The Cowboy Way Ch. 09
“(Okay, I’m gonna try and make everyone happy with this chapter. Britney is going to make Ryley think twice about Mandy. I hope you enjoy her return as well as Jessica Simpson later in the story. I hope you continue to read, because I have revealed more of Ryley’s character. I also hope that you guys vote and send me your feedback. The chapter with Mandy was the top story for a couple of weeks, until the other day, it fell big time with one vote, so someone really nailed me to get me off the top. And now someone is voting against me on almost all my stories, they’re falling big time with only one vote. I’d really like to know why a person would do this and if the person who did this is reading this, then at least have the decency to email me and let me know why. So I encourage you all to vote if you enjoy the story. Thanks-the cowboy)”
Ryley and Britney stood not five feet apart, seemingly prepared to go to war. The only things that moved were Britney’s eyes as they swept over Ryley’s form. Ryley didn’t move a muscle, his eyes were blazing with a message that was all too clear: fuck off. Apparently, Britney either didn’t see the look, or if she did, she didn’t care.
She smiled and then stepped up to him and wrapped her arms around his waist, giving him a big hug. Ryley looked down her back to her incredible ass, which was showing very clearly through a pair of skin-tight white pants. He sighed and wrapped one arm around her back, squeezing lightly.
Britney stepped back and smiled up at him. Ryley still couldn’t bring himself to smile back at her. He stepped back, out of her reach and continued to brush Cheyenne, who had been standing there watching them. Ryley glanced over at Britney.
“What are you doing here?” he asked.
Britney looked down at the ground as if she was embarrassed. Ryley knew her very well though, and this was not embarrassment or humility, she was up to something. He decided to go along with it for a while, just to see what she was up to.
“Is that all you can say?”
Ryley was finished brushing Cheyenne, so he threw the brush back into the stall.
“I’m sorry, Britney,” Ryley said, feigning compassion. “But you were the one who fucking sold me out! And then on top of it you were gonna fuck that- that shithead, Kyle Mc-I’m-a-dick!”
“He raped me!” Britney shouted, her face turning beat red.
Ryley suddenly noticed that the barn, which had been fairly noisy before from conversations of other people, had gone deathly quiet. Shaking his head, realizing this was stupid, Ryley re-saddled Cheyenne in the blink of an eye. He led the horse outside, past Britney and climbed into the saddle.
He looked back into the barn and saw several people looking on with a heightened curiosity. Ryley held out his hand to Britney. She looked at it for a moment and then grabbed his hand. Ryley pulled her up into the saddle in front of him.
Wrapping his arms around her waist, he grabbed the reins and turned Cheyenne in a tight circle and pointed him towards a trail that lead off into the mountains. The big horse shook his head and then trotted off across the barnyard. Ryley held up his hand to protect Britney’s face from some low branches as they entered the narrow trail.
They rode in silence for a few minutes. Ryley’s body was reacting predictably to feeling Britney against it for the first time in months. The feel of her narrow waist in his arms and her incredible ass rubbing against his cock was making his stomach flip. Ryley pulled Cheyenne to a stop where the trail opened up into a lush green meadow.
Without saying a word, Ryley swung out of the saddle and reached up for Britney’s waist. She leaned over and placed her hands on his shoulders, giving him a nice view down the front of her baby blue, V-neck shirt. He blinked his eyes and lifted her out of the saddle, placing her on the ground in front of him.
Immediately, her arms encircled his neck and she stood on her tiptoes, her lips meeting his. Ryley reacted instinctively, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her to him. He opened his mouth and their tongues clashed, greeting each other for the first time in a long time. Britney’s breath came raggedly through her nose and she moaned into Ryley’s mouth as she ground her body against his.
Ryley pulled back, taking a deep breath and gently disengaged Britney from his neck.
“What?” she asked. “Don’t you want this?”
“Of course I do, Britney. But what the fuck? What are you up to?”
She shrugged. “Nothing, I just miss you.”
Britney’s voice was like the sirens that lured sailors to their deaths. “Bullshit.”
She smiled, coyly. Her hand reached out and grabbed his belt buckle. Before Ryley could do anything, she had pulled his pants away from his waist just enough to slip her other hand down his pants. He gasped as she found his cock and stepped closer, her face turned down slightly, but her eyes pointed up at his.
Ryley fought to control himself as her cool fingers wrapped around his shaft and teased him, stroking and squeezing lightly.
“What are you doing?” he asked, swallowing hard.
She turned her face up to his and trailed her tongue up his throat, licking him sensuously.
“Exactly what you want. Why?”
Ryley’s mind was swimming. “I feel like my head is going to explode, Britney. I don’t know what to think.”
“Why think?”
Ryley had never before realized the power Britney held over him. Perhaps she hadn’t realized it either, but she was learning quickly. Her mouth hung open slightly as she continued to stroke him. Ryley reached out and slid his hand under her shirt. He ran his hand up her stomach, pushing her bra up over her breasts. Britney gasped as he cupped her breast in his hand, gently squeezing.
“You sold me out, Britney,” he said, a groan escaping his lips. “After everything we went through.”
“Oh, come on, Ryley,” she cooed in his ear. “Come back to me and I’ll make it all better.”
Ryley shook his head. “I can’t. Not now.”
“Why because of that prissy little bitch, Mandy?”
Ryley’s temper flared. He pulled Britney’s hand out of his pants then, using his hold on her arm, spun her around off her feet. Britney screamed as she fell, but Ryley grabbed her shoulders before she hit the ground.
He forced her to the thick grass on her back, straddling her waist and pinning her arms over her head. Britney’s eyes were wide with fear, her strangled gasps and the position of her arms forced her breasts out from her chest. Ryley glared down at her, the site of her like that turned him on extremely.
“Don’t you ever talk about her like that, Britney. Do you hear me?”
Britney nodded, slowly. Ryley’s eyes devoured her distraught form and he could feel her trembling underneath him.
“Please, Ryley,” Britney begged, her lower lip trembling. “Don’t do this.”
Ryley’s eyes softened. “Do what?”
“Rape me.”
Ryley moved one leg from the side of her waist and placed his knee between her thighs. He nudged her legs apart and then slid down her body, settling his throbbing erection against her mound. Britney moaned, throwing her head back and thrusting her chest out as he ground himself against her.
He stopped what he was doing and released her hands, holding himself above her on his arms. Britney didn’t move her hands, her eyes locked on his. Slowly, she moved her hands up and wrapped them around his neck. Leaning down, he kissed her, biting her lower lip gently.
“I would never hurt you,” he whispered.
Britney kissed him again. “Ryley,” she whispered. “You always scared me.”
“What?”
She smiled. “It was the most exciting feeling I’d ever felt. Since the first time I saw you, I was scared. You’re so confident, so in control all the time. And that excited me, so much,” she whispered, grinding her hips against him.
“Everyone was scared of you,” she continued. “Why do you think my record sales went up? People thought I was like a goddess for controlling you.”
Ryley shook his head. “What does that mean, Britney?”
“I want you back, Ryley. I need you, in so many ways,” she said, her voice pleading.
“You’re not what I thought you were.”
Britney continued to writhe against him. “I love you, Ryley. I love everything about you.”
“I don’t mean to sound all high and mighty,” he said, smiling. “But you love the sex.”
A moan escaped Britney’s lips. “Of course I do. You’re the most incredible guy I’ve ever been with.”
“But you don’t love me,” Ryley said, stressing it this time.
“Well what is love, Ryley? Why can’t the sex be enough?”
“What about your heart, Britney? What about mine?”
Britney reached between them and undid his pants. Ryley didn’t stop her as she reached inside and managed to pull his cock out. The cool air was a sharp contrast to the rising temperature in his pants. She stroked him, looking up at him, her eyes sparkling.
