Arista awakens the next morning with the sound of a rooster crowing somewhere in the distance. Noticing the early rays of light creeping into her room, she remembers the letters and nearly jumps out of the bed.
Going to the closet, she pulls out one of the pair of dark leather breeches and slightly low cut green top. The emerald pendant stays around her neck at all times. After getting dressed, pulling on her boots, and her cloak, Arista sits at the desk with her brush and tries to fix her hair. She brushes it to smooth it down then places the hairband in it to keep it out of her face, a few strands escape here and there, but it's up for the most part. Grabbing the letters out of the drawer, she heads out to find Godrick.
Arista finds Godrick as the paladins finish their prayers. "Good morn, Arista. These are the paladins I am sending to Malwen. Have you your letters?"
Drago awoke the next morning with Elena curled around him. With a satisfied grin on his face, he didn't get up immediately. Rather, the Dhampir softly began touching her skin seductively, waiting for her to awaken.
The young witch, after dreaming pleasantly through the night, awakened feeling a particular itch. One that only Skaar could scratch. While the Orc was still asleep, Corda began to stimulate his manhood.
Alethiro had difficulty sleeping through the night. The nightmares were unpleasant. Visions of fanged monstrosities tearing into his throat, shadowy fiends thrusting their claws into his chest and ripping out his heart, but the worst was seeing Arista bled dry by some faceless vampire. Waking up with a start, the Elf dressed quickly and went to his beloved's room. Not finding her there, he searched the fortress, slightly panicked.
Arista hands the two letters to Godrick and looks at the assembled Paladins.
"Here are the letters, they are addressed to Zeph and Marie. Give both letters to Zeph and I know that he will take care of it. Make sure he knows how urgent the news is so that no time is wasted. I appreciate this so much, I will keep you all in my prayers as you make your way there and back. May Sarenrae Bless You and Keep Your Path Safe."
She turns and looks back at Godrick, she is simply glowing in the early morning light.
"Again, I thank you so much for this Sir Godrick. I should go and see if Alethiro has awoken yet. There is still much that we need to do and discuss before the ceremony."
She gives the older Paladin a light peck on the cheek before she leaves to find Alethiro.
Skaar dreams that night – dreams of battle, glory, and conquest. He watches a war unfold but one with meaning – not the honorless butchering he’d been a part of in the past. He isn’t the focus of the dreams, not entirely. They feature a young half-orc as strong of body as he is of purpose. My son. The one Corda talks about.
When the dreams end, the big orc wakes to sound of the surf crashing on the beachfront outside the simple structure that had been their bedchamber for the night. The chill morning air is warded away by the warmth of the nubile girl curled up against his side. He smirks around his thick tusks as his body reacts powerfully to Corda’s ministrations.
”You really are a Wildcat”, he rumbles sleepily.
Clara stirs, pressing her body against Sādhanā's. "Good morning, love. Tomorrow's the big day, isn't it?"
She smiles, an expression devoid of concern or worry. "I had a strange dream. I dreamt that we had our own house and a child...silly as that may be."
***
The leader of the small group of paladins takes the letters from Godrick. "We shall make haste, good lady."
The paladins make their way out of Valwick as Michael passes Arista on his way to Godrick.
***
Elena opens her eyes slightly and smiles at Drago. "You are certainly in good spirits this morning, Drago."
Making her way back into the fort, Arista starts to head towards her true love's room.
The Aasamir doesn't get very far when she hears, "Arista!" Alethiro rushes towards and embraces her, a little tightly. Upon closer examination, it's clear that he didn't sleep well.
Surprised by his tight embrace, Arista looks into his face.
"Alethiro?! What is it? What's wrong? Talk to me."
Climbing on top of the Orc, she responded, "Only for you Sweetie." And proceeded to scratch that most particular itch.
The Elf then proceeded to tell her about his nightmares.
Kissing Elena passionately, Drago responded with a smile, "I slept very well, my love. How about you?"
Arista gently takes him by the hand and leads him back to her room, while he tells her everything. Once they are back inside the room she sits on the bed and holds him. She holds him close to her for a moment before looking him in the eye.
"Listen to me...nothing and I mean nothing is ever going to take me away from you. Do you understand me? I am for you, and you are for me. As long as we are together, there is no evil, no power, no demon strong enough to break that bond. I am here for you, now and always."
She leans into him and kisses him, pouring all her love, compassion, conviction, and belief in him into the kiss.
