The Merciless Alpha(erotica)

Tavorwen lowered her head slightly, “I was trying to find a way to say the same myself without sounding conceited or arrogant. Creadean is an amazing scout, tracker, and stalker, but she… well she is blunt and doesn’t worry about how she states her opinion. She does not have leadership experience and has actively avoided leadership. So, I agree with her assessment.”

I nodded, “I would have been most comfortable with you as Head Battle Matron either way. I know you best and trust you.”

Tavorwen nodded, “I can accept that.”

“Any thoughts on who should be my Head Household Matron?” I asked.

Tavorwen thought, “Well, Diamiutar and Heilantu would both be good options, Lymarith is a little young, but very talented. I don’t think Narusil would be comfortable with the role and I think the others would struggle accepting it too.”

I could accept that. “So, between Diamiutar and Heilantu, which would you choose?”

Tavorwen struggled, “I haven’t done much with Diamiutar in almost thirty years, but if I recall correctly, she was very good at the matronly arts. She was also compassionate and understanding, which are good traits for a Head Matron. Heilantu, I am far less familiar with. She is very good with healing magics, but I don’t know how well she would lead.”

I nodded, “Good to know. Thank you. I will appoint you my Head Battle Maiden, both of you agree that is the best path. I’ll talk to the others and see if Diamiutar or Heilantu is better for Head Matron. Or if one of the other’s stands out for some reason.”

Tavorwen smiled, “I’m sure you’ll make a good choice.”

She rose and I followed her out.

Gledril looked at me expectantly as I stepped out.

“Tavorwen will be my Head Battle Matron.” I stated.

Gledril acknowledged that with a tip of her head. “Wise choice. Who will you interview first of your future household matrons?”

“I will start with Narusil.” I decided.

The elf seemed surprised, but rose and entered the room as directed. I closed the door and sat down.

“I don’t even know why you chose me. I’m definitely not Head Matron material.” She declared flatly.

“I suspected you’d say that, so I wanted your opinion on the others before I let them make their case for why they should be the Head Matron.” I explained.

“Oh.” Narusil noted, “That makes sense…. Lymarith is too shy and timid. She would get pushed around in the position. Heilantu has many good qualities, but she is terrible at planning ahead. She forgets about things and gets distracted too easily. I would go for Diamiutar. I don’t know her very well, but based on how she just treated me while you were speaking with Tavorwen and Creadean, I think she’ll be the best.”

I smiled, Narusil’s cold analysis of her new sisters was perfect. She reminded me of a specialist I had worked with early in my career as a sniper. Specialist Johnson was a cold operator and she helped with the analysis that had led to some of my greatest accomplishments. I was more sure than ever that Narusil had a place in my house.

“Thank you. That was perfect. Exactly what I needed to hear.” I acknowledged. Narusil smiled, a slight blush in her cheeks.

“Thanks… for what it’s worth…. I’m really happy you chose me. I still don’t think I was the right choice, but I’m glad you chose me anyway.” Narusil confessed.

“I think you will have far more to offer than you think.” I assured her. “Now, could you send in Lymarith?”

Narusil thought for a moment, “Yes. You’re right. She is good for your next interview.”ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

She rose and swept from the room.

Lymarith pranced in happily and sat down. “How may I assist you, Master?” Lymarith purred.

“Now, I am guessing you don’t want to be the Head Matron. Am I correct?” I prodded.

She shook her head, “No… No, I don’t think that I would be a good fit.”

I nodded. “So, between Heilantu and Diamiutar, what are your opinions there?”

Lymarith tapped her chin thoughtfully. “I think Heilantu wants it more…. But I think Diamiutar will do better. People respond to her better and she is better at making everything mesh. I think Heilantu wants to be Head Matron because she craves honors and accolades, but Diamiutar would accept because she wants to make your house as peaceful and harmonious as possible.”

