Suddenly, an extremely white light appeared within the cave. White was simply not a color of Hell, and it’s presence was as unexpected and out-of-place as a snowman. It pierced her eyelids, and even as she opened them it began to fade.
Devilah tried to focus on what Agrat was looking at, but her eyes couldn’t make it out. She could certainly hear Agrat’s scream though..
“WHO THE HELL ARE YOU?”
“Hi Devilah, Hi Sampson!” came a high pitched voice that Devilah didn’t recognize, seemingly ignoring that of Agrat.
“You… you’re an ANGEL!? You don’t belong here! You are forbidden entrance to this cursed place!”
“Oh! I’m sorry,” said the newcomer, still ignoring Agrat as the brilliance dimmed. Devilah could now make out the outlines of a rather impressively built light skinned human. As the woman continued speaking in that incongruously innocent tone, Devilah realized now that she could see wings behind the form.
“We’ve not been properly introduced. Sampson, I’m called Faniel,” she said while stepping up to Sampson. She stood hesitantly for a moment, suddenly realizing he had no free hands, then grasped his penis delicately and shook it in greeting. “Well, give it just a few minutes Sampson and you’ll be out of this.”
“WHAT?!” screamed Agrat, totally unbelieving that this could be happening in her own domain. With a wave of her hand, suddenly Faniel found herself hung on chains of her own.
“Oh my!” Faniel squeaked. “This is quite uncomfortable! I’m sorry Devilah, I suppose I’ll have to talk to it.” With that, the winged intruder focused on Agrat.
“You have no power here, ANGEL! Get out of here before I entertain myself with your damned virgin body! I can barely stand to look at you!” Agrat spat.
“No power? Perhaps you forget, demon, the Creator made all – yes, even your little pit here. His power is everywhere, no matter what you like to pretend.”
“Perhaps, Angel, but you aren’t him. You can do nothing here. Look at you, you don’t even shave yourself properly!”
“Hey,” squeaked the Angel in a clear and definite whine, “That’s a low blow. I just transfigured into this body. I haven’t had a chance to do anything with it yet!”
“Besides,” continued the Angel, “I don’t need to do anything, demon. I just need to utter seven little words, and you will be destroyed. I don’t suppose you would consider turning to the Good before that happens? Kind of a last-minute-warning sort of thing.”
“You’re insane. It’s those feathers. Got into your brain I think. Would you like to be deflowered by a creature from the pit here? I was going to use him on Sampson, but I think he could do you both quite well.”
“I pity you demons. No imagination. Sorry demon, but that won’t happen. You won’t live another 5 minutes.”
“What the hell can you do Angel!? You can’t even save yourself.”
“Devilah,” the Angel turned to her with a smile.
All faces turned to the little Khajiit-shaped female huddling by the edge of the cave.
“You are not a minion of Hell.”
Agrat turned back to the Angel. “What can you possibly mean by that? Of course she is! The stupid cum-drinker is my slave. Now shut up you!”
Meanwhile, the synapses in Devilahs brain had fired so quickly that her muscles were in motion before Faniel’s last syllable was finished and Agrat turned back to the Angel. Even Sampson didn’t realize what was happening.
“Do you know what Devilah did last night, demon Agrat? Devilah knelt and prayed to the Creator. Do you know what that means?” Faniel smiled dispite her uncomfortable position, holding Agrat’s attention a split second longer so that she didn’t notice the sound of metal on stone.
When Sampson stepped through, he covered his mouth instantly – not expecting the heat or the smell of the place.
“Over there,” Devilah gestured. True to expectations, the sword lay on the stone she had put it on last night.
Samson took it and hefted it, nodding. “Feels the same. I think we’re good.”
Devilah whispered to him desperately, “Let’s go Sampson! They know you’re here. They could be here any second!”
“No,” Sampson replied.
“ WHAT? Sampson, this is Hell! We’ve got to get out of here!”
“No,” he repeated defiantly. “Devilah we’ve got to take a stand somewhere.”
“Oh Sampson, but not here. not here!”
Devilah looked at him in shock, now realizing what he was doing. The idiot thought he could fight for her down here! She fell to her knees.
“NO! Sampson! You can’t win here! You’ve got to get out before it’s too late! This is no time to be…” she begged him.
“A Hero?” he finished for her. “I’m sorry Devilah, but that’s what I am. Without you there’s no reason for me to go back.”
And with those words, she knew that they were doomed.
“Sampson, PLEASE try to hear me,” she started, knowing in her heart that it was pointless now. “This isn’t some dungeon! You have no concept of the powers here. You’ll never get the chance to even…”
“STOP!” said the commanding voice of Agrat who materialized out of thin air. Devilah froze from force of habit more than anything else. When she looked back at Sampson, she found he had been enclosed in an all-too-familiar cage.
“You’re back early Devilah. And still you’ve not completed your mission I see. But you’ve brought him here. That’s an acceptable substitute,” she said. Then, noticing the portal, she waved a hand and dispelled it. “You won’t be needing that anymore.”
