The Chronicles of Valen Ch. 44
*Disclaimer*: Valen, Nathyrra, The Seer, and several of the other characters are the property of Bioware. If you’ve played the game, you’ll recognize them. The rest is the invention of my twisted little imagination, including Morrighu Badb and the goddess she serves.
*”Cornerstones”*
She sits there, in the tub, blushing at his frank comments about just how attractive he finds her.
Smiling slightly, her wet fingers trail across his cheek, as she purrs, “Mmmm…so you like to have me at your mercy. I think I can live with that. I have to admit that I find the experience to be…somewhat arousing myself. It isn’t a full answer to my question, but I suppose it will do for now. Still, I am far less helpless than you might imagine.”
He chuckles and in answer, leans in to kiss her again, slowly this time, savoring the taste of her and her response. When he releases her, she sighs heavily and nestles against him. He takes up the soap and a wash rag to start making lather.
He leans down and whisper to her, “I need to get you into a different kind of lather if you expect to be clean.”
She blushes furiously, much to his amusement, but obediently holds out an arm, so he begins to bathe her. As his thumbs work some of the tension out of her muscles, he can feel that many of her old injuries are now healed more properly. He makes a mental note to speak to one of the healers about this as well.
As he finishes with her, she snatches the rag from his hand and begins on him. He lounges against the side of the tub, enjoying the attention. Becoming more daring, she starts to move into a sensitive spot, so he hooks a finger under chin and pulls her head up.
She grins at him but reaches for his tail. She takes the wash cloth and starts on it as it twines up her arm. He sits there, eyes nearly crossed from the feel of delicate touch and the wash cloth.
After a while, he chuckles, “I think my tail is quite clean, my love. Are you sure you don’t want to see what your surprise is?”
She laughs softly, “Does it have any thing to do with a brazier?”
He tugs his tail away from her, “It might, at that.”
She giggles, “Does that mean I finally get a peek beneath the towel?”
He strokes her hair, “In four weeks, yes. Until then, no.”
She sighs heavily, “Oh very, well. I suppose I shall take what I can get.”
He laughs softly, “You don’t have to make it sound like such a punishment.”
She sighs, “Surely you know by now that I have accepted you, demonic blood, and all.”
He sighs heavily, “If I were not certain of that, things would be vastly different between us. I feel the need to maintain some boundaries so that I can keep my oaths to you.”
She frowns a bit at this, “What do you mean?”
He levers himself out of the tub and dries himself off before dressing quickly. Using a pre-arranged signal, he cracks the door, peeks out, and nods at one of Mhaere’s helpers in the hallway.
He brings a towel to her, “Out of the tub with you. You’ll look like a raisin, if you don’t get out of there soon.”
She turns toward his voice, “You still haven’t explained what you mean.”
He thinks for a moment, trying to decide how best to explain it, “One of the first promises I made to you was to protect you from things you did not know were dangerous. Later, I swore that I would see to your welfare and the welfare of our house, such as it is. Those are promises to you that I mean to keep. I’m not really sure how to explain it to you. You lack the background.”
She nods, “I know that the other Three are much in favor of your plan. Since all four of you seem so certain about this, I’m willing to go along. How exactly is my background lacking?”
He sighs heavily, watching her lolling in the tub before answering, “You have such little experience with men.” He adds hastily, “Romantically, I mean. The way you describe things and the way you react, I would almost think you had been living in a cloister.”
She shrugs, “In many ways that is far more accurate than you know. Outside my own order, I’m mostly feared and reviled. Inside my own order, I’m largely an object of awe and reverence. Neither of those allows room for so much as a casual friendship much less anything…more complicated.”
He nods, “Since that is the case, I find it difficult at times to explain to you why I am so insistent on waiting. I will try, though. I would rather that you not have a scintilla of a doubt or hesitation about it when the time comes or have one that occurs to you at some time in the future.”
She laughs softly, “It… You make “it” seem like some great temple mystery into which I must be properly initiated.”
He chuckles, “In some ways that is more accurate than you know. It can be quite…spiritual in some ways. It can be one of the most beautiful and loving things to pass between a man and a woman — full of meaning and joy. It can also be as dry and empty as an old corn husk — pleasurable but totally lacking in meaning.
It can even be completely the opposite, painful and hateful — used to degrade and abuse. It can also be anywhere and everywhere in between. Since I love you and want what’s best for you, which I am also sworn to provide, I would rather it be as full of meaning and joy as I can make it for you.”
