Earning Kindness [CLOP scene 1: Stags/mare, semiconsensual, false pretense; scene 2: Mare/stag, consensual, Femdom]

Star Charmer and I were standing in front of Vestri's office. Star Charmer was of course nude save for a red collar and a leash attached to it. This collar was a real one, sealed with runes by myself so as not to risk discovery – she would need me to take it off once we were back in Freeville. I wasn't happy with this, but it was the only way. She didn't really care. I was holding her leash...

"Star Charmer, you know we're here to make a good impression. So would you... go to all fours?"

Star Charmer grinned at me. "Of course, master", she said and went to her hands and knees.

I knocked at the door and heard Vestri's voice from inside. "Enter, please."

I opened the door and entered with Star Charmer. Vestri was at his desk, doing some paperwork.

"Ah, Magistrate Eadgil. Welcome." He was still not looking up. I nervously bit my lip when I heard my birth name again after all those months. He pointed to a chair. "Please, take a seat", he said.

I sat down.

"Of course, you already know why I summoned you here", he said.

He finally looked up from his papers. "Hey, don't I know you? I knew the name sounded familiar! You were one of the men under my command during the invasion, weren't you?"

I saluted. "Yes, sir. I had the honor. How's your brother, by the way?"

He sighed. "Ivangir is still gone on a mission of exploration to the south. He's already several weeks overdue. I'm really beginning to worry for him. It's a strange land, down there in the south."

"I'm sorry to hear that", I said. "But I'm sure he's alright. He's a good soldier." I smiled.

I hope he rots in hell.

He took a closer look at me. "You know, I didn't make the connection when I read the name, but now I remember you. You were the one I had to encourage to claim that unicorn mare during the Canterlot invasion."

That was bad.

"Yes sir. That was me. I... wasn't quite myself back then. The stress of the invasion..."

"I see", he said. "By the way, do you still have that unicorn cunt I made you claim back then? She smelled and tasted a bit weird – but she was drop-dead gorgeous."

I shook my head. "I'm sorry sir, but no. I gave her to a friend when I founded Dainnville, as a welcome present." – That friend had been herself, of course.

"I see. That's too bad. But I also see you got yourself a very nice new one." He looked at Star Charmer.

"So, you're considering me as handler for the yellow pegasus mare from the old Elements of Harmony?", I asked. "May I ask why?"

"No, you may not", he answered coldly. "Also, you still have to prove that you could handle her."

I smiled deviously. "Well, I certainly think I can handle her better than Gunne could. You know about his birth... condition. You know how lenient he is with mares and incurable troublemakers in Ponyville. I really think I could do a better job."

He raised an eyebrow. Had I seen through him?

"You know, three years ago, shortly after the invasion, I wouldn't have considered you for anything. Back then I thought that you were just a weakling without backbone, or that the stress of the invasion had taken a permanent toll on you, especially when you decided to leave the army after the Canterlot invasion – but then again, you hadn't been a soldier to begin with. But I've read the report on your community, from that official we sent a few weeks ago to investigate. I have to say, I'm impressed. According to that report, your females are absolutely in their place and even extraordinarily well-behaved. You've always been a bit of a romantic, but I think I underestimated you. You've really come a long way in the last three years, haven't you? But I'm not convinced yet that you're the stag for the job. So what else can you do to convince me?"

I knew I had to make a good impression, but this was a bit much. I was annoyed, but I had an idea. "With all due respect, sir, I find it a bit annoying that you summon me all the way here to Canterlot and have me prove my fitness for a job I never even applied for. Don't get me wrong, I'm absolutely willing and eager to serve the king, council and state the best I can in this matter. But I think you already have a good idea as to why you're considering me. I guess you wouldn't take me into consideration without having a clue as to why. You're far too smart for that."

He laughed. "You speak your mind, you're absolutely confident about your abilities, but you're still handing out questionable compliments. I see you really have changed in the last three years. Frankly, far too many of our brothers are either mindless brutes like the yellow one's former handler; or weaklings like you have been once, or like that magistrate of Ponyville whose name I will not say out loud. But I see you're different now. You have a backbone, but you also have style. I respect that, really. As to your question, of course we have a clue why we're considering you."

Of course you have. You consider me because you think I'm the less shitty alternative than Gunne.

"Don't pique yourself on it though", he continued. "The most important reason why we're considering you is because we can't move the yellow one too far away from Ponyville, we can't move any of our own men there with Ivangir still gone, and there are no other stags in Ponyville that would be suited for the job."

Yeah, I figured.

"Of course, even though doesn't seem very probable right now, I might still come to the conclusion that you're not up to the task. In that case, we could still decide to give the yellow one to Ponyville's magistrate, and in that case we might also consider investigating closer how you handle your mares in your town. Your report is more than favorable, and you've made a good impression to me so far as well. But I'd really like to have a little demonstration." He looked down at Star Charmer, who was still on all fours. "I can see that you've already anticipated that."

"Indeed. I've brought that one to show you how well-behaved our mares are. I call her Star, by the way."

"I see", Vestri said. "Well, so far she has been almost invisible. Silent and on all fours like she should be. But let me give her a closer examination."

I was still holding her leash. He pulled her up by her hair. Even I was amazed that she didn't even make a sound. Then, he bent her over his desk. The leash was long enough, so I didn't let go of it.

"Ass up", he commanded. "Present yourself!" She immediately complied.

"Very good", Vestri said.

Then he made a step back. "Eadgil, you're first. Of course, I'll also test her myself after you've done. But for now, show me that you can put a mare in her place!"

"Very well", I told him. "Let me show you."

Of course, Star Charmer and I had discussed this in advance. At least for this part, we were prepared. I went over to her, placed myself behind her, then gave her ass a little slap. "I'll take one of your holes now", I told her. "Then Vestri will decide by himself what he'll do to you. He'll probably give you new orders, but for now, I don't want to hear a sound from you."

