Stormward City Blues:- Night of the Raven

[Stormtrooper1990]

I may have been hinting at a return to Stormward, since the end of the popular "Blood" series. This time through the eyes of another of the cities underclass, the elves. Here Elven cat burglar Kallista, as her eyes set on the precious diamond the Auroran Stone said to be the most precious and oldest stone on the continent of Darala. Currently, the Stone is part of the private collection of Gustavus Hollandby a prominent and wealthy whaling tycoon. Kallista will need all of her skill and cunning to pull off this audacious heist...






It was often remarked in all the local guidebooks, that Stormward was the "Frozen Jewel of the North" and if anything epitomised that then it was the Auroran Stone. Or so Kallista had heard from in the stories that her grandfather Syrion, had told when she was knee high to a glowbug. Looking up to the green-blue aurora that danced in the cities night sky, snaking its way around the Ice Spire home to Stormward's ruling classes, Kallista took a deep breath, her breath misting in front of her. At 25 summers, Kallista was still considered a child by the standards of the elves but had done more in her short life than any other elf. Like all elven women she was stunningly beautiful , with high sculptured cheekbones angular features and almond shaped piercing emerald eyes that shone in the twilight. Her long black hair braided into a long ponytail, with long pointed ears that rose like knifes on either side of her head that was hidden by her black hood. Her lithe athletic body covered by her figure hugging black leather armour. By day Kallista worked as a dockworker, often frequenting her grandfather's pub the Wracked Man and rubbing more than just shoulders with perhaps the two most famous women in Stormward, the vampire Anna Volker and her paramour Katrina Vandenburg, the half elf. The papers called them the "Saviours of Stormward" but to Kallista they were her friends. She had even spent the night with them, in a threesome that lasted all night, she smiled at the memory. But by night Kallista became the Raven, the scourge of the wealthy. If Anna was the most famous mercenary in Stormward, than she was the most infamous thief. Her MO was to break in into the homes of the wealthy and elite while they were away at their villas on the southern tundra, usually by stealing the clothes of an innocent maid to better blend in to the estate. Nobody looked twice at the help, doubly so if they were an elf. She would steal valuables, in and out like a raven, then sell them to redistribute the wealth to the elven community in Stormward's Elven Alienage. And tonight was no exception.





Kallista sat perched on the rooftop overlooking the Hollandby Manor in the Nobles District. Home to one Gustavus Hollandby, one of Stormward's most prominent whaling tycoons, currently the man and his family had left the city for his villa on the tundra in light of the recent attempted insurrection by the Vampire Nation Nocturne. That left the manor lightly staffed with a small compliment of staff and three city watch for additional security, perfect for her needs. It wasn't a secret that Hollandby had deep pockets, but he also had a big mouth bragging that he had the precious Auroran Stone as the centerpiece of his private collection. Kallista had thought it was high time, that she relieved the fat oaf of the Stone and delivered it into the hands of the elf's, who had originally dug the stone from the ice itself. For that, Kallista needed an appropriate disguise. Generally Kallista either had to steal one from a fellow female elf, or a slim petite human woman. In a pinch she could even impersonate a watch officer, as the greatcoat and hat hid her obvious elven features. Her weapons of choice were her elven blowpipe and the ancient elven martial art the T'un Sh'ian or the Snow Dance, along with her lockpicks. Preferring not to kill, Kallista carried darts coated with a mild paralytic derived from the venom of the Cave Spiders in the Southern Jungles of Darala. Very hard to source, if you didn't have contacts in the black market but luckily for Kallista she knew people that owed her big time. The paralytic would render a woman unconscious and paralysed for a period of up to 4 hours, and there was no known antidote. The sound of a side door opening from the manor, snapped Kallista's attention back to the present. Using her superior elven vision, Kallista saw a comely young human maid slim and petite, her uniform would serve her well as a suitable disguise. She smiled as she dropped down from the roof, readying her blowpipe.




