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Prophecy

By: eyecandyrayce



This is a new story I am working on. The first chapter is to set up the story line. I hope that you find it enjoyable.

I apologize if there is anything I missed correcting in my editing.

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Helena walked on bare feet up the hill side. There was a golden glow over the dark outline of the top of the hill. The night sky was filled with dark clouds that reflected the glow of many fires back, making it easy for her to see her way with no moonlight.

As she crested the hill, the wind whipped at her night shift as though trying to pull it from her body. Her hair blew about her face and her breath caught at the sight before her.

Down in the valley she knew to be just a few weeks ride from her home was an army the size of which she had never seen. She was a child born of war yet her mind faltered at the sheer number of men, torches and fires blazing as their camp for the night filled the enormous stretch of the grassy valley she had seen many times through her life.

"They are coming. On the next full moon, your people will die. You must flee," said the familiar deep voice behind her.

She did not need to turn to see his handsome face filled with worry. She did not need to for she could close her eyes and see him in perfect detail. His green eyes rimmed in gold, his auburn hair whipping about as much as hers and his well shaped body covered in simple but clean clothing. There was always a glow to his moon kissed skin that was reflected in the gold and jewel encrusted sword at his hip. He had begun to show up in her visions just a few years ago but he was familiar from the beginning and she never questioned his presence. The spirits worked in mysterious ways.

She shook her head in shock, "Why do they come? I don't understand."

He stepped up next to her and she could feel heat coming from his body. He felt so alive to her that sometimes she wondered. She turned to look up at him, "Is there no way? No chance we can win?"

He looked down at her with that look in his eyes that made her turn away every time. She hated the way he made her feel sometimes. It was not right to have a spirit pull at ones heart strings.

His voice was soft when he spoke, "No. You must flee. They travel to a greater war and your home means nothing to them. They will rape and pillage with no care for the lives of your people." He paused a moment and his blood boiled, "No care for your virtue."

She stood up straighter suddenly, "That means they will come and go. Perhaps that will convince the others to flee but only for a moment. Allow them to pass and return to our homes to rebuild anything they destroyed in their passing."

He nodded, smiling with pride at her. She was a true leader though she did not honor to hold such a position. But he hoped someday she would.

"It is a good plan." He touched her arm lightly and she turned to look at him with tears in her eyes. This made him pause. She very rarely cried and to see her do so now made his heart ache. He stepped up to her and put his hands on her arms. 

"It will be alright Helena."

She closed her eyes as he leaned forward and laid a gentle kiss on her forehead. They stayed like that a few moments, Helena choosing to forget he was not a living man for a short time as he wrapped his arms around her and held her.

He took in a deep breath and sighed. He kissed her head again, not letting her go just yet and then whispered, "I am sorry for what else you must see tonight."

She opened her eyes to look up at him but he was gone. Instead she was standing in the center of her own village as it burned. There were screams all around her and the smell of smoke filling her senses. She could hear a mans grunts of passion and a steady sob of a woman from a hut near her that did not burn and then the vision changed and she went from calm observer to pure panic.

She was strapped to a table with only a fire set into a stone wall for light. She couldn't see around her but the room was large and the deep shadows danced from the flames of the fire. A dark shadow stood over her and she felt a sharp pain on her chest. Looking down at herself she saw she was nude and covered in symbols cut into her flesh from face to toes. The blade being held in the man's hand continued the cutting as she could now make out his voice mumbling in a language she didn't understand. She knew those words and could recite them word for word yet she couldn't understand what they meant.

He leaned down and she could smell blood on his breath and knew it was her blood. His lips pressed on hers firmly and she clamped her mouth closed against the blood he was drawing from his own bitten tongue. He forces her to swallow it by sealing her mouth with his and pressing her nose closed. She would swallow it or drown in it. It was her choice. Helena fought as long as she could until she finally was forced to swallow the metallic liquid before he allowed her a painful breath.

That is when she felt his hand part her neither lips and she screamed, fighting against the straps attached to the table. She fought against the sensation of his finger sliding over her already wet from her blood. As he found her clit he concentrated there and she thrashed more, hating the sensation it was causing to build inside of her. She did not want to give him what he wanted but she was helpless to stop it..

She felt his breath on her face and he whispered into her ear, "Now my little Prophet. Tell me what you see of me or I will insure that you have no visions to tell of again."

She woke screaming and thrashing in her bed. Esma had come running at the sound of her sister's cries and stood back from the bed, waiting for the village prophet to wake from her vision so she could comfort her. Esma knew what was needed as she had her own visions. But she was still new to the gifts unlike Helena who had started having the visions at a young age. Esma had just started her training when the old Prophet left to the mountains to die. Just as all the other Prophets before him had done.

Esma rocked Helena until the woman stopped sobbing and had quieted. The two women were not that far apart in age. Helena was just a little older. It was the first time in the history of their village that two sisters so close in age had found themselves in a role normally seated by the old and the young. Instead the two women would share a single apprentice one day as they both grew old together.

"What did you see," Esma asked in a quiet and calm voice, still rocking her older sister.

"I saw the man with the knife." She shivered as she remembered the terror of it. This was not the first time she had experienced this vision. Even at a very young age she had repeated this particular dream and always she had been a grown woman in the vision, just as she looked now. But this time there was something new and different. She had no doubt that the army that approached had something to do with this man.

Esma petted her sister and nodded, "Did you see the battle again?"

That was another difference. There had always been a battle after the man with the knife. A clash of two enormous armies that made the ground shake and blood pool on the ground.

Helena shook her head, "No. It was different this time. We must go see Lucas. Events are being set in motion."

Esma sat in shock as her sister climbed from the matt of furs and wool blankets to dress quickly. The two women left their small home to find Lucas, their King. Esma did not press her sister to tell her more because she knew her sister would reveal it soon enough.

***.::.***

She stood before Lucas with Esma behind her, intimidated by the muscled wall of a man sitting in a wooden chair near the fire of the great hall. He had red hair laced with patches of gold. His eyes were such a light blue they were almost gray making them startling with his dark skin. A vicious scar ran down the left side of his face that had just barely missed the beautiful eye. It took everything Helena had in her to stay still under his intense and thoughtful look.

He was a warrior of great renown. There were stories told of his battles every night by the fire. All were stories of his youth when he was still a Prince and would travel the land. He was muscular with big callused hands and small white scars that criss crossed his body. He wore a finally spun tunic died a deep red color. It went just past his knees and left his well muscled legs showing. Yet he was still unmarried with no heir to his small kingdom built atop a hill at the base of the mountains of Aralt.  

The hall was empty except for a few guards and the three of them. There were empty chairs around the fire from the night before when everyone had gathered for their meal and drank around the fire into the late hours. But Helena did not take a seat. She stayed standing, looking at him from across the fire that burned in the center of the structure.

"How large an army," he asked, sitting forward to lean his elbows on the arms of the chair.

"Their fires were so great and so many that the clouded sky above them was ablaze with the light." She answered, her voice not showing any sign of the relief she felt that he was not going to dismiss the warning vision. She knew he was a wise leader but sometimes he would surprise her and become hard headed. She was relieved to discover this would not be one of those times.

He frowned and the scar wrinkled a little. Helena had always wanted to touch that scar. To run her fingers over it and see how it felt beneath her lips. But such things were not allowed for a Prophet. She still held her flower tightly to herself and to give it away would take away her gifts. Perhaps that was why the Spirit often worried for her virtue. Perhaps he feared he would lose her when she could no longer see him.

"How long," Lucas asked in his deep voice. It drew her from her thought and she looked at his eyes again. He watched her curiously, wondering if she was having visions even as they spoke.

"The next full moon my King which is not far off. They camp in the valley where the apple trees grow. If we wait until they leave, we may return and rebuild but the spirit warns that to stay is death and sadness."

He nodded his head as though making up his mind and turned to the man behind him, "Call the Elders. We have much to do."

The man nodded and turned to leave. Lucas looking at the fire for a drawn out moment and she heard him whisper to himself, "I have heard of no war. What battle do they go to fight?"

Helena bowed her head and turned to go, hoping to sneak out while his attention was elsewhere. Now that her message was delivered she felt her self control would shatter if she stayed any longer. Just as she reached the entry way she was stopped by his voice.

"Helena," he paused until she turned to look at him. Her eyes looked trapped and she had her hands clasped tightly in front of her. "Stay a moment and speak with me. Everyone else please go."

Helena took a deep breath as she walked slowly back towards where he sat and stood back in the spot across the fire from him that she had previously occupied. Esma had already slipped from the room along with the guards before he spoke again.

"Did the vision shake you that badly," he asked her, concern showing in his eyes.

She nodded slowly and said in a quiet voice, "It did."

Her quiet voice reminded him that she was a woman who still possessed feelings and he hated how her visions affected her. He was reminded of the smiling girl he had watched grow as he reached adulthood. He was older then her but he was not elderly. His father had died from the cough during the winter and he had taken his place. Both of them had changed so much since then. She had become so serious and he had been pained when he learned she had the visions. It meant he could never ask her to be his wife or touch her tender skin.

He stood and moved around the fire but she took a step back, her eyes a little wide.

He stopped but he did not wish to, "What is it Helena?"

She blushed and it set his heart racing, "Please do not call me that. We are no longer who we once were."

He grinned, trying to cheer her. "So your name is no longer Helena?"

She shook her head and he watched a smile appear at the corners of her lips, "That is not what I meant." She had lowered her eyes to his shoes, refusing to look up at his.

He came towards her quickly before she could react and step back. She gasped as one of his hands gripped her arm firmly, his other hand going up to lift her chin.

"You know what I mean and you are changing the subject. What else did you see?"

Helena shook her head and tried to pull her arm away. He released her arm and stepped back, reminding himself that she was gone to him. That the Gods had other plans for the woman he had fallen in love with in her youth.

"I am sorry. I should not touch you," he muttered as he turned away and moved back towards his chair. If he had just watched a moment longer he would have seen her hand lift as though reaching for him. He would have seen her mouth begin to open with heart ache in her eyes. She dropped her hand back to her side and locked away the sadness she felt.

"I have many visions of the future my King. But I only share with each person what pertains to them. Visions of other people are for them alone." In this case she was referring to herself but he did not need to know that.

Lucas sat back down, already tired though he had just woken. He could hear the Elders coming towards the door and sat up straighter in his chair, "You are right. The Elders arrive and I have much to do. Thank you for your warning Helena. I will make a sacrifice to the Spirits in thanks to them."

Helena bowed her head slightly and finally found her exit. She hurried back to her home and her bed. The visions always took so much out of her and often left her tired as though she had never slept. She would spend the day in solitude to allow her own spirit to recover from the ordeal of a strong vision.

She was not surprised to find a steaming cup of the herbs she had intended to use to stave off anymore visions waiting for her. Esma cared for her sister the remainder of the day just as Helena always did for her. She even refused the Elders entry when they came to ask the Prophet questions, reminding them of how taxing the visions were before sending them off again. Helena slept soundly most the day with no more visions to haunt her.

Prophecy Ch. 02



Esma was lying awake on her pallet by the fire in the main room of the hut that had belonged to the prophet of the village since as far back as anyone could remember. She was exhausted yet she still woke before the sunrise as she had since she was a child. Her body still ached from the day before and she knew today would be just as difficult. 

It had been three days since Helena had her vision and her visions continued still. Activity in the village was a flourish. Each morning they would all wake and meet in the great hall; a long tall structure built of wood and stone in the center of the village. A hole in the center of the roof released the smoke of the fire that constantly burned there into the sky. The Elders had prepared daily tasks that would be given out each morning just as the horizon turned light blue.

The work since that warning vision had been grueling. Wagons were being lashed together as quick as the builders could work. You could hear the hammers and saws working late into the night as they prepared to haul all the things they would need.

The plan was to get as much as they could into the wagons and carts and get a few days ahead of the massive army. They would lose most of their harvest but they planned to fill most of the carts with the younger plants pulled up with balls of dirt and roots. They were putting them in pots, buckets, bowls and even their clothing that was aside to be repaired from rips or wear.

Personal items were being limited to things that were necessary to live each day and things that could not be replaced or made again. And even those things were being limited. Most of the spinning wheels and other bulky items would be left behind but some were being taken. Personal items had to be carried on each person. A few final wagons were being made to carry the elderly and sick. If one could walk and keep pace they would be on foot or leading a cart pulled by beasts of burden. The children would walk with their families. If ones legs worked they did not get a spot in any wagon or horse.

They would travel east through the mountain pass and settle just on the other side. The pass would narrow the army if they decided to pursue and give them a chance to defend themselves. The harvest would be replanted and they would decide once they were settled if they would return or not. The next few years would be difficult but they were a strong people and Esma had no doubt they would survive. Of course, there would be loses and her people would never be the same.

Esma was so lost in thought she barely heard the light knock against the wall of the hut by the entry. She turned her head to see the fur that hung over it move aside and Lucas look in. Grabbing her blanket around herself she stood and bowed her head in respect, her eyes lowered to the floor.

"I am sorry to visit so early Esma but I noticed the fire. I came to speak with Helena. Has she woken?"

Esma looked up shyly and was surprised to see how embarrassed he looked. He was shifting from foot to foot as though he had done something wrong in coming there.

She shook her head, "No my King. She has not woken yet."

He glanced at the fur covered doorway to the only other room in the small structure and then back at the young woman, "Do you mind if I stay until she wakes? I do not want to wake her but something has been bothering me."

Esma nodded and moved to put her bedding away and bring forward the table and chairs that took up her bed space during the day. Lucas waited quietly, occasionally shifting from foot to foot. Once he was seated she began to heat water and prepare the morning meal. He watched her for a long time before speaking so suddenly it caused the girl to jump and nearly drop a pot of water into the fire rather then hook it to the frame over it.

"Helena has seemed haunted as of late. There is something she is not telling me and I have a feeling you know what it is."

Esma faltered in her movements and caused water to spill a little onto the fire. She cursed as a hiss rose up from the burning wood and put the pot onto the hook. Her hands were shaking as she stood and looked at their King. She was not a fool. She knew he loved her sister and that her sister returned that love. It saddened her to watch how they would gaze at each other when the other was not looking with that sad knowledge in their eyes that they were forbidden by the Spirits to ever come together as a man and woman should. The fate seemed less cruel to Esma but she had had no dreams of passion for any man. Helena had such dreams of Lucas since before her visions began.

"Yes my King. I know what it is that haunts her but it is not my place to tell of her of visions," she whispered, afraid he would be angry with her response. "It is only my place as her sister to hope that they do not come to pass."

Lucas sat up straighter and looked at her. Something was going to happen to Helena and he knew it wasn't good. Esme had confirmed it with her words.

Lucas stood suddenly and brought himself to his full height. Within two steps the girl looked like an animal watching the predator that would now end its life. He stopped just in front of her and looked down at her with all the frustration he had inside him.

"You will tell me what it is that threatens her," he growled down at her and her eyes widened more.

When Helena screamed from the other room they both jumped in surprise. Lucas turned and ran into the darkness of the room before the shocked girl could stop him. His eyes scanning for a threat but all he saw was Helena's black curls and her terrified face. She was such a beautiful woman with a shapely figure, flat stomach and mass of wavy hair to her hips that looked as though it would be silk to the touch. She lay on her back in her covers, her eyes open and wide as she threw her head back and screamed again. The scream was a mix of both pain and pleasure and he fought against the response of his body at seeing her thrashing about on her bed, her face flushed as though in the throws of ecstasy.

As his eyes took in the scene of her he paused. She was yanking her body on the bed as she thrashed but her hands stayed put in one exact spot on the bed as though her wrists were bound there. He watched as her arms stretched and strained against an invisible force that kept her wrists immobile.

Lucas stepped forward and was stopped by Esma as she quickly moved between him and the bed. She shook her head at him and put her finger to her lips to keep him quiet before turning her back on him. He watched, feeling helpless, as Esma climbed onto the bed with her sister and the moment she touched Helena's wrists rose from the bed and she tried to swing at her sister.

With gentle and practiced movements, Esma restrained her sister. She wraps her arms around her and started to whisper in her ear quietly. She soothed Helena from her vision until the room was quiet. Helena had ended staring at Lucas where he stood clenching his fists.

They had known each other their entire lives yet they barely knew each other at all. He had spent most his youth traveling the land. He would visit the villages his father did not have the means to visit in his health. He fought the battles that kept his people safe and negotiated with neighboring tribes. Each time he would return she would be waiting. He would see her watching from afar during the celebrations of his return. When he had been brought back after nearly losing his life to the blade that marked his face, she had been the one to sit by his side and wash the wound. He had scattered memories of waking through the fever to her soothing words and gentle hands.

Helena lightly patted her sisters' hand and Esma released her, allowing her to sit up and pull the blanket tightly to her chest. She examined Lucas a moment and then waved her hand at Esma to leave the room. Esma frowned but she obeyed, leaving the two of them alone together.

"How may I help you my King," she whispered, pulling the blanket up higher against her chest with trembling hands.

"Please stop calling me that Helena," he sighed. He walked over to the bed and sat down next to her. Helena watched him nervously but didn't try and move away from his hand as he reached over to brush the hair from her face. His voice was gentle, "Why will you not tell me what makes you wake screaming each day?"

His fingers ran down her jaw after tucking her hair behind her ear and she shivered, her eyes fluttering a moment from his touch. Her body already pulsed from sensations left from her visions. She hated that it left her in misery each day. She knew there were things a Prophet was still allowed to do and what happened to her in her visions would not rip the spirits from her life. But there was only one man she had ever hoped would touch her and his fingers now cupped the side of her face.