"Yes, Master", she responded.

I gave her ass a hard slap. "I said I don't want to hear a sound from you!"

Silence. I waited a few seconds, then gave her another hard slap. "Failing to respond to your Master's command even though you've clearly heard it? Why do you shame me, Star?"

As we've discussed beforehand, she just whimpered a little.

"As a punishment, I'll rut you hard. You will not cum." I drove myself deeply into her pussy in one push. She remained perfectly silent. I had to admit, she still managed to impress me.

I began to fuck her hard, changing pace from time to time and giving her butt occasional hard slaps. Nothing she hadn't expected. We both knew it was exactly what Vestri wanted to see.

After a while, I came. I pulled out, took a handkerchief and cleaned myself, then took place on my chair again.

Now it was his turn to place himself behind her.

"I see your Master has already given you a good rutting", he observed, looking down at her. "I will give you another one. Now tell me, Star: which of your holes should I fill?"

"Master has taught this cunt that it is not for her to decide", Star Charmer answered softly. "Her body is for any male to use however he wants, sir."

"Very good", Vestri said to me. "You know, even Sunny still sometimes falls for the fake choice. But then again, you probably prepared for this meeting in advance and might have anticipated this. I think as a reward, I'm going to fill both her holes. Then we shall see how she does."

He took a big dildo from his board and crammed it deep into Star Charmer's cunt, and she let out a single loud moan. He then gave her a single hard slap to her right ass cheek. "Since your pussy is already full now, I'm going to fuck you in the ass", he said. "No lube, and you'll push yourself against me. You are allowed to let out soft moans of pleasure, and maybe a few little yelps as acknowledgments of my superiority. But I want to hear nothing else from you. No loud moaning, no screams, no crying, nothing." He slapped her rear again, then pushed his cock into her ass.

She instantly began to moan softly. It almost scared me how precisely she followed his instructions.

He began to spank her ass hard while rutting her. She continued to move exactly the way he wanted without even flinching.

I began to worry. But then she turned her head a little bit and gave me a look. I saw pure lust in her eyes. It made me relax. Everything was still under control... for now.

He rutted her until he was sated, then he pulled out. I tugged at Star Charmer's leash. Time for the next part of the show. "Come here, Star", I said. "Watching you getting rutted by my former commanding officer has made me hard again. Time to give your own Master some release."

I hadn't lied. The show had made me hard again. I was still a stag after all. She crawled over to me. This was one of the parts we had discussed in advance. I saw in her eyes that everything was alright. She put her head between my legs and opened up. I shoved my cock in her mouth and began to deepthroat her. As always, she took it without a noise, without gagging, and she still worked her tongue.

"So, she can still take a deepthroat without flinching after the rutting and beating I gave her?", Vestri asked. "Of course I know quite a few other mares as capable as her, but you did train her well. I wouldn't have imagined that someone like you could become able to train a mare like this."

"To be honest, that's not something I've taught her", I said truthfully. "She was already good at taking a deepthroat when I got her."

Vestri laughed. "I really appreciate your honesty. But it's still impressive nonetheless." He gave her another look. "She reminds me a little bit of my Sunny. Not quite as well-trained, of course, but still. Maybe we could bring the two together some time. Show off our favorite mares to each other. Or let them have a bit of fun with each other while we watch."

I couldn't help but chuckle. "The Sun and the Star. We'd only need a third cunt with a moon-related name and we would essentially be fucking the entire Equestrian old regime."

Vestri put a hand on my shoulder. "Well, we've already fucked the old regime three years ago, haven't we?"

That's not the only regime I'm going to fuck soon, I thought.

Then he smiled deviously. "You know, I could even get us the actual royal moon bitch. No problem, you know I'm the right hand of the king. Tomorrow evening, how does that sound to you?"

I shook my head. "I'd love to, but unfortunately I already have to return to Dainnville as soon as possible, and that would be tomorrow. If you decide to appoint me as handler for the yellow one, I even have to make a detour to Ponyville to get her. And harvest season is approaching. I really have my duties to attend to at home. But maybe another time?"

Vestri smiled at me. "I understand. Maybe I'll come visit you soon though."

"Any time you want", I said. I was fairly certain Owlowiscious and his fellow owls were able to warn me in time. But I'd have to discuss this with Spring Breeze and the others in council, to see if we could put up a show for him. Drugging Vestri was of course still possibility, but I figured it should be the last resort.

I came in Star Charmer's mouth. She instantly swallowed, then thanked me and smiled at me.

"Also, about the yellow one, this little demonstration was proof enough", Vestri said. "You certainly are able to train and handle a mare. You got the job. I already prepared the papers, and I have permission from the king to sign in his stead. We just have to put our signatures on it." He took a sheet of paper and a quill and put his name on the paper. Then he handed me the quill, and I signed as well.

"Thank you very much", I said.

"Oh, I have to thank you!", he said. "I really think you're the right man for the job – unlike you know who. And that dildo in Star's cunt... you may keep it. Maybe the yellow pegasus will also like it."

I realized only now that he hadn't taken it out. She obviously also hadn't.

"Turn around", I ordered Star Charmer. She instantly complied. I pulled my present out and put it in my bag.

I thought for a second. "I think I have something for you as well", I said. Then I reached into my pocket, took out one of the tourmaline amulets and put it into his hand. "It's nothing special, just an amulet with a fancy stone", I told him.

"Holding it feels strange", he said. "I feel... relaxed."

I grinned. "Oh, that probably has nothing to do with the stone. It's certainly just because of the good time you just had with my Star. She can have this effect on a stressed stag."

"You're probably right", he answered. "I have to tend to other matters now, But I hope to see you again soon! It has been a very pleasant conversation."

"Likewise", I said, stood up and went to the door. I tugged at Star Charmer's leash. "Come, Star", I said.