Maid Valerie Raywater, shivered slightly as she stepped out in the alley beside Hollandby Manor the cold air cutting through her uniform but as a local Stormwarder she adapted quickly. As she hauled the large bag of garbage towards the dumpster, Valerie reflected on her life choices. At 20 summers, Valerie had taken this job as a means to keep our food on the table and to pay the rent. Her father's job as a longshoreman was barely keeping their landlord sated, leaving very little for food on the table since her mother was in the Central Hospitalis with Influenza. Despite having to constantly clean, hauling around bags of garbage and being leered at by a dirty old rich fat man, Valerie didn't mind the pay was very good helping to pay the rent and put food on the table. Plus the uniform was smart, Valerie felt proud each morning she put it on. Her uniform consisted of black matching figure hugging black buttoned long sleeve shirt, tight trousers with red piping down the seams, and white ankle socks with black pumps on her feet. A small white frilly apron around her waist, with a matching frilly hat perched above her ash blonde hair down up in a sensible bun. Valerie had a pretty comely face with shallow cheekbones rounded features and big blue eyes. She sighed heavily as she threw the large bag of trash into the dumpster, but before Valerie could close the lid on the dumpster she felt a prick on the back of her neck. Reaching around the back of her neck, Valerie took out a small dart or was it two darts. She began to see double, as she felt dizzy her heartbeat pounding in her ears. Suddenly, Valerie lost consciousness sliding down until she sat motionless propped up against the side of the dumpster, in a deep paralytic sleep.




Folding her blowpipe back into the folds of her cloak, Kallista approached the unconscious woman. Hauling the sleeping maid onto her shoulder, Kallista jumped into the dumpster closing the lid behind her. Propping the unconscious human female against the inside of the dumpster, Kallista stripped down to her underwear than began to strip the unconscious maid. Kallista started by removing the maid's shoes, apron and frilly hat from the top of her head. She then unbuttoned the maid's uniform shirt, slipping it off her shoulders then off one arm at a time. " Cute bra, my love. Don't worry you can keep them. I'am already covered thanks. Besides, I wouldn't want you to catch your death of cold out here." Kallista said as she admired the pretty maids small but firm B-cup breasts covered by a solid white low-cut t-shirt bra. After unfastening the uniform trousers, Kallista worked them off her hips and down her long dancer's legs revealing a matching low cut white thong. As Kallista got dressed in the maids uniform in the cramped conditions of the dumpster, she admired the slim lush body of the unconscious maid. The girl wasn't althetic but she had taken care of her body, Kallista herself was attracted to both Elven and Human women with a slight bias towards humans. When she was finished, Kallista planted a kiss on the unconscious maids lips. " Thanks, for the uniform sweetheart. Fits me like a glove, see you around." After she caressed the cute maids face, Kallista spared the scantily clad maid one last look before jumping out of the dumpster closing the lid behind her.




Using her stolen maids uniform, Kallista made her way through the manor towards the upstairs room that housed the private collection of Gustavus Hollandby. The other maids didn't spare her a glance, to them she was just another maid going about her duties there were even a couple of elf's amongst them. What concerned Kallista were the guards, while few in number they could easily recognise the staff and could well rumble her disguise. Keeping her fingers crossed that the doors to the private collection were not guarded, Kallista took a deep breath and walked up the winding staircase to the third floor. Her heart sank when she saw a single young female Watchman guarding the door. She was dressed in the standard uniform of the Stormward City Watch, which consisted of a doubled breasted blue great coat, with their rank on their sleeves, which according to the twin filigreed bars on the cuffs marked the woman out as a corporal. A black belt around her waist, with a holster for the dwarven made revolver on the right hip and a scabbard with a guard issue sabre on the left. Underwhich she wore matching black battledress, a double breasted jacket and trousers with jackboots that came above her knees. A traditional Stormward fur hat, with the city coat of arms pinned at the centre, rested above her shoulder length auburn hair. Taking a closer look, Kallista was pleasantly surprised to see the guard was a looker, with slender cheekbones a pretty heart shaped face with pretty eyes a pleasing shade of turquoise. Judging by the expression on the guards face, she was bored and very lonely. She smiled, a cunning idea entered her mind. Playing the innocent maid, Kallista approached the guard.




