Boggart’s Gold
by BluRider
It lurked in its pool, all brown and warty, golden eyes narrowed to slits as it rested. It was definitely a fae.
Nat and her younger sister Sylphie both watched Daria as they huddled in the bushes. The young blonde seeress-in-training had pulled up the hood of her acolyte's robe, and was peering through the reeds at the creature. She shuffled back to the other children, keeping low.
"I don't know for sure what it could be," she said, "not even with my sorcerous sight. It's some kind of leprechaun, hiding in the water just under the tree. It's mostly obscured by the water, so my perception doesn't help very much to identify it... I'm sorry! I'm not a good enough seeress yet." The little blonde looked crestfallen, glancing at Sylphie.
Her face brightened, however, when Sylphie threw her arms around her. "No, no!" Sylphie said in her singsong little girl's voice, "Without you we never could've found it. You're amazing!" Daria blushed.
"And now it's right in front of us," said Nat, the young girl's movements soft and graceful as she crept a little closer to take a look. "We only have to catch it, and it will give up its pot of gold!"
"Is that really all there is to it?" wondered Sylphie aloud. She brushed through the undergrowth almost instinctively, drawing an envious glance from Nat. "Maybe there's some words you have to say. You know, like a spell?"
"No, I don't think so. You only have to catch a leprechaun, to..." started Daria, but Sylphie wasn't listening. Afire with curiosity, she had just disappeared into the reeds.
"W-wait!" hissed Nat, tugging worriedly at her long black ponytail. "Sylphie, come back here!"
Daria pulled Nat back a little, saying, "Keep quiet, or it'll see her." A worried expression on her own face, Daria peered carefully between the reeds, using her sorcerous sight. She could see Sylphie's curly brown hair between the reeds, and occasionally saw her dimpled face emerge, intent on the toad-like leprechaun. Her sight showed all of Sylphie's form, behind the reeds, but she was still unable to see the leprechaun clearly. The child seeress tensed. What if it was a dangerous fae?
Thinking the same thing, despite not being able to see her sister, Nat bit her lip. Their father had joked that curiosity was only bad for cats, but Sylphie often seemed to be trying to prove him wrong. Wishing she had Daria's eyes, Nat felt for the knife in her boot. She didn't want to shock her slightly younger friends by drawing a live blade, but she didn't want to take any chances, either. The grip felt reassuring in her hand.
It was precisely at that moment that the woodcraft she had learned from her huntsman father deserted Sylphie, and there came a muted splash. Nat turned her head, squinting at the reeds suspiciously. Daria gasped, focusing her sight. Though obscured to her human eyes, Sylphie was obvious in her sorcerous vision: she had fallen from a tree-branch, trying to get above the warty thing, and was now lying in the water in the pools behind it - just out of sight of her friends, but directly in front of her quarry.
The fae stood up, and Daria clenched her teeth. She recognized what it was, now. "A Boggle!" she whispered urgently to Nat.
"A what?" asked Nat, still trying to see what was happening.
Daria was staring quite intently into the reeds now. "It's, um, said to lure people to the fairy realm," she recited distractedly, shuffling forward, her eyes wild. "It tricks them into turning away from all things crafted by the hand of man, and vanishing into its fairy circle, to live in the fairy realm forever." She looked left and right, biting her lip. What could she do?
Sylphie shook the water out of her curls, spitting and coughing. Then, alarmed, she looked hastily around for the leprechaun. She had failed! She didn't want it to run away before she could catch it.
Then she saw it. It had moved, out of the open area and closer to the shadows of the trees. From amongst the reeds it was watching her with its beady golden eyes, a surly look on its face.
As soon as she saw it, she sloshed forward and made a grab for it. It didn't even try to dodge aside. Instead, it looked into her eyes.
Sylphie stiffened. Its gaze hit her like a hammer, halting her charge. She was dizzy. Those eyes! Suddenly the water flew closer. With a splash, she fell to her knees. Her eyes were staring. The leprechaun's eyes held hers. Golden light flooded her consciousness. Sylphie's mouth dropped open. Her thoughts were going blank. What was happening? It was difficult to think. She kept on staring at its eyes. It stared back. Her body shuddered all over. Then, finally, she knew what to do.
