondled the Undead man's slimy tongue with her own wet pink one.

The zombie fucking her pussy climaxed with a jerk, shooting his sticky cream into Vanessa's young womb. Vanessa groaned, her crotch thrusting forward, her pussy clenching as her first orgasm exploded between her legs, a torrent of cum squirting out to splash against her Undead lover and her own smooth inner thighs.

The zombies switched positions, rotating so that another could take his pleasure of Vanessa's dripping cunt. The half-elf girl's new lover rolled the limp female onto her stomach, raising her ass up so he could reach her tight pink slit more easily. He caressed her soft, rounded buttocks, his cold decayed hands fondling her warm white flesh. The zombie pried her crack open, slowly sliding his erect cock into her moist cunt. Vanessa bit her lip, her forehead gleaming with sweat as she felt the zombie's shaft dig into her vagina. She held herself up by her hands, her ripe tits dangling temptingly towards the ground. One of the zombies wriggled beneath Vanessa, sucking wetly on each of her heavy breasts. The last zombie pried Vanessa's mouth open just before he inserted his cock past her slack lips. Vanessa moaned, the milk from the zombie's cock head searing down her throat. The zombie dug his hands into Vanessa's golden hair, squeezing her temples while he thrust back and forth between her soft, red lips. Vanessa gagged at first, then began sucking on her lover's shaft, her tongue licking the underside of his rank pole.

The zombie kneeling behind Vanessa slapped his crotch against the half-elf girl's ass, his hands crushing her buttocks while her vagina closed tightly around his slick member. The zombie moaned with bliss, running his skeletal hands up and down Vanessa's bare back. He grasped a handful of the naked girl's blonde hair, yanking back on her mane like a rider tugging on a horse's reins. Vanessa groaned, her mouth full of zombie cock, the shaft of purple meat dripping with her saliva as she sucked the pole down her warm throat. The zombie before Vanessa groaned when he orgasmed, flooding her mouth with his cum, then washing it across her face as he withdrew his staff from her hungry lips. Vanessa smiled with wanton pleasure as she licked the thick, reeking cum from her mouth. The zombie pumping Vanessa's cunt pulled out his cock, spurting white cream over the naked girl's buttocks and back.

Limp with exhaustion, her skin hot with lust, Vanessa lay stretched out on the ground until two of her ravagers grasped her bare arms and began dragging her towards the open mouth of the alley. Vanessa hung her head back, her tits dripping with zombie saliva and sweat as she was taken through the corpse filled streets of Nuln, a city of the Empire transformed into a city of the Undead.

====

Vanessa stumbled, the heavy iron manacles around her wrists rubbing painfully against her skin as she followed the chain gang of naked young women east towards the looming Undead camp. The sun was just starting to rise from the eastern horizon, its light pale and white, filtered through heavy, grey clouds. The air was bitterly chill, Vanessa's white skin was almost blue from the cold. The half-elf girl's breath steamed around her face, her pussy still ached from her rape by the zombies who had captured her, and stolen her virginity. The guarded prisoner line halted, the skeleton overseer standing patiently while a human necromancer instructed it. Vanessa turned her head, using the break to see what had become of her home city, Nuln.

The half-elf almost broke into tears at the sight. Thick black pillars of smoke rose from the ruins of Nuln. Over a dozen large buildings still blazed, including the governor's manor. Green flames devoured everything they touched, illuminating the zombie and skeleton warriors as they slaughtered the men and captured the women for slavery. The Grey Mountains loomed beyond the destroyed city, uncaring and silent at the devastation lying at their feet. Just to the northeast of Nuln, a huge corpse pit had been dug. All of the dead from the city were being hurled into the large circular maw, thousands lay piled within it already. A lone figure stood at the eastern edge of the pit, his long black cloak billowing in the chill wind, the hood draped over his head.

The prisoner line jerked forward again, one of the skeleton overseers occasionally lashing the bare back of a slow girl with a long leather whip. The naked girls passed through a zombie guarded checkpoint, moving through a picket line into the Undead camp proper. Vanessa gazed out over the sprawling army camp, it seemed to stretch out to the horizon. Skeletons and zombies milled around everywhere, clustered in small groups, standing at attention until a robed or an armored officer came to claim them. Bonfires roared in a few areas, surrounded by scabby fleshed ghouls feasting on victims claimed in Nuln. In the center of the camp sat several black pavilions capped with the fluttering banners of Undead lords.

Vanessa's chain gang was led to the slave pens, over a score of large iron cages filled with sobbing, trembling young girls. A thin wraith clothed in rotting royal purple stood at the entry lane of the pens, his cold glowing red eyes examining each slave as she stumbled past. Vanessa shuddered in terror, casting her gaze towards the bare ground as she walked past the staring Undead.

"Halt," hissed the wraith, raising a black gloved hand.

The skeleton overseer stopped instantly, staring straight ahead.

The wraith stepped towards the slave line, his black leather boots crunching on the frosted ground. He placed his hand under Vanessa's chin, tilting the girl's face upward. Vanessa's heart froze when she locked eyes with the Undead creature, she stopped breathing in sheer horror of his dark, cold visage. The wraith was hooded, but his eyes burned with unholy fires, the fires of the damned. White, sharpened teeth bared in a sadistic smile, two fangs shined with obscene promise.

"Yesss, you are the one the Dark Lord seeks," grinned the wraith before he motioned towards a second skeletal overseer.

"Release her from the chain."

The skeleton moved to Vanessa's right side, reaching forward with his bony hands to disconnect her manacles from the group chain. The wraith grabbed Vanessa's left arm, his cold fingers sent spikes of ice through her flesh. The half-elf let the wraith lead her away from the slave pens, past several waiting zombie squads towards the cluster of black pavilions. Harsh croaks filled the air as three flights of carrion slashed across the sky towards Nuln bearing zombie soldiers on their wide decaying backs. The wraith led Vanessa past the outer tents, the moans and screams of girls escaping from flapping entryways, the cries chilling the half-elf's blood.

The wraith stopped in his tracks, turning to face the huge corpse pit to the west. Vanessa followed her captor's attentive gaze, watching when the lone cloaked figure raised his black sleeved arms, chanting in a voice so powerful it could be heard even from where she stood. The words hissed and slithered across Vanessa's ears, the language vile and ancient. Green light began to fill the body stuffed hole, it boiled and churned like thick, greasy oil. The Necromancer's voice became even louder, he roared the invocation, challenging death, defying the gods themselves. Limbs started to quiver, bodies moved with new life. The corpses of Nuln's citizens came back to life, filled with the corrupt fire of Darkness.

The Necromancer threw back his hooded head, laughing with cruel delight. A flood of Undead marched out of the pit, forming square ranks, awaiting their creator's commands. A small form raced to the Necromancer's side, handing the man a tall wooden staff. The wizard leaned heavily against it, the short form supporting his left side as he walked slowly back to the encampment.

"Move," barked the wraith, shoving Vanessa forward.

The half-elf was led to the main tent, a tall black silk affair with silver runes sewn into the sleek fabric. The wraith pulled Vanessa inside, leading her to the tent's central support pole. The Undead removed the chain-linked manacles resting on the pole's hook, placing the chain of Vanessa's bindings in their place. Vanessa's arms were stretched high over her head, her limbs burned from the strain. The half-elf hung against the wooden pole, her breasts rubbing the smooth grain of the shaft.

"What's this?" inquired a deep voice behind Vanessa, the voice of the Necromancer she had heard before.

"She possesses elven blood. She is the one our Master commanded us to bring him."

"Perhaps. Return to your duties."

"Yesss," hissed the wraith, bowing respectfully before departing.

Vanessa heard sounds of movement behind her, a garment being removed, a glass being filled.

"Master," said a soft, trembling female voice.

"What is your name, girl?"

"Va…Vanessa."

"Are you an Elf?"

"Half-Elf, my father was human."

"Ah, a half breed."

The black robed wizard circled around Vanessa, examining her with his obscured eyes, occasionally sipping from an ornate silver goblet. A hand slid between Vanessa's thighs, scratched the dried blood that still stained her skin.

"Um, virgin blood. My minions defiled you, eh?"

"Yes," replied Vanessa, closing her eyes, tears trickling down her smudged cheeks.