"There is nothing to tell Lucas," she stammered. His face was close enough to her that she could smell him. He smelled like wood and earth. It made it hard for her to think with him this close and her mind still foggy from the visions. There was a tightness in her chest and a tingle in her stomach that always came from his presence.

He shook his head and ran his finger over her lower hip, "You lie to me Helena."

She opened her mouth to argue but his lips pressed to hers and she lost all cognitive thought. The moan that escaped her excited him and the gentle brush of lips turned into a heated press of mouths. His arms wrapped around her and pulled her from under the blanket and into his lap. Her mouth opened to his and he ate at the muffled sounds she made. It took all of his self control to keep from pressing her back onto the bed and claiming her as his own.

"Tell me," he pulled back to whisper.

Helena's eyes were pained and she shook her head. When she pressed her palms against his chest he let her up but he let his hands linger on her arms until she had gone out of his reach. They fell back into his lap and he shifted to hide the bulge of his breeches.

She took a moment to put a thin blanket over her shoulders to cover herself before turning back to him. She was able to think more clearly out of his arms and the shock that he had kissed her had not set in yet. She was sure the emotions would come later but for now she couldn't afford to allow them forward.

"Why are you pressing this Lucas," she asked in a voice more sure of itself.

"Because you are hiding something. I can feel it with every part of me." He stood, now confident his excitement had calmed enough that he could stand before her without shame, "I can hear your screams every morning now. Do you think these walls keep us from knowing? Your screams have woken me since the morning you came to me with the warning."

Helena gave a quiet gasp and covered her mouth. She had known she cried out from her dreams but she did not know they were that loud. She turned a frown towards the door to her room. Esma had not told her that her screams were drawing attention. There were things that could be done to muffle the screams.

"Why won't you let me help you," he asked her, coming closer to her.

Helena took a step back until her back touched the wall. She knew if he touched her again she would give in to a temptation that would completely change her life. She could never be a woman to warm any mans bed for even a night. He didn't press the advantage but stopped just two final steps from her.

"Because you kissed me."

"I should not have done that," he admitted, "But you would not tell me before now so how is that your reason?"

"The dream I keep secret is mine. It is about me and I do not yet know if I will live or die from it." She pulled the blanket tighter around her shoulders and looked him in the eyes, "Why did you kiss me?"

He had the grace to look ashamed, "I am sorry Helena. I know that you can never marry or lay with a man but I have dreamed of doing that since the first time I woke to you dressing my wounds. Your face had been so close."

Helena blushed and looked down at the floor, "I had hoped you did not remember that day."

Lucas grinned suddenly, "I only remember a brief moment of waking. What do I not remember?"

"You asked me to marry you," she admitted, grinning a little herself from the memory of his delusional proclamations of love. The words had been from his fever and she had never taken them to heart. He was the Kings son and she was a young smitten girl who had just begun her training as the Prophet. It would seem she was mistaken on his intentions. Was that why he had no wed?

Lucas's eyes went wide and then he laughed loudly enough that Esma could easily hear it, "Is that why you avoid me?"

Helena felt the sting from his laugh and decided it was best to be honest, "No. I avoid you because I have loved you for as long as I can remember. But I cannot have you. I can have no man or children." She moved to the fur that covered the door and pulled it aside, turning to look at him as she held it open, "Please Lucas. Go. I can no more share dreams about myself with you as I could share the dreams I have of you with any other." The moment she said it she regretted it.

Lucas lost his grin and he crossed his arms over his chest, no intention of leaving without an answer to his question the the number of his questions was growing, "What dreams do you have of me Helena?"

Helena was blushing so brightly she could face him no longer. She ducked through the blanket and hurried from the little hut. She did not look back as she waved her sister towards the other room. She hoped her sister would know to stall him as she hurried into the trees of the forest near her hut to hide, praying to the Spirits that he had not seen where she went.

By the time he was able to get around Esma he could not see her. He stood outside her hut bewildered, staring out at the still dark forest as the realization hit him of what she had said. She had dreams of him that embarrassed her so badly she fled his presence?

With this knowledge he turned and headed towards the great hall. Everyone would be gathering soon and she would have to return. He barely noticed the people he passed along the way; he was too busy cursing the Spirits for allowing them to love each other. And he had no doubt that it was love. No other woman he had ever touched had made him feel as he did for Helena. The elders pressed him to marry for alliance with the neighboring villages. The women flaunted and tossed themselves at him. Yet he could think of no other but the one woman he could never have.

Perhaps it was time to except that he would have to marry another. He knew he could never have Helena but something inside him would not let him give up hope that she could be his.

Reminding himself what a fool he was he shook off his frustration and turned his mind towards the tasks that had to be completed today. No one ever doubted Helena's visions. Even her own mentor relied on them more then his own. No Prophet before her had been as accurate. The village would leave behind their homes and memories on her words. He tried hard not to think on what it would mean that she is having visions of him that would make her blush as red as she had.

****.::.****

The dark shape that stayed blended into the black outlines of the trees watched as Lucas left the hut where the scream had came from. The man's eyes followed the large figure for a moment and then looked back at the line of trees across from him where the woman had fled. She was the Prophet he had been told to find. She was the one who would lead his Lord to victory over his enemies with her visions. It was foretold by the last Prophet that served his Lord. The woman had thought the vision prophesized her freedom from him and still held onto this false hope. Arnas suspected that his Lord would rape and kill her the moment the new Prophet was in his possession. The woman had cost him fortunes and many lives from her false prophecies. The Lord only kept her around in case this one had been false as well.

He was just starting to step back into the forest to go find her when he saw her coming back out, her eyes searching the clearing for the man that had left. Arnas paused, curious as he realized she had been hiding from the man. She hurried back to her hut once she was sure the man was gone and quiet voices could be heard, though Arnas could not make out the words.

He was sure she was the one he had been sent to find. She fit the description given to him and he recognized the herbs that hung around her windows and door to keep away evil spirits; though he noted that more hung there then he had seen at a Prophets door before. But if she was as powerful as Lauren's visions had suggested then the herbs confirmed it. She was marked as clearly as day which made his job all the easier.

He watched a moment more to see if she would come back out before he lost the cover of darkness. When she did not emerge he finally sank back into the forest to wait out the day. He was a patient man and he had his prey before him. It was now just a matter of waiting until his prey wandered from the safety of the others.

Arnas was an expert rider and used to traveling great distances very quickly. His horse was tied with food far enough from the village that no one would chance upon it. All he needed to do was get the woman to the army a few days hard ride from here. Once there, the sheer number of men would overwhelm any pursuit.

He found a good tree, thick with branches and took some of the thicker limbs as silently as he could. Using these to cover himself he settled down to get some rest. Perhaps if he returned with her quickly enough, his Lord would reward him by allowing him a round with the old Prophet before he disposed of her.

_______________________

I hope the story is enjoyable so far. I'm greatly enjoying writing it.

Please don't hesitate to leave me a comment. I appreciate any feedback and advice you can give. I am fairly new at this and I'm here to share and improve.



Prophecy Ch. 03



Helena was exhausted. Her body ached as she and Esma waited in the line for stew in the main hall. The smell of it made her stomach ache and she salivated as they gave her a generous helping. They made their way to a table quietly and sat away from the others. Normally the hall was more active but everyone was simply too exhausted to be very social. Some still worked to keep spirits high by striking up heartening conversations. Some even shared stories of their memories of the village itself.

It was two sunrises from the day they would leave. Helena knew she should be upset about leaving her home but that was not what upset her the most. Ever since she had fled from Lucas that morning he had avoided her. Not that Helena had tried to speak to him again.

She had been able to function fine around him until she had made the mistake of thinking that she was dreaming of him again. But the anger had come when she saw him around the other women.

He had never shown interest in them and she hadn't realized that until he started to. At first it was just him talking with the women more then usual but now he was outright flirting.

Helena looked in his direction with a glare to watch as Lellah gave him some water. He had his shirt off, his scars proudly visible and was still a little wet from the water he had dumped over himself to wash away the residue of heavy lifting. Lellah fawned over him, laughing at his words and stealing brief touches every chance she got. It made Helena sick to see it so she turned away before she lost her appetite.

Lellah was a beautiful woman. Every man had eyes for Lellah and a few whispered to have laid with her as well. She had the type of figure that screamed sexuality. Fertile hips, heavy round breasts and a slim waist. Her lips were full and her eyes just a touch too round. Her brown hair hung in waves to her hips now that it was down from the braid that had kept it from her face during the day.

Esma snorted next to her and mumbled, "You express your love for him and accidentally admit you have visions of him so he finds a lass to latch onto within the week. I don't understand it."

"They are just dreams and he is doing what he must," Helena sighed.

"How can you be so sure? What if you are meant to be with him someday?"

Helena took a drink of water to wash down her food, "Visions concerning oneself are always the hardest to understand. There are emotions involved. Things that are based off your desires are usually dreams. You are as aware as I am that we still have normal dreams with little significance."

Esma nodded but deep down she didn't believe it. Her sister had once told her of her dreams of making love to Lucas. They had started about the time he had returned with the injury to his face and had become nearly as frequent as the man with the knife. Esma had asked her spirit guide repeatedly what was to happen to her sister but all he told her was Helena's fate was the Gods will and could not be changed. That was why Helena had received no Prophecies of how she would end up with the man with the knife or how to avoid it.

"Regardless I am already bound to the Spirits," Helena said almost absently as she chewed her food. A loud laugh made her look up just in time to see Lucas with his arm wrapped around Lellah, his hand resting on her rear as he pulled her to him and said something to her that made her laugh again.

Helena didn't realize she had slammed down her spoon on the table until people looked her way, including Lucas. With a silent curse and a blush she mumbled that she was no longer hungry and left the remainder of the food in her bowl for her sister as she stood and quickly left the main hall. She had a few pieces of bread back home she could eat before bed if she found her appetite again.

After she had left Esma looked back towards Lucas and found his eyes giving her a questioning look. Esma frowned and tilted her head at him before shaking it and ignoring him to eat. If he didn't know why her sister was so angry then he was a fool and deserved Lellah. The woman was simply wishing to gain status by tying the King to her bed. Esma knew for a fact that Lellah had gathered herbs to increase the chances of conceiving a child. She also had a particular dislike for the woman. They were the same age and Lellah had terrorized her most of her youth. The only thing that had saved her from the bullying had been the day that a dream she had told her mother of came to pass exactly as she had said.

The fact that the shy apprentice that usually cowered before him just gave him a disgusted look after her sister ran from the room did not escape him. He found himself suddenly distracted from the woman who seemed so willing and eager to climb into his bed. Her family looked rather pleased to see his attention on her. But no matter how hard he tried there was something missing.

By the end of the meal Lellah was confused. For a few days now he had been receptive to her and now he was suddenly distancing himself. Not a few moments earlier she had confidence that he would invite her to his bed and then nothing. It was so sudden that she could not fail to notice that it had started the moment the Prophet left the room. She watched him, a frown slowly creasing her brow. There could not possibly be something between the King and the Prophet. Could there?

It was at least encouraging that he bent down and gave her a gentle kiss, smiling at her as he excused himself for bed. She sighed and watched him go. Perhaps she should stop waiting for him to invite her and simply invite herself.

***.::.***

Lucas lay awake for a long time, thinking of Helena and the look of pain on her face when he had first turned at the sound. Then she had blushed with embarrassment and ran from the room. He seemed to keep having that effect on her. He was trying to move past her and he was finding it difficult. He assumed her quick exit meant she was doing the same.

It was a long time before the village went quiet. People had climbed into their own beds to rest as much as they could before it was time to get up and continue the grueling work. He felt sleep starting to pull at him finally and then the creek of wood.

Keeping his eyes closed he shifting his hand slightly under the pillow, putting his hand around the hilt of the blade he kept there. He could sense the movement in the room as someone came in. They were trying to be quiet but they were not very good at it as he was able to follow the motion of them moving to the other side of his bed.

The moment he felt the bed shift he sprung into action. Grabbing hold of the dark figure he pulled them down on the bed and pinned them, shoving the blade up against the tender throat of a rather surprised Lellah.

He kept the blade at her throat as he looked at her, panting from the rush that came with the thought of battle. Her face glowed in the moon light that shone through the window. It caused her skin to look pale and soft. His eyes followed that glow of skin down her body. One breast and a long line of her flat stomach were exposed. She had worn only a cloak around her which had come open when he had grabbed her. He could see her quickened breathing and the arousal his gaze gave her in the puckered bud of her nipple.

He groaned and looked back at her eyes with hunger. She opened her mouth to speak but he silenced her by claiming her lips with his own, growling a little against her lips. He moved the blade from her throat carefully and raised his hand. With a thud he stuck the blade into the wall above the bed so that his hands would be free. His hands exploded over her skin, pushing back the thick cloak to grab her hips.

Lellah moaned, wrapping her arms around his neck and closing her eyes. She opened her mouth for his tongue as he moved his body between her legs. He ground his hips down against her, pressing the pronounced bulge against her moist lips. He could feel the heat of her through the material of his bed tunic and his head swam with desire.

Lucas ran his hands up her body to her arms. Grabbing both of her wrists he pushed them together into one hand and moved them above her head. He pinned them there and leaned up to look down at her. His eyes roamed over her shapely form, starting at the tuft of dark curls covering her sex slowly up to her face.

"What are you doing here Lellah," he whispered.

She blushed slightly, "I thought you might want someone to keep you warm."

"And what part of me had you planned to keep warm with your bare skin?"

A slow grin played at the corner of her lips, "Well, all of you my King. Of course."

He chuckled and ran his free hand across her stomach and up to her breast. First he squeezed it and then took her nipple between two fingers, pressing them together around it. Lellah gasped and her hips thrust up and along the length of him. He grinned down at her and rolled her nipple between his fingers.

His cock surged and pulsed with his need to be inside her. It had been a long time since he had felt the warmth of a woman in his arms and Lellah was a beauty on his bed. Sliding his body a little down hers he turned his gaze to her full breasts. He took his time with them, one hand squeezing and playing while his mouth bit and sucked at the other. Lellah responded with gasps and moans, her body wiggling and arching beneath him. He kept her hands pinned above her head and his body pressed hard against hers.

"Please," he heard her whisper.

He released her breasts and moved back up her body. Wrapping his free hand into her hair and gripped it he pulled it to force her eyes on his. She bit her lip and he nearly lost all control.

"Please what," he asked with a husky growl.

She looked him in the eyes and raised and lowered her hips to slide him across her through his tunic material again, "Please take me Lucas."

"You are not a virgin," he asked, raising an eyebrow. Her eagerness surprised him as much as it spurred him forward.

She blushed again and shook her head, "No. I am not a virgin."

"Do not move," he growled in command before releasing her to sit up on his knees. He pulled his tunic over his head and heard her moan in desire at seeing him. Throwing it next to his bed he laid back onto her again. Her breasts pressed warm against his chest and he felt the tremble in her body and knew it was not cold.

He took her wrists in his hand again and gripped them. Shifting his hips he positioned his head against her entrance. He could already feel the slick moisture as just the tip of his head pressed between her lower lips and she moaned. He leaned down and kissed along her jaw to her ear.

"Good. Then this will not hurt... as much," he whispered into her ear. His hips thrust forward and he buried himself in one motion. She cried out and he covered her mouth with his hand, biting a little at her throat. He had been on edge since the morning he kissed Helena and that tension had boiled up to this one moment. He had to take this woman. Every part of him needed to claim her roughly. It wasn't the tenderness that he felt towards Helena. This was more savage; more carnal. He wanted to feel her release while he felt his own. He began to thrust into her without giving her pause to get used to his girth. Her muscles gripped him as he pushed into her.

Lellah groaned and began to thrust her hips back up towards his. He was almost too long making it almost painful. His girth seemed so big at first but she began to get used to him and the fact she was so wet for him made it easier.

"I want to see you over me," he growled in her ear again, his voice faltering with each thrust. "I want to watch your face while you cum for me. And you will cum for me."

She moaned at his words and then gasped in surprise as he released her wrists and reached down to pull her legs around his hips. Using his hands on her hips he rolled on the bed, taking her with him and settling her above him. His hands moved up her body to cup her breasts as she settled herself onto him with a small whimper.

"You're so long," she whispered, even as her hips started to move to grind him inside of her. There was some sharp pain as he pressed against the limit of her but it was so overridden by the pleasure she could ignore it.

His fingers pinched and pulled at her nipples, causing a pull of desire to race down her body to where theirs met. Her body jerked and rocked over him. She threw her head back and her long brown hair tickled the inside of his thighs causing Lucas to groan. He could feel his balls tightening and he fought against the impending orgasm.

Gritting his teeth he reached a hand down to push a finger between them. Pressing through the hair there he found her swollen clit and pressed against it, rubbing in rhythm with her hips movements.

Gasping Lellah reached forward and pressed her hands against his firm chest, resting her weight against him as she curled her body. He was causing such sensations that she felt she would explode. She could barely focus on anything but the pleasure he brought with his touch and the feel of him inside her. Her eyes were wide as he pulled her down against his chest, trapping her bent arms between them. He gripped her hips again and began to take control. He thrust his hips up over and over, filling the room with the sound of pounding flesh.

He watched her face as the orgasm struck her. Covering her mouth with his to muffle her screams he rode her through it. It wasn't until he felt her muscles ripple over him and the moisture flood around him that he stopped holding back. His balls tightened and he exploded inside her with a muffled grunt against her lips. His cum mixed with hers as he buried himself inside of her and held himself there.