“What about it, Ryley? Don’t tell me you don’t want to fuck me. You want me more than you’ve ever wanted anything.”
Ryley pushed off the ground and knelt between Britney’s legs. He pulled his shirt off over his head and threw it aside. Reaching down, he pulled Britney to a sitting position before him. She pulled her shirt off and quickly undid her bra, throwing both of them aside.
Her breasts were just as gorgeous as Ryley remembered them. Pushing Britney onto her back, he pulled her pants and thong off her body and tossed them over on top of her shirt. He pushed her knees up to her chest and Britney grabbed her thighs, holding herself open.
Ryley took his burning cock in his hand and pointed it at Britney’s smooth, wet pussy. Without hesitating, he placed the head against her moist lips and thrust all of his nine inches inside of her. Britney cried out, throwing her head back, releasing her legs and grabbing Ryley’s shoulders as he leaned down over her.
Ryley had forgotten how tight she was. The feel of her tight, wet pussy clamping down on his cock made him think that maybe the two of them were meant to be together. They always had fit together so well.
Britney whined, breathing raggedly. He leaned down and kissed her, silencing her wails of passion. She took his face in her hands and kissed him back, their tongues dueling like old foes.
Ryley began to thrust inside of her, living on the feelings of her hot, wet pussy. The incredible sensation of her lips sucking on his cock was like living a fantasy. The fact that she was Britney Spears and every man in America’s fantasy didn’t hurt either.
Suddenly, Ryley noticed a tenderness in Britney’s lips that seemed to materialize from her previous hunger. Breathing deeply of her scent, Ryley returned her tenderness so quickly it shocked him. They seemed to melt into each other’s arms.
“I’m so sorry, Ryley,” she whispered.
He opened his eyes and looked down at her. She was crying, tears rolling down her cheeks.
“I don’t know what I was saying before. I was never scared of you,” she whispered.
Ryley smiled and kissed her again. “Then what is it?”
Britney moaned at the feel of his throbbing cock buried deep inside her. “I just can’t picture myself settling down with someone. And I know that’s what you want, it’s the one thing I can’t give you.”
Ryley leaned down and kissed her at the corner of her mouth, then leaned down further and nipped lightly at the skin of her throat. He felt Britney’s hand on the back of his head, holding him there. Taking her cue, he sucked on the skin of her throat, very hard. He lightly bit her then, and Britney cried out, writhing underneath him, but still holding him in place.
When he finally released her throat he could see what he already knew would be there. Britney’s eyes locked on his and hers were filled with tears. Ryley nodded slightly and Britney closed her eyes. With her unspoken consent, Ryley had given her a mark that would heal, but would leave a scar. Britney opened her eyes.
“I’ll always remember you,” she whispered.
He smiled. “I’ll never forget you.”
Ryley slid his cock back out until just the head was left inside her, her lips stretched tight around the large head. Britney closed her eyes and Ryley slammed back inside her. She cried out and bucked her hips underneath him.
They began to fuck each other like they both knew they were built to do. Ryley’s cock sawed in and out of her pussy, quickly bringing Britney to an ear-splitting orgasm. Her fingernails dug into his arms, breaking the skin, she came so hard.
Ryley felt like his cock was being burned, that’s how tight he was squeezed when she came. He felt her juices flowing out around his shaft, coating her inner thighs and dripping down to cover his nuts. Somehow his cock didn’t catch fire and he continued to pound Britney furiously.
Her hands roamed over Ryley’s body, as she was lost in the feel of his cock splitting her open. Since they had split up, Britney hadn’t been with a guy who could make her feel like this. Feeling every inch of his cock spreading her and hitting places she didn’t even know existed was so surreal. She moaned as Ryley held himself deep inside her and rotated his hips, hitting something that sent lightning bolts up Britney’s spine.
She cried out in surprise, another orgasm washing over her and her entire body going rigid like she had been shocked. Britney’s open mouth was then covered by Ryley’s and they kissed passionately. He continued to pound her pussy, pushing her bare ass into the grass underneath her.
“Oh God, Ryley,” Britney moaned. “I missed this.”
“I did too,” he replied, grunting in between thrusts.
Ryley withdrew his cock and Britney already knew what he wanted, even before he helped her get up on her hands and knees. Britney looked back over her shoulder, seeing his large, throbbing cock glistening with her juices. She moaned as she saw him move forwards, his cock disappearing from view a moment before she felt it stretching her open.
She closed her eyes, whining as she felt herself stretching and being filled with that pulsating organ. Ryley grabbed her hips and pulled her back onto his cock. Britney felt his balls settle against her clit and she reached down between her legs and gently held his balls.
Ryley felt Britney’s hand grasp his nuts as he began to pound her from behind. He looked down, enjoying the sight of his cock splitting her open and sliding in and out of her body. His eyes settled on Britney’s face, which was turned just enough for him to see that her eyes were squeezed shut. Occasionally, the tip of her tongue would come out and wet her lips before she moaned.
She continued to squeeze and caress Ryley’s nuts, a feeling that made his cock swell inside her. All too soon, he could feel his cock burning and twitching. The need to fill her with his seed was overwhelming and he jerked her back and forth on his cock like a rag doll. Britney moaned long and loud, the sound interrupted every time their bodies met with an audible slap.
Britney could sense that he was close, she could feel his cock getting bigger and harder inside her pussy. She bit her lower lip, knowing that his orgasm would trigger hers. She began to massage his balls harder; the pressure would probably border on pain any other time but now it only served to intensify what Ryley was feeling.
Ryley cried out and grabbed Britney’s long blonde hair in one of his hands and pulled back, yanking her head up. He exploded inside her, his cock shooting his seed deep inside her womb. Britney’s body reacted explosively, her pussy clamping down on his cock, locking him deep inside her. An incredible orgasm washed over her body, the heavenly explosion of light in her eyes leaving her blind and breathless.
She could feel his cock jerking inside of her tunnel as he shot forth wad after wad of his white, hot cream. Britney gasped for breath, her entire body shaking in ecstasy. She wiggled her hips, causing Ryley’s cock to twitch and shoot several more ropes of cum into her.
Finally, he collapsed on top of her, pushing her to the ground where they lay breathless, still locked together. Ryley lowered his face to her shoulder and planted a kiss on her smooth, flawless skin. Britney emitted a soft, satisfied sigh underneath him, a contented smile spreading across her face.
Eventually they both got up and got dressed. Neither said a word as they climbed back on Cheyenne, who had been grazing in the meadow with disinterest. They rode back towards the ranch, both deep in thought.
Britney was leaning back against Ryley in the shelter of his strong arms for what she already knew would be the last time. She would miss him, but she knew that the two of them didn’t have much of a future. Ryley wanted the one thing that scared Britney more than anything and was the last thing she wanted; a long term romance, possibly marriage.
Ryley also knew this would be the last time they would be together like this, which is why he didn’t say anything. He owed Britney more than he cared to admit. She had rescued him after all, whether she knew it or not. She had brought him back into the world from the cocoon he had been living in. Perhaps in a perfect world they could be together and at one time Ryley had wanted nothing more than that. But now he knew Britney and though he cared for her, he knew their hearts were too different to survive the other’s.
When they reached the barn Ryley slid from the saddle and helped Britney down again. They stood in silence for a moment as Britney pulled the keys to the Camaro out of her pocket. At that moment Ryley saw an incredibly large guy climb out of a black BMW near the Camaro.
“Well, Ryley,” Britney said.
He smiled down at her and removed his Stetson, squinting into the late afternoon sun.
“You like your car?” he asked.
Britney gave him an honest, heart felt smile. “I love it, Ryley. Thank you. It’s actually the reason I came out here.”
“What?”
Britney held out her hand, the keys dangling from her fingers. “I came to give it to you.”
“Why?”