When I reached the door, I thought of something. I turned around another time.

"By the way", I said to Vestri. "May I ask how the yellow ones' former handler died?

"I read the report", Vestri said. "Gunne put a lot of irrelevant crap in it, of course."

Oh, really? Interesting.

"But the bottom line is, he was killed by Diamond Dogs. They're already apprehended and will await their just punishment. As far as Canterlot is concerned, this case is closed."

"I see", I said. I wonder if Gunne sees it the same way. Well, I guess I'll find out soon.

"Well, then... have a good day", I said and smiled.

He was already back to his paperwork. "Yeah, yeah... thanks and all that. Goodbye."

Star Charmer and I left his office.

When we were back at my house in Canterlot, Star Charmer gave me a worried look. "You were very convincing", she said. "Almost a bit too convincing. The thing about fucking the old regime... are you alright?"

I tried to calm her down. "I just know how to talk to guys like him. Army talk, that's all. But you also gave a great performance. You didn't lie, did you? You really wanted to have your fun with Vestri..."

"I didn't have my fun with him... yet", Star Charmer said. "Maybe after the revolution..."

I laughed.

"Speaking of fun", Star Charmer said and touched her red collar. "You know, wearing a collar again makes me incredibly horny. You know how much I am into degradation. Maybe you could give me some more fun."

I laughed. "You're insatiable! One would assume that the rutting Vestri gave you earlier was already enough to satisfy you. But then again, thinking of it, he only took you anally, and you only had that dildo in your cunt. Very well, I'll give you another round. Maybe I should show you my old punishment room here. I'm sure you'll like it, it has an X-shaped cross with shackles..."

Star Charmer's eyes widened. "You have a punishment room?", she asked.

I tried to change the topic. "You know, I always wondered how it feels to be tied to that cross... maybe I could try it out this time. I know you wanted to be the one to be degraded, but..."

"Don't try to change topic, mister!", Star Charmer said. "You had a punishment room. You punished your mares. Mares you took as slaves, mares that didn't agree with it. In order to discipline and break them, to shape them into perfect toys for yourself. Yes or no?"

I lowered my eyes. "Yes. I was a very different stag before I founded Freeville. I was already opposed to the more ugly aspects of the regime, like the cutting of horns and plucking of wings, the blankings, or the constant sexualization and degradation of mares. But compared to today, I still had fairly conservative views about gender relations back then. I believed that it was the male's duty to provide for his females and to keep them safe, and that it was the females' duty to give him comfort in exchange – and that as long as he did his part, he was entitled to force them to do theirs. It was only when I made the pact with Hermaeus Mora that I realized the full extent of the crimes we were committing against your people, specifically the mares, and also the full extent of my own participation in those crimes. It was the first gift the Prince gave me. I'm infinitely thankful for it. I'm also thankful for finding other stags that had already come to similar conclusions without direct divine intervention, like Anaphainos. Without him and others like him, Freeville either wouldn't have been possible in the first place, or I might have relapsed to old habits by now. He really is a shining light in the darkness for me."

"Wow", she said. "I didn't know that."

"Well, when I confessed to Spring Breeze, I did say that I had been the worst stag in the bunch."

"Ah yes, I remember", she said and smiled. "The moment you let her beat you bloody also was the moment I realized for the first time that I wanted to be with you."

I raised an eyebrow. "You're weird."

"Well, to be fair, my former owner also punished me. It's a bit different since I was his only one and I'm sort of into it, but I do understand that things were a bit different before Freeville. And while not all of your old mares agree with what you did, they didn't have any bigger complaints otherwise. You know I've talked to them. At least Snowflake was even particularly thankful."

They were all still avoiding me, so I was surprised to hear that.

She touched my cheek again, like she usually did when she wanted to comfort or encourage me. "I think you're a good stag – at least by now. Even though we probably have to thank Hermaeus Mora and Anaphainos for it." She grabbed me by one of my antlers. "But still, you have been a slave owner and worse, and I'm not sure if you have properly made amends for your crimes yet. You know, I wanted to be on the receiving end of our degradation game again, but I think you deserve it more than I do. Alright then, show me your punishment room."

She dragged me along by my antler while I told her where to go. When we entered the punishment room, it was a bit dusty, but otherwise it was just like I had left it behind. The X-shaped cross leaning on the wall, a wooden table with more shackles in the middle of the room, a chair in the corner, and a table with all kinds of crops, whips, canes, clamps, dildos and other nasty stuff in another corner. Star Charmer instantly rushed to the table and picked up a cane.

"Wow, you caned your mares?", she asked. "Well, personally, I find it kinky – maybe we could take a few of those with us when we return to Freeville. My former owner also caned me, but as I said, I was already into this stuff. But to think that you did it to mares who didn't agree with it... particularly Snowflake. Wow."

I shook my head. "Don't be ridiculous. Of course I never caned Snowflake. You can ask her if you want to. If memory serves, I only ever caned Amy... I mean Shadow Amethyst - and she was a special case. She didn't exactly like it, not the same way you do at least, but she firmly believed in the virtue of slavery, and she saw me as a superior being, entitled to do anything I liked to her. On the other hand, she couldn't stop giving my other mares a hard time, especially the weaker ones like Snowflake, and she called me out for being too lenient with them. She could have endangered them, and you know I believed my duty was to protect them, so I resorted to those means with her."

"Shadow Amethyst... oh yes, the dark blue crystal unicorn. They're all named after stones, aren't they? I only talked to her briefly, and I didn't like her. She said she would run away from Freeville and sell us out if it wasn't for the contract system. She said it wasn't exactly slavery, but it was the next best thing. I think she has a contract with one of your other mares now, as the sub."

"Yes, I think I know with which one", I said. "Deepest Desire, am I right?"