He felt her go soft in his arms as she collapsed. Wrapping his arms around her he held her to his chest while they both recovered, panting and sweating from their exertions. Lifting her from his body he laid her down next to him on the bed, exhaustion pulling at him.

Lellah smiled to herself as the King fell asleep in her arms. She wanted to stay by him through the night but she needed him to proclaim her his in front of the entire tribe for that to be allowed. It was not considered a bad thing for a man and woman to find pleasure with each others bodies when they were not pared. But to become his wife she had to either get with child or have him proclaim her his wife before the entire village. 

Grudgingly she wiggled her way out of his embrace and pulled the cloak back around herself. Giving him one last kiss on his soft lips she slipped from the room and out of the great hall where the Kings rooms were. Her own bed seemed very cold after feeling the warmth of him next to her. She touched her stomach and prayed that the herbs would work.

***.::.***

Helena paced outside the door. Lucas had summoned her and she hoped it was not because of her small outburst in the great hall the night before at dinner. She hated that he could do this to her. No other being made her feel so unsure or afraid. He caused her to doubt everything about herself and wonder what it would be like to give in to her desires and let him take her. But to do that would destroy something she had lived with and grown to depend on her entire life. The thought of not seeing her Spirit Guide or knowing what was to come terrified her more then anything.

The door to the room opened and she turned in her pacing to see who stood there. A smile appeared on her face as Keifal came out of the Kings study. He closed the door and walked over to kiss her on the forehead.

Keifal was the Kings advisor as he had been for Lucas's father. The elderly man was tall and thin, his hands rough and scared from his life of hard work. His hair had once been golden but was now a dull shade of dust and silver. But even with his age he had a spring to his step and a clear mind.

"How are you Helena," he asked her, stepping back to give her a warm smile.

"I am well, thank you." She bowed her head in respect to the Elder but he put his finger under her chin to lift her eyes back up.

"Now now little dreamer. There is no need for that. We are friends you and I."

Helena nodded and returned the smile. He made her forget her nervousness for the moment. Keifal had always been kind to her. He treated her as a father would a daughter and had given her as many helpful words as she had given him helpful warnings. Helena's mother and father had died from the same cough that had killed Lucas's father. Keifal had helped with much of the pain of losing them by being there when they died for both Helena and Esma.

The door opened behind Keifal and Helena tensed, remembering why she was there. Keifal raised an eyebrow in question at her sudden change and turned to look at Lucas behind him.

"Helena," Lucas said, glancing at her where she was trying to hide herself behind the larger form of his friend. His body was just as tense as hers and he almost seemed angry in his posture. When he spoke again his voice was neutral and controlled. So unlike the man that Keifal knew. "I am sorry to take you away from your days work but I need to speak to you."

Helena nodded her head and started for the door as Lucas turned away to head back into the room. Keifal touched her arm and leaned in to whisper, "Do you require my presence?"

Helena shook her head and gave him a thankful smile, "No Keifal. But thank you. I am sure I will be safe with the King."

Keifal chuckled and patted her shoulder, "Of course you will child." With one last wink he turned and left, heading off to help load up the last of the carts for their journey which would begin the next morning.

With a moments pause to collect her composure Helena stepped through the door and closed it behind her. She stayed by the door as she looked at Lucas where he leaned against the table.

"I would like you to examine the path we have decided on. To tell me if there are going to be unexpected dangers."

Helena nodded and moved towards the desk. Lucas moved out of the way so she could lean over the drawn map of the land. She examined the black line made with ink that ran from their village up into the mountains and through the pass. Running her finger along the line she closed her eyes.

Lucas watched her with a steady gaze as her finger continued to follow the line of ink slowly as it moved along the map in a line even after her eyes were closed. After a long moment she opened them and shook her head.

"Nothing my King. The road is clear," she said. But as she turned to look at him he could see the fear and confusion in her eyes and knew she was lying.

"Then why do you look so afraid Helena?"

Helena shook her head again and stepped back from the table, "No reason my King. Do you require anything else?"

She was so horribly frustrating. His mind screamed that he was going too far even as he stepped towards her and grabbed her arm firmly. She gasped and tried to step back away from him but he wouldn't let her.

"Why do you continue to lie to me," he growled at her, "Why must you keep this secret for yourself? I know," he said, his fingers digging a little into her skin, "You do not tell me because you will enjoy what happens to you. I heard the pleasure in your screams."

The sound of her slap shocked them both. Helena faltered a moment when she realized she had just slapped the King and then it no longer mattered. The anger she felt at his words made her bold.

"How dare you," she said through gritted teeth. His grip on her hand loosened and she yanked her arm away. She was sure he had left a bruise. "If you wish to play this way then I can play as well. I will give you a Prophecy but it is your own. Do not bed Lellah for the first time you do she will get with child. You will have a few years to watch her raise your son to depend on her before she begins putting poison into your food."




Prophecy Ch. 03



Helena went quiet and watched him. She expected anger and perhaps accusation that she was lying but what she got instead was a look of pure shock on Lucas's face. He looked almost pale as he stepped back and collapsed into a chair. Helena was sure that the pain in her chest was the feel of her heart shattering as she realized what this meant.

"You have already bedded her," Helena whispered in shock.

Lucas did not answer but sat slack jawed in the chair, staring at her as though his world had just faltered.

Helena wanted to go to him and comfort him. The guilt that she had just told him of his death in a very painful and blunt manner made her take a step towards him. When his eyes focused again on hers she halted again. She simply had not expected for him to have taken the woman to his bed so quickly. She wanted so much to think less of him for it but she couldn't. He was Lucas.

Lucas cleared his throat, "Are you sure of this? This is a vision and not anger?"

Helena gripped her hands in front of her and just barely nodded her head, "Yes Lucas. I am sorry. I did not know you had..." Her words choked in her throat and tears welled at her eyes. She gripped her hands into her apron to fight away the tears as she backed towards the door, "I am sorry to give you such news so harshly. Perhaps you can avoid it. In the visions she was angered with you for ignoring her for so long. But this is far in the future. For now I swear to you that your future wife as well as your people will make it safely through the mountain pass and to the other side. Once there you can think more on how to protect yourself and your heir." 

What she said was true. It had been herself missing from the visions. Lucas and his guards appeared and disappeared through the vision and she assumed he was either looking for her with no luck or scouting around the group as they traveled.

Lucas frowned. He didn't like the way she had said it. He knew she was a player of words. Every Prophet was. If there was something they did not wish you to know they would simply speak around those things. The obvious was right there but his mind was still reeling from her news. He felt such shame at seeing the tears that glistened in her eyes that his heart hurt. Shaking his head he sighed, "Did you know sometimes that I curse the Spirits that they kept you from me? Perhaps this is my punishment."

Helena blinked at him and gave a sad shake of her head, "That was unwise my King. But there is no way to say for sure if they are punishing you or if it is just the fate that was written for you. Perhaps it is a sign to both of us that we cannot be together."

Lucas rested his hand on his fist and looked at her, "Promise me that if there is a way I can help you avoid the vision you are hiding from me that you will tell me?"

Helena felt relief that he may at last stop persisting on it and nodded her head, "I promise my King. If the spirits show me enough that I can find a way out of it I will come directly to you." She knew she meant the words but she was unsure how he could help because there was simply too much she did not know.

Lucas sighed and nodded in defeat, "I will trust you on this Prophet. You are needed and loved by our people. If something were to happen to you it would lower the confidence of the entire village. Including myself."

Helena felt the burn of the tears again and nodded, "I will." She headed for the door again hoping he was done with her. She was unsure how much longer she could hold back her emotions.

"Helena," he whispered.

Helena stopped in front of the door and kept her eyes away, "Yes my King?"

"I am sorry."

"As am I Lucas," she managed to get out before the tears choked her. She hurried out the door, closing it softly behind her. Turning she moved as quickly as she could out of the great hall. She used her cloak to hide her face as she continued to fight the flood of tears until she could get away from the watchful faces of the people she passed.

The village went by in a blur as she hurried past all the little huts to the forest beyond. The sun was starting to go down and the smell of dinner was coming from the great hall. Work had ended early today to give everyone a chance to rest before they loaded the carts with the sick and elderly and left their homes that had been shared by generation after generation of families.

Helena headed directly to the Rock of Ages. It was a large flat rock that had been worn down by all the hands that had touched it. Prophets used it to bring on visions by running their hands along the smooth surface left by those before them and allowing the sensation to vibrate through their body. The rocks would sing if you hit it with metal. It brought on a trance like state, making it easier to delve deeper into a question then a simple glance could give. Helena also used the place as somewhere to go when she needed to think.

The tears stayed back as she reached the rock and moved to sit on it. The ground around the rock was clear inside its ring of trees. She sat there a moment in shock before she heard the sobbing sounds and realized they were coming from her. Her chest was tight and her eyes burned. With a sudden shudder the emotions burst forth and she began to cry, rocking herself back and forth on the rock.

She was so caught up in her heart break that she never heard the man approach. Pulling a stick from his belt with a knot of leather covering the end he moved up behind her. When he brought it down against the back of her head she went instantly limp and slumped forward. Her body hit the ground with a dull thud and he smiled to himself. Going around the rock he hefted her body onto his shoulder and set off at a fast pace through the trees towards his horse.

___________________________

I am trying to make my chapters longer. I cannot wait to introduce you all to the villain of the story. I always did have a thing for the bad boy.

I am an admitted comment whore. Please don't forget to vote and let me know what you think. I appreciate all feedback.



Prophecy Ch. 04



Helena was confused. One moment she was sitting on the rock feeling her heart break and the next she was standing in a thick part of the forest by a horse. She blinked and looked around her, rubbing at her dry eyes in confusion.

"Hello little one," came a familiar voice. Helena spun around with her confusion showing on her face. Her Spirit chuckled as he saw her, "You are unconscious. Look." He pointed off into the trees and Helena watched as a man came running through the brush. Helena gasped to see herself flung over his shoulder, unconscious.

He was a not a large man but he carried her as though she weighed nothing. He was lean with well defined muscles. His black hair would put many women to shame but his blue eyes were cold and unfeeling. He pulled down on the reigns and the horse knelt for him, making it easier for him to position her on the saddle and climb on. He had Helena so she was almost cradled in front of him, both legs on one side as a virginal woman had to ride. He was being very careful in her placement.

Helena stepped back out of the way as the man guided the horse to its feet and then spurred it into a dash through the woods. He leaned forward, pressing Helena's body between his and the horses to protect them both from the lower branches as they disappeared through the forest.

The terror that Helena felt in that moment was overwhelming. She felt her knees go weak and feel back against her Spirit. He wrapped his arms around her and lowered them both to the ground. He held her with her face against his chest, capturing one of her tears from her skin.

"It is meant to be. But I needed to come warn you that all of your visions will start changing. There are things you cannot see or you would act accordingly. You see what is happening as well as what will happen. This is rare."

Helena shivered in his arms. She wasn't sure if she was cold or just overly scared. Both seemed accurate.

"I know that what I think may be is not always what will be."

He wrapped his arms tighter around her, "There are things that are meant to be that you are not meant to stop. Those things you cannot see. Now imagine what happens to an event if things are left out."

Helena frowned as she tried to understand the lesson, "It would show you false visions without that event to guide the way of things." She gasped and looked up at him, "Are some of the visions I have been having wrong?"

He nodded and touched her lips with a gentle look on his face, "The Gods will guide you as best they can but every Prophet is meant to do the Gods will." His eyes became sad, "You must be strong but you cannot fight it. To fight it could bring death rather then freedom. The Gods gave you just what you needed to be prepared for the worst of it. They did not want you to be broken. There will come a point when they will show you the truth and you will know what to do."

Helena nodded and shivered again, "I am afraid."

He nodded and wrapped his arms tighter around her, "I know. It's time to wake up now Helena. He was careful not to hurt you permanently."

Helena gripped her hands into his shirt and shook her head, burying her face into the material. There was a sudden jolt to her body as though the ground had raised and lowered. Then another. She was gasping in panic as a strong pain began in the back of her head and then the constant jolting of the horse. She moaned and felt the rocking stop.

She opened her eyes slowly and found herself looking at those cold blue eyes from a very close distance. She didn't panic as she thought she would have. Knowing exactly where she was before waking made it less of a shock.

He tilted his head at her a little, raising one eyebrow, "You know already?"

Helena nodded, fear still racing through her. The strain to hold still made her tremble.

He grinned and the only emotion she saw there was pure malice, "Good. This makes things easier." He spurred the horse forward again causing her to groan at the pain in her head. He kept his eyes forward, ignoring her discomfort entirely. "You have two choices. One is to come with me without a fight and the other is to try and escape. I do not wish to hurt you any more then I have already but I do not have time for any delays. And if you did get away from me, my Lord would trample your people to get you."

Helena fought off the dizziness and stayed quiet. Taking her silence as submission he spurred the horse faster. He needed a head start before they discovered her missing.

***.::.***

Esma was worried. Helena had left to go see the King a long time ago. She paced inside the hut, trying hard not to chase after her sister. Something felt wrong. It felt almost like a part of her was missing.

She pulled the curtain back from the door and frowned. The dinner bell rang in the distance and the sun was going down. Hesitating for just a moment she left the hut, heading up to the main hall. The hall was already a buzz of activity. She stepped in the door and then out of the way to look around. She did not see Lucas or Helena.

Joining the line of people she watched constantly for them to emerge, not even responding as those around her tried to speak to her or say hello. Lellah sat at a table by her mother. Esma watched the woman who stared steadily at the hall to his room. She knew when he was coming by Lellah's reaction. She sat up straighter suddenly and her face went from steady tension to a bright smile.

Lucas appeared at the end of the hallway and studied Lellah. His body was tense and he did not smile. Esma tilted her head and her hands began to shake each moment he stood there and no Helena joined him. She hesitated, fear suddenly very strong. Something was very very wrong.

Lucas looked towards her and knotted his brow at her. He came towards her and looked down at her worried, "What is it?"

Esma shook her head, unable to speak. When her words came out they were stammered, "Where is... Helena?"

Lucas frowned, "She left some time ago."

Esma was shaking. Lucas took hold of her arms to keep her steady as she whispered with glazed eyes, "She is gone."

Esma remained in shock as the hall went into sudden motion. Lucas called out for all of the guards to check the woods. Turning back to Esma he handed her over to the strong arms of Keifal.

"Take her home in case Helena is there."

Keifal nodded and lifted Esma in his arms. The girl had started to mutter, her eyes far away as though she was whispering silently to someone who was not there. As he took her from the hall in quick strides he leaned in to hear her. Whatever she was whispering was in no language he knew.

***.::.***

Esma felt herself being carried and she blinked in surprise as mist started to roll between the huts and over the grass. She looked up at the man carrying her and sighed with relief. Her Spirit appeared to be her age, golden hair back in a tail behind him held with a thick strap of leather. Beads hung from the ties but made no sound as they tapped together. She knew he was ancient because he had told her so but he carried the appearance of a youthful man well.

He looked down at her with crystal blue eyes and smiled. She forgot for a moment about her sister and just enjoyed feeling safe in his arms. But there was something wrong and she had a frown on her face by the time he brought her into her hut and gently set her on the table.

"Your sister is missing. That's what you're trying to remember," he said helpfully as he tugged her shawl tighter around her shoulders.

She blinked at him, "How is it that you always make me forget what I am all about?"

He grinned that charming white toothed grin and kissed the tip of her nose, "And apparently I still am," he chided.

She gasped and suddenly grabbed the front of the soft brown material he wore. It was softer then anything she had felt in her waking times. "Is it the man that she dreams of that has taken her?"

His eyes became sad and he nodded, "Yes. But there is reason for all things Esma. You know this."

Esma shook her head, "No. There cannot be a reason for what will happen to her. She has always served the Gods and Spirits." She tugged at his shirt, "Tell me there is some way to stop it?" The tears burned at her eyes and his heart ached.

Wrapping his arms around her shoulders he pulled her to him. She hugged herself to him, not even caring that her skirt was hiked up and he was holding her with his body pressed to hers and her legs wrapped behind his hips to hold him to her. She found comfort in his arms that overrode her anger at the spirits enough that she didn't want to push him away.

"No," he whispered against her head, "It cannot be stopped but there is so much hanging in the balance. I promise you," he said kissing the top of her head, "As soon as I am able I will explain but you must trust in us as your sister does."

Esma began to cry against his chest when he looked up and anger flashed through his eyes. Someone was trying to wake her and he could feel her body give a tub as though something were trying to pull her away from him. "They are impatient," he snarled.

Then she was thrown back violently onto her back on the table. She opened her eyes and blinked as the hard surface of the wooden table shifted into the padding of her blankets on the floor. She gasped for air at the violence that she had been pulled from the vision by the insistent shaking. The hands stopped shaking her as she groaned, a little ball of pain already forming between her eyes and back into her head.

"Are you there Esma," asked a deep worried voice.

Esma groaned and nodded her head, instantly regretting it, "It is not a wise idea to pull someone from a trance."

Lucas felt guilty as he watched her pained face, "I did not know. I am sorry Esma. Please listen to me. We cannot find Helena. Now I know you know something and it is time for you to tell me."

Esma knew he was right. There was no reason to keep her sisters secrets from him now. Helena had made her swear that she would say nothing to anyone of what she saw. Esma had to obey but it ate at her every morning her sister woke screaming. There had even been a time when little symbols in blood stained Helena's sheets though Helena did not have a scratch on her.