"Unfortunate. My lord would have preferred a pure female for the coupling."

"What are you going to do to me?"

"Everything. Every debased act you can imagine, every perversion of the flesh known to the living or the Undead. You are nothing but a piece of meat now, meat to be devoured, savored."

"Please…" whimpered Vanessa, more tears falling from her closed eyes.

"Expect no mercy from me. My masters are hard, unimaginably hard and cold, they expect nothing less from their servants."

A firm, living hand stroked Vanessa's right cheek, ran along her cheekbone to her delicate chin.

"Your destiny will be hard, and painful beyond your comprehension, but there will be pleasure as well, if you open yourself to it."

The hand fell from Vanessa's cheek, moving to her right shoulder. It slid down her spine, caressing the smooth skin of her back. Vanessa gasped softly, she arched her back, thrusting out her small, taut ass. The wizard cupped her right buttock, moving his hand in slow circles, teasing her crack with a finger. Vanessa pressed herself against the firm pole, rubbing her right cheek against the wood, her pussy growing warm with desire.

"Yes, you will do well," whispered the man into Vanessa's left ear before licking down the side of her graceful neck.

Vanessa moaned, her pussy moist, trembling to be touched. The mage withdrew from the half-elf's body, leaving her alone and panting against the tent pole. She tried to see where he had gone, but she couldn't turn her head enough to find him.

"You must learn that pleasure and pain are the same," said the Necromancer, snapping a leather whip over Vanessa's right buttock.

Vanessa shrieked in surprise and pain, just before the dark wizard lashed her again across her back. The leather bit deep, the naked girl could feel her blood trickling down the curve of her back to her butt crack. The whip attacked again, snapping over and over her naked flesh. Vanessa screamed in agony, she writhed against the tent pole, the manacles around her wrists digging into her skin, rubbing the flesh raw. The leather caressed Vanessa's buttocks, creating long red bruises on her creamy white skin. Vanessa shuddered, her mouth gasping for air, her cunt dripping with her musky juices.

"Yes, embrace the delicious agony burning across your body," purred the mage, giving Vanessa a moment to revel in her pain before applying another lash to her marred back. The leather cracked loudly in Vanessa's ears, the feel of the whip over her flesh made her cum uncontrollably, her honey poured out of her pussy in long, thick drops.

"Umm, very good," praised the wizard, standing close to Vanessa, gathering a sample of her falling cum on one of his fingers, sucking the sweet honey into his mouth.

"More, hurt me more," begged Vanessa, licking her tongue over her moist red lips.

"Soon enough," promised the Necromancer, running his right hand through Vanessa's long, glistening blonde hair. He yanked slowly back on the naked girl's mane, bending her head backwards. He roughly licked her exposed throat, tasting her rich, musky sweat. Releasing her hair, the mage walked behind Vanessa, removing his long black robes. He tightly fondled Vanessa's left buttock, crushing the hot, slick flesh before widening her narrow crack. The half-elf groaned loudly when the wizard slowly inserted his stiff cock into her wet cunt.

"Umm, you are tight," growled the Necromancer into Vanessa's shapely ear, nibbling on the point while he thrust violently into her vagina, filling her with his slick meat.

Vanessa moaned, her stomach hitting against the tent poll, her tits wrapped around its diameter as her lover slammed his shaft into her belly again and again. The wizard placed his arms around Vanessa's slim waist, hugging her against his lean body, his crotch slapping against her firm ass. Vanessa groaned with bliss, her eyes squeezed shut, a trickle of drool escaping through her sensual lips while the mage rammed up her vagina, her pussy milking his cock hungrily. With a grunt, the Necromancer climaxed inside Vanessa, flooding her uterus with his seed. Vanessa orgasmed, clutching the chain above her, her thighs shaking as fresh rivers of her juices poured out of her quivering hole down to the tent floor.

The Necromancer removed Vanessa's chain from the tent pole hook, lowering her to the ground to sit in a pool of her own gleaming cum. Vanessa's skin was throbbing hot, beaded with long rivulets of perspiration. She looked up to find a young girl of about thirteen staring wide-eyed at her, her small fingers still rubbing beneath her thin grey shift.

"I'm out of wine. Panya, go retrieve more for me and my parched guest," ordered the Necromancer, draping his robes back over his thin, pale-skinned frame.

"Yes, master," replied Panya quickly, pulling her hand out of her shift before racing out the tent flap of her keeper's abode.

"What will you do with me now…my lord?"

"Take you to my master, the Supreme Lord of the Undead, Nagash. He lives in Nagashizzar, a mighty fortress of Darkness."

"Why does he want a girl of elven blood?"

"You'll see," promised the Necromancer, reclining in a field chair near a smoldering brazier emitting fragrant incense.

"What is your name, my lord?"

"Argint, at your service," bowed the wizard mockingly from his seat.

Panya returned, bearing a tall pitcher in her small arms. Argint took the pitcher from the girl, filling a plain cup along with his silver goblet. He handed Vanessa the cup, tapping it with his own goblet before drinking deeply. Vanessa sipped the wine, it was sweet, sliding easily down her gullet.

"To our master, Nagash," toasted Argint.

"To my master," acknowledged Vanessa, taking a long swallow from her cup.

====

"Drink this," murmured Argint while he shoved his hard cock into Vanessa's pussy from behind.

Vanessa lay on her right side, groaning with each thrust of the dark wizard's shaft into her clenching vagina. The half-elf girl tilted back her head, opening her mouth wide for the glass vial Argint positioned in front of her beautiful face. She wrapped her lips around the mouth of the vial, allowing the syrupy blue liquid to fall down her throat. Her neck convulsed as she swallowed the potion, her body growing warm all over. The many scars and bruises from the previous night's beating slowly sealed up and faded away, leaving her back and ass smooth and perfect again.

Argint threw away the empty vial, using his now free left hand to fondle Vanessa's large left breast as he humped against her curvaceous ass. Vanessa leaned back against Argint's firm body, panting while she stroked her lover's bare thigh. Argint slid his hand from Vanessa's breast down to her flat belly, caressing the warm, sweaty flesh. Vanessa trembled, her pussy sticky with her juices, her inner thighs wet with her honey. Argint placed his hand against Vanessa's cunt, massaging her clit, making her moan in ecstasy before she climaxed, washing his engorged cock with her rich jelly. Argint removed his quivering cock, shooting bursts of white cream over her hot buttocks. Vanessa reached back with her hand, spreading the mage's cum all over her ass, then bringing her milk dripping fingers to her mouth, sucking the thick jizz wantonly from her digits.

"My lord, the army is ready to move," reported the purple-robed wraith from the tent doorway.

"Excellent. Get the forward units on their way," replied Argint, casually rising from the pile of silk pillows to climb into a thick red robe. Vanessa buried herself in the cushions, attempting to hide her nakedness from the watching Undead. The wraith continued to stare at the dripping half-elf, his slitted red eyes lashing across her body.

"You may go, Naziram," said Argint, pouring himself a goblet of wine.

"My lord," bowed the wraith, smiling wolfishly at Vanessa before he departed.

"Where are we going, my lord?" inquired Vanessa.

"To the Blighted Towers. I'm going to leave the bulk of the army there while I escort you to Drakenhof Castle in Sylvania. There's a Gate in Drakenhof that can take us straight to Nagashizzar, where the Dark Lord waits for you."

"I see."

The servant girl, Panya, arrived, bearing a bundle of clothing against her small chest.

"Ah! Good. You were able to get some spare clothes from one of the female necromancers. Put these on, Vanessa, we can't have you dying of exposure before your meeting with Lord Nagash."

Chuckling to himself, Argint left the large tent, Panya close at his side. Two zombies positioned themselves across the doorway, backs facing the half-elf. Vanessa looked down at the clothing in her arms, sighing before she started putting them on.

Argint sat on a huge black warhorse, his hood raised over his head to protect it from the sharp arctic winds blowing across the plain. Vanessa was led to his side by two zombies who were dressed in matching chainmail suits and bore the symbol of Nuln on their torn surcoats.