She looked down for a few moments and then over at the guy standing near the BMW.
“Britney,” he said, using a condescending tone.
“I know, Ryley. That’s my car and that’s my new bodyguard.”
Ryley sighed. “Don’t let them control your life again, Britney. I won’t be around to fish you out.”
“I know,” she said, her voice slightly impatient. “I just . . .” she said, but stopped, her lower lip trembling. She raised her hand to cover her face for a moment then drew a deep, composing breath. “This is my life, Ryley. I love my music. I love to sing. The BMW sells so that’s what they want me to drive.”
“And Colin Farrell?”
She looked up sharply. He smiled own at her. “No, Colin is all my own doing.”
Ryley nodded. “All right.”
“I have to go, Ryley. I know I’ll see you around town. But never like this again.”
Ryley reached up and placed his hand over the mark on the side of her throat. Britney closed her eyes at his touch and leaned her cheek against his hand. Knowing he would never get another chance, Ryley leaned down and gently kissed her. She opened her mouth and caught his lower lip in her teeth, pulling on it lightly.
“Good bye, Britney,” Ryley said, lowering his hand and stepping back.
Britney held out the keys and Ryley took them, kissing her hand in the same motion. She smiled.
“Good bye, Ryley. Good luck with everything.”
He reached up and set his Stetson back on his head. Britney turned and walked over to the BMW. She climbed into the passenger seat as her bodyguard got into the driver’s seat. Ryley watched them drive down the driveway, trailing a cloud of dust until they were around the bend out of sight.
Ryley lowered his head for a moment then looked back up. “Thank you, Britney.”
THREE DAYS LATER
The heat of the Kansas sun sent shimmering waves off the black finish of the 1969 Z28 Camaro. Ryley and TJ, both with their shirts off to tolerate the heat, were busy wrenching on the motor. Neither of them said much, each too engrossed in their tasks to offer anything very philosophical.
Nathyrra is shocked to see that her scream sends a cloud of dust rolling outward from her feet. The rug in the center of the room flutters and the Maker’s attack falters. Nathyrra feels the scream cut through her head and send her reeling.
Even Valen staggers to one side, for a moment. With all of her air expended, she must draw her next breath. As she does, Nathyrra feels a surge of magic rush through her. Her magic feels amplified and she casts almost reflexively.
Morrighu opens her mouth wide and tilts her head back, issuing another ear-splitting scream. Valen sneaks a look at Morrighu out of the corner of his eye and sees a coruscating aura around her.
Once again, the rug flutters and small dust devils twirl across the floor of the Maker’s sanctuary. As her scream continues, Valen feels his wounds healing and feels a surge of strength.
He notices that the Maker isn’t able to continue his attack and so lays into the Maker with his flail. Morrighu runs out of air and draws her next breath.
She screams for the third time and her aura expands, stabilizing. Valen feels his strength increase and Nathyrra feels even more magic at her disposal.
Morrighu finally stops screaming but the aura around her remains. A golden shimmer, almost like pollen on a summer breeze, seems to swirl and dance around her.
Valen sees the dead blank look on her face and yellow eyes that serves as a warning she is almost completely possessed by her goddess. He moves carefully out of her way as she walks calmly up to the Maker and reaches out to grasp the demi-lich.
She makes another attempt to turn him and this time he screams as he crumbles into dust in her grip. She releases the dust in a stream from her hand and as the last grains fall, her eyes roll back while her knees buckle. Valen sees her start to go down and lunges forward to catch her.
He lays her out gently and looks at Nathyrra, “What in the name of the nine hells was that?”
Nathyrra shakes her head as she checks for any wounds or other damage.
Valen sighs and lifts the unconscious paladin to cradle her against him.
He shifts her slightly so that he has a free hand to stroke her face, “Morrighu, wake up. Please wake up. Damn you, don’t you die! ”
Nathyrra’s heart nearly breaks as she hears him whisper, “Please don’t leave me. I can’t bear it if you leave me. I don’t know what you did, but it wasn’t worth it.”
A voice behind them surprises them, “That was the blood rage. She must care for you very much, tiefling. It is not something she can invoke on her own behalf, but only to protect those she loves. She taps her life energy and redirects it. This has the unfortunate side-effect of leaving her rather drained. Allowed to rest, she will replenish naturally over several days. Due to the movements of the Valsharess’ forces, you do not have time for her to rest here, inactive, for that long. Fortunately for you, I can borrow from other sources to meet her needs.”
Valen and Nathyrra are surprised to see the goddess again.
The goddess lays her hands on the paladin and warm yellow glow surrounds the paladin briefly and then seems to sink in to her.
The goddess looks at Valen, “Be kind to my daughter, tiefling and be more careful with yourself since she risked herself so for your sake. She will wake soon. You may tell her that I am not entirely displeased but I would have her be more careful.” The goddess disappears as silently and quickly as she came.
Nathyrra shakes a finger at Valen, “I told you she loves you. Now her goddess has told you the same. She has sworn an oath to you. I know you care for her. Why will you not tell her? She has poured her very life out rather than see you harmed. I do not understand you, Valen. What must she do to be trustworthy in your eyes?”
Valen looks up at Nathyrra stricken, “Ye gods, Nathyrra. I sit here holding what is likely the love of my life in my arms, hoping that she will wake, hoping that no real harm has been done, and hoping that I am not a fool. Could you not find another time to chide me for my lack of trust?”
Valen sits looking stricken and stroking Morrighu’s face, rocking her.
Finally she stirs a bit, and Valen sighs, “Wake up, Morrighu. Please wake up.”
She doesn’t wake but she nestles against him. He’s becoming frantic now and he shakes her jaw gently, “Wake up. You have to wake up.”
He’s rewarded by seeing her eyes flutter open and she smiles.
She reaches up and strokes his face gently, “Waking up to those blue eyes of yours yet again…”
He cuts her off in mid-sentence with a kiss. He pours his need, his fear, his unspoken love, and all of his feelings into that kiss. She feels all of it and responds to him. Her arms twine around his neck and she offers up her feelings for him into the kiss.
It turns passionate and devouring and Nathyrra, somewhat embarrassed at being party to what is so obviously a private moment clears her throat.
Nathyrra toes Valen and interrupts them, “It seems that you do need my services as a chaperone after all, unless you plan to take Valen as your consort in more than just name.”
Valen releases her with a slightly embarrassed chuckle.
Morrighu looks up at Nathyrra, “It is by his choice that we wait. I have a more practical philosophy. If you want something and it’s offered to you freely, take it.”
Valen crushes her to him, “What was that you did? And don’t ever do that again! You nearly scared the life out of me.”
She sighs, “I couldn’t stand to see you harmed, so I called one of my abilities as the Badb aspect. If you will recall, my aspect is battle rage and frenzy. Summoning the rage like that…is nearly instinctive when I feel the need to protect at all costs. The stronger the need is, the more I call it. It bleeds a lethal flux of rage and magic into my system from my goddess. There is not much that can stand against me once I have given myself over to it. However, it has its price. It costs me sorely and can take days for me to recover fully from it.”
She looks at him shyly, “It is not something I can invoke on my own behalf either. It can only be invoked for those I have strong feelings for.”
He kisses her forehead and nose gently, “I know. Your goddess told me. We have both been chided by her for being careless.”
She sighs, “Then I assume that she told you the rest?”
Valen looks puzzled, so she continues, “Fine then. Since you will not be plain with me, I will be plain with you. You may take it how you will. Life is both precious and precarious. This is the third time I have nearly died in your company and I will not pass the veil and leave this unspoken.”
She grabs his pony tail and pulls his head down so that he is transfixed, swimming in that smoky gaze of hers, “Put plainly, Valen Shadowbreath, I love you. My heart is yours so kindly be at least a little careful with it. You do not have to tell me how you feel about me. Your actions show it plain enough. When you are ready, you will say the words. Until then, I have done my part and am content. There should be no doubt for you now. You may do what you will with that knowledge.”