Then turning to Sampson, she looked him over. “Nice. Good stock. Fine bones. How’s his cock Devilah? Respectable? Oh! I’m sorry. You can speak now.”
Devilah found she could talk again, but had nothing to say. She was too scared for Sampson to think.
“And you,” Agrat said to Sampson directly, indicating the sword. What were you planning to do with that?“
Sampson’s eyes grew narrow. "I was planning to cut you in half, demon.”
“Oh! Were you? You thought you could slay me here? Well, I do admire your self confidence. But you are a fool Sampson. I’ve been watching you for a long time. Every step you’ve taken proves it. But now you are lost. You cannot hope to leave here. Devilah knows that. She knew it when she told you to come here, didn’t you Devilah?”
Devilah looked at Sampson with sad eyes. “Yes Agrat. I knew it.”
“She told me she couldn’t kill you, but she did the next best thing. I’ve got some toys I want you to see first before you die though. Devilah knows them. But you are mortal. They will be much more… effective on you,” she said, then pointed at the sword. “Devilah, take that away from him.”
As she reached up to take the sword from him, Sampson gave it to her willingly, whispering, “Fight her!”
“I’m sorry, Sampson,” she whispered. “I told you I cannot disobey my master here. I can end this early though, if you wish.”
“No, Devilah. I will fight for you with every breath!”
Devilah shook her head as she took the sword away and set it back where it had been. Then she turned around and shouted at Sampson, “You blithering idiot! There will be no fight. Only pain. You forget where you are, HERO!” She spat out the word like a bitter pill.
“You stupid, stupid man. I LOVED YOU, DAMN IT. And you had to do this? Do you know what you’ve done? Now I’m going to have to watch this, and it’s going to ruin me Sampson. You have ruined me! Because you were too arrogant to leave.”
Agrat laughed. “Oh, that’s precious. He thought you would fight me? Devilah, come here. Suck my pussy.”
Devilah did as she was bid.
“She is a creature of Hell, hero. She is my slave in a sense more complete than you can understand. She cannot defy anything I tell her to do. Not here. Did she not explain that to you? Or did you not believe her? Either way, the consequence is the same.”
“Enough, whore. Go wait in the corner.”
Devilah sat down against the hot walls of Hell and closed her eyes, trying to escape watching Sampson’s impending fate and close out the screams she knew would soon come.
Once more, Agrat waived her hands and Sampson found himself naked. “Oh my! Quite a package you’ve got there Hero. But trust me Sampson, armor would only make it harder for you.”
“Now, try THIS on for size!”
Suddenly Sampson was hanging from chains in an extremely awkward position.
“Remember my pet, Devilah? A real loving creature. I think Sampson would appreciate his attentions, don’t you? Of course, Sampson doesn’t have the right equipment to accomodate him like you did. But if I remember that creature’s cock, it’ll make a hole if there isn’t one there already. I’ll just pop out and bring him in.”
Devilah closed her eyes tighter and prayed she wouldn’t have to see any more.
Sampson had an idea. He wasn’t terribly intelligent or wise, but when it came to this sort of thing, he was first-rate. And this was fast becoming something that his talents were useful for.
He knew he’d have to come to grips with the whole succubus thing, but as he looked at Devilah, he realized that his feelings hadn’t changed for her, and weren’t likely to ever do so.
“I’m coming with you.”
“To Hell?!” Devilah protested. “Sampson, you’ll be a living person in Hell! It would be like dropping red meat to the hellhounds! You wouldn’t last 10 minutes down there!”
“I don’t have to. We’re just grabbing the sword and leaving after all. In and out. No one will be expecting us right? We’ll be gone before they can even notice us. But I’m coming with you.”
Devilah saw the gleam in his eye and knew better than to argue. “Ok Sampson, but I don’t think it’s a good idea.”
“When shall we go?”
“Well, let’s go back and get something to eat first. Then we can go. I’ll make the portal right to the cave where I left the sword. They can’t touch it, so it’s got to still be there.”
Sampson nodded his agreement, then looked at her wings.
“Oh. Yeah. Best get back into character,” Devilah said as she dispelled the wings.
“How do you do that?” Sampson asked, feeling the fur along her shoulder blades and detecting no sign of anything.
Devilah giggled, “Hey! That tickles! I’ve no idea. It’s just natural to me. I suppose it’s all part of magical evolutionary biology. A disguise mechanism. I need to look like what attracts my prey.”
Sampson said, “What?”
“Nevermind.”
Back in the Bee and Barb, Sampson and Devilah were talking with Keerava.
“Oh, don’t worry about that Sampson. Consider your tab paid. You haven’t cost me anything but a bed and some food,” Keerava was saying in hushed tones.
“And a ton of booze,” he corrected.
“And a sword,” Devilah added.
“Well, yeah. Tell you what. If you ever come into a ton of gold, send me back some! And you will I suspect.”
“I’ll consider it a debt. Thank’s Keerava. For everything,” Sampson said before giving her a big hug. She practically squawked in surprise at the unexpected informality.“
"Geeze Sampson! Lighten up! My patrons will think I’m a pushover softie!”
