"Oh, if only it were when I attempted to engage in coitus," Thalia sighs and laughs softly. "Lust does not reside only in the loins, great hunter, it lives in the mind, warms the blood and heightens the senses in expectation of enjoying a partner, or multiples. Thus my nigh constant agony, for I have devoted myself to Her fully."
"And no, She is not nice. She is cruel, haughty, perfect and wonderful," Thalia sings, features clearly distended with pain as she contemplates her devotion to her Lady.
"Doesn't sound perfect or wonderful to me. Devotion and love should not come with such prices." Raxus shrugs and trudges away, confused and disheartened.
Mother would not approve.
"I am forced to admit that this is hardly the proper condition for proselytizing," Winterflower says through gritted teeth. "It should be apparent that my faith is not a shield, and my Lady will not see us through this particular challenge. Do we stay, or do we go?" she inquires.
"It is my assessment that there are heavy disadvantages to both. If we go, this town is like to be fired for no other reason than we paused here. If we stay, Desmond will slit our throats, or should, considering," Thalia laughs, her humor acid black. "The fine examples of Pitaxian citizens I freed are like to know more of how things lay. I cannot assure that Lothar is a good man, but he is very interested in living and like to assist to preserve himself."
Sev shrugs. "I figure they'll kill Dessie, but they've got no reason to burn the town, not while it's still useful and producing. We might as well get started in exploring the area. Besides, too much comfort makes a man soft." Sev says the last part with a note of bitterness in his voice.
Lothar approaches the party after freeing the other two bandits and says in a hush I say we take these two with us for the night, then split away, they are stupid enough to try to escape south so the Ox will think they're working with the Flamings he raises his voice I will leave to take care of the duty the lady has assigned me once we've decided on a way to keep contact. You want to go to the Ox I hear, you better not try to ambush him, he knows the terrain better and always has a few men covering his wing. If I were you I'd go direct to him, if you can earn his trust and the Raven's he won't mind you killing a bunch of nobodies he looks at the moved dirt where the dead bandits have been buried But be wary of the Weasel, you've made him look bad, he will try to get you killed if he gets the chance he looks at Desmond's house before continuing And don't worry for the old bast*rd he is too useful to kill him, I bet he is just playing victim because he is angry over his roof
Thalia's nostrils flare and she bites her lip harshly when Lothar returns, gripping her afflicted breast harshly through her light armor. "Do you believe he'll allow me to wear his helm?" Thalia jests tightly after his suggestion that they befriend the Ox. "I have always dreamed of dipping beneath the hand of a very great man."
"There is a difference between big and great." Raxus says, mostly to himself.
Thalia laughs at Raxus's jest, though perhaps more at his clear misunderstanding of hers. "If it is decided that we leave, I will attend our Fleet," she says to the others. "Assuming Mistress Felina did not also require him for her pleasure."
As Thalia walks away Raxus sits, confused for a few moments, and then leans over to the others and asks "Isn't Fleet the horse?"
Sev shakes his head, trying not to laugh as he gathers his gear up.
As Thalia walks away Raxus sits, confused for a few moments, and then leans over to the others and asks "Isn't Fleet the horse?"
"It was a bad joke Raxus, do not think on it to much." Cyean says after shaking his head.
Raxus just nods, happy to drop any subject relating to social oddities.
"Why are we taking those bandits with us?"
"Cyean, can I talk to you for a moment?" Mikam says, motioning him off to the side of the group. Mikam stands quietly for a moment, figeting, before placing his back to the bandits and pulling out the pouch. "You know, I am not sure that we have the equipment that we need to truely take on any of these groups. I have some money...an inheritance of sorts..." Mikam says as he pours out the pouch into his hand.
Cyean listens to Mikam as he speaks he than looks at his armor than back at Mikam. "What kind of equipment do you think we need?"
"Potions, weapons, hirelings? I don't know. I am not a warrior to know what we need to fight these battles. We have a hundred gold in coin, and perhaps another 20 in rings."
Mikam places the rings and wand on the ground, and after making a complicated gesture with his right hand, spits out a single word in gutteral hiss.
Cyean thinks for a moment after hearing the amount before saying "Potions would help. With that much gold we will not be able to get better weapons or armor for everyone."
Thalia gives the males a sideways glance as she quits the scene for the moment, moving around the house to the front where she left Fleet. She finds the animal has strayed to a fit of weeds and is currently gnawing them to the root, its tail thrashing somewhat violently behind him. When Thalia recognizes that Lothar and his men have pursued her, she turns and regards them each with a lusty smile.
"You four, myself and my lusty steed, hmm?" she hums, putting forth a great deal of effort to be seen considering the possibilities. "Unfortunately, I've only room for two in my tent," she sings, and digs out her pair of manacles, "and props perhaps enough for two, depending on your comfort level," she teases, slinging them around a thickly calloused fingertip.