"Much better," nodded Argint, admiring the way Vanessa fit into the tight red leggings, thigh boots with fur trim, red lace up tunic, and a thick white fur lined winter cloak. He motioned to a white and brown mare waiting docilely to his right. Panya sat behind Argint in the saddle, her thin arms wrapped around his waist, her wide eyes watching Vanessa as she climbed onto her mare's back.

"The army awaits your command, my lord," hissed Naziram, riding a skeletal steed up to Argint's left flank.

"Sound the advance," ordered Argint, kicking his warhorse into motion.

Naziram raised a white bone horn to his ghostly lips, blowing a mournful howl into the chill air. The huge undead army began marching forward, utterly silent except for the creaking of the slave pen wagons and the snorting of the officers' mounts. A skeleton rode behind Argint, Vanessa, and Naziram, holding aloft a huge black banner with a crowned skull dripping blood from his long fangs. Scouting patrols rode skeletal mounts ahead of the army, searching the dead plain for signs of ambushers. Several patrols of Undead rode along the edge of a dense forest to the north, patrols led by wary necromancers. Vanessa glanced at Argint, occasionally noticing that he would flick his eyes towards the towering brown trees.

The cold, grey day wore on, the Undead army stretching east to west in a long, sinuous column.

"We're thinning out too much. Go tell the stragglers to catch up," ordered Argint, eating one of the meat rolls that Panya kept in a large leather scrip.

"My lord," nodded Naziram, turning his Undead horse about to meet with the trailing unit commanders.

Screams echoed from the north as flights of arrows rained up from the forest, tearing into the surprised necromancers. Fierce grey wolves burst from the foliage, ripping into the Undead riders, knocking the zombies from their high perches. Fireballs exploded amidst the infantry, hurling skeleton bodies into the air. Lightning bolts cracked from the tree line to the milling column, frying more necromancers and a few wight officers. With their leaders slain, units of skeletons and zombies either stood in place, collapsed into ash, or went mad, attacking each other enthusiastically.

"Damn it!" swore Argint, kicking his mount west along the length of the column.

Vanessa stared in shock, her mare snorting uneasily beneath her. A flock of arrows swished towards the half-elf, impaling the Undead soldiers around her. Two shafts slammed into her mount's chest, killing the mare instantly. Vanessa hurled through the air, landing heavily on her back, the wind blown from her chest.

A group of leather armored figures ran from the trees to the slave pens, hacking at any Undead that got in their way. A tall woman with black hair sprinted past Vanessa, slashing a zombie's neck open with her sword. She looked down at the prone half-elf, her almond-shaped eyes widening in surprise. Vanessa returned the stare with equal astonishment, noticing the woman's pointed ears and deeply tanned skin.

"You're an Elf!" exclaimed both females at once.

"You better come with us," said the wood elf woman, reaching down to seize Vanessa's left hand to pull her back to her feet.

The two elves ran back towards the shelter of the forest, joining another group of elves supporting several naked sobbing elf girls. Vanessa turned her head to look back at the chaotic Undead column. She scanned the line until she spotted Argint straightening up, a dead wood elf lying before him, a bloody staff clasped in both of his hands. Argint squinted at Vanessa, then sharply raised his right hand, his lips moving swiftly. Vanessa gasped softly, wondering if the wizard was going to kill her with a spell rather than let her be rescued. Argint's hand flashed with azure light, Vanessa's upper left thigh burning at the same moment. Argint disappeared from Vanessa's view, obscured by the thick trees of the forest.

The wood elf led Vanessa quickly through the forest, the half-elf's legs aching from unaccustomed running. When her guide finally stopped to rest, Vanessa collapsed onto the leafy ground, her breasts pumping heavily. The wood elf watched Vanessa for a moment, then rejoined her comrades, laughing and slapping shoulders in celebration of their victory. Vanessa watched the joyous wood elves, oddly detached from them. She could think of nothing but Argint's arms around her waist, his cock slamming into her pliant cunt. She became wet just thinking about him, about how the zombies caressed her hot flesh and probed her once untouched orifices.

"What's your name, girl?" asked the wood elf woman, offering Vanessa a wooden cup.

"Vanessa Skyflame," replied the half-elf, tentatively accepting the cup.

"My name's Sif," offered the brunette, eyeing Vanessa's rich garb.

"Sif! There you are!" smiled a short wood elf girl with waist length red hair. She wore a thin brown shift, and she still bore the bruises of her captivity. The two wood elves hugged each other tightly, Sif brushing her lips over the younger wood elf's hair.

"I knew you would rescue me," grinned the red-maned girl, sitting cross-legged across from Vanessa and Sif.

"How could I live without you, Willow?" said Sif, stroking the right side of the girl's lovely face.

"What will you do with me?" asked Vanessa, sipping the sweet wine from her cup.

"We can escort you to any of the free human towns bordering our forest," offered Sif.

"I guess," replied Vanessa.

"You will be the guest of the wood elves until then," said Sif, smiling when Willow leaned against her. "We hope to make our village by nightfall."

"They're getting ready to move," advised Willow, glancing at the other wood elves a short distance away.

"Come," said Sif, rising to her feet, leading the way north.

Vanessa removed her red silk panties, placing them on the pile of clothes given to her by Argint. A second set of clothes lay nearby, wood elf leathers given to her by Sif. Vanessa looked from one pile to the other before shrugging, delaying the decision by turning away to approach the clear pool in the center of the small clearing. The air was unnaturally warm, the product of wood elf magick, Sif said. Vanessa toed the edge of the pool, finding that the water was comfortably warm as well. She hastily glanced at the blue tattoo that now adorned her upper left thigh. It swirled in an expanding oval, throbbing with an unknown enchantment. She touched it briefly, a tingle running through her fingers until she snatched her hand away.

Vanessa dived into the pool, cutting deep into the warm water. She exploded back to the surface, her blonde hair floating like a veil behind her. She slowly swam the length of the pool, letting the cleansing water wash all the filth of her journey off of her slim form. Vanessa was floating on her back, staring up at the clear night sky and the glittering white stars through the treetops when a loud splash came from her left. Vanessa turned to watch Sif cleave into the water, Willow emerging from her dive to shake out her bright red tresses.

"Thought you might want some company," giggled Willow, swimming over to Vanessa to float next to her.

Sif burst up between both naked girls, rolling them both face first into the water. Vanessa and Willow counter-attacked, spraying Sif with waves from their slashing arms. The three beautiful elves splashed in the water for some time, finally emerging from the pool to collapse on the silky, grass-carpeted ground. Vanessa fell onto her back, panting deeply. She heard a soft moan, prompting her to turn her head left. Willow lay on her side, Sif softly licking her left ear while caressing the girl's small left tit. Willow moaned again, rubbing her cheek against Sif's as the elf woman pressed her left hand between Willow's narrow thighs, fondling her hairless pink cunt.

Willow and Sif kissed, caressing each other's tongues, sucking gently on each other's lips. They both focused their lust-fogged eyes on Vanessa, smiling alluringly.

"Want to join us?" offered Sif, licking the side of Willow's neck.

"Please," moaned Willow, squeezing her own left breast.

Vanessa inhaled the musky fragrance of the wood elves' aroused bodies. She watched Sif probe Willow's pussy with long, delicate fingers, prying the girl's labia open, scratching up and down the pink, glistening cervix. Vanessa crawled over to the entwined elf girls, advancing like a graceful cat. She licked Willow's extended tongue briefly, then fastened her mouth over the child's, sucking on her tender lips, probing deeply down her warm throat. Sif slithered over Willow's stretched out body, crawling behind Vanessa, sliding beneath the half-elf's wet crotch. She began licking Vanessa's pussy, moving up and down her slit with a slick pink tongue. Vanessa moaned, her skin becoming hot as Willow sucked on her left tit, rubbing her pink nipple with a young, energetic tongue.

Sif caressed Vanessa's buttocks, kneading the pearly smooth flesh while she tugged on Vanessa's pussy lips with her mouth. Vanessa moaned loudly, kissing Willow deeply on the lips, squeezing the young elf girl's tiny breasts with her hands. She licked down Willow's slim brown stomach, sliding her head between Willow's thighs, sucking wetly on the girl's smooth cunt. Willow gasped, arching her back, running her small hand through Vanessa's golden hair as the half-elf shoved her tongue into Willow's vagina, twirling it around the wood elf's small hole.