He sighs and begins to pepper her face with small tender kisses.
Nathyrra blushes to see them so and after a few minutes she pokes Valen’s back with her toes, “Hello, third wheel here. Cut that out, Valen. Morrighu, are you alright?”
Morrighu grins up at them, “I am quite well. I would be better had you not made him stop.”
Morrighu sighs deeply, “Chaperone, indeed.”
Valen stands and lifts her to his feet as he does so, depositing her gently. Nathyrra laughs and the pair blushes.
Morrighu turns and says, “We need to see if there is anything of value here that we might use against the Valsharess.”
She begins searching the Makers inner sanctum and finds several artifacts, which Nathyrra identifies for her. She offers them anything they can use. They sit for a while rearranging their packs to accommodate the new items.
Morrighu stows the rest, “I wonder if it would be worth it to go back to camp from here and sell some of this off. I know Rizolvir would give his teeth for some of these things. I would almost rather go on to the other island from here and see if there is not a merchant there.”
Valen considers, “How full is your pack, my lady?”
“There is still rather a lot of room. I still have several bags that have nothing in them.”
He nods, “Then I agree that we should proceed to the next island. We do not know how long we will have Cavallas’ services. I also know that you do not trust him and would be done with him as soon as you are able.”
She nods in agreement, “I saw a portal here. If the two of you wish to test it, I think it will take us back without having to cross that bridge again.”
Nathyrra shivers, “I do not like to use an unknown portal, but I dislike the idea of crossing that bridge again even less.”
Valen nods, “As the heaviest of the three, I can tell you I like it even less than Nathyrra. The portal it is.”
Morrighu laughs, “So be it!” and leaps through the portal.
Startled, Valen and Nathyrra leap after her. They find themselves in a small locked room with a door lever. Morrighu pulls the lever and the door creaks open to show the corridor where they first entered.
She cries, “Hah! I knew it. We’re very near the exit. This is good. We can get out of here and back to Cavallas.”
She moves quickly to the steps and waits for the others to join her. With Valen and Nathyrra on her heels, she trots up the steps and opens the door, walking straight into a duergar ambush.
Valen sees her stiffen, clamp her helm back on, and reach for her blades. He un-slings his flail and follows suit. He watches as she moves forward with that same uncoiled tension that belies her intentions to the casual observer.
The leader of the duergar confronts her, “You were down there for an awfully long time. That gave me a chance to talk things over with my crew. If you’re going to pick our place clean, we deserve part of the loot. It’s nothing personal.”
Before she can respond, Valen speaks from behind her, “Funny. When a bunch of armed thugs point weapons at me, I tend to take it very personally.”
Morrighu walks up to their leader and plants a finger in her chest, “I think you should tread carefully. I do not care for being threatened and you would be ill-served to test my patience further. The rest of them, by some wild accident of chance, may drag us down, but I can assure you that if trouble starts, you will be the first to die. I can also assure you that we more than you can handle. Now stand down and step aside.”
The leader blanches at her words, but holds her ground, “We have you outnumbered by three to one. Times are hard, paladin. Hand over the goods.”
Morrighu sighs, “An army of you would not be sufficient, I assure you. Three to one is hardly in your favor. Again I tell you, stand down and step aside.”
The leader reaches for her weapon and Morrighu sighs, “It is your death sentence,” and in a single fluid movement draws her blades and decapitates the leader.
As their leader falls, the rest of the duergar attack but their attempt is futile. Morrighu and Valen make short work of them then Morrighu proceeds to loot the corpses.
When she’s done, she grimaces, “I hate doing that, but at least Ferron and his followers will be safe here for a time.”
Valen gives her shoulder an understanding squeeze and her hand comes up to cover his for a brief moment.
She looks back at him and says, “Let us be away from this place. I need to earn my way back into my goddess’ good graces.”
~*~
The tiefling’s face softens as smiles at the image in his mind, “I remember the first time she told me that she loved me. It was right after the third time she nearly died. She told me that she would not pass the veil and leave the words unspoken. I…I should have told her that I loved her then, but I did not.” He drains the ale mug, “I should have. Nathyrra tried to tell me, but I wouldn’t listen. I was proud and stubborn then too. Had I known, I would have loved her all the more; every moment should have been precious. I was careless with her heart even after she asked me to be careful with it.”
The bard looks at him, “You really miss her. She must really be something.”
The tiefling sighs, “Love is a rare and precious thing; true love even more so. What kind of a fool wanders off from his one true love?”
~*~
Osyyr opens the gates for them and Nathyrra leads them out.
When they are well away from the wall, Morrighu stops them, “We will go west. Nathyrra, I want you to scout ahead until you encounter their sentries. Once you have spotted their sentries, return to us. Do not engage them unless you must. Remember, we will be behind you. Run toward us if you have need. We’ll take care of whatever’s on your tail. If you can manage it without much risk, see if their command tents are located in the center of their encampment. If not, do not concern yourself overly much with it. One way or another we will take the head off this snake.”
Valen looks at her after Nathyrra moves off, “Now what do we do?”
She sighs, “We wait. Since we are so few, we must depend on stealth to accomplish what I have in mind.”
Valen nods, “I would speak to you, if I might, about the Underdark. There is an old drow saying about the Underdark: ‘Only death awaits the unwary within its shadows.’ Let caution rule your step, here. Even the most innocent-looking creature can be filled with poison strong enough to bring down a rothe beast.”
She nods, considering, “Tell me, Valen; are the drow superstitious at all?”
He sighs, his curiosity piqued, “Superstitious about what?”
She grins, “Evil spirits, bogeymen, ghosts, the dead; anything we can use to our advantage. I wish to make them think their worst, darkest, most secret fear has come to life.”
He laughs, “They fear the shadowvar more than anything. Having spent some time yourself on the Plane of Shadow, surely you understand this. Just how long were you there, anyway?”
She shakes her head, “I have no way to tell you. It was long enough for me to feel it starting to work on me, to turn me into a darker shadow of myself.” She shivers and wraps her arms around herself, “Very little time passed here. I do not know how much time passed there, before I found the relic and left that place. It seemed like months to me. I know that I traveled leagues on foot and had many battles, some lasting days with the shadow sorcerers and wizards.”
Valen sweeps her to him, “Shhhh….it is past and cannot hurt you now. Why are you trembling?”
She looks up at him with an expression of stark fear, “I spent a very long time there. What if I’m…What if it…changed me and I don’t know it?”
He laughs, “When is the last time you had the irrepressible urge to do something evil? You are not a bad person, Morrighu. Stop worrying.”
She sighs, “There is a part of it I haven’t told you, haven’t told anyone. When I was in the Plane of Shadow, I battled ferociously trying to get to an open portal to leave the plane. They had them everywhere to all sorts of places, but each time I got close to one, they would deliberately close it. They did this again and again even though they knew it meant facing me. We went on in this fashion for months. I would make my way into one of their strongholds and begin searching for portals. They would sell their lives to keep me from passing out of their realm. Had they but cleared me a path, I would have passed peacefully by them. Why fight me? Why fight me when I had already slain so many? Why fight me when I had declared my intent was only to leave, not to harm? Had they let me go through the first portal off their plane, a great many of them would still be living. You would think they would be pleased to see the back of me, problematic as I was for them, but they were not. They forced me to remain with them, battling them until I killed their arch mage and took the relic off his body. I cannot imagine that they kept me there for any altruistic reason, Valen. I suspect that they have done something to me and I do not know what it is as yet. Not knowing what, I do not know what to do to counter it. Now you know my darkest and most secret fear.”