She sat up slowly and he helped her. Keifal leaned against the wall near the doorway. He watched the girl with general concern on his face.

"She has had dreams most her life of a man she cannot see cutting her and abusing her. He threatens her virtue if she will not give him visions. He is the one who has taken her and the Spirits insist there is nothing we can do to save her from this fate."


Lucas listened to this in shock and then set his jaw in a hard line, "They cannot expect us to sit back and do nothing."

Esma looked at him a long moment, the pain behind her eyes a soft throbbing but not gone entirely yet. She would need herbs for that. "Please be careful my King." She couldn't tell him not to go. She could not live without her sister who had taken care of her most of her life. The trust between the two of them and the closeness they felt because of their shared gift made them as one.

Lucas nodded and stood, turning to his loyal friend. "Have both our horses prepared. I will see to our food and tell the others they leave at dawn. We will go in search of Helena and meet them on the path to the pass."

Keifal nodded and left without a word.

Lucas spoke without turning around, "I will bring her back Esma."

And with that oath he left to prepare for a pursuit. The man already had a few good hours on them and if they did not hurry they would never catch him. He hoped that the man would be foolish enough to stop for the night. It would be wise in an unknown forest.

Esma stood stiffly and began to prepare some tea to cure her ache. Her hands were shaking and she wanted nothing more then to slip back into her vision and hide. She felt helpless and truly alone for the first time in her life.

***.::.***

Lellah watched as Lucas turned from her and stalked towards the healer's sister. The woman was pale and shaking, her eyes too wide and sparkling. She looked as though she had seen a ghost. Lucas mumbled to the girl and Lellah frowned. Just as she stood to go investigate Lucas handed the weak thing into Keifal's arms and began to bellow orders to the men around him. Lellah stood in confusion as the hall burst into movement. She rushed towards Lucas to ask him what had happened but walked with long strides out the door.

Lellah frowned. That damn Prophet was becoming a real knot in her side. How was she to woe the king if he was always chasing after some virginal mad woman that he was not even allowed to touch?

Lellah began to move between people and it did not take long for her to discover what had happened. The Prophet was missing after her meeting with Lucas. A few hours later when Lucas finally came marching from the direction of the Prophets hut Lellah had composed her frustration and sat on the threshold of the main hall with a concerned look.

She jumped to her feet and hurried towards him, "Did they find her?"

He shook his head and continued to walk past her, bumping her with his arm as he passed. She frowned at his back.

"Lucas?"

The King stopped walking and his shoulders dropped a little. She watched as he took in a deep breath and let it out. When he turned his jaw was no longer clenched and his eyes were a touch softer. Lellah felt a sigh of relief leave her lips as he came back to her to pull her into his arms.

"I am sorry Lellah. I must go after her. There is no way besides her to carry on the teachings of a Prophet. We cannot lose her," he sighed, resting his head on her head as she pressed her face to his chest. What he said was true but he knew the reason he was going himself instead of sending his men was due to his fear of never seeing her again.

Lellah looked up at his face questioningly, "Would you still chase after them if they took her Prophecies away?"

Lucas tilted his head at her, his eyes suspicious, "Why would you ask such a question? Of course I would just as much as I would go if they had taken you or any other of my people."

Lellah smiled softly at him, "A wise answer my King."

The suspicion did not entirely leave his eyes but he smiled a little and hugged her close one last time before releasing her and turning towards the hall, "Come inside so I can make an announcement."

She knew he had meant what he said about going no matter who had been taken but she couldn't help but think he was chasing after Helena for more reasons. She just wondered if he was aware of those reasons. She tried to shrug it off as she followed him inside but it kept eating at her. When he made the announcement that he and Keifal would leave at once to try and catch those who had taken her before they could reach the safety of the army to the south her heart sank. She hoped he would not catch them in time because it would be the end of his wandering attention. Ignoring the slight bit of guilt she felt for wishing the Prophet ill she stayed near him until he had mounted his horse.

Touching his leg she stopped him just as he was about to spur the horse forward.

"My King, please be careful. While it would be a great tragedy to lose the Prophet, it would be an even greater one to lose our King."

The people around them murmured their agreement as Lucas reached down and touched her hand on his leg, "I will be careful."

Then he spurred his horse forward with Keifal a split second behind him. She stood watching the place where they had vanished into the darkness long after the others had wondered off towards their beds. She had wanted so much to beg him not to go but his suspicious eyes made her hold her tongue. Had little Esma told him of the herbs she was using?

She frowned and gave one last worried glance towards the woods before heading off to her own bed. She prayed to the Goddess that he return safely. He was a fine and handsome man. He would make a wonderful husband and father. If she could just turn his eyes from what he could not have to what was standing directly before him.

______________________________________

I fought a bit with this chapter. I actually re-wrote it 4 times before I was truly happy with it. I had originally planned for this to be a short story with 5 chapters at most but it is taking on a life of it's own now.

Thank you so much for all the wonderful comments and votes. It has encouraged me to keep going. 



Prophecy Ch. 05



Helena was exhausted. The ache in her body could be felt in every inch of skin, every unmoved muscle and rattled bone. Her head ached constantly and she fitted in and out of consciousness. The blow to her head had been minor but in combination with her vision, little food and water she was left weak.

The rider seemed tireless. At first she had tried to speak to him but he had ignored her. He had ridden the entire night and into the next day. When the horse began to tire she hoped he would stop but her hopes were dashed by the fresh horse tied to a tree with a nearly gone supply of food and water. He left the old horse tied to the tree with the little bit of food that was left and sighed.

"You better be worth the price of this horse if he is died when we get back here," he told her as he lifted her onto the horse in front of him again and spurred the rested horse forward. It was the only other time he spoke to her.

This horse took them through another day and night. Both mounts were strong and seemed accustomed to the long ride. Once he had spurred it forward the horse would gallop along until he could run no farther and then walk forward until it felt rested enough to do it again. The horse seemed to control the pace more then the man.

It was at a point when the horse was walking to catch its breath when she heard the sound of breaking branches and deep repetitive chanting in a sing song language from far off in the woods. There was no way to silence that many men traveling through such thick growth. Smiling the man spurred his exhausted horse forward. She tried to sit up a little higher in his arms to see better but whimpered as a sharp spasm shot through her back.

There was a whistle ahead of them as they drew nearer and the man called out in that same sing song language that she could hear being chanted. The chanting stopped as she listened to a message get called back through the men one voice at a time until the person passing the call on was far enough away she had to strain to hear it. Helena frowned up at him in confusion. It sounded so strange and fluid compared to the guttural language of her people and she wondered from how far the army had come. And more importantly, why did they come?

Helena lay helpless in the man's arms, afraid to try and move again as she watched them ride past faces. Men marched through the trees, breaking branches and sending animals scampering away. They all wore travel worn clothing and leather armor with their shields, weapons and bags strapped to their backs. She made eye contact with some of them as they passed on the horse. Some looked curious; others hopefully and there were even a couple who seemed disinterested. Their faces were dirty and many covered in battle scars. Most of the wounds were old but a few she saw had been recent enough to be red and stark.

It seemed an eternity of passing faces at a steady walk before she heard the sound of horses approaching them through the trees. She turned her head slowly and grimaced as a pain shot through her neck. The man behind her pulled back on the reigns and the horse stopped, lowering its head in exhaustion. As the horses head lowered she caught her breath causing a chuckle from the horseman.

"It is about time I hear some surprise in you," he mumbled.

A group of five men on horse back rode towards them. Each man wore finely polished armor of steel. There were dents and even holes from previous battles but the armor was still polished and the larger indentations from heavy blows had been hammered out. All of their eyes were on her face as they weaved around the men and trees. But the man who rode out in front of them was who had made her gasp.

He had long auburn hair with golden highlights tied back in a long braid down his back that bounced when he rode. His hair was longer then Helena's and looked better cared for. His armor was golden and shimmered along with his hair in the sun that peeked through the branches above him. He sat high on his mount, guiding the reigns with one gloved hand and a life spent on the back of a horse. But his eyes made a shiver run through her. The intensity of his green eyes as he looked at her with almost an eager look made her grip her apron in her fingers where they rested in her lap. There was no way to mistake him for anything but a King.

When he passed the men looked up with admiration and moved aside with a bow of their heads before continuing their march. He was a tall man with a broad chest, slender waste and well muscled legs. He made the armor he wore look light. It was obviously designed for riding with gapes to allow the encasement on his chest to move as he did. His legs were only covered where they were not protected by the horse's body. His arm pieces were strapped on rather then attached to each other to allow easy movement.

Pulling his mount to a stop next to the rider he looked down at her, "This is her?"

The moment he spoke Helena's eyes went wide and her heart stammered into a race that left her light headed. It was the voice from her vision. He was the man who had, or would, be standing over her in the darkness with his knife and torturous fingers.

Helena hid her face against the rider's shirt, ignoring the pain in her back at the change of position to hide the fear and embarrassment on her face.

She heard him chuckle as the rider answers, "Yes King Draven. She did not seem surprised when she woke in my arms on the ride."

The King examined her a moment and then looked back at Arnas, "Pursuit?"

Arnas shrugged and there was a slight wince of pain around his eyes, "I did not see but I am sure there will be one soon behind me. Her King seemed quiet smitten with her. However, I did have the advantage of at least a few hours head start and a fresh horse."

"The King of Allusia poses no threat. He rules over a small village and is only there to guard the pass." Turning his mount to face the other riders that sat waiting on their horses, he addressed his Lieutenant. "We camp here for the night. Send out riders to find fresh water and double the watch. No one rides out alone from this point on."

The man nodded and raced off on his horse towards the front line.

Draven smiled in triumph at Arnas, "You did well my friend. I knew I was wise in picking you for this task."

Arnas nodded his head, his muscles cramping from the movement. He could not wait to surrender his body to the talented hands of his slave. "There is more news my King. She has warned her village of our approach and they leave tomorrow to travel East through Aralt Pass."

Draven waved a dismissive hand, "They are of no importance now. The item I required from them is here now."

Helena could not take her eyes off of him and when he turned his attention back to her, her eyes went a touch wider. She was in shock at everything that was happening and found herself floundering to respond to the slightest event. The fact that he had just referred to her as an item rather then a person scared her. And how did the rider so much about her people and what they were doing?

"Do not be so afraid, Prophet of Allusia. I have brought you into great events that will make your name live for all eternity in the stories and poems of bards." He leaned forward on his mount with a slight madness in his eyes, "Together, you and I will bring peace to all lands."

When she didn't respond he chuckled and sat up straight on his horse again, "Take her to my sister. Tell her to see to you both while my tent is erected. She will need fresh clothing, food and both of you checked by a healer. Once you are cared for you may go and rest. I wish to see the Prophet once we have made camp."

Arnas nodded his head and waited for his King and the riders with him to turn away before pushing the tired horse towards the wagons that traveled in the center of the army with the King. The wagons held the ladies that were allowed to travel with the army. Families of the royalty and knights as well as a few wagons of pleasure slaves to keep the men entertained at night.

It was to the most ornately carved wooden wagon with its shuttered windows that he took the Prophet. A tall woman with the auburn hair stepped stiffly from the back of the wagon down some lowered steps. As they drew near she saw Arnas and her eyes widened slightly at the woman in his arms.

"You found her?"

Arnas nodded, "Yes my Queen. The King has requested that she be taken to a healer and you see to her. He would like the Prophet brought to him once the tents are erected." He left off that the King had requested her to do the same for him. He did not need a healer for his stiff body. He craved a certain touch and neither the healers hands or the Queens would do for him this night.

"Of course," she said, moving up next to the horse to look at the girl in his arms. The woman stood before Helena wearing a long black gown under a deep midnight blue robe. The hood was pulled back to reveal the same auburn hair as her brother the King but it was her eyes and the mark upon her forehead that made Helena's blood run cold. The woman had one deep almond brown eye and the other was a bright emerald green. In the center of her forehead was the brand of the crescent moon. The eyes marked her as a follower of the God Melinas but the brand marked her as a High Priestess of his temple.

Melinas was one of the night Gods. He was known as the Finder of Mans Weaknesses and his followers were known for their talent in doing just that. This talent made them a deadly enemy or a profitable friend. Helena had heard that his temple held great influence over the people to the south. There was an uneasy truce with the Kingdom of Balek where the temples of Melinas were said to hold sway that had came from the last King dying. But tales of politics were not one Helena's strong suits. Her focus had always been more for the people directly around her. She wondered if the army around her was the fabled army of Balek.

"What is your name Prophet," the woman asked, drawing Helena out of her thought.

She hesitated a moment before remembering the Spirits words. He had warned that she could not fight this fate and to do so would end in death. Taking a deep breath she spoke and was proud her voice sounded almost normal, "Helena."

The Queen tilted her head, studying the Prophet for a moment before smiling. She was beautiful and shined with a power that would have made her stand out to Helena before seeing her face if she had been less afraid and tired.

"You know what I am Helena?"

Helena nodded, "Yes. A child of Melinas was born to our village when I was young enough to remember. A Priest of your order came and took her."

"My name is Elaina," the woman said gently, "I know you are frightened and surprised by all of this."

"She is not surprised," Arnas grunted, "Can we get her off before the horse collapses?"

Elaina laughed as she motioned to her student. Nodding, the young girl hurried off to fetch someone. "Your horse is fine," she smiled at Arnas and turned her eyes back to Helena, "So you knew you would find yourself here?"

Helena nodded, "Yes Queen. I knew."

"And did you fight it," she asked, glancing up at Arnas when he shook his head no.

Helena's eyes lowered and her voice became quieter, "I knew someday I would end here but I did not know when or how. Fate wished me here so I must follow."

Elaina actually felt sorry for the young woman. She felt sorry for every woman her brother claimed but it kept her on her throne. Until the eldest brother married, all of his siblings shared the throne with him. As long as he obsessed over Prophets and conquests she would remain on her throne by his side. Once he found a woman to marry she would be forced to return to the temple with her student.

She patted Helena's leg as the sound of heavy foot steps came around the wagon. She turned to look at Keval as he rounded the wagon with her student hurrying behind him to keep up with his long stride. He was an enormous giant of a man with large callused hands and broad shoulders. He never spoke and many thought him to be dumb or mute but Elaina was not fooled so easily. The intelligence he held in his eyes showed he meant those around him to view him in such a way.

Stepping back, Elaine motioned toward the occupants of the horse and Keval went forward to take the Prophet from Arnas. Helena fought hard not to let the pained sound out of her mouth but it was only muffled by her closed lips. The giant paused a moment with an apologetic look on his face before moving her more gently. He cradled her and walked over to Elaine.

"Take her to the healer's wagon while we wait for water to clean her up with. I will see to her care once the healer is done with her," Elaine instructed. As he walked off with the woman in his arms towards the healer's wagon she turned back to Arnas. He pulled at the reigns to move the horse away and towards the slave wagons.

"Will you come see me tonight Arnas," she asked with a smirk.

"No," was his flat answer as the horse moved him away from her.

Elaine frowned and then moved off to see if they had found water in this awful forest. They had the water they gathered at their last camp but she did not wish to waste it if they found none here. Meanwhile, she would wait for Arnas to give in to her again. He always did eventually.

***.::.***

Arnas found the wagon he was looking for and climbed stiffly from his horse. His foot had barely touched the ground before he heard her squeal of excitement and was bracing himself for her to fly into his arms. He grunted at the pain as she appeared before him and wrapped her arms around him.

"I was so worried," Tearsa mumbled against his neck. He chuckled and released the horse to be lead away by one of the other slaves.

"I know pet," he whispered against her hair. She smelled so clean and fresh. He wanted nothing more then to feel her hands rubbing the soreness out of his muscles, "I need a bath and your skilled hands my pet. Will you see to me?"

She looked up at him with her large almond eyes and smiled, "Of course Master. Can you tell me why you left now?"

He nodded and she began to lead her towards one of the wagons the slaves rode in. He sat down on the steps leading out of it while she lowered a wooden table that folded into the back of the wagon and set about preparing to care for him.

"I was sent to kidnap the Prophet of Allusia," he told her as he pulled off his riding boots, "I could tell no one of my mission until it was complete."

Tearsa glanced at him as she put the water to warm over the fire that had already been built. She had heard the fables of a Prophet that would raise their King to greatness. "Do you think she is the one?"

He shrugged and grunted as he tried to pull his tunic over his head. She hurried forward and helped him undress as the water warmed over the fire.

"She seems different but only time will tell."

She nodded at his answer as she set his shirt aside. She could see the others avoided the wagon by working around it. Arnas was feared by many of the slaves, but not Tearsa. She craved the pain he enjoyed inflicting on others and was confident he would never take it far enough to damage her any more then the scars she already held. Each scar was something to be prized and treasured, which made her a favorite of the men when their blood lusts were ragging after a battle. Those moments of her life terrified her and made her knees weak with ecstasy all at the same time. But the moments of being shared from man to man had stopped when Arnas had noticed her and decided to ask the King for her.

As she finished pulling off his breeches she looked up the line of his body with a hunger that made him chuckle. Tangling his fingers into her hair, he pulled her to her feet, "Later pet. First get me clean and see to my body. Then I will see to yours."

