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The Priestess Ch. 01

By: poison_alice



Sophia ran through the cool corridors as the sound of heavy boots got closer. Her dress wrapped around her legs, causing her to stumble more than once. Her breath came in pants as her bare feet slapped the stone noisily. He was gaining on her, and there was nothing she could do about it. She came to the end of the corridor and had a choice to make: Left or right? The moment that it took Sophia to decide was enough for the solider to enter the corridor. 

"Priestess!" he called out, as once again Sophia started to run. Hoisting up the skirt of her dress, she put as much speed into her limbs as she could. Skidding around another corner, Sophia ran straight into the chest of another soldier. As a scream escaped her, a rough, grimy hand was clamped over her mouth. Sophia struggled as a large arm wrapped around her, pulling her close. 

The man smelt of stale sweat, dust and the oil that the soldiers rubbed their weapons down with. Sophia's thin dress offered her scant protection from the rough handling the man was subjecting her to. As her pursuer rounded the corner, her heart sank; any hope she had of escape died. 

"Sir?" The man holding Sophia questioned her pursuer. He was breathing heavily, and was red faced from exertion. Sophia was able to study him properly for the first time: his hair was a dark brown, cropped closely to his head; he had piercing grey eyes that were currently narrowed in anger; the soldier towered over the man holding her, and had thick, muscled arms; an angry, silvery scar bisected the right side of his face, curling part of his generous lips into a grimace.

"She is to come with me for questioning," her scarred pursuer commanded. The man holding her stiffened. 

"She is the spoils of war," he protested, his arm tightening around Sophia, tight enough that it was suddenly a struggle to breathe. 

"If you wish to contest my word then you should seek out the General. She will come with me." Sophia was flung towards her pursuer, who pushed her roughly behind him. His sword seemed to leap into his hand, and in a strike that was lightening quick, it was plunged into the throat of the other man. 

Sophia let out a sob at the horror that she had just witnessed. The man crumpled to the floor, dead. His blooded pooled around him, painting the cream stone crimson. The man before her, the man who had chased her through the temple, had defiled it with murder. Her whole body trembled in fear as he sheathed his bloody blade, and turned to face her. Without conscious effort, Sophia started to back away. 

"No you don't," the man growled. His hand grabbed her upper arm in a vice like grip, smearing her pale skin red. Sophia felt her head start to buzz, and the room start to spin. She had a man's blood on her arm, a dead man's blood. Her knees stopped supporting her and she sagged into the arms of the soldier who had seemed to be waiting to catch her. 

"Priestess, there is no time for this," the soldier snapped. He dragged her roughly to her feet, holding her against him. His calloused fingers gripped her chin and dragged her face upwards. Sophia didn't have the strength to struggle, but her eyes burned with hatred. The man studied her features for a moment, his grey eyes taking in every detail of her face. 

"I have little patience, and the man who commands me has less. You are the last priestess here. Where is it?" The soldier didn't have to explain what he was looking for. His comment about her being the last couldn't be true though, she thought. The soldiers had stormed the temple three days ago, and for three days they had ripped it apart looking for the sword of the Goddess. She knew the other priestesses would have hidden, as did she. It was the man holding her who had found the concealed chamber behind her treatment room.

"I don't know," she replied weakly. It was the truth. Sophia could feel tears prickling in the corners of her eyes at the thought of her dead sisters, and the torment they would have experienced in the last hours of their lives, torment that she would likely experience herself all too soon. 

Sophia yelped as the soldier roughly squeezed her breast. She started to shove at his chest as he closed his fingers over her nipple and started to twist. Struggling with all her might, Sophia got nowhere. Hot tears trickled down her cheeks as she whimpered under the cruel act. 

"Think, priestess," the man instructed as he released her, leaving her nipple aching, "of the pain I could cause you if I had you at my mercy for hours." He ran the back of his hand down Sophia's bare arm causing her to shudder. His face was set in determination. 

"I don't know," she repeated. If she did know, she thought, she would have told him. The sword was sacred, but she had never been very strong or very brave. The thought of being at the mercy of this man was terrifying. 

"Elias," called a man behind her. The soldier released his grip on her chin, but pulled Sophia even closer. "We have it." Sophia's gut twisted. "You ought to take her before the General sees her. He's complaining he only got to deflower seven of them." With a laugh, the man left. Seven of them, thought Sophia. Surely raping seven priestesses in three days would be enough to satisfy even the most sadistic man's lusts. 

Elias knew he had little time. Looking at the trembling, flushed mess before him, he knew he had a decision to make. She felt so good against him, so small and fragile, that he was desperate to keep her. He hadn't had a woman for a long time, at least not one that was free. The General would want her if she was a virgin. By the time she was returned to him, she would be no good. The General was cruel even by Elias' standards. Taking one last look at the priestess' innocent face, and remembering the delicious weight of her breast, he knew he would do anything to get her under him. 

Elias let go of Sophia abruptly, roughly forcing her to take a step back. He took a long look at her. Before she could react, he had ripped the shoulder of her dress. The material flapped, coming dangerously close to exposing her breast. Shocked at such behaviour, Sophia stepped further away from him, ready to run once more. Elias didn't give her the chance. Catching hold of her arm again, he hauled her close, forcing an aggressive kiss upon her. Sophia wreathed in his grasp, desperate to escape the assault. When she was released, her lips felt tender and swollen. 

"Stand still," Elias hissed as he released Sophia once more. She did as she was told, numb with shock. It had finally sunk in that she would be raped like her sisters. Wide eyed, Sophia watched as Elias took a knife from his belt. A whimper escaped her before she could get better control of herself. She quickly sent a prayer to her Goddess that she would be able to remain dignified throughout her ordeal. 

It was with great surprise that Sophia watched Elias slice his palm. He quickly sheathed the knife again. A look of pure determination etched itself onto his features as the sound of marching became audible. Sophia found herself held against the wall. Elias lifted her dress with the cleaner of his two hands, then thrust the bloody one beneath it. Sophia yelped as the soldier used his legs to spread hers, sobbing as his fingers probed her. He rubbed his palm between her legs, then spread her open. 

"This will hurt for a moment, priestess," he murmured in her ear as he thrust two fingers deep inside her. The pain was instant, and she felt something tear. His fingers left her quickly. He spat on his hand, thrusting it back under her dress, rubbing it into her thighs and between the lips of her private parts.

As the marching grew closer, Sophia's dress was torn once more. This time it was up the side. Blood marred the white. She flinched as Elias raised his hand, unsure of the soldier's intentions. Would he strike her? Deft fingers unpinned her hair, so it tumbled loose about her shoulders. It was quickly messed up. Stepping back, the soldier studied her again.

"That'll have to do," he muttered as men rounded the corner. Sophia was able to turn this time. The man leading the soldiers was almost as tall as Elias, but heavy with fat. He wore her Goddess' sword at his belt. 

"Elias," the man boomed, "I heard there was one more. It seems you managed to impale her before I, though." Elias remained quiet. Sophia trembled, desperate to hide herself from the eyes of more men than she had seen in the past year. The man who must be the General turned to a soldier beside him. "Check that her deflowering is complete."

Sophia felt the man beside her bristle. She squeezed her eyes shut. She realise now that he had done what he did to make it appear that she had been forced by him, and now this new solider would look between her legs and check. She didn't know enough about the ways of love making to be sure that Elias' efforts would convince him. 

Strong hands held her upper arms and guided her backwards. 

"Lean on me," was barked in her ear, loud enough for the others to hear. Elias sounded unkind, but his gentle touch belied his tone. Sophia did as she was bid, glad of the support. Her knees were shaky. 

The hand on her ankle was a shock that made Sophia jolt. With her eyes clamped tightly shut, and a prayer leaving her lips, she hadn't realised that the soldier had reached her. Her dress was raised, her legs forced apart. There were whistles and catcalls from the group of men opposite. She shuddered at the soldier's touch as, for the second time, she was explored. She winced as a finger probed her abused flesh. 

"Her maidenhead is gone, and there is blood. She's damp, possibly from come. Someone has had her." Sophia opened her eyes as her dress fell down again, her cheeks burning in shame. There was disappointed muttering from the crowd. 

"I wish to keep her for a while. I found her struggling entertaining," Elias said from behind her. The General nodded absently, then gestured towards the corpse behind them. With everything else, Sophia had forgotten that the body of the dead man was there. 

"Care to explain, Elias?" The general sounded bored, and Sophia was sure he didn't really care. When she felt Elias shrug behind her, the General sighed. "If you weren't so useful Elias, you would be dead. Enjoy your whore tonight, for tomorrow you ride. I have a task for you." 

"Yes, sir," replied the soldier behind her, his hands tightening painfully around her upper arms. 

The journey through the temple to the camp outside was filled with upset for Sophia. She saw the bodies of several of her sisters, many naked and blood smeared. Paintings of her Goddess had been vandalised, precious objects broken or stolen, and scrolls burnt. She was relieved when she reached Elias' tent. Whatever he had planned for her could be no worse than seeing the destruction of everything and everyone she held dear.

"What's your name, priestess?" Elias asked her as he sat her on the sleeping pallet. 

"Sophia," she replied, her voice trembling. She watched as he moved about the make-shift home. He placed a basin of water at her feet. After a moment of searching, he threw a cloth to her. 

"Wash yourself," he commanded. Face scarlet, Sophia moved to do as she was told. She dampened the cloth, using it to cleanse her face and arms. The rest of her was covered by her dress.