“Oh patrons be damned, you’re a fine woman Keerava. I hope Talen-Jai knows what he’s getting.”
“That puppy dog? I’ll have him licking my ass within a week of the marriage. But what about you two? Where are you going?”
“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you. Like I said, we may be back soon, or we may be gone for good. I wanted to settle our affairs here before we left.”
Keerava looked at Devilah suspiciously, but Devilah just returned her gaze and shrugged.
“Do you know what you’re doing Sampson? This one… there’s something strange about her.”
“Why, didn’t you like the orgy?” Sampson said nonchalantly.
Keerava fairly choked and Sampson was about to pat her back before she recovered herself.
“You… (cough) You know about that?”
“Yes Keerava. I know about that. And other things as well. I know what I’m doing, but it’s nice of you to be concerned. We have…” he stammered looking at Devilah, “Shall we say, an unusual relationship.”
“Well, far be it from me to interfere!” Keerava said, looking back at Devilah. “I’m… surprised. Devilah, you’re an interesting person. But I’m happy to know you two are… honest with each other now anyway. But do keep it a secret. We don’t want that story to get around.”
“No problem. Well Devilah, are you ready to go?”
“Yes please. It’s getting late and if we screw up the timing… It would be bad.”
“Goodbye Keerava.”
“Good luck. To both of you… I guess,” she said, giving Devilah a nod of grudging acceptance.
They walked out of the tavern. “Where?” Sampson asked.
“Anywhere that people can’t see us is fine. Over there.”
Devilah let Sampson contemplate that while she put her clothes back on. When he still hadn’t responded, she asked him, “Sampson, do you know the word? Do you know what a succubus is?”
Sampson struggled to speak. “Uh… A… succubus?”
“Yes, a succubus. I am a denizen of the underworld. A kind of devil. I live by eating the semen of men. I break their willpower and thrive on their lust. I’ve had more men in more ways than you can conceive of, and I’m not exaggerating at all. It’s what I do Sampson. Do you understand? I am a devil, quite literally.”
“A devil?” Sampson managed.
“Sure! A devil. A minion of Evil. A Really Bad Guy. I am the kind of creature you would kill if you’d known. Well, now you know,” she explained.
“You can’t be! You… we killed those assassins… we fought evil! It makes no sense!”
“Sampson, Sampson… See these wings? Do you think they’re imaginary? I assure you they are not. I am what I am, and I am not a Khajiit. Khajiit have no wings. This is my true form Sampson. The wings are part of me. I am what you see. I was sent to break your will and your vow. What you don’t comprehend is that you are really a Hero, Sampson. People like you change history. Breaking your vow would have earned me more respect in the Underworld than you can imagine. Killing a few assassins is nothing…”
She sat beside him and began to tell the whole story, breaking to answer his questions. It took a long time. It was late afternoon when she felt her explanation of what she was and her original mission were understood properly.
“But,” he protested. “You’ve not had any men since you’ve been with me!”
She shook her head. “Wrong again. Remember that ‘plumbing’ job back in Markarth? Remember that guy that proposed marriage? Sampson, three months ago I had an orgy with every man in the Bee and Barb. And the women for that matter. Sampson, you must understand. I am a succubus, and all that implies. But… I’ve gotten in trouble. I fell for you Sampson, and I’ve been running away from my master in Hell. Three months ago, she found me and took me to Hell. She… well, she tried to torture me anyway. But she didn’t understand me. Anyway, she sent me back with two tasks eventually. One was to steal your sword. It’s a very special sword Sampson. You wouldn’t understand, but it’s very, very powerful against evil creatures.”
“And the other?” Sampson asked, still stunned by the revelations.
“I am to kill you, Sampson.”
Sampson nodded. This was something he could understand. “So… are you going to?”
Now it was Devilah’s turn to be confused. “Am I going to what? Kill you? Sampson, I just told you I’ve been sent to assassinate you. That’s not something an assassin does you know!”
Sampson smiled. “You’ve revealed a lot of things to me, Dev. Some I still don’t understand. Most I don’t want to understand. But if I understand this right, you can return to your full rank if you kill me. So, do so.”
Devilah stared at him. “You know I can’t do that! Sampson, I am a succubus, but I’m not all that strong! My power is in my allure. Sure I have a few little spells available to me related to my talents. I can put people to sleep, I can increase their lust and decrease their inhibitions a bit. But I’m no mage in human sense. I can’t kill you!”.
“You can if I let you,” Sampson said simply.
“You would let me kill you?”
“Yes, Devilah. I would.”
“Oh Sampson, you idiot. No! That’s not the only reason I can’t kill you. I told you before, I love you.”
“Well, there is that… so, what if you just don’t kill me?” Sampson asked, standing and helping Devilah to her feet.
“Then she will send hellhounds after you. Sampson, you don’t know what those are. But they will kill you. They are practically immortal, and they don’t stop Sampson. You cannot kill them, and they won’t stop until they kill you. They are expensive for Agrat to use. They can be killed by magical means and she can’t send many. But it will only take one. I would guess she’ll send three.”