Star Charmer nodded. "I also talked to her only briefly. She seemed to be nice, and quite clever. And she clearly wasn't as fucked up as Shadow Amethyst." She paused for a second.

"There are quite a few crystal ponies who have ideas like Shadow Amethyst's, aren't there?", she then asked. "Maybe it's an aftereffect of Sombra's rule. Maybe that's why your people could take the Crystal Empire so easily. I still remember what you told me a few months ago, about that other crystal pony who had a society dedicated to spreading such ideas before the invasion. That story really gave me the creeps. But I was curious, so I went through your notes when you weren't looking, and looked up that mare's name. Tourmaline. Quite the coincidence, isn't it?"

"Yes", I said. "To think that I found out about her on exactly the same day you found the tourmaline stone right outside Freeville. It's a quite stunning coincidence, isn't it? Anyway, Amethyst is quite a bit different from her. From what I understood, Schorl Tourmaline apparently wanted to become the ultimate Master herself, and I don't know what happened to her during the invasion, so I don't know how she sees things today. Amethyst, on the other hand, once told me that it was Destiny which distributes strength and weakness and puts each of us in his or her proper place, and that she wasn't entitled to having a preference in this respect. But I think the place she feels most comfortable with is... somewhere in the middle. As a 'functionary slave'. To be bullied around by her masters, but to have enough even weaker slaves below her to bully around herself. A little bit like Vestri's favorite pet when you think about it – even though that one isn't a crystal pony. If you ask me, people like those two can be even more dangerous than their masters. They are willing tools of oppression and even enjoy it. Without people like them, regimes like Sombra's or Dainn's wouldn't even b..."

Star Charmer cut my speech short by grabbing me by my antler again and dragging my head down so it was even a bit below hers. "Oh no, mister! Don't you dare to try and pass judgment over others right now! Not after what you've just told me about yourself. Mares like Sunrise Splendor or Shadow Amethyst are clearly horribly deluded, and Sunny apparently does quite a few nasty things to other mares for Vestri, but both of them are also victims themselves. Amethyst has apparently even been victimized twice. You, on the other hand, have been a slave owner and a criminal, you have abused helpless mares, and you have no excuse whatsoever. Thinking of it, you might be even worse than that. You claim to dislike the cutting of horns and the plucking of feathers, but I'm absolutely certain that you did those things during the invasion. Didn't you?"

I gulped. She had found my lever, and now had a grip on it that was just as tight as her grip on my antler. She hadn't even begun to cane me yet, but I already felt a tear forming in my eye. I quickly blinked to make it go away. The last thing I wanted to do now was disappoint her. Whatever she wanted to do to me this evening, I knew I wouldn't be able to refuse her.

"Enough with the talk", she said. "You were just trying to stall anyway. But it's time for your punishment now, and no way around it. I'll be using this cane on your sorry butt."

I gulped again. "Yes, Mistress."

"What are you waiting for?", she asked. "Do you think I'm appropriately dressed? Get that collar off of me!"

I put my hands to her collar, my antlers glowed, and I held it in my hand.

"And now put it on yourself", she commanded. I gulped once again, but complied. It closed seamlessly around my neck. I hoped I would be able to get it off again, otherwise I'd have to hide it under my long coat until we were back in Freeville. There were no precedents of stags collaring themselves, so I didn't know how the magic would react.

I briefly tried to get it off again. My antlers glowed, and it opened a bit. I let out a sigh of relief, then closed it again.

"Now undo your clothing", she ordered. I complied immediately.

"Get to the cross", she said. "Face the wall. Hands up."

She used the shackles to chain my hands to the cross. I felt exposed.

She reached between my legs, grabbed my balls and squeezed. "Who's my little bitch?", she asked.

I couldn't help but chuckle. "You know, the Diamond Dogs actually use the term 'bitch' synonymous to..."

She cut my lecture off by squeezing my balls even harder. "You know, sometimes I wonder why I bother to put up with you in the first place, smartass. Did I ask you for a lecture on Diamond Dog culture? Answer my question. Who. Is. My. Bitch."

I panicked a little. "AW! I am! I am, Mistress! I am your little boy toy! Please use me any way you want to! I know I've been very bad! A slave owner and worse! I deserve the worst kind of punishment you can think of! But please, don't abandon me! I need you!"

She let go of my balls. "Wow. You really have talent for submissive dirty talk. Once again, just listening to you already makes me wet. I'm usually not even into femdom, but the more often we do it, the more I come to like it. We definitely have to explore this further once we're back in Freeville. But now, to your punishment. I'll cane your sorry ass until you either cry or use your safe word, so don't bother to count the strikes. You should be thankful that I'm allowing you to use it - but unlike some others, I do believe in consent. However, you will thank me for every single strike."

"Thank you, Mistress. But I know I deserve anything you'll give me. So I'm not going to use my safe word."

"Challenge accepted", I heard her say. I couldn't see her face due to my position, but I was certain that she was smiling deviously.

The cane descended hard on my behind. My backside exploded in a fiery line of pain. I screamed to what I thought was the top of my voice – I didn't realize yet that I would be screaming even louder before this was over. So this is what Amy must have felt whenever I caned her. She believed I was entitled to doing that to her, or more or less anything else I wanted to, and it had been the only way to protect my other mares from her caprice, but it still felt horribly wrong. Star Charmer was right, I deserved this. This insight made me feel a little bit better. It even made me feel something like desire for more of Star Charmer's loving beatings. They did not erase my feelings of guilt, and they weren't supposed to, but they made them a little bit easier to bear.

"Thank you, Mistress", I said weakly.

"Ask for another one", Star Charmer commanded. "I want to hear you beg."

"Please, Mistress. Please give me what I deserve."

"Aw, just look how contrite he is. Alright then. Take this."

She hit me again, even harder this time. I screamed again, even louder.