Still holding its golden gaze, her jaw slack, Sylphie stood up in the water. Her simple clothing was soaked through. She would remove it. Immediately, swaying slightly with dizziness, she took off her calfskin vest, letting it fall into the water. It felt good to take off her clothing. It was hateful to her. Unnatural. Her simple tunic came off next, hitting the brackish water with a splash, and leaving her bare-chested. She removed her shoes, dropping them in the swamp. Finally, she pulled the drawstring of her leggings, and let them fall, leaving her totally naked. Slightly tanned on her face, arms and legs, Sylphie's body was pale white everywhere else, a scattering of freckles across her undeveloped chest. The moment she was nude, she felt liberated. Warm feelings rushed through her, even as she stared deeply into the creature's eyes. It had wanted her to strip naked, she somehow knew. It felt so good to obey. Her helpless body quivered with its power. The fae beckoned as it began to move backwards. Hopelessly entranced, she couldn't help but stare and slowly begin to follow.
That's when it happened. Daria burst in. "Sylphie, run, it's a Boggle!" she called, before starting to intone a magical prayer. Her incantation began quickly, with the girl stumbling over words in her haste, but quickly slowed right down. It took Sylphie a moment to even realise why: the Boggle had fastened its gaze on Daria's. She was staring, still chanting, her finely honed sorcerous instincts helping her fight the strange golden power of its eyes.
Disoriented, Sylphie ran, splashing naked through the undergrowth and reeds before emerging onto solid ground. Blushing furiously, she covered herself with her hands and hid in the trees. What had she been doing? The water was cold against her trembling skin, her nipples stiffening as a gust of chill wind blew over her. She peeked out of the undergrowth to see Daria. The little seeress was no longer chanting a spell at all. She had fallen silent, staring into the Boggle's golden eyes. Her robe dragging in the water, her face devoid of emotion, Daria began to follow the Boggle, as Sylphie had. She and the creature were both walking toward a small, damp cave. Sylphie's heart hammered in her chest. This was her fault!
Nat tapped her on the shoulder.
Startled, Sylphie relaxed when she saw her sister, dropping her hands. The gesture revealed her totally nude body. Nat gasped, startled. Sylphie ignored this, shouting, "Nat, help! Daria's going with it and she saved me and -"
Her sister shushed her. "I'm gonna catch it, Sylph. Then it'll have to give us anything we want. We'll get back Daria, and get the gold."
"Bu- but Nat! It used the Evil Eye! What if it catches you?"
"That's why," Nat prompted, "I need a distraction."
Sylphie blinked, before covering herself with her hands again, blushing hot red. "I... I... can't! I... can't resist its power! Not at all. I only looked at it for a second and..." the little girl gulped, remembering how it had felt to be completely in the Boggle's thrall.
Nat grabbed her naked sister and forced her to look in Daria's direction. The young seeress was taking off her clothing. Her robe lay discarded at the mouth of the cave, and she had stopped walking, wrestling with the layers of her seeress' garb while the Boggle watched her strip. Nat looked at Sylphie seriously. "That's your best friend down there, Sylph. You don't have to resist its power. You just have to distract it, so that I can sneak up to it and catch it. Then it will have to let you go."
Watching Daria bare her milky white torso, displaying her smooth, budding breasts, Sylphie bit her lip. "I... I'll do it."
Nat nodded, already moving. "I'll come round from the left. Get it to look in the other direction. Make it use its Evil Eye on you, and it won't be able to see me."
Nodding back, Sylphie shot effortlessly through the undergrowth, picking her way barefoot through the marshes with practised ease.