"As I expect that not a one of you wishes to be discovered here in the arms of the enemy, you will bank your passions for the next few hours and lead us to a position where we might... indulge in relative safety?"
"Well the wand casts a minor healing spell. It appears to have three uses remaining. We should probably sell the rings as well...they are no use to us if we are dead. I agree with you though, we should buy some potions...they may be the difference between our survival and defeat. Perhaps some bows or crossbows too? Should we hire anyone to help us...swell our ranks before we take on the bands?"
"Well the wand casts a minor healing spell. It appears to have three uses remaining. We should probably sell the rings as well...they are no use to us if we are dead. I agree with you though, we should buy some potions...they may be the difference between our survival and defeat. Perhaps some bows or crossbows too? Should we hire anyone to help us...swell our ranks before we take on the bands?"
"I would not trust anyone we hire. Most would rather leave than stand and fight if things do not go well. Though Lady Thalia might be able to use some of her charm to keep them around. Bows and crossbows would be useful as well if we need to thin out the enemy before charging at them." Cyean than starts to think on more items that could be useful.
Lothar looks at the other two bandits and back at Thalia Oh, I'm sure they would love to share the night I have been promised, but they are following me more out of fear of your mates than anything
"It has been some time since I entertained in that regard," Thalia easily dismisses and slips the manacle over the hilt of the dagger on her hip. She smiles at Lothar, then leans slightly to her left to address the remaining bandits. "I assume that you two fine gentlemen can refrain from slapping my ass?" she jests and laughs.
Thalia gives Lothar a nod, and then leads Fleet and her disreputable company back to the group.
Thalia appears from behind the house, leading Fleet and the group of the surviving bandits. There is a smile on her face, and a pair of manacles dangling from the dagger on her hip. She strides up to Cyean and Mikam with her usual feminine grace and confidence and places one hand on a gently curving hip as she regards them both.
"Are we discussing the quickest route from this place? Or perhaps something more alluring?" she spares a glance for Lothar that causes the amber in her hazel eyes to smolder in the sunlight. "I anticipate worship this evening, and would prefer that otherwise you feel secure at that time."
Lothar smiles and says There's a small village to the west, it's bigger than Rigueur but not too much. I hear they've been having some trouble but the bandits usually leave them alone, kind of a caravan stop, useful for keeeping tabs on who is crossing this land and not worth the effort of attacking it. If we leave now we may be halfway there when we set camp for the night and arrive ther in the morning he looks at Thalia Then my friends will leave us and I will get to the job the lady has had in good grace to assign me
Thalia's eyes widen briefly and she physically turns her head to look at Lothar. Curious. While I am confident in my beauty and my abilities, his eagerness is beyond flattering. A woman with half a mind for her security might wonder if the Weasel did not simply lay down among the dead so that he might bite me and scamper away she observes. But then, the Weasel might be intelligent enough to recognize that outing himself among so many armed men who have so violently demonstrated their distaste for bandits...
A slow smile spreads across Thalia's face as she regards her soon to be partner. "It sounds lovely," Winterflower purrs. "Shall we, gentlemen?"
"Trade goods, and possibly a further source for information...and perhaps some armsmen? That does sound good. Thalia, I was just talking to Cyean about using this small inheritance of mine...its only about 90 golds or so, but if you have any suggestions of how to use it...", Mikam trails off lamely.
Suddenly embarrassed by the flush and smile on Thalia's face and twinkle in her eye, Mikam busies himself readying his pack. After a moment of mental steadying to calm his nerves, he settles his backpack on his shoulders and looks at his companions.
"Lothar, or whoever is leading, I think we are ready to go", Mikam says, waving at the rest of the group, and trying to seem more confident than he feels.
After leaving Desmond backyard the party walks west, following the setting sun. Several hours later the night has already fallen upon them so Lothar says We should set camp near here, I don't think we will be attacked unless somebody has been following us but nevertheless we should set watches.
Staring directly at the bandit without any attempt to hide his words, Raxus says to the group "Will someone please tell me why we are still traveling with three people who tried to kill us earlier today?"
Thalia rolls her eyes at Raxus's question and moves up behind Lothar, presses her body against his back and slides an arm up his chest somewhat possessively. She rests her chin on Lothar's shoulder and smiles at Raxus. "Because I am a succubus disguised in a crude mortal shell," she answers, "and my lust is rarely sated. And while your large physical size entices, there is great deal more walking projected for our future, so I have chosen a partner who is less likely to injure me while coupling.
"Though," Winterflower hums and turns her head and delivers a playful bite to the base of Lothar's neck, "that is unlikely to stop me," she purrs in warning.
Winterflower's lips continue to graze Lothar's shoulder for a few moments, then her eyes meet Raxus's. "Is my answer sufficient?"
