After a relaxing time in the bath, they returned to the barracks. Inside, Hannah and Elsie had already started with their nightly activities. The knight was on her back, letting Elsie control the pace as she rode Hannah's cock. The tanned woman supported Elsie as she bounced to make sure Elsie wasn't uncomfortable.
It was actually quite sweet, and not what Claire was expecting.
Still, she and Ursa had a sleepy Samira in their arms that they didn't want to disturb. Ursa helped Claire maneuver her onto the larger bed before Samira's tail ensnared Claire. Ursa herself barely managed to dodge the sweeping grab of Samira's tail as Claire was wrapped up in it. Claire made no effort to escape, accepting her fate as Samira coiled around her.
"I'm alright," Claire whispered to Ursa. "Join the others. Looks like my night will be a lot shorter than yours."
Ursa glanced back towards the pairs of women. She contemplated for a moment, then exhaled. "I think I'm alright. Kind of exhausted from all our work today."
Claire didn't argue. She only shimmied herself and Samira to make room for Ursa. The Ravian climbed in behind Samira and snuggled up behind her. The Lamia mumbled in her sleep, then tightened her arms around Claire.
"Did you hear what she said?" Claire giggled softly.
"Something about "Warmth" and "poking? I'm not quite sure," Ursa whispered back. She could feel the woman relaxing between them. Her red and black hair settling between her pillow and Ursa's. The Ravian had a nagging feeling looking at it but couldn't quite place it.
"Aww," Elsie cooed from across the room. "Not joining us?"
Claire motioned to the slumbering Lamia. "Not tonight. Got a clingy snake who won't let me go."
"Tragic," Elsie leaned back and supported herself with her arms. She moved her feet to get better leverage as she straddled Hannah. She'd finally gotten used to her size and could now speed up. "Goodnight, then."
Claire could only hear the rhythmic slapping begin, but she couldn't see it. Samira had her locked down tight. Still, she could picture what was happening. Elsie bouncing up and down Hannah's meaty shaft, the knight's strong arms helping her. She was envisioning Elsie's cock slapping down with each bounce. The precum coating Hannah's tanned, toned abs.
It did tempt her to join, but she truly did want to rest tonight.
It was coming up on the fifth day, so stress was starting to build heavily. Yet, Claire wanted a clear mind to think about everything. Victoria could return at any point, she only guessed a week. And while the manual labor helped, she needed a bit more time. It also helped to have Samira to hold onto. She could feel the stress and tension floating away the more she cuddled the woman.
Before she knew it, she was sleeping despite the moans of her lovers.
Claire found herself in that liminal space once more. It surprised her since it hadn't been that long between their last conversation. She looked up at the descending Goddess, who had a wide smile on her face.
"Hello again," The Goddess "landed" on thin air. She quickly embraced Claire in a hug. "I'm quite jealous of you right now. I would love to feel Samira's tail wrapped around me."
"It's snug and comfortable," Claire returned the hug. Strangely, she could smell her, which was a first in this space. Her Goddess smelt of perfume and a hint of alcohol. "Like a full-body hug."
"I can imagine," The Goddess giggled. "Apologies for interrupting. I just wanted to talk."
"About the women pursuing us?" Claire asked. She pulled back from the hug to study the Goddess's expression.
"Indeed," The Goddess fidgeted. "Both Anka and I are worried. Normally, Victoria could handle these women. But their Lycanthropy complicates things."
"I can imagine," Claire pursed her lips. "Maybe should have given her Ursa's axe."
The Goddess shook Her head. "Wouldn't work for her. Her, well, uniqueness would cancel out the magic of Ursa's axe."
"Right," Claire ran a hand through her hair. "She cancels magic and all."
"Yeah, but we are more worried about you gals." The Goddess grabbed Claire's free hand and held it. "These women are highly capable. If Firewater and Silkie were here with their kin, I wouldn't be so worried. But they couldn't get here in time."
"That would be extremely helpful," Claire giggled after remembering the admiral goblin. She missed that guy most. "Even just Firewater or Silkie would help, given what we've learned."
"True." The Goddess fidgeted with Claire's hand. "However, their true power is still sealed. You wouldn't get His companions until the magic binding them is lifted…"
"Always a catch, it seems," Claire sighed. "So what is it you wanted to discuss?"
"Right, well, it may not matter if Victoria can get their numbers down to eight, as she predicted." The Goddess fidgeted faster with Claire's hand. Claire furrowed her brow upon realizing the Goddess's hands were sweating. The Goddess stopped, and Her eyes widened. "Ahhh, a curse of this physical form. I emulate a human so well like this…."
"Are you nervous?" Claire was bewildered. She recalled the Goddess she had first met all those months ago. She'd changed so much since then. "It's okay. Spit out what you want to say."