Valen tightens his embrace, uncertain as to what to say to her. Finally he speaks, “What ever it is, if it is truly there, we shall uncover it. If it is there, it will make itself known in time. When that happens, we will deal with it. Whatever it is, I will be there to help you and we will make it right.”
She sighs heavily and closing her eyes, leans her head on his shoulder.
He strokes her hair gently and comforts her quietly. After a time, he hooks a finger under her chin and pulls her head up to face him. He kisses her soundly, “Stop worrying about what is done. We will cross that chasm when we get to it. Let us concern ourselves with what remains undone. We should be off trailing Nathyrra.”
They set off tracking Nathyrra carefully and Valen notices that no matter how little of a sign the drow assassin has left that Morrighu always seems to be able to find it.
Valen looks at her, “How is that you are able to track her so well? Some times we go long distances before we see anything to indicate that she passed this way. How is that you always seem to know that she has not changed directions in between?”
Morrighu grins, “The same way I know where you are when we spar blind. One is that I can feel it and two is that I can smell traces of her perfume.”
Valen sniffs the air experimentally, “I smell nothing.”
Morrighu moves behind him and steers him into position. He sees her turning her head back and forth slightly, casting for the scent. She adjusts his head and gestures for him to smell.
He sniffs again, “I still smell nothing.”
She says, “Close your eyes and seek a slight whiff of something floral — lilac, I think.”
He sniffs again and catches the faintest hint of something that might be floral but it isn’t strong enough for him to tell. It isn’t even enough for him to be sure he hasn’t imagined it. He looks at her, “You can smell that? I get a whiff of what might be something, but I cannot tell you what it is.”
She grins at him, “Well, it depends on where, in my cycle, I am. Some times it’s easier and some times it’s harder. The closer I am to my time, the more I can smell. During my time, it’s even worse. Some smells can make me truly wretched. I know that as long as I stay in the path of her perfume, I will come upon some sign she’s left for us to tell me if she’s changed direction.”
He teases her, “So what you’re telling me is that I’m about to be stuck in the caverns with a paladin who has a temper to match my own, skill enough to match my own, two enchanted swords, and who is about to become short tempered, bloated, and grumpy.”
She shakes her head, half-teasing, “No, short tempered, cramping, and grumpy. I don’t usually bloat much, if at all. All in all, it should make negotiating with the Elder Brain a rather interesting process.”
He chuckles at her, “I have no great love for the illithids, either.”
They continue in Nathyrra’s path, seeking the Valsharess’ forces. Valen cautions her, “You realize that if they seek to attack us…attack you, it will likely be out here — in the caverns.”
She grins at him wickedly, “I am well aware of it. That is but one reason I plan to turn the hunter into the prey. They have two fatal flaws — they are overconfident and they underestimate me. It will be the last thing they expect to have happen to them.”
As they enter the caverns proper, Valen is startled by seeing Morrighu start to sprint. He follows her instinctively, as she chases after a drow scout. The scout runs toward some sinkholes and before Valen can stop her, she continues after him. Gritting his teeth, Valen dashes after her; knowing that she does not realize the danger. Both of them plunge though the fragile crust of mineral deposits and land unexpectedly in a cavern below. Valen leaps after her and is not surprised to find that she’s already engaged the drow scout. He looks around and sees that their racket has attracted an unwanted visitor. A large gelatinous cube is making its way toward them. Morrighu, engaged as she is with the drow scout, does not seem to have noticed it as yet.
Valen curses softly under his breath and moves to engage it. The scout is not well armed and swings at Morrighu’s head with his bow. She ducks under the blow and comes up with both blades foreword, skewering him neatly in the chest. She spins about, seeking Valen and sees him engaged with a cube that seems to be trying to engulf him. She runs up to it and jabs it both blades.
Valen watches, amazed as the cube quickly turns hazy, and begins to disintegrate.
She grins at him, “I told you that there is a certain…vampiric nature to my blades. Cleaving such a thing did not seem to be useful, since your flail was having so little effect. Drinking the life out of most things is incredibly effective.” She looks Valen over critically, “You’re wounded. Here, take the blades.”
He shakes his head, “I have potions in my pack.”
She rolls her eyes at him, “If you discharge them, I can use them again if we encounter another one of these.”
He nods and she flips the blades so that he can grasp the hilts. He grabs them and gasps as he feels all of his wounds healing as well as the spirits they contain chuckling. After a few moments, he lets go of the blades, “That was most unusual.”
As she takes the blades back, she grins at him, “They like you. Now, let us find a way out of this place. If Nathyrra needs us, she will never find us here.”
Valen motions to her that he will lead. He stops suddenly, “Do you hear that? I hear water rushing. I wonder where it’s going.”
Morrighu nods, “We should find it and see.”
Valen leads them carefully until they are standing before a water fall that splashes into a small but noticeably not overflowing pool. Morrighu takes Valen’s hand and wades in.
He looks at her alarmed, “What are you doing?”
She grins, “You can easily pull me out. I don’t know if I can pull you, armor and all out, should the water carry you away. I want to see where the water is going and if there might be room for us to pass.”
He looks at her questioningly, “I don’t know that I want to risk you so.”
She grins at him, “I learned to swim early and well,” as she ducks beneath the surface of the water. She surfaces, blowing water, “It feeds into an underground river. I cannot tell for sure where it goes, but there is another cavern beneath us. The current is swift, should you choose to risk it, we will see where goes quickly.”
Valen looks at her curiously, “You are definitely in favor of making the attempt. Why would you choose to risk such a thing?”
She laughs, “Call it a hunch. I think it is way out. Did mention that we are all bonded and that Feya is capable of foretelling?”
Valen considers for a moment before wading in with her, “If I lower you more can you see any better?”
She shakes her head, “No, there is too much water rushing past.”
He sighs, “It is your decision then.”
She grins, “Take a deep breath, you may have to hold it for a bit.” She waits while he inhales a few times and then nods at her.
With that, she plunges into the stream and he feels her hand being torn from his grip. He plunges in behind her. They are only under water for a few seconds and when they surface, she is only a few feet in front of him. He finds that she was correct about the current being swift. They are carried around several bends in the stream before being finally deposited in a pool.
She laughs as she wades for the edge, “Rather reminiscent of the rothe beast’s trough, is not?”
He grins at her, “I suppose it is at that, and you did find a way out. We are not far from where you so unwisely charged into a sink hole. You really must learn to be more careful of such things.”
She sighs, “While you are correct, I would risk much to keep the Valsharess’ scouts from being able to make an accurate report on our movements. I intend to trap them and not the other way around.”
He still scolds her, “I understand why you did it, but we could have been more cautious in our approach. I only wish you to be wary. I am supposed to protect you from things you do not know are dangerous. You had no idea what you were charging into. That sinkhole could have concealed a thousand foot drop. You had no way to know.”
She nods silently and kisses his cheek, “You are correct. I will be more careful. I’m still learning what is dangerous here.”
He relents, “I should probably dunk you again for good measure.”
She looks at him impishly, “I’ll give you a kiss if you don’t.”
He arches a brow at her, “Hmmm….buying your way out. Very well, you may proceed.”
She looks at him shyly, “Can we get out of this pool of water first?”
He nods, “As you wish.”
She takes his hand and leads him to the edge. When they are standing on dry land, she turns to face him. She wraps her arms around his neck pulling herself against him. She reaches up, stroking his cheek before she pulls his head down within her reach. She nibbles his lower lip experimentally, pulling at it gently with her teeth. Emboldened at his response, her tongue tentatively begins to explore.
Her own need of him begins to flare again and kiss quickly becomes more passionate. He finds himself drawn to her need and answering it with his own. It was so subtle and tentative in the beginning, that she seems to have slipped past his restraint unnoticed. He lifts her bodily and pins her against the cavern wall, still kissing her. He moans as he pushes her head back so that he can start kissing her throat.