I was just thankful that the entire house was isolated so no one outside the house could hear us. If someone heard repeated male screams, he might have alerted the guards.

I whimpered. "Thank you, Mistress. Please, give me another one."

I didn't need to ask twice. She continued her onslaught.

I didn't count, so I don't know how many strikes she gave me. I didn't use my safe word, but in the end, the tears came. When she noticed it, she instantly stopped the caning, took a handkerchief and wiped them away. Then she undid the shackles on my hands.

She gently caressed my head between my antlers. "You were very good", she said. "Very brave. You didn't use your safe word, even though I put my full force into the blows, especially the last ones. So let me give you a little reward. Turn around."

I turned around, now facing her. "Raise your arms again", she said.

She chained my arms to the cross again. Then she went down and started to suck me off. She didn't exactly bite me, but she also didn't bother to keep her teeth in check. The mix of pleasure and slight pain felt surprisingly good.

She stopped shortly before I would have come. "Not yet", she said. "I still have something else in mind with you." She took the leash I had used to lead her to Vestri's office and back, and attached it to my collar. Then, she undid my shackles again.

She took place in the chair, then gave my leash a short yank, so I tumbled into her direction. "Go to your knees before me", she ordered. I complied.

"I'm pretty sure you know what I want you to do", she said and opened her legs. I nodded, then put my muzzle and tongue to work. She grabbed my antler and pulled my face toward her. I had problems to catch breath, so I put even more dedication into licking her. I drank her deeply while I was gasping for air. Once again, I felt overwhelmed, but I continued. She soon came hard.

"Mmmh, that was nice", she said. "But there's more we can do! Get on the table!"

I complied, lying on my back. "Yes, exactly like that", she said and used the shackles on the table to tie my hands and legs to it. She awkwardly climbed on top of me, but once she was up, she had entirely retained her posture and dignity. She mounted herself on my cock and began to ride me, still holding the cane, then she began to hit my upper body with it. I whimpered again.

"Mmmh. Do you like that, boy toy? Do you like being punished for your crimes?", she asked.

I nodded awkwardly in my lying position. "Please Mistress, give me what I deserve!"

"Stop saying the same things over and over again", Star Charmer ordered. "Also, it sort of spoils the idea of punishment if you enjoy it. But anyway... tell me why you deserve it."

"I took slaves", I said. "I abused them. Punished them. Hurt them." Tears formed in my eyes again. "I... I cut off their horns! Plucked their feathers! Even though I had sworn an oath to my father on my name to protect them and let no harm come to them! I cut Deepest Desire's horn even though I had sworn an oath to myself by my name to never do it again! How could they or anyone ever forgive me for that?"

She began to ride me even harder, and her beatings became more severe. I couldn't help but admire her naked form riding my cock. She noticed it, of course.

"Do you want to touch that, boy toy, eh?", she asked. "But slave owners and criminals don't get to touch that. You should be thankful that I allow you to look at me!" She brought down the cane hard on my body again. I yelped. "What are you waiting for?", she asked. "Thank me!"

"Mistress, thank you for letting this filthy criminal admire your beauty! I... he doesn't deserve to lay his eyes onto someone so beautiful."

"You know what?", she said. "I'm in a good mood, so I'll allow you to come, even though you clearly don't deserve it. But don't you dare to come before I do! I swear you'll regret it!"

I nodded weakly, trying my best to hold myself back. Fortunately, I managed.

"I'll now bring my head and body down to you and kiss you", she said. "My tongue yearns to explore unhindered, so you better keep yours out of the way." She brought her face down and pushed her lips onto mine, grinding her entire body against mine. Her tongue pushed into my muzzle fiercely and deeply, exploring every inch of it. Her body movement increased, indicating that she was approaching a huge orgasm. When she came, she practically exploded.

I also did. I came inside her. When I shot my seed into her, she groaned loudly from the pleasure.

"Uh, that was... good", she said. She held me, her body close to mine, her hands on my ass. We kept lying like this for a while, not saying anything.

Then she began to whisper into my ear. "You're a good stag, Ari. Of course I'm not abandoning you. I already knew you hadn't exactly been a shining hero before Freeville. I... was just shocked to hear it from you, and to see it with my own eyes. But I know you're a good stag. You do so much good in Freeville. I can't give you forgiveness for what you've done, only the mares you wronged can do so... but I want to know that I'll be on your side. I... Ari, I l... I love you."

"Star Charmer, I love..." I stopped.

"Yes?", Star Charmer asked.

"Bruna", I said. "Star Charmer, I love Bruna."

"Yes, I know", she said. "And I would have called you out for any other answer. I know you don't feel for me what you feel for her. I also love her, very much actually, and I wouldn't want your feelings for her to be any different than what they are, so there is no jealousy on my part. I believe one can love more than one person, so maybe one day you will come to love me too. But right now, I'm happy with what I have with you."

"Thank you, Star Charmer. That is... good to hear. You may even be right. I don't love you, maybe not yet, but I didn't lie earlier when I said I needed you. You give me stability in a way Bruna never could, among other reasons precisely because you're also able to dominate me. You are... a corrective. You prevent me from becoming too prideful, too undeservedly certain of my own virtue. You know it's a weakness of more or less my entire species, and I also share it."

"Well, it's a start", she said. "I guess we can work with that."

I continued. "It's also good to hear that you love Bruna. She loves and adores you deeply, you know? I'm sure you know. After all, you were there when she told me she wanted to be like you. Also, I guess you're right... about being able to love more than one person."

"Of course I am! I love you and Bruna, that would be two. And Bruna also loves two others..."

"Three, actually", I said. "You forget Anaphainos."

"Oh yes, of course! How could I forget him? Maybe because Bruna is the only one in our little relationship triangle who is also physically intimate with him."

I didn't respond to that.