Tearsa smiled brightly and nodded. Using his soiled clothes, she pulled the kettle from the fire and poured the steaming water into a large ceramic bowl. With a clean piece of cloth and a soap rock she began to bath him from head to toe with apt fascination. He watched her as her eyes lusted over his skin. When she tried to kiss his skin he stopped her with a firm command to keep bathing him. He loved how she pouted before doing as he said. He had forbidden her to touch anyone or be touched in his absence and he could see the strain of that in her body and eyes.

Once she had finished cleaning him she offering him the ceramic bowl. He winked at her as he dumped the warm liquid over his head and closed his eyes. It felt wonderful and he yearned for his bathing pot at home where he could submerge himself in the warmth.

Tearsa took the bowl from him and dried him just as thoroughly as she had cleaned him. He had been pleased to find the girl well trained and well behaved. At first it had seemed wrong to hurt her in his desires when she had been so well behaved but he soon realized that she wished it as much as he. She actually thought she had done wrong when he did not torment her.

Once he was clean she led him into the wagon and closed the door. She opened the small windows with their thin cloth curtains so that the cool air blew over his clean skin. The wagon was taken up by one large bed with storage beneath it. The slaves rode inside when they traveled, lounging in comfort while the men marched. When they were camped it was used by some of the slaves who did not find themselves in the tents of the men.

Laying flat on his stomach on the bed he could smell that the sheets on it had already been replaced with clean ones. The slaves that traveled with the army lived better then the army itself did. They were shown the same comforts as the royalty that traveled in their ornate wagons and had access to share the space with other bodies that were not of relation. It was a leisurely life but also one of service to the appetites of the men. There were not enough slaves to tend to every mans desires so many of the slaves were shared among the men and one slave never bedded the same man twice in the space of a few nights.

Arnas had saved her from that life though he was aware the others did not feel that way. His appetites were stronger then many of the men. And those men who shared his appetite cursed him for taking their toy away from them. But she had been gifted by the King to him so they could not stop it and the girl who took her place was just as pleasurable though less obedient then Tearsa was. She had been taken from one of the villages they had passed many moons ago and seemed determined to fight against her new place in life.

Arnas nearly shivered when he felt her hands move his hair from his neck. He did not fight the moan of satisfaction when her warm hands covered in oil began to massage his neck. She started at his neck and began to work slowly with skilled hands down his back and towards his feet. She found each knot and worked it slowly until it was relaxed before moving on to the next one.

He found himself suddenly thinking of Elaine. Even his slave's skilled hands could not compare to the talent of that evil woman. He hated her, yet he craved her and it drove him mad. She was a seducer of men, finding his weaknesses and reducing him to begging for release before she would relent. One of these days he would tire of it and simply take her before he walked away. But the skills she possessed when she was in full control were enough to make any man come back for more.

By the time his slave finished with his back and asked him to roll over for her he was excited, his cock bobbing at Tearsa who stared down at it with excitement. He cleared his throat at her and whispered in a deep voice, "Why have you stopped pet?"

She blushed which made him smile and he reached up to put a pillow under his head so he could watch her work. She tried so hard to keep her eyes on where her hands were massaging his skin but she would glance at the hard length of him and he would make it twitch at her. As she worked at his hips he decided even he could wait no longer.




Prophecy Ch. 05



"You may kiss it pet," he whispered and his eyes became serious as he felt the warm air from her sigh of relief on the stretched and sensitive skin. She leaned down, her hands still massaging the muscles of his hips as she laid a warm and lingering kiss to the tip of him. When he felt her wet tongue run along the slit in the tip, coming away with a drop of his pre-cum on the tip of her tongue he could take no more. He grabbed hold of her hair and pulled her up over him.

***..::..***

Tearsa's body was already starting to shake as he pulled her by her hair to straddle his body. "But I have not finished Master," she moaned. She didn't want him to stop but she wanted so much to taste him more first. It was one of her favorite things and he knew this.

He pushed her up so she was pressed to the hard length of him. She was wet and he pulled up the thin material that she wore to grab her hips and force her to move along the length of him.

"Take off your dress pet," he ordered her. She pulled the nearly translucent material that the pleasure slaves wore over her head quickly, biting her lip at the sensation of him sliding along her already swollen clit. The moment she dropped it to the side on the bed he pulled her back down again, using his hand in her hair to force her lips hard onto his. His teeth bit her lip to get her to open her mouth and she moaned as his tongue dove in to dance with hers. His other hand stayed at her hip to continue to guide her along him.

She could already feel the warmth building between her legs and she gasped into his mouth. He forced her hips to still and pulled away from the kiss with a grin. His order to have no orgasms in his absence had been pure torture. Riding in the slave carts while the others leisurely touched each other had been maddening.

"You will not cum until I do pet. Is that understood?"

She nodded, her hips wanting so much to move and bring her to the conclusion she craved but she didn't dare to disobey. She only did that when she wanted to be punished by him but now was not one of those times. As much as she craved the pain, she craved his release even more.

"Good girl." He said with a smile, nibbling along her jaw and making her moan. Using his hand on her hip he guided her up until the tip of him was pressing just barely into her. He kept her there a moment, enjoying the look of pain and desperation on her face before shoving his hips up to bury himself inside her.

She cried out, her nails digging into his shoulders and he grunted at the pain she caused and lifted his hips into her, his own fingers digging hard into her hips to make her cry out more. The sound of her voice made him want to explode then and there. Her muscles clenched at him as though trying pull him further in and she thought she would bring about his anger despite her desire not to.

They both stayed there a moment, their bodies on the edge of bliss until their hearts finally calmed a little. Tearsa's head swam with pleasure as he started to pull from her slowly just to slam deep into her again. She could see the pain in his eyes that he was causing himself. He had not allowed her to tend to the aches in the lean muscles of his chest so she sat up on him and began to rock her hips as her hands began to work on the muscles there. She watched in satisfaction as his eyes rolled back to close and his hands relaxed on her hips.

She could feel him grow inside her as his orgasm came close and she kept her rhythm, wanting to draw his release out slowly. She knew once he was finished he would want to sleep and she never wanted to feel him slip from her. She fought to concentrate on using both hands and hips to bring him pleasure, even as her own body began to climb towards the same peek.

She cried out in surprise as he grabbed both her hands and pulled them behind her back. She fell forward onto his chest and he claimed her mouth again, his hips rising and slamming into her hard and fast. His body screamed out in pain at the strain he put it through but even that blended into the pleasure and he released her mouth to bite down on her neck.

"Now pet," he growled before sinking his teeth in deeper and locking his lips around her. Keeping one hand on her arms he moved his other hand between their chests to get a hold of her breast and twisted it painfully.

Tearsa's body stiffened and the explosion of pleasure that rocked her made one scream after another carry away from the wagon. She could feel him surging deep inside her as he filled her, his body just as tense as hers.

When she collapsed against him they were both panting and weak. He released her wrists and wrapped his arms around her. It was a long time before he began to pull her up from him, slipping slowly from her and making her pout again.

With a chuckle he slapped her ass, "Now clean me up again but this time with your mouth and go and fetch me dinner. I expect your warm body next to me before I find sleep."

Tearsa eagerly obeyed, sucking and licking both of their juices from his now soft flesh. It began to grow again and he debated taking her again before deciding his body simply needed the rest more then her flesh. He smacked her rear again and she pulled on her gown to go and fetch him dinner. It wasn't long before the two of them were curled up in the dark wagon with her spooned up against him. It was the first real sleep he had gotten in nearly a week and he welcomed it.

In the morning he would have more energy to make his pet truly scream. For now he was content in their shared pleasure and the warmth of her body against his.

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Prophecy Ch. 06



Helena was taken to a healer. She was an older woman who did not share a common language with Helena. She ran her hands over Helena's skin and the warmth that came from the aged hands took the aches from her muscles. Once the healer was done she was taken to a wagon and stripped of her dress. The shame of standing nude while people walked by brought a blush to her face that had made Elaine chuckle.

"Do not feel so ashamed Helena," the woman had said, "Nudity is common among us and you will see more then your share of it."

This was not a comforting thought, even as she was lead into a wagon out of sight where she was laid on her stomach on a bed and the Queen used oils to massage her sore muscles. Helena wanted so much to pull away from her hands but she couldn't help but sink into the bed. She was just starting to fall into sleep when the door to the wagon opened and the woman that followed the queen around stuck her head in.

"The King is ready to see her," she said.

The Queen stopped the massage and stood. The two of them together dressed the half awake Prophet and then lead her with the giant of a man as a guard towards a large tint light by fires inside and out.

By the time they reached the tent Helena was fully aware of everything around her. There were small tents of various sizes all through the woods with fires burning in the center of each group. Men sat around the fires and walked between the small groupings. There was the sound of drums off in the distance and a man nearby started to sing a tune that had the others laughing and hollering. Helena had no idea what the man said but from the nature of the sounds his companions made, it was most likely lewd.

At one point she was shocked to see a small man with pants of a translucent material around his knees pressed with his chest against a tree. His eyes were closed in bliss as another man, partially clothed in the leather armor of the other warriors grunted and slammed into him. She turned away in shock and embarrassment.

"Does such a sight bother you Helena," the Queen asked, her amusement at Helena's embarrassment showed plain in her eyes.

Helena nodded and kept her eyes on the ground as they passed the two, "Men lay with men here?"

Elaine laughed and nodded, "And woman with woman." She motioned to the tents spread out through the forest, "We have traveled many moons to get here and still have farther to go. The men get restless and require an outlet to their frustration. It is normally not done as openly as what you saw there but it is not uncommon for people to show affection in our society. The newest trends of clothing are even see through so one can share the beauty of their body with those they meet."

Helena almost glanced back and stopped herself, "Like that man's breeches?"

Elaine shook her head, "No. That man was wearing the material reserved for pleasure slaves. It is more of a mesh material and softer to the touch. They are not allowed to wear anything else until they have earned their freedom or taken a different station."

Helena tried to take this all in stride but her mind was reeling. No one seemed at all concerned that she had been taken against her will. Was it so common place for these things to happen among the people of Balek? Was the man back there against the tree like her, someone that had been taken against their will?

By the time they reached the large tent with its guards she was filled with a resolve to not let this place and its people overwhelm her. That resolve faltered as she was lead into the tent.

The tent was large and shaped like three individual long tents attached in the center like a three sided star with high ceilings and a raised hole in the center for smoke to escape from. Near the fire was a long wooden table and the two section of the tent that split off were dark and separated by a flap with a cut down the middle for one to pass through. Standing over the table was the King, no longer in his golden armor. Instead he wore black breeches and no shirt. His long hair was unbraided and combed out so it lay smooth against his back. Other men stood around him and they spoke in hushed voices, but heated tons.

Looking up the King suddenly smiled and motioned to the men around him, "Leave us. All of you."

The men left though they seemed unhappy about it as they moved away from the table and towards the flap. They all walked past Helena with a long glance at her. One of the men with dark black hair cut very short to his head nearly snarled at her. He had been the one speaking when they were interrupted.

Helena backed away as they passed and fought to not cower before them. She could not appear weak and broken and she knew this. Once they were all gone she looked back to the King who moved towards them.

"Does that include me brother," Elaine asked with a smile.

Draven chuckled and took his sisters hands, "Yes. I am sorry and thank you for tending to her but something has come up and I need her talents sooner then I had suspected."

Helena gasped and took an involuntary step back. When the words came spewing from her mouth she just could not seem to stop them, "Please no. I beg you. Don't cut me."

The three of them in the tent all turned to look at her curiously. Elaine gave her brothers hands a quick squeeze and lead her student out of the tent without a word. Helena stood helpless and wanted to follow her but she was too terrified to move.

"Why do you think I am going to cut you Prophet?" His voice was curious and his eyes thoughtful. Something about the way he acted seemed pleased at her fear and what she had said.

"Because you cut me in my visions," she answered honestly, her arms holding herself as though cold as he took a step towards her.

"Do I cut you in all of your visions," he asked. He stopped advancing on her a few steps back and she felt relief that he would not press her yet.

"Yes my Lord."

"Am I your Lord," he asked with an amused grin. He was so handsome and her body frightened her as she felt warmth between her legs. A tightness started there that had a throbbing sensation to it and made her heart pick up pace a bit. She felt the flush to her cheeks and hated it and the anger of her own reaction gave her some of her resolve back.

"No and my name is Helena, not Prophet." She was surprised to hear the defiance in her own voice and went still, waiting to see if he would be angry at her.

He surprised her by laughing and turning back towards the table, "Have you ever heard of a Seer, Helena?"

This sudden change of direction caused her to mentally stumble a moment. The silence stretched out until he looked back at her questioningly and she shook her head in answer.

"Where I come from every Prophet has a Seer. I have heard of your peoples Spirits and I believe that a Seer is a physical version of them. We help to guide a Prophet through their visions using our own magic." He went to a table against one of the tent walls and picked up a pitcher, "Are you hungry or thirsty?"

Helena was surprised to hear the rumble that came from her stomach when he mentioned food. Her mouth suddenly felt parched and she realized that through all of her tending she had not been given food or water. She took a step towards him before she realized it and he smiled, holding a cup of water out towards her.

"Take it and I will have food brought to you." She hesitated only a moment more before she went forward and took the cup of water from his hands with both of hers. She could no longer hide her shaking as she put the glass to her mouth. "Take it carefully Helena or it will make you sick. There is plenty more."

He ushered her to a chair and went to stick his head out of the tent flap. She could hear him speaking in his native language as she looked around. She caught the glimpse of movement out of the corner of her eye and turned just in time to see the flap to one of the side rooms begin to settle. They were not alone.

She looked down at her cup so that she could see out of the corner of her vision if someone looked through the flap again and took another drink of her water. She did not see anything by the time the King returned and sat in the chair near her, "Food will be here soon. Now where was I? Oh yes, a Seer has their own magic. I am one of these people. It was the Prophet who travels with me who told me of you. She saw you and told me where to find you. Tell me, can you bring on a full vision on your own Helena?" 

Helena shook her head as she lowered the cup to her lap. The warmth of the fire felt good and she was starting to feel a little tired again, "No. I can only catch glimpses when I look on my own. It is like watching events in sudden flashes from start to finish. But there are tricks to bring on visions but they take a lot of work and concentration." Her words sounded almost slurred to her and she looked down at the cup in her hand in confusion.

Her mind was running too slow to pull away when he took the cup from her hand and pulled her up by her hands. His hand went around her throat and she looked at him with fear as he pushed her back onto the table. The drugs had worked quickly in her weakened state and would make her more receptive. He did not wish to frighten her but he needed the vision and his own Prophet, Lauren, had seen nothing.

He leaned over her, pressing his body down against hers and his hair falling around them. His hand on her throat was still gentle but held the promise of something else. He nuzzled his nose against her ear and whispered, "Do not be frightened Helena. I promise I will be as gentle with you as I can. I know this is new to you and not common for your people but I promise you that you have been denied great power. The way of your people is flawed and limits you. I am going to show you what you are capable of." 

While he said all of this his hands were busy. Helena was so entranced by his voice and the drugs he had given her that she didn't fight him as he pulled her arms up and attached straps to them that were affixed at strategic locations to the table. His war table served two purposes. Once her hands were bound he lifted up from her to look at her eyes. He was surprised to see they were already growing filmy as a vision threatened to overtake her and he growled. Her spirits were trying to take her before he could.

The blade shining above her face caused the darkness that was starting to descent on her to flee from her vision. Her vision became clear and she felt a bit of fear trying to break through the drugs he had given her. His face came into view above her as the blade lowered and began to cut open the gown she had been given.

"If you behave yourself I will not be forced to cut you. But if you allow your Spirits to draw you away from this I will be forced to pull you from them and it will not be pleasant. I suggest you keep your attention here." He stood up again and cut her dress free with one long rip. The knife was very sharp and he had owned and used it for so long it was simply an extension of his own hand. He did not touch her skin with it once as he cut the dress to the hem and pulled it open to reveal her.

She was so beautiful he thanked his God for such a treasure. Her skin was smooth and youthful with a shape to her of a fertile woman who was unmarred by the weight of baring a child. Her breasts were still firm and round, her hips slim but shapely.

She felt shame when his hand ran quickly up the inside of her thigh and then onto the evidence of the effect he was having on her. Her nipples were hard and drawn tight to the point of wrinkling. His hand found the moisture between her legs and spread it up to her clit to make his movements smoother. This caused her to gasp as her hands clenched tightly into fists.

He smiled softly at her and leaned over her. His bare chest pressed against her nipples and she gasped; her back arching. She couldn't seem to stop herself from responding and he was panting against her neck.

"Do you know how hard it is to bring pleasure to you without gaining the pleasure for myself? To be able to touch your body and not take it with mine?" As he spoke his finger worked at her clit in tight circles, her hips starting to thrust against his hand as he worked her towards the crest she could feel so close.

The sensations she had felt in her visions of him had still not prepared her for the overwhelming pleasure that burst through her body. She felt the pressure building between her legs and then it spread like a wave crashing through her. Just as her back arched and she cried out he pressed his hand hard against her chest and pushed her down, his finger driving her even harder as he started to chant the worlds she had heard in her vision.

He was surprised as he watched her lips move in time with his to the words and then her eyes bled to solid glass with the last word of the incantation. The reflective surface looked blind and showed him his own strained face. He turned his face away from those all seeing eyes and nuzzled her ear as her body went limp beneath him.

"Show me the one who is betraying me," he whispered and threw his power into her.

***.::.***

Helena found herself standing in pure darkness. She looked down and there was no floor yet she felt the pressure of it under her bare feet. Then she heard the voice whisper, "Show me the one who is betraying me."