Her fingers grip his wet hair and pull his head back to her mouth. Her kiss is ferocious and demanding; it pours liquid fire into his blood. He groans into their kiss and starts unbuckling her armor, without any other consideration than how badly he wants her.
She freezes suddenly and begins pawing frantically at his belt. Valen, sensing her panic, but not realizing the reason, freezes also. She grabs quickly at a knife from his belt and throws it, skewering a myconid who had thought to make a snack of Valen’s foot while he was otherwise occupied.
Valen sighs and starts buckling her armor back up, “This is most unwise. As enticing as you are, this is a poor place.”
She groans, “Something always interrupts.”
He kisses her briefly, “One day, we will hide your necklace and I will have my way with you. I will kill anything that interrupts us, if I must. Or perhaps, we could get Nathyrra to wear it for a while.”
She laughs, “I’m not even certain that I can take it off.”
He sighs, “When the time comes, we shall deal with it, I promise.”
She laughs, “It’s a bargain. Now, we have to go find Nathyrra. Do you know how we can get back to where we were? I need to see if I can pick up her trail again.”
Valen grins over the top her head, “I don’t think that should be a big concern.”
She looks at him with her eyes narrowed, “Did you hit your head on something? Have you been poisoned? How can you say that? We must find her. What if she needs us?”
Nathyrra laughs, “It seems that the myconid is not the only thing that’s snuck up on you today.”
Morrighu spins around, surprised and hugs her, sighing with relief, “You cannot imagine how happy I am to see you.”
Nathyrra wrinkles her face, “It’s nice to know I’ve been missed. Ugh, you’re soaking wet. Where on earth have you been? I’ve been looking everywhere for you. I’ve found a group of them. It’s not a large group but it looks like a nice advance guard. They’re headed for the beholder’s caves.”
Morrighu looks at Valen, “Want to dry out here or on the way?”
Valen sighs, “I suppose I can slog along for a bit, but we really need to get our armor dry as soon as possible. I don’t want to let it start to rust.”
Morrighu looks at Nathyrra, “Is there anywhere that we might camp near where you think they are going? I’d hope for somewhere that we could watch the entrance but not be seen ourselves. I’d prefer somewhere that we could have a fire. We’re both soaked to the skin and I don’t see us getting our under-padding dry without a fire.”
Nathyrra thinks, “I think I might have seen a cave that will work nicely. A few rocks and our cloaks across the entrance and you should even be able to have your fire without being seen. It is also not that far from here.”
Morrighu looks at Valen, “What do you think?”
He nods, “It seems workable. We will be close enough to strike, if need be and yet able to dry out as well.”
The pair sets off following Nathyrra to the cave. Valen peeks into the cave, looking for signs of any inhabitants. He finds none and motions the others to follow him. He pokes around and nods his approval. He moves back to the entrance and shifts a couple of nearby rocks so that they partially block the entrance.
He looks at Morrighu, “You may as well start getting out of those wet things. See if our bed rolls are still dry. I’m going to see what I can find to build a fire with.”
Nathyrra looks at Morrighu as she checks the bed rolls and lays them out. She’s surprised when Morrighu begins promptly stripping her armor.
Nathyrra speaks, “He’s certainly got you well trained.”
Morrighu blushes, “I see no reason to disagree with him. He’s actually rather protective of me. Watch…he’ll dry my under-padding first.”
Nathyrra shakes her head so Morrighu continues, “For the first time in ages, I have someone I can depend on to take care of things. If I want anything, all I have to do is mention it and he takes care of it. All he asks in return is that I co-operate with him. I fear I’m becoming spoiled.”
Nathyrra chuckles, “I may have been mistaken. You have trained him well.”
Morrighu shakes her head, “No, I think we’ve trained each other. We’re still training each other. It hasn’t been easy. We’re both so used to being alone and only making decisions for ourselves. It’s been easier, I think, for him than it has for me. I’ve still not completely adapted to considering and making decisions for two. I try to remember to include him in everything and I think I’m getting better. I hope I am.”
Valen returns, “You are getting better. I know it hasn’t been easy for you. It’s only been a short while. Your habits have accumulated over your entire life. We’ve only been partners in this venture for a few days. It will become easier. I will help you, if I can.”
She sighs and reaches to stroke his cheek softly.
He chides her gently, “You are still not out of your armor. If you don’t give me your under-padding, how am I to get it dry for you? Nathyrra doesn’t care and neither do I.”
Nathyrra chuckles at recalling Morrighu’s comment.
She blushes, “All that will leave me is my silk pants and shirt. They’re pretty wet too.”
Valen looks puzzled, “Well, get in your bed roll and give me those, too.”
Morrighu blushes furiously but moves to comply while Valen finishes building the fire. Using some of the drift wood he’s gathered and some rope, he hangs up her things to dry before even removing his own armor. Nathyrra grins as Valen starts removing his armor and under-padding. He sits in nothing more than his silks, and starts oiling Morrighu’s armor.
Nathyrra sits next to Morrighu, “It seems that you are correct after all.”
Morrighu sighs, “I only thought that beds and baths were the biggest of luxuries. Having someone to share with — share the load and share the happy, quiet times too — is the biggest luxury of all. It’s been one of the more pleasant surprises.”
Nathyrra smiles at her, “I’m happy for you. You both seem better together than you did apart. I was a bit worried when he first agreed to be your patron-protector but after the way you handled that drunkard, I began to think it might work.”
Morrighu’s eyes narrow, “He insulted Valen and made a rude suggestion to me. He’s fortunate he still has his tongue. What with that whelp, the drunk, some of the nobles, and some of the jackanapes at the Ale Garden, I find that drow males are not high on my list. Imloth, Rizolvir, and some of the others have been nothing but kind and helpful but they are, in my experience so far, the exception and not the rule.”
Nathyrra nods, “Now you see why I told you that drow males are considered dangerous, stupid, and unstable. Anyone can look at you and see that you should be treated with respect. No female would ever think to insult you so. The Seer says that we must teach males to act better and treat them with respect. Those that do not follow the Seer can be quite hard to take.”
Valen checks and her silks are dry so he takes them to her, “Here, you can sit up now. I’m nearly done with your armor. I’ve wiped it down, and oiled everything, including all of your straps.” Valen moves back to work on his armor.
She wriggles into her silks and sheds the bed roll. She pads over to Valen and touches his shoulder lightly, “Thank you — for everything.” She crouches next to the fire, warming herself.
Valen notices that she’s cold so he sets his armor aside for a moment, “Come here. I can tell you’re cold,” as he scoops her into his lap. He shifts so that they are both closer to the fire. He reaches around her and resumes cleaning his armor.
Nathyrra blushes to see them being so domestic.
Morrighu’s head lolls against his shoulder, eyes closed and her forehead rests against his neck. He keeps working and every so often he bends foreword and kisses her cheek.
Nathyrra looks at Valen, “I will go keep watch for now. She seems to be in good hands.” Nathyrra moves outside to keep an eye on their quarry.
Valen finishes up with his armor and turns his full attention to Morrighu. He begins caressing her gently, just a soft brush of the finger tips on her arms, her thighs, her face, on any sensitive place until she is sighing in contentment.
He chuckles at the ease and simplicity of her response so she turns to look at him, “You seem fairly content yourself.”
He grins, “Sitting by a fire with a beautiful woman in my lap tends to make me content.”
She grins back at him, “It is relatively pleasant. Which watch should we let Nathyrra take?”
He grins back, “Which ever one you’d like to be awake for.”
She arches a brow, “And just how do you plan to make sure that I remain awake?”
He laughs and kisses her in answer. He gets up and rearranges the bed rolls so that his and Morrighu’s make one larger bed roll. Morrighu sits watching him as he arranges everything to his satisfaction.