Her heart beat faster and faster as she neared the proper location. Sylphie couldn't see her sister, but knew she'd be in place. The little girl looked apprehensively at the Boggle. Daria had finally gotten out of the last of her temple clothing. White as alabaster, her willowy body looked beautiful and fragile, helpless before the hideous Boggle. Sylphie made up her mind. She had to save her friend, no matter what. Boldly, she strode forth to challenge it, forgetting for the moment that she, too, was only a helpless little girl, already stripped naked by its power. That realisation, and the fear of it, hit home as she strode out toward the cave-mouth, her courage drying up. Terrified, seeing the Boggle's eyes flick toward her, Sylphie felt a powerful urge to run. She twitched, as if to do so. The Boggle stared. She stumbled. Golden light. Sylphie fell. Obedience washed over her. Suddenly, it got interrupted. She broke eye contact with the Boggle. Dizzily, her world spun. Then, the unexpected. Hands grabbed her. Pale, thin, white hands. Sylphie's eyes struggled to refocus, and saw Daria. Confused, dizzy, she tried to push Daria away. Her own eyes still blank, Daria grappled her best friend, pinning them both to the ground. Their naked bodies pressed hotly together. Conjoined, they rolled upon the ground.
Dizzy, confused, lost in the moment, neither girl noticed when the struggles became caresses, when touching gave way to exploring, when their lips met and they fused into one being on the ground. The dams between them broke, and for a moment all else was forgotten. "N... no!" moaned Sylphie a moment later, pulling away. She saw Nat, creeping up. The Boggle was ignoring the other girls, looking for Nat. It was a trap! "N-Nat... don't- mmph!" Daria pressed her hot lips against Sylphie's, and the young girl felt dizzy, closing her eyes and grinding her hips against her best friend's naked body. She was... she forgot what she was doing. It felt so good just to be with Daria. Sylphie moaned, running her hands down Daria's smooth white skin. Their tongues entwined as they kissed passionately, their naked bodies rolling around on the ground, arms and legs wrapped around each other.
Breathing heavily, the dizziness clearing, Sylphie watched through half-lidded eyes as Nat sprang out at the Boggle. She froze in mid-attack. It was staring right at her, its golden eyes luminous. "Wh- No! S-Sylphiieee..." Nat managed to slur out, before suddenly her body went stiff, her eyes opened wide, and the Boggle began to take control. A vague look slowly spread across her face. She was being enchanted.
Daria stirred, blinking awake. She found herself embracing her nude friend, their bodies pressed intimately together. She pulled away, her face beet-red. "Sy-Sylphie! I'm so, so sorry, I... I'm- Oh my God..." she stammered, but Sylphie only leaned in closer, shushed her gently, and then kissed the seeress softly on the lips. Pulling away, leaving Daria red-faced, Sylphie was also blushing. Breathing heavily, they disentangled from each other, still holding hands in a daze. Then, almost as an afterthought Sylphie pointed up at Nat. She blinked, her face registering alarm. Sylphie shook her head to clear it. Obediently, eyes fixed on the Boggle's, her sister was entering the cave. The two naked girls scrambled to their feet, their hands letting go. Without any need to confer, they rushed into the cave all at once, their pale exposed bodies both flush with exertion, feet slapping on the stones.
Just as they did when they were hunting small game together, Sylphie and Daria spread out in both directions, outflanking the Boggle. It was staring at Nat, absorbed in its wickedness. Without uttering a word, Nat was beginning to take off her smooth black leathers. She stood before a circle of stones and mushrooms. A fairy circle. Daria gasped. Once Nat had cast away all that was made by the hands of men, she would walk into it, never to return. They couldn't let that happen!
Daria jumped out to grab the Boggle, its eyes flicking to her immediately. She halted in mid-stride, her own eyes reflecting the golden power of the Boggle as she slowed and then stopped. She began to sway on the spot almost immediately, her bare nipples stiffening as she again felt the irresistible need to obey. Sylphie got a step closer, her hand almost upon it when the Boggle turned around, shuffling away, and turning its powerful gaze upon her in turn. Sylphie's mouth opened immediately, her will succumbing almost instantly. Daria immediately stopped swaying, stumbling forward, causing both of the girls to lose their balance. Dizzy and bewildered, Sylphie and Daria stood and stared. Daria slowly blinked back awake, as Sylphie was caught up in its power. Finally, Nat grabbed hold of the Boggle from behind.