"I wish to see all of you, Sophia." He stomach churned. She had hoped, after the kindness he showed in the temple, that she would be left alone. Clearly he had other intentions. Sophia removed her dress, her eyes shut as she stood naked before Elias. She could feel his eyes travelling over her skin. She had never planned to allow a man to see her like this. 

Sophia jumped as hot skin touched hers. She opened her eyes to see Elias stood before her. He took the cloth from her hand and ran it over her chest. Sophia was desperate to break eye contact but didn't dare. Elias' grey eyes were cold, hard. As the cloth slowly dampened her breasts, she flinched and looked at her feet. She couldn't stand the slow way he was teasing her; pain would have been a mercy compared to this faux kindness. 

The cloth travelled over her stomach, then down one leg and back up the other. This left Elias kneeling before Sophia. He took her hand in his, and placed it upon his shoulder. 

"I want to see between your legs, Sophia." Widening her stance, she allowed him to do as he wished. As the cloth swept up the insides of her thighs a tear escaped her. The experience was degrading, humiliating. Elias took his time as he washed the tender flesh at the apex of her thighs. His hands then came to rest on her hips.

"Turn around, Sophia." Again, she obeyed. She didn't feel herself, and knew that she should be protesting more. As Elias started to work up the back of her body, a fine tremor seemed to take over Sophia. Her breathing came in gasps, and her tears started to fall more freely. The cloth brushed over her buttocks, then up her back. A gentle thud told Sophia that the cloth had hit the floor. 

Seemingly huge hands rested upon her delicate shoulders. Elias' lips caressed the back of her neck, causing her to shy away from him. His hands strayed down the front of her chest, gently cupping her breasts. 

"Please, don't," Sophia moaned. To her surprise, Elias released her breasts, his arms wrapping around her waist. His lips closed around her earlobe and sucked gently. 

"Easy, priestess," Elias murmured before pulling away. As soon as Sophia felt the cool air replace him at her back, she broke down. Her legs crumpled beneath her and she fell to the bed, body heaving with the passion of her sobs. She curled herself into a ball, dragging the sheet over her nudity. Despite the wash, or perhaps because of it, she felt dirty, contaminated. 

Elias sat down next to her. She felt his hand running through her hair, catching occasionally on the tangles. He adjusted the sheet over her, covering her completely. Sophia froze as he stood, not sure what to expect next. He patted her lightly on the curve of her hip before leaving the tent.

Sophia awoke with a start. She jerked away from the hand stroking her hair. 

"I brought you food," Elias informed her as she sat up. She clutched the sheet to her, desperate to be less vulnerable to the soldier sitting beside her. Timidly, Sophia took the offered meal. It was a large, flat piece of bread covered in a type of stew. 

"Fold it up, then it won't go everywhere," suggested Elias. Sophia followed his instructions and took a bite. It was delicious, and reminded her that she hadn't eaten for days. Sophia was very conscious that Elias was watching her eat. Once she finished, he handed her a flask of water. 

Once Sophia was done, Elias stood. He undressed quickly, standing before her completely naked. Sophia's breath had sped up, her cheeks burning and her body tense. She expected him to join her on the bed, to hold her down and take her, but Elias just stood watching her reaction. Eventually, Sophia looked up to meet his eyes. 

Slowly, as if he didn't want to spook her, Elias walked towards Sophia. He picked up the cloth he had dropped to the floor earlier, and handed it to her. She took it with a trembling hand, still clutching the sheet to her chest. 

"Will you wash me, Sophia?" Longing to say no, Sophia felt she had no choice but to agree. She stood, wrapping the sheet securely around herself. She approached Elias, but couldn't bring herself to touch him.

"Am I so distasteful to you?" He smiled as he asked the question, but Sophia saw a glint of something in those grey eyes. Biting her lip, she studied the naked man before her. There was nothing displeasing about his appearance, and she imagined that she would have enjoyed having him naked if she were a different type of girl. Gathering her will power, she took the final step that closed the distance between them. 

Starting by his feet, Sophia cleansed the back of his body first. She was careful not to touch him with anything but the cloth. Every part of him seemed to be heavily muscled, and she could but imagine his strength. In an attempt to distract herself, she had been focussing on the array of scars that marred his skin. She wondered if they were all battle wounds. However, by the time she had reached his shoulders, she was becoming more and more jittery. Sophia was dreading washing the front of him. 

Working her way from fingertips to shoulder, Sophia was very careful to avoid Elias' gaze. Running the cloth slowly over his collarbones, she then brushed over his pectorals, and down his washboard stomach, freezing as she approached his stomach button. She didn't dare touch anymore of him. Frustratingly for her, he waited patiently. She had no choice but to meet his eyes, blushing furiously as she waited for the inevitable: the order to continue. 

"Watch me," Elias said quietly, taking the cloth. Not wanting to anger him, Sophia's eyes followed the cloth as it dipped down his body. Very deliberately, the soldier trailed the cloth up the length of his hardness, forcing Sophia to take in the size of it. He wrapped the cloth around it, pumping it up and down several times, before cleansing the heavy balls that hung beneath. The sight of him touching himself proudly made Sophia's stomach tighten. She felt uncomfortable, awkward and scared. When Elias dropped the cloth, Sophia flinched. 

"Calm there, priestess," he soothed, reaching for her hand. She jerked it away, fearing his touch and what he would demand from her. "You're going to have to share that sheet at some point; it's the only one I've got and it gets mighty cold at night." Sophia watched as he shrugged, then sprawled across the bed. He patted a space next to him, holding his hand out invitingly. Reluctantly, she went to join him. 

Wrapping a thick arm around her, Elias pulled Sophia back onto the bed. She stilled as he tugged the sheet from her, taking a moment to glance at her nakedness before spreading the sheet over them. Sophia stiffened as she was pulled against the soldier's body, his bare skin feeling hot against her own. Her head rested against his chest, her body pinned to his side. After a while, remaining unmolested, Sophia started to relax. 

"Sleep well, priestess, we have a long day ahead of us tomorrow." Elias pecked her softly on the forehead, confusing Sophia even more than she was already. She had expected to be raped in his bed, not cuddled. 

Sophia awoke wrapped around the hard, naked body of Elias. Her leg was resting between his, her groin pinned to his thigh, and one breast crushed against his chest. She could feel him erect, trapped between their bodies. Sophia was very aware that the dampness from between her legs was making his skin slick. She longed to move and avoid the awkwardness of him waking to find her so wantonly spread across him, but was secured in her current position by his arm across her back. 

Trying to extricate herself from Elias' grasp in an attempt to maintain some modesty, Sophia just caused the man beneath her to groan and stir.

"Where do you think you're going, priestess?" He asked rather gruffly, not loosening his grasp one bit. Still trying to wriggle away, Sophia froze when Elias gasped. She wondered if she had hurt him. "Keep squirming on top of me like that, and you'll find me buried inside you before I have a chance to think about your welfare." Wisely, Sophia kept very still. Her discomfort and embarrassment had turned to fear. 

"It's been a long time, priestess. A man only has so much will power, and spending a night with your wetness on my thigh has all but eroded mine." Despite the crudeness of the soldier's words, Sophia found her back being stroked soothingly. She moved herself slightly, eliciting another sucked in breath from the man beneath her. She had positioned herself so that she could see his eyes, though this had left her almost astride his thick thigh. 


The Priestess Ch. 01



"I thought you would rape me last night," Sophia admitted. 

"So did I." Sophia's eyes went wide at the frank confession. "If there had been some passion in you, some anger, then maybe I would have." Elias reached up to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, and she was proud of herself when she only flinched a little. "You were so terrified though, I couldn't bring myself to scare you any further."

"I don't understand. Why would anger have made it acceptable to you?" Sophia was surprised at her lack of fear. She was nervous of the big man, but his honestly had reassured her.

"To me, anger doesn't seem that different from lust. I could have used your anger." Elias' hand smoothed down Sophia's back, coming to rest on her buttock. It felt odd to have someone touch her there, but not unpleasant. Then, the thigh beneath her twitched. It was her turn to moan. Her face heated in shame as a second twitch caused her to buck slightly against the muscle that suddenly had her feeling hot and bothered. 

"What are you doing?" she gasped, only to find that Elias was rolling over, putting her very firmly beneath him. He had somehow managed to lodge himself between her thighs, his pleasure at the new position very evident as he pressed himself against her entrance. 

Before Sophia had a chance to protest, Elias was whispering lewdly in her ear: "I know how tight you are, how good you would feel. I would be gentle with you the first time." Sophia's heart was pounding in her chest. Her nails dug into the bulging arms that caged her on either side. Between her legs, a stinging stretching sensation had started as Elias tried to push the tip of himself inside her. Squeezing his body with her thighs in an effort to stop his progress only seemed to spur him on as he worked to gain entry. His generous, twisted lips met hers, stealing her protests. 

"Let me, priestess," he breathed against her lips. His eyes met hers, and she could see the pleading desperation in them. Sophia remained silent, butterflies in her stomach, nausea building at the thought of the pain that was sure to follow. 

"It hurts," gasped Sophia as Elias once again pushed himself against her. He froze on top of her, his eyes still gazing into hers. Sophia sagged with relief, tension she didn't know was there pouring out of her as he pulled his body from hers. She clamped her legs together swiftly, bringing her knees up as she rolled onto her side. The soldier curled himself around her. Sophia could feel the offending organ pressed against her back as he held her tightly. She had to admit, the warmth of him was comforting. 