"Feels so good," groaned Willow, thrusting her crotch onto Vanessa's face, urging her to probe deeper. Vanessa slid her soft lips over both of Willow's trembling inner thighs, she nibbled on the girl's cunt petals, then gnawed on her tiny clit. Willow fell onto her back, her legs spread wide apart, her small breasts heaving while sensual ecstasy overcame her. Vanessa ran a finger up and down Willow's slit, poking the sides of her vagina, digging a nail through her moist aperture.

"I'm cumming!" moaned the wood elf girl, her hips jerking violently, her pussy spitting out several short streams of scented honey. Vanessa lapped up Willow's cum, rubbing her mouth over the girl's cunt, sucking the sweet elixir out of the girl child's hole.

Sif maintained a steady licking of Vanessa's pussy the entire time. She reached down to fondle her own long slit, massaging her labia while she pressed her tongue again and again across Vanessa's glistening cunt. She rubbed her nose in the small batch of blonde pubic hair above Vanessa's pussy. She licked down Vanessa's thighs, savoring the taste of the girl's creamy flesh. Vanessa moaned above Willow's gaping pussy, her tits quivering as she orgasmed, squirting a thick glob of cum onto Sif's perspiring face.

"Well done, Vanessa," crowed Naziram, clapping his black gloved hands together. Growls surrounded the three naked females as armored zombies appeared from the trees.

"Take them!" shouted the wraith, stabbing a finger at Vanessa's panting form.

====

Sif curled her body, rolling smoothly to her bare feet. She faced the approaching zombies naked and weaponless, but determined to protect her friends.

"Take Willow and run!" shouted Sif, clenching her hands into fists.

Naziram spread out the gloved fingers of his left hand, barking an incantation before a glowing green web sprouted out of his hand towards the two entwined naked girls on the grass. The sticky webs draped over the paralyzed elf girls' bodies, pinning them in place. Sif jump-kicked the nearest attacking zombie, rolling to kick out the feet from under another Undead foe. More zombies crowded in behind Sif, slicing down with deadly swords. Most of the clumsy sword hacks missed, but one blade did manage to cut into Sif's right ankle. The wood elf grimaced, smashing her foot into the offending zombie's rotting face. Naziram left the edge of the clearing, walking silently towards Sif with a bare obsidian blade in his right hand. Two zombies seized Vanessa and Willow from the magickal web, binding their arms behind their backs with tight leather cords.

"Sif! Look out!" screamed Willow before one of her zombie captors smashed the hilt of his sword between her shoulder blades. Willow crumpled to the ground, Vanessa watching everything with wide eyes as Naziram raised his sword to strike. Sif detected his movement; she grabbed a zombie by the vest and swung him between herself and the wraith. Naziram slashed down, his razor sharp sword parting the unfortunate zombie in two. Sif stumbled away from the two bleeding halves, glancing towards Willow and Vanessa.

"I'll be back for you!" swore Sif before she sprinted into the shelter of the dense woods.

"Find the bitch and bring her back!" ordered Naziram, pointing in the direction of Sif's flight. The zombies instantly obeyed, leaving the naked elf girls alone with Naziram and one zombie guard.

"Argint was most concerned about you, my lady," smiled Naziram, running his red eyes over Vanessa's nude body before turning his attention to the weakly struggling wood elf girl. "Your village will yield many useful slaves… before we put it to the torch."

"My people will fight you," gasped Willow, her eyes squinting from the pain across her back.

"And they will die to join the Dark Lord's legions," retorted Naziram, motioning for the zombie soldier to take the young elf child away.

Vanessa watched the zombie drag Willow out of the clearing before returning her gaze to the waiting wraith.

"Why aren't we going with them?"

"I've wanted to have you since I first saw you in the prisoner line," growled Naziram, running his right hand across Vanessa's jutting breasts and down her firm stomach.

"Don't touch me!" hissed Vanessa, her flesh recoiling from the wraith's cold caresses.

"You're not the consort of Lord Nagash yet. A lot can happen to such a pretty thing on the long journey to Nagashizzar."

Naziram untied Vanessa's wrists, retying her hands in front of her belly. He yanked her over to a wide tree, raising her arms over her head before pinning them in place with a black dagger run through the leather cord. Naziram slid his gloved hands over Vanessa's curved hips, his ethereal face buried in her long, thick, blonde hair. Vanessa trembled against the tree, the bark rubbing against her large breasts as Naziram fondled her ass, crushing the firm cheeks in his painful grip. The wraith licked up Vanessa's spine, making her naked body shudder from the intense, blood-freezing cold. He opened his dark breeches, caressing Vanessa's crack with his long, invisible member. Vanessa gasped when Naziram rammed his cock into her pussy, his shaft thrusting into her vagina like a frigid icicle.

Vanessa was crushed between Naziram and the unyielding tree. Her skin was raw from the coarse bark while the wraith shoved again and again into her narrow slit. Naziram nibbled the back of Vanessa's neck, making her moan with pleasure as his cock slid back and forth between her taut buttocks.

"So tight," purred Naziram in Vanessa's left ear, caressing the right side of her face with his leather clad hand.

"Feels…good," groaned Vanessa, thrusting her ass back onto the wraith's crotch, forcing his cock deeper into her belly.

"You are a wanton slut, the perfect match for my Lord," said Naziram, gently biting Vanessa's left earlobe with his fangs. Vanessa moaned, aroused by the wraith sucking the trickle of her blood escaping from the small bite wound.

"So warm," whispered Naziram, sucking on Vanessa's slim shoulders, humping the half-elf's ass with every bit of his Undead strength.

Vanessa orgasmed first, screaming as a short series of convulsions overcame her, her pussy gushing honey over her trembling thighs. Naziram climaxed a moment later, his hips twitching, his thick cock quivering inside the young girl's cunt. No fluid filled Vanessa's womb, much to her regret. Naziram withdrew from her pussy, covering his tool, then straightening his black surcoat.

"Back to the army, wench," said Naziram, plucking his dagger from the tree above Vanessa. The wraith severed Vanessa's bonds before walking to the two piles of clothing lying on the grass near the pool.

"Which garments do you wish to wear?" asked Naziram, regarding the nude half-elf girl with burning ruby orbs.

"The clothes that Argint gave me."

"Good choice," nodded Naziram, destroying the wood elf garments with a quick flash of magickal fire.

"Vanessa!" shouted Sif, charging from the trees brandishing a long sword. She impaled the surprised wraith, the elf's blade punching out of his back. "Distract him until I can finish him off!"

Sif tossed a short sword at Vanessa's feet, jumping back when Naziram tried to grapple her with his hands. The wood elf woman held her blade at the ready while Naziram pressed his left hand over the wound she inflicted upon him.

"Elf bitch!" snarled the wraith, angrily drawing his obsidian blade, slashing at the dodging wood elf.

Vanessa stared at the weapon at her feet, then up at the two duelists. She bent down to pick up the short sword, the blade weighted but not too unwieldy. She looked up, Naziram's cloaked back facing her as he parried a blow from Sif, responding with a vicious jab to her belly. Vanessa stood in thought, the short sword heavy in her right hand.

"Vanessa! Help me!" screamed Sif, stumbling when Naziram cut into her right side, staining her green tunic with her blood. The wraith smashed his black boot into Sif's kneecap, forcing the beautiful elvish woman to the ground. He slapped Sif's face with the flat of his sword, knocking her unconscious.

"Another good choice. You may survive to meet the Dark Lord yet," complimented Naziram, cleaning his sword on the back of Sif's tunic before ramming it back into its snake-hide scabbard. Without a word, Naziram summoned two skeletons to take the unconscious Sif away.

"You can keep the blade. I'll go check the troops while you get dressed," said the wraith, flashing his fangs at Vanessa just before he faded into the trees. Vanessa picked up the clothes Argint had given her, feeling the soft material with her fingers before unfolding them.