“Hmm. That is a problem.”
“But I have an idea. If I can get the sword back, that sword can kill them.”
“Devilah, if I understand all this right, Agrat’s not going to give up my sword easily!”
“No, she’s not. And she’s powerful in her domain. But she’s not there all the time, and she can’t touch the sword so it’s bound to still be where I left it. I just need to sneak in, get the sword, and get out.”
“But, won’t she just take you back after that?”
Devilah sighed. “Yes, but there’s nothing I can do about that. In the hierarchy of the underworld, I have no choice if she chooses to use her power there. I will do what she commands. But that sword can keep you safe!”
“But… it’s all pointless without you!” Sampson exclaimed. “There must be some way…”
“Look, if we can keep you alive we’ll be doing good. There’s no time to argue about this. Agrat expects me back at midnight. I’ve got to get that sword back before then.”
Dawn came and Sampson, true to his nature, rose and dressed.
Devilah looked at him while he dressed. This would be the last time he saw her as a normal mortal. Once she told him all, he would abandon her most likely. She must make him understand exactly what she was and what she had done. All she had done. But he would live.
“It must be done,” she tried to convince herself.
“Where’s my sword?” Sampson suddenly shouted.
Devilah looked at him.
“It’s not the chest nor in my inventory Devilah! Someone stole my sword! In my own room!”
Devilah rose and touched him on the shoulder. “Sampson… I took your sword.”
“You? You took my sword? Devilah, anything I have is yours. But why? Where is it?”
A tear fell from her eye. It had begun, and nothing she could do now would stop it. She had to tell him everything.
“Sampson, it’s a long story. Let’s go for a walk… outside the city.”
Sampson looked at her and noticed the sadness on her face. It practically screamed seriousness. He felt an overwhelming need to assure her. “Whatever it is, Devilah, it will be okay.”
At that she lost control and dropped her head, not wanting to look at him but holding his arm for support. “No, it won’t Sampson. But I have to tell you.”
Later, after she’d recomposed herself, they left the tavern. Before leaving Sampson had convinced Keerava to loan him her sword. The wilderness was dangerous, he reminded Devilah, even just outside the city.
“A good blade,” he said to Devilah who feigned interest. “Of course, a bit small for my taste, but I can work with it, if I need to.”
Outside they walked without incident until Devilah found a quiet place by a lake and asked Sampson to sit down.
“Sampson, I need to show you something. Something you won’t expect. Sit here and please stay calm. It won’t hurt me, I promise.”
Sampson nodded, knowing that – at least for a while, he would not be expected to speak. However, he had no idea what she was talking about.
She undressed unceremoniously and he stood to embrace her, uncomprehending her intent.
“No no you horny man, sit back down. This isn’t for that reason. Though it is a beautiful place for it. This is to so you’ll know what you’re about to see is me. Sampson, take a good look at me now and remember me this way. After I do what I’m about to do, you may not think of me the same way again.”
He stood and began to protest.
“Shut up you fool. Sampson, you’re a good man, but you’re an idiot. Believe me.”
“I am, I know,” he laughed, sitting back down.
“Prepare yourself, fool. But know this beforehand. Despite everything I’m about to reveal to you… I love you and no one else. No matter what you think later, I do. And because I do, you need to know me.”
Then, out of nowhere, a pair of devilish wings sprouted from her back.
As if to demonstrate their reality, she floated just above the ground under their power.
Sampson was struck dumb. His brain could not understand what his eyes were seeing. Whatever the hell this was, it was nothing he expected!
“Sampson. I am a succubus,” Devilah stated flatly.
When he offered no response, she sat down beside him and couldn’t help notice him back away slightly. “I know. Weird, right?”
She set the sword down gingerly on a stone nearby. Agrat approached the sword warily, switching back to human form and feeling the power within the otherwise ordinary looking weapon. She looked at the sword and then back to the succubus.
“Well done Devilah! I didn’t expect your progress to be so swift! And the Hero?”
Devilah looked to the floor. “No. I wasn’t able to kill him.”
Agrat growled, “Then your work is not yet done.”
Devilah protested, “It’s… not an easy thing to do you know!”
“There are denizens here that could have it accomplished in a few seconds, Devilah. I am being lenient with you, but you must do this if you are to redeem yourself,” she insisted. “You know I have a soft spot in my heart for you, Devilah. I would dearly like to restore you to your former status. But as long as Sampson lives you will not be! You were one of our top operatives in Skyrim among your kind. It is shameful to see how far you have fallen. If you do not complete your mission this time, you will be sent to the lowest pits where you will be denied your disgusting ‘needs’ until you perish.”
Devilah pleaded with Agrat, “No! I can still be useful! That Khajiit in Elseweyr you mentioned! I can take care of him like I have the others!”