She sighs and stands up, water running off her and holds her hand out for the towel. Instead, he begins toweling her off.
Finally, unable to restrain his curiosity anymore, he asks, “I have a question for you. How is it that your people care so little for nudity but have so many taboos about male-female relationships?”
She laughs lightly, “I’m not really sure. I think that because the tattoo marks status amongst us, it must be shown. Since we do show more of ourselves than seems to be customary in most places, I think we have more taboos as a result of that. Why do you ask?”
He lifts her gently out of the tub and sets her down, before he bends down to finish drying her off. When he’s done, he helps her into her robe.
He sighs, “It just always struck me as odd. You weren’t shy at all about appearing in the central hall of the temple in a dress that would incite the lust of a practice dummy. Yet when I did something simple, like brush your hair, I thought you were going to bolt and hide in shame.”
~*~
Mhaere looks at Tamsil and nods in satisfaction, “I think we have done well. I would never have thought to buy some rugs from the perfume merchant, but they seem to be well made. I hope she likes them.”
Tamsil grins back, “Perhaps having an more nicely decorated bedroom will help to keep her in bed a bit longer. ”
Mhaere shakes her head, “The only thing that might do that is a skillet upside the head. Short of that he might try tying her to the bed. Still, if she were to get loose after that, he might have to see if he can out run her. I think he’s doing the right thing.”
Tamsil looks puzzled, “What is that, Mama?”
Mhaere rolls her eyes, “Trying to persuade her stay in bed of her own accord. Think of him as bait, child.”
Tamsil looks even more puzzled but shrugs it off.
Before she can ask anymore questions, Tamsil catches a signal from a sentry posted in the hallway, “They’re getting ready to come back, Mama.”
Mhaere quickly gathers the few leftovers, and hurries the others out, closing the door behind her.
~*~
He scoops her up again, enjoying the feel of her nestled against his chest as he carries her from their bath.
She nips at his shoulder lightly, “I’m not an invalid, you know. I can walk.”
The rumble of his chest against her ear signals his amusement at this.
She looks up at him curiously, “What’s funny about that? The victorious paladin heroine who’s in the process of founding a temple can hardly be carried about everywhere by her demonic lover.”
He chuckles again, “Right at this particular moment, I’m not carrying you because I’m concerned about anything. I’m carrying you because it pleases me to do so. The feel of you curled against me, the warmth of you, the weight of you in my arms — I find it to be intensely…pleasurable.”
He juggles her for a moment while he opens the door and heaves a sigh of relief. Their room has been transformed into a slightly exotic and opulent retreat by Mhaere during their stay in the bath. Even the bed has been replaced with a larger and more ornate model.
The curtains have been replaced with cascades of heavy velvet. The floor has been covered with rugs and pillows while the plain pine walls have been hung with tapestries. The only thing that remains the same is the ceiling but even the rafters have been covered in holly, ivy, and juniper with some white lilies worked into the dried greenery.
Candles of every shape and size dot the room, providing a bright but gentle glow. The bed, however, is the stunning centerpiece of the whole transformation. It’s a giant four-poster, complete with a canopy, and hung with two layers of curtains. The coverlet seems to be a tapestry as well as do many of the pillows piled on the bed.
Valen shakes his head, wondering how Mhaere managed to do so much in such a short time. He carries Morrighu to the bed and deposits her gently, before stretching out next to her. He watches as she sniffs experimentally before she turns to him.
She smiles, “I smell a brazier and few other things as well.”
In response, he reaches out and gives her blindfold a tug, and whips it away. She sucks in an awed breath and she takes in the change in their surroundings. To his surprise, she squeals in delight and lunges at him. Catching him in an embrace, she begins to pepper him with kisses.
He laughs, delighted at her response, and whispers in her ear, “Now what was that you were saying about an opulent bed?”
She giggles and kisses him passionately.
Sighing, she breaks off, “You are quite possibly the most wonderful man ever. It looks like something out of a fairy tale.”
He grins at her, “Good, then perhaps you won’t mind earning your keep.”
He flips over and gestures at the small brazier that sits conveniently next to the bed. She giggles again as she straddles his hips. He grunts, albeit pleasurably, as her thumbs dig into the knotted muscles in his back.
She leans into her work as she asks, “What has you so tense? I could swear you have marbles in your back.”
He shrugs and says simply, “I’ve been worried about you.”