She unchained my hands. "I still want to punish you a little bit. So you will now show me where you've slept before you moved to Freeville. Then you will go to the mares' quarters and sleep there."

I thought that was fair. I showed her my old room with the bed, then I went to the mares' quarters and placed myself on the cushions that were still lying on the floor. I desperately tried to find a comfortable position, but it was in vain. Even without the stains from the caning it would have been difficult. With them, it was positively impossible. My entire body hurt when I tried to lie down, and the cushions only made it slightly better. So this was how my mares must have felt.

I felt terrible. The feelings of guilt were even worse than the pain.

Since I founded Freeville, I had avoided talking to my former slaves. So far I thought I did it in order to give them the time to approach me on their terms, but now I realized it was just cowardice on my part. I wanted to talk to them again. Particularly Deepest Desire.

I heard Star Charmer moan in the other room. The house was thoroughly isolated to the outside, but when you were inside, you could still hear louder noises from the other rooms. From what I heard, I guessed she was using Vestri's dildo to give herself a last goodnight orgasm. I smiled a little. That mare was simply insatiable.

The moans had stopped long before I managed to fall asleep myself. But finally, Vaermina, the Demon Prince of sleep and dreams, granted me her mercy. I fell asleep, and dreamt sweet dreams of Star Charmer putting me in my place again.

As we had arranged, Star Charmer and I met Anaphainos at the outskirts of Ponyville. She left with him, and I moved towards Gunne's residence in Ponyville's town hall with a small smile on my face.

When I reached Ponyville's town hall, I knocked at the door.

"Enter, please", I heard Gunne's voice from the inside.

I opened the door. It wasn't locked.

Gunne sat at his desk, going through paperwork. I saw Ginna doing small chores at the other end of the room – the things cows can do.

Gunne looked up from his desk.

"Ah – Eadgil. Welcome. After our last encounter, I thought I should look up your name. Please, take a seat."

I reluctantly sat down on a chair on the other side of the table. I felt pain in my sore ass. It made me flinch a little. Fortunately, Gunne didn't notice.

"So... what brings you here all the way from Dainnville?", he asked.

I smiled at him. "Actually, I'm on my way back from Canterlot. Took a detour to Ponyville to... fetch a few things."

I took out the papers with the seal of the king that appointed me as Fluttershy's handler, and gave them to him. He read them carefully.

"Ah, I see. So the king appointed you as handler for the yellow pegasus. I wondered what they would do with her. I figured the council would intervene if the king tried to appoint me. But I thought it'd take some time for them to find somestag else. It apparently didn't."

I smiled sheepishly. "I also didn't have a clue. This is just as much a surprise to me as it is to you. It was Vestri's idea. I served under him in the military during the invasion."

"I see", Gunne just said, showing no emotion.

"He never really liked me, and that feeling is frankly mutual. But I guess he thinks that I'm still a better option than you are. Maybe he's right. But I'm not sure."

He still showed no expression. "By the way, did Vestri or anyone else from the council give you any details on how Thungrox died?"

I shook my head. "Vestri just said that it was Diamond Dogs, and that they were already taken care of. And I didn't even see any of the other council members during my stay."

He seemed to be neither amused nor particularly surprised. "I figured he wouldn't go into details."

"Indeed. I have to say, I'm quite uninformed. Since you brought it up, do you happen to know more details?" I smiled.

"I was the one who investigated the case", Gunne said. "It happened at the southern end of Everfree forest, just barely within your area of influence, and quite a bit outside of my own, but since Thungrox lived in Ponyville, I was the one who went after him and found him in the end, and the officials in Canterlot love to find excuses to make me do any kind of work they see as unnecessary, they made me look into it. Maybe I should have talked to you first."

I shook my head and smiled. "It's okay. I was a bit busy during the last weeks, so I actually thank you for not involving me. But maybe you could fill me in now?"

"Very well", Gunne said. "One of the mares that was sent to Thungrox' animal farm ran away before he could breed her. A black collar, that one. A dirt mare. With all the rumors about that 'Freeville' community allegedly located somewhere in Everfree, I wasn't too surprised that some mares would try to get away in order to find it sooner or later."

Rumors about Freeville were already spreading around among the slaves in Ponyville? And Gunne had even already heard of them? I wasn't sure what to think of this, not even how it could have happened.

"By the way, you don't happen to know anything about that?", he asked me.

"We occasionally hear those rumors in Dainnville as well. Our mares know their place well enough not to try anything funny though. Also, we keep a very close look at every inch of Everfree, and we have our very special methods. So if there was any truth to those rumors, I would know by now."

"I see", Gunne said. "Anyway, that's where the Diamond Dogs come in. They got her before Thungrox could. He got wind of it though and tried to pursue them on his own. They unfortunately overpowered and killed him."

"Strange. I figured a bull like Thungrox should be more than a match for those little pests."

"Maybe", Gunne answered. "But even the best of us can have a bad day." I nodded, and he continued. "Anyway, he found them and decided to rush in all by himself instead of coming to me for help. They apparently tried to sell him the mare back for a very over-inflated price. Or that's what they told me later. Of course Thungrox didn't agree to that. When they didn't get what they wanted, they just killed him. Put one of their swords right through his heart."

I shrugged. "Seems like an open-shut case to me. But the look on your face tells me that there's more to it. Did the Diamond Dogs say anything in their defense?"

"Actually, yes, they did try to make up some silly excuse. They insisted that they didn't do it, and claimed that some white rabbit demon came in, knocked some of them out and somehow paralyzed the others, and by the time they could move again, Thungrox was dead and the slave they were trying to sell back to him was gone. The usual ridiculous Diamond Dog babble, obviously."

I chuckled. "A rabbit demon, sure. They'll say about anything to save their skin, won't they?"

"What I found really disturbing about it was how consistent they were with their reports though", he said. "Even if the culprits of a crime coordinate their stories in advance, they're usually not that consistent. At least not unless there actually is something to it."