Sophia took a moment to think about the position she was in. His fingers had already defiled her body and broken through her virginity, albeit to save her from the General who had seemed like a cruel man. Elias had also killed a man in front of her. He had permission to keep Sophia for as long as she amused him, and he seemed intent on taking her with him. Yet, he had stopped when she told him of her pain, and he hadn't forced her last night, though he had insisted on washing her and being washed in return. Sophia decided that he wasn't a cruel man, but not particularly kind either. 

Uncurling herself, Sophia rolled over in Elias' arms. She saw the shock on his face as she pressed the front of her body against his. She raised a hand to stroke the scar on his face, tracing it gently. It felt good beneath her fingers, smooth and silky next to the stubble covered skin of his cheeks. 

"Until yesterday, I was a priestess, a virgin. I had no intention of ever laying with a man. I'm afraid of what you could do to me, but I'm grateful for your protection. I'm under no illusions that my fate could have been a lot worse." As she spoke, Sophia avoided the grey eyes that watched her uncertainly. Taking a deep breath, Sophia made the only decision that she felt she could. "I promise that I will give myself to you willingly, if you will only give me a little time to get used to you." 

Elias' lips found hers. He kissed her gently, a mere brush of surprisingly soft lips. Sophia tilted her head so that he could gain easier access; a kiss didn't seem like such a high price to pay. Taking the invitation, Elias' lips parted Sophia's. She was shocked at first when his tongue swept her own, and she inexpertly tried to mimic the action. The kiss was slow and tender. She felt herself melting a little in his arms, her body relaxing completely for the first time. His hands rubbed her back, but strayed no further. Sophia found herself pressing closer to the man. She could feel a warm sensation building in her stomach, and wondered if she would become the kind of girl to enjoy a dalliance with a man. The thought made her shy. Elias released Sophia. She released that he must have been paying close attention to her reactions to have noticed the abrupt change in her demeanour. 

"Do you have somewhere to go?" The question was unexpected. 

"I've only ever had the temple," Sophia responded. 

"I would take you elsewhere if I could. You aren't the type of woman a soldier can travel with. You spend a few months under me and you'll never be the same." His voice was gruff, almost angry. 

"I'm sorry. I'll try my best." Sudden fear had gripped Sophia. It was true that she had no one to go to, nowhere to call home. She hadn't considered it, not really. She had accepted that she was a prisoner, the spoils of war, but not that she would be alone when her soldier tired of her. 

"You're too sweet, too sheltered." He ran a finger gently down her cheek. "You can stay with me a while, but when we get close to where I need to go, I will find you somewhere. What did you do in the temple?" 

"I was training to be a spiritual healer." Elias grinned at her. She knew that many people mocked the healers, thinking they practiced an art that couldn't possibly be real. Elias' hand trailed from her cheek, softly caressing her neck. He ran one finger along her collarbone, then down to the valley between her breasts. Sophia's nipples hardened, her thighs clenched, and once again she felt a thread of desire. 

Lips met hers once again and she found herself arching her body against his. His rough hand cupped her breast, squeezing gently, before finding her puckered nipple and giving it a tweak. Sophia groaned into his mouth. She gasped as his mouth left hers, following the path that his fingers had already taken. His moist kisses on her neck made her shudder against him in pleasure. Her nerves were back, but almost pleasant. She acquiesced as he rolled her onto her back, kissing the mound of a breast, then sucking the nipple between his lips. 

A large hand explored Sophia's stomach, then grasped her hip. Her other breast was being treated to the same attention as the first. It wasn't until a thick finger parted her folds that she realised she had opened her legs wide, offering herself to the man before her. For a moment she felt uncomfortable at the slick way his finger slipped around her flesh, knowing that it betrayed her surprising excitement. Her thoughts were soon disrupted as the finger brushed against her nub, sending sparks of pleasure radiating through her. She gasped, tilting her hips towards Elias in an eager request for more. 

As his finger moved lower, pushing inside her, she was surprised to feel a little pain. When a second finger joined the first, Sophia writhed in discomfort. Another finger rubbed at her nub again, causing her to moan, pushing down on the fingers inside her. Elias started to thrust them gently within her.

"You're so tight, and it's been so long since I took a girl's virginity. I don't want to hurt you, Sophia." Elias' words seemed earnest to her ears. It was a shock that he was still be so sweet with her when he could easily overpower her, but more of a shock that he referred to her as a virgin.

"You broke me open yesterday," she moaned as his lips pecked down her stomach. His tongue flickered inside her stomach button for a moment making her suck in a breath. She felt divine. 

"You are a virgin until you have lain with a man." His lips had stopped working as had his fingers, and Sophia found herself coming back to reality with the disappointment. She couldn't believe how fast this man had torn down her defences. Here she was, spread open before him, hips bucking in an effort to keep sweet pressure on her private parts. "Sophia, do you understand? If you permit me to have you, I will be taking your virginity. I know that is something you have been taught to value." 

Sophia thought about his words. Surely having him buried in her up to his knuckles meant she was no longer a virgin. She was certainly no longer pure. She thought again about the way he had stopped last night when she asked him to, the way he hadn't forced her to touch him when she had shied away. 

"Do it now," she whispered. The words had barely left her lips when once again the thickness of him was pushing against her. He lifted her legs, wrapping them around his waist. She felt a delightful pressure as he slid an inch inside her. It didn't come without pain though. So slowly, he worked his way inside. Inch by painful inch, he stretched her open. Eventually, it was one quick, brutal thrust that sunk him completely into her. 

Sophia was tense. She felt uncomfortably full, and the stretching wasn't pleasant. When Elias started to move she moaned, tears falling from her eyes. She expected him to be rough, but he wasn't. He moved carefully within her, claiming her mouth in a sweet kiss as he did. Soon she found her hips moving with him, eager to have him deeper. His thumb started to rub at her, once more eliciting the strange electric like pleasure that had prompted her to give in to him. 

The pleasure was building, coiling. She could feel herself twitching around Elias as she panted under him. His thrusts had become jerky, bringing with them a strange pain as he slammed into the end of her. It was easy to ignore however, and Sophia didn't want him to stop what he was doing to her. 

"Hurry, priestess. I can't hold on for long." Not really understanding what he meant, Sophia opened her mouth to ask. The noise that issued from it was almost a scream as her body started wreathing in earnest. Her nails scored his back and shoulders as pleasure erupted inside her. Sophia threw her head back. As she started to come down, she was shown just how powerful Elias could be. He lost control completely, hammering into her, ravaging her. Sophia started to push at his body as the pain built. It didn't last, though. He groaned above her, his hands digging into the soft flesh of her arms. She felt him shudder, warmth spreading between her thighs as he flooded her with his release. 

She watched, fascinated, as Elias rolled off her. His eyes were still shut. For a moment she felt uncertain, but then he pulled her against his chest. Between her legs was throbbing angrily, and she felt raw. Still, there was a certain satisfaction that seemed to make up for it.

"I had intended to give you longer, Sophia. I am sorry." Elias' voice seemed strained with guilt. Sophia realised for the first time that he only used her name when he was serious. She much preferred it when he called her priestess; it was somehow comforting. 

"If I had known it would feel so good I would have given in to you last night." Elias opened his eyes, disbelief stamped across his face. Sophia smiled, kissing the shoulder beneath her. "Well, maybe not, but I certainly would have given in quicker this morning."

"Are you very sore?" Sophia nodded, but kissed him again. Elias sighed. "It will never be this painful again." He wrapped his hand in her hair, dragging her up his body until her mouth was accessible to him. The kiss was loving when it came. "I have to go and see the General," he murmured. "Get ready to leave."

As Elias watched his little priestess wash in the cool stream his cock hardened. They had travelled further than he intended today, and it was obvious she was saddle sore. He smirked to himself as he thought about their activities this morning, and decided they must have had something to do with the way in which she was walking. He hadn't been able to believe how tiny she was. All day with her sat between his thighs on the horse he had fantasized about the way she had twitched around him. He knew he had hurt her at the end, but he had no regrets. 

He admired the slender body before him. Her bottom was pert, her tits firm, and her pussy hot. Her hair shone like copper in the sun, and her eyes were a deep dark blue. Her beauty was naïve, innocent. He remembered the sweet way she had trembled under his hands on the first day when he had washed her. She had been like a little bird. He had wanted to bend her over the bed and fuck her then.

Rubbing his crotch, he pondered her reactions to him. She had touched his scar with loving fingers, and opened up to him easily enough. He groaned as he thought of the way she had pressed herself against his hand, impaling herself when he had stopped moving. His priestess would be a lusty one if he treated her right. 

The whores that hung around the camp were afraid of him. They wouldn't come near him. He despised them, enjoying the fear in their eyes when he got too rough. He had enjoyed seeing that fear in his priestess' eyes, but not enough that he wanted to damage her. If he had forced her when he had first gotten his hands on her she would have broken under him. 

Releasing his cock as Sophia turned to face him, Elias walked towards her. He watched as she stepped from the stream, grabbing the cloak he had given her to cover her nudity. He loved how shy she was. 

"Do I have time to meditate before we eat?" she asked him softly. Elias made sure his face was kind; he even tilted his twisted lips into a gentle smile. 

"Of course, priestess. I will come and get you when dinner is done." Elias watched the gratitude spread across her expressive face. He leant down and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead watching her flinch as he did so. He hadn't hurt her since he had grabbed her in the temple, not really. She seemed to think of him as some sort of protector, and her flinching was becoming noticeably less. He thought it had more to do with the fact he was male than anything. It wouldn't last though, it never did. 