For a moment, the Goddess was silent. It took Claire only a few seconds to catch what She was doing. She was mimicking Jasmine. Her calming breathing technique that slowed her heart and emotions. Claire held back a comment to let the Goddess speak.
"It's risky," The Goddess finally whispered. "But you are much stronger now."
"I can see that by how you are acting." Claire smiled. She pulled the Goddess into an embrace and whispered in Her ear. "Come on. It's just a suggestion."
"Channel me." The Goddess whispered after a moment. "If it comes down to it. Call upon me, and I will channel my power through you. Like when you broke your oath…"
Claire took a deep breath. She remembered what that did to her body back then, and that was only for a moment. She understood why the Goddess was so hesitant now.
"Ah, I see."
"Right, it's quite dumb." The Goddess mumbled. "But it may be the best shot you have. Otherwise, someone may…"
Neither wanted to say it for fear of speaking it into existence. There was a long pause before Claire asked her question. "What would happen if I channeled you for too long?"
"A lot of things." The Goddess pursed Her lips. She pulled up Claire's sleeve and ran a finger across one of Claire's veins. "Imagine your mana is your blood. Channeling Me is like adding blood into your veins. Your veins can stretch to hold for a bit, but if you leave all the blood in your system, then they could burst from the pressure. It's like that, but on your very soul. Ana may be able to heal a burst blood vessel or vein, but not a wound inflicted upon your soul…"
"What else?" Claire shivered both from the imagery and from the Goddess's touch. It was a weird mixture of emotions.
"Or it could sear my very essence into your body." The Goddess grimaced. "Two souls were not meant to share a body, so I could override your soul's place in your body…" She paused and frowned. "Making your own body reject your soul."
Claire blinked. She could feel a headache coming on from imagining that. It was hard to wrap her head around it. "Fuck." Was all she could mutter. "I see why you're so hesitant."
"There is a good outcome from prolonged channeling," The Goddess nodded slowly. "Back to my veins analogy. If your body can adapt to the added "blood", it could expand. While it would be extremely painful and probably cause you to go unconscious for a couple of days, your pool of mana would expand and become much more potent. But that is exceedingly rare."
Claire nodded. "I'm guessing no outcome is the best outcome?"
"Yes," The Goddess nodded. "Nothing happening is far better than risking expanding your mana."
"Right, could have my soul damaged and all," Claire bit her lip as she digested the information. "I hope it doesn't come to that."
"Me too," The Goddess nodded. "The only other plan was to use Toni's blessing as a distraction. Focus their lust on him and cut them down… but that would put him in danger of…"
"Being raped." Claire felt bile forming at the back of her throat. She'd much rather risk her very soul than subject any of her lovers to that.
"Yes," The Goddess shuddered. "It wasn't one We considered lightly…"
"Fuck," Claire shook her head. All she could hope for was Victoria to thin their numbers enough to make a difference. She wanted to change the subject already, so she forced herself to make a joke. "And here I was looking forward to asking you about Toni's breasts…"
The Goddess snorted. She covered Her mouth and composed Herself. "Ahh, that was Anka's idea. She wanted him to have some level of growth."
Claire forced a laugh out. It was hard to be jovial after what they had been discussing. "Well, that's one mystery solved."
"I really wish there was another way." The Goddess shook Her head. "And I regret even bringing up the idea of putting Toni at risk like that."
"It's okay," Claire shook her head. "Just puts into perspective how dire our situation is. If Anka and You are resorting to that as a backup plan, then I'm quite scared."
The Goddess patted Claire on the head. She smiled up at Claire, Her grey eyes full of emotion. "Not many would admit to being scared like you. It was one of the qualities I was looking for. Strong-willed, a bit ignorant of the world, overwhelmingly kind, and knows when to admit her fault. I hope Jasmine's right. Somehow, you all find a way to get through this…"
"Me too." Claire leaned into the Goddess's touch. For a moment, she could understand what Ursa liked about this. "Maybe then, we can finally name You."
The Goddess smiled and took Her hand away. She leaned in and kissed Claire's cheek. "I would love that. Who better to name Me than My own mothers?"
Claire rubbed the spot She had kissed. It tingled slightly. "I bet Elsie and Lily have come up with a few already, but I think I already have my heart set on one."
The Goddess smiled knowingly at Claire. She let out a deep sigh. "I am truly sorry we couldn't discuss something more fun, but all three of Us were worried."
"Three? Rava too?" Claire giggled.
"No, not there yet with Her." She rolled Her eyes. The Goddess started to lift up. She was returning to the ethereal plane. "She is far more stubborn and anti-affectionate than Ursa was by a long shot."
"I can only imagine," Claire smiled up at Her. While it didn't ease her stress, nerves, or the growing fear. She did give Claire a failsafe in case things turned for the worse. "I hope it doesn't come to that."
"Me neither." The Goddess's divine voice reverberated within Claire's mind. "Good luck, Claire."