Corporal Paulina Stowe yawned widely, bored out of her mind. She had spent 5 hours of a 7 hour shift guarding the door to Hollandby's private collection, with nothing to show for it. Paulina was also starting to feel lonely as well, it had been 2 hours since one of the pretty maids human or elven had paid her visit. At 23 summers, Paulina had only just been promoted to Corporal following her fifth year of service, and like so many of the watch had taken some extra curricular work working security for one of the cities most wealthiest men. Mainly to keep her skills sharp and to save up for a place of her own, as her parents constantly reminded her she was a guard and 23, still living with her parents there was no way she was going to sweep a lucky girl off her feet, even with her good looks. As she yawned for the second time, she caught sight of a very beautiful elven maid walking up to her the girl's lithe figure hugged by the tight uniform she wore, a long black braided ponytail hung between her shoulders. Paulina didn't recognise her, but then again she hadn't been here very long to build a rapport with the staff, feeling her loins go afire at the sight of the maid Paulina flashed her a smile. " Good evening, ma'am. What can I do for you?" She asked relaxing slightly. The elf flashed her a smile back. " I need to clean up the private collection, it wouldn't do for the master to come back seeing his precious baubles covered in cobwebs." Paulina shifted her feet awkwardly as she stared into the maids big pretty green eyes. " I-I'am afraid that access to the private collection is restricted. And I would need to see a written authorisation for cleaning." 5 hells thought Paulina, this girl is so beautiful. The pretty maid got in closer, gently brushing her lips against Paulina's her leg rubbing up between the guards thighs eliticing a soft moan of desire from the young Corporal. " I'am sure we could work something out. You could be my escort, an innocent maid like me would feel much safer with a strong pretty guard woman to protect her." The elven maid said suggestively. Paulina wanted to lock lips with this maid so badly. You have such pretty eyes Corporal..." Paulina fumbled unprepared for the maids onslaught. " You can call me, Paulina. Ma'am." The maid carressed her face, eliticing another soft moan of desire from Paulina. " You can call me Kallista. Sweet Paulina, why don't we take this conversation somewhere more private." She said gesturing to the room beyond. " I love you elven girl's, you have such pretty eyes. Alright, but these stays between us. I don't want you or I to lose our jobs over this." Kallista nodded as Paulina unlocked the doors in front of her, leading the comely maid inside. " Ok, let me just close the doors to give us a little privacy." After Paulina closed the double doors behind her, she felt a sharp pain at the back of her neck. Paulina let out a brief cry of surprise, before she collapsed to the floor unconscious.




Kallista stood over the unconscious guard, her arm stretched out at a razors edge. " Sorry about that, sweet Paulina. But you won't be getting any tonight I'am afraid." Kneeling down by the unconscious girl, Kallista carressed the collar of her greatcoat a guard uniform would be perfect to smuggle out the Stone under the noses of both the staff and additional guards. It certainly had more pockets then the maid uniform dead. Wasting no time, Kallista stripped off the uniform she had taken from the maid, then rolled the Corporals body onto her front. She first removed the unconscious Corporal's boots, hat and combat webbing followed by her greatcoat. Glancing at the Corporals more althetic build, with larger c-cup breasts, Kallista knew the uniform was going to be a little looser but the greatcoat should hide any discrepancy. Resting the unconscious Paulina's body against her own, Kallista unbuttoned the unconscious guard's jacket slipping it off her shoulders. " Cute tits, my dear Paulina. You could make a fortune with those, dockside." Kallista's eyes traced the swell of the guards well formed C-cup breasts under her standard issue white vest, nipples peaking under the thin fabric. Letting the unconscious half naked guard, fall back onto the hard wood floor, Kallista unfastened the girls trousers working them off her hips peeling them down her long divine legs. "That's why I love stripping guards. You are so toned and well made under all that cloth." Kallista said as her eyes traced the lush underwear clad body of the unconscious Paulina, wearing only her standard issue matching white vest and panties. After she finished getting dressed in her stolen guard uniform, Kallista secured the unconscious woman by tearing up her maids disguise, binding her limbs and gagging her. Once the corporal was secured tight, Kallista dragged her scantily clad body into an empty dresser stashing her inside, snapping off the lock after shutting her inside.







Satisfied, Kallista walked past the various artifacts of the collection which included a set of Katana's from Hi-Chan, a ceremonial suit of plate armour from Haxony, which was curious considering that Stormward was at war with the Haxony Protectorate and various other assorted knick-knacks. While all of them were certainly worth a small fortune, none of them could compare with the Auroran Stone. As Kallista approached the jewel, the overhead lights cast a small aurora in the thief's eyes she couldn't help herself but let out a small sigh of wonder. The Auroran Stone was about the size of a humans clenched fist, it's perfect refracted angles cast kaleidoscopes of colour throughout the room. It was just as beautiful as her grandfather described, one of the last vestiges of elven culture left in Darala and it needed to be back in the hands of the elf's. Taking out her lockpicks from inside her stolen greatcoat, Kallista deftly picked the lock of the glass case, carefully taking out the priceless jewel and putting it inside the inside pocket of her great coat. With the Stone secured, Kallista exited the room closing the door behind her.