Feeling achy but otherwise better than she had in days, Sophia knelt down in the dry grass to meditate. She wanted to thank her Goddess for finding her Elias. He had been a little cruel at first, but had been far kinder than many others would have been. Today, he had been nothing but perfect. 

Sophia thought about her Goddess' sword. She hated that it had hung on the belt of the General. It was supposed to bring power to all who wielded it, making them invincible. Sophia hoped that there was a little more to the acquisition of its power than that, though. The man who had ravaged her homelands with his army was not someone who should be allowed to rule over a populace. 

Slipping easily into her well-practised trance, Sophia felt the world slip away. In moments, she had received her first communication; her head filled with the image of her Goddess shedding tears over the bodies of her lost sisters. Sophia's grief was instant, as was the guilt that chased away the strange feeling of contentment she had when in Elias' company. The Goddess then showed her the General with her sword. Again she was weeping. The images became a little blurry after that. There were several of Elias looking cruel, cold. In the visions he killed many men and women in the search for something, their bodies piling up at his feet. 

Sophia watched in horror as the visions once again became clear. It had never been like this before. She realised that the blurry visions were the future, the clear ones the past. This vision was again of Elias. Her sight seemed to be tinted red. She watched him take whore after whore to his bed, hurting them, choking the life from them. She gasped as time after time they died. This stopped when he met the General, and instead of killing them he settled for terrifying them. 

Sophia was then shown another string of images, blurry again: the future. She was shown Elias once more, but this time she was with him. His face was relaxed, happy. He was loving towards her. He was cool towards other people, but did not kill unnecessarily. He was searching for something, still. 

Even as Sophia wondered what Elias was searching for, she was shown. Like the sword, he was searching for objects of power. It would take all of these objects to bring the General to glory. Once more she was shown an Elias who cared for her. He helped her to thwart the General's every move. 

Finally, Sophia's vision was filled with a brilliant white light. Her whole body filled with heat. She was shown the dead body of the high priestess, her spirit floating up out of her corpse, and presenting Sophia with the ghostly image of the Goddess' sword. Sophia accepted unquestioningly, and felt the tingle of power fill her. She had never felt it so great. Sometimes she would feel a warm rush that was similar when she healed, but this was somehow different. She was the last priestess, the only candidate for high priestess. She thanked the Goddess for the responsibility, even as the task she was presented with seemed mammoth. 

As Sophia came out of her trance, she was surprised to see Elias sat opposite her. The soldier was studying her. As he raised a hand to touch her, she flinched away, falling from her precarious balance on her knees to land heavily upon her bottom. 

"Easy, priestess. You were sounding pretty distressed a minute ago." A vision of a beautiful blonde whore flashed through Sophia's mind. She watched once more as Elias beat her, then brutally raped her. The woman left him with a bag of money, covered in bruises. She had thought this morning that, towards the end, he had been rough with her. Now, she cowered before him knowing what he was truly capable of. Elias' look of concern was darkening before Sophia's eyes. She tried to remember the loving way he had looked at her in the other visions, tried to remember how important it was that she stay with him, but it was almost impossible with him so close.

"I saw what some of the men did to my sisters," Sophia whispered. Elias grimaced. He held out a hand and, after a moment, Sophia took it. His touch was gentle, warm. He helped her up, pulling her close. She shuddered against him. He led her silently back the place where he had set up camp. They had a small shelter that stretched between two trees, a camp fire, and blankets. 

Sophia took the bowl Elias gave her. There was hot meat, rough bread and coarse vegetables. It was seasoned and surprisingly delicious. She knew Elias was eyeing her curiously as she wolfed it down. As he put down his own empty bowl, she watched him cautiously. He came and sat behind her, shielding her back from the cool night air. With the fire before her, Sophia felt cosy. 

"That was good," she said as Elias ran his fingers tenderly down the curve of her neck. She shied away a little causing him to stiffen behind her. 

"What's the matter, Sophia?" The use of her name made her tremble. What could she say to him?

"It's almost time to retire. I'm nervous about what will happen when we do." It wasn't truly a lie. Would he beat her like the other women? 

"Are you in pain?" Sophia nodded, forcing herself to lean back against him. She knew she was tense, and that he would be aware of it, but there was no way for her to relax. Large hands came to rest on her shoulders. He reached around to the front of the deep purple cloak he had given her, and unclipped the clasp. It fell heavily from Sophia's shoulders sending a shiver through her that wasn't all fear. Elias gently squeezed her shoulders through the dress she had put on after bathing. As his hands trailed down her covered arms, Sophia sucked in a shuddering breath. Elias' own breath was hot and moist against her ear; she remembered how it had felt upon her breasts. 




The Priestess Ch. 01



"Undress for me?" He requested. Sophia felt her heart quicken. She remembered the shame she felt when he had washed her, and the pleasure she had felt when he made love to her. Feeling more than a little brave, Sophia stood. With shaky fingers she undid the buttons on her dress, shrugging it off her shoulders. It pooled around her ankles revealing her bare breasts, and the trousers she had been persuaded to wear. Feeling somewhat inelegant, she peeled those from her body, too. The night air kissed her skin, causing her nipples to tighten. 

As Elias stood, Sophia fought the urge to cover herself. He approached slowly, like a predator. His eyes ate up her appearance, taking in every detail, or so it seemed to Sophia. If he touched her, she knew she was doomed. He might not hurt her, but being gentle was just as dangerous. 

"You said you hadn't had a woman for a long time," she blurted out. Elias' features seemed to harden. 

Elias watched as fear filled his priestess' eyes. He knew he looked menacing, and he imagined that the scar certainly helped with that. She hadn't mentioned the other scars, yet. Since her meditation she had been jittery. He wasn't sure he believed the explanation about witnessing the deaths of her sisters. If it was true, though, he was glad he had had no part in it. Raping virgins was not an activity he participated in, despite what he had said to his priestess. Still, he wondered if he would have forced her, had she not been so distressed. He had been aching to feel her tight around him, and having her wash him had been a foolish exercise in control. 

"You are delaying, Sophia," Elias accused. "I will answer, though, if it pleases you." Elias watched her nod jerkily, before continuing. "Women are not interested in a man as scarred as I am, and are less interested in a man who will spend a long time away from them."

"What about whores?" His priestess stammered. The grin on his face was menacing.

"I find them distasteful," Elias replied. It was the truth, though not all of it. Elias studied her wide eyes and shaky hands. He closed the distance between them quickly, pleased with himself when she jumped. 

"Widen your stance for me, Sophia." He commanded. She obeyed, she always did. He liked that about her. With quick fingers, he spread her cunt open. Though it was swollen, it wasn't slick like he had hoped it would be. A slither of disappointment lodged itself inside him; Elias wanted her to desire him, something that hadn't been a concern to him for a long time. 

Knowing it was cruel, but doing it anyway, Elias forced a finger up inside her. It was difficult without her natural wetness, but he enjoyed the way it made her shudder. Until she whimpered, that is. Meeting her sapphire eyes with his own, he watched his priestess wince in pain. Her channel was as puffy as the rest of her cunt, still tender from his less than gentle use. Knowing she was in pain, and he was the cause of it, made him uncomfortable. 

"My apologies, Sophia," Elias said, stepping away. "I had thought you would be a little more eager. My mistake." 

He watched at the thin woman before him started to tremble all over. It was frustrating that after a day of kindness she reacted like this to him. He had hoped to ease her nerves. Indecision crossed her face for a moment, and then she stepped towards him. Closing the gap between them, she pressed her face against his chest. Taking the invitation, Elias wrapped the tiny creature in his arms, feeling an unexpected protectiveness. 

"I'm sorry, I am. Perhaps you could kiss me, like you did this morning?" Her voice shook and he was sure she was crying. He felt a stab of guilt, which he quickly buried. 

"Hush, priestess. That won't be necessary." Elias ran his hand through the silky mass of copper hair. It had soothed her before, and he hoped it would do the same now. Leaving her clothes where they were, he led her to the makeshift shelter. He guided her onto the blankets, then covered her nudity with more. She watched him with watery eyes as he removed his own clothes before joining her. His cock was painfully hard, but he knew he wouldn't get the chance to use it. 

To Elias' surprise, his priestess snuggled against him. He wrapped an arm around her and pulled her down. She stretched in an attempt to reach his lips. He met her half way, kissing her sweetly. 

"I want to make you happy." The statement was so earnest that he banished thoughts of how she could do that. Having her petite mouth wrapped around his cock would certainly make him happy, but he had already dismissed that idea as being too soon. Instead of forcing her under him, he pecked her forehead. 

"Go to sleep, priestess," he whispered, holding her close.

Sophia lay awake for a long time. She didn't understand the interaction that had taken place. He kept showing patience and kindness when she wasn't ready for intimacy, yet she had clearly seen the violent lust that lay within him. Lying in Elias' warm embrace, she forced herself to remember the happy, loving face she had seen in her vision. If she could bring that out by staying with him, then she must try. More than that though, she had seen no death when he was happy. 

Resolved, Sophia allowed herself to relax. In the morning, she would allow him to claim her again. She knew that her nerves had stopped her body reacting positively to him, knew that he could tell that. For a while, she had thought he was angry with her, disappointed even. She needed to convince him that her nerves were due to the pain. If she truly displeased, she didn't know what he would do.