She draws back slightly, regarding him with a light in her eyes.
"Everything is going to be okay, you have to believe me now. Why don't you go to Hadrinn's and order us some breakfast okay? I have a couple things I need to get, and then I will be right there with you. I LOVE you Alethiro Milocathe, don't ever forget that. Go on now, I'll be there soon, I promise."
She again kisses him, but more slowly and gently this time.
Elena gazes into Drago's eyes. "Every night I spend with you, I sleep well. My dreams are pleasant and my waking hours even more so."
She kisses him back passionately before pulling him on top of her.
Skaar growls in pleasure as Corda climbs atop him and slides over his swollen need. He marvels briefly as how quickly the girl’s body had grown accustomed to him – the big orc’s size having proven to be a problem for other conquests in the past. He grips her midsection (once again grazing the place where the magical light had touched her the night before) and holds her steady while the girl rides him to her satisfaction.
***
After Corda's itch's been thoroughly scratched, Skaar climbs out of the bed and steps out onto the beach. The cool ocean breeze felt good on his scarred hide and naked flesh. This observation is interrupted by his rumbling belly.
"I could get used to this", he grunts back towards Corda. "Wakin' up on the beach every mornin'."
For whatever reason the feeling of his manhood slowly softening under him gets him thinking about Sadhana's coming wedding. "Ya think the girls are gunna want me dressed up for their feast?"
She smiles at him then and watches him leave. Esme's right, more now than ever I have to reassure him. I don't want him worried and tense. I better go see about those things and get back to him quick.
As soon as he's out of the fort, Arista hurries to Halfpocket's store. She picks out some appropriate flowers, candles, and scented oil. Once she hands over her coin she bids him farewell and takes her leave. With her items in hand, she rushes back to the fort, sets them down on the bed, brushes out her hair some and tries to smooth it out of her face. Her hair, while held back slightly with her headband still falls all around her in thick waves and curls. Not wanting to waste anymore time, she hurries out of the fort and heads back to the dwarf's restaurant.
Once at the establishment, she locates Alethiro and goes to sit with him.
Taking her cloak off, she lays it over the chair before sitting down. Once at the table with him, she reaches across the table and takes his hands into her own.
"So, how are you feeling now, any better?" Her tone is gentle, full of love and concern for the one she loves more than life itself.
Cyna remains curled up in bed a bit longer than normal, content in the warmth. Eventually she pulls herself from the covers, careful not to disturb her companion and she makes her way to Haddrins for a quick meal.
Drago began caressing and kissing Elena passionately, then proceeded to lose himself in the throws of ecstasy. Such was their fervor, that they rolled of the bed, but continued on until the end. When finished, he asked, "What shall we do today?"
Wrapped in one of the larger furs, Corda stepped out of the tent as well. "We could you know. All we would need is a hut, don't forget, I was raised in a fishing shack."
At his wedding comment, she replied, "Well, I doubt they would like you naked. That's for me and any other woman you bring home to see."
Skaar answers Corda's commend with a bass chuckle. "It'd make for a good night at least."
"All I've got is that armor I've been wearin' and it stinks like hell. I'll look for somethin' after we eat. You hungry too?."
Feeling re-assured, Alethiro nodded and went to get some breakfast. Finding a seat at Hadrinn's the Elf noticed how light his purse was. Ordering a cheaper meal and sticking to water, he fought off the weariness that comes from poor sleep. Eating help to calm his nerves however, and when Arista arrived and asked how he felt, the Cleric responded, "Yes, now that you're here." While he meant every word, Alethrio still looked utterly exhausted.
Heading back into the tent to dress herself, Corda said, "After last night and this morning, I'm ravenous."
Before Cyna makes it to the door, Sienna sits up in the bed and looks at the other tiefling. "You know...I wouldn't mind it if this became a thing."
She smiles slightly and lays on the pillows. "If you want to see Elder Sister later, just come back by."
***
Elena pulls a thin shift over herself. "I'll make my prayers and then we can decide."
She gets on her knees, facing the rising sun. "हामी हाम्रो दिन जाने रूपमा देवी, हामीलाई जोगाइराख्नुहोस्। हामीलाई के तपाईं हामीलाई र आफ्नो इनाम को धन दिन प्रेम भाग गरौं।"
The foreign words sound sweet to Drago's ear as the vishkanya priestess prays. She finishes and rises. "Now, my day is yours, Drago. How about we see to some food?"