Agrat assumed a friendly tone, “I know you are useful Devilah. Your loss to the cause would be tragic. Just do this one little thing. A dagger to the heart while he’s stabbing your cunt maybe? It would be only right! Hell, do it while he’s in the throes of orgasm and he’ll barely notice. It will be a death he’d be happy to endure! But he MUST DIE Devilah. No more protests. Just do it. If you cannot accomplish this small task by tomorrow night, I will send hellhounds to finish him.”
“No! They’ll tear him to shreds!”
“Yes, they will. His death will be agonizing and take hours. He will use all his might. He will stab them, throttle them, but they will not be stopped. You know the hellhounds can’t be killed by mortals, and they are relentless. Finally his throat will be ripped out, but not before he is mauled and partially eaten alive. Devilah, you would be doing him a kindness by ending him quickly. I will expect a favorable report tomorrow night. You will not be given a another chance.”
“But… you said a week!”
Agrat looked to the sword, as if both repelled and attracted to it. “Oh but you try my patience, Devilah. You’ve done well with the sword. Had I not been personally insulted, that alone would suffice. But…”
“The work of a dagger takes only seconds. You need no more time. Fuck him and slay him. Feel his blood flow over you while his seed flows into you, succubus! It’s your nature, whore! Now go, and when next I see you tomorrow night I expect you to be covered in his gore!”
Devilah was pushed back to Skyrim by Agrat’s power without even opening a portal. She found herself sprawled on the upstairs landing where she had left just minutes before. She heard a clock somewhere chime 1 o’clock. “23 hours,” she thought. Her time was fast running out. She knew hellhounds, and she knew Agrat would do it.
“Now what?” she thought as she re-entered the room.
She saw Sampson still sleeping. She began to cry and fell to her knees. For the first time in her life she realized she was out of ideas and that Sampson might die because of her.
Looking up at the ceiling, she did something she’d never dreamed of doing in her long life before. She closed her eyes and prayed. It was a rough prayer, and not devoid of curses and demands. But it was heartfelt, and it was heard.
But nothing happened, and she finally gave up and returned to Sampson’s bed as worried as ever. She did not sleep, however. She thought and thought. And then it came to her, and she knew what she had to do. She had to tell Sampson all. The sword was the key. Dammit, why did she leave it in Hell? The sword could cut through hellhounds like they were dogs. With it and her warning, Sampson could defeat them. She had to get it back.
She heard Sampson turn in his sleep.
It wasn’t a solution, she knew, but it was at least something. Something worth celebrating perhaps?
She debated if she should awaken Sampson or just let him sleep. But then she glanced down at his manhood and suddenly it was no longer up for debate. They’d already made love once tonight after all, once more wouldn’t hurt anything. The only question remaining was how suddenly should she wake him.
She opted for the gentle tongue-massage method, to which he responded as expected. It was nice to find that some of her schemes actually went as planned! She was good at this anyway. She was good at penises.
Sampson and Devilah returned to the Bee and Barb to eat. While Devilah was certainly disappointed in what Sampson had chosen to do while she was away, he had commitments to Keerava that he had to keep, so she found herself in a back room talking with Keerava while Sampson went out to do some roof repairs.
“Well he certainly has improved a lot in just a few hours, I must say,” Keerava admitted. “I suppose you will be leaving soon though. I’ll miss having him around you know.”
Devilah noted the sincerity in the Argonian’s voice. “I imagine so! It must be nice having a hero fix your roof!” she said, smiling and hoping she managed to leave any snarkyness out of her voice. She had been unexpectedly kind to Sampson after all..
“Didn’t look like any hero yesterday! But you’re right. It’s good you’re back… I guess.”
“Um… Keerava… About that night.”
Keerava shook her head. “Weren’t no night. And nobody’s said a thing to Sampson. I suspect if they had, they’d have lost their head by now.”
“Or something…“ Devilah agreed.
"That’s good,” Devilah purred. “Things might have gotten a little out of hand.”
Keervara leaned close to Devilah. “I’ll say! I’m pregnant!”
“Pregnant?!” Devilah sputtered. “Talen-Jei?”
“I have to assume so. He’s the only Argonian that was here. Unless some fertility deity has been messing with biology again! No thanks to you…”
“I’m sorry Keerava. These things just happen around me. I didn’t intend…”
“Oh hush girl. It’s not like you forced me to. Besides, I could use a little clutch around here. I’ll need to take a vacation to the Black Marsh, but I’m kinda looking forward to the little squirts. I suppose I’ll have to marry that damned guy. I’ll be lucky if I don’t catch a new batch of eggs every damn time with him in my bed! Still, don’t tell him. I’ll get him to propose and sleep with him after that. It’ll be close enough.”
“Well, if we get a chance, we’ll drop back in sometime and see your… brood.”
“Do that. I’ll name one of them after you.”
“You’d name one ‘Devilah’? That’s very sweet of you. It’s certainly not an Argonian name!”
“Oh, not ‘Devilah’. ‘Horny Fucking Cat’. But it sounds better in Jel.”
When Devilah had recovered herself, she gave Keerava a hearty slap on the back. “You’re okay Keerava!”