The Priestess Ch. 02



Elias awoke as soon as his little priestess started to move. The soft red light of the rising sun made her hair glimmer exotically. As her tiny, naked form removed itself from his embrace, he thought about what he should do. The chances were she was going to relieve herself, and if she tried to run he knew he could catch her quickly. Still, the opportunity to be cruel was very tempting. A large part of him wanted to accuse her of trying to escape. He imagined how she would cower, eyes large and full of terror. He longed to wrap his thick hands around her little throat and choke her as he forced his thick cock into her dry, tight tunnel. 

As Sophia left their bed, he listened to her moving through the grass. Once he heard the sound of her pissing, he decided he would wait for her return. He thought back to the night before, and the unease that had filled him when he had been rough with her. As she settled back into the crook of his arm, he tightened his grip around her. She froze.

"Glad to see you return safely, priestess. There's lots of vicious beasties in these parts." Elias made his voice rough, and a little threatening. 

"I hadn't thought not to return," Sophia stammered back. Elias kept his eyes shut, but knew how worried she must look. He could feel the tension in her body as she lay beside him. A thrill ran through him as he thought about the panic she must be feeling. He kissed the top of her head, and decided to sleep a little longer. 

There was no way Sophia would be able to get back to sleep. She lay staring at the roof of their shelter, body stiff. If Elias thought she was trying to escape he would surely hurt her. The thoughts of what he might do to her upset her greatly, and by the time Elias stirred beside her, she was in a state. Her mind couldn't let go of the images of the whores he had killed. There had been a lovely, leggy brunette who had been left broken on her bed, her limbs at odd angles. Elias could easily do that to her. 

Sophia jumped as Elias propped himself up on one elbow, turning to face her as he did. Her heart was thumping in her chest, her breath coming in pants. He frowned at her, his grey eyes growing cold. Roughly, his hand closed around Sophia's shoulder. The grip was cruel and painful. This is it, she thought. 

"Do you feel that?" He whispered somewhat urgently. Sophia nodded, tears spilling from her eyes. "Do you feel how strong I am?" Again she nodded. "I won't let anything hurt you," he hissed, releasing his grasp and rubbing at the marks he had left, "I was only teasing you." It took Sophia a moment to work out what he was talking about.

"The wild animals?" she stuttered, uncertain. 

"Yes, Sophia. There is nothing scarier than a rabbit out there." Looking again at his eyes, Sophia came to the realisation that he was angry with himself, not her. Throwing her arms around his thick neck, Sophia covered his face with relieved kisses. 

Surprised when he claimed her lips, Sophia kissed Elias back hesitantly. His hard body felt good against her, but in the back of her mind was a deep rooted fear, as well as a sense of guilt. Take pleasure in him. He will not hurt you. Jerking back from Elias, Sophia gasped. She had always been a little sceptical when her High Priestess had told her that the Goddess spoke to her, but now she knew it was true. A tinkling laughter filled her head before it faded, leaving a frustrated man before her eyes. 

Suddenly, Sophia found herself pinned to the sheets. Her wrists were gripped in Elias' left hand, whilst the fingers of his right stroked the base of her throat lightly. He was between her thighs, his hardness pressing against her opening in a clear threat. "You will tell me what's wrong, Sophia. What did you see last night that caused you to fear me so." 

"I told you, I saw my sisters-"

"-Do not lie to me, Sophia." Swallowing thickly, Sophia considered her answer. Before she had had a moment to think, Elias gripped her nipple and twisted viciously. Writhing in pain beneath him, she told him the truth.

"I know what you like to do to women," she spluttered. 

Looking down at Sophia's face, Elias froze. He released her, springing to his feet and turning away. Shame flushed through him at the excitement he had felt moments before. No wonder the priestess feared him. He had heard that the priestesses had visions, that the Goddess spoke with them, but he had never expected it to be true. Running a hand through his hair, he turned back to the meek little woman in his bed. 

She sat with her hands clutching the sheets to her. Her knees were drawn up and her shoulders hunched. Elias could see how afraid she was. To think, she had slept next to him thinking that he may tear into her at any moment. He could see that the trust had gone completely from her. It put a whole new spin on her reactions that morning; she had been afraid of his anger, not of the animals he had said lived nearby. 

"I will drop you off at the next town we ride through." His voice was brusque and matter of fact, hiding the sorrow he felt at losing the naïve beauty so soon.

"No," the priestess blurted out, much to his surprise. Her big blue eyes looked more panicked at the prospect of him leaving her than anything else. Of course, he thought, she had spent a life in the temple and knew no one. He was a fool to think she would survive long on her own.

Approaching her slowly, he watched as she recoiled in a way that was all too familiar to him. Even his sweet faced Lisa had cowered before him in the end. 

"Let me try," she begged, quietly. Her eyes looked anywhere but at his face. He sighed. The scar must seem as repulsive as the rest of him to such a sheltered, fragile creature. He cursed his own idiocy at thinking she would want him. What did it matter if he tried to be gentle? She was just too good for him. 

Sophia watched the warring emotions on Elias' face. The thought of failing her Goddess made her brave. Creeping forward, and watching the weariness in her soldier's eyes, she caressed his scarred cheek. It occurred to Sophia that he was as vulnerable as her, in his own way. 

"Promise me you'll be gentle," she pleaded, meeting his eyes. He seemed shocked by her consent. Giving herself to him was the last thing that Sophia wanted to do. She longed to know the reasons behind his brutal behaviour, wanted to spend time with him where other people could keep her safe but, above all, she wanted to flee. 

Laying herself back on the blankets, Sophia shut her eyes and spread her legs wide for Elias. It felt like an eternity before his fingers tentatively found her thigh, stroking it as he settled once more between them. His lips brushed hers, softly, encouragingly. She urged herself to relax under him, but couldn't. Every moment she was waiting for him to treat her roughly. 

Large hands skimmed her sides before massaging her breasts. As Elias' fingers found her nipples, a whimper escaped Sophia. 

"Easy, priestess," he muttered against her lips. His lips left her mouth, replacing his hands at her breasts. She gasped as he nibbled gently, then flicked the hard points with his tongue. His mouth felt so hot and moist that Sophia felt her stomach clenching. Her whole skin was tingling as his tongue lapped a path down her stomach. Knowing what she did about him, she didn't understand how Elias could excite her so quickly. 

As Elias licked the taught skin of Sophia's stomach, he couldn't help noticing how tense she still was beneath him. He bit the soft swell of her hip as he found her slit with his fingers. Probing her dampening entrance with the tip of a finger, he heard Sophia whine. Minutes before, he thought he would never be welcomed inside her again. Even if she was prostituting herself for his protection, he couldn't afford to scare her any more for fear of losing this intimacy. 

Shifting his body down the bed, Elias slid his hands under his priestess' pert arse. Forcing her to tilt her pelvis, he looked at the cunt that was spread open before him. She wasn't half as slippery as he wanted her to be when he fucked her. 

Stretching out his tongue, he tickled the plump lips lightly, enjoying the sound of Sophia's horrified gasp.

"Please, this isn't...clean." Elias chuckled against her in response, enjoying her squirming at the sensation. Lazily, he lapped at the juices trickling slowly from her. She tasted good. Plunging his tongue mercilessly inside her hungry cunt, Elias buried his face in her. He trailed a path from the tiny puckered arsehole, all the way up to her swollen, twitching clit. Sucking it fiercely into his mouth, he rolled it between his lips, letting his teeth graze it occasionally. 

As Sophia's hands wound in his hair, he smiled. Elias knew he had her. Backing off a little, he starting to flick her clit with his tongue. By the sounds of her panting, he was keeping her right on the edge of orgasm. The pressure of her hands built on his head as she tried to force his face against her. Her hips bucked, desperate for more stimulation. At this point he could make his lusty little priestess agree to anything, he thought. 

"Please..." she panted. 

"Please what?" He whispered against her feverish flesh, causing her to groan. 

"Inside me, please." Satisfied, he sucked hard. Sophia's slender thighs clamped down around his head as she writhed in pleasure. Taking his chance, Elias moved his body over hers and slammed his cock into the tight, pulsating hole that was waiting for him. He groaned as his priestess whimpered with the sudden pain. She was so slippery, and felt so good, he couldn't help forcing as much of his length in to her as he could. Elias could feel the end of her, and knew how much discomfort he could cause. His hands bunched in the blankets as he fought the temptation.

Withdrawing slowly, the lithe body beneath him continued to twitch on his cock. Taking a deep breath to steady himself, Elias eased back in to the tight sheath that was milking him. Roughly, he palmed Sophia's breast, twisting and tugging at her nipple. She whimpered, and he could see her wincing in pain. He picked up pace, fascinated by the way his girl panted in time with him. Taking her lips in an almost violent kiss, Elias lost control. His body seemed to override any care or concern he had for his priestess, hitting the end of her with every thrust. He grunted, then shuddered, his hands clenching around the soft flesh of her hips. 

"Elias, please," he heard Sophia moan. He wasn't sure if she was desperate for him to continue or to stop, but at that moment it didn't matter; just hearing her lilting voice pleading took him over the edge and he spilled into her. 

Rolling off the trembling priestess, Elias pulled her body against his chest. He lay still as she took deep, struggling breaths, hiding her face in her tangled hair. With long, soothing movements, he stroked her back. Sated, he started to feel a little guilty for scaring her. He had been too rough with her luscious tits, and had hammered her silky cunt for all it was worth. 

Eventually, Sophia's shuddering stopped. Elias wondered if she had fallen asleep, and waited patiently to see if she stirred. By now he had wanted to be on the road, but he was happy to stay longer if she needed to sleep. As Elias started to drift into sleep himself, he found himself wondering exactly what Sophia knew about him. He hoped she had merely seen the rough sex, not the dead whores. 