After squeezing into his leggings and slipping on his enchanted boots, Skaar takes Corda to get some needed breakfast.
Arriving at Hadrinn's, you notice the dwarf had been busy since your last visit. Three long tables now dominate the dining area and a youth you recognize as one of Godrick's paladins stands waiting to serve. The dwarf stands at the stove and wave heartily towards you.
Skaar meets the dwarf's greeting with a nod and pulls up a chair for Corda before plopping down himself. "We're starvin' Hadrinn", the big orc says with a laugh.
"From the sounds I heard last night, I'd be willing to wager so," the dwarf says with a laugh of his own. "By the by, Battlemaster Verrin's looking for you, Skaar."
Drago dressed while Elena did her prayers. "Food sounds wonderful. Hadrinn's?" Offering his arm, the headed out for a morning meal.
Elena nods, taking the proffered arm. "I hope he's better prepared for us this time."
The big orc smirks at Corda. "Once I get 'em goin' it's hard to keep'em quiet", he answers with a raucous laugh and scratches his bare chest.
At the news of Verrin's presence, Skaar is visibly surprised.
"The Battlemaster? When did he get here?"
"He's been here a while now," Hadrinn answers. "He just decided to leave you be for a bit."
Curiousity got the better of Corda, so she asked, "Who's this Battlemaster? I'm guessing he's important?"
Walking into Hadrinn's, Drago noticed Skaar and Corda at one table, while Arista and Alethiro were at another. "Whom should we sit with?" He asked his lover.
"A soldier from my time in the army", Skaar answers. "He's in charge of those of us still around - though we're just mercs now. He sent me here to help the Explorers."
Suddenly anxious to get something in his belly so he can track down Verrin, Skaar watches the cook work.
Elena mused for a moment. "The elf and his lover. At least, I don't feel like I'm being appraised with him."
Hadrinn serves those assembled fresh eggs, bread and salted pork. "Ship better get in today, else we'll be eating flowers soon."
Skaar laughs but dives into his meal as soon as it arrives. "How often do supplies come in?"
"Depends on who's ordering, but twice a week it seems," Hadrinn says. "That bloke, Michael Andimus, cleared out his holdings in Covington, so today's ship will be his. Says he'd rather live here than back in the city. Don't know where he plans on finding students for that magic school of his."
Drago couldn't help by chuckle at her comment. Moving towards the Elf and Aasamir, he asked, "Mind if we sit with you?"
When Drago appeared by them, Alethiro's face flashed a brief look of apprehension, not from anger, but from fear. After a moment, he answered, "Of course." His tone kind, however slightly quivering.
The Dhampir noted the apprehension. Does he still hold a grudge? "Of course he does. Did you really think he'd just forgive you just because you whipped him yesterday? You're a bigger fool than I thought." Pushing his bother away, Drago helped Elena into her seat, then sat himself. "Are you okay Alethiro? You look a little...worn."
With a wary look to Arista, Alethiro explained his nightmares.
Elena decides to speak up. "Dreams are a gateway to one's desires, one's fears or even potential futures. I don't say this to disturb you, Alethiro. Yet, the appearance of three more dhampir may not bode well for our little community."
"Oh I hope that happens and we get to watch as your little tramp gets added to carnage." Alexandros said before laughing. Ignoring his elitest brother, Drago responded, "I understand what you're going through, I've had the same problem. Perhaps you should stay with your woman at night." Clasping Elena's hand and looking lovingly into her eyes, he continued, "It certainly helped me."
Alexandros stopped laughing suddenly. "Ick. How you can let yourself be sullied by...that, I'll never know." With that, the spectre retreated once more into Drago's mind.
After Elena says her piece, the Sorcerer said, "I must admit, I am a little concerned by their appearance as well. Not having known them before, I do not know if they are allied with Mother or not. And that worries me."
"I doubt it, if they seem keen on asking you about her," Elena replies.
"I apologize for sounding paranoid, but that could just be a clever ruse to gain our trust. My limited experience with my family isn't on the best of terms after all." His hand, again, absently went to his chest for he still felt the phantom marks left there during his imprisonment.
"Your mother isn't the most subtle, is she? Neither was this Alexandros?" Elena asks. "The devil hunter looks skilled. If she meant you ill, she wouldn't waste her time gaining your trust."