Struggling, the leprechaun shrieked raucously, but Nat did not let go. Instead, she said "I have caught you! Release my friends!"
Grumbling, the Boggle blinked. Sylphie's naked body relaxed, slumping a little as she fell out of her trance. Daria walked over to her, and grabbed hold of her hand. The two stood nude together, blushing slightly, watching Nat. Still wearing most of her black leathers, Nat looked triumphant. "I demand your pot of gold, Boggle," she said.
"Nat, no," said Daria. "Fairy gold is nothing but tricks! Please, let's just go. Tell it to let us go!" Sylphie nodded her approval.
Nat looked at them, and down at the matted hair of the greasy Boggle she was holding still against her leather jacket. She shook her head. "Don't you see?" she said. "We can do both! We'll be rich!" To the Boggle she said: "Leprechaun! By ancient right of conquest, I demand your gold. Take me to it!"
Grumbling even louder, the Boggle stumped towards some stalagtites near its fairy circle. Nat and her friends followed along behind, the two naked little girls carefully avoiding stepping inside the circle. There was a ripple, as of a fog lifting, and all the girls were able to see the Boggle's fairy gold. Gathered at the back of the cave, golden and radiant, the stash of treasure was unlike anything they had ever experienced. Nat stared greedily, licking her lips. The other two girls marvelled openly, admiring the artistry of the collection.
While their attention was momentarily distracted, the Boggle glanced at Sylphie. Its golden eyes flared for a brief moment, seizing the opportunity. Watching the golden treasures, Sylphie saw something out of the corner of one eye. Her gaze snapped to the Boggle's for only a split-second. Daria and Nat never even noticed, but for Sylphie this was long enough. Within the space of that second her face went from curious, to surprised, to fascinated and then utterly entranced. Her mind was overcome. Her jaw dropped open.
"We've done it!" said Nat triumphantly. "Boggle, I order you to-" she began to say, before suddenly her naked sister threw herself upon her, shoving them both into the fairy circle. Nat lost hold of the Boggle and fell backward. Bright light flared in the fairy circle. Sylphie's naked body glowed. She vanished. Nat crashed to the ground. Blinking in the sudden darkness, Nat's eyes searched for the Boggle. Where had it go-
Daria realized their folly. "Look away!" shouted the seeress, and fixed her eyes on the one thing she could still see clearly: the treasure. Nat immediately followed suit. They didn't know where it had gone, but they couldn't just look around for it, or it would enslave them one by one.
Keeping her eyes on the gold, Nat heard a sound behind them. "Daria! It's behind us!"
Daria's voice shook as she said, "Don't look back, whatever you do!" The naked girl crept towards the gold. "Grab something heavy from the treasure pile. We'll have to overcome it by force, and make it give back Sylphie!"
Nat nodded, scooping up an ornate scepter. It had a solid weight to it. "Just tell me what you want me to do."
"Don't look behind you. Just listen to my instructions," she advised, reaching towards the treasure pile. A heavy golden plate glinted brightly. She reached for it. "I'll use my... arcane... sight... to... guu...ide...." The plate glittered enchantingly, shimmering and golden. Daria was finding it difficult to... think... the plate... she was seeing... reflection... those eyes... n... no... Fear. Surrender. Obedience.
"Daria?" came Nat's voice.
Daria shuddered, her naked body tingling all over. "I... yes... must... you must... close your eyes... Nat..." Immediately, Nat closed her eyes, her hands still swinging the heavy scepter. Her eyes blank, Daria walked towards the fairy circle. "Good... now, I will... outflank it. When I tell you to, open your eyes... you will be able... to attack it... from behind..."
Nat nodded, a bead of sweat running down her face. She held the heavy scepter out in front of her, listening for Daria's voice.
Suddenly, there came a bright flash of light, and she heard Daria's voice - as if from far away - calling out, "N-Now!"
Daria's voice echoed. Nat opened her eyes. She saw Daria's pure white skin glowing bright gold, suddenly vanishing. Then she saw the Boggle, directly in front of her. It was looking... her... in... the eyes...