He gestures for her to lie down, “I’ll see if our journey rations survived the dunking that we took.”
She lies down and looks at him, where he crouches rummaging in their packs, looking for water damage or things that need to be dried out.
She sighs, “Why are you so intent on taking care of everything?”
He looks at her, “Because I want you focused on the task at hand. I don’t want you being distracted by wondering if something in your pack is wet or by being hungry or tired. What we’re doing is dangerous enough and I promised you that I would do my best to protect you. It’s all part of the job. Further more, as your patron-protector, it is my duty to see that you are both safe and comfortable. Duty and obligation are only part of the story though. It pleases me to see to your needs. You seem pleased with my efforts and your pleasure pleases me as well.”
She grins, “Hmmm…I have my own ideas in that regard.”
He blushes furiously and spins to face her, “Do you now?”
She looks him in the eye, suddenly serious, and nods slowly. Her hand reaches up and pulls his head toward her. She kisses him slowly and deliberately, savoring the taste of him. He shifts position slightly and slides his thumbs along her jawbone, until he can cup her head. Suddenly she finds that he’s kissing her and she sighs, pulling back.
He looks at her askance, “Is something wrong?”
She shakes her head, “No, I have something to tell you. It may or may not be important to you.”
He looks at her and gestures for her to continue, “My cycle is due to start tomorrow. It’s one reason I wanted to leave camp. I…I have been known to be moody and temperamental. I was afraid if one of the other drow males mouthed off, that I might snap. There is enough tension between House Maeviir and the Seer as it is. There’s also another reason. It is also…well…I’d be less likely…um….the Seer gave me some herbs to take….ah”
He looks at her startled, “Are you trying to tell me that you would be less likely to become pregnant? And you have herbs from the Seer to help with this as well?”
She nods, mute and blushing. Finally she clears her throat, “I know I’m not handling this very well, but I don’t have much experience. I’m attempting to muddle through as best I can.”
He grins at her, “You really ought to hold that thought until we’re done with the Valsharess. One reason is that I fear being too distracted to protect you. She may send more assassins at any time. Another is that I would prefer to have the time to devote a proper amount of attention to you. I do not foresee us having a couple of days where I will be able to lock the door and tell everyone to leave us alone unless the building is on fire until we have dealt with her. What I meant when I said that I would rather wait until I can do a proper job, I have certain specific things in mind.”
She laughs, “Hmmm…perhaps that is worth waiting for.”
He laughs as well, “That does not preclude me being affectionate with you in the mean time, though.” He’s finished rummaging through their packs and pulled out some journey rations. He tosses her one of the hardened cakes, “Here, you need to eat something. I know it’s not your favorite, but its all there is.”
She laughs at him, “As long as you don’t tell me what’s in it, I’ll eat it.”
He grins, “I have sworn the whole camp to secrecy. No one will tell you what’s in any drow food. I have to keep you fed somehow and there isn’t much to choose from.”
She laughs and nearly chokes on the food so she swats at him playfully, “Don’t do that. Imagine the irony if I were to choke on one of these things.” She wags the journey cake at him, accusingly.
He frowns at her in mock anger, “You had better eat and then go to sleep, or I shall be forced to take stern measures with you.”
She bats her eyes and grins at him coyly, “Oh, fearsome tiefling, surely you would not do anything to a poor helpless innocent such as myself.”
Valen, who had been drinking from a water skin, chokes and spits his water to keep from inhaling it. He shoots her a dark look, “Very well, we are even.”
Valen moves outside the cave to take Nathyrra a journey cake.
She looks the tiefling over, “You certainly seem to be in a good mood. Being her patron-protector seems to agree with you. I think you should give her what she wants. If you decide to, I will stand watch all night, if need be. You are correct that what we are doing is dangerous. She is correct that any chance for happiness should be seized. If she falls, you will never forgive yourself.”
Valen sighs, “I will not let her fall. Neither will I start something I might not be able to finish with her. She is too precious.”
Nathyrra shakes her head, “So be it, patron-protector.”
He sighs heavily, “I take my role seriously. I do my best to keep her safe. How safe would she be if she had to fight while carrying my child? I know enough to know that a woman’s bones soften and her balance shifts early on, long before her belly starts to grow. I will not risk her so. I will protect her from everything I can, even myself.”
Nathyrra touches his arm gently, “You cannot protect her from every remote risk forever, Valen. It sucks all the joy out of life for both of you.”
He looks at Nathyrra and smiles, “You are a good friend to her. I promise that as soon as this is over, I will take her somewhere safe — somewhere that there is peace enough and time enough — and I will do my best to see she gets what she wants and then some.”
Nathyrra nods and Valen moves back inside. He sees Morrighu stretched out, face down on the bed roll. He grins to himself as he kneels next to her. He tugs her shirt off and pushes her back down as she starts to roll over, “No, hold still.” He moves down and tugs her pants off as well. He takes a bit of the oil he was using on their armor and warms it in his hands.
He begins with her foot, thumbs kneading the arch of her foot. Somewhere between her calves and her thighs, she’s drifting blissfully. He works his way up and soon he’s kneeling across her hips with his thumbs working the big muscles on either side of her spine. He can feel the tension leaving her as he works. He had known she was strong, but hadn’t realized how muscular she is. He’s appalled at the scars on her then he considers what she told him about her goddess finding her at the edge of death. He bites his lip, understanding just how badly she was injured — the scars are what remain after the goddess healed her as much as She was able.
He traces them tenderly before moving to her shoulders. He moves her hair aside and begins making small circles with his thumbs up the back of her neck. She sighs and begins to move but he stills her again. He works outward across her shoulders and down her arms. He can feel places where her bones have been broken and a couple of them haven’t mended properly. It’s almost enough to make him weep; a mortal frame wasn’t meant to endure the kind of punishment she’s taken.
He catches her hand and kisses her palm, “Now that you have eaten and you should be relaxed, will you please get some sleep?”
She yawns largely, stretches, and crawls into the bed roll. She looks at him, “Are you going to keep my feet warm or not?”
He grins and joins her, stroking her hair while she drifts off. After a while he gets up and sits by the fire, turning their wet things. Nathyrra comes back in and sees him sitting there staring into the fire.
She looks at him concerned, “Valen, what’s wrong?”
He sighs heavily, “It’s nothing really. I just…she’s been through so much and yet she carries it so lightly. She never complains — about anything — even when she has good reason to. She’s been hurt so badly so many times, I’m pretty sure she’s in pain most of the time, yet she never says a word about it. The Seer could spend a month healing her and it wouldn’t be enough.”
Nathyrra looks at him curiously, “You feel pity for her. I don’t think she feels pity for herself. She’s usually quite happy. If you want to do something for her, we could start slipping full potions of healing into her rations. If it’s as bad as you say, it may take quite a while before it has a noticeable effect. She’s
certainly got enough gold to pay for them.”
Valen nods, “I think that might be a good idea. I know that she hates potions. Will you help me find a way to conceal the taste?”
Nathyrra thinks, “I have some things in my pack. Given her fondness for drow food, I think I might be able to manage something.”
Valen chuckles, “Another thing we share.” He starts pulling on his under-padding and grimaces because it’s still damp.
Nathyrra looks at him curiously, “How did the two of you wind up soaking wet anyway? Did you dunk her again?”
He shakes his head, “No, I didn’t. I still feel badly about dunking her the first time.” While he dresses he tells her about chasing the drow scout and diving through the bottom of the pool.
Nathyrra shakes her head, “I will speak to her. She really must be more careful. We cannot loose her now. The troops would be completely demoralized.”