"You don't believe them, do you?"

"Of course not", he said quickly. "After all, those are Diamond Dogs. They make up all kind of weird stuff. After all, they believe in a deity that is a dog, but at the same time also a spider."

Gunne knew about the Namira cult in Trow society? I began to wonder what else he knew.

Also, I noticed that there was something else that was weird about Gunne's story.

"By the way, what about that mare?", I asked. "Did you get her back?"

Gunne shook his head. "No, apparently a few of the dogs were able to snatch her and make it to the deeper warrens with her. I neither have the time nor the manpower to search for her. I've asked in Canterlot for help, but they told me that they won't waste any resources on the search for a worthless cunt, and that I shouldn't bother to investigate any further because the case is essentially closed. It didn't occur to me, but maybe I should have come to you. You might want to look into it. If you find her, maybe she's even able to lead you to that 'Freeville', if it exists. It would save me some future trouble here in Ponyville if you could take it out, and you would probably be celebrated as a hero."

"I'll see what I can do", I said. "But now, let's do the paperwork and then I'll fetch the yellow one."

"By the way, did the king also send orders regarding the animal breeding farm?", he asked.

I took out another parchment. "Actually, yes. You are ordered to run it from now on. I'm sorry about that. I know it's not a thankful job. Especially without the yellow pegasus. She seems to be quite capable of keeping the wild beasts in check."

Gunne nervously tapped on his desk with his fingers. "Well, if the king commands it, I'll gladly and thankfully do any job", he said. "As a matter of fact, I already have an idea about how to replace her. I've heard about a green-coated earth mare, allegedly capable of calming down creatures by means of some sort of humming or singing. I'll look into it. If there's something to it, I'll try to buy her and give her the yellow one's task at the animal farm. I'd do everything not to disappoint the king's trust."

"You're really loyal to him, aren't you?", I asked.

"I would follow him to the grave", he answered.

Interesting choice of words.

"Now we sure won't let it come to that, will we?", I said. "But he also seems to think quite highly of you as well. Seeing your potential when no one else would. I guess you owe him quite a bit, don't you? I know he's not much older than we are, but... he's like a father to you, isn't he?"

He flinched a little at the word 'father'. Bingo!, I thought.

I suddenly heard a crashing sound behind me and immediately turned around.

Ginna had ran into a few boxes that were piled up in one corner of the room. She had fallen to the ground, and taken one of the boxes and its content with her. I saw a few books lying on the ground that had apparently been in the boxes. But they were too far away to get a closer look at them.

She was holding her knee. "Master...?", she whimpered.

Gunne had already risen from his seat and was rushing toward her. "Ginna, how often do I have to tell you to look where you walk?", he asked while trying to calm her down.

"I'm sorry, Master", Ginna said.

"Now let me take a look...", Gunne continued.

I stood up. "Is there any way I can help?", I asked.

Gunne seemed genuinely surprised about this question, but shook his head. "No, I got this."

I smiled at him. "I just wanted to say that I find it amazing how well you take care of her. I know many of the others don't like it when somestag puts so much dedication into taking care of his pet, especially one they see as not deserving of it, but I think this kind of dedication is something that is seen far too rarely among our people. I also don't agree with them on the last part."

"Can't you see that I'm a bit occupied right now?", he answered nervously. "Go get the yellow pegasus from the animal farm and then return to Dainnville. I'll handle the paperwork here."

"Once again, very thoughtful. Thank you." I rose from my seat. "Oh, by the way, have you thought about the riddle I gave you? Got a clue about why the stags are frowning?"

"I certainly know why I'm frowning right now", Gunne said. "We should really discuss this the next time we meet. For now, I'm really busy, and I want you to leave."

"Yes, I also have to go", I said and moved toward's the door. "I have to be back in Dainnville with the yellow one before sun's setting. Goodbye, Ginna."

I gave her a quick comforting smile, then left the building without saying another word.

Fortunately, the beast farm was easy to find. There were cages with mares who were about to be punished all over the place. I didn't take the time to take a closer look at them. It would only depress me. I wanted to take them all with me to safety, but I knew I couldn't. The thought that we would free them later made it a bit better.

Unless they'll all be purples by then.

I had to put those thoughts out of my head. Better find Fluttershy and get away from here.

Unfortunately, I had only a rough idea about what she looked like. Yellow coat, soft rose mane, three butterflies on her butt...

Maybe I should call her name. "Fluttershy!"

I had to call several times, but finally, a mare that fit the description approached me.

She instantly fell to her knees and kissed my hooves. "Welcome, sir. I apologize for not coming immediately. I'm confused and disoriented, as you would expect from a mare left on her own for days." She kissed my hooves again. "Are you the replacement for Master Thungrox?", she asked. "Will you punish me for... not being there for Master Thungrox when he needed me?"

"I have indeed been appointed as your handler by the king and his council", I answered. "And no, I won't punish you. Also, you know Thungrox was killed by Diamond Dogs, right? What do you think you could have done to save him?"

She shyly hid her face behind her mane. "Um... oh, right. How silly of me. What could a stupid mare like me do in the first place?" She fell silent and seemed to remember something – then she kissed my hooves again. "I'm so sorry, Master", she said. "I just realized I have been talking to you without being given permission first. I should be punished." Her eyes were begging, but showed neither fear nor desire. It was more like she believed she actually deserved it. She showed a degree of submissiveness that put even some cows to shame. I really didn't know what to do with her once we would be in Freeville.

"Listen, you really don't need to ask me for permission. Well, in public, maybe, but as long as we're alone, feel free to tell me anything you want."

"I can't do that, Master. I will only steal your precious time with my stupid mare's chatter."

I sighed. "Alright then. If you think it is necessary, you may ask for permission first."