Cyean shakes his head at Thalia's answer to Raxus before saying "Do not worry Raxus if they do anything off we can just get rid of them. Though that statement might give them more incentive to not do anything." He than pauses before going on "Well than I think I will like middle or last watch. Which do the rest of you prefer?"
Thalia laughs, the amber in her eyes ablaze. "Too easy," she informs Cyean. "You can be certain, my courtly companion, that I will be awake during your watch as well, lest you try to harm my dear friend unjustly.
"I will take second watch. My eyes are better suited to less light."
"You make no sense." Raxus says bluntly to Thalia. "I will take first watch."
Walking a ways out of the firelight to let his eyes adjust completely, Raxus drew his coat around him and pulled his dogs close on either side. A single low command in his native tongue put Dawn and Dusk in a passive state, alert and waiting to signal danger.
I will take watch alongside you my lady if your own Ox doesn't mind. I've talked to my mates, they will leave at dawn. says Lothar. he moves his lips next to Thalia's ear and hushes.
If this is the Weasel, I enjoy his style, Winterflower muses and hums softly. She places a hand on Lothar's hip but refrains from a more overt sexual display.
"It occurs to me that we are currently in a disadvantageous position," she says to him, and pulls away slightly. She flicks her eyes to the others and a slow smile spreads across her face.
"You can be sure that I will engage my mouth in activities that will not relay our position to any scouts. Have a good evening, gentlemen," Thalia says and offers them a crude salute by inclining her head. "Lothar, darling, it will please me greatly if you would join me."
As you wish my lady says Lothar and moves after Thalia with a sly smile in his face.
Winterflower ducks beneath the flaps of her tent and whilst removing the quiver from her back, breathes the spell upon it, and quickly covers half of it with her cloak as she begins the slow process of disrobing.
"It occurs to me, Lothar, having been afforded an assessment concerning the Weasel's skill set earlier, that you are remarkably shrewd," she observes as she unbuttons her padded armor. She glances down at the expanse of unprotected flesh, then slowly up at his face and smirks. "An intelligent man such as yourself recognizes that this farcical armor will not stop a blade, and I will not further insult it by suggesting that you would attack me here. If it was your intent to do so, the opportunity was ripe when I was alone with my ass, and you had your mates at your back."
"The cool practicality of a rational man," Winterflower hums and chuckles softly as she removes another boot. She considers the manacle dangling from her hip and casts it aside before pulling off her blouse in a mirror of Lothar's nudity. She rises and goes to him, pressing the warmth and softness of her breasts and belly against his scars, and slips a hand down between his legs to stimulate him.
"Careful now, my darling, if you continue speaking so sweetly to me I may fall in love," she whispers and removes the dagger at her hip with her free hand, and places it well within his reach. Winterflower begins kissing his neck softly. "I cannot very well count upon an unarmed man to assist me at watch, can I?"
Winterflower presses a finger against Lothar's lips.
"Were I lacking a heart, my darling, I would never have picked up an instrument," she corrects him. She uses the finger to pull his face around for a proper kiss, sliding her eyes closed as she does. "Come now," she says against them after. "Let us enjoy ourselves."
The night comes and goes without more incident than the snores from the bandits. At dawn as the party readies to move to the village the two bandits leave south as promised
Sev isn't exactly happy about letting enemies walk away, but promises were made. He watches the bandits leave.
Lothar has a really big smile on his face in the morning as he asks Would any of you be so kind to give me something to eat? Or shall I wait until we arrive at Eliod and use my charm and wit to get a piece of bread?
"Here Lothar," Mikam says, handing the man a trail ration package. "This should see you through the day, though that exhausts my rations, and I will have to replenish my supplies in the town."
From within Thalia's tent her cool alto voice rises in pitch and volume as she performs some manner of beatitude to Calistria, her breathing becoming labored and finally ending in a sharp cry after some fifteen minutes. After, she pulls back the flap of the tent and exits, nude except for her boots, carrying what looks to be a novel and tucks it into Fleet's saddle pack.
"I simply cannot restrain myself when I think on our gorgeous prince sitting alone upon the burgundy throne," she sings and throws her bow over her shoulder. "Recall that my eyes are sharp. I'll not hesitate to draw and shoot myself in the breast if you consider peeping!" she teases and moves off towards the latrine with a laugh.
Shaking his head Cyean says "Lady Thalia, if you would after your nights of worship, please put your clothing back on."
"I am a performer, Sir Knight. I am just as vulnerable clothed and armed as I am in the nude. The only difference is your perception," she answers as she strides away.
After a few minutes of privacy, Thalia returns to her tent, hums happily for a time, and emerges fully clothed to break down her transient shrine to the goddess of whores and pack it away on Fleet.
Sev enjoys the show, then goes back to cleaning his musket.