Naziram returned to collect Vanessa at the head of a small group of Undead and new slaves. Vanessa recognized several of the elf girls who had been rescued previously, as well as several additions from the wood elf village that had sheltered her. The wood elves stopped sobbing long enough to glare hatefully at Vanessa, who wore rich red clothing and commanded the respect of their Undead captors. Vanessa walked beside Naziram, Sif's short sword slid beneath her belt near her left arm. The party left the forest, rejoining the waiting Undead column. When she was a sufficient distance from the forest edge, Vanessa turned to look at the woods, watching four thick columns of smoke ascend into the dull grey sky.

"You found her," said Argint, quickly walking up to Vanessa and her Undead guardian.

"Of course, the Mark led me right to her, and to two fine additions for the slave pens."

"Excellent, but we've wasted too much time here, we need to reach the Blighted Towers."

"My lord," bowed Naziram, departing to oversee the renewal of the march.

"I'm pleased that you are unharmed, Vanessa," smiled Argint, taking the girl's left arm and guiding her back to the head of the column.

"And I am grateful to be back with you, my lord."

"Indeed? So you have chosen to join our cause willingly?"

"Yes."

"Then this time was well spent," nodded Argint approvingly. "Ah, one of the scouts returns."

A huge black carrion bird landed lightly on the ground, flapping its coarse black wings before folding them against its sides. A dark armored warrior hopped off the carrion's back, marching straight to the waiting Necromancer to salute crisply.

"Report, Soth."

"An Imperial army is within cannon range. It appears to have come from Talabheim."

"Why didn't you warn me earlier?"

"I could not find you, my lord. The officers said you were searching for Lady Vanessa."

"Get back in the air, distract them…" ordered Argint just as a loud explosion echoed from the west. More detonations sounded across the length of the column, Undead bodies hurled limply through the air amidst clouds of displaced dirt.

"Damn! They've got our range! Banner man! Sound the dispersal!"

The skeleton holding the large banner of Nagash retrieved a bone horn from his saddle, filling the air with a shrill melody that spurred the Undead into action. The units of zombies and skeletons broke apart, putting several paces of distance between themselves and their comrades. Soth and other carrion riders remounted, rocketing into the air on raven wings, brandishing obsidian rods in their gauntleted hands that spat tongues of blue lightning at the Imperial artillery units beneath them. The Imperial cannons maintained their fire, tearing great chunks of earth into the air, shredding any Undead unfortunate to be beneath the descending cannon rounds.

The bombardment stopped, replaced with the battle cries of a group of Reiksguard Knights. The knights leveled their lances, ripping a wide swath through the Undead column. Argint drew his gnarled battle staff from a saddle ring as he mounted, filling the weapon with Dark magick before charging the rampaging knights. Black armored wights rallied behind Argint, wielding long blades and vicious spiked maces. Argint pointed his staff at the knights, releasing a long shaft of crackling flame over the unprepared Reiksguard. Men and animals screamed as their flesh was seared from their bones, those that survived cut down by the merciless wights. More Reiksguard rode out of the forest, engaging along the entire length of the Undead army.

Vanessa climbed onto her mare, watching the battle unfold, frightened yet excited by the gruesome carnage. Her excitement became terror when a squad of Reiksguard broke through the Undead line in front of her, making their way directly towards her. Vanessa attempted to turn her mount away from the knights to flee, but she was too unskilled; the grim-faced, armored warriors quickly surrounded her. The half-elf was ungracefully snatched from her mare and draped across the saddle of one of the Reiksguard. He jabbed his spurs into his warhorse's flanks, propelling them both back through the chaotic melee of knights and Undead.

Vanessa and her captors rode into the forest, galloping for several leagues before emerging into a large clearing organized as an army headquarters. The majority of the Reiksguard broke away to patrol the perimeter of the camp while the leader made his way to the royal purple command tent in the center of the clearing. A foot soldier in black and silver livery held the knight's horse as he dismounted before placing Vanessa on her feet at his side. The knight crushed Vanessa's right arm in his armored hand while pulling her towards the closed opening of the huge circular pavilion. He pushed her through the door flap, blocking the entrance with his large armored bulk.

Vanessa straightened, brushing hair out of her face, peering into the heavy gloom of the tent's interior. A tall human form rose from behind a large desk dressed in black silk robes. As the man closed in, Vanessa could make out the glimmer of a golden crown set with three sparkling diamonds just over the brow.

"You have much to answer for, girl," said Emperor LaCroix, his slitted golden eyes smoldering with anger, his long fangs hungering for Vanessa's warm blood.

====

"Have a seat," said LaCroix, pointing towards a folding field chair facing his desk.

Vanessa hesitantly lowered herself onto the chair while the Emperor filled a cup with wine from a nearby cabinet. LaCroix offered the cup to Vanessa, returning to his own plush desk chair after the half-elf had accepted his beverage.

"You bear the Mark. Are you in command of the Undead army?"

"N-n-no!" sputtered Vanessa, spitting wine back into her upraised cup.

"A concubine then?"

"I was…captured by Argint and the army when they sacked Nuln."

"Not just any slave girl is branded with the Mark. They must have something special planned for you," said the Emperor, clasping his hands together beneath his sharp chin.

"I am to be…married to Lord Nagash," replied Vanessa, lowering her eyes to the ground.

"Fascinating," smiled LaCroix, baring his fangs in amusement. "I wonder why the Dark Lord would want a bride now of all times. He must be planning something."

"I don't know," shrugged Vanessa, taking a cautious sip from her cup.

LaCroix fell silent, watching Vanessa with his shining gold eyes. Vanessa squirmed under his intense gaze, his eyes boring into her mind, sifting it for secrets.

"Your Majesty!" shouted the Reiksguard Knight guarding the doorway of the pavilion, "A flyer approaches from the south!"

"Ah. Perhaps your keepers will know what this invasion of my realm is about," said LaCroix, rising from his seat, walking silently across the width of the desk to offer Vanessa a hand up. The half-elf took the vampire lord's hand, the flesh cold and hard beneath her fingers. LaCroix took a moment to drape a hooded black cloak over his body, his face protected in thick shadow. Tugging on a pair of gloves, LaCroix grasped Vanessa's hand again before leading her out into the overcast daylight.

A carrion dived across the length of the camp, knocking knights from their mounts, forcing others to hug the ground for safety. The black bird fluttered to the earth, its riders hurling off its back before it had completely settled itself. Argint led the group, his black staff crackling with magick. Naziram guarded Argint's left, his gloved hands glowing with blood-red light. Soth protected Argint's right flank, a long black sword bare in his right hand. The trio were quickly surrounded by angry knights, penned in by a barrier of shining steel.

"Let them through," commanded the Emperor, waving the knights away.

"But…your Majesty!" argued the captain of the guard.

"Do not force me to repeat myself," admonished LaCroix, returning quickly to the welcome darkness of his tent. Vanessa followed the vampire, glancing back at her companions who approached the command tent warily. When the half-elf re-entered the black interior, she discovered another folding chair placed next to hers. She took her seat, waiting patiently with LaCroix until the tent flap was violently knocked aside by Argint.

"How dare you attack my army!" snarled Argint, his eyes blazing with fury.

"How dare you invade my kingdom," retorted LaCroix calmly, leaning back into his padded chair, his hands placed lightly over his stomach.

"It was necessary. Lord Nagash commanded it," said Argint, taking the empty chair in front of the Emperor's desk, keeping his staff close at hand near his right foot. Naziram and Soth took guarding positions on either side of the pavilion exit, arms folded across their chests.

"For what purpose?" inquired the Emperor.

"Nagash wants more troops, many more troops. He plans to invade a nearby human kingdom soon. The Border Princes didn't possess the numbers that Nagash desired, so he ordered three legions to invade the Empire and create as many new minions as we could."

"How far does he plan to advance?"

"Just to the Great Forest."

"I see. I think I can keep the Elector Counts from organizing a counter-attack, but it shall be difficult. You might inform the Supreme Lord of the Undead that it would be nice to be informed about these…harvests in advance."

"I'll relay your concerns to him," replied Argint wryly.

"The lovely Lady Vanessa here says that she is to be wed to the Dark Lord. Convey my congratulations to the lucky groom."

"I will," snapped Argint, glaring briefly at Vanessa as he did so.

"Well, I shall call off my men, then. Have a pleasant journey back to Nagashizzar," smiled LaCroix without emotion. He took Vanessa's left hand, kissing her knuckles softly with his cold pale lips, staring intently into her wide brown eyes. "My lady."