Startled out of his pondering, Elias tried to cling to Sophia as she pulled away from him. 

"I should wash," she mumbled, not making eye contact. Releasing her, Elias remained quiet. He watched her scurrying away with a sense of confusion about what to do about her. 

With her back flush against Elias' chest, and his groin melded to her, it was challenging for Sophia not to think of their morning activities. After briefly thinking her death was imminent, Sophia now felt a lot more relaxed around the solider. He had been kind to her since they left, offering her plenty of chances to get off the horse and stretch. 

"Where are we going?" She finally dared ask, her soft voice almost lost in the breeze.

"Today we will stop in Eastfield, a large town not far from here. We should be there by nightfall," Elias replied. He lifted a hand from the reign, brushed her hair aside, and laid a kiss on her neck. It made Sofia shiver with pleasure despite the summer heat. She had wanted to know where they were headed on their journey, not just where they were going today. She chided herself for not being more specific, but wasn't comfortable asking again.

"Is it a nice place?" she asked instead. 

"It's much like any other town in that some areas are nicer than others. You'll see for yourself soon enough." Tensing in the soldiers arms, Sophia turned as best as she could to look at Elias. In the pit of her stomach was a worm of worry; she was afraid that he would leave her in the town, and that she would therefore fail her Goddess. 

"You will keep me, Elias, won't you?" Sophia almost slipped from the horse as he chuckled. 

"I don't own you, priestess." Elias' hands gripped her shoulders and turned her around so that she was facing forwards again. It wasn't the first time that she had come close to falling. Her thighs ached from gripping the horse, they were rubbed raw despite the trousers she wore under her dress, and between her legs throbbed with every step from Elias' rough handling. 

"Before, back in the temple -"

"- was bullshit," he finished for her. Sophia was glad that he couldn't see the look on her face. Cursing was not something that she had been brought up to tolerate. "Priestess, what I said then was for the benefit of the men listening. If you want to leave me, I will happily assist you." 

Sophia fidgeted, confusion weighing heavily on her mind. Elias had kept her the first night for sex, she knew that. He had told her to accompany him yesterday, but had told her that he would leave her somewhere safe after a while. She understood better his comments about him ruining her innocence; she felt sullied by the things she had seen him do. She wasn't really sure if she was his prisoner or not. 

Soon enough, trees started thinning and people started passing them on the road. As the outskirts of the town came into view, Sophia started to wonder about where they would stay and what they would eat. Adrenaline was coursing through her system at the thought of all of the people. Suddenly, Elias seemed a lot safer. It was true, sometimes, that it's better the devil you know. 

The first thing Sophia noticed was the smell: the foul stench of excrement seemed to be a base for other smells to build upon; acrid and bitter, the scent of smoke layered unpleasantly on top; soured ale and tart wine perfumed the air whenever they passed an inn; roasting meat, simmering vegetables, and baking fish created a sickly layer of fragrance that might have been pleasant if not for the others; finally, the scent of thousands of unwashed bodies assaulted the senses. It was nothing like the open country air, or the delicate incense of the temple that she was used to. Even the army camp had smelt more appealing.

Still, Sophia found herself fascinated. The streets were bustling even though it must have been time for the evening meal. People of all shapes and sizes were hurrying about, dressed in everything from fine silks, to little more than rags. The buildings seemed cramped, the streets higgledy-piggledy. It was as if the town was organic, and had slowly spread rather than something that had been a planned and organised development. It seemed wrong to Sophia that this was the case. Up until now, her whole world had been very structured unless she was out, and enjoying nature. People had travelled for days to reach the temple of the Goddess rendering visits to other places unnecessary. 

"This all seems so strange," Sophia whispered, although she wasn't really sure who she was talking to. 

"Wait until you meet Vita and see where we are staying. That really will give you a shock." It didn't take long for Sophia to see the latter. In the centre of the town, or so it seemed, there stood a dingy, boisterous inn. The square that it was located on made it an obvious choice at the end a busy day, but whatever money the owners made certainly wasn't spent on the maintenance of the building. 

Sophia felt Elias climb from behind her. He quickly took the horse's reigns and led them down a narrow alley way. Moss grew up the walls, and murky liquid puddled underfoot. She thanked Elias for allowing her to stay on the horse as he grinned knowingly at her horrified expression. 

The stables were surprisingly clean. Fresh hay covered the floor, and a boy was on hand to take the horse. Sophia slid inelegantly to her feet, whishing she had more than sandals to wear. It was the thought that she had no possessions that made her study Elias' attire for the first time. 

"What?" He grunted, as he flipped the stable hand a coin. 

"I wondered how you dared to ride around, being a soldier of the enemy. Now I know." Elias wasn't wearing a single item of clothing that identified him as one of the invaders. His eyes narrowed. Sophia took a step away from him, then winced in pain as he gripped her wrist, purposefully dragging her towards the inn through as many puddles of suspicious fluid as he could. She wondered how many were due to the horses, and how many were due to inebriated customers. She had a feeling that she knew. 

As they approached the open door at the back of the inn, Sophia was tugged behind her soldier. She tried desperately to see what he was protecting her from without making her position obvious. Bravery was all well and good whilst she was hidden, but she knew her legs would turn to jelly at the first sign of danger. 

"- think you can take advantage of my girls like that, you piece of shit? If you so much as breathe wrong the next time you're in here, I'll have your guts decorating the walls." Sophia heard a thud, a groan, and then a man was sprawled at Elias' feet. The voice that had spoken had been coarse but definitely female. 

"Glad to see you're still handling yourself, Vita," Elias said. 

"Shit, give a girl some warning!" Despite the words, Vita sounded excited to see Elias. Sophia was sure that if she could see the woman's face she would be beaming. Rather suddenly, Sophia was tugged in front of Elias. Vita's face visibly dropped, leaving her with a slightly angry expression. 

"Two rooms?" she enquired, her tone brusque.

"One," Elias snapped back.

"Are you sure it's a good idea after-"

"-It's not the same." With that, Vita nodded. Her eyes came to rest on Sophia making her squirm a little, but giving her the chance to study the woman openly. 

Vita's hair was a dirty blonde, and scraped back behind her head. She was a scrawny woman, all sharp angles. Her face was scared from some sort of pox that had left her pasty skin pitted. With dark smudges beneath her eyes and crooked teeth, Vita certainly looked unhealthy and unappealing. Her eyes sparkled with life though, and a wry humour that made Sophia feel very naïve. The woman made her feel shy, embarrassed and a little envious. 

"Vita," the woman announced, shoving a dirt smudged hand out for Sophia to shake. Bemused, and with a quick glance at Elias, she gave Vita a tentative squeeze. 

"Sophia." 

"I stole her from the temple," Elias announced calmly. Vita just rolled her eyes, and led them both into the inn. As they walked, Elias took hold of Sophia's hand even though she walked in front of him. His hand was rough and warm against her skin. 

Once again, Sophia's senses were assaulted. The noise was atrocious. Men were everywhere, with the odd woman interspersed between them. They were raucous; shouting to one another, and banging fists, feet and tankards in emotion created a cacophony. There were men playing instruments in a corner, but they were barely audible. 




The Priestess Ch. 02



Vita led Elias and Sophia through to a room behind the bar. There were old, shabby benches with comfortable, if worn, looking cushions. Elias urged Sophia to sit. She perched on the edge nervously, noticing that Elias had no such reservations. He sprawled across the remaining space, leaving Vita to sit opposite them. Sophia jumped when Elias' arm wrapped itself around her calf. 

"Still working for the enemy?" Sophia winced a little at Vita's bluntness. 

"It pays well." To Sophia he sounded defensive. 

"I'm not criticising. If I'm honest, no one much cares as long as taxes don't rise and there's food on the table."

"No one cares?" Sophia spluttered, "They've desecrated our religion, slaughtered our men and hunted down the monarchy. How can people not care?"

"Look love, in the real world people haven't seen a difference. Sure, a few worshipers are pissed off and a King got beheaded, but the army was only a few thousand men strong. We have more men than that in Eastfield." 

Sophia was stunned to silence. She felt her eyes welling up with tears. The only family she had ever known had been tortured, raped and murdered, and no one cared? Strangely, Sophia believed Vita. The people she had seen didn't look like they were suffering. 

As conversation carried on around her, Sophia tuned out. She couldn't take her mind off the suffering that she was sure would happen to the people of her country in due course; the General wasn't a kind man, and the visions she had seen weren't pleasant. Sophia decided that she had to work up the courage to ask Elias where they were really going, so that she could start to talk him out of his goal. If she could just explain to him that he was hurting people, surely he would stop. That's not the way. The voice made Sophia stiffen. When Elias looked at her questioningly, she gave what she thought must be a strained smile as reassurance. The thought of someone sharing her head, even her Goddess, was uncomfortable and left her feeling slightly disjointed. 

You'll get used to it, said the voice as it floated through Sophia's mind. She felt as if she were being laughed at. This way you'll be able to meditate less, and I can talk you out of foolish choices. Feeling a little berated, Sophia nodded to herself. 

"That's true," she muttered. 

"You know of him?" Vita's voice surprised Sophia out of her pensive state. She realised that both Vita and Elias were staring at her. Blushing, she glanced away hoping that the conversation would carry on. 

"You're tired." Elias announced. Nodding, Sophia stood. 