“Don’t get too friendly, Dev, the others might think we’re lovers!”
“Well… we kinda… were there for a few minutes.”
“SHHH!” Keerava hissed, but then added conspiratorially, accompanied by a firm slap on Devilah’s ass, “…and it was a half hour at bare minimum.”
The afternoon passed slowly till Sampson returned, after his work was done. He looked like all grin and ears when he walked in the door and he swept Devilah off her feet. “Come on Devilah, we’re going out!”
It turned out Sampson had been doing more than just working on the roof all day. In fact, he’d gotten a commission from the Jarl to do a small task and had received a bit of coin for it. So he’d bought a small present for the Khajiit and they spent the early evening strolling around outside Riften.
Then they returned to their room where Keerava had sent up a special dinner – no charge.
There the two talked for a while, and then made love gently but passionately as if for the first time. Devilah knew better of course, but she was overcome with emotion when finally Sampson collapsed on top of her and she felt him slowly withdraw as he fell to sleep there. This, she decided, would be their ‘official’ first time. Though less energetic and voluminous than the real first time, it had been much more passionate. The acrobatics could come later. If there was a later.
Suddenly as she dozed, she realized it was approaching midnight. She slid from underneath Sampson and quietly dressed again. She looked around and found the Sword. Had she not seen it in action, she would have thought it was the same as any sword really. It was large, but not particularly ornate or even rust-free. Still, she knew undoubtedly that this was indeed the Sword of St. Michael. A hum of power throbbed underneath her hands as she lifted it up the likes of which she had never experienced before.
She shut the doors to the room, but didn’t dare to take the sword downstairs where late night customers might notice her. Instead she opened the portal right there and took the sword with her. Agrat was there, waiting.
In the morning, she was still in his arms when he awoke. He sat up with a start and looked down at her. She turned to look back at him and smiled.
“Devilah! You’re really here!”
“Sure I am Sampson. I’m no dream. A dream wouldn’t have helped you piss!”
Suddenly she found herself hugged again with a strength that might have damaged a real Khajiit. “ DEVILAH!”
She laughed an pried herself away. “Yes, it’s me! Gotta go pee? I’d be happy to help again!”
Sampson laughed for the first time. “If you want to hold my cock, you can hold it all day long!”
“Whoa, you have changed! The offer is tempting, but we’ve got more important things to do first. A bath being one of them.”
Sampson got up, still glancing back as if to verify she was really there every few seconds, but got his armor on. “They don’t have a bath in the tavern, but there’s a public bath just a little ways away.”
Devilah put her immaculate red outfit back on again and noticed that Sampson did not look away when she adjusted certain parts as he normally did. Something told her she wouldn’t need to host an orgy to get fed any longer.
“You haven’t asked me anything yet, Sampson. About where I’ve been,” she noted as the left the tavern and headed towards the bath.
“I guess I thought you’d tell me when you felt like it. All I want to know is if there was anything I did or said…”
“You would think it was something about you, you narcissistic asshole!” she complained with a smile as they arrived and began to undress. “No, it had nothing to do with you,” she lied. “Someone from my past… took me away. I had to do something. I should have told you but it was kind of private. And I didn’t expect her to show up when she did. Now help me off with these boots. I don’t know why we bothered to get dressed before a bath anyway!”
“So… are you back with me to stay?”
“I’m not sure, but I hope so Sampson. I do want to stay with you.”
“Then I will vow to make it so to the best of my ability!” Sampson stated as he led the way into the bath.
Looking down at him, Devilah couldn’t help but comment, “Looks like your sword is ready to do battle for me! But let’s get the little guy cleaned off first don’t you think? It would be impolite to wage war with a dirty weapon!”
Sampson laughed heartily. “I mean no offense. I can’t help it. But my sword is at your command, Lady Devilah!”
“Later big boy. I’ve got to clean my sheath too. So other than getting drunk as a skunk, what else has been going on while I’ve been away? How’s our cash holding out?”
Sampson’s face dropped. “I’m afraid I spent it all. I’ve been doing odd jobs for Keerava around the Bee and Barb for my room and board.”
Devilah stood up and looked down at Sampson with real anger in her eyes. “You WHAT?!”
“I’m sorry Devilah. There wasn’t that much left really. And… well… my bar bill got a little higher than normal after you left.”
“Sampson, I don’t give a flying fuck about the money. But what the hell are you doing working as a servant?! You’re a FUCKING HERO! Have some self respect! You could have gone to the Jarl and got work at the very least. Dammit Sampson, you’ve got to realize your potential. You’re not some damned drunken servant, even if that’s exactly what you have been! What were you thinking?!”
“I… wasn’t thinking. I just wanted to wait for you. I didn’t want to leave the tavern.”
“Devilah, I love you.”
And there it was. Out in the open for all to see. Devilah had gotten oaths of love plenty of times. Some guy over near Markarth had crawled on his hands and knees begging her to marry him. But Sampson had – as far as his memory went anyway – never even had sex with her. She sat down hard.