She stops for a moment and sucks in a breath, surprised. She works for some moments in silence.
Finally she clears her throat, “I suppose that I could stay in bed a bit longer. Just as I was driven to defeat that devil, I feel the need to carry out this part of my goddess’ mandate.”
He cracks an eyelid and all but glares at her, while she blushes furiously.
He growls at her, “About that…might you know how I could reach her? I’d like to have a chat with her about a couple of things. Perhaps she can put you to rights. On a more serious note, I’d like to be able to contact her for aid in case you are unable to, as you were in that temple of undead.”
She pokes at him, “Stop talking. You’re tensing up again.”
He sighs and relaxes, indulging himself in her activity. In short order, she has him groaning pleasurably as she works. Too soon for his taste, she’s done. She whips off her robe, flops down next to him, and kisses his cheek.
She grins at him, “My turn now.”
He heaves himself up and pads off to dress. When he returns, he shakes his head and sighs. She lays, naked on the coverlet with her eyes closed. At hearing him approach, she opens her eyes and rewards him with a brilliant smile.
He smiles back, “Where shall I start?”
In silent answer, she lifts a leg and proffers him a foot. Ripping his gaze away from her all too riveting nudity, he picks up a discarded towel and covers her with it. He dips his hand into the bowl on the brazier and takes some of the oil in his hands and reaches for her foot. In a matter of moments, her comparatively diminutive foot disappears in his grasp as she sighs in contentment.
He works slowly, coaxing the tension from each muscle, before proceeding. Finally, he has her roll over on to her stomach. He nods to himself at seeing so many of her scars gone and even more that have faded. He makes a mental note to speak to the healer to see what effect, if any, the healing potions may be having on her now. He’d also like to see some more done for her, if that’s possible.
She sighs deeply at the feel of his thumbs digging in to her spine and nearly groans at the feel of his hands kneading her back and legs. Finally, he’s done and tries to keep his eyes averted as he tucks her into the bed. She’s so relaxed he’s not even sure that she realizes she’s being tucked in.
She mumbles something as he pulls the covers over her, but is promptly asleep. He wanders about the room for a moment, blowing out candles before going to bed. He stands there for a long moment, staring down at her as she sleeps peacefully. He knows in his heart that he would trade all of Toril for her in an instant.
Smiling to himself, he closes the curtains tightly. If he can keep the sunlight out, perhaps she will sleep later. With all the small details attended to, he climbs into bed next to her. He luxuriates in the space for a moment before reaching for his precious one. In her sleep, she reaches for him as well, which makes him smile.
He contemplates his life and decides it can easily be divided into segments. The first was when his mother was still alive and he was so young he can’t recall all that much. The second was after she died and he was on the streets, and he doesn’t like to recall too much of that. No one likes eating from garbage cans.
The third was his time in the Abyss and most of his memories of that passed away as he regained his humanity. The fourth was his time with the Seer and perhaps the only portion of his life that he can recall with any clarity. Her arrival into his life marks the fifth and perhaps the happiest time of his life. This thought makes him smile as he drifts off to sleep, with his angel in his arms.
He wakes in the morning to find her still sleeping peacefully next to him and lays there, content. He looks around the room and the heavy curtains have done their work, shutting out the early morning sunlight so that it doesn’t wake her. He eases himself out of bed and peeks out a window only to find that it’s later than even he had realized.
Dressing quickly in his clothes from the night before, he lets himself out of the room and heads down stairs. Running a hand through his sleep mussed hair, he heads for the bar, where Mhaere is busy setting up for the rest of the day.
Mhaere takes in his appearance and grins at him, “Seems someone else needed their beauty sleep, too. Ready for breakfast?”
Valen nods, “Yes, at least I think so. I left her sleeping so I should probably get back.”
Mhaere frowns at him, “Why is that so urgent?”
He heaves a sigh, heading toward the stairs, “She tends to panic if I’m not at least close by when she wakes.”
He jogs up the stairs and opens to the door to find her sitting up in bed stretching. He slips inside and leans against the door, watching her for a moment. She finishes her yawn, opens hers eyes, and sees him standing there. Without really thinking, she holds out her arms to him and beams at him.
He moves swiftly to sit on the side of the bed and leans into her proffered embrace. While she tugs at his hair tie, he rolls and carries her with him, so that she ends up lying atop him. One of his hands threads into her hair while the other strokes gently down her spine.
He can feel her kissing his jaw, so he turns toward her obligingly. She just nuzzles deeper into the crease at his neck.