"If you tell me where we are sleeping, I'll go to bed now." 

"No." Not expecting the response, Sophia paused. She felt awkward and uncomfortable, not knowing if she should obey or not. "You must eat, and I won't let you go to bed alone," Elias clarified. "I'll bring us food. Vita will keep you company." 

After Elias had gone, Sophia found herself staring at the woman across from her. Despite her skinny frame, her breasts were large with a deep enticing cleavage. The dress helped; the bodice was tight, the skirt flared, and the top very low cut. 

"They paid their way at one point," Vita laughed obviously noting Sophia's glance. Sophia coloured once again. "He's a possessive one, you know," Vita continued, "and you can't have any other experience with men." Sophia shook her head, wondering where the conversation was going. 

"Are you taking anything to prevent pregnancy?" At the question, Sophia's stomach flipped. She felt herself pale.

"No," she stammered out. She couldn't imagine Elias being a suitable father considering his hobby. 

"We'll fix that, love. There'll be a drink with your breakfast, and I'll give you some herbs to make it each morning. It's saved me from a few fixes." Vita was smiling gently at Sophia. It made her look a lot more attractive, though nothing would make her beautiful. 

"Thanks." Sophia couldn't manage more than a whisper as she stared at her feet. 

"Are you hurting anywhere?" Vita continued in the same gentle tone. Sophia shook her head in response. It wasn't the truth though; the inside of her thighs and between her legs was raw. Sitting on a horse and allowing Elias to take her had taken its toll on her delicate flesh. 

"I can't help if you don't tell me," Vita sighed. Sophia just shook her head again, embarrassed to be discussing such things. "Fine. If you change your mind, I'll be around. I'll tell Elias you'll take your meal in your room. Maybe you'll talk to him."

As Vita left, Sophia relaxed. She didn't think the woman was being mean, or even meant to make her uncomfortable. Sophia knew she should get a grip and start acting like the woman she now was. She couldn't afford to be shy or squeamish if she was going to do as her Goddess wanted. Sophia was sure that her eyes would be completely opened before she left Elias' company. 

Vita led them both up narrow stairs near the door that they had entered through. The inn was in full swing now that the sun had set, making Sophia wonder how she would sleep. Taking the tray of food from Elias, she entered the small bedroom first. It looked comfortable, with worn furniture and thick blankets. As she was placing the food on the table, she overheard Vita's parting comment.

"You just be gentle with the girl," she hissed. "If you can't be, you know where I am." Sophia felt her heart sink. 

Climbing into bed, Sophia felt a little woozy. The dinner had consisted of cold meats, cheeses, bread and fruit. It was the wine that had Sophia feeling a little strange, though. It had been clear, crisp and fruity, and was the first wine that she had ever drunk. As Elias joined her, just as naked as she was, she couldn't help but giggle. 

"What's wrong?" he asked gruffly. 

"A few days ago," Sophia started, wrapping her body around Elias' in a move that seemed to take him by surprise, "I was a priestess. I never expected to be drunk, and in bed with a naked man." Sophia ran her hands over Elias' chest, feeling the way the muscles moved as he shifted his body around her. Bravely, she licked at his chest, enjoying the saltiness of his skin. In an attempt to seduce, she slung her leg over his, rubbing herself against him. 

"Are you sure, priestess?" Elias asked with concern in his voice. "You're rather drunk."

"I want you to take me, soldier," she commanded in her most serious voice. It just made her giggle again. Elias looked at her with uncertainty for a moment, but then she closed her hand around his hardness. She watched as his lids got heavy and his breath whooshed in. 

Closing her eyes in satisfaction, Sophia enjoyed the victory of Elias' hand gliding across her breasts and down her stomach. It was only as his fingers worked their way between her folds that she winced; she felt bruised and swollen. 

"I won't take you tonight, Sophia. You are in no state to have me inside you." 

"Then show me how to pleasure you," she demanded, the alcohol making her brave. Her fingers traced the heavy sacks that hung between his legs, pulling gently at the loose skin that she found there. Elias' eyes had opened wide at her offer, but lost focus at the new attention. She liked the way the skin felt, and could tell that he was enjoying the sensations she was causing. 

"Did you enjoy my mouth between your legs, priestess?" Elias grinned. The question was so unexpected that Sophia couldn't help but blurt out her response.

"Yes." She was embarrassed by the pleasure that such a vile, base act had given her. 

"There's no shame in it, priestess. It's how you can pleasure me." The statement made Sophia freeze. She met Elias' eyes and saw the challenge there. She didn't think it was something that a respectable woman would do, but the look in his eyes encouraged her. She had to win him over to her way of thinking, and surely giving him pleasure would help. There is nothing wrong with giving him your mouth. Sophia was grateful for her Goddess' comments for the first time. Taking a deep breath, and steeling her reserve, she shimmied down the bed. 

Licking the long, thick shaft for the first time was a pleasant surprise. Elias' organ twitched as Sophia made contact with the very masculine tasting flesh. Taking her time, something she wouldn't have done without the wine, Sophia explored every inch of him with her tongue. Swirling it once more around the smooth, swollen head, she sucked in between her lips. The shuddering sigh that escaped her soldier told her she was doing something right. 

Bringing her hand up, Sophia started to stroke the base of him as she worked. Elias started to moan, his hand wondering to the back of her head. She half expected him to force her head further onto him, but instead he stroked her hair. Groaning in pleasure at the petting, Sophia noticed that it made Elias clench his fist against her head. Repeating the noise had the same effect. Soon, she was moaning around his shaft as she sucked, licked and pumped. 

When the hot flesh twitched in her mouth, and the heavy balls tightened, Sophia continued. She was shocked when squirt after squirt of creamy, salty liquid was deposited in her mouth. Trying to pull her head away, Sophia discovered that Elias was holding her there. She was forced to choke down his ejaculate, coughing and spluttering around him as she did.

Once Elias was done, Sophia placed her head on his thigh. She felt a little queasy, and wondered if the wine was wearing off, or if it was from the experience of swallowing Elias' bodily fluids. 

Gazing down the length of his body at his priestess, Elias couldn't believe how easy it had been. She had taken his cock in her mouth like a pro. Part of him wished that he had gotten her drunk before. He wished he could have fucked her; there was nothing like burying himself in that tight little body. Still, he had heeded Vita's warning. He was half tempted to go and find her once he had recovered a little. She liked it rough, did Vita. Not as rough as he liked to give it, but it would do in a fix. 

Stroking his priestess' hair from her face as she dozed on his thigh, he kept picturing her tiny mouth wrapped around his thick dick. He had longed to force her head down, but knew if it had been a bad experience it would be the last time she let him use her like that. 

When Elias started to doze himself, he hauled the drunk woman up the bed. She stirred a little, and looked at him groggily, but didn't fight when he lay her against his chest. Covering them both up, Elias wondered how she would ride tomorrow. He had seen how chaffed her thighs were, and thought perhaps they could stay another day or two. It was so early in the journey that they could make time up later on. They had six months to accomplish a lot, but he was sure a few days wouldn't make too much difference. 

Sighing, he considered the first object. The mountains where the monastery lay would be treacherous for Sophia. The old ruin would provide them with little shelter once up there, and if there were any bandits he might not be able to keep her safe. Elias had determined to leave her before then, but feeling her warm in his arms had been all of the convincing he needed to keep her with him. Besides, she might be able to help to steal the shield; any monks that were left would hardly suspect such an innocent, young priestess. 

Sophia stirred feeling slightly groggy, and very headachy. Her stomach was churning, and the sunlight that had managed to penetrate the grime of the window was hurting her eyes. Groaning, she rolled to the side. Sophia ended up pressed against the hot flank of her soldier. 

"Morning, priestess," Elias said, far too cheerfully. Sophia only groaned in response. Pulling the covers up and over her face, she buried herself. The memories of what she had done last night came flooding back. She was ashamed of her wanton behaviour, and couldn't believe Elias was still in the bed with her. Surely he had been annoyed by her display. 

"Vita brought breakfast a while ago. You need to eat something before we go shopping."

Elias new her too well, Sophia decided. Curiosity got the better of her. She poked her head out from beneath the sheets and gazed up into the grey eyes that were staring at her. Elias had self-satisfied smirk on his face that goaded Sophia into hitting him in the stomach. It was only a light blow, but she was horrified as soon as she had done it.

"I'm s-sorry," she found herself stuttering into Elias' shocked face. When he laughed, she flinched. Sophia waited for some sort of reprisal, or punishment, but instead she was rolled on top of him. 

"You're going to have to hit me harder than that if you want me to take you seriously, priestess," he murmured, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. Sophia shuddered as she sat astride him. He was hard beneath her and, despite her hangover, she found herself grinding shamelessly against him. It stung a little, but she wasn't as sore as she expected. 

"Later, priestess," Elias chided her, rolling her back onto her side. Embarrassment warred with disappointment for a place in Sophia's gut. As he climbed naked out of their bed, she pulled the sheet further up her body. She had forgotten, for a moment, what he was capable of and now she was feeling shy again. She studied him as he dressed, feeling more than a little awkward. 

"What will we be buying?" She blurted out. 

"Warm clothes; the mountains get cold." With that, he strode from the room leaving Sophia alone with breakfast and her thoughts. She was pleased that she knew a little more about their journey, but since she was new to the outside world she had no idea which mountains Elias meant, or how far away they might be. She had never studied the geography of her country, and only new that it was a small place, with a moderate climate. Of course, that was in relation to other countries; to her, her home nation seemed huge. 