Lymarith was able to assess her sisters, but in a different way than Narusil. Narusil had been cold and calculating. Lymarith on the other hand knew these she-elves on an emotional and aspirational level. Her assessment was great and agreed with Narusil’s analytical approach.

“Thank you, Lymarith. Anything more to add?” I asked.

Lymarith blushed bright red, then asked. “Is… is your penis as big as the rumors say?”

I laughed, “That depends on how big the rumors say it is. When erect I am about this long, and this thick.” I used my fingers to demonstrate.

Lymarith’s eyes widened in shock. “So big….” She breathed.

“Don’t worry, I’ll be gentle.” I assured her, much to her confusion.

“Okay…” She accepted.

“Anything else?” I reiterated.

She shook her head, trying to calm her flushed face.

“Alright. You are dismissed. If you would send in Heilantu, I’d appreciate it.” I released her.

Lymarith bobbed her head in acknowledgement and floated happily from the room, with Heilantu entering but a moment later.

“Master, how may I serve you?” The honey-haired matron asked with a curtsy before sitting.

“I want to know what you think about who should be the head matron?” I asked.

“Master, I would be honored to serve you in this regard. It would be the greatest honor of my life, alongside the privilege of bearing your children.” Heilantu pleaded quietly.

“And if it were not you?” I pressed.

Heilantu squirmed. “I would… struggle to accept either Lymarith or Narusil, I think. Being forced to submit to an elf younger than me by at least a hundred years would be… difficult. However, Diamiutar… well, she is my senior, and no one would say she isn’t a… an acceptable choice.” Heilantu admitted.

Lymarith had been right. Heilantu was only thinking about the prestige of the position. She would chafe under the direction of a younger elf because she would feel slighted. I had faith she could make it work, but thus far she hadn’t actually made any arguments for capability.

“Is that all you wish to say?” I wondered.

She thought for a moment, struggling, trying to figure out what to say. Then she shrugged, “Is there more you would have me say, Master?”

Any more would just be pandering and trying to please. I’d learned a long time ago working with my subordinates that if people had credentials and accomplishments that would be valid in a debate, you rarely had to dig for them. Especially for someone who wanted the role.

“Very well. You are dismissed. Please send in Diamiutar.” I bid her.

She rose, curtsied again, then strode from the room.

I was worried. Diamiutar had everyone’s endorsement, though begrudgingly on Heilantu’s part. I hoped there was no reason immediately evident for not giving her the role. I had felt confident about all of my choices, but I worried about managing them correctly.

The vibrant red hair bounced on Diamiutar’s head as she slowly walked into the room, her face thoughtful as her heels tapped on the smooth wooden floor. She seemed reluctant but slowly came and curtsied then sat silently. Conflicting opinions evident on her face.

I watched her for a moment, “Are you ready, or would you like a moment to think before we discuss this?”

Diamiutar shook the doubts from her head, “I think I am ready.”

I gave her an encouraging smile. “Alright then, what are your thoughts about who should be the Head Matron?”

Diamiutar took a breath, “I think it should be Heilantu. It will mean far more to her, though we’ll have to work very carefully with her to make sure she leads the house correctly.”

I sat back. “What do you mean by that?”

“Well, Heilantu is a great healer and has enough skill that she could be a respectable head matron, but she is forgetful and struggles with realizing the future effects of her actions. We’ll have to make sure she has good support from all the matrons to ensure that she can realize the consequences that may arise based on her decision as a head matron. If Lymarith can help her remember the values and needs of the rest of the house, Narusil can give her an objective point of view on her actions, and then we can have a good road forward.”

I remembered the common quote “The best leaders tend to be the ones who didn’t want the job in the first place.” Heilantu badly wanted it, but not because she’d do the job well, but because she wanted the accolades. In her simple assessment, Diamiutar had shown that she was aware of the strengths and weaknesses of the other maidens moving into life as matrons and had. She had also shown humility in putting the other maiden forward. The rightness was there. I felt good about my choice, but I had to make sure she would agree.