Vanessa blushed, becoming aroused beneath the vampire lord's yearning gaze. Argint ushered the half-elf outside, speeding her towards the waiting carrion. The Necromancer secured Vanessa into one of the saddles before taking his place behind her. Naziram and Soth mounted without a word, then the carrion spread its wide wings, flapping in a blur of motion to rise above the treetops. The carrion caught a strong breeze, ascending higher into the air, gliding gracefully towards the Undead army to the south. Argint said nothing, he held his arms tightly around Vanessa's waist, pressing her close against his firm body. Vanessa closed her eyes, enjoying Argint's possessive embrace, relieved to be away from the Emperor and his cold, calculating, golden eyes.

The Undead army reached the Blighted Towers just as night fell. The zombies and skeletons seemed more animated after darkness fell, they moved quicker and with greater energy. The Blighted Towers consisted of two dark spires that stretched several hundred feet into the starless black void above. Torches illuminated the spire tops and the massive gates as thin girls in torn grey shifts dragged cows and sheep towards the waiting Undead legion. The army arrayed itself in a large square to the south of the Blighted Towers, the wight and wraith officers taking charge of the livestock, offering the terrified animals to their hungry minions.

Vanessa walked with Argint to the slave pens. The wheeled cages were being emptied, all the spoils from Nuln and other Imperial towns led towards the dungeons of the Towers, where the girls would be broken and trained to serve their new Undead masters.

"You may choose two slaves to serve as your personal handmaidens," declared Argint.

Only one pen still contained slaves, captives from the sacking of the wood elf village. Vanessa spotted Willow and Sif, the girl child curled upon herself in one of the corners, Sif sitting protectively next to her, her torso bound with a crude bandage that was nearly soaked through with blood.

"Those two," decided Vanessa, pointing out Willow and her frowning guardian.

"The child will be easy to break, but the raven-haired elf might be stubborn."

"I'm sure I can convince her to serve me, given a more unappetizing alternative," smiled Vanessa cruelly.

"Very well," agreed Argint, commanding a skeleton overseer with a sharp motion to free the two wood elf females. The skeleton climbed into the cage to retrieve the girls, the other captives recoiling as far as they could from the reviled Undead. The skeleton wrapped leather collars around Willow and Sif's slim necks, attaching the collars to two long chain leashes. He yanked the elves out of the cage, offering the leashes to Argint with a deep bow. Argint offered the leashes to Vanessa, watching her carefully as she accepted the heavy polished chains.

"Let's go inside, a hot meal and a soft bed will be welcome after today's adventure."

Vanessa followed the Necromancer, leading her handmaidens by their leashes. Sif tugged on her leash briefly, until Vanessa shot her a warning glance. Willow followed meekly, fresh tears dripping down her smooth tan cheeks. The quartet followed a crude road that led up to the iron gates of the western Blighted Tower. Slave girls stood along either side of the yawning portals, offering Argint and Vanessa moistened towels for washing and goblets filled with sweet wine.

Vanessa took a towel to wash her soiled face and neck while Argint grasped a silver goblet, draining the cup in two massive gulps. Wiping his wet lips with a sleeve, Argint entered the arched entrance hallway of the Blighted Tower. The walls and ceiling were constructed of dull grey stone, but cunningly cut and placed. Golden braziers lined the hallway, warming the passage as well as providing faint illumination. Argint took one of the right hand side passageways, following it to a rising spiral staircase. The stairs were dark and narrow, leading to another narrow hall with doors on both sides.

"Your chambers are next to mine," said Argint, opening the first door to the left, motioning to the next door on the same wall. "Call me if you have problems controlling your servants, they can be annoying before they're properly trained."

"Thank you, my lord," bowed Vanessa, waiting until Argint had closed the door to his rooms before leading Willow and Sif into her own chambers.

"Get me out of this…collar," snapped Sif after Vanessa had closed the door of her sitting room.

"I can't do that. You're a handmaiden now," replied Vanessa, unhooking the chain leashes from Willow and Sif's collars.

"You've gone over to them, haven't you? That's why you didn't help me against that wraith!"

"If I can't escape my fate, I must embrace it," said Vanessa, turning to regard Sif coolly.

"You could fight! You could help me and Willow escape!"

"No."

"Filthy Undead-loving whore!" spat Sif, charging Vanessa with outstretched arms.

"Sif! No!" screamed Willow, her tears gleaming in the candle light.

Before Sif's hands clasped around Vanessa's throat, the half-elf chopped her left hand against Sif's wounded side. Sif screamed in agony, stumbling to her bare knees. Vanessa slapped Sif brutally across the face, knocking her prone over the rich carpet.

"Willow, go prepare a hot bath for me," ordered Vanessa without hesitation.

The red-maned elf girl rushed to obey, wiping the tears from her reddened cheeks as she disappeared into the inner chambers.

The hallway door hurled itself open, Argint running in with staff at the ready.

"I heard screams."

"Sif got out of hand, I had to discipline her," replied Vanessa, looking down at Sif's shaking form.

"I was afraid of this. I'll take her to the dungeons, they'll break her by morning."

"Could you tell the keepers to hold her until tomorrow, I want to break her myself, that way she'll know never to defy me again," said Vanessa, glancing at Argint while smiling darkly.

"As you wish…my lady," bowed Argint respectfully, reaching down to pull Sif roughly to her feet before pushing her outside into the hall. Argint closed the door, allowing Vanessa to sigh loudly with relief.

"I definitely need a hot bath," groaned Vanessa, unclasping her cloak, letting it fall to the floor on her way to the bathroom.

The bathing chamber was a large oval room with marble floors and a huge inset tub. Pillars were set at intervals, carved into the shapes of writhing succubae and naked, tormented young women. Willow knelt near a golden water pump, testing the temperature of the pouring liquid with a small finger. She twisted a lever that controlled the output of a furnace set into a niche within the far wall. The clear water began to steam with soothing heat. Vanessa motioned at Willow, who quickly ran over to help the half-elf remove her tight red tunic and leg hose. Naked, Vanessa descended the smooth marble steps of the tub, moaning in ecstasy as the hot water caressed her skin. She sat on a small ledge, the steaming water reaching up to just below her pink nipples.

"Take your clothes off and wash me," demanded Vanessa.

Willow tentatively pulled off the torn shift she had been given, joining Vanessa in the immense tub.

"Where should I start Van…Mistress?"

"My back," replied Vanessa, smiling with pleasure at her new title and the fearful tone in which it was presented.

Willow took a bar of soap from the tub edge near the faucet, sitting behind Vanessa, then applying a thick lather across the naked girl's perfect white skin. Vanessa sighed, closing her eyes while Willow rubbed her back with small delicate hands. Willow gathered water in her palms, washing the soap off of Vanessa's pearly flesh. Vanessa sat back against the side of the tub, resting her elbows on the tub's lip.

"Wash me."

Swallowing, Willow hesitantly lathered her hands before running them across Vanessa's breasts and stomach. Vanessa moaned, opening her eyes a little to watch the young girl as she rubbed the soap over her naked body.

"Does this make you excited?" smiled Vanessa impishly.

"What?" gasped Willow, looking up quickly, her face red with embarrassment.

"Lick my nipples."

"Mistress, please," begged Willow, her eyes becoming wet with shame.

"Lick them!" snapped Vanessa, slapping Willow's right buttock painfully.

Willow squeaked before slowly bending down to Vanessa's left breast. She reluctantly licked the pink knob with her small tongue, running it again and again over the hardening stub.

"Good girl," smiled Vanessa, closing her eyes again, thrusting out both of her large tits for attention. Willow grasped Vanessa's left breast in both hands, sliding her tongue in a circle, gently sucking on the nipple until it ached with excitement. The wood elf girl shifted to the right tit, nibbling on the sensitive nipple, rubbing it with her little teeth. Vanessa moaned, sliding her left hand into Willow's thick red hair, her pussy becoming warm with wanton hunger.