As Sophia followed Elias through the square, she was shoved, stood on and elbowed. Her intention had been to stay close to Elias, but she soon found that this was impossible. As he strode ahead of her, seemingly unaware of her struggles, she started to panic. The square was so noisy that she had no hope of attracting his attention. A man to her left was bellowing in her ear, sharing the prices of the meat on his stall. To Sophia's right was a woman haggling for a piece of jewellery; the stall holder seemed so outraged by her prices that he yelled in indignation. Jostled by every passer-by, Sophia soon lost all sight of Elias. 

Frantically, she spun in a circle wondering if she had lost all sense of direction. When a hand gripped her elbow she jerked away, stumbling away from whoever had dared to lay hands on her. 

"Priestess, hold still." Relief washed over her as the hand took her elbow again. As Elias took her hand and guided her through the crowd, her relief was short lived. For the first time, Sophia realised how truly dependant on him she was; Sophia knew no one, had no money, and no idea how to find a job or somewhere to live. She had never needed to learn skills to survive a life outside of the temple. She could never imagine fighting through crowds like this day after day; she would go crazy. 

"In here," Elias said, concern lacing his voice. His obvious worry snapped Sophia out of her own contemplations. If she wanted to learn to survive, she would have to pay more attention. The shop they entered was richly decorated, and was obviously intended for people with wealth. It was hard to reconcile the Elias who stayed with Vita with the Elias who could afford to shop here. The shop assistant certainly seemed to agree that Elias seemed an unlikely candidate for the wealth that was needed to buy his goods. 

"Can I help you, sir?" The word sir was dripping with contempt. Elias gave Sophia a small smile, then released her hand. Unease rolled around her gut. She could see the shop assistant eyeing Elias' scar, and knew that he was regretting his tone. 

Elias, quick as lightening, reached to his side. Sophia had no time to react, and flinched as he flung something towards the man. She had thought he was going for his sword, and had no time to modify her reaction. Instead, what landed on the counter was a tatty, stained bag that clanked loudly. The man became wide eyed as to bag spilled some of its contents. 

"I will go and get the owner, sir. He will be more than happy to serve you. Please, take a seat." Elias did as he was bid as the man scurried off, holding out a hand to Sophia in an invitation to join him. Still filled with apprehension, Sophia seated herself in his lap. Elias stroked her back reassuringly. He seemed to feel the tension in her. 

"I am not as uncontrolled as you seem to think me, Sophia." Although Elias' tone was patient and gentle, his use of her name told Sophia otherwise.

"I'm sorry," she whispered, snuggling against him. His arms tightened around her, his lips brushing her temple, then seeking out her mouth. He seemed to suddenly be filled with passion, and claimed a kiss that left her breathless, her lips reddened and swollen beyond all decency. Her cheeks coloured to match as she heard an impatient throat clearing behind her. Elias chuckled, then turned to face the new man. 

The owner of the shop was richly dressed in bright colours, and expensive fabrics. He was short, round and balding. The look on his face told Sophia that he clearly didn't believe his assistant's claim that they could afford to shop in his establishment.  

Before the man could speak, Elias lifted Sophia from his lap and turned to face him. He proceeded to list all of the garments they would require, some of which Sophia had never heard of. She was quickly stripped, measured, then forced into a variety of styles, colours and fabrics. Throughout the whirlwind ordeal, the owner scribbled notes onto a pad of paper. It was only after a very lengthy hour that Sophia was able to sit and catch her breath. 

"I don't like shopping," she announced, much to her soldier's amusement. 

"It won't be so bad next time. We have your measurements now."

"Why aren't you being measured?" 

"I know mine already. Besides, I don't need to look half as pretty as you do." 

"Why would I need to look pretty?" Sophia's genuine question seemed to give Elias pause.

"Don't you want to look pretty?" He asked eventually.

"I want to look presentable, but I've never had the luxury of anything but plain, simple garments. As long as I'm clean and tidy, I'm happy."

"Then it seems I've wasted a small fortune today." Sophia worried for a moment that Elias was displeased with her, but saw nothing but a bemused smile on his face. "I thought expensive clothes would please you, priestess." A funny, pleasant warmth spread through Sophia at the thought of her warrior doing this to please her. From what little she knew of society, she imagined that his actions would have pleased most women. 

"Thank you," she said with feeling, "I'm sure it isn't too late to cancel your order though. We could go somewhere else." 

"The clothes will be of a good quality, and that's what matters. They will be warm, and durable. If you choose to stay with me you'll need them to be."

Elias was presented with a receipt, and told to come back in two days. It was pleasant news to Sophia that she would be able to avoid climbing back on the horse for a while. Her legs were still raw, something that the shop owner had commented on. It pained her a little to walk, but she made no complaint as Elias led them through street after street. It felt like she had walked miles before they stopped again. Her feet were sore from shoes that had never been intended to be used outside. The sandals that she had taken from the temple had certainly been ill considered. If she had thought that her life would have involved anything other than whoring for the man holding her hand, she would have made a better choice. 




The Priestess Ch. 02



The slow pace that his priestess was setting was driving Elias crazy. He knew she was in pain, and it frustrated him no end that she hadn't asked for his help. From what he knew of her religion, the healers were able to heal physical wounds as well as spiritual, but were unable to heal their own injuries. If he had been the one hurt, providing that Sophia's healing skills were genuine, he would have been whole again by now. 

He had been confused and disappointed by Sophia's lack of interest in clothes. He had hoped to please her with his gift. Instead, his showing off had accomplished nothing. He hoped that his new plan would bring her more pleasure. 

The shop was not one that he would normally have bothered with. His inability to read had never bothered him, yet he knew that people who were able generally took great pride in their ability. Looking at the wonder on his priestess' face, he knew he had made the right choice. He could see the eagerness in her eyes, the barely contained excitement in her stance, and could feel the tight grip of her hand in his. 

"You can choose any book you want, Sophia." He was surprised by her reaction. She threw her arms around him, kissing him roughly on his lips. Looking down into her eyes, he saw a tenderness he had not expected. For a moment, he dared to hope that what she felt for him stretched beyond a strange mixture of fear, gratitude and dependency, but then he pushed the thought away. He could not afford to get lost in fantasy.

As he sat and watched his priestess, Elias thought about where they were going. He wondered how Sophia would react when she discovered he was stealing items of power, items intended to allow the General to take over not only her country, but any other he desired. He knew that the sword had been the first of many items that would together make the man invincible. Although many items stemmed from other religions, he thought that Sophia would be horrified by his actions. 

Watching her bend and stretch soon distracted Elias. He could feel himself hardening in his trousers, and tried to focus on something other than her shapely arse. He would love to sink himself into that forbidden hole, and considered plying her with so much wine that she would bend over and present herself willingly to him. He knew that as he pressed into it, she would whimper and struggle in pain. He would have to hold her down, force himself in, and come to the sound of her sobs. The thoughts excited him immensely, and only the sight of Sophia's innocent smile cooled his lusts. 

When she approached it was wearily, as if she had seen something of his thoughts on his face. She held her book out to him.

"This is the one you want?" He saw the hesitation on her face before she nodded. The lie was so obvious that he couldn't imagine his priestess ever successfully deceiving anyone. 

"Yes, please." Elias sighed at the lie. He needed to find a way to make the girl less nervous around him. 

"Which book do you want, Sophia?" At the use of her name, she flinched. Shit. His tone had been harsher than he intended. Grabbing her wrist and dragging her to him, he planted a quick kiss on her lips. "Tell me," he all but growled. 

"It's too expensive," she blurted out. Damn her. She had no concept of money, not really, and certainly had no idea how much money he had. 

"Go and get it. I can afford a book." 

When Sophia brought the book she wanted to him, he nearly choked. It was three times as expensive as anything else in the shop. Still, he could afford it and if it made her happy then it would be worth it. He needed her to trust him. Happiness, he decided a long time ago, was the key to trust. 

"What's it about?" He watched in fascination as a blush crept up Sophia's cheeks. It was sweet and endearing. 

"Healing," she muttered. "It was written by the healer who raised me." Elias watched as emotions chased themselves across Sophia's face: pride, sadness, grief, the flicker of a smile at a happy memory, and finally the expectation of a refusal.

If the woman who raised her had lived in the temple, she was surely dead. 

"What's the other book about?" 

"It's a story." Sophia's expression remained schooled, but she was clutching both books to her chest. 

"Here's the money," Elias said as he handed her his coin purse. "Can you work out percentages?" Sophia nodded. "If you can get 10% off the combined price, you can have them both." The shock on Sophia's face was worth every penny. 

After leaving the shop, Elias took Sophia to buy some new shoes. He was alarmed at the state the sandals had left her feet in, and determined that he would have to talk to her about her lack of communication. 

*

Watching his old friend's face, Elias knew she was jealous as Sophia told Vita about all of her gifts. He could also see the suspicion that he was up to something. Once Sophia had left to put her books in her room, Vita rounded on him. 

"What the fuck are you playing at, you little piece of shit." He had expected worse. "She's so innocent," Vita continued, saying innocent like a curse. "What you did to Lisa was awful, but at least she had some experience of the world. This is a whole new low."

"It's different." He knew it was a weak response, but his gut was twisting with guilt. His fists balled as he thought about Lisa's last moments, and the terror that had been in her eyes. 

"Yes, it is. This time you know exactly what you're doing you manipulative bastard. She'll fall in love with you, just like Lisa did."

"She already knows, Vita." He didn't wait to hear Vita's response.