When she blinked and raised her head towards the voice she saw tree limbs instead of darkness. She blinked up at the bright light sparkling down between the green leaves and then she heard a voice nearby. She looked at the forest around her until she saw the figures in the clearing and she moved forward. She knew they could not see her.

It was the giant of a man speaking in quick hushed tones to a man wearing forest clothes meant to blend in. The stranger's eyes were light blue and his hair was golden blonde. She recognized him instantly as a man from kingdom of Tulisia to the North. In that moment she understood everything.

The army she found herself with was marching north to the Kingdom of Tulisia. Balek meant to concur one of the greatest cities known and they had not been the first to try. Tulisia was a city said to be filled with the decedents of fae as well as the riches of ancient gold and magical weapons. Lucas was said to be from that line, his ancient ancestors once guarding the pass from a threat to the east that was now gone and forgotten. The red hair of his line was said to come from his ancestors breeding with the spirits of the land. Only the royalty from his line had that hair in her village and you could see the lineage of his family in various homes in the village.

She moved closer to hear their words.

"He is obsessed over some woman in a village along the way. She is a Prophet said to be very accurate and young. He sends a rider to every village looking for her," the big man whispered, "If you can find her first he will lose heart by the time he reaches Tulisia."

The tall man with his sun kissed hair nodded his head before Keval went on.

"He also plans a raid on the village of Condorem for supplies and more slaves."

"Thank you my old friend," the man said, slapping the larger man on the arm though the height of the blue eyed man was not far off, "Are you still safe here?"

The large man nodded and glanced over his shoulder, "Yes but I should return before I'm missed."

Helena felt a tug deep in her body and closed her eyes. She didn't want to see the world fall away again. Her body became aware of the wood and the sound of the crackling fire. There was weight pressing down against her chest and a warm breath tickled her ear.

"Tell me what you saw," Draven whispered. His hand had come away from her legs and was resting moist on her stomach. She closed her quivering knees and tried to move her arms but she couldn't. She remembered the straps just as the feeling came back into her arms.

He stood to the side of her knees with his body over hers at an angle, his face nuzzled against her neck almost affectionately. She laid there in confusion. The spirit had said there would be a vision and she would know what to do. This must not be that vision but she would love the Spirits guidance in that moment because she had no idea what to do.

The large man was feeding information to the enemy of this King. If she lied and he caught her she could die or worse. And to a Prophet there were worse things then death. There were tortures that could be done to a prophet that could drive them mad or simply leave her without her visions to be a normal woman. But how could she turn the man over to him?

When she didn't answer him right away and he felt her body tense he sighed and lifted up to look down at her face. His hand gently smoothed back her hair as he tried to calm her.

"I know our ways are foreign to you but I assure you we are not evil. I do not wish to hurt you. I wish to bring you pleasure in trade for your helping me. You would not get such pleasure if you were in your village."

Helena blushed and tried to turn away but he grabbed her chin and forced her to look at him. The pretense of care and gentleness was gone so quietly that Helena felt true fear even through the drugs that still effected her mind, "I need to know who is feeding my enemy information. If you lie to me you will be of no use to me."

Helena lowered her eyes and nodded her head, "It is a small man with black hair and a scar above his left brow."

Draven frowned, "Did you not hear a name?"

"No. He warned them of your raid on Condorem but at no point was a name spoken. They were in a forest just like this one but the trees were taller and the bark almost white." She prayed to the spirits that she was not condemning a real man but she had to protect the large man that had been so gentle with her.

The King unfastened her hands and sat her up on the table. He went and got her some clean water and offered it to her. When she stared at it with suspicion he laughed, "It is not drugged Helena. I am sorry that I did that to you. I had planned to take things slowly with you so that I would not frighten you more but I needed to find the traitor before they could do more damage." He smiled at her and touched her soft hair between his fingers, "You have done well."

She took the water but looked at it a few moments before taking a drink. He watched her with a slight smile. He moved over to the tent door and spoke with the man outside. A few moments later he returned holding a wooden plate covered in steaming food. There was fresh meat they had hunted and hard bread. Helena nearly dropped her cup in her hurry to take the food. She felt as though she was floating, her mind still fogged by the drugs and the after effects of her vision.

Guiding her to a chair he sat her down, even as she tried to put the food into her mouth. The gown that he had cut was pulled back and she didn't seem to notice as she started to eat. He had to force her to slow down or she would be sick.

He sat in his own chair and watched her. She had already proven more powerful then Lauren. He could feel the potential inside her. He just hoped she was not lying to him but only time and the confession of the traitor would tell. If she lied he would be forced to stop being gentle.

Once she was finished eating he stood and took her plate. Giving it to the guard at the door he gave him whispered instructions that the army would stay camped there for another day. In the meantime he wanted every man with black hair and a scar above his left brow brought to his tent by midday.

Once he was done giving the instructions he turned back to Helena. A small smile played at his lips as he saw her eyes closed and her head to the side in the chair. She had fallen asleep after filling her belly. He knew he had pushed her by giving her the herbs so soon after her ordeal and it would probably be a few days before he could use her gifts again. But he had gotten what he needed from her for now.




Prophecy Ch. 06



He walked over to where she sat and lifted her in his arms. She moaned and tried to open her eyes, her lashes fluttering as the heaviness of them fought to keep them closed. He took her into his sleeping chamber through one of the flaps and laid her out on his bedding. She was limp as he removed the cut dress from her arms and covered her up. Climbing in next to her he pulled her up against his body and held her spooned against him.

His body ached with a strong need and her soft flesh in his arms made that ache almost painful. She would be the greatest challenge for him as a Seer. She was more beautiful then any Prophet he had met before her and she had reacted so strongly to his touch that he had nearly lost his strength and taken her on the table as she thrashed through the orgasm.

Groaning at the frustration pent up inside him, he climbed back out of the bed. She would sleep soundly through the night thanks to her long trip, the drugs and then the vision. He had time to go and relieve the ache with one of the pleasure slaves and be back in the bed before the young woman woke.

***.::.***

Nobody paid attention to Lauren as she hurried through the camp towards the wagons. She knew she would find Keval near the Queen. That was always where he was.

She crept cautiously between the wagons until she saw him sitting by a fire lost in thought. No one was around that she could see but she could not trust that. Picking up a small rock she threw it into the fire, causing sparks to rise up into the night air. He turned his head and searched the darkness until he found her. He had been sitting in that exact spot all evening. Waiting for either the soldiers to come and take him.

Standing he walked off into the woods. Lauren turned away and snuck around the ring of wagons until she found a dark spot to slip into the trees to go and find him. She hide behind a tree just out of sight and waited in case someone had seen her and decided to follow. When she was sure the coast was clear, she turned and crept into the trees, heading in the direction he had gone.

She was starting to worry she wouldn't find him. The forest was sound asleep, only the occasional whisper of sound from the nocturnal animals that were foolish enough to move towards the army of men. She glanced around at the darkness, never hearing the man move up behind her.

A hand went around her mouth and waist, pulling her back against his enormous frame. She knew in that instance who it was and stifled the scream that had threatened to erupt from her mouth. She relaxed against him and he moved his hand away.

"You could get me dead coming to me like this," he whispered, pulling her back into his lap in the dark underbrush. Anyone passing by would not see them but they would be safe as long as no torches were being used.

"We are safe. I snuck into the Kings tent and listened. The woman lied to him. I know she saw you as clearly as I did but she told him it was a man with dark hair and a scar." She tried to turn in his arms but he held her firm, his large arms wrapped around her to keep her still. She gave in and curled back against his body. She felt so right against him.

He couldn't help the sigh of relief. He hadn't realized how much tension he had been holding in until that moment. Burying his face into her hair he took a deep breath of her scent, "I do not understand how he expects loyalty from even the people he harms. He has gone mad."

She shivered in his arms. The King had taken the sacred ritual of her order and turned it into something dark and obscene. All because of the book he had found of ancient rituals from a time long ago. His mother was probably thrashing in her grave, or glad to be there and not witness to his madness.

Lauren had been raised around him. The two of them had once been friends. Now he treated her as an object. The book had changed everyone's lives and Lauren was convinced that the man in her friend's body was not the King. The Queen she did not doubt. That woman was born manipulative. She was an honest woman but in her honesty, she was cruel.

"It's time for you to leave Keval," she whispered with a soft sigh, "It isn't safe for you anymore."

"But once I go he will know that you and the new Prophet lied. Who knows what he will do," he snuggled against the tree and tried to lighten the mode. "I am content right here in this moment."

She smacked his hand hard enough to make a sharp sound in the forest. He grabbed her hand and they both went still, listening for anyone going to investigate the sound. When they were sure no one was coming he continued, "I am not leaving you here to face him alone."

"I already know what he will do to me and I will survive it. Then we can be together when this is all over but not if you act a damn foul and try to stop my fate." She was getting angry with him. She understood why he didn't want it to happen. She was in no hurry to lose her abilities and her virginity to that man. But she had seen it the moment he had opened that book. Her fate was sealed in the binding made of virgin skin with a tassel made of perfectly preserved white hair.

"Then we shall leave together right now. I will go and fetch a horse and we will head north, ahead of the army."

"I think that would be difficult at present," came a loud voice near them. Keval rose to his full height, his lower body still behind the undergrowth. He set Lauren on her feet and then shoved her behind him so she was pressed between him and the tree he had been leaning against. The King appeared from the darkness around them and then more faces appeared. The knights that followed him so closely were like ghosts in the darkness. Directly next to the King was Arnas, a single bolt cross bow pointed at Keval's head.

"I think I understand perfectly now what is happening. What I wonder is who seduced who into the lie? Was it my childhood friend or the man that came to me from a worthless family?"

Keval snarled, "We were once loyal to you until you found that damned book." He spat on the ground, "You are not the man we knew."

Rage filled the Kings eyes and he snarled, "Take him and lock him up tight. Lock her to the post in my tent. I will deal with her tomorrow."

The King crossed his arms over his chest as men came forward with daggers. The large man started to resist, keeping his body pressed in front of Lauren.

"If you do not go willingly Kavel, you can watch while I take her against a tree while my men hold you down and castrate you."

Keval went very still at the Kings words and then allowed them to pull him away. Lauren was revealed looking pale but defiant, "What he says is true Draven. You are not the man I knew. Someday you will be forced from his body and I can only pray that the man I knew survives it."

The King went forward in two long strides and slapped her with the back of his hand. Lauren could have sworn his eyes had swirled with black in his rage. She tasted blood and touched her lip in surprise.

The King was shaking as he turned away, his eyes normal but sparkling with rage, "Take her away before I end her too soon."

Arnas stepped forward and grabbed her arm before the others could, dragging her roughly through the forest. He didn't speak a word as she stumbled behind him. The guards at the tent looked confused as he stormed past them and took her struggling into the section of the tent she had hidden in earlier. The ground was bare and covered still in sticks and rocks. In the center of the room was a post that had been set into the ground with a ring on the top. A chain ran from it to a metal collar with a large lock.

The trail of holes left by this post could be followed from their home of Balek to this very spot. The King affectionately called it 'The Prophets Post'. It wasn't until Arnas shoved down on her shoulders to force her to kneel by the post that she started to fight. She hated that post and the time she had spent chained to it. As he reached down to pick up the chain she twisted her body and bit down on his arm with all of her strength.

Her mouth filled with his blood and he gave a scream that became a growl of frustration through gritted teeth. She got her feet against his chest and was starting to push when he grabbed hold of her hair and let his weight fall on her, shoving her knees back and pushing the air from her lungs. She released his arm as her lungs started to burn and gasped for air.

The guards came bursting into the room of the tent just as Arnas wrestled the collar around her throat. She spat his own blood at him as he pulled back.

"You will pay for that someday Lauren," he snarled, taking a piece of cloth offered to him to press to his arm and using another to wipe away the blood and spit from his chest. He turned and left with the guards silently behind him. Neither man dared to say a word to their Captain as he stomped off back towards the wagons.

________________________

I hope you are all still enjoying the story. And comments are like candy for the performing writer. Please leave them. I enjoy hearing your responses.



Prophecy of the End



"And so when fire and ice become one, when time stops to hold its breath and the day of Doom has arrived will the Light of Creation split the heavens and drive back the darkness and the Golden Dragon shall arise again to drink in the poison left in darkness's' wake and forever cleanse the heavens, opening the gates of Paradise." - Book of Prophecy

-----------------------------

Another day of slinging sludge. Muttering the workers headed down into the mines to dig out the precious ore which controlled the cities energy supply. The planet Calio had been living on borrowed time for years, digging down into its very heart for the mineral that powered the lights and kept the darkness at bay. The sacred flames in the Temple of the Dragon were still burning brightly although people had long since given up hope of the resurrection of the light and the rebirth of the Golden Dragon. Tsume was at the head of the line again, unlucky again on his draw of the digging positions. He sighed as he trudged downward into the yawning black abyss, sometimes he wondered if this blackness wasn't worse than that which was closing in from the heavens. He wiped sweat from his forehead, the sludge on his glove left a dirty smear across his skin and into his hair. He muttered as it would take hours in the shower tonight to get the sludge out of his hair. 

Moving steadily down the gapping hole he finally reached his destination at the very belly of the mine. Miles below the city above them this was the area where they were currently excavating ore, the hollowed out cavern glittered with the white-blue rocks. Tsume set to work, eager to earn his fee for the day and get the hell out of this crap hole. He struck his pick deep into the slimy walls of the cavern and hauled it away pulling down a thick slide of sludge to reveal a cluster of the white-blue ore within. He used his delving knife to cleave the ore loose of the remainder of the sludge and placed the large piece into the sack on his back. Over and over again he repeated the task, quickly filling his sack to capacity. He was about to turn and head up to deposit his load when he saw a small corner of white-blue that appeared to be glowing from where it stuck out of the greasy sludge. He checked his sack and figured he could probably fit in one more good sized geode so he took his pick and swung at the sludge surrounding the rock.

The very walls of the cavern seemed to shake and Tsume froze listening to the tell tale signs that a cave in was about to occur. Without a second thought he grabbed his pick and ran for the exit calling to the other workers who followed at his heels to escape the sludge flow to come. They all barely made it into the safety of the tunnel before they heard the flow break loose and slide out across the cavern floor. After a few minutes the cavern was silent and they cautiously ventured back in to assess the damage and see if any new clusters had been uncovered by the cave in. What they saw inside the cavern stopped them all in their tracks.

At the wall Tsume had seen the white-blue rock there was a huge pillar of glowing stone, shimmering white and gold in the darkness, it pitched a wane light out over the cavern. The men approached the pillar, unsure as to what strange wonder they had unearthed but hesitant in case it turned out to be dangerous. Tsume walked up to the pillar and looked at its milky white surface, it appeared to be octagonal shaped, twice as wide as a man all the way around and about six feet tall. It didn't seem to be putting off any strange odors or malicious vibrations as Tsume walked around it looking for a flaw or a clue as to its origin.

"What is it Tsume?" Kristoph, one of the younger workers asked with a tremble in his voice.

"I have no idea," Tsume answered without looking at the boy.

Tsume lifted his palm and laid it against the cool white stone. Instantly the light from the stone concentrated at his palm and then turned brilliant and blinding. Tsume and the others were forced to look away from the brightness of the light and when it faded and the looked back the stone had returned to its diffuse glow, but it was no longer milky white. The stone had cleared, like a fine piece of quartz, and the men gasped in horror at what they saw within the clear stone.

Suspended, like a toy doll, within the stone was a young woman. Her eyes were closed and her expression peaceful. Her hair was long and an indeterminable color, her skin appeared to be pale, her clothing was a simple gown of an undetermined color that formlessly fit her body and covered her from toes to neck. On each slender wrist there was a wristlet of spiraling wire, possibly gold or silver, that encircled her wrist and wrapped its way up her arm to where they disappeared under her sleeves. Around her neck was a simple chain, but at the center of the chain, laying just above her heart was a fabulous dragon pendent, its wings outstretched and talons bared toward her heart. Tsume raised his hand to touch the stone again.

"Don't touch it!!" shrieked a woman's voice.

Tsume jumped back from the stone and turned to locate the source of the feminine screech. In the mouth of the cavern stood; of all things a Priestess of the Dragon Temple. The Priestess stumbled forward, not caring as her flowing white robes were covered in sludge and grime from the mines. She strode forward, behind her several of the Temple's guards followed at a respectful distance.

"Foolish man!" She glared at Tsume. "You cannot know what you have found here! You have unearthed the savior!"

Tsume blinked and looked at the Priestess as if she were quite mad. They had obviously stumbled across one of the Ancients burial tombs, nothing more. It was common knowledge the Ancients had sealed their dead in the ground.

"I hardly think," Tsume smirked. "That a thousand year old dead woman is going to be the savior of our miserable universe."

"Heretic!" The Priestess screeched again. "Have you not read the gospel? Of course you would not have, why bother? Only the Priestesses of the Temple of the Dragon have read the gospel and have prayed and lived for this day! She is not dead!" The woman indicated to the stone. "As long as the Dragon Flame burns this woman is alive and awaits the fulfillment of the prophecy to awaken the Golden Dragon and open the gates of Paradise itself!"

Tsume shifted uncomfortably and looked back at the woman suspended in stone. Was she truly alive in there? How could she be? Was this batty Priestess really off her rocker or was this the beginning of the end and the way to Paradise itself? He had little time to think as the Priestess ordered the guards to get the miners out of the cavern and to secure a sledge to pull the stone free and take it to the Temple at once. Tsume cast one last glance over his shoulder before hefting his bag of ore and trudging back up the tunnel toward the surface. 