Using her stolen guard uniform, Kallista retraced her steps through the manor making sure to keep her hat low over her pointed ears and avoiding eye contact with the three remaining guards. After five minutes, Kallista had reached the dumpster where she had stashed her gear and the unconscious underwear clad maid. Diving back inside, Kallista stripped off her stolen guard uniform then redressed in her black leather armour sparing the scantily clad unconscious maid another glance, as she stashed the gemstone into the folds of her cloak. " Thanks for your help tonight, sweet maid. I would have never have gotten inside without your uniform. Have a nice night, love." Kallista gave the maid a parting kiss, before she climbed out of the dumpster. Aiming her dwarven grapple gun high, Kallista pulled the trigger the wire uncoiled like a snake as it latched itself onto the roof of the house across the street. Pulling the trigger again, Kallista ascended quickly leaping onto the rooftop with feline grace. Then with the speed of a Stormward blizzard the elven thief, scampered into the cold snowy night. The Aurora Borealis dancing over her head.

[simon4242]

can we have an epilogue plse

[Stormtrooper1990]

STORMWARD HERALD


Break in at Hollandby Manor



By Callista Mayweather Local Correspondent



The latest chapter of the Ravens crime spree was played out today as Hollandby Manor became the latest Manor, to receive a visit from the notorious Raven. Investigating officers of the watch report finding the underwear clad unconscious body of Valerie Raywater, 20 summers, a maid of the Hollandby household in a dumpster of to the side of the manor. Ms Raywater was rushed to Stormward Central Hospitalis, were it was discovered she had been dosed by a mild paralytic tranquilliser a favourite of the Ravens. Watch officers believe the Raven incapacitated Ms Raywater and stole her uniform to effect entry onto the premises. In the private collection gallery, watch officers discovered the Auroran Stone missing and a distressed Corporal Paulina Stowe, 23 summers, stashed in an empty cabinet. She was found stripped of her uniform and weapons, bound and gagged with the remains of Ms Raywaters uniform. Upon questioning the Corporal admitted that she was seduced by an unknown elven maid, who lured her into the gallery then knocked her unconscious stealing her uniform and weapons to affect her escape from the manor. The Corporal as since been disciplined for her severe lack of judgement.







The reward for information pertaining to the arrest of this elven outlaw and the safe return of the Auroran Stone as reached 25,000 sovereigns. Citizens are reminded that the Raven is considered armed and extremely dangerous. If you see her or have knowledge pertaining to her whereabouts do not approach her, please call your local watch station on 589 119 ext 05. A portrait of the notorious thief is printed below this article. It is the duty of all law abiding citizens of Stormward to assist the brave men and women of the watch to bring this common footpad to justice.

[meditions142]

Great story. Kallista is a great character. And two wonderful take outs.

Really liked the take out of Valerie. First off, she sounds like quite the pretty girl.

And glad you described the drug in the dart. Great that it causes both unconsciousness and paralysis for four hours. And with no antidote the woman stays out for the four hours no matter what.

Love the scene of Valerie feeling the dart, pulling it out, starting to see double, then getting dizzy and then sliding unconscious down the side of the dumpster. Very sexy! As was Kallista admiring Valerie's body and giving her a kiss and caressing her face as she was leaving.

Wonderful scene with Paulina as well. Great "seduce the guard" scene. Very sexy interaction between them. And so perfect that as soon as they get into the room Kallista is all business and quickly knocks out Paulina with a perfect neck chop. Great comments to and about the unconscious woman as well.

And we even get Kallista making a parting visit to Valerie and giving her another kiss.

Definitely like Kallista as a character.

[Stormtrooper1990]

Great story. Kallista is a great character. And two wonderful take outs.

Really liked the take out of Valerie. First off, she sounds like quite the pretty girl.

And glad you described the drug in the dart. Great that it causes both unconsciousness and paralysis for four hours. And with no antidote the woman stays out for the four hours no matter what.

Love the scene of Valerie feeling the dart, pulling it out, starting to see double, then getting dizzy and then sliding unconscious down the side of the dumpster. Very sexy! As was Kallista admiring Valerie's body and giving her a kiss and caressing her face as she was leaving.

Wonderful scene with Paulina as well. Great "seduce the guard" scene. Very sexy interaction between them. And so perfect that as soon as they get into the room Kallista is all business and quickly knocks out Paulina with a perfect neck chop. Great comments to and about the unconscious woman as well.

And we even get Kallista making a parting visit to Valerie and giving her another kiss.

Definitely like Kallista as a character.

Thanks meditions, I'am glad you enjoyed it.