He chuckles and pokes her in the ribs, “You need to get something on, my love. Mhaere is bringing up breakfast and Johann will be here soon, too. He’s promised to take me out scouting locations. You should probably at least put a nightgown on, for the sake of their sense of decency if nothing else.”
He can feel her nip his shoulder lightly at this last statement and he chuckles.
He grabs her chin and pulls her around to face him, “Since I will be gone and it will only be the healer to watch you, I will make a deal with you. If you will promise to stay in bed, I’ll let Deekin come to work with you on your temple sketches while we’re gone.”
She pouts for a moment and then brightens, “How long do you think you’ll be gone?”
He shrugs, “At least a couple of hours, more likely most of the morning — what’s left of it.”
She nods, “Very well, I promise I will stay in bed until you get back.”
She rolls off him and pads across the room, oblivious to the effect that her nudity has on him, in search of a clean nightgown. She rummages in the dresser, popping open drawers to scan the contents only to slam them shut again since they don’t hold what she seeks.
He sighs, finding the sight of her so to be quite fetching. Finally, she finds what she’s looking for and yanks the nightgown on over her head, breaking the spell.
The nightgown has arrived in the nick of time, since a knock on the door sounds almost simultaneously. Morrighu giggles and scampers back to bed. He laughs and rolls off the bed to answer the door. When he opens it, he finds Mhaere there with one tray and a small package.
He lets her in the room and Mhaere bustles about arranging things while she chats with Valen.
Mhaere snorts, “Johann is downstairs waiting on you. You’d best be getting changed so you can go with him.”
Valen grabs some clothing and steps behind the screen to change. When he emerges, Morrighu smiles at him. He’s wearing the outfit that she embroidered for him.
He smiles back at her, “Since I am your agent in all of this, it only seemed proper that I wear your insignia.”
Her smile widens at this.
Mhaere hands the small package to him, “Since Johann is here, I packed your breakfast for you. You can eat it on the way.”
He smiles at Mhaere, “Thank you. I can’t wait to see what’s in it.”
He walks over to the bed and cups Morrighu’s cheek before planting a kiss on the top of her head, “Be good while I’m gone.”
Morrighu looks up at him, “You have the word of a paladin on the matter.”
He nods, satisfied and turns back to Mhaere, “I’ll send in Deekin and the healer. Would you mind keeping an eye on her until they come?”
Mhaere nods and sits on foot of Morrighu’s bed while she begins devouring her breakfast.
With another quick pat on the head, he turns and is gone.
Mhaere gestures at the room, “So, do you like it?”
Morrighu nods at her and mumbles around a mouthful of food, “I love it. Who’s idea was it to dress the rafters?”
Mhaere grins, “Valen asked me if I would redecorate since he wasn’t sure what you might consider opulent. We finished everything else and the ceiling still looked so plain, so I took the dried greenery we normally use at Midwinter and we covered the rafters in it. I decided that it still needed something so I sent Tamsil to the flower market to find something that was already in a stasis spell and she came back with the lilies.”
Morrighu, munching thoughtfully, says, “Do you know what all that means, at least amongst my people? The ivy is fidelity and the holly is domestic happiness. The juniper is protection and the lily symbolizes eternal love. It is a pledge of love and protection woven about my bed. It could hardly be more romantic.”
Mhaere frowns, “I did better than I thought, then. I admit that I was rather surprised when he came to me with his request.”
Morrighu laughs, “Hah! You don’t know him as I do. He’s a closet romantic. You should hear the songs he sings to me and the poetry he quotes.”
Mhaere looks startled for a moment, “He sings? I would never have thought it. I suppose that there would have to be more to him than meets the eye. You’ve known and traveled with a great many renowned fighters, and none of them caught your fancy. Yet in the space of, I think Nathyrra said, a mere three months, he has earned both your respect and your devotion.”
Part of me (guess which part!) wanted to unfreeze Jessica, restore her to her normal size, and go at it until we both passed out. By her conversation, I knew she’d be a very willing partner. But now I knew my spell had definitely worked. So how do you summon thirty two of the sexiest women in the world, all of them willing to do your bidding, without finding yourself stuck in a deep, dark hole by someone who wants to know how you pulled off such a nifty little trick?
I looked at the clock and realized I was going to be late for class. With a simple spell, I made the chess set look as I first found it, and headed to class, putting off the decision of what to do until later.
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