-----------------------------

The surface really wasn't much better than the mines, at least not to Tsume. The gritty landscape was often dirty and dark, the only light came from the artificial lights the ore powered throughout the city. The sun, if there was such a thing, had not been seen in over two hundred years as the encroaching darkness had blotted it out like a weak flame. Tsume handed in his sack of ore and collected his payment, a handful of coins to feed and shelter him for another few days. He sighed and headed down the street to the familiar tavern with the dancing cats on the sign. The tavern really didn't have the best cliental or the best food but it was cheap and they all knew him here. Marge the buxom barmaid smiled as he entered and shouted back to the cook staff to prepare his usual dinner. He smiled at her and took a seat in the corner as far away from the boisterous patrons as possible. 

Tsume sighed and set his head in his hands. He wasn't sure what there was beyond here and now. So this priestess says that he had just unearthed the savior of the universe, literally. Well just fine and dandy and not even a thank you for his contribution. He smiled as Marge placed a plate piled high with double portions of his meal in front of him. Marge had a big time crush on him and he knew it, she always made sure he had double portions of his dinner and only paid for the regular size meal, she also made sure his room was always available and that he paid the half price rate reserved for guards and government officials. Marge's husband had died two years ago and the tavern was now hers and she had been after Tsume since his first trip into the tavern. Tsume sighed and began to eat, he liked Marge as a friend but there was nothing there that he could even hope to kindle to satisfy her romantic longings.

Tsume had had this problem with women since his adolescents and probably before then though he had not known it. He was lean but powerfully built, agile and athletic. He would have made a stellar guard or assassin for the government but he didn't like the politics involved with getting himself into one of those positions. Instead he eked out a living in the mines. His face was clean cut, rugged but with a rare charm and openness to his expressions that made women want to be around him. His eyes were crystalline blue, eerie to some but bordering on mystic to others. And then there was his hair. Accursed stuff. When he was younger it had been an extremely pale blond, however as soon as he hit puberty it had become bleach white, as it prematurely aged. His mother had always told him it made him special and that he was a very handsome boy but Tsume had always hated how it made him stand out. He wore it long, pulled back into a pony tail because when he cut it it turned into a mass of frizz that made him look like a sheered sheep. He sighed and ate his dinner in silence longing to get up to his room and take a shower and go to bed.

Tsume tossed his clothing into the laundry chute and stepped into the bathroom. He avoided the mirror, always hating to see the sludge coating him like a oily black skin, and stepped into the shower standing under the heated spray as it washed the sludge down the drain. He looked at the palm of his hand where he had laid it on the pillar of stone in the mine. It didn't look any different but he could still feel a tingle through it, as though electricity had passed through his skin and was still dancing in his blood. He wondered about the light that had emanated from the stone when he touched it, if he had not taken his hand away what would have happened? He laid his head against the tile of the shower and closed his eyes searching for answers that wouldn't come. After several moments he set about cleaning himself and finished up his shower before he heard complaints about using too much water. He stepped out and toweled off before sliding into the bed. In the morning he would decide what to do next.

-----------------------------

Darkness. Everywhere. All-consuming and without a shred of hope. He flailed in it and screamed for help. 

"Tsume!"

The voice floated to him through a fog of darkness and confusion.

"Tsume!"

He looked up and saw a sparkle above him, two large emerald like eyes watched, unblinking. He looked away and covered his face, willing the demon away from him.

"Tsume, wake up! NOW!"

-----------------------------

Tsume fell out of bed with a thump and groaned. What the hell had that been? He stood and walked to the window, looking out through the night. From his window he could see the Dragon Temple, its glittering white walls standing out like a brilliant eyesore in the dingy city. What the hell was going on?

-----------------------------

"Any progress." The Head Priestess Cathina looked at the stone pillar that now dominated the worshipping hall.

"None m'lady." One of the younger trainees curtsied slightly. "We have kept a watch since she was brought here but there has been no reaction. We placed ice around the stone pillar but nothing happened and it melted away. We tried setting it atop the pillar as well but still no reaction."

"Damnit!" Cathina roared. "The prophecy says when ice and fire come together. She is supposed to be fire, the embodiment of the flames of the dragon, so ice should free her from her slumber!"

"Perhaps," the trainee ventured carefully. "Perhaps if she is an embodiment of flame, then somewhere out there there is an embodiment of ice as well?"

Cathina stared at the girl as though she were quite mad for a moment before considering that perhaps this girl was right. Perhaps somewhere in the city there was a woman who embodied ice as the maiden before her embodied flame. If so then it would require that these two be brought together to release the fire maiden from her sleep so she could call forth the Dragon. She smiled and looked at the young woman before her.

"Make preparations," Cathina looked back at the stone pillar. "Tomorrow we announce the savior has come and place the stone pillar in the Temple courtyard out front so that the city's people may come and see her, for all of them will want to come and gaze upon the fire maiden at least once!"

Surely one of the wretched masses would illicit a response from the fire maiden, and then they would know who the embodiment of ice was and would use her to awaken the fire maiden.

-----------------------------

When Tsume came down for breakfast the tavern's main room was strangely empty. Only Marge stood behind the bar polishing tankards for the evening rush. He wandered over to the bar and took a seat in the stool in front of Marge.

"I'm afraid the kitchen's closed there sweetie." She smiled at him.

"Really? I thought you always served breakfast, or did I just wake up too late?"

She shook her head. "Nope, everyone's gone to the Temple, couldn't justify telling them they couldn't go and all, not with the Priestesses opening the courtyard to the public so they can see the savior in some crystal pillar or what not."

Tsume looked at her blankly. "The Priestesses actually opened the Temple to the public? That has to be a first."

Marge nodded and finished wiping a tankard. "Figure they see it as with the savior unearthed that they'll all be going to Paradise soon and there silly Temple won't mean much after that."

Tsume said his goodbyes to Marge and stalked out into the cool morning. The streets were unnaturally quiet and everything seemed to be holding still as if afraid to break the spell that had been cast over the land. He looked toward the Temple, even from here he could see the lengthy line of people waiting to get in to see the woman in the stone. He shrugged, it wasn't all that exciting really, just some poor dead Ancient incased in stone. He strolled down the lane and caught a sticky bun from a vendor running up to hawk his wares at the line of people waiting to enter the temple. Tsume used the downtime to do a bit of window shopping along the weapon smith's lane and a few of the leather smiths as well. By mid-afternoon his wanderings had brought him full circle and the city was beginning to return to normal as people filed back from the temple, eagerly whispering about the stone pillar and the woman within it. He stopped at the tavern to grab some lunch and contemplate his afternoon. He didn't have to work again for a couple of days at least so he was going to enjoy his downtime and go down to the riverside and watch the crowds at the bazaar. 

After lunch Tsume strolled down to the docks and perched on his favorite stone wall to watch the people. He was always drawn to places like this, never really to participate but just to watch and observe the quiet goings on and subtle languages of the people of the city. The flirtations of a flower seller with a favored beau, the coy looks of the baker's daughter to the cobbler's son, the tensions between the milliner and the fishmonger, all of them played out like the finest of musicals as the bazaar buzzed with people. He could waste days sitting here and never tire of the endless parade of people. He watched until the streetlamps dimmed and the bells of the guard tower chimed the closing of the bazaar and the end of another business day. He slipped off his stone perch and headed back to the tavern glancing at the temple as he walked.

-----------------------------

"Tsume!"

The voice called him again. He felt warm and peaceful. The green eyes appeared to smile at him even as he relaxed and accepted their watchful gaze.

"Tsume, it is time."

His brow furrowed and he replied quietly, "Time for what?"

"Time to wake up!"

-----------------------------

He hit the floor with a crack of his skull against the floorboards and laid there wishing he'd knocked himself out. The pain was blinding and he muttered and swore as he disentangled himself from the sheets and strode to the window to look out. What the hell was wrong with him? It was barely morning and he was awake again, awake and grumpy as hell. He hadn't had a good nights sleep since he had seen that damn pillar of stone. It had been two days since they had unearthed that poor woman's tomb and he couldn't be free of the nagging feeling that he was not doing something, that he was not where he should be. He sighed and looked at the temple. There was no way around it, he needed to go to the temple and see that pillar again, get it out of his system once and for all.

-----------------------------

The guards outside of the Temple looked bored. They barely even noticed the people coming and going from the courtyard and probably could care less. Tsume looked around as he entered the sacred courtyard of the Temple of the Dragon. The vegetation was in full bloom and the rows upon rows of flowers made the square space seem more inviting than it should have with a dead woman on display here. He looked to the center of the courtyard where people stood staring at the pillar of clear stone that encased the beautiful woman in her eternal slumber. He shoved his hands in the pockets of his jeans and walked toward the pillar. He was keenly aware of the priestesses on the balcony above the courtyard watching every person who entered their haven as he walked across the flagstones. He reached the rope barrier that set a two foot perimeter around the stone pillar on all sides. 

She was just as he remembered, her eyes closed with her long curled lashes fanned over her cheek. Her right hand reached out as though waiting for someone to take it, while the left was by her side. The coils of metal around both wrists reminded him of the way vines would wrap themselves around other plants to support their growth. And on her breast the dragon pendant was settled above her heart in its eternal guard over her. He looked at her and wondered who she had been, why had she been locked deep in the earth, and what would happen if he touched the stone again? As he started at her the dragon pendant seemed to glow and wink at him. Tsume found himself entranced by her and the powerful need to touch her grew within him like a force of nature. His feet moved of their own will as he stepped over the guard rope, he could hear the shouts of the onlookers and priestesses but they were a muffled fog, he had to touch her. Tsume's hand touched the stone pillar and a blinding light erupted from the point his palm touched the stone and encompassed the entire pillar.

The screams of the onlookers and those of the priestesses and guards were drowned out by the roar of his blood through his ears. Tsume's whole body was drawn taunt and it felt as though pure fire was running through him and then ice and then fire again. The light was brilliant, blinding, and it encompassed everything until his hand touched flesh. Her hand joined with his and he looked as her eyes opened and she smiled. Emerald green eyes.




Prophecy of the End



With a flash and a pulse of power that roared outward from where Tsume stood the pillar was gone and only the woman remained, her hand in his own. She looked at him, her green eyes were fathomless. She was pale even outside of her stone prison, but her hair was pure fire, red and gold, burnished in the light, the jewelry was indeed gold and it no longer appeared to be restrictive for it moved with her and was warm as her own skin was. She looked at him and smiled once.

"Tsume." Her voice was like warm honey.

And she collapsed into his arms, unconscious. 

-----------------------------

Tsume growled and kicked at a pile of moldy straw as he made another lap around the ten by ten cell he had been shoved into. Figured that even though he hadn't done a damn thing wrong those crazy priestesses had shoved him in the dungeon and taken off with the dead girl. Or not dead girl. Or whatever she was! He fumed and alternately screamed obscenities and kicked the cell door for awhile, knowing it wouldn't do a damn bit of good but frustrated beyond reason. Why did this shit always happen to him? What the hell had he done in life to get stuck with such piss poor luck and such a screwed up destiny. Destiny, what the hell was that!

-----------------------------

"She has not awoken yet Cathina." The healer smiled as the Priestess entered the chamber.

"What did he do to her Maye?" Cathina eyed the unconscious fire maiden laying in the bed between them.

"He," Maye looked at Cathina. "Did nothing. She appears to be extremely dehydrated and weak at the moment. I managed to get her to take some healing tea in, it should revive her shortly. You, on the other hand should let that poor young man out of the dungeon, without him she would still be sealed in that crystal."

"That is beside the point Maye. She is the only goal," Cathina pointed at the fire maiden. "Without her we are all doomed to die, consumed by the blackness. That man was a tool, a tool to unlock her from the stone pillar so that we can ask her to summon the Golden Dragon. That is all he is."

Maye leveled a stare at Cathina. "You of all people should know better. 'And so when fire and ice become one' that man is still vital. He must get the fire maiden to call the Dragon, he alone can get her to unlock the power of the Dragon and open the gates of paradise."

Cathina scowled and stormed from the room. Maye watched her go and said no more. Cathina knew that it was true, only that man could get the fire maiden to call the Dragon. Something within him was required to complete the prophecy and fulfill their mutual destiny.

-----------------------------

Her eyes fluttered open and her gaze slowly focused on the ceiling above her. Where was she? Where the elders here? No, no they wouldn't be would they? She had been sealed. Sealed, doomed to wait until she could ascend. She had been judged not worthy and left behind, sealed in stone to wait until such a time as she was whole and could ascend to the world beyond, for this world was dying... they were all dying. She slowly sat up and looked down at the homespun dress she had donned to spend eternity in. If she had failed to rise, failed to complete herself, then this was to be her burial dress. But she was awake. It was time, and heaven and hell could not hold her from her destiny any longer. She stood and looked around the room.

"You are awake!" A voice came from her right and she turned. "I had hoped you would rise today, my name is Maye, I am the Temple healer. What is your name?"

"Where is Tsume?" She glared at the older woman. "What have you done with him?"

Maye sighed. "Cathina put him in the dungeon, I told her she should not do it, but she would not be swayed."

"Take me to him." The fire maiden's hair billowed around her and a red glow emanated from her body, power building as she summoned it to her. "Take me to him, now!"

Maye looked at the girl and smirked, Cathina had no idea what she had gotten in to. "This way fire maiden, you do not have to use your power against me, I am more than willing to help you. You have no enemy in me, fire maiden."

"My name is Anki."

Anki followed Maye through the twisting labyrinth of passageways down into the lower levels of the Temple. These paths had not been used in years and the dungeons were just as antiquated. Anki strode forward determinedly until they reached the last passage of their journey. Quietly she lifted her hand and pinched a nerve in the older woman's neck, falling her where she stood.

"Sleep Maye, and none shall blame you for his escape." Anki dashed down the hallway.

-----------------------------

Tsume had about had it when he heard foot falls coming down the long hallway. About time that bitch came back and dealt with him in person. 

"What the hell is wrong with you people I didn't do anything wrong! Let me out of here you bitch! I swear I'll wring your damn neck!" Tsume growled. He stopped as he saw her enter the dungeon.

"You do not like being caged Tsume, in that we are of one mind already." Anki smiled and walked to the heavy iron bars, she reached one hand through and stroked his fact while with the other she snapped the lock as if it were a toothpick in her hands. "We shall leave this place now."

Tsume stared at the mangled lock but swiftly followed the woman's as she returned the way she had come. It seemed his life was going to get even stranger from here on in. They ran until they reached the temple chamber that housed the sacred flame, enthralled Tsume had to stop, no human save the priestesses of the temple had ever gazed upon the sacred flame. Its golden-green light flickered and shifted, tossing colors through the open chamber, it licked at nothing burning from the air itself. He could tell that once it had been much larger from the rings on the basin it sat in, but it was smaller, and weaker than in times past.

"Do not dwell on that which is dying Tsume, in time it will not matter at all." The woman looked at him. "Come."

Tsume's head jerked up as the guards filled into the chamber. He froze, reaching for the dagger he knew they had already taken. He cursed softly as the force surrounded them quickly and the enraged Priestess Cathina dashed in behind them.

"Defiler!!" she wailed. "You have defiled this sacred place and turned the Fire Maiden against us all! Heretic! Sinner! You will never see Paradise!"

"My name," The woman's voice was deathly quiet but reverberated with power. "Is Anki, and it is you who shall never gaze upon Paradise."

Anki launched herself across the room, three guards fell as though paralyzed. Anki pulled the gilded dagger from one of their sides as she swept past and plunged it into the heart of the Priestess Cathina.

"Vile woman, blinded by your own hate. You deserve to die here in the darkness, the Golden Dragon would rip you limb from limb and suck your bones!" Anki hissed driving the dagger deeper even as Cathina's eyes glazed and the life left them. "Stand aside all of you, LEAVE this place NOW or none of you shall ever see Paradise!"

The guards fled as though the very demons of hell nipped at their heals. The blood spattered Anki turned to Tsume and gazed at him. Tsume was impressed and scared shitless at the same time, this woman was not human, could it be that this crazy prophecy talk was real and that he was still tangled in it?

"You need never fear me Tsume. As I am fate, you are the claws with which to render that fate. Without you there is no beginning, no end."

Anki touched his face again, her fingers sought the back of his neck and then his scalp as she loosed his hair from the ties that held it. She smiled as it fell free and ran her fingers through it. "I have waited for a thousand years for you Tsume, only you can fill the void in me and I the one in you. Only together are we complete."

Her lips touched his and he lost his ability to think beyond that. He closed his eyes and returned her kiss fiercely feeling as though life was being breathed into him from her lips. Anki wrapped her fingers in his hair and opened her mouth to him, inviting his tongue into her mouth and following it back into his with her own. She moaned in lust and clung to him, the deep gnawing hunger attacking her belly and spiraling to the junction of her legs. Tsume had never been as aroused as he was holding her in his arms, one kiss and he felt like he would die if he did not take her right then. He broke the kiss and scooped her up carrying her to the low alter in front of the sacred flame. 

Her nails tore the shirt from his body as he pulled the dress from her shoulders and discarded it on the floor. He gazed down at her, naked but for the gold circlets around her wrists and the pendent on her neck. She was a goddess, her body was perfect, taunt and lean with just enough curves to make her seductive. Her breasts were just more than a handful and crowed with dusky nipples that hardened under his gaze. He took it all in as he gazed at her. Anki growled and snapped the button from his pants as he stared at her, causing Tsume to grin and shuck the last of his clothing. He knelt between her legs on the alter and bent his head to kiss her stomach, delighting in her gasp as she twisted her fingers into his hair. He trailed kisses up her stomach and then took one of her nipples into his mouth, flicking it with his tongue.