"Kiss me," demanded Vanessa, pulling Willow's head up to her face, crushing the young girl's soft lips in a forceful embrace. Willow moaned weakly as Vanessa violently pried inside her mouth with a questing tongue. Vanessa sucked on Willow's small mouth before tilting the girl's head up, licking down her warm throat to her thin shoulders. Vanessa gnawed on Willow's still budding breasts, filling her mouth with the elf girl's dusky flesh. She pressed her right hand against Willow's pussy, massaging the delicate cunt lips, rubbing over the small pink opening of her vagina.

"Feel…so hot," gasped Willow, her thin arms wrapped around Vanessa's neck while the older elf suckled on her young tits.

Vanessa positioned the naked elf girl on her lap, leaning Willow's back against her torso, her right hand moving between Willow's slim thighs as her left hand fondled the girl's left breast.

Vanessa ran her fingers up and down Willow's tender slit, energetically caressing her pliant labia folds while sucking on the wood elf girl's left ear point. Willow groaned in bliss, her brown skin hot with arousal, her sensual lips trembling from her soft gasps. Vanessa inserted two fingers into Willow's pussy, plunging deep into the naked child's sex. Willow arched her back, shuddering as her mistress explored her wet vagina. Vanessa licked the back of Willow's shoulders and neck, burying her face in the young girl's fragrant red hair. The half-elf increased the force of her finger thrusts, ramming her digits within Willow's cunt. Willow closed her eyes, her small breasts heaving as her orgasm approached. With a stuttered scream, Willow climaxed, polluting the water of the tub with a stream of her cum. Vanessa leaned Willow's limp head back, covering the girl's slack mouth with her own, fondling the wood elf's tongue lasciviously.

Vanessa and Willow lay entwined upon the huge canopied bed. Willow snuggled close to Vanessa's torso, her mistress' arms wrapped possessively around her. Vanessa's chin rested on top of Willow's wild mane, her features contorted with distress as she dreamed…

She sat upon a high-backed throne, the enormous throne room filled with thick grey ash. A barbed iron crown rested on her head while the shadows of flickering flames danced across the marble walls of the dark hall.

She lay on her back as a powerful male form composed of utter darkness coupled with her.

She lay on an immense circular canopied bed covered in black silk sheets. She writhed naked upon them, her legs spread wide apart, a blood covered infant struggling out of her gaping cunt. It fell wetly to the floor, instantly growing in a few heartbeats into the shape of a handsome, raven-haired young man with soulless black eyes.

A voice filled with infinite loneliness and need whispered into her ear, "My wife."

A barbed iron crown exploded from an endless sea of blood and writhing corpses, arcs of purple fire spitting from the crown as it flew towards her, calling to her in a sweet, seductive voice.

Vanessa snapped her eyes open, her breath coming in short painful gasps. Willow groaned softly within the half-elf's embrace. Vanessa kissed Willow's hair, squeezing the girl's body reassuringly. Willow fell silent, but Vanessa remained awake for a time, staring out the wide western window.

"I must embrace it," murmured Vanessa before she fell back to sleep.

In a dark corner along the eastern wall, a short female shape with long green hair stood quietly, watching the two elven females sleep. The girl's eyes were wide and vacant; an iron crown rested on her head, its sharp iron barbs biting into her smooth temples. It glowed with a faint violet light, waiting.

====

Morning broke over the Blighted Towers cold and wet. A light freezing drizzle misted around the two dark spires surrounded by the waiting army of Undead. Vanessa glanced out of the frosted western window as she walked past combing out her waist length golden hair. Today the half-elf was dressed in black hose, spiked ankle boots, and a black silk shift. Two small bloodstones nestled in the lobes of her delicate pointed ears. Willow stood nearby, waiting to serve her mistress. The young wood elf child wore a green tunic, matching leg hose, and green knee boots. Willow retained her slave collar around her neck, the leash ring gleaming from the soft morning light streaming in from the chamber's window. Vanessa handed Willow her brush, primping herself in the framed mirror set over a polished brown vanity table. After applying ruby lipstick across her sensuous mouth, Vanessa left her chambers, halting in front of the zombie guard assigned to her suite.

"Take me to the slave dungeons," ordered Vanessa.

The bone thin zombie nodded, leading the way down to the main hallway of the Tower before taking another branching hall to a descending staircase. The trio passed several more zombie guards on the way to the immense dungeon complex resting beneath the Blighted Tower.

The zombie pushed open a set of large iron doors. The first thing to hit Vanessa's senses was the smell. The air reeked of leather, sweat, and pain. The huge chamber was divided into many cages, some merely holding naked or rag dressed girls while others contained various torture and punishment devices. Vanessa turned to the left, where a single naked brunette girl hung suspended by her wrists to a thick ceiling chain. A group of skeletons slowly circled the girl, lashing her constantly with long, leather whips. To the right, another girl with long brown hair was strapped to a sawhorse, a leather gag fastened inside her mouth as a wraith slammed a cat-of-nine-tails down over her perspiring back. The zombie guide led Vanessa and Willow to one of the spacious cages along the eastern wall, where Sif stood naked in the center of the cell, her arms spread apart and suspended over her head with manacled chains. Willow gasped when she beheld Sif's scarred body, ugly red scratches marring the wood elf's back, ass, and tits.

Two cadaverous ghouls looked up from a table covered with whips, flails, and other pain implements. They bowed hastily when they recognized Vanessa, the ghoul on the right doffing his black derby respectfully.

"We not told High Lady coming so soon," stammered the ghoul on the left.

"How much pain did you inflict on Sif? I left instructions that I wanted to be the one to break her."

"We not hurt much, just play with her some last night," explained the right hand ghoul, hiding his shame-filled eyes with the brim of his restored derby.

Vanessa snorted doubtfully, slowly looking over Sif while walking around the bound wood elf. Sif's eyes were closed, a leather gag was tied tightly around her head. Vanessa knelt in front of Sif's crotch, spying the dried dark green cum across her bruised pussy.

"What are your names?" inquired Willow hesitantly from the open doorway of the cell.

"I'm Hans," replied the bare-headed ghoul, pointing at his comrade, "and this is Grubber."

"Hi, pretty morsel," grinned Grubber widely, showing off his large fangs before licking his pale lips with an extremely long black tongue.

"Take off the gag," commanded Vanessa sharply.

Hans rushed to obey, violently yanking the gag away from Sif's mouth, rousing the lovely wood elf woman.

"Have you learned your lesson, dear Sif?" smiled Vanessa, whispering softly inside Sif's right ear.

"Burn in the Realm of Chaos, witch," replied Sif defiantly.

"A whip, please," said Vanessa, holding out her right hand expectantly. Grubber quickly placed a leather whip inside the half-elf's palm, backing out of the way to wait with Hans and Willow.

"I don't want to hurt you, but you must accept your role as my servant," admonished Vanessa before she snapped her whip across Sif's shoulders. Sif jerked in her bonds, biting back the scream aching to fly from her lips.

"You're stubborn, bitch, but I'll break you," promised Vanessa softly, raising her arm, then slashing down, cutting a long bloody trail from Sif's right shoulder to her left hip. Sif screamed with agony, her large breasts jiggling from her writhing.

"It sounds pretty if you listen just right, Willow," giggled Vanessa, snapping her whip three more times against Sif's spine and buttocks. Sif moaned weakly, she hung limply from her wrist manacles, her head heavy against her chest. Hans and Grubber watched with open admiration, occasionally rubbing their crotches with excitement.

Vanessa scourged Sif for over an hour, leaving the wood elf woman's back and ass bleeding and throbbing with pain.

"Lick it," ordered Vanessa, raising the blood-drenched whip to Sif's slack lips. Sif clumsily licked her own blood from the whip, until her mouth was moist and stained.

"Who am I?"

"My…my mistress."

"What will you do?"

"Anything you tell me to do."

"What are you?"

"Your fuck toy."

"Good," purred Vanessa, kissing Sif softly on the lips, "very good. Hans, pierce her tongue."

"No!" shouted Sif.

"Ah, a little bit of defiance left. This should take care of your wagging tongue."

Hans retrieved a device from the gear table, smacking his lips with obscene anticipation. He squeezed Sif's cheeks between the fingers of his left hand, prying her mouth open, then reaching in with the hole puncher, positioning her wriggling tongue between the sharp prongs. The ghoul squeezed the puncher shut, piercing Sif's tongue. The wood elf woman screamed mutely, tears pouring from her eyes. Fresh blood poured out of Sif's mouth, dripping down her chin, then running between her heaving tits in thick rivulets. Grubber handed Hans a golden stud, which Hans delicately fastened inside the hole he had made in Sif's tongue.