Valen nods and moves off to take his watch. Nathyrra goes and stretches out on her bed roll and lays there looking at the sleeping paladin. Nathyrra looks at her sleeping peacefully and decides the paladin is a study in contrasts before she drifts off to sleep as well. Valen sits outside watching to make sure their quarry does not slip past them and thinking about his decision and Nathyrra’s words, as well as her offer to stand watch.
~*~
The elf looks puzzled, “I still don’t understand why feeding the bodies to the harpies was so important.”
Valen sighs, “While such a thing may not be common where you come from, it is easy enough to resurrect someone if the body is all or mostly intact. Since she planned to wait a few days before posting the heads at the entrance of the caverns, the harpies would have eaten and digested the bodies. It meant that resurrecting the fallen would be impossible. It was meant to send a message that there would be no quarter asked and none given. You must also keep in mind that she’s still carrying the head of the drow scout we encountered with her. The cube-thing ate his body. Her plan was to hunt down all of the Valsharess’ forces in the area and leave only the heads at the entrance to the caverns. It was beyond bold. A single misstep and it would backfire on her easily. She wanted to force the Valsharess to move in haste and in anger, hoping that this would give her an opening to draw her into a mistake.”
The elf still looks puzzled, “I don’t understand what you mean.”
Valen rolls his eyes, “Strategy and tactics are never the long suit for bards. When you understand this, you will understand what my love was up to. Before a thousand mile journey to meet an enemy, what is the first thing you want to be sure of?”
The elf thinks for a long time, “That you have enough supplies, I guess.”
Valen laughs, “No, you want to be sure that the journey is his.”
Nathyrra gets a far off look in her eye, “Perhaps when this is all over we will accept your offer. I would love to see the mountains.”
Valen nods, “I have heard tales of the Lost Peaks; they say it is a place of great wonders… and great danger. Though I suppose we would be safe enough in your halls, your Highness.”
The Queen nods, “Any or all of you would be welcome. As soon as you leave this cave, I will return to my people. Once again, you have my thanks.”
Morrighu takes Valen’s arm as they exit the cave.
He smiles, “And so the settlement has returned whence it came. Hopefully its people will find peace, now that their ordeal is over.”
Nathyrra gasps, “The town is gone! Imagine the power necessary to make a whole town disappear!” They walk back through the now-empty cave to the dock where Cavallas waits for them.
Cavallas greets the paladin in his watery voice, “Welcome. I see you have been successful. Where do you wish to go now?”
She sighs, “Tell me, thing, do you know anything of a devil called Mephistopheles?”
Cavallas sucks in a sharp breath, “He is not just any devil, paladin. He is the second most powerful devil of all, a true arch-duke of Hell. He is Lord of Cania, the frozen waste and the eighth Hell of Baator. I am puzzled, paladin. How did you come by such name?”
Morrighu sighs, “I have reason to believe that this is the very devil that the Valsharess holds captive. Have you any idea how she captured and bound him? Have you any idea how we might free him from her? Those two things would be a peace offering worth having.”
Cavallas sighs, “I have not heard any of this, but I will…investigate. If I learn anything, I will leave word with the Seer. Now, shall I take you back to the Seer’s camp?”
Morrighu nods and they all board the ship.
When the three of them are sitting in the bow of the ship, Morrighu says, “I realize that our status and other things will change now that Valen is my patron-protector. Valen said that the two of you would explain the rest of the ramifications to me on the way back. We’ve covered the sleeping arrangements. What else is there that I need to know?”
Nathyrra thinks for a while, “I don’t really know how to explain it. You’ll have to trust us when we advise you on your actions.”
Valen nods, “A great many things will change. You will be addressed differently, treated differently, and some may even seek to enter your service.”
Morrighu shakes her head, “This is going to get complicated, isn’t it?”
Nathyrra nods. Morrighu yawns and looks at Valen, “Will you wake me when we get there?”
He nods and she stretches out with her head in his lap. She’s very quickly asleep. Nathyrra smiles at Valen as he gently removes a lock of hair from her face.
Valen looks at Nathyrra, “I’m going to need your help to protect her. She’s innocent as a child about more than men, I assure you. She’s unused to dealing with the drow and almost completely ignorant of drow customs. It’s a miracle she hasn’t caused more problems than she’s solved.”
Nathyrra looks at him, “You must admit she’s done well so far. We have golem allies, artifacts from the Maker’s sanctuary, as well as the Shattered Mirror. If the rest goes like this, the Valsharess will not have any allies left. We are in considerably better shape than we were one week ago.”
Valen nods grudgingly, “I must admit it has gone better than I expected. I see why her goddess chose her.”
Nathyrra looks at her, “You know something about her. You respected her somewhat almost immediately.”
He sighs, “I knew early on that she is the Last Renunciate. We had a long talk on her second day in camp. When Cavallas asked to see her, I took her to the docks to meet him. Right away, it became obvious that they knew each other. Fearing for the Seer, I demanded to know how she knew him, so she told me the story. The Battles of the Renunciates are still studied as lessons in tactics and strategy.”
Nathyrra’s eyes grow large, “That would make her at least as old as the Time of Troubles. According to the stories, the Renunciates renounced their god because he’d been driven mad by during the war among the gods. Are you certain you believe her?”
Valen nods, “I do. The service medals that Cavallas gave her were from two of the other Renunciates. If her goddess can indeed find a way to raise them, she will no longer be the Last Renunciate. There are other things, too; little things that lead me to think she is credible.”
Nathyrra looks at him closely, “You know who she was…before, I mean; don’t you?”
He nods again, “I do, but I have sworn to her not tell anyone.”
Nathyrra sighs, “And you are satisfied?”
He grimaces, “Without giving her secrets away, yes. Ye gods, Nathyrra, I find that I actually begin to have hope that we might be able to win. We’ve gone out on two successful missions so far. That’s better than we’ve been able to do in months. Before she came, the best I’ve been able to do is to keep everyone together and on the run. Running is what has kept us alive. Now there is no where else to run to. We must stand and fight. I would not tell anyone else this, but I had been certain that we would all meet our end in Lith My’athar. Now, I am not so certain.”
Nathyrra sighs, “I know. The Valsharess’ forces are much greater than ours. I didn’t believe her at first when she said that ‘if her army numbers less than 100,000 that your Valsharess is walking dead and doesn’t know it yet’ but having watched Morrighu; I have begun to change my mind about this.”
Cavallas calls out that they will be docking soon.
Nathyrra watches as Valen wakes her by gently stroking her face, “We’re back. Wake up.”
Valen laughs as she looks at him groggily. Nathyrra teases her, “Who’s the sleepyhead now?”
~*~
The bard looks the tiefling over carefully, “So you became her patron-protector? I don’t really understand what that is.”
The grizzled tiefling sighs, “It’s a drow custom, which I’ll try to explain. It’s part consort, part body guard, part right hand, part business partner, and part butler. The drow have complex relationships, especially between males and females. Generally, males are subservient to the females, with some specific instances. Each Matron-Mother has a patron-protector. By recognizing me as her patron-protector, she sent several messages. The one that she intended was that I be obeyed without question. The unintentional message was that she was at least equal to Matron-Mother or Chief Matron Myrune and that I was at least equal to her patron-protector, Tebimar. As her patron-protector, I was on an equal or better footing with anyone except Matron-Mother Myrune.”
The bard considers this, “You said that the relationship was ‘part consort’ yet other than at the Avariel town, you never did even attempt to bed her. Why?”
The tiefling chuckles, “Would you rather have a woman who abandons herself to you in that way, who has no caution or inhibition? Or would you rather have a woman who is timid, uncertain, or even frightened of it? I preferred to wait until things could be handled properly. Our time came. Not as soon as we thought, but it came. It was well worth the wait, but I’m skipping ahead.”
This entry was posted on Sunday, August 22nd, 2010 at 3:08 pm and is filed under Stars Stories. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.