She shook her head. "Oh no, I can't risk wasting your precious time, Master. After all, you don't know in advance whether it'll be worth your time. If you want me to say something, just order me to speak. Otherwise I'll remain silent for you, Master." She cast her eyes down.

I was slowly losing my patience. I grabbed her by her hair and pulled her head up. She yelped.

"Listen, mare", I said. "You are already wasting my precious time right now. If I say you are allowed to ask me for permission if you want to speak, you can rest assured that I mean it. Besides, you have senselessly indulged yourself in wailing in your own shame for minutes now, but you haven't even asked for my name yet. Do you have any idea how insulting that is?"

Oh great. That mare had made me fall right back into old patterns in only two minutes - and I was supposed to take care of her permanently. I doubted that I would be able to do that. I also couldn't give her into the care of any other stag – maybe except for Anaphainos, but would he take her?

While I was still pondering this, I suddenly realized that what was just going through my mind was still following old patterns. Damn Fluttershy! She apparently wasn't even able to think of herself as a person any more, and she was close to making me see her the same way. I wanted to free Equestria from Dainn's regime, but Fluttershy's behavior made me think about how to best follow the king's orders with regards to her. How could I free Equestria when I couldn't even see Fluttershy as a person? I had to remind her about what she had been. Fortunately, I had talked to the mares from Ponyville that were now living in Freeville about her beforehand.

But I wasn't sure if it would be enough. This was bad. Really bad. I guessed I had to bring that up in plenum as soon as we returned to Freeville.

I let go of her mane again.

She instantly cast her eyes down again. "I'm sorry, Master. Please, I actually wanted to ask you already. I was just waiting for your permission."

I couldn't help but facepalm.

"So, um...", she continued. "What shall this mare call you, Master?"

"Finally", I said. "My birth name is Eadgil, so you might want to call me Master Eadgil whenever others are around. I don't really want to hear that name again though, so whenever we're alone, just call me Ari."

She smiled. "How odd. But it's not for me to judge, Master Ari."

I sighed. "Please. Just Ari."

"Oh. Okay then, Master Just Ari."

She really managed to keep a completely straight and innocent face while saying that.

I facepalmed again.

"Okay, whatever. Let's move now, shall we?", I said.

"Um... where are we going?", Fluttershy asked. "Are you not taking over the animal farm?"

"No", I said. "The king has given this job to Gunne. He is already looking for a replacement for you. I'm the magistrate of a new town I've founded around Luna's old castle, so we'll move there. You can also call me Ari there as well, by the way. Everyone there does."

She looked worried, but said nothing.

"Alright, shall we go?", I asked.

She nodded. "Just give the order."

We moved instantly. Surprisingly, the travel went without further complications. Everfree was a dangerous place, particularly for mares, but we had to fend off no attacks from animals or plants.

When we had arrived, I noticed the others had already finished the house for her. I was glad there were only stags outside. The sight of clothed and uncollared mares would have unsettled her. I wanted to introduce her to her new life slowly.

The key to the door was in the keyhole. I turned it around and entered with her.

It was a fine little hut.

"Well then, Fluttershy", I said. "Come here."

She obeyed.

I placed my hands on her collar, my antlers glowed, it unlocked and I removed it.

She trembled. I saw fear in her eyes.

"M... master, what are you doing? Are you giving me the black? Look, I don't... I didn't want Master Thungrox to die, really. I was... busy with the animals. He didn't order me to follow him, but... I'm not sure. Should I have? Or... did I do something else wrong? Please, I'm a good mare." She fell silent, then cast her eyes down. "But if you decide that I deserve the black, I of course accept your decision, Master."

I sighed. "Fluttershy, I'm not giving you the black collar. You're free." I handed the key to her. She didn't take it.

Instead, her eyes became even more fearful. "What? Master, no! Please don't abandon me! I'm just a stupid mare! I will die in misery without the guidance of a Master!"

What the hell had happened to that mare???

"Fluttershy, listen. I really don't know what my people did to you. But think back. Remember the time before my people came. You were a hero. A national symbol. The Element of Kindness, do you remember? Do you really want me to believe that you couldn't handle yourself back then? I've talked to a few mares who came from Ponyville before they moved here. They told me you once put a dragon in his place. A dragon. Do you really think you can't handle your life on your own simply because you are a mare? If only a third of what I've been told about you is true, that's plain silly."

"You don't understand... Master! I... your people showed me the truth about myself and all mares, so I didn't see it before you came, but... the truth is, I've always been like this. Thungrox was the first male to put me in my place sexually, but even before him, there have always been males organizing my life for me... and sh... showing me my place. Before Thungrox, it was Discord..."

I had to stifle a mocking laugh. I doubted that Discord could organize even just a drawer of socks without turning them into some kind of flesh eating mutant, let alone organize someone else's entire life.

"...and before him, I had my sweet Angel Bunny. He was even better at putting me in my place than Discord was. Oh, how I miss him. I wonder what happened to him."

A bunny? She really expected me to believe a bunny had organized her life for her before we came?

Wait, hadn't Gunne said something about a rabbit demon?

No, that was just silly. My mind was making up stuff in order to distract myself from the mind-boggling bullshit right in front of me.

"No, this... this can't be happening!", she stuttered. "Please, Master! Please put me in my place!" She curled up in a corner and began to whimper. "No... please, Master... this can't be happening..."

She fell silent.

I had to call an extraordinary plenum meeting immediately.

"Look, Fluttershy... let's talk about this later. If you really think you need this, I will search for someone who can handle you. But I can't promise I will find anyone here."

She rushed and kissed my hooves again. "Oh, thank you, Master. We're apparently both confused right now, but... I'm sure you'll come to your senses, and then you'll punish me until I come to mine. Until then... um... I hope you don't mind if I curl up in this corner again."

And so she did. I sighed, put the key on the kitchen table, and left the house.