"Clean her up, then bring her to my quarters."

"Yes, High Lady!" nodded both ghouls eagerly, keeping their blood shot eyes downcast until Vanessa and Willow left the musk-filled cell.

When Vanessa returned to her rooms, Argint was waiting for her, standing by the entry foyer's window

"Take care of your discipline problem?"

"Yes, quite satisfactorily," grinned Vanessa maliciously.

"Excellent. Prepare to leave for Nagashizzar. The Gate awaits."

"Yes, my lord," bowed Vanessa. "Willow, collect my things."

"Mistress!" replied the elf child, running to the bedroom to pack Vanessa's few spare clothes.

"Soon we will be home to receive Lord Nagash's favor," murmured Argint, returning his gaze to the cold grey sky.

The Gate tore through the air of the large circular stone chamber. Harsh red and purple light played across the walls, illuminating the waiting wraith's robed frame. Argint emerged from the magickal doorway, followed closely by Vanessa, Willow, Sif, Naziram, and Soth. Sif moved stiffly, still suffering from her rape and beating. She followed Vanessa's every move, her collar attached to the chain leash held lightly in the half-elf's left hand. The waiting wraith ran his glowing red eyes covetously over Sif's naked body, but quickly focused his attention on the Necromancer.

"Lord Nagash congratulates you on finding the elf female he has long sought. Preparations are being made for the wedding as we speak. Tonight at midnight the elf girl will be bonded to our Dark Lord."

"Our Lord is too kind," acknowledged Argint with a brief bow. "Have rooms been prepared for me?"

"Aye. I will show you all to your quarters," replied the wraith, spinning around in a swirl of dusty black robes. The Undead led the group out of the Gate chamber, down a dark hallway that stretched for several yards. The wraith walked silently up winding stairs and across black, empty rooms as big as ballrooms carved out of unforgiving obsidian rock. Vanessa wrapped her arms around herself while they progressed; she was struck by the utter coldness of Nagashizzar. There was no warmth anywhere--this place was the home of the dead.

The guide wraith opened a tall iron banded door for Vanessa and her two handmaidens.

"This are your suite. You will wait here until summoned for the wedding ceremony."

Argint took a moment to grasp Vanessa's right hand, kissing it reverently.

"You will soon be the queen of the Undead. I will serve you gladly, for all time."

Vanessa nodded, entering her chambers without a word. Willow closed the door after Sif followed her mistress, glad to be away from the frightening wraith.

"Pour me some wine, Willow."

While Willow went to the liquor table to get Vanessa's drink, the half-elf collapsed onto a plush red couch, soaking in the heat from a roaring fire in the fireplace opposite her seat. Sif knelt at Vanessa's feet, gazing up at her mistress with dull eyes. Vanessa idly stroked Sif's soft black hair, mesmerized by the dancing flames.

"Queen of the Undead," mused Vanessa to herself.

Thunder shook the walls of Nagashizzar as the Undead lords and generals who served the Supreme Lord of the Undead gathered in the titanic throne hall to observe the wedding of their dark master. Floating orbs of bright violet light illuminated the entire arched hall, reflecting their light on the chamber's thick black marble pillars. Groaning pipe organs screamed wedding dirges as Vanessa slowly marched down the blood-red carpeted aisle, flanked on both sides by respectful liches, wraiths, wights, and powerful necromancers. Vanessa was dressed in a shimmering scarlet gown with slits up to her thighs and a plunging bodice. She held a bouquet of black roses in her hands and wore a crown of them over her head. Her long, golden hair was sleek and shining, cascading down her back like a molten waterfall. Vanessa marched up the aisle to the Dark Lord's throne, climbing the short set of stairs to Nagash's throne of bones.

Nagash sat back in his impressive throne, gazing at Vanessa through the eye slits of his charred black helmet. He rose to his feet, tall and commanding, a dark god looking down at an insect far below.

"Do you swear yourself to me? Do you swear to obey me in all things? Do you offer your soul to the Darkness for all eternity?"

"I do," said Vanessa, looking up at the visored face of the Lord of the Undead.

"Then so shall it be," rumbled Nagash, placing his right gauntlet over Vanessa's face. When the cold metal fingers pressed against Vanessa's skin, her whole body shuddered as dark magick flooded her body, burning and freezing her blood all at once, scouring her mind of all memories of love, compassion, or hope. Nagash's hand drew away, leaving Vanessa tottering before him.

"The bonding is complete. Behold your new Queen."

"Hail to Queen Vanessa! Bride of Lord Nagash!"

The howls of the Undead filled the throne room, shook the very walls with their dread power. Vanessa moved to stand next to her master, gazing proudly across the saluting lords, drinking in their worship hungrily.

"Lord Argint, come forward," bade Nagash.

The Necromancer left the assembled Undead to stand before the throne. Nagash descended to meet him, raising both of his plate-armored arms.

"Receive the gift of eternal life for your exemplary service," said the Dark Lord, pressing his gloved hands on both sides of Argint's face. Purple fire erupted around Argint, he screamed till his lungs ached while the dark magick coursed through him, transforming him into a liche. When the magick had run its course, Argint fell to his knees, his skin now deathly white, his flesh sunken and snug against the bone.

"I name you a general of my armies, you will lead my hordes to victory against the Living."

"Hail Lord Argint!" shouted the assembly, raising their clenched hands high.

"I go to bed my queen. My advisors shall meet me in the war room at dawn."

"Glory to the Supreme Lord of the Undead!" exclaimed the assembled leaders, bowing low at the waist as Nagash took Vanessa's small hand and escorted her from the throne room.

Vanessa lay naked on Nagash's huge round bed. Thin gauze hung from the tasseled canopy, obscuring Nagash who stood a short distance from the foot of the bed. A faint green light began to emanate from Nagash's armored body. The light brightened, filling the entire bedchamber, Nagash's ethereal form emerging from his armor suit.

"My wife," whispered Nagash, flowing over Vanessa's prone body, caressing her warm skin.

"My Lord," moaned Vanessa, stretching her limbs within Nagash's ghostly embrace.

Nagash sent semi-solid tendrils around Vanessa's nipples, rubbing them until they trembled with arousal. He squeezed her tits, his hands a cool, caressing fog. Vanessa moaned softly, pursing her lips, sliding her slim bare legs together. Nagash extended a green tendril between Vanessa's closed thighs, slithering the limb into her cunt, gently expanding the tendril until it filled her vagina. Vanessa groaned with pleasure, spreading her legs wide apart for her Undead husband, grasping the thick silk pillow under her head with both hands. The mist-like form of Nagash started to solidify into a black man-shape. He held onto her breasts, crushing them within his hands as his hips thrust forward, ramming his long stiff cock into her warm belly.

Vanessa panted deeply, shoving her crotch up to meet Nagash's, relishing the feel of his hard shaft plunging into her uterus. Vanessa's pussy clasped around Nagash's cock, she squeezed his member, the invading pole sliding back and forth inside her moist vagina. The half-elf arched her back, her tits imprisoned in Nagash's greedy palms. Nagash pounded harder and harder into Vanessa, his hips a blur as he rushed towards an orgasm. When he climaxed, Vanessa's body froze, her muscles locked while the most intense cold she had ever felt exploded in her belly. Nagash thrust one final time into Vanessa's cunt, filling her young womb with his vile seed.

Vanessa lay panting on the soft black silk sheets, her body glistening with a cold sweat. Nagash flowed back into his scorched armor, two red orbs of fire glittering within his helmet's narrow visor.

"Rest, my wife. My future now grows within your tender womb."

Vanessa curled up within the sheets of the bed, her inner thighs aching, her stomach numb and uneasy.

"Report, Argint," said Nagash, looming over a large map of the Old World that rested on the planning table.

"All of your legions are armed and ready, Lord. We may begin the march on your word."

"Excellent. Today is a great day, my children. Today we begin the invasion of Bretonnia, and when we are done, the land will be scoured clean of the taint of Life."

~~~~~~