“Oh Sampson. You don’t even know me. In every sense of the term.”
“I know you’re… a sensual person Devilah. And I know I’ve kept you away. But that won’t happen again. You have needs I haven’t met. Well that is over. No more vows of chastity for me. We can have a go right here in the bath if you want!”
Devilah laughed out loud. When she got control of herself, she went back to washing. “Sampson, you idiot. Have you ever considered that your vows and self control are what kept me with you so long in the first place? Don’t become my lap-dog now. I’m a sex-crazed Khajiit and I admit it, but I don’t want a lap-dog. I want my hero. But… you can break down once in a while.
Like tonight maybe?”
Sampson considered this. “You’re right. It’s not my… idiom. But as for tonight, it’s a date!”
“Ooo! I like the sound of that! Now let’s get our clothes back on before I take you and spoil it!
The streets of Riften were quiet when Devilah stepped through her portal. She looked up at the sign for the Bee and Barb and wondered what had gone on while she had been gone. And not for the first time she wondered why the hell Sampson was still here. Then with a deep breath she stepped into the tavern.
Looking around, she didn’t see Sampson anywhere. But eyes began to turn and widen when they recognized who had just walked in the door. Conversations ceased and mouths gaped. She crossed to the bar when the barmaid looked up from putting something away. Argonian eyes were difficult to read at the best of times, but the intake of breath was unmistakable.
Devilah recalled her name, as well as some very personal attributes, immediately. “Keerava?”
“Devilah,” said the barmaid, less as a greeting than a statement to make what she was seeing a reality.
The succubus nodded. “Yes. I’ve… been away. I wonder if maybe Sampson is…”
“He’s in the same room. Hasn’t left.”
Devilah thanked her and turned to go up stairs.
“Devilah! Wait.”
She turned back, curious. All eyes still watched her every move. What had happened here? Surely a little orgy wouldn’t be that big of a deal?
“Devilah, be gentle. He’s not the same man you left. He’s going to have a hard time seeing you again.”
“Thank you Keerava. I will.”
“One more thing. You’ve got a good man there Devilah. You may have ruined him. I don’t think you deserve him.”
Devilah looked down at her hands and replied quietly as she turned to climb the stairs. “That’s for damned sure.”
Upstairs, she stepped to the door and opened it quietly. The room stank and the figure on the bed was turned away from her. She walked up to him and knelt by the bed. He reeked of alcohol and neglect.
Quietly, she said “Sampson?”
The big man turned over and opened his eyes blearily but recognized her immediately. Through a drunken haze, he smiled at her. “Devilah. Won’t you come back? Where have you gone?”
Devilah stood, walked back to the door and locked it. Then she removed her outfit and lay down atop the stinking drunk, enfolding him in her arms. His eyes never left her as he returned the embrace. He didn’t even blink, as if fearing that doing so would break the enchantment.
Perhaps another person would have recoiled at his appearance and neglect. But compared to the place she had just come from, his breath smelled of lilac and cinnamon. “Sampson. I’m back.”
His eyes welled with tears as he held her tighter. Finally he closed them and said, “This… is a good dream.”
Devilah felt something wrong with her own eyes, but closed them and felt the big man’s breathing stutter a few times. “It’s not a dream, Sampson. I am here.”
He opened his eyes again and looked at her. “I’m sorry Devilah. For whatever I did, I’m sorry. If you’re still here in the morning, I’ll never touch another drop again. Just please be here in the morning.”
She laughed quietly. “I’m not going anywhere you big lunk.”
They just held each other for a long time. Finally Sampson stumbled out of bed. “I’ve… got to go downstairs for a minute. But will you really still be here when I get back?”
Devilah noticed the awkwardness and unbalanced state of the big man and shook her head. “I’ll go with you.”
The tavern below once again went quiet when a still-drunk Sampson staggered through the tavern with a naked Khajiit steadying him. She held his penis as he relieved himself in the privy, and they both returned back to their room. Sampson never took his eyes off of her, and she felt more than a little guilty for this amount of adulation from a man she had promised to murder.
Back in bed, she snuggled up and pulled his arms back around her as he murmered something in her ear and fell back to sleep, breathing in the smell of her to mix with his dreams all night long. “Stupid lunk,” she thought to herself as she let herself drift off too. “Idiotic, brain-dead sod. Why in hell do I like you so much? Here I am naked next to a man with a penis that could rock my world and instead of fucking his brains out, I’m letting him sleep. Damn girl, you’ve changed!”
Agrat looked at Devilah scornfully. Insubordination against superiors was certainly grounds for more punishment. But she was thinking and she decided to ignore it. She paced back and forth for a bit. Finally she turned back to Devilah.
“Are you Good?” she asked straight out.
“Me? I sure don’t think so,” the succubus replied honestly.
“No… I don’t think so either. I’ve never heard of a succubus switching sides. Still, if it’s your destiny, there’s nothing we can do about that. But maybe there is something we can do until then. You still have some time available on your original Skyrim mission. Would you be trustworthy to go back again?”