This is the start of a new serial, set in the Bloodverse. Where Kallista will end up joining the Hidden Hands, but will have to contend with a new threat to Stormward. Which involves a vicious coup d'etat, a vampire assassin and travelling to a new city to unravel the conspiracy and save Stormward from the Haxony Protectorate.



I really enjoyed writing Kallista, a plucky beautiful elven rogue who takes every opportunity to enjoy her work. While she enjoyed both her victims, I think Kallista was more attracted to Valerie.



I wanted Kallista to be different from both Anna and Katrina. As she is a mortal(sort of) she doesn't have access to Anna's powers, so I wanted to give a signature weapon. So her blowpipe and sleep darts were born. She is also well versed in elven martial arts, something that poor lonely Corporal Paulina found out the hard way.



The "seducing the guard." Trope is one of my favourite of all time. And it's way more sexier with two women, its a trope that as appeared in many of my stories but they were prison escapes. I wanted to share things up, by Kallista using it to seduce the bored Paulina to open the doors. Of course the very lonely, very bored Corporal had made herself an easy target and ended up knocked out, stuffed into a cabinet in her underwear for her trouble.



Again, I appreciate your support my friend and thank you so much for reading and enjoying my stories.

[meditions142]

So her blowpipe and sleep darts were born. She is also well versed in elven martial arts

Definitely liked the blowpipe. Perhaps in future stories it would have a different drug that might cause a hypnotic effect that would allow Kallista to gain information from a woman or perhaps make her do things for Kallista.

And I would love to see some other martial arts techniques she knows.

Question about the drug. Will Valerie have any lasting effects after she wakes up?

[Stormtrooper1990]

So her blowpipe and sleep darts were born. She is also well versed in elven martial arts

Definitely liked the blowpipe. Perhaps in future stories it would have a different drug that might cause a hypnotic effect that would allow Kallista to gain information from a woman or perhaps make her do things for Kallista.

And I would love to see some other martial arts techniques she knows.

Question about the drug. Will Valerie have any lasting effects after she wakes up?

Valerie should wake with a very bad headache, and dry mouth. With the proper treatment, she should make a full recovery


I will include that as part of the package. I was thinking of having an hypnotic drug, luring a woman away into the Shadow getting information and perhaps doing things for her, then either forcing her to strip or knocking her out discreetly.



I will introduce nerve pinches and attacks on pressure points to quickly incapacitate women, stealing their clothes then binding them. Concealing their sleeping bodied inside Dumpsters, lockers or a handy crate.

[meditions142]

So her blowpipe and sleep darts were born. She is also well versed in elven martial arts

Definitely liked the blowpipe. Perhaps in future stories it would have a different drug that might cause a hypnotic effect that would allow Kallista to gain information from a woman or perhaps make her do things for Kallista.

And I would love to see some other martial arts techniques she knows.

Question about the drug. Will Valerie have any lasting effects after she wakes up?

Valerie should wake with a very bad headache, and dry mouth. With the proper treatment, she should make a full recovery


I will include that as part of the package. I was thinking of having an hypnotic drug, luring a woman away into the Shadow getting information and perhaps doing things for her, then either forcing her to strip or knocking her out discreetly.



I will introduce nerve pinches and attacks on pressure points to quickly incapacitate women, stealing their clothes then binding them. Concealing their sleeping bodied inside Dumpsters, lockers or a handy crate.

Glad to hear Valerie will suffer no permanent harm.

And wow Kallista's character sounds like she will get better and better.

[Stormtrooper1990]

Definitely liked the blowpipe. Perhaps in future stories it would have a different drug that might cause a hypnotic effect that would allow Kallista to gain information from a woman or perhaps make her do things for Kallista.

And I would love to see some other martial arts techniques she knows.

Question about the drug. Will Valerie have any lasting effects after she wakes up?

Valerie should wake with a very bad headache, and dry mouth. With the proper treatment, she should make a full recovery


I will include that as part of the package. I was thinking of having an hypnotic drug, luring a woman away into the Shadow getting information and perhaps doing things for her, then either forcing her to strip or knocking her out discreetly.



I will introduce nerve pinches and attacks on pressure points to quickly incapacitate women, stealing their clothes then binding them. Concealing their sleeping bodied inside Dumpsters, lockers or a handy crate.

Glad to hear Valerie will suffer no permanent harm.

And wow Kallista's character sounds like she will get better and better.

Kallista did care about Valerie's welfare, not showing any detachment. As evident by her stripping Valerie in the warm dumpster, instead of leaving her in the cold.


She will be facing many challenges in her journey, not to mention facing off against a brutal vampire assassin who also uses disguises. But she will only get better.