Nat staggered forward, charging the fae. Her eyes were glued to its gaze. Clutching the scepter, she rushed dizzily at it. Her movements slowed. She swung the scepter.
There was a loud crash as the Boggle dodged at the last second, breaking eye contact. Rubies scattered as she shattered the head of the scepter against a stone. Dizzily, Nat rushed at the Boggle, pulling her knife.
The Boggle's gnarled hand caught her wrist, as its eyes caught her gaze once again. Golden light flared. The point of the knife pressed down toward the Boggle's swirling golden eyes. Dizzily, Nat fought the pleasurable haze falling upon her. Her eyes stared. The muscles in the young girl's skinny arms stood out as she pushed hard against the equally-frail leprechaun. Her eyes unfocused. Her jaw began to drop open. The knife drew closer and closer, the leprechaun's arms tiring, the glinting point a hair's breadth from its eyes. The creature sweated and strained, its golden eyes widening in terror. Nat trembled all over, suffused with the need to obey.
The leprachaun shrieked.
Golden light flared.
Blood sprayed as the Boggle was slashed across the face.
The knife clattered to the ground.
Nat's trembling hands slowly rose up. Her eyes were fastened to the Boggle's. "N...nno..." Struggling to resist, she slowly stripped off her leather jerkin. The hideous Boggle grinned hatefully. Nat stared into its golden eyes. Her own eyes glowed bright gold.
Her hands unlaced her tunic, slowing down. She ground her teeth, still staring. Her breathing quickened. Slowly, the undressing stopped. Resisting as much as she could, she tried to look away. Her hand twitched.
The Boggle leaned in closer. Wiping the blood from its cheek, it scowled. The closer it leaned, the wider its eyes seemed to get. Dizzy, Nat began to sway from side to side. Grinning with malice, the leprechaun reached for her tunic. Nat hissed an intake of breath. She couldn't move. Kept on staring. With small, coarse hands, it began to undress her itself.
She stared, enraptured, watching its eyes. Nat could not look away. Its warty hands peeled off her tunic and her padded breeches, revealing her slender, shapely legs and the small, perfect mounds of her breasts. Unresisting, now undressed, almost unconscious, Nat watched it happen. It had taken off the last of her clothing. She was lost within its eyes. Her body shuddered one last time. She tried to move, but she couldn't. Until she felt the order.
She heard it without speech. Obeyed it without thinking. "Yes, master." She was already moving. The fairy circle called to her. Unhesitating, she walked inside. There was a flash. Her body was wrapped up in light. Then, blinding oblivion.
Blinking, Nat tried to clear her head. She rubbed her eyes, staggering forward. She felt leaves on her skin. She felt the breeze. She was naked, God knew where. She had failed! Her eyes opened wide in a panic. She saw trees, statuary, water, and a group of naked children all in a line. Over fifty, all of them girls. They wore leather collars. She recognized Sylphie, her sister, collared also. Her eyes were blank. Nat was surrounded. Naked young girls walked at her from all sides. Their collars shimmered. Their eyes glowed. They looked entranced, enslaved, enchanted. One of them caught her, then another. She struggled as they grabbed her naked body; pinned her arms.
"No!" she screamed, kicking and squirming. "Help!" There were too many. They held her fast. One of them slipped a collar around her neck. "Please, don-"
With a click, the collar fastened. "D-... don't..." her body trembling, Nat stopped kicking. The girls let her go. "I... m..." Her eyes rolled up in her head. Her body slid to the ground.
Warmth flowed through her. Words echoed in her mind. Obediently, Nat repeated them. "I... I must obey the masters," she chanted, on the ground. Slowly, she got up. "I will do everything that is asked of me." Her nipples stiffened, her legs moving on their own. "I am a slave," she said, her eyes wide, knowing it was true.
She walked over and took her place among the other enslaved children, all standing naked in a line.
"I am yours to command, my masters," she finished obediently. Her eyes stared directly forward, no longer seeing the forest. "I live to serve you. In body and in mind."
And so she would.