Devilah kept her face calm, but suddenly her mind was racing. “Go back?! Would she really be permitted to return after what she’d done? But… Dammit, she’d given up that hope. Now Agrat was dangling it in front of her again?! Suddenly Devilah realized that this was the real torture, even if the demoness didn’t realize it. She could not betray her thoughts though. If she appeared too eager, Agrat wouldn’t trust her.”
“Give me those batteries and I’ll go back,” she said, nonchalantly – deftly implying that she had to be bribed to return. “But why? What do you have in mind?”
“Do you think you can recover the Sword? If it could be brought here, the master would be well pleased. And in turn, so would I. We might even be able to forgive your mistakes and give you a new assignment. There’s a heroic Khajiit in Elseweyr that’s making trouble. You could have a second chance. If you can return with the sword.”
“A holy relic, here? Are you sure that’s a good idea?”
“Hell no it’s not a good idea! It’s an EVIL idea! We may not be able to touch it, but you can! And if it’s here it can do no more harm in Tamriel. How the hell it got there though I can’t imagine.”
Devilah shrugged. “I could ask Sampson where he got it. Perhaps that may give us a clue? But wait. There’s a big problem with your idea.”
The demoness focused on her. “What?”
“We have no idea where Sampson is. How long have I been here?”
Agrat’s face relaxed. “It’s only been three months. But that will be no problem. He’s still in Riften. I have other sources there. For some reason he’s stayed there all this time.”
Devilah nearly screamed, but she managed to keep her face composed. “Still there?” she thought. “You idiot, why the hell are you still there, Sampson? I knew you were stupid but what the fuck?” Her mind was in such turmoil she barely registered that Agrat was still speaking.
“…care that much where it came from. But you have another objective, Devilah. Sampson cannot be allowed to live. You must kill him, and the sooner the better.”
“Kill him? You know that’s not in my mandate. I don’t kill!”
“You do now. Sampson is a danger as long as he lives. He’s a true hero, and will wreak havoc on our plans there. He must be stopped permanently. If you won’t kill Sampson, I’ll send someone else. I’d rather you do it as you have the unique ability among us to be able to touch the Sword, and he trusts you.”
Devilah nodded and thought rapidly. “If you can get me the mandate, I’ll kill him. And bring back the Sword. But you’ve got to give me some time. He’s not going to part with the Sword willingly and he’s far to good to defeat openly in battle. I don’t trust poison either. I’ll need to find some other way.”
Agrat considered this. Devilah did know him best. She came to a decision. “Okay, you’ve got one week tops. I’d prefer you get it done in less time. If he still lives and we haven’t got the Sword by that time, I’ll report it to the Master and let him decide your fate and what to do about Sampson. Don’t fuck this up Devilah. You’ve got the mandate from me. You are licensed to kill on my authority.”
Devilah felt something change within her. A mandate for lethal action was way above her pay grade. There were very few Hellions with that mandate as its use raised the attention of powers both Above and Below. She would only be able to use it once, and then she’d best get back to Hell as soon as possible or there would be repercussions. The battle between Good and Evil was not to be waged directly in the middle realms like this, she knew. She also knew one other thing. She was lying.
“When do I leave?”
“Right away, but not so fast Devilah. I require a condition.”
“A condition? What?”
“You will open a portal and return to me here every night at midnight and report on your progress. And you will be monitored for compliance. You won’t be running away this time, Devilah.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it,” she lied. She only wished she had a plan, but a week could be a long time. Surely some idea would come to her before then. But this was going to complicate matters. Still, she really had no choice.
“Good. Here’s your wings back. Now get me that Sword, Devilah. Your future depends on it. And get rid of that pest. We don’t need another hero in Skyrim. Place is crawling with them anyway.”
Devilah stretched her wings, glad to feel them once again behind her shoulders. “I will, Agrat. You can count on me. Oh, what time is it there?”
“Just before 1:00 am. You’ve got 7 nights to get it done. Don’t forget to report back in nightly. Be ready and work quickly.”
“I will,” Devilah said, trying hard to contain her emotions as she stretched her wings and tested them.
“Devilah? Aren’t you forgetting something?” Agrat said from behind her as Devilah opened the portal.
Devilah suddenly felt flushed with fear. What had she betrayed?
“I don’t think so. I have the coordinates for Riften.”
Devilah looked back at her Superior curiously as Agrat tossed something to her. Devilah caught it reflexively and looked down at what she held.
“A 4 pack of D-cells. Copper top, just like you asked,” Agrat smiled.
Devilah laughed, pulled her vibrator out and inserted the batteries. “Thanks!” she replied sincerely as a strong humming sound filled the air before she switched it off.
“Well, us girls have to stick together. You have the coordinates back here?”
“Of course. Getting into Hell is never a problem!”
“Then go ahead. I’ll meet you back here at midnight tomorrow.”
Devilah conjured her outfit back on and regretfully banished her wings again. Then she stepped through her portal with a new mission into midnight in Riften. “I’m coming you idiot,” she thought to herself.