Anki made a guttural sound of desire as her back arched from the cold stone and she gripped his shoulders with her nails. She could feel the warm heavy weight of his arousal against the inside of her thigh and ached to touch it. Tsume dragged his teeth over her nipple and retraced his route down her chest and to her stomach, continuing down until his lips brushed the thatch of red curls between her legs. He parted her with his fingers and ran his tongue over her clit, flicking the tip of his tongue over it lazily as he watched her writhe above him. She moaned and twisted under him, he watched her as his fingers slowly worked in and out of her body. She was soaking wet and her muscles were shaking as she whimpered and called his name out. Finally Tsume slide his body up until he was above her, his hips snuggly between her thighs and then head of his rigid cock resting against the hot wet center between her legs. 

She wrapped her legs around his thighs and pushed upward as he slide down into her. Tsume gasped and Anki screamed. He was buried to the hilt and throbbing with pleasure, her body was tighter than a glove around him and it felt like coming home. Anki moaned arching her back and panting as the stillness made the ache inside her that much worse. Each tiny movement was like a slow death she couldn't get enough of. Tsume kissed her hard and began to thrust himself in and out of her, each stroke causing the blood to rush through his veins faster, every movement like pure torture that he could not resist. Sweat began to bead on his shoulders and back, he saw it forming on her belly and navel as well as she moved with him, her hips thrusting against his own. Her eyes flew open and she twisted her body, flipping him underneath her on the alter as she rolled to straddle him without allowing a break in their joining. 

Anki pinned him to the alter and began to rock her hips quickly, thrusting in time to the rapid tattoo her heart was beating. She could feel his hands on her breasts, caressing and then pinching her hardened nipples, driving her mad with sensation. The zenith of something enormous was ahead and Anki felt like she was riding a wave into it, her thrusts becoming wild and fast as her body grew taunt and her belly tingled. She felt the release inside of her like an explosion, heat radiated from her center, waves of unbelievable pleasure rolled through her body, her breath caught in her throat. Tsume felt himself release even as she did and the pleasure bordered on pain it was so intense, he held her hips as he felt himself empty into her, heat and pleasure overwhelming.

In that moment, a light more brilliant that any star or sun exploded outward from their joined bodies, it rolled across the world like an EMP waves from the center of an explosion.

Anki slumped and collapsed next to Tsume. Her breathing stopped, her skin cooled, and her eyes closed. The sacred flame guttered and went out above them.

Tsume shook Anki but she would not rise, he called her name over and over again but she did not respond. The chamber they were in was lit only by faint false light reservoirs now that the flame had gone out and he could make out her expression, one of joy. He called her name till his throat sealed and he choked, feeling the beginning of tears in his eyes. This was their damn prophecy? Death? And for what? The sky was still black, the light might have split the heavens but there was no Golden Dragon and no Paradise. Tsume slipped off the alter and put his head in his hands. What had he done. One moment of happiness, he had killed a woman for that? 

-----------------------------

Anki drifted, she heard the calls of Tsume but could not answer. She felt peaceful and quiet in this world of mists, but there was a purpose to her visit. She looked out into the mists.

"I know you're here, I have come. You are free."

-----------------------------

A rattling noise brought Tsume back from his contemplations. It sounded like the Temple was going to come down. He grabbed his pants and yanked them on, as he reached for Anki's body the roof tiles began to cave in and he had to jump to avoid being hit by the falling debris. The roof fell away and a hole in the ceiling revealed the sky. Tsume saw no difference in the sky or the world, he looked at Anki, silent and pale on the alter like an ancient sacrifice of the old days.

A diffuse golden glow began to coat Anki's form, and her body began to rise from the stone slab. Tsume's eyes widened in horror as he watched the glow becoming a light that radiated from inside of Anki's body. Tsume had to turn away as it became blinding. A roar split the air like a triuphent battle cry, and when he looked back there was no Anki. Before him sat a seventy five foot Golden Dragon with the most amazing Emerald eyes.

"Anki." He whispered as he looked at the huge dragon.

The beast swung its head and looked at him, pausing as if searching a memory not its own for answers. It spread its huge wings and with a quick leap entered the sky above, leaving Tsume to watch from below. The Golden Dragon called out, roaring her dominion over the sky, the earth, the universe itself. She turned her head to the pitch in the sky and snorted, fire trilling out from her nostrils as her anger boiled. She turned and flapped her wings once before tucking them in against her body and shooting forward like an arrow into the heavens, through the blackness, through the evil and the poison she cut through like a blade until her body pearced the dying star in the heavens and cleaved a hole in space and time.

"Oh my God." Tsume looked on in horror, as did every person on the earth below. "That is our salvation? She opened a black hole!"

The Golden Dragon turned and beat her wings, sucking in the darkness, pulling it like water into the heart of the black hole. She pulled it all, planets, stars, meteors, evil, good, everything. She descended into the planet's atmosphere again and perched on the corner of the Temple of the Dragon to watch the world be swallowed by the black hole she had created. She looked down at the man below who looked at her searching for answers. The Golden Dragon offered no answers she only sat and watched as the world was sucked into the vortex, people were pulled from the earth as it broke apart and thrown into the abyss, they cried and pleaded as they vanished, and still the Dragon sat quietly and watched. Perhaps because Tsume was standing right next to her they were the last portion not yet sucked into oblivion. Tsume asked no questions, he sat, holding the pendent that Anki had worn and watched the last of the world break apart. Just before he lost conciousness he looked at the Dragon, and she smiled at him.

-----------------------------

Tsume smelled water. His eyes fluttered open slowly. Water? Smell? He sat up suddenly and looked around. He was sitting in the middle of a field of fresh green grass. A herd of horses grazed down at the bottom of the slope, and a stream ran through the sea of grass. As he looked around he saw people, people from the bazaar, Marge from the tavern, people from the mines. They looked as confused as he, but joyous as they danced and laughed and shouted on word over and over. Paradise.

Tsume sighed and looked over this new world, he clutched the pendent in his hand still. What good was paradise if he was alone again? Life seemed to have again dealt him a raw hand. He gripped the pendent so tightly he felt blood began to trickle down his arm from his palm. The pendent grew hot in his hand and he looked down. Slowly it became liquid and slid into his bloodstream. Tsume gasped and jumped up, his hand shook and he felt cold, freezing from within, the world swam and went dark.

When he opened his eyes again it was to see the emerald green eyes of the Golden Dragon. She sat a short space away, her barbed tail curled around her front feet and her wings tucked in at her sides. She looked at him and waited. For what? Tsume wondered. He slowly sat up and grew even more confused. Had she shrank? He looked at her from the same height she was, how was this possible. He looked down and jumped. Long white legs, tipped with powerful steely talons, scales that shone irridenct white. He was a dragon!

"Welcome home Tsume." Anki's voice flowed into his head from the Golden Dragon's mind.



Prophecy Reigns



(Author's note: this is a snippet from a full sized novel that has been accepted for publication. Consider it a teaser; if you want to read more then pick up a copy of "Unpredicted Prophecy" when it comes out...)

The last trail was a fairly good sized chamber, with no obvious chasms to fall into, tight spaces to bar their way, or icy pools to freeze them solid. No poisonous gases, no signs of imminent geological activity, no unsteady ground. Just a large room with a few solid lumps here and there. Maitreyah advanced to inspect the lumps more closely. "They look like bag chairs," he whispered to Shakilah. "Made out of fur and skins. Not very well made, but..." he shrugged, and shone the light on another lump. 

Maitreyah swallowed bile with effort as the light shone upon the corpse of a humanoid creature. It may have been human. Or maybe not. The species of the victim was undeterminable after having been flayed of its skin and drained of all its blood. He shone the light on other lumps, which proved to be other corpses of a multitude of species. All of them both flayed and desiccated.

Then... something moved.

Maitreyah shone the light on the movement. A fur lined bag couch, from which a figure arose with silent hostility evident in its every nuance of posture. "Vampire," Shakilah breathed, and Maitreyah had no difficulty associating the creature with the name.

The vampire before them was no undead corpse. Compared to this creature, a walking pile of animated necrotic tissue would have seemed as cute and cuddly as a stuffed teddy bear. While Shakilah's ancestors had obviously been wolves in the distant past, somehow altered into humanoid forms, this creature's lineage could be traced back to a mosquito. It was thin, and tall, and spindly, and angular. It's jointed and articulated exoskeleton seemed to glow in the light of Zaphan and its four arms and two legs were poised for attack. The face, well, I'll never have to worry about nightmare fodders ever again, bore two compound eyes and a long nose curled into a spiral. The proboscis for feeding, Maitreyah duly noted. This is thing is a vampire, all right. Bloodsucking parasitic predator of sentients.

The vampire spread its arms like a prophet exhorting the faithful, and a glimmer appeared behind its back. Wings? Maitreyah wondered. Can it fly in here? Little puffs then appeared from the armpits, little clouds of pink dust. No, that's not what they're for, Maitreyah realized, as the wings blew the spores directly at them. Shakilah stiffened as a pink tendril reached her nostrils. So did part of Maitreyah.

Pheromones, he realized with no small amount of disgust. This thing sexually arouses its prey, until they're eager for its touch. With energy born of utter fear and horror, he blew the air back at the vampire, along with its odious chemicals. The vampire rebounded off the far wall, and then charged in to attack. Silently, oh so silently, for it had no mouth to scream or even speak with, only that awful proboscis. And its hands with their two fingers and opposable thumb, all three digits tipped with barbed and serrated claws.

The vampire lashed out at Maitreyah, and he backed away in utter terror, swinging wildly with Zaphan. The creature easily slipped the clumsy swings, and the sharp claws threatened to tear into him. Then Shakilah, snarling with fury and fear, charged into the fray, several hundred pounds of teeth and fur and social predatory instinct tackling into the monster from behind.

But the vampire may very well have been as long lived as its mythical namesake, for it countered with the science of trained fighting responses. As the creature fell, it twisted, and Shakilah went flying considerably farther than the monster, which coiled into a tight ball as it hit the ground, rolling to its feet with nary a pause. Shakilah landed with somewhat greater impact, and groaned, the breath knocked out of her.

As the vampire towered over her, the proboscis began to straighten, the intent clear. Shakilah looked up with eyes clouded by pain, as the vampire prepared to feed. Then the creature stiffened, its body radiating pain, as Zaphan chopped cleanly through one of its hands. Green ichors flew from the wound, and the creature fled in silent agony, trailing rose colored streamers in its wake.

Maitreyah watched the vampire as it fled from sight, then glanced at the ichors dripping from the axe. He shivered, and took a deep breath to still his shaken nerves. Oops. His body began to move without conscious volition - he didn't even feel himself making choices. He merely acted without thinking, as the attractive female beneath him, the girl who had inhaled voluminous amounts of pheromones in her efforts to regain her wind from the fall, reached for him with unvocalized invitation.

Kissing a girl with a muzzle was... well, it wasn't. Not exactly a possibility. But the sweeps of her long, rough tongue as it played over his face added to the experience in much the same manner as a traditional kiss. Maitreyah's hands in turn squeezed her furry chest, savoring the feel. Rather like a woman wearing fur lingerie, the soft feel of her coat.

Shakilah moaned as she experienced what was, to her, equally exotic. His smooth, dainty human tongue circled each nipple in turn, tormenting the stiff peaks before moving on to the next. She sighed deeply, and lay back, spreading her thighs as her cultural programming dictated. Bitch in heat, ready for breeding. Maitreyah's lust maddened gaze moved down to the dripping wet pussy, and lowered with a slow, unstoppable movement of torso and limb.

Maitreyah would later realize that, whatever else he may have been, he had not been a virgin when he left the cryochamber. Stored within his body of unremembered knowledge was a signifigantly sized body of erotic techniques that implied both long experience and actual study of the art of love. While the implications of that would disturb him for many a quiet moment thereafter, he never once regretted the possession of such knowledge when he needed it most. When Shakilah needed it most.

Shakilah stared up at the black ceiling, her vision of all fading as Zaphan's glow faded. There it was, the hardened clit, ready to be lashed at with a few rough swipes to prepare for... oh! This was differant, too. Instead of cursory tongue lashings, Maitreyah - HER Maitreyah, her mate and stud, lovingly licked the nub with an obvious need to pleasure her. Then he further demonstrated his abilities by introducing her to a portion of her anatomy she had never even known she had, a rough patch just inside her cunt, and... her snarls of lust bespoke her enjoyment of his lessons. Her claws began to rake the cavern floor, searching for something to hold on to.

Maitreyah's tongue left the little g-spot, returning to her clit and... oh! Shakilah jerked, her body spasming around his mouth, as the lips encircled her clit and began to suckle on it. Then a finger began to probe her pussy... locating the g-spot... stimulation combined and enhanced and sent explosions racing through her spine to her brain. Her screams of joy echoed through the black tunnels, sending those few life forms that heard them fleeing.

But now it was too much, too much sensation by far, and Shakilah began to push Maitreyah's head away. He stubbornly refused, holding her fast with a strength he'd not displayed previously. Instead he forced her to submit to a few more licks, a few more pulses of indescribably sensation, and she whimpered, accepting his dominance over her body, submitting to the lips and tongue and will of her stud. When he finally released her, she spread her thighs even farther, desperate for breeding, for penetration and coupling.

His loincloth came off with difficulty in his fingers, rendered clumsy by longing. She felt him there and gasped. He was huge for a human, average for a werewolf, but to a virgin all cocks are enormous and terrifying. And in the tradition of her culture, though Maitreyah had not known this, all werewolves were virgins until their first mating at the hands of a male worthy of breeding them. She gave an explosive grunt as he pushed his way in, and blissfully awaited the pain of defloweration as rock hard shaft met fragile membrane.

Maitreyah slammed his cock home in one single movement, uncaring of any momentary impedement to his penetration. He began to churn in and out, a fierce, tearing, ripping intromission, and Shakilah moaned in delight, as he finally gave her the roughness more in keeping with her own expectations. Pink froth spoke eloquently of his cruel violation, equally so of her happiness to be so violated. Her face began to split, jaws parting in a soundless howl, and her second orgasm proved even stronger than the first.

Maitreyah's face buried itself in the thick fur of her neck, and he began to feel a wetness brushing against his cheeks. Tears brushed from his eyes onto the fur, then back onto his face. Tears of pleasure, of ecstacy, of...? Her own eyes leaked with pain and pleasure and a hunger for more of both. She wrapped her legs around him to hold him in place, to breed her like a proper stud, to fuck his bitch the way she needed to be fucked. Her hips began to move with him, her internal muscles to work in clumsy, untrained yet eager pulses, determined to milk him dry.

Maitreyah's lust could not hold out for long. The feel of tight pussy pulsing around his throbbing shaft was then enhanced by claws reaching for his taut buttocks. Ass cheeks felt sharp points pushing into soft tissue, and with that last bit of sensation he exploded. Surging jets poured into her, ropes of hot cum bathing her insides, and Shakilah's joy at the feeling of her mate seeding her sent her into a final climax. She cried from pleasure and pain and happiness at finding her mate, this strange and beautiful human with his foreign notions and magical abilities.

When it was over, Maitreyah lay on Shakilah's massive chest, his head nuzzling her surprisingly comfortable bosom. Soft breasts over hard muscle, underneath delightfully warm fur. Shakilah moaned with contentment, desire sated, love fulfilled, as her heavy hands caressed his back softly, lovingly. But the cloud of pheromones began to recede from his brain.

I shouldn't be lying here, Maitreyah thought to himself. We were fighting the vampire. And then... comprehension dawned at last upon fuzzy brain cells, and he started to get up. Then fell back down, as Shakilah held him fast, her eyes shimmering as she gazed upon him lovingly.

"Now we are one," she crooned joyously, her heart pounding with ecstatic fulfillment beneath his chest. Maitreyah felt a wave of euphoric happiness at her words, don't be happy about this. This is not good, so don't feel happy about it. He disengaged himself from her, and stood up. I've just seriously screwed up our relationship. He was no longer a mentor or "big brother" figure anymore. She thinks we're mates.

Did he want to be her mate?

Let's not think about that.

Good idea. It was hard to feel even a twinge of regret about what had passed between them. He loved it. He wanted to do it again. And again, and again, and again... but it would be wrong. Wouldn't it? He was supposed to be doing this with someone else. 

Who?

Silence.

Oh, no. Another thing he wasn't being permitted to know about. A really important thing. What you know that you don't know can seriously ruin your peace of mind.

After a long while, he managed to mumble, "If we follow the vampire then we'll probably find the way out." Shakilah nodded, and pointed towards the source of light in the room. Maitreyah belatedly realized that illumination no longer came from the discarded focus, but from the far end of the room. Daylight. He led the way, and Shakilah followed, blissfully content. Naively content.

As Shakilah bubbled happily with the innocent joy of young love and her cultural equivalent of the honeymoon, Maitreyah writhed internally from guilt, uncertain what the future would bring. His database left him with facts but no guidance, while the Eldred seemed determined to fit him with blinders. And so it was that a half blinded man led a completely sightless werewolf out of the tunnel to a wide plain, which stretched before them like the future that only one of them could tell was coming, ready to shower them with gifts of unhappiness.